A Monday Morning Quickie

From Tom Cuddy …

The occasion was the 100^th Birthday Celebration of The Arcada Theatre, an all-day celebration on Sunday (9/6) with a full parade and a day and night filled with special performances.  Congratulations to Ron Onesti, who saved The Arcada from the wrecking ball 21+ years ago.  (kk)

It was on September 6, 1926, that the 900-seat Arcada Theatre first opened its doors to a Vaudeville audience and a short “Our Gang Comedy” film. Eighty years later, Ron Onesti came to St. Charles to take over the reins of the theatre, which was days away from becoming an office complex, and turned it into one of the most popular live music venues in the country.

The Arcada Theatre, located in downtown St. Charles, is home to over 200 concerts and events each year.  As such, it’s clear why it has been voted the “Best Live Music Venue” by Daily Herald readers year-after-year. Theatre highlights include a Venetian-style outdoor patio space, video gaming machines, a nightclub complete with blinged-out walls and disco balls, Rock ‘N Za – a rock ‘n roll pizza experience with vintage rock pinball machines, Rock ‘N Ravioli – a classic style Italian Restaurant, and Club Arcada 1920s Speakeasy & Restaurant.

Tom also sent us this article …

https://t2conline.com/cds-are-coming-back-digital-convenience-didnt-kill-peoples-desire-to-own-things/

I know I’ve always been one who wanted to hold a physical piece of music … read the liner notes, read about the songwriters and producers … I guess I’m just old-school in that way.  (That doesn’t mean I don’t download the occasional tune now and then … I do … especially if I’m trying to illustrate something on the website where I don’t necessarily need any more than a single piece of music to make that connection … but for the most part, if it’s music I like or music I want, I will hold out for the real thing.)  kk

Hi Kent,

Just a clarification. "Choosin' Texas" hasn't been Number 1 for 20 consecutive weeks on Billboard. It first hit Number 1 on February 14 for 1 week, then March 7 for 1 week, March 21 for 2 weeks, April 11 for 3, May 9 for 3 more, and it's stayed at the top for 10 weeks going back to July 4. Still pretty amazing.

Ian Berger

Thank you for this information.  The post has since been corrected.  (kk)

I JUST WATCHED FILM NOIR -- "THE YELLOW CANARY" -- With Pat Boone (After Five #1 Hits) And, Playing His Wife,  Barbara Eden (Before Jeannie.)

Of Course, Pat Was A Singer ... And He Was Also A Mean SOB.

His Son Got Kidnapped. He Caught Up With The Kidnappers And Shot Three Of Them.

They Call That “Playing Against Type” … Written By Rod Serling.

It Wasn't Great – But Fun To Watch.

FRANK B.

Interesting …

Never saw it … but prior to making TWO movies with Pat Boone, Barbara Eden costarred with Elvis Presley in “Flaming Star.”  (It’s also hard to watch!)  Pretty amazing that “Jeannie” was the “it” girl for these two popular singers in the early ‘60’s.  (kk)

 

And, speaking of pop stars making movies ... 

60 YEARS AGO TODAY:

9/7/66 – The film “The Fastest Guitar Alive” begins filming, starring Roy Orbison and Sam The Sham

As Promised, Shelley Reviews FIREFALL

FIREFALL Concert Review:

The third time may be the charm, but I hit the charm three times in a row at The Kate in two weeks. First, Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, second Gary Lewis and The Playboys and now FIREFALL. Moving into the 1970s when Firefall originated, I sit in the midst of very dedicated fans who throughout tonight will be LOUD and ACTIVE. 

Let me introduce the band …

Jim Waddell on keyboards, sax, and flute; Steven Weinmeister on guitar and front vocals; John Bisaha on drums, Sandy Ficca on bass and front vocals; and Jock Bartley on guitar, lead vocals and who has been with the band since 1974. As they start, I write the comments "fantastic sound" and "solid harmonies".

Wikipedia's blurb says: "Firefall is an American soft rock band that formed in Boulder, Colorado, in 1974.[1] It was founded by Rick Roberts, former member of the Flying Burrito Brothers, and Jock Bartley, who had been Tommy Bolin's replacement in Zephyr. Other members have included Mark Andes, Larry Burnett, David Muse, and Michael Clarke, the latter also formerly of the Flying Burrito Brothers and an original member of the Byrds." Firefall (or someone who is advertising for them) are terming them Country Rock. As a teacher whose students do not fall into one category, I say, "Whatever, as long as there are people who listen and love your music". 

The music of Firefall is rock with story-telling lyrics. 'Cinderella' is a woeful tale about a boy who woos and loves and leaves when obligations arise. He regrets this later in life and wonders how his child grew up and were they taken care of. Reading online, I see that many listeners feel sorry for him and forgive him. EH! Unless he spent the rest of his life finding this girl and her child and crawling on bended knee to apologize, I'm not that compassionate. 'You Are the Woman' is an opposite angle. Even if this man and woman did not stay together, he praised her and told her so. Read these lyrics and the others of their songs.

Livin' Ain't Livin'

Just Remember I Love You

It Doesn't Matter

So Long

Cinderella

Sweet and Sour

You're Gonna Lose That Girl - Yep, The Beatles! And Steve even wore a Revolver shirt!

Long Train Runnin’ - a little Doobie Bros.

Goodbye, I Love You

You Are The Woman - Arguably my favorite ... Always loved the flute solos

Strange Way

Mexico

Jock had a great story about 'Mexico'. He had no idea what he was going to play for the guitar/horns battle. They started recording and he winged it. The recording booth said WONDERFUL! THAT WAS GREAT! Jock didn't think so. "Let me try it again. I think I can do better." NO! came from the recording booth. "Come on, give me another shot." NO! again from the control booth. Ok, he gives up. puts down his guitar and goes into the booth where the first person he sees is his guitar hero, Eric Clapton. Turning to mush, he accepted that the only take of 'Mexico' was the one that would be released.

September is the last month of summer, and I have six concerts planned. SIX!! Yeah ... be jealous!

 

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

NE Correspondent

Forgotten Hits

We have seen Firefall several times now, usually as part of a three group line-up where Firefall are always the opening act.  In each and every case, they have far outshone the headliners.  That’s where they really belong.  They deserve to be "The Main Attraction!"  Glad you got to see them as the “stars of the show.”  (“Strange Way” has always been my favorite.)  kk