Three Dog Night

Sharing some of your comments today ...     

Hi Kent, 
Thanks for the review. Glad they are still sounding good. I haven't seen the 2 Dogs for a while now, but they were always great. 
Just thought I should correct you on a couple things, though. 
Maybe others already have. <grin> 
The guys that were the players back in the day were actually part of the 3 Dog Night brand -- it wasn't just the 3 singers. Also Jimmy Greenspoon did leave for a while, not exactly sure when, but he was replaced by Frank "Skip" Konte who had been in Blues Image. As I recall he was quite a shoman. I think I have a PBS show with "the dogs" on it in the days when he was playing. I know he was on the album Hard Labor. 
Bill  
I was simply referring to the fact that they have managed to maintain a relationship with Greenspoon for some nearly fifty years ... I believe drummer Floyd Sneed has also returned to the fold at various times over the years.  But they were, without a doubt, a cracker-jack band and had a HUGE amount to do with the sound of their success.  Their line-up during the biggest hit years also included Mike Alllsup on guitar and Joe Schermie on bass.

The players that Cory and Danny are touring with now are no slouches either ... all are seasoned musicians who have played with any number of name artists throughout the years ... and they're able to recreate this sound to perfection on the live stage.  All in all a very enjoyable show.  (kk)   

Hi Kent, 
Nice to see you and Frannie last night ... I thought the show was excellent too.  Too bad that's the last one at EGV ... they've been good.  Thanks to Murray and Elk Grove Village for bringing out some good old bands. Hope it continues next year.  
Marlene  
We've seen some great shows there over the years ... Dean Torrence and The Surf City All-Stars, Micky Dolenz, The Chicago Gold Sounds of The Cryan' Shames, Dennis Tufano, Ronnie Rice and Jimy Sohns ... and it sounds like the budget has already been approved for next year ... so we're already looking forward to that.  It's a nice place to see a show (although I think it's rained probably 50% of the times I've been there!  lol But that's not Elk Grove's fault.)  You GOTTA sit up close though ... if you go too far back, the echo between the buildings makes it almost unlistenable.  (kk)   

We were at the Three Dog Night concert last night, too, and just read your review --- and agree completely with everything you said.  Of course, it would have been nice to see Chuck there, too, but Cory and Danny still put on a great show.  I'm so glad we went. 
Rick   

Things have never been the same since Wells and Hutton severed ties with Chuck Negron ... but perhaps all is not "roses and rainbows" between these two guys either.  We heard from different three readers this week, ALL of whom wished to remain anonymous, who have done shows with the two-thirds version of Three Dog Night over the years, and all of them told us that, despite what you see on stage, Danny and Cory really do not get along at all ... in fact, they don't even speak to each other offstage.  We've heard that they typically enter from different sides of the stage, they have separate limos and their rooms are on different floors of the hotel and that they literally don't socialize or have anything to do with one another once the show is over.  I can only say that I saw no evidence of this at all at this week's concert.  The guys DID enter the stage together and seemed to genuinely have a good time up there, putting on a GREAT show for the large crowd on hand.  They're still making brand new music together (and it sounds great, too) and we found it to be a very enjoyable concert experience.  

Fact is, if it was only about the money, they would have invited Chuck back ages ago ... these guys are passing up untold millions by not doing the full-blown reunion.  They'd be playing to sold out world tours in huge arenas, just like the good old days, instead of casinos and outdoor fairs. 
It's funny 'cause when you're a trio and one-third is gone, it REALLY shows ... especially if your name is THREE Dog Night!!!  Let's face it, Dan Peek left America and Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley have continued on to great success ever since without him, never missing a beat.  Today we look at America as a duo, no questions asked. (Of course Dan's recent passing now makes this a permanent arrangement ... but these guys have been playing together now nonstop for 45 years!!!  It's kind of like Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman of The Turtles ... they've put together a partnership that has lasted longer than most businesses, doing what they love doing the most.)  Kudos to Danny and Cory for keeping it together ... they don't need Chuck's voice to carry on the sound (although, as I mentioned in the review, there were a couple of rough spots where it was noticeably missing) and the sentimental, nostalgist in all of us wishes that everybody could just play nice and get along ... but this isn't the case here.  The good news is that now you get to see BOTH camps out on tour ... but one big final reunion ... even for a live television special or something ... sure would be nice.  These guys were KINGS of the pop world back in the day.  

By the way, I forgot to mention in my review that Cory Wells displayed the old show-biz adage "The Show Must Go On" that night.  Delta Airlines lost his luggage so he had to perform in "casual wear" instead of his usual on-stage garb.  Didn't matter ... Tuesday night is was all about the sound.

I saw Three Dog Night three times back in the '70's ... they were, without a doubt, one of my favorite bands of this era.  The first time was at the old Chicago Auditorium Theater ... and their warm-up act that night was the virtually unknown Elton John!  Elton had yet to have a hit here yet ("Your Song" would follow just a few months later) but Three Dog Night had already recorded a few of his tunes for their albums (including that one!) and they invited him out to tour with them to help break him in America.  (Yes, they had that kind of power back then!)  Three Dog Night ALWAYS had an ear for a good tune ... and introduced us to SO many great songwriters back then, many of whom later went on to have hits of their own.  They were very big on the Randy Newman sound and cut several of his tunes ("Mama Told Me Not To Come" being the biggest, a #1 Hit in 1970) ... as well as Nilsson ("One"), Leo Sayer (the above-featured "The Show Must Go On" ... Leo had several hits in the '70's, kicking off with "Long Tall Glasses" shortly after his big Three Dog Night payday), Dave Loggins ("Pieces Of April" and "Til The World Ends" and Hoyt Axton ("Joy To The World", their biggest hit, and "Never Been To Spain".)  They also recorded three Top 20 Paul Williams tunes ("Family Of Man" along with "An Old Fashioned Love Song" and "Out In The Country".  In fact, Danny says that Williams gave them both of those songs together on the same demo tape for consideration, along with a third track ... "We've Only Just Begun", which went on to top the charts for The Carpenters!)  Cory, Danny and Chuck had an impeccable ear for a hit song and, as we showed you the other day, they went on to score 21 one big ones ... 21 Top 40 Hits in a row from 1969 - 1975.  Wow!  (kk)  

