There is so much to talk about: Tiger Woods, the 25th Anniversary of the Rock HOF, Paul Simon, the health care bill—“for and against,” our Mohegan Sun concert on Jan. 2nd and Bruce Springsteen—all immediately come to mind. But there is something I would like to address first and that is the loss of jobs in America. It seems to be as overlooked as yesterday’s 45 singles in a flea market. What is wrong with this picture?
Just like when gas spiked to over $4.00 a gallon, where is the outrage and where is the media coverage regarding jobs? The media we read and watch for hours and “the disgruntled talk of the street” should be just focused on jobs. This is a dire American problem we need to act on now. The “jobless trend in America” is the wrong direction.
The late great Majority Senator Tip O’Neill back in the ’60s and ’70s said, “All politics is local” meaning we all vote with our “pocketbooks.” So, if I was the “government” and happen to be one of our elected officials, I would suggest they consider looking at the calendar. Realize the 2010 elections are coming up fast. “Their jobs” on are the line.
Granted we were in an economic collapse cycle and President Obama and his team seemingly have put on the brakes. For the sake of America and the rest of the civilized world, it resulted in American banks receiving loans, corporations needing billions, saving an auto industry, a deflated housing boom, no work and the rest of America paying dearly for a problem they did not mandate or cause.
If you really want to turn around our recession, cut taxes for small businesses and open up funding. Small business owners represent 70%–80% of the employment in this country. If they aren’t hiring, the American way of life and money tumbles. In a year’s time, we could possibly cut unemployment in half. In some states, the unemployment is at “depression-era rates.” Wall Street had their bailout but small business is headed for a “going out of business” by the hundreds. It’s not a new problem however.
How about reducing the capital gains tax? The middle class is paying all the bills and living with less and less. Taxes are killing “middle class” year by year and no let up in sight. America’s middle class is the “cash cow” and it is being milked dry.
President Obama should do some looking back. How about reading up on the Kennedy Administration and their handling of the economy downslide? He cut taxes and it spearheaded a financial recovery. Then, look at President Carter 1976 next. He increased taxes and the end result, unemployment spring-boarded and the era scored a high inflation rate plummeting America into a “new Great Depression.” Reagan comes along and what does he do? He cuts taxes and helps create a bipartisan majority government leading to 10 years of American prosperity. Hello, do you hear history talking?
President Bill Clinton in 1994 hits a government stone wall as the American people voted out the Democratic Congress. Time to adjust and that is what President Clinton did. Governing from the “center” is the repeated solution and President Clinton comprehended it. He too, cut taxes and capital gains and those adjustments led to boom in technology and a prospering nation. President Obama could do the same.
Taxing the “middle class” is going to cause a greater loss of jobs, vacant store fronts with “For Rent signs” and greater homelessness. Keep taxing the “middle” and soon there will be nothing left. Other countries are prime examples—“the haves and the have nots.” President Obama has to realize this and our “middle class life struggle” is in his hands.
President Obama, please don’t make the tragic error of throwing out the baby with the soapy bath water. You have the ability, and the history, to fix what is wrong. You have an opportunity to strengthen what is right with our health care system and create, once again, an American bipartisan alliance possible of great things. The situation is more than loyalty to the Democratic Party and boasting a Democrat win over Republicans now. America’s core of life is at stake. Even in New Jersey, they voted out Corzine in favor of Christy—the voting handwriting is on the wall.
Cut taxes, make health insurance available across state lines and stop frivolous lawsuits. Then, the insurance companies will have to be more competitive. Monitor the industry with Federal guidelines. How about eliminating wasteful government spending? Hello.
It is a massive undertaking Mr. President but that “historic remedy” will make insurance affordable and open up jobs. The insurance industry is making out like a bandit. They are dictating their own absolute world business practices and fees. We are paying for it. We can change it. It’s like the old expression—“absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Tiger Woods—Tiger Woods—Tiger Woods
The whole “Tiger Woods saga” is a real tragedy. OK, I admit I was my own “Tiger Woods” in my youth but the difference lies in the fact, I did not have his shield of wealth to hide in. Whatever, both Tiger and I had an appetite for the ladies. Remind me to tell you about “the ladies” some other time. “Sportsman Of The Decade.” Tiger Woods is today’s news.
