EDITOR’S NOTE
THE TRIP
... AND HOW TO ENJOY IT
W
hen Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival brainchild Paul Tollett announced plans last spring that yet another music festival would unravel on the grounds of the Empire Polo Club, initially he was hush-hush about which music acts would hit the stage. Such a tease … Locals already knew that Coachella and Stagecoach were both successful— creatively and economically. So, many people wondered, who would Tollett lure into our desert oasis this time? And then came the news: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Roger Waters … Valley residents, particularly those born before, say, 1980, perked up. There was more: The Rolling Stones. The Who and—what’s this?—Paul McCartney? Tickets—some hovering beyond the $1,500 mark—quickly sold out. It is easy to understand why. With more than 170 original studio albums and more than $435 million in record sales in the United States between the revered music acts—and upwards of three centuries onstage—clearly, this would be the music event to experience in Fall 2016. Some folks even lovingly dubbed this super-sized music event “Old-chella.” Still, kudos to Tollett for gathering this brilliantly creative posse together. In a “New York Times” interview, he later noted that Desert Trip turned out to be the highest-grossing show by far—approximately $160 million for
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the two weekends. How that impacts and inspires Coachella Valley is interesting to note—some 60,000 people are expected to attend each day of the event, which unfolds Oct.7-9 and Oct. 14-16. Which brings us to this special edition of “Desert Entertainer.” In the first custom music magazine of its kind, DE takes the creative baton that Tollett gave the valley and runs with it. Why not explore more deeply these incredible music acts and look at other performers coming to the area this season? Perhaps you are in town attending the event. Maybe you are a local. Whatever the case, the following pages are filled with feature stories and other fodder inspired by the arrival of Desert Trip. In addition to local attractions and culinary hotspots, we highlight some of the fall season’s best bets in the musical arena (page 8). We also look into each group or individual performing and ponder: How did these guys influence rock music and, to some extent, shape some of our values, culturally and musically (page 8). Clearly Goldenvoice, which has been an instrumental force behind the valley’s successful full-scale music events, deserves props. We tell you why (page16). And, it must be said: Waxing nostalgic is a big thing around these parts. Be sure to read how past legends continue to fascinate locals and visitors (page 18) and learn more about the link between Joshua Tree and the late Gram Parsons (page 22). In between, there is plenty more to savor. Dive in, explore the valley at will and if you’re a local, rediscover all the creative—and music-related—things you already love about about the area. Onward...
Greg Archer Editor
DESERT ENTERTAINER
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CONTENTS DEB GEISSLER PUBLISHER dgeissler@desertentertainer.com GREG ARCHER EDITOR news@desertentertainer.com ADVERTISING SALES
COACHELLA 2.0? Possibly. Desert Trip arrives.
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EDITOR’S NOTE Desert Trip inspired us, but our inaugural music magazine is about more than just the mega music fest.
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THE HOT LIST In which we look at some of the fall’s best music offerings.
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MEMORABLE ADVENTURES Visiting? In between a Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney romp, consider these daytime excursions.
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BIRTH OF ANOTHER MUSIC FEST The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Roger Waters, and The Who take the stage at Desert Trip. We delve into the allure of the legends and how they helped transform the music scene.
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POWER UP YOU PLAYLIST As long as Bob Dylan et al are here, we ponder the ultimate playlists from each Desert Trip artist.
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GOLDEN CHILD Goldenvoice has changed the way we enjoy music, and music festivals for that matter. An inside look.
KIMBERLY BRUCKS ADVERTISING MANAGER kbrucks@desertentertainer.com
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WAXING NOSTALIC One man’s quest to understand why Hollywood legends like Hope and Crosby made Greater Palm Springs their playground.
JUDY TELANDER MARKETING SPECIALIST jtelander@desertentertainer.com
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS
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A LEGEND AMONG US Gram Parsons soared creatively before his untimely death in 1973. A tribute and a deeper look into his ties to the desert.
JOSE DE LA CRUZ SENIOR GRAPHIC ARTIST ads@desertentertainer.com
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SUPRISING SOJOURNS These spirited outings will make any trip to the desert memorable.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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THE P + H MYSTIQUE Locals dig Pappy + Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. What one of its owners tells in an engaging Q&A makes us love it even more.
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SPIN MEISTER You may know him as DJ Alf Alpha. What you may not know is how this young DJ with local ties became so irresistibly popular.
ON THE COVER: COACHELLA/COURTESY CVB
ALISON ELSNER JANIE HUGHES CHASE MONTGOMERY SHERIDON STEELE GARY WALKER GARY WILLHIDE
Office is located at: 41-995 Boardwalk, Suite L2 Palm Desert, CA 92211 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday Closed Major Holidays Phone: (760) 776-5181 Fax: (760) 776-5733
FOREIGNER The hit wonder heads to The McCallum
www.desertentertainer.com www.desertmobilehomenews.com www.canadasouthmagazine.com Titles registered and all contents copyright 2016 by the Hi-Desert Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
MICK JAGGER The icon hits Desert Trip.
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A PRODUCT OF
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Foreigner Nov. 2 2016
Enigmatic performers, soulful crooners, eclectic concerts. The lowdown of the some of the season’s best music offerings. BY GREG ARCHER
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ure, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan inspire us. But the icons can’t perform here regularly. (Not yet, anyway.) No need to fret. It’s not as if we have a shortage of talent rolling into Coachella Valley. In fact, there are so many music-related events unraveling between fall and spring, we can’t print them all. Take note of a few highlights.
CENTER STAGE The Eisenhower Medical Center and the LGBT Community Center of the Desert (The Center) present another round of this popular event, hosted by the captivating comic Kate Clinton. Singer-songwriter Steve Grand (“All American Boy”) performs. The event benefits The Center. 5:30 p.m. (Auction); 7 p.m. (Performance), The Riveria Resort & Spa, 1600 N Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Learn more at thecenterps.org.
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MCCALLUM THEATRE SEE JANE SING And … see Jane receive applause afterward. Jane Lynch is most recognizable for her portrayal of Sue Sylvester on TV’s “Glee,” but here, the Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winner makes her Palm Desert solo concert debut. Fresh off her Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in “Annie,” expect Lynch to mix her comic skills with her impressive musical prowess. If some sidesplitting musical comedy grabs your attention, this is the ticket. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. FOREIGNER Admit it. Like us, you too either grabbed that karaoke mic, or sang along with the band’s top hits while driving in your car—from “Juke Box Hero,” “Feels Like The First Time” and “Urgent” to “Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice” and “Waiting
For A Girl Like You.” With 10 multi-platinum albums and 16 Top 30 hits on their music tally, Foreigner is one of the most popular rock acts in the world—their sold-out tours and album sales now exceed 75 million. See you at the show. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN Have you ever been mellow? Probably. But you won’t be on this night. Olivia Newton-John— she of the film “Grease” and pop music fame (“I Honestly Love You,” “Magic,” “Xanadu” et al)—takes the stage in what promises to be a memorable outing. With more than 100 million albums sold, the performer has nabbed four Grammys, numerous Country Music, American Music and People’s Choice Awards, an Emmy Award, 10 No. 1 hits (“Physical” among them) and 15 Top 10 singles. Expect a few creative surprises in this show, but marvel at how skill-
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ful Newton-John remains as an artist, some 50 years after she entered show business. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 THE BEACH BOYS Talk about nostalgia. Let’s be honest: This show may be too great to pass up. The Beach Boys, led by Mike Love (vocals) vet Bruce Johnston (vocals/keyboards), Jeffrey Foskett (guitar/vocals), Brian Eichenburger (bass/vocals), Tim Bonhomme (keyboards/vocals), John Cowsill (on percussion / vocals) and Scott Totten (guitar/ vocals) continue the legacy of America’s most famous and, well, “American” band. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. ON THE HORIZON: Johnny Mathis (Dec. 16-17) Rick Springfield (Jan. 18) Bernadette Peters (Feb. 4) Jackie Evancho (Feb. 11). McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, mccallumtheatre.com.
FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO ALICE COOPER If you did not catch it, Cooper’s latest album “Welcome 2 My Nightmare” is the much-anticipated follow-up to his 1975 classic “Welcome to my Nightmare”—a landmark if you recall. So, whether you dig the man’s anthems (“School’s Out,” No More Mr. Nice Guy”) or his adventurous presentations, either way, this endeavor should be memorable. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. CULTURE CLUB Because we will never tire of the ’80s. Because the band’s lead, Boy George, didn’t just push the envelope creatively, he ripped it open and exposed our outdated beliefs for how male singers should look and perform. The main group dismantled in 1987, came back together in 1998 and reformed once again in 2014. This marks the first
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occasion the lot of them has reunited in more than a decade. Before the show, check out their new single: “More Than Silence,” from their latest album, “Tribes.” 8 p.m. Friday Nov. 11. Fantasy Springs Resort, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, fantasyspringsresort.com.
The Beach Boys Nov. 20
PAPPY & HARRIET’S PIONEER PALACE If you’re not privy to the allure of this memorable venue is, read up about it on page 30. In the meantime, take note of what’s unfolding at the ridiculously popular haunt in the coming weeks: Gram Rabbit Halloween Party 1: The Creepy Creeps take the stage. 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. Gram Rabbit Halloween Party 2: Death Valley Girls bask in the spotlight. 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Sarah Petite and the Sugar Daddies: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19. Pappy and Harriet’s, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown, pappyandharriets.com. MICHAEL HOLMES’ PURPLE ROOM Noteworthy for how well it has established itself as a viable dinner/ cabaret destination, the Purple Room (as it is fondly called) never tires and its recent acts—from The Kinsey Sicks to Tommy Tune— have packed the cozy parlor. Consider pianist-musician-singer Lori Donato’s “Her Story in Song” on Oct. 22 or the well-received “The Judy Show” on Oct. 23 and 30.
Bernadette Peters Feb. 4 2017
Jane Lynch Oct. 29. 2016
Most nights: 6:30 p.m. (dinner), 8 p.m. (show). Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, purpleroompalmspringscom.
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AMERICAN AJ’s on the Green 36-200 Date Palm Dr., Cathedral City (760) 202-1111 www.ajsonthegreen.com Jem Steakhouse at Spotlight 29 Casino 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella (760) 775-5566 www.spotlight29.com Escena Lounge & Grill 1100 Clubhouse View Dr., Palm Springs (760) 992-0002 www.escenagrill.com Rick’s Restaurant & Bakery 1937 N. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs (760) 416-0090 www.ricksrestaurant.biz Woody’s Palm House 450 S. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs (760) 230-0188 www.woodysburgersps.com Lost on 111 Grill 79-410 Highway 111, La Quinta (760) 564-8601 www.loston111.com Rick’s Desert Grill 1596 N. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs (760) 325-2127 www.ricksrestaurant.biz Simon Kitchen + Bar at Hard Rock Hotel 150 S. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 325-9676 www.hrhpalmsprings.com/simon Trio 707 N. Palm Canyon, Palm Springs (760) 864-8746 www.triopalmsprings.com
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ITALIAN Riccio’s Steak and Seafood 495 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 325-3111 www.ricciossteakandseafood.com Sammy G’s Tuscan Grill 265 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 320-8041 www.sammygsrestaurant.com Trilussa Ristorante 68718 E. Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City (760) 328-2300 www.trilussarestaurant.com Nicolino’s Italian Restaurant 35-325 Date Palm Dr., Cathedral City (760) 324-0411 www.nicolinos.com Bucatini Tratoria 46-660 Washington St., La Quinta (760) 777-9007 www.bucatini.biz
MEXICAN El Ranchito 78-039 Calle Estado, La Quinta (760) 564-0061
Tortillas Restaurant 32-123 Cathedral Canyon Drive, Cathedral City (760) 324-8070 www.trilussarestaurant.com Fresh Agave Mexican Bar & Grill 73325 Highway 111, Palm Desert (760) 836-9028 freshagavemexicanbarandgrill.com
INDIAN Monsoon Indian Cuisine 555 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs (760) 325-2700 www.monsoonindiancuisine.com India Oven 35-875 Date Palm Dr., Cathedral City (760) 770-3918 www.india-oven.com
SEAFOOD Fisherman’s Market and Grill www.fishermans.com 235 S. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 327-1766 44250 Town Center Way, Palm Desert (760) 776-6533 78575 Highway 111, La Quinta (760) 777-1601
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ATTRACTIONS Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. History, culture of Cahuilla Indians, baskets, artifacts, photographs. Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 219 South Palm Canyon, Palm Springs. (760) 778-1079. www.accmuseum.org.
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum. A Hopi-inspired pueblo that is a unique treasure in the heart of Desert Hot Springs. The structure is hand-made, created from reclaimed and found materials. The Pueblo is four-stories, 5,000 square feet, and includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 67-616 E. Desert View Avenue, Desert Hot Springs. (760) 329-7610, www.cabotsmuseum.org. Joshua Tree Uprising Adventure Guides. Rise to the adventure and climb with Uprising Adventure Guides. We’ll meet your wildest expectations with our Joshua Tree rock climbing experience. 61-695 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree. (888) 254-6266, www.joshua-
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treeuprising.com.
The Living Desert. Zoo and botanical garden, desert animals, African wildlife, 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, free parking. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (760) 346-5694, www.livingdesert.org. Palm Springs Air Museum. One of the world’s largest collections of flyable World War II aircrafts and memorabilia, vintage automobiles, large-scale model ships. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., last admission at 4 p.m. 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, www.palmspringsairmuseum.org. Palm Springs Art Museum. Featuring art and the performing arts. Museum hours year round: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays 12 noon - 8 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays; 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs, (760) 325-7186, www.psmuseum.org.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The world’s largest rotating tram provides breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley as it ascends Mt. San Jacinto. Monday - Friday first tram up 10 a.m. Last tram up Sunday - Thursday 8 p.m., last tram down 9:45 p.m. Last tram up Friday Saturday 9 p.m. and last tram down 10:30 p.m. Highway 111 and Tram Road, Palm Springs. (760) 325-1391. www.pstramway.com. Palm Springs Biplanes. Climb into a 1940 Stearman Biplane with your favorite friend and enjoy an unparalleled view of the Coachella Valley. 145 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs. (760) 216-3700, www.psbiplanes.com. Palm Springs Windmill Tours. Bus tour goes inside the fences onto the private property where no other tour can go, getting you up close to these desert “High Rises.” You will see several forms of sustainable energy: wind, solar and a natural gas peaking plant. (760) 7702701, www.windmilltours.com.
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SPOTLIGHT
IN WHICH ‘DESERT ENTERTAINER’ TAKES A CUE FROM THE FALL’S BEHEMOTH MUSIC FESTIVAL, DESERT TRIP, AND WAXES ‘FOREVER YOUNG’
CLASS ACT Roger Waters is set to take the stage at Desert Trip.
