Sunday, November 10, 2024

THE SUNDAY COMMENTS ( 11 - 10 - 17 )

We normally try to keep politics out of Forgotten Hits ...

But this past week's election was of such MAJOR focus and importance that it's hard to ignore.

Bottom line ... no matter what the outcome ... or how things may not have gone your way ... we ALL have to accept the fact that America has spoken.

That's the thing about a democracy.  (Had it gone the other way, do you think Trump would have been as peacefully accommodating as Kamela Harris was during her concession speech ... or would he have pitched another fit, demanding recounts and spewing on about alleged collusion to keep him out of office?  I think we ALL know the answer to THAT question!)

In that respect, all of America was thankfully spared this embarrassment ... and he got to give an acceptance speech instead as he prepares to take the helm once again.

Did you happen to see it?

One of the biggest “feel good” news stories of the past week was the reconciliation dinner had between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel … by all accounts, a very emotionally and teary-eyed reunion of sharing their love and respect for one another … and apologizing for any indiscretions over the past 60 years.

Garfunkel, who has a new duets album that came out last week recorded with his son (on which they perform the Paul Simon song “Old Friends”) told Noise 11 that he is friends once again with Paul Simon, and that they had a wonderful reunion dinner … and yes, there were tears.

“We warmed up a friendship that had lapsed for years.  We ran into each other just recently. Paul Simon has an ex-wife who moved into the same place that I am living in. I saw their son Harper. Harper set up a dinner with Paul Simon and after years of estrangement I had a great time with Paul.”

Art says that there was a lot to discuss … and admits that he personally may be to blame for what happened. “We talked about how the years have hurt him. I must have hurt his feelings.  I said things to the English press knowing that it could be dodgy talking to the English press. I gambled that I would shake up the soft image of Simon & Garfunkel and that it would be a little spicy. I said things that might have hurt his feelings. Before I knew it, there were tears. I was crying. I moved my own self just to remember these days. There were hugs. It was a very warm experience to be with Paul. I don’t know where it will lead to now, but it satisfies my soul. You cannot go through life without resolving old friends. Life is love. We all love each other secretly and we must get to it before it’s too late.”

It just feels good knowing that after all that these two have gone through … and all of the joy and happiness that they have given us over the years … that they can wrap up their final chapter as friends again.  (kk)

From the BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Department, the Freddy Cannon /Svengoolie video is FINALLY available for viewing.  (It premiered last night … Saturday Night, November 8th … during the showing of "The Abominable Dr. Phibes" on Me-TV.)  Hoping it’ll drop next to YouTube … or show up on Me-TV’s website.

When we last talked with Freddy, he had yet to see it himself!  Rich Koz was still shooting cameos to edit into the clip …

And, thanks to Me-TV, here’s a look of who to look for ... and when:

00:03 Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon

00:05 Svengoolie

00:10 Joe Mantegna & Rick Baker

00:20 Doug Graves & Anita X. Orcist

00:23 George Thorogood

00:27 Dana Gould

00:52 The Sven Squad: Gwengoolie, Nostalgiaferatoo and IMP

00:57 Joe Bob Briggs & Darcy

01:02 Michael McKean & Annette O'Toole

01:11 Bill Mumy

01:16 Daniel Roebuck

01:19 Frank Conniff

01:25 Frank Ferrante

01:34 Gena Schock

01:48 Billy Gardell

01:56 Trace Beaulieu

02:12 Lisa Marie Varon

02:59 David Dastmalchian

And, speaking of Me-TV, be sure to tune in TONIGHT to see Katherine McCabe’s Monkees Collection on Collector’s Call (6:30 pm Eastern / 5:30 pm Central)

https://metv.com/lists/meet-katherine-mccabe-inside-the-collection

We’ve seen this one before … so be sure to check it out if you’re a Monkees fan!  (and who isn’t?!?!)  kk

The Rolling Stones and The Beatles are both nominated for Grammy Awards this year!  (WHAT?!?!?)  SIXTY Years later than their first appearances on the American charts ... AMAZING!!!

