The WLS Chart in 1974 was down to just fifteen positions ... but look what's #1!
Canadian group Wednesday's remake of the '60's classic "Last Kiss" (which only reached #34 in Billboard Magazine) was a HUGE hit here in Chicago. In fact, WE started playing it again in our rock band Kumsah right around this time because it had become such a popular radio track.
An eclectic mix to be sure ... a novelty hit by Dickie Goodman (ALWAYS extremely popular here in Chicago) ... the unusual ("The Lord's Prayer" by Sister Janet Mead?!?!) ... a foreign track ("Eres Tu" by Mocedades) ... and the God-Awful "Abra-Ca-Dabra" by The DeFranco Family ... quite possibly the worst record EVER recorded!!!
When's the last time you heard ANY of these tunes???
And, speaking of Canada, we reach back to 1959 for this batch ... Ritchie Valens tops this CKOY Canadian Chart with "La Bamba" ... and Buddy Holly's in The Top Ten, too, with "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", a song written for him by Paul Anka ... who was also immortalized in Annette's #14 Hit this week, "Tall Paul".
Last week we mentioned the absence of Elvis Presely on the chart ... but this week in Canada his latest two sided hit premiers at numbers 22 and 27 (with "I Need Your Love Tonight" earning the better showing first time on the chart ... "A Fool Such As I" would become the real hit, eventually hitting #1.)
Wrapping up this week's survey salute is this chart from WJET Radio. Marvin Gaye's asking "What's Going On" ... and maybe that's because we've got two solo Beatle hits in The Top Five this week in 1971 ... "Another Day" by Paul McCartney is at #2 ... and "What Is Life" by George Harrison is at #5.
You'll find some other real surprises here as well ...
"Lucky Man" by Emerson, Lake and Palmer (one of my very favorite songs of all time) is a Top Ten Hit ... and Magic Lantern is in The Top Ten, too, with "One Night Stand", a song that never climbed higher than #74 on the Billboard Chart.
Quicksilver, Dusk (Bell's answer to Dawn ... who are also at #21), Salvage, a Billboard "Bubbling Under" hit by The Cowsills, "Freedom" by Jimi Hendrix (!), "When You Dance" by Neil Young (this week's "Pick Hit" no less!), Poco, John Lennon's future short-term back-up band Elephant's Memory, one of our heroes, Emitt Rhodes at #42 with "Live Till You Die" and a Zager and Evans hit (in 1971 ... "Hydra 15,000") make you scratch your head and wonder ... just what the heck kind of radio station WAS this?!?!? (All the more bizarre when you see Andy Williams and Donny Osmond in The Top Ten!!!)
Looks like they came out of Erie, PA ... and they're still on the air!
Every Friday, Forgotten Hits continues to look back at The British Invasion attacking our shores (and, in particular, our airwaves) with an onslaught of brand new sounds beaming over from Jolly Ol' England.
Here's what things looked like on the charts 50 Years Ago This Weekend ...
BILLBOARD MAGAZINE: 3/21/64 - I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND FINALLY falls from the #1 spot, only to be replaced by SHE LOVES YOU, which had spent the previous four weeks stuck behind it at #2. But not to worry … The Fab Four STILL have the Top Three Hits in the land, as right behind I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND at #2 is PLEASE PLEASE ME, holding down the #3 spot. Their latest U.S. release, TWIST AND SHOUT, has joined them in the Top Ten, now sitting at #7. (FOUR TOP TEN HITS in the same week!!! Insane!)
Looking at the rest of what can only be described as "The British Chart Beat", I SAW HER STANDING THERE is at #14, GLAD ALL OVER (still climbing) is at #15, I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU is down to #21, NEEDLES AND PINS is up another 21 points to #25, HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE is knocking on The Top 40 Door at #41 with MY BONNIE right behind it at #42, FROM ME TO YOU has finally earned a bullet, moving from #73 to #58, THE BEATLES are in at #79 with a CANADIAN single, ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN and FOUR Beatles-related novelty hits are now on the charts: WE LOVE YOU BEATLES by THE CAREFREES at #73, MY BOYFRIEND GOT A BEATLE HAIRCUT at #83, THE BOY WITH THE BEATLE HAIR at #85 and A LETTER TO THE BEATLES by THE FOUR PREPS at #86.
I guess you could say that this is the week they officially crossed-over to become a pop-culture phenomenon. The Beatles were now affecting every aspect of our being.
Meanwhile, check out The Top Five here in Chicago this week ... The WLS Silver Dollar Survey ranks them this way: "Twist And Shout" is #1, "Please Please Me" is #2, "She Loves You" is #3, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" / "I Saw Her Standing There" (now showing as a two-sided hit) is #4 and "Glad All Over" is #5. Rounding out the Top Ten are "We Love You Beatles" by The Carefrees at #9 and "It's All In The Game" by Cliff Richard at #10. (And take a look at the unlikely trio holding down the other three Top Ten Spots: The Beach Boys with "Fun Fun Fun", Bobby Vinton with "My Heart Belongs To Only You" and Sammy Davis, Jr. with "The Shelter Of Your Arms". Now THAT's chart diversity folks! lol)
Other British Hits of note include The Swinging Blue Jeans at #18 with "Hippy Hippy Shake", The Searchers at #22 with "Needles And Pins" and The Beatles again, premiering at #36 with their latest hit, "Can't Buy Me Love".
On the National Charts, Canadian imports of two Beatles album tracks, "All My Lovin'" and "Roll Over Beethoven" sold enough copies to make the U.S. Chart … but here in Chicago we were treated to cover versions of those tracks by The Princeton Five (later simply The Princetons of "Georgianna" fame) and Jimmy Griffin, who six years later would be hitting the charts as a member of Bread.
Mike Baker salutes The British Invasion this weekend and next on his "Forgotten 45's" radio program ... more details below ...
The
50th Anniversary Of The British Invasion
Many
people have heard the 50th anniversary of The Beatles on American
Radio but what followed was the British Invasion. The Animals, The Dave Clark
Five, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Herman's Hermits, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones,
The Who and many more invaded the American Charts.
Listen Sunday, March
23rd and 30th to the British Invasion from noon to 4pm
followed by the History of Rock & Roll’s chapter on the British
Invasion.
FINALLY!!! Today it's supposed to be 50 degrees in Chicago ... and we might break 60 tomorrow!!! (Of course then the next five days we return to highs in the 30's ... with even a couple of chances of snow flurries!) ... but let me enjoy the next 48 hours while I can ... this has been, without a doubt, one of the most brutal winters ever!!! So, inspired to celebrate (call it early spring fever), we decided to look back today and review ...
