Sunday, March 16, 2025

The Sunday Comments ( 03 - 16 - 25 )

Congratulations to Pam Pulice, who tells us …

IT'S HAPPENING!  After eleven years of production and fundraising, the Dick Biondi film is fully licensed and ready for distribution!  

March 14, 2025, marks eleven years to the day I called Dick at WLS-FM to ask if I could tell his story and he said YES! As you can imagine, I am pinching myself! 

It's been a journey I couldn't have imagined! Many ups and downs, personal and professional growth, and a dream come true. I believe the key to our success is a strong grassroots community of radio and music enthusiasts who sprang up to support this film. People who treasure the DJ who brought so much joy and fun for over six generations.  People who understand that without the passion, and the position of one caring radio man, many artists and groups would not have had the success they enjoyed. Artists like Tony Orlando, Frankie Valli and Frankie Avalon. Groups like Chicago, the Buckinghams, the Ides of March, the Shadows of Knight, the Cryan’ Shames and the New Colony 6 - all who thank Dick in the film.

If you live in the Chicago area, I invite you to celebrate this milestone with us. Enjoy a delicious Italian dinner and see Dick's life portrayed in this remarkable documentary featuring interviews with famous people that have met, worked with and loved Biondi throughout his career.

Many thanks to the folks at Donny G's, Vito D'Ambrosio, and the Italian American Executives of Transportation (IAET) for hosting this very special evening. Thanks to all who show your love and appreciation by supporting our mission. I thank my lucky stars every day for you. 

Pam


Dinner & a Movie at Donny G's and IAET in Elmwood Park

Tuesday, March 18, 2025
6:00 pm cocktail hour/ cash bar
6:30 pm dinner which includes Fried Calamari, Salad, Eight Finger with Vodka Sauce, and Chicken Francese.
7:30 pm movie
8:45pm  Q & A with Director Pamela Enzweiler-Pulice
COMPLIMENTARY VALET

$45.00 
For reservations call (708)456-3644 or visit donnygsristorante.com
- be sure to mention the film when booking.

RESERVATIONS

And, speaking of GREAT Chicago DJ's ...

Fred Winston on the Rewound Radio DJ Hall of Fame

One of the most recognized names in Chicago Top 40 Radio is Fred Winston.  Fred is best known for his on-air stints at “The Big 89” WLS, but he has also worked at a number of well known radio stations that have made their marks in radio history.  Fred hosted a variety of formats, with one of the biggest surprises being that he was the afternoon man for a short time at WMAQ, during its Country Music days.

Fred will be celebrating his birthday on March 30th, and as a salute to his achievements, RewoundRadio.com is featuring this talent with a two-part special on the DJ Hall of Fame.  Tune in Saturday, March 22nd and 29th at 12n ET/11am CT for this trip back to the early years of this man’s amazing talent.  Week #1 will feature recordings of Fred from his tenure at WING Dayton, WKYC Cleveland, KQV Pittsburg, and naturally, WLS in Chicago.  Week #2 will include music radio shows from WMAQ, 103.5 WFYR, WCFL, WLS, WPNT-The Point, and Oldies 104.3 WJMK. 

This special audio event is hosted by our good friend Chuck Buell.  During this six-hour music and entertainment throwback, you will hear memories shared by some of his long time friends, including Kris Erik Stevens, Chuck Knapp, Tommy Edwards, Lyle Dean, Catherine Johns, and so many more.

Turn your mobile device into a transistor radio by logging into RewoundRadio.com, or search Rewound Radio on I-Heart, TuneIn or Alexa.  Be prepared because after traveling back in your radio time machine, you may need someone to wake you out of your trance and bring you back to reality. 

Special thanks to Technical Director Bill Shannon, and our host Chuck Buell, plus so many more great people to help make this show a reality.

Ted Gorden Smucker

Timmy sent us this vintage chart from 1969 ...

A few surprises here ... as well as a few songs that didn't make much of a dent in OUR national charts ... which makes me wonder Where Is The Chart From??? (kk)

What's half of our usual Sweet Sixteen?

How about this Great Eight ...

Eight surprising songs from this list that you just don't hear anymore!  (kk)

I guess we can add Dave Mason to our Sick Bay list ...

He has cancelled the next three months of appearances and checked himself into the hospital to take care of a "serious medical issue."  (No further explanation was given)

Wishing a speedy recovery to Dave, who also had emergency heart valve surgery last November.  (kk) 

And we can add Frank Beard, drummer for ZZ Top, to this list as well.  Yesterday, the band released a statement that said:

ZZ Top’s drummer, Mr. Frank Beard, has temporarily stepped away from the current tour to attend a health issue requiring his focus in the near term.  He is looking forward to a speedy recovery.

Kent, 

Posting that video of OLD MacDONALD, started me to thinking how many times that song has been recorded through the years. Let's see, there was Frank Sinatra, the Chargers, the Orlandos, the Isley Brothers. But I guess my favorite is the one in which the title is E-I-E-I-O, recorded by Jimmy Jones in 1960. Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. And on this farm lived daughter Sue, E-I-E-I-O

Larry

Hmm … I don’t know that one … but checking my trusty Joel Whitburn Comparison Chart Book, I see that it “bubbled under” in all three of the major trades … hitting #102 in Billboard, #110 in Music Vendor and #117 in Cash Box.

The actual title was shown as “Ee-I Ee-I Oh! (Sue MacDonald)”

Never made it to MY ears … so of COURSE I had to go out and find it!!!

Here it is … so others can enjoy … or cringe … right along with me!  (kk)

Happy 92nd birthday 🎂!!! to songwriter Mike Stoller, seen here with wife musician Corky Hale and singer Freda Payne at Chasen's also Birthday 🎂!!greetings to Liza Minnelli checking out The Roxbury Club on Sunset Strip.



Howdy Kent!
I also wanted to wish a Happy Birthday 🍰🎂! to Sir Michael Caine who turned 92 on March 14. Shirley MacLaine said he played Beatles records all the time when they did a movie together.