Man On The Moon

Man On The Moon

Tuesday 07-20-2010 10:09am PT

A lot of people think it was the most famous event in history. It's hard to argue with them. It was on this date in 1969 that Neil Armstrong stepped off the ladder of the Lunar Module and into history. The boot of his space suit sunk into the gray moondust about an inch.

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

"Magnificent desolation," was how Buzz Aldrin described it.

It was the age of American exceptionalism, as different from today's world as day and night. Back then we thought we could do anything! And we could! And we did! WE were the world's #1 superpower. WE were the good guys. WE were the men. We never felt guilty or self-conscious about it. The responsibility of being the big dog never slowed us down. I don't know how to express it to you- was just different.

I remember it well. I was on vacation with my parents in Ocean City, Maryland. We all watched it on TV and the next morning, outside the condo where we stayed, written in giant letters in the sand, someone had written- TODAY AN AMERICAN WALKED ON THE MOON, GOD BLESS AMERICA! I stared at the message for ten minutes, wondering who had written those words. They touched me. I felt proud to be an American. I felt like we were all part of a great moment in history, that things would never be the same. JFK issued the challenge, and it's a shame he wasn't around to see it.

The Saturn 5 rocket that blasted Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins into orbit was the most powerful engine ever created. What those three Apollo Astronauts did was incredibly dangerous. They could have died a hundred times during the trip. This could never happen today. People aren't into taking chances anymore. The spirit of exploration has waned in our collective psyche. But, back then, American astronauts were heroes, and they did impossible, amazing things.

The Apollo 11 technology was clunky and obsolete- the IBM computer that plotted their course wouldn't run a cell phone in today's world. The command module was cramped and primitive. The fact they made it 238,857 miles through space to the surface of the moon, then descended to the lunar surface, got out and walked around, then returned to their ship, blasted off, returned to the mother ship and traveled all the way back to earth is incredible!



America was a different place back then. We got things done. God, I miss it.

Why Character Matters

Why Character Matters

Monday 07-19-2010 9:54am PT

I don't know what to tell young bands when they ask me for advice. Not only has the music business changed since I started, society itself has changed. The same rules no longer apply.



The Greg Kihn Band started in 1975. It was before anything. It was before the Internet, before cell phones, before MTV, before computers, before digital, before just about everything you rely on today. We had a rental space at Berkeley Rental Space on Gilman St.- a double garage where we stored our equipment and rehearsed. After they locked up at night, we had to scale a ten foot chain link fence to practice. You had to be in tip-top rock and roll shape. We rehearsed every freakin' day! Every day- I kid you not. We wrote three to four songs a week and played every gig that came down the pike. We worked our asses off, and that's no lie. There was nothing glamorous about it. Ten hours in broken-down van to make 20$ each. So why did we do it? There was no American Idol back then, or any other TV talent show (unless you count the Gong Show) we needed the money.

We toured on the strength our FM album airplay, doing interviews everywhere we went. I did a ton of radio, and we played clubs- great classic nightclubs like the Agora on Cleveland, Bogart's in Cincinnati, Cain's in Tulsa, the Main Point in Philly, the Cellar Door in Washington DC, Toad's Place in New Haven, The Park West in Chicago, The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, The Bottom Line in NYC, the Rainbow Music Hall in Denver, the Paradise in Boston, The Shaboo Inn in Willimantic, The Keystone in Berkeley, the Broadway and the Old Waldorff in San Francisco, The Troubadour and the Roxy in LA, The Keystone PA in Palo Alto, and The Catalyst in Santa Cruz to name but a few.

It was another age and hard work really counted.

We didn't have a top forty hit until our 7th album! Which is unheard-of today. We were on a goofy little independant label in Berkeley- way off the beaten path. We didn't earn an ounce of respect in LA until we had a hit. Not even the other bay area bands seemed to respect us. We didn't care, of course. We were just thrilled to be there.

In fact, if you'd have asked us at any point back in the old days, if we thought we had made it- we would have emphatically said YES! Hell, we were having a ball! We were so blown away by the fact the people would pay money to see us, we didn't care about much else. It seemed like a miracle to us.

I remember, backstage at the Bammies- back in 1981-1984, when we were winning Bammies every year, we would be hanging with the other groups in the "green room" waiting to go on. I couldn't believe the attitudes of some of the other bands! They actually thought the world owed them a gold record every time out! My guys were just happy to be there.

