Monday Morning Melodies

May 20, 2013, 4:35 am

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Who would have ever thought that Generation 2010 would embrace some of these vintage tracks as part of their musical landscape?

But, thanks to repeated use in movies and television commercials, we've found that even some of the most unlikely candidates can be popular again with a whole new generation ... you just need to introduce them to it!

Makes you wonder how they might react to some of these pseudo-vintage "other era" oldies!

Why not give a couple of these tracks a spin ... and test drive this theory yourself. We would LOVE to hear the results. (Who knows ... you just might win over a new listener or two along the way!)

re: ALAN O'DAY:
Wow - I hadn't heard the news about Alan O'Day, though I knew he had been declining over the past couple of months. We were fortunate enough to see him a couple of times at some writers' night gigs here over the past couple of years. A super nice guy all around - not to mention some incredible talent.
David Lewis

Alan's last release, "I Hear Voices", holds up well against anything I've heard these past few years. He was enormously talented and gifted as a songwriter and I am so happy I got to know him a little bit over the past few years. This one hit me hard ... he knew what he was up against (and really didn't want that information shared with the rest of the world) ... yet he stayed active and dynamic through it all. (Witness his newest track from the film "You Don't Say".) An under-appreciated talent for sure. (kk)

Hello Kent,
Thank you for all of your wonderful help on my Monkees book. I received an email this morning about the passing of Alan O'Day. What a shock! I had the chance to meet him a couple of times. He was a very funny and joyful human being. I was planning to interview him about Davy Jones recording his song "Rubberene." I wonder if anybody ever talked to him about that song. I certainly would like to include Alan in my book. As each day passes by, we are losing family members and friends who have touched our lives in a very special way. Embrace the moment and make every minute count. We lost our undercover angel to rock & roll heaven.
Peace & Love,
Gary

Hi Kent,
Very sad to hear about the passing of Alan O'Day. I called him about a year ago to ask him some questions out of the of the blue. He was recording in his studio but took the time to speak with me for a few minutes. What a talented man and a class act. He will surely be missed.

Cory Cooper

At 2:00 on Sunday Afternoon the #1 Search on Yahoo was "Alan O'Day Dies" ... who would have ever thought? What a GREAT honor to this man. (#2 was "$600 Million Dollar Powerball Winner" ... man, how is that even possible?!?!?) Whodathunkit? But his music ... "Undercover Angel", "Rock And Roll Heaven", "Angie Baby" and others ... touched our lives. Isn't it sad that so many of these artists never see or hear this recognition and appreciation when they're still with us? I'm sure radio stations all over the country were playing some of Alan's tunes this past weekend and recognizing his contributions then. Alan, I am happy to have known you ... but SO sad to see you go. (kk)

re: THE TRUE STORY BEHIND "ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN":
Several years ago Forgotten Hits did a little bit of digging to get to the bottom as to who really wrote the song "Rock And Roll Heaven", the #3 Hit for The Righteous Brothers back in 1974. The "controversy" began after we (and a few other FH Readers) heard Sonny Geraci talking about how HE had a hand in the writing of this song. This was news to me ... and to quite a few other people as well, who actually WERE involved in the writing of this song!
Now Sonny Geraci is generally recognized as being the first artist to RECORD this song ... he cut it with his group Climax in the early '70's (albeit a slightly different version lyrically, as you can hear by the sound clip included below.) We talked to a couple of the principles who where there at the time and asked them to share their recollections with our readers. (kk)

'60's FLASHBACK:
>>>I didn't know that Sonny Geraci wrote "Rock & Roll Heaven"! (Mitch Schecter / The Rip Chords )
>>>Huh? Alan O'Day wrote it. (David Lewis)
The impression Mitch got from the concert was that Sonny had the original idea for the song and co-wrote at least some of the lyrics. FH Reader Tom Cuddy (who was at the same show) explains that a member of Sonny's band started the song ... but then Sonny turned it over to his friend Alan O'Day to finish. I can only tell you that when I saw Sonny last July, he ABSOLUTELY gave the impression that he had a hand in writing the song. (I believe that he was also the first artist to record it when he was fronting the group Climax, who had the huge hit with "Precious And Few" back in 1972 ... but it went absolutely NOWHERE until it landed in the hands of The Righteous Brothers a few years later.)
I asked Alan O'Day about this last year when I first heard Sonny's story but never got a response. I'm hoping that this time he can shed a little light on this for our readers ... if only to help us once again present "The Most Accurate Truth". The publishing papers that I've seen do NOT list Geraci's name on this song ... but what I heard with my own two ears certainly implied that he not only had a hand in writing it but that it was his original inspiration that kicked the whole thing off in the first place. (Also, a quick check of Joel Whitburn's book doesn't list John Stevenson as a member of Climax so, again, I'm confused as to his connection to Sonny and / or Alan.) Help us out, Alan!!! (kk)
Hi Kent,
Thanks for asking!
"Rock 'n' Roll Heaven" as a title was being performed live by Johnny Stevenson in a Los Angeles club when Warner Brothers Music Professional Manager Artie Wayne heard it, took Johnny aside, and told him that the chorus and the title was a hit concept, but the verses needed to be written better. I was a staff writer with WB Music at the time. Artie put Johnny with me and we wrote it together, with verses referring to rockers who had passed on. Sonny Geraci was not present at that point and I don't believe I even met him until sometime later. I demoed the song on my analog 4 track recorder, with Johnny and me singing ... then WB "showed" the song and got it cut by "Climax, featuring Sonny Geraci".
I have never heard Sonny claim that it was his idea, although I know he sings it in his show; and I don't remember Johnny ever saying anything to that effect. But as often happens, memories get cloudy over time (including mine) and everyone has their own perspective. Whatever dialogue or inspiration might have occurred between Johnny and Sonny, I was not aware.
I can't put my hands on the O'Day / Stevenson demo, but attached is Sonny's version from the vinyl single. You may notice that the people mentioned in the verse are different than those on the Righteous Brothers' later version (also attached). For that story, I'll quote (with permission) from Artie Wayne's book "I Did It For A Song":

Dennis Lambert remembers, “I had signed the Righteous Brothers to my label, Haven, in 1974. Brian Potter and I were gathering songs and writing for them when Al Coury (President of Capitol) sent me a demo of “Rock And Roll Heaven”. After listening to it and recognizing its potential for the Righteous Brothers, Brian and I realized that it could really benefit from an “updating” in light of who had passed away in recent years (Jim Croce, Bobby Darin, etc.) I asked Alan if he and Johnny would consider doing a rewrite. Alan suggested WE do it and run it by him and John when we were done. That’s what we did … they were happy (we didn’t ask for anything) … we were happy (an already good song was made timelier) … the Righteous Brothers were happy (they really liked the production) and we had a smash hit in the weeks and months that followed.”
© 2011 by Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.com
I was always impressed that Dennis and Brian didn't ask for a piece of the song for doing such a great rewrite. But this turned into a win - win situation with the Righteous Brothers' "comeback" hit.
Fast forward to 2007. Still friends with Artie Wayne, who reminded me (repeatedly) that R&RH needed another update. Finally, with his help, I crafted new lyrics to celebrate more recent "icons", and we produced a demo in Nashville with talented artist and session singer, Ronnie Kimball.
I hope your readers will visit my site and click on the updated tribute: alanoday.com. (We're certainly open to suggestions for current artists to record the song!) There's also a cool YouTube video, produced by Sebastian Prooth:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2cijNKu9qc
Best to you and all your subscribers!
Alan

THE MOST ACCURATE TRUTH:Once again, we're presenting "The Most Accurate Truth" regarding "Rock And Roll Heaven", as told to us by one of its principle songwriters. Our intention here is only to set the record straight (and nothing more) and if Sonny Geraci would like to offer an opposing point of view, additional facts and insight or share a few more memories in this regard, we're certainly welcome to hear them. (Johnny Stevenson passed away a while back so his "back story", unfortunately, is not an option. And, since this piece first ran, Sonny Geraci had some serious health issues of his own. However, we never did hear an opposing view to the story we presented so we're sticking by our findings.)
My feeling is, simply put, that Geraci is not (nor has he ever been) regarded as a songwriter ... a great singer, to be sure, but a successful track record in songwriting really isn't part of his resume. However, Sonny very well may have been instrumental in the original concept of this tune ... but if he was, Alan was not aware of it, nor did Stevenson ever convey this to him. In that two very well known and successful songwriters (Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter) did, in fact, contribute to the writing of this hit ... without even taking any credit for doing so ... it just doesn't seem right to have someone who quite likely had NOTHING to do with the actual writing of the song imply that they did. Makes for a great story on stage, I'm sure ... not unlike Micky Dolenz recently telling fans how he partied with The Beatles and then went into the studio to watch them record "Oh! Darling" ... great story ... but the simple fact is, it NEVER really happened. (kk)

re: GREAT SHOW:
Hi Kent -
Saw the Ides of March and Peter Noone and Hermans Hermits at the Aurora Paramount Theater.
They were great ...
The Ides opened the show and shared stories that the originals have been friends since "Cub Scouts". They will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year!!

Peter Noone and Hermans Hermits were FANTASTIC! They did all their hits plus Peter did imitations of Mick Jagger, Tom Jones and Davy Jones! He added a lot of funny jokes and his band were colorful and very upbeat, dancing on the stage!!! He is adorable and I would definitely see them again!!!!
He was giving autographs in the lobby after the show, but I couldn't stay. The British Invasion is well and alive!!!!
Carolyn
Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits NEVER disappoint ... ALWAYS a rousing show ... and a GREAT time! The Ides Of March were an odd choice as the opening act but their performance is always solid an entertaining. We didn't make it to this one (talked about it but it never happened). Glad to hear that you had a great time! (kk)

re: IT'S HIP TO BE SQUARE:
I haven't seen this posted here before so thought I'd pass this along.
Bobby Vee, Freddy Cannon, Connie Francis, Fabian, Dick Clark, and more on Hollywood Squares in the late 70's. Here's the link for part 1. You'll see the link to part 2 at the site.
Reminded me how much I loved that show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YNIajiD5rA=
Click here: Bobby Vee & More on Hollywood Squares Rock and Roll Legends Week 1978 Part 2 - YouTube

Bill
VERY cool ... no, I'd never seen this before.

I was talking to Scott Shannon last night and we hit on the topic of The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame ... and how they don't ever seem to go back to correct so many of the oversights they've made along the way. Instead they just keep focusing on the brand new "eligibles" passing the 25-year mark since their first recording, continuing to ignore so many of the artists they've snubbed before ... artists like Connie Francis, Chubby Checker, Freddy Cannon ... and so many others that helped shape the very sound of rock and roll. Not to mention '70's staples like Chicago, The Guess Who, The Moody Blues and Hall and Oates, the most successful duo of all time. Sadly, at this rate SO many more of these artists will leave us before they ever get their due ... if they ever do at all.

Meanwhile, cool clip ... I don't even remember them ever doing this! (kk)

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Article 1

May 21, 2013, 5:05 am

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re: RAY MANZAREK:

The news was all over the Internet and the Radio yesterday ... Rock lost another iconic figure yesterday when Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek passed away.

Here's the first announcement we received from Celebrity Death Beeper ... ironically, earlier reports that day were never confirmed and thus ruled a hoax. But the official word came just after 5:00 last night.

Ray Manzarek, a founding member of the 1960s rock group The Doors, whose versatile and often haunting keyboards complemented Jim Morrison's gloomy baritone and helped set the mood for some of rock's most enduring songs, has died. He was 74.

Manzarek died Monday in Rosenheim, Germany, surrounded by his family, said publicist Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald. She said the musician's manager, Tom Vitorino, confirmed Manzarek died after being stricken with bile duct cancer.

The Doors' original lineup, which also included drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robbie Krieger, was only together for a few years and they only made six studio albums. But the band has retained a large and obsessive following decades after Morrison's death, in 1971. The Doors have sold more than 100 million records and songs such as "Light My Fire" and "Riders On the Storm" are still "classic" rock favorites. For Doors admirers, the band symbolized the darker side of the Los Angeles lifestyle, what happened to the city after the sun went down and the Beach Boys fans headed home.

Next to Morrison, Manzarek was the most distinctive-looking band member, his glasses and wavy blond hair making him resemble a young English professor more than a rock star, a contrast to Morrison's Dionysian glamour — his sensuous mouth and long, dark hair. Musically, Manzarek's spidery organ on "Light My Fire" is one of the most instantly recognizable sounds in rock history.

But he seemed up to finding the right touch for a wide range of songs — the sleepy, lounge-style keyboards on "Riders On the Storm"; the liquid strains for "The Crystal Ship"; the barrelhouse romps on "Roadhouse Blues." The Doors always considered themselves "more" than a rock band and Manzarek, Densmore and Krieger often managed a flowing rapport that blended rock, blues and jazz behind Morrison's self-consciously poetic lyrics.

"There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison's words," Densmore said in a statement. "Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother."

The Doors were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Their records have been reissued frequently and the band was the subject of a 1991 Oliver Stone movie, "The Doors," starring Val Kilmer as Morrison and Kyle MacLachlan as Manzarek, who complained that the film stereotyped Morrison as a hopeless drunk and also omitted calmer, more humorous times. The Doors' fame has hardly faded even though they're one of the few groups not to allow their music to be used for commercials, a source of great tension among surviving members. Manzarek and Krieger reportedly supported licensing the songs, and Densmore has resisted. The group also feuded when Krieger and Manzarek formed a new group, Doors of the 21st Century. Densmore objected, and Krieger and Manzarek performed under various names.

Other Doors albums included "The Soft Parade," ''Waiting for the Sun" and their last record with Morrison, "L.A. Woman."

Manzarek briefly tried to hold the band together on the albums "Other Voices" and "Full Circle," neither of which had critical or commercial success. He played in other bands over the years, working with X and Iggy Pop among others. He also wrote a memoir, "Light My Fire," and a novel, "The Poet In Exile," in which he imagines receiving messages from a Morrison-like artist who had supposedly died.

Born and raised in Chicago, Manzarek studied piano as a child and briefly considered a career in basketball. After graduating from DePaul University, he headed west to study film at UCLA. A few months after graduation, he and Morrison met in 1965 on Venice Beach in California. As Manzarek would often recall, Morrison read him some lyrics — Let's swim to the moon / Let's climb through the tide / Penetrate the evening that the / City sleeps to hide" — that became the start of "Moonlight Drive."

"I'd never heard lyrics to a rock song like that before," Manzarek told Billboard in 1967. "We talked a while before we decided to get a group together and make a million dollars."

By 1966, they had been joined by Krieger and Densmore and were a sensation live, especially during the theatrical, Oedipal epic, "The End." They were the house band at the famed Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles before being signed by Elektra Records and releasing a self-titled album in 1967, one of the most talked-about debuts in rock history.

"Well, to me, my God, for anybody who was there it means it was a fantastic time," Manzarek told The Republican in Massachusetts during an interview last year. "We thought we could actually change the world — to make it a more Christian, Islamic, Judaic Buddhist, Hindu, loving world. We thought we could. The children of the '50s post-war generation were actually in love with life and had opened the doors of perception. And we were in love with being alive and wanted to spread that love around the planet and make peace, love and harmony prevail upon earth, while getting stoned, dancing madly and having as much sex as you could possibly have."

Manzarek is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his son Pablo and two brothers, Rick and James. Funeral arrangements are pending.

I just heard that Ray Manzarek, founding member of The Doors, has died at 74.

Bish

(CNN) -- The Doors' founding keyboardist, Ray Manzarek, died in Germany Monday, May 20, after a long fight with cancer, his publicist said in a statement. He was 74. The artist had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer.

The Doors formed in 1965 after Manzarek happened to meet Jim Morrison on California's Venice Beach. The legendary rock group went on to sell 100 million albums worldwide, establishing five multiplatinum discs in the U.S.

Morrison died in 1971, but Manzarek carried on The Doors' legacy, continuing to work as a musician and also as an author.

"I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today," said Doors guitarist Robby Krieger. "I'm just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him."

Manzarek is survived by his brothers Rick and James, his wife Dorothy, his son Pablo, and three grandchildren. Instead of flowers, the family's asked that a donation be made in Manzarek's name at www.standup2cancer.org.

submitted by Ken Voss

And this from official Forgotten Hits Grim Reaper Ron Smith (www.oldiesmusic.com) ...

Ray Manzarek,keyboardist with the Doors, died Monday (May 20) at a German clinic of complications from bile duct cancer. He was 74. Born in Chicago in 1939, he received a degree in economics from DePaul University there, then moved to Southern California to study cinematography at UCLA. It was there he initially met Jim Morrison and the two later hooked up and formed the Doors with drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robbie Kreiger. They soon were playing the Sunset Strip (first at the London Fog, then at the Whisky A Go Go) and came to the attention of Columbia Records. A lack of quick success there led them to Zak Holtzman, who signed them to his eclectic Elektra Records. Their first, self-titled, album in 1967 went to #2 on the charts and while its first single, "Break On Through," stalled at #126, the second single, "Light My Fire" zoomed to #1 for three weeks solidifying their place as psychedelic poets supreme. Six more albums made the top ten for the group (all told fifteen have charted over the years) and six singles reached the top 20, including "Hello, I Love You" (#1 - 1968), "Touch Me" (#3 - 1969) and "Love Her Madly (#11 - 1971). A series of drug and alcohol fueled incidents (including a conviction for public indecency) led Jim flee to Paris, where he died of a suspected drug overdose in 1971. The Doors struggled to continue (with Ray singing lead at one point), but eventually called it quits in 1973. Ray did participate in the Doors 21st Century revival group which John bitterly opposed. The group was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Ray's autobiographical book, "Light My Fire," was published in 1998.

The Doors were the band that all the OTHER bands went to go see! Their Whisky A Go Go appearances are legendary ... and Manzarek was probably the most easily recognizable and vocal source for the band since Jim Morrison's passing. Their contribution to the history of rock and roll is immeasurable ... he will be missed. (kk)

re: ALAN O'DAY:

First from Dawn Lee Wakefield ...

On Sunday, May 19, when Kent Kotal’s Forgotten Hits blog announced the passing of singer/songwriter Alan O’Day, thanks to the information from oldies music writer Ron Smith, sharing the news, the first song that came to mind was “Rock and Roll Heaven.” Alan O’Day had left us for the very place he’d written of long ago.

The history of “Rock and Roll Heaven” begins with iconic record producer Artie Wayne, who tells a story better than most, and who was once at the very epicenter of all rock music at Warner Brothers Music, as general professional manager (among other titles). It was at Artie’s suggestion that songwriter Johnny Stevenson take his (then) new song, “Rock and Roll Heaven,” and collaborate with Warner songwriter Alan O’Day and “turn it into a tribute to rock stars who have passed away.”

Full story here: Click here: Alan O’Day, singer-songwriter to the stars, passes away at 72 - National classic rock music | Examiner.com

And then this from Artie Wayne himself ...

ONE OF THE HAPPIEST TIMES OF MY LIFE WAS WHEN I MOVED TO CALIFORNIA AND WORKED AS A SONGPLUGGER FOR VIVA MUSIC (WHICH WAS LATER BOUGHT BY WARNER BROTHERS). I WORKED WITH SOME OF THE MOST TALENTED SONGWRITERS IN THE BUSINESS, KENNY LOGGINS “THIS IS IT”, DEWAYNE BLACKWELL (“MR. BLUE”), JERRY CAPEHART “SUMMERTIME BLUES”, AND A TALENTED NEWCOMER WHO HADN’T HAD HIS FIRST HIT YET … ALAN O’DAY.
IN ADDITION TO KNOWING HOW TO PUT A POP SONG TOGETHER ALAN KNEW HOW TO MAKE INCREDIBLE DEMOS THAT SOUNDED GOOD ENOUGH TO BE ON THE RADIO AND WERE COPIED MORE OFTEN THAN NOT BY ARTISTS AND PRODUCERS! EVEN THOUGH I COULDN’T DRIVE AT THE TIME I GOT SO EXCITED WHEN I HEARD “THE DRUM” I HITCHHIKED TO METROMEDIA RECORDS AND GOT BOBBY SHERMAN TO CUT IT!
WHEN I HEARD “HEAVY CHURCH”, A RECORD “SNUFF GARRETT HAD PRODUCED ON HIM, ONCE AGAIN I GOT EXCITED AND HITCHHIKED OUT TO THE VALLEY TO RITCHIE PODOLOR’S AMERICAN RECORDING STUDIO … WHERE I GOT HIM TO CUT IT WITH 3 DOG NIGHT!
WHEN I FINALLY LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE ALAN COULDN’T WRITE FAST ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR HIS SONGS, THE LAST PROJECT ALAN AND I WORKED ON WAS “ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN”. JOHNNY STEVENSON WROTE A SONG WITH A CHORUS THAT I LOVED, AND I ASKED HIM TO COLLABORATE WITH ALAN ON THE VERSES AND CREATE THE SONG YOU ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH TODAY.
EVEN THOUGH WE TOOK DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS, WE’VE REMAINED FRIENDS FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS, WHICH MAKES ME ESPECIALLY HAPPY TO INTRODUCE THE ALAN O’DAY VIDEO JUKEBOX FILLED WITH SOME OF MY FAVORITES, AS WELL AS SOME OF THE BIGGEST HITS OF THE ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s including, “UNDERCOVER ANGEL”, “ANGIE BABY”. ”ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN”, “FLASHBACK”, AND MORE!
THANKS AND REGARDS,
ARTIE WAYNE
Jukebox link: Click here: THE ALAN O’DAY VIDEO JUKEBOX | Artie Wayne On The Web

Here's the video to Alan's latest recording, "You Don't Say". I agree with you - it's a great track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTO_N26P2ZI

David Lewis

re: And, rounding out the "Nothing But Sad News Today" report ...:
This, too, from Ron Smith's website:
Judith Durham, lead singer of the Seekers, suffered a brain hemorrhage Tuesday (May 14) while the group was on tour in Melbourne, Australia. She was hospitalized, but was described as "lucid and comfortable" as she undergoes further tests. The group's 50th anniversary tour has now been scrapped.

re: ON THE PLUS SIDE:
Congratulations to our FH Buddy John Madara!
The Philadelphia Music Alliance announced Tuesday (May 14) that they will honor composer/producers John Madara and David White (who gave us Danny & the Juniors' "At The Hop," "1-2-3" from Len Barry, "The Fly" by Chubby Checker and Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me") with a plaque on the Phildelphia Music Walk of Fame at an unspecified date in October.

And congrats, too, to Chet Coppock, on being inducted into The Chicagoland Sports Hall Of Fame!
You'll find the full story here: Click here: Chet Coppock, Eddie Olczyk, Others Named To The Chicagoland Sports Hall Of Fame
(Hey, they left out the part about him writing "Coppock's Topics" for Forgotten Hits!!!)

re: AND, SPEAKING OF PHILLY ROCK:
Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon did a rare U.K. appearance earlier this month in London and performed before a soldout SRO audience.
Here are some video links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN2amnGlOno
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWQLuESi__Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKz7Hz60P1s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSk37WPVKns

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Coppock's Topics

May 22, 2013, 4:21 am

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You may love him ...

Or you may hate him ...

But you sure as hell can't ignore him!!! (lol)

Congratulations to our FH Buddy Chet Coppock on the announcement of his induction into the Chicagoland Sports Hall Of Fame.

And, to help celebrate ... here's another healthy helping of Coppock's Topics ...

EXCLUSIVELY in Forgotten Hits!!!

Hi, double k ...

If Elton John was on the square, wouldn’t he admitthat he overdosed on "Bennie and the Jets" and"Philadelphia Freedom" at least 18 years ago?

Bar None - hands down - E.J's most underrated song has got to be "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)", his stirring tribute to John Lennon.

Every time I hear "Owner of Lonely Heart", I hear a call from the I.R.S. about a tax audit or fingernails grinding into a blackboard. Did Yes really like that misplaced piece of junk?

Book it ... If Classic Rock Radio ran weddings, the bride and groom would leave the alter to Steve Miller doing "Abracadabra." I'm not kidding. Frankly, waking up to Steve Miller is like waking up in the Joliet Correctional Center.

Did anybody ever do more with less than Gary Glitter?

This may sound like a reach, but hear me out ... Think about the edgy falsetto Eddie Kendricks brought to the original Temptations. Think about Eddie on "Get Ready", the song that truly woke up white America to the Temps. Now, have you heard Usher? I think the guy is outta sight. His vocal range is magnificent. I truly believe he could have filled the Kendricks spot with Motown's greatest group - had he been born a mere 40 years earlier.

Stop! Think about Cannibal and the Headhunters. If their hit "Land of One Thousand Dances" doesn't define "garage band" rock, I don’t know what does.

After all these years, the New Colony Six have a right to be ticked off. Why? Because Mercury never gave their melodically beautiful material the big "push." The Colony should have been bigger than the Association. Man, I felt like the coolest young dude in the world when I was traveling as a roadie with the Colony when we played Don Webster's "Teen Beat" in Cleveland and Jerry Blavat's TV gig, "Geator with the Heator" in Philly.

Let's face it. When Little Richard sang, "Good Golly Miss Molly … sure like to ball" in the 50's, White America had absolutely no idea what the guy was talking about.

I'd give a hundred bucks or issue my football picks for the 2013 season - at no charge - to hear any classic radio station play the Music Machine's raging "Talk Talk." "I got me a complication and it's an only child."

Thinking about seeing Jimi Hendrix with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding at the Civic Opera House as they toured off the "Experience" album back in, I believe, '67. May well be the most simple, but most engaging rock show I've ever seen. For the record, "The Soft Machine" warmed up the crowd. Jerry G. Bishop was the emcee. The post show party featured blondes and Ganja. However, the Stones in '73 at the Amphitheatre with Stevie Wonder in the leadoff spot was an education in where rock was and where it was going.

Stevie's "Black Man" off "Songs in the Key of Life" should be played in every public school in every major urban market on God's earth.

Now, be honest, if the temps are above 68 degrees and you hear the Kings knock down rocker, "This beat goes on - switch into glide", do you roll the windows down and begin singing along?

If you know this one, you’re way ahead of me. What's the "Syndicate of Sound" been doing in its spare time since they scored big with "Little Girl" in 1966.

I know Rod Stewart, my favorite rocker, had to change with the times. But do you suppose he gets queasy when he hears "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?"

If the Newbeats were on tour could you resist going to see them? Good God, "Bread and Butter" is inching towards its 50th anniversary.

I need to mention this to you and all your pals. Every time I hear J. Geils' horrific "Centerfold", I feel like I'm somehow avoiding the eventuality of post concussion syndrome.

I'd like your support. I want to implement a new rule that every time we're forced to hear "Jack and Diane" we should get to hear Bob Seger's majestic "Roll Me Away" at least three times.

Have to run, I think theremight be a song by Journey coming up.

Chet Coppock

Videocontributor / host - Chicago Blackhawks

Host - Notre Dame Football Wls Radio

Noozebox.com

Want more?

Then flash back to the previous installment of Coppock's Topics here:

Click here: Forgotten Hits: Coppock's Topics

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Helping Out Our Readers

May 23, 2013, 4:30 am

≫ Next: THE FRIDAY FLASH

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>>>Please let me know if you are familiar with a song called Mr Sebastian from I believe the 60s. (Joe)
>>>I'm guessing that you mean "Father Sebastian" by The Ramblers ... a big hit here in Chicago in 1964. (kk)
Hey Kent,

I think that I can answer Joe's question about a 60's song called, "Mr. Sebastian". The mid-60's rock group, The Distant Cousins, recorded the song, "Mr.Sebastian" as a single on the Date label (Date label# 2-1560) in either 1966 or 1967 ... I have a white label promo copy of the 45 in my collection. You can also hear it on YouTube.

If this isn't the song that Joe was referring to, Lenny Welch recorded a song called, "Father Sebastian" as a single for the Cadence label (Cadence# 1446) in 1964. I think this one is also on YouTube as well.

Hope this helps out ...

Jerry Schollenberger

And I (who you didn't consult first :-P) am guessing Joe means this one from the Distant Cousins ...

Tom Diehl
I never heard back from Joe so I honestly don't know if we found this one or not. Meanwhile, here is the Distant Cousins YouTube clip Jerry is referring to ... while I've never heard this song before, maybe this is the correct answer. (I like the Lovin' Spoonful line!) I couldn't find the Lenny Welch track mentioned ... and am wondering if it is the same song that we featured by The Ramblers. Anybody know for sure? (kk)

Click here: DISTANT COUSINS - MR SEBASTIAN - YouTube

>>>I am looking for the song "Life" by the Joe Leahy Orchestra, released in 1965 or 1966. It was on a 45 by Tower Records and also an album entitled "Tabasco And Trumpets". I would also like to find the album "Surfin' Guitar Hits" by The Wipeouts. Would appreciate your help in locating the music. (Jim Cox)
>>>Well, Jim, I'm happy to put it out there ... let's see if anything comes back. (kk)

I can help out with one, at least.
Tom

Not a bad track. Now if somebody can find that "Surfin' Guitar Hits" album, I think Jim'll be all set! (I checked Gemm and eBay but didn't see it listed there.) kk

I'm looking for "Leave Me Alone" by Lesley Gore, from the flick "The Girls On The Beach". Can't find it anywhere.

Ed
I'm sure somebody out there has an MP3 for this ... meanwhile, I found this clip right away on YouTube:
Click here: Lesley Gore - Leave Me Alone (stereo) - YouTube

Your site is so huge, it is hard to find anything in particular. I am looking for a recording of the “Alliance genie automatic garage door picker upper” commercial. If you can help direct me to it I would be most appreciative. Please send me a link or even the MP3 to johngaj1957@yahoo.com

Thank you.

I'm happy to post your request. I'm sure you've already checked the obvious places like YouTube??? Commercials are pretty hard to find otherwise ... but we'll give it a shot. (If you scroll back far enough ... or simply type "commercial" into the search engine, you'll find that we have covered this topic numerous times in the past ... a very popular topic here in Forgotten Hits!) kk

I was out for a run in Jeff Park (northwest side of Chicago) and it turned out American English was playing (Beatles tribute band) at a festival nearby. Here is a question to your readers ... while everyone was fawning over the BEATLES I preferred the DC Five. Are there any DC Five tribute bands anywhere in the world??

As always thanks for all you do!!!
Mike De Martino
President of the Lovejoy Music Club

Wow ... that's a tough one! Anybody know of any? I remember at the Benefit For Mike Smith Concert, The Beatles sound-alike / tribute band Fab Faux did an OUTSTANDING cover of The Dave Clark Five classic "Catch Us If You Can" ... incredibly good version.

