The Saturday Survey (April 28th)

April 28, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 04 - 29 - 18 )

We're back in my neck of the woods this week with this chart from Madison, Wisconsin.

You can see that The New Colony Six have the #2 Record, right behind the unstoppable "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro.

I also love the #3 song ... a long, forgotten Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart track that just happens to be one of my favorites by them "Goodbye Baby." (Rumor has it that Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys liked this recording so much he approached Boyce and Hart about possibly producing the next Beach Boys album ... since Brian Wilson just "wasn't himself" lately. Unfortunately, nothing ever came of these discussions ... as it would have been interesting to see what type of approach they would have taken with the band.)

Speaking of The Beach Boys, you'll find them listed in the Music Power / Coming Up portion of the chart with their latest, "Friends." (And I've got to admit that I'm just a LITTLE bit curious about the Speedy and the Alka-Seltzers' recording of "Cathy Lost Her Love Today"!!!) kk

4-27-68 - WISM - Madison, Wisconsin

A three hour drive got you from Madison to Chicago in 1968 and thus, lots of Chicago and Wisconsin bands got their records on Madison radio.

Our famed NC6 were pushing hard on "Honey" to make #1, while obscure area bands got their chances among the 50 groovy songs listed here. Only the Madison Crucibles with their intriguing "Salem Witch Trial" 45 actually was one such in the top 30. Chicago's USA Records signed the Invaders for their new release "The Flower Song" which was this week's "Battle of Sounds Winner!" Likely, the idea was born with FH's 5th Estate ("Ding Dong the Witch is Dead") for the Invaders to do a version of a song from Walt Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" film. I think it came off pretty cool, but never charted nationally. Oddly enough, WISM FM was easy listening music and listed their featured albums and 45s on the survey back side.

-- Clark Besch

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS:

Here are some of the musical events that took place this week in 1968 ...

4/22/68: The fifth album by The Monkees, The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees, is released. This is their first LP NOT to go to #1. Also released today is a new album by a group called The City, “Now That Everything’s Been Said,” which features songwriter Carole King. (This one doesn’t come anywhere CLOSE to #1.)

That night Herb Alpert performs “This Guy’s In Love With You” on his CBS Television Special “The Beat Of The Brass,” singing it to his first wife. The single release of that track, featuring Herb’s vocal, will race up the charts to #1 a few months later, giving Herb his first Billboard #1 Record, after years of success on the charts as an instrumental act, The Tijuana Brass

4/24/68: On the look-out for new talent to sign to their brand new record label, today The Beatles’ Apple Records Company turns down a young David Bowie.

4/28/68: The popular musical Hair moves to Broadway and The Biltmore Theatre, where it will play to 1750 performances.

Richard Harris performs “Didn’t We” and “Camelot” on The Ed Sullivan Show. Talk about your counter-culture … that same night The Seeds make an appearance on the NBC television series “The Mothers-In-Law”.

In something billed as “The H. Andrew Williams Kaleidoscope Company,” Andy Williams welcomes Simon and Garfunkel, Mama Cass Elliott, Ray Charles and Burt Bacharach to his program.

And The Smothers Brothers welcome The Happenings to their program.

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 04 - 29 - 18 )

April 29, 2018, 6:48 am

≫ Next: Forgotten Hits Interviews The Box Tops

≪ Previous: The Saturday Survey (April 28th)

Probably the biggest news story in the world of pop music last week was the announcement that all four members of ABBA had gotten together to record two new songs … the first time the quartet had worked in the studio together in 35 years.

The occasion was to cut a track for the upcoming live ABBA hologram tour where (in their words) avatars of the band in their 1970’s hey-day will perform their hits “live” on stage to the back-up of a real, on stage band. (They thought it would be nice to, in addition to their best known hits, be able to offer something “new” to their audience … so TWO tracks were actually recorded. Man, remember when that used to be called “a single”??!?!!)

ABBA issued this statement regarding this very special announcement:

The decision to go ahead with the exciting ABBA avatar tour project had an unexpected consequence. We all four felt that, after some 35 years, it could be fun to join forced again and go into the recording studio. So we did. And it was like time had stood still and that we only had been away for a short holiday. An extremely joyful experience.
It resulted in two new songs and one of them, ‘I Still Have Faith In You,’ will be performed by our digital selves in a TV special produced by NBC and the BBC aimed for broadcasting in December.
We may have come of age, but the song is new. And it feels good

Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Anni-Frid

Stockholm, Sweden, April 27^th, 2018

Looking forward to the NBC television special.

Frannie and I are both life-long ABBA fans. At the time the most successful band on the planet, ABBA chalked up fourteen Top 40 Hits between 1974 and 1982 here in the U.S., where their popularity paled in comparison to most foreign markets. Six of those made The National Top Ten: “Waterloo” (#6, 1974); “SOS” (#10, 1975); “Fernando” (#10, 1976); “Dancing Queen” (#1, 1976); “Take A Chance On Me” (#3, 1978) and “The Winner Takes It All” (#8, 1980). Other hits like “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “The Name Of The Game” and “Does Your Mother Know” kept their music on the radio throughout their eight-year chart run. Their 1976 hit “Mamma Mia” was used as the basis for a successful musical (and then motion picture) starring Meryl Streep … a sequel to which hits theaters this summer. (kk)

Here's a revealing interview with Fleetwood Mac, about to begin their new tour without Lindsey Buckingham …

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/fleetwood-mac-tour-2018-without-lindsey-buckingham/

Although the hit-making line-up with Buckingham on board brought the band its greatest success, I've also heard that they will use this line-up change as an opportunity to perform more of their pre-Buckingham material in concert this time around.

The one point they do stress in this new interview is that all of the members are proceeding from this point forward as being the new line-up of the band.

Fleetwood Mac seems to be on a media blitz right now … all of a sudden, they're turning up everywhere, pulling out all the stops to promote the new line-up and tour … in fact, fifty more dates have been added to their itinerary!

And, Sirius XM has just announced the launch of a limited Fleetwood Mac Channel that’ll run throughout the month of May! It’ll debut on Channel 30 (most recently The Eagles Channel and then The Billy Joel Channel and then, I believe, The Lynyrd Skynyrd Channel) on Tuesday, May 1^st. (kk)

>>>So today's tribute, put together by Clark Besch, a major Chuck Buell fan and regular FH contributor, is just our way of saluting one of the voices that enriched our lives back in the day. (kk)

Like a Bag of 2 AM Saturday Night White Castles, this is going to take a while to digest!

Whew!

CB ( which stands for "Chicago Boy!" )

I’ve seen enough of those crazy stalker movies to be concerned if Clark took down the dozens of pegboards mounted to his walls filled with these newspaper articles in order to put together this little tribute, but the fact of the matter is, he is an avid radio fan and collector who, despite living a considerable distance from The Windy City, grew up listening all the same sounds we enjoyed here in Chicago … and he and his brothers documented EVERYTHING, either on reel-to-reel tape records or scrapbooks filled with radio station surveys and newspaper clippings. (It is Clark Besch who has provided all of the national surveys being used in this year’s Saturday Surveys feature … which will include a survey from each and every one of our 50 United States before the year is over!)

So please take this as the highest compliment that he shared this collection with our readers today, especially since he had the pleasure of listening to you in a variety of different cities over the years. (kk)

I don't think I ever heard of Chuck Buell at WLS. I went to sleep at night listening to Chicken man at 10:15 and woke up to the farm report at 6:00.

Dennis

I think you’re scrambling your memories a little bit.

Chickenman ran on WCFL beginning in 1966, cashing in on the Batman television craze. It was the brainchild of Dick Orkin who voiced THOUSANDS of commercials widely heard here in Chicago over the past five decades. (Orkin just recently passed away.) The original series ran until about 1970 but was brought back several times after that.

The Farm Report began in the 1920’s and ran early mornings on WLS … in fact, prior to their switch over to Top 40, it may have been what the station was best known for. (That and the National Barn Dance!)

By the mid-‘60’s it was gone.

Chuck Buell joined the station in 1968 (exactly 50 years ago!) He was part of the new team of young jocks recruited for the station by Program Director John Rook. (Others included Kris Erik Stevens, who were then followed by John Records Landecker and Bob Sirott after Rook jumped ship to run WCFL.) Along with the likes of Super Jock Larry Lujack, Fred Winston and others, WLS continued to rule the airwaves in the teen market. (Buell left in 1972.)

Check out our Saturday Surveys feature to see the May 6^th, 1968 chart announcing Chuck’s arrival in Chicago! (kk)

Kent,
I really enjoyed today's FH, especially there at the end with the article about SUNDAY IS A LONG DAY FOR RADIO LISTENERS. Boy, was this ever true for me!
Here in OKC we had two top 40 stations, WKY and KOMA. They played just the basic tunes on Sunday evenings that they played during the week ... no special programs as such. Later on in the mid-sixties I had discovered WLS, KMOX, and KOIL in other states and could pick them up at nights if the atmospheric conditions warranted. A lot of these stations, including KOMA as well here in OKC, started having special programs on weekends with themes like "million dollar weekends" with every song being a "solid gold" song. I discovered that your Art Roberts did a two hour show on Sunday nights called HEY BABY, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG. Years ago when I was doing my Wax Museum on KOMA at my suggestion and to which management agreed, the show came on Sunday nights for five hours beginning at 9 pm OKC time and ending at 2 am. I always thought that the special programming should wind down the weekend on radio. Getting off the air at 2 am Monday morning allowed me to listen to Joe Donovan on WHAS out of Kentucky. He played oldies overnight at that hour (3 am his time), including the odd and obscure records. In fact, on more than one occasion if I heard an odd or rare record I hadn't heard in a long, long time (at least here on OKC radio), I would get it out and play it the following week if I were able to work it in on the particular show that I was doing. Again, another great FH.
Larry Neal

FH Reader Danny Guilfoyle tells us about the recent Rochester (New York) Music Hall Of Fame induction ceremony … which included Paul Simon …

Here are some notes on Rochester talent — this year’s Rochester Music Hall of Fame inductees ... not like Chicago but we’re proud of what we’ve got.

http://www.jeffspevak.com/in-case-you-missed-it-paul-simon-and-those-rochester-connections/

And, speaking of Chuck Buell, he just sent us this …

A few days ago, Kent, you mentioned that the 40th Anniversary of “Grease” was upon us.

You, of course factually, were acknowledging the movie“Grease." But for us purists who were lucky enough to see the first raw presentation, “Grease” first and officiallypremiered in a dusty and dark subterranean theater in Chicago on February 5th, 1971, SEVEN years earlier!

The theater was the small and intimate Kingston Mines Basement Theater on North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. While this historic site has since been demolished, it was on one of those cold Chicago February nights in early 1971 that maybe a hundred of us or so walked down those old stairs, filling the limited space as we took to our seats on cold, metal high school football stadium style, armless benches. ( Or maybe they were splinter-laded wooden benches … that part I may not be real clear about! ) But, nevertheless, it was from that authentic seating that we all unknowingly watched with an abundance of fun what would later become one of the most successful musicals in its infancy.

The set was simple … some would say bordering on amateurish … but it did not take away from the rough, realistic story that unfolded before us, not at all like the slick and sleek polished performances with additional “new” songs that followed in the years after on Broadway, in a movie and on a live TV Special.

Equally unknown to us at the time was that we were also watching a young Northwestern College Student in her early acting career whom we would see many times again later on as her career grew into a huge success.

When the show was optioned for Broadway, she was the only one of the original cast members who was asked to be in the Broadway cast. But she declined. Why? She wanted to continue to focus on her studies in school, plus she thought the show would bomb on Broadway. After graduating, however, Mari Lou Henner revised her original “Grease” role as Marty and performed with the national tour.

Years later, (OK, for the record, it was decades later, in 2017! ), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get the Official Sandy Grease Holiday Audio Ornament!

It pushed my button, and when I push hers, she does actually sing that, yes indeed, I am the One That She Wants!
(I evidently can't share Chuck's Sandy ornament on the website - but if you click the download button below, you can see it on your own computer's media viewer.) kk

Chuck Buell

CB ( which stands for “Curtain-Call Boy!” )

Chicago can certainly be proud that “Grease” has its roots here. It played here for YEARS before catching on nationally after its Broadway run. Revivals continue to make their way back thru Chi-Town (often with music specially written for the film now incorporated into the stage musical, if only because this material has become SO familiar to us over time.) But yes, it all started here way back when.

Honestly, the Barry Gibb-written theme song always struck me as odd … it sounded nothing at all like a ‘50’s tune … and was, in fact, very contemporary for its time, almost disco-tinged in a way. (Of course by the time it was released in 1978, both The Bee Gees and The Four Seasons had had quite a bit of success with their disco tunes!)

Nevertheless, it’s a good song, and hit #1 on all the major charts, giving Frankie Valli THREE #1 solo hits to go along with the six he earned with The Four Seasons. (kk)

>>>Almost impossible to think that this film (REEFER MADNESS) is now 90 YEARS OLD!!! (kk)
That would mean it was released in 1926, prior to the first known sound film. Try again.
BOB FRABLE

Sorry … my fault ... typo … 80 YEARS OLD.

(I know what you're thinking ... what the hell was HE smoking?!?!)

Still pretty amazing 'tho!

The film was released in 1936. (kk)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0028346/?ref_=nv_sr_1

I was happy to see a chart from WISM in Madison featured in your Saturday 1968 chart feature. This was one of the stations that I grew

up with. Living in a rural county adjacent to Madison we would listen

to WISM during the day until they dropped their power at 6:45 pm. As

the night fell, WLS would come in clearer and we were set for more Top

40 greatness. Jonathon W. Little became a Madison radio legend at that station as a dj and Music Director. He programmed many records that I grew up thinking were number one smashes. Later when I got my first Joel Whitburn book, I realized how many songs were regional hits. John Little's sister Jane was a member of the Underground Sunshine that made it to American Bandstand with a cover of the Beatles' Birthday. WISM played many songs from Milwaukee and Chicago bands. That is where I heard the song Lake Shore Drive for the first time. Thanks again for your Saturday chart feature.

Phil - WRCO

Kent,
I noticed that towards the bottom of WISM's survey was THE UNICORN by the Irish Rovers. That same week here in OKC, it was at the top of the survey. WKY was known to play some records earlier than most stations. I also noticed the PIC-HIT of the week by the group Salt Water Taffy. Turned out to be somewhat of a hit here in OKC. Don't know if it charted in Chicago.
Larry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE3zy173BZA

Nope, no Salt Water Taffy here in Chicago … and it didn’t do much nationally either … it bubbled under in Billboard at #105 … but did reach #84 in Record World. (Looks like it was WKY’s pick hit that week, too!) As for “The Unicorn,” it debuted nationally on March 16^th, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day (which I’m sure was no coincidence.) I also see The Box Tops holding in the #5 position with “Cry Like A Baby” … watch for our interview with The Box Tops, coming up next week in Forgotten Hits! (kk)

↧

Forgotten Hits Interviews The Box Tops

April 30, 2018, 3:45 am

≫ Next: Tuesday This And That

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 04 - 29 - 18 )

We had a chance to visit with The Box Tops the other day and wanted to share our conversation with our readers.

The band currently consists of original bassist Bill Cunningham, original guitarist Gary Talley and our long-time friend of Forgotten Hits, Rick Levy, who acts as both manager and musical director for the band. Ron Krasinski on drums and Barry Walsh on keys round up the current-day line-up and the band perform with a full horn section, helping them to recreate the true Memphis sound.

The band broke through in a VERY big way in 1967 with their first hit record, “The Letter.” (You can't have a much bigger debut record than "The Letter"… it topped the national charts for four weeks and ended up as The Record Of The Year on many year-end charts. Here in Chicago, I think it was #1 for something like seven straight weeks!)

The hits kept coming … “Neon Rainbow” (#16, 1967); “Cry Like A Baby” (#2, 1968); “Choo Choo Train” (#17, 1968); “I Met Her In Church” (#29, 1968); “Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March” (#22, 1969); “I Shall Be Released” (#67, 1969); “Soul Deep” (#11, 1969); “Turn On A Dream” (#31, 1969) and “You Keep Tightening Up On Me” (#70, 1970) … ten chart hits in all including eight that made The Top 40 and two that made The Top 10, one of which went all the way to #1.

And then it was all over.

Although The Box Tops initially split up in 1970, these guys have not been strangers to the music scene in the years that have passed since.

Bill's father Buddy was a studio drummer for Sun Records in the '50's and even performed on a couple of early Elvis Presley sessions. Bill’s brother, B.B. Cunningham, Jr., was a member of The Hombres and sang lead on their Top Five Hit "Let It Out" in 1967.

The list of artists Gary has worked with over the past three decades is astounding … everyone from Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings to Tim McGraw to Billy Joe Royal to Hank Ballard to John Phillips (of The Mamas and the Papas) to Pat Boone to Sam Moore (of Sam And Dave) to Tammy Wynette … and dozens and dozens more.

The Box Tops got back together in 1996 to record some new music and started gigging again with Bill, Gary and Alex Chilton on board. (Original organist John Evans and drummer Danny Smythe left right after they broke big … and were replaced by Rick Allen and Tom Boggs respectively.)

Without question, The Box Tops were defined by the soulful sound of lead singer Alex Chilton … but sadly, he passed away eight years ago of heart failure. Their music is still heard on the radio every single day, some fifty years later, and still sounds just as bright and innovative as ever.

A couple of years ago Rick Levy got the idea to see if there might be any interest in putting the band back together and contacted Bill Cunningham and Gary Talley to see if they might want to give it a shot. Everything clicked immediately and they have been performing ever since, landing all kinds of gigs on the casino circuit, some of the oldies “Flower Power” and “Where The Action Is” cruise ships, a key spot on The Happy Together Tour and a number of headlining solo gigs. (They’ll be appearing this Friday Night, May 4^th, at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL, along with Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night.)

kk / Forgotten Hits: Let’s go back to the beginning. We hear stories all the time about these bands who toiled in bars and on the circuit for YEARS before finally earning their big break and then being perceived as an “overnight success” by the fans out there buying their music … but The Box Tops couldn’t have been together all that long when you made your first record. Bill, you were all of 17 when this was happening! And Gary was 20. What was it like to be thrust into the spotlight at such an early age – literally overnight … and how did you deal with it?

GARY TALLEY: We all still lived with our parents! I had the same friends, went to the same church, etc. The demands of being on the road constantly were difficult ... lack of sleep, inconsistent diet, etc. Having money was great ... I paid cash for a ’68 GTO and bought too many guitars.

BILL CUNNINGHAM: Growing up in Memphis and around my dad and brother, both of whom were in the music business, made my progression imaginable. Of course, I felt extremely lucky.

kk: How did The Box Tops come to be signed to Mala / Bell Records? Was it a “discovery” process or did your management team bring you into the studio to see what you’d sound like on a record?

BILL: Reportedly their representative stopped by the studio to pick up tapes from another artist, heard The Letter, and made an offer immediately. Studio connections were already established. Our manager was a DJ and had worked with The Devilles to record a couple of locally distributed singles during the mid 60s, before we morphed into The Box Tops.

GARY: Larry Utall, President of Bell Records, came to hear the new Sandy Posey tracks. Chips Moman played him “The Letter” and he wanted to sign the group immediately.

kk: Did you know once you’d recorded it that “The Letter” was going to be a big hit? (Sometimes after a particularly good recording session, the artist just KNOWS that they’ve cut something special. We hear stories all the time about the producer or engineer declaring something to the effect of “Gentleman, you just made a #1 Record.”) Personally, I like several of your other singles better than this one … but clearly I am in the minority in this regard. THIS is the record that pushed you guys over the top.

BILL: I thought it would do well in Memphis and generate a number of local gigs, but I never considered it might do more.

GARY: I had no idea. I was shocked when it climbed the charts and hit #1.

kk: Suddenly you’re out on the road touring … doing television appearances … and laying down new tracks in the studio. What are some of your favorite memories of this era … and who are some of the other artists you worked with back then, sharing the stage?

BILL: We strived to improve our live shows to better compete with the other artists with whom we shared the stage. In those early days, The Beach Boys and The Doors were two groups with whom we played that I held in high regard. However, there were so many sounds and artists. I took it all in. It was an exciting and busy time.

GARY: It was a thrill to work with the Beach Boys and get to know them. Other highlights were meeting Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Lovin’ Spoonful and seeing Cream, Procal Harum, Delaney and Bonnie, Steppenwolf and so many others.

kk: The pressure of this pace had to be taking its toll. Shortly after those first recordings were made, John Evans (organ) and Danny Smythe (drums) left, right after the band broke big. Suddenly half the band is gone! What was it like trying to find replacements for these members while all this success and commitments were going on?

BILL: I wondered if Danny and John’s leaving would destroy our sound and wondered about the potential impact. The replacements were selected by our management; the group had no say about the matter, or so it seemed. That said, both Tom Boggs and Rick Allen came from well-known Memphis groups: Tom from Tommy Burk and The Counts and later Flash and The Board of Directors; Rick from The Gentrys. Most of the perceived change came from various personality mixes and group interaction. Looking back, I now see the important contribution that Gary and I offered to our sound, in addition to Alex’s voice. In a way, the three of us formed the foundation of the group.

GARY: All of the hiring and firing was basically left up to our manager, Roy Mack.

kk: The band split up within a few years of their initial success. What were some of the internal pressures that led to the break up of the band?

BILL: From my perspective, there were tensions, aggravated by grueling schedules and bad management. A couple of the guys wanted to replace one of the others; two others wanted to replace another. I always abstained, fearing that changing members while on top of the charts was risky at best. Later, I left the group to return to school. Within a few months, they had replaced those members (and me, of course). Maybe Gary can fill in some of the remaining months’ pressures.

GARY: Some of the new members didn’t get along with each other. The band didn’t sound as good live and it was frustrating. I was literally sick from touring. When Alex decided to quit in early 1970, I quit, too.

And then suddenly, within the blink of an eye, fifty years went by!

The Box Tops did reunite briefly in the late ‘90’s to do some shows and record a new album … but then lead singer Alex Chilton died and once again everything ground to a halt.

Then, a couple of years ago, Rick Levy (who has worked with a number of big '60's acts, such as Tommy Roe, Herman's Hermits, Jay and the Techniques, Freddy Cannon and several others) comes along and says "Hey, let's revive the band."

kk: Rick, I guess the first question would have to be "How'd you even find these guys???"

