A Forgotten Hits Exclusive -- Jim Shea Looks Back At The Music That Changed His Life

August 14, 2013, 4:00 am

As promised, here is an EXCLUSIVE First Look at a brand new Classic Music Essay Series put together by Jim Shea, former Y103.9 FM Morning Man here in Chicago. (Jim has just inked a deal with Prime Magazine, a Wisconsin Publication, that will be running the entire series ... more info here:

Click here: Prime Magazine- Southeastern Wisconsin's Magazine for Active Adults

Click here: Home - Prime Magazine

... check back often to catch all of the latest installments.)

But before they run their series, the very FIRST one is running right here in Forgotten Hits ... enjoy Jim's look back at The Eagles, circa 1975 ...

FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME #1

The first in a series of essays devoted to first impressions of classic music

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT / EAGLES

It was the first few days of June, 1975. It had to have been, because senior year of high school in suburban Cleveland was over, which is to say that classes were over, but the commencement ceremony was not until Sunday June 8^th. The summer which would follow would be the stuff of legends: long, steamy, succulent nights of smoke and rum; nights you could actually taste. These were nights when I still trusted my emotions; when I accepted my Ali Baba hallucinations as fact. These were nights when absolute belief was always one drink ahead. They generally ended around 4 am, then we were up for summer jobs by 7 am.

But in these first few days of June my friends and I were temporarily, hermetically sealed between final exams and summer jobs; between the world of being together every day and that other world that was waiting out there, where we would not.

We were invited to spend those few days at a friend’s parents’ cottage in the Lake Erie Islands. The only thing we had to do all week was spread a bit of gravel in the back yard. We did not mind. The time was spent in swimsuits, drinking beer and playing cards, incredulous at our own sudden weightlessness.

At sunset of the last day we headed back to Cleveland on the Ohio Turnpike and endured a bit of static until we were able to tune in Denny Sanders' evening show on WMMS. He said he had in his hand a brand new album from the Eagles. It was called One of These Nights and it was not even out in the stores yet. He said he had listened to the whole thing and decided to play his favorite cut. The opening notes were majestic and sad, then came the vocal: “All alone at the end of the evening, and the bright lights had faded from view”

The song was a natural road song, but more than that. Its texture conveyed the exact mood of pulling away from one sweet known thing and heading toward an unknown other. Like Plato’s cave, the real sunset was at our backs as we headed East. The true magnificence of it was merely reflected in the oncoming Westbound cars.

“I was thinking ‘bout a woman I loved but I never knew”. Wow. Is this not what sets us apart from the other species, this longing for the mythical? Doth the mighty king of the jungle yearn for some lioness of his own imagination? Does the chimp survey the moment and feel sadness for moments that will never be?

“And when you’re looking for your freedom, nobody seems to care”. Yes. True. “Put me on a highway”. Check. “Show me a sign and take it to the limit one more time”. Yes Lord, whisk us away as fast as heaven will allow. Send us hurtling into this magical dusk. Let summer begin.

Nothing was said at the time about how perfect that song and the moment were. This was an age when nothing needed to be said. It was all about living then. You weren’t constantly playing journalist, providing color commentary for your own life. No texting. No pics. We just kept rolling, waiting for the next great song, the next great moment.

Maybe artists like the Eagles realized how deeply they were able to touch us. They surely knew that every newly finished album enjoys a brief state of grace before it reaches the stores and the critics and the charts. Maybe they knew that in our young lives we too were celebrating the high of having made something (of ourselves), while not yet knowing quite what we had made.

I have heard Take It to the Limit 3,926 (rough estimate) times since and I would be lying if I said it had the same sublime feel every time I hear it. Likewise, daily life pollutes us and wears us out. But there was a moment in early June 1975 when we were hanging between being and becoming, and a song on the radio made it all hang together beautifully.

-- Jim Shea (August, 2013)

Tomorrow ... some of my own Eagles memories ... stay tuned! (kk)

REMINDER: Jim Shea will be taking part in the Open Mic Program this Sunday, August 18th, at the Longshot on Route 120 in Lakemoor. It runs from 3 - 6 pm and Jim will be performing a bit of music and comedy. Hope to see you out there! (kk)

Kent,
Nice to hear Jim Shea will be in our neck of the woods. I didn't think anybody knew of Lakemoor until I found out one of the station's board of directors lived there. Let Jim know that there's always an open mic here at WRLR for him and his friends. Kent, now get outside and enjoy what's left of summer!
- Bish
WRLR 98.3 FM

www.WRLR.fm

Wouldn't it be awesome if Forgotten Hits could, in some fashion, help facilitate Jim Shea's return to the airwaves?!?! He was always one of our favorites and I swear that not a week goes by without some Chicagoland reader bemoaning the woes of losing a couple of their radio favorites, Jim Shea and Jeff James. Never Say Never! (kk)

↧

The Eagles

August 15, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Paul Revere

≪ Previous: A Forgotten Hits Exclusive -- Jim Shea Looks Back At The Music That Changed His Life

After reading Jim Shea's look back at the music of The Eagles, I felt inspired to jot down a few of my own thoughts and favorite memories of this great, great music ... so here goes! (kk)

THE EAGLES

We've seen it happen SO many times over the years.

A band hones its craft for 10-12 years ... thousands and thousands of hours rehearsing, out on the road, building a following, fine-tuning their sound and their presentation, distinguishing what works and what doesn't ... before it finally lands a record deal, scores a hit and becomes classified as an "overnight success" by the media when, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

Because they've had all this time to prepare and weed out their weakest links, their first LP is a bonafide smash ... every track's a winner. But now they've shot their wad right out of the gate and there's nothing left. The record label wants a follow-up release to cash in on the success of the first one but now, instead of having ten more years to prepare, they're lucky if they get ten months ... and the well is dry. So (most often at the record label's urging) they try to clone the first release. (Boston anyone?) "Well, we'll need one of those ... and then something that sounds like this" ... etc, etc, etc. ... and then, when the experiment fails, the media is quick to dismiss it as part of the music industry's "sophomore curse". Again, nothing could be further from the truth ... but it doesn't really matter ... because we all love the hype ... and we all love seeing these artists crash and burn.

It's a shame, really ... but it has unfortunately become the norm for a great percentage of the music industry.

But then every once in a while a band comes along who actually builds on their momentum ... improves in the studio and makes each new release a huge step forward in their overall development as artists. It doesn't happen very often ... but when it does, lifelong careers are born.

The Beatles certainly did it ... they went from "She Loves You" to "Rubber Soul" to "Sgt. Pepper" to "Abbey Road" ... they may be the prime example of what is clearly the exception to the rule.

So did The Eagles. Their first couple of releases really haven't held up very well. Their self-titled debut gave us a few hit singles, which allowed a follow up LP to be made. But then they decided to get all "artsy" on us by creating the "Desperado" concept album. I bought both of these albums when they first came out, largely because of a solitary song on each ... "Witchy Woman" on the first and "Desperado" on the second. The truth is I rarely played many of the other tracks these two LPs contained because they just didn't hold up.

I was VERY fortunate in that I was turned on to The Eagles very early in their career. I had the enviable distinction of seeing the band when they were still backing up Linda Ronstadt on tour, just prior to their first record being released. (My girlfriend at the time bought us concert tickets to see Blood, Sweat and Tears for my birthday ... they were the headliners and riding high on a crest of hits ... a VERY hot ticket at the time ... and the warm-up act that night was Linda Ronstadt, still several years away from crashing through the charts with her own parade of hits. Back then she was still doing a lot of country / folk material and only had a couple of hits. I specifically remember "Different Drum", "Long, Long Time" and "Rock Me On The Water" being performed that night.

About halfway through her set she announced that a few members of her band would be leaving ... they had just signed a record deal and would be releasing their first album soon ... and then she left the stage so that the "about to be hatched" Eagles could perform two songs on their own ... "Take It Easy" (ironically, like "Rock Me On The Water", another Jackson Browne song, both of which were performed that night before anybody in the audience had a clue as to who Jackson Browne was ... or would become) and "Witchy Woman".

I didn't particularly care for "Take It Easy" ... in fact, I still consider it to be one of The Eagles' weakest singles ... but there was no mistaking the fact that these guys could play and sing. "Witchy Woman" on the other hand put things over the top for me ... I absolutely LOVED it (and still do). There was something eerie and mysterious about that whole "swamp rock" sound ... and even then they nailed it with note-for-note perfection in a live setting. I waited for their first album to be released ... couldn't wait to buy it ... and was then disappointed to hear that, other than "Peaceful Easy Feeling" nothing else quite measured up to the two tracks performed that evening.

"Desperado" was even worse. Yes, it contained "Tequila Sunrise", another radio hit ... and the outstanding title track ... but beyond that it just wasn't happening for me. Too countrified maybe? Trying to hard to stick to the concept perhaps? I don't know ... but even today, some 40 years later, it remains the least likely Eagles album for me to play.

But then came "On The Border" ... and everything changed. Almost overnight, The Eagles evolved in the studio. (In hindsight, a lot of this had to do with them taking control of their sessions and switching producers. In fact, the excellent "History Of The Eagles" documentary addresses this very era in excellent detail.)

I bought the LP for "Best Of My Love", their first official #1 Single ... but the moment I put it on, I knew things were going to be different. "Already Gone" (a bigger radio staple now than when it was out in 1974 and peaked at #17), "You Never Cry Like A Lover", the title track "On The Border", "James Dean" (which sounded a whole lot like "Already Gone" but I didn't care), "Ol' '55", an even better ballad than their #1 Hit ... and still one of my all-time favorites by the band ... yes, The Eagles had matured and new producer Bill Szymczyk (no, not the backwards guy that used to drive Superman crazy ... but pretty darn close!) captured the sound that the band always knew they had inside (and needed to come out!). Previous producer Glyn Johns was gone and the band was all the better for it. This was an album I could finally play all the way through ... even some of my lesser favorites (like "Midnight Flyer", "My Man", "Is It True" and "Good Day In Hell") were still better than some of the stuff used as filler on their other LPs.

Then, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, out came "One Of These Nights", the album Jim Shea was talking about yesterday. The title track immediately became my new all-time favorite Eagles song ... and "Hollywood Waltz", "Lyin' Eyes", "Take It To The Limit", "After The Thrill Is Gone" and "I Wish You Peace" weren't far behind. I probably sang "I Wish You Peace" at four or five weddings that year ... a BEAUTIFUL song ... written ... INCREDIBLY ... by President Ronald Reagan's daughter Patti Davis. (Seems she was dating Eagle Bernie Leadon at the time, who helped her finish the song which, despite strong objections from bandmates Don Henley and Glenn Frey, ultimately closed out the album.) What an amazing record. In my mind The Eagles had peaked. Where could they possibly go from here?

They disappeared for awhile, crafting their latest creation. To fill the void, Asylum Records put out The Eagles' Greatest Hits, 1972 - 1975. It went on to become the Biggest Selling LP of the 20th Century ... and their best known work was yet to come!!!

Imagine my complete surprise (and pleasure) when The Eagles turned the music world upside down a year later with the release of their masterpiece, "Hotel California". This was it ... it didn't get any better than this. (I thought the addition of Joe Walsh spelled the end of the band ... instead, it revitalized them once again.) There may not be a more perfect record ever made than "Hotel California" ... everything about it ... especially the timing ... was right. It went straight to #1 and stayed there for eight weeks, ultimately selling upwards of 30 million copies and spawning three hit singles, including two that went to #1 ("New Kid In Town" and "Hotel California") ... "Life In The Fast Lane", a song that seems to play CONSTANTLY on the radio today, stalled at #11, just missing The Top Ten. What band peaks with their FIFTH album?!?!? And yet they did. (Most artists lucky enough to get to a fifth album are already on their way DOWN the ladder of success, about to be dropped from their label ... these guys just kept ascending higher and higher and higher with each new release. It was unheard of!)

In fact, it became nearly an impossible act to follow. Day-to-day life as The Eagles became increasingly difficult to bear ... and it ultimately did them in. Their final release (for Phase One anyway ... the era BEFORE Hell Froze Over) was "The Long Run" (or, as they liked to call it "The Long One" because it just seemed to take forever to finish. This time the record label stalled for time by releasing a double live LP!)

Yes, there were hits ... the title track, "Heartache Tonight" and "I Can't Tell You Why" all made The Top Ten ... but it was over ... there would be no more new music for fourteen years. Unlike The Beatles analogy earlier, they just couldn't top their masterpiece. (The Beatles last LP released as a group was "Let It Be" ... but that album was actually recorded BEFORE "Abbey Road". The "Let It Be" sessions ultimately did in the band and much of that was filmed and sprinkled throughout the theatrical release. Rather than go out with a whimper, the fabs decided to regroup one last time and go out with a bang ... and "Abbey Road" was the result ... the ultimate swan song to an incredible catalog of music.

Don't get me wrong ... "The Long Run" by ANY other standards would have been the kind of album that makes careers ... but for the Eagles, it went down as a disappointment. The truth is, at this point The Eagles simply didn't care anymore ... it was over and that was that. I still defy you to find any other artist who developed at the pace (and to the degree) that The Eagles did ... a truly amazing career.

The recent "History Of The Eagles" Documentary has made them the hottest ticket in town again ... and I am SO happy to report that we will catch this tour when it passes through Chicago in October. But I expect this will be it ... I don't know if they have another "reunion" in them. Thankfully we've got this incredible legacy of music to enjoy for the rest of time.

↧

Paul Revere

August 15, 2013, 2:36 pm

≫ Next: Happy Together

≪ Previous: The Eagles

We've been chasing this story all day long ...

It all started with some sad news we heard a couple of days ago that our FH Buddy Paul Revere was battling some sort of serious, undisclosed health issues. Former partner Mark Lindsay even went so far as to post something on his Facebook page about it yesterday ... and several other sources reported that Paul was looking frail during a concert last weekend in Reno, NV, sitting through the entire performance (which is not at all like Paul if you've ever seen one of his shows), walking with a cane and asking for prayers from the stage. Some even said that he had also lost his hair (which is something that Paul was rightfully proud of at his age. Hey, I can relate!)

This is a real shame ... Revere, who turned 75 earlier this year, has always displayed the boundless energy of a man half his age. Here is a guy who has been performing his entire life and truly loves what he does. And his audience loves him, too ... he's booked nearly a year in advance!!! (Although not even officially announced on the Arcada Theatre website yet, Paul Revere and the Raiders are scheduled for a return performance next April!) In addition, they just wrapped up a trip to London and are already planning this year's "Where The Action Is" Cruise, featuring Mary Wilson of The Supremes, B.J. Thomas, The Cowsills and Charlie Thomas' Drifters. This is a man who LIVES to perform!!!

Mark Lindsay, currently touring as part of this year's Happy Together Tour (and coming to the Chicago area next week) posted:

It now seems, unfortunately, that my old partner Paul Revere– with whom I used to share outrageous wild dreams of being a successful rock & roll band – is now fighting a tremendous health battle. Please keep Paul and his wife Syd in your thoughts and prayers, as it's a most difficult time for both of them and the whole Raider family.

~ Mark

Paul Revere and the Raiders put on one of the most entertaining shows I've ever seen ... ALWAYS a joy to be in the audience. (Your face literally hurts afterwards from smiling and laughing so much!) Here's hoping he is able to pull through whatever it is that is ailing him and continue to entertain us for a long time to come. This man lives to perform ... and they just don't come any better. (kk)

UPDATE:

This morning we heard from Paul, who then posted this message on the Paul Revere and the Raiders web page as well as his Facebook and Twitter pages:

Hey kids, it’s me, Paul Revere!
That’s right, I’m still alive and still kickin’! The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated, but I won’t lie to you, I got my butt kicked but good. If you live long enough you’re going to get something, and over the past 75 years I've had just about everything you can get – 2 types of cancer (beat em both!), rotator cuff surgery (killed it!), hysterectomy (don’t ask) and on and on – there’s always maintenance and repair in this band, now it's my turn. Again!
I don’t want to get into the details but let’s just say, it ain't fun. It’s been rough getting through the last few shows but I would do whatever it takes to avoid missing a show. I'm giving it my all, and then some, and the band tells me I’ve been even more awesome than usual. Of course, I do have the gun.
I want to thank you all for the prayers, they’re working! You people must be in good with the Lord because I’m feeling better and stronger every day. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to all of our upcoming shows, it’s what I live for! I mean, performing for you is literally what I live for, and that’s no joke. So, keep the prayers coming, and keep me alive long enough to come to your town a couple more times. I promised my guys I was going to live to be 100 and to plan accordingly. Now I’ve got to keep my promise.
I love you all,
Paul

Here is a list of scheduled upcoming Raiders dates:

Friday, August 23rd - KOOL Deadwood Nights Festival - Deadwood, SD (with The Buckinghams and the Grass Roots)

Saturday, August 24th - Diamond Jo Casino - Northwood, IA

Sunday, August 25th - WinnaVegas Casino - Sloan, IA

Friday, September 27th - Star Plaza Theatre - Merrillville, IN (with Mitch Ryder)

Saturday, September 28th - Harvest Fair - Wisconsin State Fair - West Allis, WI

Friday, October 11th - Isle Casino Hotel Biloxi - Biloxi, MS

Saturday, October 19th - Pala Casino - Pala, CA (with Mary Wilson, The Association and Mitch Ryder)

Sunday, October 20th - Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts - Cerritos, CA (with The Association and Mitch Ryder)

Sunday, December 15th - Jackson Rancheria - Jackson, CA (The Rockin' Christmas Show)

Friday, January 10th, 2014 thru Sunday, January 12th - South Point Casino - Las Vegas, NV

January 18th, 2014 thru Saturday, January 25th - The Caribbean Party Cruise / "Where The Action Is" Cruise (with B.J. Thomas, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, The Cowsills and Charlie Thomas and The Drifters)- Part of the Concerts At Sea Series

Sunday, January 26th - Global Event Center at Winstar World Casino - Thackerville, OK

Friday, April 11th - Renaissance Theatre - Mansfield, OH

Saturday, April 12th - Palace Theatre - Marion, OH

Sunday, April 13th - The Arcada Theatre - St. Charles, IL

More information always on the Paul Revere and the Raiders website: www.paulrevereandtheraiders.com

Get out and see these guys if you can ... you'll be glad you did! (kk)

↧

Happy Together

August 16, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 08 - 18 - 13)

≪ Previous: Paul Revere

Aurora, Illinois seems to have become the hotbed of ensemble entertainment of late.

Last week, we saw the Sail Rock Concert at RiverEdge Park ...

And next week, The Happy Together Tour rolls into the Paramount Theatre.

Happy Together, circa 2013, boasts an OUTSTANDING line-up of '60's artists ... The Turtles, Mark Lindsay (former lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders), Chuck Negron (of Three Dog Night), Gary Puckett and the Union Gap and Gary Lewis and the Playboys ... all MAJOR hit-makers during our favorite decade of music.

This show promises to be a winner ... and we can't wait to see it. (The concert takes place next Friday Night, August 23rd, and tickets are still available ... but you'd better move fast, because they won't last!)

Here's a bit of promo material they sent me to help support the show (along with a few comments of my own). Enjoy!

C'MON! GET HAPPY!
ENJOY THE BEST MUSIC OF THE 60s AND 70s

PERFORMED BY THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS WHEN

THE HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR HITS AURORA'S

PARAMOUNT THEATRE ON AUGUST 23

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00163AYqcs7rlkgN0YtcVwhT2BH2Sd4xXKZsCqcRAr5gRkKpZcGCQgmrD1BMRyhmg8vt2iHkoSTphUqMAu0Id2ppB91KzHoNV3EPpB4yOA96ZUfu4God-pBHvrEbc2D8AoLNGnRumQJO2s=

The Turtles, Gary Puckett, Chuck Negron, Mark Lindsay and Gary Lewis.

AURORA, IL, August 8, 2013 - In the three years since The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie brought back some friends for the 25th Anniversary Tour in 2010, The Happy Together Tour has become one of the most successful summer tours in existence, celebrating the music of the 60s for thousands of "Happy" fans to enjoy across North America.

This year's Happy Together Tour - with The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Mark Lindsay, former lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders and Gary Lewis & The Playboys - makes its third annual Chicago-area stop exclusively at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, Friday, August 23 at 8 p.m.

Don't miss the original pop rockers playing songs you used to play on your car radio and sound-tracked your favorite memories, from "Happy Together," "Joy to the World" and "Young Girl" to "Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)" and "This Diamond Ring."

Tickets are $59.50. For tickets and information, go to ParamountAurora.com, call the Paramount box office at (630) 896-6666, or visit the box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and two hours prior to evening performances.

Get Happy Before the Show at Paramount's Season Kick Off Party

Just prior to The Happy Together Tour is Paramount's 2013-14 Season Kick Off Party from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Grand Gallery. Join fellow Paramount fans to sample amazing appetizers prepared by local restaurants and dining partners and enjoy a refreshing drink from the cash bar while you peruse silent auction items. This premier event always sells out, so reserve your tickets early. Tickets are $10. Tickets for The Happy Together Tour must be purchased separately.

More about The 2013 Happy Together Tour

"This year's Happy Together Tour will be the biggest and most successful tour we have done in the past seven years," said Mark Volman (aka "Flo") of The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie. "We're playing 54 cities over nine weeks, and the groups on this year's show bring with them hours of hit songs and memories certain to please every fan of the 60s."

Hours of hit songs, indeed. In all, the five artists on this year's tour have over sixty Top 40 hits to choose from, including six number one songs. Half of those Top 40 hits were Top 10!

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00163AYqcs7rlkKb21h8Q-tfwJnSb4F1llUhLkUjW570Iy-5Usl4Ld76OyfKbwJM-7no1mHjuf4hxooGK_pWx7nV24l0qZkYskOs70cq_da_ccKUAHcEVkriLUj8qgDsTa2X72wvzdph8ooIwaFRnNxzQ==

I can't see you loving nobody but The Turtles
singing "Happy Together," 1967

"Happy Together" by The Turtles hit #1 on the charts in 1967 (displacing the Beatles' "Penny Lane") and remains a staple on classic rock radio to this day. Although their biggest hit and signature song, it's just one of their nine Top 40 hits, which includes such popular songs as "She'd Rather Be With Me," "Elenore," "You Showed Me" and "It Ain't Me Babe." For more information, visittheturtles.com.

The Turtles (aka Flo and Eddie ... and occasionally even Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman) ALWAYS put on an entertaining show ... one of our all-time favorites to see live. They keep their set contemporary with lots of pop culture references and really seem to enjoy what they're doing. (kk)

Here are a couple of pictures from the last time The Happy Together Tour rolled through Aurora ... me and Frannie with the guys backstage after the show ...

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00163AYqcs7rllNibsmNnD3WVXWphjtbrGPt5iQPW59gtsZxFib0w6A34jj5HjjdnUkNsc5FjWrer7Iyiyb9AjgH9eyNL6Eeye5KurXh1iBuxetci4RmzV0ldh02OxQ8VaTLnOjbp17azcSLWvL7oedMQ==

"Young Girl"...get out of my mind...
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap

Gary Puckett & The Union Gap was one of the most successful musical groups of the 60s, boasting five Top 10 singles. Puckett's unmistakable signature voice garnered six consecutive gold records and top ten Billboard hits such as "Young Girl" and "Woman Woman." In 1968, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap sold more records than any other artist including the Beatles. For more, visit garypuckettmusic.com.

Gary Puckett joined the tour last year. (We also saw him as part of Paul Revere and the Raiders' Christmas Show) With seven Top 40 Hits (and five that made The Top 5) there is no shortage of hit material here! (kk)

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00163AYqcs7rlkhc0kr6mDdhplOc90SU3Ddn5Srr-qHVfCWRb2xYv4GTpNS2a4rGJMfWPFWLW-w8wZH7iLzxX-bQLOmcwJ6vKt-MO0exOrq1OV0w2V7OHO7pl-Y3wmXKQjQr9K3VoOVdV1UMCrcK7xCgA==

Feeling lonely? Click on Three Dog Night's "One"

Chuck Negron co-founded the hugely popular, multi-platinum band, Three Dog Night in 1967. The group went on to become one of the most successful bands of the late 60s and early 70s with 21 Top 40 hits and three number one songs including "Joy to the World," "Black and White" and "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)." The band's first gold record was "One," which featured Negron on lead vocals as did "Joy to the World" and many other of the band's biggest hits including "Old Fashioned Love Song."chucknegron.com

We just saw "Two Dog Night" a couple of weeks ago in Elk Grove Village and they put on a GREAT show (see concert review link below) ... so it'll be a REAL treat to see Chuck Negron (always our favorite) this time around. (kk)

Click here: Forgotten Hits: Three Dog Night

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No reservations here re: embedding this video of
Paul Revere & The Raiders - "Indian Reservation"

Mark Lindsay is the former lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders, whose "Indian Reservation" hit #1 on the charts in 1971 and sold over 4 million copies. This massive hit followed quite a few that came before it from the band including "Kicks," "Hungry," "Just Like Me" and "Good Thing" (as well as the Mark Lindsay Top Ten solo hit, "Arizona," from 1970). In all, the band would achieve no less than fifteen Top 40 hits, five going Top 10.marklindsay.com

A couple of years ago when Mark Lindsay was on the program (he was replaced by Micky Dolenz last year because of scheduling conflicts), he single-handedly stole the show ... so we can't WAIT to see him again. (Frannie even got a kiss backstage ... and we were able to quickly snap THIS shot!) kk

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Fast forward to 2012, Gary Lewis & The Playboys sing "This Diamond Ring" - (PBS Pledge Break)

It was the summer of 1964 when Gary Lewis & The Playboys were discovered by producer Snuff Garrett. By the following year, they had a song go straight to the top of the charts called, "This Diamond Ring." After the second hit titled, "Count Me In," went to number two, Lewis and the band proved they would be a continued success. They followed with more Top 10 songs such as "Save Your Heart for Me," "Everybody Loves A Clown," "She's Just My Style," "Sure Gonna Miss Her" and many more (seven in all). In 1965, Lewis, himself, was Cash Box magazine's "Male Vocalist of the Year," winning the honor over other nominees Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. He was the first and only artist during the 60s to have his first seven releases reach Billboard Top 10 on the Hot 100 chart. garylewisandtheplayboys.com.

Gary Lewis has become a recent friend of Forgotten Hits ... we've given him the spotlight treatment a few times now so it'll be great to finally say "hello" in person. (kk)

About The Paramount Theatre
The Paramount Theatre is the center for performing arts, entertainment and arts education in Aurora, the second largest city in Illinois. Named "One of Chicago's Top 10 Attended Theatres" by the League of Chicago Theatres, the 1,888-seat Paramount Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Aurora at 23 E. Galena Blvd., is nationally renowned for the quality and caliber of its presentations, superb acoustics and historic beauty.
The Paramount Theatre opened on September 3, 1931. Designed by nationally renowned theater architects C.W. and George L. Rapp, the theater captures a unique Venetian setting portrayed in the art deco influence of the 1930s. The first air-conditioned building outside of Chicago, the Paramount offered the public a variety of entertainment, including "talking pictures," vaudeville, concerts and circus performances for more than 40 years.
In 1976, Aurora Civic Center Authority purchased the Paramount and closed the theater for restoration. The $1.5 million project restored the Paramount to its original grandeur. On April 29, 1978, the Paramount Arts Center opened, offering a variety of theatrical, musical, comedy, dance and family programming. In 2006, a 12,000-square-foot, two-story Grand Gallery lobby was added, with a new, state-of-the-art box office, cafe and art gallery.

