Kaanii Powell Cleaver
Kaanii Powell Cleaver is a news contributor and opinion writer at Inquisitr, and a freelance writer/ghostwriter at large. Kaanii started writing in San Diego in the 1960s and has written for Hail Maryjane, Equipboard magazine, a Peruvian food blog in Half Moon Bay, and many other publications. Kaanii enjoys writing about a diversity of topics, including music news, political commentary, concert reviews, and tales of the bizarre. When not researching and writing, Kaanii enjoys stringed instruments, live concerts, and life among the California redwoods.This weekend, Lawrence Ferlinghetti celebrated a birthday that not everyone pulls off. The former poet laureate of San Francisco and founder of City Lights Bookstore turned 99 on Saturday. Although he’s moving somewhat slower than he did during North Beach’s Beatnik heyday, Ferlinghetti’s voice is as vital as ever, says the San Francisco Chronicle. Lawrence… Continue reading Happy Birthday, Lawrence Ferlinghetti
If you think that everyone who’s been summoned by Buckingham Palace to become a Sir or a Dame was thrilled about the idea, do think again. In fact, there are a number of notables who have politely, or not so politely, declined an invitation to knighthood by Her Majesty. Some said no due to personal… Continue reading Stephen Hawking, David Bowie, Aldous Huxley, And Others Who Declined Knighthood
In the 1960s, Richard “Ringo” Starkey won the hearts of millions, but it wasn’t until Tuesday that he won the right to be called “Sir Ringo.” Now 77-years-old, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was knighted by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, in a formal investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. How To Become A… Continue reading Ringo Starr Knighted By Prince William
If you have a hankering to hold a Styrofoam cup brimming with sweetly salty, semi-frozen pickle juice, 2018 is bound to be your year. This summer, the Sonic drive-in fast food chain will start selling a brand-new pickle juice slush flavor at more than 3,000 restaurants coast to coast. Reviewers from Southern Living magazine who… Continue reading Pickle Juice Slush: New Flavor Coming To A Sonic Drive-In Near You
Is Ed Sheeran already married? Modern music fans who pay attention to such things are probably aware that pop sensation, Ed Sheeran, got engaged to Cherry Seaborn several weeks ago. The 27-year old singer leaked news of his upcoming nuptials on Instagram, noting that he and his fiance are “very happy and in love and… Continue reading Ed Sheeran Already Married? Perez Hilton, ‘Metro UK,’ And Others Speculate [Rumor]
It used to be that when a rock star died, their touring career came to a screeching halt. Not anymore. Thanks to 21st century hologram technology, the man who popularized such songs as “Only the Lonely,” “Crying,” “Oh Pretty Woman,” and “Running Scared” is putting the finishing touches on a tour slated to start in… Continue reading Roy Orbison Will Tour In 2018, Despite Being Dead For Decades, According To ‘Ultimate Classic Rock’
On Wednesday, lawyer Ivan DeVoren turned himself in to authorities in Pennsylvania for 20 counts of dog rape. The 61-year old environmental attorney has been formally charged with 10 counts of sexual intercourse with an animal, 10 felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty, and numerous drug possession charges. The victim in the alleged dog rape… Continue reading Pennsylvania Lawyer Charged With Dog Rape
Last week, Gibson Brands issued a business-as-usual statement implying that all is well in luthier land. In truth, the iconic guitar company is perilously close to financial failure. Gibson has moved out of its Nashville offices, and CFO Bill Lawrence stepped down after less than one year on the job. $375 million in secured notes… Continue reading Gibson Guitars: Bankruptcy Of Musical Instrument Maker Imminent, According To ‘Nashville Post’
The last time General Hospital fans saw the likes of Sonny Corinthos’ wayward dad, he was checking into rehab after losing his job as manager of Kelly’s Diner and getting roughed up over gambling debts in a Port Charles alley. It was early 2011, and the part of Mike Corbin was played by Ron Hale.… Continue reading Max Gail, Of ‘Barney Miller’ Fame, Joins ‘General Hospital’ Cast As Sonny’s Father
If John Perry Barlow’s sole accomplishment had been the co-founding of the Electronic Frontier Foundation in 1990, it would have been enough to lodge him firmly in the pantheon of 20th century visionaries. Had Barlow merely penned substantial lyrics for Grateful Dead musical excursions “Cassidy,” “Throwing Stones,” “Estimated Prophet,” “Black-Throated Wind,” and “Feels Like Rain,”… Continue reading Grateful Dead Lyricist, Wyoming Cattle Rancher, Cyber-Libertarian Pioneer John Perry Barlow Dead At 70
iPhone Touch Disease may sound like the name of a made-up malady, but it’s a very real — and entirely frustrating — condition. Touch screens on Apple phones affected by iPhone Touch Disease may exhibit a flickering grey bar as they become increasingly difficult to use. Taps, gestures, and pinches fail to register on the… Continue reading iPhone Touch Disease: What Is It And Do You Have It?
