re: THE CRICKETS:
After our email blast went out about an upcoming performance here by Buddy Holly's Original Crickets, we got these:
I've seen the Crickets once before in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and they put on a really good show ... and they will be back in Lancaster next month for the Fall Doo Wop Spectacular at the American Music Theater and I look forward to seeing them again.
Tom Diehl
The Crickets are a part of Rock And Roll History and should not be missed. Sadly they were unable to attend their induction ceremony into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame due to the illness of Joe B. Mauldin so this chance to see them perform here live (and locally) is a real treat. Put me down for two tickets!
Brad
I've got to hand it to them ... after waiting all these years for induction (and SO many years after Buddy Holly's own induction), it had to be heart-breaking not to be able to attend the ceremony when Joe Mauldin took ill. But in true "all for one and one for all" spirit, the rest of the band decided to stay home, too, and watch the ceremony on TV. Their feeling was that if one of them couldn't be there, then NONE of them would be there. That's a pretty rare trait in these days of 40-year-old feuds going on between most former band members. We in Forgotten Hits commend them! (kk)
Here are the show details once again (for the benefit of any FH Readers not on our mailing list):
We're always telling our Forgotten Hits Readers that if the opportunity presents itself to witness a part of rock and roll history first hand, go for it ... far too often, these opportunities don't come up again ... and you end up regretting the one chance you had to catch a legend in concert.
Such is the case with the upcoming show at The Arcada Theatre where The Original Crickets (recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees) will be performing on October 6th.
Such is the case with the upcoming show at The Arcada Theatre where The Original Crickets (recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees) will be performing on October 6th.
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re: RICK NELSON:
I just heard about a brand new Rick Nelson book, written by Sheree Homer. Here's what she tells me ... (VERY cool cover, by the way!)
About the Book
At eight years old, Rick Nelson began his career in show business. After a successful run on radio, his family’s situation comedy The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet enjoyed a 14 year television tenure. On the April 10, 1957, episode, "Ricky the Drummer," Rick Nelson started his singing career by lip syncing to Fats Domino’s "I’m Walkin’." He scored 36 Top 40 singles between 1957 and 1972, ranking him number 5 in Billboard’s Top 25 Artists of the Decade (1950-1959). As a country rock pioneer, he influenced Buffalo Springfield, Linda Ronstadt, and the Eagles. This book is a candid account of his journey in rock and roll through stories told by musicians and producers who worked on the road and in the studio with him. Actors and family members also provided invaluable insight.
At eight years old, Rick Nelson began his career in show business. After a successful run on radio, his family’s situation comedy The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet enjoyed a 14 year television tenure. On the April 10, 1957, episode, "Ricky the Drummer," Rick Nelson started his singing career by lip syncing to Fats Domino’s "I’m Walkin’." He scored 36 Top 40 singles between 1957 and 1972, ranking him number 5 in Billboard’s Top 25 Artists of the Decade (1950-1959). As a country rock pioneer, he influenced Buffalo Springfield, Linda Ronstadt, and the Eagles. This book is a candid account of his journey in rock and roll through stories told by musicians and producers who worked on the road and in the studio with him. Actors and family members also provided invaluable insight.
About the Author
Journalist Sheree Homer ran her own music magazine, Rockabilly Revue, for two years. Since 2006, she has contributed articles to various publications, including Blue Suede News. She lives in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 2009, her first book, Catch That Rockabilly Fever: Personal Stories of Life on the Road and in the Studio was issued by McFarland Publishers.
Journalist Sheree Homer ran her own music magazine, Rockabilly Revue, for two years. Since 2006, she has contributed articles to various publications, including Blue Suede News. She lives in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 2009, her first book, Catch That Rockabilly Fever: Personal Stories of Life on the Road and in the Studio was issued by McFarland Publishers.
From Sheree:
I interviewed fifty-four individuals, which included musicians, producers, actors (from the days of Ozzie and Harriet), and family members. I combined those with information that I obtained from magazine articles, web articles, and book excerpts. The book was released on August 17. Amazon and local booksellers such as Barnes and Noble are supposed to have it, but they keep running out of copies. The best bet right now to get a copy is to order through the publisher at mcfarlandpub.com. Thanks and hope you'll enjoy the book.
