Monday, July 7, 2014

Monday Morning Memories

Nice, relaxing weekend ... hope you all enjoyed the same.  

And now we're back to it with another round of your Monday Morning Memories ...   

re:  LOCAL SHOWS:  
Once again Elk Grove Village has pulled out all the stops in the way of free entertainment this summer ... every Tuesday Night in July they'll be bringing us top-notch acts performing in free concerts.
Last week the summer series kicked off with America, who played to what (I'm told) is the largest crowd EVER for one of these events.  (Unfortunately, we didn't make it out to this one either ... but I heard it was great!)
This Tuesday Night (the 8th) it's Survivor, followed by Pat Benatar on the 15th.  The 22nd brings us country artist John Michael Montgomery and the series closes out on Tuesday, July 29th, with Kenny Loggins.  Local favorites Brock and Abrams entertain each evening at Coach's Corner beginning at 8:30 pm, a great place to wind down after the main event.  (kk)   

Hi Kent -
Yeah, I looked for you at the Drive show - surprised I didn't see you ...  now I know why.
I agree - I thought Cheap Trick was too loud, and I heard several people say that, but then I was never a big fan of theirs anyway. Liked Frampton tho - thought he put on a great show. It's always fun at the Drive's birthday party!
Just got home tonite from seeing the musical 'The Last Ship' with music written by Sting. I loved it! The music was very 'Sting-ish' and performed really well.  The actors did a great job performing the tunes and telling the story. It's about a ship-building town in Wallsend, Newcastle, England, and the men and women who lived there and worked in the shipyards. It's actually about Sting's hometown, so it's pretty personal for him, and I really enjoyed it. Very down to earth.  I could really connect with the story and the actors. It's here on a pre-Broadway run for about another week and I recommend it if you like musical stories. Got a standing ovation at the end, so I guess everyone else liked it, too. Sting has been in town since it opened so he's really taking a personal interest in how it 's going over. I think they've done a great job!
Marlene

And, speaking of up-coming shows, here's one for all our Florida readers ...

To My South Florida Friends and Fans (and anyone else who might be in South Florida in late July) ...
As some of you know, The GableStage in Miami, one of the most prestigious theatres in the country, is doing a reading of my play, LACTOSE.  The date is Monday, July 28th. I'll send out another email a week or so before the fact with the time, the address and the promo blurb. But for now, mark the date if you're interested.
This is a big deal for me. I know some of you only know me through my music, my poetry and my novel. But this play has just as much of my heart in it as my songs do. I'm beyond proud that Artistic Director Joe Adler, who has won so many awards he needs a warehouse to stash them, has chosen to present my work.
I'm also more than a little nervous, which may come as news to those of you who know my blustery in-concert persona. I'll be watching, powerless, as my words stand or fall up there without my "helping" them. True, they'll be delivered by some of the greatest actors anywhere. But I'll be sweating bullets.
The reading is free so if you feel like seeing another aspect of what I do, set the night aside.
Hope to see a mess of you there,
Yers,
Bob

Kent, 
A very big MEA CULPA on the wrongful mention of Marty Balin as one of the Jefferson Starship alumni who is not with us anymore.  When I originally wrote the review, I had down "Papa John" Creach on my smartphone notes as the one off the top of my head as jamming in the heavens above, and somehow Marty inadvertently slipped in there.Marty, if you are reading this, I am sorry for the mix-up! 
Tim Kubat  

Thanks again for all the people who attend concerts and write reviews here.  I think these are some of the more trusted reviews you can find as we love the music and artists involved.  Contrary to what one may first think, this is imperative.  Knowing your subject is so much better than knowing how to compose on paper.  We are more loving and accepting, yet demanding and critical than most.  When I sit next to young reporters, I see for the most part, someone who is on assignment and not involved in the experience.  This contrasts with the change and growth I see in my own classes as they develop a connection with the music and artists we love.  It puts passion in their lives and love and knowledge in their writings.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano 

re:  JERSEY BOYS:
While the movie may not be racking in record numbers at the box office, the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons has ignited sales for the group once again (which is what WE had always hoped would happen ... as mentioned here several times, ANYTHING to help keep this music alive and introduce it to a new generation of fans is always a plus in my book!)  

FH Reader Tom Cuddy sent us this article from Billboard:
Click here: 'Jersey Boys,' Frankie Valli Surge On Billboard 200 | Billboard   

And with brand new box set releases now available from Rhino Records spotlighting the majority of the band's (and Frankie's) recorded works ... including a new non-box Motown CD featuring everything the band ever recorded for the label ... the opportunity is there to complete your collection in a nice, neatly packaged form.