Two Dog Night is one of the best concerts I've seen live (however for my money I'd say the Moody Blues put on a better show, and when I saw the Beach Boys on the 50th Anniversary tour I thought they sounded better, too). I don't think re-adding Chuck to the group would make them sound better as a group (and I think they know it) but it would've made the show even more enjoyable. I saw Chuck on the Happy Together tour and I felt that his voice was a little rough around the edges, though given all he's been through I'm not surprised. It could also be that he may have had a cold, as some of the other performers did and they sounded worse than usual too, but this was the only time I had seen Chuck live. From the stage, Chuck did appear to at least feel sad about not having the other members of Three Dog Night on the stage with him (and he did mention them by name a few times), and it's a shame that a group with all of their primary vocalists still living can't patch things up after almost 30 years ... I guess the group figures they have a good thing going so why mess it up, yet they don't seem to realize how huge their tour could be if they would just let Chuck back into the group ... even if it were for only a few shows a year with him. The most recent time I saw 3DN live, someone shouted "Where's Chuck?" to which one of the others replied "I don't know, he's probably at home".
I just think that if the original members of the Rascals can reunite after so many decades apart, why not Three Dog Night? 
Tom Diehl  
I would agree with that assessment ... Two Dog Night don't need to bring Chuck back to sell out shows and put on a good show ... and they must have invested well and don't need the money that a full-blown reunion could bring in.  Like I said, I get it ... Chuck burst their bubble when the band was sitting on top of the world ... and that's hard to forgive.  But it HAS been nearly 40 years now ... and he's clean and sober and out there singing these same songs anyway.  I'd love to see it happen ... but the truth is THAT show would sell out so fast, I might not even be able to get a ticket!  Now I can just grab a lawn chair or head out to a casino and know that I'll get a seat!  And STILL see a great show!  (kk) 

>>>One thing I've got to say is that back in the day, Three Dog Night had one of the best back-up bands around ... these guys totally killed and were often given their own spotlight as part of the show.  (kk)  
Live at the Forum (one of my top 10 live albums) is testament to that.  
KKiley (from Jersey!)  
And that was really early on in their career ... their biggest hits were still ahead of them at that point!  But the label wanted to capture the magic of their live shows and rushed out this LP.  As a fan of this album, you might be pleased to know that the guys have put "It's For You" back in the act, exercising those same vocal gymnastics amongst all of the members that they used to do as a trio back in the day.  Personally, I never particularly cared for their rendition of this little known Lennon-McCartney tune, but I think I was in the minority ... and the crowd sure seemed to love it Tuesday night, too!  (kk)

Kent,

A two out of three dogs concert was one of the first non-British Invasion concerts I took my children to see.  Since then, we have had the pleasure of also experiencing one dog out of three.  The incurable romantic in me agrees with your suggestion about a reunion.  I have been able to imagine all three on stage at both types of concerts.  I would love to actually see it.  It would require harmony off-stage that was sincere though, or the harmonies on-stage would come out sour.  Another lesson from the 60's:  Life isn't always as we would wish it.  We need to strive to change the wrongs into rights, but that is many times more difficult than we first imagined.

Shelley J. Sweet-Tufano 

It's strange that we never hear "Liar" on oldies radio, and serves as another example of a great Forgotten Hit that charted rather high. My wife references it often, though. When she senses I'm not being thoroughly transparent about something, she immediately says "There's a Three Dog Night song about you, David." It doesn't get played around the house or car, so tonight I played it on YouTube and after three seconds she yelled "That's Liar." 
David Lewis  
Yep, it's a good one ... and I'm betting that a few of the jocks on our list dug this one out of mothballs, too, to play it on their programs this week.  Here's the Argent original for the benefit of anyone who may not have heard it before.  (kk)

 

CORRECTION:
The other day I mentioned the fact that Danny Hutton recorded the Brian Wilson track "Time To Get Alone" prior to launching Three Dog Night ... but the band (Redwood) had to pull the record back when The Beach Boys decided to record this track themselves.
Well, further research shows 
A) That Brian Wilson actually gave them TWO tracks to record ... and even helped produce the session.  Neither track was commercially released by Redwood, as The Beach Boys released them both themselves.  The other track?  Their Top Ten Hit "Darlin'"!
And ...
B) Cory Wells and Chuck Negron BOTH sang on these recordings with Danny.  Just think ... if these HAD been released and had become early hits for the group, they may never have become Three Dog Night and we might know them today only as Redwood ... in which case TWO guys performing as three guys probably wouldn't phase anybody!!!  (lol)  kk

Six Great Songs You Probably Won't Hear On The Radio Today

Bonus points to any DJ on the list who features three of these songs on their program today. (kk)

Three Dog Night

Although it rained for a good while both before and during the show, the weather did nothing to dampen the spirits of the large crowd gathered to see Three Dog Night perform a free, live concert in Elk Grove Village last night ... in fact, it's probably one of the biggest turn-outs this series has ever seen.   

