The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 27 - 18 )

May 27, 2018, 7:23 am

≫ Next: ART GARFUNKEL - A Guest Concert Review

≪ Previous: THE SATURDAY SURVEY - May 26th

Dick Biondi:
I’m sorry, but you cannot fire Dick Biondi. That term will never apply. You cannot terminate a spirit as strong as his. You cannot compare him to anyone else on radio.
How can you put an expiration date on a legend?
A legend lives forever, changing the world for everyone in the range of his voice. Dick would never buy into his own divinity, which makes him even more divine.
He is a burning star in the galaxy of rock and roll ... and nothing can stop him from shining.
Dick, we are all thinking of you right now. And loving you forever.
Jim Peterik and all the Ides of March

Kent -

I enjoyed your tribute to Dick Biondi. It’s hard to believe that I never had the pleasure of meeting Dick, having worked in only one market at the same time and that was your city .

Without question, Dick is truly a Radio Icon and should be remembered for the impact he had on the industry. (Hey, we should all be as fortunate to have as long a run as Dick had in a very tough business.)

Keep your fingers crossed, Chicago … maybe someone will come along and welcome him with open arms.

Then again, Dick might say “Thanks but no thanks!”

Either way, thanks Dick, for a magnificent career.

Johnny Holliday

Hi Kent,
GREAT NEWS!
We just received a very generous donation from Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band! We are honored to have Paul in the film, and especially grateful because this means we can get back to piecing together our story. Paul’s generosity gets us one step closer to the finish line.
We are actively seeking our passion partners … people who believe in our mission and want to help us bring the Dick Biondi story to PBS. Now, more than ever, knowing Dick will not be returning to the airwaves at 94.7 WLS-FM, we feel it is vital to finish this project in a timely fashion. If any of your readers would like their name, group, or company associated with “The Voice That Rocked America: The Dick Biondi Story,” please have them call me at 630-670-8411. Or visit our Donate page https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/donate/.

Kent, we are screening our new 20 minute prevue followed by a Q&A at select venues around Chicagoland and getting a lot of great reactions from people in spite of it being a work in progress. We’ve got two screenings booked and are planning more. Hope to see you at one. You never know who’s gonna show up, like John Landecker who surprised me at the Michigan City Library last Sunday. John calls himself the Dick Biondi Ambassador and has been a great supporter of the project. Of course John’s in the film along with so many great, great personalities. What a journey this has been for me to get to know all these DJs and artists I grew up listening to. Incredible.
June 5th - 1:00 PM - Fremont Library - 1170 N Midlothian Rd - Mundelein, IL 60060
July 1^st - 2:00 PM - Sulzer Library - 4455 N Lincoln Ave - Chicago, IL 60625 with Special Guest Ronnie Rice, who will talk about Dick’s impact on the music of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s
As always Kent, thanks for keeping us informed and keeping the music alive.
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 — write Dick Biondi Project in memo line.
Mail to:
Dick Biondi Project c/o Chicago Filmmakers
5720 N. Ridge Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660
If you’ve got some comments you’d like to make about the storied career of Dick Biondi, please send them along … and we’ll make sure he sees them! (kk)

Radio … And The Charts:

Hi Kent,

Some very cool stuff about the 1956 charts, both in Cash Box and the Chicago papers. Just as soon as the Tribune listings were "found," I called off the bloodhounds which I had in search of the mysterious newspaper weekly article that I had attributed to the American.

Now, you're saying that the American (or somebody else) had a column with Top Tens??? In other words, two different newspapers doing this at the same time, in the same city? THAT is something I've never heard of!

Now I need to find out which stations reported into the American? Were there any that didn't appear in the Trib at all? (I curiously noticed that WLS never reported there.) I'm thinking of guys like WHFC Cicero, WENR, who knows maybe even an FM station, etc.?? Does anybody know anything about the column in the American at all?

I may have to order that Whitburn 1956 book just to see what the reporting form looked like - and, especially if it's filled out, I'm wondering if somebody's sitting out there with a bunch of those from all over. It wouldn't take all that big of a stack for me to be offering $10K or more.

Frank Merrill

These mid-to-late ‘50’s charts predated WLS's switch over to Top 40 so no, they would not have been reporting ...

I'm still shocked that WCFL was playing the popular hits at the time ... had no idea this was going.

I seem to remember them being in The American ...

Chicago had FOUR daily newspapers back then … besides the two “majors,” The Tribune and The Chicago Sun Times, we also had The Daily News and The American (both of which were afternoon newspapers … remember THOSE days??? Now a major city is lucky to have ONE daily newspaper … and it’s likely something that very few people read.)

The fact that The Tribune charts that I have typically only show about the Top 5 Records as reported in by the participating stations leads me to believe that there was a second listing of some sort … because the charts I’m referring to are definitely Top Ten Lists. (I've included a couple of scans below … unfortunately, they’re not of very high quality … mine are all copies of copies of copies ... and I have a VERY limited collection at that ... but this tells me that there was definitely more than one source for this information. (kk)

Actually, I was more surprised to see rock and roll in the WBBM reports. Is it possible that one of these stations had something like a Saturday Morning Top 10 or 20 Countdown - and no other rock and roll was played during the day? Did either of the newspapers have radio schedules, which may have shown such a show? But if it's just a bunch of names, you can't always tell what kind of music was playing.

I'm thinking of something like the WGN show (with Phil Collins!!!) which may have been just a couple hours per week in isolation. I'm also thinking about things like that Budweiser show that ran on stations that didn't play any rock and roll otherwise, like KTAR in Phoenix.

I don't think there are many (any?) people who really know the extent that many stations may have done some form of rock and roll for very limited hours. I think it's kind of the same thing that made WJR show up with a Top Ten back in 1956 in the paper.

In the paper in some places, I've also seen reports that were clearly NON-rock and roll lists, where something like "Firefly" by Tony Bennett was too raucous for them.

Frank

Kent,
I have to make a little correction to Clark Weber's comments.
Yes, WJJD gave up rock, but the reason was not a poor nighttime signal, but rather a non-existent nighttime signal. In those days, WJJD had to sign off the air at sunset, Salt Lake City time. We'll save the reason for another day, but during the summer, they'd still be on at 9:30, an hour or so after most daytimers in the area were signed off. Still, WJJD's bedtime never went much past 9:45, even on the summer solstice.
Also, WJJD didn't segue from rock right into country. They adopted an MOR format in 1962 and went country a couple of years later.
Thank you, Clark, for reminding us of some of the talent heard on WJJD back then. But I don't think you mentioned that Ron Riley worked there. So I hope the Riley - Weber feud hasn't reignited.
Bill Fortune

We told you how Me-TV-FM is running their “Summer Of Me” special this weekend (it’s on the air right now here in Chicago!), featuring tunes selected by Forgotten Hits Readers several years ago that compiled a list of Top 100 Summer Favorites. (You can check out the complete list here: http://forgottenhits.com/your_all-time_summer_favorites)

The year this feature first premiered, eight different radio stations ran countdowns featuring all or part of our research results. Because each station programmed their own countdown individually for their target audience, it was neat to listen in and see what types of different approaches they took when revealing the winners. (Difficult, too, as on a couple of occasions, this list was on against itself in different markets!!!)

Now, in addition to Me-TV-FM featuring Summer Favorites all summer long, we got word that donrecordsradio.com is going to countdown the complete list as well … in its entirety … (and hopefully even feature a few of the cool “extras” that also received a significant amount of votes.)

More details below … and we’ll let you know when it’ll air so you can tune in and listen.

(Hey … Phil Nee … wanna do this for one of your Those Were The Days programs? Maybe tie it into the official First Day Of Summer? And Scott Shannon, too … you made a REALLY big deal out of our list when we first released it … and then ran follow-up specials for a few years after that … at one point, even polling your own audience to see what favorites THEY came up with. How about doing a full-blown True Oldies Channel Summer Weekend to feature the 100+ songs that made our list?) kk

Hi Kent,

To start with, I love your website! I'm a retired radio guy living in Lincoln, NE.

Thank to your kind permission, I am putting together a summer special featuring The Top 100 Summer Hits as selected by your readers. The special would focus on some of the stories behind the songs and artists. (Naturally, I will reference your website and your poll in doing so.)

The special will stream on my website donrecordsradio.com.

Thank you again for your consideration … and I’ll be sure to let you know when you can catch this special.

Don 'Records' Ludden

(Records Truly Is Not My Middle Name)

Helping Out Our Readers:

Hi kk -

I grew up during the 70’s listening to a song originally written and performed by Simon & Garfunkel, ”Bridge Over Troubled Water” … nut the version I’m most trying to find was an instrumental by an orchestra, or the album by the name of “Franne and Tasha.”

I appreciate any help you could give.

Noah Reeder

I did a little bit of searching but came up empty … maybe one of our readers can find something for you. Stay tuned ! (kk)

This And That:

We recently told you about a Royal Guardsmen Reunion Concert held down in St. Petersburg, Florida. In fact, thanks to FH List Member Barry Winslow, we were even able to share some pretty awesome pix.

Then, this past week, we ran across a clip that FH Reader Clark Besch had sent in a while ago featuring The Royal Guardsmen performing an Army radio ad … so we just HAD to share it!!!

I sent a copy to Barry who responded …

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha ...

Forgot about that one ...

Dear Lord, that was too much.
Thanks, Kent … that made my morning.
I don't know how you keep it going, Kent, but carry on, my friend.

Hope you have a super Memorial Day ... maybe even get a chance to relax ... lol!
Bless ya, my friend
Barry

If Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman are touring, I'm there.

Jack

This one is truly baffling … I got the PR announcement and checked out the details … but knew I could run the listing until Tuesday or Wednesday … so when I prepped that posting, I referred back to the link and all of the information was gone. I then did several searches and there was virtually nothing online about this tour … and every single one of the links that I was able to find that WAS about the tour, were also disabled.

I emailed Roger McGuinn to ask him about it but haven’t heard anything back as of yet … if he responds, I’ll be sure to pass the information along. And if anybody out there knows what the heck is going on, please enlighten us as well! (kk)

Hey Kent,

I have always felt that "Get Together" by The Youngbloods was THE song that brought the '60s decade to a close. The earliest versions were recorded in 1964, by the Kingston Trio and David Crosby. The trio released it on their "Back in Town" live album, titled "Let's Get Together", while Crosby's version remained a demo for a while. I like The Youngbloods' version the best, as it is more dramatic and reflective of the times, but the '64 recordings are interesting in their own right. (The very beginning of Crosby's, sounds like "Twist and Shout"!)

- John LaPuzza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eif5tF-j_Vc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSL_ErrCE5k

We Five had a minor hit with this in 1965 (#31) but I agree that The Youngbloods best capture the spirit and feel of the song. (Their original release in 1967 tanked (#62) … but the 1969 rerelease (spurred on by its use in a television advertising campaign) pushed it all the way to #4 in all three major trade publications. Great tune. (kk)

JOHN LENNON: Postal Stamp in September

There will sixteen differently colored versions of a 1974 photo on a replica 45-RPM record sleeve.

The John Lennon postage stamp will go on sale September 7th.

The special series will be printed on a replica 45 - RPM record sleeve.

Artwork released by the U.S. Postal Serviceshows sixteen different color variations of a 1974 image by noted photographer Bob Gruen. The original black-and-white photograph has been treated in gradations of color. Lennon’s signature appears at the top of the stamps. “USA,” the peace symbol and the Forever denomination appear along the bottom.

A different photo appears on the back side of the panel -- a 1971 image by Peter Fordham that originally promoted John's Imagine album.
--Submitted by Tom Cuddy

Hi all,

I am trying hard to regain my LIVING room and my bookshelf is mostly done (yeah, metal one, but ... ). Been working on getting this place livable to some extent. Anyway, if you'd like to see my book collection (many of yours are larger, I'm sure), here's a good example along with my decades old bookends custom made for me in the 70's. If you are from Chicago, these will interest you. About ten 45s set into a wooden cut, glued in place with appropriate A sides showing. I can switch them around to show other sides when I wish. NOW, all I need is the Cryan’ Shames book. When is that one coming from Hooke, Toad, Fairs or SOMEONE????!!! How about an NC6 book too, Mr. Graffia??? I am VERY happy to say that some of these books are by friends of mine, too!!!

Clark Besch

I bought tickets for last November’s show and held on to them. I’m sure

the 13 month wait will be worth it!

Joe Malin

Bob Seger Just Made The Announcement You've Been Waiting 8 Long Months To Hear

Bob Seger 2018/19 Tour Dates
11/24 (Original date 10/142017) — Kansas City, Sprint Center
11/27 (10/10) — Des Moines, Iowa, Wells Fargo Arena
11/30 (10/12) — Scottrade Center, St. Louis
12/12 (11/15) — XCEL Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minn.
12/14 (11/17) — Rosemont, Ill., Allstate Arena
12/20 (10/05) — Greenville, S.C., Bon Secours Wellness Arena
12/22 (10/07) — Atlanta, Infinite Energy Arena
1/19 (9/30) — Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Arena
1/29 (11/13) — Billings, Mont., Rimrock Auto Arena
1/31 (11/7) — Boise, Idaho, Ford Center
2/15 (10/28) — Phoenix, Talking Stick Resort Arena
2/17 (10/26) — Denver, Pepsi Center
2/23 (11/4) — The Forum, Inglewood, Calif.

Sixties Psychedelic-Rock Legends The Chocolate Watchband Release Two New “Far Out” Singles

San Jose, CA - When discussing legendary psychedelic garage bands of the 1960s, the Chocolate Watchband is at the top of the list. The Chocolate Watchband formed in San Jose in 1965. The band's music was described as “a blend of 1960s-style garage and psychedelic rock with a distinguishable 'Rolling Stones' San Francisco sound. Produced by Ed Cobb, the group's early music combined the influences of blues with a psychedelic edge that featured terse lyrics and instrumental experimentation. The Chocolate Watchband appeared in the 1967 film “Riot On Sunset Strip” and the 1968 film “The Love Ins.” The band released three highly acclaimed LPs from 1967 to 1969 before disbanding in 1970. In 1999, they reunited at the San Diego event 66 / 99 in San Diego, CA, organized by musician / journalist Mike Stax. They continue to play today at garage rock festivals in Europe as well as the States with Little Steven, The Yardbirds, Love, The Zombies, Bo Diddly, Iggy Pop, the Strawberry Alarm Clock and the Electric Prunes.
Now much to the excitement of the band's fans around the globe, the Chocolate Watchband are releasing two new singles destined to be classics! - “Judgment Day” and “Secret Rendezvous”! The tracks were recorded in 2017 at Kingdom Voice Productions, Santa Clara, CA.

Says lead vocalist and founding member David Aguilar, “I wrote 'Judgment Day' as the country was still in recovery after every dollar you might have had invested suddenly tanked thanks to Wall Street. People were getting laid off, they were moving backwards in income, homes were being foreclosed on. Families were living in their cars. It was a terrible time for the American dream. But this was pure opportunity for those who enjoyed stratospheric wealth. Wall Street gangsters, bailed out by American taxpayers, were rewarded for their massive greed and stupidity. They immediately started buying up everything they could, hotels, new corporate jets, restaurants chains, radio stations, small businesses, big businesses, casinos, 300+ acre ranches with 16,000 square foot homes in compounds near Aspen, on Long Island, or in Florida. Their trophy wives were pampered like pet poodles.
“It resulted in the anger that put the current president into the White House. And it's ironic, Judgment Day didn't come for the political party that remains the mouthpiece for the fat cats. And now the White House is filled with more Wall Streeters! The Who were wrong, Americans can get fooled again!

“'Secret Rendezvous' changed names a few times, lyrics were quick and fast, the whole song came from the opening riff … I recorded it in about 40 minutes. I like songs like this - they write themselves as you track it. I recorded drums and guitar together, added bass, horns, cowbell, (yeah say it - “more cowbell”) and vocals. When the band got a hold of it, they ripped it! I can't wait to sing this song on stage!”

Watch the band's new live video “I'm Not Like Everybody Else” (the Acid Test 5/7/16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8OJ9SAr77s&feature=youtu.be

The Chocolate Watchband:
David Aguilar - Lead Vocals, harmonica, percussion, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars
Gary Andrijasivich - Drums, backing vocals, percussion
Tim Abbott - Lead guitar, sitar, backing vocals
Derek See - Guitars, backing vocals
Alec Palao - Bass

Tim Abbott - Engineer / co-producer,
Ross Peterson - Mix Engineer / co-producer
Joey White - Mastering Engineer

To purchase “Judgement Day” single:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/judgement-day-single/1384988843
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3GJN8Y

To purchase “Secret Rendezvous” single:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/secret-rendezvous-single/1385018605
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3GDT1F

Spotify:
“Judgement Day”: https://open.spotify.com/album/5eMrgSJN4Eapy8DZsmbd40
“Secret Rendezvous”: https://open.spotify.com/album/3v7ZALFFucwVrzEp6g3UOC

For more information:
The Chocolate Watchband official band website: http://www.thechocolatewatchband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chocolatewatchband/

↧

ART GARFUNKEL - A Guest Concert Review

May 29, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Thursday This And That

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 27 - 18 )

There has been much talk these past few months about Paul Simon embarking on his farewell tour ... early reports state that it's a must-see event. (Opening night he came back for three encores ... a total of NINE SONGS!!! Who does that?!?! That's almost a whole 'nother show all by itself!)

But there's been very little fanfare for Art Garfunkel's current tour ... despite the fact that literally every single show is selling out across the boards.

I had the good fortune to see both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel in their early solo days ... Paul during his 1972 "Rhymin' Simon" tour and Art shortly thereafter when he was touring behind his "Breakway" album, still one of my all-time faves.

But I never had the chance to see the two of them together. (Their last stop here in Chicago was at Comiskey Park ages ago ... and, incredibly, I couldn't find ANYBODY who wanted to go see the show with me ... despite knowing full well that this would likely be their last go-round as a duo. I still regret missing it to this day.)

But I did get to see the Madison Square Garden DVD ... and despite all the bad blood that may have circled around them in the nearly fifty years since their 1970 break-up, they were able to pull it all together, set their differences aside, and put on an amazing, goosebump-inducing show.

Today, East Coast Forgotten Hits Field Reporter Shelley Sweet-Tufano tells us about the Art Garfunkel show she saw last week in Tarrytown. (Art's recent shows at Chicago's City Winery were immediate sell-outs ... so I missed those, too!) As such, today I get to live vicariously through Shelley's words ... and suggest that you do the same. (kk)

******

When I left my home and my family, I was no more than a boy ….

Running scared, laying low …

Asking only workman’s wages …

Ah yes, ‘The Boxer’ ... but also a peek into Art Garfunkel’s early musical career?

They told me the sound check lasted much longer than planned, and therefore the doors for the 8:00 pm concert would not open till 7:30pm. Then I get the “rules”:

THE SHOW IS COMPLETELY SOLD OUT.

DON’T TRY TO CHANGE YOUR SEAT.

HE DOESN’T WANT MOVEMENT ONCE THE CONCERT BEGINS. AND NO PICTURES.

The usher says it all with a smile.

I can see the stage clearly from my balcony seat and I am finally seeing half of my son’s favorite duo live. Should I get my feathers ruffled? I smooth them down, and smile.

When he walks out on the stage, alone, at 8:12pm there is thunderous applause. History walking before us. He is followed soon after by Dave MacKay and Tab Laven. As he addresses us, the audience, he explains his show. There are songs (thank goodness, and expected) but poems from his book, “what is it all but luminous,” (not a mistake … all lower case) will thread their way through the show.

Art’s voice has most certainly returned in force. I believe it was around 2010 that he felt he had lost it, and retreated inward, waiting (as he states) for it to return. At 76 years young, with Paul Simon retiring, he has thrown himself back into his musical work. As he brings up in the second half of the show, “There are two ways to bring music to the world: recordings and performing.” While he would love to spend time in the studio, as he used to, working and perfecting a song … what do you do with it after that? “I’m not going on MTV. I guess I would do a Youtube. So I perform.” YAY! For us! And just maybe that is why our favorite Forgotten Hits artists DO keep performing. I like to think it is for us, but now I see it is equally for them.

As Art reads a poem from his book, he comments, “That’s a little pompous. I can change that.”

Highlights of the first act:

April Come She Will

The Boxer

Moment In Time

All I Know (a piano solo by Dave MacKay that took my breath away … no vocals, but wow!)

Scarborough Fair

The Side of the Hill

In The Shadows (written after 9/11)

Homeward Bound (inserting “Tarrytown” as the destination)

There are a couple more, but apparently I was listening without writing.

After intermission, Art begins with Gershwin: ‘Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.’ You can imagine Art’s voice swirling this song around the heads of his audience. So romantic. As I watch the people jump up for standing ovations on songs, I notice the men are jumping up first, their wives looking up at them with the, “I never thought you got this like I did” look.

Continuing on:

Real Emotional Girl by Randy Newman

For Emily Whenever I May Find Her

A wedding song Art sang as a child in the synagogue

Bridge Over Troubled Water …original melody. (Did you know there was one BEFORE the recording?)

Kathy’s Song

Sounds of Silence … with the most amazing / powerful arrangement of guitar and keyboards!

As an encore, Art uses ‘Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep,’ ending with “Goodnight Tarrytown.”

The poems from Art’s book are speckled with song, both actual and potential. “I’m having a great time,” he tells us.

With so much in the gossip columns about this duo and their differences, I am both surprised and impressed that Art speaks SO HIGHLY of Paul Simon throughout the concert. No, I did not expect him to speak negatively, but he might not have referenced him at all had he chosen. My favorite statement of the night from the stage: “I chase after the goosebumps.”

I sure experienced them … over and over.

Simon and Garfunkel were our cutting edge when it came to duo harmonies, love songs (notice all the women who got their names in the titles), protest and basic life lessons that could be put into words and melody. OK, son of mine … wait till you see your Fathers’ Day and Birthday gifts. Good timing for me on this concert, Mr. Garfunkel.

A summer rarity ... and in June we return to Tarrytown for The Happy Together Tour.

-- Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

↧

Thursday This And That

May 31, 2018, 3:49 am

≫ Next: The Friday Flash

≪ Previous: ART GARFUNKEL - A Guest Concert Review

Get ready for four straight days of postings again as we attempt to dig ourselves out of all this email!!!

That means you'll get a Thursday This And That ...

A Friday Flash ...

The Saturday Survey (this week we visit Indiana)

And, of course, The Sunday Comments!

Enjoy!

Let's get things rolling with our latest "Helping Out Our Readers" success story ... (at least I think so ... Noah Reeder will have to get back to us to confirm ... but I feel pretty good about this one!) kk

>>>I grew up during the 70’s listening to a song originally written and performed by Simon & Garfunkel, ”Bridge Over Troubled Water” … but the version I’m most trying to find was an instrumental by an orchestra, or the album by the name of “Franne and Tasha.” I appreciate any help you could give. (Noah Reeder)

Orchestral versions of Bridge over Troubled Water include:

Arthur Fiedler on his 1995 album Peace, Love and Pops Greatest Hits of the 60s & 70s;

Erich Kunzel on his 1993 album Amen! A Gospel Celebration;

Paul Mauriat on his Love Is Blue album;

The London Symphony Plays the Music of Simon & Garfunkel album;

The 101 Strings on their album A Salute to the Great American Artists;

and The 101 Strings Orchestra on two box sets — 50 Inspirational Favorites, and The Enduring Light.

Those are the obvious ones from my Phonolog. I'm betting on Paul Mauriat.

Guy Arnston in Algonquin

I’m not so sure about the Paul Mauriat option … his “Love Is Blue” album came out two years before “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was written! (I’m thinking that if you found this listing, it must come from a latter-day compilation release of some sort in order for both songs to be included. UPDATE: I think I just found the cd you’re likely referring to … and it definitely came out several years later as it also includes tracks like “The Way We Are” and “Ebony And Ivory.” Still, Noah, probably worth a listen to see if it’s the instrumental version you’re referring to. You can find this release on Amazon.) kk

Could he have meant those towering titans of the duel piano sound, Ferrante and Teicher?

- Mike Lane

Minneapolis

This must be what Noah is looking for:

Mike S.

I think you’re right … Franne and Tasha COULD sound a whole lot like Ferrante and Teicher ... or the other way around, I guess! I agree … this has got to be the one … let’s see what Noah has to say. Thanks, Mike! (kk)

[Major thanks to Tom Diehl for tracking this one down for us]

So here's your next challenge ...

Several years ago, when I was the Program Director for the oldies station here in Lincoln, I was able to get a service that provided oldies songs that were being released in stereo. As a part of that service, they had several oldies artists themselves tell the story behind the song. They're no longer in business but sure wish there was something like that now. Just wondering if you know where I can get oldies artists audio? In particular, I'm looking for stories behind the hits from the artists themselves. I can find stuff on the internet but its taking a massive amount of time.

Thanks, Kent, for any help you can offer.

I’m not aware of such a list or service but I’m happy to ask the list. (With over 200 deejays now on board, perhaps somebody knows something about where you can obtain some of these clips.)

My guess is that most of these guys have been doing this for so long now that they’ve build their own archives of material from interviews they’ve done over the years. Still not an easy undertaking finding just the right comment about the right song, going thru a massive library of material. Good luck … we’ll see what comes back from the list. (kk)

In addition to The Fest For Beatles Fans coming up here in Chicago that we told you about last week, Charles Rosenay sends us this update for his New York / New England Fab 4 Music Festival …

YouTube Stars from the Ellen DeGeneres Show added to the

June 9 "Fab 4 Music Festival at the Oakdale Theatre

On Saturday, June 9, THE FAB 4 MUSIC FESTIVAL, New York / New England's regional Beatles-themed music festival, will "come together" at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT. There will be a total of 20 bands playing both indoors under the Dome, and outside on the "Octopus' Garden Patio, from 1 – 10 pm. One act just added to the line-up will be a very special attraction for fans.

Earlier this year, a video went viral on YouTube with a pair of brothers doing spot-on vocals of John Lennon and Paul McCartney harmonizing in the New York City Subway system. The buskers, who sound like they're from Liverpool, are two musicians who happen to be brothers, caught listeners by surprise who may have expected them to be performing songs by Bob Marley or Stevie Wonder judging by their looks. More than half a million views later, brothers Rah and Amiri Taylor were invited to perform and tell their story on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. Their band is named Blac Rabbit. As a result of their television exposure, Rah and Amiri, were invited to play the Fab 4 Music Festival. The internet sensations and media darlings will be closing the "Octopus' Garden" outdoor patio stage with a 7:30 set.

View the Ellen DeGeneres Show segment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-wPBTqn7ac

View the original NYC Subway performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-b6OcOq0iA&start_radio=1&list=RDj-b6OcOq0iA

This popular family-friendly Music, Foods & Arts Festival, produced by long-time Beatles fan and promoter Charles F. Rosenay!!!, will feature the music of The Beatles, their solo material and classic songs from the sixties. Along with the great entertainment of 20 bands, there will be Beatles and music memorabilia dealers and vendors, exhibitors, kid-friendly activities, along with food trucks and other attractions.

Other outside patio artists on the "Octopus's Garden" stage include Dramatic Turn's Brideau & Miller, Fools On The Hill Sal & Allen, Dizzyfish Acoustic with Eric Herbst, The Navels, Scott Ringle, David Tessier's Pre-Fab Monkees All-Star Show and Suns of Walrus.

Bands on the "Pepperland" main stage indoors include such New Haven area bands as The Hofners, Penny Lane, Number Nine, The Taxmen, Corporation TeaShirt and Take Two & Call Me In The Morning. Also performing on the Pepperland stage are under the dome are Rotary, Double The Dial, Pat Horgan's Thunder Road and Beatlehead.

Aside from Rah and Amiri Taylor, another national act will also be performing at the festival, sixties rock band The Fifth Estate, who had a hit on the Billboard charts in 1967 and were also contacted by The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein to manage them.

Rosenay is very much looking to the event, which is the 40th anniversary of his very first Beatles Convention in 1978, and it's the 50th anniversary of some famed Beatles albums. In 1968, The Beatles produced their most whimsical work, "Yellow Submarine," as both a record and theatrical animated film, and they also recorded their most intense collection of songs released as a two-record set, "The White Album." In celebration of the 50th anniversary of these historic releases and the year 1968, advance "Ticket to Ride" general admissions are only $19.68 (plus any service fees). There are also V.I.P. tickets available. Note that admission will be higher at the door. Advance tickets available at Ticketmaster.

