Featuring
Napoleon XIV to
start off today's FH was a great surprise. Of course by now, everybody
knows that the flip is the
same recording, played backwards. However, what I thought of first was
the answer
on the Current record label. I don't know how many are familiar with
it, but it's called I'M NORMAL, shown as by THE EMPEROR on the label. It
was actually written and
recorded by Bob Hudson, who later on in the early 1970's had comedy
records with Ron Landry such as AJAX AIRLINES, AJAX LIQUOR STORE, etc.
I
checked and Napoleon's record peaked at #4 for the week of August 11,
1966, here in Oklahoma City, sandwiched between #3 (WILD THING) and #5, SOMEWHERE, MY LOVE by Ray Conniff.
Larry
That's the thing I LOVE about Top 40 Radio in the '60's ...
When
since could you find THAT kind of variety played back to back to back
without even the slightest hint of bemusement in your head. '60's
Garage Rock Grunge into a novelty record that was considered politically
incorrect even then (and even more so now) followed by elevator muzak
schmaltz, all heard in the same ten minute music break. And we NEVER
questioned why it didn't fit ... because in that context at that time,
it did! (kk)
We were so Lucky to be in Radio when we worked hard at giving listeners what they wanted ~~~
No, It Wasn't Always Easy, But It Worked! (CB)
More from Chuck ...
It was the mid-1960s.
In
Chicago once in a while, Chuck Buell and Kris Stevens would get
together after their nightly radio shows on WLS were over at 2:00 AM and
head for Rush Street, which at the time, was considered the most vibrant nightlife entertainment area in the country outside of Las Vegas.
Many standard bars in Chicago then featured live rock the house national groups along with some of the greatest rock bands to come out of the city of Chicago.That and "late night" licenses that permitted some bars to serve "adult beverages" until 4:00 AM Sunday through Friday nights and until 5:00 AM on Saturday nights/Sunday mornings! And those two young guys could find which ones did what when and where and actually, on occasion, closed a bar or two down based on their closing time!
"It's more fun when you're young!" someone once said at the time! And quite possibly for you too then as well wherever you were!
Now! Just uncovered! The Lost Music Survey!
A Rare Buell/Stevens WLS Hit Parade!
OK, another CB semi-manipulation! But still . . . !
Fast forward 60 years later as Denver, Colorado is dragged clawing and screaming into the early 2020s!
"Among
the most-watched items on the Denver City agenda is the final reading
and anticipated vote in a couple of weeks on allowing some Denver bars
and clubs to remain open until 4 AM."
( Like Chicago has been doing for over the past 60 plus years! )
"The measure already advanced with a 10-1 vote on July 6.
If adopted, some Denver bars could keep music, dancing and other entertainment going until 4 AM."
Then . . . the Party Pooper Spoiler ~~~
"But alcohol service would still end at 2 AM!" ( With Last Call still at 1:30. )
Not that any of this really matters to many of us at all or to the Buell/Stevens Rebel Rousin' PartyTime Kids anymore.
Ah, but still the memories . . . . .
CB
Well, not ALL of those "kids" have stopped partying ...
I got this from Kris Erik Stevens a few weeks ago ...
It’s been a while since we spoke ...
But my life is good ... still chasin’ ladies, and trying to stay in trouble!
Kris Erik
And finally, as any great radio engineer will tell you, the key to BECOMING a great radio engineer is knowing how to work the knobs ...
As Timmy told me when he sent me this pic ...
Turn On, Tune In!
(and yes, that is a real radio!)
On a serious note, I got some GREAT news this week that things are moving forward with the Ron Riley Documentary. (Hadn't heard anything in a while, so you couldn't help but wonder ... but I have been assured that things are still moving forward ... and they may actually be in Chicago later this year to film some local scenes ... so we can look forward to that.)
Knowing how long it took to get the Biondi documentary off the ground, I can only wish them less bumps in the road ... and let's get this out there while Ron is still around to enjoy it! (kk)
"Wild Thing" hangs on to the top spot for another week ... but Napoleon XIV's novelty hit, "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" is gaining ground quickly, moving from #35 to #6 in only its second week on the chart.
That's not the only track to watch ... Petula Clark's latest, "I Couldn't Live Without Your Love," is up another 18 places to #32 in its third week on the chart.
"Summer In The City" by The Lovin' Spoonful looks like a sure-fire summer hit ... it climbs from #20 to #8 in only its third week on the chart. And David Houston's country hit "Almost Persuaded" is up an even thirty notches to #51.
"Bus Stop" by the Hollies is up 21 places from #95 to #74 ...
And there's another Chicago hit making its way up the chart as The Cryan' Shames' cover of The Searchers' hit "Sugar And Spice" moves up from #98 to #89. (This was a big Top Ten Hit here in Chicago, the first for these guys)
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
7/25/66 – The Monkees record their first #1 Single, “Last
Train To Clarksville”
Also on 7/25, Brian Jones makes his last appearance with The
Rolling Stones
The latest word from The Beach Boys is that they have cancelled all of their tour dates through the next two months ... put intend to resume their shows in September after a bit of some much-needed "recharging." (Again, all fingers point to Mike Love, the 85 year old leader and frontman as being the only likely candidate in need of recharging. And honestly, if something isn't being done to strengthen his vocals, more postponements and cancellations can be expected.)
Their official statement reads like this:
Playing for you is the highlight of our summer every
year — especially as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United
States while saluting the 60th Anniversary of Pet Sounds. We’ve been
having a blast out there, and to keep the good vibrations going strong,
we’ll be taking a short break to recharge before getting back on the
road in September. All tickets for postponed performances (July 23
through September 3) will be honored following our return in late
September. Please contact your local box office for additional
information and questions. Thanks for your love — we can’t wait to see you
back out there for a September to Remember.
The updated schedule shows the following dates ... including one some ten months away in 2027!
9 / 24 - The Big E – The Big E Arena in West Springfield, MA
9 / 25 - The Sounds of Summer Concert Series in Quakertown, PA
9 / 27 - Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach, SC
10 / 9 - Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, IL
10 / 10 - PNC Pavilion at Riverbend in Cincinnati, OH
10 / 11 - Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN
10 / 19 - Grey Eagle Resort & Casino – Grey Eagle Event Centre in Calgary, AB
11 / 11 and 11 / 12 - Walt Disney World Resort, Florida – Epcot, America Gardens Theatre in Orlando, FL
11 / 13 - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Bristol in Bristol, VA
5 / 8 / 27 -River Cree Resort and Casino – Entertainment Centre in Enoch, AB
As explained the other day, most of the venues experiencing cancelled shows this month and next don't have rescheduling dates available to them due to other commitments ... or, in the case of quite a few State Fairs, an alternate solution. (Love also has his mansion currently up for sale ... so I think it's pretty safe to say that we are approaching the end of an era here ... it's really just a matter of HIM personally accepting this fate.) kk
Speaking of Dinosaur Rockers from the '60's, The Rolling Stones debuted at #7 on this week's Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. This makes "Foreign Tongues" their record-breaking 39th Top Ten LP in America. (In contrast, I can honestly say that I don't know if Mick Jagger has ever sounded better! He has definitely whethered the storm better than most vocally. Their new album, along with "Hackney Diamonds" from a couple of years ago, rank right up there with the best LP's The Stones have ever recorded!)
Billboard points out that when The Stones first hit The Top Ten back in December of 1964 with their album "12 x 5," they shared their first Top Ten status with The Beach Boys, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, The Supremes, The Beatles and Dean Martin ... not bad company for a brand new band!
To still be right up there sharing space with the hottest acts in pop music 62 years later is really saying something. (Of course, Paul McCartney was just in The Top Ten as well ... and appears as a guest artist on the new Stones LP again!) And Michael Jackson is still in the Top Ten with his 1983 album "Thriller," now in its 727th week on the chart! (kk)
More on Paul below ...
The photo of Paul Face-Timing
Ringo - priceless!!
Bravo!
Phil
UPDATE: McCartney's success with his "The Boys Of Dungeon Lane" was short-lived ... after premiering at #5 it fell to #145 the following week (meaning that probably everybody who was going to buy it did so as a preorder) and now, a couple of weeks later, it has already fallen off the chart. That's a shame ... it is easily McCartney's best work in at least 25 years.)
If the new Monkees Comic Book isn’t enough to fill your
appetite for all things Monkees during their 60th Anniversary
celebration, how about a brand new Monkees coloring book!!!
At The Guess Who concert
Thursday night, a couple sitting next to me pulled out their phone after asking
me who I write for (a question I get every concert) and sat reading Forgotten
Hits during the intermission, commenting on what a great site it is, how much
they will enjoy sitting and reading it at home, and how come they didn't know
about this sooner.
Shelley
Keep spreading the good word, Shelley … and let us know what
you thought of the show.(kk)
Timmy sent us this photo, asking the musical question “Guess
Who” …
The Great Sax Player Plas Johnson Died July 16, 2026. He Was 94 years Old.
Plas Is Probably Best Known For His Sax Solo On "THE PINK PANTHER THEME." He Was Also A Member Of The Wrecking Crew.
Plas Played Sax On These Hits ---
1956 - "THE GREAT PRETENDER" / PLATTERS
1957 - "MY SPECIAL ANGEL" / BOBBY HELMS
1958 - "THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER" / SHEB WOOLEY
FRANK B.
Tom Cuddy sent us this posting by Gary "U.S." Bonds ...
Featuring Napoleon XIV to
start off today's FH was a great surprise. Of course by now, everybody knows that the flip is the
same recording, played backwards. However, what I thought of first was the answer
on the Current record label. I don't know how many are familiar with it, but it's called I'M NORMAL, shown as by THE EMPEROR on the label. It was actually written and
recorded by Bob Hudson, who later on in the early 1970's had comedy records with Ron Landry such as AJAX AIRLINES, AJAX LIQUOR STORE, etc.
I
checked and Napoleon's record peaked at #4 for the week of August 11,
1966, here in Oklahoma City, sandwiched between #3 (WILD THING) and #5, SOMEWHERE, MY LOVE by Ray Conniff.
Larry
That's the thing I LOVE about Top 40 Radio in the '60's ...
When since could you find THAT kind of variety played back to back to back without even the slightest hint of bemusement in your head. '60's Garage Rock Grunge into a novelty record that was considered politically incorrect even then (and even more so now) followed by elevator muzak schmaltz, all heard in the same ten minute music break. And we NEVER questioned why it didn't fit ... because in that context at that time, it did! (kk)
A buddy of mine ran across this cool
interview with George Harrison talking about Paul doing the guitar feedback
opening on "It’s All Too Much" and good stuff. Then I replied
below with a RADIO story of mine that you may or may not have seen from me OR
cared to read. :)
I have mentioned this before,
but I fell in love with It’s All Too Much and Hey Bulldog when Ron Riley at WLS
Chicago started playing them as an exclusive in mid-November, 1968. We
recorded them more than once around November 13 or so. I know because I
made my own radio surveys weekly from 1963-1976 hoping to become a radio
station DJ and pretending then to have my own station, KLGR AM and shortly to bill
it as STEREO FM thanks to my brother Roger becoming interested in stereo
KEYN-FM in Wichita while at college. This "new" stereo thing
was great.
We recorded the songs off WLS
with this radio and this recorder. I still have the Bell recorder.
Attached is a 1-minute segment of Ron's show that night when, like so many past
nights, we listened and found a new gem not many would have for months!
Anyway, I put a little paragraph
on my survey in November mentioning the exact date my station premiered it (of
course, WLS actually) in mid-November. The two songs quickly hit my chart
on November 18 (below) at # 23 & 24.
Within a day or two, WLS was
forced to stop playing both songs, making us wonder if it WAS a new 45, but
sure it would be on their new album. How would it have 22 or 32 (you'll
hear Ron mention BOTH amounts) songs? It was exciting to think! A
double LP NEVER entered my head, as I’m not sure I'd ever SEEN such a
thing. He calls the George song "You're Too Much" and quotes at
as a 3:21 time. I once found a bootleg with a 3:21 time version, but it
was terrible quality. I think it's basically a fade of the 6-minute
version. I certainly got used to it after playing it dozens of times from
tape BEFORE its release.
The White Album was released
that VERY WEEK in UK and US late November and Rog was quick to buy it.
WOW! 2 LPs and photos and lyric booklet inside! It's lucky Rog was
employed, as the manufactured retail price was $11.98 and LPs normally sold for
$3.98! I found many great songs as well as some I deemed "not so
good." I was 12 years old. BUT where were the two WLS
exclusive songs? NOT HERE??!!! I was shocked, yet a bit happy we
had two unreleased songs still!Two LPs
and they could not fit these two great songs in?
The Yellow Submarine LP comes
out January 13, 1969 – three months after the WLS airing of the songs that
finally can be BOUGHT in stores. It was still an exciting thing. MY
chart below from that week had the two songs finally falling out of the top 10
at #16 and 17. Other Yellow Submarine songs would soon be climbing up my
charts.
NOW, in retrospect, I can view
things a little differently. The Yellow Sub FILM debuted in London in
July, 1968, with segments of both "Hey Bulldog" AND "It's All Too
Much"!!! The film would debut in the US in November, 1968! SO, WLS
could have gleaned BOTH songs from the UK film, maybe. "Too
Much" was cut from the US version of the film, so that would not be
possible to do from it. Anyway, it's possible that WLS got an acetate
from the UK, but maybe took it from the film in some way, considering that in
1968, that was not easy to do -- no DVDs then.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
Some great insight behind the new Peter Asher documentary ...
We told you about the new Monkees Comic Book volume that is
coming in September …
And, (scroll up if you missed it), the new Monkees Coloring Book!
Now, here is the latest, most-updated information about the
Monkees Fans Convention running September 4th – September 6th
…
HERE WE COME …
THE 60th ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION FOR MONKEES FANS
In September of 1966, THE MONKEES TV SHOW debuted on NBC, and sixty
years later, fans are celebrating the anniversary at “M60” in
Connecticut.
M60
is the only convention in the U.S. for fans of THE MONKEES. On the
weekend of September 4-6, 2026, fans from all over (including travelers
from 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 and 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.
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, 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.
The M60 Convention Special Guests include:
Bassist JOHN BILLINGS, the Monkees touring band bassist 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 Blue Magoos,
contemporaries of The Monkees; actor GREG EVIGAN, who starred in “My Two
Dads,” and in which Davy Jones was a guest star. More special guests
are being added.
Live Musical Acts
include: The Foggy Otis "I'll Be True to Uke" Show, which is a tribute
to The Monkees by a ukelele virtuoso; 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.
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;” 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.
M60 will
feature 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, Zoom interviews with other Special Guests, 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.
There has been SO much Monkees news lately, much of it tied into the 60th anniversary of their television shown debut on NBC.
In fact, TVLine, a very popular TV publication, recently ran a list of what THEY have deemed to be The 15 Best NBC TV shows of all time ... and The Pre-Fab Four came in at #5!!!
5. The Monkees
The producers thought they were casting a TV sitcom. Their lasting legacy was that they created a band.
Inspired by the Beatles' movie "A Hard Day's Night," "The Monkees" was a comedy about four young men trying to make it as a band, with surreal musical interludes that would help sell soundtrack albums. Eventually, those albums proved even more popular than the show. Initially, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork, Mike Nesmith, and Davy Jones primarily contributed vocals while outside songwriters and musicians created much of the music. The group soon fought for greater creative control and the right to perform its own material, proving it was a real band.
