Saturday, February 22, 2014

The Saturday Survey (2-22)

Looks like the K-Men were having some fun with the recent invasion of The Beatles back in 1964 ... they revamped their entire survey to be (shall we say) "insectuous"!!! 

Clever titles abound ... but there's no denying how popular The Fab Four were this week in '64 ... "She Loves You", "I Want To Hold Your Hand" / "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Please Please Me" hold down the top three spots on this chart.  (Actually it looks like a TIE for first place, meaning four of the top two records are by The Beatles ... huh?!?!?)


More fun ensues throughout the countdown ... "I Only Want To Be With You" by Cropdusty Springfield, "Beetles And Pins" by The Searchers, "The Way You Do The Stings You Do" and many others occupy The Top 40 spots.

But The Beatles take-over is no laughing matter ... all three of the station's top albums belong to The Fab Four ... and the K-Men Beatles Exclusives include tracks only available on import at this point in time ... "Love Me Do", "Please Mr. Postman", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Money" and "You've Really Got A Hold On Me"!  Wow!  With "Till There Was You", "Don't Bother Me", "Not A Second Time", "I Wanna Be Your Man", "From Me To You", "Thank You Girl", "My Bonnie" and "Twist And Shout" also showing airplay, I'd have to say the station was infested with Beatlemania as well as rockin' pneumonia and the boogie-woogie flu! 


This next chart comes from Davie Allan's personal collection ... that's Davie and his Arrows at #5 with "Apache '65".  Another personal favorite, "Paper Tiger" by Sue Thompson, is at #9, and The Kingsmen topped the charts in Arizona with "Jolly Green Giant", too!







There's only one Beatles record on this chart  ("Eight Days A Week" sits at #19) ... but the British Invasion is in full force ... 15 of the Top 40 Hits are by British acts, including Petula Clark, Herman's Hermits, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Shirley Bassey, Chad and Jeremy, The Kinks, Ian Whitcomb, The Zombies, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five, The Animals, Peter and Gordon, The Searchers and The Bachelors (and nipping at the heels are Georgie Fame with "Yeh Yeh" and The Who with "I Can't Explain".  (Even the Pick Hit Album of the Week has a decidedly British feel to it ... "Mary Poppins" holds down the top spot!)

A couple of weeks ago we gave you  a chart from Hawaii ... so it seemed only fair to run one from Alaska this week!!! (Again, how many Alaskan charts have you seen in your lifetime?!?!?)

I guess it really didn't matter WHERE you were ... (or how cold it was!) ... The Beatles were #1 literally EVERYWHERE!!!

Three of the Top Six spots (by the usual suspects)What's REALLY cool, however, is that Anchorage is charting The Top 100 Hits!

However, despite billing itself as "Anchorage's ONLY Authentic Tabulation of America's Most Popular Music" .. and the huge disclaimer at the bottom that says "The Tunedex is Copyrighted ... broadcasting or reproduction is not legal", it turns out that this chart is actually IDENTICAL to The Billboard Hot 100 published that very same week.



Clark Besch (who sent us this chart) is wondering if perhaps Joel Whitburn can shed some light on whatever arrangement KFQD may have had with Billboard ... clearly that had some type of advance notice of the upcoming chart in order to get their own chart printed and distributed in time.  What say you, Joel?

Hi Kent,  
That Anchorage, Alaska survey is the first one I’ve seen like that.  It definitely is a copy of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for that week.  I have no idea what Tunedex is.  Kim and I are heading to Billboard’s New York offices in March, so I’ll print this out and show it to Silvio and see if he has any knowledge about these charts.  
Joel

Friday, February 21, 2014

50 Years Ago This Weekend

50 Years ago this weekend (February 23rd, 1964), The Beatles made their third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show as part of the initial deal made between Sullivan and Beatles Manager Brian Epstein ... and boy how things had changed in just three weeks!  

By this point, The Beatles had FIVE Hits on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with "I Want To Hold Your Hand" at #1, "She Loves You" at #2, "Please Please Me" at #29, "I Saw Her Standing There" at #35 and "My Bonnie" (the record that first introduced Epstein to his proteges) at #54. 

For this program, The Fab Four sang "Twist And Shout" (not yet a single ... Tollie / Vee Jay would release it three weeks later), "Please Please Me" and "I Want To Hold Your Hand".  (Actually the performance was taped a couple of weeks earlier when The Fab Four first hit New York City ... in fact, by the time the program aired here in The States, The Beatles were already back home in Jolly Ol' England, having arrived to about 10,000 screaming fans at Heathrow Airport the day before!)



ON THE CHARTS:  

According to the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart dated February 22nd, THE BEATLES are still on top (for the fourth straight week) with I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND.  SHE LOVES YOU has climbed to #2. PLEASE PLEASE ME is up another 16 places to #29.  I SAW HER STANDING THERE joins them in The Top 40 at #35, giving The Fab Four FOUR Top 40 Hits this week … a full 10% of the countdown!  MY BONNIE is lagging a bit behind at #54 … but it'll get there eventually.  I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU breaks into The Top 20 at #20 and THE DAVE CLARK FIVE are up to #65 with their first U.S. Hit GLAD ALL OVER.   

Meanwhile, here in Chicago, it's official … WLS has become your Beatles station … all of the station's disc jockeys are shown wearing Beatles wigs on the back of this week's Silver Dollar Survey.


"I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You" sit at #1 and #2, joined by "Please Please Me" at #18 and "I Saw Her Standing There" at #30.  The Dave Clark Five hold down the #27 spot with "Glad All Over" as Cliff Richard slips down a couple of notches to #31 with his remake of "It's All In The Game".