Cory Wells and Danny Hutton were both in fine voice as they rattled through their hits in quick succession.  (The missing third of the original line-up, Chuck Negron, blows through town in a couple of weeks as part of The Happy Together Tour.)  

The set kicked off with what can best be described as two classic Forgotten Hits ... "Family Of Man" and "One Man Band".  More hits followed.  (Three Dog Night scored 21 consecutive Top 40 Hits between 1969 and 1975, an INCREDIBLE track record ... and they performed most of them last night.  You can check out the complete Three Dog Night Hit List below.)   

In addition to classic gems like "Black And White", "Shambala", "Out In The Country", "An Old Fashioned Love Song", "Eli's Coming", "Celebrate" and "Never Been To Spain", we were also treated to a couple of vintage album tracks (like their earlier-than-Joe-Cocker version of "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and the title track from their "It Ain't Easy album) as well as two brand-new tunes from their forth-coming album that Wells promises should be out "by 2035".  (You can check out these tracks on their official website ... www.threedognight.com ... "Prayer of the Children" proves just how strong these guys are vocally ... they performed a letter-perfect rendition last night that rivaled some of the best Beach Boys harmonies you've ever heard.)   

I won't say that Chuck's voice wasn't missed ... he provided the high end of those classic harmonies and really drove home Chuckcentric songs like "One" and "Joy To The World", which the band featured as their final encore.  They also did an updated, rap version of their #1 Hit "Mama Told Me Not To Come" that Frannie hated but I thought was a clever idea that simply went on far too long.  (Do the faithful version as you did and then cut the gimmick down to about a third of what you did last night and you'll probably retain more of your audience's attention.)  

It's too bad the guys can't mend the fences after all these years ... a full-blown Three Dog Night reunion tour would generate millions and sell out theaters around the world.  (We recently ran a video clip of deejay Jimmy Jay interviewing Chuck Negron backstage after one of his shows.  He blames the failure to put things back together squarely on Danny Hutton.)  Read Chuck's book, "Three Dog Nightmare" to find out how his drug abuse ultimately did in the band, at the time the #1 recording and touring act on the planet.  It's understandable why there might be some hard feelings between the two camps ... these guys were literally on top of the world.  It's one of the best rock biographies you'll ever read.  But Chuck's been clean and sober for decades now, out doing his own shows.  One can only imagine the intense excitement a full reunion could generate.)  That being said, long-time keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon is still onboard.  He's been playing with Cory and Danny since 1965, before Three Dog Night even existed!  (One thing I've got to say is that back in the day, Three Dog Night had one of the best back-up bands around ... these guys totally killed and were often given their own spotlight as part of the show.)  

Last night's performance was a fast-paced, very entertaining show. Between songs, both Cory and Danny recount humorous stories and experiences ... they've really got their show down pat.  (The guys seem to be really big on the casino circuit lately.  Last year they completely sold out The Arcada Theatre at tickets close to $100 ... so seeing them for free in Elk Grove Village last night was an especially sweet treat for local fans, who turned out in droves to see the concert.)  If there was one disappointment, it's that in all the recollections of their hey-day they never even once mention or acknowledge the fact that they accomplished this incredible career as a trio. 

Three Dog Night continues to tour extensively (and there's a great video available, now out of print, of them performing with The Tennessee Symphony Orchestra through Amazon.com)

Click here: Amazon.com: Three Dog Night - Live with the Tennessee Symphony Orchestra: Three Dog Night: Movies & TV

Highly recommended if they hit your area.    

TODAY'S FORGOTTEN HIT:  
An absolute concert highlight for me last night was their spot-on rendition of "Liar", a #6 national hit from 1971.  For some reason, you never hear this one on the radio ... and it deserves, at the very least, an occasional spin. 
The song was first recorded by Argent.  Keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon heard it and immediately called Cory Wells, for whom he then played it over the phone in one of those "you've just got to hear this" moments.  The rest, as they say, is history.

DIDJAKNOW?:  
We mentioned earlier that the boys performed their new track "Prayer for the Children" displaying harmonies worthy of The Beach Boys ... but DIDJAKNOW that there is an actual Beach Boys connection to Three Dog Night? 
Danny Hutton has been a long-time friend of Brian Wilson.  Hutton started with a solo career (and even toured as part of Dick Clark's Caravan Of Stars back in the day ... in fact, that is how he first met Cory Wells, in 1965). 
Just prior to launching Three Dog Night, Danny was fronting another band called Redwood, who secured a recording contract.  Brian Wilson gave the band a song to record, "Time To Get Alone" ... but then had to pull it back from the band when The Beach Boys decided they wanted to cut it themselves.  As such, this one sat unreleased for decades, Redwood disbanded, Three Dog Night united and history was forever rewritten.  We've got that extremely rare Redwood track to share with you today.  (We featured The Beach Boys' version as part of our time sweep last Friday!)

THE THREE DOG NIGHT HIT LIST:  
One misnomer I'd like to correct.  Early in the set last night, Cory Wells made a comment that Chicago was one of the last major cities to climb onboard the Three Dog Night bandwagon as the group was starting to make it ... but that once they did, Chicago became a very supportive city and a favorite place for the band to play. 
This simply isn't the case.  The song that most consider to be Three Dog Night's break-through single, "One", went all the way to #1 here in Chicago in 1969, a feat it didn't even accomplish in Billboard Magazine where it peaked at #5.  In fact, their follow-up single, "Easy To Be Hard", ALSO topped the Chicagoland charts despite stopping at #4 in Billboard.  In all, Three Dog Night scored 18 consecutive Top 20 Hits in Chicago, including six #1's, one #2 and three #3's.  This hardly sounds lackluster to me!!!  A close analysis of this chart will show that in nearly every instance, their records performed better here locally than they did on the national charts.   (Truth be told, Three Dog Night's records consistently performed better in Cash Box Magazine and Record World than they did in Billboard.) 