No matter have sophisticated it got, or how far from home we strayed, or how over-our-heads culturally we were- we always kept one thing in mind- always be true to yourself. We didn't put on aires because we knew in our heart of hearts that we couldn't pull it off. We just weren't hedonistic enough; we didn't pack enough hubris; we were never actually cool, we always felt uncomfortable in limos. By staying true to ourselves, we avoided having to be pretend to be something that we weren't.

I have no idea what it must be like to be Lady Gaga- but if this is the freak show you have to be in to make it, then I guess the next generation of rock bands will have silly costumes on and cover their faces. It won't matter, of course.

Whoever they are, and however weird they may be- if they want to make it the real way- they'll have to be true to themselves. People will be able to tell if it's bogus. They will have to live by the same convictions we did: don't lie, cheat, or steal. Always do a good job. Treat people with respect. Get there early and stay late. Wash your face and brush your teeth. Do your homework. Don't be a jerk. And rehearse.

Good luck! Character matters.

Character is what you are when nobody is looking.

Private Acoustic Concert

Private Acoustic Concert

The auction for the private Greg Kihn acoustic concert is going on right now at KFOX.COM, but it ends on Friday. In years past this acoustic show has raised around $10,000 to $15,000. Wouldn't it be great to hand over a check for that amount? Let's see if we can beat it this year!



So, what this means is- if you make the winning bid, I'll show up at your house with some nice acoustic guitars and proceed to sit down and play my ass off. Well, one glance at my ass and you'd probably think, "OK, he's already done that, because this man has no buttocks." But let's not focus on my buttocks, let's focus on beating cancer. We're raising money for the Leukemia/Lymphomma Society.



These Team In Training people are wonderful. I have had the pleasure of working with them for some time now and they really care. What can be more compelling than a kid with cancer? My God, it breaks your heart while at the same time fills you with hope.



I can see a day when all kids will be vaccinated against all forms of cancer. That day is coming, but it's going to take a lot of money.

If that auction for the private concert is too rich for your blood and you still want to help out- you can always make a donation for ANY amount. Here's the link to donate:
http://svmb.manwoman.llsevent.org/pledge/index.cfm?mid=GREGKIHN



The week is flying past, and Friday is just around the corner. The auction will be over before you know it. Please make your bid now.

And thanks for voting!

The Day After The Day After D Day/ Auction

The Day After The Day After D Day/ Auction

Tuesday 06-08-2010 10:12am PT

I can't believe Sunday was the anniversary of D Day and I hardly saw or heard anything about it on TV or in the media. I wouldn't expect our politicians to acknowledge the efforts of our fathers and grandfathers on that day, when they risked life and limb to liberate Europe. They died for the freedoms of people they didn't even know. How noble. Think these clowns in Washington could pull that off? Think again. People seem more than happy to give away freedoms for a free pass through life these days. Let's never forget the sacrifices those veterans made all those years ago. And whereas the media and Washington for the most part forgot, I remember.

Let's hear it for the greatest generation!



Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower addresses the troops before the invasion. Imagine the emotion as many of these men would not be coming back. Such bravery is rare today.



Today is ELECTION DAY! Please vote! I'll be voting on the way home today. Participate in democracy while you still can. It's important.

The auction for the private concert at your house is still on, until Friday at least. Make your bid now. Help me bash cancer.

I need people to make some donations. Can you help? I know a lot of you out there know me personally. Come on, I haven't asked for anything lately have I? No! I need you to step up to the plate and write a check. It's crunch time!

D Day/ Paul Guaguin/ Auction

D Day/ Paul Guaguin/ Auction

Monday 06-07-2010 10:20am PT

Yesterday was the anniversary of D Day in WWII. 160,000 allied soldiers landed on a 50 mile stretch of beach in France. They came to liberate Europe. They weren't pros, they were school teachers, factory workers, farmers, everyday guys- they weren't Rambos- they were regular guys like my father. They came together to do one of history's dirty, ugly, unforgiving jobs- that absolutely had to be done.



Imagine what they were thinking when the front dropped on the Landing Craft and they looked out onto the beach and all the German defenses. The crack of rifle fire, the booming of artillery, the water, the wind, the sand, the fear, the Adrenalin, and there's only one way to go- forward!

