In a real chart surprise, The Supremes manage to hold The Beatles at bay as "Come See About Me" begins its second week at #1 while The Beatles must settle for the runner-up position.
In fact, The Top Four songs in the country remain unchanged from the week before with "I Feel Fine" holding down the #2 spot, Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely" hanging on to the #3 spot and "She's Not There" by The Zombies holding tight at #4.
The biggest mover within The Top Ten is "Amen" by The Impressions, which vaults from #19 to #8, a jump of eleven places.
"Love Potion Number Nine" by The Searchers continues to make big strides up the chart ... it, too, moves up eleven places, from #25 to #14.
The novelty hit "Leader Of The Laundromat" climbs 14 spots (from #35 to #21) while Del Shannon's "Keep Searchin'" jumps eleven spots from #38 to #27.
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" cracks The Top 40 in its third week on the chart, climbing 27 places (from #67 to #40.)
The week's top premier is "Downtown" by Petula Clark, another one of those records that will go on to define the '60's. It's new this week at #58.
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
12/21/64 – The new James Bond movie “Goldfinger” opens in
the United States
(it opened in London three months earlier)
At its peak, it was playing on 485 screens across the
country.
Boy, with some of the temperatures we've been experiencing around here lately, you sure could have fooled me!!!
But as Chuck Buell joins many of us in "Welcoming"
Winter tomorrow, he points out that ...
Our Forgotten Hits Friends and Relatives in
Fairbanks, Alaska, will see only 3 Hours and 45 Minutes of Daylight tomorrow
during the Shortest Day of the Year and tomorrow night the Longest Night of the Year for all of us in the Northern Hemisphere.
Meanwhile, those who live Utqiaġvik, the northernmost town in Alaska(
Sidebar: I didn't know Barrow, Alaska was renamed in 2016 to this
easier to pronounce and spell name of "Utqiaġvik!" ) watched the sun go
down toward the end of last month and are in the middle of over 60 "Days" of Darkness until January 23rd!
Utqiaġvik, Alaska City Motto: "Hello, Darkness my Old Friend!"
( OK, I might have made up that line about their city's "City Motto!" )
But even with that, especially for the residents of Utqiaġvik, here is my "Darkness Chuck Buell Minute Medley!"
CB ( which stands for Darkly Disturbed "Clandestine Boy!" )
Why do we say "Merry Christmas" while for all other Holidays we say "Happy" ( fill in the Holiday)?!
Well, "Happy" suggests
a general emotional state of joy while "Merry" actually implies that
there’s a bit of raucousness involved in the celebration!
And, before the 18th century, one could hear both “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Christmas.” Then Christmas Greetings started to shift to one over the other and that's largely due to one man, Charles Dickens. You may recall that “Merry Christmas” was the phrase of choice in his A Christmas Carol.It was also gaining popularity in Christmas carols as well.
Now, because of the rabble-rousing connotations of “Merry Christmas,”
high-class Brits, including the royal family themselves, chose the
more 'respectable' “Happy Christmas” as their greeting. That’s why
it's still heard over there today.
So with those thoughts in mind, attached is my Special "Chuck Buell Forgotten Hits Happy/Merry Christmas Minute Medley featuring Kent's Kids Kristmas Koraling Khorale!"
CB ( which stands for "Carolin' Boy!" )
===============================
( Shure! YOU say "Kent's Kids Kristmas Koraling Khoral" Five Times Fast!!! )
12/18/64 – Fans cause damage to the funeral home during a
funeral service held for soul singer Sam Cooke
Also on 12/18, James Brown is forced to leave the funeral
when fans rush his limo, prior to James being able to pay his respects
Also on 12/18, Steve Austin is born
'Tis the Season ...
From Timmy ...
Mike Brewer of Brewer and Shipley has passed away.
The duo had two Top 40 Hits in 1971 … “One Toke Over The
Line” (#8) and “Tarkio Road.” (#39)
The duo were friends for 65 years … and musical partners for
60.
As a fitting tribute, here’s the ultimate version of their
biggest hit, performed on “The Lawrence Welk Show”!!!