The "Fab 4 Music Festival" on Saturday, June 9, 2018, is presented by Rosenay's Liverpool Productions in partnership with Live Nation. Festival MCs will be Rosenay and radio personalities Brian Smith from WQUN and Ken Michaels from WNHU and KenMichaelsRadio.com. The official charity of the festival is "Concert With Causes," a 501-c3 Wallingford charitable organization. There is ample free parking.

With a full day of fab 4 fun, 20 bands and non-stop music for all ages, as The Beatles sang, "It's Guaranteed to Raise a Smile."

For further info, visit website www.Fab4MusicFestival.com or call (203) 795-4737.

Be sure to check back throughout the weekend for more new postings! (kk)

↧

The Friday Flash

June 1, 2018, 4:55 am

≫ Next: The Saturday Survey: June 2nd

≪ Previous: Thursday This And That

As promised yesterday, here’s an email that proves once again that “It Takes All Kinds”!!!

We received this response after running Shelley Sweet-Tufano’s review of the Art Garfunkel concert she saw a couple of weeks ago in Tarrytown, New York … Yikes!!! (It’s actually a little bit scary!) kk

Dear Sir / Madam,

Just came up to "this so called review" that is not a review at all but something you have written down - and maybe paid for by Mr. Art Garfunkel.

Yes, I also bought a ticket for the Amsterdam show in Koninklijk Theater Carreé Weesperzijde Amsterdam. How can you already write a review about THIS CONCERT while this show is still going on?

Last week I received an information email from Mojo Concerts, the company I bought the ticket from. This show would start at 20.00 in the eve and will be ended on the time of 21.40 hour. Also, a break of 20 minutes was announced in this email. What the hell is this for a kind of show? And apparently you have a very thick thumb for putting up and writing such a nonsense regarding all this stuff.

Because I had to travel for THREE HOURS, I made up my mind regarding the predicted weather forecast in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The weather is very severe here in Holland now … thunderstorms and a lot of rain is still pouring down. So I decided not to go to this concert … but also for the folllowing reasons:

I know Art Garfunkel has been an actor and this was one of the causes for Paul Simon to get rid of him. Paul Simon had nothing to lose; the only one still being the loser was and still is Art Garfunkel. I do not believe your words regarding what he might speak about Paul Simon during all upcoming concerts in Europe.

As Paul Simon said, "Let Artie fight out his demons"… and I wish him the same. Fortunately, Paul Simon is - indeed - in more than excellent shape and having lots of fun and interactions with his visitors who did and will do visit his Paul Simon Farewell Tour.

I’ll be there in Amsterdam, too, for a marvellous show - without having any break - for two and a half hours.

Please keep going on deceiving people who do not know what kind of a man Art Garfunkel is … a devil in disguise.

When I am listening to Art Garfunkel, it is all about "me, me, me." Paul Simon never speaks about himself or what a great voice he still has. He is not interested at all in what people think about him and whether people like him or not.

Shut up with your Art Garfunkel … Tab Laven and Dave McKay … screwing people by asking extraordinary prices for ONE ticket.

Kind regards and I will have a look in the Dutch papers for any review that might have been written tomorrow Guess not.

Corry Hoekman / The Netherlands

Whew!!! That’s a WHOLE lotta hate for one email!!!

For starters, the review I ran was a “guest review,” written by Shelley Sweet-Tufano, a regular contributor to Forgotten Hits. The concert that Shelley reviewed took place on May 17^th at Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York … so no, it wasn’t a “review from the future” … nor was it a paid endorsement of Garfunkel’s show. (Anybody who tried to get tickets for this thing already knows how expensive these tickets were!!!) That being said, with so much hate in your heart for Art’s talent, why on earth would you spend this kind of money to see somebody you clearly can’t stand?!?! Honestly, after reading your comments, I fear for his safety!!!

How you can interpret this review to be about a concert that hasn’t taken place yet tells me you didn’t pay very close attention to what you were reading. It sounds to me like you’ve already made up your mind well in advance as to Artie’s talent and ticket prices … so again, why go at all???

As for Garfunkel speaking kindly of former partner Paul Simon, I can only say that I’m glad he seems to have buried the hatchet on his end. (On stage anyway … we all know how THAT goes!!!) Again, I wasn’t there to experience it … but the impression he made on the person who reviewed the show clearly seemed sincere. (There is still a widely-circulated rumor that Simon’s tour will wrap up at Madison Square Garden and feature “surprise guest” Art Garfunkel … but again, this remains to be seen … as I don’t write concert reviews from the future!!!)

All that being said, I welcome YOUR review of the 2 ½ hour Paul Simon concert … preferably written AFTER you actually see the show rather than before. Thanks, Corry! (kk)

↧

The Saturday Survey: June 2nd

June 2, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 03 - 18 ) : Special Dick Biondi Edition

≪ Previous: The Friday Flash

5-31-68 WERK Muncie, Indiana

Muncie is just an hour east of Indianapolis and gave plenty of airplay to Chicago and Indy bands in '68. Muncie had some popular combos in '68 and one such, the Chosen Few, sat at #4 this week with their very poppy "Pink Clouds & Lemonade." Their next release would be bought by RCA and be a minor chart item, "Maybe The Rain Will Fall." Muncie also laid claim to December's Children, who had the #11 hit with their decent version of Spencer Davis Group's 1967 hit "Keep on Runnin'." Canada's Original Cast sit at #25 a year before they added an "e" to their name and had a hit with the FIRST version of "One Tin Soldier." #37 will be showcased NEXT week!

-- Clark Besch

It's always interesting to see how some of our Midwest Groups charted outside Chicago, but still in the general area and vicinity of home. (Many of their gigs were in these outlying cities as well, unless they got picked up on a major tour backing up the headline artist ... which they often did.)

Cool to see Andy Kim at #1 with "How'd We Ever Get This Way." Our FH Buddy Carl Wiser just interviewed Andy about his big hit from 50 years ago.
Here's the link:http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/andy_kim/

In addition to the acts Clark has mentioned above, we've also got The American Breed with the Pic Album Of The Week ("Pumpkin, Powder, Scarlet And Green") and, on the singles chart, The New Colony Six at #16 and Spanky and Our Gang's new one at #35.

50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK:

5/29/68 – The movie “Wild In The Streets” hits theaters, featuring the Max Frost single “Shape of Things To Come.” (By the way, “Shape Of Things To Come” was the very first song ever featured in Forgotten Hits back on November 26^th, 1999.)

5/30/68 – The Beatles hold their first sessions for what will become “The White Album.” The first track recorded? “Revolution.”

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 03 - 18 ) : Special Dick Biondi Edition

June 3, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: A Monday Morning Quickie

≪ Previous: The Saturday Survey: June 2nd

Kent, my friend;
If you look in the dictionary under "Class," you may well find a picture of Dick Biondi, a man who brings new meaning to the phrase "uncommon decency." I loved Dick Biondi as a kid; I treasure his legacy and his energy and unique persona as an adult. #Oneofakind.
Rahm and the City of Chicago should have a day set aside to honor this master craftsman.
Chet Coppock

Well, they dedicated Dick Biondi Way a few years ago … but I agree that some type of proper send-off should be held.

I remember many years ago when Biondi was doing one of his countless Toy Drives at York Town Shopping Center … he was center stage at the mic with Ronnie Rice and I was just out there as part of the very large crowd surrounding all the festivities when all of a sudden he called out "Hey, isn't that the Forgotten Hits Guy over there?" He called me up there with them … one of those TRULY "I am not worthy" moments.

Dick gave hundreds if not thousands of hours at Christmas Time, trying to raise money and toy donations for the less fortunate Children of Chicago … he would sometimes stay on the air for dozens of hours at a time … and local celebs regularly stopped by to help raise funds. He fulfilled his every dream of being a broadcaster ten times over … and should be allowed to step into the sunset in a FAR classier manner than just an announcement that he won't be returning to the WLS-FM airwaves. The man deserves FAR more than this.

Here's to hoping that SOME ABC Executive will demand that those currently in charge collectively remove their heads from up their collective asses and show this man the respect he deserves … and give him a classy send-off that ALL of Chicago can remember and appreciate. (kk)

Here's a photo of Dick Biondi at the Street Dedication Ceremony with Photographer Michael Bush, who is normally on the OTHER side of the camera lens. (Mike has a brand new exhibition coming up, showing off some of his collected works from the past 40+ years of hob-nobbling with the rock stars he has photographed ... both up close and personal and live on stage. Stay tuned for more details as to where you can check it out. It promises to be quite the tribute to the artists who have provided the soundtrack to our lives.)

When the Buckinghams first heard that Dick Biondi was let go at WLS, we were very saddened. As Jim Peterik and The Ides said, “You can’t fire a legend like Dick Biondi.”
Dick will have an everlasting impression on radio and the music business as we know it. Whenever Dick’s name comes up as The Buckinghams travel and perform around the country, we are always pleased to find out how many people, fans and other radio personalities know and love Dick Biondi. He has helped launch so many of our careers when we were starting out, when he would play our records in the early days, defying program directors just to support us. Dick has that God given talent to connect with his audience because he is one of them.
Dick, you are still a bright star and will always be … so much a part of the music we make. We are all so blessed to know you.
We will be thinking of you with good thoughts and prayers.
With Love and admiration.
Carl Giammarese and The Buckinghams

I first met Dick back in the summer of 1968. He was making an appearance at the Kane County Fair about 35 miles west of Chicago. At the time, I was a budding DJ on a local station. I hoped to introduce myself without all the crowds, so I staked out the entrance to the fair and waited for a fancy car or limo to enter ... and waited. Finally, when it was showtime, I went to see him and there he was. Somehow he had gotten by me.

After the appearance, I did have a chance to meet him and we talked for several minutes about my career and he invited me downtown to watch him do his radio show. I asked him how he got to the Fair and he showed me a somewhat used dark green VW beetle, that he drove himself ... nothing fancy. Since then, I did go and watch him do his radio show and met him several more times at area appearances.

When he returned to WBBM-FM, I was invited to come down to his studio 90 minutes before his show and had the opportunity to interview him for another station. On another occasion, he recorded several radio-show promos for me, even though I was on a different station in the same market. Each time we visited I reminded him of that VW beetle and he seemed truly pleased and nostalgic that someone had remembered it. I always wanted to invite him for dinner, but it never happened. If it had, my mom would have probably rolled over in her grave, since she practically took the radio away from me whenever he was on-air.

He is one of the truly nicest guys in the business.

Jon M

St. Charles, IL

Hi Kent,

So sorry to hear that the GREAT DICK BIONDI will not be returning to the Radio Air Waves! He is truly a legend and has meant a lot to my life, growing up listening to him.

I may have been the first person to approach him about starting a Fan Club for him in 1960 or 61. Took a bus, went to the WLS studio and met him with the idea. I still have the written correspondence from him! lol

Hoping Pam Pulice will have some Library Appearances in the near west Suburbs! There will NEVER by another DJ like the "WILD ITRALIAN DICK BIONDI"!!!!

Carolyn

These above two comments are priceless … especially the one from Carolyn, who started the very first Dick Biondi Fan Club! (I forwarded these to Pam Pulice, who is making the Dick Biondi Documentary that we keep telling you about.) Both of these stories belong in this film … and Pam agreed. (In fact, I would even suggest that she interview Carolyn on film so she can show her 1960 Dick Biondi memorabilia!)

Here is a copy of her comment back …

Dear Kent,
Wow! Thank you so much for sending these to me. I would love to capture their heart-warming stories. Yes, please put me in touch. Thanks again, Kent.
I don't recall if I told you that Paul Shaffer, who is in the film, made a generous donation. If we had 50 people like Paul, the doc could be finished in a matter of months. I give kudos to Ron Onesti of Onesti Entertainment for helping us get that interview with Paul and others, and for getting behind this project from the very beginning. Ron is a standup guy whose heart is in the right place. I just love this guy! And I can't thank him enough. He is right now putting together a fundraising committee to get this done ASAP so Dick can have the honor he so richly deserves.
I feel so grateful for all the people who have come forth to make this dream happen. There's a community of loving good folks in my life now that I never knew existed before. Life is full of surprises and connecting with all these people has enhanced my life tremendously.
This week my coeditor Steve Zagata and I are heading to the Cumulus / WLS FM studios to show the entire staff our 21 minute screener. Cumulus VP Marth Nyren is inviting the press to be there as well and has offered to help us by taking donations on the WLS FM website. We are very excited about this opportunity! This is BIG.
Kent, thank you for all your doing to help us spread the word. Keep up the great work! Love to you and all music makers, DJs, recorders of history, fans and friends who keep the music alive.
Pam

Here are several Dick Biondi newspaper clippings I’ve collected over the years … as well as a short piece of my interview with WLS Program Director Gene Taylor giving his take on what happened when Biondi left WLS in 63. This is from my personal interview with Gene in 1991.
Clark Besch

Remember this moment on Letterman? Hope this can be viewed somehow. Not sure if this was on youtube or off one of my video tapes. Has been on my computer for ages.
Clark Besch

The only way I could figure out how to share this video was to offer it as an attachment to anyone who wanted to see it after reading this week’s special posting. It is especially cool to see Paul Shaffer … who just made a sizeable donation to get the Biondi Documentary done … single out our Local Hero on national television! So, if you want a copy, drop me an email at kk@forgottenhits.com and we'll send it along to you via email.
Thanks, Clark! (kk)

PREVIOUS TRIBUTES:
Here are a few of the previous tributes we received after WLS announced that Dick Biondi would not be returning to the airwaves ...

I’m sorry, but you cannot fire Dick Biondi. That term will never apply. You cannot terminate a spirit as strong as his. You cannot compare him to anyone else on radio.
How can you put an expiration date on a legend?
A legend lives forever, changing the world for everyone in the range of his voice. Dick would never buy into his own divinity, which makes him even more divine.
He is a burning star in the galaxy of rock and roll ... and nothing can stop him from shining.
Dick, we are all thinking of you right now. And loving you forever.
Jim Peterik and all the Ides of March

Kent -

I enjoyed your tribute to Dick Biondi. It’s hard to believe that I never had the pleasure of meeting Dick, having worked in only one market at the same time and that was your city .

Keep your fingers crossed, Chicago … maybe someone will come along and welcome him with open arms.

Then again, Dick might say “Thanks but no thanks!”

Either way, thanks Dick, for a magnificent career.

Johnny Holliday

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

↧

A Monday Morning Quickie

June 4, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Tuesday This And That

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 03 - 18 ) : Special Dick Biondi Edition

FORGOTTEN HITS EXCLUSIVE NEWS CONFIRMED:

Kent:

Here’s an exclusive for Forgotten Hits!

During Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon’s July 15th concert at the Arcada Theatre in Charles , IL , he’ll be joined on stage for one song by popular Me-TV host Svengoolie (Rich Koz).

As you might remember, a couple of years ago Freddy, a big fan of horror films and Svengoolie, wrote a song for the highly rated movie host. Freddy flew into Chicago and performed on his nationally seen Saturday night show. A music video was made from his appearance:

Since then, Freddy and Rich have been hoping to find the right time and right place to perform it for the first time in front of a concert audience and that will happen next month at Producer Ron Onesti’s Arcada Theatre.

Sharing the bill with Freddy at the 5pm show July 15th concert will be:

Jay Siegel’s Tokens (Jay is the original lead singer of the group)
Larry Chance & the Earls (“Remember Then”)
Lance Vance (the son of Kenny Vance of the Planotones and original member of Jay & the Americans)

Freddy and I would like to thank Svengoolie’s terrific Producer Jim Roche for his help in making this first-time concert performance come together.

Tom Cuddy

New York, NY

That’s GREAT news, Tom … Ron and I have been talking about this since the day he first booked Freddy to play The Arcada. Really looking forward to this show and FINALLY being able to say “hello” to Freddy in person! (Too bad you're not coming to Chicago, too ... would love to finally thank you in person for all your help and support over the past several years!) kk

GARFUNKEL ... AND SIMON:

Here is Shelley Sweet-Tufano's reaction to the response we received to her Art Garfunkel concert review …

HooBoy!

My only response is … I thought the tickets were very reasonable here in the USA. Everything else stands firm.

Shelley

I have read a lot about Art Garfunkel over the years, and I DO think he's bitter over the duo these days and, just like many duos, if one wrote the songs, it ends in bitterness. Personally, like Kent, I LOVE Art's solo stuff. In fact, I will go so far as to say I like Art's solo stuff BETTER than Paul's. Don't get me wrong … I love Paul's solo stuff, too, but I will take (in order) "Travelin' Boy" (LP version), "Break Away,""Crying In My Sleep," "I Only Have Eyes ForYyou,""Bright Eyes,""All I Know," and "I Shall Sing" over MOST of Paul's solo stuff. Many didn't care for Art's solo stuff, but I think both solo and as a duo, they BOTH gave us great music, bitterness or not!
Clark Besch

Theirs has always been an on again / off again relationship … the fact that they've been able to reunite as many times as they have and live in harmony (by ALL definitions) at all is pretty amazing, especially when you consider that overall you'll probably find that more nasty comments about each other than good ones have been exchanged over the years. Still, there is a deep appreciation for each other's strengths. (The very fact that Paul insisted that Art sing "Bridge Over Troubled Water," perhaps one of the five greatest compositions in the history of popular music, proves this point better than any other. He may have made comments to the contrary over the nearly fifty years since, saying that he should have sung it himself, but he knew at the time he was making the right decision by having Garfunkel handle the lead in what is one of the purest, cleanest, heart-felt vocals ever waxed.)

Will they reunite one more time for the grand finale at Madison Square Garden when Paul Simon wraps up his farewell tour? I don't know … but I hope so … again, go out on a high note and keep our best memories (and yours as well) intact. (kk)

One of my favorite clips ever … is this one … when Paul and Art recorded a self-interview about starting their solo careers. (Seriously, how could you ever top the "Bridge Over Troubled Water" album? Proof again to leave things on an all-time high.)

DICK BIONDI:

One day circa 1971, while flipping through the cut-out LP bins at Rose Records in Chicago, I came across two albums featuring Windy City radio stars: "The Torch Is Burning" by Franklyn MacCormack and Dick Biondi's "Teenagers" LP. At the time I had no idea that either had ever released an album -- and immediately bought both. I then marched up the street to the tower which held WCFL and took the elevator up to the deserted lobby area which bordered the broadcast studio. Sure enough, Dick Biondi was on the air. He spotted me, a college student he did not know, exit the elevator and walk up the studio window with a shopping bag in his hand. Dick smiled and waved as he continued to read a live promo. He then saw the student reach into that bag and slowly pull up from it and place against the glass that Dick Biondi LP. I will never forget the surprised look and wide grin that which broke over Dick's face. He immediately came out of the booth laughing, saying "Where on earth did you find that?" With that one gesture, Dick Biondi won a fan for life.
Gary Theroux
"The History of Rock 'n' Roll"

Another great story that would make a fun anecdote for the film (although the album itself is one of the worst spoken word releases ever made … and virtually impossible to listen to!!! Lol) But Dick knew his audience was the teenagers out there … and he connected with them at a level a lot of other jocks only dreamed of. (kk)

Kent,

I really appreciate the comments that you are posting on FH on the sudden departure of Dick Biondi on the airwaves. I never got the opportunity to hear Mr. Biondi as he did a show live. However, I went and got out my CRUISIN' 1960 LP where one of his shows was recreated when he was on station WKBW in Buffalo. What a joy to have listened to him as one was growing up as a kid.

Larry

Hola Kent,

For all the Dick Biondi fans, Increase Records featured him in their Cruisin’ series for the year 1960. The original Vinyl and follow up CD are available from Amazon. (I couldn’t find him in the iTunes store).

This is a great series featuring hits of that year as well as station promos and ads. Pulled this off the internet.

Keep the Music Alive !

CharlieOFD

(chascot59)

Hi Kent,

I loved the blog this morning … absolutely fantastic that you have devoted it to Dick. Dick deserves everything we can do for him and I am so honored to be part of it all.

You also have some great photos that I do not have and wonder if it's possible to include them in the story.

Thanks, as always, Kent, for everything you do.

Pam

Willing to help in any way I can … I’m sure we can come up with all kinds of photos and memorabilia to include in the film … just helping to spread the word to find out what’s out there. (kk)

LEAVING YOU WITH A FEW SMILES:

kk:
Tomorrow night Billy Joel is performing at Madison Square Garden. According to Scott Shannon, Billy will be touring this summer ... Ireland and Europe. Scott said that Billy will also be coming to Chicago. Check your favorite venue ... maybe you'll get a chance to review him.
FB

Billy has been performing at Wrigley Field every summer for the past several years now … always a sell out. I have yet to see him … but my daughter has and says it was a great show. (I've told the story before about how during the course of the past 40 years I have had tickets to see Billy Joel three times … and have yet to make it to a single concert. Each and every time something came up that prevented me from being able to attend … and all those tickets went into the garbage instead! The most disappointing time was when Billy was touring to promote his "Innocent Man" album … my absolute favorite by him. My band got booked to do a show the same night as his concert so I couldn't go. I remember making an announcement from the stage, expressing my disappointment at not being able to attend the show … "So because we're playing here tonight, I feel really bad that I don't get to see Billy Joel … but then again he doesn't get to see us either." (kk)

I really don't think the Driver did anything wrong here!

(It's old guys like this guy that give old Forgotten Hits guys like us a bad name!)

CB ( which stands for "Crosswalk Boy!" )

Funny!
Imagine if he had seen THIS thing coming at him! (kk)

Yeah! And did you notice it comes with that well-known, long established, standard automotive driver assist feature?

The nagging back Seat Driver!

Chuck

Leave it to VW -

How many more cars do you think they’d sell if George Jetson was driving it??? (kk)

CB ( which stands for "Car Boy!" )

I don't know if you get the Hi and Lois comic strip out your way but today's
cartoon reminded me of Forgotten Hits.
Larry

↧

Tuesday This And That

June 5, 2018, 4:43 am

≫ Next: Happy Hump Day - This Is Shaping Up To Be A Rockin' Good Week!

≪ Previous: A Monday Morning Quickie

This cartoon reminded me of a line DJ's on KONO (San Antonio) used in the late 70's and early 80's (maybe even further on) ...

"KONO - Turn us up and embarrass your children"

Brad

One of the most important and influential men in the music business was Russ Regan, who passed away recently. His career and contributions were unbelievable … this guy discovered and developed so many hit artists it's unreal. (Elton John … Neil Diamond … The Beach Boys … the list goes on and on.)

Our FH Buddy Harvey Kubernik was tasked with writing his memories of Russ for Cave Hollywood … he told me it was one of the hardest things he's ever had to do.

You can read all about it here …

Kent:

This one hurts ...

I knew this guy for 50 years ...

www.cavehollywood.com asked me to write a tribute to Russ Regan.

Read his accomplishments and learn why he discovered and/or signed recording artists whose sales eventually topped one billion units ... http://cavehollywood.com/russ-regan-visionary-ar-man-and-bold-record-executive/

Hi kk,

I am contacting you because I have just released my autobiography and I think that your demographic is just about perfect and I’m sure everybody would be interested in my book.

Please go to: michelrubini.com and take a look at it. Readers can order their copies there as well.

Just so you know who I am, I am attaching a photo of the plaque of The Wrecking Crew members that is located right in front of Guitar Center's store on Sunset Blvd. Here is the photo and its caption from my new book “LIFE IN THE KEY OF RUBINI”. My name is right above Leon Russel’s name.

“Known as “Mike” Rubini, in my early twenties I became a mainstay within the Wrecking Crew, a supremely skilled group of studio musicians that played all the instruments on seemingly every other hit record that came out of Los Angeles during the ‘60s. It was a time, place, and circumstance that I’m immensely proud and grateful to have been a part of. This plaque, commemorating our work, is from Guitar Center’s famed Rock Walk in front of their flagship store in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard.”

an excerpt From: Michel Rubini. “Life in the Key of Rubini.” iBooks

Here is a partial list of the artists I recorded with and / or arranged for at that time.

And here is a photo of the cover of my new book:

Sincerely,

Michel Rubini

PS: Here a partial list of Charted Hits I played on during my years in the Wrecking Crew.

Charted HitsI’ve Played On: (Partial list)
1. I Want You Back - Jackson 5

[number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100singles chart week ending January 31, 1970]

2. Michael Jackson - Jackson 5 Medley (Immortal Version)

3. Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers [No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart]

4. Strangers In The Night - Frank Sinatra

reached #1 on the pop single charts; Strangers in the Night has been certified platinum for one million copies sold in the US

5. That’s Life - Frank Sinatra (reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart)

6. The Beat Goes On - Sonny & Cher

Hot 100 chart on January 14, 1967, peaking at number six.

7. Eleanore - Turrtles (Peaked at #6 on US Billboard Hot 100)

8. Swearin’ To God - Frankie Valli (Peaked at #6 on US Billboard Hot 100)

9. Classical Gas - Mason Williams

peaked at # 2 on US Billboard Hot 100for two weeks in August, 1968

10. Baby That’s Me - The Cake

11. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me - Mel Carter

1965 spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 8,^[9] while reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart

12. (Theme From) The Monkees -
The Monkees

13. Lipstick Traces On A Cigarette - The O’jays

14. A Fool In Love - Ike & Tina Turner

15. I Got You - Babe - Sonny & Cher

16. When I’m Gone - Brenda Holloway

17. Pride And Joy - Marvin Gaye

18. Arizona - Mark Lindsay

The single was Number 10 on US Billboard Hot 100on 14 February 1970 and was awarded a RlAA Gold Disc in April 1970

19. Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 - Best Of Michael Jackson And The Jackson 5

20. I’ve Got The Devil In Me - Thelma Houston

21. Half Breed - Cher

22. Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Cher (#1 single in 1971)

23. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Cher

No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100

24. All I Ever Need Is You - Sonny & Cher

25. The Way Of Love - Cher

Billboard Hot 100, reaching a peak of number 7 and ultimately selling almost one million copies

26. A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done - Sonny & Cher

peaked at #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100

27. You Better Sit Down Kids - Cher

28. Baby Don’t Go - Sonny & Cher

29. All I Really Want To Do - Cher

30. Dark Lady - Cher

31. River Deep - Mountain High - Tina Turner

32. What Now My Love - Sonny & Cher

33. But You’re Mine - Sonny & Cher

34. Just You - Sonny & Cher

35. Little Man - Sonny & Cher

36. It’s The Little Things - Sonny & Cher

37. A Beautiful Story - Sonny & Cher

38. Good Combination - Sonny & Cher

39. Plastic Man - Sonny & Cher

40. The Letter - Sonny & Cher

41. Mama Was A Rock And Roll Singer, Papa Used To Write All Her Songs - Sonny & Cher

42. Living For You - Sonny & Cher

43. Me And My Arrow - Nilsson

44. (You’re My) Soul And Inspiration - The Righteous Brothers

(The single peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100

45. Ebb Tide - The Righteous Brothers

46. Baby Love - Supremes

This looks to be a very interesting read ... thanks for sending me the info, Mike ... very happy to pass this along. (We have been helping to promote The Wrecking Crew film and other projects for years now ... just ask Denny Tedesco!!!) kk

From Tom Cuddy … a few comments from Randy Bachman that indicate (well, hint anyway) that he might not mind working with Burton Cummings again. (Burton, of course, is still recuperating from his car accident on Mother’s Day on Los Angeles … and Randy is promoting his new “By George” CD, a tribute to the music of George Harrison.) What it all boils down to is that he isn’t ruling out anything … as there was obviously a very special spark of musical magic when these two first hooked up. (Ron Onesti has told me several times that he would like to be the one to finally bring these two together again … man, I think he could sell out The Arcada Theatre for a week straight if he can pull it off!!!)

Anyway, this from Randy Bachman (courtesy of Tom Cuddy):

RANDY BACHMAN: He and Cummings "Might Clash Again"

The Guess Who's songwriters last toured together around 15 years ago.

Randy Bachman says he's open to working again with Burton Cummings -- but isn't counting on it. The Guess Who's songwriting team -- who are not connected with the current version of the pioneering Canadian band -- last toured together around 15 years ago.

Randy Bachman says he and Burton Cummings have their own projects but haven't closed the door on a future Guess Who reunion.

"I can't say no to anything. Anything's possible. I mean, he's on his career, I'm now doing this By George thing. I don't know, we might clash again. I E-mail him and I never hear back, so that's pretty good."