RICK LEVY: I met Gary in 1996 in Nashville while shooting a TV show with Jay Proctor (Jay & the Techniques) at Union Station. We chatted, and he told me of plans for all the original founding members of the BOX TOPS (Alex, Gary, Danny, John and Bill) to cut some tracks in Memphis.

We met for lunch, and had a long conversation about my involvement in the business as a player and manager / booker (Jay, Freddy Cannon, Dennis Yost, Barbara Lewis, etc.) The Techniques’ calling card was that we were such a tight, good band that we usually backed up the other acts on a package.

I went to Memphis, stayed for a few days, listened to the sessions ... which became TEAR OFF, a great album … and talked with the guys about my helping them get some dates. Well, that turned into 14 years, right up until Alex's death. All of this was going on through my tenure with Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Jay & the Techniques, Tommy Roe, etc., so I did not perform with the Box Tops from 1996 – 2010 … I was strictly their manager, handled their bookings, etc. It wasn’t until 2015 that Bill, Gary, and I discussed putting the act back together.

Bottom line ... We hit the road in 2016. Gary got some fabulous sidemen, Ron Krasinski on drums and Barry Walsh on keys … plus we use horns that we get locally for each show for the true Memphis sound.

My role is manager, liason with Paradise Artists, our agency (they signed us after seeing us several times on the HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR ... I’ve known them for years and things are moving along nicely) and, as an added bonus, I get to perform every night with the band!

kk: Had you two stayed in touch during all this time? I know Rick talked about a Box Tops reunion in the late '90's but after Alex's death had the two of you been talking about reviving the band again … or did that almost seem insurmountable in light of his passing?

BILL: Alex’s passing shut me down for years. People would ask us to play shows, but I didn’t think it worth the effort, and I was uncertain whether we could produce something worth seeing. Years later I saw Gary in Nashville before a session I was to do. Gary came along and the producer invited him to play, too. As soon as we started to play together on the first track, I could tell there was something special. After the session, Gary and I discussed working together again.

GARY: I really didn’t think we’d ever play again after Alex died. His voice was the most identifiable part of our sound. Six years went by, Bill and I played an a session in Nashville and we began to entertain the idea of playing together again. We set up a rehearsal with drummer Ron Krasinski, and keyboardist Barry Walsh, who’d played with us before and it went really well.

kk: The most obvious question has to be regarding the missing element of lead singer Alex Chilton. His sound was SO unique … for most of us, The Box Tops were defined by that sound. You had to know going into this that there would be a lot of flack about not being able to create that sound on stage with the new band.

BILL: I thought Alex’s voice was critical to our sound … and it was. However, once I recognized what Gary and I had brought to our sound, instrumentally and vocally, I began to believe we could indeed offer something. It was an awakening that was hard for me to accept. Basically, the decision for me was affected by the answers to two questions:

1) Do we let fake groups cover our songs and dupe audiences, if we aren’t playing? And …

2) Can we offer the songs in a respectable and entertaining way?

GARY: I was worried about being accepted as a singer and being compared to Alex. I think Bill and I have become more comfortable in performing the songs, and there has been surprisingly little criticism about doing the songs without Alex as lead singer.

kk: One thing people have to realize is that at this point having Alex upfront is no longer an option. It’s sad and unfortunate ... but also a very simple and true fact. So in order to keep this great music alive, you guys have done the next best thing … and who better to present it than two of the guys who were there at the beginning?

BILL: Every night, before we perform “THE LETTER," I make it a point to thank all the fans on behalf of the original BOX TOPS … Alex Chilton, Danny Smythe, John Evans, Gary and myself.

We loved those guys ... but in the almost 100 shows we have played during this short 2 1/2 years' renaissance, I can count on one hand the number of comments I’ve hear expressing disappointment that Alex wasn’t there or that something was missing. His widow saw us in California, and hugged us all afterwards, saying how fantastic we sounded, and Alex would be proud and happy.

kk: Well, let me just say that the reaction to the reunion has been immediate … phenomenal … and even a bit overwhelming! The Box Tops are already playing oldies cruises, partaking in The Happy Together Tour, the upcoming American Pop Tour with The Buckinghams and The Grass Roots as well as headlining their own shows. (They'll be appearing at The Arcada Theatre this Friday night, May 4th,co-headlining with Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night … and tickets are still available at www.oshows.com.) What are some of the things you're hearing from the fans now that you're back in front of an audience again?

BILL: The audience and fan reaction has been very positive, which gives us the energy and confidence to continue. Even Alex fans have remarked how fun the show is! It’s such a pleasure to bring a smile to the faces and memories to the minds of those who come out to see us.

GARY: I’m really glad the audiences have been so receptive. It has been wonderful to be performing again. I’m happy about the cohesive sound of our rhythm section and the addition of Rick Levy on guitar and vocals is a definite plus.

RICK: As a long time manager and bandleader, I have never seen a group ... that has been out of the public eye for a significant period of time ... come back with such a rapid rise and critical acclaim from fans and promoters alike. The show is well-structured and well-paced, covering many aspects of the ‘60s Memphis music scene that soaked into the blue-eyed soul sound of the BOX TOPS.

kk: I've seen The Box Tops perform a couple of times now and it is a very satisfying show. They don't hide from their past … in fact, they celebrate it with movies and slides playing on the backdrop behind them while they perform their hits (and the hits of other artists from this era, many with a strong Memphis sound.) They admirably handle the vocals without trying to imitate Chilton … yet still retain much of the same feel of the original recordings. If you’re able to catch these guys in concert, you won’t be disappointed. Of course, you can keep up with all of the latest Box Tops news (including upcoming tour dates) here: https://boxtops.com/

RICK: Here’s what we know so far …

May 4^th– The Arcada Theatre with Chuck Negron

June 10^th - Ramshead ... Annapolis, MD ... headliners

June 15^th– The Golden Nugget … Las Vegas ... headliners

June 16^th - Dosey Doe … The Woodlands … Houston, TX … headliners

August 4^th– Daryl’s House / Club ... Pawling, NY … headliners

August 8^th - Cape May, NJ, Convention Hall ... headliners

August 25^th - Kool Deadwood Nights, Deadwood, SD ... headliners

Plus March 30^th - April 6^th, 2019 - Flower Power Cruise with The Beach Boys, Tommy James, The Yardbirds, Jefferson Starship and more …

plus they also have several American Pop Shows in the works, and headline shows are being negotiated in NYC and Dallas.

Be sure to check the website for updates as new shows are being added all the time.

left to right: Gary Talley, Barry Walsh, Rick Levy, Ron Krasinski, Bill Cunningham

Gary, Bill and Rick

↧

Tuesday This And That

May 1, 2018, 4:19 am

≫ Next: Thursday This And That

≪ Previous: Forgotten Hits Interviews The Box Tops

Hi Kent,

I landed a rare interview with Herb Alpert in 1977 while working as a writer / producer with "American Top 40." I was particularly jazzed by this opportunity as it was Alpert's success with the Tijuana Brass that inspired me to take up the trumpet when I joined my school band in Fourth Grade, a mere ten years earlier.

I conducted the interview in Herb's office on the A&M Records lot on an afternoon in March. I specifically was curious about his decision to cut a vocal record, "This Guy's In Love With You," in the midst of an unbroken string of hit instrumentals. This was the most comprehensive answer I have ever heard, before or since, on the subject.

"I was getting ready to tape a TV special, "The Beat of The Brass," for CBS and during rehearsals the director, Jack Haley Jr., came to me and said, 'You have that damn horn in front of your face in every segment of the show. We need to do something with you without the trumpet. Can you sing?'

"So I told him, 'yeah' -- before the Brass, I had cut several records as a vocalist and, with the right song, I could do a passable job. So I went to Burt Bacharach, who was signed to A&M, and I asked him if he had something that might be a good fit for me. He remembered a tune that he and Hal David had demoed on Dionne (Warwick) a couple of years earlier, but had never released.

"As we were wrapping up the taping of the special, I went into the studio and cut the song, including a bridge on trumpet, and we turned it into a segment on the show. Response was so good when the program aired that we released it as a single and it became the biggest hit I ever had."

The irony of landing his only Number One hit with a vocal performance when he was the top-selling instrumentalist in the world was not lost on Herb. However, two years after our interview, he finally topped the charts with the hit instrumental "Rise."

By the way, while I was on my way back to my office following our conversation, Herb called my office and spoke with my boss, evidently saying something to the effect of "Where'd you find this kid? That was one of the better interviews I've ever done."

As I was still fairly new on the job, and probably still on some sort of probationary status, that call from Herb certainly helped cement my position with the company and "AT40." Despite many future visits to A&M, I never ran into him again or got the chance to thank him for such a nice, thoughtful gesture. So … if you happen to read this, Herb ... It was always a real bonus when meeting a musical hero to find them to be a splendid human being as well.

And thank you, too, Kent!

Regards,

Scott Paton

What a great story. Despite all his riches, Herb Alpert still strikes me as a very down-to-earth man … certainly blessed and appreciative of the career he has had … but also willing to share that cheer and good feeling with others he meets along the way.

When we saw him at The City Winery last year, after he was prompted to sing his #1 Vocal Hit, he consented but offered the disclaimer: "My voice isn't what it never was."

While he only topped the chart twice in Billboard (with “This Guy’s In Love With You,” #1 for four weeks in 1968 and “Rise,” #1 for two weeks in two weeks in 1979), he did reach #1 in Cash Box Magazine with with his late 1965 instrumental hit, “A Taste Of Honey.” (kk)

Kent,

The ABBA return news stirred up one of my personal favorite concert memories. I was one of the fortunate Americans to actually see ABBA in concert. The concert was held at the Milwaukee Auditorium in the late seventies. The Auditorium seated only about 7,000 fans, as ABBA had not reached the heights in the US that they had in the rest of the world, and the concert produced very little buzz here in Milwaukee. I recall the concert being absolutely first-rate, with ABBA doing all their hits spot-on and the ladies demonstrating tremendous charm and stage presence. At the end of the show the band welcomed a large choir of local children on stage to sing “Thank You for the Music”, a wonderful conclusion to a great show. I’ve always felt very lucky to have seen ABBA live and I like to brag to young Mamma Mia fans that I am probably the only person they know who saw the real thing.

Bob Verbos

I never had the pleasure of seeing them live in concerts … one of those regrets I can't undo at this point. I'm not sure I'll buy into the whole "hologram tour"… but I'll definitely be watching the NBC television special to check it out! (kk)

Vintage Vinyl News is reporting of a new Linda Ronstadt tour … and this is something I would LOVE to see! (Special alert to Ron Onesti … this is right in your wheelhouse with some of the special shows you’ve done at The Arcada … no idea what her travel plans are … or what the budget for a show like this would be … but this is DEFINITELY something worth looking into!) kk

Linda Ronstadt Is Returning To The Stage For “A Conversation With Linda”

Maybe Linda Ronstadt can no longer sing but that doesn't mean that she can't talk about her career.
Ronstadt had one of the most diverse music careers in history, starting in folk and country, moving to rock, operetta, big band / pop and mariachi music, seeing success with every change.
Ronstadt retired from music in 2011 and, two years later, revealed that she was suffering from Parkinson's Disease which has robbed her of her storied voice.
On Thursday Night, April 26^th, Ronstadt returned to the stage at the Scottsdale Center For the Performing Arts in Scottsdale, AZ, where she presented "A Conversation With Linda." Included during the evening was an audio - visual presentation on Ronstadt's career told through archival photos, videos and music based on Linda's 2013 autobiography Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir. The presentation was then followed by an audience question-and-answer session.
"A Conversation With Linda" was also presented on Sunday, April 29^th, at the Fox Theatre in Tuscon, AZ … and additional shows are already booked for September 15th at the Angelico Concert Hall in Dominican College in San Rafael, CA, September 21st at the Harris Center at Folsom Lake College in Folsom, CA and on September 29th at Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA.

Let’s see if there is anything we can do to bring this show to Chicago!!! (kk)

Hi Kent,

Thanks so much for your Box Tops Interview! They hit it big because of their special sound. Although Alex Chilton was the big voice of the group, it sounds like they have recreated the sound again.

Bill Cunningham and his family have quite a musical resume. I loved all their songs and currently have "Soul Deep" in my juke box.

But when in doubt ask the master: Was "The Letter" one of the shortest hit records ever made? The only other short record I can think of is "Stay" by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs???

Carolyn

Both of those records clocked in at just under two minutes, two of the shortest #1 Hits on record. “The Letter” ran 1:58 and “Stay” lasted all of 1:37. Other #1 hits that said everything they had to say in under two minutes include “Teddy Bear,” “All Shook Up” and “Surrender” by Elvis, “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am” by Herman’s Hermits (although I think when Peter Noone performs it today it sometimes goes on for about ten minutes … “Millionth verse, same as the first!”), “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons, “The Stripper” by David Rose and “Yakety Yak” by The Cosaters. (kk)

Best Box Tops tune = Soul Deep

John

That’s a great one, all right. I often have a hard time ranking my favorites in any particular order by most artists because they often change depending on my mood at any given particular time. The same would be true of The Box Tops, but (as mentioned in my interview) “The Letter,” their biggest hit, would not even make my Top Five. Like you, I especially enjoy “Soul Deep” … but also “I Met Her In Church,” their rendition of “I Shall Be Released” (my favorite version of this song), “Cry Like A Baby” and “Neon Rainbow.” (I’d even rank “Choo Choo Train” above “The Letter” … but that’s just my own personal taste.)

I recently read Alex Chiton's bio, "A Man Called Destruction" by
Holly George-Warren. I highly recommend it.

Gary E. Myers / MusicGem

Burton Cummings has put his LA home on the market for $4.95 million. (He reportedly bought the property five years ago for $1.75 million … not a bad return on his investment!)

Known locally as “Cummings Castle,” this place has to be seen to be believed … and we’ve got some incredible photos to prove it.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/guess-who-burton-cummings-house/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_4572276

I dunno … Burton and I have become pretty tight over these last few years … think he might let me have it for $4.948 million??? (kk)

A quick triple play from Chuck Buell …

>>>I don't think I ever heard of Chuck Buell at WLS. (Dennis)

Who is this Dennis guy . . . ? I never heard of him!

Chuck Dah-Buell-Ell-Ess!

>>>“The Farm Report,” which began in the 1920s and ran early mornings on WLS Radio prior to their switch over to Top 40 on May 2, 1960, may have been what the station was best known for. That and the National Barn Dance! (kk)

Add to those two well-known historical programs, the last lingering ABC radio network entertainment show on the network-owned WLS, a daily hour-long old-style late morning talkative interruption to the otherwise young-sounding and contemporary Rock ‘n’ Roll music format of the Big 89, “Don McNeil’s Breakfast Club.”

That show began on June 23, 1933, and aired for over 35 years through December 27, 1968. 1968! It continued as a formatically incompatible programming desert for eight years after WLS made the commitment to Rockin’ the Windy City!

I remember the "Club's" last year of 1968, when John Rook, who had been programming WLS for only a short period of time then, brought me into Chicago from Denver, Colorado, to host early evenings. He shared with me some of his battles with the ABC Radio Network Powers in New York. I remember John telling me one of his top priorities was to get that Breakfast Club OFF the air. The Network, however, did not want to let go of such a long-term program that had been on their air for over three decades. While it took Rook around a year to do it, he finally did win his victory and WLS went from a 23-hour a day Top 40 Radio station to a full-blown 24!

Chuck Buell

Yeah, I forgot about that … Don McNeil’s Breakfast Club was a radio institution … and couldn’t have been further from the format WLS had switched over to and their core listening audience. (Were the old folks REALLY tuning in at 5 am to catch Don McNeil and then switching off before the dreaded Jimi Hendrix music started blasting out of their tiny transistor radios?!?!)

Incredible to think that it took THAT long for the station to commit to its new format … but clearly this was more of a “corporate decision” in the hands of parent company ABC than anything the folks running things day-to-day on the local scene would have wanted.

You can find a VERY detailed history of WLS on Scott Childers’ History of WLS Website here … http://www.wlshistory.com/

Well, that was quite a surprise for me when I opened the Forgotten Hits Edition last week and saw the Buell Tribute Clark Besch put together! It was a fun review, albeit in no particular order, spending some time with the collection there! Thanx for the effort, Clark.

Just a couple of clarifications on the two opening audio segments, however; the first voice on this track (KIMN) is NOT me. Apparently, someone sitting in for me one day. The rest of the audio is basically just the full version of "Those Were the Days." I did not sing on that song! {:~}

That is also NOT me on these Coke Spots either. The commercials I was involved with were full singing versions with I doing the taglines at the end. Not I singing on those either! {:~}

Other than those two items, I can't deny any of the stories that followed!

Fun stuff! And, admittedly, those were the days, my Friend!

Chuck

TV ICONS AT EAST COAST COMIC CON

Micky Dolenz (of The Monkees) and Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky and Hutch) at this weekend's East Coast Comic Con at The Meadowlands Expo Center, New Jersey.

(photo by Jodi Ritzen)

Also on Saturday, Micky was presented with the official key to the town of Secaucus, by Mayor Michael Gonnelli, at a Dolenz-sponsored Make-A-Wish event at Charlie’s in Secaucus Saturday.

L-R: Dolenz and Gonnelli

David Salidor

>>>Only the Madison Crucibles with their intriguing "Salem Witch Trial" 45 actually was one such in the top 30. Chicago's USA Records signed the Invaders for their new release "The Flower Song" which was this week's "Battle of Sounds Winner!"

For whatever interest it may be, the Invaders were from Green Bay and had additional 45s on Calendar and Capitol. The Invaders and the Crucibles are both included in my Wisconsin books.
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem

kk,

I was so jealous of WISM back then. They were on 1480 AM in Madison, WI, and I was on 1480 AM In Geneva, IL. We played MOR (Faith, Mantovani, etc.) and there was no way we could pick-up WISM. We protected each other with directional signals. I was in my late-teens and the last thing I wanted to play was MOR.

Jon M

Question from Fred Glickstein of the Flock:

"Did you hear that Bob Dylan's getting back together?"

:- )

↧

Thursday This And That

May 3, 2018, 3:48 am

≫ Next: THE SATURDAY SURVEY: May 5th (1968)

≪ Previous: Tuesday This And That

Hi Kent!
So glad you could make it to the Cornerstones Show Sunday night. Seeing you and your lady’s smiling faces in the second or third row at the Arcada made us all smile.
We are all still buzzing from the strong reaction of the crowd during our performance and the warmth we felt at the merch table afterwards.
I wanted to thank everyone on the Cornerstones team … and the sold out show cried for everybody bringing their A game.
As always, Peace and love -
Rock on!!!
Jimbo

The Cornerstones shows kick ass … every single time … and they've all been sell-outs, proving that there is still a great love for this music (and the opportunity to see it performed live … by the artists who were there at the time.)

The Arcada has already booked another show for November 24th (and odds are this one will sell out, too) … so if you haven't seen this show live yet … or, like me, you're looking forward to seeing again for probably the sixth or seventh time … get your tickets NOW because they won't last long! (kk)

Speaking of which, we're off to see the Ides Of March tonight at Chicago's City Winery … and are taking a few of our readers along to see the show. And then tomorrow night it's back to The Arcada to see The Box Tops and Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night.

LOTS of great shows coming up … be sure to check out the list at the end of today's posting for more details! (kk)

Brian Wilson has postponed all of his May dates to have immediate back surgery.

In a statement Wilson said:

As some of you might know, I have been having some issues wih my back tha has very recently gotten worse. It runs in my family. Carl had back problems as well. My doctors have told me that I need to have back surgery immediately. They are optimistic that this will finally relieve the pain.

Unfortunately, this includes three scheduled dates with The Nashville Symphony at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Meanwhile, Brian's agents are working to rebook some of the missed dates, including a return to Nashville to perform with the symphony in 2019.

Lots of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame stuff going on this week, with the premier of the 2018 Induction Ceremony premiering on HBO this Saturday Night.

FH Reader Tom Cuddy sent us a couple of VERY interesting articles in this regard ... including this first one where Bill Wyman (but evidently not THAT Bill Wyman) ranks EVERY act currently inducted into the hallowed Hall by their "deservability" for being there. It's a rather long ride ... 214 artists are listed ... but you'll find some great commentary on the entire process along the way, echoing many of the same points we have been making for the past two decades.

It'll also inspire you to question what some of your own choices might be in this regard. (Listing Elvis at #4 for example! Seriously?!?!) And it'll make you wonder ... again ... how the heck some of these artists ever got in there in the first place! (There's some great biting commentary here ... and a few opinions that'll have you scratching your head for days!)

You can check it out here: http://www.vulture.com/2018/05/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-artists-ranked-from-best-to-worst.html

And then some more nominees for the "Deserving And Denied" list ... this time chosen by Jon Landau and Steve Van Zandt ...

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: He's the Boss …

But His Associates Have the Power

Jon Landau and Steve Van Zandt are major players when it comes to who gets nominatedfor induction into the Rock Hall of Fame.

When it comes to wielding power inside the walls of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, two people closely associated with Bruce Springsteenare at the top of the list -- his manager, Jon Landau, and his longtime bandmate and close friend Steve Van Zandt.

Both men sit on the nominating committee, which Landau chairs, and both recently talked about future nominees.

Landau was asked by the concert industry publication Pollstar if he's "prepared to switch [the Hall's] emphasis to R&B and hip-hop after all the true rock pioneers are inducted." He says, "The future is not yet written, but my hope is that we continue to recognize the best of the best in every form and every genre. To me, the Hall of Fame is really about what [Motown founder] Berry Gordy called 'The Sound of Young America.' That means we must continue to expand our vision and to be open to every style and sound that can be included under that umbrella."

Van Zandt, in a series of tweets, says the following artists need to be inducted:

Neil Sedaka, The Clovers, The Diamonds, The Jive Five, Link Wray, The Tokens, Procol Harum, The J. Geils Band and Johnny Burnette and The Rock and Roll Trio

Highlights of this year's ceremony -- held April 14th in Cleveland -- will begin airing this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

Also from Tom, this interesting piece on Lou Gramm …

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ott-0217-lou-gramm-20170213-story.html

Another push to help raise funds for the Dick Biondi Documentary that Pam Pulice is putting together.

