I’m pleased to share Cameron’s first journalism he did for the L.A. Times in 1973 covering Led Zeppelin entitled “Zeppelin Alchemy: Transmuting”. The article begins with a recap of Zep’s show at the San Diego Sports Arena, moves into a history of the band and includes many quotes from Robert Plant and a very talkative Jimmy Page. Enjoy!
I’m pleased to share two new Eric Clapton pieces with you today. Both were published in late 1975 and were most likely culled from the same period of time that Cameron spent on the road with “slowhand”. First up, is a more of a career overview done for the L.A.Times entitled “E.C.’s Been Here, There and Everywhere”. Cameron chronicles his early days with The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominoes. This dovetails nicely into his solo career, along with his trails and tribulations.
The 2nd article is a more comprehensive Q & A with Clapton that Cameron conducted for Rolling Stone entitled “E.C.’s Here Again: ‘There’s Always Someone Faster'” and goes in-depth about his heroin problems, stage fright, rumors about joining the Rolling Stones and the music. While a few quotes overlap the L.A. Times, it’s a much more exhaustive and informative talk with Clapton. I thoroughly enjoyed transcribing both articles and hope you like them too!
In honor of singer/songwriter Phoebe Snow’s passing last week, I thought it it would be a great time to share Cameron’s review of her debut self-titled album from the December 22, 1974 edition of the L.A. Times. Phoebe burst onto the scene that year and by 1975, had a Top 5 hit with “Poetry Man”, along with a platinum selling album. You can even tell by Cameron’s short review that he was quite fond of her album and thought she was a real talent.
In late 1975, Phoebe’s career took a backseat to caring for her daughter, Valerie Rose Laub, born with severe brain damage. While Phoebe continued to record throughout the years, her greatest achievement was her daughter. Unfortunately, she lost her daughter in 2007.
If you haven’t checked out her music, you really should. She was a gifted musician and will be missed.
