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.
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)
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)
