Monday, March 5, 2012

Monday Morning Catch-Up


Kent ...
Here's some good news for a change.
Frank B.
With all the recent tragedies from the music world including the deaths of Whitney Houston and Davy Jones of The Monkees, it’s great to finally get some good news! 
We are just finding out this morning that doctors have told Bee Gees great Robin Gibb he is in remission from cancer!
This IS good news.  We had heard that he was recovering nicely (and even wanted to go back out on the road again.)  Barry reportedly agreed if Robin was healthy enough to do so.  (kk)
 
 
Kent ...
I've got to tell you how I got a free Chicago CD.
My sister and her husband were looking around our local Barnes & Noble store.  She was in a hurry to get home. She passed the Music section. She grabbed a "Chicago" CD and didn't bother to check the back cover for list of songs.
Now home, my sister plays the CD she just bought.
Turns out she wanted "CHICAGO", the musical ... and wound up with "CHICAGO", the band.
Now I have a new CD to add to my collection.
Thanks Sis!
(Maybe next time she'll grab a "PLATTERS" CD, thinking it's about dishes.)
Frank B.
 
As a MAJOR Sam Cooke fan, I'm happy to pass along this link:
In commemoration of what would have been, SHOULD have been, the man's 81st Birthday,
Gary Pig Gold's review of the SAM COOKE: PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND cd  
 
Submitted by FH Reader Frank B:
‎The Who Sell Out. Name of a marvelous album by the Who. 
And a headline used by a gazillion writers (now myself included) to report that Pete Townshend has sold the publishing rights to his amazing list of songs to the Spirit Music Group. That means you’ll be hearing more Who songs in movies, TV and on commercials.
Cha-CHING!

“ How about Who songs on commercials? 'Bargain' for a Wallmart spot? 'Magic Bus' for the CTA? 'I Can See for Miles' for Spex Optical?
” Terri Hemmert  
 
 
LOTS of talk about The Beach Boys' 50th Anniversary Tour ... but now comes word that The Rolling Stones may ALSO be putting aside their differences and hitting the road again in honor of THEIR 50th Anniversary, too!
Kent ...
Could there be another 50th Anniversary tour?
Ronnie Wood says The Rolling Stones are "on the verge" of touring!  
Frank B.
 
And, evidently, this is a big #50 for SEVERAL artists this year:
Kent ...
Another 50 year Anniversary celebration.  
Frank B.
 
And, speaking of The Beach Boys' 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour ...
 
>>>I'm not sure that I get this ... you advertise a website as "No Depression" ... and then write one of the most depressing pieces I've ever read about our '60's icons?!?! 
I just don't get it!!! (kk)
Here's a link from NoDepression.com that provides an explanation of their name in their 'about us' page... stems from a song relevant to the Great Depression:
-- BOB FRABLE
 
This blog CLEARLY bothered Wild Bill Cody (who sent us the first link to their article ... "The Beach Boys:  Why?" a few weeks ago.  Below, Bill comments further:
kk:
This has been sitting around my computer for a week or 10 days now, and forgive me, the weather in Colorado has been horrendous and I had a few sobering thoughts go through my mind the last week or two, but I think it was all brought on by this Beach Boys Blog on No Depression.com, and it has really depressed me since I first read it. I'd like your thoughts and those of the FH readers on this blog. Boy, I don't know what to think of this Beach Boys Blog, except, unfortunately, it's disturbingly true?
After reading this blog over and over about 10 times I'm in a melancholy mood that I haven't been in for years. Damn, for all of us my good friends and sadly, that includes myself, our best days, like it or not, are behind us.  Fight it all you want, and we do every remaining day of our lives, in all things physical, in work, in love, in play, I am brutally reminded on a daily basis when I look in the mirror and see staring back at me the dwindling remnants of youth that have over the course of time, disappeared from this face and body never to be seen again!!! 
And now we see or hear the news of our friends, loved ones and contemporaries leaving us one by one, at first slowly, but now at a pace that is hard to comprehend, almost on a daily basis. When will the bell toll for us? I sit here on an excruciating cold Colorado winter's day, with the wind howling outside my windows and doors sinisterly inviting me to join those that have gone on before me. I'll fight those cold hands of time, but feel them tugging at my heart and soul to let go. Unlike Robert Frost, I don't have "miles to go before I sleep", the final taxicab's fare has arrived and I need to pay the driver. OR NOT!  This disturbing blog has depressed me these last nearly two weeks. 
Why is all of this affecting me negatively? I love the Beach Boys and I'll pay the big bucks to see them perform.  Hell, they were part of my youth and what I remember about the good times in life. The guy that wrote this just totally bums me out. Will the Stones start their next tour with Mick in a wheelchair and Keith carting around an oxygen tank behind his walker? 
C'mon FH readers, say it isn't so. 
"Wild" Bill Cody
 