Thursday, February 20, 2014

This And That

Ron Smith just sent me this bit of news ...

“The Wrecking Crew,” a documentary film about the studio musicians behind some of the biggest hits in the 1960s and ‘70s. From “Be My Baby” to “California Girls;” “Strangers in the Night” to “Mrs. Robinson;” “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’” to “Up, Up and Away;” and from “Viva Las Vegas” to “Mr. Tambourine Man,” the group dubbed The Wrecking Crew played on them all. A MUST SEE FOR ALL MUSICIANS AND MUSIC LOVERS!
Director Denny Tedesco will be on hand to introduce his film and host a post-screening Q&A.
March 20, 2014 7:00PM
Joliet Junior College (JJC) Theater
General Admission: $20
Seniors/Students: $15.00
BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE HERE: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wrecking-crew-comes-to-joliet-tickets-10613167269

FINALLY!!!  I think this is the first time this film has ever played in our area.  It may be a tough fit for me on a week night ... but it SURE would be great to finally meet Denny Tedesco face to face and say hello ... and THANK him for this wonderful film.  Hoping some of you out there can make it as well.  (kk)
 


Now this is just amazing! ASCAP, the publishing and song-licensing house, celebrated their 100th Anniversary this past week ... and published a list of their Top 100 Titles of All-Time.  (Keep in mind that ASCAP, along with BMI, are the two largest music publishers in the world ... but they are competitors ... so you won't find any of BMI's song titles on this list.) But what an impressive list it is!  And check out #2 ... nestled right in between "Happy Birthday To You" (#1) and "White Christmas" (#3) is "My Girl", The Temptations' hit from 1965, written by Smokey Robinson.  Who would have ever thought?!?!  Some of the titles listed are amongst the most classic standards of all time ... yet you'll find quite a few Motown "classics" on here as well. 
You can check out the complete list here:  
Click here: VVN Music: ASCAP Celebrates 100 Years With Their Top 100 Songs

FH Reader Frank B sent in this article on Bobby Vee, battling Alzheimer's while recording what will probably be his last album ...


Al Kooper (who put together the Michael Bloomfield box "From His Head To His Heart To His Hands" that has been playing to rave reviews) was recently interviewed by Larry LeBlanc.
Too long to reprint here, if you're interested in a copy, let me know and we'll email one off to you.
Meanwhile, you can read OUR interview with Al Kooper here:
Click here: Forgotten Hits: Sharing Your Comments: Al Kooper and Rick Nelson  

Al's got a few limited engagements coming up ... here's the latest info on that ...  
APRIL 4TH, 2014 / Two 70th Birthday Celebrations:
At The Regatta Bar in Cambridge, MA. Two shows!  I would get tix ASAP as this is a comparatively smaller venue, hence the two shows. 
MAY 15TH & 16TH,  2014 / Two more 70th Birthday Celebrations
Back to BB Kings in NYC / One show a night
7:30 PM - Goes on Sale - 2/14/14
These usually sell out fast so get online and grab what you can ASAP
Check out our own concert review from a few months ago right here: Click here: Forgotten Hits: AL KOOPER CONCERT REVIEW   

And, speaking of new releases ...   

Folk Icon & Irish American Hall Of Fame Inductee Judy Collins Returns To The Land Of Her Ancestors with JUDY COLLINS LIVE IN IRELAND
Los Angeles, CA - Judy Collins has inspired audiences worldwide for over five decades with her sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. March 18th 2014 will see the much-anticipated release of JUDY COLLINS LIVE IN IRELAND, CD/DVD on Cleopatra Records. Recorded September 29, 2013 at Dromoland Castle for PBS broadcast, LIVE IN IRELAND is scheduled to run on THIRTEEN NYC, WGBH Boston & PBS affiliates nationwide March 5th. Now fans worldwide in the comfort of their homes can enjoy time and again this spirited and inspiring set of Judy’s most beloved hits along with her favorite Celtic folk songs and stories (including duets with Irish singer Mary Black & NY singer-songwriter Ari Hest).
In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Her landmark works helped form the backbone of American folk music. Judy’s luminescent presence shines brightly as new generations bask in the glow of her iconic 50+-album body of work, and heed inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century. LIVE IN IRELAND showcases a living legend whose career continues to blossom with each new release.
DVD Track Listing:
Wild Mountain Thyme
Chelsea Morning
Grandaddy (featuring step dancer Emily Ellis)
New Moon Over The Hudson
Bird On A Wire 
Cat’s In The Cradle
John Riley
She Moved Through The Fair (feat. Mary Black)
The Fire Plays (feat. Ari Hest)
How Are Things In Glocca Morra?
Danny Boy
Amazing Grace 
Bonus Tracks:
Gypsy Rover
Barbara Allen
Innisfree
Additional Interview Footage
CD Track Listing:  
Wild Mountain Thyme
Chelsea Morning
Gypsy Rover
Grandaddy (featuring step dancer Emily Ellis)
New Moon Over The Hudson
Cat’s In The Cradle
John Riley
She Moved Through The Fair (feat. Mary Black)
The Fire Plays (feat. Ari Hest)
Innisfree
Danny Boy
JUDY COLLINS Live in Ireland in-store appearance:
Title: Live in Ireland
Event Date: March 17, 2014 - 7:00 PM
Store: Barnes & Noble store #2278 - NYC / Upper East Side
150 East 86th Street
New York, NY 10028

Kent ...
The truth about that "Whipped Cream Cover."
Frank B.  
You mean this one???



