After playing Bobby Darin (“Splish, Splash”) a few of my songs backstage at an Alan Freed Rock and Roll Show, I tell him I’m going to sign a management contract with Alan. Then he speaks to me privately. He tells me that a payola scandal involving Alan is about to break, and I should wait before I sign anything with the controversial Disc Jockey. Then Bobby tells me about a longtime friend of his who just opened a publishing company at 1650 Broadway. He writes down his friend’s name, and the next day I go to audition for Don Kirshner at Aldon Music.
(Read the rest here):
http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/don-kirshner-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetituity/
Regards,
Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
Kent ...
Read about Don Kirshner's death.
Maybe the Don Kirshner and Bobby Darin connection will be a good enough reason for you to re-run The Bobby Darin Story in an upcoming Forgotten Hits.
Frank B.
Hmmm ... how did I not see this coming??? (kk)
re: RON DANTE:
Here's a picture from summer 63 that I had sent you earlier ... thought it might be a good time to run it again. I sent a copy to Ron Dante, too, and mentioned to him that he should point out all of the Kirshner clan left to right -- can anyone else out there do that???
Clark Besch
I don't remember all the faces, but I knew most of them!
To Don Kirshner's left is Charles Koppelman, Don Rubin, Artie Kaplan, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann ...
Right behind Don is Gerry Goffin.
To Don's right is Lou Adler ... and above Lou's right shoulder is Jack Keller.
Above him Howard Greenfield. To Howie's right is a very young Tony Orlando.
From left to right: First girl don't know but there's Carole King and next to her is Little Eva. Above Eva to her left if Brooks Arthur.
What a great picture!
Thanks for sending it along.
Ron
Cool ad ... and virtually every single one of these people went on to have stellar careers in the music industry ... he sure knew how to pick 'em!
But honestly I thought THIS might make an even BETTER photo to run again, especially in light of our questioning:
>>>In 1969 you had TWO songs in the Top Ten at the same time ... yet NOBODY really knew ... or was supposed to know ... who RON DANTE was!!! Meanwhile, TRACY (by THE CUFF LINKS) and SUGAR, SUGAR (by THE ARCHIES) fought each other for chart position back in 1969!!! What was that like ... having TWO Top Ten Records ... and receiving virtually NO recognition for it?!?!? (kk)>>>Having both Sugar, Sugar and Tracy as hits at the same time was a dream come true. I always wanted to be on the radio and this was twice the airplay all over the world. The fact that my name was not on those records did not bother me too much. I knew the word would get out as to who was the lead singer and good things would follow. They did. I ended up being one of the top jingle singers in the business during those years and had my own solo album coming out. Those were wonderful days. (Ron Dante)
>>>When did it first become public knowledge that you were the lead singer for THE ARCHIES? (kk)
>>>Two years after the Archies came out, I did a solo album and Kirshner took out tons of ads announcing I was the voice of The Archies. (Ron Dante)
re: UP-COMING SHOWS:
Speaking of Ron Dante, here's a quick reminder about his up-coming show at B.B. King's Blues Club in New York City later this month on the 30th of January. Performers include Dante, Dennis Tufano, Sonny Geraci and Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods.
For more information, visit: http://www.bbkingblues.com/bio.php?id=199
Henry Gross will be performing his one man show, "One Hit Wanderer" on February 19, 2011 in the Murray Theater at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. Tickets can be purchased in advance from Ruth Eckerd Hall or at the door. Henry's "One Hit Wanderer" show chronicles the highlights and funniest moments of his life in the entertainment business. On the surface, it is an autobiographical look back at the pursuit, realization and subsequent demise of his Rock & Roll dreams. A closer look reveals a story of perserverance, hope and commitment that make this show a rollercoaster ride of laughs, tears, disappointments and triumphs. re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY???:
Kent ...
We've got some very important birthdays coming up ... both on the same day.
Monday, 1/24/11:
Neil Diamond = 70
Jack Scott = 75
Frank B.
Happy Birthday to both ... but actually Joel Whitburn's book shows Jack Scott's birthday as being January 28th!!! (kk)
re: THE GRASS ROOTS:
Hi Kent,
I've been a longtime follower of FH, have rarely written to you. First, let me say that I love this blog, and read it faithfully and daily.
If you can stand one more Grass Roots question: There was an early hit by the Grass Roots that I used to love, but definitely falls into the Forgotten Hits category, at least here in Rochester, NY. That song is "Things I Should Have Said." I remember it having an unusual beat (for that time), and smart lyrics. I loved that song in my sophomore year in high school, but haven't heard it in years. Do you or anyone else remember it?
Thanks for all the memories!
-- Charlie
I sure do, Charlie, 'cause it's one of MY favorites by them, too! (I had considered this one (#23, 1967) ... and "Lovin' Things" (#35, 1969) for our new "Today's Forgotten Hit" feature ... but I think I came up with an even better candidate (so stay tuned!) Meanwhile, I'm happy to feature "Things I Should Have Said" today ... betcha lots of OTHER folks on the list will remember this one, too, once they get to hear it again! Thanks for the great suggestion ... and thanks for the kind words, too! (kk)
KENT -
YOUR READER WAS NOT DREAMING ... WHEN THE GRASS ROOTS WERE ON "IN CONCERT" THEY PLAYED A SONG CALLED "ROCK AND ROLL". AS FAR AS I KNOW, IT WAS NEVER ON ANY OF THEIR ALBUMS OR 45'S. IT IS TOO BAD, IT IS A GREAT SONG. I HAVE IT ON CASSETTE SOMEWHERE IN STACKS OF STUFF. I HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND OF TAPING IT.
