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Recent And Up-Coming Shows

Forgotten Hits Readers share some of their recent concert experiences on our pages today ... plus be sure to check out the INCREDIBLE line-up of stars coming to The Arcada Theatre right here in St. Charles, IL!   

Hey Kent, 

Greetings once again from sunny Laughlin, NV, on the banks of the mighty Colorado River! We're experiencing a pretty awesome winter here this year, with daytime highs a little above average, in the mid-to-high-60's. Certainly can't complain about the winter weather in these parts!

I last checked in to FORGOTTEN HITS just after New Year's, and mentioned that THE GOLDEN BOYS (FRANKIE AVALON, FABIAN FORTE and BOBBY RYDELL would be appearing at the Edgewater Hotel's E-Center on Saturday, January 4. I got a last minute invite to the show from a good friend with great seats just a few rows from the stage, so I did make it to the show.

A day earlier beloved Everly Brother PHIL EVERLY passed away, and I new that Phil's nephew EDAN EVERKY was in the Golden Boys band. I wondered whether of not Edan would even be playing in the show Saturday night. As it turned out, he was onstage with the band and, all things considered, it was a pretty decent show. 
Here's my review of this "Forgotten Hits Extraveganza" for everyone's dining and dubbing pleasure ...

+++++++

For those of you not familiar with THE GOLDEN BOYS, this traveling musical review is comprised of three headliners from the late 50’s and 60’s, FRANKE AVALON, FABIAN FORTE and BOBBY RYDELL. Half a century before there was an AMERICAN IDOL television show, these guys were TRUE American idols … teen heart-throbs that had young girls swooning from coast-to-coast.

It surely was an enjoyable two hours, especially for us more "mature music mavens." Besides performing a few "obligatory" songs together at the beginning and end of the show (the theme from AMERICAN BANDSTAND opened the show following vintage video clips), each artist performed a solo segment of about thirty-minutes duration (with Avalon’s running a bit longer).   

The first solo portion of the evening belonged to Bobby Rydell, who was the true stand-out of the evening, IMHO. His segment was really terrific and his voice was, for the most part, spot on. I loved the performances of his top-five hits WILD ONE, VOLARE and SWAY (which he proudly announced he had the biggest hit single of … even beating out DEAN MARTIN and MICHAEL BUBLE’S versions). I particularly enjoyed a medley of songs from the classic film BYE BYE BIRDIE, performed along with cool clips of Rydell and the movie's other stars (including the gorgeous ANN MARGARET) running on the venue's two huge video screens.

Huge kudos to Rydell for persevering through major health issues (and major surgeries) back in 2012 to make such a sensational comeback to performing last year!

 
Fabian Forte followed. His segment paled by comparison to Rydell's. Fabian's hits were, arguably, the least memorable of the three Golden Boys. His performance of the hit TURN ME LOOSE was respectable, but hardly show-stopping. Forte threw in a few classic (and more recognizable) early 60's covers to fill out his part of the show. Fabian was clearly under weather for this show, and it's always difficult to put on one's best performance when ill. That said, the coughing, throat-clearing (and ever-present wadded-up tissue in his hand) didn't serve to enhance an already lackluster lineup of material, but he still deserves all due respect just for continuing to perform more than fifty years after his glory days as a bona-fide teen idol!



Third up for his solo segment was Golden Boy Frankie Avalon. As Kent has written in his own reviews here on the FH blog, expectations can pay a significant role in the enjoyment of a show. I guess I was expecting a lot from Frankie, thinking his segment would be the best of the three. In that regard, he fell short. Bobby Rydell was the singer to beat in this show. Avalon devoted much of his solo set to his beach movies rather than his earlier hit records, which were far more formidable from a musical standpoint than the movie songs. A brief rendition of Beach Blanket Bingo was less than exciting and, while a string of pretty campy movie clips of Frankie posing as a surfer riding the waves in front of grainy rear-projection footage (while his hair remained perfectly in place), he sang CALIFORNIA SUN, a song that wasn’t even a hit record of his (it was recorded by one-hit-wonders THE RIVIERAS and peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963.)

With the sad passing of the beloved ANNETE FUNICELLO last year, I can understand the emphasis placed on the movies he starred in with Annette. I just wish the music from them was up to par with Avalon’s earlier hits!


In the middle of his segment was when Frankie was joined by EDAN EVERLY (son of DON EVERLY and nephew to his recently-departed brother PHIL), for a tribute to the legendary EVERLY BORTHERS. They performed three classics together, BYE BYE LOVE, TILL I KISSED YOU and WAKE UP LITTLE SUSIE. Frankie sang Edan's dad's part while Edan sang his Uncle's harmonies and played some very nice guitar fills and leads. Of course, everyone in the audience, including myself, thought this was a special performance added to the show that night as an homage to Phil, which it was. But, in fact, the Everly Brothers tribute has been a regular part of the set for some time (as Edan is a regular member of the show’s band). Still, as the show in Laughlin was the day after Phil Everly’s passing, the medley was still a fitting tribute to Edan’s newly-departed uncle and surely must have been an emotional performance for Frankie and Edan, considering the circumstance. The crowd in attendance of the (sold-out) show in the 2,700-seat E-Center gave both performers a standing ovation at the medley's end.

Frankie then did get around to a few of his biggest hits from the late 50's. I really enjoyed his performance of BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, a great song which he proudly touted as "the last #1 song of the fabulous 50’s.” He then left the stage to perform two more songs from the audience, which was nice for those sitting nearby, but not as enjoyable for the rest of the crowd, who could only see him perform on dimly lit images on the venue’s projection screens. I didn’t feel that leaving the band on a darkened stage for over seven minutes was all that effective from a “production value” standpoint, not to mention that singing from the audience is usually not all that conducive to the best live performance. Thankfully, Avalon finally did return to the stage for a very pleasing rendition of his signature hit VENUS (one of my favorite hits from the late 50’s). The only shortfall was the absence of any background singers. Backup vocals would have been a welcome addition to the entire show, and I really did miss them on Venus (as they were a primary hook in the chart-topping hit). I found myself singing the haunting “oo-oo-oo-oo’s” throughout the song, much to the chagrin of those sitting nearby!

Following Frankie’s segment came the “Rock And Roll Heaven” portion of the show, where each of the three performers sang a tribute to an artist no longer with us. Fabian expectedly honored Elvis, Frankie paid his musical respects to Ricky Nelson and, once again, Bobby Rydell was the stand-out, with a dynamite rendition of Bobby Darin’s quintessential hit MACK THE KNIFE. Rydell nailed it with a killer performance and the band was at their absolute best of the entire show for the iconic song. Although I was the only one motivated to do so, I gave Bobby, and the band, my own standing ovation for this number.  

In all fairness, I heard from a local friend who was at the casino’s “meet-and-greet” with the artist’s prior to the show that it wasn’t just Fabian, but all three Golden Boys that were sick that night (although Fabian was the only one of the three who appeared onstage to be ailing). The show must go on, however, and my heart goes out to all the boys for performing like real troupers, despite their illnesses!
The Golden Boys was a very decent and enjoyable show, and, overall, a nice way to spend a couple of hours, especially for those who are fans of 50’s and 60’s rock and roll! I definitely give it a ”thumbs-up” along with a recommendation to see it if it comes to a town, or casino, near you!

-- Joe Klein  
http://www.facebook.com/Joe.Klein.Producer  

An email from Lightning Strikes Music tells me that Lou Christie is performing a last minute concert at Mohegan Sun.  They thought of me since I am so close and it is almost sold out. 

Is he performing in Bowzer's show on January 19th?

Yes, he is.

Is he performing for Jay Siegel and The Tokens?  With the recent death of Jay Traynor, this would seem plausible.

No.  Jay Siegel will be performing.  Kenny Vance is recuperating until Spring so he and The Planotones can't make it.  Can you make it?

OH YES!  I will be there.

Over and over Bowzer uses the words:  "Treasure the music, but also treasure the musicians."  Forgotten Hits readers understand this completely.  It was a 2 1/2 hour concert with 10 entertainment acts.  Here we go folks!  There is no way I can make this long enough to credit each act so I will include internet info for further follow-ups.

First up is a teenage group from Whippany, NJ calling themselves 'The Whiptones'.  (http://www.thewhiptones.com/ and facebook) They are a Doo Wop a cappella performing group proving that the music WILL go on.  A very surprising beginning to Bowzer's Doo Wop Party.

Second is Tony Middleton and the Willows (http://tonymiddleton.com/)  
Their most memorable hit is 'Church Bells May Ring'; one of the top 100 songs of the genre. 

Third comes Lenny Cocco and the Chimes. (http://www.lennycoccoandtheoriginalchimes.webs.com/ and facebook)  Their website appears to be copyrighted 2012, but is still in the works of being set up.  'I'm in the Mood for Love', much better than Alfalfa sang to Darla, was my favorite.

Diamond Dave Somerville of The Diamonds is an 80 year old ringer for Bob Barker and what a voice!  The Diamonds brought us 'The Stroll' and 'Silhouettes' (now where have I heard that one before?) but when Diamond Dave sang 'Little Darling' the audience could not believe the strength of his vocals.  He wanted us to sing the "aiy yai yai" sections, but we were pretty awful.  I think we were fascinated listening to him.  (www.min7th.com/diamonds/ andhttps://davesomerville.com/)

A breath of feminine mystique comes out dressed in mango tinted chiffon as The Crystals appear.  (http://www.thecrystals.net/)  
One original, and all three with fantastic voices.  So together and flirty-feminine in their performance.  The three songs I remember best are 'He's a Rebel', 'And Then He Kissed Me', and 'Da Doo Run Run'.  I love all the males, but the girl groups bring a "sigh" to a different side of romance.

The first act ended with Jay Siegel and the Tokens.  It was a definite high point.  Bowzer told us they had a tribute planned to Jay Traynor.  Out walks Jay Siegel, Bill Reid and ... Kurt "Frenchy" Yahjian.  A PLANOTONE!!??  How perfect to bring in an expected performer to help out another group.  There just is no better song and lyrics than 'Portrait of My Love' being sung by Jay Siegel.  He sang this with such sincere feeling warmth, we loved it.  The tribute to Jay Traynor?  Frenchy sang Traynor's trade song 'She Cried' with Siegel and Reid doing backup vocals.  The band, along with the audience, were wiping away tears when they finished.  WOW ... such a powerful feeling of love and respect.  (http://jaysiegelandthetokens.com/and facebook)

                                                                             INTERMISSION


INTERMISSION OVER

BOM BOM BA BOM A DANGY DANG DANG A DINGY DONG DING ... BLUE MOON!!