I read somewhere that they called Tiger “an American tragedy.” When you have so much power, you believe you can get anything you want. Here’s a guy in the spotlight all his life and groomed to be the greatest golfer the game has known. His Dad, Earl, lovingly schooled him in the game but did he school him in the game of life? It was Earl’s dream. They achieved it together. Earl died and what was left—was Tiger alone.
His father’s guidance was gone. He had his mom’s nurturing to cope. It wasn’t enough seemingly. His celebrity got the best of him. It happens a lot.
The “World of Golf” and America put Tiger on a pedestal. Tiger wasn’t able obviously to keep his balance and he fell from grace. America does not like to be deceived and Tiger was above it all—it is a private matter, except for reckless driving. He followed his advisors at IMG. Their advice was legal but flawed. They considered “the court of public opinion” a minor court. Tiger’s fall unfortunately is deep, embarrassing and continuing.
I pray for Tiger. I do. I pray he begins to realize the world does not revolve around him (and his golf buddies). Tiger has to begin rejoining the rest of us on Earth. Tiger needs to re-evaluate his life and maybe see the gifts he has been given are to be shared—not exploited. You know what I’m talking about? It is the “I want it all” syndrome. Tiger could also use a dose of God and faith. What does he do though? He goes to France. Yes, you guessed it, with an entourage of, you guessed it, golf buddies.
Tiger, your problem is here in America and this is where you have to make it right. Fleeing to France so you can have your “privacy” is only an avoidance of the problem. Time isn’t going to heal this. Your family, your real family is paying the price of your celebrity-gone-wild antics and “transgressions” and if Earl were here today, you know what he would recommend—don’t you Tiger?
25th Anniversary Rock Hall of Fame Concert—Madison Square Garden 10/29/09
That Thursday, October 29, 2009 had to be one of the greatest times of my life. To be included on the bill at Madison Square Garden with the likes of Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, James Taylor, John Fogarty, Dion, Jerry Lee, John Legend, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Sam Moore, Jackson Browne, etc. was such an honor for me and the guys. It was a night to remember and one we are so thankful for.
The concert has been broadcast on HBO maybe 50 times and I am so glad we did “Just Two People In The World” (written by Ernest Wright in 1958). Everyone on the show was collaborating with each other, like Jeff Beck and Stevie Wonder or Bruce Springsteen with Darlene Love. We were going to do a song with Paul Simon. But at Paul’s urging, we decided to sing it a cappella—solo. It was pure doo wop with R&B touches. “Two People” defined what the early rock singing groups were all about.
I don’t mind telling you I was nervous. It was Madison Square Garden and we hadn’t performed in a month. As we walked out on the stage, so many people stood up and gave us a standing ovation. We didn’t sing a note and they were applauding us so graciously. It felt good—we were back in New York, our old hometown. The guys and I looked at one another onstage, acknowledged the audience and started to sing a cappella. It was great!
After we did “Two People,” John Fogarty, who shared our dressing room, said that was one of the gutsiest things he had ever seen. Going on the stage of Madison Square Garden live and singing a cappella was “incredible to hear and see.” It hit me then—the guys and I did the song we were meant to sing. It was a teen hit for us in 1958 and now over 50 years later, a hit for us again. This time though, it was a “crowning achievement.”
I have a small regret I have to tell you about. I understand that Bruce Springsteen was looking for me but we missed one another backstage and at the after party. We had to be out of our hotel early Friday to make a flight for a concert in North Carolina. I went to the 25th Anniversary after party but left so I could pack my bags. It was very late and we were checking out at 6 a.m.—I just didn’t know Bruce was coming.
People keep asking me about Bruce Springsteen back-in-the day and I tell them it’s true. Bruce Springsteen used to open for us when we were playing the ’70s clubs in New Jersey. Bruce onstage took your breath away. It was evident still as he performed on the Rock HOF HBO broadcast. Man, he was good. So was Little Steven—the whole band.