Here is the complete Three Dog Night Hit List, highlighting the highest national peak for each record as well as how these tunes scored here in Chicago.  Impressive doesn't even begin to describe this track record ... you'd be hard pressed to name many other bands who put together this kind of a recording legacy.  (kk)  

1969 - Nobody  (National - 72 / Chicago - 28)

1969 - Try A Little Tenderness (22 / --)

1969 - One  (1 / 1)

1969 - Easy To Be Hard  (1 / 1)

1969 - Eli's Coming  (7 / 3)

1970 - Celebrate  (11 / 7)

1970 - Mama Told Me Not To Come (1 / 1)

1970 - Out In The Country  (9 / 7)

1971 - One Man Band  (11 / 15)

1971 - Joy To The World  (1 / 1)

1971 - Liar  (6 / 10)

1971 - An Old Fashioned Love Song  (4 / 3)

1972 - Never Been To Spain  (3 / 5)

1972 - The Family Of Man  (8 / 6)

1972 - Black And White  (1 / 1)

1973 - Pieces Of April  (18 / 2)

1973 - Shambala  (1 /1)

1973 - Let Me Serenade You  (12 / 8)

1974 - The Show Must Go On  (1 / 3)

1974 - Sure As I'm Sittin' Here  (16 / 11)

1974 - Play Somethin' Sweet  (24 / 20)

1975 - Til The World Ends  (22 / 14)

Coppock's Topics

Completely this week's "Twin Bill / Doubleheader" ... 

Another edition of Coppock's Topics ...

More of Chet Coppock's free-form musical observations ...

EXCLUSIVELY in Forgotten Hits!  

Eric Burdon and the Animals knocked the ball out of the park with their 1965 classic, "Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood." But, time out! Eric's vocal finishes in the runner up spot behind Joe Cocker's gritty- guts out performance of the song some four years later on his debut album.  

I'm just curious. Does anybody know if on again - off again, from time to time, Beach Boy, David Marks, collects any dough in royalties? It seems like the reunited Beach Boys were at the Chicago Theatre about, you know, a year ago. 

Do yourself a favor. Log on to youtube and check out the Fantastic Four's "You Gave Me Something." It’s a soul classic that was on the charts in Chicago on old WVON in the mid-60's for about 12 minutes. Just a melodically beautiful song. 

Reflections of Fleetwood Mac, who recently performed at the United Center. I never dreamed I would see Lindsey Buckingham covering notes that Stevie Nicks couldn’t reach if you gave her a 50 foot pole. 

Speaking of which, has it been 25 or 30 years since Roger Daltrey was capable of hitting every note on "Baba O'Riley?" How many people do you know who think think "Baba", released a mere 42 years ago on "Who's Next" is actually "Teenage Wasteland?"   

Styx should be ashamed of the way it has treated songwriting genius Dennis DeYoung. Dennis, of course, is a big time White Sox fan. I recall him flying former Sox boss Tony La Russa on the group's private jet to a Midwest concert one day after the Southsiders were bumped out of the 1983 ALCS by the O's. Hello, do the other Styx old timers ever remind themselves that Dennis wrote all six of the group's top 10 hits.  

Did you know that Terry Jack's lugubrious "Seasons in the Sun" was Billboard's #2 song on its 1974 top 100 scorecard … just back of Streisand's "The Way We Were." When I think of "Seasons" I genuinely believe that the arrival of Disco was a blessing.  

If you're scoring at home, the first 45 I ever bought - and still have - is Chuck Berry's phenomenal "Rock And Roll Music", purchased when Ike was in office. I still cringe whenever I hear The Beach Boys lame 1976 cover of that song. But, I break out in hives when I hear the genius of Chuck Berry covering the God-awful "My Ding a Ling." If someone can explain to me just how the hell that song was the St. Louis Tiger's only number one hit, please contact me on facebook or through Forgotten Hits. 

Finally, do you still find the Bobby Fuller 4's "I Fought The Law", a wonderful guilty pleasure?

The Semi-Great Debate

Our Forgotten Hits Buddy (and Chicagoland Sports Broadcasting Hall-of-Fame Legend) Chet Coppock is at it again ... only this time he's debating good ol' rock and roll with Keegan Goudie, who edits an blog on Electronic Dance Music.

Both have agreed to share their debate with our Forgotten Hits readers.  Enjoy! 

Debating Four Decades of Music: Rock N’ Roll vs. EDM   

What happens when a 23-year-old and a 63-year-old debate music? It becomes a holy war. Then eventually, it becomes a column idea.  

In the left corner, we have American Emmy award-winning sports journalist Chet Coppock. He’s otherwise known as the ‘Godfather of Sports Talk Radio”. His expertise is Chicago sports, but his first love is a little thing he likes to call Rock N’ Roll. 

In the right corner, we have Keegan Goudie, editor  / co-founder of Major Onions and Rager Onions. One blog covers Chicago sports, and the other covers Electronic Dance Music.  

In order to seek some generational sanity, we decided to give each other a little music lesson. And what’s the first rule about music? It differs by taste. Or age.  

Coppock gave the first jab, and Keegan retorted. Enjoy the melodic debate, folks.  

-- 
From: Chet Coppock 
To: Keegan Goudie 
Subject: Just take those old records off the shelf.  

Keegan, listen up kid - you walked into the wrong arena, matched up against the wrong fighter. You're riding Green Day? I'll raise you Eric Clapton and Cream. You want to hustle Linkin Park? Hey pal, have you ever heard the electric thunder of Jimi Hendrix?

