Hey Kent ...
Here's a link to a short Promo clip of our show at The Cannery Casino in Las Vegas this past July, when we appeared on a show with Al Jardine & The Endless Summer Band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hspYvy2SGnI
We're hoping to get out West again this year.
All the best ...
Mitch Schecter / The Rip Chords
Cool, thanks, Mitch! (Now how do I get my hands on one of those cool official Rip Chords Hawaiian shirts like Ritchie is wearing?!?!? lol) kk
CHARLIE GRACIE BEGINS A 5-WEEK
CONCERT TOUR OF THE UNITED KINGDOM!!!
The "Energizer Bunny of Rock 'n' Roll" is off and running again as he begins a slew of overseas dates beginning March 19th -- highligted by the BIG 50TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE CONCERT for his late friend and contemporary: R'n'R Hall of Famer: EDDIE COCHRAN. PLUS ... Charlie returns to England again for another MONTH this FALL - highlighted by his appearance at the ROYAL THEATRE in WINDSOR on Nov 7th.
CHARLIE'S PARTIAL U.K.DATES BELOW:
MARCH 19: THE PUBLIC ARENA: West Bromich, BIRMINGHAM, ENG.
MARCH 20 / 21: VAUXHALL PARK ARENA: Shake Rattle & Roll Weekend Festival:
(Great Yarmouth) NORFOLK, ENG.
MARCH 22: BUTLINS HOLIDAY CENTRE: SCARBROUGH, ENG.
MARCH 27: THE IRISH ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE: LEEDS, ENG.
APRIL 02: THE WINNING POST: TWICKENHAM (London), ENG.
APRIL 03: THE JAGUAR CLUB: (Radford) COVENTRY, ENG.
APRIL 04: MIDDLEWICH BRITISH LEGION CLUB: CHESHIRE, ENG.
APRIL 09: CLUB CONSERVATIVE; SHANKLIN--ISLE OF WIGHT, ENG.
APRIL 10: AMERSHAM ROCK 'N' ROLL CLUB: AMERSHAM-BUCKS, ENG.
APRIL 11: CONSERVATIVE CLUB/CADOXTON: GLAMORGAN, S.WALES
APRIL 13: THE KINGS HALL HERNE BAY, KENT, ENG.
APRIL 16: POPULAR SOCIAL CLUB OF WELLINGTON STREET,
ACCRINGTON, ENG.
APRIL 17: OLYMPIAD ARENA: (THE EDDIE COCHRAN 50TH MEMORIAL
TRIBUTE CONCERTS AND FESTIVAL) CHIPPENHAM, ENG.
APRIL 18: RICHMOND PARK HOLIDAY ARENA: SKEGNESS, ENG.
APRIL 23: PONTINS HOLIDAY CAMP, SOUTHPORT, ENG.
APRIL 25: BAWA CLUB: KINGSWOOD--BRISTOL, ENG.
Look at all the Oldies Artists still out there performing!!
Eddie Burke
Click here: YouTube - utopiaartists's Channel#p/u/0/wYpOUW-RH9c
Especially nice to see so many of the artists who regularly participate with Forgotten Hits on this list. I emailed Wendy Kay (who runs Utopia Artists) and invited her to "use" us to her fullest ability ... we are SO happy to help spread the word about these many artists out on the road ... and letting the fans know where they can see their favorites. Hopefully we'll have much more down the line about some of these great show. Thanks, Eddie! (kk)
Several weeks ago we told you about a music event that Charles Rosenay was putting together ... well check out the line-up so far!!! More details to come ... but this is REALLY starting to sound like a "Don't Miss" event!!!
ROCK CON: The National Rock & Roll Celebrity Show website is now online.
The event is set for July 30 - August 1, 2010 at the Sheraton Meadowlands in Secaucus, NJ.
We are still inviting and welcoming guests in the music field. We haven't listed any guests on our website yet, because we expect to add many more, but here is the preliminary roster for our friends at Forgotten Hits ...
