The Saturday Surveys (2-1)

Check out The Trashmen at #1 on this WKY Top 40 Survey from Oklahoma City in 1964!

It looks like Beatlemania is just about to hit (a little later than in other parts of the country!) as "I Want To Hold Your Hand" / "I Saw Her Standing There" climbs from #11 to #5.  There are some positive signs, however, as "Meet The Beatles" is the Pick Album of the Week ... and "She Loves You" shows up near the bottom of the list as an "extra".

Some strange, middle-of-the-road stuff elsewhere on the chart this week ... including Jody Miller at #2 with "He Walks Like A Man".  (This song crapped out at #66 in Billboard ... but Jody was raised in Oklahoma City so this most likely had something to do with its success there.)

Al Hirt, Dean and Jean, Murry Kellum, Peter Guliker (who?), Connie Francis, The Singing Nun and Brenda Lee all have Top 20 Hits this week ... makes you wonder just how popular rock and roll was at this station back then.  (Making it all that MORE surprising to see The Trashmen at #1!!!  Hmmm ... maybe the listeners were trying to tell them something!)

Love the little bits at the bottom ... "Don't forget February 7th ... Write Ann Landers Day"!!!  (lol)

Next up ... two completely different charts from completely different parts of the country for this week in 1967.  

First, WAPE out of Jacksonville, FL, which shows Aaron Neville at #1 with his first big pop hit "Tell It Like It Is".  (Look at #3, a two-sided hit by The Classics IV ... once again, radio is saluting their hometown boys with this one.  Dennis Yost and Company wouldn't score a national hit for another ten months when "Spooky" broke through in a big, big way.)

They're showing "No Milk Today" by Herman's Hermits as an "exclusive" at #24 ... and it just may have been ... since the WIXY was showing the A-Side of that record, "There's A Kind Of Hush" as the "Ultimate Song of the Week"!!!  Two weeks later BOTH sides of this record would be charting in Billboard.

Chicago's Buckinghams sit on top of Cleveland's WIXY Survey this week with "Kind Of A Drag", something they never managed to do here at home.  (It was their SECOND big hit, "Don't You Care" that became their first chart-topper here locally.)

We found a great site dedicated to preserving the memory of WIXY ... Click here: WIXY1260Homepage ... which features a few other survey charts from their 10 1/2 year Top 40 run.

When we did our Local Hits / Regional Hits "Show Me Your Hits" Series a few years back, I remember hearing that "Little Black Egg" was a big hit in Cleveland ... this survey shows The Nightcrawlers at #8 for the week of January 30th, 1967.  (These guys earned quite a few votes in our All-Time Favorite Garage Bands Poll a short while back, too!)

And how cool is THIS?!?!?

Chicago's WCFL used to do their Top Ten Capsule Countdown intermittently throughout the day.  It coincided with their Sound 10 Survey (mentioned previously in these pages) which typically spotlighted The Top 20 Records in Chicagoland plus the "Action Ten" up-and-comers, as well as usually two or three "Chicago Premiers".

Ironically THIS particular countdown (sent in my FH Reader BSpro ... thanks, Bill!) just happens to be for the 'CFL Chart ending February 2nd, 1967, which ties in PERFECTLY with this week's edition of Saturday Surveys.

Give a listen to The Top Ten Tunes in Chicago for this week in 1967:

Well I don't have any surveys to contribute to your Saturday feature, but thought you might get a kick out of the attached.

Bill

GREAT chart, Bill ... once again showing the diversity of what radio sounded like back in the Swinging' '60's!  Everything from soul (Aaron Neville at #10), brand new sounds of psychedelia ("I Had Too Much To Dream" by The Electric Prunes, "We Ain't Got Nothin' Yet" by The Blues Magoos and "Pushin' Too Hard" by The Seeds, at numbers 7, 5 and 3 respectively), novelty hits like "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron" by The Royal Guardsmen at #6, run-away pop hits by The Monkees ("I'm A Believer") and The Seekers ("Georgy Girl") at Number 2 and Number 1 as well as the local sounds of Chicago's very own Buckinghams ("Kind Of A Drag", #9) and "Love You So Much" by The New Colony Six, #4 ... ALL played right along side the biggest hits of the decade by The Rolling Stones (who were at #8 with "Ruby Tuesday", up from #17 the week before)!  Man, what an exciting time in radio!  (kk)

 Courtesy of Jack Levin, here's what it looked like!