Today, the Paramount Theatre continues to expand its artistic and institutional boundaries under the guidance of President and CEO Tim Rater, Artistic Director Jim Corti, a dedicated Board of Trustees and a devoted staff of live theater professionals.
Paramount's 2013-14 General Season is sponsored by the Daily Herald. The 2013-14 Paramount Broadway Series is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank. The 2013-14 season is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For more, visit ParamountAurora.com.

The Paramount Theatre is a GREAT place to see a concert ... and this one promises to be a doozie! Hope to see you there! (kk)

Still lots of chances to see this year's line-up ...
Wednesday, August 21st - Effingham Performance CEnter - Effingham, IL
Thursday, August 22nd - Cardinal Stadium / Kentucky State Fair - Louisville, KY
Friday, August 23rd - The Paramount Theatre - Aurora, IL
Sunday, August 25th - Corn Palace Festival - Mitchell, SD
Monday, August 26th - Minnesota State Fair - St. Paul, MN
Tuesday, August 27th - The Sanford Center - Bemidji, MN
Wednesday, August 28th - McPhillips Street Station Casiono - Winnipeg, MB
Friday, August 30th - Little River Casino Resort - Manistee, MI
Saturday, August 31st - Woodstock Fair - South Woodstock, CT
Sunday, September 1st - New York State Fair - Syracuse, NY
Friday, October 4th - Georgia World Congress Center - Atlanta, GA
Saturday, October 5th - Norsk Hostfest / All Seasons Arena - Minot, ND
Friday and Saturday, October 18th and 19th - The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre - Branson, MO
(featuring The Turtles, The Buckinghams, The Grass Roots, Chuck Negron and Mark Lindsay)
Saturday, October 29th, 2014 - Spotlight 29 Casino
Showroom - Coachella, CA

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The Sunday Comments ( 08 - 18 - 13)

August 17, 2013, 10:02 pm

≫ Next: Monday Morning Musical Memories

≪ Previous: Happy Together

re: PAUL REVERE:
Thanks for the news on Paul Revere. I always appreciate the care you put into your posts and your commitment to great rock and roll.

Stu Shea

Excellent coverage. Thank you, Kent.

Tommy Scheckel / Paul Revere and the Raiders

Thank you, Tommy ... that means a lot. You know what a HUGE fan I am of the band. (kk)

Thank you for your excellent coverage of Paul Revere's health condition. While the other websites seem to focus and play up everything that may or may notbe wrong with him, portraying only the weaknesses witnessed by fans at his Reno show last weekend, you took the high road and instead paid compliments to the incredible entertainer that he is, wishing him a speedy recovery, while still getting the basic health facts out there. That is what I love about Forgotten Hits. Informative ... and compassionate.

Tim

Kent,
I got 'goose bumps' when I saw the subject line of today's newsletter. Paul is a fighter -- in addition to being a dear friend, fantastic showman, a super businessman and leader of one of the truly 'great' rock bands of the rock era.
It's a shame that he and the band have not been properly rewarded by induction into the R&RHOF, but we all know they have their own set of rules -- their own 'agenda' for lack of a better word -- and totally ignore the wishes of the fans they are supposed to respect. We all know the HOF has snubbed so many deserving artists and industry leaders that we've all but given up on them.
When I was a junior at El Camino High School, Sacramento, in the spring of 1961, a local music store owner, Orville Hammond, turned me on to Paul's recording of "Like Longhair" on the little indie label, Gardena Records. Orville knew I was a music junkie and that I would enjoy the single. I did! In fact, that little 45 is among my proudest possessions.
So, when I read the story about Paul and the fight he's waging against his illness, and as I read Paul's former band mate, Mark, adding his thoughts, I couldn't help but reminisce about those early days in the fall of 1963 -- when I was doing all those early Beach Boys shows -- and I'd get a call from the legendary northwest promoter, Pat Mason, in Seaside, OR, who would call me whenever he needed a pickup date on Paul and the band.
Often, in those days, promoters would book a string of dates -- and would make every effort to do them in some logical geographic order. Sacramento made a perfect 'fill-in' date between Portland, Reno, Fresno, or further south. I remember on one such call, Pat made me an offer I couldn't refuse: $150 against 80% of the gate, or something equally absurd:) Keep in mind I was booking Jan & Dean and The Rightous Brothers for $350 in those days and singles were often $200 or a bit more -- depending on their routing and how hungry the agents were to book more dates.
I saw Paul immediately following the World Trade Center bombing, Sept 11, 2001. The concert -- at the TN State Fairgrounds -- had been canceled but Paul was already in town and we hooked up at a hotel out by the airport. I brought along an old boxing card style poster that I'd found while cleaning out my folk's garage in Sacto a few years before. It was one of very first posters that had been printed to promote the group ... it had a 'blank' top section where you could fill in the info about the gig -- sometimes a concert, sometimes a 'dance and show.'
Of course, it featured a photo of the band in their Revolutionary War best. I had Paul sign it -- and when he saw the poster -- which was in absolutely mint condition, he wrote: 'To Fred, who is the only person -- besides my Mother -- who would still have this poster!"
To make up for the canceled concert at the TN State Fair, he -- along with Peter Noone and his band -- played the fairgrounds the following year. Keith Alison and Freddy Weller were also backstage. The late Nashville 'oldies' deejay, Coyote Mc Cloud, was the emcee. Paul and the band rocked the crowd. Paul, always the showman and always one who gives 110% to the crowd, gave a tremendous show, as did Peter.
Paul, my old, dear friend, you have thousands of fans who are praying for you. You'll kick this one, too!
Fred Vail
Treasure Isle Recorders, Inc.
Music City, USA

Hey Kent,

We just wanted to send Paul our best recovery wishes. We (Lettermen / Reunion) met Paul while receiving an award a few years ago from the governor of the state Idaho (Gov. Kempthorne) for being successful music entertainers FROM the state of Idaho. There were others there also honored from different professional fields but we were the ones who had to get up at the ceremony and do a little ditty because we were the entertainers. It was cool being honored as successful music dudes from Idaho.

Get well our friend!!
Jim and Gary Pike

Fred, Jim and Gary ... please know that I passed your emails along to Paul Revere ... he has received such a HUGE outpouring of love and prayers from his fans ... I'm sure he'll enjoy hearing from some of his contemporaries, too. (kk)

Scott Shannon interviewed Paul Revere on the True Oldies Channel on Friday ... Paul seems to be in good spirits, chalking most of this up to simply getting older ... Click here: TRUE-CM - Scott Shannon talks to Paul Revere

Don't count this ol' dog out of the race yet ... as we said in our piece, Paul Revere LIVES to perform ... and that's just what he intends to keep doing for a long time to come. Catch this show if you can ... you'll find a complete tour list available under Thursday's posting. (kk)

re: HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR:
After a three month concert drought, I will be seeing The Buckinghams this weekend at the Mohegan Sun Casino and The Happy Together Tour next weekend at the Woodstock Fair. I am giddy with excitement. And then ... back into the desert. I understand the Israelites feelings now ... wandering through the desert looking for the 'promised bands'.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

Kent,
So happy that the Happy Together tours keep on comin! I was lucky enough to become good e-friends with the late great co-writer of "Happy Together," Alan Gordon, about 10 years ago and we enjoyed many emails of sharing memories and info on his career and songs. Have I ever told you that Alan (along with Garry Bonner) had at least ONE song he had co-written on the Billboard Hot 100 and Bubbling Under charts for every week of 1967 except one? An amazing stat in an amazing year for them.
Anyway, Alan shared many demos and skits he wrote over the years with me yearly. "Happy Together" was always "his baby" as he called it. I became friends with his son, Christian, too, and decided to take the Bonner-Gordon demo for HT and try to synch it with the Turtles music track a year ago for a surprise for Christian. Unfortunately, the songs were done in different keys, so after the first verse, I gave up trying to slow or speed up and finding it would not work. I wish I could share the original demo with you, but Alan did not want that song shared. SO, I am sending my failed attempt mentioned above to give you an idea of the demo (Garry singing lead). You won't get much and Garry may seem out of tune, but it's because of the key. On the demo, you would hear a small amount of brass with a swirling organ along with the rollicking piano. Garry singing lead with Alan doing the harmony vocals. Anyway, to get people in the mood for the tour, here's the Garry Bonner original demo intro and then everyone can do their own karaoke!!
WLSClark
P.S. Alan , rest in peace and know your song lives on, despite oldies stations dropping 60's music!!

And, speaking of The Happy Together Tour, here's some good news for all you Chuck Negron fans out there ...

re: CHUCK NEGRON:
On Saturday Morning Chuck Negron reached his goal of raising $75,000 in Kickstarter donations in order to be able to release a brand new album. Titled "Then And Now", the album boasts brand new material recorded by Chuck (clean and sober now for 22 years after a HORRENDOUS battle with his own personal demons) as well as THREE previously unreleased Three Dog Night tracks dating back to 1973. Congratulations to Chuck and getting this album released ... and a HUGE round of thank you's to all the fans who pitched in to help make this happen. $75,000 is a pretty tall order ... but this just goes to show you how much we love and support our artists. WTG, Chuck ... see you at the show Friday Night! (kk)

You saw Three Dog Night a couple of weeks ago in Elk Grove Village? Man, I would have LOVED to have gone to that show! My wife would have loved it, too. We used to fuck to their music!

Dennis
Thank you for the over-share, Dennis ... but then again a lot of OTHER people on the list probably did, too! (lol) Screw all that Johnny Mathis stuff ...what better to put you in the mood than "Jeremiah was a bullfrog"?!?!? (kk)

re: COKE COMMERCIALS:
>>>Here's a "Forgotten Hits" question from me! Do you have, or do you know where one could find, a list of the Radio Guys who tagged or introduced the famous Coca Cola Pop Singers and Groups Radio spots of the 1960s and 1970s? Appreciate any info. Thanx! (Chuck Buell)
>>>I know we've got a ton of Coke Ad Commercials Collectors out there ... anybody able to help out with this one? (kk)

Kent,
I saw Chuck Buell's message about Coke commercials. Like you, I love those things and have collected them for decades off airchecks and tapes and CDs. Altho I know of no site with the jock info for these, I can point out a few things. I have heard the SAME exact Coke commercial with a different jock doing the vocal overdubs, so in one city, you may get Ron Riley and in NY, you may have gotten Dan Ingram. You may get the short 10 second version without overdub voice or the 1:30 version!
Chuck was / is a great voice of the old WLS that I grew up with. Attached is a winter night in my Dodge City, Kansas basement with lots of static and Chuck upbeat as always playing ... a Coke Commercial ... done by the American Breed!! Not sure who is doing the overdub on this one, but WLS' Ron Riley did overdub vocals for Fifth Dimension and Gladys Knight & Pips Coke commercials and Art Roberts did the heavy overdub for Vanilla Fudge for Coke! I wonder if / what ones Chuck might have overdubbed. Between all of us, we might have it!
You'll note that a Forgotten Hit follows the Breed jingle. Chuck says Arthur Conley "snaps me out on this one" with his reggae version of "Obladi Oblada." The same night I have Chuck playing the Beatles version, too! No single from the White Album (not called that at the time), but WLS and CFL played most of the cuts anyway.
I listened to Chuck on KIMN in the early 60's in Denver, too, from DC.
One more thing. The Breed actually did three different Coke jingles while only two show up most places, according to my memory. THIS particular "Cool It" version was re-written by Gary Loizzo and turned into a 45 for the Breed in 1969 "Cool It" which they performed on the NBC show "Showcase 68" with Lloyd Thaxton! This version of the Cool It Coke Jingle has trumpet overdubs at the end that do not appear on the Sundazed CD release too! They DO appear on original Coke reels sent to stations. SO, even when a group had a finished take, there was still some fiddling at times in the studio before being sent out! Enjoy. WLSClark

More from Chuck Buell ...

Hey Kent!
Thanx for getting back to me. I have a pretty complete collection of those great old Coke Radio spots myself as I tagged some of them for The Brooklyn Bridge, B.J. Thomas and others. The ones I'm most proud to have been associated with are, the "I'd like to Buy the World a Coke" spot series from the New Seekers, which as you probably know, was followed by their Big Hit "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing!"
But no one seems to have a "list" of who did which other ones! But thanx for your assistance!
Chuck Dah-Bue-Ell-Ess

I have a feeling we haven't even scratched the surface on this one. This topic has come up numerous times over the years in Forgotten Hits and I know we've come some REAL serious Coca Cola Commercial Collectors on the list. Clark's email implies that many of these were done "live" as voiceovers on the air ... but it sounds like you recorded SPECIFIC intros for certain artists ... so there's no telling how many variables may be at play here! Anyway, it was cool to get a response right out of the box ... I'll keep you posted as more info comes in. Maybe some of the other jocks on the list remember some specific Coke spots that THEY did. I still find it amazing that people have hung on to these airchecks for so long ... it just goes to show you again how much this era impacted our lives. (kk)

By the way, it's fun for me to say that this week I am a Headline Selection on the largest radio show aircheck archive around, "ReelRadio.com!"
Attached is a brief three minute introductory sample from this week's Fabulous "Aircheck Channel Update" hosted by one of my old Radio Buddies, the ridiculously talented Bobby Ocean spotlighting one of my old radio shows from 1970 WLS!
If you are a subscriber to "Reel Radio," (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't be – especially for just a quarter a week!) you can hear both the complete hour and a scoped version of that hour there, too.
I hope you find it fun too!
Chuck

Click here: REELRADIO Golden Gift - Chuck Buell, WLS Chicago, March 19, 1970

Yeah I was one of them. I did the Coke spots in about 1966 or 1967 for Fontella Bass and they were recorded at the Chess studios on Michigan Ave!
Clark Weber

Chuck addresses some of Clark Besch's comments below ...

re: AND, SPEAKING OF THE RADIO ... :
Today, August 13, 2013, is the 50th anniversary of radio station WLNG out of Sag Harbor, LI. A true oldies station to this current day, (although in 1963 it must have been a newies station) they invited people IN TO THE STATION from 4 - 8 pm to celebrate with them. When was the last time a radio station in your area invited you in?
Happy Birthday WLNG! I'm glad I found you.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
VERY cool ... and kudos to them for sticking to their guns for 50 years. It is GREAT to hear that they're still playing the same music TODAY that they were playing when they first took to the airwaves all those years ago. (This is what WLS SHOULD be doing here in Chicago ... instead they've tarnished and abandoned their legacy ... to the point that I don't know of ANYONE who listens anymore. What a shame ... with such a rich heritage ... and the respect of the entire nation ... they've decided to instead become "just another station" playing the EXACT same music as everyone else in town ... which heavy emphasis on the John Mellencamp, Steve Miller, Boston and Journey tracks. What a shame.) kk

And here's one more last minute reminder ... former Y103.9 Morning Man Jim Shea will be appearing as part of the Open Mic Performance at The Longshot on Route 120 in Lakemoor later today ... some time between 3 and 6 pm. Stop by if you're able! (kk)

re: THE EAGLES:
Nice to see all the chat about The Eagles.
One of my gigs is being a part of an Eagles Tribute show here in MN. We've been doing it for three years now and people still hire us to do it again. We've sold it out many times in the same places, too. It kind of boggles my mind. It just shows how important music of our era still is in our lives.

We have nine folks on stage so that we can do them justice.

I loved the Eagles, and really do like Desperado, the album ... that and On the Border are my two favorite albums, and The Long Run is the album that I never play, but I love I Can't Tell You Why.

I am always conflicted about them. They gave us all this wonderful music, but don't make it possible to afford to go and see them. Seems as though there's something a bit wrong with alienating most of your fans because of the ticket price. (That goes for Sir Paul, too.) <grin>

Bill

Yeah, their ticket prices are up there ... for what I've spent on The Eagles over the past 40 years (between concert tickets, albums, cassettes, CDs, videos, DVDs, t-shirts, program booklets, etc.) I probably could have traveled around the world ... twice!!! And McCartney justifies HIS ridiculous concert prices by saying that every time he goes out on the road, they survey what other artists are charging and then price their tickets accordingly. Clearly neither act needs the money ... but they SHOULD get a fair value for their services ... and they both provide top of the line entertainment. It seems like there should be a happy medium there somewhere ... but both acts also consistently sell out every show they perform. (I will say that McCartney also does a fair amount of charity work, too ... The Eagles not so much.) kk

And, speaking of Paul McCartney ...

re: PAUL McCARTNEY:
Busy Guy! Paul McCartney's been all over the news again of late ... between a recent concert appearance in San Francisco (Outside Lands near Golden Gate Park where, by all counts he stole the show) and the announcement that he will now be performing at the sold-out iHeart Radio Show in Las Vegas, comes the even BIGGER news that he is about to get all of his copyrights back ... a REAL sore spot for the past 30 years after Michael Jackson swooped in and purchased the entire Beatles catalog ... incredibly at Paul's own suggestion that copyrights make for a very "sound" investment as well as a great way to show your support and help keep this great music alive. (McCartney owns HUNDREDS of copyrights, including everything from Buddy Holly's music to show tunes like the soundtrack to "Annie"!) But imagine having that kind of a collection and then NOT owning the rights to your own songs!!! A bitter pill to be sure. Meanwhile, he'll soon have some NEW songs on the market as well, as the announcement of McCartney's next solo LP was also disclosed last week. (Man, what a week!!!) I guess at 71 he's decided to cram it all in at once. The recently released "Wings Over America" Deluxe CD Box is also now available as part of The Paul McCartney Collection ... and it seems that every time you turn around he's playing at some major function. (Man, I hope I have HALF that energy at 71!!!) WTG, Macca! (kk)

Last week also marked the anniversary of The Beatles' first concert at Shea Stadium, a landmark event at the time (and a concert milestone for decades to come) Some memories of this very special appearance are below:
Click here: Ron Parker Remembers The Beatles Invasion Of Shea Stadium « WCBS-FM 101.1

re: MIKE NESMITH:

Sounds like Mike Nesmith is enjoying life out on the road again ... he has just announced a new solo tour schedule ...
From: Videoranch
re: Nez US Fall 2013 Tour
The Fall 2013 tour is starting to come together with the following confirmed dates offering a rare opportunity to hear Nez perform live!
"The songs I'll play are a touch chronological and a touch thematic. I picked my favorites to play, the ones I have come to love over the years, and the ones that are most requested by fans of my solo work," describes Nez.
Here is a list of dates and venues. We will have links available for purchasing tickets shortly. Although we have no tickets available here at Videoranch, we're happy to answer any questions you might have. We
expect a few more dates to be added to this schedule in the coming week and we will inform you when they have been confirmed.
Please check out our tour information page at Videoranch.com for the most up-to-date information.
27-Oct Phoenix, AZ MIM Music Theater
30-Oct Dallas, TX The Kessler Theater
01-Nov Birmingham, AL WorkPlay Theatre
02-Nov Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
04-Nov Vienna (Washington D.C.) The Barns at Wolf Trap
05-Nov Annapolis, MD Rams Head On Stage
07-Nov Bay Shore, NY YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts
08-Nov Phoenixville, PA The Colonial Theatre
10-Nov Shirley, MA The Bull Run Concert Series
11-Nov Fall River, MA Narrow Center for the Arts
12-Nov Englewood, NJ Bergen Performing Arts Center
14-Nov Elyria (Cleveland), OH Stocker Arts Center
15-Nov Chicago, IL City Winery
17-Nov Franklin, TN The Franklin Theatre
18-Nov Franklin, TN The Franklin Theatre
Hope to see you at one of the shows!
Best,
Videoranch Foreman

Michael is the only Monkee I've never seen live ... maybe we can finally catch him at the City Winery in November.

And, speaking of The Monkees, our long-time buddy Gary Stobl (who is in the process of putting together the ultimate Monkees Coffee Table Book right now), caught the guys for TWO shows out on the west coast and had this to say ...
I saw The Monkees in San Diego and Long Beach a few days ago. The concerts were wonderful, especially at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, where the crowd was standing and screaming before they even took the stage. The din of the crowd was like a Beatles concert! Two of the highlights were "Door Into Summer" and "As We Go Along." It is still bittersweet when the stage is darkened during their HEAD set and they play the video of "Daddy's Song." Then Michael, Micky and Peter return to the stage to sing "Daydream Believer." A lot of tears were flowing throughout the audience. It still doesn't seem real that our beloved David Jones is physically gone. All in all, an amazing show that I hope they will continue into the near future.

By the way, Happy 47th Anniversary! "Last Train To Clarksville" was released on this date (August 16th) in 1966! I hope you and your family are in optimal health and enjoying the sizzling days of Summer! I am plugging away every day on my book. I feel like I am back in school and I have homework every day including weekends. I am still finding the missing pieces of The Monkees puzzle.
I'm A Believer,
Gary

re: EYDIE GORME:

Hey, Kent,

In the 60's, Steve and Eydie could bridge the generation gap well. The old fogies (like us today) then could get plenty of their music on MOR stations and loved it. The kids could like it as well. Actually, Steve was the bigger star early for older folks while Eydie's more rock n roll attitude early kept her closer to the kid crowd. "Bossa Nova" was even a #16 R&B chart rider in Billboard!
Their teamed up records got Eydie more crossover hits leading her to be mostly being played on MOR stations in late 60's. I loved the Steve & Eydie hit "I Can't Stop Talking About You", which likely would have been a top 10 smash if not for coming right as Beatlemania hit in Feb '64. It has a girl group sound and with so many teen boy / girl duos like Dale and Grace or Paul & paula or Dick & DeeDee hitting big, it was a natural idea.
Even as the BIG hits waned, I clearly remember my dad wanting a 1971 (or so) Eydie countrified single, "Take One Step". I got the 45 for him and after he died, it wound up in my faves for a time.
Bottom line, Eydie had a great voice and career and even if overlooked today, she was a big star in her day and deservedly so.

Clark Besch

I thought "I Can't Stop Talking About You" was a bigger hit here in Chicago, but I see that it peaked at #26 (still besting its national peak of #31). It looks like their biggest hit as a duo was 1963's "I Want To Stay Here", which reached #18 locally and #28 on both the Billboard and Cash Box chart.

Steve Lawrence's big hit, of course, was the original version of "Go Away Little Girl", an across the boards #1 smash in 1963 ... but Steve also hit The National Top Ten with hits like "The Banana Boat Song" (#5 in Cash Box, riding along with the Harry Belafonte and Tarriers' versions); "Party Doll" (#1, 1957 ... he shared to top spot in Cash Box with the Buddy Knox hit); "Pretty Blue Eyes" (#5, 1960); "Footsteps" (#7, 1960)and "Portrait Of My Love" (#9, 1961). Eydie, on the other hand, only hit The Top Ten twice ... "You Need Hands" (#7, 1958) and "Blame It On The Bossa Nova" (#6, 1963). "Bossa Nova" was a #3 hit here in Chi-Town. (kk)

re: GLEN CAMPBELL:

We just heard about a brand new book coming out this fall by Mark Bego, biographer to the music stars, covering the life of Glen Campbell. His story is told through the eyes and experiences of Glen's daughter Debby and it promises to be quite a "bridge burner" (if you know what I mean)! Here are a few details:
BURNING BRIDGES - DEBBY CAMPBELL & MARK BEGO – OMNIBUS PRESS - $24.38 OCTOBER 14 – RELEASE DATE Glen Campbell began his musical career as a songwriter to many of the 1960's biggest stars. He transitioned to film with John Wayne in 1969's True Grit, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, and was awarded a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2012. During his 50 years in show business, Campbell has released more than 70 albums selling more than 45 million copies. His hits include Galveston, and Rhinestone Cowboy. For the last twenty-four years, Debby has been by her father's side, as a part of his concert touring act, as well as a supportive part of his family. She has been with her dad through his four wives, through drug and alcohol addiction, and now through the shattering beginnings of Alzheimer's disease. In Burning Bridges, Debby Campbell writes her story of a father and his devoted daughter from her heart, and from her diary. She has shared some of the most rewarding years in her father's life. And now, for the first time, she blows the lid off of all of Glen Campbell's family secrets. It is about a family bound together by Glen's talent. Debby will discuss the marriages, the drink and the drugs, the illness and her sacking, as well as Glen Campbell's many successes. In her frank family memoir Debby Campbell sets the record straight on a daughter's love for her talented father, with the full knowledge that she is about to start burning some bridges of her own.

Bego has published 61 books rock & roll, country music, and show business (and I've read quite a few of them myself!) He has been called “The Number One Best-Selling Pop Biographer” in Publisher’s Weekly, and has been referred to in the press as “The Prince of Pop Music Bio’s.” With over 10 million copies of his books in print, Bego has written two New York Times best-selling books (Michael! [Jackson] and Leonardo DiCaprio: Romantic Hero), and a Chicago Tribune best-seller (Dancing in the Street: Confessions of a Motown Diva with Martha Reeves of Martha & The Vandellas). He is the author of the award-winning novel Murder at Motor City Records (2012). His hit books have included Madonna: Blonde Ambition (1993), Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul (2012), and Elton John: The Bitch is Back (2009).
Be sure to check out Forgotten Hits next week for a brief Q&A about his latest. (kk)

re: THINK (ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND):
Kent,
Here is one minute of a spoof / alternate to "Things Get A Little Easier" / "Once You Understand". I don't know who did this, or if it's available anywhere. I recorded it off the air in January, 1972. Are you familiar with this?
David Lewis

Nope, haven't heard this before. (But then again ... honestly ... I never really heard "Once You Understand" on the radio either for that matter!) kk
Wow -- it wasn't aired in Chicago? It received a good bit of airplay here. I'm pretty sure Scott played it.
David
I'm familiar with the record (pretty awful really!) as a national hit (it actually charted twice, hitting #21 in 1972 and then returning to the chart two years later and reaching the #42 spot) ... but here in Chicago it was ignored by both WLS and WCFL. (We've got the REAL version here, too, for anyone out there who wants to endure it again!!! lol) kk

re: THE HOT 100:

Lots of talk lately about the 55th anniversary of Billboard's Hot 100 Chart. Found this on Ron Smith's oldiesmusic.com website ... perhaps the ultimate Hot 100 Blooper of All-Time! (kk)

re: MORE MUSIC MERGERS:
The other day we ran some great ideas for band names submitted by Fred Glickstein of The Flock and Jim Peterik of The Ides Of March.
Today we've got a brand new batch ... and Fred gives credit where credit is due. Meanwhile, we invite our readers to send in some of their own suggestions. (These are really kinda fun!)
Check out the latest ... and then give us your best shot ...
Kent,
My friend Tom Stahl, nicknamed Rabbit, really started this whole funny band name thing when I sent his original list around. Then the others chimed in. It would be great if you could give Rabbit a shout - he played with the Shadows Of Knight from '73 - '76.
Thanks,
Fred
Meanwhile, here are some more band names. These are from Ken Goerres:
Blind Faith Hill
Buffalo Rick Springfield
The Grateful Dead Can Dance
Johnny Ray Cyrus
Peter, Paul and the Jesus and Mary Chain
Spanky and Our Gang of Four
Beach Boyz II Men
Earth Wind and Fire Town
Elton John Legend
James Taylor Swift
Sly and the Family Stone Temple Pilots
Tangerine Dream Syndicate
Neil Young Dubliners
Steely Dan Fogerty
Ike and Tina Turner Overdrive
Wet Willie Nelson

And then we heard from Tom, who added a few more from his original list ...

