Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Some Of Your Mid-Week Comments ... And A Look Back At The Grammy Award Winners From Fifty Years Ago Today


Thank you for your great review of the Buckinghams / America concert ... and thank you so much for coming! I would have loved to introduce you to Dewey and Gerry of America … they are really nice guys, very personable … and yes, we are hoping that there’s a possibility of pairing us with America on some of their concerts this year. I'm glad you were able to attend and so glad that you enjoyed it!
This was a very special evening for the Buckinghams. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little anxious to perform in that unplugged format, but I was excited to have the opportunity to present our music that way. I haven’t performed “I’m A Loser” on stage since the 70’s with Tufano & Giammarese, so it was deja vu for me and brought back some great memories of being out in LA and recording with Lou Adler for Ode Records.
It was so pleasing and exciting to have an audience respond in that way. I felt we accomplished what we wanted to do, keeping our music authentic but presenting it in a different way and proving that a great song will come across no matter what. I really think the audience really enjoyed a little storytelling and hearing us that way.
I can’t say enough great things about America … they sounded fantastic! Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and the entire band are such good people and so personable and genuine. That was so nice of them to invite us up for the encore. What an exceptional evening!
Carl Giammarese
The Buckinghams
It was a magical night … glad we were able to attend.  (Thanks again for the tickets!)
I would have loved to come back stage and meet Gerry and Dewey … we did a week-long series FIFTEEN YEARS AGO called “Discovering America” which took a look back at their career and had some good, tongue-in-cheek fun about some of their hits along the way.  (Actually, I’ve been asked many times to rerun this series, as it went out before there was a Forgotten Hits website … and would LOVE to do so with the input of America … because I think it could be a real fun thing to do together.  Hoping we can still make that happen someday!)
That would be great if you could line up some more gigs opening for America … as I said in the review, I think it makes for the perfect pairing and your sounds compliment each other very nicely.  Please keep us posted if this develops!  (kk)

Hi Kent!  
On behalf of the Ides, thanks for reinstating your Sunday Service.
Kinda like rock & roll church ... without the communion!  Lol.
Thanks so much for coming out to our City Winery show. We love that place - the sound, the intimacy of the audience and food and drink are all state of the art.  
And yes, Anthony Gomes is a force to be reckoned with. People were singing along with a song we just finished called “Cold Stop” like it was already a hit!
Kent, thanks for coming out and to all the FH ticket Winners. And thanks for listing our upcoming dates. ROAD TRIIIPPPP!  Woo woo!   
Party on Garth!  
Jimbo and all the Ides of March!
Ps. Hope to see y’all on March 29 for our induction ceremony to the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Can’t wait!  
Jimbo  

It's official ... 
The Randy Bachman / Burton Cummings tour hits Chicagoland on Saturday, June 20th, with an appearance at The Rosemont Theatre.  (Ironically, this was the last place here locally that the two performed together back in 2001 as part of a full-blown Guess Who reunion tour.  I remember it was shortly after 9-11 and, as such, security was at an all-time high ... we had balcony seats and I couldn't even go down to visit with friends who were seated on the main floor.)
This one has been SO highly anticipated ... and I truly can't wait to see them playing together again.  It's going to be an awesome show!  
Dave Mason will be onboard as the opening act.
Tickets officially go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 13th ... and, as of right now, there are only SIX US stops scheduled ... 

June 13 Huber Heights, OH Rose Music Center at The Heights
June 14 Northfield, OH MGM Northfield Park
June 17 Tama, IA Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel 
June 18 St. Charles, MO The Family Arena
June 20 Rosemont, IL Rosemont Theater
June 21 Prior Lake, MN Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
So we are VERY fortunate to even have the opportunity to see these two legends perform in concert together again. (Meanwhile, 18 Canadian dates have been booked.)
Bachman told Billboard Magazine "It's gonna be 35, 40 hit songs that are going to sound really like the record.  No Las Vegas, Bill Murray on Saturday Night Live parodies of our own songs; This is gonna be exactly like the record, exactly like what's in people’s memories."

