Believe it or not, there's still lots of talk about our Bubblegum Countdown from last
week’s “Those Were The Days” show hosted by Phil Nee on WRCO.
In fact, FH Reader Sam Ward has posted a link (valid for the
next 30 days) where you can download the entire show and either listen to it
again, listen to it for the first time if you missed it, or save it for all
posterity!
But you’ve got to hurry …
It’s only going to be valid for the next 30 days!(kk)
On a bubblegum related topic, I'm wondering if anyone has
the complete set of lyrics to Life Is A Rock But The Radio Rolled Me by
Reunion, or really Joey Levine. Most copies of the lyrics to this song
that I have found, end with Freddie King and Albert King “And B.B. King and
frolicking ... “
However, the lyrics continue until the song fades out, and
I wonder if a complete set of lyrics exists somewhere?
Take care, and keep up the GREAT work,
Sam Ward
Way back when this song came out and went to #1 here in
Chicago I remember one of the major radio stations here in town printing the
lyrics on the back of one of their weekly Top 40 surveys … I’ll have to see if
I can find a copy.(The lyrics go by lightning
fast … kinda like “We Didn’t Start The Fire.”)kk Like so
many other printings of the lyrics of that song, the lyrics probably end with
"B.B. King and frolicking ...'
I suppose the only way to get those missing lyrics is to
contact Joey Levine himself, and that's assuming he would even remember them
after all these years.
Anyway, you're right, the lyrics for both Life Is A Rock and We Didn't Start
The Fire by Billy Joel move along pretty quickly, so you've really got to be
paying attention to catch them all, at least that's what you had to do before
the net came along.
Thinking about the #1 song on that Bubblegum countdown made me think of the
first song called Sugar Sugar, which probably never charted nationally,
although the song may have charted on some local RNB charts back in 1956.
That year, the Cadillacs recorded a totally different song
called Sugar Sugar. There are so many songs like that. Another
example is, of course, Stairway To Heaven, and probably 99 out of 100 people
wouldn't even know that Neil Sedaka recorded a song with the same title as the
Led Zeppelin song which was a much bigger hit.
All the best,
Sam Ward
The “BB King” lyric stopping point you’re referring to
probably occurs on the hit single version of the song … but for the past twenty
years or so, an “extended fade” version now seems to be the one you’re most
likely to hear these days … and, believe it or not, I found the lyrics for THAT
version, too.
And, better still, you can cross-reference them with this
“vocals only” mix of the song that I found and posted below!!!(How’s
THAT for “at your service” Forgotten Hitting?!?!)
We have been building a list of songs whose titles are
exactly the same yet represent COMPLETELY different songs.I still say this feature would make for GREAT
weekend programming … but it takes a bit of a commitment ... and a WHOLE lot of
flexibility to stray from your normal format to truly embrace this project.(I swear you could do an entire weekend of
nothing but these!!!)Sooner or later
we’ll find a station willing to step outside the box for sixty hours and give
it a shot.I can only promise you that
your listeners will be spellbound and fixated on nothing else that entire
weekend!(kk)
LIFE IS A ROCKTop
of Form
Bottom of Form
B.B. Bumble and the Stingers, Mott the Hoople, Ray Charles
Singers,
Lonnie Mack and twangin' Eddy, Here's my ring, we're goin'
steady,
Take it easy, take me higher, Liar liar, house on fire
Rock it, sock it, Alan Freed, me, Murray Kaufman, try to
leave me
"Fish" and "Swim" and "Boston
Monkey", Make it bad and play it funky
(Wanna take you higher)
Freddie King and Albert King, B.B. King and frolicking
Get it on and Nat Gerardi, Pappalardi, Hale and Hearty, yeah
(Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music)
There's a perfect, more than human, Gentle words of Randy
Newman
One, two, three, so long, Sophie, Anita, Freda, Aretha
(Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music)
Tito Puente, Boffalongo, Cuba, War, and even Mongo
Peter Dial, Alex Hood, And Boogie Brass, woo!
(Baby, everything is alright)
California, Beatlemania, New York City, Transylvania
S&G, T and C, Bobby Vee And SRO, yeah ...
