Saturday, June 2, 2012

The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 03 - 12 )


re:  DISCO: 
From Charles Rosenay ...
See, The Bee Gees weren't ALWAYS "disco" ... way back when they most definitely could have earned a regular weekly spot performing on Lawrence Welk's program ... or even The Andy Williams Show, as they do their pre-Osmonds best, performing this Beatles classic.
OK, this ought to put an end to the Bee Gees / Beatles comparisons once and for all!  (lol)  I'm probably most amazed at watching Robin and Maurice dancing around during all of this ... it's The Bee Gees with choreography!!!  And from this sprang all the dance moves of the disco craze, right?  (kk)
 
The funeral service for the late Robin Gibb has been scheduled for June 8th in the United Kingdom.  The service is private, for family and close friends only. The Gibb family has encouraged those looking to honor Robin to donate to the Rebecca House and Wish Upon A Dream, children’s charities that were near and dear to the late Bee Gees co-founder. 
A public memorial service will follow the funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral in September.  Gibb passed away on May 20th at the age of 62. However, contrary to many reports, his death wasn¹t caused by cancer, according to his son. 
“It wasn’t the cancer that killed my father; those reports are wrong,” said Robin-John Gibb. “Dad had actually gone into remission and the cancer was completely unrecognizable, it was too small to detect. No scan could see it. He actually died of kidney failure.”
(from WCBS-FM, courtesy of Frank B)
 
WENDY WILLIAMS to HOST DISCO BALL10 CONCERT @ TRUMP TAJ MAHAL CELEBRATING THE 35th ANNIVERSARY OF “SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER”
Stars lining up for special tribute to legends Robin Gibb and Donna Summer.
 
Trump Taj Mahal Hotel and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ, will host the 10th Annual DISCO BALL concert produced by Vito Bruno Saturday, June 23 7 PM.  
DISCO BALL, in its 10th year, is billed as “The Greatest 70s - 80s Show Ever” and this year it will definitely live up to the billing. The show will be hosted by daytime TV star Wendy Williams, “Saturday Night Fever” stars Donna Pescow, Karen Lynn Gorney, and CBS-FM legend Joe Causi. 
This year DISCO BALL will also be honoring Disco Legends Donna Summer and Robin Gibb in a special star studded line up of the greatest acts of the era. 
Twelve legendary acts will be performing over 30 hit songs … one night, one stage!
Performing live on stage from the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack that sold 40 million units: The Tramps featuring Earl Young, “Disco Inferno”, and Yvonne Elliman with her hit “If I Can’t Have You”. 
Also for the first time performing at DISCO BALL is Heatwave, Melba Moore, Barbra Roy of Ecstasy Passion and Pain, Teri Desario, and Steve Nervo of La Flavour. 
And, back by popular demand, the fabulous Ritchie Family, Linda Clifford, Rochelle Fleming of First Choice, and Musique. All acts will be backed by MGM Guarnerra Brothers.
Get ready to break out you boogie shoes.
There will also be a very special appearance by the original dance floor from the movie, “Saturday Night Fever”. Come and dance on the most famous dance floor in the world ... and yes, you are expected to do the famous John Travolta pose. Little known fact:  the SNF dance floor was recently featured on Fox TV show GLEE episode titled “Saturday Night GLEEver”.  Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.
I really disliked disco music. There were only a few songs in the disco genre I cared for(Knock on Wood by Amy Stewart for one). But the Bee Gees disco didn't offend me nearly as much as most of the others. I consider one of their best "The Edge of the Universe"  (live version). It came out at about the end of the disco era and I rank that up there with Paul McCartney's Mull of Kintyre. Two great songs that don't get heard nearly enough!  
Dube   

And here's our Clip Of The Week, courtesy of FH Regular Frank B.  This is "Must See Viewing", proving once and for all that The Bee Gees were NOT a Disco Band!!!  (You've got to watch this one ... some INCREDIBLY brilliant editing here!  AMAZING!!!)  kk
 
 
re:  THE BEACH BOYS:
VH-1 Classics has been running the 2000 Beach Boys "Made-For-TV" Movie "An American Family" this weekend.  (You can catch it again Sunday Morning at 10 AM Chicago time).  A semi-accurate accounting of the band's career through the Capitol years ... with some heavy emphasis on Dennis' Manson Family encounters ... and really playing up Dad Murry as the heavy (well, he kinda was!) ... but some GREAT music along the way.  Meanwhile, I had to go to THREE different WalMart Stores this weekend before I could find an in stock copy of the brand new WalMart exclusive Beach Boys release, featuring the only officially released version of their "Do It Again" remake.  (This is the song they're opening their 50th Anniversary Reunion Shows with.)  The Boys Are Back In Town ... indeed ... doing a gig in Milwaukee this weekend.  (kk)
 
David Beard (Editor and Publisher of "Endless Summer Quarterly" ... as well as author of the excellent "Beach Boys Examiner" column) has all kinds of great Beach Boys news to share ...
 
And, speaking of Endless Summer Quarterly, here's what you can expect to find in the new issue: 
Endless Summer Quarterly just mailed the Summer 2012 edition featuring exclusive coverage of the Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks on tour; the new studio album, That's Why God Made The Radio; Domenic Priore sheds rare light on the Beach Boys very first recording; a vintage q&a with the Beach Boys from 1972; more … Subscribe today for all of this exclusive content: ESQ. 



Endless Summer Quarterly kicked off 2012 with exclusive interviews with Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and David Marks about the new studio album — That's Why God Made The Radio — the recording process, working together again and touring; Peter Reum writes about the importance of the Beach Boys music; Andrew G. Doe examines the group's first single; lots of news & reviews!!!  Subscribe today for all of this exciting and exclusive content: ESQ. 