Interestingly enough, this same blog ran a nice piece on Davy Jones last week ... here's what they had to say: 
The news of Davy Jones’s passing has had more of an impact on me than I would have expected. I mean, it’s not something I ever gave any thought to. But, if you would have asked me, “How would you feel if Davy Jones suddenly died”, I would probably give a detached answer like, "Oh, that'd be sad".
But I’m more than mildly sad.
I was born after The Monkees' heyday, but I remember watching reruns of their TV programs every single day ever summer on Nickelodeon. Even as a kid I recognized the silliness of their comedy, but I loved their music.
As I got older, I heard all the hullabaloo about them not being a “real band” since they were assembled by guys in suits specifically for the purpose of creating a successful TV show. But I thought they were a great pop band. And I still loved their music. 
He was the first person I ever remember my mom saying she had a crush on when she was younger. I learned he was a big heartthrob, saw him in a guest slot on a Brady Bunch rerun that exploited the crush factor. That crush factor is often fuel for haters, and probably was part of the reason for some of the negative fuss about The Monkees. But that stuff doesn't have anything to do with the music. 
I remember hearing about the “mismatched” tour where Jimi Hendrix had been invited to open for them. Every reference to the event talked about what a train wreck of an idea it was to pair the two. My musical tastes are certainly not what you’d call “mainstream”, but I don’t think it would have been that bad of a mismatch. The two musical styles are definitely different, and you might have to tweak the order and presentation a bit. But I think it could have worked. But, of course, I love both of their music.
As my love of music deepened and my tastes developed, I didn’t listen to The Monkees much. I’d enjoy when I heard them on the radio and still remembered all of their songs, but I didn’t own anything or seek it out. Still, I loved what music of theirs I did hear.
A few years back, I was at a Social Distortion concert, my all-time favorite band. They had added an extra member to the band who played accordion and piano / organ. As Social D came back out for an encore the piano player started a lengthy intro to a song. It sounded familiar, but I didn’t recognize it instantly. Then I caught on. I was certain it was “Daydream Believer” by The Monkees. Social Distortion always incorporates a lot of cover songs into their repertoire, but this seemed a stretch. They usually got for old country covers by the likes of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams or punk classics by The Clash. Even thought it was a stretch…it fit. It worked. With Social D, I love their music, you see … so they can make an awful lot work.
But, alas, it wasn’t Daydream Believer. It was their own classic song Prison Bound, with a new, lengthier intro. I’m no musician, but it must have been in the same key or had the same chord progression or something.
I told my wife, who was there with me, after the show that I thought it was Daydream Believer and she immediately said, “That would have been a GREAT cover for them!”
I’ve interviewed Mike Ness, leader of Social Distortion, a few times, but not since that night. Next time I talk to him, I’m gonna try to work up the nerve to suggest that as a cover for them. Hopefully he’ll see it, too.
This article is a remembrance of Davy Jones, not an essay on Social Distortion. But that event has always stuck out to me for one reason: It reminded me that I loved the music of The Monkees.
So I started listening again. Not just to the hits I was familiar with, but their full albums. Songs like “Salesman” and “You Just Might Be the One” stood out, and still do. I share those deeper album cuts on my Dirty Roots Radio Show once in a while. Because I still love their music.
And that’s what Davy Jones leaves behind. He passed too young, at 66. And while there will always be the controversy of whether or not they were a “real band”, there is the music. The great music that we love.
Thanks for the music, Davy Jones.
It's incredible to think just how many lives these guys touched.  Sure, they've been made fun of and ridiculed for YEARS ... and banned from The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame because, of course, they're not a REAL band ... yet every week they came into our living rooms and inspired us and made us FEEL the music ... the GOOD TIME music.  Perhaps NOW it is FINALLY time to recognize The Monkees for all that they really were ... and all that they really gave.  (kk)
 