***

Be sure to check back next Saturday ... and EVERY Saturday ... for more great Top 40 Charts from around the country ... running EXCLUSIVELY in Forgotten Hits!

The Friday Flash: 50 Years Ago This Week

1/31 and 2/1, 1964 -    

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND is now #1 in Billboard, just ahead of LESLEY GORE's YOU DON'T OWN ME, OUT OF LIMITS by THE MARKETTS, SURFIN' BIRD by THE TRASHMEN and HEY LITTLE COBRA by THE RIP CHORDS.  SHE LOVES YOU has already leaped to #21, a 48 point jump … and PLEASE PLEASE ME has joined the ranks at #68, giving THE BEATLES THREE Top 100 Hits for the first time.  (Keep in  mind they haven't even done the Sullivan Show yet!!!) 
For those of you keeping score, DUSTY's first U.S. Chart Hit has barely moved, climbing to #73 in its second week on the charts.    

"I Want To Hold Your Hand" reaches #1 in Chicago, too, a position it will hold for a total of five weeks, one of those weeks SHARING the top spot with "She Loves You", which will displace it at #1 on March 6th.  "She Loves You" debuted this week at #10, giving The Beatles TWO Top Ten Hits on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey a week earlier than they would achieve this feat in Billboard.
 

Kent,
Hopefully you're not just being Chicago-centric with your Beatles 50th anniversary.
Here are two CHUM Toronto charts celebrating Beatlemania in early 1964.
The first chart dated January 20th shows The Beatles had the top two songs.  "She Loves You" was # 1 with "Roll Over Beethoven" at # 2.
"I Want To Hold Your Hand" had just made its debut at # 40.
The cover of that chart had The Beatles publicity photo while the back cover had four of the CHUM DJ's with airbrushed Beatles wigs.
The second chart dated March 9th saw The Beatles hold down 6 positions in the Top 10: # 1, # 2, # 5, # 6, # 9 & # 10.
Doug Thompson in Toronto

 

 

Wow!  It looks like all the popular radio stations were decking their jocks out with Beatles wigs!  Thanks for sharing, Doug!  North America was clearly smitten with these young lads from Liverpool. 

 

This weekly revisiting with the events of 50 year ago is making one thing very clear ...

 

As we all know, history has a way of rewriting itself over time.  But these charts and events prove conclusively that America knew EXACTLY who The Beatles were before they ever appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.

 

This Canadian Chart from three weeks before that appearance bears this out ... The Beatles are already at #1 and #2, with both hits predating the first appearance of "I Want To Hold Your Hand", the song that launched their career here in America.

 

The fact that CHUM's jocks are already decked out in Beatle-doos is especially interesting ... a brand new fad had clearly been established.

Here in The States, Billboard showed THREE records by The Fab Four in their Hot 100 Chart dated February 1st.  (And remember, as has often been pointed out, Billboard's chart listed a "Week Ending" date, meaning that these statistics actually reflected the pulse of what was happening here musically a full week earlier ... still TWO WEEKS before their first Sullivan appearance.  Don't get me wrong ... that Sullivan show appearance blew the doors off and launched the band into the stratosphere ... Ed Sullivan launched Beatlemania here in The States, but a loyal legion of fans had already assembled, ready to enjoy the ride.  (So I have to ask again ... why isn't Ed Sullivan in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame???)

"Please Please Me" and "She Loves You" had already been released here in the States the previous year ... with absolutely no success.  Capitol Records, The Beatles' official label in America, wasn't even interested in pressing copies of these records ... so the masters were shopped out to Vee Jay Records and Swan Records respectively.  And, in The Beatles' first week at #1 in Billboard, both labels were savvy enough to realize that they may have some solid gold sitting in their vaults ... and rush re-released these two singles to resounding success.

How big of a difference did it make?  According to Bruce Spizer's EXCELLENT book (now out of print but available digitally) "The Beatles on Vee Jay Records", "Please Please Me" sold about 5650 copies when it was first released in late February / early March of 1963.  Incredibly, during the last six months of 1963 (after the record had failed), exactly TWO COPIES were sold between July and December!  A year later, when riding the coattails of Beatlemania, it quickly sold over a million copies ... and went to #3 on the charts.