Here's a cool clip, too, of Herb, Lani and Sergio Mendes performing live in concert.  I've been trying to convince Ron Onesti that this would be a GREAT show to book for The Arcada Theatre.  Would LOVE to see this!  (kk)

Frank B. also sent us this clip that he saw on Wild Wayne's website ... a tribute to Sid Caesar, who passed away last week, featuring The Three Haircuts ...
Sounds like a hit to me!
Frank B.

Speaking of losing those near and dear to us ...

Kent,
"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings."
For me, every time a 20th century musician or actor / TV personality is mentioned or honored in the news in some way, I remember that I now have more than ten years of students saying:  "I know who that is!"  (instead of "Who?  Don't care.")  Here is where my pride is.  They can intelligently and passionately understand and appreciate more than their immediate world.
And in case I doubt this ... they come back to find me and tell me about it.
The recent events involving The Beatles, Shirley Temple, Sid Caesar, etc., really drive this point home for me.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

Here's a brand new interview with Eric Carmen, promoting his new "essential" CD collection ... sent into us by FH Reader Tom Cuddy ...
And here's a sneak peak at that new album ...

Tom also sent in an update on Sheena Easton ...
We saw Sheena Easton (sort of ... the crowds were enormous ...upwards of 100,000 people ... and, at times, truly impassable!) at what (we had no idea at the time) was some sort of a HUGE Gay Festival downtown a few years ago.  (Looking it up, it's called The Halsted Street Market Days ... and the year we went, attendance was estimated to be right around 300,000 people spread out over the two day event.)  The turn-out was incredible (and, at times, VERY entertaining.)  Pushing my way through the crowd, I was able to catch a glimpse or two of the '80's Pop Princess ... actually she was co-headlining that day with Olivia Newton-John (who we never got to see ... parking was an absolute nightmare and after a number of fights broke out, we decided to leave), who just recently took up residency in Las Vegas, where Sheena has been living for the past 13 years.  (Also on the bill that day were The Pointer Sisters, who we missed circling the neighborhood trying to find a parking spot for close to 2 1/2 hours!)  I would LOVE to see BOTH of these ladies (in a safer venue!) some time again!   I don't know how to better describe our experience ... unreal or surreal!!! (kk) 

Hi Kent ...
Was just wondering if you ever check out YouTube sensation "Live From Daryl's House" ... these are previous live performances from Daryl Hall's house with Daryl included in Upstate New York.  Daryl's home concerts have been on YouTube for many years.  Special guests that have appeared in recent years of the oldies vintage have been John Oates, Smokey Robinson, Ray Manzarek, Joe Walsh, Todd Rundgren ... off the top of my head.  If you get a chance, enjoy!!! 
Sandy
Actually, yes ... they air here on Palladium ... sometimes as marathons ... so I've seen quite a few.  I've discovered some new artists that I may not have heard otherwise through this program.  Usually a pretty good way to kill an hour!  (kk)

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT PROUDLY PRESENTS THE WHO SENSATION –
THE STORY OF TOMMY  ~ AN EPITAPH OF ROCK HISTORY EXPLORED ~ 
~ ON DVD, BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL FORMATS MARCH 11, 2014 ~


New York, NY (February 14, 2014)—Eagle Rock Entertainment is about to explore one of rock music’s shining masterpieces: The Who’s Tommy. Sensation – The Story Of Tommy will be released on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats on March 11, 2014 [Pre-book Order Date February 14, MSRP $19.98 Blu-ray, $14.98 DVD] 
Fully supported and endorsed by The Who, Sensation – The Story Of Tommy explores the background, creation, and impact of this seminal album. Through brand new interviews, the film unveils the history and cultural impact of Tommy through new interviews with Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, archive interviews with the late John Entwistle, contributions from engineer Bob Pridden, artwork creator Mike McInnerney, plus others involved in the making of the album, as well as journalists who assess the album’s historic and cultural impact.   Originally aired on BBC TV in August 2013, this version includes additional material not featured in the TV broadcast, as well as a bonus 33-minute feature from the 1969 German TV show “Beat Club.” This feature, which includes previously unreleased footage, includes tracks from the album and interviews with band members.
Released in 1969, Tommy was a milestone in rock history, and marked a new chapter in the band’s career. Selling over 20 million copies worldwide, the double-album established Pete Townshend’s prowess as not only a musician, but a composer, and further solidified Roger Daltrey as one of rock’s foremost frontmen. A concept album exploring the story of a blind pinball ace, Tommy proved that rock music was a viable vehicle for storytelling, and was the first album to be overtly billed as a rock opera. It was later re-imagined as a film by Ken Russell in the mid-seventies, and a touring stage production in the early nineties.
The direct-to-consumer store for Sensation – The Making Of Tommy is now live at http://www.myplaydirect.com/the-who, which includes exclusive bundles with the DVD or Blu-ray, T-shirt, and a 18X24 poster. Fans have until February 20 at 12:00PM EST to pre-order one of several bundles, and have his or her name included on the poster.
For a sneak peak of Sensation – The Making Of Tommy, here are some video clips:
“Making People Feel” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o596qXRP90
“Screening Interview” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIXLwyfKNao

FH Reader Dave Barry sent us this article, telling us vinyl is alive and well in 2014.  Check this out ... over 33 Million albums were pressed last year ... so SOMEBODY must be buying them!!!  http://www.analogplanet.com/content/30759242-long-playing-records-pressed-worldwide-2013

This Detroit collector struck gold after stumbling across Marvin Gaye's passport inside an old album he bought for 50-cents. He discovered the valuable item from a stack of records he bought from the relatives of a late Motown musician.  It's now worth $20,000.
Frank B.

