WELCOME TO BLITZ MAGAZINE'S WEB SITE!

Here And Now: MELROSE PLACE alumni HEATHER LOCKLEAR (Amanda Woodward), DAPHNE ZUNIGA (Jo Reynolds) and GRANT SHOW (Jake Hanson) share one of many light moments during a panel discussion at the Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee on 11 July 2026. The MELROSE PLACE vets joined such greats as DEBBIE GIBSON, NELSON, LITA FORD, HENRY WINKLER, GABRIELLE CARTERIS, MACKENZIE PHILLIPS, LYDIA CORNELL, RON PERLMAN and many others that weekend for the Fanboy Expo. Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell has the story in a free standing article under the Previous Posts heading at right. Photo by Michael McDowell. C&P 2026 Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People. All rights reserved. (Click on the above image to enlarge).

WELCOME TO THE INTERET HOME

FOR BLITZ MAGAZINE
SINCE 1975 -
THE ROCK AND ROLL MAGAZINE
FOR THINKING PEOPLE

Welcome to the official web site for Blitz, The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People. Since 1975, Blitz has been the leading voice for the discerning music enthusiast. Blitz Magazine was also one of the first magazines of its kind to embrace the internet, having also been online since January 1996.

Here you will find news and updates about all of the key artists essential to the growth and development of rock and roll music and related genres, including rhythm and blues, country and western, jazz and easy listening. For highlights from recent past editions of the Bits And Pieces and Shape Of Things To Come columns, click on the archival postings on the right hand side of this page. Be sure and check back frequently for regular updates.

If you have any questions, please e-mail us at BlitzMcD@aol.com.

Michael McDowell
Editor/Publisher
Blitz Magazine
Since 1975 - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People
E-Mail us at BlitzMcD@aol.com for a list of available back issues.

Be sure to follow Blitz on Twitter:

@BlitzMagazine

and

on Facebook at:

Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People

AUDREY'S MUSICAL JOURNEY:

Follow the fascinating and unfolding tale (through her favorite music) of the life and times of Blitz Magazine's late and beloved Photo Editor, Audrey McDowell, as told by her husband, Blitz Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell. A Facebook exclusive! "Like" us on Facebook at Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People, and watch for further installments.

IN THE BITS AND PIECES COLUMN:

In a free standing article under the Previous Posts heading at right, Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell celebrates the highly anticipated and most welcome comprehensive CD box set, The Complete Collection, chronicling the enormously influential legacy of the beloved vocal supergroup BABE, along with observations by group members Marga Bult and Margot van de Ven. 

In a free standing article under the Previous Posts heading at right, the faithful turned out by the thousands during one very warm weekend in July 2026 for the Fanboy Expo, held at the Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. In the spotlight were such musical giants as DEBBIE GIBSON, NELSON and LITA FORD, along with such film and television greats as MACKENZIE PHILLIPS, GABRIELLE CARTERIS, RON PERLMAN, HENRY WINKLER, LYDIA CORNELL, DEBORAH VAN VALKENBURG and many more. Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell celebrates the highlights.

In a free standing article under the Previous Posts heading at right, Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell salutes former Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People Art Director DENNIS LOREN, who succumbed to a lengthy illness on 18 May.

IN THE REISSUES / ANTHOLOGIES SECTION OF

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME COLUMN:

The band's legions of fans have reason to rejoice with the release of Live From The Los Angeles Sports Arena, a two-hour 1975  live set by PINK FLOYD.

More than fifty-five years after the band's legendary guitarist's passing, the JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE catalog continues to reap dividends. This time around with the late 2025 deluxe four CD and blueray box set, Bold As Love.

Archivist and historial Zev Feldman continues his acclaimed deep dive into the legacy of the legendary keyboard virtuoso BILL EVANS, with a deluxe edition of Evans' landmark 1970 concert at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival in Norway.

IN THE NEW RELEASES SECTION OF

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME COLUMN:

In her latest Ruf Records release, My Voice, San Diego guitarist and composer LAURA CHAVEZ puts her own distinctive stamp on the classic guitar workout. Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell sings her praises.

The Burbank-based Big Stir label has done much to bring proven methodology into the modern day setting with an eye towards the future. Its all new twenty-five track sampler, The Big Stir Records Hit Machine sustains that momentum with new offerings from the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Graham Parker, the Spngetones, the Jack Rubies and others. 