P
icture it (with apologies to Sophia): 1966. Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Paul McCartney and the rest of The Beatles end their last tour with a concert that is short on content (11 songs) and long on empty seats, even though the top ticket price was only $6.50. That’s less than $50 in 2016 money. McCartney returned to Candlestick in 2014 to play the final concert in the stadium, which was later demolished. This time, he performed 35 songs to a crowd of 49,000 that bought all the tickets only a few hours after they were offered. About 25,000 attended the 1966 concert. But 1966 stood out for other music acts, too. The Rolling Stones topped the singles charts in the U.S. and Britain. Neil Young was in Toron-
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to playing with the Mynah Birds. Bob Dylan got banged up in a motorcycle wreck near his home in Woodstock, N.Y., and didn’t tour again for eight years. Roger Waters was a member of the band known as Tea Set, which later that year settled on Pink Floyd as its name. And The Who’s performances featured kicking over drums, smashing guitars and, once or twice, giving each other black eyes. If you bought tickets to this fall’s big attention-grabber, Desert Trip, you may have been well into the music scene in 50 years ago. Some of you no doubt attended that Candlestick Beatles farewell. And many of you probably remember (and live by) Dylan’s 1974 hit “Forever Young:”
“May your hands always be busy, May your feet always be swift, May you have a strong foundation when the winds of changes shift. May your heart always be joyful and may your song always be sung. May you stay forever young.” Desert Trip is scheduled for two weekends, Oct. 7-9 and 14-16. Six acts are featured, curiously only one of them American-born: Bob Dylan. Neil Young is Canadian and the other four are British. The Friday night schedule features The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. On Saturday, Paul McCartney and Neil Young take the stage. And on Sunday, it’s Roger Waters and
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The Who. All of the original members of the act are now in their seventies. There will be a lot of chairs for those who can’t stand for hours. Take note of the musical lineup and some of the group’s colorful history.
The Rolling Stones
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PHOTO CREDIT: NORTHFOTO
ROLLS WITH IT Mick Jagger in his element.
The Rolling Stones were among the first of the British Invasion of bands in 1964–65. The band members, with their long hair, were card-carrying members of the 1960s counterculture that led to Woodstock in 1969, even though The Rolling Stones did not make it to the festival. Mick Jagger was in Australia filming a movie and Keith Richards’ girlfriend gave birth to a son that week. The Rolling Stones, which will bring to Desert Trip the same four members that comprised the band since its 1975 evolution, were instrumental in introducing blues as a part of rock and roll. They introduced a less sophisticated blues typified by Chess Records artists such as Muddy Waters—writer of “Rollin’ Stone,” after which the band is named. “Beggars’ Banquet” (1968) is generally considered to be the band’s best work. Musicologist Robert Palmer attributed the “remarkable endurance” of the Rolling Stones to being “rooted in traditional verities, in rhythm-and-blues and soul music.” After a brief dalliance with the psychedelic subculture, the Stones re-emerged in the late ’60s as a jaded, blues-soaked hard rock band. The Stones often flirted with the rock ’n’ roll’s seedy side, but as the Summer of Love waxed and waned, they went back to and excelled in the new rock culture. For the next three decades, they continued to record and perform, and while their records weren’t always successes, they became the most visible band of their era. Fifty years later, the Stones continue to boast millions of fans and worldwide popularity. (See “Ultimate Playlist” page xx). The group’s official members: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (leads and backing vocals and guitars) were original members back in 1962; Charlie Watts (drums and percussion), who joined the band in 1963; and Ronnie Wood (guitar and backing vocals), who has performed since 1975.
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from public view and with the exception of a few appearances, refrained from touring for nearly eight years. Even though he lived nearby, he missed Woodstock in 1969—he claimed his son was ill. After years of recording Christian music, gospel and rap, and touring with groups such as The Grateful Dead and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Dylan merged back into his solo rock roots. In 2015, IBM launched a marketing campaign for its Watson computer system that featured Dylan. In it, he’s seen conversing with the computer, which announces that it’s read all of his lyrics, noting that its analysis “shows that your major themes are that time passes and love fades.” Dylan’s reply: “That sounds about right.” In addition to Desert Trip, Dylan has scheduled a major U.S. tour for the rest of 2016.
BOB DYLAN PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN BERTRAND
PAUL McCARTNEY PHOTO BY MARY A. LUPO
Bob Dylan In May, in an issue of Esquire, writer Jeff Slate dubbed Bob Dylan “the greatest American singer of all time.” The occasion was Dylan’s 75th birthday. He also pronounced him the “greatest songwriter of the last 50 years.” Dylan always disagreed with writers who said he was a spokesman for his generation, even though his early songs like “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin’” became anthems for the anti-war and Civil Rights movements of the 1960s. His six-minute single “Like a Rolling Stone” influenced the development of popular music in 1965. His mid-1960s recordings, backed by rock musicians, emphasized his much-criticized break from “folk” and were consistent chart-toppers in the United States.
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The rough edge of Dylan’s voice was a constant topic of conversation. Joyce Carol Oates wrote: “When we first heard this raw, very young, and seemingly untrained voice, frankly nasal, as if sandpaper could sing, the effect was dramatic and electrifying.” Things changed for him dramatically on July 29, 1966. While cruising on his 500cc Triumph Tiger 100 near his home in Woodstock, N.Y., Dylan crashed and was thrown to the ground. Mystery still surrounds that accident—Dylan was not hospitalized—however his biographers have written noted that the crash offered the artist an opportunity to disengage from career pressures. In his biography, Dylan wrote: “I had been in a motorcycle accident and I’d been hurt, but I recovered. Truth was that I wanted to get out of the rat race.” He withdrew
Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney, as everyone in the world already knows, is an English singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, composer and original member of the Beatles. His worldwide fame came with the Beatles, but when they broke up, he seamlessly began his own career as a composer and performer. He formed Wings with his first wife, Linda, and Denny Laine. McCartney has been recognized often as one of the most successful composers and performers of all time. In fact, more than 2,200 artists have covered his Beatles song “Yesterday,” more than any other copyrighted song in history. Wings’ 1977 release “Mull of Kintyre” is one of the all-time best-selling singles in the UK. A two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of the Beatles in 1988, and as a solo artist in 1999), he has won 21 Grammy Awards, and written, or cowritten,32 songs that have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1997, McCartney was knighted for his services to music. As a testament to McCartney and his former band mates’ enduring impact on music history, nearly 40 years after the Beatles dissolved, the Fab Four had the 2000s’ best-selling album, the greatest hits collection “1.” But McCartney continually garnered raves after releasing an extensive catalogue of songs as a solo artist and has composed classical and electronic music. He has taken part in projects to promote international charities related to such subjects as animal rights, seal hunting, land mines, vegetarianism, poverty and music education. He has married three times and is the father of five children. Timely Tidbit: McCartney previously appeared at the Empire Polo Grounds, headlining the opening night of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2009.