Checking YouTube I found a couple of clips ... some are kind of old (so who knows if these bands are even still together) ... and I don't know that ANY of them really offer a fitting tribute to The Dave Clark Five.
Click here: DAVE CLARK FIVE Tribute by England - Live 3/23/07 Anyway You - YouTube

Click here: ''Because'' The Dave Clark Five Cover- B-men - YouTube

In fact this second one is God-awful!!! (kk)

Hey, guys,
I just listened to Sam Hawkins' No Time For Tears for the first time in fifty-three years! And like the other commenter, I never thought I was going to hear that recording again in my lifetime! It doesn't appear in Joel Whitburn's Record Research, based on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1955 through 1969. So without you guys I guess I may as well have given up. Wow!
I can say with absolutely 100% certainty it was a mid-1960 hit. The memories are just too vivid to ever doubt. The same summer were other forgotten hits like Tommy Roe's "I Got A Girl", also passed over by the fifty-dollar Whitburn publication (and $50 was a lot of money in 1971...). Someone told me he recorded that one under the name Tommy Roe and the Four Satins. But I looked and none of those names were listed. They had Sheila as his first. Yeah. Have a signed copy of that one. But didn't learn for another ten years (by word of mouth) the other was, in fact, his also.
That leaves me with one last forgotten hit from that year (1960). It doesn't appear on any searches but I can almost recite it word for word. The title (pretty sure) was "Let Her Go". Singer was male, solo artist, sounded a little like Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon or maybe Johnny Tillotson. George Hamilton IV and Bobby Vee would both be a bit of a stretch and in reality I think it was a one-hit wonder who just had a good-sounding voice. So far nothing appears when I do a search.
I can almost recite the entire song lyrics if that will help. It starts out this way:
"Let her go - - run away. Let her go I - - didn't say.
I'll pretend - this will end, so I won't have to -
Let her go. No, no, no, no -
(Second verse) similar to first.
Chorus:
"I know she'll never find love as ah... true as mine.
"One day she'll find me away and -
"She - will pi-i-ne"
"Let her go ... (repeat first verse) ...(repeat last line). (Fade & end)"
Best I can do after fifty-three years. I was twelve then. I'll be sixty-five this year.
I'd just like to find out who did this one before I kick the bucket.
Thanks for all you do. You guys are tops. Really you are.
Best Always-
Bill Fife,
Ocala, FL

Somebody out there is going to know this one. (Nothing in Joel's Billboard book titled "Let Her Go" from the early '60's) ... but these lyrics I'm sure will spark somebody's memory out there ... so stay tuned! (kk)

re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your http://forgottenhits.com/top_20_favorite_psychedelic_songs page!
Driving home from a road trip to the Rockies across the flats of Kansas in the Summer of '68, my friend and I hooked into a hot radio station that kept playing Hendrix's Spanish Castle Magic and another song with a biting guitar lead that has played in my head many times since. But what was its name?
I scrolled and scrolled through your page, Youtube-ing this song and that, and finally: I got to Status Quo's Pictures of Matchstick Men. Ahhhh, yessss!
Those two songs on that trip changed my musical life. "Must. Have. More. of. this. Music!"
And I did, I so did.
- Bob Loy
GREAT tune ... and one of my favorites from '68 as well ... really didn't sound like anything else on the radio at the time. (Some of you guys out there ought to feature this one today ... seems to be yet another great track that has slipped through the cracks!)
Glad you're enjoying Forgotten Hits ... you never know WHAT you're going to find here! (kk)

↧

THE FRIDAY FLASH

May 24, 2013, 5:01 am

≫ Next: Coppock Comments

≪ Previous: Helping Out Our Readers

re: ON THE RADIO:

Hello Route 66 Enthusiasts:
WRLR started running today the Route 66 Radio Tour promo. It's attached here for your listening pleasure. For the latest details on the tour please visit our website at: www.WRLR.fm
- Bish
Bish Krywko, President
WRLR 98.3 FM

It's right around the corner now! Hope to see some of you out there for this! (kk)

WRLR 98.3 (US) and Forest FM 92.3 (UK) are teaming up to travel and broadcast from world famous Route 66, The Mother Road. It all starts June 6th (6/6) from the route's original starting point at Adams and Michigan.Our first broadcast will be live at 6:06 AM from downtown Chicago from the internationally famous Lou Mitchell's restaurant, with interviews with owner Heleen Thanas and her customers. The restaurant has served Route 66 travelers since the 1920's. Joing us will be Chicago-based Route 66 historian and author Dave Clark, and surprise visits by Chicago area radio DJs who will stop by in response to an open call put out by The Route 66 Radio Tour. Legendary DJ John "Records" Landecker will be there to sign his new book and chat with everyone.WRLR's award-winning morning drive-time host Paul Lepek (Lepek and Company) and Forest FM's Paul Peters and Geogg Kemp (The Fabulous 50s) will be describing the history and flavor of Route 66 through on-air interviews with people living, workingand visiting the Mother Road. The music of the 50s and early 60s will be featured during the broadcasts.
The tour on America's Mother Road in Illinois will take us from Chicago to Joliet, Pontiac, Atlanta and Springfield, IL, and points in between. WRLR and Forest FM will broadcast live from many locations that are historical and tourist favorites. The remotes will be carried on WRLR, Forest FM and fed to the Dave Cash weekend show heard on BBC-Radio Network in Britain. Famous Chicago radio DJ Clark Weber will be joining us on air (via phone), among others, to remark on the role radio played during the height of travel on Route 66. At least one broadcast will air from the Pontiac Route 66 Museum's recreated studio exhibit, which has working vintage equipment from the 60s.
More details at the website link above ... or, if you'd like a full itinerary of the entire tour (running from June 6th through June 12th), drop me an email and we'll send you a copy. (kk)

Great news about two of our FH favorites ... Rewound Radio and History Of Rock And Roll creator Gary Theroux have teamed up to bring Gary's HRR snippets back to the airwaves. Beginning Tuesday, May 28th (and running three times per day ... at 10 am, 3 pm and 9 pm Eastern Time), Rewound Radio will be airing Gary Theroux's History of Rock And Roll snippet features, spotlighting a different artist or genre of music every day. (In fact the 10 am and 3 pm segments will be different, allowing listeners to tune in all day and not hear a repeat of the same segment.) That means you can listen at work and enjoy the best variety we've found on the radio when it comes to legitimate oldies ... including more Forgotten Hits than you can even imagine ... with very few repeats. (Their play list is probably closer to 3000 songs rather than the same 300 you hear otherwise day in and day out.)

Here's that listen live link again ... Click here: Rewound Radio

Tune in today to get a feel of what oldies radio COULD sound like if programmers would simply push the envelope a little bit. And stay tuned in all weekend as Rewound Radio presents over 100 vintage radio programs from WABC ... all Memorial Day Weekend long. And then be sure to join them again beginning Tuesday for the launch of The History Of Rock And Roll, featuring Gary Theroux. (kk)

Odd, I had just heard "The Drum" on American Top 40 / 70's the other week (May 11/12: May 15, 1971)

Nobody on the classic-AT40 forum I read mentioned that.

-- BOB FRABLE

CNN ran a list of Top Disc Jockeys last week ... lots of great names on this list (including our FH Buddy Scott Shannon!)

Click here: Big-name music DJs - CNN.com

But nary a Chicago legend to be found. Dick Biondi? Art Roberts? Clark Weber? Ron Riley? Larry Lujack? John "Records" Landecker? Bob Sirott? Fred Winston? Dex Card? Steve Dahl? Jonathan Brandmeier? Barney Pip? Ron Britain? Nope ... you won't find so much as a mention. We were COMPLETELY shut out.

(Now I suppose we could do our OWN poll ... of all-time greatest deejays ... and why ... 'cause that's the sort of thing we're prone to do ... maybe even run a few vintage airchecks from those that make the list ... and let's face it, ten isn't NEARLY enough!!! These guys touched our lives. Hmmm ... what do YOU guys think?) kk

Hi Kent --
This list should stir up a few comments -- especially from your Chicago followers!
Our surprises missing from this neck of the woods were Murray the K (Kauffman) and George "The Hound" Lorenz. Hal Jackson was another missing great. It was good to see "Jocko" Henderson on the list.

Dick Biondi made his name here in Buffalo as well so both areas remember him well.

Danny

We'd all love to hear radio the way you've been sampling some tracks, but no one seems to be interested in doing it right. When was the last time you heard The Jaggerz with "The Rapper" on the radio?

David

The thing about it is that there is absolutely NO reason NOT to feature some of these tracks ... they were bonafide, legitimate hits that people remember and are being cheated out of hearing anymore. (To me ANY record that made The Top 20 was liked and bought by enough people to warrant at least some OCCASIONAL airplay all these years later. My God, break up to monotony of the SAME tracks over and over and over again!) It's like programming is now artist driven ... you have these 20 artists that get airplay ... and anything else you might hear other than these 20 seem to have been selected simply because they SOUND like the 20! Radio at its best offered personality and VARIETY ... being able to hear Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Glen Campbell, Gary Puckett, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, Tiny Tim and The Ohio Express all within the same hour. That was standard practice back in 1968 ... and, as such, we were all exposed to ALL kinds of music ... and, incredibly it all FIT!!! Maybe we didn't know any better ... but back then we judged for ourselves what we liked ... and we liked ... and bought ... it all!!!
Rewound Radio comes close ... they've got the variety ... but what they're missing is the sound of personality-driven deejays filling in the gaps. They spice things up with vintage jingles (and even a few tv themes here and there!) Definitely better than most ... but still not quite the complete package. Hopefully the addition of Gary Theroux's History Of Rock And Roll segments will be a step in the right direction. (kk)

Hi Kent,
Especially loved among your picks SUGAR ON SUNDAY by THE CLIQUE, TELL HER SHE'S LOVELY by EL CHICANO, and MENDICINO by the SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET -- just a few others that have potential for your mix is MAKE BELIEVE by WIND (which was really Tony Orlando), SWEET MARY by WADSWORTH MANSION, MEDICINE MAN by the BUCHANAN BROTHERS, and BABY, TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS by JEFFERSON -- and here's one Larry Neal (who I used to listen to on KOMA) must remember, and it certainly should have been a national hit, HARLEM SHUFFLE by the FABULOUS FLIPPERS. Too bad radio got "safe" (you gotta love those consultants) and lost it's sense of adventure as we Americans have THE BEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD -- too bad rather than having it presented to us, we have to go searching for it!
Cheers,
Tim Kiley

The thing they don't seem to get ... or care at all about ... is that we WILL go somewhere else to find what we want to hear. Instead of finding a way to program to that audience, they abandoned it all together. I don't know about you ... but I have GOT to believe that there is a VERY small audience who really wants to hear John Mellencamp, Journey, Boston and Steve Miller eight to ten times a day. Their argument always seems to be "nobody listens that long anymore" ... it's one of those slap your forehead moments ... because MY argument back has always been "then why don't you give them a reason to?!?!?" Unreal. (kk)

Hi Kent,

Wow those "Pseudo-vintage" other era oldies revived some forgotten memories. I can't recall the names of the artists but the memory of the songs came rushing back! They reminded me of another one - by Manhattan Transfer; "Chanson D'Amour.

Wouldn't it be cool if radio sounded like this? The first five songs were great. If you're anywhere near west Mi. you can hear stuff like that (7,000 volume library and they play 'em all) on 1480 or 850 a.m. The 2nd five songs lasted less than 10 seconds before I stopped them. Next time just list them instead of springing nasty hidden surprises on us.

Dube I'm not even necessarily suggesting that these songs belong as part of regular airplay ... but boy, what a surprise when one of these finally comes on. That's that "Wow Factor" we keep talking about ... playing the unexpected. Even if it's a song you didn't particularly care for, there is a real thrill in hearing something ELSE nowadays. (ANYTHING else!!!) kk

re: UP-COMING SHOWS:
Here's a great way to fill part of your holiday weekend. (Hopefully the weather cooperates!!!) You'll probably find us out the there on Sunday! (kk)

Kent,

The New Colony Six is playing a set at Keif's Reef in McHenry on Sunday, with a number of other very interesting bands. We're on at 4:00 or so, so bring an umbrella and come on out. Midnight Stage, a TV show that is supposed to broadcast from Chicago soon, is taping all five bands on the bill for later segments of 30 minutes each. I believe I heard Midnight Stage will be on channel 26 and later on Comcast. It's a short set, 45 minutes, and nearly all Colony music. Our buddy Jimy Sohns is the emcee for the event, which always means fun. So stop by -- you might end on TV. Keif's Reef is at 3505 S. Wright Road, McHenry. It's just off 176 at the west end of Burton's Bridge.

Rick Barr

New Colony Six / Shadows of Knight

Hope you can make it out to the Sunday show. We’re supposed to get the stage around 4 PM and play for 45-60+ minutes, but you know rock & roll schedules so we’ll arrive early and anticipate having to stay late. They're supposed to be filming with three cameras and doing pro audio and the footage will then be turned into four late night, 30-minute specials to be shown on “The U”, channel 26, later in the summer. Jimy Sohns is a special guest, along with “Dirty” Dan Buck, from the Boyzz From Illinois – and you can see several other folks who will be performing, too.

Ray Graffia, Jr.

To my South Florida friends and fans -- AND those who may be in South Florida in early June. (One never knows.)

On Friday, June 7th, I'll be back playing one of my favorite venues: The Luna Star Cafe in North Miami. Here are the details:

Friday, June 7th - 8pm
Luna Star Cafe
775 NE 125th St
N Miami, FL
305-799-7123LunaStarCafe.com | lunastarcafe@aol.com

Two things to know about the Luna Star:
1. The proprietress, Alexis, is old school. She doesn't take credit cards, so be sure to bring cash.
2. The place is super tiny (closet size). That's good because the vibe is close and intimate. But I urge you to get there early to make sure you get in.
This will be my last show until late summer / early fall when I start my European tour. Hope to see a lot of you there.

Yers,
Bob Lindwww.boblind.com

POPULAR ROCK'N'BLUES FEST TOUR TO RETURN THIS SUMMER WITH AN ARSENAL OF ROCK AND BLUES LEGENDS INCLUDING TEN YEARS AFTER, EDGAR WINTER BAND, CANNED HEAT, RICK DERRINGER AND PAT TRAVERS

The summertime blues are back and better than ever as the popular Rock'n'Blues Fest tour returns for a second consecutive year with such well-known artists as Ten Years After, Edgar Winter Band, Canned Heat, Rick Derringer and Pat Travers.

All inspired to pick up their instruments due to their love for rock and blues, these five artists will be hitting the road together for approximately a month beginning July 27 at The Cannery Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer return from last year, where they performed many a sold out show with Johnny Winter, Leslie West and Kim Simmonds.

In 1967, four young musicians from Nottinghamshire, England -- Leo Lyons, Ric Lee and Chick Churchill together with Alvin Lee -- formed Ten Years After and became one of the biggest names in music and one of the most explosive quartets on the world stage. Their now legendary encore, "I'm Going Home," performed at Woodstock in August 1969, was captured on film and exposed their jazz, blues, rock amalgam to a large audience, who were blown away by the intensity of the band's performance when the Academy Award winning documentary was released. Their ten-minute appearance in the film is an acknowledged highlight and established Ten Years After a place in rock history. In 1971, the band had a Top 40 hit with "I'd Love To Change The World." After Alvin Lee left the band for a solo career, Ten Years After ceased recording and touring. A chance opportunity in early 2002 for the other three original members of Ten Years After (bassist Leo Lyons, drummer Ric Lee and keyboardist Chick Churchill) to work together again gave them an insight into the intense, re-awakened interest in the band. In 2003, vocalist / guitarist Joe Gooch joined the line-up and the band soon released a studio album titled Now, which was followed by a live effort in 2005. Today, they are recreating the music, energy and excitement they've been known for over the past several decades.

"All the members of Ten Years After are enthusiastic about reuniting with Edgar, Rick and especially Canned Heat again," states Ric Lee. "Original members Chick Churchill, Leo Lyons and I first performed alongside Canned Heat at the legendary Fillmore Ballroom on our first tour of the United States in 1968 and have remained good friends ever since. We are also excited to tour the U.S. as we pay tribute to band-mate Alvin Lee, while igniting a new wave of youthful excitement and appeasing long-term fans."

Alvin Lee, for those unaware, passed away earlier this year from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure."

Joining Ten Years After for the Rock'n'Blues Fest "ride" will be Edgar Winter, who has certainly met with considerable acclaim in his own right with such monster hits as "Free Ride" and the chart-topping rocker, "Frankenstein."

A multi-instrumentalist (keyboards / sax / percussion) whose music encompasses many different genres including rock, blues, jazz and pop, Edgar Winter first hit the national spotlight with his early recording of "Tobacco Road," featured on his 1970 debut album, Entrance. Edgar would soon form the band White Trash and release two hit albums in '71 and '72 titled, Edgar Winter's White Trash and Roadwork. Hot on the heels of the certified gold album, Roadwork, Edgar would put together an entirely new outfit called The Edgar Winter Group that would originally feature guitarist Ronnie Montrose. In 1973, the band's first effort, They Only Come Out at Night, would spawn both the hit singles, "Free Ride" (#14) and "Frankenstein" (#1), and remain on the charts for an incredible 80 consecutive weeks. The pivotal album would eventually reach double-platinum status, selling more than 2 million copies. With over 20 albums and numerous collaborative efforts to his credit, Edgar Winter has not been satisfied to ride the wave of popular music stardom. His music has been featured in several major national television and radio and advertising campaigns. In addition, his music can be heard in no fewer than fifteen film and television projects.

"This is Edgar Winter, and we will be rockin' the blues again this year on the Rock'n'Blues Fest Tour. For those of you who saw us last year, we will be doing a new and very different show. 2013 marks the fortieth year since the release of 'Frankenstein' and 'Free Ride' on the album, They Only Come Out At Night. So we intend to celebrate the occasion by playing some of the songs from that album I haven't done in years -- like 'We All Had A Real Good Time,' 'Hangin' Around,' and 'Undercover Man.' We are very excited, this one's going to be a blast! It means the world to me to be playing the music I love, and see you all out there having a good time. So we look forward to seeing you at one of the shows, and get ready to ROCK 'n' ROLL!!!"

Joining the tour for the first time is Canned Heat who rose to fame because their knowledge and love of blues music was both wide and deep. Emerging in 1966, Canned Heat was founded by blues historians and record collectors Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson and Bob “The Bear” Hite. Drawing on an encyclopedic knowledge of all phases of the genre, the group specialized in updating obscure old blues recordings. Canned Heat’s unique blend of modern electric blues, rock and boogie has earned them a loyal following and influenced many aspiring guitarists and bands during the past four decades. Their Top 20 country-blues-rock songs from 1968, "On The Road Again" and "Going Up The Country," became rock anthems throughout the world with the latter being adopted as the unofficial theme song for the film Woodstock. Their cover version of Wilbert Harrison’s "Let's Work Together" was actually their biggest hit as it rose to #1 in 31 different countries around the world.

"We are all looking forward to a great tour with our longtime friends of Ten Years After and Edgar Winter," says Skip Taylor, Canned Heat's longtime manager. "It should be as much fun for us as for the audience."

Next on the bill is rock guitarist Rick Derringer, who's had an illustrious career as both a solo artist and critical band member.

Air guitarists will surely be out in force when Rick breaks into his well-known rock anthem, "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo." The song, released in '73, continues to be a staple on rock radio and was featured in several movies including The Spirit of '76, Rush, Stag, What A Girl Wants and the cult classic, Dazed and Confused. It's a little known fact that years before his success as a solo artist, Rick had a band at the age of 17 called The McCoys that had a #1 hit in 1965 called, "Hang on Sloopy." The song would eventually be knocked out of the top spot by The Beatles' "Yesterday." A year after its release, The McCoys would find themselves as the openers for the entire Rolling Stones American tour. In 1977, Rick would appear on the last Led Zeppelin North American Tour and, in the years to follow, would perform with such artists as Alice Cooper ("Under My Wheels"), Steely Dan ("Show Biz Kids" and "Chained Lightning"), KISS, Todd Rundgren and Weird Al Yankovic among others including the Winter brothers, Johnny and Edgar. From 1986 to 1992, Rick would tour with Cindy Lauper and co-write a song from her True Colors album titled, "Calm Inside The Storm." In 2011, Rick toured Europe with Ringo Starr as a member of Ringo's All-Starr Band just prior to embarking on that year's Hippiefest tour.

While most bluesy hard rock acts of the ‘70s and ‘80s hailed from the United States, there were several exceptions to the rule, such as Canadian singer/guitarist Pat Travers who also joins the Rock'n'Blues Fest tour for the first time. Born in Toronto, he first picked up the guitar just prior to entering his teens, after witnessing a local performance of the great Jimi Hendrix. His first touring gig came his way when he hooked up with ‘50s Rock & Roll vet Ronnie Hawkins. But Travers main love was hard rock so, after a year, he headed to London before returning to North America and setting his sights on the U.S. rock market. With the new Travers band, Pat enjoyed his most commercially successful period, resulting in a pair of Top 30 releases, "Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights)" from the album, Live! Go For What You Know, and "Snortin' Whiskey" from Crash and Burn. Travers continues to tour and record regularly, rocking the masses wherever he goes...

"I am so excited to be part of a tour that has some of my favorite artists on it playing some of best music ever written and performed. This is Pat Travers and I'm champing at the bit to get the chance to play a lot of Rockin' Blues on the Blues Fest Tour this Summer 2013."

Change the world with Ten Years After!

Unleash "the monster" with Edgar Winter!

Work together with Canned Heat!

Hang on with Rick Derringer!

Watch the lights go out with Pat Travers!

You know where it's at...

www.tenyearsafternow.com

www.edgarwinter.com

www.cannedheatmusic.com

www.rickderringer.com

www.pattravers.com

ROCK'N'BLUES FEST TOUR 2013

DATE / VENUE / CITY

Saturday, July 27 - The Cannery Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada

Sunday, July 28 - The Winery - Saratoga, California

Tuesday, July 30 - Humphrey's By The Sea - San Diego, California

Friday, August 2 - The Grove - Anaheim, California

Saturday, August 3 - Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park - Flagstaff, Arizona

Sunday, August 4 - Fox Tucson Theatre - Tucson, Arizona

Wednesday, August 7 - The Zoo - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Friday, August 9 - Country Club Hills Theater - Chicago, Illinois

Saturday, August 10 - Freedom Hill Amphitheater - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Sunday, August 11 - Empire City Casino - Yonkers, New York

Tuesday, August 13 - NYCB Theatre - Westbury, New York

Wednesday, August 14 - The Keswick Theater - Glenside, Pennsylvania

Thursday, August 15 - The Park Theater - Providence, Rhode Island

Friday, August 16 - Bergen Performing Arts Center - Englewood, New Jersey

Saturday, August 17 - Casino Rama - Rama, Ontario, Canada

Sunday, August 18 - Fraze Pavilion - Kettering, Ohio

Wednesday, August 21 - Hampton Beach Casino - Hampton, New Hampshire

Thursday, August 22 - Melody Tent - Hyannis, Massachusetts

Saturday, August 24 - Ruth Eckerd Hall - Clearwater, Florida

*More dates to be announced.

re: THIS AND THAT:

Okie (and "Voice" coach) Blake Shelton is putting together an NBC television fund-raiser to help out the victims of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma earlier this week. More details to come as they become available. (kk)

We received a ton of comments this week ... and haven't had a whole lot of computer time to catch up ... so, if the weekend allows it, we should have new postings throughout the holiday weekend. Check back when you can ... otherwise have a safe and fun weekend ... and let's remember what this weekend is really about. (Sentiments echoed by Ray Graffia, Jr. below.) kk

May you and Frannie and Paige and everybody enjoy a simply superb Memorial Day weekend. Must remember what the holiday stands for, right? Talk about heroes.

Peace,

Ray

↧

Coppock Comments

May 25, 2013, 8:42 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 26 - 13 )

≪ Previous: THE FRIDAY FLASH

re: REACTION TO COPPOCK'S TOPICS:
Good response to this one ... everyone seemed to have their own ideas and opinions about some of Chet's musings! And as we see EVERY TIME we run something like this, everybody's got their own opinion regarding the music that touched them. (kk)

>>>You may love him ... or you may hate him ... but you sure as hell can't ignore him!!! (lol) We've got a brand new edition of Coppock's Topics ... today in Forgotten Hits! (kk)

Thanks for the warning.
Annonymous

Well, I love Him ... and I don't want to ignore Him ... that's the most fun I've had reading in a long time!

Stacee

Love Coppock's Topics -- keep 'em coming!
Bob

Kent,

Terrific group of ad hoc comments from Chet Coppock -- as usual, he's nearly always on the money. Couldn't agree more with "Talk Talk", and with his just compensation for listening to "Jack and Diane". Too funny. I'll have to get en e-mail out to him with congrats for his induction to the Hall of Fame.

Rick Barr

I've shared some of my first thoughts on Chet's comments below ... and by the way, keep 'em cummin.

Bill

Hi Kent!

How's it going?

I like Chet's stuff. He sure knows his music.

His comments on Steve Miller, Owner of a Lonely Heart, Eddie Kendricks and others were spot on!

By the way, thank Chester for mentioning "Talk Talk." I can't get the damned song out of my head. It's been playing in there on a loop all day.

Thank you

Steve Sarley

THE OUTDOORS EXPERIENCE WIND 560-AM Sunday at 5 a.m. or 24/7 at www.oexperience.com

Hi Kent:
Is this a collection of Chet Coppock comments from over the last few months? Or did he actually write it all out like that for you? It reads like a hilarious, musical stream of consciousness trip. I love it!
Larz

http://www.ChicagolandRadioAndMedia.com
Random ramblings ... but a whole lotta fun! (kk)

And then, as some of you are prone to do ... taking things point-by-point ...

Hi, double k ...

If Elton John was on the square, wouldn’t he admit that he overdosed on "Bennie and the Jets" and "Philadelphia Freedom" at least 18 years ago? Bar None - hands down - E.J's most underrated song has got to be "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)", his stirring tribute to John Lennon. (Chet Coppock)

Neil Sedaka's "Immigrant" is better. (Clark Besch)

I liked "Empty Garden" ok ... while I never thought it was one of Elton's best, I liked the heart-felt message. And it's one of his that hasn't been played to death over the years. (kk)

That one did its time, at least in MN., as being very overplayed. I used to love it, but it's right in there with Benny and Philadelphia. (Bill)

Every time I hear "Owner of Lonely Heart", I hear a call from the I.R.S. about a tax audit or fingernails grinding into a blackboard. Did Yes really like that misplaced piece of junk? (Chet Coppock)

I like that song. I would go with Journey's "Don't Stop Believing'" or many others by them ... or most Lionel Ritchie (funny that my spell check chose "retched") songs too. (Clark Besch)

I was never a very big Yes fan ... consequently, my favorite songs by them are the ones that don't sound like them!!! (If that makes any sense!) As such, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" is my all-time favorite ... I absolutely LOVE that song! (Others include "Long Distance Runaround", "Lift Me Up" and "Leave It". In fact, I think "Lift Me Up" deserved to be every bit as big a hit as "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" ... yet "Heart" went to #1 and "Life Me Up" never rose any higher than #86!) I can listen to the obvious ones ("Your Move", "Roundabout", "America" ... and their oddly-arranged version of The Beatles' tune "Every Little Thing") but it was latter-day / comeback Yes that caught my ear. (kk)

(When's the last time you heard THAT one?!?!?) kk

Book it ... If Classic Rock Radio ran weddings, the bride and groom would leave the alter to Steve Miller doing "Abracadabra." I'm not kidding. Frankly, waking up to Steve Miller is like waking up in the Joliet Correctional Center. (Chet Coppock)

"Abracadabra" is a TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT to that guy's career! Horrible! (Clark Besch)

Did anybody ever do more with less than Gary Glitter? (Chet Coppock)
Much like Queen's "We Will Rock You", Gary created a worldwide sporting event anthem ... which has since been totally eclipsed by Gary's fondness for little boys. (kk)

Usher? Yep. Great voice, just not half the quality of material that the Temps had. (Bill)

Stop! Think about Cannibal and the Headhunters. If their hit "Land of One Thousand Dances" doesn't define "garage band" rock, I don’t know what does. (Chet Coppock)

Is it because Cannibal cannot sing on key or the drummer cannot keep time with his beat? A song doesn't have to be performed badly to be garage, y'know? Garage songs CAN be done well, just not in this case. (Clark Besch)

Land of 1,000 Dances, Garage Rock? Nope.

