Like most songs, poetry and novels; there is basis on fact ... some of it composite. This does not surprise me. It also brings forward the dark side of this era. The noir detective movies portrayed the seemier side of the streets and the post WWII years. There was a brightness to the music scene. There was also a dark side that began from post civil war and has never left us Whatever the story ... there IS a story.
Shelley
Kent,
Shelley
Kent,
I'm 99% sure that the Bad To Me video / song is a fake. John Lennon's voice and guitar are real but the added instruments were added at a much later date by who ever created the video. Very clever though. If I can find some other supporting info on my opinion, I'll let you know.
And don't forget Three Dog Night's version of Its For You!
Dave
Hoffman Estates
I never really cared for the Three Dog Night version ... honestly, I just don't think it's that strong a song ... but it did give them the chance to show off their vocal chops live in concert ... I saw them perform it three times.
As for "Bad To Me", have you ever heard a full-length version of this before? I've got a pretty extensive Beatles bootleg collection and have only heard a short snippet in the past.
In his book "Do You Want To Know A Secret?", Billy J. Kramer tells an interesting story about the original demo he received from John Lennon for "Do You Want To Know A Secret":
"Before we went to Hamburg, Brian Epstein had given me this little Grundig reel-to-reel tape and said, 'Learn this song with the band.' I played it and it was just John ... none of the other Beatles ... singing 'Do You Want To Know A Secret'. It must have been done at one of their recent gigs because in the background you could hear the muffled sound of girls screaming. At the end of it, John said 'I'd like to apologize for the quality, but I have recorded this in the quietest room I could find.' Then he flushed the toilet. It was typical Lennon humour, which never ceases to amaze me."
-- Billy J. Kramer
-- Billy J. Kramer
We'll be talking to Billy J. in the next week or two for an exclusive Forgotten Hits interview ... stay tuned! (kk)
Yo Kent :)
Thanks to FH, I knew the book-signing dates for Bobby Rydell. We went to a Barnes & Noble yesterday, met Bobby and got his book and CD. What a great guy!
Thanks for the great Bobby interview and for passing along the book-signing dates.
Rich & Mamie
Glad to do it ...
You'll thank me again after you read his book ... it's a great autobiography! (kk)
You'll thank me again after you read his book ... it's a great autobiography! (kk)
Got this from Bob Merlis, spotlighting TWO of our favorite Bobbys ... Rydell and Darin ...
As Forgotten Hits Readers know, we've devoted a fair a
mount of time to each of them over the years. (kk)
mount of time to each of them over the years. (kk)
Hi Kent,
Seems as though Mike Douglas was a bit uncomfortable with not only interviewing Eric Burdon but also the Rolling Stones -- here is one you will get a kick out of from 1964!
GREAT clip! (kk)
And, speaking of The Rolling Stones ...
Hi Kent,
As you mentioned recently, Mick Jagger turns 73 this week. I used that occasion to write an article for BestClassicBands.com that spotlights Jagger's relatively few guest appearances on others' records or full-tilt collaborations outside the Stones. I suspect that there may be some tracks here that even hardcore fans haven't heard.
Scott Paton
I had forgotten all about that great Super Heavy track ... used to play the heck out of that when it first came out ... great video, too. Thanks for the reminder! (kk)
>>>One note of trivia ... The Standells "Dirty Water" has a slightly deeper connection with Boston.
My Senior Class song in 1963 was "Let's Go" by the Routers. When researching the song for one of our reunions, I discovered that two band members from that group became part of The Standells.
Wow, was it fun to discover the connection ... we must have had an 'ear' for talent. (Charlie)
>>>I'm not finding any connection between The Standells and The Routers ...
Joel Whitburn's book lists Guitarists Mike Gordon and Al Kait, Lynn Frasier (on horns), Scott Engel on bass and Randy Viers on drums for The Routers ... and Dick Dodd (former Mouseketeer vocals, drums), Larry Tamblyn (guitar), Tom Valentino (guitar) and Gary Lane (bass). Although Boston has adopted "Dirty Water" as their official song, the group actually hailed from Los Angeles. (kk)
Hola Kent,
My Senior Class song in 1963 was "Let's Go" by the Routers. When researching the song for one of our reunions, I discovered that two band members from that group became part of The Standells.
