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Three Dog Night Concert Review

July 22, 2015, 4:00 am
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Hi Kent - 

Due to an electrical outage in the area, the Three Dog Night concert at Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside, Ohio almost did not happen ... but ... "The Show Must Go On" and power was restored 30 minutes before show time.   

The show started a little later due to the outage, but the wait was worth it as founding members Danny Hutton and Cory Wells put on a great show of their hits, a couple new songs, and what they called "old new songs" (songs from albums that were not hits).  

The show started with hit after hit, "Family of Man", "Black and White", "Never Been to Spain", "Shambala" and "Out in the Country".  Then mixing old and new songs, followed up with "It's For You", "An Old Fashioned Love Song", "Leave Your Hat On", "One", "It Ain't Easy", "Heart of Blues", "Liar", "Sure As I'm Sitting Here", "Mama Told Me Not To Come" and "Celebrate".  

Coming out for an encore, was a new a cappella song called "Prayer" which brought the crowd to their feet ... and then finished up with "Joy To The World".  

A great show and fun evening for all. 

Tom Apathy    

As always, Tom fills out his review with some GREAT shots from the show.  

We've seen Cory and Danny a few times now these past three years ... and it is always an amazing show.  "Prayer Of The Children" is nothing short of breath-taking ... incredible that they can pull that off (to perfection) every single night.  

Thanks, Tom, for another great review.  (kk)











 







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Thursday This And That

July 23, 2015, 4:01 am
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re:  OOPS!:
We left the photo of headliner Tony Burrows off the website on Tuesday when we ran Shelley Sweet-Tufano's review of the "Feelin' Groovy" concert held in Jamaica Queens last week.  ALL photos (as mentioned earlier in the review) are courtesy of photographer James W. Foster, who graciously allowed us to use these in Forgotten Hits.  So apologies to Shelley, Tony and James for our oversight!  (kk)

 Tony Burrows

re:  And, Speaking Of Great Concerts ... :  
We ran readers' concert reviews the last two days in Forgotten Hits ...  
Now be sure to check out this in-depth report by Endless Summer Quarterly's David Beard, recapping a recent two hour Beach Boys set ...  
http://www.examiner.com/review/celebrating-50-years-of-endless-summer-days-and-nights?CID=examiner_alerts_article     

Rolling Stone is reporting that four of the surviving Zombies will reunite this autumn for a tour featuring their landmark album "Odessey and Oracle" performed in its entirety ...  

Classic Zombies Lineup to Reunite for 'Odessey & Oracle' Tour 
Surviving members of 1968 lineup behind classic LP will hit the road this autumn
By Daniel Kreps
GAB Archive / Redferns / Getty

Nearly 50 years after the Zombies released their landmark 'Odessey & Oracle,' the 1968 lineup's four surviving members who recorded that album will reunite and set off on a reunion tour to perform their classic LP live in its entirety. 
Singer Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent will be joined by bassist Chris White and drummer Hugh Grundy this autumn when the original Zombies reform to perform Odessey & Oracle live for the first time; the band initially broke up in December 1967, four months before their 1968 masterpiece, Number 100 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, was released.   
Guitarist Paul Atkinson, who also featured on Odessey & Oracle, passed away in 2004. Guitarist Tom Tooney, drummer Steve Rodford and bassist Jim Rodford will fill out the current Zombies touring lineup. The reunited band's trek kicks off September 30th at Dallas' Majestic Theatre and then circles the U.S. for 18 shows, culminating with a performance at San Francisco's Fillmore. Visit the Zombies' official site for ticketing information.
In addition to the reunion tour, the Zombies hope to release their next studio album, the follow-up to 2011's Breathe Out, Breathe In, in the fall. In 2014, a collection of Zombies songs from the band's nixed 1968 album was finally released stateside as the compilation R.I.P.

The Zombies U.S. Tour
September 30 – Dallas, TX @ Majestic Theatre
October 1 – Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre
October 3 – Provincetown, MA @ Provincetown Town Hall
October 6 – Boston, MA @ The Wilbur Theatre
October 8 – Washington, D.C. @ Lincoln Theatre
October 9 – New York, NY @ New York Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall
October 10 – Cranston, RI @ Park Theatre
October 11 – Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
October 13 – Ridgefield, CT @ The Ridgefield Playhouse
October 14 – Munhall, PA @ Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall
October 15 – Kent, OH @ The Kent Stage
October 16 – Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre
October 17 – Milwaukee, WI @ South Milwaukee PAC
October 19 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
October 21 – Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall
October 22 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
October 24 – Beverly Hills, CA @ The Saban Theatre
October 27 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Looks like no Chicago stop this time around ... we caught The Zombies when they opened up for Burton Cummings a few years ago ... great show.  Glad to see the guys are embracing their legacy once again!  (kk)
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2013/10/zombies-concert-review.html

re:  Dave Somerville:
Kent -
The passing of Dave Somerville leaves a void in my heart. Dave was not just my friend ... he was the classiest and funniest person I knew.
We shared so many great memories together. We did many gigs together and he was part of the Jimmy Jay Monster Jam a few years back. I will share one great story with you.
The night Whitney Houston passed, Dave and I were at Foxwoods Casino in CT.  After the show, we went out to dinner ... it was cool because it was just the two of us and we shared lots of guy time.
So Dave says they gave me these food vouchers so we can eat anywhere ... let's go to this high class restaurant. We get seated and the prices were outrageous.  Dave says good thing we don't have to pay for this. We ordered up in a big way. Dave loved good food and I can hear him "Mmm, this is so good ... and it always taste better when it's free".  At the end of the dinner the bill was close to $300 for the two of us.
I drive home and the next day Dave is back in Hollywood where he lives and we talk on the phone about this amazing meal we had the night before and Dave says "When I woke up, there was a bill for our meal.  I did not read the voucher right and it covered every place in the casino except where we were."  They charged Dave's card for the dinner. I said, "I'll send you something to help cover the bill" and he said that there was no need to do that, as  it was money well spent.
I have so many stories but will tell you all that being at the hospital with him and his family in the last days of his life was just amazing. I said to him, "Dave, what do you want people to remember about you?" and he said, "I want them to remember the music" ... and that's what we are all doing right here thanks to you. 
Jimmy Jay
Kent,
As always, I had a great time reading today's posts. The stories about Dave Somerville and how he influenced every part of the Entertainment Industry is truly amazing. Thanks for compiling all that information for us readers.  
The video of Elvis and Celine "together" gave me a flashback to remembering that show, whether I saw it when it aired or caught a news story about it later, I don't know, but "somehow" I was "there" at the time and your coverage of it here on FH took me "back". Thanks.  
Van Dorn  
The Moonrakers
 
re: Me-TV-FM:
Thanks for all the coverage about the radio format and station.  Lots of opinion and misinformation ... however, I'm happy to see people engaged and discussing what we are doing.
Perhaps sometime I'll write a post for you about the format and what we are building.
Sorry that the fact we are not a 100% all oldies format bothers some of your readers.  There are plenty of stations and websites doing that. We are building something different. 
By the way, James Taylor's latest album is selling terrifically.  The public still loves him, even if some of your readers don't!  You have some good ideas on JT tracks we may not be playing ... some of the ones you don't like did well in AC testing.  We shouldn't be playing anyone 7-8 times between 5 am and Midnight except maybe the Beatles. Ill look into it.
Thanks again for all the attention and coverage.
Neal Sabin  
Hi Neal -  
Thanks so much for taking the time to write ... I would LOVE to run your post about the plans, targets and goals for Me-TV-FM ... who better to enlighten us than you! 
For the record, I LOVE the fact that you're not an "oldies station" in the conventional sense.  (Besides, the term "oldies" now has a negative connotation and is considered "insulting" by most.  We, on the other hand, have embraced the term for years now ... and most of our readers feel the same way.) 
What you are creating at Me-TV-FM mirrors exactly what we have been endorsing for the past sixteen years now.  I have always maintained that the music we all grew up with is timeless ... "music for the ages" if you will.  At one time or another, we were exposed to ALL of it ... so why not feature as much of it as you can?  Our tastes changed as we grew older and with a format like yours (and a playlist of this size) you can finally recognize ALL of the music that struck a chord with us over the years.  (I've said many times before that it doesn't necessarily even have to be a song that I like ... as long as it's something I haven't heard in ages, beaten to death by all the cookie-cutter, same-format stations found everywhere else on the dial.)  
As for James Taylor, it makes absolutely NO sense to me that he FINALLY scored his first #1 Album in 2015 ... something has to be out of balance with the universe in order for this to be the case.  But that being said, MOST of the world doesn't care much about any of his album tracks past his first two masterpieces, "Sweet Baby James" and "Mudslide Slim And The Blue Horizon" ... because THOSE are the tracks that were played on the radio at the time and have become part of our DNA.  As such, songs like "Hey Mister, That's Me Up On The Jukebox", "Love Has Brought Me Around", "You Can Close Your Eyes", "Long Ago And Far Away", "Sweet Baby James", "Steamroller" and "Anywhere Like Heaven" are going to strike a chord with your audience much quicker than some of the obscure and unfamiliar tracks by other artists played on the station.  Regardless, I don't need to hear 7 or 8 songs by him on a daily basis ... or any OTHER artist for that matter.  All that does is cause audience burn-out ... and soon we find that we can't listen to ANYTHING by these artists ... not a good thing for the artist, the listener or the radio station!  
As covered many times before in this column, radio today has become a creative game of stopping the button pushers ... the brand new novelty of Me-TV-FM has worn off ... it now has to stand on it's own merits.  As such, there is no longer room for "bumps in the road" programming ... (the Peter Allen version of "The More I See You" is a perfect example ... it's AWFUL and not even in tune!  This song doesn't EVER have to be played on the radio again ... nor is it familiar to anybody who grew up during this era.  Short of Peter Allen's mother [if she's still alive] I can't imagine a single person on the planet WANTING to ever hear this song again.  Me-TV-FM plays too many unfamiliar album tracks like this and it's starting to cost you listeners.)  People WILL push the button and switch over to something more palatable and familiar ... and they might not switch back for HOURS if the other station has programmed a better line-up.  At that point, you've theoretically lost them.
Every song ... and every decision ... counts.
(That's not to say there isn't room for album tracks in the rotation ... there is ... there are just so many better choices available out there than some of the ones displayed on your station on a regular basis ... which is to say that yes, we love hearing these surprises from time to time ... but not sharing equal rotation with the rest of the music on the station.  Part of what MAKES these tracks a "surprise" is only hearing them once or twice a year ... "tiered" programming is a far better way to go.)
No one can be more proud or gratified to see the station making its mark and succeeding than me ... even if it means living vicariously through your success.  We have pushed for this format for sixteen years now, INSISTING that it would work if only somebody would give it a chance to do so.  Consultants be damned ... I'm sick and tired of radio insulting its listeners by programming the same 200-300 songs over and over and over again, thinking that this is all their listenership is capable of digesting.  Most consultants will tell you that the average listener only tunes in for 15-20 minutes at a time ... and even then, primarily as background noise while they're multi-tasking doing something else.  Me-TV-FM has proven that listeners will stay tuned in for HOURS if you simply feature the right mix of music.  I believe that once you guys start streaming, 87.7 FM will become the most listened to radio station on the dial throughout the work day ... and very well could hold that title from coast to coast.
But in order to do so, some fine-tuning is required ... and I honestly believe I can help you with that by refining the existing playlist, adding some great tracks that are missing but fall within the boundaries of what you're trying to achieve, and adding some special "feature programming" like you do with the television station.  (Themed programs and features ... countdowns ... artist profiles and interviews ... things that break up the day and become "appointment radio" where folks will want to tune in at particular times of day so as not to miss that day's daily feature... and all "blended in" with the regular mix of great music you're already playing.)
Please know that we are 100% in your corner and will do anything we can to help make the station a success.  I can easily see Me-TV-FM being syndicated across the country, bringing a fresh programming outlook to the dial again.  We've heard from dozens of our readers, jealous that we have something like this going on in Chicago and they don't where they live.  The audience is ready to embrace this change and variety again, as we've always maintained they would be, if only given the chance.  Folks are sick and tired of the same old / same old.  People are staying in their cars longer, afraid of what great song they'll miss if they tune out now.  Folks are listening to the radio at home again ... or watching it on TV.  (The Xfinity tie-in is a great idea ... although there has GOT to be better graphics available than the traffic report ... if you're home watching TV, you're not out in traffic!!!) ... maybe something more along the lines of Music Choice with artist profiles and bios with a scrolling "localized" strip at the bottom offering weather, news headlines, sports scores, "on this date in music history", etc, etc, etc.) 
The buzz about Me-TV-FM is at an all-time high right now.  You guys should be in full artillery mode with regular tv ads and a billboard blitz to let EVERYONE living here or passing through Chicago know that this is the ONLY place to hear Memorable Music on the dial ... the ratings with virtually NO publicity are climbing at an unheard of rate ... imagine what you could do with a full court press!  Chicago, We're Asking You To Spend Some More Time With ME ... and then weed out the weakest links programming-wise and hit them with nothing but your best shots all day long. 
As such, I warmly welcome your comments and mission statement and promise to do all I can to help promote the station, whether it be through continued coverage in Forgotten Hits or any other means ... here's hoping that this is just the beginning of an on-going dialogue.  In a very short time, you've hit a nerve with a good percentage of the public, proving that there IS a place for "memorable music" on the radio dial again.  I say it's time to reload and go in for the kill!  (kk)
 
Hi Kent,
I totally agree with you on overplaying artists / tunes, and James Taylor really does it for me.  The last three or four soft rock stations here in Indy have played seven or eight of his songs repeatedly for the last twenty plus years, especially during the morning drive time.  Yeesch!
qchutch 

Hey Kent -
Former WLS-FM program director Jan Jeffries is now back in Washington for his second go-around at WRQX, which as Q-107 in the 80's was a kick-ass CHR (contemporary hit radio) station. These days 'RQX is in the toilet, and Jack Diamond (morning guy at WLS-FM) is rumored to be going back to join Jan in DC where Jack did mornings for many, many years. A change from today's hits to a classic hits / oldies format is alleged to be in the works at 'RQX as well. Shame that stations like these with their heritage have become so moribund. Hey, we can hope they wake up and realize the conventional wisdom in radio that listeners over 55 don't count is an invalid idea. We baby boomers still buy advertised stuff, ya know.
- Larry Cave
  50yearsagoonthehot100.blogspot.com
I can only tell you that he will not be missed in Chicago.  Many of the listeners who stuck with WLS based on their history alone for the past 55 years have already given up and left the station behind.  Even new upstart K-Hits (which plays the exact same music) has overtaken them in the ratings.  As explained above in our Me-TV-FM Soapbox Piece, listeners want and expect more these days from a radio station.  Folks who WOULD have stuck with WLS have now found a better spot on the dial playing the music they REALLY want to hear.  Perhaps this opens up the opportunity for the station to regroup and reclaim their place in Chicago radio history.  A little "friendly competition" in town makes for better radio all the way around ... and NOBODY knows this better than WLS, who went head-to-head with WCFL for YEARS!  (kk)

re:  The Ides Of March:
I LOVE it!!!  People who were moved and inspired to pick up a copy of The Ides Of March 50th Anniversary Box Set are now receiving and listening to all this great music ... and falling in love with The Ides' music just the way we did growing up here in Chicago!  (kk)

I had been on the fence about buying the Ides box - thought about it but just never got around to placing the order - but your article pushed me over the edge.  Once I read your review, I just had to have it.  And now that I do, I'm discovering so many great new tracks - as well as rediscovering some of the songs I haven't heard in ages.  Thank you so much for your Ides Box profile ... you've made a believer ... and a fan out of me!
Gary

Great stories on the Ides of March! Those of us outside Chicago most likely didn't know most of this stuff ... so thank you for sharing.
Larry

Although I got my Ides CD set last week, I decided to hold off listening to it until my trip to the west side of Chicago, your old homestead, Kent, River Grove, as I was in town for a record show. I listened to the first two discs on the way there. I had forgotten about many of the album tracks and a couple of the minor singles. It was great to hear them as I returned to my hometown. On the way home on Sunday, I listened to the last two discs. Rather than saying what I liked and didn't, I will just say, thank you, Jim, for assembling a long overdue project ... and it's nice to have all the stuff in one package. Not that Jim needs my endorsement, but if you're considering getting it, do so. You'd be spending 50 bucks on any given four CDs anyways, plus you get the DVD and booklet.  
Jack

re:  This And That:
Thanks to the popularity of the finally released "Wrecking Crew" documentary, many of the players are now doing interviews, thanks to the renewed interest in all this great music. (I'm telling you ... radio stations that aren't jumping on the bandwagon here are truly missing the boat!)
Tom Cuddy tells us about this one done recently with Hal Blaine (who shared a few memories with Forgotten Hits last week, too) ...

Kent,
FYI (in case you haven’t heard), The Wrecking Crew is currently being shown on AXS cable channel (1106 on AT&T U-Verse in Wisconsin). The description on the cable guide is incorrect, describing it as a movie about a construction crew. I have seen this happen before when there is more than one film with the same name. It is 9:55 here and Wrecking Crew is on now. AXS typically repeats it’s programming several times so it should be on again.
Bob Verbos
New Berlin, WI  
Actually, I DID see an advertisement for this ... and was a little pissed off at first.  All these folks who contributed funds to insure the film's release are just first receiving their copies and now it's already airing on cable tv.  But then again we've been shouting about this film for over eight years now ... so I've got mixed emotions in that I've tried SO hard to get people to see it that, now that they finally have the chance to do so, I can't help but celebrate the cause.  Who knows ... maybe most of them will like it enough to order a copy for their own collection.  (And, with over six hours of bonus footage NOT shown in the regular documentary, you've got hours and hours of additional enjoyment coming your way if you do!)  I guess my bottom line on this one is ... See It ... ANY way you can ... and enjoy this great tribute to the folks who provided the soundtrack to our lives.  (kk)  

And, speaking of The Wrecking Crew, here's a link to a Brian Wilson profile done on CBS Sunday Morning this past week ... http://youtu.be/GJ2hrYXPHxA

Just read Billboard's Top 100 Songs of Summer List.
One Beach Boy song at #84 - that's all, really?
One problem with "Top" lists that span more than one epoch of Rock & Roll history is a failure to take into account the vast differences in population. Apply per capita to the analysis and every list would look vastly different.
Phil
We've said the same thing many times ... which is why more of a "hit ratio" should be applied to these types of rankings.  Does ANYBODY out there TRULY believe that 50 years later the Brandy and Monica song ranked at #2 will be more highly regarded than "Satisfaction", which sits at #11?  Songs from The Top 40 Rock Era that we cover here in Forgotten Hits (typically 1955 - 1985) have stood the test of time and many sound just as fresh and exciting today as they did back then.  I find it impossible to believe that 50 years from now folks will feel the same way about titles like "See You Then" by Wiz Khalifa, "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy (which, in and of itself, is a complete rip-off of The Police song already ranked at #5 ... which one do YOU think will prove to be more memorable over time?) or "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey ... and be able to sing every word (or play air guitar) to all these soon-to-be obscure tracks.  (kk)

I was extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Buddy Buie ... somehow this guy's music really struck a chord with me ... seems like I loved just about everything I ever heard by him over the years ... whether it be the Sandy Posey track "I Take It Back" (recently featured in Forgotten Hits), the B.J. Thomas hit "Mighty Clouds Of Joy", or any of the many Classic IV and Atlanta Rhythm Section tracks he was involved with.  ("Spooky" ... actually recorded by BOTH artists ... "Stormy", "Traces", "Everyday With You Girl", "So In To You", "Imaginary Lover", "Alien", "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight", "Doraville", "Champagne Jam", "Do It Or Die", and several others.)  Even our FH Buddy Tommy Roe had one of his very first hits with a Buddy tune.  ("Party Girl")   kk
Vintage Vinyl News ran a nice tribute to Buddy the other day  (link below)
Love your stuff, Buddy ... we'll miss you ... but the music lives on.  (kk)












Another great songwriter left us this past week ... Wayne Carson, who wrote the #1 Hit "The Letter" for The Box Tops ... and the Elvis Presley / Willie Nelson classic "Always On My Mind". (kk) 
 


Kent,
Enjoyed Sunday's FH as usual.
Here in OKC as I know and remember, the Diamonds' flip of KATHY-O, HAPPY YEARS, was the "A" side of the record. Never really cared for KATHY-O to be honest with you and I believed it was from the movie of the same name.
Really enjoyed the eight minute montage of WIND. You were right in saying most of the songs have been absent from the airwaves for decades, er, you did say decades didn't you? I liked what Chuck Benson said at the end where he asked the question," how long has it been since you've heard this song by Doris Day"? Nowadays one can ask that same question to all the cuts on that tape.
Kent, last night on television I saw a commercial, don't really know if it was a local one or national one, but the main item being advertised I believe was some sort of pizza. Again, I am not sure about that. I am sure about one thing though. In the background was Boots Randolph's 1963 hit YAKETY SAX.  That was the first time I saw the commercial, tune being played faintly in the background, so without hearing it at least a second time, I don't know if it was the original recording or not.
I loved the commercial you posted at the end of FH. It reminded me of the Crystal's 1963 tune (Let's Dance) THE SCREW (Part 1 and 2). Incidentally, going back to Ernie Maresca, he did have a follow-up answer to SHOUT! SHOUT!. I believed it was called SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT, again, a no-hit.
On the subject of answer records through the years, the other day I was wondering if an artist or group ever answered an answer record or song? I guess one could say they were answering an answer. Are you confused now as I am?Have a great week. 
Larry

Here's an update on Don Henley's new solo / country album, now scheduled for release in September.  Don has lined up some excellent duet partners for the new LP ... and will reportedly do a solo tour to support it once its been released.
And, speaking of great Rock Drummers ...

Hey Kent,
July had birthdays for two great drummers I can think of, Louie Bellson on the 6th, and Ringo Starr on the 7th. By the way, John Lennon never said that Ringo wasn't even the best drummer in The Beatles. A British comic, by the name of Jasper Carrott, made that quip in 1983. I don't know why some comedians have to ruin reputations, just to get a 5-second laugh. Yes, I found out myself that drummers can be the butt of many jokes, when it comes to talking about "serious" musicians. They're still better to listen to than cost-saving drum machines, don't you think?
- John LaPuzza
I read the same thing about the British comedian ... but the line is ten times funnier when attributed to Lennon ... who had that biting wit throughout his career.
We've seen our fair share of great drummers over the years and are proud to be friends with a few of them.  It's all meant in good fun and spirit ... hey, ya gotta pick on SOMEBODY!!!  
By the way, there's a brand new, first ever Ringo biography available ... you can catch the full details here:  
(kk)

>>>None of KMAKE's jock's "Pick Hits" went on to make much noise  (kk)
One of the fairly obscure pick hits listed was by the Halos, who were actually 2/3 or the earlier hitmakers, the Angels!!  Brings back the girl group sound while adding big Spector-ish production ala Dusty Springfield.  In 1965 Barbara and Phyliss "Jiggs" Allbut, from The Angels, along with a new member, Toni Mason (in the picture below shown L-R; Barbara, Tony and Jiggs) recorded as The Halos for Congress Records, present in the doo wop guides with.
- Do I / Just Keep On Loving Me
- Since I Fell For You / You're Never Gonna Find
- Baby What You Want Me To Do / Hey, Hey Love Me

None of these tracks ever made the national charts ... although ANOTHER group called The Halos charted Top 40 with "Nag" in 1961 ... but that would have been during The Angels' run on the charts.  (kk)

Our FH Buddy Chet Coppock is launching a brand new website AND weekly podcast ... more details here:
Don't be surprised if yours truly makes an appearance now and again on both!  (kk)

Did you hear about the new British Invasion Musical by author of 'Jersey Boys'?
I thought you'd be interested in this story from the New York Post
http://nypost.com/2015/07/21/british-pop-invasion-musical-in-the-works-from-co-writer-of-jersey-boys/
It says it is loosely based on Peter Noone's life and takes place in London, starting at the Bag of Nails. 
Shelley 
 
Where do I begin?  "Love Story" costars Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw are teaming up again to do a stage production of "Love Letters".  I don't want to say that the years haven't been kind ... it's just that SOME of us have weathered the storm better than others!  (kk)

image
 
Kent, 
I don't know if you take and or read your local paper there in Chicago, but if you do, take a look at today's comics (July 22). I am talking about the comic strip BLONDIE. It is a three panel strip today and when I read it, I immediately thought of FH. If you don't take the paper, I think you may be able to find it somewhere online. 
Larry



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Helping Out Our Readers

July 24, 2015, 4:00 am
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It's been a LONG time since we ran a HELPING OUT OUR READERS column in Forgotten Hits!

Apologies to those of you who have been waiting MONTHS to see if our team of experts can come up with some answers for you (although some of you HAVE received personal replies in the meantime.)

In any event, let's get right to it ... and see if we can help to solve some of life's musical mysteries!

Hello Kent,
I have been scouring the web for the best sites on 50’s and 60’s music. I am a lifelong music fan with a specialized interest in the 50’s and 60’s. 
Almost exactly one year ago I launched a personal project to try to track down instrumental songs that were also released as vocals. It started on a whim, driven mostly by idle curiosity. Then, the further I got into the project, the more fascinating it became. I had already known that such songs as “Alley Cat” and “Stranger On the Shore” spawned vocal versions that were quite well done. But I was in store for quite a few surprises as I uncovered vocals of songs as varied as “Baby Elephant Walk,” “Tequila” and Bob Moore’s “Mexico.”
My pursuit to find more of these hidden gems turned into a year long odyssey that so far has yielded a list of 311 entries. I doubt if anyone else has accumulated a list of that size and scope.
The topic of instrumentals and their vocal counterparts seems to crop up regularly on music forums and blogs across the spectrum of musical genres. So, it is my hope that the list I have created will fill a void that music fans have been missing and are longing to see. I intend to send the list to a wide variety of music and nostalgia websites.
Please let me know what you think of this project and if you would like to share it with others on your blog. If so, I would only ask that you include my name as the compiler of the list. Also, please let me know of any other songs that you feel should be added. There are bound to be some that I missed.
To limit the size of the list, I only included instrumentals that were released as single 45 rpm records. There are a couple of exceptions for movie themes. But on the vocal side, I felt it was beneficial to include some album cuts, especially for songs that had no single release of a vocal counterpart, or where the vocal contained a different set of lyrics.
Please see the list below, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Instrumental Songs of the 50’s & 60’s With Vocal Versions  
Compiled by Bill Oakey, 2015

1. Stranger On The Shore - Acker Bilk. Vocal by Roger Whittaker, Andy Williams, The Drifters, Ruby & The Romantics, Bobby Rydell, Patti Page, Slim Whitman

2. Never On Sunday - Don Costa. Vocal by The Chordettes, Connie Francis, The Four Lads, and many others

3. Alley Cat - Bent Fabric. Vocal (Alley Cat Song) by Peggy Lee, Bobby Rydell, David Thorne, The Modernaires and Vocal (The Alley Cat Dance) by Bent Fabric featuring The Alley Kittens

4. Exodus - Ferrante and Teicher. Vocal (The Exodus Song) by Pat Boone, The Duprees, Andy Williams, The Four Lads

5. Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart) - Mantovani. Vocal by Percy Faith with Felicia Sanders, Joni James, Connie Francis, Andy Williams and many others

6. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado. Vocal by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra, Alan Dale, Pat Boone, Georgia Gibbs and French vocal (Cerisier Rose et Pommier Blanc) by Petula Clark

7. Calcutta - Lawrence Welk. (Previously titled Take Me Dreaming by Werner Muller). Vocal by The Four Preps, Petula Clark, The Valiants

8. Theme From A Summer Place - Percy Faith. Vocal by Joanie Sommers, The Lettermen, The Fontane Sisters, Dick Roman, The Chordettes, Cliff Richard, Skeeter Davis and German vocal (Wenn Der Sommer Kommt) byLolita

9. Love Is Blue - Paul Mauriat. Vocal by Al Martino, Andy Williams and French vocal (L’Amour Est Bleu) by Vicky Leandros, Claudine Longet

10. Wonderland By Night - Bert Kaempfert. Vocal by Anita Bryant, Engelbert Humperdinck, Joe Dowell, Louis Prima, Anita Kerr Singers

11. Somewhere My Love (Lara’s Theme) - Dr. Zhivago Soundtrack. Vocal by Connie Francis, Ray Conniff, and many others

12. A Taste Of Honey - Eddie Cano / Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Lenny Welch, Kingston Trio, Tony Bennett, The Vogues, The Beatles and many others.

13. Last Date - Floyd Cramer. Vocal (My Last Date With You) by Skeeter Davis, Ann-Margret, Joni James, Dick Lory. And Vocal - “(Lost Her Love) On Our Last Date” by Conway Twitty

14. Our Winter Love - Bill Pursell. Vocal by The Lettermen, Anita Bryant, The Hi-Lites

15. White Silver Sands - Owen Bradley Quintet / Bill Black’s Combo. Vocal by Don Rondo, Dave Gardner, The Lennon Sisters, Four Preps, Brenda Lee, Ernest Tubb

16. The Third Man Theme (Harry Lime Theme) - Anton Karas / Guy Lombardo. Vocal by Don Cherry, The Fontane Sisters, The Five Smith Brothers and vocal (The Zither Melody) by Donald Peers, Reggie Goff

17. The Poor People Of Paris - Les Baxter. Vocal by Dean Martin, Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney

18. Telstar - The Tornados. Vocal by Bobby Rydell and vocal Vocal (Magic Star) by Kenny Hollywood, Margie Singleton, The Double IV, and vocal (Red Rose) by The Gaylads, Sharon Forrester and Spanish vocal (Magica Estrella) by Alberto Cortez

19. The In Crowd - Ramsey Lewis Trio. Vocal by Dobie Gray, Jack Jones, Mamas & the Papas

20. Bonanza - Al Caiola. Vocal by Lorne Greene, Johnny Cash

21. Walk Don’t Run - The Ventures. Vocal by Tommy Leonetti and German vocal (Lass Dir Zeit) by Die Crazy Girls

22. A Walk In The Black Forest - Horst Jankowski. Vocal (with subtitle, Our Walk Of Love) by Salena Jones, and vocal (I Walk With You) by The Bitter End Singers, The Modernaires

23. Music To Watch Girls By - The Bob Crewe Generation / Al Hirt. Vocal by Andy Williams, Matt Monro

24. Midnight In Moscow - Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen. Vocal (You Can’t Keep Me From Loving You) by Julius LaRosa, Petula Clark, and vocal (Moscow Nights) by Helmut Lotti

25. Washington Square - The Village Stompers. Vocal by The Ames Brothers, The Kirby Stone Four, James Last, Marilyn Maye, The Cherry Creek Singers, and vocal (Days of 49) by Bob Dylan

26. Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson / Hugo Winterhalter / Bill Black’s Combo. Vocal by Gisele MacKenzie, Alma Cogan

27. Soft Summer Breeze - Eddie Heywood. Vocal by The Diamonds

28. Wheels - The String-A-Longs / Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Johnny Duncan, Robb Storme

29. Skokiaan - Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band / Ralph Marterie / Bill Haley & His Comets. Vocal by The Four Lads, Alma Cogan, Paul Anka, Ivo Robic

30. Petite Fleur - Chris Barber. Vocal by Petula Clark, and Vocal (A Time To Love, A Time To Cry) by Lou Johnson, Damita Jo, Marilyn Maye

31. Apache - The Shadows / Jorgen Ingmann. Vocal by Sonny James

32. Because They’re Young - Duane Eddy. Vocal by James Darren

33. Gidget Goes Hawaiian - Duane Eddy. Vocal by James Darren

34. Patricia - Perez Prado. Vocal by Ray Peterson, Jerry Martin and The Tempos (aka The El Dorados)

35. Raunchy - Bill Justice / Ernie Freeman. Vocal by Eddie Bond and vocal (The New Raunchy) by Shady Wall, pseudonym for Webb Pierce and French vocal (Plus Jamais) by Didier Lapeyrere

36. Sleep Walk - Santo & Johnny. Vocal by Betsy Brye, The Lettermen, The Supremes

37. Asia Minor - Kokomo. Vocal (Joost Mag Het Weten) by Nederlands Artiestenkoor

38. Pipeline - The Chantays. Vocal by Johnny Legend and Vocal (Riding The Waves) by Dee Dee Sharp

39. Cast Your Fate To The Wind - Vince Guaraldi Trio / Sounds Orchestral. Vocal by We Five, Steve Alaimo, Shelby Flint, Mel Torme, Johnny Rivers

40. Theme From Come September - Bobby Darin. Vocal by The Andrews Sisters

41. Moonglow And Theme From Picnic - Morris Stoloff / George Cates. Vocal (Picnic) by The McGuire Sisters, Andy Williams, Shelley Fabares

42. Down Yonder - Del Wood / Johnny & The Hurricanes. Vocal by Champ Butler, Red Foley

43. April In Portugal - Les Baxter. Vocal by Vic Damone, Tony Martin, Jane Morgan, Louis Armstrong, and French vocal (Avril Au Portugal) by Eartha Kitt

44. Baby Elephant Walk - Henry Mancini / Lawrence Welk / The Miniature Men. Vocal by Pat Boone. French vocal (Petit Elephant Twist) by Dalida

45. Soul Coaxing (Ame Caline) - Raymond Lefevre. Vocal (If You Loved Me) by Peggy March, Four Freshmen

46. Soulful Strut - Young Holt Unlimited. Vocal (Am I The Same Girl) by Barbara Acklin, Salena Jones, Dusty Springfield

47. Grazing In The Grass - Hugh Masekela. Vocal by The Friends of Distinction

48. Wade In The Water - Johnny Griffin & The Big-Soul Band / Ramsey Lewis Trio. Vocal by The Impressions, Big Mama Thornton, Eva Cassidy and Vocal (Let’s Wade In The Water) by Marlena Shaw

49. More - Kai Winding. Vocal by Vic Dana, Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Steve Lawrence, etc.

50. Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter. Vocal by Andy Williams, Sam Cooke, The Cameos, Four Freshmen, Dean Martin

51. Ebb Tide - Frank Chacksfield. Vocal by Vic Damone, Frank Sinatra, The Ink Spots, Lenny Welch, The Platters, The Righteous Brothers

52. Peter Gunn - Henry Mancini / Ray Anthony / Duane Eddy. Vocal (Bye Bye) by Sarah Vaughan, Anita Kerr Quartet, Karen Murphy, Roger Cairns

53. Route 66 Theme - Nelson Riddle. Vocal (Open Highway) by Teri Thornton

54. Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock / Mongo Santamaria. Vocal by Gloria Lynne, Jean King, Jon Hendricks

55. Shangri-La - Robert Maxwell. Vocal by The Four Coins, Vic Dana, The Vogues, The Lettermen

56. Delicado - Percy Faith. Vocal by Dinah Shore, Guy Lombardo

57. Song For A Summer Night - Mitch Miller. Vocal by Mitch Miller

58. (Theme From) A Man And A Woman - Francis Lai / Horst Jankowski. Vocal by Engelbert Humperdinck, Johnny Mathis

59. A Swingin’ Safari - Bert Kaempfert / Billy Vaughn. Vocal by The Anita Kerr Singers

60. Hawaii Five-O - Morton Stevens / The Ventures. Vocal (You Can Count On Me) by Sammy Davis Jr., and vocal (You Can Come With Me) by Don Ho

61. The Horse - Cliff Nobles. Vocal (Love Is All Right) by Cliff Nobles, Jesse James and Vocal (The Horse) by Cliff Nobles

62. Oh Mein Papa - Eddie Calvert. Vocal (Oh My Papa) by Eddie Fisher

63. You Can’t Sit Down - Phil Upchurch Combo. Vocal by The Dovells, Len Barry

64. Lisbon, Antigua - Nelson Riddle. Vocal by Nat King Cole, Alan Dale, Eartha Kitt

65. Honky Tonk - Bill Doggett. Vocal by Bill Doggett featuring Tommy Brown, and vocal (Let’s Make It) by James Brown

66. Green Onions - Booker T. & The MG's. Vocal (Help Me) by Sonny Boy Williamson and vocal (Onions) by John Lee Hooker and Vocal (The Love I Need) by Frank Butler

67. Night Train - Jimmy Forrest / James Brown / The Viscounts. Vocal by Wynonie Harris, Kay Starr, The Four Blazes, Eddie Jefferson, The Stars featuring Russell Stevens

68. Java - Allen Toussaint / Floyd Cramer / Al Hirt. Vocal by Marilyn Maye and Vocal (Java Jones) by Donna Lynn

69. Quiet Village - Martin Denny. Vocal by The Aliis and Vocal (My Quiet Village) by Darla Hood, Mavis Rivers

70. Theme From The Apartment - Ferrante and Teicher. (Originally titled Jealous Lover by Charles Williams). Vocal (The Key To Love) by Adam Wade, Russ Conway

71. The James Bond Theme - The John Barry Seven / Billy Strange. Vocal by The Four Esquires

72. Joey’s Song - Bill Haley & His Comets. Vocal by Betty Martin and Spanish vocal (La Cancion De Joey) by Hermanas Serrano

73. On The Rebound - Floyd Cramer. Vocal by Jerry Holmes

74. Spanish Flea - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Kathy Kirby, Frankie Randall, The Modernaires, Soupy Sales

75. Tijuana Taxi - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Vocal by The Modernaires

76. Mexican Shuffle - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Vocal by The Modernaires

77. Jivin’ Around - Ernie Freeman. Vocal by Ernie Freeman Combo with Sherry Washington

78. Spooky* - Mike Sharpe. Vocal by The Classics IV

79. The Day The Rains Came - Raymond LeFevre. Vocal by Jane Morgan, Vera Lynn, Helen Shapiro, Ronnie Hilton

80. Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet - Henry Mancini. Vocal (A Time For Us) by Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, The Lettermen

81. Harlem Nocturne - David Rose / Bobby Vinton / Ray Anthony / The Viscounts. Vocal by Mel Torme, Caterina Valente

82. Misty* - Erroll Garner. Vocal by Johnny Mathis, Lloyd Price, Ray Stevens

83. Chariot* - Franck Pourcel. French vocal by Petula Clark and Vocal (I Will Follow Him) Little Peggy March

84. Limbo Rock* - The Champs. Vocal by Chubby Checker

85. Rinky Dink - Dave Baby Cortez. Vocal (Baby, You’re Driving Me Crazy) by Joey Dee & The Starliters and Vocal (The Cha-Cha-Cha) by Bobby Rydell

86. Mr. Lucky - Henry Mancini. Vocal by Sarah Vaughan, Marilyn Maye

87. The High And The Mighty - Dimitri Tiomkin / Les Baxter / LeRoy Holmes. Vocal by Johnny Desmond, Billy Eckstine

88. Tara’s Theme (My Own True Love) - Percy Faith. Vocal by The Duprees, Jimmy Clanton, Al Martino, Connie Stevens, Margaret Whiting

89. Unchained Melody - Liberace. Vocal by Les Baxter, Al Hibbler, Roy Hamilton, Elvis Presley, The Righteous Brothers

90. Rebel Rouser - Duane Eddy. Vocal (The National Anthem Of Rock ’N’ Roll) by Jack Scott

91. Take Five - Dave Brubeck Quartet. Vocal by Carmen McRae, Marilyn Maye

92. Theme From The Man With The Golden Arm - Richard Maltby. Vocal (Delilah Jones) by The McGuire Sisters 
93. The Syncopated Clock - Leroy Anderson. Vocal By Rosemary Clooney, Eileen Barton

94. The Lonely Bull - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Jack Jones (Backed by Herb Alpert), and French vocal (Plaza De Toros) by Petula Clark

95. Terry’s Theme (From Limelight) - Frank Chacksfield. Vocal (Eternally) by Jimmy Young, Vic Damone, Petula Clark, Jerry Vale, Sarah Vaughan

96. Manhattan Spiritual - Reg Owen & His Orchestra. Vocal by The Stargazers and French vocal (Mes Freres) by Dalida

97. Swingin’ Shepherd Blues - Moe Koffman Quartette. Vocal by Ella Fitzgerald, Kirk Stuart With The Honeydreamers

98. Poor Boy - The Royaltones. Vocal by The Cardigans

99. Ruby - Richard Hayman / Les Baxter. Vocal by Ray Charles

100. Ruby Duby Du - Tobin Matthews & Co. Vocal by Joanie Sommers

101. Beautiful Obsession - Sir Chauncey & His Exciting Strings. Vocal by Johnny Walsh

102. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - Cannonball Adderley. Vocal by Larry Williams & Johnny Watson, The Buckinghams, Marlena Shaw

103. A Night With Daddy G. - The Church Street Five. Vocal (Quarter To Three) by Gary U.S. Bonds

104. Comin’ Home Baby - Kai Winding / The Dave Bailey Quintet / Herbie Mann. Vocal by Mel Torme, Frances Faye

105. Lullaby of Birdland - George Shearing Quintet. Vocal by Chris Conner, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan

106. Summer Samba (So Nice) - Walter Wanderley. Vocal by Astrud Gilberto, Sergio Mendes & Wanda De Sah

107. The Bandit (O’Cangaceiro) - Eddie Barclay / Percy Faith. Vocal by Tex Ritter and Italian vocal by Domenico Modugno

108. Moon Over Naples* - Bert Kaempfert. Vocal (Spanish Eyes) by Al Martino

109. Danke Schoen* - Bert Kaempfert (With title, Candlelight Cafe). Vocal by Wayne Newton, Brenda Lee and French, Spanish, Japanese and Italian vocals by Connie Francis

110. Scarlet O’Hara - Jet Harris & Tony Meehan / Lawrence Welk. Vocal by Claude King

111. Melody Of Love - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by The Four Aces, Frank Sinatra & Ray Anthony, Connie Francis

112. Misirlou - Dick Dale & The Del-Tones. Vocal by Connie Francis, The Cardinals, Caterina Valente

113. Jazz Theme From Dr. Kildare (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight) - Stan Getz / Johnny Spence. Vocal by Richard Chamberlain

114. Bewitched (TV Show Theme) - Billy Costa. Vocal by Peggy Lee, Steve Lawrence, Frankie Randall

115. Bewitched (Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered) - Bill Snyder / Betty Smith Group. Vocal by Doris Day, Frank Sinatra

116. Strangers In The Night* - Bert Kaempfert. Vocal by Frank Sinatra

117. Al Di La - Ray Anthony. Vocal by Emilio Pericoli, Connie Francis, Jerry Vale, etc.

118. Days Of Wine And Roses - Henry Mancini. Vocal by Andy Williams and many others

119. Midnight Cowboy - John Barry. Vocal by Johnny Mathis, Tony Sandler & Ralph Young

120. Morgen - Bert Kaempfert / Billy Vaughn. German vocal by Ivo Robic, and English vocal (One More Sunrise) by Leslie Uggams, Petula Clark, Bing Crosby, Rex Allen

121. Wild Weekend - The Rebels (Or Rockin’ Rebels). Vocal (It’s A Wild Weekend) by NRBQ

122. Carnavalito (Festival Of The Flowers) - Ray Martin. Vocal (Kiss Me Another) by Georgia Gibbs

123. Yellow Bird - Arthur Lyman Group/ Lawrence Welk. Vocal by The Norman Luboff Choir, The Mills Brothers, Brothers Four, Johnny Tillotson, and Vocal (Don’t Ever Love Me) by Harry Belafonte

124. Acapulco 1922 -  Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Kathy Kirby

125. Bandstand Boogie (From American Bandstand) - Les Elgart. Vocal by Barry Manilow

126. Moritat (Theme From The Threepenny Opera) - Dick Hyman Trio. Vocal (Mack The Knife) by Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, Ella Fitzgerald

127. So Rare - Jimmy Dorsey. Vocal by Andy Williams, Don Cherry, Ella Fitzgerald, Mavis Rivers

128. Soul Serenade - King Curtis / Willie Mitchell - Vocal by Gloria Lynne, Lou Rawls

129. I Get The Blues When It Rains - Jerry Lee Lewis (Sun Records). Vocal by Jerry Lee Lewis (Mercury Records)

130. The Seventh Dawn - The Roland Shaw Orchestra / Ferrante & Teicher. Vocal by The Lettermen, The Walker Brothers

131. Casino Royale - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Mike Redway

132. Lujon* - Henry Mancini. Vocal (Slow Hot Wind) by Johnny Hartman, Sarah Vaughan, Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66

133. Armen’s Theme - David Seville & His Orchestra. Vocal (Yesterday And You) by Bobby Vee

134. The Phoenix Love Song (From The Flight Of The Phoenix) - The Brass Ring. Vocal (Senza Fine) by Peggy Lee, Connie Francis and Italian vocal (Senza Fine) by Gino Paoli

135. Till - Roger Williams. Vocal by The Angels, Tony Bennett, The Vogues

136. Autumn Leaves - Roger Williams. Vocal by Mitch Miller, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, etc.

137. Perfidia - The Ventures. Vocal by Nat King Cole, The Four Aces, Eydie Gorme, etc.

138. Forever - Floyd Cramer. Vocal by The Little Dippers (aka Anita Kerr Singers), Billy Walker

139. Goofus - Les Paul. Vocal by Phil Harris

140. Plantation Boogie - Lenny Dee. Vocal by Red Foley, The Gaylords, Pee Wee King

141. Ghost Riders In The Sky - The Ramrods / Baja Marimba Band. Vocal by Vaughn Monroe, Johnny Cash, Lorne Greene, etc.

142. Sail Along Silvery Moon - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by The Kalin Twins, Andy Williams

143. In The Mood - Ernie Fields / Johnny Maddox. Vocal by The Andrews Sisters, The Clark Sisters, Bette Midler

144. The Hot Canary - Florian Zabach. Vocal by Ella Fitzgerald

145. Heart And Soul - Johnny Maddox. Vocal by The Four Aces, The Cleftones, Jan & Dean

146. The Happy Whistler - Don Robertson. Vocal by Glenn Yarbrough

147. Zorba The Greek - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Vocal (Dance My Troubles Away) by Dalida and French vocal (La Danse De Zorba) by Dalida

148. Caravan - Ralph Marterie / Santo & Johnny. Vocal by Dinah Washington, Johnny Mathis, Bobby Darin

149. Zambezi - Lou Busch / Eddie Calvert. Vocal by The Stargazers

150. No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In) - The T-Bones. Vocal by Don Lee Wilson

151. Maria Elena - Los Indios Tabajaras. Vocal by Ray Smith, Nat King Cole, Marty Robbins, Jerry Vale

152. Tonight - Ferrante and Teicher. Vocal by Eddie Fisher, Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, Jay & The Americans, Johnny Mathis, etc.

153. Pearly Shells - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Burl Ives, Don Ho

154. Tiny Bubbles - Roger Williams / Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Don Ho and French Vocal (Dans Mon Lit) by Petula Clark

155. Red Roses For A Blue Lady - Bert Kaempfert. Vocal by Vic Dana, Wayne Newton

156. Charade - Henry Mancini. Vocal by Andy Williams and many others

157. Memphis - Lonnie Mack. Vocal (Memphis, Tennessee) by Chuck Berry, Johnny Rivers

158. Ballad Of Paladin - Duane Eddy. Vocal (Have Gun Will Travel) by Johnny Western, Faron Young

159. Orange Blossom Special - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Johnny Cash

160. Tea For Two Cha Cha - Tommy Dorsey. Vocal (Tea For Two) by Doris Day and many others

161. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) - Joe Harnell. Vocal by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra and many others

162. San Antonio Rose - Floyd Cramer. Vocal by Patti Page, Patsy Cline and many others

163. Chattanooga Choo Choo - Floyd Cramer. Vocal by Bill Haley, Ray Charles and many others

164. The Longest Day - Mitch Miller. Vocal by Mitch Miller, Paul Anka and Vocal (On the Longest Day) by Sonny James

165. Sweet And Gentle - Bert Kaempfert. Vocal by Georgia Gibbs

166. Blue Star (Theme From Medic) - Les Baxter / Victor Young. Vocal by Felicia Sanders, Linda Scott

167. Mexico - Bob Moore. Vocal “(My Heart’s In) Mexico” by Norris Wilson

168. Slow Walk - Sil Austin. Vocal by Ocie Smith

169. Theme For Young Lovers - Percy Faith. Vocal (Where Is My Someone) by Jerry Vale

170. Petticoats of Portugal - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Dick Jacobs & His Orchestra, Elise Rhodes & Jimmy Carroll Orchestra

171. Ciao Ciao Bambina - Jacky Noguez. Vocal by Domenico Modugno, The Four Aces, Jerry Vale, Connie Francis, Bobby Rydell

172. Around The World - Mantovani. Vocal by Bing Crosby, The Chordettes, etc.

173. Sugarfoot Rag - Hank Garland. Vocal by Red Foley, Porter Wagoner

174. Moonlight Serenade (Summer Love) - Victor Young. Vocal (Summer Love) by Felicia Sanders

175. Hard Times - Ray Charles. Vocal by Ray Charles

176. Hava Nagila - Dick Dale & The Del-Tones. Vocal by Harry Belafonte

177. Goldfinger - John Barry / Billy Strange. Vocal by Shirley Bassey, Teresa Brewer

178. Yakety Sax - Boots Randolph. (Yakety Axe - Chet Atkins). Vocal (Hey, Mr. Sax Man) by Boots Randolph, (Yakety Axe) Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins

179. Don’t Be Cruel - Bill Black’s Combo. Vocal by Elvis Presley

180. Yeh Yeh* - Mongo Santamaria. Vocal by Georgie Fame

181. Look For A Star - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Garry Mills, Garry Miles aka Buzz Cason, Deane Hawley

182. Wipe Out - The Surfaris. Vocal (Wipeout) by The Fat Boys And The Beach Boys

183. Born Free - Roger Williams. Vocal by Matt Monro, Andy Williams, The Hesitations

184. One Mint Julep - Ray Charles. Vocal by The Clovers, Sarah Vaughan, Louis Prima

185. Whispering - Les Paul. Vocal by Nino Tempo & April Stevens, The Bachelors

186. Josephine - Bill Black’s Combo. Vocal by Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Blackwell

187. Tequila - The Champs / Eddie Platt. Vocal (Tequila Song) by the Contenders and French vocal by Didier Lapeyrere

188. La Mer - Roger Williams. Vocal (Beyond the Sea) by Bobby Darin

189. Swinging Sweethearts - Ron Goodwin / David Carroll. Vocal by Richard Hayes

190. Only You (And You Alone) - Franck Pourcel’s French Fiddles. Vocal by The Platters

191. Pepe - Duane Eddy. Vocal by Shirley Jones

192. Flamingo - Earl Bostic. Vocal by Carmen McRae, Al Hibbler and Vocal (Flamingo L’Amour) by The Gaylords

193. Percolator (Twist) - Billy Joe & The Checkmates (aka Ernie Freeman). Italian Vocal (Caffettiera Twist) by Marino Marini

194. Lullaby Of Birdland - Charlie Parker. Vocal by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Mel Torme, Chris Connor

195. What Now My Love - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Ben E. King, Shirley Bassey, Sonny & Cher, The Modernaires, etc.

196. Hot Toddy - Ralph Flanagan. Vocal by Julie London, Red Foley

197. Desafinado - Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd. Vocal (Desafinado - Slightly Out Of Tune) by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim, Eydie Gorme

198. Theme From Mission Impossible - Lalo Schifrin. Vocal by The Kane Triplets, Soul Survivors

199. Hearts Of Stone - Bill Black’s Combo. Vocal by The Fontane Sisters

200. Ode To Billie Joe - King Curtis. Vocal by Bobbie Gentry

201. Naked City Theme - Nelson Riddle. Vocal (Somewhere In The Night) by Teri Thornton

202. Runaway - Lawrence Welk. Vocal by Del Shannon

203. Hang On Sloopy - Ramsey Lewis Trio. Vocal by The McCoys

204. Blue Hawaii - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Elvis Presley

205. Baby The Rain Must Fall - Elmer Bernstein. Vocal by Glenn Yarbrough

206. Theme From Taras Bulba (The Wishing Star) - Ferrante and Teicher. Vocal by Jerry Butler, Maxine Starr, Danny Small

207. Meditation - Antonio Carlos Jobim / Charlie Byrd. Vocal by Claudine Longet, Doris Day, Andy Williams

208. The Bilbao Song - Gil Evans / Cal Trader. Vocal by Andy Williams, Marianne Faithfull

209. Hawaiian War Chant - Les Paul / Billy Vaughn / Perez Prado. Vocal by The Ames Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Jo Stafford

210. Theme From The Proud Ones - Nelson Riddle / The Three Suns. Vocal by Johnny Desmond

211. The Girlfriend Of The Whirling Dervish - Martin Denny. Vocal by Connie Stevens, Bette Midler

212. Guaglione - Perez Prado. Italian vocal by Connie Francis and Vocal (The Man Who Plays The Mandolino) by Dean Martin

213. Sixteen Candles - Jack Weigand. Vocal by The Crests

214. So What’s New - Horst Jankowski / Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Peggy Lee

215. Theme From Diamond Head - Hugo Winterhalter. Vocal by James Darren

216. Evening Rain - Earl Grant. Vocal by Earl Grant

217. The Twist - Ernie Freeman. Vocal by Chubby Checker, Hank Ballard

218. Amor - Roger Williams. Vocal by Ben E. King

219. The White Rose of Athens - David Carroll. Vocal by Nana Mouskouri

220. Smile - Ferrante & Teicher. Vocal by Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, etc.

221. Take Me - Bert Kaempfert. Vocal by Dean Martin

222. Theme From The Unforgiven (The Need For Love) - Don Costa. Vocal by The McGuire Sisters

223. Up A Lazy River - Si Zettner. Vocal by Bobby Darin

224. Worried Mind - Ray Anthony. Vocal by Faron Young, Tommy Duncan, Ray Charles

225. Lovesick Blues - Floyd Cramer. Vocal by Hank Williams, Kay Starr, Sonny James, etc.

226. Anna - Jorgen Ingman. Vocal by Silvana Mangano

227. My Girl Josephine - Bill Black’s Combo. Vocal by Fats Domino

228. My Blue Heaven - Duane Eddy / The String-A-Longs. Vocal by Fats Domino, Freddy Cannon, Frank Sinatra, etc.

229. Blue Moon - The Ventures. Vocal by the Marcells, Elvis Presley, Jo Stafford, Julie London, Peggy Lee, etc.

230. Beneath The Southern Cross (From Victory At Sea) - NBC Symphony Orchestra. Vocal (No Other Love) by Perry Como, Ronnie Hilton

231. The Faithful Hussar - Ted Heath & His Music. Vocal (Don’t Cry My Love) by Vera Lynn

232. Cielito Lindo - Esquivel & His Orchestra. Spanish vocal by Trini Lopez and Vocal (You, Me And Us) by Betty Martin, Alma Cogan

233. The Portuguese Washerwoman - Joe “Fingers” Carr / Baja Marimba Band. French vocal (The Portuguese Washerwomen) by The Blue Stars Featuring Blossom Dearie and Vocal (Kiki) by Hugo Winterhalter, Betty Clooney

234. Like Young - Andre Previn & David Rose. Vocal by Ella Fitzgerald

235. The Enchanted Sea - The Islanders / Martin Denny. Vocal by The Browns

236. On The Beach - Frank Chacksfield. Vocal by The Playmates

237. Temptation - Roger Williams. Vocal by Perry Como, The Everly Brothers

238. Lullaby Of The Leaves - Art Tatum / Gerry Mulligan Quartet/ The Ventures. Vocal by Ella Fitzgerald

239. Lost Love - H.B. Barnum. Vocal by Ann-Margret

240. La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) - Ray Ellis. Vocal by Eartha Kitt

241. Water Boy - Don Shirley Trio. Vocal by Jimmy Rodgers, The Four Tunes, The Kingston Trio, Harry Belafonte

242. Walk On The Wild Side - Jimmy Smith / Elmer Bernstein. Vocal by Brook Benton

243. Midnight Special - Jimmy Smith. Vocal by Paul Evans, Johnny Rivers

244. I’ve Got A Woman - Jimmy McGriff. Vocal (I Got A Woman) by Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Rick Nelson, etc.

245. Stranger In Paradise - Martin Denny / Eddie Calvert. Vocal by Tony Bennett, The Four Aces

246. Maria - Peter Nero. Vocal by Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, etc.

247. The Green Leaves Of Summer Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen. Vocal by The Brothers Four

248. Theme From Dixie - Duane Eddy. Vocal (Dixie) by Red Foley

249. Detour - Duane Eddy. Vocal by Patti Page, Ferlin Husky

250. La Montana (If She Should Come To You) Roger Williams. Vocal by Anthony Newley

251. Afro Blue - Mongo Santamaria. Vocal by Oscar Brown Jr.

252. Dat Dere - Bobby Timmons. Vocal by Oscar Brown Jr., Rickie Lee Jones

253. Jive Samba - Cannonball Adderley Sextet / Quincy Jones. Vocal by Dianne Reeves

254. Serenata - Leroy Anderson. Vocal by Sarah Vaughan, Nat King Cole

255. On Green Dolphin Street - Miles Davis. Vocal by Tony Bennett, Nancy Ames

256. Red Wing - Billy Vaughn. Vocal (Rockin’ Red Wing) by Sammy Masters, Ernie Freeman

257. Chop Sticks - Billy Vaughn / Ray Anthony. Vocal (The Chop Stick Rock) by The Four Esquires

258. Simonetta - Werner Muller. Vocal by Vic Damone

259. I’ll Walk The Line - Don Costa. Vocal (I Walk The Line) by Johnny Cash

260. La Paloma - Billy Vaughn. Spanish and Italian vocals by Connie Francis. Spanish vocal by Marty Robbins,  English vocal by Dean Martin, English vocal (Your Love) by Connie Francis, English vocal (No More) by Elvis Presley and English vocal (La Paloma Twist) by Chubby Checker

261. The Andy Griffith Theme - Earle Hagen. Vocal (The Fishin’ Hole) by Andy Griffith

262. Work Song - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Oscar Brown Jr., Bobby Darin, Nina Simone

263. Charmaine - Mantovani. Vocal by Vaughn Monroe, Vic Damone, The Bachelors

264. Tarantula - Jody Reynolds. Vocal (Deep Down) by Billie & Mark

265. Little Queenie - Bill Black’s Combo. Vocal by Chuck Berry

266. The Hucklebuck (Twist) - King Curtis / Ernie Fields / Oliver Sain. Vocal by Chubby Checker

267. Mrs. Robinson - Booker T. & The M.G.’s. Vocal by Simon & Garfunkel

268. Ja-Da - Johnny & The Hurricanes. Vocal by The Fireballs

269. Taboo - Stan Kenton / Billy May / Arthur Lyman. Vocal by Caterina Valente

270. Dancing On The Ceiling - Bob Thompson. Vocal by Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, Dodie Stevens 

271. Hernando’s Hideaway - Billy May. Vocal by Archie Bleyer, Johnnie Ray

272. Tenderly - Bert Kaempfert / Ray Anthony. Vocal by Rosemary Clooney, Pat Boone

273. Heartaches - Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen. Vocal by The Marcells

274. That’s Life - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Frank Sinatra

275. Calypso Melody - David Rose. Vocal by The Modernaires. Italian vocal by Johnny Dorelli, Gloria Christian, Lia Origoni

276. Popcorn - Gershon Kingsley. Vocal (Pop Corn) by Anarchic System

277. My Favorite Things - John Coltrane / Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Vocal by The Pete King Chorale, Tony Bennett, etc.