R&B, OK. Garage Rock No. (Bill)

After all these years, the New Colony Six have a right to be ticked off. Why? Because Mercury never gave their melodically beautiful material the big "push." The Colony should have been bigger than the Association. Man, I felt like the coolest young dude in the world when I was traveling as a roadie with the Colony when we played Don Webster's "Teen Beat" in Cleveland and Jerry Blavat's TV gig, "Geator with the Heator" in Philly. (Chet Coppock)

Thanks to Chet for the mention above and to you for running with it, Kent. Wonder if Tony Orlando does “I’m Just Waitin’” in his shows?(Ray Graffia, Jr.)
Would have loved being there too! You got a great seat on that joy ride! Would have loved hearing "Sun Within You" live. (Clark Besch)
"Geator with the Heator", Now that's cool. Wish I could have been there for that one. (Bill)
This had to be an INCREDIBLY exciting time. And don't forget, The New Colony Six are performing tomorrow in McHenry ... and the event will be filmed for future broadcast. Scroll back to Friday's Flash for all the details. (Let's just say that you're more likely to hear "I'm Just Waitin', Anticipatin' (For Her To Show Up)" at THIS show than you are at a Tony Orlando concert!!!) kk

Let's face it. When Little Richard sang, "Good Golly Miss Molly … sure like to ball" in the 50's, White America had absolutely no idea what the guy was talking about. (Chet Coppock)

For the first time ever, kids had music of their own ... music that spoke directly to them. No, most white folks had no idea what Little Richard was singing about ... which makes it all that much more hilarious when you think that pure, whitebread artists like Pat Boone were covering these tunes!
That being said, I will maintain till the day I die that rock and roll music did more to end racial tension than any civil rights leader or president ever did ... it bridged the gap and united a whole new generation of fans of what feel goods ... and if that included "ballin'", all the better! (kk)

I'd give a hundred bucks or issue my football picks for the 2013 season - at no charge - to hear any classic radio station play the Music Machine's raging "Talk Talk." "I got me a complication and it's an only child." (Chet Coppock)

Looks like Bob Stroud will be happy his show on Sundays gets over early enough to make it to Soldier Field on time! (Clark Besch)
This one's for you, Steve Sarley!!! (kk)

Thinking about seeing Jimi Hendrix with Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding at the Civic Opera House as they toured off the "Experience" album back in, I believe, '67. May well be the most simple, but most engaging rock show I've ever seen. For the record, "The Soft Machine" warmed up the crowd. Jerry G. Bishop was the emcee. The post show party featured blondes and Ganja. However, the Stones in '73 at the Amphitheatre with Stevie Wonder in the leadoff spot was an education in where rock was and where it was going. (Chet Coppock)

>>>However, the Stones in '73 at the Amphitheatre with Stevie Wonder in the leadoff spot was an education in where rock was and where it was going.
GREAT statement! (Clark Besch)
I saw all three shows that the Stones and Stevie Wonder played at the Amphitheater. Wonder came back on stage and played the encores with Mick and the boys. The arena was hot and you could cut the cloud of weed smoke with the proverbial knife. When Keith hit the first guitar notes of "Brown Sugar," the opening number, it felt like being electrocuted. It was so freaking exciting. (Steve Sarley)

Stevie's "Black Man" off "Songs in the Key of Life" should be played in every public school in every major urban market on God's earth. (Chet Coppock)

That'll happen when the Chicago schools pull out the Chicago Wooden Nickel record label's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWgY4JIkenI

Now, be honest, if the temps are above 68 degrees and you hear the Kings knock down rocker, "This beat goes on - switch into glide", do you roll the windows down and begin singing along? (Chet Coppock)

It's "Switchin' to Glide" but I'd choose Balance's "Breaking Away" instead in this case. (Clark Besch)

I've always found this song irresistible ... from the very first time I heard it! This should have been a MONSTER hit!!! (kk)

The tribute band I am in did Switch in to Glide a couple years ago. Some of them are 80's kids and thought it would kill live. It pretty much flopped. They were surprised. I thought it was a dud to begin with. (Bill)

If you know this one, you’re way ahead of me. What's the "Syndicate of Sound" been doing in its spare time since they scored big with "Little Girl" in 1966. (Chet Coppock)

IF you really want to know: http://www.syndicateofsoundband.com/

Wouldn't YOU be more interested in what the Revelles of Chicago have been doing since THEIR non-hit "Little Girl" in 1967? They were a Chitown supergroup. Barry Goldberg, Fred Glickstein, Bruce Gordon, Isaac Guillory, Les Kummel, Chuck Jobes went thru their ranks from Cave Dwellers into Revelles into Blue Berri. I think you know some of these names well, right? (Clark Besch)

I know Rod Stewart, my favorite rocker, had to change with the times. But do you suppose he gets queasy when he hears "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" (Chet Coppock)

I imagine Steve Dahl feels the same way about "Do You Think I'm Disco"!!! (kk)
I know I do. I'd rather hear his Small Faces 45 A side debut "Around the Plynth" anyday!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n14IYeKPQCs
Rod at his best and the 1969 stereo is fun!

If the Newbeats were on tour could you resist going to see them? Good God, "Bread and Butter" is inching towards its 50th anniversary. (Chet Coppock)

Just to see that voice come out of the big guy Larry Henley is something to behold! (Clark Besch)

I need to mention this to you and all your pals. Every time I hear J. Geils' horrific "Centerfold", I feel like I'm somehow avoiding the eventuality of post concussion syndrome. (Chet Coppock)

Try this VERY COOL Geils B side to clear your head: (Clark Besch)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y97XDDu52ug Regarding J. Geils, yes, "Centerfold" was a mistake, but I have to insist that J. Geils was the best live act I've ever seen. I'd love to see them open for Bon Jovi at Soldier Field in June. (Steve Sarley)

Tell you what ... I was driving home the other night and "Love Stinks" came on the radio ... and I cranked it to the max. Must have been the right song at the right moment ... but man, it sounded good!!! (kk)

I'd like your support. I want to implement a new rule that every time we're forced to hear "Jack and Diane" we should get to hear Bob Seger's majestic "Roll Me Away" at least three times. (Chet Coppock)

I'd support it IF and only IF we never got to hear either of them ever again. I really could do without ANY Cougar songs now and Seger's would have to be only songs that were on Cameo Parkway such as the TSW "Persecution Smith" b/w "Chain Smokin'. Now THAT is REAL SEGER! (Clark Besch) Honestly, I could live without BOTH of these guys for about five years ... give me a chance to appreciate their music again! (kk)

Have to run, I think there might be a song by Journey coming up. (Chet Coppock)

I'm sure you meant that there might be "Journey to the Center of the Mind" coming up, right? You need to check your typo's, they could get you an earful!
I think "Journey To The Center Of The Mind" probably gets played a ratio of about once to every 35,000 Journey songs right now ... let's just say there is no "Escape" from Journey on the radio these days ... some of these songs get played more now than they did when they were out!!! (kk)

Hey ... at least we got some reaction!!! Thanks, everybody, for being good sports! (kk)

Kent,
My most sincere thanx ...
Chester

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 26 - 13 )

May 25, 2013, 10:02 pm

≫ Next: Monday Morning Radio Rant

≪ Previous: Coppock Comments

re: THIS WEEKEND:
Kent ...
Time for another Countdown we can argue about. Here's the schedule.
Click here: CBS-FM’s Top 500 Memorial Day Weekend Countdown « WCBS-FM 101.1
500 = Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
499 = Peaceful Easy Feeling - Eagles
498 = Someone Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John
497 = Shattered - Rolling Stones
496 = Imagine - John Lennon
495 = Whenever I Call You Friend - Kenny Loggins
494 = Out Of Touch - Hall Oates
493 = Cats In The Cradle - Harry Chapin
492 = Tragedy - Bee Gees
491 = Horse With No Name - America
490 = Mercy, Mercy Me - Marvin Gaye
489 = Live And Let Die - Paul McCartney
Frank B.

re: AIN'T THAT GOOD NEWS:
>>>Congratulations to our FH Buddy John Madara! (kk)
>>>The Philadelphia Music Alliance announced Tuesday (May 14) that they will honor composers / producers John Madara and David White (who gave us Danny & the Juniors' "At The Hop," "1-2-3" from Len Barry, "The Fly" by Chubby Checker and Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me") with a plaque on the Phildelphia Music Walk of Fame at an unspecified date in October. (Ron Smith)
Hi Kent ...

Wanted to share this good news. This is going to happen on October 21. I will send more info when I know more.

Your friend,

John
NEWSFLASH: Just got word last night that the Philadelphia

Music Alliance is set to give the songwriting /production
team of John Madara and Dave White a plaque (star) on the
Philadelphia Walk of Fame. I want to thank everyone in our
facebook group - "Give Johnny Madara a Star ..." for
helping this effort. The award will be given in October.
John discovered so many famous acts - Danny and The
Juniors, Leon Huff, Billy and The Essentials, Hall and Oates.
He and Dave wrote Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me." They wrote & produced "Rock and Roll is Here To Stay." And here
is another song written and produced by John Madara and
Dave White. It was arranged by Jimmy Wizner, whose son '
John was our band's sound man back in the 70s.
Congratulations John and Dave.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FppkFrzxSqw

re: REMEMBERING THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED:
Sadly it seems to be happening FAR too often ... but so many of the great names that helped to shape our past are leaving us.

Marshall Lytle, bassist with Bill Haley's Saddlemen -- later re-named the Comets, died Saturday (May 25) of cancer. He was 80. Marshall joined Bill while a teen in 1951, playing "slap bass" with an upright instrument that created percussion (many rockabilly bands had no drummer for this reason, though the Comets had a good one in Dick Richards). He evolved a comedic style of performing with the bass (such as riding it like a horse) that was emulated by many others, including Elvis' bassist, Bill Black. Marshall co-wrote Bill's 1953 hit, "Crazy Man, Crazy" (#12) and performed on such classics as "Rock Around The Clock" (#1 - 1955), "Shake, Rattle & Roll" (#7 - 1954), "Dim, Dim The Lights" (#11 - 1955) and "Birth Of The Boogie" (#17 - 1955). He left Bill in 1955 over his meager salary and helped form the Jodimars, who recorded for Capitol Records with no chart success but became a Las Vegas staple. When the band broke up for good in the early '60s, he changed his name to Tommy Page and got into real estate and interior design. He re-joined the Comets on a reunion tour in 1987 and played with them for the next twenty years. Marshall was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the original Comets in 2012, correcting an oversight when Bill was inducted solo in 1987.

-- Ron Smith
We talked with Marshall a few years ago in Forgotten Hits, shortly after having much of his leg amputated. Incredibly, he continued to perform and remained in high spirits. Sad to hear that he has left us. One of the original greats.
You can read an interview with Marshall Lytle (conducted by Bob Rush and first published in "The Beat", a UK publication for which Bob is the US correspondant, here:

Click here: Forgotten Hits: The Forgotten Hits Interview - Marshall Lytle (kk)

For those who listened to AM in the late 60s and into the 70s ... especially Boss Radio stations from coast to coast ... Boss Radio architect Paul Drew has passed.
Click here: Top 40 Radio Pioneer Paul Drew Dies at 78 | Billboard
TheVinylLark

Trevor Bolder, longtime Uriah Heep bassist and former member of David Bowie’s backing band, has passed away at the age of 62. The musician sadly died today (May 21) after a battle with cancer.
The British musician leaves behind an incredibly distinguished career, having played with David Bowie for a number of years, contributing bass and occasional trumpet parts to such classic albums as ‘Hunky Dory’ (1971), ‘The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars’ (1972), ‘Aladdin Sane’ (1973) and ‘Pin Ups’ (1973).
Bolder was also a longtime member of Uriah Heep from 1976-1981 and once again from 1983 until 2013, putting in a total of 35 years with the band. Bolder can be heard on a total of 21 separate releases from the pioneering British hard rock band, including studio albums and official live records.
Uriah Heep memorialized their longtime bassist in a heartfelt statement: It is with great sadness that Uriah Heep announce the passing of our friend the amazing Trevor Bolder, who has passed away after his long fight with cancer. Trevor was an all time great, one of the outstanding musicians of his generation, and one of the finest and most influential bass players that Britain ever produced. His longtime membership of Uriah Heep brought the band’s music, and Trevor’s virtuosity and enthusiasm, to hundreds of thousands of fans across the world. He joined the band in 1976 and, barring one short break, was a fixture until his ill health forced him to take a step back early this year. Prior to joining Heep, he was a founder and ever-present member of David Bowie’s legendary Spiders from Mars band, performing on all of their key albums and at countless shows. He also performed with Wishbone Ash, Cybernauts and The Rats.
Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box added: Trevor was a world-class bass player, singer and songwriter, and more importantly a world-class friend. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and rock fans all over the world. We are all numb to the core.
Our best wishes go out to the family, friends and bandmates of Trevor Bolder, and we thank the musician for over four decades of great music.
Check out this site of other rockers lost in 2013: http://loudwire.com/jeff-hanneman-death-2013/

Ken Voss

We heard from FH Reader Brad Joblin that recently departed Doors Keyboardist Ray Manzarek performed at The Ridgefield Playhouse (in Ridgefield, CT) three times in the past five years with former bandmate Robby Krieger. He sent us an awesome stage shot from a few years ago to share with our readers.

Ray Manzarek
May 25, 2011
The Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Photo by: Brad Joblin

Hi Kent,

Just a note to pay tribute to Ray Manzarek, the great keyboard player for the Doors.

He made all the Doors' recordings special with his keyboard. What would "Light My Fire" be without that keyboard sound of his!!!! My other favorite was "Love Her Madly"!

I only wish I could have seen them perform in person. I do have them on an Ed Sullivan show tape. What a group and sound. The keyboard sound is my favorite so thank you Ray for all the enjoyment you gave us.

When in doubt ask the master ...

Is it true Robbie Krieger, the Doors guitar player wrote all their songs but the group agreed to have them

credited to "The Doors"???

Carolyn

I've not heard that but I don't believe it's true ... if for no other reason than the fact that Jim Morrison was a poet first ... and it was setting Jim's songs to music that launched the band in the first place. Alluding to what you mentioned earlier, the keyboard sound was an integral part of the make-up of The Doors ... I believe they all contributed to the end result. (A couple more of my favorites include "Riders On The Storm" ... which seems to be one of those "love it or hate it songs" ... I love it ... and "People Are Strange". When it was out "Hello I Love You" was also a fave ... but it's another one of those that radio has ruined for me by playing it to death. (kk)

And speaking of Ray Manzarek, one of our readers sent in a copy of this posting from Carl Giammarese's Facebook page:

I wanted to share this wonderful article in today’s Chicago Tribune, written by Mary Schmich (you'll find the link below). Her article really hit home for me ... It was regarding the death of Ray Manzarek, co-founder and keyboardist for the legendary group, The Doors, on Monday, May 20, 2013.
Manzarek’s passing reminded me of my own mortality, and brought to mind thoughts of so many peers in this business of music who have left us recently, including Davy Jones and Donna Summer. Then of course, thoughts turned closer to home.
Considering Manzarek’s role in the music of The Doors, thoughts turned to considering how one band member’s death changes the very nature of a band, as a part of its history as well as shaping its future. My thoughts turned next to John Poulos, whose dream it was to create The Buckinghams. John was our original drummer, and a friend who was like my own brother. It’s hard to believe Jon-Jon has been gone 33 years; makes you remember just how young he was, when he left behind a wife, a grown stepson and a very young daughter.
I guess I'm really not any different from The Buckinghams' fans who come up to me at the autograph table after a concert and share a story about what one of our songs meant to them back in the day. Today, I'm thinking about Ray the same way. I know Ray Manzarek was a Chicago native; unfortunately I never had the opportunity to know him, but I knew his music well. I remember the first time I heard The Doors perform, and the many times we as The Buckinghams followed them into different venues back in the late 1960s.
The literal closed doors that open into the portals we face along the journeys of our lives usher us into, and out of, each phase of our lives. With the passing of Ray Manzarek, the music of The Doors enters a new phase, and will find renewed life as his name is said aloud, often, in the coming days, weeks and months. For the past decade, The Buckinghams has included in concert, our solid gold medley that pays tribute to our contemporaries who’ve gone before us, which includes music from The Doors. The next time we sing “Touch Me,” we’ll be dedicating it to Ray as well as Jim.
As musicians, all we can do is hope to leave an impression with our music...even though we are musicians, we are also fans just like you, who appreciate talent and the music of our youth, as well as yours. We give thanks for great talents like Morrison and Manzarek. Break on through to the other side, Ray, and rock on. -- Carl Giammarese
NOTE: The inspiration for this note can be found in the May 22, 2013 edition of the Chicago Tribune. Mary Schmich wrote a wonderful editorial entitled, "Ray Manzarek’s death reminds us to appreciate his contemporaries who are still making music." Look for this story on the web at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-schmich-0522-20130522,0,5388778.column?dssReturn and you can read the story online by signing up for Free Digital Plus access -- just requires an email.

re: LAST CHANCE:
Have you registered to win your free autographed copy of Brian Forsythe's new book "Inside The Songs of the Sixties"??? Drop me a note and we'll add your name to the list ... and pick a couple of winners by the end of the week. Meanwhile, you can check out all the details here: Click here: Home Page
(And check out some of the fun videos, photos and interviews, too!) kk

And, speaking of Forgotten Hits give-aways, we told you last week that Davie Allan has just released "Retrophonic 4", his latest CD ... which will also be the LAST CD to be issued in a "hard copy" format. (After this, he's going the download-only route as this seems to be the current trend in music.)
However, he has promised to give away a free copy of his latest CD to the first Forgotten Hits reader who can tell us the significance and meaning of this album cover ... so have at it, gang! (kk)

This Is It!

To repeat, this is it! The last Arrows’ album you can hold in your hands. It’ll only be download albums after this final volume of my Retrophonic series. The first download album is the re-release of Restless In L.A. with the original cover idea.

Just a few words about some of the tunes: “Los Cabos” ties the series together with an instrumental version. “War Path” celebrates the 50^th anniversary of my first record and it’s only the first remake. Since the Arrows’ instrumentals have always been more popular with my fans, I’ve put together a whole album’s worth (16 tunes) followed by 9 vocals. Even the vocals should be a bit interesting with titles like “Shape of Things to Come”, “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky”, “The Glory Stompers” plus two Buddy Holly tributes: “Think It Over” and “Oh Buddy, We Miss You So” (if you have volume 2 of this series, please note that this version is in a different key, it has some lyric changes and I re-did the entire vocal).

I'm only charging $10 and that includes the postage and bubble mailer. But wait, there's more: a new mailing label, an autograph and a lyric sheet (oh well, it seemed funny when I thought of it!). You can also use Paypal.

Thank you for your support!

Davie Allan

P.O. Box 5378

Oceanside, CA 92052

www.davieallan.com

And here's the new cover ... can YOU figure out the meaning???

re: OTHER NEW RELEASES:

Kink's Legend Dave Davies To Release New Album 'I Will Be Me' – June 4, 2013
Los Angeles, CA - The man who forever changed the sound of rock 'n' roll when he invented distortion, Kink's legend Dave Davies, has recorded a brand new solo album of all original material! To be released on Cleopatra Records on June 4^th , 'I Will Be Me' features guest appearances by The Jayhawks, Anti-Flag, award winning UK blues guitarist Oli Brown, Chris Spedding, US stoner rock band Dead Meadow, Aussie rockers The Art, Geri X and others! In support of Dave's new album release, a special engagement of Live performances in New York and Los Angeles are scheduled for the end of May to mid-June! (see below for complete list of shows) Dave Davies founded the Kinks in the early 1960s and forever changed music after he sliced up the speaker cone of a little green amp and created a revolutionary, distorted guitar tone and frenetic solo on the song "You Really Got Me". Musicologist Joe Harrington described the Kinks influence: " 'You Really Got Me', 'All Day And All Of The Night' ... were predecessors of the whole three-chord genre ... The Kinks did a lot to help turn rock n roll into rock." In 1998, writer Bill Crowley wrote, "As lead guitarist and founder of The Kinks, Dave Davies is one of the most unpredictable and original forces in rock, without whom guitar-rock styles including heavy metal and punk would have been inconceivable. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Dave's massive guitar sounds have inspired bands from Van Halen to Green Day."
Dave's new album 'I Will Be Me' is a return to his groundbreaking guitar sound and innovative songwriting. His classically English voice shows off a new depth but still hits his famous high notes in this collection. The hard rocking track "Livin' In The Past", takes a look at obsession with all things retro but, ever the Mod, Dave surprises with the lyric, "No matter what they do or say, the future's here to stay!" He takes a look back with "Little Green Amp", a playful, punk homage to days when his jagged, blues driven sound wave ripped ahead of the British Invasion through stereos the world over. "Cote du Rhone (I Will Be Me)", an uncensored look at ugliness in the world today, is as angry and biting as any song in Dave's repertoire with an innovative yet heavy slide guitar tone. Soothing lyrics and sounds of Jonathan Lea's sitar playing on "Healing Boy" show Dave's sensitive side. In a recent radio interview he said, "Rock music is a positive force for good." This hopeful and optimistic vision manifests and bridges themes personal, social and universal in 'I Will Be Me'.
Since the early days, Dave Davies has worked on a slew of critically acclaimed records, ranging from solo hit single "Death of a Clown", to experimental Kinks records like 'Village Green Preservation Society' and 'Arthur' as well as the classic single "Lola" in the '70s. In the '80s Dave released experimentally prescient solo work like the eponymous album titled 'Dave Davies' or 'AFL1-3603' named after himself and / or the barcode symbol face cover art. His mainstream success continued in the 80s on hit Kinks albums 'Low Budget' and 'State of Confusion'. In the '90s he released more solo work such as 'Bug' and the compilation 'Unfinished Business'. His songs have been featured in films by John Carpenter and on TV shows like 'The Sopranos', which used his tune "Living On A Thin Line". His tell-all autobiographical book 'Kink' was well received in the late '90s as well. In recent years, Dave has collaborated creatively with his sons. In 2010 he worked with son Russell Davies to create the hauntingly, beautiful rock electronica album, the Aschere Project. The film 'Mystical Journey', directed by son Martin Davies, narrates Dave's longtime interest in the paranormal, Eastern philosophies and spirituality (the film inspired Julien Temple s BBC documentary 'Kinkdom Kome'). No matter how diverse the ambition, Dave Davies puts his heart and soul in all of his projects.

Dave Davies tour dates:
May 27, 28 & 29 - City Winery - New York, NY
May 30 - The Bull Run - Shirley, MA
May 31 - Infinity Hall - Norfolk, CT
June 1 - Musikfest Cafe - Bethlehem, PA
June 2 - The Arcada Theatre - St. Charles, IL
June 6 - Sainte Rocke - Hermosa Beach, CA
June 7 - Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA
June 9 - The Canyon Club - Agoura Hills, CA
June 11- Del Mar Fairgrounds - Del Mar, CA
More dates to come!

To pre-order Dave Davies – 'I Will Be Me' CD: http://www.amazon.com/Dave-Davies-Will-Be-Me/dp/B00CA9VQBQ/ref=sr_1_17?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1366047104&sr=1-17&keywords=dave+davies

re: THIS AND THAT:

Check this out! Our FH Buddy Al Kooper will be opening for The Zombies ... one of his all-time favorite bands ... on June 21st at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA.

Says Al ...
Never has this happened b4!

Al was instrumental in breaking The Zombies' hit "Time Of The Season" here in The States. He talked briefly about the band during our exclusive Forgotten Hits interview:

kk: I remember something from the book ... where you were in England or something and you kinda helped to break a record that had been pretty dormant here at the time ... pretty much ignored ... but you helped to make it a hit here.

AL KOOPER: Oh yeah, yeah ... that was "Odyssey and Oracle", the Zombies record.

kk: And now THOSE guys are back together ... and I hear they sound great. I heard some things off their new album ... and there's some REALLY good stuff on there.

AK: Oh no ... they never broke up.

kk: No, but they've gone through changes, right? Haven't they kind of been on the "outs" over the years, each of them going off and doing their own things?

AK: No, not at all. I'm very good friends with them ... we're very good friends. In fact, they played here about a year ago and we went to the show. Actually, here's what I do, now that I'm 68 years old. I go to the sound check and then I have dinner with the artist ... and then I go home.

kk: Yeah, but there's something about the ambiance of an audience ... the whole reaction of the audience ... that's all part of the whole "in concert" experience.

AK: Yes, but usually these people are roughly my age ... unless it's one of the new bands that I like ... in which case they think I'm crazy ... but with some of these new bands, you know, unless their parents are there, there's really nobody that old in the audience ... because these are new bands. So I feel out of place.

kk: Well, you could probably sit back stage at most of these things, couldn't you?

AK: Well then why be there? That's the thing about the sound checks ... I can sit out there in the audience and on occasion, even request my favorite songs ... (lol) ... you know, the ones that I would go and hope to see them play.

kk: lol, yeah right.

FH Reader Frank B sent us a copy of this article ... one of the earliest ever written about a young Elvis Presley (circa 1954 ... two years before "Heartbreak Hotel" crashed on to the charts. Pretty cool ... check it out:
Click here: Scotty Moore - In A Spin

Kent,
Thanksfor the personal info on how high WATERBOY by Don Shirley got on WLS back in 1961. The version you posted was a little bit different than the one played here in OKC. My version (45 on Cadence) is 2:56 in length. Your version appeared to have the first 15 or so seconds cut out with the ending a little bit different. From what I was told years ago and know, the LP version is somewhat 4 minutes long.
As far as GREENBACK DOLLAR by the Kingston trio, their version peaked at number 27 in March of 1963 here in OKC. Months earlier, Hoyt Axton's version, (he wrote it), peaked at number 6 for the week of October 25, 1962. Recorded on Horizon records, I don't know if his version made your charts or not. One final thing about Hoyt Axton's ersion. In case you wanted to know, in my opinion, it was a pretty "darn" good one.
Larry

I got "Water Boy" off of an Instrumental Compilation CD ... I'm honestly not familiar with the song. (It predates my radio listening time by about three years ... and, let's face it, despite its local Top 10 showing, it's NOT one of those that has stayed on anybody's playlist for the past fifty years! Randy Price, who has put together a GREAT series of CDs, featuring EVERY charted instrumental hit of the '60's, would be the right guy to ask about this one. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to add these CDs to my collection yet either.) Click here: Amazon.com: instrumental hits of the 60s: Music
I don't see ANY chart records by Hoyt Axton making it here in Chicago ... nor did it chart nationally. I'm wondering if his music got played there because he's a local Oklahoma boy. (kk)

KK:
Since we are covering the different versions of "Rock & Roll Heaven", why not include the Righteous Brothers' 1990 version. I remember hearing this on an oldies station in Orlando, FL, during the summer of 1990, and remembering how they said this was just recorded. It wasn't until 1991 when it was officially released as single.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WL3YWBRV1U
Enjoy,T. Jay

Just got this from FH Reader Tom Cuddy:
Carole King Honored By President Obama
by VVN Music on May 24, 2013
Carole King was honored on Wednesday night at the White House with the fifth Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first woman to receive the award.
President Obama opened the evening with a statement on the tragedy in Oklahoma and followed calling King a “living legend” (see video below). King then took the stage to sing Beautiful from Tapestry before giving the stage over to a group of artists performing her music.
The Set List (We are still trying to determine the performer on two of the songs):
Beautiful – Carole King
Will You Love Me Tomorrow – Gloria Estefan, Trisha Yearwood, Emeli Sande
Up on the Roof – James Taylor
So Far Away – Trisha Yearwood
Loco-Motion – Billy Joel
Cryin’ in the Rain – James Taylor and TBD
(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman – Emeli Sande
Jazzman – Carole King
I Believe in Loving You – Carole King
I Feel the Earth Move – Carole King
You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King and James Taylor
The show will be on PBS on May 28.
This is one we'll definitely want to catch. Thanks, Tom! (kk)

Kent -
My new CD "Area 51 Suite" is getting great response from radio & press!
I will be on "Coast To Coast" AM Radio Saturday June 1st from 10 pm to 12 am PST.
Best Always,
Merrell Fankhauser

Just got word about an upcoming concert in Atlantic City, New Jersey (Saturday, June 1st) featuring:
Mark Farner (former lead vocalist from Grand Funk Railroad) and band, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, The Soul Survivors, The Buckinghams, The Trammps, Seven Stone, Gypsy Asylum, The Bob Sterling Band, and the Jeremiah Hunter Band, all hosted by New Jersey's own, Joe Piscopo, who will be our MC as well as performing with his own band. Even Miss New Jersey 2012, Lindsey Petrosh will be making an appearance.

It's being billed as sort of a Vet Fest ... and even war hero Oliver North will be there! Full details here:
Click here: VetRock Home

And speaking of up-coming shows, we just got this word ... figured we'd better give all of you out there who already have tickets a little bit of advance notice (yeah, right!):
ZZ Top will not be appearing, as previously announced, on June 2 at the Warsaw Student Festival / Ursynalia. The group and its management has been forced to cancel the engagement due to the fact that the festival's promoter have not complied with the terms of the contract that were previously agreed upon by all parties.
The band issued the following statement: "We are disappointed that we will not be coming to Warsaw to perform next month. We've only had very positive experiences whenever we've played in Poland and look forward to performing there again in the future." A representative for the band pointed out that other projected tour dates had to be deferred in order to build the Ursynalia date into ZZ Top's touring schedule, adding, "Honoring the terms of performance contracts is fundamental to the touring business in every country in which ZZ Top has ever appeared. We regret that the band's fans in Warsaw will not be able to see them there next month but we had no choice in the matter in light of the promoter's non-compliance."

A New York Times article / interview on the current Billy Joel state of mind ...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/magazine/billy-joel-on-not-working-and-not-giving-up-drinking.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3

Hey Kent -

Enjoying the new Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour CD just released ... includes the under-played Little Girl I Once Knew (a personal favorite) ... their live performance gives these heard-many-times tunes a fresh sound.