THE TOP 4545's ...
FROM 45 YEARS AGO TODAY ...
THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING, 1969
#45 - Try A Little Tenderness - Three Dog Night
(their first chart hit)
#44 - I Can Hear Music - The Beach Boys
(a HUGE leap from #70 to #44 ... and one of my all-time favorites by them)
#43 - No, Not Much - The Vogues
(another great remake hit by these guys)
#42 - It's Your Thing - The Isley Brothers
(Their first hit in quite a while ... this one jumped from #93 to #42 ... that's halfway up the chart in a single bound!)
#41 - May I - Bill Deal and the Rhondels
(Another Forgotten Hits Classic)
#40 - Don't Give In To Him - Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
(Another in their on-going string of hits)
#39 - I Don't Know Why - Stevie Wonder
(Does ANYBODY remember this one?!?! I sure don't!)
#38 - There'll Come A Time - Betty Everett
(The Shoop-Shoop Girl with a '69 comeback hit)
#37 - Do Your Thing - The Watts 103rd Street Band
(Another one you might not recognize, even if by some miracle you heard it again!)
#36 - Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose - James Brown
(Have you seen the previews yet for the brand new James Brown bio-pic? It looks absolutely AMAZING!)
#35 - Ramblin' Gamblin' Man- The Bob Seger System
(A HUGE hit here in Chicago, it didn't do as well nationally ... but for most of our our first introduction to this rock mainstay. Listen closely for a very young Glenn Frey on background vocals)
#34 - Sophisticated Sissy - The Meters
Slowly creeping up the charts
#33 - I'll Try Something New - DIana Ross and the Supremes with The Temptations - they had far greater success with their pairing on "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
#32 - You Showed Me - The Turtles
Still one of my favorites by these guys
#31 - Touch Me - The Doors
One of those songs that you STILL hear each and every day!
#30 - Mendocino - The Sir Douglas Quintet
And one that would sound GREAT coming out of your radio six times a month. A much overlooked, long-forgotten classic that just feels good every time it comes on.
#29 - But You Know I Love You - The First Edition
Still pre-Kenny Rogers top billing ... their follow-up hit to "Just Dropped In"
#28 - Sweet Cream Ladies - The Box Tops
Everybody I know loves this song ... yet you NEVER get to hear it. In fact, most of their hits are radio-ignored other than "The Letter"
#27 - Twenty-Five Miles - Edwin Starr
Another great Motown / Soul Classic ... a year later he'd top the charts by declaring "War"
#26 - You Gave Me A Mountain - Frankie Laine
Another PERFECT example that shows how EVERYTHING fit on the radio back in the day. Frankie Laine?!?! Being played side-by-side with The Doors, James Brown and Bob Seger?!?!? And (still to come) Bubble Puppy, The Zombies, The 1910 Fruitgum Company and Tommy Roe?!?! Man, what an AMAZING time in music!
#25 - I Got A Line On You - Spirit
Another rock and roll classic
#24 - Only The Strong Survive - Jerry Butler
The Ice Man cometh
#23 - Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon - Paul Revere and the Raiders
How come we never get to hear this one?!?!
#22 - Hot Smoke And Sassafrass - (by the aforementioned) Bubble Pupply
Psychedelic Rock at its finest!
#21 - You've Made Me So Very Happy - Blood, Sweat and Tears
First major hit after the David Clayton Thomas take-over
#20 - Rock Me - Steppenwolf
We featured this one just the other day in Forgotten Hits!
#19 - The Weight - Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul covering The Band's classic ... perhaps a venture better left undun!
#18 - This Magic Moment - Jay and the Americans
One of their very best ... and still one of my all-time favorite performances
#17 - Baby, Baby Don't Cry - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
One of Smokey's finest
#16 - Things I'd Like To Say - The New Colony Six
The boys from Chicago scoring nationally with this one!
#15 - I've Gotta Be Me - Sammy Davis, Jr.
See what I mean about chart-diversity?!?!?
#14 - Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In - The Fifth Dimension
From the Rock Musical "Hair" ... it would go on to become one of the biggest hits of 1969
#13 - My Whole World Ended - David Ruffin
Bounced from The Temptations, David scored his first big solo hit with this one.
#12 - Games People Play - Joe South
The recently-departed South wrote quite a few hits in the '60's for other artists ... this was the biggest one he kept for himself
#11 - Galveston - Glen Campbell
Country, Pop, Soul, Funk, Bubblegum, M.O.R., Psychedelia, Folk Rock, Tex Mex ... all these genres sharing space on this week's chart ... and played side-by-side on the radio without a single hesitation ... not like the "segregated radio" we're force-fed today
#10 - Run Away Child, Running Wild - The Temptations
Man, these guys are ALL over the chart this week!
#9 - Crimson And Clover - Tommy James and the Shondells
And psychedelic pop! One of their absolute finest ... and a revolutionary record at the time
#8 - Everyday People - Sly and the Family Stone
And so on and so on
#7 - This Girl's In Love With You - Dionne Warwick
Scoring a Top Ten Hit with her remake of the #1 Herb Alpert Hit from the year before ... only this time from a woman's point of view
#6 - Time Of The Season - The Zombies
The Zombies had already split up by the time this record was racing up the charts!
#5 - Indian Giver - The 1910 Fruitgum Company
A great bubblegum hit
#4 - Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations
Still a popular radio hit, discovered and embraced by a whole new generation. (Hey, what's that in your hair???)
#3 - Traces - The Classics IV
Another beautiful ballad by the beautiful voice of Dennis Yost
#2 - Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival
One of their most popular tunes ever ... these guys could do no wrong in 1969 ... they had seven charted hits that year!
#1 - Dizzy - Tommy Roe
Our Forgotten Hits Buddy Tommy Roe tops the chart with the biggest hit of his career.
Hey Kent, The only way I get to
listen to a variety of oldies these days is to listen to Casey Kasem's American
Top 40, broadcast here on Sunday mornings. He was one of my heroes, back in the
early 70s. There are no "true" oldies stations here, and who wants to give a big
chunk of the satellite radio fees to Howard Stern? I thought it would be
interesting if you and your readers could come up with lists of the top 20 songs
most played today. Put them all together, and come up with the tally. The
project may be too hard to stomach, though. My guess is the song that comes out
on top (at least in this area) is "Keep On Rockin' Me, Baby". - John
LaPuzza
Way back when, at the very
beginning of Forgotten Hits back in 1999 till about 2002 we used to run our
"Most Overplayed Oldies" campaign where readers would vote on the songs they are
sick of hearing played to death ... songs they genuinely liked that radio has
forever ruined for them by this complete overkill saturation. (Of course back
then there were all kinds of legitimate oldies stations up and down the radio
dial ... at one time, we had three right here in Chicago.)