Internet surfers who used Google on Thursday may be wondering about the dark-haired woman whose illustrated image adorned the top of the search engine page. Her name was Virginia Woolf, and the fact that she is remembered more than seven decades after her suicide is testament to her talent. Woolf penned thoughtful prose in a… Continue reading Virginia Woolf: Google Doodle Honors Feminist Author On Her 136th Birthday
Dylan Farrow is the sort of woman who finds it hard to ignore hypocrisy when she sees it. Farrow, who adamantly alleges childhood sexual molestation by adoptive father Woody Allen, recently schooled pop singer Justin Timberlake about the hypocrisy of wearing a Time’s Up button despite having no apparent problem praising –and working with– the… Continue reading Dylan Farrow Schools Justin Timberlake About Hypocrisy And Cake
The Zappa Family Trust’s recent revelation of plans to peddle a phantom Frank is causing no small amount of consternation amongst long time Zappa fans. Some say the whole idea of a fake Frank is creepy. Others surmise that a Zappa hologram might be a novel way to present the late composer’s music to a… Continue reading Fake Frank: Zappa Hologram Shows Won’t Be First Fronted By A Dead Guy
When he was just shy of five years old, future guitarist Jerry Garcia was chopping wood with his older brother, Clifford. Jerry held the wood while the boy everyone called ‘Tiff’ wielded an axe. The procedure went swimmingly, until Tiff miscalculated and chopped off the middle finger of his younger brother’s right hand. Despite the… Continue reading Jerry Garcia’s Brother Clifford ‘Tiff’ Garcia Dead At Age 79
On Tuesday evening at 6:45, the typically bright lights of Broadway went dark in honor of a very special man. His name may not be as well known to the general public as those of the actors who appeared in the plays he produced, but to Broadway insiders, Stuart Thompson was and will remain a… Continue reading Broadway Dims Lights For ‘Book Of Mormon’ Producer Stuart Thompson
For nearly half a century, comedian Jerry Lewis was the face and mouthpiece of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. From Labor Day 1966 to the time the MDA unceremoniously handed him his pink slip in 2010, Lewis hosted an annual television marathon that raised research funds. You might think that every person with the degenerative musculoskeletal… Continue reading Jerry’s Kids: Pity Not Appreciated
Just before Christmas 1950, a 38-year-old itinerant songwriter by the name of Woodrow Wilson Guthrie signed a lease on a modest apartment in Brooklyn. The other signature on the lease belonged to a real estate developer/landlord named Frederick Christ Trump. In addition to owning the massive public project known as Beach Haven, Fred C. Trump… Continue reading Trump’s Racist Father Called Out By Folksinger Woody Guthrie
Last Friday around 6:45 p.m., a terrible accident happened 120 miles southeast of San Francisco, California. The single-vehicle motor vehicle crash involved a white Buick Century and three teenagers. The passengers were minors, and the driver was an 18-year-old who posted selfies and livestreamed on Instagram as she drove. Gabbing, rapping, and gesturing to her… Continue reading Teen Who Livestreamed Sister’s Death On Instagram Arrested In California
Rarely does one encounter a true renaissance man. Philosopher, esoteric astronomer, mechanical printing press aficionado, and Mayan cosmology scholar John Major Jenkins was that kind of guy. Frequently featured on the long-running Art Bell radio show, Jenkins appeared in numerous documentaries on Native American prophecy, Mayan legend, and millennial changes. It was announced on Saturday… Continue reading Mayan Calendar Expert, Frequent Art Bell Guest John Major Jenkins Dead At Age 53
Green Harvest. Operation Wipeout. Grateful Meds. Which of these things is not like the others? The first two monikers are the nicknames of surveillance operations and raids conducted under Hawaii’s Domestic Cannabis Eradication Suppression Program. The third was a proposed Maui marijuana dispensary name. And the man who wanted to open that Maui marijuana dispensary… Continue reading Chopper Pilot Helped Bust Pakalolo Growers, Then Tried To Open His Own Maui Marijuana Dispensary