Phil

www.PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com

I just listened to a sampling ... sounds pretty good to me! (kk)

Hi Kent,

I was looking at a review of the new Beach Boys Live disc, and it took me to this review of last year's That's Why God Made the Radio. Thought I'd pass it on for a 1 year anniversary look back at that album which is actually in my top 5 BB albums.
Bill
http://theseconddisc.com/2012/06/05/catch-a-wave-special-review-the-beach-boys-that's-why-god-made-the-radio/
Wow! A whole year's gone by already! Still, a very solid effort from a band that just seems to be its own worst enemy. (How many comebacks can one band have?!?!?) Every time they seem to be relevant again, somebody's got to mess things up ... rather then simply ride the wave for as long as they can, they seem to prefer to wipe out at every new opportunity. A second comeback album would have been outstanding ... and it would have been interesting to see how the band might have grown (and where it might have ventured) after that. Instead we got one great glimpse into just how solid they still were, leaving us longing for more and wondering again what might have been. (kk)

Kent,
I’m always fascinated by your discussions involving WLS and / or the Silver Dollar Surveys, so I think you’re going to find this interesting. While going through my collection of Silver Dollar Surveys recently, I found an old hand written note from the summer of 66 that I had left for my younger brother (we were both teenagers and huge Beatle fans) telling him that WLS had just played the “new” Beatle song Rain. My note showed the date and even the time which was May 19^th, 1966 at 9:20 PM. (Art Roberts show?) Now the official release date for that single here in the US was May 30^th so it looks like WLS was playing that song a full 10 days before its official release. Is that possible? Very interesting to us Beatle and WLS trivia buffs!
Dave
Hoffman Estates
Totally possible ... that's how they'd drum up advance sales and anticipation. Cool to find stuff like this 'though ... a piece of our youth ... sort of a living diary! (kk)

A brand new Rolling Stones Exhibit (50 Years of Satisfaction) opened at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Museum on Friday (May 24th). More details here:
Click here: Rolling Stones Exhibit Brings ‘Satisfaction’ To Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame « WCBS-FM 101.1

While not specifically music oriented, here's an interesting tangent on rock stars - Lost Star Cars. This is a series of articles written by Patrick Smith for PHS Car Collectible World and can be found on his BlogSpot http://www.phscollectorcarworld.blogspot.com/#!
Search "lost star cars" and you'll find stories on:
Jim Morrison (The Doors) 1967 Shelby GT500
Jimi Hendrix's Corvettes
Janis Joplin's Porsche 356 Cabriolet
Bob Dylan's Cars and Bikes
Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) Aston Martin
Jack Bruce (Cream) Ferrari Daytona
Tina Turner's 1973 Jaguar XKE
Rick Allen (Def Leppard) 1984 Corvette
Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd) 1976 Ford Torino
Maurice Gibb (The Bee Gees) Silver Cloud & Aston Martin Ken Voss
Very cool actually. Thanks Ken! (kk)

Kent ...
Lets go back in time with " The Geator With The Heator. "
Frank B.
Click here: Lens Through Time: Jerry Blavat - YouTube
The Twist was the greatest dance sensation of the '60's ... a number one hit TWICE ... first time around when the kids discovered it ... and then again the following year when the adult crowd (and numerous famous socialites) jumped on the bandwagon ... the ONLY record in the history of rock and roll to reach #1 TWICE ... yet Chubby Checker is NOT in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ... The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame does not consider his contribution to the evolution of music significant enough to deserve inclusion in their hallowed halls. As stated earlier this week, it was the white kids discovering and falling in love with the black music that bridged the huge racial gaps and bias in our country ... and deejays like Jerry Blavat and Alan Freed and Wolfman Jack and many others were the TRUE Civil Rights Leaders in this country ... THEY made that happen. We have Martin Luther King Day ... maybe part of that celebration should include the music of this era that truly bridged that gap. (kk)

Kent:
Motivated by the passing of Alan O'Day ("Undercover Angel"), a true gentleman and a gifted singer-songwriter, I combed through some boxes to try and find a rare backstage shot from the early 90s. It was taken when I produced a "Seventies Spectacular" for WPLJ-FM at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden. And because Alan was on the bill, I wanted to share this photo in tribute to him. I've never made this public before.
I'll challenge some of your FH eagled eyed 70s readers to try and find the following artists somewhere in this group picture with Alan:
- Three Dog Night (Joy to the World)
- Robert John (Sad Eyes)
- Andrew Gold (Lonely Boy)
- David Naughton (Makin' It)
- Ian Lloyd and the Stories (Brother Louie)
- Sonny Geraci (Precious and Few & Time Won't Let Me)
- Rupert Holmes (The Pina Colada Song)
- Elliot Lurie & Looking Glass (Brandy)
-- Tom Cuddy

re: JUST HAVIN' FUN:
Hi Kent -
Groupon often posts ridiculous commentaries in their daily mailings and today's was on Rock and Roll.
Thought you might get a laugh out of it.
Steve Davidson
The Groupon Guide to: Rock 'n' Roll History
Rock 'n' roll has a long and varied history. Here are some of its most important moments:
1902: Blues is invented by Blind Tommy Phlegmhat or Charlie “Knuckle Crumbs” Sickbody or something
1927: The first electric guitar is invented by Thomas Edison’s rebellious teenage nephew
1963: The Beatles first appear on The Ed Sullivan Show to drink Coca-Cola and rev motorcycles
1972: Jimmy Page unveils his double-necked guitar where all the strings are also tiny guitars
1973–1996: Nothing
1997: Puff Daddy successfully fuses rap and rock 'n' roll with hit song “All About the Benjamins (Rock Remix) ft. Fuzz Bubble"
2000: Rock 'n' roll dies. No one cares.
Whose rebellious nephew invented the electric guitar? Find out in today’s Groupon Guide.
Scary part is some unsuspecting kid will read this and accept it as gospel ... and then 20 years from now he'll get a job programming a radio station ... ah, the ridiculous cycle just never seems to end! (kk)

A bit more fun:

re: CLIP OF THE WEEK:

One of the more bizarre things I've seen on Youtube.

Bill

Who knew Tiny Tim was still this entertaining in 1979?!?!? I actually saw him once ... believe it or not, he was performing at a pizza parlor in Berwyn!!! Great way to end the week. (kk)

↧

Monday Morning Radio Rant

May 27, 2013, 6:00 am

≫ Next: Helping Out Our Readers

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 26 - 13 )

C'mon ... what would Monday Morning be like if I didn't complain about radio?!?!?

Got this from Ron Smith Saturday Morning:

Ronnie Rice does not even own a computer. But every once in awhile, he passes things along to his webmaster. This appeared on Ronnie's Facebook page early Saturday morning and clearly wasn't ghost-written:
"This is Ronnie Rice speaking: I have known schmucks before, but Jan Jefferies at WLS-FM takes the cake. This weekend (5/24/13 - 5/26/13) was dedicated to Chicago's Own. Knowing there are listeners who love their own Chicago bands, why did this moron eliminate The Shadows of Knight, The Cryan Shames and The New Colony 6? He's not from Chicago but he should know better. Not only is it an insult to the forerunners of Chicago bands, but also an insult to the fans. Now I know two Dicks at WLS, and Jan you are one of them."

lol ... too funny. And absolutely true ... the last time he put together a Chicago tribute weekend we got Chicago, The Buckinghams and Styx ... and that was about it ... there wasn't much more. KNOW the city you're programming to. The Chicago music scene has a very rich heritage and was key to the sound of the '60's ... but if you listen to the station (and I swear that I no longer know a single person who does!), there really are no more '60's in the mix. "Classic Hits" ... the format that Jefferies promised the media would set WLS-FM apart from all of the other stations in town ... playing the exact same music ... doesn't allow for much more than John Mellencamp, Steve Miller, Bob Seger, Journey, Boston, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel and about six other artists to get played with any regularity.

Ronnie Rice ... one of the leaders of the Chicago Music Scene back then ... is spot on. Know your audience ... or lose them. Jan Jefferies: they're already gone. Simply put, you should be, too.

Borrowing a page from the never-ending Forgotten Hits soap box, All Access columnist Perry Michael Simon asks ...

Why did you get into radio?
That's not a trick question. I really want to know what drove people to do this for a living. Was it the glamour of being that disembodied voice talking to the world? Was it the desire to be famous, or at least as famous as being a radio host makes you? Was it the need to be heard by as many people at once as possible? Was it hearing one of the greats of the past and thinking that someday you wanted to be him or her when you grew up? Was it not having anything particularly better to do with your life? Was it the allure of hooking up with request line callers? (Don't lie, you know what you did.) What was it?
I thought about that when I saw a press release for a station changing formats this week, and I saw the phrases "Today's Best Music" and "more music" and "the best of 2000s and today," and I wondered ... did anyone get into radio for that? That's focus group speak. It's how we got Mix and Variety and The Station Everyone At Work Can Agree Upon and Silently Resent. Look, I'm not going to argue that some stations do very well with more-music-less-talk and liner card readers and voice tracking and automation. It may very well be the route to victory, in the short term, at least -- I doubt that it'll fend off customizable, skippable streaming music forever -- and I don't begrudge the Lites and Qs and Zs and Mixes of the world their success. But when I hear The Best Of The '80s, '90s and Today, I wonder who can do that for very long without wondering whether there were better career choices, like maybe actuarial work or industrial equipment sales or acupuncturist. If you can do that, more power to ya.
But I didn't get into radio thinking, hey, I want to make the very best Today's Best Music Mix station. I didn't want to do Another Commercial-Free 10-Jamz-In-A-Row. I wanted to be part of something with personality, and something that would ultimately be different. I didn't know what that was going to be, but it ended up being talk radio, and unusual talk radio at that, thanks to management willing to take risks and be patient. And now, there's sort of stagnation there, too.
And if I asked the next generation of adults why they'd want to go into radio, they'd say that they wouldn't. All the reasons we wanted to do radio are no longer reasons to do radio at all. You don't need to go on the radio to reach a mass audience, even an international one. You can get famous much faster, and for free, doing YouTube videos than from doing radio. Radio isn't generating stars like it once did, so there's less "I want to be like him / her" going on. And nobody even calls request lines anymore, so you're back to Craigslist for your hookups.
Which means the radio industry has to take a long, hard look again at where we've gone and where we're going, and how to attract creative people to the business. That's not the same as signing up celebrities to dabble in radio, which is an answer I've been given before; how often does THAT work out? (That, sadly, is a topic with which I have some gruesome personal experience ... ) No, it's more about offering some of the excitement and creative freedom that got sucked out of the medium when everything got focus-grouped into "Today's Best Music." It's offering actual career paths instead of the prospect of being voice tracked out of a job. And, most of all, it's realizing that the long-term prospects for the radio medium, whether over the air or over the Internet, depends on developing content with personality and creativity -- a reason, in short, for people to listen to your station or show or channel rather than an all-you-can-eat jukebox or a customized stream -- and that needs creative, motivated people. You won't get them with "More Music, Less Talk." You won't get them with cookie-cutter Angry Guys In Ties political talk. You won't get them with Your Wacky Morning Zoo Here's Today's Celebrity Birthdays Coming Up Next A Phone Scam. Only an industry that encourages taking chances, that embraces innovation, that isn't locked into doing exactly what the competition is doing because you'd rather take a chunk of someone else's 25-54 billing than grow your own piece of the market ...
... And there I go again, daydreaming. Sorry, I know, I'm talking to myself. I do that a lot. But I have a vested interest in encouraging the radio -- excuse me, the audio entertainment -- industry to grow and prosper. Radio has the resources to be the leader in developing talent for the next era. All it needs is the will to do it, and the desire.

-- Perry Simon

You've heard us say it a thousand times ... when is radio going to get a clue? (There've just got to be THOUSANDS of kids out there today thinking: "Yeah, when I grow up I want to give the time, temp and call letters three times every fifteen minutes ... and then just clam up for the rest of the hour! That sounds like a great career choice to me!!!") Personality and variety is what made radio great ... all we've got now is clone after clone after clone. It USED to be you could tell which station you were listening to by the music they played. Not anymore. They all seem to be working from the play list ... and man, what a bore THAT is!!!

Here's a piece Gary Theroux sent us ... he got it from programming genius John Rook who is singing the same song we are about ignoring what quite likely is the most desirable demographic ... people who actually RESPOND to radio ... and have the disposable income to do something about it!

THE MONEY DEMO:

PrimeTime Women — The Executive Summary1. Women control most of the consumer spending decisions worldwide, and in the United States, most of the corporate and small business spending decisions as well. In the consumer sector, women bring in half or more of the income in 55 percent of U.S. households. In 27 percent of U.S. households, single women are the sole earner, and 30 percent of working wives out-earn their husbands. Women operate as the “Chief Purchasing Officer” in almost all households, and are estimated to make 80 percent of all household buying decisions. This includes handling the majority of purchasing in such traditionally male categories as investments, automotive, consumer electronics, and home improvement. In corporations, they constitute 50 percent of managers and professionals, 58 percent of purchasing agents and managers, and 53 percent of wholesale and retail buyers. In addition, they make most of the decisions on office equipment, services and supplies, and employee financial and insurance plan providers. In the small business arena, women have accounted for 70 percent of all privately held startups over the last 15 years. Their growth in numbers, employees, and revenues has outperformed the general economy by two-fold, three-fold and four-fold, respectively. Women are different from men, and their buying decisions are based on different attitudes, priorities, and decision styles. To be effective in marketing to them, companies need to apply different messages, media, and communication approaches. The insights and principles of the GenderTrends Marketing Model set forth in my first book, Marketing to Women, will help companies reap significant competitive advantage, resulting in sales and share boosts, as well as increases in customer satisfaction among both men and women.
2. PrimeTime Women — women 50–70 years old — control spending for the households with the most money. With the aging of the Baby Boomers, the population of consumers over 50 is growing astronomically fast (up 45 percent from 2000 to 2020), while the population under 50 is actually declining (down 2 percent 2000 – 2020). These consumers have enormous economic clout. They’re in their peak earning years and expect to continue working well into their 70s. They already control 79 percent of the financial assets in the United States and will keep accumulating more, as they continue to bring in two paychecks, and add to that some inheritance money from their parents. They have the greatest discretionary spending power of all consumer segments, because their expenses decline when their kids launch their own households. On a per capita basis, consumers over 50 spend 2.5 times what the average person spends. Women over 50 exert greater spending influence than women under 50, as they handle more of the household decisions independently of their husbands; as their children consult them on spending decisions in their own newly established households; and as they become an increasing percentage of the older population.
3. Boomer women are the first generation of PrimeTime Women and are radically different from any generation of women in history. This is the dawn of PrimeTime. Thirty years ago you couldn’t call the ages between 50 and 70 years old “PrimeTime.” Advances in awareness, knowledge, and practice of new health, wellness, fitness and nutrition behaviors has extended life expectancy by more in the past 100 years than in the 1,000 years preceding it. More important, the quality of life has been substantially enhanced; in effect, rather than an extra ten years being added to the end of life, they have effectively been added to the middle of life. Both men and women in their 50s and 60s report these to be the happiest decades of their lives. At the same time, Boomer women have shattered the mold of how women have lived their lives for all the generations before them. They are the first generation of women to attend college in numbers
about equal to their brethren; the first to enter the workplace en masse, with the majority bringing home a paycheck of their own; the first to have control of whether and when to have children, which significantly
affects job seniority and career progress; and the first to win regulatory rights that give them control of their own financial matters equal to men. Relative to previous generations of women, these are far from small, incremental changes. They are a radical transformation of women’s role in the household, political, and economic infrastructure of our society. This represents a watershed opportunity for marketers. Never
before have consumer households had such substantial spending power, driven by the advent of two-paycheck households, and the increased longevity to accumulate spending power over time. Never before have there been so many consumer goods available and relevant to fulfill wants and desires beyond basic food, clothing, and shelter needs — goods like travel, consumer electronics, telecommunications, financial instruments, entertainment, and many more. And never again will marketers have the opportunity to be first to market with this new cohort of high-spending consumers.
4. Most marketers are missing the boat and the opportunity because they’re trapped in their own outdated stereotypes. First of all, we in the Western world suffer from a bad case of youth myopia. On an emotional level, as a culture, we aspire to the characteristics of young people — energetic, high-spirited, physically
strong, impulsive, and colorful; and we are ignorant about the true qualities of older people — experienced, resilient, even-tempered, patient, intuitive. We let ourselves be buried in all the baggage that comes along with the only terms we have had for the midlife market: “middle-aged,” “mature,” “aging,” and “senior” all carry connotations of dumpy, frumpy, sober, and slow. Not surprisingly, none of those descriptions sound particularly appealing to today’s marketers, even those at senior levels of management who may themselves be PrimeTimers and ought to know better. Second, marketers either truly believe, or proffer as a rationalization, the explanation that young people are the prospects with the most lifetime sales potential. “Get ’em while they’re young,” they say, “and they’ll buy your brand for life.” Nonsense. That may actually
have been true back when there weren’t that many brands to choose from in the 1950s, and when most brands enjoyed a substantial and perceptible point of difference versus their competitors. That was 50 years ago, folks. In today’s marketplace, where consumers are confronted by an excess of choice, and many categories are seen as collections of fairly interchangeable commodities, everybody tries new stuff all the time. And in fact, the research shows that older people are actually at least as likely to try something new than younger people — probably because their needs, preferences, and priorities are changing and they are looking for new options. Moreover, anyone who thinks “Well, at least younger people have lots more purchase cycles in them than older people do,” might want to do their homework and check their facts.
They might be surprised to learn, for example, that of the 13 cars that an average household buys over its “lifetime,” seven — the majority — are bought after the head of household reaches 50. It baffles me when I read that marketers are worried that their customer base is “older,” that they are desperate to reach younger consumers, that they are willing to pay substantially more for media that reaches younger people, that programmers and content developers are scrambling to develop properties to deliver younger audiences. Twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings are lovely people, but as prospects, they have a fraction of the spending power of the generation ahead of them. Personally, if I were a marketer looking for
a competitive advantage, while the rest of the market duked it out over the young buyers that have no dough, I would court the consumers who have the most moolah. Call me crazy.
5. To effectively market to the PrimeTime Woman, you have to understand who she really is. PrimeTime Women regard their 50s and 60s as the prime of their lives. Unlike PrimeTime men, they don’t experience midlife as a crisis; to them it’s more like a liberation. What psychologists have characterized as the “empty nest,” supposedly a time of loss and sadness, PrimeTime Women experience as “the next quest,” when after
decades of suppressing their own preferences and passions in favor of focusing on family needs, they are finally free to return to themselves, to experience “My Time.” They’re healthy, strong, and energetic, and the launch of the kids frees up time and money to pursue old passions and explore new possibilities.
Menopause, far from being the mysterious mood monster that takes over their lives, is well under control, and actually brings a bonus — post-menopausal zest, as Margaret Mead called it, a boost in energy experienced as increased creativity and productivity. PrimeTime Women are mentally strong, and getting stronger every day. And their new awareness of their mortality gifts them with both a greater appreciation for life and a stronger sense of legacy, the urge to contribute and give back. Thanks to hormone shifts, combined with their greater life experience, they feel more assertive, confident in themselves, resilient and capable of handling whatever life throws at them. PrimeTime brings more peace, equanimity, strength, confidence, appreciation, and perspective. They’re at a stage of human development when they experience
greater drives for authenticity, to find and behave as their “real selves,” rather than their youthfully created “social selves,” and they feel free to exempt themselves from many of the social constraints and conventions that bound them when they were younger. Contrary to popular opinion, PrimeTime Women are not in denial about their age or appearance, not fighting tooth and nail to retain or reclaim their “lost” youth. Sure, gravity happens; everything is a little less firm, a little less smooth, a little more bumpy here and there. But unlike their younger selves when they were in their 40s, Prime-Time Women have made peace with their appearance. They care about looking their personal best and are glad to avail themselves of help from nutrition, exercise, clothing, hair color, and cosmetics, but marketers who think they are desperate to look 20 are completely missing the point. The PrimeTime Woman redefines beauty on her own terms, and it is anything but skin deep. Instead, it comes from a combination of her external physical features, which she is comfortable with, and her internal self-confidence, which radiates strength and serenity. She thinks she looks great, and she doesn’t appreciate marketers who tell her she doesn’t measure up.
6. Marketers who understand the new dynamics of the PrimeTime consumer market, and the new dimensions of the PrimeTime Woman, have many ways to leverage these insights into major business opportunities. The first opportunity is simply to recognize PrimeTime Women as a high-opportunity market segment, and instead of “worrying” about having too many older consumers, count yourself lucky and
court these big spenders before your competitors figure it out. And before you invest the billions it takes to open foreign markets, jumping the hurdles of unfamiliar customs and alien regulations, make sure you haven’t overlooked the customers in your own backyard. Second, develop new products to serve PrimeTime Women’s merging needs as they move into midlife, changing physically and developing new lifestyles. You have a large segment of prosperous consumers who have needs that have never been explored before.
Opportunity? I think so. Third, use your new insights to boost the effectiveness of your marketing programs and communications. Get more bang out of every buck in your sales and marketing budgets by developing and tailoring your marketing programs to better align with PrimeTime Women’s gender culture. And enhance the breakthrough, relevance, and appeal of all your marketing communications by both reflecting and speaking to PrimeTime Women’s real priorities and interests. Don’t make the catastrophic mistake of thinking this opportunity applies only to those industries conventionally thought of as “senior categories:” hearing aids, medicines, fiber products, recreational vehicles, orthopedic shoes, and anti-aging potions. This book has provided myriad examples of industries that can and will grow based on PrimeTime Women’s opening up to new activities, interests, needs, and priorities.
7. PrimeTime Women are the healthiest, wealthiest, most educated, active, and influential generation of women in history. This is their PrimeTime. And it’s your prime marketing opportunity. PrimeTime is the Promised Land, and PrimeTime Women hold the key. It is a moment of marketing opportunity unparalleled in history. Never before. Never again. Don’t miss your chance to win the hearts, minds, and business of Boomer big spenders — PrimeTime Women."

↧

Helping Out Our Readers

May 28, 2013, 4:30 am

≫ Next: Mid-Week Musings

≪ Previous: Monday Morning Radio Rant

re: FATHER SEBASTIAN:
>>>I couldn't find the Lenny Welch track mentioned ... and am wondering if it is the same song that we featured by The Ramblers. Anybody know for sure? (kk)
Yes, yes it is ...
Tom Diehl

>>>Thanks for the info on how high WATERBOY by Don Shirley got on WLS back in 1961. The version you posted was a little bit different than the one played here in OKC. My version (45 on Cadence) is 2:56 in length. Your version appeared to have the first 15 or so seconds cut out with the ending a little bit different. From what I was told years ago and know, the LP version is somewhat 4 minutes long. (Larry Neal)
I remember this song, and the version you posted is also different from the version played on WLS, even though I've heard your version on Oldies Radio, including Real Oldies. I've attached the version that WLS played.
Ed Erxleben

As I stated at the time, I wasn't familiar with the song at all ... and went with the only copy I had, coming off a compilation CD called "Instrumental Gems". If your copy comes from the Cadence single that charted, I'd have to agree that it's the one that radio most likely played. At the time, I suggested listening to Randy Price's excellent Instrumental Series, currently available through outlets like Collectors Choice Music and Amazon. Randy has compiled EVERY charted instrumental hit from the '60's and is releasing them year by year through an arrangement with Eric Records. (You can also order these CDs ... and a host of others ... through Eric's website ... link below) kk
Click here: ERIC RECORDS: Original Versions & the Highest Quality Sound

Kent,

The stereo version of "Water Boy" on the 1961 edition of Complete Pop Instrumental Hits of the 60s matches the Cadence 45 release. (The mono single version can be found on The History Of Cadence Records - Vol. 2, Varese VSD-5579). Note that the Complete Pop Instrumental series of CDs is being released on the European Complete 60s label (not Eric Records), even though they are available for ordering on the Eric Records website (http://www.ericrecords.com/index.html).
– Randy

>>>That leaves me with one last forgotten hit from that year (1960). It doesn't appear on any searches but I can almost recite it word for word. The title (pretty sure) was "Let Her Go". Singer was male, solo artist, sounded a little like Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon or maybe Johnny Tillotson. George Hamilton IV and Bobby Vee would both be a bit of a stretch and in reality I think it was a one-hit wonder who just had a good-sounding voice. So far nothing appears when I do a search.
I can almost recite the entire song lyrics if that will help. It starts out this way:
"Let her go - - run away. Let her go I - - didn't say.
I'll pretend - this will end, so I won't have to -
Let her go. No, no, no, no - (Second verse) similar to first.
Chorus:
"I know she'll never find love as ah... true as mine.
"One day she'll find me away and -
"She - will pi-i-ne"

"Let her go ... (repeat first verse) ... (repeat last line). (Fade & end)"
Best I can do after fifty-three years. I was twelve then. I'll be sixty-five this year.
I'd just like to find out who did this one before I kick the bucket.
Thanks for all you do. You guys are tops. Really you are.
Best Always-
Bill Fife,
Ocala, FL

>>>Somebody out there is going to know this one. (Nothing in Joel's Billboard book titled "Let Her Go" from the early '60's) ... but these lyrics I'm sure will spark somebody's memory out there ... so stay tuned! (kk)

And it didn't take long at all! FH Reader Tom Diehl got back to us later that same night!

Bill Fife, I canguarantee that I have found your song. Why Kent didn't ask me to begin with, I don't know!
It's "Let Her Go" by Randy Hard on the NRC record label from ... 1959.
It's a nice littlesong that I first heard in January, 2012 (at least, that's when I downloaded it after I heard Alex Galbraith play it on his Platter Party show on Top Shelf Oldies) and I had forgotten about since then ... until it turned up in a search of my computer for songs called Let Her Go ... it was the first one (out of many with that title) that I checked, and I feel I didn't have to check further.
-- Tom Diehl

Here you go, Bill ... is this your song? (kk)

OMG!
There is a Heaven!!
I know because you guys are proof.
How can I thank you enough??
... I Can Not Believe What I Am Hearing.
OK. I take back what I said.
... Now I believe in miracles.
No ... I better not say any more.

You guys are beyond the Top.
I can die now.

Thank You.
Bill Fife,
Ocala, FL

Originally from
Atlanta, GA
(OMG!!!
You really DID it!)

Last time I heard this I was eleven!

(Not sure ... but I THINK what he's saying is ... Thanks, Tom!!!) kk

I'm always glad to be of as much help as I can be. If Bill had simply said "the title is Let Her Go" I would've come up with several different titles, Bill's having even a partial memory of lyrics certainly helped in a big way. And I just love being able to flood someone's memory banks by reintroducing them to a tune they haven't heard in decades ... long before I was even on this earth. It just goes to show that somehow, someway, somewhere, this music will still be around long after I'm gone, too.
-- Tom Diehl

Hi, Kent,
Just one last question -
Whom do I have to THANK for this unbelievable FIND!
For years searches would turn up everything from Country songs to Hip Hop / Rap of every description -
I was beginning to think that maybe I'd just dreamed it all up. I really had right about 99% given up. But there is always that tiny thread of hope -
I have some more thoughts on this record. Like why it was forgotten when it seems like such a well-produced and professionally polished work. And another surprise: Randy Hard and the Hi-Lites had something in common with me and Tommy Roe: he is also from Atlanta! Hiding in plain sight looks like ... I mean who knew?
I just wanted to say thanks to whoever it was that unearthed this little gem from my best years. The soundtrack of our lives was never more true than was this ...

So - All My Best To All Of You;
May Neither You, Nor Forgotten Hits, Ever Be Forgotten!

Bill

-->YouTube Link:)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fEDbA1pLeU

The guy who came up with it was Tom Diehl ... and I passed your note of appreciation along to him. Tom has helped us out numerous times in the past ... he's a GREAT resource for this kind of thing. These are the kind of stories that make for good reading in Forgotten Hits ... honestly, I think we're batting somewhere around 95% ... we have a HUGE network of readers who LOVE this music as much as we do ... they also enjoy helping to add music and memories that matter to other like-minded individuals out there ... and together, this all makes for a pretty good combination. Glad we could help! (kk)

↧

Mid-Week Musings

May 29, 2013, 4:48 am

≫ Next: Article 0

≪ Previous: Helping Out Our Readers

re: ON THE RADIO:

Wow! It's been so fun to hear the WABC airchecks. Growing up in North Dakota, we did get to hear the Chicago stations, and I'm a huge WLS fan from those days. I loved WCFL as well. Also listened to KOMA lots, too. I never got to hear WABC out of New York though, but being a radio freak as a kid I knew about it for sure. I think I caught it a couple times visiting my Sister in either Wisconsin or Indiana but it didn't last but a few minutes.

I finally got to hear some WABC airchecks from the DJ's I haunted at our local stations when I was in high school. Some of them had copies of Programmer's Digest that they'd pass to me to listen to.

Boy, if any of the radio programmers out there today listened to any of the stuff on Rewound Radio and didn't figure out how crappy radio is these days, then they never will get it.

Man oh man, no wonder we are all as crazy about the music and DJ's we listened to as we are.

Bill

Some folks on the list downplay the impact these jocks and this music had ... but we evidenced another example just the other day. One of our readers wrote in about the minor hit "Water Boy" by The Don Shirley Trio. This record BARELY made The Top 40, peaking AT #40 in Billboard in 1961 ... and it has not made the cut in the way of "desirable" music to be kept alive by radio in the decades since. It's probably safe to say that MOST radio stations across the country haven't played it since it fell off the charts way back when. (And that's if they played it at all back in the day. As we saw during our discussion, the record fared a little better here in The Midwest ... but back then you were more likely to hear an instrumental heading into a newscast ... especially a low-charting one!)

Yet THREE readers wrote in to say that the version we featured wasn't the one they remembered hearing on the radio back then. The memory of this obscure semi-hit was SO strong that, even fifty years later, they knew it wasn't the right version.

In that same posting, one of our readers asked about a song that never even charted nationally ... a song he hadn't heard since 1959 called "Let Her Go". He was BEYOND thrilled when one of our readers tracked it down so that we could feature it again. Timeless, meaningful memories.

Radio doesn't create these anymore ... not when they're all playing the exact same music by the exact same artists ... and drilling it into our heads countless times a day. Radio has become "Groundhog Day" ... it's Groundhog Day Programming and nothing more. That's why a station like Rewound Radio is such a breath of fresh air. They haven't forgotten all of the OTHER songs that helped to fill out the dial back in the day. They understand that you can program in a mix of ALL of this music and play it side by side again, just like they did back then. Add a few personality-driven jocks to this station and you've got a winner.

SOMEBODY out there has to take a chance on this on the terrestrial dial. The audience is out there ... fact is, you just don't know how to market to it! Your mindset is that the ONLY sponsor who might be interested in advertising on a station like this is Depends (or some other "bodily function" company!!!) When in fact if you simply went after the oldies cruiselines and cities like Laughlin, NV and Branson, MO that cater to this audience you could probably create a win/win situation for everybody. The listeners are happy, hearing the music they really want to hear (instead of the same 200-300 force-fed tracks you're giving them now), the station is happy because it's making money with the right advertising, and the advertisers are happy because they're reaching an audience that will actually use and appreciate their facilities.

Instead of dumbing it down for the listeners, try dumbing it down on a programming and marketing level to the most basic equation ... go out and FIND and solicit the businesses that will appeal to these listeners ... and they will reward you with ratings, loyalty and appreciation. (kk)

Listen for a couple of hours today ... and see what radio COULD sound like: Click here: Rewound Radio

The set I heard at 6:10 this morning included "Hold The Line" by Toto, "Things I'd Like To Say" by The New Colony Six", "Bloody Well Right" by Supertramp and "Time Won't Let Me" by The Outsiders" ... followed by a mix of "South Street" by The Orlons, "Take It To The Limit" by The Eagles, "Walk Like A Man" by The Four Seasons, "Shilo" by Neil Diamond and by "That's All You Gotta Do" by Brenda Lee, followed by a plug for Gary Theroux's "History Of Rock And Roll" snippets, airing three times daily. "A Girl Like You" by The Young Rascals kicked off the next set, followed by "Let Me Serenade You" by Three Dog Night and "Runaway" by Del Shannon ... "Talk Talk" by Music Machine (tell me THIS guy isn't reading Forgotten Hits!!! Lol), "Baby Love" by The Supremes ... and then it was time to post. Jocks ... wouldn't you LOVE playing this kind of variety on YOUR show?!?!? (kk)

re: THIS AND THAT:

>>>C'mon ... what would Monday Morning be like if I didn't complain about radio??? (kk)

Tuesday morning?
Shelley

Hey, Kent,

Going to see the Stones Monday ... it'll mark six different decades in which I've seen the group.

Chet

>>>Gary created a worldwide sporting event anthem ... which has since been totally eclipsed by Gary's fondness for little boys. (kk)

Not that it makes much difference, but in the interest of publishing "The Real Truth," Gary Glitter's fondness is for little girls, not little boys.