These sounds can only signify that Bowzer and the Stingrays have started.  (http://bowzerparty.com
They open their segment with this song each time, just as they end each show with 'Goodnight Sweetheart'.  It is always fun and mayhem when our host's group performs.  Although Bowzer is an accomplished musician who has already thrilled us with classical piano pieces and the crossover 'Bumblebee Rag'; THIS is the moment we have waited for.  I cannot stand up to watusi, fly, or twist.  It is too crowded. But I am able to do a mean hand jive!  At this time, I will mention that Rocky and the Rollers have been the back-up band, and with selective musician replacements, will continue to be so.  It is quite an honor ... and much work ... to have this position in any concert. (http://rockyandtherollers.com and facebook)

Now comes Lightning Lou Christie, who although did not originally plan to perform here, does an amazing job swinging the audience over to his side with energy, comedy and strength of talent.  My favorite is always 'Make You Mine' although 'Beyond the Blue Horizon' is such a happy glass half-full song.  His finale is, of course, 'Lightning Strikes':  a song with lyrics that made me want to slap him when I was 14.  Experience and age have made me now find the humour. (www.lou-christie.com/)

Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl ... yes it's Gene Chandler time.  (http://www.genechandler.com/)  
He is 73 and comes out BOPPING to 'Rockin' Robin'.  And he doesn't stop until he leaves the stage after his set.  Wait a minute!   Something's wrong.  The band keeps playing the same chords over and over.  Is Bowzer trying to get the football score update?  Is someone in the bathroom?  Is someone late?  WHOA!!  The spotlight hits the back of the arena and out parades THE DUKE OF EARL.  Top hat, cape, flashing cane dancing in swirling circles up to the stage, returns Gene Chandler to perform his signature song complete with regal attitude and boppin''tude.  Nice finish!  I can't imagine running backstage while adding costume pieces to get to a rear entrance of a venue to do ANYTHING, let alone sing and dance after I already did four numbers.   

Time for the headliner.  I think we already had nine of them, but traditionally he who finishes last earns the title.  Little Anthony and the Imperials!  OH, sooooo gooood.  Movements in sync, voices like the records, comedy about how young and naïve they were when they recorded some of the lyrics.  Anthony recounted how one song came about because of his 12 year old broken heart.  (Said an Imperial, "How could you have been in love?  You were two feet tall?")  Anthony ends this song now with an appropriate gesture, and "Ehhhhhhh".  'Shimmy, Shimmy, Coco Pop', the song that surprisingly sold over a million records (Anthony:  "We still don't know why or how") showed the group's lively, catchy stage moves and youthful outlook.  (http://littleanthonyandtheimperials.org/

It was a full, lengthy show that was way too short.  Bowzer has announced "Doo Wop XIV" will perform next January 14th.  What?  Tickets aren't on sale yet?  
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano




Our FH Buddy Ron Onesti has some more GREAT acts coming up at The Arcada Theatre ... with new shows being added all the time.  

FEBRUARY:

6 & 7 - CHEAP TRICK 

9 -  THE BEATLES 50th Anniversary - Starring The Liverpool Legends and Louise Harrison, George's sister

14 -  GROOVIN THE SIXTIES starring Gary Puckett & The Buckinghamswith a full orchestra

15 -  10,000 MANIACS "These Are Days,""More Than This," and more!

23 - A HARD DAY'S NIGHT (Beatles film) Sing-A-Long 

MARCH:

15 -  GORDON LIGHTFOOT

16 - Former Members of ELO with Classical Blast

28 - THREE DOG NIGHT

29 - EDDIE MONEY

30 - Ricky Nelson Remembered with guests Cadillac Casanovas - a multi media musical journey of the life and music of Teen Idol Rick Nelson. Featuring hit songs (“Hello Mary Lou", "Travelin' Man”, “Garden Party", etc.) performed by Ricky's twin sons Matthew & Gunnar Nelson.

APRIL:

12 - LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS, rhythm, soul doo-wop "Tears on my Pillow"

13 - Paul Revere & The Raiders

18 - CTA Tribute to CHICAGO with Danny Seraphine, Billy Champlain and Larry Braggs (Tower of Power)

19 - FOGHAT

26 - SURF CITY ALL STARS with Dean Torrence (of Jan & Dean) and the original Beach Boy band

MAY:

2 - THE MONKEES' MICKY DOLENZ

17 - BLUE OYSTER CULT

30 - HERMAN'S HERMITS starring PETER NOONE with guests Jay & The Americans

JUNE:

7 - LOU GRAMM OF FOREIGNER 

SEPTEMBER:

12 - LITA FORD WITH GUESTS VIXEN

13 - EXILE

20 - FELIX CAVALIERE'S RASCALS WITH GUESTS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE

26 - FACES OF ELVIS WITH SHAWN KLUSH AND CODY SLAUGHTER - the world's most celebrated Elvis tribute artists perform three eras of Elvis

27 - AMBROSIA / ORLEANS / FIREFALL  - NEW!

OCTOBER:

3 - JOHNNY RIVERS
5 - AL STEWART

24 - GARY WRIGHT - BOOK TOUR & CONCERT

25 - TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS 


NOVEMBER:

7 -  BJ THOMAS

15 - LITTLE RIVER BAND

22 - THE SPINNERS - NEW!

In addition, we're hearing talk of a Chicagoland appearance by Ronnie Spector ... and we're still trying to put together a Sonny Geraci Benefit Concert right here at home.  Like I said, more acts added all the time ... so check the OShows website often! 
Click here: oshows

re:  And Here's What Happens When Concerts Go Wrong:
We received emails and news links from several FH Readers who are outraged over the Sonny Geraci Benefit Concert debacle held down in Streetsboro, Ohio last November.  Fans of Sonny Geraci (and fans of JUSTICE!) have been keeping close tabs on this on-going story ... but the GOOD news is, it sounds like this scumbag is FINALLY being brought to justice for his actions.  Bill Thompson was arrested yesterday and, incredibly, STILL hasn't paid a DIME of what he collected to the Geraci Family.  Instead, he just keeps making promises that the money will come ... no apologies, no justification ... and no explanation of where that money really went.  (When asked by reporters why he doesn't just pay the money NOW, this asshole replied "Because I don't want to right now."  Nice!)  Over the time we've been covering this developing story, we've seen the "promise of payment" date push out several times ... and the amount of money he supposedly collected decrease from "right around $30,000" to "just under $20,000", and always coupled with a new round of excuses as to why that amount was dwindling.  Meanwhile, there's been LOTS of speculation as to where that money REALLY went ... but one has to wonder if it was really worth it.  Bottom line:  Authorities FINALLY did their job and reeled this guy in.
 
http://fox8.com/2014/01/24/bar-owner-indicted-after-fundraiser-for-music-legend/  STREETSBORO, Ohio — A man who helped organize a fundraiser for a local music legend has now been indicted on a felony theft charge.  Bill Thompson, owner of Stringz and Wingz, was indicted by a Portage County grand jury Jan. 17.  Thompson was arrested Thursday.
Thompson admitted to Fox 8 last week that he owed the money to the family of Cleveland-based rocker Sonny Geraci, and he promised he was going to pay. 
“Within a week to 10 days, they wanted a set figure, but it will be over the next few days,” Thompson said. 
When asked why he just doesn’t go pay it right away, Thompson said, “because I don’t want to right now.”  Police said Thompson has yet to pay Geraci’s family over $20,000 that was raised during the November fundraiser.  The benefit was held for Geraci, who suffered an aneurysm about two years ago. 
“Sonny is still not walking, short-term memory problems, he is in rehab and is not at home,” said Chuck Kocisko, a friend of the Geraci family. 
Kocisko, who is also the founder of Streetsboro Family Days, said he wanted to hold the benefit to raise money to help the Geraci family pay mounting medical bills. 
But weeks after the fundraiser, the family still hadn’t received any money from Thompson, despite numerous attempts to collect the cash, so Kocisko filed a report with Streetsboro police. 
“All we want to do is get the money to the Geraci family so we can get Sonny back on his feet,” Kocisko said.
 
A Cuyahoga Falls man was arraigned Friday in Portage County Common Pleas Court on charges of stealing money from a concert at his Streetsboro restaurant that was held to benefit an ailing rock star. 
William T. Thompson, 48, was arrested at his Northland Street home on an indictment alleging the theft of more than $20,000 from a person who is elderly or disabled, a third-degree felony.  If found guilty, Thompson could be sentenced to three years in prison. 
Thompson sold tickets to a November fundraiser at his Stringz and Wingz concert venue and restaurant.  Proceeds from the ticket sales were to benefit Cleveland rock legend Sonny Geraci and his family.  The fundraiser reportedly collected more than $28,000.
Chuck Kocisko, founder and former president of Streetsboro Family Days, said Thompson never forked over the money.  Kocisko filed a police report in late December. 
Geraci, who performed with the Outsiders in the 1960s and Climax in the 1970s, was a performer at Streetsboro Family Days for six years, until suffering a brain aneurysm in April, 2012 that put him in a coma.  Geraci’s hit songs include Time Won’t Let Me and Precious and FewGeraci is in rehabilitation and slowly making progress, Kocisko said.
 
Stringz & Wingz Owner "Chef" Bill Thompson was arrested Thursday afternoon in Cuyahoga Falls, according to Portage County Sheriff David Doak.  Doak said Thompson has been indicted by a Portage County grand jury on a third-degree felony charge of theft. 
On Dec. 30, Streetsboro Family Days founder Chuck Kocisko filed a report with the Streetsboro Police Department alleging Thompson hadn't paid him money earned during a Nov. 15 and 16 fundraising concert benefiting Cleveland-based rocker Sonny Geraci, who has performed many times during Streetsboro Family Days' summer festival. 
Geraci suffered an aneurysm nearly two years ago and the funds were to help the family pay medical bills, Kocisko said. 
Thompson has said since the police report was filed he would pay more than $23,000 to either Streetsboro Family Days or the Geraci family.  As of Thursday afternoon, Kocisko said neither he nor the Geraci family has received payment. 
Doak said an arraignment is likely today. 
Stringz & Wingz, located in Streetsboro Plaza on S.R. 303 near S.R. 14, was closed Jan. 14 when plaza ownership company A & Z Management changed the locks to the business, according to Streetsboro police Lt. Troy Beaver.  Neil Lader, director of leasing for A & Z Management, said only that Stringz & Wingz is "out of business." 
Thompson said last week he was trying to sell the business after his name was "dragged through the mud" over the controversy surrounding the benefit concert. He also was returning leased audio equipment on Jan. 14.
This poor guy ... being "dragged through the mud" for what he's done ... while Sonny's family sits waiting for the money generously raised to help out with all their medical bills.  Just who is the victim here?!?!  And what the heck is WRONG with this guy!?!?!?  Personally, I think a public dragging-thru-the-mud ... in the most literal sense of the word ... should be organized ... strap this guy's feet to somebody's bumper and then hit the highway.  (kk)
 

Our Weekly Push For Better Radio

Hey Kent,
What defines Chicago Rock 'N Roll more than "True Oldies" music?  The days of the superstar DeeJays who had as much (if not more) personality than the entertainers themselves!  We grew up sharing memorable moments with them from sporting events, to proms, to pubescent romantic moments to just hangin' out with the gang ... we were listening while all that was going on!  And the music was truly the music of our lives.  That music had meaning, it had staying power.  When we host those classic shows at my Arcada Theatre, it is so refreshing to see twelve year olds singing along with their parents and grandparents.  We MUST bring back the oldies on WLS!  I commit to you everything in my power to support you in spearheading this movement!
RON ONESTI, President/CEO
Onesti Entertainment Corporation
Historic Arcada Theatre
Thank you for your support, Ron ... we've just GOT to find a way to make this happen.  (And let's face it ... oldies music on the radio ... and live oldies shows at The Arcada Theatre ... is a match made in heaven ... they TOTALLY compliment each other!) 
Did you check the ratings I posted the other day?  WLS-FM is down to a 1.7 share in the key 25-54 demographic ... there is NO way they can POSSIBLY be happy about that.  The time to make the move is NOW!!!  (kk)
 
