Sunday, October 22, 2023

THE SUNDAY COMMENTS ( 10 - 22 - 23 )

There have been no shortage of anniversaries to celebrate of late … 

 

The 30th Anniversary of this … the 50th Anniversary of that …

 

But I have to admit that this week’s announcement about “Monty Python And The Holy Grail” coming back to theaters in December in honor of its 48 ½ Year Anniversary came as a bit of a surprise! 

 

ICONIC EVENTS RELEASING AND MERCURY STUDIOS PROUDLY CELEBRATE THE 48 ½ YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL ~ NATIONWIDE FILM RELEASE LAUNCHING DECEMBER 2023 ~ TRAILER LINK HERE

 


This December, prepare to celebrate 48 1/2 years of Monty Python and The Holy Grail with a special nationwide theatrical re-release in select theaters via Iconic Events Releasing and Mercury Studios.

Tickets are available at https://HolyGrailInCinemas.com.

This cinematic event kicks off in over 500 theatre locations nationwide on Sunday, December 3rd, with encore screenings beginning on Wednesday, December 6th.  Select theatre locations will also be offering a Quote-Along version of the film for audiences to experience the joy in sharing together, as you quote your favorite lines with the characters.

In this new Quote-Along rendition, fans not only witness the absurdity of Arthurian legend but also actively participate in the laughter.

It’s a sidesplitting cinematic event that honors the timeless humor of Monty Python while inviting fans to quote, laugh, and sing-a-long like never before.

Get ready to journey into a world of Medieval madness, coconut-clacking horses, and unforgettable one-liners in this uproarious Quote-A-long version of a comedy classic.

Monty Python remains one of the most iconic comedy collectives of all time, influencing generations across theatre, music, TV, and film.

Formed in 1969, members Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin rose to prominence with their sketch comedy TV series Monty Python’s Flying Circus. This was followed by the publication of multiple books; the release of a number of hugely popular albums; live stage shows including tours around England, Canada and the US; and two more iconic feature films - the mock-Biblical epic, ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian’ and ‘The Meaning of Life,’ a dark, ribald symphony of excess and meditation on mortality. In 2005, Python came to Broadway with the premiere of ‘Spamalot’ – a smash-hit retooling of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail,’ which returns to Broadway this Fall. In 2014, the group reunited for a sold-out, 10-night valedictory live stage show at the O2 London. Monty Python continues to thrive today. The group’s influence on comedy and beyond is incomparable, and has become synonymous with rampant silliness and a refusal to take anything seriously.

If you know, you know. The references are no longer just jokes. They are indelible fixtures in the pop culture zeitgeist. The clack of two coconut halves, signaling the arrival of King Arthur on his “horse”. The need for a shrubbery. The audacity to think that a severed limb is anything more than “just a flesh wound.”  And the fact that there is no need to go to Camelot, as it is “a silly place.” 

Monty Python’s quintessential brand of comedy was so poignant, unique, and absurd, that quips from this film have endured and garnered laughs for nearly half a century. From the Knights Who Say “N!” to the ultimate burn: “Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries!,” these genius puns, like the many works of Monty Python, remain relevant to this day. The film is regularly featured in Greatest Comedy Films of All Time lists.

“Both Terry (Jones) and I were very keen on Pasolini’s films because they were always done in real places,” said Terry Gilliam about making the film. “You could smell them, you could (sniffs), you could feel it, the textures, the sounds and everything were all real and that was what we were trying to achieve, just that kind of reality. And I think in the end we did; we achieved a lot because nobody had done comedy like that before where you were so immersed in the time and place and the filth.”

“In the declining years of his life, Elvis himself watched [the film]. That just blew my mind!" said Michael Palin.

“We’d get into this string of chain mail - and it was Scotland in April - and we’d get up on the hillside and it would rain, not very heavily, but it would rain, enough to make us damp for the entire day … we’d be wet in this stuff until we finished when we’d all rush to the cars and jump in,” states John Cleese.

Adds Eric Idle: “Grail is a bit like A Hard Day’s Night. It’s got this energy, this ‘Let’s just make it up, let’s just do it.’  It’s got a joie de vivre that’s very infections, it’s very hard not to like.”