Hi Kent,

I am a fan of your site and visit it often. I'm an old guitar rocker from The Shadows of Knight and many other bands. Fred Glickstein is a very good friend and I know many of the other early local rock guys. Music and the oldies is a big part of my life and I still play, too.
Anyway, in case you wanted to put my funny idea on your site so we can get everyone on board with creating funny band names, here was my original e-mail to Fred with the explanation. It kind of says it all:
(I was really surprised to see everyone embrace the idea and chime in with so many names too.)

Ok, with all the band members passing away as we get older ... we have had to combine a few bands in order to keep playing. We have to combine the names too, so people will recognize.
Here is a Start:
The New Colony Styx
The Barry White Stripes

Dave Clark and the MC 5

Shadows of Knight and the Pips

Flo and Eddie Rabbit

4 Tops and a Night

Gypsy Kings of Leon

Florence and the Soft Machine

Free Dog Night

Moody Blues Brothers

Jay and the American English

The Neil Young Rascals

Blood Sweat and Tears For Fears

Backstreet Boyz 2 Men

Huey Lewis and the Playboys

Blind Faith No More

3 Dog Nightranger

So, there is a start. We can add to the list as we see fit.

Rabbit - Tom Stahl

I saw your list and immediately thought of The Gypsy Kings of Leon Russell. (lol) And how about the Neil Young Rascals? I think our list could have a WHOLE lot of fun with this one. Like I told Fred, we're going to have enough here for a whole book pretty soon! (kk)

hehehehe ... for sure!

My new favorite one is FlockU2!

Fred

Yeah, that one's going to be tough to beat!!! (lol) Thanks, Fred! (kk)

Speaking of The Shadows Of Knight, we had planned to tell everyone to meet us out at Jimy Sohns' 67th Birthday Bash next Saturday Night (the 24th) at The Blues Bar in Mt. Prospect ... but we just received this last minute notice about this event being cancelled.
Details are still a bit sketchy (and as we find out more, we'll let you know) ... but this came from Jimy himself:

DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE FACILITY, THE BLUES-BAR WILL BE CLOSED FOR 30 DAYS.

The birthday bash will be rescheduled as soon as possible after they re-open.

I will be sending you an update as soon as I have confirmed the new date.

Jimy

Yikes! We knew quite a few people who had planned on going to this ... yes, please do keep us posted so we can pass the info along. (kk)

re: WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED:
Yahoo Music did a piece this week on cover versions of popular songs. Needless to say, their list came up a little bit short. (We're sharing it with you today)

Click here: The Singer Not the Song: The Best Covers Ever | Stop The Presses! - Yahoo! Music
In yet another Forgotten Hits Homework Assignment, we're asking you to name the best covers ever. Now we've learned over the years that most people's favorite version of a song is the one they happened to hear first ... THAT's the one that made an impression and stuck in their mind. And, quite often, cover versions really don't add much to the original. But every once in a while, a cover version will come along that stands alone on its own merit ... and those are the ones we're looking for. (In fact, if we get a really good response to this, we'll talk with Scott Shannon about counting down some of your favorites during his next "Rock And Roll Remakes" Weekend!)
So let us hear from you ... and we'll build a list. All-Time Favorite Cover Versions ... coming soon to Forgotten Hits! (kk)

re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
Kent,
Forgotten Hits has been INCREDIBLE with your ever-expanding artist and reader-base of stories, knowledge, and interest growing exponentially -- your love of the universal language of music is rubbing off on everyone -- it is nice when an artist gets to see and hear how much their gift of music is truly appreciated and continues to be appreciated. Thanks for the GREAT concert reviews and presentation of songs that don't get near the airplay that they should. Loved that cluster of songs that included "Nothing But Heartaches" by the Flirtations. Another good one to give a listen to is "Sad Sweet Dreamer" from 1974 from a group out of Manchester, England called Sweet Sensation -- you'll recognize it when you hear it! Thanks for being the catalyst in the culmination of an on-going interesting read called Forgotten Hits -- it just keeps getting better with every issue!
Thank-You,
Tim Kiley

My guess is that nearly EVERYBODY will recognize "Sad Sweet Dreamer" when they hear it again. (Of course all radio has to do is give us a CHANCE to hear these great songs ... and then they won't become such distant memories!) This one was a #14 Hit back in 1975 ... so how do you ignore THAT?!?! (It also topped the charts back home in Jolly Ol' England.) kk

↧

Monday Morning Musical Memories

August 19, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Glen Campbell - Burning Bridges

≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 08 - 18 - 13)

Let's see if any of these tunes clear out a dust ball or two!

↧

Glen Campbell - Burning Bridges

August 20, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: Some Of Your Mid-Week Comments

≪ Previous: Monday Morning Musical Memories

Last week we told you about a brand new book coming out about the life of Glen Campbell, written by his daughter Debby with noted pop music biographer Mark Bego.
I'm really looking forward to this one ... and Mark agreed to talk with us about it.

FORGOTTEN HITS:  What made you want to co-write “Burning Bridges” with Debby Campbell?
MARK BEGO:  I first met Debby Campbell in September of 2011, right after she left her dad’s concert act after 24 consecutive years on stage and on the road with Glen. On our first encounter she told me such compelling and passionate stories about her joys, her disappointments, and her unwavering love for her father, that I was immediately fascinated. She frankly told me about how she often had to fight to have a relationship with Glen. With four wives and eight children — and highly publicized affair with Tanya Tucker — Glen Campbell had lots of distractions in his career.

FH:  How does Debby’s tale differ from Glen’s 1994 book Rhinestone Cowboy? (A great book, by the way ... I've read it a couple of times!) I imagine Glen's story is told from a much different perspective this time around.
MB:  In Burning Bridges Debby tells stories of her challenges and her heartbreak as a child of divorce, and her desire to relate to her dad, whom she refers to as an often “absentee father.”   Debby frankly tells about her shock as a teenager when she found out about Glen’s heavy cocaine use, as she watched his bouts with problem drinking, and her frustrations as she watched him repeatedly starting up a family, having children, going through divorce-after-divorce, and then moving on to his next relationship.

FH:  During the past two years there's been a lot of press about Glen's bout with Alzheimer's ... certainly it's a sad ending to a fascinating story of a remarkable music career ... honestly, one cannot help but wonder how much of his own story Glen would remember at this time ... without question, the interest is there for his millions of fans. His farewell tour last year packed houses across the nation. This seems like a really good time to attack this subject matter and get these stories out there. Hearing this story told from his daughter's perspective makes for an interesting presentation.
MB:  Just like we observed the sad and inevitable passing of Johnny Cash in 2003, we are watching the slow career “fade out” of country legend Glen Campbell. As we witness Alzheimer’s disease slowly robbing him of his memories, and taking him out of the active spotlight, we are all suddenly valuing him more and more each day. His extended “Goodbye Tour,” and his recent albums Ghost on the Canvas (2011) and See You There (2013), have made us appreciate him and his musical talent all the more.

FH:  What is the dynamic of Glens’ family, and how does Debby fit into it?
MB: Debbyis his oldest child, from the first of four marriages. As is the nature of divorces, it is often the children who suffer the most. Debby is no different. Although some of this book is breezy and amusing, much of it is blunt and heartbreaking. This is a story that only Debby could write. She tells her story from the 1950's to the present in a unique and touching way with both depth and understanding. However, as per the nature of Alzheimer’s Disease, as Glen’s memories fade it is his oldest daughter — Debby — whom he will remember the longest. This book is about a daughter’s unwavering love for her father.

FH:  Why is this book called Burning Bridges?
MB:  The song “Burning Bridges” was one of Glen’s earliest 1960's hits, and it was also the first song that Debby sang professionally on stage with her dad in the late 1980's.  In 2011it was not her father’s doing to let her go from the touring act, but it was due to backstage scheming a behind-the-scenes “power play” by others. In the book, Debby fully realizes that she is telling such frank stories that she is about to burn some significant bridges of her own. Now it is time for Debby to tell her story of life with her father — frankly and compassionately. It is a story that goes all the way back to the 1950's when Glen had his first dreams of fame in the music industry.

FH:  How do you view Glen Campbell’s position in popular music history? While he had a HUGE career in country music with some pop cross-over success, a very successful television series, made a couple of movies and played to sold out audiences around the world, I have always felt that Glen Campbell still remains under-appreciated for his musical contributions. As a session player alone this man belongs in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He was even a Beach Boy for a brief period in time! I'm glad to see some of these career milestones receive the accolades they so rightfully deserve.
MB:   The career-long accolades due to Glen Campbell have just recently begun to be lavished upon him. In the world of contemporary country music, there are few performers in the last 50 years whose careers have exceeded the accomplishments of Glen Campbell. His heralded “Goodbye Tour” — which Debby Campbell was originally a part of — and the scope and depth of Glen’s career are just the tips of the iceberg that has been a life lived in the heat of the spotlight. Glen’s 1960s guitar work as part of the studio musician troupe The Wrecking Crew. Glen played guitar, Leon Russell was on keyboards, David Gates on bass, and Hal Blaine was on drums and they played on hit recordings by no less than Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, The Monkees, Freddy Cannon, and even Elvis Presley’s immortal “Viva Las Vegas.” Then he went on to create his own music, and hits including “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Galveston,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “Gentle on My Mind.” He became the first person to win two Grammy Awards for a Country song and simultaneously win two Grammys for a Pop song with the same night. The he landed a top-rated TV show of his own: The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Debby recounts what it was like living with her dad during the years he was also heralded as movie star as well, via his role in the film True Grit, and others. After his career went through a cooling down phase, a decade later he returned to the top of the charts with another string of hits including: “Rhinestone Cowboy” (1975), “Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.)” (1975), and “Southern Nights” (1977).   He as a recording star, a TV star, a concert draw, and a handsome and charismatic movie star. Imagine the excitement of growing up with Glen Campbell as your father! That has been Debby Campbell’s life.

Well, it sounds like a GREAT book, Mark, and I can't wait to read it. Thank you for taking the time to talk with our readers today. (And watch for the new book, "Burning Bridges", coming out October 14th! (kk)

Three of my favorite Glen Campbell songs come from different phases of his career ... yet don't get a lot of airplay anymore. (Hey, let's face it ... do you hear much of ANY Glen Campbell music on the radio anymore?!?!)

Let's just say that all three of these definitely fit well in the Forgotten Hits category!

First up, from1969 and the hit television show era, "Try A Little Kindness" (#15 Pop, #2 Country) and a song that I think would still sound great on the radio every now and then.

Then, jumping ahead nearly ten years, Glen's last Top 40 Pop Hit, "Can Your Fool" (#38) from 1978.

And, finally, Glen's 1976 hit medley of "Don't Pull Your Love / Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye", a #27 pop hit that year (that also climbed to #4 on Billboard's Country Chart.)

↧

Some Of Your Mid-Week Comments

August 21, 2013, 4:43 am

≫ Next: The Friday Flash

≪ Previous: Glen Campbell - Burning Bridges

re: I HATE WHEN THAT HAPPENS:
A man was found dead in Olivia Newton-John's Jupiter, Florida home over the weekend, apparently a suicide, squashing rumors that the Aussie pop songstress scared the man to death by coming home early. (Have you seen Livy lately? She's positvely frightful looking!!! I swear if she came up to me on the street and said "Tell me about it, stud", I STILL wouldn't know it was her.) Why do these women keep doing horrible plastic surgeries?!?!? The ratio of good ones to bad have got to be somewhere around 1:9993! Too bad, too, because Olivia is (was?) a beautiful woman who could have aged gracefully. When we saw her on "Glee" a couple of seasons ago she looked like a dummy from Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. This look isn't any less flattering. (kk)

re: GLEN CAMPBELL:

It was REALLY cool to read that the same day our Mark Bego interview went up on the site (promoting his new book "Burning Bridges", the story of Glen Campbell, written with Glen's daughter Debby) that Glen's brand new album "See You There" debuted at #1 on Great Britain's Country Album Chart! WTG, Glen! (kk)

Hey Kent,
The Mark Bego interview with Debby Campbell is interesting. I once read where her father Glen's favorite song he recorded was "Galveston". When I think of that song, I recall some other songs we heard that refer to the Vietnam War, "I Feel Like I'm Fixin to Die Rag", by country Joe McDonald, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town", by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, and "Home", by Mac Davis. I looked up "Songs about Vietnam" on Wikipedia, and there are a ton of them listed, but not necessarily about that particular war. Even though we all want to forget about that time in American history, I always thought it would be cool to compile a CD set of those songs.
- John LaPuzza

re: TICKET PRICES:
A comment about concert ticket prices - I agree that they're way expensive and I always say 'what recession?' when I see concerts sold out, but since I started doing a lot of backstage work, I have a little different perspective. I was amazed when I first realized how many people get paid to put on a concert! It's not just the artist, it's also the police and security at the venue, the stage hands, teamsters, electricians, carpenters, lighting guys, pyrotechnic guys, wardrobe people, hair and makeup, bus and truck drivers, production assistants, cooks, guest services and food service people at the venue, and on and on. Amazing when you see what it takes to put on a 3 hour concert! Still think they're too high, but maybe this helps explain some of it.
Marlene
No doubt about it, there are all kinds of hidden "support" costs that go into putting on the show. And read some of the riders required to obtain some of these artists ... airline tickets, hotel accommodations, food for the entire band and crew, insurance cost ... it all adds up very quickly. Ultimately, it ends up being the fans who foot the bill. That's why it is SO impressive to see a village like Elk Grove Village put on a Three Dog Night concert for free. Their out of pocket on that show had to be out of sight! (kk)

re: JIMY SOHNS:
As mentioned last week, Jimy Sohns' Saturday's birthday show at the Blues Bar has been cancelled ... however, you can still see Jimy perform this Saturday in Rockford if you're interested. Here's the scoop:

THIS IS AN ALL AGES SHOW
This Saturday! August 24th, 2013! Bring your friends and family out for a night of dancing and rockin'! There is going to be a Vietnam Veteran Benefit, with a sort of 1950's / 1960's sock-hop style to it!

Jimy Sohns and The Shadows of Knight All-Stars will be performing!
The information is below:
Where: Don Carter Lanes / Shooter's Bar and Grill
4007 E State St
Rockford, IL
(815) 399-0314
When: August 24th, 2013, 9PM to 1 AM
The Shadows of Knight All-Stars are:
Jimy Sohns (Vocalist and founding member of The Shadows of Knight)
Michael & Cindy Gotshall (Longtime members of The Shadows of Knight)
Greg Brucker (Bassist and touring member of the Cryan Shames)
Rick Barr (Drummer and touring member of The New Colony Six)

Jimy has started a new Facebook Page and has enlisted his buddy Conor to help keep it current.

Shadows of Knight Facebook page
That's a good thing as the jimysohns.com site hasn't been updated since 2012 ... and shadowsofknight.com is still listing shows for 2008!!! What's the point of having a website that publishes your itinerary if you don't keep them up to date?!?!? The whole idea here is to let fans know where you're at so that they can come to see you!!! We see this more and more with some of these artists. They now have all kinds of resources available to them to stay in touch with their fans but then don't USE those resources to do so. I just don't get it. (Of course you can reach a nationwide audience of oldies music fanatics by listing your shows on our Forgotten Hits web page, too ... if you're so inclined!) kk

re: TODAY'S FORGOTTEN HIT(S):

"Sad Sweet Dreamer" ... I love that song ... forgot I knew it ... THANKS!

Stacee

Thanks to radio for depriving us of yet another Top 20 National Hit ...
(Sad Sweet Dreamer) ...
And thanks to Forgotten Hits for reviving it.  You guys rock!
Rick

Kent,
In the early portion of the 1970's, our weekly top 40 radio station's survey was composed of 40 songs or records. The bottom portion was composed of 10 records which were classified as EXTRAS. The next 10 were classified as HIT BOUND. The top 20 were classified as songs in position #'s 20-#1.
For the week of December 23, 1971, Think's ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND made its initial appearance on the survey in the EXTRA category. It eventually peaked at lucky #7 for the lucky week of January 13, 1972.
You are right about it charting twice, the second time on a different record label The initial label was Laurie Records. FYI, the flip was called GATHER written by the two gentlemen who wrote ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND.
This is one of those records I had forgotten about until I read the comments in FH from one of your readers.
Larry Neal
That's what we're here for. We even remember the bad ones!!! (lol) Thanks, Larry! (kk)

You did it again. I have not heard "Loving You Has Made Me Bananas" for 45 years -- yet today I can't get it out of my head. I don't know whether to thank you or curse you.
Dan

Thanks for your Monday Morning Memory Testers. Starting from the top ... I know 2 ... 3 ... and 6 ... but I enjoyed listening to the rest, too.

Stacee

Good memories. We played Come Back When You Grow up so much, we had alternate lyrics to it (Not fit to print, though, we were little kids!). Anything by the Guess Who is a welcome breath of childhood.

l.easterday

Kent,
You asked in today's FH if the following tunes would clear off a dust ball or two. Did they? Let me tell you what it reminded me first thing.
The first record by Guy Marks I haven't heard on the radio in decades. I seem to remember him singing it one night on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
The fourth song reminded me of the Tom Jones' version, even though I liked Ashton, Gardner & Dyke's version better.
The fifth song reminded me of Kenny O'Dells' version which if memory serves me right, was the most played here in OKC.
The sixth song by Bobby Vee reminded me of local (retired) DJ here in OKC, Dale Wehba, as the one who broke that record nationally, (at least according to him).
The final song by Oklahoma's own Roger Miller reminded me of his ENGLAND SWINGS and one of his very earlier records from 1960, IN THE SUMMERTIME.
Larry
That actually WAS the Kenny O'Dell version that I featured. (I liked the symmetry of following Kenny's hit with a Bobby Vee song since the two competed for chart space with "Beautiful People".) I always liked that song ... an under-rated hit to be sure. Here in Chicago, they played BOTH versions ... WLS went with the Bobby Vee version (it hit #6) while WCFL pushed the Kenny O'Dell version. (Kenny's peaked at #17). Nationally, it was a pretty close contest, too. Bobby Vee's version went to #22 while Kenny O'Dells' take stopped at #31 ... which I never really thought was fair since Kenny also WROTE the song!
As for "Ressurrection Shuffle", Ashton, Gardner and Dyke won that contest hands down here in Chicago, climbing all the way to #5. (Nationally it stopped at #37). Tom Jones' version charted as the B-Side of his hit "Puppet Man", peaking at #38.
For some reason I always got Guy Marks and Corbett Monica mixed up. (Maybe Corbett performed "Loving You Has Made Me Bananas" on The Joey Bishop Show or something ... because this confusion dates back to 1968!) Seriously ... where ELSE are you going to hear THAT one?!?!? And while he made a career writing and recording novelty hits, I've always liked Roger Miller's serious songs, too ... "One Dyin' And A-Buryin'" (about a friend committing suicide) and "Husbands And Wives" (about divorce) are two of my all-time favorites of his. (kk)

Great site! I wish more of your music was all on one page, but I am enjoying your offerings and reading your notes as well.

Your story about the woman on the "Whipped Cream / Taste Of Honey" album was beyond words. I have the album but never gave any thought to the woman on the cover. However, reading that she was three months pregnant at the time is certainly a Herb Alpert trivia question for the future. (Speaking of Herb, do you remember how many weeks we had to listen to, "Zorba The Greek?" every day on the radio?)
I am familiar with Guy Marks, "Loving You Has Made Me Bananas." As a novelty record collector, along with Elvis, Beach Boys, Beatles, and country, I bought the 45 just for the title, not knowing who Guy Marks was.
I discovered that Guy was on an episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show," where he played the love interest to Sally Rogers. Buddy and Dick suspected that Guy only wanted to marry Sally for her writing ability. Sally, of course, could not see it. So, Buddy and Dick wrote a stand up routine for the happy couple as a wedding present.
When Guy tried out the material, he quickly dropped Sally for the lights of Vegas where he knew his routine would make him a star. Sally was heartbroken but realized that her co-workers were trying to save her from a broken heart further down the road.
You really made me feel old when I heard, "Think- Once You Understand." I had almost forgotten about it, having heard it in the early 70's when I graduated high school.
As long as you never mention, "Dear Mr Jesus," by Sharon, I won't feel ready for the bone yard.
Ed
Hey, Ed, welcome aboard! Glad you're enjoying Forgotten Hits. The website only allows one week worth of material to post at a time but you can always scroll back to catch up. (I've been doing this for 14 years now ... it'd be pretty hard to capture that in a page or two!!!)
"Loving You Has Made Me Bananas" got a better reaction than I expected. Seems like more people remember this record than anybody would have figured. That's the thing I like most about doing Forgotten Hits ... triggering some of those long-forgotten memories as radio rarely strays from the 300-song proven play list anymore.
Hope you'll continue to check us out. We post nearly every day. And if you'd like to receive periodic reminders to check the site (or for special events), just drop us a line and we'll add you to the FH Reminders Mailing List. (kk)

Speaking of great Forgotten Hits, I thought THIS one might sound especially good today ... what a GREAT overlooked song! (kk)

↧

The Friday Flash

August 23, 2013, 5:10 am

≫ Next: The Sunday Comments ( 08 - 25 - 13 )

≪ Previous: Some Of Your Mid-Week Comments

re: ON THE RADIO / GREAT MUSIC:
Thank you Chuck Buell for taking us back in time with Reel Radio and the 3-19-70 aircheck from 89 WLS. I was in 8th grade and the Top 40 on both WLS and Super CFL was probably my biggest hobby at the time. I traveled to LA for the first time later that month, and grooved on KHJ - there were some differences in regional hits but generally the chart was similar. Nothing like cruising (my dad behind the wheel, of course) Mulholland Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, etc. with "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" by the Friends of Distinction blasting through the car radio!!!! Gorgeous tune and gorgeous scenery. Thanks again Chuck Buell and Bobby Ocean!!!!! Bobster
Chuck's Reel Radio airchecks came in as the #1 and #4 most-listened-to clips on Reel Radio last week ... so kudos and congrats all around! (kk)

I asked Chuck if he might be interested in doing an interview and this is what I got back:
Holy McBuckets!!!

Two in the Top Four?!

Thank you for letting me know!

(Follow-Up on the Interview thing to come after I stop being "heady" about this Reel Radio Thing!)

CB

Chuck later sent out a "thank you" note to those who made his aircheck #1 last week ...
I must thank Uncle Ricky for this wonderful opportunity to be featured on the incomparable "Reel Radio" website and to Bobby Ocean for his fantastic showcasing of my work on his "Bobby's Update Aircheck Channel" for without none of this would be possible. I am, indeed, humbled . . . . ."

(Fade in Overpowering "Time's Up" music here ...)

The FAB 40 is determined by actual REEL RADIO listeners and ranked by SHARE of total listening time in the previous week. -- ReelRadio.com is the largest radio show aircheck archive in existence. -http://www.reelradio.com/

Hmmm ... well, I'd like to think that maybe we helped just a LITTLE bit, too ... probably sending a couple hundred new listeners over to Reel Radio to check out these ... and some of their other amazing clips!!! (kk)

Clark Besch sent us a few more WLS / Chuck Buell goodies ... and another one of his hand-written charts. Hard to believe WLS was playing some of this stuff this early ... but the proof is here that they were. (Imagine that ... radio that was AHEAD of the times!!!)

Anyway, some of this is probably more for the die-hards out there ... but I just love seeing this stuff! (kk)

Kent,

Chuck Buell basically pushed my fave Ron Riley to the laternight shift in 1968, which I did not like, but Chuck was the new generation of DJs coming to WLS at the time. I really enjoyed his upbeat presentation quickly on his show, using hip talk of the day as well. In late October, 1968, I taped a bunch of songs off WLS and Chuck's show.
This past Sunday night, I tuned across the Big 89 and there it was booming in like always, but instead of the greatness it once was, I found a sports talk show with the hosts barely able to get full sentences out of their mouths. It was terrible.
It's fun just to take a listen to what it was like on a souvenir weekend on WLS back in the great days!! A few FH members in there, too!
Kent, can you pass this to Chuck if you do not want to post?

Thanks!

Clark - I think I'll post and invite him to listen right here. Thanks for sending! (kk)

Here are a few items to go with the tape I sent. The WLS Hit Parade from 10/21/68 when I recorded these items. What a time! Bubblegum vs. psychedelia. Pop vs. Brit Invasion Pt 2. The end basically of WLS playing locals on a normal basis with "Greenburg."

Also, a clever wording of a Buell ad from a 1968 WLS chart.
Also, MY own hand written chart from two weeks later, listening in Dodge City, Kansas, as Larry Lujack counted the survey down. Lots of time to elaborate on my writing during listening, as you see. It's interesting to see "Hair" written on the old teletype paper (our teletype was too old by 1968 to have speed used by Reuters then) rolls we used as scratch paper then. Considering the song did not chart for months, did WLS actually play an acetate THIS soon before? I know many have talked about this happening, but in November of 1968?? You'll note "Hey Bulldog" written in, too. I still DO have Riley playing this advanced supposed new Beatles single in November, 1968, along with its supposed B side ""You're Too Much" (as Riley named it on the air). They played it for a few days before they were stopped. As it turned out, the songs did not appear on the White Album that was released shortly after, but instead came out in February of 1969 a lot like "Hair."
Note that I must have been deciding what the Beatles tune was named from the lyrics "You Can't Talk To Me" before drawing a line thru it and writing in "Hey Bulldog." Of course, Riley was wrong with the other "side" since the song was actually titled "It's All Too Much."

WLS Clark Besch

Kent ...
Here's a sample of what WCBS-FM is playing.
Frank B.
Click here: Playlist « WCBS-FM 101.1
Anybody interested can click on the link above ... but I can already tell you in advance that it is the EXACT SAME LIST that EVERY other radio station in America is also playing ... you won't find anything special or unique about it! (kk)

Speaking of which, Frank B also sent us this piece by WCBS-FM Jock Dan Taylor, listing the ten songs he WISHES he could play on the radio. People have to remember that it's not the disc jockey who selects the music ... it's the program director (and the "marketing research") that determines what gets played. As such SO many GREAT songs are completely overlooked in favor of playing the same two or three hundred over and over and over again. The argument by radio is that listeners don't stay tuned in long enough to notice. I have always maintained this to be programming with blinders on. Give the listeners a REASON to stay tuned in longer and they will ... more variety, more personality ... something UNIQUE that every other station in town isn't already doing. THAT'S what will keep people listening to your station (and telling others about it.) Anyway, here's Dan's list ... you'll find a couple of Forgotten Hits favorites on there. (kk)

Click here: Dan Taylor’s Top 10 Songs He Wishes Were Played On The Radio « WCBS-FM 101.1

Kent ...

Maybe we can steal this idea from WCBS-FM & use it in Forgotten Hits. Ask readers to send in their 10 songs.
Frank B.