Just before Thanksgiving, I had a weekend long painting job. The client "did me a favor" by leaving the radio on for me both days while they went out, to give me some space. It was an all 80's weekend on the first station. I wanted to stab things. Then the next day, it was a completely different station, also doing an all 80s weekend. I wanted to kill myself. Not only did I hear the same bunch of really awful songs on both stations, I heard the same awful songs multiple times a day. Not ONE interesting song in all those hours. They had ten years of songs to choose from ... there is NO reason that I should have heard the same song twice in one day. I didn't just want to kill myself by the end of each day, I wanted to set off a nuclear explosion. It was so dreadful. THIS is what we have to live with on Chicago radio.  I will NEVER AGAIN FORGET MY IPOD!!!!
Kristy
 
The good news is the word is continuing to get out there ... folks HAVE been writing and calling ... and we need that to continue. (I've got a couple of other logs on the fire, so to speak, that I hope will pan out to bring this whole campaign even more attention.)  But meanwhile, you guys need to keep at it, too.
Two more emails you might try (unverified but still worth a shot):
Based on some of the communication I've had this past week, it sounds like word of our efforts is reaching a much higher level now ... and some of these folks are promising to actively support our efforts.  But we ALL have to keep pushing in order to make this happen ... so keep those cards and letters coming, folks.  Call, fax, text, email, tweet, and post our message on any and all of your social media outlets ... we want to BRING THE OLDIES BACK TO CHICAGO!!!  (kk)
 
Speaking of which, the Cumulus folks had a "getting together" party here in Chicago Thursday Night ... a chance for people from all four of their Chicagoland Radio Stations to "meet and greet" and mingle ... a noble gesture to show unity in Cumulus' commitment to making radio better here in The Windy City ... but the ONLY way to do that is to do some SERIOUS restructuring.  NONE of their stations placed in The Top Ten ... which tells me that SOME of those jocks and station execs were meeting for the first ... and last time.  (I can't believe Cumulus is going to invest all this time, money and effort into stations averaging less than a 2.0 share!)  Let's see where it goes from here.  (kk)
 
Here's the culprit, Mr. K!!!!
Found this "testing" out from a vintage DJ host!
Best,
John
The biggest problem that I've seen with these radio research tests is that they only ask you to evaluate the music that they're already playing, meaning that they're not even considering opening the door to new possibilities and/or improvements to the station.  They just want to know which of these same 200-300 tracks listeners may want to cut back the dosage on ... never considering for a moment that they may be sick and tired of hearing them all together.  (kk)
 
I was quite pleased (and quite surprised!) to receive an email from Michael Damsky this week.  Michael is one of the guys who headed up Citadel Broadcasting before the Cumulus take-over and played a large part in the handling of WLS-FM during the Scott Shannon / True Oldies era. 
For the most part, he agreed with our current assessment of what's being offered up and down the radio dial ... but, like many others, he also said that any hope of changing or improving that formula probably isn't very likely.  (That's OK ... we're not quite ready to give up yet!)
When you consider that a radio station like WLS-FM now uses an outside programming and consulting group that specializes in the "Classic Hits" format and, as such, programs hundreds of radio stations across the country, all this really insures us that no matter WHERE we go, we are going to be subjected to the EXACT SAME MUSIC on every station in every city, leaving absolutely NOTHING left in the way of variety ... or relief.
Michael brings up a good point in that radio today is no longer "localized" ... meaning a radio station in Chicago (especially one the size of WLS-FM) should be catering more to its audience.  With the rich legacy of WLS behind it (back in the '60's and early '70's, WLS broke many a national record, in addition to giving significant airplay to many of our local groups and artists like The New Colony Six, The Cryan' Shames, The Buckinghams, The Ides Of March, The Shadows Of Night, The Buckinghams, The American Breed and several others.)  They were known, perceived and revered as hit makers  Instead of playing the EXACT SAME CRAP as every other radio station in town, WLS should be embracing that legacy and reminding folks just why they were one of the all-time greats.  Honestly, that concept doesn't even seem to cross their minds ... and that's a shame.
Man, I would LOVE to be able to program and consult this station for six months ... and bring some of that localized feel and personality back to the airwaves.  Since radio today refuses to think (or program) outside the box, the shock of somebody actually do so just might turn the industry on its ear.  (If nothing else, it will certainly make them stand out from the rest of the pack!)  And once that point was proven, my guess is that dozens and dozens of "copy cat" radio stations will pop up all over the country, programming to THEIR audience ... digging deeper into the catalog and their music libraries, playing a more "localized" sounding mix of music and then ... Oh My God!!!  I shudder to even think it!!! ... Radio might get to be fun and interesting again!!!  (kk)
 
I just read your January 10th blog on WLS-FM and Scott Shannon's True Oldies Network. I was the General Manager during much of the time you discuss - particularly the period of January, 2010 to March, 2012. While your piece us very accurate and shows very good insight, I wanted to clarify a few points:
* I had a very close relationship with Scott Shannon, and had tremendous respect for him. A true Radio Hall of Famer - both on-air and as a programmer. I have the highest regard for his talent and his programming expertise. I talked to him at least once per week. Michael LaCrosse, our PD, talked to him daily. I spent time with Scott every time I was in New York, and had the pleasure of going with him to both Miami (to pow wow with Citadel CEO Farid Suleman) and Las Vegas.
* That said, True Oldies was a nationally syndicated format. Chicago deserved its own Oldies station. The network "clock" did not work well in the PPM era. Local hits (like "Lake Shore Drive", but also a lot of Buckinghams, Cryan' Shames, etc) weren't played. Chicago events were only a little more important than those of Atlanta or Witchita.  We couldn't do local promotions. We couldn't brand the station with the most important call letters in Chicago music radio history. Radio is at its best when it is local - which it increasingly is not!
* Initially, the changes we made were done for the sake of better radio. Later, we made a change in Midday and on the weekends to fend off a direct format challenge from K-Hits. The issue of ratings really only came into play in regards to a network "clock" which had to be three breaks per hour versus the two breaks (and two minutes less commercials / hour) we knew would be more PPM-friendly.
* Again, I worked hand-in-hand with Scott Shannon on everything. He was my most important influencer (he and PD LaCrosse did clash frequently, but that's another story). When we went to a local midday show to counter the WJMK format change, Scott immediately agreed to create a separate five hour "local" show for Chicago every weekday (even though he was already doing a very highly rated NYC morning show and producing 24 hours / day of the True Oldies Channel). He was gracious with his time and great with his talent.
* On September 16, 2011, Cumulus Media took control of WLS. From that day on, the Dickey family and Senior VP of Programming Jan Jeffries had full control of programming. Neither Scott, LaCrosse or I had any control whatsoever. LaCrosse had his position eliminated in less than a month. I was fired in March, 2012.
Again, enjoyed your piece - I just wanted to give you an insight into management's thinking.
Best wishes ...
Michael Damsky
 
Who says the oldies don't appeal to today's young people?!?!?
All I know is they don't come much younger than THIS ...
And this kid is TOTALLY diggin' Elvis!  Check it out!
 
Here's aTribute To One of Radio's Greats, from Art Vuolo:
Kent,
Please watch and let me know what you think of it.  Here are some nice write-up's in the trades about the video tribute I produced to honor the memory of Larry Lujack.  All were very much appreciated.  I tried to make this really special. 
ART
Art, I think it's FANTASTIC!  A GREAT job on one of our all-time faves!
Check out the 13 minute "short" clip on YouTube and you'll want to see the whole thing ... a job well done!  (kk)
 
From: Don Anthony's Jockline Dailey
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Larry Lujack Memorial Video Now Available [VIDEO]

THE MOUTH, JANUARY 24TH, 2014 –– In between numerous radio reunions and tribute videos, Radio's Best Friend, Art Vuolo, has somehow found time to produce a video tribute in memory of Chicago radio icon Larry Lujack. With
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serving as commentator, he's also joined by John Gehron, John Rook and others for this special video. He has material of the Super Jock from as far back as 1976 (including a TV interview with Lujack commenting on his book) The tribute runs 73 minutes, reflecting the number of years he lived. An abbreviated version has been posted on YouTube. The link is on the home page of Art's web site: www.vuolovideo.com which is where the uncut version is also available. Take a look and see why Larry Lujack was a true radio original. WATCH VIDEO HERE

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From: Tom Taylor's NOW
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Worth Reading
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Larry Lujack
Larry Lujack merits a extra-special video tribute from “Radio’s best friend,” Art Vuolo. Art says “I’ve got video of Super Jock Larry Lujack from as far back as 1976.” You’ve got your choice – there’s a condensed 13-minute version on YouTube here. While Art’s complete 73-minute director’s cut (“reflecting the number of years Larry lived”), is on VuoloVideo.com. You can see him behind the board at Chicago's WCFL and “Big 89” WLS, and accepting various awards and honors (always in character). In addition to his wit, timing, unpredictability and general charisma, you're struck again by the feeling that Lujack probably retired too young (thanks to a format change and buyout in Chicago). Lujack died December 18, and as Art says, the video shows why “Larry was a radio original.”
From: michiguide.com
Larry Lujack Memorial Video now available: Leave it to Art Vuolo, "Radio's Best Friend", to prepare a video tribute in memory of Chicago radio icon Larry Lujack. Vuolo has video of Super Jock from as far back as 1976! The entire tribute runs 73 minutes, reflecting the number of years he lived.

An abbreviated version has been posted on YouTube; visit the home page of Art's web site at www.vuolovideo.com where the uncut version is available. See why Larry Lujack was a radio original.

Looks like Chicagoland Media Columnist Rob Feder has picked up on this new tribute as well ...
Wasn't it great seeing Larry saluted during the Grammys ceremony last night?  (kk)

Tuesday This And That

re:  The Grammys:

It would not be at all uncomplimentary to say that this year's Grammy Awards Ceremony was more than a little bit "daft"!  In fact, Daft Punk won several major awards for their techno-pop hit "Get Lucky" ... and also (with the help of soul legends Nile Rodgers and Stevie Wonder) turned in the performance of the night when they performed the song live.  (Of course, having Pharrell Williams on lead vocals didn't hurt either ... boy, talk about "getting lucky" ... what a year THIS guy has had!!!)

The song in question is a throw-back to '70's pop / soul, sounding VERY much like Chic meets Earth, Wind and Fire meets Kraftwerk!  It's just a WHOLE lotta fun, infectious as hell ... and certainly threw a MAJOR upset into the mix, beating Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" (by all accounts the biggest record of the year in terms of sales and airplay ... and an assumed "sure thing" to walk away with all the big awards.)  "Get Lucky" won for Record Of The Year, the album from which it came, "Random Access Memories" won for Album Of The Year, and the song also took top honors in the Best Pop Duo / Group Performance and Best Dance / Electronica Album.  (Having Paul Williams accept their final award was pure genius, by the way ... after thoroughly enjoying the documentary on Paul's career earlier this past year, the usually entertaining Williams outdid himself comedically with references to his "drinking and using" days only to find himself now, back up in the spotlight again, thanks to a couple of robots!)

Actually, it was several of the "new kids" scoring upsets Sunday Night that kept the show interesting.  Lorde won several awards (including Song Of The Year and Best Pop Solo Vocal Performance) for her hit "Royals" and newcomer country star Kacey Musgraves beat out competition like Taylor Swift and Blake Shelton to win Country Album Of The Year, "Same Trailer, Different Park" as well as Best Country Song for her hit "Merry-Go-Round". 

