The Friday Flash

No Weekend Comments again for the next couple of weeks ...
But here's what we could get ready for a special "FRIDAY FLASH" Edition!

re: ON THE RADIO:
Congratulations to Forgotten Hits Reader Don Effenberger ... this weekend, Scott Shannon will air his "First And Foremost" Weekend ... a GREAT oldies idea that puts a whole new spin on the tried-and-true Twin Spin Weekend. (You can listen all weekend long on The True Oldies Channel!)
Click here: True Oldies Channel
Don first pitched the idea over two years ago ... much like our Forgotten Hits "One You Know ... And One You Didn't Even Know You Forgot", it provides a GREAT excuse to play some things that are off the normal oldies play list.
The concept is simple ... play an artist's first chart hit (usually a more obscure track that doesn't typically get a lot of airplay anymore) and follow it up with the biggest hit of their career ... which is something The True Oldies Channel is probably already playing anyway. Thus the "First ... And Foremost" Weekend!
Don tells me that he submitted 110 suggestions in all ... and even listed a few for our readers:
Hi Kent!
I suggested one more variation to Scott Shannon the next time he does a True Oldies Channel Twin Spin Weekend. I call this a FIRST AND FOREMOST Weekend, and it would consist of an artist's first Top 40 hit followed by the singer / group's BIGGEST hit. That means the list would include tons of the biggest hits and also add a few seldom-heard "surprises," such as the nine-year gap between Carole King's first hit, "It Might As Well Rain Until September" and her next -- her biggest, "It's Too Late." (The format leaves out two obvious groups of songs -- one-hit wonders and artists whose first hit was their biggest, such as the Animals and Manfred Mann, but those, of course, could be aired around the twin spins.)
It also produces a few other surprises -- I didn't remember, for example, that Neil Sedaka's "Bad Blood" was bigger than "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do."
At any rate, I've included below a diverse sampler of possibilities.
FIRST AND FOREMOST SAMPLER:
The Rolling Stones -- Tell Me and Honky Tonk Women (another surprise over Satisfaction)
The Association -- Along Comes Mary and Windy
The Beach Boys -- Surfin' Safari and I Get Around
The Supremes -- When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through HIs Eyes (a fun, forgotten surprise) and Baby Love
Mary Wells -- The One Who Really Loves You and My Guy
Chuck Berry -- Maybelline and My Ding-a-Ling (amazing that a novelty song would be his chart-topper legacy)
The Beatles -- I Want to Hold Your Hand and Hey Jude
Keith -- Ain't Gonna Lie (another great forgotten song) and 98.6
Carole King -- It Might As Well Rain Until September and It's Too Late
Neil Sedaka -- The Diary and Bad Blood
Herb Alpert -- The Lonely Bull and This Guy's In Love With You
Paul Anka -- Diana and Lonely Boy
Frankie Avalon -- Dede Dinah and Venus
Gary U.S. Bonds -- New Orleans and Quarter to Three
Elvis -- Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel
The Byrds -- Mr. Tambourine Man and Turn Turn Turn
Glen Campbell -- By the Time I Get to Phoenix and Rhinestone Cowboy
Johnny Cash -- I Walk the Line and A Boy Named Sue
Chubby Checker -- The Class and The Twist
Cher -- All I Really Want to Do and Half-Breed
Lou Christie -- A Gypsy Cried and Lightning Strikes
Patsy Cline -- Walking After Midnight and Crazy
The Coasters -- Searchin' and Yakety Yak
Eddie Cochran -- Sittin' in the Balcony and Summertime Blues
Bobby Darin -- Splish Splash and Mack the Knife
Neil Diamond -- Cherry Cherry and Cracklin' Rosie
Dion -- Lonely Teenager and Runaround Sue
Fats Domino -- Ain't That A Shame and Blueberry Hill
The Drifters -- There Goes My Baby and Save the Last Dance For Me
Bob Dylan -- Subterranean Homesick Blues and Like A Rolling Stone
The Everly Brothers -- Bye Bye Love and All I Have To Do Is Dream (just beating Cathy's Clown with more weeks in the Top 10)
The 4 Seasons -- Sherry and Big Girls Don't Cry (peaking early)
The Four Tops -- Baby I Need Your Loving and Reach Out I'll Be There
Connie Francis -- Who's Sorry Now and Everybody's Somebody's Fool
Aretha -- Rock-a-bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody and Respect
Ben E. King -- Spanish Harlem and Stand By Me
Don
There's no telling how many (or which ones) of these will air this weekend ... Don sent in several other suggestions and you just know that Scott Shannon came up with some great ideas of his own ... but it all should make for some VERY enjoyable listening all weekend long ... another new spin on the Twin Spin Weekend!
(Having partaken in a few of these weekends myself, it really IS exciting to see and hear your concept come to life on the radio ... and, it makes for better radio since, as you already know, we're in favor of ANY excuse to play something off the repetively beaten path! Sounds like this isn't Don's first foray into this arena either!
Scott Shannon has actually followed through on a whole bunch of ideas over what is now at least a three-year span: The Storytellers Weekend, A and B Side Twin Spins, April Fool's songs, American Road Trip, and an Eat, Drink and Be Merry Weekend (food and "happy" songs) that morphed into the Rock 'n' Roll Diner!
Don
Ironically (in the "Great Minds Think Alike" Department), we provided Scott with a number of A and B Side Twin Spin ideas (from our Top 200 Biggest Two-Sided Hits Of All-Time List and Favorite, Forgotten B-Sides Poll ... both lists are available on our website: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Home ) as well as several April Fools titles.
Believe me, Shannon is an oldies fanatic ... he knows and loves this music more than ANYONE ... and he ALSO enjoys any opportunity to "stray" a little from the norm when he can, too ... as long as he can stay a step or two ahead of the Oldies Police that is!!! (lol)
My goal, of course, was that some of those "first hits" will expand the play list a bit. I actually heard Scott promote the weekend on the way home today -- and, surprised, still managed to stay on the road! I hope it works well -- and that he gets a good reaction.
Don
Well, I think it's a GREAT idea, Don ... and readers can "Listen Live" via the True Oldies Channel Link provided above. (Hearing about some of the clever weekend ideas that WCBS-FM / New York has come up with lately helps to keep one on their toes ... and when that happens, EVERYBODY wins ... 'cause we all get to listen to and enjoy better, more creative radio!) And I think it's WONDERFUL that a jock as well-versed as Scott Shannon will listen and respond to his listeners' ideas and suggestions ... in fact, if YOU have an idea that you think might make for a killer True Oldies Channel Weekend, email Scott@trueoldieschannel.com and let him know about! (kk)

