Saturday, July 16, 2016

SWEET 16 - MAGIC!

We hope you enjoy today's Magical Mystery Tour ...

Our latest SWEET 16 Feature!



































Friday, July 15, 2016

The Bobby Blitz Continues

As mentioned during our week long Bobby Rydell series, Ron Onesti has booked The Teen Idol for a one night only, special appearance at The Arcada Theatre.

Complete details are below ... and we've even got a chance for a couple of lucky Forgotten Hits Readers to win a pair of tickets to see the show.

Bobby Rydell makes his first-ever appearance at The Arcada Theatre on Saturday, November 26th ... tickets are on sale now thru the link below ...

And drop me an email (with BOBBY TICKETS in the subject line) and we'll enter you in our special drawing to win a pair of tickets to the show. 
forgottenhits@aol.com or kk@forgottenhits.com

An evening with teen idol, 

BOBBY RYDELL!

"Wild One" "Volare"

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26  8 PM

Bobby Rydell’s career spans six decades and encompasses every area of the entertainment world. His debut in the late 50’s as a rock & roll teen idol lead to starring roles in such hit films as “Bye Bye Birdie” and plays such as “West Side Story.” Bobby has made countless network TV appearances throughout the world on shows like Ed Sullivan, Jack Benny, George Burns, Milton Berle, Perry Como and of course American Bandstand. Bobby has earned a reputation as a classic performer. Not only is he a superb singer whose voice has gotten better over the years – he has proved to be an outstanding drummer, an agile dancer and an extremely fine actor, with an unsurpassed knack for comedy.
 
TICKETS START AT ONLY $39! 

GET YOURS TODAY!
www.oshows.com
Plus Bobby's doing a bunch of other appearances as a way of promoting his new book "Teen Idol On The Rocks".  PR Extraordinaire Randy Alexander shares this information with our readers ...
 
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
BOBBY RYDELL in Conversation with Anthony DeCurtis
92nd Street Y
Lexington Ave. at 92nd St.
Buttenweiser Hall
NYC
at 8:00 PM
 
BOBBY RYDELL TO EMBARK ON NATIONWIDE
SPECIAL EVENTS & BOOK TOUR BEHIND ACCLAIMED
NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY, ‘TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS’
 
 
‘Justin Bieber of the Camelot Era’ 
to Bring Candid, Compelling
‘Tale of Second Chances’ to Fans of All Ages 
with Series of Intimate
Concerts, Conversations, and Book Signings
 
Story of Rise to Superstardom through Alcoholism and Life-Saving Double Transplant Surgery Hailed as ‘Captivating,’ ‘Charming,’ ‘Extraordinary,’ ‘Unbelievable,’ ‘Highly Entertaining,’ ‘Deeply Personal,’ ‘Sometimes Painful,’ ‘Fascinating’ ... and More!
 