To all our friends, fans, my readership and to everyone associated with Rock HOF, a big Little Anthony & Imperials thank you for the most fulfilling, memorable, long-awaited and historic year one can experience in show business.
Mohegan Sun—January 2, 2010 and My Birthday
As the New Year kicks in, we are performing at the Wolf Den/Mohegan Sun—Connecticut on January 2, 2010. I have been told that LA&TIs have the record for the largest audience there. You know the Wolf Den. It is an open stage right in the middle of the casino. It’s good to be back at Mohegan Sun and we are always so welcomed.
I think we will top our previous record on January 2nd. We haven’t been back at Mohegan Sun for almost a year or more, maybe close to two years. The concert on the 2nd is almost a week before my birthday (Jan. 8th) and yes, I’ll be 39—thank you Jack Benny.
We could have a new audience thanks to the HBO/Rock HOF performance. So many people have seen it already and although I thought I could have performed “Two People” better, it’s working for us. Even the David Letterman performance is still up on YouTube and the hits “Hurt So Bad” receives has been amazing. Welcome to the 21st century.
Yes, I’m working to lose some weight. That’s why I walk miles every day. TV makes you look at yourself. You know what I mean? It makes you see yourself as the audience sees you. And that’s a good thing and usually humbling, especially around the waistline.
Continue the New Year’s celebration join Little Anthony & The Imperials 1/2/10 Wolf Den—Mohegan Sun—Connecticut. You can sing “Happy Birthday” to me if you’d like.
Reviews Keep Coming—“You’ll Never Know”
John Shelton Ivany writes a weekly CD review column which is also now syndicated to over 300 newspapers via ELECTRICity—an online features syndicate.
John Shelton reviewed “You’ll Never Know” and gave it a review we are proud of. Released on our Imperials Plus label, I did the singing alright but Clarence produced it perfectly—that’s the main ingredient. The CD has legs man and thanks John Shelton for our review—jsitop21.com/360.html#7. PS: I liked the slow version of “Hurt So Bad” too.
Sea Cruise Baby—“Malt Shop Memories” May 13–17, 2010
The Imperials and I are performing with Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Lesley Gore, Lou Christie, The Platters and the original Drifters as a part of “Malt Shop Memories” sea cruise. We sail on Carnival Inspiration on the 13th of May and return on the 17th of May. I’m really looking forward to this cruise.
Philadelphia’s own Jerry Blavat “The Geator With The Heator” will host the ’50s and ’60s concerts as the ship travels to Cozumel, Mexico (and returning to Tampa, FL).
To further celebrate the early rock teen era, a cruise sock hop, beach party and meet and greets with me and The Imperials and Frankie, Bobby, Lou, Lesley—all of us are planned.
Little Anthony & The Imperials (Clarence, Ernest, Robert)
George Dassinger
Selwyn Miller
The LA&TIs band
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The late great Majority Senator Tip O’Neill back in the ’60s and ’70s said, “All politics is local” meaning we all vote with our “pocketbooks.” So, if I was the “government” and happen to be one of our elected officials, I would suggest they consider looking at the calendar. Realize the 2010 elections are coming up fast. “Their jobs” on are the line. 
If you really want to turn around our recession, cut taxes for small businesses and open up funding. Small business owners represent 70%–80% of the employment in this country. If they aren’t hiring, the American way of life and money tumbles. In a year’s time, we could possibly cut unemployment in half. In some states, the unemployment is at “depression-era rates.” Wall Street had their bailout but small business is headed for a “going out of business” by the hundreds. It’s not a new problem however. 
The whole “Tiger Woods saga” is a real tragedy. OK, I admit I was my own “Tiger Woods” in my youth but the difference lies in the fact, I did not have his shield of wealth to hide in. Whatever, both Tiger and I had an appetite for the ladies. Remind me to tell you about “the ladies” some other time. “Sportsman Of The Decade.” Tiger Woods is today’s news. 
His father’s guidance was gone. He had his mom’s nurturing to cope. It wasn’t enough seemingly. His celebrity got the best of him. It happens a lot.