In Secret Admirer, her second album for the Original Cast label, New York City-based vocalist JEANNE GARI tackles a wide varierty of classics by the Revelers, Petula Clark, Robin Ward and Cilla Black, in addition to a quartet of new compositions by her husband, Brian Gari. 

The JONAS BROTHERS bring lessons well learned full circle with their latest Republic Records release, Greetings From Your Hometown.

Her Manchild single has proven to be one of 2025's most acclaimed releases to date. SABRINA CARPENTER sustains that momentum in abundance with her latest album, Man's Best Friend.

After a decade in the spotlight, MORGAN WALLEN has perfected the ability to draw from the best of both worlds with his ambitious new album for Big Loud, I Mean Business.

DENNIS LOREN MEMORIAL TRIBUTE

LET GO: His work was introduced to the world during his four years as Art Director for Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People. From there, he went on to establish one of the most diverse and acclaimed legacies in thie history of the recording industry. We salute our dear friend DENNIS LOREN, who succumbed to a lengthy illness on 18 May.  (Click on above image to enlarge).

THINKING PEOPLE:

REMEMBERING

DENNIS LOREN

(1945 - 2026)

By Michael McDowell

Without Dennis Loren, there may well have never been a Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People.

The world of music in Southeastern Michigan in the mid-1960s was anything but a one size fits all scenario. While it was the visionary work of such rhythm and blues-inspired companies as Golden World, Ric-Tic, Revilot and the Motown family of labels, as well as the ambitious and second to none first generation garage rock championed by the likes of the Unrelated Segments, the Wanted, the Tidal Waves, the Human Beings, Bob Seger And The Last Heard, tthe Bossmen, the Shy Guys, the Rationals, Terry Knight And The Pack, the Pleasure Seekers, Question Mark And The Mysterians and countless others that largely put the area on center stage, diversity and creativity in any capacity were most assuredly the order of the day. 

This was borne out most consistently at suburban Detroit's beloved WKNR Keener 13, where station mastermind Bob Green's Intelligent Flexibility thesis guided such like minded visionaries as Paul Cannon, Jerry Goodwin, Scott Regen, J. Michael Wilson and Ted Clark, as they showcased a richly diverse platform that gave equal footing to everyone from Mongo Santamaria and Dean Martin to the Blues Magoos and the Parliaments. 

It was that cerebrally charged atmosphere in which Dennis Loren found himself. Born Dennis Loren Kranich, Loren followed his high school graduation in 1964 with a tour of militarty duty in Europe. While there, Loren enjoyed the once in a lifetime blessing of witnessing a live performance by the enormously influential and groundbreaking composer and saxophonist John Coltrane. 

That experience was enough to solidify his resolve to make his own mark. Upon his discharge from military service, Loren relocated to California's Bay Area for a season. While there, he developed a working relationship with many of the area's industry front runners. 

By the mid-1970s, Loren found himself back in Michigan. The discipline he had learned during his time in the military served him well, as he navigated the responsibility of single parenthood for son Ben while plying his trade at various graphics and production houses on Detroit's east side. Among other things, Loren also tried his hand at both recording (Let Go) and as a label head (the short lived Stone Soup Records).

Despite those commitments, the timing could not have been more fortuitous. With the musical mainstream still in the throes of a protracted aesthetic slump, the faithful grew increasingly discontented, to the point of being motivated to the degree of taking matters into their own hands and initiating large scale change. Despite the technical limitations of that pre-internet era, the members of the diehard contingent eventually found one another and began to assert themselves in accordance with their respective God given capabilities. 

Most notably, a cadre of like minded musicians (including Cinecyde, the Romantics, Flirt, the Mutants and others) joined forces and began to release singles on their own labels. In turn, Blitz Magazine chronicled it all via a series of mimeographed newsletters that sang their praises, as well as the praises of the pioneers that inspired them.

At an area record collectors convention in late 1976 (one of many hosted by the late Stu Shapiro), Blitz Magazine Editor/Publisher Michael McDowell and long time colleague and contributing writer Jerry Schollenberger were in attendance as vendors, offering everything from rare and collectible 45s and albums to a selection of indie releases from the burgeoning, so-called punk/new wave movement. Also on display was a selection of some of the seventeen mimeo editons of the Blitz Magazine newsletter that had been published to date.

It was that latter item that caught the attention of Dennis Loren. He approached Blitz Magazine's exhibit and introduced himself.

