And we're celebrating with one of Forgotten Hits' Favorite On Air Radio Personalities!
Today is National Radio Day, a
day set to recognize and acknowledge the invention of the radio and the value
it’s had in our lives and around the world.
And for all of us who were once on the Radio ~~~
And without radio, Kent wouldn't have his "Forgotten Hits" blog! There wouldn't even be Hits to Forget!!
Now here's a Fun Historical Radio Story! ( With a little added text by me! )
Once upon a time, there was a French-inspired “RadioFrigo,” a unique mid-1950s kitchen appliance that
featured a pre-transistor vacuum-tube radio built directly into the refrigerator door allowing kitchen time to also be radio time to listen to news and music while heating up those Classic Swanson's TV Dinners and creating other Family Radio culinary delights (True )
But the radio's vacuum tubes generated
internal heat that worked against the refrigeration cycle and combining two such
appliances created a single point of failure where either a broken radio or broken refrigerator meant servicing the whole unit. ( Also True )
Fast Forward some years later to a common scene in 1960s radio households across the country ~~~
(Forgotten Hitters had to wait for the tubes in some radios to warm up!)
And spin ahead even more to today, a good day to invite you to tune in to the way Radio was once as Rewound Radio presents its Fifth Labor Day Weekend Special spotlighting the Great Rockin' Radio Days of the 1960s, the 1970s and the Early 1980s!
Three big, non-stop days of those memorable years of both WLS and WCFL in
Chicago just as they were heard then from Original, Vintage Recordings
that have been meticulously restored to their best audio fidelity! An
amazingly wide variety of individual and Original Historical Radio Hours
that'll sound remarkably "Live!"
These
are Full, Hour-Long Hours, complete with all the Music, the Radio
Station Jingles, the Commercials and the On-Air Radio Personalities who
brought it all to the listeners of the day exactly as it sounded then!
You'll find a Promotional Announcement posted below with all the details that I was asked to voice leading up to this Event.
It
all begins on Rewound Radio Saturday Morning, September 5th, at 6 AM
Eastern Time and will air well past Midnight, Labor Day Monday, September 7th!
Just go to http://rewoundradio.com/ and you'll be all set!
You can even ask Alexa to play it for you by simply telling her, "Alexa, play Rewound Radio."
Yes, I'll be there, too, as Rewound Radio recalls a couple of my Vintage WLS Chicago Radio Hours!
If
the last four years are any indication, I think you'll enjoy this
Special "Rewound Radio's Labor Day Weekend 2026" Presentation!
Yours, In the Air Everywhere,
THURSDAY THIS AND THAT:
It was the saddest news to hear that Frank Beard, drummer
for ZZ Top for the past 56 years, passed away on Monday (8/17) – especially
after just hearing a week ago that he was sitting out their new tour for health reasons. (I don't know that ANYONE knew he was this ill.)
The official word released by the band said that Beard was
in hospice care when he passed away at his ranch in Richmond, TX, with family
members at his side.
Frank joined ZZ Top in 1969, and been a member ever since. Ironically, he was the only member of the
power-boogie trio that captivated the music charts for decades NOT to have a
beard … Billy Gibbons’ and Dusty Hill’s facial hair helped to define the band …
EVERYBODY knew about that hot little ol’ band from Texas! (We lost Dusty in 2021) That leaves Gibbons as the last man
standing. (kk)
Much more here: https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/frank-beard-dead-zz-top-drummer-1236319162/?bt_ee=9FYmlg0tT34XyCg8RIcV3lVNuoK4ZxSkBQGEyFZ%2Bx2LF%2FJSn5dtYfxMeWH5mvyni&bt_ts=1787085432202
Frannie and me with ZZ Top after their show at The
Genesee Theatre here in Waukegan
The ZZ TOP Hit List:
|
|
YEAR
|
TITLE
|
NATIONAL PEAK
|
|
1974
|
La Grange
|
24
|
|
1975
|
Tush
|
12
|
|
1980
|
I Thank You
|
34
|
|
1983
|
Gimme All Your
Lovin'
|
37
|
|
1984
|
Legs
|
5
|
|
1985
|
Sleeping Bag
|
7
|
|
1986
|
Stages
|
15
|
|
1986
|
Rough Boy
|
18
|
|
1986
|
Velcro Fly
|
26
|
|
1992
|
Viva Las Vegas
|
49
|
|
|
Ray Stevens has had his share of medical issues over the
past several years … but it looks like The Country Music Association is
planning a show and ceremony to honor his incredible career.
The Grand Ole Opry House on November 9th is the
place to be … as Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Stevens gets the royal
treatment during what’s being billed as the “Don’t Look, Ethel! A Salute to the
Musical Genius of Ray Stevens” event.