Confirmed: Terry Sylvester (Hollies), Sid Bernstein (legendary promoter), Shaun Weiss, Pete Fornatale (NY DJ), Pat Horgan (Garage Band Rock), Ian Lloyd (Stories), John Idan (Yardbirds), Clay Cole, Dennis Ferrante, Jonathan Tiersten (Jonathan Tiersten and the Ten Tiers), Eddy Kelly (American Bandstand dancer late 50's - early 60's), Spanky McFarlane (Spanky & Our Gang, The Mamas & the Papas), David Peel (David Peel & The Lower East Side), Beverly Bremers ("Don't Say You Don't Remember"), Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge), Ian Mitchell (Bay City Rollers), Pat Dinizio & the other members of The Smithereens, Andy Pratt ("Avenging Annie"), John Ford (Strawbs), The Fifth Estate ("Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead"), Kasim Sultan (Utopia), Paul Petersen, Ron Dante (The Archies / The Cuff Links), Tom T-Bone Stankus (Dr. Demento/Existential Blues)
Please keep us posted on this Charles! I'm sure a number of our readers would love to attend this event! (kk)
And this just in from Bob Abrams of The Buckinghams:
Bobby ABRAMS / Brock And Abrams
BobAbrams.com
Tour Dates March 2010
March 3, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Jillys / Naperville
Brock And Abrams Dance Party -- Big Fun!
103 S. Main Street, Naperville, Illinois 60540 630.355.1001 http://jillyschicago.com/naperville/naperville_index.html
March 4, 2010 - 6:30 PM - Tuscany / Oakbrook
Brock And Abrams
1415 West 22nd Street, Oakbrook, Illinois 60523
Contact venue for reservations 630.990.1993
http://www.stefanirestaurants.com
March 9, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Stonehouse Pub / Lemont
Brock and Abrams - Mick Brock Solo
103 Stephen St., Lemont, Illinois 60439 630.257.1300 http://www.stonehousepub.org
March 13, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Coach’s Corner - Elk Grove Village
Bob Abrams Solo
152 W. Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 847.956.1818 http://www.dacoachs.com
March 16, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Stonehouse Pub / Lemont
Brock and Abrams - Bob Abrams Solo
103 Stephen St., Lemont, Illinois 60439 630.257.1300 http://www.stonehousepub.org
March 23, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Stonehouse Pub / Lemont
Brock and Abrams - Mick Brock Solo
103 Stephen St., Lemont, Illinois 60439 630.257.1300 http://www.stonehousepub.org
March 24, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Jillys / Naperville
Brock And Abrams Dance Party
103 S. Main Street, Naperville, Illinois 60540 630.355.1001 http://jillyschicago.com/naperville/naperville_index.html
March 26, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Onesti Dinner Club / St. Charles
Brock And Abrams
18 N 4th St., St. Charles, Illinois 60174
Call for details and reservations 630.584.1888
http://www.onestidinnerclub.com
March 27, 2010 - 6:30 PM - Tuscany / Oakbrook
Brock And Abrams
1415 West 22nd Street, Oakbrook, Illinois 60523
contact venue for reservations: 630.990.1993
http://www.stefanirestaurants.com
March 30, 2010 - 8:00 PM - Stonehouse Pub / Lemont
Brock and Abrams - Bob Abrams Solo
103 Stephen St., Lemont, Illinois 60439 630.257.1300 http://www.stonehousepub.org
All Dates Subject To Change
re: MORE ON THE PHILLY SCENE:
Read the Hy Lit Radio February 26th Newsletter here.
Sam Lyt
Hey Kent ...
These are some great photos that John posted. We are all in shock over this horrible fire. I recorded at that studio as a young guy, back when the name was changed to Regent Sound Studios (before Philadelphia International took over the studio.) The engineer there was a guy named Joel Fein, and I believe he is the guy in this photo on the left with the striped shirt. Maybe John could clear that up for me. Joel went on to engineer many Motion Picture Soundtracks. On the sessions I recorded there, Jerry Gross from The Dovells was the producer of the sessions. This was years before I joined The Rip Chords. Great memories of a great place. I feel honored to have recorded there.
Mitch Schecter / The Rip Chords
I's a pretty awe-inspiring experience, walking into that studio where SO many historical tracks were laid down over the years ... such a HUGE part of our lives. It's funny in a way because the studio really isn't all that spectacular looking ... a bit out of date if anything, really, with the shag carpeting all over the walls and floor ... but the music made inside those walls is legendary ... Frannie and I truly felt privileged to have been there ... so glad we got to see it when we did. (kk)
As for Joel Fein ... and the photo you're referring to ... here's John Madara's answer:
Hi Kent ...
Left-to-right: Joe Renzetti, Leon Huff, John Madara and Bunny Sigler.
We were doing vocals on "Let The Good Times Roll" in 1967 with Joe Tarsia.
Best -
John
Kent,
I think your readers have a limited view or skew or are just plain inaccurate as to the early history and inception of Bandstand. This link may help you out, to get the facts straight. http://hylitradio.com/productlogo/stanblitz
Sam Lit
President / CEO
Hy Lit Radio Technologies Inc.
www.HyLit.com
re: ANOTHER EMBARRASSING DAVY MOMENT:
No, we're not talking about his man-boobs again ... it just sounds like our buddy Davy "Frickin'" Jones was having one of those nights. (The REAL shame is that we saw Davy in concert with David Cassidy last year around this time and he TOTALLY stole the show!!! In fact, there was quite a bit of not-so-soft whispering going on about how much Cassidy may have had to drink that night!!!) So a little bit discouraging to read this report:
Published January 14, 2010 -
A report in a national supermarket tabloid that 1960s heartthrob Davy Jones drunkenly challenged his audience to a fight after a performance at a city hotel is true, according to Valley residents who witnessed the former Monkee’s outburst.
Monkee’s request for hits ignored
By Rick Dandes / The Daily Item
SUNBURY — A report in a national supermarket tabloid that 1960s heartthrob Davy Jones drunkenly challenged his audience to a fight after a performance at a city hotel is true, according to Valley residents who witnessed the former Monkee’s outburst. According to the Jan. 11 edition of the National Enquirer, Jones, a Beavertown resident, ended an impromptu singing performance with a challenge to fight the entire audience outside the Hotel Edison. No one took the 5-foot-3, 65-year-old singer up on his invitation.
“He was ready to take anyone on,” said Steve Korek, a New Berlin resident who attended the Dec. 11 concert with friends. “Jones had the microphone in his hand and was walking towards the bar, cursing. His wife held the other end of the cord and tried to pull him back.” It was all very comical, Korek said. “I was wondering what set him off,” Korek said. “What made him so angry? Why was he cursing at someone at the bar? I don’t think anyone knows.”
Repeated telephone calls and e-mails to Jones, through his management company and his wife, Jessica Pacheco, were not returned Wednesday. Jones was late for the start of the show, and by the time the performance began around 10:30 p.m., he was already drunk, Korek said. “He couldn’t even stand up,” Korek said. “A few songs into the performance, I turned to a friend and said, ‘You think he’s going to fall over?’”
Jones was very sociable when the show began, said a Union County woman who asked to remain anonymous. “He sang a few songs, but he stumbled over the words.” Earlier, Jones tried to sing “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” but stopped midway because he couldn’t remember all the reindeers in the song.
“The people at the bar were laughing at this point,” Korek said. Then Jones started singing one of the Monkees’ biggest hits, “Daydream Believer.” A minute into the tune, he just stopped singing and started shouting a series of expletives aimed at people in the audience and at Sunbury residents in general. Edison Hotel manager Bradley A. Niemiec, who was working that night, confirmed the National Enquirer’s account of Jones’ behavior. Bu tNiemiec declined to elaborate on any further details.
http://www.dailyitem.com/0100_news/local_story_013203734.html
re: CCR:
Kent,
Thank you for your great article and many facts I was not aware of...
My friends and I grew up listening to CCR in the 60's and 70's on our boating and camping trips to the Colorado River near Parker, Arizona. We still play their songs today at most all types of get-togethers. They are absolutely my favorite band of all time.
Yes, it is one of the saddest endings of any rock and roll story, sad enough to irritate the hell out of me that these guys got screwed and screwed themselves in so many ways.
Thanks again,
Dick Sundahl
Thanks for the kind words, Dick ... our CCR feature has been a fan-favorite for several years now. (If anybody out there still hasn't read it, you can check it out HERE on The Forgotten Hits Web Page):
Click here: Forgotten Hits - Creedence Clearwater Revival
re: SAM COOKE:
I always loved the song "That Lucky Old Sun" by Frankie Laine but I think no one sings it like Sam Cooke. Thanks for the tribute to Sam Cooke. I found it very interesting.
Carrie
Albums around here play for days, sometimes weeks, often longer. Right now it’s Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones. Before that it was a February 23, 2008 Dax Riggs bootleg. For weeks, and weeks before that it was Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963 by Sam Cooke.
When done right, a live album captures a moment in time. It’s ageless, alive, and forever travels in a sealed jar the size of the world. This is true for any album, but it’s a purer and more potent truth that swims the depths of a live album.
Live at the Harlem Square Club was finely cut from a high-grade Sam Cooke performance on January 12, 1963. All you have to do to hear that nothing outside the room that night mattered to anyone in it, is listen.
It became the soundtrack as I prepared a piece for Gapers Block about Sam Cooke. I listened to it while I read and wrote, but also while I worked, worked out, ate, slept and breathed.
The album can be found traveling all over this jar the size of the world. The Gapers Block piece can be found here: Observing Change: Sam Cooke and the Civil Rights Movement.
-- Brian Leli
It's a GREAT piece, Brian ... thanks again for letting us run it in Forgotten Hits! (kk)
Kent ...
The Sam Cooke story is great. Got this from my nephew. My first thought was that he's crazy. Nobody can cover Sam Cooke. After I listened to it I changed my mind. He's pretty good. This guy is a new singer from Sweden. What do you think ?
Frank B.
YouTube - Erik Hassle - A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke Cover)
Not really MY thing ... but the feedback seems to be pretty positive on YouTube (so what do I know?!?!? lol) Thanks, Frank! (kk)
Kent,
I remember the night Sam was killed very well. I was at the home of my guitar teacher, mentor (and member of the Wrecking Crew) Ray Pohlman, who had played on a lot of Sam's records, when Rene Hall, Sam's arranger, called with the horrible news.
Not long before that I was on a Wink Martindale show lip-synching a Spectors 3 record called "I Really Do" and Sam was on that show. Also Eugene Church and Jewel and Eddie appeared.
Russ Titelman
I was too young at the time to know and appreciate the music Sam Cooke gave us ... but it has been part of our lives ever since. I became a MAJOR fan in the '80's ... and even more so while researching "The Series That Never Was" for Forgotten Hits. From one I understand, the turn-out here in Chicago for Sam's funeral service was fit for a king ... what a sad, unnecessary loss. (kk)
Thanks for running my piece on Sam Cooke again - I haven't typed anything that long since! It was nice to look at it again!
I just heard a live cut from Sam Cooke at The Copa on XM and it was mind-blowing! (Making a mental note to pick up that CD; it's only been some six years since I said I was gonna get it!)
It would be great to do the tour through all the old neighborhoods where Sam spent time here in Chicago. I'm all up for a spring trip -- maybe you can dub it a "Cooke-Out"?!?!?
Thanks again!
RockABob
Well, I'm hoping I can convince Erik Greene, Sam's Great Nephew, to take a few of us on a personalized tour ... I, too, would love to see these landmarks! Stay tuned! (kk)
A COUPLE OF QUICK REMINDERS:
We're putting together our next Record Collectors Piece ... get YOUR stories in now so we can include them in our next special segment.
Scroll down to March 2nd to see some of the special mailing features we're working on ... hoping to have ALL of this stuff ready to send out by the weekend ... but they're going out BY REQUEST ONLY ... so please let us know which one(s) you'd like to receive in your mailbox!
This Friday afternoon Scott Shannon kicks off another "Rock And Roll Remakes" Weekends on The True Oldies Channel. It's one of their most popular features ... and THIS time we've put together some of "The Stories Behind the Songs" that'll appear on The Forgotten Hits Web Page. Be sure to stop back and visit us this weekend ... and "Listen Live" to the broadcast here:
Click here: True Oldies Channel Worldwide - Scott Shannon
And finally, have you filed YOUR I.R.S. Ballot yet???
That’s I.R.S. as in It Really Shoulda been a Top 10 Hit.
Here’s all you do: Send Hz up to 40 of your favorite songs which didn’t make the Top 10 nationally but shoulda. So what if you’re not sure whether any song did or not? You vote, we’ll check. Like last year, every I.R.S. voter gets entered in a drawing to win a cool prize TBA.
The 3rd annual I.R.S. Top 104 will be counted down here in Hz @ April 15th and, if we can swing it, on the radio somewhere as well. Stay tuned, as they say.
No, we’re not suggesting that you not file with those other guys … it's just that picking Hz So Good’s 3rd annual I.R.S. (as in, It Really Shoulda been a Top 10 hit) Top 104 is far less, um, taxing.
Many of you have already filed, but if you haven’t yet, there’s still time. And it’s even easier than an EZ form.
All you need do is respond to this with a list of as many as 40 songs (title and artist, to avoid any confusion) that ’shoulda been’ Top 10 hits in the U.S.
It’s not necessary to look anything up before you send – we’ll do the checking here.
Questions? Ok, go ahead.
Q: What if I can’t come up with 40 songs?
A: Send as many or as few as you like - all that means is 40’s the limit.
Q: What if I “filed” last year, and/or the year before last? Can I still participate this year?
A: Absolutely. Every year’s a new I.R.S. You can ‘file’ the same songs or different ones, that’s up to you.
You’ve got until the end of March to get your picks to Hz, so what are you waiting for? Our preparers are standing by waiting for your returns.
H & Z ROCK ...
a division of
HzSoGood
Email your ballots to rich.appel@hzsogd.com