"I've seen your work before", he said.

"I really like what you do. But I think you can take it to the next level. You should make a full length magazine out of it".

A meeting at Loren's Detroit home followed days later. Long story short, the first full length edition (#18) of Blitz Magazine made its debut in the early weeks of 1977, featuring interviews with musical visionaries Jan And Dean and a wealth of reviews of new releases (in The Shape Of Things To Come column) and rare vintage ones (as chronicled in the Classics Revisited section).

Throughout the remainder of the decade, Blitz Magazine and Dennis Loren spent countless nights over a light table proofreading and refining accordingly with X-Acto knife in hand, assembling nearly twenty more such editions of what by then had become known as Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People. In the process, Loren brought on board a number of his esteemed colleagues to offer their expertise, from book and magazine distributor Bob Tremaine to Spikedrivers co-founder and front man Ted Lucas (who provided a wealth of first hand information on the ins and outs of the industry) and one time MC5 manager John Sinclair, who regularly contributed to the typesetting process from his Detroit offices.

When Blitz Magazine relocated operations to Southern California in late 1979 - early 1980, a new team had to be assembled out of necessity. Various responsibilities kept Loren from following suit for the time being, although that decision proved to be fortuitous. Various other publications lined up in demand for his services, inspiring him to try his own hand at editorship with the acclaimed RPM Magazine. His work as a graphic designer could be found on the covers of releases by many of the area's leading musical lights, eventually bringing it full circle via his contributions to major career spanning releases by Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service. 

Upon his return to California in the closing years of the twentieth century, Loren joined forces with the great Bob Keane, who opted to give his vaunted Del-Fi label one last moment in the spotlight with a series of acclaimed new releases. Meanwhile, Loren's son Ben concurrently found himself as one of the prime movers and shakers in the burgeoning communications industry in the Pacific Northwest. 

Various family obligations eventually necessitated Loren's return to Michigan during the early years of the twenty-first century. While we attempted to stay in touch in various capacities, the demands of the day to day prevented doing so on a more frequent basis. Nonetheless, there were a number of highlights, including a magnificent night spent with the Flamin' Groovies during their fiftieth anniverary tour in 2015.

True to form, Dennis Loren was quick to divert attention away from himself, preferring to sing the praises of those who inspired him or whom he in turn mentored. To that effect, a proposed lunch meeting just months ago fell through the cracks when various commitments once again became the order of the day.

However, in Loren's case, the cessation of communications came as the result of his own relatively low key battle against various health concerns. He had been persevering in his fight for a number of weeks, when a sad announcement came on the morning of 19 May from his cousin, Robin Branch Stewart Bowden.

"My dearest big cousin Denny passed away yesterday", she said.

"I've known him my entire life as kind, gentle, creative and a wonderful storyteller". 

Indeed, Dennis Loren was all that, as well as a visionary who took the concept of thinking people to the next level. He would have celebrated his eighty-first birthday in June. Memorial services are pending.

FANBOY EXPO HIGHLIGHTS

Because They Can: Blitz Magazine Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell (center) catches up with brothers GUNNAR and MATTHEW NELSON at the Convention Center in Knoxville, Tennessee on 10 July 2026. C&P 2026 Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People. All rights reserved. (Click on above image to enlarge).

"I got this!" DEBBIE GIBSON gives Blitz Magazine Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell a reassuring thumbs up, as she prepares to take multi-tasking to the next level. Photo by Michael McDowell. C&P 2026 Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People. All rights reserved (Click on above image to enlarge).

STAIRWAY TO THE STARS:

KNOXVILLE EXPO

SHOWCASES THE GREATS

By Michael McDowell

"Are the stars out tonight?"

Although the great Dick Powell first posed that question via his 1934 monster classic, I Only Have Eyes For You (with the Flamingos following suit in 1959, and Art Garfunkel rounding out the trilogy in 1975), none of them took into consideration for the purpose at hand anything but the so-called "plasmatic spheroids" that grace the evening skies. 

Of course the term "stars" has also been used to describe individuals who have made their mark in the entertainment industry. However, the term has never met with universal acceptance in that respect, given that there are some among the rank and file who assert that it can be subjective when invoked in that capacity.

Nonetheless, there was no doubt that the term served as not only a fitting description in that respect, but as a testimony to the character and charisma of the various individuals who graced the Convention Center in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee from 10-12 July 2026 for the Fanboy Expo.

Thousands of devotees turned out to welcome a variety of greats who made their respective marks in the industry. They included The Terminator's Linda Hamilton, Henry Winkler of Happy Days, Laura Prepon of That '70s Show, Mackenzie Phillips of American Graffiti and One Day At A Time, Ron Perlman of Beauty And The Beast, Deborah Van Valkenburg, Lydia Cornell and Jim J. Bullock of Too Close For Comfort, Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Grant Show from Melrose Place, Kristy McNichol of Family, Jane Seymour of Doctor Quinn Medicine Woman and Gabrielle Carteris of Beverly Hills 90210, among many others.

In turn, the world of music was well represented throughout the weekend. On hand were Runaways lead guitarist Lita Ford, brothers Gunnar and Matthew Nelson and music's beloved vocalist, composer, producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist, Debbie Gibson. 

All concerned fielded a variety of fascinating inquiries throughout the weekend. To that effect, it was brought to Gabrielle Carteris' attention that during the series' original run, Beverly Hills 90210 attracted a niche cadre of viewers that was outside of its target demographic. That group was comprised of representatives from a slightly earlier generation, who envisioned the series as redemption of sorts for the perceived shortcomings of their own high school experiences. 

"I must admit I've never heard that before", she said. 

"That's interesting!"

The dialogue took on a even more animated approach when Blitz Magazine shared with Gunnar and Matthew Nelson some of the behind the scenes details of our multiple adventures with their father, rock and roll pioneer Rick Nelson. The elder Nelson earned Single Of The Year honors from Blitz Magazine in 1977 with You Can't Dance and again in 1986 with his farewell single, You Know What I Mean. Rick Nelson ultimately tied with Hank Williams as Blitz Magazine's decisive pick for Best Solo Artist of the 20th Century. 

"We miss him", they said. 

On the plus side, the Nelson brothers shared the good news that a project is in the works that may involve in some capacity the much missed Licorice Pizza record store chain. Details to follow. 

Also buoyed by the adoration afforded their legacy were Deborah Van Valkenburgh and Lydia Cornell, who portrayed sisters Jackie and Sarah Rush on ABC's Too Close For Comfort from 1980-1983. 

"We worked well together, like a family", said Cornell.

"What a blessing!"

After Too Close For Comfort concluded its run, series co-stars Ted Knight and Nancy Dussault persevered with a promising spinoff, The Ted Knight Show. Tragically, that series came to a premature conclusion.

"It was announced that Ted Knight was retiring from show business", Van Valkenburgh recalled. 

"We didn't believe it. We knew something was wrong." 

Indeed it was. Knight ultimately succumbed to a protracted battle against colorectal and bladder cancer in August 1986. 

On the plus side, good news abounded from the Melrose Place alumni. Series vets Heather Locklear (Amanda Woodward), Grant Show (Jake Hanson) and Daphne Zuniga (Jo Reynolds) shared a wealth of highlights throughout the weekend; both individually and as part of a discussion panel that Saturday.

Melrose Place has enjoyed sustained acclaim since its original 1992-1999 run on the Fox network. So much so, that an inquiry about a potential reboot prompted a most welcome response from Grant Show.

"Ask her", he said, gesturing towards Daphne Zuniga. 

Happily, Zuniga affirmed that negotiations with various entities who oversee the Melrose Place legacy are in the early stages. During the panel discussion, that possibility prompted a bit of humorous speculation.

"Amanda Woodward was always seen as a tough business person", Zuniga said.

"Maybe we should have her come back scrubbing toilets! That would be interesting".

"That's not happening!" Locklear retorted.

To be certain, Lockear was blessed with impeccable comedic timing. Blitz Magazine reminded her of one particular scene, in which her Amanda Woodward character was informed of a crisis that could have had catastrophic results for D&D Advertising, the firm where she served as CEO. Upon being advised of a tangible solution, Woodward declined to follow through accordingly. When asked why, she deadpanned thusly:

"That would be inconvenient."

"I wish I'd written that line!", Locklear said. 

In turn, Mackenzie Phillips took a matter of fact approach to her vast legacy. It is a legacy that included key roles in the motion picture American Graffiti and the One Day At A Time television series, as well as a season with the Mamas And Papas, the legendary vocal quartet that was co-founded by her late father, John Phillips. 

