Meanwhile, here's a quick round of Sunday Comments!
re: A FEW MORE PASSINGS:
Marvin Isley, the youngest of the Isley Brothers, dead at age 56. Just wanted to see if I can beat Ron Smith.
Jack (Rock and Roll Never Forgets)
And you actually DID!!! (By a few minutes anyway!!!) Actually, we heard quite a bit of coverage surrounding this one on the radio the next day ... even a couple of tributes on the local news (including an old Soul Train appearance!)
The Isley Brothers hit Billboard's Pop Top 40 fifteen times (if you count solo chart appearances by Ronald and Ernie) ... but believe it or not, one of their BEST known hits, "Shout", wasn't one of them! This record petered out at #47 when it was first released back in 1959 ... and a reissue three years later fared even worse! (#94 in 1962). Yet it is one of the songs most associated with the group, most likely due to the resurrection of this tune in the popular hit movie "Animal House". (In the film, the song was performed by a make believe group called Otis Day and the Knights ... but since that film hit theaters, The Isley Brothers' version has become a radio staple!) Their 1962 remake of "Twist And Shout" inspired The Beatles to cover the tune. (The Isley's version reached #17)
They wouldn't have their next Top 20 Hit for four years ... but while briefly signed to Motown's Tamla record label they scored a classic with "This Old Heart Of Mine". (#12, 1966) Ron Isley would later re-record that song as a duet with rocker Rod Stewart in 1990 and best his original chart performance when Rod's remake reached #10!
Their BIGGEST Pop Hit came in 1969 when "It's Your Thing" sailed to #2. My personal favorite, "That Lady" (#6, 1973) and "Fight The Power" (#4, 1975) also reached The Top Ten on Billboard's Pop Chart.
Marvin is the second Isley Brother to leave us. (O'Kelly Isley died in 1986 from a heart attack.) kk
Marvin Isley, 56, the bassist who helped the rhythm 'n' blues vocal trio the Isley Brothers reinvent themselves as a self-contained band and was featured on such hits as "That Lady," "Fight the Power," "Choosey Lover" and "Between the Sheets", died June 6 at a hospice in Chicago from complications of diabetes. Marvin joined the Brothers in 1972 when they were already well established as one of the most influential acts in soul and rock.
The original Isley Brothers trio, Ronald, Rudolph and O'Kelly Isley started as a Cincinnati gospel group in 1955, and the influence of the "church wrecking" style could be heard on such early hits as "Shout" (1959) and "Twist and Shout" (1962). They later recorded for Motown, briefly hired a young guitarist Jimi Hendrix (who was going by the stage name Jimmy James) for their road band in 1966 and, following the lead of Curtis Mayfield, started their own record company, T-Neck Records.
Anyone who was around in the late 1960s probably heard (or danced to) the Isleys' biggest hit in that era, "It's Your Thing" which was ubiquitous on the radio in 1968.
All that happened before younger brothers Marvin and Ernie joined the group.
In 1973, the trio added brothers Marvin on bass, Ernie on guitar and brother-in-law, Chris Jasper on organ. As a sextet and a self-contained band, they recorded the album "3+3" which included the hit "That Lady" (which most of us recall as "Who's That Lady?"). The infectious song, with Marvin Isley's kinetic bass grooves and Ernie Isley's stunning, Hendrix-influenced guitar work, gave notice of how mainstream soul was changing under the influence of Hendrix and such funk bands as Mandrill and Parliament / Funkadelic.
As hip-hop exploded in the last two decades, the 3+3 era Isley Brothers became one of the most sampled old-school soul acts. Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" (1989) borrowed not only samples but its title from the 1976 Isleys' song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRkw9UnVhug
More recently, Lil' Wayne snagged a piece of 1972's "Lay Away" for his "Receipt" (2005).
In 1984, the three younger members left to form Isley / Jasper / Isley, a short-lived funk band. The original trio continued without them until O'Kelly Isley's death in 1986. Around the same time, Rudolph Isley left the band to start a ministry. Eventually, Marvin and Ernie Isley rejoined although Marvin Isley retired from active performing in the 1990s when he was diagnosed with diabetes. The illness eventually forced doctors to amputate both his legs.