I personally haven't seen a copy yet but, being a HUGE Rick Nelson fan, I'm anxious to read it. (There've been a few Rick Nelson biographies in the past ... but not a whole lot of them. The three Bear Family Box Sets produced in Germany each contain an AMAZING hard-cover book as it pertains to his recording career, with TONS of detailed documentation. But it'll be nice to have the full-blow bio to go along with all of that. We'll have to check this out ... and other interested readers can, too, via the McFarland Publishing link above. (kk)
re: ON THE RADIO:
Kudos to Danny Lake at WLS-FM who played "Every Time I Think Of You" by The Babys on his Saturday Night All Request Show ... man, that one sounded SO good coming out of the radio again. (I can't remember the last time I heard it!) I tried to call you, Danny, to give you proper props on the air ... but nobody answered the phone! (How do you do an all request show and NOT answer the phone?!?!?) Anyway, WTG ... it made my night! (kk)
As a great deal of my high school and college years were spent listening to Chicagoland's own Big 89 -- WLS -- it was kind of ironic that I'd later work with two of its key employees. The first was DJ-turned-program director Gene Taylor, whom I first met when he was the guest speaker at a college radio seminar in 1971. After he spoke of the hundreds of promotional singles he had to sift through every month in order to select the handful he would actually add to the WLS playlist, Gene told the crowd that the ones he picked were the ones his listeners most wanted to hear. I then raised my hand.
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"Well," replied Gene, a bit taken aback. "I just know, that's all."
"But how do you know that in the stacks of records you've rejected," I said politely, "there might be some which could become million-sellers if the radio audience only had a chance to hear them and decide for themselves?"
"Well, um," stammered Gene. "Let's take another question."
After the seminar, Gene came up to me in the hall and pulled me aside. "I have to tell you something," he stated in hushed tones. "I liked your question but it just came so much out of left field I didn't have a good answer for it. The truth is I have no idea how many potential hits never get a chance to make it because they are never given sufficient airplay. Do you work in radio?"
"I'm the program director," I replied, "at the campus station at Illinois State University."
"Well, see, you're in a much better position than I am to take a chance on a new record. At WLS, I can't risk playing a potential tune-out. YOU can." He paused. "In some ways, I envy you."
"In some ways," I smiled, "I envy YOU."
Little did I know that three years later, I'd be at KIIS in Los Angeles as Operations Director -- supervising the KIIS Broadcasting Workshop. As instructors, I not only pulled into action a cross-section of KIIS broadcast personnel -- DJs, engineers, etc. -- but other radio professionals who happened to live in the area. And one of them was -- you guessed it -- Gene Taylor, who otherwise was selling framed prints at a little stand on Santa Monica Pier. I found him there quite by accident, bought a print and got his his contact info.
The other WLS alumni I was lucky enough to work with was Kris Erik Stevens. Kris landed a job hosting a five-minute daily series for the CBS Radio Network entitled "In Touch" and he asked me to help him craft the show. As it turned out, what he had sold CBS on was a press agent's dream -- essentially five minutes of Kris reading publicity puffery hyping upcoming movies, TV shows, concert tours and the like.
After a couple weeks, I asked Kris what would happen to his daily show if, for some reason, something might happen to him: a family emergency somewhere, a bad cold, an accident, etc. I suggested he let me assemble a couple weeks' worth of evergreen episodes which could sit on the shelf until needed in some crisis situation.
To do that -- and move away from the nonstop publicity hype -- what I wrote were episodes saluting established entertainment: primarily movies, television and music. That meant creating episodes around classic TV shows (Laugh-In" was one; a blend of clips from the first "Laugh-In" LP with a vault interview I had with some cast members), the stories behind certain oldies (I used a vault interview of Kris' with Cliff Richards, comparing his "Daddy's Home" with the Shep & the Limelites' original) and memories of Hollywood legends (Walt Disney explaining how he created Mickey Mouse; mixed with Disney cartoon soundtrack clips). In one episode, Stan Laurel discussed teaming with Oliver Hardy (mixed with music from THEIR films). Think about how far from the series' original concept those episodes drifted -- incorporating interviews with movie icons dead for 17 years! You ain't gonna find THAT stuff on "Entertainment Tonight"!
Kris liked those shows so much that rather than keep them on the shelf for emergencies, he began to slip them into the mix sent to CBS -- first one a week, then two, then three-- Obviously shows like that were NOT what CBS had contracted for -- and the CBS execs were about to give Kris a hard time for altering the series' content when they began hearing from the affiliates they were sure we were offending. Turns out, the CBS stations LOVED those shows -- they were generating enormous positive listener feedback. Eventually four of the five episodes produced each week of "In Touch" were actually putting listeners in touch with -- their own pasts. Each of these show biz retrospectives was a fast moving mix of performance clips, artist interviews and minimal host narration. (Years later I would apply the some formula in creating the 2 1/2 minute daily feature version of "The History of Rock 'n' Roll.")