Actually, I think it's more like the other way around ... we've been making and playing these lists for almost 15 years now ... trying to get radio to expand its horizon ... sounds like HE stole the idea from us!!! (lol) kk

(Now wouldn't it be nice if he could actually DO something about it?!?!? ANYTHING!!! Play one song per hour from your personal "overlooked" list ... ANYTHING to stand out as different.) kk

Hey Kent,
Just got home from a car show in St. Cloud, MN. The “Pantowners” 40th annual Show and Swap Meet is billed as the biggest (one day) car show in Minnesota. I couldn’t help but think of “Forgotten Hits” on the ride home. As I got close to the entry gate, the first song I heard blastin’ out of the music system was, “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats. (Ike Turner). Talk about a wonderful afternoon! It occurred to me how well 50’s / 60’s music goes together with classic cars. Like Adam and Eve, or peanut butter and jelly, the music and cars are a perfect fit. After a lot of walking, I had a chance to just sit and listen to the music. What a great way to spend a couple hours on a Sunday afternoon.
“Thanks”,
Gary
Yep, you'll usually find some great '50's and '60's music playing at these shows. (kk)

And "Be My Baby" is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, too ... the landmark song was the subject of a recent NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/movies/be-my-baby-a-hit-single-with-staying-power.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

A radio reminder:

Mike Baker And The Forgotten 45s presents "The Soundtrack Of The Eagles"
Sunday, August 25th 12 - 4 pm (Central Time) on 88.1 WLTL
The Soundtrack Of The Eagles is a radio companion to the DVD / cable documentary "History Of The Eagles".
This radio special is a timeline of The Eagles music and solo careers from 1969's "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man" Bob Seger System through the 70s, 80s and beyond.
Mike Baker And The Forgotten 45s on TuneIn http://tunein.com/program/?ProgramId=39516&StationId=30810

re: COCA COLA ADS:
Our initial discussion with Chuck Buell started about some specific Coca Cola ads that he did the voice-overs on back in the late '60's and early '70's. (Scroll back over the past couple of weeks to trace the history of this discussion). FH Reader Clark Besch has sent in a few more examples, showing out sometimes different deejays recorded the same spots for their own markets. Observe ...

>>>I have heard the SAME exact Coke commercial with a different jock doing the vocal overdubs, so in one city, you may get Ron Riley and in NY, you may have gotten Dan Ingram. You may get the short 10 second version without overdub voice or the 1:30 version! (Clark Besch)
>>>I can neither confirm nor dispute this, but I can't imagine why they would have more than one guy on a commercial. It entailed flying the guy to New York, putting him up, studio time, and some pretty nice talent fees and residuals. I don't care HOW big Coke was, they didn't get big by throwing unnecessary money around, but, hey, I dunno here! I do know that sometimes they sent out a version with NO voice on it – in particular, and much to my chagrin, the Seekers "Teach" spot, at one time! Might have been after it became a hit or something.   (Chuck Buell)
I'm guessing they may have used artist music and added big time large city jocks to the big markets as an added interest thing. Maybe they sent stations the bed and stations added their own jock voice overs? I know that the attached Coke commercials bear out what I spoke of earlier. The Ron Riley cuts came from a 1967 Coke 7 inch reel to reel that was a Coke company labeled reel. The other came off record. Same music beds for both Gladys Knight and 5 Dimension with Riley and with another jock.Also, I have enclosed the Chuck Buell BJ Thomas spot and a Brooklyn Bridge one that must be him, but really doesn't sound a lot like him. BJ's spot is unmistakably Buellistic. Since both tracks came back to back on tape, I assume the Bridge one is indeed Chuck's voice over.
I have the New Seekers' Coke 45 EP record. Maybe that is Chuck's voice on it. I have the New Seekers doing the Christmas jingle version too, but I'm pretty sure it's not Chuck on those voice overs.
I could dig up Clark Weber's Fontella Bass one, too, if you'd like me to.
Clark Besch
Like I said before, I just think it's SO cool that people held on to this stuff for all this time ... true testament again as to just how important this music and this era were to us. We have learned SO much over the years of doing Forgotten Hits, thanks to readers and collectors like this who have shared their treasures with our audience. (kk)

Definitely post more on the Coke commercials. I'm not a collector but I still downloaded about 25 of them back in the Napster era, just for nostalgia's sake. It makes me wonder how many more are kicking around out there. What did surprise me was the general quality of the original compositions, each of which was a 25 or 30 second song in its own right,
which then segued into the "Things go better..." jingle. I don't know if the Association ever did one, but I'd love to hear it if they did. All the bands / singers that I've seen were national. Did regional acts ever get to do them? A New Colony Six commercial would have been a very fine thing.
-- Jeff Duntemann
    Colorado Springs, Colorado

I don't think The New Colony Six ever recorded a Coke ad but I seem to remember them doing something for a couple of other product lines ... I just can't remember which ones. Maybe one of the guys will see this and fill us in. (kk)

↧

The Sunday Comments ( 08 - 25 - 13 )

August 24, 2013, 9:49 pm

≫ Next: Happy Together, 2013

≪ Previous: The Friday Flash

re: LINDA RONSTADT:

Of course the big story this morning was all about Linda Ronstadt coming forward with the announcement that she has Parkinson's Disease ... and is no longer able to sing. (We first heard about this around 6 am Chicago time, apparently around four hours after it first hit the newswire ... but then had to go into work today so I couldn't get anything up on the site. Of course since then we received at least another 40 emails about it so this is no longer "breaking news" ...but still news worth sharing!)

Another very sad ending to another very remarkable career. Linda hasn't been real visible lately but once again the point is driven home that we're all getting older. (More on this ... from a personal perspective ... later. Yep, this is a BIG week for me!)

Anyway, our prayers go out to Linda ... look at Michael J. Fox ... he's now doing a brand new television series which regularly talks about his affliction. (kk)

re: BRIAN WILSON:

Hey Kent ...

The Rip Chords were recently in Simi Valley, California playing a big Car Show / Concert event there. We invited longtime Beach Boys Drummer Bobby Figueroa and Al Jardine keyboardist Tom Jacob to perform with us on a few songs, which they did. And we performed with the great Donna Loren on two of her hits, "Muscle Bustle" and "It Only Hurts When I Cry" from the Beach Party Films she was in. It was amazing being onstage with Donna and it rocked!!
Also ... Richie and I attended the Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, David Marks performance in Atlantic City last month. An amazing show, as always. We bumped into the great Mark Lindsay there!!!! It was so cool to be there listening to Richie and Mark talk about the old days and memories of Terry Melcher, recording, etc. Mark was kind enough to give me a copy of his new CD, which is absolutely amazing! If The Raiders had ever gotten together to record a real reunion album, this would be the album. It's great to hear Mark rocking again! I've attached a photo of Richie and I with Mark, and a photo of Richie, my wife Amy, and I backstage with David, Brian and Al (courtesy of Jeff McEvoy), and a photo of Bobby Figueroa jamming with Original Rip Chord Arnie Marcus onstage in Simi Valley, and Donna Loren onstage with us there too!!! More later!
All the best!
Mitch Schecter / The Rip Chords

Wow! Cool stuff to be sure. Brian and Mark worked together on a couple of tracks for that LP so we're anxious to hear them. I would have LOVED to sit in on that conversation between Richie and Mark about the good old days with Terry Melcher ... what a fascinating discussion that must have been! As always, thanks for sharing this with our readers, Mitch ... I truly do appreciate it! (kk)

We saw Mark Lindsay Friday Night as part of The Happy Together Show and once again he sounded great. (He was also hawking his new CD, which by all accounts is very good.) I ran into him back stage just as he was leaving the theater ... he ran up, shook my hand and said "Hello ... and Goodbye!" ... and then he was outta there ... so I never had the chance to ask him about it. You CAN pick it up on Amazon.com however ...

Click here: Amazon.com: Life Out Loud: Music

Watch for our review of the show ... in a perfect world, it should be up on the site on Monday Morning! (kk)

And, speaking of Brian Wilson, here comes some new tour news from FH Reader Tom Cuddy, courtesy of USA Today ... seems like Brian is teaming up with guitar legend Jeff Beck for some shows!

BRIAN WILSON, JEFF BECK MAKE UNIQUE TOUR TEAM

By Marco della Cava, USA TODAY

The guitarist got the touring invite after contributing licks to the Beach Boy's upcoming solo album.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS: Two legends join forces for a 18-city tour that starts Sept. 27 in Hollywood, Fla. Jeff Beck also guests on a few songs on Brian Wilson's forthcoming solo albumBeck says gig is 'complete honor,' while Wilson looks forward to adding this 'great guitar player' to mix

Not much gets guitar ace Jeff Beck rattled. But when he was asked to honor Beach Boy Brian Wilson at his MusiCares Person of the Year tribute in 2006, Beck nervously stepped up with Surf's Up andSurfin' USA, just hoping not to offend.

Beck needn't have worried. That initial meeting has led to him not only contributing fretwork on Wilson's forthcoming solo album, but also joining Wilson on a tour that kicks off Sept. 27 in Hollywood, Fla., and wraps Oct. 27 in Akron, Ohio, with tickets going on sale Aug. 9.

"He's got a truckload of hits to play, but we'll build on that and interact," Beck tells USA TODAY. "Brian will kick things off, but I'll also be given enough time to establish what I'm about. In the end, we'll mix and match. It's a complete honor to be on stage with him."

Wilson calls Beck "very well versed" in his music, noting that "he'll play in the pockets where I'm not singing. He brings that great guitar-player kind of thing to the picture."

Joining Wilson and Beck on stage will be Beach Boys Al Jardine and David Marks, both just off the band's 50th anniversary tour.

The 18-city Wilson/Beck show will ping-pong across North America, with stops in Washington (Oct. 5, Warner Theater), New York (Oct. 15, Beacon Theater), Los Angeles (Oct 20, a previously announced show at the Greek Theater) and Detroit (Oct. 25, Fox Theater). Check ticketmaster.com for prices, which have not yet been announced.

Talking to Beck about Wilson makes clear the latter's profound impact on already-accomplished musicians looking for a new direction in the '60s.

"I needed musical help around 1966, and (the Wilson-helmed Beach Boys masterpiece) Pet Sounds was dressing on a wound for me with all its amazing melodies," says Beck. "I was floored by it. So were The Beatles. It was outrageously adventurous stuff for the ear."

Beck was predisposed to like Beach Boys fare, which often celebrates what remains his passion: building and driving hot rods. "I'd hear that music and it would be an escape from the humdrum life," he says.

Wilson's new album has "the flavor of Pet Sounds," says Beck. "Once you hear it, you'll be whistling the songs for the rest of your life." Wilson says fans can expect "very mellow sounds, soft and sweet."

Beck contributed to a handful of tracks, raising interesting possibilities for how their styles might mix. Wilson says the music he listens to most these days hails from the past, "things like The Beatles and all the Phil Spector stuff." Meanwhile, Beck — who says a much-discussed reunion with ex-bandmate Rod Stewart "is not going to happen" — has of late been diving deep into Eastern and Irish music, "trying to find out what I'm all about."

When Beck initially hit the studio with Wilson, the experience left him puzzled.

"He didn't say much, so it was quite a bit unnerving," says Beck. "Brian is somewhere else during that process, so it's not like you're there chatting away. In the end, though, I'm sure we were on the same page."

Beck says the upcoming gigs will feature "what I'd call an interesting mix of people, classic surfing safari music and this weird stuff that I do. But it will sound like it's all of one accord."

TOUR DATES

Sept. 27: Hollywood, Fla.

Sept. 28: Tampa

Oct. 3: St. Augustine

Oct. 4: Atlanta

Oct. 5: Washington

Oct. 6: Bethlehem, Penn.

Oct. 8: Albany, N.Y.

Oct. 9: Boston

Oct. 11: Wallingford, Conn.

Oct. 12: Westbury, Conn.

Oct. 13: Philadelphia

Oct. 15: New York

Oct. 18: Las Vegas

Oct. 20: Los Angeles

Oct. 22: Oakland, Calif.

Oct. 25: Detroit

Oct. 26: Toronto

Oct. 27: Akron, Ohio

-- submitted by Tom Cuddy

re: OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN:

I agree with what you said about Olivia Newton-John. I saw a picture of her on the internet a couple of days ago, before your posting of her, and didn't even recognize her.

Larry

I have to tell you that I was very disappointed to read your comments about Olivia Newton-John yesterday -- they were uncalled for and downright mean. Look at what this poor woman has gone through in her life. I think she deserves better -- and I certainly expected more from you as well.

Kelsey

To be honest, I kicked around the idea as to whether or not to run that piece for a couple of days since we had other pieces planned during that interval ... but it was the "Tell me about it, Stud" line that finally won me over. You're right ... Livy HAS been through a lot these past few years ... most notably fighting breast cancer and having a mastectomy. But then I look at everything else ... the backlash from winning all those country music awards early in her career, taking away spots that probably more deservedly belonged to our own country artists rather than an Aussie pop princess ... "Xanadu" (need I say more ... I don't know that we can EVER forgive her for THAT!!!) ... an ex-husband that wanted to get away SO badly he faked his own death ... the bad "can you make me look like The Joker" plastic surgery ... and now a dead body in her Florida home ... jeez, I don't know ... I mean I like a lot of Olivia's music (although NOT that early country stuff) ... and I really want to give her the benefit of the doubt ... but I'm starting to think that just maybe she may have brought some of this stuff on herself! Mind you, I was totally knocked out by the Sandy transformation at the end of "Grease" and the subsequent "Totally Hot" / "Physical" / "Heart Attack" look ... but she has definitely taken a wrong turn here with this whole cosmetic surgery thing. (kk)

re: MELANIE:

Next Tuesday, August 27th, I will be interviewing Melanie, “The First Lady of Woodstock”, prior to a signing of her book “Tales From The Roadburn Café”. Her hits, including the million selling single “Brand New Key”, “Ruby Tuesday”, “The Nickel Song”, “What Have They Done To My Song, Ma” and “Candles In The Rain,” were staples of both Top 40 and Album Oriented Rock radio. Today they are mostly "Forgotten Hits". Admission is free, of course.
Tuesday, August 27 at 6:00 pm at Two Old Hippies, 401 12th Ave S Nashville, TN 37203 (the Gulch) (615) 254-7999
Ed Salamon

About Two Old Hippies: Two Old Hippies features Men's and Women's clothing, accessories, Musical Instruments featuring Breedlove and Bedell Guitars and a stage for musical performances.
About Ed Salamon ;

During his fifteen year partnership with Dick Clark, Ed Salamon interviewed Beatles, Rolling Stones and just about every star of rock, country and rhythm and blues. The former President / Programming for Westwood One Radio Network, Ed is the author of two historical books on radio and was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.

We heard from Melanie when we put together our Tribute to The Ed Sullivan Show last year and she couldn't have been sweeter. Her appearance on Ed's Sunday Night Program clearly touched her and remains a special, precious memory. (You can find that ... and dozens of other Sullivan Show Memories here: Click here: Forgotten Hits - FORGOTTEN HITS REMEMBERS THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW ... From Both Sides Of The Screen)

Meanwhile, please pass along her best ... and encourage her to let us help promote her book on our website. We ran a special Melanie mini-series about ten years ago (back when we were still an emailed newsletter) ... maybe we can resurrect that and run it again along with NEW information about her new book. I'm game if she is! (kk)

Melanie will also be promoting the interview and book signing with a rare live radio appearance on Monday (26th) at 10:30 am with Steve Jarrell on WSGI. Listen live via their website http://www.wsgi1100.com/

Yes, but the 27th is my birthday ... and, speaking of the '60's, this is the big one ... # 6 - 0. So technically the 60's start in Forgotten Hits next Tuesday! (Stay tuned!) kk

re: GLEN CAMPBELL:

I did now know or was unaware that Glen Campbell recorded the old Jack Scott tune BURNING BRIDGES in 1967. His version didn't make our local survey, the top 40 one.

Larry

The song held special meaning for Glen ... in fact, I think he recorded it a couple of times. As for not charting in Oklahoma, not to worry ... it never charted ANYWHERE! But I know that he loved the song. (kk)

Kent,

Separating the music from the artist themselves is sometimes necessary, and yet the musician with all their warts IS their music. When teaching I walk a fine line trying to present music and performers that will stand on their own, but music is representative OF the time, and the social times can bring about the music. It all travels together in a loopy circle. There is a point in my teaching where I need to inform my class ... "For the next few lessons, most of the artists we listen to will have died in an airplane crash or of a drug overdose." I do this to put it all out in the open so I am not plagued with "what are they doing now?" questions, and yet they feel comfortable in asking me detail questions and theorizing how much more could have been accomplished had the artist not died so early in their career. As in Campbell's case, he thankfully survived. What he is going through now, has gone through in the past, and has inflicted on those around him is what life consists of: How we handle the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

re: PAUL McCARTNEY:

Kent ...

Sir Paul has been around so long, he's out-living the stadiums the Beatles played in so many years ago. (Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park) Now he's offered to play one more time at Candlestick Park before they tear it down. I'm sure their are others.

Click here: Paul McCartney Offers To Play Candlestick Park’s Final Show Before Its Demolition « WCBS-FM 101.1

Frank B.

Well Candlestick Park would be quite the milestone ... it's the last place The Beatles performed as a group (in a concert setting ... purists will cite their rooftop concert at Apple Studios as being the OFFICIAL last time the group performed live.) That would be a cool one to see. (Comiskey Park is gone here in Chicago, home to The Beatles in 1965. You'll find more on The Beatles' appearance at Comiskey Park below ... in yet ANOTHER incredible story about rewriting musical history!)

In addition to just adding his name to the sold-out iHeart Radio Concert coming up in Las Vegas, Macca's already booking dates into 2014, showing absolutely no sign of letting up. We just got a notice this morning about tickets going on sale for his concert at The Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana ... for all you midwestern fans out there! (kk)

re: THE BEATLES:

Ready for a decent Beatles "unheard songs" CD set? How about MORE BBC tapes? I love the BBC sessions the fabs did in US pre-Beatlemania days 62-64. Now, a new set of songs from these sessions as well as a book covering it all!
http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/08/more_unheard_beatles_recording.html
I doubt it will have this one unless they found better quality, but I love this attached version of Joe Brown's "A Picture of You." The original 45 version released about the same time as the Beatles' first hit, "Love Me Do" in May, 1962, in England, was a UK chart rider for an unprecedented 19 weeks reaching #2 in July, 1962. He played with the Beatles on same billings and on the enclosed unreleased track, George Harrison adds his countrified guitar solo to the 1962 BBC taping of Joe's hit live before a crowd! Certainly, George did many country guitar solos in the early Beatles hits, especially on BBC cover versions the band did. "Sure to Fall" comes to mind. For this taping, Harrison was a mere 19 years old, while Brown was an old man of 21. Brown would later release his version of "A Little Help From My Friends" within a month of "Sgt. Pepper" Lp release, reaching #32 in UK in July, 1967.

Clark Besch

They've been pushing the BBC Sessions book for a while now ... I've thought about picking it up but still haven't gotten around to it.

Click here: The Beatles: The BBC Archives: 1962-1970: Kevin Howlett: 9780062288530: Amazon.com: Books

I've got a feeling these tracks will be more for the completists out there ... but it'll still be cool to see what they've turned up. (I've had BBC bootlegs in my collection for decades now ... "clean" copies would be especially nice!) If nothing else, this book can serve as a "checklist" for what's still out there. (kk)

Must have been a slow news day!

Last Friday The Daily Herald (our premier suburban newspaper) ran a front page headline story under the banner "He Couldn't Carry That Weight". The article (by Josh Stockinger) tells the story of a guy named Gary Goldberg who, back in the '60's, played in a local garage band called The Cave Dwellers. Well, it seems Gary has been embellishing his role in local rock and roll history a little bit ... as in a LOT!!!

Goldberg has done some public speaking claiming to have been one of the opening acts when The Beatles played Comiskey Park back in 1965. (He couldn't think of a lower profile act than that to attach his wings to???)

Anyway, he was immediately busted after another publication ran with his story without doing any fact-checking. (A relatively easy thing to do these days!) In fact, some of his former bandmates called him out on it, too.

All in all, it makes for a pretty interesting article (in a bogus, fake sort of way! This guy even went so far as to claim that he lent George Harrison his guitar to use on stage that day. If you're gonna lie, make it a doozy!!!) What I found especially interesting is the fact that a couple of The Cave Dwellers went on to a little bit more local noteriety with some of the bands we talk about all the time here in Forgotten Hits like The Cryan' Shames, The Revells and The New Colony Six.

We've run into quite a few imposters over the years of doing Forgotten Hits ... most of the time we don't bother to bust them or even air their stories ... I've just always found it fascinating that these people felt they had to come up with a completely fake life in order to increase their (self) importance to those around them. Pretty sad.

Anyway, you can read the entire article here (trust me, it's worth it!):

Click here: Elmhurst man admits lying about opening for Beatles - DailyHerald.com

I sent a copy to Bruce Mattey, who actually WAS in The Revells (and plays today with the current edition of The New Colony Six, a role he's filled for a couple of decades now.) Here are a couple of his comments:

Kent,

I never knew the man. Suffice to say that it is understood that some of those old rockers may be off their rockers! Interesting to see the Cave Dwellers and the Revelles names together. It's true that Gordon and Alfonso came to Revelles from Dwellers. As for Peter Budd, he is possibly the greatest guitar player I've ever had the pleasure of performing with. We brought Peter into the Revelles after Les Kümmel left. I believe Les was with us approximately a year and a half at most. Les and I collaborated on many songs back in the day but neither of us could hold a candle to Mr. Budd. Peter has been doing a thing called the Blue Lincolns. I should have gone to see him but business, family and stuff gets in the way. I'm sure you know what I mean. In closing we (the New Colony Six) will be up in LaSalle, Wiscosin, on Sunday September 29th for their Octoberfest. Last time we were there was about ten yrs ago. I hope they still have cheese curd!

Bruce Mattey

NC6 and beyond

re: BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE:

>>>That actually WAS the Kenny O'Dell version that I featured. (I liked the symmetry of following Kenny's hit with a Bobby Vee song since the two competed for chart space with "Beautiful People".) I always liked that song ... an under-rated hit to be sure. Here in Chicago, they played BOTH versions ... WLS went with the Bobby Vee version (it hit #6) while WCFL pushed the Kenny O'Dell version. (Kenny's peaked at #17). Nationally, it was a pretty close contest, too. Bobby Vee's version went to #22 while Kenny O'Dells' take stopped at #31 ... which I never really thought was fair since Kenny also WROTE the song! (kk)

You're right, of course, about BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE being the Kenny O'Dell version which you posted. I just listened through it once and thought immediately it was Bobby Vee. I knew better. Though initially,
I did wonder why you would post two songs by the same artist.

Larry

Kent,

I completely agree with you regarding Beautiful People.

And I do like Bobby Vee - Come Back When You Grow Up, The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, Look At Me Girl, Maybe Just Today - those are all very good songs. And when he did a remake in 1969 of one of my favorites from 1966, Let's Call It A Day Girl by The Razor's Edge, that was fine. That should have been a big hit for them, for whatever reason it wasn't, so they had their chance and he had his three years later. But it seemed different with his cover of Beautiful People, since the two versions were out at the same time. It felt like the larger label, Liberty, was trying to push aside the smaller label, Vegas, even though, as you said, Kenny wrote the song. In Cleveland, there was a Friday supplement to the local paper with weekend events, some printed music charts, etc. One week back in 1967, there was a "ballot" to clip out, although it was more like a ballot in a dictatorship, since there was only one box to check. The instructions asked you to clip this out and mail it to your favorite radio station. The box to check said "I want you to only play the Bobby Vee version of Beautiful People on your station". This really bothered me. Needless to say, I went around the neighborhood that weekend, collected as many papers as I could, clipped all the ballots, crossed out Bobby Vee and wrote in Kenny O'Dell, and mailed them to the local stations. Just curious - does anyone remember if they tried this crap anywhere else besides Cleveland?

Doug

Wow, that's a hell of a marketing campaign! (lol) I'm sure most stations went with the "proven artist" on this one ... by 1967, Bobby Vee had already been around for years, scoring hit after hit after hit. But then how does a new artist EVER break through? To my ears, the songs were nearly identical, making it almost impossible to distinguish one from the other. But if asked to choose, I'd have to go with Kenny's version on this one. (kk)

re: JUST IN TIME FOR LABOR DAY:

http://www.starspangledbannerchallenge.com/

And, speaking of cool videos ... check out this one, sent in by FH Reader Frank B ...

We've covered the Truth In Music Act a number of times before in Forgotten Hits ...

But here's Charlie Thomas, live in action, challenging one of those fake Drifters groups that keep popping up all over the country.

This is evidently something 20/20 put together a few years ago ... and I must have missed it the first time around ...

You've got to stick around for the whole clip (about seven minutes) because the big pay off is at the end. (kk)

Click here: ? Doo Wop Singers Fight Back Against Impostors - YouTube

re: MORE SAD PASSINGS:

Several people wrote in about this one ... here's the official report as it appeared in Vintage Vinyl News:

Sid Bernstein (1918 - 2013)

Music promoter and producer Sid Bernstein, most famous for bringing the Beatles to Carnegie Hall and Shea Stadium, has died. He was 95.
Beyond the Beatles, Bernstein was a key force in the British invasion of America, bringing such artists as the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, Herman's Hermits, the Moody Blues to these shores.
Prior to his British collaborations, Bernstein was an agent at General Artists Corporation, producing the comeback tour of Judy Garland and, later, on June 9, 1962, bringing Tony Bennett to Carnegie Hall, a turning point in his career.
In early 1964, Bernstein decided to invest his own money in promoting the Beatles to America after his agency showed no interest. On February 9, 1964, the Fab Four debuted on the Ed Sullivan show and, three days later, played two shows at Carnegie Hall. Sid brought them back a year later for the infamous Shea Stadium concert.
Bernstein followed with more artists out of England but he also took an interest in native American acts. During the Beatles' Shea Stadium concert, he kept putting the phrase "The Rascals are coming!" on the venue screen, a reference to the Young Rascals who he was promoting. He worked with them throughout their hitmaking years.
Among the other artists that he promoted were Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone and, later, Laura Branigan and Lenny Kravitz along with a just breaking ABBA.
He never truly retired, releasing his first album last year, Sid Bernstein Presents... He also wrote the books It's Sid Bernstein Calling and Not Just the Beatles...
Bernstein is survived by his wife, six children and six grandchildren.

And this from Billboard.com:

Sid Bernstein, the promoter who brought the Beatles to Shea Stadium, has died. He was 95.

Bernstein's daughter, Casey Deutsch, says her father died in his sleep Wednesday morning at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Bernstein was an early American backer of the Beatles. He made them the first rock group to play at Carnegie Hall and arranged their historic 1965 show at Shea, a performance that set box office records. He also worked with Judy Garland, Duke Ellington and Ray Charles, promoted Dion, Bobby Darin and Chubby Checker, and managed Esy Morales, the Rascals and Ornette Coleman.

He was an early backer of ABBA, setting up the Swedish group's first American appearances. He was behind one of the first rock benefit shows, and helped revive Tony Bennett's career with a 1962 show at Carnegie Hall.

And we got quite a bit of mail on this one as well ...

Hello All -

I am deeply saddened to report that Jay Richardson has passed away this morning at the age of 54. Jay was a professional singer and was known to many around the world as Big Bopper Jr., the son of rock-n-roll legend and pioneer J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson.

Jay was born on April 28, 1959, in Houma, Louisiana. His birth came less than 90 days after a plane crash on February 3, 1959 in Clear Lake, Iowa had taken the life of his father, along with the lives of fellow rock-n-roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and pilot Roger Peterson.

He leaves a wife Patty, three children and one grandchild.