Guitarist Ernie and lead singer Ronald continued to perform in later years with other musicians as the Isley Brothers until Ronald Isley was charged with tax evasion in 2004 for which he was later imprisoned. He was released just this year. All six Isleys were inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Ken
And finally, Ron Smith's official report:
Marvin Isley, bass player for his family group, the Isley Brothers, from 1969 to 1984 and from 1991 to 1997 died Monday (June 7) in Chicago at the age of 56. Marvin had suffered from diabetes, which cost him both of his legs and forced him to retire from the group in 1997. From 1984 to 1991, he played with his brother Ernie and their cousin, Chris Jasper,in the trio Isley, Jasper, Isley. Though not an original Isley Brother, Marvin lent his strong bass rhythms to such hits as "It's Your Thing" (#2 - 1969), "I Turned You On" (#23 - 1969), "Love The One You're With" (#18 - 1971), "Pop That Thang" (#24 - 1972), "That Lady" (#6 - 1973) and "Fight The Power" (#4 - 1975). Isley, Jasper, Isley charted with two pop and six R&B songs in the eighties -- the biggest of which was "Caravan Of Love" (#51 pop, #1 R&B). Marvin was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame with his brothers in 1992.
-- Ron Smith
Ron also had some other sad news to share:
Anita Humes, lead singer of the Essex, died May 30 at the age of 69. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1940, Anita was a Marine, entertaining at the non-commissioned officer's club at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, when she met four other leathernecks (Rodney Taylor, Walter Vickers, Billie Hill and Rudolph Johnson) and joined their group, which eventually was named after Essex County, New Jersey. They asked another Marine to write an original uptempo song for an audition with Roulette Records. William Linton worked in the communications department and he and his co-writer wrote "Easier Said Than Done" to the beat of the camp's teletype machine. It was placed on the b-side of "Are You Going My Way" in 1963. As happened so often back then, DJs turned the record over and sent "Easier Said Than Done" to #1 for two weeks that July. Being Marines made it difficult to support their recordings with concerts. Rudolph was shipped overseas before the sound-alike follow-up, "A Walkin' Miracle," reached #12 later that year. And when "She's Got Everything" topped at #56 that Fall and "Curfew Lover" (credited to "Anita Humes and the Essex) didn't even chart, the handwriting was on the wall. Anita left the Marines and did some solo recordings, but her lack of success caused her to join the Army, where she sang with the Army Showmobile. The group reunited for a PBS special in 2004.
-- Ron Smith
Crispian St. Peters, who took "The Pied Piper" to #4 in 1966, died Tuesday (June 8) after a series of debilitating illnesses that left him in a wheelchair. He was 71 and still lived in the Swanley, Kent, England home where he was born Robin Peter Smith in 1939. Crispian played guitar and sang in a number of local bands, while working as a librarian, movieprojectionist and potato picker, among other jobs. He made his first recording with Peter and the Wolves in 1964. The following year he went solo and signed with England's Decca Records. While his first two singles did not chart, his third, "You Were On My Mind" (already a U.S. hit for the We Five), reached #2 in the U.K. (it was released on Jamie Records in the U.S., but failed to chart until its re-release in 1967 when it made #36). His next single was the career-defining "Pied Piper," which topped out on the British charts at #5 in the Spring of 1966. The follow-up, "Changes," failed to make the top 40 in either country, however and other than "You Were On My Mind," his only chart appearancesin either country were two songs that "bubbled-under" in America -- "Your Ever Changin' Mind" and "Look Into My Teardrops." The blame might be placed on his PR, which portrayed him as arrogant and cocky. He claimed to have written 80 songs that were better than the Beatles', said he was more exciting than Tom Jones and would make Elvis Presley "look like the "Statue of Liberty." He kept on recording and performing until his health forced his retirement in 2001 (his last public performance had been two years earlier). He had suffered a stroke in 1995 that left him partially paralyzed in his right arm, caught pneumonia in 2003 and admitted to three nervous breakdowns -- the first in 1970 after being dropped by Decca. He also suffered from emphysema.
