Few actors transcend the Pop Culture set into stone since the '60s. Even fewer become part of it's body. Dennis Hopper was one that did it. With one fell swoop, his performance (and writing of) Easy Rider did more to capture the essence of the rebellion that the counter culture (a child of Rock) established than any film had. Dennis Hopper played the role of Billy with perfection.

Since, Dennis Hopper has performed with a certain inimitable style that defined his body of work. Performances like Frank Booth in Blue Velvet, the worshipful photographer in Apocalypse Now, and his Academy-nominated "Shooter" character in the under-appreciated Hoosiers, as well as a myriad of other classic Hopper performances seclude his credentials and perfection from all others as a one of a kind actor.

Those of us that remembered his Billy persona in Easy Rider adopted him as a favorite to watch, and watch him we did. We brought him into our hearts, enjoyed his performances, and were deeply saddened at the announcement of his death even though we all knew how sick he had been. I guess we all just thought that he'd surprise us by recovering completely.

Death leaves no man unscathed. And he leaves a trail of sadness where he has been. The departure of Dennis Hopper, Billy to many of us, while devastating, still leaves a warm glow where he's been. Easy Rider emanates that glow as does many of his other films.

Dennis, we'll miss you greatly. But the Big Band is more than happy to have you join them in whatever role you wish.

Dennis Hopper
1936-2010
RIP

Robert Metcalf has issued a new review of an import album by la Maschera di Cera named Petali Di Fuoco.

I want to alert TAP readers to the fact that I have finally put together a FaceBook fan page that you can access and join by clicking on the badge below.  What this offers is the exact same thing as my Twitter feeds provide and that is first buzz on upcoming releases and free offered downloads, many announcements  that beat our main post, sometimes by days.  We also provide a Google BUZZ page that expands on most of the Twitter/FB feeds. On Buzz, you can even hear the music stream if a stream is offered.  There are still things that I'm working on in the FB page, like calender notes as well as links to great sites like The Second Disc.  I invite you to join us at our FB page and bookmark it.  Visit it daily and you'll be rewarded with much news and info.  Of course, you'll still want to come to the main MusicTAP page for our noisy commentaries.  Remember, with our Twitter feeds, you can elect to receive the news bursts as text on your mobile phone keeping you effortlessly up to date with stuff.  Lots of choices.  Find one, or two, that fits.

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Reprise Records will continue their LP reissue campaign of Eric Clapton titles with the next-in-line vinyl re-release of Journeyman (1989). It is planned for July 20 as a 2LP set.

The new album by Devo called Something For Everybody is scheduled for release from Warner Brothers Records on June 15 for a CD and a CD Deluxe Edition, and on July 20 for a 2LP blue vinyl set with bonus CD included.

The past announced reissues of Tom Waits titles on vinyl LP has changed to August 17. The previously announced titles are Nighthawks At The Diner (1975), Closing Time (1973), The Heart of Saturday Night (1974), and Small Change (1976). Schedule it again if you were waiting on these titles.

Hip-O Select plans to release Respect/Livin' It Up by Jimmy Smith on August 10.

John Mellencamp's upcoming No Better Than This will be released on LP on August 3.

Universal Republic plans to release An Airplane Carried Me to Bed by Sky Sailing on vinyl LP scheduling July 27 for release date.

The UK has announced the intended Columbia 2DVD and BD (Blu-ray) arrival of London Calling: Live in Hyde Park from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band planned for June 21. The US release is scheduled for June 22.

Motown Records will release City Free by St Lunatics on July 27.

Sanctuary will release a DD (Digital Download) version of The Very Best of The Tremeloes on June 22.

Geffen Records will push Whitesnake, the S/T album from the famed Coverdale-fronted band out on DD scheduling June 15.

RCA Red Seal will deliver an Essential series title for Jim Brickman called The Essential Jim Brickman on July 13.

Sony Classical plans an Essential series title for Etta James called The Essential Etta James on July 13.

Shout! Factory will reissue Don't Say No (1981) by Billy Squier on July 27. Don't Say No was a high-charting solo album that yielded "The Stroke," "In The Dark," "Lonely Is The Night," and, to a lesser extent, "My Kinda Lover." Don't Say No set the stage for his next successful album, Emotions in Motion (1982).

Shout! Factory also plans the release of Jimmie Vaughan Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites on July 6. Jimmie Vaughan is Stevie Ray Vaughan's brother for those that may not know.