Ron Smith

No, I flubbed it ... people have a right to know just who Gary's been fondling! (kk)

Years ago we ran a story about the true origins of the #1 Hit "Midnight Train To Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips ... FH Reader David Lewis just sent us this new video clip, interviewing the song's writer Jim Weatherly, who retells the tale. (This has been a welcome addition to Scott Shannon's "Rock And Roll Remakes" Weekend ... we just LOVE finding these great stories and rare tracks.) kk

Click here: Story Behind the Song: ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ by Jim Weatherly | Tune In Music City | The Tennessean

I happened across this again the other day and just had to share it again. So much fun ... and so much joy in Randy Bachman's voice when he stumbles across "the lost chord"!!! (kk)

Click here: The Beatles - The REAL First Chord of "A Hard Day's Night" - YouTube

>>>Is it true Robbie Krieger, the Doors guitar player wrote all their songs but the group agreed to have them credited to "The Doors"??? (Carolyn)

>>>I've not heard that but I don't believe it's true ... if for no other reason than the fact that Jim Morrison was a poet first ... and it was setting Jim's songs to music that launched the band in the first place. Alluding to what you mentioned earlier, the keyboard sound was an integral part of the make-up of The Doors ... I believe they all contributed to the end result. (kk)

UPDATE: Interestingly enough, the day after I ran these comments I saw this blurb printed in Brian Forsythe's new book "Inside The Songs Of The Sixties":

The Doors song "Tell All The People", written by guitarist Robbie Krieger, and found on their "The Soft Parade" LP, prompted Jim Morrison to insist on individual writing credits so people could identify which band member wrote which song. He objected to the line "Tell all the people get your guns" and didn't want his fans to think that he wrote these lyrics.

Sid Holmes tells us that they're making some headway in collecting the royalties due J. Frank Wilson's family ... I received this update the other day:

Utilizing the contract I had with J. Frank Wilson (1-22-63 to 1-22-66) Rodney (J. Frank's son) and I are making some progress. Our goal is to take control of all recordings made between the above dates when he was under contract with me. Thanks to SoundScan, I will now be receiving 20% of all downloads internationally for the songs listed. Rodney's checks the past months have run between $300 to $900. From here he will be going head to head with Rhino Records (TimeWarner), Columbia, Cicadelic Records (Ron Newdoll) etc. If they can produce a contract prior to mine concerning making recordings with J. Frank Wilson, they are home free. If they can't, then Rodney will present them with a copy mine. After reading my book and the contract in the book he took action. He, his family, his sister and mom (Frank's ex) all agreed it was Frank's signature and he was of legal age when he signed it with a notary.

Basically, Rodney is doing the work as I just supply him with the facts on who did what and when. Rodney claims to have turned down an unofficial offer of $20,000 from one label. Last I heard he had been in contact with a music attorney in Nashville.

Sid Holmes

Kent ...

Watching Yankees vs. Mets, on mute & listening to WCBS - FM.
Here's the top 20 of the Top 500.
1 - Hey Jude = Beatles
2 - Billie Jean = Michael Jackson
3 - December, 1963 ( Oh What A Night ) = Four Seasons
4 - Every Breath You Take = Police
5 - Night Fever = Bee Gees
6 - Don't Stop Believing = Journey
7 - American Pie = Don McLean
8 - Hotel California = Eagles
9 - Big Girls Don't Cry = Four Seasons
10 - Bette Davis Eyes = Kim Carnes
11 - I Want To Hold Your Hand = Beatles
12 - Call Me = Blonde
13 - I'm A Believer = Monkees
14 - Eye Of The Tiger = Survivor
15 - Joy To The World = Three Dog Night
16 - I Love Rock-n- Roll = Joan Jett
17 - Maggie May = Rod Stewart
18 - Le Freak = Chic
19 - Shadow Dancing = Andy Gibb
20 - I Heard It Through The Grapevine = Marvin Gaye
I long for the old WCBS-FM Countdowns. Year after year you could be sure that the top three were
1 - In The Still Of The Night = Five Satins
2 - Earth Angel = Penguins
3 - Tonite, Tonite = Mellow - Kings
Since all three songs are from the 1950's, they don't even qualify for this countdown (1960's, 1970's, 1980's).
Frank B.

Yeah, if you want the full gamut of music, you'll have to wait for Ron Smith's Labor Day Countdown (which now only tabulates your votes every other year ... but at least you get '50's, '60's and '70's!) kk

Click here: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/500-11.pdf

You're guaranteed to find a few surprises up near the top of this list! (kk)

On the other hand, very FEW surprises on WCBS-FM's Top 500 Countdown ...

Pretty much everything you expect to hear ... and DO hear ... on a daily basis:

Click here: Top 500 Songs: Memorial Day Countdown « WCBS-FM 101.1

Kent ...

Here's the whole list for your readers who might be interested. You shouldn't look at it. I don't want to upset you.
Frank B.

Kent ...

Interesting project. I just made a pledge.
People like this need help. I don't mind helping.
When the Rascals ask for money, it bothers me.
Frank B.

A lot of people had a problem with The Rascals and Stevie VanZandt asking for money to launch their reunion project ... it's like if they didn't believe in it enough to invest their own money, why would others in a far lesser financial position be interested in investing? Sure, we ALL wanted to see them get back together and be successful ... but now we're going to spend additional money on merchandise, concert tickets (and in some cases airline tickets!), new recordings, etc.

From Tom Cuddy:

My Music: Burt Bacharach's Best Debuts June 1, 2013 on PBS (check local listings) - Celebrating the Legendary Songwriter With Performances By The Artists Who Made His Music Famous -

LOS ANGELES, May 28, 2013 -- For over half a century, the immensely popular and immediately identifiable melodies of composer Burt Bacharach have touched millions of music lovers around the world. Bacharach established himself in the 1960s as a topical successor to his Tin Pan Alley predecessors, creating some of the most beloved and successful pop music ever to grace radio, television and film. Hosted by Robert Wagner, this first-time ever archival PBS special includes all the original artists performing Bacharach's hits with rare footage and clips from the 1960s -1980s.

MY MUSIC: BURT BACHARACH'S BEST premieres on PBS stations beginning June 1, 2013 (check local listings).

Bacharach teamed with lyricist Hal David for a stunning run of classic songs, many in tandem with Dionne Warwick (Walk On By, I Say A Little Prayer, Alfie). British songbird Dusty Springfield introduced the seductive standard The Look Of Love while Tom Jones popularized the playful What's New Pussycat?, Her Alpert romanticized with This Guy's In Love With You and Jackie DeShannon touched hearts with the iconic What The World Needs Now Is Love. The smashes continued in the seventies when The Carpenters reached #1 with (They Long To Be) Close To You, following another number one evergreen, Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, the Oscar-winning tune sung by B.J. Thomas in the film Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. Soul-pop ensemble The Fifth Dimension presents the sultry ballad One Less Bell To Answer.

The 1980s witnessed more Bacharach chart-toppers such as Arthur's Theme by Christopher Cross and That's What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & Elton John. Burt Bacharach continues to perform concerts across the globe and his autobiography, Anyone Who Had A Heart, has just been published by HarperCollins.

Included in the special are clips of:

• Austin Powers Intro “Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Burt Bacharach”• “Walk On By” – Dionne Warwick
• “I Say a Little Prayer” – Dionne Warwick
• “Any Day Now” – Chuck Jackson
• “What’s New Pussycat?” – Tom Jones
• “The Look of Love” – Dusty Springfield
• “This Guy’s in Love With You” – Herb Alpert
• “This Girl’s in Love With You” – Dionne Warwick
• “Alfie” – Dionne Warwick
• “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” – B.J. Thomas
• “One Less Bell to Answer” – The Fifth Dimension
• “What the World Needs Now Is Love” – Jackie DeShannon
• “(They Long to Be) Close to You” – The Carpenters
• “A House Is Not a Home” – Burt Bacharach and Dusty Springfield
• “Arthur’s Theme” – Christopher Cross and Burt Bacharach with Carole Bayer Sager
• “That’s What Friends Are For” – Elton John, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight

↧

Article 0

May 30, 2013, 4:48 am

≫ Next: The Friday Flash

≪ Previous: Mid-Week Musings

re: CLIP OF THE WEEK
Just got this from FH Reader Frank B ... who tells us:

This is fascinating. The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders did a dance video to “Call Me Maybe.” U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan saw it and did their own version, matching the cheerleaders scene-by scene. Here are the two videos together.

Dang! Wish I woulda had this in time for Memorial Day! GREAT Clip! Thanks, Frank! (kk)

re: ON THE RADIO:
Hey Kent,
I forgot to mention this to you in my first email regarding the WABC Rewound weekend. I had it on most of the time when I was in the house. I kept paying attention to my Son who is 20 when he would come in the room and I was totally amazed at how many of the songs he knew. Songs that he didn't necessarily hear from his old man. I think he was surprised as well. He made the comment that if radio sounded like this he'd listen. Neither he nor his Friends ever moved on to the regular channels passed the time spent with Disney Radio when they were pre-teens.
Bill

Kent,
You were right, of course, when you posted in FH the original version of WATERBOY by Don Shirley, as opposed to the version which you had posted first. Like some of your readers which you alluded to in FH, I like to think that I still have an "ear" for this music in that I remember exactly how it was being played and heard on the radio. Pretty amazing isn't it that one can remember how something went fifty years ago on the radio as you said.
Just today the morning DJ played SHOUT! by the Isley Brothers. Wait a minute! I take that back. He payed a song or two after that and didn't say who it was. It was the song SHOUT!. But if it were the Isley Brothers, they were singing in a different key than what I have heard them in the past. Kent, I had never heard this version on the radio before. Maybe if someone requested it and hadn't heard it in years, maybe they wouldn't know the difference.
Larry

For years here in Chicago if you heard "Shout" on the radio it was most likely the Otis Day and the Knights version from "Animal House" ... The Isley Brothers' version rarely got played. ("Shout" is one of those rare rock and roll oldies that is bigger in its "after life" than it ever was on the charts. Released twice, this record never even made Billboard's Top 40 ... yet is part of the permanent rock and roll landscape. Cover versions have been recorded by just about everybody ... even The Beatles did it on "Shindig!" and "Ready, Steady, Go", despite never actually recording the song.) Despite its poor chart performance, the song is honored in both the Grammy and The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ... yet peaked at #47 in 1959. Their version of "Twist And Shout" fared a little bit better in 1962, reaching #17 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart. The Isley's biggest pop hit didn't come until 1969 when "It's Your Thing" climbed to #2. (kk)

I basically quit listening to contemporary radio in the 70’s. By the time Disco had polluted the charts and airwaves I was done for the most part. By the late 70’s radio was disco crap, Rock became Shlock. Pop became Poop! Turned to the Punk / New Wave scene for a couple of years until that fizzled, concentrated on oldies stations for a while until the playlists became moronic, and then concentrated on a record store and seeking out the unusual older tunes that sounded like the 50’s & 60’s hits and in some cases were better. Haven’t missed current radio at all because the “hits” became whatever you want to call what this modern dreck is. There is always hundreds of old airchecks or the occasional foray in to internet oldies radio with shows like Dave the Rave!

Ken

re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
forgotten hits is the best damn rock 'n roll website on the country.
chet coppock

You are the leader of The American Oldies Movement -- Keep The Music Alive! There's really nobody left out there doing what you do. Forgotten Hits has a corner on the oldies market.
Scott Shannon

Apparently CRS is running rampant in this house, or at least with me. I wanted to tell you something about how much I enjoy your magazine. I love the history you print. But unfortunately I completely forgot what I wanted to say. Maybe you should just forget this letter.
the great and wonderful Malcolm (I think)

Thanks, Malcolm ... hey, if it comes back to you later, let me know. (lol) Just not at three in the morning! (kk)

WILDWOOD, NEW JERSEY ... New Jersey beach town considers banning baggy pants and requiring shirts be worn after 8 pm ...

GONNA HAVE TO CLEAN UP YOUR ACT KENT!

-- Gary Renfield

Stop making fun of the way I dress!!!!! (kk)

↧

The Friday Flash

May 31, 2013, 4:45 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 02 - 13 )

≪ Previous: Article 0

re: RECENT PASSINGS:

Ed Shaughnessy, whose mutton-chop whiskers and swinging rhythms made him one of the most famous drummers in jazz during his nearly three decades with Doc Severinsen's "Tonight Show" band, has died. He was 84. Shaughnessy had a heart attack Friday (May 24, 2013) at his Calabasas home, said William Selditz, a close family friend.

While his nightly gig on "The Tonight Show" brought him the kind of drumming fame previously bestowed on giants such as Gene Krupa, Shaughnessy also delved into more far-reaching musical realms. He studied for three years with legendary Indian tabla player Alla Rakha and played with such cutting-edge artists as bassist / composer Charles Mingus and trumpeter-bandleader Don Ellis.

"Ed's one of the only guys I know from his generation who's open-minded enough to try something new," Ellis once told an interviewer.

Buddy Rich called Shaughnessy "one of my all-time favorite drummers" — high praise from a musician whose dynamic, virtuosic style contrasted with Shaughnessy's profound belief in the drummer as a vital member of a band's rhythm section.

Times critic Leonard Feather agreed, writing in 1992 that Shaughnessy "does what jazz drummers were originally called on to do: Keep a firm swinging beat and play a supportive role."

An early advocate of bebop, Shaughnessy performed with Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic, and George Balanchine and the New York City Ballet. For decades, he taught privately as well as conducting more than 600 clinics at high schools and universities.

Edwin Thomas Shaughnessy was born Jan. 29, 1929, in Jersey City, N.J. His father was a longshoreman and his mother sewed in a garment factory.

At 12, Shaughnessy started taking piano lessons and continued until his father brought home a drum set two years later.

Still in his teens when he became a regular participant in New York City's thriving jazz scene, he worked with Jack Teagarden and the popular bands led by George Shearing and Charlie Ventura before he turned 20.

He also played in numerous small jazz groups with such big names as Billie Holiday, Horace Silver and Gene Ammons. His big band career began in the 1950s with the Benny Goodman and Count Basie bands. He replaced Buddy Rich in Tommy Dorsey's band.

In the mid-1950s, he was a staff musician at CBS, performing on the Steve Allen and Garry Moore shows. From 1963 to 1992, Shaughnessy was the drummer with Severinsen's band on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show." In Shaughnessy's 2010 memoir "Lucky Drummer," Severinsen called him "the superb engine that drove our Tonight Show Band for thirty years … with spirit and immense skill."

In the early 1970s, Shaughnessy helped a young singer named Dianne Schuur, who had been blind since birth, arranging for her to appear at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival. Her career soon took off.

He was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2004.

Shaughnessy married Ilene Woods in 1963. A singer, she was the voice of Disney's Cinderella in 1950. She died in 2010.

He is survived by his son Daniel Shaughnessy, his daughter-in-law Nicah Shaughnessy and three grandchildren. Another son, Jimmy, died in a 1984 traffic accident. (LA Times obituraries)

-- submitted by Ken Voss

Found this on the Internet while listening to the Doors. Really tells you how good Ray Manzarek was. TOP TEN ROCK KEYBOARDISTS Keno's List (first complied, November 1998)		TOP TEN ROCK KEYBOARDISTS As voted on by fans (Week of May 28, 2007)
1	Ray Manzarek (organ)	1	Billy Preston (organ)
2	Keith Emerson (synthesizer & organ)	2	Brian Jones (mellotron, harpsichord & organ)
3	Elton John (organ, synthesizer & mellotron)	3	Ray Manzarek (organ)
4	Stevie Wonder (organ & synthesizer)	4	Elton John (organ, synthesizer & mellotron)
5	Billy Preston (organ)	5	Garth Hudson (organ)
6	Steve Winwood (organ & synthesizer)	6	Stevie Wonder (organ & synthesizer)
7	Gregg Allman (organ)	7	Jon Lord (organ) (tie)
8	Brian Jones (mellotron, harpsichord & organ)	7	Steve Winwood (organ & synthesizer) (tie)
9	Richard Wright(organ & synthesizer)	9	Al Kooper (organ)
10	Rick Wakeman (organ & synthesizer)	10	Billy Joel (organ)

Vinnie C

Evidently folks missed our blurb over the weekend about the passing of original Comet Marshall Lytle ... we received dozens of news articles from readers this past week telling us about it! (Thanks to FH Reader Tom Diehl, first in with the news, and a heads up from Ron Smith and his www.oldiesmusic.com website, we were evidently one of the first in the country to break the news.)

>>>Marshall Lytle, bassist with Bill Haley's Saddlemen -- later re-named the Comets, died Saturday (May 25) of cancer. He was 80. Marshall joined Bill while a teen in 1951, playing "slap bass" with an upright instrument that created percussion (many rockabilly bands had no drummer for this reason, though the Comets had a good one in Dick Richards). He evolved a comedic style of performing with the bass (such as riding it like a horse) that was emulated by many others, including Elvis' bassist, Bill Black. Marshall co-wrote Bill's 1953 hit, "Crazy Man, Crazy" (#12) and performed on such classics as "Rock Around The Clock" (#1 - 1955), "Shake, Rattle & Roll" (#7 - 1954), "Dim, Dim The Lights" (#11 - 1955) and "Birth Of The Boogie" (#17 - 1955). He left Bill in 1955 over his meager salary and helped form the Jodimars, who recorded for Capitol Records with no chart success but became a Las Vegas staple. When the band broke up for good in the early '60s, he changed his name to Tommy Page and got into real estate and interior design. He re-joined the Comets on a reunion tour in 1987 and played with them for the next twenty years. Marshall was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the original Comets in 2012, correcting an oversight when Bill was inducted solo in 1987. (Ron Smith)

>>>We talked with Marshall a few years ago in Forgotten Hits, shortly after having much of his leg amputated. Incredibly, he continued to perform and remained in high spirits. Sad to hear that he has left us. One of the original greats. You can read an interview with Marshall Lytle (conducted by Bob Rush and first published in "The Beat", a UK publication for which Bob is the US correspondent, here: Click here: Forgotten Hits: The Forgotten Hits Interview - Marshall Lytle(kk)

Many considered Marshall Lytle The Father Of Rock and Roll. He passed away Saturday.

~ Marshall Lytle along with his friend Bill Haley sat around with Alan Freed 60 years ago to create the catch phrase Rock and Roll. Now 60s million selling artist James Marvell formerly of Mercy pays tribute in video to friend Marshall (original Comet and bassist of Bill Haley). This new video is from a song Marvell recorded back 40 years ago (see video below and MP3 attached).

Video - http://youtu.be/mHx9Wvjh5FA

or -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHx9Wvjh5FA

Title: Remember Those Sweet Yesterdays

Artist: James Marvell ( formerly of Mercy, million seller "Love Can Make You Happy )

Writers: Charlie Black and Tommy Rocco

Length: 2:54

Label: LML Records ( Indie )

Marshall Lytle - A Founding Father of Rock n’ Roll
2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame bassist, Marshall Lytle (a/k/a Tommy Page) of Bill Haley’s Original Comets has now joined countless music legends in paradise. Marshall passed on Saturday May 25, 3:30 AM at his home in New Port Richey Florida. He was 79 years old. Lytle along with Haley paved the way for thousands of bands, singers and musicians including the Beatles. It was Marshall Lytle, ‘the ultimate showman’ who lifted the slap back bass to new levels on stage with his crazy antics of standing on top of it, playing it like a regular guitar and spinning his bass like a top. In addition to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame he was also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
The book “Still Rocking Around the Clock” was published in 2009 that revealed the history of Lytle and is now in pre-production for a major motion picture. Bill Haley’s Comets song “Rock the Joint” was being broadcast over the airwaves when Alan Freed coined the term “Rock & Roll”. The distinctive bass playing of Marshall Lytle can be heard on many Rock & Roll Classics including Rock Around the Clock and Shake Rattle & Roll. In regard to his playing and super showmanship ... his influence on thousands of aspiring bassists who have studied the instrument is incomprehensible.
In the days before his passing, Lytle had been undergoing extensive treatments, due to stage four lung cancer.
Lytle services will be private.

http://www.theoriginalcomets.com/

-- submitted by Scott Shannon

From David Lewis:

Click here: Marshall Lytle Obituary: View Marshall Lytle's Obituary by St. Augustine Record

Dear Forgotten Hits:
Another recent arrival in Rock And Roll Heaven, on Sunday 19 May, is Ronnie Splinter, lead guitarist and co-song writer for Amsterdam's garage and beat legends The Outsiders.
Who?
Anybody who is unfamiliar with The (Amsterdam) Outsiders, but digs the genre, ought to spend some ear time with some of their songs like "Filthy Rich" or "Misfit" -- or "Lying All The Time" and "Thinking About Today", which Mr. Splinter said were his two favorites. Their final album CQ, which has been available in re-release in both CD and vinyl format in recent years, is considered by some critics and reviewers to be at the same stratospheric altitude as The Zombies' Odessey & Oracle and The Pretty Things' SF Sorrow.

E. Briggs

re: HOODAT?

Wow! Only one response to this?!?!?

Tom Cuddy sent us an awesome backstage picture of the '70's Spectacular Line-Up from back in the '90's ... and wondered how many of our readers could identify some of the artists in the photo. Here's all we've got so far:

Sonny Geraci is guy right in the middle next to the guy in the yellow jacket in Tom Cuddy's photo ... that's a pretty cool group to get together!

Marlene

We know that Three Dog Night, Robert John, Andrew Gold, David Naughton, Ian Lloyd and the Stories, Rupert Holmes, Elliot Lurie and Looking Glass and the recently-departed Alan O'Day are also pictured here ... we're just wondering if you guys can pick them out. Not sure? Wanna take a stab? We'll run a photo-key on Sunday. (kk)

re: THIS AND THAT:

Kent ...

Just read this in my newspaper. Paul McCartney made his first visit to the one-time home of the King of Rock-n-Roll and left behind a gift. The lifelong Elvis fan toured Graceland. The former Beatle dropped a
personal guitar pick on Elvis' grave and said it was "so Elvis can play in heaven." Nice touch.

Sir Paul was in Memphis to play a show on the North American leg of his "Out There" tour.
Frank B.

Hard to believe Paul had never been to Graceland before. Of course, back in 1965 when The Beatles met Elvis, it was at his Bel Air mansion ... although Ringo later seemed to recollect hanging out in Elvis' jungle room. (The others joke about this on the "Anthology" video ... Ringo says he jammed with Elvis ... everything I've ever read said they barely spoke ... at one point, Elvis was going to go back upstairs if the guys weren't going to loosen up a bit. When they got there, Elvis was playing a bass guitar ... and Charlie Rich's "Mohair Sam" played over and over and over again on Elvis' jukebox!)

This landmark event took place on my 12th birthday ... August 27th, 1965. Here's a more detailed accounting I just found in "The Beatles Bible" (kk)

Click here: 27 August 1965: The Beatles meet Elvis Presley | The Beatles Bible

TOP 30 SUMMER SONGS

Interesting list.

Wipe-Out is on twice (two versions).

Good representation of 60's tunes ...

Phil

PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com

Click here: Top 30 Summer Songs | Billboard

We've posted your All-Time Summer Favorites quite a few times these past 14 years ... in fact, Scott Shannon has counted them down on The True Oldies Channel the past few years, too, in conjunction with our tandem poll. Here's our official posting: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Your All-Time Summer Favorites

A few days ago we talked about the 1968 Status Quo hit "Pictures Of Matchstick Men", a one-hit wonder here in The States (despite a pretty decent chart track record back home in the UK).

So imagine my surprise when I received word the other day about a brand new Status Quo release ...

earMUSIC / Eagle Rock proudly announces STATUS QUO - BULA QUO!

More than “just” a new studio album by British rock icons Status Quo!

One CD with Quo’s new album ... Second Disc with all their hits as heard in the spy-comedy movie Bula Quo!, starring the band ~ 2CD and Digital Audio Out July 9 ~

New York, NY (May 29, 2013) — Experience classic rock artists Status Quo as you’ve never encountered them before. On July 9 2013, the band will release their new double album, Bula Quo! via earMUSIC/Edel/Eagle Rock Entertainment [MSRP $17.98].

Bula Quo! has been inspired by their incredible adventures filming their first ever feature-film of the same title. The first disc features nine brand new tracks, written as the soundtrack for the duo’s madcap escapades in the movie. Disc 2 contains exclusive reworked studio songs or live versions of 10 classic Quo hits, which are also featured in the film (including an amazing Fijian-style rendition of “Living On An Island”).

Status Quo is enjoying an exciting phase in their long and successful career, after the critical acclaim and the support received by their loyal audience for their previous studio album Quid Pro Quo and the relative tour. The 90-minute action movie Bula Quo! features the band as themselves and stars Craig Fairbrass [Cliff Hanger, Rise Of The Footsoldier, Eastenders] and Laura Aikman [Keith Lemon The Movie, Freight, Surviving Picasso] with Jon Lovitz [Saturday Night Live, The Critic, Friends, The Wedding Singer]. The film was directed by Stuart St. Paul, who has worked on projects ranging from Duran Duran’s seminal “Wild Boys” video, to Aliens, Batman and three James Bond films. The movie will hit the stores and theaters soon after summer.

“Making the film in Fiji was a fantastic experience and we couldn’t help but be inspired by our surroundings,” states vocalist/lead guitarist Francis Rossi. “We had no plans to write and release a new studio album as well as filming our parts for the movie, it just happened.”

Adds singer/rhythm guitarist Rick Parfitt: “We hope that Quo fans will enjoy the film, which is certainly something new for the band, but we know they are going to love the music.”

As the new material sounds inspired and fresh, it is one album not to be missed and the film is destined to become a cult for Quo fans. For everybody else… Bula Quo! will “simply” be one of their strongest releases ever!

www.statusquo.co.ukwww.ear-music.netwww.youtube.com/earMUSICofficialwww.facebook.com/earmusicofficial

TRACK LISTING

CD 1 – THE NEW ALBUM

1. Looking Out For Caroline / 2. GoGoGo / 3. Run and Hide (The Gun Song) / 4. Running Inside My Head /

5. Mystery Island / 6. All That Money / 7. Never Leave A Friend Behind / 8. Fiji Time / 9. Bula Bula Quo (Kua Ni Lega)

CD 2 – STUDIO AND LIVE

1. Living On An Island (Fiji Style) / 2. Frozen Hero / 3. Reality Cheque / 4. Rockin' All Over The World (Bula Edit) / 5. Caroline (Live) / 6. Beginning Of The End (Live) / 7. Don't Drive My Car (Live) / 8. Pictures Of Matchstick Men (Live) / 9. Whatever You Want (Live) / 10. Down Down (Live)

ABKCO RECORDS TO RELEASE SOUNDTRACK TO IFC FILMS

FRANCES HA FROM NOAH BAUMBACH ON MAY 28TH

INCLUDES MUSIC FROM PAUL MCCARTNEY, DAVID BOWIE, T REX, HOT CHOCOLATE, AND MORE!

ABKCORecords will release the soundtrack to Frances Ha, the newest film from writer-director Noah Baumbach whose screenplay for The Squid and the Whale earned an Academy Award® nomination.Frances Ha joins The Squid and the Whale and other critically lauded works that Baumbach has written and directed in recent years.

The soundtrack album, available for digital download on May 28, includes music from Paul McCartney, David Bowie, T Rex and Hot Chocolate. Music from previous Baumbach film collaborators Dean and Brita is also included as is a collection of romantic and evocative pieces from French composers Jean Constantin, Antoine Duhamel, and Maurice Jaubert that are heard throughout the film.

Frances Ha from IFC Films premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September of 2012 and was subsequently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival.Frances Ha is now playing nationwide; it achieved the highest per screen average of any film during its opening weekend in New York and Los Angeles.

Frances, played by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the screenplay, lives in New York, but she doesn't really have an apartment. Frances is an apprentice for a dance company, but she¹s not really a dancer. Frances has a best friend named Sophie, but they aren't really speaking anymore. Frances throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as their possible reality dwindles. Frances wants so much more than she has but lives her life with unaccountable joy and lightness. Frances Ha is a modern comic fable that explores New York, friendship, class, ambition, failure, and redemption.The cast also features Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver (Girls, Lincoln), and Michael Zegen (Adventureland, Boardwalk Empire).

In a film set in black and white, Baumbach chose to add color to the life of his energetic yet troubled heroine Frances by using music “that felt big, lush, and romantic.” Bookended by the rich compositions of Academy Award®-winning French film composer Georges Delerue, the soundtrack serves as the roadmap for Frances’ travels. She blissfully meanders through New York, takes melancholy strolls through Paris, wanders the woods of Poughkeepsie, and circles back again to the sounds of Paul McCartney, David Bowie, T Rex, Hot Chocolate, and Dean and Brita, making the music heard in Frances Ha a very integral component of the film’s narrative. Kenneth Turan, reviewing for the Los Angeles Times, named the film “a miracle of a movie” while Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers called it “Profanely funny. A glorious sight to see.”

Track Listing:

1. Camille- Georges Delerue

2. Chrome Sitar – T Rex

3. King Of Hearts La Pavane Polka - Georges Delerue

4. L’Ecole Buissoniere- Jean Constantin

5. Blue Sway – Paul McCartney

6. Domicile Conjugal- Antoine Duhamel

7. Modern Love- David Bowie

8. Million Dollar Doll- Dean and Britta

9. Every1’s A Winner- Hot Chocolate

10. Miss Butter’s Lament- Harry Nilsson

11. Negresco’s Waltz- Georges Delerue

12. King of Hearts Le Repos- Georges Delerue

Download the Album: http://bit.ly/FrancesHaSoundtrack

Official Movie Website: http://www.franceshamovie.com/

Check out Gary Pig Gold's new Cowsills list ... 45 Things I Bet You Never Knew About The Cowsills ...

Click here: PIGSHIT: 45 things I bet you never knew about The Cowsills | The Rock and Roll Report

Have you seen the documentary yet? Coming soon to home DVD. (kk)

And one more quick reminder ...

To all my Florida friends and fans ... I'll be playing the Luna Star Cafe in North Miami one week from tonight.

Here are the specifics:

Friday, June 7th at 8pm
Luna Star Cafe
775 NE 125th St
N Miami, FL
305-799-7123LunaStarCafe.com | lunastarcafe@aol.com

Call the club or my manager Jill Guerra (561-445-1370) for more information.

The usual Luna caveats:

1. It's a tiny, tiny place. So get there early to make sure of getting a comfy place to sit.

2. They don't take credit cards.

Hope I see you there.