Here are the latest details …

Hello Friends!
Spring is here and we are pumped, ready for our next challenge — to raise the funds to complete the Dick Biondi documentary this year. That’s right, folks, lots of fundraising events and fun planned for 2018. But first our big news …

PBS
We are delighted to announce that Mr. Dan Soles, Senior Vice President and Chief Television Content Officer for WTTW, has voiced his support for our project!  Is there a more fitting place than Channel 11 to broadcast this Chicago story? With WTTW on board, we can offer our Sponsors the opportunity to have their business or group identified with the Dick Biondi film on PBS broadcast television — exciting stuff!

Chicago Filmmakers Open Screening
Our 21 minute prevue of THE VOICE THAT ROCKED AMERICA: THE DICK BIONDI STORY received accolades at the March 21st Open Screening at Chicago Filmmakers.  The room was filled with filmmakers, film lovers, my sis Bev Boynton, and friends Connie Jeffrey, Tom Filipino, and Mike Wolstein, who was wearing his Dick Biondi tee shirt. What a feeling to see our movie on the big screen and to receive positive feedback!  Now at last we have something to show to individuals, groups, and sponsors who wish to help us complete our movie.  Hey hey hey — we’re on our way!

Our First Sponsorship
I am delighted to announce the Italian American Executives of Transportation is the first group to sponsor the Dick Biondi documentary!  IAET is a very prestigious organization established in 1964. Their mission is charity, education, good public image of Italians in the community, and culture.   IAET’s President, Mr. Vito D’Ambrosio, recognizes Dick Biondi as a representation of Italian Americans in the community.   He writes:
“We feel you exemplify good public image and have added greatly to culture.”
The group plans to present a Special Recognition Award to Dick for his accomplishments in broadcasting at their annual Dinner Dance in November. We are honored to partner with IAET and will be grateful for the opportunity to publicly thank the group and to see our old friend Dick accept this prestigious award.

Seeking Sponsors
Our goal is to find our partners who will make it possible to finish the movie in 2018.  Our movie budget is $167,000, which covers the cost of music and media rights, post production, and pay all the people who worked on a deferred basis.  With funding, I believe we could finish in a matter of months.  Our ultimate goal is for Dick and Maribeth to be at the Premier, surrounded by friends, family, and peers.  And afterwards, have a BIG appreciation party for Dick Biondi!  Time is of the essence. Dick will be 86 in September and has been off air since last spring due to a leg ailment.  We really need to get this done.
If you or someone you know would like to have their name or group associated with the Dick Biondi Film by making a Tax deductible donation  please visit our Donate Page …
https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/donate/
Consider making a donation in a loved one’s name or asking your employer to match funds.

2018 Screenings
Come out and join in the fun, watch our Prevue of the Dick Biondi documentary followed by a Q&A with the Director, and meet fellow Biondi lovers. In July, the talented Ronnie Rice will talk about his friendship with Dick Biondi and Dick’s impact on the music scene in the sixties.  Watch for added dates and events on our Facebook Page. Special thanks to Cathy Kulawik and Connie Jeffrey for their research.
May 20 2:00 PM Michigan City Library, Michigan City, Indiana
June 5 1:00 PM Fremont Library in Mundelein, Illinois
July 1 2:00 PM Sulzer Library, Chicago, IL with special guest Ronnie Rice, formerly of the New Colony Six
Do you know of a great place to have a screening in your neighborhood? Let’s talk … 630-670-8411.

We Need Your Support
Thanks to our generous Donors, we have raised $13,847 on our GoFundMe page! But we could really use your support. Imagine if all of our 111 Subscribers would chip in $10 —we could reach the $15,000 mark and fund our Screener!  If you have not yet made a donation will you consider doing it now?  it would feel amazing to say, “Thanks—we did it!” https://www.gofundme.com/xh9xgg

Announcements
Check our Facebook page for air date for a fun conversation with John Herbach and Pat Lauth of WNBI-LP Radio and J.R. Russ, who is the driving force behind the website www.WCFLchicago.com.   — you might even hear a knock knock joke.
We want to thank Tony Langone, President of the Italian American Police Association of Illinois for inviting us to present our Screener at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison in April.  What a great group of people they are. We thank you Tony, for the invitation and for the wonderful hospitality, and hope to see you again!

In closing
As independent filmmakers know only too well, the most difficult part of movie-making is funding. It requires us to put ourselves out into the world to find our golden donors, sponsors, and grantors. Since most documentaries don’t make a profit, and often don’t break even, independent documentary filmmaking requires great passion, persistence, and a loving supportive community.   Thank you for your loving support and for being part of our community!
With love and gratitude,
Pam Pulice
Director, The Dick Biondi Film
(630) 670 - 8411
Film website
Daily Herald article
Tax deductible donations
All donations to this project are tax- deductible and will be received through our fiscal sponsor, Chicago Filmmakers, which is a Non-Profit 501(c) 3 organization.
Checks can be made payable to Chicago Filmmakers — please write "Dick Biondi Project" in the memo line.
Mail to:
Dick Biondi Project c/o Chicago Filmmakers
5720 N. Ridge Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660

I don't know if you've seen this …

Casa Kane County Benefit Concert … casakanecounty.org

May 15th at the DuPage Airport.

Featuring Steve Azar and the Kings Men, The Ides of March and John Waite.

$200 per person including cocktails and gourmet food

Thank you -
Steve Sarley

More great Arcada shows coming up:
Gene Simmons of Kiss - TONIGHT
Chuck Negron (of Three Dog Night) and The Box Tops - tomorrow night, May 4th
Dweezil Zappa - May 6th
Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone - May 13th
Yes - June 5th and 6th
.38 Special - June 8th
Dave Mason and Steve Cropper - July 11th
BJ Thomas - July 12th
Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon, Jay Siegel's Tokens and Larry Chance and The Earls - July 15th
Ronnie Spector - September 9th
Pablo Cruise - September 15th
Tommy James and the Shondells - September 22nd
The Bay City Rollers - September 23rd
Ambrosia and Orleans - September 27th
Richard Marx - October 4th
Blue Oyster Cult - October 12th
April Wine - October 19th
America - November 16th and 17th
Cornerstones Of Rock - November 24th

↧

THE SATURDAY SURVEY: May 5th (1968)

May 5, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 06 - 18 )

≪ Previous: Thursday This And That

5-5-68 WBBF Rochester, New York

Back up north, Rochester was rolling in RnB too, but with much more diversity on their top 55. Seeing lesser hits from Ray Stevens and the Cowsills in the top 10 here show the importance of smaller market breakout hits that do make inroads into the national charts. Here, the Swampseeds are moving up fast with their Mick Jagger sounding vocal bubblegumer, "Can I Carry Your Balloon" and Genesis' early 45, "Angeline," is the Pick Hit. No, it's not the famous band from England (who also released THEIR first 45 about this time in 1968!), but a Jefferson Airplane sounding psych band from LA. White Levi's were the fashion statement of 1968, as shown on the survey's "back side."

LOL ... Look how the Levi's ad was designed to just drop in the call letters of the various radio stations across the country running the ad on that week's survey! (Could it look any sloppier or home made???)

Remember those Jefferson Airplane Levi's ads???

Clark's selected tracks show how much heavier things were starting to sound on the AM dial in May of 1968. I personally was still more interested in the pop sounds.I love, for example, the fact that Ray Stevens has the #2 Record this week ... it didn't fare anywhere near as well nationally (#44 in Cash Box ... and only #52 in Billboard). I wouldn't discover the record until a couple of years later when Ray hosted his own television series and performed it there. (It never charted here in Chicago, where Stevens was unrepresented on the charts between 1963's "Harry The Hairy Ape" and 1969's BIG hit "Gitarzan.")

It looks like Chicago's New Colony Six are slowly inching up the chart this week as "I Will Always Think About You" climbs from #17 to #16. (It's already dropped off the chart here at home where it peaked at #1 a couple of months earlier.)

The Lemon Pipers jump TWENTY places with their follow-up to their #1 Hit "Green Tambourine" ... "Jelly Jungle" looks to be another smash for the group. (In reality, it didn't even crack The Top 40 in Billboard ... nor did their REAL follow-up release, "Rice Is Nice," which stopped at #46.)

It's funny how your mind associates certain songs together based on hearing them being played on the radio at roughly the same time. Two of my all-time favorites make this list ... "I Love You" by People falls from #6 to #8 ... and brand new on the charts this week (premiering at #50) is "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" by Status Quo. (Man, I couldn't get enough of this record when it first came out!) kk

BONUS CHART:
We've already covered Illinois in our weekly trek across The United States ... but as we've done several times already (and will continue to do as this series moves on), here's another special WLS Chart from this date in 1968 ... MOST significant because it commemorates the VERY first week that Chuck Buell (a regular Forgotten Hits contributor for years now) began broadcasting on The Top 40 Giant!

I have to admit that I was a little surprised to find this ... for some reason, I guess I always thought of Chuck as more of a '70's jock at the station ... tied into that whole Kris Erik Stevens / John Records Landecker line-up ... man, what a powerhouse WLS was back then!

Chuck tells us ...

Wow! Nice on-target historical radio hit on your part! First week, yes! Note at the very bottom the same date as this Hit Parade.

Below is this accompanying Full Page Chicago Tribune Newspaper ad that WLS ran at the same time ...

The small text says,

“Chuck Buell. New. Now. Nightly from 6 PM to 10 PM

laying down the much more music sound of ‘LS radio.

Listen close. And, try to keep your cool.

Because … the heat is on.”

I wanted them to add, “And playing tomorrow's Forgotten Hits” but management said, “Buell, we have no idea what you’re talking about!”

It was fun then when a station would actually promote their on-air Radio personalities!

Chuck "Great Buell's A Fire" Buell!

I think what they ACTUALLY said was "Buell, we have NO idea what you're talking about ... and neither do you" ... at least that's the way I heard the story. Who knew that 50 years later we'd both still be famous for what we do ... and what we did! (lol) ALWAYS great to hear from you ... and have you onboard! (kk)

THE MUSIC:

Two of my 1968 favorites made this very special W-Buell-S Chart ...

One of the week's biggest climbers is "Master Jack" by Four Jacks and a Jill, eventually a Top Five Smash ... and brand new on the charts is Neil Diamond's "Brooklyn Roads," still one of my all-time favorites by him! (kk)

THIS WEEK IN 1968:

4/29/68: Brian Wilson’s daughter Carnie is born. As previously discussed, she and sister Wendy, along with Chynna Phillips, daughter of The Mamas and the Papas couple John and Michelle Phillips, will go on to form Wilson Phillips and score three #1 Hits in the ‘90’s.

5/1/68: Paul McCartney and John Lennon attend a Bill Haley concert at Royal Albert Hall in London

5/1/68: The Young Rascals (still billed that way, which is kinda surprising at this point!) appear as guests on a Leslie Uggams television special

5/2/68: The Box Tops receive a gold record for “Cry Like A Baby.” It’s their second (following their #1 Smash “The Letter.”)

5/3/68: The Beach Boys begin a 17 date tour of the United States with a show in New York. The second half of the concert featured the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who lectured the audience on "spiritual regeneration." The reaction was so negative that many of the remaining dates were canceled.

5/4/68: World-famous Model Twiggy recommends young female singer Mary Hopkin to Paul McCartney, who goes on to sign her to Apple Records, where he will produce her first album. Mary’s first single, “Those Were The Days,” will top the charts all over the world. She will also record one of Paul’s songs, “Goodbye,” written especially for her.

5/5/68: The Buffalo Springfield perform their farewell concert at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California. Stephen Stills (and later Neil Young) will form his next group with David Crosby of The Byrds and Graham Nash of The Hollies as Crosby, Stills, Nash (and occasionally Young.) Richie Furay and Jim Messina will form Poco before Messina leaves to team with Kenny Loggins after producing what was supposed to be Kenny’s first solo album.

Also that night, Diana Ross and the Supremes take part in a salute to the music of Irving Berlin on The Ed Sullivan Show. (They perform “Always” … and then a medley with Ethel Merman!!!)

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 06 - 18 )

May 5, 2018, 10:06 pm

≫ Next: A Triple Play Concert Review

≪ Previous: THE SATURDAY SURVEY: May 5th (1968)

On The Radio:

Several readers wrote in to share the GREAT Chicago Tribune article / feature on Me-TV-FM that ran last week. More amazing kudos to the little station who could … as the ratings continue to rise and more and more people discover the music that the rest of radio has forgotten.

High fives all around to Neal Sabin and Rick O’Dell for all they’ve done. (And once again I was right … Neal admits in this article that he built the original playlist around the music he had on his iPod!!! I KNEW it!!!)

Check it out … high praise indeed! (kk)

The fastest-growing radio station in Chicago has no DJs, plays way too many songs, targets aging baby boomers and is so far down the FM dial it can’t be picked up by many car radios.

Also, it’s not technically a radio station.

Three years after launching, MeTV FM’s eclectic soft oldies format has turned a low-power TV signal at 87.7 FM into a top-10 Chicago radio station, confounding competitors and rewriting the unwritten rules of broadcast radio.

“A lot of people think it’s amazing that we’re doing the kind of numbers we are without all those traditional things,” said Neal Sabin, 61, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, which operates the station. “But we’ve broken a lot of radio rules here.”

A Triple Play Concert Review

May 7, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Another Guest Concert Review

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 06 - 18 )

We spent a good portion of this past weekend rockin’ out to the sounds of The Ides Of March, The Box Tops and Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night …

So today we’ve got a Concert Review Triple Play to share with you!

Enjoy!

THE IDES OF MARCH - Thursday, May 3rd - The City Winery

The Ides of March put on another outstanding show at The City Winery Thursday Night - a two-set affair that really showcased the depth and talent of the band.

Photo courtesy of Janet Takayama - City Winery House Photographer

The evening kicked off with more of an acoustic set, which gave the band the chance to play a selection of material that isn't always featured at an Ides show. It really gave them the chance to show off their incredible harmonies … and provided the atmosphere for more story-telling as Jim Peterik and Bob Bergland traced some of the history of the band.

It was a very loose set … very relaxed with quite a bit of clowning around, which showed another side of The Ides that you don't always get to see.

Photo courtesy of Joyce Palulius

After a short break, the band came back (as Jim would say) Full Metal Jacket … and rocked the house with a series of tunes that never let up. Along the way, they were able to showcase some new material, proving once again that they very well may be the Last Band Standing and much more than a nostalgia act.

By the time they got around to their big finish, the whole audience was up on their feet rockin', dancing and singing along, fists high in the air as the band ran thru an absolutely killer .38 Special medley ("Caught Up In You,""Hold On Loosely" and "Rockin' Into The Night"), the likes of which got one of the biggest responses I've ever seen, followed by the show-stopping, one-two punch of the closers "Vehicle" and "Eye Of The Tiger." At that point, I think even Jim would have to admit that he had given everything he had to give.

Next year the original four members of The Ides Of March (Jim Peterik, Larry Millas, Bob Bergland and Mike Borch) will celebrate their 55th year together, an amazing run for four guys from Berwyn who got together in Larry's garage for the first time back in 1964 as young teenagers. (Jim explained that one day Larry knocked on his door, said "Your band sucks - why don't you come join my band"… and he hasn't looked back since.)

After the show they all sat at the merchandise table, signing anything fans wanted to buy, including CD's, calendars, copies of Jim's book and, incredibly, bottles of Ides Of March Wine!!! (Kinda perfect for a City Winery show, don'tcha think?!?!?) You can also purchase this material thru the band's websites:

http://theidesofmarch.com/store/

http://jimpeterik.com/merch/

A great show - a great time - a great band.

Hi Kent,

Wow, what a show The Ides of March put on last night at City Winery! Jim Peterik was on fire as he sang hit after hit, and Larry Millas has his beautiful voice back! Incredible how these guys keep getting better all the time. I never get tired of seeing the choreography on one of my favorite songs, You Wouldn’t Listen. Thanks so much for the winning tickets. My friend Cindy and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening … great food, great wine, and I even purchased a bottle of Ides of March wine. Naturally I had it signed by all the guys.

I was recording when Jimbo made his tribute to the great Dick Biondi, but apparently my phone was full and I got nothing -- Bummer! If anybody captured it, will you please ... pretty please with peanut butter on top of a pizza … send it my way?

Thanks again, Kent …thanks, Jimbo and the Ides, and thanks, City Winery!

Pam Pulice

Director, The Dick Biondi Film

thedickbiondifilm@gmail.com

Film website

Daily Herald article

Tax deductible donations

Kent!

THANK YOU!

That was Fantastic!

Even better than we expected …

WHAT energy and what a great Chicago, Suburbs yet, story.

Realized I HAD of course seen Ides of March at a Sock Hop or something in the early 70's. Batavia or Aurora schoolz, but have wanted to see his Arcada Xmas shows for some time.

WHAT amazing energy and musical professionalism for 50+ year

musicians!

The acoustic ballad treatment first of "Is this Love" followed by adding

other Ides of March originals and then layering ALL the extra horns

and sax at the end was Fantastic!

The purple hair just fits … didn't even renotice it until the end with backlights, like it's been there forever. Maybe it has.

Thx again,

Bill & Jan

Hi Kent!

Thanks so much for coming to the Ides show ... so glad you enjoyed it! We are trying to have more confidence in our deeper cuts and newer songs. It’s time!

The Winery is a good place to make music ... I only wish I had named checked you when you were actually there. Lol!!

Anyway, thanks for all your phenomenal help with your great site. I know it’s a ton of work keeping the flame alive, but it is much appreciated by all.

Voice is ok this morning. By the grace of God. Lol!

Peace.

Jimbo

THE BOX TOPS - Friday, May 4th - The Arcada Theatre

We ran our interview with the original Box Tops Bill Cunningham and Gary Talley (along with Musical Director Rick Levy) last week in Forgotten Hits … so I was looking forward to seeing them perform in concert Friday Night at The Arcada Theatre. (We saw The Box Tops … along with Chuck Negron … perform as part of the Happy Together Tour last year but in that environment, each artist is only allowed to perform four or five songs, so it’s usually restricted to their biggest and best known hits. I was looking forward to seeing the band do a complete set of music to see what else they had to offer in the way of that soulful Memphis sound of the ‘60’s.)

Suffice to say they did NOT disappoint.

Photos courtesy of Luciano Bilotti - Arcada House Photographer

The band performed a top-notch set of material … not only their own hits but several other tracks that exemplified the whole “Memphis Sound” of that era … all pulled off perfectly to a very enthusiastic and receptive audience.

They are able to capture the feel of this era because they lived it … growing up in Memphis, exposed to the whole vibe, they are able to take the audience along for the ride and make them feel it, too.

Their Top Five biggest Top 20 Hits were all presented in excellent fashion … “Cry Like A Baby,” “Neon Rainbow,” “Choo Choo Train,” “Soul Deep” and “The Letter” all sounded as good as they have ever sounded, augmented by a small horn section and accompanied by some great story-telling by Bill Cunningham who, we also learned along the way, played bass on Isaac Hayes’ #1 Hit “Shaft”!!! (Bill’s dad played percussion on some of Elvis Presley’s Sun Studios recordings … and his brother B.B. Cunningham sang The Hombres’ big hit “Let It Out” in 1967.)

The vocals were traded off nicely and geared toward the best vocal range and singing style of each participant. As such, we got to hear Gary Talley covering some of the more gritty vocals, Bill Cunningham adding a slightly softer touch to their sound and Manager Rick Levy putting his all into other Memphis hits like Roy Head’s “Treat Her Right” and B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby." (At one point, Bill even handed his bass off to Rick so that he could take over the keyboards and perform the Booker T. and the MG’s classic “Green Onions.” Now if THAT’S not Memphis soul, I don’t know what is!!!)

Bill Cunningham

Gary Talley

Rick Levy

All-in-all, a very satisfying show … and one definitely worth seeing. (Backstage after the show, Rick and Bill were telling me that they’re working up an arrangement of “Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March” to be added to the set. I would love to see them do “I Met Her In Church” and “I Shall Be Released,” too, as these are two of my VERY favorite Box Tops tracks.)

A highly recommended show … and if you somehow missed our interview with The Box Tops last Monday, here’s the link again …
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2018/04/forgotten-hits-interviews-box-tops.html

Upcoming Box Tops concerts dates can be found here:

https://boxtops.com/tour-info/

Thank you, Kent, and all the Illinois fans who came to see us and the great Chuck Negron at the Arcada Theatre. It was a wonderful evening of music and camaraderie. The consensus I heard over and over again ... "It’s great to see the Box Tops performing again ... I didn’t realize what a great band you are ... or the history you have."

Here’s a stage shot with Bill Cunningham’s impressive video presentation of THE BOX TOPS' history and Memphis 60s music scene. I’m singing lead so it’s either Treat Her Right or Rock Me Baby, both recorded on Box Tops LPs.

THANKS,

KENT

Rick Levy,

BOX TOPS manager / guitarist

CHUCK NEGRON (formerly of Three Dog Night) -

Friday, May 4th - The Arcada Theatre

The plus side of seeing Chuck Negron outside the confines of The Happy Together Tour is that you get to hear a WHOLE lot more great Three Dog Night music … and Chuck ran through the bulk of their hit catalog on stage at The Arcada Theatre Friday Night.

Photos courtesy of Luciano Bilotti - Arcada Theatre House Photographer

He kicked the show off with “Family Of Man,” a long-time favorite of mine (and the one that stuck in my head for the bulk of the following day!) It didn’t really matter who handled the lead on the original recording, they all sounded great as Chuck presented tunes he didn’t get the chance to sing before like “Shambala,” “Never Been To Spain,” “Eli’s Coming,” “Liar” and “Out In The Country.” (Of course he saved HIS biggest hits for the end … “One” and “Joy To The World” closed the show … but he also did his beautiful ballads “Easy To Be Hard” and “Pieces Of April” ... while fan favorites like “Celebrate” and “One Man Band” were also represented.

Chuck looked great and although he did have to pause a few times to take in extra oxygen, he was still able to belt out the songs in fine fashion.

I had hoped to pick up an autographed copy of his book “Three Dog Nightmare” but they had completely sold out before the show even started! (Guess I’ll have to order it online instead … I held off, hoping to get one at the show.)