278. Alfie - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Joanie Sommers, Jack Jones, etc.

279. Up Tight - Ramsey Lewis. Vocal (Uptight) by Stevie Wonder

280. You Only Live Twice - John Barry / Bob Crewe Generation. Vocal by Nancy Sinatra

281. Keem-O-Sabe - The Electric Indian. Vocal by Len Barry

282. Take It Easy Soul Brother - The Corner Boys & Friends. Vocal (Great Big Liar) by Bunny Sigler

283. Games People Play - King Curtis. Vocal by Joe South

284. Crystal Blue Persuasion - The Billy Mitchell Group. Vocal by Tommy James & The Shondells

285. Oh Happy Day - The Billy Mitchell Group. Vocal by The Edwin Hawkins Singers

286. Groovin’ - Booker T. & The M.G.’s. Vocal by The Young Rascals, Steve Lawrence

287. United - The Music Machine. Vocal by The Intruders

288. I Was Made To Love Her - King Curtis. Vocal by Stevie Wonder

289. Hungry For Love - The San Remo Golden Strings. Vocal (I Love The Life I Live) by Tony Michaels

290. You’ve Got To Pay The Price - Al Kent. Vocal by Gloria Taylor, The Supremes

291. I’m Gonna Make You Love Me - Brothers of Hope. Vocal by Madeline Bell, Dee Dee Warwick, Diana Ross & The Supremes & The Temptations

292. Windy - Wes Montgomery. Vocal by The Association

293. Festival Time - The San Remo Golden Strings. Vocal (To Win Your Heart) by Laura Lee

294. Knock On Wood - The Mar-Keys. Vocal by Eddie Floyd, Georgie Fame

295. I Will Wait For You - The Washington Square Stompers. Vocal by Steve Lawrence, Louis Armstrong, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams

296. Try Me - James Brown. Vocal by James Brown

297. Every Beat Of My Heart - James Brown. Vocal by Gladys Knight & The Pips

298. Soul City - Leon “Fingers” Huff. Vocal by Pervis Herder

299. Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over) - Wayne Bennett. Vocal (Casonova) by Ruby Andrews

300. Volare - Ace Cannon. Vocal by Domenico Modugno, Bobby Rydell, etc.

301. Just Listen To My Heart - The Spotniks. Vocal (I Listen To My Heart) by Frank Ifield

302. Your Cheatin’ Heart - Billy Vaughn. Vocal by Hank Williams, Joni James, etc.

303. Lemon Tree - Arthur Lyman Group. Vocal by The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Trini Lopez

304. Blowin’ In The Wind- Arthur Lyman Group. Vocal by Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary

305. Right Now. Herbie Mann. Vocal by Mel Torme, Salena Jones

306. Agent 00-Soul - John Schroeder Orchestra. Vocal by Edwin Starr, Alex Harvey

307. The Guns Of Navarone - Joe Reisman / Al Caiola. Vocal by Mitch Miller

308. Chinatown, My Chinatown - Firehouse Five Plus Two / Tom & Dan. Vocal by Bing Crosby, Frankie Ford

309. Bolero Gaucho - Mitch Miller. Vocal (Without My Lover) by Jo Stafford

310. Alabama Jubilee - Ferko String Band / The Astronauts. Vocal by Red Foley, Roy Clark

311. Hi-Lili Hi-Lo - Ray Martin / Roger Williams. Vocal by The Four Aces, Richard Chamberlain, The Everly Brothers

* Denotes a hit song known primarily as a vocal recording, where the instrumental version was recorded first.

References:

1. Many of these songs are available on YouTube.com







8.  musicstack.com

That's quite a list ... and I'm sure our readers can help you add to it in pretty good numbers ... but to be totally honest with you, I'm not sure I totally understand the criteria. Initially you mention that some of the better-known vocal recordings were first recorded as instrumentals ... and there are quite a few of these on the list ... but the MAJORITY of what I see here was a vocal hit first ... and, let's face it, ANYBODY can record an instrumental, easy-listening version of a hit record after the fact ... it's pretty much the very definition of Muzak and Elevator / Doctors Office Music!  For example, The Hollyridge Strings recorded a good chunk of The Beatles' early catalog as Capitol Records continued in its efforts to cash in on ANYTHING even REMOTELY Beatles related ... but I don't think ANYBODY out there is ever going to consider these instrumental knock-offs as definitive versions.  Tracks like "Windy", "Mrs. Robinson" and "Ode To Billie" were well-established, major pop vocal hits before other artists charted semi-successfully with their instrumental interpretations. 
That being said, if you're simply looking for tracks that were recorded as BOTH, your count will probably wind up well into the thousands ... Muzak versions exist for nearly everything that ever succeeded on the pop charts.  I've often thought, when hearing one of these tracks on some of those old "World's Most Beautiful Music" radio stations:  If you're going to play this song anyway, then why not play the HIT version of the song instead of some cheezy instrumental knock-off?  Then again many others transcend beautifully in instrumental form.  
Folks who want to help add to Bill's list can email him directly at boakey39@gmail.com  (kk)  

Here's an interesting question about "instrumental" hits ... that is if you'll accept whistling as a form of instrumental entertainment ...   

Kent --
Saw the mention of Don Robertson's "Happy Whistler" and remembered that Tennessee Ernie Ford released a vocal with the same tune called "The Sunday Barbecue" in 1958. Didn't do well; Whitburn says it peaked at #97, but it's classic Ernie and was a favorite of my father. I don't have either 45 so I have no info on who wrote the melody and which song was the original recording of the tune, or whether the melody was older than either recording. I mention it mainly because the damned thing has been echoing in my head for the last hour and a half.
But it also makes me wonder, what other charted singles featured whistling as the primary "instrument"? (As opposed to a whistled intro leading into a conventional vocal or instrumental.) The only two I can think of are "I Was the Kaiser Bill's Batman" and "Theme from The High and the Mighty," and it's been 25 years or so since I last heard that one, on KLOC radio in Santa Cruz. Roger Whittaker did a lot of whistling in his music, but I don't know if any of his whistled tunes ever made
the pop charts.
-- 73 --
-- Jeff Duntemann K7JPD
    Colorado Springs, Colorado

Hi Jeff -- 
I sent your email to Joel Whitburn to get his take on this.  It's an interesting angle ... he could only come up with one more (and totally agreed about the ear-worm factor regarding "The Sunday Barbecue", a song I wasn't at all familiar with) ... while it isn't much, it DOES prove that you ain't just whistlin' Dixie!  (kk)   

Hi Kent,  
“Sunday Barbecue” is a different tune than “The Happy Whistler”.  The melody is taken from a 1952 hit by the Sauter - Finegan band titled “Doodletown Fifers”, which will really get stuck in your head for a long time.   
One all-whistle song that quickly comes to mind is “Sweet Georgia Brown” by Brother Bones & His Shadows in 1948.  It peaked at #10.  It did have a little introductory talk, but I think it qualifies as an instrumental featuring mostly whistling.   
Joel





Hey there, 
I am looking for a tune that was recorded about Glen "Fireball" Roberts. I don't know the name or the person that recorded it but in part the lyrics were, "In the record books you'll find Fireball's name." Any elderly NASCAR fan may remember the name and hopefully someone can help me out with the name of the tune.   
Bill  
If it's going to take a NASCAR fan to solve this one, it won't be me!  (lol)  But maybe SOMEBODY out there will recognize it ... and provide Bill with the answer (?)  kk


More than 50 years ago there was a dynamic, charismatic band that played for dances at the Methodist Church Hall. One of the guys may have been Ted or "Turkey Turtle". Their signature tune was California Sun and, with good promotion, it might have been a bigger hit than The Rivieras or Joe Jones versions. Anyway that's my recollection. 
Anybody know or remember who I'm talking about? 
Andrew Sordoni, retired recording company producer, Chiaroscuro Records  
Anybody able to help out here with this one?  (kk)


>>>I am trying to find the connection of Capitol with Columbia in the UK in regards to the early recordings and releases by Freddie and the Dreamers. I don't know if the two record companies had an agreement to share royalties (which I doubt) or Capitol "buying" the recording from Columbia, after the song made its European run in '63, and later appeared on Capitol, the same year.  (John LaPuzza) 

Here are a couple of explanations from readers responding to our last inquiry issue ...   

Remember that Capitol (US) and Columbia (UK) were both part of EMI at the time. Only in the last few years did Capitol part with EMI, and EMI sell the rights to the Columbia name and trademarks to Sony.
R.D. (Bob) FRABLE

Hi Kent!  
To answer John LaPuzza’s question about Capitol Records’ relationship with EMI and its four British labels (His Master’s Voice, Columbia, Parlophone, and Regal - Zonophone), there is a simple explanation. Since 1954, Capitol was part of the worldwide EMI setup. And that came about due to EMI losing the UK rights to recordings made on two major American labels, Columbia (CBS) and RCA - Victor. 
That came about when American Columbia (CBS) terminated a licensing deal with EMI in 1952 and set up a deal UK Philips which lasted until 1963 when the CBS label was launched in the UK (although EMI did have a licensing deal with CBS subsidiaries Epic and OKeh). And to top it off, RCA decided not to renew its licensing deal with EMI and let it expire in 1957 (which led to RCA launching the RCA label in the UK with distribution via Decca). Needing an American label with extremely popular US talent for UK consumption and a possible US outlet, they found it in the Hollywood, California based Capitol label (which at the time had on its artist roster such notables as Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, and Les Paul and Mary Ford among many others). So in 1954, EMI bought a controlling interest in Capitol and brought it into the worldwide EMI setup. Not only did it give Capitol a worldwide outlet, it also gave them first choice for releasing records by any artist in the EMI bullpen. 
Capitol exercised that option right away by releasing the UK hit singles of Ron Goodwin (”Elizabethan Serenade” and ‘Swinging Sweethearts (Skiffling Strings)” and Laurie London (“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”), both Parlophone artists, and LPs from Goodwin and Franck Pourcel (a Columbia artist). That led to Freddie and the Dreamers’ second and third Columbia singles “I’m Telling You Now” b/w “What Have I Done to You” and “You Were Made for Me” b/w “Send a Letter to Me” being released on Capitol in 1963 without fanfare. It wasn’t until after the Beatles took off that Capitol re-released those two Freddie & the Dreamers singles on their new Tower subsidiary in early 1965. By then – thanks to the Beatles’ success – EMI was able to have US releases of their top British artists placed not only on Capitol, but also on labels that they had UK licensing deals with as well. 

The labels EMI had licensing deals with – followed by the UK artists and their EMI labels in parentheses – were as follows:
↧

The Sunday Comments ( 07 - 26 - 15 )

July 25, 2015, 3:27 pm
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re:  Me-TV-FM (and Radio In General These Days):  
Kent,  
I have to disagree with you about Me-TV FM playing Peter Allen's "The More I See You". I have loved his version ever since they played it on WBBM-FM back in the 70's. There is no way that is a bad song to play and I hope they continue to do so. I still have my 45 of it ... and it's on my iPod and I think their listeners should continue to hear it from time to time.  
I sure hope Neal Sabin also does not listen to you about "Themed Programs & Features". Please no, I don't want it! As a matter of fact, I don't want anything else like traffic and weather forecasts. And, do I dare say ... I don't even want DJ's! I just want the music they are playing and a super light commercial load. I think they are doing a great job playing so many of the forgotten songs we have talked about here for years. I am really happy they are also playing all the great songs from our Chicago groups. Although I have not heard Jamestown Massacre's "Summer Sun" ... maybe we will hear it sometime.  
I agree there are a few artists I seem to hear too much of. It seems like every time I'm listening while driving I will hear an Abba song or something by the Bee Gees. But even when they play something I don't care to hear, I still don't change the dial because I know in three minutes the next song will start and I'll probably like it. I NEVER change the dial anymore. But let's face it, if I did change the dial I'm sure I would just run into a long commercial block on some other station followed by some old tired worn out song. I'm sticking with Me-FM TV.  
Mike Hartman
As Neal Sabin pointed out to me after my initial comments ran, Peter Allen's version of "The More I See You" DID chart on the Adult Contemporary Charts, reaching #38 in 1976.  (It didn't make The Top 100 on ANY of the national pop charts however, so it is hardly what I would consider a "recognizable" hit.  Regardless, I still can't stand it ... it sounds like it is falling apart from start to finish.  And, since they're already playing the DEFINITIVE version of this song (by Chris Montez) there is NO reason to balance things out by playing such an inferior version ... it's not that strong or identifiable a song.  (Don't get me wrong ... I LOVE the Chris Montez version ... and always have ... the station also plays "Call Me" by Chris ... and should really consider adding "Time After Time", another long-overlooked gem from the same genre.)  This same philosophy holds true for the Jose Feliciano version of "California Dreamin'" that they play WAY too often ... if you're going to play more than The Mamas and the Papas' version ... which I'm not even sure is really necessary since that version is SO great all on its own ... at least play an alternate version by somebody who made some noise with the record ... like The Beach Boys or America ... or even Barry McGuire, who recorded the song FIRST with The Mamas and the Papas providing the background vocals!  At least THOSE versions are interesting and have a built-in connection with the audience.  
Then again, it really all comes down to trade-offs ... let's face it, there are only so many songs they're going to play ... and I'd give up ANYTHING by Peter Allen in order to hear Jamestown Massacre's "Summer Sun" instead.  In fact, that is one they ABSOLUTELY should be playing in semi-regular rotation ... it was a HUGE hit here in Chicago ... and it's a GREAT song ... with a GREAT summer feel ... and is absolutely deserving of repeated spins on the station instead.  
The idea of just music is fine ... it's iPod programming ... and I have enjoyed the extended "launch" of music only ... but what makes it FEEL like a radio station ... and SOUND like a radio station ... is those annoying interruptions.  Hey, I hate commercial blocks as much as the next guy ... but I understand that this is what pays the bills.  If the Xfinity TV station can give out the traffic and weather reports non-stop, why can't the radio station do it in a much more appropriate setting ... when people are actually out IN their cars!!!  For drive time traffic to and from work, weather and traffic reports are essential ... I hate the idea that I have to turn off the GREAT music being played on Me-TV-FM just to hear about traffic back-ups on my way in to work.  There is NO reason they couldn't do quarterly hour, 1-minute updates ... which would give the station more of a "live" feel to it, too ... like somebody is actually THERE paying attention, rather than just some pre-programmed robot.  It establishes an audience connection.  
Same for the deejays ... not necessarily all day ... but hire some TRUE talent who not only appreciates this great music but can be entertaining in the four or five break-ins per hour.  Maybe just a morning guy with a decent sense of humor who can give news, weather and traffic updates for the drive into work ... then go back to the automated programming for the work day.  
Or schedule some "appointment radio" throughout the day.  How about an all-request lunch hour ... where listeners can actually phone in something interesting and creative (unlike the other stations in town who offer a similar feature ... but then continue to feature only the same 200-300 songs they're already playing all day long anyway. I've actually heard deejays tell the caller "We don't have that song in our library"!!!  Heck, John Records Landecker used to do an early morning request show and, if he didn't have the record on hand, he made sure he DID have it the very next day.)  
Why wouldn't something like a "Historic Chicago Countdown" work once a week ... or even two hours a day?  (Another excuse to play something NOT on the play list)  Or daily updates of something like Gary Theroux's "History Of Rock And Roll" segments?  How about picking a Featured Artist of the Day (which would then give the station an excuse to play something by that artist every hour, topped off with a Top Ten Countdown of that artist's biggest hits every night at 6:00 or 10:00, mixed in with a couple of "extras" that "just missed the countdown" or key album tracks.  Again ... appointment radio that folks will make a point to tune in and listen for.  
I would LOVE to take a crack at fine-tuning the play list ... eliminate some of the music that is causing the majority of listeners to push the button (or, at the very least, schedule those tracks into the airplay rotation they deserve ... once or twice a year, these songs will still provide the "wow factor" they're going for ... four or five times a week is just downright annoying.)  
Once again, I'd like to offer my assistance ... send me the play list and I will send you back 20-50 suggestions and modifications to road test each week ... then you can evaluate if our goals match and we're getting closer to building the perfect radio station.  
Like I keep saying, they are doing almost everything right ... and have won over their audience by featuring tracks that have been absent from the airwaves for decades.  Now we just need to do a little more fine-tuning to take this to the next level!  (kk)







See, here's exactly what I'm talking about ...    

Beautiful Lobby - Empty Studio ... Radio in the Millennium ... 

(Remember the days when kids listening to the radio couldn't WAIT to get a job like that ... many even set up "pretend radio studios" in their bedrooms and basements, just to emulate their heroes heard up and down the dial.  What on earth is going to inspire ANYBODY to pursue a career in radio today?  Yes, Mom, I can't wait to program the computer to play all the music ... or, if I'm fortunate enough to actually get on the air, give out the time and temp three or four times an hour ... and then be told to keep my mouth shut the rest of the time.)  Ah yes ... the DREAM job of a lifetime! (We grew up on "personality radio" ... where the deejays were often as popular as the recording artists themselves.  Today you sometimes have to wonder if ANYBODY is minding the store!)  kk   

Hi Kent,  
Thought you might like this article by a guy who's been in radio a very long time.  
http://www.domtheodore.com/  
Eddie,  
Ashley, PA

I have a story to tell about consultants and it involves radio and the other involved the 500 songs we are forced to listen to ad nauseam. Before I moved away from Chicago, I would participate in music surveys a couple times a year. If you've never been invited to one, the concept is simple. You hear a snippets of songs, essentially the chorus, or the part you're most familiar with, and are then asked to mark in a little box if you like it a lot, somewhat, neutral, somewhat dislike it, or it sucks. And darn if it isn't the same 500 songs we've all grown to become bored with. No surprises in the bunch. Hey, but it was 50 to 100 dollars in my pocket and free food.  
In 1976 I became affiliated with WZRD radio Chicago 88.3 FM. At first it was a closed circuit radio serving Northeastern Illinois University and known as WRNE. When it came time to petition the FCC to be able to broadcast locally, the station had to change their call letters as WRNE belonged to a station in New England. Well, various call letters were tossed about at a staff meeting, with some being rejected because it wouldn't fly with either the school administration, the FCC, or it was already taken. Finally, after much debate and much foreign substances being passed about, one staff member woke up from his stupor from underneath the table long enough to volunteer "WZRD ... wizard, man!" in his best Tommy Chong impression, and then promptly passed out again. This got everyone excited and not one station, commercial, or non-commercial had the call letters. The FCC approved it and, almost 40 years later, WZRD still lives. But wait, there's more!  
Maybe a year or two later, a station in Philadelphia contacted us and wanted to know if we would give up the call letters. Apparently their "consultants" had built a huge campaign around the WZRD call letters. They looked at the FCC listings of COMMERCIAL stations and saw nothing. So they were all set to pull the trigger when the FCC told them their application was rejected because a 10 watt non-commercial station in Chicago had the call letters. So they wrote us a lovely letter offering us a lot of money if we would give up WZRD. The vote was unanimous ... NO! The Philly station had to settle for WZZD. I've had surveys from them, don't know if I still do, but I laughed my ass off when I first got them, as I knew that had to be the station. 
The moral of the story is, WTF do consultants know?  
Jack  
Those radio survey polls are a complete joke and waste of time ... I've done several of them, too ... and you're absolutely right ... all they do is ask you about the songs they're already playing anyway.  The list is SO weighted toward what they're currently doing that they leave absolutely NO room for improvements or surprises to be added.  And, even though they ask you which songs you're sick of, they continue to play them all anyway!!!  So what's the point?  Just to be able to tell people that you polled your audience?  It's a complete waste of time ... and the very reason radio is in the crapper the way it is today.  
Not long ago we talked about how radio stations don't even use call letters anymore.  We've got The Loop, The Drive, The Mix, B-96, K-Hits, She-FM, Me-TV-FM, My-FM, The Lite, Y-103.9, The River, The Fox, The Zoo, Jack-FM, Bob-FM, and dozens of others all over the country.  Back in the day stations like WLS, WCFL, WIND, WMAQ, WGN and others ruled the airwaves ... today it seems to be the least important connection to their identity ... and their audience.  The times, they have a-changed ... and not necessarily for the better.  (kk)

re:  Helping Out Our Readers:   
>>>I interviewed Kathy Linden earlier this year. She did something that I feel is quite unusual ... but Iam not sure if she is the only one to ever do this. I am hoping that someone here would know theanswer and, if there are one or more other examples, provide the specifics.  Kathy Linden had this1959 Felsted single: "You Don't Know Girls" b/w "So Close To My Heart."  "You Don't Know Girls"charted in Billboard but not in Cash Box. It peaked in  Billboard at #92.  The flipside "So Close To My Heart"charted in Cash Box but not in Billboard. It peaked in Cash Box at #84.  Can any of you come upwith another example where one side of a record charted only in Billboard  but not in Cash Box AND its flipside charted only in Cash Box but not in Billboard?  By "charted" I mean Top 100 orbetter. Bubbling Under and Looking Ahead do not count. For the sake of what I ask here, please pretend that there is no such thing as "Bubbling Under" or "Looking Ahead." Also please exclude  any Record World / MusicVendor charts and also please exclude any entries listed as "coat-tail" recordings in Joel Whitburn'spublications. I find it hard to believe that Kathy Linden is the only example of this happening -- with BOTHconditions applying (one side charted only in BB: the flipside side only in CB) but I guess it could be. 
Thanks in advance for the research and feedback.  (Ronnie Allen)   

Hi Kent,  
A very interesting question by Ronnie Allen regarding songs where one side only hit in Billboard and the other side only hit in Cash Box.  
There is one example I can think of that exactly matches the Kathy Linden example that Ronnie cited:  

“Kool's Back Again” by Kool & The Gang peaked at #80 in Cash Box, while the flip side, “The Gang's Back Again”, peaked at #85 in Billboard.  
There are a couple more that may qualify under Ronnie’s criteria (if one totally ignores the Bubbling Under / Looking Ahead charts):  
“It’s For You” by Cilla Black peaked at #79 in Billboard (but only hit #105 in Cash Box), while the flip side, “He Won’t Ask Me”, peaked at #91 in Cash Box (and didn’t chart at all in Billboard).  
“There’s Nothing Like Love” by Jackie Wilson & Linda Hopkins peaked at #95 in Cash Box (but didn’t chart at all in Billboard), while the flip side, “I Found Love”, peaked at #93 in Billboard (but only hit #136 in Cash Box).  
Those are ones that I remember from working on the Comparison book.  There may be some others, but it seems like it was a pretty rare occurrence.  
Paul Haney 
Record Research
Joel's Chart Comparison Book would be the IDEAL place to look for these types of chart oddities ... readers can pick up a copy of this invaluable book here:
http://www.recordresearch.com/pop/the_comparison_book_1954-1982.php     

Kent,  
Bill Oakley's efforts and list are quite admirable. It would be nice to see the years posted next to each entry however. Maybe that's something that could be added later. 
Having that information would tell us whether the vocal or instrumental came first and thus what kind of creative juices were flowing at the time.  
Example: Lonnie Mack's instrumental treatment of Chuck Berry's composition of Memphis came four years after Berry released it as the B side of Back in the USA ... and was a much different kind of effort than the one that created the vocal version.  The same can be said of Grazin' in the Grass based upon the instrumental of the year before (1968) by Hugh Masekela vs. the vocal arrangement made by The Friends Of Disinction.  They were both great efforts with great with results, as were the originals, but we true music lovers want to be in touch with how things like that happened, don't we?   
Bill Fortune 
I would use the "Soulful Strut" instrumental hit by Young-Holt Unlimited as a similar example to the Barbara Acklin vocal version released as "Am I The Same Girl".  However, I also believe that Swing Out Sister took this song to brand new heights when they released THEIR vocal version of "Am I The Same Girl" in 1992.  (kk)



Kent, 
Whew! I'm huffing and puffing now. I just finished scrolling through reader Oakey's compilation of the (at his latest count), 311 instrumentals and their vocal counterparts.   Song #199 HEARTS OF STONE, the group the Charms  can be added, I believe, to the vocal side. Song #225 LOVESICK BLUES, was also vocally recorded by Frank Ifield, his follow-up to I REMEMBER YOU. Song #241 WATERBOY by Don Shirley, made it to #1 here in OKC. Song #262 WORK SONG was done vocally, I believe, by Trade Martin on RCA. 
I have made a copy of this list, Kent, and will add it to my paper files here at home pertaining to this music that you, your readers and I love. I don't know if it can be added to the list but I always liked Percy Faith's instrumental version of Little Peggy March's I WILL FOLLOW HIM. Maybe now Bill can compile a list of all the answer records that have come out through the years. (LOL). 
For Jeff's information, SUNDAY BARBECUE was written by Ira Cook / Mort Greene and T.E.F. was backed up by the Cliffie Stone band. Got that directly off the 45. 
Mentioning the songs which were done primarily of one whistling, reminded me of Dave Baby Cortez' followup to THE HAPPY ORGAN and I am talking about THE WHISTLING ORGAN. One final thing about the instrumentals and their voice counterparts ... I will be trying to find a lot of them (vocals) online and listen to them and to see what they sound like.  
Larry   

re:  New Releases:  
We just caught wind of a new release by Buzz Cason, who wrote the timeless pop classic "Everlasting Love” ... and has worked with everyone to Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash to Carl Perkins to Buddy Holly’s Crickets.