Let's hear it for the greatest generation!



My father used to say, "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." I miss him.

Unfortunately, we're losing these veterans at an alarming rate. Pretty soon there will be no one left who was part of it- someone you could actually touch and say, "you really did this, didn't you?"

My father passed away several years ago (before 911) but I always think of him on that day. My dad wasn't part of the D Day invasion, he crossed the English Channel several months later on a troop transport ship, heading into the heart of the fight, in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium, where he had a date with destiny and a German bullet.

Today is Paul Gauguin's birthday!

He's my favorite French Impressionist artist. He walked away from a banking job in Paris to join Vincent Van Gogh in the south of France to paint. They hung out together until Paul left for Tahiti to paint naked island women. Smart move, Paul- Vinny ws nuts and he would never sell a single painting during his lifetime. Now days, Gauguin and Van Gogh are two of the most revered names in art. Read The Moon and Sixpence by Somerset Maughn, a novel inspired by his life.



Paul was an impressionist and loved bright colors. I love his art. Check out his style:


I get the Gauguin Syndrome every year around this time. I get island fever really bad.



I want to remind everyone that the auction is on at KFOX.Com for the private acoustic concert at your house. I'll show up with a selection of acoustic guitars and a handful of songs.

Make a bid today!

Next Week's Auction For A Private Concert

Next Week's Auction For A Private Concert

Hey, next week the auction begins for the private acoustic concert by me in your house!

As you may know, I am up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training MAN OF THE YEAR! Yeah, I know what you're thinking- I'm not worthy! It's true, I'm not, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm trying to raise money to defeat cancer. It's sooooooooooo important that we keep the research going. A breakthrough is just around the corner! Let's keep the pressure on.

So, you can go over to the KFOX.COM website and click on the auction page and make a bid. Just think- I'll come to your house and play an entire acoustic gig just for you and your friends! Cool, huh?

All you have to do is make the winning bid at KFOX.COM. Auction ends on next Friday about the same time I get off the air. This is one of my favorite promotions here at KFOX and it's a great chance to raise some money to crush cancer.

I'll probably be playing the acoustic 12 string Boulder Creek guitar...



...and no doubt my Voyage-Air fold-away guitar...



...plus I'll most likely play my recently rebuilt by C.B. Perkins Guild 12 string from 1967. It's my most prized possession and I love that old guitar.



Help me strike a blow for the good guys and kick cancer's ass! This concert comes with a full measure of attitude and just the right groove.

Make your bid starting Monday! I'll see you at... your house!

Mello Yello Commercial 1983

Mello Yello Commercial 1983

Back in 1983, when we were flying high, the Coca-Cola Company hired the Greg Kihn Band to do a series of Mello Yello TV commercials. One of them was inspired by Jeopardy- it had the same music with new lyrics which I still remember to this day- imagine these words sung to the melody of Jeopardy-
Mello Yello to the rescue, Mello Yello to the rescue, Mello Yello to the rescue, Drink Mello Yello and go!



Mello Yello was similar to Mountain Dew- a high caffeine 7-up style soda that was marketed to young adults. I thought it was vile.



They flew us to Atlanta to shoot an entire concert during which we would stop and do several versions of the Mello Yello commercial. The crowd took it all in stride, plus they were probably pumped up to be in a TV commercial.



Backstage we had to shoot a series of pick-up shots of the band chugging Mello Yello after a hard concert. We did take after take- and we had to drink a few gulps of Mello Yello each time.

After about 10 minutes, my partner in crime- Steve Wright (bass player and co-songwriter) says to me, "Screw this, I'm pouring this swill out and refilling this can with beer!" And he did! He poured it out and carefully replaced it with ice cold Budweiser, which we chugged happily take after take. After an hour we were completely tanked. The shots of us drinking were particularly effective, according to the director. "You guys look like you're really lovin' it!" We didn't have the heart to tell him.



That TV commercial ran on the east coast in the mid 80's and we actually saw it a few times on tour. Those satisfied smiles after we chugged the drink were truly genuine! Little did they know we were chugging beer!

If you can find a live video of the GKB doing Tear That City Down, it was recorded later that same night. It featured Greg Douglass on lead guitar.

