After reading about the child indecency scandals involving Rolf Harris and now Cliff Richard, I decided to pen this e-mail to let you and the regular visitors to Forgotten Hits know the reason that these scandals and the investigations following them are going on. These investigations in the UK are mainly due to the revelations that came out after the death of a once beloved figure of British media by the name of Jimmy Savile and revelations about his sordid “extracurricular activities”.
But first a little background information about Jimmy Savile (last name rhymes with “travel”). Savile (1926-2011) was an influential British disc jockey on the level of what Dick Clark and Casey Kasem were here in America. He hosted a very popular radio show on Radio Luxembourg from 1958 to 1967 before moving to BBC Radio One in 1967. In 1964, he started his long run as one of the hosts of the BBC pop music TV show Top of the Pops (1964-2006) and also hosted the annual TV broadcasts of the New Music Express Poll Winners Concerts for Associated British Company (ABC) Television. He is best known to American audiences for hosting the 1965 pop music film Pop Gear (a/k/a Go-Go Mania). He also was noted for his work as a tireless fundraiser for charity which led to him earning an OBE ( in 1970) and being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II (in 1990).
But it was after his death in 2011 that revelations about his more sordid “extracurricular activities” came to light. In an ITV documentary, it was revealed that he molested and sexually abused many people when they were children or teenagers as early as 1964. Only the power of his celebrity and being backed by the very powerful BBC network kept much of the scandal out of the spotlight. The revelations of that ITV documentary forced the BBC into damage control and forced them to work with Parliament and the Metropolitan Police in investigating the sexual abuse charges against Savile and other notables that may have been covered up by the BBC. The investigations known as Operation Yewtree were set up by the Metropolitan Police and the National Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children to look into allegations of sexual misconduct against Savile and other personalities associated with the BBC. Among the people being prosecuted or awaiting prosecution due to criminal investigations within Operation Yewtree include former Glam-Rock icon Gary Glitter, disc jockey and TV show host Dave Lee Travis, publicist Max Clifford, and singer- comedian Rolf Harris. Harris and Clifford were found guilty of all charges and are currently serving jail time while Glitter – already a sex offender - is awaiting trial. And Cliff Richard is one of those celebrities who just got caught up in the whole mess surrounding Operation Yewtree.
So now you and the rest of the visitors to Forgotten Hits know what’s going in Britain with the child indecency scandals that have made the news.
Mr. Kelly Izaj of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Thanks for the clarification. I've always liked Cliff Richard, and I know that he has been raked over the coals due to this matter ... and I sincerely hope he is innocent of all charges ... but I'm concerned that every OTHER example you cited ended up with the accused being guilty of which they were charged ... which can only lead one to believe that they must have found SOME reason for speculation prior to opening their investigations. That's not me passing judgment, mind you ... simply looking at the statistics as you've presented them. Since they seem to be batting 1000 everywhere else, we can only hope that Cliff will find the evidence he needs to clear his name ... if he is, in fact, innocent of these charges. Meanwhile, it might not be a bad idea to prepare themselves for what may turn out to be the ultimate shocker ... let's hope they're wrong. (Hey, I was a HUGE Michael Jackson fan, too!) kk
Hi Kent,
Nice work on Jimy Rogers and the Mauds. Interesting comment I got a couple of years ago from a dj on a local station. I called to ask why they always played 'Hold On' by Sam & Dave, but never the Mauds' version. They told me that the other version was more well known, and not everyone knew who the Mauds were because not everyone who listened was from Chicago. So my question would be 'Well, how does one get to know them unless they hear them??' Just kinda gives you an idea of how these programmers think!
And I also have to once agree with you about, for instance, Journey. I like most of their songs, but EVERY time I turned on the radio last week they played a Journey song! Same with Fleetwood Mac - great artists, but their overplaying of the same song makes you hate them! And it seems like both of my favorite stations, the Drive and 94.7, have transitioned from the 60's and 70's to almost exclusively 80's music - which does nothing for me! So I guess we really have been written off into the oldies vault!
Marlene
Hey Kent ...
Because I remain a fan as well as a participant, I thought I'd share some thoughts on our show this past weekend at The Cannery in Las Vegas.
We performed on a show that included Gary Lewis And The Playboys, The Brooklyn Bridge Band, The 1910 Fruitgum Co., and us, The Rip Chords. It was a free show called "End Of Summer Bash" ... and it was a "sellout" ... a full capacity house of energetic 3000-plus fans.
The show started out with The 1910 Fruitgum Company, with original member Frank Jeckell. They played a fun tight set of all of the Fruitgum hits as well as others, including an Ohio Express hit. They sounded great, and the audience loved hearing some live bubblegum music being represented onstage. Great guys, great band.
Then we (The Rip Chords) hit the stage, with original touring / recording member, Richie Rotkin. Arnie Marcus, another original, recently retired from the road, so this was our first West Coast show without him. We kept our set to the classic Rip Chords songs peppered with a few new songs from our "Cobra Beach" CD, and a Beach Boys song or two. During the set, we invited Billy Hinsche to sit in with us on four tunes, and the audience were thrilled to see Billy onstage. He sang some harmonies with us and added some keyboards and guitar to the mix. It's always an honor to be onstage with Billy, who needs no introduction here in Forgotten Hits. His accomplishments are well documented and his praise is well deserved. And, I admire and look up to Billy in many ways, as a friend and musician.