The show will feature not only the biggest Guess Who hits but also favorites from Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Cummings' solo career.
Burton Cummings adds, "I'm very content to sing the famous songs for the rest of my career.  Do you know how hard it was to get those hit records? What's wrong with singing them for the rest of your life? There's nothing wrong with that."
Although the duo have no new writing or recording plans, Sony Music Entertainment will be releasing a seven disc box set in June titled “The Bachman Cummings Collection.”  It will feature all of the Guess Who albums Bachman played on as well as subsequent material by Bachman and Cummings.  (Yet another “must have” for my personal collection! Lol)  kk



WRCO Dee Jay Phil Nee will be counting down The Top 50 Songs from our TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL-TIME list on his program March 21st.  (Yes, I know … I still have to get the final list organized and out to all the folks who voted!!!  Well, all I can tell you is putting together The Top 50 List is a WHOLE lot easier than doing the one of all 3333 candidates!  But again … yes, it IS coming … so your continued patience is appreciated.)  Looking forward to hearing the feedback from Phil’s Wisconsin audience after this program airs.  (kk)


kk ...
Regarding this week’s Big 10 countdown …
# 2 = I'd Rather Listen To Eric & The Animals.
Kent, Don't Think I Ever Told You This Story.
I Was At One Of The Animals’ First Concerts In This Country --- New York City.
Of Course, It Was An Oldies Concert.
The Animals Got Booed.
They Were Singing New Material At An Oldies Show.
Wrong Place & Wrong Time.
I Learned To Love Them. They Became My Favorite British Group.
# 14 = My Favorite Hollies Song.
# 17 = HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK LINDSAY (3/9/1942 ).
FB
P.S.  re:  3/6/1970 = Did Anybody Buy That Charles Manson Album?

This is a classic survey, Kent!  It shows Vehicle as “hit bound”!  This is the week that was!  Thanks for sharing. 
I remember the songs from that month so well mainly because I had my ear to every radio in my house and car waiting to hear our song! Man, did I get sick of Spirit in the Sky!
Keep up your amazing work unearthing memories from the rock pile!  
Jimbo
 
How many of the original Hollies are still touring?  I just got an email that says that they are touring and playing The Chicago Theatre in July.
George Ehlert
The Hollies will be appearing at The Chicago Theatre on July 18th … but the band will feature only two of the original members … guitarist Tony Hicks and drummer Bobby Elliott … everybody else is a “newbie” … no Allan Clarke, no Graham Nash … not even Terry Sylvester … so I’m not sure I can accept this as a real Hollies reunion (I never saw the REAL band … or even the reunion show in the ‘80’s, which I heard was pretty spectacular.)
I can’t get excited about this.  Without two of the three harmonies, it’s not worth seeing.  I thought I heard that Allan Clarke had retired from performing.
George
He did … just couldn’t sing anymore … and then a couple of months ago he announced that he had a brand new solo album coming out … so who knows!
I can’t imagine that they’d put together a touring band that couldn’t pull off all of the intricate harmonies that the group is most famous for.  Still, I just can’t get excited about seeing this line-up.  Then again, I just might change my mind at the very last minute … as it’s still a HUGE part of ‘60’s rock history!
There is an EXCELLENT Hollies documentary out there … absolutely top notch … called “Look Through Any Window” … DEFINITELY worth checking out if you get the chance.  (kk)
Yes, I have it … bought it after you reviewed it several years ago.  I agree that it’s excellent. I thought that Graham Nash had a lot of balls to mention how they could put out a #1 record without him!
George
Oh, he was just kidding around … I think  he was both happy for them … and probably a little bit jealous!  (lol)
I detected some ego there … I’m not convinced he was completely kidding!
George
Hollies fans will absolutely LOVE this dvd …
Check out our original review from 2011 …

I’ve always loved the response I got from the film’s director David Peck, President of Reelin’ In The Years Productions, after he read our review …

Hello Kent,
David Peck here, Director of the Hollies film you so kindly raved about.
It's very nice when so much hard work is put in that a writer such as yourself takes the time to really watch it and really review it. It's very obvious that you watched every frame and I truly thank you for that.
When I first read your review I was walking with my six year old daughter and I reacted with a very loud YEAH! and then, after she asked me why I was so happy, I had to explain how good it feels to have someone compliment your work. I guess it's a good thing that it was a positive review cause I would have hated to have to explain what the word "shit" meant.
All the best,
David Peck
President
Reelin' In The Years Productions