>>>Since I just saw The Crystals last month at Mohegan, it was interesting to read the info about Darlene Love and the question of 'Who is Leading?".  In concert, La La most certainly sings lead on 'Da Doo Run Run' and gives the lead up to her co-singers for 'He's A Rebel' and 'He's Sure the Boy I Love'.  Co-incidence? (Shelley J Sweet-Tufano)
Well, La La Brooks is not in the Crystals. She is a solo artist now. The only original member in the Crystals these days is Dolores "Dee Dee" Kenniebrew (coincidentally, La La Brooks first name is also Dolores). Dee Dee has been the only original member in the Crystals since 1973. 
Tom Diehl 

OMG!  That royalty check for  $.01 for Janis Ian was unbelievable! 
Sandy

They've put together one hell of a stellar line-up for this year's Malt Shop Memories Cruise (November 2 - November 9)  Check this out:
Dion, The Temptations, Brenda Lee, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, Jay Black, Jan and Dean's Beach Party starring Dean Torrence, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Kenny Vance and the Planotones, The Duprees, Ricky Nelson Remembered with Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, Frankie Lymon's Legendary Teenagers, Little Peggy March, Al "Li Fats" Jackson, a series of Elvis Tribute Artists, Joe Piscopo and Jerry Blavat!  (Now THAT'S cruisin'!!!)
>>>It was reported this week that David Cassidy and his wife of 23 years, Sue, are getting divorced.  No official word on whether David's drinking had anything to do with this ... but it's hard to imagine that it didn't.  (Maybe he'll offer to meet her halfway and they'll still work things out!  I think he loves her ... and isn't that what life is made of?)  kk grooooooooaaaan ... but laughing all through the groaning.  Song lyrics and titles are great 'code' for music lovers, and here I am trying to help my students 'break the code'.  But these secrets need to be shared.
Shelley
It sound like David is taking this pretty seriously ... after much criticism regarding his behavior was posted on his Facebook Page, he decided to take it down!  But then his REAL fans came out in support of is efforts to clean up his act ... and he put it back up, sans comments.
Vintage Vinyl News reports the whole incident here ... as well as features comments from Cassidy himself:

Focus fans rejoice! The group's 1972 worldwide hit “Hocus Pocus” is now being featured in the major motion picture 'RoboCop' starring Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton. The song, which features the distinctive and virtuosic yodeling by keyboardist Thijs Van Leer, was originally released on the band's critically acclaimed second album 'Moving Waves'.
Check out the 'RoboCop' promo clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8vuu0ZbvX8
Says Thijs, “A good friend of mine was so lucky to be present at the pre-premiere of the new ROBOCOP and he called me WHILE 'Hocus Pocus' was played during the film, shouting, 'Hey Thijs, they put your genius song on the best sequence of the picture!!! Congratulations!!!!!' Since that very moment I am crazily happy about this luxurious feeling: as the composer, the yodeller, Hammond - organ player and flautist!! Halleluya!!!”


>>>That's just WILD!!!  You guys may actually KNOW each other!  Over the years, Forgotten Hits has reunited former neighbors and classmates, Army buddies and once, a father with a daughter he never even knew he had!!! It's the power of music ... and that universal language again ... it brings out all of the bonds and memories we share.  Simply put, there is NOTHING more powerful out there. (kk)  
You are amazing Kent.   This was a very interesting coincidence. I agree that music is very powerful. To me it's like a remedy for a rough day ... it can quickly put one in a good mood to forget the bad stuff that happened ... it's one of those things that can provide one with wonderful memories by taking one back to another time and place ... for some folks (like me) it's the fuel that creates the energy that keeps them going ... My current favorite is Steam's Gary DeCarlo ... "Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Kiss Him Good Bye" aka "The Na Na Song" (this song gets me going in the mornings)  AND music can set the mood for a lovely romantic evening as a couple reminisces about younger days. It's a way of keeping us young.  Very importantly as well, if you have the right music collection or a great radio station, the cost is minimal to enjoy such a fine song commodity.  I think people (at radio stations in Chicago especially) really underestimate the power of music. 
Blossmwrld

Kent,
Love your stuff!
One comment, though: Regarding "Nobody But Me" ... The Human Beinz' version was but a remake. I think the Isley Brothers' original version was superior.



Best,
Bruce Scott
'Tis true ... but The Isley Brothers' version went virtually unnoticed at the time ("Bubbling Under" at #106 in 1963.)  It was the psychedelic spin The Human Beinz put on their version that made this record a hit.  Still, it's ALWAYS cool to hear the original ... amazing sometimes where the inspiration comes from! 
(The Isley Brothers inspired any number of future hit records with their earlier work ... "Respectable", later a hit for The Outsiders, "Take Me In Your Arms", a hit for The Doobie Brothers, and"Work To Do", a GREAT track in the hands of The Average White Band, all immediately come to mind.  And of course The Beatles and Rod Stewart did okay with their versions of "Twist And Shout" and "This Old Heart Of Mine", respectively, too!)

Talk about remakes ... I'm sure the world is happy to know that Billy Ray Cyrus has cut a new hip-hop version of his big hit "Achy Breaky Heart" with Buck 22 .  Incredibly, the video already has over six and a half million views on YouTube!  (I love that one critic's analysis ... "It's only been out six hours and it's already 2014's worst song!)  lol
More from Diane Dietman:
Billy Ray Cyrus recently recorded "Hope Is Still Ahead" with Dionne Warwick. He co-wrote the song after the Columbine High School shootings in Colorado in 1999, but his record label at the time considered it too sad. Dionne's son, Buck 22, asked for permission to rework "Achy Breaky Heart" as a rap song, and Billy Ray recorded it with him. The YouTube version has 6,600,000 views in its first week. Billy Ray told the Tennessean,, "When the video came out, one of the critics wrote, ‘It’s only been out six hours and it’s already 2014’s worst song.’ When I heard that, I knew I nailed it." He hopes to appear on the Grand Ole Opry sometime this year and perform the songs with Dionne Warwick and Buck 22. He was quoted as saying, "My man Buck is so excited about playing the Opry, I don’t know if the Opry has ever had twerking aliens."