-- Ron Smith
And, under the heading of "New Light Shed On The Death Of Barry Cowsill", Ron also sent us THIS report:
Susan Cowsill of the Cowsills has shed new light on the death of her brother, Barry, after Hurricane Katrina. In an interview with Associated Press about her new album, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100610/ap_en_mu/us_music_susan_cowsill she talked about Barry:
It was on December 28, 2005, when Barry's body was recovered from the Chartres Street Wharf, a presumed victim of Katrina's flooding. His sister's detective work concluded it might not be that simple. Barry was a troubled soul who had been due to enter alcohol rehabilitation the Monday after Katrina struck. He resisted evacuation, and he survived, leaving several messages with family asking to be retrieved. Following the storm, a brass plaque was found by a famous oak tree in New Orleans' Audobon Park that said, "In honor of Barry Cowsill, who died a true genius on the levee, Sept. 2, 2005." Cowsill discovered, after a friend pointed out the plaque, that Barry's necklace was wrapped around it. And the place he had been staying with a friend was missing a piece of brass. Her conclusion from this and other clues: Barry committed suicide."We'll never know for sure, but I think he walked into the water after putting up a plaque in memorial to himself," she said.
-- Ron Smith
After the recent passing of Dennis Hopper, I received this note from FH Regular Clark Besch:
Dennis Hopper grew up in Dodge City, Kansas, and his brother played with my older brothers growing up. He had skipped town by that part of the late 50's. Still, kinda cool ... Who'd have thunk he'd be a star from DC?
WLSClark
re: DICK BIONDI WAY:
Several weeks ago we told you about a street dedication here in Chicago for "Dick Biondi Way", our way of honoring this radio legend who broadcast his first program over the WLS-AM airwaves over fifty years ago. Now (courtesy of Robert Feder) come the details:
Tuesday, June 29, will be a Red Letter Day for Chicago and for radio. That’s when the city will officially dedicate the northwest corner of East Lake Street and North Garland Court as “Dick Biondi Way.” I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
In a ceremony starting at 2 p.m., the honorary street designation will salute the legendary disc jockey and Radio Hall of Famer who recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first broadcast on WLS-AM (890).
“It’s a great honor and I am happy to join so many wonderful people who have had streets named in their honor,” Biondi said in a statement Wednesday. The 77-year-old dynamo is still going strong from 7 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday on Citadel Broadcasting oldies WLS-FM (94.7).
Speakers at the dedication are expected to include 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly, who sponsored the resolution in the Chicago City Council; Michael Damsky, president and general manager of WLS; and veteran broadcaster Bob Sirott, who spearheaded the drive for the honorary street designation. “Dick’s gone from ‘on top of a pizza’ to underneath Michigan Avenue, and with his sense of humor, humility, and love of every inch of Chicago, it’s the perfect spot to bear his name,” Sirott said.
The location of “Dick Biondi Way” was chosen for its proximity to the 360 North Michigan Avenue building that housed the studios and offices of WLS-AM (890) for decades.
“Dick is truly a Chicago legend and it is very fitting that he’s being honored in this manner,” said Michael La Crosse, operations director of WLS-FM. “It is something that is long overdue, but extremely well deserved. It is yet another memorable accomplishment in an extraordinary career.”
In another treat for Biondi’s legion of fans, WLS-FM has created a series of web pages containing audio podcasts, videos and photographs from his 50th anniversary show on May 2. (Here is the link.)
-- Robert Feder
re: HIT PARADE RADIO ...
AND OTHER RADIO-RELATED COMMENTS:
As we mentioned last week, they've pulled the plug on Hit Parade Radio ... sadly before it ever really had the chance to get off the ground and gain an audience. Founder John Rook sent me a copy of their "official" statement that went out to Radio-Info.com last week:
Radio-Info.com
6-7-10
Hit Parade Radio hits the wall with funding and goes silent.
One of the first walls it smacked into was last year, over the rights to the name “Hit Parade Radio.” Format creator John Rook and Marc Angell at Global Radio reached an agreement (July 31, 2009 TRI Newsletter) that left Rook with the right to go forward as Hit Parade Radio. But the legal tussle cost Rook some funding. Steve Humphries of Earthworks stepped in and satellite delivery began in 2010. Harris Broadcasting was reportedly ready to help out, and then was unable to. That led to a discontinuation of the format that had once featured Wink Martindale, Larry Lujack and Chuck Brinkman. Hit Parade Radio ops director Vic Thomas tells affiliates "It all comes down to money, and over the last couple of weeks, for various reasons, our major funding sources have gone away.” Like legendary programmer John Rook, he’s sad to see it go - "Call it the bad economy, the current state of the broadcasting industry, or just bad timing. Whatever the causes, we gave it our best shot." The plug got pulled early Sunday afternoon. Expect John Rook to put the oldies music he loves online, and the four-year-old Hit Parade Hall of Fame to continue to run as a separate project.
