Mid-Week Comments

re: IF IT'S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE BELGIUM (or SOMETHING like that!!!):
It is TUESDAY and I'm STILL reading SUNDAY'S FH news!!!! With this repetition, maybe you should open a commercial radio station and play the same FH news blogs 200 times!!! LOL! Just jokin'! :-) Best, Jersey John
Hey ... I've been busy!!! (Hard to post something new every single day when you're working 12-14 hours a day and Blogger isn't cooperating ... (once again you can see this stuff is ALL over the place!!!) ... but we DID scrape together a few minutes this morning to keep the flow going.) And, don't forget, we ARE still posting our new TODAY'S FORGOTTEN HIT feature Monday - Friday! (kk)

Here's more:

re: THE I.R.S.:
You only have until March 31st to get your 'shoulda beens' to Hz to help build the 2011 I.R.S. Top 104.Since 2008, Hs So Good's I.R.S. (as in, "It Really Shoulda" been a top 10 hit) has ranked the songs that shoulda been Top 10 hits in the U.S., based on your filed returns. THIS I.R.S. deadlines MARCH 31st, so we may prepare the Top 104 in time for the next Hz So Good, and for the radio countdown airing during tax deadline weekend (for that other I.R.S.).

If you haven't already, here's all you need do:
* Send an email with your choices to: irs104@verizon.net *

* In rank order, best first, list up to 104 (or as few as you'd like) songs (title AND artist, please) that you feel shoulda been Top 10 in the U.S.

* Any song that never made Top 10 is fair game; songs don't have to have ever charted or been released as singles.

* Because this is a ranking of SONGS, do not list 2 versions of the same song by different artists together, or 2 sides of a single together.

* Hit "Send."

Need another reason to file?

How about, random returns will receive "refunds" in the form of either merch from www.radiologoland.com, CDs, and for a select few, a CD set of this year's I.R.S. Top 104.

The countdown of the 4th annual I.R.S. Top 104 will begin Friday April 15th, 6 - 10 pm ET on Bob Radil's show on www.rewoundradio.com, with Part 2 the next morning on "The Rest of the Week with Rich Appel" on www.wrnj.com.

Our preparers are standing by.
H&Z ROCK ... a division of Hz So Good

re: ON THE RADIO:
This weekend Scott Shannon will be rolling out the VERY popular "Rock And Roll Remakes" again ... with some brand new additions courtesy of The Forgotten Hits Field Team, who regularly provide us with classic gems they've unearthed. Keep it tuned to The True Oldies Channel all weekend long to hear some great music you haven't heard in a while ... or maybe not at all! (kk)

*****Tommy Edwards is back on the air in Chicago as CBS positions WJMK to challenge WLS-fm in the “oldies” race. Under Dan Mason’s leadership, CBS virtually owns this format nationally. I’m betting Tommy will be on the winning side of this battle. (John Rook)
*****Gotta disagree with you on this one, John. Unless K-Hits revamps their entire formula (which right now sounds like oldies radio on speed ... it's virtually unlistenable!), they haven't got a chance. (They're trying WAY too hard to create the magic of the glory days of B96, which was a "Hot Hits" station ... this formula simply doesn't work with an oldies audience ... I've found it almost IMPOSSIBLE to listen to. Worse yet, the deejays don't seem to have any connection to (or affection for) this music ... seriously, unless a MAJOR overhaul is on the way, I think they're doomed. (kk)
Click here: True Oldies Channel
Hmmmm, Kent, I disagree with you on this one.
I listened this morning / afternoon (Sunday) to George McFly (He was the night jock on B96 when I did mornings in the mid 90's), and I thought he sounded GREAT! This format was perfect for George. I haven't heard Eddie and Jobo yet, Gary Spears (who's a hell-of-a jock) or Tommy Edwards, but I'm betting money that PD Todd Cavanah is RIGHT ON with the fact that the people that grew up with B96 and the old B96 jocks and will accept them AND the nostalgic music BIG TIME, in fact, I'm predicting Chicago not only will accept this station but propel it to Top 5 status. I'm sure CBS spent a buttload of $$$ doing their due diligence on this, and they wouldn't have launched it if they thought it wouldn't work. Actually, I think Todd Cavanah is a freaking GENIUS for putting this on the air. The only thing he could do better would be to hire me on weekends to do a specialty 60's Show (which I'm talking to him about as we speak, and you KNOW I have a passion for the music).