Here are all the details:   

THE LEGENDARY BUZZ CASON TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM - RECORD MACHINE  
(August 21, 2015)  
New York, NY (July 9, 2015)-- Rockabilly Hall of Famer Buzz Cason is proudly releasing his new studio album Record Machine on August 21, 2015. This is his second album to be released via Plowboy Records.  
Touring the US and the UK was just a small portion of the incredible year Buzz had in 2014. In July, the Country Music Hall of Fame honored him as part of their “Poets & Prophets” series, and Cason’s then recently-released album Troubadour Heart was enjoying chart success and heavy airplay on Americana Radio.  
Following this, Buzz hunkered down at his famed Creative Workshop studio with engineer Joe Funderburk to begin pouring his soul into Record Machine.  
Buzz Cason notes in the opening title track, which is a love letter to his record player, that he’s “got Rock ‘N’ Roll, R&B, and everything between … on my record machine,” and it shows in the breadth of the songs that follow. Record Machine is an eclectic mix of Americana sounds, dosed with rock, folk, rockabilly, and even a touch of reggae, with his loosened-up remake of George Jones’ “She Thinks I Still Care,” which was originally written by Buzz’s good friend Dickey Lee. The other ten original tracks visit different moods and stories, from the stripped-down acoustic skip of “Don’t Worry Mama” and the whiskey-soaked bar room confessional “Dodgin’ Bullets,” to the lonely ballad “Just My Dreams,” the upbeat bounce of “Follower,” and the rockabilly swing of  “Memphis Friday Night” and “Overload.”  
The album also features a few cameos by Nashville-based duo Steelism, who are featured on “Record Machine,” “She Thinks I Still Care,” and “Wait On Your Love,” as well as Sugarcane Jane’s Anthony Crawford (“Woe Is Me,” “Just My Dreams”), and Buzz’s son Parker Cason, who co-wrote “Record Machine” and played on several tracks.  "Record Machine is special to me and hopefully it will be a positive experience for the listener,” says Buzz. “The record is a slice of my musical life, incorporating emotions and thoughts of recent times as well as just fun times recorded in the studio. Once again I have the support of extremely talented players and writers on this set of songs … [Guitarist] Anthony Crawford plays a key role in the record as well as the guys from my band contributing on several tracks ... As the title cut says: From the first time I heard a needle hit vinyl: ‘I've been in love with music ever since that day!’ ” 
And quite the love affair it’s been! With a career six decades rich as a performer, songwriter, and publisher, Buzz Cason has touched upon every facet of the music industry, as well as influenced countless musicians and fans. Coined as “The Father Of Nashville Rock” by Alamo Jones of Sirius XM’s “Outlaw Country,” this Americana / Roots Rock singer-songwriter has created songs that have gone on to live beyond the genre, from the classic “Everlasting Love” (co-written with Mac Gayden), which has been recorded by U2, Gloria Estefan, Robert Knight, and CarlCarlton, and has charted in every decade since its inception, to “Soldier of Love” (co-written with Tony Moon), which has been recorded by The Beatles, Pearl Jam, Marshall Crenshaw, and Arthur Alexander. To this day, Buzz is the only songwriter credited with cuts by The Beatles, Pearl Jam, AND U2. 
As a producer, Buzz left his stamp on Jimmy Buffett’s Down To Earth and High Cumberland Jubilee albums (he also co-wrote a few songs), and he even produced Buddy Holly’s former band The Crickets, and toured England with them as their singer. He’s sung back-up for Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Roy Orbison, George Jones, and Leon Russell, and was even the voice of Alvin of the Chipmunks!  
The music legacy continues on with the release of Record Machine. 
Buzz Cason will tour this year in support of Record Machine, with some solo dates, and some shows with his band The Love Notes. Tour dates to be announced soon.  
Plowboy Records is helmed by Eddy Arnold's grandson Shannon Pollard, along with professor, author and country music expert Don Cusic. The label was established to promote the legacy of Eddy Arnold and to provide a home for projects that focus on American music regardless of genre. Visit the label online atplowboyrecords.com or facebook.com/plowboyrecords.  
Track List:  Record Machine / Don’t Worry Mama / Woe Is Me / Follower / Just My Dreams / Dodgin’ Bullets / No Word From You / Overload / Memphis Friday Night / She Thinks I Still Care / Wait On Your Love  

Greg Lake's Legendary 1981 Performance At the Hammersmith Odeon In London To Be Issued On CD & Vinyl  
Los Angeles – Purple Pyramid Records will be releasing legendary Greg Lake's live album from the Hammersmith Odeon in London, November 5, 1981, featuring guitar hero Gary Moore on CD and vinyl! The concert recording features ELP and King Crimson classic tracks such as “Lucky Man”, “Karn Evil 9”, “21st Century Schizoid Man” and “In The Court of The Crimson King”, as well as songs from his critically acclaimed first solo album from 1981. As a founding member of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Greg Lake has been a major force in music for over 40 years. He has long been considered a legendary voice and musical powerhouse whose impact changed the landscape of rock and roll. Many simply refer to him as “The Voice”.
The Greg Lake Band made its live debut on one of the biggest stages available to it, the annual Reading Festival in England in August 1981. Much of the set was new to the audience – Greg's first solo album would not be released for another month. But the band received a wild reception regardless, and there were enough old favorites on display to ensure the fans remained happy…including the show opener “Fanfare for the Common Man,” truly one of the most effective showstoppers ever to have opened a concert.
The band's full tour kicked off in October. Purposefully, Lake demanded smaller venues, the theaters and universities that truly represented a refreshing change from the monster domes he'd visited the last time he hit the road in 1977 with ELP. The string of shows launched in Wales, at Aberystwyth University, then moved onto Cardiff University, Dunstable Queensway Hall, Norwich University, Liverpool Royal Court Theatre, Newcastle Mayfair, Glasgow University, Edinburgh Playhouse, Sheffield Lyceum, University of Kent Canterbury, Birmingham Odeon, Leicester Polytechnic, Bournemouth Winter Gardens, Exeter University, St Austell Cornwall Coliseum, Crawley Leisure Centre and, finally, London's Hammersmith Odeon.
It was not an extravagant performance - no lasers, no levitating keyboards, no priceless Persian carpets. The myths and legends that surrounded ELP when they toured were all firmly locked away. The Greg Lake Band toured like a band, and on stage they simply took up their positions and played. Brilliantly.
That last date on the tour is where this disc was recorded, in front of 2,000 fans who now had every note of Greg's new album memorized, and the rest of the set firmly entrenched in their DNA: the snatch of “Karn Evil 9” that eased out of the opening “Fanfare”; “Love You Too Much,” the song Lake co-wrote with Dylan in what remains another of the tantalizing collaborations of the age; “Retribution Drive” and “The Lie” from Greg Lake. “21st Century Schizoid Man” and “The Court Of The Crimson King,” from Lake’s stint with King Crimson, wrapped up the evening in positively rhapsodic fashion, and, finally, “C'est La Vie,” from ELP's Works. (The version of this track included on the CD is taken from a show in New York City 1981)
“A single night at the tail end of a single tour, alive with promise, bristling with presence. And welcoming back some new friends, too” - Dave Thompson, writer
Tracks:   Medley: Fanfare For The Common Man / Karn Evil 9 / Nuclear Attack / The Lie / Retribution Drive / Lucky Man / Parisienne Walkways / You Really Got A Hold On Me / Love You Too Much / 21st Century Schizoid Man / In The Court Of The Crimson King / Bonus Track: C'est La Vie (Live in NYC 1981) /
To purchase:
Pre-order the CD: http://flyt.it/GregLakeCD
Pre-order the Vinyl: http://flyt.it/GregLakeLP
Pre-order the digital: http://flyt.it/GregLakedig
Greg Lake's official website: www.greglake.com
 
re:  This And That: 
Hey Kent, 
Thanks for the heads up on the Zombies tickets.  I got 17th row, just left of center. If you are ever going to see the Zombies, this is the time."Odessey and Oracle" is one of the top albums of the sixties and four of the five original members will be together to play the entire album for this special show.Out of all the shows you let us know about, this may be the one that will be the most important.  Forgotten Hits fans should make the trip to Star Plaza as it's acoustics and comfort level are first rate.  I saw Yes there with my 11 year old daughter, Ashley, about 15 years ago, and the sound was awesome.This show is guaranteed to be one of the concert highlights of 2015.I thought your readers would like to know. 
By the way, I first saw the Zombies live at the Abbey Pub in Chicago a long time back, when they first reformed.I was in the balcony of this small place waiting for the show to start and I turned around and, to my surprise, was Jim Peterik.  We shared our love of the Zombies and of course, I told Jim I was a big Ides fan as well.  I bet he's going to try and make this Odessey and Oracle show!  After the show I was able to meet Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent and they were two of the nicest people I ever met. 
Don't miss this concert!  It will be one of the best 60s shows you have ever seen.
PS. They will be appearing in Milwaukee as well, for Northern Illinois/Wisconsin folks. 
Bill Mulvy 
Not only is Jim Peterik a Zombies fan ... but he and The Ides Of March will be sharing the stage with The Zombies on next year's Moody Blues Cruise!!!  

Check out the complete details below!  (kk)    

Wow!  Check out THIS cruise line-up!!! 
The Ides of March have been added to the 2016 Moody Blues Cruise  
http://moodiescruise.com/the-bands/  
Now THIS would be one heck of a cruise to take! 
The Moody Blues 
The Zombies 
Christopher Cross 
Renaissance 
Rare Earth 
Ambrosia 
John Waite 
The Ides Of March 
Randy Hansen 
and The Nelsons ... 
With more acts to be added! 
The cruise departs Miami, Florida, on February 26th (what a GREAT time to get away for the winter!) and features four days and four nights with stops in Key West and the Bahamas.  More details via the link above ... and several sections are already sold out!  Better act fast for this one.  (And congratulations to The Ides for making the line-up this year!)  kk

Kent, 
I have just now finished today's FH.  What a great day to start off with THE MIGHTY CLOUDS OF JOY.
In posting the song today by Sandy Posey reminds me of occasionally through the years I have often wondered  whatever became of artists like her. Where are they and what are they doing now.
You mentioned the passing of songwriter Wayne Carson and his posting of the Willie Nelson tune. When I saw that he had passed away in FH, I don't know what it was, but I immediately thought of a song he wrote in 1968 called MR. BUS DRIVER, which was recorded by Bruce Channel on Mala Records. Not a big record nationally nor locally here in OKC, but I always liked it. Songwriting credit on the record gave the name of Wayne Carson Thompson.
It was mentioned that July was the month for drummers Ringo Starr and Louie Bellson. Just a couple of days ago I was wondering what ever happened to Sandy Nelson and of course, I know that Cozy Cole has passed away.
Kent, I don't really like to tell you that you made a mistake in FH, but that  picture of supposedly Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw can't possibly be them. That picture shows two people that are of grandparents' age. (LOL) 
Larry Neal
Yep ... sad but true ... but quite a few of you out there have gotten older.  (lol)  Came as quite a shock to me.  (Of course Ryan O'Neal has stayed in the public eye somewhat between issues with his kids and the battle that ensued after the passing of Farrah Fawcett ... but Ali MacGraw has been out of the limelight for quite some time now ... so THAT one came as a bit of a shock!) 
As far as I know, Sandy Posey is still alive and well.  She charted four times on The National Top 40 back in the mid-'60's, hitting #12 THREE TIMES in Billboard with great tracks like "Born A Woman", "Single Girl" and "I Take It Back" (#12, 1967).  (Those records all fared a little better on the Record World Charts, with "Born A Woman" reaching #9, "Single Girl" hitting #10 and "I Take It Back" peaking at #11.)  Her other Top 40 Pop Hit was "What A Woman In Love Won't Do, which reached #31 in both Billboard and Record World in 1967. 
In addition to scoring a couple of his own hits:  "Teen Beat" (#4, 1959); "Let There Be Drums" (#7, 1961); "Drums Are My Beat" (#29, 1962), Sandy did quite a bit of session work, too, appearing on the hits "Alley Oop", "To Know Him Is To Love Him" and "A Thousand Stars" amongst many others.  In 1963 he lost part of his right leg in a motorcycle accident ... but he continued to play the drums for many years afterwards.  He, too, is still with us, although BOTH Sandys have been out of the spotlight for quite some time now.  (kk)


Got this link from FH Reader Tom Cuddy about a brand new Billy Joel interview ...
tp://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/24/billy-joel-ew-interview


Teen idol Donny Osmond has to go in for vocal cord surgery, forcing the postponement of several upcoming concert events including (I'm sure) his stay here in Chicago at The Paramount Theatre with sister Marie.  We've seen Donny several time over the year and his voice is still as clear and pure as ever ... so we wish him the very best of luck (and a speedy recovery) from this very necessary surgery.  We'll let you know once new dates have been rescheduled.  (kk)

A personal loss for us again this week as Mitch Aliotta of the Chicago cult-favorite band Aliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah passed away on Tuesday, July 21st.  Many, many moons again our band opened for a show for these guys at some type of local coffee house appearances ... and Mitch dated one of my very best friends from high school for years.  With John Jeremiah passing away a couple of years ago, that leaves only Skip Haynes as the surviving memory of the trio who gave us the FM Rock Classic Staple "Lake Shore Drive." 
Several years ago, Skip recorded a special "Forgotten Hits" version of this tune, which I've always held a special place in my heart for.  He also explained the complete origins of the song on our website here:



Many may not know that Mitch Aliotta was the original bassist of Chicago's Rotary Connection, the band that launched the career of Minnie Ripperton.  Ripperton worked as a receptionist for the famed Chess Record Label ... and after Chess Founder Leonard Chess heard her sing, he recruited members of the local group Proper Strangers, along with some of his regular studio session musicians ... AND The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (!) ... to record Rotary Connection's first album.  Although never a huge national success, the group enjoyed tremendous popularity here in Chicago and throughout the midwest, thanks to the incredible vocals of Ripperton and the eclectic mix of music laid down by the band members.  (kk)   

Kent ...
Imagine how much money they would've made if Jerry Garcia was still alive.
Frank B.

It's a big week for concerts here this week in Chicago ... we've already got FOUR shows lined up!!!

Sunday - Tony Orlando is appearing at The Arcada Theatre.  We saw Tony several years ago and it was one of the best shows I've seen.  He had a KILLER band at the timethat just blew me away.  Hoping for a similar experience this time around.  (Would love to talk to Tony, too, before or after the show if it's possible.)

Tuesday Night - It's back to The Arcada to see Graham Nash.  Graham has only scheduled NINE stops on the US leg of his current tour ... and The Arcada is one of them ... so this should be a VERY special evening of music.  (I've been a lifetime fans of Graham's work with The Hollies, Crosby, Stills and Nash and all of his solo ventures ... but have never seen him perform live before ... so this will be a real kick for me!)

Thursday - The Chicago Experience (who lit up the stage at The Arcada during The Marty Grebb Benefit Concert a few months ago) will be performing an outdoor show in Rosemont Thursday night from 7 - 9:30 pm.  We missed them the last time around as we were out of town ... but I am REALLY looking forward to experiencing the COMPLETE Chicago Experience this Thursday Night!

Friday - Daryl Hall and John Oates light up the RiverEdge Park Stage in Aurora for another outdoor concert.  Frannie and I have been Hall and Oates fans FOREVER ... and have both seen them several times in the past ... but never together ... so this should be a very special night for us as well.  (Now if we can just keep it under 90-degrees and push the rain off until the weekend!!!)  kk
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50 Year Flashback - July 27th, 1965

July 27, 2015, 4:00 am
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Major chart action on this week's KDKA Chart, too ...

The Beach Boys leap from #14 to #1 with "California Girls" ... and The Righteous Brothers are right behind them, climbing from #11 to #2 with "Unchained Melody" / "Hung On You".

The Beatles debut at #10 with their latest, "Help!"  And Billy Joe Royal seems to have a hit on his hands as "Down In The Boondocks" jumps from #37 to #25.  Bob Dylan's scoring well with "Like A Rolling Stone", too ... up to #36 from #49.

And check out "You Were On My Mind" by We Five ... #1 a week ago in Texas ... yet just first debuting on this "Tri-State Area" chart from KDKA!  (Although based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, KDKA's 50-Watt Signal could be heard as far as Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, New York and the Canadian province of Ontario ... and that was just during the day.  At night that signal would reach nearly the entire eastern half of North America!)










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TONY ORLANDO - Live at The Arcada Theatre

July 28, 2015, 4:12 am
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>>>It's a big week for concerts here this week in Chicago ... we've already got FOUR shows lined up!!!  Sunday we're off to see Tony Orlando at The Arcada Theatre.  We saw Tony several years ago and it was one of the best shows I've seen.  He had a KILLER band at the time that just blew me away.  Hoping for a similar experience this time around.  (Would love to talk to Tony, too, before or after the show if it's possible.)  Then, on Tuesday Night it's back to The Arcada to see Graham Nash.  Graham has only scheduled NINE stops on the US leg of his current tour ... and The Arcada is one of them ... so this should be a VERY special evening of music.  (I've been a lifetime fans of Graham's work with The Hollies, Crosby, Stills and Nash and all of his solo ventures ... but have never seen him perform live before ... so this will be a real kick for me!)  On Thursday we'll be catching The Chicago Experience (who lit up the stage at The Arcada during The Marty Grebb Benefit Concert a few months ago) will be performing an outdoor show in Rosemont.  We missed them the last time around as we were out of town so I am REALLY looking forward to experiencing the COMPLETE Chicago Experience this Thursday Night!  And then on Friday it's another outdoor concert as Daryl Hall and John Oates light up the stage at RiverEdge Park in Aurora.  Frannie and I have been Hall and Oates fans FOREVER ... and have both seen them several times in the past ... but never together ... so this should be a very special night for us as well.  (Now if we can just keep it under 90-degrees and push the rain off until the weekend!!!)  kk    

Kent, 
You have all those concerts this week?  I expect reviews of every one!  And Kent.....this means 'war'.  Off to my own concert! 
Shelley 

Well, here's the first ... Tony Orlando at The Arcada Theatre on Sunday, July 26th!  

Tony took his show and turned it upside down at The Arcada Theatre Sunday Night.  

For years his big show-stopper has been his tribute to all the veterans who have defended America over the years, having them rise and take applause from the rest of the audience along with a heartfelt thank you for their courage and their service.  It has been a big part of Tony's show for many, many years now ... and always draws a powerful, emotional response from the audience ... so it came as a bit of a surprise when he started his show with this feature Sunday Night.  Unfortunately, few from the somewhat sparse crowd responded so it played out with a little bit less impact than it would in a larger auditorium of fans ... yet this was still was a very moving part of the show.  

Orlando next launched into his biggest and best known hit, "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree", which became an anthem for soldiers returning home from overseas (despite its original lyrical content geared around a man returning home from prison.)  

BOTH of these selections came as a bit of a shock being used so early in the proceedings.  As I mentioned before, these have always been two of Tony's biggest show-stoppers.  He then talked a little bit about how Dawn first got started and put together a short medley of their first two chart-topping hits, "Candida" and the very similar sounding "Knock Three Times".  These were followed by two of my Tony Orlando Favorites, "(Say Has Anybody Seen) My Sweet Gypsy Rose" and "He Don't Love You", Orlando's last #1 Record, a remake of the Jerry Butler tune "He Will Break Your Heart".  

And then that was it ... the Tony Orlando / Dawn hit parade drew to a close after just five brief flings with the past ... a bit surprising because in all, between his stint with Dawn, his early teenage years as a solo artist and his one-off Top 40 Hit "Make Believe" by Wind, Orlando has managed to hit The National Top 40 seventeen times.  To only feature five of this hits did seem to cheat the audience a little bit.  

The thing his, he's so damn likeable it was hard to complain ... so instead of hearing the hits we came expecting to hear, we were instead treated to cover versions of songs by other artists like Ben E. King, The Beatles, James Taylor and others ... not that he didn't do ALL of this music justice ... there was just a bit of a "monotone" feel to it all, with little in the way of "highs" and "lows".  (Tony's medley of James Taylor's "Fire And Rain" and Prince's "Purple Rain" was pretty powerful, however, especially knowing the low end of Tony's career, clearly spelled out in his biography, "Halfway To Paradise", one of the best rock bios I've ever read ... and highly recommended.  Hey, you can pick up a used copy RIGHT NOW for a penny!!!)  

As before, it is Tony's incredible back-up band that steals the show ... and Tony has never had a problem with stepping out of the spotlight in order to showcase this incredible group of musicians.   

These guys have been with him now for the past 12-18 years and are a stellar group of musicians in their own right, covering all genres of music in perfect style.  (It's not too often that you'll see a group of musicians this versatile and tight to pull off back-to-back songs by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, followed by a spot-on, kick-ass version of "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin!) 

This is all the more amazing as Tony tells us that the band's ring leader, Kerry Cole, who sings as well as plays guitar and keyboard and has been with Tony now for eighteen years, had a stroke four years ago ... yet he never missed a beat on stage Sunday Night and is one of the most talented and entertaining musicians we've ever seen.   

Brother Tracy Cole wails on guitar and the band is filled out by newbie (12 years onboard) Jim Shelton on bass, Tony's brother David Orlando on keyboards ("I used to change his diapers," Tony pointed out!) and the incomparable Toni Wine (who has worked with Tony in one capacity or another for the past 54 years!) also on keyboards and background vocals.  (Toni did take the spotlight for a minute to sing her signature song "Groovy Kind Of Love", a #1 Record for both The Mindbenders and Phil Collins!)  [Editor's Note:  Once again EVERY website I checked this morning listed the wrong man on drums ... so unfortunately I can't share his name with you today.  SIX websites cited Michael Jackson as Tony's drummer ... but Michael Jackson is WHITE ... and Tony's drummer Sunday Night was most DEFINITELY of a darker complexion!!!]  (See back row)


The group is booked solid throughout the end of the year, playing lots of casinos and show lounges ... and this is, quite honestly, how they come off ... very much a "show lounge" type of act ... just not necessarily the "main lounge".  

We last reviewed their show back in 2006.  (Despite hours of searching I could not find that review ... probably lost forever as part of our most recent computer crash.)  

Because I went into that show without any preconceived expectations, I was blown away by the talent of Tony's band ... and his graciousness to allow them to take center stage for a good portion of the show.  Knowing that coming into Sunday Night's performance, I had higher expectations as to what I would witness on stage ... but wasn't really sure how many of those original members we saw nine years ago might still be with him.  Turns out they ALL were ... and I swear there where times where it felt like the exact same schtick was being presented, nearly word for word, all these years later.  That's got to make a band feel somewhat stagnant yet, on their own, these musicians really did shine.   

Overall ranking:  5 out of 10.  (I guarantee you there were dozens and dozens of audience members who would have given this concert a perfect score ... perhaps one of the most telling comments I heard as we were leaving came from a gentleman sitting behind me who told his group, "Thank you for dragging me along to this thing ... it was actually really good"!!!   

We weren't dragged ... we WANTED to go ... I guess I just expected a bit more "updating" to the routine ... and a few  more legitimate Tony Orlando hits along the way.  (kk)  

The Tony Orlando Hit List:  
When you see a list of this size, it's incredible that he only featured FIVE of these tracks during the course of a two-hour show!   

SOLO HITS:  
1961 - Halfway To Paradise  (#17) 
1961- Bless You  (#11)   

AS WIND:  
1969- Make Believe  (#17)  

AS DAWN / TONY ORLANDO AND DAWN: 
1970 - Candida  (#1) 
1970 - Knock Three Times  (#1) 
1971 - I Play And Sing  (#20) 
1971 - Summer Sand  (#19) 
1971 - What Are You Doing Sunday  (#26) 
1973 - Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree  (#1) 1973 - Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose  (#3) 1973 - Who's In The Strawberry Patch With Sally  (#13) 
1974 - Steppin' Out (#7) 
1974 - Look In My Eyes, Pretty Woman  (#11) 
1975 - He Don't Love You  (#1) 
1975 - Mornin' Beautiful  (#14) 
1975 - You're All I Need To Get By  (#34) 
1976 - Cupid  (#21)  


TONIGHT:  Graham Nash at The Arcada Theatre!!!
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Graham Nash

July 29, 2015, 4:40 am
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Unlike, I suspect, a good number of you reading this review this morning, I had never seen Crosby, Stills, Nash OR Young live in concert before ... in any context or configuration there of.  (I had the chance to see them back in 1970 on what would ultimately become the Four Way Street tour but took a pass.  And seeing them perform "their second gig" 35 times in the film "Woodstock" doesn't really count.)

It's not that I didn't enjoy their music ... for the most part, I did.  It was more a case of being able to only relate to the music of Graham Nash ... HE was the one I connected to musically ... and I just never felt up to spending a couple of hours with the other three.  As such, I've got to tell you that it was a REAL treat to see him perform in a solo setting last night at The Arcada Theatre.  (As Graham himself described it on stage, "Playing in a setting like this, I don't have to do any of Crosby's songs ... or any of Stephen's songs ... or any of Neil's songs ... instead I can play whatever the fuck I want.")    

And that he did.  In what can only be best described as a "career retrospective", Nash took us through his amazing catalog of music, performing two one-hour sets, accompanied by guitarist (and harmonizing vocalist) Shane Fontayne.  Lest any of you out there think for even a moment that this stripped down duo couldn't possibly pay fitting tribute to this music, let me assure you that together they presented a formidable showcase on stage.  Fontayne is a seasoned veteran, having performed lead guitar duties for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Sting and, more recently Crosby, Stills and Nash, filling in all the gaps to perfection.  (Graham told us during the show that he and Shane spent some time together after the last CSN Tour wrapped up and wrote twenty brand new songs ... then booked studio time and recorded them all in eight days ... so we can all look forward to a brand new Graham Nash solo album in the not-so-distant future.)

They kicked off the show with a couple of Hollies tunes ... "Bus Stop" and "King Midas In Reverse" ... the only visits of the evening with Graham's earliest past success.  The rest of the evening was sprinkled with offerings from Nash's solo works, some of the new material and the bulk of his contributions to the success of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Graham Nash is an excellent story-teller and entertained us throughout the evening with little anecdotes regarding some of his best-known and best-loved music:

Shopping with Joni Mitchell in Los Angeles where she spotted a beautiful vase in the window of a small shop and just HAD to have it.  And then, upon returning home, in the most innocent of conversations, Graham suggesting: "I'll light the fire while you place the flowers in the vase that you bought today."  

Observing that while putting together a set like the one he performed Tuesday night just how much GREAT music they had accomplished over such a short period of time ... and how much MORE great music there might have been had they not all been "fucked up so much of the time" ... leading directly into the big CSN Hit "Wasted On The Way".

Telling of the time CSNY were flying out of a Canadian airport and Crosby, Stills and Young all made it through security without a hitch ... yet Graham was the one who was stopped and taken aside by the "Immigration Man".  

Talking about spending time with a drug dealer in Miami, killing time before he had to catch a flight back to California, only to be challenged "You're supposed to be this great songwriter ... I'll bet you can't write a song right now before you go" ... only to create "Just a song before I go ... to whom it may concern" ... and several other very moving behind-the-scenes looks into his whole creative process.  (Truth be told nearly ALL of Graham's stories, entertaining as they may be, involved a significant amount of drug use ... clearly a HUGE part of his life throughout the years.  He has a new autobiography out called "Wild Tales" ... also the title of one of his solo albums ... which I can't wait to read, knowing full well that throughout every chapter I will be constantly asking myself "How can he possibly remember ANY of this if he was THAT fucked up at the time?!?!?"  Regardless, Frannie bought an autographed copy ... and, having now personally experiencing just what an entertaining story teller he really is, I can't wait to read it!)



In addition to the songs previously mentioned, Graham (who was in EXCELLENT voice throughout the night, by the way) also performed his classics "Chicago", "Simple Man", "Military Madness", "I Used To Be A King", "Marrakesh Express" and, as an encore, The Beatles'"Blackbird" (with Shane Fontayne taking the lead vocal and guitar part) and "Teach Your Children", which inspired a full-house, PACKED house sing-along.

All in all, two hours of musical magic with a musical legend.  Two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee Graham Nash put on the perfect show Tuesday Night and I am SO glad that we had the chance to see it.

There were only nine stops booked on the US leg of this tour ... a short jaunt to be sure ... and one of them happened to be The Arcada Theatre ... yet another HUGE feather in the cap of Ron Onesti, who is the guy making things happen here in Chicago.  (A few other shows have since been added, most of which have quickly sold out.  More info on Graham's website: http://www.grahamnash.com/tour)   

I cannot help but beam with pride as great artists like Graham Nash and, a couple of nights earlier, Tony Orlando, not only grace the stage of The Arcada Theatre but publicly rave about what a beautiful theater it truly is ... and how happy they are for having the chance to perform here.  SO many great shows coming up ... and new ones being added all the time.  Be sure to check The Arcada Website and pick up tickets from a few of your favorites!
www.oshows.com
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Our Recent Reviews

July 30, 2015, 4:37 am
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I'm not naive enough to believe that Tony Orlando doesn't have some 'enhancements' to improve his appearance, but Wikipedia tells us he is 71, and he looks FABULOUS.  WTG on keeping it in the middle of the road, Mr. Orlando!  And WTG to you, Kent, on keeping up with all the concerts!
Patti
I've got to tell you that Tony looks GREAT!!!  Very distinguished looking and still in great shape both physically and vocally.  (kk)
Kent, 
After reading your review of Tony Orlando, if I had been able to go to it, I would have expected (this is my opinion, of course), to have  him sing at least one of the two following songs, his 1961 recordings HALFWAY TO PARADISE and BLESS YOU. Always did like those two songs. Upon finishing your review, I thought of another Tony Orlando song, a song called DING DONG, released in 1959. However, from what I know and understand, this song was done by another singer by the name of Tony Orlando. Quite a coincidence to have two singers in the early days recording under the name of Tony Orlando. 
Larry
I don't know that Tony EVER reaches back that far!  But it was that early career that made Bobby Darin take Tony under his wing.  Over the long haul, (and following very much in Bobby's footsteps) Tony was able to establish a CAREER in show-business.  With the tremendous success of Dawn (hit records, sold out shows, a popular television series) Tony at one point had it all.  And then, as so often happens, drugs stepped in and blew it all to bits.
Tony's biography "Halfway To Paradise" is a GREAT read ... and Tony is VERY sincere when he thanks each and every one of his fans for "still being here".  Check it out if you get the chance!  (kk)

Thanks for your review of the Graham Nash concert.  My wife and I have tickets to see him on August 8th at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA.  I'm sure what you told us is pretty much what we'll see.  
I read his autobiography and it was truly fascinating.  It's a must read for any fan of his. 
Here's my review on my blog ... 
I've had your really fine blog listed on my rolling sidebar for a long time now.  Whenever you post something new, you jump to the top of the list. 
Charlie Ricci 
Thanks, Charlie!  Since we post nearly every single day, I appreciate the referrals!  (Happy to plug your website as well!)
I'm looking forward to reading Graham's bio.  You will TOTALLY enjoy his in concert presentation ... very laid back and very entertaining.  (kk)

Speaking of Graham's show in Philadelphia on August 8th ... 

My dad CHARLIE GRACIE will meet with GRAHAM NASH in Philadelphia August 8th to present him with a signed copy of his autobiography:  ROCK & ROLL'S HIDDEN GIANT: THE STORY of ROCK PIONEER, CHARLIE GRACIE (Alfred Music Press).  GRAHAM contributed comments to the Foreword! Will be sharing pics with your readers Kent!
Charlie, Jr.
Sounds like Graham can return the favor by presenting Charlie with a signed copy of HIS book!  (lol)  Anxious to read BOTH of these bios!  (kk)

Hi Kent - 
Enjoyed your reviews on Graham Nash and Tony Orlando.  
I met Tony back in 1961 at WLS with Dick Biondi when he was just a teenager promoting his song "Half Way to Paradise". It was quite an experience for me because my best girl friend and I  had nothing to do one day, so we took the old bluebird bus downtown to make a"crash" visit to WLS!! 
Were you aware that Tony wrote the New Colony Six tune,"I'm Just Waitin' Anticipatin' for Her to Show Up"? It was on their second album "Colonization".    
Kudos for Ron Onesti and all the GREAT entertainment he is bringing to the Chicagoland area!! And Thanks to you Kent, for keeping us informed on upcoming shows and summer fests.   
Carolyn
It was that New Colony Six song that I had hoped to talk with Tony about on Sunday but unfortunately we never had the opportunity to do so.  Tony also had a hand in writing the Barry Manilow hit "Could It Be Magic" ... but Orlando's name was wiped off the record's credits when it became a hit.  (Manilow had recorded an earlier disco version of the tune with his band Featherbed that failed and, when "Could It Be Magic" was first released as a solo record in the slowed-down, somewhat classical format most familiar to us, it failed, too.  Then, after the Top Ten success of "Mandy" and "It's A Miracle", Clive Davis (for whom Tony used to work) and Arista Records re-released it AGAIN ... and this time, thanks to Barry's newfound popularity, the record was hit ... but by now Tony's cowriting credit had been removed from the label ... and replaced with the name Adrianna Anderson.  (Equally as strange ... the original Featherbed single showed Orlando as the producer, too.  The solo version, like all of Manilow's early releases, were produced by Ron Dante.) Again, please read Tony's bio for all the details.  (kk)



A couple of Graham Nash concert shots, courtesy of our FH / Arcada Buddy Luciano Bilotti ...