And check out this awesome cover shot, too!  (kk)



For more on the mechanics of putting this whole anniversary tour together, check out this article from Billboard Magazine ...
 
And check this out ... many of the second-generation Beach Boys kids have gotten together and formed a new musical outfit called California Saga.  The band includes Carnie and Wendy Wilson (Brian's daughters ... guess the Wilson Phillips reunion with Chynna Phillips didn't work out, eh?  Man, she really came across as a bitch on their recent reality series), Matt Jardine (long-time member of The Beach Boys' back-up band) as well as his brother Adam, Carl B. Wilson (Dennis Wilson's son), Christian and Ambha Love (Mike's son and daughter), Justyn Wilson (Carl's son) ... and Billy Hinsche, another long-standing member of The Beach Boys' back-up band (and formerly Carl Wilson's brother-in-law ... as well as noted Forgotten Hits contributor and original member of the pop group Dino, Desi and Billy!)  Carnie's husband Rob Bonfiglio (who produced the latest Wilson Phillips album "Dedicated") is also on hand ... and the next generation is doing their part to help keep this great legacy of music alive.  (California Saga was scheduled to make their "in concert" debut Saturday, June 2nd, at The Hollywood Bowl ... jeez, how many artists have played THAT venue as their first gig?!?!?  Can't wait to hear the reviews on this show.)  You'll find more on their official Facebook Page here:  
 

By the way, The Beach Boys' new album "That's Why God Made The Radio" hits stores on Tuesday, June 5th.  Already garnering rave reviews, this is the collection of all new works recorded by the reunited band ... Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks.  Don't miss it!  (kk)
 
re:  GO FIGURE!:
I must say that all of your continued "bad" reviews of my book have caused a monumental amount of sales of my book, and I have inherited an agent as well.  This is not what I had in mind when I wrote this book.  I was writing what I considered to be a tribute to my favorite singer ... and it was my hope to get the book into the library system as well.  So far, three libraries have accepted my book.  As an educator, I consider that the greatest honor. 
And I have no intentions of marrying Frank B.  I wrote to him to show I was a good sport.  My book is now in the process of being updated / revised due to new tributes now coming my way from people who did not talk to me before.  That included three politicians and one member of the Brooklyn Bridge plus more of Johnny's family.
Mr. KK, I am shocked at how your website continues to be insulting to me ... and I am not happy that bad reviews are making the sales of my books fly high.  I have a television appearance , too, coming up next week in Florida by people who want to hear what I have to say!  I think this is getting out of hand.
Irene
I must have reread this twenty times!  Made my day!  Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame, Irene ... glad I could help!  And I think it's GREAT that you'll be updating the book.  Perhaps more word of mouth will encourage others to speak to you as well, allowing you to tell a more complete story in the near future.  And, as I said before, by all means go ahead and gather more loving tributes and memories of Johnny ... and turn this into what I've said it should be ... a fitting tribute to "What Johnny Maestro Meant To Me".  My guess is, his official fan club could easily supply another 49 pages for you in a heartbeat!  Publicity is a funny thing ... glad we could help, I guess!
(Sorry, Frank ... she's not interested!!!  Hey, I hope she remembers where to send the commission check for all these additional sales!!!  Just remember to thank me live on tv!  lol)  Had I only known that Forgotten Hits had THIS kind of clout, I would have most certainly abused this power for personal gain!!!  Oh well, c'est la vie!  (kk)
 
re:  THIS AND THAT:
Just got this from FH Reader Frank B ... a very nice tribute to Mike Stoller, Jerry Leiber, Ben E. King and their timeless hit "Stand By Me".
 
Beatles Music Festival "Danbury Fields Forever" planned for July in Connecticut
In 1962, Ringo Starr joined The Beatles and the world of music was changed forever. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historic occasion, thousands of fans will "Come Together" for a day-long festival of Beatles music on Saturday, July 28, at Ives Concert Park, 43 Lake Avenue Ext. in Danbury, Connecticut.
This musical extravaganza is titled "Danbury Fields Forever," a clever twist on the classic Beatles track "Strawberry Fields Forever." The 10-hour festival will feature 10 bands, each representing different eras or presentations of Beatles music.  
Featured acts will include several Connecticut and New York tribute bands. The Beatles Forever Band is a hugely popular international band that hails from the Hartford area while Fools On The Hill is based in Milford. New York's MerseyBeatMania is the definitive clone band with wigs, outfits, Beatle boots and the exact instrumentation. On the opposite side of the spectrum is Genetic Control, a young psychedelic group that covers Beatle songs in the style of Led Zeppelin. From upstate NY hails Pat Horgan & Thunder Road with their rockin' "Garage Band Beatles" show. Massachusetts will be well represented by The Oh-Nos, showcasing a set of rarer and more obscure Beatles and solo tracks. 
Paul McCartney will be honored by One Sweet Dream, fronted by soundalike / lookalike Mike Miller. There will be a classical sitar show in opening the event by Roger Lipson, and a very special tribute to John Lennon by world-famous impersonator Carlo Cantamessa entitled "In My Life."
The host for the 10-band, 10-hour festivities is Charles F. Rosenay!!!, whose Liverpool Productions has presented the Beatles Expos in Connecticut since 1978. 
The July 28 music festival celebrating the Beatles' 50th anniversary is open to all ages, and is expected to attract music lovers spanning the generations. 
Doors open at 10 a.m. and an entire-day "ticket to ride" admission starts at only $15. There will be food and beverages available for purchase.  
For further info call (203) 795-4737, email LiverpoolTours@aol.com, visit www.ivesconcertpark.com or check out the Facebook events page at https://www.facebook.com/events/372464559479394/ . 
As The Beatles sang, " ... it's guaranteed to raise a smile!"
 