GO BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MIKE DE MARTINO, PRESIDENT OF THE LOVEJOY MUSIC CLUB
Tying it all together, here are The Grass Roots doing the Gayle McCormick song. Or was it the other way around?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVjnWNFWYec
David Lewis
Excellent ... I LOVE it!!! (kk)
Speaking of which ...
re: GAYLE McCORMICK:
Wow - thanks for including this one today! It was very big here in Nashville and such a surprise it was unknown in Chi-Town.
David Lewis
Especially since it apparently WAS big in Wisconsin. Boy, you'd never think this was the same girl who sang "Baby It's You" for Smith ... this one has almost a disco beat to it ... yet pre-dates the disco era by about four years. Not a bad tune at all. (kk)
The Gayle McCormick record 'It's A Crying Shame" was very big here in OKC even though you mentioned it didn't chart in Chicago.
Larry
Frannie said that she remembered it, too, which means it also got airplay in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. That's the thing about these regional hits ... never enough momentum to make a big splash on the national charts because it would break in different regions at different times. While not a GREAT record, it's certainly deserving of Top 40 status. (It peaked at #43 in Cash Box and #44 in Billboard.) kk
And, speaking of Hit Records ...
re: HIT RECORD:
>>>One of your readers wanted to know or wondered how to make a "hit record" ... I believe Brook Benton answered that question back in 1962 on Mercury Records. (Larry Neal)
Kent -
Let's not forget that the Raspberries also took a crack at this in 1974 with Overnight Sensation (Hit Record), a forgotten favorite of mine.
- jsl
Yep, that's a goodie. (#18, 1974) "Let's Pretend", another #18 Hit for The Raspberries, would be one of MY favorite Forgotten Hits by the band! You'll hear "Go All The Way" virtually every day ... and "I Wanna Be With You" once in a while ... but you pretty much NEVER hear these other Top 20 Hits! (kk)
Thanks for the attention to Brook Benton, one of pop music's under-rated, under-loved vocalists. I've always thought he did THE definitive version of the great Bacharach - David song "A House Is Not A Home," which unfortunately only got to No. 75 on the charts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgwGOAS_Gzk
I featured him (and, of course, The Association!) in a column last year on a whole bunch of under-appreciated singers.
http://www.minnpost.com/listingslightly/2010/07/23/19942/who_are some_of_our_most_underappreciated_singers_here_are_a_few_of_my_favorites And your mention of Benton's "Hit Record" reminded me of another clever novelty Record" song -- this one by Forgotten Hits regular Freddy Cannon.
I always liked "If You Were A Rock and Roll Record" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vjQ2OrAT7E and, for that matter, "What's Gonna Happen When Summer's Done," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iv5-FZ0dlI, his two 1962 post - "Palisades Park" follow-ups that I thought should have fared better on the charts. Neither of them made the Top 40, though. Both admittedly sound "primitive" by today's production standards, but I thought they captured the innocence of the times. Are you seeing a strange pattern in my (sometimes) preference for forgotten songs that fizzle?
Don Effenberger
re: COOL DEEJAY STUFF:
My life-long pal (I was in his wedding and went to college with him) and former partner in our California radio stations, Dex Allen (former all night jock at KQV in '64 - '66) sent me this today. Brings back a lot of memories.
To the tune of "Little Deuce Coupe", the song by the Beach Boys, this was written by Roger Christian and was produced for KHJ by Roger who was then a KHJ jock. It was one of the first things I heard on my first visit to LA in May of '65. KJH had just launched. Sam Riddle picked us up at the LA airport and we went to Nickodell's Restaurant next to KHJ. That night I met Bill Drake for the first time. Later, Roger Christian and I syndicated the track and sold it to stations around the country. Used it first when I was PD at KIMN, Denver. Each station, of course, had to feature their own jocks. Hard to do in the days of one-track recording. I brought the entire jock lineup in on a Sunday morning to record it. Just a bit of interesting history. Hope you enjoy it.
Ted Atkins
VERY cool, Ted! (In fact, I sent a copy to Carolyn Travis to post on her Airplay / Dee Jay Lounge web page!) They don't do stuff like this anymore ... so it's great to hear this again after all these years. Thanks so much for sending. (kk)
I no sooner sent out the KHJ version and Chuck Buell said he thought that he had the KIMN version and PRESTO!!! What memories. On an early Sunday morning in the summer of '65 ... all the jocks leaning into the mike for their turn. We, like most others then, only had a single-track machine. Hope you enjoy another Sho Biz ditty.
Ted
re: MARGARET WHITING:
Kent,
Margaret was married (or just together) for many years to Jack Wrangler, one of the first true stars of gay (and some straight) adult films, who passed away last year or the year before. At a restaurant one night Margaret was upset with Jack over his continued activities with men, even though they had been together for some time. He was also still drinking and partying, and he got mad at her in the restaurant and screamed "I'm Gay!", to which Margaret replied, "Only around the edges, dear". Wonderful quip!
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with her recorded works, I only know her because of her relationship (which was a long and happy one) with Mr. Wrangler.
Jack was also president of the Johnny Mercer Foundation, and he put together several cabaret shows for Margaret, including one where she covered Johnny Mercer's music. (If you remember the cliche' from the 70's of uber-masculine gay men, with the 'clone' look - tank top, mustache, tight jeans - Jack Wrangler was one of the first adult stars to portray gay men as 'manly' (for what the 70's meant to be 'manly'). It takes all kinds to make relationships.
Later!
Ed
Whiting had a pretty extensive recording career in the Pre-Rock Era, placing 32 songs on Billboard's Pop Chart between 1945 and 1952 (including nine Top Ten Hits on their Best Seller's List.) She only hit The Top 40 once after 1952 ... that was when her version of "The Wheel Of Hurt" peaked at #26 on The Billboard Chart in 1966. (kk)
re: THE ADDRISI BROTHERS:
I'm glad to see the Addrisi Brothers getting a lot of attention in Forgotten Hits ... they wrote so many wonderful records for other artists, all while putting out some pretty amazing records on their own.
