On the Record
By Susan Pugh on Feb. 28, 2008
By Bradford Brady and John Maron
Q: I’ve been a fan of the rock group Chicago for many years. It’s a mystery to me why they have not been elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Maybe you can clear this up for me.
A: The reason why Chicago is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame comes down to one thing … lack of respect. The statistics are certainly in the band’s favor: 38 million albums sold, 20 Top 10 singles, and 12 Top 10 albums, including five that reached No. 1. Of all the rock artists with more 38 million albums sold, only Journey, which also suffers from lack of respect, is not in the Hall of Fame. Ever since their first recording in 1969, Chicago’s blend of jazz, pop and rock has confounded critics. And while fans have loved them, they have not been considered groundbreaking and, therefore, the rock establishment has ignored them. But rest assured, you are not alone in your dismay that Chicago is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An online petition has been established, and over 1,100 fans have signed it. Visit http://www.petition
online.com to get your voice heard.
Q: The No. 1 album on Billboard’s Top 200 albums recently was the soundtrack to the movie, “Juno.” One of the songs featured is the duet, “Anyone Else But You,” sung by a group called the Moldy Peaches. I’ve never heard of this band before. What can you tell me about them?
A: The Moldy Peaches is primarily the brainchild of Adam Green and Kimya Dawson, who first met in 1994 in a coffee house in Bedford Hills, N.Y. At the time, Green was 13, and Dawson was 21. Dawson got a job as the manager of a record store. Her stories of the indie music scene in Olympia, Wash., impressed the younger Green, and a friendship was formed. Eventually, the two began collaborating, and by the late ’90s, they had moved to Washington and formed the Moldy Peaches. After about a year, they returned to New York and created a bit of a stir in the New York anti-folk scene. Their live show includes drummer Strictly Beats (whose real name is Brent Cole), bassist Steven Mertens, and guitarists Jack Dishel and Toby Goodshank. The bandmembers would frequently dress up in wild and elaborate costumes. The Peaches released their self-titled debut album on Sept. 11, 2001. The album featured the quirky duet, “Anyone Else But You.” The Moldy Peaches have been on “hiatus” for the past few years. During this time, Green and Dawson have pursued solo careers, even having released several records. Green’s fifth solo album, “Sixes and Sevens,” is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on March 18 on the Rough Trade label. In addition to “Anyone Else,” the “Juno” soundtrack features three other songs by Dawson.
Q: In the Billy Joel song “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” there’s a line that goes “You could really be a ?? ?? baby, if you just give it half a chance.” What is he singing in that line?
A: The line is “You could really be a Beau Brummell baby, if you just give it half a chance.” George Bryan Brummell, aka Beau Brummell was the fashion trendsetter of England in the early 1800s. As a friend of the Prince of Wales, his style of dress became the standard for many future generations of men. He was the first to wear trousers rather than knee breeches and the first to wear neckwear that eventually evolved into the modern necktie. He also popularized the practice of bathing, shaving and brushing your teeth on a daily basis. Gambling debts forced Brummell to flee to France where he died in 1840.
What’s the name of that song? Where are they now? What does that lyric mean? Send your questions about songs, albums and musicians to or visit http://www.musicontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are freelance music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
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