Diane also reports:

Mark James is one of this year's five inductees into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City. Two of his best known songs are "Always On My Mind" (which he co-wrote) and "Suspicious Minds." About the second song, he told an interviewer, "Late one night, fooling around on my Fender guitar and using my Hammond organ pedals for a bass line, I came up with a catchy melody. I was married to my first wife then but still had feelings for my childhood sweetheart, who was married back in Houston. My wife suspected I had those feelings, so it was a confusing time for me. I felt as though all three of us were caught in this trap we couldn't walk out of."
Not too shabby ... those were two pretty big hits for Elvis (although I personally don't think that anybody's ever done "Always On My Mind" better than Willie Nelson ... he totally nailed it!)  "Suspicious Minds" is one of about three Elvis songs they still play on the radio ... along with "Burning Love" and the God-Awful 2002 Remix of "A Little Less Conversation", virtually ignoring the first 125 hits he had in the '50's and '60's.  (Now that's what I call artist misrepresentation!)  And they play "Suspicious Minds" to death ... so we'll feature Mark James' version here today, just to give you a little break!  (kk)



Diane wrote the noted biographies of Faron Young and Marty Robbins.  She now does a weekly country newsletter via email.  You can subscribe here: 
diane@dianediekman.com
(And be sure to tell her Forgotten Hits sent you!)


Good morning, kk,
I read your comment that you'd been busier than ever and had fallen behind, which does not surprise me, as I don't know how you continue to do this 'labor of love' day after day, week after week, month after month, and -- year after year! I do know you have some very grateful and loyal readers, however, and we all send our combined 'thanks.'
Fred Vail
Thanks, Fred ... these last ten days or so have been a real killer ... but such an important and glorious time in history needed to be celebrated ... so we did our best to pay proper tribute.  (kk)

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Some Of Your Mid-Week Comments

re:  The Hit Parade Hall Of Fame:  
Hi Kent -
I am happy to announce the 2014 nominees to the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Alabama
The Coasters
Joe Cocker

Jim Croce
Bill Haley & Comets
Herman’s Hermits
The Hollies
Whitney Houston
The Kinks
Reba McEntire
Conway Twitty
Sarah Vaughn
VOTE NOW -
http://hitparadehalloffame.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mcec_bV4Kg  

John Rook   

re:  On The Radio:  
Hi again Kent -
I clicked on the link you posted for the forgotten 45s program but got very little info that affects us individual listeners. Do you or Ron Smith know or have a list of stations who offer this as well as their other features? I'd love to know who uses them in the Chicago and also the Phoenix area.
Steve Davidson
I found that a bit odd, too ... why promote the show ... and then offer no way to HEAR the show?!?!?  So I did a little bit of digging and found this link:   
Click here: LoudCity - Forgotten45s

Eventually, they'll also post the cities and times this program will be airing.  I listened for a little while the other night ... but never heard ANYTHING that I would have featured in a program of this context of my own ... so it may be a bit of an acquired taste.  (kk) 

Doing a little deeper digging I'd say a far better option would be THIS link here:  
Click here: PodOmatic | Podcast - Forgotten45s
These are archived programs ... but the very first one I clicked on played an alternate version of Elvis' hit "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby" ... hardly a "forgotten 45" ... since this version was NEVER released as a 45.  Plus I found his logo VERY interesting ... and, shall we say, somewhat familiar looking ... don'tcha think?!?!  (kk)
That's the T-Shirt that Frannie designed for us back in 2001 ...  

And then here's the logo for "The Forgotten 45's" Radio Program ...  hmmmm ... even down to the type font!!!  Interesting!
FH Reader Tom Cuddy sent us an interesting profile of legendary disc jockey Casey Kasem from The Hollywood Reporter:


http://wxrt.cbslocal.com/2013/10/09/10-of-the-worst-most-overrated-rock-songs/
Now we just need them to expand this list to 490 more songs, and I think that's a good start.
Kristy
Honestly, they need to make a list ... the most over-played songs on the radio ... and then give them a rest ... put them on hiatus for six months or so in an effort to make us appreciate them again.  It's not that we hate these songs ... quite the opposite ... we LOVE these songs.  Radio has just beaten them to death to the point that they're now unlistenable.  ANY alternative is the preferred option.  Add more to the play list ... and then mix it up a bit ... and bring these songs back in moderation ... and we'll all appreciate them that much more.  (kk)



re:  Scott Shannon:
Still lots of buzz about Scott Shannon stepping down from his WPLJ gig in New York City ...
We haven't heard anything from him (so Scott if you've got a special statement you'd like us to run, please send it our way!!!)
Meanwhile ...
In this newspaper interview Scott Shannon said the two things he'll miss about leaving WPLJ are:
1 = The Christmas Show at Blythedale ... and
2 = The Summer Blast - Off at the Jersey shore
"I never minded the hours," he said.  "It's only hard from 3:15 to 3:20. Then it's smooth sailing."
Frank B.

And this from FH Reader David Salidor:

Click here: Scott Shannon, Pioneering Radio Figure, Abruptly Departs WPLJTheImproper.com: Breaking News on Pop Culture, Arts,    

Any truth to the rumor that  SCOTT SHANNON's  'surprise' retirement announcement from NYC radio
last week was to join the staff of  FORGOTTEN HITS? 