"A lot of people thought my name came from Scott McKenzie, who of course sang San Francisco. He was in the Journeymen with my father. But it didn't. His real name was Philip Blondheim.

"But look at California Dreamin'. What an iconic record! I see it as art for art's sake."

To that effect, Philips was reminded of a purist perspective that persists largely within musicologist and record collector circles. One issue voiced within those circles over the years concerned the use of anachronisms. In particular, the fact that the American Graffiti film, which was set in 1962, features a song in the closing credits (the Beach Boys' All Summer Long) that did not exist until 1964.

"I know about anachronisms", she said.

"I would say let it go. Just enjoy it!"

Thankfully, the prevalent atmosphere throughout the weekend was overwhelmingly one of celebration, rather than being focused on the minutiae of acaemia. That attribute particularly availed itself among Henry Winkler and Debbie Gibson (who was concurently celebrating the impending vinyl reissue of her Anything Is Possible and Body Mind Soul albums); each of whom fielded a wide variety of heartfelt inquiries from the faithul. 

True to form, Gibson went above and beyond the call of duty. That included filming a last minute ad hoc video for a fan who was unable to attend the event due to health concerns.

"I've been so engaged all day", Gibson said at the conslusion of the event.

"It's so gratifying!"

An assessment that was definitely shared by the multitudes in attendance. To be certain, throughout that wonderful weekend, the somewhat prophetic 1968 words of the Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus most assuredly rang true: "The place to be is Tennessee".

BITS AND PIECES - NEWS ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS By Michael McDowell

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: His seventy year career produced a legacy that absolutely staggers the imagination. Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell salutes the great NEIL SEDAKA, who passed away suddenly in a Los Angeles hospital on 27 February, just days prior to his eighty-seventh birthday  (Click on above image to enlarge).

I'M A SONG (SING ME):

REMEMBERING

NEIL SEDAKA

(1939 - 2026)

Musically speaking, it was arguably the worst of times up to that point. 

The early 1970s brought about an unprecedented divisiveness in music. It was sparked in part by the AM/FM wars that had surfaced during the closing months of the previous decade. Envisioning itself as the self-appointed media outlet for the "counter culture", the so-called FM undeground dismissed out of hand the rich diversity of AM radio by disavowing nearly all things musical that had come before it. In the process, a wealth of artists who had been visionaries and architects of rock and roll from the onset suddenly found themselves out of favor. 

While many of those beloved artists found other ways to compensate for the losses, two among their number opted instead to take a courageous stand in defense of their art. One was composer and vocalist Bob Seger, whose magnificent Back In '72 called out the hypocrisy of the movement in no uncertain terms. 

The other was an extraordinary composer, vocalist, pianist, Julliard School Of Music alumnus and Brooklyn, New York native, Neil Sedaka. With a remarkable track record as the composer of classic singles by the Cardinals, Jimmy Clanton, the Willows, Connie Francis, the Cookies and others (often in tandem with Howard Greenfield), Sedaka also created an astounding body of work for RCA Victor that showcased his extraordinary flair for the verse, chorus and bridge template with that all too rare combination of heart and the cerebral. The highlights of his triumphs for the label most assuredly speak for themselves: No Vacancy, One Way Ticket (To The Blues), Circulate, Next Door To An Angel, Let's Go Steady Again, Bad Girl, Oh Carol, Stairway To Heaven, The World Through A Tear, Calendar Girl and the sublime The Dreamer.

So while Bob Seger took the self-proclaimed powers that be to task in hard hitting fashion, Sedaka countered with a cut to the heart approach that brought to light the intolerance of his intended recipients.

That single, I'm A Song (Sing Me) served as a poignant reminder of the power of a well written 45. Others took notice, including composer, vocalist and avid record collector Elton John, who signed Sedaka to his Rocket label. Sedaka responded with more of what he did best, returning him to center stage with such far above the herd fare as Laughter In The Rain, Bad Blood and a ballad remake of his 1962 signature single, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. 

That burst of creativity was enough to sustain his momentum for the remainder of the decade, which also saw the Sedaka and Greenfield team once again shining brighly as composers via the 1975 Love Will Keep Us Together single for the Captain And Tennille. Sedaka closed out the 1970s with an acclaimed album for Elektra, which produced the hit singles Alone At Last and Should've Never Let You Go; the latter as a duet with his daugher Dara.