It's sad to hear HPR is gone before it was fully launched. If John Rook was using the term "Hit Parade Radio" in the 1960s, I wonder if any lawsuits or agreements were involved in Drake Chenault's syndicated format in the seventies. In this demo, I always get a kick out of the Mazda spot advertising the rotary Wankel engine. It's been a while since they dropped that for a standard engine. A local station here in Nashville was using the term "Solid Gold" rather heavily in 1974 and received a cease-and-desist letter from Drake Chenault, who had a syndicated format by the same name. The local station's attorney replied with a letter explaining how "solid gold" was a generic term used by people all over, and that Drake would never win a claim of ownership. Drake didn't pursue the issue. David Lewis
It sounds like it wasn't any one, specific incident that caused Hit Parade Radio to throw in the towel ... but rather a combination of events that just kept piling up to the point of simply becoming more than they could handle ... both mentally and financially. Too bad ... I had high hopes for where they might go with this idea, especially since they seemed to be catering to the "ignored" demographic that we talk about so often here in Forgotten Hits.
As for the phrase "Hit Parade", John Rook certainly didn't invent it ... as far back as the early '50's "Your Hit Parade" aired regularly on NBC featuring vocalists like Snooky Lanson, Giselle MacKenzie, Dorothy Collins performing the most popular hits of the day. (We've covered this series many times before in Forgotten Hits ... and how RIDICULOUS these artists looked trying to capture the essence of "Rock And Roll" once this new-fangled "fad" hit the music scene in the mid-'50's!!!) In fact, the series even featured "The Hit Parade Dancers" ... and the background vocalists were referred to as "The Hit Paraders". "Hit Parade Magazine" was a very popular lyric sheet in the '60's, too, providing the "sing-along" words for all the Hit Top 40 Songs on the radio at the time.
When Rook came to WLS in Chicago, one of the first things he did was scrap our weekly Top 40 "Silver Dollar Survey" in favor of a new "Hit Parade" sheet. Quite honestly, it offended quite a few of the music fans and collectors ... we thought our "Silver Dollar Survey" sheet was uniquely representative of Chicago. (To this day, the WLS Chart is always referred to as "The Silver Dollar Survey" ... I didn't find out until very recently that several stations around the country were ALSO publishing their own "Silver Dollar Survey" each week, charting the most popular songs on their various radio stations!) "Hit Parade" always sounded "dated" to me, probably because of that early '50's association to the television program that many of us remembered growing up with. However, it was the PERFECT moniker for Rook's latest radio venture, spotlighting songs and artists dating back to 1950 who have been absent from the airwaves for DECADES now.
It sounds like they will continue streaming over the Internet (and Wi-Fi connections) ... no official word yet as to whether or not any of the previously mentioned disc jockeys will still be on hand from time to time. (kk)
Hi, Kent ...
As always, I enjoy your weekly journeys into the Vault of Treasured Music. Keep up the good work.
I was really dismayed to hear of the demise of Hit Parade Radio. I know my good friend, John Rook, put forth an intense effort to make it all work but, as he commented, these tough economic times made it very tough sledding. I think it is a great conceptual idea and let's hope he can make if bear fruit in the future. If anybody can, John can! I think the world of John. I have a long history with him going back to KTLN in Denver in 1961.
By the way ... John may be letting me into his vault of Gold Records. I, personally, only retained a dozen from over 50 that I had at one time. Can't believe I let them get away, or worse yet, even tossed away during my moves. Oh, well.
As you know, I am always on the hunt for Gold Records, circa 1955-1979. You know the kind: usually framed with an inscription to a DJ, PD or radio station ... many times the artist him / herself. Will pay $50 - $500 depending on rarity and condition. I'd really appreciate it if you'd be kind enough to share this message with your readers. Please ask those who might share to contact me at: kruzers@msn.com
Thanks for this posting.