Yers,
Bob Lindwww.boblind.com

re: FIRST 45:

My first singles? Good question.

As far as I can remember ... believe it or not, it was "The Exodus Song (This Land Is Mine)" by Pat Boone.

Yeah ... I wasn't much of a swinger at 11 years old ... keep in mind this was with my OWN money from doing errands around the house.

My first 45 that my folks got me was at age 8 and that was "The Chipmunk Song"

Do you at least see a bit of progress from 8 to 11?

No?

Well, by 1963 I was purchasing many more records ... (my allowance had increased) ... even though my folks had a hiss fit every time (especially my mom ... dad could have cared less) mom heard a new song being played from my closed bedroom.

It came to the point when I was smuggling records up under my shirt and down my pants (don't ask).

I remember on her birthdays and Christmas gave me a really good reason to buy HER a record of HER choice ... so I ended up purchasing "Red Roses For A Blue Lady by Bert Kaempfert, "Dear Heart" by Henry Mancini ... yep, she loved plenty of elevator music ... however these songs WERE hits on the local / national charts.

The Beatles changed my entire way of thought about music ... I STILL loved The 4 Seasons, Beach Boys and had a GREAT appreciation for Phil Spector and his "family" of singers ... I must have played "Be My Baby" and "Baby, I Love You" a million times.

My collection blossomed to 14,000 and probably many more throughout the sixties, seventies ... and some eighties (I was a mobile disc jockey for awhile during the 80's) and was forced to purchase a LOT of music that I did not like ... it mostly was garbage.

So, that is that ... the beginnings.

Gary Peters

P.S. I forgot to mention "Love Kitten" and the GREAT B side "Why Can't A Boy and Girl Just Stay in Love" by Noreen Corcoran (who starred in the old tv sitcom "Bachelor Father"). This record is AMAZING ... produced by Nino Tempo and sax played like a crazy man, also by Nino. I thought for SURE this was another Phil Spector-produced recording, but when I bought it, it was on The 4 Seasons label "Vee Jay"

WOW!!

Of course many years down the pike I learned that Nino was one of many who played in the "Wall of Sound" grouping that Phil launched for his own company Philles.

IF you've never heard this record, seek it out ... it's one of the best ever recorded in my book ... IF you're a "Wall of Sound" fan.

Gary

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 02 - 13 )

June 2, 2013, 9:35 am

≫ Next: Summer Favorites

≪ Previous: The Friday Flash

re: UP-COMING SHOWS:

Ron Onesti just added Nazareth to The Arcada Theater line-up ... they'll be appearing live June 7th.
Also coming in June:
Kenny Loggins (Sunday, June 9th) and Bachman - Turner (Friday, June 28th) ...
A couple of GREAT shows that you can't see anywhere else.

A complete list of upcoming shows can be found here: Click here: Arcada Theatre | Oshows... with more new shows being addded all the time. (kk)

re: THIS AND THAT:

Kent,
One or two comments if I may about today's FH. This concerns the three songs which you posted.
First, when has one heard a record by Al Hirt in the last few years on the radio? Personally, my all time favorite was his 1965 tune FANCY PANTS.
Second, the Jerry Lee Lewis song which you posted, made me get out and play the original, I believe, out of 1949 by R & B singer "Sticks" McGhee. Even though I don't remember McGhee's version when it came out originally, I eventually became familiar with it and liked it somewhat better than Jerry Lee's version.
Finally, the Jerry Lee Lewis tune you posted made me think of a record which came out in 1960 by a group called the Nightcaps called WINE WINE WINE. Was that one that made your local charts back in 1960?
Larry

I think a part of me was trying to encompass the three major, essential food groups that day ... first ... a little bit of something you could "sink your teeth in like jello" ... followed by Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee ... and then, of course, some Cotton Candy. As for The Nightcaps, I don't show anything by them charting here in Chi-Town. (kk)

>>>I forgot to mention "Love Kitten" and the GREAT B side "Why Can't A Boy and Girl Just Stay in Love" by Noreen Corcoran (who starred in the old tv sitcom "Bachelor Father"). This record is AMAZING ... produced by Nino Tempo and sax played like a crazy man, also by Nino. I thought for SURE this was another Phil Spector-produced recording, but when I bought it, it was on The 4 Seasons label "Vee Jay"

WOW!! Of course many years down the pike I learned that Nino was one of many who played in the "Wall of Sound" grouping that Phil launched for his own company Philles. IF you've never heard this record, seek it out ... it's one of the best ever recorded in my book ... IF you're a "Wall of Sound" fan. (Gary Peters)
I asked the ever-reliable Tom Diehl if he could send us copies of these two tracks ... and sure enough he did ... along with this comment ...
Two great sides indeed ... though I like "Love Kitten" more. Tom

>>>For years here in Chicago if you heard "Shout" on the radio it was most likely the Otis Day and the Knights version from "Animal House" ... The Isley Brothers' version rarely got played. ("Shout" is one of those rare rock and roll oldies that is bigger in its "after life" than it ever was on the charts. Released twice, this record never even made Billboard's Top 40 ... yet is part of the permanent rock and roll landscape. Cover versions have been recorded by just about everybody ... even The Beatles did it on "Shindig!" and "Ready, Steady, Go", despite never actually recording the song.) Despite its poor chart performance, the song is honored in both the Grammy and The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ... yet peaked at #47 in 1959. Their version of "Twist And Shout" fared a little bit better in 1962, reaching #17 on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart. (kk)

Billboard was the laggard when it came to charting The Isley's "Twist And Shout." It was a top 10 hit in Cash Box (#9) and reached #14 in Music Vendor. (It peaked at #12 on the SuperCharts.)

– Randy Price

Hi Kent,

Listening to Rewound Radio I caught "The Boat That I Row" in a mixed version so we could hear both the Lulu and Neil Diamond versions. Great stuff. Thanks for the information and link. This is indeed what radio could and should be.

Tom

In the current issue of Mojo magazine, there is an interview with John Fogerty. In it he is asked how the music he made with The Golliwogs compared to the music at the time. He said that their sound was pretty much like any white boy band at the time. He mentions the Count Five as an example. He goes on to say their sound was not nearly as good as Lies, by the Knickerbockers, or Kind Of A Drag, by The Buckinghams.
Jack

The Golliwogs had kind of a whole different sound at the time when compared to THOSE two!!! (lol) The Knickerbockers and The Buckinghams were pure '60's pop!

Funnily enough I just read a blurb about Count Five and The Golliwogs the other day in Brian Forsythe's new book "Inside The Songs Of The Sixties". He says:

What were they thinking? Creedence Clearwater Revival lost a 'Battle Of The Bands' competition to the future "one-hit wonder" band, The Count Five, who later had a hit tune with "Psychotic Reaction".

With a new album out, Fogerty is doing some press again ... which is great. I like the fact that he's looking back fondly on his past. Who knows ... there still may come a day when Stu, Doug and John treat us one last time. (kk)

Hey Kent,

Love my daily dose of FH. A week back you mentioned a song called “Sebastian” by the Distant Cousins. Never heard the song but it did bring to mind a single by the “Cousins” called, “SHE AIN’T LOVIN’ YOU NO MORE”. A “killer” track, I totally forgot about from the late (60’s?). Brought back great memories for me. Speaking of “killer” tracks, I’ve always been a huge “car song” fan. Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Ripcords etc., but “HOT ROD HIGH” (the B-Side) of the Hondells' “LITTLE HONDA” is my favorite car song of all time.”HOT ROD HIGH” was written by Terry Melcher, who had a pretty good track record. (Not to mention being the son of Doris Day). Both of these songs can be found on U-Tube. Hope your readers check them out. They won’t be disappointed. “Thanks” so much for your continual “Labor of Love".

Gary,

Milaca, MN.

The Distant Cousins "bubbled under" at #102 in Billboard with "She Ain't Lovin' You" in 1966.

Click here: She Ain't Lovin' You - The Distant Cousins - Cleveland Rocker! - YouTube

"Hot Rod High" is good, too. I've always been partial to "My Buddy Seat", their follow-up hit to "Little Honda", which pretty much flopped on the charts in 1965. (This one should have been a smash!) kk

Click here: Hondells..... Hot Rod High...1964 - YouTube

Click here: Hondells - My Buddy Seat - YouTube

re: HMMM ... WELL, I GUESS I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY:

We're constantly complaining about the "sameness" of radio ... anywhere you go, from coast to coast, you're pretty much going to hear the exact same group of songs by the exact same artists if you're tuning in to terrestrial radio. It's a shame ... with SO much great music to choose from ... that we are constantly being fed the same diet of music. (I don't care HOW much you like steak ... if you eat it every single day, four or five times a day, sooner or later you're going to want something else. That's not to say that you won't still like steak ... you just need some VARIETY pumped in once in a while!)

Perry Simon, who writes a weekly column for All Access Radio makes a valid point when he says:

I'm at 37,000 feet over Abilene, Texas. I've never turned a radio on in an airplane, and, whether or not there's really interference that would cause trouble with the flight (and let's not get into THAT debate), I wouldn't do it, and, besides, I didn't bring a radio with me on this trip. (I didn't think THAT would ever happen in my lifetime, but, well, smartphone...) But I do wonder, sometimes, just as a hobbyist, what stations I would get if I tried.
At least, I used to wonder. Now, I imagine I'll just hear hundreds of variations of the same thing -- same music, same accents, same talk shows, same imaging, same everything. I won't belabor the point -- you and I know how that evolved, how localism has withered in radio across the country. It just is, and while we don't have to be happy about it, it's not going to change. And, yes, I know of the exceptions, the stations that are aggressively, proudly local, with local news and local talk and local everything, and they are to be celebrated. But they're not growing in number. That ship sailed a long time ago.
So, that's the fault of radio managers and bean counters and investors, right? Not so fast. Radio is far from the only business to forsake localism over the last few decades. It occurred to me this way: I just took off from a place where the local malls have Macy's, Nordstrom, Sears, Kohl's, and JC Penney, and after flying across the country, I'll be in a hotel next to a mall that has Macy's, Nordstrom, Sears, Kohl's, and JC Penney. TV stations long ago branded themselves after their network affiliation, and the anchors usually have no trace of a local accent or local anything. We've seen many news articles (the New York Times seems particularly interested) about how some regional accents, even the Brooklyn accent, have been disappearing. Local ain't what it used to be. And with the Internet, broadcasting can be free of the technical limitations that sort of forced localism on radio in the first place -- whereas in the 1930s, WLW pushed to make its 500,000 watt superpower permanent to cover much of the country with one signal, now, anyone can reach people all over the world for free. And the old cultural divisions, from different senses of humor to "regional hit" music, have dissolved as entertainment options have become universal; "The Big Bang Theory" is the same in Texas as it is in Manhattan.
Yet, there is still power in localism. There is still -- maybe more than ever -- a need for news coverage of local issues, because, whether every city has Macy's and McDonald's or not, there are still things happening on the state and local levels that won't make the national radar but should be talked about. (We haven't even discussed hyperlocal, although it's still unclear that anyone will really make money covering neighborhoods) There are still local businesses for whom local radio is still more efficient than streaming. There are still differences between New York and L.A. and Philly and Texas and Miami and Minneapolis and Casa Grande. Sports radio has, at least in major markets, exploited this well -- you can't talk about SEC football in Philadelphia and succeed, and you can't talk about nothing but the Lakers in Minneapolis and succeed; it's all about the local teams. Then again, there are all those national sports radio networks out there finding an audience, too.
Anyway, I understand the economic reasons why stations turn to syndication and voice tracking and "Premium Choice," and they make sense. But there are still reasons to be local, and in an ideal world, I'd turn on the radio up here and hear local people from all over the place talking about local issues with local accents and giving me a real sense of their towns and culture. A New York station would sound like New York, a Dallas station would sound like Dallas... but in an age when Dallas has Bloomingdale's and there's a Neiman Marcus in Westchester, I'm not sure it matters as much anymore.

There's a certain truth to this ... McDonald's is going to taste the same in Chicago, Dallas, London or Hong Kong ... that's just what they do. Most locations will probably look the same, too. They've recently been remodeling all of our Jewel Food Stores so that no matter which Jewel you stop at, you'll know where things are located throughout the aisles. And the mall analogy is a good one ... although I know when we used to travel a lot, I always made it a point to go to places that we DIDN'T have here in Chicago ... using the logic that "if I wanted to go THERE, I could just go at home!"

The big difference, of course, is that radio has SO many other choices ... thousands and thousands and thousands of legitimate hit songs to choose from. McDonald's has a dozen things on their menu ... that's all they sell (and obviously they do a fine job of it) ... if you want something else, you're go to have to go somewhere else. Same for Kohl's, JC Penney, Sears, Macy's, etc ... odds are these are the stores you have a charge card for ... it's "convenient" ... comfortable even ... and you can confidently shop at ANY location from coast to coast and be guaranteed of being able to pick up what you came in for.
As such, radio is a bad analogy. There is SO much more that could be done to draw people in ... and keep them there ... tuned in to listen all day, every day. You're not just selling Big Macs here ... your menu doesn't HAVE to be this limited. Spice it up a little bit with a few surprises ... some Wow! Factor songs ... some things we haven't heard in a while ... and stand out head-and-shoulders above the rest. (kk)

Seriously ... isn't it it time for SOMEBODY in radio to stand up and make their OWN kind of music?!?!? (kk)

↧

Summer Favorites

June 3, 2013, 4:46 am

≫ Next: If It's Tuesday ... This Must Be Waffles!

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 02 - 13 )

re: SUMMER FAVORITES:

Another good posting ... wtg, Kent!

I almost lost it on the Billboard top 30 Summah! songs! Too much time has passed so there would need to be several lists depending on the generational group, and even then each section of the country would have parochial favorites ... like Freddy Boom Boom Cannon here in the Northeast for instance and then beyond that even personal favorites chosen because of a life event or a coming of age so to say.

Now I try to be unique but for the most part I go along with the crowd how could you not? What a tremendous period to experience for us baby boomers ... hell, 'our' music binds us all. Having said that, I would be curious to know if anyone else voted for this song ... for many reasons my all time favorite Summah! Song! is: The Bristol Stomp! Ha Ha! I am sure there are many of your readers who have their personal favorite that wouldn't even crack the top 50 in a voted list.

Thankfully your / our FH top Summer Songs is much more acceptable to a 1st year Baby Boomer.

June 1st ... wow, we had a double Memorial Day Weekend since it came so early the official one left us with another five days of May so now we hit June on the 2nd Memorial Day weekend! Believe me, it is important to all the entertainers on Cape Cod "No Place Like It On Earth"

Have a great SUMMAH! and keep the comments coming. Oh, one last thing, Kent ... GO BRUINS!!! Ha Ha!!!

Thank You,

Charlie OFD

While Memorial Day Weekend has always been the "benchmark" for the start of summer (school's out, villages are opening their pools, etc.) the OFFICIAL First Day Of Summer remains June 21st ... now less than three short weeks away!

While we presently have no plans of tabulating a new batch of votes this year for our readers' All-Time Favorite Songs Of Summer, Scott Shannon might do so ... it's become a bit of aTrue Oldies Channel tradition ... which means that he would be counting down The Top 20 Summer Favorites all day long on The True Oldies Channel on June 21st. (Heck, with the 21st falling on a Friday this year, he could do a full-blown "Summer Favorites Weekend"!!!) We're still waiting to hear for the "official" word ... in which case we'll direct your votes for your summer favorites to him!!! In the meantime,with just over 9200 votes cast in our most recent poll (2010), I'm prepared to stand by our list of All-Time Summer Favorites for a while yet.

You can check 'em out here: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Your All-Time Summer Favorites)

Over the years, several of our Internet DeeJay Readers have also counted down The Summer Favorites as determined by our poll. If any of you are planning to do so again this year, please let us know with enough advance notice that we can pass the word along through the website so that others may enjoy the countdown too. (Be sure to send me your "Listen Live" link, too, so readers can tune in and listen!)

Billboard's list is probably just a little too "hip" and "current" for our audience ... our Summer Favorites seem to be more of the "tried and true" variety. So give a listen if you can!

Click here: Top 30 Summer Songs | Billboard

By the way, if you explore around the website a bit longer, you'll find not only a Countdown Of Your Top 100 All-Time Summer Favorites but also mathematical rankings of the biggest hits of summer for each year, 1955 - 1980! (kk)

>>>I’ve always been a huge “car song” fan ... Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Ripcords etc., but “HOT ROD HIGH” (the B-Side) of the Hondells' “LITTLE HONDA” is my favorite car song of all time.”HOT ROD HIGH” was written by Terry Melcher, who had a pretty good track record. (Not to mention being the son of Doris Day). This song can be found on U-Tube. Hope your readers check them out. They won’t be disappointed. Thanks! (Gary)

>>>"Hot Rod High" is good ... but I've always been partial to "My Buddy Seat", their follow-up hit to "Little Honda", which pretty much flopped on the charts in 1965. (This one should have been a smash!) kk

Click here: Hondells..... Hot Rod High...1964 - YouTube

Click here: Hondells - My Buddy Seat - YouTube
THE HONDELLS' "HOT ROD HIGH" WAS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVES AS WELL (I STILL HAVE THE 45!), AND WOULD DEFINITELY BE ONE OF MY DESERT ISLAND PICKS (ALONG WITH THE TURTLES' "YOU BABY", JAN & DEAN'S "LIKE A SUMMER RAIN", THE VOGUES' "SEE THAT GIRL", THE BEACH BOYS' "KISS ME BABY" & THE BEATLES' "YOU'RE GONNA LOSE THAT GIRL"). I'VE HEARD OTHER VERSIONS OF "HOT ROD HIGH" THAT WERE SUBPAR, AND I ALWAYS WISHED THE RAMONES HAD RECORDED THIS ... TOO BAD I DIDN'T MENTION IT TO THEM WHEN I MET THEM THIRTY YEARS AGO.

KEEP UP THE FANTASTIC WORK ... AND HAVE A BITCHIN' SUMMER.

MICHAEL G. BUSH

Lead singer on the Hondells tunes (and also their cover of the Beach Boys' Little Honda) was Chuck Girard, the rock & roll preacher: Click here: chuck girard - YouTube

Phil

PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com

↧

If It's Tuesday ... This Must Be Waffles!

June 4, 2013, 6:42 pm

≫ Next: Thursday This And That

≪ Previous: Summer Favorites

Some connectivity problems this morning ... so a special evening edition to carry us through tomorrow.

re: AN ANNIVERSARY (OF SORTS):
Kent,
Just a reminder that coming up on Thursday, according to the song, was the day when the CB Radio craze came to fruition by way of C.W. McCall's #1 hit, "Convoy":
-- It was the dark of the moon on the 6th of June ... The Vinyl Lark
And, of course, YESTERDAY was the anniversary of Billie Joe McAllister jumping off The Tallahatchie Bridge!!! (kk)

re: THE ROUTE 66 RADIO TOUR:

We're closing in on the big day ... we've been talking about it for MONTHS now ...

The Route 66 Radio Tour ... FINALLY kicks off Thursday Morning (6/6 ... get it?!?!? At 6:06 AM no less!!!).

Here again is a short itinerary for anyone interested in hooking up during the run.

THE MOTHER ROAD RADIO TOUR 2013
WRLR 98.3 (U.S.) and Forest FM 92.3 (U.K.) are teaming up to travel and broadcast from world famous Route 66, The Mother Road. It all starts June 6th (6/6) from the route's original starting point at Adams and Michigan.
Our first broadcast will be live at 6:06 AM from downtown Chicago from the internationally famous Lou Mitchell's restaurant, with interviews with owner Heleen Thanas and her customers. The restaurant has served Route 66 travelers since the 1920s. Joining us will be Chicago based Route 66 historian and author Dave Clark, and surprise visits by Chicago area radio DJs who stop by in response to an open call put out by The Route 66 Radio Tour. Legendary DJ John Records Landecker will be there to sign his new book and chat with everyone.
WRLR’s award winning morning drive-time host Paul Lepek (Lepek & Co.) and Forest FM’s Paul Peters and Geoff Kemp (The Fabulous 50s) will be describing the history and flavor of Route 66 through on air interviews with people living, working and visiting the Mother Road. The music of the 50s and early 60s will be featured during the broadcasts. The tour on America's Mother Road in Illinois will take us from Chicago to Joliet, Pontiac, Atlanta and Springfield, IL and points in between. WRLR and Forest FM will broadcast live from many locations that are historical and tourist favorites. The remotes will be carried on WRLR, Forest FM and fed to the Dave Cash weekend show heard on BBC radio network in Britain. Famous Chicago radio DJ Clark Weber will be joining us on air (via phone), among others, to remark on the role radio played during the height of travel on Route 66. At least one broadcast will air from the Pontiac Route 66 Museum’s recreated studio exhibit, which has working vintage equipment from the 60s. After leaving Lou Mitchell’s we hit the road on our way to Joliet where we will stay a couple of nights as guests of Harrah's Casino and Hotel. While in Joliet we will do a morning remote from the Joliet Area Historical Museum and meet up with Tony Contos, its executive director. The following day the tour broadcasts from Paula Deen’s Restaurant at Harrah’s Casino & Hotel where we will interview other local leaders that are involved in the Route 66 story.
By mid afternoon we will be again on the road, this time to Lincoln to cover the annual Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame banquet and talk to longtime Route 66 historian and preservationist John Weiss, and other knowledgeable Route 66 enthusiasts like Ellie Alexander, Executive Director for the City of Pontiac Tourism Bureau and Cathie Stevanovich, President of the Route 66 Association of Illinois.
The next day we double back to Pontiac for our first broadcast at the town’s notable Route 66 Museum. Sharing airtime with us will be former radio station owner and local radio historian Lane Lindstrom. This will be followed by a live broadcast from the I & M Canal Antique Tractor Drive and the Knees in the Breeze Motorcycle Tour in Pontiac’s town center.
It’s then on to Atlanta, IL where the Route 66 Radio Tour will broadcast from the beautifully restored Palms Grill Cafe, right across from the Bunyon Giant, a longtime Route 66 icon. We will talk with this town’s dedicated preservationist and marketing guru William Thomas, the man behind the idea for Atlanta’s First Annual "Rt. 66 Reinterpreted" art project and contest. It’s like the Chicago Cows On Parade but with uniquely painted wood Route 66 shields (road signs).
We invite you to join the Route 66 Radio tour either on the radio or pack your bags and tag along with the broadcast crew! Check back here often. Updates will be posted as details become available. Contact studio@wrlr.fm with any questions you have.
WRLR 98.3 FM / Forest FM 92.3

ROUTE 66 RADIO TOUR SCHEDULE

(Dates and times subject to change)

June 6th (THU)

6 to 10 AM Route 66 Radio Tour starts in Chicago. Four hour broadcast from downtown Chicago at Lou Mitchell's Restaurant for food and interviews.
12 N to 6 PM Visit Route 66 sites between Chicago and Joliet.
6 PM Check in for 1st overnight stay at Harrah's Casino and Hotel (151 N. Joliet St) in Joliet.

June 7th (FRI)

9 to 12 N Live broadcast from Joliet Area Historical Museum.
1 to 5 PM Visit Joliet area Route 66 historical sites and conduct recorded interviews at Polka Dot Restaurant in Braidwood.
Second overnight stay at Harrah's Casino and Hotel (151 N. Joliet St) in Joliet.

June 8th (SAT)

8 AM to 12 N Broadcast from Paula Deen’s Restaurant at Harrah’s Casino & Hotel.
1 to 5 PM Head to Lincoln. On the way meet up with the Motor Tour (location TBD).
6 PM to 10 PM Attend and report on the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame banquet in Lincoln, IL. Overnight stay in Lincoln (hotel/motel TBD).

June 9th (SUN)

10 AM to 12 N Live broadcast from the recreated 1966 radio studio at Pontiac’s Route 66 Museum.
12:30 to 3 PM Live broadcast from I & M Canal Antique Tractor Drive and the Knees in the Breeze Motorcycle Tour in Pontiac’s town center. Overnight stay at Best Western (1821 W. Reynolds) in Pontiac.

June 10th (MON)

10 AM to 1 PM Arrive in Atlanta, IL. Live broadcast from Palms Grill Cafe.
2 to 8 PM Visit Atlanta area Route 66 historical sites and report on wood shields art contest, conduct recorded interviews (and venture out to the towns of Bloomington and Lincoln) Overnight stay in Atlanta area (hotel/motel TBD).

June 11th (TUE)

9 AM to 12 N Live broadcast from Atlanta Museum.
2 to 8 PM Visit Atlanta area Route 66 historical sites and conduct recorded interviews and head to Springfield. Overnight stay in Springfield (hotel/motel TBD).

June 12th (WED)

10 AM Depart from Springfield to return to Chicago. At will stops to broadcast and interview along the return trip.

↧

Thursday This And That

June 6, 2013, 4:28 am

≫ Next: A Forgotten Hits Exclusive: CHET COPPOCK REVIEWS THE ROLLING STONES CONCERT

≪ Previous: If It's Tuesday ... This Must Be Waffles!

You were using the analogy of McDonalds being the same in Japan as in America. It got me to thinking and so I googled it. Interesting to see they aren't really the same. Just thought you might be personally interested as was I.

Carrie

Reality Check: The Big America Burgers at McDonald's Japan Are Back (and Bad As Ever) | A Hamburger Today
I stand corrected!!! (Although I can't say that I'm especially anxious to try any of this new cuisine!!! lol) kk

Check out this clip sent into us by Gary Pike ... AMAZING!
This eight year old girl has a voice that you just won't believe!
Gary

http://www.dump.com/girlvoice/

Congratulations to our FH Buddy Bob Lind ...

Shameless bragging? Guilty as charged.
I'd have preferred that they used a newer clip. But it feels good to be acknowledged by a journalist as high-quality as Lee Zimmerman and the prestigious NEW TIMES.

Life is Gooooood.

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/countygrind/2013/06/ten_greatest_south_florida_folk_singers.php

Yers,
Bob Lind
www.boblind.com

Santana / Journey Legend Gregg Rolie To Play 'Sandstock' Virginia Beach Music Festival - June 22, 2013
Houston, TX - Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Gregg Rolie, best known for his vocals and keyboard work with legendary music groups Santana and Journey, will be performing at 'Sandstock' Virginia Beach Music Festival on June 22, 2013. The Gregg Rolie Band will be playing electrifying versions of several Santana classics such as "Evil Ways", "Black Magic Woman", "Soul Sacrifice", "Jingo" and "No One To Depend On" as well as tracks from Rolie's previous studio effort 'Roots', along with new songs. The Gregg Rolie Band consists of Adrian Areas (son of original Santana percussionist Jose Chepito Areas) on Timbales, drummer Ron Wikso (The Storm / David Lee Roth / Richie Sambora), Elliot "Toby" Borrero on congas, Rocket Ritchotte on guitars, internationally acclaimed bassist Gary Brown and former Jean Luc Ponty keyboardist Wally Minko.
From his work with Santana and Journey, Gregg Rolie is no stranger to great musicianship. Given his experience and his desire to make the music the best it can be, he has chosen some of the best musicians in the world to bring his band and its music to life. Gregg was determined to resurrect the sound he helped shape and make famous as Santana's original lead singer and keyboard player, while at the same time bringing it forward to the 21st century. To do that required finding just the right mix of experience, musicianship and chemistry. Having worked with some of the biggest names in music over the years and having toured the world many times over, these musicians have the skills to interpret this music in the way it is meant to be interpreted, as Gregg so intimately knows.
Says Gregg, "The band is great because we all really enjoy each other, and I think the sound reflects the fun we are having." The Gregg Rolie Band will also be performing this summer at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on June 28^th and the Bluesfest International Canada on July 13^th.
In other news, after a successful tour with Ringo Starr's All Star Band in the Pacific Rim, which included dates in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, Gregg Rolie will be touring with Ringo and the band again this fall! Gregg, along with Steve Lukather, Todd Rundgren, Richard Page, Mark Rivera, Gregg Bissonette and of course, Ringo Starr, will head to Latin America for 14 shows, with two dates in the US, at The Palms in Las Vegas just before Thanksgiving.
Visit Gregg's website for updated tour information: http://greggrolie.com/tour.html
Finally, check out the new CD by Gregg Rolie & Alan Haynes titled 'Live At The Iridium', which is exclusively available and can be purchased at Gregg Rolie's website: http://www.bitvibe.com/products/gregg-rolie-live-at-the-iridium-cd.
Taken from one of Gregg and Alan's duo performances at the esteemed Iridium Club in New York City, this Live CD captures the essence of the duo in action, in an intimate setting. Gregg brings stories of the glory days of Santana, the early days of Journey, and great new arrangements of classics like "Look Into The Future", "Evil Ways", "Anytime" and "Black Magic Woman". Also included, brilliant new material from his recent solo project, including the touching "If I Went Home", a song 30 years in the making about his falling out with the band Journey. Armed with a Steinway grand, and Texas Start-slinger Alan Haynes, Gregg Rolie transforms his stadium rockers into an exciting and personal night club show.
The Gregg Rolie Band performs live:
When: June 22, 2013
Where: Sandstock – Virginia Beach Music Festival - 17^th Street Park, Virginia Beach, VA
For Ticket Info: http://www.beachstreetusa.com/festivals/sandstock-tribute-rock-roll
For more information: www.GreggRolie.com
Video of the Gregg Rolie Band and Carlos Santana live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDwiZYL21To&

To you, Kent, and others who may be wondering ...
Like some other music-playing sites, Rewound Radio is really only one person.
Allan Sniffen years ago worked in small-town radio up-river from New York, where he still lives today.
For the last many years he's been a dentist, but is far better known as the builder of musicradio77.com, home of online tributes to the hit-music-playing era of WABC and other stations from the big town. The
site also includes the NY Radio Message Board, a pioneer in online discussion of the radio biz.
-- BOB FRABLE, a poster to said board since the mid-2000s
We've been hearing more and more about Allan since we started praising his online efforts ... his New York Radio Message Board is highly respected and what he's done with programming Rewound Radio is a Forgotten Hits dream. More and more readers are gravitating his way ... and loving the results. It's what oldies radio COULD sound like (if they only tried ... and cared!!!) While I've never spoken to him I sometimes feel like Allan MUST be a Forgotten Hits reader when I listen to some of the stuff he plays ... WAY too many moments where we'll hear things we talked about yesterday playing today ... not that that's necessarily a bad thing ... in fact, it's EXACTLY what we encourage here ... push the envelope just a little bit further ... play some of those "unexpected" hits and surprises because your audience WILL remember them if you only give them a chance. I, for one, LOVE what he's doing with the station ... and, from all the mail we've received lately, it sounds like most of you who have given it a chance out there like it, too. (kk)

Hi Kent -
I recently posted a review of a very cool new book every Beach Boy fan will enjoy - http://prayforsurfblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/new-beach-boys-on-tour-1966-surfboards.html?m=1
Phil

re: GLASTONBURY FEST:

Got this from FH Reader Bob Merlis ... and wanted to know more ...