Roddy

Too bad. For the last couple of decades there has been talk about a Big Bopper movie ... Richardson's co-passengers on that fateful flight have both been immortalized in film ("La Bamba" for Richie Valens and "The Buddy Holly Story" for Buddy Holly.) In fact, for YEARS the plan was to have Richardson's son portray his famous father in the film ... but the deals just kept falling through. (Obviously, unless they're planning a "Weekend At Bernie's" type bio-pic, things havefallen through permanently now!) Sad news to hear. (kk)

re: THIS AND THAT:

2013 has certainly been the year of the "50th Anniversary" ... who knew so many pivotal moments in music occurred in 1963?!?! But don't look for a Byrds' 50th Anniversary Reunion next year ... not according to Roger McGuinn and Rolling Stone Magazine anyway. (Wild Bill would have LOVED this story!!! We miss ya, buddy! Of course if the remaining original Byrds actually DID get back together, ol' Bill might come back just to see them!!! I can't see him missing THAT show despite ANY obstacle!!!) kk

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the Byrds, but don't expect the them to commemorate the occasion with any sort of reunion. Despite clear interest from founding members Chris Hillman and David Crosby, Byrds frontman Roger McGuinn remains staunchly opposed to a reformation of the groundbreaking folk-rock band. "I'm happy with the Byrds as a good memory," he tells Rolling Stone. "David and I have talked about this at length, and to me a reunion would just be for the money. We'd go out and play some sheds, maybe gross a couple of million dollars and split it four or five ways. I'm not attracted to expensive things. I don't need a Ferrari or anything like that."

McGuinn says that the decision isn't personal, and that he remains extremely fond of Crosby. "I love David," he says. "He's funny, smart and very talented. He's one of the best harmony singers on the planet. He's a great rhythm player. He's written some really nice songs. I have nothing against David. This isn't personal . . . Again, I just think it would be about money and I don't need it. My wife is very good at budgeting. We don't need much. It's kind of like Pete Seeger. He made money, but he gave it all away and lives up on that hill."

Crosby remains frustrated with the situation, but he has equally warm feelings toward McGuinn. "Roger was at least 50 percent of the Byrds," he tells Rolling Stone. "He's a fantastic musician and a really bright guy. I think he's the best interpreter of Bob Dylan that's ever been. He's just not interested in a Byrds reunion. It's a shame because he and Chris and I could do it. It would be great fun, but I got tired of asking him. I must have asked him at least 10 times and he always says no."

Crosby, Stills and Nash keep David Crosby very busy, but he says he would happily balance the two groups if given the chance. "Who doesn't want to be in two bands?" he says. "And they're completely different. My job in the Byrds is very simple. All I gotta do is be a wingman to Roger. I could do that in my sleep. You should have seen how fun it was to take a Bob Dylan song like 'Chimes of Freedom' and come up with an arrangement and make a Byrds song out of it. It was really fucking fun . . . And to me a reunion wouldn't be about the money. I honestly don't even think it would even by that big of a money deal." Regardless of how much money he stands to make, McGuinn is adamant that he's happy as a solo artist. "I love being a troubadour," he says. "I travel around the world with my wife and play little theaters. We have a ball. I just went on a few dates with Peter Frampton, and that was kind of fun because he has a great band. I'm going out soon and playing some dates with Mart Stuart, so I get to play with a band sometimes. I also play with the Rock Bottom Remainders whenever they want me to do that."

David Crosby has also expressed interest in writing new songs with McGuinn, but that's also unlikely. "I don't feel like writing any songs at this point," McGuinn says. "I returned to my folk roots about 18 years ago. That's where my heart is. I love doing the traditional stuff."

Even if the Byrds never play again, Crosby remains proud of his group's legacy. "Bob Dylan was coming to see us," he says. "He heard us play his stuff electric and you could hear the gears clicking in his head. He heard us do 'Mr. Tambourine Man' and he said 'uh-huh.' He then went out and found guys that could do that. The first batch players with Michael Bloomfield wasn't so good. But when you get the Band . . . They were so fucking good. When I first heard them I wanted to quit the business. I thought, 'Okay, well that's it. Not going to be able to do anything better than that!'"

Back around 1970-71, Eydie Gorme (R.I.P.) just missed the top 40 but did hit big on what were then called MOR (middle of the road) stations with "Tonight I'll Say A Prayer." I think it was an English lyric to what was originally an Italian or Spanish tune (quite common then.) Great song, one of my favorite 70's non-hit pure pop female records along with Bobbi Martin's "Something Tells Me" and others.

Jim

Looking at Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart Book (another one of those GREAT books in Joel Whitburn's Record Research Library ... if you were into this MOR music, this is a "Must Have" for your collection!) ... "Tonight I'll Say A Prayer" went to #8 in 1970. In fact, Eydie did pretty well on Billboard's MOR Chart ... ten Top 20 hits in all between 1963 and 1972. (kk)

David Cassidy was arrested last week for driving while intoxicated. (No, this is not the first time this has happened ... in fact, we could probably assemble a David Cassidy Mug Shot portfolio pretty soon.) Clearly he has a problem (and how he continues to beallowed to drive is beyond me) ... we have seen him inebriated on stage more than once, too. Too bad because he really is a talented guy ... I honestly believe that deep down he hates the person he had to become during the teen idol years and that it has eaten at him ever since ... and that's a shame. (Then again this most recent mug shot isn't one of those teen idol glamour shots that you'd want hanging up on your bedroom wall ... take a look!) I DO love his first response to the arresting officer, however ... that's a classic. (I'm not making this stuff up ... the cop's name just happens to be Tom Jones ... and when he approached Cassidy's vehicle to introduce himself, David replied "What's New, Pussycat?" No official report as to whether or not the arresting officer had a sock stuffed in his pants ... but from what I understand, David "horse" Cassidy is not lacking in that department.) kk

This report comes from Vintage Vinyl News:

David Cassidy was arrested early Wednesday morning outside of Albany, NY for driving while intoxicated.
Shodack town police officer Tom Jones was part of a DWI checkpoint when Cassidy was pulled over. According to reports, when Jones introduced himself to Cassidy, David said "What's new, pussycat?"
After being asked to pull to the side of the road by the officer, he was given a DWI test including a breathalyzer which registered a blood alcohol level of .10. .08 is the legal limit in the state.
Cassidy was taken to the Rensselear County Jail where he was charged with felony DUI, necessitated by a prior conviction from 2011 in the state of Florida. He was released after paying a $2,500 bail.
The singer is a full time resident of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, but spends part of the summer in the Saratoga Springs area of New York where he frequents the Saratoga Race Course.
Cassidy is due back in court on September 4.

Speaking of teen idols, there was BIG news going around this past week about a possible N*SYNC reunion. At work (where we now have a decidedly younger mix of people), everybody was on cloud nine, chomping at the bit with anticipation. (I mean these guys were this generation's Beatles!!!)
Quite frankly, I'm a little surprised by this ... Justin Timberlake has a brand new movie coming out in October, a hit album on the charts and he's almost reinvented himself as the COMPLETE celebrity ... he has proven to be incredibly talented in every field he chooses. As for the others? Not so much. (I mean think about it ... what do you even know about the other four guys other than the obvious tabloid headlines?)
JC Chasez was the next most-likely member to make it as a solo artist ... and his first LP made a few waves but then quickly disappeared ... as did he ... I couldn't begin tell you what HE'S been doing lately. Joey Fatone has pretty much become anon-singing, perennial game show host ... Lance Bass would have to pull his latest boyfriend out of his butt to go back on tour again ... and Chris Kirkpatrick is like that 7th Dwarf you can never seem to remember the name of. Then again a tour like this would probably earn the quintet millions ... but why? Justin certainly doesn't need to do it ... and would probably have to put a dozen major projects on hold in order to take part. In a way, it reminds me of when Michael Jackson reunited with his brothers for that big Victory Tour ... except it was his parents (and obligation to family) that made him do that one ... what is Justin's motivation? Time will tell. (kk)

Kent,
A few things about today's comments.
Your reader mentioning posting songs of the "war" era reminded me that just two weeks ago I thought of and got out Country Joe McDonald's I FEEL LIKE I'M FIXING TO DIE RAG.
I was curious about something. I went and checked to see how high the Guy Marks record made it here in OKC. I missed it the first time around. It made it's debut on the survey for the week of April 3, 1968, at the bottom of the survey as the PICK HIT OF THE WEEK. It was only on the survey for just three weeks, peaking at song position #18 for two weeks straight before it fell off.
And finally, regarding YEH!YEH! ... Remember the earlier version from 1963 Mongo "WATERMELON MAN" Santamaria?
Larry
Yeah the "novelty" of novelty songs often wore off quickly ... as seems to be the case with the Guy Marks song. (Strangely enough, quite a few of our readers remembered it however.) I swear it charted here in Chicago, too, but cannot find it listed in either of Ron Smith's books ... maybe it just got played a few times and then forgotten.

I honestly DON'T remember Mongo Santamaria's version of "Yeh! Yeh!" It looks like it was his follow up hit to "Watermelon Man" ... although "hit" is being a bit kind. It charted for exactly one week in Billboard, peaking at #92. But now I was curious ... I had to hear it! (I went to iTunes to find a copy and was surprised to see it was an instrumental. I guess that makes sense, but I honestly think the Georgie Fame hit version is "jazzier" than this original.) I suppose I could play the GERMAN version of Fame's version instead ... it wouldn't be the first time we've featured THIS one in Forgotten Hits! (kk)

Hi Kent,
Loved your Forgotten 45's again this issue, especially Guy Mark's "Loving You Has Made Me Bananas" -- haven't heard that in years -- seems to me I saw him perform that on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Was listening to "Sad Sweet Dreamer" again, and just for the heck of it, I thought I wonder who the lead singer was, thinking I would see if she went on to a solo career and was surprised to find out, she was a he, and his name was Marcel King. I would have sworn that was a female singing lead on that song -- was sad to hear that Marcel King passed away in 1995 -- great voice.
And here's just a bit of trivia ... might be old news to you, but interesting nonetheless. Don't know if you have heard of Tony Burrows, a British studio singer, but with the popularity of the indie film documentary "Twenty Feet From Stardom" currently playing featuring singers you have heard a million times but haven't been given their just due of fame (Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Judith Hill, Tata Vega, etc). Tony Burrows in the U.K. was the lead singer on many songs you have heard under the names of many different groups including Edison Lighthouse with "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Grows", White Plains with "My Baby Loves Lovin'", The Pipkins with "Gimme Dat Ding", First Class with "Beach Baby", and The Brotherhood Of Man with "United We Stand." How's that for a resume.
Peace,
Tim Kiley

Yep, Tony Burrows may be the most famous "unfamous" ghost singer ever. Obviously, he was the "go to" guy in Britain ... and that combination paid off numerous times ... that's quite a hit list for ANY artist ... but you're right, MOST folks wouldn't even know his name.

We still haven't found "Twenty Feet From Stardom" playing anywhere around here ... and we REALLY want to see it. (May have to wait for the DVD on this one.)

Good response to "Sad Sweet Dreamer", another Top 20 Hit that radio ignores ... but I can't get over the response to "Loving You Has Made Me Bananas" ... that one just blows me away!!! (Proof again that we really DO remember this stuff ... when will these programmers out there start to give us credit for having half a brain instead of continuing to insult us by playing the exact same 200 songs on a daily basis?!?!?)

Thanks, Tim! (kk)

Got this from FH Reader Dave Barry ... gee, if I had just spent a couple of years in prison for tax evasion, I'm not so sure I'd be out there telling everybody how easy I had it, making the whole ordeal sound like a stay at the country club. (Then again if I was ever busted for tax evasion, I don't think I'd be afforded the same luxuries as Ronald Isley apparently was!!! This sort of stuff just doesn't happen to REAL people. Witness my David Cassidy comments above!) kk

Ronald Isley, lead singer of the Isley Brothers since the group's inception more than 60 years ago, is feeling quite blessed these days. He made it through two years of incarceration, from 2007 to 2009, at the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Ind., for income tax evasion and thanks the moral support of fellow prisoners and regular daylong visits from his wife and infant son for having made his stay easier.
"It was like a camp," Isley, 72, says by phone from his home in St. Louis. "It wasn't no prison. Wasn't no fence or anything. I worked in the chapel and sang for everybody every Monday in the chapel. They treated me like you wouldn't believe. They treated me like Johnny Cash or Elvis Presley or somebody."
Ronald Jr., now 6, can be heard playing in the background. At one point during the interview, Ronald Sr. briefly consults his wife, Kandy Johnson, who at 36 is half his age. She and her two sisters have been his backup singers since 1998, she says. They were married in 2005.
Decades of hits
Isley is elated that his latest album, "This Song Is for You," released July 16, premiered at No. 3 on Billboard's R&B chart and No. 27 on the magazine's Top 200 pop chart. It may not have come close to matching the success of such gold and platinum Isley Brothers albums of the of the '70s, '80s, '90s and 2000s as "The Heat Is On," "Showdown," "Go All the Way," "Between the Sheets," "Greatest Hits, Vol. 1" and "Eternal," but it does place the singer as one of the few artists to have scored hits in every decade since he and his brothers made their chart debut with the single "Shout" in 1959.
The elasticity and power of Isley's multi-octave pipes are undiminished, judging from the 14 tunes on "This Song Is for You," including duets with young soul singers Kem and Trey Songz. Traces of his early idols Clyde McPhatter, Jackie Wilson and especially Sam Cooke, whose elegant curlicues he emulates, are evident in his phrasing, yet the overall sound is instantly recognizable as that of Ronald Isley.
"I pray about that all the time and ask God, 'Please let me maintain my voice and let me be able to do this career.' And he has done just that," says Isley, who is on a cross-country tour, between headliner Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and opener Kem, that stops Saturday at Concord's Sleep Train Pavilion.
Five brothers
Of the three Isley brothers who began recording in 1957 on the aptly named Teenage label, only Ronald remains. Oldest brother Kelly died of a heart attack in 1985. Second-oldest brother Rudolph left the group three years later to become a preacher. Younger brother Ernie made his recording debut with the group in 1969, playing bass on the hit "It's Your Thing" before switching to guitar, which he plays in a blistering style inspired by onetime Isley Brothers sideman Jimi Hendrix. Youngest brother Marvin, who became the group's bassist in 1971, lost his legs to complications of diabetes in 1997 and died three years ago.
Although Ronald has been billed as a solo artist on his three most recent albums, he maintains the group name for his performances with Ernie. "I just kept the logo of the Isley Brothers," he says. "My father and mother always wanted me to do that."
Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald and younger brother Vernon (who died in 1954) began singing gospel music as children in their native Cincinnati, accompanied by their piano-teacher mother. They specialized in songs popularized by the Ward Singers, a female group that featured Clara Ward and Marion Williams, and opened church engagements and concerts for top gospel quartets such as the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Soul Stirrers, who then featured Cooke. They would get to know Cooke better a few years later, when he and they were recording secular music for RCA Victor and being produced by Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore.
Ronald credits his parents with giving him and his brothers a well-rounded music education.
Taught by parents
"We started in gospel, and then they taught us country and western and popular music - just the whole nine," he says. "They made me listen to Nat King Cole and all the great singers. My mother taught music, and my father was into music. He sang, too, so he taught us. I was brought up on all those great singers: Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, just everybody who could stand up and really sing."
The Isley Brothers' hits were sporadic during most of the 1960s, the biggest being "Twist and Shout" on Wand Records and "This Old Heart of Mine" on Motown's Tamla label. After starting their own T-Neck label in 1969, however, the hits came in rapid succession, including "It's Your Thing," "That Lady," "Fight the Power," "The Pride," "Don't Say Goodnight" and "Between the Sheets."
"We could control what we wanted to do," Ronald says of the reason for starting T-Neck, which folded in 1983, although the group continued having hits on other labels through 2006. "We could control what we wanted to release. We could write our own songs.
Self-contained thing
"We wanted to do our self-contained thing, such as the Beatles. They recorded 'Twist and Shout' and 'Shout' and a lot of Chuck Berry songs, but they wanted to do their own thing and started to write their own songs and record the way they wanted to. They had the success, and that's what we were able to do."
"I keep up with rap music and everything that happens in the business," Isley says when asked about the reasons for his career longevity. "A big part of my success is being competitive. We've always been competitive. We've always wanted to be first.
"I've had a blessed career," he adds, "from the beginning." {sbox}.
The Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley: 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Sleep Train Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Road, Concord. $35.75-$125.75. (925) 676-8742. www.livenation.com.
Lee Hildebrand is a freelance writer. E-mail: sadolphson@sfchronicle.com

For those of you who have always wondered, Ben Fong-Torres reports that the twelve most common words used in pop music song titles are:

"love," "baby," "blue," "heart," "night," "girl," "song," "man," "dream," "tonight," "eyes" and "sweet."

I know I'LL sleep better tonight knowing this!!! (kk)

And finally, congratulations to our FH Buddy Chet Coppock on his new gig ... Chicago Radio and Media is reporting:

Chicago sports broadcasting legend Chet Coppock will now seen regularly on WFLD-TV's newscasts. Coppock will join FOX 32's lead sports anchor Lou Canellis on his sports reports three Tuesdays and one Sunday per month. The first occurrence of this will be this coming Tuesday, August 27th.

And, speaking of Chet Coppock, he is now a large contributor to a new website, MajorOnions.com. The Major Onions website covers Chicago sports, entertainment, lifestyle, opinions, and more on a daily basis.

WTG, Chet ... nice touch kicking off your broadcast on my 60th Birthday!!! We'll have to watch MajorOnios.com ... this just may be the new home of our popular Coppock's Topics Series! (kk)

Speaking of "On The Radio" ...

re: ON THE RADIO:

>>>I must thank Uncle Ricky for this wonderful opportunity to be featured on the incomparable "Reel Radio" website and to Bobby Ocean for his fantastic showcasing of my work on his "Bobby's Update Aircheck Channel" for without none of this would be possible. I am, indeed, humbled . . . . ."

(Fade in Overpowering "Time's Up" music here ...) The FAB 40 is determined by actual REEL RADIO listeners and ranked by SHARE of total listening time in the previous week. -- ReelRadio.com is the largest radio show aircheck archive in existence. -http://www.reelradio.com/ (Chuck Buell)

>>>Hmmm ... well, I'd like to think that maybe we helped just a LITTLE bit, too ... probably sending a couple hundred new listeners over to Reel Radio to check out these ... and some of their other amazing clips!!! (kk)

Here's a Big "Thanx to you, Kent" for the mention of my aircheck appearance in the "Reel Radio" Archives in your "Forgotten Hits!" (Or, as we used to say Back in the Day, "Thanx for the Ink!") There's no doubt that what you say is Truth! That many of the "Forgotten Hits" Readers did check it after your comments about it and, in doing so, helped my "ratings" on RR's "Fab Forty!" ~~~ Chuck

You know I was just kidding, right?!?! But seriously, thanks for the thanks ... ALWAYS glad to help in any way we can. (Now wait till you see how many Coke ads we've come up with!!! lol) kk

re: COUNTING THEM DOWN:

An oldies radio tradition ... and it looks like we've got a couple of competing Top 500 Countdowns going on.

Kent ...

Here's a different twist on the old countdown formula.
Frank B.

Click here: Rank The Best Songs From CBS-FM’s Top 500 Labor Day Countdown « WCBS-FM 101.1

I played around with this for a little while ... and the match-ups literally never end. I finally quit after "I Love Rock And Roll" by Joan Jett came up for the 17th time!!! A pretty limited selection here (including at least half a dozen songs I absolutely hate) ... but if it helps them reach their goal, more power to them. Unfortunately, all you're really doing is limiting this year's list to the exact same songs that made LAST year's list ... so where's the adventure (or the variety) there??? (kk)

Meanwhile, we recommend Ron Smith's far-less-biased online poll ...

Click here: Oldies Music - Labor Day 500

And, if you're a Sirius / XM Subscriber you won't want to miss our next special countdown on Lou Simon's '60's Satellite Survey ... just like we did for the 4th of July, we've put together a very special Top 40 of The Highest Debut Records by The Top 100 Artists of the '60's. Using Dann Isbell's book "Ranking The '60's" as our guide, we first determined the Top 100 Artists of the Decade. Then, we looked at each of these artists' debut record on The Hot 100 Chart. Based on the overall chart performance of those debuts, we then calculated The Top 40 Biggest Debuts of the '60's ... a TOTALLY unique countdown that will air EXCLUSIVELY on Lou Simon's Sirius / XM '60's Satellite Survey beginning on Saturday, August 31st (at 2 pm Eastern) and running throughout the Labor Day Weekend with rebroadcasts scheduled for Sunday, September 1st (10 am Eastern), Monday (Labor Day, September 2nd at Noon Eastern) and Wednesday, September 4th at 9 pm Eastern. Be sure to check the '60's Channel Calendar for all the details. (kk)

Click here: Weekly Schedule - '60s on 6 - SiriusXM Radio

Not a Sirius / XM Subscriber? We can help you out with that, too!

Click here: Our Most Popular XM Packages - SiriusXM Radio

By the way, Dann's book is now officially available for purchase at Amazon.com ... this is something you'll definitely want to check out!

Click here: Ranking the '60s: A Comprehensive Listing of the Top Songs and Acts from Pop's Golden Decade: Dann Isbell: 9781492

re: HELPING OUT OUR READERS:

Does anyone remember a comedy record, spoken over music, with a sort of Maynard G. Krebbs type 60's hipster who kept repeating, "Like man, I'm a musician, and I blow drums." Driving me wacko trying to remember this ... and I think I even used to have a copy too. Sheeesh.

And lastly but not leastly, does anyone know the origin of a DJ-only record in which Mel Blanc did one-liners as the various Warner Bros. characters? The format was a knock at the door, a one-liner, then a door slam. Bugs Bunny and Tweety & Sylvester and the rest were all there; but the two I remember most were Porky Pig wanting "a job as a radio an-n-nn-, a radio a-nn-n-nn, a d-dd-d-disc jockey," and Yosemite Sam shouting "Kill the power! Ah cain't stand it no more!!" I've heard it might have been called something like "Run-Ins" or "Run-Throughs," but have never seen a copy "in the wild."

Jim

Anybody out there able to help with this one? (kk)

re: WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED:

Not much response to our "favorite covers" inquiry the other day ... but FH Reader Scott Paton has cast a few votes for The Beach Boys in this department ...

Hi Kent,

Like you, I rarely find remakes as satisfying as the original recordings of songs. But as comparisons of anything artistic are completely subjective in the eye or ear of the beholder, I think the trump card is often held by whatever rendition of a song the listener heard first.

For example, I never heard the Soul Brother Six’s original 1967 version of “Some Kind of Wonderful” until well into the ‘80s. As a result, Grand Funk’s 1976 cover remains definitive for me, although I do know better.

Anyway, when I was a writer for Casey Kasem’s “AT 40,” we did several stories about Johnny Rivers and Linda Ronstadt being the “King and Queen of Hit Remakes.” Nevertheless, I’d be hard-pressed to select any of their covers as the definitive take on the early Rock and Motown tunes they recorded. Linda may have gotten close with her version of Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou,” but that is debatable.

The only act that I feel consistently bettered previous hit chestnuts was the Beach Boys. Doo Wop purists may disagree with me, but Brian and the Boys’ updates of Frankie Lymon’s “Why Do Fools Fall In Love,” the Mystics’ “Hushabye” and the Students’ “I’m So Young” are inarguably stellar. Even “Barbara Ann,” which Carl Wilson so dreaded every night on-stage, makes the Regents’ original sound robotic.

Conversely, while it was nice to have the Beach Boys back on the charts, few would argue that latter-day remakes such as “Rock & Roll Music” and “Hot Fun In the Summertime” eclipsed Chuck Berry and Sly & the Family Stone.

But when it comes to these next four cover versions, the Beach Boys own them lock, stock & barrel:

“Do You Wanna Dance”

More a nod to Del Shannon’s own prior remake than the Bobby Freeman original, Dennis Wilson’s one and only lead vocal on a hit single made this song his for all eternity. Among big brother Brian’s many lauded talents, his ability to assign the lead to the appropriate man among five great singers was unfailingly brilliant.

This recording, once considered a toss-away Top 20 hit, so perfectly captures Dennis’s energy and sex appeal and looms larger today in the Beach Boys’ canon than it did at the time. Live bootlegs from the ‘60s reveal the hysteria Denny’s performance of this tune generated among the teen and pre-teen girls in the audience.

Although buried in a dense Spectorish-sorta mix, Brian’s background vocal arrangement is amazing, as is his stratospheric falsetto. This is one of many examples where Brian’s skills as an arranger are working more subliminally than right in your face.

“Sloop John B.”

The average listener doesn’t know that this Beach Boys classic started out as a Carl Sandberg poem and was previously released in song form by the Weavers and the Kingston Trio.

The Beach Boys pinched their early striped shirts from the Trio, and Al Jardine was and is a big fan of their fellow Capitol Records act. Al’s never really gotten his due for suggesting this song to Brian, who opted to record this amidst the “Pet Sounds” sessions, despite the fact that he was not much of a Kingston Trio fan, finding the group somewhat quaint and soulless.

Still, Brian heard something in the simplicity of the song, which played counterpoint to one of his greatest instrumental tracks and most complex vocal arrangements. One of the truly finest Beach Boys singles.

“I Can Hear Music”

Brian Wilson’s obsession with the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” is legendary. It was and remains his favorite 45. But this remake of a late-in-the-game Ronettes single (I think it peaked at #100 on the Billboard chart in 1966) is strictly a Carl Wilson production.

Cut in 1968 for the Beach Boys’ last album for Capitol Records, the instrumental track is an exercise in spare simplicity — drums, acoustic guitars and piano. But its grandeur emanates from stacks of vocals that would and did make Brian proud of his baby brother. This, in fact, was the first Beach Boys single not to include any participation from the elder Wilson brother.

As such, it was also proof that the other members of the group were now capable of creating sonic masterpieces that rivaled those of their genius, sometime leader. And the majestic lead performance turned in by Carl clearly established him as the finest voice among a peerless vocal ensemble.

“Cottonfields”

The Beach Boys final LP for Capitol, “20/20,” was a hodge-podge of tunes from the vault, recent singles and filler. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a very strong collection, albeit a poor-seller at the time.

With tracks produced by individual members of the group, both Carl and Dennis Wilson made strong showings. While big brother Bri was represented by aborted “Smile” offerings and tunes snatched back from a trio he was producing named Redwood (soon to be re-dubbed Three Dog Night), he did find time to tackle a remake of an old folk classic.

“Cottonfields” was written and first recorded by Huddie Ledbetter, best-known as “Leadbelly,” in 1940. In the intervening years, it became something of a folk standard, as dozens of other artists added it to their repertoires. Brian Wilson’s take on it, featuring Al Jardine on the lead, never quite escaped a languid, mid-tempo beat.

Feeling that the track was “under-produced,” Al convinced the band to re-record an uptempo take on the tune during one of the Beach Boys’ rehearsal sessions. The group members were augmented by a few sessions musicians, most notably Red Rhodes on pedal steel guitar, which gave the track a decidedly more country feel.

“Cottonfields,” Version Two, became the Beach Boys final single for Capitol Records. And while it stiffed in the U.S., it became a Top Ten hit throughout much of the world, even topping the charts in many European countries.

A modified Brian Wilson arrangement with a more dynamic production courtesy of Al Jardine, this is a brilliant Beach Boys single and a great bookend to “Sloop John B.”

These four remakes certainly eclipse the original recordings.

Regards,

Scott Paton

The Beach Boys' recording of "I Can Hear Music" is, without a doubt, one of my absolute favorites by them. A GREAT recording that I crank up every time it comes on. (I even like the country version they recorded with Kathy Troccoli for their "Stars And Stripes" CD ... by far the strongest track on the disk.) And I would agree that "Do You Wanna Dance", "Sloop John B" (also recorded by Jimmie Rodgers by the way) and "Barbara Ann" deserve a spot on this list as well. ("Cottonfields"? "Why Do Fools Fall In Love"? Maybe not so much ... and quite honestly I don't need to EVER hear their version "Rock And Roll Music" again!!!)

Anybody else got some favorite remakes they want to share? (kk)

re: MORE MUSIC MERGERS:

How about Peter Paul and Mary Wells

Peter and Gordon Lightfoot

Chad and Jeremy Piven

Jackie Wilson Pickett

Stevie Ray Wonder

Styx and Stones

Elvis Presley Costello

Carly Simon and Garfunkel

Buddy Guy Lombardo

Freddy and the Dreamers and the Flock

A Flock of Byrds

re: THE SONNY GERACI BENEFIT CONCERT:

Hey Kent -

Wanted to let you know that The Rip Chords have been added to the Sonny Geraci Benefit Concert taking place in November in Ohio. We're looking forward to being there, and helping with Sonny's cause. He is a living legend, and we're honored to be there. Thanks to Rae and Dennis Tufano for putting this show together!

Mitch Schecter

That's great news, Mitch. We're still kicking around the idea of bringing the show to Chicago, too ... a GREAT chance to help raise money for Sonny's medical bills as well as an opportunity for the artists to add a second midwest gig to their itinerary and help control some of the traveling expense. (Plus that would mean I'd finally get the chance to see you guys!!!) I'll keep you posted. (kk)

Dennis Tufano tells us that a few more acts have been booked ... and several others are trying to rearrange their schedules in order to participate ... so watch more future updates.

Currently on board:

Dennis Tufano (The Buckinghams), Terry Sylvester (The Hollies), Ron Dante (The Archies), Johnny Farino (Santo and Johnny), Jim Gold (Gallery), Jimy Sohns (The Shadows Of Knight), The Rip Chords, Pat Upton (The Spiral Starecase) and The 1910 Fruit Gum Company. The concert is scheduled for November 15th and 16th at The Z-Plex in Streetsboro, Ohio and tickets are $35 per person. Interested artists can contact us and we'll be happy to pass the information along.

Also, artists unable to attend due to scheduling conflict are encouraged to donate some autographed memorabilia to be sold at auction to help raise funds for Sonny's medical bills. Again, keep watching these pages for more details. (kk)

re: OTHER SHOWS:

Yay Kent,

Finally, a concert! And a great one, too! Last night The Buckinghams made it (after an air delay from Arkansas) to The Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun. We had to stand in line an extra hour to let them plug everything in and do a quick sound-check, but then we were seated. My friend and I ended up front and center between Carl and Nick. (side-note: standing in line to see the 60's, in your 60's, takes a tougher toll on your body than it did when you were 13 ... just sayin') The first couple songs had me worried ... not because they weren't good ... but because Carl's mic wasn't loud enough. BUT the awesome crew at The Den soon fixed that situation, and the show magnified in intensity. All The Bucks' songs were there, but this solo appearance gave Carl, Nick, Dave Zane, Bruce and Bruce (Rocky); a chance to rock some other great oldies but goodies. Since Carl and Nick had appeared in the last three Happy Together Tours, they sang a tribute to the entertainers, past and present, who have toured with them. Too many other great memories to put in print, but I am proud to say that Carl and Nick are using Dave and his abilities to their advantage to make these shows more than our expectations are. A very quick introduction in the autograph line and we were off to recap and eat. Later, I went into the computer lounge to type Facebook updates and reviews, and Carl walks in ... what me nervous? As I'm typing about him, and he wants to read over my shoulder? OH YES!! So Carl, this piece was typed the next morning at the same computer where I left you last night. Gotcha!

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

Kent, both Carl and I remarked how nice you are. :-)

I will be sitting in at Jimmy Vivino's Rockabilly Revue at BB Kings in NYC along with Robert Gordon, Johnny A, Lee Rocker, Anton Fig and probably more 9/7. Come on down and slide back to the 50's with us!

By the way, the Michael Bloomfield box set I have just spent a year working on will be out in January, 2014.

Sincerely,

@l k%per

With Forgotten Hits readers all over the world, we're happy to help promote Bob Lind's upcoming European tour. And, if any of you DO happen to catch any of these shows, please report back to us ... and let Bob know that you heard about it in Forgotten Hits! (kk)

I'm sending this to everyone -- even those of you on this side of The Pond.

One never knows who will be where when.

To my Brit and Spanish friends and fans, and anyone who may happen to be in Spain or the U.K. in late August or early September:

In one week I'll be leaving for Europe. Six shows in England; Three in Spain.

More specifically:

U. K.

Friday, Aug. 30 = Dorset (End of the Road Festival)

Monday, Sept. 2 = Brighton (The Greys)

Tuesday, Sept. 3 = London (The Slaughtered Lamb)

Wednesday, Sept. 4 = Sheffield (The Greystones)

Thursday, Sept. 5 = Winchester (The Railway)

Friday, Sept 6 = Bristol (The Grain Barge)

SPAIN

Thursday, Sept 12 = Bilbao (Colegio de Abogados)

Friday, Sept 13 = Madrid (Siroco)

Saturday, Sept 14 = Madrid (Radiocity Discos) show and signing.

Those are the broad strokes. For specifics on venue locations, ticket sales and other info, please consult the Gigs Page of my web site: http://boblind.com/gigs/

Hope to see a whole slew of you there.

Yers,
Bob Lindwww.boblind.com

re: THE 60's START TUESDAY, AUGUST 27th IN FORGOTTEN HITS:

Well, MY 60s anyway!!! Which means that over the next 60 days or so, we'll be sharing specialmemories and moments of the '60's ... and we invite YOU to contribute, too! We'll kick it off on Tuesday ... only in Forgotten Hits!

And don't forget ... on Monday in Forgotten Hits: It's our review of The Happy Together Show, performed at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois, last Friday Night. We were there and we'll tell you all about it ... plus we might even have a photo or two to share.

ALSO COMING UP: A couple of REALLY cool Forgotten Hits Interviews. Be sure to check the website regularly ... you NEVER know what you're going to find here!!!

↧

Happy Together, 2013

August 26, 2013, 4:00 am

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≪ Previous: The Sunday Comments ( 08 - 25 - 13 )

We were fortunate enough to attend this year's Happy Together Concert at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL, Friday Night ... ALWAYS a guaranteed, jam-packed evening of great music, fun and merriment ... housed in beautifully renovated surroundings. (Howard Kaylan even commented from the stage about how much they LOVE coming back to The Paramount, as it's one of the nicest theaters they play on this tour every year ... he then reiterated those comments to me backstage after the show ... they love the look, the sound, the feel ... just the whole atmosphere of performing there.)

And they played to a full house Friday Night. In fact, The Happy Together Tour has been playing to sold out, full houses all across the country this year. The guys have expanded the tour to include 60 dates this time around so that more fans can come out and see them and they are turning out in droves ... TRUE '60's music lovers, most of whom grew up listening to this music ... and not only have these fans stayed loyal to these artists, but a second and third generation of '60's music fans are now coming along for the joy ride as well.

Every year, The Turtles assemble four other artists to come out and perform their hits ... they mix it up each year ... this one drops out, this one gets added, always careful to present a different show each time you see them. (In fact, plans for Happy Together 2014 are already in the works!) Then they put these artists center stage in front of a stellar back-up band (who have now been with them for seven years) and create a night of non-stop fun and music ... and this year was no exception. (Kudos to these musicians ... led by musical directorGodfrey Townsend [guitar and keyboards],Steve Murphy [drums],Manny Focarazzo [keyboards] and John Montagna [bass guitar], these guys have these songs down ... and, to quote Howard Kaylan, "they all sing like angels.")

Leading off the bill Friday Night was Gary Lewis, who first performed on The Happy Together Tour back in the 1980's. We got to know Gary a little bit better this year as he participated with us in some of the feature articles we did on The Playboys. Of all the artists performing there Friday Night, I would have to say that Gary seemed to MOST appreciate the fact that there is still an audience for this music. I sense that (unlike many other artists of the day who have, at one time or another, denounced the music they made back then for one reason or another), Gary TRULY believes that these were GREAT songs and that he was fortunate enough to have been the one to record them. He almost seems bewildered by his success!

But the statistics don't lie ... between 1965 and 1968, Gary Lewis and the Playboys scored 14 Top 40 Hits, including NINE that made it all the way into The Top Ten. And he performed a good chunk of them Friday Night ... everything from Forgotten Hits like "Green Grass" and "My Heart's Symphony" to fan favorites like "Everybody Loves A Clown", "Save Your Heart For Me", "Count Me" and "Sure Gonna Miss Her" to absolute smashes like "She's Just My Style" and his #1, out-of-the-box hit "This Diamond Ring", still one of my all-time favorite songs from the '60's.

He told some entertaining stories between songs including one about a young 20 year old female reporter who interviewed him recently and then, during the course of the interview, commented on how much she loved his music ... and loved his dad, too ... telling Gary that "Great Balls Of Fire" was one of her favorite songs! (Man, how many times have we been down THAT road?!?!?)

Next up ... the always-entertaining Mark Lindsay. Mark mentioned on stage how he got to go through the 60's twice ... first as an artist ... and then again in the age department (something WE'RE now faced with doing starting tomorrow!!! I still can't believe it!) He also commented on how he was "fortunate to have sung the lead vocal on EVERY single hit that Paul Revere and the Raiders ever had" ... and then gave us a good, solid sampling ... "Steppin' Out", "Just Like Me", "Hungry", "Kicks", "Good Thing" as well as The Raiders' only official #1 Hit (how is THAT possible?!?!?) "Indian Reservation", which got the whole crowd out of their seats.

Lindsay was with The Happy Together Tour a couple of years ago and, in my mind, stole the show. Back then his set seemed far too short ... I get the whole "leave 'em wanting more" concept but it just seemed like there was SO much more he could have done. Not the case this year ... Mark (who can still kick his leg up INCREDIBLY high in the air for a 71 year old man, a fact he demonstrated several times during the show!) gave us a good, solid set, talked about his brand new CD and also told a few entertaining stories about rock and roll life back in the day.

For me, he also provided one of the two concert highlights of the evening ... a spot-on rendition of his Top Ten Solo Hit "Arizona". I swear there were moments in that performance where you couldn't tell if you were listening to Mark singing in 2013 or 1970 ... it was that good.

Gary Puckett entertained us next, back for his second straight Happy Together Tour appearance. Now this column has pointed out before that NOBODY out there can over-sing a song the way that Gary Puckett can ... and that on some occasions it's been almost painful to hear him destroy the melodies of some songs that we hold so near-and-dear to our hearts. Gary seemed a little more restrained this time around (although he still had his moments ... my all-time favorite Union Gap song has always been "This Girl Is A Woman Now" and it was almost unrecognizable due to the extended phrasing executed Friday Night), but there's no denying the booming power this man still possesses in his voice. (We were "fortunate" enough to have a guy sitting behind us who I quickly dubbed "Gary Jr" who seemed to feel the need to sing ... VERY loudly I might add ... along with every single one of Gary's hits. As if that wasn't painful and distracting enough, he sang the songs at the pacing of the hit records, which only amplified the fact even more so that Gary doesn't "stick to the charts" when performing his hits, circa 2013. It was like listening to out-of-sync, very badly rechanneled stereo!)

Gary had the crowd up on their feet when he saluted all of the military vets in the audience and then sang a special song (the only non-hit performed the entire evening) that he dedicated to them. Puckett even has a spot on his website (Click here: The Official Gary Puckett Union Gap Website) that offers support and benefits for our veterans who, Gary very proudly ... and rightfully ... points out have insured OUR freedom for SO many years. If somewhat calculated, it certainly made for a poignant moment during the concert ... and I believe that he is a sincere supporter. The crowd's reaction provided a very emotional experience.

After a short break, it was time for newcomer Chuck Negron to take the stage. THIS was the guy we wanted to see this year ... especially having just seen Cory and Danny a few weeks ago in Elk Grove Village. I had not seen Chuck since the Three Dog Night tours of the '70's ... a couple of times he came through town performing with Blood, Sweat and Tears but we were unable to attend ... so I was really looking forward to seeing what he was going to do.

The answer was simple ... the hits, baby, the hits ... and Three Dog Night had a TON of them ... 21 straight Top 40 Hits in fact, including SEVEN #1 Records ... and he performed most of those Friday Night ... "One", "Shambala", "Mama Told Me Not To Come" and, of course, his signature song, "Joy To The World". He also did "Celebrate" and a kick-ass version of "Eli's Coming" that Frannie ranked as HER musical highlight moment of the evening.

What he DIDN'T do were the songs that his voice is most associated with ... and that really surprised me. Chuck-centric hits like "Easy To Be Hard", "An Old Fashioned Love Song" and "Pieces Of April" were conspicuously absent from the set list. THESE are the songs that defined Chuck's role in the group ... (I would have killed to hear him sing "Sunrise" one more time, too!) ... so I was a bit surprised and disappointed that he didn't steer things a bit more into his own wheelhouse. (Maybe the restraints of an ensemble performance like this had something to do with it ... I'm sure he pushes the envelope a bit farther during his solo shows.)

When we saw the Two-Dog version of Three Dog Night a few weeks ago, I commented that they put on a very solid show ... but that on a couple of occasions the vocals were lacking where Chuck really took center-stage and filled things in. (You'll find that review here: Click here: Forgotten Hits: Three Dog Night)   As such it was odd to hear Chuck perform hits like "Shambala" and "Mama Told Me Not To Come" as these are songs that he had very little to do with vocally. That being said, he did perform excellent versions of both hits.

Chuck and I had the chance to visit a little bit after the show (see picture below) and I've got to tell you that he looks GREAT! He, too, is now 71 years old, but you would NEVER know it to look at him. Chuck is in the process of putting together a brand new CD (we told you last week about hitting his target and raising the funds through his Kickstarter campaign) which will include three previously unreleased Three Dog Night tracks as well as a bunch of new material ... so we're all really looking forward to that.

And lastly, closing up the show (Howard Kaylan made it clear to me that they are NOT the headliners ... simply the ring-leaders and masters of ceremony who bring us the event ... and that if there WAS a headliner this time around, it had to be Chuck because this was his first time on the tour) were The Turtles.

These guys always put on an entertaining and energetic show and this one was no exception. Coming out to "Gangnam Style", followed by their unison comment "Look what they've done to our music, man!!!", the fun never stopped. Again we were treated to a barrage of hits ... kicking off with "She'd Rather Be With Me", "You Baby" and a "No-No-No" sing-along to "It Ain't Me, Babe", The Turtles came at us with a flurry, but still delivered on Mark Volman's promise to "get you home in time to take your medications". (lol) Volman looked great, by the way, sporting an almost Frank Zappa-ish goatee ... OMG, can you imagine having THIS guy as your college professor?!?!? Could school have EVER been more fun than this?!?!?

I've seen these guys close to twenty times now and every show's been a winner.  And I will state for the record that, without question, even after twenty shows, this was BY FAR the best I have EVER heard them perform one of my personal favorites, "You Showed Me". It, along with the previously mentioned "Arizona" by Mark Lindsay were, for me, the pinnacle concert moments. The Turtles also did their Top Five Hit "Elenore" and then, of course, their signature tune ... and the song that has kept this whole thing going for nearly 50 years ... "Happy Together".

Once again, rather than an encore, they brought out each performing artist to reprise a snippet of one of their hits before all joining in together to sing the "bomp-bomp-bomp"'s of "Happy Together" one last time.

All in all, an incredibly fun night of entertainment ... and WELL worth the price of admission to see. A lot of the shows they did this year were festivals and state fairs so we felt fortunate to see the show in such a beautiful, "controlled" environment. The tour is winding down and there are just a few dates left ... NINE to be exact, counting tonight's show in Mitchell, SD ... so if The Happy Together Tour is headed out your way and you don't have tickets yet, do yourself a favor and order them now ... you will NOT be disappointed.

REMAINING DATES:
Tonight - Sunday, August 25th - The Corn Palace - Mitchell, SD
Tomorrow Night, Monday, August 26th - The Minnesota State Fair - St. Paul, MN

Tuesday, August 27th (my 60th birthday ... I know, I know ... but I just CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!) - The Sanford Center - Bemidji, MN

Wednesday, August 28th - The McPhillips Station Casino - Winnipeg, MB

Friday, August 30th - The Little River Casino Resort - Manistee, MI

Saturday, August 31st - The Woodstock Fair - South Woodstock, CT

Sunday, September 1st - The New York State Fair - Syracuse, NY

Saturday, October 5th - The All Seasons Arena - Minot, ND

Friday, October 18th - The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre - Branson, MO

Chuck Negron and yours truly, backstage after the show
after an incredible night of musical entertainment

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The 60s Start Today in Forgotten Hits!

August 27, 2013, 4:23 am

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≪ Previous: Happy Together, 2013

Well, MY 60s anyway!!!

It is with complete and total disbelief that I announce that today I am turning 60 ...

I truly CANNOT believe it!

I don't feel it in any way, shape or form ...

Not physically ... not mentally ... most days I still feel 25 (although I will admit that it's a bit tougher to get out of bed in the morning ... and some of these 14 hour work-days kick my ass) ... but overall, in heart and in spirit, I don't think I feel at all like a 60-year old ... or at least what the perception of a 60 year old man should feel like.

When I was born, my grandfather (born in 1900) was 53 years old ... and I was his first-born grand child. As such, I only ever knew him as an "old man". Every memory ... every photograph ... grandpa always looked old. He was completely gray (white actually) and I guess that this image is what helped mold what a "grandpa" was supposed to look like in my mind. (And let's face it ... back then, 50 was OLD!!!)

Thankfully, I can report that I do NOT look like that. I don't dress that way ... I don't act that way ... I am fortunate enough to still have a full head of hair ... and it's brown, not gray ... I'm still somewhat energetic and want to go out and do things ... I'm still (obviously) VERY involved with the music and times I grew up in ... all in all, we turned out to be pretty much polar opposites. Grandpa lived to be 99 ... he JUST missed his 100th birthday, a milestone he was bound and determined to reach ... but his failing health got the better of him and he fell short by a couple of months. Too bad ... I was really rooting for him!

Honestly, I can't imagine another 40 years ... but then I pass billboards that say things like "One out of Three babies born today will live to be over 100 years old" or "The first person to live to be 150 years old is alive today" and I wonder ... and I cannot help but think ... "Oh God, PLEASE don't let it be me!!!" (lol)

Anyway, in honor of this personal milestone ... and in honor of my favorite decade in music ... over the next 60 days we'll be periodically saluting the '60's ... the music, the memories, the events ... quite honestly, ANYTHING you guys want to talk about. (Because we have so many other things planned we've had to make this a recurring theme ... but there are all kinds of fun things to look forward to ... so we're hoping that you'll join us regularly, stick around, check back from time to time and tell a friend.)

Way back when, Forgotten Hits started out as an emailed newsletter, mailed through my AOL Email Address of The60sShop ... well, folks, the 60's have returned!

It's official ...

The 60s start today ... in Forgotten Hits!!!

1967
(August 27th to be exact)

My all-time favorite year in music is 1967 ... that was MY year ... EVERYTHING just seemed to fall into place that year ... every time I turned on the radio I was hearing some new sound that completely captivated me. I honestly believe that I would have a tough time narrowing things down to my Top 200 Favorite Songs of 1967 ... that list would be too restrictive ... so I don't even try.

However, we CAN look back at August 27th, 1967, just to see what was happening musically on my 14th birthday.

The #1 song in America was "Ode To Billie Joe" by Bobbie Gentry, holding down the top spot from the week before. (It would stay at #1 for two more weeks.)

The highest Top 40 chart debut that week was "Higher And Higher" by Jackie Wilson, which jumped from #45 to #27. The Top 40 was filled with some of the biggest names of the era ... The Beatles ("All You Need Is Love", #2), The Supremes (now officially Diana Ross and the Supremes for the very first time), with "Reflections" at #3, The Doors ("Light My Fire", #4), Aretha Franklin ("Baby I Love You", #5), The Monkees (holding down both the #8 and the #11 spot with their two-sided hit "Pleasant Valley Sunday" / "Words"), The Beach Boys ("Heroes and Villains", #12), Neil Diamond ("Thank The Lord For The Night-Time", #13) and The Hollies (sitting at #18 with "Carrie Anne"). Yes, many of the biggest names of the decade were well-represented on this singular chart.

We had a couple of early '60's hold-overs like Bobby Vee ("Come Back When You Grow Up", #6) as well as Chicago's own Buckinghams (#31 with "Mercy Mercy Mercy"). Motown was well represented by The Temptations and Stevie Wonder (both in The Top Ten with "You're My Everything" and "I Was Made To Love Her" respectively) and other '60's Soul Artists like James Brown and Wilson Pickett also had a foot-hold on this week's chart.

Good-time, fun rock was there, too, courtesy of The Turtles ("You Know What I Mean"), Paul Revere and the Raiders ("I Had A Dream") and Tommy James and the Shondells ("Gettin' Together"). The British Invasion continued to hold on with hits by Eric Burdon and the Animals, The Tremeloes, Donovan, The Bee Gees and a brand new group making the US Chart for the very first time with a sound that was damn-near symphonic ... "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harum ... still one of my absolute favorite songs of all time.

The recently reunited Rascals were still "Young" and sitting at #17 with "A Girl Like You" (my all-time favorite by them) and a remake of their earlier hit "Groovin'" was back on the charts, thanks to a soulful instrumental version by Booker T and the MG's. Speaking of instrumentals, our FH Buddy Davie Allan was knocking on the door just outside The Top 40 door with "Blues' Theme" (#41) ... and The Top 40 also included the latest folk / rock hits by Simon and Garfunkel ("Fakin' It"), Peter, Paul and Mary ("I Dig Rock And Roll Music") and The Mamas and the Papas ("Twelve Thirty"), as well as hot new numbers courtesy of Frankie Valli ("Can't Take My Eyes Off You"), Dionne Warwick ("The Window Of The World") and The Grass Roots ("Things I Should Have Said"). Novelty-wise, there was a "little" chart action ... both "Little Old Wine Drinker, Me" by Dean Martin and "Little Ole Man" by Bill Cosby were climbing up the charts! These two guys bridged any generation gap ... they flat-out appealed to EVERYBODY. Yes, an interesting time in music indeed!

The #1 Album in the country? "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". (Birthdays don't get much better than that, do they?!?!?) The Beatles had turned the world on its ear with their latest creation ... and this album not only sat on top of the LP Chart for 15 weeks, but it also changed the way that albums were made and perceived forever more.

Here in Chicago, The Cryan' Shames held on to the top spot for their fourth and final week with "It Could Be We're In Love", another personal all-time favorite.

Other local hits burning up The WLS Super Summer Survey (but virtually ignored nationally) were "Take Me Back" by The Flock (#12), Lonely Drifter (#18) by Pieces of Eight and "Run, Run, Run" by Third Rail (#19), all solid Top 20 Hits here in Chi-Town.

Watch for more looks back at the '60's over the next 60 days ... and please feel free to share some of YOUR memories with us, too ... 'cause that's what we're all about.

Hey, what do you think about this shirt? Awesome, isn't it??? My daughter and son-in-law put this one together for me for my 60th birthday present ... pretty cool, huh? I totally dig it! ("Rockin' Strong Since 1953" ... I love it!) Rockin' in the cradle ... rockin' thru the '50's, '60's and '70's ... and now in the rocking chair ... but it's all good. We've got a lifetime of memories to share ... and I know you guys do, too ... so bring it on ... let's make this a 60's Celebration!!!

A few more favorites ...

To this day, STILL one of my all-time favorite Stevie Wonder songs!

No, The Turtles didn't do this one last weekend at The Happy Together Show ... or "She's My Girl" either for that matter ... but STILL one of my all-time favorites. (Howard also never referred to themselves as "The Full-Blown Somethings" on stage ... but I still loved the show anyway!) lol

Still one of my very favorite Forgotten Hits by these guys ... I just LOVE this song!

More to come ... stay tuned!

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'60's MUSIC

August 28, 2013, 4:00 am

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≪ Previous: The 60s Start Today in Forgotten Hits!

That was Scott Shannon having a little fun with us on my birthday ... these clips went out from coast to coast and around the world yesterday on his True Oldies Channel. Thanks, Scott ... I appreciate it!

***

'60's Music was a melting pot of styles unlike anything else we'd ever seen before or since. It was, without question, the most exciting and evolving period in pop music history ... and remarkably, ALL of this music coexisted side by side ... and nobody thought a thing about it.

Early in the decade you had some of the late '50's hold-overs still scoring well on the charts ... artists like Ricky (now Rick) Nelson, The Everly Brothers, Connie Francis and Brenda Lee. Elvis was out of the Army ... but was recording more mainstream pop music now. (His biggest hits of 1960/1961 were "It's Now Or Never", "Are You Lonesome Tonight", "Surrender" and "Can't Help Falling In Love".) He even had a whole new "cleaned-up" look ... and instead of trying to be the next brooding James Dean in the movies, was making lightweight musical fare like "G.I. Blues" and "Blue Hawaii". Nevertheless, he remained a top box office draw throughout most of the decade.

The Bandstand / Philly Sound was in high gear thanks to dance hits by Chubby Checker and Dee Dee Sharp as well as hits by Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and others. We had The West Coast Sound of The Beach Boys, The East Coast Sound of The Four Seasons ... and even the Midwest was well represented thanks to the brand new sounds coming out of Detroit by way of Motown.

And then The British Invasion started and music would never be the same. Suddenly ANYTHING British was in fashion and these sounds dominated the charts. (England swung ... like a pendulum do!) Surf Music ... the whole Folk Era ... all of this soon gave way to heavier, underground (FM) music and the early baby-steps of Hard Rock. There were Country Cross-Over Hits for artists like Glen Campbell as well as HUGE hits for R&B / Soul Stars like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and James Brown, who were soon scoring on the pop charts as well. By 1967/1968, you had sounds as diverse as psychedelia and bubblegum both competing for chart space. It was an INCREDIBLE decade of music.

We'll look back at all of these trends over the next 60 days or so as Forgotten Hits Salutes The '60's.

Time to clear out the cobwebs ... we want to hear from you ... let's talk '60's Music! Drop us a line at forgottenhits@aol.com and share your memories with our group.

Hey, Kent, light up the candles ... 60 is the new 59. Don't worry about a damn thing.
Meanwhile, '68 was my teenage summer of rock and funk.
Every time I flipped on the car radio I was diggin' The Stones, "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Do it Again" by the Beach Boys and Jimi's stunning cover of Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower."
When I think about Hendrix, one given Sunday truly comes to mind. My pal Alan Weintraub and I were in the Civic Opera House to see Jimi with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, the "Jimi Hendrix Experience."
The show was overwhelming ... and is as vividly strong today as it was 45 years ago. The Soft Machine opened the bill and Jerry G. Bishop (my buddy Svengoolie at WFLD a few years later) was the emcee.
Later that night, A-dub and I turned up at a very small party in Old Town for Jimi and his band mates where the atmosphere was permeated by the rich smell of ganja.
"Oh, but are you experienced ... have you ever been experienced ... not just stone but beautiful ... "
Jimi Hendrix.
And parents today think Miley Cyrus is outrageous?
WVON was billing like crazy. Herb Kent was appointment radio as were E. Rodney Jones and Bill "Butterball" Crane. I was groovin' at the Regal Theater and Pervis Spann's Club Boogaloo almost every week. Man, what I would give to go back and relive one month of THE summer of '68.
Chet Coppock
Host: Notre Dame Football-WLS
Host: Chicago Blackhawks Heritage Series
Contributor: video and print for Chicago Bears

No doubt about it, '68 was great, too ... here's what I'm talking about when I speak of the diversity of music back then ... all coming out of the same radio station.