One of my all time favorite 45s is by the Addrisi Brothers on Valiant Records, recording their own songs, Little Miss Sad (which would become a minor hit for the Five Empressions aka the Five Emprees, reaching #74 in 1965) backed with C'mon Home Baby, which I've heard by a British group called the Escorts, as well ... but don't know if it was a British hit or not.
Tom Diehl
Without question, The Addrisi Brothers achieved far greater success as song-writers than as recording artists ... but I've really never heard a bad record by them!
The Five Emprees' version of "Little Miss Sad" may have only reached #74 nationally, but here in Chicago it was a HUGE local hit, peaking at #3 on the WLS chart. We've featured it a couple of times before in Forgotten Hits. (I'd never heard The Addrisi Brothers' original version till now.)
I don't show "C'mon Home Baby" by The Escorts charting on EITHER side of the ocean. (kk)
re: THE NEW COLONY SIX / THE ASSOCIATION:
>>>I know "the vet" wasn't Steve Thorpe or Fat Marty ... frankly, i'm at a loss ... (Chet Coppock)
By the way, Marty Nicosia was “Fat” Marty.
Ray Graffia, Jr.
>>>Over the years, we've run into people who have invented COMPLETELY new lives for themselves by claiming to be somebody they're not ... an even greater risk when the Internet is involved since you can tell anybody virtually ANYTHING and they have no way of proving or disproving it. Several years ago I received a few emails from a woman ... I wanna say down in Florida ... that was questioning whether or not the guy she was dating really was a former member of The New Colony Six, as he had claimed to be. She just found too many holes in the stories he told her and figured that since I was from Chicago, I would automatically know if the guy was for real or not. She even sent me several pictures to compare to old NC6 album covers and such. Turned out the guy was a complete fake ... and believe me, he's not the ONLY one we've run across over the past twelve years of doing this. (This is an even more likely scenario when you're talking about some of the "faceless" bands who performed back in the day ... if they weren't household names, it was unlikely very many folks could name ... or recognize ... most of them. And, with these bands changing their line-ups as often as they did, you sometimes had a case of trying to keep up with a revolving door of group members! As you can see above, even some of the band members who were THERE don't remember all the specifics after all this time!) kk
Kent,
Regarding the queries about the person who might or might not have been connected with the New Colony Six and was in Vietnam, you commented that not infrequently, people claim to have been associated with this or that "faceless" pop/rock group -- and it's all fake. Boy, are you right.
I was in college (1965-69) with a guy who, I'm sad to say, died a couple of years ago. His obituary, a paid death notice in the New York Times, said that for a time he had been a member of The Association under his original name, Ted Bluechel Jr. This claim -- totally false -- apparently caused quite a stir among fans of The Association, especially because Ted Bluechel at the time was alive and well, and for all I know, still is. This phony information was even picked up by the Cornell University alumni magazine; apparently someone just reproduced the NY Times death notice without doing any checking.
That's why we need people like you -- to shed light on fake stories like that one, and keep the record straight.
Here's a link to a Washington Post blog that reported on the phony "Bluechel death" : _Bad 'Association' - Post Mortem - Obituaries from The Washington Post_ (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postmortem/2009/05/bad_association.html) Henry McNulty
OK, now this one takes the cake. That's REALLY carrying the lie a bit too far, don'tcha think??? ... but I've also seen cases where some of these people have convinced their entire FAMILIES that they're really somebody else ... so I guess anything's possible! Unreal!
In a related note, DIDJAKNOW? - Jules Alexander of The Association arranged the vocals on The New Colony Six song "Barbara, I Love You" from their "Attacking A Straw Man" album? Although it didn't do much nationally on the charts (#78 in Billboard, 1970), it was a #13 Hit here in Chicago. (kk)
re: CLEVER LABEL MIS-PRINTINGS:
Going back to the subject of artists' names or song titles being misspelled on the record label, I can't remember offhand the record but I have one in which the time is correct but labeled wrong. Instead of saying on the label it had a length of 3:10, it has 2:70 which is the same thing.
Larry Neal
I'm guessing it was this one, "Fakin' It" by Simon and Garfunkel. (We actually featured this on the website a few weeks back after I heard Bob Stroud talking about it on his "One 45 at 1:45" Program.) Whereas Stroud attributed most of this to the "psychedelic flavor of the day" (and there may be a certain amount of truth to that), I also believe that this was Simon and Garfunkel's way of getting their latest record played in a radio era where a song HAD to come in at under three minutes to be considered for Top 40 Radio airplay! Very cleverly, they manipulated the label to come up with a "time-friendly" number of 2:74. It worked ... the song was under three minutes ... and "Fakin' It" peaked at #15 in 1967. But I can assure you that this wasn't a misprint at all ... it was QUITE intentional. (kk)
re: MORE DISCREPANCIES:
Seeing an item on today's Forgotten Hits about the Grass Roots song that came in two versions reminded me of something last year. I heard Mary Hopkins' underappreciated 1970 single "Temma Harbor" on the Chicago oldies station (I think) and at the end of the chorus there was a line I didn't remember: "We can go a little deeper in the long bamboo ... " Huh? I remember the line as: "We can live and dream together, in a world that's new." Having poked around (alone) in a couple of bamboo stands, I think they should have stayed in the treehouse. But then I got to thinking about other songs that got the Mr. Bowdler treatment back in the day. Here are a few more:
In 1967, the Rolling Stones single "Let's Spend the Night Together" became "Let's Spend Some Time Together" for the sake of their Ed Sullivan TV appearance, which got Mick Jagger extremely annoyed. Supposedly it was just for the show, but I'm almost certain I heard it on the radio more than once.
Lou Christie's 1966 "Rhapsody in the Rain": "In this car, our love went much too far" became "In this car, love came like a falling star". This was after one of the local Chicago stations (WLS?) had run a prerecorded lead-in asking, "Should this song be banned?" I think a couple of my friends went out and bought the 45 at that point, fearing that it would pulled off the market.
