The Music Beat
About
Hey Everyone,
My name is Pelman and I am a H-U-G-E live music fan. Since 1983 I've travelled through countries in the double digits and over 40 of the United States of America in my quest to see all the great concerts in my lifetime. From the Boston Garden to the Marquee Theatre (London). From The Royal Albert Hall to CBGB in NY. From JFK Stadium in Philadelphia to the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, Arizona. I've been to Strawberry Fields, walked across The Abbey Road, and explored the Chess Records building in downton Chicago. I have seen shows in some of the coolest concert halls in the world and visited some of the Mecas of music as we know it today. At first I was just going to the shows and groovin to the tunes. Then I started taking photographs. From there I started meeting some of the artists that have brought me years of music enjoyment. Finally I started interviewing these legends on video and filming them in concert. It all ended when I created The Music Beat. The Music Beat is a 30 minute TV show where I would film an artists in concert, interview the artist, and include peers and friends of the artist also interviewed discussing either the artist directly or a project then worked on. At the same time I often travel with my two sons Ian (9) and Thor (7). For me The Music Beat is a way to connect with the music I enjoy so much. Its also a way I can share this experience with my boys and fellow lovers of live music.
Some of the artists to have come on The Music Beat have been: BB King, Jack Bruce (Cream), Denny Laine (Paul McCartney & Wings), Donovan, Hubert Sumlin (Howling Wolf), Pinetop Perkins (Muddy Waters), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Sonny Landrith, Blue Cheer, Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stone), America Hi Fi, Koko Taylor, Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), Les Paul, Dick Dale, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Dave Mason (Traffic), Sam Lay (Bob Dylan & Howlin Wolf), Jourma (Jefferson Airplane & Hot Tuna), Steve Miller, George Thororgood, Guitar Shorty, Johnny Winter, ...and many more! Over 50 complete 30 minute episodes.
Pelman backstage at the Boston Garden with one around Joe Perry and the other around Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. I've seen one of my home town bands 25 times in concert.
Met Rick James before way before Dave Chappelle started talking about him. Truly an intense show. Stage was a circle that turned around while he played. He must have smoked a joint with over 30 people during his classic song "Mary Jane". Although everyone knows him as a Super Freak to me he was an incredible artist I had a chance to just sit down with for about 20 minutes while he smoked and had a drink. Sad to say I only saw him live once.
The great singer/writer Jacob Dylan from the Wall Flowers outside Nita's Hideaway 2 in Tempe, AZ where the A/C broke in temperatures over 100 degrees. More than the performance was hot that night.
Dickey Betts all I can say is thank you for all the beautiful music you make. Its because of you I bought a Gibson Gold Top. Allman Brothers my favorite live recording of all time! Thank you again for all the sounds you make.
My first interview ever was with Ray. He was so cool to me. Its an audio tape interview where not only did we do an interview, but he taught me the ins and outs of doing an interview. Sadly Ray passed away May 20th, 2013. His music will live forever!
Here I am with Ray Davies in Tucson, AZ again in Scottsdale, AZ and way in the distance Southampton, Wales holding a picture with Ray. In the dictionary under great song writer it says Ray Davies. Trust me you don't have to look I know his name is there.
Here I am with my wife Jodi, my 10 month old son who is turning 10 years old now, and Les Paul. This was taken at the Iridium Jazz Club in NY. At first they didn't want to let us in with a baby, but after 20minutes they gave in. (I am persistent). Half way through the second song my son starting to clap his applause. They put the lights on our table thinking maybe it was a drunk and saw my baby son. From that moment till the end of the show. Les played his guitar and Lou sang right to my son.
After a blistering hot performance he pulled one of the best practical jokes on me of all time. Not enough space to tell it all here, but after he finished we both laughed and he was very cool. I can't say I knew him, but I can say he had a sense of humor.
After buying Frampton Comes Alive I went out and bought my first talk box. I've seen Frampton 15 times and I look forward to seeing him another 15 times... ... ... ... ...
I never did see the Clash :( but I did see Joe Strummer on Earth Quake Weather Tour at The Paradise in Boston 1989 and again with The Mescaleros just months before he passed away in 2002 when this picture was taken. Guitar player from Glass Heroes asked Joe when the Clash were getting back together to which Joe said you'll never see the Clash again. He left us too early!
So I said to Joe Walsh (Eagles, James Gang, and solo). You remember the old Batman and Robin (Adam West & Burt Ward) TV show. He says yeah. Remember When Batman did the Batman dance? to which Joe said yes. And there you have it Batman and Robin (Joe Walsh & Pelman).
I was at this Halloween concert walking in the door of The Rhythm Room. Gasoline smoke is pour out the entrance as Fee proceeds to cut up things on stage with a chainsaw. Great music, awesome crowd, and Fee's collection of various costumes. Here we are after the show the only this time Fee is not in costume and Pelman is dressed up as an alien with an exposed brain and my son Ian's ray gun. Only see the Tubes is like awesome concerts!
Mary Wilson of The Supremes. A beautiful voice and a beautiful lady. One of the first interviews I ever did. She was The Supremes. She brought the house down. The records are great, but to see her sing live is even greater.
First time I met Steve Vai was probably around December 1998. I asked if he would sign my Frank Zappa record "Man From Utopia". Steve stopped and said to the crowd around him OK I'm always given stuff to sign, but this is something really cool to sign. Everyone here needs to go home and look up Frank Zappa's music. He's often on my play list and Zappa was my second rock concert back in 1984.
Jack Bruce from Cream. Cream is my favorite jam band and Jack Bruce is my favorite Bass player. They say Eric Clapton is g-d. I say Jack Bruce is g-d. After seeing my first concert 3/1/1983 I told my friends the next day if Cream ever gets together to play a public show I'm there. 2005 they played 4 shows in London and 3 shows in NY. Saw all 7! Now if they would only do a studio record.