Monday, September 5, 2011

Wrapping Up The Weekend Comments (Labor Day Monday)

re:  ON THE RADIO:
September 7 - 21, 2011: Marshall Lytle, founding member of Bill Haley's Comets, and DJ of the Stars Jimmy Jay from the Rewind Show will invade England together. They are booked for five shows over there and Jimmy will do his radio show live on Friday, September 9th, from the Holiday Inn Leeds, Garforth, at 7:30 PM UK Time. Plus they will stream live video on youstream.tv under jimmyjayevents (all one word).  The radio show will be sent to radio stations around the world from 247musicradio.com.  The shows are called the Rock Around the Clock Sock Hop. Jimmy gets the people dancing with the greatest hits of all time, and Marshall Shakes, Rattles and Rolls, complete with a live UK band.
If you live in the UK and would like to be at any of the events e-mail Jimmy jayjaydj@aol.com. Gigs are in the Leeds, Manchester and London areas. Tour plans are already underway to do it again next year by popular demand.
Closer to home they will be also be on a cruise ship together in December with Johnny Contrado (Sha NaNa) Joel Katz and more in December.
Jimmy is also doing a cruise with Paul Revere & The Raiders, Davy Jones (of The Monkees), Charlie Thomas (of The Drifters) and the Buckinghams in January of 2012.
Visit Jimmy Jay web site www.RewindShow.com
Thanks!
Jimmy Jay

Here comes word of a brand new Bobby Darin Series.  (No, not MINE ... I haven't even TOUCHED that yet!!!)  But Bobby fans will surely want to tune in and listen to this radio special!  (kk)
LARRY KING, CONNIE FRANCIS, STEVE BLAUNER (Bobby's Manager) and many others close to Bobby Darin joined Baltimore Net Radio to bring you their upcoming BOBBY DARIN TRIBUTE which will start on Monday, September 12th, from 3:00 PM (EST) to 5:00 PM and repeated at @ 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (EST) on Monday. It will air again that week on Friday, September 16th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (EST).
There are four, two-hour segments starting Monday, September 12th, filled with his great music and
wonderful, insightful interviews from those who knew Bobby Darin well.  This special series will run for four weeks with the final show airing the week of October 3rd.  Check program schedule here:     www.baltimorenetradio.com
Here's a link to the official Press Release for Baltimore Network Radio's BOBBY DARIN TRIBUTE:
http://prlog.org/11638895
Balltimore Net Radio plays THE BEST MUSIC from the '40s, '50s and '60s and often has special tribute shows honoring some of the greats in music.  Recent tribute shows have honored DORIS DAY, CONNIE FRANCES, BRENDA LEE, JOHNNY MATHIS and BOBBY VINTON.
Mary Anne Barothy, Public Relations Manager, 
www.baltimorenetradio.com ... "Where We Speak To The Stars"

I got this from The Belmonts' website the other day:
Hey guys,
Don K. Reed's Doo Wopp Shop is all new tonight, Sunday, September 4th, at 7 pm EDT.
Don's guest is Tony Testa of The Duprees. Hope you can join us ... and have a wonderful holiday!!!
Best wishes,
The Belmonts
 
http://www.thebelmonts.netKent ...
This show use to be on the old WCBS-FM.
I just listened to Don K. Reed's Doo - Wop Shop.  He interviewed Tony Testa of The Duprees.  
They have a new CD out - "Great Songs Of Our Time".  Next year will be the 50th Anniversary of their biggest hit, "You Belong To Me".  Plans for 2012 include a 50th Anniversary cruise to Bermuda. They also plan to appear with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
By the way, here is my Hurricane Irene Update:
Power OFF = Sunday, 1:30 AM
Power ON  = Saturday, 10:30 AM
No computer, no TV, no CD's.
Thank God for my battery powered radio & WCBS-FM.
Kent, I didn't turn the radio off once during the past week. Left it on all night. Did you ever think it was possible for me to love WCBS-FM more than I already do? LoL!!
Frank B.

