Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Sunday Comments

While "Real Life" situations have created a situation of minimal postings for the next several weeks for Forgotten Hits, here are some OTHER interesting features we think you will enjoy in the Oldies Community:

re: COOL STUFF!:
Here's the latest word on two upcoming issues, and two of those not-gonna-find-it-anywhere-else lists we love putting together with gum and glue. Not to mention plenty of pain input. Pick one or both.
* Next Hz: THE TOP 50 MULTI-GENERATIONAL-APPEAL SONGS.

In this digitally-dominated world, the idea of 'mass appeal' seems antiquated. Yet, there still exists a very short list of recordings for the ages, as in appealing to kids as well as to old folks like us (and most in between). It's TV show / advertising licensing, public gatherings and maybe even radio spearheading this effort. A few of you could confirm these titles, as you're closer to the printouts, but even if you're not (and I'm not), maybe you still have a sense of which songs these are. Some are old, some fairly new, all are timeless (at least right now). And not all are party songs, either. Suggestions? Send 'em here. By AUGUST 1ST! * The Hz after that: THE 50 LEAST-DESERVING NUMBER ONE SONGS.
It doesn't take a chart nut to say "THAT went to #1???" Here's your chance to sound off on this. But check any genre or artist biases at the door. You've got to come up with a better reason than that to explain why any song didn't deserve its at-least-one-week atop the pops. Blame the LCD, payola, artists in 'superstar mode'...whatever you think will make your case. You've got until Labor Day weekend.
Let the games begin!
HzSoGood

Ironically, we were working on the very same topic here in Forgotten Hits ... the 20 / 20 Hindsight Edition of Least-Deserving #1 Songs from the Rock Era, 1955 - 1979 ... so, rather than duplicate the effort, we're suggesting that you throw your nominations Rich Appel's way ... and let him compile the ULTIMATE Chart of Least-Deserving #1 Hits. (We'll run the final results here in Forgotten Hits, too!) Just send him your list: jjrappel@verizon.net And, if it turns out that Rich is going to count 'em down on the radio somewhere, we'll pass that information along to you, too! (With all the jocks on our list, here's hoping that somebody will want to recap the winners ... or would that be losers?!?!?) kk

Hello Kent,
It's been a long while since I've been in touch with you at FH. I've been following along and wanted to drop in and say hello and let you and your readers know what I've been up to at www.popcultureaddict.com.
Earlier this year we had a massive format change, updating PCA to a format that is updated every few days. We don't only feature original articles and interviews now, but we've moved into film / book / album / comic reviews, celebrity spotlights and commentary, giving readers reason to come back more frequently. I've also been riding a wave of celebrity interviews all year with no end in sight. Most recently I've been covering the Happy Together Tour via my friend Carl Giammarese. We did a brief "catching up" interview, which is at http://popcultureaddict.com/happytogethertour/.
Most recently a second Happy Together Tour interview premiered featuring my talk with Mark Lindsay. One of the coolest members of the 1960's music scene, Mark talked to me about the tour, the rise and fall of the Raiders, his difficult relationship with Paul Revere and about the time that he came face to face with Charles Manson! The response from Mark's fans have been overwhelming and I thought your readers might dig on it too. My interview with Mark Lindsay can be directly linked at http://popcultureaddict.com/close/marklindsay/
I also did an interview with The Turtles' Mark "Flo" Volman, which should be ready in August, and did a fourth interview with Rob Grill, but unfortunately due to some difficulties, my interview with Rob wont be able to be published. Rob Grill is a fantastic guy and a talented performer, but there were some complications during the interview.
Most of the interviews I've been doing over the last year have been Hollywood type stuff but its sort of good to be back in the music side of things. If your readers are interested in reading some good celebrity interviews that aren't the "fluff" stuff that other web-sites / magazines offer, I currently have 41 interviews on-line at
http://popcultureaddict.com/close/. In the next few months, along with Mark Volman, I'll be putting up interviews with soap opera legend Eric Braeden and Mr. Ed's Alan "Wilbur" Young.
Anyhow Kent, good to see that you are still fighting to keep the music of the 60's and the passionate fan community alive. It is important work that you do. Keep in touch when you can, and I'll try to do the same.
All the best,
Sam Tweedle
Confessions of a Pop Culture Addict

www.popcultureaddict.com
Good to hear from you, Sam ... and great to hear that things are thriving at PopCultureAddict.com.
Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams and Howard Kaylan of The Turtles have been keeping OUR readers up-to-date from the road on The Happy Together Tour as well. (We were hoping to have reports from Mark Lindsay and Micky Dolenz, too, but so far, no luck ... I've been told by Mark's wife that "Mark doesn't 'do' the computer" ... lol ... and all communication would need to be via phone ... which is difficult for me ... and, despite numerous promises to the contrary, we've yet to hear back from Micky ... but who knows, things around here seem to turn on a dime ... so you NEVER know what might turn up next!) Meanwhile, I'm sure our readers will LOVE checking out what you've got posted on your website ... and I encourage them to do so. Please DO stay in touch ... great to hear from you! (kk)