And, speaking of The True Oldies Channel, here in Chicago (where we just honored the 50th Anniversary of Dick Biondi's first Chicagoland radio broadcast), The True Oldies Channel / 94.7 WLS-FM is releasing their very first oldies compilation CD ... and throwing a big launch party this weekend, too!
Borrowing a page from Bob Stroud's / "Rock And Roll Roots" Handbook, the 94.7 Crew will be on hand THIS SATURDAY, July 31st, from 3 - 6 PM at the Oakbrook Borders (1500 16th Street) to sign and sell copies of the brand new CD. And it sounds like the whole crew will be there: Dave Fogel, Greg Brown, Danny Lake and Dick Biondi are all scheduled to appear ... and there is also supposed to be some live entertainment on hand.
Proceeds from the sale of this limited edition CD will go to benefit Children's Home And Aid.
While most of the tracks on this compilation can be found just about anywhere ("My Girl" by The Temptations, "I'm A Believer" by The Monees, "Oh Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison, "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys) there are a few things on here that scream "Chicago" ... tracks by local heroes The Ides Of March ("Vehicle"), The Buckinghams ("Hey Baby, They're Playing Our Song"), Chicago ("Saturday In The Park") and "Lake Shore Drive" by Aliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah ... you also get some WLS exclusives like the WLS / Reunion version of "Life Is A Rock" (but WLS rolled me) and Dick Biondi's own "The Pizza Song"!

All in all, it sounds like a fun afternoon of musical entertainment so please come on out if you can. (By the way, WLS-FM is giving away a "Little Red Corvette" ... as in a completely refurbished, 1972 classic convertible model!!! Be sure to visit their website for all the details: Click here: 94.7 WLS-FM )

Here's an email we recently received from another Chicagoland broadcasting legend, Bob Dearborn:
Thank you for test-driving my new online project,
The Olde Disc Jockey’s Almanac
In its first week, there were more than a thousand “hits” from all over the world – from six of the 10 Canadian provinces, 44 of the U.S. states, plus the UK, Brazil, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Finland, Switzerland, India, Algiers and Tasmania!
Many thanks to those radio writers and bloggers who helped publicize the site: Warren Cosford and Tom Taylor were the first to write it up. Joel Denver at All Access, Larry Shannon at Radio Daily News gave it a much appreciated plug. My multi-talented pal Rick Kaempfer was quick to mention the Almanac at his Web site.
For 40 years, Chicago journalists covering the media beat – from Irv Kupcinet, Bruce Vilanch and Bob Herguth to Norman Mark, Gary Deeb and Robert Feder – have been extremely kind to me and supportive of my radio career. I can never thank them enough.
Now comes “Larz,” as he chooses to be known, the moderator of the excellent Chicago Radio and Media online site, who last week raised the bar when it comes to kind and generous support: link
If you haven't already, I hope you'll bookmark The Olde Disc Jockey’s Almanac, visit daily, and tell your friends and colleagues to do the same.
Thanks again.
Bob Dearborn