Ted Atkins
Former PD of KIMN, WOL, CKLW, KFRC, KHJ and VP / GM of WTAE / 96KX
here in Pittsburgh
>>>Ron Smith just sent me a link for "Chicago Radio" Online ... featuring the familiar voices of Clark Weber, Fred Winston, Tommy Edwards, Scotty Brink, Mitch Michaels, Sky Daniels, Patti Haze, Doug Dahlgren ... and more to come! You can check it all out right here: Click here: Chicago Radio Online More details as they become more available ... so stay tuned. (kk)
This is pretty neat to hear about especially considering the below:
>>> HIT PARADE RADIO IS OVER - This is a sad thing, since I was looking forward to finally hearing SUPERJOCK LARRY LUJACK on the air again. (kk)
>>>This is extra sad, since Sunday is Larry Lujack's 70th birthday. (Ron Smith)
Happy Birthday to UNCLE LAR!! SEVENTY TODAY?? Wow! Amazing!
WLSClark
I tried to get a comment from both Clark Weber and Fred Winston regarding the new "Chicago Radio Online" but didn't hear back from either in time for today's Comments Page. Suffice to say this sounds like a pretty new venture ... pretty much just pre-programmed blurbs from the jocks at this point ... more of a "promo piece" I guess you could say ... but I'm hoping to get more details as to when they'll officially launch the station and what it'll sound like. As soon as I know, you can rest assured that we'll pass the information along to our readers. Some pretty heavy-hitting names from Chicago's Radio Past are attached to this thing ... can't wait to see where it goes from here! (kk)
Dear Kent:
Just read your latest. Always enjoyable.
I have three interesting interviews coming up on my show that I wish you would mention.
My show is on from 7 PM till 3:01 AM (eastern).
The upcoming phone interviews are at 9 PM (eastern)
6/11 - John Rex Reeves (the nephew of Jim Reeves)
We'll be talking about John's career as well as that of Jim Reeves. And John was very close with Jim, so there's lots to be said.
6/18 - Stephen Butts will be talking about his famous group "The Highwaymen". The group has been performing all these years. We'll also talk about David Fisher who just passed away.
6/25 - Eddie Rambeau the man who wrote "Navy Blue" plus hundreds of other songs plus his own hit "Concrete and Clay". He has a history that is quite unbelievable with 27 CDs that he recorded. There is lots to hear about from this talented man.
Note: Many past interviews are now up on my web page www.ramtownline.com/popshoppe
Best,
Stu Weiss
KK --
I put the word out for my listeners to vote for their summertime faves (I had just played a 45 by the Beach Boys called Beach Boys Medley).
By the way, June 22 will be 80s night on The FLip Side Radio Show. Everybody tune in at 7 pm Central; RadioFreeNashville.org -- or use the FREE iPhone app "Public Radio" and just search Radio Free Nashville.
Thanks!
Mr. C
Thanks for helping us to spread the word! (kk)
Kent ...
I wrote to Wild Wayne. He wrote back, telling me that he's interviewing Frank Vincent on Sunday's show. Frank was a musician before becoming an actor. I know he played on some hit records. This leads me to my "Goodfellas" trivia question:
At the bar scene, just before Frank Vincent gets killed, standing at the bar drinking, one of Frank Vincents crew is a man who's lead singer of New York 50's group. (They had a #1 Hit )
Name the singer and the group.
If any of your readers are interested, Wild Wayne's Memory Machine is on Sunday, 6 - 8 PM Eastern on WWUH.org
Frank B.