And, speaking of natural disasters ...



re:  EAST COAST EARTHQUAKE:

On songs about earthquakes, the first tune that came to my mind was SOME KINDA EARTHQUAKE by Duane Eddy out of 1959.  Great comments today!

Larry Neal

>>>We just had an Earthquake, 5.9 on the Richter scale.  (Dotty Daniels)
>>>WCBS-FM has come up with the Earthquake Top 5.9 songs.  Clever don't you think?
(Frank B.)
>>>The first ones I came up with were "Shakin' All Over" by The Guess Who ... and "And The Walls Come Crumblin' Down" by John Cougar Mellencamp ... neither of which made the list, by the way!!!  And Frannie immediately came up with "I Feel The Earth Move" by Carole King!  (lol)  kk 
My theme song for the earthquake? The Temptations: "Standing On Shakey Ground". Then there is the little know song "The Earthquake" by the little known Troy Dodds, which is attached.
Hil
And not a bad little tune, I might add!  Thanks, Hil!  (kk)

re:  SOUL COAXING:
Kent,
In the top 500 Labor Day countdown, number twelve coming in for Raymond Lefevre's SOUL COAXING, I always did like that instrumental and yes, I am somewhat surprised that it came in that high or maybe even listed in the top 500. The only other record by Lefevre that I have and one which also charted here in OKC is his 1961 instrumental recording of the Fleetwood's COME SOFTLY TO ME on Atlantic. Have a great holiday weekend.
Larry
It's a late-blooming favorite, I guess. (I know we've talked about this once or twice before in Forgotten Hits ... the record never even charted here in Chicago ... and nationally only reached #36 on The Cash Box Chart ... so it's a bit of a surprise.)  "His version of "Come Softly To Me" never charted here either (but did show up on the "extras" list for a couple of weeks back in 1961 ... but, amazingly, his 1958 recording of "The Day The Rains Came" went all the way to #7 on the old WJJD Chart!  (kk)


re:  NEW RELEASES:
MusicGem is proud and happy to announce the release of our first CD, “The Portraits ~ 1966-68”.  This disc includes the band’s two singles (two of those songs charted in various areas), their two movie soundtrack recordings, both versions of their Schaefer Beer commercial and four previously unreleased cuts, all recorded during their stint with Mike Curb’s Sidewalk Productions.  The original recordings took place in Los Angeles and New York and all 12 tracks have been digitally re-mastered.
In addition to the performances of the band members, this music includes the talents of guitarists Tommy Tedesco, Davie Allan and Vinnie Bell, drummer Mel Lewis, and arrangers Don Peake and Peter Matz.
Give it a listen and see if you agree that the Portraits’ version of “Over The Rainbow” should have been a hit!
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
http://www.music-gem.com/index.html

Hello, everyone!
My band, ROB CARLSON & BENEFIT STREET, is officially releasing our FIRST FULL-LENGTH CD next week and having our CD RELEASE CONCERT / PARTY in two weeks!
"Rob Carlson & Benefit Street" (What Cheer CD3345) could be described as folk / rock / Americana, and all the songs are originals by Rob and the band members. The CD and individual tracks are already available for download at CD Baby and Amazon (links below) and should be up on iTunes soon if it isn't there already. You can pre-order a hard copy at our band website, www.robcarlsonmusic.com, which is active although under major reconstruction.
Our CD RELEASE CONCERT / PARTY is in less than a week, on Friday 9/9/11, at 7:30, at the Fairfield Theater Company in Fairfield, CT: http://fairfieldtheater.org.  
We'd love to fill the room with friends as well as strangers!
If you have a moment, please check us out and “like” us on our new FACEBOOK page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Rob-Carlson-and-Benefit-Street/254562967898560  
By the way, although we’re a new group, the band's roots go back to the 1960s and 1970s.
The story is told here in words and music: www.benefitstreetband.com  
Hope to see you and / or get comments on our music – or post at the various websites.
Thanks,
Paul Payton
a/k/a Country Paul