... and, speaking of Micky Dolenz, here's some more Micky news ...

re: MORE MICKY NEWS:
As if Deborah (don't call me Debbie) Gibson and Tiffany weren't enough star power, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees has been signed to star in the Syfy cable channel's original movie, "Mega Python vs Gatoroid," currently filming in Los Angeles. Micky will portray a celebrity singer hired by Tiffany for her fundraiser to save the Everglades, Syfy said Wednesday (July 14).
-- Ron Smith

More on this topic from Brad Waddell's "Flexquarters" Monkees Online Fanzine:

Dolenz Joins Gibson And Tiffany's Tv Movie

Eighties pop rivals DEBBIE GIBSON and TIFFANY will experience a blast from the past when they begin filming the new movie MEGA PYTHON VS.GATOROID - former MONKEES star MICKY DOLENZ has been added to the cast.

Gibson and Tiffany rose to fame as teen pop stars and they will go head-to-head once more in the new TV release, which will poke fun at their alleged rivalry by pitting them against one another for the small screen.

But the pair won't be the only familiar faces from pop history in the film - producers have hired '60s singer Dolenz to join the unusual project, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Gibson will star as an animal rights campaigner who frees exotic snakes from pet stores, while Tiffany will play a park ranger desperate to save endangered alligators. Mega Python vs. Gatoroid will be broadcast in the U.S. next year.

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/dolenz-joins-gibson-and-tiffanys-tv-movie_1152906

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66D0IF20100714

And, we've been telling you about Micky's new Carole King Tribute CD release for weeks now ... as well as his MyRecordFantasty project. Well, just look at who's already planning to take part with this special recording event:

A pair of Monkees to reunite for myRecordFantasy

Got a wool stocking cap, a British accent or a hankering to sing the songs of Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart? The opportunity will arise August 2 - 4 when former Monkees Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork reunite in Sacramento, CA, for a project that allows fans participate in and observe the making of an album.

Mark Lindsay, former lead singer of Paul Revere and the Raiders, will be among the guests participating in an event dubbed myRecordFantasy. Registration information is available at the myRecordFantasy website.

MyRecordFantasy is a concept started by several industry veterans who are offering fans a chance to be part of the creative process at studios in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Each event is capped off with the main artist performing a concert of past hits and the new material. (A hipster version of "Goin' Down," anyone?)

Drummer Dolenz and guitarist Tork - the funny Monkees -- were part of the 20th anniversary reunion of the band in 1986 that lasted into the mid-1990s. Dolenz's latest album, a tribute to Carole King, will be released by Gigitone Records, the company that owns myRecordFantasy. (Stage star and recording artist Micky Dolenz will release his new CD King for A Day on Tuesday, August 24. The CD is a tribute to the songs of Carole King, and includes duetswith Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and teen actress EmilyOsment. Dolenz's stage credits include Aida, Hairspray, and Pippin. He is best known for being a founding member of The Monkees, which recorded King's songs "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "Sometime in the Morning".)

http://www.soundspike.com/news/article/289-a_pair_of_monkees_to_reunite_for_myrecordfantasy.html

http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/news/07-2010/micky-dolenz-to-release-king-for-a-day-cd-on-augus_28866.html

... and clearly there is still a market for some of these '60's artists to revamp their hit material for the present day ... read on ...

