re: KICKING THE WEEK OFF WITH SOME REVOLUTIONARY, GROUND-BREAKING NEWS!:
A Los Angeles judge Friday (February 22) granted Jermaine Jackson's name-change request to "Jacksun." The Jackson 5 singer said the change was for artistic reasons and not representative of any estrangement with his family.
-- Ron Smith
OK, glad we got THAT revolutionary piece of news out of the way!!! (Isn't he the same guy who named his daughter Jermajesty?!?!?)
In a related note, to the best of my knowledge, plans to retitle the Johnny Cash / June Carter and Nancy Sinatra / Lee Hazelwood track have been put on hold. (kk)
In a related note, to the best of my knowledge, plans to retitle the Johnny Cash / June Carter and Nancy Sinatra / Lee Hazelwood track have been put on hold. (kk)
re: THE EAGLES:
From Tom Cuddy, a great interview with Glenn Frey and Don Henley about the Showtime special: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/the-long-long-run-glenn-frey-and-don-henley-reflect-on-history-of-the-eagles/?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130213\\\
Kent -
Kent -
Thanks for the comprehensive review of the Eagles documentary. The cursory blurbs I've been reading about it in the entertainment press have done little to make me want to devote the three hours to watch it, but the "warts and all" story has me intrigued. I know that peyote in the desert story inspired at least one future program director to try it himself.
The Eagles story once again shows how distribution of songwriting credits can lead to discord, especially when every member contributes on some level. Bands like U2 and R.E.M. split the credits equally on every song, which cuts back the squabbles considerably, but with the Eagles it was very gray. We recently had a talk with Don Felder, who got a credit on "Hotel California" and a few other songs, but as the new kid in town was generally left off. Here's what he said about it:
"I'll just say we all contributed to every song. No one made up the guitar parts that I played but me. Everybody brought their particular talent to each recording. And it was really an unusual circumstance to have five people in a band that every one of us wrote, sang, and played. And any one of us could have and had previously fronted their own band."
You'll find the full Songfacts interview with Don Felder here:
http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/don_felder/
Be Well,
Carl Wiser
www.songfacts.com
http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/don_felder/
Be Well,
Carl Wiser
www.songfacts.com
Don Felder's book is a GREAT read ... highly recommended. There is no question that Frey and Henley took control of that band ... but look at their track record. (Randy Meisner, complaining about how they put their names on his #1 Hit "Take It To The Limit", referred to it as the "change a word, take a third" incident. He claimed that they literally changed one line of his song ... that everything else was intact as he brought it to the band ... but then each took one-third of the song-writing credit. In fact, when Meisner re-recorded the song for his solo album a few years later, he changed the lyric BACK to the way he had originally written it!!!) Of course, Glenn Frey today tells a completely different story ... but it's exactly this kind of thing that makes the Showtime Documentary such riveting stuff. (kk)
Kent:
I happened to read your article about the Eagles recently. Most people don't know that Irv Azoff was really the "business mind " that kick-started the Eagles along with REO, Dan Fogerlberg and so many others.
Before moving to L.A. and starting his musical empire, Irv Azoff was a partner in the Blytham Booking Agency which was headquartered in Champaign. If you wanted to work in the Champaign or Southern Illinois clubs during the late 60's and early 70's, you had to go through Irv Azoff ... he controlled all the work in central and southern Illinois.
Chicago agents would book their bands through Irv in the Central Illinois clubs and campus bars, Irv in turn would book his Central Illinois talent into Chicago and suburban clubs. One hand washes the other. (Remember ALLSTAR FROG or the ONE EYED JACKS?)
If Irv liked you, you worked. I remember sitting in his office when I was 18 years old as a member of the SOUL MACHINE (he was in his early 20s I believe ) ... he had a bank of phones, and they were ALL lit up ... amazing.
Once technology got to the point that sound systems could accommodate "large" audiences, Irv was one of the first managers / promoters to get his bands in stadium venues.
He was quite a promoter for the time, and because of his amazing skills, many of those bands became household names, and he got rich in the process.
I know Jimy Rogers and I talked about Irv quite a bit when we got the Mauds back together in 2000.
I'm sure many of the other band leaders from that era could add some stories.
What an entrepreneur!
Quent Lang
Hi Kent,
I'm part of a combination of two bands here in Minnesota that does an Eagles tribute show.
I don't say that to give us a plug as much as to talk about the fact that we've been doing this for a couple years here, and it never goes away. Both bands do other projects, but the Eagles tribute seems to always be on our calendars.
Hi Kent,
I'm part of a combination of two bands here in Minnesota that does an Eagles tribute show.
I don't say that to give us a plug as much as to talk about the fact that we've been doing this for a couple years here, and it never goes away. Both bands do other projects, but the Eagles tribute seems to always be on our calendars.
I am always amazed, and I don't really know why but I am, that we can go back to the same places and keep selling this thing out. We have three nights of it coming up in St. Cloud, MN, in May and all three nights sold out in 22 minutes. Gees, we aren't even the Eagles!
We do the show in the twin cities as well and we've sold it out for two nights two different times in less than six months.
Yes, we do it well and work very very hard at it, but those songs just never quit resounding with folks.
Pure, perfect Pop. We have many folks that come to the shows who have seen the Eagles many times and come to our shows every time we do them. What an amazing band they are.
If you are interested, I think you can find our promo video for the show at www.fabulousarmadillos.com
Even after doing their songs on top of all the times I listened to them as they came out, I still love doing the shows. To me New Kid In Town is a perfect song, arrangement, recording, and performance both musically and vocally.
Bill
And this just in from the "Strike While The Iron's Still Hot" Department, courtesy of Tom Cuddy ... (one can only hope that the official dvd release of the new documentary will follow right behind!) kk
Rhino Releasing Box Set of The Eagles' 70's Catalog
Rhino Records has chosen the Eagles as the next artist to receive the big box set treatment with the March 19 release of Studio Albums 1972-1979.