Well, since I've never seen "Goodfellas" I'm gonna have to pass on this one ... but I'm sure SOMEBODY on the list will know the answer! We've plugged Wild Wayne's show before ... you can "Listen Live" here: (kk)
Click here: THE OFFICIAL "WILD" WAYNE WEBSITE
>>>Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA
Larry Neal IS a KOMA and midwest legend!! It was Larry whom I would tune in to hear the Cryan' Shames on the air in the 80's on AM. He would play that lost 45 of mine, "Walkin' the Chalk" by the Swingin' Conners. I remember those KOMA 500 countdowns of the era. Local OK group doing "Bend It" made those charts!! Growing up in Dodge City, I certainly loved WKY and KOMA battles in OKC radio in the 60's. Like WLS and CFL, many DJ's went from one station to the other. British legend David Peele was on KOMA for a short time. I did not like the bloke's delivery on KOMA and he was gone soon. I had no idea he was a Brit legend. Larry Lujack helped land Charlie Tuna (a Kearney Nebraska high schooler landed to KOMA out of school) at WMEX in Boston and then to superstar in LA after driving cross country to move from KJR Seattle to WMEX and heard Charlie on KOMA and told his PD at WMEX that he needed to get this KOMA star. SO MANY stories on these KOMA greats. Larry knows them all, I would guess. My older brother taped local hit "Johnny Blue" off KOMA in 1960 as a kid, but I still cannot find the 45! Then, there's all those band promos for the midwest that KOMA played -- The Fabulous Flippers being the big boys of the area.Like Larry, we have collected the 45's when possible, but taped off KOMA and WKY as well when we could not get the 45 in Dodge City. We enjoyed and taped off KOFM, too. Mine and Kent's fave Emitt Rhodes got played on KOFM, I believe!! Larry and Ricky the K played great weekend shows heard nationally on AM radio in the 80's on KOMA!! It was almost like being back there in the 60's. Larry played the old survey countdowns and his wax museum played almost EVERY record KOMA and WKY played and more, while Ricky played jingles, the fast jock talk and drop ins as well as charting hits nationally as well as lots of joking. It was a great time for KOMA on AM. Thanks for the great radio, Larry and thanks KOMA for the "Yours Truly" jingles!!
Clark Besch
Larry and I have exchanged several emails since ... and we ARE going to put together a Local Hits, Oklahoma style piece for the website, so stay tuned.
For all you radiophiles out there, if you don't already have a copy, you might like to pick up a copy of "Turn It Up! American Radio Tales, 1946 - 1996" by Bob Shannon ... some GREAT insight into the hey-day of Top 40 Radio, featuring spotlight feature profiles on SO many of the great jocks of this era. Culled from Bob's published archives from "Radio And Records" as well as the media website http://www.allaccess.com/, it offers some TREMENDOUS looks behind-the-scenes regarding the workings of radio ... and all that it entailed back in the glory days. While Larry Neal's not in there (nor is Ricky The K, another Forgotten Hits Reader), you WILL find in-depth profiles on Lee Abrams, Jack Armstrong, Dick Biondi, Chuck Blore, Scotty Brink, Ron Chapman, Rick Dees, Tom Donahue, Bill Drake, Alan Freed, Dan Ingram, Tom Joyner, Casey Kasem, Murray The K, Larry Lujack, Robert W. Morgan, Pat O'Day, Gary Owens, Art Roberts, John Rook, John Sebastian, Scott Shannon, Charlie Tuna, Fred Winston and Wolfman Jack, along with DOZENS of others. Excellent reading if you're as big a fan of radio as I am. You can order YOUR copy at:
Click here: American Radio Tales: Turn It Up! American Radio Tales 1946-1996 as well as Amazon.com ... (Bob even autographed my copy!) kk
Time to lay off on Jeff James and the Windy City @ 6 program. So what if it's not for everybody. For years you've been preaching about new, creative radio programming -- and every single reader on your list seems to be sick to death of the constant repetition of songs on oldies radio -- so give the guy some credit for trying something new -- and give it a chance to catch on. He told you upfront that this program was going to be "Forgotten Hits On Steroids" -- and to my ears that's exactly what he's delivered. I say give it a chance -- the program is still finding its legs -- and quite honestly you're not going to hear anything else like it anywhere on the radio dial.
Rich
All good points, Rich ... and you're right ... it IS a bit hypocritical to preach "change and creativity" and then criticize one for programming it. The biggest difference in my mind is that Forgotten Hits has always been about the songs you KNOW but that radio has ignored for decades ... legitimate hit that made their mark on the charts but then slipped into The Twilight Zone of oldies radio ... NOT songs you've never heard before or were never a hit. While I agree that there IS a place for this, I believe it has to come in moderation ... give the audience a chance to develop an affection for these tunes ... and my suggestion of featuring a couple each night was simply a means to this end. Let's face it, the bottom line in radio is still ratings ... if people are changing the channel for the last hour of Jeff's show, some adjustment will need to be made to keep Windy City @ 6 a viable part of programming. Jeff and I have talked about this and he says the majority of feedback he's receiving at the station has been positive ... so much so that he's added a Windy City @ 6 segment to his web page where he lists the names of the songs and artists that he's been playing for those curious enough to want to seek out a copy. (You can check it all out right here: http://www.y1039.com/pages/7368558.php?)