If there was one major disappointment for me, I'd have to say it was the complete misuse of our very own Chicago.  Making their first-ever Grammy appearance, the group was reduced to nothing more than acting as the back-up band for Robin Thicke, who then hogged the spotlight singing many of the band's most famous songs before morphing it all into his own 2013 Hit "Blurred Lines".  Not that any portion of this presentation sounded especially bad ... just inappropriate.  Honestly, I felt embarrassed for them ... they deserved more.  (Let's see if 45 years from now Robin Thicke's album will be inducted into The Grammy Hall Of Fame the way Chicago's "C.T.A." album finally was after all these years!  For some reason, me thinks not!)

Much hype was made of the appearance of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr ... and I'll admit to looking forward to it quite a bit myself, just to see what they were actually going to do together ... and they didn't disappoint, performing together on Paul's "Queenie Eye" after Ringo did a great solo spot with his 1973 #1 Hit "Photograph".  (Some have called Ringo's performance unnecessary ... and not really fitting within the format or context of the show ... what relevance did his 40 year old song have on the night's events? ... but I thought he sounded great.)

And besides, The Beatles were receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award that night ... (although it wasn't televised ... probably saved for CBS' upcoming 'The Night That Changed America' special instead) ... and I don't think I've EVER seen Ringo appear as a guest on ANY television show and perform a song live before ... so it was a REAL treat for me!  My daughter even spotted former "Voice" contestant Judith Hill singing background on Ringo's song!)   McCartney even won a Grammy himself for his collaboration with David Grohl and other former members of Nirvanna for their super-star jam "Cut Me Some Slack".  Yoko Ono (with son Sean, who looked like a cross between his father and one of Woody Allen's rabbi characters) and George Harrison's widow Olivia were also on hand, most likely to participate in the aforementioned "Lifetime Achievement Award" celebratation ... but then also presented an award together after co-presenter Alicia Keys referred to Yoko's late husband as "John Legend" before correcting herself.  (Oh my God, what a ditz!)

I was surprised (but VERY pleased) to see  a couple of old WCFL-ers remembered in their special "those who left us" segment ... Larry Lujack and Jerry G. Bishop had their pictures displayed side by side on the screen ... both left indelible marks on all of us growing up back in that era.  (Whose picture would they run today?  Short of Ryan Seacrest ... who I believe is beamed to every planet in the universe ... whether they want him or not!!! ... how many other contemporary deejays can you mention?  Boy, it sure isn't like the old days ... when the jocks were nearly as important as the music itself!)

Other moving performances included those by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on their hit "Same Love", a song I've probably turned off at least a couple of hundred times on the radio while switching channels these past few months ... but I've got to give them a whole new level of credibility after seeing them perform it live on the show.  The execution was perfect, and the otherwise bland tune came across as a VERY power gospel / rap number (is there really such a thing?) at Sunday night's ceremony.  (The duo also won for Best New Artist).  Their live performance included a marriage ceremony of 33 couples in the audience ... and a guest vocal by Madonna! 

Lorde didn't fare as well in my book, coming across as a bit bizarre when performing her #1 Hit "Royals".  I didn't especially care for Beyonce either ... or the way that had to bleep out such a large percentage of her song.  And I cannot help but wonder if today, some 36 hours later, Taylor Swift is still feeling the effects of whiplash after her rather animated performance at the piano that night!

A country medley by a revamped version of The Highwaymen (now featuring Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard and Blake Shelton) was a show-stopper.  (Boy, the lyrics to "Okie From Muskogee" certainly are dated by today's standards!!!  It was especially funny and ironic watching Willie Nelson up there singing about NOT smoking marijuana!  LOL)  Pink, Katy Perry and a smashing duet between Carole King and Sara Bareilles kept the performance levels high throughout the night ... the show never dragged or got boring, despite its well over 3 1/2 hour length.  All in all, one of the more interesting Grammy Shows I've seen in recent years.  (kk)  

But not everyone agreed ...   

Kent, 
I'm sure you'll get a ton of comments about the Grammys. I might as well stick in mine.
First of all, that was just about four hours of my life I'm not getting back ... and I stayed up past my bedtime. It was sort of like watching a train wreck ... you couldn't look away. The first 90 minutes in particular were painful. That would include the segment with Chicago and Robin Thicke. I understand the logic behind combining the old with the new, but it didn't work for me. I'm not a fan of Chicago, but they are PROS! If Robin Thicke is the future of pop music, then shoot me right now.
Beyonce may be the hottest commodity in entertainment today, and she's easy on the eyes, but she's not gonna make me forget about any of the 50's, 60's or 70's R&B / soul sisters. To me it's fingernails on the blackboard.
In fact, for me, it was the appearance of the 70-plus year old stars (country and rock) who showed them how it's done. "Photograph" wouldn't have been my choice for a Ringo segment, but I guess it was an excuse to show John and George on the screens. It really looked like Ringo and Paul were having fun performing together. How soon is their song gonna be on the radio? Probably right now, but I live in a dead zone and can hardly pick up any radio stations.
It's obvious that Kris Kristofferson has lost his voice and Merle Haggard isn't too far behind. It's funny to hear them play Merle's signature song, "Okie From Muskogee", when at least three of the four, (don't know about Blake), and probably a good portion of the audience have indulged in the very activities frowned upon in the song. In Merle's defense, he wrote the song looking at the world from his father's point of view, not his.
I'm not sure what Daft Punk's gimmick is, but after hearing snippets of their song all thru the show and then watching them with Nile Rodgers, Pharrell Williams and Stevie Wonder, the song kinda grew on me. Given a choice I'd rather hear one full song, then a medley. I'm glad  that Billie Jo Armstrong and Miranda Lambert did "When Will I Be Loved" in it's entirety, rather than a medley. That may be what annoyed me most about the Chicago / Robin Thicke segment.
I'm sure there's some other things I forgot. In closing it was great seeing Larry Lujack and Jerry G. Bishop getting a mention.
Jack   

re: This And That:
Folk Legend Pete Seger died Monday (the 27th) at the age of 94.  He was an inspiration to SO many of the folk and folk/rock movement of the '60's ... an absolute icon of the era.

Kent,
I'd like to pose this question to all your readers. Has there EVER been an opening riff, a full band track, that resonates with more energy to the boomer generation than the Rolling Stones' phenomenal work on "Gimme Shelter?
I was wheeling to Wrigleyville after a Bulls - Lakers game Monday night and heard the song for, maybe, the 10-thousandth time.
The track has never bored me. Never will! Unlike so many great songs from the 60's, 70's and into the 80's that I will go out of my way to ignore - see Steve Miller or Journey - "Shelter" is somehow a reminder of "be ins", Woodstock, Altamont, Billy Graham, "start a revolution" and Rush Street when that cozy hunk of near north Chi-town real estate was about twenty-somethings who were looking for instant boy-girl gratification rather than corporate restaurants.
Really, has there ever been a song, any group - any year, that screamed bad-ass rock 'n roll more than this truly amazing song? Keep in mind, Bo and Chuck introduced us to the game while Mick and Keith took us down the highway that has never been explored before or since.
Chet Coppock
Host: Chicago Blackhawks Heritage Series

It was literally ALL over the news so we never really mentioned it in Forgotten Hits ... but it's apparently also "all over" for The Captain and Tennille ... Toni filed for divorce last week, supposedly catching husband Daryl Dragon by complete surprise after 39 years of marriage ... but it sounds like there may have been more to it than that.  Dragon is suffering some medical issues (he has something similar to Parkinson's Disease, which makes it virtually impossible for him to play the piano anymore ... similar to what Linda Ronstadt recently described as the reason she can no longer sing) and it sounds like this may have been more of an insurance ploy to get the insurance company to pick up a greater percentage of his mounting medical bills.  Hopefully the couple remains close ... after 39 years, it's hard to imagine them splitting anything less than amicably!  (kk)

Kent
Below is a link to my B Day Boogie on the Tiki Lounge stage Dec. 21st, 2013! Hope this finds you good.
Best Alohas,
Merrell

Oak Ridge Boys Ink Deal With Cleopatra Records To Release Their First Ever Live Country Album! 
Los Angeles, CA - With a legacy that stretches across six decades, encompasses more than 41 million albums sold, and includes numerous iconic hit singles such as “Elvira,” “American Made,” and “Y’all Come Back Saloon,” it’s no wonder that The Oak Ridge Boys are one of the most popular live acts on the circuit today, packing fans in by the thousands and tens of thousands wherever they perform. What is surprising is that the Boys, renowned for their great live shows, have never released a full length, official hits concert album - that is, until now! Cleopatra Records will release Boys Night Out on April 15th, in three formats - CD, vinyl, and digital download - finally giving ORB fans the experience of the group’s well-polished live performance for them to enjoy anytime, anywhere.
To be sure, Oak Ridge Boys fans have been clamoring for a live album of hits for several years now, but as the band explained, “For some reason or another, the time never seemed right.” Then, in early 2013, lead vocalist and producer Duane Allen saw the stars align as the band was able to get its hands on some top quality remote recording equipment, and promptly began capturing performances of their current show dubbed “Boys Night Out.” Night after night, The Oak Ridge Boys wowed audiences across the nation with a set list that packed all of the group’s hit singles and fan favorites into one magnificent celebration. Years of preparation have made such well-loved songs as “You’re The One,” “Thank God For Kids,” and the brilliant “Bobbie Sue” sound even more exhilarating than when they were originally recorded! It might not be quite the same as being there, but it’s thrillingly close!
1. You’re The One
2. American Made
3. (I’m Settin’) Fancy Free
4. Love Song
5. Y’all Come Back Saloon
6. Sail Away
7. Dream On
8. This Crazy Love
9. Trying To Love Two Women
10. Come On In
11. Make My Life With You
12. Thank God For Kids
13. Elvira
14. Bobbie Sue
Friends of late night radio, our dear broadcasting legend, Joe Deuth (Donovan) passed away this past Sunday.  My brother Steve told me about his late night show back in the 80's and won an autographed copy of an LP the station was giving away on the air.  By the time Joe's show was airing on WHAS, top 40 oldies were mostly long gone from AM radio -- especially mega super power stations like 840 WHAS in Louisville.  Joe was the opposite of what I had grown up loving in DJs.  I grew up with Riley's quick wit and happy go lucky presentation and Larry Lujack's sarcasm, but Joe was just easy going, knowledgeable about music and loved playing it for listeners who tuned in all night to hear the songs they grew up with.  His hour long 3 AM "Odd & Obscure" part of the show was my fave.  Always something to be heard that I had not before, whether it be Claudine Longet's cool "Think of Rain" version or garage or New Christy Minstrels tracks.  It was anywhere and everywhere.  Larry Neal at KOMA had shows like that, but not overnight for hours on end.  Truckers loved it.  DX'ers like me loved it too. 
I taped Joe's shows occasionally and when he reached out to his thousands of listeners one night, I called in to help.  Attached is the call and the good old AM fade that DXers are used to.  I was able to hook both Joe and his listener, Phil Dahl, with the record in question.  In fact, Phil and I became good friends because of Joe!! 
Joe, I missed you when you went to afternoons in the 80's and will miss you always! 
Rest in peace. 
Clark Besch 

So did you go to the Cheetah Club?   
Bill
 

Nope ... I was just a kid!  Missed out on SO many great performances back in the day!  (The Exceptions were supposed to have been a KILLER band ... members went on to join Chicago and The Buckinghams!)  kk