From FH Reader Frank B, an excerpt from this weekend's Parade article / interview with Neil Diamond ...
Kent ...
Now that he's married again, I guess he can't sing "Solitary Man" at his concerts anymore.
Frank B.
 
re:  NEW RELEASES (AND UP-COMING SHOWS):
Tuesday, June 5, will see the release of Texicali, a four track digital collection from ZZ Top that offers the first new studio recordings from “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” in nine years.  The four new songs, available from iTunes and all digital retail outlets, offer a preview of the group’s full-length album, as yet untitled, that will be released on American Recordings late this summer or early fall.  Those purchasing the four songs will benefit from a pro-rated discount on the purchase of the full album when it is released. All four tracks will be previewed through an audio stream at Rollingstone.com for one day only, Monday, June 4. 
These four tracks that comprise Texicali, like the forthcoming album, were produced by Rick Rubin and the band’s Billy F Gibbons and include “I Gotsta Get Paid,” “Chartreuse,” “Over You” and “Consumption.”  The first of these is heard in a just-launched campaign for the Jeremiah Weed line of malt beverages that has generated tremendous on-line buzz for the video (youtube.com/jeremiahweed) that depicts Billy, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard performing -- to the delight and amazement of the patrons of a convenience store -- in a walk-in cooler. “I Gotsta Get Paid,” based on the underground 1990s rap song “25 Lighters,” is also heard on the soundtrack to the international box office hit Battleship.  The title of the collection is a reference to the locations where the album was recorded. founding of ZZ Top more than 42 years ago and an acknowledgement that the band’s line-up has remained constant ever since.
“Based on the visibility of the ‘Gotsta Get Paid’ song, we decided to make available more of a taste of the album than just the one song,” said American’s Rubin.  “That’s the beauty of the new digital landscape; we can put out what we want when we want, in the best service of the artist.” 
Notes Gibbons, “We were itching to get some new music out before the full album release; making available these four tracks seems like a good way to accomplish that most expeditiously.  Dusty, Frank and I are happy with what’s been accomplished in the studio so we figured we’d provide some hot and tasty ‘hors d’oeuvres’ before the main course is served this fall.”
“I Gotsta Get Paid,” is a song that has history dating back to the late 1990s when Billy encountered it as “25 Lighters,” an gritty track from Houston’s rap underground, as released by DJ DMD with Lit’ Keke and Fat Pat.  Billy and the band, working with engineers G.L.‘G-Mane’ Moon and Joe Hardy endeavored to deconstruct that song transforming it from hip-hop into blues-based rock-guitar driven song that is certain to rank among the most sizzling ZZ recordings of all time.  
Says Billy of the tune that, appropriately debuts on Outlaw Country, “Since the very beginning, we have been inspired and influenced by the musical and cultural eccentricities that have emanated from Houston’s ghetto.  If you look back, you’ll find [fellow ZZ Top members] Dusty [Hill] and Frank [Beard] had served as Lightnin’ Hopkins’ rhythm section before we all joined forces in ZZ.  We often ask ourselves, ‘WWLD?’ – meaning “what would Lightnin’ do?” That circumstance came from exactly the same place – both geographically and spiritually – that this new one does.  We fully acknowledge this as we continue to pay tribute to those known as ‘the heroes of the Houston ghetto.’”  
“I Gotsta Get Paid," along with the other 4 songs that comprise Texicali, will be available from  iTunes and all digital retail outlets on Tuesday, June 5.
The band embarks this week as the headliner for a six-week “Gang of Outlaws” tour that includes bills shared with 3 Doors Down and Gretchen Wilson.  Thereafter, ZZ Top departs for Europe where they will be playing concert and festival dates in Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Norway in July. Additional North American dates are planned for August and September. All of this activity underscores the fact that ZZ Top continues as a vital force in music today, more than 42 years after its founding and with its ever-enduring line up totally intact.
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*
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*
      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
 
MICKY DOLENZ, with his band, has just been confirmed to play at BB King's in NYC on Friday, October 19.  Micky just wrapped up a week-long stint at Disney's Epcot Center ... where we treated you to a picture of Micky ... and Mickey!  (kk)
 

 
The U.S. leg of Burton Cummings tour this summer will be very brief:
July 4 - Frontier Days Festival, Arlington Heights
July 5 - Summerfest, Milwaukee
July 7 - Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Washburn, Wisconsin
July 8 - Calumet Theatre, Calumet, Michigan
Will return for a west coast swing Labor Day.
Ken Voss
I am SO looking forward to seeing Burton Cummings on the 4th of July ... CAN'T WAIT!  Should be one heck of a crowd for one heck of a show!  (kk)
 
Hi Kent,
Last year I saw the Happy Together Again Tour at our local Fair ... It was just announced that Glen Campbell will be performing opening night July 27th at our Fair this year.  I hope I get a chance to see him.
Stacee
Get your tickets early ... he's selling out everywhere he goes.  I really wish we'd had the chance to see him when he played here in Chicago earlier this year ... and now he's coming back to Ravinia but the show is sold out.  Would have loved to see Glen live once before he retires.  (kk)
 