Towards the end of our set, we called the legendary Donna Loren onstage to sing "Muscle Bustle" with us. This is a Brian Wilson song that Donna sang in the film, "Muscle Beach Party". Donna looked and sounded great. We have worked with Donna a few times, and Richie Rotkin and Donna go all the way back to the Dick Clark Caravan Of Stars Tour in 1964. Our jam with her rocked! The audience were dancing in the aisles! We love Donna, and plan on doing more with her. For our encore Billy and Donna joined us onstage again for a rockin finale!
Next up, The Brooklyn Bridge, with a few original members still with the band. They were great, and great guys, too. Some of the best singing I have ever heard ... Johnny Maestro would be proud. (Between The Brooklyn Bridge, and another amazing vocalist, Dennis Tufano, I don't think there are better vocalists to be heard on any stage anywhere!)
Last up was Gary Lewis And The Playboys. I have been a Gary Lewis fan since the beginning, and it was a thrill and an honor to be on a bill with him and his great band. He played every hit he had, as well as some deep cuts from his original LP's. He has his Dad's sense of humor and told some really funny stories onstage. If you talk to Gary, ask him about his "interview with the young fan" ... really funny story. Gary's band was rock solid. I especially liked his bass player, who wrote a new song with Gary that they did. His introduction to that song was really funny as well. Gary is a great guy and he and his band rocked. I've attached a few photos for everyone to see as well as a link to a short Video Clip of Donna onstage with us, taken by Donna's husband Jered Cargeman, formerly of The Fantastic Baggys!
In closing, The Rip Chords represented the "Endless Summer Family" with pride in Las Vegas Saturday night, with a couple of "extended Endless Summer Family members" onstage with us, and everyone had a great time.
I remain a fan ...
Mitch Schecter / The Rip Chords
We're supposed to see The Brooklyn Bridge in a couple of weeks when they open for Felix Cavaliere's Rascals. I've been curious to see what they could possibly sound like without the great Johnny Maestro so your review was a welcome surprise. Nice clip of Donna, too ... although I WILL admit that I was waiting for what seemed would be the inevitable wardrobe malfunction! (lol)
Sounds like a good time was had by all ... and it's great to hear that Gary Lewis is back up on stage performing again ... I know he missed a number of dates on the Happy Together Tour this summer. (kk)
Tom Cuddy reports that Survivor is taking some time off to mentally regroup after the sudden death of lead singer Jimi Jamison ...
Not surprisingly. Survivor has canceled all its shows for September and October in the wake of lead singer Jimi Jamison's death.
Co-founder Dave Bickler tells Blabbermouth.net, "We are devastated by this loss, we trust that our fans will understand our wanting to take some time to mourn and remember our brother." Fellow original Frankie Sullivan adds, "I called him 'Golden Throat,' and for good reason. Jim had a voice we will never forget. It was massive and huge, and yet sweet and gentle.
The voice of such '80s classics as "High on You" and the theme from Rocky IV, "Burning Heart," Jamison suffered a fatal heart attack on August 31st.
Original Survivor founder Jim Peterik told us the day after Jamison's death had been reported:
I'm heart broken.
Jp
Meanwhile, ZZ Top's Dusty Hill is recovering nicely after his recent fall and hip injury a week or two ago.
Here is the latest tour (and health) update issued by the band (including a number of rescheduled dates in 2015 for shows recently cancelled):
DUSTY HILL ON THE MEND: ZZ TOP ROADSHOW TO RESUME FIRST OF THE YEAR
ZZ TOP have just announced that scheduled tour dates will resume at the first of the year, stating, "Dusty's well being is paramount.” The statement is in reference to Dusty Hill, the band’s bass-guitarist, who, earlier, took a mis-step on his tour bus and injured his hip, whose energies are now aimed at rehab in expectation of a complete recovery.
The band’s management is now booking and re-scheduling an extensive run of dates starting early next year. “We’re looking forward to getting out there and rockin’ it with Dusty in a big way...100%,” bandmates Billy F Gibbons and Frank Beard, commented. Dusty's usual upbeat wit was very much in evidence as he added that he'd like to see Slim Harpo’s classic "Hip Shake" added to the band's repertoire.
Ticket holders for tour dates this fall run should hold on to their tickets until the updated schedule is posted early next week.
Ticket holders for the ZZ Top / Jeff Beck events will be pleased to know they have have been rescheduled as noted below:
Thackerville, OK – Winstar Casino
05/02/15
The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
05/07/15
Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater
05/08/15
W. Palm Beach, FL – Cruzan Amphitheatre
05/09/15
Saint Augustine, FL – Saint Augustine Amphitheatre
05/10/15
Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
Ticket holders for the dates listed below will receive full refunds as these are not slated to be rescheduled:
9/25/2014
Bloomsburg, PA-Bloomsburg Fair
FRI 9/26/2014
West Springfield, MA-The Big E Festival
SAT 9/27/2014
Portland, ME-Maine State Pier
WED 10/8/2014
Ft. Wayne, IN-Foellinger Theatre - Outdoor
WED 10/15/2014
Columbia , SC-South Carolina State Fair Grandstand
Our FH Buddy Ron Onesti (he of The Arcada Theatre) received a nice write up this past week, speaking about the recent passing of Joan Rivers. (Joan filmed a live concert special there a couple of years ago that still shows up on cable all the time.) You can read the complete piece here:
Local FH subscribers received a VERY special treat in their email this morning ... it's a $24 Ticket Offer to see Lou Gramm, original frontman and voice of Foreigner, at The Arcada Theatre this Saturday Night! (Unfortunately, we can't be at this show ... so we're hoping that a few of our readers will take advantage of this GREAT offer and report back with reviews of the concert!)
Not a Forgotten Hits Subscriber? Drop us an email at forgottenhits@aol.com and ask us to put you on the list! (kk)
Kent,