This film achieved that, and so much more. Monty Python and The Holy Grail isn’t just a film – it’s a cultural landmark. Originally released in 1975, the legendary comedy troupe’s send-up of King Arthur, the quest for Camelot, and its contextualized historic folklore established itself as a blueprint for satirical comedy.

http://www.montypython.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MontyPython
https://twitter.com/montypython
https://www.youtube.com/@MontyPython
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/monty-python/527234

Here's another anniversary for you …

Billboard Magazine has put together a list of The 500 Greatest Pop Songs.

These are all “staff picks” … and again, because these days Billboard’s charts before The Hot 100 was launched in August of 1958 no longer matter (sorry, Elvis!) … and because they are also celebrating the 65th Anniversary of The Hot 100, that means that these titles could be as current as this week’s chart.  (Skimming the list, it does look like Elvis has two entries, same as The Beatles. [Now that hardly seems fair!]  Elvis made the cut with "Suspicious Minds" ... the Elvis song you are most likely to hear today ... and by that I mean EVERY day ... and "Can't Help Falling In Love," his #2 Hit from his 1961 film "Blue Hawaii.  The Beatles, on the other hand, ranked at #10 with "I Want To Hold Your Hand," their breakthrough US hit ... although not their "poppest" ... and "Yesterday," which I don't consider a "pop hit" at all.  It's more of a "standard," like several other tunes on the list such as Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart In San Francisco."  Even a high-ranking hit like Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" does fit the "pop mold" for me ... it's long, drawn out and boring ... not at all like her absolutely infectious "How Will I Know," which also made the list.)

The picks are totally arbitrary … even the definition as to what constitutes a “Pop Song” and what doesn’t is totally subjective … and less than half this list meets my criteria.  

The number of great pop songs NOT on the list is staggering ... but it’s still a noble attempt.  (And I will admit that I have always been a real sucker for a great pop song!)  And it's well beyond the realm of a project I'd take on, although I'm betting that I could come up with at least 200 better choices than some of the titles represented here.

Off the top of my head, the VERY first song that spontaneously popped into my head was “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” which I think is the PERFECT pop record in every way.  (It ranked #269 on their list)

The song grabs you … hooks you in (and not in an annoying earworm sort of way.)  It’s just a well-crafted, well-produced record … perfectly executed and performed ... a feel good track all the way around … that will ALWAYS elevate your mood.  If one was going to sit down for the sole purpose of writing the perfect pop song, this one checks all the boxes.

That being said, another track that ALWAYS gets me going and peps me up is “Walkin’ On Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves (#378 on their list) … but now look at ME, pulling ‘80’s songs out of my hat!  (I could go a step further and mention “Mmm-Bop” by Hanson, Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” or Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” … or even Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” … every one of those songs proves that pop music isn’t dead … but coming up with a Top 500 Favorites is well beyond my scope.  (I tip my hat to those whose sat back and CRAFTED the perfect pop song … it truly is an artform that isn’t realized often … so when it DOES happen, it is impossible not to recognize.)  And let’s not forget “Bye Bye Bye” by *NSync and “I Want It That Way” by The Backstreet Boys!)  Still, there are SO many “new” songs on this list that I cannot help but feel like some ultimate classics never had a chance to make the cut.  And just how old is the cross-section of staff writers taking part in this agenda?  That has to be a big factor, too!  How many great pop songs never even got consideration because these "kids" weren't familiar with them?

Still, just skimming the list, I found quite a few real surprises …

“Give Him A Great Big Kiss” by The Shangri-Las?!?!  This one never would have even crossed my mind … but it IS a great record.  (The idea that their "Tell me more, tell me more" may have been the inspiration for the "Grease" song "Summer Nights" is a theory I never considered either!!!)

Another surprise was “The Girl From Ipanema,” which also made the list … yet never would have made my consideration … however, I have to agree that once you hear it, it will stay with you in a way unlike most other pop hits!   

