Rich Monetti
Bio
I am, I write.
Stories (705/0)
Jonny Wickersham of Social Distortion is at Home with His Music
Photo by Ed Vill Growing up in the home of a guitarist, Jonny Wickersham of Social Distortion amplified his father's country rock sound in favor of Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Hendrix and the like. But his early aspiration could not equal his inspiration, and he retreated to an instrument in the bass that was more his speed. He eventually found his strum and would go onto become a staple in the California punk rock scene with U.S. Bombs, Cadillac Tramps and the L.A.'s Youth Brigade. He eventually landed with Social D in 2000. But that doesn't mean he has been able to simply coast with the talent he has been given.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
The Trial of the Chicago 7 on Netflix Feels Pretty Good
Netflix, Poster My study of American History makes me no stranger to the 60s and the Vietnam War. That said, I know very few details about the Chicago 7. In fact, I didn’t even know that Abbie Hoffman was among those on trial. At the same time, I’ve also learned that learning history from the movies is a poor substitute for understanding. So I was reluctant to take my curriculum from the Netflix movie, but with some encouragement, I gave it a go.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Geeks
Yorktown's KRISTKO Leaves it to the Listener to 'Extrapolate' her New Song
To a lot of us, the United States has become recognizable. So we are left to cry out and plead for sanity. Anyway we can, our voice demands to be heard, and despite what seems almost futile, KRISTKO joins the chorus in her new song.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
My Most Memorable Celebrity Interview Moments
A few years back, I had a real fun run interviewing celebrities for a publication called Times Square Magazine. Chazz Palmiteri, Michael Emerson of Lost, Lynda Carter, Larry Manetti of Magnum PI and Southside Johnny were among the more notable. Of course, having a global icon queued up for a conversation is a little unsettling. But I pretty much went about my business once the dial tone gave way. Here’s a few of my shinning moments.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Geeks
Gary Puckett Remembers Union Gap and Young Girl
Photo by badgreeb RECORDS As musicians themselves, the parents of Classic Rock Icon Gary Puckett made sure their children grew up in a home where music was often played and listened to. His dad played the sax and sang in Barbershop Quartets, and his mom was an accomplished piano player who taught students at home. But the American dream they aspired to for their children didn’t involve all the uncertainty a musician’s life can have. Being the good son, Puckett attended San Diego City College, where he enrolled as a psyche student. Essentially unable to repress his true calling, he left the unconscious to others and followed the inescapable pull toward performing.
By Rich Monetti3 years ago in Beat
Walter White's Seven Step Program into Hell
Photo by Gage Skidmore If there was ever a way back for Walter White after tallying 201 souls, settling with Skylar provided the moment. He finally admitted his true motivations. "I did it for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And I was really -- I was alive." But descent was a long road and each rung down wasn’t necessarily marked by Walt’s darkest moments. In other words, Walter had to build an evil tolerance and develop the skills to sink to such hideous depths. Otherwise, he could never have executed deeds like allowing Jane to die or poisoning Brock. So here’s a look back at the seven steps that gaves us Heisenberg in all his glory and secured Walter White's place in Hell.
By Rich Monetti4 years ago in Geeks
Part IV : Memorable Moments that Memorable Moments that Could Only Happen in Plattsburgh
Halloween in Plattsburgh Wilson Hall It was October, 1982. I had just seen Friday the 13th for the first time, and when Jason jumped out of that lake, I almost fell out the window. Given how frazzled my nerves were with the collapse of my chances with the Computer Girl, I should have seen what was coming next. Nonetheless, six guys on the fifth floor came up with the coolest Halloween costume ever. They dressed up as a six pack of Michelob, and despite my despair, I was completely in awe. My counter was a yellow rain slicker, and my bare chicken legs protruded outward. Shorts and a t-shirt obscured underneath, I was a flasher. The best I could do, because I couldn’t find a white hat to pull off a Gilligan outfit. Either way, I was envious as the Computer Girl’s suitor pranced in his flip top. But Halloween was a pretty crazy night, and the bars still open to 4AM, I employed my patented Bruce Springsteen move for the first time. “Like a river that had overflow, I took a wrong turn and just kept goin.” In other words, I ditched everyone without saying a word. I continue to hate the chorus of goodbyes required at night's end. Apparently, though, I did not go unnoticed on my first try, and walking up Broad Street, I sensed a stirring. I was suddenly grabbed from behind and Voorhees had to be the one accosting me. Just a little off, it was her, and the terror was quickly replaced by elation. Maybe my shot hadn’t dissipated with the late summer warmth. But reality began to set in as the moment of truth appeared in the form of Wilson Hall, and of course, I was spooked. No idea what to say or do, I left it to her to lay out my destiny. We got on the elevator, and she effortlessly pressed five and nine. I was done but the final trick was still worth the almost treat.
By Rich Monetti4 years ago in Education
John Wayne and World War II
Photo by Dave & Margie Hill / Kleerup No one was more a hero in World War II than John Wayne. At least that’s what the aliens would think when they viewed the historical footage documented in old Hollywood reels such as the Sands Of Iwo Jima, Flying Tigers and The Longest Day. We know better. But if you’re a child of World War II, who reveled in his onscreen heroics and welled up with pride, maybe there’s still some draft dodger wiggle room to take solace in. For everyone else, fire away.
By Rich Monetti4 years ago in Geeks
Star Trek: The Motion Picture Searches for the Original Series and Finds It
I was so into Star Trek as a kid – and the tragedy of lasting only 79 episodes – that I used to dream my own original episodes in REM sleep. Always awakened to the disappointment that the nocturnal adventure didn't really exist, it’s still unfathomable to me that when Star Trek : The Motion Picture came out, I didn’t go see it the first Star Trek Movie
By Rich Monetti4 years ago in Futurism
Life in the Bronx for Charlie And Lizzy Monetti
The overwhelming difficulties of childhood mostly put at bay, my grandfather Carmine Monetti (or Charlie) certainly did his time playing stickball on the streets of the Bronx. I vaguely remember him telling me that if the kids didn’t have enough money for a ball, they would cut off the top of the broom stick and make do. Fittingly, it was the city game that continued the Monetti line.
By Rich Monetti4 years ago in Families