It's hard to imagine that there are any classic rock fans that don't already have at least one or two of these albums, if not the whole run, but this is a great way for newcomers to Eagles fandom to start a collection. Just throw in Hell Freezes Over (for the four new tracks) and Long Road Out of Eden and you'll have a complete collection of the Eagles in the studio.
The albums included in the set:
Rhino Releasing Box Set of The Eagles' 70's Catalog
Rhino Records has chosen the Eagles as the next artist to receive the big box set treatment with the March 19 release of Studio Albums 1972-1979.
It's hard to imagine that there are any classic rock fans that don't already have at least one or two of these albums, if not the whole run, but this is a great way for newcomers to Eagles fandom to start a collection. Just throw in Hell Freezes Over (for the four new tracks) and Long Road Out of Eden and you'll have a complete collection of the Eagles in the studio.
The albums included in the set:
Eagles (1972)
Desperado (1973)
On the Border (1974)
One of These Nights (1975)
Hotel California (1976)
The Long Run (1979)
One Track that I really feel SHOULD be included is "Get You In The Mood", the original B-Side of the "Take It Easy" single ... because that track has NEVER appeared on CD before. (Seems to me if you're going to do a "complete" collection, this track ought to be there ... although, in all fairness, they are referring to this release as the studio album collection.)
It'd also be cool to hear an early rendition of "How Long", a song featured in the documentary that The Eagles never recorded because songwriting buddy J.D. Souther wanted to include it on his first solo album. The band resurrected the song for their "Long Road Of Out Eden" CD a couple of years ago ... and they did a very credible "live" version on the special. (kk)
re: CHUBBY CHECKER:
CHUBBY CHECKER DIDN'T MIND THIS ONE!
"Get the honey, junior?"
Maybe he was asked?
There's a great (1980) old movie called FATSO starring Dom Deluise and Ron Carey. They had their own version of WEIGHT WATCHERS. They called their diet group THE CHUBBY CHECKERS (big poster of heavy Chubby and slimmer Chubby on stage at their meetings). If you wanted to over eat , you called your sponsor, your 'chubby checker' to talk you down. HILARIOUS MOVIE!
The 'fatsos' crack and go on a 'bender' --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar9HNDDcMgQ
(really gets moving just after three minute mark)
"DID YOU EVER SUCK THE JELLY OUT OF A JELLY DO-NUT, FILL IT WITH REESE CUPS, AND MELT IT IN THE OVEN?"
And here's another one ... a little longer with a funnier beginning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUhO2GDit2c
-- RENFIELD
By the way, here's an intersection in Wildwood.
CHUBBY CHECKER DIDN'T MIND THIS ONE!
"Get the honey, junior?"
Maybe he was asked?
There's a great (1980) old movie called FATSO starring Dom Deluise and Ron Carey. They had their own version of WEIGHT WATCHERS. They called their diet group THE CHUBBY CHECKERS (big poster of heavy Chubby and slimmer Chubby on stage at their meetings). If you wanted to over eat , you called your sponsor, your 'chubby checker' to talk you down. HILARIOUS MOVIE!
The 'fatsos' crack and go on a 'bender' --
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar9HNDDcMgQ
(really gets moving just after three minute mark)
"DID YOU EVER SUCK THE JELLY OUT OF A JELLY DO-NUT, FILL IT WITH REESE CUPS, AND MELT IT IN THE OVEN?"
And here's another one ... a little longer with a funnier beginning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUhO2GDit2c
-- RENFIELD
By the way, here's an intersection in Wildwood.
And, speaking of The Philly Sound, songwriters John Madara and David White were profiled recently on a 60 Degrees' Radio Special called "Philly Fillies: The Music of Madara and White) ...
Here's a little blurb sent in by John Madara himself! (You can "click to listen" below!) kk
On-Demand Special: 60 Degrees' Philly Fillies (The Music of Madara and White)
Here's a little blurb sent in by John Madara himself! (You can "click to listen" below!) kk
On-Demand Special: 60 Degrees' Philly Fillies (The Music of Madara and White)
Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:15:29
10 years before Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff became known for creating The Sound Of Philadelphia, there were other guys on the block making popular music that defined the city. There were the Cameo / Parkway record labels, and also the writing / producing team of Johnny Madara and David White. Their best known hits include the rock and roll classics At The Hop by Danny & The Juniors, You Don't Own Me by Lesley Gore and Len Barry's 1-2-3.
Madara and White also wrote and / or produced many great girl group records for artists who are now considered One Hit (or even No-Hit) Wonders - The Pixies Thee, The Sherrys, The Secrets and Maureen Gray. Even though they may have only scored single hits, there is a wealth of great recordings by these artists that are highly coveted by girl group fans - records that were originally overlooked as the British Invasion swept through the US and crowded them off the charts in the mid-1960’s.
Today on 60 Degrees, we will be taking an extended look at these groups, along with Cindy Scott (Sundray Taylor) and The Sweet Three. In addition, we have some of the best known songs by Madara and White as performed by Joey Heatherton, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield and Annie Markan.