While Cummings is in L.A. recovering from injuries he suffered in a recent car wreck, Bachman is busy promoting the recently screened documentary on him, along with By George, his tribute album to George Harrison.

Randy Bachman says most of his musician buddies keep in closer touch than Burton Cummings.

"I get better emails back actually from Brian May or Neil Young, rather than Burton . He's not really what you'd call a correspondent. But I love him dearly, We were high school friends back in Winnipeg . And when he joined The Guess Who, it changed everything. We became, I guess, Canada 's greatest songwriting partnership. And after came a better one: Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams, who surpassed us in every way. But, we were like the first ones out of Canada that was really writing pop and rock music."

There’s also a new documentary out profiling the career of Randy Bachman. Tom Cuddy sent us this excerpt from a Premier Radio Networks interview …

Bachman tells his life story in 75 minutes with the help of famous friends Neil Young, Paul Shaffer, Peter Frampton and Alex Lifeson.

Randy Bachman is the latest rock legend to be profiled in a documentary.

The Guess Who and BTO co-founder, who helped write such classic songs as "Takin' Care of Business,""These Eyes" and "American Woman," tells Billboard that Bachman made its debut earlier this year at Toronto 's Hot Docs festival.

Along with guest stars such as Neil Young, Paul Shaffer, Peter Frampton and Alex Lifeson, there's archival footage, some of which hasn't been seen for decades.

Randy says seeing his life story told 75 minutes is, "pretty strange. It's like your dad doing a surprise and inviting out all your friends and showing all your old family home movies of going on vacation and the clothes you wore, and then have all your friends complaining about what a poor playmate you were or what a brat you were."

Bachman, now 74, is working on a book and DVD about his extensive guitar collection, which totals close to 400 instruments, but will soon be broken up. He's selling some to the Gretsch company for its new museum in Savannah , Georgia ; others will be donated to Canada 's National Music Center . Randy adds, "Every guitar has a story: I got it from so and so who got it from Stevie Ray Vaughan or something like that." He expects the most noteworthy instruments to become a traveling exhibit across Canada.

Bachman is also working on a stage musical based on Prairie Town , a song he recorded with Neil Young a dozen years ago. It's a tribute to the musicians of his native Winnipeg.

David Salidor sent us this review of the Michael Nesmith / Micky Dolenz concert from opening night in Chandler, Arizona …

http://www.themacwire.com/tmw-review-the-monkees-are-back/

Got this news release from several readers yesterday regarding Frankie Sullivan of Survivor suing original lead singer Dave Bickler for using the Survivor logo in his advertising for his solo shows. (We saw Bickler as part of Jim Peterik’s World Stage in January … and he has reportedly been working on the recording of new material.)

Dave sang Survivor’s biggest hit, “Eye Of The Tiger” and was a mainstay in the band from its inception in 1979 through 1984, when he was replaced by Jimi Jamison, who remained the group’s lead vocalist until they split up in 1988.

During a subsequent reunion, BOTH lead singers shared vocal duties until Jamison’s death in 2014. Bickler has been out on his own ever since. (Incredibly TMZ even figured this a big enough story to report!!!) But then again “Eye Of The Tiger” is probably one of the most-recognized songs worldwide! (kk)

Let's see ... a radio feature which spotlights the stories behind the songs, eh? Hmm ... seems like I've heard of that.

Gary Theroux

"The History of Rock 'n' Roll"

Hi Kent,

Here is the link for folks to subscribe to my Doo Wop Ramblings Newsletter:

http://wjct.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7f7ae81022d41a55ed4587878&id=d6f35b09eb

Thanks. keep up the good work on the blog. Really enjoying it.

Glen Fisher

Doo Wop Revival
Sunday 8pm

Listen Live: WJCT 89.9 FM

Glen recently gave Forgotten Hits the spotlight treatment in his newsletter … in fact, you'll also find plugs included for Joel Whitburn's new Cash Box Book and Pam Pulice's Dick Biondi Documentary … and with as many Doo Wop fans as we have on the list, I thought maybe we could send a few more his way … so check out the link above. (kk)

https://mailchi.mp/5b91475a2876/eytdiewad9-1376753?e=04869c9863

THE RUBBERBAND MAN! I’LL BE AROUND! GAMES PEOPLE PLAY! CAR WASH! ~ THE INAUGURAL 2019 ULTIMATE DISCO CRUISE ADDS THE SPINNERS & ROSE ROYCE TO SUPERSTAR LINEUP

The Era’s Biggest Artists Come Together For One Unforgettable Vacation Experience …

Including: KC and The Sunshine Band(special appearance 2/17/19), Kool & The Gang, The Spinners, Gloria Gaynor, Village People, Tavares, Norma Jean Wright, Alfa Anderson & Luci Martin (formerly of Chic), Rose Royce, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Thelma Houston, The Trammpsfeaturing Earl Young, Musique, The Australian Bee Gees Show – A Tribute to The Bee Gees, The Urban Guerilla Orchestra and more!

Hosted by DeneyTerrio of “Dance Fever”

Featuring Music Host Bob Pantano, host of the longest running radio dance party in the nation

Luxury Cruise Sails February 14 - February 19, 2019 -

From Fort Lauderdale to Key West and Cozumel, Mexico

StarVista LIVE, the leader in nostalgia-based music cruise experiences, is adding a pair of multi-platinum artists ― The Spinners and Rose Royce― to an already unprecedented superstar lineup for its newest uniquely themed voyage, the 2019 Ultimate Disco Cruise.

The Spinners and Rose Royce join a phenomenal gathering of pioneering musical artists who helped make dance music a lasting part of all of our lives: KC and The Sunshine Band, Kool & The Gang, Gloria Gaynor, the Village People, Tavares; Norma Jean Wright, Alfa Anderson & Luci Martin (formerly of Chic); Evelyn “Champagne” King, Thelma Houston, The Trammps featuring Earl Young, Musique, the Australian Bee Gees Show – a Tribute to The Bee Gees, and more! Together, they’ll “rock the boat” for five incredible nights, with live concerts anchoring a cruise that brings the cultural phenomenon of the 1970s from the dance floor to the high seas on a luxury ship that will wind its way through the Gulf of Mexico from February 14 - 19, 2019.

Famed choreographer and “Dance Fever” TV host DeneyTerrio, the man who taught John Travolta his Saturday Night Fever dance moves, hosts one of the greatest lineups of classic disco stars ever assembled – and so much more – aboard the award-winning Celebrity Infinity^Ò.

The Spinners have six Grammy nominations and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination. They’ve been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and have received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Award. The group has performed for Presidents, received a star on the Hollywood “Walk of Fame,” and has appeared in numerous TV specials paying tribute to the music of the ‘70’s. And their impact on that decade – and dance music overall – has been indelible, with chart-topping smash hits like “The Rubberband Man,” “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “One of a Kind (Love Affair),” "They Just Can't Stop It (The Games People Play)” and with Dionne Warwick, “Then Came You.”

Rose Royce exploded to international fame with its debut single, “Car Wash,” thanks to the movie of the same name and its multi-platinum Grammy-winning soundtrack. Many major stars have covered Rose Royce's classic songs, such as Seal (“Love Don't Live Here” and “Wishing on a Star”), Mary J. Blige (“I’m Going Down”) and Beyonce (“Wishing on a Star”), while the group has never stopped performing to standing room only crowds all over the world.

“To be able to add artists of the caliber of the Spinners and Rose Royce to an already unprecedented lineup of classic dance music superstars is a privilege that we couldn’t be more proud to share with our Ultimate Disco Cruise customers,” says Alan Rubens, StarVista LIVE Senior Vice President of Entertainment/Executive Producer of the Ultimate Disco Cruise. “Dance Fever will be running higher than we ever could have imagined as we boogie on the high seas together!”

As someone who came of age in the 1970s, Rubens remembers the Disco explosion as a “simply unforgettable” lifestyle and musical phenomenon.

“Boogie Fever” is guaranteed to run rampant day and night from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West to Cozumel, and back, turning a luxury ship into one glorious “Disco Inferno.” Throughout the voyage, guests will also have the opportunity to attend special events to get up close and personal with the artists onboard, including a wine tasting, live game shows, behind the music Q&A sessions, panel discussions, pool parties, and unforgettable themed costume gatherings. It all takes place aboard the luxurious Celebrity Infinity^Ò, renowned for excellence in dining, deluxe cabins and stunning showrooms. Celebrity Cruises represent modern luxury in cruise lines, through sleek cruise ships and top-of-the-line amenities.

Cabin fares start at $1,499 and include admission to all shows produced by StarVista LIVE, most meals and major events. For further information on the Ultimate Disco Cruise, please call 844.296.3472 or visit www.UltimateDiscoCruise.com.

About StarVista LIVE: StarVista LIVE creates unique entertainment experiences that bring fans together to relive their favorite moments, create new memories, and enjoy unparalleled access to the superstars they love. StarVista LIVE cruise events include, the Malt Shop Memories Cruise, the Soul Train Cruise, The Country Music Cruise, Flower Power Cruise, ‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise, the Southern Rock Cruise , Ultimate Disco Cruise, and Abbey Road on the River Festival. StarVista LIVE is a division of Direct Holdings Global. Direct Holdings Global is a leading multi-channel marketer with a broad portfolio of products and services, most notably associated with the success of the StarVista / Time Life brand, delivered with a commitment to excellence and integrity.

Additional information about StarVista LIVE can be found at: www.StarVistaLIVE.com
facebook.com/StarVista-LIVE
linkedin.com/company/starvista-live

Legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman is launching his official YouTube channel in June 2018! The channel will feature many rare and unreleased videos, as well as the exclusive premiere of Rick's forthcoming film “Live Portraits.”
Watch the promotional trailer: https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/watch_trailer

"Would you believe I now have an official YouTube channel. If you fancy subscribing to it you're going to see lots of different things. Some things perhaps you've seen before...certainly a lot you've never seen before. There will be some exclusive stuff - exclusive purely to this channel. So please subscribe and see some of the silly things I get up to, and the musical stuff as well.” - Rick Wakeman

Check out Rick Wakeman's new YouTube channel:https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/youtube
To subscribe to Rick Wakeman's new YouTube channel:https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/subscribe

To celebrate the launch of Rick's official YouTube channel in style, subscribers are asked to vote for the top track they want to see from the film “Live Portraits” (track listing below). Voting can be made here on PledgeMusic https://artists.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-live-portraits/updates/97478

Once the votes have been counted, the ten most voted tracks will be posted exclusively on Rick's YouTube Channel for 48 hours. Fans should subscribe to Rick's official YouTube Channel to be notified when this event will take place. Click here to Subscribe https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/subscribe

1. MORNING HAS BROKEN
2. AND YOU AND I
3. SUMMERTIME
4. SWAN LAKE
5. SPACE ODDITY
6. AFTER THE BALL
7. SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
8. HELP
9. AMAZING GRACE
10. WONDROUS STORIES
11. MERLIN THE MAGICIAN
12. LIFE ON MARS
13. ELEANOR RIGBY
14. CLAIR DE LUNE

In other news:
Following the hugely successful “Piano Portraits” tour last year, in support of the album of the same name, Rick Wakeman will return in Autumn 2018 with a new show based on the follow up release, entitled “Piano Odyssey.” The fourteen-date tour will feature even more classic tracks given Rick's unique piano treatment, and will travel to towns and cities not previously visited in 2017.
A live version of Rick's critically acclaimed album “Piano Portraits” was filmed & recorded at the Lincoln Cathedral in London on March 7th, 2018. “Live Portraits” will be released on CD/DVD soon. It can be ordered exclusively from Pledge Music by using the following link: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-live-portraits

↧

Happy Hump Day - This Is Shaping Up To Be A Rockin' Good Week!

June 6, 2018, 5:01 am

≫ Next: Thursday This And That

≪ Previous: Tuesday This And That

Kent,

We found Svengoolie about ten years ago and loved watching the old black and white horror movies, but it was always fun to see Koz do his totally silly and corny schtick every break. I knew Jerry G Bishop had been the original Svengoolie, but did not know of the connection or that the NEW guy was an offshoot of Jerry until I emailed Jerry long ago. Jerry has passed on in recent years, but he was kind enough to answer my emails usually. Koz carried Svengoolie to new heights, IMO. Jerry was a Chicago era entity. Jerry used Koz's gags in HIS era as Sven and now Koz has gone to national fame. This comment Jerry sent in 2012 to me needed expanding upon from Jerry, but he never did, and now, never will. Jerry began doing odd things early on in his career, singing entire songs with his guitar on air at KYW and, by his move from Cleveland to CFL in Chicago, he had a great 45 out (which HE called one of the worst in one article I have and "not bad" in another) at the time of his change of cities ("She's Gone") and left his own TV dance show behind and CFL used promos saying "If Jerry G can't make you laugh, YOU LOSE!"

Jerry's 2012 comment:

Svengoolie is a chapter I'd as soon forget, though it WAS fun (for the first six months.) Koz (Sven now) is a very talented guy who has made a career out of it.

Jerry G Bishop was one of my all-time ‘CFL favorites … we had talked about doing a Forgotten Hits interview just a few weeks before his passing … what a shame.

But “She’s Gone” is a Chicagoland classic. (I’ve been trying to get Me-TV-FM to play it for a couple of years now without success … but I’ll betcha WCFLChicago.com will!!! It’s a natural! (kk)

Regarding the Freddy / Svengoolie Show ...

Why not add a horror movie?

When I went to The Alan Freed Shows, there was always a movie before the music.

Frank B.

The Arcada Theatre has one of those original pipe organs that the used to play in the movie theaters way before I was born … and, up until a few years ago, they would often start the show with organ music while patrons took their seats. Unfortunately, the gentleman who played the organ (and had for nearly a century!) just recently passed away. But The Arcada will still do movie screenings from time to time.

This looks like a pretty full bill the night that Freddy Cannon is playing … but it WOULD be cool to have Svenghoolie introduce just a short horror clip for fun! (kk)

Great pic of you and Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon. I believe that is you on the left, Kent, right?
I haven't been around much lately. I became a grandma for the second time three weeks ago so my life has changed dramatically. I plan to get caught up on my FH reading. No worries. I am still around. lol

Thanks for all you do.

Best always –

Sandy

Frannie and I became third time grandparents nearly three months ago … so we are enjoying “Baby Luke” too. (And for the record, I couldn’t make the photo shoot that day … so they had Svengoolie stand in for me instead!) kk

Hi Kent,
Love your website very much. You speculated that Paul Simon might invite Art Garfunkel to join him in one of his final Farewell Tour performances at Madison Square Garden on September 20 and 21. If you check Paul’s website, you will notice that the VERY last tour date is September 22 in New York, but the exact venue is “TBA” and tickets are not yet on sale. This has led to speculation that there may be another Central Park concert with Simon and Garfunkel on that date. Wouldn’t that be a great way to end Paul’s touring career?

Ian N. Berger

It would indeed … I just hope the figure out a way to share this momentous event with the rest of the world so we can all experience it, too! What a GREAT way to go out! (kk)

I did not know about Russ' passing until I read it in FH. My friend, Artie Wayne, worked a lot with Russ and did an interview with him in 2006 that you can read here:

http://www.spectropop.com/RussRegan/index.htm

Artie always asked different questions in his interviews which always made them interesting to me. Artie credited me at the end, but I don't remember why!!! Anyway, Russ did a lot for music! It's interesting how Harvey's story on Russ fits well with your FH article of Mike Rubini, since Russ was there pushing Sonny & Cher and Sinatra's "That's Life," which were artists / songs Mike playedon!

Clark Besch

That was just one of life’s happy coincidences … but don’tcha just love it when everything comes together like that! (lol)

I mentioned it to Mike Rubini, who has now become a regular Forgotten Hits Reader … imagine the stories THIS guy is going to be able to share!!! (kk)

Hi Kent,

That symmetry you talk about between Russ Regan and me is not lost on me, I knew Russ quite well back in the old days. When he was just a promotion man he used to hang out in a coffee shop on Hollywood Blvd. (Coffee Dan’s? – Norm’s?) along with Joe Saraceno, waiting for their appointments to go upstairs to the radio station (KFWB?) to promote their latest single 45, and I used to hang there with Joe because he was the producer of the Marketts records and early on I was in the Marketts’ road band. I later became the leader of the band and was the only one (from the road band) who also played on the actual Marketts’ recordings.

The name of the coffee shop is eluding me now, darn it, and the station, which was upstairs next to the restaurant was either KFWB or KHJ if my memory serves. Boy, I hate not being able to remember those little details. Anyway, Russ was a really nice guy and always friendly and helpful to me, even when he first became President of Uni Records.
Cheers,

Michel

(Sonny, Cher, Me, Diamondhead)

Hi Kent,

Taylor’s In Orbit won another one! She did it again!

Thought I would share,

Tommy Roe

C’mon … where else are you gonna find cool stuff like this?!?!? (kk)

We still maintain a Locals List, keeping folks in the loop about upcoming concert events and often passing along special ticket offers.

We did one such mailing the other night and got a few responses … and today we’re happy to announce that if you purchase your tickets for ANY of the shows listed below at The Arcada Theatre, you can save 20% on your ticket price. (Tickets much be purchased before midnight tonight!)

MERCEDES-BENZ

OF ST. CHARLES PRESENTS:

Full Show Lineup |Club Arcada | Evanston Rocks


	24 HOUR JUNE SALE! 20% OFF THESE SHOWS LISTED BELOW! USE PROMO CODE: JUNE20 VALID UNTIL MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY (6/6)

Tickets

June 22 | 8PM

Queensrÿche

The band’s name is uttered in the same breath as many of the groups they looked to as influences and others who arose as peers. Queensrÿche built a dedicated legion of fans traveling the globe on tour with fellow rock giants.

Tickets

June 28 | 7:30PM

The Wailers

The legendary Wailers band returns to bring their revolutionary sound to fans around the world. Steered by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett, and joined in solidarity with original Wailers’ guitarists Julian Junior Marvin and Donald Kinsey, The Wailers continue to create musical history.

Tickets

June 29 | 8:00PM

America's AC/DC Thunderstruck

Striving to stay true to the AC/DC way, Thunderstruck has perfected the tones and delivery of this iconic rock band’s songs, using all the gear necessary to bring the power and entertainment of a genuine AC/DC show. Thunderstruck brings the High Voltage Rock n’ Roll to the Arcada Theatre!

Tickets

June 30 | 8:00PM

ULI JON ROTH TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR

The original guitarist of the Scorpions, Uli Jon Roth, celebrates the 40-year anniversary of SCORPIONS – TOKYO TAPES, the 40-year anniversary of the birth of ELECTRIC SUN, and the 50-year ANNIVERSARY of Uli’s first ever stage performance in 1968! To celebrate this special anniversary year, Uli is performing a whole series of concerts and tours worldwide with varying programmes.

Tickets

July 6 | 8:00PM

Patty Smyth and Scandal

Patty Smyth, both with her hit band Scandal and as a solo artist, has always been, at heart, a rock and roll chick, and that’s no truer today for the mother of six, now back on the road and raring to play for fans new and old. Come out and hear the classics like, "The Warrior", "Only the Young", "All I Want" and "Another Bad Love"!

Tickets

July 7 | 8:00PM

LOUISE HARRISON PRESENTS: LIVERPOOL LEGENDS “THE COMPLETE BEATLES EXPERIENCE!”

Liverpool Legends “The Complete Beatles Experience!” are four incredibly talented musicians and actors hand-picked by Louise Harrison – sister of the late George Harrison of The Beatles. Louise’s involvement in Liverpool Legends makes them the ONLY Beatles Tribute Band with a direct family link to the original Fab Four.

Tickets

July 11 | 7:30PM

Dave Mason & Steve Cropper:

Rock & Soul Revue

Two CLASSIC artists performing a night of CLASSIC hits! Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Dave Mason and Steve Cropper join and play together for the first time on one stage to deliver a night of timeless music and endless hits, performing material that defined a generation.

Tickets

July 12 | 7:30PM

Killer Queen Tribute To Queen

Killer Queen is the longest established worldwide Queen tribute. A fabulous tribute to Freddie Mercury and Queen!

Tickets

July 13 | 8PM

Big Suit Tribute To Talking Heads

Big Suit is a collective of nine musicians drawn to the cerebral adventures, infectious rhythms, and pioneering music known to the world as Talking Heads. BIG SUiT began when a Chicago-area producer reached out to Deacon Blues founder Steve Kikoen with a request to form a tribute to Talking Heads.

Tickets

July 14 | 8PM

Vince Neil The Legendary Voice Of Mötley Crüe

His unmistakable voice leads some of the greatest rock songs of a generation including “Wild Side,"“Shout at the Devil,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Kickstart My Heart,” “Same Ol’ Situation” and many others.

Tickets

July 15 | 5PM

Arcada Doo Wop Show: Jay Siegel’s Tokens, Larry Chance And The Earls, Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, And Ladd Vance – Son Of Kenny Vance And The Planotones

Join us this July as three legends of doo wop take the stage. Their classic songs including “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,"“Life Is But a Dream” and “Way Down Yonder In New Orleans” will have you snapping along as they send you back in time!

Tickets

July 21 | 8PM

TIME TRAVELLER SALUTE TO THE MOODY BLUES

The Moody Blues originated the Rock/Orchestra experience. True to this tradition, Time Traveller delivers a full symphonic rock concert alongside your community orchestra. Time Traveller highlights over three decades of material from the legendary group The Moody Blues, performing a full rock concert with lighting and video in addition to a complete Rock/Orchestra show. Experience the sound of the Moody Blues in grand style – A soaring rock and orchestral presentation!

Tickets

July 22 | 5PM

BJ THOMAS

BJ Thomas possesses one of the most distinctive voices in American pop music. Thomas is a five time Grammy and two time Dove Award winner who has sold more than 70 million records and is ranked in Billboard’s Top 50 most played artists over the past 50 years!

Tickets

July 26 | 7:30PM

The Smithereens with Special Guest Vocalist Marshall Crenshaw

The Smithereens are an American rock band from Carteret, New Jersey. The band is perhaps best known for a string of modest hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "Only a Memory", "A Girl Like You" and "Too Much Passion".

Tickets

July 27 & 28 | 8PM

Ted Nugent

The Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent, returns to the Arcada Theatre this July after two SOLD OUT shows last year for TWO MORE! Rock out to songs such as, "Stranglehold,""Cat Scratch Fever,""Motor City Madhouse" and many more!

Tickets

August 5 | 5PM

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers

Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have been dazzling audiences for more than 60 years. “Broken Lady,” “All the Gold in California,” “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You),” “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” “ I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” “Statues Without Hearts,” “Love is Just a Game” and “Night Time Magic.”

Tickets

August 9 | 7:30PM

The Devon Allman Project With Special Guest Duane Betts

Accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist Devon Allman, son of the late great Gregg Allman, has formed a new six-piece ensemble dubbed The Devon Allman Project. Guitarist Duane Betts, son of Allman Brothers Band co-founding guitarist Dickey Betts, will be one of the group’s special guests on tour!

Tickets

August 11 | 8PM

Slaughter // Autograph

Slaughter has sold more than 5 million records worldwide. The group has numerous top hits on the Billboard charts such as, Fly To The Angels, Up All Night, Spend My Life and Mad About You. They also won the 1991 American Music Award for “Favorite New Artist.”

Tickets

August 12 | 3PM & 7PM

THE THREE STOOGES! THE LIVE VEGAS SHOW!

A revival of the iconic live Three Stooges stage show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas from 1994 through 1996, this reprise boasts the best Three Stooges impersonators and is the only official show authorized, cleared and licensed from the family estates of Howard, Fine and DeRita.

Tickets

August 23 | 7:30PM

DAVID BOWIE NIGHT WITH REBEL REBEL

REBEL REBEL “The Many Lives Of David Bowie” The Concert is the ultimate experiential journey through the many sides and arousing sounds of David Bowie. This thrilling concert, created and directed by stage veterans Paul Horton and Quinn Lemley, has been generating enthusiastic standing ovations in casinos and performing arts centers throughout North America. This theatrical concert hones in on the essence of some of the greatest songs of rock and roll ever written; “Changes”, “Heroes”, “Space Oddity”, “Starman”, and “Fame” are just the beginning.

Tickets

August 24 | 8PM

Eric Martin Of Mr. Big Feat. Steve Brown & PJ Farley Of Trixter!

Eric Martin is still alive and kicking, touring regularly as a solo artist and with his new celebrity rock group, Scrap Metal, in Europe, North and South America, Australia, India and Japan. In 2008, Eric signed a deal with Sony Japan to do a series of albums containing domestic and international hits. Sony brainstormed a concept that allows the rock singer's alter ego to come forth and sing the ballads that his fans have always loved.

Tickets

August 25 | 8PM

JAY AND THE AMERICANS + THE VOGUES

Jay and the Americans started with four teenage boys in Sandy Yaguda’s Brooklyn basement fifty years ago, and today they are one of the few lasting success stories in Rock ‘n Roll history.

The Vogues created a new sound. It was a fresh, original blend of vocal harmony that left an indelible mark in the world of pop music.

Tickets

August 26 | 5PM

JAN & DEAN’S BEACH PARTY STARRING DEAN TORRENCE

From Jan and Dean, the legendary top-selling artists of the 60’s, comes a Beach Party like no other. Along with their chart topping hits, Dean Torrence brings to the stage all of the music that made the California beach scene famous, including many of the Beach Boys’ songs that Jan and Dean either co-wrote or performed on.

Tickets

August 31 | 8PM

ZEBRA

It's been just over a year when Randy Jackson reported that the band is working on a new album. He told the Shreveport Times, "I have new material and hopefully we’ll get to work on a new record in the next couple of months." Now that time has come to hear some of what they have been working on as well as all of their classics!

Tickets

September 1 | 8PM

Faces Of The King – #1 Elvis Tribute

Elvis Presley lives on as one of America's biggest musical legends. Now, Faces of the King shows you what it would be like if Presley himself returned to the stage to perform a show of all his career highlights.

Tickets

September 7 | 8PM

Sara Evans

She’s had five #1 singles, sold millions of records, won the Academy of Country Music’s Top Female Vocalist Award and claimed a Country Music Association trophy for her signature song, “Born To Fly.” It’s tough to imagine many accomplishments Sara Evans hasn’t already checked off her bucket list.

Tickets

September 8 | 8PM

Stryper // Kix

Heavy metal certainly has no shortage of rebels. It seems like everybody's rebelling against something, and that's part of the genre's allure. However, the most rebellious thing anybody can do is hold steadfast to personal beliefs and never waver.

Tickets

September 13 | 7:30PM

Glenn Hughes Plays Deep Purple

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS…PERFORMING A FULL CONCERT OF CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE! With one of the heaviest repertoires known to rock, and sound and lighting production values befitting the legend, Glenn Hughes' Classic Deep Purple shows are destined to write a new page in rock history.

Tickets

September 15 | 8PM

Pablo Cruise

Today Pablo Cruise is bringing more energy and excitement to the stage than ever before. Honest, real down to earth vocals, accompanied by fun yet elegant, infectious grooves. To hear Pablo Cruise on record is one thing, but to experience the band live is an exhilarating event!

Tickets

September 16 | 5PM

Tony Danza Standards & Stories

The New York Times raved “Tony’s a live wire who tap-dances, plays the ukulele, tells stories and radiates irresistible charm… He exudes the kind of charisma that can’t be taught!"

Tickets

September 20 | 7:30PM

EAGLES NIGHT WITH HOTEL CALIFORNIA

For more than two decades, Hotel California has touched the hearts of fans all over the world by faithfully and accurately reproducing the Grammy award winning sounds of the Eagles. See how a spirited blend of originality and the pursuit of excellence have taken Hotel California to a level of international recognition normally reserved only for gold and platinum recording artists.This dynamic, highly acclaimed show incorporates their very own world renowned vocal harmony, and authentic instrumentation, including all specialty instruments in a stage spectacle that is both modern and exciting.

Tickets

September 21 | 8PM

Fleetwood Mac Nite With TUSK

Tusk, The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute, is the #1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world, bar none. No wigs, no backing tracks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note for note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating.

Tickets

September 22 | 8PM

Tommy James & The Shondells

On the road, Tommy James and his Shondells are still rockin’, performing their many timeless hits to sellout crowds across the country. including “Say I Am (What I Am)” and “It’s Only Love." What a great chance to see some outstanding musicians performing songs that shaped a lot of the music of their era!