re: EVE OF DESTRUCTION, 2010:
Hello, Barry McGuire here,
The times we live in dictate the necessity of this email to you. If you have a few spare moments, take four minutes of your life and click on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS0m-TBBOyM
Give it a look and a listen. You might have to watch it two or three times. It's one of the heaviest things I've ever done. Please feel free to forward it to anyone that you think might benefit from viewing it.
If you have any comments, please email them to me at my personal email address: barry@barrymcguire.com
Thank You so very much,
Barry
www.trippinthesixties.com
www.barrymcguire.com
We ran this link once before to a very positive response ... and are happy to run it again for the benefit of those who may have missed it the first time around ... or might be inspired to watch it again. (kk)

re: THE FLEETWOODS:
Hi Kent.
I enjoyed the article on the Fleetwoods. "Come Softly To Me" is a true classic. There was nothing that sounded even close to the vocal arrangement at that time. I remember reading a Guitar Player article about a guitarist who was called in to overdub music to the vocal track (with keys as a rhythm part.)
I looked up this Guitar Player articles about Roy Lanham. He played rhythm guitar and then lowered the pitch of the guitar to play a bass line. I must give credit to any artist that can sing in tune, in time, and with dynamics without accompaniment.
Enjoy the article,
Don (Young) Albano
I couldn't open the file you sent me ... so I don't know if this is the article you're referring to or not ... but I just googled "Guitar Player Magazine articles about Roy Lanham" and this is what came back (along with our OWN article on The Fleetwoods!!! lol) You'll also find the aforementioned Davie Allan in this article, saluting 101 "Unsung Heroes" of Guitar! (kk)
Click here: 101 Forgotten Greats & Unsung Heroes, Guitar Player Staff
Meanwhile, here's one more that I found:
Click here: Roy Lanham: Information from Answers.com

re: MARTY ROBBINS:
>>>Sixty years ago this week, Marty Robbins recorded "Don't Worry" and inadvertently created a new sound -- the fuzz tone. He recorded it July 12, 1960, and everyone in the studio was surprised to hear a distorted sound on the playback. Perfectionist Marty wanted to rerecord it, but producer Don Law convinced him to keep the unique sound, which had resulted when the amplifier for Grady Martin's lead bass guitar malfunctioned. (Diane)
Kent:
The engineer at that session was Glenn Snoddy, one of Nashville's most creative and well-known sound engineers since the late 1940s. Glenn designed a circuit that re-created that "accidental" fuzz, took it to Gibson, and Gibson used his design for their first commercially available fuzzboxes. A local DJ - friend saw Glenn recently (age 82) at an antique - radio swap meet and had a nice chat with him. Among the thousands of LPs and singles Glenn engineered is the Neon Philharmonic's "Morning Girl", which was recorded after-hours in a small storage room at the Acuff-rose building on a 4-Track Ampex machine.There are lots of references out there on this, but this one is particularly interesting:
http://freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=14&start=20
David Lewis
Amazing to think that the fuzztone, such an integral part of rock and roll recordings for DECADES, got its start quite by accident on a COUNTRY record!!! Amazing! (Of course, back then ... in the PRE-segregated days of rock and roll ... when country music still made an impression on The Top 40 Pop and Rock and Roll Charts ... Robbins had THREE Top Three Pop Hits ... "A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation)" reached #3 on both Billboard's and Cash Box's Top 100 Chart, "El Paso" went all the way to #1 in Billboard, and "Don't Worry" peaked at #3 in both publications as well. It also went to #1 here in Chi-Town.) With the distinction of the introduction of the "fuzz bass", Robbins should be inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ... if only in the "Early Influences" category ... they are SORELY lacking in Country Artists on their roster, despite their claim to recognize ALL phases of the music that helped to create the "hybrid" known as Rock And Roll. Thanks, David! (kk)















re: ANOTHER COUNTRY LEGEND PASSING:
Country songwriter Hank Cochran, best known for the Patsy Cline hits "I Fall To Pieces" and "She's Got You," Burl Ives' "Funny Way Of Laughin'" and "Little Bitty Tear" and for the Timi Yuro / Eddy Arnold song, "Make The World Go away," died Thursday (July 15) of pancreatic cancer at his home in suburban Nashville. He was 78. At one time, Hank was married to country star Jeannie Seely, for whom he wrote the country hit, "Don't Touch Me." He also performed for awhile with singer Eddie Cochran (no relation) as the Cochran Brothers. Hank also had a country hit of his own with his tune "Sally Was A Good Old Girl." The Isola, Mississippi native was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame.
-- Ron Smith
Hank Cochran's final hours were spent with friends singing around the bedside.
http://tinyurl.com/2d839fg
David Lewis

re: MORE SUMMER FAVORITES:
See You in September, 409, I’m a Girl Watcher, Black is Black, I Started a Joke that had the whole world crying by the Bee Gees.
I look forward to hearing the summer songs when they are played.
There is another song, Polk Salad Annie, that I haven’t heard in a really long time. Maybe it will be played on the true oldies station. I listen on KLCK- AM in Goldendale, Wa.
Norm
I passed your request along to Scott Shannon ... so keep listening, Norm ... it just may show up there this week! (I also need to talk to Scott again about doing a "Last Blast Of Summer" Weekend in September ... clearly, this is a VERY popular subject here in Forgotten Hits Land, as praise and suggestions keep coming through a month later!) kk
