On Friday, Facebook was flooded with sorrowful notices that blues master Melvyn “Deacon” Jones died on July 6. When the first posts appeared, there were no official reports of Deacon’s demise. Now, Jones’ wiki page and other sources are in agreement that the 73-year-old musician did indeed pass away in Los Angeles earlier this week.… Continue reading Blues Master Melvyn ‘Deacon’ Jones Dead At Age 73
On Thursday, Mike Pence lauded the 2017 class of NASA astronauts while promising to put “American boots on the face of Mars.” Speaking to NASA employees at the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, the vice president described his boss as a “champion” who will “usher in a new era” of American space exploration.… Continue reading Pence Promises To Put American Boots On Face Of Mars
When a captivating video touting a chance to experience ‘the best in food, art, music, and adventure’ on a remote cay in the Bahamas circulated on social media in January, plenty of people paid attention. Promoted to partygoers with deep pockets, the Fyre Festival promised “two transformative weekends” to a limited number of participants who… Continue reading Flimflammed By Fyre Festival Fiasco? How To Get Your Money Back
When Adam West passed away last week, the world promptly expressed heartfelt condolence along with myriad memories of the late 88-year-old Batman star. Friends, co-stars, and fans of the wildly popular albeit short-lived TV series publicly remembered West as a charismatic actor who understood comedy. Word that the small-screen superhero also enjoyed a sex life… Continue reading Holy Bacchanalia! Batman, Riddler Ousted From Orgy
Two weekends ago, John Hernandez enjoyed a late-night meal at Denny’s restaurant with his wife and daughter. Today, the 24-year-old father is dead and buried. Hernandez died of injuries sustained when he was tackled, straddled, and choked by the husband of an off-duty Harris County Sheriff’s deputy as the victim’s young daughter screamed, “Quit hitting… Continue reading Denny’s Murder: Texas Man Killed In Front Of 3-Year-Old Daughter At Family Restaurant
Earlier this year, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department denied would-be Summer of Love concert producer, Boots Hughston, a permit to put on a free 50th anniversary concert in Golden Gate Park. Last weekend, the department unceremoniously shot down Hughston’s second bid to host a free SOL concert at the park. Now, the City… Continue reading 50th Summer of Love: San Francisco Denies Park Permit To Hippies, Suddenly Schedules Its Own Free Concert
Maybe you weren’t around when thousands of hippies attempted to levitate the Pentagon in 1967. Perhaps you missed the moment when a merry bunch of political pranksters known as the Youth International Party, or Yippies, showered stockbrokers with dollar bills on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, or promoted a porcine candidate named… Continue reading Yippie! Fugs Founder Ed Sanders Performs White House Exorcism
By most accounts, last night’s Dead & Company show at the Hollywood Bowl opened on time and without a hitch. The seven-song first set began with “Shakedown Street” before segueing into “Cold Rain and Snow” followed by the John Perry Barlow/Bob Weir composition, “Black-Throated Wind.” “Ramble On Rose,” “Cumberland Blues,” “Althea,” and a rousing cover… Continue reading Hollywood Bowl: Bomb Scare At Dead & Company Show
When word of the grievous, but not entirely unanticipated demise of road-tested rocker Gregg Allman hit news feeds on Saturday, two generations of music fans wept in unison. Allman has died at age 69, and the music world mourns. Among the musical luminaries to express grief and gratitude was John Popper, who humbly and honestly… Continue reading Blues Traveler Frontman John Popper Remembers Gregg Allman As Friend And Mentor