PHILADELPHIA  – With reviewers unanimously agreeing that multitalented entertainer BOBBY RYDELL has told one hell of a story in his compelling new autobiography, TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS, the Justin Bieber of the “Camelot” era will be bringing his brutally candid and compelling “Tale of Second Chances” directly to his fans with an extensive nationwide Special Events & Book Tour.
Running concurrently with his ongoing concert performances, both solo and alongside fellow South Philly “Golden Boys” Frankie Avalon and Fabian, Rydell’s promotional Special Events & Book Tour will allow Bobby Watchers young and old to see and hear all sides of America’s original teen idol as he combines traditional book signings with distinctly intimate performances and conversations with Grammy award-winning writers and musicians, and other music and entertainment media veterans. Rydell will be signing copies of TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS: A Tale of Second Chances (Doctor Licks Publishing, 249 pp., $16.95) at all special events and personal appearances as well.
Among the interviewers scheduled to be “in conversation” with Rydell will be Rolling Stone contributing editor and Grammy-winning essayist Anthony DeCurtis, Ralph J. Gleason Award-winning author and Grammy-winning musician, arranger, and record producer Allan Slutsky, veteran New York TV personality Bill Boggs, and longtime Philadelphia music and entertainment columnist and radio personality Chuck Darrow. Slutsky, winner of the first Rolling Stone/BMI Gleason Award for writing Standing in the Shadows of Motown, later released as a highly acclaimed feature film, also is Rydell’s TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS co-author.
DeCurtis will be “in conversation” with Rydell at the 92Y in New York City (July 27), part of a prestigious decade-long series that has included Lou Reed, Sting, Deborah Harry, Alanis Morissette, Questlove, Clive Davis, and Dion. Darrow will chat with Rydell as part of “An Intimate Evening” concert performance at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club in Asbury Park, NJ (Aug. 10); Boggs will lead a discussion with Rydell at the Friars Club in New York in October, and Slutsky and other music journalists and media personalities will host Q&A sessions this fall at numerous special concert events across the country.
From his vivid childhood on the fabled mid-20th-century streets of South Philadelphia through his more recent battles with alcoholism, and his lifesaving double-transplant surgery (he shares a liver with an eight-year-old girl), Rydell “has unbelievable stories to tell, and he’s sharing the good, the bad, and the fascinating,” says Parade Magazine. The Huffington Post adds: TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS is “pure rock n’ roll nostalgia with a big dose of personal memories that will tear your heart out. ... another reason to embrace him even more!”
Rita Cosby, Emmy-winning TV and radio host, calls the book “captivating, charming and extraordinary as the man himself,” professing her love for “its soaring story line.” Stu Bykofsky, widely regarded veteran Philadelphia Daily News columnist, praised Rydell’s “conversational style” and marveled how he “cuts himself no slack when he discusses how and when he crawled into the bottle” in a book “so honest and warm it makes you glad he got through it and is performing today.” Fox News, Closer Weekly, Radio Times (NPR), Goldmine, ABC News Radio, Associated Press Radio, Premiere Network, Westwood One, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Liz Smith, Mitch Albom, Cousin Brucie, John Fugelsang, Public Television’s Steve Adubato, and dozens more media already have clamored to interview Rydell for the book.
The attention surrounding TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS is just one aspect further confirming Rydell’s still explosive career. Aside from continuing to tour around the world as a “saloon swingin’” solo artist and with fellow South Philly “Golden Boys” Frankie Avalon and Fabian in a road show with over 30 years of staying power, Rydell will be gracing the silver screen next year in Taylor Hackford’s The Comedian with Robert De Niro ─ 54 years after his indelible song-and-dance acting stint opposite Ann-Margret in the iconic movie musical Bye Bye Birdie.
Humorous, tragic, and inspiring as well, TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS stands as one of the most important non-fiction books of 2016.
TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS is available NOW at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and book stores throughout America. Autographed copies and books with customized personal messages can be ordered exclusively at www.bobbyrydellbook.com.
 
TEEN IDOL ON THE ROCKS ON TOUR
Special Events

Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Bobby Rydell In Conversation with Anthony DeCurtis  
92nd St. Y  
Buttenwieser Hall 1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd St.  
New York, NY 10128 
Time: 8pm 
Tickets & Info: 212-415-5500  
www.92y.org    
Discussion and song with Rolling Stone senior editor Anthony DeCurtis, followed by book signing.
 
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
An Intimate Evening with Bobby Rydell - The Original Teen Idol "Concert Conversation and Book Signing" 
Tim McLoone's Supper Club 
1200 Ocean Avenue 
Asbury Park, NJ 07712 
Dinner/Doors: 6:00pm - Show: 8:00pm 
Tickets & Info: 732-774-1155 
www.umtpresents.com www.timmcloonessupperclub.com
In this INTIMATE EVENING of musical performance, conversation and book signing, BOBBY RYDELL will not only perform his hit songs like "Volare," "Wild One," "Sway," "Wildwood Days," "Forget Him," "We Got Love" and others, but will also share stories from his incredible life.
 