The Stones are up for Best Rock Album ("Hackney Diamonds") while The Beatles' so-called 'last single,' "Now And Then," was nominated for Record Of The Year (seriously?!?!) and Best Rock Performance.  (It IS an amazing video!)  Who could have EVER predicted?!?!  (kk)

Kent - 

Here's something a bit rare to share with your FH readers …

What I have to share with you is a DJ promo record of Peter and Gordon's Lennon-McCartney written song, I Don't Want To See You Again, which was recently on the charts of 60 years ago.  However, in this clip, Paul McCartney announces the song, and also offers a closing announcement. 

I remember back in 1964, hearing this particular version of the song on WBZ radio

in Boston.  Bruce Bradley especially played it on his evening shows.  I don't ever remember hearing this version of the song on competing top 40 station WMEX. 

So enjoy!

Sam Ward

I remember hearing this before a long time ago ... and I've got to say that this is an exceptionally clean copy.

Thanks for sharing, Sam!  (kk)

And, on another Beatles-related note, this weekend’s “It Was 50 Years Ago Today” concert at The Genesee Theatre has been cancelled.  Christopher Cross, Jason Scheff, Joey Molland and David Pack were scheduled to appear … but they pulled the plug before even plugging in.  Although no official reason was ever given to ticket holders, apparently both David Pack and Joey Molland took ill and were unable to perform.  (kk)

Author, journalist, music historian, and documentarian Harvey Kubernik makes his 6th visit to Coast to Coast AM with Host Rich Berra 

This live interview and broadcast will be with host Rich Berra on Friday night, November 15th at 10:00 PM (PST). Kubernik is the author of 20 books over his 50 year music journalism career.  

The program is syndicated to hundreds of radio stations in the U.S. and Canada by Premiere Networks reaching three million listeners. It’s America’s #1 Audio Company, reaching 9 out of 10 Americans every month.

Harvey and Richard will discuss classic and contemporary rock, Quincy Jones, album reissues, and music documentaries. Followed by Open Lines. 

KFI 640-AM is the Los Angeles California affiliate.

Listen Live Coast to Coast AM | Free Internet Radio | TuneIn

https://tunein.com/radio/Coast-to-Coast-AM-p35675

Listen Live at 

https://www.coasttocoastam.com/stations

The Billboard articles on possible faked Michael Jackson vocals are officially only open to paid $ub$cribers.

Here are "unlocked" versions:

Were Vocals on Michael Jackson’s Posthumous Album Faked? This Podcaster Set Out to Uncover the Truth

https://archive.ph/iSkmg

Michael Jackson Estate & Sony Settle Lawsuit Over Fake Vocals Controversy

https://archive.ph/XD7LT

-- Bob Frable

Interesting … they didn’t start out that way or I never would have posted them.  (Never saw much point in posting a link that nobody could visit and enjoy!!!)

That being said, I’ve noticed more and more video clips from YouTube no longer being available by the time they run on Forgotten Hits … and that’s a real shame.

But much of what you see in the way of 60 YEARS AGO TODAY was often written and pre-posted up to six months in advance … (sometimes, it's the only way to stay ahead of this thing!) ... and there’s just no way to forecast this sort of thing that far in advance.  (We’ve been fortunate in that we’ve usually been able to find substitute links that you can use to view this content … but unfortunately this isn’t always the case.)  kk

My buddy (and possibly yours?) of 40 years, Mike Markesich has had a radio station on weekends based mostly on garage and teen 45s of the mid and late 1960s.  It is on Saturday and Sunday 8-8 I think … you can hear it via the link below … but there's MORE!

https://live365.com/station/TeenBeat-Mayhem-Radio-a16370

He has written two incredible books on the subject of "Teenbeat Mayhem" that detail so much of the garage and pop scene in 45 form from those great years, 517 pages in all.  NOW, he is offering the books up in a FREE downloadable pdf form!  It will be a great reference to many … and many of you will see YOUR 45s in the pages as well!  Below is the story:

http://www.teenbeatmayhem.com/

Below is the download he is offering up free. 

What would he ask in return? 

He would like any updates on records he still does not know about.  IF you were in a band and had a 45 (even an acetate), he would enjoy knowing.  Give this download a chance if you don’t already have the books like I do.  It's an awesome time-consuming work of art!

Here is the entire Teenbeat Mayhem 45 list in pdf form.  Just an awesome thing.

TBM_Webversion_2024.pdf

Jeremy Allen White (of the popular hit television series “The Bear”) is playing The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, in a new biopic, due out next year.