By the way, just what is a Breaking Benjamin or 30 seconds to Mars? Don't you get it, K-man? My generation is Rock N’ Roll. We are the dance floor. We are Wolfman Jack and American Bandstand. We are Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Yardbirds, Steely Dan, Janis Joplin, Motown, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and the funky horns of the Memphis sound. For further education, check out Sam and Dave. 

So, let's weigh in. If you can match this three-banger, you win complimentary driving lessons from Justin Beiber. Or two seats in the 300-level to catch Lady Gaga at the United Center. 

Douse the house lights. Split the curtains. Here are my top three, knock down, in your face Rock N’ Roll songs of all time.  

3. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry  
"If you were to give Rock 'n Roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry” - John Lennon 
Berry, the incomparable St. Louis Tiger, is simply the most imitated guitar player of all time. 

"Johnny B. Goode" will always be his signature piece – a lesson in hot licks combined with the greatest vocal of Chuck's career.  

https://soundcloud.com/metal-duro/chuck-berry-johnny-b-goode   

2. L.A. Woman - The Doors  
Sizzling keyboard work from Ray Manzarek compliments the explosive vocal of Jim Morrison, who takes us on his own subterranean tour of the underbelly of "La La land." 

Dig it:  "Mr. Mo-Jo Risin'….Mr. Mo-Jo Ris'n." Roll down the windows and drive at least 96 mph.

https://soundcloud.com/pradaofficialsoundcloud/the-doors-l-a-woman 

1. Gimme Shelter – The Rolling Stones  
Simply the greatest rock song of all time, ‘Gimme Shelter’ is in a class of its own. 
Drummer Charlie Watts rips the skins to pieces with stirring, gut-wrenching rhythm. Keith Richard’s guitar work (lead and rhythm) begins in blues fashion before erupting into an explosive musical frenzy. Who can forget "guest" vocalist Merry Clayton wailing, "Rape…murder…it's just a shot away…its just a shot away.” Mick Jagger was never better. 
The song signals the end of the 60's, the conclusion of the Flower Child era, peace and love, and an evolution from hallucinogens to Studio 54. The eventual move from "Turn on-Tune in" to Disco. https://soundcloud.com/colorviento/the-rolling-stones-gimme   

--  
From: Keegan Goudie 
To: Chet Coppock 
Subject: RE: Just take those old records off the shelf.   

Hey Chet, go ahead and leave those records on the shelf. 

Haven’t you heard of Soundcloud? 

I have all the respect in the world for the list of musical dinosaurs you mentioned. But come on Chet, you’ve got to stop living in the past. Welcome to the digital age. An age of music where tunes can be modified in a million different ways, and musicians can recreate other artist’s work in their own creative style. Artists like Skrillex, Sub Focus, and Sound Remedy have taken hits and made them bigger than the original with their masterful renditions. Welcome to the beauty of electronic music.  

Linkin Park? Green Day? I’m not in 7^th grade anymore, dude. And if you think Rock N’ Roll was the dance floor, you’ve never been to a Pretty Lights concert. Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, and The Doors? Can’t complain with that artillery. As a matter of fact, I learned a lot about Chuck Berry during my senior year of college - thanks to the barrage of PBS documentaries that my American History professor forced down our throats. Even as a youngster, all of those names (especially Jim Morrison) scream one word to me: legendary. 

But you know what else is legendary? These three tracks: and my favorite EDM songs of all time. 

3. Feel So Close – Calvin Harris  
You actually might even recognize this one. Please meet Calvin Harris – one of the most talented producers in the game. He’s not just the nerd behind the computer for this one either, as he was the singer, songwriter, and producer of this modern-day masterpiece. 

It’s so good that some of the biggest names in the game spun their own remix to it, like Nero, Benny Benassi, and of course - Dillon Francis. But you’ll meet him in a minute.   

https://soundcloud.com/wynnsocial/feel-so-close-radio-edit   

2. Bonfire – Knife Party  

You think you’ve heard a banger, and then you hear Knife Party. ‘Bonfire’ is the quintessential example of a reggae-dubstep anthem. While I won’t sit here and try to explain the overwhelming number of sub-genres in EDM, I’ll just tell you that Knife Party haunts the world of dance music. In a good way. 

And if you didn’t nod your head at all to this epic jam, I’ll pay for your new speakers.   

https://soundcloud.com/knifepartyinc/knife-party-bonfire    

1. I.D.G.A.F.O.S. 2.0 – Dillon Francis  
And last but not least, my equivalent to your Mick Jagger. 
Funk lives vicariously through Dillon Francis’ music, and that’s a fact. He’s a party-boy, a wild child, and one incredibly talented musician. He’s become the king of Moombahton – a genre that was non-existent five years ago. 
And in case you were wondering, ‘I.D.G.A.F.O.S.’ stands for one thing, and one thing only: 

I don’t give a fuck or shit.   

https://soundcloud.com/dillonfrancis/dillon-francis-idgafos-2-0    

And there you have it ... a debate for the (modern) ages.  (I'm not quite sure we'll sway anybody with this one but hey, we're happy to share!)  kk  

Chet Coppock further expounds on the glories of good old rock and roll here: 

Click here: Contemporary Rock ‘n Roll is a Corpse on a Slab | NoozeBox.com#.UdOBjFX9kUg.email#.UdOBjFX9kUg.email

While Keegan Goudie does his best to convince us of the values of Electronic Dance Music here:

Click here: Rager Onions   

(Hey, no bias or prejudice here ... but we ARE after all an oldies music publication aren't we???  Convince me that ANY act featured on Keegan's list will someday be doing a "50 and Counting" tour.  This music is "of the moment" with a limited appeal to a very select audience.  Vintage Rock and Roll was for EVERYBODY ... and it TOUCHED everybody in its own unique way.  Very few of us loved it all ... and that list includes yours truly ... but like it or loathe it, we HEARD it and developed our taste from there.)  kk

 

The Sunday Comments ( 07 - 28 - 13 )

re:  APOLOGIES:  
As most of you figured out, my Yahoo Account got hacked this past week ... and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of emails were sent out to my various mailing lists ... so first of all, apologies to all of you who got this junk mail spam.  (I don't really use Yahoo for much of anything other than hosting the website ... in fact, the really BIZARRE part about all of this is that I don't use them to send out Forgotten Hits reminders because there are just too many names on the list ... and Yahoo won't give me a "bulk mail" account ... this is supposedly all part of their "cutting down on spam" policy ... and yet some hacker can get into my account and send their crap to THOUSANDS of those same names with no difficulty at all.  It'd be nice if somebody could explain THAT one to me some time!!!)  So anyway, apologies again ... and hopefully this problem has since been solved.  

re:  JJ:

No, not the "Dynomite!" guy ... and not the guy who produced "Lost" either ... but on Friday we lost singer / songwriter J.J. Cale.  Cale wrote a couple of big hits for Eric Clapton, including "Cocaine" and "After Midnight".  (In fact he scored a minor hit with his own version of "After Midnight" a few years after Eric's version climbed the charts, reaching #42.)

He ALSO recorded one of my All-Time Favorite Forgotten Hits of the '70's ... "Crazy Mama", a #22 Hit in 1972 ... and featured here today (because NOBODY on the radio seems to play it anymore!)  It's a great track ... and my way of paying tribute to this great artist.  (kk)

 

John Weldon "J.J." Cale, who wrote the Eric Clapton hits "Cocaine" and "After Midnight" (which was also was a #42 hit for J.J. in 1972) and performed the #22 hit, "Crazy Mama," in 1972, died Friday (July 26) in a hospital in La Jola, California after suffering a heart attack. The Oklahoma City native was 74. He was raised in Tulsa (his blend of blues, roots rock and country became known as the "Tulsa Sound") before moving to Los Angeles in the early '60s to be a recording engineer and artist. He moved back to Tulsa when his career didn't take off, only to be "discovered" when Eric recorded "After Midnight." All told, J.J. recorded 14 studio albums, but guested on dozens more. His other charted tunes were "Lies" (#42 - 1972) and "Hey Baby" (#96 - 1976). J.J. sings and plays guitar on Eric's latest album, on a track appropriately called "Angel."

-- Ron Smith  

Kent,
I just received an e-mail from a friend of mine here in the city saying that J.J. Cale passed away last night. When I think of him, I think of his earlier recordings on Chan Records which made our local survey here in OKC.  I am quite sure you already know of his passing.
Larry  

And this from Bish Krywko of WRLR ...

Songwriter J.J. Cale dies   by Ron Warnick

J.J. Cale, a Tulsa Central High School alum whose songs became hits for other artists and proved to be a huge influence on Eric Clapton, died of a heart attack Friday night. He was 74.

You can read all sorts of obituaries and tributes (including this one by roadie Dave Hoekstra). But one cannot compile a road-trip song list without having this Cale-written tune, a No. 1 hit for Don Williams in 1978.

According to one account, Cale cut his teeth musically at a club on Sheridan and 11th Street (aka Route 66) in Tulsa during the 1950s.

re:  THIS AND THAT:

Kent,

Plash Phelps just announced that Howard Kaylan will be playing his favorite 45's on Monday (July 29th) at noone ... I mean noon. 

Play 'YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN', Howard. hahahahahahaha (that's SiriusXM)

Shelley

In an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Paul McCartney (who's winding down his latest world tour) says he doesn't even think about retiring.  "I can't imagine ever not doing it. It's what I do, and it's what I've always done, and I love it so much."  Macca is still having fun ... and quite enjoys slipping in a few new Beatles and Wings songs into every new tour.  (Just think of the wealth of material to draw from!!!)

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-paul-mccartney-looks-back-on-his-latest-magical-mystery-tour-20130725#ixzz2a7L3f4ls  

And, talking about getting old, Happy Birthday (#70) to Mick Jagger!  

I just had to send this to you.  Very humorous.  It's a short read and guaranteed you'll enjoy it.

Dann Isbell
Click here: Mick Jagger, Birthday Boy - NYTimes.com  

Hi Kent,

I attended last night's Monkees show, which was great as in the review below.  I sat near Mark Volman who was on only a couple day break from his own Happy Together tour, but said he could not miss this show.

http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashvillecream/archives/2013/07/25/the-monkees-at-the-ryman-72413

Ed Salamon

Be sure to check out the cool slide show of photos, too ... good stuff.  Thanks, Ed!  (Man, I wish I could have seen this show!)  kk 

Speaking of The Monkees, Jeremy Roberts has a GREAT interview with Micky Dolenz up on his Examiner site.  You can check it out here:

Click here: A piercing 'Mommy and Daddy' conversation with Monkee Micky Dolenz - National Pop Culture | Examiner.com  

MOJO MAGAZINE, UK ... the rock music BIBLE for sure ... features The Beatles and Beatlemania in their August issue ... with fab quotes from TOMMY ROE on their '63 tour.  The September issue will feature a current interview with TOMMY on his new recordings, concerts, etc.

Rick Levy 

Hi to all my Oldies friends,

I posted a 3 minute celebration of my Ace CD on You Tube yesterday.