>>>About Chicago and REO performing on tour together - so why don't they have a date scheduled anywhere in CHICAGO?????   (Marlene) 
>>>I couldn't believe when I saw the tour schedule and didn't see a Chicago stop on the list ... so two of our area's biggest bands ever are FINALLY touring together ... and they're not even gonna play one for the home crowd so that we can go and see them?!?!  What's up with that?!?!?  (Personally, I think they're saving that announcement for later ... what better place to cap off the tour than right here at home?)  kk
Marlene, if Chicago won't come see you, go see them when they were the REAL Chicago!  Here in glorious sound and stereo is a 1970 concert!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWKtVzzWo4U&feature=player_embedded#t=0
I "saw" Chicago back in 1970 when they performed at Ravinia ... I use the term "saw" very loosely.  (Suffice to say I never saw ... and barely HEARD ... them!)
The place was absolutely PACKED ... a complete sell-out.  Their second album had just come out and they were all over the radio with their latest hits "Make Me Smile", "Colour My World" and "25 or 6 to 4" ... plus they started re-releasing stuff from their first LP again now that they were hot, so soon "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is", 'Questions 67 and 68" and "Beginnings" were all over the radio, too.  We sat SO far back we never saw a thing ... listened to the whole concert through a small speaker nailed to a tree.  I remember thinking halfway through the concert that I'd rather go home and just listen to the records ... for one thing, they'd sound WAY better ... and I wouldn't have to fight the crowd and ridiculous parking situation!  (lol)
Several years later, we went back to Ravinia as Chicago's guests and sat in the Pavilion ... and, thanks to backstage passes, got to meet and visit with the band (as well as enjoy a pre-show dinner!)  QUITE a different experience, let me tell you ... and to top it off, it all took place on my birthday! 
Chicago enjoyed another "first" this past weekend when they were invited to perform at The Grammy Awards Ceremony.  (It's about time!!!)  That's because their first LP was finally inducted into The Grammy Album Hall Of Fame this year.  (Can a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nod be far behind?)  Besides their Grammy performance, they also did two shows at The Symphony Center right here in town on Michigan Avenue, backed by The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.  (WLS-FM has been giving away tickets to these shows for weeks now!)  
Click here: Iconic band Chicago to debut with CSO - Chicago Sun-Times   
And look for an announcement REAL soon about a local area appearance by Chicago and REO Speedwagon ... toldja there was no way they were going to leave our city off the map.)  In fact, don't be surprised if it happens just in time for my birthday again this year!)  kk   

 >>>Please Please Me  did not make number one in UK.In January, 1963, it stalled at number 2. It was kept out of top spot by: Cliff Richard =The Next Time / Bachelor Boy; The Shadows = Dance On; and Diamonds = Jet Harris / Tony Meehan.  All Three of these tunes were number one in January of 1963.  The Beatles had to wait until 2nd May, 1963, for their first UK number one single = From Me To You - it stayed seven weeks at the summit.  (Geoff Dorsett) 

>>>"Please Please Me" made #1 on MOST of the British Charts ... just not the "official" chart, which showed it at #2.  (Same thing happened here in America with "Twist And Shout" ... since it didn't make #1 in Billboard, it's not "officially" a #1 Hit, despite topping the chart in both Cash Box and Record World ... as well as the Top 40 chart in virtually EVERY major American city.) Perhaps one of the most famous Beatles-related quotations of all time is George Martin's comment after the "Please Please Me" recording session: "Congratulations, gentlemen ... you have have just recorded your first #1 Single."  (kk)  

Coincidently, I just read this in one of the NUMEROUS magazines now out in the stands in honor of The Beatles' 50th Anniversary of conquering America ... it comes from the special Paul McCartney Tribute issue of "Life" Magazine:
"With the last notes of 'Please Please Me' still resonating from the recording studio room floor, George Martin switched on the control room intercom and said brightly 'Gentlemen, you've just made your first Number One Record.'  George Martin's prediction hit the bulls-eye.  Well, hit most of it.  The British music business of the early '60's had no equivalent to the authoritative record charts in 'Billboard', America's music-biz bible.  The situation in Britain was chaotic by comparison.  There were at least four charts, one each in the periodicals 'Disc', 'Melody Maker', 'New Musical Express' and "Record Mirror'.  'Please Please Me' hit Number One on the first three charts; on 'Record Mirror''s it ran out of petrol at Number Two ... which is why it was decided not to include the song in the self-explanatory titled 2000 Beatles collection '1'.  The Beatles had to wait until 'From Me To You', released on April 11, rang all four charts' bells, to satisfy music-business hairsplitters."


Hi Kent,  
This looks good. There are some other discs listed here, too, but I thought the Grass Roots disc would interest the rest of the Forgotten Hits folk.  All the original versions ... and the original mono single versions at that. 
Doesn't come out until March but there is a preorder link.
Bill


In the year 1968 in New England, Boston, if you purchased a (popular for that area) "Waleeco" candy bar it carried a coupon advertising the obviously acid influenced  "Flat Earth's Society" band's album aptly named "Waleeco" and for $1.50 and six "Waleeco" candy bar wrappers you could enter the psychedelic realm of the now. The soulful sounds of "Midnight Hour" went another dimension as it was the only tune on the LP not original. These guys did not "Monkee" around with it.  Makes you wonder if you licked the wrapper what would happen!
"Portrait In Grey" reminds me of the music of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOAGb_95-q0 
The Manson Family.
Vibeman 
We've been telling you about Burton Cummings' first Las Vegas gigs at The Orleans ... now we've got a report (including the complete set list ... very similar to the show he did here in Chicago in a few months ago) from Vintage Vinyl News: 
Burton Cummings, former lead singer of the Guess Who and member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, played two nights to sellout crowds in Las Vegas at the Orleans Showroom. 
The show, which saw him receiving numerous standing ovations, was filled with the music of his former band along with his own solo hit Stand Tall and I'm Scared and a couple of Cumming's favorite standards.
Main Set:
  • No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature (from the Guess Who's American Woman, 1970)
  • Albert Flasher (non-LP single, 1971)
  • Clap for the Wolfman (from the Guess Who's Road Food, 1974)
  • Laughing (from the Guess Who's Canned Wheat, 1969)
  • Undun (from the Guess Who's Canned Wheat, 1969)  
  • (You might remember that Burton's flute wasn't working that night at The Arcada Theatre ... so we missed this one, certainly a crowd favorite!  I think you should come back, Burton, and treat us to it again!)
  • Stand Tall (from Burton Cummings, 1976)
  • Maggie May (Rod Stewart cover)
  • Mack the Knife (Bobby Darin cover)
  • Hand Me Down World (from the Guess Who's Share the Land, 1970)
  • Guns, Guns, Guns (from the Guess Who's Rockin', 1972)
  • These Eyes (from the Guess Who's Wheatfield Soul, 1968)
  • I'm Scared (from Burton Cummings, 1976) 
  • Baby, Come Back (from Bachman and Cumming's Jukebox, 2007)
  • Running Back to Saskatoon (from the Guess Who's Live at the Paramount, 1972)
  • American Woman (from the Guess Who's American Woman, 1970)
  • No Time (from the Guess Who's American Woman, 1970)Encore:  Share The Land (from the Guess Who's Share the Land, 1970)

A Mid-Week Quickie!

re:  The Grammys:
>>>If Robin Thicke is the future of pop music, then shoot me right now.  (Jack)
Thanks, Jack!  I read your article and it was well put.  I tend to agree.  I got through the first 90 minutes of the Grammys.  Some of it was painful to watch.  But I did enjoy the Stevie Wonder and Daft Punk segment with their killer song, Lucky Tonight.  Ringo and Paul were "meh"   Paul's voice is going.  Sorry ... But I did like Ringo singing "Photograph", although his voice grew weaker as the song went on.  On a memorial note ... America lost a lot of talent over the last few years.  I was dismayed to see that on the Grammys for 2012 there was no mention of the loss of Grass Roots star Rob Grill.  I think that year was all about Whitney Houston but never the less Rob should have been mentioned as well. I looked on YouTube and didn't see any mention of him. Wondering if I might has missed something. 
Blossmwrld 
Jack had made a comment about the 70-somethings stealing the show ... and I can't help but wonder how many of today's stars will have the lasting power that some of the acts featured on The Grammys Sunday Night had.  Does anybody out there seriously believe that Robin Thicke will be remembered as much more than a one-hit wonder (if that) forty years from now?  Do you think The Grammys will be asking Thicke, and Katy Perry and Daft Punk to come back and reprise their performances in 2054?  But you look at artists like Chicago, Stevie Wonder, The Highwaymen (Kris, Willie and Merle anyway) and Paul and Ringo and you realize what a different era in music we were fortunate enough to grow up in.  Heck, I got a real charge out of watching Steven Tyler and Smokey Robinson co-present an award, each singing a line from the other's song!  40-50 years from now will 60-somethings be reciting the rapid-paced raps of some of today's heavily bleeped-out hits?  This is why I constantly maintain that radio is missing the boat by ignoring the music that has lasted.  Save this column ... I'll be curious to watch the Grammys in 2054 and report back to you.  (Hey, I plan on stickin' around until the year 2525 to see if Zager and Evans got any of it right!!!)  kk
 
Did people really think that Beyonce's tune is really a good song with a memorable melody? Sheesh. During rehearsals, didn't someone tell Robin Thicke to shut-up when the trumpet solo was being played on Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is ... or learn the melodies and establish them before he started singing all over the place? The interesting thing about his and Chicago's performance was they were respectful of his tune and did it correctly while he stomped all over there stuff. 
Lorde? I loved her humbleness when accepting her award -- I only saw her first speech. I don't find her tunes memorable, but I have only heard them on the telecast so that may not be fair. 
The only memorable tunes I saw that came out last year were Get Lucky and The Robin Thicke tune. Now the Thicke tune was inspired by a Marvin Gaye tune so I don't know how much the hook comes from the fact that I heard the Marvin Gaye tune first, but it is still hooky as heck.
I always love to see a Beatle somewhere, but it is getting obvious that they are getting older, so I'm not sure how I feel about hearing them sing.  I always want them to sound like they did so that's hard. They certainly didn't embarrass themselves.
Madonna sounded older than either Beatle, but she never misses a chance to grab the spotlight. I thought the Marriage ceremony, though kind of cool, didn't belong at the Grammys. That night is supposed to be about the music and the music makers.
OK OK!!! I am sure that's more than eno ... 
Bill
... ugh
 