The show IS still "finding its legs" and Jeff has been tweaking it as it continues to do so. (Jeff so much as told us that, once he got the green light to go ahead with this program, he was "like a kid in the candy store!") And there have been some GREAT titles featured on this most recent list ... man, I just LOVE that Jerry G. Bishop song ... it has always been one of my favorites!!!) And I still say that for my money there isn't ANYONE better at programming music variety than Jeff right now ... listen to his "Live Drive At 5 All Request Hour" ... at least three time a night you'll find yourself saying "Wow!" out loud ... it's just FULL of radio surprises ... typically thanks to these "Forgotten Hits" that we KNOW and miss.
All your points are noted, Rich ... but in all fairness, scroll back and see how much space we've devoted to this program over the past couple of weeks ... clearly WE want to see it succeed as well ... and ALL of our comments have been positive suggestions as to how to better make that happen! (kk)
Hello Kent Baby !
Ouch on some of your feedback but welcome to radio!
Honestly I appreciate all feedback - it is nice to be listened to and I have always said on the air - leave feedback at our web site. Of course you can't please everybody at the same time and I would be a dumb ass to think there is a possibility.
The premise with the show is to bring back many records that were from Chicago from the known to the unknown bands ... like in the old days when stations would play local artists and of course some would bomb and others would gain a following.
In regards to people like Rick and Ed who took time to leave feedback - thanks but please understand that if you don't like a record, that does not make it suck (as I quote.) Heck, I am forced to play CATS IN THE CRADLE -- from my view, a dreadful record and hope to never hear it again. Now with that being said, does it suck? = = = NO! It is a well written and produced record --- just not my taste.
Now granted some of the deep garage rock singles were actually made in studios smaller than my office - and yes, production lacks - vocals can be worked on, etc, etc, but for me -- and I am sure many others - these are still fun to listen to!
Please feel free to check out the web site as I have been posting the music logs and you will note I have been trying to get the hits -- almost hits -- should of been a hit -- missed being a hit -- into a ratio we can live with.
I have no problem playing the hits - but according to feedback from other sections of your site - people are blasting radio for playing the same songs over and over - - well with that being said, there is nothing wrong in taking a whole 50 minutes of an entire day to play a few selections off the beaten path - - I mean if you want to hear the same ol same ol, then I would not be the person to listen to, since I have the opportunity to dig a little deeper. BUT Again, I have no problem working on the ratio with hits to non hits - heck that is part of the fun !!
Now all you out there - - - CRANK UP THE RADIO AND TURN OFF THE DAMN CELL PHONES !!
Peace baby!
Jeff James
Y103.9
Thanks, Jeff ... and, as I've told you, I truly can feel the show starting to "settle in" a little more now. (Jeff and I have talked about doing a FH Interview down the road, better exploring his love and affection for this great Chicagoland music ... without question, if you grew up here, those ties run deep!) We've heard from a number of "transplanted" Chicagoans now who grew up here in the '60's and '70's and then, for whatever reason, relocated at some point in their lives ... who are now enjoying Jeff James' "flashback" over the Internet every weeknight at 6:00 Central. And we're also talking about lining up some mini on-air interviews with some of the artists who made a lot of this great music (as MANY of them are regular Forgotten Hits readers.) ALL good things to come. So please continue to give the show a shot as all these changes start to settle in. You can "Listen Live" here: Click here: Listen Live To WWYW - Y103.9
re: HEY SPUD, HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST ELVIS NEWS?:
Kent ...
My niece sent me this e-mail. Elvis Potato Head. She thinks it's stupid. Me, I like anything that has to do with Elvis. What do you think?
Frank B.
Well, I certainly want one!!! (lol) kk
Mr. Potato Head adding an Elvis version
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Wed Jun 09, 08:35 AM
The Elvis Presley estate has signed a deal for Hasbro Inc. and PPW Toys to release an Elvis version of Mr. Potato Head. Kevin Kern, a spokesman for Presley's Graceland estate, told The Commercial Appeal the new toy is one of 15,000 Elvis-licensed products and is one the company is excited about. The first of the Elvis potato heads will be released for Elvis Tribute Week in August. The toy will be in a jumpsuit. A second version - with the likeness dressed in black leather - will be on the market for Christmas. PPW Toys spokesman Dean Gorby said the Elvis Mr. Potato Head will broaden the audience from young fans to adult toy collectors.
