re: AIRPLAY:
Here are the latest details about the Chicago-area screening of the new Carolyn Travis film "Airplay" that we've been telling you so much about for the past year or so!
The film is going to shown at The Music Box Theater -- 3733 N. Southport Avenue -- here in Chicago on September 18th at 9:30 PM. This is the ONLY local showing scheduled at this time ... and we will have a limited number of free passes to give away to some of our local Forgotten Hits Readers. If you are interested in attending this special showing of this VERY special film, drop me a line and we'll put your name on the list. (Number of entries will determine just how many tickets we will have to give away, so PLEASE ... ONLY enter if you will be available to ATTEND this screening ... we don't want to deny anybody the opportunity to see this excellent documentary because of a few "no shows"!!!) WLS-FM / The True Oldies Channel will ALSO be promoting this screening and giving away free tickets so you'll have another chance to win free passes there. (Our original hope was to have Dick Biondi onboard that night for this very special presentation but it turns out that he'll be on vacation that week! However, I just received word that legendary WLS Jock Clark Weber WILL be there ... and, hopefully, we can even get him to stick around for a little Q & A after the show!) Obviously, you can also purchase tickets at the theater box office that evening and still get in on all the fun ... and, if you're a fan of rock and roll radio, this IS a film you'll want to see!
"Airplay" takes a look back at The History of Rock And Roll Radio ... the early years with jocks like Alan Freed, the Top 40 years and the growth of some of the mega-watt AM giants, the beginning of FM radio and the "underground" movement right on up to satellite radio today ... with lots of great music, clips and interviews with some of the premier jocks of this era squeezed in between! A fun and informative film for ANY fan of radio.
But you've got to act fast!!! If you'd like to attend this special screening, just drop me an email at forgottenhits@aol.com and write AIRPLAY SCREENING in the subject line ... and let us know how to get ahold of you if you'd like to attend the very special event. We'll tally up the number of entries received and then contact you with all the details if you're one of our ticket winners. (Tickets will most likely be left at the the "Will Call" window in the theater's box office ... but we're also talking about having a Forgotten Hits Dinner Get-Together BEFORE the show ... this would be a GREAT chance to meet some of the readers on our list!) First come, first served, so PLEASE get your entries in early!
re: SPEAKING OF RADIO ... :
Here's an interesting appeal put together by Sam Lyt of Hi Lyt Radio and Big Jay Sorensen ...
KK,
I will likely be sending you some fab news soon about MY career. (I'm still involved with WCBS-FM in NYC, BTW.) One thing I can say is I'm joining Sam Lit and his team at HyLitTechnologies.
If I may, can I put out a note for all of your readers?
We need a SALES TEAM for Hy LIt Technologies that totally gets NEW MEDIA. If you've sold RADIO in the past, and kept seeing that it was getting harder and harder to sell local and even big city radio, because MORE advertisers and agencies were putting spots and ads on INTERNET facilities, then there may be a position for you.We are looking for people who EMBRACE the internet and embrace NEW ideas. The old business model ain't broke yet, but when virtually EVERY broadcast company has shown a DIRECT hit on their revenues this and last year, something is amiss. What WE'RE doing NOW and will do in the near future will be cutting edge, with some NEW emerging technologies that will help make the transition from broadcast to internet for advertisers a very good fit.
Sales Managers, you can apply too. ALSO ... if you've sold TV / CABLE or any NEW MEDIA before, that's a plus. This ain't your father's radio. This IS the future and it is here NOW.
Send RESUMES and describe your understanding of NEW MEDIA and how it needs to be sold to clients. We are out to make NOISE. Get in BEFORE this explodes into something magnificent.
Get in touch with either ME at www.bigjay66@comcast.net, or SamLit@HyLitRadio.com
Thanks Kent ...
BE BIG!
Big Jay Sorensen
BE BIG!