The Secrets / The Boy Next Door / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / Big Lovers / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / At The Hop / Pop Pop Pop-Pie / Bear Family
Dusty Springfield / You Don't Own Me / Stay Awhile/I Only Want To Be With You / Taragon
Lesley Gore / Don't Call Me, I'll Call You / The Mercury Anthology / Mercury
Annie Markan / Un Deux Trois (1-2-3) / EP / Mercury
The Pixies Three / Cold Cold Winter / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Bobbi-Pins / Why Did You Go? / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Ann D'Andrea / Johnny's Back In Town / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Joey Heatherton / Live And Learn / Joey Heatherton / Hip-O Selects
The Secrets / The Other Side Of Town / Growin' Up Too Fast / Mercury
The Secrets / Hey Big Boy / Growin' Up Too Fast / Mercury
The Secrets / Learning To Forget / 45 / Philips
The Secrets / Here He Comes Now / 45 / Philips
The Secrets / Oh Donnie / 45 / Philips
The Secrets / He's The Boy / 45 / Philips
The Secrets / He Doesn't Want You / 45 Philips
The Sherrys/ Pop Pop Pop-Pie / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / No No Baby / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / New Cha Cha Cha / Pop Pop Pop-Pie / Bear Family
The Sherrys / That Guy Of Mine / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / Saturday Night / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / That Boy Of Mine / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Maureen Gray / Today's The Day / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Maureen Gray / I Don't Want To Cry / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Maureen Gray / Come On And Dance / Party Lights / Collectables
Maureen Gray / There Is A Boy / Party Lights / Collectables
The Pixies Three / Birthday Party / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Pixies Three / 442 Glenwood Avenue / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Pixies Three / Gee / Our History / Crystal Ball
The Pixies Three / The Hootch / Our History / Crystal Ball
The Pixies Three / Orphan Boy / Our History / Crystal Ball
The Pixies Three / Love Me, Love Me / Our History / Crystal Ball
Joey Heatherton / When You Call Me Baby / Joey Heatherton / Hip-O Selects
Cindy Scott / I Love You Baby / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Cindy Scott / In Your Spare Time / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Cindy Scott / I've Been Loving You / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Cindy Scott / Time Can Change A Love / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / That's The Way It Is / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / Bluer Than Blue / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Mellow Moods (The Sweet Three) / Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Hurt? / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / I Would If I Could / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / Don't Leave Me Now / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
(By the way, you can read OUR interview with John Madara here):
(By the way, you can read OUR interview with John Madara here):
re: THIS AND THAT:
A couple of weeks ago we ran a really cool shot of FH Reader Merrell Fankhauser performing with Dean Torrence on our website. Now comes word that you can view that performance as it happened on Merrell's excellent "Tiki Lounge" program! Read on:
Below is a link to Merrell Fankhauser's TV show "Tiki Lounge" featuring Dean Torrence and The Surf City All Stars in Concert Feb. 9, 2013. Merrell joins the band for three songs on the encore! Tiki Lounge can be seen in San Luis Obispo county on CH 2 every Sunday at 7:30 pm, in Santa Barbara county on CH 25 every Sunday at 6:30 pm and on Maui CH 52 every Friday at 8:00 pm. and in Michigan various channels & times
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYAOWTi4KPM&
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYAOWTi4KPM&
Hi Kent,
If you haven't seen it, the next time you have 48 minutes you'll want to watch this 1966 episode of Robin Seymour's Swingin' Time featuring lip synch performances by The Rationals, Wayne Cochran, Jerry-o and The Magnificent Men (whose two singers came from the Del-Chords - their 'Everbodys Got To Lose Someday" was a big Pittsburgh dance club record).
http://bedazzled.blogs.com/bedazzled/2013/02/swingin-time-complete-episode-9-10-66-with-the-rationals-the-magnificent-men-wayne-cochran-more.html
Ed Salamon
A rare one indeed ... I wonder if they've got more of these posted. A GREAT chance to see Wayne Cochran perform. He's been all over our FH pages of late thanks to all the "Last Kiss" focus. (kk)
And, speaking of vintage music television shows ... check THIS out!!!
Now THIS is really cool! We've been talking about "Shindig" and "The Lloyd Thaxton Show" and some of these other vintage music shows that we were able to enjoy when we were growing up ... and now comes word that PBS is going to start running old episodes of "Hullabaloo"! Check this out!
Now THIS is really cool! We've been talking about "Shindig" and "The Lloyd Thaxton Show" and some of these other vintage music shows that we were able to enjoy when we were growing up ... and now comes word that PBS is going to start running old episodes of "Hullabaloo"! Check this out!
PBS to Run a Hullabaloo Retrospective As Part of Their My Music Series
PBS will once again dip back into the 60's for the latest in their My Music series, shown during pledge drives, with Hullabaloo: A 60's Flashback.
Hullabaloo ran on NBC from January 12, 1965 to August 29, 1966 highlighting some of the biggest acts of the day from Petula Clark to the Rolling Stones. The show also featured the Hullabaloo Dancers which included future stars Michael Bennett and Donna McKechnie who went on to direct and star in A Chorus Line on Broadway.
The PBS will include complete song performances, starting with the joyful pop harmonies of Herman's Hermits (Can't You Feel My Heartbeat), Sonny & Cher (I Got You Babe) and The Four Seasons (Working My Way Back To You).
The sixties' folk-rock sounds include the million-selling Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds, Eve of Destruction, a #1 hit by Barry McGuire , the Pete Seeger-penned If I Had A Hammer sung by Trini Lopez, You Didn't Have To Be So Nice by troubadour John Sebastian with The Lovin' Spoonful and the classic anthem California Dreamin' by The Mamas & The Papas.
Rebellion-fueled rock was part of the scene too, as represented by The Bobby Fuller Four (I Fought The Law), The Animals (It's My Life), The Outsiders (Time Won't Let Me), Nancy Sinatra (These Boots Are Made For Walkin') and Paul Revere & The Raiders (Kicks).
The program premiers nationally on March 2. Check with your local PBS affiliate for an exact time when the show will air.
-- courtesy of Tom Cuddy
Hullabaloo ran on NBC from January 12, 1965 to August 29, 1966 highlighting some of the biggest acts of the day from Petula Clark to the Rolling Stones. The show also featured the Hullabaloo Dancers which included future stars Michael Bennett and Donna McKechnie who went on to direct and star in A Chorus Line on Broadway.
The PBS will include complete song performances, starting with the joyful pop harmonies of Herman's Hermits (Can't You Feel My Heartbeat), Sonny & Cher (I Got You Babe) and The Four Seasons (Working My Way Back To You).