In recent years, Sedaka opted to reach out from home, often hosting online concerts at the keyboard. He did so again on the twenty-fourth of February 2026, for what tracgically turned out to be the last time. 

The occasion was the reissue of his classic Steppin' Out album. True to form, Sedaka was optimistic about reintroducing that landmark release to both long time devotees and those who had more recently discovered his work.

"Good times, good music and good friends", Sedaka said.

"That's always been my philosophy. I can't wait to share it with you again".

Sadly, that opportunity never came. After suffering an undisclosed medical emergency, Sedaka was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital, where he passed away on 27 February. 

Neil Sedaka would have celebrated his eighty-seventh birthday on the thirteenth of March. He is survived by his wife Leba, daughter Dara, son Marc and three grandhildren. 

TOO MUCH HEARTSICK FEELING:

REMEMBERING THE TURTLES'

MARK VOLMAN

(1947 - 2025)

"Twelve bucks for the Crossfires? I wouldn't give you twelve cents for it!"

The scene was the monthly record swap meet in Hollywood, California in late 1980. Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People was on hand as an exhibitor, with recent issues of the magazine and a rich variety of 45s and albums available for sale.

Business was brisk that morning. So much so that several of the more collectible items (of which the Crossfires' 1964 One Potato Two Potato / That'll Be The Day single on the Lucky Token label was one) that had been on display at Blitz Magazine's exhibit had sold in short order. 

As such, Editor / Publisher Michael McDowell reached underneath the exhibit table to retrieve a few items from stock to replace the ones that had been sold. Concurrently, two of the convention's attendees stopped at Blitz Magazine's exhibit to say hello and to peruse inventory. It was at that point that one of them made the above observation about the Crossfires single. Editor / Publisher McDowell looked up to find none other than Crossfires cofounders Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan greeting him with big grins. Each was also carrying large bags full of 45 and LP acquisitions from other vendors. 

Volman and Kaylan were both avid record collectors. Over the course of the next half hour, they were eager to share their wealth of knowledge about some of the morning's acquisitions, as well as a few of the highlights of their time as the Crossfires. 

By 1965, the Crossfires had changed their name to the Turtles. They made their debut for the White Whale label that summer with their sublime (and definitive) rendition of the Bob Dylan-penned It Ain't Me Babe, and as a result were catapaulted to center stage in short order. That October, as their follow up single, Let Me Be was garnering similar accolades, the Turtles released their debut White Whale album, It Ain't Me Babe. 

To say that the album exceeded expectations would be gross understatement. Augmented by an ambitious and spirited cover of Kenny Dino's Your Maw Said You Cried in deference to their roots, the It Ain't Me Babe album boasted an extraordinary level of creativity and assertiveness via such hard hitting material as Let The Cold Winds Blow, Wanderin' Kind, Last Laugh, A Walk In The Sun and a thought provoking interpretation of the Kingston Trio's It Was A Very Good Year (also recorded by Lonnie Donegan, Chad And Jeremy and the Modern Folk Quartet) that preceeded the high drama Frank Sinatra rendition by several weeks. The It Ain't Me Babe album remains one of the folk rock hybrid's definitive masterpieces.

For the Los Angeles native born Mark Randall Volman, that change in direction from the Crossfires to the Turtles necessitated a bit of revision of his personal musical mission statement. A mutli-instrumentalist whose gifts in that respect were well suited to the garage and surf rock leanings of the Crossfires, the transition to the Turtles found Volman increasingly directing his attention towards developing and perfecting the band's impeccable gifts for vocal harmony. 

To be certain, that vision remained a work in progress throughout the band's second album. You Baby / Let Me Be largely expanded upon the direction of the first album via such memorable tracks as Down In Suburbia and Pall Bearing Ball Bearing World. 

But as 1966 continued, the singles Outside Chance and Grim Reaper Of Love found Volman's gift for rich vocal harmony bearing fruit in abundance. The release of their signature single, the monster classic Happy Together in early 1967 forever cemented their legacy in that respect. 

The resultant Happy Together album and its ambitious mix of the introspective (Like The Seasons) and the visionary (Rugs Of Woods And Flowers) helped sustain the momentum as the band found itself in transition. During that season, bassist Chip Douglas was recruited by the Monkees to produce their landmark Headquarters album. Drummer Don Murray eventually found himself replacing Ron Wilson in that capacity in the Surfaris. And Leaves co-founder Jim Pons came on board to reinforce the band's unwavering commitment to musical diversity. 

