For smiles and giggles, I once compiled a playlist of all the number one songs of the 1960s. It was a musical exercise made possible by the internet and iTunes; hitherto it would have been an exercise in juggling compact discs (or cassette tapes).

In listening to the 230-plus song playlist there were a couple of things I noticed. First and foremost, being a number one song doesn’t necessarily make you a good song (“Moody River,” “Harper Valley PTA,” “In the Year 2525 (Exordium and Terminus)”).

The second thing I notice was how dull the number one songs were until the arrival of two bands. Obviously, one of those bands is The Beatles but the second might surprise you. It’s the Beach Boys.

While they failed to reach the legendary status of the Fab Four, The Beach Boys did make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band released a bevy of hit songs in the 1960s including “Good Vibrations,” ”I Get Around” and “California Girls.” They defined the West Coast beach sound and more than solidified themselves as 1960s musical icons.

The Beach Boys released a lot of music through the years but they never matched their creative output of the 1960s. From the 1980s onward, the band was embroiled in legal battles and cheesy reunion shows. They did release their best-selling single, “Kokomo,” in 1988.

In 2012, the relics of your grandfather’s record collection are jumping off the vinyl and coming to a venue near you.

That’s right, the Beach Boys have announced plans for a 50-date tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

[Insert your joke about old musicians touring here].

The three original members of the group—Brian Wilson (69), Mike Love (70), and Al Jardine (69)—along with two longtime members—Bruce Johnston (63) and David Marks(69)—are reuniting for a world tour and a new album. The first Beach Boys concert on the schedule is set for April 27 at the renowned New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Before laying your hands on some primo Beach Boys tickets, you can always watch them at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 12. They are scheduled to make an appearance and from what I can tell it’s going to be a big production number featuring a lot of current bands so as to make the California geezers relevant to a younger audience.

I’m not a huge fan of the Beach Boys but I’ve always appreciated their contribution to popular music. As the years have gone by I’ve enjoyed their music more and more. Perhaps the best summation of their place in rock and roll history is this: “The Beatles transcend the 1960s, the Beach Boys do not.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers: “I’m With You Tour” Launches Jan. 20

The Red Hot Chili Peppers just confirmed five more dates for their upcoming “I’m With You Tour.”

Slowly confirming tour stops has been the band’s modus operandi. Of course their U.S. fans don’t care. They’re riding high on the recent announcement that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Not to mention that next year, Chili Pepper concert tickets will be ripped for the first time since 2007 and their “Stadium Acradium Tour.”

The pioneering rock-funk quartet launches the U.S. leg of their world tour Jan. 20 in Sunrise, Florida. The outing wraps March 16 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Highlights of their itinerary, at least for now, include Red Hot Chili Peppers in Orlando, Florida on Jan. 21; Red Hot Chili Peppers in San Antonio, Texas on March 6; and Red Hot Chili Peppers in Dallas, Texas on March 9.

The band just verified stops in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Glendale, and Denver. The Red Hot Chili Peppers show in Los Angeles is scheduled for Feb. 26 at the Staples Center. The Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in San Diego is planned for Feb. 29 at the Valley View Casino Center.

Writing about the Chili Peppers made Land of Punt hungry. Well, as hungry as a Web site can get. It also got us thinking about bands named after food (and only food). Below, is our list of the top ten bands named after victuals. Red Hot Chili Peppers fans will be happy to learn that their band came in second. To find out who came in number one keep reading…

10. Black Eyed Peas
We’ll be honest. We made this list and put the Black Eyed Peas at number ten just to illustrate their awfulness. They can’t even beat out Bread, The Cranberries, or Vanilla Fudge. As bad as BEP are, they know how to sell records. They’re at 31 million and counting.

9. Bread
In the 1970s, Bread charted 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Unfortunately, they were all adult contemporary pabulum like “Make It With You,” “If” and “Baby I’m-a Want You.” Sadly, three of the five original members of Bread are no longer with us. They’ve gone to the big AM station in the sky.

8. The Cranberries
The Cranberries are an Irish outfit fronted by Dolores O’Riordan who is married to the former tour manager of a little group called Duran Duran. The Cranberries’ debut album, Everybody Else is Doing, So Why Can’t We?, sold more than five million copies in the United States.

7. Vanilla Fudge
Vanilla Fudge’s first big hit was the 1968 reissue of “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” The band’s last big hit was 1968′s “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” In 1966, Vanilla Fudge was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Enough said!