Jay
www.bigjayandanita.com
Hey, I'm always happy to pass along ANYTHING that'll make radio sound new and exciting again!!! Please keep us posted. Thanks, Jay! And good luck, Sam, with this new venture! (kk)
And (although we've been sworn to secrecy!!!) we've heard rumblings of a few OTHER brand new Oldies Music Ventures that may be right around the listening corner. Meanwhile, here's the latest on Hit Parade Radio:
Hit Parade Radio Launches Oldies Network, Repped By RASS
EARTHWORKS ENTERTAINMENT's HIT PARADE RADIO is set to launch its 24/7 Oldies Radio Network format via satellite in the next four to six weeks. HIT PARADE RADIO has also entered into an agreement with SCOTT GILREATH's RADIO AFFILIATE SERVICES & SYNDICATION (RASS) that includes affiliate sales and national advertising sales. Regarding the Oldies format launch, EARTHWORK ENTERTAINMENT CEO STEVEN HUMPHRIES said, "It's been months in the making and we're about ready to launch the most exciting oldies radio format in the USA. With super-talent like LARRY LUJACK and WINK MARTINDALE plus the music you don't hear anywhere else, the format will be a major attraction to radio stations as they continue to downsize and cut back on programming cost." "In all my years of programming, this is the most exciting project I've ever worked on," HIT PARADE RADIO Pres. JOHN ROOK added. "The first class talent and the incredible library of music that you won't hear on other 'oldies' stations make for a huge winning combination. I'm pleased to be once again working with LARRY LUJACK and WINK MARTINDALE, as they truly enhance the music programming we are offering." "With all the projects that we have in EARTHWORKS, HIT PARADE will be one of the first to generate revenue as we move into the first quarter of next year," HUMPHRIES said. "We expect to generate in excess of $2 million in advertising sales for the network in 2010." At the same time, RASS has pacted with HIT PARADE RADIO to do affiliate sales and national advertising sales. "Having the opportunity to work with STEVE and JOHN ROOK on this venture is truly exciting," RASS Pres. SCOTT GILREATH said. "Like so many others, my radio career was molded by jocks like LARRY LUJACK and WINK MARTINDALE. I can't wait to start signing affiliates ... We feel the project growth of the HPR network is unlimited as the formats target the highly neglected 45+ market."
Scott Gilreath
President
RADIO AFFILIATE SERVICES & SYNDICATION, LLC
Green Bay, WI
>>>The Hit Parade Radio Network will be programming music not only for this generation of listeners but also every generation that came after. Why, there are over 70 million Americans over the age of 50 - that's 28% of our entire population! No, you won't hear very much music from the '80's on our station - and we won't be concentrating on hard rock - there are already other stations that play that music. What you WILL hear in music that appeals to listeners at the age of 35, 45, 55, 65 and 75 - and that encompasses a LOT of music that hasn't been played on the radio in a long, long time. (John Rook / Hit Parade Radio)
I like the idea of playing music that hasn't been played on the radio in a long time. But I still think they are spreading themselves too thin, like the other stations. I would be changing the station when a song comes on that appeals to the 35 and 45 year old listeners, and I think a lot of those listeners will be changing the station when something comes on that appeals to the 55, 65, and 75 year olds. It seems to me that 70 million Americans over the age of 50 are enough to have a station dedicated to programming what they like to hear. That's a lot of listeners for the makers of Geritol, Centrum Silver, and Depends to advertise to. Rich
Unfortunately, that's EXACTLY why this brand of "oldies radio" hasn't worked in the past. 55, 65 and 75 year olds buy a HELL of a lot more than Geritol, Centrum Silver and Depends ... and have the disposable income to do so ... yet THESE are the types of products that radio typically panders to them. (Boy, talk about your seriously politically-incorrect stereotypes!!!) Quite honestly, THAT type of advertising (along with the usual "do you have urinary problems" and "stay hard" pills) is what turns this generation off ... even if they NEED some of this stuff, they don't need to be told about it ... they're already buying it on their own!!! More and more I'm starting to appreciate Mason Ramsey's idea of "Music For The Ages" ... the concept that music from the 1940's right on up through today CAN be played side-by-side, as long as it's GOOD music. Let's face it, most of us grew up being exposed to all these different musical genres anyway ... and we all enjoy different aspects of ALL of it. It goes back to the Ipod mentality ... what 10,000 songs would you program on your Ipod? It wouldn't be all ONE kind of music because you'd eventually get tired of hearing that, too. I've never understood why a radio station limits its library to a couple hundred songs ... when it doesn't cost ANY more to program a few thousand. Let's face it, nowadays the computer is doing all the work anyway!!! I'm still working on what I'm calling "The Ultimate Playlist" ... when I'm done, it will probably be somewhere around 7000 songs, each and every one of them songs that people WANT to hear ... or would ENJOY hearing if only given a chance. This list would then be tiered into rotation ... some will play once a week (rather than three or four times a DAY!!!) ... and some will only play once or twice a year ... but in between you'll hear more variety than has EVER existed in radio before. In my mind, it's a programming concept that will blow the lid off ANYTHING you've ever seen before in radio ... and you can't even call it Oldies Radio anymore because it truely IS "timeless" music. More details to come ... along with some other hot new radio announcements that we're currently not allowed to talk about!!! (kk)
Meanwhile, speaking of oldies radio ... and those demographics that seem to have been permanently deemed as both "favorably desirable" and "completely ignored" ... here's a cool little piece shared with us by Clark Weber:
re: THE PLAIN AND SIMPLE FACTS ABOUT DEMOGRAPHICS:
Hi Kent;
It’s funny but it’s factual!
Clark Weber
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFQkMAPVoIo
lol ... now I think John Rook should consider hiring Craig Ferguson as one of the spokesmen for Hit Parade Radio!!! HE'LL get the point across!!! (lol) kk
re: THE BEATLES:
And, speaking of Hy Lit Radio, Sam Lit has put together a VERY nice website tribute to The Beatles' first visit to Philadelphia 45 years ago ... you can check it all out here:
Hi Kent,
Here’s something for you, in advance of my newsletter next week. Next week is the 45th anniversary of the Beatles first coming to Philadelphia. Click here.
Sam Lit
President / CEO
Hy Lit Radio Technologies, Inc.
www.HyLit.com
Very nicely done, Sam ... fans of The Fab Four should check this out!!! (kk)
And it sounds like ALL of Philly may be celebrating this very special anniversary of The Beatles' first visit to Philadelphia ... I just got this from Charlie Gracie, Jr.:
REMEMBERING BEATLES' FIRST PHILLY SHOW:
September 2nd, 1964 at Convention Hall
at the WORLD CAFE: Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
SPECIAL PUBLIC EVENT!
CHARLIE GRACIE -- Philly's very first rock 'n' roll star -- often credited by PAUL McCARTNEY and the late GEORGE HARRISON, joins WXPN's HELEN LEICHT (host), DENNY SOMACH (radio host / author: "Meet The Beatles Again") and LARRY KANE (tv - radio jounaliast / author: "Lennon Revealed", who also traveled with the FAB-4 early on) ... ALL OF WHOM will particpate in an evening of nostalgic remembrance -- discussions, Q & A, rare and historic Beatles' footage, memorabilia, photos and a live set by musician JIM BOGGIA.
EVENT BEGINS: 7:00PM
INFO / CALL TO RESERVE: (215) 222-1400
Pic: Charlie with Sir Paul in London -- who covered one of Charlie's hits in 2000. George Harrison called Charlie's guitar technique: "brilliant!" in the March 9th, 1996 issue of BILLBOARD.
re: MARSHALL LYTLE:
KENT --
I SENT THIS OUT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND WE JUST WORKED WITH MARSHALL AND THE GUYS AT A BOWZER CONCERT IN CONNECTICUT AT THE MOHEGAN SUN. FEEL FREE TO USE IT -- AND THE PHOTO IF YOU WISH. WE LOVE YOU MARSHALL!!!!
Charlie Gracie, Jr and Family
***Marshall Lytle - original COMET'S upright bassist calls it quits: "time to move on."
Marshall Lytle - the animated upright-bassist for Bill Haley's Original Comets - sent out an announcement late on 8/17 declaring he was moving on from his 20-plus years with the band to pursue other options. Marshall has a book coming out later this year which covers his life as a musician, his stint with Haley and how he and the Comets rode the wave of the global rock 'n' roll revival.
Born in North Carolina in 1933, Lytle joined Bill Haley and the Saddlemen in 1951. It was he who played bass on the rock anthem: Rock Around The Clock and most recently: VIAGARA ROCK, a tune which gained popularity on Florida radio stations -- alluding to the ages of the Comets ... and the fact that "you're never too old to rock!" The Comets have proved that time and time again throughout the years. Lytle also mentioned the possibility of doing shows with CHARLIE GRACIE (seen in the photo attachment with Marshall at a recent Bowzer show: Mohegan Sun, CT.) and WANDA JACKSON -- both of whom continue to tour worldwide!
The other two original Comets - Joey Ambrose (sax) and Dick Richards (drums) will continue performing on the oldies circuit with new Comets -- namely in Branson, MO., where the band has taken up residence for the past two years. On personal note ... the Charlie Gracie family has great love for all these men and we wish them all the very best. Long may our friendship continue!