And is there a more infectious piece of pop than The Raspberries’ “Go All The Way”???  There are certain songs that are just IMPOSSIBLE not to sing along with. (Without becoming annoying earworms, you can add “Sugar, Sugar,” “Brandy,” “Dancing Queen,” “Runaround Sue” and “Achy Breaky Heart” … ok, well maybe not that one … to the list … all of which made Billboard’s list as well.)

Naturally, I don’t agree with most of their choices … (would you expect anything else?!?!?) … but we’ll let you look the list over for yourselves and draw your own conclusions …

Hopefully, it’ll inspire a few comments.  (For the record, their #1 pick wouldn’t have even made my list ... even if I expanded it to The Top 1000!)

And, just for fun, there’s even a "Pop Music" Pop Quiz you can take to see how close you were paying attention!!!

Check out these favorites:

https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-pop-songs-all-time-hits/los-del-rio-macarena/#recipient_hashed=fa7e92da6f6e66bffcf0bcbf863670c6eb37d7159eb4d0ea1e44fecd5ec87eeb&recipient_salt=3a1d6b09af3b92ad7e38f8327cf18febeb049fd1c9a251b66957a07d9375735c

Nos. 400-301
Nos. 300-201
Nos. 200-101
Nos. 100-1

And here’s the quiz …

https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/best-pop-songs-quiz-1235448517/#recipient_hashed=fa7e92da6f6e66bffcf0bcbf863670c6eb37d7159eb4d0ea1e44fecd5ec87eeb&recipient_salt=3a1d6b09af3b92ad7e38f8327cf18febeb049fd1c9a251b66957a07d9375735c

>>>Back then, we saw both sides of the same record chart separately, which has NEVER made any sense to me … how on earth did THEY know which song brought somebody in the store to actually buy the record … and what if they liked BOTH sides?!?!  (kk)

In the early days of 45 rpm record sales, small record store owners or clerks would keep track of inventory by manually recording their sales, and if a customer requested a particular title, that's what was recorded in the sales log -- thus stores could report different results for the two sides of the same 45 to the trade magazines. Later, when that method became less feasible, the popularity of each side of a double-sided hit was determined primarily by the amount of airplay each one was getting. I've always thought that charting the two sides separately was a more accurate way of determining each title's popularity, as opposed to the later method of combining the two sides into one chart position. After all, how many people consider "For You Blue" to be a #1 Beatles record, or "Long As I Can See The Light" to be a #2 (in Billboard) Creedence hit?

– Randy Price

The clerk at the counter knowing which side of the record brought their customers into the store that day had to be virtually impossible to determine … but I guess it would work on special orders.  (Of course the most popular records didn’t NEED special orders because the store was stocking those titles anyway.)  I have to believe listener requests at the radio stations across the country had to be a pretty big determining factor, too.

Still, it had to be tough of some of those 45’s that had great songs on BOTH sides of the record to truly determine which was more popular. (As we’ve seen over the years of running Top 40 Surveys from all over the country, each side of the record charted differently from coast to coast … which I’m sure also was a factor.)  kk

 

Many years ago, Randy and I compiled a list of The Top 200 Biggest Two-Sided Hits of All-Time based on the actual chart performances of BOTH sides of the record.  The list is staggering … some major music power here (and some major bargains, too, when one considers that you got BOTH sides of these 45’s for right around a buck when you bought ‘em back in the day!!!)

 

You can check out the complete list here … and if any of our enterprising deejays or programmers would like to put together a Two-Sided Hits Countdown, let us know …

Heavy on Elvis and The Beatles (naturally!) … with a bunch of Beach Boys, Ricky Nelson and Creedence Clearwater Revival thrown in … this would make one heck of a weekend countdown for your station!  (kk)

 

http://forgottenhits.com/the_top_200_two-sided_hits_of_all-time

 

Speaking of weekly radio station surveys, we received two from readers this past week … so thank you to Timmy and Mike for sending these in …



And, while we’re on the topic of anniversaries, here are a few more we’d like to mention … and hopefully encourage you to participate along with.

December 20th marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of Bobby Darin …

We’re hoping you’ll join us in remembering Bobby and sharing some of your own thoughts on the man and his music.

