re: HAPPY
BIRTHDAY!:
Kent ...
According to Ron Smith's book "Eight Days A
Week," Monday, 11/11/1950 = Jim Peterik of the Ides of March ("Vehicle") and
Survivor ("Eye Of The Tiger") is born.
Frank B.
Happy Birthday, Jimbo! (kk)
re: AND
CONGRATULATIONS:
Congratulations again to our FH Buddy John Madara and his
recent Philly Hall Of Fame Award. Here are a couple of exclusive photographs
from the event.
Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, John Madara, David White and Dave Apple
Hi Kent ...
I hope things are good with you!
Some photos of the awards ... it was overwhelming!
Lots of artists we worked with, lots of other music friends and family. It was a great day!
Lots of artists we worked with, lots of other music friends and family. It was a great day!
John
re: NEW RELEASES:
ROY
ORBISON - THE LAST CONCERT ... 25th ANNIVERSARY
EDITION OUT NEXT
MONTH
BLACK AND
WHITE NIGHT OUT THIS MONDAY
Roys Boys LLC, the
company formed by Roy Orbison's surviving sons to manage and protect their
father’s name, likeness, image and musical legacy, will release The Last
Concert - 25th Anniversary Edition
this December 3 through Sony Music's
Legacy imprint. The set is, literally, what the title indicates: the very last
concert performance ever given by Roy Orbison, recorded December 4, 1988 at the
Front Row Theatre in Highland Heights, Ohio, just outside Cleveland. The Last
Concert includes passion-fueled performances of 14 Orbison classics such as
“Only The Lonely,” “Blue Bayou,” “Crying,” “Oh, Pretty Woman” and ten
others. Orbison was in top form that night; just two days later he was gone
forever.
The special package
includes a bonus DVD that features “The Last Interview,” a conversation with
Tony Weber that was video taped at the venue directly after the performance as
well as a photomontage of shots taken at the concert by photojournalist Janet
Macoska. There is also a collection of “late and great” performances of Orbison
in concert, shot in 1981 and 1986 at the Country Club in Reseda, CA and
Rockefeller Hall in Houston, respectively. Performances include “Leah,” “Blue
Angel,” “Working For The Man,” “Ooby Dooby,” ”Dream Baby” and
more.
The package comes with an insightful 850-word essay by
son Alex Orbison who chronicles the circumstance of the epic concert that took
place 25 years ago: the stage rotated 360 degrees and came full circle five
times over the course of the show; Bruce Pearson, the band’s lead guitarist
broke a string just before curtain and ended up playing Orbison’s own signature
Gibson 335, providing the show with a different sonic ambiance than any that had
come before. He delves into the period of renewed success and recognition
leading up to the concert. Roy had recently been inducted into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame, had recorded as a member of The Traveling Wilburys with
George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, and had taped the
legendary Black and White Night TV special and had seen the use of his
song “In Dreams” in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet. It was a heady time for
Roy Orbison and the exuberant concert was a reflection of that upbeat
sensibility. For the very last time.
Black and White
Night, another key Orbison title from this general period,
is set for re-release on DVD November 11 through Legacy Recordings. Filmed September 20, 1987 as a TV special, the event
brought together Roy Orbison with a group of notable admirers including Bruce
Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, T Bone Burnett, Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang,
J.D. Souther, Jackson Browne and others for a concert highlighted by unique
performances of Orbison’s key repertoire. “The Big O” and his friends were
backed by Elvis Presley’s TCB Band, including James Burton, Glen D. Hardin,
Jerry Scheff and Ronnie Tutt.
"Black And
White Night" is one of the best concert videos I've ever seen ... and what a
stellar cast of "sidemen" up there on stage with him! I've never seen Roy's
Last Concert ... but I'm sure it's amazing as well. Check out Amazon.com for
more ordering information. (kk)
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE
Cliff
Richard “Still Reelin’ And A-Rockin’
- Live In Sydney”
~ ON DVD, BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL FORMATS NOVEMBER 19
~
New York, NY (November 8,
2013)—Eagle Rock Entertainment are delighted to announce the release on
November 19, 2013 of Cliff Richard Still Reelin’ And
A-Rockin’ - Live In Sydney on DVD, Blu-ray
and Visual Digital Formats [MSRP $19.98 Blu-ray, $14.98 DVD]. This release
features a host of evergreen Cliff Richard hits including: “Living Doll,”
“Summer Holiday,” “The Next Time,” “Move It,” “The Young Ones,” “Devil Woman,”
“Some People,” “It’ll Be Me,” “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” “Wired For Sound,”
together with iconic Rock ‘N’ Roll tracks, some from his new album release “The
Fabulous Rock ‘N’ Roll Songbook.
Cliff Richard is one of the most successful British singers of
all-time with hits throughout his career from the 1950s to the present day and
estimated global album sales approaching 300 million. This latest concert film
was shot at the Sydney Opera House, Australia on the “Still Reelin’ And
A-Rockin’ Tour” in early 2013. It features classic hits from across
Cliff’s career with a focus towards earlier material and also mixes in
some classic rock ‘n’ roll songs. As a Bonus Feature, the DVD includes a
fascinating “behind the scenes”
documentary.
Cliff Richard remains a consummate live performer with an
exuberant energy and a voice that remains in as fine a form as ever. This is yet
another live show that will delight his legions of
fans.
TRACK
LISTING
1) Reelin’ &
Rockin’ / My Kinda Life
2)
Dreamin’
3) Living
Doll
4) Poetry In
Motion
5) Sealed With A
Kiss
6) Dream
Lover
7)
12th Of Never
8) “D” In
Love
9) Miss You
Nights
10) Summer
Holiday
11) The Next
Time
12) What
Car?
13) Singing The
Blues
14) Move
It
15) Willie And
The Hand Jive
16) I Don’t Care
If The Sun Don’t Shine
17) Fabulous /
Paralyzed
18) Ocean
Deep
19) The Young
Ones
20) Devil
Woman
21) Some
People
22)
Suddenly
23) It’ll Be
Me
24) Rip It
Up
25) We Don’t
Talk Anymore
26) Wired For
Sound
27) I Could
Easily Fall / In The Country
28) High Class
Baby / Dynamite / Please Don’t Tease / Forty Days / Do You Wanna
Dance
I recently made it through the
complete collection of Cliff's 100 Singles ... SO much great music that we never
really had a chance to listen to here in The States. This sounds like a very
interesting live presentation of several of them. (kk)
re: THIS AND THAT:
Hey Kent,
I was watching an episode of the "King of Queens" last night and Peter Tork was in it! The episode is called "The Best Man". He plays a wedding band leader.
There's also a Jimi Hendrix special on PBS's American Masters that is suppose to be very good. I'm sure PBS is going to show it many times. So as they say "Check your local listings".
I was watching an episode of the "King of Queens" last night and Peter Tork was in it! The episode is called "The Best Man". He plays a wedding band leader.
There's also a Jimi Hendrix special on PBS's American Masters that is suppose to be very good. I'm sure PBS is going to show it many times. So as they say "Check your local listings".
Mike
The Monkees would occasionally show up on
"Boy Meets World", too ... not quite as cool as when The Beach Boys would appear
on "Full House" but still a neat opportunity to see the guys once in a while.
I've heard really good things about the Jimi
Hendrix special but haven't had a chance to see it yet. Will have to keep an
eye out for that one. (kk)
Kent,
In today's FH, the record producer Fred Darian was mentioned in the obit you had of Larry Verne. His recording of JOHNNY WILLOW back in 1961 peaked at number 2 here in OKC but was a "bomb" nationally.
Larry
In today's FH, the record producer Fred Darian was mentioned in the obit you had of Larry Verne. His recording of JOHNNY WILLOW back in 1961 peaked at number 2 here in OKC but was a "bomb" nationally.
Larry
It did OK here in Chicago, too, peaking at
#14 on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey. Nationally it stopped at #79, spending
exactly one week at #96 in Billboard. (kk)
Kent
...
I think your reader's might want to watch this.
Frank B.
Frank B.
On the colorization of 'A Hard Day's Night', my
gut reaction is, "oh how soft and pretty." Then I look into it and marvel at
the sweat of the people changing this from b&w to color. When you are
shooting in b&w, the actual colors don't matter and may be actually garish.
As long as the shadows work and the actors stand out who cares? But now adding
color ... those backdrops must compliment the band and maybe we have to change
their hair color or clothing tones in this scene so they don't get lost. Not an
easy job, especially if you are going to please the original audience. And now
I say, "I don't care if the colors aren't actually correct or that the girls
screaming did not have to worry about color coordinating when they shot the
scenes, it is still a happy, fun movie; visually and audibly. AND I LOVE
IT!"
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
I think it would be a WONDERFUL way to celebrate the film's
50th Anniversary. And I'd be first in line to buy the new DVD Combo Pack of
both the black and white and color version ... even though I've already bought
the black and white film at least three times now!!! (lol) kk
Sign the petition here:
>>>So
I'm reading your blog the other day and I see a guy complaining about hearing
all the "holiday" music. Lol - I get it, but there are some good fresh ones out
there. (Sam)
I
think the issue here is (as usual) radio has over-done what once was a nice
change of pace, programming-wise, and beaten it to death by starting Christmas
at the end of October / beginning of November. We grew up experiencing the
holiday build up right after Thanksgiving ... and it's not just radio ... the
day the stores were taking down the Halloween candy, they were putting up the
Christmas candy. It's a nationwide epidemic. Stores are now opening on
Thanksgiving night to squeeze in 12 extra hours of shopping
time.
But here's an interesting report from the listener perspective that I
found in Vintage Vinyl News last
week:
Listen Up Radio Programmers ...
Most Don't Want Holiday Music Before Thanksgiving
One of our local Clear Channel radio stations switched to their Holiday
Music programming last Friday (November 1). Soon, more stations will follow
suit, playing Sleigh Ride in one of its myriad of versions every half
hour until the new year.
At one time, it was traditional that radio stations went all-Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend but that has been moved forward over the last decade and it is starting to frustrate people. Cricket Wireless recently conducted a survey of their customers and 55% of Americans think it is unacceptable for stations to be playing White Christmas before Thanksgiving.
The only group that did like it was those under 30 where only 40% objected as compared to 71% of those over 65.
71% of those over 65 objected to holiday music on the radio before Thanksgiving
63% of those 45 to 64 objected
55% of those 30 to 44 objected
40% of those under-30 objected
At one time, it was traditional that radio stations went all-Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend but that has been moved forward over the last decade and it is starting to frustrate people. Cricket Wireless recently conducted a survey of their customers and 55% of Americans think it is unacceptable for stations to be playing White Christmas before Thanksgiving.
The only group that did like it was those under 30 where only 40% objected as compared to 71% of those over 65.
71% of those over 65 objected to holiday music on the radio before Thanksgiving
63% of those 45 to 64 objected
55% of those 30 to 44 objected
40% of those under-30 objected
It doesn't matter, though, what people think. As
usual, radio programmers and network owners think they know better, so get ready
for more and more Winter Wonderland before the final leaves hit the
ground.
More great press for Burton Cummings' upcoming shows, several of which are his one-man solo appearances. Here's an interesting article and interview for a show coming to The Newton Theater in New Jersey ... courtesy of FH Reader Tom Cuddy:
re: THE RASCALS:
Hi Kent,
Just got back home from Once
Upon a Dream and the Rascals! I know you are going on Sunday and you and your
wife will not be disappointed! What a wonderful show for true Rascal fans. And
there were many of us in the audience. It was a happy respectful crowd, except
for a few young girls who thankfully didn't sit anywhere near us. And everyone
was into each and every song. I think we were all in awe that we were able to
see this group again after 40 years! I know I was. As for the songs, the
Rascals sound just as great as they did back in the 60's. I don't want to give
too much away for anyone still going ... you just have to experience it
yourself!
I had to get past the fact that we paid premium prices because we got our
tickets early. IF I would have known they would lower the price ticket, I would
have been happier, but I sure didn't want to miss this once in a lifetime
concert. So we paid up. I do have to say that hearing "How Can I Be Sure" sung
by Eddie was so worth the price of the ticket alone. That is my all-time
favorite song, ever since I heard it in a garage on the northwest side of
Chicago in a neighborhood called The Villa, surrounded by all my friends. We
had our radio cranked and were blown away by this song. I was happy and
surprised to see that Dennis Tufano of the Buckinghams a few summers ago added
this tune to his concert series! He did a great job of recreating this song. I
didn't think I would ever get a chance to hear it sung by the original singer,
Eddie. So it was a dream come true.
You are in for a treat! Enjoy and thanks again for all you do for our
music.
Janet
Tonight I saw the greatest oldies band
performance I've ever seen ... The Rascals' Once Upon A Dream concert /
theatrical event currently playing at The Cadillac Palace. WOW!!! A must-see --
I imagine you've seen this already … a superb performance by the original
band!
I haven't yet read your comments on this
historic event … all I can say is hats off to Steven Van Zandt for making it all
happen some 40 years after this great group disbanded! It blew me away to hear
Felix Cavaliere's vocals live, along with the superb musicianship of the band.
I wanted to write tonight, following the show. Have a good
weekend!
Bob
re: VIDEO OF THE
WEEK:
Record collectors will be blown away by this clip ... a tour
of Joel Whitburn's Record Research Archives. Although it's a bit out of date
(this was filmed in 2005 for a Heritage Auctions television special), it's still
one of the most amazing collections you'll ever see. In fact, there may not be
another one quite like it!
Hear Joel tell you in his own words how this collection was
built. Incredible! (kk)
Back in 2005, Heritage in
Dallas came to Menomonee Falls, WI, to film a tour of my music / record
archive. They have now put it up on YouTube, so if you'd care to do the tour
you can click on the link below. Many of the books shown have long since been
updated and, of course, much has been added to the collection. Anyhow, if
you're interested, here's the link.
Have a great
weekend!
Joel Whitburn
The video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3m1DwU0ImI
I've consider myself to be very fortunate in that Joel has extended me an
open invitation to come up and see this collection first hand ... and man, I've
just GOT to do it!!! This is amazing! (kk)
