Robert Feder's column this morning tells us about a brand new WCFL Radio Special, recalling the station's hey-day as a Top 40 Giant here in Chicago, going head-to-head with WLS for several exciting rounds beginning in the mid-'60's ... and carrying on ahead to their eventual disappearing act in early 1976.
Much of the credit is given to Program Director Ken Draper, who is elevated to near icon status in this one hour tribute. (Vintage 'CFL clips include Barney Pip, Ron Britain, Larry Lujack, Jim Stagg, Dick Biondi and several others from this era. An archived podcast of this program can be found here):
And, speaking of Chicago Radio's glory days ...
re: SOONER OR LATER:
At the same time as "Sooner Or Later," another ABC Dunhill act had a custom version on WLS. Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds' "Don't Pull Your Love" sang (very quickly) "WLS Chicago" before the opening line.
-- Ron Smith
-- Ron Smith
OK, we've got to get copies of these!!! Clark Besch, are you listening?!?!? (kk)
Kent,
The custom intros were produced by the Joey Reynolds organization. In Nashville, we have custom intros for "I Just Want To Celebrate", "Peace Train", "One Fine Morning", "Do You Know What Time It Is?", and of course "Sooner or Later."
David Lewis
Might you have any of these that we can share with our readers??? (kk)
All I have is the compressed mono versions of these. A friend has better copies. The Howdy-Doody thing is so bad it would cause nausea. The One Fine Morning intro is promoting DJ Russ Spooner. Other than Sooner or Later, the Rare Earth intro is well done (and useful).
David
David
You're right ... these are pretty horrible!!! (lol) The "Sooner Or Later" clip is PERFECT!!! (I still prefer the WMAK version over the others) ... "I Just Want To Celebrate" is almost listenable ... but the other two ... OMG!!! (Can't decide which is worse but I think the edge has to go to "One Fine Morning"!!!)
Thanks, David!
kk
kk
... and, speaking of The Grass Roots ...
re: THE GRASS ROOTS:
Hey Kent -
I believe they should change their name, too.
On that subject, there is on one band I know of that pulled it off quite well ... Molly Hatchet. They have not one original member, but sound as good as the original band. The real kicker is that when Danny Joe Brown was sick and knew he wasn't going to be around much longer, he picked his replacement to sing lead. You have to give the man respect for that. I have all the later cd's and you can't tell the difference.
Mickey
And I believe Rob Grill's intentions were much the same ... but since we've already seen this kind of thing work before in the past, I think something along the lines of "The New Grass Roots" would be the most appropriate solution ... then just bill yourselves as Rob Grill's hand-picked band to carry on the name ... and go do it! They certainly know and love the material ... and it just wouldn't be right to retire this music from an audience that loves it, too! (kk)
re: BUDDY HOLLY / PAUL McCARTNEY :
Don't you kind of wonder why Sir Paul wasn't there at Buddy's Hollywood Star Ceremony?
... and, speaking of 9-11 ...
Mickey
Honestly, I hadn't really thought about it until you mentioned something ... but yeah, it WOULD have been pretty cool to see Macca on hand ... and maybe even do a tune or two!
Did you watch his Showtime / 9-11 / "The Love You Make" special??? Not bad (although more than a few times I felt some of it was a bit "forced".) The whole "Man Of The People" thing was a bit bothersome to me ... if only because John Lennon was gunned down right there in New York City. Love his driver George, 'tho!!! (Kind of reminded me of the whole Bruce Wayne and Alfred thing!!! lol) One thing his special DID do was inspire me to watch the concert again ... it really was a powerful presentation ... so Frannie and I camped out in front of the TV set yesterday and watched all six hours of the concert again on VH-1 ... what an outstanding line-up of artists and special guests. We were moved several times (especially after watching a couple of the other 9-11 commemorative specials.) A sad time, to be sure ... and some of these wounds will never heal, no matter how strong we may pretend to be ... but it sure was nice to witness once again how we pulled together as a nation in this most difficult of times. (kk)
... and, speaking of 9-11 ...
re: 9-11:
“THE STORY OF 9/11” (in a Trade Martin song)
I feature our great President Ronald Reagan speaking at the end of my new 10th year 9/11 tribute recording, "The Innocent And The Heroes" (inspired by the Jeff Bruzzo documentary, which I did the soundtrack for) “9/11: Reflections Then And Now.” Please take a listen. THANKS.
Warmest regards,
Trade Martin
I was reading today's additions and was taken aback by the Youtube link "Reading of the Names" by the Aldente Brothers. The first name that caught my eye at the beginning of this was that of a family friend's sister, Mary Catherine Wieman (nee Lenz). She was the sister of a friend and at the time in 2001 Mary's niece Katie and our daughter Jennifer were best friends. I'll never forget Jen telling me that they couldn't find Katie's Aunt Mary. The days passed slowly and finally the determination was made that she had not survived. There had been word that she was helping a woman that was expecting a baby when she was last seen. I never met Mary but felt a presence when I watched this clip. Thank you for sharing this for all who were lost and all that have been lost fighting for my freedom and yours. Blessings and God Bless America!