It worked because the four had great chemistry and improv skills. After two seasons, the TV show ended, though it resurfaced numerous times in reruns over the years, notably on MTV, as its musical scenes reminded new viewers of music videos. The band continued, initially breaking up in 1970 but reuniting several times thereafter.
Even John Lennon reportedly admired their comedy, comparing "The Monkees" to the Marx Brothers.
LAST CALL: This is your last chance to register for a chance to win a copy of the Micky Dolenz Carole King Tribute CD, "King For A Day." Shoot us an email with KING FOR A DAY in the subject line and you'll be automatically registered to win a copy. (kk)
THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE LEGENDARY ROCK AND
ROLL SANCTUARY THE SUNSET MARQUIS HOTEL
FEATURING BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, RINGO STARR,
BILLY BOB THORNTON, SLASH, DAVE GROHL, CYNDI LAUPER AND MANY MORE
By Harvey Kubernik
I’ve been conducting interviews with musicians,
authors, and filmmakers at the famed Sunset Marquis Hotel since the early
seventies. Author Deepak Chopra and Oscar-winning documentarian D.A. Pennebaker
were two of my favorite encounters.
A media announcement describes the documentary ...
For more than 60 years, there has been one place in
LA that has served as the home-away-from-home for the biggest names in rock and
roll. Tucked just off the Sunset Strip, the Sunset Marquis Hotel became more
than a place to stay while on tour. It became a creative sanctuary where songs
were written, debauchery was shared, and music history unfolded behind closed
doors.
Now, for the first time, that story is being told on
screen.
Directed by Tyler Measom (Murder Among Mormons, An
Honest Liar ) and Craig A. Williams, If These Walls Could
Rockfeatures rare archival footage, vivid animation and
candid interviews, the film tells the story of rock n’ roll through the lens of
this legendary hotel as shared by the artists who call it home - including
Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Billy Bob Thornton, Slash, Dave Grohl, Cyndi
Lauper, Morrissey, Sheryl Crow, Roger Daltrey, Joe Elliot, Nancy Wilson, Steve
Van Zandt and many more.
But beneath the iconic guest list and tales of rock
misadventure lies a deeply personal story: the remarkable partnership between
founder George Rosenthal and his son Mark, who transformed a modest West
Hollywood “motel” into one of the most iconic destinations in music history.
“Within five minutes of walking in the Marquis, you
may hear a rock and roll story that sounds completely made up, but come to
learn is true,” say directors Measom and Williams. “Still beyond the many
amazing musical stories, the father-and-son tale at the heart of the hotel is
what truly inspired us to create this film.”
The film opens August 14th at the Landmark Sunset
theatre in Los Angeles, accompanied by special post-screening Q&A events
with the filmmakers and guests from the film, while launching simultaneously on
Apple TV and Amazon.
If These Walls Could Rock was
produced by longtime MTV executives Rick Krim, Robert Friedman, and Mike Powers
(Bungalow Media+Entertainment) along with Mark Rosenthal, David Thurston, and
Alexis Thurston.
(Harvey Kubernik’s Screen Gems: (Pop Music Documentaries and Rock ‘n’ Roll TV Scenes) was published in 2026 by BearManor Media).
Found this one in Rock Cellar ...
A great tribute (and/or parody) of Paul Simon's "Graceland" by Kyle Gordon called "Mr. Jambo."
VERY well done! (kk)
Another great find by Timmy!
Wow! Al's been pretty popular here lately!
And how about this one ...
A completely intact Partridge Family Board Game ... all the pieces in a VG+ box ...
With the game board itself signed by Shirley Jones!!!
We're currently taking offers ...
So if you're interested, drop us a line on this, too, with PF GAME in the subject line.