(I wouldn’t have ever figured this one … but then again I never really saw John Cusak as Brian Wilson … and I STILL don’t!!!  lol)  Still, I’m told he’s very good in this … and Springsteen himself has been onset numerous times thus far.

LOTS of music biopics of late … and The Boss seems to have a whole lot going on recently … I’m sure this’ll be quite the hit at the box office.  (kk)

>>>Cuckoo Boy - Chuck has done it again with information that will come out of my mouth at an opportune time when a student asks me, "Why do I have to say O'Clock when you ask me the time?" TRIVIA ARE US! (Shelley)

Thanx, Shelley!
Part of my responsibilities here is to assist all us Forgotten Hitters to continue to be scintillating conversationalists whether at a Bar or a Party when doing one's best Imitatio
n of Cliff Clavin, the key words being "opportune time!"


 

 

 

CB  ( which stands for "Cheers Boy!" )

Also from Chuck ...

Hey, Kent!
Your recent SMILE piece put a smile on my face ...
So here is a Very Special Message from one of our "Old" Friends!
 

Kent,
Just want you to know you made my day by posting the Drifters' WHEN MY LITTLE GIRL IS SMILING. One of my all time favorites by them.
Larry

How is it even possible that Vanilla Fudge recorded enough material between 1967 and 1969 to offer up a 9-CD BOX SET of their complete Atco recordings?!?!

But that’s exactly what they’re doing!!!


A 9 CD BOXED SET (AVAILABLE NOW) FEATURING OF THE COMPLETE ATCO RECORDINGS BY VANILLA FUDGE MADE BETWEEN 1967 AND 1969. NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES.

INCLUDES THE ALBUMS ‘VANILLA FUDGE’ (mono & stereo versions), 'THE BEAT GOES ON’ (mono & stereo versions), ‘RENAISSANCE’, ‘NEAR THE BEGINNING’ AND ‘ROCK & ROLL’, ALONG WITH A 2CD LIVE RECORDING AT THE FILLMORE WEST IN 1969, SESSION OUT-TAKES AND RARE SINGLES.

WITH AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET WITH A NEW ESSAY FEATURING EXCLUSIVE BAND INTERVIEWS.

Featuring Mark Stein (vocals, organ), Vincent Martell (guitar, vocals), Tim Bogert (bass, vocals) and Carmine Appice (drums, vocals), the band were originally known as The Pigeons and gained notoriety thanks to their radical, slowed down and heavy interpretations of current hits. They signed to Atco Records, a division of Atlantic in April 1967 and changed their name at the insistence of Atlantic founder Ahmet Ertegun to Vanilla Fudge. Their radical cover version of The Supremes’ hit “You Keep Me Hanging On” was issued as a single in June 1967. Dominated by the hard-hitting approach of their rhythm section and the powerful Hammond organ playing of Mark Stein it became a US top 10 hit.

The band’s self-titled debut album was released in August 1967 and was a psychedelic rock tour-de-force, featuring a seven-minute version of ‘You Keep Me Hanging On’, it also featured imaginative cover versions of compositions by The Beatles, The Zombies and Curtis Mayfield among others. Over the next two years, VANILLA FUDGE would record a series of albums that would evolve from psychedelic rock to heavy rock and influence many emerging bands, among them Deep Purple, before disbanding in 1970.

This nine CD boxed set has been remastered from the original Atco tapes and features the albums ‘VANILLA FUDGE’ and ‘THE BEAT GOES ON’ (in both mono and stereo versions) and ‘RENAISSANCE’, ‘NEAR THE BEGINNING’ and ‘ROCK & ROLL’. It also features a complete concert recorded at the Fillmore West on New Year’s Eve 1968 / 1969 over two CDS and a host of session out-takes and singles.

The set also features an illustrated booklet with a new essay featuring exclusive interviews with Mark Stein and Carmine Appice.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE
Vanilla Fudge
The Mono album – Released August 1967
1 Ticket to Ride
2 People Get Ready
3 She’s Not There
4 Bang Bang
5 Illusions of My Childhood Part One
6 You Keep Me Hanging On
7 Illusions of My Childhood Part Two
8 Take Me for a Little While

9 Illusions of My Childhood Part Three
10 Eleanor Rigby
Bonus tracks
11 You Keep Me Hanging On (single version)
12 Illusions of My Childhood - Eleanor Rigby Part One (UK single 1967)
13 Eleanor Rigby Part Two (UK single 1967)