Sunday, June 17th @ 7PM
Monterey Pop (45th Anniversary screening, Lou Adler and Michelle Phillips in person!)
The Cinefamily
611 N. Fairfax Avenue
Los Angeles, CA, 90036
http://www.cinefamily.orgEvent listing -
http://www.cinefamily.org/films/special-events-june-2012/#monterey-pop-lou-adler-michelle-phillips-in-person-45th-aniv-screeningThe electric, magnetic, vital portrait of one of the most incredible musical lineups ever assembled -- and the gold standard for all rock festival films! Produced by impresario Lou Adler and The Mamas And The Papas’ John Phillips, 1967’s Monterey International Pop Music Festival was the first of its kind, and featured career-making crossover moments for
Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Otis Redding -- alongside equally shattering performances from The Who, Canned Heat, The Animals and a blissful Ravi Shankar. In Monterey Pop, director D.A. Pennebaker (fresh off the legendary Dylan doc Don’t Look Back) captures these landmark live sets intersecting with the very best of vintage peaceful California culture.  Alongside the on-stage splendor of guitars and harmonies, Pennebaker’s roving cameras capture a host of vivid and stimulating eye candy amongst the throngs of festival-goers, also making the film an essential sociological document. With beautiful people, beautiful sounds and kaleidoscopic sights, Monterey Pop is an indispensable historical treasure -- and a smashing good time. Join Lou Adler and Michelle Phillips (The
Mamas And The Papas) in person for a live panel on the story of Monterey Pop after the film!
 
Of course one of the highlights of The Monterey Pop Music Festival was the performance by Jimi Hendrix ... so Hendrix fans should be thrilled with this next announcement!
 
EXPERIENCE HENDRIX LLC & LEGACY RECORDINGS RELEASING RESTORED 7 NEWLY EXPANDED EDITION OF HISTORIC JIMI PLAYS BERKELEY CONCERT DOCUMENTARY ON BLU-RAY and DVDJimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child Blu-ray
Also Coming Tuesday, July 10
Experience Hendrix LLC  and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment,  will release a restored and newly expanded edition of Jimi Plays Berkeley, on Blu-ray and DVD, on Tuesday, July 10.
An historic documentary film chronicling the two concerts Jimi Hendrix performed at the Berkeley Community Theatre on Saturday, May 30, 1970, Jimi Plays Berkeley captures the cultural milieu surrounding one of the finest Hendrix performances ever lensed.
Made from a new, digitally-restored transfer from the original 16mm negative, Jimi Plays Berkeley premieres more than 15 minutes of previously unseen documentary and performance footage of Hendrix classics including "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)," "Machine Gun" and "Hear My Train A Comin'" not featured in the original film release.
"We take great pride in doing our part to preserve the music of my brother, Jimi, especially during his 70th birthday year," said Janie Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix and co-producer (with John McDermott) of the Jimi Plays Berkeley DVD.   (Jimi Hendrix, born November 27, 1942, would be 70 this year.)
Jimi Plays Berkeley features a 5.1 surround stereo soundtrack mixed by original Jimi Hendrix engineer Eddie Kramer and commentary from Abe Jacob, the audio engineer who recorded the Hendrix Berkeley concerts in 1970.
As an added bonus, the newly expanded Jimi Plays Berkeley includes an audio-only presentation of Jimi's complete Berkeley 05/30/1970 second show mixed in 5.1 surround sound.  Showcasing 67 minutes of music, the second set concert recordings include "Pass It On (Straight Ahead)," "Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)," "Lover Man," "Stone Free," "Hey Joe," "I Don't Live Today," "Machine Gun," "Foxey Lady," "Star Spangled Banner," "Purple Haze," and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)."
The second set from May 30, 1970, will be released on CD and on 12" vinyl as Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At Berkeley (The Second Set). The audiophile 12" double album release is an all analog recording cut by Bernie Grundman from the master tapes and struck by Quality Record Pressings (QRP) on 200 gram vinyl.
The most complete record ever-released of that magical Saturday in late May 1970, Jimi Plays Berkeley includes an essay on the film by noted Jimi Hendrix historian John McDermott.
Also on July 10, Legacy Recordings will release the Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child film for the first time on Blu-ray.  A 90 minute documentary directed by the multiple Grammy award-winning Bob Smeaton (Beatles Anthology, Festival Express, Beatles: The Studio Recordings, Band of Gypsys) Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child was originally included as a DVD in the West Coast Seattle Boy Jimi Hendrix boxed set.  An autobiographical journey told in the legendary musician's own words as read by Parliament-Funkadelic's Bootsy Collins, the film incorporates interviews with Hendrix, coupled with the artist's letters, writings and recordings to provide new insight into one of the most enduring icons of popular culture.  The documentary features some of Jimi's greatest performances as well as rare and never before seen footage and photos including--for the first time ever--examples from the Hendrix family archive of the late guitarist’s personal drawings, postcards home to his father, song drafts, sketches, and lyrics.jimihendrix.com
 
More dates have been announced for Tommy Roe's latest tour ... and wait till you hear "Memphis Me" from his brand new album ... it's outstanding!  And it's not even the single!!!  (By the way, I just heard the new single ... and it's every bit as good ... can't wait to hear the whole LP!)  Just hop on over to Tommy Roe's website ... "Memphis Me" is the opening track when you get there!  Trust me ... you won't be disappointed ... this is every bit as good as some of Tommy's biggest hits!  CD out soon.  (kk)
06/16/2012--Fountain of Life Church Fair, Appalachian Fair Grounds, Gray, TN
06/18/2012--Savannah Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., Lady Lake, Florida
06/19/2012--LaGrange College, Calloway Hall, Lagrange, Georgia 
 
re:  WELL WISHES:
Our best "get well soon" wishes go out to Fred Winston, one of our all-time favorite Chicagoland deejays.  According to Chicagoland Radio and Media ...
Chicago radio legend Fred Winston is recovering nicely at his home in southwest Michigan.  At the start of May, Winston underwent a quadruple bypass surgery on his heart. Well wishes have been pouring in. With his usual dry sense of humor, Fred Winston tweeted: "Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I will celebrate this victory with some apple sauce & seven pills."
 
re:  IN OTHER RADIO NEWS:
Long-time Elvis friend and associate (and legendary Memphis deejay George Klein) is now doing a weekly Elvis Show on Sirius/XM Radio.  More details (and a brief interview with this legend) at Jeremy Roberts' Examiner website:

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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Favorite Garage Bands - Your Last Chance To Vote!