I wrote and produced my last of the "In Touch" episodes in L.A. at the end of May 1982 -- the day before I moved to New York to begin my run as the Music Editor of Reader's Digest. For a few weeks after that, I still wrote a few episodes on the side, but eventually had to stop once the RD job grew more intense.
I'm not quite sure how long "In Touch" continued to run after that, as from that point on it lacked my archival resources (artist interviews, recorded performances, etc.) But it was fun while it lasted and I greatly enjoyed getting to work with Kris Erik Stevens -- who proved to be even better as a person than he was as a voice on my transistor radio. And you know -- on my transistor radio -- he was great.
Gary Theroux
re: THE BEACH BOYS:
Despite Brian's enthusiasm to keep The Beach Boys together for another album and another tour, it seems that Mike Love and Bruce Johnston (as revealed here several months ago) have other plans.
Got this from former Beach Boys Manager Fred Vail, who says Love put it up on The Beach Boys' website:
The old saying goes: if you read it in the newspaper, it's probably true. Now it's 'official.' Here's the latest Beach Boys Press Release to the newspapers and media. It doesn't all 'end' with the Wembley concert on Sept 28. Summer continues for it's 51st year! And 'summer means fun (fun, fun).'
Fred
THE ENDLESS SUMMER WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE BEACH BOYS 50th ANNIVERSARY TOUR WRAPS
As The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour enters its last week culminating in its final shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall on September 27 and Wembley Arena on September 28, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston will be keeping The Beach Boys’ music in front of live audiences by touring in the configuration that they have been touring in for 14 of the last 50 years. The post 50th anniversary configuration will not include Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks. The 50th Reunion Tour was designed to be a set tour with a beginning and an end to mark a special 50-year milestone for the band.
“As we move on, Bruce and I look forward to performing live for Beach Boys fans everywhere,” says Mike Love.
Several North American dates in October have already gone on sale and concert dates will continue to be announced for The Beach Boys which include Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Mike Love and Bruce Johnston supported musically and vocally by Christian Love, Randell Kirsch, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill and Scott Totten, who serves as musical director. It is in this configuration that The Beach Boys have been bringing the legacy of their music and the American lifestyle, with which they have become synonymous, since 1998 when Carl Wilson passed. For 50 years Love has lead The Beach Boys live on stage breaking Guinness Book of World Record numbers for attendance and touring along the way. The Endless Summer will continue for fans everywhere who want to see The Beach Boys live.
Brian is also owning up to some recent back trouble. Having my own share of back problems over the years, I can relate. (We saw Mike helping Brian on and off the stage ... and even the couch ... on TV recently ... this might help to explain some of that.)
And, after his Gershwin and Disney albums, he is SERIOUSLY considering doing a Frank Sinatra Tribute Album?!?!? (kk)
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re: RECENT AND UP-COMING SHOWS:
Kent -
Saw Survivor last night at the Metropolis Performing Theater in Arlington Heights. They sounded good but did too many songs that only the ardent fan would know. They performed with enthusiasm seeing that they had just flown in from Italy, the day before. Paul Kantner said it was afternoon to them. Can you believe he is 71? He still plays and sings great.
They also were on WGN TV news in the morning. They had the same clothes for both appearances.
The lead singer Kathy Richardson recalls the Sunglass shack, which she remembered well, on Rand Road across from the 53 Drive In. Does that bring back memories. I bought all my sunglasses there.
Bill
re: TV TRIVIA:
OK, can anybody out there name three scripted television shows that are currently on the air that do NOT have a dead character / ghost / conscience regularly appearing as part of the cast?!?!? This "novelty" has been done to death already to the point that NOBODY is "really dead" anymore!!! And is there any LEAD character in a show that doesn't have some kind of weakness / dependency / affliction / addiction to cope with? It's getting the point where all of television is blending together into one gigantic cast! It was a cool idea the first two hundred times we saw it, but enough already!!! (kk)
re: GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS:
FH Reader sent this in to us after it ran on Ron Smith's Oldies Music website (www.oldiesmusic.com):
FH Reader sent this in to us after it ran on Ron Smith's Oldies Music website (www.oldiesmusic.com):
Gerry & The Pacemakers Return To UK Charts Tinged With Sadness
It may have been written as a tear jerking ballad for CAROUSEL, but 'You'll Never Walk Alone' has become a very special song in Liverpool over the years. When Gerry And The Pacemakers recorded it as an offbeat choice for their third UK single (and third #1) it coincided with Liverpool talent dominating the charts, and by coincidence, the local soccer team who had previously had an undistinguished record, started to come good as the new force in English football. It was only natural that the fans would sing Gerry's anthem at games and the song soon became part of the Liverpool legend, its title even cast on to the red iron gates that dominate the Anfield football ground.