6. Cracker
This may shock you but Cracker has released ten studio albums since breaking on to the scene in 1992 with Kerosene Hat. Their one big hit, from the aforementioned opus, is “Low.” The video for that song featured Sandra Bernhardt. And no, their opening act isn’t Cheese.

5. Cake
Cake is one of those bands you either love or hate. If you like frontman John McCrea’s straightforward vocals (that border on talking) and a lot of trumpet with your alternative rock you’re probably a big Cake fan. We love the name of their second album, Fashion Nugget.

4. Korn
Korn never would have made our list had their kept their original name, L.A.P.D. The heavy metal band from Bakersfield, California released their first album in 1994. Since then Korn has won two Grammy awards and sent two albums to the top of the Billboard 200.

3. The Jam
The Jam was headed by Paul Weller. He’s virtually unknown in the U.S. but a national treasure in the U.K. During their run from 1977 to 1982, The Jam had 18 straight Top 40 singles. Granted, it was the Top 40 in the U.K., but still. Their music was a mix of mod, new wave, and punk.

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have gone through a few drummers and guitarists over the years but the band’s two constants have been bassist Flea and frontman Anthony Kiedis. The Peppers released their first studio opus in 1984 and their tenth in 2011. All total, they’ve sold more than 70 million albums.

1. Cream
You can’t go wrong with any band that includes Eric Clapton. You especially can’t go wrong if that band also includes Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Cream only released four albums, all in the 1960s, but their influence is still being felt. They were popular music’s first successful supergroup and their Wheels of Fire album was the first double-LP to be certified platinum.

Hugh Jackman is a throwback.

He’s one of the few modern day stars that could had made it 40, 50, even 60 years ago.

The guy can do it all: sing, dance, act, and sell tickets (either movie or Broadway tickets). His acting made him a household name but his voice is by far his greatest aptitude. He’s best known for playing a gruff superhero (Wolverine) but won a Tony Award for portraying singer-songwriter Peter Allen (The Boy from Oz). Best of all, his immense talents come wrapped in a countenance and physique perfectly designed for a leading man of the stage and screen.

In the 21st century, when performers use computers to sing on tune, and special effects to mask their inability to emote, Jackman is an anachronism. He’s an updated version of the Hollywood stars of old. In other words, he actually has talent.

Over the summer, Jackman delighted audience with his performance in the family-friendly, box office hit, Reel Steel. Currently, the 43-year-old Australian superstar is selling Hugh Jackman Broadway tickets to his 10-week run at the Broadhurst Theatre on the Great White Way.

Called “Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway,” the star culls materials from classic musicals like Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, and The Boy From Oz. The show also includes a rousing tribute to the musical The Music Man replete with a rap.

The three-time host of the Tony Awards also laces up the dancing shoes. In fact, there are several numbers showcasing the actor’s hoofing skills. As you would expect, Jackman is a fantastic dancer.

Jackman is backed by an 18-piece orchestra and six dancing show girls. The production includes very few special effects. That was a wise move. Jackman doesn’t need theatre magic to dazzle the audience. All he needs is a microphone and a simple tune.

Be prepared for one or two corny jokes. Jackman has a few groaners sprinkled throughout his program but the actor is so suave and charming that he pulls them off. I love bad jokes so this wouldn’t bother me one iota.

Jackman’s powerhouse of a show is currently one of the hottest tickets in town. It’s right up there with The Book of Mormon tickets and War Horse tickets. It’s breaking box office records at the Broadhurst and is sold out every weekend of its two-and-half-month run.

When you go, make sure you scan the theatre. Many of the reviews I’ve read about Jackman’s “Back on Broadway” mention tons of celebrities in the audience.

Il Divo Launches North American Leg of 2012 World Tour On May 18

Everyone’s favorite all-male, pop-opera, international quartet, Il Divo, has announced plans for an epic world tour in 2012. The brainchild of Simon Cowell, Il Divo will visit six continents next year with a rather long stint in North America.

The foursome’s first performance in the New World is set for May 18 in Windsor, Ontario at the Colosseum. The highly anticipated trek wraps Aug. 19 at the Wells Fargo Theatre in Denver, Colorado. Their itinerary includes more than a dozen Il Divo concerts in the Great White North.