Tom Cuddy sent us this piece written by Ron Onesti … who is still hooked on B.J. Thomas …
B.J. Thomas returns to the Arcada Theatre on August 2nd … ALWAYS a great show!  (kk)

Hi, Kent.
With all my thousands of 45's in my basement, I admit it was hard to pick the first one.  But then I noted 'With my own money' and it came to me.
I discovered that the ACME Market, two blocks from my house, sold 45's for 69 cents!
My early love of John Sebastian and the Lovin' Spoonful resulted in my first purchase, "Do You Believe in Magic", and the paint splashed label only helped in my adoration.  (Hey, just like the spinning paint pictures I used to love making on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ.)
As years passed, I bought every single and every cover and every album the Spoonful produced.  This included all of John Sebastian's solo records, also.
I started a fan club and used all the letters in the words 'Lovin' Spoonful' to make a heartfelt saying to go along with the club mailings.
I finally got to see Sebastian at Bucknell University in the '70's from about 10 feet away.  Oh, Lord, was that thrilling!
Still love their music!
Just ask my cd player.
Owen Mahon
Lewisburg, PA
You can read hundreds and hundreds of FIRST 45’s memories on the other Forgotten Hits website … right here:  http://forgottenhits.com/  (kk)


The CoronaVirus continues to take its toll … SO many events have been cancelled due to traveling concerns … there’s already talks of sporting events being televised without live spectators on hand … and any number of concerts, conventions and the like have been either postponed or cancelled all together.
It's actually getting scary ... with dozens of new cases being reported daily, there seems to be no end to the boundaries and speed that this disease can travel.  (I have always tried to keep Forgotten Hits all about the music ... with no political overtones ... but I've gotta tell you, when The President Of The United States goes on record as stating that while yes, this is a concern right now, he just knows that it'll all just magically disappear ... it might not seem like it now, but one day, poof!  It'll all be gone.  I'm just not sure if he's referring to the virus itself ... or civilization as we know it.)  kk


Even The Fest For Beatles Fans has put off their New York Convention … their largest, best-attended event of the year … a first … and a MAJOR disappointment for all the fans, artists, authors, vendors, etc., who have been planning for this event for the past six months.

They sent out this announcement yesterday:

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL FEST ATTENDEES
40 years ago, after John's assassination, we could not see us going forward with the next scheduled FEST, just two months later. But the fans spoke, saying we really need that show. I don't know how we did it, but it became our most important event in our 46 year history. We all just had to be there to help each other with the healing we so desperately needed.
Now we are faced with a danger we can't even see - the Coronavirus. We know there are not a lot of reported cases out there right now, but they are increasing every day and likely there are many more out there than is currently being reported due to the lack of test kits.
Unfortunately, the writing is on the wall. The FEST is in less than three weeks and it is not known when the virus is going to kick into high gear. We do know that people over 60 are more vulnerable than the under-60 population. As Ken Dashow points out, the FEST is like a Beatles Thanksgiving -- lots of hugs and kisses, handshakes and being with everybody, and sometimes in close quarters with lots of fans mostly from all over the U.S., and a bunch from England.
We have decided, with everybody's best interest in mind, that we have to postpone the show. The hotel is now looking for alternate dates, and we will let everyone know as soon as we have them. If you have reservations at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, they will hold and move them to the rescheduled weekend, so none of you get shut out. We ask for your patience at this time and we look forward to seeing all of you when the time is right and this virus has passed. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the rescheduled FEST.
We thank every one of you for your understanding in this very difficult time. Please take good care of yourselves. Wash those hands thoroughly and often. We will reconvene and celebrate our common love for The Beatles when the time is right.
With much love and everybody's best interest,
The Lapidos Family and entire staff

Meanwhile, Michael Dorf, Founder and CEO of The City Winery, has sent out this special announcement … what a class act … and what a GREAT way to address and deal with the issue at hand …

“When I hear music, I fear no danger."
Dear City Winery Patrons, 
We ain’t CBGB and we ain’t fooling around — we ain’t got time for that now.
Apologies to David Byrne for bringing you into this by paraphrasing you, but we are taking the quickly spreading COVID-19 virus very seriously.  As a business which is all about NOT social distancing, we have implemented every measure and precaution possible to create an environment for our guests that is as safe as possible.  