That's right ...

The polls officially close tomorrow ...

So if you haven't voted yet for YOUR All-Time Favorite Garage Bands, this is your LAST chance to do so!

Here again is the list of bands that made the final ballot ...

? and the Mysterians
13th Floor Elevator
Amboy Dukes
Balloon Farm
Barbarians
Beau Brummels
Blues Magoos
Bob Seger and the Heard 
Bobby Fuller Four
Bubble Puppy
Buckinghams
Cannibal and the Headhunters
Castaways
Chartbusters
Cherry Slush
Chocolate Watchband
Choir
Count Five
Cryan' Shames
Cyrkle
Davie Allan and the Arrows
Dino, Desi and Billy
Electric Prunes
Fifth Estate
Five Americans
Five By Five
Gants
Gentrys
Hombres
Human Beinz
Ides Of March
Illusion
Kingsmen 
Knickerbockers
Leaves
Little Boy Blues
Love
McCoys
Merry-Go-Round
Michael and the Messengers
Mouse and the Traps
Music Explosion
Music Machine
Nashville Teens
Nazz
New Colony Six
Nightcrawlers
Novas
Outsiders
Palace Guard
Paul Revere and the Raiders
Peanut Butter Conspiracy
Premiers
Rationals 
Richard and the Young Lions
Rivieras 
Robbs
Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs 
Seeds 
Shadows Of Knight 
Sir Douglas Quintet 
Sonics 
Standells 
Strangeloves 
Strawberry Alarm Clock
Swingin' Medallions 
Syndicate of Sound 
Terry Knight and the Pack 
Thee Sixpence 
Them 
Tommy James and the Shondells 
Trashmen 
Troggs
Trolls
Get your votes in now ...

The polls will officially close at 10 PM tomorrow, Friday, June 1st.

The Top 20 will be announced soon ...

Exclusively in Forgotten Hits!

***

Mike Dugo of 60sgaragebands.com has been gracious enough to donate a couple of cd's to give away to some of our readers who participated in helping us to prepare the final ballot.  (Don't worry ... there's no need to register ... if you voted, your name is already in the hat!)
 
We'll pick a couple of winners this weekend and get you a copy of either the "Those Guys" CD or "The Chains" CD.  (You can read more about them both at the link below ... and, of course, you can also order your own copy through Mike's amazing website!  Browse around and learn more about some of the best known ... and UNknown garage bands of this era.)  Mike is also preparing short bios on each of The Top 20 Finalists ... and we may have another surprise or two in store, too.  WRCO Disc Jockey Phil Nee will countdown The Top 20 on his program later in June ... more details on that coming soon!  (kk)

Hi Kent!
This is a really great list of finalists ... that's for sure!
I will be giving away copies of Those Guys and The Chains.  Your readers will need to be real die-hard garage band fans to know either group, but I think they'll enjoy the music.  
Best,
Mike  


Love your site..Just found it tonight thru 60sGaragebands.com ...
My Favorite 60's Garage bands  from the list would have to be in order:
1. Blues Magoos
2. Knickerbockers
3. Cyrkle
4. Standells
5. Five Americans
6. Electric Prunes
7. Buckinghams
8. Love
9. Shadows of Knight
10. Merry-Go-Round
I would have rated the Merry-Go-Round higher had they had more than one lp ... I thought Emitt Rhodes was brilliant.
I also would have liked to have seen the "Critters" on the list  (Mr. Dieingly Sad is one of my favorite songs ever)
Beatman
Glad you're enjoying Forgotten Hits.  Actually, I don't think The Critters were ever even nominated!  (Wish you would have found us sooner!  Lol)  kk

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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Some Of Your Mid-Week Comments

re:  GOOD NEWS:
A couple of weeks ago we told you about former Outsiders and Climax lead singer Sonny Geraci going through two brain surgeries.  Well, we are happy to report today that Sonny seems to be on the mend.  Certainly it's a slow process ... but here's the latest word from his daughter Bri ...
My dad is just now starting to open both of his eyes and move them together!! And he is trying to talk in syllables with his throat! It is unbelievable! He actually answers back to what we are saying. It is amazing that he is comprehending! Still, we have to take it day by day. But it is very amazing that he is finally tracking us with his eyes! I will let you know anything more.  Thanks for your message. 

re:  AND SOME SAD NEWS:
We just heard that Burton Cummings' mother passed away this past weekend.  Naturally, we've been anxiously awaiting his appearance here at the Arlington Heights Frontier Days Festival on The 4th of July ... so it's especially sad to know that he's grieving right now.   

