THE COUNTRY ISSUE IS OUT NOW!

July 1978

CREEM CONTENTS

MAIL

I know you won't publish this letter because you have been on The Runaways' case since day one.

CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDC

Robert Christgau

BOOTSY'S RUBBER BAND: "Bootsy? Player Of The Year" (Warner Bros.):: When I pay attention, I note that the slow stuff oozes along sexy as come-from-the-state-they're-named-after (back when they knew how to ooze) and the fast stuff gets over the hump just like sounds-like-Podunk (long may they wave).

ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

Happiness is Cher and Gene Simmons, who are the perfect match because they can share the same make-up kit. Remember the dreaded Cream reunion rumors? No dice— Ginger Baker announced his plan to open a school for aspiring polo players on his farm in Northamptonshire in the U.K.

THE BEAT GOGS ON

Rob Patterson

Van Halen: In Search Off The Baaad Chord NEW YORK—"I sure feel sorry for Mr. and Mrs. Van Halen, having to listen to that being rehearsed in the basement... "—random reaction to Van Halen's New York debut at The Palladium, 3/25/78. Face the facts, kiddos, when it comes to heavy rock and roll—y'know, the kind of stuff that sounds like a herd of dinosaurs engaging in some prehistoric S&M—a little bit of calculated outrageousness goes a long way.

Polly Promo In... GONKS GO BEE GEES

The Mad Peck

From Genesis To Revolution: STEVE HACKETT TELLS ALL

Toby Goldstein

Last year, Steve Hackett was having night dreams about erotic adventures with elephants and daydreams about leaving Genesis. Whether or not his nocturnal visions have since cleaned up their act is a matter known only to him, but in the light of day, he is indeed a free man, having cut the ties which bound him to a group for over seven years.

High and Lonesome Dave: FOGHAT PUT ON THEIR BOOGIE SHOES

Michael Davis

Consider Foghat... No, no, no. You don't consider Foghat. You boogie with Foghat. You Get Down With Foghat. You ROCK OUT with Foghat. Start again. Well, I never woulda believed that Foghat would ever sell out the Forum the first time I saw 'em.

Bob Marley Battles De Blood Clot, Mon

Rob Patterson

Tonight's special program: ROOTS, Rock, Reggae (KAYA-TV, 8:00-11:00 PM)—In last week's episode, reggae visionary and star Kunte Marley narrowly escaped death at the hands of assassins in his native Jamaica. Undaunted, the injured Marley performed his planned concert a week later, leaving Jamaica soon afterwards.

LOU REED: NO MORE HEROES, BUT PLENTY OF RESPECT

Billy Altman

One of the words mentioned most often in regard to Lou Reed's work is honest so I may as well start this story with a confession.

Features

RON WOOD ACHIEVES PUBERTY!

Barbara Charone

Glimmer Twins Held Responsible

Letter From Britain

The Shapes Of Things To Come

Simon Frith

Rush arrived this month—heavy metal, heavy manners.

FRANKIE MILLER: HE’S ROUGH & HE’S READY

Toby Goldstein

When Paul Simon pays homage to the boxer, "a fighter by his trade," carrying his years with raw honesty, I am reminded of Frankie Miller.

CALIFORNIA JAM OR MEAT LOAF SANDWICH?

Imagine it! Eighteen zillion people gathered in one place under the mistaken impression that they'll see one hip rock show, hang out, drink beer, smoke dope, and sit on their vans, when in reality they are to be dumped in a large vat as a sacrificial offering to M-E-A-T L-O-A-F!!!!

THE CLASH RULE THE NEW WAVE

Simon Frith

Anybody who knows anything knows that the Clash is the best band in Britain; what is difficult to decide is if, in 1978, this means anything to anyone else. Dunno when the Clash story started for them; for me it began a year or so ago. Punk was making its way from local fun to national obsession and while the Sex Pistols grabbed the shock horror press publicity, it was the Clash who bugged rock writers.

Creem Profiles

SWEET

(Pronounced “Boy Howdy!”)

Rewire Yourself

Whomp It Again, Sam

Bill Kanner

Late last year, B.I.C. introduced the Beam Box, a directable indoor FM antenna.

CREEMEDIA

Robot A. Hull

Frampton Swings With The Meatballs Rock superstars rarely stoop to guest starring on TV series, and dashing Peter Frampton's appearance on Black Sheep Squadron illustrated why. For instead of knocking the battery off Robert Conrad's shoulder, rock's #1 glamourboy easily could have passed for one of Pappy's baaing Lambs.

Stars Cars

ANDY GIBB

Confessions of a FILMFOX

While Bianca Jagger basks in the spotlight of The Ringer (shooting on location in Munich), talk has it that her sometimes (sigh) estranged spouse Mick is wanted by French director Roger Vadim to star in his next picture. Alice Cooper Goes Legit!

Records

THE BAND: GOOD NIGHT, GENTLEMEN

Vicki Taylor

Four of the five members of The Band (Levon Helm excepted) are Canadian, but they have come to represent, to many, a unique repository of what is best and most enduring in American music.

PUNY PERVOID INCITES MAYHEM

ROCK · A · RAMA

Richard C. Walls

ANTHONY BRAXTON—The Complete Braxton 1971(Arista Freedom):: Braxton's music is difficult to warm to—four years ago I regarded it as cold and pointless. But he's a prolific recorder and there's been ample opportunity for me to get inside his music and vice versa.

Rewire Yourself

The Iceman Cometh

Allen Hester

No offense to Eugene O'Neill or Jerry Butler, but it seems there is more than one Iceman in this, world.

Backstage

BACKSTAGE

Where the Stars Tank Up & Let Their Images Down