Wow, was it fun to discover the connection ... we must have had an 'ear' for talent. (Charlie)
>>>I'm not finding any connection between The Standells and The Routers ...
Joel Whitburn's book lists Guitarists Mike Gordon and Al Kait, Lynn Frasier (on horns), Scott Engel on bass and Randy Viers on drums for The Routers ... and Dick Dodd (former Mouseketeer vocals, drums), Larry Tamblyn (guitar), Tom Valentino (guitar) and Gary Lane (bass). Although Boston has adopted "Dirty Water" as their official song, the group actually hailed from Los Angeles. (kk)
Hola Kent,
Wikipedia isn't always credible but this is where I found the connection between The Routers and The Standells:
Formed in 1961 by Michael Z. Gordon, the Routers' recordings sometimes used session musicians in addition to the actual group with the exception of Gordon, who also formed another successful group, The Marketts. Gordon composed another award-winning composition, "Out Of Limits", with the Marketts. Gordon played on almost all of the Routers and Marketts sessions. The original line-up of the group was Al Kait, lead guitar, Lynn Frasier, tenor saxophone, Michael Zane Gordon, rhythm guitar, vocals, Scott Walker (then recording as Scott Engel), bass guitar, Randy Viers, drums.
Formed in 1961 by Michael Z. Gordon, the Routers' recordings sometimes used session musicians in addition to the actual group with the exception of Gordon, who also formed another successful group, The Marketts. Gordon composed another award-winning composition, "Out Of Limits", with the Marketts. Gordon played on almost all of the Routers and Marketts sessions. The original line-up of the group was Al Kait, lead guitar, Lynn Frasier, tenor saxophone, Michael Zane Gordon, rhythm guitar, vocals, Scott Walker (then recording as Scott Engel), bass guitar, Randy Viers, drums.
The Routers' first release in September, 1962, was the guitar-driven instrumental "Let's Go (Pony):, which reached #19 on the Billboard chart. Its infections "clap clap clap-clap-clap, clap-clap-clap-clap Let's Go" chant became a favorite of cheerleaders and crowds worldwide. Although the songwriting credits are given to local singer Lanny Duncan and his brother Robert Duncan, Lanny Duncan had previously recorded the original demo of the song in 1961 as a member of the Starlighters, featuring Tony Valentino on guitar and Jody Rich on bass. The demo was recorded in Glendale with engineer Eddie Brackett. Valentino and Rich would go on to form the Standells in 1962.
The Routers' recording was instigated by record producer Joe Saraceno and his co-producer, record producer and composer Michael Z. Gordon, who went on to compose "Apologize" for Ed Ames. Like many pop instrumentals recorded in Los Angeles, California, at thetime, suchas those by B. Bumble and the Stingers, it involved Gordon (guitar), Plas Johnson (saxophone) and Earl Palmer (drums), probably with Plas' brother Ray Johnson on bass guitar as well as Tommy Tedesco on guitar.
Later Routers recordings were also written by Gordon, including the songs "A-ooga" and "Big Band". Their recordings continued to be issued up to 1964 but with less commercial success, and involved Gordon (guitar), Leon Russell (piano) and Hal Blaine (drums). The same group also recorded over the same period as the Marketts. Various studio and touring versions of the band also included Gordon, Randy Viers and Scott Engel (later of the Walker Brothers).
We were always amazed how the Rock N Roll theme song of Boston came from a group that hadn't ever been to Boston. Which begs the question what was the genesis of the lyrics?
We were always amazed how the Rock N Roll theme song of Boston came from a group that hadn't ever been to Boston. Which begs the question what was the genesis of the lyrics?
The article connects Tony Valentino directly, but does not connect Jody Rich.
"Love That Dirty Water" !!!! (cleaner now we can once again swim in the Charles) "Boston, you're my home!" ... and Forgotten Hits is my blog.
Rock on.