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Neil Young You’ve earned your Desert Trip tickets if you remember when Crosby, Stills and Nash were Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Neil Young was an on-again, offagain member of the group until 1976, when he unexpectedly left a performance in South Carolina on a different bus. He sent Stills a telegram when Stills arrived in Atlanta: “Dear Stephen, funny how things that start spontaneously end that way. Eat a peach.” And that was that. Young, a native of Toronto, Canada, shined as a singer-songwriter and musician, he is is also known as a producer, director and screenwriter. He began performing in a group covering Shadows instrumentals in Canada in 1960 before venturing to California in 1966. Diehard fans know this: he co-founded the band Buffalo Springfield together with Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, and later joined Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1969. (Young performed with Crosby, Stills and Nash at Woodstock.) By 1968, he released his first album and has since forged an acclaimed solo career, spanning more than 45 years and 35 studio albums. His work represents a wide variety of musical styles. According to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website, Young is “one of rock and roll’s greatest songwriters and performers.” An induction to the Hall of Fame happened— twice. First as a solo artist in 1995, and later as member of Buffalo
Springfield in 1997. His music stands out for a number of reasons—from unique guitar work and his personal lyrics to his trademark high tenor voice. Young experimented with differing music styles, however most of his work falls into the realm of acoustic folkrock, country rock and electric, amplified hard rock (often with the band Crazy Horse). Interesting footnote: he also accompanies himself on several different instruments, including piano and harmonica and he has adopted alt-rock and grunge, causing some to dub him the “Godfather of Grunge.” Young’s influence stretches beyond music, too. He is an environmentalist and advocate for the welfare of small farmers. He also co-founded the memorable benefit concert Farm Aid in 1985. By 1986, he helped found (together with his ex-wife Pegi ) The Bridge School, an educational organization for children with severe verbal and physical disabilities. Its annual supporting Bridge School Benefit concerts have been well received. In his personal life, Young is father of three children: sons Zeke (born during his relationship with actress Carrie Snodgress) and Ben, who were diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and daughter Amber Jean who, like Young, has epilepsy. California ties include living on Broken Arrow Ranch, near La Honda, Ca., until his 2014 divorce from Pegi—he gave Pegi the ranch and moved to Los Angeles with his current partner, Daryl Hannah. But
NEIL YOUNG PHOTO BY DFREE
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Young has lived in California since the 1970s and sings frequently about American subject matters even though he has retained his Canadian citizenship. Ten years ago, on July 14, 2006, Young was awarded the Order of Manitoba. In 2009, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Roger Waters An English-born singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and composer, Waters was one of the cofounders of Pink Floyd, the progressive rock band, in 1965. At that time, the band included drummer Nick Mason, keyboardist Rick Wright and guitarist, singer and songwriter Syd Barrett. Waters was originally the group’s bassist. After Barrett left the group in 1968, Waters became the band’s artistic leader, as well as their lyricist and co-lead vocalist. David Gilmour arrived in April, 1968 and Waters remained the band’s main creative figure until his departure in 1985. Waters’ influence ran deep and he produced thematic ideas that became the impetus for the successful Pink Floyd concept albums “The Dark Side of the Moon” (1973), “Wish You Were Here” (1975), “Animals” (1977) and “The Wall” (1979), which was written largely by Waters, and “The Final Cut” (1983), which was crafted entirely by Waters. By the early 1980s, Pink Floyd became one of best-selling acts in the history of popular music. By 2014, the group had sold more than 250 million albums worldwide. Waters left the band in 1985—he experienced creative differences with other members and filed yet resolved a legal dispute. All that kept Waters from performing with Pink Floyd for 20 years. He rejoined them for their final performance together at the 2005 Live 8 concert in London’s Hyde Park. As a solo performer, Waters produced three studio albums, and, in 1990, he staged one of the largest rock concerts in history, The Wall— Live in Berlin. A reported 200,000 fans attended that event. Hall of Fame inductions: Two. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame. In 2005, he released “Ça Ira,” which has been described as an opera in three acts translated from Étienne and Nadine Roda-Gils’ libretto about the French Revolution. Waters has toured extensively as a solo act since 1999. His world tour from 2006-2008 included performance of “The Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety. His “The Wall” Live tour began in 2010 and, in 2011, Gilmour and Mason appeared with him during a performance of the double-album in London. As of 2013, the tour is reportedly the highest-grossing of all time by a solo artist.
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ROGER DALTREY PHOTO: YOUTUBE
His ties to Coachella Valley: He performed at Coachella in 2008.
The Who The English rock band original known as the Detours, but eventually evolved into The Who in 1964. One of the most admired and influential rock bands of its time, the original members were lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bass guitarist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. When, in 1969, the group released the rock opera “Tommy,” their popularity soared higher. “Tommy,” of course, included the hit single “Pinball Wizard.” Live appearances that year at Woodstock and the Isle of Wight Festival enhanced the band’s reputation. It was well known, however, that the members really didn’t much care for each other. There were many arguments, disagreements and battles highlighted in the press. On stage, drums were kicked over, guitars were smashed and, occasionally, there were fistfights. Despit these internal difficulties, The Who continued their touring during the late ’60s and ’70s.—hitting Woodstock along the way. Moon died in 1978 and was replaced by Kenney Jones. The group released a film adaptation of “Quadrophenia” and a retrospective documentary, “The Kids Are Alright” but in 1982, they split., occasionally coming together for live appearances. They did Live Aid in 1985, a 25th anniversary tour in 1989 and a
tour of “Quadrophenia” in 1996–97. The Who resumed regular touring in 1999, with drummer Zak Starkey. When Entwistle’s died unexpectedly in 2002, plans for a new album were thwarted. Townshend and Daltrey continued as The Who, releasing “Endless Wire” in 2006. This year, on June 11, 2016, The Who embarked on the “Back to The Who Tour 51!” which is slated to bow on April 12, 2017, in Birmingham, UK—Desert Trip is included in this endeavor, of course. Take a look at the history of the group, and it’s easy to see just how influential they have been. They were significant forces in the development of many big-concert staging ideas. Seeking more volume, they worked with the English company Marshall Amplification to produce what became known as the “Marshall stack.” They also were known for using large PA systems, the synthesizer, and Townshend’s feedback and power chord guitar technique. The development of the rock opera also is tied to The Who. Currently Daltrey and Townshend, the remaining founding members, tour with a group of musicians including Zak Starkey (drums), Simon Townshend (guitar and backing vocal), Pino Palladino (bass guitar), and John Corey, Loren Gold and Frank Simes (keyboards and backing vocals). Simes is also currently the music director.
OCTOBER 2016
SPOTLIGHT
NEED TO OVERHAUL YOUR PLAYLISTS? QUEUE UP THESE PRECIOUS GEMS FROM THE PERFORMERS OF DESERT TRIP.