During my birthday week circa 1968 you heard the heavy sounds of "Born To Be Wild" by Steppenwolf, "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors, "Sunshine Of Your Love" by Cream and the incredibly trippy Vanilla Fudge version of the old Motown hit, "You Keep Me Hangin' On". Every one of those records were in Billboard's Top Ten ... and creeping up from just outside The Top Ten were "Hush" by Deep Purple, "Journey To The Center Of The Mind" by The Amboy Dukes, "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan, "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" by Status Quo and "Magic Bus" by The Who. It was as if the seeds for FM Radio were planted that very week.

Yet playing right along side these songs on your AM dial you could find the blue-eyed soul of The Rascals doing "People Got To Be Free" (#1), the Jose Feliciano folk / jazz remake of "Light My Fire" (#3), country corn courtesy of Jeannie C. Riley, who sat at #7 (jumping up from #81 the week before!) with "Harper Valley P.T.A.", the sultry big-band sound of The Vogues ("Turn Around, Look At Me", #11), bubblegum music by The 1910 Fruit Gum Company and The Ohio Express (with "1,2,3 Red Light" and "Down At Lulu's" respectively), more smooth jazz with Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66, thanks to their version of The Beatles' tune "Fool On The Hill", an old time standard by Mama Cass ("Dream A Little Dream Of Me") as well as the one-of-a-kind sound of "Classic Gas" by Mason Williams who, despite being an INCREDIBLY gifted classical guitarist, was ALSO the heady comedy writer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour!!!

Heady times indeed ... The Beach Boys were back, returning to their old sound with "Do It Again", Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart were telling us all about their favorite girlfriend, "Alice Long", Ray Stevens played it straight with "Mr. Businessman", The Moody Blues won me over with "Tuesday Afternoon" and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap provided a soundtrack that teenagers and their parents could BOTH enjoy at the very same time with "Lady Willpower". Great times ... Great music! (kk)

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Article 0

August 29, 2013, 4:31 am

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6 from the '60's
(aka A CONVOLUTED SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, '60's STYLE ... aka A '60's LOOK AT MIDWEST ROCK)

It all starts here with a kid named Gary Schelton out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In 1961, he changes his name to Troy Shondell and scores a Top Ten Hit with his very first chart record, "This Time". That record went all the way to #1 here in Chicago where it got a HELL of a lot of airplay and became a huge hit.

Incredibly, kids in the Midwest hearing that record think that "Shondell" is such a cool name that TWO bands spring up at the same time, calling themselves "The Shondells".

One was led by a kid out of Niles, Michigan, named Tommy Jackson ... who changed HIS name to Tommy James. In 1963, his group The Shondells recorded a song that they found on the B-Side of an old Raindrops 45 called "Hanky Panky" for the local Snap Records label. They sold copies at some of their live shows and it got a little bit of airplay on the local radio stations but, for the most part, the record went absolutely nowhere ... until a disc jockey in Pennsylvania started playing it on his show. When he did, the song exploded and Tommy James had to move to the East Coast, put together a brand new band of Shondells (the others had long since broken up) in order to tour in support of the record and record some new material. In the process, they became one of the biggest acts of the '60's.

Meanwhile, that left a bunch of young teenagers in Berwyn, Illinois, with a problem. They were now going to have to change THEIR name from "The Shondells" to something else. Studying the William Shakespear play "Julius Caesar" in school, the band zeroed in on the whole "Beware The Ides Of March" theme ... and suddenly rechristened themselves "The Ides Of March". Their BIGGEST hit would come in 1970 when "Vehicle" topped the charts all over the country ... but in 1966 they released one of MY favorite hits of the '60's, "You Wouldn't Listen".

Speaking of William Shakespear, he wrote a few other things you may have heard of ... including a little ditty called "Romeo And Juliet". (You didn't REALLY think I was going to say "Jack And Diane", did you?!?!?) Another group out of the Midwest ... Michigan this time ... called The Reflections took their up-tempo pop love song "(Just Like) Romeo And Juliet" into the Top Ten right at the upstart of The British Invasion in 1964 ... and this one STILL sounds great every time it comes on the radio. A true '60's classic.

Speaking of Michigan ... and "Reflections" ... Motown Records, "The Sound Of Young America" out of Detroit, carved out a HUGE piece of musical pie for themselves in the '60's, dominating the charts throughout the decade with hit after hit after hit. Perhaps their most successful act of this era was The Supremes, who in 1967, changed their name to Diana Ross and the Supremes and recorded this soulful slice of psychedelia, "Reflections", yet another HUGE Top Ten Hit for the group.

And finally, while Motown may have been the music of choice in Detroit in the '60's, it wasn't the ONLY music being played up there. A young man by the name of Bob Seger scored his very first Top 40 Hit in 1968 with a GREAT track called "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man". It would be nearly ten years before he'd have another one ... but Seger has gone on to become one of the best-known, best-loved ambassadors of rock and roll ... one of our elder statesmen, if you will, who is still packing them in today.

Six great songs from the '60's ... all of which (if you stretch things far enough) have something to do with one another ... all of which are featured today in Forgotten Hits ... as the '60's continue during our very special salute.

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The Friday Flash

August 30, 2013, 5:04 am

≫ Next: It Feels Like The First Time: 1968

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re: COUNTIN' 'EM DOWN:
We've been Livin' in the '60's all week long here in Forgotten Hits ... and you won't want to miss THIS Salute to the '60's, coming up this weekend ...
All Labor Day Weekend long the '60's Channel on Sirius / XM will be counting down The Top 40 Debut Hits of the '60's on Lou Simon's '60's Satellite Survey program. It'll air on Saturday, August 31st from 2 - 4 pm, on Sunday, September 1st, from 10 am - Noon and on Monday (Labor Day), September 2nd, from Noon - 2 pm ... with a special encore performance on Wednesday, September 4th, from 9 pm - 11 pm. (All times Eastern)
This VERY SPECIAL COUNTDOWN was put together with the help of Lou Simon (who hosts the program) and Dann Isbell (who wrote the book, "Ranking the '60's"). We took the biggest artists of the decade and then calculated the points earned by their very first charted record. Those points then determined The Top 40 Biggest Debut Hits of the '60's ... a truly unique countdown that you won't want to miss! Subscribe to Sirius / XM Radio here: Click here: Our Most Popular XM Packages - SiriusXM Radio
Pick up a copy of Dann's EXCELLENT book here: Click here: Ranking the '60s: A Comprehensive Listing of the Top Songs and Acts from Pop's Golden Decade: Dann Isbell: 9781492
And please be sure to check our website on Monday (Labor Day) when we'll post the entire Top 40 for any of you unable to hear Lou count 'em down this weekend. (kk)

We'll be havinga very special countdown of our own next week, too ... kicking off right after Labor Day ... and once again in conjunction with Dann Isbell's book ... we'll be taking a look at The Top 100 Hits of the British Invasion, 1964/1965 by the artists who first captured our hearts way back when. (Yes, you'll find a LOT of Beatles tunes here ... but lots of OTHER favorites as well!) We'll give you the whole lowdown on Tuesday ... and then countdown 20 tracks per day throughout the rest of the week. Check back often to see where some of YOUR favorites finished. (In fact, we'll be running straight through the long, holiday weekend ... look for a very special Saturday posting tomorrow as well!) kk

And be sure to look for the results to Ron Smith's OldiesMusic.com website (Click here: Oldies Music -- history, trivia and charts of Fifties, Sixties and Seventies music) Labor Day Top 500 ... as voted on by YOU, the oldies music fans out there.
(We slipped Ron a mickey earlier in the week and snuck a peek at the final list ... suffice to say that Rolling Stones fans will be very "satisfied" with this year's #1 Record!!!)

You'll find quite afew other Forgotten Hits favorites on the list, too ... including Bob Lind's "Elusive Butterfly", which came in at #25. (I told Bob and he was THRILLED!)
Ron brings up a good point when he says ...
There was a time when this list was pretty much what oldies stations played. Now it's what the listeners WISH they could hear.
- Ron
It's true ... a measurement of what the fans loved most became the benchmark for programming back in the day ... one look at today's list will raise a few eyebrows, I'm sure.

When I saw TWO songs by The Beatles in The Top Five, I thought, "Wow ... this is going to be a slam dunk for The Fab Four" ... and they did rank three in The Top 20 ... and 17 overall, including "Yesterday" at #500. (You may be surprised by some of the B-Sides that made the list, out-scoring some of their best-known and highest-charting hits.)
You'll also find a nice mix of '50's and early '60's here, too ... old stand-bys like "In The Still Of The Night", "I Only Have Eyes For You", "Since I Don't Have You", "Only You" and "Whispering Bells" all placed in The Top 100.
The complete list is available here:
Click here: Oldies Music - Labor Day 500

And, speaking of Bob Lind, I got this from him after the news about Linda Ronstadt hit the wires last weekend ...

re: LINDA RONSTADT:
Thanks Kent. You never fail to help spread good news for me.
And on the other end of the news spectrum: Still reeling from the Ronstadt story. She's always been such a great singer -- and not just in the "talent" aspect of the word. She was a courageous singer, too. Like Dylan, she refused to get typed. She could easily have let her success with The Stone Poneys keep her locked into the folk bag. But she allowed herself to grow and evolve artistically.
She was the first "pop" singer to release an "American Songbook" album -- way before Rod Stewart and others jumped on the wagon. She did that excellent Spanish language LP. And she's always chosen material that worked for her without regard to what others thought she "ought" to be recording.
This heartbreaking development is hard to take.
All the best,
Bob

re: THIS AND THAT:
That was it?!?!? Seriously?!?!? All the hype for the big N*SYNC reunion and then they sang two lines of two songs under bright lights so blinding you couldn't even see the band?!?!? And all of this wedged in the middle of Justin Timberlakes' truly "fifteen minutes" of fame??? (Honestly, I thought his musical montage would never end!)
Yeah, he won the Vanguard Michael Jackson award ... which is great and all ... even though he hadn't released an album of new music for six years until this past year ... and, as he acknowledged in accepting the award, HALF of the MTV "Moon Men" he has won was with "these guys", Justin's most memorable "Greatest Hit" of the past decade may very well be his "Dick In A Box" performance on Saturday Night Live. Honestly, I can't believe the other members of N*SYNC agreed to it ... but I found it insulting watching from home. Showing a vintage video clip would have just as easily served this purpose (which was to barely acknowledge that this is where Justin started ... jeez, why didn't they just bring out all the kids from The Mickey Mouse Club for a bow, too???)
All hype, no substance. (kk)

Kent,
Thanx so much for the plug. If you want to lift my review on "George Thorogood at Ravinia" for your site, it's up on major onions.  Man, G.T. still has that 12 song set that just tears the cover off the ball ... he was given 11 standing ovations and, sadly, upstaged my man Buddy Guy.When he taps in live with "Who Do You Love", he taps the very heart and soul of rock and roll. By the way, 2014 will mark the anniversary of the first time I went to the old Regal Theater to see James Brown ... over the years, damn, I saw the Temps, Smokey, Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, Gladys Knight and the Four Tops ... I miss those days. Why? I keep all my old bills in a sock in my closet.
Love ya, man ...
Chet
You can catch Chet's full review of the George Thorogood show here:
Click here: George Thorogood: Still Bad, Still Funky, Still Rocking | Major Onions

We've been anxiously awaiting the release of the brand new Beach Boys 6-CD Box Set "Made In California", released (ironically enough) on my 60th Birthday. (May have to treat myself to a present with this one!!!)
Endless Summer Quarterly Head Honcho David Beard tells us ALL about it here ... Click here: The Beach Boys are Made for California - National Beach Boys | Examiner.com

The hit television series "Glee" will pay special homage to The Beatles this season with a double-episode chock full of Beatles music. (Originally there was supposed to be a Paul McCartney episode ... and that may still happen) but, like they have before with artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Britney Spears and Fleetwood Mac, this time around it'll be all about The Fabs. Stay tuned!

>>>On Tuesday, August 27th, I interviewed Melanie, “The First Lady of Woodstock”, prior to a signing of her book “Tales From The Roadburn Café”. Her hits, including the million selling single “Brand New Key”, “Ruby Tuesday”, “The Nickel Song”, “What Have They Done To My Song, Ma” and “Candles In The Rain,” were staples of both Top 40 and Album Oriented Rock radio. Today they are mostly "Forgotten Hits". (Ed Salamon)
>>>We ran a special Melanie mini-series about ten years ago (back when we were still an emailed newsletter) ... maybe we can resurrect that and run it again along with NEW information about her new book.  I'm game if she is! (kk) Kent,
How well I remember that feature ... do you still have it? I would love to see that one again if you decide to re-run it. Ahhh, the great memories : )
Sev
After I talked with Melanie for our Ed Sullivan piece, I dug it out of the archives, hoping I would have the chance to run it again ... only with her commentary this time. And then The Great Computer Crash of 2012 happened and I lost everything ... but I have to believe it's still around here somewhere. With a brand new book to promote, I figure she ought to be primed to run something up the Publicity Tree! We'll see what happens. (kk)

Well if it isn't one problem it is another. Beside my dental problems, my back has been acting up with bouts of sciatica, but that has not deterred me from seeing free music!
Saw Boston at Elk Grove with my younger son Mike, who digs them. Plus it gave us some needed father son quality time with some good r/r. Fran and Anthony Cosmos did justice keeping the legacy of Boston intact. They played all the hits and had the fans rocking!
Yes, I was there to see 2 dog night (as I call them!). Good show ... just not the same without Chuck. Parts of the songs, especially the earlier hits, did not sound the same. I believe they did not attempt to play "Easy To Be Hard".
I sure hope they bring the benefit for Sonny Geraci to Chicago. The last time I saw him was a "Nights Out" concert at Luther North in the city. Great show ... he did all the Outsiders and Climax songs and was a lot of fun.
I can't wait to see Burton Cummings and the Zombies at the Aracada. I've never been there but I hear it is a great venue! This is how we are spending our 30th anniversary ... I promised my wife a good hotel and some great meals, I better come thru on that part! Will you be there?
Speaking of venues much to my surprise the old Gateway theater, now the Copernicus Center is now having rock concerts with Kansas, Pat Benatar Blue Oyster Cult, Foghat , etc., this fall. I really hope they have someone I really like ... I can walk there from my house!
Welcome to the next era of your life the big 60! Good Health and Happiness Always!
AND AS ALWAYS THANKS FOR KEEPING THE MUSIC ALIVE! Mike De Martino
President of the Lovejoy Music Club
I've been living with back pain for almost 25 years now so I can relate. Had surgery back in 1989 which helped a lot ... but I still have my moments!
We skipped the "Boston" show ... it just isn't the same without the REAL guys there. They keep advertising this upcoming show featuring the "former lead singer of Journey" ... yeah right ... if it ain't Steve Perry ... and it ain't ... then it ain't the former lead singer of Journey ... not on the hits anyway!!! (Hey, I sang along in the audience ... does that make ME a former lead singer, too???)
We were there for the Two Dog Night show ... and we thoroughly enjoyed it ... you can find my review on the website if you haven't already seen it. Last Friday Night we saw Chuck Negron as part of The Happy Together Tour ... that review went up on the site this past Monday.
Honestly, between all of them I have to say that today ... 2013 ... Cory Wells has the best voice out of all of them. I thought he was fantastic in Elk Grove ... even in the rain!!!

We're working on trying to bring the Sonny Geraci Benefit Concert here to Chicago ... if it happens, this, too, will be at The Arcada. They've lined up a few interesting acts that you don't get to see every day.
We absolutely can't wait to see Burton. There are lots of very good restaurants near the theater ... everything from Italian to Mexican and more. It's a BEAUTIFUL theater. I am a life-long Burton Cummings / Guess Who fan so I am REALLY looking forward to this show. (Stay tuned ... we just MIGHT have a very special Burton Cummings announcement for you in the next week or two!)
As for rock concerts at the Copernicus Center, that would be GREAT!!! I hadn't heard anything about this but it would make for a GREAT venue for shows like this. (kk)

Hi Kent,
Homespun Tapes has just released my Beach Boys instructional piano video "Rock Piano Classics" for the

first time on DVD. It was originally released in 1994 on VHS. The lesson covers nine well-known

Beach Boys songs and has special introductory comments by Audree and Carl Wilson.

http://www.homespun.com/Styles/rock-n-roll/rock-piano-classics
Hope you and your readers find this of interest.
Here's a YouTube link to the video trailer:
Click here: ? Rock Piano Classics - Hit Songs of the Beach Boys - YouTube
Best,
Billy Hinsche

Without question, one of our favorite artists of the '70's was Jim Croce ... and Sony Special Products has just released
a brand new CD collection of "Lost Recordings", many of which were collected by our long-time FH Reader / Buddy Bill
Hengels. (I remember when Bill first met with Ingrid Croce, Jim's widow, YEARS ago, about getting this material out
into the marketplace.) Well, it took a while but if finally happened. Here is an Amazon.com ordering link:

Click here: Amazon.com: The Lost Recordings: Music

Forgotten Hits was the first to "sneak peek" a previously unreleased Jim Croce song about eight or nine years ago when we spun
"Ball Of Kirriemuir", courtesy of Bill Hengels. This was from before he sold the tapes from this concert to Ingrid Croce.
He tells us that Ingrid has also just released a book on her husband called "I Got A Name: The Jim Croce Story".

Available here:
Click here: I Got a Name: The Jim Croce Story: Ingrid Croce, Jimmy Rock: 9780306821219: Amazon.com: Books

Kent,
The very talented (and forever young looking) Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues has been out on a solo tour.
Well, he's not really touring solo...as in one guy. He's touring with Moody Blues band members Alan Hewitt (keyboards) and Julie Ragins

(keyboards and back-up vocals) as well as an amazing age 20-something guitarist Mike Dawes. Justin just played the very

intimate and amazing Ridgefield Playhouse in Connecticut and, with Justin's great band, it sounded much like a Moody Blues

concert except it was like having him in your living room as the venue holds just 500 people. I was lucky enough to be able

take in the show from a seat just a few inches away from him. The set list was a combination of Moody Blues hits, Justin's

past solo works and songs from his new solo album "Spirits Of The Western Sky."
Here's a video I shot of Justin doing The Moody Blues 1980's classic "Your Wildest Dreams." My thanks to Blake Joblin for
helping put this video together. Justin sounds great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fovjRrnesyo&feature=c4-overview&list=UUu7bkC3DyT-AZLZIMHcrbvwBrad

Photos by Brad Joblin (Exclusive to Forgotten Hits)

re: HAPPY TOGETHER:

>>>Gary Puckett had the crowd up on their feet when he saluted all of the military vets in the audience and then sang

a special song (the only non-hit performed the entire evening) that he dedicated to them. Puckett even has a spot on

his website (Click here: The Official Gary Puckett Union Gap Website) that offers support and benefits for our veterans

who, Gary very proudly ... and rightfully ... points out have insured OUR freedom for SO many years. If somewhat calculated,

it certainly made for a poignant moment during the concert ... and I believe that he is a sincere supporter.
The crowd's reaction provided a very emotional experience.

Did he sing the Mac Davis-penned "Home"?
It's his best non-hit ever, though several come close.

David Lewis

Yep, that's the one. We've seen him do this a few times now ... I didn't realize that Mac Davis wrote that song.

Another one who really plays it up to the vets is Tony Orlando ... always gets a great crowd reaction ... but these

guys deserve it. Far too many of them were scorned when they came back after defending our freedom. (kk)

Hi Kent,

Love your column. I was very interested in reading your review of Chuck Negron's appearance at the Happy

Together tour in Aurora. I am reading his book currently, "Three Dog Nightmare" and I recommend any fan to

read it. What a life he has had, good and bad. I too saw "Two Dog Night" at Elk Grove Village this summer and

was very curious to see how Chuck is doing now. I am so glad he is performing and sounding as great as ever!

Thank you for the review.

On another note, I also have noticed a disturbing trend that you mentioned at the concerts. It doesn't matter

if it is a big buck concert at Ravinia, an intimate concert at the Arcada Theatre, or a free concert in the park.

People are talking, singing, and generally misbehaving and ruining the experience for others at these shows.

I have noticed it so much more this year than every before. Even at the sedate Bensenville concerts in the park

venue, there was a fist fight this summer. Please people, if you don't want to hear the band, sit in the back off

by yourselves, or better yet, don't come! It is ruining the experience for us serious music fans.

Thanks, Kent, for letting me vent. Keep up the great work!

Janet

Yes, we seem to be running into it more and more. Even at the Three Dog Night Elk Grove concert, we had to speak

to a couple of fans who showed up late and then stood in front of OUR seats after Frannie had held our spots for a

couple of hours by getting there early.

Chuck's book is one of the best rock star biographies I've ever read ... highly recommended. (Actually, I've read it a

couple of times now!)

I understand there's a sequel available ... but I'm still partial to the "exploding penis" version myself!!!

(Frannie was a little bit concerned when we visited backstage ... she didn't want me to fall victim to a recurring incident ...
but everything was ok!) kk

Kent,

You have me psyched for Saturday's Woodstock Fair. Although it definitely won't be a "controlled environment", I will love every

minute. And to answer your Chuck Negron question ... yes, the songs you missed get included in single act shows. Remember

'Time Won't Let Me' (Us) wait that long' for shows to be over when there are multiple acts. 'Gangnum Style' is still in? Super!

Flo and Eddie tested that one at a few concerts preceding the Happy Together Tour and it cracked me up. Wait a minute ...

still no 'You Know What I Mean' Howard? s*i*g*h

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
No, a few favorite hits were missing ... in fact, good as they were, this may be the shortest set I remember The Turtles playing

during The Happy Together Series.

Would have loved to hear "You Know What I Mean" and "She's My Girl" again. Oh well ... maybe next year! (kk)

GREAT review of the Happy Together concert

I loved reading every word of it.

Sev

Great to see you guys ... Glad you enjoyed the show. Thanks for coming.

Can't wait to read all about it in Forgotten Hits.

Howard Kaylan

re: FIRST 45's:

Kent,
First of all, "thank you" for a fantastic website!! I always find something interesting to read and the links that you have
are always fun to look at and are full of "oldies" information.
I grew up on the southside of Chicago in a little section of town called "Roseland". Although many people have called
Roseland home over the years, it was home to many musicians including the band Styx and a few of the founding members
of "Chicago". It was really a great place to be a kid!!
In the summer of 1966, I believe, my mom took me to Roseland Records on Michigan Ave, which was known as "The Ave" to
the Roselandites back then. For .75 she bought me "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron by the Royal Guardsmen. I forget the record
label, but it was red and white and looked real cool spinning on a record player. When we got home, my sister decided that
she would not let me use her record player. She had the only record player in the house and even with my threats of "I'll tell
dad", she resisted and I could not hear my new record.
Enter my dad's sister, my aunt Nell. That Saturday evening, she walked in with a brand new Panasonic record player under her arm.

It seems that she had saved several books of "green stamps" from the local A&P and turned them in for a record player for me.
I could NOT have been more surprised and elated at her gift. I thought that the entire record purchase and my sisters selfishness
was part of the antics, but they weren't. This just happened to be one of those great days in a boys life that he NEVER forgets!!

Tom Jaremka
Isn't it funny how many of us remember that hypnotizing effect of that little 45 rpm record spinning around on our turn-tables
way back when??? It was the Laurie record label, Tom ... and "Snoopy" proved to be a HUGE break-through hit for The Royal
Guardsmen back in late 1966 / early 1967. (kk)

re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:

ENJOYED THE LAST EDITION OF FH AS ALWAYS ... DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU FIND THE TIME AND ENERGY TO KEEP THAT UP, BUT THIS IS ONE COWBOY WHO DOES APPRECIATE IT! ENJOY YOUR SUNDAY!
MICHAEL G BUSH

Hi Kent,
Enjoyed your Gigantic Forgotten Hits Sunday Edition!!! Thank you for the photos of Brian Wilson, David Marks and Al Jardine.
I recently purchased an old Beach Boys Volume Two Hits LP that was signed by Brian Wilson! Thought is was a good investment to add to my collection since he is the last surviving Wilson Brother.
Glad he will be touring with Jeff Beck but wish they were coming to Chicago!!
Your Forgotten Hits emails are just amazing!!!!!
Carolyn

I love your site; read every word and love the 60s music. Glad to have found you, thanks to Scott Shannon. Keep me posted. Thank you, Kent!
Janice

And now, as part of our week-long salute to Keepin' The '60's Alive, here's one all of the jocks on the list should be able to relate to ... 'cause you just can't do a show without 'em ...

re: TIME AND TEMP ... '60's STYLE:

↧

It Feels Like The First Time: 1968

August 31, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The 60's: YOURS, MINE ... AND OURS!

≪ Previous: The Friday Flash

A couple of weeks ago we ran an EXCLUSIVE piece by Jim Shea, former morning man at Y103.9, reflecting back on some of the musical moments that changed and impacted his life. (We also told you that Jim had just signed a deal with Prime Magazine, who will be running these articles on a regular basis.) In fact, there may even be a syndicated radio deal in the making, which would allow Jim tell some of these stories on the air.

Well, when Jim saw that we were saluting the '60's in Forgotten Hits ... and 1968 in particular the other day ... he sent this one over to me ...

We've talked many times about the diversity of musical styles that made up the '60's ...

And there may be no greater example of this than the two artists profiled here today.

(Could there be two further polar extremes than The Doors ... and Herb Alpert?!?!?)

But this WAS the musical landscape, circa 1968 ... and BOTH artists had a profound effect on Jim's life.

So ... without further adieu ... here is yet another EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PEEK of a piece that won't be published for MONTHS anywhere else!!!

Check out Jim's memories of 1968 ...

#10 FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME

The tenth in a series of essays devoted to first impressions of classic music

UNKNOWN SOLDIER / THE DOORS
THIS GUY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU / HERB ALPERT

In 1968 television was still a long way from splintering into channels devoted solely to say, critter hunters, or people who hoard bizarre mementos of their own filth. The extreme political positions had no channels of their own and rubbed elbows for airtime, creating turbulence. On the six o’ clock news we saw weathermen who stood like professors with pointers and paper maps with smiley faced suns. We also saw Weathermen who blew up things.

The dominance of specialized radio formats likewise was far off. For the most part radio stations just played the most popular songs. You might hear White Room by Cream followed by Love is Blue by Paul Mauriat, then Honey by Bobby Goldsboro, then Fire by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown.

Everything you knew to be true was being updated daily. As a fifth grader I was torn between wanting to feed the pyre of Mom and Dad’s world and wanting to enjoy it like fiddling Nero before it was gone forever. My best friend this particular year felt himself being tugged both ways as well as he excitedly invited me over for a major personal announcement one afternoon that summer.

He had a bubbly, manic joy for things he loved and this day he was about to burst. He said that his announcement would be preceded by a countdown of his favorite songs, and revealed with the number one song, but first … a brief fashion show. Whaaa? He disappeared upstairs.

When he came back down he looked like a pint-sized maharajah; a biblical boy king. This drab green one piece vestige, he explained breathlessly, was a Nehru jacket. It was weird and cool. He proceeded to play me his top 10 songs of that moment. I only remember the top two because I remember him explaining his agonizing over which he liked best.