You can order your copy here, too … and it’s a GREAT read … one of the best rock star bios I have ever read, in fact ... and now greatly expanded with eleven new chapters and over 100 new photos.

http://www.chucknegron.com/

Chuck was very relaxed and entertaining on stage … lots of jokes and kidding around and, at one point, a bit distracted by a front row audience member whose boobs were evidently falling out of her top. (“Oh my God, look at those breasts!” Chuck exclaimed before eventually asking her to please cover up!!! Ahh … the life of a rock star!!!)

Probably not as glamorous a situation today as it was in the ‘70’s … but then again I imagine ANY guy would have to be a bit cautious about over-reacting to such a display after his penis exploded … read the book!

[Aside: How do you know you’re getting old?

Two guys are at Hooters having a drink and ogling the scantily-cad waitresses and the first guy says, “Which one of these girls would you most like to be stuck in an elevator with?”

Second guy replies, “I dunno … I guess the one that knows the most about fixing elevators.”]

But I digress.

Great show … great double bill.

Chuck Negron is back on the Happy Together Tour this year with Mark Lindsay, The Association, The Cowsills, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap and The Turtles (with Ron Dante filling in for an ailing Howard Kaylan) … show dates for that tour can be found via the link below.

https://www.ticketmaster.com/Happy-Together-Tour-tickets/artist/1420805#artist_table_focus

(No Chicago stop scheduled as of yet for this year … Effingham, IL and The Milwaukee State Fair seem to be the two closest locations for 2018)

↧

Another Guest Concert Review

May 9, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Thursday This And That

≪ Previous: A Triple Play Concert Review

How is it possible that I find the performers at my concerts getting better with each show? How can there be Newbies blended into each concert audience who are just now rediscovering the music of their youth? How can I refer to these concerts as ‘my concerts’, and HOW can Emil Stucchio have been married for 56 years? I have no answer for that last question. Ask Emil’s wife. Actually, I cannot give you answers for any of those questions except the one referring to ‘my concerts’. It is a personal experience wherein I feel each performer is singing to me on some level, and that enhances my life.

Who is here? The Coda Band, Emil Stucchio as emcee, The Devotions, Peggy March, The Marcels, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Vito Piccone and The Elegants, Don K Reed pops out of the audience, The Vogues, and Lightning Lou Christie. Whoa Boy! You are all singing your favorite songs already! I have seen all of these performers before, though not all on the same bill. Call it Doo Wop. Call it 60’s. But just call ME to let me know when and where to be.

The Devotions MUST do ‘Rip Van Winkle,’ their 1961 surprise novelty hit. The first time I heard this song live, I was with a large group of friends and we sang the bass line together all the way through, dancing in our seats. It is preceded by (I Love You) ‘For Sentimental Reasons.’ Men are holding the hands of the women next to them. Gee! I hope they all know each other. And singing along … I know this for sure throughout the show, because as the artists change a pause in their songs, I hear the audience continue on. Yes, sing your memories folks!

Drop the “Little” from this woman from Lansdale, PA, and you have the BIG voice of Peggy March. Being the youngest girl ever with a number 1 hit has advantages, the best one being, at its core, that you get to be on American Bandstand one year before your mom says you can join the dancers. The rest of us just had to wait for mom to say ‘yes’, or never appeared on Bandstand at all. American Bandstand was in our living rooms for such a large part of our lives that it really does seem as though I was on it, dancing with others, from my home. What a strong voice Peggy has! ‘The Bandstand Theme,’ ‘Rock Around The Clock,’ ‘Hello Heartache, Goodbye Love,’ and naturally finishing with ‘I Will Follow Him’. I heard this last song on Sirius the next day as they had a 1961 countdown. I listened even closer to the words, while driving in my car. You know, if you change the words to ‘I Will Follow Them’, this song becomes a part of each of us here on Forgotten Hits. We follow them to concerts, wherever they may go … over mountains, rivers and oceans … because the joy they give us, and the memories they revive are priceless. (Well then again, Live Nation has managed to come up with price tags, but I think they are worth more than we pay)

The Marcels! People who have read other reviews know I love The Marcels! Tuxedos are prevalent at this show, and The Marcels run on stage wearing their blue sequin trimmed jacket tuxes. There they go! Spinning, twirling jumping! I am so close, I could jump on stage with them and perform. No. Don’t. They would only trample me. ‘Heartache,’ ‘Goodbye To Love’, and OF COURSE … ’Blue Moon’. Tingles go up my spine and the lady next to me gets so excited, she spills her drink. I feel a few drops on my left foot and she spends the rest of the concert apologizing. I just laugh. All part of the Westbury experience, but it gives her the courage to ask me where my notes will be going. She goes home with the website info, but not my name. I forgot. Sorry. Just too much bop-a-bopping going on for me to remember my name.

Closing the first act is Gary Lewis and the Playboys. OK, NO tuxes here. They are rock-n-roll casual, as I feel they should be. Their first seven recorded songs all made top 10. I realize that I am friends with several former Playboys; and two of them even performed in Gary’s group. (ok, lame ... but the thoughts that spring up during a concert can be unique) A full compliment of hits follow: ‘Count Me In’, ‘Everybody Loves A Clown’, ‘Green Grass’ … “It’s Spring Time” (finally here in the NE) … “We Will Love the Summer Long” (YEAH! So Ready!)

And then: ‘Save Your Heart For Me,’ (at a much slower tempo than I’ve heard before ... has a different love song aura), ‘Sure Gonna Miss Her,’ ‘My Heart Symphony,’ ‘This Diamond Ring’ (kicked The Beatles out of #1 slot) and concluding with their second biggest hit, ‘She’s Just My Style’. As with all the performers tonight, Gary is filled with wonderful stories that wrap around the music and create a life for each number. I wrote down stories from each group and then deleted those notes. It is best to hear them first-hand and for the first-time in a live concert. Then, you will actually enjoy hearing them over and over and over, at each succeeding concert you attend.

THIS WAS JUST THE FIRST ACT AT THIS CONCERT?????

Vito Piccone and The Elegants take center stage throwing red roses into the wave of women in the audience (and wearing tuxes). They have just returned from the Buddy Holly Ballroom Fest, so after opening with ‘Poison Ivy,’ they dedicate ‘Everyday’ to Buddy and his contribution to music.

Another dedication, this time to Ray Charles, brings ‘Georgia’ on to all our minds. Remember the show NAME THAT TUNE? We got to play it with The Elegants and, as an audience, we won; being able to recognize the harmonica opening of ‘Hey! Baby! (will you be my girl?)’. No prizes, but winning was good. It is no surprise to any of you that the final song was ‘Little Star.’ Vito’s acting career is going strong so keep an eye out for a BIG movie coming out with BIG name stars soon (that was an obvious hint).

The Don of Doo Wop, Don K. Reed, comes onstage to talk to Emil. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the DJ’s I know and all who visit this website. Whether you loved your job, hated your job, or fought for and in your job; I want you to know just how you affected me in positive ways. By bringing me news and music through the years, I have found a place to feel welcome, inspired and important. Thank you all.

‘You’re The One,’ Vogues! The thriving metropolis of Turtle Creek, PA, produced a group with the tightest harmonies that has continued through loss of members and the march of time. They are also lively in their song presentations, as they add vim and vigor to their peppy steps. This is the second time I have heard them live and I am just as enamored this time as last. The second song is their 2^ndmillion seller, ‘(You Are) My Special Angel’. The rotating stage has been good to me so far and it now presents the three Vogues full face to my section and creates more hand-holding and even some snogging. I really do hope all these people know each other. The romance continues through ‘Till’ and then, as they present their first million seller, ‘Turn Around, Look At Me,’ they are facing the opposite direction. HEY VOGUES! YOU turn around! Nothing I can do about it, so I will just enjoy the beautiful melody and more striking lyrics. The stage still has not returned full face when they begin their last number, ‘Five O’clock World’. Maybe Troy Elich senses the need of my side of the audience, or maybe he is just a consummate performer, but he leans back and turns to sing a line to my section. Oh yeah, I’m the 5 o’clock girl waitin’! OK, it could be any of the 100 women in my section. But it feels good. I can’t believe how powerful this concert is.

The last act is coming down the ramp. Lou Christie! In a TUX! There are many youtube videos of Lou performing in tuxes, but I have never seen him perform live tuxedo-clad. He begins predictably with ‘I’m Gonna Make You Mine,’ but segues into ‘Love Is A Many Splendored Thing.’ Another new one for me, and such a powerful vocal delivery. Oh my! Being able to walk around the revolving stage gives him an edge about choosing his location for singing, standing still and bowing. GUESS THE NEXT SONG! You wouldn’t ever be correct unless you were aware that Lou had always had a crush on Annette Funicello. Even then, this is a long shot: ‘Meet The Mouseketeers.’ No, I am not kidding. Acappella yet. Then on to the medley of hits: ‘The Gypsy Cried,’ ‘Two Faces Have I,’ and ‘Rhapsody In The Rain.’ During Lou’s performance of ‘Beyond The Blue Horizon’ someone’s phone starts ringing in the section to the right of me. He never missed a note, nor made a comment about it. Brilliant. It distracted me more than him.

Another surprise comes. ‘I Can’t Stop The Rain’ is a song Lou wrote that I have only heard on his website or cd, but tonight he performs it for some of his friends. Sung in English and Italian, it again showcases Lou’s vocal strength. The band starts telling him that time is up (shut up band!) I would have wanted every performer there this afternoon, to come back on stage and repeat the show. But it is time so he finishes with ‘Lightning Strikes’ and then the touching encore, ‘Never My Love.’

This was a difficult review to write because the show was just so good. That sounds awkward, but just how many different ways can you say, “They were good / great”? So I asked myself just how did the environment of this concert affect me personally. I felt charged, exuberant and confident that 2018 is to be my best summer ever. The music will be there for me. It will sustain me, console and comfort me, and encourage me to keep trying, growing and achieving. Come along! Next stop is at Mohegan Sun for The Fab 4.

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

Sounds like a killer line-up, Shelley … and you are gonna LOVE The Fab 4 … can’t wait to see your review for that one!

I have always wanted to see The Vogues but have never had the chance. Then, after lead singer Bill Burkette passed away a couple of months ago, I figured that this probably spelled the end of the group.

So glad to hear that they have continued on ... and now, FINALLY, I will get my chance to see them when they play The Arcada Theatre on August 25th, sharing the bill with Jay and the Americans! (Not gonna miss this opportunity 'cause who knows if or when it'll ever come again!) kk

↧

Thursday This And That

May 10, 2018, 4:21 am

≫ Next: THE SATURDAY SURVEY (May 12th)

≪ Previous: Another Guest Concert Review

Did you happen to watch The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony on HBO?

I still haven't seen all of it (but I know it has been on several times over the past week.)

I hate to admit this (as I'm not sure I even consider him to be Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame worthy) … but the induction speech by Howard Stern followed by the acceptance speech by Jon Bon Jovi have got to be the two best speeches I have EVER seen at any of these ceremonies.

Stern was hysterical … and exuberant and passionate about his love for the band and their music. And EVERY member of Bon Jovi came off as intelligent and articulate in their acceptance speeches.

They first got together back in 1979 with a clear vision and purpose … to work as hard as they could to make it in the music business … and that they did … 38 charted Billboard Singles (including nine that made The Top 40, five of which made it all the way to #1) and over 135 Million Albums sold. They stayed focused and never took their eyes off the prize ... and, in the process, built a CAREER in the music business ... and for that alone I salute them.

I don't dislike Bon Jovi … in fact, I don't really feel anything for them one way or another. I like a few of their tunes (and tolerate a few others) … I just don't see what they contributed to the advancement of rock and roll, which was supposed to be the original purpose of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame … who were the greatest influences and trend-setters of this genre that took rock into new directions and kept the art form of rock and roll music alive.

Instead, today it's just a matter of "we need to induct X number of acts each year, whether they're worthy or not … and we can't own up to our own mistakes of overlooking several deserving artists in the past."

It’s a shame … and I don't want to get back up on my soap box again because you've already heard it all a thousand times before. Nothing against Bon Jovi … history has proven them to be a great rock band with a HUGE following … but do they belong in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? (The link we sent last week ranking the "deservability" of each inducted artist placed Bon Jovi dead last.)

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame would never be bold enough to request a "do over"… even though there are probably more artists who should be "uninducted" than there are deserving artists still waiting for their first shot on the ballot!

What's done is done … you can't unring that bell … so PLEASE concentrate on the deserving artists you've over looked over the past 30-something years and do the right thing.

'Nuff said. (kk)

Hi Kent:

Thanks so much for the above-the-fold mention of the Tribune article by Robert Channick in your “Sunday Comments” yesterday. I smiled at your reference to Neal’s iPod. The article could definitely have been subtitled, “How One Man’s iPod Turned Into One of the Most Popular Radio Stations in Chicago.” The credit for the station has to go to Neal for creating the format — with his iPod -- and to Weigel Broadcasting for sticking with it. Since 2009, five separate companies have put five different formats on 87.7 in Chicago (country, smooth jazz, alternative, sports talk and “timeless and memorable music”). None of the first four lasted three years. Weigel had enough faith in their format to stick with it long enough for it to find its audience — and for an audience to find it. That never happens in radio anymore. Everyone’s after the quick hit, but Weigel had the patience to let it grow.

And you keep up the great work at Forgotten Hits. I learn something new with each one of your posts.

Rick

Rick O’Dell

Program Director

Thanks for the great review of the Ides show at City Winery on Thursday! And the great reviews from our dear friends and ticket winners, including Dick Biondi filmmaker Pam Pulice. Mentioning Dick’s name elicited one of the biggest ovations of the night.

It’s always a challenge to introduce new or deep cut material but it’s rewarding when we get a strong response to those songs.

That night we opened with Too Far To Turn Around (which I wrote on a recent trip to China) and it felt like it had been in the set for years. Yet it felt fresh to be doing a relatively new song. Same with Last Band Standing, Who I Am, Music Messenger and the follow up to Vehicle which we opened set 2 with, Superman. All featuring the powerful Buzzards brass section.

The Ides will be adding more new and deep cuts through the year.

Thanks to all for coming out to the Winery and celebrating life and rock and roll with us! And thanks to Forgotten Hits for keeping the dream alive! Much love –

Jimbo

As a pre-teen I always found it a bit disappointing when the Breakfast Club aired on WLS. However, whenever I was traveling in other states with my folks, they would let me search the local radio dial to find the program on a local affiliate, so I could feel, at least for the hour, that I was listening to WLS while I was out of range. Silly, but true. Eventually I worked in engineering at WLS / WDAI for a year. The radio bug had gotten me early in life.

Jon M

Hey Kent -

Unless I missed here, our guys at playing at the Milwaukee Summerfest!

June 28th 4pm Uline warehouse stage.

Mike De Martino

It’s true … Cornerstones of Rock move a little north of the border for a Summerfest show next month. Should make for a great turn-out … ALL of these artists enjoyed a tremendous amount of success here in the Midwest back in the day. They’re part of a VERY impressive line-up that I think blows Ravinia away this year … you’ll find something for everybody up in Milwaukee this summer. (kk)

https://summerfest.com/2018-lineup/

Kent,

The Ides just keep marchin' along! Great to see them still in top form! It would be hard for them to sing their great obscure 45, "Nobody Loves Me", because EVERYBODY does!

As to the Breakfast Club and Farm reports on WLS, I also NEVER listened to them. For one thing, I seldom listened because I was getting up to go to grade school and Jr. High School for classes! No time for the Big 89 in morning hours for me. However, I think Uncle Lar Lujack may have gotten Animal Stories from these shows to some extent. He loved animals and outdoors and likely gained an interest in these shows as well.

As to Clark Weber and Bernie Allen programming more for housewives, I agree. One of the best things about the WLS "Feature Albums" was that it often gave those guys (especially Bernie) a chance to play easier listening LP cuts from MOR albums featured as albums of the week on the survey.

As to WCBS-FM, what an entity that was! The oldies station of oldies stations. I have the LPs dating to the 70's that they released and they got the whole nostalgia FM thing going, it would seem.

ME-TV FM owes a lot to Forgotten Hits, I believe. Kudos to BOTH for creating a giant!! In case you are like me and have a car that does not get 87.7 on your FM, you can buy a Sandisk MP3 player cheap at Best Buys and it gets 87.7 and just plug into your car.

As to WLS and CFL playing "Unwind," I have CFL playing it on tape but unable to locate it presently. GREAT song, as were all his serious 45s from his LP 'Even Stevens," which Varese reissued on CD decades ago in great quality.

Attached is a 1968 survey from ARSA that has Dan O'Shea's pic, whom I assume was asking for a survey. We heard WHB often in Dodge City.

Clark Besch

I've got WHB survey dated 8/2/68.

Jack

Let me know if you might be interested in copies of these charts. (kk)

Kent,

In your Monday posting, you mentioned that the Happy Together Tour has no Chicago stops. Pollstar shows that the Happy Together Tour will be at the Paramount Theater in Aurora on August 17th. It doesn't show any tickets on sale, but apparently there is a stop scheduled as of now. Thanks for a great blog!

Gil McAuliff

The Happy Together Tour has hit The Paramount Theater every year for at least the past fifteen years … and I thought they were booked again for 2018 … but when I checked the official tour schedule, I didn’t see it listed. (In fact, I checked THREE different sources before making the comment that the show would miss Chicago this year … and NONE of them had the Paramount show listed!)

According to the information posted on The Turtles’ own website (as well as The Paramount Theater's own site), you are correct … and Aurora, Illinois, will once again rock to the good-time sounds of Gary Puckett, The Association, The Cowsills, Mark Lindsay, Chuck Negron and The Turtles (albeit with Ron Dante sitting in for Howard Kaylan, who is having back surgery and unable to participate.)

This should be A GREAT show (as always) … and now we’re hoping that we can attend after all! (Ron told me that he is REALLY excited about this year’s tour, after also being on the bill as a solo artist last year.)

Complete tour information here: http://theturtles.com/tour/

HAPPY 76th May 9 to one of my best friends in the world, TOMMY ROE, rock 'n' roll pioneer and legend.

And a finer gentleman you will not find.

Hoping he returns to the stage sometime soon.

Rick Levy

Pic: Tommy and me ... 2014 - The Cavern Liverpool

Kent —

Not quite like the many groups of Chicago that hit the charts, Rochester, NY, occasionally had a group hit the lower part of the Billboard Top 100.

Number 13 on Saturday’s featured WBBF chart showed the Dukes “One More Chance,” which hit #80 on Billboard. It was actually “Give Me One More Chance” by Wilmer and the Dukes. Just a little bit of Rochester music history.

Dan Guilfoyle

Lots more great shows just added to the list of acts coming to Chicago in the months to come.

The Arcada Theatre just added Jay and the Americans with The Vogues (now THAT'S a great double bill!) and Dean Torrence … while The City Winery has booked Howard Jones, The Average White Band and Canned Heat! Love the chance to see some acts we've not seen before!

And this just in ...

Tony Orlando and Dawn will reunite for a Christmas Concert (as well as perform all of their greatest hits!) at The Arcada Theatre on December 11th. (Now how cool is THAT?!?!?) kk

And speaking of great shows, Barry Winslow just sent in some more photos from The Royal Guardsmen Reunion Show down in St. Petersburg, Florida … check 'em out!!!

Here's a group shot of the guys ...

And then, In order: Bill Balough, Billy Taylor, Chris Nunley, John Burdett and our FH Buddy Barry Winslow ... the original Royal Guardsmen reunite for a show in St. Pete! (kk)

kk:

Just getting in to Connie Francis auto- biography.

Page 2 = Connie talks about her miscarriage . (She's now married to her third husband, Joe.)

Page 12 = She's looking into adopting a baby boy.

Page 15 = Connie gives a detailed account of her rape … 11/8/1974 at the Howard Johnson Motel in Westbury, New York. The rapist threatens to slit her throat if she doesn't give him money. Problem is

she gave all her valuables to a friend, who's in another room.

The guy says he'll count to 20. If she doesn't show him some money, he'll slit her throat.

Connie tells the guy who she is. This somehow changes his mind.

He ties her to a chair instead of killing her.

This is book #1 of a 2-part auto-biography.

I don't think it can get any worse than the few pages I already read.

Frank B.

I'm not sure there's enough to fill two volumes but this sounds pretty exciting so far … now add in her hit record years and her life-long love for Bobby Darin and I think I'll know everything I ever need to know about Connie Francis! (kk)

I just wrapped up teaching "The History of American Popular Music" to 29 Lipscomb University students. Pat Boone is, perhaps, their most famous alum. I got to spend some time with him about a month ago during one of their fund raisers.

I had interviewed him for my high school newspaper back in '61. He was still a hot act then, second only to Elvis with the number of chart records in the 50's, early 60's. He also was known for 'covering' all those great rhythm and blues hits -- which probably not endear him to Jann Wenner -- at a time when many radio stations were segregated. Seems odd today, but think of the times ... particularly in the South.

He's 83 and still sings great. A fun show if you ever get a chance to take it in. He has an accompanist and also does a lot of rear screen projections (film and stills) of the 'good old days.'

On another note, I just got word that my lifelong friend, Brian Wilson, has canceled the current tour -- he was doing three nights at the symphony hall here in Nashville -- and is having back surgery. No specific info yet. I wish him well.

Fred Vail

Always great news / history / stories ~ thanks Kent!

Phil @ PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com

FYI . . .

This is SMiLE?

Could this have been the original track-by-track sequence of The Beach Boys' 1967 SMiLE LP?

Author Mark Dillon (Fifty Sides of The Beach Boys), in discussion with the Pray for Surf blog's Phil Miglioratti, plays the favorite game of the group's fans: reconstructing the 1967 SMiLE album.

Like many, Dillon believes that, if finished, the record would have been the band's pinnacle. Yes, Brian Wilson recorded a splendid version of SMiLE in 2004, but this was a revisionist take on what the original would have been.

Dillon has come up with a fresh theory regarding the track selection and sequencing for the 1967 release, taking into account the time restrictions of LPs and subtle sonic and verbal linking clues. And he proposes answers to those nagging questions: where would “Good Vibrations” have fit in and what track would have actually closed this thing?

Listen to the complete discussion HERE>>> and please share your thoughts . . .

And, now available on DVD ...