 

If Capitol Records really invested a fortune in their "The Beatles Are Coming" campaign (it's funny ... I've heard everything from as low as $50 - $100,000 ... and has high as half-a-million to a million dollars!), they recouped their money quickly.  An incredible 33 songs made The Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in 1964 alone.  Capitol notoriously raided the vaults to compile a multitude of U.S. only singles ... and any label that had ANYTHING available to them from the pre-Capitol arrangement rushed these into release, too.  (As such, we got The Beatles singing "She Loves You" in German ... and a couple of hits by Tony Sheridan where The Beatles were merely the back-up band ... despite the fact that the picture sleeve boldly proclaimed this as a Beatles single by reversing the importance of their roles in big bold type!)

 

 

Canada wasn't far behind ... 22 Beatles singles charted north of the border in 1964 ... but all of these were released on the Capitol of Canada label.  (In fact, U.S. fans were so anxious to get their hands on anything Beatles-related, a couple of these singles crossed our border as import singles and charted here as well!)

We'll run your March chart as part of our new Saturday Surveys feature when it's more date-appropriate ... so stay tuned for that.

Speaking of which ...

re:  LOTS Going on This Weekend In Forgotten Hits:
On SATURDAY, we'll be running a brand new edition of our new Saturday Survey feature.  Response has been GREAT so far ... stop by and revisit some of the hits of the day by reviewing these vintage charts sent in by our readers.

And, on SUNDAY, we'll be celebrating our very own version of GAME DAY ...  

Sure, MOST of you will be wrapped up in the big game ...  

The Super Bowl is a big deal, after all ... (and I know you'll all want to catch that new Full House Reunion commercial!)

But we'll be here Pre-Game and Post-Game (as well as any and all bathroom breaks ... or other breaks in the action) ... so be sure to check us out when you can.  And, as OFTEN as you can ... because we'll be posting throughout the day, beginning at 6 am ... and not wrapping things up until 11 pm (Chicago time)

Thursday This And That

re:  The Grammys:

>>>I watched Ringo and his All-Starr Band perform "Photograph" (Frampton was one of the guitarists ... I don't know who the other oldies were) 

Clark Besch

I don't know that this was supposed to be so much an "All-Starr Band" performance ... I was a little surprised to see Peter Frampton up there ... but I didn't really recognize anybody else as "being" anybody else!  (Truthfully, I was a little surprised that Ringo didn't have his brother-in-law Joe Walsh up on stage with him ... especially since they were all sitting together anyway!)  And I guess Paul's kinda tight with Joe, too ... although it was Eric Clapton who provided the guitar solo on Paul's recent hit "My Valentine" ... (and actor Johnny Depp who "faked it" on the video), Joe Walsh performed those honors on the live version that aired in conjunction with Macca's "Kisses On The Bottom" live-in-the-studio concert.  (kk)    

Hi Kent,
The Grammy Award Show was disappointing but maybe I should say, the current music scene is!
Do you have to result to singing while hanging from a rope or singing while you are gyrating from a chair?
I am glad the show was salvaged by seeing two legends, Paul and Ringo plus the Highwaymen.
They honored Phil Everly but why not a medley of his songs?
Couldn't they have someone more on Carole King's level to sing with her?

And Robin Thicke was just in the way of hearing less of Chicago and their great sound!
I am very opened minded and love all kinds of music, but the majority of the performers who did their "thing" werent worth my time.
Long Live the real Rock and Roll!!!
Carolyn   

Hey Kent,
I'm sure more comments about the Grammy Awards will come pouring in. I usually don't watch the show, as it has become too bizarre and rowdy these days. I remember when the show was not on TV, only the radio. There also was a time when there was no audience. Sometimes I wish they'd go back to that.
I watched this year ONLY to see the reunion of Paul and Ringo on stage. I don't know if anyone else caught this, but Ringo's drumming was seen, but not heard, and Paul's regular touring drummer, Abe Laboriel, was heard, but not seen. You could see his set in the shadows. I'm sure the sound man arranged all this, but I don't know why the two drummers couldn't have been incorporated. Ringo kept looking over at Abe to make sure they were together. Starr can still whale away on the drums, and probably could have played it all by himself. Even so, it was still great to see the two living Beatles back together, along with John's and George's family members at the awards.
- John LaPuzza

