The Fest For Beatles Fans made a major announcement this past weekend …
They’re taking the year (2026) off … no gatherings for the upcoming year as they take the time to reimagine what the Fest will look like beginning in 2027.
In the meantime, they’ll be presenting the opportunity for fans to share their Beatlefest memories thru a monthly Fab Four Friday Zoom Session. More details (and dates) on the website: https://mailchi.mp/thefest.com/the-fest-reimagined-coming-in-2027?e=19876060a1 (kk)
We made a few additions to our Celebrity Death List after it ran on Sunday ... as well as one other correction …
Hi Kent –
I was reviewing your list of artists who passed this year. Bob Kuban was the band leader and drummer, but not the singer for Bob Kuban and the In-Men.
The lead singer was Walter Scott. Scott was murdered in the early ‘80s and his body wasn’t found until several years later. It’s a sordid tale.
Best wishes for 2026.
Chris Cavanaugh
Goddard, Kansas
According to Joel Whitburn’s book, Walter Scott disappeared on December 27th, 1983 at the age of 40. His ex-wife and her new husband were charged with his murder after his body was found three years later with a gunshot wound to the back.
The list has been updated with a few other changes ... and we will continue to update it thru the 31st of December. (kk)
From Geoff Lambert’s weekly oldies sheet, here is an update on those Buddy Holly decorative road crossing markings …
KCBD-TV in Lubbock, Texas, reports that the city's Buddy Holly crosswalks must be removed to comply with state and federal law, following a directive from Governor Abbott regarding all decorative markings statewide: "Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways. Today, I directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure Texas cities remove any and all political ideologies from our streets. To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas. Any city that refuses to comply with the federal road standards will face consequences including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT." Lubbock had thought its crosswalks were safe since they are art installations and not political, religious, or commercial. The Texas Department of Transportation notified the city that its "creative crosswalks" must be removed or a plan for removal submitted by December 5. Delayed action could result in federal and state funding being withheld from the city.
In that I received this update on December 28th, I can only assume that removal plans were submitted in accordance with the December 5th stipulation. (I couldn’t find any updates on this after November of this year when the story first broke nationally.) kk
No matter what a certain someone may tell you otherwise, The Kennedy Center Honors television broadcast last week recorded its lowest audience in the history of the event, with the 2025 ceremony attracting significantly fewer viewers than the already diminished audience of 2024. (I know we didn't watch it ... and I don't think we've ever missed one!)
Early ratings data indicate that the CBS broadcast averaged approximately 2.65 million viewers, a steep fall from the 4.1 million who tuned in last year, representing a decline of more than 35 percent. Interestingly enough, Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show received a record number of viewers the night he was allowed to return to the airwaves. Maybe these statistics would be a better indicator as to how the majority of Americans are feeling these days. Message delivered. (Message received??? Not likely, as we’re still all supposed to believe that we are living the best lives ever in the history of America.) kk
>>>Paul McCartney posted the highest touring receipts for the month of November, 2025, taking in just over $51.7 million spread over 11 shows seen by 150,000 people. Incredible. (kk)
That works out to be about $4.7 million per show for eleven shows.
Can you imagine if McCartney were told by a Visitor from the Future back in 1965 that someday, over 60 years later (when he was 83!), he'd still be touring solo and be quite successful at it?
"Yesterday . . . "
"Baby, You're a Rich Man . . ."
And this is a guy who also needed no help "When He Was 64!"
CB!
His solo career beyond The Beatles is nothing short of astounding. Whereas November was spent reminiscing about The Beatles’ success through their “Anthology” series … the reissue of the book, the Disney+ three-night, nine episode television event and the re-release of the three “Anthology” CD’s along with a brand new “Anthology 4” chapter, Macca has had enough success with Wings and as a solo artist to warrant his OWN trilogy of new releases …
First came the 2-CD Wings set, featuring 32 songs selected by McCartney himself, followed by the new book "Paul McCartney - Wings - The Story Of A Band On The Run” (which Frannie got me for Christmas) to be topped off with a brand new tv documentary called “Man On The Run” premiering in February on Prime. (kk)
Yeah, I’d say he’s done ok for himself. (kk)
Can you guess what the 10th biggest selling album of 2025 was?
(best Don Adams voice): Wouldja believe “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac?!?!?
In terms of physical sales of vinyl albums and cd’s, “Rumours” moved 221,514 units … for the sales equivalent of $1,064,163. (Not bad for an album first released in 1977!!!)
It kinda makes you wonder who out there doesn’t already own a physical copy of this landmark LP … which would lead one to believe that these were purchased by NEW consumers still discovering this great music … which is why I still say rock and roll will never die, as new people are discovering it all the time and falling in love with it just like we did. What other era prior to rock and roll is still racking up the airplay and sales? It really is quite amazing.
Ten of the eleven tracks made our list of THE TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME … with seven of those titles making The Top 1000:
“Go Your Own Way” (#97), “Dreams” (#121), “Don’t Stop” (#198), “You Make Loving Fun” (#208), “The Chain” (#331), “Second Hand News” (#454) and “Gold Dust Woman” (#587)
Also making the list were “Never Going Back Again” (#1104), “I Don’t Want To Know” (#1157) and “Songbird” (#2753). The only track NOT to make the cut was “Oh Daddy.”
A total of 33 Fleetwood Mac songs made the final countdown (which we are currently in the process of revamping.) We hope to have the new, revised list up sometime in 2026. (kk)
And talking about remarkable sales, how about this new figure from Billboard …
The Top 24 Songs on this week’s Hot 100 list are ALL Christmas/Holiday tunes, another chart first. This includes Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” holding at #1 for what amounts to its 22nd total weeks at #1, also a new Billboard Hot 100 record.
The Top 24 in order are:
# 1 - “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” Mariah Carey (also #1 last week)
# 2 - “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Brenda Lee (#3 LW)
# 3 - “Jingle Bell Rock,” Bobby Helms (#2 LW)
# 4 - “Last Christmas,” Wham! (#4)
# 5 - “Santa Tell Me,” Ariana Grande (#5)
# 6 - “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You),” Nat “King” Cole (#6)
# 7 - “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!,” Dean Martin (#8)
# 8 - “Underneath the Tree,” Kelly Clarkson (#7)
# 9 - “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Andy Williams (#9)
NOTE: Andy Williams extends his streak between his first Top Ten Hit and his most recent Top Ten Hit to 66 years, 2 months and 3 weeks (dating to his first week in The Top Ten with “Lonely Street” in October, 1959)
#10 - “Sleigh Ride,” The Ronettes (#12)
NOTE: In similar fashion, The Ronettes now increase the streak for the top GROUP to have their first Top Ten Hit and their most recent 62 years, 3 months and 1 week, stretching back to “Be My Baby” in September, 1963.
#11 - “Feliz Navidad,” José Feliciano (#14)
#12 - “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” Burl Ives (#16)
#13 - “It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas,” Michael Bublé (#13)
#14 - “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” Darlene Love (#17) – this represents a new peak position for this song, first released in 1963
#15 - “Run Rudolph Run,” Chuck Berry (#19)
#16 - “White Christmas,” Bing Crosby (1947 version, #20)
#17 - “Jingle Bells,” Frank Sinatra (#21)
#18 - “It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas,” Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters (#23)
#19 - “Santa Baby,” Eartha Kitt, also a new peak position (#24)
#20 - “Deck the Halls,” Nat King Cole (#25)
#21 - “Blue Christmas,” Elvis Presley (#27)
#22 - “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane),” Gene Autry (#28)
#23 - “Christmastime Is Here,” The Vince Guaraldi Trio, also a new high (#36)
#24 - “Please Come Home For Christmas,” Eagles (#33)
Notably missing from the list are Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" and John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)."
Not to worry ... these tunes just didn't make The Top 24. Macca came in at #32 ... but the John Lennon classic was nowhere to be found within The Hot 100. (kk)
And, in keeping with the holiday spirit ... well, sort of ...
Ah, jeesh! Buell is at it again!!
Young Kent with Santa Claus
And, as Santa so often makes happen for Good Little Boys and Girls,
He did make them stop . . . . .
Older "No Haircuts" Kent
"Joy to the world.
All the boys and girls
Joy to you and me!"
- Three Dog Night
CB!
Hi Kent! Happy New Year! 🎊!!!!
Remembering The Band's Rick Danko on his birthday 💐 🎂 December 29, 1943. Pictured here on stage at The Palomino club in L.A.