Book Signings
Saturday, July 23, 2016
B&N - Plymouth Meeting
2300 Chemical Road, Plymouth Mtg., PA 1-3pm
 
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Doylestown Bookshop
16 S. Main Street, Doylestown, PA 6:30-8:30pm
 
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Main Point Book Store
116 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 3-5pm
 
Friday, October 14, 2016
Wildwood Crest Library
6300 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood Crest, NJ 2-4pm
 
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Books & Greetings
271 Livingston Street, Northvale, NJ 1-3pm
 
Saturday, November 19, 2016
B&N - Broomall
1991 Sproul Road, Broomall, PA 1-3pm
 
MORE DATES TO COME ...
 
Official website: www.bobbyrydell.com
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/BobbyRydell

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Peter Noone

Hi Kent -  
A packed house came to Hoover Auditorium at Lakeside, Ohio, on Saturday, June 25th, to see a huge fan favorite, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone.
I have seen them perform many times and they always put on a very fun and entertaining show.
At 68, Peter Noone, the original Herman, and lead singer of the Hermits, sounds fantastic, and dances around stage like a teenager.
He was backed by the Hermits, who have been with Peter for a few years now.  Vance Brescia on lead guitar and also music director, Dave Ferara on drums, and local Ohioans, and my old friends from Brook Park, Billy Sullivan on lead guitar and Rich Spina on keyboards.
Peter did not disappoint with many hits to choose from: Silhouettes, Leaning On A Lamp, Henry the VIII, Something Good, Kind of Hush, Wonderful World, etc. ...  as well as his usual "schtick" of Tom Jones, Davy Jones, Johnny Cash and Mick Jagger.
A great time was had by all!
Tom Apathy


There are few entertainers out there who can put on as consistently an entertaining show as Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits ... we LOVE 'em ... and see them every chance we get. (In fact, they were just back in town at The Arcada a few weeks ago.)
Thanks for the photos ... check their website ... if they're headed your way, this is a show you won't want to miss ... ALWAYS a fun night out featuring some GREAT '60's music from one of the best.  (kk)


 




 All photos courtesy of Tom Apathy for use in Forgotten Hits

Don'tcha just love it when things work out and it all comes together???

Tom's review was supposed to run about ten days ago ... but for some reason we had difficulty accessing the photos ... 

By that point, Tom was already on vacation in Eugene, Oregon, watching the US Track And Field Olympic Trials ...

He didn't get back until early Tuesday Morning, resent the photos, we pulled it all together in order to do a pre-post for this morning.

In the meantime, yesterday we received this bit of Herman's Hermits trivia from Me-TV ... so now we're able to share THIS with you, too!  (VIII Things You May Not Have Known About Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits!)

http://metv.com/lists/viii-things-you-never-knew-about-hermans-hermits  

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

50 Years Ago Today

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the day that Richard Speck murdered eight female student nurses in their Chicago South Side townhouse.


It was a brutal and senseless crime, the likes of which Chicago had never seen before.  One fortunate nurse, Corazon Amurao, escaped murder by hiding under a bed, from which vantage point she watched her friends robbed, beaten, raped, strangled and stabbed ... eight total murders in all.  The series of events took hours as Speck waited for each girl to return home and then added them to his list of victims.


 



It sent terror throughout the city, knowing that this man with the "Born To Raise Hell" tattoo was still loose somewhere in our city.



As an irrational and naive preteen, I remember being scared to death that Speck might show up in our neighborhood seeking shelter ... or more victims.  There was no escaping it ... it was literally everywhere you looked ... covered virtually non-stop by every television station and plastered all over every local newspaper.  (Apparently at some point after the murders Speck attempted what amounted to a botched suicide attempt, which ultimately brought him into Cook County Hospital where, while lying on a gurney, nurses noticed his now infamous tattoo, covered with blood, and called local police.)

Then Chicago Tribune Reporter (and noted syndicated columnist, current Forgotten Hits Reader and sometime contributor) Bob Greene later became the only person to ever interview Speck while he was incarcerated.  (He died in jail nineteen years later of a heart attack, one day shy of his 50th birthday.)