Now the very term "oldies" is radio
taboo and not to be uttered ... everything is "Classic Hits" and "Classic Rock"
... except the very "finite" definition encompasses only about 200 of the exact
same songs by the exact same artists ... it's worse than we ever could have
imagined. (Back then some of the songs most often cited were "My Girl" by The
Temptations, "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison, "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van
Morrison and "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers ... all GREAT songs
that radio ruined for us. You'll still hear these four, of course, but nowhere
near to the degree that you did 10-12 years ago. Now it just seems to be a
steady stream of Journey, Foreigner, John Mellencamp, Billy Joel and Steve
Miller ... once again, songs we USED to love ... that we now can't turn off fast
enough.
(I actually heard K-Hits play "Got
To Be Real" by Cheryl Lynn yesterday ... and it sounded SO good to hear again.
Of course then they went straight into "867-5309" and "Don't Stop Believin'" ...
but honestly wouldn't it be great ... and a WHOLE lot more tolerable ... to hear
radio play at least one "Wow!" song every hour? You know, be creative ... and
give us a "pleasant surprise" once in a while. (kk)
But it's entertaining as hell reading what you have to
say!
Rick
I wonder if these wise young radio program directors will eventually tell
the "Elvis Only" guy that he should try to play more Billy Joel songs during his
program. Or that "Breakfast With The Beatles" would probably draw a bigger
audience if they slipped a little John Cougar Mellencamp and Steve Miller into
the mix. What the hell are these guys thinking?!?! And when is enough FINALLY
enough?!?! (kk)
re: The Saturday
Surveys:
Hey
kk!
The Cherry Slush!
Why do the grooviest combos ever from America only get
underground status?
Because they are just way too far out for the parents
to allow their kids to give any support to them!
This was a record that was hidden in that secret place
if owned, right beside anything by Davie Allan & The Arrows and Jimmy Flint
& The Stones "Hey Momma (Keep Your Big Mouth Shut").
Kent, I want you to know that I am just ramblin'
about anything and nothing in particular on the surveys posted this week. On
WKLO's survey, who remembered that the Human Beinz had a followup to NOBODY BUT
ME with the B.B B. tune TURN ON YOUR LOVE LIGHT? On WLS's survey, I played
the Shepherd Sisters' PLEASE DON'T MENTION MY NAME since for all practical
purposes, I had never heard it before. It didn't make our survey here in OKC.
What is the story again on the song LINDA that Jan and Dean recorded? Did you
know or remember that Adam Wade recorded it two years earlier in 1961 when he
was under contract with Coed Records? That version made our survey as
well. Larry
The super-short story behind "Linda" (and probably the ONLY reason anybody
still talks about it today ... because otherwise it's pretty much just a
throw-away track) is the fact that it was written for a VERY young Linda
Eastman, who went on to become the first Mrs. Paul McCartney back in 1969.
Other than that, I find it quite "forgettable". (kk)
Hi Kent ENJOY seeing the Record Surveys you
send! The KOIL Top 50 Survey had "I've Had It by the Bell Notes as
#3!!! The March 15, 1963, Silver Dollar Survey with Dick Biondi on it had a
tune you NEVER hear either: "How Can I Forget" by Jimmy Holiday. (a real "tear
jerker"). Have you heard either one of those tunes?
Keep up the great work. Carolyn
I don't remember this one ... but the Jimmy Holiday single "How Can I Forget" was Jimmy's biggest hit,
peaking at #57 on the Billboard Chart in the Spring of 1963. Not likely you'll
ever hear this one anywhere else but here! So here goes! (kk)
Kent, Always love your "surprise" tunes in Forgotten
Hits, and "Soul Coaxin'" by the Raymond Lefevre Orchestra was another example of
great music that will never see the light of day except in your i-Pod. So much
impressive music just sits in the vaults, and when you hear it again you say to
yourself "what a really great song ... why is that not getting any air-play." I
love really nice production. I have always felt one of the finest pieces of
production out of Motown was Martha & the Vandellas' "Dancing In The
Street." And "Venus" by Frankie Avalon and "Venus In Blue-Jeans" by Jimmy
Clanton are other examples of songs that are well-produced and just sound great
on the radio. My wife and I were taking a little day-trip today and had a
"formula" station on the radio and on comes "Brown-Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison --
you know after hearing it 10,000 times, you just want to hit the button and say
p-l-e-a-s-e -- come on, how about "Gloria" or "Here Comes The Night" -- please,
anything else by Van, because after a while, it becomes torture. Safe without
surprise seems to be today's formula -- oh yes, and don't forget those long stop
sets! Peace,
Tim Kiley
re: Diggin' Forgotten
Hits:
Hey ...
You guys are sure making me feel a
lot younger!!! Many thanks!!! Now, if WLS were starting all over, I'd sure send
in a demo tape!!!!! Bob Hale
WLS SHOULD start over ... and you'd be a welcome
addition, Bob! (kk)
Thanks again for creating this
network of kindred souls and the true fellowship that is evident in all your
posts. Regards, Scott
Another salute to the on-going wisdom of today's radio programmers.
One of our comrades in arms fighting the oldies battle has fallen ... and
we feel compelled to talk about it.
Our good radio buddy Dave The Rave was fired from WIBG / Wibbage FM 94.3 a couple of weekends ago.
In fact, after a couple of false starts the Sunday Morning where we "sprung
ahead" to Daylight Savings Time, they aborted the show after airing only the first few
minutes ... and then afterwards informed him that it
will not be returning to their line-up.
For those of you unfamiliar with Dave or Dave's program, "Relics And
Rarities" has been airing for a good many years on outlets like XM Satellite
Radio and Top Shelf Oldies ... and recently has been syndicated for broadcast
over a number of stations sprinkled across the U.S. as part of their weekend
"specialty" programming. It featured a mixture of hits ... forgotten hits ...
and "shouldabeen" hits ... records that sounded like they fit into
the musical landscape at the time but, for whatever reason, just never caught
on.
About the ONLY way to hear music like this today (with the incredibly tight
play lists employed and enforced on terrestrial radio across the country) is on
the Internet or through specialty programs like this one. Typically, this is
considered "weekend fare" ... a chance for the radio station to give their regular jocks some time off
to spend with their families while the station broadcasts syndicated programs
featuring music you don't always get to hear on the station ... Doo-Wop shows
... Elvis Only ... Breakfast With The Beatles ... Rock and Roll Roots ... Back
to the '70's ... Cruisin' America ... SPECIALTY programs that step outside the
confines of these tightly controlled play lists.