BANG! THE BERT BERNS STORY … FINALLY OUT ON DVD JUNE 1 INCLUDES ONE HOUR OF BONUS FOOTAGE FROM PAUL MCCARTNEY, KEITH RICHARDS, RONALD ISLEY, SOLOMON BURKE, ANDREW LOOG OLDHAM, CISSY HOUSTON, OTHERS

Virtually since its debut at the 2016 SXSW Film Festival, demand for a DVD version of BANG! The Bert Berns Story has been mounting. In the intervening time, the feature documentary has been screened at more than 50 international film festivals, theatrically released in numerous major markets and digitally released thereafter. Along the way, it attained a 100% Fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes and earned five (out of five) stars from MOJO. Now, the film’s producers have announced that, at long last, a DVD release is set for this June 1. The BANG! DVD include a full hour of additional footage, including interviews with Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Ronald Isley, Cissy Houston, Andrew Loog Oldham, Solomon Burke, Betty Harris, Mike Stoller, Ben E. King, Doug Morris, Joel Dorn and Carmine “Wassel” DeNoia, among others.

BANG! The Bert Berns Story is now available for pre-order exclusively at www.bangthebertbernsstory.com

It’s music meets the Mob in this biographical documentary about the life and career of Bert Berns narrated by Stevie Van Zandt and featuring Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Ben E. King, Solomon Burke, and many more. BANG! The Bert Berns Story tells the story of one of the most important songwriters, producers and label chiefs of the ‘60s whose hits include “Twist and Shout,” “Hang On Sloopy,” “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Here Comes The Night” and “Piece Of My Heart.” He helped launch the careers of Van Morrison and Neil Diamond and died tragically at the age of 38, before the decade was out. BANG! The Bert Berns Story was executive produced by Sid Ganis and produced by Michael B. Borofsky and Brooks Arthur. Brett Berns, Bert’s son, co-directed with Bob Sarles who also edited the film. Sarles is an Emmy-nominated film and television editor and documentary filmmaker. He co-edited the Peabody Award winning documentary series Moon Shot and directed and edited Sweet Blues: A Film About Mike Bloomfield; Fly Jefferson Airplane; John Lee Hooker: Come And See About Me; Feed Your Head: The Psychedelic Era and Soulsville.

Brett Berns commented, “Because of the subject matter, there has been an understandable demand for a physical DVD of the film from fans of the music and collectors of my father’s body of work. We’re delighted to finally make it available now with a bounty of extra footage from many of the artists whose lives and music were touched by what he was able to accomplish in the short time he was given.”

Until quite recently, Bert Berns had been relegated to obscurity, his very existence known only among the cognoscenti of hardcore record collectors and old school music industry veterans, but that has dramatically changed in recent years. The film is part of what The New York Times called “the Berns boomlet,” which began in 2014 with the acclaimed Joel Selvin-authored biography Here Comes The Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm & Blues (Counterpoint Press) and the source of the film’s narrative thread. The Broadway bound musical Piece of My Heart – The Bert Berns Story originally premiered Off-Broadway in 2014 in an extended run called “stunning” by The Village Voice and “gorgeously tuneful” by The New York Times.

Stevie Van Zandt, the musician (Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band), actor (The Sopranos) and media mogul (SiriusXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage) posthumously inducted Berns into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 and is, most appropriately, the film’s narrator.

BANG! The Bert Berns Story chronicles the brief life of a musical genius who, over the course of a tragically brief career, managed to write and produce numerous groundbreaking hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Berns founded Bang, one of the most successful independent record labels of all time, the home of hits by Neil Diamond, The McCoys, The Strangeloves and Van Morrison. Shout Records, Bang’s sister label, yielded hits for Freddie Scott, Erma Franklin and other R&B greats. Bert Berns is the only songwriter in history whose work has been recorded by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Animals, Them and Led Zeppelin.

Analog Planet, the highly influential high-end audio site encapsulated the film’s appeal: “Cross Goodfellas with the hippest Ken Burns PBS mid-sixties New York music business documentary you've never seen and then anchor it with a songwriter, producer, record label executive biography that were it not true would have been difficult for any fiction writer to invent. That's the heart of Bang! The Bert Berns Story.”

The New York Times review of the film noted, “There’s some juicy stuff here … If you love the music Berns made, you’ll love this movie; if you don’t, I feel for you. But Bang! might nevertheless entertain with its dish.”

Roots music outlet No Depression suggested, “You probably heard a Bert Berns song today. If you heard “Tell Him,” “Twist and Shout,” “Cry to Me,” “Here Comes the Night,” “Hang on Sloopy” or “Piece of My Heart,” you heard a song he wrote. If you heard “Baby, I’m Yours,” “Under the Boardwalk” or “Brown Eyed Girl,” you heard a record he produced. Berns’ enormous catalog of deeply-felt songs and deftly-produced records puts him in a league with the best of the Brill Building’s songwriters and New York’s golden age pop producers.

Additional laudation for BANG! The Bert Berns Story:

The story is arresting, and if that’s all BANG! offered, that would be enough. But BANG! does more. – San Francisco Chronicle.

BANG! is a documentary that simply needed to be made. — Variety

The film recounts the way Berns charged and hustled his way into the music business, shaping the sound and business of pop along the way… BANG! also serves as an unintentional eulogy for an era of pop that recedes into the history books. – Rolling Stone

The film unfolds like a Hollywood noir…BANG! is sure to stir your emotions and stick in your head for some time. – NY Observer

The new high-water mark for music documentaries. – Glide Magazine

This film is a beautiful secret whispered in your ear. -- Sugarbuzz

BANG! needs to be seen. -- Counterpunch

The film offers some pretty interesting insight as to how business was done back in the day ... music and otherwise ... and touches on mob involvement, payola and any other number of things that helped to insure your latest hit did well on the charts. The soundtrack is phenomenal ... the story is incredible ... and after viewing it, you will never hear this music the same way again. -- Kent Kotal / Forgotten Hits

CHUBBY CHECKER’S “THE TWIST” INDUCTED INTO

THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

At last month’s annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a new category was introduced: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Singles. Taking the stage in Cleveland, The E-Street Band’s Steven Van Zandt broke the news, describing the new singles program as “a kind of Rock Hall Jukebox, established in recognition of the excellence of singles that shaped rock and roll.”

Of course, included in the inaugural inductions in this new category was “The Twist” by Chubby Checker. The record was first recorded and released in 1960 on Cameo’s Parkway label. A Baltimore disc jockey took a chance on the record, the response was tremendous and it was soon climbing the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It hit the #1 position on the Hot 100 as the dance craze swept the country and the world. Chubby was in great demand for TV and personal appearances and even hosted his own episodic dance instruction program carried by hundreds of stations. The excitement the record had caused didn’t abate and was such that Chubby’s “The Twist” went back up to the #1 position at the beginning of 1962. It was the first time a record had occupied the #1 slot in two different run-ups, a feat unequaled to this day. When Billboard compiled its list of “All-Time Hot 100 Top Songs” in the first 50 years of the Hot 100 Chart, “The Twist” by Chubby Checker was, yet again, #1. The record was added to the National Recording Registry of Library of Congress and it was inducted into The Recording Academy’s Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000.

That which had been wrought by “The Twist” forever changed the world of dance and music. It transcended racial, cultural and economic lines and had a profound impact on both young people and adults. From junior high school dances to café society, “The Twist” created a sensation never really equaled by a single recording. As noted, Chubby was in great demand and followed up “The Twist” with hit after dance-themed hit, all of which made the Top Ten. These included “Pony Time,” (another #1 record) “Limbo Rock,” “Slow Twistin’,"“The Fly,” “Let’s Twist Again” and “Popeye (The Hitchhiker).”

Chubby’s career as a premiere entertainer has never abated over the course of the ensuing fifty-eight years. He has a raft of upcoming performance dates that will see him twisting in Texas, New Jersey and Las Vegas, among other locales.

When asked about the honor that has been bestowed on the record that first brought him to international prominence, Chubby was analytical in his response. “’The Twist’ is the style that we dance on the dance floor. ‘The Twist is in the Rock Hall.’ Isn’t that great?” He further explained that by “style,” he is describing a new dance paradigm. “I’m looking at the girl … the girl is looking at me. We’re not touching, but we’re dancing, exploiting our sexuality while fully dressed.” He went on to discuss the fact that “The Twist,” along with the Pony, Fly and the Shake foster the same approach as one would to rock, pop and hip-hop dancing. “The style is just like ‘The Twist,’” he observes.

“These dances, in their original form, were very strenuous because of the fast beat of the music. Girls were sweating, ruining their hairdos, killing their make-up and so were the boys in their suits and ties. We realized that The Twist, The Pony, The Fly and The Shake were better than working out in the gym and, because of that, a new industry was born: working out to music.”

Somewhere on the planet it’s dark and someone is boogieing and Chubby Checker is the boogieman. Or someone is in the gym exercising to music, working up a sweat to The Twist, The Pony, The Fly and The Shake. “Before Chubby Checker and ‘The Twist,’ this didn’t happen,” he says.

Our conclusion: “The Twist” changed everything. Thank you, Chubby.

Except for the pre-rock era’s “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “The Twist” was the only record to have achieved Billboard Hot 100 #1 status two separate times. This unprecedented feat has never again been accomplished by any other record in the subsequent 56 years.

ABKCO Music & Records is home to the Cameo Parkway catalog, including “The Twist” by Chubby Checker

Congratulations to Chubby Checker, who still puts on an incredible show. (Now let's have The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame do the right thing and induct the MAN who brought us The Twist, too!) kk

https://www.itshouldhavebeenahit.com/

kk …

This time Lightnin' Lou picked one of his own songs.

Not the first time … and I'm sure it won't be the last! (lol) kk

A BRIEF BREAK IN THE ACTION:

LOTS going on over the next ten days or so … so limited postings at best.

But you can still count on our regular Saturday Survey feature, which this week takes us to Louisiana.

Before the month of May is over, we’ll also visit Minnesota and Alaska (!!!) … plus feature another “Bonus Chart” at the end of the month.

Feel free to keep your comments and memories coming … and we’ll process them as quickly as we can. Thanks, folks! (kk)

↧

THE SATURDAY SURVEY (May 12th)

May 12, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: KETCHUP!

≪ Previous: Thursday This And That

5-12-68 - KWKH-FM - Shreveport, Louisiana

Altho this survey boasts that the FM side has a "with it underground survey," one would have taken issue since the number one song was NOT by Otis Redding, but by Percy Sledge. I found no record of Otis ever recording this song before his death five months earlier. Otis DID record the #21 song, at least! BTW, does "Honey" (#8) qualify as "with it underground?"

About the only songs to fit that image on this nice batch of top 40 hits is #19 and 35! Not to pick on KWKH, but the obscure title to feature this week is by Timothy Carr (NOT Thomas Carr, as listed here) and his cool soulful "A Stop Along the Way."

-- Clark Besch

*Survey courtesy Gary Pfeifer and ARSA site

This looks like a major "OOPS!" for KWKH ... how do you misidentify your very own #1 Song?!?!? (Once again, some top-flight proof-reading going on at all of the Top 40 Radio Stations around the country back in the day!)

Looks like "The Unicorn" is a big hit on both the AM and the FM dial. And I've got to agree with you, Clark ... the "With It, Underground Sounds" of Bobby Goldsboro, Bobby Vee, Bobby Vinton (and any other "Bobby" you care to name!), Tom Jones and Dionne Warwick are really throwing me for a loop! (lol)

I see The New Colony Six are sneaking in at #33 this week ... and I've still got to pick SOMETHING to feature here today ... so how about "She's A Heartbreaker" by Gene Pitney. (I always did like this one!) kk

THIS WEEK IN 1968:

5/7/68: Piano Player Reginald Dwight changes his name to Elton John

Also on this date … Aretha Franklin records a live album in Paris

5/10/68 – Doors Lead Singer Jim Morrison works his fans up to such a frenzy at a concert here in Chicago that they rush the stage, eventually destroying it! Morrison is arrested (again!) for inciting a riot.

5/11/68 - Richard Harris records Jimmy Webb’s “MacArthur Park.” It will eventually peak at #2 on all three national trade charts and be recorded by a wide array of artists, including The Four Tops and Glen Campbell. But it'll be Disco Queen Donna Summer who takes it all the way to #1 ten years later, again topping the Billboard, Cash Box and Record World Charts.

Also on this date ... 1,000,000 demonstrators battle police in Paris streets

5/12/68 – Brian Jones makes his last appearance with The Rolling Stones as part of the New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert held at The Empire Poole in Wembley.

The “Poor People’s March” reaches Washington DC

And, also on this date, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap perform “Lady Willpower” and “Young Girl” on The Ed Sullivan Show

↧

KETCHUP!

May 16, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Fab Four Friday

≪ Previous: THE SATURDAY SURVEY (May 12th)

Jeez, it seems like forever since I've had the chance to sit back down here and pull something together …

So today … in my best effort to "ketchup" a little bit … you'll find something old and something new … until we can get back on track again.

So let's get to it, shall we???

Congratulations to Johnny B (Jonathon Brandmeier) for his nomination into The National Radio Hall Of Fame. (A tip of the hat to long-time Friend of Forgotten Hits, Johnny Holliday, who was also nominated this year!) kk

And, speaking of great radio …

Kent —

I wanted to thank you for mentioning “Rewound Radio” at the end of last year. I’ve had it on my computer and “Echo Dot” ever since. I love it because you never know what will play next. I just thought of you because “I Wanna Meet You “ just came on. Where else are you gonna hear the Cryan’ Shames right now today!

Thanks again,

Danny

PS — I also really enjoy the Gary Theroux “History of Rock and Roll” features that come on five times a day.

It’s the best … Rewound Radio has raised the bar for what great oldies radio can be. Here in Chicago, Me-TV-FM comes close … it’s our “go-to” station when we’re in the Jeep (since I still can’t get it in my new car!) … but keep your ears ready for WCFLChicago.com… I think some great things are in store for this station, too! (kk)

Kent,

When I read about the Breakfast Club and farm reports that were on WLS in its day, it brought back memories of my school days first thing in the morning when I got up. My mother was the first one up in the morning. She went immediately out into the kitchen, plugged in her coffee pot for that morning's brew and turned the radio on. Maybe not necessarily in that order.

Now in our house we had an intercom system with every room wired into the main console located in the kitchen. We listened to WKY-AM 930. Now every morning on Monday - Friday between 6 am – 7 am they had a WKY FARM REPORT hosted by Russell Pierson. Now this was not a continuous show … it ran in about 5 - 6 minute segments with local morning man Danny Williams playing an occasional record as well as reading a daily verse out of the Bible. Danny's top 40 show would begin at 7:15 right after the 7 o'clock 15 minute news block. So every morning I would wake up to my intercom with the WKY FARM REPORT. And would you believe that a lot of times, I would wake up to the station playing a BULL OF THE WOODS chewing tobacco commercial. Don't even know if that product is still around.

Also I found out later on that WKY would play only certain records or maybe not play certain records between 9 am – 3 pm because the teens were in school and not at home.

Larry Neal

My Mom was more prone to listen to Howard Miller on WIND in the mornings … who only very rarely played a record on his program (and then if he did, it was usually something like “Winchester Cathedral,” something that didn’t really whet the appetite of a twelve year old kid into rock and roll.)

I seem to remember hearing him read from The Farmers’ Almanac (which was pretty incredible considering that the local news and weather were likely only a teletype machine away!)

Two vivid pre-teen Howard Miller memories have never left me … make that three:

A very lengthy discussion about the possibility that President Kennedy was being kept alive in a vegetable state in the hopes that modern medical technology might one day be able to bring him back to life …

The first and only times I ever heard (with any regularity) the song “Bend It” by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich on the radio (Man, I LOVED that song!!! How they heck was this not a #1 Record … yet it never even charted on Chicago’s Top 40 Rock Stations!) …

And the big scandalous rumor that Rock Hudson had married TV’s Gomer Pyle, Jim Nabors!!! (OMG … is it possible that Howard Miller was the Howard Stern of his day?!?!)

I also remember her being hooked on Morton Downey, Jr. … so if we wanted to listed to Clark Weber on WLS … or anything on Super ‘CFL … we had to retreat to our bedrooms and listen on our own transistor radios!

From FH Reader Tom Cuddy:

Hugh Wilson discusses the music issues involved with putting together WKRP In Cincinnati … https://youtu.be/PExGo9b1K44

These are the things that drive me crazy!!!

One of the headlines I received last week shows that Post Malone has broken a 54 year old record set by The Beatles for having the most songs in The Top 20 at the same time. (I’m sure history will document the INCREDIBLE influence and culture-changing effects Post Malone had on the music scene and society fifty years from now, eclipsing the legacy of The Beatles in the process … yeah right.)

Thanks to the new measuring method of downloads, Malone placed nine songs in Billboard’s Top 20 on their Hot 100 Chart, breaking a record set by The Beatles back in 1964 when The Fab Four held The Top Five Spots on the chart and, for the next two weeks, had six songs in The Top 20. (Incredibly, J. Cole … I know what you’re thinking … WHO!?!?!?! … TIED The Beatles’ record just a week ago when he had six songs in The Top 20.)

Of course, back in 1964 you actually had to leave your house and drive to a record store with the sole purpose in mind of buying these six Beatles releases and then bringing them back home to play on your little record player. Hard as it may be to believe, The Beatles still today … some fifty years later … outsell many of today’s top contemporary artists on a regular basis … so it is reassuring to know that for the NEXT 50 years, the world can look forward to complete musical domination by Post Malone in a similar fashion. (Odds are 50 years from now Post Malone will be AT BEST an answer on the back of a Trivial Pursuit Card … assuming THAT even exists at that time!!!)

We make light of this but the truth is that on the very first day of its release, Post Malone’s album “Beerbongs And Bentleys” received an incredible, record-setting 47,930,039 Spotify streams … a statistic to be reckoned with for sure.

Now I personally wouldn’t know or recognize a Post Malone song if he walked up to me and personally sang it in my ear … but I’ve got to give him props … that’s a pretty incredible record in ANY day and age! (kk)

By the same token … we offer heartfelt congratulations to Barry Gibb who, 40 years ago this week, set a Billboard Chart Record that has yet to be broken when a song he wrote became the fourth #1 Record in a row, giving him fifteen straight weeks at the top of the charts as a songwriter, spread out over four consecutive #1 Hits. (Nope … not even Lennon and McCartney were able to achieve this feat!)

It all started with “Stayin’ Alive,” which hit #1 on February 4^th and then stayed there for four straight weeks, only to be knocked out of the top spot by “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” by Bee Gee Brother Andy Gibb, who held on to the top spot for the next two weeks until The Bee Gees reclaimed the #1 Position with “Night Fever,” a track that would hold on to the #1 spot for eight straight weeks. On May 13^th, it finally gave way to “If I Can’t Have You” by Yvonne Elliman, giving Barry Gibb FOUR consecutive #1 Hits as a songwriter. (1978 was an even more incredible year than that for Barry Gibb … he started the year at #1 with The Bee Gees’ hit “How Deep Is Your Love” … then topped the charts again later that year with “Shadow Dancing” (7 weeks) by Andy Gibb and “Grease” (2 weeks) by Frankie Valli, giving Gibb possession of the #1 position for an incredible 25 weeks that year … just shy of HALF THE YEAR!!!

Pretty frickin’ incredible, no? (But then again I'm sure that history will show that he’s no Post Malone!!!) kk

From the “Now I’ve Seen Everything” Department …

Have you caught the new PetSmart commercial that features Yoko Ono singing “I’m Your Angel”?!?! Who would have EVER thought! Sure, it’s nearly forty years later … but Yoko’s music has FINALLY hit the mainstream … John would have been SO proud! (kk)

After years of retooling (and recasting), it looks like the Freddie Mercury / Queen biopic FINALLY has a release date (November 2^nd) … and the first full-length trailer has been released …

After lots of hype (and an original plan to have Sacha Baron Cohen … aka Ali G and Borat … playing the lead role), the band finally settled on Rami Malek … and the promo looks quite good. (A must see at the theater regardless!) kk

FH Reader Tom Cuddy tells us how the family of Glenn Frey is learning to cope with his passing … https://apnews.com/amp/6f5485bd94824689ba34e7e2a861f1b1

And FH Reader Ken Voss sends us this Music Licensing News Update …

House Votes to Modernize Music Compensation
Passing by unanimous vote, a bill aiming to reform compensation for music licensing heads to the Senate.
Washington, DC (April 27, 2018) — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 5447, better known as the Music Modernization Act, a bill that reforms compensation for music licensing, by a unanimous vote; it now heads to the Senate.
“Our industry made history yesterday,” commented Michael Huppe, president and CEO, SoundExchange, in an April 26 statement. “Never have we seen such consensus on an issue of such importance to music creators, and the bipartisan support that we witnessed in the House sends a clear message as music licensing reform moves to the Senate.”
The bill was introduced by co-sponsors Robert Goodlatte (R-VA) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). Goodlatte noted that “music is no longer written on piano rolls, and our laws shouldn’t be based on that technology either.” The Recording Academy, the RIAA, ASCAP, BMI, the American Association of Independent Music, the American Federation of Musicians and other industry groups threw their support behind the bill. Sirius XM and Music Choice are reportedly the only organizations offering any opposition to the MMA.
The bill offers benefits not just for artists and rights holders but also producers, engineers and mixers, by “formalizing SoundExchange's long-time practice of honoring letters of direction from artists who opt to share royalties with other creative participants,” according to Huppe’s statement.
The MMA also closes a loophole that denied federal copyright protection and royalty payments from digital services for the use of pre-1972 recordings. It additionally establishes a market-based standard rate for writers and artists—a willing buyer/willing seller model long advocated within the industry—and the creation of an organization, similar to SoundExchange, to track credits and distribute royalties.
According to Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow, “Music creators compose the soundtrack to our lives. These creators deserve to be paid a fair wage for their work. The passage of the Music Modernization Act in the House of Representatives is a historic step forward for all music creators, ensuring that they are credited, paid, and shown the respect they deserve for the impact they have on our culture and daily life. We are honored that GRAMMYs on the Hill helped to pave the way for these long overdue updates.”
The MMA now advances to the Senate, where three similar Senate bills are scheduled for Senate Judiciary Committee hearings in mid-May. Supporters of H.R. 5447 are reported as hoping that the Senate will simply take up and vote on the House bill rather than try to reconcile and combine all four pieces of proposed legislation.