(I dunno ... there's something Sammy Davis Jr. - looking about this guy!!! lol) kk
re: CLIP OF THE WEEK:
Our FH Buddy Wild Bill Cody just sent us THIS clip titled "Hitler Sings"! (Funny stuff! When I first saw the headline, I figured that this was something I'd have to file away with my Charles Manson CD!!! lol) kk
With your appreciation of music, I thought you'd like this ...
Lord have MERCY!!!
Wild Bill
An INCREDIBLE piece of editing, to be sure!!! Who thinks up this stuff?!?!? (kk)
re: YOUR SUMMER FAVORITES:
We're getting down to the wire in compiling your list of All-Time Summer Favorites. If you haven't voted yet, please get your votes in soon ... the polls close at Midnight on Tuesday, June 15th. (When we asked for votes last week via email, we got bombarded with over 2700 votes in about 2 1/2 hours!!! Unreal ... but hey, we asked for it!!!) Our goal is to make this countdown as accurate as possible ... so send YOUR votes in NOW to forgottenhits@aol.com. Meanwhile, here are a few notable comments we received on this topic:
KK,
For some reason one of my favorite Summer Songs is 'The Bristol Stomp' by the Dovells ... it brings back fond High School memories. I hate to admit it by being from Boston but I always thought the song was about Bristol, CT, when in fact I think I found out it was actually Bristol, Pa. Ha Ha!
Charlie
Here is my list of ten summer favorites. Each song is connected with something good going on in a particular summer, so it's an extremely subjective thing.Should be fun to see the aggregated rankings!
Jeff
It's shaping up as quite a list ... nearly 300 titles nominated so far ... with over a dozen songs already commanding 100 or more votes! This type of response should really help to make this a pretty "definitive" list of Summer Favorites! (kk)
For my list of summer favorites, I picked nine songs with Summer in the title. #10, Heroes and Villains, is one of my favorite Beach Boys' tunes and my token BB's vote. All things considered, for the greatest summer tunes, you could simply crack open the Beach Boys catalog and take the rest of the day off.
Dave Briggs
Auburn, ME
By the way, I listen to Scott Shannon's "True Oldies Channel" on WLAM / WLVP, Auburn / Portland, Maine as well as MusicChoice's "Solid Gold Oldies" via Time Warner's Road Runner Radio.
Without question, The Beach Boys dominate the ballot ... as of this morning, an incredible 21 Beach Boys titles are on the list! How many will make the final Top 40 is up to you!!! (kk)
KENT ...
SUMMER SONGS ARE SPECIAL ... THEY SHOULD REMIND YOU OF A GIVEN WINDOW OF TIME ... THEY SHOULD REMIND YOU OF TRANSISTOR RADIOS ... A GREAT SUMMER SONG DOESN'T REALLY HAVE TO BE ABOUT BIKINIS, BLOND HAIR AND FRENCH FRIED FACES!
CHET COPPOCK / chetcoppock.com
Just to clarify: Do you want Songs about Summer? Songs released in the Summer? Songs that remind us of Summer? Ken
lol ... ALL of the above!!! Just pick the songs that BEST evoke summer in your mind. We are getting titles all over the boards on this one ... so pick the ten that best remind you of summer for any or all of the reasons listed below. But send 'em quick ... the polls officially close at Midnight on Tuesday, June 15th!!! (kk)
re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
This is me, kid bobo, baby, here with you on WLIB, The Voice of Liberty in New York City. Be thankful for what you've got. Since being with you and meeting some of your wonderful listeners (including B.J. Thomas, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Leon Hughes and the late Johnny Maestro) all of whom have stopped by the Jocco's Auto World Show Room here in Nevada. I can never thank all of you who have given me the chance to serve you, the general public.
Jocco Cool Daddio
JOCCO'S AUTO WORLD PUBLICATION SINCE 1976
I LOVE your website! I am a dj on an internet radio station and I specialize in playing the "forgotten hits" ... Thanks for all you do!
All the best and Happy Summer
DJ Scarlett Hayze
http://myrevolutioradio.com
Thanks, Scarlett! (By the way, Scarlett is one of the jocks who'll be counting down your Summer Favorites! Stay tuned for more details!) kk