Just a few weeks before that, on November 29th, we’ll be celebrating our Second Annual Joel Whitburn Day.

Please share your comments regarding how Joel’s books have impacted your lives over the years and what they have meant to you.  Everyone who shares a comment will be automatically entered in a drawing to receive a free book from Record Research, who’s latest edition, “Top Pop Singles, 1990 – 2022” will start shipping very soon.  (More information here:  https://www.recordresearch.com/)

We also recently mentioned the 60th Anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy.  We’ll start looking back “60 Years Ago Today” on November 22nd … and then keep that momentum going throughout the coming year(s).  (It’s no secret that I’ve never been much of a fan of the music from 1973 and 1974 … in fact, I consider them to be two of the weakest years of The Top 40 Era … so I haven’t really done much in the way of 50th Anniversary chart coverage this year.)

But then I realized that we never gave the full Forgotten Hits treatment to 1964, 1965 and 1966 because we kicked off our celebration with the 50th Anniversary of 1967, running daily reports of every event as it happened, exactly the way the year unfolded at the time.

I can’t promise you as much in-depth coverage this time around (because that was really intense!!!) … but I CAN promise you that looking back SIXTY years, we’ll be able to give substantial coverage to The British Invasion of 1964 and 1965 … and the changing sounds as things rolled into 1966.  This was MY era ... my introduction to the pop music scene ... and The British Invasion remains my favorite era of music.

But you also had some great Motown classics coming out at this time ... and American acts like The Beach Boys and The Four Seasons kept things exciting here at home.

Yes, The British Invasion ruled the charts ... but let's not forget that old codgers like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong ALL scored #1 Hits during the run of Beatlemania.  (Looking back, think about how much things have changed ... Dean Martin was 47 years old when "Everybody Loves Somebody" toppled The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" from the #1 spot.  Louis Armstrong had done it a few months earlier when "Hello Dolly" went to #1 during a streak of #1 Beatles hits that included "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You," "Twist And Shout," "Can't Buy Me Love" and "Love Me Do" ... and Louis was nearly 63 years old when he did it!!!  And Ol' Blue Eyes hit the top of the charts in 1966 with "Strangers In The Night," squeezed between The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" and The Beates' "Paperback Writer!!!"  Frank Sinatra was fifty years old at the time ... ANCIENT!!!)

Remember, this was the era of "Don't Trust Anyone Over 30" ... 40 years old was an old, middle-aged man!!!  And yet right now Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney are out performing all over the world at better than TWICE that age ... and The Rolling Stones are expected to announce a new tour any day now that will likely sell out in minutes!  I'll never forget John Lennon making the comment that he wouldn't want to be up on stage singing "She Loves You" at the age of 30!  (lol)

As an added bonus, I can ALSO promise you that The Super Charts will be back, recapping the hits as they happened … which means that The Saturday Survey will be back beginning next year (and maybe even a little bit sooner!)

So LOTS of good stuff coming up in Forgotten Hits!

Please join us in our celebration … and be sure to tell a friend or two … or twenty … about all of the really cool stuff we’ve got coming up!  (kk)

And, in other news ...

kk …

COUSIN BRUCIE's SURPRISE GUEST ---

DRUMROLL ---

DION ---

Who Wrote a New Song:  "AN AMERICAN HERO"

He Sings It With Carlene Carter Of The Famous Carter Family

The Way He Explained It, He's Talking About The Average Person

It’s On You Tube. Check It Out.

FB

Yes … unfortunately our “real life” schedule got in the way of our Forgotten Hits schedule a couple of times last week and planned postings never made it out on time ...

So I wasn’t able to let you guys know in a timely fashion …

But here’s the official press release we received last Thursday …

“An American Hero,” a new song from Dion DiMucci, who recorded it with country music legend Carlene Carter, has been released through Keeping The Blues Alive Records today (October 20th). The song, written by Dion and Mike Aquilina, comes in advance of an entirely new album from the rock/blues/gospel great who has maintained a significant presence in American music over the course of an unprecedented eight decades.  