STONES STAR ON BOTH STAGE AND SCREEN AT GLASTONBURY JUNE 29 -30

Official trailer: http://youtu.be/_SKvBARhTyk

This year’s Glastonbury Music Festival features the Rolling Stones, on their “50 and Counting Tour”,

performing on Saturday, June 29^th . On Sunday, June 30^th a special screening of The Rolling Stones Charlie is my Darling - Ireland 1965 from ABKCO Films will take place in the Pilton Place Cinema Tent

on the festival grounds.

The Glastonbury audience will be treated to newly discovered concert and interview footage, woven into an intimate behind-the-scenes diary of life on the road with the young Stones. Shot during a quick two day tour of Ireland, just weeks after “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” hit # 1 on the charts, it features the first professionally filmed concert performances of the band and documents the early frenzy of their fans and the riots their appearances ignited.

Originally shot and directed by pioneering filmmaker Peter Whitehead and produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, the film was never officially released although bits and pieces have surfaced over the years. This new 65 minute cut by the GRAMMY© Award-winning duo of producer Robin Klein and director Mick Gochanour, showcases electrifying full performances of “The Last Time,” “Time Is On My Side” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”.

Motel rooms host impromptu songwriting sessions and familiar classics are heard in their infancy as riff and lyric are united. Charlie is my Darling – Ireland 1965 is the meticulously restored, invaluable frame that captures the spark about to combust into The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World.

Critical praise for The Rolling Stones - Charlie is my Darling – Ireland 1965:

“THE GREATEST LOST ROCK MOVIE EVER.. packed with unseen footage of early Stones mayhem…” - Rolling Stone

“ABSOLUTELY STAGGERING…capturing both the primal energy of their performance and the hysteria it evoked…” - Billboard

“an important moment in the group’s early history…” - The New York Times

“..a new film revealing…raw versions of songs that would become legend…” - Reuters

Check out this INCREDIBLE line-up of talent performing at this thing ... AMAZING!

Click here: Glastonbury Festivals - 2013 line-up

re: A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO HOME:
DanburyFields Forever Beatles Music Festival returns!
On August 3rd, 1963, a month after recording "She Loves You," The Beatles performed at Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club for the very last time. It was their 292nd appearance at the club and they received a fee of £300 for the gig.

On Saturday, August 3, 2013, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of this historic occasion, thousands of fans will "Come Together" for a day-long festival of Beatles music at Ives Concert Park, 43 Lake Avenue Ext. in Danbury, Connecticut. Doors open at Noon. The event is a fund-raiser for Sandy Hook, with 100% of net ticket sales benefiting charity.

This musical extravaganza is titled "Danbury Fields Forever," a clever twist on the classic Beatles track "Strawberry Fields Forever." The returning music, arts and food festival will feature 10 bands, each representing different eras or presentations of Beatles music.

Featured acts will include several regional and national acts, with special tributes to John Lennon and George Harrison.

The host for the 10-band fab-four fun-filled festival is Charles F. Rosenay, whose Liverpool Productions has presented Beatles Expos in Connecticut and other areas since 1978. They also organize the annual "Magical History Tour" which bring fans to Liverpool and London.

This is the second annual "Danbury Fields Forever" Beatles Fans Music Festival, and the extravaganza is open to all ages, attracting music lovers spanning the generations.
An entire-day "ticket to ride" admission starts at only $20. There will be food and beverages available for purchase. There will also be select music and memorabilia vendors and exhibits, plus family-friendly features such as face-painting and inflatables for kids.

For further info call (203) 795-4737, email LiverpoolTours@aol.com, visit www.BeatlesMusicFestival.com or check out the Facebook events page at https://www.facebook.com/events/372464559479394/ .

As The Beatles sang, "...it's guaranteed to raise a smile!"

re: FIRST 45's:

Yep, we still get 'em all the time!!! Have you sent in YOUR First 45's memories yet? Join the thousands of others who have shared their stories with us on The Forgotten Hits Web Page!

Hi Kent!

Not sure if you're still accepting stories, but here's mine if you are:Like others, I can't remember the first 45 I ever bought with real money, because I received a bunch free, then went on a buying frenzy. I had the bug!

My Dad had a friend in Western MD who owned a tavern with a jukebox. Well, when the jukebox was changed out, he would give me a boxful of 45's. I loved them -- some I'd never heard of, some real gems. After getting bit by the music bug, I was a big fan of local radio (Baltimore) in the 50's-60's, listening to my transistor underneath my pillow at night. I would win contests galore, go to visit the radio stations in order to pick up my prize then sweet talk my way into taking home more and more 45's, mostly promo copies. All of this while I was still in school.
I was in love with music. In 1960 I heard this new record by an unknown to me and had to have that record. Wow, I went to my local record stores after school the next day, searching until I found it! Yay! A brand new record that I played and played and played on my little portable player. I still have it and love the song: "Be My Girl"b/w "Lovesick" on PREP by Johnny Madara. Who would ever foresee that in the future I would be lead to this website to share this little part of my collecting memories. I have over 2000 45's now, pared down quite a bit in order to fit in our little house. Just as an aside, I worked for that local radio station about 30 years later, loved it, loved it, loved it. And still came away with more 45's that I treasure.
I have to do an aside to Freddy BOOM BOOM, if he's reading here ... Freddy, you were the hit of our farewell concert at WITH back in the 90's. Thank you! I'll always remember your energy filled performance.And Kent, Thank You for this Johnny Madara interview ... I never knew what became of him. Wonderful!!!!!Janet J,

Florida
ps ... and yes, I was one to put address labels on all my 45's records at parties. That's where all those strange calls came from? LOL

Thanks for sharing, Janet ... EVERYBODY remembers their first, right?!?! We've been posting these First 45's Memories for years now ... and quite a few of these stories have even ended up on the air ... so be sure to check the website for more great stories. (kk)

↧

A Forgotten Hits Exclusive: CHET COPPOCK REVIEWS THE ROLLING STONES CONCERT

June 7, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 09 - 13 )

≪ Previous: Thursday This And That

Without question the hottest ticket in town this past week was The Rolling Stones at The United Center. Their "50 And Counting" Tour rolled into Chicago for three sold-out shows ... and our FH Buddy Chet Coppock (who has seen The Stones in each of the past six decades ... an incredible 17 shows in all!!!) has given us an EXCLUSIVE Forgotten Hits Review of the show ... as only Chet Coppock can!

Enjoy!

Okay, let's cut to the chase. Will the Rolling Stones tour again?

Absolutely. Hey, when a band goes on 55 minutes late as was the case with the Stones Monday at the United Center, it tells me that the band (i.e. Mick Jagger) has no interest in a rocking chair until every last ounce of merchandise has been moved. Now, and maybe for eternity.

You can't help but see the Stones at my age (65, if you're scoring at home) and not have a bushel basket of memories. I vividly recall Dean Martin dissing the band on Hollywood Palace when the group was first achieving its niche. Martin's jabs told every 16 year old in America " You gotta love these guys because your parents think they're on a mission from the Soviet Union."

I recall hanging with the group for about five minutes in General Manager Larry Cane's office at the long gone International Amphitheater back in '73. The Stones, no kidding, were using Larry's office as their dressing room.

Anyway, I've already come up with my AARP-Rolling Stones schedule for the next three years. Trust me, glitter gulch would go nuts over this. I strongly advise that the Stones and their slashing, prolific, 72 year old drummer Charlie Watts become the house band at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Play 30 dates a year - three sets of 10. You think the Stones wouldn’t attract gamblers?

So, let me toss you a changeup. Instead of doing a "traditional" review, let me change gears. I'm going to interview myself about the concert.

Q: Okay, Coppock, what really knocked you out?

A: The Band clearly slowed its tempo on a number of songs. This gave Mick more room to roam and left you feeling comfortable that "Paint It Black", "Gimme Shelter" and "Jumpin" Jack Flash" really aren't the same song.

Q: Did anything leave you unhappy?

A: Damn right. Keith Richards is still a magnificent rhythm guitarist, and his polished white grin told you he was clearly enjoying the moment. But the simple fact is, Keith has lost the body language that made him such an engaging performer to watch.

Q: So what's the big deal?

A: The changing of the guard. Ronnie Wood has waited 35 years to be the group's guitar hero. His time is now.
Q: Give me a moment you'd like to freeze in time?

A: Easy ... Mick Taylor, the former Stones' guitarist, jamming the hell out of "Midnight Rambler." It didn’t take binoculars to realize that Woodie and Keith were blown away by the work that Mick did.
Editor's note: By law, all Rolling Stones are required to weigh under 132 pounds. Not Mick T. He's got to be toting around 250 pounds of horsemeat pie.

Q: What the hell was Taylor Swift doing on stage?

A: Allowing the assembled throng a bathroom break. Taylor swung and missed on her duet with Mick on "As Tears Go By." She was simply in over her head.

Q: What was the biggest set list surprise?

A: I went nuts over "Sway" from "Sticky Fingers." I've seen the Stones 17 times and never heard them do that remarkably brilliant song.

Q: Who were the all underrated players?

A: Bass player Darryl Jones has now been with the group for 20 years - the post Bill Wyman years. Darryl slaps the bass as if he's determined to either bust the strings or his index fingers. Never underestimate what horn player, Bobby Keys, the pride and joy of Slaton, Texas brings to the table.

Q: Was the show visually inspiring?

A: Yes, if only for the extended montage of old time blues and rock artists who clearly inspired Jagger to ditch accounting in favor of covering songs by Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf.

Q: What about Jagger's voice?

A: Best I've heard since "Steel Wheels" and that was 25 years ago. His falsetto on "Emotional Rescue" gave me goose bumps.

Did I mention that the opening riff "Get Off My Cloud" had me thinking disaster? It wasn't. The song set a wonderful tone for an evening to remember.

Q: When did Mick reach his apex?

A: His energy on "Start Me Up" was a complete show stopper.

The Coppock Scorecard:
Rolling Stones - 4.5 of a possible 5 stars.

It would have jumped to five if the group had done "Bitch" and "Hands of Fate."

Over and out.

Gives whole new meaning to "50 And Counting", doesn't it? Will The Stones tour again? One never knows for sure. Who EVER thought they'd still be out there doing it now? Sounds like one hell of a show.

Thanks, Chet! (kk)

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 09 - 13 )

June 8, 2013, 10:15 pm

≫ Next: Monday Morning Musings

≪ Previous: A Forgotten Hits Exclusive: CHET COPPOCK REVIEWS THE ROLLING STONES CONCERT

re: THE ROLLING STONES:
Wow! Chet was much nicer than others have been to the Stones on this tour.
The clips I've heard were awful. Their selection of special guests hasn't been so great either, Taylor Swift?
I won't say she's not talented, but musically she just doesn't complement what The Stones do.
I don't know if Lisa Fischer is in on Gimme Shelter, but if so I would have thought she'd be a highlight.
I saw the Steel Wheels tour and they really were great on that one.
Bill

Hi Kent -
I didn't get to see the Rolling Stones but my best friend did and she said they were GREAT!!!!!
I love all their songs but especially two that are almost forgotten:
Its All Over Now (Which they do on the TAMI Show DVD ... and ...
The Under Assistant West Coast Promo Man (B side of Satisfaction!)
The Best Rock and Roll Band in the History of Rock and Roll!!!
(Would even be better if Brian Jones was still alive to play with them.)
Carolyn
"The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man" is one of my favorites, too ... a pretty insightful piece for this early in their musical career. Were The Stones really already this jaded by 1965???  (Now I gotta hear it again!) kk

And of course everyone remembers Jagger's famous quote from 1969: "I'd rather be dead than doing 'Satisfaction' when I'm 40." Oh how our perspectives change!!

David Lewis

Kent -
You're making me feel old! Chet Coppock was one year behind me at our High School! Chester The Jester!

Best regards,

Rich Silverman

I'll bet Chet had a great time at the show ... this is a guy who knows how to have a good time! And clearly he's quite the music fan. I remember YEARS ago he was always going out to the clubs to check out all of the music acts playing the Chicago scene. Seeing the Stones 17 times? I wonder how often he bought his own ticket!

Dave

Say what you will, this guy is a MAJOR music fan ... and over the years he's seen it all! I think he put an interesting spin of his concert review ... heard from several people who really enjoyed it. (kk)

re: ON THE RADIO:
If it's the second Wednesday of the month (June 12), it's time for Randy on the Radio, 8 - 9 p.m. ET on Top Shelf Oldies (www.topshelfoldies.org). It's a veritable plethora of uncommon oldies, including several rare stereo tracks, a Mystery Oldie, and a '70s Double Play, with two songs you might not have heard in over 35 years!
Previous shows are archived at http://ramtownlive.com/Wednesdayextras.html#randy.
– Randy Price

Kent:

I passed on your kind comments about Rewound Radio to Allan Sniffen, who responded right way.

See below:

Wow!
Thanks, Ian.I think one reason we have many lesser known hits is that I take requests seriously. When a listener asks for something we don't already have, I try to track it down and then add it to the playlist. As time goes by, the list of songs I've added has grown considerably. So, really, it's due to the listeners themselves!
-- Allan

Love your website!!

Ian Berger

Thanks, Ian ... one could turn deserves another. And imagine that ... LISTENERS suggesting the music that they'd really most like to hear ... and a radio station RESPONDING to that by giving the listeners what they ask for. Man, what a concept. (Wish I would have thought of that ... FOURTEEN YEARS AGO!!!)

I can't stress it enough ... radio is missing the boat on being viable again by not taking the blinders off. Why are music fans turning to the Internet for music instead listening to their radios? Variety. Why are people shelling out close to $20 per month for satellite radio like Sirius / XM? Because they can zero in on EXACTLY the kind of music they want to hear without having to put up with all of the monotonous repeats. (Somebody at work told me the other day how much they've grown to hate the song "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison, a former favorite, just because of complete radio saturation. As most of you know, this song has always been one of my pet peeves, too ... I used to LOVE this song ... now it's become one of my fastest button-pushers. He ventured to guess that somewhere in the world every minute of every day, 24/7, 365 days a year, "Brown Eyed Girl" is playing SOMEWHERE ... if you had the time and resources, you could literally listen to it 24 hours a day for the rest of a lifetime. Now I don't know if it's quite THAT bad ... and I'm sure that this is certainly good news for Van Morrision in the way of royalty checks! ... but for God's sake, give it a rest!!! Give us a chance to breath and we might actually start to ENJOY the song again!!!) kk

re: MUSIC TODAY:

I've been reading Paul Anka's biography "My Way" and came across this passage near the end of the book. I couldn't have said it better myself (and have said virtually the exact same thing hundreds of times over the years):

Rap is the first pop music to come along without a melody. What bothers me is this: if you don't have melody, you don't have memory. For instance, if you took over a big banquet hall and put a whole bunch of people in it, and you played the songs of the '50's, '60's and '70's, and said "EV-rybody sing!", most people could sing along with a pop song of the day. But if you did the same thing with the rap records of today and said "EV-rybody sing!", I don't know how many would be able to do that. There would be dead silence. (Or am I just being an old fogey?)
It's a good biography but I often felt like Paul was rewriting history here and there. To hear him tell it, he's been the Forest Gump of pop music for the past five decades ... any place ANYTHING was going on or happening, he seems to have been involved in some fashion. From Elvis and Buddy Holly to JFK and The Beatles ... from billionaire Kings, Princes and land developers like Steve Wynn and Donald Trump to Michael Jackson, Michael Buble and Princess Diana. (In all fairness, the man DID write Holly's hit "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" and the Sinatra signature tune "My Way" ... so clearly there was SOME type of connection here ... I just felt while reading this that they were all played up just a little bit more than what otherwise might pose for reality.) It's his run with The Rat Pack (and some of his Vegas mobster stories) that have been getting most of the press ... and there's some real "inside" stuff here ... but why are we just first hearing about his ties to these guys now? Seems to me that if all these guys were as tight as he says they were, we would have seen Anka photographed with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. countless times over the years ... and this simply wasn't the case. (In fact, so much time is spent talking about Sinatra that at times it seems like Paul is writing HIS biography instead of his own!) It's hard to believe that Anka (nearly half the age of Ol' Blue Eyes, Dino and Sammy) would have been accepted as part of that inner circle. And history has determined that the pop star MOST associated with the Vegas scene in the early '60's was Bobby Darin ... HE'S the guy who went "all Sinatra" on us ... I don't recall ever hearing anything about Paul Anka's Vegas stretch that early in his career. (And apples to apples, Sinatra most definitely did not allow Darin into that inner circle ... in fact he pretty much despised him, once calling himself a "saloon singer" and referring to Bobby as the guy who "sings my prom dates".)

But all this being said, I have to admit that I did enjoy it and found it to be an interesting read. (Paul's a bit of a name-dropper ... ya think?!?!? ... and virtually EVERY person he's connected with in his lifetime seems to have been his oldest, closest and dearest friend) ... but he's still a good storyteller and you'll find yourself repeating many of his tales to friends, family and fellow music fans again and again.
I've always liked Anka's music and feel that he's one of those "unsung heroes" from the early days of rock and roll. (Like virtually every other Canadian artist, Paul is conspicuously absent from The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, despite 33 Top 40 Hits spread over the '50's, '60's, '70's and '80's.)

Here's one of MY favorites ... "Do I Love You" only got to #38 nationally ... (it didn't even climb that high in Billboard, stalling at #53) ... but was a #8 here in Chicago on the WCFL Chart. (kk)

re: FIRST 45's:

Kent,
In today's FH as well in past FH, one discussed his first 45. Well, this got me to thinking.
Does anyone remember their last 45 they bought? For example, I can't really remember the last 45 I bought, but it was the year 1989 that I ceased to buy 45 rpm records as we knew them. I won't go into the reason or reasons why I quit, but to be honest with you, I really haven't missed all that much, in my opinion.
Larry

Probably not ... discovering this music was far more exciting and interesting than abandoning! (lol) I don't think radio realizes how much those early moments meant to us ... if they did, they would do a FAR better job of rekindling those memories. Doesn't matter if it was The Beatles or Elvis who first made you run out to the record shop ... or an uncharted hit like the Johnny Madara track we featured the other day ... this music MEANT something to us ... and left us with a last impression (not to mention a lifetime of memories.) It's that narrow-minded, tunnel-vision programming that has made radio the stagnant mess it is today. Program to your audience ... there are already enough radio clones on the dial! (kk)

By the way, watch for more "First 45's" News coming soon!

re: ANOTHER LOSS:
Kent,

You've probably seen the news that Jim Sundquist of the Fendermen died on 6/4 at age 75.

Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
http://www.music-gem.com/index.html
Jim Sundquist, Minnesota musician behind "Muleskinner Blues," dies

Don
http://www.bringmethenews.com/2013/06/07/jim-sundquist-minnesota-musician-behind-mule-skinner-blues-dies/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=jim-sundquist-minnesota-musician-behind-mule-skinner-blues-dies

Jim Sundquist, one-half of the Madison, Wisconsin duo, the Fendermen (with Phil Humphrey), died Tuesday (June 4) of cancer at his home in Fairfax, Minnesota. He was 75. The University of Wisconsin students reached reached #5 in 1960 with their version of "Muleskinner Blues", but the follow-up, "Don't You Just Know It," only topped at #110 that year. Jim went on to spend 20 years as the Music And Art Therapist at Redeemer Residence in Minneapolis.

Ron Smith

In hindsight it's hard to believe that a song like this could get to #5 on the charts ... but back then it was "anything goes" ... and this one sure stood out from the crowd. Give a listen. (kk)

re: THE BEACH BOYS:
Some Beach Boys news from our FH Buddy David Beard, Editor and Publisher of "Endless Summer Quarterly" ...

Click here: The Beach Boys Live — The 50th Anniversary Tour - National Beach Boys | Examiner.com
And also word of a brand new Brian Wilson solo album ... believe it or not, his ELEVENTH!!! Click here: Brian Wilson’s 11th solo album on its way - National Beach Boys | Examiner.com

Wilson has invited Al Jardine and David Marks to play on the new LP ... and they will also join him for some upcoming live appearances:
July 20 – Atlantic City, NY
The Grand @ The Golden Nugget
July 21 – Pittsburgh, PA
Stage AE—Outdoor Stage
July 23 – Interlochen, MI
Kresge Auditorium
July 25 – Kettering, OH
Fraze Pavilion
July 26 – Highland Park, IL
Ravinia Festival
July 27 – Apple Valley, MINN
Weesner Family Amphitheatre
Oct 20 – Los Angeles
Greek Theatre

re: THIS AND THAT: Coming soon: We're down to just a matter of weeks now before Joel Whitburn's latest revision to his all-time best seller "Top Pop Singles" hits the streets. (This will be the 14th Edition of this Music Bible and will now cover the primary rock years, 1955 - 2012.) In addition, it also boasts several new features ... like the songwriters for every Billboard Chart Hit ... and a complete list of Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees and Inductees ... and much, much more.Order your copy now through The Record Research Website : Click here: Top Pop Singles 1955-2012 | Joel Whitburn's Record Research

More details below:

WHAT’S NEW?
• Songwriter(s) and B-sides of every song!
• A return to true chronological order for artist discographies
• A streamlined approach to the listing of “Featured artists• More classic non-Hot 100 songs
• Chronological and alphabetical listings of all Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees (not just the inductees)
• Over 500 new artist photos from picture sleeves, cassette and CD covers
• New clover symbol indicates if artist had at least 24 hits and is in our "24 Club."

Chronicles the more than 8,600 artists and nearly 42,000 songs over six decades that ever appeared on Billboard magazine's early pop singles charts (Best Seller, Disc Jockey, Juke Box, Top 100), "Hot 100," Bubbling Under the Hot 100, Breakout, Territorial, and Hot 100 Airplay charts PLUS thousands of non-charted classics.

ESSENTIAL CHART DATA ... Peak chart position, chart debut date, total weeks charted, total weeks at #1, #2 or #3, original label and number - and much more! All hits are listed under their artist in chronological order.

INVALUABLE INFO ... Main section of this edition includes pre-1955 artists and songs that contributed to the very roots of rock and roll, such as Roy Brown's "Good Rockin' Tonight" from 1948 and Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats' "Rocket "88" from 1951! Rock & roll EP's and their chart data is shown from Billboard's 1957-1960 "Best Selling Pop EP's” chart; among these are collectable EP's by Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Elvis Presley and The Everly Brothers.

ACCURATE ARTIST FACTS ... Updated artists' bios, photos, Decade and All-Time rankings, Grammy, Billboard, Rolling Stone and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame awards!

NEW “FEAT.” LISTING… “Featured” artists are accorded the same billing as “guest” artists of the past, so a song on which an artist is simply “featured” is now shown only under its lead artist. For example, Lil Wayne’s chart listing now shows his 53 hits as the lead artist and below his bio is a new “FEAT.” listing that references the lead artists of the 84 hits on which he was featured.

FIND-IT-FAST FEATURES ... Top hit by an artist with 10 or more hits is underlined. / All Top 10 titles are shaded. / #1 hits have a special peak position symbol. / Gold and Platinum recordings are indicated with symbols. / Hot 100 Airplay hits show a special bracketed symbol. / Label configurations, such as cassettes, CDs, 45s, 12” records and picture sleeves all have a column with bold symbols. / Letter symbols indicate Instrumental, Christmas, Live, Reissued recordings, etc.

#1 symbols are shown for any title that hit #1 on these other charts: R&B, Country, Rock and Adult Contemporary!

DETAILED TITLE TRIVIA
All #1 Hits listed chronologically
PLUS Major Awards, Top 200 Honor Roll Of Hits, A-Z Song Title Section, Top Artist Achievements, Top 500 Artists Ranking -- And Much, Much More!

Don't miss out ... order YOUR copy today! (kk)

Click here: Top Pop Singles 1955-2012 | Joel Whitburn's Record Research

Looks like a few of our local heroes are available in short supply again at Sundazed. I spent many exciting hours working on many many of these on a five days or less time limit often! Once contracts are signed, things move quickly, I'm afraid. Anyway, many of these are VERY dear to my heart and the prices are VERY nice!!
Check them out here: http://www.sundazed.com/shop/index.php?cPath=187

Clark Besch

The brand new "RETROPHONIC 4" CD by Davie Allan & The Arrows is such a tonic of refreshing serum for the Forgotten Hits audience. You will feel young again with it playing as it wipes away time barriers and catapults the listener into many eras.
Twenty-five tunes and you will not find a better record of diversity and talent out there unless it's his other three in this Retrophonic series.

The first sixteen tunes are guitar driven instrumentals.

The next nine feature vocals.

I urge your readers to buy this directly from Davie and get it signed.

I can assure you if you don't get this CD then you are missing out!

Track nineteen is an infectious groove not far of kin from The Archies and sure to take you back to when you stacked your 45's on a spindle and let the bubblegum pop!

Request for Davie Allan to sign your CD!
"RETROPHONIC 4 - Davie Allan & The Arrows" - $10.00 (Includes U.S. Shipping & Handling)
SEND PAYPAL TO: melodicgrunge@yahoo.com
MAKE CHECKS OR MONEY ORDERS PAYABLE TO:

DAVIE ALLAN

(PLEASE SPELL THE NAME RIGHT!)

AND MAIL TO: DAVIE ALLAN
P.O. Box 5378
Oceanside, CA 92052

Thanks ...

Boobie Van Houten
OK, now I've just GOT to hear Track 19! (lol)
And, thanks to Davie Allan, we can ALL enjoy it! Not at all what you'd expect from "The King Of Fuzz" ... a VERY catchy pop tune with another Davie vocal. Give a listen ... it's a fun tune. Full ordering information can be found above.

Thanks Kent!
My friend / fan Boobie has a been reviewing the album one tune at a time and he figured the one attached could have been a "forgotten hit". Just so you know, this isn't really an oldie. It's a re-write of an old song (that I co-wrote) but with some new lyrics and a brand new vocal and mix.
Here's "Those Little Things" from "Retrophonic 4".
Thanks again,
Davie
http://www.davieallan.com

Rock Star Guitars From Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Jack White and Many More Featured in Exquisite New Art Book 108 Rock Star Guitars By Photographer / Author Lisa S. Johnson with Foreword by Les Paul (A Portion of Proceeds To Benefit The Les Paul Foundation)
LOS ANGELES, June 5, 2013, 108 Rock Star Guitars by photographer / author Lisa S. Johnson is a collection of stunningly personal and intimate portraits of the cherished guitars owned by the gods of rock. It is a music and fine-art photography aficionado's backstage pass to witness up-close these six-stringed works of art belonging to Les Paul, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Lou Reed, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Nancy Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Rick Nielsen, Slash, Jack White, Billy Gibbons, Ace Frehley and many others. The book, to be published by Glitterati Incorporated, is offered for pre-order now at www.108RockStarGuitars.com and will be available at booksellers and online everywhere September 16, 2013. (108 Rock Star Guitars SRP: $108, ISBN: 978-0-9832702-5-6). A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Les Paul Foundation.

Thisexquisite, 396-page art book, bound in embossed red leatherette, features 300 images that reveal — through Johnson’s signature macrophotography style — the intimate details, etchings, totems, and personal touches that embody the true spirit of the musician and that few — save for their stage crew — have seen from this perspective.Alongside these images, Johnson provides personal anecdotes describing her long quest to photograph these iconic instruments and documents her travels from the backstage hallways of some the world’s most famous concert venues, to the artist’s private homes.

“I remember the first black-and-white pictures Lisa took of my guitars … they were wonderfully evocative,” writes the late legendary musician and inventor Les Paul in the book’s foreword. “I never could have guessed that she would one day produce the extensive, impressive collection of photographs presented here — images unlike any I have ever seen. Lisa’s passion for her subject is evident on every page of this magnificent book.”

In addition, Glitterati will issue a deluxe, limited edition of 540 signed and numbered copies, packaged in a die-cut collector’s box. (SRP: $540, ISBN: 978-0-9891704-0-6). Those books will include a hand-woven, silk chiffon scarf in deep purple, featuring the book cover design. Both editions will include a 16-page booklet, “The Inspiration Behind 108 Rock Star Guitars,” with additional behind-the-scenes photos and stories as well as a guitar pick printed with one of three custom holographic foil designs.

108 Rock Star Guitars is the culmination of Johnson’s 17-year journey that began when she photographed Les Paul’s guitar during one of his regular Monday night sets at New York’s famed Iridium Club. Renowned for his innovations and recognized as one of the pioneers of the solid body electric guitar, he wrote the book’s foreword a few months before he passed away in 2009. In his honor and memory, Johnson will donate a portion of the proceeds to The Les Paul Foundation, which supports music education, engineering and innovation as well as medical research.

Johnson’s innovative guitar photographs can also be seen in the book Eric Clapton: Six-String Stories, where 47 of her images are featured along with archival photos by acclaimed lensmen Lord Snowden, David Bailey, Terry O'Neill, Dominique Tarle and others.

As a former technical sales rep for Kodak, Johnson shot extensively, experimenting with processes and every type of film she had in her inventory. In 108 Rock Star Guitars, she showcases a variety of the last film stock ever manufactured for Kodak Professional and the transition to digital, in her gorgeous homage to image and music.

About Glitterati Incorporated:

Glitterati Incorporated is an intellectual property producer and publisher of distinctive illustrated books, ancillary gift products, and electronic media with offices in New York and London. Glitterati is an expert in producing and selling some of the most innovative products in the book industry. Working both domestically and internationally, Glitterati addresses the market needs of consumers while delivering products with the highest editorial, design, and manufacturing standards. Its offerings span across a variety of genres including fine art and popular culture, fashion and photography, architecture and design, cooking and gardening, children’s interest and lifestyle. Glitterati’s goal is to extend boundaries in the industry while creating deluxe products with broad appeal. http://glitteratiincorporated.com.

About The Les Paul Foundation:

The mission of the Les Paul Foundation is to honor and share the life, spirit, and legacy of Les Paul by supporting music education, engineering and innovation as well as medical research. The foundation awards grants to music, music engineering and sound programs that serve youth, establishes music-related scholarships at schools and programs for students, provides grants for medical research and programs related to hearing impairment, and supports public exhibits displaying Les Paul’s life achievements. http://www.lespaulfoundation.org/.