As a caveat, I only lived in Chicago for a few years while on B96, and you've lived there your entire life so you may have a better understanding of the city and the people than I, but I'm calling you out on this one brother, I think you're sadly mistaken in your way of thinking here!
"Wild" Bill Cody
Without question, there is a whole lotta love and affection for the old B96 jocks from the kids who grew up with that station (just like OUR generations for WLS and WCFL) ... but the music they're playing on K-Hits is NOT the music that these kids grew up with. If it were (which I guess would make it an 80's / 90's station), I would tend to agree with you ... but they're reaching back a little too far for what they believe will be their built-in audience ... and it just sounds phony. (I'd be willing to bet that most of the jocks on the air weren't even BORN in the '60's and/or early '70's!!! How can they possibly relate to this music???)
If WLS-FM concentrated ONLY on '50's, 60's and early-to-mid-70's ... and K-Hits picked it up from there, playing 1976 - 1999, there'd be an EXCELLENT mix of music going on where, at least when you tuned in, you'd know EXACTLY what you'd be getting. Unfortunately, EACH station is trying to cover too wide an area and is diluting everything it plays in the process. We say "COMMIT", dammit!!!

(Meanwhile, Y103.9 continues to play an EXCELLENT mix of 60's, 70's and 80's ... with an occasional 50's thrown into the mix, too ... and all without a lot of fanfare or attention ... they simply play it all as a matter of course of playing "The Greatest Hits Of All-Time".)

Click here: Listen Live To WWYW - Y103.9

Why K-Hits isn't working: they don't seem to know which audience they want to attract. Advertising itself as "Chicago's New Greatest Hits Station, playing songs of the '60's, '70's and '80's" ... but then trying to do it in a hip, contemporary show ... and bringing back the cream of the old B96 crop to do so ... doesn't mesh. As stated earlier, the B96 audience that grew up on their Hot Hits Format don't care at all about the music of the '60's and '70's ... and, quite honestly, neither does the station. I remember hearing exactly TWO '60's songs last week while button pushing ... "Twist And Shout" by The Beatles and "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon and Garfunkel. Yesterday I heard "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by The Temptations ... but that was then followed by a whole rap about Simon Cowell's new X-Factor Show auditions ... with the excited deejays telling their audience how THEY just might be the next "Pussycat Dolls". Trust me ... the audience tuning in to listen to music from the '60's and '70's couldn't care LESS about The Pussycat Dolls ... if they even know who they are. They simply can't relate. Meanwhile, I heard "Come On Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners FIVE TIMES in a 24 hour period!!! Maybe adding Tommy Edwards will add some credibility to the station ... and maybe a few more "vintage voices" from Chicago's radio past will stop by and play for a while, too ... but first the station needs to figure out who it is ... and who it wants to be.
What's wrong with radio: And, now that K-Hits has officially signed on the air, WLS-FM has taken to calling itself "Chicago's Greatest Hits Station" (as opposed to "NEW" Greatest Hits Station). Meanwhile, Y103.9 advertises that they're playing "The Greatest Hits of All-Time". Once again, NOTHING to distinguish one station from another. (And notice how they've ALL gotten away from using the word "oldies" ... even on The True Oldies Channel??? In fact, other than Scott Shannon, I don't really hear ANY of the other jocks referring to WLS-FM as "Chicago's True Oldies Channel" anymore ... now it's simply "94.7, WLS-FM".) Everyone seems much more content to jump on the same bandwagon rather than promote ANYTHING new and unique that might make your station stand apart. Seriously, if True Oldies concentrated ONLY on the music from 1955 - 1975, you'd have a WIDE variety of music to choose from as well as an opportunity to play some long-dormant songs that haven't received any radio airtime in a long, long while. Let the other guys fight over the 1976-1996 stuff! (kk)

Kent -

I never knew Mike Piazza, but he made me recall Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, when he played an old 1988 (?) Rhino LP, "The Federal Years" (?) and there was a crude sounding stereo version of one of Hank's hits!!! It was NICE to hear someone who knew (had) the source he was playing!!! While Mike admitted he was more into Classic Rock, it's sad to find he passed.
From an email I just received:

"Mike Piazza, as mentioned on your site, http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/index.html, has sadly passed on. He was both a beloved DJ at WTSR at Trenton State University and hosted oldies shows for Supreme Concerts. There will never be another like him. WTSR is planning a tribute on Sunday March 27 at noon ET http://wtsr.org/ "
Jersey John

TOO FUNNY!:

And, without question the most annoying song ON the radio ... gee, I wonder how long it took to come up with the lyrics to this one. (Makes Paul McCartney's "Let 'em In" sound like a masterpiece!!!) kk
Kent ... Have you heard the biggest song in the world “Friday” by Rebecca Black or the cover of it by BOB DYLAN?

http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/omg-bob-dylan-sings-Friday-2/
Regards,
Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.com

re: GREAT CONCERT REVIEW:
Stephen Bishop delighted his fans with a rare NYC concert date Monday in Times Square at BB Kings. Although he's written some incredible songs for himself and others over the years, he kicked off the night with a cover of Jonathan King's 1965 hit "Everybody's Gone to the Moon." Throughout a generous 100 minute set (with 3 encores) Stephen accompanied himself on guitar, while his close friend, Jim Wilson, impressed with some mighty fine keyboard work.

You'd never know he was fighting the remains of a cold, his voice (including his famous falsetto) sounded identical to his records. He delivered the hits . . . "Save It For A Rainy Day", (you might remember Eric Clapton played guitar on the original 1976 smash) . . . "On and On" . . . and the love theme from "Tootsie," "It Might Be You." The 59-year-old San Diego born songwriter also brought to life some of the movie themes he wrote, including "Separate Lives," which Phil Collins (who is a friend of Bishop and also played on his records) popularized, and the title song from the John Belushi comedy blockbuster "Animal House." Stephen was also in the movie. He plays the guy in the dorm playing the guitar on the stairs when Belushi's character grabs the guitar and smashes it.

His dry sense of humor was on display throughout the show, particularly when he told the story about going to the Academy Awards the year he was nominated and losing to Lionel Richie. At the after party Lionel introduced him to the late Elizabeth Taylor, a moment he said he'll never forget.
Among the celebrities at BB Kings who came out to cheer Stephen were legendary songwriter Jimmy "MacArthur Park" Webb and Art Garfunkel. Garfunkel is credited with giving Stephen his first big break by recording some of his early tunes.

Tom Cuddy
New York City, NY

(photos by Stuart Hersh)

Thanks, Tom ... sounds like a GREAT show. I always liked Stephen Bishop ... had all of his LP's ... Garfunkel recorded a couple of his tunes before Stephen's first solo album came out ... obviously, he already had quite a following in order to get artists like Eric Clapton and Chaka Khan to make guest appearances on his rookie effort! (Funny thing is I always thought Bishop sounded a lot like Paul Simon back then ... and that if he and Garfunkel ever teamed up to do a couple of Simon and Garfunkel tunes, they'd pretty much sound spot on!) Thanks for the GREAT review and cool pics! (kk)

re: MY EYES ADORED YOU:

KK,

I apologize, but I used to love saying if Sammy Davis ever sang this song, he'd have to change the lyrics to "My EYE Adored You" ... my apologies to Sandy Dennis :-)

Wild Bill

Frankie Valli Joins Dan Taylor In Studio Tuesday
Kent ...
I know you won't have time to print this ... but I thought you might want to check it out for yourself. Call in sick from work.
Frank B.
Please send us a full report!!! (kk)

Kent ...

3/29/11: WCBS-FM Morning man, Dan Taylor, chatted with Frankie Valli.

--- When Frankie was 6 years old, his mother took him to see Frank Sinatra.

Right then, he knew he wanted to be a singer. I wanted to be a cowboy.

--- First 4 Seasons song he heard on the radio was "Sherry," while riding in his 1957 Olds.

--- 1966 - They went to see Frank Sinatra . One of the songs he sang was "I've Got You Under My Skin." Bob Guadio says "We've got to record this song." Frankie says "You're crazy!"

Bob was right.

--- 1976 - "December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)" - Frankie said this was a Prohibition Era song. Bob Guadio rewrote the lyrics.

--- Right now putting together the cast for fifth road show of "Jersey Boys."

I didn't know there were that many people who could sing like Frankie Valli.

--- What's next? Frankie Valli is talking to major company about writing a cookbook and putting out a Frankie Valli brand sauce.

Do you remember when he was on "The Sopranos"? I think his name was Rusty.

Frank B.

Good review! If anyone out there hasn't seen "Jersey Boys" yet, it is an evening of MUST SEE entertainment ... one of the best shows we've EVER seen (and I think we've seen it four or five times now!!!) Yes, it is amazing to think that somebody can go out there are re-create that Frankie Valli sound night after night after night ... you've got to be SPOT ON for each performance in order to pull this off ... I think we saw two different "Frankies" when the show played here in Chicago and BOTH of them pulled it off tremendously. Great story, great music ... and it's playing all over the world right now!

(By the way, believe it or not I never saw a single episode of "The Sopranos" ... just wasn't my thing ... but yes, Frankie Valli was on the show for a couple of years.) kk

re: JIMI HENDRIX:

EXPERIENCE HENDRIX CONCERT TOUR 2011

The 2011 edition of the Experience Hendrix concert tour, presented by Fender guitars, launches in May with the all-star lineup of musicians that have partnered in the previous couple of tours.