Ahh, the Grammys.  As I watched Ringo and his All-Starr band (Frampton was one of the guitarists ... I don't know who the other oldies were) perform "Photograph," I started to think that that song was #1 about 40 years ago.  Close.  It was #1 Thanksgiving time, 1973!  My, how music has changed from his easy happy-go-lucky sound to today's.  I was not overjoyed, however, by Macca using one of his lame cuts from his latest CD as the song to reunite with Ringo on.  In fact, I felt like yelling the age old Beatles term "O-U-T spells OUT!" at my screen as I watched him incorporate the term from "Christmastime Is Here Again" into his new "ditty."  At least Yoko swayed along with it (as she did with Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee" later!).  Sean was there giving his best beard impression of John in 1969. 
The Grammy for Best Rock Song of the Year went to McCartney!  Whaa??  What year?  2014??  Yes, and he beat out a Rolling Stones song, too!  The thing is NO ONE has heard these songs and they are up for and win the Grammy??  I only heard the Macca one on Saturday Night Live -- never on the radio.  It's disgusting when you think that the fabs only won five Grammys during their "active" career as a group! 
Then, there those robot guys that won three awards!  I guess they were Daft Punk?  How about Daft Puke instead?  These guys sat in their seats all night in outfits that had helmets to cover their faces.  I'm thinking Daft Puke is actually a cruel trick by Milli-Vanilli to get back at the Grammys!  If so, I applaud the idea! 
Carole King was good singing her "Beautiful" in a medley with Sara whomever and her hit.  The Everlys musical tribute was well done, too.  I was particularly happy to see Larry Lujack listed in the list of greats who passed in 2013.  How cool was that? 
Willie and Kris K and Merle Haggard sang fairly well for their ages.  Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson should have just done some duet instead of Stevie's support role. 
Mass weddings?  What the heck was that?  I thought I was not understanding what was going on.  I was wrong.  At the Grammys?? 
What was with the Smokey the Bear hat guy?  He had to speak for the robot winners:  "Umm, the robots would like to thank their parents."  OK, yeah.  That Taylor Swift looks great except when she is reinstating whiplash in a car accident.  And Pink?  I gotta admit, she is an athlete.  Does that make her Grammy worthy?  Why not?  Mettalica's tribute to Lou Reed?  LOU REED??  If we are giving tributes to Lou Reed, why not the Montanas?  They had MUCH better music than Lou Reed ever thought about having.  BUT, this night was not really about MUSIC as far as I could hear, so play on ... 
Clark Besch
I remember making a comment during the broadcast about how Daft Punk really had it made, hiding inside those robot suits ... they could send literally ANYBODY up there and no one in the audience would have a CLUE who it really was.  As such, I LOVE your Milli Vannelli idea!!!  What a GREAT trick that would be!
I, too, was VERY disappointed by McCartney's song choice ... one of the weaker tracks he's done lately.  I really expected them to do a Beatles tune ... but I'm guessing they saved that for the special 50th Anniversary Tribute Show they taped the night after.  It'll be interesting to see what they come up with for that.  (And I thought the EXACT same thing about the "O-U-T spells out" lyric!!!  Well, Paul never really was the prolific one in that department ... not too deep.  But then again neither is "you say goodbye, and I say hello" or "someone's knockin' at the door, somebody's ringing the bell, do me a favor, open the door, and let 'em in."  "1,2,3,4, can I have a little more? 5,6,7,8,9,10 ... I love you"???  Seriously?!?!) 
While I LOVED Ringo's performance (he probably INSISTED on it ... if I'm coming out there for this, I get to sing a song!), it really proved how monotonous "Photograph" really is.  It was great for us "oldsters" ... but I doubt that he won over any NEW fans.  (By the way, Vintage Vinyl News today posted the complete set list for "The Night That Changed America" Beatles Anniversary Special airing on Sunday, February 9th.  You can check it out here: 
Based on most of the response I've seen, I fully expect the Daft Punk song to start climbing the charts again ... folks LOVED it when it was out ... and now that so many new people have been exposed to it, and fallen in love with it as well, I believe there'll be a new surge of downloads to propel this sucker right back up the charts.  (Maybe not to #1, ala Chubby Checker, but substantial.)  I thought the all-star jam to this was outstanding ... SO rare to hear Stevie Wonder sing somebody else's song in the first place ... but they had the whole audience up on their feet boppin' to this one! 
And I thought the Carole King / Sara Bareilles duet was outstanding ... Carole in FINE voice (for someone who so rarely sings), featuring her "Beautiful" hit, theme song from the new Broadway Musical, along with the Bareilles song that Katy Perry ripped off virtually note for note to create her even BIGGER hit "Roar"!!!  All in all, I felt "entertained" the entire night.  (kk)
 
re: Pete Seeger:
>>>Folk Legend Pete Seeger died Monday (the 27th) at the age of 94.  He was an inspiration to SO many of the folk and folk / rock movement of the '60's ... an absolute icon of the era.  (kk)
Pete Seeger always tried to make the world a better place through his music and activism.  His life-long commitment to the cause of peace and to addressing the plight of the downtrodden has been an inspiration to all those who have championed society's victims and have done what they could to combat injustice.   His music and commitment was more powerful than a thousand armies.  We are fortunate that he lit the way for so long.  Pete once gave me a bit of advice, and I've always tried to remember what he said, "Keep it small and you will make a difference." 
John Mellencamp
 
I usually do a little meditation and prayer every night before I go to sleep - Just part of the routine. Last night, I decided to go visit Pete Seeger for a while, just to spend a little time together, it was around 9 PM. So I was sitting in my home in Florida, having a lovely chat with Pete, who was in a hospital in New York City. That's the great thing about thoughts and prayers - You can go or be anywhere.
I simply wanted him to know that I loved him dearly, like a father in some ways, a mentor in others and just as a dear friend a lot of the time. I'd grown up that way - loving the Seegers - Pete & Toshi and all their family.
I let him know I was having trouble writing his obituary (as I'd been asked) but it seemed just so silly and I couldn't think of anything that didn't sound trite or plain stupid. "They'll say something appropriate in the news," we agreed. We laughed, we talked, and I took my leave about 9:30 last night.
"Arlo" he said, sounding just like the man I've known all of my life, "I guess I'll see ya later." I've always loved the rising and falling inflections in his voice. "Pete," I said. "I guess we will."
I turned off the light and closed my eyes and fell asleep until very early this morning, about 3 AM when the texts and phone calls started coming in from friends telling me Pete had passed away.
"Well, of course he passed away!" I'm telling everyone this morning. "But that doesn't mean he's gone."  Arlo Guthrie
 
The New York Times is reporting that Pete Seeger, the American folk singer who became a fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead Belly’s “Goodnight, Irene”, has passed away at the age of 94. 
His death was confirmed by his grandson, Kitama Cahill Jackson, who said he died of natural causes at NewYork - Presbyterian Hospital.  
As a song writer, he is best known as the author or co-author of “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” (with Joe Hickerson), “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song)”, (composed with Lee Hays of The Weavers), and “Turn, Turn, Turn!”, which have been recorded by many artists both in and outside the folk revival movement and are still sung throughout the world. “Flowers” was a hit recording for The Kingston Trio (1962); Marlene Dietrich, who recorded it in English, German and French (1962); and Johnny Rivers (1965). “If I Had a Hammer” was a hit for Peter, Paul & Mary (1962) and Trini Lopez (1963), while The Byrds popularized “Turn, Turn, Turn!” in the mid-1960s, as did Judy Collins in 1964, and The Seekers in 1966.
Seeger was one of the folksingers most responsible for popularizing the spiritual “We Shall Overcome” (also recorded by Joan Baez and many other singer-activists) that became the acknowledged anthem of the 1960s American Civil Rights Movement, soon after folk singer and activist Guy Carawan introduced it at the founding meeting of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960. In the PBS “American Masters” episode Pete Seeger: The Power of Song, Seeger states it was he who changed the lyric from the traditional “We will overcome” to the more singable “We shall overcome”. 
Ken Voss

re:  The Saturday Surveys:
>>>Other surprises on this chart:  "Moulty" by The Barbarians at #19 ... this track never climbed any higher than #90 in Billboard.  (kk)
The Barbarians were a Boston-area (actually Cape Cod) group, so it is no surprise that a record by them would be high on WBZ's chart.  (One listen to this record will reveal Moulty's Massachusetts accent!)
Henry McNulty
Cheshire, Connecticut

Wow Kent,
Are you trying to scare me?
I'm from Boston and that chart is a week after my 20th birthday! WBZ is a 50,000 Watt station heard halfway across the country and into Canada! Now it is mostly news, traffic, some sports. 
WMEX 1510 (Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsberg, from Jan and Arnie fame) and WCOP 1460 (?) with Dick Summer were the two Pop stations in town in the 50's 60's now both gone after changing to 'Oldies Format' and dying off. 
This is a hoot ... thanks for another FUN feature.
What is the 'Jingle' for 2014? Ha ha!  Remember when every car company or Radio Station had a rhyming jingle that matched the year!
Praying that the Groundhog doesn't see his shadow!
Take care,
CharlieOFD
We've got another arctic blast headed our way ... Chicago temps for Monday are forecast to hit -6 for a HIGH on Monday, with a low of -23 (actual temperature), for a wind chill of about -45.  Good day to just stay in bed!!!  (Wish there was something worthwhile to listen to on the radio!)  kk

Kent,
This is FYI. In regarding the song THE RACE IS ON, here in the OKC area the George Jones' version peaked at #4 in December of 1964 with the Jack Jones' version peaking at #26 weeks later in April of 1965.
Vince Vance & the Valiants' BOMB IRAN was mentioned by one of your readers. I had to get that out and play it since it had been forever since I heard it. It did make our local survey here, though I don't know how high it got. For those not familiar with it, the tune is the same as BARBARA ANN.
I learned something new today. When you posted Spyder Turner's STAND BY ME, I thought it appeared and sounded somewhat longer than I remembered it. I went and pulled my copy and the single I have was 2:47 in length. Apparently he had an LP version that had one or two more artist imitations on it.
I really enjoy looking at the weekly radio surveys from other stations here in the good old U.S.A. I look for records that made the surveys which didn't here in OKC.  I try to find them on the internet, play them and see if I personally like them.
One example was Duane Eddy's FREIGHT TRAIN which was on WEXI's survey.  Found it, played it,really no opinion on it.
Larry Neal
It's funny because when Spyder Turner's record first came out, I thought his impersonations were spot on.  Listening to it now all these years later, he really doesn't sound like ANY of the artists he's paying tribute to!  (lol)  In fact, Cassius Clay's reading of "Stand By Me" sounds better!  (And let's not forget John Lennon's hit remake!)  kk 

Kent,
These charts are such fun! Spotting some of the rarities is a blast. Thank you.
David Lewis

Kent,
Many a time I'll look at a top 40 survey and marvel at some of the songs they were playing and wonder why they were never played in Chicago. We're not talking local acts, but national acts. However then you have to wonder what songs WLS and WCFL were playing that the one particular station wasn't. After all if there's five songs on their chart that never made it to Chicago, there has to be five songs here, that never made it there.
Jack
 

Thursday This And That

re:  The Grammys:
>>>I watched Ringo and his All-Starr Band perform "Photograph" (Frampton was one of the guitarists ... I don't know who the other oldies were) 
Clark Besch
I don't know that this was supposed to be so much an "All-Starr Band" performance ... I was a little surprised to see Peter Frampton up there ... but I didn't really recognize anybody else as "being" anybody else!  (Truthfully, I was a little surprised that Ringo didn't have his brother-in-law Joe Walsh up on stage with him ... especially since they were all sitting together anyway!)  And I guess Paul's kinda tight with Joe, too ... although it was Eric Clapton who provided the guitar solo on Paul's recent hit "My Valentine" ... (and actor Johnny Depp who "faked it" on the video), Joe Walsh performed those honors on the live version that aired in conjunction with Macca's "Kisses On The Bottom" live-in-the-studio concert.  (kk)    

Hi Kent,
The Grammy Award Show was disappointing but maybe I should say, the current music scene is!
Do you have to result to singing while hanging from a rope or singing while you are gyrating from a chair?
I am glad the show was salvaged by seeing two legends, Paul and Ringo plus the Highwaymen.
They honored Phil Everly but why not a medley of his songs?
Couldn't they have someone more on Carole King's level to sing with her?
And Robin Thicke was just in the way of hearing less of Chicago and their great sound!
I am very opened minded and love all kinds of music, but the majority of the performers who did their "thing" werent worth my time.
Long Live the real Rock and Roll!!!
Carolyn 
 

