Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Sunday Comments ( 02 - 26 - 12 )

re:  ON THE RADIO:  
Be sure to join me later today on Rich Appel's "The Rest Of The Week".  We'll be playing some of our favorite One Hit Wonders on Rich's "One Hit Wonders At One" segment.  You can listen live here:  Click here: WRNJ.  It airs at 1 PM Eastern / (that's Noon here in Chicago!) / 10:00 AM Pacific ... and I think we've picked a few goodies for today's broadcast!  (kk)  

And be sure to tune in Scott Shannon's special Leap Year salute on Wednesday ... every hour he'll be playing The Top Five from a different Leap Year ... 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980!  (We did a similar salute in 2008 ... and have counted down the biggest hits every Leap Year here in Forgotten Hits since 2004!)  
Click here: WPLJHD2   

And this year will be no exception ... look for extensive Leap Year coverage kicking off on Monday ... with special Top Ten (and Top 100!) charts and countdowns posted throughout the day!  You'll want to check back often for this one!  Stay tuned ... more info to come!  (kk) 

Kent ...  
Good news to report here in New York.
In the mornings, here's how Arbitron's January top 10 looked. The number in parentheses is the station's share of the overall audience in the average quarter hour.
1 = WCBS-FM (5.6)
2 = WLTW  (5.0)
2 = WINS (5.0)
2 = WHTZ (5.0)
5 = WCBS-AM (4.6)
6 = WOR (4.3)
7 = WBLS (4.2)
8 = WABC (3.4)
9 = WAXQ (3.3)
10 = WPLJ (3.2)
Dan Taylor hosts the morning show (6 - 10) on WCBS-FM.
I guess he'll be getting a raise.
Frank B.
Congratulations to WCBS-FM ... they're obviously doing oldies right.  (Of course, their audience share doesn't take into account the fact that Frank B. always has fifteen different radios, all tuned in to this station at all times!!!  lol)  kk


Hey KK;
Greetings from Radio Free Nashville, where The FLip Side Radio Show plays 45s every Tuesday night and Sunday night!  I'm having a blast playing two-sided hits from your Sound Advice suggestions.  This week I'm playing Neil Diamond's "Stones", with the B-side "Crunchy Granola Suite."  How many times do you hear that on the radio these days? I call this segment "The ForgottenHits.com Spotlight Record," and I play it during the first 30 minutes of the show every time.  (I even use some intro music from the Beatles' "HELP!" album to introduce the segment).  Thanks for plugging my show on your website!
Mr. C.

Happy to salute EVERYBODY contributing to the cause of keeping this great music alive!  (Scroll down to the bottom of this page for "Listen Live" Links to Mr. C's "Flip Side" Radio Show ... along with airtime information.)  kk

And Rob Feder reports this week about our FH Buddy Clark Weber pulling the plug on his "Senior Moments" radio program ... but all that means is the start of something new for this veteran broadcaster.  One of the nicest people I've ever met (show-biz or otherwise), Clark Weber is still going strong at 81. (Man, I wish I had HALF the energy this guy has!)  Incredibly entertaining to be around, we salute you on your latest efforts.  (kk) 


re:  THE ACADEMY AWARDS:

Looks like FH Reader Frank B.'s got "Oscar Fever"!  Check out this list of "winners" he's put together for us this morning!
Kent ...
While everybody's trying to predict the winners of this year's Academy Awards, I want to look back at past winners. 
Here's my favorite version of the 1936 winner. From the movie "Swingtime."

Next, let me take you back to 1960.  Lenny Dell and his group from Bronx, N.Y. sing this 1939 Academy Award winner ... from the movie "The Wizard Of Oz."
With nearly five million views, I've gotta give this one to American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee, currently starring in the new NBC Series "Smash".  (In fact, she kicked off the series singing this song for her Broadway audition!)  kk
Here's a Frank Sinatra double play. This song from the movie of the same name won the 1957 Academy Award.
And here's his 1959 Academy Award winner ... from the movie "A Hole In The Head".Click here: Frank Sinatra - High Hopes - YouTube
From the movie of the same name, this song won the 1952 Academy Award.  It's Frankie Laine doing "High Noon".
This song was from the movie "Calamity Jane".  It won the 1953 Academy Award.Click here: Bobby Lester's Moonglows "Secret Love" - YouTube
In this clip, Doris Day sings this 1956 Academy Award Song "Que Sera Sera".  She was also one of the stars of this Hitchcock movie "The Man Who Knew Too Much".Click here: 'Que Sera Sera' in "The Man Who Knew Too Much" - YouTube
The Butler did it. 1961 Academy Award winner.  From the movie "Breakfast At Tiffany's".Click here: JERRY BUTLER ~ Moon River ~ - YouTube
Frank B.
This year's Oscars Ceremony airs TONIGHT on ABC!  (kk)



re:  PAUL McCARTNEY ... and JIMI HENDRIX:

Radio was buzzing last week about Paul McCartney's new million-dollar corvette ...(I swear this guy is making the news on a daily basis lately!!!) ... but we prefer the "vintage" McCartney stories ... like THIS one sent in by one of our foreign readers ...  

Dear Kent,
My name is Yazid Manou.  I'm a French free lance publicist and Hendrix fanatic. In 2005, I found the following in Hard Rock Cafe website (Key West, Florida):
Telegram dated 10/21/69 sent by Jimi Hendrix to Paul McCartney.
The message reads, "We are recording an LP together this weekend in NY.  How about coming in to play bass ... Peace, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Tony Williams."
Today, still looking for a shot of this amazing document, I just found the telegram is on display in Hard Rock Cafe Prague (Czech Republic) accompanied by a response from Peter Brown saying Paul is away on holiday for two weeks !!
Thanks to Hard Rock Cafe Paris, last week I received the photo (with Brown's answer).
Alan Douglas never talked about it and no media ever talked about this document (which is a cable in fact, not a telegram).  I talked to Alan but he doesn"t remember ... he only said this McCartney idea is vaguely in his memory.
I really think Sir Paul McCartney never heard about this information, even forty three years later!!!
Stay tuned and congratulations for your site
Take care
Y
Paul McCartney was definitely a fan of Jimi Hendrix ... and talked the young sensation up big-time after catching his show at The Saville Theater in London back in June of 1967.  Hendrix performed a killer version of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" that night ... a mere two nights after the album was first released.  It blew McCartney away and he remained a fan ever since.  (In fact, it was Sir Paul who recommended Jimi Hendrix as one of the acts to perform at The Monterey Pop Festival later that same year.)  So it's REALLY cool to see that Hendrix's feelings for McCartney were reciprocal!  (McCartney, working with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, circa 1969, would have been AMAZING!!!)  Thanks SO much for sharing this rare piece of memorabilia with us!  (kk)

Big news last week, too, about Beatles tunes being officially available as ringtones for your phone ... exclusively through iTunes.  And some really sad Jimi Hendrix-related news, too ... man, I just LOVE the vintage picture included in this next piece!!!



Robert F. Hendrix, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Experience Hendrix, L.L.C.  March 17, 1946 – February 19, 2012
With great sadness, Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. announces the sudden passing of Robert (“Bob”) F. Hendrix, the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
As first cousin to legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, Bob Hendrix came to the support of Jimi’s father, James “Al” Hendrix and his daughter, Janie L. Hendrix in 1995 to help form Seattle-based Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Authentic Hendrix, LLC; the companies entrusted to manage the late guitarist’s music legacy.  Since that time, Bob has been actively involved in day-to-day business operations recently holding the positions as the company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Prior to joining the Hendrix family companies full-time in 1996, Mr. Hendrix was Vice President and General Merchandise Manager at Price Costco.
Bob will be fondly remembered for his leadership and for his deep affection and his kind, caring and loyal characteristics.  Always friendly and charismatic, Bob lived life to the fullest, and always touched the heart of everyone that he made contact with.  His spirit will be cherished and will never cease to fade.
Mr. Hendrix is survived by his wife, Sharon; his sons Bob Jr. (and wife Cherie) and Chris (and wife Theresé), step-daughter Ashley, his sister Diane, brother Henri, multiple grandchildren, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives along with many colleagues and good friends around the world.  
Fly on my sweet angel ...  
Funeral arrangements to be announced.










Pictured: Jimi Hendrix and Bob Hendrix 
after they had seen Marlon Brando in The Wild One

-- submitted by Bob Merlis

re:  LAKE SHORE DRIVE:

A while back we told you that Skip Haynes was putting together a fund-raising concert ... and now comes word that he's working toward recording a brand new Aliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah album!!!  (And he can use your help ... and there isn't much time!!!)