Now I do know that Dave had been battling with the station for a while
regarding the "obscure content" of his show. He was playing songs that management told him "didn't
test well", one of the most familiar and robotic answers program directors are
programmed and conditioned to dispense. At one point he was told to feature more songs "from
the list".
You all know the list I mean ... the dreaded "there is a copy of this
list at EVERY radio station in America" list ... and"we ALL must play ONLY music from this list" ...
because "anything else may be deemed too unfamiliar and drive listeners away". So as suchwe, the listeners, are tortured by hearing the EXACT same songs every day at every stop on the dial.
(We recently recounted the story of how Jeff James, one of our local jocks, was
once reprimanded for playing "Come Monday" instead of "Margaritaville" by Jimmy
Buffet, accused at the time of costingthe station 200 listeners by straying from that same
dreaded list. Because God knows the audience isn't intelligent enough to
appreciate and accept ANOTHER song by Jimmy Buffet ... we can only digest one
... and that ONE is "Margaritaville" by golly. That's why Buffet plays to sold
out shows across the country where he performs a three hour set of nothing BUT
"Margaritaville", right???)
Fact is, making Dave the Rave ... or ANY other jock for that matter doing a program like this ...
play songs from "the list" completely destroys the whole concept of "specialty
programming"! If you're only going to hear the same songs during these weekend
"breaks" as you do all week long, where's the escape? What's special about THAT?!?! And furthermore, how do you call the
show "Relics and Rarities" if you're REALLY playing "same old and same
old"?!?!?
I can assure you that NOBODY tunes in to Dave The Rave's Show to hear Billy
Joel ... or Foreigner ... or Boston ... or Fleetwood Mac ... or Steve Miller ...
or John Cougar Mellencamp. The options to hear THIS music are literally ENDLESS
... you can turn on virtually ANY station in America and hear these exact same
songs non-stop, 24 hours a day. The escape IS specialty programming on the
weekends ... and, as such, these programs have become very popular with the
connoisseurs of music out there who have had enough of the cookie-cutter format
being shoved down our throats on a daily basis by nearly every other radio
station from coast to coast ... because that's what they THINK we want.
Two tracks specifically cited as being obscure were "The Monkey Time" by
Major Lance and "Any Way You Want It" by The Dave Clark Five, a song we featured
right here in Forgotten Hits a couple of weeks ago as an alternative suggestion
to the Journey song by the same title that plays fifteen times a week on every
Classic Rock and Classic Hits radio station in America.
For the record, BOTH of these songs were Top Ten Hits. Obscure? Only
because radio has rendered them so by completely ignoring them for the past
fifty years. But both were legitimate hits that fall squarely into what a good
"Relics And Rarities" radio program should be playing.
Most appalling to me is the fact that WIBBAGE (much like WLS here in
Chicago, who we bitch about all the time) has a long-standing, rich heritage of
radio broadcasting history. It is, without question, one of the "bigs" ... and,
as such, should know better. Their audience ... and their legacy ... was built
by playing these very tunes that now "don't fit" or "aren't on the list" ... and
that's because the people in charge today haven't got a clue as to what good
radio is ... or how good radio came to be. And it's that penalty that the rest
of us have to live with on a daily basis. By the same token, I have to commend
Dave for sticking to his guns ... and the integrity of his program ... by
refusing to play songs "from the list". It's not what "Relics And Rarities" was
ever supposed to be ... and I give him credit for staying true to his fans.
On the plus side, you can still catch Dave The Rave on Sunday Nights doing
a three hour version of his show "Relics And Rarities" on Top Shelf Oldies ...
and syndicated one hour and two hour programs also play on several stations that
stream over the Internet so that you can tune in and listen regardless of where
you live. Archived shows (including the one that never got the chance to
air in its entirety) can be found on Dave's website. (See link below)
As regular radio continues to drive us away, we've got to find other outlets to
hear the music we enjoy. This is a good place to listen. Likewise, we regularly
compliment the programming going on at Rewound Radio, who push the credo "It's
not how old it is ... it's how good it is". We're in favor of ANYBODY stepping outside the box and playing the hits that are NOT on the list ... and we applaud the radio stations and disc jockeys who do. (kk)
From Dave The Rave's Facebook Page (March 10th ... aka "The Morning
After"):
I was officially notified this
morning that indeed my Sunday morning show on WIBG-GM has been terminated
because it did not fit the current format of the station. I respect the right of
a station to determine what they feel is in their best interests. Sometimes those
decisions are good ones, and sometimes very poor decisions. But it is how radio
works and I accept such. If you have any questions or comments please direct
them to rickrock.wibbage@gmail.com. I do wish to thank the many great listeners
of this station that I connected with over the almost five years I spent at
WIBG Wibbage FM 94.3. I thank the
owner Rick Brancadora who hired me, and
Bobby Emmons for recommending me. Just know that I maintained the integrity of
what my show is about musically, and that as promised, I did not quit on the
listeners. Archived shows at www.davetherave.com, and inquiries from other stations are welcome. Thanks for your
support.
re: The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: Cat Stevens seems to be the latest artist not interested in performing at this year's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony. In fact, he may not show up at all! Kiss captured all kinds of headlines a few weeks ago when they announced that they couldn't set aside their differences for just one night and treat their fans to a full-blown reunion ... and now Stevens is saying that he's not sure he'll make the trip back to America to attend the ceremony. With Linda Ronstadt being unable to perform due to advanced Parkinson's Disease ... and Kurt Cobain also unable to attend (for obvious reasons), it sounds like those in attendance will be at best be treated to other artists paying tribute to the music of these artists rather than being performed by the artists themselves. On the plus side, Peter Gabriel (who skipped the ceremony when Genesis was inducted) says he will be on hand to accept his "solo" award ... as well Daryl Hall and John Oates, who seem to be genuinely honored by their selection. Also on hand will be The E Street Band, who are being inducted for "Musical Excellence". Also earning inductions this year in the non-performing category are Beatles Manager Brian Epstein (posthumously) and Rolling Stones Manager Andrew Loog Oldhan. The ceremony takes place on Thursday, April 10th, in Brooklyn, NY. (kk)
And, on a related note, Gene Simmons went on Sirius / XM Radio last week and slammed The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame for only inducting the four original members of Kiss. Reading through this (from Vintage Vinyl News), I guess I can kinda see his point ... Gene Simmons has slammed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over their decision to only induct the four original members of KISS.