NEVER MIND!!! THIS JUST IN FROM THE "GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE" DEPARTMENT:
I guess Scott is doing Summer Favorites THIS weekend on The True Oldies Channel ... songs ABOUT Summer, songs with Summer in the title, songs that were big hits DURING the Summer ... you get the idea! Be sure to tune in and listen ... they're calling it the "Sizzlin' Summer Songs" Weekend!!! (kk)

... and, speaking of special oldies radio weekend music themes ...

Kent ...

Here in New York, WCBS-FM is having a "Guess the Guest" Weekend.
Here's what I got so far:

"Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies -- Ray Stevens happened to stop by. He's clapping hands in the backround.

On the Aretha Franklin album "Young, Gifted & Black" -- Dr. John playing percussion.

"Wishing You Were Here" by Chicago -- Al Jardine , Carl & Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys singing backround.

I find this to be interesting and informative.
Frank B.

I keep preaching (to those who will listen) ... the music fans LOVE hearing the "back stories" and little-known facts about these artists and recordings ... it simply makes for a much more interesting listening experience. (Let's face it, it's not like we NEED to hear these same songs over and over and over again ... but this added little "extra" makes the whole experience NEW again!!!) Kudos to WCBS-FM for coming up with all these new angles to present the oldies! (kk)

re: BLUES' THEME / STICK SHIFT:
>>>I don't know about you or your other readers, but at times I can't really tell the difference between Davie Allan's BLUES THEME and the song from 1961 by the Duals, STICK SHIFT (on SUE) ... very similar in my opinion.

(Larry N. Boyington)
Kent,

Thanks for your latest posts on me, I really appreciate all that you do.
Regarding "Blues Theme" and "Stick Shift", I just posted this on my forum:
Amazing! BUT ................ there is a similarity:
the key ("A") and the record label color! Ha!

Thanks!
Davie Allan
I don't hear it either ... like I said earlier, short of both being somewhat "cycle-delic", that's about the ONLY similarity I hear ... but this would be true of virtually EVERY surf / rock song then, too, right??? (kk)














Stick Shift by The Duals
(#24 Cash Box, 1961)













Blues' Theme by Davie Allan and the Arrows
(#33, Cash Box, 1967)

re: THE BEACH BOYS:
Here we go again!!!
They are ... no they aren't ... yes, they are ...
Here's the latest Beach Boys Reunion rumor -- this time from Al Jardine (note that he lists a Chicago North Shore beach as a potential site):
http://www.spinner.com/2010/07/22/beach-boys-reunion-show/
The Beach Boys have revealed plans to stage a 50th anniversary show next year. The exact date and location of the gig are not yet confirmed, but it's rumoured the gig might be free. And guitarist Al Jardine has hinted that there might actually be more than one show.
Rolling Stone reports that he said, "We're definitely doing at least one show. It's a big deal. I don't know where it will be yet, but it'll probably be free. Golden Gate Park was mentioned, as was the [National] Mall in Washington, D.C and the north shore of Chicago by the beach."
Not wanting to do things lightly, Jardine mentioned that he wanted to see the line-up -- including Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and possibly early Beach Boys guitarist David Marks -- embark on a world tour too. He added, "I want to see a 100 date anniversary tour. I want to go all around the world, but if this is the way it has to be, then so be it."
"We're going to have to rehearse one hell of a show. My point is, if we're going to rehearse and make this such a wonderful show, we should take it on the road." Only last month, rumours of a reunion with Wilson were quashed, as previously reported by Spinner, with Love stating plainly that there were no plans for a reconciliation. And indeed, Wilson's manager Jean Sievers seemed surprised by the announcement of a reunion gig, and said, "Brian has a big new album coming out in August ['Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin'] and that's what he's a 100 percent focused on."
-- submitted by Ron Smith
In that it was Mike Love's reported announcement on Spinner.com that we first cited as our source for The Beach Boys' 50th Anniversary Reunion, we're taking this one with a grain of sand (Get it?!?! Beach Boys??? Sand?!?!?) But Wouldn't It Be Nice??? Will they??? Won't they??? God Only Knows. But Don't Worry, Baby ... if they ever do OFFICIALLY announce something, you can count on reading about it right here in Forgotten Hits ... all I know is that it SURE would be Fun, Fun, Fun if they decided to Do It Again ... so let's all just hope for the best! (Personally, until I hear it from Brian Wilson's lips, I won't believe a thing!!! And I think the OTHER Boys of Summer may find it a WHOLE lot more difficult manipulating Brian than it used to be ... especially now that he's settled into his OWN successful solo career ... with a KILLER back-up band that simply blows The Beach Boys away!!! But, FOR THE FANS, a 50th Anniversary Tour would be TRULY awesome and amazing ... if the guys can set aside all the personal baggage and bullshit long enough to do it!!!) kk

