Celebration Day

It's ironic that while one of Umlaut's Guitar Gods passed away earlier this week, another of his Guitar Gods celebrates his birthday today... Zoso is 65 years old!? Wow..

However, soon after I started typing about Zoso's birthday, I found out that Bob Wilkins had passed away.

Fuck... FUCK.

Bob Wilkins is a legend to all Geeks who grew up in The Bay Area during the 70's. He hosted the iconic Saturday night show Creature Features on Channel 2 from 1971-79. On Creature Features, Wilkins presented Horror and Science Fiction movies (both good and bad ones... usually the latter..) while puffing on his trademark cigar. I specifically remember The Day Of The Triffids scaring the shit out of me as a young lad; imagine watching Horror and Sci-Fi movies by yourself in a darkened family room while your family slept upstairs. Life defining stuff, man.


During commercial breaks Wilkins would impart Sci-Fi and Horror trivia with his droll sense of humor and announce any local Sci-Fi or Horror events. He also interviewed guests such as Ray Harryhausen, Christopher Lee, William Shatner, Boris Karloff, and Leonard Nimoy on the show. Staying up late.. watching scary and exciting movies.. seeing some of your Sci-Fi / Horror heroes when they visited The Bay Area. Life defining stuff, man.

For a couple of years in the late-70's, Wilkins also hosted an afternoon Science Fiction kids show as his alter ego Captain Cosmic with his sidekick Robot 2T2 (Well, this was at the height of Star Wars Mania!). As Captain Cosmic, Wilkins introduced us to classic cheesy Sci-Fi such as Ultraman, Starblazers, and Umlaut's favorite: Johnny Sokko & His Flying Robot! Umlaut would rush home or over to a friend's house after school to watch Captain Cosmic. Life defining stuff, man.


It's interesting to note that at about the same time Wilkins left Creature Features and Captain Cosmic behind, Umlaut was starting to fully embrace his Music Geek ways... Cause and effect? Perhaps..

Anyway, I had a certain Zoso song in mind while typing about his birthday... but I suppose it fits Mr. Wilkins' passing as well. So, with that song playing in my head, I say Happy Birthday Zoso.. and Rest In Peace Mr. Wilkins and THANK YOU.

"We're gonna dance and sing in celebration, we're in the promised land.."

Bob Wilkins - 1932-2009

It was cool that Mr. Wilkins' old Bay Area station KTVU covered his passing, both online and during their news broadcast. Click HERE for their obituary.

Jimmy's Doubleneck

I sort of collect pictures of Jimmy Page playing his trademark Gibson SG doubleneck guitar. Page played it onstage during 'Stairway To Heaven', but he also used it for 'The Song Remains The Same' and 'The Rain Song' when they were part of the set.

Seeing him play the massive axe is both larger than life and also complete Lock 'N Loll bullshit pose, and there's nothing wrong with either IMO.

I saw Page in 1983 as part of the A.R.M.S. Benefit Tour (which featured all 3 guitarists from The Yardbirds on the bill: Page, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton). Page closed his set by performing an instrumental version of 'Stairway' on the SG Doubleneck. It was magnificent.

I love the bridge in 'Stairway' right before Page goes into his solo. It's at that moment in the song when Page would always hold the Doubleneck aloft as if he were Arthur wielding Excalibur as he strummed the last few chords before launching into the solo that would wind on down the road, our shadows taller than our souls.. Pure Lock 'N Loll bullshit pose. I fucking love it..

Jimmy's Doubleneck - A.R.M.S. Benefit - 1983

Mummy, I Want One

On sale March 7th: Jimmy's Gibson 1275.

Start saving now.

Thanks to George for the tip.

Corporate Rock Rules

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, right, plays for one minute prior to the ringing of the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Wednesday, May 11, 2005 in New York. Page was among the group on the bell podium celebrating the initial public offering of the Warner Music Group. Warner Music Group Corp.'s initial public offering didn't hit the high note its owners were hoping for Tuesday, pricing its initial public offering at $17 a share, below its expected range of $22 to $24. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

Page played 'Whole Lotta Love'. He should have played 'What Is And What Should Never Be'..