Kent,

While doing genealogy research, I found this fun fact for FH'er Tommy Roe. Knowing that Tommy did the song "California Chrome" for the Kentucky Derby winning race horse a few years back, it was funny to come across the second place finisher in the Pasadena handicap race on January 7, 1905! Check it out!

Clark Besch

And, speaking of The Kentucky Derby (told you we were WAY behind!!!)

Celebrity author Mark Bego attended The Kentucky Derby with two of his rock star chefs from his best-selling cookbook, "Eat Like a Rock Star," (Skyhorse), Joey Fatone and Supremes star Mary Wilson. Bego's cookbook hit the Top 10 on the best-seller list, and now he and Wilson are working on "Supreme Glamour," due to be published in Spring, 2019. While at Churchill Downs, "Chef" Bego and Mary bet on Justify, and won!
David Salidor

Our FH Buddy Al Kooper has FINALLY resurrected his “New Music For Old People” project with both a new website and an up-coming radio show. More details to come as they become available.

Hey Kent,

Are you running less and less letters from readers? Just seems like that. Still your content is great.

Chet Coppock

The ratio varies from week to week based on how many responses we get from readers. (I’m a little surprised this came after last week’s Thursday This And That as that posting featured only two commentaries by me … but fourteen letters from readers (including celebs Rick O’Dell of Me-TV-FM, Jim Peterik of The Ides of March, Barry Winslow of The Royal Guardsmen, who shared photos of his band’s recent reunion show down in St. Petersburg, FL, and Rick Levy of The Box Tops, who wished Tommy Roe a Happy Birthday … as well as two press releases promoting the release of the Bang! / Bert Berns documentary on DVD and Chubby Checker’s Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction for his recording of “The Twist.”)

Now THIS week I’ve taken over most of the commentary because, after being gone for a week, mail for readers was at a minimum … but for me the perfect balance is you guys responding and then me reacting to your responses. (That being said, there is no etched in stone game plan … I just go with the flow! Lol) kk

Speaking of which … this just in from Barry Winslow of The Royal Guardsmen …

Hi Kent,
Thanks for the post and pics ... it was fun, my friend. May get another
chance soon.
Keep up the great work ... you are the best.
Barry

"The Twist" and "Let's Twist Again" made each other popular in a way. Here in the US, "The Twist" was Billboard's #1 song of the 60's decade! It went to #1 in 1960 as a fall hit and then returned to the Hot 100 a year later in the winter, becoming an even bigger hit. This was somewhat caused by "Let’s Twist Again" becoming a hit that summer. To return the favor, "The Twist"’s rise to number one in the winter of ‘61 led to "Let's Twist Again" recharting for 11 weeks more, only months after reaching a peak of #8. Chubby's "The Twist" was now a big #1 at Christmas time, 1961, and his duet of "Jingle Bell Rock," paired with Bobby Rydell and his solo hit, “Twistin’ USA,” were also hits at Christmas time that year. Chubby was "in" in 1960, ‘61, ‘62!

Not to be outdone, in the UK, "The Twist" charted FOUR times and "Let’s Twist Again" FIVE times!

Clark Besch

UP-COMING SHOWS:

If you live in or around the Chicagoland Area, we’ve got some GREAT shows coming up that we’re sure you’ll want to know about.

Check out this incredible list of performers and concert events below:

May 17^th– Grand Funk Railroad with Rick Derringer – The Genesee Theatre

May 18^th– Smash Mouth and The Spin Doctors – Genesee Theatre

May 20^th– Rick Springfield (stripped down)

May 24^th and 25^th– John Waite – City Winery

June 4^th and 5^th– Al Stewart – City Winery

June 5^th and 6^th– Yes at The Arcada Theatre

June 8^th - .38 Special – Arcada Theatre

June 11^th– John Mayall – City Winery

July 9^th– Howard Jones – The City Winery

July 11^th– Dave Mason with Steve Cropper – Arcada Theatre

July 15^th– Jay Siegel’s Tokens, Larry Chance and The Earls, Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon and Ladd Vance (son of Kenny Vance) and the Planotones – The Arcada Theatre

July 27^th and 28^th– Ted Nugent – Arcada Theatre

August 8^th, 9^th and 10^th– Tower Of Power at The City Winery

August 17^th– Happy Together starring The Turtles (featuring Ron Dante and Mark Volman), Chuck Negron, Mark Lindsay, The Cowsills, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap and The Association

August 19^th– Don McLean – City Winery

August 25^th– Jay and the Americans with The Vogues – Arcada Theatre

August 26^th– The Jan and Dean Beach Party starring Dean Torrence – Arcada Theatre

August 26^th– Justin Hayward – City Winery

September 5^th– The Average White Band – City Winery

September 13^th– Jesse Colin Young – City Winery

September 15^th– Pablo Cruise – Arcada Theatre

September 17^th– Canned Heat – City Winery

September 22^nd– Tommy James and the Shondells – these guys sell out EVERY time! – The Arcada Theatre

September 23^rd– The Bay City Rollers (featuring Stuart “Woody” Wood) – The Arcada Theatre

September 27^th– Ambrosia and Orleans – Arcada Theatre

October 19^th– April Wine – Arcada Theatre

Paul Anka returns to The Arcada Theatre on October 22^nd and 23^rd with a brand new show saluting the music of Frank Sinatra (some of which Paul provided in the first place!) Incredibly this week marks the 20^th Anniversary of Sinatra’s death at age 82.

This is a class act doing a class show. Tickets available now thru The Arcada Theatre Online Box Office.

November 16^th and 17^th– America – Arcada Theatre

November 24^th– The BoDeans – City Winery

December 9^th– Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes – Arcada Theatre

Tony Orlando and Dawn reunite for a Christmas / Greatest Hits show at The Arcada Theatre on Tuesday, December 11^th… now this should be a WHOLE lotta fun.

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT PROUDLY PRESENTS

THE ROLLING STONES … FROM THE VAULT:

NO SECURITY – SAN JOSE 1999 CONCERT FILM,

OUT JULY 13, 2018

On July 13, 2018, Eagle Rock Entertainment releases From The Vault: No Security - San Jose 1999, the latest in the acclaimed and collectable From The Vault series. Mining the previously unreleased treasures of the band’s archive, this is a simultaneous release on DVD, Blu-ray, DVD + 2CD, 3LP and digital.
No Security captures a stand-out Stones show, with the band in searing form during the closing leg of their American tour in San Jose. Celebrating their return to the city that originally hosted them in 1965, the Stones played to 33,000 people over two nights – intimate by their current day standards. The band opened with “Jumpin Jack Flash”, hitting the stage with no security, no inflatables, no bells or whistles – just undeniable on-stage camaraderie - a tight-as-hell band delivering the ultimate rock show to their adoring fans. Treating the crowd to an up-close and personal experience on the B stage and leaving a frenzy in their wake, with Jagger pausing to take photographs of the crowd and high-fiving fans - it felt like a special night for both the Stones and the audience, “We’re here to have a good time” said Mick Jagger, and San Jose was excited to join the party.
The set list spans from the mid-sixties hit singles to the Bridges to Babylon album, including a bluesy, dramatic version of “Midnight Rambler”, a dark and swaggering “Out of Control”, and the rarely performed live, “Some Girls” and “Saint of Me”. The show was an electrifying, anthem-packed, cross generational hot ticket, concluding yet another chapter from the band that wrote the book on rock ‘n’ roll.
The No Security tour was a mostly arena-sized continuation of the Bridges To Babylon tour, which had grossed in excess of $274 million. No Security saw the Stones adopt a more stripped back approach, concentrating on the music and playing smaller venues, using fewer special effects and providing an unforgettable fan experience.

Track listing:
1. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
2. Bitch
3. You Got Me Rocking
4. Respectable
5. Honky Tonk Woman
6. I Got The Blues
7. Saint Of Me
8. Some Girls
9. Paint It Black
10. You Got The Silver
11. Before They Make Me Run
12. Out Of Control
13. Route 66
14. Get Off Of My Cloud
15. Midnight Rambler
16. Tumbling Dice
17. It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)
18. Start Me Up
19. Brown Sugar
20. Sympathy For The Devil

And, speaking of new releases, we’ve already pre-ordered this one!

The Beach Boys are the next artist to receive the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra treatment when “The Warmth Of The Sun: The Beach Boys With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” is released on June 8^th.

TRACK LISTING:
1.    California Suite
2.    California Girls
3.    Wouldn’t It Be Nice
4.    Fun, Fun, Fun
5.    Don’t Worry Baby
6.    God Only Knows
7.    Sloop John B
8.    Heroes And Villains
9.    Disney Girls
10.Here Today
11.In My Room
12.Kokomo
13. The Warmth Of The Sun
14. Darlin’
15. Help Me, Rhonda
16. You Still Believe In Me
17. Good Vibrations

I always knew the vocal arrangements I did back in the 1960s would lend themselves perfectly for a symphony and there is no better one in the world than the Royal Philharmonic. I am both proud and humbled by what they have created using our songs and I hope everyone falls in love with it like I have.
-- Brian Wilson

This album is one of a kind. I think the fact that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has accompanied the Beach Boys with these great arrangements is just a phenomenal thing. It’s a whole other dimension to our music.
-- Mike Love

Don Reedman and Nick Patrick did a terrific job on this. I can’t imagine having more fun than taking some of these great songs and putting them into this perspective. They did a beautiful job of arranging the music around the original vocals, which I think is a terrific idea. It makes the music feel new all over again!
-- Al Jardine

When I listened to the album, I realized that the new arrangements performed by the orchestra didn’t add the wrong kind of weight. They just added the beautiful fairy dust of the orchestra to what we already ready recorded. It’s another interpretation of us without losing the groundwork of us. I really like it.
-- Bruce Johnston

Leaving You With A Smile (or two):

Road trips were a nightmare, honestly.

↧

Fab Four Friday

May 18, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: THE SATURDAY SURVEY (May 19th, 1968)

≪ Previous: KETCHUP!

Shelley Sweet-Tufano is back with another Guest Concert Review ...

This time around ... The Fab Four!

I wonder … when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” did they answer, “The Beatles!”???

The string music begins, followed closely by Penn Gillette’s recorded introduction. And out comes … George Trullinger, as Ed Sullivan.

I have been so tickled to see all the hype here in Forgotten Hits around The Fab Four. I have been following them since the beginning of the new century, bringing my kids, their friends, and my students to various locations to experience the music and the historical representations. Sure, I have tons of videos of The Beatles and their movies, but the magic of seeing them perform live (even when it was over the telly) was something breathtaking. This was as close as I could give to the children around me, who were soaking up 60’s music like it was water, and they were parched. So on with the SHOE!

The Fab Four is an all-live show that portrays, in progressive form, The Beatles' performances. It continues through the time that The Beatles retreated into the studio and lets us hear and see what would have happened if The Beatles had performed their studio hits live on stage. Tonight they begin in the Shea Stadium suits and open with ‘Please Please Me’. They continue:

‘All My Loving’

‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’

A new number for them - 'It Won’t Be Long’

‘A Hard Day’s Night’

‘Eight Days A Week’

The show is a multi-media performance blending the music with actual Beatles footage and typical Beatles banter with the audience. On the screen, I am watching the same bespectacled girl in a shift jumper, experiencing a musical orgasm, that I have been watching since I was 12. Wonder whatever happened to her? And in The Wolf Den, here in Uncasville, CT, people are dancing. S*I*G*H. This section of time ends with:

‘Can’t Buy Me Love’

‘Day Tripper’

‘I Saw Her Standing There’

‘Twist And Shout’

I have been up twisting with most of the audience and literally twisted my pen into pieces somehow. I sit down, pull out another pen, and continue on taking notes.

And now a transition / costume change. Ardy Sarraf as Paul, accompanied by Ron McNeil as John, performs ‘Yesterday’ ... except it begins as “I’m … dreaming … of a white … Christmas.” Clever. The lyrics DO fit into the melody of ‘Yesterday.’ Beautiful portrayal.

And WHAT IS NEXT?? After a brief media presentation of Beatle songs sung by people on the streets of England, comes THE PEPPER SUITS! Colorful and sparkly, the audience starts to clap as soon as Gavin Pring, portraying George appears. I remember when Gavin joined The Fab Four Ultimate Tribute. A rather loud audible “WHOA!” came out of my daughter’s and my mouths simultaneously. In our case it meant, “He’s nailed it. That’s George.” Ardy and Ron have always been as close to John and Paul as imitation can allow, and adding Gavin (who coincidentally rises out of Liverpool) strengthened the show. Joe Bologna appears as Ringo tonight. He is so happy and joyful in his portrayal, as well as accurate in his drumming. The cast can change, but these four are the major players.

‘Sergeant Pepper/With A Little Help From My Friends’

‘Sergeant Pepper Reprise’

‘A Day In The Life’

STANDING OVATION … INCREDIBLE LIGHT SHOW AND LIVE SOUND EFFECTS

‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ (Ron is offstage changing for next set)

When Ron returns to perform ‘Imagine,’ he has a monologue that pays tribute to John Lennon. Ron, I can help explain the audience’s quiet reaction when you expected more applause for what you said about Lennon. We knew you were not Lennon, but at that moment, in that time frame, to us … you were. So for you to be talking about him when we were buying the fact that he was there in front of us … was confusing. We caught on and cheered you soundly as the other three returned and all are enmeshed in the ‘Let It Be’ era. Gavin performs ‘Something’ and OH MY … it IS SOMETHING. Such a beautiful song, I am thankful it is performed so well. And to end?? You say you want a ‘Revolution’? Holy Cow! All these songs performed live!

You know we can’t let them go yet. A song to help us collect ourselves and warm our hearts, ‘Hey Jude.’

I put my glow stick back in my bag and leave for dinner, echoing my friends’ voices, “THAT was fun!” Thank you for coming with me.

Next stop is Art Garfunkel in Tarrytown, NY.

-- Shelley

Great job, Shelley! (Now I wanna see them again!!!)

You can catch our review of The Fab Four from earlier this year here:
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-fab-four.html

↧

THE SATURDAY SURVEY (May 19th, 1968)

May 19, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 20 - 18 )

≪ Previous: Fab Four Friday

Feelin' a little nippy?

This week's chart comes from Fairbanks, Alaska!!!

5-17-68 KFRB Fairbanks, Alaska

*Survey courtesy Frank Merrill.

Check it out ... our New Colony Six buddies have the #22 Record in Alaska this week!!! Chicago's Spanky and Our Gang are just a few spots behind them at #29 with "Like To Get To Know You." (kk)

The name "Fairbanks" is well known, but has only about 30,000 people, sitting in the middle regions of Alaska. Despite the location, by looking at the survey, you might think the station was anywhere in the lower 48. They were even "thinking" of the New Colony 6 (#22!) way up there! They were NOT thinking much of rare tracks, however. How many record services and companies flew 45s up there, I wonder? Looks like R&B was quite popular in Alaska in '68.

One obscure track charting here is by Grammy winning Martha Reeves and the Vandellas'"I Promise to Wait my Love," which has the classic Motown Funk Brothers backing backing track that the 4 Tops could have easily sang the same song over.

-- Clark Besch

THIS WEEK IN 1968:

5/14/68 - The Beatles announce formation of Apple Records and boutique

Also on this date ... John Lennon and Paul McCartney appear together on The Tonight Show to promote Apple – Johnny Carson isn’t there that night so John and Paul hang out with substitute host Joe Garigiola. (At one point Paul asks "Where's Johnny?" Many years later McCartney appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and recounted the incident, explaining "Came to see Johnny ... got Joe!"

5/14/68 - The Rascals record “People Got To Be Free”

5/15/68 - George Harrison’s movie and soundtrack to "Wonderwall" premiers at Cannes 50^th ... it is officially the first Beatles solo album!

5/16/68 – Tony Joe White records “Polk Salad Annie”

5/18/68 – Tiny Tim’s “novelty” rendition of “Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips” is released by Frank Sinatra’s Reprise Records. The record made The National Top 20 and landed him key appearances on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In as well as The Tonight Show, Starring Johnny Carson, where he married Miss Vicki the following year.

Also on this date, Archie Bell and the Drells reach the #1 Spot on The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart, but Archie was nowhere to be found to enjoy his sudden, newfound success. That’s because he was resting in a West German Hospital after suffering a leg wound he received while serving in the Army in Viet Nam. (We ran a story several years ago about how all these fake “Archie Bell and the Drells” groups sprang up all over America, trying to cash in on the popularity of Archie’s hit record … and they were soon earning bookings all over the country … and there was not a damn thing Archie Bell could do about it because he was still overseas fighting for his country in The Viet Nam War!) You'll see that he also tops this week's Alaskan Chart!

5/19/68: The Fifth Dimension are back on The Ed Sullivan Show tonight to perform “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “On Broadway”

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 20 - 18 )

May 19, 2018, 10:01 pm

≫ Next: A Monday Morning Quickie

≪ Previous: THE SATURDAY SURVEY (May 19th, 1968)

>>>First new posting in a week (kk)

Worth the wait, Kent!
GREAT update.
Thx for the summer concert list.
LOVE City Winery and the Arcada.
Playing with Rewound Radio right now ... thx.
Have a great week,
Bill

How do you find the time to write such a great blog?

I barely have time to READ it! :)

We were sorry to hear about Burton Cummings being injured in a car accident in Los Angeles last Sunday. (Sounds like he’s in “recovery mode” right now so we likely won’t hear from him … but here are a couple of news articles we received from our readers) …

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4665016

http://bestclassicbands.com/burton-cummings-car-crash-5-16-18/

https://www.facebook.com/burtoncummings/

The accident seems to have been much more serious than the first reports we heard. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Burton, both mentally and physically, after this ordeal. (kk)

From Burton’s own post:

Currently recovering and healing from a very bad auto accident which happened on Sunday, Mother's Day, about 5:40 pm. I was summoned to Los Angeles for jury duty beginning the week of May 7th and reported later that week. Due to the Winnipeg Jets' playoff status right now, the judge was kind enough to dismiss me from a trial for which I had already been OFFICIALLY SELECTED as a juror. It is a medical malpractice trial which will go on probably until basically the end of May. While I was still hoping to make it to Winnipeg to sing the anthems at a later game, I explained my situation to the judge and the very day the trial was beginning, he was kind enough to dismiss me … on one condition … that I sing the Star Spangled Banner right there in the courtroom in front of his honour, the jurors, the lawyers, and both the plaintiff and the defendant. Having had a malpractice nightmare personally some years ago with my throat situation, I didn't feel proper to be participating in a medical malpractice trial, but that alone did not dismiss me. The judge basically did me a huge favour. Sunday afternoon, I was on my way to Fry's Electronics on Canoga and I was hit by a guy who ran right through a red light. My car is totalled. I suffered a concussion as my head cracked my front windshield. I have cuts and serious bruising on both arms, and my left leg is very painful. Also, intense back pain. I need some serious healing time and won't be able to fly right away. Now, unless the Jets continue on for a while, I might not be able to make it to Winnipeg to sing the anthems and cheer the Jets onward. I've followed their rise to the semi finals with great joy and pride. This accident has come at an extremely bad time for me … for more than just one reason.
With my current pain and aftershock nervousness I'm in no condition to deal with all the venom here on line. It would be crushing at the best of times, but right now, in the condition in which I find myself, it's just impossible to deal with. I'm through with social media for the most part. After a while it becomes a pissing contest, a race for the inside track, and basically it's all disgusting. For years I truly enjoyed the "late night ramblings" and communicating with followers all over the world. I enjoyed the 3D photo library, telling the stories of the early days, the "biology classes" concerning some of Earth's strangest creatures, the poetry postings and all the rest of it … now, in May of 2018, the joy has been painfully extracted from all of that … it only takes a few poison people to ruin things for a lot of nice folks … and that's precisely what has happened.
Some people have their own idea of what my personal life should be, and in their convoluted agendas, I'm all wrong in the way I'm living.
All of this is not even worth dwelling on for too long…the responsible people are not worth my keystrokes … they know who they are personally, one by one, and for the most part, many of the so-called "faithful" know who they are ...
I'm in a lot of physical pain today. I'm trying to focus on just how lucky I am not to have been killed or crippled. My hands and throat are basically okay, although I would be in no condition to do a show right now. No glass hit my eyes, but the concussion was quite serious. My head is quite swollen, as is my left elbow … both arms have many cuts and bruises ...
I'm thankful to the Gods and the Universe that this idiot hit me on the passenger side of my car, and I'm also incredibly grateful that I had decided not to take two and Mickey out with me for a car ride ... The worst thing these last two nights has been that my mind has been "reliving the crash"… that sound and fear and unexpected horror ... I was unconscious for a few seconds before I came to and was fortunately able to get out of the car myself. It's totaled … it looks like a piece of crumpled up foolscap that you would toss into the garbage. I've always been extremely wary of shrinks and therapists, but now, at 70, after this accident, I know I'm going to have to get some help getting over the shock … that's the worst part right now … trying to keep telling myself that I'm okay … my mind keeps reliving the awful crash … the terror and the sound.
I won't be around here much anymore for obvious reasons that are largely self explanatory. Any good thoughts of healing and peace that could be sent my way right now would be infinitely appreciated.
As for everything else, as the old cliche says, "it is what it is"...
Peace and calm,
Burton Cummings

Speaking of Burton Cummings …

If we couldn’t entice you to buy Burton’s LA home a couple of weeks ago, maybe Tom Petty’s old digs would be more up your alley. (Man, this place is INCREDIBLE!!!)

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/tom-petty-house-sale/

Hey Kent,
I have followed the legendary radio personality, Roger W. Morgan, since I was in high school. His talents are one of the reasons I went into radio broadcasting. He's now back in the studio, at a great oldies station in Oregon. I stream his show every morning, make that "Morgan"!
- John LaPuzza

http://thelegendradio.com/memories

Hi Kent:
I haven't written in ages, but I'm still out here. Mostly I'm quiet because I enjoy reading all the stuff about the 60s from folks in or near your generation, but I don't have anything to add. Being that fuddy-duddy yapping about how grandma made butter yadayada is not what I want to be.
I do have to say I agree totally about this business of breaking records. First of all, it is what it is and nothing should be extrapolated from it ... certainly not who or what is the best of whatever you're fooling around with. But it's everywhere!
It's the comparison of apples and lugnuts, perhaps worthy of amusing conversation or, as you point out, a trivia game, but nothing else. The playing field has changed as much in music as it has in baseball, basketball and football. They don't play those games, any of them, the same way they did in the past but they keep rolling out the records and piling up the statistics. Gives a lot of people a lot to talk about and maybe the talk is the objective after all. It also gives gainful employment to statisticians, I suppose.
Keep the faith, keep writing.
Hil

Kent -

Missed you at the Cornerstones concert … next time we need to get together!