At the age of 15, Charlie Gracie saw Bill Haley and the Saddlemen perform in Quakertown, Pa., at the Sleepy Hollow Ranch ... a big outdoor picnic.
"I was a just a young, budding musician ... but it was on that day, after watching Bill and the guys that I decided I wanted to become a performer."
-- Charlie Gracie
Here's hoping that a few of our Forgotten Hits Readers were able to send along "Get Well Wishes" to Marshall after his recent surgery. What a long, distinguished musical career this man has had! (kk)
... and, speaking of sending along well wishes ...
re: LARRY KNETCHEL / ELLIE GREENWICH:
Kent,
Sad day. Many of you may know that Larry was on some of the 60's soundtracks along with Hal Blaine and Carol Kaye (including "The Glory Stompers" and "Devil's Angel's").
Speaking of "Devil's Angels", one of the tunes from that soundtrack is in Tarantino's new film. This was from a fan / friend on my forum:
Just got back from seeing INGLORIOUS BASTERDS and, wow, I must report that itsure was a HUGE KICK for me to hear Davie's "Devil's Rumble" in it!The Arrows tune blasts mightily from the soundtrack near the end, when Donowitzand Ulmer (two Jewish American GI's, disguised as Italian filmmakers) walk intothe auditorium where the big climax takes place.Very cool!-- Arrowhead Gregory
Really sad to hear about the passing of Larry Knechtel - truly one of the greats.
Greg
Yes, quite the consummate musician. As a HUGE fan of Bread back in the '70's, I was thrilled when he joined these other fine former studio musicians as part of the permanent band. (kk)
Kent ... I wasn’t planning to write tributes today for my friend and early co-writer, Ellie Greenwich or for one of my long time musical heroes, Larry Knechtel, but I couldn’t help myself! They both meant so much to me ... and to so many people.
This morning on the east coast they laid Ellie Greenwich to rest. http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/ellie-greenwich-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/ while on the west coast they held the final services for Larry Knechtel. http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/larry-knechtel-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/ . I wasn’t able to attend either service in person, but like many of you I was there in spirit! If you want to leave a comment or two, you may do so at the end of each article and I will see that their respective families receive copies.
Thanks and Regards,
Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
A GREAT opportunity for some of our readers ... and their many, many fans, to leave a message that Artie will pass along to their families. We encourage you to visit Artie's website and do so ... BOTH of these artists did SO much to enrich our lives. (kk)
And, it looks like you've still got a couple of days to share those thoughts ... Artie is sending in his final postings this Thursday.
Kent ... How ya' doin'? On Thursday I'll be sending the dozens and dozens of comments that have been coming in on my ROCK IN PERPETUITY tribute to Ellie Greenwich and Larry Knechtel, to their families. I've seldom seen such an out pouring of love as this for people behind the scenes in the music business.
If you'd like to join the friends, fans, and stars who have made comments about Ellie Greenwich, please visit: http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/ellie-greenwich-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/
And for those who want to say something about Larry Knechtel http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/larry-knechtel-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/
In the words of Alan O'Day and Johnny Stevenson, "If you believe in forever ... life is just a one night stand ... If there's a Rock n' Roll Heaven ... You know they've got a hell of a band!"
Respectfully,
Artie Wayne
BW photo taken at the BMI Awards dinner 1964 by POPSIE
L to R: Artie Ripp, Jeff Barry, Phil Spector, Paul Case, Ellie Greenwich, Jerry Leiber, and Ed Silvers.
Color photo of Larry Knechtel copyright 2009 by Patti Dahlstrom
re: LES PAUL:
I got a chance to see Les Paul, on one of Monday night Iridium gigs in NY, and meet him back in 2000. I got his autograph and shook his hand after the show, but pity, I didn’t have camera. Still, a nice experience.
Thanks, again --
Greg
re: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO DESI ARNAZ, JR.?:
Click here: Desi Arnaz Jr.
Click here: Welcome to Miss Amys, the Historic Boulder Theatre and the Boulder City Ballet Company.
Click here: Cinema Treasures Boulder Theatre
submitted by Allan 0318
Great Billy Hinsche stuff ... love the ‘LS surveys and music.
Greg
re: DAVY JONES:
Thanks for running my Davy Jones story and thanks for the plugs (music, not hair).