(Uptight … everything is alright)
TRUE CONFESSION: Until I saw these printed lyrics, I never knew that The Ides Of March were mentioned in this Top Ten Hit!!!
Interesting how Jim Peterik used a similar name-dropping technique when he and The Ides recorded "One Hit Wonder" a few decades later! (And even touted his own band in the lyrics!)
And Timmy sent us this official letter from Don Kirshner,
announcing The Archies!(Pretty
cool!Thanks, Timmy!)
I guess Donny learned his lesson after being fired by The
Monkees …
And, on a drive out to the airport last week, we spotted THIS license plate ...
Naturally, I had to let Tommy Roe know right away! (lol) kk
Nice ...
Guess I’m kind of like Santa Claus ... He’s everywhere, He’s
everywhere!!!🎅 Glad your Bubble Gum show went well and that I could
contribute, Kent ... I hope you’re doing well.
Keep on Rockin’
Tommy
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
10/21/64 – The film version of "My Fair Lady" starring
Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn premieres in New York City.It will go on to win the Academy Award for
Best Picture in 1965
Have you seen the trailer yet for the new Bob Dylan bio-pic
“A Complete Unknown?”
Definitely looks interesting enough to check it out!
It opens in theaters on Christmas Day. (kk)
Damn!Frankie Valli
was just here this past weekend and he’s already coming back in March as his
Farewell Tour continues until Frankie reaches the age of 100!It’s just unreal!(kk)
In other Farewell Tour news, Shelley sends us this …
(I think we all knew it was
coming!)
Bowzer’s Rock ‘N’ Doo-Wop Party Volume 23: The Final Chapter
at Mohegan
Sun Arena
Sunday,
January 19th, 2025, 3:00 pm
Starring:
Chubby Checker & The
Wildcats (“The Twist”)
Gary “U.S.” Bonds (“Quarter to
Three”)
Jay Siegel’s Tokens (“The Lion
Sleeps Tonight”)
Peggy March (“I Will Follow
Him”)
The Dubs (“Could This Be Magic”)
Lala Brooks, Original Lead
Singer of The Crystals (“Da Doo Ro Ron”)
9/11 Firefighter Frank Pizarro
with The Music of The Platters
Bowzer & The Stingrays
Featuring Johnny Contardo
Rocky & The Rollers
And, in perhaps the ULTIMATE Farewell Tour news, The Eagles have extended their stay at The Sphere in Las
Vegas into March of next year now.(Will
it ever really end???)
What’s amazing to me was that when the band first announced
their farewell tour, they figured they’ be saying goodbye for at least two
years in order to play before all of the fans around the world who would want
to see them one last time …
But how on earth were six months’ of weekend dates budgeted
into this plan in advance?
They’ll literally be playing Vegas for six months’ worth of
weekends … and that’s assuming that their residency there isn’t extended yet
again.
Unreal!(Everybody sing that old Shari Lewis theme song, "This Is The Song That Never Ends ... It Just Goes On And On My Friends!") kk
The Who have now become the SIXTH band to be honored with
British postal stamps. (They follow The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Rolling
Stones and Iron Maiden.)David Bowie was
also awarded with his own series of collectible stamps in 2017.
And, speaking of Queen, could new music be on the way?
That’s the latest rumor.
If so, it’ll be their first release of new material since 2008’s
“The Cosmos Rocks,” featuring then lead singer Paul Rodgers.This would be the first complete project to
feature former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert, who has already been the
group’s lead singer for the past thirteen years!!! (kk)
Tom Cuddy sends us this news flash …
East Orange street renamed in honor
of music legend Dionne Warwick
North Arlington Avenue will be
renamed in honor of the 83-year-old New Jersey native.
Dionne Warwick was officially inducted into The Rock And Roll
Hall Of Fame last night. (kk)
I guess I'm not going to hear
that X-ray ...
Even though Green Day isn't a
band that typically gets mentioned in Forgotten Hits, I wanted to mention a
terrific promotion that the group just finished.
In honor of the 30th anniversary
of their "Dookie" album, the group released each track in a different
"de-mastered" format, where sound quality wasn't the focus. For
example, one song was released on a Game Boy cartridge. Another was released on
a talking toothbrush. One song was released on a doorbell. One was released on
an X-ray. [Note: I had no idea that X-ray recordings were even a thing until I
read about them online - I learned something new!]
Green Day launched a contest
where people could enter to win a chance to BUY the songs. In the interest of
fairness, people could enter to buy as many songs as they wanted (cost varied
per song) but no matter what, nobody could win more than one song. Helping to add
to the excitement, each song was released in very, very limited quantities,
making each one a collector's item for music geeks like me.
As I alluded to above, sound
quality was not important - instead, this promotion was a great way for people
to get something rare and unique to add to their music collection, and for the
band to celebrate a classic album.
I hope some of our favorite
oldies artists will find their own ways to connect fans with fans through
unique collectibles like this. I would certainly be willing to part with some
hard-earned cash (within reason) to obtain a limited-edition keepsake. I'm sure
people at the bank will understand if the mortgage payment is late, as long as
I was able to buy something cool.
My wife, by the way, is relieved
that I didn't end up spending $50 on a toothbrush, and I'm glad I won't have to
sleep in the garage as a result.
PS:You brought up the lyrics to Alice Cooper's
"School's Out" the other day and mentioned that you hoped he did not
censor the lyrics. I saw him in concert a couple months ago. Not only was he
freaking fantastic, but he kept all lyrics intact. I would 100% recommend
seeing him play live if you get the chance. His stage show is full of awesome
effects - his showmanship is top notch - and he still sounds incredible.
Colin Donahue
I’ve seen Alice Cooper exactly one time … and the only
reason I went was because Burton Cummings was the opening act!(lol)
Burton had just launched his solo career … and this has to
be one of the oddest pairings EVER for a rock concert double bill … you
couldn’t find two more opposite headliners!
But, I have to admit that Cooper put on one hell of a show
back then (this had to be 1976 or 1977) … and it’s great that he’s still
knockin’ ‘em dead some 47 years later.
I’m not sure I was advocating Alice NOT changing the lyrics
to “School’s Out” in light of their context in today’s society where school
shootings and bomb threats seem to have become if not a way of life, certainly
an on-going concern.I would hate to
think that two years from now some kid will attempt to justify his actions in
court by saying “I heard it in an Alice Cooper song.” (kk)
Stephen Bishop is the latest artist to call an end to
touring.
In an official post earlier this week, he announced:
After much thought, I’ve decided to officially retire from
touring.
It's been an incredible 50-year journey, starting with my first
performance in 1970 and ending in 2020. I know many of you were hoping for the
postponed dates to be rescheduled after the COVID-19 pandemic, and while I
won’t be hitting the road again, I’m excited to make it up to you with a
virtual concert in the near future.
I can’t express enough how grateful I am for your
unwavering support through the years. I’ve read every comment, email, and
message, and your kindness has meant the world to me. I'm extremely grateful to
my long time booking agent and good friend, Shaun Hague, who has been with me
for many years now, he's the best agent I've ever worked with.
Thankfully, health wise, I’m feeling fantastic — I walk a
few miles every day in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains of Colorado and have never
felt better!
I’m also thrilled to share that I’ll be releasing a
brand-new single, “In The Limelight,” on my birthday this year, November 14th!
More new songs are on the way in 2025, as I’ve been writing regularly. On top
of that, my wife and I are working hard on opening a music venue, we will be
calling it “Bish’s Hideaway.” Once it's ready, I’d love to invite you all to
come experience it or even perform there if you are a musician!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to my
team and me at info@stephenbishop.com.
Love and Sunshine,
Stephen
Stephen has also announced that he is now signing
merchandise with all of the proceeds going to two of his favorite charities …
In the past year, I’ve received numerous unsolicited items
from fans sent to my office and my business manager’s office for
signatures.
While I appreciate the support, the volume has become
overwhelming.
Up until now, I have not signed any items that weren’t
available through my website, but I’ve decided to start offering this
service, as I’ve seen other artists do the same. I'm donating all the
proceeds to MusiCares and the animal rescues from which my family and I
rescued our pets.
Meanwhile, Paula Abdul is
recovering from the unspecified injuries she suffered, causing her to cancel
her scheduled tour.
“I’m recovering well. I have
already had one procedure done,” she told “Us Weekly” at the Dancers Against
Cancers’ 10th Annual Gala of Stars Awards last week.
“I have one more to go, but
I’m guaranteed eight weeks I’ll be Humpty Dumpty back together again.”
Abdul had been performing as
the opening act for New Kids on the Block’s “The Magic Summer 2024” Tour in
North America. She was then expected to take her “Straight Up!” tour to Canada
in September, but cancelled several weeks beforehand, telling fans on social
media about “some injuries I’ve recently sustained.” She added that “in an
effort to keep going, I’ve received targeted injections that will allow me
temporary relief, but the demands of an entire tour is a different story.” She also
revealed that doctors had advised her that “one of my injuries requires a minor
procedure followed by a 6-8 week recovery time.”
(During one of her recent US
shows, she was given oxygen mid-way through performing a song.)
She also told “Us Weekly”
that “of course I plan to tour again.I
had the best time just coming off this tour and there’s still the rest of the
world to see and to be able to perform in front of.”
In the meantime, no new or
rescheduled dates have been announced.(kk)
After reading last Friday's piece about the Cowsills
"Global," I asked former Atlantic A&R guy Marc Nathan if he'd
seen it yet.
He showed me this piece from Best Classic Bands that covers
the same story:
Yes, in this day and age, we pretty much all get the same
news releases as they pertain to the vintage acts we prefer to cover in our
publications.I have ALWAYS been a big
Cowsills fan … and have already preordered their new, upcoming album (as well
as the tracks that are currently available to download now.)
Here in Forgotten Hits, we do a little bit more than just
PRESENT the news …
For the most part, we absorb and listen to it as well, to
determine who is still out there making music worthy of enjoyment by their
life-long fans.And to this degree, The
Cowsills most definitely qualify.I just
LOVE seeing them in concert … more so at their solo shows than at their very
abbreviated appearances as part of The Happy Together Tour.It just doesn’t do them justice (and leaves
the audience craving more!)kk
Kent!
My life has been hectic as of
late and so it goes. I haven’t had the chance to write in in a long, long
time.
But I wanted to let you know
that my latest hobby/obsession has been "The Band."I live and breathe "The Band,"
24/7.
We recently saw a tribute band
called, The THE BAND Band in NJ, who did a tribute to the infamous
"Last Waltz" rockumentary movie and then another gig where they did
some of their greatest hits in another show in PA. I loved every
minute. As a tribute band they rocked. I've read five biographical
books so far. I was quite astounded when I read these books and was very
intrigued. Some good and some not so good ... but never dull.
Gone, too soon. I loved them all.
I just wanted to keep the music
alive by bringing this to your attention. And to boot, here's the
classic and famous album cover The Brown Album. And yes, I was fortunate
enough in their heyday to see them twice in concert. And to me they are
very much alive through their music.
Thank you and best
wishes.
Sandra Lorenz
Hi Sandy!Good to
hear from you!(You’re right, it HAS
been a long, long time!)
I don’t know if this is one of the books you’ve read or not,
but let me throw in a quick plug for our buddy Harvey Kubernik’s book, “The
Story of The Band: From Big Pink to The Last Waltz,” available thru Amazon.com
…
I thought that this book might be out of print now because Amazon is showing
a used copy in very good condition available ... but Harvey assures me that there are still new copies available.
Harvey is quite proud of the hand-written note he received from Robbie Robertson after the completion of his book ...
Speaking of The Band, Martin Scorsese has announced that he’ll
be directing the filmed version of the recently completed Robbie Robertson
Tribute Concert.
It’s kind of a fitting tribute.Scorsese directed The Band’s legendary concert
film “The Last Waltz,” which documented the last concert that
singer-songwriter-guitarist Robertson did with his group the Band in 1976.(Robertson and Scorses worked together on
several other film projects over the years.)