Rolling Stones
Paul McCartney
Roger Waters
“Gimme Shelter” 1969 “Paint It Black” 1966 “Wild Horses” 1971 “I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction)” 1965 “Sympathy For The Devil” 1968 “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” 1969 “Angie” 1973 “Brown Sugar” 1971 “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” 1969 “Start Me Up” 1981
“Live And Let Die” (1973) “Maybe I’m Amazed” (1970) “Band On The Run” (1973) “Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey” (1971) “With A Little Luck” (1978) “Silly Love Songs” (1976) “Jet” (1973) “Venus and Mars / Rock Show” (1975) “Let Me Roll It” (1973) “Helen Wheels” (1973)
“The Powers That Be” (1987) “4.50 Am (Go Fishing)” (1984) “Folded Flags” (1986) “The Bravery of Being Out Of Range” (1982) “Each Small Candle” (2000) “What God Wants, Part 1” (1992) “5:06 Every Strangers’ Eyes” (1984) “Watching TV” (1992) “Home” (1987) “Three Wishes” (1992)
Other Standouts: “Eleanor Rigby” (1966), “Another Day” (1971), “Say Say Say” (1983), “Listen To What The Man Says” (1975), “Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight” (2008)
Other Standouts: “Echoes” (1971), “Brain Damage” (1972), “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” (1975)
Bob Dylan
The Who
Neil Young
“Like A Rolling Stone” (1965) “Knockin On Heaven’s Door” (1973) “Tangled Up in Blue” (1975) “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” “All Along The Watchtower” (1967) “The Times They Are A Changin’ (1964) “Just Like A Woman” (1966) “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” (1963) “Lay Lady Lay” (1969) “If Not For You” (1970)
“Love, Reign O’er Me” (1973) “My Generation” (1965) “The Kids Are Alright” (1967) “I Can See For Miles” (1967) “The Real Me” (1973) “Who Are You” (1978) “I Can’t Explain” (1965) “Baba O’Riley” (1971) “Magic Bus” (1968) “Pinball Wizard” (1969)
Other Standouts: “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965), “Forever Young” (1974), “Gotta Serve Somebody” (1979)
Other Standouts: “Behind Blue Eyes” (1965), “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (1971), “Happy Jack” (1965)
Other standouts: “Mixed Emotions” (1989), “Doom and Gloom” (2012), “Beast of Burden” (1978), “Don’t Stop” (2002), “Get Off Of My Cloud” (1965)
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DESERT ENTERTAINER: THE MUSIC EDITION
“Rockin’ In The Free World” (1989) “Ohio” (1977) “Old Man” (1972) “Heart of Gold” (1972) “Cinnamon Girl” (1969) “The Needle And The Damage Done” (1972) “Helpless” (1977) “Cowgirl In The Sand” (1969) “After The Goldrush” (1970) “Down By The River” (1969) Other Standouts: “Powderfinger” (1979), “Angry World” (2010), “Harvest Moon” (1992)
OCTOBER 2016
SPOTLIGHT
Coachella Rising: How many music fests does it take to make a valley thrive more economically?
WITH COACHELLA AND STAGECOACH, MUSIC FANS BASK IN CREATIVE REVELRY. THE FINANCIAL BENEFIT OF THE FESTIVALS TO THE VALLEY ISN’T THAT BAD EITHER. BY SHERIDAN STEELE
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t’s fair to say that Woodstock ushered in the modern-day music festival. That was back in 1969, of course, and the mass gatherings with scantily-clad humanity watching, listening, and dancing to popular rock bands and singers was both inspiring and a marvel to witness in all the media coverage it garnered. In the five decades since that watershed event, appreciation for the festival scene has continued to evolve dramatically, especially in Coachella Valley, and especially during the last decade. Several other festivals deserve more than honorable mention, such as Glastonbury in
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Somerset, England, Sunburn in Vagator, Goa, India, and Redfest DXB in Dubai. However, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, known simply as “Coachella,” has become the preeminent international music festival, integrating the beauty and accessibility of the Coachella Valley, impressive art installations, onsite bars and restaurants, celebrity, a strong social connection, and big, big business. According to “The Desert Sun,” the festival, along with its country music cousin, Stagecoach, lured in $704 million in 2016. Back in 1999, things were different. That was the year Coachella began as a two-day festival
at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio. It returned in 2001 as a single-day event, marking the beginning of an annual outing that thrives today. Both Coachella and Stagecoach were founded by Goldenvoice principal Paul Tollett, who very strategically selected the east end of the Coachella Valley as the ideal incubator for the developing event. A major part of its success is how well it has remained true to its primary directive—featuring rock, indie, hip-hop and some EDM (electronic dance music) bands, and showcasing popular and established musical artists (Kanye West, Coldplay, Depeche Mode) as well as re-
OCTOBER 2016
SPOTLIGHT
united groups (AC/DC) and emerging performers (Yeah Yeah Yeahs). Several stages host continuous live music across the grounds while 99,000 people per day (594,000 attendees total in 2016) roam the grounds and rock out. In 2002, the festival reverted to a two-day format and was expanded to a third day in 2007 and eventually a second weekend in 2012. As most residents know from the traffic on the Fridays and Mondays surrounding each weekend of the event, Coachella is currently held on two consecutive three-day weekends in April with identical performance line-ups each of those weekends. Stagecoach was established in 2007 on the weekend following the two Coachella weekends, drawing country headliners and a lot of boots, cowboy hats and greenbacks. Organizers began permitting spectators to camp onsite at Coachella in 2003, with the campground located on a polo field adjacent to the venue with its own entrance.
The Music Rocks, But What About the Financial Coffers? When Goldenvoice first introduced Coachella Fest in 1999, the finances penciled out a lot differently than they do today. Costs such as insurance, security and amenities like ample restrooms and misting tents made the project practically untenable. During this first year, tickets sold for $50 for each day, and approximately 17,000 tickets sold for the first day and 20,000 for the second, falling short of overall attendance
goal of 70,000. According to “Los Angeles Daily News,” Goldenvoice lost $850,000 that year. Tollett sold Goldenvoice to Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) for $7 million in March, 2001, and today they share ownership equally, according to Phoenix New Times (April 18, 2013). Big names who have commanded giant sums, such as Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Cure, Coldplay, Prince, Echo & the Bunnymen, Duran Duran, Fitz and the Tantrums, The Weeknd, Ellie Goulding, Madonna, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and even Beyoncé, have contributed to steady and monumental growth in attendance and notoriety over the years, with general admission tickets selling out in 20 minutes and $5,000 VIP packages selling out in three hours. In 2015, the festival sold 198,000 tickets and grossed $84.3 million, both of which set records, according to Billboard.com (July 15, 2015). Coachella also won Pollstar’s award for Major Music Festival of the Year, marking the 10th time in 11 years that Coachella had won the award. Host city Indio reaps great rewards from visiting tourists who add to the sales tax and the TOT (transient occupancy tax from hotel stays). According to a 2012 economic impact study reported in SpinMedia, Coachella Fest brought $254.4 million to the region that year, with Indio receiving $89.2 million in consumer spending and $1.4 million in tax revenue. Many homeowners regularly capitalize on the festival by renting out their property both weekends, and hotels throughout the desert are booked solid at premium rates. Indio also expended $2.77 million for services including police and fire protection,
private security, medical, outside law enforcement and city staff services. A 1 a.m. curfew is enforced on Fridays and Saturdays (midnight on Sundays), otherwise Goldenvoice is on the hook for a $1,000 fine for each minute the festival exceeds the curfew. Goldenvoice has made numerous improvements and investments to ensure sustainability of the event, such as funding an additional lane for Avenue 50, which borders the festival, creating additional space by moving horse stables and adding lighting and security. They are also committed to environmental responsibility by establishing recycling projects as well as “Carpoolchella”, which rewards festivalgoers for carpooling by entering them into a lifetime VIP ticket drawing. Goldenvoice also purchased 280 acres of land surrounding the Empire Polo Club for $30 million, including the 200-acre Eldorado Polo Club. The additional land is being well utilized for parking space and infrastructure so that each year they don’t have to re-invent the wheel. Attracting attendees from all 50 states, Coachella and Stagecoach are both contracted with the city of Indio to run there through 2030. It’s definitely considered “cool” to score tickets to Coachella, so if you missed your chance to buy $399 general admission tickets for one of the 2017 weekends during the June advance sale window, you’ll have another 12 years to cross this off your bucket list. Coachella 2017 runs April 14-16 and 21-23. Stagecoach 2017 unravels April 28-30. For more information, visit www.coachella.com.
Rock This Way Collectively, Coachella and Stagecoach garnered more than $700 million in 2016.