Highlights of Il Divo’s Canadian Itinerary
>>May 19 – Il Divo tickets for Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre
>>May 22 – Il Divo tickets for Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
>>July 25 – Il Divo tickets for Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
>>July 27 – Il Divo tickets for Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
>>July 31 – Il Divo tickets for Winnipeg, MB @ MTS Centre

The quartet is selling Il Divo concert tickets to support their sixth studio album, Wicked Game. The oeuvre features songs made famous by Roy Orbison, Sarah Brightman, the musical Evita, and of course, Chris Iasaak (his song is the title track).

Il Divo is comprised of Frenchman Sebastien Izambard, Spaniard Carlos Marin, Swiss singer Urs Buhler, and American David Miller. The international composition of Il Divo inspired Land of Punt to create a list of our favorite bands with multi-national lineups. We couldn’t think of any as diverse as Il Divo, but then again Il Divo wasn’t formed organically.
 
AC/DC
Okay, stay with us here. Malcolm and Angus Young were born in Scotland and immigrated to Australia when they were very young (sorry for the pun). Drummer Phil Rudd was born in Australia but currently lives in New Zealand. Bassist Cliff Williams and singer Brian Johnson are both British. That’s quite a lot of diversity from a band known for three chords. AC/DC is one of the world’s best selling rock bands. Their 1980 release, Back in Black, is the second highest selling album of all-time.

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
David Crosby is from Los Angeles. Stephen Stills is from Dallas. Graham Nash is British and Neil Young is Canadian. This also means that Crosby, Stills, and Nash are a multinational band. CSN formed in 1968 and released one album before adding Young. The result was the band’s best selling and most famous work, Déjà Vu. CSNY were great in concert and on vinyl but they could never really get along. Some of their most famous songs include “Teach Your Children,” “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” and “Southern Cross.”

Fleetwood Mac
The band’s current lineup features Englishmen Mick Fleetwood and John McVie and Americans Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Former famous members are Great Britain’s Christine McVie and Dave Mason and America’s Bob Welch. Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album Rumors is one of the greatest of all-time. It stayed on the top of the charts for more than 30 weeks and has sold in excess of 40 million copies worldwide.

Journey
The current lineup of Journey is comprised of four Americans—Neal Schon, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, and Dean Castronovo—and one Filipino—Arnel Pineda. The latter is not the only non-American to ever be an official member of Journey. The band’s drummer in the late 1970s was British subject Aynsley Dunbar. Going back to Pineda, the crooner was a very successful musician in his native Philippines before joining Journey in 2007. The current lineup has released two studio albums and extensively toured the world.

The Monkees
Like Il Divo, The Monkees are a fabricated band. Their lineup contained three Americans—Micky Dolenz Michael Newsmith, and Peter Tork—and one Brit—Davy Jones. Designed to compete with The Beatles, The Monkees began their rock and roll career as nothing more than actors but fought long and hard to wrestle creative control away from their corporate overlords. The Monkees never came close to rivaling the Beatles, either artistically or commercially, but they are the “Fab Four” of bubblegum music.

This summer, Wrigley Field in Chicago will host Roger Waters and a special stadium version of “The Wall Live.” After months of speculation, the bassist for Pink Floyd finally announced that he’ll play the legendary baseball stadium on June 8 as part of the 2012 North American leg of his historic world tour.

In the middle of next year, Roger Waters tickets will be collected in several major U.S. markets. Fans should look for Roger Waters in Houston on May 1, Roger Waters in Los Angeles on May 19, and Roger Waters in Atlanta on June 13.

Prior to this monumental and state-of-the-art undertaking, The Wall had only been played live 31 times—30 during the band’s 1980-1981 tour and once in 1990 to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The seminal concept album of the same name was released by Pink Floyd in late 1979. Waters not only conceived the idea, but wrote and composed—either individually or with a partner—all of The Wall’s music and lyrics.

To get fans even more excited than they already are for Roger Waters to come to Phoenix on May 15, or for Roger Waters to come to Philadelphia on July 14, Land of Punt looks at five of the greatest concept albums of all-time. If these classics aren’t in your music collection then you need to log onto iTunes ASAP.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is not the first concept album ever released but it is the most famous. The ironic thing about this 1967 cultural landmark is it’s barely a concept album. If you remove reprise from the second side and separate “With A Little Help From My Friends” from the title track you’re left with a fairly random collection of great songs (granted, the greatest collection of songs in the history of humanity). While every one of the tracks on Sgt. Pepper’s is a classic, none were released as singles.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust And The Spider From Mars (1972)
David Bowie picked the name “Ziggy” because it was the only Christian name he could think of that started with the letter “Z” and because it sounded like “Iggy” (as in Iggy Pop). The “Stardust” part came from the novelty act “Legendary Stardust Cowboy,” inventor of a genre of music known as pyschobilly. The persona of “Ziggy Stardust” was inspired by Vince Taylor, a rocker from the late 1950′s and early 1960′s who had his career cut short by drug abuse and mental illness. We can only guess where Bowie got the “Wham Bam thank You Ma’am” part from one of the album’s better-known songs, “Suffragette City.”