Hi Gang:
I just found out that there is a Friday this week. Any week that there is a Friday in it, you'll find me on your computer.
The Pop Shoppe is on every Friday night from 7 PM till 3:01 AM (eastern time).
It all happens at www.topshelfoldies.org
Here's my schedule for this week:
7:00 / 8:45 - Hear some great memories from the 50's and 60's and more.
8:45 / 10:00 - Remembering Frank, Dean and Sammy. Together they were called The Rat Pack. Sadly, you really don't hear enough music by these fantastic artists. Their music never grows old.
10:00 / 11:30 - Time for a Doo Wop party. I'll pull out some numbers you can sing and dance to.
11:30 / 1:30 AM - Special edition of Midnight Country featuring both country and non-country artists singing duplicate songs. Which ones will you like better???? Tonight it will be a two hour run. Some special songs and artists.
1:30 / 3:01 AM - I won't decide till 1:30 what I intend to do here, so join me and see.
I must tell you how much Ed Rambeau has added to my show. He's so talented. I heard his next show. It is terrific. It's scheduled to run a week from this Friday.
As much as I enjoy doing interviews, I am waiting till after the summer to do more. I have plenty of other things for you to hear. I'm pretty sure the next interview that I'm doing is Mike Clifford (So Close to Cathy). A favorite song of many music lovers. So look forward to that one.
If you'd like to check out my past interviews, go to www.ramtownlive.com/popshoppe and while there you might check out my mini picture collection and some great links.
Looking forward to seeing you all Friday night. Remember you must be here because I don't want to be alone.
Be here for The Greatest Songs That Ever Lived!
Sincerely,
Stu Weiss / DJ STU
P.S. Topshelf runs music 24/7 so there's always something going on. Different Dee jay's every night of the week.

Hi Kent,

All good things have to come to end, or so the expression goes. I will leave it to you and others to decide for yourself is what I am about to describe is a good thing!

My Record Page, which is a part of the http://www.jerseygirlssing.com website, has been up since April 7 of last year -- a little over 15 and a half months -- and it has 750 samples, including six records of my own. I have made the decision to terminate it. Although the Record Page will remain available for viewing for the foreseeable future, I will not be adding any more samples to it and, as of this coming Sunday (August 1), there will be no more Top 100 popularity chart. I guarantee that the eclectic mix on my Record Page contains something for everyone to love and hate! Here's the link for those here who wish to try it out: http://www.jerseygirlssing.com/RonnieRecordPage.html

Thanks as always, Kent, for encouraging me to post information for your readers. Your Forgotten Hits pages have brought many new visitors over the past year to Jersey Girls Sing and Denise, Bernadette and I are so very grateful.

Ronnie Allen

A few other recent comments and ideas ...

re: WHO PLAYED THE FIRST BEATLES RECORD IN AMERICA?:
In that excellent article on "Who Played the Beatles First in America", I have to take exception with the comment:
>>>There has ALWAYS been an implied correlation between the assassination of JOHN F. KENNEDY and the arrival of THE BEATLES ... Americans needed something to cheer them up, and THE BEATLES happened along at just the right time ... I don't think THAT theory will ever go away either! (kk)
It's more than just a theory ... here's the picture I've pieced together, subject, of course, to review and refutation by your Forgotten Hits readers!:
On Friday, November 22, 1963, "With the Beatles" was released at 5 pm by Parlaphone (true?).
By sheer coincidence, CBS aired a 4-minute report on the Beatles that morning, on "CBS Morning News with Mike Wallace" 10 - 10:30 am. It featured footage of the boys playing at Bournemouth on Nov 16, although CBS dubbed over the studio version of "She Loves You." The CBS correspondent was Alexander Kendrick, and he had plenty of snide remarks, such as "God Save the Queen", and all that. (This was on Youtube at one time.) It was planned that the piece would run again in the evening with Walter Cronkite but, of course, that didn't happen, due to the news events of the day. Interesting to think that the only Baby Boomers who saw the original airing of that clip were those who happened to be home sick from school, and whose mothers let them watch TV.
Fast-forward to December 10, 1963, and the re-edited report is finally shown on the evening news. Said Walter: "In the wake of the assassination story, nothing else was happening ... we had an opportunity to use it. I was not entirely thrilled with it myself ... these tawdry-looking guys with their long hair and this crazy singing of theirs." And you can take it from there. Comments / Corrections?
BTW, I'm one of that proud minority (minority??) who was watching the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh on Disney instead of the moptops on Sullivan on B-Day. I was the oldest of five siblings and, as we only had one TV, what we watched tended to skew young. Not that I'm complaining ... I loved Patrick McGoohan as Dr. Syn ... "take this gold, divide it among you!" Given the choice of the two today, I'd watch the Scarecrow in a heartbeat! But I mentioned this back in 2004 on the 40th anniversary, and found out that some people, like my newsman (I was a DJ), watched both! This was in Ogdensburg, NY, upper upstate NY on the St. Lawrence River (I moved here in 1974, grew up in a suburb of Boston.) Channel choices were limited, with just one commercial TV station available over the air (yes, they also had cable way back then, when the CA in CATV stood for "community antenna.") And Canadian TV ran the Disney show earlier on Sundays, 6 or 6:30 pm, I'd have to look it up. Anyway, then from the Watertown NY station, Sullivan came on after that, so folks up here saw both! Anybody else have a similar story to tell?
--- stolf
Interesting perspective (although I can't say that I've ever met ANYONE who would have preferred missing The Beatles' performance on Ed Sullivan to watching some Disney movie!!! lol) In fact, if anything, quite the opposite is true. Meeting SO many younger readers who weren't around like we were when all this cool musical stuff was happening, they are genuinely jealous of having missed what just HAS to be the most innovative time in pop music history ... and they just LOVE hearing about these experiences through our eyes (and memories) or watching the old clips via youTube or DVDs or what have you. (kk)