Tickets

September 23 | 5PM

The Bay City Rollers

Featuring original guitarist / song writer / vocalist Stuart "Woody" Wood! All the million selling hit songs will be performed live, including; "Saturday Night," "I Only Want To Be With You," "You Made Me Believe In Magic" and "Money Honey"!

Tickets

September 27 | 7:30PM

Ambrosia & Orleans

Back to share the stage again! From their earliest days as a favorite at colleges and clubs in the Northeast US, to studio and live collaborations with industry greats Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Little Feat and others, the group has had Top 10 success with bona-fide classics such as “Still the One,"“Dance With Me” and “Love Takes Time.”

Tickets

September 28 | 8PM

The Classic Rock Experience

70s Arena Rock Tribute featuring the music of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, STYX, Boston, Deep Purple, Journey, Grand Funk Railroad & more!

Tickets

October 4 | 7:30PM

RICHARD MARX

As a performer, songwriter and producer, Richard Marx’s nearly three-decade-long career has had innumerable highlights. The Chicago native has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide starting with his self-titled debut, which went to #8 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. It also spawned four Top 5 singles, including the chart-topping “Hold on to the Nights”, and “Don’t Mean Nothing”, which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

Tickets

October 5 | 8PM

RATT

RATT released their self-titled first album independently in 1983 and never looked back after that. Their first major label release, Out of the Cellar proved a multi-platinum breakthrough and was subsequently followed by more platinum smashes including; Invasion of Your Privacy (1985), Dancin’ Undercover (1986) and Reach for the Sky (1988). By then the band had become mainstays on the radio with songs like the blockbuster anthem “Round and Round”, “Wanted Man”, and “Lay it Down”. They’ve continued to tour the world over, spreading their infectious brand of Ratt ‘N’ Roll to the masses.

Tickets

October 7 | 7PM

Artimus Pyle Band

The ultimate tribute to Ronnie Van Zants Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Artimus Pyle Band features Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer from Lynyrd Skynyrd!

Tickets

October 6 | 8PM

Firehouse & Downtread

Three head banging bands take the stage to give you a long over due dose of metal. This October get pumped for a night of wild Rock 'N Roll that will leave your ears ringing for days to come. You’ll hear all of your favorites like, "Don't Treat Me Bad,"“Once Bitten Twice Shy" and ”Don't Get Weak." Get your tickets before they are all gone!

Tickets

October 7 | 5PM

Gene Chandler “The Duke Of Earl!” Glenn Leonard Of The Temptations! Joel Coleman Of The Platters! Joe Blunt Of The Drifters!

Back to the music of Doo Wop! Enjoy the sounds of "The Duke of Earl,""The Temptations,""The Platters" and "The Drifters" on one stage for one fantastic night!

Tickets

October 12 | 8PM

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT

The group has been known to incorporate elements of science-fiction and dark occultism into their jaw-dropping live show, and this allegiance to dynamic and masterful performances has led to the group being covered by everyone from Metallica and HIM to moe. Best known for their smash singles “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Burnin’ for You” and “Godzilla.”

Tickets

October 14 | 5PM

The Glenn Miller Orchestra

The most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements! With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time.

Tickets

October 19 | 8PM

April Wine And Kip Winger

2018 will see April Wine enter into their 49th year as a band, with just as busy a schedule as ever... quite an accomplishment for any Rock 'N Roll band! Kip Winger, the multi-platinum recording artist, may be known best for his success with Winger and his early days as a bass player with Alice Cooper.

Tickets

October 22 & 23 | 8PM

PAUL ANKA SINGS SINATRA – HIS SONGS, MY SONGS, MY WAY

A message from Paul Anka: “The Anka Sings Sinatra tour will honor a great artist who has influenced me more than anyone else throughout my career, Frank Sinatra. It will also feature the hits that have spanned my career on this 60th anniversary year. It will be a night filled with His songs, My songs, My Way!”

Tickets

October 25 | 8PM

HAIRBALL

Hairball is a Rock & Roll experience you won’t forget. A band puts on a concert – Hairball puts on an event! The lights, sound, video screens, smoke, fire, blood, bombs, confetti, spiders, snakes & monsters (oh my) and the screaming hoards of rabid Hairball fans create an event – an event that hits you so hard, it’ll take a few days to recover! Rock & Roll will NEVER die!!!

Tickets

October 25 | 8PM

HOLLYWOOD CONFIDENTIAL WITH LAINIE KAZAN, CONNIE STEVENS, AND RENEE TAYLOR

This very special event brings long-time good friends together for a peek behind the scenes in Hollywood … the lovers, the friends, and co-stars. Amazing film clips, private photos, Q&A with the audience, and a whole lot of dish! Warning: For Adults Only!

Tickets

November 4 | 6PM

PBS SUPERSTAR PASQUALE ESPOSITO

Italian tenor, Pasquale Esposito, returns to the Arcada Theatre with his new program celebrating Italian Piazzas (Squares). The program is the live version of his new Public TV Special on Chicago PBS (WTTW). This is Pasquale’s follow up to his 1st successful PBS Special Celebrating Enrico Caruso (2015).

Tickets

November 8 | 7:30PM

THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CREAM

Ginger Baker‘s son Kofi Baker, Jack Bruce‘s son Malcolm Bruce and Eric Clapton‘s nephew by marriage Will Johns—have come together for the first time in North America to pay homage to the band’s extraordinary legacy with The Music of Cream. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime concert salute to the most innovative and explosive supergroup of all time, in the hands of those that knew them best.

Tickets

November 9 | 8PM

Lita Ford // VIXEN

The first Rock / Metal female guitarist / singer front woman in metal shares the stage with Vixen. Collectively they have sold over a million albums, and have had over six #1 videos on MTV!

Tickets

November 16 & 17 | 8PM

America

Founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (along with former band mate Dan Peek) met in high school in London in the late 1960s and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song "A Horse With No Name." Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound.

Tickets

November 23 | 8PM

An Evening With Deacon Blues – The All-Star Tribute To Steely Dan

Deacon Blues has structured their live repertoire to encompass a wide range of the Dan's prolific material, including rarities as well as repertoire from the 1991 reunion prototype, The New York Rock and Soul Revue. These eleven musicians, composers and educators have consistently played to sold-out audiences, appearing on regional and national television. In the words of legendary Chicago FM Radio personality Bob Stroud (“The Drive”): “If you are a Dan fan, you owe it to yourself to see Deacon Blues - they’ve got all the right musicians with all the right chops - they are an incredible tribute to the music of Steely Dan!”

Tickets

November 24 | 8PM

CORNERSTONES OF ROCK:THE BUCKINGHAMS, THE IDES OF MARCH, THE NEW COLONY SIX, THE CRYAN’ SHAMES, AND THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT

Cornerstones of Rock is a new concert series filmed in WTTW’s intimate Grainger Studio, where the groundbreaking music series Soundstage began more than 40 years ago, which is now being turned into a live production tour. The first special in the series will bring together Chicago area’s iconic rock groups of the 1960s and ’70s for a once-in-a-lifetime concert special.

Tickets

November 30 | 8PM

Winger

Winger is a hard rock band from New York City. Their debut album, Winger, came out on Atlantic Record’s label in 1988 and achieved platinum status in the United States and gold in Japan and Canada. It spawned such hits as “Seventeen” and “Headed for a Heartbreak.” The band toured for over a years with Bad Company, Scorpions, Cinderella, Bon Jovi, Poison, Skid Row and Tesla.

Tickets

December 9 | 7PM

Ronnie Spector And The Ronettes

Only a few artists in history have been capable of defining an entire era in pop music. Ronnie Spector is one of those artists: the embodiment of the heart, soul, and passion of female rock and roll in the 1960s. And to this day, no one has ever surpassed Ronnie's powerful trademark vocals.

Tickets

December 11 | 7:30PM

Tony Orlando & Dawn “A Christmas Reunion”

REUNITING FOR A FEW SELECT SHOWS ONLY – TONY ORLANDO & DAWN! Tony Orlando is one of America’s most endearing and enduring iconic stars. Few entertainers have excelled in so many realms as Tony has: a top selling recording artist, songwriter, concert headliner, network television star, Motion Picture actor, Broadway performer and author.

Tickets

December 29 | 8PM

The BoDeans

Long known as one of the best live acts in the business, BoDeans continue to tour year round and continue to deliver amazing, high-energy performances. Chart topping songs like “Fadeaway”, “Only Love”, and “Dreams” won them Rolling Stone‘s readers poll for Best New American Band in 1987, and they were part of a small contingent of bands that inspired a new radio format known as Adult Alternative.

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Damn! There's a bunch of these shows that I wanna see!!! (kk)

Thanks, Kent, for including me on the list.

Michele

Out of all of those I think the one I would want to go to would be Dick Dale.

Alex

Thanks, Kent,

I'm sorry to say that lots of these bands should no longer be performing any more. That’s just my opinion.

Drew Paul

Ouch!

Having seen a good number of these acts over the past several years, I can vouch for the following:

Alan Parsons – one of the best shows and concert experiences I have ever had – we’ve seen them five times now and EVERY show has been a stand-out – they’ve made our Top 5 Concerts List every time they’ve appeared in the area

Tommy James – sounds every bit as good today as he did in the ‘60’s … a very fun, upbeat and entertaining show … man, the energy this guy has got!!!

Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra – we’ve been looking forward to this show for two years, ever since he announced he was going to tour America again

The Eagles – you’ll never see a better live band … and even with the changes they’ve made necessitated by the passing of co-founder Glenn Frey, the band still shines with letter-perfect renditions of their hits catalog

Al Stewart – Intellectual Rock, for sure … we hated to miss his “Year Of The Cat” performance at The City Winery … but the show sold out … so we’re not alone in our admiration and appreciation of this great artist.

.38 Special – absolutely rockin’ the house every time we’ve seen them

Paul Anka - I don't know about his Tribute To Frank Sinatra Show ... but we caught him at The Arcada a couple of years ago and the guy is just Pure Class! A great mixture of hits (even a few obscure ones!) and standards ... the guy's an absolute pro.

Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith – an interesting pairing, to be sure … Micky is still in FINE voice and always puts on a great show … we can’t wait to see this special show with two Monkees who have never toured together before as a duo

Happy Together Tour – a stellar line-up (even though Howard Kaylan won’t be there this time around) – a hit-packed 2-3 hours of ‘60’s favorites … you can’t miss with this one. (Check out The Cowsills … you’ll swear it’s 1967 again!)

Richard Marx – Still in fine voice and an interesting story teller – plus the concert is free!

Paul Simon – How can you miss with this one?

Jim Peterik’s World Stage blew us away in January … I don’t know if this is the same show and line-up this time around … but from what I hear, he never disappoints. (I’ve personally seen him at least thirty times … and NEVER seen a bad show. Jim gives 150% to everything he does) Ditto for his Ides Of March Christmas Show … always a holiday delight.

B.J. Thomas – hit or miss … but when he’s on, he’s every bit as good as he was in his hey-day.

Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon – can’t wait for this one either. Freddy still sounds great … and has been a good friend to Forgotten Hits for many, many years now.

Boz Scaggs – one of the best shows we saw last year - outstanding

If you live in the Chicagoland Area and want to be added to our Locals List, drop me a line at kk@forgottenhits.comand we’ll add you to the list. You’ll receive periodic emails about concert events and special offers.

Hi Kent,

Thank-you for Forgotten Hits and the continual entertainment, music, information, and great reads that bring people together. While so many people continue to argue over political issues and bang their heads against the wall arguing over problems that are always "the other guy's fault," thank-you for keeping the "oasis in the desert" Forgotten Hits, up and running. Your publication is like going to a concert … it's a mini-vacation that puts everything back in perspective and reminds you what mindless bullshit you have let the world subject you to.

By the way, the iconic Dick Biondi is an example of a profession that is sadly starting to fade and hopefully can be saved from the sin of syndication -- the friendly DJ on the radio who was always there "through thick and thin" when the rest of the world was swirling about. The synergy of the talent and creativity of the music artist and the air personality that presented it on the radio, is a treasured memory that is a part of all of us in our generation. Whether you were the Beatles or a bar-band, a Dick Biondi or a DJ working in the middle of nowhere, you were or are a part of someone's treasured, indelible memory. Whether you were dancing to Freddy Cannon's "Tallahassee Lassie" at a party after the football game or listening to a John Records Landeker "Boogie Check" on the North Dakota prairie just after the sun went down, it's thankfully etched in your memory file forever (or at least until your brain gives you the "blue screen")! Forgotten Hits reminds you that they really never are forgotten -- "If you know what I mean, Vern!" Thanks, Kent, for your time, creativity, and energy.

THANKS FOR FORGOTTEN HITS! It's a life-saver!
Best Regards,

Tim Kiley

Wow! How do I even respond to that? Thank you, Tim, for making ME feel like it’s all been worthwhile! (kk)

↧

Thursday This And That

June 7, 2018, 4:26 am

≫ Next: The Friday Flash

≪ Previous: Happy Hump Day - This Is Shaping Up To Be A Rockin' Good Week!

Hey Kent ...
THANKS for running the piece on Taylor’s In Orbit!!!

She is scheduled to run again on June 15th at Gulfstream Park.

First three races ... two wins and a 4th place finish ... not bad!

Cheers ...
Tommy Roe

kk …

Does Tommy Roe have a song for "Taylor's In Orbit?"

Not yet … but if she keeps racking up these victories, he very well may have one soon! (He told us earlier that he once owned a horse named “Heather Honey,” which was the name of one of his biggest hits!) kk

The announcement I saw two Sundays ago about a mini-Byrds / Sweethearts Of The Rodeo Reunion Tour FINALLY popped up again online yesterday … and Ultimate Classic Rock ran this story:

Byrds co-founders Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman have announced a tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their landmark country-rock LP, Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
They will play the classic album in its entirety and share stories of its creation. The duo will receive backing by country music legend Marty Stuart and his band the Fabulous Superlatives.
“On March 9, 1968, Roger McGuinn and I, along with many fantastic musicians, began recording the Sweetheart of the Rodeo album at Columbia Studios in Nashville,” said Hillman. “We are honored that it has left a strong, long-lasting impression on country and rock music.”
“Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Sweetheart of the Rodeo with a group of my favorite musicians is an honor," McGuinn added. "We're all looking forward to taking the fans through the back pages of the recording.”
Though greeted with commercial indifference when it was released (it rose no higher than No. 77 on the Billboard 200 albums chart), Sweetheart’s stature has grown in the ensuing five decades, due in no small part to the influence of Gram Parsons, who had joined the Byrds, but due to contractual issues was not heavily featured on the album. Years later, his original vocals for the album were unearthed and included on a deluxe edition of the record.
Sweetheart of the Rodeo is widely considered to be one of the most influential country-rock albums of all time, and is often credited with impacting both the genre’s greatest bands (including acts like the Eagles, the Long Ryders and Wilco) and its genre offshoots, like Americana.
You can see a list of announced tour dates below. More shows will be announced soon.
Byrds Co-Founders Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman's 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' 50th Anniversary 2018 Tour
July 24 - Los Angeles, Calif. -- Ace Hotel
July 29 - Saratoga, Calif. -- Mountain Winery
Sep 18 - Albany, N.Y. -- Hart Theater @ The Egg
Sep 20 -- Hopewell, Va. -- Beacon Theatre
Oct 3 -- Akron, Ohio -- Akron Civic Theatre
Not much of a list yet … but we fully expect more dates to be announced soon. (kk)

The announcement I saw must have been a premature release ... damn, I could have scooped the world had I ever heard anything back from Roger McGuinn!

I did catch Roger on The Beatles Channel over the weekend, however, talking about some of his favorite Beatles tracks.

One that he singled out is George Harrison's "If I Needed Someone," a track clearly influenced by Roger's guitar playing style from The Byrds, of whom all of The Beatles were huge fans. So I found it particularly fitting that Roger has taken the mutual admiration society approach a full step further by recording his own version of George's song. (Kind of the ultimate Paying It Forward since The Byrds themselves were influenced by The Beatles and Bob Dylan at the start of their career!)

Speaking of The Beatles, Rolling Stone ran an excellent article last week spotlighting the demos The Beatles recorded at George Harrison's house after their return from India, many of which ended up on The White Album. (Still no word yet as to whether these will see official release as part of a 50th Anniversary Celebration … it would be nice to have them in pristine condition … but RS does feature sound clips for each track mentioned.)

The Beatles' Revelatory White Album Demos: A Complete Guide

We reviewed "The Beatles" several years ago in honor of the double album's 40th Anniversary … and noted Beatles Historian Bruce Spizer shared his thoughts track-by-track as well. You can find this piece here:

http://forgottenhits.com/forgotten_hits_salutes_the_40th_anniversary_of_the_beatles_white_album

Which again begs the question, did The Beatles spread themselves by recording a double album for their Apple debut? Critics have speculated for years what the ultimate single album might have been. We'd love to hear from you guys out there … can you put together the ultimate 16-track LP?

Email us your suggestions and we'll run your feedback during our 50th Anniversary celebration. (kk)

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the release of The Beatles animated film "Yellow Submarine," a brand new picture-disc single is being released featuring the original pairing of "Yellow Submarine" with "Eleanor Rigby," just like it was back in 1966. (The film, of course, came on a couple of years later.)

The film will also be rereleased in theaters for a limited run.

More details on this release can be found here:

https://theseconddisc.com/2018/05/and-the-band-begins-to-play-the-beatles-yellow-submarine-celebrates-50-with-new-single-release/

Ultimate Classic Rock also dropped this one-liner last week:

You can also hear someone exclaim "fucking hell" at about the three-minute mark during "Hey Jude."

I have NEVER heard this before … and I’ve been listening to “Hey Jude” for fifty years now! Listening to the muffled background they’re referring to (which I have heard before), I’ve always taken it to say “let it out” as in “let it out and let it in,” a phrase that’s used in the song as well as in the background vocals.

However, the link above references this quote from Mark Lewisohn’s book “The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions”:

Hey Jude contains an unedited expletive, which is often played by radio stations to this day. In the final verse, John Lennon sang "Let her into" instead of "Let her under your skin". His cry of "Oh!", followed by "Fucking hell", remains in the final mix.
I was told about it at the time but could never hear it. But once I had it pointed out I can't miss it now. I have a sneaking suspicion they knew all along, as it was a track that should have been pulled out in the mix. I would imagine it was one of those things that happened – it was a mistake, they listened to it and thought, 'doesn't matter, it's fine'.

Ken Scott, Engineer
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn

Oh, well I can’t hear it. (Never heard the dog whistle on “Sgt. Pepper” either or the run-out groove until it was released on CD! But some of those "I buried Paul" clues were pretty creepy!!!) kk

Hi Kent -

I know how much Chicago loves their hometown boys, The Buckinghams, but so does Ohio!

The Buckinghams returned to Hoover Auditorium at Lakeside, Ohio, to kick off the summer!

Original members Carl Giamarese and Nick Fortuna put on an amazing show with a little help from Dave Zane, Rocky Penn and Bruce Soboroff - as well as the horn section from Sonny Geraci's band.

The boys did all the hits - Susan - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - Hey Baby - Don't You Care, taking the crowd back thru memory lane. Also performing hits from groups from the Happy Together tour, Time Won't Let Me by the Outsiders, and many more.

A great show as always.

Tom Apathy

And, as always, great shots! Thanks, Tom! (kk)

>>>During the course of the past 40 years I have had tickets to see Billy Joel three times … and have yet to make it to a single concert. Each and every time something came up that prevented me from being able to attend … and all those tickets went into the garbage instead! (kk)

Maybe you'd have better luck going to the ballgame instead of the Billy Joel Concert.
Speaking of which, I just read this in the newspaper …
Alexa Ray Joel knows daddy, Billy, wants a duet at Madison Square Garden. She says "Our duet will be my Father's Day gift to him."
I guess it beats a tie!
FB

Hey Kent,

A few weeks ago, I was in a conversation about the singers who sounded like Elvis and had hit records.

My older brother told me about a guy named Ral Donner, who was getting on the charts. I listened to him lately and thought he actually was trying to sound like The King. There was Crispian St. Peters, from England, with his hit, "The Pied Piper." Another Brit was Tony Sheridan, a singer The Beatles backed, in the early days. Dan Hamilton, of Hamilton, Joe Frank, and Reynolds, sounded quite a bit like Elvis. Then there was Terry Stafford, who sang a cover of Elvis'"Suspicion," my favorite recording of the song. Somewhere, I heard or read that Elvis said that Terry Stafford sounded more like him than HE did! Stafford also wrote George Strait's big hit "Amarillo By Morning," as it was Terry's home town. The sad thing is that some of these guys lived short lives. I can't think of any more Elvis-like singers, but probably will come up with another after I send this to you!

- John LaPuzza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gzY-PrwwHk

I don't know that I've ever heard anybody lump Crispian St. Peters into the Elvis sound-alike category before but two that immediately came to mind when I read your email were Ronnie McDowell, who had the hit "The King Is Gone" (#12, 1977), released shortly after Elvis' death. It was more a tribute to The King, but sung in Elvis' style.

The other was a done by a guy calling himself Vince Everett (the name of the character Elvis played in his movie "Jailhouse Rock.") He did an absolutely outstanding version of one of my favorite Elvis songs "Such A Night," which became a #16 Hit here in Chicago but never charted nationally.

Ral Donner sounded a lot like Elvis on some of his hits … but his #4 Hit "You Don't Know What You've Got (Until You Lose It)" is a stand-alone great record all on its own. (Ral was regarded highly enough to be asked to provide the narration in the film "This Is Elvis," a great biopic if you haven't seen it.)

Here in Chicago we also had the great Rick Saucedo, who has now been "doing Elvis" for longer than Elvis did Elvis!!! There are all kind of great impersonators of The King all over the world … but as far as hit records go, recorded in the style of Elvis, I think we've mentioned the best known of this genre. We welcome our readers to provide other suggestions and/or examples. (kk)

By the way, in the spirit of 50th Anniversaries, we're hearing that Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special will be re-released in theaters to coincide with the anniversary. More details to come ... but be sure to check theaters near you! (kk)

↧

The Friday Flash

June 8, 2018, 4:45 am

≫ Next: The Saturday Survey - June 9th, 1968

≪ Previous: Thursday This And That

About 30-some years ago, I thought I heard the legendary Jack Armstrong, or someone who was at a Cleveland DJ Reunion on WMJI back when they played OLDIES, say the following:

"You are not successful in radio until you have been fired three times."

Unfortunately, I never got 'fired' even once from any of my prior announcing jobs in radio (yet I am in my 9th year doing my 'unpaid

volunteer' gig at my local non-profit community radio station). Nor do I know how many times Dick Biondi has been officially 'fired' over his career.

That being said, I will proclaim a new saying that you are a TRUE RADIO LEGEND if you have ever been "let go" (not necessarily 'fired') without having a chance to say "Goodbye" on the air, nor on your own terms.

Dick Biondi is the latest of a precious few who can now wear this title like a Presidential Medal of Honor. The public has spoken -- WLS is the bad guy in this event, and Dick Biondi won the battle, despite not coming out on top in the eyes of evil Corporate Radio.

-- Uncle T. Jay

At various times over the years, I’ve heard Dick Biondi say he’s been fired 23 … 25 … and 28 times … so I guess you add “1” to whatever tally is the most accurate. He has been a mainstay on Chicago Radio for at least the past 30 years tho … and although some of the radio stations themselves haven’t made it thru the storm, Dick Biondi always seemed to land on his feet.

I’m anxious to see this documentary made just so his career can finally be put into perspective for all the world to see. Donations to help make this happen can be sent thru the options found via this link:

https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/donate/

kk:

One of those Dick Biondi signs mentions "The Pizza Song."

By the way, today is "National Cheese Day.” - 6 / 4 / 18.

Frank B.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDw17ql5qmo

What a day!

Surf City - Jan & Dean
Shut Down - Beach Boys
Wipe Out - Surfaris
AND Dick Biondi

... on the charts!!

Phil Migilioratti

And Dick Dale a couple of weeks before! (kk)

I got a kick out of today's (6-4) post by the young man who waved the "Teenagers" LP in front of Dick while he was on the air at WCFL.
That's the way Dick is - he appreciates his fans and shows his kindness in every way possible.
Interesting fact about the cover of that LP is that the "weird" multi-color sweater that Dick was wearing was given to Dick by Pam, the lovely young lady who is producing the Dick Biondi Film, as great a friend to me as anyone could have. ;-)
Mike Wolstein
Biondi fan and paisan since 1961

Speaking of well-known deejays, got this from FH Regular Frank B regarding Norm N. Nite …

kk …

My music calendar says 6/5/1995: Norm N. Nite returns to WCBS-FM for a third time.

On this clip you'll hear that he was also on WNBC-AM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7H4dIqQ7ak

One of my favorite DJ's.

Norm N. Nite quote -- he always said this when he played a Beach Boys record: "From The Land Of The Sand And The Surf … The Beach Boys."

Frank B.

I’ve had Norm’s books in my collection for decades now … one of the first of its kind to spotlight the artists … some of it is a bit out of date now (and, quite honestly, they’re tough to use as a prime reference, because we’ve found so much updated information since these were written) but the ultimate tribute to the artists who filled the charts during the rock and roll era. (kk)

Freddy Cannon, as you know, appeared at Hemsby in the UK a few weeks ago.

I thought you might like to hear this … from my BBC DJ friend's Saturday night rock "n" roll show. Log into https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p064whgn#play and either start at the beginning or else push the slider to the 07:40 point and listen for the next ten minutes or so.

Rockin Lord Geoff

kk …

Seeing my pal Rich Koz reminded me of the early 70's when I was a staff announcer at WFLD. My gig called for me to work on Fridays from 5 PM to 2 AM, so I was the so called staff announcer on Jerry G. Bishop's "Screaming Yellow Theater."
Jeez, Jerry was a talent. I got such a kick out of the show that I used to attend rehearsals and tapings on Friday morning - knowing full well I'd see the whole machine 12 hours later. The vehicle oozed creativity. Rich has carried on the tradition in grand fashion.
Hop on youtube ... check out Jerry G. doing "Mad Man Sven's used car Emporium."
You will die laughing. It’s comedy on a level with Jackie Gleason and Groucho Marx.
Rock on,
Chet Coppock

From our FH Buddy Chuck Buell:

Reading the recent comments about Jerry G. Bishop in Forgotten Hits reminds me once again how one of the most competitive, and fun, decades of Intense Radio Competition the 1960s were. And it was in full battle mode in Chicago in the latter half of the 1960s between Jerry’s “Big 10 WCFL” and my “Big 89 WLS!”

Jerry G. had joined ’CFL in the late 60s, a short time before I was recruited by ‘LS, and although we never met in those frantic and embattled Chicago Radio years, we were certainly aware of one another. Our meeting wouldn’t happen until decades later in a more subdued 2002 when we both were older, wiser and definitively more laid back. It was during one of Chris Carmichael’s SDRadio.com’s famed Radio Luncheons held at one of Jerry’s two great restaurants in San Diego’s Seaport Village, his “Greek Islands Café” where Jerry introduced me to my first Gyro, a great Greek sandwich that brought me back to his place many times after! Great Hospitality from a Great Guy!

CB ( which stands for “Chicago Boy!” )

No great surprise here but David Cassidy comes clean about his drinking problem in a documentary filmed shortly before his death. (So basically he was aware of what a train wreck he was … yet he still got behind the wheel of a car to drive in this condition, endangering countless others who may have crossed his path.) I’m sorry … but I just can’t feel any sympathy for this man. Yes, he was a pop icon … and yes, alcoholism is an illness that millions of people have to deal with … but then DEAL with it … don’t endanger others in the process. (kk)

David Cassidy’s Shocking Confession Before His Death: He Was Still Drinking and Never Had Dementia

The documentary will air Monday Night on A&E.

Sad to report that Russ Regan passed away last week. To anyone in the music industry, he was a great friend and a very successful executive. He ran UNI records and also 20th Century Records in the 1970’s.

Clay Pasternack

Tom Cuddy sent us this insightful interview with Hall and Oates …

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2018/06/05/Daryl-Hall-interview-Hall-and-Oates-Pittsburgh-PPG-Paints-Arena/stories/201806070013

Daryl and John are on tour right now with Train … here’s an entertaining clip explaining why they’ve teamed up together …

Daryl Hall, John Oates and Pat Monahan (Train) talk about their co-headlining tour

Hey Kent ...