It wasn't always about sex. In Charlie Drake's 1962 song "My Boomerang Won't Come Back": "Practiced 'til I was black in the face" became "Practiced 'til I was blue in the face" but that happened many years later; I want to say after 2000. The dubover was sloppily done and very obvious.
Those are just the ones that come immediately to mind. I'm sure there are plenty of them that snuck past me, and it would be interesting to hear what others remember.
One final note: At our 40th grade school reunion in 2006, we had a trivia contest, and one of the questions was: "Name a top 40 pop song containing lyrics sung in Latin." (We were a Catholic school and we knew all about Latin.) Nobody got it and I had to give the crowd some huge hints.
Of course, it was the Association's "Requiem for the Masses," which contains some chilling moments from a well-known setting of the Latin Requiem Mass. If there's another pop song containing Latin, I've never heard it.
-- Jeff Duntemann
Colorado Springs, Colorado
As far as I know, The Rolling Stones NEVER recorded a "Let's Spend Some Time Together" version of their hit. Knowing how Jagger felt about the Sullivan appearance, I don't think he ever would have agreed to do so.
We've covered the "Rhapsody In The Rain" story several times before in Forgotten Hits (and, in fact, WLS was instrumental in getting the lyrics changed ... there are more involved than what you mentioned in your email.) If I can find it in the archives, I'll rerun it again next week, because it always sparked quite a few responses ... and I don't think that it ever officially ran on the website.
You're also right about the Charlie Drake recording ... once it became "politically incorrect" to say "black in the face", a new version was created. (Kinda like a number of Three Stooges episodes never being run in syndication due to both Black and Hitler references ... I believe some of these unedited shorts may be available as DVD extras but I'm not certain about that. In fact, a number of old Warner Brothers cartoons ALSO had to be edited for this reason!)
Another one that immediately comes to mind was Van Morrison's first big hit "Brown Eyed Girl" ... you weren't really allowed to talk (or sing) about "making love in the green grass behind the stadium) back in 1967!!! I'm sure that there are several more (and, knowing our readers, we'll soon have a whole new list to talk about!!! lol)
Thanks, Jeff! (kk)
BY THE WAY ... You'll find more about Lou Christie ... and The Association ... elsewhere in today's Sunday Comments Page!
re: SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU:
Hi Kent -
Thanks for the info on the "Since I Don't Have You" movie and the "Baby Its You" Broadway show coming in the near future!!! Two of my favorite groups and I'm really looking forward to seeing these.
As for Jack Scott, is he related to Linda Scott from "Don't Bet Money Honey" and "I Told Every Little Star" fame????
David Nelson passing was a surprise. I have a DVD of Ozzie's band from the thirties and a couple of his CD's with Harriet singing! Let us know when Gunnar and Matthew come to Schaumburg for their Dad's Tribute!
Keep up the Great work.
Carolyn
I'm really looking forward to these shows, too ... especially since I don't know ANY of the details or circumstances surrounding the death of female vocalist Janet Vogel! And The Shirelles show should be interesting, too.
There is no relationship between Jack Scott and Linda Scott. (Jack's real last name is Scafone.) He had nine Top 40 Hits between 1958 and 1960, including The Top Ten Hits "My True Love" (#3, 1958); "Goodbye Baby" (#8, 1959); "What In The World's Come Over You" (#5, 1960) and "Burning Bridges" (#3, 1960). Of course you don't hear ANY of them on the radio anymore ... so we'll feature MY favorite today ... you'll find "Goodbye Baby" posted below.
As for Matthew and Gunnar, they're scheduled to appear here on Saturday, February 12th at The Prairie Center For Performing Arts ... but apparently the show is already sold out! (Just checked) Bummer ... this is supposed to be a pretty amazing show ... missed them when they were at The Arcada Theatre last year and had really been looking forward to seeing this show. (kk)
>>>The musical tells the story of Florence Greenberg , a housewife from Passaic,NJ, who discovered the Shirelles singing at her daughter's high school. Greenberg became their manager and eventually created a recording empire. Sounds like a hit. (Frank B.)
Unusual to find Florence receiving more attention than even Berry Gordy, while they were both promoting records in Philly. From what I heard, Hy Lit may have been one of the DJs they both spoke to. Thanks for the heads up, Frank!Meanwhile, speaking of The Skyliners ...
The Skyliners - Pennies From Heaven - 1960
While their other Top 40 hits were good, such as Take #1 (possibly vocals only) of ... http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/haveyou.mp3 ... this one sparked my interest, because it's uptempo, Stereo, and sounds like Big Band swing of the past! [Insert applause here]. Certainly not a Doo-Wop sounding song, though others classified them as a Doo-Wop group! I gather their producer was an older gent! Nice singing!I'd like to know where this was recorded, what recording studio? Whose band is playing?
http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/pennies.mp3
Thank You!!!
Jersey John (formerly of PA)
re: JOHNNY MAESTRO:
Kent ...
Our friend Tom Diehl reviews Bowzer's Show on Ron Smith's Oldies Music.
I thought you might want to take a look at it.
Frank B.
Oldies Music Bulletin Board: Re: Johnny Maestro/Kenny Vance
It was neat getting the inside track from Lois Dixon regarding the newly revamped Brooklyn Bridge this past weekend ... and now we've got a review to boot. Thanks, guys! (kk)
re: JOHNNY MATHIS:
Just wanted you to know about our upcoming Valentine's Day Johnny Mathis 3-hour Special from noon - 3:00pm (New York Time).
Mary Anne Barothy
Celebrate Valentines Day withThe Voice of Romance Mr Johnny Mathis ...