RIP to the wonderful Davy Jones: stage actor, musician, singer and ARGUABLY the most popular Monkee (at least among the pre-teen set, including my younger sister who was totally stricken until Bobby Sherman came along!).  The postings of his various TV appearances 1966-1973 et al and of many of the Monkees episodes have been great.  Sad to hear about Michael Davis as well.  I still do remember the liner notes from "NANCY & LEE" -  "Is Billy really strange?"  "Yes, but he's the best arranger in the whole world ...
So let him be like he wants."  That says it all:  Billy, we'll see you on Some Velvet Morning (when we're straight!!!). 
Love,
Bobster
A couple weeks back FH was taliking about the Bob Shane version of Honey which came out about the same time as Bobby Goldsboro's. I recently got in a batch of surveys and included was this one from KELI Tulsa, OK. #39 lists both releases.
Jack

 
From FH Reader Dave Barry:
Dhani Harrison was Conan O'Brian's guest Thursday night (Feb. 23). I believe you can view the complete broadcast at http://teamcoco.com/. Dhani appeared in the last 12 minutes of the program. He was there to plug his phone app of rock guitar collections (available at Apple Stores) in 3-D, including those of his father. For further information, said Dhani, go to www.georgeharrison.com/dhani. I did, and the page came up for a split second, only to crash onto the George Harrison home page with the message, "The requested page could not be found." So, there's apparently trouble on the website at the moment. 
PS: Actually, as I check out the team coco page, there's currently a direct link to the "George Harrison Guitar App" segment at the top of the page.
 