Hi Kent,
I read your post about Frankie Valli and the movie version of Jersey Boys. How cool!  When Jersey Boys opened in Chicago, I was involved with Broadway in Chicago and actually walked the Red Carpet behind Frankie. My sister, Donna asked him to sign our program and ticket and he was so very nice! I'm sorry Clint Eastwood isn't more open to Frankie's suggestions. It is Frankie's life story after all ... not Clint's.
Debe Welch
LOL ... Yeah, maybe Frankie should film "The Clint Eastwood Story" ... and cast somebody like Chris Colfer in the lead role to play the lead, macho character!!!  (Paybacks are a bitch!!!)  kk

Heard from several of you who caught Frankie Valli headlining the 34th Annual "Capitol Fourth" Concert on The 4th of July ... Valli performed three songs ... "Grease", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "Let's Hang On" (incredibly, a #1 Record NOT featured in the "Jersey Boys" film!)  Quite a few of you made comments about Frankie's obvious lip-synching ... but it looked pretty real to me.  What DIDN'T look real was the effortless way he ran through each song ... I don't care how  many times you've sung them, hitting those notes has GOT to take some energy and effort ... and he didn't look like he ever broke a sweat.  I dunno ... entertaining ... and great to see Valli as the headliner ... but this debate will always be with us now ... and viewers will find themselves scrutinizing every performance rather than simply enjoying them.  (For that matter, Jordin Sparks could have been lip-synching for all I know ... there were definitely moments when I thought so ... but she, too, executed a perfectly flawless performance.) 
Several readers made comments about how Frankie should simply hang it up if he can't hit the notes anymore ... but like a boxer or any other trained athlete, how does one REALLY know when it's time to hang it up?  One good clue ... watch Michael McDonald's performance on this same program ... Frannie made a comment that he'd probably need an oxygen tank afterwards (if not DURING) his second song ... an embarrassing take of one of my favorite of his solo hits "Sweet Freedom".  (By the same token, host Tom Bergeron could have done a little more homework before introducing McDonald ... as the creator of The Doobie Brothers' hits "China Grove" and "Listen To The Music", both penned by Tom Johnston YEARS before McDonald joined the band!)  For a quick comparison of one of those who've still "got it", watch Patti LaBelle's performance ... at age 70, Patti belted out notes that still resonate 24 hours later as I type this!!!  (kk) 



 
re:  GERRY GOFFIN:
Al Kooper did a really nice tribute to Gerry Goffin in his "New Music For Old People" column this week.  (They wrote a couple of songs together back in the '70's and one of those is featured as well ... along with a partial list of material that Goffin wrote with Carole King and other noted composers.)  He left quite a legacy behind.  (kk)

re:  A HARD DAY'S NIGHT:
Yahoo did a GREAT piece commemorating the re-release of The Beatles' first film ... fun facts and tidbits along with a few cool clips.  (It's Been A Hard Day's Half-Century!!!)
You can check them out here:
(Although we had talked about catching the film in a theater again this weekend, we found VERY limited opportunities to do so ... apparently it was only playing on THREE screens within 200 miles of Schaumburg, IL!!!  I was looking forward to checking out the remastered version ... figuring there would be something really special about seeing it on the big screen with pristine picture and sound ... but it wasn't to be.  Oddly enough one of the theaters showing it was in Normal, IL ... home campus to Illinois State University ... a rather unlikely audience to flock to see a movie made over 50 years ago!!!)

And, speaking of The Beatles ...

Ringo Starr has added a second leg to his All-Starr Band tour.  After wrapping up their dates in July, the band will hit the road again in October for fourteen more performances.  The full schedule can be found below:
07/09 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Pavillion
07/11 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's
07/12 - Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
07/13 - San Jose, CA - City National Civic of San Jose
07/15 - Vancouver, BC - Hard Rock
07/16 - Woodenvile, WA - Chateau Ste Michelle
07/19 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre
NEW DATES:
10/02 - Tulsa, OK - Hard Rock Café
10/03 - St. Louis, MO - Fabulous Fox Theatre
10/04 - Kansas City, KS - Starlight Theatre
10/05 - Omaha, NE - CenturyLink Center
10/07 - San Antonio, TX - Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
10/08 - Austin, TX - Moody Theater
10/10 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
10/15 - Charleston, SC - North Charleston Performing Arts Center
10/17 - Biloxi, MS - Hard Rock Café Biloxi
10/18 - Jacksonville, FL - Moran Theatre
10/19 - Ft. Myers, FL - Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
10/21 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Broward Center for the Performing Arts
10/22 - Melbourne, FL - Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
10/23 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall  
Ringo's band this time around includes Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather (of Toto), Gregg Rolie (formerly of Santana and Journey), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Mark Rivera and Gregg Bissonette.