Number two was a song by the Doors that chillingly referenced the hapless six o’ clock news and the public’s indifference to Vietnam’s daily devouring of young blood: “breakfast where the news is read, television children fed, unborn living, living dead, bullet strikes the helmet head”. The title itself was scary enough for me, as I had recently heard a legend of the Unknown Soldier whose face was revealed like Jacob Marley in the flames above his grave.

What could top this? A slow love ballad straight from Mom and Dad’s world that he sang along with as he announced that he was in love with a girl at school and, like the singer, was going to declare. Wow! Declare! I had seen this girl at school and was prone to run a little faster at recess to impress her, but this was the extent of my game. Declare!

“I’ve heard some talk,” he crooned, “they say you think I’m fine … yes I’m in love, who looks at you the way I do?” He was really going to do it. “I want your love (gorgeous cascading piano) I need your love”. The singer, I was told, was Herb Alpert. The fact that I knew the man did not sing but was the trumpet player on my Dad’s favorite albums added to his credibility. “Say you’re in love, in love with this guy, if not I’ll just die” He was stepping out of his comfort zone, going all in for love, risking death.

As I recall, the actual declaration was a bit anti-climactic. Eleven - year - old girls tend to respond with the same giggly derision when they hear a knock knock joke. Dating was really not in play. Even though the relationship status was still clearly up in the air I returned from our family vacation in California with a tiny “wedding present” of a vile of gold gleaned from an attraction at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Listening to this song and seeing how it moved my friend led me to the literal truth of love. Love of anything or anyone must be heartbreakingly declared, and everything must be wagered upon it. Love is loving yourself in the garish garb of youth. Love is as sweet and savory as a finely crafted Bacharach / David tune and as scary as an unknown soldier’s face appearing in the flames above his grave.
-- Jim Shea

↧

The 60's: YOURS, MINE ... AND OURS!

August 31, 2013, 10:02 pm

≫ Next: The Top 40 Debut Hits of the '60's

≪ Previous: It Feels Like The First Time: 1968

So you're 60. I've been 60 for two weeks now and it's no big deal.
Spent my birthday on business in Vancouver. Went down to the swanky restaurant in the hotel for a nice New York Strip steak and had the entire place to myself throughout the whole meal -- even the lounge was empty. And a young blonde waitress catering to my every needs and my needs alone (and she didn't call me Grampa once). Now how much would I have had to pay to get exclusive use of a nice restaurant on my birthday?
Priceless.
Of course, while I was gone, the Mail Lady decided my mail wasn't being picked up often enough and called the police all concerned. They proceeded to do a "wellness check" and smashed in my front door looking for me. Not priceless, but expensive enough.
Happy birthday, Kent.
-- Ron Smith

Hi Kent!
60? No way ... I always thought you were younger than me ... happy birthday!!!
Jim Shea

A Chuck Buell Birthday Basketjust for you, Kent,

"A Child of the Sixties" (meaning you spent your Wonder Years in the 19-60s! ) and who's now turning 60!
First off -- Congratulations! You've just set your own Personal Record for Most Consecutive Days Lived! Not bad for someone who for a brief nano-second in time 60 years ago was the Youngest Person Alive!
So for you now, all the "age" jokes really begin!
Let's start with one that appears to have been inspired especially by you and what you do!

And now ~~~

A Special Chuck Buell Birthday Music Mix Just for You!

I gathered together a few of our old "friends" to create this approximately two minute musical montage for you on your special day, Kent!

So, turn your speakers up full and give a listen!

(I promise you, it won't embarrass you or anyone else within hearing range!)

Enjoy!

Chuck Buell

Kent --
Thanks for all the wonderful music memories. Have a super fantastic groovy 60th birthday (aka 29) and keep on rocking on.
Best -
Bobster

Happy Birthday, Kent, you "old bastard"!
A fine salutation, well earned, and the best is yet to come! Let me tell you about it.

I preceded you into this world by seven years so I humbly inform you that I was more fortunate than you since I experienced 'The Golden Age of Rock 'n Roll' earlier and longer than you.

I, too, still have almost all my hair and it is still reddish brown, I still am within 20 pounds of my High School graduation weight and work out regularly at the local YMCA. I, too, have much too many favorite songs to restrict the list to a meager 200 favorites. In fact, the list is still growing as I explore songs and artists I missed as I journeyed through the marvelous decades of the 50's, 60's and 70's.

I was laid off in 2001 and, fearful for my retirement, invested my entire 401K in a little company called Apple. I still can run a sub-5 minute mile, my wife is still turning heads when we go out and the only minor flaw that I have is that sometimes I lie!!!! ha ha

Have a wonderful 60th birthday and don't listen to people who tell you not to look back and live in the past, Hell, revisit it often and celebrate the wonderful carefree time that it was!

Sweet Dreams,

CharlieOFD

Thanks, Charlie, your birthday greetings cracked me up. (And at OUR age we've got to be REALLY careful about how much jiggling we do!!! lol) kk

Sneezing becomes a challenge and you can't always trust a fart! But hell, 'Life is Good'
CharlieOFD

Hi Kent -
Congratulations from UK
No decade has ever matched the 60's
A survey done by BBC two years ago with a national vote -
Britain's favourite year for music:
Winner: 1966
Have a good one
Love the t-shirt
Regards -
Geoff

All the best to you on your day today! You are only as old as you act (I always say)!

Forgotten Hits just keeps getting better with age.

It was a great choice to start with 1967. That has to be the greatest year in rock and roll history. There is such a mix of every style of music. Keep up the good work.

Phil - WRCO

Happy Birthday!

While 1967 wasn’t my big music year, it was my kindergarten year, and for whatever reason I have always considered it my favorite year. Come Back When You Grow Up was one of my sister’s 45’s and me and her kids played it a lot back when hand me down singles were all we could get. My other sister kept us rocking by listening to CKLW day and night (who could forget the old bumper- “CKLW ... go to sleep ...”).

CW Martin

First of all, Happy Birthday Kent.

I'm 56 but know what you mean about not being able to figure out how you could be this old. I don't feel any different than I did when we were all hearing this great music either.

I think my favorite Rock and Roll years were 65 - 69, but don't think I can narrow it down much from there.

Each one of those years had so much special and new music in it. What's weird to me is that really I didn't graduate until 1974, but when I look at the music from my high school years, it's great, but the music from the mid to late 60's just beats it hands down I think.

The 60's were such a creative period.

Bill

Kent,

First off, happy #60 to you. Does this mean in 10 years we're gonna do 70 days of the 70s? On one hand I hope so, on the other hand, I hope not. I gotta agree with Chet on 1968. I go back and forth on my fave 60s year. To me it's either 1968 or 1965 ... so for fun, I looked at my song selections on my home jukebox. The majority of songs (48 of 80) are from the 60s, with the heaviest concentration being the years 1965 - 1968. It appears 1965 must be my fave year as 12 of the songs are from that year. 11 were from 1966, 7 from 1967, and 9 from 1968. I suppose if I were really ambitious, I'd go thru the rest of my 45s, LPs & CDs and see what years they cover. I suspect the 60s would be the majority.

Jack

Once I got hooked in 1964, there was no turning back for me. I loved nearly everything I heard that decade and then, years later, went back to discover what I'd missed. I can make a good case for '65, '66, '67, '68 and '69 ... and '64 if only because of the whole Beatles thing and the light going off inside of me that still burns so brightly all these years later. An exciting and fascinating time to be sure. But 1967 has ALWAYS done it for me. I swear I lived that entire year with the radio on ... and I still love each and every one of those tunes all these years later. (kk)

Hey Kent!
Well, welcome to the 60s finally. And a very HAPPY one to you!!
We've been there for over 50 years and still are making new forgotten hits now. http://thefifthestateinfo.com
You are completely right about that age thing.

A good deal of it is state of mind, although in my case a little hair color doesn't hurt either.

Ken Evans

Furvus of The Fifth Estate

Hi Kent,

Wishing you a very happy 60th - you're brave to admit it in public - and thanks for all the work you do for forgotten hits - we may not always say it but we're glad someone's keeping it alive! Have fun today!

Marlene

Figured there was no point in denying it ... and I truly can't get over it myself!!! Besides, it gave me a GREAT excuse to feature some of my all-time favorite music this week. (And a chance for some co-workers to say, "No way ... I didn't figure you were a day over 45"!!!) kk

Kent,

Maybe I can make you feel old?? One song can sum up your life to this point! Bring in old buddy Lieutenant Pigeon from just over 40 years ago. Even IT is Mouldy Old Dough today!! If you want to go 60/60, go back to its origins, "White Silver Sands" by Bill Black Combo in 1960 for your #60 birthday!
This week in August, 1967, I was on family vacation with my mom and dad and brothers in Texas! I've attached the Ft Worth KFJZ chart I picked up that week. It was there that I got the Cryan Shames'"It Could be We're in Love" with pic sleeve (#46 on chart). Since I was on vacation, I did not make my own chart that week, but the week previous had the Shames at #1 with other national hits up there too, but #6 was "Step Out of Your Mind" and #7 "Out & About". Harpers Bizarre TV theme "Malibu U" was a New Single listing on my chart, while "A" side was a King Z Klimber on KFJZ!
It was fun to hear two of the three faves you attached were CD reissues I worked on too! Raiders (#16 on KFJZ) and Turtles (47)! Some pretty groovy tunes on all the top 40 charts on your 14th birthday. I was a young 11.
Not a big difference, except you are OLDER than Rock N Roll and I am younger! 1953 just won't cut RNR, but 56 falls in barely! Hahahahaha!!
Hope you celebrate big time! Have some mouldy old dough!
WLSClark

Cool to see some other charts from my birthday week, 1967. Back in the old days when I, too, used to keep my own personal survey (based on a combination of the local and national charts), I called mine "The Sound 60 Survey" ... and also listed 60 tunes per week. Man, I wish I still had some of those. I think they ran from about 1964 thru maybe 1975. Then I went back later and recreated The Top 20 weekly lists from the '50's, expanding to 30 in 1961, 40 in 1962 and 50 in 1963, all leading up to the debut of my first Sound 60 Chart. It was cool to see the COMBINATION rankings of the sources available to me at the time. (Kinda like what Randy Price has created now with his Super Charts ... and one of the early inspirations behind that whole concept!) kk

Kent,
I decided to go thru and see what I ranked as MY number one on your birthday on years that I created my own record charts back in the good ole days. Here's what I picked fave on your birthdays:
1963 / 4 / 5 I charted records then, but no charts around your birthday.
1965: Save Your Heart For Me - Gary Lewis & Playboys
1966: Over Under Sideways Down - Yardbirds
1967: It Could Be We're in Love - Cryan Shames (#1 actually week before and after with no chart on YOUR week)
1968: 1-2-3 Red Light - 1910 Fruitgum Co. (#2 was "Down at Lulu's"!)
1969: Honky Tonk Women - Stones
1970: All Right Now - Free (in middle of 7 week run at #1, most ever by any song. BTW, chart shows NC6 just played Wichita on Aug 23!)
1971: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? - Bee Gees (#1 on my Lp chart was Ides'"Common Bond" with "Tie-Dye Princess" single at #7).
1972: Nights in White Satin - Moodies (NC6 play Omaha with Sailcat on 9/3)
1973: Brother Louie - Stories
Couldn't find my 74 and 75 charts and stopped first week of 1976.
Clark
Also Guys,
An AT40 site is counting down the top hits from Chicago weekly for a while. It includes youtube links to hear the songs. Just started this week: http://at40fg.proboards.com/thread/3452/chicago-gold-countdown-local-hits

Kent,
Again, a very happy big 6-0 to you. Hey! It could be worse. You could be 6-1.
A few years ago a former DJ in Tulsa, OK, used to sign off from his show by saying that this "rock and roll" music will keep you young in spirit and mind, not body of course. I kind of found out that to be true.
Finally, in one of your songs which you stated was virtually ignored on a national level, the Third Rail's 1967 song of RUN RUN RUN was one of those songs which was played on one of our two top 40 radio
stations here in OKC but not the other. Always did like it. Have got a copy.
Larry

The Third Rail hit peaked at #19 here in Chicago ... nationally it stopped at #53. A touch of social commentary bubblegum, I guess ... maybe a bit like "It's Good News Week" from a few years before. (kk)

>>>Speaking of instrumentals, our FH Buddy Davie Allan was knocking on the door just outside The Top 40 door with "Blues' Theme" (#41) kk

Just think if Davie Allan & The Arrows would have been properly given some exposure to go along with the Blues' Theme 45 RPM record that reached #41 in Chicago in 1967 without any promotion after being released in 1966! I'm sure they would have been treated by the parents of America much like when The Rolling Stones hit. You can't enter into Garageland without passing by the gatekeepers. And as mean as they looked I know they would not trip you. Definitely intimidate you and laugh knowing that Link Wray & The Wraymen who are just ahead would!

http://reservatory3.blogspot.com/2011/12/67-sunset-strip.html

Actually "Blues' Theme" did VERY well here in Chicago ... it peaked at #3 here. "Theme from 'The Wild Angels'" made our local charts, too, reaching #37. BOTH of these records performed better here in Chicago than they did on any of the national charts. The #41 reference for "Blues' Theme" was that records chart performance for the week including August 27th, 1967 ONLY, as it appeared in Billboard. It would peak at #37 in Billboard a couple of weeks later. (kk)

If you think it's tough turning 60 what about the rock stars turning 70!

Bill Hengels

Wow, Kent ... 98.6? Now that's a song I haven't heard since high school!
Rich Silverman

Hope the 60s are good to you, Kent. I'm only 369 days behind you, and share your sentiments about how an old man is supposed to act and feel (and think). I'm just not even close - and don't have any intention of going there. We all know people even in their early 50s who seem to have shut down by choice. I don't get it. Love the shirt, by the way.
Yesterday, two different websites discussed this Herman's Hermits track appearing on the charts during the final week of August, '67. Written by Donovan, it's certainly different from their usual sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJNlxMQ2JsI

David Lewis

Happy Birthday Mr. Kotal.

I, too, will be reaching that milestone a little later this year.

I thoroughly enjoyed today's kick-off of the sounds of the 60's ... what a great time it was.

Many more to come.

Stacee

Thank you. (Yeah, I guess at 60 I finally DO have to accept the fact that I'm "Mr." Kotal!!! lol) kk

Kent,
Happy Birthday, my friend!
I know that rolling over the odometer at this milestone must seem somewhat surreal, 'cause I'm coming up right behind you in your rearview mirror. But you've still got a full head of hair, a hobby you're passionate about, and a nation-full of pen-pals and friends as a result. So you're living large!
As always, thanks for your fellowship, your good work and for keeping us all entertained.
All my best wishes for another great decade!
Scott

I really enjoyed the Six Degrees of Separation thing today, Kent. I constantly connect things through these kinds of associations. Good tracks, all. I guess my mind works that way, too.

David

Hi Kent,

Happy birthday!.

Just dropped in to let you know the Vanilla Fudge's Keep Me Hangin' On made my day.

It still sounds really good on my headphones. It was so radical at the time but at the same time strangely faithful to the Supremes' version. That and Turn Around, Look At Me brought back a lot of good memories.

Thanks.

Tom

Once again, two COMPLETELY diverse songs that still sound great together, don'tcha think??? (kk)

Hi Kent,
Another band out of Michigan was ? & The Mysterians, and "96 Tears" was not only a number 1 hit for them in 1966, but the song was part of every garage band repertoire in the U.S. at that time. Though Rudy Martinez had the lead vocal, certainly the most catchy and identifiable part of the song was Frank Rodriguez's Vox organ riffs. To me, like Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone", Al Kooper's organ-playing really was a main ingredient in making this a classic song. You can't argue with the song-writing and identifiable style of Bob Dylan but Al Kooper's part really was the hidden ingredient in making this a hit at the table! It's the same thing with Keith's "98.6" or Robert Knight's "Everlasting Love" the instrumentation really brings these records home -- but like so many songs, it's the gumbo of everything together that makes a hit record -- like Burton Cummings says: "a record is like a photo that captures a moment in time!" And like so many artists whom we go to see in concert, we always hope they can duplicate the sound that made their song a hit we loved to listen to on the radio at that moment in time!

Hope you had a GREAT birthday Kent!
Peace,
Tim Kiley

Kent!!!!!!!!

A Very Happy Birthday, my friend!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW!!!!! The big six 0 you still look like a 40 year old!!!!

I hit the big 57 in July and I still feel like a 25 year old ... I just can't find one!!!!!! LOL

Many more Happy Birthdays ... and keep up the great work!!!!!!!

I've been with ya since the very beginning of FH ... and it keeps getting' better with each year!!!!!!!!!

As I've stated before, I was in radio for a long time, and I love the OLDIES ... and every time I click FH, I learn something NEW. Quite impressive my friend!!!!!!!

Stay Healthy and keep the hits coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pete Garrison

And thanks to all of you out there who tried to cheer me up on my somewhat traumatic day with advice like:

60 is the new ...

30 (Stacee)

40 (Geoff)

59 (Chet)

Remember age is just a number ... it's just that 60 is a REALLY big number!!! (Jim)

And then this reality check, courtesy of Chuck Buell ...

>>>Somebody told me earlier today that "60 is the new 59" (kk)

Ah, don't let anybody kid you. 60 is 60! And it's just fine! Plus, if anybody is going to fool around with age numbers, that'd be me!

I, being born on Leap Year and therefore having an Official Birthday only once every four years, when I turned 60, I actually only turned 15! Ta-dah!

Now then, always remember, you are the product of Four Billion years of evolutionary success! That alone is pretty cool no matter what your age!

Chuck

Thanks, Chuck ... but I can't help thinking that I'm now over 400 years old in dog years!!! (lol) kk

Besides the countdown that we helped to put together for the '60's Channel over at Sirius / XM, you'll find a couple of OTHER holiday countdowns going on this weekend ...

Kent ...

If you want to listen in -- It started on Friday at 11:00 AM (Eastern Time).
Frank B.

Click here: WCBS-FM 101.1

If you wanna post some competition for YOUR 60's event, Reel Radio will be doing it's streaming special of TWO AT 40 shows plus KHJ's Big 93 of 1972 countdown.http://aircheckchannel.com/

Clark

And Scott Shannon's doing the Coast-To-Coast Road-Trip this weekend on The True Oldies Channel ... songs with cities and states in the title.

Click here: WPLJHD2 - Ohio - CROSBY STILLS NASH & YOUNG

Meanwhile, you've still got a few chances to listen to Lou Simon's '60's Satellite Survey Top 40 Countdown of The Top 40 Biggest Debut Hits of the '60's ... here:

Click here: Our Most Popular XM Packages - SiriusXM Radio

'60's on a SUNDAY:
Three more favorites from the '60's, just for you!

↧

The Top 40 Debut Hits of the '60's

September 2, 2013, 7:00 am

≫ Next: The British Invasion (1964 and 1965)

≪ Previous: The 60's: YOURS, MINE ... AND OURS!

Lou Simon has been counting down The Top 40 Debut Hits of the '60's all Labor Day Weekend long on his '60's Satellite Survey Program on the Sirius / XM 60's Channel.

The countdown was put together in conjunction with Dann Isbell's excellent new book "Ranking The '60's".
(Available here: Click here: Ranking the '60s: A Comprehensive Listing of the Top Songs and Acts from Pop's Golden Decade: Dann Isbell: 9781492 )

First, the Top 100 Artists of the '60's were determined. Then we looked at the debut record by each of those artists to see how many points those songs accumulated on the charts. Based on THAT information, the final tabulation was made ... and the end result is a totally unique countdown of "first time" hits by some of your '60's favorites.

The program airs again today at Noon (Eastern Time) and one last time on Wednesday, September 4th, at 9 pm (Eastern) ... so if you have Sirius / XM, you'll want to check this out for yourself. (And if you DON'T have Sirius / XM, here's how you can get it!)
Click here: Our Most Popular XM Packages - SiriusXM Radio

We are happy to post the final results here:

40 - I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU - DUSTY SPRINGFIELD

39 - COME AND GET THESE MEMORIES - MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS

38 - JUST OUT OF REACH - SOLOMON BURKE

37 - ALONG COMES MARY - THE ASSOCIATION

36 - IT’S NOT UNUSUAL - TOM JONES

35 - IT AIN’T ME BABE - THE TURTLES

34 - DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC - THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL

33 - THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO - THE TEMPTATIONS

32 - SUZIE Q - CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL

31 - DANG ME - ROGER MILLER

30 - I’M INTO SOMETHING GOOD - HERMAN’S HERMITS

29 - BABY I NEED YOUR LOVING - THE FOUR TOPS

28 - SPANISH HARLEM - BEN E. KING

27 - HOLD WHAT YOU’VE GOT - JOE TEX

26 - GLAD ALL OVER - THE DAVE CLARK FIVE

25 - THE LONELY BULL - THE TIJUANA BRASS

24 - SHE CRIED - JAY AND THE AMERICANS

23 - SHOTGUN - JR. WALKER & THE ALL-STARS

22 - EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART - GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS

21 - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ - THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS

20 - MEMPHIS - JOHNNY RIVERS

19 - A WORLD WITHOUT LOVE - PETER AND GORDON

18 - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN - THE BYRDS

17 - HANKY PANKY - TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS

16 - THE SOUND OF SILENCE - SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

15 - THIS DIAMOND RING - GARY LEWIS AND THE PLAYBOYS

14 - SHEILA - TOMMY ROE

13 - ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI - BRIAN HYLAND

12 - LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE - THE MONKEES

11 - PLEASE MR. POSTMAN - THE MARVELETTES

10 - HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - THE ANIMALS

9 - IT’S MY PARTY - LESLEY GORE

8 - FINGERTIPS - LITTLE STEVIE WONDER

7 - DUKE OF EARL - GENE CHANDLER

6 - DOWNTOWN - PETULA CLARK

5 - LIGHT MY FIRE - THE DOORS

4 - SHERRY - THE FOUR SEASONS

3 - RUNAWAY - DEL SHANNON

2 - ROSES ARE RED - BOBBY VINTON

1 - I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND - THE BEATLES

↧

The British Invasion (1964 and 1965)

September 3, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The British Invasion - Counting Them Down

≪ Previous: The Top 40 Debut Hits of the '60's

The British Invasion turned the music world upside down in 1964 ... that year alone, The Beatles placed over 30 songs on The Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. (Of course, in all fairness, America was playing "catch up" to a degree here ... The Fab Four had already been hitting the British charts for 15 months before their first single made an impact here in The States.)

But the wave of artists that followed was unprecedented. Suddenly anything with a British accent seemed assured of a spot on our radio stations and record surveys, while many long-established and proven American artists couldn't seem to buy themselves a hit.

The trend lasted through most of the decade ... but the greatest impact was felt during those first two years. Sure, there were distractions ... American groups like The Beach Boys and The Four Seasons continued to have hits ... and The Motown Sound was alive and well ... but it wasn't until about 1966 that the trend began to shift again. In 1966, we were introduced to domestic acts like The Mamas and the Papas, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Turtles, Tommy James and the Shondells, Simon and Garfunkel, The Monkees and many others who gave The Brits a run for their money on the US charts. By 1967 it was the Summer of Love and the dawn of the psychedelic age of music. In 1968, things got a whole lot heavier as artists like Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Steppenwolf, Vanilla Fudge and many others started to hit the charts. And by 1969, even The Beatles themselves were winding down ... and a new craze called bubblegum music seemed to be all the rage.

While most surveys of this type cover "The Beatle Years" of 1964 - 1970, the REAL impact of The British Invasion was most felt during those first two years, 1964 and 1965. And thanks to Dann Isbell's EXCELLENT book "Ranking The '60's", we've come up with a countdown of The Top 100 British Invasion Hits of this era. (How big of an impact did it have??? So much so that even limiting our countdown to just the first two years, we had to eliminate several other favorites that also made their mark on the U.S. Charts.)

Enjoy the ride as we count down many of these favorites (along with some long-forgotten gems) over the next several days in Forgotten Hits.

BTW - if you love ranking things ... like WE do ... you'll find Dann Isbell's book full of indispensable information. (We've already got several other countdowns planned or in the works!) You can pick up your own copy here:

Click here: Ranking the '60s: A Comprehensive Listing of the Top Songs and Acts from Pop's Golden Decade: Dann Isbell: 9781492

Three that missed:

Good tunes all ... but not good enough to make our Top 100 Countdown. The REAL list starts tomorrow ... exclusively in Forgotten Hits!

↧

The British Invasion - Counting Them Down

September 4, 2013, 4:00 am

≫ Next: The Countdown Continues (#80 - #61)

≪ Previous: The British Invasion (1964 and 1965)

The Top 100 Hits of The British Invasion, 1964 - 1965 can be found here ...

The countdown begins TODAY!!!

#100 - TELL ME - The Rolling Stones (1964)

# 99 - IF I LOVED YOU - Chad and Jeremy (1965)

# 98 - AS TEARS GO BY - Marianne Faithfull (1965)
She had a hit with it before The Stones did. (Of course dating Mick Jagger at the time certainly didn't hurt!)

# 97 - AIN'T SHE SWEET - The Beatles (1964)
When The Beatles did their first Hamburg recording session, backing up Tony Sheridan on "My Bonnie" and "The Saints", there was enough time left over to cut one on their own ... so they picked THIS old ditty, which became an American Hit several years later when ANYTHING remotely related to Beatlemania was gobbled up by pop culture!

# 96 - EVERYBODY KNOWS (I STILL LOVE YOU) - The Dave Clark Five (1964)
The Dave Clark Five would have TWO hits called "Everybody Knows" ... this was the first one from 1964.

# 95 - CATCH THE WIND - Donovan (1965)
Great Britain's answer to Dylan

# 94 - MATCHBOX - The Beatles (1964)
Carl Perkins was reportedly IN the studio when The Beatles cut some of his tunes in 1964.

# 93 - I'm CRYING - The Animals (1964)

# 92 - HEART OF STONE - The Rolling Stones (1964)

# 91 - I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN - Peter and Gordon (1964)
The Beatles have 19 of The Top 100 songs in this countdown ... in addition, they're represented by five others written for other artists like this one, a hit for Peter and Gordon in 1964.

# 90 - HERE COMES THE NIGHT - Them (1965)
America's first introduction to the magic of Van Morrison.

# 89 - A WORLD OF OUR OWN - The Seekers (1965)
In addition to their bigger hits "Georgy Girl" and "I'll Never Find Another You", The Seekers also scored with this long-forgotten gem back in 1965.

# 88 - I LIKE IT - Gerry and the Pacemakers (1964)

# 87 - COME HOME - The Dave Clark Five (1965)

# 86 - DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD - The Animals (1965)

# 85 - I'M A MAN - The Yardbirds (1965)

# 84 - BEFORE AND AFTER - Chad and Jeremy (1965)

# 83 - MARIE - The Bachelors (1965)

# 82 - IT'S ALL IN THE GAME - Cliff Richard (1964)
Despite over 100 hits on The British Pop Charts between 1958 and 2002, he didn't have his biggest hits here in The States until the mid-'70's when tracks like "Devil Woman" and "We Don't Talk Anymore" finally caught on. (Incredibly, he was Elvis-like in the UK!) Records on the US chart prior to that were sporadic at best ... but this was one of them from 1964 that did make its way through.

# 81 - I'LL BE THERE - Gerry and the Pacemakers (1965)
These guys covered a wide variety of musical styles in their brief career ... great ballads, straight up rock and roll ... even show tunes ... and, in 1965, they even covered a Bobby Darin B-Side!

The countdown continues tomorrow ... in Forgotten Hits!

↧