-- RENFIELD 
Now wouldn't that be sweet?!?!?  (kk)   

re:  The Saturday Surveys:  
Cool to see the old KFXM chart from July, 1963.  Larry Lujack would join their staff only three months later!  Love seeing Colorado's surfer group the Astronauts at #6 and Brian Hyland's cool history lesson at #8! 
Clark   

>>>One of our all-time favorite Forgotten Hits holds down the #5 spot ... "Andrea" by The Sunrays,  produced by Beach Boys Dad Murry Wilson!  And, speaking of The Beach Boys, you'll find them at #23 with "Barbara Ann".   (kk) 
I also noticed an unnoticed-by-most-of-the-nation Dino, Desi, and Billy tune at #33. Billy Hinsche was a Beach Boys band member for years.  
Phil  
PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com 
Then you'll just LOVE our special Sunday chart posting, featuring The Beach Boys ... on the Candix record label!  The Dino, Desi and Billy track "Please Don't Fight It" petered out at #60 on the Billboard chart ... but I remember having the picture sleeve for this record in my collection for quite some time.  (Somewhere down the line I must have sold it ... because I can't find it now!)  kk



Kent,
Again, I want you to know that I thoroughly enjoy the posting of other radio station surveys in that I like to see what records charted that didn't necessarily chart on a national level and in particular here in OKC.
I really enjoyed looking at KLMS' survey and the songs being played.  There were some 7 or 8 records I was not familiar with. The first being Eddie Fisher's number one song MILK AND HONEY. I played it, liked
it. Didn't even know that he ever recorded for ABC Paramount.  The remaining records I found all but two on you tube and played them to see what they sounded like.
At the bottom where it listed the DJ's, Perry Murphy later became PD here in OKC at station KOMA in the late sixties.
Your last survey and Porky's Picks, any record by Buck Owens made our local survey and the song by Jim Reeves made our survey as well.
Enjoyed hearing ANDREA again but always liked I LIVE FOR THE SUN better. 

FYI, here in OKC all of the records which were on KFWB's survey exactly 52 years ago made our local survey as well. There was one exception, that being song number 28 with the instrumental MR. MOTO by the Bel-Aires.
I do have a copy of the record however, and am familiar with it, even though I haven't heard it in years. (Just got through playing it now). Incidentally, the tune MR. MOTO when it came out, was a record that was number one at the time with the actor Peter Lorre. (Some of your readers may have to think about this one.)
Larry



Hi Kent:  
Love this weekly survey idea! This is good stuff. I’ll send a ’64 one for you. Also, one note on your ’62 listing this week ... in the up & comers is the fairly obscure original version of Dick & Dee Dee’s ’64 hit “Thou Shalt Not Steal”. 
Thanks,  
Ken 
PS - One note about the survey. Two of the disc jockeys pictured went on to future broadcast fame. George Michael went out to Philly and New York, where he achieved legendary status. Eddie Doucette would become the voice of the Milwaukee Bucks NBA team and was recently honored in the Basketball Hall of Fame.    

re:  Beatles:  
Bravo! Kent, on your elaborate coverage of the Beatles' 50th. 
I know how much the Beach Boys' 50th celebration meant to BB fanatics. Now we get the same for the Beatles - Help! (Me Rhonda) 
I'm listening to the Huntley Brinkley Report from November 18, 1963) - 
Edwin Newman speaking over a live concert recording of the unknown new "quartet" - "One reason for the Beatles' popularity may be that it is almost impossible to hear them."  
What a now absurdly funny line! 
Phil  
PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com


Here's a montage of stuff the Besch Brothers recorded from Dodge City, Kansas, DXing the country.  WLS and Ringo Ron here a lot!  There's KOMA in OKC and WNOE New Orleans and more.  Then the finale with WHK / KYW Cleveland concert as aired on the KYW show live for the September 15, 1964 event.  Jim Stagg, Jerry G, Dick Williamson and all the future CFL jocks and they warn New Orleans that "the Beatles ARE coming!!" (September 16th).  Then on to KC where promoter Charlie O. Finley wanted them to wear A's uniforms!
Footage of WHK sponsored concert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHLk6bkRTog
Footage of interview with WHK, KYW personalities and Upbeat TVer Don Webster with closing interview:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFaE7ffORo0
ALL these tapes are authentic and taped by the Besch Brothers -- no ringers in here.  WABC in NYC sounds quite distant because it WAS!!! 

Clark Besch




I just took a quick glance at the review of the Washington, DC Beatles Anniversary Concert.  Good day to get my coffee, sit and read.  I saw Scott Arch's name mentioned in The Beatles tribute review.  Scott was part of a Beatles Tribute band 12 years ago here in the northeast that was solidly booked for high school band fund-raisers.  I remember paying for blocks of seats for my own children, their friends, and staff from my school.  At the first performance we saw, my then teenage daughter said to me, "I know 'Paul' is our favorite, but I can't keep my eyes off 'John'."  I had been thinking the same thing.  I have not seen Mr. Arch in five years, but if he is even close to the re-enactment style he had, it is definitely worth a watch.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
I think these guys who perform in these Beatles tribute bands are pretty committed to their roles ... so it doesn't surprise me at all to hear that he's still out there doing it.  (We've got several here locally that have really made a name for themselves by putting on elaborate shows covering The Beatles' entire career.)  kk



I loved the Beatles Anniversary show.  It proved the power of the songs because they are very good even when interpreted differently by various artists.  My two favorites were the 'young' Imagine Dragons and, although I am not a Eurythmics fan, I could viscerally feel the love they displayed singing to Paul and Ringo.  I, too, would have preferred a little more vintage replay of the actual show. 
Initially I was troubled by the way they try to overdo everything today and promote their Brand (Grammys / RIAA) ... it's all about them but even their brassy over-hype couldn't take away from the innocence of the early Beatles and the great fun and joy they brought to America that day.
A funny tale ... we were married in 1971 at a "built for weddings" building that included stock bands. I asked the band to play 'Something' by the Beatles for our first dance. The bandleader responded "We don't know anything by the Beatles" ... ha ha.  Thankfully and beautifully my sister sang it A Cappella and it was wonderful.
Have a great weekend,
CharlieOFD


Kent,
In Thursday's Comments Page, Henry had a list of four songs which were Beatle inspired.  