At first Speck denied the murders ... then said he had an accomplice ... before ultimately admitting that he had committed the crimes, saying at one point that "they'd probably all still be alive today if one of them hadn't spit in my face."  Not a likely scenario, given Speck's previous arrest record.  (He was also suspected of several other unsolved murders in Indiana and Michigan.)

Biography.com offers a pretty comprehensive overview of Speck's "career" on the dark side ...
http://www.biography.com/people/richard-speck-11730438#horrifying-crimes

And this link provides more information on Bob Greene's landmark interview ...
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-12-08/features/9104200595_1_murderer-confession-heroin

Much will be said today about Speck's heinous crime ... you'll probably also see interviews with survivor Corazon Amurao, now in her early 70's ... but eight women lost their lives that night ... eight young women who were dedicating  their careers to helping others ... so please, let's take a moment today to remember them, too ... lives and dreams cut short by this mad man.  Please take a moment to honor the victims today as well.

Gloria Jean Davy, 22


Mary Ann Jordan,, 20

Patricia Matusek, 20

Nina Jo Schmale, 24

Pamela Wilkening, 20


Suzanne Farris, 21

Merlita Gargullo, 22


Valentina Pasion. 23


The Chicago Tribune has put together a nice memorial piece in honor of this very sad anniversary ...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-richard-speck-chicago-mass-murder-victims-20160421-story.html

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Tuesday This And That

Hi,  
I just read your very nice review of Peter Cetera's concert at Elk Grove. I am a big fan and see Peter regularly in concert. So, yes, Peter's shows are well organized and he and the Bad Daddies Band from Nashville put on a fantastic show. 
The only problem I have with your review is saying Peter caused a ruckus about the RRHOF induction ceremony. I followed that situation very closely as did many fans, reading many of Robert Lamm's rambling interviews. Unless you were there, nobody knows what really went down. And according to Peter and his website, he contacted the band and got one nasty reply, "Take a chill pill, dude". All other negotiations were made through the Rock Hall and Chicago's manager about who would do what, what songs to sing, etc. ... Nice, huh?
The bad blood never left after all these years and to blame Peter solely for a ruckus is clearly unfair. When people go their separate ways, it usually is for good reason. And, most times, you can never go back. Perhaps you should have kept that opinion to yourself unless you researched it out or asked Peter himself about it. 
(name withheld by request)

I rarely post but here goes.
I have been a Chicago fan for decades ... even got to see Terry Kath twice.     
But I think the remaining original members are like minded about band policies. Lee Loughnane has a lot of clout if you watch recent interviews. Also, it is no accident that now Seraphine, Champlin and Dacus do things together sometimes. In Danny's book he stated that he and Bill were  somewhat like minded although they clashed ... and Bill complains now that Chicago  became a tribute band and he wanted more. So I have no insight, but it seems the original members call the shots. As it should be I guess.
Santiago Paradoa

Hey Kent, 
Hope all is well in your retro world.
Just wanted to drop you a line about something fun.
I had read in your column that yesterday was the anniversary of “Rock Around The Clock” reaching #1 in 1955. I had gone to visit Comets' 92 year old drummer, Dick Richards, at his Jersey shore home a couple months ago and took a bunch of photos and a short video of him screwing around on the drums. I posted your Comets fact, along with the video, on my little Facebook page ... I can’t believe the response I’ve been getting about:
A) Your factoid about The Comets reaching #1 in 1955, and
B) people seeing Dick and his obvious love of the drums, and life
I’ve been getting messages from people all over the world thanking me for posting the video. Lots of messages from Germany, Italy and the UK from people who’ve had the pleasure of working with the guys overs the decades. Lots of notes from people who knew Dick from his acting career in movies and plays, too. I called Dick this morning to tell him and he was thrilled. He’s a real American treasure, not just from a Rock and Roll history point of view (these drummers were still playing swing beats to the straight eighths the guitarists were coming up with, the real evolution of rock in action), but he’s a living link to another moment in time. He’s a fascinating guy and still tours the world with The Comets, as well as plays locally with his rockin’ little trio, The Ready Rockers.
You can see the video and some photos of Dick with his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Award at https://www.facebook.com/tommyscheckel
I just wanted you to see it ... in a large part, it’s because of your post that this thing got all the attention and Dick got a fun kick today!  I was just thinking about that and added a thanks to you in the post, so I thought I’d write you as well. I knew you’d get a kick out of the fact that you had a part in it.
Long live Rock and Roll!! (and Dick Richards!!)
Tommy
How VERY cool is that!!!  All our best to you and Dick ... and ALL of the legends of rock and roll that keep the rest of us young at heart and in mind.  Thanks so much for sharing, Tommy.  Let us know when you and the band will be back out our way.  (kk)
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE
TOTO

LIVE AT MONTREUX 1991 
NORTH AMERICAN RELEASE ON DVD+CD, BLU-RAY+CD, AND DIGITAL VIDEO

~SEPTEMBER 16, 2016~
New York, NY (July 11, 2016) –At the personal invitation of Quincy Jones and legendary Montreux Jazz Festival founder Claude Nobs to perform at the famed Swiss festival, Toto couldn’t resist the opportunity, resulting in Toto: Live At Montreux 1991. “From the perspective of the members of Toto," states guitarist Steve Lukather, “the Montreux Jazz Festival is amongst the most revered events staged in the world. Our association, as a band, and individuals, is something we are deeply proud of. So much fun, and so much history has graced the ground in and around the lake.” 
On September 16, 2016, Eagle Rock Entertainment will present this very special concert film from Toto’s storied history. Toto: Live At Montreux 1991 -- the last tour with Jeff and Mike Porcaro, alongside original members Steve Lukather and David Paich  -- will be available on DVD+CD, Blu-ray+CD, and Digital Video in North America [MSRP TBA]. In 1991, Toto was in the midst of a run of headline dates and European summer festivals, while finishing their new album Kingdom Of Desire. It was a time of rebirth for the band, and the Montreux stage proved the perfect opportunity to test drive the new songs.  Fans could feel the electricity in the air as Lukather, Paich, and the late brothers Jeff and Mike Porcaro took the stage. 
“Yes! Time to take a trip in the ol’ Toto Hot Tub Time Machine! Back to 1991, yes ‘91! Where pure live music was performed on hallowed ground under the paternal wings of Quincy Jones and Claude Nobs,” states keyboardist David Paich. “When I first listened back, the thought omnipresent in my mind was simply, ‘That's that raw, sizzling energy we had in high school!’  Here we are - four valley dudes from Los Angeles with some assorted musical friends, bringing it once again.” 
Sadly, this was Jeff Porcaro’s final tour with the band, before his passing in 1992. Lukather, who personally mixed Live At Montreux 1991 with legendary engineer Niko Bolas, expresses the real emotions that this concert channels, and how poignant it was to the band’s history: “The most important thing is you can see and hear the love we have for each other and watching this in 2016 with Niko … well bittersweet is a term that has been so overused but in this case…there were tears and a lot of laughter as the memories of this night and this final tour with Jeff were captured.  You guys get to see a version of the band that will never and COULD never be again!” 
Few ensembles in the history of recorded music have individually or collectively had a larger imprint on pop culture than the members of Toto. With over 38 years together and thousands of credits and accolades to their names, Toto remains one of the top selling touring and recording acts in the world. 
As individuals, the band members can be heard on an astonishing 5000 albums that together amass a sales history of a half a billion albums.  Amongst these recordings, NARAS applauded the performances with more than 200 Grammy nominations. Their repertoire continues to be current via high profile usage on broadcast television.  They ARE pop culture, and are one of the few 70’s bands that have endured the changing trends and styles and enjoy a multi-generational fan base. 
Last summer, they released their first new studio album in ten years –TOTO XIV – that debuted Top 10 in nine countries around the world and became their most successful album since 1988 in the U.S. and UK.  This August / September, the band will stage a headline tour of North America.   Details are available via totoofficial.com. 
Click here for a sneak peak at "On The Run":
http://www.vevo.com/watch/GBC251602156 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ1C-Xxc_kY   
We've always been big Toto fans ... and are looking forward to their upcoming appearance at The Arcada Theatre on August 13th.  (kk)