Through it all, Volman's vocal gifts, quick wit and commanding stage presence helped catapault the Turtles to an even higher level with a rapid fire series of tracks that (in some cases) defy categorization. They include She's My Girl, Sound Asleep, Can't You Hear The Cows, Umbassa The Dragon and The Story Of Rock And Roll. The Turtles arguably reached their finest moment in that respect in late 1968 with the country rocker, Too Much Heartsick Feeling. Volman's counterpart harmonies therein are nothing short of absolute, utter perfection.

At that Hollywood record convention in 1980, Volman mentioned that the one Turtles release that he (for whatever reason) did not have in his archives was their 1969 Turtle Soup album. Blitz Magazine presented him with a gift copy of the album that morning. 

By the early 1970s, the Turtles had gone on hiatus for a season. Volman and Kaylan took on the stage names the Fluorescent Leech And Eddie (later abridged to Flo And Eddie) and joined forces with the Mothers Of Invention at group front man Frank Zappa's behest. Volman and Kaylan were prominently featured on the group's Just Another Band From L.A. album, appeared in Zappa's motion picture 200 Motels and persevered for a season as Flo And Eddie for Columbia. 

Interest in the Turtles remained strong for the remainder of the twentieth century. Rhino Records undertook a long term reissue process with them that in part saw the release of many heretofore unavailable Crossfires and Turtles tracks. In turn, Bob Irwin's Sundazed label kept the band's White Whale albums in print (initially in the CD configuration) with a generous helping of bonus tracks. 

In the 1990s, Volman returned to the world of academia. He graduated as class valedictorian from Loyola Marymount University and pursued a graduate degree there in 1999. He eventually became a Professor at Los Angeles Valley College and Nashville's Belmont University, teaching a wide variety of subjects from the music business to theology. 

Concurrently, Volman pursued his love for music well into the twenty-first century. He and Kaylan headlined for years as the Turtles in the annual Happy Together tours. After ill health forced Kaylan's retirement in 2018, Volman persevered as the Turtles with legendary Detergents, Archies and Cuff Links co-founder and front man, Carmine "Ron Dante" Granito. 

Sadly, Volman was diagnosed in 2023 with Lewy's Body Dementia. Nonetheless, he bravely forged ahead, performing with Dante in the Happy Together tour one last time in the spring and summer of 2025.

Tragically, Volman's courageous fight came to an end on the morning of 05 September, as he succumed to complications from the disease. Tributes poured in immediately from many of his esteemed musical colleagues.

"I'll always remember his humor, kindness and that incredible voice that helped give us so many timely songs with the Turtles", said Monkees drummer Micky Dolenz.

"We had a lot of great times over the years".

Blues Magoos guitarist Peppy Castro concurred.

"The Magoos and the Turtles were constantly thrown together", he said.

"We were on the same bills. It spawned a lifetime friendship. They inspired the Blues Magoos' version of Tobacco Road".

Mark Volman's survivors include his daughters Sarina Marie and Hallie Rae, as well as his former wife, Emily. Volman was 78.

DAVE EDMUNDS

SUFFERS

CARDIAC ARREST

On the morning of 29 July, beloved rock and roll giant Dave Edmunds suffered major cardiac arrest at home. According to his wife Cici, a nurse edministered CPR to the 81 year old Edmunds, although he passed away in the arms of his wife.

However, Edmunds was transported to a nearby medical facility, where he was intubated and miraculously revived. Nonetheless, the medical staff has advised that there may be brain damage and memory loss. It was also said that Edmunds would not survive another cardiac incident.

Dave Edmunds' 1977 Get It! album for the Swan Song label was Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People's decisive pick for Best Album of the Decade of the 1970s. He is widely admired as one of rock and roll's absolute masters. 

Cici Edmunds has stated that she welcomes prayer and words of encouragement for both herself and her husband of forty years. Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People will report any further developments.

COMO UN ADIOS:

REMEMBERING

LOS PAYOS'

JOSE' MORENO HURTADO

(1944 - 2025)

By decade's end, the rich diversity that had characterized the musical landscape of the 1960s had begun a slow but steady decline into what visionary composer Michael Nesmith would soon astutely refer to as the Grand Ennui. 

Thankfully, there was still much to be found in the way of groundbreaking musical work in 1969. Artists as diverse as Johnny Cash, the Archies, the MC5, Steve Lawrence And Eydie Gorme, Funkadelic, Harry Nilsson and the Friends Of Distinction all turned in career highlights that year. 