A few comments …

No offense to Bruce, but I’d really rather hear the New Colony 6 SONGS and not the Revelles.

I always get a kick seeing Chet announce the Colony, but would like to take it a step further with each group having someone introducing them. For instance, it could be a wife. I know Doody, Ray and Jimbo have been married for eons to their spouses. Or a famous DJ (Dick Biondi, Bob Stroud), promoter (Carl Bonafede) … hey, even a fan!!!

Wish the guys sometimes would expand their catalog of songs in this venue. I know there is only a limited amount of time for each group but ... isn't it great that they are all still PLAYING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!!!!! I really enjoyed what the Cars and Bon Jovi had to say for their Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction speeches (I can’t say I am aware of too many of their hits, however … different era, I guess). One of my favorite groups are the Moody Blues, You could imagine my disappointment over their speeches (or lack of). Why Mike Pinder did not say anything was beyond me … maybe his health? And it seems like John and Justin thanking Ray was almost an afterthought. Oh well, at least they are in. In my mind I thought the two most glaring omissions from the Hall were Chicago and the Moodies and now they are both in. I always said that once they’re in, I am ready for the afterlife. (Naw, now we have to work on the Guess Who … and Tommy James … and the Grass Roots and the ... well, I guess I am not going anywhere.

When are we going to have our field trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? C’mon,, Kent … but you promised! :)

Keep up the good work, my friend … you are the patron saint of the average rock and roll fan!!!

Mike De Martino

P.S. Damn … the Ides did Superman!!!! Man, if they also did Rollercoaster I would have cried.

By the way, there is a great lineup for the Sheffield Garden Walk in Chicago … check it out … everyone except the Shames!

North Stage

Saturday, July 21
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - The Windy Gypsys
2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. - Rosie & The Rivets
4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - The Four C Notes
6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. - The Buckinghams
8:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. - The Ides of March

Sunday, July 22
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Claremont Drive
2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. - Shadows of Knight
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - New Colony Six
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Dick Diamond & The Dusters
8:30 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. – ARRA

I have made a number of suggestions to help improve the Cornerstones show … especially since there are SO many repeat concert attendees … I say why not give them something a little bit different each time they see the show ... and keep 'em coming back for more? (And, I would imagine, keep it a bit more entertaining and enjoyable for the artists themselves as well!)

As to your comments … and taking nothing away from Bruce Mattey … and speaking solely as my own personal opinion, The Revelles song, great as it is, really doesn’t belong in the line-up. It never charted … it wasn’t a hit … and it theoretically prevents The New Colony Six (who had SEVENTEEN charted hits here in Chicago) from performing another one of their legitimate hit songs that truly would go down as another fan favorite. (One suggestion that Ronnie Rice mentioned a couple of years ago was “I’m Just Waitin’, Anticipatin’,” which would sound INCREDIBLE with The Ides Of March horns!) I’m sure Ray would love to see “Love You So Much” reinstated into the line-up, too … and another personal favorite would be “You’re Gonna Be Mine,” the first song that Ronnie and Ray ever wrote and recorded together. (It was a #8 Hit in 1967.) Another fun one to mix things up once in awhile (and earn a Wow! Factor from the audience as an unexpected treat) would be their Top Ten 1971 Hit “Roll On.”

Although he’s been a fixture for the past 30+ years now, Bruce Mattey wasn’t a member of the band during their hit-making years. Truth be told, of all the acts backed by The Ides (who still have all four original members, if you can believe it!) on stage each night, he is the only featured performer that falls into this category. Jimy Sohns, of course, was the voice of The Shadows Of Knight … and The Cryan’ Shames have lead vocalist Tom Doody and head cheerleader Jimmy Pilster up front when they perform … and James Fairs, who wrote most of their biggest hits, also participated at the beginning. (Rumors of other former hey-day Shames joining the band on stage continue to circulate ... so we may have that to look forward to in the not-too-distant future, too.) And The Buckinghams perform their set as a self-contained unit (although it WOULD be nice to see Dennis Tufano make a surprise appearance every now and then.)

I can only presume that Bruce is there at the request of Ray Graffia, Jr., with whom he has been a partner in bringing back The New Colony Six for concert appearances and plays a vital role on stage in this regard. (Ronnie Rice, while enjoying singing his hits with a full band within the context of the Cornerstones shows, still wishes to retain his own identity as a solo artist outside this arena.) That being said, if the feeling is that Bruce Mattey is to be involved in some capacity, I would suggest that he sing “Take Me Back,” another GREAT, over-looked song from our Local Heroes, originally a hit for The Flock from 1967 that would also sound great backed by The Ides horn section ... and was a song that was actually part of The Chicagoland Sound of the ‘60’s ... a #12 chart hit here in The Windy City. I saw Bruce sing this at one of those Bob Stroud / Rock And Roll Roots Release Parties a few years ago and he absolutely KILLED it on that song. (It would also be a way to feature another Chicago band who was big on the local music scene back in the day, liven up the act, and present an opportunity to mix things up a little bit on stage.)

With that in mind, I have also suggested several times that Jim Peterik (and The Ides Horns) could do an EXCEPTIONAL version of The Mauds’ hit “Soul Drippin’,” a song Jim told me he loved, and thus offering another surprise treat for the devoted fans who come again and again … as well as a nice way to pay tribute to the dearly departed Jimy Rogers. Mix these new cuts in with “Lake Shore Drive” and “Bend Me, Shape Me” and all of a sudden you’ve got another awesome four-song set … which adds a whole new act to the line-up! And now you can close the show with a group ensemble performance of “Eye Of The Tiger,” something the fans most definitely want to hear but left out far too often because of the whole ‘60’s / ‘70’s / Garage Bands concept. (Seriously, is there a better "bring the house down" song than this one???)

The Cryan’ Shames have mixed up their set throughout this Cornerstones run … I say let the other acts do so, too, and keep this package rolling for a few more years! (kk)

And, speaking of The Flock …

NEW DOUBLE CD FROM USA / CHICAGO 60s - 70s

CLASSIC MUSIC GROUP - THE FLOCK!! RECENTLY RELEASED

Truth - the Columbia Recordings 1969-1970

Flock performed at the Royal Albert Hall UK in 1969 and has many, many fans in the UK, USA and Europe.

Flock also performed at the Bath Festival / UK and all over England, France, Sweden, Germany, Holland and Switzerland.

Flock toured the USA appearing at the L.A., Seattle, and Denver Pop Festivals including the Fillmore West and East … many other shows all over the US and Europe, as well.

(But will anybody give a Flock?)

Fred Glickstein

From FH Reader (and MAJOR Chicago Fan) Tom Cuddy …

https://www.connectsavannah.com/savannah/chicago-the-worlds-longest-encore/Content?oid=8377785

>>>While doing genealogy research, I found this fun fact for FH'er Tommy Roe. Knowing that Tommy did the song "California Chrome" for the Kentucky Derby winning race horse a few years back, it was funny to come across the second place finisher in the Pasadena handicap race on January 7, 1905! Check it out! (Clark Besch)

Hi Kent ...
That’s funny … I named one of my horses Heather Honey, and she actually won at Del Mar in the early 70’s. I am currently a partner with Scott and Mike Borchetta in two horses, Tennessee Cotton, and Taylor’s In Orbit. Taylor’s In Orbit has already broken her maiden and Tennessee Cotton will be running her maiden race very soon at Gulfstream Park.
Thanks for sharing the Heather Honey trivia from 1905!
Tommy
Attached is photo of Taylor’s In Orbit breaking her maiden in Florida.

Hello, Kent ...

George Gersch here.

It’s been a long time, pal. I remember when your platform was in its infancy and you’d send “wave files” of oldies in your emails. It’s hard to believe that more than 25 years have passed since then. The success you’ve achieved since then with this is amazing. Great work!

I looked at your lineup of upcoming shows and saw that Tommy James and the Shondells are coming up at the Arcada.

The band I’ve been in for over 25 years, The Fairlanes, had the honor of opening for them at Hoffman Estates Fest 12 or 13 years ago. It was the 5th of July, 94 degrees and about 90% humidity. We did our 90 minutes, dripping sweat, and started packing up our gear. I walked to the stairs with guitar in hand, and standing at the bottom of the four short steps was Tommy himself.

As we all came to the stairs, he graciously said to all of us, “Hey guys, great show! Thanks for not playing any of my tunes!” He went on “l loved the way you played the oldies.”

He talked to us for a good 15 minutes about the music business, and shared some things that touched us.

This is remarkable on its own, but Kent, the guy has a heart condition. He was fairly uncomfortable with the heat and humidity and, in spite of that, he left the air conditioned trailer we changed clothes in to watch our show … and to compliment us. He was simply a great guy.

As a bonus ... after we were off the stage and walking past our trailer, a guy comes out of the door, and I recognized him after a moment of disbelief. It was Kasim Sulton, Todd Rundren’s bass player, who did that year’s tour with Tommy James. Our bass player and I are HUGE Todd fans! I called to him, "Hi Kasim!" He flipped out! “Nobody ever recognizes me!” he said. Then he sat down with us and talked for a half hour. I’ve probably seen Utopia 10 times or so over the years, so it was an incredible day ... meeting and spending time talking with two of my musical heroes was amazing. I’ll never forget it.

George

Tommy is a super nice guy and puts his all into each and every show … and he still sounds exactly the same all these years later! He sells out every time he comes to Chicago (and sometimes that means two or three times a year!) His records ALWAYS did extremely well here and we've gone to see him several times the past few years … and it's always a great show.

I wasn't aware of any heart condition … you'd never know it.

They're still moving forward with Tommy's movie based on his best-selling book "Me, The Mob And The Music," a GREAT read if you haven't already done so. Still no official release date (in fact, I'm not even sure if they've actually started filming yet!) but, as always, we'll keep you posted here in Forgotten Hits … which hasn't QUITE hit 25 years yet … but turns 19 this November. Thanks, George! (kk)

UPDATE: I asked Carol Ross Durburow, Tommy’s long-time manager, for an update on the film and Tommy’s heart condition … here is what she sent me …

Hi kk –

Tommy had a heart issue many, many years ago … he is very healthy and continues to go for his check-ups, so he continues to have the stamina it takes to perform.

He has just finished his new album ALIVE!! and we are working on our marketing plan and will set a release date after we get a video done - probably get a few singles out there first ... very exciting stuff!

He is loving doing his radio show on Sirius / XM - GETTIN' TOGETHER WITH TOMMY JAMES ... Sunday evenings, 5 – 8 pm - 60s on 6 channel.

With regard to the book and movie, the screenplay is done. Barbara Defina, our producer, is now talking with directors … not an easy task getting the right person … and also if they are 'bankable,' they have several projects waiting, so it gets frustrating … but she moves forward.

As always, thank you for your interest and support of Tommy … he appreciates it immensely!!!

Carol

Tommy returns to The Arcada Theatre for a show on September 22^nd and there are still a few great seats left for this show … but you’d better hurry … Tommy sells out every time he plays here. It’s a GREAT show … and highly recommended. (kk)

Hi Kent -

Thank You So Much for the information on the release of "The Warmth of the Sun" performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on June 8th. I will add it to my Beach Boys Collection!

Any news as to Brian Wilson's back operation?

Carolyn

Yes, I'm pretty anxious to hear this one, too. (They keep finding new ways to present this great Beach Boys Music … and this has been a pretty popular trend of late, having already updated and orchestrated the hits of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Aretha Franklin!)

I honestly don't know if Brian has had the surgery yet or not … but I know it has been seriously bothering him for some time. (Having had back surgery myself many years ago, I can totally relate to the debilitating pain this can be.) We wish him the best for a speedy recovery. (My understanding is that Brian has had multiple back surgeries in the past … but they just can't seem to stop the pain. It seems to be something hereditary and also affected his brother Carl.) It sounds like he's looking forward to getting back on the road again … an amazing statement in itself when one considers Brian's tour history back in the day! (kk)

When he first heard about Brian cancelling his tour dates for another surgery, former band mate Mike Love posted an old photo of himself and Brian playing basketball with this "Get Well" greeting …

I know what it's like to have the Wilson back gene. I am sympathetic and empathetic, as I myself have had back problems as early as junior high. I hope one day we'll be able to do something like this again; great memories. Looking forward to perhaps one day throwing some hoops.

-- Mike Love

Kent,

I love what you are doing here. It's Bob from Bolingbrook ( we met at the Monkees concert in Merrillville, Indiana, quite a few years ago when I won tickets to the show!)

A few years ago, I sent you a short clip of John Phillips with Denny and Michelle singing a song while they were all part of The Journeymen. I STILL have not been able to get the name of or find this song anywhere. I know Michelle is still with us and has been on the Public Stations advertising many of their songs. I think she might be the ONLY one who can provide background on this song. I'm hoping this link below can serve as a sample of what I'm searching for?

Can you please post this and see from many of the listeners if someone can add some intel to this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhd8go6_aqM

Thx

Bob Morrow

We'll give it another shot, Bob. And this time I've also reached out to Harvey Kubernik, who is friends with Michelle Phillips, to see if perhaps we can get you the definitive answer once and for all. Stay tuned. (kk)

Hello!

I just wanted to share with you that my latest Audiobook Narration is complete and is now available on Audible, Amazon and iTunes!

“Grolar, Half Grizzly, Half Polar Bear” is a Thrilling, Fictional Horror novel that takes place in a modern-day Yukon Gold Mining Camp impacted by the inevitable conflicts that happen between gold-riches seeking humans and a very large rampaging hybrid bear!

Among the favorable comments to me regarding my audiobook narration from the Book’s Award-winning Author, Thorsten Nesch, this was my favorite; “This is wonderful, you even crept me out - and I wrote it!”

For a Five-Minute Audio Sample of this Book that you can listen to as much, as little or as none as you wish, just click on this link;

Grolar, Half Grizzly, Half Polar Bear
Then, beneath the Book's Graphic that appears, just click on “Sample.”

As an initial Promotion, Audible.com is offering this audiobook in its entirety FREE with a 30-day Audible.com trial.

And should you find the interest to listen to the full audiobook, your review on Audible.com or Amazon.com would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanx!

Chuck Buell
Happy to pass the info along! (kk)

↧

A Monday Morning Quickie

May 21, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: A Few Of Your Mid-Week Comments

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 20 - 18 )

>>> This week’s edition of The Sunday Comments will post at exactly 12:01 am ... that's one minute after midnight ... TONIGHT! (kk)

I am probably the only old s.o.b. that will be up when you post it!

Phil – WRCO

>>>Check it out ... our New Colony Six buddies have the #22 Record in Alaska this week!!! (kk)

Very cool, errr, cold, Kent! Never made the trek that far north (to Alaska, go north, the rush is on…) but have always loved their ice cream bars!

Ray

Hi Kent,

We’ve just recently introduced a new book series that should be of interest to your readers, especially those fans of the Saturday Survey feature. It’s Cash Box Regional Hits 1956. Cash Box published numerous regional charts, mostly from DJs at various radio stations across the country. Joel has spent a lot of time personally researching each and every chart and picked out the ones that never made it to the national charts. Talk about “forgotten hits,” this book is chock full of them! Lots of great doo-wop, rockabilly and novelty hits are included. After Joel dug out these treasures, I got them entered in our database and the end result is a fun, colorful look at some very obscure and, in some cases, very valuable records (many of which have full color photos in the book). I especially love seeing the different radio stations and disc jockey names, along with the retail store names.

Here’s a look at the 1956 volume, now on sale and coming in stock this week. We also have 1957 and 1958 in the works, with hopefully more to follow.

https://www.recordresearch.com/pop/cash_box_regional_hits_1956.php

Paul Haney

Record Research

Very cool indeed! How many years did they keep this up? (I’m wondering if these charts continued thru my key era of interest, 1964 – 1972)

And I was QUITE surprised to see WCFL playing rock and roll music in 1956!!! I had absolutely NO idea that this was the case. (Guess I’m going to have to dig a little deeper in my CFL Research!!!) I’m curious … do individual Top Ten Charts exist for each week for the radio stations reporting in? I would love to see THOSE in addition to Joel’s recap … especially for our local charts here in Chicago.

Yep, I think we can probably shoot a few Forgotten Hits Readers your way for this one! (Check out some of the sample pages via the link … some very cool and amazing stuff!) kk

>>>From the “Now I’ve Seen Everything” Department … Have you caught the new PetSmart commercial that features Yoko Ono singing “I’m Your Angel”?!?! Who would have EVER thought! Sure, it’s nearly forty years later … but Yoko’s music has FINALLY hit the mainstream … John would have been SO proud! (kk)

Kent,
It really surprises me they're using that Yoko Ono song in a TV commercial. She was sued shortly after the Double Fantasy album was released by the heirs of the composers of "Makin Whoopee." Obviously, the songs sound so similiar. The matter was settled out of court. "Makin Whoopee" was written back in the 20s but I remember hearing it a lot in Pepsi commercials in the 60s. Instead of Makin Whoopee, it was "Drinkin Pepsi". The commercials are on You Tube.
Dave
Hoffman Estates

The 2018 Midwest Fest For Beatles Fans has just been announced. Being held once again at the Chicago Hyatt Regency O’Hare, performers will include our FH Buddy Billy J. Kramer as well as Peter and Jeremy (who we’ve been dying to see!) Full information via the links below (as Early Bird Registration has already started!) kk

https://www.thefest.com/2018-fests/buy-tickets/

Hey Kent,

I wondered if you could put in a word about the band Dinosaur Exhibit. Prog-jazz-rock band including members of the Mauds, the Flock and Aura, including Jerry Goodman of the Flock. They played a couple of months ago at Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall and sold the place out. Their next gig is June 16 at Space in Evanston. They are really a great mix of music and musicians, and I encourage you to check them out if you can - they won’t disappoint! Hopefully there will be more shows in the near future, but I’d get on the bandwagon while it’s still early.

Great band!

Marlene

Actually, I think we’ve promoted each of their shows thus far and while I still haven’t had the chance to see them, I’ve heard some really good things. (I doubt that I’ll make the June Space gig either … but am still happy to help spread the word.) This place is kinda small, so will sell out quickly. Get your tickets early if you want to catch this show! (kk)

I personally loved the period piece of "Tip Toe Thru The Tulips" by Tiny Tim. However, about a year earlier, the song was given a rather bleak (mean?) treatment by the Humane Society that did fairly well in California, so Tiny Tim made it nice and wholesome in his year later remake ... and personally, I loved his version as just a newer "Winchester Cathedral" sound.

The song originated in 1929 and was #1 for many weeks nationally.

Here's the 1967 Humane Society version, which was top 10 hit on KACY in May, 1967 … and even top 20 on LA's giant AM KRLA in the summer of love '67!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEnvVry-Ric

Clark Besch

I’ve always been fond of The New Christy Minstrels’ fun work up of the song, which I first heard on the Dr. Demento program many, many years ago.

Tiny Tim’s may be the definitive novelty version … but I’ve gotta rank this one as a close second. (kk)

[RARE] "Tiptoe Through The Tulips"— The New Christy Minstrels

I really like this chart … not so much a sales and / or airplay chart in the traditional sense but rather one geared more around listener requests. As such you get great tracks like “Shades Of Gray” by The Monkees (last week’s #1 record) and “A Day In The Life” by The Beatles, which you know EVERY radio station from coast to coast was playing … but not necessarily charting since you couldn’t actually buy it as a single. A couple of Stones LP tracks, too … and “Randy Scouse Git” by The Monkees and “With A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles, from the same albums as the two mentioned above. Now THIS would have been a fun countdown to listen to! (kk)

↧

A Few Of Your Mid-Week Comments

May 23, 2018, 4:01 am

≫ Next: Thursday This And That

≪ Previous: A Monday Morning Quickie

I'm feeling good about Sirius / XM again …

They're launching The Beach Boys Channel tomorrow (May 24th) … and it'll run All Summer Long (pun intended) … and check this out … you can even call in your requests by dialing 833-FUNFUNFUN!

Thursday This And That

May 24, 2018, 5:07 am

≫ Next: Today We’re Heading Into Charted (and Uncharted) Territory

≪ Previous: A Few Of Your Mid-Week Comments

Me-TV-FM is rolling out a Summer Songs Weekend for the extended Memorial Day Weekend, playing the Favorite Songs of Summer all weekend long … songs with summer in the title … songs that make you think of summer … songs that were big hits during the summer … you get the idea … and odds are you’ll find a good chunk of these tunes on our Top 100 Favorite Songs Of Summer Chart that we published several years ago based on the votes we received from our Forgotten Hits Readers … a chart you can check out right here:

http://forgottenhits.com/your_all-time_summer_favorites

(You’ll also find yearly countdowns of The Biggest Hits Of Summer, based on the local and the national charts, from 1955 thru 1980!)

It’s The Summer Of Me / Summer Kick-Off Weekend on ME-TV-FM … so don’t forget the sun screen! (kk)

As we go to press this morning, we have learned that WLS Radio has officially cut ties with legendary Chicagoland Disc Jockey Dick Biondi. (Truth be told, Dick has been off the air for ages already for one reason or another ... but this official notice ends an era that dates back nearly sixty years.) We'll have more details in tomorrow's posting. (kk)

We don’t watch American Idol anymore (haven’t seen it in years actually!) and, as I type this, I honestly don’t even know who won this season (although I do know that the finale just aired last weekend.)

However, I thought this clip was worth sharing … as one of the contestants performed the MUCH-overplayed Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believin’” only to find that Steve Perry was in the audience that night cheering her on! (The really crazy part is that it's not that good of a performance ... yet Perry proclaims it the best version he's ever heard!!!)

You can check it all out right here …

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/steve-perry-american-idol/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_4572276

>>>I had sent you a few years ago a short clip of John Phillips with Denny and Michelle singing a song. I STILL have not been able to get the name or been able to find the song anywhere.

I know Michelle is still with us and has been on the Public Stations advertising many of their songs ... I think she might be the ONLY one who can provide background on this song. I'm hoping this link below can serve as a sample of what I'm searching for ?

