Punk Turns 30

On this date in history - September 25, in 1789, the U.S. Congress passed twelve amendments to the United States Constitution: the Congressional Apportionment Amendment, the Congressional Compensation Amendment, and the ten that are known as the Bill of Rights, and 168 years later, in 1957, Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, is integrated through the use of United States Army troops. So, one thinks that between "all men are created equal" and this forced integration, that really... all men are not created equal and color is one of the many elements leading to such inequality. This argument is like beating a dead horse... but um... all that music that white people enjoy - rock n roll in all its permutations - well, the Black Man laid the foundation for it. No honest musician disputes it. How many people in the music game, punk and not punk, have lifted straight from Chuck Berry ? Keith Richards, the best of the best rock n rollers in execution and attitude went ...

I've referred to it and finally found the shot! Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott joining the Plimsouls onstage at the erstwhile Starwood in West Hollywood. A sweaty post-show shot of the band with Phil was publihsed in Billboard, Cashbox, Creem and all the other rock n roll magazines back when this happened. There are no photos, however, taken by anyone, that really and truly capture the power of the Plimsouls live show. That Phil Lynott wanted in on the power of the Plims live ON stage with them is some testimony... When the Plimsouls finally had an album to release, there was a who's who of LA rock n roll, punk and not punk in the house to party in its honor. Check out the faces.... most of whom you know. The late Bruce Gary of The Knack with fellow drummer, Plimsoul Lou Ramirez. Belinda Carlisle not hiding from the flash bulbs, unlike her friends. Go Go's bandmate Charlotte Caffey with Rodney Bingenheimer Record promo guy and friend to all, Rich Schmidt.