I assumed they BOTH played ... but I could be wrong.  (Although I don't see any point in having Ringo up behind the kit if he wasn't really PLAYING drums!)  That will all be remedied on the 50th Anniversary Reunion Special on February 9th.  Paul and Ringo perform separately and together on a collection of Beatles favorites:  "Matchbox", "Boys" and "Yellow Submarine" (featuring Ringo Starr), followed by "Magical Mystery Tour", "Birthday", "Get Back" and "I Saw Her Standing There" (featuring Paul McCartney) before Ringo then joins his bandmate for a live rendition of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" / "With A Little Help From My Friends" ... before closing out the show with "Hey Jude", accompanied by Cirque du Soleil.  (I can't wait!) 

Prior to that we'll be treated to performances by Maroon Five ("All My Lovin'" and "Ticket To Ride"), Keith Urban and John Mayer ("Don't Let Me Down"), Ed Sheeran ("In My Life"), "Let It Be" (performed by Alicia Keys and John Legend ... hey, maybe THAT'S why she got John Lennon's name wrong the other night!!!), Imagine Dragons (performing "Revolution"), Katy Perry ("Yesterday" ... what?!?!?), the reunited (for one night only apparently) Eurythmics, who will perform "The Fool On The Hill", Brad Paisley, Pharrell Williams and Cirque du Soleil for "Here Comes The Sun", Dave Grohl and Jeff Lynne doing "Hey Bulldog" (now THAT should be interesting!!!),  "Something" (performed by George Harrison's son Dhani, along with Jeff Lynne and Joe Walsh), "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (featuring Joe Walsh, Dave Grohl and Gary Clark, Jr.) and Stevie Wonder doing his soulful take of "We Can Work It Out".  (kk)    

re:  And, Speaking of Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band:

Ringo will be hitting the road again this summer with the same line-up as last time for a series of shows all over the country.

Musicians on board include Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather (of Toto), Gregg Rolie (Santana and Journey), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Mark Rivera and Gregg Bissonette.   Ringo says, "I love playing with this band and I can’t wait to get back out and play with them again."
The new tour starts on June 6 in Ontario, Canada and runs through July 19 in L.A.  

The dates, cities and venues  (yes, Chicago IS on the list!): 

06/06 - Ontario - Ontario Rama Casino

06/07 - Canandaigua, NY - Sands Pavilion

06/08 - Williamsport, PA - Community Arts Theater

06/10 - Albany, NY - Palace Theater

06/11 - Westbury, NY - Theater at Westbury

06/12 - Vienna, VA - Wolftrap

06/14 - Wallingford, CT - Oakdale Theater

06/15 - Providence, RI - Performing Arts Center

06/17 - New York, NY - Beacon Theater

06/18 - New York, NY - Beacon Theater

06/20 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater

06/21 - Atlantic City, NJ - Caesars Circus Maximus

06/22 - Durham, NC - Durham PAC

06/24 - Buffalo, NY - ArtPark

06/25 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Casino

06/27 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Center

06/28 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater

06/29 - Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavillion Nautica

07/01 - Toledo, OH - Toledo Zoo Ampitheater

07/03 - Tunica, MS - Horseshoe Casino

07/05 - Dallas, TX - Windstar World Casino

07/09 - Albuquerque, NM - Sandia Pavillion

07/11 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's

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   

re:  Other Concert News:   
WOW!  The Alan Parsons Project has just been added to The Arcada Theatre schedule.  They'll perform TWO SHOWS on May 10th!  More details at the OShows Website:  www.oshows.com   

And Barry Gibb will be coming to Chicago on May 27th for his first-ever solo concert tour of the U.S.

As of right now, he's only scheduled to hit six cities ... and tickets for these shows will be on sale by week's end.  Reportedly, he'll feature material from all phases of The Bee Gees' (and brother Andy's) career.

Confirmed dates so far: 

May 15th - Boston, MA - TD Garden

May 19th - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center

May 23rd - Wantagh, NY - Nikon At Jones Beach Theater

May 27th  - Chicago, IL - United Center

May 31st - Concord, CA - Concord Pavilion

and June 4th - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl

Obviously VERY large venues.  It hasn't just been years since Gibb toured The States ... it's been DECADES!!!  We are really hoping to catch the show when it hits Chicago.  