re:  COOL VIDEOS:
Frannie found this guy online and he's simply amazing!  We watched for an hour straight!  (He's got about 75 videos posted so far and each one seems more amazing than the last.  This guy can PLAY!!!)  Although most of this music might sound best while you're lying on the massage table, there is absolutely NO denying this guy's talent.  Check out this one clip (and I'll betcha you watch at least half a dozen more before you're done!)  kk


re:  ANOTHER FORGOTTEN HITS CHALLENGE:
One of our more popular features in the past was asking our readers how to describe and define Psychedelic Music to a nine year old ... in a way that she might actually understand it.  (In typical Forgotten Hits fashion, we turned the whole thing into a contest ... in fact, you'll find the winning results posted on our other website here: 
Now, we may have sparked a whole NEW contest idea ... check it out below:


>>>I feel a back-to-school mode in your blog this month.  I have been reading and printing the articles on the singers / groups you have been posting and will add material to my curriculum.  I have also added books listed here to my reading agenda and so MY mind will be alert and ready for those back-to-school, hit-the-ground-running requirements we need to engage our students in (my hope) an intriguing way.  (Shelley)
>>>Wouldn't it be nice (obvious Beach Boys plug) to teach a class on '60's music ... and then be able to turn your students on to some of this great music that we love so much?  Give them a better appreciation of where this music came from?  What a blast that would be!  (Imagine taking the whole class to see something like The Happy Together Again Tour for this year's field trip!!!  Outstanding!!!)  Wish I could find a gig like that (plus it'd be nice to supplement my income ... and actually get PAID for doing some of this!  lol)  Thanks, Shelley .. maybe we'll run a feature where each of your students has to write an essay about their favorite piece of '60's music ... and then we'll publish the best ones and award a Greatest Hits CD or something to the winner!  (kk)
AN ESSAY CONTEST OF MY STUDENTS' FAVES  FROM THE 60'S???!!!I am SO IN on this!  It incorporates the writing goal component, the reading goal component, the science goal component (learning through living & testing) a social studies goal component we don't even have (Hehehehehe), a fine arts goal component, and MY personal component of connecting life, enjoyment, learning and music. (obviously this last one is the most important)
Shelley J. Sweet-Tufano
VERY cool ... hey, I'm up for it!  (And we've still got some great prizes left in the prize closet, too!)  Too bad I can't come out and visit with the class ... play them some examples and tell them what we're looking for ... but I think this could turn into a VERY interesting piece ... heck, we'll even run some of the best essays right here on the website.  (Anybody else out there wanna get in on this deal???)  kk


re:  CONCERTS:
What a great day for music yesterday at the ROCKY MOUNTAIN MUSIC FEST at Denver's Botanic Gardens!
Good News and Bad News ... 
Good news:  Our Byrd Brother Rick Roberts looked good (got pics coming), took the stage with Tony Rosario, and together they did a tribute to vets across the country. Rick also did "Just Remember I Love You", "Cinderella" and "You Are The Woman". I talked to Rick for about 30 minutes, met his adorable wife, and talked for quite a while with Chris Hillman, who also visited the Roberts Family (again pics forthcoming). 
As far as the Desert Rose Band is concerned, Chris informed me that Jay Dee Maness would not be with them as he was hospitalized for an emergency appendectomy ... and there was NO TIME to find another pedal steel player, as it happened Saturday Night! He told me this when we all visited with Rick and his family.  You could tell Chris was concerned. Chris offered up the info when I asked him if he thought maybe Rick could take the stage with them to sing the Flying Burrito Brothers Classic  "Colorado", but there was NO 
possibility without a pedal steel on that song ... PERIOD!
I asked him if they got a chance to practice and Chris said yes, the night before, for about 30 minutes. They took the stage and were immediately discombobulated.  Chris' mandolin broke a string on the first song so he had to grab a guitar and play some songs they weren't ready for while it was being restrung backstage.  Then came a few wrong chords and forgotten lyrics. Chris finally got his mandolin back and they settled down and did a great show, John Jorgenson was great as ever and Chris, Herb and John's vocals were superb. Chris mentioned since Jay Dee couldn't make it, they would be FORCED to come back to Colorado and play once again when he was alright so the entire DRB could be heard in their entirety.
Certainly not the BEST DRB Show I've ever seen, but a huge loss without Jay Dee on pedal steel. The crowd was sparse but the rain was threatening the entire show. My two favorite songs were Herb's song that he wrote "Just a Minute" and, of course, their ending tune that always tears down the house with John's blistering guitar riffs, "The Price I Pay".  
They actually did that, said goodnight then came back on stage to end with "Will This Be the Day".
All in all I'd give the show a "B" rating.
Wild Bill Cody
Wild Bill with Chris Hillman 
 (formerly of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and The Desert Rose Band)
The Desert Rose Band
The Desert Rose Band
 



Here in Chicago, we had an absolutely PERFECT weekend weather-wise again ... that's two in a row!!!  
(I don't think that's happened all summer!!!  And now summer's virtually over!)  
We decided to take advantage of the cooler temps and clear skies and ventured out to Schaumburg's Septemberfest last night and caught Heartsfield live in concert.  I haven't seen these guys in YEARS!!!  (There was a time back in the '70's when I swear Hearsfield was part of the line-up for virtually EVERY major show that played here in Chi-Town.  In fact, I believe a couple of the guys are even on our Forgotten Hits Mailing List, but I can't be sure as I haven't heard from them in a while.  Guys, if you're out there, give us a shout!)
It made for a perfect night of outdoor entertainment ... and their biggest radio hit "Music Eyes" (#85, 1974) really got the crowd going and singing along.  (Other than that, don't expect much audience participation from the Schaumburg Fest Crowd ... we've been disappointed year after year after year by the lack of enthusiasm shown by these typically large crowds for anyone other than the headliners.) 
And the headliners Sunday Night were The Fabulous Thunderbirds (who we did NOT stick around to see).  The Thunderbirds, of course, are best remembered for their two biggest hits "Tuff Enuff" (#10, 1986) and "Wrap It Up" (#41, 1986).
Here's a music medley you won't hear very often ... Heartsfield's biggest hit "Music Eyes" paired with Paul Anka's #11 Hit from 1960, reinforcing the sad news "Summer's Gone"!  (Speaking of which, any of you deejays going to do a "Last Blast Of Summer" Weekend this year?  Our list of oldies fans' Top 100 Summer Favorites can still be found here: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Your All-Time Summer Favorites


 



re:  JOHNNY RIVERS:
>>>Johnny was supposed to come out and sign things after, but we waited through the fireworks, and he still hadn’t come out. Maybe because of the late start ... but we left when it looked like he was never coming to the booth.  (Eileen)
Sounds like the second Johnny Rivers concert I went to where the promoter promised us Johnny would be out to sign, and then came out from the backstage area five minutes later to say that Johnny had left. I've already told that story and the story of what happened after the first concert of his that I went to so I don't need to go into detail. Needless to say, I don't think he's a very personable guy (unless you've got a nice set of hooters, maybe).  I won't willingly go see him again unless he's on a bill with at least one other artist I've never seen before.
Tom Diehl
I've been trying to talk Ron Onesti into booking Johnny Rivers for a show at The Arcada Theatre as I can't remember the last time he came to Chicago to perform.  I'll have to keep that in mind if this show ever materializes ... Ron, if you're reading this, please take note:  in addition to booking Johnny, please make sure you keep a couple of girls with big hooters nearby for after the show.  This way, even if Johnny DOESN'T come out, we'll still have something around to occupy our time and attention!  (kk)

re:  BUDDY HOLLY: 
Kent ...
Check out the Buddy Holly Walk Of Fame Ceremony.
Frank B.

http://www.walkoffame.com/pages/upcoming-ceremonies


re:  ALAN O'DAY:
Dear Kent, 
I would absolutely LOVE to win the autographed copy from Alan O’Day.  Now I’m being honest, Under Cover Angel reminds me so much of driving up the coast in California, in my old red Camaro, to be camp counselors and just singing it with the radio as loud as I could.  I loved that song and still do!  I also LOVE Angie Baby which my cousin sang all the wrong words to, when he sang along!  Please let me win; I will die and go to heaven!
Your Faithful Fan!
Sara Lesikar
We never did give that away, did we???  We've got a few goodies still in the prize closet ... sooner or later we'll get around to awarding some of this stuff!!!  Stay tuned!  (kk)

re:  MOTOWN ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW: 
FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DVD -- THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW MOTOWN COLLECTIONS  