The photos and memorabilia are courtesy of my mother, the collector.  :-)

Just click the CD cover (below).         
          

              

Thanks to every one of you for the plays and for keeping our music alive and well.

Paul 

Wella wella!  Our Forgottten Hits friend Artie Wayne had two hits on Radio Caroline's charts this week in 1966!  ARSA just posted this one and there's #13 and 21 written by Artie!! 

http://www.las-solanas.com/arsa/charts_view.php?svid=33435

Clark  

Clark also tells us about some feuding going on within Cheap Trick ...  

Cheap Trick Drummer Sues The Rest Of The Band

Cheap Trick drummer Bun E Carlos has sued the rest of the band for hundreds of thousands of dollars, saying they have no right to keep using the band name without him.

He’s joined in the action by former manager David Frey, who says he’s still owed money for covering the band’s costs after the 2011 stage collapse which destroyed their equipment.
Carlos claims his ex-colleagues failed to stick to an agreement that saw him removed from the lineup while remaining a full member of the band for business purposes.
He was sidelined in 2010 and replaced by guitarist Rick Nielsen’s son Daxx, in circumstances which have never fully been explained. Cheap Trick said at the time: “Bun E Carlos is not currently the touring drummer for Cheap Trick. Bun E remains a band member. Everyone is healthy and Cheap Trick will continue to tour as planned.”
Last year the drummer admitted he hadn’t spoken to Nielsen, Robin Zander or Tom Petersson in some time, adding: “Solely as an accommodation to some of the band members I reluctantly agreed to take a temporary hiatus from touring. The other members have never seriously talked to me about leaving the band permanently.”
He was incensed after the band recorded a track for the Special Olympics without him, and said he’d consider legal action.
Now he and Frey have filed legal papers at Cook County Court, in which they say: “Plaintiffs are forced to bring this action against the three Defendants due to defendants’ outright refusal to account for, or pay, hundreds of thousands of dollars which are owed to each of the Plaintiffs, or to otherwise comply with their obligations to Plaintiffs.”
They allege that an agreement with Carlos meant he’s entitled to “receive all remuneration that would have been paid to him had he fully performed, without delay, penalty or offset.”
Frey says he advanced Cheap Trick nearly $400,000 via his credit card to cover the costs of replacing lost equipment following the Ottawa Bluesfest incident two years ago.
He alleges that $71,000 was still owed when they fired him, and while they sent a cheque to cover the amount, it bounced – and since then they haven’t taken any further action to resolve the debt.
The court papers continue: “Defendants have failed to provide any justification whatsoever for the wrongful actions which they have perpetrated against the Plaintiffs. These acts are plainly unjustifiable, not to mention unconscionable.
“Enough is enough. Defendants should be ordered to account for and pay Plaintiffs all the money they are owed, and to compensate for their acts of self-dealing and other corporate misfeasance.
“The Court should also enjoin Defendants from further misuse of the trademarks and other assets of the Cheap Trick Companies, and grant other appropriate relief.”

Is this a case of "I Want You to Want Me" or is Bun E asking them to "Surrender"???  "The Flame" seems to be very hot in this case.  Who is asking "Don't be Cruel" here??  Will the "Dream Police" intervene??  All I can say is "Ain't That a Shame."???? 

Clark   

Please thank John for yesterday’s positive feedback re “I Could Never Lie To You" ... and thanks to you for keeping up with the massive task of putting FH out and kudos again for the super good work done re: Forgotten Hits; I am a fan and an admirer of stick-to-it attitudes; you excel across the board!     

Ray Graffia, Jr.

The New Colony Six

Thank you, Ray ... "I Could Never Lie To You" seems to be one of Ronnie Rice's favorite New Colony Six tracks, too.  Although it stalled at #50 in Billboard, it hit #40 in both Cash Box and Record World ... so that makes it a Top 40 Hit in my book.  (Here in Chicago, it peaked at #7 ... and it's one of my favorites by them, too ... certainly worthy of another spin here today in Forgotten Hits!)  kk

We've been telling you about the upcoming Beach Boys box set collection "Made In California" ... here's a brief video presentation and a GREAT article by David Beard about this remarkable set (being released on my birthday this year!!!)  Click here: Made In California box set is The Beach Boys' best yet! - National Beach Boys | Examiner.com  

Everybody’s talkin’ about Harry Nilsson again Lee Blackman knew the minute he met Harry Nilsson, he had found a friend for life.   
Nilsson may be gone – he died of heart failure on Jan. 15, 1994 – but Blackman is making sure his legacy lives on.  
The Encino, Calif.-based lawyer, who has handled several big Hollywood divorces, provided legal help for the singer-songwriter up until his death and continues to represent his estate. He has overseen the placement of Nilsson’s songs in films and on TV, and he produced the 2010 documentary, “Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him?).”    
“Harry was the smartest, wittiest person I’ve ever met,” Blackman says. “He had a bullshit meter like you wouldn’t believe. He could spot a phony from a mile away and he just couldn’t do stupid. He probably thought I was real, and that’s why he felt so at ease with me.  
"We had so many things in common, like our love for Ray Charles.  When I was a kid, when I heard 'What I'd Say' for the first time, it changed my life.  He told me the same thing."  
Blackman is talking about Nilsson for a reason: He’s hoping that a new RCA/Legacy box set, “The RCA Albums Collection” (out July 30), and a new biography, “Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter” (released July 16), will revive interest in Nilsson and eventually gain him overdue induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  
The 17-disc box set contains all of Nilsson’s 14 RCA albums, expanded with 65 bonus tracks, including 26 previously unreleased songs. There are also three CDs of 58 rarities, 29 of them previously unreleased. 
In the late 1960s, about the only thing that all four Beatles could agree on was that their favorite artist was Nilsson.    
“They really admired Harry,” Blackman says. “They loved his voice and how many different ranges he had, and of course, his songwriting. They invited him to London in 1968 and he got a chance to see the way they lived. They couldn’t go anywhere in public; they were holed up in their houses and their studio.  
“He made a conscious decision after that meeting, ‘That’s not for me. I want to walk around on my own and not become a famous rock star.’ If you notice, on all his album covers, he has a different look about him … that’s because he just wanted to move about freely.”  
Nilsson had plenty of hits – like the 1972 No. 1 “Without You,” the Grammy-winning “Everybody’s Talkin’” (written by Fred Neil, from the film “Midnight Cowboy”), “Coconut,” “Jump Into the Fire” and wrote Three Dog Night’s “One.” But he shunned the public life and did not tour. That’s why Blackman thinks Nilsson’s low profile has kept him from being recognized for his career achievements.  
“He certainly deserves it,” Blackman says. “I miss him dearly. He was the most generous, most amazing friend I’ve ever had.”  
-- submitted by Tom Cuddy  