PRLogPress Release – Jan 21 2011 – Baltimore Net RadioBNR an independent internet broadcasting station and affiliate of Fredericksburg Network Radio of ... www.prlog.org/11240659-celebrate-valentines-day-with-the-v...
re: LOU CHRISTIE:
Kent,
I am pleased to announce the latest radio interview show that I have posted on my Radio Page. Please share it with your group.
This interview was a long, long time in the making and I look forward to feedback from you and the others.
The real name of my guest of honor is Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco.
He confessed to me that, if he had his way, he would have been perfectly happy recording simply as "Lugee." After all, people like Fabian and Dion didn't do too badly by using a single name.
In fact, he WAS recording as Lugee early in his career. Singing with a backup group, he released a single on Robbee Records (out of Pittsburgh) as Lugee and the Lions. It did NOT roar up the chart but still, it was a nice beginning.
Okay, technically it was NOT a beginning. Prior to that Lugee had sung backup on a HIT record that was -- not coincidentally -- on that Robbee label. It's one close to my heart because its title was my name. It was by Marcy Joe. You guessed it. It was "Ronnie"! After all these years I finally found out -- from Lou himself -- that he was one of the backup voices singing my name!
Two things more than anything else resulted in Lugee's career taking wings.
The first thing: meeting an amazing, unique, mysterious and eccentric gypsy lady by the name of Twyla Herbert. She was 30 years older than he was and, if the truth be told, was NOT a rock and roller. But maybe that's why she turned out to be the perfect songwriting collaborator for Lugee. She was a classically-trained musician and that helped make up for the fact that Lugee had no formal musical training.
The second thing: someone suggesting that Lugee Sacco not use his real name and, instead, use the professional name of "LOU CHRISTIE."
The rest is happy musical history.
Lou was one of the 60's first successful singer-songwriters and, together with Twyla, Lou co-wrote nearly all of his songs.
The four recordings of Christie - Herbert songs that were most notable in terms of chart success were "The Gypsy Cried," "Two Faces Have I," "Rhapsody In The Rain" and (prior to that one) the chart-topping "Lightnin' Strikes," which became the first of Lou's TWO signature songs.
These four recordings all featured Lou's alternation of his two voices (normal and falsetto) and distinctive female backup singers.
They are among the most remembered and beloved hits of the 60s.
This show includes all those recordings and others, including Lou's top ten recording of "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" (written by the late Tony Romeo) and Lou's OTHER signature song. That would be the show's closer, "Beyond The Blue Horizon," which was featured in the Oscar-winning Best Picture "Rainman" as well as other movies.
Lou remains one of the most popular performers on the oldies music circuit. I met him in person at a show in Easton, PA a few years ago and, if you have never seen this man perform and are among the many who enjoy his work so much, I highly recommend that you try to catch a performance if he comes to your area.
And of course this interview was close to my heart for one other reason. The backup singers on "Lightnin' Strikes," "Cryin' In The Streets," "Rhapsody In The Rain" and "Trapeze" were "Jersey Girls" Denise Ferri and Bernadette Carroll (and also Peggy Santiglia).
Here's a track list for this show. All recordings are by Lou Christie except if otherwise specified. Because the show is 70 minutes, there are no bonus tracks.
1 Opening (the opening of "Lightnin' Strikes" plays underneath my introduction)
2 Ronnie -- Marcy Joe
3 The Jury -- Lugee and the Lions
4 Little Did I Know (excerpt) -- Lugee and the Lions
5 The Gypsy Cried
6 Two Faces Have I
7 Mr. Tenor Man (excerpt)
8 How Many Teardrops
9 Guitars And Bongoes
10 Lightnin' Strikes
11 Cryin' In The Streets (very brief excerpt)
12 Rhapsody In The Rain [uncensored version]
13 Rhapsody In The Rain [censored version] (excerpt)
14 Trapeze
15 I'm Gonna Make You Mine
16 Beyond The Blue Horizon
My Lou Christie radio interview show -- recorded exclusively for the Jersey Girls Sing website -- is on the following page, along with more than 100 others that I've done for that website: Ronnie's Radio Page
In the unlikely event that you don't see Lou's picture, please press the F5 key to bring up the latest version of the page.
Ronnie Allen
We're BIG Lou Christie fans here ... and have always wanted to see him perform live. (Incredibly, BOTH times I had tickets to see him, the shows were cancelled!!!) Will have to check his website to see if there are any Chicagoland stops in the near future.
Thanks, Ronnie ... this sounds like a good one! (kk)
Click here: LOU CHRISTIE OFFICIAL WEB SITE
re: BOBBY VEE:
We just received word about another radio program you might want to check out, especially if you're a fan of THIS guy, Mr. Bobby Vee!
This Wednesday (January 26th, 2011) on Topshelf Oldies (www.topshelfoldies.org), starting at 8 PM Eastern, I will be interviewing Bob Celli (it's being pre-recorded today, and will be the very first phone interview I have done for my own show). Bob is a musical archivist, fan and friend of Bobby Vee, and he also heads up online clubs for Bobby's fans and friends.
There is a brand new 2 cd Bobby Vee Rarities set that has just been released by EMI International and I will be playing through the entire album over a 3+ hour show (the actual length of the show hasn't been determined as of this writing) while chatting with Bob along the way. I've been listening to the set all week long and it is excellent, with many previously unreleased, limited release, first time stereo recordings and should-have-been hits featured on the set. There is also a live chatroom that can be found on the Topshelf Oldies website and I'll be in to chat with anyone who wants to tune in and drop by to say hello.
The show will run from 8 to 11 PM Eastern with the possibility of it running longer, depending on the phone call. If you're a fan of Bobby Vee and haven't picked up the set yet, here's your best chance to hear the entire album for free -- naturally I'll encourage everyone reading this to rush out and pick up a copy. Both Amazon UK and Amazon US have the cd listed at a VERY low and reasonable price for a double cd set. Grab it while it's still cheap, you won't regret it!