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Search

The Friday Flash

July 31, 2015, 4:39 am
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re: Radio News Of Note:
More comments about Chicago's new radio station sensation ... and a few OTHER radio comments as well ...

Neil Sabin, I owe ya one, pal. 87.7 ME-FM has won me over. Any station that ships out "Tough of Grey" and "Sail on Sailor" back to back earns my trust. Please forgive me for previous transgressions.
Why is it every time I see a Dead Head I feel like screaming, "Get a Life." Of course, I say the same thing about most soccer fans.
Chicago's majestic "Beginnings" off their Chicago Transit Authority album resonates as much with me today as it did 45 years ago. It may well be inch for inch and pound for pound the best overall rock song of the 70's with horns that are overwhelming. However, I know people who will argue that it's not even the 4th or 5th best song on the album. 
Chet Coppock 


Kent,
Bob form Bolingbrook ...
It was such a nice surprise to hear Forever Autumn by the Moody Blues on Monday at around 9:10 am on Me-TV-FM. I actually have the album and soundtrack from War of the Worlds (I believe it's a collectors' item and quite rare) where some of the songs are narrated by Richard Burton. Nice change of pace and music format.
Have you and Forgotten Hits ever done a piece on this double album? The story and all is interesting. My grandfather, who has since passed away, recalled packing their belongings up for fear of being taken by these aliens. 
Bob

Big story out of Chicago this week was that John Records Landecker is leaving WLS-FM. Not "retirement", he says ... and he wasn't fired ... he's simply leaving of his own free will to pursue other interests (whatever they may be).  
According to Robert Feder's column, this is the first time Landecker has ever VOLUNTARILY left a radio station without having another job lined up. He told Feder: “I’m not leaving 94.7 WLS with the intention of going on another radio station at all,” he said. “If I do somewhere, fine. If I don’t, fine. But if I do, it’s definitely going to be on my terms 100 percent.”  

Landecker was quoted as saying that, even though he made his mark in a VERY big way in the '70's, the music of the '70's and '80's (and now even some of the '90's now playing on WLS-FM) was never his favorite ... that he would prefer playing '60's music ... meaning that he won’t miss is the music he’s been playing night after night: “I graduated from high school in 1965. All I really want to hear is the ’60s.  I’ve had it with the ’70s, the ’80s, now and all that. I don’t want to hear any of that stuff anymore. In about 10 years, maybe I’ll want to hear it again.” 
(That's kinda how I feel about "Jack And Diane"!!! - kk)

Will John be back on the radio anytime soon? Only time will tell. He seems happy to be hanging things up on his own terms ... and maybe he just wants to "enjoy life" for a little while ... (his daughter Amy stars on the popular new Amazon television series "Transparent" ... and a visit to the
west coast to visit with her fall into his immediate plans) ... but don't be surprised if we still hear his voice from time to time. John left that part of his future pretty vague ... but also open for any number of possibilities. (A Podcastperhaps???)  

Meanwhile, you can pick up a copy of his excellent biography here ...   

http://eckhartzpress.com/shop/records-truly-is-my-middle-name/  

Spring for the deluxe edition with the bonus CD offering radio highlights from his illustrious career!   (kk)


John Landecker isn't the only WLS-FM name making radio headlines this past week ... Program Director Jan Jeffries has departed the station (and is off to Washington, DC) ... and, according to Chicagoland Radio and Media headlines this morning, new on-again / off-again morning man Jack
Diamond is also out the door. (I wonder if anyone will notice ... he has spent more time OFF the air than on the air over the past year!) It'll be interesting to see what direction the station takes once newly named Program Director Brian Thomas takes over the reigns. Stay tuned!  (kk)     

Talk about WLS big-wigs, you'll find a WHOLE bunch of them in this vintage clip I received from Chuck Buell last week ...   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omKG4aQNI-o

Somebody just brought to my attention this old TV Video Clip of all us On-Air Guys at WLS in 1972 being interviewed. Check the Guy at the Far Left! Is he rockin' the 70s Image or what?! And be sure to listen to his astute comments later in the interview about why there are no "Girl" Disk Jockeys!
1972 WLS On Air Guys
 
re: I've Often Heard It Said That Most Instrumentals Are Simply Too Good For Words:   
The list we ran the other day, supplied by Bill Oakley, has a few of our readers buzzing (in "Which Came First ... The Chicken Or The Egg" fashion) about some well-know instrumental hits and their vocal counterparts. (For me, I've RARELY heard a vocal version of an established instrumental hit that made me think the vocal arrangement SHOULD have been the one to make it ... but, as we see here SO often in Forgotten Hits, to each his own.)   

Anyway, here's more from Bill ... and one of his new constituents ...   

Kent,    
Just got through reading Sunday's FH. While I was reading it, I went through the first half of Bill Oakey's list of instrumentals-vocal songs. Needless to say, I didn't know that most of these vocal versions existed.  
In 1961, Conway Twitty recorded C'EST SI BON on MGM and it did quite well here in OKC. Billy Vaughn had an instrumental version of that same tune, but I don't think either charted nationally.  
I probably played some twenty songs from the first half of the list to see what the vocals sounded like. I didn't play them all the way through, however, maybe no more than half the length of the song.    
Larry  

Here's more from Bill ...  

Hello Kent, 
Thanks so much for publishing the list of instrumentals with vocal versions. And thanks to the readers  who have suggested new titles to add.  
With regard to the many entries on the list that were recorded first as hit vocals, I established a criteria that the instrumental version had to be released as a 45 rpm single in order to be included.  Otherwise, you are quite correct that the “Muzak” album cuts would number into the thousands.  
There are a small number of exceptions to that criteria. I did include a few jazz standards that were not released as singles. I did that because very few jazz hits got played on Top 40 AM radio, and I felt  like the vocal versions by folks like Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, etc., were quite interesting to listen to. There are also a few movie and TV instrumental themes that may not have been released as singles.  
Here are a few more to add to the original list:  
312. ’Til Tomorrow - Oscar Peterson Trio. Vocal by The Four Aces, Eileen Rodgers 
313. Theme From The Wild Angels - Davie Allan & The Arrows. Vocal by The Visitors 
314. Tuxedo Junction - Ray Anthony / Earl Bostic. Vocal by Ella Fitzgerald, Frankie Avalon 
315. Theme From The Thomas Crown Affair (The Windmills Of Your Mind) - Michael Legrand / Arthur Lyman. Vocal by Dusty Springfield, Noel Harrison and many others 
316. Midnight Oil - Charlie Blackwell. Vocal by Dickie Pride
317. Soul Finger - The Bar-Kays. Vocal (Soulfinger) by Oscar Hamod & The Majestics 
318. Angela Mia - Ralph Flanagan. Vocal by The Crew Cuts 319. Straight, No Chaser - Thelonious Monk. Vocal by Gene McDaniels and Vocal (Get It Straight) by Carmen McRae 
320. Theme From The V.I.P.’s - Bill Evans. Vocal (The Willow) by Roy Hamilton 
321. A Night In Tunisia - The Modern Jazz Quartet. Vocal by Ella Fitzgerald and Vocal (Love Was Just An Interlude) by Anita O’Day 
322. Theme From Rio Conchos - The London Symphony Orchestra. Vocal by Johnny Desmond 
323. America - Arthur Lyman Group / Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Vocal by Trini Lopez 
324. 55 Days At Peking - Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen. Vocal by The Brothers Four 
325. Velvet Waters - The Megatrons. Vocal by Bruce Gillespie, Tony Worsley, Jimmy Little Dickens

re:  This And That:   
Thanks for the heads up on the Zombies tickets.  I got 17th row, just left of center.  Four of the five original members will be together to play for this special show.  Out of all the shows you let us know about, this may be the one that will be the most important. I first saw the Zombies live at the Abbey Pub in Chicago a long time back, when they first reformed.  After the show I was able to meet Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent and they were two of the nicest people I ever met.  Don't miss this concert!  It will be one of the best 60s shows you have ever seen.  (Bill Mulvy)
 
If you check out my website ...www.softrockshow.co.uk ... I've had Colin Blunstone on the show  four times, Rod Argent twice.  Also, members of Moody Blues and, recently,  Gunnar Nelson. 
Regards - 
Geoff Dorsett
Radio Presenter
The Soft Rock Show  |  Kick Up the '80s  |  Supersonic '70s  |  Solid Gold '60s  |  All Our Yesterplays
 
Hey Kent,  
What a great summer for concerts!   I just learned that in December Darlene Love is bringing a Christmas show to the Genesee Theatre.  If by any chance you get tickets for that, remember us if you can ... would love to see her.   Since we missed out on our free tickets to Engelbert recently, this
would make a great substitute.  In the meantime,  enjoy the music this summer. 
We loved loved loved loved Air Supply in Elk Grove Village this week.  They blew us away ... what a great surprise! The man sitting next to me has seen them 25 times and made the concert all the more fun with his passion and enthusiasm.  
Janet   
I don't know if we'll have access to any Darlene Love tickets ... but we'll see what happens.  Ronnie Spector is also expected to bring her Christmas Show back to The Arcada Theatre, too ... so stay tuned!  (Ron Onesti already has holiday shows lined up featuring Felix Cavaliere's Rascals, The Ides Of March, The Lettermen and Michael McDonald.  Check out thewww.oshows.comwebsite for more details.) kk  
 
We went to go see Christopher Cross and Air Supply in Elk Grove Village this past Tuesday night.  
Yes, it was hot.   
Yes, it was crowded.  
But Air Supply COMPLETELY blew us away ... what a great show!  
Incredible to think that they have been together for 40 years already ... and their voices sound as fresh as ever.  Hope you got to see this fantastic show.  
Dean  
Actually, no, we missed the entire Elk Grove Village Concert Series this year ... and this was one of the ones I really wanted to see.  (Tuesday Night we were at the Graham Nash show at The Arcada ... which was ALSO an incredible show ... but it would have been nice to see both of these incredible '80's artists.) 
I've seen Christopher Cross before ... (he's coming to The Arcada in November, too) ... but have never seen Air Supply.  Based on these two glowing reviews, I'm going to have to make it a point to get to one of their concerts next time around!  (When they played The Arcada a few months back we couldn't go due to other plans that evening.)  kk 
 
Dear Kent; 
Random thoughts of a kid who always wanted to be a full blown rocker: 
Whispers growing in volume: Isn’t Ronnie Onesti planning a bigger, bolder "Chicago High School Rock Party" than the blast he had for Marty Grebb a while back. Yes, he is. I don't know how a rematch could possibly top the show we saw several months ago. However, if anybody can make that kind of magic, it's Ronnie.  
Jimy Sohns is guesting with me at the VIP party to kickoff the national Sports Collectors show at the Stephens Center on Wednesday. How many copies did G-L-O-R-I-A actually sell - 6-7 million? 
Who is the greater female vocalist: Barbra Streisand or Aretha Franklin?  I'll hang up and wait for the answer.
Who is the most overrated female vocalist in rock history? Madonna by knockout. She makes Tom  
Waits sound like John Lennon. 
Chet Coppock
author: Buffone - Monster of the Midway  
 
>>>The times, they have a-changed ... and not necessarily for the better.  (kk)  
Yes, Kent ...it's seems to be a "sign of the times" as Petula Clark used to sing. Now in this "enlightened age" it's more about life style choices and the corresponding radio station that reflects that choice.  Many times it's about what the dj or sponsors want to play rather than what the audience wants to hear. I think you are right that the surveys are useless because the people they survey are not thoughtful about their music and just think off the top of their heads. It may be a random sample of listeners who are surveyed but us fans of good music and "forgotten hits" are particular listeners with interesting taste and know that there are better selections to hear. 
Blosswrld 
 
>>>I would have expected (this is my opinion, of course), to have  him sing at least one of the two following songs, his 1961 recordings HALFWAY TO PARADISE   (Larry) 
He's sung them when I've seen him in concert!!!
Eileen (his #1 fan)
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50 Year Flashback - August 3rd, 1965

August 3, 2015, 4:00 am
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Sonny and Cher are hot this week in Hartford, CT ... in addition to having the #1 Record with "I Got You Babe", they each have solo hits on the chart as well ... Cher shares (cool!) the #4 spot with The Byrds with her version of the Bob Dylan tune "All I Really Want To Do" ... and Sonny's holding down the #39 spot with his solo shot "Laugh At Me".

The Pop 14 (they were 1410 on the dial after all) also includes The Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, The Dave Clark Five, Peter and Gordon, Petula Clark and The Beatles ... nearly HALF the chart is dominated by British Invasion Artists again!

I've got a couple of favorites a little lower on the list ... Lesley Gore's "Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows" comes in under two minutes but still hooks you right away.  Chad and Jeremy's "I Don't Wanna Lose You, Baby" is one of my all-time favorites by them ... and "A Little You" is a GREAT, overlooked Freddie and the Dreamers tune.










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Another Forgotten Hits Shelley Sweet Tufano Review ... This time around she takes us to a Gary Puckett Concert!!!

August 4, 2015, 3:37 am
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Dear Ms Tufano,

Blue is a sky
Green is a tree
Let's all dance and sing for LIBERTY!

OUR singers - they're drunk
Their lyrics - they flunk
Henerey the 8th
Does NEVER stunk!
(and never will)

Watching TV on the big screen
Playing hopscotch in the lab
(you know what I mean)
Everything we did was truly FAB!

Beach Boys, Elvis, (Kellie's favorite)
In your reading group we never wanted to quit!!!!
We went and read outside in the hot sun
WOW, you really know how to have fun!

Well, now it's time to 'rap' this up! (Get! Get it!)
I loved your humor
With you there was no loss of wit.
Sarah O'

I received this at the end of one of my 'music in reading and history' courses.  It is a combination of rhyming and free-form poetry, but she was only in 5th grade then (10 years old).  I LOVE teaching with theatrics.  Opening class with a video on a large screen of Elton John as the Pinball Wizard, or Ed Sullivan shouting out "The Beatles!" followed by deafening screams pops us into focus and gives an adrenaline rush like no other.  So Gary Puckett wowed me with his big screen video of live appearances to open his show Sunday night at The Mohegan Sun!  'Woman Woman', 'Young Girl', 'Over You', and 'Lady Willpower' ringing out from a group of Beatle-cut young men in mock vintage military garb.  Remember it?  Even if you have not ever seen these videos, you remember it.  Somehow, somewhere, on TV or blaring out of a radio or HiFi / stereo system -- you are now remembering.  In 1968 Gary Puckett and The Union Gap, outsold all other performers.  To quote Gary, "I am a HUGE Beatles fan.  I just believe they had a quiet year."  So, TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!  I'M GONNA HAVE A GOOD TIME! with my friends at this concert.

I have not seen Gary since Happy Together Tour 2013, and not as a solo act in several years.  I do remember his signature entrance ... beginning backstage in song and emerging full force, mic in hand, onstage.  He is opening with 'Lady Willpower', wearing the Union Gap coat he wore on his 1968 album cover.  Oh yes, the very same one!  He verifies this before he removes it under the hot strobe lights of The Wolf Den.  Gary performs non-super hits from his albums such as 'Now and Then', and 'You Better Sit Down Kids'.  When he picks up his guitar to give tribute to The Beatles with 'Lady Madonna', I remember my daughter's words when we first saw Gary together 13 years ago, "He sure can play a mean guitar."  He sure can.  Oh, the hits you love to hear are here as well!  'This Girl Is a Woman Now' from 1969, 'Over You' from 1968, and 'Don't Give Into Him' from 1969.  A rendition of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap singing 'Who Do I Turn To' from The Roar of the Greasepaint, is up on youtube, but was never put on an album.  Gary sings it now.  It has now been recorded on a new Live In Vegas cd which is available.  Gary is full of stories of people we all know.  He and Glen Campbell went out cruising together long ago, and Gary gives him a tribute with 'By the Time I Get to Phoenix'.  In Jack Webb's biography (Dragnet), it is mentioned that his favorite song was 'Over You' by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap.  Nice addition to my information.  Gary Puckett's favorite is 'Woman Woman' which is now over 16 million in sales volume.  To go along with his Veteran's tribute of 'Home' a touching video presentation appears on the screen.  Remember vets:  Gary has that "special' VETERAN button on his website that can help you get the assistance you each deserve. 

Gary and his band perform an a cappella Doo-Wop tribute to Johnny Maestro that combines 'He Doesn't Love You' with 'Hey, Kiss Him Good-bye' (Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah).  My favorite story is of Elvis.  "I'm Gary Puckett" ... "I KNOW."  Gary's Elvis tribute is the haunting 'Battle Hymn of the Republic / Dixie' medley that provides proof to Elvis' statement, "The boy shore can sing!"  Remembering the Happy Together Tour of 2013, we finalize the concert with a tribute to Gary Lewis, Mark Lindsay, Chuck Negron, and The Turtles.  Did I say "finalize"?  You know better!  The final song MUST be 'Young Girl' which we have not yet heard.  Powerful Gary and band:  Woodrow Alexander Lingle, Michael J. Candito, and James Robert Hillboldt.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
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Happy Together - 2015

August 5, 2015, 3:47 am
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Our on-going coverage of The Happy Together Tour, 2015, continues today in Forgotten Hits ... 

Along with a VERY special announcement!!!

Read on! 

So great to read Carl's comments in FH! 
Last summer I attempted the 'glamour' part of the road by 'traveling like a rock star'.  Strange thing is, I would do it again.  So I can understand why our showstoppers continue this pattern.
Well Kent, I know that YOU Know What I Mean!  Maybe that song is not fun to sing, but it
certainly is fun to listen to and dance to.  It has strong love lyrics and a slinky melody that switches those same lyrics from love to passion.
Shelley

Then you'll REALLY enjoy the fact that we heard from Carl again this past week "from the road" as the tour hit the west coast!  (kk)

Hi Kent,
We are now enjoying a much needed day off in beautiful San Diego. Tomorrow night we are at Humphrey's on the Bay ... it's a beautiful outdoor setting, right on the water. This is our California / Vegas / Arizona part of the tour.
I am blown away by how well received the tour is so far, but its not really a surprise considering the talent that is on the tour this year.
I personally am looking forward to The Paramount in Aurora ... hope to see you there.
Carl  

Hey Kent, 
Where would one go to get ticket info for the "Happy Together" tour? If Ticketmaster is the only source, I guess I'll have to swallow the overcharge and go for it.
As for "And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind", absolutely my all time favorite Mark Lindsay song and one of maybe 12 covers that I like more than the original.  I get to hear it once in a while on WGVU-1480/850 (WGVU-Real oldies.com), but not nearly enough. My 45 is old, overplayed and skips, but I still love it. You should be able to receive 850 out of Muskegon, Mi. in Chicago. Good Sh.. ,er stuff.   
Dube

Ticket information can be found through the usual sources ... Tickemaster ... Pollstar ... or The Turtles' website (which provides links right to the venues themselves, which just might save you the cost of some of those expensive "surcharges" typically added to the ticket price you refer to above.

However, if you're catching the Happy Together show in the Chicagoland area you've now got a couple of choices ... 

Forgotten Hits has learned EXCLUSIVELY that, in addition to their announced performance at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora on Friday, August 21st, these very same '60's Superstar Headliners will ALSO be appearing at The Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center as part of the city's 2015 Jubilee Celebration on Sunday, August 16th, five days EARLIER, for a show that is absolutely FREE to the public!!!   (NOTE:  This show has NOT been officially announced to the public ... not even by the City of Bolingbrook ... just ANOTHER reason why Forgotten Hits is your personal lifeline to the oldies universe!)   

We normally go to the Paramount show every year but have run into some "cooperation" issues with the venue this year for some reason ... I'm really not quite sure why, since we have helped to promote these shows for the past seven years running ... so THIS year I'm opting to check out the FREE August 16th show in Bolingbrook instead ... and hope that ALL of our local Forgotten Hits Readers will join us there for this very special event as Bolingbrook celebrates their 50th Anniversary by throwing this VERY special Birthday Bash!  (Quite honestly, The Paramount has indicated that our FH List simply isn't big enough to draw a desirable amount of fans to their venue ... so with that line of thinking solidly in place, our announcement of this Bolingbrook show should pose absolutely NO threat to them whatsoever ... I mean, seriously ... how many people REALLY get their oldies news from Forgotten Hits these days anyway?!?!)
[A:  over 4 million website views to date ... but who's counting???] 

Besides, this now leaves us open on August 21st to go see Jay and the Americans at the Addison Italian Festival instead ... and head back there on the 23rd to catch Lou Christie at the same event!  That makes EIGHT ... count 'em ... EIGHT ... major oldies attractions in one week.  (The Turtles - Mark Lindsay - The Association - The Buckinghams - The Cowsills - The Grass Roots - Jay and the Americans and Lou Christie!!!)  Heck, even Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars didn't offer THAT much entertainment!!!  (lol)  

As for ticket prices, I hear ya ... the service charges KILL you on some of these shows.  You can typically buy them through the theater box office without having to pay these fees.  (Or, if it's convenient, stop by the box office ahead of time and pick them up weeks before the show so you can just walk right in at show time!)Then again, NOTHING beats a FREE ticket ... so we'll be looking for the Forgotten Hits Cheering Section in Bolingbrook on the 16th!  (kk)   
 
*****  

Last week at a dinner get-together I met a woman who was telling me about the time that she saw The Turtles perform here in Chicago back in 1967.  (Coincidently, I saw The Turtles here in '67, too, when they performed at my high school ... my SECOND live concert as The Association, currently on The Happy Together Tour again this year, had performed there a few months earlier.  BOTH groups were at their absolute PEAKS in popularity ... so it was a rare treat for a kid like me ... all of 13 or 14 ... to see two of their VERY favorite acts performing at our school.  Man, those were the days!)   

In any event, she told me how, after the concert, she happened across The Turtles' limousine and, after approaching it, received the very first kiss of her life from Mark Volman.  

I just HAD to share this story with Mark ... who then proceeded to blow her story to smithereens ...  read on ... 

Hi Mark - 
I met a woman last night who saw The Turtles back in 1967 when they appeared here in Chicago. 
She was 16 at the time and apparently hung around after the show trying to get a glimpse of the band.  When nothing happened, she and her mother started walking back to the parking lot when a limo appeared. 
"It's them!  It's them!" she screamed ... and ran up to the car ... at which point you rolled down the window and gave her what turns out to be her very first kiss! 
She's been telling this story now for 48 years!!!  A lifetime of memories all thanks to one magical moment. 
You guys have been part of our lives for so long now ... you almost forget the impact you've had on each and every one of us.  (Coincidently, The Turtles played my high school in 1967, too ... "She's My Girl" had just come out so it was already a hits-filled set.  No, I never got a kiss ... but that's ok ... I can live with that!!! lol) 
Hoping you'll share some of YOUR "from the road memories" once the tour resumes this weekend.  We featured a few words from Carl Giammarese this past Friday as part of our on-going Happy Together Tour Coverage.  Please encourage the other artists to do the same. 
Thanks much ... 
Just had to share this with you. 
kk 
Kent Kotal 
Forgotten Hits  

To which Mark replied ...  
Why do people believe those stories. Oh yeah, Ernie Banks gave me a car. 
(Oh well ... shrug!)

UPDATED SCHEDULE:

TONIGHT - Wednesday, August 5th - Bergen Performing Arts Center - Englewood, NJ

Friday, August 7th - War Memorial Auditorium - Nashville, TN

Sunday, August 9th - Wisconsin State Fair - West Allis, WI

Wednesday, August 12th - Indian State Fairgrounds - Indianapolis, IN

Thursday, August 13th - Missouri State Fairgrounds - Sedalia, MO

Saturday, August 15th - Little River Casino Resort - Manistee, MI

Sunday, August 16th - Performing Arts Center - Bolingbrook, IL

Wednesday, August 19th - Fraze Pavilion For The Perfroming Arts - Kettering, OH

Thursday, August 20th - Hard Rock Live - Northfield, OH

Friday, August 21st - Paramount Theatre - Aurora, IL

Saturday, August 22nd - Casino Rama Entertainment Centre - Rama, ON

Sunday, August 23rd - Foelinger Theatre - Fort Wayne, IN

Wednesday, August 26th - Effingham Performance Center - Effingham, IL

Thursday, August 27th - Kentucky State Fairgrounds - Louisville, KY

Friday, August 28th - Oaklawn Racetrack - Hot Springs, AR

Saturday, August 29th - Riverside Casino and Gold Resort - Riverside, IA

Sunday, August 30th - Bluestem Center For The Arts - Moorhead,MN

Monday, August 31st - Minnesota State Fairgrounds - Saint Paul, MN

Wednesday, September 2nd - Mahoning County Fairgrounds - Canfield, OH
↧

The Friday Flash

August 7, 2015, 3:49 am
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Another EXTREMELYLARGE Edition again this week ...

Thanks to all of you who continue to write and share your musical memories with us ...

It's what Forgotten Hits is all about!


re:  On The Radio:  
Kent ...  
Looks like Scott Shannon will be around for awhile.  Scott also said that WCBS-FM is #1 again.    
Do you think that means a raise for Scott ?  
Frank B.  
http://wcbsfm.cbslocal.com/2015/07/30/scott-shannon-contract-extension/
We couldn't be happier for Scott ... he has helped to rejuvenate the station, drawing in a brand new batch of listeners (including you!) while reaching another milestone in his long and illustrious career.  Meanwhile, the CBS-FM affiliate here in Chicago is doing fine, too ... K-Hits (104.3 FM ... which airs Scott's "America's Greatest Hits" program on the weekend) has jumped into The Top Five (although Robert Feder suggests that they may have helped their own cause by boosting listenership through a device known asVoltair, an audio-processing device that boosts the detection of encoded broadcast signals by Nielsen Audio’s Portable People Meters.)  Feder goes on to say that at a national webinar for radio clients in July, Nielsen Audio said it did not support the use of Voltair, but stopped short of banning it.
Meanwhile, WLS-FM (going through some turmoil of their own of late) drops to #12 with a 3.2 share ... and Me-TV-FM holds at #24 with a 1.8, moving ahead of The River (#33 with a .8 share).  Another personal favorite, The Drive, is doing fine at #9 with a 3.5 share.  (kk)  

Chicagoland Radio and Media is reporting that brand new WLS-FM Program Director Brian Thomas, who took over the reigns on Monday, has already received HUNDREDS of emails from listeners (and former listeners) campaigning to have Dick Biondi reinstated as the evening host of the station so they can tune in and listen to this broadcasting legend again.  (Former programming genius Jan Jeffries banished Biondi into the VERY late shift, thus preventing his legion of fans from being able to tune in and hear his program on a regular basis.)  With the departure of John Records Landecker on Friday, Thomas will be looking for a permanent host for the 7 pm - Midnight spot.  It was announced that Jeff Davis (broadcasting out of California, I believe) would host this slot in the interim while Thomas looked for Landecker's replacement.  Fans want Thomas to know about Biondi's loyal following here in Chicago.  CRM reports that Thomas should already be well aware, having grown up in Lansing listening to Dick Biondi on Chicago Radio during his hey-day here in Chi-Town. 

Meanwhile, Chicagoland Radio and Media also has an aircheck of Landecker's final show, which you can listen to here:  http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/multimedia/audio/7544-john-records-landecker-s-final-wls-fm-show-7-31-15  (Sounds like Landecker went out in fine form, reverting to many of his '70's features that made him a household name ... and radio legend ... back in the day.)  Best guess at this time is that you won't be missing John's voice for long ... sounds like he may soon be going the Podcast route, like so many of his contemporaries these days.  (kk)

>>>Talk about WLS big-wigs  (kk)
Thanx for the inclusion in Forgotten Hits regarding that Vintage WLS Air Personalities TV Interview Clip that I submitted to you last week!  
Hey! That was no "big wig!" That was my real everyday"70s' Hair!" {:~}  Oh, and accompanying contemporary Moustache!  
What was most interesting to me about that clip was that when I was watching that "70s Me," it was actually like watching somebody else! Very weird!
Here's something else strange ... I went to a oldies record store here in Denver yesterday that specializes in hard-to-find records. Nothing was alphabetized!"
Chuck Buell
Actually, I had to look twice ... when I first saw it, I thought it was a reunion of the cast of "Anchorman"!!!  
That was the '70's WLS A-Team line-up for sure ... thanks for sending, Chuck ... I certainly enjoyed it.  (FH List Member Connie Szerszen probably did, too!  lol)  kk

>>>Although based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, KDKA's 50-Watt Signal could be heard as far as Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, New York and the Canadian province of Ontario ... and that was just during the day.  At night that signal would reach nearly the entire eastern half of North America!  (kk)
Hey Kent, 
KDKA must've had one heck of an antenna to reach so far on 50 Watts! Please don't take this as a slam - be glad we all read so closely ... and are really paying attention!
We love Forgotten Hits!
David Lewis  
That really doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it?  Once again, that's what I get for trusting Wikipedia ...
KDKA operates on a clear channel and broadcasts a news / talk radio format. News and spoken word programming has been a central feature of its programming from its beginning. The station's 50 kilowatt signal can be heard throughout central and western Pennsylvania, along with portions of Ohio,West Virginia, Maryland, New York, Virginia and Kentucky, and the Canadianprovince of Ontario during the day. At night, it reaches much of the eastern half of North America
Wiki also tells us ...
KDKA (1020 kHz) is a radio stationlicensed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Created by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on November 2, 1920, it is the world's first commercial radio station, a distinction that has also been challenged by other stations, although it has claimed to be the "world's first commercially licensedradio station": WWJ in Detroit, Michigan (also a CBS Radio station), lists its "First Air Date" as August 20, 1920. KDKA is currently owned and operated by CBS Radio.
KDKA enjoys grandfathered status as one of six remaining stations east of theMississippi River that have call letters beginning with K. Three of them are in Pittsburgh, the other two being KDKA-FM (KDKA's sister station) and KQV, as well as KDKA's longtime sister station KYW in Philadelphia (though the KYW callsign has in the past been used in Chicago and Cleveland); KFIZ in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; and KTGG Spring Arbor, Michigan (though in that instance, it was due to a clerical error at the FCC).