My latest blog post compares the life and music of classical composer Franz Liszt to the rock n roll lifestyle of The Beatles.  The similarities will shock and amaze you!
http://beatles-freak.com/2016/07/11/lisztomania-vs-beatlemania/
Feel free to share this post with your readers on your own blog.
Enjoy!
Jenn
Well, I certainly remember wanting to grow MY hair long to match Liszt's back in the 1840's!  (But my parents wouldn't stand for it!)
This whole idea ties in nicely with a track off the new Jim Peterik CD, "The Songs", called "The Same Muse", where Jim imagines that the same inspirations to create music would have existed regardless of what time you lived.  What a fitting tie-in to your piece!  (kk)



Hi Kent,  
This song written by P.F. Sloan was recorded on July 15th, 1965, and was a #1 song for Barry McGuire. 
With all the chaos going on today, when you listen to the lyrics of "Eve Of Destruction", though we have technically progressed, political and social issues are frozen in time.
Peace, 
We DO seem to have lost a handle on things.  I told Barry: I've received a few emails of late from fans (and disgusted Americans) stating that we once again have reached The Eve Of Destruction ... never before can we remember such universal chaos and craziness going on within our own sector.  It's like we've completely lost a handle on all that is important and we're heading back to the wild, wild west. Look at me the wrong way ... disagree with me ... or worse yet discard my thoughts and feelings (no matter how bent, ridiculous and out of the norm they might seem) and you just may get blown away. 
Of course we prefer to remember a time when it was the music that blew us away ... all the hope we had ... peace, love and flower power, right?  We said we were going to change the world ... and we did ... it's times like these, however, that make me wonder if anything really changed for the better.
Anyway, would love to share some of your comments with our readers if you feel so inclined ... this goes WAY beyond two crotchety old men sharing their views ... America as a whole seems to have lost a handle on all things important and is spinning out of control.  With all the other hate and despair in the world, how sad that we have seemed to turn on our own.
Hoping that you'll make a comment or two in this regard ...maybe we can get a few other folks to follow in kind.  Thanks, Barry!
kk


Chubby Checker joined Hall and Oates for their encore at a concert in Philadelphia the other night and performed his two-time chart-topping hit "The Twist".  The crowd went crazy (and Checker looked great).  A quick scan of YouTube this morning shows about a dozen extremely low-quality videos of the event ... but I'm hoping that somebody from Hall and Oates' camps will release something more worthy of this momentous occasion.  Daryl Hall made a passionate plea during his Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony speech to include more worthy Philly artists into The Rock Hall.  If ANYBODY from Philadelphia deserves this honor, it's Chubby Checker ... who topped the charts TWICE with his mega-hit "The Twist" and launched an international dance sensation ... first for the kids ... and then a year and a half later with the parents as twist clubs and discotheques started popping up all over the country.  WTG, Hall and Oates! (kk)

 (photo by Mike Morsch)

And, speaking of Philadelphia, a brand new, revamped ("remix") mural of Philly rock stars is going up and will officially be unveiled October 15th during a rock and roll block party.  Here's an artist rendering of what we can expect.  (Notice that Charlie Gracie and James Darren have both been added)  kk
Danny Smythe, original drummer and founding member of The Box Tops, passed away last Wednesday (July 6th).  He was only with the band for their first two chart hits, "The Letter" (#1, 1967) and "Neon Rainbow" (#16, 1967)  kk

And, I hate to say it, but this one was just too much fun to pass up ...
Apologies to anyone who may be offended (btw my wife does NOT endorse this posting!  lol)

I can't believe you haven't posted this one.
Steve Sarley


Uh-huh ... another gem from Joe Walsh!  (kk)