Tommy (1969)
This concept album from The Who is widely referred to as the very first “rock opera.” When it was released in the spring of 1969 it was “just” a concept album. Only later was it turned into a proper musical, both on the silver screen and on Broadway. Tommy was composed by Pete Townshend and his epic story of a deaf, dumb, and blind pinball wizard, who eventually attains spiritual enlightenment, was inspired by the works of Indian mystic, Meher Baba.

The Wall (1979)
Pink Floyd’s 1979 concept album owes its existence to a glob of saliva, to be precise, the spittle of Roger Waters. During a show in Montreal, in July of 1977, Waters spat on some extremely rude fans. He soon discovered that he wasn’t the only member of the band that was frustrated with some of the patrons attending Pink Floyd’s mammoth stadium concerts. Basically, Floyd was starting to feel isolated from their fans. Waters used the spitting incident, as well as his feeling of detachment, to create The Wall. Later, producer Bob Ezrin assisted in refining the Wall’s story while keeping the peace between Waters and Dave Gilmour.

American Idiot (2004)
Green Day’s concept album has its roots in a project called Cigarettes and Valentines. The master tapes for that album were stolen and instead of re-recording the songs the band decided to start over. While working on new material, Mike Dirnt sneaked into the studio and recorded a 30-second song. Enjoying his idea, while also hoping to best him, the other two band members began making their own half-minute ditties. Eventually, Green Day put together all the snippets and created the “Homecoming” suite that’s found near the end of American Idiot. Inspired by The Who, Jesus Christ Superstar, and West Side Story, the band developed a concept album around a character Billie Joe Armstrong had created named “Jesus of Suburbia.”

Jeff Dunham’s forth Comedy Central special aired in late September. As always, it was a resounding success. Dubbed “Controlled Chaos,” it attracted more than eight million viewers in two showings. The DVD of the special dropped two days later and it quickly became one of Amazon.com’s biggest sellers.

That’s not bad for a ventriloquist who has the “cool factor” of a guy wearing shorts, black socks, and sandals at the beach. Ventriloquism is the “polka’ of comedy.

Of course, when your sides ache from laughing too hard, who really cares how Dunham is perceived by verbose critics and pretentious pundits. As everyone who has every bought Jeff Dunham tickets can attest to, the comedian puts on a high-energy show where the jokes come in rapid succession.

All this fall and winter you can see for yourself just how funny Dunham and his dummies can be. The Texas native launched his “Controlled Chaos Tour” in early October and he’s scheduled to be on the road through the first quarter of 2012. Right now, the last show on his docket is set for March 31. On that night, Jeff Dunham will be in Los Angeles for a gig at the Nokia Theatre.

Other stops on his route include Jeff Dunham in Nashville on Nov. 25, Jeff Dunham in Baltimore on Dec. 28, and Jeff Dunham in Atlanta on Jan. 28.

Whether you have Jeff Dunham tickets for his show in Hartford or Jeff Dunham tickets for his performance in Kansas City, you can expect to laugh at all of his riotous and indelible characters. There’s the crotchety old man Walter, the white trash redneck Bubba J, and the inept master of mayhem, Achmed the Dead Terrorist.

Dunham may not be edgy or particularly cerebral—and yes he probably would have been a regular on Hee-Haw—but he’s always fun and funny. For the last two years he’s been the top touring comic in the world and for the last three years he’s been the top touring comic in North America.

If you can’t make it out to one of his shows, you can always check out his three other Comedy Central specials, all of which are available on DVD: “Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself” (2006), “Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity” (2007), and “Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special” (2008).

Dunham had his own series on Comedy Central but it was cancelled after one season. It was axed not because of low ratings (the show’s premiere was the highest rated premiere in the history of the network), but because of poor reviews and high production costs.

Apparently, the world just isn’t ready for a ventriloquist to have his own show on basic cable.

Jeff Dunham’s schedule also includes stops in Jacksonville, Phoenix, and Toronto. Jeff Dunham has a pair of shows in Las Vegas planned for early December. The ventriloquist will be at Caesars Palace on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.