Full disclosure:  be forewarned ... we have heard some "less than flattering" stories about kickstarter.com ... but if these guys can pull it together in time and get a new album together, we all stand to benefit ... so check it out here!  (kk)


Hi Kent,
I hope everything is well with you.
This is something you may find interesting just for the fun of it. 
We're recording a new Aliotta Haynes Jeremiah album to be released in July and we need a little help from our friends.  The link below will give you all the information. Please let me know what you think. We need several hundred people for this to be successful and we only have 22 days left to do it. Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks.
all the best
skip



Skip Haynes
re:  THE FABULOUS FLIPPERS:
>>>I remember back in the 1960's the group Fabulous Flippers being pushed and promoted on KOMA in promotions and commercials on their appearances in other states.
(Larry) 
>>>The midwest did very well indeed for The Fabulous Flippers. Their ads ran on KOMA and when they came to my part of the world, Grand Forks, North Dakota.  It was packed.
They were a huge draw all through this area -- North Dakota, Minnesota and the
surrounding states.  (Bill) 
Kent,
I can assure you that their version of this "Harlem Shuffle" is more than noteworthy in the plains states.  From Oklahoma to Kansas and Iowa to the Dakotas, the Fabulous Flippers were THE live band to go see in the mid 60's as far as "local" talent.  They got the most money, headlined the small venues over these states constantly selling out.  Local bands wanted to BE the Flippers as well as see them when they came to town.  KOMA kept all abreast of their shows.  If I was not working so many hours, I would send in some local charts from these areas.  Top 10 in many markets here.  I can assure you that I was QUITE dismayed when Abkco brought out their CD box and left this song off of it.  No, it did not make the Hot 100, but I am positive it sold well throughout our midwest area.  I am not kidding.  Live bands that had big followings did not always have a hit record.  One other biggie from our area was a band from Mason City, Iowa, called the Pete Klint Quintet.  They recorded some good stuff including the Hot 100 45 "Walkin' Proud" and were in a similar vein to the Flippers.  These guys commanded top dollar in this area and recorded for Mercury, Atlantic and others.  They did not have a big hit, but they had a huge reputation for being great live.  "Walkin' Proud" made the Hot 100 probably because it was actually a good sized hit in Southern California!!! 
Clark Besch
You'll find The Fabulous Flippers' version of "Harlem Shuffle" listed in Joel Whitburn's new book as a "Break-Out Hit" in the Minneapolis - St. Paul area.  The Pete Klint Quintet single "Walkin' Proud" climbed all the way to #98 on The Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in 1967 ... and, incredibly, it took them three weeks to climb THAT high!  (lol)  I can't really comment as I've never heard THIS one either!  But hey, I know all about Local Hits by OUR Local Heroes ... so I can certainly relate!  (kk)



Clark,
I was told by a friend of mine yesterday that the Fabulous Flippers were from Kansas,
to be more exact Hays, Kansas. I just verified that.  I have got a book at home called THE OKLAHOMA GUIDE to 45 rpm RECORDS & BANDS, 1955 - 1975, a Chronicle of the Music, the Musicians & the Madness. This is Volume One of the OKC Metro Area and Southern Oklahoma. Needless to say, the Flippers aren't in it since they were from Kansas. I am learning information about this group that I didn't even know before.

In fact, I have learned more about the Fabulous Flippers in the last 24 hours than I have in a lifetime.  I also discovered that they are on you tube.

Here at my home I have got some papers on local bands from the Midwest which includes information on the Flippers.  Later on today I will scan these to you and to Kent.
Larry
That's the fun part about doing Forgotten Hits ... we ALL learn something new all the time, no matter HOW smart we thought we were!  (lol)  By the way, Joel Whitburn's new book lists them as being from Lawrence, Kansas, and notes the band members as Dan Hein (vocals, keyboards), Denny Loewen (guitar), Terry Wiermann (guitar), Roger Lewis, Doug Crutty and Gary Claxton (horns), Dennis Frederick (bass) and Jerry Tanmen (drums).  kk



re:  WE JUST COULDN'T PASS THIS ONE UP!: 
Not with as many Three Stooges fans on the list as we know we have!  Of course, the new movie is coming ... but for some VINTAGE Stooges, check out Jeremy Roberts' article and links here:  Click here: 'I'm a victim of soicumstance!' Keeping up with The Three Stooges on AMC TV - National Pop Culture | Examiner.com
And, since The Three Stooges were never really MY cup of tea, I encourage you to check out his EXCELLENT piece on "Bonanza" ... available here:  Click here: 50 years and counting: Revisiting 'Bonanza', TV's second longest running Western - National Pop Culture | Examiner


 
re:  UP-COMING AND RECENT SHOWS: 
OK, now HERE's a show I'd go see in a heartbeat!!! 
Sounds like a VERY interesting set list.  Thanks to Tom Cuddy for sending this in!  (kk)