(you’ll find this video clip in the Dictionary under the
word “clueless”)kk
From David Salidor …
MICKY DOLENZ’S LIVE AT THE
TROUBADOUR ALBUM NAMED ONE OF THE BEST LIVE ALBUMS OF THE YEAR BY GOLDMINE
MAGAZINE
“Talk about a monumental live
show experience! How do we know? In April of 2024, Goldmine was
privy to be a guest of Micky Dolenz during what is more than likely his most
monumental and important live performance in years. As the last remaining
member of The Monkees, Dolenz, in the past recent years, has gone on to not
only perpetuate his career as an incredibly successful solo artist, but just as
much has gone on to represent his legacy band to the fullest extent of their legacy.Recently, he accepted the award for The
Monkees' induction into the New England Music Hall Of Fame, with the official
induction ceremony being held February 15, 2025 (read article). Even more so, the artist has been on tour,
perpetuating his incredible 'Songs and Stories' concert series, with fans
rushing to absorb every ounce of Micky Dolenz and The Monkees that they are
afforded. The concert series is compiled of the artist with his band,
performing not only many of The Monkees' classics, but many iconic and
legendary songs of the classic era of which he has had personal experiences in
their manifestations. He premises each live selection by orating a
personal story behind each song. It is a whimsical and beyond memorable
show to experience, for those who are so fortunate.
Perhaps the most iconic
individual performance in the 'Song and Stories' run, has been the
quickly-to-become-legendary show at the world-famous Troubadour club in Los
Angeles, California, April, 5, 2024. This event was not only to the
advantage of the fans, but just as well, the performance was a benefit for the
Make-a-Wish Foundation, and charity that is close to Dolenz' heart. Many
notable names in music and music media were in attendance as the show caught
fire like a match to gasoline — simply put, it was an inferno of musical
nostalgia, energy and history.
On December 2, 2024, Dolenz
released this magnanimous performance, to the pleasure of those who attended,
and to the equal pleasure of those who did not. An Evening with Micky
DolenzLive at The Troubadour is by far one of 2024's most
notable and monumental live album releases. If you are a fan of The
Monkees, Micky Dolenz, Classic Rock and live albums, this is a performance that
you would be foolish not to acquire. Available on compact disc album and
digital download (but it really deserves a vinyl record release ... maybe
soon). Read Goldmine's article about our attendance at this
live performance (here).”
Half of Kansas reunited for the final stop on their 50th
Anniversary Farewell Tour …
Ultimate Classic Rock is reporting that original bassist
Dave Hope has reunited with co-founding drummer Phil Ehart, longtime guitarist
Rich Williams and the rest of the current Kansas lineup for a performance last Wednesday
at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh. It was Ehart's second date since suffering
a major heart attack in February.
The tour has been going on for the past 18 months, with 118
stops in all spread out over that time.The finale featured a 2 hour, 10 minute performance of 20 classic hits
and deep tracks.Kansas placed six songs
on our Top 3333 Most Essential Classic Rock Songs list a few years ago.Naturally, “Carry On Wayward Son” came in the
highest … at #45! … but Dust In The Wind (#162) and “Point Of Know Return” (#493)
also made The Top 500.
Prior to the band taking the stage, they were presented with
special awards for airplay of 9 million for “Carry On Wayward Son” and 7
million for “Dust In The Wind.”
Sadly, original lead vocalist Steve Walsh did not
participate.(Walsh did two tours of
duty with the band, leaving first in 1981 but then returning from 1986 –
2015)Still, it would have nice to see
him onboard for what was supposed to be the band’s final performance.
However, as we’ve learned far too many times over the years,
saying goodbye RARELY means a definitive end … in fact, a brand new Kansas Classics
kicks off in January … and the band teams up with .38 Special for a series of
shows next summer!!!
>>>The best thing I can say about Paul
Griffin is take five minutes out of your busy day and get a time where you have
nothing to bother you at all. Find a real nice stereo system and sit back and
put on “One Of Us Must Know” from "Blonde On Blonde."
(Al Kooper)
I've never paid all that much attention to this track, but
with Al Kooper's strong recommendation, I did. It's truly an enjoyable five
minutes. The musicians were obviously having some fun playing on this.
Griffin's piano work is beautiful.
David Lewis
I wasn’t familiar with Seatrain’s
“13 Questions” – thank you for sharing it the other day.
Ed
Seatrain was the first project George Martin worked on after
the split of The Beatles.
(Imagine the nerve it took to ask him to produce what was
only the band’s second album!)
Martin then became a mainstay with America, producing SEVEN
of their albums throughout the ‘70’s and early ‘80’s.(kk)
A good news update about Joey Molland …
Here is the latest message from Mary this afternoon (Sunday)
about JOEY MOLLAND …
From despair to cautious joy.
The difference 48 hours can
make.
Joey is out of immediate danger.
He is a strong lad
The beautiful vibrations, prayers and hope from everyone made all the
difference.
He has a long road ahead of him.
But thankfully it seems that his memory and verbal skills will be saved.
I feel like I’ve been given a reprieve from a nightmare. I have another chance.
My beautiful Joe.
I believe in a Higher Power, and through the gift of modern medicine that this
Higher Power has given us, my Joe will survive.
Despite all the strife, we are very lucky to live in this day and age.
He will need much continued strength in the upcoming months. Please keep him in
your thoughts and prayers.
I will continue to update as I can.
I cannot 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙛𝙮𝙤𝙪 enough for every single thing you have done for us.
So much love to you all
Mary
In other health news, Mariah Carey has had to cancel several Christmas Concert appearances due to illness ... she's been fighting the flu (and I guess so far the flu's been winning.) kk
Kent,
After seeing that picture you
posted concerning lost and found, I thought of Jan and Dean's 1965 hit I FOUND
A GIRL.
Mentioning Ray Stevens, one of the
biggest records he had here in OKC back in 1959 was SGT PRESTON OF THE YUKON on
NRC.
There is an interesting story on the making of that record and why it was
pulled from radio stations' playlist ...
I read many years ago that when
Ray Stevens recorded and released SGT PRESTON OF THE YUKON in 1959 on
NRC records, promo copies were sent to the various radio stations across
the country. As you may or may not know, there was a television show of
that same name in the mid-fifties. What Ray Stevens and the producers
of that record did not know was that the name SGT PRESTON OF THE YUKON
was copyrighted. They got an order to quit distributing the record. I
believe the copy rights were to King Features Inc. I do know that here
locally in OKC, it made it into the top 5.
Also, thanks for posting the Glenn
Yarbrough song.
Larry Neal
From Tom Cuddy … recorded live in Manchester on December 14th,
2024 …
There is a new Wham! documentary running on Netflix right
now celebrating the 40th anniversary of “Last Christmas,” their perennial
holiday tune.Some interesting insight
as to how George Michael had so precision-planned the song’s release to be a
sure-thing #1 Hit at Christmas-time, 1984, only to fall into the runner-up
position thanks to Bob Geldof’s / Band Aid fundraising single “Do They Know It’s
Christmas” … on which Michael participated!!!
We told you last week that “Last Christmas” hit its US peak
on last week’s Hot 100 Chart … coming in behind “Rockin’ Around The Christmas
Tree” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” some pretty tough competition to
beat at this point.Still, it took the
song a full 40 years to peak at #3.
But last year, in 2023, 39 years after it was recorded, it
finally hit #1 in Great Britain, a record-setting feat over there.(Of course, last year HERE it was Brenda Lee’s
hit that drew all of the attention as “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
finally hit the top of the chart 65 YEARS after it was first released!!!)
A bit of holiday cheer for a couple of old (new) standards
from our friends across the sea.(kk)
DIDJAKNOW?: Although credited to Wings, Paul McCartney played all of the instruments on "Wonderful Christmastime" and he and Linda handled all of the vocals. Still, the whole band is featured in the video, synching along with vocals and instruments they never performed on the record!
Likewise, George Michael insisted on playing all of the instruments himself on "Last Christmas." He felt it was the only way to ensure reproducing the sounds he heard in his head when he wrote the song. So everything you hear (down to the programmed drum machine and sleight bells to all of the vocals) is George ... yet he still credited the single to Wham! ... and they appear in this video, too. (kk)
Hi Kent -
Happy Holidays 🎁 to you! Glad you dig my forgotten pix!
Happy 75th birthday 🎂 to Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top! Dec.16th
Wow! That's an oldie but goodie ... LOTS more grey in that beard these days!
(Of course you could say the same about me!)
I know I've run this photo before ... but it's such a great shot! (kk)