Can you please post this and see from many of the listeners if someone can add some intel to this ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhd8go6_aqM

Thx

Bob Morrow

That New Journeymen song that Bob Morrow asked about is "I'm a Poor and Ramblin' Boy" from The Journeymen's album (1962).

Cheers,

Ed Osborne

FINALLY!!! Thanks so much, Ed … this one has been haunting us for YEARS!!!

Hey Hey! (as Jack Brickhouse would say)!!!

I'm hopeful this album or CD is available (???)

Thx again -

Bob

You’ll probably have to do some searching in order to find it – not a big seller (and likely not on CD – years ago they released a CD of pre-Mamas and Papas tracks and this wasn’t one of them included). On the plus side, at least now you know what you’re looking for!

I’d check the obvious places – used record websites and eBay, etc. I’m sure you’ll find it (and you can always convert it to cd or digital once you do!)

Thanks again to Ed Osborne for finally solving this years-long mystery! (kk)

Kent,

After several Google searches, I don't see where this song is featured on any of the three albums that show up on the search. Is it possible that Ed Osborne or someone can find me a link to purchase this in any type of mode ? I'm happy to do CD, Album, Audio file, etc. ... ?

Thx

Bob Morrow

I found a few albums listed on eBay (both on vinyl and CD) … and they ain’t cheap!!! But I couldn’t find this song listed either.

Thus begins the second half of this search … anybody got access to this track, “I’m A Poor And Ramblin’ Boy” by The (New) Journeymen? (kk)

And then …

I did find something on eBay this morning. I'm buying the CD for $27.00

Hopefully this is what I'm looking for!

Thx again -

Bob M

Good luck … and please let us know! (I’d be happy to share the whole clip with our readers, too, if you want to send it our way.) Thanks, Bob! (kk)

Kent,

I can't let this posting go without commenting.

First of all, if McGuinn and Hillman are touring, I'm there. That's the easy one.

I must agree with the first responder to the Radio Ink piece about audience samples. First of all, whenever someone queries me about my opinion, assuming I haven't hung up on them, I lie. Consultants, survey takers, and others already have pre-conceived conclusions, and nothing will dissuade them from it. They are hired just to confirm what is already a common belief. Sorta like programmers think everyone wants to hear Journey, Pink Floyd, Boston and AC/DC every hour. I used to subscribe to Radio Ink, until I realized they were just another mouthpiece for the conglomerates that want to ruin radio.

Jack

Hi Kent:

To all those who have the Humane Society 45 from ’67, flip it over. That’s the Money Side and the crazy cool Garage Rock Side! I actually heard this as a commercial for something a few years back.

Ken Freck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTpqWkFw7bg

We’ve been telling you about The Moodies Cruise for years now.

Now comes word about On The Blue Cruise! #randyhansen #tour …

A great mix of music from the 60s, 70s and 80s!

Join Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, The Zombies, Dave Mason, Randy Hansen, Steve Hackett (of Genesis) Alan Parsons, Procol Harum and many more! We sail out Feb 10 - 15, 2019 from Miami, FL!

To book your cabin and learn more about On The Blue Cruise head over towww.onthebluecruise.com

And, speaking of Alan Parsons, he’ll be performing at The Copernicus Center next month … June 5^th to be exact.

This is one of the best live shows you’re ever going to see … impeccable musicianship of some true rock classics. (These guys have made our Top Five list every year we’ve seen them.) There are still a few good seats available. (kk)

DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:

This probably is not said enough, so I wanted to say it now.

I thoroughly enjoy reading your columns and it brings back memories of my youth. I know it takes time and appreciate that you do it.

Karen Buckarma

Thank you, Karen … I truly appreciate that … (and never get tired of hearing it! Lol) kk

Still in love with FH.

Bill

Thanks, Bill! (kk)

More new stuff tomorrow in Forgotten Hits!!! (kk)

↧

Today We’re Heading Into Charted (and Uncharted) Territory

May 25, 2018, 4:49 am

≫ Next: THE SATURDAY SURVEY - May 26th

≪ Previous: Thursday This And That

As mentioned yesterday, Dick Biondi has officially been terminated by WLS Radio, the station he helped put on the map back in 1960.

At 85 years of age (some would say 88), Biondi has certainly fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a disc jockey … a thousand times over … yet there is still a veil of sadness here in The Windy City to hear that he will not be returning to the airwaves again (unless another station in town happens to pick him up through his final ride off into the sunset.)

The general tone of the dozens and dozens of emails we received today echo the sentiment of “The End Of An Era” … Biondi came along at a time when rock and roll was still fairly new and there weren’t a lot of rules yet in broadcasting. Despite the age difference, he immediately appealed to the teenage audience who bought rock and roll records, went to concerts and came out to the many record hops held all around The Windy City.

He pioneered a style of broadcasting that brought out the rebel in dozens of disc jockeys who followed him down the road of prominence in the radio industry.

I’ve known Dick for many years now, first interviewing him for our feature on “Who Played The First Beatles Record In The United States” series that ran nearly twenty years ago and helped put Forgotten Hits on the map. (The answer to that question, by the way, IS Dick Biondi!!!)

I’ve been to dozens of events he’s MC’d over the years … everything from toy drives to pizza parlors to amusement parks to car washes … to record hops and concerts he has mc’d. A nicer human being you’re not going to meet.

Biondi has felt the love of this great city for nearly sixty years … and embraced it right back … he is in every sense of the word a radio icon.

Which is all the more reason this documentary about his career needs to be made.

We heard from Pam Pulice this morning after she read the news in Robert Feder’s column … she has spear-headed this project and is executive producing the film.

She sent me this note, which was also posted on the various websites devoted to raising funds for this film …

We just read the sad news, folks. We are sorry to hear that Dick will not be coming back to 94.7 WLS FM. We will work even harder to finish our tribute to Dick and we thank Marv Nyren, vice president and market manager of Cumulus Chicago, for supporting our mission.
Dick, if you're reading this, we love you and send prayers for your restored health. Friends, if you have something to say to Dick, please leave your messages and we will pass them on. Please share this with your friends.
Pam

http://forgottenhits.com/who_played_the_very_first_beatles_record_in_america

You can read the full Robert Feder column here:

http://www.robertfeder.com/2018/05/24/wls-cuts-ties-dick-biondi/?utm_source=new%20post%20alert&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main%20content&utm_campaign=%2F2018%2F05%2F24%2Fwls-cuts-ties-dick-biondi%2F

>>>Hi Kent,

Here’s a look at the 1956 volume, now on sale and coming in stock this week. We also have 1957 and 1958 in the works, with hopefully more to follow.

https://www.recordresearch.com/pop/cash_box_regional_hits_1956.php

Paul Haney / Record Research

>>>I’m curious … do individual Top Ten Charts exist for each week for the radio stations reporting in? I would love to see THOSE in addition to Joel’s recap … especially for our local charts here in Chicago. (kk)

Hi Kent,

Cash Box began publishing Top 10 charts from various radio disc jockeys with their issue dated October 23, 1948. The final charts were published in the issue dated June 25, 1960. Cash Box provided a form which the DJ could fill out and send in (a photo of one of these forms is shown at the beginning of our 1956 book). Each week, Cash Box would rotate the stations in and out, so unfortunately there is no complete weekly run for a station for a given time period. Sometimes they even ran charts from two different DJs at the same station! What’s great about these charts is that this is from the time before many stations published their own surveys. Also, there are many smaller markets represented. I guess by 1960, many stations were printing their own weekly surveys, thus Cash Box felt it was no longer necessary to print these charts. So, the farthest we could go with this series is 1960, but we could always work backwards starting with 1955, if there is enough interest from our customers.

Paul Haney / Record Research

>>>I was QUITE surprised to see WCFL playing rock and roll music in 1956!!! I had absolutely NO idea that this was the case. (Guess I’m going to have a little deeper in my CFL Research!!!) kk

Kent;

One of your reader’s wanted to know if WCFL was rockin' and rollin' before WLS. Not that I recall. They had Dan Sorkin playing comedy album cuts and jazz in the morning and Sid McCoy on the overnight show. However in the late 50’s WJJD took a crack at rock and roll with some first class jocks ... Jim Lounsberry, Sid Roberts and Stan Dale who later became a newsman at WLS … and they made a dent in the Chicago rock market. However, their nighttime signal was so poor that by the 1960’s, the station eventually gave up and went country.

WGN hired a dj from Cleveland during the late 50’s and convinced Coca Cola to sponsor an evening rock and roll show on WGN called the “Coca Cola Hi-Fi Show” hosted by a guy who secretly hated rock and roll named Wally Phillips. WIND also had a great DJ lineup about that same time and were well into Chuck Berry and Elvis!

However when WLS entered the rock market in 1960, they offered some things no one else did … a huge signal and a great dial position at 890 … they played the song Alley Oop continually for 24 hours the first day on the air and introduced a nighttime maniacal Jerry Lewis-like character named Dick Biondi. Every teenager within radio earshot scooped him up, loved his irreverent persona and suddenly he owned Chicago’s nighttime radio. The result was that for the next 20 years, WLS was in like a tall dog in a kennel!

Clark Weber

Back in 1956 (the dawn of The Rock And Roll Era), one of the newspapers in town (I believe it was The Chicago American … jeez, when’s the last time you heard THAT name?!?!?) used to publish a Weekly Top Ten List in their Friday edition.

It sounds somewhat similar to what Paul Haney is describing above … often the “top picks” by some of the local jocks working for stations that were, a good four or five years ahead of WLS, trying to cash in on the latest musical fad.

Among those stations were WIND, WGN, WAIT and WJJD. Wally Phillips, Howard Miller, Bernie Allen, Del Clark, Sid Roberts, Milo Hamilton (who would eventually end up working at WCFL as a sportscaster, doing the color commentary on The Chicago White Sox games), and a few others were featured with their weekly picks.

I have never seen WCFL listed here before … in 1956 … ten years before they gave WLS a run for the money in the teenage Top 40 Market … but looking at the sample pages contained in Joel Whitburn’s new book, it shows that ‘CFL was playing cuts like “I Put A Spell On You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins! (Who’dathunkit?!?!)

Then, in June of ’56, WJJD published their first “Forty Top Tunes Of Greater Chicago” chart … for the week ending June 11^th… Survey #1 showed “Moonglow” by George Cates as the #1 Record here in Chicago. (Actually, most of The Top Ten was pretty tame … with artists like The Four Lads, Pat Boone, The Four Aces, The Fontane Sisters and The Chordettes holding down positions. (The only two Top Ten Rockers were Carl Perkins (“Blue Suede Shoes,” #7) and Elvis Presley (“Heartbreak Hotel,” #9.)

Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, Teresa Brewer, Perry Como and Nat “King” Cole helped to fill out the rest of the list … but there was SOME life on the chart, thanks to hits by The Platters, Bill Haley and the Coments and Chuck Berry.

The WJJD Charts would continue through the early sixties before they flipped formats to an All-Country line-up, which they were actually quite successful at. (The Top Tunes Of Greater Chicago charts would continue through the first few weeks of 1966 before disappearing forever.)

Still, I’ve never heard WCFL mentioned in this context (or timeframe!) before … so it’s REALLY cool to see them listed in Joel Whitburn’s new book. (kk)

Years ago, Ron Smith (www.oldiesmusic.com) sent us copies of the radio station charts that The Chicago Tribune ran each week. (These covered the years 1956 thru 1958. These were much shorter representations of what each radio station considered to be the (typically) Top 5 Records in Chicago … and once again, WCFL is represented … so there is much more to their rock and roll history than I had imagined. (kk)

Speaking of the charts, I was doing some research on another project the other day and saw something I just couldn’t believe … so I wrote to Joel Whitburn at Record Research to see if perhaps this was an oversight that needed to be corrected. Boy, was I surprised by facts on this one!!!

Here’s our conversation …

Hi Joel –

I am working on a new project tonight and was VERY surprised to see that 1992 - Cetera, Peter - Restless Heart never charted in Cash Box??? Can this be true???
This was a #35 Hit in Billboard … and is a song we still here in Chicago all the time.
Is this perhaps an oversight? (At first I thought maybe it went beyond the scope of your Cash Box book … but I see that The Cash Box Top 100 collects their chart information through 1996 … so that can’t be it! (kk)

It's partially true: “Restless Heart” by Peter Cetera only managed to hit #101 in Cash Box (it’s on page 32 of the Looking Ahead book).
Joel

Wow! That’s about as major a spread as I’ve seen / didn’t it chart like 70 positions higher in billboard?!?! (kk)

Yes ... 66 positions higher in Billboard to be exact!

Joel

I then got this from FH Regular Paul Haney as a further explanation …

Hi Kent,

Joel forwarded your e-mail to me and I sent a brief answer back. However, I’d like to expand on it a bit.

There were some very strange things going on chart-wise with Cash Box in 1992.

Besides “Restless Heart” only peaking at #101, “You Could Be Mine” by Guns N’ Roses (#29 in BB) only peaked at #104 in Cash Box.

Also, “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” by Spin Doctors (#17 in BB) and “Nothin’ To Hide” by Poco (#39 in BB) didn’t chart in Cash Box AT ALL!

And then there’s the whole “The Letter” fiasco with Wayne Newton. Yes, somehow that “song” made it all the way to #1 in Cash Box for one week (without even “Bubbling Under” in Billboard) and it actually booted Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” from the #1 spot!

Paul

The whole Wayne Newton controversy has been going on for years! (I’m told that it was virtually impossible to buy a copy of this record … yet it went all the way to #1 in Cash Box without ever even charting at all in Billboard Magazine … WTF?!?!) And it charted in Cash Box for 31 WEEKS … without EVER breaking through on Billboard’s Hot 100 or Bubbling Under Chart?!?! (Some SERIOUS money must have exchanged hands under the table on this one!!!)

I asked Cash Box Chart Guru Randy Price for his thoughts on this record …

Kent,
For anyone who is not familiar with the details of this "phenomenon," this Wikipedia page provides the details of how Wayne Newton came to write and record "The Letter."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Letter_(Wayne_Newton_song)

The song was available at the time (1992) only on his Moods & Moments LP and a promo cassette single. In addition, a video of Wayne performing the song was in medium rotation on The Nashville Network cable channel.
I have no first-hand knowledge of how this song came to be a No. 1 charting single on the Cash Box Country and Pop singles charts, but my understanding is that it was a personal favor to Wayne by then Cash Box owner and publisher George Albert, who died in 1997.
– Randy Price

I'm wondering how many of you out there have ever even heard this song before. How on earth did it reach #1 in Cash Box Magazine … and never chart at all in Billboard? (kk)

Hi Kent,

I was looking at some of my old surveys today and found this information on one from WBBM for the week ending May 12, 1973.

I know there are a lot of Ides of March fans that read Forgotten Hits so if you’ve never seen this before, I thought you would enjoy it. The surveys fold out and this was on the back.

Also, last week I found a handbill that I had forgotten about that has The Ides of March, Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show and Rare Earth on it. Just thought you and your readers might find this interesting if you haven’t seen it before.

Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written. I hope all is well.

Les Peterson

Hi Les ... Always good to hear from you whenever you’re able to check in.
Incredibly, The Ides Of March and Megan McDonough are still connected all these 40+ years later. She was one of the guest performer at last year's Christmas Concert at The Arcada Theatre! (kk)

And, speaking of The Ides Of March, our FH Buddy JR Russ (who runs the awesome WCFL Oldies Website we keep telling you about) played a cut that caught my attention the other night … so I just HAD to share it with you …

Here’s King B … Ron Britain … bringing us right into The Ides Of March’s #1 Hit “Vehicle”!!! (kk)

Wow!!!

Thanks for sending, Kent. It sounds so good. How could that be from AM radio? Is that a board tape?

Ron Britain was awesome. Is he alive!?

Also would you be willing to post the Ides current schedule for the year! (There’s not that many shows so you may have room! Lol!)

Thx, my friend.

Jimbo

I believe that’s right from the WCFL master tapes … enhanced and mixed for stereo by JR Russ, who runs the awesome WCLFChicago.com website. We’ve been talking about ways to expand and improve the station … SO much good stuff on there already … no telling how far this could go!

Ron Britain is still alive but despite our best efforts we have yet to connect with him. (Clark Besch speaks to him somewhat regularly … and thanks to this new ‘CFL connection, I’ve met a few other people who correspond with him as well. I’m hoping he’ll climb onboard should we be able to take this internet station a little farther.

ALWAYS happy to help promote The Ides’ shows … you simply can’t have a better time at a concert … so should new dates be added, please let us know this so we can pass those along to our readers as well.

As of right now, here’s what’s currently on the agenda …

July 7^th– Hoover Auditorium – Lakeside, OH

July 21^st– Sheffield Garden Walk – Chicago, IL

July 27^th– Wood Dale Prairie Fest – Wood Dale, IL

July 28^th– Brookfield Zoo – Brookfield, IL

August 25^th– DeKalb Corn Fest – DeKalb, IL

December 15^th– The Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL

(This is the Annual Ides Of March Christmas Show … not to be missed!)

You can also catch The Ides at these Cornerstones Of Rock shows …

June 28^th– Milwaukee Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI

November 24^th– The Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL
(They act as the "house band" for these shows, backing up Chicago legends Jimy Sohns of The Shadows of Knight along with key members of The New Colony Six and The Cryan' Shames. They also perform their own set of hits before turning the stage over to The Buckinghams to close the show. EVERY show thus far has been a sell-out ... so get your tickets early for this one!!!)

And Jim Peterik’s World Stage …

October 6^th– Moraine Valley Community College – Palos Hills, IL

Next year The Ides Of March will be part of the Flower Power Cruise (March 30^th thru April 6^th) … and then Jim does his Annual World Stage Show at Wentz Hall in Naperville on January 12^th.

Kent,

I am doing a story on your site in my newsletter this Sunday.

You provide a great service. Keep up the good work. I’ll send you a copy.

In harmony,

Glen

Glen Fisher

Doo Wop Revival

Sunday 8 pm

WJCT 89.9 FM

Doo Wop Ramblings Newsletter

To Subscribe: doowop.revival@yahoo.com
Well, thank you, Glen! Please do send me a copy of your newsletter ... I'd love to see it! (kk)

Don't miss The Saturday Survey tomorrow in Forgotten Hits ...
This week we travel to Minnesota ... and have another "Bonus Chart" to share with you as well!

And be sure to watch for our weekly Sunday Comments Page, too! (kk)

↧

THE SATURDAY SURVEY - May 26th

May 26, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 27 - 18 )

≪ Previous: Today We’re Heading Into Charted (and Uncharted) Territory

5-25-68 WDGY Minneapolis, Minnesota

WDGY and KDWB went toe to toe throughout the 60's as the great top 40 stations battle of the twin cities. It's great seeing the NC6 up near the top here and Robert John's Lou Christie imitation at #15. The local Minneapolis band, T.C. Atlantic, ranks appropriately at #20 with their local Candy Floss Records release"20 Years Ago (in Speedy's Kitchen)." Sounding quite British, the 45 would make enough local noise to be bought and released nationally by Parrot Records, ala the Ides of March break in '66 from Chicago with "You Wouldn't Listen."
-- Clark Besch

*Survey courtesy Gary Pfeifer and ARSA site

Yes, The New Colony Six jump from #12 to #4 on this Minneapolis chart with their hit "I Will Always Think About You" ... it had already hit #1 here in Chicago a couple of weeks ago.

In fact, this chart looks pretty similar to the way these songs ranked here in Chi-Town.

A personal "Forgotten Hit" favorite would have to be "The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp" by O.C. Smith, who would go on to top the charts all over the country a few months later with his version of "Little Green Apples," a song we've already seen on our 1968 charts as performed by Roger Miller.

Other big movers this week include The Ohio Express (up eleven spots from #13 to #2) with "Yummy Yummy Yummy,""MacArthur Park" by Richard Harris, which climbs sixteen spots from #26 to #10, "Master Jack" by Four Jacks and a Jill (#22 to #13) and Clark's mentioned Robert John track, "If You Don't Want My Love" (up from #29 to #15), a move of fourteen places.

BONUS CHART:
WCFL distributed its last chart in stores with the survey dated "Week Ending May 23, 1968."

After skipping a week, they began shipping large poster versions of their surveys for in-store displays only. (WLS would do the same thing for part of 1972 and 1973.)

Fortunately, there were enough of us crazy chart collectors out there to go into the stores and write down the results of each chart posted every week! (Yep, we were WAY into our hobby!!!) What the heck ... we were still going into the stores to pick up the WLS Survey anyway!

As such, with a few gaps missing here and there (some of which may be because WCFL simply didn't post a chart for those weeks) we still have a virtually complete collection of all of our local Top 40 Surveys from 1960 - 1985. (WCFL would resume printing and distributing the weekly charts in 1970 ... and carry on until they signed off the air in February of 1976 with a chart they labeled "fini 1976." (They flipped to a "World's Most Beautiful Music" format the week after that ... and Super Jock Larry Lujack was under contract to continue with this new shift. Thankfully, he was eventually able to negotiate his way out of this spot and return to WLS where he once again became one of the top Top 40 Jocks on the air.)

In any event, it seemed only fitting to run a copy of the last 1968 WCFL Chart ever published as part of this year's Saturday Surveys / 50 Year Flashback Feature ... so here it is!!!

Both The Buckinghams and The Cryan' Shames have "Chicago Premiers" this week, with "Back In Love Again" and "Young Birds Fly" respectively.

Our Local Heroes are also represented on the chart this week by The American Breed (#30 - "Ready, Willing And Able") and Spanky And Our Gang (#19 - "Like To Get To Know You") while Tommy James and the Shondells hold down the top spot with "Mony Mony," a record that spent three weeks at #1 on the WCFL chart.

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS:

Here's what was happening in music news, this week in '68 ...

5/22/68 – Cream earns a gold record for their album “Disraeli Gears”

5/23/68 - The Beatles’ second Apple Boutique opens, 161 New Kings Road, London

5/24/68 - Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull arrested for drugs ... again ... in London

5/25/68 – Simon and Garfunkel’s album “Bookends” hits the #1 Spot on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart, knocking their own Soundtrack Album to “The Graduate” out of the top spot in the process!

5/26/68: Spanky and Our Gang and Nancy Sinatra make another appearance together on The Ed Sullivan Show, each performing several songs that NOBODY cares about!

Also on 5/26 – Little Willie John dies of pneumonia while locked up in a Washington State Prison.

↧