From the Winnipeg Free Press:
The beloved mother of former Guess Who frontman Burton Cummings has died. 
In a post on his Facebook page, Cummings said his mother Rhoda died Friday night shortly after 10 p.m. following a stroke earlier in the week. 
Cummings, who has been by his mother's side in recent days, credited her with fostering his music career. She started him in piano lessons at a very early age and encouraged his passion for music even when he dropped out of high school. 
"She was a wonderful, strong woman," wrote Cummings. "My father was abusive to her, and yet way back in the 1940s she had the strength to grab me and leave him."  Cummings said there will be no funeral service and asked that no flowers or donations be made in her memory.   

re:  ON THE RADIO:
>>>Just saw in Chicagoland Radio and Media that last Saturday was the last show of Mike Baker's Forgotten 45's, after broadcasting it on WJJG for 17 years.  How is it even REMOTELY possible that this is the FIRST TIME I've EVER heard about this program?!?!?  (kk)
I just wanted to say I, too, have never heard of the "Forgotten 45's Show" on WJJG.  Wonder what we were missing???  In an effort to fix my oldies cravings I have been listening to lots of Herb Kent on V103.  He'll pull on some real rare ones that don't ever get played.  Also, looking forward to the Jeff James collaboration!!!!
AJK (The Youngest Oldies Freak Around)
I tried to listen to Mike's last program on Saturday ... but had all kinds of difficulties doing so.  First of all, neither the Chicagoland Radio and Media article OR the station's own website told what time Mike's show was on the air.  Then, after giving it a shot every hour from noon until three, it finally came on ... but the online stream for WJJG is absolutely HORRENDOUS!!!  It kept cutting out repeatedly ... and then back-tracking and overlapping with the same material on top of itself ... making it nearly impossible to listen to.  So I figured I'd just drive around for an hour and listen to it in the car ... but the radio couldn't pick up the signal for AM1530 either.  VERY annoying!!!  Mike kicked off his show with some real local flavor ... "Lake Shore Drive" (including a little bit of a "custom version" like Skip Haynes made for us a couple of years ago), "Sugar And Spice", "Vehicle" ... but then he played a couple of things that I wouldn't really consider Forgotten 45's at all. ("Best Of My Love" by The Emotions???  I probably hear that one three or four times a week!)  Anyway, I sent Mike an email and told  him about what WE do here in Forgotten Hits ... and invited him to join in on the fun.  Haven't heard anything back yet, but hopefully he'll check us out and maybe even provide a few tidbits in the issues to come.
I'm excited about the Jeff James broadcast, too.  I blew my first chance to do this when my work schedule got RIDICULOUSLY out of hand again ... 12-14 hour days and weekends ... made it impossible to get anything together in time to do Jeff's program ... but we're going to give it another shot in a couple of weeks and hopefully I'll soon be able to report when and where you can check these out.  Meanwhile, do yourself a favor and visit Jeff's YouTube Page, where he has TONS of old episodes of "From The Vault" available for your perusal!!!  (kk)

re:  DISCO NIGHTS: 
The Disco Nights circa late 70’s / early 80’s consisted of the gang heading to a Gin Mill for 2 or 3 hours of pounding pitchers of beer & shots. Sufficiently plastered, onward to the dance joints to find pretty ladies. Women in the 70’s looked nice in their dresses at the Discos, but the Guys! What a hideous sight that was! Yeesh! Leisure Suits, Polyester suits, Ugly shirts, Platform Shoes, Bad Flares, Ugly Chains, Permed hair! Christ, What a Mess! It was cooler hanging out with Punks!
As for The Bee Gees, they had great stuff in the 60’s, especially 67 & earlier. Great Beatles influenced Pop Rock. Their early 70’s music is pretty decent, but the stuff from Jive Talkin forward was almost all an unlistenable falsetto hell.  Some of that era of music had an impact, but mostly a bad impact. I would have put them in to the RR HOF for their 60’s music, but I probably would have penalized them 10 more years for the later stuff! Getting extremely drunk to listen to the Disco hits of the day was the only way you could stand it. LOL  
Ken
I just never got into the whole disco scene ... I never played "dress up" in order to fit in ... and, simply put, I didn't dance ... so the whole era was lost on me.  It all looked so fake and superficial ... but, at the time, if you were out to meet women, that's where you had to go.  I hung out with a couple of guys who were truly into the scene ... as such, I found myself bored, hanging out at the table, most often alone ... it didn't really bother me ... but I couldn't help thinking how we used to PLAY at this joint (or something along those lines).  As such, I, too, drifted more toward real rock and roll ... and there was a TON of great stuff coming out in the late '70's and early '80's of that genre ... the stuff we all call "classic rock" today.
As for The Bee Gees, I will admit to overdosing on the over-usage of falsetto by the time of the "Spirits Having Flown" album ... I always felt that they should have used it more as a special "novelty treat", pulled out of the hat now and again to liven things up, rather than define their whole new sound around it ... but up until then I had the utmost respect for the way they re-invented themselves with this whole new sound.  (Points taken off for their foray into "Sgt. Pepper" ... which kinda killed any early Beatles-comparisons I might have had for the band back in the "New York Mining Disaster" days!  I mean, they were singing with Alice Cooper and Steve Martin for Christ's sake!!!)
All-in-all, I still have to consider myself to be a MAJOR Bee Gees fan.  Their consistent catalog of material for the past 40-some years is virtually unmatched ... and throws them into a VERY exclusive, elite club that includes The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones ... and virtually no one else.  For that alone, I give them MAJOR kudos.  (kk)   