 


Dion, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame almost 35 years ago by the late Lou Reed, commented, “Basically, it’s a song about the ordinary person being a hero and championing the cause of the people around them. You don’t have to look at cable news or online and don’t look to politicians to save you. Look into your own heart and be a hero to the ten people you affect in your life the most. Patriotism really isn’t about politics; we’re all Americans, so values and character are what matter most. Stop looking elsewhere for the answers to our problems; look into your own heart.” 

 

The track’s release is accompanied by a new music video featuring Dion and Carlene, as well as scenes of ordinary Americans in pursuit their lives and dreams. 

 

Dion expressed great enduring admiration for his duet partner and the legacy she represents. “She’s a member of the Carter Family who were there when country music began. I’ve always loved this girl’s voice. She’s so beautiful and sings with such heart; she’s so authentic. I just love the presence she brings to the song.”

 

Carlene Carter commented, “I was flattered and delighted when Dion got in touch and asked me to join him on this song. It’s about self-reliance and unity and doing what you can for those you cherish most. I can’t help but characterize it as a heroic effort and I’m proud to have been part of this.

 


The last few years have been especially productive for Dion DiMucci who, during the height of the pandemic lockdown in 2020, released the album Blues With Friends that included collaborations with a wide range of artists including Joe Bonamassa, Brian Setzer, the late Jeff Beck, John Hammond, Van Morrison, Joe Louis Walker, Jimmy Vivino, Billy Gibbons, Sonny Landreth, Paul Simon, Samantha Fish, Rory Block as well as Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen. The 2LP set’s liner notes were written by Bob Dylan and it spent nine weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Blues Album chart. “Song For Sam Cooke (Here In America),” Dion’s duet with Paul Simon, was named “Greatest of the Great 2020 Songs” by American Songwriter’s Paul Zollo.  

 

2021 saw the release of a new album titled Stomping Ground that included liner notes by The Who’s Pete Townshend and 14 tracks on which Dion was joined by a few repeat collaborators from Blues With Friends, including Billy Gibbons, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Vivino, Joe Bonamassa, and Patti Scialfa, as well as newcomers Boz Scaggs, Eric Clapton, G.E. Smith, Keb’ Mo’, Marcia Ball, Mark Knopfler, Peter Frampton and Rickie Lee Jones. 

 

Last year The Wanderer, a musical based on Dion’s life, debuted at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ, and is expected to arrive on Broadway within the next 18 months. Directed by Kenneth Ferrone and based on Charles Messina’s book, the initial run was the subject of critical acclaim with Broadway World calling it “a moving, no-holds-barred new musical about the glow of the spotlight, the shadow of addiction, and the triumph of the human spirit against all odds, set to the iconic sound of an incomparable era in American music.” The New York Times review noted the show “succeeds on sheer sonic strength,” with reviewer Juan A. Ramírez adding, “I was continuously charmed by this throwback-y musical and its angel-voiced ensemble.”

 

65 years after his chart debut with The Belmonts (“I Wonder Why,” #20, 1958), Dion DiMucci is still a relevant recording artist.  His blues releases have been covered in-depth here in Forgotten Hits and over the last several years, we’ve been able to give away both copies of his new CDs and also tickets to an in-studio performance / interview, thanks to Bob Merlis of Merlis For Hire, a key part of Dion’s PR team.

 

While his pop chart career may have ended in 1978, Dion has made numerous appearances on several of Billboard’s Specialty Charts over the past twenty years or so. 

 

I can only say “Congratulations” and “Thank You” … as wish for many more.  (kk)

>>>Where’s my drummer?  (Mick Jagger)

It seems easy to refute a comment or story once the other party has passed on. The fact that Keith talked about it means somebody told him. It sounds accurate for my mind, given the personalities of the two involved, but it will forever be unknown, I guess.

Shelley

In Keith Richards’ book (a great read, by the way … although one can’t help but wonder how he could possibly remember ANYTHING!!!), Keith remembers things differently.

 

This is the way we described it in Forgotten Hits …

Apparently Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were out tearing it up one night when The Stones were in Amsterdam and returned to their hotel quite late and quite drunk.  Charlie, of course, was already sound asleep in bed.  But that didn't stop Jagger from calling his room and waking him up out of a dead sleep to ask "Where's my drummer?"