DISC TWO
Vanilla Fudge
The Stereo album – Released August 1967
1 Ticket to Ride
2 People Get Ready
3 She’s Not There
4 Bang Bang
5 Illusions of My Childhood Part One
6 You Keep Me Hanging On
7 Illusions of My Childhood Part Two
8 Take Me for a Little While

9 Illusions of My Childhood Part Three
10 Eleanor Rigby
Bonus tracks
11 Ticket to Ride (unissued single mix)
12 Take Me For a Little While (1967 single version)

DISC THREE
The Beat Goes On
The Mono album – Released February 1968 1 Sketch
2 Intro: The Beat Goes On

3 Eighteenth Century: Variations on a Theme by Mozart
4 Nineteenth Century: Old Black Joe
5 Don’t Fence Me In
6 12th Street Rag
7 In the Mood
8 Hound Dog
9 The Beatles: I Want to Hold Your Hand / I Feel Fine / Day Tripper / She Loves You / Hello Goodbye

10 The Beat Goes On
11 Beethoven: Fur Elise & Moonlight Sonata
12 The Beat Goes On
13 The Beat Goes On
14 Voices in Time
15 The Beat Goes On
16 Merchant / The Game is Over
17 The Beat Goes On
Bonus tracks
18 Where is My Mind
19 The Look of Love

DISC FOUR
The Beat Goes On
The Stereo album – Released February 1968
1 Sketch
2 Intro: The Beat Goes On
3 Eighteenth Century: Variations on a Theme by Mozart
4 Nineteenth Century: Old Black Joe
5 Don’t Fence Me In
6 12th Street Rag
7 In the Mood
8 Hound Dog
9 The Beatles: I Want to Hold Your Hand / I Feel Fine / Day Tripper / She Loves You / Hello Goodbye
10 The Beat Goes On
11 Beethoven: Fur Elise & Moonlight Sonata
12 The Beat Goes On
13 The Beat Goes On
14 Voices in Time
15 The Beat Goes On
16 Merchant / The Game is Over
17 The Beat Goes On
Bonus tracks
18 You Can’t Do That (recorded 1968)
19 Come by Day, Come by Night (B-side of single)

DISC FIVE
Renaissance
Released June 1968
1 The Sky Cried – When I Was a Boy
2 Thoughts
3 Paradise
4 That’s What Makes a Man a Man
5 The Spell That Comes After
6 Faceless People
7 Season of the Witch Bonus tracks
8 Take Me for a Little While (1968 single remix)

9 Season of the Witch – Part One (A-side of single)

10 Season of the Witch – Part Two (B-side of single)

11 Break Song (studio version)

DISC SIX
Live at The Fillmore West 1st January 1969
1 She’s Not There (live)
2 Shotgun (live)
3 People Get Ready (live)

4 You Keep Me Hanging On (live)
5 Season of the Witch (live)
6 Break Song (live)

DISC SEVEN
Live at The Fillmore West 1st January 1969
1 Good Good Lovin’ (live)
2 Ticket to Ride (live)
3 Medley: Moonlight Sonata / Fur Elise / Eleanor Rigby (live)
4 Take Me for a Little While (live)
5 Like a Rolling Stone (live)

DISC EIGHT
Near the Beginning Released February 1969
1 Shotgun
2 Some Velvet Morning
3 Where is Happiness
4 Break Song
Bonus tracks
5 Heartache Jam
6 Shotgun (single edit) (A- side of single)
7 Good Good Livin’ (B-side of single)
8 People (B-side of single)
9 Some Velvet Morning (short version)
10 Good Good Livin’ (unedited version)
11 Love Jam

DISC NINE
Rock & Roll
Released September 1969
1 Need Love
2 Lord in the Country
3 I Can’t Make It Alone
4 Street Walking Woman
5 The Church Bells of St. Martins
6 The Windmills of Your Mind

7 If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
Bonus tracks
8 Movin’ On
9 Studio Jam
10 All in Your Mind
11 Need Love (mono single version)
12 I Can’t Make It Alone (single version)
13 Lord in the Country (single version)

More great shots from Jim Roup ...

Joni Mitchell and Johnny Rivers had birthdays on November 7th.

Also Happy Birthday to Bonnie Raitt on November 8th. 