You sure live in a rockin’ place! All those great shows at the Arcada. Geez, I need to move!

Congrats on your new grandbaby! I am so happy for you.

Sandy

We hear from folks all over the country who wish they had a place like The Arcada near them who put on these types of shows … I’m telling you, there is ALWAYS something going on there in virtually every genre of music imaginable. (This week’s big announcement is that Ron Onesti has just booked Eric Burdon and the Animals for a September gig!)

It has also become the go-to place for visitors to Chicago … they have heard so much about this great theater that they all want to check it out when they come to town! (kk)

Speaking of which …

We have got to go see The Vogues at Ron Onesti's place this summer. I rate their song "Magic Town" at about 75 on my all time list of rock faves.

Chet

That one is DEFINITELY on my list! (kk)

I saw that you did indeed put my email and that photo up for all to see. I hope your readership enjoys it.

It’s not often that you see Cher without makeup and Sonny with zinc oxide speared across his face, even into his mustache!

Those were some fun days. I heard that we broke Elvis’s record for an afternoon performance there at the Honolulu Convention Center.

All in a day’s work for me!

Michel Rubini

Kent,

In today's FH it was mentioned about the singers of the past that were Elvis Presley soundalikes. I agree with what you said about Crispian St. Peters. Singer Vince Everett (real name Marvin Benefield I believe) never really had any charted records here in the OKC area and I believe none of his records charted nationally though I could be wrong about that. His early recordings, like the one you mentioned, were on the ABC PARAMOUNT label. I have got most of his recordings and my favorite is his rendition of Elvis' BABY LET'S PLAY HOUSE, out of 1963.

As you know, when Elvis died in August of 1977, within minutes almost, the tribute records started to come out. Would you believe I have right at 150 - 45 rpm tribute records about Elvis ranging from singers Paul Adkins and Arthur Alexander (THERE'S A BRAND NEW STAR and HOUND DOG MAN'S GONE HOME respectively), to singer Bill Yates' ELVIS WE MISS YOU. The #1 tribute record here in the OKC area was done by local DJ Ronnie Kaye when he was working at WKY-AM 930. He wrote it and it was called THE KING IS DEAD with the flip being the same song.

Larry

STYX ANNOUNCES TWO NEW ALBUM RELEASES FOR JUNE AND JULY: ‘THE MISSION’ - REISSUE IN 5.1 SURROUND SOUND AND INCLUDING EXCLUSIVE VIDEO CONTENT DUE OUT JULY 27 ON ALPHA DOG 2T/Ume and TOMMY SHAW AND THE CONTEMPORARY YOUTH ORCHESTRA‘SING FOR THE DAY!’DUE OUT JUNE 29 VIA EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENTON BLU-RAY, CD, AND DIGITAL FORMATS –

Also …AXS TV PRESENTS A SATURDAY STACK OF STYX ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING JUNE 30;EIGHT HOUR MARATHON STARTS AT 1 P.M. ET

STYX is giving their loyal fans a double whammy of new releases in June and July.

First up is the highly anticipated reissue of their critically acclaimed first new studio album in 14 years, THE MISSION, on July 27 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The two-disc package will include a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of THE MISSION mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound by singer/guitarist TOMMY SHAW and producer Will Evankovich accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album’s 14 songs based on the album artwork. Other extras on the Blu-ray include: “The Making of The Mission Documentary” of exclusive interviews of SHAW and Evankovich, four music videos—“Gone Gone Gone” (official video), “Gone Gone Gone” (video created by NASA), “Radio Silence” (lyric video) and “Radio Silence” (live video from Syracuse, NY)—and three hi-res audio playback modes. Pre-orders are available now here.

"THE MISSION, a concept album of all new music, is a trip,” declares TOMMY SHAW. “Now it’s coming to you in 5.1 Surround and you’re cordially invited to strap yourselves in and take that trip with us, then take it again!”

THE MISSION was released June 16, 2017 and debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Top 200 Albums (includes catalog and streaming).

“The planets truly aligned for THE MISSION, and I couldn’t be prouder,” said vocalist/guitarist TOMMY SHAW upon its release, who co-wrote the album’s storyline with longtime collaborator Will Evankovich (Shaw/Blades, The Guess Who). “It’s our boldest, most emblematic album since PIECES OF EIGHT.” As founding guitarist JAMES “JY” YOUNG continued, “In the 40th anniversary year of our release of our biggest selling album of all time, GRAND ILLUSION, it just seemed truly appropriate to save our new studio album until this year. Needless to say, I’m very excited.”

Next, SING FOR THE DAY!, TOMMY SHAW’s solo 2016 concert performance with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra will be released on Blu-ray, CD, and Digital Audio / Video on June 29 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. Pre-orders are now available on Eagle Rock’s website.

Filmed before an enthusiastic audience at the intimate Waetjen Auditorium in Cleveland, SING FOR THE DAY! presented unique versions of such classics as “Blue Collar Man,” “Girls With Guns,” and “Too Much Time On My Hands.” Under the direction of principal conductor / founder Liza Grossman, with accompaniment by guitarist/musical director Will Evankovich, the Cleveland-based Contemporary Youth Orchestra blended seamlessly with Shaw to create a one-of-a-kind experience. The songs of STYX / TOMMY SHAW / Damn Yankees are infused with the energy of the finest high-school-aged musicians in Ohio, as evidenced by such performances as the epic duel between SHAW’s guitar licks and a prodigious young violinist / CYO alum Lavinia Pavlish on “Renegade.”

Additionally, the set includes a special version of the STYX classic “Crystal Ball” featuring the debut of a lost verse that was never recorded.

As TOMMY SHAW says, “SING FOR THE DAY!, a retrospective look at some of my favorite songs I’ve written and co-written, performed with Contemporary Youth Orchestra, now remixed in glorious 5.1, takes them all to a higher place I’d never imagined."

This show also marked the 10-year anniversary of STYX’s original 2006 performance with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra -- One With Everything (previously released via Eagle Rock Entertainment on multiple formats).

It was truly a night to remember, as SHAW notes: "It was so much bigger and more everlasting than any of us imagined it would be."

In addition to the full 13-song set, the SING FOR THE DAY!Blu-ray includes 96K stereo audio of four songs with TOMMY SHAW and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra not included in the program -- “Down That Highway,” “The Great Divide,” “I’ll Be Coming Home,” and “The Night Goes On” -- soundtracking a slideshow of photos from the show, rehearsals, and behind-the-scenes.

SING FOR THE DAY! Track Listing:

1. Overture

2. Girls With Guns

3. Too Much Time On My Hands

4. Fooling Yourself

5. Diamond

6. Crystal Ball

7. Boat On The River

8. Sing For The Day

9. Renegade

10. Man In The Wilderness

11. Come Again

12. High Enough

13. Blue Collar Man

Blu-ray Bonus songs:
Down That Highway
The Great Divide
I’ll Be Coming Home
The Night Goes On

And, on June 30, AXS TV presents a “Saturday STYX” lineup headlined by insightful conversations and classic performances. The day begins at 1 pm E, as TOMMY SHAW, JAMES “JY” YOUNG, and LAWRENCE GOWAN sit down with Dan Rather to discuss their legendary career, the creative process behind some of their most enduring songs, and what drives them to keep performing in “The Big Interview.” Next, STYX joins The Red Rocker for an epic hangout session backstage at The Venetian in Las Vegas in “Rock & Roll Road Trip With Sammy Hagar” at 2 pm E. Then, the band sails into Sin City for an unforgettable career-spanning set in “STYX: Live At The Orleans Arena Las Vegas” at 2:30 pm E; followed by TOMMY SHAW’sincredible performance with Cleveland’s renowned Contemporary Youth Orchestra in Sing For The Day! at 3:30 pm E. The block will re-air in its entirety immediately following at 5 pm E.

www.styxworld.com
www.facebook.com/styxtheband
www.twitter.com/styxtheband
www.instagram.com/styxtheband
www.youtube.com/styxtheband

We finally got a chance to spend some time with the finished DVD package for BANG! The Bert Berns Story and thought to share our excitement.

Of course, the original 95 minute documentary feature that has been screened at film festivals and shown theatrically throughout the world is at the core of it but there’s much, much more.

The disc includes 64 minutes of extra interview footage from, among others, 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 Goodfellas archetype Carmine “Wassel” DeNoia. There’s also a four panel booklet with color photos and author (Here Comes The Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm & Blues) Joel Selvin’s notes. He writes, “BANG! The Bert Berns Story is more than another rockumentary. This film heralds a renaissance for Berns and recognition of his work long overdue. His story is told in vivid, candid, painstaking detail, laid bare without judgement, while his music is presented in all its grand glory.”

Here’s another link to the DVD trailer: https://bit.ly/2rJN0n3

Bob Merlis

This is a great documentary and one our readers are sure to enjoy. Highly recommended. (kk)

↧

The Saturday Survey - June 9th, 1968

June 9, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 10 - 13 )

≪ Previous: The Friday Flash

6-8-68 - KLMS - Lincoln, Nebraska

Lincoln is my birthplace and hometown now, just one hour south of Omaha. KLMS was a great station in the 60's and never afraid to break new records. They even broke OLD records! Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" clocks in at #22 some 13 years after it first became the rock 'n roll anthem in 1955 and six years before it hit hard during the 1974 "Happy Days" TV era.

Meanwhile, previously mentioned Beatles' related Grapefruit has their new (and best, IMO) single at #18 with "Elevator." Also Fab 4 related is Cilla Black's "Step Inside Love,"which is #8, written by Lennon-McCartney! There's lots of obscure to choose from here. BTW, on KLMS, Chicago's Buckinghams did well thru 1968 with their 45s in 1968 and here with the great #28!
-- Clark Besch

Some GREAT choices on this week's chart, including the aforementioned new Buckinghams single, "Back In Love Again," always one of my favorites (and a chance to spotlight something written by one of the band members ... this one came from the pen of keyboardist Marty Grebb!) This really should have been a MUCH bigger hit nationally than it was.

The Cilla Black tune featured above was written by Paul McCartney to be used as the theme song to Cilla's brand new television show. A year later he'd be taking Mary Hopkin under his wing (no pun intended) and writing her Top 20 Hit "Goodbye."

One of my absolute favorite Association songs sits at #28 this week ... and an all-too-often overlooked Neil Diamond gem holds down the #31 spot.

And, if I may be so bold as to pick one more, I'm going to go with the Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 version of "The Look Of Love," especially since I got to see him perform live in concert earlier this year! (kk)

It was a prety sad week THIS WEEK IN '68:

6/5/68 - Robert F. Kennedy murdered in Los Angeles by Sirhan Sirhan

6/7/68 - Sirhan Sirhan is indicted for killing RFK

6/8/68 – Robert F. Kennedy’s friend, Rosey Grier, records “People Make the World,” written by by Bobby Womack.

6/8/68 – Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassin James Earl Ray is arrested in London.

6/9/68 – The Ed Sullivan Show hosts a Robert F. Kennedy tribute program starring Dionne Warwick, Charlton Heston, Duke Ellington, Richard Harris, Ed Ames, Kate Smith, Robert Goulet

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 10 - 13 )

June 9, 2018, 10:01 pm

≫ Next: Thursday This And That

≪ Previous: The Saturday Survey - June 9th, 1968

Sounds like Burton Cummings is having a hard time dealing with the repercussions of his Mother’s Day auto accident in LA … he has been reliving the moment of impact in recurring nightmares and admits that for the first time he may need to undergo some therapy to help him come to grips with life in the aftermath.

FH Reader Tom Cuddy sent us this recent article …

http://www.timescolonist.com/burton-cummings-considers-therapy-to-deal-with-fallout-of-recent-car-accident-1.23329492

Here is a guest book review from Jim Peterik …

Book review: Don’t Stop Believing by Jonathon Cain

I guess you could call me rock bio junkie. I draw great inspiration from reading the memoirs and bios of great musicians and songwriters - especially in the rock world.

My bookshelves are close to crumbling with accounts from many of my heroes: Keith Richards, Jimmy Webb, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon (The Life just came out), Burt Bacharach, Brian Wilson, John Lennon, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash - the stacks are up to the ceiling.

My latest companion on the road is the autobiography by Jonathon Cain of Journey. Wow ... what a page turner. Chapter after inspiring chapter of this fine musician / songwriter’s life and astounding career.

Did you know that as a young grade schooler in Chicago he was a survivor of the tragic Our Lady Of Angels fire that took the lives of over 100 innocent children? I am the same age as Jonathon and remember vividly the moment my mother told me about the fire. It was all over the news and remember I cried seeing this horrific event on our black and white TV set.

Music became Jonathon’s healing. And boy did the blessings pour down upon him. So many of his songs were touched by the tragedy and the spirit to rise from the ashes is between the lines of so many of his songs. His father’s immortal words “Don’t stop believing, Jonathon” one day would become his defining moment in music.

In loving detail he tells of his musical journey - finally tasting success as a member of the Babys and then finding his way through good fortune and talent to his ultimate destination. (His stories of songwriting collaborations with Steve Perry and Neil Schon are worth the price of the book alone.)

His spiritual path is also well charted in his book. Not only does he talk the talk - he walks the walk.

I had the pleasure of being in the audience, invited by my friend Rick Weigand, to attend Jonathon Cain’s solo concert at his alma mater - East Leyden High School in Schiller Park 20 years ago. It was inspiring to hear him playing solo, doing some of his biggest hits with just a piano. He also unveiled some new songs which held up to his best. I was amazed at what a great singer he was! Meeting him afterwards, I was struck by how unaffected he was by all his amazing success. He remains one of my biggest inspirations.

Needless to say, I heartily recommend this book to music fans, Journey fans and those searching for their own path through life.

I’m a believer - in Jonathon Cain.

Rock on!!

Jimbo

I’ve got a feeling my library must rival yours … seems all I read are the bios of music stars. (I’m reading Chuck Negron’s revised biography “Three Dog Nightmare” right now for the third time … waiting for my copy of Michel Rubini’s book to come in the mail … and I probably have the next three or four books lined up after that!) My guess is we’ve read many of the same books … Graham Nash’s was another recent favorite, as are the ones by Grace Slick and Mike Love (if by chance you haven’t read these yet.) Then again YOURS isn’t so bad either! (lol)

Growing up in the same area during virtually the same time frame, I found dozens and dozens of connections … including having been at the same Turtles concert at Riverside – Brookfield High School where you met your future wife. (I attended RB at the time before transferring to Morton West during sophomore year after our scheduled move to California was derailed.)

Guess I’ll have to pick up Jonathan’s book. (Sounds like he’d be a GREAT one to include in one of your World Stage shows!)

Thanks for sharing, Jim! I’m sure many of our readers will feel the same way and pick up a copy for their own collapsing bookshelves! (lol) kk

Check out Harvey Kubernik’s new narrative regarding Rhino Records’ brand new Buffalo Springfield’s deluxe box set …

http://cavehollywood.com/buffalo-springfeld-box-set-due-from-rhino-records-june-29th/#more-1185

7A Records also has a VERY limited edition Davy Jones single coming out … more details here …

https://theseconddisc.com/2018/06/daydream-believing-7a-records-celebrates-davy-jones-with-new-single-rainbows/

And here …

https://www.amazon.com/Rainbows-Dont-Have-County-Country/dp/B07CPK3545/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1528430254&sr=1-1&keywords=davy+jones+rainbows&linkCode=sl1&tag=thesecdis-20&linkId=b82a8f176c3a1b24ae851d5a01e61f1c

Seriously??? SEVENTEEN BUCKSfor a vinyl single??? (It does have a really cool picture sleeve 'tho ... still, I think I’m gonna have to pass on this one!) kk

Kent,

I have chatted with the New Colony 6's Ray Graffia, Jr. recently and by coincidence, I got in my car yesterday and my Radom playing MP3 player began to play the beautiful Ray song, "Can't You See Me Cry." I just thought "What a song. What a group." From there, it was sing along time as it has been for 50 years. Those clever lyrics like "or would you answer that you don't know, but I look familiar." I thought about it as I sang along blasting the stereo and began to realize it was summer of 68 when I was charting the song on MY charts. I checked and this exact week was the first week it hit MY charts in 68 fifty years back. I'm not sure, but I think one way to prove a song's lasting legacy is to have someone 50 years after it was released be singing along with joy in their hearts to YOUR song! Ray and the guys, thank you for one of SOOOOO many songs I still love 50 years on!

Here's Uncle Larry Lujack (as usual for him) naming the song incorrectly. Heck, it's lucky for the band that with the NEXT NC6 45, he couldn't even play the right side. He chose the flip to play and it became their biggest national hit!!!

And check out the latest FIND from Sundazed Music!! Chicago's Shadows of Knight were the 60's bad boys of the city with the coming of "Gloria." Yet, BEFORE that song came into their repertoire, they were local well known garagers before Dunwich ever put them to vinyl! Back when I was helping out with their Sundazed reissues of the Dunwich LPs, they never knew about any 1965 tape, so I asked my friend and this new CD's liner notes writer, Jeff Jarema, where this tape came from. It was saved all these years by original Shadows of Knight member Norm Gotsch before he was replaced by Jerry McGeorge in 66. THIS Cd below is 14 songs as presented by the band BEFORE they were national stars and from a performance at Chicago's legendary Cellar club! Lots of the songs were done by LOTS of bands in 65, but these guys pushed it to the limit. If you dare, check it out!

https://sundazed.com/the-shadows-of-knight-alive-in-65-cd.aspx

Clark Besch

Thursday This And That

June 14, 2018, 3:18 am

≫ Next: The Friday Flash

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 10 - 13 )

Sounds like Paul McCartney just filmed a segment for the James Corden show (which leads to the speculation that a carpool karaoke may be forthcoming!)

That should be a real treat.

Ultimate Classic Rock is reporting that McCartney did a special "by invitation only" concert in Liverpool last week and Corden was there to film segments for his late night television program.

Beatles tunes “Love Me Do,” “I Wanna Be Your Man,” “Back in the USSR,” “Birthday,” “I’ve Got a Feeling” and “Hey Jude” were all performed as part of the concert, staged at the Liverpool Philharmonic Pub. UCR says that before the show, McCartney and Corden were spotted in Penny Lane, at Paul’s old home in Forthlin Road and at the Beatles statue at Pier Head.
After the pair were seen in a car together on Allerton Road, it was speculated that they’d recorded an episode of Carpool Karaoke.

Updates indicate that the episode should air sometime next week.

McCartney also performed a brand new song at the Liverpool concert … “Come Home To You” … which may be released as soon as TOMORROW on a brand new, top secret Paul McCartney album! (That’s quite a surprise as, with no advance fanfare, fans couldn’t even pre-order a copy!) I guess now all you’ve gotta do is find a place that still sells CDs!!! (kk)

Some sad news …

Richard Irwin, creator of Reel Radio site has passed away.

There will NEVER be a site like Reel Radio again. Uncle Ricky brought all our radio memories back to us after we never dreamed we would hear those voices that made us laugh and sing long ago. Uncle Ricky was a living icon of radio fantasies and he gave us the REAL thing! He will remain a legendary face of radio and be remembered fondly by all who accessed his site and chatted with him online. He fought battles to keep his site going recently and worked tirelessly along with his care providers to keep his life and website going as long as possible. I will miss one of the great radio men of all time.

Clark Besch

For those of us who loved the glory days of Top 40 Radio, Ricky’s Reel Radio site was a Godsend … vintage airchecks from back in the day, exactly as they happened … when personality was king.

The site underwent some difficult but mandatory changes over the past several years … and then warned us that it would be going dark if enough funds weren’t raised to keep it going. I was unaware that Ricky’s health was also an issue so I guess in the scheme of things it seems only fitting that Reel Radio died with him.

Still a sad day for God knows how many hundreds of thousands of radio fans who were frequent visitors. Reel Radio had airchecks from Top 40 stations from all over the country … decades of clips … it would be awesome to find a home for these so that fans could continue to enjoy them for many more years to come … even something like a Broadcasting Museum … anything to help make the accessible. I would LOVE to be able to get access to everything he had WCFL-related so that JR Russ could start airing them again on his wcflchicago.com website! Any chance you or anybody out there knows of any contact person on that end who could help accommodate this? It would help keep Ricky’s work and endless dedication alive in some fashion for many more years to come. (kk)

Speaking of sad news, did you happen to see the A&E David Cassidy special we told you about? It was truly sad and painful to watch.

I cannot help but wonder what even motivated them to film what would ultimately become his final recording sessions.

“Songs My Father Taught Me” is available as a five song EP / digital download. (When I saw David do his Q&A thing at The Arcada Theatre, this was the album he was there to promote … as well as talk about his decades’ long bout with alcoholism … and lifelong feeling of abandonment from his father, actor Jack Cassidy.)

It is especially hard to see him in the prime of his career … walk away from this success after a fan was crushed to death at one of his concerts … and then find himself literally facedown in the gutter a few years later.

His biography, “C’mon, Get Happy” is a truly fascinating read … highly entertaining and highly recommended, whether you were a fan or not.

I’m debating putting together a series spotlighting the rise and fall of one of the all-time biggest Teen Idols pop music has ever seen.

Look for this program On Demand … but be prepared … some of it is very hard to watch. (kk)

Is that Dick Biondi "driving the car" on that “The Teenagers” album cover?

JR Russ

It sure is … and, reportedly, wearing a sweater made for him by Pam Pulice, the woman putting together the biography documentary right now. (Can you please confirm Pam? How cool is THAT?!?!?) kk

Kent,

I loved the WLS chart of my handwritten one. Also, glad to read Jim Peterik's review of Johnathan Cain's book. I was happy when I got his early 45, "Til It's Time To Say Goodbye," which was a national hit BEFORE he became REALLY famous!

Also, have you featured the new Peter Noone song yet? Here's the video and story. Good tune.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8458121/red-button-peter-noone-ooh-girl

This tribute to John Lennon from a few years ago is not bad either.

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

Clark Besch

Hi, Kent!
I realize that what I'm sending you is a bit off-the-wall, but since Clark Weber is a reader of FH, I decided to trot out this wonderful (and rare) LP that came out in 1967: an album of instrumental versions of songs from "Sgt. Pepper's ....".
The music is so-so, but after owning the LP for a number of years, I made an accidental discovery last year - the "artwork" on the cover is not only a parody of the Beatles' LP, but hidden throughout the cover are pictures of radio personalities from all over the USA! Look closely in the upper right area and you'll spot Clark Weber, Dick Biondi, and Wally Phillips.
There are many more scattered around the cover, but I don't recognize them. The big surprise is that in the lower right corner there is a young girl who appears to be Vicki Lawrence ("Mama" from the Carol Burnett Show, and "The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia" singer. She'd have been 18 years old at that time. Wish I could contact her and find out.
I made a little "insert" picture showing the Chicago people.
Hope you enjoy this little treasure, and maybe you'll find some other "famous" people on the cover.
Mike Wolstein

It seems to me that this has come up before but I can't remember in what context it may have been. REALLY odd to see so many deejays pictured here … maybe a marketing ploy to get them to play it on the air???

Would LOVE to hear more about this unusual LP … (I’m thinking our best bets are probably the two Clarks … Weber and Besch) but if ANYBODY else out there can help to shed some light on this, please let us hear from you! (kk)

Kent,

Indeed we HAVE discussed this album before. I tracked down a copy of it after reading about it in Billboard in THIS article from Billboard July 15, 1967, amazingly only a month after the original Beatles LP came out here in the US! 60 DJ's!!! Who are all of them?

Can you imagine that THIS is what the label brought out that summer in consecutive order? Talk about VARIETY!!! Peter Knight's crazy LP is between Timothy Leary and Dave Dudley!!!

MG 21122 Sarah Vaughan - It's A Man's World
MG 21123 Chuck Berry - In Memphis
MG 21124 Spanky And Our Gang
MG 21125 Horst Jankowski - With Love
MG 21126 Sil Austin - Plays Pretty For The People Again
MG 21127 The Rattles - Greatest Hits
MG 21128 Tony Randall - Warm And Wavery
MG 21129 Keith - Out Of Crank
MG 21130 The Robbs
MG 21131 Dr. Timothy Leary - Turn On, Turn In, Drop Out
MG 21132 Peter Knight - Instrumental Beatles Themes From Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
MG 21133 Dave Dudley Country
MG 21134 Dick Smothers - Saturday Night At The World
MG 21135 The Mauds - Hold On
MG 21136 Lori Burton - Break Out
MG 21137 Big Jim Sullivan - Sitar Beat
MG 21138 Chuck Berry - Live At The Filmore Auditorium - San Francisco
MG 21139 The Best Of Moms Mabley

From this article in August 27 Cash Box, there's no mention of the cover, but "Within You, Without You" was released as a single.

From below Cash Box of September 9, 1967, we find that the LP was one of the first two albums released in England's new Mercury Records organization!

BUT, WHY the DJ pictures and release of this album at all? It seems to be tied to the new format of cassettes being offered in England, possibly? The below article from the beginnings of the summer of love (May 27, 1967 Cash Box), tells us that Philips’ line of cassette machines for cars, home and carry has opened the doors to 45 hits being issued on TAPE in STEREO for the first time and it is going over WELL! One of the first car cassettes will feature the Peter Knight Orchestral stuff -- likely from THIS album! Now, maybe the US ALBUM release was just the same thoughts, or maybe just to keep in line with what was issued in the UK? With the lineup of LPs above, who would know, right??? Maybe adding DJ pics would have been a good thought for DJs to start playing orchestrated pop music? Would Mr. Weber remember?

To top this all off, Peter Knight thought his orchestral instrumental pop recordings might go over with the kids and in November, 1967, PETER KNIGHT was the conductor of the London Festival Orchestra with backed the Moody Blues of their groundbreaking "Days of Future Past" album. So Knight went from the Beatles to the Moodies and hardly anyone noticed this achievement -- except Forgotten Hits did!

Clark Besch

Sitting in a parking lot in Aurora and scrolled through today’s edition of Forgotten Hits ... Please send my thanks to Clark for the audio cut of “Can You See Me Cry” as well as the kind words!

Coming up to Summerfest?

Ray Graffia, Jr.

No Summerfest for me this year … but hoping to catch the Cornerstones Of Rock performance in November back at The Arcada Theatre. And aren't you guys playing as part of that Chicagoland Street Festival thing, too??? (Send more info so we can pass it along!) kk

kk:

Wild Wayne played this song on his "Memory Machine" last night.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Strikes again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy6WJ-w1WhY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQUevuu0FYE

We listened to the new Beach Boys / Royal Philharmonic CD all weekend and, as is usually the case with these, some tracks lend themselves to this treatment better than others.

“Fun Fun Fun,” for example, is the track they seem to be pushing … I’ve heard it several times on the new Sirius / XM Beach Boys Channel … it just doesn’t fit. This is a flat out rock and roll song, right down to the borrowed Chuck Berry guitar riff that kicks it off … and it just doesn’t need ANY orchestral enhancement. “Sloop John B” is another track that seems forced to fit the format.

“California Girls” is already symphonic in nature … the opening build is orchestral with just the use of your most basic instruments. The extra treatment takes away from the beauty of the original concept, which was already uniquely strong to begin with.

Brian put so much thought into his arrangements … listen closely to the original Beach Boys recordings and you’ll be amazing at just how much is going on in the background on these tracks … the way he blended instruments to get certain sounds … this is where the true “genius” of Brian Wilson shined. (If you’ve never heard it, pick up the “Stack-O-Tracks” CD … it features several of The Beach Boys’ best known recordings stripped down to the instrumentation only … all of the vocals have been removed. Capitol has also released several cuts over the years featuring just The Beach Boys’ vocals only without ANY instrumentation … on both levels these are excellent examples of how this band shined in the recording studio … I promise that you’ll be blown away.)

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t some GREAT tracks on this new LP … among my favorites are the new, beautiful arrangements of “In My Room,” “Disney Girls,” “Here Today,” “God Only Knows,” “Darlin’,” and my personal favorite, “You Still Believe In Me.” The truth is, Brian didn’t use a lot of strings on his original recordings (other than The Beach Boys Christmas Album which, in my opinion, suffered because of it), so this is a new, added treatment of these songs we know so well. Overall, this one’s a winner.

The Royal Philharmonic has already revamped the music of Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin and now The Beach Boys … hopefully new audiences will continue to discover this timeless music and thus continue to enjoy it for many years to come.