Hello!
If you are interested in reel-to-reels, I have an antique reel of the Dave Biondi show. You can take a look here:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/151764161736?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
I am antiquatedantics on Ebay. Thank you for your time.
Sean Morris


>>>It was such a nice surprise to hear Forever Autumn by the Moody Blues on Monday at around 9:10 am on Me-TV-FM. I actually have the album and soundtrack from War of the Worlds (I believe it's a collectors' item and quite rare) where some of the songs are narrated by Richard Burton. Nice change of pace and music format.  (Bob from Bolingbrook)

I also love the "War of the Worlds" album and "Forever Autumn."  The original version was first done in 1972 by writers Vigrass & Osborne.  They gave us two great 45s that year:  "Men of Learning" and "Virginia."  You can find their version of "Autumn" on the B side of their semi-hit "Men of Learning."
Both 45s have the CSN feel with "Virginia" having a guitar riff stolen from the Fabs'"Two of Us"  and ending with a very cool moog segment.
"Men of Learning" seems to be unavailable thru youtube and I don't have time to record it right now.  BUT, a great song and Billboard charter.
Clark Besch

I heard "Forever Autumn" on Me-TV-FM the other day, too, and have to agree with Bob from Bolingbrook that it's a great song.  Love it!
And you didn't mention Graham Nash performing "Cathedral" at the Arcada concert the other night.  For me, that was the highlight of the show!
Frannie
 
Hiya bud ...
As you may know, I do a weekly feature on my website and feature this week's hits -- one week in the '60s, one for the '70s and one for the '80s. And I also do the Number one songs from the Easy Listening (AC) charts and R&B charts.  So this week, I saw that "Save Your Heart For Me" was No. 1 on the Easy Listening Special Survey in Billboard.  With your permission, I'd like to LINK to your 2009 story about whether or not Gary actually sang on his records. I will give you credit of course. 
I loved this set of articles about Lewis.  His was the first concert I ever saw ... it was in 1966 at Steel Pier in Atlantic City. I had won a contest for getting the most new customers for my paper route. I was in 8th Grade at the time.  I never looked back, as I've seen or even interviewed some of the biggest stars of our time. 
Hope all is well. I'm still doing weekends on CBS-FM. We are a hair away from being No. 1 in the NY metro in the coming weeks. Amazing how altering the music a few years forward was the magic potion the station needed to gain the younger demos. I can't argue about whether it is right or wrong ... it just IS. I miss the '60s and early '70s stuff as much as John Records Landecker does, but it sure is working out quite well for CBS-FM 2.0. Had they evolved faster ten years ago, Jack never would have been necessary ... but perhaps it needed to happen to bring the BRAND name back to life. I still have fun. And I'm still ME on the air. 
Thanks for your time ... and still invaluable resource for our music.
Here is a link to MY most recent post: http://bit.ly/1OiSXto 
Thanks bossman!
All the best.
Enjoy the big shows this summer in Chicago-land.
BE BIG!
Big Jay Sorensen
Thanks, Big Jay!  I check out your site quite often ... and this is a particularly good posting.  FH Readers will enjoy the link above.
ABSOLUTELY feel free to use our Gary Lewis piece!  I appreciate you helping to spread the word.
Yes, WCBS-FM is back on top again ... I think we ALL wish we could find a happy medium of a musical blend that would please everyone ... I can honestly say that Me-TV-FM seems on track to do so here in Chicago.

Then again, you'll continue to find that this most definitely is NOT the case on most terrestrial radio ... check out this email we received this week ...

Kent,  
My wife and I just  spent a week in upstate New York (Saratoga Races and Cooperstown).  The trip was fantastic, but the radio was horrid!  We have been long time Sirius subscribers listening to 60s at 6 and Underground Garage roughly 80 per cent of the time.  They play a few songs quite a bit, but always (especially Garage) mix in some obscure titles.   However with our rental  car we were forced to listen to what you call the 'classic hits station' mix.  In six days the only songs I heard from the 60s were by the Beatles ... and I heard Hey Jude three times!  Not one song by the Stones or Elvis.  Some 70s ... Fleetwood Mac, Linda Ronstadt, and The Eagles ... and lots and lots of 80s crud.   When we got in our own car back in Omaha, my wife said, "Lets hear some decent music." We were both overjoyed to hear Mark Lindsay's voice belting out the long version of Hungry.  Today's classic hits radio truly does stink ... I'm not getting rid of Sirius anytime soon.  
Thanks for the great site ... I check you out daily.  
Randy M

If you're a radio buff like me, you are going to THOROUGHLY enjoy this clip sent into me by Art Vuolo.  At 22 minutes, it'll take a little while to get through ... but I promise you a good time every step of the way.  (It's all part of the article linked below)  kk

Dear Family & Friends: 
I was honored to be featured in a special profile by Jacobs Media, based here in the Detroit area.  Respected radio consultant Fred Jacobs, his brothers Paul and Bill, along with their Chicago rep, Mike Stern, showcased yours truly in a piece that I am very proud to share with you.
Simply use this link: http://wp.me/p1JoKy-55C
It's a quick read, complete with video which you may have seen before.  Your comments would certainly be appreciated.
With Love & Appreciation,
ART

re:  Paying It Forward ... And Helping Out Our Friends:
Forgotten Hits Readers on our local list received an email blast yesterday regarding the very first Restoration Concert being held at The Historic Arcada Theatre THIS SATURDAY NIGHT (August 8th), starring the incredible COMMODORES!!!  (Live in the Chicagoland area and NOT part of our special "Locals" List?  Drop me an email to find out about special events, upcoming concerts and ticket give-aways ... and we'll add you to the list!)
Tickets are only $25 Each ... and the proceeds will go toward helping to renovate and restore The Historic Arcada Theatre.  (Buy an entire row of 12 seats for just $350 and Ron will recognize your party from the stage ... AND even name the row after you!!!)
If you have ever enjoyed a show at The Arcada Theatre, this is a way of giving back.
Or, if you don't live in the area or cannot attend the concert ... but have been living vicariously through all of our reports and concert reviews ... and just want to see this place continue to grow in stature ... and would like to help support Ron's efforts to do everything he possibly can to help keep this great music alive ... then please visit www.oshows.com for ticket information ... or email him direct at ron@oshows.com to make a donation to the cause.  (By the way, if you happen to be free tonight, The Arcada is presenting Vanilla Fudge with Nazareth ... should be a VERY "heavy" show ... if you know what I mean!  Forgotten Hits has a 20% discount ticket offer running right now ... just go to the OShows website (link above) and type in the code FHITS20 and you'll get 20% off your entire ticket offer!)  kk

We also heard from Jim Peterik this past week who, after receiving numerous requests to do so, is recording an album of his best known tracks performed acoustically.  He's looking for help to fund the recording of this album ... and is offering some VERY interesting incentives for folks willing to donate to this cause.  Check out his email below ...

To all my dear friends and colleagues:
I am reaching out to you to personally announce my new PledgeMusic campaign to fan / friend fund my first ever unplugged solo project Eye Of The Writer. 
I'd like to invite you all to see the presentation my team and I have put together to show you the scope of this project ... and the incentives I offer.  
Log into: PledgeMusic.com/jimpeterik.
For more check out my Facebook page. Officialjimpeterikfacebook.
Any assistance you can give me by your support and spreading the word to your friends would be beyond awesome. 
This project is also benefiting St Jude Children's Hospital. Not only are they doing awesome work, but it was Jimi Jamison's favorite charity.
I would like to reach my initial goal as soon as possible to harness the excitement I am feeling about this acoustic presentation of my biggest songs and a few brand new ones.
I feel so fortunate to have Fred Mollin producing ... and of course Larry Millas engineering. 
I'd love to have you on board. 
Thanks sooo much!
Warm Regards ... and Keep Rocking!
Jimbo 

More on this unique opportunity ...

SURVIVOR’S JIM PETERIK DIGS INTO HIS FIRST EVER UNPLUGGED PROJECT  
EYE OF THE WRITER – THE SONGS OF JIM PETERIK
~ WILL BE EXECUTED VIA PLEDGEMUSIC CAMPAIGN ~


New York, NY (August 5, 2015)—Survivor founding member Jim Peterik has been intensely busy over the last year, with the 2014 release of his autobiography Through The Eye Of The Tiger: The Rock ‘N’ Roll Life Of Survivor’s Founding Member (BenBella Books), and 50th Anniversary of his band The Ides of March, which recently released their 5-disc boxed set Last Band Standing – The Definitive 50-Year Anniversary Collection in April(Ides Of March Records).
Most musicians would be ready to take a break, but not the powerhouse that is Peterik! The singer-songwriter / guitarist is readying Eye Of The Writer – The Songs Of Jim Peterik– an unplugged CD and companion DVD that spans material from across his rich career. For his FIRST EVER unplugged release, Peterik is working with esteemed producer / arranger Fred Mollin, who is noted for his successful unplugged series of recordings with Jimmy Webb, Kris Kristofferson, Barry Mann, and Johnny Mathis, among others.
The project will delve into both Peterik’sSurvivor and Ides of March repertoire, and his solo work / achievements as a songwriter. Potential selections include the Grammy Winning, Oscar Nominated Rocky III anthem “Eye Of The Tiger,” 1970’s #1 Ides hit “Vehicle,” Survivor hits “High On You,”“Is This Love,” and “The Search Is Over,” and smash cuts he’s written made famous by other artists, such as .38 Special’s “Hold On Loosely,” “Rocking Into The Night,” and “Caught Up In You,” and Sammy Hagar’s #1 hit “Heavy Metal.”
There’s one more component to this very special release: he’s inviting his fans to be a part of creating this album via PledgeMusic. 
A $35 donation to the PledgeMusic campaign will net a signed copy of Eye Of The Writer, along with a signed photo and an “Access Pass,” – an offer from PledgeMusic with a digital download of the album and access to behind-the-scenes updates during the course of the project’s creation. A donation of $2,000 will earn a custom song written and demoed for the donating fan.
However, the real prize is “The Ultimate Peterik Fan Experience,” in which a fan is invited to co-write a song with Jim, attend the final recording session, and perform the song onstage with him at a venue to be determined. Topped with a signed guitar from Jim’s personal collection, and Jim’s hand-signed original framed platinum copy of the “Eye Of The Tiger” single as originally presented to the band by Epic/Scotti Brothers Records. hand-signed original platinum framed copy of Eye Of The Tiger as originally presented to the band by Epic/Scotti Brothers Records, this high end reward is exclusively reserved for fans who donate $25,000.
"I am so pumped about this project and excited for you to be a part of it,” says Peterik. “I love the idea of my fans and friends in essence acting as my record company- having input- seeing behind the scenes and getting some cool stuff in exchange. It's the new reality of how to make a great record- and make a difference. Here's to the fun and great music we will make- together.  Cheers!”
50 years in making, Eye Of The Writer – The Songs Of Jim Peterik will serve both as a unique retrospective of Jim’s outstanding career, and a very special gift to the fans for being there for the ride.
Check out the PledgeMusic campaign here:  http://www.pledgemusic.com/jimpeterik

re:  Recent Passings:  
Kent,  
I am sure you probably already know this, but singer Cilla Black passed away this weekend at the age of 72 from natural causes. I had to get out her 1964 hit YOU'RE MY WORLD and I played it three times in a row. I hadn't heard that one in years. I am sure several of your other readers will also email you on this. 
Larry 
Yes, we heard from quite a few folks regarding Cilla's passing.
While never the break-out star here in America that she was back home in England, Cilla was probably best known as one of Brian Epstein's proteges ... and for her one big hit here in The States, "You're My World".  Originally a hat-check girl at The Cavern Club where The Beatles played regularly, once it was discovered that she could sing (with a very powerful voice indeed) Epstein convinced her to change her name from Priscilla White to Cilla Black and the rest, as they say, is history.
Partial to Hal David - Burt Bacharach songs, Black charted 21 times in The UK.  (I should point out that a few of those hits came courtesy of the pens of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.  ("Love Of The Love" hit #35 in 1963 and "It's For You" went to #7 in 1964.)  She hosted her own television show in Great Britain for years. (In fact, Paul McCartney composed the show's theme song "Step Inside Love".)
"Love Of The Loved" was one of those songs that Lennon and McCartney gave away ... yet it WAS one of the tracks they auditioned for Decca Records with prior to signing with George Martin and Parlophone.  (kk)





And the official word from Ron Smith's oldiesmusic.com website:
British singer and television host Cilla Black was discovered dead Sunday morning (August 2) at her summer home in Estepona, Spain. She was 72. An investigation is ongoing but it is believed she died of natural causes. Born Priscilla White in 1943 in Liverpool, Cilla worked as a hat check girl at the city's famous Cavern Club where she became friends with many of the up-and-coming stars, including the Beatles. Invited to perform from time-to-time, she caught the eye of many, including the promoter of the Casanova Club, who hired her to perform, songwriter Bobby Willis -- who eventually married her (he died in 1999) and Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who signed her as one of his clients. A magazine article mistakenly called her "Cilla Black" and she decided to use that as her stage name. Signed to the Beatles' label, Parlophone, in 1963, Cilla's debut with "Love Of The Loved" three weeks later was inauspicious (#35). But her follow-up with the Dionne Warwick tune, "Anyone Who Had A Heart," soared to #1 in England and was followed by the chart-topper "You're My World" -- both in 1964. Cilla was signed to Capitol, the Beatles' label in America, as well, though "You're My World" proved to be her only top 75 hit in the states (#26 - 1964). In the U.K., however, she amassed nine more top ten records, including "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (#2 - 1965), "Conversations" (#3 - 1969) and "Something Tells Me" (#3 - 1971). In 1968, she hosted her own variety TV series for the BBC entitled "Cilla." It ran 66 episodes over the next 8 years. She appeared in "Cilla's Comedy Six" and "Cilla's World Of Comedy" as a actress for the network in 1975 and 1976. She also hosted the shows "Blind Date" for eight years and "Surprise Surprise" for seven years for London Weekend Television. Her autobiography, "What's It All About," was published in 2003.

I am so very sad to hear about her physical passing. I remember an interview I did with Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach during their "Painted By Memory" recording sessions.  Elvis and I took a "Cilla break" after I complimented him on his 1994 cover of her recording of "Step Inside Love." "We all rooted for Cilla in Liverpool when she had a new record," Costello volunteered.  
The last time  I talked to Paul McCartney in Studio City, California, at Good Earth restaurant, we chatted about Cilla. He briefly discussed his tunes and arrangement on her rendition of "Step Inside Love" and "It's For You" done with George Martin.  She was the vocal messenger and really delivered the Lennon / McCartney message. 
Cilla blew me away when she sang "It's For You" on a British television program, "The Music of Lennon and McCartney." When Paul left the restaurant, he smiled, thumbs up, "Good one, lad!"   Please view Cilla recording "Alfie" live in London studio with Burt Bacharach. He really pulled a vocal out of her. A clinic on arranging.

We also lost Lynn Anderson this past week.  Lynn topped the US Charts with "Rose Garden" back in 1971.  More from the Official Forgotten Hits Grim Reaper ...

Country star Lynn Anderson, best remembered for her crossover hit, "Rose Garden" (#3 - 1971) died Thursday (July 30) of a heart attack near Nashville at the age of 67. Born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, she grew up in Sacramento, California, where she won 16 national equestrian titles. Lynn was the daughter of singer / songwriter Liz Anderson, who wrote Merle Haggard's country hit, "All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers" (her father was songwriter Casey Anderson). Through her parents' contacts, she was able to obtain a recording contract with Chart Records in 1966. After country hits with 1967's "If I Kiss You (Will You Go Away)" and "No Other Time" the following year, she joined the "Lawrence Welk Show" on TV and, in 1970, graduated to Columbia Records and pop fame with "Rose Garden." Though she never broke the pop top 60 again, she amassed 60 country chart records in 24 years, including #1 tunes with "You're My Man" and "How Can I Unlove You". She was named "Top Female Vocalist" twice (1967 and 1970) by the Academy of Country Music and "Female Vocalist Of The Year" in 1971 by the Country Music Association.
-- Ron Smith
"Rose Garden" topped both the Cash Box and the Record World pop charts ... and held down the #1 spot on Billboard's Country Chart for five weeks as well.  (kk)

re:  This And That:
Kent ...
Nobody can lick the King Of Rock & Roll ... unless you buy his stamp.
Elvis' 1993 commemorative stamp already holds the record for most sales.  Lets see if Elvis can beat his own record.
Frank B.
http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2015/pr15_041.htm 
Yep, I've been waiting for this one!  Wanna get the special "45" edition, too ... as well as the limited edition CD!  (kk)



Frank B also sent us this fun video from Wild Wayne's website ...


Speaking of Elvis ... could Glen Campbell have been his guitarist instead of James Burton?  I dunno ... I think by this time Campbell was already well-established on his own!  (kk)
Don Henley’s First SoloAlbum in 15 Years – CASS COUNTY

to be Released September 25, 2015

​“CASS COUNTYTOUR 2015” to Launch October 3


Don Henley will launch the “CASS COUNTY TOUR 2015”on October 3 in Phoenix, Arizona, following the September 25 release of CASS COUNTY, his fifth studio album and first solo album in 15 years. Each ticket ordered online through the primary ticket outlet will receive a CASS COUNTY deluxe CD.  Ticket buyers will receive an email notification to confirm the delivery details for their album. Singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin will open on all the dates. A full listing of all the tour dates can be found below.
Ticketswill go on sale to the public Friday, August 7 at 10 AM for the concerts in Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Port Chester, NY; San Francisco, CA; Toronto, ON; Washington D.C. Tickets will go on sale to the public Saturday, August 8 at 10 AM for the concerts in Detroit, MI; Grand Prairie, TX; and Santa Barbara, CA. Tickets for the Los Angeles concert at the fabulous Forum go on sale Saturday, August 14 at 10 AM. Advanced tickets will go on sale to American Express® Cardmembers beginning Monday, August 3 at 10 AM.
CASS COUNTY, named for the northeasternTexas county in which Henley was raised, will be available as a 12-song standard CD and digital album, as well as a 16-track deluxe version, which will be available on CD, digitally, and a double disc, 180 gram Vinyl LP.  The track listing can be found below and a sneak peek of the album can be seen here. The album is being released in the U.S. through Capitol Records.
A super deluxe version of the album will also be available in Don Henley’s official online store, including a 50 page booklet with exclusive photos, collector postcards, deluxe CD album, and as a deluxe Vinyl (2-Disc 180 Gram). A limited number of bundles will also be offered, including a T-shirt and 12 x 12 lithograph. 
Fans who preorder CASS COUNTY on iTunes will instantly receive downloads of “That Old Flame” and“Take A Picture of This.”

CASS COUNTY TRACKLISTING
Deluxe - CD, Digital & Vinyl:
1."Bramble Rose” (featuring Mick Jagger & Miranda Lambert)
2.  "The Cost of Living” (featuring Merle Haggard)
3.  “No, Thank You”
4.  “Waiting Tables”
5.  “Take A Picture of This”
6.  “Too Far Gone”
7.  “That Old Flame” (featuring Martina McBride)
8.  “The Brand New Tennessee Waltz”
9.  “Words Can Break Your Heart”
10. “When I Stop Dreaming” (featuring Dolly Parton)
11. “Praying for Rain”
12. “Too Much Pride”
13. “She Sang Hymns Out of Tune”
14. “Train In The Distance”
15. “A Younger Man”
16. “Where I Am Now”

Standard – CD & Digital:
1. “Bramble Rose” (featuring Mick Jagger & Miranda Lambert)
2. "The Cost of Living” (featuring Merle Haggard)
3. “Take A Picture of This”
4. “Waiting Tables”
5. “No, Thank You”
6. “Praying for Rain”
7. “Words Can Break Your Heart”
8. "That Old Flame” (featuring Martina McBride)
9. "When I Stop Dreaming” (featuring Dolly Parton)
10. “A Younger Man”
11. “Train In The Distance”
12. "Where I Am Now”

CASS COUNTY was produced by Don Henley and Stan Lynch, who also co-wrote 11 of the songs on the album, and represents both Henley’s roots and the next stop on his creative journey.  He says, “I was born and raised in Texas. I'm a Southerner and a Texan. So this is a natural progression for me. It's who I am and where I come from.” 
Recordedprimarily in Nashville, Tennessee, and Dallas, Texas, the album includes guest appearances from Merle Haggard, Miranda Lambert, Mick Jagger, Martina McBride, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton. When asked about making the album, Henley exclaimed, “I can truthfully say, I enjoyed making this record more than any record I’ve made in my career because of the people who participated.”
Don Henley, both assolo artist and as a member of the Eagles, has received many accolades, including eight GRAMMY Awards, numerous gold and platinum records and performed sold-out concert tours worldwide. A respected, popular and critically celebrated musical artist, Henley is a founding member, vocalist and songwriter of the Eagles that has become one of the most influential bands in America. Henley’s solo career is acclaimed with such hits as Dirty Laundry, Heart Of The Matter, Boys Of Summer, The End Of The Innocence, and All She Wants To Do Is Dance. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and will receive the 2015 Kennedy Center honors later this year, as a member of the Eagles.
Henley’s career as a musician and activist continues to evolve.  In 1990, he founded the Walden Woods Project (www.walden.org), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting the historic woods in Massachusetts where author/philosopher Henry David Thoreau first championed the concept of land conservation.  The Project, celebrating its 25th anniversary has protected vast tracts of Walden Woods from the threat of commercial development, has created a highly acclaimed environmental educational initiative for students (www.worldwidewaldens.org), and maintains the most important library of Thoreau-related research material in the world.  In addition, Henley founded the Caddo Lake Institute in his native East Texas, a privately operating foundation to act as an "ecosystem-specific" sponsoring entity, underwriting local wetland science and conservation education including cultural and ecological research and monitoring. Henley also co-founded the Recording Artists' Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group formed to represent the interests of recording artists. 
In the decades since the release of her debut album, GRAMMY Award winner Shawn Colvin has released a string of superlative albums and established an enduring reputation as one of America’s great live performers. Her lasting appeal is due in part to her willingness to lay herself bare in song coupled with a wry wit and mesmerizing guitar playing. Her forthcoming album Uncovered (Concord Records, Sept. 25th) is the long-awaited follow-up to fan favorite Cover Girl. On Uncovered, Colvin shines with sublime sensitivity, casting new light on an exquisitely curated collection of songs from some of the most admired writers in popular music history including Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Graham Nash and Robbie Robertson. Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith (who produced Cover Girl) re-teams with Colvin to craft unhurried, rich renditions of these compositions, each one loving and heartfelt; an elegant tribute by a masterful interpreter.

CASS COUNTY TOUR 2015:
3-Oct - SAT - Phoenix, AZ - Comerica Theatre
5-Oct - MON - San Francisco, CA - The Masonic
7-Oct - WED - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
9-Oct - FRI - Los Angeles, CA - The Forum
13-Oct - TUE - Denver, CO - Bellco Theatre
15-Oct - THU - Dallas, TX - Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
17-Oct - SAT - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
18-Oct - SUN - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
2-Nov - MON - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre 
3-Nov - TUE - Port Chester, NY - Capitol Theatre
5-Nov - THU - Washington, DC - DAR Constitution Hall
7-Nov - SAT - Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre Detroit
8-Nov - SUN - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
10-Nov - TUE - Toronto, ON - Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
12-Nov - THU - Philadelphia, PA - Academy of Music
Visit donhenley.com for more information

Now THAT'S a show I'd like to see!!! ...

BOTH of these in fact!  (kk)

PETER CETERA, CHICAGO FRONTMAN AND SOLO STAR, COMING HOME - ONE-NIGHT-ONLY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4th, AT THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE in Aurora, IL

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aXetEDeaELX4px9S2TG8fdniwQegYj7qoXUkPCgCW0R0-E5i-dQ89pW1iBicXmb5gZO1-ydp-tN4YlQ8LQ4V4pL3j2490FdED6jjOiwgtw5sU1yh4RzfjpzMpmmKvDKaI46lX5gHEV66QRFHPj3OgPlLfWDMSMOP_dxBSXBnPpxuRfV6D4ymwM9Mx_efIaRJ&c=CXzDfY23Zl7pFMCiNQbH5SPQiJCbFVVtOwXMVspAoNlzBfR1kZv6Vg==&ch=21WQVnViXBFDltJGjrDNxDUAztT681DwDuzfpmPVWQ14TTWc3rS45Q==http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aXetEDeaELX4px9S2TG8fdniwQegYj7qoXUkPCgCW0R0-E5i-dQ89pW1iBicXmb5gZO1-ydp-tN4YlQ8LQ4V4pL3j2490FdED6jjOiwgtw5sU1yh4RzfjpzMpmmKvDKaI46lX5gHEV66QRFHPj3OgPlLfWDMSMOP_dxBSXBnPpxuRfV6D4ymwM9Mx_efIaRJ&c=CXzDfY23Zl7pFMCiNQbH5SPQiJCbFVVtOwXMVspAoNlzBfR1kZv6Vg==&ch=21WQVnViXBFDltJGjrDNxDUAztT681DwDuzfpmPVWQ14TTWc3rS45Q== 

AURORA, IL, July 31, 2015 - With his unmistakable tenor voice, legendary songwriting skills and bass guitar chops to boot, Chicago frontman and solo star Peter Cetera defines an entire era of American rock music.
Penning and singing lead vocals on Chicago's first No. 1 single "If You Leave Me Now," Cetera propelled the group into the worldwide spotlight. His power ballads like "Baby, What a Big Surprise" and "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" drove Chicago to become one of the best-selling American rock bands of all time, second only to The Beach Boys.
But Cetera's success didn't stop when he left Chicago. After releasing his self-titled album in 1981, the star dominated the airwaves with a string of chart-toppers, including smash hits "Glory Of Love,""The Next Time I Fall" with Amy Grant, "One Good Woman" and more, all still rockin' the radio to this day.
Get ready to welcome Cetera back to his home town Chicago when he performs one-night-only at Aurora's Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Friday, September 4 at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, go to ParamountAurora.com, call the box office, 630-896-6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001aXetEDeaELX4px9S2TG8fdniwQegYj7qoXUkPCgCW0R0-E5i-dQ89vsRdCYjOmwYd1hwLHh51YBBjI5jdBVpy2I7iU-VWPXWklY8eVTARxUOqpk0iuSqv6YCAQeO8zA_lYkz-qVuayVvivb-lWzrqoWbLWJuJbNcQxG-yrMBpZBoD5b9GosnXUI4vKJuYv8pTtiAkXWdoCQ=&c=CXzDfY23Zl7pFMCiNQbH5SPQiJCbFVVtOwXMVspAoNlzBfR1kZv6Vg==&ch=21WQVnViXBFDltJGjrDNxDUAztT681DwDuzfpmPVWQ14TTWc3rS45Q==
A Medley:  
"Hard to Say I'm Sorry""You're the Inspiration"& "Glory of Love"

More about Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera was born and raised in Morgan Park on Chicago's far South side. In December 1967, Cetera arrived early for a show to watch a band called The Big Thing. Impressed by their use of a horn section combined with rock and roll, Cetera left his band The Exceptions to join The Big Thing, which soon changed its name to The Chicago Transit Authority, and eventually shortened it to Chicago after complaints by the CTA.   
Their first self-titled debut album The Chicago Transit Authority was released in 1969. The follow-up album, Chicago, vaulted the band to popular status throughout the world, with "25 or 6 to 4" the first major hit single with Cetera singing lead vocals. Chicago is also notable for featuring Cetera's first songwriting effort, "Where Do We Go From Here?"    
As the 1970s progressed, Cetera would become a prolific songwriter, contributing the hits "Wishing You Were Here" (#11) and "Happy Man" from the 1974 album Chicago VII. His biggest singing and songwriting accomplishment with Chicago came in 1976 with their first worldwide No. 1 single, the ballad "If You Leave Me Now." Cetera's next composition in 1977, "Baby, What A Big Surprise" (#4), also became a major hit and cemented the band's status in the late 1970s as a "ballad band." In 1982, the album Chicago 16 (#9) featured the hit single "Hard to Say I'm Sorry," which went to #1 in the charts. 
Cetera left Chicago in 1985 and has since enjoyed a hugely successful solo career. His first solo single, "Glory of Love," the theme to the movie The Karate Kid, Part II, was a No. 1 hit in 1986 and was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Other solo career highlights include multiple albums, collaborations with artists like Amy Grant, Cher and Chaka Khan, and composing original songs for TV shows like Baywatch. 
Now out of Chicago longer than he was in, he dislikes discussing his years in the group, saying, "It's like talking about your ex-wife." For more, visitpetercetera.com.  