Hey Kent,
I'm sure more comments about the Grammy Awards will come pouring in. I usually don't watch the show, as it has become too bizarre and rowdy these days. I remember when the show was not on TV, only the radio. There also was a time when there was no audience. Sometimes I wish they'd go back to that.
I watched this year ONLY to see the reunion of Paul and Ringo on stage. I don't know if anyone else caught this, but Ringo's drumming was seen, but not heard, and Paul's regular touring drummer, Abe Laboriel, was heard, but not seen. You could see his set in the shadows. I'm sure the sound man arranged all this, but I don't know why the two drummers couldn't have been incorporated. Ringo kept looking over at Abe to make sure they were together. Starr can still whale away on the drums, and probably could have played it all by himself. Even so, it was still great to see the two living Beatles back together, along with John's and George's family members at the awards.
- John LaPuzza
I assumed they BOTH played ... but I could be wrong.  (Although I don't see any point in having Ringo up behind the kit if he wasn't really PLAYING drums!)  That will all be remedied on the 50th Anniversary Reunion Special on February 9th.  Paul and Ringo perform separately and together on a collection of Beatles favorites:  "Matchbox", "Boys" and "Yellow Submarine" (featuring Ringo Starr), followed by "Magical Mystery Tour", "Birthday", "Get Back" and "I Saw Her Standing There" (featuring Paul McCartney) before Ringo then joins his bandmate for a live rendition of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" / "With A Little Help From My Friends" ... before closing out the show with "Hey Jude", accompanied by Cirque du Soleil.  (I can't wait!) 
Prior to that we'll be treated to performances by Maroon Five ("All My Lovin'" and "Ticket To Ride"), Keith Urban and John Mayer ("Don't Let Me Down"), Ed Sheeran ("In My Life"), "Let It Be" (performed by Alicia Keys and John Legend ... hey, maybe THAT'S why she got John Lennon's name wrong the other night!!!), Imagine Dragons (performing "Revolution"), Katy Perry ("Yesterday" ... what?!?!?), the reunited (for one night only apparently) Eurythmics, who will perform "The Fool On The Hill", Brad Paisley, Pharrell Williams and Cirque du Soleil for "Here Comes The Sun", Dave Grohl and Jeff Lynne doing "Hey Bulldog" (now THAT should be interesting!!!),  "Something" (performed by George Harrison's son Dhani, along with Jeff Lynne and Joe Walsh), "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (featuring Joe Walsh, Dave Grohl and Gary Clark, Jr.) and Stevie Wonder doing his soulful take of "We Can Work It Out".  (kk)    

re:  And, Speaking of Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band:
Ringo will be hitting the road again this summer with the same line-up as last time for a series of shows all over the country.
Musicians on board include Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather (of Toto), Gregg Rolie (Santana and Journey), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Mark Rivera and Gregg Bissonette.   Ringo says, "I love playing with this band and I can’t wait to get back out and play with them again."
The new tour starts on June 6 in Ontario, Canada and runs through July 19 in L.A.  
The dates, cities and venues  (yes, Chicago IS on the list!): 
06/06 - Ontario - Ontario Rama Casino
06/07 - Canandaigua, NY - Sands Pavilion
06/08 - Williamsport, PA - Community Arts Theater
06/10 - Albany, NY - Palace Theater
06/11 - Westbury, NY - Theater at Westbury
06/12 - Vienna, VA - Wolftrap
06/14 - Wallingford, CT - Oakdale Theater
06/15 - Providence, RI - Performing Arts Center
06/17 - New York, NY - Beacon Theater
06/18 - New York, NY - Beacon Theater
06/20 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater
06/21 - Atlantic City, NJ - Caesars Circus Maximus
06/22 - Durham, NC - Durham PAC
06/24 - Buffalo, NY - ArtPark
06/25 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino
06/27 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Center
06/28 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater
06/29 - Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavillion Nautica
07/01 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Ampitheater
07/03 - Tunica, MS - Horseshoe Casino
07/05 - Dallas, TX - Windstar World Casino
07/09 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Pavillion
07/11 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's
07/11 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's
07/12 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
07/13 - San Jose, CA - City National Civic of San Jose
07/15 - Vancouver, BC - Hard Rock
07/16 - Woodenvile, WA - Chateau Ste Michelle 
07/19 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre   

re:  Other Concert News:   
WOW!  The Alan Parsons Project has just been added to The Arcada Theatre schedule.  They'll perform TWO SHOWS on May 10th!  More details at the OShows Website:  www.oshows.com   

And Barry Gibb will be coming to Chicago on May 27th for his first-ever solo concert tour of the U.S.
As of right now, he's only scheduled to hit six cities ... and tickets for these shows will be on sale by week's end.  Reportedly, he'll feature material from all phases of The Bee Gees' (and brother Andy's) career.
Confirmed dates so far: 
May 15th - Boston, MA - TD Garden
May 19th - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
May 23rd - Wantagh, NY - Nikon At Jones Beach Theater
May 27th  - Chicago, IL - United Center
May 31st - Concord, CA - Concord Pavilion
and June 4th - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
Obviously VERY large venues.  It hasn't just been years since Gibb toured The States ... it's been DECADES!!!  We are really hoping to catch the show when it hits Chicago.  

Melissa Manchester and Beach Boy Al Jardine have been added to "AMERICA CELEBRATES THE BEATLES" All-Star Gala Charity Concert in New York February 8  NYC FAB 50 is proud to announce that New York City's all-star concert, "AMERICA CELEBRATES THE BEATLES," taking place at Manhattan's Town Hall on Saturday evening, February 8, has added Melissa Manchester and Al Jardine (founding member of The Beach Boys). It is one of the star-studded charity concerts being held as part of "NYC FAB 50: Celebrating The Music of The Beatles" 50th Anniversary Celebration. 
On February 7, 1964, The Beatles touched down on U.S.soil for the first time. Fifty years later, New York and the NYC FAB 50 Committee will be hosting several celebratory concerts with proceeds benefiting Food Bank For New York City and other charities. This once-in-a-lifetime event will "come together" on Saturday, February 8th, 2014 at 7:30pm, highlighting a series of events under the "NYCFAB50" series.   Tickets for "AMERICA CELEBRATES THE BEATLES"are on sale through Ticketmaster, priced from $50 to $250 (www.ticketmaster.com/fab-50-presents-america-celebrates-the-new-york-new-york-02-08-2014/event/03004C29B419705A?artistid=1953649&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=52). The gala concert will feature veteran music legends, New York musical institutions and up-and-coming stars.
Joining Grammy-Award winning singer / songwriter Melissa Manchester and Al Jardine, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the Beach Boys, will be ...
•Tommy James ("Mony Mony,""Crimson & Clover")
•Gene Cornish of The Rascals
•Melanie - Woodstock star ("Brand New Key")
•Greg Hawkes of The Cars
•Fred Schneider of The B-52s
•Marshall Crenshaw (played John Lennon in "Beatlemania", "Someday Someway")
•Ron Dante the voice of The Archies
•Walter Egan ("Magnet & Steel")
•Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia
•Emily West - Nashville artist
•Ian Lloyd of The Stories ("Brother Louie")
•John Ford of The Strawbs
•Gary DeCarlo of Steam ("Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye")
•Randy Jackson of Zebra
•Larry Kirwin of Black 47 (“Liverpool Fantasy”)
•Richard Barone (The Bongos)
•Siobhan Magnus (America Idol)
•Roger Kellaway (Grammy-Winning Composer/Pianist)
•Aztec Two-Step - American Folk Rock Duo
•Graham Alexander - Singer / songwriter
•Roger Kellaway - Grammy winning pianist / composer
•Samantha Landrum - Singer ("What If")
•Richie Scarlet - "Emperor of Rock and Roll"
•Julie Grant ("Up On The Roof")  
Also, recreating The Beatles' historic first Ed Sullivan Show appearance, will be The Cavern Club Beatles, one of the world's greatest soundalike/lookalike bands from Liverpool. 
Rich Pagano of the Fab Faux is the Musical Director; Dennis D'Amico and Patrice Samara, Supervising Producers; Charles F. Rosenay and Daniel Levine, Executive Producers.
Special Guest of Honor Celebrity Presenters for the gala concert include actors Charles Grodin and John Gabriel, Tony Perkins of Fox TV, television legend Dick Cavett, famed NY sportscaster Len Berman, Ken Michaels of the Every Little Thing radio show,  the Amazing Kreskin and John Lennon's sister, Julia Baird.
Artists and line-up are subject to change. This production is not affiliated with Apple Corp Ltd or The Beatles.
Further information at 
www.NYCFAB50.com or email info@NYCFAB50.com.     


EXPERIENCE HENDRIX TOUR EXPANDS – SIX DATES JUST ADDED FEATURING LIVING LEGENDS OF ROCK AND BLUES  
Six additional dates have just been added to the front and back ends of the previously announced 2014 Experience Hendrix Tour, presented by Band Fuse: Rock Legends. With just-added shows in Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota, this year’s edition of the Experience Hendrix tour includes 25 performance dates over a span of just under four weeks.  
Concurrent with the announcement of the added dates come word that The Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith and Robby Kreiger of the Doors, Taj Mahal and Quinn Sullivan will be among the roster of all-star musicians joining the tour that has been an annual event for the past decade.  Robinson, founding member, guitarist and songwriter for the Black Crowes, commented, “I’m really looking forward to getting out and playing some of my favorite Hendrix songs with these great musicians.” 
Artists whose participation was previously announced include Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Bootsy Collins, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II,  Dweezil Zappa, Los Lobos’ Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji and others.  Billy Cox, the bass player who was part of Jimi Hendrix’s music life before he was “discovered” as well as thereafter, is again part of the line-up as is Double Trouble drummer Chris Layton. 
Experience Hendrix Tour dates / participating artists:  
March 8 - Sat - Shawnee, OK – Grand Event Center – tickets on sale TBA
Billy Cox, Rich Robinson [Black Crowes], Brad Whitford [Aerosmith], Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Chris Layton, Stan Skibby, and Dani Robinson
March 9 - Sun - Midland, TX – Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center – tickets on sale now 
Billy Cox, Rich Robinson [Black Crowes], Brad Whitford [Aerosmith], Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Chris Layton, Stan Skibby, and Dani Robinson
March 11 - Tue -  Dallas, TX - Verizon Theater – tickets on sale now http://bit.ly/17ypvzq
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 13 - Thurs -  St Louis, MO - Fox Theater – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby.
March 14 - Fri - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater – tickets on sale now http://bit.ly/1j7vcEa
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 15 - Sat Ames, IA - Stephens Auditorium – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 16 - Sun -  Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater – SOLD OUT
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 18 - Tue -  Louisville, KY - Whitney PAC – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 19 - Wed - Charleston, WV - Clay Center – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 20 - Thurs - Pittsburgh, PA - Benedum Theater – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 21 - Fri - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theater  - SOLD OUT
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 22 - Sat - Atlantic City, NJ - Harrahs – SOLD OUT
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 23 - Sun - Wilkes Barre, PA - Kirby PAC – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 25 - Tue - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 27 - Thurs - Hampton, NH – Casino Ballroom – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Quinn Sullivan, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 28 - Fri - Albany, NY - Palace Theater – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Quinn Sullivan, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 29 - Sat - Waterbury, CT - Palace Theater – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Quinn Sullivan, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
March 30 - Sun - Washington DC - Lincoln Theater – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
April 01 - Tue - Buffalo, NY - Center For Arts – SOLD OUT
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
April 02 - Northfield, OH – Hard Rocks – tickets on sale TBA
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
April 03 - Detroit, MI –The Fox Theatre – tickets on sale now
Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Brad Whitford, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
April 04 - Fri - Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater – tickets on sale TBA
Featuring Billy Cox, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford, Rich Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II, Robby Krieger, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Mato Nanji, Eric Johnson, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
April 05 - Sat - Merrillville, IN – Star Plaza Theatre- tickets on sale TBA
Featuring Billy Cox, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford,  Taj Mahal, Rich Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II, Robby Krieger, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Mato Nanji, Eric Johnson, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
April 06 - Sun - Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center – tickets on sale Feb 7
Featuring Billy Cox, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford, Taj Mahal, Rich Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby
April 08 - Tue - Minneapolis, MN – State Theater – tickets on sale TBA
Featuring Billy Cox, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford, Taj Mahal, Rich Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby     

