Rock's Backpages - John Mendelssohn



John Mendelssohn Universally acknowledged as the most consistently revelatory writer about music in the English language, John Mendels(s)ohn repatriated late in 2002 to the UK after countless decades in his semi-native California, where he was once regarded as rather a catch, to the tune of Ray (My Favorite Martian) Walston’s daughter calling him the male Joey Heatheron. ‘Twas he who introduced his friend David Bowie to the music of Iggy Pop - you can look it up! His 1995 authorized autobiography, I, Caramba, was described in Rolling Stone as evoking "Portnoy’s Complaint as rewritten by Pete Townshend," and the accompanying greatest-demos CD as sounding as Todd Rundgren might have with severely inadequate equipment. Having also prospered along the way as a Web and graphic designer, our multitalented hero is now writing songs for and producing such artists as The Most Beautiful Girl in Britain and living large off the royalties for the 2002 memoir he ghostwrote for his dominatrix wife. He composed and recorded an inexpressibly marvellous solo album, Sex With Twinge, in 2002. Order a copy today! He acts, directs, and playwrites, and is the founder of the Clear and Present Rangers, soon to be seen at Major Fringe Venues in London. His agent is trying to sell My Yobbo, a sitcom pilot, and the film rights to the Mistress Chloe memoir. His teenaged daughter, whom he adores in spite of everything, hasn’t spoken to him in 15 months as of this writing. There’s talk of his writing songs with his pal and neighbour Rick Parfitt. Talk’s cheap. He’s at least as funny as the late Lester Bangs, but lacked the sense to die young. He’s mortified with embarrassment by nearly all of his early rock criticism. If your cheque won’t bounce, he’d like to do much better work for you! John Mendelssohn online Mendelsohn interview on rockcritics.com buy 'Sex With Twinge' List of articles in the library by artist AC/DC: The Razors Edge Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, November 1990 The Alarm : Tracking The New Inspirationals: The Alarm Report and Interview by John Mendelssohn, The Record, June 1984 America: America Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, April 1972 Adam & The Ants : Adam Ant: Sex Person Without A Cause Interview by John Mendelssohn, Creem, May 1984 *The Beatles : Beatlemania’s Boys in the Band* Report and Interview by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, May 1978 The Beatles : Mistakes And All: Recreating The Fab Four in Beatlemania Report and Interview by John Mendelssohn, Los Angeles Times, April 1978 Jeff Beck: Jeff Beck Group Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, June 1972 Victoria Beckham: Keepin’ It Real Review by John Mendelssohn, Rock's Backpages, August 2003 To see an illustrated version of this article, click here Pat Benatar: Tropico Dancer Interview by John Mendelssohn, Creem, March 1985 Black Oak Arkansas Interview by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, November 1971 *Black Oak Arkansas: Black Oak Arkansas* (Atco)** Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, May 1971 David Bowie: The Man Who Sold The World Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, February 1971 David Bowie: Hunky Dory Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, January 1972 *David Bowie: Young Americans* (RCA)** Review by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, April 1975 David Bowie: Pantomime Rock? Interview by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, April 1971 David Bowie : How I alienated David Bowie! Comment by John Mendelssohn, Rock's Backpages, May 2002 To see an illustrated version of this article, click here Cher: Stars Review by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, May 1975 Chicago: Chicago VIII Review by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, May 1975 The Clash : The Mouth That Roared: The Return of The Clash Report and Interview by John Mendelssohn, The Record, June 1984 Joe Cocker: With A Little Help From My Friends Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, August 1969 Alice Cooper: Love It To Death Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, April 1971 Alice Cooper : The Government and Alice Cooper’s Panties Report by John Mendelssohn, Disc and Music Echo, Summer 1972 *John Denver: An Evening With John Denver* (RCA)** Review by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, March 1975 Donovan : Poet-Minstrel Donovan Plays At Hollywood Bowl Review by John Mendelssohn, Los Angeles Times, September 1969 Electric Light Orchestra : The Electric Light Orchestra Tunes Up - Bev Bevan’s Early History Of ELO Interview by John Mendelssohn, Creem, 1981 *The Faces : Faces: Long Player* (Warner Bros.)** Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, March 1971 Fairport Convention: What We Did On Our Holidays Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, September 1969 Fleetwood Mac: Gypsies, Tramps or Thieves? Profile and Interview by John Mendelssohn, Creem, February 1983 Foreigner’s Road Map: Destination Top Ten Interview by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, May 1978 Kim Fowley : The Government and Alice Cooper’s Panties Report by John Mendelssohn, Disc and Music Echo, Summer 1972 Grand Funk Railroad: Mark, Don & Mel Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, June 1972 Hello People: The Handsome Devils Review by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, February 1975 Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks : Dan Hicks And His Hot Licks: Where’s The Money Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, July 1971 Jefferson Airplane In Concert At Inglewood Review by John Mendelssohn, Los Angeles Times, November 1969 Jethro Tull : The Government and Alice Cooper’s Panties Report by John Mendelssohn, Disc and Music Echo, Summer 1972 *King Crimson : Mcdonald & Giles* (Cotillion)** Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, March 1971 *Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin II* (Atlantic)** Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, December 1969 John Lennon : A Strangely defanged portrait of John Lennon Review by John Mendelssohn, San Francisco Chronicle, June 1985 John Lennon : How I Almost Met the Late John Lennon Memoir by John Mendelssohn, Rock's Backpages, June 2002 Matthews' Southern Comfort : Matthews Southern Comfort: Later That Same Year Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, 1970 *McDonald and Giles : Mcdonald & Giles* (Cotillion)** Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, March 1971 Malcolm McLaren : Malcolm Mclaren Eats Egg Salad Interview by John Mendelssohn, Creem, June 1983 The Move : Mendelssohn on The Move! Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, October 1971 The Move, English Rock Group, Plays At Whisky Review by John Mendelssohn, Los Angeles Times, 1969 The Move: Shazam Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, May 1970 The Move: Everything You've Always Wanted to Know! Profile by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, December 1971 The Neville Brothers : Neville Brothers: Brother's Keeper Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, 1990 N.W.A. : Poison The Hood: Niggaz with Attitude Retrospective by John Mendelssohn, unpublished, for Playboy, 1991 Queen: Sheer Heart Attack Review by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, March 1975 Rush: Fly By Night Review by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, March 1975 Spinal Tap : Heavy Metal Blunder: This Is Spinal Tap Review by John Mendelssohn, Creem, 1984 Bruce Springsteen : The Year Of The Boss Essay by John Mendelssohn, Creem, 1986 Rod Stewart: Every Picture Tells A Story Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, July 1971 Stephen Stills: Stephen Stills 2 Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, August 1971 Sting : Black Like Me: Sting Brings On The Night Review by John Mendelssohn, Creem, 1986 *Thin Lizzy: Nightlife* (Vertigo)** Review by John Mendelssohn, Phonograph Record, March 1975 Ultravox: The Low-Budget Way To See The U.S.A. Report and Interview by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, June 1979 Narada Michael Walden : Riding On The Freeway Of Love With Narada Michael Walden Interview by John Mendelssohn, San Francisco Magazine, June 1988 Warrant: Cherry Pie Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, 1990 Wishbone Ash : A Tribute to Heroes! Ashbone U Wish do Wishbone Ash Report by John Mendelssohn, Rock's Backpages, May 2002 Neil Young: Harvest Review by John Mendelssohn, Rolling Stone, March 1972 List of genre pieces Aging Musicians’ Dilemma: Is There Rock After 30? Comment by John Mendelssohn, Los Angeles Times, March 1979 Like Rock Never Happened! Report by John Mendelssohn, Rock's Backpages, June 2002 The Ten Worst New Acts Of The ‘80s Guide by John Mendelssohn, Creem, 1985 US Festival ’83: No More In ‘84 Report by John Mendelssohn, Record, Summer 1983 Go to LIBRARY CONTENTS page COPYRIGHT NOTICE