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OCTOBER 2016
NOSTALGIA
G
rowing up in the Northwest of overcast skies and being envious of the seemingly continuous sunshine and emotional pull of Hollywood, Southern Californiabased movies and radio programs were my version of virtual reality. Then there was the amazing Bob Hope Golf Classic, bringing us up-close-and-personal as Bob chased the little white ball around the immaculate and sun-drenched courses with Ike, Dino, Frank and other celebs who gave the Palm Springs area that additional showbiz cachet. Jack Benny was broadcasting from downtown Palm Springs’ historic Plaza Theater or VFW hall, and “Amos ’n’ Andy” were owning their time slot from the basement (no, not the tower) of the El Mirador Hotel. Palm Springs was Hollywood’s out-of-town sandbox, still a village, and still embracing its Western traditions with rodeos, parades and riding stables for dudes and dudettes. Gene Autry, Hopalong Cassidy and Hoot Gibson had homes here, and Roy Rogers was a regular visitor. Current Western stars like Michael Dante still call the desert home. When my wife and I moved to L.A. in 1982, I was invited to join a handful of other entertainment writers to come to “the Springs” to write up the opening of a new hotel with the cast of the popular TV series “Hill Street Blues.” It seems that the show’s Ed Marinaro was a college classmate of one of the executives of Hotels of the Pacific (now the Aston Hotels) and he would get his castmates to join them for the low-key opening. So for three days, we played golf and tennis with the likes of Mike Warren, Bruce Weitz, James B. Sikking, Joe Spano, Betty Thomas, Charles Haid, and others. Of special interest to me were the dinner discussions about live theatre with Chicago actor Dennis Franz. The hotel marketing director invited me to bring my wife for another weekend stay, which we took advantage of the very next
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OCTOBER 2016
NOSTALGIA
Most people don’t know that Crosby had more No. 1 hits than The Beatles, Elvis and Michael Jackson—combined. He had 42, they had 41.
weekend. She went shopping and I strolled down Palm Canyon Drive, following, it turned out, Sylvester Stallone, his then girl friend Brigitte Nielsen, and his entourage. While having coffee at an outdoor café, Martin Sheen and his wife came strolling by. It was then that we decided to move to Palm Springs. This mini autobio is not uncommon to many of the Coachella Valley residents. We are drawn to celebrities and love to see how and where they spend their time off-screen and off-air. Tour companies like Five Star Adventure Tours can take you there and give you the inside stories, especially if Grammy nominee Don Martin is your personal guide. After moving here, I was struck by the quality of music and musicians in the Palm Springs area.
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My first friends were jazz pianist Andy Fraga and music entrepreneur Ruth Gibson, who introduced me to the stylish cabaret shows of Grace and Phil Moody and their outstanding guest stars like David Christopher and Greg Purdy. With Andy was the brilliant sax man Pat Rizzo, who still thrills local audiences. I used one of their signatures tunes for the theme of my TV show, “Desert Entertainment This Week.” For years, they packed the Ocotillo Lodge, just a block from our house. Too cool. In my first week here, I stopped in at Downtown’s Las Casuelas Terraza Restaurant and sat at the bar for a quiet beer, until four Paraguayan brothers called Los Gomez took the stage (no cover). They were concert quality singers and guitarists, with occasional accompaniment on
the Paraguayan harp. While here, they were named Paraguay’s Man of the Year. South Americans from L.A. and beyond would drive hours to appreciate them, and the restaurant’s owners, Mr. and Mrs. Delgado, would dance in the aisles. I had found a home away from home. Following them was Mark Guerrero, talented son of Lalo Guerrero, the King of Chicano Music, who also lived here. Mark is still performing and teaching about his style of music at Cal State’s Osher Institute. But that’s just a touch of the variety, quantity and quality of music in our desert. Other “local” singers you may have heard of are Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Dinah Shore, Edie Adams, Polly Bergen, Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin, Judy Canova, Dorothy Lamour, Tony Martin, Frankie Randall, Lillian Roth and my neighbor and friend Jerry Vale. Most people don’t know that Crosby had more No. 1 hits than The Beatles, Elvis and Michael Jackson—combined. He had 42, they had 41. I feel almost ashamed of listing just these few because the greater Palm Springs area has, literally, hundreds of VIPs from all walks of life. Even MGM didn’t have this many under contract.
OCTOBER 2016
LEGENDS
A Legend Among Us REFLECTIONS ON GRAM PARSONS AND HIS REMARKABLE TIES TO THE DESERT BY JANIE HUGHES
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s far as music legends go, Gram Parsons certainly rises to the top of a noteworthy list of impactful creatives. And since Desert Trip has given Coachella Valley yet another opportunity to indulge in all things music-related—this time with the likes of The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan—Parsons comes to mind, mostly for his ties to the desert. Parsons died in Joshua Tree in 1973. More on that in a moment . . . Since the Valley is waxing nostalgic, let’s look at the Parsons’ mystique. Some of us may already know that Parsons was often referred to as the Father of Country Rock Crossover. He was described as “the high flying member” of significant acts such as The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, and, coincidentally, a friend of The Rolling Stones. In the book “Hickory Winds: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons” by Ben Wong-Torres, Mick Jagger said he knew Parsons well and Jag-
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ger is quoted as saying, “Parsons was one of the few people who helped me to sing country music. Before that, Keith and I would just copy the sound off records.” Thus, we have the great song, “Honky Tonk Women.” Wong-Torres also had Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards weigh in on Parsons: “Gram was a great friend. It was such a natural turn-on to be with him and play music together. We took it for granted that somewhere down the road we would work together.” Richards went on to say that “Gram wasn’t a total angel—ha! But he was a spark. He is not somebody you forget.” Jagger and Richards recorded their version “Wild Horses,” in which they pay tribute to the icon---Parsons hooked up with the Rolling Stones around 1968, after his time at Harvard University studying theology. “Hickory Winds”chronicles his legend, following Parsons from his birth (Nov.5, 1946) in
Winter Haven, Fl.‚ to his death on Sept. 19, 1973. It is interesting to note that Parsons was born into a wealthy citrus family—his mother, Avis Snively, was a socialite; his father, Cecil Conner III, a World War II major and squadron commander.
RISE OF A STAR
The journey of the young, handsome musician was often bittersweet. He was 12 years old when his father died due to a fatal gun accident. His mother decided to move from Waycross, Ga., with Parsons and his younger sister, back to her life as a wealthy citrus socialite in Winter Haven. She met and married a striking movie star—Robert (Bob) Parsons. In fact, the man purchased a building in the downtown area in which Parsons started his garage bands, The Legends and The Shilohs. This was in 1964 and Parsons named the local hangout Derry Down after a folk song he enjoyed. At this point, Parsons was playing folk music and rock ’n’ roll.
OCTOBER 2016
LEGENDS
Things shifted in 1968. Parsons began the career that would make him famous. He lived a fast life, played music with the best in the business and went to Joshua Tree National Park, which became famous for musicians who enjoyed the absolute serenity and starry-lit skies. Parsons immediately felt at home here. Parsons’ influence on others is interesting to note. Famed singer Emmylou Harris was waiting tables in a diner in Washington, DC when Parsons discovered her and she would record songs with him and The Byrds. Harris also sang on Parsons’ solo album “Grievous Angel,” released in 1974. On that same album, Linda Ronstadt sang “Brass Buttons.” But Harris also crooned with the performer on his solo album, “Gram Parsons.” The two became close friends. Of Parsons, Harris reflected in the book “Fallen Angel,” that he “was one of the pioneers of music. The problem is he was ahead of his time.” Harris also reportedly noted that Parsons “should be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.” Parsons also earned the admiration and friendship of many other giants in the music industry—‚from The Eagles, Jackson Brown
OCTOBER 2016
and The Allman Brothers. His top hits includes: “Hickory Wind,” “Love Hurts,” “Blue Eyes,” and “Wild Horses.”