CharlieOFD
Sorry but I'm still not making the connection ... unless you mean in a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon sort of way! Valentino and Rich were both members of the Starlighters, who just happened to record a demo of the same song with their band that was later recorded by The Routers (a completely different group) and became a hit single. The Standells also recorded "Paint It, Black" and "19th Nervous Breakdown" ... but I don't think ANYBODY would say that this gave them a connection to ... or that they derived from ... The Rolling Stones! I suppose one could try and make a case that The Routers were in some fashion related to The Marketts, but even that's a bit of a stretch as you'd have to include the members of The Wrecking Crew as part of that connection ... which now means that probably over two thousand bands in Hollywood and Los Angeles were technically the same group ... which I guess the kinda were!!! Thanks, Charlie. (kk)
By the way, if you're one of the ten people in the world who still hasn't seen the incredible "Wrecking Crew" documentary put together by Denny Tedesco, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy NOW!!! You can get it for under ten bucks through Amazon ... and it's a MUST HAVE for ANY fan of '60's music. These guys played on EVERYTHING!!! (kk)
The Real Jersey Boys Are Coming Back to Broadway
From Music, a Flipboard magazine by New York Times Arts
Frankie Valli is coming back to Broadway. The pop singer, famed for his falsetto, will play seven concert performances with his band, the Four Seasons …
Read it on Flipboard
Read it on Flipboard
Kent,
I just finished possibly the best rock memoir I've read to date. Written by a guy named Glenn Berger, it's called "Never Say No to a Rock Star."
I just finished possibly the best rock memoir I've read to date. Written by a guy named Glenn Berger, it's called "Never Say No to a Rock Star."
https://www.amazon.com/Never-Say-No-Rock-Star/dp/1943156085/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469482636&sr=8-1&keywords=glen+berger+never+say+no+to+a+rock+star
Glenn was an assistant engineer to legendary producer Phil Ramone.
He tells some real, juicy stories about Ramone, and recording with Paul Simon, James Brown, New York Dolls, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger and others. But the cool twist is that today he is a psychotherapist, and he analyzes his experiences in an incredibly insightful and entertaining way.
Glenn was an assistant engineer to legendary producer Phil Ramone.
He tells some real, juicy stories about Ramone, and recording with Paul Simon, James Brown, New York Dolls, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger and others. But the cool twist is that today he is a psychotherapist, and he analyzes his experiences in an incredibly insightful and entertaining way.
I was so moved by this book that I contacted him on FaceBook. among other things, I told him about your blog and, of course, he'd love some coverage. (He just did an interview for MOJO.)
Are you interested? I know you have a full plate; I certainly don't mind doing the article if you want it. Incredible book.
Let me know what you think, and I'll handle it, or introduce you two.
But read this book when/if you have a chance!
(He invited me to a party end of September in NYC at the Cutting Room. It will be a reunion for a lot of the NY session guys he worked with. Do you plan to be in NYC at that time?)
Best,
Bob Rush
Are you interested? I know you have a full plate; I certainly don't mind doing the article if you want it. Incredible book.
Let me know what you think, and I'll handle it, or introduce you two.
But read this book when/if you have a chance!
(He invited me to a party end of September in NYC at the Cutting Room. It will be a reunion for a lot of the NY session guys he worked with. Do you plan to be in NYC at that time?)
Best,
Bob Rush
Wish I could ... but I would be VERY happy to feature your full, in-depth review (especially since I haven't read it ... and still have about 27 books ahead of it right now!!! lol)
Thanks, Bob ... I'm sure other readers may with to check this one out. (kk)
Hey Kent,
Everyone has heard Marni Nixon sing, at one time or another. Her movie vocals are legendary. She was also Andrew Gold's mom. Gold, who passed away five years ago, stated that "Lonely Boy" was never autobiographical, and that's fine with me, because I loved Marni.
- John LaPuzza
Marni Nixon, who made a career out of "ghosting," or dubbing over the vocals of numerous stars in classic Hollywood films, has died at 86.
Nixon provided a precisely articulated soprano for the likes of Audrey Hepburn (in My Fair Lady), Deborah Kerr (in The King and I), Natalie Wood (in West Side Story), and Marilyn Monroe (in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but only for the high notes).
And this one's just WAY too much fun not to share.
With all the politicians "borrowing" pop music for their campaigns (I guess to see a little bit hipper and cooler and make some type of connection with the voters), several musicians have gotten together to start a "Don't Use Our Songs" campaign.
Check out this clip, sent in by FH Reader Clark Besch ...