And, speaking of Don Henley ... there's a petition going 'round asking The Kennedy Center to honor ALL of the members of The Eagles in their upcoming ceremony.  You'll find all the details here, courtesy of Vintage Vinyl News ...
http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/2015/08/petition-started-to-allow-felder-leadon.html?utm_source=VVN+Music+E-Mail+Subscribers&utm_campaign=f720836f9a-August+4%2C+2015+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3a4dfe0b50-f720836f9a-89761121

We've been hearing rumors of this for quite awhile now ... but, according to this exclusive report filed by Alan Duke (by way of Tom Cuddy), it's apparently official ...

Exclusive: Helen Reddy Diagnosed With Dementia, Enters Nursing Home 

By Alan Duke

Singer Helen Reddy has been diagnosed with dementia and has moved into a Los Angeles nursing facility, interrupting what she hoped to be a career comeback, Lead Stories has learned exclusively.
Reddy, 73, rose to fame with her 1972 smash "I Am Woman," which became an anthem for the growing women's movement in the United States.
While one source says the progressive illness is in its early stages, marked by Reddy "asking thesame question every few minutes," another source suggested the symptoms were more advanced. She would forget where she put something and then suspect someone stole it, the second source said.
Reddy became a resident of the Motion Picture and Television Fund's Samuel Goldwyn Center for Behavioral Health in Woodland Hills, California, in June, both sources confirmed.
Reddy had been attempting a comeback this year, but her failing health forced her to cancel a concert planned for June 11 in San Diego. Her management kept the real reason secret, announcing that the show was "cancelled due to a scheduling conflict."
She did perform at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas for several nights in January. She earned great reviews for the Vegas shows.
"I am really in a very, very happy place," Reddy told a radio interviewer in January.
Reddy, who co-wrote "I Am Woman," earned a best female pop vocal performance Grammy for the record. She followed up with a dozen Top 40 hits over the next five years, including "Leave Me Along,""Angie Baby," and "You and Me Against the World."
A native of Australia, Reddy was helpful in launching the singing career of Olivia Newton-John.
She put her career on hold for more than a decade to return to Australia in 2002 to help care for ailing family members. She decided to return to the United States and the concert stage in 2012 after realizing she still had her voice when she sang for her sister's 80th birthday.


Ken Cee posted this photo of Lake Shore Drive on FaceBook the other day, with the caption "throwing shadows just about five" - and I was wondering if anyone has devised a game where photos provide clues to rock lyrics. Could be fun!

David Lewis
Well, I'll be the first to admit that I NEVER would have gotten this one!!!  (lol)  Interesting idea 'tho!  (kk)

August 3, 1965
I remember this day 50 years ago for an unusual reason.  I was nine years old and sitting in our basement in Dodge City, Kansas, recording songs off KOMA in Oklahoma City.  We had just gotten back a month earlier from OKC, where I was just getting my chance to use the reel to reel machine to record my own tapes off radio following in my brothers' footsteps.  I had the bug for radio and top 40 music completely by this time. 
In OKC, we got the chance to meet the KOMA DJs at a Gary Lewis concert and also went to see Roger Miller there.  We visited the KOMA station as well.  I was enthralled by KOMA and the other cool stations.  I began listening to Dale Wehba's "Sing-a-Long Survey" countdown show of the top 40 hits and began typing lists of them!  Over the years, I have collected many of the originals.
Over Halloween we came to Lincoln to visit family and I got to hear KLMS do their countdowns and found "Mr. Moon" by the Coachmen at the top. 
In November of '65, WLS would soon become my favorite station and my love of the British Invasion and Chicago music grew from that. 
It was 50 years ago today!!!  I was sitting there ready to spring on a new Beach Boys record that Bobby Davis will tell you is #39 this week and then he plays #1 during a static filled period of the evening.  They were also playing songs from the Beatles' new "Help!" LP.  The OLD "Louie Louie" just jumped from off the chart to #6 this week (check it out on the survey!). 
Why do I remember the Beach Boys recording so well?  For one thing, Bobby Davis had given this very long spiel about KOMA over the song's intro, but in my haste to get a new song recorded later on, I taped over most of his banter.  I was so mad about it.  I hope someday, like with the Nixon tapes, we will be able to recover what was under the current song recorded on the tape and reveal what I had before.
Also, it was the day before my mother's 41st birthday.  She passed away just two months ago , just before reaching the age of 91. 
August 3, 1965:  a great day in my history.
Included:  two KOMA tapings from the day and the then current survey plus a typed and original copy of a KOMA chart just weeks earlier
Many thanks to all of you.  Every one of you has made my journey even more bright with memories!
Clark Besch







Cool stuff, Clark ... interesting to read about YOUR Gary Lewis Concert and Big Jay Sorensen's Gary Lewis concert in the same edition of Forgotten Hits!!!  No question how much this music meaned to you then ... and now!  Thanks for sharing!  (kk)

Buried somewhere (probably in a box in the garage behind eight million other things) I have EVERY episode of this program on VHS video tape ...
http://www.examiner.com/article/the-beach-boys-endless-summer-program?CID=examiner_alerts_article
-- courtesy of David Beard

Hey Kent, 
Thanks for featuring Freddie and the Dreamers' hit, "A Little You" on Monday's FH. Like you say, it is a GREAT Forgotten Hit, and I'll bet you KNEW I was going to say something about it. :-) 
The song was included on the band's best album, "Do The Freddie", and it just so happens to be my favorite hit of theirs.
The guitar work was provided in the studio by Tom Jones' wonderful guitarist, 'Big Jim' Sullivan. The vocal track was sung by Freddie and his bassist, Pete Birrell (not doubled by Freddie, like some people think). Freddie's voice does stand out, which it should. I still say he had one of the best vocal instruments of the British Invasion. His glasses were not part of a costume, as he was near-sighted, but I didn't know until today that he wanted frames that looked like Buddy Holly's! I once saw a video of the band introducing "A Little You" to a live audience, but it has disappeared from space, so here's one of a pro guitarist going through the many chords, while the song plays in the background. I'm glad he knows what he's doing!
- John LaPuzza 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=A_cG93TthHM

Our friends at Vintage Vinyl News ran this story last week, celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Billboard Charts ...
Included is a list of every #1 Record to spend ten or more weeks at the top of the charts.  (kk)   

Dear Kent,
Denny Diante here.  Wanted to send you  link to my website to share with your readers ... 
dennydiante.com  
Thanks, 
Denny 
Happy to do so, Denny ... QUITE a resume you've got there!!!  (lol)  Glad you're enjoying Forgotten Hits!  (kk)

British DeeJay Geoff Dorsett shared some links to some of his recent interviews.  (I swear this guy has talked to EVERYBODY over the years ... and, for some crazy reason, he wants to talk to ME, too!!!  I can't stop thinking "We are not worthy! We are not worthy!")  kk
http://www.softrockshow.co.uk/interviews/item/96-fred-vali


JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE FREEDOM: ATLANTA POP FESTIVAL 2CD/2LP OUT AUGUST 28
Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church Documentary To Premiere On SHOWTIME® On September 4
Documenting The Historic July 4, 1970 Performance In Front Of His Largest Ever U.S. Audience

August 3, 2015 – NEW YORK,  About 100 miles south of Atlanta, next to a field just outside the town of Byron, there stands a plaque erected by the Georgia Historical Society marking the location of the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival, where from July 3-5, 1970, “Over thirty musical acts performed, including rock icon Jimi Hendrix playing to the largest American audience of this career.” Despite the overwhelming attendance (estimated to be 300,000-400,000), the festival and Hendrix’s performance in particular, has not received its due in terms of historic importance and impact until now.
Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church, a new documentary film about the music legend’s Atlanta Pop set and the circumstances surrounding it, will debut on SHOWTIME on September 4 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Experience Hendrix L.L.C. and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is releasing the DVD and Blu-ray version on Oct. 30, which will feature bonus content not included in the broadcast version.  The film documents the massive festival hailed then as the ‘Southern Woodstock’ and recognized now as the last great US Rock Festival.  The film presents the story of how rock music’s burgeoning festival culture descended en masse to the tiny rural village of Byron, Georgia and witnessed Hendrix’s unforgettable performance.
The film details the efforts by Atlanta promoter Alex Cooley to create the definitive music festival.  Cooley secured such talent as Bob Seger, BB King and the Allman Brothers, but Hendrix was the critical component he needed to elevate the three day festival to a major cultural event.  Electric Church features interviews with Hendrix’s Experience band mates Billy Cox and the late Mitch Mitchell as well as Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, Rich Robinson, Kirk Hammett, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, festival organizer Alex Cooley and many others.  The film contains breathtaking, color 16mm footage of Jimi Hendrix’s Independence Day appearance, a mere ten weeks before his untimely passing.  Standout performances include such Hendrix classics as “Hey Joe,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” “Purple Haze,” as well as confident, compelling versions of songs such as “Room Full Of Mirrors,” “Freedom,” and “Straight Ahead” that had not yet been issued by Jimi on an Experience album, but were intended to be part of the album he was working on that summer. “The Star Spangled Banner,” played against a backdrop of exploding fireworks, is another highlight, which Cooley recalls as having “knocked peoples’ socks off.”
The audio release Freedom: Jimi Hendrix Experience Atlanta Pop Festival, which Experience Hendrix L.L.C. and Legacy Recordings will put out on Aug. 28, includes six performances not seen in the Showtime documentary.  This will be available as a 2CD set and also as a 200-gram 2LP vinyl set.  The first 5,000 vinyl units will be individually numbered.
By the beginning of the 1970s, Jimi Hendrix was unquestionably one of the most exciting rock musicians of his generation, having captivated the world with his highly stylized approach to blues guitar. In Electric Church, Paul McCartney freely admits to worshipping him, adding, “We all played guitar. We all knew a bit. But he seemed to know more than us.”
Jimi Hendrix put the rock festival concept on the map with his blistering performance at California’s Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, headlining 1968’s inaugural Miami Pop Festival, and providing the soundtrack for the counterculture with a dazzling set at Woodstock in 1969.
His performance at the Second Atlanta International Pop Festival was not only significant on a musical level, but also in terms of socio-political dynamics. The organizers were keen to push back against the cultural divide that was very much in evidence in the Deep South. It was assumed that rural audiences would not take kindly to “long-hair” bands, and that black and white artists could not comfortably exist on the same bill; Atlanta Pop set out to challenge those beliefs. Hendrix’s music and message of universal love made him the ideal artist to represent that pushback, and, appropriately, was the first act booked for the festival.
In the sweltering Georgia heat, amongst intimidating bikers who were hired as security, hundreds of thousands of mostly young music fans descended upon the festival grounds, eventually knocking over fences and leaving the organizers with no choice but to declare it a free event. Law enforcement, not equipped to handle such crowds, adopted a hands-off policy with regards to crowd control, drug use and nudity. Against incredible odds, the event proved to be largely peaceful. By the time the Jimi Hendrix Experience took the stage on the evening of July 4, the audience swelled to more than 300,000. 
Massive, anarchic music fests in the U.S., unencumbered by high ticket prices and corporate sponsors were soon to be extinct, and the Atlanta Pop Festival was the last of this dying breed. Glenn Phillips (Hampton Grease Band) says, “This was, certainly in retrospect, sort of the end of an era, and a great end to an era. It was a powerful moment.”
The Atlanta festival footage in Electric Church was shot by Steve Rash, later known for directing such Hollywood films as The Buddy Holly Story and Can’t Buy Me Love.  Rash intended for the footage he and his team were filming to be used for a documentary in the vein of Woodstock.  When a deal couldn’t be secured, virtually all of the film lay undeveloped inside Rash’s barn for over three decades. The full-color film stock held up remarkably well, and makes for a transcendent viewing experience.
Bill Mankin, who worked on the construction and stage crews for the festival, provides liner notes for theFreedom package, describing his first-hand account. He explains, “At the center of the vortex was the master magician on guitar: the personification of a life lived fully and wildly, with no boundaries, no limitations, and aiming for the stars at light speed.”   

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Freedom: Atlanta Pop Festival 2CD/2LP VINYL (release date: August 28)
Disc 1
   1)      Fire
   2)      Lover Man
   3)      Spanish Castle Magic
   4)      Red House
   5)      Room Full Of Mirrors
   6)      Hear My Train A Comin’
   7)      Message To Love
Disc 2
   1)      All Along The Watchtower
   2)      Freedom
   3)      Foxey Lady
   4)      Purple Haze
   5)      Hey Joe
   6)      Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
   7)      Stone Free
   8)      Star Spangled Banner
   9)      Straight Ahead   
   
   Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church DVD/Blu-ray (release date: October 30)
Contains performances of three additional songs not included in the broadcast version of the film, and other never before released Hendrix bonus content JimiHendrix.com 
LegacyRecordings.com

Above supplied by Bob Merlis ... who also sent us this great Ponderosa Stomp news release ...

The 2015 Ponderosa Stomp — the twelfth edition of the New Orleans festival celebrating the pioneers of rock, soul, and blues — is proud to present five legendary female R&B icons, all of whom profoundly impacted the soundtrack of the civil rights era. 
Booked by Stomp founder and visionary Ira “Dr. Ike” Padnos and his fellow musical experts of the Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau, the five “Sisters of Soul” are set to perform Oct. 2-3. They are: 
• Irma Thomas, known far and wide as “The Soul Queen of New Orleans”; 
• Brenda Holloway, the fledgling Motown label’s first West Coast artist and the United Kingdom’s reigning “Queen of Northern Soul”;
• Barbara Lynn, the triple-threat singer, songwriter, and guitarist from the Texas Gulf Coast; 
• Mable John, the soul and gospel firebrand who blazed trails with Motown, Stax, and the Ray Charles organization; 
• Betty Harris, “The Lost Soul Queen” who recorded with legendary producers Bert Berns in New York and Allen Toussaint in New Orleans.
With a line up like this, this "Sisters Of Soul" set is sure to shine!
Brenda Holloway, Mable John, and Betty Harris are performing Friday, Oct. 2, while Irma Thomas and Barbara Lynn round out Saturday, Oct. 3.  
Irma Thomas expressed excitement about performing in her native city and reconnecting with the Stomp. “I go back quite a way with The Ponderosa Stomp,” she said. “I was on one of the symposiums a few years back, but I’ve never actually appeared as a performer, so this is going to be very special for me.” Her comments underscore the raison d’être of the Stomp, “I certainly appreciate the fact that The Ponderosa Stomp keeps featuring those of us who were active in the early days and are, obviously, still alive. It’s very important, and even if I weren’t a performer, I’d still be very appreciative of what they’ve done over the years.” 
New to the Stomp, Brenda Holloway remarked, “I’m certainly looking forward to my first Ponderosa Stomp and my first trip to New Orleans. I’m so happy to be part of it especially since Mable John and Barbara Lynn are my idols. And Irma Thomas? You don’t have to be Brenda Holloway to love Irma Thomas. Everybody loves her!” 
Barbara Lynn, still living in her hometown of Beaumont, Texas, emphasized her close relationship with Irma Thomas and the others. “She’s not just an old friend; we’re more like sisters. We’ve shared the same stage and the same hotel rooms. I met Brenda when I lived in California years ago and she had me laughing as soon as I met her. And you can say that I’m a real Mable John fan, while you’re at it.”  
The grande dame of this year’s Stomp, Mable John, at 85, is making her much-anticipated debut at the festival. “I was supposed to play it the year Katrina hit and I promised ‘Dr. Ike’ I would come back whenever he wanted me to. We took a rain check, and I’m happy to be part of it after all this time.” The sister of the famed Little Willie John, Mable was born in Bastrop, La., so her performance marks a return to her roots. With a doctorate in divinity, the Rev. Dr. John now serves as pastor of the Joy In Jesus Evangelistic Outreach Ministry in Westchester, Calif. She is a fan of the Stomp’s other “Sisters of Soul,” noting, “I worked with Irma Thomas at the Porretta Soul Music Festival in Italy and with Barbara, too. Brenda and I were both on Motown at the same time and I’m just crazy about her.”  
Though equally as talented and deserving, Betty Harris never enjoyed quite the same limelight as some of her peers, but her following has grown over the years, both at home and abroad. “The Ponderosa Stomp audience is very knowledgeable and appreciative,” she said. “I met some wonderful fans from Australia when I played the Stomp years ago and they’re coming back this year.” Harris hailed Irma Thomas, who contributed backing vocals to some of Harris’ New Orleans sessions, as “a great, original entertainer.” She also has shared bills with Barbara Lynn, whom she singled out as “one of the first female guitar-playing singers who could really hold an audience.”  
All five singers will be showcasing their respective catalogs in depth. Irma Thomas, who recorded “Time Is On My Side” before the Rolling Stones, commented, “I’m often asked about performing ‘Time Is On My Side.’ Sometimes, when I did it in the past, I was asked why I was covering the Rolling Stones, but I think The Ponderosa Stomp audience is one that is fully aware that it was the other way around.” Irma can also be counted on to perform “It’s Raining,” which was featured in the film Down By Law, “Wish Someone Would Care,” “You Don't Miss A Good Thing (Until It’s Gone),” “Good To Me,” “Take A Look,” “Hittin’ On Nothing,” “Two Winters Long,” “Breakaway,” “Ruler Of My Heart,” (later covered by both Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones as “Pain In My Heart”), and the eternal “(You Can Have My Husband But Please) Don’t Mess With My Man.” 
Barbara Lynn also had a close repertoire encounter with the Rolling Stones. The Brits recorded “Oh, Baby We Got A Good Thing Going,” on their album Rolling Stones, Now! with its composer’s blessing. “I was elated when Mick Jagger called me back then and told me,” she recalled. “I was really excited they were doing my song.” Of course, her signature tune is “You’ll Lose A Good Thing” which was recorded in New Orleans at Cosimo Matassa’s J&M studio. The song is based on a poem she wrote to a long-ago boy friend, warning, “If you should lose me, you’ll lose a good thing.” Playing her renowned left-handed guitar, Lynn is joined on the session by Mac Rebennack, aka Dr. John. Her song “(Until Then) I'll Suffer” also was a massive R&B hit. Lynn also notably covered Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” in 1963 and enjoyed significant chart success with her version.  
The breadth of Mable John’s secular music career is unequaled. When she recorded for Motown, her backing singers were the Supremes. Her catalog includes the Isaac Hayes-David Porter composition “Your Good Thing Is About To Come To An End,” which was a hit for Stax; the autobiographical “Able Mable”; and “Bad Water,” which she recorded as one of Ray Charles’ Raelettes. She promises to perform “No Matter How She Done It,” as heard on the soundtrack of the feature film Honeydripper, and also will reprise her Twenty Feet From Stardom performance of the gospel standard “I Will Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving In My Heart.”  
Brenda Holloway’s catalog, of course, includes her breakthrough hit “Every Little Bit Hurts,” which earned her slots on both Motown’s Motortown Revue and Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars. She hit again with “Just Look What You’ve Done” and went on to write and record “You Made Me So Very Happy.” Her version of the latter broke into the Top 40 and was later covered successfully by Blood, Sweat & Tears. Brenda Holloway is a recipient of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award. 
Though a native of Orlando, FL, Betty Harris is associated with New Orleans because she recorded in the Crescent City with producer Allen Toussaint and worked with Lee Dorsey. However, she first hit the big time with her version of Solomon Burke’s “Cry To Me” (also recorded by the Rolling Stones) and then “His Kiss,” both produced by New York studio legend Bert Berns. Her New Orleans recordings include “Nearer To You,” “Mean Man” “There’s A Break In The Road” and her duet with Lee Dorsey, “Love Lots of Lovin’.” In addition, she’s heard with Memphis soul great James Carr on “I’m A Fool For You.” Like Brenda Holloway, Betty Harris is a revered figure in the UK’s Northern Soul circle. 
The talent lineup performing at The Ponderosa Stomp is, arguably, the most ecumenical aggregation of culturally significant roots-music performers ever assembled. Its two nights of concerts are like having an infinite supply of quarters to play the world’s most thoroughly curated rock ’n’ roll jukebox, stocked with “all killer – no filler” music that delivers a nonstop, high-energy rock ’n’ roll experience. The collective booking of Irma Thomas, Barbara Lynn, Brenda Holloway, Mabel John and Betty Harris — R&B aristocrats all — only confirms just how special this one-of-a-kind festival really is.  
The 2015 Ponderosa Stomp takes place Oct. 1-3, 2015, with daytime events throughout and concerts on Friday and Saturday nights at the Rock ‘N’ Bowl™ in Uptown New Orleans.
You can purchase Ponderosa Stomp ticket online here: http://ow.ly/LmMAB


Kent,
Something that came to my mind while reading today's FH ... Bob mentioned that actor Richard Burton narrated songs on the Moody Blues album talked about. I don't know if it made your survey there in Chicago, but Richard Burton in 1965 had a record called MARRIED MAN which did make our local radio survey. It was from the Broadway production "Baker Street", released on MGM records. I forgot all about it until I saw Burton's name in FH.
Larry
That's what we're here for, Larry ... keepin' those memories alive!  (kk)

Hey Kent,
Here's a clip I think you and your readers might like to watch.  
From The Four Preps in Concert 1989 (the billing was "The Four Preps":  Three Golden Groups In One ... it features Bruce Belland, Ed Cobb, David Somerville and Jim Pike singing the hits of The Four Preps, The Diamonds and The Lettermen. And finishing up with SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW. Enjoy their magic!
David Somerville is gone and so is Ed Cobb. I filled in for Bruce Belland for while in this group when he was recovering from quadruple heart bypass surgery.
Gary Pike
We told you Forgotten Hits was giving you "the big one" today ... this clip clocks in at just over 33 minutes!  But you won't find the likes of these incredible singers sharing the same stage very often ... so definitely worth the viewing time, once you've got the time to do so.  Thanks, Gary!  (kk)

Kent - 
For your "Other Delights," try this Pet Clark 1964 video.  She could have been the "Whipped Creme" Lp cover girl, IMO ... AND could sing, too!  You can really tell how her voice has grown from her youth days and is about to bring Tony Hatch a batch of hits.  What a voice! 
She SINGS "Lonely Bull" here, just to give you the Alpert feel.  Her stage act is still in the Brenda Lee vein (she sings "I Will Follow Him" as some proof of the sound of Brenda, even tho it was not one of Brenda's hits).  For some reason, she sings her older hit  "Romeo" partly in English here too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm4lW6wbHkc  
Clark 
Another long clip ... but a great profile of Petula right before she broke big and became an international superstar.  (kk)

And one final thought ...

Music is like candy ... throw the rappers away.
Frank B.
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The Chicago Experience

August 9, 2015, 4:36 am
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Jack Mongan has led an interesting life ...

Working in television out in Hollywood, California ...

Working as a school teacher ...

Working as a freelance photojournalist (who also happens to love and dabble in rock and roll photography ... as Jack once told me, "It's a whole lot more fun taking pictures of rock stars than it is of dead bodies"!!!) ... 

So I was thrilled to receive this report (and a ton of GREAT pictures) from this recent Chicago Experience Concert held in Rosemont, IL.  (Car trouble prevented me from making it to the show ... the SECOND time I've had to miss them this summer ... but the GOOD news is The Chicago Experience will ALSO be appearing at this year's Bolingbrook Jubilee Festival.  The other day we broke the story of The Happy Together Tour hitting the stage on Sunday Night, August 16th ... well, The Chicago Experience, formerly known as 25 or 6 to 4, will light things up on Friday Night, the 14th, with a concert that kicks off at 9 pm!  Hoping I can finally make it to THIS one!!!)

We first saw The Chicago Experience (and met Jack Mongan for that matter) at The Marty Grebb Benefit Concert held at The Arcada Theatre back in May of this year ... and consider ourselves all the better thanks to BOTH of these encounters.)

Please enjoy Jack's concert review ... along with some more incredible shots of the band.  And, if you happen to be free on August 14th, please join us at the show ... which is ALSO free, by the way ... you will be COMPLETELY blown away by these guys!!!  (kk)

*****

Fireworks closed The Chicago Experience concert at Rosemont’s MB Financial Park last Thursday night but the real explosion actually began with the first downbeat of the group’s opening rendition of Saturday in the Park. This group doesn’t just cover the songs of the iconic rock band. They channel the very magic and soul of the group!  

The band played two shows to a 2,000 plus audience that night covering the Chicago songbook with both the commercial hits everyone knows as well as some of the lesser -played long form numbers.

In order to give creative respect to a band like Chicago, you need to be more than musicians ... you have to be really talented musicians and that is evidenced in the performance of each of the group’s members. 

With vocalists like Brian Hemstock and Adam Briel, The Chicago Experience has both ... the sweet soulfulness of Peter Cetera as well as the forceful grit and power of Terry Kath. Backed by a superb brass trio of Steve Frost, Terry Viano and Tim Falls , the group mirrors the “rock and roll horns ” that everyone identifies with Chicago.   

Ron Brandt, lead guitarist, and Tim Rutter on bass drive the group with their powerful guitar work while drummer Adam Cowger and special guest, Ruben Alvarez (percussionist extraordinaire!) keep the beat. They especially tore the place apart with their solos during I’m A Man.  Paul Wood on keyboards rounds out the line-up.

It was clear the band had won over the crowd after their second song, MakeMe Smile. However, as they segwayed into Lowdown, men, women and children were on their feet and kept rocking right into the second show. By the time Ron Brandt ripped into the growling first chords of 25 or 6 to 4 to close the show, it was obvious that the evening had turned into a Chicago Experience “Love Fest”. Strict time guidelines prohibited the band from performing past 9:30 pm or, I have a feeling, the crowd would have kept them there all night.  

Before the show began, a woman went up to one of the band members and said, “I love Chicago ! Do you guys really sound like Chicago?”  I didn’t stick around for the answer. I knew she would be pleased. 

As I was walking to my car, I saw the same woman a few spaces away so, I thought I’d see what she thought of the group. I got about 10 feet away and I heard her screaming into her phone, “Judy, you have to see this group! They’re incredible! They F***ing sound just like Chicago!!  

Question answered. I got into my car and drove away thinking…” Yes, they do, maam! Indeed they do !”
-- Jack Mongan

















ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF JACK MONGAN PHOTOGRAPHY


*****

Catch The Chicago Experience on Sunday, August 14th, at the 2015 Bolingbrook Jubilee at The Bolingbrook Performing Arts Centre

Catch the real deal, the incredible Chicago, at Ravinia on Saturday, August 22nd, and Sunday, August 23rd, in Highland Park ... and keep watching these pages for a VERY special announcement about a RETURN performance for an INCREDIBLE double-bill of Chicago with Earth, Wind and Fire!

Catch Peter Cetera at The Paramount Theatre on Friday, September 4th, in Aurora.
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50 Year Flashback - August 10th, 1965

August 10, 2015, 4:00 am
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Check out the #1 Record in Milwaukee on WOKY for this week in 1965 ... it's TV Star Patty Duke's "Don't Just Stand There", always one of MY favorites, too (even if it is pretty much a note-for-note rip-off of Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me"!!!  I didn't care ... I loved THAT one, too!!!)

"Help!" makes a big jump from #10 to #4 this week ... and check out Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" ... up from #24 to #10.

Future Monkee Davy Jones debuts at #33 with "What Are We Going To Do", a record that was all but ignored in Billboard (where it peaked at #93).

I've always been partial to the Dean Martin hit "Houston" (up four places to #31) ... and I really like the Chad and Jeremy record premiering at #35 this week, too.  ("I Don't Wanna Lose You Baby')

Check out the jock list.  By the end of the year, Chicago's WCFL would switch to a Top 40 Format ... and Barney Pip would jump ship to join the Men from Ten and start turning Chicagoans into peanut butter with his EXTREMELY popular late night radio program.












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Tuesday This And That

August 11, 2015, 4:00 am
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re:  On The Radio:  
Congratulations to our FH Buds Jimmy Holliday and Tom Kent who were both nominated for Radio Hall Of Fame Awards this past week.  Best of luck to the both of you!  (I can say that because they're each nominated in different categories! lol)  I hope you both win your respected category.  
Chicago's own Eric and Kathy are ALSO nominated ... they have had one of the top-ranked morning shows here in Chi-Town for YEARS now!    

