BONUS: James Alexander on The Bar-Kays' Rivalry With Cameo
Digest
The podcast "Two Guys Five Rings" previews the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. It delves into a 1969 protest at Morehouse College involving students and the Board of Trustees, featuring Samuel L. Jackson. Promos highlight podcasts like "Selective Ignorance with Mandy B," discussing Black history and culture, and "Mind Games," exploring Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Questlove shares stories from his show, including a discussion with James Alexander of The Bar-Kaze about band rivalries, particularly with Cameo, and the tragic plane crash that killed Otis Redding. The episode details a performance dispute with Cameo over payment and reflects on band dynamics and rehearsals. The rivalry between The OJs and The Temptations is also discussed, emphasizing performance impact over hit songs.
Outlines

Olympic Preview and Historical Protests
Hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers introduce discussions on the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The episode revisits a significant 1969 protest at Morehouse College where students, including Samuel L. Jackson, locked up the Board of Trustees.

Podcast Promotions and Music Industry Stories
This segment features promotions for podcasts like "Selective Ignorance with Mandy B," focusing on Black history and culture, and "Mind Games," which explores Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). It also includes stories from Questlove's show, detailing band rivalries between The Bar-Kaze and Cameo, a performance dispute with Cameo over payment, and the impact of the tragic plane crash that killed Otis Redding. The rivalry between The OJs and The Temptations is also highlighted.

NLP and Historical Event Podcast Promotion
A promotion for the "Mind Games" podcast delves into Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), questioning its efficacy and potential for manipulation. Another promotion for "The A Building" podcast revisits the 1969 Morehouse College protest.
Keywords
Two Guys Five Rings podcast
A podcast hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, focusing on the lead-up to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games
The upcoming Winter Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Morehouse College Protest 1969
A historical event where students, including Samuel L. Jackson, protested by locking up the Board of Trustees.
Selective Ignorance with Mandy B
A podcast exploring Black history and culture with comedy and conversations, discussing topics like the Crown Act.
Crown Act
Legislation prohibiting discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race.
The Questlove Show
A podcast featuring discussions on music history, including stories about band rivalries and tragic events like the Otis Redding plane crash.
James Alexander (The Bar-Kaze)
Musician who shared stories on The Questlove Show about band rivalries and industry experiences.
Otis Redding
Legendary soul singer who died in a plane crash; his death is discussed in relation to band experiences.
Band Battles
Competitive performances between bands, highlighting musical skill, ego, and showmanship.
Cameo (Band)
An American funk band known for rivalries and performance battles, involved in a payment dispute anecdote.
Mind Games podcast
A podcast exploring Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), questioning its nature as self-help or a scam.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
An approach to communication and personal development, examined for its potential influence on behavior.
The A Building podcast
A podcast revisiting historical events, specifically the 1969 Morehouse College protest.
Q&A
What is the main focus of the "Two Guys Five Rings" podcast?
The podcast focuses on the lead-up to the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, providing listeners with experiences and discussions related to the event.
Can you describe the historical event at Morehouse College mentioned in the transcript?
In 1969, students at Morehouse College, including a young Samuel L. Jackson, protested by locking up the Board of Trustees, including Martin Luther King Sr., in a significant act of rebellion.
What is the "Crown Act" and where was it signed?
The Crown Act is a bill passed to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race. It was signed into law in New York in July 2019.
What story does Questlove share from his interview with James Alexander?
Questlove shares a story about the night before the tragic plane crash that killed Otis Redding. It involved James Alexander seeing performances by The OJs and The Temptations in Cleveland.
What was the nature of the rivalry between bands like The Bar-Kaze and Cameo?
The rivalry involved on-stage battles, showcasing musical talent, ego, and pure showmanship. These competitions were a significant part of the music scene during that era.
What issue arose with Cameo's performance in Dallas?
Larry Blackman of Cameo refused to go on stage unless they received an additional $5,000, despite a prior agreement. This led to a negotiation and decision by the host's band leader.
How did The OJs perform against The Temptations, considering their hit song count?
The OJs, despite having only one hit song at the time, "smoked" The Temptations, who had multiple hits. This highlights the impact of a powerful performance over the number of popular songs.
What is "Mind Games" podcast about?
"Mind Games" is a new podcast that explores Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), questioning whether it's a self-help miracle, a scam, or both, and examining its potential to influence behavior.
What historical event does "The A Building" podcast cover?
"The A Building" podcast covers the 1969 protest at Morehouse College, detailing the students' actions against the Board of Trustees, including notable figures like Samuel L. Jackson and Martin Luther King Sr.
Show Notes
In a bonus clip from James Alexander’s two-part conversation, he recalls witnessing The O'Jays and The Temptations go toe-to-toe musically on stage in Cleveland in December 1967. That showdown—shared amid Alexander’s reflections on Otis Redding’s final days—led into a previously unreleased account of how his band, The Bar-Kays, developed a rivalry with Larry Blackmon's Cameo—a situation rooted in showmanship and cash. Steel sharpens steel...
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