Simmons called into Entertainment Weekly Radio on Sirius / XM to further explain why the band is refusing to play at the induction ceremony on April 10. The Rock Hall decided that they would only induct Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, ignoring other members such as the late Eric Carr and current members Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer.
Simmons told the program "And then we found out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will only be honoring the original lineup with Ace, Peter, Paul and myself, and we said, ‘Oh okay, then we won’t be playing there. We’ll just accept the award. Thank you very much.’ And they go, ‘What are you talking about?’ and I said, ‘Well, you have a group like the Eagles who continue to be our contemporaries … and every member that has even been in the Eagles has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But you’re only gonna honor the first lineup that was together for seven years? We’ve been around forty years. Tommy and Eric have been in the band 20 years — two and a half times longer than Ace and Peter."
To be completely truthful, Singer has been the drummer for 23 years, since 1991; however, Thayer joined in 2002
On Wednesday, Scott Shannon interviewed Gene Simmons of KISS on his show.
Scott used to work for Casablanca Records and KISS was the first act signed by the label.
They traveled a lot together, promoting the group.
Gene talked about why they will not perform at the Rock - n - Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.
Only original group members are allowed to perform.
Gene said "It's like being invited to a party and told you can only bring your first girlfriend."
He feels that this is an insult to two group members who have been with the group for over 20 years. (not original members.)
I think he makes a good point. I would've let them sing one song with the original group members and one song with the current group members.
Frank B. I guess I kinda get it now ... some of these current members of bands have been with them longer than the originals and have earned their place as part of their history.
Good case and point: Paul Revere and the Raiders - who boast band members that have been with the legendary wild man for 35 - 40 years! How many of you out there have worked at the same job that long? Truth is, there are very few BUSINESSES that have lasted that long!!!
Both Doug Heath and Ron Foos have been Raiders for over 40 years now ... and keyboardist Danny Krause just passed his 35 year anniversary!
While our FH Buddies Tommy Scheckel and Darren Dowler are relative "newbies" in Raider-land, they've spent their entire career in show-biz ... Tommy was the drummer for The Buckinghams for 27 years ... and before that beat the skins for another legendary wild man, superstar radio jock Jonathan Brandmeier (and the Leisure Suits!) Darren Dowler was a Vegas headliner for decades ... and did a stint with The Lettermen. In addition, his credits include singing with The Righteous Brothers, The Fifth Dimension, The Jordanaires, The Beach Boys, and many, many others. And to top that off, he was also the original lead guitarist for The Backstreet Boys!
Paul just turned 76 years old himself and, despite some health problems last year, is still up there rocking and putting on one of the best shows of ANY genre. And he's been doing exactly that for over 50 years now! (Here's some guys who belong in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ... 50+ years of nothing but "Feel Good" Music!!!) We can't wait to see the guys again when they perform at The Arcada Theatre on April 13th. Ticket information here: Click here: oshows
re: The Beatles and The Beach Boys: >>>Scott Shannon just finished interviewing Frankie Valli. According to Scott - Frankie Valli had 38 Billboard Hits and seven #1's. The only American recording artists to have hits before, during and after the Beatles era. (Frank B) >>>I'd have to dispute that one ... their west coast counterparts, The Beach Boys, immediately come to mind ... and I'll bet I could come up with at least another dozen or more if I stopped and thought about it. (kk) Good catch! Too many people only remember the early surf and turf songs of the Beach Boys and forget their long and diverse catalog. Phil PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com
American recording artists to have hits "before, during and after the Beatles era" (if you define "the Beatles era" as 1964-70 and "hits" as Billboard Hot 100 chart singles) would include Herb Alpert, Freddy Cannon, Paul Anka, Louis Armstrong, Frankie Avalon, Tony Bennett, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Jerry Butler, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Gene Chandler, Ray Charles, Chubby Checker, Lou Christie, Nat "King" Cole, Perry Como (and that's just through the Cs!) plus many, many more -- including, of course, Frank Sinatra (a solo hitmaker from 1942 to 1980). It's always dangerous to identify anything as being the "first" or the "only" because sure-as-shootin' somebody's gonna come up with at least one exception to that claim. Gary Theroux And that's not even citing some of the most obvious ones like Elvis, Rick Nelson, The Everly Brothers and literally dozens and dozens more. (Hey, you came up with almost twenty just looking between A and C!!!) That's why I was so surprised to hear Scott Shannon ... who certainly knows better ... make such a statement. (kk)
If, in fact, that's what he said at all ... read on ...
UPDATE: OK, I just listened back to the entire interview with Frankie Valli ... and that is NOT what Scott Shannon said. What he said was The Four Seasons were the only American recording artists to have a #1 Hit BEFORE The Beatles, during The Beatles and AFTER The Beatles ... and that not even The Beach Boys had done that ... which is true ... at least according to Billboard Magazine. (The Beach Boys' first Billboard #1 was "I Get Around" in 1964, by which time The Beatles had already invaded America.) The distinguishing criteria, of course, is the #1 Hit status.
So an IMMEDIATE Public Apology to all misled by Frank's original comment shown above ... and to Scott Shannon in particular for EVER doubting his wealth of musical knowledge!!! (I should have known better than to think for a minute that he would make a bonehead mistake like that!!! Lol) kk
>>>I have wondered if the Beatles would be the success they are if it weren't for George Martin. He was the genius behind the band. I think the Beach Boys (their American counterparts) did more on their own. Brian Wilson is the genius behind the Beach Boys - he didn't have a George Martin - (he had his Dad, Murry Wilson, which doesn't say much.) Murry was a good businessman but not an arranger like Martin. In the words of RVB (my oldies roomie bud) "the Beatles are overrated." I tend to agree. (Blossmwrld) The Beatles also had Brian Epstein and the Beach Boys' greatly benefited from Murry Wilson's relentless door-to-door promoting. Both groups are superior and deserve the accolades sent their way but without Team Beatles or Beach Boys Nation, neither may have made it off the launch pad. Their early songs / singles only hint at greatness in the rearview mirror. Are the Beatles "overrated"? IMHO, their unprecedented sociological impact causes many critics and fans to grant their mediocre songs classic status. Over rated? No. Blind worship of anything they released. Yes. Similarly, Brian Wilson may be a genius but not every tune he composed belongs in the Hall of Fame. Phil PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com
With a catalog of music that has stood the test of time ... and still holds up just as well today ... and ultimately will outlive us all ... its hard to even fathom considering The Beatles as "overrated". No, in hindsight they're not all priceless gems ... and some of that success was blown out of proportion by the mania ... but there are only a handful of songwriters (many of whom only served that purpose and were not performer themselves) who can boast a catalog of music this diverse and contemporary. And look how rapidly they progressed from "She Loves You" to "Sgt. Pepper"!!! Unheard of in pop music before or since.