The two that immediately came to my mind were as follows:  
1. Buchanan and Greenfield - The Invasion, out in 1964 and
2. Allan Sherman - Pop Hates the Beatles, also out of 1964
I believe there were others though I can't think of any offhand. The one by Allan Sherman may have been an LP cut only.
Larry Neal
 

And I thought of "Ringo, I Love You" by Bonnie Jo Mason ... who, of course, was actually Cher, recorded in her pre-Sonny days!  Listen closely and you'll be able to tell right away!  (kk) Click here: ? Cher (Bonnie Jo Mason) - Ringo I Love You - YouTube

>>>Loved the show, but glad I passed on the $300 tickets (cheap seats on Stub Hub) when I was there. The place was huge to be in the back.  (Bill Besch)
That might have been worth the $300, when I think about spending $80 or $90 for Cher and James Taylor here.  In 64, tickets to see the Fab 4 in KC were $5 and it did NOT sell out!  Yes, Frampton did well and the Eurythmics did OK too. 
I have to say that "Can't Buy me Love" WOULD indeed have been a GREAT choice.  It began the second Beatlemania attack (Love Me Do / Ain't She Sweet / Do You Want to Know a Secret / Twist And Shout, etc) in 64 followed by the glut of 45s from "A Hard Day's Night" in August. 
Had "You Can't Do That" been a Macca song, Will Ferrill could have came out and clamored for "More cowbell!" 
I liked seeing Ed Sullivan in a Beatles wig and the photo of the George "stand in"!  Certainly, the spinning large 45s behind SHOULD have featured the original label graphics of the MANY labels they recorded on.
Might have been good to have Peter Asher help with harmony vocals on a song.  Gordon left us a few years ago.  Clapton shoulda been there to play. Maybe he was??
The big thing was for the comments for John and George.  Nice from the two remaining.  It left me wanting the MANY more songs left to hear.
Clark

Got this great story on the White Album from a friend of mine at http://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbyowsinski/2014/02/09/the-beatles-white-album-the-untold-story/ 
Rog
We took an in-depth look back at The Beatles' "White Album" in honor of its 40th anniversary a few years back (along with the help of noted Beatles Historian Bruce Spizer).  You can read that report here:
Click here: Forgotten Hits - Forgotten Hits Salutes The 40th Anniversary Of The Beatles' White Album    

Beatles Author Debuts Third Book at U of Penn Beatles Symposium -
Jude Southerland Kessler – author of the John Lennon Series will be debuting her third book in Philadelphia at the ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ Beatles symposium on February 27th.Beatles expert, author and radio show host, Jude Southerland Kessler, is proud to announce the Philadelphia debut of her third book, She Loves You, at the opening reception of the University of Pennsylvania’s Beatles symposium on February 27, 2014.  The reception is free and open to the public.  Appearing with Ms. Kessler at the reception will be EMI recording engineer Richard Langham who worked as the second engineer during the Beatles recording of their Please Please Me LP.  
On Saturday, March 1, Kessler will give a presentation, titled ‘Strawberry Fields Forever: Liverpool / The Beatles / John Lennon’, during the two day symposium that will include such notable speakers as Walter Everett, Larry Kane, Al Sussman, Donna Parsons and Anthony DeCurtis.  Registration is required to attend.
She Loves You, the third book in the nine-volume biography John Lennon Series, opens with John Lennon and Brian Epstein’s trip to the Spanish Riviera in May, 1963, and takes the reader on a 900+ page journey with Lennon through the Beatles first tour of the U.S.A. in February 1964.  The book’s Foreword is written by Larry Kane (the only U.S. journalist to accompany the Beatles on their 1964 and 1965 tours of America) and the prologue is by Bill Harry (schoolmate of Lennon and the creator of Mersey Beat magazine).  Other books in the John Lennon Series include: Shoulda Been There – covering Lennon’s life from October 1940 to December 1961 and Shivering Inside – covering December 1961 to April 1963.  ‘Tomorrow Never Knows: The Beatles in Text and Images’ runs from February 27th through March 1st at the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library, University of Pennsylvania, 3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. 
For more information on Jude Southerland Kessler and her John Lennon Series books, go to: www.JohnLennonSeries.com.
NINE volumes?!?!  At over 900 pages each?!?!?  My God, who IS this guy, Harry Potter?!?!?  (Actually I guess most would agree that John Lennon led a more interesting life than Harry Potter EVER did ... and I've read Jude's first book in this series.  No doubt about it, these are mammoth reads ... but if you're interested in learning every detail of John Lennon's life, THIS is the place to do it!)  kk


I'm listening to Wild Wayne interviewing Lloyd Price.  Lloyd just said that Ed Sullivan rehearsed his show at Lloyd's nightclub " Turntable. " Maybe you could ask Andrew Solt about that.
Frank B.
I'll ask ... but I don't think it's true.  Sullivan ran a serious "boot-camp" of rehearsals the full week before his program aired ... and they often taped the dress-rehearsal show, too, just in case something had to be edited in later.  I find it hard to believe that they would have done any off-site rehearsals.  (kk)