The relationship between Berry Gordy's Motown label and The Ed Sullivan Show made music and television history.  Soon after the Supremes' debut on Sullivan (December, 1964), it was clear that showcasing the latest Motown releases on CBS on Sunday nights (35 million viewers was average) was a way to expose the record company's newest hits and boost the show's ratings.  Sullivan introduced nearly all the Motown acts including The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & The Pips and The Jackson 5. From Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit by way of The Ed Sullivan Show, these classic performances brought the “Motown Sound” to living rooms across America. 
Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) and SOFA Entertainment present Motown Gold from The Ed Sullivan Show (2 DVDs), and, in celebration of The Temptations and Supremes 50th Anniversary, The Best of The Temptations on The Ed Sullivan Show (1 DVD) and The Best of The Supremes on The Ed Sullivan Show (1 DVD). All three collections released on September 13, 2011 are packed with classic Motown performances from The Ed Sullivan Show, taped live between 1964 and 1971, and are fully restored with never before released footage. 
Motown performances on Sullivan were followed by a Monday morning sales spike and it was a perfect formula for mutual success. Berry Gordy's dynamic sound aimed to appeal to America's white teenagers and with the Sullivan stage as the entry point for his incredible roster of talent, this show business marriage remained rock solid until the show went off the air. Ed Sullivan and his producer, Bob Precht, were especially proud of the history these two iconic American institutions forged together. 
One great Motown group after another was introduced on Sullivan, new releases topped the music charts and Ed's brief chats with the artists all led to a greater acceptance of African-American R&B by white teenagers. This helped Motown to conquer America, and in time, the company became world renown as "The Sound of Young America."
Motown Gold from The Ed Sullivan Show is a 2-DVD (3 Volume) collection with appearances by legendary Motown acts including:
·  The Jackson 5 ushering in a new generation of Motown acts with a medley of their No. 1 hits “I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save” and “ABC.” 
·  Diana Ross and The Supremes performing their No. 1 hits “Come See About Me,” “Someday We’ll Be Together” and “Love Child.”
·  The Temptations doing their No. 1 hits “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” and “I Can’t Get Next to You.”
·  The Four Tops with their No. 1 hit single “Reach Out I’ll Be There.”
·  Martha & the Vandellas singing their timeless classic “Dancing in the Street.”
·  Marvin Gaye's only Sullivan appearance singing “Take This Heart of Mine.”
·  Young Stevie Wonder captivating the audience with his No. 1 hit “Fingertips Pt. 2” and his classic “For Once in My Life.”
·  A never-before-released performance of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles singing a medley of the hits “I Second That Emotion,” “If You Can Want” and “Going to a Go-Go.”
·       And many other great Motown Performances! 
Bonus material included in this collection features a special performance by Gladys Knight & The Pips of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Houston, Texas, and the Four Tops singing "Put A Little Love in Your Heart" at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Andrew and Josh Solt, whose company, SOFA Entertainment, owns "The Ed Sullivan Show" library made the following statement about the Motown collection. "We are so pleased that after working on this project for many years, the definitive Motown on Ed Sullivan collection is now available to millions of fans who love the Motown sound. The Sullivan show featured more Motown artists than any other television show and now these timeless live performances can finally be enjoyed by fans of what many believe is the greatest music of the 60's. A considerable amount of work has gone into making sure the sound and picture quality on the discs is optimal. We hope people will be dancing in the streets and in their living rooms when they push play on the Motown on Ed Sullivan DVD collection."
The Best of The Supremes on The Ed Sullivan Show:
The Supremes rose from poverty to become Motown’s most consistent hit-maker and the most popular female group of the 60’s. Along with the charmed circle of Motown singers, writers, producers and players, they rewrote the book on pop music, sang their way into the hearts of millions and made a lasting impression that continues to this day.  With a total of sixteen appearances on The Ed Sullivan ShowThe Best Of The Supremes collects some of the group’s greatest performances.  Included in this DVD is their very first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in December 1964, showcasing their No. 1 hit "Come See About Me." Other timeless performances featured are “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “My World is Empty Without You,” “Baby Love,” “Stop! In The Name of Love” and “The Happening.” And, for the first time on DVD, this collection includes a full version of “Up the Ladder to the Roof” which is the only appearance by the “New Supremes” after Diana Ross went on to pursue a solo career.  This collection of performances truly showcases why The Supremes are one of Motown’s biggest and most beloved acts.
The Best of The Temptations on The Ed Sullivan Show:
The Temptations began their musical life in Detroit in the early sixties.  With their flashy suits, distinctive harmonies and precise, split-second choreography, they popularized a refined style of performance that made them a household name. For the first time on DVD, you get the best of their Ed Sullivan Show performances.  Included in this collection is the group’s very first appearance in May 1967, in which they performed a medley of hits including “My Girl” and “(I Know) I’m Losing You.”  Other songs featured are the group’s No. 1 hit “I Can’t Get Next to You,” a playful version of “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” the Top Ten hit “Psychedelic Shack,” and the 1969 hit single “Runaway Child, Running Wild” with Dennis Edwards replacing David Ruffin.
Highlights of this collection include:
·  The Temptations' special appearance alongside The Supremes with each group performing a medley of the other group’s hits, including “Get Ready,” “Stop! In The Name Of Love,” and “Baby Love.”
·  DVD debuting performances by The Temptations of “Hello Young Lovers,” “Autumn Leaves,” and never-before-released medleys of “Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue),” “All I Need,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I’ll Be There” and “My Sweet Lord.”
·  The Temptations’ last appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1971 in which they performed “Get Ready” and their No. 1 hit “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me).” These tender and soulful performances were a fitting farewell to The Ed Sullivan Show. 
Today, The Temptations and The Supremes continue to be an essential component of the Motown legacy. The Temptations recent DVD release, Get Ready: Definitive Performances,
1965 - 1972, is currently double platinum, and their recent ICON CD has already sold more than 100,000 copies.  The Supremes DVD release, Reflections - Definitive Performances, 1964 - 1969, is now double platinum.  Fifty years later, original fans as well as new fans confirm with steady sales that these performers’ true artistry and talent is timeless.
For More Information Go To The Official Ed Sullivan Show Website
-- submitted by Bob Merlis
You'll find some timeless gems for sure on this hot new collection ... all due to be released on September 13th.  (kk)
 