Do you remember when some stores had their own music surveys?
David Lewis

David Lewis also came up with the two Herb Alpert tracks that FH Reader Mike Mertes was looking for.

I knew the readers would through ... Thanks again!!!!!

Mike  

'Fly Like An Eagle – An All-Star Tribute To Steve Miller Band' Featuring Members Of YES, Asia, XTC, Dream Theater, Survivor, The Tubes, Curved Air, Deep Purple, GONG, Nektar and Others Now Available!

Featuring Peter Banks, Rick Wakeman, Tony Kaye, Colin Moulding, John Wetton, Steve Morse, Steve Hillage, Fee Waybill, Rod Argent, Sonja Kristina, Jordan Rudess, Steve Stevens and others!  

Produced By Billy Sherwood

Los Angeles, CA – A whole host of space cowboys, gangsters of love and legendary music icons from around the globe gather together to pay special tribute to classic rock legends the Steve Miller Band! Now available on Purple Pyramid Records, 'Fly Like An Eagle' features performances by members of YES, Asia, XTC, Dream Theater, Survivor, The Tubes, Curved Air, Deep Purple, GONG, Nektar and others! With exciting renditions of Steve Millers' classic hits, 'Fly Like An Eagle – An All-Star Tribute To Steve Miller Band' is sure to please music fans worldwide! Also includes some final recordings by guitar legend Peter Banks.

Producer Billy Sherwood of YES/CIRCA: fame explains, “Steve Miller has written so many great songs, working on this record gave me a chance to look deeper into the inner workings of the material and explore it all with so many amazing guest artists. It was an honor producing and playing on this project. I think the fans of the music will appreciate the contributions of all the artists involved.”

Tracks include:

Take The Money And Run

Jet Airliner

Living In The USA

Abracadabra

Swingtown

Winter Time

The Joker

Jungle Love

Space Cowboy

Rock'n Me

Fly Like An Eagle

To purchase 'Fly Like An Eagle – An All-Star Tribute To Steve Miller Band' CD: http://www.amazon.com/Fly-Like-An-Eagle-All-Star/dp/B00D3ZJDA2

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fly-like-eagle-all-star-tribute/id662660456  

re:  TIMED OUT:

Well, it didn't work out QUITE the way I planned it ... I didn't realize that the entire page had to reload EVERY time you refreshed it ... which locked up the computer for several people ... and also delayed the blending feature from track to track that works well with three or four songs ... but not 150!!!  It was just too much material for the website to handle ... but, if you were patient (as several of you were), you eventually got to hear it all.  Oh well, lesson learned.  Still 'though ... did you EVER imagine that there were THAT many songs about time?!?!  (kk)  

HEY KENT --

WHAT TIME IS IT?

IT'S HOWDY DOODY TIME!

This may be the only 'time' song that did not make your cut.

Shelley J. Sweet-Tufano

Then you just didn't listen long enough!!!  We saluted Howdy Doody a couple of times (in different ways) during our time study!  (kk)

9:30 pm.  Just as I got home.  Apparently, at 2 years of age, I met my father at the door after work to tell him we needed to buy a TV set so I wouldn't have to go to the neighbor's to watch 'Howdy Doody'.   He did.

Shelley 

Kent ... 

I gotta tell you "Time has Come Today", the Chambers Brothers classic, is the most underrated slice of rock / funk in music history. The band track forces you to dance and the lyrical delivery just grabs you by the jugular. an amazing song that sounds as good today as it did in 1968.

Chet Coppock 

Thus far, I think the track with the broadest appeal that I never hear is "Bad Time."
But we're only half way through the show.  Runners up are "Time Passages" and "Twelve-Thirty."
BTW, Linda's very best track has always given be goosebumps, today and since the first time I heard it.
Really appreciate the inclusion of The Glass Bottle's terribly under-appreciated track.

This is gonna be a fun time to be listening to FH!

David Lewis 

I just have two questions to ask you about Friday's FH. The first question is, "Where did you get the TIME to do that?" and the second question is "Where did I get the TIME to listen to them?"
Larry Neal

To quote Keith, I ain't gonna lie ... this one took some serious time to put together ... but once I got started, I just had to see it through.  I even amazed myself by how many titles I was able to come up with.  The tracks are still there for anyone adventurous (and patient!) enough to give 'em a listen.  This was a goodie!  Thanks to everyone who took the "time" to listen! (kk)

I can't even imagine how long it must have taken to put together your musical walk through time on Friday but kudos on a job well done.  And LOTS of forgotten hits featured along the way, too.  WTG, kk!
Mike