Santana / Journey Legend Gregg Rolie To Play Acoustic Solo Show At Famed Iridium In NYC
2/20/2012 - Gregg Rolie, co-founder of two multi-platinum super groups, Santana and Journey, will make two unique solo appearances on March 2 & 3, 2012, at the famed Iridium in NYC. The legendary Iridium has a dual history as both a jazz institution and the home of Les Paul, who performed at the venue regularly from 1996 - 2009. Les Paul Mondays were always an event with such iconic guitarists as Jeff Beck, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren and Ted Nugent sitting in with the Les Paul Trio. Gregg Rolie's two-day performances at the Iridium come on the heals of his new solo EP, “Five Days”. Gregg, along with his special guest, blues guitarist Alan Haynes, will be playing selections from the new EP along with many old favorites. He’ll share stories from his 40-plus year career and answer questions from the audience during the show. After his performance, there will be a meet and greet with the audience and Gregg will be on hand for pictures and autographs. Gregg Rolie is the voice behind the classic Santana hits "Black Magic Woman" "Evil Ways" and "Oye Como Va". In 1998, this world class musician, writer, producer was inducted into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Fame as the unmistakable lead vocalist of the Santana band. In addition to launching - along with Carlos Santana - the now legendary act, Rolie also co-produced their first four groundbreaking albums. Departing Santana after the pioneering jazz fusion offering 'Caravansarai' in 1972, band members Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon went on to form the 1980s hit-makers Journey, co-writing and producing that band's first 7 albums. 
Just released in 2011, "Gregg Rolie - Five Days" is Gregg's latest EP/ CD consisting of six songs with Gregg playing acoustic piano and singing live. He recorded these tracks in his living room on the piano given to him by his father in the early days of Santana, and as Gregg says, "it's from my house to yours."  He gives beautiful new renditions of two classic hits that he sang as the lead singer in Santana - "Black Magic Woman" and Journey - "Anytime" - as well as four new songs, his own compositions through solo voice and piano. Recently featured on the cover of the UK's Keyboard Player magazine, Rolie is a renowned Hammond B3 player, celebrated for his gritty and intense performances. Up close, personal and intimate, the show will feature a side of Gregg that all fans should get to know.
When: March 2 & 3, 2012 - two shows per night 8:00 / 10:30 PM
Where: Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway and 51st Street, New York, NY 10019 -
PH: 212-582-2121
For Ticket Info: http://theiridium.com
For more information: www.GreggRolie.com
We recently had the chance to hear Gregg's live CD "Rain Dance" and it's outstanding.  And, a few weeks ago, we announced that Rolie will be touring as one of Ringo Starr's All-Stars in this year's tour ... should make for a GREAT summer concert!
If anyone on the list is able to attend one of these special New York shows, we'd love to run your review!  (kk)

Dion is only playing three concerts in 2012 and one of them was earlier this week at the very intimate Joe’s Pub in NYC (capacity: 161).  He did the gig to promote his new blues album.  He also sprinkled in songs popularized by his favorite rock pioneers, including the Coasters, Eddie Cochran and  Buddy Holly.  After he went through the blues tunes on his latest release (it was just Dion and an acoustic guitar), he said “I wanna invite up on stage a bunch of guys I haven’t sang with in 50 years.  Would you please welcome the Del-Satins?”  And then all living members of the vocal group joined Dion on stage.  Dion said they had no rehearsals.  They then did three songs they originally sang together in the early 60s:  
***Ruby Baby 
***The Wanderer 
***Run Around Sue  
Dion was giddy with happiness as he sang with the Del Satins.  He said this is such a thrill to be singing these songs with the guys all these years later.  
-Tom Cuddy 
New York, NY
We've been raving about Dion's new album for weeks now ... I can't believe he's only doing three shows to help promote it.  ALL of the buzz I've heard has been good.  And it's GREAT to hear that he closed the show with three of his classics.  (This is what Dennis Tufano would do during his Bobby Darin Tribute Show, "As Long As I'm Singing" ... do about 90 minutes of Bobby's classic tunes ... and then come back and close the show with three of The Buckinghams' biggest hits.  REALLY went over in a big, big way with the crowd.)
The three Dion and the Del-Satins performances have already been posted on YouTube!  Although not the greatest quality, it's still great to see and hear what all of this sounded like ... especially since only 161 people got into the club to see it live that night!!!