A complete list of nominees is shown below ... I'm sure you'll find a few of YOUR local heroes on this list as well!  (kk)   

Active Local / Regional (10 years or more): 
Big Boy (Kurt Alexander), Los Angeles
Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison, Philadelphia
Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, Chicago
Garland Robinette, New Orleans

Longstanding Local / Regional (20 years or more):
Tom Barnard, Minneapolis
Johnny Dare, Kansas City
Johnny Holliday, Washington, D.C.
Ronn Owens, San Francisco

Networks / Syndication (10 years or more):
Tom Kent, Cleveland
Dave Ramsey, Nashville
Diane Rehm, Washington, D.C.
Michael Savage, San Francisco

Longstanding Network / Syndication (20 years or more):
Bob Kevoian & Tom Griswold, Indianapolis
Bob Kingsley, Weatherford
Marketplace, Los Angeles
Harry Shearer, Los Angeles

Music Format On-Air Personality:
Delilah, Seattle
Elvis Duran, New York
Steve Harvey, Atlanta
Ryan Seacrest, Los Angeles

Spoken Word On-Air Personality:
Sean Hannity, New York
Clark Howard, Atlanta
Jim Rome, Los Angeles
Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Los Angeles   

Hi Kent,  
Thank you so much!  
tk


>>>My wife and I just  spent a week in upstate New York (Saratoga Races and Cooperstown).  The trip was fantastic, but the radio was horrid!  We have been long time Sirius subscribers listening to 60s at 6 and Underground Garage roughly 80 per cent of the time.  They play a few songs quite a bit, but always (especially Garage) mix in some obscure titles.  However with our rental  car we were forced to listen to what you call the 'classic hits station' mix.  In six days the only songs I heard from the 60s were by the Beatles ... and I heard Hey Jude three times!  Not one song by the Stones or Elvis.  Some 70s ... Fleetwood Mac, Linda Ronstadt, and The Eagles ... and lots and lots of 80s crud.   When we got in our own car back in Omaha, my wife said, "Lets hear some decent music." We were both overjoyed to hear Mark Lindsay's voice belting out the long version of Hungry.  Today's classic hits radio truly does stink ... I'm not getting rid of Sirius anytime soon.  Thanks for the great site ... I check you out daily.  (Randy M)  
Interesting - My wife and I also spent some days in very-far-upstate New York the week before last (up at the Canadian border, kayaked on the St. Lawrence Seaway) and we discovered a great-sounding local AM with wonderful music and live DJs. Check out WMSA if you're ever in that neighborhood. Here in Nashville, Music City USA, radio is in awful shape.  
David Lewis    

It happened!9:25am Saturday morning Me -TV FM played Summer Sun by Jamestown Massacre. Fantastic!
Mike Hartman  
Yep, we heard it, too.  Ah, the power of suggestion!  (We've got afew other ideas we're sharing with Me-TV as well ... stay tuned ... hoping to have some very good news to report real soon.)  kk   

Chuck Buell's Favorite Radio Question for Today ~~~ 
“Did you go into radio to get rich or was it to work just 4 hours a day?” 


re:  The Labor Day 500 Countdown:   
A reminder -- balloting has begun for this year's bi-annual Labor Day 500 -- the first since 2013 and fourteenth overall. Yes, we were Oldies when Oldies wasn't Old.
Once again this year, we've expanded the ballot to your 15 favorite songs from the '50s, '60s and '70s. So please spread the word!
Vote now at:
http://www.oldiesmusic.com/500.htm
Voting runs through Sunday, August 30 and those who request it will get a copy of the full list when it's out Labor Day weekend.
Need some memory joggers?
Here are the songs that have made the list in
the past 13 surveys:
http://www.oldiesmusic.com/2013ld500accumulated.pdf- Ron Smith


re:  This And That:
Well hello my brothah!   Can you stick me in the "Helping Out Our Readers" category? I have sort of a coworker named Mike Wolf who claims to have played trumpet with some pretty big names. He says he toured with Buddy Rich during the "bus tapes" era... and also the Everly Brothers at some point.  
Your blog is very connected. I'm wondering if anyone remembers him. THANKS!   
Kristy  
Well, I can certainly ask!  Anybody out there know (or remember) this guy???  (kk)     

And another "Helping Out Our Readers" request ...   

Can you pass the word on this?   
A guy here is doing a documentary on the Beatles 1966 Ampitheater concert.  I believe the Remains and Ronnettes were two opening acts??  Anything special happen at these concerts?  Anyone with memories???  
Clark Besch  
If you've got some info or memories to share, please contact Clark directly at wlsclark@aol.com.  (kk)   

This is cool!  
https://youtu.be/aLnZ1NQm2uk  
Stacee  
Thanks, Stacy!  I enjoyed this very much ... then played it for several others ... and spent the next half hour checking out more of their videos.  Damn, these guys are book a year in advance all over the world!  How on earth did word of mouth travel so quickly?!?!  (kk)  
You are welcome. It appears they will be performing in Chicago at The Riviera Theatre on November 18th. My eldest Daughter sent the video to me. I do not know how she came across it. We like to share music new and old with each other.  
Stacee  
Well I quite enjoyed this one ... a very clever arrangement of a song most of us have grown sick of!  (lol)  My first reaction was "I'd really like to see these guys perform live" ... but then, after reviewing about 20 more of their videos (looks like they've got over a hundred!), I couldn't help thinking that I'd be bored watching the same treatment applied to so many songs.  What makes this one so unique is their completely 180-degree interpretation of "All About That Bass" ... it makes it stand apart from everything else we're hearing.  But if you're going to apply that same arrangement to every other song you do, too, the novelty wears off pretty quickly.  Still, no doubt these guys can sing!  (kk)   

Hi Kent -  
Enjoyed your "GINORMOUS"  Forgotten Hits so much!!  
It would be GREAT to put Dick Biondi in John Records Landecker's old radio spot!!!!  Enjoyed listening to John's last program. Another great legend. Hope he continues his career. Heard that he is writing a screenplay with his actor / daughter Amy.  
Miss when Dick Biondi would take requests on his show and play some good forgotten oldies for his fans plus  tell all his stories ... Go Go Dick and get that time slot. There will NEVER be another Dick Biondi!!!!!  
I know the late Lynn Anderson and her tune "Rose Garden" was her biggest record, but I have a copy of her record "I Found You Just In Time" which I liked very much.  Do you have any info on it?  
When in doubt, ask the Master.  
Carolyn  
Lynn Anderson never came close to capturing the success of "Rose Garden", her first chart hit which peaked at #3 in Billboard but went all the way to #1 in both Cash Box and Record World.  She charted nine more times on Billboard's pop chart, never climbing above #63 ... and "I Found You Just In Time" wasn't one of them.  
However, on Billboard's COUNTRY Chart she had an incredible SIXTY chart hits! ... including 18 BEFORE "Rose Garden" hit #1 in 1970 ... as well as four OTHER #1 Billboard Country Chart Hits!  
"I Found You Just In Time" was actually the B-Side of 1970's "No Love At All", her version of the song we know best by B.J. Thomas.  It hit #15 in 1970.  (kk)  

>>>I don't know if it made your survey there in Chicago, but Richard Burton in 1965 had a record called MARRIED MAN which did make our local radio survey. It was from the Broadway production "Baker Street", released on MGM records. I forgot all about it until I saw Burton's name in FH.  (Larry)
Hola Kent,
CharlieOFD from Deflateville !! (the charges bothered me until I realized that 'The Donald' is our leading current candidate for POTUS!, "What A Revoltin' Development This is!") ha ha
Did someone say "A Married Man"?  I don't know how many they sold, but I bought one, and tried to convert it to digital, so I offer you this.
Not too shabby for a 50 year old 45, played on a Technics Turntable from the 80's directly into GarageBand on a seven year old Imac. Plus I kept the sleeve (but it was only plain brown paper)!!
Start the bidding ! Ha ha!
 
Great stuff in the blog ... everyday I thank God for all the wonderful songs of our lives.
Have a great weekend,
Happy Summah of '15 to all FH aficionados !
CharlieOFD



Hi Kent -
I had the pleasure of seeing the legendary Dick Dale, Father of Surf Music, on Wednesday at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Dick was supported by a drummer and bass ... but his guitar sound filled the small venue ... amazing sound!
Dick is 78 and still touring to pay for medical expenses.  He is not well, but put on one amazing show.  He spent time telling a few stories and then raged through songs like Riders In The Sky, California Sun, House of the Rising Sun, and of course Miserlou.  He is putting out a new cover of Amazing Grace, which he performed in honor of those public servants and military who risk their lives.
Here are a few pics from the show. (I could not bring my good camera to this venue, so snuck a couple of pics with my little one)
Tom Apathy


All Dick Dale photos courtesy of Tom Apathy -- thanks, Tom!  (kk)

See Joan Jett And The Blackhearts At CBS-FM’s Saturday In The Park Thanks To WCBS-FM 101.1
It's a free concert
Frank B.
http://wcbsfm.cbslocal.com/2015/07/31/joan-jett-and-the-blackhearts-saturday-in-the-park-august-22/
Unfortunately, MOST of the Joan Jett press hasn't been very positive of late ... might be nice to kinda kick back and enjoy a free concert from this Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2015 Inductee ... if you happen to be a New Yawker that is!  (kk) 

Speaking of great concerts ...   

Hi Kent, 
Just a quick note to tell you how great The Ides of March sounded last Saturday, August First. 
I was getting ready to go onstage myself and didn't have a way to write down all the tunes they did, but rest assure The Ides did Chicago proud. 
They did old tunes, at least one new one and some of Jim P's tunes written for others. 
He was in fine form. When they did the quieter stuff, the vocals sounded very good as well. 
I really wanted to get to meet all of them but only got to meet a couple. Jim has worked with us a couple times before and is a fun guy to have around as you might expect. 
Cheers to the Ides who still sound great after 50 years. 
Bill   

One of our other readers, Jack Mongan (who just filed his review of The Chicago Experience concert) caught The Ides in Ohio this past week, too ...
He promises to file a full report soon (once his busy schedule frees up) ... but meanwhile here are few photos from this event.  (kk)




And don't miss The Little Italy Fest West the following week in Addison, IL ... 

What a GREAT line-up ...

All the way from NYC ... The Bronx Wanderers ... Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 21 - 23 (they'll close the show every night!)


Jay and the Americans - Friday, August 21st, 7:30 pm ...


and Lou Christie - Sunday, August 23, 5:45 pm ...

Great review of The Chicago Experience concert on your website this past weekend.
I guess I'll have to check them out for myself in Bolingbrook on the 14th!
Kathy
You won't be disappointed.  I'm hoping to make it out there, too, to see the full show this time.
And be sure to stop back on Sunday ... and catch The Happy Together Show for free!!!  (kk)

And finally, here's a link to Big Jay's latest weekly posting of this week in music history.  VERY cool stuff (and I especially like the link to our FH article from a few years back!)  Thanks, Jay!  (kk)
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A Double Dose Of Shelley

August 20, 2015, 2:59 am
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Frequent Forgotten Hits contributor Shelley Sweet-Tufano sent us TWO reviews recently.

We pretty much expected at least ONE of them to feature a Peter Noone / Herman's Hermits concert ...

But this time around, BOTH cover Noone ... as well as a show he did with The Beach Boys!

Read on ...

There were 54 kids on my cul-de-sac.  My best friend and I were toward the top of the food / age chain, and, well ... in control. (bossy?) 

So each of my three summers there were spent designing and directing musicals for our street.  Her sisters, and my brothers, plus EVERY child who could walk had a part to play.  One production included a musical interpretation of Ancient Egypt, featuring Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. (This makes perfect sense when you are 12 and 13)  Three songs featured were 'I'm Into Something Good', 'Silhouettes' and 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy'.  When Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone do solo performances, 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy' is usually included as one of their 60's tributes.  

I manage composure during the first two mentioned songs, but 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy' invokes visions of me snapping my gum, dancing up to Mark Antony and popping bubbles on his nose.  The fact that I (as Cleo) am weighted down with all the gold jewelry of both our mothers' jewelry boxes, and still dancing gives praise to my dance instructors.  (How many others were told, "You do not stop dancing for ANYTHING!  If your costume falls off, you keep going.")  I am a giggly mess listening to this song and picturing this scene.  Tell me ... WHAT song brings fun or embarrassing memories into your frontal lobe?

I am in Cape May.  I am taking a week off from all work.  Writing is NOT work.  The East Coast is one big happy beach, but Cape May's Victorian houses painted in "three part harmony" are stunning.  The newly built Convention Hall is stunning.  Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone are stunning.  'I'm Into Something Good', 'Wonderful World', 'Love Potion #9' ... and then the crack about being told to sell 8-tracks here in Cape May.  My 8-track player works, my cassette player works, ALL my cd and dvd players work, and I have a new stereo vinyl record system that I am enjoying to the fullest.  So, I don't care what you sell ... I can play it!  I needed all this equipment to effectively teach my musical decades courses.  Now, I just need them because I want them. 

Stopping to ask directions at the local WaWa, "Where am I now?" ... "You're in WaWa, sir!" may get you nowhere, BUT listening to 'A Must to Avoid', 'Dandy', 'Leanin' on a Lamp Post', 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy', and 'Ferry 'Cross New Jersey' can get you in an excellent mood and put you in a time-warp place of mind.  Billy Sullivan twerks through 'I'm Telling You Now'.  Rich Spina wails the keyboards during 'Sea Cruise'.  Vance Brescia high kicks and still maintains guitar playing, which makes him 'Just a Little Bit Better', and Peter hits all the high notes in 'Listen People'.  Ace Drummer, Dave Ferrara, even gives him a thumbs up for THAT one.  We all agree, enthusiastically, that "This has been the best 50 years ever!"  On the other hand, I don't have another 50 years to compare to ... but I am sure there is no comparison as I look through history, and what is ahead of us will be based on these 50 wonderful years, so let's enjoy the NOW. 

I wrote down all the songs, but I will stop here so you can be surprised when you go to your own concert.  OK, I lied again.  I simply must mention 'Jezebel'.  Frankie Laine made it a #1 song the year I was born.  I disavow all similarity between Jezebel and myself, because ...  I want to.  The comparison between Peter Noone and the Hermits' version to Frankie Laine's is HHSPN just continues to improve with age, like fine wine.

Let me end by recapping Peter's explanation of Herman's Hermits history in the genre of rhythm and blues ...

"OK, that's over."

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
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I do not for a minute think that any of The Beach Boys read my review last year from the ball park in Pomona, NY.  But, for me, something wonderful happened at this year's Pomona concert.  During the last segment of their show, they again paid tribute to Carl Wilson with a video allowing him to sing lead on 'God Only Knows'. Last year I had stated that I thought a tribute to Dennis Wilson was also in order.  The third song after Carl's was 'Do You Wanna Dance', and Mike Love introduced it with "It took a lot of searching, but we found some vintage video of Dennis playing on 'Do You Wanna Dance?'  It was just as special as Carl's.  Yes, it was older, but there was Dennis drumming away, dressed in the signature short-sleeve striped shirts, hair flying around wildly.  Thank you.  It is fitting.

So now, to tackle the question of why the weather has been stormy two years running ... I say it is to demonstrate reverse superlatives.  Last year the weather was 'worst'.  This year it was 'worse'.  Next year it will only be 'bad'.  HOWEVER, both years the rains stopped in time to hold the concerts.  Some delay, yes, but concerts were enjoyed.  Both years rainbows appeared just as I was entering the gates. Serendipity in action.  They have put chairs on the field this year and instead of paying for SRO, you buy a seat ticket.  Good improvement Provident Bank Park!  The base lines are sticky gooey mud, and my seat is in the third row on the first base line.  My shoes are soon "One With the Earth".  Security comes around with their new welcome speech:  DON'T MOVE YOUR CHAIR!  DON'T GET OUT OF YOUR SEATS!  DON'T STAND UP!"  I will not even try to pass GO.  It's for sure, no one will give me $200.00.  Of course ... standing begins early, with "out of your seats" following soon after.  By 7:10 pm the sound check is still going on, the squeegee is still being used to push water off the stage, and Peter Noone has been sighted standing next to the stage.  The row in front of me starts!  "HELLO PETER! HI PETER!  IT'S PETER NOONE"  Time to wave and go hide again.  On stage Vance Brescia is leading sound check to its fruition.  "From the back he looks like Howard Stern." says the woman behind me.  Hmm, never thought of that.  And then, in what seems like less than a minute, all musicians leave the stage, reappear in suits, are introduced, and 'Vindaloo' begins.  Whew!!!  The lighting is still not ready.  It is all over the place.  Everywhere but on Peter and the Banned.  OK, even though it is still light out, we notice. Eventually, it is all worked out.

The pairing of Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone and The Beach Boys is both brilliant and strange.  British Invasion and Surf music!  Diverse and yet both exemplifying the '60's.  A dichotomy that IS the 60's.  We were open to listening to all genres and accepted a song on its merit alone.  Yes, this also allowed for one-hit wonders, as well as a myriad of fan clubs for groups who continued to capture our affections.  I love the fact that HHSPN opens with 'Vindaloo', a reminder of English sports enthusiasm.  The Beach Boys open with the radio playing Dion's 'Runaround Sue'.  A reminder of the 50's influence for BOTH groups, "The Day the Music Died", and the realization that, thankfully, the music did NOT die. We sing along.  We remember.  We introduce it to our children.

As The Beach Boys begin, I am thinking of my friends' comment that they perform pre-recorded and are not live.  If this is so here, they take more time than needed to set up instruments.  I can assure everyone that THIS performance was NOT pre-recorded, but live!  I heard the clinkers, I felt the heartbreak of the guitar that quit halfway through, the removing of the black shield over the speakers to drain the rain and remedy the guitar issue, (MY side of the audience instantly felt a jolt in sound intensity) and was close enough to see the mouths matching the sound, and changing lyrics a couple of times.  John Cowsill starts out with his hair in a neat ponytail at the nape of his neck.  By the fourth song, his hair is flying!!  It's ok, folks.  No scrunchies were harmed in this stunt.  Mike Love and Bruce Johnston still have a vocal range that amazes.  Mike still flirts with the front row of girls, which is not only fun for him and the girls, but allows the band to find "dancers" for the 'Barbara Ann' sequence.  I wrote down the names of 55 songs from this entire show!  I missed a few.  I leave on such a high note (love these idioms) that removing my muddy shoes and dancing across the stone pavement into the hotel doesn't hurt ... much. 

Fans yelling out requests to HHSPN!  A man "surfing" on the chairs in front of me!  From 'I'm Into Something Good' right up to 'Fun, Fun, Fun' I was experiencing joy, freedom and love through music ... while stuck in the mud.  Not nearly as bad as Woodstock, I warrant.  These two bands travel separately, meet up for one concert and then go on their merry ways again.  Brilliant!

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
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Happy Together 2015

August 21, 2015, 3:28 am
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The Happy Together Tour returns to the Chicagoland area tonight with a show at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora.

The show kicks off at 8 pm and, as we go to press this morning, there are less than 20 scattered seats available.  (This show sells out virtually every time it comes to town!)

Scroll back to Tuesday, August 18th, to catch our review of Sunday's show in Bolingbrook.

It's a fun-filled night of music and memories ... but if you want to see it in Chicago this year, you'd better act fast!

https://tickets.paramountaurora.com/public/hall.asp?event=1204 



REMAINING DATES: 

Friday, August 21st - Paramount Theatre - Aurora, IL

Saturday, August 22nd - Casino Rama Entertainment Centre - Rama, ON

Sunday, August 23rd - Foelinger Theatre - Fort Wayne, IN

Wednesday, August 26th - Effingham Performance Center - Effingham, IL

Thursday, August 27th - Kentucky State Fairgrounds - Louisville, KY

Friday, August 28th - Oaklawn Racetrack - Hot Springs, AR

Saturday, August 29th - Riverside Casino and Gold Resort - Riverside, IA

Sunday, August 30th - Bluestem Center For The Arts - Moorhead,MN

Monday, August 31st - Minnesota State Fairgrounds - Saint Paul, MN

Wednesday, September 2nd - Mahoning County Fairgrounds - Canfield, OH
 
I have to disagree with the comments about The Turtles' performance in Bolingbrook the other night.  As far as I'm concerned, they put together an excellent set ... just the right mixture of music and madness (which is exactly what they're known for ... and what one would expect at a Turtles concert.)  They were in fine voice and very entertaining.
Frank
No dispute there, Frank ... I think everyone agrees that The Turtles ALWAYS put on an excellent show.  The point of contention this time, however, was the LENGTH of that show ... FOUR SONGS from the headlining act?  It just doesn't seem right ... especially when other artists managed to squeeze in five or six into their set.
One reader suggested fewer acts so that the audience could enjoy more music by each performer.  Not a bad idea, really ... heck if each artist did a 30-minute set, you'd still come in at just under three hours with the intermission and big finish finale.
But which four acts?  Obviously The Turtles have to be one of them.  Recent "co-headliners" include Mark Lindsay, Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night) and Micky Dolenz.  Add a couple of decent warm-up acts to Set One (The Cowsills, The Buckinghams, and your choice of several others who have graced the stage recently) and you've still got a power-packed line-up.
Might be something worth thinking about (before they announce the 2016 line-up!)  Plus perhaps a little bit bigger piece of the pie for each of the artists on the bill in the long run financially, too.  (kk)
 
>>>The Turtles introduced the band who backed up all of the acts that took the stage that night for The Happy Together Show:  Greg Smith on bass, Bruce Something (from right here in Evanston) on keyboards (they said they couldn't remember his last night because they always paid him in cash), Steve Murphy on drums and Godfrey Townsend on guitar.  (kk)
Kent,
I'm going to give an educated guess that Bruce Soboroff, The Buckinghams' keyboard player, played in The Bolingbrook show.
Shelley
I asked Carl if this was the case and you are correct ... but listen to the circumstances that caused and allowed this to happen.  (kk)
Yes, Bruce was playing keyboards for three nights including Bolingbrook. The regular keyboard player Manny Focarazzo's mom passed away suddenly and he had to rush back to NY. Bruce was good enough to fill in and did a great job with no rehearsal and over thirty songs to learn with all the transitions. Thank you Bruce. 
All our thoughts and prayers go out to Manny and his family.
Carl
And ours as well ... but kudos to Bruce for stepping in and just nailing it under what had to be some enormous pressure.  Baptism by fire as they used to say!  WTG, Bruce!  A tip of the hat to his fine musicianship for sure!  (kk)
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50 Year Flashback - August 24th, 1965

August 24, 2015, 4:00 am
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Here are The Kingsmen, on top AGAIN in 1965 with their 1963 Chart-Topper "Louie Louie", holding down the #1 Position on this week's KOMA Chart this time in Oklahoma!

This puts them ahead of some of the hottest artists of the day, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Sonny and Cher, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and The Righteous Brothers!

And check out pre-Monkees David Jones' #7 hit "What Are We Going To Do", up 13 places from #20 the week before!

Brand new on the chart are "Eve Of Destruction" by Barry McGuire, "The In-Crowd" by Ramsey Lewis and "The Summer Wind" by Wayne Newton.  KOMA Klimbers making their mark this week include "Catch Us If You Can" by The Dave Clark Five (one of those GREAT Songs of Summer, circa 1965) and "Agent Double-O-Soul" by Edwin Starr.
















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Lou Christie

August 25, 2015, 3:45 am
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Third time's the charm!   

Twice before we've had tickets to see Lou Christie and BOTH times the concerts ended up being cancelled ... a HUGE disappointment because Frannie and I have ALWAYS enjoyed Lou's music and his incredible voice.   

For a while there it looked like Sunday's Show at The Little Italy Italian Festival in Addison, IL, was also in jeopardy.  All week long they had been forecasting severe thunderstorms for this event, a beautiful outdoor set up packed with great food, drinks, novelties and music.

But at the last moment they took all of the rain out of the schedule.  (Of course the moment they did that it then proceeded to rain for about two hours Sunday Morning!  lol)  And then, at about ten minutes before noon, the clouds parted, the sun came out, the temperature leveled off at a perfect 75 degrees with a nice cool breeze, and we headed out to catch the show.  Without a doubt, the Weather Gods were smiling on Ron Onesti this past weekend as he was able to offer PERFECT weather along with severaldays just jam-packed with fun and entertainment for his Little Italy Festival.

Lou doesn't make it to Chicago very often but this show was well worth the trip.  (In fact he told me that he was heading home right after the show.)  He played to a VERY receptive audience who on multiple occasions gave him standing ovations.  (Lou quipped from the stage that a standing ovation means SO much more to him today than it did during all his "hit years" ... because he knows how much harder it is for all of us to stand up now!)

Lou's voice was in fine form throughout his performance.  (The first question everybody asks when you have an entertainer with such a distinctive sound is "Yeah but can he still hit the notes?  Does he still sound like himself?")  I am happy to report a resounding "YES!" to both of those questions ... although it can't be easy!  (Christie turned 72 earlier this year but you'd never know it to listen to him sing.  Like I always say, when you've got it, you've got it!)  He was spot on vocally from start to finish.

ALL of the hits were represented including "the dirty version" of "Rhapsody In The Rain", "The Gypsy Cried", an extended version of "Two Faces Have I" that allowed the members of the band to show off their individual musical skills a little bit (all the more amazing since this was a pick-up band put together specifically for this show here in Chicago ... kudos to musical director and drummer Ron Wilson for assembling such a tight-sounding outfit, who rehearsed for all of one hour before the show started ... these guys ROCKED!  Absolutely NO ONE in the audience would have been any wiser than to think they hadn't all been playing together for YEARS!), "I'm Gonna Make You Mine", "Beyond The Blue Horizon" (my personal favorite) and, of course, his show-stopper "Lightning Strikes", a #1 Hit from early 1966.

All in all, a very enjoyable show ... and we're hoping that Lou will take Ron up on his offer to return to The Arcada Theatre for another extended show.  (Lou, if you're reading this, I guarantee you that you will absolutely LOVE this venue ... and will want to make it one of your "regular stops" for years to come.)  With acts like Neil Sedaka and Paul Anka already booked to play The Arcada in the coming months, Lou Christie would be a PERFECT fit.  Here's hoping they can pull it together.

Speaking of which ... now HERE's a guy who would make the PERFECT addition to next year's Happy Together Tour Line-Up.  (Are you reading this, Flo and Eddie???)  Let Lou come out and do his four or five biggest hits and the audience will go nuts!  (Check out the Lou Christie Hit List below!)

I am happy to report that we met up with dozens of Forgotten Hits Readers on both Friday Night and Sunday Night ... so thank you all for coming out to see these great shows.  Very special thanks to FH Reader (and major Lou Christie fan) Shelley Sweet-Tufano, Lou's Musical Director Ron Wilson, Lou Christie's personal assistant Kathy Morris and, of course, Ron Onesti for getting us back stage after the show for a brief visit with the star of the show, Mr. Lou Christie, who was very familiar with our work here in Forgotten Hits.  It was a real treat.

Frannie snapped this photo of us back behind the stage where all the trailers were parked ... and here are a few photos I took with my cell phone of Lou and Company on stage.  Arcada Photographer Luciano Bilotti sent us a few professional shots as well.  Great time ... great concert.  (kk) 

Me and Lou after the show
(photo by Frannie Kotal)





 


Above Eight Cell Phone Shots
by Kent Kotal
(yeah, we had GREAT seats ... 
And the beautiful, sunny day didn't hurt either!!!) 

THE REST OF THE STORY:  
The Bronx Wanderers closed the show all three nights ... our first chance to see them and it was quite a treat.  (Readers have been telling us for years that we've got to check these guys out.)  They REALLY blew us away on Sunday Night when they opened with a medley of Bee Gees hits followed by a few songs by The Beach Boys ... all spot-on renditions that we hadn't experienced at their earlier performance on Friday while we were there to see Jay and the Americans.   

As for Jay and the boys, my two-word review is simply ... VERY disappointing ... especially since I had just seen them last year when they opened up for Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits at The Arcada and witnesseda near-perfect show.  It must have been something in the air Friday Night ... (The Bronx Wanderers didn't sound that great either on Friday ... but more than made up for it with a stellar showon Sunday Night) ... or perhaps Jay III wasn't feeling well ... but key notes were being missed throughout their set and the harmonies that were SO impressive the summer before in St. Charles just weren't making it here in Addison.  I honestly felt bad for them ... and really felt let down as Frannie had missed their show last year and I was really anxious to show her how good they sounded.  Sadly, it was a major disappointment.  Hey, ANYBODY can have an off night ... one spectator at the concert told me that he had seen Lou Christie four times before Sunday's show, including a couple of shows where his voice was just completely gone.  He said he asked Lou why he went on when he knew he couldn't sing and Lou replied, "Because I didn't want to let down my fans who paid to see me" ... to which this audience member replied "So instead you let them down by giving them a bad show that they're now going to remember as what Lou Christie sounds like today ... and, worse yet, report their findings to all their friends!" 

It's a fine line ... and, let's face it, it isn't getting any easier as we're all getting older.  We want to preserve those "perfect memories" but we still want to see our musical heroes and relive those memories one more time.  Jay and the Americans are capable of putting on a top-notch show because I've seen them do it ... it just didn't happen Friday Night.  And Lou Christie can still bring the crowd to their feet when he sings the way he did on Sunday ... and we loved it!  (kk)

Some GREAT shots courtesy of Luciano Bilotti (who even caught another one of me and Lou backstage after the show!)  Man, what a difference a good camera makes!!!  (lol)  Thanks, Lou ... as always, GREAT stuff!!!






THE LOU CHRISTIE HIT LIST:
1963 - The Gypsy Cried  (#15 National / #EX Chicago - NOT #1 as Lou stated in concert)
1963 - Two Faces Have I (#3 / #1)
1963 - How Many Teardrops  (#41 / #19)
1965 - Lightning Strikes  (#1 / #1)
1966 - Outside The Gates Of Heaven  (#45 /#17)
1966 - Rhapsody In The Rain  (#16 / #14 - on WCFL - for all of Lou's fond memories of the station and disc jockeys like Dick Biondi, WLS was instrumental in getting this record banned on all of the ABC Radio Stations across the country!)
1966  Painter (#73 / #xx)
1967 - Shake Hands And Walk Away Crying  (#95 / #22)
1969 - I'm Gonna Make You Mine  (#5 / #2)
1974 - Beyond The Blue Horizon  (#72 / #xx)
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