(One of the big shows cancelled when Brian Wilson recently went in for back surgery was The Brian Wilson Band accompanied by The Nashville Symphony Orchestra. One cannot help but wonder if hearing his music in this new context might not spark some new ideas for similar arrangements in other major cities to present his catalog in a whole, new fashion. I think this one’s gonna be big!) kk

RECORDING ACADEMY™ TO HONOR 2018 SPECIAL MERIT AWARDS RECIPIENTS WITH "GRAMMY SALUTE TO MUSIC LEGENDS^®" TELEVISION SPECIAL AS PART OF "GREAT PERFORMANCES" SERIES ON PBS

Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Queen, Tina Turner, and others to be honored at third annual awards and tribute concert

The Recording Academy™ will honor its 2018 Special Merit Awards recipients with "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends^®," an awards ceremony and live tribute concert on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Hal Blaine, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Louis Jordan, the Meters, Queen, and Tina Turner. Additional Special Merit Awards honorees to be celebrated include Bill Graham, Seymour Stein, and John Williams, who are this year's Trustees Award honorees, and Tony Agnello and Richard Factor, who are the Technical GRAMMY Award recipients. Also being honored is Melissa Salguero, this year's recipient of the Music Educator Award™. Led by GRAMMY^®-nominated industry icon Greg Phillinganes as musical director, the tribute concert will feature rare performances by honorees and never-seen renditions by those they've inspired. Currently scheduled to appear are eight-time GRAMMY winner Herb Alpert, who will honor Blaine; past GRAMMY nominee Micky Dolenz, who will be honoring Diamond; GRAMMY winner Sammy Hagar, who will pay tribute to Graham; 13-time GRAMMY winner and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Harris; past GRAMMY nominee Ledisi, who will salute Jordan; and three-time GRAMMY winner Trisha Yearwood, who will pay tribute to Harris. Presenters for the evening include actress Angela Bassett and GRAMMY winner Henry Rollins. Additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly. Tickets for the event will be on sale via Ticketmaster beginning today.

"We are thrilled to once again partner with THIRTEEN Productions and PBS to bring our 'GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends' awards show and tribute concert to life at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles," said Neil Portnow, President / CEO of the Recording Academy. "We look forward to celebrating the tremendous contributions of our Special Merit Awards recipients and honoring their outstanding accomplishments."

The Recording Academy will produce "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" in partnership with THIRTEEN Productions as part of the "Great Performances" series on PBS, set to air later this year. Previously held during GRAMMY Week, this is the third year the Recording Academy has celebrated the Special Merit Awards with a stand-alone TV event and musical tribute. In addition to the tribute concert, special celebrity guests will present recipients their award statues and guests will enjoy never-before-seen video packages celebrating each of the honorees' contributions to the music industry and our cultural heritage.

A production of THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET, "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" will be written by David Wild and directed for television by David Horn, with Mitch Owgang as producer, and David Horn and Portnow as executive producers.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors performers who have made contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording, while the Trustees Award recognizes such contributions in areas other than performance. Both awards are determined by a vote of the Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. Technical GRAMMY Award recipients are determined by vote of the Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing^® Advisory Council and Chapter Committees. The award is presented to individuals and companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field.

About the Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees:

Starting his career in the 1950s, Hal Blaine is best known as the primary drummer and founder of the legendary Wrecking Crew. He has recorded with iconic artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and many more. He lent his artistry to Phil Spector’s "Wall of Sound" productions, creating one of rock and roll’s most recognizable beats. However, Blaine’s talent does not stop at the conventional drum kit. Some of his best-known songs include him drumming on Sparkletts water jugs for the Beach Boys'"Caroline, No" and dragging tire chains across a concrete floor for Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." During his impressive career, Blaine has worked on nearly 6,000 tracks; of those, 350 have been Top 10 hits, and 40 have been No. 1s (including fellow honoree Neil Diamond’s "Song Sung Blue"). He worked on six consecutive Record Of The Year GRAMMY-winning tracks between 1965 and 1970.

Throughout an illustrious and wide-ranging musical career, Neil Diamond has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide and has dominated the charts for more than five decades with 38 Top 40 singles and 16 Top 10 albums. Before becoming one of the most noted and successful recording artists in the world, Diamond’s early recognition came as a songwriter. His recorded songs have become a part of the fabric of America’s songbook with a wide range of international hits that include "Solitary Man,""Cherry, Cherry,""Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon,""I'm A Believer,""Red Red Wine," "Holly Holy,""Thank The Lord For The Night Time,""Sweet Caroline," "Kentucky Woman,""Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show,""Cracklin' Rosie,""I Am…I Said,""Song Sung Blue,""You Don’t Bring Me Flowers" (with Barbra Streisand), "September Morn," and "Heartlight," among many others. Diamond has won a GRAMMY Award, a Golden Globe Award, the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Kennedy Center Honor, and has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame. In 2009, he was honored as MusiCares^® Person Of The Year.

A 14-time GRAMMY winner and Country Music Hall of Fame member, Emmylou Harris' contribution as a singer and songwriter spans 40 years. She has recorded more than 25 albums and has lent her talents to countless fellow artists’ recordings including Linda Ronstadt, Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler, Neil Young, Gram Parsons, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Rodney Crowell, and Lyle Lovett. Harris’ distinctive voice has allowed her to cross musical boundaries and made her one of the most influential and admired women in contemporary country music. Few in music have achieved such honesty or revealed such maturity in their writing. Forty years into her career, Harris keeps proving that she never stops looking ahead.

Louis Jordan* enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s as the King of the Jukebox. The American musician, songwriter, and bandleader helped pioneer the sound of rock and was dubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Father of Rhythm & Blues and the Grandfather of Rock and Roll. Jordan’s talent, combined with his comedic flair, helped him shatter race barriers, achieving popularity with both black and white audiences. Throughout his lifetime, he was able to duet with some of the biggest artists of his day, including Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong.

The Meters—Art "Poppa Funk" Neville, George Porter Jr., Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste, Cyril Neville, and Leo Nocentelli—are considered by many to be the founding fathers of funk and, for more than 50 years, they have grooved their way around the globe. They have toured and performed with such artists as the Rolling Stones, Dr. John, Robert Palmer, Patti Labelle, Earl King, Allen Toussaint, and Lee Dorsey. Their trademark sound of syncopated layered percussion intertwined with gritty grooves on guitar, bass, and organ, blends funk, blues, and dance rhythm with a New Orleans vibe that is regarded as one of the most influential in music history. The Meters' unique place as a touchstone for countless artists across many genres and as one of the most sampled groups in all of hip-hop and pop music, have kept them relevant to contemporary audiences in a way that few groups can claim.

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Queen has amassed a staggering list of sales, awards, and hall of fame inductions. Their impressive string of No. 1 albums and top-charting singles continue to put Queen in the Top 10 of all-time iTunes sales. The band has received multiple Ivor Novello Awards, an MTV Global Icon Award, and two recordings enshrined in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame^®—"Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You" / "We Are The Champions," which also remain popular songs at sports events and arenas around the world. Recently, Queen became the first artist ever to sell more than 6 million copies of an album in the U.K. with their Greatest Hits album. Even with the tragic loss of their uniquely talented frontman Freddie Mercury*, Queen remains one of the most revered bands in rock and pop history, able to claim one of the most enduring song catalogs of all time. With their sterling song craft, virtuoso musicality, and colossal spectacle of their live performances, Queen—John Deacon, Brian May, Mercury, and Roger Taylor—captured hearts and conquered charts, a legacy that continues to live through the ongoing work and concert performances fronted by May and Taylor, presently joined for concert performances by the extraordinary American vocalist Adam Lambert.

Tina Turner has been the Queen of Rock and Roll since she started her musical career in the 1950s. She is well-known for her extravagant live performances and impressive raw voice. Globally, her concert ticket sales have broken records with every tour. Turner’s albums have all consistently charted on the Billboard 200 and have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. Her grandeur has been admired by many other prominent figures, including Beyoncé, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, and David Bowie. Her determination and sheer talent has crystallized her as a household name around the globe.

About the trustees Award Honorees:

At the Fillmore Auditorium, Fillmore West, Winterland, and Fillmore East, Bill Graham* created the modern rock concert. He discovered and managed artists such as Santana, and organized national tours for Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and George Harrison. Having arrived in America as a 10-year-old Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany with not much more than the clothes on his back, Graham raised millions of dollars for charitable causes by staging Live Aid as well as many other benefit tours.

Seymour Stein's cutting-edge consciousness for the next wave in music can be traced all the way back to the late 1960s, when he began his career at Billboard magazine at the age of 15. Having founded Sire Records with producer Richard Gottehrer in 1966, Stein's eccentric taste in music combined with his knack for predicting what the next big thing in music will be, has continuously proven to be prosperous. His talent has earned him the title of Vice President of Warner Bros. Records along with being co-founder of Sire Records, a subdivision of Warner Music Group, and inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Some of Stein's most notable discoveries include Ramones, the Pretenders, Talking Heads, k.d. Lang, Barenaked Ladies, Echo & The Bunnymen, the Cult, the Cure, Tom Tom Club, Spacehog, Primal Scream, Seal, Madness, Madonna, Depeche Mode, the Smiths, Ice-T, and the Undertones.

John Williams is one of the most prolific and celebrated film composers of all time. He has won 23 GRAMMY Awards spanning the last 50 years, with various honors for composing/scoring, performance, and arranging. In addition to his GRAMMY Awards, Williams has won five Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, seven British Academy Film Awards, and four Emmys. His 1977 soundtrack to Star Wars was an Album Of The Year nominee and was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2007. Some of Williams' most notable scores include Jaws, the Star Wars series, Superman: The Movie, the Indiana Jones series, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Home Alone, Hook, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, the first three Harry Potter films, Catch Me If You Can, Memoirs Of A Geisha, War Horse, and Lincoln.

*Denotes posthumous award honoree.

About the Recording Academy:

The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum^®, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards^®—music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.

For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, "like" Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.

I sent our special congratulations to Drummer Hal Blaine for this prestigious honor … and got this back from him …

HI KENT…

THANKS FOR THE MENTION!

HERE’S THE LATEST FOR YOU ALL:

DW IS PUTTING OUT A HAL BLAINE SPECIAL LIMITED, “LOGO" SNARE DRUM, THAT SHOULD BE OUT TOWARDS THE END OF SUMMER … VERY EXCITING FOR THIS OLD DUDE, THAT’S FOR SURE!!!! JUST ANOTHER CLOUD NINE FOR ME.

IT ALL SEEMS "OVER THE TOP" AND MY MANY THANKS ARE GOING OUT TO DON LOMBARDI AND HIS INCREDIBLE CREW AT DW!!!

HAVE A SUPER SUMMER TO YOU AND ALL OF YOUR READERS!! I’LL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR WHAT DW IS DOING FOR ME!!!!

THANKS AGAIN, KK … KEEP ON “DROPPIN THE NEEDLE” ON ALL OF THOSE HITS!!!!!!

ALL THE BEST TO YOU ALL!!!

HAL BLAINE

The best to you as well.

And, speaking of amazing drummers, check out this clip of an eight year old girl jammin’ along with Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times, Bad Times”!!! (We’ve run clips of Yoyoka Soma before in Forgotten Hits … safe to say she’s no Karen Carpenter!!!) This clip comes from the "Hits Like A Girl" competition ... damn! This chick has got it down! (kk)

Be sure to check back for four days of brand new postings …

Thursday This And That (if you’ve gotten this far, you’re reading it now!)

The Friday Flash (more reader comments and oldies news coming up tomorrow!)

The Saturday Survey (This weekend we visit HAWAII, circa 1968!!!!!)

The Sunday Comments (this week featuring a review of The Mike and Micky Show … happening TONIGHT at The Copernicus Center in Chicago … on the road together for the very first time as a duo … Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees … can’t wait to see it!!!)

FORGOTTEN HITS … a pretty happening place to be!

↧

The Friday Flash

June 15, 2018, 5:02 am

≫ Next: The Saturday Survey - June 16th

≪ Previous: Thursday This And That

>>>Four straight days of brand new postings (kk)

You keep this up and we'll have to raise your salary! L-o-L !

Frank B.

I’m finding that this was much easier to promise than it was to deliver!!! Got home VERY late from The Mike And Micky Show last night and had a hell of a time getting out of bed this morning … not enough time to really prepare anything so I’m going with what I’ve got. (Great show ‘tho!!! And a VERY enthusiastic Chicago crowd … I think the guys will be talking about this audience for a long time to come.) kk

Speaking of which, FH Reader David Salidor just sent me this GREAT interview with Micky Dolenz …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKKRG7DNpwI&feature=youtu.be

Watch for our review of the Mike and Micky Show … if it doesn’t make our Sunday Comments Edition we may have to do a special Monkees Monday post! (kk)

I did get a chance to visit with our FH Buddy Rick O'Dell (Program Director of Me-TV-FM, which got a rousing round of applause before the show began.) We were finally able to take a picture together ... in front of the display booth they had set up in the lobby! (kk)

>>>Having just listened to The Chieftones' version of "Indian Reservation" I'm not so sure this would have been a hit ... the Don Fardon record (my personal favorite) and Paul Revere and the Raiders' version (which went to #1) blow it away. (kk)

"Indian Reservation" was written by John D. Loudermilk, someone who I think is overlooked as a songwriter (and singer). He wrote dozens of songs, many of them well-known hits. Yet, he only charted TOP 40 nationally twice, and only once under his own name.

I like the Fardon version best myself, but a good song is simply a good song.

Brad

Loudermilk wrote some great songs … one of my all-time favorites is "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye," a song that for me is timeless … I’ve never heard a bad version of that one either.

We traced the roots of "Indian Reservation" in our Honest Injun series several years ago. If I remember correctly, it was Marvin Rainwater who first brought the song to national attention. (I'm trying to find the original segment in the archives, which is ALWAYS a challenge after so many computer crashes! lol) kk

UPDATE: Success!!! Just found it … (had to go all the way to 2005 for this one!!!)

'60's FLASHBACK:

MARVIN RAINWATER is one of the VERY few artists featured this month in our special Honest Injun Series who is actually of American Indian descent.

RAINWATER was born either MARVIN KARLTON PERRY (or PERCY, depending on which source you choose to believe) in 1925 and took the stage name of MARVIN RAINWATER to promote his Cherokee Indian heritage. (It was, in fact, his mother's maiden name ... and MARVIN was one-quarter Cherokee.) In 1955, he appeared on THE ARTHUR GODFREY TALENT SCOUTS SHOW, an early television staple. Two years later, he would have his biggest chart hit when GONNA FIND ME A BLUEBIRD went to #22 in Billboard Magazine. (This record was a much bigger hit here in Chicago, where it peaked at #7 on the old WJJD Chart. It peaked at #3 on Billboard's Country Chart.)

Before his success as a recording star, RAINWATER tried a variety of other occupations, including working in an auto repair shop, a lumber yard and as a tree surgeon. He also studied specific courses in the hopes of becoming either a veterinarian or a pharmacist but his love for music won out. (MARVIN lost his right thumb in an accident at the auto repair shop, limiting his ability to play the piano ... however, he continued on with his songwriting hobby and eventually placed the song I GOTTA GO GET MY BABY with recording star TERESA BREWER. He also wrote his biggest hit, GONNA FIND ME A BLUEBIRD.)

His OWN style could best be described as country and early rock-a-billy and when country legend RED FOLEY heard him perform an old HANK WILLIAMS tune, he invited MARVIN to join his OZARK JUBILEE radio program.

RAINWATER continued recording throughout the '50's but never again encountered the type of chart success that BLUEBIRD brought him. In 1959, he developed some throat problems, drastically affecting his vocal abilities. In 1980, he told GOLDMINE MAGAZINE, "I didn't know it then, but I had calluses on my vocal cords and should have quit for months. Instead, we'd spend hours and hours in the studio (recording "do-overs") without ever getting anything decent." After finally recognizing what the REAL problem was, RAINWATER had throat surgery and then resumed his singing career, going on to record for a variety of record labels into the '70's (including WARWICK, UNITED ARTISTS, WARNER BROTHERS, BRAVE and WESCO.) Much of his rock-a-billy work has since be repackaged and released via Germany's BEAR FAMILY RECORDS, and MARVIN has remained very popular overseas. (Early in his career, RAINWATER cut some 50 rock-a-billy tunes for a local Washington, D.C. studio owner, who then pedaled these tunes to a variety of budget record labels like SPIN-O-RAMA, CROWN and PREMIER once MARVIN reached some chart success with MGM. RAINWATER claims he never authorized these songs to be released ... nor did he earn a penny in royalties for their sale.) While RAINWATER today is considered a classic rock-a-billy artist (he's even in The Rock-A-Billy Hall Of Fame), his biggest hit, GONNA FIND ME A BLUEBIRD is most decidedly COUNTRY (rather than rock, pop or rock-a-billy) in nature.

DIDJAKNOW?: Although he never hit The Top 40 again, MARVIN RAINWATER DID have a couple of other chart hits ... including a song titled HALF-BREED, which peaked at #66 in 1959. (No relation to the CHER hit we featured a couple of weeks ago.) It was, however, a #16 Country Hit ... and was written by JOHN D. LOUDERMILK! In fact, MARVIN RAINWATER was the very first artist to record LOUDERMILK's INDIAN RESERVATION ... then titled PALE-FACED INDIAN... back in 1959, SEVERAL years before DON FARDON and PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS took a crack at the tune. (You may recall that this was the very first song that we featured in this special HONEST INJUN tribute ... don't you just LOVE it when all this stuff ties together?!?!?!) In fact, thanks to the amazing THEONEBUFF, we have this rare MARVIN RAINWATER track to share with you today.

(Hey ... I said it was the first version ... not the BEST version!!! kk)

REGRETS, I'VE HAD A FEW: Much like our earlier-featured artists, REDBONE, RAINWATER would appear on stage and on television dressed in full Indian garb, wearing buckskins, moccasins and headband while performing. (He now feels that he may have "typecast" himself early on in his career.) No official word on whether HE later sold or donated any of these outfits to that VILLAGE PEOPLE guy. (LOL)

BTW: A planned, little mini-interview with MARVIN RAINWATER (now 80 years old and STILL performing regularly) was either canceled ... or, hopefully, postponed ... when MARVIN had to back-out at the last minute due to another commitment. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Keep in mind this article ran back in 2005 … Marvin died of a heart attack in 2013.) kk

Kent:

I wanted to let you know that there is a new book in the "Ranking" series called "Ranking the Rock Writers". This one is a solo effort on my part, done with Dann Isbell's endorsement.

The goal of the book is to create a compilation and scoring of all of the songwriters and their songs appearing on the three major charts between 1955 and 1991, and one unambiguous assignment of identity for each physical songwriter, and one physical songwriter for each identity based on an analysis of publicly available sources, harmonizing aliases and variant spellings. The reason this is challenging is that for about 20% of the records, the label, copyright and royalty rights writer assignments differ.

There are three major indices: 1) All the writers (11,834) who appeared in the three major magazines between 1955 and 1991, with all their songs, scored. 2) The Top 2000 writer teams (10,773) with all their songs, scored. 3) All the songs that appeared in those magazines (24,426) with all their vital data. In addition there are specialty lists: Top 200 writers and writer teams: first and biggest songs; Biggest writers by decade; Highest charting songs -- incorporating all versions -- for the period and more.

I also included a narrative and timeline-strength chart for the songs of the Top 30 writer teams. The whole mess is 900 pages.

Kent, I'd like to send you a copy for review and comment in Forgotten Hits. (I have to say I'm a little nervous about sending you the narrative section because no one knows the history the way you do.) I wrote what I remembered and mostly tried to stick to interpreting what I see in the data.

The book itself can be found on Amazon after a soft launch June 1. I'm now working on the website so as to be ready when Rich Appel features it on his July 4 show. Because a good number of assignments require interpretation, I'm trying to find a way to put my research notes on line as well.

Hope you're doing well. Forgotten Hits continues to be the flagship for music of that era.

Bill Carroll

MANILOW IN VEGAS: EXCLUSIVE RESIDENCY, OPENING THIS WEEK, REMINDS THE HIT MEN’S MUSICAL DIRECTOR OF CO-PRODUCING ATLANTIC CITY EXCLUSIVE: ‘BARRY MANILOW PRESENTS COPACABANA’

Lee Shapiro, former music director Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, recalls Manilow as “a true professional and mensch. … one of the most versatile and generous talents of anyone I’ve worked with.’

Lee Shapiro of the Hit Men with Barry Manilow
when they co-produced “Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana”
exclusively for Caesars in Atlantic City from 1990-91

“The Hit Men are musicians in a class all their own”

– M Music & Musicians Magazine

Barry Manilow’s highly anticipated return to Las Vegas this week to premiere his exclusive new stage extravaganza, “The Hits Come Home!,” reminds THE HIT MEN’S musical director of their experience together co-producing another residency, “Barry Manilow Presents Copacabana,” the original early ‘90s stage production derived from Manilow’s signature hit song, "Copacabana," exclusively for Caesars in Atlantic City.

The hour-long stage show ran from 1990 to 1991 in Caesars’ Circus Maximus Theatre with a cast of 20 singers and dancers. It played to over 100,000 people in its first six months to rave reviews as the "must-see casino show" in Atlantic City. Manilow’s Vegas show opens Thursday in the International Theater at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Lee Shapiro, who ignited his considerable show biz pedigree 15 years earlier as Frankie Valli’s “kid” musical director and Four Seasons member during their 1970s resurgence, recalls Manilow as nothing short of “a true professional and mensch … one of the most versatile and generous talents of anyone I’ve worked with.”

Shapiro is now musical director and keyboardist of THE HIT MEN, the popular “real deal” musicians who each helped deliver dozens of hits to the superstar artists of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. He got his first taste of Manilow’s unique abilities when they went into a New York studio to create a live recording session with two dozen musicians for a soundtrack album that, 27 years later, remains unreleased. Shapiro still marvels at how deftly Manilow delegated roles even though “he could have done anyone’s job.”

“He’s well versed and proficient at orchestration, arranging, recording, songwriting, and playing piano on a level I’ve never experienced,” Shapiro notes. “At one point he wanted to hear a change in the orchestration from me. This is how he handled it: ‘Would everyone please leave the control room except for me and Lee?’ And then he said ‘Lee, open the score.’ I opened it and he pointed directly to the bar. ‘You see this right here? I’d really like it to be brought down an octave.’ He could have said that in front of everybody, but he didn’t want to embarrass me by drawing questions to my choices. And that’s typical of how he collaborated with those on his support team. I wish him good health and success in his Vegas residency. ‘Copacabana’ was one of the best experiences of my career.”

After decades of helping deliver dozens of hits with the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Carly Simon, THE HIT MEN have taken their next major step toward stardom on their own terms, with the release of their first original music video from their first original single, “You Can’t Fight Love,” off the new album, DON’T STOP.

The Don’t Stop U.S. Tour, having already crisscrossed the U.S. with an all-new production featuring the most recent chapters in THE HIT MEN’s“Hits-tory” from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, resumes later this summer.

What the Wrecking Crew meant to the pop music revolution of the ‘60s, THE HIT MEN have meant to some of the most indelible hits of the ‘70s and beyond. It’s only now that the evolution of THE HIT MEN’S story – fueled, in part, by their countless first-hand experiences as eyewitnesses to rock history – has become a revelation.

From transistor radios, vinyl, 8-track tapes and cassettes to the Sony Walkman, CD's, digital downloads and the Apple iPod, THE HIT MEN― Shapiro, Jeff Ganz (bass / vocals), Jim Ryan (lead guitar / vocals), Russ Velazquez (vocalist / keyboardist / percussionist), and Steve Murphy (drummer / vocalist) ― have seen and heard it all. And they have the stories to go with it!

THE HIT MEN intersperse their stories – and many more – with lighthearted affection on stage, engaging audiences of all ages in self-deprecating fashion as they continue to sign up new members of THE HIT MEN“faithful” wherever they’ve played since coming together in pristine harmony hundreds of shows ago. Watch what the fans say here.

THE HIT MEN bring the hits on stage – and in the studio – with astounding vibrancy, from so many rock greats … and legends. Aside from the previously mentioned artists, THE HIT MEN also count Lou Reed, Foreigner, Sting, Barry Manilow, Carole King, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Cheap Trick, Chicago, and yes, even LL Cool J, in their collective canon. Combined, THE HIT MEN have played on some 85 albums, many of them gold and multi-platinum.

Indeed, THE HIT MEN are hardly steeped in the past. But thanks to their illustrious pasts, they sure know good songs when they hear ‘em, and are especially attracted to well-written songs with great melody and hooks. No wonder the members share a fondness for contemporary stars like Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, John Legend and Jason Mraz.

As the Associated Press recently noted, “Nostalgia Fades but the 'Hit Men' Play On."

THE HIT MEN continue to recreate their classics while proving again and again that you absolutely can teach old dogs new “tracks.”

THE HIT MEN “DON’T STOP” 2018 TOUR DATES

August 9: Clayton Opera House, Clayton, NY

August 15: Cape May Convention Center, Cape May NJ

August 18: West End Cruise Night & Classic Car Show, Long Branch, NJ

September 29: Friends of the PAC, Middleton, WI

October 12: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT

October 13: State Theater, Easton, PA

October 20: Vinegar Hill Music Theater, Arundel, ME

October 27: Honeywell Center, Wabash, IN

October 28: The Holland Theater, Bellefontaine, OH

November 10: GSU PAC, University Park, IL

November 15: Cox Performing Arts Center at Dixie State Univ., St. George, UT

December 2: Katherine Hepburn Theater, Old Saybrook, CT

More dates to come!

THE HIT MEN ON THE WEB:

www.thehitmenlive.com

www.facebook.com/thehitmenlive

www.twitter.com/thehitmenlive

kk:

Do you know about this book?

If you wrote about it, I don't remember it.

I also read that since the book was written Sam’s and Bobby’s DNA match.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/sam-tallerico/who-did-you-say-your-father-was/paperback/product-23076846.html?ppn=1

Frank B.

I’ve read at least six or seven different books on Bobby Darin’s life and none of them have ever mentioned this guy. That’s not to say it couldn’t be true … Bobby certainly had his flings … but it’s just odd to hear it coming up now, all these years later. (Keep in mind, Bobby’s been dead for 45 years now!)

Also the fact that the book’s been out a year but is just now getting some notice makes me wonder … I’m just trying to decide if I’m curious enough to read it. (Honestly, what can he add to the story? He never knew his father so can’t offer any insight there. Kinda sounds like one of those stories you’d find on Ancestry.com or Lisa Kudrow’s “Who Do You Think You Are” television program (which is actually quite good, by the way!) kk

And Now, Here's Today's Special Chuck Buell 1966 Music Break!

If you like mid-60s Classic Anti-hero Western Movies,

If you like mid-60s Classic “Spaghetti Western” Movies,

If you like mid-60s Classic Clint Eastwood Anti-hero Spaghetti Western Movies,

You might like this unique presentation of the Great, Classic Hit theme from “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” as performed by the Danish Symphony Orchestra.

The Danish Symphony Orchestra?!

Yes.

I liked it and found it to be a very entertaining, enjoyable and interesting Six Minutes.

You might like it, too.

CB ( which stands for "Cow Boy!" )

We ran a similar clip several months ago that was quite enjoyable as well. (In fact, if you search on YouTube you’ll find all kinds of modern-day renditions of this song … always a favorite … and tying in perfectly with our fifty year salute to 1968!) kk

(Interestingly enough, IMDB shows the film as 1966 … but with an official release date of December 29, 1967, two days shy of 1968, which is when the Hugo Montenegro record became a Top Ten Hit.)

You decide between the three versions presented which one is the good ... the bad ... and the ugly. (Sorry, but voting on the Marvin Rainwater track is already closed.) kk

↧

The Saturday Survey - June 16th

June 16, 2018, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 17 - 18 )

≪ Previous: The Friday Flash

*Survey courtesy Gary Pfeifer and ARSA site

Last month we covered Alaska ... so this week we jump down to Hawaii! (How often are you going to see charts from either one of these brand new states, especially dating back 50 years?!?!?)

Yet, for the most part, everything seems relatively normal here chartwise (with a few notable exceptions ... such as THE Exception at #2 with a track called "You Don't Know What I Know," a nice cover of the Sam and Dave tune.)