“Life Is A Carnival: A Musical Celebration Of Robbie
Robertson” took place last Thursday Night (October 17th) at The Kia
Forum in Los Angeles and featured performances by Trey Anastasio, Eric Church,
Eric Clapton, Warren Haynes, Bruce Hornsby, Jim James, Daniel Lanois, Taj
Mahal, Van Morrison, Margo Price, Robert Randolph, Nathaniel Rateliff, Allison
Russell, Mavis Staples, Bobby Weir and Lucinda Williams.These artists were backed by a house band that
included Ryan Bingham, Jamey Johnson, Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench of Tom
Petty and the Heartbreakers, Don Was, John Medeski, Dave Malone, Terence
Higgins, Cyril Neville, Mark Mullins and the Levee Horns.
There is no official word yet as to when this film may see
its release date.
(Scorsese also produced the new, upcoming Beatles 1964
Documentary airing on Disney+ the day after Thanksgiving this year.)
Glad you’re so passionate about their music.Former Buckingham Marty Grebb played in a
Band tribute band for years … never got the chance to see them but I heard they
were quite good.Marty’s gone now and we
miss him.(kk)
I wound up going to that Robbie Robertson tribute last night. Holy shit!
What a fun show. Van Morrison was absolutely fucking mind blowing!!!
Nathaniel Rateliff also blew my mind. And Warren was his usual amazing
Warren self and then some. What a fun night. Over five hours.
Ardas Khalsa
Why didn't Dylan show up for Robbie's tribute?
Timmy
Sounds like a perfectly reasonable and logical question to me ... I have NO idea ...
You think that would have been a natural!
They filmed the for a Martin Scorsese theatrical release ... which should be something ...
At least the rest of us will get to see the musical highlights ... (as determined by somebody else! Lol) kk
Here's a very nice profile of Colin Hay, leader of Men At
Work in the ‘80’s … and now performing as a solo artist (as well as part of
Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band) …
While not always ranked very high on the Critics’ Favorites List,
“Goat’s Head Soup” has always been one of my favorite Rolling Stones albums …
and not just because I won a free copy thanks to an Elvis Trivia Contest in the
newspaper!(lol)
In fact, I just listened to it again last week in the car,
along with the bonus disc that came out a few years ago.
Anyway, here Harvey Kubernik looks back affectionately on
the LP, too, leaving no Stone … or at least a COUPLE of Stones … unturned …
For the most part, we have
steered clear of the how Sean Combs / Puff Daddy / P Diddy craziness that seems
to be occupying most of the music news headlines these days.(Without question, there are some VERY
serious charges against the music mogul … and odds are he will spend the rest
of his life behind bars … I certainly cannot sympathize with all that he has
brought upon himself … and still can’t in any way, shape or form justify or
understand in my own mind HOW on earth he came upon THIS much money over the
course of his career to do all of the things he’s reportedly done.)
This is going to be a VERY
big case … and some VERY high-profile names are going to brought in for
questioning and to testify at the upcoming trial, which is now scheduled to
begin in May of next year.Diddy himself
says that he absolutely wants to testify in his own defense … and I am anxious
to see and hear just how he plans to go about defending and justifying his
actions.When all the dust has settled,
we may just find that THIS has been to story and the trial of the century.(kk)
From Jim Roup ...
Happy 89th birthday to Sam Moore, seen
here at The Century Plaza Hotel where the 1993 Rock and Roll Hall Of
Fame Awards was going on in Century City. A few seconds later I caught k.d.
Lang and Barbara Orbison walking by.
Jim Roup
And Happy 89th birthday to Barry McGuire ... seen here at The John Phillips Memorial Concert at The Roxy in Hollywood.
We haven't heard from Barry in awhile ...
He used to chime in from time to time in Forgotten Hits.
Happy Birthday! (kk)
Here's a cool little factoid sent in by Timmy ...
And a couple of other cool pics, too, that Timmy sent in!
Here's Jimi with Nes ...
And if that's Yoko Ono screaming, in this picture, I'd say EVERYBODY's done for!!! (Especially Spock with his mega-sized ears!!!) kk
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
10/20/64 – Current Vice President Kamala Harris is born
In another two weeks we'll either be referring to her as "Former Vice President Kamala Harris" or "Brand New President Elect Kamala Harris!"
Also on 10/20, Former US President Herbert Hoover dies.
Hoover was the 31st President Of The United States and was 90 years
old when he died.Only John Adams,
Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter lived longer.
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