One of these photos captures Peter Asher with Bonnie at The House of Blues and another gives us a glimpse of Bonnie at a Hollywood Play opening. 

A little trivia: Johnny Rivers' brother went to myJunior High School, as did Bonnie!.

Jim

Billboard Magazine is reporting that after his death last weekend, Quincy Jones' catalog is up over 1200% in streaming!

Leading the pack are "Just Once," his collaboration with James Ingram, followed by "Soul Bossa Nova," "We Are The World," Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" and selections from the Michael Jackson albums "Off The Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad."  (Also being Halloween week, Jackson's "Thriller" WAS off the wall in the way of streams last week

Just a quick reminder to cast your votes for your all-time favorites in Rewound Radio's annual quest to rank the best oldies of all time!  (kk)

https://musicradio77.com/voting2024.html

Kent, 

You were mentioning what radio stations did in the past when one was changing format. I remember in August of 1958 my parents and I were on vacation heading out to California. We were in the state of Arizona and my parents started channel surfing on the radio. They found a station playing TEQUILA by the Champs. I said to stop because I was familiar with that record and figured the station had to be a rock and roll station. Well, when the record ended, the station played it again, then again and again. Needless to say, my parents switched stations. Didn't know at the time why the station was playing the same song over and over but of course now I know.

On another related matter, back in 1960, a local DJ sat in a department store's window from 6 PM Friday until 12 Midnight Sunday listening to the same record over and over again without going to sleep. The record was Bobby Hendrick's PSYCHO.

Larry

Another famous one here in Chicago was when the All-Disco Station, WDAI, signed off the air before switching over to a more Rock / Top 40 mix (and then oldies format.)  They signed off by playing “Last Dance” by Donna Summer for 24 hours straight.  That was some 45 years ago already!  (kk)

Are you still listening to Sam Tallerico’s Forgotten Hits Super Chart Show?  (You SHOULD be!!!)

I guess we’ve now been cut back to just once a month (you know, that whole “too much of a good thing” business) … we were EVERY week … then every OTHER week … and now I guess he’s only featuring selections once a month (which is kinda like “once in a while!!!”)  The next NEW show isn’t due to air until after Thanksgiving.

But I digress.

This past week’s show was a little heavy on obscurities in my opinion … but that being said, I discovered two “brand new” oldies that I had never heard before and just HAD to have them.  (Rarely does one of Sam's programs go by where I don’t end up seeking out and downloading something that I first discovered on Sammy’s show.  Our musical tastes seem to run VERY similar … and I’ve lost count already as to how much GREAT new music he’s introduced me to over the years.)  Listen via the link below and see if you don’t agree … and then let us know what you think!

First up was “Goodbye Girl” by Ritchie Dean, a record that never even made The Top 100 on ANY of the national charts, despite being released on at LEAST three different record labels at the time   Speaking of which,

What were we thinking at the time?!?!

This is a GREAT record … an absolutely “should have been a hit” tune.

A short while later, he played “If You Want This Love” by Sonny Knight, a record that peaked at #71 60 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.  Another GREAT tune! 

You can hear them both on his October 31st show ... which you can check out (along with many others) here:  https://www.mixcloud.com/LAFOS/

Clark Besch here, wishing Ron Riley a VERY Happy 90th Birthday!

Kent, sending a Happy Birthday message to the GREAT "Ringo Rapid Roadrunner RR!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RON RILEY -- 


90 TODAY!

and memories of BRUCE LOVELY IN THE 60S'S ...


BRUCE LOVELY TODAY still on the window sill:

 

Bruce still claims:

"RON RILEY is STILL a PHYNQUE!"

Well, we’re certainly all onboard with this one!!!  One of MY favorite jocks growing up here in Chicago during The Top 40 Era (and I know he was one of YOURS as well!)

Happy Birthday, Ron!!!  (kk)

Look for a Ron Riley film documentary in the months to come ...

And look for another VERY Special Birthday Celebration tomorrow in Forgotten Hits!  (kk)

 

60 YEARS AGO TODAY:

11/10/64 – Jimmie Dodd of The Mickey Mouse Club died of lung cancer


Also on 11/10, The Jet Set, a folk group who have started adding more rock elements into their music, sign a contract with Columbia Records.  About two weeks later (on Thanksgiving Day), they decide (during Thanksgiving Dinner) to change the name of their group to The Byrds.