Our FH Buddy Dean Milano (who wrote the book on the Chicagoland Music Scene in the '60's and '70's) will be featuring stories about many of those songs and artists when he makes a two hour presentation at The Schaumburg Public Library on Wednesday, February 12th.  (The event runs from 7 - 9 pm)  
Hoping some of the Forgotten Hitsters can make it out there for this.  Should be an interesting and fun night of memories!  (kk)  

re:  The Sonny Geraci Benefit Concert:
I hope Bill Thompson is found guilty as charged ... three years for stealing almost 30 grand from an ailing rock star seems like too light of a sentence. 
Tom Diehl

The Friday Flash: 50 Years Ago This Week

1/31 and 2/1, 1964 -    

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND is now #1 in Billboard, just ahead of LESLEY GORE's YOU DON'T OWN ME, OUT OF LIMITS by THE MARKETTS, SURFIN' BIRD by THE TRASHMEN and HEY LITTLE COBRA by THE RIP CHORDS.  SHE LOVES YOU has already leaped to #21, a 48 point jump … and PLEASE PLEASE ME has joined the ranks at #68, giving THE BEATLES THREE Top 100 Hits for the first time.  (Keep in  mind they haven't even done the Sullivan Show yet!!!) 
For those of you keeping score, DUSTY's first U.S. Chart Hit has barely moved, climbing to #73 in its second week on the charts.    

"I Want To Hold Your Hand" reaches #1 in Chicago, too, a position it will hold for a total of five weeks, one of those weeks SHARING the top spot with "She Loves You", which will displace it at #1 on March 6th.  "She Loves You" debuted this week at #10, giving The Beatles TWO Top Ten Hits on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey a week earlier than they would achieve this feat in Billboard.
 


Kent,
Hopefully you're not just being Chicago-centric with your Beatles 50th anniversary.
Here are two CHUM Toronto charts celebrating Beatlemania in early 1964.
The first chart dated January 20th shows The Beatles had the top two songs.  "She Loves You" was # 1 with "Roll Over Beethoven" at # 2.
"I Want To Hold Your Hand" had just made its debut at # 40.
The cover of that chart had The Beatles publicity photo while the back cover had four of the CHUM DJ's with airbrushed Beatles wigs.
The second chart dated March 9th saw The Beatles hold down 6 positions in the Top 10: # 1, # 2, # 5, # 6, # 9 & # 10.
Doug Thompson in Toronto
 

Wow!  It looks like all the popular radio stations were decking their jocks out with Beatles wigs!  Thanks for sharing, Doug!  North America was clearly smitten with these young lads from Liverpool. 
 
This weekly revisiting with the events of 50 year ago is making one thing very clear ...
 
As we all know, history has a way of rewriting itself over time.  But these charts and events prove conclusively that America knew EXACTLY who The Beatles were before they ever appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
 
This Canadian Chart from three weeks before that appearance bears this out ... The Beatles are already at #1 and #2, with both hits predating the first appearance of "I Want To Hold Your Hand", the song that launched their career here in America.
 
The fact that CHUM's jocks are already decked out in Beatle-doos is especially interesting ... a brand new fad had clearly been established.

Here in The States, Billboard showed THREE records by The Fab Four in their Hot 100 Chart dated February 1st.  (And remember, as has often been pointed out, Billboard's chart listed a "Week Ending" date, meaning that these statistics actually reflected the pulse of what was happening here musically a full week earlier ... still TWO WEEKS before their first Sullivan appearance.  Don't get me wrong ... that Sullivan show appearance blew the doors off and launched the band into the stratosphere ... Ed Sullivan launched Beatlemania here in The States, but a loyal legion of fans had already assembled, ready to enjoy the ride.  (So I have to ask again ... why isn't Ed Sullivan in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame???)

"Please Please Me" and "She Loves You" had already been released here in the States the previous year ... with absolutely no success.  Capitol Records, The Beatles' official label in America, wasn't even interested in pressing copies of these records ... so the masters were shopped out to Vee Jay Records and Swan Records respectively.  And, in The Beatles' first week at #1 in Billboard, both labels were savvy enough to realize that they may have some solid gold sitting in their vaults ... and rush re-released these two singles to resounding success.

How big of a difference did it make?  According to Bruce Spizer's EXCELLENT book (now out of print but available digitally) "The Beatles on Vee Jay Records", "Please Please Me" sold about 5650 copies when it was first released in late February / early March of 1963.  Incredibly, during the last six months of 1963 (after the record had failed), exactly TWO COPIES were sold between July and December!  A year later, when riding the coattails of Beatlemania, it quickly sold over a million copies ... and went to #3 on the charts.
 
If Capitol Records really invested a fortune in their "The Beatles Are Coming" campaign (it's funny ... I've heard everything from as low as $50 - $100,000 ... and has high as half-a-million to a million dollars!), they recouped their money quickly.  An incredible 33 songs made The Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in 1964 alone.  Capitol notoriously raided the vaults to compile a multitude of U.S. only singles ... and any label that had ANYTHING available to them from the pre-Capitol arrangement rushed these into release, too.  (As such, we got The Beatles singing "She Loves You" in German ... and a couple of hits by Tony Sheridan where The Beatles were merely the back-up band ... despite the fact that the picture sleeve boldly proclaimed this as a Beatles single by reversing the importance of their roles in big bold type!)
 
 
Canada wasn't far behind ... 22 Beatles singles charted north of the border in 1964 ... but all of these were released on the Capitol of Canada label.  (In fact, U.S. fans were so anxious to get their hands on anything Beatles-related, a couple of these singles crossed our border as import singles and charted here as well!)

We'll run your March chart as part of our new Saturday Surveys feature when it's more date-appropriate ... so stay tuned for that.

Speaking of which ...


re:  LOTS Going on This Weekend In Forgotten Hits:
On SATURDAY, we'll be running a brand new edition of our new Saturday Survey feature.  Response has been GREAT so far ... stop by and revisit some of the hits of the day by reviewing these vintage charts sent in by our readers.

And, on SUNDAY, we'll be celebrating our very own version of GAME DAY ...  

Sure, MOST of you will be wrapped up in the big game ...  

The Super Bowl is a big deal, after all ... (and I know you'll all want to catch that new Full House Reunion commercial!)

But we'll be here Pre-Game and Post-Game (as well as any and all bathroom breaks ... or other breaks in the action) ... so be sure to check us out when you can.  And, as OFTEN as you can ... because we'll be posting throughout the day, beginning at 6 am ... and not wrapping things up until 11 pm (Chicago time)

The Saturday Surveys (2-1)

Check out The Trashmen at #1 on this WKY Top 40 Survey from Oklahoma City in 1964!

It looks like Beatlemania is just about to hit (a little later than in other parts of the country!) as "I Want To Hold Your Hand" / "I Saw Her Standing There" climbs from #11 to #5.  There are some positive signs, however, as "Meet The Beatles" is the Pick Album of the Week ... and "She Loves You" shows up near the bottom of the list as an "extra".

Some strange, middle-of-the-road stuff elsewhere on the chart this week ... including Jody Miller at #2 with "He Walks Like A Man".  (This song crapped out at #66 in Billboard ... but Jody was raised in Oklahoma City so this most likely had something to do with its success there.)

Al Hirt, Dean and Jean, Murry Kellum, Peter Guliker (who?), Connie Francis, The Singing Nun and Brenda Lee all have Top 20 Hits this week ... makes you wonder just how popular rock and roll was at this station back then.  (Making it all that MORE surprising to see The Trashmen at #1!!!  Hmmm ... maybe the listeners were trying to tell them something!)

Love the little bits at the bottom ... "Don't forget February 7th ... Write Ann Landers Day"!!!  (lol)





Next up ... two completely different charts from completely different parts of the country for this week in 1967.  

First, WAPE out of Jacksonville, FL, which shows Aaron Neville at #1 with his first big pop hit "Tell It Like It Is".  (Look at #3, a two-sided hit by The Classics IV ... once again, radio is saluting their hometown boys with this one.  Dennis Yost and Company wouldn't score a national hit for another ten months when "Spooky" broke through in a big, big way.)

They're showing "No Milk Today" by Herman's Hermits as an "exclusive" at #24 ... and it just may have been ... since the WIXY was showing the A-Side of that record, "There's A Kind Of Hush" as the "Ultimate Song of the Week"!!!  Two weeks later BOTH sides of this record would be charting in Billboard.




Chicago's Buckinghams sit on top of Cleveland's WIXY Survey this week with "Kind Of A Drag", something they never managed to do here at home.  (It was their SECOND big hit, "Don't You Care" that became their first chart-topper here locally.)

We found a great site dedicated to preserving the memory of WIXY ... Click here: WIXY1260Homepage ... which features a few other survey charts from their 10 1/2 year Top 40 run.

When we did our Local Hits / Regional Hits "Show Me Your Hits" Series a few years back, I remember hearing that "Little Black Egg" was a big hit in Cleveland ... this survey shows The Nightcrawlers at #8 for the week of January 30th, 1967.  (These guys earned quite a few votes in our All-Time Favorite Garage Bands Poll a short while back, too!)




And how cool is THIS?!?!?

Chicago's WCFL used to do their Top Ten Capsule Countdown intermittently throughout the day.  It coincided with their Sound 10 Survey (mentioned previously in these pages) which typically spotlighted The Top 20 Records in Chicagoland plus the "Action Ten" up-and-comers, as well as usually two or three "Chicago Premiers".

Ironically THIS particular countdown (sent in my FH Reader BSpro ... thanks, Bill!) just happens to be for the 'CFL Chart ending February 2nd, 1967, which ties in PERFECTLY with this week's edition of Saturday Surveys.

Give a listen to The Top Ten Tunes in Chicago for this week in 1967:



Well I don't have any surveys to contribute to your Saturday feature, but thought you might get a kick out of the attached.
Bill



GREAT chart, Bill ... once again showing the diversity of what radio sounded like back in the Swinging''60's!  Everything from soul (Aaron Neville at #10), brand new sounds of psychedelia ("I Had Too Much To Dream" by The Electric Prunes, "We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet" by The Blues Magoos and "Pushin' Too Hard" by The Seeds, at numbers 7, 5 and 3 respectively), novelty hits like "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron" by The Royal Guardsmen at #6, run-away pop hits by The Monkees ("I'm A Believer") and The Seekers ("Georgy Girl") at Number 2 and Number 1 as well as the local sounds of Chicago's very own Buckinghams ("Kind Of A Drag", #9) and "Love You So Much" by The New Colony Six, #4 ... ALL played right along side the biggest hits of the decade by The Rolling Stones (who were at #8 with "Ruby Tuesday", up from #17 the week before)!  Man, what an exciting time in radio!  (kk)

 Courtesy of Jack Levin, here's what it looked like!


***

Be sure to check back next Saturday ... and EVERY Saturday ... for more great Top 40 Charts from around the country ... running EXCLUSIVELY in Forgotten Hits!

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