The sixties' folk-rock sounds include the million-selling Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds, Eve of Destruction, a #1 hit by Barry McGuire , the Pete Seeger-penned If I Had A Hammer sung by Trini Lopez, You Didn't Have To Be So Nice by troubadour John Sebastian with The Lovin' Spoonful and the classic anthem California Dreamin' by The Mamas & The Papas.
Rebellion-fueled rock was part of the scene too, as represented by The Bobby Fuller Four (I Fought The Law), The Animals (It's My Life), The Outsiders (Time Won't Let Me), Nancy Sinatra (These Boots Are Made For Walkin') and Paul Revere & The Raiders (Kicks).
The program premiers nationally on March 2. Check with your local PBS affiliate for an exact time when the show will air.
-- courtesy of Tom Cuddy
Last week we gave away two free tickets to see the hit Off Broadway Musical "Forever Dusty" to lucky Forgotten Hits reader Don Rehrer. Now comes word from producer and cowriter Jon Vankin that they've got a couple of special shows coming up:
Hey, Kent!
Our latest bit of news about the show is that March 14 AND March 28 (both Thursdays) will be Sing Along shows. We did one earlier this month for our 100th performance and everyone had such a great time we thought we'd see if we should make it a regular thing. It's really a lot of fun. It's the exact same show, except the audience is encouraged to sing along with the cast during the musical numbers and the lyrics are projected on the back wall of the set.
All the best,
Jon
One of our readers had the chance to catch the show in New York this weekend ... and here's what he had to say:
Hi Kent,
I'm in New York for activities coinciding with the release of my new book "WHN: When New York City Went Country". My wife and I went to see Forever Dusty today.
The show played to a far from capacity but very appreciate audience and deservedly so, in my opinion. As an oldies fan who is often critical of works based on pop music history, I felt the play did a great job of distilling a complicated story. Two of the five performers were understudies, but I find it hard to believe that the primary players could do a better job. The singing (by all) and playing was first rate. I guess they couldn't license "Silver Threads and Golden Needles", because another song ("Island Of Dreams") was used when that would have been the better fit IMHO . Star Kristen Holley Smith, who is also the show's co-writer, came out after the show to mingle with the audience! My wife rushed me away before I could congratulate her on a great performance.
Thank for featuring Forever Dusty in Forgotten Hits. Otherwise I might not have gone to see it.
Ed Salamon
Our latest bit of news about the show is that March 14 AND March 28 (both Thursdays) will be Sing Along shows. We did one earlier this month for our 100th performance and everyone had such a great time we thought we'd see if we should make it a regular thing. It's really a lot of fun. It's the exact same show, except the audience is encouraged to sing along with the cast during the musical numbers and the lyrics are projected on the back wall of the set.
All the best,
Jon
One of our readers had the chance to catch the show in New York this weekend ... and here's what he had to say:
Hi Kent,
I'm in New York for activities coinciding with the release of my new book "WHN: When New York City Went Country". My wife and I went to see Forever Dusty today.
The show played to a far from capacity but very appreciate audience and deservedly so, in my opinion. As an oldies fan who is often critical of works based on pop music history, I felt the play did a great job of distilling a complicated story. Two of the five performers were understudies, but I find it hard to believe that the primary players could do a better job. The singing (by all) and playing was first rate. I guess they couldn't license "Silver Threads and Golden Needles", because another song ("Island Of Dreams") was used when that would have been the better fit IMHO . Star Kristen Holley Smith, who is also the show's co-writer, came out after the show to mingle with the audience! My wife rushed me away before I could congratulate her on a great performance.
Thank for featuring Forever Dusty in Forgotten Hits. Otherwise I might not have gone to see it.
Ed Salamon
And, speaking of Forgotten Hits tickets winners, congratulations to Paul Castiglia of Bloomfield, New Jersey. He and his wife will be attending this year's 2013 Monkees Convention Friday Night, courtesy of Charles Rosenay and Liverpool Productions. It sounds like an absolutely AMAZING time! Full details are available here:
Click here: Monkees Convention Davy Jones Memorial 2013
Paul knew that Peter Tork was born on February 13th, Micky Dolenz was born on March 8th and that the reason there were only three birthdays but four Monkees is because Davy Jones and Michael Nesmith both SHARE the same birthday, which is December 30th.
Paul also knew that infamous pianist Liberace DESTROYED a piano with a sledge hammer on an episode of The Monkees! (kk)
Congratulations are also in order for our FH Buddy Tony Hatch! We just heard that he will be inducted into The Songwriters Hall Of Fame this June. (Tony had eight of his songs featured in a recent musical called "Shout!", a fun romp thru the '60's that we thoroughly enjoyed!)
Here's the complete story, courtesy of FH Reader Tom Cuddy:
Songwriters Hall of Fame to Induct Tyler & Perry, Jones & Gramm, Souther, Two More
Congratulations are also in order for our FH Buddy Tony Hatch! We just heard that he will be inducted into The Songwriters Hall Of Fame this June. (Tony had eight of his songs featured in a recent musical called "Shout!", a fun romp thru the '60's that we thoroughly enjoyed!)
Here's the complete story, courtesy of FH Reader Tom Cuddy:
Songwriters Hall of Fame to Induct Tyler & Perry, Jones & Gramm, Souther, Two More
The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced their 2013 inductees on Friday, naming writing teams from iconic rock bands, a master of the southern California sound, the man who gave Petula Clark her sound and a woman who wrote big anthems in the 80's.