Kent,
Reading about Toni Wine and Carol Bayer Sager's "A Groovy Kind of Love" made me recall that the song is based on a classical melody, namely the Rondo movement of Sonatina in G major, op. 36, no. 5 by Muzio Clementi, which was written in the 1820s.
Here's a link to the classical piece:
Clementi Sonatina  Op.36 No.5 G Major Rondo_
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59TVIR8MdjI) 
At any rate, that got me to thinking about how many popular songs of the 1960s were based, at least in part, on melodies from classical music.  I came up with a list of 23 of them (attached).  Probably there are  more!  But I thought you'd be interested / amused by this collection.
From Classical:
1.  Nut Rocker by B. Bumble and the Stingers (1962) is based on “March of the Wooden Soldiers” from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.”
2.      My Empty Arms by Jackie Wilson (1961) is based on “Vesti La Giubba” from the opera “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo.
3.      Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh by Allan Sherman (1963) is based on “Dance of the Hours” from the opera “La Gioconda” by Amilcare Ponchielli.
4.      A Lover’s Concerto by the Toys (1965) is based on the Minuet in G Major from “Notebook for Anna Magdalena” by J. S. Bach.
5.      A Groovy Kind of Love  by the Mindbenders (1966) is based on the Rondo movement of “Sonatina in G major, op. 36 no. 5” by Muzio Clementi.
6.      Night  by Jackie Wilson (1960) is based on the aria “My Heart Opens Itself at Thy Sweet Voice” from the opera “Samson and Delilah” by Camille Saint-Saens.
7.      Bumble Boogie by B. Bumble and the Stingers (1961) is based on “Flight on the Bumblebee” from the opera “The Tale of Tsar Saltan” by Rimsky-Korsakov.
8.      Alone at Last by Jackie Wilson (1960) is based on a melody from “Piano Concerto in B flat” by Tchaikovsky.
9.      Asia Minor by Kokomo (1961) is based on “Piano Concerto in A minor” by Edvard Grieg.
10.  Oh Lord, Why Lord by Los Pop Tops (1968) is based on “Canon in D major” by Johann Pachelbel.
11.  Magic Moon by by the Rays (1961) is based on the third movement of Claude Debussy’s “Suite Bergamesque,” otherwise known as “Clair de Lune.”
12.  My Claire De Lune by Steve Lawrence (1961) is also based on the third movement of  Debussy’s “Suite Bergamesque.”
13.  Someday Morning by the Wildweeds is based in part on the “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Opus 125.
14.  Somewhere by the Tymes is based on the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major.
15.  Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley (1962) is based on a theme from Jean Paul Égide Martini’s “Plaisir d’Amour” (“The Joy of Love”), from 1780.
16.  A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum (1967) is based on two pieces by J. S. Bach: Air from “Orchestral Suite in D” and “Wachet Auf” from Cantana 140.
17.  Tonight My Love Tonight by Paul Anka (1961) is based on “Caro Nome” from Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto.”
18.  Music Music Music by the Sensations (1961) is based in part on Lizst’s “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.”
19.  The Way of a Clown by Teddy Randazzo (1960),  like My Empty Arms above, is based on “Vesti La Giubba” from the opera “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo. 
20.  In Time by Steve Lawrence (1961) is based on Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique Symphony.”
21.  Cry Softly by Nancy Ames (1966) is based on Liszt’s “Liebestraum.”
22.  Juanita Banana by the Peels (1966) is based on “Cara Nome” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.”
23.  Lullaby of Love by the Poppies (1966) is based on Brahms’ “Lullaby.”
Henry McNulty
We actually covered this topic awhile back in Forgotten Hits ... and it comes up from time to time.  (What I like to call "Classical Rock" as opposed to "Classic Rock"!!!)  This is a good list ... I'm sure folks will want to check out the origins of some of these original melodies! 
I would immediately add "Joy" by Apollo 100 and "A Song Of Joy" by Miguel Rios to this list ... we featured BOTH of these tracks in our SOUND ADVICE column recently.  And I know that there are several more ... those were just the first two to pop into my head as I reviewed your list.  And let's not forget the disco version of "A Fifth Of Beethoven", put together by Walter Murphy.  (Those are probably some of the most obvious ones.)
On Sunday's "The Rest Of The Week with Rich Appel" radio program, I played "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" by The Fifth Estate, which includes a musical interlude taken from a 1612 piece written by Michael Praetorius. Some might also include "It's Now Or Never" by Elvis Presley in this category ... Paul Simon's "American Tune" ... even the theme from "2001".  Barry Manilow borrowed heavily from Chopin in "Could It Be Magic" (and made no secret of it!) ... and Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" (as well as bits of "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again" show his admiration for Rachmaninoff.  Another personal favorite is "Midnight Blue" by Louise Tucker, which tanked on the pop charts ... but is one of the prettiest melodies I've ever heard. 
I'm sure our readers can come up with dozens more if put to the challenge ... wanna have a go at it???  (kk)
 
