Monday, January 29, 2007

Another slap on the wrist??? Considering that we haven't seen any major punishment in the form of firings, hefty fines, jail terms and the like for those guilty of giving or taking payola since the FCC instituted The Communications Act and rules against payola in 1960, I think it's safe to say that any details of recent payola that might come from FCC chairman Kevin Martin when he appears before the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday, February 1st will be another slap on the wrist. When then New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer prosecuted payola-related crimes his office settled out of court with Sony BMG, Warner and Universal for $10, $5 and $12 million respectively for distribution to non-profit organizations. Together those fines can't even sign a CEO at any of those labels, no less make a dent in the finances of the companies named. And since Spitzer became governor he's got state agencies to investigate and he's already begun his campaign at that level, effectively taking him out of investigating further payola charges in the entertainment business... So in nearly 50 years only disc jockey Alan Freed paid dearly for taking payola and if he wasn't so honest would today have a wing named after him in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although Freed admitted taking payola, there was no law prohibiting it prior to 1960. The FCC had to make an example of Freed as a warning to disc jockey and record company alike - this is what happens to those who take payola. Freed couldn't find a job and drank himself to death... Don't expect any fireworks coming out of Washington on Thursday. No major fines or firings, no arrests. Do expect another slap on the wrist. Update to follow. In the meantime there's another major concern about another form of payola - paid for blog posts. I guess I'll have to start adding a disclaimer, something like "the preceding posting was not paid for but is approved by Mel Phillips"... You'll find today's video link in the 1966 timeline... Timeline Memories... "Happy Trails": 1980] Legendary comedian Jimmy Durante says "good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are". Durante was 86 when he passed away from pneumonia... "Quoth the raven, 'nevermore': 1845] Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" is published for the 1st time in the New York Evening Mirror... A junior graduates: 1900] The American Baseball League is organized in Philadelphia with 8 teams (Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C.)... Going to Hall: 1936] The Baseball Hall of Fame holds its 1st induction. Elected are: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson... Wedding Bells: 1958] Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward tie the knot (their 50th anniversary is one year away)... "Signed, Sealed, Delivered": 1962] Warner Brothers signs Peter, Paul and Mary... Released on this date: 1966] "I Fought The Law" - Bobby Fuller Four...Today's video link. This is a "Hullabaloo" appearance by the group in glorious black & white and is worth viewing for the Hullabaloo dancers alone. As the late Jocko Henderson used to say, "They're doing the Bop, Slop and Whatnot". It's groovy man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-xucRvYCOU The Final Curtain: 1972] Smokey Robinson leaves The Miracles for a solo career... Debuted on this date: 1969] "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" debuts on CBS-TV and runs until June of 1972... "D-I-V-O-R-C-E": 1979] Emerson, Lake and Palmer split up after a 10-year career together... Premiered on this date: 1964] Stanley Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove (or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb) starring Peter Sellers opens... Commuter Special: 1979] Jimmy Carter commutes Patricia Hearst's 7-year sentence to 2 years... "Guilty as Charged": 1990] Joseph Hazlewood, former skipper of the Exxon Valdez goes on trial in Anchorage (AK) for his role in America's worst oil spill. He will be acquitted of all charges except a misdemeanor...1999] The U.S. Senate delivers subpoenas for Monica Lewinsky and 2 presidential advisers for private videotaped testimony in President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial... A Super 1st: 1995] The San Francisco 49ers become the 1st team in the NFL to win 5 Super Bowls by beating San Diego 49-26 behind Steve Young's 6 touchdown passes (breaking Joe Montana's previous record of 5... [To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]... Commentary... "Happy Trails" to: Hall of Fame goalie Gump Worsley, who didn't wear a mask until the final season of his great 21-year career. His given name was Lorne John Worsley and he picked up the nickname "Gump" as a child because his hair stuck up like Andy Gump of comic strip fame. Worsley died at 77 over the weekend in his native Canada following a heart attack last Monday...Bing Devine, the former St. Louis GM who helped build the Cardinals to 3 National League pennants and 2 World Series titles in the 60's. Bing was in failing health since Christmas and died over the weekend at 90. Bing's given name: Vaughan P. Devine... We also had a "premiered on this date" on January 27th as Rebecca Jayne Vettor came into this world. Rebecca is the daughter of my nephew Michael. Mother T.J. and baby are doing fine. Congratulations to Michael and T.J... "Happy Birthday...happy birthday": Greg Louganis (47), Ann Jillian (52), Oprah Winfrey (53), Tommy Ederly a.k.a. Tommy Ramone (55), Tom Selleck (62), Katherine Ross (67), John Forsythe (89) and Professor Irwin Corey (93)... Timeline Countdown: 6 days until Super Bowl XLI, 17 days until 'pitchers and catchers' and 51 days until spring... ...