Tom also sent along a couple of VERY COOL, exclusive photos for Forgotten Hits!  
Photos by (and courtesy of) Stuart Hersh!  
Thanks, Guys!  (kk)



More Dion news from Bob Merlis ... by way of The Huffington Post and Steven Van Zandt!

Not among the 800 who saw Dion and Steven Van Zandt at 92Y in NYC? 
Here's what you missed ...

Here's a wonderful account of the evening HuffPosted just now so thought we'd share it.  Tank Full of Blues, Dion's new album, continues the blues thread that has run through Dion's music since the very beginning.

Bob
Dion DiMucci in Conversation With Steven Van Zandt 
at the 92nd Street Y  (Posted: 02/22/2012 5:31 pm)

Kent -
Been facebooking Ron Onesti about bringing in Burton Cummings to the Arcada Theatre. QUOTE Ron:  "I'm about an inch close to bringing him in!"
Keep your fingers crossed and please advise your Chicago based readers to keep urging Ron to close the deal!
Mike De Martino
President of the Lovejoy Music Club
Well, you know this one has got our vote!!!  After running our recent series spotlighting Burton Cummings, we found out that 18 local readers petitioned to have Burton Cummings brought to Chicago for a series of concerts!  (Pretty amazing in that we didn't ask anyone to do that ... or even know that you COULD do that!!!  lol)  But the buzz has ALL been positive ... Burton Cummings / Guess Who fans would LOVE to see a live show (or two) scheduled here.  And we wouldLOVE to see Burton at The Arcada ... what a GREAT venue for a show like this!!!
So Ron, if there is ANYTHING we can do to help facilitate that, please let me know.  (Burton's tour manager is on our list and an active participant in Forgotten Hits!)  This is great news, Mike!  (Ron Onesti has some INCREDIBLE shows lined up for The Arcada Theatre in the months to come ... be sure to stay tuned to Forgotten Hits for all the latest details.)  kk

HERE ARE SOME UPCOMING CONCERTS WE THINK YOU'LL ENJOY
(in the general Chicagoland area):

THE BEACH BOYS - The Chicago Theater in Chicago - May 22nd


THE BEACH BOYS - The Marcus Ampitheater in Milwaukee, WI - July 1st


RINGO STARR - Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana - July 8th

(Cool ... that's the day after his birthday!!!)
EVENTFUL

As the publicist for Nils Lofgren, I wanted to make you aware that he'll be heading out with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on the 2012 Wrecking Ball World Tour beginning Sunday, March 18th (see below link for all dates).
Nils has been an integral part of the E Street Band (guitar and vocals) for 28 years now!
Hopefully, you had a chance to see Bruce and the E Street Band open up the 54th Annual Grammy Awards earlier this month with a performance of "We Take Care of Our Own." 
Cheers -
Jeff Albright
THE ALBRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
--Publicist for Nils Lofgren

re:  CRUISE WITH ME BABY:
Are you looking for a vacation that's filled with Peace, Love and Soul?
Then reserve your spot on the inaugural Soul Train Cruise!  Staying true to the iconic television show, this funky trip is packed with unbelievable live shows from your favorite soulful singers including Patti LaBelle, The O'Jays, Kool and the Gang, Jeffrey Osborne, War, and many more!
Between performances, relax onboard Holland America's luxurious m/s Westerdamn.  You'll enjoy gourmet cuisine, beautiful cabins, fun activities, and visits to Turks and Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas, and private island Half Moon Bay.
SCHEDULED TO APPEAR:  Patti LaBelle, The O'Jays, Kool and the Gang, Jeffrey Osborne, War, The Spinners, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Russell Thompkins and The New Stylistics, Cuba Gooding and The Main Ingredient, Gerald Alston of the Manhattans, The Intruders, George Duke, Comedian Alonzo Bodden and more to be announced.
EARLY RESERVATION RATE AVAILABLE THROUGH APRIL 30th!:
SAIL WITH THE STARS - Enjoy live performances from your favorite stars -- every smooth and soulful show is included with your trip
FULL SHIP CHARTER - There won't be any unhip pasengers on this cruise!  The entire ship is dedicated to the Soul Train experience - wacky fashion accessories and all!
SPECIAL EVENTS - Soul by the Sea beach parties, a Solid Gold Theme Ball with the iconic Soul Train Line, DJs spinning classic hits, retro-themed contests, and more!
LUXURY SHIP - Holland America's m/s Westerdam is a luxury cruise ship with verandas in over two-thirds of its cabins.  Relax into a world of comfort and easy elegance as luxurious living is found in every detail, from the soft caress of a personal bathrobe to fine chocolates on your pillow at night.
More information at:
1 - 888 - 852 - 9987

This sounds like fun!
Carrie
'60’s CELEBRITIES ON THE SEA” OLDIES MUSIC CRUISE
FEATURING THE ROYAL GUARDSMEN, MERCY AND ROBIN MCNAMARA
November 11 - 15, 2012
Sailing to beautiful Cozumel from Tampa, Florida
While Snoopy loves to fly his Sopwith Camel, he’ll be giving its engine a rest this coming November to cruise the Caribbean seas with his favorite band, The Royal Guardsmen.  And Guardsmen fans are invited to come along on this four-night cruise to Cozumel, featuring a special concert, a meet-and-greet cocktail party, t-shirt and autographed photo.
If that’s not exciting enough, two other hit-making acts from the 1960s will be on board, Mercy (“Love Can Make You Happy”) and Robin McNamara (“Lay A Little Lovin’ On Me”).  They also are set to perform in a full-length concert.
The voyage promises to be a magical time filled with great music, socializing, awesome food, sightseeing and a wide variety of on-ship activities to suit every taste and interest. 
Reservations must be made by April 3, 2012.  To reserve your cabin, contact Ocala Travel at: 352-732-7511 or 888-732-7511.

re:  NEW MUSIC:
Adele just continues to amaze!  Her album "21" just spent its 21st week at #1 ... and ... INCREDIBLY ... the week after her Grammy sweep sold an additional 730,000 copies!!!  Suffice to say she just may be the hottest act on the planet right now!  (kk)
And it just might be the most RIDICULOUS Top Ten Single Chart in HISTORY!!!
Check this out!!!
#1 - PART OF ME by KATY PERRY  (This is her SIXTH STRAIGHT #1 Hit in a row!!!) Katy Perry's brand new single debuts at #1 ... (and it's an AWFUL song!!!)  It dethrones Kelly Clarkson's #1 Hit "Stronger" ... which this week falls to #4.
And in at #2 ... and #5 ... AND #7 ... it's ADELE with (respectively) SET FIRE TO THE RAIN, ROLLING IN THE DEEP and SOMEONE LIKE YOU.  WHITNEY HOUSTON holds down the #3 Spot with I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, her 1992 Hit.  (Could Whitney become only the SECOND Artist in the history of The Rock Era to top the charts TWICE with the same tune?!?  Incredibly, yes she COULD!!!  To date, only CHUBBY CHECKER has achieved this feat.)  In at #6 is WE ARE YOUNG by FUN (featuring JANELLE MONAE).  #8 is RHIANNA's former #1 Hit WE FOUND LOVE ... and, hot on the heels of their Grammy performances, #9 is STARSHIPS by NICKI MINAJ and #10 is TURN UP THE MUSIC by CHRIS BROWN. 
For some VINTAGE Top Ten Charts, be sure to check out our Leap Year Countdowns, running all day long on The Forgotten Hits Website.  We'll be revisiting The Top Ten Songs from 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980.  More details to come!  (kk)

