A LITTLE BIT OF BROADWAY A LITTLE BIT OF ROCK N ROLL

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THE GLORIOUS CORNER

Story By: G. H. HARDING

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Micky Dolenz

MAGIC MICKY --- We’ve been sworn to secrecy, but we were at a super-secret rehearsal last night for Micky Dolenz’s upcoming three-play at 54 Below on July 7, 10, and 11. The show is called A Little Bit Broadway, A Little Bit Rock ‘n’ Roll, which is a nice riff on Mr. Dolenz’s Broadway experiences (Aida; Grease; Pippin’; and Hairspray) then meshed seamlessly with his rock ’n roll music we all know so well.

Working with a different band than usual—fronted by the astounding Michael Moritz (Matilda; Beautiful)—the show is an amazing revelation from a gentleman with one of the best voices in rock ’n roll ever.

Micky’s stories, with which he explains and introduces each song, are hilarious and informative. Suffice to say that if you were a fan of Dolenz before, then this show is a must-see. I will exclusively add that’s there a song from the way-ahead-of-its-time 1968 Monkees feature film classic Head (hint: Carole King wrote it) that is not only one of my all-time personal favorites, but is also a major show stopper.

This month, by the way, is the 50th anniversary of that famous Variety ad that sought “four insane boys” to audition for a new music-based TV show. This is the ad that introduced the world to Micky, Davy, Peter, and Mike. Great pop history, indeed!

This new show from Micky will be recorded for a live album on Broadway Records, set to be released this September.

At the final Saturday night performance (July 11), Q104.3’s DJ Jim Kerr will introduce Micky from the stage. You’ve heard it here first: Do not miss this show.

TRUMPED --- Univision says it is severing all business ties to Donald Trump.

Univision is the biggest Spanish-language broadcaster in the United States, so its decision is a blow to the Miss Universe Organization, a joint venture of Trump and Comcast’s NBC/Universal division.

Last week, in his speech announcing his run for President of the United States, Trump deplored immigrants from Mexico who "have lots of problems" and are "bringing those problems to us."

"They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists," he said, adding, "and some, I assume, are good people."

Trump went on Fox News Thursday to say, "Of course I'm standing by the statement." He added, "I love Mexico, I love the Mexican people."

Trump also said he intends to sue Univision for refusing to carry the pageant.

"I'm going to have to sue Univision now . . . They have a signed contract," he said. At another point, Trump said, "They'll have to pay me a lot of money."

This morning, there are unconfirmed reports that NBC is distancing itself from Trump–which, if one reads between the lines, may mean Adios to The Apprentice.

While I knew Trump’s inflammatory speech would have a polarizing effect, I didn’t think it would happen this quickly.

Mr. Trump—a.k.a., Mr. Arrogant—is in trouble . . . again!

JOURNEY’S JOURNEY --- Journey has announced that their special guest on their Canadian tour will be none other than Neal "Vortex" Schon.

Of course, Schon is a founding member of Journey and will be playing with them on their section of the show, but he will also open as a solo performer, playing songs from his new all-instrumental album Vortex. Joining Schon will be Omar Hakim on drums, Rachel Z Hakim on keyboards and Jerry Brooks on bass.

Vortex was released on Tuesday via the Mascot Music Group.

Schon will then join his former Journey bandmates Jonathan Cain (keyboards and backing vocals), co-founder Ross Valory (bass and backing vocals), and lead vocalist Arnel Pineda (who was discovered by Schon) for a hit-filled set from the classic rockers.

Omar Hakim will also be doing double duty, filling in for Deen Castronovo who was recently arrested for assault.

If you ask me, I think things would get really interesting out there on the road if Schon were to reunite with one-time Van Halen vocalist Sammy Hagar (who remains teamed up with his fellow ex-VH bandmate and bassist Michael Anthony in the super-group Chickenfoot, also featuring master guitarist Joe Satriani and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith on drums) and they put together a reunion tour of their short-lived but dynamic early ’80s band HSAS (which stood for Hagar, Schon, bassist Kenny Aaronson, and drummer Michael Shrieve). You never know—these kinds can happen.

CLOSING NOTES-- Fred Goodman, who I knew for years when he was with music industry rag Cash Box, is out with his new book Allen Klein: The Man Who Bailed Out the Beatles, Made the Stones, and Transformed Rock & Roll (Eamon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Fred is a somewhat cantankerous individual, but a brilliant writer whose knack for getting to the meat of the matter remains essentially unparalleled in the biz. His previous book, The Mansion on the Hill (Vintage), remains one of the definitive books about rock-artist management in our time.

Klein, for those five of you who don’t know, was the business manager for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and many more. Simply cannot wait to read this one . . .

Which major NYC-based charity is being looked into for possible violations? Well, they just celebrated with a major gala this week—but the wolves are at the door. Stay tuned on this one.

Photo Courtesy Of: Brad Balfour/BMB Media