Comedian Cledus T. Judd will host and perform during the
event, which will also feature performances from Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie
Milsap, Jamey Johnson, Gretchen Wilson, Mark Chesnutt, The
Gatlin Brothers, Lee Greenwood, Collin Raye, Darryl
Worley, Dailey & Vincent, Mark Wills, Billy Dean, Jeff
Bates and Deborah Allen.
Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis will also make a
special appearance, while Nancy Jones, widow of the late country music icon
George Jones, will make remarks, as will WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King”
Lawler and WWE luminary Mickie James. Nashville band Sixwire will be the
evening’s house band.
Presale tickets for the event will be available via AXS,
with the pre-sale code RAY26, on August 19th at 10 am CT through August 20th at
10 pm CT, followed by a public sale that starts August 21st at 10 am CT. (kk)
Columbia House has announced that after 71 years in
business, they will shut down on September 15, 2026.
The times they have a-changed … people just don’t buy physical
copies of their music anymore … we live in an age of downloading and
streaming. (Quite honestly, I was
surprised they still had a business shut down!)
Probably every one of us musicholics out there was a member
at one time or another … their marketing strategy seemed to go for the young, progressive
independents who just couldn’t get enough of the hot new sounds at the time …
and to residents living in more rural areas where a local record store (and by
that I mean a LARGE record store with a wide variety of product) wasn’t readily
available.
They first started in operation in 1955 as an experiment of
Columbia Records. The concept was
simple: customers could order records by mail and get them delivered directly
to their homes. They lured you in with a promotional offer too good to be true (“11
albums for a penny” sort of thing) but once you accepted the offer, you were
now obligated to buy 11 MORE albums at full list price over the course of the
next three years. (You were also likely to receive the album of the month, whether you wanted it or not, unless you sent them a cancellation notice in time to stop it.)
The format of music may have changed over the years … albums
to 8-track tapes to cassettes to cd’s … but the concept never really did. Many subscribers equated fulfilling their commitment
to Columbia House like paying off their student loans … I used to joke that I
was denied my first mortgage because I still owed Columbia House four more
albums. But crazy as it all may have
sounded, as recently as 1996 (thirty years ago), they still had sixteen MILLION
members and subscribers!
Goodbye, Columbia House … although I’m not sure very many of us are
gonna miss ya! (kk)
And this thought from Chuck Buell ...
Talk about a Forgotten Hit! Buell
Charles Rosenay has announced his special guest for this
year’s Monkees M60 Convention For Monkees Fans …
It’s none other than producer Chip Douglas, who The Monkees
personally hand-picked to produce their “Headquarters” album, the first to
feature the group performing as a band and playing their own instruments.
From Charles …
MONKEES PRODUCER CHIP
DOUGLAS IS OUR SUPER SPECIAL LEGACY GUEST OF HONOR at THE 60th ANNIVERSARY
CONVENTION FOR MONKEES FANS
M60 is the only convention in the U.S. for fans of THE
MONKEES, and this is CHIP DOUGLAS' FIRST-EVER AND ONLY EAST COAST CONVENTION
APPEARANCE! He produced such hits as "Daydream Believer" and
"Pleasant Valley Sunday" (and was also the bassist for THE TURTLES,
and produced Linda Ronstadt.)
On the weekend of September 4 - 6,
2026, fans from all over (including travelers from the UK & Australia) will
be coming to the Clarion Inn Hotel, 201 Washington Avenue, North Haven, CT for
a weekend of festivities honoring the band, its members, its music, the
television show, and the legacy.
On Saturday, there will be a
full day + night of bands, guests, vendors, and so much more. From Noon until 5
pm, the spotlight is on the Special Guests, Vendors, Authors, Exhibits, Panels,
and a 60th Anniversary Special Launch. From 6 pm – 11 pm, the event transforms
into a Monkees-themed music festival with live concerts, special guest
performers, and other attractions.
There are various prices for
tickets which include options for single days, individual events, or weekend
passes. Info and tickets are available from https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/monkees-celebration/m60.
The host hotel is the same
location as the historic 2020 PETER TORK MEMORIAL MONKEES CONVENTION, where
guests will be able to stay over for the Friday night VIP party hosted by MMR
radio featuring Scott Ringle, along with a gala event on Sunday, the 6th,
at "The Underground Frodis Adventure," CT's Monkees Museum. Rooms at
the Clarion Inn are still available by phoning (203) 780-8123.
Live Musical Acts include: The
Mick Lawless "Loose Salute to Nez" Show, dedicated to Mike Nesmith;
The M60s’ "Music of the 60s for the M60 Anniversary" Show; The
Characters (Official Convention Band) "All the Hits + More" Show;
plus an all-star concert with the Special Guest Performers.
Other special guests include:
Famed Rock Photographer HENRY DILTZ, who was The Monkees’ photographer, as well
as official Woodstock photographer; Actress VALERIE KAIRYS VENET, who appeared
in more episodes of The Monkees TV show aside from Davy, Mick, Mike, and Peter;
Bassist JOHN BILLINGS, the Monkees touring band bassist and currently on tour
with Micky Dolenz; Drummer RICH DART, the Monkees touring band drummer and
currently on tour with Micky Dolenz; bassist JOHNNY J BLAIR, who toured with
Davy Jones and The Monkees; drummer FELIPE TORRES, who also toured with Davy
and The Monkees, musician PEPPY CASTRO of the 60's band The Blues Magoos,
contemporaries of The Monkees; and actor GREG EVIGAN, who starred in “My Two
Dads,” in which Davy Jones was a guest star. More special guests are still being
added.
In other news, ”The Monkees
Comic Book Book” is being launched over the convention weekend. You
will get to play one of the only two Monkee pinball machines in the world. You
will get to hear a world-premiere table reading of a Monkees musical that's
intended for Broadway. MMR (Monkee Mania Radio) will be there live! And so much
more!
Special Guest Authors include:
JOE RUSSO of the Monkees Pad Show and author of “The Monkees: Smoke-Filled
Dreams;” ED REILLY of “Monkees Business Fanzine” fame and co-author
of “The Monkees: A Manufactured Image;” FRED VELEZ of www.Monkees.net
and the author of “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” & "A
Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You 2;" MICHAEL VENTRELLA, co-author of “Long
Title: Looking for the Good Times; Examining the Monkees' Songs, One by One”
and “Headquartered: A Timeline of The Monkees Solo Years;” MARK ARNOLD
of Fun Ideas Podcast and co-author of “Long Title: Looking for the Good
Times; Examining the Monkees' Songs, One by One” and “Headquartered: A
Timeline of The Monkees Solo Years;” MELANIE
MITCHELL, author of “Monkees Magic;” and CHARLES F. ROSENAY!!! producer
of M60, original On-Air Personality at Monkee Mania Radio, and co-author
of “The Monkees Comic Book Book,” being launched over the convention
weekend.
There will be a large vendors
room with Monkees memorabilia, records, DVDs, and endless collectibles and
merchandise. Other attractions include the table reading of the world premiere
of a new Monkees musical intended for Broadway, the opportunity to the Monkees
pinball machine (only 2 exist in the world), and other surprises.
This is an all ages,
family-friendly event, where new generation of youngsters are welcome and
encouraged to share in the fun and positivity of The Monkees and their
music!
M60 is proudly presented by
Charles F. Rosenay!!!, producer of the “Fab 4 Music Festival” and many
conventions through the years.
Info can be found on the
website: www.MonkeesFanConvention.com, by emailing MonkeesFanConvention@gmail.com, by phoning (203) 795-4737, or visiting the Facebook
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/14jLLyX9VmY/
TICKETS HERE: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/monkees-celebration/m60
Let me tell you that I had the opportunity to view the brand
new Monkees Comic Books book (thank you again, Charles Rosenay!!!) and it is
absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Vibrant color jumps off the pages as Rosenay and his team
assemble the COMPLETE collection of Monkees comic books from the ‘60’s …
sixteen issues in all (issue #17 was a reprint of issue #1, for all you
collectors out there!) and, in addition to every single original story, you
also get all kinds of bonus features like interviews and commentary with
Monkees fans and collaborators Bobby Hart, Deana Martin, Butch Patrick, Jon
Provost, Bill Chadwick, Bill Mumy, Chip Douglas, Ed Reilly, Paul Petersen and
(of course) Charles Rosenay!!!) among others.
It even comes with a Foreward written by Peter Noone! Lots of bonus pics, too! This sucker’s 306 pages of pure fun and beautifully
assembled in an oblong, landscape fashion. (Please
note: Every page is really a 2-page
spread … if you don’t read it that way, it won’t make sense! It took me a couple of pages to catch on so just
trying to save you the hassle!!!)
The official release date is September 12th, the
same day The Monkees TV series premiered on NBC back in 1966, 60 years ago! … but you can preorder YOUR
copy now right here:
https://geniusbookpublishing.com/products/the-monkees-comic-book-book-paperback
Collecting this entire series of comics could cost you THOUSANDS of
dollars … and that's only if you could even find them all! … now, for less than $50, you can get a
perfect bound edition of every issue in pristine condition!
The stories are as ridiculous as you’d expect them to be
(especially at the beginning) … but they DO get better once the series finds
its rhythm and patterns itself more after the sight gags on the tv show. You'll also find more typographical and spelling errors than you can count throughout … (which is half
the fun and aggravation of reading them!) … but they’re still fun to look back
at and enjoy. And just look at how the quality of the pages has been improved, thanks to today's technology.
I promise you, this will soon become yet another Monkees collectors item ... so get your copy now! (kk)