Tom Diehl
Thanks, Tom! I passed your note along to Bobby Vee ... who knows, he just might be your NEXT interviewee!!! (kk)
And HERE'S some news about a guy that a lot of folks sounded a lot like Bobby Vee ... or was that the other way around???
re: BUDDY HOLLY:Kent ...
Interesting article ,about the" Day the Music Died."
Frank B.
Newsvine - It Wasn't The Fuel Line - How the Buddy Holly Crash Really Happened
And some cool links at the bottom, too. (kk)
re: OLDIES COVER BANDS:
>>>Normally, we tend to stay away from some of these "cover / sound-alike / tribute" bands and concentrate on "the real deal" here in Forgotten Hits. I've got mixed emotions about it ... in many cases, these "copy bands" are taking work away from some of the real bands competing for the same audience at many of these summer festivals and such. But on the OTHER hand, MOST of these bands LOVE this music and are simply paying tribute in the way they best know how ... and, to that degree, they're doing the same thing that WE'RE doing, which is everything we can to help keep this great music alive. So we're going to leave it up to you, readers ... let us know if you'd like to see more of this "cover band" coverage ... or if you have a couple of bands that you'd like to recommend that you think our readers would enjoy. (kk)
My favorite cover band is called The Mahoney Brothers. Not only do they do an incredible Beatles show complete with costumes from every period, but they also do a show called Jukebox Heroes. Some of the covers they do are Neil Diamond, Buddy Holly,Willie Nelson, Everly Brothers, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. These guys are fabulous,and I try to see them every chance I get. You can find them at http://www.mahoneybros.com. They usually perform in the NJ / PA area,but I see they have some shows in MA coming up also. Check them out!
Eileen
Thrive / Survive LA Named Official Charity of Beatles Tribute Cruise 2011
Beatles Tribute Cruise 2011 is proud to announce that Thrive / Survive Los Angeles has been named the official charity of this year's cruise. Beatles Tribute Cruise 2011 will be hosting a charity raffle with close to 100 Beatles related items with all proceeds going to Thrive / Survive Los Angeles. Tickets will be sold during the cruise and prizes will be awarded before each event during the eight day cruise in March.
Survive Los Angeles was founded by Nico Juber, daughter of former Wings guitarist Laurence Juber. (Mr. Juber will be headlining this year's cruise.) Nico, a Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, founded Thrive / Survive to support other young adult cancer survivors.
The grand prize of two Ultimate Weekend Tickets for Abbey Road on the River and signed copies of "LET HIM BE" DVDs have generously been donated. "We have donations of signed books, hundreds of MusicSkins, CDs, DVDs, Beatles toys and collectibles with much more on the way" says Woody Lifton - Beatles Tribute Cruises promoter. "We would love to help Thrive / Survive with a huge boost in awareness and funding."
Thrive / Survive Los Angeles is a project of The Giving Back Fund http://www.givingback.org/, a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information or to make a donation, please go to: http://www.thrivesurvive.org/
For information on the Beatles Tribute Cruise 2011, please go to http://www.beatlestributecruise.com/
www.BeatlesTributeCruise.com or http://www.ideserveacruise.com.
If you have a new Beatles related item you would like to donate to the raffle, contact Woody Lifton at info@BeatlesTributeCruise.comhttp://us.mc1302.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@BeatlesTributeCruise.com
And, speaking of The Beatles ... here's a neat ... and I would think ULTRA-rare collectible ... a photo of John, Paul, George and Pete Best ... signed by John, Paul, George and RINGO!!! Check it out! (kk)
re: THE BEATLES:
Kent ...
Pete Best and his replacement. That sounds rare to me.
Frank B.
Paul Fraser Collectibles Beatles Ringo and Pete Best star on same piece of memorabilia
From Dave Barry ...
January 17, 2011 "San Francisco Chronicle"
All you need is love ... and luck, too
Leah Garchik
Monday, January 17, 2011Adda Dada, art collector and dedicated thrift shopper (to put it mildly), sifting through the treasures of the Community Thrift Shop on Valencia Street, found last week "an English band record ... really damaged, but oh, well, OK, price is only $1.50."
He took it home, examined it with a magnifying glass, and discovered it was signed by John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and "an unreadable/smeared Ringo."
"God save the queen," says Dada, "and I mean this queen, you almost passed out!"
Beatles' Abbey Road Crosswalk Listed as Protected Site by U.K. Government
By Kristen Schweizer - Dec 22, 2010
The London crosswalk made famous when the Beatles walked across it for the cover of their 1969 album “Abbey Road” was listed as a protected site by the U.K. government. The street crossing in the St. John’s Wood neighborhood is the first of its kind ever to be listed as protected, John Penrose, the U.K.’s minister for tourism and heritage, said in a statement today.
Thousands of tourists every year flock to the Abbey Road street crossing and adjacent Abbey Road studios, where the Beatles recorded most of their songs. The studio buildings were listed as protected by the English Heritage office in February, days after reports that owner EMI Group Plc was trying to sell the site to cut debt.
“This London zebra crossing is no castle or cathedral but, thanks to the Beatles and a 10-minute photo shoot one August morning in 1969, it has just as strong a claim as any to be seen as part of our heritage,” Penrose said. A crosswalk is known as a zebra crossing in the U.K., a protected pedestrian crossing of a road marked by zebra-like stripes.
Beatles band member Paul McCartney also welcomed the news, which came a month after the group’s songs began selling on Apple Inc.’s iTunes service.
“It’s been a great year for me and a great year for the Beatles and hearing that the Abbey Road crossing is to be preserved is the icing on the cake,” he said in the statement.
-- submitted by Dave Barry
re: COOL CLIPS:
Kent ...
As I was searching for some new video clips, I made some extraordinary finds!