Some examples:
  • the nightly sanitizing of our venues and increased frequency of disinfecting the floors, all surfaces, and kitchen areas throughout the day
  • ensuring all employees are trained in vigilant personal washing, cleaning, and wearing gloves when serving our guests
  • scheduling personnel to sanitize restrooms continuously throughout the day
  • having employees open doors for guests whenever possible
  • closely monitoring the health of our staff and enforcing any and all to stay home and not come to work even with the slightest of symptoms. 
At the same time, we request that all of our patrons follow the same vigilance and take seriously the responsibility to not come to our locations if you’re even suspicious of being ill. We will happily transfer your ticket or give you a full credit for a future show when this passes. But in the meantime, we feel the responsibility as part of a society to continue to present culture to meet our human needs; albeit, in the most healthy and sanitary way today.
We know drinking wine has positive antioxidant value as well as music comforting the soul.  In the words of Thoreau: “When I hear music, I fear no danger.”   Stay safe, clean, and know that we are going beyond your expectations to continue to present music, food, and wine so you can indulge your senses.
City Winery, along with many smaller entertainment venues, plays a very important role in the societal ecosystem by facilitating the experience of happiness and joy in a busy, challenging world, as well as a respite from the daily pressures of news, politics, and the strife of the world.  We feel a strong responsibility that the shows must go on, not just for ourselves, but to be that community gathering spot, the town hall, to provide that comfort and space. Thanks for being part of the equation.
Sincerely,
Michael Dorf
Founder and CEO 
 
With Austin's SXSW festival being cancelled ... New York's Beatlefest ... and talk of suspending Coachcella, one cannot help but wonder what kind of impact this is going to have on us financially in the years to come.  Some of these events depend on these once-a-year happenings for the bulk of their income for the year.  March Madness is about to start and teams may be playing to empty stadiums.  We need to take this seriously and are virtually helpless right now regarding a solution ... or ANYTHING that'll make a difference quickly.  (Even Frannie said yesterday that it's probably best not to attend anything that would draw a 60-year-old crowd ... hell, that's EVERYTHING we go to!)  I'm still waiting to hear if the 1st Annual Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony will go off as planned on the 29th ... but know of SEVERAL out of town guests who were looking forward to attending but have since cancelled their plans to do so.
We don't want to get all wrapped up in the doom and gloom ... 
But we just can't close our eyes to it either.  
Chemical Warfare?  We just may be living it.  (kk)
  
kk:
Do you know about this one? 
I know you'll want to pre-order it …
Or should I put it in the "ROYAL PHILHARMONIC FILE?"
HA! HA!
FB
Actually, this looks pretty good … and you can’t beat the music … I’d definitely give it a shot.
I tried to do the same for a brand new Chuck Berry documentary that started running on PBS this weekend … but gave up about twenty minutes in.
Too bad, because it, too, looked very promising … with an all-star list of artists performing Berry’s material.
I just didn’t care for the way it was presented … (and I’ll attribute a good portion of that disappointment to Danny Glover’s narration) … and it also seemed like they used the worst possible clips to illustrate some of this music … which certainly deserves better.
Maybe I’ll try it again and see if I can get past those initial disappointments … as seeing The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Electric Light Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Linda Ronstadt and others singing the praises of Berry’s tunes … and the tunes themselves … should be one A-List ride.  This one lost me pretty early on.  (kk) 

And, of this date in 1970:  

March 11th – The 1970 Grammy Awards honor The Fifth Dimension’s “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In” as the Record Of The Year.

Blood, Sweat and Tear (who were nominated for a then-record eleven Grammy Awards) wins the Album Of The Year Award for their self-titled LP.
Joe South’s “Games People Play” is named Song Of The Year ...
And Crosby, Stills and Nash are named Best New Artist.
(All of these songs and artists were honored in our Tribute to 1969 last year in Forgotten Hits.)