Melissa Manchester and Beach Boy Al Jardine have been added to "AMERICA CELEBRATES THE BEATLES" All-Star Gala Charity Concert in New York February 8  NYC FAB 50 is proud to announce that New York City's all-star concert, "AMERICA CELEBRATES THE BEATLES," taking place at Manhattan's Town Hall on Saturday evening, February 8, has added Melissa Manchester and Al Jardine (founding member of The Beach Boys). It is one of the star-studded charity concerts being held as part of "NYC FAB 50: Celebrating The Music of The Beatles" 50th Anniversary Celebration. 

On February 7, 1964, The Beatles touched down on U.S.soil for the first time. Fifty years later, New York and the NYC FAB 50 Committee will be hosting several celebratory concerts with proceeds benefiting Food Bank For New York City and other charities. This once-in-a-lifetime event will "come together" on Saturday, February 8th, 2014 at 7:30pm, highlighting a series of events under the "NYCFAB50" series.   Tickets for "AMERICA CELEBRATES THE BEATLES" are on sale through Ticketmaster, priced from $50 to $250 (www.ticketmaster.com/fab-50-presents-america-celebrates-the-new-york-new-york-02-08-2014/event/03004C29B419705A?artistid=1953649&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=52). The gala concert will feature veteran music legends, New York musical institutions and up-and-coming stars.

Joining Grammy-Award winning singer / songwriter Melissa Manchester and Al Jardine, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the Beach Boys, will be ...

•Tommy James ("Mony Mony," "Crimson & Clover")
•Gene Cornish of The Rascals
•Melanie - Woodstock star ("Brand New Key")
•Greg Hawkes of The Cars
•Fred Schneider of The B-52s

•Marshall Crenshaw (played John Lennon in "Beatlemania", "Someday Someway")
•Ron Dante the voice of The Archies
•Walter Egan ("Magnet & Steel")
•Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia
•Emily West - Nashville artist

•Ian Lloyd of The Stories ("Brother Louie")
•John Ford of The Strawbs

•Gary DeCarlo of Steam ("Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye")
•Randy Jackson of Zebra
•Larry Kirwin of Black 47 (“Liverpool Fantasy”)

•Richard Barone (The Bongos)
•Siobhan Magnus (America Idol)

•Roger Kellaway (Grammy-Winning Composer/Pianist)

•Aztec Two-Step - American Folk Rock Duo

•Graham Alexander - Singer / songwriter

•Roger Kellaway - Grammy winning pianist / composer

•Samantha Landrum - Singer ("What If")
•Richie Scarlet - "Emperor of Rock and Roll"

•Julie Grant ("Up On The Roof")  

Also, recreating The Beatles' historic first Ed Sullivan Show appearance, will be The Cavern Club Beatles, one of the world's greatest soundalike/lookalike bands from Liverpool. 

Rich Pagano of the Fab Faux is the Musical Director; Dennis D'Amico and Patrice Samara, Supervising Producers; Charles F. Rosenay and Daniel Levine, Executive Producers.
Special Guest of Honor Celebrity Presenters for the gala concert include actors Charles Grodin and John Gabriel, Tony Perkins of Fox TV, television legend Dick Cavett, famed NY sportscaster Len Berman, Ken Michaels of the Every Little Thing radio show,  the Amazing Kreskin and John Lennon's sister, Julia Baird.
Artists and line-up are subject to change. This production is not affiliated with Apple Corp Ltd or The Beatles.
Further information at www.NYCFAB50.com or email info@NYCFAB50.com.     

EXPERIENCE HENDRIX TOUR EXPANDS – SIX DATES JUST ADDED FEATURING LIVING LEGENDS OF ROCK AND BLUES  

Six additional dates have just been added to the front and back ends of the previously announced 2014 Experience Hendrix Tour, presented by Band Fuse: Rock Legends. With just-added shows in Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota, this year’s edition of the Experience Hendrix tour includes 25 performance dates over a span of just under four weeks.  