The first is a one minute film taken backstage at a rock show in Texas in the ‘50s featuring ELVIS PRESLEY, BUDDY HOLLY, CARL PERKINS, AND JOHNNY CASH together for the first time … again! The second is a theatrical trailer of a man I knew slightly but respected greatly, Phil Ochs. His documentary, “There But For Fortune” is only playing at one theater in New York and it’s already #25 at the box office!
http://artiewayne.wordpress. com/2011/01/17/rare-video- clips-elvis-holly-perkins- cash-plus-new-phil-ochs- trailer/
Regards,
Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.wordpress. com/about-artie-wayne/
Cool, Artie! I've seen that backstage Elvis clip before in a couple of television documentaries ... both it has ENORMOUS historical value. And the Phil Ochs trailer ties in PERFECTLY with our piece on this film last week. Thanks! (kk)
And, speaking of Elvis, I guess you can post THIS one under the "Passing The Buck" category ...
re: ELVIS:
Fake £20 Elvis Presley novelty banknote fools teller in German Central Bank Mail Online
Kent ...
I don't blame the bank clerk. I would've cashed it.
And here's something on Wanda Jackson -- didn't she date Elvis for a while?
‘Queen of Rockabilly’ still reigns Music Entertainment Toronto Sun
New album for " Queen Of Rockabilly." She was on Letterman this past week.
Frank B.
re: OLDIES IN THE TITLE:
>>>I cannot help but wonder if "Play Those Oldies, Mr. DJ" by Anthony and the Sophomores was the first major hit to contain the word "Oldies". (Jersey John)Kent,
Your first reader in today's comments asked the question of what was the first major hit to contain the word "oldie" in the title. First I learned a long time ago that what is considered to be a major hit for one person may not be a major hit for another. Anyway, without checking any references, the first song to come to my mind was THOSE OLDIES BUT GOODIES REMIND ME OF YOU from 1961 by Little Caesar and the Romans.
Larry
Actually, there has been only one major hit (on the national charts, up through the mid '90s at least) whose title included the word "oldies": "Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me Of You)" by Little Caesar & The Romans, a top-10 hit from 1961. That record might have been the first single ever to feature "Oldies" (as a reference to older hit records) in its title; 1961 also saw the release of "Oldies But Goodies Show" by Al McGee on Donna 1348, but I'm not sure whether that release preceded the Little Caesar platter. The only other possible contender I know of was a record by Ray Bolger, released in 1951 on Decca, called simply "Oldies" (B-side of "Once Upon A Nickel"). However, not being familiar with that song's lyrics, I don't know whether it was a reference to old music.
– Randy Price
re: HALLELUJAH!:
The Alexandra Burke version of "Hallelujah" is fabulous - and so moving!
Thanks for including such great stuff in every FH!
David
I've probably listened to it 20 times myself this weekend ... I've always loved this song and this is now the BEST version of it I've ever heard. (kk)
re: AMERICAN BANDSTAND:
Hi Kent,
I thought many of your viewers would like to know about the enclosed link.
Best,
Eddie Kelly
American Bandstand (59'-61')
Note: Also was guest at RockCon.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=123328911064629
Sure, Eddie, happy to pass this along. LOTS of American Bandstand fans on our list!
(kk)
re: THE FORGOTTEN HITS BOOK CLUB:
Entertainment industry photographer Linda Matlow of Pix International has recently published a compilation of her music photos. 'Hardcover' is an eclectic compilation of band photographs (on and offstage) that Linda Matlow photographed from 1979 to 2010.The first run of this volume, 'Hardcover - Limited Edition' sold out in less than one month after printing.The new, revised edition has been scaled back to 128 images with a few additions made that were not in the Limited Edition.'HARDCOVER' will only be available directly thru the http://pixintl.com website.
A UK publisher has picked up two of Linda Matlow's recently completed entertainment photo book titles and they estimate 2012 for publication.Specs: HARDCOVER (hardcover edition) (Revised edition) Books are printed on premium 115-pound high-gloss archival-quality paper.Ordering link and more info here: http://pixintl.com/PixBooks_2011.html
Questions: lmatlow@yahoo.com
Linda Matlow,PIXINTL http://pixintl.com/
re: AMERICAN IDOL:
So what'dya think? Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez made their debut as new judges on TV's American Idol this past week ... and honestly, I REALLY enjoyed it!!! There's a new enthusiasm on the panel ... I believe their Q-Factor is going to go through the roof. J-Lo's been "humanized" ... those were REAL tears that you saw ... and watching her stuggle early on to tell contestants that they just didn't have what takes really came across as frustrating and sincere. Knowing that she and her husband watch "Idol" at home faithfully enough to have recognized the return of an early contestant really brought things home. And Tyler seemed to be having a ball. (As long as he can keep his hands off the early 20's contestants, I think he'll do fine!!! lol) As far as I'm concerned, Week One was a ROUSING success!
And congratulations to long-time FH Reader Bob Rush (he's the U.S. Correspondent to "The Beat" Magazine in Great Britain ... and former Musical Director of The Rip Chords) ... his daughter Devyn is "going to Hollywood" ... and she sounded just great! (kk)
re: TODAY'S FORGOTTEN HIT:
There is something about music that affects each and every one of us --- maybe in a different way --- but in a strong way nevertheless. Your new "Today's Forgotten Hit" feature reminds us of just how much great music ISN'T getting played on the radio anymore. Dee Jays would do well to take notice and listen --- we want our Forgotten Hits!
Dale
Thanks, Dale ... more goodies coming up next week ... so stay tuned! (kk)
You hit another home run today with Could Have Been a Lady by April Wine. It is a true forgotten hit. It takes me back to the days when I would put my K-tel album '22 Explosive Hits' on the family record player and blast the two minute version.
You are on a roll my friend.