Regarding RUMER ... just to let you know ... I sent you one of the items about her ... I DIDN'T GET HER EITHER!  But figured it was me and I wasn't 'getting it' ... and the rest of your readership would appreciate her more than me.
Her press agent did an excellent job getting her some attention ... now we just have to wait for her to AMAZE us ... (she hasn't yet) ...
RENFIELD
Based on the volume of flattering email we've received, we seem to be in the minority here ... but I watched six or seven clips now (and sampled her new CD) ... and I can honestly say that there hasn't been a single track that's made me want to say, "OK ... you have just GOT to listen to this!!!"  Yet others seem totally moved by her ... so I guess its all in the ears of the beholder.  (kk)
I don't think it is a matter of you missing anything where the singer Rumer is concerned ... she apparently is just not your cup of tea. Different strokes ya know.
I, for one, have never been a fan of Elvis or the Beatles ... fortunately their fame and fortune didn't depend on what I thought about them!  LOL
Stacee
>>>All publicity is not good publicity. That guy in Foster The People looked like a dork and sang even worse, I felt positively towards the act before, now I can see their talent is limited.  (Bob Lefsetz) 
Lefsetz has received criticism from industry peers as someone who furthers himself by tearing others down.  Don't be messin' with Mark Foster! Even Kent knows I spotted his hit before I knew it was a #1 hit and gave it a two thumbs up salute!!!
John
"Pumped Up Kicks" is a great-sounding record ... honestly (as I stated earlier) I would have preferred to hear them perform their own hit record rather than mangle a classic Beach Boys tune!  (kk)



re:  AND SOME NEW BOOK NEWS, TOO:
KENT ...
THEY JUST RUSH RELEASED "DON KIRSHNER ... THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN EAR" BY RICH PODOLSKY ... AND ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW!
Back in 1961, my mentor Bobby Darin sent me to see Don Kirshner, who had just formed a publishing company, ALDON music, with music biz vet Al Nevins. 
I didn’t know it at the time, but when I signed an exclusive songwriting contract with them, I would be working around and learning from some of the greatest songwriters in history ... Goffin and King, Sedaka and Greenfield, Mann and Weil. 
I learned how to sing harmony from Barry Mann, how to make demos from Carole King, how to write better lyrics from Howie Greenfield and I learned how to plug songs from the best … Don Kirshner! 
I remember Don would play the new releases for all of us. We’d analyze the hits then at Don‘s insistence, run off and try to write the follow up record! At every meeting Don would play a song that would become his mantra … and ultimately his theme song ... 
”I’m Gonna’ Be A Wheel Someday” by Fats Domino. 
When author, Rich Podolsky asked me to contribute to his book “DON KIRSHNER, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN EAR”, I was not only happy to, but was also anxious to hear about what went on behind closed doors that helped shape the modern music business … I tell you I’m not disappointed! 
I’ll let Rich tell you about the book himself. 
Regards,
Artie Wayne  



HERE ARE A COUPLE OF UPCOMING MARTY ROBBINS BOOK RELEASE EVENTS ...
Saturday, March 17 -- A CUP OF JAVA in Marty Robbins Plaza at 7003 N 58th Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. Plans are for a Marty Robbins tribute band to perform. More details will be available later.


Saturday, March 31-- Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.  We will be celebrating the release of TWENTIETH CENTURY DRIFTER.  I'm hoping to have music by some of Marty's band members. More details will be available later.

The University of Illinois Press has published Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins and reissued, in soft cover, Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story. 
These books are available at:
Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins 
Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story
Diane Diekman
And let's not forget that we're giving away a copy of Irene Brodsky's new book on Johnny Maestro, "Sixteen Candles Shine Forever".  Have you sent us YOUR favorite Johnny Maestro memory yet?  (kk)


re:  THE TIKI LOUNGE:
>>>Merrell's been making quite a name for himself lately ... between his cable tv show "The Tiki Lounge" and his inclusion on the recent "Where The Action Is" compilation CD, he's been more popular than ever!  (By the way, "The Tiki Lounge" is now available on home DVD!  Watch for it February 28th!)  kk
To purchase Merrell Fankhauser 'Best Of Tiki Lounge' DVDs www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15360
Visit the official Merrell Fankhauser website at www.merrellfankhauser.com
Hey Kent -
Thank you so much for The Forgotten Hits mentions! Last year and this year have been very good to me with six releases coming out counting the DVD sets! Next the San Francisco label Global Recording Artists is set to release my 1992 album "Flying To Machu Picchu" in April, then in June 'Spirit' Drummer Ed Cassidy and I are on a Sky Saxon of 'The Seeds' tribute compilation with our song "Two Guys From the 60's"!
Thanks Again,
Merrell


re:  CLIP OF THE WEEK:
This guy is incredible! Enjoy!
Bob Rush
"Amazing" and "Incredible" just BEGIN to describe this guy!  GREAT video ... check it out!  (Thanks, Bob!)  kk


re:  DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
Hi Kent and crew!
Please keep sending your wonderful info!
All the best
Chet
The Chet Kelley Sound Co.


 
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