re:  DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
Dear Kent,
Once again, I am honored by the wonderful help that has been given me by forgottenhits.com, and the researchers that are able to ferret out this information that I wanted to know about but never saw until connecting with you at Forgotten Hits.  This is all so encouraging to me in my determination to get the Memoirs done.  You know how much each discovery brings me joy.
I will forward a cc to thank Tom D. Thanks for the BillBoard attachment.  
Once More, Thanks so much.
Dotty
PS: On Nick Ashford's passing recently from throat Cancer, I wasn't able to get into NYC to do so, but my sister took a personal Card for me and placed it at Nick & Valerie's Club where the crowds were placing candles, flowers, and all types of Memorial Material.  The card was signed from Dotty Daniels. Wow.  "Thanks to you for the things that have been happening since contacting you I feel reborn and am glad to go forth as Dotty Daniels, connected with warm memories and a happy past that has led me to this happy ending."  The Receiver at their club said the cards would personally be passed on to the family.  I last saw and spoke with Nick around 1996 when I was sent in to audition as a background actor  for their Music Video with Poet, Dr. Maya Angelou. Nick, himself conducted the taping.  I'm hoping I can get Valerie to check if the tapes were saved, at an appropriate time, some time future.
Wishing you a magical day ...
Thanks for the blessings coming from your great Column.