Greg
I hope Davy Jones includes this one - his very best - in his regular show.
I'll Be True To You ... from The Monkees' Second Album.
David Lewis
Although I've heard him do it before in some of The Monkees Reunion Shows, I haven't heard Davy perform this one in a while. Personally, I prefer The Hollies' original version ... back when the song was still called "Yes I Will". Although never a hit here in The States, it reached #9 in Great Britain back in 1965. (kk)
re: JEFFERSON AIRPLANE:
>>>Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how much I enjoy reading all the posts at Forgotten Oldies!! What a COOL site! I was really blown away by JBK Surf City Sounds Plus posting of that photo from Jefferson Airplane's 1969 concert in Grant Park. I was also at that concert but that is the ONLY photo I have ever seen from it. Keep up the great work, Kent! LONG LIVE FORGOTTEN OLDIES!! (Jim Blackwood / Palatine, Il)
>>>I seem to remember John also mentioning something along the lines that he had only ever seen one other photograph from this show ... so it was REALLY cool to be able to feature this one. I was just reading about THEIR Altamont experience ... with Marty Balin being bashed in the head when he jumped off the stage into Hell's Angels territory ... I guess the logic back then was that as long as you were up on the stage performing and entertaining, YOU were in control ... but once you LEAVE that stage, you're subject to the same rules as everybody else ... and that certainly was the night that Hell's Angels policed their turf ... even if it meant killing somebody!!! (kk)
Hi KK: Thanx to Jim Blackwood and Kent Kotal for their kind remarks about the Jefferson Airplane Chicago 1969 concert photo. It was hanging on the wall of a friend of someone posting on the 2400 Fulton St. message board. I want to ID this person who took the photo to give credit where it is due. There were hundreds of cameras in the crowd and photo coverage in the local papers, so I hope to discover more pix and pass them along in the future.A post script about Marty Balin and the Hells Angels: In the 40 years since Altamont, I've read that Balin has performed with the latter day Jefferson Starship in concerts at biker rallies. So I assume all is well now that they all kissed and made up? (LOL!) Stay tuned!JBK aka ... Yes, you can turn me on! I'm on the radio! Surf City Sounds Plus: http://www.Live365.com/stations/johns805?play
re: THE SIAMESE CAT SONG:
C'mon ... now how many OTHER places are you gonna find that go from The Jefferson Airplane right into Lady And The Tramp without ever missing a beat?!?!? Seriously!!! (kk)
>>>Regarding my question about the first to use echo chambers, I do remember that there was a song sung in "Lady and the Tramp" sung by the two Siamese cats (and I think in reality by Peggy Lee?) where they over-recorded voices to make an echo but my memory is foggy on this as I neither remember the song nor what sound was created. But there was a feature on TV at that time telling how they were able to make that sound. Considering I don't remember what I had for breakfast today I'm amazed that I even remember anything about that song! (Steve Davidson)
>>>Peggy Lee did, indeed, sing the "The Siamese Cat Song" (We Are Siamese If You Please)" in the Disney classic "Lady And The Tramp" ... but I don't know that this was the first use of "echo" on a recording. (Double-tracking or staggering your vocals doesn't really constitute as echo in my book anyway!!!) kk
If I remember correctly, that feature is a bonus on the two-disc special edition DVD of Lady And The Tramp. I don't recall it having to do with echo, rather the fact that there were 2 cats so Peggy had to overdub her voice ...
Tom Diehl
My understanding is that this track was unavailable for decades due to some sort of licensing agreement or something ... but that never stopped Forgotten Hits from featuring some REALLY rare music within our pages. Thanks to Tom Diehl for sending this one along to share with our readers. (This ought to bring back a memory or two ... spaghetti anyone???) kk
... and, speaking of echo recordings ...
re: ECHO:
Kent, When I read the Steve Davidson comment about "Echo" in your August 19th Newsletter I was taken back in my memory bank to the time I was being shown around one of the early recording studios in Denver in the early 60s, or now that I'm thinking hard about it, it might have been a tour of the KIMN Radio Station Studios, (95 Fabulous KIMN). Anyway, what I remember is that I was surprised when my guide opened a door and said ... "and here's the echo chamber" ... and we walked in. It was a long narrow concrete and tile room probably 20 feet long and 5 feet wide, and it had an echo like when you sing in the shower. It had a narrow sort of square tube running down the center of it that was maybe 10 inches high. I don't know what that was for, maybe to contain wiring. At one end there was a microphone, and at the other end there was a speaker. I think this might have been Band Box Records, but it might have been KIMN Studios, if they wanted echo for producing their in house commercials and jingles. So anyway, it might have been a small recording studio in Denver in the 60s, or it might have been KIMN Radio studios, but that was probably a standard set-up for "Echo" technology of those days, no matter how big the town was or how famous the recording studio was. So that is one way to get an echo, without overdubbing or a delayed playback, and I imagine there was this same type of "technology" being used even in some of the big major studios like Capital Records at some point in the early days, before overdubbing and WAY before electronic manipulation. I'll bet every studio had a dedicated "echo room" that they could use if they wanted to. There's one thing that should be noted concerning "echo effect" about the singers of the early days of recording ... the 1920s, 30, and 40s and later. Many of the top vocalists had a natural but trained quality in their voice that gave an effect to their tones that was a lot like 'echo'. When you listen to those early recordings you can hear that such singers as Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, Vaughan Monroe, Bing Crosby and even Tony Bennett, ALL sang without any "processed echo" in their recordings, but instead worked close to the mic and generated trained tones in their vocals that were lingering and probably very difficult to achieve. In my opinion, the effect is the same as an echo, and creates a very listenable lyric and an enjoyable total experience, even on the more up-tempo arrangements. The 'echo' that Gene Krupa and other drummers achieved in the early big band recordings, especially on the big beat sounds of their snare drums, was totally due to the natural echo of the stage area or the size of the recording studio. In the early 70s I was sitting with Bonnie Bramlett in front of the engineer's console one day at a huge Hollywood studio, listening to Elvis record, but he wasn't there in the studio. The giant orchestra in the studio just across the glass was playing along to his voice, which had been recorded somewhere else. I remember the engineer working with the echo on Elvis' voice and trying to balance the sound that was on the track he was working with, with the ear of the producer. He even asked US how WE thought it sounded. I like the echo that was already there, and Bonnie thought it was fine too, just the way it was. I remember how we thought we were in on something really BIG that day, and were nodding and smiling a lot to the music. It was a HUGE orchestra and an unforgettable experience. When the Walker Brothers recorded their tracks in London, all the instruments were played on one pass, in one giant session, and were mixed "on the fly" by the engineer as the music was being recorded, including the vocals. When you listen to their tracks now, knowing that fact, it gives you an entirely different respect for the quality of the musicians and for the microphone techniques of studio recording in those days. Of course there was 'echo' on those tracks, but the idea that those high quality and complicated Hal David arrangements, including big Tympanic Drum parts, Oboes and French Horns, and even small bells, was so accurate and exact in the mix ... well it's amazing to me, since I now use about 24 digital tracks on my productions, all individually mixed to TRY to get the sound I want, and it sometimes takes literally months for me to be satisfied (or give up). So "Hats Off" to The Walker Brothers ... Scott Engel, John Maus and Gary Leeds, (though they weren't really related), and of course also a salute to their Producer Johnny Franz, as well as in-studio Arrangers and "ears" Ivor Raymonde, Hal David, and Burt Bacharach. Veeder Van Dorn / The Moonrakers
I passed your note along to Vic Flick, who did a number of recording dates with The Walker Brothers way back when to see if he could shed any insight into some of the techniques used on these sessions. Here's what Vic had to say:
Hi Kent,
Thanks for your E-mail about the Walker Brothers. I shall always remember the Walker Brothers as a quality act who took their work very seriously. They recorded many times in Phillips Studios at Marble Arch, London. Most of the times that I worked with them were with Ivor Raymonde, with the ever present producer Johnny Franz hovering in the background. The period when the early Walker Brothers recordings were made was exciting for singers, musicians and studio technicians. Everybody had to get their input right or the recording would grind to a halt and off we would go again. Later, of course, things got easier with multi tracking as the pressure was off and the take could be kept and any glitches corrected. Even so, studio musicians were expected to come up with the goods every take as time was money and ones career, back then, depended on it. As I had written about The Walker brothers in my Book, Vic Flick Guitarman, I asked John for a photograph. Being over cautious and very business like, John asked many questions about how it would be used, would there be copyright problems, etc. In the end the photo wasn't used!
Veeder mentions Burt Bacharach. I worked with Burt many times. He is a wonderful musician with an incomparable desire for musical perfection. Every session was an education.
Below is an excerpt from my book describing a Walker Brothers 'incident.'
Very best wishes.
Vic
www.vicflick.com
Be sure to check out Vic's website (if you haven't already done so) for an impressive list of studio credits that'll absolutely blow you away. (You can order his book there, too!!!) Here's the promised excerpt, courtesy of Vic Flick himself!!! The Walker Brothers were riding high in the charts with their 1965 hit single ‘Make it Easy on Yourself,’ on which I had the pleasure of working. Simon Dee had invited the Walker Brothers to sing their song on his TV show recorded at the BBC Lime Grove Studios, Shepherds Bush, West London.
Max Harris was the musical director and the band contained such luminaries as Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Ross and — may I say it — me.
Packing up after the show I had made my getaway by rushing off to get my car.
I had parked in the wilds of Shepherds Bush and left Judy to watch my instruments. When I returned and was putting my gear in the trunk of my car, a distraught woman came up to me.
‘Has Tubby left yet?’ she asked. ‘I desperately need to see him. Please help me. Please? Please?’
Thinking it would take just a minute to point her in the direction of the studio (and Tubby), I said, ‘Follow me!’
In the Lime Grove studios, panic had broken out. There was some sort of alarm and before I knew it, the woman and I were directed this way and that and I was lost within the rabbit warren of corridors. When I reappeared in the street the panic inside had erupted outside, mainly caused by my parked car, containing a stricken Judy, surrounded
by BBC heavies. A carefully orchestrated escape by the Walker Brothers to evade the mass of fans gathered in the street had been foiled by my car.
The BBC heavies were trying to push my car out of the way so the small Austin Mini containing the Brothers could roar off as planned. Judy was crying, the heavies were swearing, I was sweating and the fans were starting to tear the Mini to bits. I jumped in, started the car and made a hasty exit, followed by the stricken Mini and the Brothers. Getting to the end of Line Grove Street, I turned right and the Mini turned left. Side by side at the end of the one-way street, I suffered the full vocabulary of epithets the red-faced Mini driver shouted at me. And so ended an unpleasant evening. There was a slight tension working with the Walker Brothers after that incident, but we all realized we were victims of circumstance.
From the book: Vic Flick Guitarman.
Thanks, Vic! You'll find LOTS more stories like that in Vic's book! (kk)
re: HELPING OUT OUR READERS:
Hi,
Does anyone remember a song with these words included, "when he brings his little motorcycle round after tea, how she liked sitting on the back" etc, etc, etc. I have found nobody who remembers it. It was recorded in the 20's, either on Parlaphone or HMV. Hope you can help!
Baleno
WAY before MY time ... but let's run it up The Forgotten Hits Flag Pole and see what comes back!!! (kk)
I asked long-time Forgotten Hits Reader TheOneBuff if HE recognized any part of this tune ... and here's what I got back:
Grinning. It's even WAY before MY time but let me and the hound dogs see what we can track down.
Hil
LOL ... yes, but you're the oldest living guy I know!!! (lol) kk
Thanks! LOL ... I just asked the oldest living woman I know!!
Hil
Lol ... let's see if anybody else out there can solve this one. Meanwhile, Hil put us on to another site where we ran our inquiry by their group ...
I don't know this one. 20s is really going back. LOL But tell them to ask at this site, MAYBE someone will remember it or they might know where to look for some info on it. Worth a try. Enjoy your weekend.
re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
I found and bookmarked your site several months ago, Kent, and have enjoyed every visit there since. Keep up the good work!
Bob Dearborn
Wow! Thanks! I used to listen to you on WCFL back in their hey-day!!! I think you'll enjoy our weekly WLS / WCFL Chart Salutes ... and, if you've EVER got a memory or two to share with our group, PLEASE send it along!!! (kk)
KENT ... YOU'RE JUST ONE DAMN GOOD GUY ... CHET COPPOCK
Thanks, Chet ... that's what I've been shooting for!!! (lol) kk
Hi Kent,
Hope all is going well.
We just returned from a very successful Vegas performance. We performed for two nights and it was a blast!
Love the newsletter ... Keep it coming!
All the best,
Mick
The 1910 Fruitgum Company
You've got to let us know when you're heading out Chicago-way ... would LOVE to see you guys in concert!!! And bring Ron Dante out with you, too!!! (kk)
