re:
HAPPY TO PUT TWO MORE NOTCHES IN OUR COLLECTIVE FORGOTTEN HITS BELT!:
>>>I have two forgotten songs that I haven't
heard in years and am trying to identify both. #1) This is basically an
instrumental with nonsense lyrics "Ding Dong, Ding Dong" and every so often some
guy comes on and says "What are you, some kind of nut?" Probably 1961 or
1962. #2) Is an instrumental that was a big hit in Pittsburgh in the early
60's. I remember hearing it on KQV and KDKA. What made it classic was that it
was played at a different record speed. Might have been a Dixieland record
that sounded very different at the slower speed. Any help with this one would be
appreciated. (Jim B)
>>>I have no idea about the second
one. The first one could be a record reviewed in Billboard on April 24,
1961 (Randy Price):
ANDY
CORY
Hey You, What Are You, Some Kind Of Nut -- SILVER BIRD 1023 -- a funny novelty record that could fracture the preteen and even the teen set. Cory asks the question in the title then makes kooky sounds over a good beat. (Ro Jo BMI) (2:36)
Hey You, What Are You, Some Kind Of Nut -- SILVER BIRD 1023 -- a funny novelty record that could fracture the preteen and even the teen set. Cory asks the question in the title then makes kooky sounds over a good beat. (Ro Jo BMI) (2:36)
>>>These
are MUCH tougher to identify when they're instrumentals as there's no "hook"
lyric or topic to help you narrow it down.
(kk)
>>>Randy is
right on the money with his response for song #1. I might have an idea for song
#2 which comes via a record collection my father gave me, which was given to him
by a friend of his who grew up in Pittsburgh (where they could've heard KQV or
KDKA) -- the collection included a record by the Roosters (who were in fact Herb
Alpert and Lou Adler in disguise) on Felsted, called Fun House. It included a
note on the label saying "A hit sound if played on 33 1/3 RPM". However the song
doesn't appear to have even charted in Pittsburgh. (Tom)
>>>Well, let's give 'em a
spin and see what comes back! (We'll have to wait to hear back from Jim B. to see if he's right!!!)
kk
Kent,
Thanks so much! You got them both. I'm still amazed at the difference in the Roosters number when the speed is reduced to 33 RPM. Much better at that speed.
Jim B
By the way, I just heard from Carolyn Travis last night ... she's the one who put together the excellent "Airplay" DVD a couple of years ago. After repeated showings on PBS, her film is now available for purchase through Amazon.com: Click here: Amazon.com: Airplay: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio (as seen on public television): Dick Clark, Tom Donahue, The
This one is DEFINITELY worth picking up! (kk)
Thanks so much! You got them both. I'm still amazed at the difference in the Roosters number when the speed is reduced to 33 RPM. Much better at that speed.
Jim B
Actually, a pretty clever
marketing idea ... putting "a hit sound if played at 33 1/3 RPM" on the single
probably enticed more than a few deejays to at least give it a listen ... and,
evidently, give it a spin at BOTH speeds!!! MAJOR thanks to Tom Diehl and Randy
Price for helping us to solve this one! WTG, Guys!!! (kk)
"Fun House" by the Roosters was
originally on the Shar-Dee label. It became a
favorite at Pittsburgh teen dances when it was played at 33, making the beat
better for dancing. When it was picked up by Felsted, they made the "A hit sound
if played at 33 1/3 rpm" notation on the label.
Of course the
most famous record to have its speed changed for Pittsburgh dances was "Hanky
Panky". By that time the big teen dances run by Bob Mack had variable speed
turntables. Mack sped the Snap record up and it took off locally. Even the early
bootleg 45s on Snap were sped up, as was the official Roulette
release.
Ed
Salamon
>>>I wonder if anyone knows how to contact Don Daniels,
former PD of WMEX Boston from around 1985? It's been about 28 years since I've
lost touch with Don, just a great guy. (Charlie
Quintal)
>>>With all the radio folk on
the list these days, somebody out there is bound to be able to help you out with
this one! (kk)
Kent,
Occasionally through the years I
have played a little game by myself which is simply called "Whatever became of?". Normally I happen to
think of a person whom I have not heard his or her name mentioned in years and would just like to know
whatever became of them and / or
what or they doing today. Most of the time this person was in the business of
entertaining (music,
movies,etc.)
One of your readers today was
interested in knowing the whereabouts of one Don Daniels with WMEX radio years ago. I thought I would run
this by you and your readers since through the years, for whatever reason, I have always wanted to know what
became of the following DJ here in the OKC area. Back in the 1960's there was a DJ by the name of
Jim Bowman who worked for KOMA.
He later moved over to top 40 rival WKY. During the mid-sixties on WKY from 7
PM to 12 Midnight
he did a two man shift with a DJ by the name of Terry McGrew (now deceased).
They
called their show the "Gooseberry Show". Terry 'Berry' McGrew and Jim 'Goose'
Bowman. Again, for some reason always wanted to know what ever became of
Jim 'Goose' Bowman. Anyone know, would appreciate the information. Even former WKY
jocks here in the city does not know of his whereabouts.
Larry
Neal
So many folks out there don't realize what an important role some of these
disc jockeys played in our lives growing up. (For the record, I'd venture to say there are
people out there wondering "Whatever happened to Larry Neal?", too!!!) Over
time, you just lose touch ... get wrapped up in other things ... get distracted
by real life and start listening to all that's up for offer these days. But
MOST of us tend to reminisce about "the good old days" of Top 40 Radio and yearn
for our favorites, thinking "Boy, if radio could only sound like THAT
again!"