Speaking of The Beatles, did you get to see Paul McCartney's performance at The White House yet? A GREAT 90 minutes of non-stop music with some EXCELLENT musical guests performing many of Macca's biggest hits. (I hate to admit it but I was blown away by The Jonas Brothers ... they did a KILLER version of "Drive My Car" ... and, after seeing this and their recent live appearance performing with Stevie Wonder at The Grammys, I may finally have to admit that these guys have got talent!!! And Stevie was in fine form that night, too, performing his 1971 Hit Version of "We Can Work It Out" and then dueting later with McCartney on their #1 Hit "Ebony And Ivory" ... maybe not as entertaining as the Joe Piscopo / Eddie Murphy version ... but fun to watch nonetheless! (Stevie was awarded the Gershwin Prize in 2009.) I'm sure it'll air several more times if you missed it ... so be sure to check your local listings. (kk)

re: NOVELTY TUNES:
Have you ever done a list of maybe the Top 50 Novelty Records of All Time?
I may be in a club of one, but I always liked the Dickie Goodman - Bill Buchanan break-in type of records. Some crazy story with lyrics of a certain song out interjected into it.
One of the biggest novelty records we had here in OKC was Bill Dana's THE ASTRONAUT in the guise of one Jose Jimenez. This peaked at number 2. Another big novelty recordwas in 1967 by Archie Campbell on RCA THE COCKFIGHT. I understand some stations wouldn't play it because of its fowl language.
Larry
lol ... I guess in THIS case, it WOULD be considered "fowl" language!!! I'm a HUGE novelty records fan ... have EVERYTHING that Dickie Goodman ever did, both with early partner Bill Buchanan as well as all of his solo stuff ... many of these records reached The Top Ten here in Chicago, where novelty records have always done well. (Here in Chi-Town, Jose Jimenez' "The Astronaut" peaked at #5! We featured it as part of Forgotten Hits' Tribute to NASA a few years back!) While we've never officially compiled a list of Top 50 Favorites, that may be something we'd want to tackle down the road. We'll keep you posted! (kk)

re: ROCKCON REMINDER:

RockCon is going on ALL weekend long at The Sheraton Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey ... if any of our readers are able to attend, please report back to us with what you thought of this very special musical event! We'd love to hear from you ... fans AND artists! (In fact, I'd like to put together some type of a post-convention report ... and talk with Charles Rosenay about all of this, too ... so please drop us a line if you were able to attend!) kk

Outta time ... so outta here!!! More postings next week as time permits! Have a Great Weekend!

Helping Out Our Readers

We've already received quite a few responses to last week's edition of "Helping Out Our Readers" ... so figured we'd run some of those results here today:

re: SAM COOKE:
>>>Can you please help me find a Sam Cooke song entitiled "You You You"? I really want to hear it. (Julio Sorondo)
>>>Since he repeats the word "you" about two hundred times during the course of the song, I'm guessing that you're looking for "You Send Me", a #1 Hit from 1957. Happy to feature it today ... it truly is a classic. (kk)
Kent,
If Julio was actually looking for the song "You You You," the #1 hit by the Ames Brothers from 1953, as recorded by Sam Cooke, it was a track on Cooke's 1960 RCA Victor LP "Hits Of The Fifties." Unfortunately, I don't have the album, or know of any CD source for Cooke's version of the song, so I can't help with supplying the track itself.
– Randy Price
I wasn't aware that Sam had cut this tune ... we'll see if we can track down a copy to share! Thanks, Randy!
After hearing this ... (news to me!) ... I checked around, looking for this track ... the "Hits of the '50's" album is LONG out of print ... but I DID find a decent copy on eBay for $7.98 so I ordered it and, incredibly, it arrived in just TWO DAYS via Media Mail!!! (Unreal!!!)
Quite honestly, I was a little surprised to see that Sam had recorded an album like this since he, himself, was an artist of the '50's ... and one who had contributed in such a major way to the great music of that decade. Titles included on Cooke's LP are "Hey There" (the Rosemary Clooney song), Nat "King" Cole's "Mona Lisa" and "Too Young", The Platters' hit "The Great Pretender", a version of "Unchained Melody" that predates The Righteous Brothers' hit remake version by several years, Gogi Grant's "The Wayward Wind", "Secret Love", a hit for Doris Day and Sam's takes on "Song From 'Moulin Rouge'", the Johnnie Ray classic "Cry" and Frankie Avalon's #1 Hit "Venus". (kk)

I also heard from Sam Cooke's great nephew Erik Greene, who wrote the EXCELLENT book "Our Uncle Sam" ...
Click here: Our Uncle Sam: The Sam Cooke Story From His Family's Perspective
Hi Kent -
Great to hear from you!
"You, You , You" was never released as a single and is indeed featured on RCA's album "Hits of the 50's." I have the original album, but to my knowledge it has never been released on CD.
Erik
Actually, I DID find a German Import CD copy ... but apparently it, too, is now out of print. Luckily, I was able to pick up a copy through eBay. (kk)
I'm glad you at least found the album. And I had forgotten about the European CD option. There's a lot of Sam's music that has been released on overseas labels that hasn't been released on CD domestically.
Good catch on your part concerning the "Hits of the 50's" album being an odd release. I asked the same questions to his two brothers (unfortunately, we lost his older brother Charles this past Friday) when writing Our Uncle Sam, and got an answer that made a lot of sense. When Sam first came over to RCA from Keen Records in January of 1960, they went through an "experimental phase" while trying to develop him into a successful crossover artist. His songs were formulated and somewhat dated, and as a result they didn't sell very well. It wasn't until Keen Records released the million-selling, Sam Cooke - Herb Alpert - Lou Adler - written single "Wonderful World," a song Keen still had the rights to, despite the fact that Sam had left the label, did RCA realize it was best to let Sam Cooke do his own thing creatively. "Chain Gang" was released that June of that year and also went on to sell more than a million copies.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Erik Greene

Along the way, we discovered another GREAT Sam Cooke Tribute Website:
Click here: Welcome To The Songs of Sam Cooke http://songsofsamcooke.com/albums/hits_of_the_50.htm
http://songsofsamcooke.com/songs/you_you_you.htm


I asked them what they could tell me about this unusual Sam Cooke remake.
It was one of his first albums for RCA so it is a little strange. The album isn't great but it is interesting to listen to.
Martijn
You'll find a wealth of information on this site regarding the many other singers and musicians who accompanied Sam Cooke on his recorded works. Thanks, Martijn ... who also sent us this MP3 to share with our readers:

(OK ... so it's NOT one of Sam's finest recordings ... but hey, I didn't even know it EXISTED until a few days ago!!! lol) kk

re: THE FOUR J's:
>>>The Four J's - Here Am I Broken Hearted - 1962 -- I can't claim that I know anything about the group, but my eyes and ears lit up when I heard it in Stereo! Must have been a regional hit!!! I later learned that they're a Philly group! Jerry, Joe, Jimmy and Jeffrey???? Charted? Reminds me a bit of The Bongo Stomp! Who has the master tape!? Great song! (John)
>>>Well, it didn't chart nationally ... but I'll bet between our hundreds of Philly readers, SOMEBODY may recognize this one and be able to fill in some of the blanks. Stay tuned! (kk)
Hey Kent,
Yes, the Four J's were a Philly group who recorded on Jamie Records ... Jr. Pirollo is still singing lead ... in 1980, I had the pleasure of being around him for a week in Wildwood, N.J. ... he owned a restaurant and bar called "Southwinds" and he would sing there also ... great guy ... he also had another great song called "By Love Possessed Am I". There is a great video of Jr. and the group on youtube singing "Here Am I Broken Hearted" live. I am also a close friend of Frank Jordan of the Jordan Brothers.
Great site, Kent ... keep up the good work!
Thanks,
Hank

Here's some info on the Four J's ...
The group began in 1957 in South Philadelphia and came up with their name as all four of the guys had first names starting with the letter "J". They released at least six 45s that I know of. In 1960, two of them (Junior and Jimmy) along with two other guys (one being Ernie Spano, of Ernie and the Halos) backed up Fabian on his records and tours. At that time they changed their name to the Fabulous Four and did a number of recordings on their own. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9iFNicAnOc&feature=youtube_gdata
Click here: YouTube - The Four J's-Here I Am Broken Hearted
Zimp

The song "Here Am I Broken Hearted" found its way on to a Jamie Records reissue in 1997 called "A Million $$ of Doo Wop", (Jamie 4002). I have liner note credit on this project. The original release was on 45 on Jamie 1267.
I would suggest you contact Frank Lipsius at Jamie Records for information. Jamie Records is still very much in business and would have the master. This group was the original backup vocal group to Fabian.
Clay Pasternack

re: KOMA:
My query is primarily directed to Larry Boyington. Larry, while listening to your early Saturday morning program on KOMA one frigid January Minnesota morning in the early 90s, you played a version of La n' Da on KOMA featuring tracks from the same week in January 1963. Even though the sound would fade intermittently, I heard most of the track and really liked it, though do not recall ever hearing it on WPGC, (Morningside Maryland, the station I listened to as a kid, home of Harv Moore, the Morning Mare). It would be great to know the specific artist that did this version, even though it wasn't a KOMA Climber.
Justin
I've directed your inquiry to Larry "Neal" Boyington ... here's what we got back:
KK,
First let me say thanks for forwarding this readers' question to me. I am always glad to help out with the name of a group or an artist if I know the name of it or a song title.
Here is the information the reader requested:
Song Title -- LA-DO-DA-DA
Group -- THE KEYTONES
Record Label -- CHELSEA
Flip Side -- I DON'T CARE
This was a faster and more uptempo version of the Dale Hawkins song released earlier back in 1958 on Checker records. I am not sure about this but I don't believe this is the same group that recorded back East singing Doo-Wop on OLD TOWN RECORDS, but I could be wrong.
The record in question peaked at number 23 on a KOMA playlist of 50 songs. They also had an instrumental in 1961 on the same label called DON'T TELL WILLIAM.
Larry
Click here: YouTube - Rare 1962 Rockabilly, Early Garage KEYTONES "La-Do-Da Da" dale hawkins
Thanks, Larry ... you da man on this one!!! (kk)

re: ROUND RECORDS:
Kent -
I just checked out your latest reader posts. Guy Arnston's list was interesting. I was only in elementary school in 1965-66 but I think the Pink Phynk was on Sheridan and Albion, just north of the Loyola campus if I'm not mistaken. Now for my question, for you, Arnston, or anyone else who grew up in Chicago who remembers:
Back in '89, I was at Round Records' closing sale -- along that same stretch of Sheridan Road. Among the wonderful 45s I picked up there at amazingly low cost was an M- copy of "Little Darlin'" by The Diamonds -- on the black Mercury label, which was already quite a collector's item in the year vinyl officially deceased -- for 25 cents. Naturally, I offered him $3 for it, but he wouldn't hear of it. I explained to him that the 45, being in such excellent condition, should be valued higher, but finally I caved in and just handed him a quarter -- I couldn't believe it. Anyway here's the question:
When did Round Records first open, was it in the 6Ts or the 7Ts?
Also does anyone HAPPEN to know if Round was connected to the "Round" label (Capes of Good Hope, etc.)? Much appreciated and groove on!
Bob Rashkow
To the best of my knowledge, there was no affiliation between the record store and the record label ... but let's see what comes back from our readers. (kk)

re: IMAGE:
>>> Regarding "Image" by Hank Levine ... I am originally from Los Angeles and back in the days of top 40 radio, there was a station there called KFWB. I believe that this was the same theme that they used for the jingle on KFWB. (Ken)
I'm pretty sure that the song was actually created to be the logo for KFWB and then subsequently released as a single (charted for one week at - interestingly - #98!). The basic melody was sung as "K - F - doub - le - U - B, chan-nel nine-ty-eight". When KFWB went to all news, it was still used, albeit with one less syllable, with the word "news" replacing "channel". KFWB is STILL on 980 AM but is now largely infomercials + news. I haven't listened enough to know if they still use that logo / theme.
Levine also had a similar follow-up titled "Portrait Of A Blonde".
I first came to SoCal in summer '63 and we probably listened to KFWB (Bill Ballance, etc.) more than any other station. When they went to all news several years later, the final DJ, Gene Weed, reportedly closed his show with the classic line, "We'll be right back after the news."
Gary Myers

re: COMMERCIALS:
Thank you, Stolf, for the link on your site to access the Tab commercials from the mid-late 60s.
Best to all,
Justin

re: BLUES' THEME / STICK SHIFT:

KK-

They say it takes a man to admit his mistake. I stand corrected on the similarity of the two songs in question. I just played them back to back and, as Davie Allan said in his comment, "the only similarity is the key of A and the color of the label".

I think I know what my problem was on these records. I would play one or the other and several months later play the other. I would always say to myself that these songs are similar in nature. Not So! For the first time I just played them back to back. I agree with you and Davie Allan.

Love your website,

Larry

That's OK, Larry ... I think at best Davie was "tongue-in-cheek" insulted by your comment. (kk)

Thanks for passing my note along to Davie Allan, KK. Insulting him and or his record was the furtherest thing from my mind. I guess after that mistake, "they will come and take me away" Ha! Ha!
Larry

No harm, no foul ... Davie Allan has been a good friend and long-time supporter of what we do here in Forgotten Hits ... and he's got a great sense of humor (as evidenced by his own web posting regarding these two tunes!) kk

>>>Davie, I told him that, at best, you were "tongue-in-cheek" insulted by his comment ... and that your response was just SO good that I HAD to run it!!! Sounds like our little web post featuring BOTH tracks back-to-back did the trick to convince him otherwise! (kk)

This is great! Thanks!

Davie Allan

re: THE NEW COLONY SIX:
>>>If you can play Close Your Eyes Little Girl by the Colony I would be a happy camper. Thanks again! (sq_fan)
>>>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. 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
Hi Kent-
I just finished reading today's Forgotten Hits posting (7/25/10), and wanted to answer the question that Justin had about a New Colony Six song he'd recalled hearing with the lyrics, "Little girl, I'm in love with you" ...
I think that the song that he is referring to is, "Close Your Eyes Little Girl" by the NC6. It was the last single released by the New Colony for the Mercury label in 1970. Quite a suberb romantic ballad, and quite tough to find on 45 as a "store-stock" copy. (Most copies that turn up are the Mono / Stereo "Promo" copies.) Unfortunately, it is one of the few New Colony Six singles that has never been re-issued on CD. I tried hard to push Rhino into adding it on the track list of the "Colonized - Best Of" CD that I compiled and produced, but Rhino president Gary Stewart flat out refused to allow me to put it on the compilation. Needless to say, lots of people were very upset that "Close Your Eyes Little Girl" wasn't on the CD. (Oh well ... so much for the "know it all" attitude of record company big wigs!)
Jerry Schollenberger
Well, jeez ... now I guess we HAVE to feature it!!! (lol) I didn't realize that this was that rare of a track ... so once again MOST of you will be hearing it here in Forgotten Hits for the very first time. Thanks for the info, Jerry! (kk)

"Close Your Eyes Little Girl" is the song. I think it is the ONLY NC6 45 not on CD so far!
WLSClark
No, not the only one ... most of the Sunlight / MCA stuff isn't available on CD ... but, from the sounds of things, it probably IS the only MERCURY track not available. Jerry Schollenberger has been campaigning for a COMPLETE Collection of Mercury Recordings to be released on CD for years now ... kinda like what they did for Spanky and Our Gang a few years ago ... ALL of the tracks, including outtakes and rarities ... maybe even a couple of "live" things (or TV appearances) ... but so far it's a no-go. (Perhaps a letter-writing campaign to Polygram / Mercury Records is in order???) An import of their two Mercury LPs came out a year or two ago (retitled "Treat Her Groovy") but the sound quality is a little substandard, especially for an import ... still nice to have all of these tracks in one place, however! (kk)

A Few More Quick Concert Notes ...

re: THE HAPPY TOGETHER AGAIN TOUR 2010:
Save for a September 26th appearance at the Los Angeles County Fair, The Happy Together Again Tour winds down this week with a number of Florida concert dates.
If you're able to attend, please report back to us with some concert details ... we've heard nothing but good things all the way around ... and it sounds like all of the fans AND the artists are having a GREAT time doing these shows.
In fact, we just got this note from Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams:
Hi Kent,
We started the second leg of the Happy Together Tour on July 20 and it has been great!
Our fans are still coming out in strong numbers. We are so fortunate to have the wonderful support they give us ... our audience has been so receptive. It wouldn't surprise me if there we a Happy Together Tour 2011! Also The Buckinghams, Turtles, Grass Roots, Mark Lindsay and Micky Dolenz want to extend our thanks to Forgotten Hits for all your support.
Best regards,
Carl
Thanks, Carl ... so good to hear ... and thanks for the update and YOUR continued support. Time is running out ... but fans can still catch The Happy Together Again Tour here:
Tuesday, July 27th - Florida Theater / Jacksonville, FL
Wednesday, July 28th - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre / Athens, GA
Thursday, July 29th - Hard Rock Live - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Friday, July 30th - Daytona Beach Peabody Auditorium / Daytona Beach, FL
Saturday, July 31st - Ruth Eckerd Hall / Clearwater, FL
Sunday, September 26th - Los Angeles County Fair / Pomona, CA


re: OTHER SHOWS:
>>>The Cryan' Shames will be appearing this Thursday, July 29th, in Deerfield ... Deerfield Square (at the intersection of Deerfield Road and Waukegan Road). We just got this update from Jimy Rogers of The Mauds: (kk)
Great FREE music this Thursday in Deerfield!
July 29, 7:00 p.m.
Jimy Rogers will make a guest appearance with the Cryan' Shames this Thursday in Deerfield Square (between Whole Foods Market & Barnes and Noble), Downtown Deerfield - intersection of Deerfield and Waukegan Rd. Jimy's Blue Road bandmates Gary and Joan Gand will join in on guitar and keyboards for Jimy's set, performing along with the fabulous Cryan' Shames band.
Jimy rocked the house when he took the stage with these guys back on the Fourth of July ... a top-notch set of rock, blues and soul. He's still got one of the best voices out there on the circuit. Should make for a GREAT show this Thursday Night. (kk)

Hey guys:
Boy, it was one magical night experiencing the sights and sounds of one Roger McGuinn on Saturday in Denver. The night started off with me helping out his lovely wife Camilla selling CD's to the crowd that invaded the nearly sold out show. I think all told, we sold well over 200+ McGuinn autographed CD's. Camilla was as charming and lovable as ever. She spoke to each person that came up, and asked them if this was the first time they ever saw Roger. So many people (like myself) have seen him many times over the years; others were "McGuinn virgins" and couldn't wait to see him!
Many of my friends, including the Boneman, who writes down below attended. And EVERYONE had an incredible time. As the Boneman said, it was almost like Roger was in our living-rooms and just entertaining ME! That's how personable his shows are.
I also got to meet Randy Jay from Cruisin Oldies 950AM Denver who does the afternoon show and is their promotional guru. He and Cruisin Oldies did a remarkable job of promoting the show. He was such a gracious and down to earth guy, you can't help but like him. When he and I talked, it was like old soldiers telling combat stories as we talked about our radio days.
When the show got started, Roger had the attention of EVERYONE ... we were all literally mezmerized ... had he told us to drink the kool-aid, we would have. :-)
His stories were just sensational, and you follow this man from the time he was a little kid listening to his transistor radio in Chicago, to the time he got his first guitar, got some lessons and traded every instrument he had for a slick Rickenbacker 12 string after seeing George Harrison play one in "A Hard Days Night".
We follow along as Roger tells each and every story of how the group the BYRDS got together. It's funny, while he never named David Crosby by name ... just called him that "chubby guy" that could harmonize ... we all knew what he was talking about. Along with his stories, the music flowed flawlessly.
And it's funny, like a 12 year old little girl fan of Roger's, I had emailed Camilla a few days before the show and asked if there would be anyway Roger could play "Old Blue" for my dog Bluey, and the classic "5D" ... well guess what? Roger played them both!!!
After satisfying everyone, (2+ hours) Roger bid us all a fond farewell. I returned to Camilla's "lemonaide stand" and sold the remainder of the CD's. It was then that Camilla and I joined Roger and a few friends backstage, where we all kind of relaxed. I told Roger that the prayers he and Camilla say for me nightly have done wonders for my life (which is sooooo true), Roger proclaimed there was one guy that stood out in the crowd that was soooo loud, and he heard every word distinctly. Of course that loudmouth was me (must be the two uvulas).
Roger and Camilla were so gracious! I asked Roger how his mom Dorothy was, and he said she was getting ready to celebrate her 100th birthday. He then proceeded to write down her phone number on a napkin and wanted me to call her and give her a birthday wish from "Wild Bill"! God Bless her!
Anyway, you MUST listen to the just released "Growing Bolder" interview with Roger and Camilla which is attached.
Thanx for reading my diatribe and God Bless you all!
"Wild" Bill Cody
We spent a few hours listening and watching Roger perform and tell the story of his life and his 50+ years in the music that influenced our lives last night.
Roger and I both celebrated a birthday yesterday, July 24th, and what a fantastic day it was yesterday. It was his 68th and many got to share it with him.
I guess I could have pressed my pal Wild Bill Cody to introduce us to his friend but I was already filled with the magic of what felt like a living room performance with Roger sharing his life and love of the music. I think Wild Bill is his biggest fan and definitely a fountain of information.
Enjoy ... this a great interview just posted yesterday!
Boneman
It's a very special episode of the Growing Bolder Radio Show.
Rock and roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn and his wife, Camilla, join Marc Middleton and Bill Shafer in the studio for the full hour!
http://growingbolder.com/media/entertainment/music/gb-radio-show-an-hour-with-roger-649067.html
As an added bonus Roger brought a special surprise -- his guitar!
Come spend an hour with the founder of The Byrds as he not only tells you but plays how "Mr. Tambourine Man" underwent major changes before it became the smash hit that you know and love.
It's a rare and intimate look back at Roger's 50 -- yes, 50! -- years in the music business, and the woman who has been his best friend and constant companion on the road explains the secret of their 32-year marriage and why it gets stronger every year.

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)