re:  THE SATURDAY SURVEYS:  
Hi Kent --
I'm finally catching up on all my e-mails and taking the time to read through and through your Forgotten Hits series. Unfortunately I had to break my humerus bone (not funny) and tear my rotator cuff to get the time.
While looking at your Saturday surveys of this issue I was surprised by the 6/9/56 survey. On the one hand, it was interesting to see the work put in by surrounding their top ten (or 15, as you noted) with photos of pop artists of the day. Unfortunately I can't say the same about the information included. At number two, for instance, was "Treasure of Love" listed as by Clyde Mac Fadden instead of Clyde McPhatter. Number six should have been by George Cates, not Georgia. Number eight should have been "Transfusion", not "Transfussion", and number ten should have been by Gogi Grant, not Googie.
Those are a lot of mistakes for such a short survey. Where was it from?
Keep up the great work,
Danny Guilfoyle.
PS -- Did anyone else catch these mistakes? I guess you have to be REAL old to remember these songs and artists!
Unfortunately we have seen week after week after week countless mistakes in these published surveys ... evidently hastily put together each week by radio stations across the country ... with virtually no attention to detail.  We've found them from countless Top 40 stations from coast to coast.  (kk)

Hi Kent! 
I really liked seeing that KQV chart for the week of July 5, 1966, and saw a lot of familiar tunes, one of them being a genuine Pittsburgh oldie, “Because of You” by Rome & Paris ... and another being one of my favorite tracks by Bobby Vee, “Look at Me, Girl”. Those were the days when a great song could easily get on the charts with the help of DJ’s with open ears.  
Mr. Kelly Izaj of Pittsburgh, PA.
There were certain stations spread out across the USA that helped to make and break these hits back then ... each station took its responsibility seriously to lead the pack.  That's why it's such a shame to see that today, all these years later, we're only left with "followers" instead of leaders ... all content to play the EXACT same songs as everybody else ... no variety at all ... and afraid to step outside the box.  (kk)  

re:  THIS AND THAT:   
Just like everyone else I am spending a typical fourth ... avoiding fireworks traffic jams, working a second job, laying down a new bathroom floor, and watching the second disc of 'The Dave Clark Five and Beyond'.  (What??? That's not what everyone else is doing?  Oh well!) 
The best story ever is Mike Smith's out-take.  Moral:  Always be a gentleman.  It could be Dean Martin's daughter.  
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
We actually DID catch some awesome fireworks this year ... left after watching the "Capitol Fourth" concert on PBS.  The trade off was getting eaten alive by mosquitoes ... I'm still scratching three days later!  (kk)

Rolling Stone Magazine published their list of The Top 20 Songs of Summer in the '60's in their recent issue. (Let's just say it's a pretty far cry from OUR list, put together with the help of thousands of Forgotten Hits Readers who voted on their all-time favorites.)  In fact, we've run our poll several times now over the past fifteen years ... and EVERY time we've done it, "Summer In The City" by The Lovin' Spoonful has come in at #1 ... yet it doesn't make THEIR list at all!!!  (What's up with that?!?!?)  The True Oldies Channel has also run a similar poll, asking their listeners to email in their favorites ... but my guess would be that the Rolling Stone list (much like the Entertainment Weekly list from several years ago that first inspired us to do some calculating of our own) was put together strictly by their in-house staff, with no consideration given to any outside input as to what the music fans actually think ... you know, kinda like radio today ... and Jann Wenner's personal Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Meanwhile, visit the forgottenhits.com website and you'll see our official ranking of Summer Favorites (voted on by something like 11,000 of you!) as well as mathematical listings for The Biggest Songs Of Summer for each year of The Rock Era.  (kk)