re: SOUND CHECK: IT'S ALL IN THE MIX!:
>>>When you put on a show like this, it is not only the band members and singers that make these things happen ... it's also people like our phenomenal sound tech, David Lowumand and the great crew of sound, lights and staging that work loooooong hours (I think Jackson Browne said " the first to come, and the last to go") ... you need these guys to make it all come out right ... and we had them there that night. (During the sound check, each mic was calibrated to the vocalist using it ... set up exactly for his voice ... that's why when you saw the lead singers come out, they each had their own microphone with them for the ultimate in sound.) Jim "J.C. Hooke" Pilster
Hi Kent ~
I read the comment from Jim {J.C. Hooke} Plister and, although I don't know exactly who he is, I wanted to add my own comments about the stage crews and sound technicians for the concerts that come to local areas. Recently, the Doobie Brothers and....AND Kenny Loggins came to Fort Walton Beach, Florida and performed on the beach at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. The concert took place on a Sunday at 5 p.m. but they were starting to set up Friday night. Then there was a lot of time spent Sunday afternoon testing the equipment for sound and lights... a mini version of what was to come, if you will. Not the stars, but members of the bands were doing sound checks with singing. Give credit to the stage crews and also the bands who back up these musicians. By the way, the concert was awesome.
Thanks for letting me share!
~ Sharon
{Tokeitwo}

The average fan in the audience takes the sound crew for granted ... unfortunately, the results of their effort is most often attributed to the band ... good, bad or otherwise. The New Colony Six fell victim to this at their recent appearance in Deerfield ... thanks to a HORRENDOUS sound mix, all of the dynamics of the band were lost at the audience level. It was as if some sort of "limiter" was on, keeping the volume at a steady "2" ... and, as such, the sound didn't carry AT ALL into the seats ... there were no highs or lows ... just a steady, monotone mix. Despite now having two keyboard players, you rarely heard EITHER of them on about 80% of their set. ALL of the between-song chatter was lost completely ... and, as such, the audience began talking amongst themselves, drowning out any chance of catching so much as a whisper of what was being said on stage. Although the band appeared to be playing their hearts out (and having a wonderful time), it was all lost on the bewildered audience, many of whom shouted out several times "We can't hear you!" I've never been to an outdoor show like this where the sound didn't carry past the first twelve rows of the audience ... if you walked more than a few feet from the stage, the sound completely disappeared ... and my guess is that the band was none the wiser. A real shame, too, in that they were premiering their new line-up that night. Every once in a while the sound would come through clearly and you could see the crowd react. (I heard a number of "I remember that song" comments coming from the people near where I was sitting ... of course then there was also some OTHER guy sitting nearby who was telling a friend how "these guys did" ... and then rattled off about six songs recorded by The Grass Roots ... somehow, he had confused the two bands and thought that that's who these guys were!!! I figure he was either completely blown away ... or felt TOTALLY vindicated when The New Colony Six did, in fact, perform "Temptation Eyes"!!!) That being said, it's a BEAUTIFUL venue ... very nicely set up with tons of parking and all kinds of shops and restaurants nearby. I quickly warned Jim "J.C. Hooke" Pilster of the situation as The Cryan' Shames are performing there next week on the 29th. (He's the guy, Sharon, who made the original comment about the importance of having a good sound technician ... and knows of what he speaks!) You have GOT to do a good, thorough sound check when performing outdoors ... and, if the Village of Deerfield has instituted some sort of "volume mandate", they may as well abandon the concert series all-together as it was TRULY disheartening to hear the muffled sounds of a band that was clearly giving their all on stage ... yet unable to connect with the audience. Truth be told, I was SO disappointed in the sound, I actually left early ... no big deal for me, as I know their set list inside out, having seen the band perform so many times over the years. But the REAL shame is that any NEW audience member NOT familiar with The New Colony Six STILL has absolutely NO idea as to what they really sound like after watching that show! And that's just wrong. (kk)