Remembering Mary Tyler Moore on her birthday 🎇 🎂 December 29,1936, seen here shopping in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Jim Roup
Great synopsis of the "Bubblegum Music Era" in Forgotten Hits the other day from Alex Williams of The New York Times!
I played every one of those bubblegum hits on my radio shows so I'm familiar with all of them! Maybe it was the era, but I liked the upbeat, optimistic, care-free escapism sound they presented. Years later (OK! Decades later!) I had the opportunity to meet Ron Dante, the lead singer on "Sugar, Sugar" as an "Archie" when we worked on a special radio station promotion at K-Best 95 in San Diego! We had a lot of Fun doing that then but that story is better for another time.
Anyway, I enjoyed the historical hit music story. And Williams didn't "Sugarcoat" this piece of Pop Music History! I loved his special selection of descriptive words and phrases throughout such as ~~~
Sugary Concoctions,
Bubblegum Royalty,
Dessert Pastries Disguised as 7-inch Singles,
Nutrition of Twinkies,
Cavity-inducing,
Helium-light,
. . . among others! Pretty Funny Stuff! Almost made my teeth hurt just reading all of it! Nice job!
CB ( which stands for "Candy Boy!" )
About a year ago we tabulated your votes for The Best Bubblegum Tunes of All Time. Phil Nee of WRCO counted them down on his weekly “Those Were The Days” program and we ran the final results here in Forgotten Hits.
Here’s how you guys voted then:
|
BUBBLEGUM MUSIC: |
||
|
1 |
Sugar, Sugar |
The Archies |
|
2 |
Yummy Yummy Yummy |
Ohio Express |
|
3 |
1, 2, 3 Red Light |
1910 Fruitgum Company |
|
4 |
Green Tambourine |
Lemon Pipers |
|
5 |
Simon Says |
1910 Fruitgum Company |
|
6 |
Dizzy |
Tommy Roe |
|
7 |
Chewy Chewy |
Ohio Express |
|
8 |
I'm Gonna Make You Mine |
Lou Christie |
|
9 |
Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' |
Crazy Elephant |
|
10 |
Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes |
Edison Lighthouse |
|
11 |
I Think I Love You |
The Partridge Family |
|
12 |
Tracy |
The Cuff Links |
|
13 |
Jam Up And Jelly Tight |
Tommy Roe |
|
14 |
My Baby Loves Lovin' |
White Plains |
|
15 |
Down At Lulu's |
Ohio Express |
|
16 |
Quick Joey Small |
Kasentz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus |
|
17 |
Jelly Jungle |
Lemon Pipers |
|
18 |
I Think We're Alone Now |
Tommy James and the Shondells |
|
19 |
Indian Giver |
1910 Fruitgum Company |
|
20 |
Goody Goody Gumdrops |
1910 Fruitgum Company |
|
21 |
Hooray For Hazel |
Tommy Roe |
|
22 |
Jingle, Jangle |
The Archies |
|
23 |
Sweet Pea |
Tommy Roe |
|
24 |
Baby, I Love You |
Andy Kim |
|
25 |
Little Willy |
Sweet |
|
26 |
How'd We Ever Get This Way |
Andy Kim |
|
27 |
The Rain, The Park and Other Things |
The Cowsills |
|
28 |
Beg, Borrow And Steal |
Ohio Express |
|
29 |
Indian Lake |
The Cowsills |
|
30 |
Shake |
The Shadows Of Knight |
|
31 |
I'm A Believer |
The Monkees |
|
32 |
Hanky Panky |
Tommy James and the Shondells |
|
33 |
Julie, Do Ya Love Me |
Bobby Sherman |
|
34 |
Lay A Little Lovin' On Me |
Robin MacNamara |
|
35 |
Little Woman |
Bobby Sherman |
|
36 |
The Rapper |
The Jaggerz |
|
37 |
Easy Come, Easy Go |
Bobby Sherman |
|
38 |
Saturday Night |
The Bay City Rollers |
|
39 |
Special Delivery |
1910 Fruitgum Company |
|
40 |
Sunshine Girl |
Parade |
And, speaking of Bubblegum Music, Tom Cuddy sent us this …
The 1910 Fruitgum Company - Simon Says | The Story Behind The Song |
https://youtu.be/coIYtone3aI?si=Yw3-ARMVOZMrWMm8
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
12/30/65 – Famous Madame Heidi Fleiss is born