However, one unlikely and unique single by a highly ambitious trio from Seville, Andalusia made such an impact during that year, that it ultimately drew high praise from Blitz Magazine - The Rock And Roll Magazine For Thinking People as part of a mutli-disc tie for Best Single of 1969. 

That single, Maria Isabel became an instant classic, as well as the signature single for the band, Los Payos. Comprised of Eduardo Rodriguez Rodway, Luis Javier Moreno Salguero and Jose' Moreno Hurtado (endearingly known as "Josele" to his bandmates), Los Payos brought a healthy and inspired dose of relentless optimsim into an increasingly despondent musical landscape with that single (their third for the Hispavox label). 

Therein, the three protagonists endeavored to gain the attention of the song's main character, only for her to dismiss them out of hand as they took it all in stride. That landmark moment was captured on a sublime black and white video in 1969. Renowned composer, guitarist and vocalist Jose Feliciano was inpsired by Maria Isabel to the degree that he recorded his own rendtion of it for his El Fantastico! album in 1970. 

Over the next several years, Los Payos added to their impeccable legacy with such first rate singles as Pequena Anita, Un Tipo Raro, Senor Doctor and Vuelve Junto A Mi before calling it a day in 1976. Meanwhile, Rodway had cofounded the highly influenial band, Triana in 1974, while Salguero concurrently made his mark in the like minded Alameda. 

In turn, Hurtado went on to enjoy a long and prolific career in comedy. Hurtado eventually worked for a season as a sports commentator on the radio program, El Pelotazo. He also became a record producer, primarily directing his attention towards up and coming artists. 

Towards the end of the twentieth century, Los Payos reunited to reprise Maria Isabel before a highly appreciative television audience. Sadly, that reunion proved to be short lived. 

Tragically, Hurtado had suffered from various health concerns in recent years. He succumbed to a lingering illness on 18 July.

"Rest in peace, dear colleague Josele", said Rodway.

"I will never forget (you) and the times lived, as well as the work we did together. My condolences to family and friends".

Memorial services for the beloved musical visionary were held at the Cemeterio de San Fernando in Seville on 20 July. Hurtado was 81.

THE NIGHT OF LUV':

PATTY BRARD'S

PANTER PARTY

REUNITES THE GREATS

Sometimes a summit meeting is answered prayer.

Such was the case in Amsterdam on 14 March, when nine of the giants of the Netherlands' most treasured vocal groups joined forces to celebrate Luv' co-founder Patty Brard's seventieth birthday. 

With such monster classics as Trojan Horse (issued on Polydor in the U.S.), Casanova, You're The Greatest Lover and Saint Tropez to their credit, Luv' (Brard, Jose Hoebee and Marga Scheide) and their producer, the late Hans van Hemert firmly established themselves as one of the twentieth century's premier vocal trios. Sadly, Hoebee's health challenges have prevented them from persevering as a unit for the time being. 

Undaunted, and with her seventieth birthday approaching, Brard called upon veterans of several other pioneering vocal units to join forces for a one-off summit meeting. That event, Patty's Panter Party took place before a capacity crowd at Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome on 14 March. 

Chief among the other participants was Babe lead vocalist Marga Bult. Together with Rita van Rooy and Margot van de Ven, Babe established one of the most impressive legacies in all of music with such game changing singles as Dolly The Doll, Explosive, (Don't You Ever) Shop Around, Boomerang, Shocking, Indian Habits and their utterly stupendous Together In Love Again. While Babe has been on a professional sabbatical since 1986, Bult, van Rooy and van de Ven remain close.

Also participating in the summit meeting were veterans of several other beloved vocal groups. They included Rowan Moore of Centerfold, Caren Wood of Maywood, Anita Heilker and Esther Oosterbeek of the Dolly Dots (whose 1981 Keep On Doing It single saw release on Atlantic in the United States), Caroline De Windt and Jetty Weels or Mai Tai, and Laura Vlasblom and Mandy Huydts of Frizzle Sizzle. 

"Thank you for a fantastic birthday party", said Brard.

"Nothing but love!"

"You and your entire production team threw a great birthday party", Bult added.

"Made so many people happy!"

To quote a classic cut from the 1978 debut album by Luv', it was a Dream Dream come true.