This year's inductees are, with a list of some of their biggest hits:
This year's inductees are, with a list of some of their biggest hits:
- Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith
- Walk This Way
- Toys in the Attic
- Back in the Saddle
- Draw the Line
- Rag Doll (with Holly Knight)
- Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (with Desmond Child)
- Love in an Elevator
- Livin' on the Edge (with Mark Hudson)
- Cryin' (with Tyler Rhodes)
- Crazy (with Desmond Child)
- Mick Jones and Lou Gramm of Foreigner
- Feels Like the First Time (Jones only)
- Cold As Ice
- Hot Blooded
- Double Vision
- Head Games
- Dirty White Boy
- Urgent (Jones only)
- Juke Box Hero
- Waiting For a Girl Like You
- I Want to Know What Love Is (Jones only)
- J.D. Souther
- Best of My Love
- Faithless Love
- Victim of Love
- The Heart of the Matter
- Heartache Tonight
- New Kid in Town
- How Long
- Simple Man, Simple Dream
- Prisoner in Disguise
- You're Only Lonely
- Tony Hatch
- Downtown
- Call Me
- Don't Sleep in the Subway
- I Couldn't Live Without Your Love
- I Know a Place
- My Love
- The Other Man's Grass Is Always Greener
- A Sign of the Times
- You're the One
- Colour My World
- Holly Knight
- Better Be Good to Me
- Love is a Battlefield
- Invincible
- The Warrior
- Love Touch
- Obsession (with Michael Des Barres)
- Rag Doll (with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry)
- The Best
- Never
- Slow Burn
Hall of Fame Chairman Jimmy Webb said of the inductees "Each of our 2013 inductees has been responsible for captivating the world with their creativity for decades, serving up a rich variety of songs for our global soundtrack. We are looking forward to celebrating their contributions at our Annual Awards Gala."
The induction will take place on June 13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.
Those who were nominated but did not make the cut were:
The induction will take place on June 13 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York.
Those who were nominated but did not make the cut were:
- Lindsay Buckingham, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks
- Jimmy Buffett
- Elvis Costello
- Ray Davies
- Vince Gill
- B.B. King
- Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart
- Jeff Lynne
- Bobby Womack
- Bobby Braddock
- Don Covay
- Randy Goodrum
- Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter
- Bob McDill
- Rick Nowles
- Linda Perry
- P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri
- Rod Temperton
The biographies of each of the inductees from the Songwriters Hall of Fame's press release is after the cut.
Tony Hatch:
Multifaceted British songwriter, producer, arranger, conductor and pianist Tony Hatch is credited for his musical contributions both in the UK and US, with his international hit for Garry Mills in 1960; “Look For A Star.” The song launched Hatch’s career and provided him with a platform to write and produce for hit artists on both sides of the Atlantic, including Bobby Rydell with “Forget Him,” and The Searchers with “Sugar And Spice.” Hatch’s most significant relationship as a songwriter, arranger and producer was with Petula Clark, which yielded classic British Invasion pop hits including “Downtown,” “I Know A Place” and “My Love.” He had huge success with Chris Montez and “Call Me,” which launched the song as an album ‘must’ with covers later by legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, George Shearing, Astrud Gilberto and Eliane Elias. Hatch continued to write songs with his wife at the time, singer Jackie Trent, which included her #1 UK hit “Where Are You Now.“ The duo also wrote Clark’s “Don’t Sleep In The Subway,” “I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love,” “Colour My World,” and “Sign Of The Times” and “Joanna” for Scott Walker. Hatch has also composed TV theme songs; most notably for the Australian soap Neighbours and the UK soap Emmerdale, now in its 40th year.
Mick Jones & Lou Gramm:
Foreigner’s legendary songwriting partners, Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, have together propelled an arsenal of ten multi-platinum albums and multiple Top 30 hits. Universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world, the band is responsible for some of the greatest rock anthems of our time, including the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” which today remains as one of the 25 most performed songs in the ASCAP catalog. Other iconic songs include “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice” and “Long, Long Way From Home” from their self-titled 1977 debut album. Major songs in the Jones and Gramm catalog include “Juke Box Hero,” “Hot Blooded” and “Waiting For A Girl Like You.” A multi-talented and multi-dimensional “musician’s musician,” Jones has also written songs such as “Bad Love” with Eric Clapton and “Dreamer” with Ozzy Osbourne, and produced records for others including Billy Joel’s Storm Front and Van Halen’s 5150. A Grammy® and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter, Jones is the winner of the prestigious British Ivor Novello songwriter award for the song “The Flame Still Burns,” from the soundtrack Still Crazy. In the late 80s, Gramm released two solo albums to critical and commercial acclaim entitled Ready or Not and Long Hard Look, respectively, which produced several Top 10 hit singles including, “Midnight Blue”, “Just Between You And Me” and the Top 40 hit “True Blue Love.” Gramm also contributed a song to the soundtrack for the 1987 movie The Lost Boys, titled “Lost In The Shadows.” In May 2013, Triumph Books will release Gramm’s biography, Juke Box Hero.
Holly Knight:
Holly Knight has had a wild 36-year ride in the music business that ignited when she met songwriter/producer Mike Chapman with her band Spider in 1981. They penned Spider’s single, “Better Be Good To Me,” which music icon Tina Turner recorded six months later on her 1984 album Private Dancer. Knight’s success continued when she wrote the chart-topping, “Love Is A Battlefield” and “Invincible” for Pat Benatar, “The Warrior” for Patty Smyth, “Change” for John Waite, “Baby Me” for Chaka Khan, “Never” for Heart and “Pleasure And Pain” for Divinyls. In total, Knight has written nine songs for Turner, including “The Best” and “Wildest Dreams,” both signature songs for the legend. She also wrote “Love Touch” for Rod Stewart, “Obsession” for Animotion, “Hide Your Heart” for KISS, “Rag Doll” with Aerosmith, “Space” for Cheap Trick and the list continues. Her songs have appeared in movies as varied as Thelma and Louise, Mad Max Beyond The Thunderdome, Stewart Little and Hot Tub Fantasy, and on TV shows such as American Idol, The Voice, 30 Rock, Family Guy, The Simpsons and South Park. Knight’s songwriting has earned her numerous awards including three Grammys® and thirteen ASCAP songwriter awards.
JD Souther:
An architect of the Southern California sound and an influence on modern songwriting, JD Souther has written and co-written many Eagles hits including “Heartache Tonight,” “Victim Of Love,” “New Kid In Town,” “Best Of My Love,” Don Henley’s “The Heart Of The Matter,” and the Eagles hit from 2007, “How Long.” Linda Ronstadt recorded ten of his songs, including “Faithless Love,” “Simple Man, Simple Dream,” and “Prisoner In Disguise.” His hit “You’re Only Lonely” reached the top ten followed by “Her Town, Too” with James Taylor. He has written with Warren Zevon, Paul Williams, Burt Bacharach, Brian Wilson, Arthur Hamilton, Roy Orbison, Will Jennings, and Jackson Browne. His songs appear on more than 150 million records worldwide including Hugh Masekela, Bonnie Raitt, Glen Campbell, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Najma Akhtar, George Strait, India Arie, Trisha Yearwood, and Bernadette Peters. Souther has released eight solo albums, including the 2011 collection Natural History, about which Jazz Times Magazine said, “Souther proves his work holds up as well as Dylan’s, Simon’s, or Lennon and McCartney’s.” In 2012 he was cast as a guest star on ABC’s Nashville. Souther has received Grammy® nominations, Academy of Country Music and American Music Awards, 21 ASCAP performance awards, and the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award in 2009. He is currently writing and recording and believes in “music without boundaries.”
Steven Tyler & Joe Perry:
As co-founding members of Aerosmith, America’s greatest Rock & Roll band, the songwriting team of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are the recipients of countless awards including four Grammy’s®, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Video Music Awards, among many other honors. With scores of multi-platinum albums, Aerosmith continues to inspire generations to get their wings, to get a grip and to just push play. Their songs remain relevant to this day and they are considered one of the most beloved bands of all time. Aerosmith’s 15th studio album released in 2012, Music From Another Dimension!, features songs penned by both Tyler and Perry, who also served as producers on the album. Tyler and Perry are the iconic songwriters of Aerosmith. Tyler is considered one of rock’s most recognizable and dynamic frontmen and Rolling Stone has called him “one of the greatest singers of all time.” As the electrifying lead guitarist of Aerosmith, Perry has achieved permanent iconic stature in the pantheon of rock, as he was immortalized in 2008 when Aerosmith made history and created a cultural firestorm when Activision released Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®.
Multifaceted British songwriter, producer, arranger, conductor and pianist Tony Hatch is credited for his musical contributions both in the UK and US, with his international hit for Garry Mills in 1960; “Look For A Star.” The song launched Hatch’s career and provided him with a platform to write and produce for hit artists on both sides of the Atlantic, including Bobby Rydell with “Forget Him,” and The Searchers with “Sugar And Spice.” Hatch’s most significant relationship as a songwriter, arranger and producer was with Petula Clark, which yielded classic British Invasion pop hits including “Downtown,” “I Know A Place” and “My Love.” He had huge success with Chris Montez and “Call Me,” which launched the song as an album ‘must’ with covers later by legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, George Shearing, Astrud Gilberto and Eliane Elias. Hatch continued to write songs with his wife at the time, singer Jackie Trent, which included her #1 UK hit “Where Are You Now.“ The duo also wrote Clark’s “Don’t Sleep In The Subway,” “I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love,” “Colour My World,” and “Sign Of The Times” and “Joanna” for Scott Walker. Hatch has also composed TV theme songs; most notably for the Australian soap Neighbours and the UK soap Emmerdale, now in its 40th year.
Mick Jones & Lou Gramm:
Foreigner’s legendary songwriting partners, Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, have together propelled an arsenal of ten multi-platinum albums and multiple Top 30 hits. Universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world, the band is responsible for some of the greatest rock anthems of our time, including the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” which today remains as one of the 25 most performed songs in the ASCAP catalog. Other iconic songs include “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice” and “Long, Long Way From Home” from their self-titled 1977 debut album. Major songs in the Jones and Gramm catalog include “Juke Box Hero,” “Hot Blooded” and “Waiting For A Girl Like You.” A multi-talented and multi-dimensional “musician’s musician,” Jones has also written songs such as “Bad Love” with Eric Clapton and “Dreamer” with Ozzy Osbourne, and produced records for others including Billy Joel’s Storm Front and Van Halen’s 5150. A Grammy® and Golden Globe-nominated songwriter, Jones is the winner of the prestigious British Ivor Novello songwriter award for the song “The Flame Still Burns,” from the soundtrack Still Crazy. In the late 80s, Gramm released two solo albums to critical and commercial acclaim entitled Ready or Not and Long Hard Look, respectively, which produced several Top 10 hit singles including, “Midnight Blue”, “Just Between You And Me” and the Top 40 hit “True Blue Love.” Gramm also contributed a song to the soundtrack for the 1987 movie The Lost Boys, titled “Lost In The Shadows.” In May 2013, Triumph Books will release Gramm’s biography, Juke Box Hero.
Holly Knight:
Holly Knight has had a wild 36-year ride in the music business that ignited when she met songwriter/producer Mike Chapman with her band Spider in 1981. They penned Spider’s single, “Better Be Good To Me,” which music icon Tina Turner recorded six months later on her 1984 album Private Dancer. Knight’s success continued when she wrote the chart-topping, “Love Is A Battlefield” and “Invincible” for Pat Benatar, “The Warrior” for Patty Smyth, “Change” for John Waite, “Baby Me” for Chaka Khan, “Never” for Heart and “Pleasure And Pain” for Divinyls. In total, Knight has written nine songs for Turner, including “The Best” and “Wildest Dreams,” both signature songs for the legend. She also wrote “Love Touch” for Rod Stewart, “Obsession” for Animotion, “Hide Your Heart” for KISS, “Rag Doll” with Aerosmith, “Space” for Cheap Trick and the list continues. Her songs have appeared in movies as varied as Thelma and Louise, Mad Max Beyond The Thunderdome, Stewart Little and Hot Tub Fantasy, and on TV shows such as American Idol, The Voice, 30 Rock, Family Guy, The Simpsons and South Park. Knight’s songwriting has earned her numerous awards including three Grammys® and thirteen ASCAP songwriter awards.
JD Souther:
An architect of the Southern California sound and an influence on modern songwriting, JD Souther has written and co-written many Eagles hits including “Heartache Tonight,” “Victim Of Love,” “New Kid In Town,” “Best Of My Love,” Don Henley’s “The Heart Of The Matter,” and the Eagles hit from 2007, “How Long.” Linda Ronstadt recorded ten of his songs, including “Faithless Love,” “Simple Man, Simple Dream,” and “Prisoner In Disguise.” His hit “You’re Only Lonely” reached the top ten followed by “Her Town, Too” with James Taylor. He has written with Warren Zevon, Paul Williams, Burt Bacharach, Brian Wilson, Arthur Hamilton, Roy Orbison, Will Jennings, and Jackson Browne. His songs appear on more than 150 million records worldwide including Hugh Masekela, Bonnie Raitt, Glen Campbell, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Najma Akhtar, George Strait, India Arie, Trisha Yearwood, and Bernadette Peters. Souther has released eight solo albums, including the 2011 collection Natural History, about which Jazz Times Magazine said, “Souther proves his work holds up as well as Dylan’s, Simon’s, or Lennon and McCartney’s.” In 2012 he was cast as a guest star on ABC’s Nashville. Souther has received Grammy® nominations, Academy of Country Music and American Music Awards, 21 ASCAP performance awards, and the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award in 2009. He is currently writing and recording and believes in “music without boundaries.”
Steven Tyler & Joe Perry:
As co-founding members of Aerosmith, America’s greatest Rock & Roll band, the songwriting team of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They are the recipients of countless awards including four Grammy’s®, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV Video Music Awards, among many other honors. With scores of multi-platinum albums, Aerosmith continues to inspire generations to get their wings, to get a grip and to just push play. Their songs remain relevant to this day and they are considered one of the most beloved bands of all time. Aerosmith’s 15th studio album released in 2012, Music From Another Dimension!, features songs penned by both Tyler and Perry, who also served as producers on the album. Tyler and Perry are the iconic songwriters of Aerosmith. Tyler is considered one of rock’s most recognizable and dynamic frontmen and Rolling Stone has called him “one of the greatest singers of all time.” As the electrifying lead guitarist of Aerosmith, Perry has achieved permanent iconic stature in the pantheon of rock, as he was immortalized in 2008 when Aerosmith made history and created a cultural firestorm when Activision released Guitar Hero®: Aerosmith®.
Sounds like The Rascals' Reunion Show is coming to Broadway! (Damn ... another reason to relocate Forgotten Hits to The Big Apple! And I had my heart set on Hawaii!)
Got this news from quite a few readers last week: (kk)
Hi kk,
Enjoyed your Rick Nelson “What’s My Line” posting. You could see how Rick signed it as Rick but was still referred to as Ricky. I’ve watched many of the old What’s My Line shows and you’ve got to appreciate how John Daly went out of his way to tell the viewer what a fine young man Rick was. It kind of reminded me of how Ed Sullivan went out of his way to tell his viewers what a fine young man Elvis was on his program.
All of Rick’s music is priceless but you can see why he never was a huge success in the movies. Maybe it’s me but Rick’s acting skills seem to disappear about the time he went from being the irrepressible Ricky to Rick Nelson. It’s most obvious with his comedic attempts as an adult actor who seemed too introverted for comedy. Just my thought.
Take care,
Jerry
From FH Reader Tom Cuddy ... this should be interesting!
Backup Singer Documentary 'Twenty Feet From Stardom' Set for Summer Release
After Sundance premiere, film is picked up by the Weinstein Company's label Radius
Several years ago, former A&M Records head Gil Friesen was stoned at a Leonard Cohen concert when he became fixated on Cohen's backup singers. The result of Friesen's musings is Twenty Feet From Stardom, a documentary that explores the culture of such supporting singers. Friesen once quipped to its director, Morgan Neville, that the movie was "the most expensive joint I ever smoked," and the final product premiered last week at the Sundance Film Festival.
"This is a story about people whose fingerprints are all over the music we know but we have no idea who they are," Neville, a self-described "hardcore music geek," tells Rolling Stone. His other credits include Troubadours, Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story and Johnny Cash's America. He is currently at work on a film about the rivalry between Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley.
Friesen, who passed away from cancer in December, saw the final film before his death and knew it would premiere at Sundance. It was purchased last week by the Weinstein Company's label Radius-TWC and, according to Neville, is set for a summer release.
"You could have talked about Nashville, you could have talked about girl groups. . . To me, the interesting story was the rise of these black voices from the church into the studios and onto vinyl," says the director. "What was Lou Reed singing about [in "A Walk on the Wild Side"]? This is what he was singing about."
The film includes interviews with artists who are notable for their use of backup singers, including Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and Sting. Many well-known supporting vocalists are also interviewed, including Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Tata Vega, Judith Hill, Claudia Lennear, Gloria Jones and Dr. Mable John.
These performers – who Neville says "can often sing circles around lead singers" – have produced a soulful, harmonic blend for decades, one derived from the Motown, rock and R&B of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
"There was really kind of a heyday in the late 1960s and 1970s," Neville explains. "The Brits were coming and they were pale white guys and they thought, 'Hey, if I am really into R&B and soul, why don't I just invite black singers to come onstage with me?'"
In Twenty Feet, Neville also explores the psychology of standing in the shadows of super-stardom and the lack of individual identity – which, depending on the singer, can feel like bliss or purgatory. He also looks at how relatively recent changes in the recording business – including lead singers recording their own backing tracks – caused the backup singer scene to dry up.
"I asked them, 'When do you think it changed?' And one singer said, 'In 1993,'" Neville says. "Hip-hop, grunge in the 1990s – all those things were going on as well as changes in taste, business and technology." What hasn't changed is the talent of these artists – and soon, their story will be told.
Rock pop legend TOMMY ROE at
BB KINGS in NEW YORK CITY ... MONDAY, APRIL 29th
see link below
Back on the world touring stage..and better than ever
Mgt: RICK LEVY MGT 904 8060817
Booking: JOHN REGNA 201 394 5944
And Tommy's not the only oldies artist hitting the comeback trail ... we just got word that one of your '70's heart-throbs is hitting the road for the very first time in over 25 years!
And Tommy's not the only oldies artist hitting the comeback trail ... we just got word that one of your '70's heart-throbs is hitting the road for the very first time in over 25 years!
As a
singer, actor, writer, and producer, Shaun Cassidy has enjoyed phenomenal
success in almost every facet of entertainment:
- His classic hits include “Da Doo Ron Ron”, “That’s Rock n’ Roll”, and “Hey Deanie” and his last performance was at the Houston Astrodome for over 55,000 screaming fans!
- As an actor he starred on television in “The Hardy Boys Mysteries” and in theatre in NYC and West End productions including “Blood Brothers,” which ran for over a year on Broadway.
- Shaun is a successful television writer, creating and/or producing some of the most critically acclaimed series of the last fifteen years including “American Gothic” (produced with Sam Raimi), “Roar” (starring Heath Ledger), “Cold Case,” “The Agency,” and “Invasion.”
- With his 2013 concert series, Shaun will not only perform all his biggest hits, but will take the audience behind the scenes of his fascinating life, sharing funny and intimate stories of the people he’s known and the experiences that have shaped him. Shaun views this show as a gift to the audience that grew up with him as well as an opportunity to engage a whole new generation of fans
My local pub, the Abbey Road (guess what the owner’s favorite group is) has bands playing most week-ends with a fair number of Beatles tributes bands, as well as other bands doing covers of great 60’s & 70’s oldies, in the mix. But last night the pub featured a band called the Dreamboats ... http://www.thedreamboatsband.com/ ... who went all the way back into the 50’s doing covers of among others, Chuck Berry (Maybellene), The Coasters (Yakety Yak), Eddie Cochran (Summertime Blues), Bobby Darin (Splish Splash), Buddy Holly (That’ll Be The Day), Jerry Lee Lewis (Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On), Little Richard (Good Golly Miss Molly), Ritchie Valens (La Bamba), and, of course, several early Elvis numbers.
What was surprising was that the band members weren’t a bunch of old guys, but were four guys in their mid-twenties really enjoying themselves. And the packed house wasn’t just a bunch of seniors staying up way past their bed time, but was a mix of young and old, with everyone loving and dancing to the “when rock was young” oldies.
What was surprising was that the band members weren’t a bunch of old guys, but were four guys in their mid-twenties really enjoying themselves. And the packed house wasn’t just a bunch of seniors staying up way past their bed time, but was a mix of young and old, with everyone loving and dancing to the “when rock was young” oldies.
Yes sir, rock and roll is alive ‘n kickin, in Southern Ontario.
Mike Ogilvie
I COULDN'T WAIT TO WATCH THAT NEW TV SHOW AFTER READING ABOUT IT IN FORGOTTEN HITS ... FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, PREMIERING ON VH1 CLASSIC ...
Sounded really interesting ...
A spin on the ANTIQUE'S ROADSHOW theme.
Instead of the family treasure or unknown gathering dust in a closet or the basement, the 'treasures' are ROCK MEMORABILIA.
I wasn't not sure how interesting it would be to me, but imagined that there's probably a huge audience out there and the 'successful' format already 'broken-in' and familiar to the tv audience.
(and great title, by the way, courtesy of BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD)But then I caught the first show and it was not at all what I expected ...
Co-host, Gary (I GOT BIG TEETH), Dell'Abate, better known as piss-boy ... BA BA BOOEY ... has no 'spark' ... and the other guy is worse. I WAS BORED! (not at all the format I was expecting)
((the family 'treasure' was a collection of Mr. T dolls))
RENFIELD
I, too, was very disappointed with the first episode ... it almost seemed like they felt the need to develop some quick street cred by featuring "manufactured" collectibles assembled by Jack White ... but these are NOT the type of collectibles that the average music fan would want to get their hands on for their own personal collections. I do believe it'll get better (and more on track) once they get rolling. And, I have to admit, I DID laugh at the anatomically correct Mr. T Doll!!! But even THIS collection was for a very "specialized" audience ... and it very well may be an audience of one ... as in the guy who has collected 200 of these hand-made Mr. T dolls! (kk)
I COULDN'T WAIT TO WATCH THAT NEW TV SHOW AFTER READING ABOUT IT IN FORGOTTEN HITS ... FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, PREMIERING ON VH1 CLASSIC ...
Sounded really interesting ...
A spin on the ANTIQUE'S ROADSHOW theme.
Instead of the family treasure or unknown gathering dust in a closet or the basement, the 'treasures' are ROCK MEMORABILIA.
I wasn't not sure how interesting it would be to me, but imagined that there's probably a huge audience out there and the 'successful' format already 'broken-in' and familiar to the tv audience.
(and great title, by the way, courtesy of BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD)But then I caught the first show and it was not at all what I expected ...
Co-host, Gary (I GOT BIG TEETH), Dell'Abate, better known as piss-boy ... BA BA BOOEY ... has no 'spark' ... and the other guy is worse. I WAS BORED! (not at all the format I was expecting)
((the family 'treasure' was a collection of Mr. T dolls))
RENFIELD
I, too, was very disappointed with the first episode ... it almost seemed like they felt the need to develop some quick street cred by featuring "manufactured" collectibles assembled by Jack White ... but these are NOT the type of collectibles that the average music fan would want to get their hands on for their own personal collections. I do believe it'll get better (and more on track) once they get rolling. And, I have to admit, I DID laugh at the anatomically correct Mr. T Doll!!! But even THIS collection was for a very "specialized" audience ... and it very well may be an audience of one ... as in the guy who has collected 200 of these hand-made Mr. T dolls! (kk)