BIRTH OF A LEGEND
On Sept. 19, 1973, at the Joshua Tree Inn, in Room 8, Parsons, just 27 years old at the time, died of complications of the heart. His body was at LAX and being prepared to be shipped to his stepfather, Bob, in New Orleans. But something unexpected occurred. Parsons’ manager, Phil Kaufman, and a musician friend, decided to follow through with a secret pact that had been made with the music legend. Parsons reportedly told Kaufman and Michael Martin of the Flying Burritos that, “if anything ever happens to me, I want to be cremated and my ashes spread over Joshua Tree.” What happened next turned heads. Kaufman ands Martin stole Parsons’ body and took it to Joshua Tree National Park. The men attempted to cremate Parsons’ body, but the park rangers interrupted this process and the remains were shipped to Parsons’s stepfather, where a private funeral and burial was ar-
ranged in a simple grave about a mile from the New Orleans International Airport. Today, fans still come to the area and request Room 8 at the Joshua Tree Inn. Gram Parsons’ Derry Down—the building houses a listening room and tribute space to the legend—pays tribute to the icon. The ribbon cutting and reopening of the Derry Downs took place on Sept. 1, 2016 in Winter Haven. Hundreds of locals and visitors showed were in attendance. Meanwhile, Jim Stafford, a famous recording artist and owner of a concert hall in Branson, Mo., was in charge of the ribbon cutting and he recalled his young days in The Legends band with Parsons. Buddy Canova, a recording artist/saxophone player, was a member of The Legends in 1964. At the event, he shared many good memories of Parsons’ visits when he came home with The Byrds to Winter Haven. The performing arts center for young people will continue in Parsons’ name. R.I.P Gram Parsons. We still feel your creative spirit around these parts.
DESERT ENTERTAINER: THE MUSIC EDITION
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EXCURSIONS
TRIPADVISOR VISITOR OR LOCAL, THESE DESERT TRIP-INSPIRED EXCURSIONS ARE DESIGNED TO PACK IN THE FUN FOR EVERYBODY BY CHASE MONTGOMERY
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ere’s the thing. Even if you don’t have tickets to Desert Trip, the adventurous music fest has inspired Coachella Valley on a number of fronts. Musically, sure—it unfolds in two packed weekends (Oct7-9; 14-16). It has reminded us when music was, well, real real good and how various rock groups and their creative offsprings somehow managed to shape modern culture and, at times, define the American experience. But the arrival of this passionate fall festival has also done something else. It has reminded locals who already live and play here of how much there actually is to do in Greater Palm Springs. And, perhaps, how some things designed for
visitors can actually be options for locals. That said, this offering is for all music lovers, travel enthusiasts and adventure seekers out there. Take note of our Fall Hotlist of things to do and experience.
ROCK, THEN RIDE Leave Über behind for a moment. Go renegade—ish. Harley-Davidson rides in Greater Palm Springs will of your blood pumping before another night of festivities. Take note: EagleRIder Palm Springs Rent a Harley during the day or join one of the action-packed
tours. eaglerider.com/palmsprings Babes Ride Out 4 If you’ve rocked yourself silly one weekend, keep the “cool” factor flowing, especially if you’re packing estrogen. Female riders may appreciate this opportunity to join other riders on 40 acres of Joshua Tree Lake Campground. Oct. 20. babesrideout.com
BURN RUBBER Motorcycles not your thing? Defy the speed limits at the BMW Performance Driving School. The adrenaline-infused racetrack is memorable
PHOTO: CVB
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DESERT ENTERTAINER: THE MUSIC EDITION
OCTOBER 2016
EXCURSIONS
BEET IT Copley’s on Palm Canyon rises to the culinary occasion with this tempting Beet Salad.
at 120-plus mph, to say the least. bmwusa.com
SWING SHIFT Chances are, some of us didn’t even know how to play golf when we first began to appreciate music groups like The Rolling Stones or The Who. We do now. Well, some of us, anyway. If you’re among that posse, then you might enjoy tee-ing up, golfboarding or playing FootGolf at some of the toughest golf courses in America. TPC Stadium Course at PGA West A par72 Pete Dye-designed jewel and a “must play” for anybody yearning for a real golf challenge. The thing to know: the 17th hole is known as Alcatraz because of its daunting island green. It
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DESERT ENTERTAINER: THE MUSIC EDITION
SPOT ON Exotic cats of all kinds turn heads at The Living Desert.
ranks among the toughest par-3 holes anywhere. pgawest.com
Marys are always worthy considerations. Three portals to consider:
GolfBoard For golf devotees looking for an outof-the-ordinary experience, these battery-powered hoverboards, which are designed for you and your clubs. golfboard.com
Ace Hotel & Swim Club The popular venue hosts its comedic drag show brunch. Broadway showtunes ensue. Tickets include one trip to the brunch buffet and optional $10 bottomless Mimosas. 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. acehotel.com.
FootGolf It’s a big thing. Experience it at one of six golf courses in Greater Palm Springs. palmsprings.com/golf
BRUNCH MUCH? When you’ve been rockin’ all night, sleep in, and then gather your posse together. Greater Palm Springs is brunch-savvy. Mimosas, Bloody
Palm Greens Café Consider the buckwheat pancakes—for sustenance. The Macro Bowl should entice vegans. palmgreenscafe.com Cheeky’s Affordable and breakfast is served all day. You can’t go wrong with the Breakfast Quesadilla. cheekysps.com
OCTOBER 2016
SPOTLIGHT
REVIVE YOURSELF Good lord—after all that activity, you may need help coming down off of that energetic high. Rejuvenate with moss, minerals, mud and hot springs . There’s plenty of portals around, however take note of Desert Hot Springs. Located just 15 miles north of downtown Palm Springs, the rich pools of thermal mineral springs will relax you while removing any “Desert Trip” toxins and bring deep relief to your sore dancing muscles. While there are 22 boutique resorts in the area to choose from, the mud baths at Two Bunch Palms are stellar. This unique experience allows you to float weightless in a warm tub filled with a mixture of peat moss and mineral-rich clay. twobunchpalms.com
SURF’S UP It’s like an all-you-can-eat deal, but with air travel. Surf Air is an innovative all-you-can-fly membership that empowers its travelers to enjoy a hassle-free flying experience to Greater Palm Springs. surfair.com
SAFARI NOW The Living Desert has long been a major attraction in the valley, but consider The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ Behind the Scenes Tour. The guided Safari exploration and interactive animal encounters are truly memorable. For social media hounds: you can even grab a Selfie feeding one of the giraffes. Clyde or Gulliver, one of the zoo’s camels, may even paint you a one-of-a-kind portrait with their lips for you to take home. Camel Painting? It happens. thelivingdesert.com Be in the know and stay in the flow. Click visitgreaterpalmsprings.com.