Hola Kent!
Happy July and have a wonderful 4th.  We get the Beach Boys here in Boston for the Annual 4th of July Concert.
I caught the recent post and saw the first 45 message and how precious it was to be able to listen to them before buying. It brought to mind how I built my CD Collection to obtain all those wondrous recordings I never purchased on vinyl. I was a night shift guy for over 30 years. To keep my sleep rhythms in sync I would go to late night movies on the weekends. We had a Tower Records store and I would drive to the theater district, purchase a ticket to a late show, then go over to the Tower and flip through the thousands of CD's that they had available to find all the songs I desired. Mostly they were compilations and you had to be alert to knock-offs (re-recordings of hits with one or more former member, but certainly not the 'original' sound) but I can happily recall finding certain gems and some Various Artists compilations that allowed me to build a serious library of great Oldies.
Interestingly (maybe to only me) I discovered that ACE Records of the UK had perhaps some of the best examples and, unlike their American counterparts, they were more concerned with the content than maximizing the profits. ACE's Greatest Hits of American Rock N Roll series is a superb compilation with 30 songs per CD ... an example of American Greed would easily be seen in Roy Orbinson's, or The Eagles' greatest hits having two discs, thereby doubling the cost.  I can still recall finding a vocal recording of Apache, as well as a vocal of Maria Elena, two of my favorite songs and two of my fondest finds. Babalu's Wedding Day by the Eternals ... what a great record ... and very difficult to find other offerings by The Eternals. The Dream Weavers 'It's Almost Tomorrow' ... very rare to find anything else by them ... and I even found a version by Snookie Lanson. The 'Hard to Find 45's' series by Eric records may be the best American offering for compilations.
I do not wish to bore you but maybe there is a place for FH Readers (and enjoyers) could benefit by sharing what the best sources of obtaining oldies songs, or at least expanding the first 45's theme to a first / favorite CD compilation from the readers.
Lastly, with the slow demise of 'Oldies Radio' let me plug my local favorite to alert your readers to a marvelous little station here in Marshfield, Mass., "WATD 95.9".  From Noontime to Midnight on Saturday's they play songs unheard for 40 or 50 years.  They also have an archive of prior shows. The 12 - 6 slot is DJ'd by Ron Dwyer and then from 6 - Midnite Multiple DJ's Ed and Bill "Yesterday's Memories".  The only time the great hits aren't on is when a local sports activity is being broadcast (I go nuts when a local HS or UMASS replaces the music).
Keep the Music Alive !
CharlieOFD

The Lost Album From Early ‘70s Prog-Fusion Band The Flock Finally Sees Light Of Day! 
Los Angeles, CA - Nearly lost to the sands of time, a recently discovered set of vintage ‘70s recordings from Chicago-based jazz-rock ensemble The Flock will finally be released as Heaven Bound - The Lost Album on July 22 through Cleopatra Records imprint Purple Pyramid! These never-before-released recordings feature founding Flock members Fred Glickstein (vocals, guitar), Ron Karpman (drums), and Jerry Smith (bass) on what could have been the band’s magnificent fourth album.  
The Flock were one of the most adventurous bands in the jazz / fushion music scene of the ‘70s alongside Chicago and Blood Sweat & Tears, well known for featuring violin great Jerry Goodman (later of Mahavishnu Orchestra) on the band’s first two Columbia Records albums - 1969’s self-titled debut and 1970’s Dinosaur Swamps. After Goodman left, a reformed Flock released Inside Out on Mercury Records in 1975, and though the band was dropped from the label shortly thereafter, Glickstein and Karpman continued to write and record together, with Smith popping in every now and again, in anticipation of a new recording contract. No such deal ever materialized, however, and so those recordings were shelved away for safe keeping, never released...until now!
Glickstein, speaking on behalf of the entire Flock, offers these words in honor of this momentous release: “We are all very lucky to have had that happy musical trip and the chance to entertain people in the US and Europe. A special thanks to everyone at Cleopatra Records for helping this project become a reality and for keeping the spirit of the Flock alive.”
Featuring dynamic musicianship, rich vocal harmonies and the unmistakable warm fuzz of vintage ‘70s guitar on such standout tunes as “Heaven Bound,” “Don’t You Know (Who I Am),” and “Love Away,” this collection will not only keep the spirit of Flock alive but also the spirit of superbly crafted classic rock!
1. Heaven Bound
2. The Bells
3. Reasons
4. Crying Out / The Voice
5. Don't You Know (Who I Am)
6. Makes It All Worthwhile
7. Noise Boys
8. Mama
9. Rolling With The Clones
10. Love Away
11. C'mon Let's Walk
12. Be Strong and Survive
13. The Christos Jig
14. The Test
15. Outroduction
To pre-order the CD at Amazon, visit: http://georiot.co/14f2
To pre-order the digital version on iTunes, visit: http://georiot.co/331D
Available through CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025

Early Press:

Kent,
First I hope you had a fantastic 4th of July weekend. I want to comment on a few things if I may on your combined FH. On KQV's survey, would you believe just a couple of days ago I thought of Johnny Rivers' MUDDY WATER and decided to play it. Great tune you no longer hear on the radio.
Bobby Vee's song of LOOK AT ME GIRL was also done by a group known as the PLAYBOYS OF EDINBURGH on Columbia records and made our survey as an alternate choice.
I always did like the Vogues' LAND OF MILK AND HONEY.
Kent, I could be wrong but I don't believe the Beach Boys' BREAK AWAY made our survey.
And finally, thanks for proving that Barry Mann had other records than WHO PUT THE BOMP (IN THE BOMP BOMP)
Larry   

"The History Of The Eagles" Tour just passed 1.1 million spectators last week ... with ticket sales grosses topping $145 Million!!!  Getting back together has been quite lucrative for these guys indeed!  (kk)

>>>Tom Diehl mentioned I WANT MY BABY BACK by Jimmy Cross.  It seems to me that years ago I read that that record was the worst record ever made up to that point in time.  Probably early seventies or somewhere there about.  I know the record came out in 1964 but this was some sort of survey asking for one's suggestions as to what record was the worst up to that time.  (Larry)
>>>Dr. Demento used to play this one quite a bit back in the day ... but you're right ... it's NOT a very good record!  (lol)  Probably more famous for mentioning The Beatles than anything else!  (kk)   
Concerning the comment that I Want My Baby Back by Jimmy Cross is "the worst record ever made up to that point", well, we all know how subjective that can be. What I find more interesting and perhaps your readers would too, would be a list of the worst records ever made by the best artists. For the rock era, I would lead off with "Ebony and Ivory" by TWO giants, Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney.

My all-time choice, era notwithstanding, would be Frank Sinatra singing "Mama Will Bark" with Dagmar. Obviously from a low point, pre-resurgent Sinatra, it shows how desperate he and his studio were to get some kind of hit. Some may find it amusing but I equate it to a great chef offering up Spaghetti-o's. Give a listen.
Hil

You're right ... this is a pretty awful record ... especially for such an established star.  (And I would have to agree that "Ebony And Ivory" is a pretty weak pairing as well ... as have been most of the hyped-up superstar pairings in the past.)
I'm sure we'll get a LOT of suggestions on this one.  Everything's subjective as you said ... but a REALLY bad record by a really GOOD and successful artist is what we're looking for.  (I remember Mark Volman of The Turtles saying once that "Grim Reaper Of Love", the follow-up to their Top 20 Smash "You Baby" was perhaps the worst follow-up record of all time ... and easily could have done them in career-wise.  Thankfully "Happy Together" came along a year later. Likewise "Pandora's Golden Heebie-Jeebies", the record The Association released after their chart-topper and '60s classic "Cherish" would have to rank right up there, too!)  kk

re:  ON THE RADIO:
Last week we told you about CRM launching their All-'80's Channel ... and mentioned that an All-'90's Channel wouldn't be far behind.  And just that quickly, it's here!!!  More info in Chicagoland Radio And Media ...

And speaking of Chicagoland Radio, here's a name from the past ... former WLS News Reporter Lyle Dean got married last week!!!  Congratulations, Lyle!  (kk)

This video tribute was played at the Casey Kasem Memorial (produced by his son Mike)
-- Tom Cuddy

Hi Kent!  
I took your advice and tried Rewound Radio and found out that this is what Oldies Radio is supposed to be! By playing the lesser known stuff as well as the well known stuff, they put my local “oldies” station W.W.S.W.-FM a/k/a 3WS to shame (!). When I first turned it on, I heard the Everly Brothers’ hit “Gone, Gone, Gone” (When was the last time any of these so-called “oldies” stations played that track?). Right now as I write, they’re playing the Beach Boys’ “When I Grow Up (to Be a Man)” (A Beach Boys track that rarely gets heard these days). Thanks for bringing this site and internet station to my attention!
Mr. Kelly Izaj from Pittsburgh, Pa.

re:  CLIP OF THE WEEK:
Here's a great live performance captured on film for all eternity:


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