No question that the full weight of The Beach Boys' success was placed squarely on Brian Wilson's shoulders ... and it ultimately did him in ... but the music he created during that period of time is, if not completely unmatched, certainly is amongst the most elite of the elite. Both groups will admit to this day that they inspired and fed off each other ... always trying to top the other with something even more unique and different. The Beatles and The Beach Boys single-handedly took music in new directions we might otherwise never have seen. Kudos for BOTH bands ... and all the contributions they've made by enriching our lives ... we truly are the winners here. (kk)
re: Fanny: Hi Kent,
A late follow-up on the Bee Gees' "Fanny" as I had missed the initial posting.
While working at "American Top 40" in the late-'70s, I had the good fortune to meet and interview hundreds of recording artists and was befriended by a few in the process, one of whom was Andy Gibb. As our birthdates were just a month and a day apart, we were contemporaries. And while Andy's success was on a much grander and more glamorous scale, the fact that we were two kids in a business that was truly insane at the time probably contributed to our kinship. He truly was a very good guy and, sadly, an inexplicably lost soul. But I digress ...
In the summer of '78, I made one of several trips to the Gibbs' home base in Miami to conduct support interviews with parents Hugh and Barbara Gibb, as well as associated personnel, for a series of radio specials on Andy and the Bee Gees. One night, a major dinner was hosted at the house which Andy was renting. The menu was made up of lots pf great southern comfort food, most notably the best fried chicken I have ever had, yet almost greaseless to the touch. The architect and chef of this unbelievable meal was a middle-aged black woman named Fanny. I engaged her in conversation and found out that she often catered to the stars that would come into Miami to record at Criteria Studios, including other luminaries such as Eric Clapton and Crosby, Stills and Nash. At some point in our chat, a lightbulb went off in my head and I asked her, "Are you the Fanny in the Bee Gees' song?" Yes, she said. Evidently, Barry, Robin and Maurice needed a two-syllable woman's name to fit the lyric. "Fanny" fit the bill, and the Gibbs got to give an appreciative nod to the woman who was feeding them so well.
Fanny, by the way, was an absolutely lovely human being who just radiated love and good nature. I exhorted her to write a Rock And Roll Cookbook with recipes to the favorite dishes of the stars she had fed, but I guess it never happened. What a shame. The secret to that chicken alone is priceless.
Later that year, I ran into Maurice Gibb at an event in Los Angeles and I told him that I had met his inspiration for the song "Fanny." His reply was, "Yes, she's a luv. But have you had her fried chicken?" All my best, Kent,
Scott Paton LOL ... TOO funny! (I guess sometimes the stories behind the songs aren't always what you expect them to be!) Thanks for sharing! (kk)
I am one of the fortunate ones who got to see The Bee Gees a couple of times during their hey-day ... so sad to think that three of the four Gibb brothers are no longer with us. Would LOVE to see Barry Gibb's show when he comes to town but once again ticket prices are in the stratosphere making it impossible for us to attend. I'm curious as to how it will sound ... but have such great love and appreciation for their music that I know we'd love whatever Barry has come up with. (Frannie's never had the chance to see them ... so this would be one of those "bucket list" nights for us!) If any of our readers are able to attend, please drop us a line ... we'd love to run your review. (kk) Barry's "Mythology Tour" is coming to the States for a limited run in the coming weeks and, as he admonished the audience in a recent TV interview, "Don't come to this show expecting the Bee Gees. That's not possible." But he's joined onstage by his son Stephen and Maurice's daughter Sammy, and I'm certain that that familial support is the only thing that could have gotten Barry to take the stage again without his brothers. I've always been a huge Bee Gees fan and felt very fortunate to have been befriended by some of their extended family. My heart aches for Barbara Gibb, whom I believe is in her mid-90s now, at having lost three of her sons. "Fanny" remains one of my Gibb favorites, and the more time that passes, the more I appreciate memorable moments of the past, including meeting the lovely namesake of the song.
Hey Kent.
We found Terry Jacks - not easy to do since he doesn't use computers (he calls them "hell machines"). The "Seasons in the Sun" story has been distorted over time, so it was great to hear it from start to finish, beginning with Terry's days as a hotshot producer in Canada with The Poppy Family and ending with his career as an environmental activist. Along the way, there were failed recording sessions with The Beach Boys, a paperboy who convinced Terry to release his version of the song, and a meeting with the song's original composer, Jaques Brel, who told Terry the surprising story of where it was written (hint: there was a "Best Little" one in Texas).
Here's the full interview: http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/terry_jacks_seasons_in_the_sun_/ Be Well,
Carl Wiser www.songfacts.com
One of those "love it or hate it" songs to be sure ... but people sure loved it back in '74 when it topped the charts. I remember reading quite a bit about The Beach Boys' attempts at laying this one down so it's nice to see Terry talking about all that surrounded this legendary tune. We recently heard from Gary DeCarlo, lead vocalist of Steam, who had the #1 Hit "Na Na Hey Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye" back in 1969. He, too, feels the story and circumstances surrounding that hit have been greatly distorted over the years. We're hoping to run an interview with him soon in Forgotten Hits to once again "set the record straight". Stay tuned for that! (kk)
The Jersey Boys Movie is coming out June 20th -- I can't wait! Nicki Me, too ... been waiting for this one! (kk)
Be sure to tune in to Top Shelf Oldies (topshelfoldies.org) Wednesday night (March 19) at 8:00 ET for a special two-hour Third Anniversary edition of Randy on the Radio. I'll be featuring some of the rare stereo oldies from previous shows, along with the new ones you might not have heard before, as well as other great uncommon oldies. All shows archived athttp://ramtownmike.com/Wednesdayextras.html#randy
– Randy Price
One slight correction to today's post ... Crosby, Stills and Nash's first concert was NOT Woodstock. It was at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. I was there. August 17, 1969 at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, with Joni Mitchell as their opening act. By the time they got to Woodstock ...
Ken Voss ... they were scared shitless!!! One of the most famous lines from the film where Graham Nash announces "This is our second gig"!!! All the more surprising that anybody would run this as part of their ad copy promoting a new interview and radio special with the trio ... but that's exactly what they sent in!!! (kk)
>>>Thank you for the Aerosmith story on The Bellnotes' song "Ive Had It". I must have missed reading it in your previous email. (Carolyn) One more note on "I've Had it." If Carolyn lived in the Chicago area in 1964, she may have heard Chicago's own CRESTones, not the BELLnotes, singing that song on the radio. The Crestones did a nice cover of it as a followup to their bigger local hit "She's a Bad Motorcycle". Their version of "I've Had It" reached 21 on WLS' Silver Dollar Survey that summer. Clark Besch
>>>After playing Pretty Ballerina, I opened Ron Smith's Chicago Top 40 Charts book and realized that Walk Away Renee did not make the WLS Top 40. Back when oldies radio featured songs from the 60's, Walk Away Renee was the only one you would ever hear. Pretty Ballerina made it to number 16 according to Ron's book. (Phil Nee - WRCO) I have wondered about such things before, too. In studying my surveys, I sometimes found that a song charted low and just did not click in some markets, but also found that often, by the time a station decided to go with the song, it was already "old news" or even had a follow-up released. Thus, starting on a record that late made no sense and the station just dropped it right away. Of course, with WLS and WCFL, it sometimes was a battle of stations, too. If you read Tommy James' book, you can read how Jim Stagg was furious at James for giving WLS the world premier of "Crimson & Clover" so he had to make up for that by letting CFL have the next one. Those station wars sometimes contributed to what charted and what did not. I'll drop this to Clark Weber for his thoughts.
Clark Besch
>>>Kent, Kent, Kent! “You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby” by the DC5, better than “Glad All Over” and “Bits & Pieces”???????????? That is Asylum Talk!!! (Ken) Ken, yes, we all know Kent belongs in the asylum, but this is particularly disturbing! Haha. Now, if he says "I Knew It All The Time" is better, we'll just have to shoot him.
Clark Besch
>>>The much BIGGER problem, of course, is the fact that the disc jockeys ... and the folks running the radio stations today ... don't have a CLUE as to what the facts are. (kk) You ARE generalizing quite a bit there. Ask Phil Nee and Bob Stroud!
Clark Besch
Exceptions to the rule, to be sure ... and there are plenty of these ... although that list seems to be fewer and further between than ever with all the cut-backs in radio of late. But you've also taken that statement a bit out of context. The NEXT sentence reads: "Far too many of the people involved in radio today ... whether it be the on-air talent, the program director or the radio station manager ... probably weren't around when all this great music was being created ... and, as such, have no connection to the music they're playing at all." (kk)
re: And, For Those Who Like The Hard Stuff ... : LOTS of buzz about this one ... and ultimately the complete collection will be released, all with bonus material that has never before seen the light of day.
Led Zeppelin fans rejoice ... your time is gonna come! (kk)
LED ZEPPELIN - FIRST THREE ALBUMS NEWLY REMASTERED
The First Three Albums Newly Remastered, Each With An Additional Disc Of Previously Unreleased Companion Audio. Multiple CD, Vinyl, And Digital Formats, Including A Super Deluxe Boxed Set, Available June 3.
No matter how many times you may have listened to their music, you've never heard Led Zeppelin like this before. Beginning with the June 3 release of deluxe editions of Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II, and Led Zeppelin III, the band will launch an extensive reissue program of all nine of its studio albums in chronological order, each remastered by guitarist and producer Jimmy Page. Led Zeppelin will also open its vaults to share dozens of unheard studio and live recordings, with each album featuring a second disc of companion audio comprised entirely of unreleased music related to that album.
"The material on the companion discs presents a portal to the time of the recording of Led Zeppelin," says Page. "It is a selection of work in progress with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions, and new material recorded at the time."
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin III
Each album is now available for pre-order in the following formats:
SUPER DELUXE EDITION BOX
Remastered album on CD in vinyl replica sleeve
Companion audio on CD in a new sleeve and on 180-gram vinyl (Led Zeppelin features a previously unreleased October 1969 concert from Paris, II & III feature previously unreleased studio outtakes)
Remastered album on 180-gram vinyl in a sleeve replicating the first pressing
High-def audio download card of all content at 96kHz/24 bit (Live tracks are 48kHz/24bit)
Hard bound, 70+ page book filled with rare and previously unseen photos and memorabilia
High quality print of the original album cover, the first 30,000 of which will be individually numbered
Led Zeppelin will also include a replica of the band's original Atlantic press kit
DELUXE EDITION 2 CD
Remastered album, plus a second disc of unreleased companion audio (Led Zeppelin features a previously unreleased October 1969 concert from Paris, II & III feature previously unreleased studio outtakes)
DELUXE EDITION VINYL
Remastered album and unreleased companion audio on 180-gram vinyl (Led Zeppelin features a previously unreleased October 1969 concert from Paris [2 LP's] , II & III feature previously unreleased studio outtakes [Each contains 1 LP] )
SINGLE CD
Remastered album packaged in a gatefold sleeve with an 8 page booklet (Led Zeppelin III contains CD sleeve in a replica of the original vinyl, including the die cut holes and wheel)
ORIGINAL ALBUM VINYL
Remastered album on 180-gram vinyl, packaged in a sleeve that replicates the LP's first pressing in exact detail
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
Remastered album and companion audio (Led Zeppelin features a previously unreleased October 1969 concert from Paris, II & III feature previously unreleased studio outtakes)
I heard about this - so psyched!! I've got unreleased material that I downloaded but it'll be nice having official copies of previously unreleased Zep. Also, we've got the two Zeppelin box sets (the 4-CD set that was released in 1990 and its 2-disc companion released in '93). All of the tracks are out of order so what I did was I burned my own copies of the albums from the two sets. As these new releases come out I won't need THOSE anymore. I purchased them on LP in the early '80's, on CD in the late '80's, the box sets in the early '90's, and now this. I'm a die-hard so I HAVE to have it all!
'Led Zeppelin III' was the first CD I ever purchased. Got it in '86 - before I even had a CD player. When I heard that the box set was being issued in '90, I got rid of all of them except for the third album. I can't very well get rid of the very first CD I bought. Thanks for sending! JacoFan
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE DEEP PURPLE, LIVE IN CALIFORNIA 74 ~40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS EPONYMOUS CONCERT~ ~ON CD AND DIGITAL FORMATS APRIL 1, 2014~ New York, NY (March 12, 2014)—In honor of the 40th Anniversary of the historic California Jam Festival, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Deep Purple Live in California 74 for the first time on CD and Digital Audio on April 1. [MSRP $13.98] By the mid-seventies, Deep Purple was one of the biggest selling rock acts in America, and Live In California 74 demonstrates exactly why. Taking place at the end of their 28-date tour promoting Burn, the CD showcases the band performing before 200,000 people as the headliner of the Cal Jam Festival. Closing their trek with a triumphant climax, the potent line-up of Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), David Coverdale (vocals), Glenn Hughes (bass), Jon Lord (keyboards), and Ian Paice (drums) pummel through an explosive set of songs from Burn, as well as classics like “Space Truckin’” and “Smoke On The Water.” 40 years later, this set still resonates as a concert for the ages. Previously released on DVD in 2006, the Live In California 74 album is an absolutely must-have for any Deep Purple fan’s collection. Track Listing: 1.) Burn 2.) Might Just Take Your Life 3.) Lay Down, Stay Down 4.) Mistreated 5.) Smoke On The Water 6.) You Fool No One 7.) Space Truckin’
The Legendary ALICE COOPER Welcomes YOU To His Nightmare! Submit Your Questions Now For The “Keep Calm & Go Ask Alice Anything” Q&A Submit Q&A Questions via www.SuperDuperAliceCooper.com Forthcoming Official Documentary “Super Duper Alice Cooper” Premiering at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival Watch The Official Trailer Here: http://youtu.be/65LiL6R9L3I
New York, NY (March 10, 2014) -- Banger Films, in association with Eagle Rock Entertainment, presents ALICE COOPER in Super Duper Alice Cooper, the brand new official ALICE COOPER documentary distributed by SpectiCast (As The Palaces Burn, Aerosmith: Rock for the Rising Sun, Morrissey 25: Live). Super Duper Alice Cooper will premiere at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival and will hit theaters nationwide beginning May 30, 2014. The film is the first ever ‘doc opera’ – a dizzying blend of documentary archive footage, animation and rock opera that will cement forever the legend of ALICE COOPER. In order to make Super Duper Alice Cooper as interactive for his devoted fans as he possibly can, ALICE COOPER is putting together a special pre-recorded “Keep Calm & Go Ask Alice” Q&A that will run following each theatrical screening. In order for Alice to give some wild answers, he’ll require some burning questions from fans, so he’s inviting YOU to ask him anything now via www.SuperDuperAliceCooper.com (click the “Keep Calm & Go Ask Alice” graphic). Once the submission period is closed, Alice will personally handpick select questions and answer them via video, serving as the aforementioned Q&A. So, do you want your question to be answered in the pre-recorded ALICE COOPER Q&A running after each and every screening in the U.S.? Of course you do! Submit your questions now via www.SuperDuperAliceCooper.com.
Super Duper Alice Cooper is the twisted tale of a teenage Dr. Jekyll whose rock n’ roll Mr. Hyde almost kills him. It is the story of Vincent Furnier, a preacher’s son who struck fear into the hearts of parents as ALICE COOPER, the ultimate rock star of the bizarre. From the advent of Alice as front man for a group of Phoenix freaks in the 60’s to the hazy decadence of celebrity in the 70s to his triumphant comeback as 80s glam metal godfather, we will watch as Alice and Vincent battle for each other’s’ souls. Alice’s story is told not only by the man himself, but through exclusive interviews with members of the original ALICE COOPER band, Elton John, Iggy Pop, John Lydon, and Dee Snider. Super Duper Alice Cooper is the creation of Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn at Banger Films, producers of Iron Maiden: Flight 666 (2009 SXSW Audience Choice Winner) and Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage (2010 Grammy-nominated and Tribeca Audience Choice Winner), and much-lauded filmmaker Reginald Harkema, winner of the TIFF Special Jury Prize for his film Monkey Warfare. For more information on Super Duper Alice Cooper, please visit: www.SuperDuperAliceCooper.com www.facebook.com/SuperDuperAliceCooper For more information on ALICE COOPER, please visit: www.alicecooper.com www.facebook.com/AliceCooper www.twitter.com/realalicecooper ALICE COOPER needs no introduction. Still touring the world, with over 100 concerts scheduled in 2014, and hosting his internationally syndicated “NIGHTS WITH ALICE COOPER" radio show five nights a week for over a decade, Alice shows no sign of slowing down.
I'm quite sure that when The United States Post Office was first founded way back in 1775 they never dreamed they'd some day be honoring over-dosing, drugged out rock stars with commemorative postal stamps ... but the limited edition Jimi Hendrix stamp has just become available for purchase ... so stamp collectors and hard rock music fans alike can rejoice at this latest announcement. (Ben Franklin must be looking down at us right now, smiling, while grooving out to "Foxey Lady" in the background!)
The stamp was unveiled at SXSW in Austin at the Outdoor Stage in Buffer Park on Thursday. Chief financial officer and executive vice presiden of the U.S. Postal Service, Joseph Corbett, had this to say: "Combining influences from rock, modern jazz, soul and the blues with his own innovations, Jimi Hendrix helped found three new genres of music — heavy metal, jazz fusion and funk — and in doing so, left behind an indelible mark on pop music and popular culture generally. "I'm especially pleased that we continue celebrating our Music Icons stamp series with the issuance of the Jimi Hendrix Forever Stamp." Corbett was joined on stage by Janie Hendrix, sister to the late Jimi Hendrix, who said, "I am deeply touched and so are other members of the Hendrix family by the issuance of this stamp, and I wish to thank the United States Postal Service for bestowing one of our nation's highest honors on my brother Jimi. While my brother has been cited many times as being among the most influential musicians of all time, the recognition implicit in his being portrayed on a U.S. postage stamp ranks as an unparalleled honor." The stamp was designed by artist Rudy Gutierrez to resemble a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve and features a painting of Hendrix's face surrounded by colorful swirls and small icons that reference song lyrics or aspects of Hendrix's life. The various icons include flowers, a guitar, a mermaid and a butterfly. The stamp art shows Hendrix in performance, wearing one of his trademark vintage military jackets and playing one of his beloved white Fender Stratocaster guitars. Jimi now joins the ranks of fellow musicians (and noted drug users) Janis Joplin (her stamp will be out later this year), Elvis Presley, James Brown (who also qualifies as a wife-beater), Johnny Cash, Jim Morrison (to come), Michael Jackson (to come), adulterer Sam Cooke and (and I REALLY don't get this one) John Lennon. (Why is a British-born artist being honored with a U.S. stamp???) So boys and girls, if you REALLY want to make your mark ... and be remembered as an important part of U.S. History ... be sure to ingest a little over the daily requirement of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and lsd ... as this will most certainly put you on the right path to infamy. (kk)