We also see that The Fabulous Farquahr are back, this time with a premier of their latest, "My Island." (Clark will cover both of these in his weekly commentary ... our job is to focus on the hits! lol)

In that respect, the biggest movers of the week seem to be The Rolling Stones (their latest, "Jumpin' Jack Flash," climbs up five spaces from #11 to #6), The Sweet Inspirations (doing "Sweet Inspiration," which takes a leap of NINE places to become the biggest mover of the week, up from #19 to #10) and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's new hit, "Lady Willpower," which climbs from #20 to #13, a jump of seven places. (kk)

6-11-68 KPOI Honolulu, Hawaii

A few future stars get the obscure showcase this week in our 1968 chart from the 50th state. The #2 ranked Exception and their cover of Sam & Dave's 1966 hit "You Don't Know Like I Know" gets the spotlight first. The band was one of the supergroups of the Chicago 60's featuring Pete Cetera (later of Chicago) as well as future members of the NC6, The Buckinghams and the Fabulous Rhinestones! Within the year (and after three failed Capitol Records singles), the band would split and members would go on to greater heights.

A nice song, "My Island" by Connecticutt's Fabulous Farquar, gets the expected (as the title would suggest) hit status here as well.

Lastly, future Poco and Eagles member, Randy Meisner, who hailed from Nebraska, but was in the Poor in 1968, when they recorded "Feeling Down," which was a "bubbling under" this week on KPOI. Formed from Denver bands before moving to California, The Poor had just recorded the main theme for "Hells Angels on Wheels," as had Davie Allan previously done in similar films. Despite its excellence, this 45 would end the group's attempts and Meisner would move on to much greener pastures.

-- Clark Besch

The success of The Exceptions' record at #2 cannot help but spark a WTF moment.

These guys were from CHICAGO ... and were one of the most highly respected bar bands on the local scene ... yet they never placed a record on the charts here. Nationally, they never so much as "bubbled under" on any of the major trade charts.

Yet here they are, with the #2 Record in Hawaii!!!

(As a rule, several of our Chicagoland Local Heroes did exceptionally well ... pun intended ... on the Hawaiian charts over the years ... but this was a group that, short of our own downtown bar scene, NOBODY even knew!!!)

Somebody really should put together some type of collection of all of their recorded works. Just the fact that the band spawned Peter Cetera of Chicago and Marty Grebb of The Buckinghams would be enough to warrant that ... and it would give listeners a chance to learn more about the band and their sound.

This Week in '68:

6/11/68 – A fire breaks out in the London studio where The Rolling Stones were recording the track “Sympathy For The Devil” for their “Beggar’s Banquet” album.

Across town, The Beatles are busy in the studio today, too … John Lennon is working on his “Revolution 9” montage in Studio 3 while Paul McCartney is alone in Studio 2 recording “Blackbird”

6/14/68 - Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” album is released. (Over 25 million copies have been sold since!)

6/15/68 – John and Yoko plant an acorn at Coventry Cathedral, UK

Also on 6/15/68, Jazz Guitarist Wes Montgomery dies at the age of 48 in New York City

6/16/68 – Elvis Presley’s new movie “Speedway” (co-starring Nancy Sinatra) opens in Charlotte, North Carolina, where much of it was filmed.

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 17 - 18 )

June 17, 2018, 6:23 am

≫ Next: Monkees Monday! (A Concert Review of the Mike and Micky Show)

≪ Previous: The Saturday Survey - June 16th

Pour yourself an exceptionally large cup of coffee this morning …

You're going to be here for awhile reading this week's edition of The Sunday Comments!!!

The Saturday Survey: HAWAII … Always a Fun Series, No Exceptions!: Good response to this week's chart from The Islands … and the Exceptions song in particular!

Hope all is well, Kent.
There actually has been a CD compilation collecting all the songs by the Exceptions. I believe member James Vincent himself compiled it.

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/exceptions

Interestingl, just last week on eBay, I scored an unreleased acetate by Kal David & The Exceptions. It’s a cover of ‘Bony Maroni’.
Cheers,
Mike Dugo

Kent,

Thanks to the internet, I just discovered this record this year, but the side I discovered was the B side!!! The B side is fantastic! How either side didn’t get played in Chicago, a hotbed of local airplay activity, is a mystery to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JbzJ4_l7gU

Tony Waitekus

Hey Kent -
Wasn’t Top 40 radio such a delightful train wreck back in the day?
I mean, Steppenwolf and Tiny Tim on the same chart at the same time? C’mon, man! Who doesn’t miss those days?
- Larry Cave

50yearsagoonthehot100.blogspot.com

D.J. Fontana:

Elvis' original drummer D.J. Fontana has died. He was the last of the original band that performed on Presley's earliest Sun Records and RCA recordings. (Fontana was joined by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, backing up the ground-breaking vocals … and swiveling hips … of rock and roll's first major star, Elvis Presley.)

Rolling Stone Magazine covered it this way:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/elvis-presley-drummer-dj-fontana-dead-at-87-w521520?utm_source=rsnewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=061418_11

We also received several links and emails from readers …

Here are just a few …

https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/06/14/elvis-presley-drummer-d-j-fontana-dies-87-jailhouse-rock-heartbreak-hotel/700860002/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6526790/dj-fontana-dead-at-87-elvis-presleys-legendary-drummer-and-last-surviving-band-member-passes-away-his-son-reveals/

We also heard from a couple of the members of THE HIT MEN, the popular “real deal” musicians who each helped deliver dozens of hits to the superstar artists of the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s.

Here are their comments on the impact of the passing of longtime Elvis Presley drummer DJ Fontana … and the influence he had on their own careers …

Lee Shapiro, keyboardist and musical director … and Frankie Valli’s “kid” musical director in the ‘70s, had this to say:

“DJ Fontana influenced the way I write for a rock rhythm section - he was solid, steady, and sparse. Most drummers were intent on displaying their technique and mastery of the instrument. DJ played his role perfectly. The heartbeat of Elvis’ show, the anchor, and the battery who powered it. I learned from DJ that it doesn’t take a million notes to be a great rock drummer. It takes feel, and he had it.”

Drummer Steve Murphy, whose credits include Elton John, Jack Bruce (Cream), Dave Mason and Todd Rundgren said:

"It's indisputable that his drumming laid the foundation for rock and roll. He's the one who started it all. Even though John Bonham of Led Zeppelin and Jeff Porcaro of Toto influenced me while I came of age in the '70s and '80s, knowing that Robert Plant was the biggest Elvis fan on the planet when he and Bonzo were previously in Band of Joy together, I can't imagine that Bonham was not a huge DJ fan, too. I would bet my family on it."

Ironically, right after we received the news of DJ's passing I got an email about a brand new musical, "Heartbreak Hotel," spotlighting the early days of Elvis' career, which kicks off in Chicago at the end of this month!

McCartney on James Corden … and Carpool Karaoke:

Paul McCartney Carpool Karaoke premieres next week during the four shows taped in London!

Right On!

Shelley

Kent,
In all honesty, hasn't this 'Carpool Karaoke' thing outlived its usefulness? Unless we get a challenging session with the likes of Bob Dylan, Donovan or perhaps Kyu Sakamoto, I no longer see the point of this idea, which has really turned downright monotonous.
And if Paul McCartney and James Corden do a vehicular version of 'Silly Love Songs', I swear I'm going to heave.
Bill Fortune
C'mon … you know they will … so get your barf bowl ready!!!
I still find it pretty entertaining with the right participant, most of whom are the younger stars of today. (Still, the Stevie Wonder edition ranks as one of my very favorites.)
I just wish they would have caught Paul while he still had his singing voice! I expect this to be a fun segment … with a few cringes ... but I still wouldn't miss it! (kk)

And with Macca's 76th Birthday coming up on Monday (June 18th), The Beatles Channel has been going virtually All Paul this weekend, including a countdown of listeners' Top 16 Favorite Paul Beatles Tracks. (Naturally "Hey Jude" and "Yesterday" were numbers 1 and 2 respectively … but I WAS a little surprised to see one of MY favorites, "Oh Darlin'" come in at #4!!! (kk)

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly:

That symphony orchestra piece was THE COOLEST!! Thank Chuck for me, Kent!

I'd forgotten that that second part was even from "The Good, The

Bad ..."… for some reason I'd heard it sampled many years by a hip-hop artist (to this day can't remember whom!) and someone I know in radio plays it as bumper music to this day!

BOB FRABLE

This And That:

Hi Kent,

Thank you for your critique on the new Beach Boy CD by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

I was planning on buying it, but now I have "second thoughts." I like the original arrangements by the Beach Boys! You can't take away from perfection!

Carolyn

It’s definitely worth buying with the understanding upfront that about half the tracks are interesting to hear in these new arrangements. For some reason it seems to be the latter cuts on the cd that sound the best (Tracks 9 - 15). I think "Fun Fun Fun" is one of the worst examples of this new treatment, so I’m surprised that this is the track they seem to be pushing . I don’t particularly care for "Sloop John B" either or the way the ruined the perfect original intro to "California Girls"… but I think you'll find that everything else is very listenable … and "You Still Believe In Me" is absolutely outstanding.

I’d recommend buying it … or, if you're still not sure, listen to a couple of samples online and then download the tracks you like.

Like Frannie said, “I don’t need the whole cd … but I might put six or eight of these tracks on my iPod.” (kk)
Hi, Kent,
Thank you for the note!!!
Being a super Beach Boy fan, I will buy it!! ( Fun, Fun, Fun happens to be my favorite Beach Boy song followed by Caroline No and then all of the others come in third!!!)
Mike Love's Beach Boys will be at Ravinia again this summer. You have to give him credit for keeping the sound alive!
I am trying to get tickets to see "The Cher Show" this month. Then I think it will be heading for Broadway! And thank you for keeping the Dick Biondi tribute movie up front so everyone is aware of this legend. He will always be special to me and all true Rock and Rollers like you!
Carolyn

As always, good and fair observations on The Beach Boys recordings by the Royal Philharmonic. For this fan/ADDICT, it is impossible to improve a Brian Wilson / Beach Boys tune, but I thoroughly enjoy fresh-thought, well-produced covers. (Would have added Sail On Sailor if they asked me)
Phil
PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com

Actually, that would have been a GREAT one to include. (If this album is successful, maybe they’ll do a Volume 2 like they did with Elvis!) kk

Kent;

Concerning the dj picture on the “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts album of about 1967, it was a rather blatant effort on the part of the record label to win favor. In the FAR RIGHT HAND SIDE ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN IS A PICTURE OF A GUY WEARING HORN RIMMED GLASSES AND A Van Dyke beard. That was Paul Christy, who at the time was the WCFL Music Director. The picture of Biondi seated in the convertible may have been shot when Dick was at WKBW in New York before arriving at WLS in 1960. However, I’m not sure of that time frame.

Clark Weber

Well, Clark, YOUR picture is on that album cover, too … so tell us ... did the marketing strategy work??? (lol) kk

I watched the A&E program David Cassidy 'Last Session' this week. It

was well made, however, very difficult to watch and I don't think I

would want to see it again.

I agree with you that it was a questionable idea to follow him around with cameras at that stage of his declining health.

David was one of my early heroes. I still believe that he had a very

good voice, perhaps the best teen idol voice ever. The Partridge Family

records were well made and his solo singles were good. His recording of the Beach Boys’ Darlin' is an overlooked gem.

I have not read a tribute yet that has mentioned his 1990 song ‘Lyin' To Myself.’ That hit number 27 in Billboard and number 25 on the Adult Contemporary charts.

I was a Music Director reporting to the Gavin Report at the time. They sent the promo cassette single out with no name on it as they figured that it may not get played because of his previous teen idol status. It got positive reviews and eventually got airplay.

At the time I thought that bit of radio success would get his career going strong again. I had one interview with David Cassidy and he seemed to be a very nice guy that was appreciative of his fans.

I know that alcoholism is a disease that sometimes goes on from

generation to generation. His dad was jealous of him and treated him

badly. Half brother Shaun's fame was short lived. He had the same

father as David and he seems to have adjusted to life after being a teen

star.

Dave Thompson wrote a nice tribute to David Cassidy in Goldmine

Magazine. It was nice to know that there were others that thought David Cassidy was talented.

I hope you do a piece on David. That would be an enjoyable read.

Phil Nee – WRCO

“Lyin’ To Myself” even got airplay on some of the Classic Rock stations here in Chicago …

Donny Osmond had tried a similar marketing strategy with his comeback hits “Soldier Of Love” and “Sacred Emotion” … and both made The Top 20 nationally.

While I think that Donny was definitely the more talented of the two (and certainly the better singer), it was kinda cool to see BOTH of these guys come back with comeback hits two decades after most folks thought their flames had long since burned out. (kk)

Regarding the clip of the young girl drummer that you posted …

That kid's just UNBELIEVABLE! Somewhere, John Bonham is smiling.
BOB FRABLE,

Easton, PA

KENT …

YOU AND YOUR READERS AND CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SOMETIMES DON’T REALIZE THAT A PERSON CAN ALWAYS CALL “SAG” (IN L.A. ASK FOR MANAGERS OF ARTISTS DIRECTORY ... IF THEY HAVE THE ARTIST LISTED AS A MEMBER, THEY WILL GIVE YOU THE NAME AND NUMBER OF THE ARTIST’S MANAGER.) A NUMBER OF UNIONS AND ACADEMIES HAVE MERGED. THIS SERVICE DIRECTORY IS USUALLY USED BY PRODUCERS AND CASTING PEOPLE TRYING TO CONNECT WITH AN ARTIST. THIS IS A GREAT SERVICE, OF COURSE, FOR MANAGERS AND OR FOLKS TRING TO MAKE CONTACT WITH ARTISTS, POSSIBLY TRYING TO HIRE AN ARTIST, WHO IS GENERALLY UNLISTED … (POSSIBLY LOOKING FOR AN ACTOR FOR A FILM ROLE TO CAST.)
JUST PLEASE DON'T BOTHER THESE MANAGERS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GET AN AUTOGRAPH AS A FAN!
I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND AN HEIR TO FRED ASTAIRE’S ESTATE, KNOWING HE WAS DECEASED. A.F. OF M. HAD A CHECK FOR FRED. THE ESTATE OFFICE OF SAG FOUND HIS RELATIVE ... THE CHECK WAS DELIVERED … AND ALL’S WELL THAT ENDED WELL.
HAL BLAINE

We will be leaving for Mexico in July and I need a good rock book to read. Any suggestions? I have read Jim Peterik, Chuck Negron and Mike Rabon books already.

Mike DeMartino

Those are all good ones … I can also recommend the rock bios by Grace Slick, Tommy James, Mike Love and David Cassidy. (How's THAT for variety?!?!) Another very touching book I read recently is Williams Shatner's tribute to Leonard Nimoy. Have a great trip! (kk)

>>>Richard Irwin, creator of Reel Radio site has passed away. There will NEVER be a site like Reel Radio again. Uncle Ricky brought all our radio memories back to us after we never dreamed we would hear those voices that made us laugh and sing long ago. (Clark Besch)