Kent;  
July of 1975, I bought a  new record player. It was a QUAD.
Only ever bought one quad record ... and it was a disappointer, even if it was by Elvis, that satellite one.
That player lasted only a few years and I put it out at the curb, and through my sister's ability to get at her discount, I bought a  new VICTEROLA type,  about 10 years back.  Going on holidays, my sister took it to her daughter's so I could get it.  Anyway, I took an LP  and a 45 out, just to hear that SOUND ... and the 45 was AIN'T THAT LOVIN' YOU by Elvis, and the LP has same song, DIFFERENT TAKE (at HOUND DOG speed)
I have the player open on their couch and am spinning the 45, as her son, my GRAND nephew, who was about 5 or 6, watches this take place, and we listen.
This is 10-12 years ago.
While the record player gives out this music, he sits there, LOOKING AT IT, then asks,
"WHAT???????????? is this T H I N G?"
He had already gotten into playing CDs and VHSs.  BUT these large LARGE discs ... and they were playing this STUFF.  He's NEVER seen one, so "WHAT IS IT?"
He'd not likely ever heard ELVIS, nor that type of music.  Yet, in varied stores in Toronto, LIKLEY as well in Chi-ca-go, VINYL record players are big ... as are RECORDS AGAIN.
Thankfully at the PRICE they want for an LP, I still have the LPs I had since 1966 on.
First 45 was Good Luck Charm and First LP Elvis Gold Records. (1958)
Heard tell last year vinyl was done they held a contest for MISS PHONOGRAPH 19??
The gal who won did so because her figure was 45 - 33 - 78!
And many relatives say, "AT 64, no wonder you're still single."
YOURS A-GAIN, 
Robert Black;
Kincardine & Willowdale
LOL ... 45 - 33 - 78, huh?  Who was that, J-Lo???
Vinyl does seem to be making a comeback (but it's very limited pressings and, as such, very expensive to purchase) ... but some people just prefer that "sound" you describe.
I've told this story before but it still cracks me up.  Many, many years ago (15 perhaps), I was copying some music from records to cassette tapes to listen to in the car.  (Toldja it was a long time ago!!!)  Anyway, I was in my music room, working away, when my daughter (probably then about 11) came in with the cordless phone to tell me that I had a phone call.  I couldn't hear very well what was coming through on the other but I knew it was an important call ... so I asked her to please turn the record off.  She had absolutely NO idea how to do so ... had never played a record in her life.  Didn't even realize that you could simply lift the tone arm to stop the music.  Completely cracked me up at the time (and still makes me smile today.)  Kids born after the CD-age typically have NO concept of how we used to listen to music.  (kk)
 
Kent,
I am a recent subscriber and love the newsletter!  I also liked hearing that rare tune on today's sound advice by the Southerland Brothers (vaguely recall the chorus ... good tune!)
In 6th grade, in 1962, I had a crush on a girl name Donna.  For "share and tell day", she brought in a 45 of Dion's The Wanderer.  I loved the song, wanted that record.   Donna and the song were a potent combo.   But, I had to wait for the 45, since it was on back order at the only store selling 45s in our small town.  So, the first 45 I took home was "My Boomerang Won't Come Back" by Charlie Drake. (the chorus swings ala Louis Prima). In 1996 I bought a jukebox, and ordered more 45s to add to my collection ... including a copy of "Boomerang."  (I had traded my copy away in '65),
When I received the new copy,  I realized that there were two versions of Boomerang, as the original was deemed too controversial for radio.  The edited radio version was politically correct with certain word changes.
I've always loved Dion, he still sounds great!   Donna is long gone, and she was never a prima-donna!
Billy F.
Good story, Billy ... and glad you're enjoying Forgotten Hits!
The earlier version of "My Boomerang Won't Come Back" featured the line "I practiced till I was black in the face", which was later replaced by "blue in the face".  We've featured both versions before in Forgotten Hits.  (kk)
 
re:  COOL VIDEOS:
An oldie?  Whoa! ... a mystery ... Johnny Cash and MELANIE duet-ing, doing SILVER THREADS AND GOLDEN NEEDLES ... 
that's some pairing !!!
Johnny DID have some pretty cool guests on his show ... I love this comment from YouTube:
Johnny was a smart guy! He liked having a lot of cutie little singers like Melanie and Linda Ronstadt on his show all the time. One more reason to like him!
Scott MacKay did a radio thing a couple weeks ago, having listeners call in with some of the oddest pairings they've ever seen in concert.  (For Frannie and I, one of the strangest was The Drive's recent Birthday Bash featuring America ... with Jethro Tull!!!)  It was all centered around the recent concert here featuring headliners Van Halen ... and Kool and the Gang!!!  I remember being at an Eagles concert several years ago where the opening act was Melissa Etheridge ... we had second row seats that literally cost a small fortune ... the most I've EVER paid for a rock concert in my life ... and after she finished her set, virtually EVERY fan sitting near us got up and left the show!!!  They had come EXCLUSIVELY to see her ... and paid a premium for front row, second row and third row seats ... and then just up and left, leaving those seats vacant for the entire Eagles performance!  I've never seen anything quite like it ... and felt SO bad for those fans sitting 40 rows back who would have killed for the chance to sit so close to see their idols live in concert.  (kk)
 
Jimmy Castor dead, January 16, 2012 ...
Give a listen ... it gets really hot around 1:30
RENFIELD
Written off as just a novelty tune, there's some pretty soulful jammin' going on in the background of this track. A #31 Hit from 1967.  (kk)
 
I HOPE YOU'LL ENJOY THIS SPECIAL NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF MINE THAT'S FILLED WITH WONDERFUL MEMORIES AND WILL FORWARD IT TO YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY & FRIENDS.  THANK YOU!!!
WARMEST REGARDS,
TRADE MARTIN 
We’re sure you’ll recall many of these visuals while listening to our classic lyric and  plaintive melody. The sad part of our lives is that we can never return to these good ‘ole days, but with joy, a smile and a tearful eye, we can still discuss, reminisce and dream about them.
We’re hoping you’ll enjoy our latest “I’ll Remember” music video and that you’ll share it with your family and friends.  May God bless us and the great yesterdays we’ve all experienced and shared.
CLICK THIS LINK: Click here: YESTERDAY MEMORIES "I'll Remember" - YouTube 

Interesting interview: Dick Clark -- young and very healthy -- interviews a very much alive Michael Jackson -- debuting on American Bandstand 42 years ago today, Feb 21, 1970.
For some reason -- probably pertaining to copyright issues -- my clip ended after the interview but before the music began.
Makes you feel a whole lot older, doesn't it:) And, oh those fashions and hair styles:)
Fred Vail
GREAT clip!  And you're right ... Dick Clark has never looked better!  Thanks, Fred!  (kk)
 
re:  NANCY SINATRA: 
Kent, 
In the Nancy Sinatra liners notes to her Rhino CD "Nancy Sinatra: The Hit Years", she mentioned percussionist Emil Richards. 
On your site, and I know it's just a typo as I checked my copy of the liner notes, but it was spelled Emit Rhichards.
Let's give Emil Richards the credit he's due.  He's an incredibly versatile musician.  He played the bells on Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair", the finger snaps on The Addams Family"  theme written by Vic Mizzy and the xylophone on The Simpson's" theme. 
In 1974, he toured with Frank Sinatra for several months, then went on tour with George Harrison and Ravi Shankar.
He played on several Frank Zappa albums, including one of my all time favs, "Lumpy Gravy"
I've had his amazing instrumental LP "New Sound Element: Stones" since it first came out in 1966.
At his website, emilrichards.com, he lists 718 artists and performers he's worked with.  His movie credits are equally astounding. 
And thank goodness, he's still with us. Doug Thompson 
Wow!  A pretty amazing and impressive resume! And yes, by ALL means, let's set the record straight right now! (Just scrolled back ... looks like I spelled BOTH of his names wrong!!! Must have been on a roll that day!!!)  Thanks for straightening this out, Doug.  (kk)

re:  DOO WOP:
The other day we mentioned DJ Stu Weiss' on-air tribute to Ronnie I ...
Now comes word that his famous Doo-Wop Shop is closing its doors.
 
re:  THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME:
I'll be playing in a tournament in Akron, Ohio, again this year in June and we'll visit the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame again. This year's tribute is to the Grateful Dead. I'm not a Grateful Dead head but I always appreciated them in concert as they mixed many oldies in their sets.
Are you still going to try to coordinate a trip to the R&R HOF? I'd like to meet up with you guys if you do. My problem is that I'm usually playing somewhere in a softball tournament but I skipped three last year for 50 year high school reunions (yes, I went to a number of high schools -- they kept asking me to leave but I still made many lifelong friends).
Danny
We've been talking about putting together a Forgotten Hits Trip to The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame for YEARS now ... but still haven't been able to pull it off.  (Honestly, Frannie and I have yet to see it ... and would LOVE to ... it's just so hard to coordinate so many people around one specific date ... but we hear from readers all the time who say they would love to go ... so maybe we'll finally get it together one of these summers!!!)  An Grateful Dead exhibit holds no appeal for me ... but I'm still dying to spend a day or two there just to soak it all in.  (kk)
 
re:  ON THE RADIO:
Kent,
I don’t know WHAT Ryan Wild and those were thinkin’ by signin’ on with Tom Kent’s network full-time. I, for one, thoroughly ENJOYED Jeff James’ ‘Saturday night live @ the ‘70s show’.  He played cuts no other ‘70s show would THINK to touch, i.e. songs that peaked below the national top 10.  Since I have the book of the Hot 100 charts of the ‘70s,  I listen to the top 40 repeat shows, and, I’d called Jeff up that night to request my fave song, from that week’s show, as well as, my favorite from that week in ’79. I just hope that Ryan, and the others, would have Y-103.9 go back to fully live and local, with the reinstatement of the much-missed ‘Saturday night live @ the ‘70s.’ I can’t be alone in my way of thinking!
David Wollenberg
I'm not a big fan of Tom Kent either ... quite honestly, I rarely listen to the station anymore.  (Coupled with the now unentertaining air staff ... and the fact that their signal seems to get weaker by the day ... it just isn't a pleasant listening experience for me anymore.)  Jeff James is back on the air on the weekends ... but his Saturday Night '70's Show is sorely missed ... by many.  We still hear from Jim Shea's fans, too ... who are still going through various stages of withdrawal.  Honestly, we think NexMedia should just hire US to build an air staff and a play list that the oldies fans of Chicago will respond to.  (But first they've just GOT to beef up that signal!!!)  kk
 
KK:
Here's a quick response I had to an article by Robert Feder (Chicago Tribune), who's been a BIG SHOT entertainment writer in Chicago for decades.
For once, I agree with a Robert Feder article.  (Damn, when I was on B96, he used to write columns about how much our Morning Show sucked!  Hey, all I can say is we kicked Mancow and Danny Bonaduce's ASSES in Chicago ... and I've got the numbers to prove it ... but that's for another day.)
I agree with Feder, I honestly believe for the most part radio is SOOOOO DONE - STICK A FORK IN IT! I honest to God believe the death of radio began with the emergence of big conglomerates and especially voice-tracking.  Think about it ... in a major city when you've tracked your show from Friday til Monday and something catastrophic  happens (i.e. tornadoes, the death of a major music star, a national emergency), and you go on your merry way telling your listeners what a great weekend it is and that you're getting ready to play 101 minutes of nonstop music, OH and be sure and call in to the listener line for a request (that no one will EVER pick up, because no one's at the station) or leave a request on the station website, that no one will even see on a weekend, because people in radio have lives. So we LIE to listeners and pretend we are there for them. What a CROCK!
Dammit, if I had the cash, I'd start a 50's and 60's radio station that was manned live 24/7 with LIVE radio personalities that loved the music and loved their audience and would have the decency to answer the phones within a couple of rings, answer listeners' questions on social media and play music that has not been burned to death by consultants around the country that don't have a clue about Oldies Music or ANY format! Damn, how consultants can sleep at night is beyond me ... here, have another Ambien, (maybe it will put you to sleep forever!)
I hate to get on a soapbox, KK, but damn, radio used to be so much fun, especially back in the late 60's early 70's, when a disc jockey was a REAL DOWN HOME PERSONALITY.
Now they have these lame young card readers with NO PERSONALITY.  The same thing has happened with late night TV ... Leno and especially Letterman are SOOOO PATHETIC! The only breath of fresh air on Late Night TV is Jimmy Fallon ... damn his "Springsteen" week last week was awesome!
Okay, I 'm done bitching, but I'll guarantee you, a lot of the old timers, that KNOW radio will agree with me 100%.
Again I love Forgotten Hits! You kick ass, my man!
"Wild" Bill Cody
 
Hi KK!
Tuesday night I'm having "Half Monkees Night," meaning half of the show will be devoted to the Monkees, in memory of Davy Jones.  I'll be doing the FH Spotlight record on the other half.  Hoping some of your readers can tune in and listen to this week's show.
Mr. C.
Hoping that I can tune in and listen, too!!!  (For some reason, I always seem to get home late on Tuesday Nights!!!)  Scroll down to the bottom of the web page to find the "Listen Live" link to Mr. C's Tuesday Night Flipside Show on Radio Free Nashville.  (kk)
 


 
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