... and, speaking of The New Colony Six ...

re: THE NEW COLONY SIX:
In reviewing some of your specific comments regarding The New Colony 6 on the most recent blog, I was reminded of a song that I heard from this Chicagoland group in the summer of 1970. At least it sounded like the NC6 in terms of the lead singer, though this track is not included on the Best Of Comp that I purchased some years ago.
The only lyrics that I recall from the song are: "Little Girl, I'm In Love With You". If this is in fact a song by this favorite group of mine, is it available on a CD, (still in print)?

Justin
Unfortunately, that's not much to go on ... and nothing immediately comes to mind ... although Bruce Mattey, a current member of the band, wrote and recorded a song called "Little Girl" with his '60's band The Revells ... who have oft been described as "The New Colony Six" farm club over the years. (Seems that several members of The Revells would springboard THAT success into membership with the likes of The NC6 and The Cryan' Shames, amongst others!) It's a GREAT tune that the band still performs in concert today. While I don't think it's the song you're looking for (especially if you're zeroing in on 1970), we're happy to run it again today for those who may not be familiar with it. (By the way, there isn't a "legitimate" New Colony Six Greatest Hits Collection currently in print ... and that's a real shame. Over the years, we've had DOZENS of readers ask us how they can get copies of this material for their own collections ... in fact, at one point, we even contacted Rhino Records to see what it would take to get them to reissue the great compilation CD they put together a number of years ago ... but still no luck.) kk


Thanks for playing Run by the New Colony Six ... I would have never known it was them in a million years in a blind listening test. If you can play Close Your Eyes Little Girl by the Colony I would be a happy camper. Thanks again!
sq_fan
Since they seem to come up so often here in Forgotten Hits, I've been toying with the idea of editing down our month-long series on the band and permanently posting it on The Forgotten Hits Website ... that way fans (and NEW fans who are discovering the band every day) can read up on their history and catch some of our interviews. (Who knows ... maybe The New Colony Six might even like to include excerpts and links to our series on their OWN website!)

Since we just featured a rare track on these guys, I'm going to pass on "Close Your Eyes, Little Girl" for right now ... but have sent you a copy under separate cover. Thanks! (kk)

re: OTHER RECENT SHOWS:

Hey Kent ...
Our show at the TD Bank Amphitheater was a ton of fun. We shared the bill with The 1910 Fruitgum Company. It was well attended and everyone was rockin' along.
Here's a photo of our Encore, (Courtesy of WRDV DJ, Gerri Bender) when we invited The 1910 Fruitgum Company up onstage with us for a rousing ending. Also in the audience,and onstage for the encore was our former Bass Player / Music Director, Dr. Bob!
Next up for us is a performance at The Record Collector in Bordentown, NJ, on July 31st, and the RockCon at the Sheraton Meadowlands on August 1st. We'll also be in Endicott, NY, on August 25th and Wildwood, NJ, on August 26th!
More September and October dates later, along with a release date for our upcoming CD on Spectra Records.

Hope everyone is having a great Summer!
Mitch Schecter / The Rip Chords


re: MORE GOOD NEWS:
We just heard back from Joel Whitburn of Record Research that the response to reprint their Billboard Charts of the '60's book has been overwhelming since we ran an inquiry as to who out there would buy a copy if the book were back in print. This is GREAT news about a GREAT book ... a "Must Have" for any serious chart collector. Here are the details from Joel himself:

You Wanted It! You Got It!
Our long unavailable book Joel Whitburn Presents The Billboard Hot 100 Charts: The Sixties will be reprinted and back in stock in September! This most popular of all of our books of charts contains every weekly "Hot 100" chart, from January 1960 through December 1969, reproduced in black and white at about 70% of its original size.
Don't Miss Out on this New Deluxe Edition while it's still available! Used copies are currently selling with other online retailers for $300 or more! Order Today for only $79.95 and get it hot off the press!
Deluxe Hardcover / 8.5"x11" / Over 550 pages / Just $79.95 / Coming September, 2010
Click here to see a sample page and more information from Billboard Hot 100 Charts: The Sixties.
re: AND A QUICK "THANK YOU!":
Sometime this weekend, The Forgotten Hits Website will pass 400,000 visitors ... thanks again to ALL of you for your continued support. LONG LIVE THE OLDIES!!!
(kk)