There was sadness too. In 1989, 96 fans went to see their team at Hillsborough in Sheffield, but never made it home, many crushed in a ground unable to take their numbers, caused by poor stewarding, inefficient policing and bad organization. That song was played at the 96 funerals that followed, but worse was to follow as police and emergency services blamed the fans for the overcrowding, inciting drunkenness, theft and anti-social behavior for the deaths. Earlier this week, a long overdue inquiry found that the police had lied, altered statements, ambulance crews had been ill prepared, the government had fed the press lies and more. It was found at least 41 of those who died were in a position to be saved, but people responsible just didn’t do their jobs. The government has now issued an apology as have the police and the “newspaper” The Sun which recorded with great delight how everything had been the result of drunken Liverpudlians. (It has sold barely a copy in the city since that day.)
In Britain, maybe we can now hold our heads up higher. The victims of that day were exactly that, victims, and maybe as a nation our conscience has been pricked, because the #1 download on I-Tunes in the UK this week is Gerry And The Pacemakers singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and it sold enough to take it to #12 on this week’s UK Top 40, giving Gerry his first Top 20 hit since 1964. (He had appeared as a member of ‘The Crowd’ in 1985 with a re-recording of the song which went to #1, and he also with Paul McCartney and others formed ‘Ferry Aid’ in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, scoring another # 1 with a remake of his own song ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’.)
That song has taken on meanings its writers probably never intended. And Gerry who has sung the song almost every night since 1963, is such a nice guy, he deserves the success. Today – I feel we all have a little bit of Liverpool in all of us.
Jim Doyle in England – now proud once again to be British
There was sadness too. In 1989, 96 fans went to see their team at Hillsborough in Sheffield, but never made it home, many crushed in a ground unable to take their numbers, caused by poor stewarding, inefficient policing and bad organization. That song was played at the 96 funerals that followed, but worse was to follow as police and emergency services blamed the fans for the overcrowding, inciting drunkenness, theft and anti-social behavior for the deaths. Earlier this week, a long overdue inquiry found that the police had lied, altered statements, ambulance crews had been ill prepared, the government had fed the press lies and more. It was found at least 41 of those who died were in a position to be saved, but people responsible just didn’t do their jobs. The government has now issued an apology as have the police and the “newspaper” The Sun which recorded with great delight how everything had been the result of drunken Liverpudlians. (It has sold barely a copy in the city since that day.)
In Britain, maybe we can now hold our heads up higher. The victims of that day were exactly that, victims, and maybe as a nation our conscience has been pricked, because the #1 download on I-Tunes in the UK this week is Gerry And The Pacemakers singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and it sold enough to take it to #12 on this week’s UK Top 40, giving Gerry his first Top 20 hit since 1964. (He had appeared as a member of ‘The Crowd’ in 1985 with a re-recording of the song which went to #1, and he also with Paul McCartney and others formed ‘Ferry Aid’ in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, scoring another # 1 with a remake of his own song ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’.)
That song has taken on meanings its writers probably never intended. And Gerry who has sung the song almost every night since 1963, is such a nice guy, he deserves the success. Today – I feel we all have a little bit of Liverpool in all of us.
Jim Doyle in England – now proud once again to be British
re: DIGGIN' THE LINKS:
Kent -
I chose '69 on the Up Chucky jukebox, but a few of the songs ("Evil Ways", "Venus" and "Thank You" for example) actually peaked on the charts in 1970. Still, it was fun "sampling" the first 25-30 seconds of many of them. Very nostalgic for me.
Do you have Tweedlee Dum's Drive In's e-mail? Would love to get on his Yahoo group but I'm using my Dad's computer and it tried to get me to log in to att.com. His list is -- well, to say it's comprehensive would be the understatement of the century! Maybe he can e-mail me if he has the time to tell me how to subscribe.
Thanks.
Bobster
(Bob Rashkow, The Super CFL obsessive from Skokie)
I passed your information along to Rich Grunke, who runs that site. I can't speak for the jukebox ... it was just a link that one of our readers sent in ... honestly, I haven't really played around with it all other than to look at the title selection for 1979 ... and I can only assure you that these definitely are NOT the top 20 biggest songs of the year. We just figured it'd be a fun thing to have playing in the background while you're on the computer anyway doing other stuff. (kk)
re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
WOW! Thanks for the great pieces! And, your continued effort with Forgotten Hits. I don't comment much, but wanted you to know I appreciate everything you do.
Linette - aka Redhed1009