White Lightning. Orange Sunshine. Monterey Purple. To say the Sixties might not have happened as they did without the influence of these mind-melting molecules could be the understatement of the 20th century. The psychedelic triumvirate of Nick Sand, Tim Scully, and Augustus Owsley “Bear” Stanley III altered the mindset of 1960s America in a most… Continue reading Sand, And Scully, And Bear, Oh My
There are certain anniversaries that tend to take Baby Boomers by surprise. Fiftieths are like that. Now that 2017 is in full swing, 50th anniversaries of one sort or another are sprouting up quicker than whiskers on a hipster. This past week, Micky Dolenz of the 60’s prefab pop band The Monkees announced the 50th… Continue reading Monkees’ ‘Headquarters’ Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Ebullient and ironic. A good son and husband. Architect of grunge. These are some of the words being used to describe Soundgarden frontman, Chris Cornell, in the wake of his unfortunate end. Speculation as to the cause of Cornell’s death came to a close on Friday when the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed the… Continue reading Carabiner, Ativan Linked To Chris Cornell Suicide
If you were on Facebook this week, you may have seen a panicked post advising you and and your friends to beware a tainted video called “Dance of the Hillary.” Widely circulated via social media, email, and SMS, the cut&paste warning advised readers to “inform all contacts” that once opened, the video would unleash a… Continue reading Why Smart People Fall For Stupid Facebook Hoaxes
Paul is dead. Again. Or so some hoaxers would have you believe. On Wednesday evening, one-man talk show panel, Phil Hendrie, summed up the latest incarnation of the ‘Paul is dead’ rumor, calling the Ringo-reveals-all report “fake news” that failed to deliver anything in the way of originality, satire, or humor. Hendrie was right. The… Continue reading Paul Is Dead: Rumors Resurface Regarding Beatles Bassist’s Untimely Demise
141 “Dot Ave” is one of those upscale Boston addresses to which people aspire. With its rooftop swimming pool, unobstructed terrace views, and residential units that go for a cool two million, the Macallen Building is the last place one would expect to stumble upon a ghastly murder scene or witness a violent shootout. On… Continue reading Boston Shootout: Two Doctors Dead In Grisly Penthouse Murder
Early Thursday afternoon, the Rainbow Bar & Grill made a sad announcement on its official Facebook page. Whisky A Go-Go impresario, Mario Maglieri, is dead at age 93. “Dear Rainbow friends and family, it is with great sadness to announce the passing of our beloved Mario Maglieri. Owner and founder of The Rainbow Bar And… Continue reading Whisky A Go-Go Impresario Mario Maglieri Dead At 93
Fifty-one years ago a quartet of SoCal boys who’d never been to Beantown lauded their love for Boston’s dirty water. Today, The Standells are taking another stand. This time, it’s all about political corruption, corporate greed, and the unkind ways of the wealthiest one percent. Known to generations of pop music fans as the lovely… Continue reading ‘Dirty Water’ Standells Stand Against Corporate Greed, Uber-Wealthy One Percenters
On Monday morning, folks in Atlanta were preparing to attend a star-studded birthday concert at the Fox Theater. Today, jam bands and fans around the globe are mourning the abrupt demise of the guest of honor, “Colonel” Bruce Hampton who collapsed and died onstage during the grand finale. #WSP Preview: The life of Atlanta music… Continue reading Jam Band Favorite ‘Colonel’ Bruce Hampton Dies Onstage At 70th Birthday Bash
April 30 could have been any other night in semi-sleepy Napa, California. But it wasn’t. This was the night that Dweezil Zappa and company set up shop at the Uptown Theater and brought an audience to its feet, then to tears, then to its feet again. The San Francisco Bay Area is not lacking for… Continue reading Napa Loves Zappa: Dweezil Merits Four Standing Ovations At Uptown Theater