UPDATE:  Got this back from Andrew Solt ... apparently he'd never heard it either ... but has no way of knowing for sure ... or checking ... 
Hi Kent -
Sorry that I can't be of any help on this. I don't have a clue and don't know who would.
Best,
Andrew
Doing a bit of further checking, I see that according to Wikipedia (NEVER the most reliable source for these things, but nevertheless), Price owned a nightclub called "Turntable" in the '70's ... and, since The Ed Sullivan Show went off the air in 1971, I'm thinking this makes it even LESS likely that anything Sullivan-related ever went on there.  (kk)

And, speaking of Beatles fact-checking, we just received this from FH Reader Don Effenberger:  
Click here: Fact Check: That claim about the Beatles? Let it be | members.jacksonville.com


Kent, 
That second Sullivan show (on February 16th) was quite different from the first.  The second was on a big stage with tons of people in attendance.  The sound quality was worse (IMO) than that at the Sullivan theatre a week earlier, but the crowd was mostly better behaved I think, too.  The one BIG thing was that this show had was the great three part harmonies of Lennon / McCartney / Harrison all at one mic on "This Boy."  That is something we never saw in the first show and never saw again on TV live again here.  The mix was bad sometimes with Lennon or McCartney's mics too low making one stand out prominently too often.  They recorded the afternoon practice, too, before an audience and that is more interesting to watch.  For one thing, Ed is not dressed up much and I think I remember Lennon making some funny comment that is not in the evening show.  
Clark Besch
It does seem to be a bit more "relaxed".  I think The Beatles were enjoying their fun in the sun ... not something they were accustomed to seeing back home in Great Britain.  "This Boy" was the stand-out highlight for me, too ... but a solid performance all the way around.  (I was surprised they repeated so many songs from the week before ... but I guess they had some specific records to sell.)  I liked when David Letterman asked them (during the 50th Anniversary Television Special) how they came up with the set list for that first program.  I'm sure a considerable amount of thought went into it.  Watching it back now, the program kicks off with Paul primarily featured as the lead vocalist of the group, knocking out "All My Lovin'" and "Till There Was You" (an unusual and unlikely choice in my opinion.)  On the next three numbers you get more of a sense of The Beatles as a "band".  (kk)


re:  Jimi Hendrix:
Thanks for the great info on Jimi.  Unlike you, I think he is God, though.  I bought Are You Experienced in 1968 (age 11) and still have it.
IMHO - Most amazing fact - only four LPs released during his lifetime.
Do you know of any recordings of Jimmy James & The Blue Flames available?  Thanks. 
Robbie Cordo
Yes, and probably close to 400 SINCE then!!!  (lol) I'm sure there must be all kinds of tracks floating around on the Internet featuring Jimmy James and the Blue Flames.  I asked FH Reader Ken Voss (himself a MAJOR Jimi Hendrix fan ... his screen name is VoodooChild!) to see if he could offer any suggestions for you ... and was quite surprised by his answer ...
There are no known recordings of Jimmy James & The Blue Flames. This was a period when Hendrix was playing with Curtis Knight, and there are dozens of releases with material from that period.
Ken
Meanwhile the "Experience Hendrix" Tribute Tour is in full gear this spring ... scroll back through our pages to see if there's a date and a city near you.  (kk)

And, speaking of Jimi Hendrix, a recent court ruling reinforced his family's rights to market his name and image ... 

NINTH CIRCUIT COURT RULING REASSERTS PUBLICITY RIGHTS OF FAMILY
NEW TRIAL ORDERED REGARDING DAMAGES SUFFERED BY EXPERIENCE HENDRIX FROM TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT 
This week the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a comprehensive 45-page opinion reversing a 2011 decision by U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Zilly that held that the (State of) Washington's Personality Rights Act (WPRA) was unconstitutional. The Ninth  Circuit ruled that the WPRA is constitutional as applied to the facts of the case.  
Experience Hendrix, founded by James "Al" Hendrix, the late guitar great's father and sole heir, is owned and operated by the family of Jimi Hendrix and  oversees and manages the legendary artist’s internationally recognized copyrights, trademarks, and service marks, and related intellectual property rights. Led, since their inception by a team of family members chosen by Al Hendrix during his tenure as Chairman, the companies today are headed by Jimi’s sister, Janie L. Hendrix, President & CEO. Through their administration of his recordings, songs, trademarks, service marks, name, image, and likeness, and related IP rights, these companies oversee Jimi Hendrix’ legacy and continue to license and create products, services, and events that closely promote and mirror Jimi’s unique vision.   
This week's ruling underscores the Hendrix companies' continuing and exclusive right to license products bearing the Hendrix name, image, and likeness.   Judge Zilly had entered a permanent injunction prohibiting Andrew Pitsicalis and his companies from using the words "Hendrix" or "Jimi Hendrix" in any domain names and from using a headshot logo and a "Jimi Hendrix" signature logo to sell products. A federal jury awarded Experience Hendrix $1.7 million in damages for Pitsicalis’ infringing activities that Judge Zilly subsequently reduced.  The Ninth Circuit ruling calls for a new trial of the amount of damages caused by Pitsicalis' infringement of trademarks held by Experience Hendrix.   
Experience Hendrix CEO Janie Hendrix expressed her commitment to preserving Jimi Hendrix’ legacy by requesting the courts to enforce Experience Hendrix’s  federally registered trademarks. She noted, “We are committed to preserving our ownership of these federally registered trademarks.  The permanent injunction has enforced our marks and prohibited Mr. Pitsicalis’ infringing activities.  At the new trial, we will request the jury to return a verdict against Mr. Pitsicalis for the full measure of damages available to us under the law.”
Look for more comments tomorrow!  (kk)