Charlie was pissed ... and got up out of bed, took a shower and got fully dressed in a Saville Row suit and tie, hair done, shaved and wearing cologne and went to Mick's room, pounded on the door and when Mick answered, he punched him right in the face, telling him "Don't ever call me your drummer again."  And then, after a perfectly timed pause, added "You're my fucking singer!"

Now see … doesn’t that make for a much more interesting (and humorous) story?!!?!  (kk)

The Talking Heads are staging another reunion of sorts when they appear on Stephen Colbert’s late night talk show next Wednesday Night (October 25th.)

Will they perform?  Will they announce plans for a reunion tour or a new album?

The band was originally scheduled to perform last week but then Colbert took ill with Covid so things had to be postponed.

One could assume they’re just appearing to promote the recently restored re-release of their film “Stop Making Sense” … but the fact that all four of them are doing it, implies a much more “together” announcement of some sort.

Stay tuned.  (kk)

I’ve just started reading Sly Stone’s new book “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” out last week … a release I’ve been waiting for for months now.

 


Billboard Magazine did a brief interview with Sly’s daughters last week to get THEIR reaction to the new book …

 

https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/sly-stone-takes-memoir-thank-you-falettinme-be-mice-elf-agin-daughters-1235447678/#recipient_hashed=fa7e92da6f6e66bffcf0bcbf863670c6eb37d7159eb4d0ea1e44fecd5ec87eeb&recipient_salt=3a1d6b09af3b92ad7e38f8327cf18febeb049fd1c9a251b66957a07d9375735c

 

A few interesting links from Tom Cuddy that we think you’ll all enjoy …

 

More on the Rolling Stones Play Secret NYC Nightclub Show with Lady Gaga

 

https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/10/19/rolling-stones-play-secret-ny-nightclub-show-with-lady-gaga-to-launch-album

Owning the copyrights and publishing can be VERY lucrative …

But you may be surprised by this list of The Highest Earning Songs Of All Time …

The highest-earning songs of all time

1.   ‘I Will Always Love You’ – Dolly Parton

2.   ‘Candle In the Wind’ – Elton John

3.   ‘The Christmas Song’ – Mel Torme

4.   ‘Oh Pretty Woman’ – Roy Orbison

5.   ‘Every Breath You Take’ – The Police

6.   ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town’ – Haven Gillespie

7.   ‘Stand By Me’ – Ben E King

8.   ‘Unchained Melody’ – The Righteous Brothers

9.   ‘Yesterday’ – The Beatles

10.  ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feelin’ – The Righteous Brothers

11.  ‘White Christmas’ – Bing Crosby

12.  ‘Happy Birthday’ – The Hill Sisters

What are the highest earning songs of all time?

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/what-are-the-highest-earning-songs-of-all-time/

We ran the advance promo clip / trailer for this film a short while ago …

 

It’s the lates film by Denny Tedesco, the guy who labored for years to give us “The Wrecking Crew” documentary a few years back.

 

His latest effort looks every bit as interesting.

 

Review: "Immediate Family" The Musicians Who Made Carole King, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt's Records Sing …

 

https://www.showbiz411.com/2023/10/21/review-immediate-family-the-musicians-who-made-carole-king-james-taylor-linda-ronstadts-records-sing

 

Cher on Her First Christmas LP, a New Beau and 25 Years of ‘Believe’

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/arts/music/cher-christmas.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

From David Salidor …

REMINDER:  JUST 2 WEEKS TO WUXTRY MICKY DOLENZ IN-STORE APPEARANCE

This is the scene at Wuxtry Records in Athens, Georgia, on Friday as they prepare for an old-school, old-style in-store with MICKY DOLENZ to celebrate the release of his new EP (on 7a Records) DOLENZ SINGS R.E.M. on Friday, November 3rd.

With Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz (a former DJ himself) set to appear and present Dolenz with the key to city; the event is already sold-out.

Wuxtry Records is where the members of R.E.M. first met and decided to for the band.