When word that David Peel passed away hit the streets and newswires on April 6, those who knew the man or knew who he was were saddened. It’s hard to say goodbye to anyone, least of all a man who set the 1970s New York City music scene on its proverbial ear. But when a… Continue reading Beautiful Loudmouth David Peel Dead At 73; Friends Pass The Hat To Raise Funeral Funds
On Monday morning, unverified reports that veteran rock ‘n’ roller Gregg Allman was in hospice started circulating around social media. A flurry of public concern followed in the wake of an erroneous report published by a radio station in the quad cities area that straddles northwest Illinois and southeastern Iowa. According to the bogus report,… Continue reading Gregg Allman Not In Hospice: Veteran Rocker Tells Fans He’s Hanging Out At Savannah Home On Doctor’s Orders
4/20, 4:20, Four-Twenty. The number sequence is as bewitching to a cannabis fan as the word abracadabra is to a magician. Aficionados of the aromatic herb have been saying “4/20” as a semi-secret code for “it’s time to smoke a spliff” for decades. Do you know where the phrase originated? A lot of people think… Continue reading 4/20, 4:20, Four-Twenty, 4-20: Where In The World Did The Mysterious Marijuana Code Number Come From?
Albert Einstein’s brain worked better than the ones in most human heads, and a lot of scientists wanted to know why. Einstein understood this, thought the notion silly and made plans for cremation of everything but his eyes. Those he bequeathed to his ophthalmologist, Dr. Henry Abrams. Albert suffered chest pains on the evening of… Continue reading Einstein’s Brain In A Jar
Despite cancellation rumors that started making their way around the internet in February, the annual White House Easter Egg Roll happened after all. According to eye witnesses, however, it may have been the saddest Easter egg roll in White House history. There was no throng of people clamoring to get in, and attendance seemed to… Continue reading Saddest Easter Egg Roll In White House History
Never mind what the calendar says. 1967’s legendary “Summer of Love” was over before it even started. That’s what David Freiberg told Gary Duncan as the Quicksilver Messenger Service bandmates surveyed the scene at a festive flower child gathering in the winter of ’67. “Goddamn it. It’s over, man.” Such was the story revealed by… Continue reading The Summer Of Love: Not Exactly Hippie Paradise
Before Donald Trump sets about “draining the swamp” in Washington, he might want to consider cleaning the dangerously dirty kitchen at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The pricey private club that’s been the site of summit meetings since POTUS 45 assumed the presidency in January 2017 failed numerous health code violations in the weeks… Continue reading Dangerously Dirty Kitchen At Mar-A-Lago Alarms Florida Health Inspectors
Killer Mermaids Of Zimbabwe. If that’s not already the title of a fabulously cheesy sci-fi flick, it should be. Could killer mermaids of Zimbabwe be real? A lot of people certainly seem to believe so. If apprehended, a mermaid with murderous motive may stand accused in drowning death of two schoolboys at a dam near… Continue reading Killer Mermaids Of Zimbabwe: Real Or Not, It’s A Story Worth Noting
Early Friday morning wind storms overturned a barge near Yerba Buena Island, tumbling barrels of diesel fuel into the beloved San Francisco Bay. The freight barge Vengeance capsized and sank shortly after midnight, according to Coast Guard representative Sarah Wilson. Fortunately, no hands were aboard when the vessel and a crane went down in gale… Continue reading San Francisco Bay Oil Spill Endangers Wildlife, Brings Back Memories Of 1971 Standard Oil Spill
Folks expecting to see Neil Young at tomorrow night’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony may be surprised to find David Letterman standing in for the “godfather of grunge.” The Hall of Fame tweeted their regret that Neil won’t be there to induct Pearl Jam while expressing delight that Letterman has agreed to… Continue reading David Letterman To Replace Neil Young At Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony