THE FRIDAY FLASH

During his “Tracks Of My Years” interview, Paul McCartney mentioned hearing an unreleased demo recording that Prince had done of “The Long And Winding Road.”  (McCartney picked Prince’s cut “Kiss” as one of his ten favorites on the program.)

He said that he would like to do something to finish the track and release it as a duet between himself and Prince … and that move may be coming closer to reality.

This would make for another stunning collaboration for McCartney, who has previously recorded duets with both Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, both of which reached #1 status on the charts.  It’ll be interesting to see what develops from here.  (kk)

>>>"RAMA LAMA DING DONG" Was Released In 1958 Under The Wrong Title, "LAMA RAMA DING DONG."  It bombed!"  (Frank B)

I did not know this!  Thanks, FB!

Damn-a Lama Label!

I found this incorrectly labeled record on the Internet for only $150.00!  It would have only cost $.89 or $.99 in 1958!

Do you have a copy, Kent?!

Nope – but I’ve got a very rare copy of an Elvis Presley record on RCA where they spelled his name wrong as “Presely” … we always hear about the rare Vee Jay pressing of The Beatles misspelled at “Beattles” … but nobody talks about this one.  Wonder what it is worth!  (kk)

>>>"RAMA LAMA DING DONG" Was Re-Released in 1961, This Time Using The Right Title. It Peaked At # 21 On The Billboard Chart."  (FB)

Then there's this adaptation I created and contributed to FHs about four years ago ~~~

CB (which stood for "Clueless/Cartoon Boy!")

The other day, there was a mention in FH about the DJ, Shotgun Tom Kelly being inducted into the Radio Hall Of Fame ...

I used to listen to him in the L.A. area on a few stations & met him in '05. He was thoughtful enough to present me with my own bobble-head figure of himself, which I think is hilarious. He even autographed it to me! I only have two other bobble-heads, one of Willie Nelson & one of Alfred Hitchcock.

Anyways, I have been frantically looking for a photograph of Shotgun & myself together when we met, but so far I cannot locate it. But rest assured when it does finally turn up, I'll definitely let you know and pass along a copy of it.

Shotgun has always been a top-notch, hard-working DJ & takes his occupation extremely sincere.

Timmy

 

From Tom Cuddy ...

 

On a related note, I am happy to report that FINALLY somebody is agreeing with me that you cannot fairly and accurately compare the chart records today to those from back in the day when you had to physically LEAVE your house, get into your car and DRIVE to a record store to make a purchase of the music you wanted.

Today’s calculations are so convoluted and have so many “weight factors” applied to them that it doesn’t result in an apples-to-apples comparison.

That, plus the fact that today every track on an album can now chart side by side based on the number of downloads and streams they achieve … so an artist like Drake can release an album today and all 14 tracks will chart 24-48 hours later.  This wasn’t the case when The Beatles, for example, claimed the Top Five spots on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart … people had to actually go out and BUY those tracks … and album tracks (back then, played with nearly the same regularity because listeners just couldn’t get enough of this hot new sound) weren’t allowed to chart at all. “Singles” meant singles … records actually pressed on 45 rpm vinyl.

Thank you, Noise 11, for more deeply explaining the point we have been trying to make here for the past twenty years.  (kk)

https://www.noise11.com/news/streaming-charts-cannot-be-compared-to-physical-sales-era-20260528

May 28th, 1966

60 YEARS AGO TODAY: 

5/28/66 - All four Beatles spend the day with Bob Dylan in his room at the Mayfair Hotel in London, England, watching rushes of D.A. Pennebakers's forthcoming documentary film, “Don’t Look Back,” which covered Dylan's 1965 concert tour of the United Kingdom ... (and most likely smoking a little bit of weed as well!)

Also on 5/28, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass went to No.1 on the US album chart with “What Now My Love.”  This achievement set a new American chart record as The TJB became the first artist to ever place four albums in the US Top Ten at the same time … something neither Elvis or The Beatles ever did!  The other three were “South of the Border,” “Going Places” and “Whipped Cream and Other Delights.”

 

I wasn't sure if you guys had ever seen this album cover before so I thought I’d run it today in Forgotten Hits!)  kk

 

A Few Mid-Week Comments

Less than 24 hours after leaving the stage of The Ed Sullivan Theater, signing off as the CBS Late Night host, Stephen Colbert could be found back in front of the cameras in Monroe, Michigan, his birth place, on a public television channel! 

And he brought a few “special guests” with him!

https://www.noise11.com/news/stephen-colbert-monroe-jack-white-jeff-daniels-eminem-20260525

I, too, loved the Rod Stewart CBS show. With a brief interview, it was essentially his whole show. A tad too much violin for me, but it was great to hear his hits once more time. "First Cut is The Deepest" remains just an outstanding song. Thanks Cat.

He really has a tremendous catalog.

I've been to many a Stewart-show and missed him kicking out soccer balls at the beginning, but he had his backups singers, which included daughter Ruby.  Speaking of Ruby, what a voice.

Great big band, who were terrific, too. The whole show was an unexpected delight. The only odd thing was he encored with "Love Train." Right?

David Salidor

Rod did so many of those “Great American Songbook” albums that it made you forget just what a great rocker he was.  He more than proved it on this CBS special.  Wish now that I could see him before he hangs things up.  (kk)

Paul McCartney is doing a lot of nostalgic looking back of late …

His new album, “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane” (out Friday) features Liverpool memories as the basis for all of its tracks … from growing up as a small boy to making it with The Beatles …

And now he’s done a one hour interview on the British BBC radio program “Tracks Of My Years” pointing out the musical influences that most affected him and his bandmates growing up and trying to make a go of it.  (For anyone out there unfamiliar with the story, they DID make it … and in a very big way.)

You can read about it here (which also features the YouTube clip of the whole program):  https://www.noise11.com/news/paul-mccartney-bbc-tracks-of-my-years-vernon-kay-20260526

(This is a REALLY good interview ... one of the best I've seen him do over the years ... very relaxed as he opens up about some of the influences the felt along the way.)  kk 

Tom Cuddy sent us this list of the oldest rock stars performing this Summer …

Hey, Herb Alpert’s still out there, too … and he’s 91!!!  And Frankie Valli’s 92!!!

Randy Bachman’s 82, Burton Cummings, 78, Carlos Santana is 78, Lionel Richie is 76… and 86 year old Tom Jones just added more dates to his upcoming world tour.  In fact, I'll betcha that if we dig a little deeper, we could easily add at least half a dozen more names to this list!   (kk)

Timmy sent us this link to shots taken at Bob Dylan’s first recording session for Columbia Records …

https://www.vintag.es/2026/05/bob-dylan-recording-debut-album.html

kk …

Saturday Night (May 23, 2026) Cousin Brucie Interviewed Peter Noone (HERMAN) On His "ROCK & ROLL PARTY."

Of All The Interviews I've Listened To, I Can Honestly Say Peter Is The Only One Who Said He Enjoys Traveling.  Most Performers Say They Retired Because They Can't Handle The Traveling Part Of It.  I Guess It’s True ‘Cause He Said He Does 100 Concerts A Year.

Once He Was PUNKED BY ELVIS … Herman's Hermits Were Still Teenagers When They Met Elvis On Set Of His Movie "PARADISE HAWAIIAN STYLE."

They Walk Into The Room & Elvis Is Passed Out On The Floor -- With A Bottle Of Booze In Each Hand.

It Really Wasn't Elvis -- It Was His Movie Double.

May 28, 2026:  The Peter Noone Concert Is Sold Out At HOMDEL, NEW JERSEY Where He’s Appearing  With Tommy James & Cousin Brucie.

On June 7, 2026, He Leaves For A One Month Vacation With His Family In Europe. (He Must Make A Lot Of Money!)

Peter Says The Next 10 Years Will Be His Best 10 Years.

He Talked About Putting Together Some Sort Of Internet Book With Lots Of Pictures. That's Something Different (?)

FB

Jazz great Sonny Rollins, who played sax for a myriad of jazz giants during his seven decade career (including Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk, to name just a few) … as well as the Rolling Stones (perhaps most notably on “Waiting For A Friend”), died Monday (May 25th, 2026), at the age of 95.  No cause of death was revealed.  (kk)

kk …

Marshall Sewell, The Original Bass Vocalist Of The Edsels, Talked To Wild Wayne For His 50^th Anniversary Flashback Interview.

"RAMA LAMA DING DONG" Was Written By George Jones, Lead Singer Of The Edsels.

It Was Recorded In 1957 And Released In 1958 Under Wrong Title, "LAMA RAMA DING DONG."

Bombed On The Charts.

In 1961, After "BLUE MOON" By The Marcels Became A #1 Hit, They Decided To Re-Release "RAMA LAMA DING DONG," This Time Using The Right Title.

Good Idea. It Peaked At # 21 On The Billboard Chart.

FB

May 26th, 1966

60 YEARS AGO TODAY:

5/26/66 – The Beatles record “Yellow Submarine”

 

For years, the song "Yellow Submarine" was associated with Paul McCartney as the writer ... sort of a child-like sing-a-long that he felt was perfect for Ringo's lead vocal ... his first OFFICIAL Beatles A-Side.  (In fact, I had heard years ago that Paul was playing around with the tune while The Beatles were in India and played a bit of it to Donovan, telling him he needed help with a rhyme, to which Donovan replied "Sky of blue, sea of green" ... "in a yellow submarine.")  McCartney paid back the favor by doing the background yelps on Donovan's upcoming "Mellow Yellow" single.  (Listen closely ... and you can tell it's him!)

However, when the "Revolver" box set was released, we learned that it was John Lennon who initially got the lyrics going (in a completely different vein ... and of a completely different mood!)

Together they were able to create another Beatles classic (albeit one that did NOT make it to #1 on the Billboard chart, despite topping both the Cash Box and Record World charts.)

With such a strong B-Side ("Eleanor Rigby"), it may have split airplay between the two sides ... but when the dust settled "Eleanor Rigby" only managed a #11 showing in Billboard (#12 in Cash Box and #16 in Record World.)  Today, it is highly regarded as a Beatles orchestrated classic.