This year's lineup will include performances by Billy Cox, Steve Vai, Robert Randolph, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, David Hidalgo & Cesar Rosas [Los Lobos], Keb’ Mo, Eric Johnson, North Mississippi All Stars, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Corey Glover and Vernon Reid of Living Colour, Ernie Isley, drummer Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble / Arc Angels) and Indigenous. Billy Cox is the last living member of Jimi's bands. He has recently released a self-produced CD Last Gypsy Standing. As always, special guests may show up at select performances. Initial 2011 Experience Hendrix tour dates include:

5/20 - Las Vegas, NV - Hilton Theater

5/22 - Dana Point, CA - Doheny Festival

5/23 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Arts Center

5/24 - Tucson, Arizona - TBA

5/26 - Santa Rosa, CA - Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

5/27 - Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort

5/28 - Santa Cruz, CA - Santa Cruz Blues Festival

5/29 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Avila Beach Blues Festival

re: JOHNNY NASH:

Kent,

Just wanted you to know it was nice of you mentioning Johnny Nash's A VERY SPECIAL LOVE

along with the TEEN COMMANDMENTS in your written section of Tuesday's FH.

I always did like A VERY SPECIAL LOVE, which was covered, I believe, by Debbie Reynolds.

Of course nowadays you don't hear anymore of Paul Anka or even George Hamilton IV.

Larry

Debbie Reynolds and Johnny Nash shared the #30 position in Cash Box Magazine with "A Very Special Love", back in the day where the song was often considered more important than the recording artist. (Neither version did as well in Billboard).

Nash was first marketed as a teen idol but, unlike Paul Anka and (for a short time anyway) George Hamilton IV, he never seemed to catch on. Early on in his career, he appeared on Arthur Godfrey's radio AND TV programs ... according to Joel Whitburn's book, he kicked off his career at the age of 13!

Then, in the late '60's, he decided to chuck it all and moved to Jamaica, where he was reborn as one of rock's very first reggae stars. (You'll hear a hint of this early newfound style in the 1968 Hit that we featured, "Hold On Tight" ... and much more so in his hits "I Can See Clearly Now" and "Stir It Up".) kk

Kent,

I was glad to see you feature a Johnny Nash song today -- and that you mentioned his first hit, "A Very Special Love." It's a great song from his "Johnny Mathis period."
Always wondered how long it would take for someone to solve it . . .
And I always thought it would make a great "Stump the Listeners" question for some DJ who'd play the song and ask: Name this singer who 14 years later would have a No. 1 hit.
Don Effenberger

re: MORE JERSEY ROCK:

Probably not too many ... "A Very Special Love" probably hasn't been played on the radio for over fifty years!!! lol (kk)

The Knickerbockers - Lies - 1966 Not sure where this group is from.
Oh, wait, they are from New Jersey!! Lots of talent in that State! :)
Recorded on 10/05/1965, somewhere in California.

The record company put the 45 RPM record A Side song as "The Coming Generation" and the B Side as "Lies".

Oh, no!

Anyway, let's join this fine, good looking group in the recording studio as they rehearse at Take #3, followed by the unedited (unknown Take(s)) of the "hit" ending!!!

Was the song really featured in the Universal movie, "Out Of Sight", Mr. Whitburn!?, http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/lies-3.mp3
Best,

Jersey John

re: THE CRYAN' SHAMES:

That recording of The Cryan' Shames is very heavy, because of the banter after the song. It was recorded after a Chicagofest performance, as you know, but I was blown away when I heard my late friend, Jeff Lind, start doing an interview. Jeff did the History of Chicago Rock articles in the Illinois Entertainer. I had not seen him for many years, when I found out that he had died ... but at one time, I saw him all of the time. I saw him socially, and he worked with me in my store once or twice a week, in the mid seventies. Hearing is voice was ... whoo ...

John Harrold (Olsen)

(ex Uncle Albert's Records & Tapes, Arlington Heights 1973-1983 RIP)

re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:

Kent baby -

Just wanted to stop by and say hell-0 - been super busy which is a good thing these days and just wanted to thank you for the hard work with the web site -

When I get a chance to stop by, I do -- and always find some interesting info --

Heck, I see people talking about a record or two - and then I go and pull it out of the collection and bring it in the following morning for some airplay -

Sometimes it takes an "Oh Wow, I forgot about that song" moment to shake my tree and have some fun on air with it

Keep rockin', buddy!

Jeff James

Y103.9

That's exactly what we do it for, Jeff ... and fortunately several OTHER jocks around the country are doing the exact same thing. (Especially with our brand new "Today's Forgotten Hit" feature!)
I've actually been giving Y103.9 some VERY positive "props" lately ... so, if you get a chance, scroll back and catch up over the past few weeks ...

It irritates the hell out of me that with all this talk of "Oldies Wars" going on here in Chicago, Y103.9 is consistently left off the list ... despite the fact that you guys are playing BY FAR the best assortment of oldies on the radio right now. Just trying to help get the word out there ... and have run the "Listen Live" link a few times recently. (Too bad the signal is so damn weak ... I honestly believe that if it was stronger the whole city would be switching over!!!) kk