In the first week of November, 2013, several of us gathered together in San Francisco to celebrate Bobby Ocean’s Induction into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame. Ricky was there, too, in great spirits and truly enjoyed hanging out with many of his Radio Friends during that event. He and I shared a lot of laffs then. I will miss the communications we exchanged over the years along with the singular contribution he made in preserving so much of the great audio of on-air radio personalities everywhere, big and small, that made up the world of contemporary radio of which we all were a part.

~~~ Chuck Buell
Here's a picture of me and Uncle Ricky in a healthier and happier time …

Kent:
Some added goodies.
The trip I took to Chicago was in early December, 1967. I don't have the exact dates handy.
Not only did I visit WLS, but I did a short visit to WCFL as well.
As for WLS, my earlier memory was a little wrong (old age) in that I didn't get a photo with Art Roberts, but with Ron Riley. I got more photos on Ron taping his show than I did with Art (being a Ron fan).

The WLS images I have are available for downloading from:
http://vidiot.com/images/WLS/WLS-67Dec213.jpg thru
http://vidiot.com/images/WLS/WLS-67Dec228.jpg
http://vidiot.com/images/WLS/WLS-67Dec245.jpg thru
http://vidiot.com/images/WLS/WLS-67Dec247.jpg
http://vidiot.com/images/WLS/WLS-67Dec251.jpg thru
http://vidiot.com/images/WLS/WLS-67Dec255.jpg
Keep an eye out for the RatFink. :-)

I also have scans of all the Ron Riley Flip magazine articles: 651108 -> 670209 (12)
As well as scans of the following Chicago articles:
Chicago Sunday - American Magazine - 3/26/67

Chicago Sun Times - Red Carpet Tour - 9/18/67
What's Happening - 2/27/66
Chicago Tribune Magazine - Big Beat Radio - 9/11/66
Mike Brown

Hoping you'll share some of these vintage articles with us … our readers LOVE this sort of thing … and this is EXACTLY the kind of stuff we love to post on Forgotten Hits! Thanks, Mike! (kk)

Like this from Fred Glickstein (from The Flock) ...

TV GUIDE

If you're too young to remember and enjoy a good laugh, then send this on to your parents. If you're not, then bask in the warm memories.

This is exactly what we looked at in these years and oh, life was so sweet back then. Note the price of the TV guide in the 50's and 60's. Brings back memories.

Note the few channels that we had to choose from.

But I don't think that TV was on much after midnight.

As it was at the beginning

1960 Philco Predicta UG-4744

1966 1961

1967

The Beverly Hillbillies 1962

Howdy and Buffalo Bob 1955

Leave It To Beaver 1959

Father Knows Best 1955

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet 1954

1968 1954

1953

Captain Kangaroo 1955

All In The Family 1972

Maverick 1959

WKRP In Cincinnati 1978

The Lone Ranger 1949

1950 Zenith G2355 1954 RCA 17S351

1953 Admiral Color C1617A

Haverhill Gazette TV Guide Monday, May 1, 1961

The Ed Sullivan Show 1967

The Addams Family 1965

The Red Skelton Show 1951

Gunsmoke 1970

The Mod Squad 1968

Bonanza 1960

Rawhide 1959

1954 1955

1965

Dark Shadows 1966

Dr. Kildare 1961 The Man From Uncle 1965 Ironside 1967

Peyton Place 1964 The Mickey Mouse Club 1959

The Andy Griffith Show 1963

The Honeymooners 1955

1966

The Dick Van Dyke Show 1961

Seahunt 1958

1967 1959

1970

The Twilight Zone 1960 Lassie 1958

Gilligan's Island 1966

Wanted: Dead or Alive 1958

Zorro 1957

The Rifleman 1958

I Love Lucy 1951

Mr. Ed 1961

Charlies Angels 1976

TV Test Patterns 1960

Talk about your vintage TV shows ...

Here is a video of the Chieftones on To Tell The Truth. Something for you to watch in your spare time. Hope you have a great weekend.
Phil - WRCO

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

Isn't it amazing some of the things people have collected and found and then posted on YouTube for others to enjoy? Who would have even thought that a copy of this program - as obscure as it is - would even still exist some fifty years later?!?! (kk)

And this from Chuck Buell ...

Remember those Great Little VW Bugs of the 1960s?

They could never do this!

CB ( which stands for "Carburetor Boy!"

Volkswagen Trailer Assist

kk:
Wild Wayne went to see "Dion: Rock & Roll Redemption," currently playing at "The 7 Angels Theatre" in Connecticut.
He said it was disappointing … Thumbs Down … More fiction than fact. Buddy Holly was mentioned throughout the show. They made it sound like Buddy Holly asked for Dion to be on the "Winter Dance Party Tour."
FALSE.
They also went with Dion's version of the Coin-Toss ... Dion instead of Tommy Allsup. FALSE.
If enough young people, who weren't around in 1959 , read Dion's book and go to see this show, they'll believe his FALSE statements.
FB

That's always my greatest fear … history is being rewritten daily with all these mistruths and undocumented "facts"… some of which is simply used as a way to embellish the story for dramatic effect … and far too often, just repeated as "fact" because somebody saw it or heard it that way. This is why we've always prided ourselves on presenting "The Most Accurate Truth" possible … and double-checking and triple-checking the sources. (Truth be told, too many of these entertainers themselves are helping to spread the wrong information as a means of enhancing their own significance to rock and roll history.) It's a shame … and I don't know that there's really a damn thing we can do about it … except warn fans to be aware and do your research. (kk)

And finally, from John LaPuzza …

WHEN PAUL SIMON RETIRES …

↧

Monkees Monday! (A Concert Review of the Mike and Micky Show)

June 18, 2018, 3:58 am

≫ Next: Monkees - Beatles - Beach Boys - Does It Get Any Better Than This?!?!?

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 17 - 18 )

As mentioned in this column numerous times before, although I never had the opportunity to see the original quartet, performing in their hey (hey)-day or at one of their very "limited edition" appearances in the decades since, I have seen SOME configuration of The Monkees at least 35 or 40 times now over the years ... Micky solo, Davy solo, Peter solo, Micky and Davy "Monkee-ing Around," Dolenz, Jones, Boyce and Hart and then, a few years ago, The Monkees Reunion Tour that included Micky, Peter and Michael Nesmith ... my first time ever seeing "The Nez."

But the performing duo of Micky and Mike has never toured together before ... so it was absolutely mandatory that I catch "The Monkees Present The Mike And Micky Show" when it hit The Copernicus Center in Chicago last Thursday Night (June 14th). [Very special thanks to Micky's East Coast PR Guy David Salidor for making that happen ... we had INCREDIBLE dead center main floor tickets and backstage passes for after the show.]

I got to meet Micky and Mike after The Monkees show at Star Plaza a couple of years ago ... and you can find photos from that ... as well as that concert review ... here:
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-monkees-live-at-star-plaza-theater.html
(Hard to believe that that was almost EXACTLY four years ago ... man, time flies!!!)

I had not been to The Copernicus Center in nearly twenty years ... (not a particularly easy place to get to when coming from the western suburbs.) My daughter used to have her preteen dance recitals there and, quite honestly, it looked like the place was wasting away at the time.

Well, let me tell you ... they have done an INCREDIBLE job of refurbishing ... it is now a BEAUTIFUL theater with excellent seating, comfortable air conditioning, private meeting rooms, bars and concessions and more ... and the place was absolutely PACKED with Die-Hard Monkees Fans of all ages Thursday Night for this one-of-a-kind show. (I have never seen a line so long at the merchandise table before ... we literally waited 45 minutes so Frannie could buy a t-shirt ... and at intermission time the line was every bit as long again as fans scooped up a wide variety of souvenirs ... shirts, hoodies, beach towels, cds, books ... even $200 collectors items were moving off the shelves.) [Man, I sure hope Micky and Mike get a share of the Merch Table ... 'cause they were JAMMIN' all night long!]

The show opened with the somewhat obscure Monkees Single "Good Clean Fun," a #73 Hit from 1969, written and sung by Michael Nesmith. It was a very appropo opening ... as the song ends with the fitting lyrics:

"I look in the crowd and there you stand
And the gap that once was time is forever closed behind
'Cause I told you I'd come back and here I am
Yes, I told you I'd come back and here I am
I told you I'd come back and here I am"

This drew an amazing round of applause from the audience, indicating immediately that these folks out here tonight know their Monkees Musc!

From that point forward, Micky and Mike traded off lead vocals on each subsequent, alternating song. Both were in FINE voice for the majority of the night ... and sounded especially moving when they sang together, a vocal blend that always stood out on The Monkees' recordings back in the day. (Think "What Am I Doin' Hangin''Round,""The Door Into Summer,""You Just May Be The One" and the recently recorded "Me And Magdalena," all of which were performed Thursday Night. Keep in mind that Nesmith also wrote the popular Monkees' tracks "Mary Mary" and "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," both of which featured Micky's vocal on the records.)

Their back-up band was incredible ... without a doubt, hands down, the BEST band I've EVER seen on one of The Monkees' shows.

Naturally, because of Nesmith's involvement, the music had a decidedly country feel to it ... but all of these "modified" arrangements worked ... and on more than one occasion I thought to myself "Well, it took awhile, but Micky has finally 'Gone Country'!" As such, songs like The Monkees' very first single, "Last Train To Clarksville" and "Take A Giant Step," had a very nice hoe-down feel to them ... while still remaining true to their original arrangements.

But don't be misled ... this band could also rock out when it needed to as evidenced by performances of "Steppin' Stone,""Circle Sky,""Listen To The Band,""Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "I'm A Believer." (They also did a very nice arrangement of "Daydream Believer," the only non-Micky and Mike song presented that night, which had the whole crowd up on its feet, swaying together in unison with their cell phone flashlights and singing along.)

Downsides: If you WEREN'T a Die Hard Monkees Fan, you were probably pretty bored during the last half of their first set when they performed a batch of about half a dozen songs that most likely weren't familiar to you ... far too many to lump together into one continuous flow of music. Had these been spread out a little bit more, they would have been easier for the "average fan" to digest. (And, quite honestly, a couple of these songs could have been dropped all-together and not been missed.) "Steam Engine," Some Of Shelley's Blues,""Birth Of An Accidental Hipster,""St. Matthew,""The Porpoise Song,""Circle Sky,""As We Go Along" and "Me And Magdelena" were all performed in sequence. As such, there seemed to be more emphasis on the importance of maintaining the alternating trade-off vocals than on the content of the material ... and I believe it took away from the overall caliber of the evening's performance. As it was, the duo performed 33 songs that night ... that's a HELL of a lot ... so dropping a tune here or there might have made the evening flow a little smoother. Because of this wide array of tunes, there were moments when each of their voices seemed a little taxed. Keep in mind that Michael hasn't toured in ages ... and never toured regularly at all ... so there were a few times along the way when it felt like he ran out of gas. He was already using a small computer tablet screen to help him keep tabs on the lyrics ... which provided a pretty funny, unexpected moment when the screen stopped working and showhands had to scramble out on stage to get him typed copies of the lyrics before they could get the computer up and running again. And even Micky, who has toured incessantly for most of the past fifty years and has retained every bit of his vocal chops, seemed to be "playing it safe" on a couple of high notes along the way.

On the other hand, the Upsides FAR outweighed the down ... their second set was nothing short of extraordinary.

It kicked off with an unplugged, acoustic set of slowed-down / stripped-down versions of "Papa Gene's Blues," an incredible arrangement of one of Micky's signature tunes, "Randy Scouse Git," which sounded great in this new countrified arrangement ... and had Mike Nesmith laughing out loud when Micky hit the scat portion of the song ... "Nine Times Blue,""I'll Spend My Life With You," another song that lent itself well to this new arrangement and style, and "Different Drum," sung by Nesmith, which came as quite a surprise since Micky's sister Coco typically sings this at every concert performance ... and she was there handling background vocals all night long.

As the second set unfolded, band members joined in one by one for each subsequent song which led to a great build up to their version of the first Monkees B-Side, "Take A Giant Step," which sound greatly enhanced thanks to the fiddle and pedal-steel guitar.

The big finish included "Sweet Young Thing" and "Goin' Down," another showcase for Micky's vocal talents, followed by the aforementioned "Daydream Believer,""What Am I Doin' Hangin''Round,""Pleasant Valley Sunday,""Listen To The Band" and "I'm A Believer."

All in all, a fantastic and very enjoyable night of Monkees Music. Another big plus is that it looked like Mike was absolutely having a ball up there ... it had to mean a lot to him to hear such a great, enthusiastic reaction to his song catalog, stretching back over the past five decades. (My guess is he'll be back out on the road again before you know it!)

Frannie was able to snap some great shots (all of the above) ... and we even got one taken by Coco Dolenz (below) showing what things looked like from the stage ... and capturing the large, enthusiastic crowd ...

The Last Word: GREAT show ... that could be made even stronger with a bit of fine-tuning. (kk)

A final tip of the hat to The Copernicus Center ... you guys have done a fine job of creating a theater that works well with this rock and roll atmosphere. Recent concerts there have included Robin Trower, Pat Benatar and, just a week or two ago, The Alan Parsons Project. Gordon Lightfoot has just been booked to perform there in September, as has Dennis Tufano, former lead singer of The Buckinghams.
Add this place to your list of venues doing their part to help keep this great music alive. (kk)

↧

Monkees - Beatles - Beach Boys - Does It Get Any Better Than This?!?!?

June 19, 2018, 4:40 am

≫ Next: Thursday This And That

≪ Previous: Monkees Monday! (A Concert Review of the Mike and Micky Show)

>>>And, quite honestly, a couple of these songs could have been dropped all-together and not been missed ... "Steam Engine," Some Of Shelley's Blues,""Birth Of An Accidental Hipster,""St. Matthew,""The Porpoise Song,""Circle Sky,""As We Go Along" and "Me And Magdelena" were all performed in sequence. (kk)

WHAT??? Drop “Some of Shelley’s Blues”? Only song I know of with my name in it … ever!

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

OK … so maybe not THAT one! (lol) kk

Apology accepted … hahahaha!

I am acknowledging that my name is ONLY in the title, which makes it work for Linda Ronstadt to sing as well as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, but still …

Shelley

I disagree with Porpoise Song being on your chopping block! That is a great song! And I had completely forgotten about Good Clean Fun ... I really do like that song!
Kristy White

Please understand that I wasn’t specifically singling out any one particular song … it was just the cluster of so much relatively unfamiliar material being presented in sequence that I believe lost a good portion of the crowd. Any one of these songs on its own is fine … although some are certainly stronger than others.

I think both “Porpoise Song” and “As We Go Along” are both great songs from their 1968 movie “Head” … but I also think that the more average and casual Monkees fan is probably only mildly familiar with them at best. It was that series of six, seven or eight songs in a row without a bonafide, recognizable hit thrown into the mix that tends to make things boring … and risks losing a percentage of your audience.

At one point Micky asked the audience “How many of you have seen the movie ‘Head’?” and a bunch of hands went up … to which Micky then immediately replied, “Can you tell me what it was about?” (lol) Fifty years later and STILL nobody knows … not even them!!! (kk)

I also found it a bit unusual, too, that all the preshow and intermission music played was by them - tracks that they weren’t going to do live on stage. Normally artists play similar music or tracks they’re particularly fond of to fill these spots as another way to connect with their audience. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a band play their own stuff before during those breaks!

I saw the trio a couple of years after Davy died ... VERY thrilled to have seen Mike then. All the times I saw them in the 80s was when Mike was too busy for them. Really disappointed I missed it this time around. Great review! I'm sure Micky was sad I wasn't there. <sigh>
Kristy

Oh, you know it!!! You would have loved the show … the crowd sure did. The only hiccup seemed to be early on when Micky at first refused to take the stage because you weren’t there - but he ultimately got over it and came out to play! (kk)

I just died a little!
Kristy

Hi Kent:

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your review of the Monkees show. I’m in total agreement with you on everything — from the venue (Copernicus Center) to the crowd control to the show itself. It was a really fun evening all the way around. And I do hope the group takes to heart your constructive criticism about that slow patch near the middle of the show. Sequencing is so important. In radio programming, in constructing a set list, you can get away with unfamiliar material if it’s sequenced correctly. And you hit it on the head — you should never play several of your weakest or most unfamiliar material back-to-back. They could have dispensed with half the songs they played during that segment and not suffered a bit.

Have a good week.

Rick

I’ve heard from a couple of people who either there Thursday Night or had already seen the show at another venue … and most agreed that my assessment was spot on - I doubt that it’ll change anything, but hopefully offers some food for thought. (Sometimes when putting together a show of this caliber, you want to include EVERYTHING because who know when … or IF … it may happen again.) I consider myself to be a die-hard Monkees fan … and the truth is that I knew even the most obscure tracks they featured … but my immediate reaction was “This isn’t for everybody … and you’re starting to lose people.”

That being said, I thought the second set was 1000% better - especially the way they launched it with the unplugged segment.

When writing a review for a show, I try to keep it all in perspective … on the one hand, we really should be happy that they’re still performing at all … and with both guys now well into their 70’s, this has to be a pretty strenuous activity to endure every night. (Heck I’m out of breath carrying three loads of groceries up a flight of stairs and I’m at least ten years younger than they are!)

The fact that these guys have been my idols since Day One makes it difficult, too … but I will ALWAYS be a fan first … and clearly you got my point … when I see something that seems to alter the pace of a smooth-running show, it’s my nature to offer constructive criticism as a way of saying “Step back for a moment and view this from a fan’s perspective.” I believe there’s still a way to make the show a little less taxing for the performers - and a little more enjoyable for the audience.

In my book that’s a win / win all around. (kk)

I consider myself to be, as you said, a “die hard Monkees fan” … yet I agree with your assessment completely. It was a great show that was well received … but I can’t believe that ANYBODY would have missed some of these songs had they been dropped from the set list.

(If you’re not sure or you disagree, please consider this …

Would you have gone home disappointed thinking “Oh man, I can’t believe they didn’t play ‘Birth Of An Accidental Hipster” or “St. Matthew” or “Auntie Municipal’s Court” or “Nine Times Blue” or “Steam Engine” or “Grand Ennui” or “Some of Shelley’s Blues.” Do you think that ANYONE out there felt cheated because THAT was the song they bought their ticket for and then they didn't get to hear it??? I think not!)

I think that it was a nice mix of material that gave them a chance to do a few songs that they don't normally feature in concert. I, too, thoroughly enjoyed the trading off of lead vocals throughout the night ... but sometimes when you're putting together a show like this, you just have to take a long, hard look at the set list and say “How can I bring this show in at right around 90 minutes and give them the very best show possible?” Let’s face it … some of these tracks that were performed that night didn’t even make The Monkees’ albums when they were first recorded because they weren’t considered strong enough to stand beside the material. Over the years, they’ve shown up on the endless stream of compilation CD’s that Rhino keeps putting out so yes, they’re familiar … but they’re hardly what anyone would consider Monkees "standards" by any means or, for the most part, even up to the standards of their best material.

Kent, I always appreciate your concert reviews because they’re honest and they show all sides. As a fan, you have a way of communicating with OTHER fans and letting them know exactly what to expect … and my experience as a Forgotten Hits reader for at least a dozen years now is that they’re always spot on. Great review … great suggestions … and yes, Great Show … but one that could have been even better should they decide to heed some of your observations.

Rob

On a final note, 7A Records is releasing a live album featuring Michael Nesmith and The First National Band, recorded at The Troubadour back in January of this year. It’ll be available August 3^rd here in The States.

And Michael is doing some more solo shows after he wraps up the ones where he’s teamed with Micky … so it looks like The Nez is back!!! (kk)

Looks like Paul McCartney’s Carpool Karaoke segment on James Corden’s Late Late Show will air on Thursday Night (June 21^st), capping off a four-day stay in London. (It would have been cool to feature this on McCartney’s birthday yesterday … but I totally get the idea of using this as the capper to the week-long London trip and the grand finale.) Also scheduled to appear that night are The Foo Fighters.

FH Reader Shelley Sweet-Tufano sent us this (EXTREMELY!) short clip of Paul and James crusin’ the streets of London while singing “Drive My Car” …

Despite all the hoopla, the weekend came and went without a new Paul McCartney album … but there have been too many clues circulating not to expect one in the next few days. It’ll be Macca’s first release of new music since 2013’s “New.” Also in the works in the elaborate Paul McCartney Collection series are brand new box sets devoted to the “Red Rose Speedway” and “Wild Life” albums … due out later this year. (kk)

Speaking of Paul McCartney, Ultimate Classic Rock ranked The Beatles' Solo Albums from Worst To Best last week …

As expected, there's all kinds of room for debate (and, as expected, you'll find most of Ringo's releases kicking off the list.)

Still it makes for fun reading with little mini-reviews of each LP (as well as commentary as to which ones have improved with ages … and which ones have worsened!)

You'll find it all here:

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/beatles-solo-albums-ranked/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_4572276

So, Kent, why not start a poll: "What one Beach Boys song would you want to hear on a Volume 2 by the Royal Philharmonic?"
I would want to hear their cover of Sail on Sailor but would also be compelled to vote for my all-time fav, Little Girl I Once Knew.
Phil

PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot,com

↧

Thursday This And That

June 21, 2018, 4:53 am

≫ Next: The Friday Flash

≪ Previous: Monkees - Beatles - Beach Boys - Does It Get Any Better Than This?!?!?

MACCA:

Tonight’s the night …

Paul McCartney will be guesting on The Late, Late Show with James Corden – featuring carpool karaoke (and hopefully a little bit more)

Thank GOD Kanye West made this guy famous a few years ago … ‘cause he seems to be doing really well today!

(And he seems to be able to do just about everything … he’ll go from world tours to new album launches to television appearances … to even singing at weddings!!!)

Check it out …

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-mccartney-wedding-band/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_4572276

In fact, Paul was all over the music news yesterday as his brand new single (described as “a double A-side”) was released. (“Come On To Me” and “I Don’t Know.”)

A release date was also announced for his new LP, which was originally rumored to being released last Friday. (Titled “Egypt Station,” it will be available on September 7^th, about seven weeks from now.)

And if this still isn’t enough for you, McCartney will also headline The Austin City Limits Music Festival in October.

And then … on top of all the NEW solo release hoopla, Paul confirmed yesterday that a newly expanded edition of The Beatles’ White Album will be released to celebrate the LP’s 50^thAnniversary. (Awesome!!! Now I can buy it for the TWELFTH time!!! And you know I will!)

Totally remixed for better sound (according to Paul, it’ll make the listener feel like you were right there in the room with them while it was being recorded), the new release will also feature some of the demos recorded by the individual Beatles prior to regrouping in the studio after their trip to India. (We published a link to several of these demos a couple of weeks ago in Forgotten Hits … scroll back and check it out!)

No official release date has been announced yet for the anniversary package (nor is there word yet on whether or not it will take on the look of the “Sgt. Pepper” deluxe box set released last year to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of THAT landmark LP.)

The White Album (officially titled “The Beatles”) was the first LP released by The Fab Four on their own Apple Records label, which originally hit the streets on November 22^nd, 1968.

As mentioned before, we’ve been encouraging Forgotten Hits Readers to submit their version of a 16-track single LP utilizing the 30 tracks that made up the two-LP version. (Get creative … if you pulled a couple of singles off the LP, it could be easier than you think!)

We’ll be running those comments later in the year. (kk)

I have been receiving this symbol from Macca alerts for a week, with the words blurred. So, as you mentioned, Kent … Ahuh, Ahuh! Here it is!

I just previewed two songs from Paul McCartney’s new album:

“Come On To Me”

WHOA, Paul! Mark Lindsay says, “Rock and roll keeps you young!” BUT REALLY NOW!! Took a walk after listening.

“I Don’t Know”

A song about life (love?) being difficult to understand. So I Don’t Know about the background of this one.

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

You can hear Paul talk about his new album on the BBC here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b6pg39

Paul McCartney will do carpool karaoke with James Corden tonight on The Late, Late Show. He'll spend about 20 minutes on the show after they drove around in Liverpool for six hours last week. Don't miss it!

Paul's new 45 came out yesterday and he was a guest on the BBC and played the songs. Very nice tracks, I think. His new album will be coming soon. The first track (I Don’t Know) is nice and the second (Come On To Me) has quite a bit of Beatleish 60's things going on that make it good. He's still got it, brave face and all!

Clark Besch

Both tracks are available for downloading now in all the usual places (such as iTunes and Amazon) kk

Thanks for posting that review of the Beatles solo albums.

I actually agreed with most of it.

I would put McCartney's Ram, Band On the Run, and Flowers in the Dirt at the top of all His albums.

They are the ones that are my go-to's. I thought that Off the Ground should have been farther down towards the bottom of the list.

I saw Sir Paul on that tour, and I think he only did one song off the album. He must have known it wasn't very good too.

Bill

THE MONKEES:

kk …

How come the Monkees never recorded this song?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBVV6LWnp-o

It’s not too late … Talk to them!

Here's another one I don't think the Monkees ever recorded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I9rKNvgG-8

Well, they sang the “Theme from ‘The Monkees’” … and had an episode about a Monkey’s Paw … but no, they didn’t record these tunes … although “Mickey’s Monkey” MIGHT have made sense … since they actually HAD a guy named Micky in the group. Then again, they never recorded “Too Much Monkey Business,” “The Monkey’s Uncle,” “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey,” “Shock The Monkey” or “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” either! (Still I think they did pretty well with the material that they DID record!!!) kk

BAKERSFIELD BEAT WITH MICKY DOLENZ & MICHAEL NESMITH

Monkees Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith were guests on Dwight Yoakam’s The Bakersfield Beat on SiriusXM.

Dolenz and Nesmith, on their Mike and Micky Show, end their tour June 25 at The Count Basie theater in Red Bank, New Jersey.

L-R: Dwight Yoakam, Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz

I'll have to listen for this ... let us know if they're going to replay it.

We've been enjoying watching Dwight in the first season of "Goliath," the Billy Bob Thornton Amazon Prime Television Series. (kk)

I FELT LIKE THE LUCKIEST DRUMMER ON THE PLANET WHEN I WAS CHOSEN TO DO THE MONKEES SERIES. I WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF MY RESPONSIBILITY AND RELIABILITY AS A STUDIO MUSICIAN. THE PRODUCERS KNEW THAT I WAS A STRAIGHT AND SOBER, WORKING MUSICIAN WITH MANY HIT SONGS AND FILMS IN MY BACKGROUND. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE ACCUMULATED SO MANY MORE GRAMMY AND OSCAR WINNING T.V. AND MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS ON MY RESUME. ALSO, I WAS PROUD TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY MICHAEL NESMITH TO PLAY ON AND CONTRACT HIS RCA HUGE WEEKEND OF RECORDING THE “WHITCHITA TRAIN WHISTLE” PROJECT. REGARDLESS OF HIS WHITE OUT MOTHER’S INVENTION, OF WHICH WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT AT THE TIME, I FOUND MR. NESMITH TO BE AN ALL AROUND GREAT EMPLOYER WHO KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING, AS A MUSICIAN AND A WRITER. HE WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE “MONKEES,” PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE GROUP, AND THAT’S PROBABLY WHY HE WAS CAST ALSO FOR HIS MUSICAL ASSETTS AND BACKGROUND THAN JUST HIS TEENAGE LOOK. HE WILL ALWAYS DO WELL FOLLOWING HIS CREATIVE ABILITIES. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO HAVE BEEN EVEN A SMALL PART OF THE FAME OF THESE KIDS … AND BEFORE CLOSING, I WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE TO MENTION THE FACT THAT PETER THORK(ELSON) OF THE MONKEES AND AL JARDINE OF THE BEACH BOYS WERE TWO OF THE GREATEST GUITARISTS. ALWAYS KNOWN FOR THIER TEENAGE GOOD LOOKS AND COMEDIC APPEAL AS PART OF THIER GROUPS AFFILIATIONS, THEY ALSO JUST HAPPENED TO BE GREAT GUITARISTS AND MUSICIANS. I NEVER EVER SAW ANY DRUG AFFILIATIONS IN ALL OF MY YEARS WORKING WITH THEM! MY BEST WISHES GO OUT TO THEM … AND TO BRIAN WILSON, CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY TODAY AND RECUPERATING FROM SOME BACK SURGERY. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HELPED BACK THEM UP ON MY DRUMS DURING THEIR MUSICAL SUCCESSES!!! GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!!

SINCERELY ….

HAL BLAINE

And, in other Wrecking Crew news, you can hear an interview with Michel Rubini here: http://kwxy.com/

We’ve been telling you about Michel’s new book “Life In The Key Of Rubini,” which recounts his days as a session man during The Wrecking Crew’s hey-day … as well as his time spent as Sonny and Cher’s Musical Director. (The above radio link also takes you to Michel’s website, where you can order a copy of this hot new book for yourself.) kk

THE BUCKINGHAMS:

Hi Kent,

As you know, we have another great Cornerstones concert coming up in Milwaukee at Summerfest on June 28th. It will be slightly longer show starting at 3:30 – 4 pm. The Buckinghams, along with the Ides, Cryan Shames, New Colony Six and Jim Sohns should have the opportunity to play a couple extra songs.

We are excited this year to have the opportunity to perform once again at Ribfest in Naperville on July 4th! I believe it has been over 20 years since our last performance at Ribfest, when back in the late 80’s and 90’s the festival scene in Chicago was rockin! It wasn’t unusual for The Buckinghams to play 20 - 25 festivals in and around Chicago.

I remember an article on the front page of the Chicago Tribune about the festival scene. In the article was a comment from one community that said, “We don’t want The Buckinghams at our festival because they draw too many people.” Talk about an unusual, off-handed compliment, ha!

Naperville's Last Fling and Ribfest was always a biggie and one of the best! It still is. We will share the main stage with The Stray Cats and Melissa Etheridge. Very exciting!

Carl Giammarese

Here’s the article.

https://www.positivelynaperville.com/2018/05/30/the-buckinghams-return-with-sunshine-rock-to-ribfest-2018-on-independence-day/87864

As you know, I have been pushing for a little more variety in the Cornerstones shows … I believe it’ll help to keep those loyal fans who keep coming back again and again to see the show want to come back even more, with a new element of surprise added into the mix.

Unfortunately, we’ll miss the Summerfest show but I wish you all the very best of luck … and hope to catch up with you when Cornerstones returns to The Arcada Theatre in November.

Thanks, Carl! (kk)

THIS AND THAT:

Kent,

I saw a mention of the Dick Biondi interview on your blog.

About a month ago, I was a part of the interview with the producer.

It was the brainstorm of John Herrbach, the station manager of my high school radio station in New Buffalo, Michigan, WNBI 107.9.

I believe the interview is available to be heard on their website WNBI.org.

I couldn't find a link for this interview on their site ... maybe you can help us out (?)

The thing that we’ve been talking about is a film documentary, being put together by Pam Pulice. It will trace Biondi’s career from start to finish. He had successful radio shows from coast to coast in Buffalo, New York to LA … and, of course, here in Chicago where he remained on the air for nearly forty years.

Pledges are still being taken to fund the film … more information can be found here: https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/ (kk)

Hi Kent ...

On June 17th at Gulfstream Park, Taylor’s In Orbit won her third race.

Three wins and a 4th place finish ...

Here’s a video of the race:

http://www.xbtv.com/winners-portal-gulfstream-park/?play=x37n2u99vg

Tommy Roe

OK, now that’s gotta be pretty darn exciting!!! WTG, Tommy! (kk)

Kent,

I knew that Uncle Ricky had passed and that the site was down for a while. I don't know what plans if any he made to have someone control the archives. I just hope someone will take over the archive and continue it because it's an awesome glimpse of radio history.

JR Russ

A listener called with a request for Cheryl Moana Marie by John Rowles.

As a music collector and having worked in the business all of these

years, I rarely am stumped anymore. I have never heard of this song

before. I see it charted at #64 on Billboard and #19 Adult. It does

not appear to have made the Top 40 in Chicago and it was number 12 in Milwaukee in late 1970 – early 71. I listened to it on youtube and heard it for the first time. Do you remember this one?

Phil – WRCO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK2SQnERtK4

Nope … never heard it … or even OF it before! (Honestly, I'm having a hard time hearing this as a hit of that era!) kk

It can't be a forgotten hit if we've never heard it before! The guy
that requested it could have lived closer to Milwaukee or another area
that played it. It must not have played on the stations I was hearing on
my transistor. The song reminds me of others that were played on Top 40 radio in the seventies such as Miguel Rios - A Song Of Joy, Bobby
Vinton - Melody Of Love or Roger Whittaker - The Last Farewell.

Phil

I can think of at least one or two folks I encounter regularly online

with MASSIVE TV Guide collections!

As with any paper publication, it pays to keep the space in which you

store these gems at optimal temperature and humidity so the items don't fall to pieces when looking at them!

I may or may not still have a few "digest" TVGs, e.g. the last one with

(at least in some copies) Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, then syndicated

morning-show stars, done up as Major Nelson and Jeannie of "I Dream of Jeannie"! The current standard-size (and not always weekly) version, I'm sorry, is just not the same thing!

BOB FRABLE

I have often thought about pursuing a TV Guide collection but the cost would be phenomenal … way beyond my means!!! I have several that I bought for our 1967 Series so that I could document some of the rock and roll acts that were being featured on TV … and a few other collectors’ editions that have meaningful covers to me.

I totally agree with the new full size format … it sucks … and it’s not just the look …

TV Guide used to be THE source for television information … back stories and interviews … detailed descriptions of each week’s episodes with highlighted features for some of the stand-out shows.

Now you’re lucky to get a six word synopsis (if there is even a synopsis at all.)

They went from the cutting edge leaders to barely playing the game anymore. (And I’ve found them to publish wrong information WAY too often these past few years.)

I know in today’s immediate society, you can get any TV information you want online … with ALL kinds of special insight … but if TV Guide was simply going to throw in the towel in this regard than why bother to keep publishing it at all?

Honestly, nothing would please me more than to see them revamp things to become an industry leader again. (That’s easier said then done when you consider the lag-time required to go to press and get the magazine on the newsstands … by then it’s already two week old information and probably not even accurate anymore.

Still, I’m a big one on legacies … which is why WLS ignoring their rich, trend-setting legacy and heritage is such a disappointment here in Chicago. These guys led the pack when it came to entertainment radio back in the day, breaking ALL the big hits. Now they’re pretty much just “the ‘80’s station” … which is pretty remarkable when you consider that for MOST of the ‘80’s they weren’t even calling themselves WLS anymore! (kk)

Kent,

The picture of the LP SGT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS with the DJ's on it was one I was not familiar with. However, I immediately recognized on the top row, fourth DJ from the right, to be that of Dale Wehba, former DJ here in OKC working at both top 40 radio stations through the years, WKY-AM 930 and KOMA-AM 1520. Dale still lives here in the OKC area and I called him up to see if he remembered that LP. He said he did and that he has two copies of it. He remembered what the LP was all about and that Mercury Records distributed it.

Mike Brown, I believe, sent you those WLS images for downloading and said for you to watch out for the Rat Fink. Kent, 50 years ago there were two DJ's by the names of Terry McGrew and Jim "Goose" Bowman that worked for WKY in the evening from 7-10 PM weekday nights. They had a character on the show by the name of RAT FEENQUE. This was just some automated voice that was heard at times on air during the show. Please notice back of survey which I sent to you.

Loved the section devoted to the Television Guide from the "good old days". It was great seeing some of the covers and pictures from within. Kent, it reminded me of a book I have entitled TV GUIDE - CELEBRATING AN ICON. It covers over fifty years of covers and features pictures that have been published from day one. It has a photo of every TV GUIDE cover from the first issue, April 3, 1953, to the last one published in 2005, the year the book was published. Also, on somewhat of a related matter, without getting into specifics, I have a copy of every week of TV Guide for the OKC area from the first issue to the end of 1969.

One final thing. I did not hear MY DAD by Paul Peterson played at all on Father’s Day this year ... but to be honest with you, I didn't expect to, considering the records one doesn't hear anymore on the air.

Larry Neal

I have that same TV Guide book you’re referring to, an interesting keepsake (and a far less expensive way to collect all the covers!!! Lol)

That’s quite a collection … 1953 – 1969. As I said earlier, I thought about pursuing a collection but at this stage of the game, it would be too cost prohibitive. Plus the issues would come from all over the country and wouldn’t be representative of what I grew up watching here in Chicago. I absolutely LOVE the fact that your collection covers your area exclusively … that’s QUITE a collection!

If you get a chance, ask Dale if he remembers any other circumstances surrounding this rare LP … how he came to be chosen … if he knew what the promotional idea behind it was at the time … it’s just such an oddity … but I’ll bet with proper research we can find deejays from all over the country pictured on that cover. Did any of them actually play any of the tracks on their programs? Might make for an interesting piece.

I’m wondering if Rat Feenque is the same character that Mike Brown was referring to. (Kind of a Chickenman piece maybe?) Mike, if you’re reading this, please let us know … or anybody here in Chicago that might have some ideas on this. (kk)

And, speaking of Mike Brown, he’s asking THIS question …

Has anyone ever tried to get in touch with whatever management has taken over WLS (I've been out-of-touch with the goings on for years) to find out if there is access to their archive of WLS surveys in order to scan them? Assuming, of course, that there is an archive of the surveys.
MB

I don’t believe the station has a complete set … or is in any way focused on these archives at this point … a real shame, knowing the legacy this incredible station has.

We have a handful of readers on our list who have managed to collect copies of EVERY WLS and WCFL Chart ever issued (myself included), whether it be thru trades or xerox copies. (For me it wasn’t so much about having the original sheet as it was about having the information of what each chart contained … so the bulk of MY collection is xerox copies … and, in some cases, copies of copies of copies!!! As long as I could read the chart information, I was satisfied.

I’m sure some industrious collector has scanned their collection digitally for easier access ... and, thanks to these guys, we’ve been able to run numerous WLS and WCFL charts here in Forgotten Hits over the past eighteen years. If there’s something specific you’re looking for, let us know and we’ll either post it or put you in contact with somebody who may be able to help you. (kk)

From Chuck Buell ~~

Recently, Mark DeMartino wrote in Forgotten Hits, “We will be leaving for Mexico in July and I need a good rock book to read. Any suggestions?”

My most recent read, which I truly enjoyed was, The Authorized Roy Orbison,written by his Sons Roy Jr., Wesley and Alex Orbison.

It might be a challenge to travel with, tho, due to its large coffee table size! I would think that depending on the airline, they might even determine its bulk counts as a personal carry-on! {:~} But it would be a good read before or after a trip too.

I’ve also read and liked, A Natural Woman: A Memoir, about Carol King. The musical, Beautiful, portrays only the first half of her book so this is a good completion of her story.

Currently in que on my personal Beach reading list, The Boys in the Trees: A Memoir by Carly Simon.

A must read for any Forgotten Hits reader, if one hasn’t already read it, The Wrecking Crew by Kent Hartman.

And, if you’re going to be staying in a condo, you should probably bring along, Mark Bego’s, Eat Like a Rock Star!

This Beach-appropriate dish from his book is among my favorites that I personally made ~~

Bego-Buell Crab Cake

CB ( which stands for “Current Bibliothèque!” )

Sunday’s page made for great reading!

Thanks,

David

Man, another great read ... hope you can keep it up, Bro!
Blessings -
Barry

Hi Kent:

I have been digging several of those obscure June, 1968, tracks on that Hawaii survey you spotlighted this past weekend. I really like "Feelin' Down" by the Poor ... also enjoyed "The Modley" by the Angels on RCA Victor. I forgot the girl group was still recording in 1968. The seldom heard Lulu track "Boy" is another nice uptempo track that you never hear. Great stuff, sir.

Please keep up the awesome job you do keeping the oldies alive.

Santi Paradoa

Miami, Florida

This Hawaiian Chart has proven to be extremely popular with our readers who follow our Saturday Surveys feature.

This week we venture out to Vermont to look at a WDOT chart.

Re: When Paul Simon retires ...

HAHAHAHAHAH!

Dube

There’s been some talk about Paul Simon’s final performance …

Some speculated that he might return to Central Park and do his final concert with Art Garfunkel …

But it has now officially been announced that Paul’s last show will take place on Saturday, September 22^nd at Flushing Meadows Corona Park … the first major concert event in the park in decades. (Tickets will go on sale next Friday, June 29^th, at 10 am EST at AXS.com.

Homeward Bound – The Farewell Performance will be a celebration of a renowned touring career that began in the 1960s and has coincided with his artistic journey as a songwriter and recording artist through the present day. Simon said of this final show, “It seems more like fate than coincidence that I should do the final show on this final tour at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I could have ridden my bike from home to the park in about 20 minutes, when I was a kid. But this is less a goodbye than a farewell. Thank you all for the ride, I had a great time.”

“When Paul Simon sings ‘Homeward Bound,’ there’s no doubt he means New York,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "The grit, beauty and complexity of this city are woven into Simon’s most haunting songs, and our greatest venues have formed the backdrop of his performing career. It’s only fitting that this son of Queens comes home to Flushing Meadows Corona Park.”

So Goodbye, Rosie … The Queen of Corona. (kk)

And finally ...

Happy Official First Day Of Summer!

You’ll find some great programming ideas here …

http://forgottenhits.com/

The Top 100 Summer Favorites as voted on by Forgotten Hits Readers …

As well as the Biggest Summer Songs for every year, 1955 – 1980.

Me-TV-FM kicked off their Summer of Me over Memorial Day Weekend …

And Sirius / XM has added The Beach Boys Channel to keep you in the groove All Summer Long …

So put on the sun screen, grab your beach towel and enjoy The Sounds Of Summer!

REMINDER: PLEASE bookmark this site and check it regularly … we will be sending out less and less “reminders” … so we’re trusting you to check it on your own on a regular basis.

If you haven’t already done so, DO IT RIGHT NOW while you’re thinking about it … ‘cause otherwise you’ll probably forget because you’re old!!! (lol)

And thank you for your continued support. (kk)

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