Two other totally "Forgotten (Summer) Hits" ...
Well, OK, Kent, maybe "hits" is too strong, but both of these -- one by Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon himself and one by the Four Preps -- deserve their brief moment in the (summer) sun.
I'm talking about "What's Gonna Happen When the Summer's Done," a 1962 Cannon song that reached No. 45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PThxZIsNOgA
And great harmonies from the Preps on "Lazy Summer Night," a 1958 song from -- believe it or not -- the last Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) movie. It hit No. 21. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3TserHUiJc
Both have some fun lyrics and -- hmmm, how strange -- both mention "parking" as one of their favorite summer activities!

Mr. Cannon:
What's gonna happen
When the summer's done
When there's no more
Parties and no more fun

Will I still be number one
When the summer's done ...
Drive-in movies, then we park
Kissing and a hugging in the dark
Down to the soda shop, meet the crowd
Dancing to the jukebox playing loud ...

And the Preps:
It's such a lazy summer night
There's not a moving thing in sight
It's all so quiet
No riot
Why even in the thicket
Mr. Cricket's slowing down ...

Hey take a look at all those other cars
They're parked here just like ours
To count the stars above
It seems we're not alone
I guess I should have knownRomance runs high
The last two weeks in July

-- Don Effenberger

Kent,

The mention of Bob Lind reminded me of something that was really stumping me a few years ago.

Finally it clicked in my mind. The opening of "Hey There Delilah" reminded me of a song by Bob Lind that got some airplay in Chicago on WCFL, but I don't think charted here, called "Remember The Rain". A song that I feel should have gone higher than it did.

Play the beginnings of both songs and you'll see. They aren't exact, but awful close, close enough that it triggered a memory in my head from long ago. Or maybe it's just me. They sure sound a lot closer to me than "My Sweet Lord" sounds to "He's So Fine".

Ken

Hey There Delilah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoaT6WXUV_M

Remember The Rain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiQ5YJLq2vQ

We haven't heard much from former Journey lead singer Steve Perry of late ... with Journey songs more popular than ever, this is really a shame ... not to mention the fact that one of the greatest voices in rock history has been sitting silent for decades now ... so it was a bit of surprise to see this news item the other day. Click here: Ex-Journey Singer Steve Perry Reveals Relationship, Cancer Scare in Touching Blog Post | Stop The Presses! (NEW) -

re: NOVELTY SONGS:

Kent --
I've been reading FH since 2004, and a lot of the things you've done have gotten fuzzy (kind of like the 70s, heh) and I don't recall when you last did a feature on novelty records. I bring it up because I found one I'd never heard of, "Close the Door" by Jim Lowe (1955), who had another and way more famous "door" song with "Green Door" in 1956. It's very silly, and reminiscent of "The Thing" as done by Phil Harris in 1950. It's also the only record I've ever heard where a squeaky dog toy is one of the instruments.
It makes me wonder what other silly stuff is buried down at the bottom of the Billboard charts. I have a special affection for novelty records, as it was "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" that led me to rock radio when I was 11. Wally Phillips played it on WGN, which the kitchen radio was always tuned to. My friends said I could hear it more often on WLS. The rest is history.
-- 73 --
-- Jeff Duntemann
Colorado Springs, Colorado

I've always been a big novelty fan, too ... had a pretty extensive collection (and listened to the Dr. Demento show quite faithfully for years!) Novelty hits always did very well here in Chicago, with lots of chart-toppers along the way. (Typically these don't last on the charts for very long ... once the "novelty" wears off, they pretty much fade away ... but some have truly stood the test of time.) Who knows ... maybe that'll be our next poll ... All-Time Favorite Novelty Songs!!! (kk)

Talking about bizarre, rare novelty songs, here's one I haven't featured in ages ... a #23 Hit here in Chicago in 1967 by Bent Bolt that never even charted nationally ... "The Mechanical Man"! (By the way, although the WLS Silver Dollar Survey showed the artist for this song as "Ben Bolt" for a least a week or two ... and Ron Smith's book lists him as the same ... the ACTUAL 45 was released by BENT Bolt (and the Nuts) ... another clever "mechanical" tie-in. Here's a copy of that rare picture sleeve, part of my collection for YEARS!!!)

More information to digest ... I've read in a couple of places that the artist who recorded this song was actually Teddy Randazzo, who had already placed a few records on the WLS Chart under his own name ... perhaps helping his cause in getting this oddity aired at the station. (The fact that this single was released on the MGM Record Label helps lend some credence to this supposition ... although it's still kinda hard to believe that the guy who wrote classics like "Goin' Out Of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad" for Little Anthony and the Imperials would also come up with this bit of dreck! lol) kk

re: THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW:

#1 WCBS-FM Groupie (and FH Reader) Frank B sent us this link for their latest piece ... spotlighting "The Five Most Memorable Performances From The Ed Sullivan Show" ...
Click here: 5 Most Memorable Performances From The Ed Sullivan Show « WCBS-FM 101.1

Gee ... why didn't I think of that ... TWENTY MONTHS AGO!!!?!?!? (In fact, we had Andrew Solt himself pick his Top Ten Favorite and Most Important Music Moments!) You can review that entire series ... or simply read our interview with Andrew ... and read the memories of several of the performers who appeared on Ed's show ... via the links below.
(Actually June 6th was the anniversary of the final Ed Sullivan Show broadcast back in 1971 ... so it DOES kinda make sense!)

To catch the ENTIRE Ed Sullivan Series, scroll or click back to October 30, 2011 and carry forward through November 21st ... TONS of Ed Sullivan highlights, memories, interviews, video clips and more! (kk)

Andrew's picks: Click here: Forgotten Hits: ED SULLIVAN - The Best Of The Best

Artists' Memories: Click here: Forgotten Hits - FORGOTTEN HITS REMEMBERS THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW ... From Both Sides Of The Screen

Our Exclusive Interview with Andrew Solt: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Forgotten Hits Interviews Andrew Solt

re: LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY!:
Forgotten Hits is closing in on its two millionth view!!!!! We're now less than 10,000 views away from passing this MAJOR milestone ... so thank you, thank you, thank you again for your continued support and the great word of mouth. New folks are discovering us every single day ... and many of you have singled us out as the #1 source for oldies music today. (We couldn't have done it without you!) kk

re: TODAY'S FORGOTTEN HIT:
I have absolutely NO idea how THIS one got stuck in my head the other day ... I'll bet I haven't heard it on the radio in thirty years ... but I'm posting it today to drive you guys crazy, too! (kk)

Another legitimate Top 20 Hit (#11 in Record World ... and #4 here in Chicago ... and a #2 Smash back home in Jolly Old England!) that radio has COMPLETELY ignored for decades. Even stranger in light of the fact that the group Hotlegs ultimately evolved into 10cc, who had a few MAJOR hits in the '70's ... you'd think radio would play it if only for THAT reason and interesting tidbit. That being said, when's the last time YOU heard "Neanderthal Man"??? (In hindsight it's almost "Tusk"-like, isn't it???) kk

↧

Monday Morning Musings

June 10, 2013, 5:01 am

≫ Next: Some Tasty Tuesday Tidings

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 09 - 13 )

re: PAUL ANKA:
>>>It's agood biography but I often felt like Paul was rewriting history here and there. To hear him tell it, he's been the Forest Gump of pop music for the past five decades ... any place ANYTHING was going on or happening, he seems to have been involved in some fashion. From Elvis and Buddy Holly to JFK and The Beatles ... from billionaire Kings, Princes and land developers like Steve Wynn and Donald Trump to Michael Jackson, Michael Buble and Princess Diana. (kk)
Sounds like Freddy Cannon's biography, which has him touring the UK with Eddie Cochran on the tour that Eddie would pass away during (although from a concert poster I saw some time ago, Freddy apparently didn't even touch UK soil for his first tour over there until three months after Eddie had passed away).
By the way, does Paul Anka's biography mention his rant about T-Shirts?
-- Tom

No, great rap 'tho!!! (lol) Gives whole new meaning to why he calls his book "My Way".

Honestly, I get it ... a bit harsh, but I get it. (Trust me ... this is about a WHOLE lot more than just T-Shirts!!! In fact, it sounds like this is where all of his exposure to a mob / gangster background comes into play ... he sounds a lot more "wise guy" than Canadian on this tape!!! lol)

Strangely, he never mentioned the time his teeth fell out and flew into the audience either. (kk)

re: THIS AND THAT:
Tom Cuddy sent us this great (but somewhat lengthy) interview with Howard Kaylan. So disappointed to hear that he doesn't hold "You Know What I Mean" in very high regard ... it's one of my absolute Turtles favorites! (kk)

http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2013/06/04/turtle-talk-interview-howard-kaylan-turtles/

Kent ...
Maybe some of your readers would like to tell us about their Prom Song.
I can't help thinking that Chet might like to chime in on this one.
Frank B.
Click here: The Glory Days: The Best Prom Songs Of The Last 60 Years « WCBS-FM 101.1

Wow ... NONE of these would have made my list!!!

The one that got saturated to death here in Chicago was "Colour My World" by Chicago ... I don't know of a school in the '70's that DIDN'T use that song as their prom theme!

CBS-FM seems a bit tardy on this one ... proms are usually in May ... school's out already now!!! (kk)

>>>The Rolling Stones' B-Side "The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man" is one of my favorites, too ... a pretty insightful piece for this early in their musical career. Were The Stones really already this jaded by 1965??? (Now I gotta hear it again!) kk

A great insight into those early Rolling Stones days is a book by Andrew Loog Oldham called 'Stone Free.' It's a must read for all who are interested in 'behind the scenes' during those times.

Hope all is well,

Cheers,

Vic

www.vicflick.com

Hi,

I don't know why this occurred to me ... However: I never really cared for Pat Boone's music. He mostly just copied other artists. However, he made a few records that were done pretty well. I'm including one of them (which is on Youtube. For some reason the record is rare, but well done.
Click here: Pat Boone - Some Enchanted Evening - DOT.wmv - YouTube

Thanks.

Arnold Kirkbride

I'm not especially caring for this one. (And with only 1100 hits in two years, it's clearly not a "fan favorite" either!)

I think Pat made a few good records but in hindsight they haven't really held up very well. I was talking with Scott Shannon about this just a few days ago and we tried to make a list of which Pat Boone songs might still play well on the radio today. Truth be told, we didn't come up with a very long list.

Once you eliminate the covers (music fans would rather hear the R&B originals of songs like "Long Tall Sally", "Tutti Frutti", "Ain't That A Shame", "At My Front Door" and "Good Rockin' Tonight" than Pat's sanitized, watered-down whitebread versions), what are you really left with? Even a #1 Hit like "April Love" sounds ancient (and, quite honestly, boring as hell!) I can't believe anyone would stay tuned in if this were playing.

But there are a few good ones that still hold up ... and deserve at least an occasional spin ... "I Almost Lost My Mind" (#1, 1956); "Love Letters In The Sand" (#1, 1957); "Moody River" (#1, 1961) and his novelty hit "Speedy Gonzales" (#6, 1962 ... and one of MY First 45's) for starters. Certainly even in today's programming there must be room for FOUR Pat Boone Top Ten Hits ... I mean the guy had 18 of them!!! (kk)

Kent,
Just a few things that I thought of immediately when I read today's comments.

First, hearing of Jim Sundquist's passing (member of the Fendermen), I always did like their follow-up hit DON'T YOU JUST KNOW IT. Wasn't big nationally, but still one I liked. In fact I had to get it out just now and "play it once more".
Mentioning Davie Allan reminded me that the morning DJ who works here in OKC on the TOC before Scott Shannon takes over, stresses his request line number and likes for listeners to call in with hard to find songs to play. This past week, a listener called in and wanted to hear BLUE'S THEME. Haven't actually heard it on the radio in years.
Mentioning the song by the Four Preps LAZY SUMMER NIGHT reminded me of the quite a few records they made that people tend to forget they recorded other than 26 MILES and BIG MAN.
The song by Bob Lind REMEMBER THE RAIN, wasn't all that big a record here in OKC. I checked and it was only on our survey for just two weeks, peaking at #32 in May of 1966.
I, for one, always liked the novelty records, some more than others. I always did like BOOGIE BEAR out of 1959 by Boyd "17" Bennett. You are right in that the "novelty" began to wear off when you heard them over and over again.
THE MECHANICAL MAN by Bent Bolt & the Nuts never made our survey. It did remind me of the song ROBOT MAN recorded by Jamie Horton in 1960, which did make our survey.
Finally, NEANDERTHAL MAN by Hotlegs reminded me of an instrumental from 1960 called THE BRONTOSAURUS STOMP by the Piltdown Men (Capitol), with ALLEY OOP coming in a very far second.
Larry Neal

While "Don't You Just Know It" by The Fendermen only managed to "bubble under" in Billboard Magazine, it DID reach #76 on the Record World / Music Vendor chart. Here in Chicago, it peaked at #39 (and, of course, now you've got me singing "Chick-A-Boom, Chick-A-Boom" over and over in my head again, thanks to the "don'tcha just love it" line!!!) "Blues' Theme" was a HUGE hit here in Chicago, reaching #3 on the old WCFL Chart. We'll hear it every great once in a while (primarily if Bob Stroud features it on his "Rock And Roll Roots" radio program.) We've featured a few tracks from The Four Preps over the years so it as nice to be reminded of this one. As for Bob Lind's "Remember The Rain", check out Bob's comments below regarding this song ... and any similarity to its sounding like "Hey There Delilah". (kk)

>>>The mention of Bob Lind reminded me of something that was really stumping me a few years ago.

When the Plain White T's came out with the song "Hey There Delilah", it just bugged me every time I heard that song. I KNEW that song from somewhere, at least the opening of it, yet I couldn't remember what other song it reminded me of. I'm sure we've all had that happen at some point. Finally it clicked in my mind. The opening of "Hey There Delilah" reminded me of a song by Bob Lind that got some airplay in Chicago on WCFL, but I don't think charted here, called "Remember The Rain". A song that I feel should have gone higher than it did. Play the beginnings of both songs and you'll see. They aren't exact, but awful close, close enough that it triggered a memory in my head from long ago. Or maybe it's just me. They sure sound a lot closer to me than "My Sweet Lord" sounds to "He's So Fine". (Ken)

I couldn't help but wonder what Bob Lind himself would think about any similarity between the two tracks ... so I asked him ... check out this insightful answer ...

Hey Kent,

There's a marginal melodic similarity I guess, but certainly nothing actionable.

It happens. Writers pick up fragments of tunes they've heard. I certainly don't think the guy was ripping me off.

Every time I write a song I feel I've subconsciously incorporated at least part of the melody from somewhere. I've only been right once that I know of.

My song "Sweet Harriet" from my SINCE THERE WERE CIRCLES album always felt vaguely familiar to me, as though I was remembering some of the melodic phrases rather than composing.

About a year after the song came out, I was listening to an oldies station and heard that Association song again, the one that starts "In my most secure moments I still can't believe I'm spending these moments with you. The song I am singing the air that I breathe ..." etc.

That's the first time I realized I had accidentally "borrowed" a chunk of its melody.

Like this comparison your reader posted about ("Delilah" to "Rain") it's not an out and out complete theft, not note for note. But I sense I might not have found the "Harriet" tune were it not for that song.

Copyright laws account for that. One really has to burglarize massive portions of the melody to wind up on the George Harrison end of a lawsuit.

Bob Lind

Even the court found that Harrison had "subconsciously BORROWED" from the song ... and even assigned him a Song Expert to run any future melodies past to insure that they weren't in some other fashion familiar. (Harrison poked light of this in his hit "This Song", which he said had "nothing Bright about" ... Bright Music being the publisher of "He's So Fine". He later ... with the help of Monty Python's Eric Idle ... says the song sounds like "Sugar Pie, Hunnybunch" ... to which Idle responds "No, sounds more like "Rescue Me"!" All in good fun I'm sure.

I remember Paul McCartney talking about how he "dreamed" the melody to "Yesterday" ... and then went around for weeks asking others if they recognized the tune. Decades later it was determined that the song was somewhat reminiscent of an old Nat "King" Cole song that McCartney was most likely exposed to as a child growing up in Liverpool ... so you never know.

I don't know that anyone ever deliberately goes out and tries to rip off another artist (not if they legitimately want a hit record anyway!) but there have been a few cases where Led Zeppelin got sued for calling an old blues standards their own. The Rolling Stones weren't taking any chances when they released "Anybody Seen My Baby" ... they knew it sounded a little bit like k.d. Lang's "Constant Craving", so simply gave her songwriting credit on their new track! A similar ruling added Chuck Berry's name to Brian Wilson's "Surfin' USA". (So how in the world did John Lennon get away with ripping off "Happy Xmas" from the old folk standard "Stewball"?!?!?!) kk

What do YOU think. Here are both tunes for your own review ...

Click here: BOB LIND Sweet Harriet / The Music Box 1969 - YouTube

Click here: The Association -[4]- Everything That Touches You - YouTube

I'd never heard this before ... kind of interesting ... and it's not like I don't have the sleeve to this day.

Bowery Boys & the Beatles(upper right hand corner, left of Dylan)Leo Gorcey & Huntz Hall were paid homage by being selected to be included on the iconic Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover (BEATLES). Huntz is there, but not Gorcey.

(all gone)
The Gorcey photo was removed after Gorcey's agent demanded a $400 payment for use of his image.

RENFIELD

I do remember that a few photos originally planned for inclusion in the backdrop had to be removed for licensing reasons. (Wow! $400 hardly seems like extortion!!! lol) Cool that The Beatles were fond enough of these guys to want to include them. (kk)

Kent ...

Sir Paul Sings In Brooklyn, New York at the Barclay Center

Here's what Music Critic, Jim Farber had to say:

Sir Paul opened with "Eight Days A Week." A Fab Four classic he somehow neglected to sneak onto the set list since it first appeared way back in 1964. Others included "Your Mother Should Know," "All Together Now," and "Lovely Rita."

It's amazing that McCartney could find something fresh to give fans. It's equally unlikely and pleasing that, as he approaches age 71 (on June 18), he could deliver these songs with such verve and verisimilitude. As usual, McCartney's show mixed Fab Four songs with material from Paul's solo career, as well as his days with Wings. Other songs included "Band On The Run," "Junior's Farm," "Paperback Writer," "We Can Work It Out," "The Long And Winding Road," and "And I Love Her." Paul McCartney puts himself entirely at the audience's service, dutifully exercising his role as sole credible conduit to songs that tap the collective memory of nearly everyone on the planet - even the very young.
Frank B.

Macca has always been a crowd pleaser and mixes up his sets regularly (probably to please himself as much as his fans!) An earlier report / set list that I had read said he performed "The Lovely Linda" ... but "Lovely Rita" makes a whole lot more sense. (One of my favorites from "Sgt. Pepper" by the way!) I wish I could see him EVERY time he comes on tour but I'd need his kind of money to be able to do so! (Lol) Still a pretty impressive set list (to say the least!) kk

re: THE ROUTE 66 RADIO TOUR:

Here are a couple of shots of Lane Lindstrom, Paul Lepek and (I believe) Geoff Kemp in the first one (don't hold me to that -- even Paul got their names confused -- the second picture has both) at the Sunday Broadcast from the Route 66 Museum in Pontiac.
Yes, they played "Whipped Cream" and (for no reason whatsoever -- Lane didn't know anything about it's history) even played "Soul Coaxing" by Raymond Lefevre.

Lane even sent me a pictue of me being interviewed towards the end of the broadcast by Paul Peters. That control board is the same one I ran as morning man at WCCQ-FM in Joliet in 1976.
-- Ron Smith
Glad you had the chance to go down there ... I had thought about going both yesterday (Joliet) and today but never made it. (Actually at one point I was going to take Thursday and Friday off from work and do the whole trip with them but they didn't get back to me about it until too late and by that point I had already cancelled the vacation days, not wanting to waste them.) I tried to tune in and listen a few times over the weekend but it seems that every time I put it on, they were doing something else. Still a pretty amazing experience, I'm sure. (kk)

re: ON THE RADIO:
I just thought I would pass this along to you. This was posted on my facebook and had a lot of good comments.
Carrie
Boss Radio
I listened for a little while last night and quite enjoyed what I heard. Give it a listen for yourself when you get a chance. (kk)

re: AND ON THE TUBE:
Frannie saw a few commercials this weekend about the start up of the second season of the Starz Dramatic Series "Magic City" and thought it looked kind of interesting ... so this weekend, with a little free time on our hands, we decided to check it out in an effort to get caught up with last season's episodes.
We watched the first two and (being a time-period piece) couldn't believe how much great late '50's and early '60's music they featured ... everything from "Venus" by Frankie Avalon to "Nel Blue Di Pinto Di Blue (Volare)" by Domenico Mudugno to "Beyond The Sea" by Bobby Darin and "Sugartime" by The McGuire Sisters ... GREAT stuff that plays nicely into the background of this mob-based piece. (On episode one Frank Sinatra was about to perform on New Year's Eve, 1958, at Ike Evan's ... the lead character's ... club down in Miami ... while we never saw Frank, we DID get to hear him sing.) The series stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who quickly moved into major sex appeal status after his stint as Denny Duquette on "Grey's Anatomy" a few years ago.
Proves once again that this music still has a place in our lives if used properly. Give it a look if you haven't already done so. (kk)

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Some Tasty Tuesday Tidings

June 11, 2013, 4:39 am

≫ Next: A Couple More Mid-Week Comments

≪ Previous: Monday Morning Musings

Following up on a couple of pieces from yesterday ...

re: PAUL ANKA:
Well, we sure screwed THIS one up!!!
After building up to Paul Anka's epic T-Shirt rave-out, I then ran the wrong clip to accompany the story! (See what happens when I rush this stuff together in the morning and then don't have time to double check it before I have to leave for work?!?!?)
Anyway, this one's just too good to pass up ... so I'm giving it another shot this morning ... 'cause you just GOTTA hear this. (My guess is you'll never think of Paul Anka the same way again!!!) kk

Here goes ...

>>>It's agood biography but I often felt like Paul was rewriting history here and there. To hear him tell it, he's been the Forest Gump of pop music for the past five decades ... any place ANYTHING was going on or happening, he seems to have been involved in some fashion. From Elvis and Buddy Holly to JFK and The Beatles ... from billionaire Kings, Princes and land developers like Steve Wynn and Donald Trump to Michael Jackson, Michael Buble and Princess Diana. (kk)

Sounds like Freddy Cannon's biography, which has him touring the UK with Eddie Cochran on the tour that Eddie would pass away during (although from a concert poster I saw some time ago, Freddy apparently didn't even touch UK soil for his first tour over there until three months after Eddie had passed away).
By the way, does Paul Anka's biography mention his rant about T-Shirts?
-- Tom

No, great rap 'tho!!! (lol) Gives whole new meaning to why he calls his book "My Way".

Honestly, I get it ... a bit harsh, but I get it. (Sounds like this is where all of his gangster background comes into play ... he sounds a lot more "wise guy" than Canadian on this tape!!! lol)

Strangely, he never mentioned the time his teeth fell out and flew into the audience either. (kk)

re: PROM SONGS:
Idanced at my Prom with my future Husband to "Colour my World"...it was magical.

Stacee

In today's column the subject of Prom songs came up. Through the years I've somewhat imagined it was Prom Night during May of 1960. The guy goes up to his favorite girl and says to her, "Would you like this dance? They're about to play our song". Suddenly one hears Walter Brennan's DUTCHMAN'S GOLD. What a record to dance to. LOL Incidentally, one of my all time favorite narrative type of records.

Larry

Superjock Larry Lujack used to play "Old Rivers" by Walter Brennan and refer to it as the very first rap record. Always good for a chuckle. (kk)

re: THE TURTLES:

>>>I'm so disappointed to hear that Howard Kaylan doesn't hold "You Know What I Mean" in very high regard ... it's one of my absolute Turtles favorites! (kk)

You Know What I Mean by the Turtles is my all time favorite song by them, something I never heard on oldies radio when I was growing up in the 1990's (and certainly not one oldies radio would touch today, sadly) and when I first heard it on the Turtles 20 Greatest Hits cd, I just fell in love with it. It's not uncommon for an artist to not be fond of certain songs they've recorded, but sometimes they could be huge fan favorites. I'll be seeing the Turtles on the Happy Together tour later this month, but I won't hold out hope that they will do the song, even if I think they should.

Tom Diehl

When I saw The Turtles / Happy Together show here two years ago I exchanged texts with Howard a couple of hours before the show (we were his guests back stage that night) and asked him if there was any chance they'd be doing "You Know What I Mean" - and he said no, they were only sticking to the hits this time. But "You Know What I Mean" WAS a big hit - Top 20, in fact ... it peaked at #12 nationally and went to #9 here in Chicago, where I saw them perform it during my very first Turtles concert back in 1967 ... they played at my high school that year!!! I've seen them about fifteen times since then and I think I may have only seen them perform this one once or twice ... so not one of their favorites, I guess. Personally, I LOVE that song - one of my faves ... but I wouldn't count on hearing it this time out either. (kk)

Here are a couple of shots of Frannie and I backstage that night with Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman ...

You Know What I Mean hit #12 ... sounds like a hit to me!

My local oldies station (when it existed) loved to play lesser known hits, B sides, etc.  They played a LOT of Turtles records but never You Know What I Mean, strangely. I think strangest of all was how often they played Kick That Little Foot Sally Ann by Round Robin, which wasn't even a top 40 record, but it was a good one anyway.
Last year I saw the Turtles backstage at the Proctor's Theater in Schenectady, NY, during the intermission of a concert they were the headlining act at.  I saw Howard sitting in a chair with his eyes closed so I didn't have the nerve to approach him at all, but Mark was walking around (looking for the promoter, I think) and I got to speak to him for about 30 seconds, which was neat. And they put on a stellar show that night. I'm sure I could've watched the whole thing backstage since the promoter didn't kick me out, but I didn't want to feel intrusive so once I got my autographed items back (which I gave the promoter before the show to get signed for me), I left.  BJ Thomas and Ronnie Spector were also on the bill that night but I didn't get autographs from either of them ... Ronnie had security around her preventing anyone from even saying hello, and BJ high-tailed it out of there as quickly as possible without any human interaction (which he also did at another show I saw him at in Delaware last year).
I'm sure after 50 years these artists are tired of saying hello to every single fan, but they should give a break to the younger generation like me which is determined to help keep their music alive long after they are gone. I know I will treasure my Turtles autographs forever (and I'd love to send scans of them now but I have them kept safely in storage at the moment ... they were in my bedroom for several months until I recently moved them into my storage locker).
Having seen the Turtles a number of times, they don't seem to ever come out for autographs but they seem to be more than gracious to sign anything you've got for them backstage (on one of my 45s that I had in a White Whale sleeve instead of a picture sleeve like the rest, they signed both the record label and the sleeve). They sure made one younger fan very very happy.
There aren't too many artists who will sign every single thing you put in front of them, and many times if you do have a lot, artists may think you're looking to sell them on ebay instead of keeping them.  I've never sold anything I've gotten autographed, which is why I try to get things personalized when I can ... they become worth less on the resale market that way! I recently saw Johnny Tillotson in concert and while he did look a little annoyed that I had a HUGE stack of 45s for him to sign (I love his music, what can I say? It was about four or five picture sleeves and a few other 45s), he did sign everything for me, and he was surprised at the end of the stack when I showed him a rare promotional item (which I still need to scan and email to his wife per her request).
On my 22nd birthday (not THAT long ago) back in 2007, I saw Ronnie Dove in concert and I had brought along 47 of my 45's of his to show him just some of his music I had collected up to that point.  My friends and I got to sit with him in his dressing room and while they were pining over a Blue Suede News article on Ronnie, Ronnie looked at my 45s and then proceeded to sign the sleeves of all 47 of them (and I didn't expect him to sign even one, I just wanted to show them to him). Some artists are just as gracious as can be and I think in all honesty that Ronnie tops the list.

Tom

Unfortunately so many of the so-called fans are trying to make a buck these days by selling this autographed material online through outlets like eBay, I totally understand why many of the artists have refused to keep signing things. (We've covered this before in Forgotten Hits ... in fact many of the artists today will DATE their signature on a vintage album to prevent it from looking like it was signed "back in the day".) I've found the opposite to be true of The Turtles ... again, I've been to about fifteen shows over the years and I would have to say that these guys have come out to meet the fans at most of them. Frannie still wears a ten year old autographed t-shirt that both Mark and Howard signed, even though it is pretty well worn and has certainly seen better days ... she LOVES it!

As much as I, too, would love to "meet and greet" some of our favorite artists, I understand and respect their wishes in this regard. (Then again I've also seen lines that have lasted two hours after a performance because EVERYBODY wants to meet their faves ... and most of the time, the artist will wait until the very last fan has been satisfied. I don't know if putting 47 items in front of them to sign is necessarily fair ... (Hey, maybe YOU'RE the reason these lines take so damn long!!!) ... but another reader once wrote in that he met Bobby Rydell after a concert once and had brought in his collection of LP's to which Bobby replied, "Hey, if you bought 'em, I'll sign 'em!" and then went on to sign each and every one. I've told the story before how Ronnie Rice of The New Colony Six once joined me at my table at a Chicagoland Record Convention and signed every single album and single by The NC6 that I had, all on his own ... including tracks he wasn't even on!!! (lol)
Most of the artists that I've seen after these shows genuinely love meeting with their fans ... maybe it's in some small way "giving back" for all those years of support. And let's face it ... it's not like the old days when many of these guys had to run for their lives after a show! Things have calmed down now ... we're all a bit more mature and respectful ... but these artists need to know just how much this music meant to us over the years. The fact that The Turtles are still selling out shows from coast to coast nearly 50 years later is certainly a testament to that! (kk)

Hi Kent,

I really enjoyed the content and variety of Monday's posting. I'm with you on the whole "You Know What I Mean" Howard thing. Also one of my favorite Turtles songs.

Stacee

What??? Howard Kaylan doesn't hold 'You Know What I Mean' in high regard? An absolute fave of mine! So mysterious and romantic ... I don't care about its simplicity, it says a lot. (I don't care for the words "a lot" either, but it fits here)

Shelley Sweet-Tufano

I sent some of the praise for "You Know What I Mean" to Howard Kaylan last night, just hoping to get a reaction.

Well, I got one ... and this tells me that they won't be adding it to the set list any time soon! (kk)

And that's what makes horse races.
So says Kaylan

Oh well ... we tried! (kk)

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