I was rocking along nicely in the 70's and as a non-clubbing, non-dancing, long-hair, who wouldn't wear the club 'clown suits' but mostly I wasn't happy at all with the 'sound' ... (that ONE pounding beat behind every song drove me nuts)!
A musician friend told me of the 'cycle' ... ie ... when rock is needing a 'rest' (not the best material coming out) ... music turns to dance ... and then back again, re-discovered ... (like yo-yo's being popular every other generation) ... original rockers taken over by the dance crazes of the early 60's ... then the folk and rock (with The Beatles leading the way) driving dance out ... and then back again with disco ... and now we have hip-hop.
With the information overload these days, you might be able to have multi-formats at the same time (both dancing and listening music) ... but time will tell if they 'split' and we go to less-dancing-listening-rock again.
THE BEE GEES???  I consider their career pre-Saturday Night Fever.  They DID put out a fantastic GREATEST HITS pre-1980 that it still one of my favorite albums.  I thought THEIR disco was a step-down and out-right silly (but profitable).  I can listen to disco as oldies ... (Donna Summer had some that 'overcome' disco, as did others, and I listen to them fondly) ... but I never warmed up to the disco, falsetto, white-suited, Bee Gee brothers.  I'm sorry their legacy isn't the pre-disco greats they had ... I'm just sayin' ...
Gary Renfield
I hated the exceptionally long dance mixes the discos played, too ... take a three or four minute song and stretch it out for 20 minutes of the same, repetitive beat which ultimately just morphed into another song that offered more of the same ... a lot of today's music reminds me of that ... where you can't really distinguish one song from another because they're all made to sound so similar so as to "blend" into this whole listening mix.  I guess I've always been more of one for "originality" ... and songs that can stand alone on their own merit.   
Most of the '60's and early '70's Bee Gees music has been overlooked by radio of late ... you might hear "I've Gotta Get A Message To You" once in a while ... or maybe "To Love Somebody" ... but that's about it.  ALL of the focus seems to be on the 1975 - 1979 era of "Main Course" and "Saturday Night Fever" ... and, as such, in many people's minds, that's all they've become ... when, in fact, The Bee Gees contributed SO much more.
Seriously ... scroll back and look at our Bee Gees Hit List from a month or so back ... their catalog is nothing short of INCREDIBLE!  (kk)  
Click here: Forgotten Hits: Search results for bee gees hit list 

Kent,
Do you have occasional flashbacks that are so clear and precise that they could have happened yesterday ... or this morning? I experienced one of those while reading today's FH. I'm certain I haven't heard the song "Mr. Natural " since the spring of '74, but Clark's mention of it transported me to the day we received it and decided to add it to our playlist. I was thinking it was March of '74, so I looked it up to see if I was close. I found that it was indeed March, 1974, and was only on the Hot 100 chart for three weeks, peaking at number 93. We played it for a good six - to - eight weeks. As I type this, I am "seeing" the 45 spinning on the turntable, thinking this should be a big hit. But it wasn't. It's a major IRS, to use Rich Appel's term.
David Lewis


By this point The Bee Gees had fallen off the radar a couple of times already ... their last really big '60's hit was "First Of May", which reached #18 in the Spring of 1969.  We wouldn't hear from them again in Chicago until late 1970 when "Lonely Days" shot up to the top of the charts.  It was a WHOLE new sound ... and I LOVED it.  A few more Top 20 Hits followed ... "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" (#1, 1971); "My World" (#15, 1972) and "Run To Me" (#11, 1972) ... and then they were gone again until "Jive Talkin'" took them back to the top of the charts in 1975.
Being COMPLETELY bowled over by the "Main Course" album ... (it remains to this day one of my all-time favorite LPs) ... I was naturally curious to see what took them there ... what had I missed between the lushly produced and heavily orchestrated "Run To Me" to the unmistakable beat of "Jive Talkin'" ... so I picked up a copy of "Mr. Natural" to see just what kind of stepping stone it really was.  Try as I might, I could NOT get into this album ... it was COMPLETELY lost on me ... and I found no appeal whatsoever between the grooves ... making the brilliance of "Main Course" even that much more dramatic to my ears.  And they kept it going ... from "Children Of The World" to "Saturday Night Fever" to "Spirits Having Flown", The Bee Gees stepped into a zone of non-stop success ... pretty amazing for a band that had already been around our consciousness for a decade!  But my how they had changed.
I've tried listening to tracks from "Mr. Natural" since ... and they still don't work for me ... although I will admit that the title track sounded pretty good when I played it today!    That's OK ... to each his own.  For me "Main Course" is pure magic ... and the caliber of that album stands the test of time ... and that's good enough for me!  (kk)

re:  ON THE ROAD AGAIN:
With Eagle bandmates Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh both putting together solo tours this spring and summer, bassist Timothy B. Schmit has lined up some solo dates as well.  (We hear that Walsh ... who'll be performing here at Naperville's Rib Fest ... has reunited The James Gang for this tour!) 

Here's a look at Timothy's itinerary ...
May 28th - The Hamilton (Washington, DC)
May 29th - B.B. King's Blues Clube  (New York, NY)
May 31st - Keswick Theatre (Glenside, PA)
June 2nd - Ridgefield Playhouse  (Ridgefield, CT)
June 4th - Rama Head On Stage  (Annapolis, MD)
June 6th - Three Rivers Arts Festival  (Pittsburgh, PA)
June 8th - The Paramount  (Huntington, NY)
June 9th - The Newton Theatre  (Newton, NJ)  

After a successful run of winter shows, groundbreaking vocalist, songwriter and bass player TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT -- well-known for his work as a member of the EAGLES and Poco -- is gearing up for a Spring U.S. Tour with his band starting May 19. For the three-week trek, TIMOTHY and his full band will perform songs from his fifth solo album EXPANDO as well as gems by the EAGLES and Poco.
TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT explains the impetus for the spring run of dates:
"What I like best about doing solo shows is it gives me a chance to interact with the audience in a smaller, more intimate setting. But, don't get me wrong. I very much enjoy being a part of the Eagles and all it implies. For instance, as of this writing, I find myself in a hotel in the exotic city of Dubai where we (the Eagles) will end a short tour that started in South Africa. After a few more scattered shows in the U.S., I look forward to taking my own band out on the road and having a completely different experience. I'm a fortune man. I get the best of both worlds."
The spring trek will take TIMOTHY and his bandmates to clubs offering an intimate vibe. 
See above for a full list of dates and details.  