Laurie (Dave's wife)
Hoffman Estates
re: CHARLIE GRACIE:
New Charlie Gracie CD set for global release on ABKCO:
FOR THE LOVE OF CHARLIE by Charlie Gracie
ABKCO MUSIC & RECORDS in New York City is proud to announce a BRAND NEW CD from Charlie Gracie, one of R&R's earliest pioneers -- and the man who ushered in the 'Philly Sound" with Cameo - Parkway's very first hit records in the late 1950s.
FOR THE LOVE OF CHARLIE is produced by none other than AL KOOPER (who produced, recorded and played with Bob Dylan, B.B. King, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Lynyrd Skynyrd) with QUENTIN JONES. Numerous artists, including GRAHAM NASH, PETER NOONE, JIMMY VIVINO, CRAIG ROSS, DENNIS DIKEN, EDDIE ANGEL, TOM T-BONE EDMONDS and more -- have gladly contributed their talents to this CD all ... FOR THE LOVE OF CHARLIE! More Info Coming! CD WILL BE ready for Charlie's month-long tour taking him to ENGLAND, WALES and ITALY in OCTOBER!
(Itinerary below):
CHARLIE GRACIE SET FOR CONCERT TOUR OF ENGLAND, WALES and ITALY FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER ... PLUS A NEW CD RELEASE ON ABKCO PRODUCED BY AL KOOPER!
The "Energizer Bunny of Rock 'n' Roll" is off and running again as he begins a run of HEADLINING VENUES in the UNITED KINGDOM -
plus the INTERNATIONAL ITALIAN R&R FESTIVAL at RAVENNA, ITALY!
<<CONFIRMED DATES BELOW ... MORE COMING!>>
OCT. 7TH: TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND (Winning Post Inn)
OCT. 8TH: RAVENNA, ITALY (Moondogs International R&R Festival)
OCT. 9TH: BRISTOL, ENGLAND (Club Bawa)
OCT.11TH: WHITCHURCH, WALES (Earl High Memorial British Legion Club)
OCT.12TH: WORTHING SUSSEX, ENGLAND (Grand Victorian Hotel)
OCT.13TH: HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND (private)
OCT.14TH: HULL, (East Yorkshire) ENGLAND (The Springhead)
OCT.15TH: AMERSHAM, ENGLAND (White Eagle Hall)
OCT.16TH: HARLESDEN, LONDON ENGLAND ( Empire Theater)
OCT.19TH: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND (Theater)
OCT.20TH: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (Bury Sportsman's Club)
OCT.21ST: NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND (Red Planet Rock)
OCT.22ND: COVENTRY, ENGLAND (Pitstop R&R Club)
OCT.23RD: WOOLACOMBE, NORTH DEVON, ENGLAND (Royal Hotel)
re: OTHER UPCOMING SHOWS AND NEW RELEASES:
Hi Kent,
I can't remember if I mentioned this to you ...
Thanks for all you do,
Davie Allan
Davie Allan
Hi Kent -
Our new album TIME TUNNEL is just about ready.
It has been awhile ... but it is now a new day, a new week - and a new TIME - or truly feels it anyway, and maybe even just a little of what we have to say in the Time Tunnel songs will be of some positive meaning and significance.
Surprisingly we don't think the band has changed all that much musically from how it was in the 60s ... but lyrically there seems to be quite a bit more adult thinking going on. Yet not to worry, there is still a lot of rather juvenile, crazy, fun stuff going on as well. The record will be out and on line by the end of the month and out in CD form soon after in October. See the band website for updates and info: www.TheFifthEstateINFO.com.
Thanks to all your readers for all those Pre-Orders for Band and Shel Talmy autographs!!
Ken "Furvus" Evans
Great news, Furv ... can't wait to hear it. (Maybe we can "Sneak Peek" a track right here in Forgotten Hits! (kk)
And can it REALLY be 45 Years Ago Today?!?!?
Yep ... 45 years ago today THE MONKEES premiered on NBC Television for the very first time ... (talk about your happier and more innocent times!!!) ... and they've been a permanent fixture of our lives ever since. Here's a cool commemorative poster, courtesy of FH Reader Gary Strobl:
And can it REALLY be 45 Years Ago Today?!?!?
Yep ... 45 years ago today THE MONKEES premiered on NBC Television for the very first time ... (talk about your happier and more innocent times!!!) ... and they've been a permanent fixture of our lives ever since. Here's a cool commemorative poster, courtesy of FH Reader Gary Strobl:
