Walking On The Moon; The Untold Story Of The Polic

[toyah]

from Rhythm Tracking/Good Times Magazine

ADAM LAMBERT
Even though Adam Lambert placed second on the most recent American Idol series, he's now in first place in the public eye. His new single, "Time For Miracles",is amazing,and is the theme track for the "2012" doomsday movie about to be released.The members of Queen are still trying to figure a way to get him to say yes to taking the late Freddie Mercury's spot.The buzz on his RCA debut is ultra positive;and now, we got a chance to see the cover art.
Lambert promised to bring glam rock back, and he has;the cover art has caused a great deal of controversy,as Adam is all Glambert, bedecked in purple hair, lipstick and finger nail polish,black leather glovelets ,and Hollywood head tilt,enough to make the midwest bible thumpers take to the streets immediately.I can't wait to get a poster copy of this,and I find it ironic that this shows up on RCA, the original 70s home of Bowie, Mainman and glitter, with such as Bowie,Mick Ronson,Lou Reed, and eventually a solo Iggy Pop all releasing classics on RCA.
RCA later released solo albums from NY Dolls Sylvain Sylvain,and David Johansen(as Buster Poindexter) and RCA UK of course signed Cherry Vanilla,so it seems only fitting that the one time glitter magnet that was RCA now takes the soon to be platinum Adam Lambert as a tenant.
THE POLICE
Speaking of Cherry Vanilla(which I always am),she plays a key part in a fantastic new book called "Walking On The Moon;The Untold Story Of The Police And The Rise Of New Wave Rock".I have gone on and on in the past about how Miles Copeland, the manager of The Police, orchestrated an association with NY underground stars Vanilla and Wayne County,to give The Police a hip cachet.to sneak them into the ranks of punk and get their name known.
I also went on about how The Police tried to steal Cherry's boyfriend/guitarist Louie Lepore to replace Henri Padovani as a Police man, how The Police were fake punks,never really part of a scene, just calculating carpetbaggers out to make a buck.This brilliant book by Chris Campion details all of the above with pinpoint accuracy,and much more. He highlights how the success of The Police belonged to one man,the manager, Miles, whose brother Stewart Copeland was the band's drummer.
As we take a ride with The Police, we also get great detail on the birth of the 80s indie/college/new wave circuit,spearheaded, again, by mighty Miles. I do bitch and moan about the fates of Cherry Vanilla and Wayne County, but I do also remember that both were signed to Copeland in the early days,and both walked out on him, Cherry to RCA UK, and County to the UK based Safari Records/.
If they'd remained with Miles as IRS Records became a factor in America, who knows what might have happened.
Regardless, fans of punk,new wave, the 80s and yes, The Police, will have to own this book, to devour during the holiday season.It's a literal history of the mechanics of the music industry and the dramatic changes over the past two decades.
THE STOOGES
Another book I couldn't resist is "The Authorized and Illustrated Story ;The Stooges" by Robert Mathieu.This may(hold your breath) be the year that Iggy makes it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but regardless, this lavish oversized book,replete with color photos never seen before,and stunning verbiage by Matheu,make this yet another must for 70s/80s/punk/new wave crazed fans.