It looks like Glenn Frey's scheduled solo dates may have already passed ... but here's the lastest from Joe Walsh ...  

May 27th - Riverfront Park  (Little Rock, AR)
May 31st - Toledo Zoo Amphitheater (Toledo, OH)
June 2nd - Stage AE  (Pittsburgh, PA)
June 30th - Ribfest  (Naperville, IL)
July 3rd - Summerfest  (Milwaukee, WI)
July 4th - Dublin Coffman High School  (Dublin, OH)
July 10th - Common Ground Music Festival  (Lansing, MI)
July 13th - Stiefel Theatre For The Performing Arts  (Salina, KS)
July 14th - Riverside Casino and Golf Resort (Riverside, IA)
July 28th - Sioux Falls Jazz Fest  (Sioux Falls, SD)
August 1st - Cape Cod Melody Tent  (Hyannis, MA)
August 3rd - South Shore Music Circus  (Cohasset, MA)
August 7th - Mayo PAC  (Morristown, NJ)
August 10th - Hampton Beach Casino  (Hampton, NH)
August 11th - Seneca Allegany Casino And Hotel  (Salamanca, NY)
August 13th - The Filene Center At Wolf Trap  (Vienna, VA)
August 18th - Belly Up  (Aspen, CO)
August 19th - The Hudson Gardens Events Center  (Littleton, CO)
August 21st - Gallivan Center  (Salt Lake City, UT)
August 24th - Little Creek Casino Resort (Shelton, WA)
August 25th - Oregon State Fair  (Salem, OR)
August 30th - Tuslip Resort Casino Amphitheatre  (Tulsip, WA)
September 1st - River Rock Casino Resort  (Richmond, BC, Canada)
September 2nd - Mill Bay Casino  (Manson, WA)
September 30th - Montalvo Arts Center  (Saratoga, CA)   

Hi Kent,
Hope you're having a pleasant holiday weekend.
I just wanted to let you know that I was recently asked to join the Dovells
(Bristol Stomp, You Can't Sit Down, Bristol Twistin' Annie, Hully Gully) on bass and vocals.  I've know them since I mc'd the opening act for their / our 1975 Steel Pier (Atlantic City) show when I led the Jill Babylove (disco) band.  The Rip Chords, which I also led, were / are in the same management office so our friendship grew.  It's nice to be out there playing once again in this arena.  I played my first show with them on May 20th and I'm looking forward to a good summer.
All the best to you and all your readers,
Bob Rush (Dr. Robert, American Correspondent for "The Beat" Magazine, U.K.)   

re:  THE BEACH BOYS:
I think your daughter did a great job on Beach Boys review.
You should give her a raise in pay . LoL !!
I'll get you in trouble if I keep writing.
Frank B.
Actually I wasn't going to disclose this ... but since she did such a great job, I gave her 100% of EVERYTHING I made doing Forgotten Hits this past week ... now how's THAT for a big-hearted Dad?!?!?  (Of course 100% of zero is still zero ... but it's the thought that counts, right???)  kk   

re:  AND, SPEAKING OF GOOD REVIEWS ... :
You just gained a ton of additional credibility for shooting straight with us on Irene's "book".
David Lewis
I had to ... uncomfortable as it was, people have to know that they're going to get the real lowdown in Forgotten Hits ... good, bad or otherwise.  And I seriously hope that Irene keeps an open and objective mind, reviews her work to date and then kicks it up a notch before she releases her Jonathan Frid book.  (Don't know that that'll happen ... but it was worth a shot!)  kk
 
re:  NEW RELEASES:
Here's something for Motown fans to rejoice about -- Diana Ross' legendary Central Park concert from 1983 has finally made it to DVD.  The disc is produced by Shout Factory and includes both days from the event.  Day 1 of her free concert was rained out, and she promised to return the next day to finish the show.  Indeed she did, causing herself to foot the bill for most of the unplanned second day.  At last, both days can be seen on the DVD set.
http://www.amazon.com/Diana-Ross-Live-Central-Park/dp/B007OAAK0O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338223802&sr=8-1
And now fans of Diana, Mary, and Florence have something more to add to their lists ...   The Supremes At the Copa is finally released by Hippo-Select as an expanded 2-disc set.  The legendary appearance by America's top group of the 1960's marks the only live album from the group's "classic" line-up.
http://www.amazon.com/At-Copa-Expanded-Edition-Supremes/dp/B007TKBCVA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1338224025&sr=1-1
AJK 
Add to these the recently released compilation of The Supremes' performances on The Ed Sullivan Show and you've got three VERY supreme additions to your collection!  (kk)
Just listened to the new Eric Burdon track. It sounds like "Take The Long Way Home" to me.  No? 
John Harrold 
Kent ... 
Just listened to Eric Burdon's "Memorial Day" again.  
"A rich man's war, but the poor will pay."   Reminds me of "Sky Pilot." 
I like it.  
Frank B.  
For some reason, I cannot get this track to play!!! I've tried it over a dozen times now and each and every time, nothing!!!  I even wrote to Bob Merlis (who provided us with a link to the site) but he says he's not aware of any problems.  Meanwhile, I got emails from six other Forgotten Hits Readers who were having the same problem I was ... so who knows!!!  Obviously some of you got to hear it ... and the counter kept increasing once we ran the link ... so I'm not quite sure what's up here!  If I can sang an MP3, I'll rerun it on the site later this week so that others can enjoy it, too.  (kk)
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