Concurrent with the announcement of the added dates come word that The Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith and Robby Kreiger of the Doors, Taj Mahal and Quinn Sullivan will be among the roster of all-star musicians joining the tour that has been an annual event for the past decade.  Robinson, founding member, guitarist and songwriter for the Black Crowes, commented, “I’m really looking forward to getting out and playing some of my favorite Hendrix songs with these great musicians.” 

Artists whose participation was previously announced include Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Bootsy Collins, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II,  Dweezil Zappa, Los Lobos’ Cesar Rosas and David Hidalgo, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji and others.  Billy Cox, the bass player who was part of Jimi Hendrix’s music life before he was “discovered” as well as thereafter, is again part of the line-up as is Double Trouble drummer Chris Layton. 

Experience Hendrix Tour dates / participating artists:  

March 8 - Sat - Shawnee, OK – Grand Event Center – tickets on sale TBA

Billy Cox, Rich Robinson [Black Crowes], Brad Whitford [Aerosmith], Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Chris Layton, Stan Skibby, and Dani Robinson

March 9 - Sun - Midland, TX – Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center – tickets on sale now 

Billy Cox, Rich Robinson [Black Crowes], Brad Whitford [Aerosmith], Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, Chris Layton, Stan Skibby, and Dani Robinson

March 11 - Tue -  Dallas, TX - Verizon Theater – tickets on sale now http://bit.ly/17ypvzq

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 13 - Thurs -  St Louis, MO - Fox Theater – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby.

March 14 - Fri - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theater – tickets on sale now http://bit.ly/1j7vcEa

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 15 - Sat Ames, IA - Stephens Auditorium – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 16 - Sun -  Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater – SOLD OUT

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 18 - Tue -  Louisville, KY - Whitney PAC – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 19 - Wed - Charleston, WV - Clay Center – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 20 - Thurs - Pittsburgh, PA - Benedum Theater – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 21 - Fri - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theater  - SOLD OUT

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Zakk Wylde, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 22 - Sat - Atlantic City, NJ - Harrahs – SOLD OUT

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 23 - Sun - Wilkes Barre, PA - Kirby PAC – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 25 - Tue - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theater – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 27 - Thurs - Hampton, NH – Casino Ballroom – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Quinn Sullivan, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 28 - Fri - Albany, NY - Palace Theater – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Quinn Sullivan, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 29 - Sat - Waterbury, CT - Palace Theater – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Quinn Sullivan, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

March 30 - Sun - Washington DC - Lincoln Theater – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

April 01 - Tue - Buffalo, NY - Center For Arts – SOLD OUT

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

April 02 - Northfield, OH – Hard Rocks – tickets on sale TBA

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

April 03 - Detroit, MI –The Fox Theatre – tickets on sale now

Billy Cox, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bootsy Collins, Dweezil Zappa, Eric Johnson, Doyle Bramhall II, Brad Whitford, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

April 04 - Fri - Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater – tickets on sale TBA

Featuring Billy Cox, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford, Rich Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II, Robby Krieger, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Mato Nanji, Eric Johnson, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

April 05 - Sat - Merrillville, IN – Star Plaza Theatre- tickets on sale TBA

Featuring Billy Cox, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford,  Taj Mahal, Rich Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II, Robby Krieger, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Mato Nanji, Eric Johnson, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

April 06 - Sun - Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center – tickets on sale Feb 7

Featuring Billy Cox, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford, Taj Mahal, Rich Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby

April 08 - Tue - Minneapolis, MN – State Theater – tickets on sale TBA

Featuring Billy Cox, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Brad Whitford, Taj Mahal, Rich Robinson, Doyle Bramhall II, Cesar Rosas, David Hidalgo, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Mato Nanji, Dani Robinson, and Stan Skibby     

Our FH Buddy Dean Milano (who wrote the book on the Chicagoland Music Scene in the '60's and '70's) will be featuring stories about many of those songs and artists when he makes a two hour presentation at The Schaumburg Public Library on Wednesday, February 12th.  (The event runs from 7 - 9 pm)  

Hoping some of the Forgotten Hitsters can make it out there for this.  Should be an interesting and fun night of memories!  (kk)  

re:  The Sonny Geraci Benefit Concert:

I hope Bill Thompson is found guilty as charged ... three years for stealing almost 30 grand from an ailing rock star seems like too light of a sentence. 

Tom Diehl