Oh, and one other thing- they paid us a freakin' fortune to do it! Years later, the money is all gone, and the commercial is lost to the sands of time, but the memory lingers on- in the form of this blog. Ain't life strange?

Oh, and one other thing-
Robert Berry (bass player in the Greg Kihn Band) is playing an acoustic show tonight in Felton, CA. at Don Quixote's. Apart from being a member of the GKB, Robert is an accomplished musician in his own right. This is first acoustic gig and I know he'd love it if you could show up.

Incredibly Strange Albums

Incredibly Strange Albums

I remember buying some weird albums over the years. Why? Hell, I don't remember. Maybe they were heavily discounted, or maybe I was just plain nuts, I don't know.

Most of these albums came out when I was young and impressionable.

The first really strange album I bought (right out of the cut-out bin) was Sounds Of The Zodiacon Elektra Records. Cyrus Faryar narrated some goofy spoken word stuff over space-themed other-worldly music with lots of reverb. I lit incense and played it in the dark. It set astrology back 500 years. That was my first. There were others, I'm ashamed to say. I went looking for some other incredibly strange albums on the web and here's what I came up with.



My sister actually bought this one by the fake Beatles- The Buggs! Obviously a rip-off.



Christmas with the Colonel? You gotta be kidding! Original or extra crispy? Hand me that drumstick.



I wish I could have been there for this one...



This one requires no explanation, or maybe I just don't have one...



One can only conjecture what this Yule Tide Classic sounds like... John Waters? Does Divine do a solo?



From an era of album cover art that will never be repeated!



Even the great Mohamed Ali got in the act.



And finally this... I have nothing to say. Your guess is as good as mine.

Sgt. Pepper/Giants/Troopfest

Sgt. Pepper/Giants/Troopfest

On this date in 1967, the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band. I remember going to the record store that very day (I think it was a weekend) and staring at the cover and wondering what new madness the Beatles had dreamed up this time. We loved the Beatles and the release of every album was a major event.

It blew our minds. What a cover! There were cut-outs inside, plus printed lyrics!



Looking back, it's hard to believe that one band could hold us all in their sway like that- but the Beatles did! They were magic. Music really mattered back then. In fact, music was the most important thing in our lives.

In those days it wasn't unusual for people to go to the record store the very day a record came out just so they could be the first on their block to own it. I went with a buddy of mine. We both had enough money to buy one album. After hours of discussion we decided that he would buy Sgt. Pepper and I would buy Jimi Hendrix (Are You Experienced?) which had just come out that same week. We each kept our respective albums for a week, then switched. I loved the first Hendrix album... but Sgt. Pepper was beyond the beyond.

It was the greatest rock and roll album of all time.

It still is.

I traveled all the way to Abbey Road Studios in London a few years ago for the anniversary of Sgt. Pepper and I got to sit down at the famous piano in Studio One, and play the final monumental chord of A Day In The Life. It was spectacular... except for one thing. When I got back to the States and checked it, I found out that I had spent all that energy to play the WRONG CHORD! I played a "G" chord and it turns out the last chord of A Day In The Life was an "F!" God, did I feel like an idiot!



Thanks to all the listeners who showed up on Sunday at AT&T Park for the Giants Vs. Arizona. I sang God Bless America and Take Me Out To The Ball Game during the 7th inning stretch. Operation Care and Comfort was there to collect money and everyone had a great time. I'll have the video of that posted here shortly.



Speaking of Operation Care and Comfort- this year's TROOPFEST will be coming up in 2 weeks June 19 at the Britannia Arms and I will be performing an acoustic set. There are a limited amount of tickets so it might be a good idea to buy early. More on that later...

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Memorial Day Weekend is here! Have a great one!

Here's the man I honor on this day- my father.

Lt. Stanley J. Kihn, U.S. Army, 289th Infantry, 75th Division, wounded in battle December 26, 1944, Battle Of The Bulge, awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in the Ardennes Forest while recovering in a Field Hospital somewhere in Belgium.



Dad's letters from WWII are incredible. I plan to publish them someday, but in the meantime, here's a direct quote from one dated Jan 1, 1945:

"...the Germans kept coming, wave after wave, and the boys, green in battle, mowed 'em down, until it got so you couldn't reach out of your foxhole without touching a dead German..."