Also attending the event with be legendary-photographer Henry Diltz; archivist Gary Strobl and Glenn Gretlund from 7a Records in England.

LOTS of press for Micky’s new “covers” album … (a Monkee doing R.E.M.?!?!?  Yep!  It’s True!)

Here’s an article that just appeared in MOJO in the UK …

We ran a piece the other day about the new “Rolling Stones ICONS” book that Harvey Kubernik wrote the forward for.

Well, “Reader’s Digest UK” just ran a piece on this new book, along with an interview with our FH Buddy Harvey Kubernik!  

https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/lifestyle/why-the-rolling-stones-are-such-icons

Funny … I didn’t even know “Reader’s Digest” was still around!

I mentioned this to Frannie and we kinda laughed because back when we were teenagers and early 20-somethings, “Reader’s Digest” was geared toward “the old folks” …

But now we ARE the old folks … so it only makes sense that for OUR generation, they would be talking about the new Rolling Stones album!!!  (kk)

 

And now this closer from our Official Forgotten Hits Social Behavioral Advisor, Chuck Buell ...


Here’re some "Quick, Fast, Swift Tips" for you, Kent, because you mentioned ~~~  

>>>We actually may go see the “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” concert movie this weekend.  (kk)

 

AMC's website says: "We encourage dancing and singing throughout this concert film event, but please do not dance on our seats or block other guests from viewing, or safely walking or exiting the auditorium."  ( I think seeing and hearing you in action would be a highly Memorable Event of its own! )

 

And while you’re there deep within the massive theatrical throng of other Swiftie Cinema Concert-goers, just keep in mind that while you may be an Upper Demo Swiftie yourself, you’re probably too old to refer to her by her nickname, “Tay-Tay!”

 

Or even as, “Dr. Swift,” because of her honorary doctorate of fine arts from New York University because that could indicate you might know more about her than a guy your age should!


And on the subject of your “Upper Demo-ness,” try to be discreet if you have to slip out for a . . . ah . . . “personal break” due to the length of her two-hour-and-45-minute movie.

But I’ll admit there is one thing I do like about T. Swift. And that is that she can be so down to Earth. She once even got caught picking her teeth just like the rest of us!

So, go ahead and have too much Fun!

CB ( which stands for “Concert-Movie Boy!” )

As it turns out, it looks like we’re not going to make it to the Taylor Swift film this weekend after all.  (I forgot all about a dental appointment I had on Saturday … and since that involved putting in a new crown after root canal a few weeks ago, I’m thinking popcorn … and definitely Milk Duds … are off the menu for me for a little while!!!)

I do still want to see it however … and we will eventually.  (Frannie prefers seeing the new Martin Scorsese movie instead … so I suggested doing both.)  

Remember the good old days when you would go to a movie and time things out just right so that right as one movie ended, you could sneak into the OTHER movie ten or fifteen minutes later and treat yourselves to a Double Feature???   

Of course in this case that means SIX HOURS of sitting in those relaxing, comfy chairs … which just means a six hour nap for me … there is absolutely NO way I’ll be able to stay awake for six straight hours and watch both films, even if one of them is a “freebie!!!”  (We had a similar plan a few months ago regarding the “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” flicks … talk about diversity in tastes!!!  Never made it to either of those shows either!  Bet you can easily guess between these two double feature options which movie was MY pick!!!  Lol  I have a hard time sitting thru anything deeper than "Kingpin!!!")

Maybe we’ll make the effort later today to see the movie of HER choice … and then reschedule MY choices for a later date.  (Besides, Chuck ALSO told me that “Barbie” is now available as a Red Box rental for only $2.25 … which is about 10% of what On Demand wants to rent it!!!  Maybe we'll just sit home instead tonight and do that!!!)  kk

Because you recently said how expensive it was to see or rent "Barbie, I had to tell you that starting today, October 17, 2023, Barbie is now available on DVD or Blu-ray at all Redbox kiosks for just $2.25!  

Cecil B. DeBuell


Really???

I heard they were holding it back till February!

Ok, I might have to check this out! 
kk 

Barbie and I would never lead you astray!

CB