Song of the Day: 'Evil Woman' by the Electric Light Orchestra

Forgive the cliche, but remind me: do they write 'em like this anymore?

Blondie Honored at ASCAP Music Awards

Three members of Blondie were among the songwriting luminaries honored at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards Thursday at the Beverly Hills Hotel, along with Louis Bell, Billie Eilish and Jeff Lynne of ELO.

Billboard reports:

Topping off the evening were the special presentations to music icons Blondie and Jeff Lynne. Given the Golden Note Award in recognition of their career achievements and influence on music, fashion and art, Blondie members Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke were welcomed to the stage by a rousing standing ovation and a host of cell phone cameras. Noted Harry, “It’s great to be here tonight and to accept this … and carry on.” And Harry did just that as she and band members rocked the ballroom with a riveting performance of signature Blondie gems “Call Me” and “Heart of Glass” plus the 2017 hit “Long Time,” co-penned with Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes.

Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh and Clem Burke

Equally as mesmerizing was Jeff Lynne’s closing performance after receiving the Founders Award. Complemented by the keyboard wizardry of Benmont Tench, Lynne’s stripped-down acoustic set -- featuring “Telephone Line,” “Evil Woman” and “All Over the World” elicited singalongs, not to mention a roomful of bobbing bodies. 

 Debbie hits the right note off stage ...

And on ...

My favorite thing about this is that someone on the Debbie Harry/Blondie Facebook group asked if that was Frank Infante (second from left) with them in this photo -- to which I replied: I doubt he'll be receiving an award for "I Know but I Don't Know" anytime soon!

Well deserved, gang!

Song of the Day: 'Strange Magic' by Electric Light Orchestra

It would be nearly impossible to pick a favorite ELO song. But if a gun were pointed at my head, "Strange Magic” might just be the one. 

Song of the Day: ‘Don’t Walk Away’ by Electric Light Orchestra

I write this knowing I may have my childhood Olivia Newton-John Fan Club membership retroactively revoked, but I just watched “Xanadu” in its entirety -- from start to finish -- for the first time over the weekend. Of course I had the soundtrack -- you may recall that Tammy Nicholas questioned why I “always sang the girl part” of “Suddenly” in the summer of 1980 -- and I even saw (and loved) the Broadway musical. But the film came and went at theaters -- and who had time for movies what with all of those babysitting gigs? Then the reviews were so negative that I never really bothered to buckle down and watch it on cable or video, despite it being readily available. Having finally finished watching it I must say I’m a fan.

Olivia and the soundtrack are timeless and perfect -- the Tubes are used to great effect and ELO has never sounded more alive -- with the whole thing playing like an early music video. And what Michael Beck’s low-rent Andy Gibb shtick lacks is compensated by the joy of seeing Gene Kelly onscreen, especially in his dance scene with ONJ. Obviously not a brilliant film, but one definitely worthy if its cult classic status. 

2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Named

It's starting to look like just about everyone -- except the Go-Go's -- is being inducted in Cleveland these days. Anyone else think they need to cut back on the number artists who get in each year, TV telecast be damned? Read HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Sweet Talkin' Woman' by Electric Light Orchestra

Another one of the band's classic hits. Who had the purple 45?