THE Q&A
C
oachella Valley has a long of history with crawling into bed with Hollywood—Marilyn, Elvis, The Rat Pack et al—but few people could have predicted that a façade on a living movie set from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s would morph into one of the area’s hottest music and foodie havens. We’re talking about Pappy + Harriot’s Pioneertown Palace, of course, the hot spot that managed to capture the attention of The New York Times and can book musical acts like Shadow Mountain Band, Robert Plant, Lucinda Williams—and a posse of other crooners we love. Locals may be privy to its history, but visitors take note: After the establishment saw its second and incarnation in the early 1970s, thanks to Frances Aleba and hubby, John—it came to be known as a wildly fascinating outlaw biker burrito bar. It eventually landed in the hands of Frances’ daughter Harriet and her spouse, Pappy, in 1982. Live music and Tex-Mex food was one of the things that kept people coming back. Old West charm and some music were the other attractions. By 2003, New Yorkers Robyn Celia and Linda Krantz took over—they really dug the place after repeat visits—and kept that saloon door always a swingin’ Here co-owner Celia opens up about P+H, its allure and undeniable longevity. Greg Archer: The establishment has come a long way since it opened up as The Cantina back in 1972. Why do you think people still find this spot so unique? Robyn Celia: I think because Pappy and his friends actually built it with their own hands.
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There are bottles in the adobe walls. The floors are the original floors from the ’70’s. I don’t think it can be recreated. There is an undeniable energy in the building. Can you talk a bit about what made Pappy and Harriet — the people — so memorable when they came into the fold? Harriet’s mother, Frances, owned The Cantina, which was a hardcore biker bar. When Frances handed it off to Harriet and her husband, Pappy, they had their sights set on making it a family-friendly place with a love for music. Accomplishing that is pretty unique in itself. Pappy was the showman. Harriet was the cook. They would get onstage with their granddaughter, Kristina … and the party would begin. What were you and Linda thinking and/ or conceptualizing when you purchased the place? We just wanted a change. We both loved the desert and loved P+H. Linda and I used to come out from NYC with friends and hang out at P+H. I actually miss being just a customer. There was nothing going on out here when we bought the club in 2003. Just a really cool group of people doing their own thing. Our primary goal was not to fail. We just wanted to keep “The Palace” going. It’s an institution. Locals and visitors head there. And you folks attract some big names—Vampire Weekend, Leon Russell. Why do sense the venue has con-
tinually grown in popularity? It’s just so chill. You have to let go of any neuroses and just go with the flow. I think artists love that break. It’s almost like a vacation from their tour. How do you feel the place fits into the overall Coachella Valley music and arts scene? It’s a very diverse scene and P+H is definitely diverse. Any big news, or acts on the horizon? Lots of great shows—from Gram Rabbit’s annual Halloween Party, Peaches, Allah Las, The Melvins, The Meat Puppets and Mike Watt. If somebody were a Pappy & Harriet’s virgin, what advice would give them? Ha ha! I see them all the time and think back to when I was one. I will never forget walking into the club for the first time. It’s the whole thing really. Driving up Pioneertown Road for the first time is a big part of the experience. I see people walk in and their eyes are opened wide and looking around like, “Where am I?” Just take it all in and have fun. Walk through the swinging doors at 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. Call (760) 365-5956 for dinner reservations. Visit pappyandharriets. com for more information.
OCTOBER 2016
THE Q&A
SPIN CYCLE DJ ALF ALPHA: THE CREATIVE POWERHOUSE BY GREG ARCHER
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t all began with drums. Palm Springs native Rafael Lopez was 13 years old when he happily accepted the gift of percussion from his pop. It wasn’t that long afterward that he attended his first Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and then—bam! Things changed. Suddenly there were new beats to conquer. Turntables immediately entered the picture, thanks to all the creative forces Lopez witness in an around the fest. Practice—a lot of it—ensued, and from that sprang a remarkable passion for the art of DJ-ing. Lopez dubbed himself Ralphalpha at that time, conquered friends’ parties and over time, morphed into quite the titan in the DJ universe. Actually, he’s now known as Alf Alpha and Golden-
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voice booked the guy to spin inside the very fest where the man was first inspired as a teen. Today, at 32 and living in L.A., Alf Alpha often returns to the area for gigs—from Splash House and frequent romps at Bardo within Hard Rock Hotel Pam Springs to BART in Downtown Palm Springs. He opens up here about his evolution and what really stokes his creative fires.
band to perform. I always had a great respect for the music and the performers. I also grow up in the ’90s during the MTV generation. I was inspired by early hip-hop, house, punk rock, funk, and jazz music. I brought myself a pair of turntables in 1999 and taught myself how to DJ. I DJ because I love sharing music with people and giving positive vibrations.
Greg Archer: So, tell us. How did it really all begin and why do you do this?
What do you love most about what you do?
Alf Alpha: It began with my love of music as a child. My parents introduced my to traditional Mexican music. When I was growing up, my family would host parties and hire a Mariachi
I love that I’m able to travel with my work. Enjoy traveling, seeing new places and meeting new people. Connecting with people through music, culture and events.
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THE Q&A
How would you say Coachella Valley helped shaped your interest in this creative work and your creative drive? Having grown up in Coachella Valley definitely shaped my interest in DJ-ing and inspired my creative drive. The annual Coachella Music & Art Festival has was been a major source of inspiration for me. I remember attending the first festival back in 1999 and becoming inspired to one day perform at the festival. That first festival really opened my eyes to the international music and DJ culture. I attend the festival every year and every year I get inspired seeing all the amazing artists. I use the inspiration to fuel my creative drive and keep pushing myself to be the best artist I can be. Having already performed at the festival numerous times, my new goal is to work my way up in the lineup. Were there a lot of creative or music options available to you growing up here? There wasn’t much of that growing up in the desert. It was a small desert and even smaller music scene. Besides the early Desert Rock scene during the ’90s, there wasn’t much of a music scene. Especially the DJ scene. Remember this was before it was cool to be a DJ. Local DJs were more concerned about battling and saying they were the best rather then collaborating and cultivate a scene. Growing up in the desert taught me to become resourceful and have a DIY mentally. You have to make the most of what you have. Who were some of your biggest influences growing up?
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My family was my biggest influence. My parents taught me about a hard work ethic and how to host a good party. My older sisters were really into music and were always going to Grateful Dead concerts. They introduced me to lots of different types of music. And my sister Laura worked at a record store. As a kid, I went into the record store and I remember wanting to listen to everything. Are you surprised about how popular you’ve become around these parts? I’m so blessed be a full-time DJ and music producer. I feel like I’m just scratching the surface of my potential. I look forward to developing more as an artist and share my art with the world. Being an artist isn’t about being popular, it’s about being original.
scene grow and local artists starting to collaborate on new music and events. It’s also great to see new venues opening. BART is a new venue that has been giving local artist opportunity to showcase. Every month I host a monthly party at BART called “Super Sonido with Alf Alpha & Friends.” The party happens the last Saturday of each month. Any advice to those who are inspired by you and want to follow your groove? Have fun, work hard, and always be true to yourself. So, how much music, or how many songs do you play in a year’s time—a guestimate? Music is life. I’m always “playing” music.
What do you think of Desert Trip?
What are you most excited about for the future of your work?
I love the idea of Desert Trip. I’m really glad Goldenvoice decided to host a classic rock music festival. Goldenvoice has always done an incredible job producing music festivals. Desert Trip will be a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience featuring legendary musicians. This will be a must-see show for music lovers of all ages. I will be there.
I’m excited to grow as a music producer. I’m looking forward to collaborating with new artists. I’ve currently been working with artist J Patron. He is a Colombian rapper and we’re excited to release new music we have been working on. I’ve also been scoring music for a film that will be released in 2017. I’m definitely excited to have my music featured in a film.
When you think of Coachella Valley’s music scene now—from the many music fests and such—what immediately comes to mind?
What’s the biggest misconception people have about you, the work and the profession?
The CV music scene has been growing lately and becoming more united. It’s great to see the
The biggest misconnection about DJs is that we are all crazy party animals and that our job really isn’t a job.
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