The great thing about the Internet is that it has made it easier
to locate some of these folks ... and share your memories with other fans who
also wax nostalgic. (Did you happen to see the episode of "Modern Family" a few
weeks back when the Jay character (Ed O'Neill) was getting all frustrated
because he couldn't remember the name of his favorite weatherman from back in
the day? Or the one a few weeks before that where he met one of his radio idols
in person after all these years ... a DJ prankster who used to crack Jay up in
his adolescence? I'm telling you, these memories are more "shared" than most
would ever imagine!!! (I'm always telling Scott Shannon that he ought to do more
"personal" stories during his show ... after all these years on the radio, he's
met SO many people and had SO many unique, memorable experiences ... SHARE them
with the listeners because they'll enjoy hearing them all the more because of
their fondness for YOU!!! Let us live vicariously through you for three or four
minutes every day ... and then use that story to set up the next song you're
going to play. It's radio people will tune in for!!!)
kk
I am putting together a CD of top
songs used at sporting events. Is there a list of songs or can we ask your
readers for suggestions? I found
some lists on the web but I thing it does not include all songs.
Bill "Wild Thing" Hengels
Bill "Wild Thing" Hengels
I remember buying a series of "Jock Jams" CDs
years ago ... but these would have included the most obvious tracks. I'm sure
our readers will have a few suggestions for you list! (kk)
KENT ...
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND GOOD THOUGHTS. I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS WILL WRITE A LETTER OR CALL DOCTOR LYNNE MESSNER, WHO’S MAKING AN APPEAL FOR ME THIS TUESDAY. (ARTIE WAYNE)
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND GOOD THOUGHTS. I HOPE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS WILL WRITE A LETTER OR CALL DOCTOR LYNNE MESSNER, WHO’S MAKING AN APPEAL FOR ME THIS TUESDAY. (ARTIE WAYNE)
>>>Wishing you the best of
luck. Artie has certainly helped US out over the years ... and has always been
a good friend when it came to promoting Forgotten Hits ... so we're happy to
lend our support toward getting him what he needs. (kk)
Here's an update from Artie Wayne
(David Lewis):
I WANTED YOU TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
YOUR CALLS, LETTERS, AND FAXES. DR. MESSNER CALLED ME THIS MORNING AND TOLD ME
THAT MY VISITING THERAPISTS WILL BE COMING BACK ON MONDAY AND MY STEM CELL
PROCEDURES WILL RESUME AS SOON AS THEY CAN BE SCHEDULED.
ARTIE
We heard from Artie, too
...
!KENT! ...
I WANT YOU TO THANK YOU
AND YOUR READERS FOR ALL YOUR CALLS, LETTERS, AND FAXES. DR. MESSNER CALLED AND
TOLD ME THAT MY VISITING THERAPISTS WILL BE COMING BACK ON MONDAY AND MY STEM
CELL PROCEDURES WILL RESUME AS SOON AS THEY CAN BE SCHEDULED.
HAVE A NICE WEEKEND ... I KNOW I
WILL!
REGARDS,
ARTIE WAYNE
Great news, Artie ... best wishes
for a speedy recovery! (kk)
I know this movie has been mentioned on Forgotten
hits, but I can't remember if there were reviews or just publicity
blurbs.
Kent have you seen it?
Bill
Kent have you seen it?
Bill
We've been covering "Wages Of
Spin" since before it was even finished!!! (lol)
Yes, I've seen it ... and now
you can, too ...
After numerous showings on
PBS, the film is FINALLY commercially available ... and you can order your own
copy here: Click
here: The Wages of Spin DVD - shopPBS.org
It has caused quite a bit of controversy over the past few years because it dares to take on music and television icon Dick Clark ... and some of his involvement and schemes in the early days of rock and roll ... but honestly, I expected it to be far more brutal and savage to deserve some of this criticism ... it's an interesting film to watch, especially if you're of the "Bandstand Era" ... some neat "behind the scenes" stuff ... and Part Two has already been in work for quite awhile, too. (Picking up where "American Bandstand" moved to the west coast.) Producer Paul Russo and Director Shawn Swords are long-time members of our Forgotten Hits list ... so we're pleased to pass this information along whenever we can! (kk)
It has caused quite a bit of controversy over the past few years because it dares to take on music and television icon Dick Clark ... and some of his involvement and schemes in the early days of rock and roll ... but honestly, I expected it to be far more brutal and savage to deserve some of this criticism ... it's an interesting film to watch, especially if you're of the "Bandstand Era" ... some neat "behind the scenes" stuff ... and Part Two has already been in work for quite awhile, too. (Picking up where "American Bandstand" moved to the west coast.) Producer Paul Russo and Director Shawn Swords are long-time members of our Forgotten Hits list ... so we're pleased to pass this information along whenever we can! (kk)
By the way, I just heard from Carolyn Travis last night ... she's the one who put together the excellent "Airplay" DVD a couple of years ago. After repeated showings on PBS, her film is now available for purchase through Amazon.com: Click here: Amazon.com: Airplay: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio (as seen on public television): Dick Clark, Tom Donahue, The
This one is DEFINITELY worth picking up! (kk)