Phil - WRCO
LOL ... yeah, didn't you HATE the way K-Tel would chop those songs down to next to nothing in order to squeeze 20+ songs on a single album?!?!? But they always had the hits! More good response to this week's selections ... let's see if we can keep that roll rollin'! Thanks, Phil! (kk)
What a terrific week of Today's Forgotten Hits!
Just a few comments ...
The song by Dusty Springfield was one of my favorites but I never knew its actual name ... I always thought it was called ... Just Because of You ... thanks for setting my head straight on that.
When I started listening to Medicine Man I thought ... I've never heard this song before and then it got to the chorus and It all came back to me.
I liked your pick for Glenn Campbell ... he has always been a favorite of mine. Wichita Lineman is one of my all time favorites but I also like the lesser known song Where's the Playground, Susie?
Keep them coming ... I am so enjoying hearing songs by artists I haven't thought about for many years.
Music is such an amazing thing. It can transport you to another time another place.
It can reflect your mood or set your mood.
It can bridge gaps in generations, cultures and countries.
Powerful stuff that music!
Thanks again for doing your part.
Stacee
Thanks, Stacee ... the response has been VERY good so far ... and we've already talked to a couple of the jocks on the list about making this some type of a regular feature on their shows ... we'll keep you posted.
You nailed it ... music seems to be the common denominator that unites us all ... and I don't just mean the folks on this list ... as cliche'd as it sounds, this music truly DID provide the soundtrack to our lives ... and even songs like these ... that you BARELY remember ... still ring true all these years later. (Somebody wrote in last week wondering why it is that you can not hear a song for 20-25 years and yet still sing along with every single word once you hear it again. THIS is the very point that oldies radio programmers have been missing for all these years ... but I'll tell you what ... I think this whole Forgotten Hits Radio thing just might catch on. I'll bet I heard AT LEAST a dozen tracks this past week that are NOT the songs you typically hear on the radio anymore ... and it is SO refreshing to hear this!) Thanks for your support! (kk)
re: GO BEARS!:
>>>My wifes family is from the Rockford area and she is a life long Bears fan. I am the only Packer fan in the house. Perhaps you could find Cher's song Living in a House Divided? (Phil / WRCO)
>>>lol ... sounds like a GREAT idea, Phil ... and a long Forgotten Hit to boot!(Cher took this one to #21 back in 1972 during her first major comeback. After being absent from the pop charts as a solo artist since her 1967 hit "You Better Sit Down Kids" (#8, 1967), Cher scored eight straight Top 50 Hits between 1971 and 1974. (Having a hit television series certainly didn't hurt!) And THREE of those hits went all the way to #1: "Gypsys, Tramps And Thieves", "Half-Breed" and "Dark Lady". Odds are you won't hear "Living In A House Divided" anytime soon on conventional radio ... so we're happy to feature today it as another Forgotten Hits Weekend "Extra". (kk)
Thanks for sending this song. I am going to play it tonight during my tribute. Just to smooth things over at home, I might break down and play the Super Bowl Shuffle. It was a number one.
Phil
Two things on the Green Bay Packers:
(1) I have a very cool LP "The National Football League Marching Songs" ... conducted by Bernard Green ... RCA LPM-2292. Liner notes say it was recorded July 7 and 8, 1960. All 13 teams are presented, including Tex Schramm's Dallas Cowboys, who had yet to play a game. Also in the notes, Commissioner Pete Rozelle says that "club fight songs" form a rich part of the league's tradition ... altho I wonder if all these are legit, since several are composed by the same couple of individuals.
(2) Recall on "Green Acres," Fred Ziffel watched the soap opera "Prudence Pennypacker" ... while his wife Doris watched the Green Bay Packers!
-- stolf
lol ... do you ever just find yourself thinking about all of the completely useless information you've filed away over all these years?!?! Damn, if there was only SOME way to make money doing this!!! (lol) Yet some of the simplest things take FOREVER to come back to you! (Guess that's part of what makes each and every one of us an "Oldie But Goodie"!!!) kk
Kent ...
If the Bears don't do this, they might win the game.
Also - no off side & holding.
Frank B.
YouTube - Mel & Tim - Backfield In Motion
With the Bears game coming up this weekend, here are some ways to cut into our State Deficit:
1). Any Packer fan that comes down here with Wisconsin license plates will be charged $25.00 at each toll booth. (When we go up to Summerfest, the Racine County Police love pulling over cars with Illinois plates, so why not return the favor?)
2). When a Packer fan with Wisconsin plates tries to park in one of the Soldier Field lots, charge them $125.00 per car. There will be a $25.00 convenience fee for each Packer fan inside of each vehicle.
3). If a Packer fan is stupid enough to enter Soldier Field, they will be carded. Anyone who carries a Wisconsin drivers’ license will have to pay $25.00 for beer. NO PREMIUM BEERS ALLOWED, only Bud Light and Miller Lite.
4). When the Packers lose, regular toll rates on I-294 apply. If the Packers get lucky, rates are DOUBLED.
If the above rules are implemented, Illinois residents can enjoy lower tax rates and Illinois businesses will benefit with the Bears in the Super Bowl.
Packer fans can take solace in knowing that should there beloved team lose, they can look forward to seeing the Packers participate in the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet.
GO BEARS!
MIKE DE MARTINO / PRESIDENT OF THE LOVEJOY MUSIC CLUB
Are you ready for some football?
Sing along if you know the words...
Words and music by Jerry Downs @1941
"Great Big Town" recital by Ed McCaskey
"Bear Down" featuring Bill Archer & His Big Bear Band
Ken Voss
Go Packers!
Ken
I guess there's always one in every crowd!!! (kk)
Bears Super Bowl Fever has certainly taken over our town. (Repeated airings of 1985's "Super Bowl Shuffle" ... a #1 Hit here in Chi-Town ... have been making the rounds in both its original (and in parodied) version ... but NOTHING captures the Spirit Of Chicago better than THIS one by The Blues Brothers:
