Friday, April 6, 2012

The Friday Flash

Here's a look at some of what's been filling up my mail box this past week ... with more to come in our Sunday Comments Page.
(Watch for a special Saturday Edition of "Helping Out Our Readers", too!)

re:  UNCLE LAR' AND LI'L SNOT-NOSED TOMMY:
Big news in Chicago this week that Larry Lujack and Tommy Edwards have teamed up again to create a series of public service advertisements as part of The Animal Stories News Team.  Folks who grew up listening to these guys in the '70's and '80's know what a HUGE phenomenon this was here in Chicago.  The duo reprised their act for the far too short-lived "Real Oldies 1690" channel a few years ago ... but these are newly recorded 30 second and one minute bits designed to teach pet owners how to properly care of their pets in the event of an emergency or disaster.  (Both Robert Feder and Chicagoland Radio and Media reported on this story earlier this week ... and Chicagoland Radio and Media even aired clips of all seven commercials.)  As exciting as all of this is (and should be), it's almost anti-climactic ... simply because the ads themselves aren't any good!!!  Truth is, they sound SO staged and mechanical as to be embarrassing ... all of the spontaneity of this dynamic duo playing off of each other is gone ... in fact, UNREHEARSED, fresh read-throughs would have been FAR more entertaining if only because they likely would have flubbed a line or two here and there!  Instead we get a rushed, watered-down version of what truly is magical radio chemistry, all of which has been lost in this new campaign.  (Fans will truly be disappointed ... and left to wonder "what might have been" had the duo simply been allowed to be themselves in these spots.)
You can check out the clips for yourself at the Chicagoland Radio And Media link below ... and read both Feder's and CRM's accounting of this new ad series below.
I DO like Larry Lujack's comment about why he came out of retirement to do these spots.  (In fact, it's funnier than ANYTHING aired during the bits themselves!)  kk
The fact that I would come out of retirement and take time out of my busy schedule of 'hangin' out at the golf course waiting to die' to help IEMA and the Illinois Broadcasters Association in their efforts to ensure the safety of our furry, feathered and finny friends is certainly indicative of what a compassionate and humanitarian guy I am.
-- Larry Lujack

 
re:  ALBUM MADNESS:
The Drive's Album Madness finally wrapped up earlier this week.
Making the "Sweet Sixteen" were The Who's "Who's Next", The Beatles' White Album, Jimi Hendrix's "Are You Experienced?", The Rolling Stones' "Sticky Fingers", Aerosmith's "Toys In The Attic", The Beatles' "Abbey Road", "Tommy" by The Who, Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", Tom Petty's "Damn The Torpedoes", the debut album by Boston, Led Zeppelin IV, "Revolver" by The Beatles, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon", The Eagles' "Hotel California", "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes and The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".
When the final four brackets (and final eight LPs) were announced, listeners were asked to cast their votes for "Who's Next" by The Who vs. "Sticky Fingers" by The Rolling Stones; "Boston" by Boston vs. Led Zeppelin's "IV"; "Abbey Road" by The Beatles vs. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John and "Hotel California" by The Eagles vs. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The Beatles.
The TRUE final four competition pit "Who's Next" against "Abbey Road" and "Boston" against "Sgt. Pepper".  When the dust settled, it was a final Beatles play-off between "Abbey Road" and "Sgt. Pepper" ... with "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" ultimately ranking as the greatest album of all time!
You can view ALL of details here:  Click here: The Drive's Album Madness
Of course, we ALL know that The Beatles were bigger than Jesus ... but now comes word a new HBO Special that proclaims "God Is The Bigger Elvis"!  Read on ...
re:  GOD IS BIGGER THAN ELVIS:
Hello Kent,
From the late ‘50s to the early ‘60s, Hollywood starlet Dolores Hart appeared in ten films, acting opposite such big names as Elvis Presley, Montgomery Clift and Anthony Quinn.  But in 1963, she shocked family, friends and fans by abandoning her blossoming career to become a Benedictine nun.  In GOD IS THE BIGGER ELVIS, Hart (now Mother Prioress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis) tells her story with insightful candor and humor, offering a unique glimpse at the spiritual journey of a former rising star, her fateful decision and her current life in a rural Connecticut abbey.  Recently nominated for a Best Documentary Short Oscar, the exclusive HBO presentation debuts THURSDAY, APRIL 5 (8:00 - 8:40 p.m. ET / PT).  Rebecca Cammisa (the Oscar-nominated “Which Way Home”) directs.
I thought this film would resonate with your audience and provide compelling content for your site.  Thanks so much!
GOD IS THE BIGGER ELVIS debuts THURSDAY APRIL 5TH (8:00 - 8:40 p.m. ET / PT) on HBO
For more information: http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/god-is-the-bigger-elvis 
Raimy N. Rosenduft
I couldn't get this posted in time for the premier showing on HBO last night (but HBO will be repeating it several times this month I'm sure.)  An in-depth look into the career of Dolores Hart.  TV Guide says: 
"She was one of the most promising young stars of the 1950's and '60's, sharing the screen with Montgomery Clift, Anthony Quinn and twice with Elvis Presley.  But Dolores Hart gave it all up for a much greater role with the ultimate leading man.  The HBO documentary GOD IS THE BIGGER ELVIS chronicles Hart's sudden segue at age 24 in 1963 from Hollywood darling to cloistered Benedictine nun, a decision that stunned friends, fans and ... most notably ... her fiance', architect Don Robinson.  And we do mean sudden:  Edith Head had already designed Hart's wedding dress and the invitations were printed!"
Dolores Hart starred opposite Elvis Presley in TWO films: "Loving You" and "King Creole".  (She also appeared in the '60's classic "Where The Boys Are"!)  Ironically, in Elvis' last scripted movie role, Mary Tyler Moore (portraying a nun ... without her trademark Laurie Petrie Capris!) had to decide whether to stick with the church or run off with her mortal love, Elvis' Dr. John Carpenter.  The film was called "A Change Of Habit" and it was supposed to be Elvis' message movie.  Unfortunately, it fell flat for most of us who saw it ... WAY too preachy ... and NOT in a good (or hip) way.  After his big television comeback special ... and a return to Vegas ... NOBODY wanted to see Elvis play a ghetto doctor on the big screen!  One of the highlights of the film, however, is seeing Mary Tyler Moore acting opposite Ed Asner, who would go on to land the plum role of Lou Grant on Mary's 1970's mega-sitcom a few years later.
"God Is The Bigger Elvis" sounds like an interesting special ... check your local listings for additional airtimes.  (kk)
re:  RONNY AND THE DAYTONAS:
Mr C's cousin was a member of that band and has lots of great stories to tell.
David Lewis
I know that ... and had really hoped that he would jump on the bandwagon on this one and bring us some up-to-date news on the band members as well as talk about the good old days.  I remember listening to Mr. C's special Ronny and the Daytonas tribute show a year or two back and it was quite fun.  Maybe they'll see this and consider it the "friendly nudge" that it is to have some of the guys get in contact with us!  (kk) 
Hi there Kent. 
I interviewed Ron Peterson of Ronny & The Daytonas a couple of years back on The FLip Side Radio Show.  We even talked about the record "Sandy," because it was always my favorite.  Of course their biggest hit was "GTO."
I think I'll send Ron an email & turn him on to ForgottenHits - maybe he'll write in so your readers can hear from him.
Mr. C
That's be great, Mr. C!  Would love to talk to Ronny!  (kk)
re:  THE MONKEES:
Kent,
I see on amazon.com that on the 24th of April, Davy Jones' Bell album (the one with 'Rainy Jane' ... the one I have) will be out on CD with bonus tracks including "Girl".  My birthday is the 7th so I'm praying to the monee godz that some cash will flow my way so I can get it.  I guess the Colpix album of his that was released was taken from a vinyl copy of the album, so some people are complaining about that.  I don't care - if it's out and on CD, fine.  Maybe they found the Bell master tapes, maybe not.  I was going to tape my copy on cassette, but now I don't need to.  I figured it'd come out eventually.  Talk to you later.
Ed Pond
Too bad that this is what it took to put Davy's album back into circulation ... but hopefully these bonus tracks will encompass everything he recorded (solo) for the label.  Now THAT would be a worthwhile release.  (kk)
Hey Monkees fans!  The following link is to a 1 hr BBC Radio 2 tribute to the band.  It's available until the 5th April.
George Van Win
Dang!  Another one we missed!  Looks like this special ended yesterday!  (Check out the website to see if any future airings are planned.)  kk
re:  CLASSIC TV:
AS LONG AS SOMEONE BROUGHT IT UP ...
TV's - HE and SHE ? -- I enjoyed this show back then.  But one thing that bothered me later.  Jack Cassidy's character was both a person and a tv super-hero, JETMAN (tv within tv) ... I always resented (but laughed anyway) that it seemed to me that TED KNIGHT (Ted Baxter on the MTM news) had outright stolen his character from CASSIDY'S portrayal of 'JETMAN'!  And I guess I'm not the only one who saw the similarities ... CASSIDY later played KNIGHT'S brother (dueling a-holes) on a episode of MTM.
A more exciting release to me?  I waited forever ... got a few bootlegged (and expensive) ... but finally the really super  PAPER CHASE series (that started on SHOWTIME then CBS) was released on dvd a few years back!  To this day, if JAMES STEPHENS appears
in a show, I STILL CALL HIM  'HART'!!!  (Much the way FRED GWYNNE had to put up with HERMAN MUNSTER ... lol)
 -- RENFIELD
I always thought casting Jack Cassidy as Ted Knight's brother on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" was BRILLIANT casting ... but barely remember him on "He And She" ... so now I want to see it even more!!
I never got into "The Paper Chase" ... I think I just disliked the movie so much that I never gave the TV show a chance.  But you're right ... it WAS weird to see Herman Munster as The Judge in "My Cousin Vinny"!!!  (lol)  kk

re:  CHARLIE GRACIE:
I found this story to be very interesting, Kent. This picture was also on my facebook from Bunny Gibson who use to be on American Bandstand. Remember her?  I thought you and Fran might like to read it.
Carrie

Actually, I think quite a few of our readers would be interested in this article ... including Charlie Gracie himself!  Thanks for sending!  (kk)
re:  UP COMING SHOWS:
GANG OF OUTLAWS TOUR ANNOUNCED STARRING ZZ TOP AND 3 DOORS DOWN
WITH SPECIAL GUEST GRETCHEN WILSON
Sure to be one of this touring season’s hottest packages, The Gang of Outlaws Tour, brings three leaders of their respective genres together for six weeks of performances this May and June.  Joining the legendary ZZ Top are 3 Doors Down and, on most of the dates, Gretchen Wilson. The tour will alight at select eastern, southern and mid western venues, kicking off May 25 in Manchester, NH.
ZZ Top, “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” will be topping the bill and playing the songs that have made the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers American music icons in the forefront of blues-based rock for more than forty years.  The band’s line-up of Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard has been intact all that time – a feat unequalled in the annals of music history.  Their catalog of massive hits includes “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Legs,” “Tush,” “LaGrange” and more.   It is expected they’ll preview new material from their forthcoming release over the course of The Gang of Outlaws” Tour.
Notes Gibbons, “We’re really looking forward to working with the guys from 3 Doors Down and Gretchen too, if we may borrow from the late, great Robert Johnson, clear those stones from the pass way on this phenomenal tour.  The Gang of Outlaws is ready to ride!”
ZZ Top will be partnering up with southern alternative rock’s hugely successful 3 Doors Down, straight out of Escatawpa, Mississippi. The group -- Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Greg Upchurch -- brings its multi-platinum catalog of hits and album tracks to the tour including their #1 smash hits “Kryptonite,” “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You,” and their latest chart topper “It’s Not My Time.” Says lead singer Brad Arnold of Gang of Outlaws, “The tour is huge! We have the honor to share the stage with some amazing artists, including one of my favorite bands, ZZ Top! We can’t wait to bring Gang Of Outlaws to your town.”
Rounding out the bill in style is Gretchen Wilson, representing the distaff side of the Gang of Outlaws. Her breakthrough hit, “Redneck Woman” is well known as the anthem of southern sass and femininity.  Her catalog of rock-inspired country hits includes multiple platinum albums and such single smashes as “Here For The Party,” “When I Think About Cheatin’,” “Homewrecker,” “All Jacked Up” and more.  She expressed her feelings about her participation in a no uncertain terms: “Obviously I couldn’t be more excited that I am to be part of this tour… Fabulous guys, fabulous musicians!”
Gang of Outlaws Tour tickets and information available at GangOfOutlaws.com  Gang of Outlaws Tour dates
May 25 - Manchester, NH - Verizon Arena*
      26 - Atlantic City, NJ – Trump Taj Mahal/Etess Arena*
      27- Mashantucket, CT – MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods*
      30 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion**
June 1 - Winston Salem, NC - Joel Coliseum*
       2 - Fayetteville, NC - Fort Bragg*
       3 - Fredericksburg, VA - Celebrate Virginia Live!*
       5 - Richmond, VA – Innsbrook Pavilion*
       6 - Simpsonville, SC - Charter Amphitheatre at Heritage Park*
       8 - St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre*
       9 - Atmore, AL – Wind Creek Hotel & Casino Amphitheater**
     10 - Alpharetta, GA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre*
     12 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel**
     15 - Estero, FL - Germain Arena*
     16 - Orlando, FL - Universal Orlando Resort Music Plaza Stage**
     17 - Clearwater, FL - Tropicana Field*
     19 - Southaven, MS - Snowden Grove Park & Amphitheater*
     20 - Nashville, TN- Bridgestone Arena*
     22 - Baton Rouge, LA – Baton Rouge River Center*
     23 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*
     24 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion*
     26 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena*
     27 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre*
     29 - Hinckley, MN - Grand Casino Amphitheatre*
*ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down, Gretchen Wilson
**ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down

ROCK'N'BLUES FEST -- FEATURING JOHNNY WINTER BAND, EDGAR WINTER BAND, RICK DERRINGER, MOUNTAIN'S LESLIE WEST AND SAVOY BROWN'S KIM SIMMONDS -- TO MAKE TOUR DEBUT IN LATE JULY FOR A STRING OF APPROXIMATELY TWO DOZEN DATES ACROSS AMERICA
Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones once said, "If you don't know the blues ... there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music."
Beginning in late July, the Rock'n'Blues Fest will debut featuring five well-known players who were initially inspired to pick up their instruments due to their love for rock and blues: Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, Leslie West and Kim Simmonds (see tour itinerary below).
"I think the blues will always be around," says legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter, who will be performing as part of the Johnny Winter Band and headlining the Rock'n'Blues Fest tour. "People need it."
As the story goes, at the age of 17, Johnny went to see B.B. King in his home state of Texas, and requested a turn at the mic. King eventually gave in and handed his guitar to Johnny, who ended up getting a standing ovation for his performance. Needless to say, it wouldn't be long before Johnny had his own legion of followers.
Johnny released his first solo album, The Progressive Blues Experiment, and the music world took notice, leading to his historic performance at Woodstock. Twenty years and several successful solo albums later, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. In the late 70's, he collaborated with another blues legend, Muddy Waters, on three separate albums of Waters', including the Grammy-winning Hard Again (1977). Over the years, he put out approximately two dozen solo albums including his most recent highly-acclaimed recording entitled, Roots, which he and his band recently performed a track from on Late Show with David Letterman. Named as one of Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, Johnny Winter still remains one of the top blues / rock guitarists touring today.
Joining Johnny for the Rock'n'Blues Fest "ride" will be his younger brother, Edgar Winter, who has certainly met with considerable acclaim in his own right with such monster hits as "Free Ride" and the chart-topping rocker, "Frankenstein."
"As far as I'm concerned, blues and jazz are the great American contributions to music," comments Edgar, who will be bringing the Edgar Winter Band along for the almost two-month trek.
A multi-instrumentalist (keyboards / sax / percussion) whose music encompasses many different genres including rock, blues, jazz and pop, Edgar first hit the national spotlight with his early recording of "Tobacco Road," featured on his 1970 debut album, Entrance. Edgar would soon form the band White Trash and release two hit albums in '71 and '72 titled, Edgar Winter's White Trash and Roadwork. Hot on the heels of the certified gold album, Roadwork, Edgar would put together an entirely new outfit called The Edgar Winter Group that would originally feature guitarist Ronnie Montrose. The band's first effort, They Only Come Out at Night, would spawn both the hit singles, "Free Ride" and "Frankenstein," and remain on the charts for an incredible 80 consecutive weeks. The pivotal album would eventually reach double-platinum status, selling more than 2 million copies. More recently, Edgar achieved chart success in 2003 with the song, "Dying To Live" -- featured as "Runnin" (Dying to Live) in the film Tupac Resurrection -- as the Eminem-produced song hit #5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles sales chart. With over 20 albums and numerous collaborative efforts to his credit, Edgar Winter has not been satisfied to ride the wave of popular music stardom. His music has been featured in several major national television and radio and advertising campaigns. In addition, his music can be heard in no fewer than fifteen film and television projects.
Next on the bill is rock guitarist Rick Derringer, who's had an illustrious career as both a solo artist and critical band member.
Air guitarists will surely be out in force when Rick breaks into his well-known rock anthem, "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo." The song continues to be a staple on rock radio and was featured in several movies including The Spirit of '76, Rush, Stag, What A Girl Wants and the cult classic, Dazed and Confused. It's a little known fact that years before his success as a solo artist, Rick had a band at the age of 17 called The McCoys that had a #1 hit in 1965 called, "Hang on Sloopy." The song would eventually be knocked out of the top spot by The Beatles' "Yesterday." A year after its release, The McCoys would find themselves as the openers for the entire Rolling Stones American tour. Although written and recorded a few years earlier, Rick released his most famous version of the song in 1974 and never looked back ... In 1977, he would appear on the last Led Zeppelin North American Tour. In the years to follow, Rick would perform with such artists as Alice Cooper ("Under My Wheels"), Steely Dan ("Show Biz Kids" and "Chained Lightning"), KISS, Todd Rundgren and Weird Al Yankovic among others including both Johnny and Edgar Winter. From 1986 to 1992, Rick would tour with Cindy Lauper and co-write a song from her True Colors album titled, "Calm Inside The Storm." Before embarking on last year's Hippiefest tour, Rick toured Europe with Ringo Starr as a member of Ringo's All-Starr Band.
Although perhaps best known as a founding member of the band Mountain, guitarist Leslie West began his musical career with an R&B / Blue-eyed soul rock outfit called The Vagrants, who would quickly enjoy a few hits. Shortly after the formation of Mountain with bass guitarist/producer Felix Pappalardi, keyboardist Steve Knight and drummer N.D. Smart in 1969, the band would find themselves performing on day two of the legendary Woodstock festival in August of that year. Not too long after the event, new drummer Corky Laing would join the fold and the band would release their first Billboard Top 40 single, "Mississippi Queen." The rest is rock history as the song would be played on rock radio for years to come. Mountain would follow-up that hit with the Jack Bruce-penned, "Theme for an Imaginary Western," one of the eleven songs they performed at Woodstock. Considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal, Rolling Stone magazine once identified them as a "louder version of Cream." In the early seventies, Mountain would temporarily disband with Leslie and Corky collaborating with Creem bassist Jack Bruce for a cutting-edge group called West, Bruce and Laing. In 1976, West would play guitar for the track, "Bo Diddley Jam" on Diddley's 20th Anniversary of Rock'n'Roll all-star album. In 2005, he contributed to Ozzy Osbourne's Under Cover album, performing guitar on a remake of "Mississippi Queen." The following year, he immersed himself in the blues, once again, with his latest solo album titled, Blue Me, on the Blues Bureau International label. Later that year (2006), he would be honored by being inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. In addition to fronting Mountain, Leslie continues to record and perform on his own.
Considered one of the architects of British blues, Kim Simmonds began performing professionally in London in the mid-60's after learning how to play guitar by listening to his brother's blues records as a teenager. As leader and founder of the legendary blues rock band, Savoy Brown, he has 49 album releases currently available and continues to tour all over the world with the band as well as a solo acoustic act. In 1967, the band would help propel the UK blues boom movement that brought blues music back to the United States, invigorating the style forever. In the process, Savoy Brown became part of the framework that launched the rock and roll music of the 1970's, with their vast influence stretching into modern rock as we know it today. In 2011, the band celebrated its 45th anniversary by releasing a new CD titled, Voodoo Moon. Later in the year, Kim would release his most recent effort, Out Of The Blue, a collection of varied material that placed him in a new setting as both singer and songwriter. Among the most loved, most respected and longest running of its genre, Savoy Brown is one of the magical names in blues rock. Kim Simmonds will be performing the best of the best at this year's Rock'n'Blues Fest.
Due to their close involvement with each other throughout their careers, it's likely that various artists on the forthcoming Rock'n'Blues Fest will unite on stage to perform some unexpected classic songs together.
One can only hope.
Five great musicians ... one incredible tour of rock and blues music.
Who said, "There ain't no cure for the summertime blues?"
ROCK'N'BLUES FEST TOUR 2012*
DAY / DATE / VENUE / CITY
Sunday, July 29 - Pantages Theater in Tacoma, Washington (w/o Leslie West)
Wednesday, August 1 - The Winery in Saratoga, California
Friday, August 3 - Sam's Woodsite in Mammoth Lakes, California
Saturday, August 4 - The Grove in Anaheim, California
Sunday, August 5 - The Palms Concert Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday, August 9 - Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, Massachusetts
Friday, August 10 - Newport Yachting Center in Newport, Rhode Island
Saturday, August 11 - Spy Class Ridge Winery in Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunday, August 12 - County Center in Westchester, New York
Tuesday, August 14 - Bergen Performing Arts Center in Bergen, New Jersey
Wednesday, August 15 - Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania
Thursday, August 16 - Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey 
Friday, August 17 - South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Massachusetts
Saturday, August 18 - NYCB Theatre in Westbury, New York
Sunday, August 19 - Mount Laurel Performing Arts Center in Bushkill, Pennsylvania
Tuesday, August 21 - Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey
Friday, August 24 - The Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, Florida (date billed as "Hippiefest")
Wednesday, August 29 - Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio
Thursday, August 30 - DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan
Friday, August 31 - Country Club Hills Theatre in Chicago, Illinois
QUOTES FROM THE ARTISTS REGARDING ROCK'N'BLUES FEST 2012:
"The Rock'n'Blues Fest is my kind of festival series! It's always great playing shows with my brother and, add to that, all the other great artists and their bands and this should make for one historic round of concerts."  -- Johnny Winter
"This year's Hippiefest tour is truly a 'Rock'n'Blues Fest' -- a landmark, historic, musical celebration of which my band and I are proud to be a part. It's going to be a Guitar Guru Gala of Gargantuan proportions. For me personally, it will simply be the Greatest! So, see you at one of the dates on the tour. Believe me, this is not one you want to miss. All I can say is ... Get Ready To Rock'n'Roll!!!"   -- Edgar Winter
"This Rock'n'Blues Fest / Hippiefest roster promises a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of the best, legendary artists of our lifetime. I can't wait to be a part of it." 
-- Rick Derringer
"I am happy to be able to be part of this Rock'n'Blues Fest as the first tour since the amputation of my right leg. I hope this gives me a leg up on the new year!"
-- Leslie West
"This is my first time performing in Rock'n'Blues Fest / Hippiefest and it was an offer I couldn't refuse... I'm a big fan of all the other musicians participating, having played gigs with most of them in the 1960's. It's a great feeling of continuity, knowing we're all still around playing better than ever."  -- Kim Simmonds

Kent,
Here is some news about my new show on the east coast.
To all my friends in the New York area I'll be doing a show at BB Kings April 22 with my pals The 1910 Fruitgum Co. and Joey Levine.
Come and join the fun that night.http://www.goldstar.com/events/new-york-city-ny/the-archies-ron-dante-the-1910-fruitgum-company-and-joey-levine
Ron Dante
Todd Rundgren will be performing with The Rockford Symphony Orchestra on June 1 and 2 at the Coronado Performing Arts Center in Rockford, IL.  More info here:

JOHN MELLENCAMP’S NO BETTER THAN THIS TOUR
TO CROSS CANADA THIS JUNE AND JULY
John Mellencamp, named “the poet laureate of the interstate” by Cam Fuller writing for The Saskatoon Star Phoenix, brings his No Better Than This Tour for a cross Canada trek, from west to east, over the course of five weeks starting mid June.  The tour starts in British Columbia and continues east, including concert performances in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. 
Over the course of the past two years, the tour has crisscrossed the United States, played dates in Ireland, England, Germany, France, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland and Italy. Last year the tour played twelve Canadian dates, that trek notable for both enthusiastic audience response and capacity crowds.  The new dates are a reflection of the success of that earlier leg of the tour.  His long-time touring band including Michael Wanchic (guitar), Andy York (guitar), Miriam Sturn (violin), John Gunnell (electric and upright bass), Dane Clark (drums and percussion) and Trove Kinnett (accordion / keyboards) will be on hand for the upcoming NBTT Canada dates.
Mellencamp will be joined by Canada’s own Cowboy Junkies, who are his special guests for this run of dates. The band, since its formation in Toronto in 1985, has been a leading light on the indie scene and brings its signature introspective, quiet intensity to the No Better Than This Tour for the first time this summer.  
The show Mellencamp is bringing to Canada in June and July will include repertoire reflective of his entire career as well as music from No Better Than This, his recent critically acclaimed album that was produced by T Bone Burnett and recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis where Elvis Presley, Howlin’ Wolf, Johnny Cash and many others originally recorded as well as in Room 414 of San Antonio's Gunter Hotel where Robert Johnson recorded in 1936 and in Savannah, Georgia’s historic First African Baptist Church, a stop on the “underground railroad” for runaway slaves. All of the sessions were documented on a 55-year-old mono tape recorder using just one vintage microphone at each location.  Similarly, The Cowboy Junkies debut album, The Trinity Sessions, was recorded using a single microphone at Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity.  
Canadian Tour Dates:
June 14 - Penticton, BC - South Okanagan Event Centre
       16 - Dawson Creek, BC - EnCana Events Centre
       17 - Prince George, BC - CN Centre
       19 - Abbotsford, BC - Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre
       21 - Calgary, AB - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
       22 - Calgary, AB - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
       24 - Moose Jaw, SK - Mosaic Place
       26  - Thunder Bay, ON - Fort William Gardens
       27 - Sudbury, ON – Sudbury Arena
       30 - Summerside, PEI – Credit Union Place
July    3 - Moncton, NB - Moncton Coliseum
         4 - Sydney, NS - Centre 200
         7 - St John’s, NL - Mile One Centre
         9 - Dartmouth, NS – Dartmouth Sportsplex
        13 - Sarnia, ON – Sarnia Bayfest Festival
        15 - Oshawa, ON - General Motors Centre

For fans of TOMMY ROE, he will be at THE RIVERSIDE CASINO this coming weekend,
APRIL 7 and 8, in RIVERSIDE, IOWA.Rick Levy
More info at:  www.tommyroe.com

To Friends and Fans in California, Arizona, Wyoming and Colorado ... Or friends and fans who may be in those states this May - June.
Letting you know about my upcoming Spring tour.
Ten shows between May 14th and June 2nd.
Keep consulting the "Gigs Page" of my web site: http://boblind.com/gigs/ for changes because we're still adding dates.
It's always a charge to announce these tours, but it gives me an added jolt of joy to tell you that for the final seven of these shows, I'll be joined by the phenomenal Danny O'Keefe.
If you only know Danny from his giant hit "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" your socks are gonna be knocked right off your hooves. The guy is a brilliant songwriter and it's a real privilege to share the stage with him.
We'll each be doing about an hour.
One important note: Reserve your tickets early! These are small venues and we're almost certain to sell out fast (capacity-wise, not artistically of course).
I'm told the San Diego and Phoenix shows are already filling up. So please, please, please act now.
I can't wait to get at you.
Here's the agenda:
Monday, 8 pm
Grace Gasson Room of the
White Mountain Library
2935 Sweetwater Drive
Rock Springs, WY
Info:
307-382-1728
Wednesday
House Concert
Rock Springs, WY
Saturday, 9 p.m.
The Vortex
Underground Concert Series.
(no advertising; no marquee)
1082 Howard
(near 7th Street)
San Francisco, CA
Information:
(561) 445-1370The Vortex Room (Facebook) 
Thursday, 8 pm
Bob Lind & Danny O’Keefe
The Coffee Gallery Backstage
2029 N. Lake
Altadena, CA
626-798-6236www.coffeegallery.com 
Friday, 8pm
Bob Lind & Danny O’Keefe
McCabe’s Guitar Shop
3101 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310)828-4497www.mccabes.com 
Saturday, 8 pm
(doors open at 7)
Bob Lind & Danny O’Keefe
Plaza Theater
4916 Carpinteria Ave
Carpinteria, CA 93013www.plazatheatercarpinteria.com 
Sunday, 7:30 pm
Bob Lind & Danny O’Keefe
AMSDconcerts
4650 Mansfield Street
San Diego, CA 92116
(619)303-8176AMSDconcerts.com 
Wednesday, 7:30 pm
Bob Lind & Danny O’Keefe
Fiddler’s Dream
1072 E Glendale
N Phoenix, AZ
602-997-9795www.fiddlersdream.org 
Thursday, 7:30 pm
Bob Lind & Danny O’Keefe
Studio Live
215 Coffeepot Drive
W. Sedona, AZ
928-282-0599www.studiolivesedona.com 
Saturday, 8pm
Bob Lind & Danny O’Keefe
Daniels Hall
at Swallow Hill Music
71 East Yale Avenue
Denver, CO 80210
tickets: (303)777-1003Swallow Hill Music 
Yers,
Bob Lindwww.boblind.com
And I just got this note from Denny Tedesco regarding some upcoming Wrecking Crew screenings ... if you get the chance, please check out the film here:
APRIL 9 - Hollywood, CA - The Amoeba Theater
APRIL 16 - Vancouver, BC - Denman Place Cinema
APRIL 17 - Peoria, AZ - Skye Lounge
APRIL 28 and APRIL 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Anneberg Center for Performing Arts
MAY 10 - Seattle, WA - Location and Time to be announced
More details on The Wrecking Crew web page:

re:  AND NEW RELEASES:
>>>While they didn't really break through in a major way until 1966, The Raiders began recording for Columbia in early 1963.  (You may recall that they recorded THEIR version of "Louie Louie" in the very same studio ... during the very same WEEK! ... that The Kingsmen cut THEIR version of the tune!!!) kkKent,
I just read this below on Mike Dugo's 60's garage Bands site that there is a new DVD on Jerden records coming out.  Looks like it has stirred a bit of controversy, as Eric Proedehl who runs the http://www.louielouie.net/blog/ site.  I have known Eric for 20 years or more and he knows "everything" Louie, Louie.  He has tried to get a DVD released about the song and I have helped him with research through the years.  Now, it could be that he is wondering if some of his material has been used in the making of the Jerden story.  Oh well, I think it sounds like a GREAT video.  Too bad it did not come out in conjunction with the Sundazed LP I worked on 10 years ago.  MARCH 21, 2012* Released today by Soundworks is Louie Louie and the History of Northwest Rock and and Radio: "The story, as told by Jerden Records founder and record producer Jerry Dennon, on this DVD begins in the early 1960s and encompasses the music, recordings, record labels, radio personalities and of course 'Louie Louie'. It features the artists that were recording and performing at the great teen dance halls in the Pacific Northwest: Sonics, Kingsmen, Don & The Goodtimes, Ian Whitcomb, Bards, Bandits, Sir Raleigh and The Coupons, Pageboys, Dave Lewis, Frantics, Danny O'Keefe, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Dimensions, Springfield Rifle, The Bumps, Merrilee Rush, Fleetwoods, The Wailers. Some of the Air-Personalities that teens were listening to on KJR & KOL in Seattle and KISN & KGW in Portland: Tom Murphy, Red Robinson, Burl Barer, Dick Curtis. Included are video clips, audio recordings, photos, testimonials and interviews. It's the story behind the Northwest Sound that had a hold on the Seattle - Portland - Spokane area for just a few years in the 1960s and 1970s. Teens flocked to the dance venues...listened religiously to their local Top Forty radio stations...purchased records being released by the area labels: Jerden, Dolton, Etiquette, Seafair Bolo. It was a span of about a decade that can never be repeated. But the story lives in the hearts and minds of those who were there and those who were creating, producing, recording, performing, broadcasting and enjoying an era that goes down in the history books of the Pacific Northwest."
Ironically, I just got a copy of this DVD last week and haven't even had time to open it yet!  Guess I'll have to check this one out!!!  (kk)
Music Legend Merrell Fankhauser Releases Definitive Collection
'The Best Of' Two-CD Set
Featuring 32 tracks – over 90 minutes of music!
4/3/2012 - London, UK – Music collectors worldwide rejoice! Legendary singer /songwriter / guitarist Merrell Fankhauser, who has led one of the most diverse careers in music, has released for the first time a new compilation 'The Best Of' two-CD set on UK's Gonzo MultiMedia. Featuring vintage tracks, hard to find gems and unreleased material, Merrell Fankhauser's 'The Best Of' is sure to please the most avid fan. Merrell Fankhauser is considered one of the main innovators of surf music and psychedelic folk rock, and is widely known as the leader of the instrumental group The Impacts who had the international hit “Wipeout”. His travels from Hollywood to his 15 year jungle experience on the island of Maui have been documented in numerous music books and magazines in the US and Europe. Merrell has gained legendary international status throughout the field of rock music; his credits include over 300 songs published and released.
“Merrell Fankhuaser 'The Best Of' is my first retrospective, a 2-CD set with songs from 1963 to now. It was a difficult task to pick a group of songs from nearly forty albums – I found a few unreleased gems along the way.” - Merrell Fankhuaser
Merrell Fankhauser 'The Best Of' features tracks spanning the majority of the music legend's extraordinary career; featuring Merrell And The Exiles (1963-64), Fapardokly (1966), Merrell And HMS Bounty (1968), MU (1971-74), and solo (1976-2011) including several unreleased recordings. Many tracks included on this compilation are hard to find, highly sought after, collector's items that have been out of print for many years, making Merrell Fankhauser 'The Best Of' the definitive collection.
Merrell Fankhauser has presented a number of television programs over the years including 'California Music', 'Route 66 TV Live', and in 2001 he began hosting a music show called 'Tiki Lounge' that airs on the California Central Coast, Southern California, Hawaii and parts of the East Coast. 'The Best Of The Tiki Lounge' volumes 1&2 DVDs feature highlights from Merrell's cable TV show and is also available now on Gonzo MultiMedia UK. 
To purchase Merrell Fankhauser 'Best Of Tiki Lounge' DVDs: www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15360
Visit the official Merrell Fankhauser website at www.merrellfankhauser.com
L.A. SONG STYLIST RASPIN RELEASES VERSION OF DONOVAN’S “HURDY GURDY MAN” AS DONOVAN IS BEING INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME APRIL 14, 2012 
RASPIN, an L.A.-based singer / songwriter, has just recorded an updated version of Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” in honor of the singer’s forthcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; class of 2012.
Steve Reid of the Rippingtons / Supertramp fame, and Danish-producer Bo Astrup produced the song.
Says Raspin, “Donovan has always been an inspirational artist to me; both lyrically and musically.” Raspin also served as the vocalist for TV’s The Wonder Years, where he deftly covered “Catch The Wind,” also by Donovan.
His first solo record, We Do What We Do, was tremendously received by the industry, with one writer saying: “His songs place a premium on intelligence lyricism; demonstrating a clear and almost writerly (in print) sensitivity.” The album was licensed for Starbucks and heard throughout their stores nationwide.  
From the Leon Redbone / Leon Russell - school, Raspin is a captivating presence both onstage and in his songs. Hands down he emerges as a true song stylist.
What We Do is a song cycle; a collection of lustful, political and often daring songs that emerge from the artist’s consciousness. Utterly irresistible and significantly unique!
“Hurdy Gurdy Man” is available through iTunes.
www.RASPIN.com
Kent ...
Ram was recorded a year after the Beatles break-up.  The only one solely credited to Paul & Linda McCartney.  Should we care about this one, Kent ?

Frank B.
While critics weren't particularly kind to "Ram", I always enjoyed it.  There are some GREAT tracks on this LP ... "Too Many People" (which easily could have been a hit single all on its own), the bluesy "Three Legs", "Dear Boy" (without question one of the best tracks McCartney ever did production-wise ... listen to it with headphones ... it will absolutely blow you away!), and the Buddy Holly-sounding "Eat At Home".  The album encompasses any variety of musical styles ... from the #1 Hit ("Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey", which, admittedly, hasn't aged all that well!), to the pure fun of tracks like "Smile Away" (which still cracks me up every time I hear it, even 40 years later) and "Monkberry Moon Delight", to the lushly, over-produced finale, "The Back Seat Of My Car" (a hit in Great Britain but not released as a single here in The States), I think the LP as a whole holds up pretty well ... and I certainly played it non-stop at the time.
John Lennon took some offense to some of the lyrics that he felt were directed at him ... and even included a postcard insert in his "Imagine" album later that year poking fun of McCartney's album cover ... he was a bit more vicious in his lyrics to "How Do You Sleep" ... but it was "Ram" that inspired McCartney to put a new band together ... and Wings was born shortly thereafter.
I've been rebuying (again ... for the COUNTLESS time!) all of these deluxe McCartney reissues, all part of a new Paul McCartney Collection, featuring bonus material, video and a coffee-table type book.  Eventually, his whole catalog is supposed to be reissued this way ... and I'm already scraping up my pennies for this one.  Yeah, I'd say go for it ... one a scale of 1-10, I still give "Ram" a solid "7", 40-years on!  (kk) 
The long-awaited home video release of the Martin Scorsese documentary, "George Harrison: Living In The Material World" will finally see the light of day on May 1st ... 
Beatle fanatics will likely find interest in some of the DVD extras. Among them is a lost guitar solo for one of the most beloved Harrison-penned Beatles songs, “Here Comes the Sun” — something Harrison’s son, Dhani, didn’t even know existed. 
The L.A. Times points out that the solo is not included on “Early Takes Vol. I,” a 10-track CD of previously unreleased Harrison solo material (outtakes and covers, mostly) that is set to be released at the same time as the “Living In The Material World” DVD. Rather, Harrison’s guitar solo can be heard in a compelling scene that shows up in the DVD extras for Scorsese’s documentary on “the quiet Beatle,” which first aired last October on HBO.
The scene involves Dhani Harrison and longtime Beatles producer George Martin (often touted as “the fifth Beatle”) and his son, Giles Martin, who are playing with unused instrumentals from the original recording session for “Here Comes the Sun” (including a scrapped instrumental score). In the studio, Dhani pushes a button and boom, we hear an unearthed guitar solo for the “Abbey Road” track. “That’s totally different to anything I’ve ever heard before,” Dhani says. “We never used that,” George Martin replies. “I’d forgotten about that.” Dhani counters: “I never even knew about it.”
Neither did we, yet director Scorsese opted not to use this revealing bit of footage in his widely-applauded documentary. Rather, Scorcese gets Ringo and Eric Clapton to discuss Harrison’s inspiration for “Here Comes the Sun,” following another trip to India — a clip you can view over at Harrison’s official site.

 

Graceland 25th Anniversary Editions To Be Released June 5th
The 25th anniversary of Graceland, Paul Simon's groundbreaking album that continues to influence and inspire generations, will be commemorated with musical and film celebrations stretching into the summer.

Following its Sundance Film Festival premiere, the Joe Berlinger-directed documentary "Under African Skies," chronicling the creation and lasting influence of Graceland, will have its US television premiere on A & E this spring.

To help commemorate the anniversary and celebrate the indelible musical legacy of Graceland, Legacy Recordings will be offering several 25th Anniversary versions of Paul Simon's Graceland on June 5th including a special Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Box Set (2 CD/2 DVD), the official Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition CD/DVD, "Under African Skies" Blu-ray Disc, and Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition Vinyl. 


New York, NY (April 3, 2012)—Eagle Rock Entertainment is proud to announce the simultaneous release on June 26 of Pink Floyd The Story Of Wish You Were Here on DVD and Blu-ray.  This is the authorized story of the album made with the full involvement and approval of the members of Pink Floyd. [Pre-book Order Date June 1, MSRP $TBA]
Wish You Were Here, released in September 1975, was the follow up album to the globally successful The Dark Side Of The Moon and is cited by many fans, as well as band members Richard Wright and David Gilmour, as their favorite Pink Floyd album. 
On release, it went straight to Number One in both the UK and the US and topped the charts in many other countries around the world. This program tells the story of the making of this landmark release through new interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason and archive interviews with the late Richard Wright. Also featured are sleeve designer Storm Thorgerson, guest vocalist Roy Harper, front cover “burning man” Ronnie Rondell and others involved in the creation of the album. In addition, original recording engineer Brian Humphries revisits the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios to illustrate aspects of the songs’ construction.The band members discuss the album’s themes of absence, the greed of the music business and former band member Syd Barrett, who is famously celebrated in “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, which both opens and closes the album. The program also covers the unexpected visit Barrett paid to Abbey Road during the recording, the difficulties of the early recording sessions and how the decision to split “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” into two sections was the catalyst for the album’s successful completion.
The DVD and Blu-ray releases contain additional bonus material not featured in the TV broadcast version, including further interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason plus Roger Waters and David Gilmour performing excerpts from the Wish You Were Here album.
The Story Of Wish You Were Here is a fascinating document and fitting tribute to Pink Floyd’s outstanding achievement in the creation of this masterpiece.
re:  ROD STEWART:
Kent ...
Rod Stewart will reunite with the Faces for their Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction.
They haven't performed together since 1993.
While I can't consider myself a big Rod Stewart fan, one of my ALL-TIME favorite tracks by him has ALWAYS been "Stay With Me" by The Faces.  In fact, that's one of those RARE tunes that I still crank up every single time it comes on.  (And, despite its #17 showing in Billboard, it went all the way to #1 here in Chicago back in '72!)  kk
re:  THIS AND THAT:
Some of Les Paul's guitars and recording gear are up for auction
-- Renfield
by SANDY COHENLOS ANGELES (AP) - Historic guitars from Les Paul's personal collection and recording equipment owned by the pioneering musician will be sold at auction.
Celebrity auctioneer Darren Julien says the sale includes rare guitars, effects pedals, mixing consoles and the grand piano from Paul's home recording studio. Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills will host the sale over three days, including what would have been Paul's 97th birthday: June 9.
A guitarist and inventor, Paul developed one of the first solid-body electric guitars - released commercially in 1952 as the Gibson Les Paul - as well as the technology behind modern multi-track recording. He is recognized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
The auction benefits the Les Paul Foundation.
Artists fighting for their royalties based on new technology such as digital downloads and ringtones are stepping up their fight.  Last week we told you about a lawsuit filed by The Temptations ... one of nearly a dozen acts seeking a piece of the same pie ... now comes word of a recent decision regarding Toto's work ...
Sony BMG Asks Judge to Dismiss Toto Suit
By Eriq Gardner / Hollywood Reporter 3/27/2012
Major record labels continue to fight recording artists on the issue of compensation for digital downloads. Most recently, The Temptations filed perhaps the biggest lawsuit on this front yet. Meanwhile, Sony BMG, which just agreed to pay $8 million to settle a similar class action, isn’t finished contending with musicians who don’t want to be part of that deal.
In defending a lawsuit brought by the group Toto, which recorded the hit song “Africa,” the music company says the band is “dissatisfied with the bargain that it struck.” As we’ve previously written, the chief controversy is whether a digital download should be treated as a “license,” with high royalty rates for song artists, or a “sale,” with a much lower rate. Musicians believe it should be a “license” because there’s not much packaging required to simply permit iTunes or another digital vendor the right to offer up music on its service.
But the “license” vs. “sale” dispute misses a third word — “lease” — which could play a role in determining whether musicians get roughly 50 percent of digital income or merely about 15 percent. Sony Music’s contracts with musicians appear to have “lease” provisions instead of “licensing” provisions. Is there a difference? Sony says yes.
Last week, Sony submitted a motion to dismiss Toto’s lawsuit. In a memorandum to the court, the company gave a few reasons why a judge should toss the complaint, starting with the alleged fact that in 2002, the parties amended their agreement to set forth a new royalty rate specifically applicable to “all records made for digital playback.” Then, Sony gave the judge and the plaintiffs a lesson on semantics.
“In an attempt to sidestep this [‘lease’] obstacle to its claim, plaintiff alleges that ‘license’ and ‘lease’ simply mean the same thing,” wrote Sony. “But plaintiff’s allegations cannot alter the plain meaning of the contract. As a matter of both ordinary English and contractual usage, the terms ‘license’ and ‘lease’ are not synonymous.”
Sony pointed to an earlier ruling in the Allman Bros. class action — the one that settled for $8 million — where a judge noted that the plaintiffs had not pled any allegations that the master recordings were leased. “There is, therefore, no basis from which it can reasonably be inferred that payment pursuant to the master recording lease provision is applicable,” said the judge in June 2008 in granting a motion to dismiss. However, the judge later allowed the Allman Bros. plaintiffs an opportunity to amend their complaint, which they did by alleging that Sony “leases” its catalogue to download providers like Apple’s iTunes.
Now, the Toto case picks up the language switcheroo, and Sony is pointing to the Black’s Law Dictionary, the Webster’s Third New International Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary to support the contention that “lease” and “license” are different. Is it?
Black’s Law Dictionary defines “lease” as “a contract by which a rightful possessor of real property conveys the right to use and occupy the property in exchange for consideration.” The dictionary defines “license” as “a permission, revocable, to commit some act that would otherwise be unlawful, especially an agreement that it is lawful for the licensee to enter the licensor’s land to do some act that would otherwise be illegal, such as hunting game.” If Sony wins this argument — no sure thing — we bet it will mean a whole lot of people out there will be guilty of talking about “licensing” activity in media and entertainment when they really mean leasing activity. The semantic argument might seem trivial, but it’s worth millions.
No matter what this article says, artists are NOT gonna get their money if the record companies have their way ... SO, I might as well share my music, right?  Haha.  "Toto," we're not in Kansas anymore.  Looks like the lawmakers can get their two cents (per record?) in on April 17 too!  See this site after reading (if ou can stomach the jargon) the story below it.  http://apps.americanbar.org/cle/programs/t12nwl1.html
-- Clark Besch

Kent ...
Here's a Whitney Houston Flash Mob.
(Can we call "Flash Mobs" a current trend?)
I suppose ... and some of them are actually quite good ...
But personally, I keep hoping they'll bring back streaking!!!  (kk)
Hey Kent,
It's hard to believe that 47 years ago, this week, "I'm Telling You Now", by Freddie and the Dreamers, became the biggest hit in the US. I was a huge fan. I always liked great performers, especially funny ones, And Freddie's band was crazy! I owned all of their albums, and would like to point out that they were very good musicians, as well. Freddie Garrity was a small, but mighty singer. The Dreamers, especially guitarist Derek Quinn, were all solid on their instruments. Quinn had been in a band with Graham Nash before joining The Dreamers, and the two are still very good friends. Yes, the band was zany, and was not taken seriously. Rolling Stone Magazine even called them "talentless", but I disagree. If you could listen to the albums, without ever seeing their silly act on stage, you would know just how good they really were. Garrity's voice was clear and sweet. "I Understand (The Way You Feel)" had been a hit before, by two other artists, but Freddie's recording was as good or better. One song I remember from their "Fun Lovin' " album, was a cover of Paul Anka's "Lonely Boy". I think it is second only to the original. If anybody out there can put that song online, that would be great, as all my albums were accidentally scrapped when my family moved. In 1986, a British Invasion tour hit town, with Freddie's band, The Mindbenders, Chad and Jeremy, Gerry and the Pacemakers and (maybe) The Searchers. All new musicians made up The Dreamers, but Freddie was still there, and their set was a lot of fun. They had been signing autographs at a downtown record store before the show, and wouldn't you know it, I found out about it, minutes after they left. They were recently voted, "The greatest nerd band of all-time", just over Herman's Hermits. OK, why not? 
- JohnLaPuzza
LOL, I'm sure Peter Noone will be REALLY proud of THIS honor!  (lol)  Acutally, Freddie Garrity and Peter Noone were VERY close friends ... and we were all sad to hear that Freddie passed away a few years ago (2006).  Nevertheless, he was always entertaining to watch, even if it meant his band wasn't taken seriously as a result.
The chart facts don't lie, however, and Freddie and the Dreamers had five straight Top 50 Hits in 1965 ... and then they were gone.  (Incredibly, Dave Dexter of Capitol Records picked Freddie and the Dreamers over The Beatles in 1963 and released "I'm Telling You Now" and "You Were Made For Me" on Capitol's Tower Records subsidiary ... to absolutely no success.  Once The British Invasion hit, however, BOTH of these records went right into The National Top 20, with "I'm Telling You Now" topping the charts in 1965.  "I Understand (Just How You Feel)", #36; "Do The Freddie" (#15), "You Were Made For Me" (#17) and "A Little You" (#41) kept the string of hits going for the rest of that year.
Kent ...
I watched "Mad Men" for the first time on Sunday. Here's some of the music I missed on past shows.
Frannie's the "Mad Men" fan here ... I just never got into the show (which is REALLY odd in that's it's so '60's-driven.)  I keep saying I'm going to give it another shot from the beginning and catch up ... but just never seem to have the time to do so.  I like the fact that they made good on the Dusty Springfield "Look of Love" track last week ... so it holds some appeal to me to give this another shot someday.  (kk)
And, speaking of "Mad Men" ... did The Rolling Stones REALLY do a Rice Krispies commercial way back when?!?!?  Check out this clip:
Kent ...
Check out this short clip ... the Stones and Rice Krispies.Click here: The Rolling Stones & Mad Men: Don Draper’s Quest For ‘Time Is On My Side’
Frank B.
Kent:
Here's a GREAT pic that was emailed to me of a young Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and the late Clarence White ... I'm thinking circa '68? I sent it to Roger and Chris requested a print that I just got off to him today.  Thought this might be a good pic to share with everyone.  The pic is so rare because  I've NEVER seen a pic of just Roger, Chris and Clarence.  
Hope you're well, my friend, and have a Great Easter! You're doing a magnificent job with FH's! It's got to kick your ass and take up ALL of your time, but enjoyed by thousands!
Wild Bill
If you think the Beatles entry confused people, you might try looking at the April 1st edition of my calendar online:  http://www.oldiescalendar.blogspot.com/
-- Ron Smith
Clever April Foolery ... I actually figured on 90% of these without the use of my special Bat Decoder Ring ... so I felt pretty good about that!  (kk)
GUITAR AMP PIONEER JIM MARSHALL DIES AGED 88
http://deathbeeper.com/3633741.html
We've all seen some Marshall stacks over the years ... sad to hear of his passing.  (kk)
 
 
 
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