But I was able to pull together a few things this morning ...
Enjoy!
Would you please tell whomever is left of the original New Colony Six I still love and consider a potato chip song (you can't get enough of it) 'Things I'd Like To Say.' It has it all: lyrics, melody, singing, musicianship. Never get tired of it. I only have a handful of perfect songs ... another is 'On the Wings of A Nightingale' as sung by the Everly Brothers (and written by Sir Paul) ... pretty high standard, huh? It's crazy what makes this list ... they're just songs I can't help loving for no particular reason, like Bob Brady and the Con-cords 'Everybody's Going To The Love-In.' (Perfect Songs could be another fun survey ... I'm thinking about 'Sweet Soul Music' favorites you're currently surveying ... might be easier ... I don't even know where to start on that one because there are so many, beginning with Smokey's 'Cruisin''. Maybe if you asked us to send you one each & that'd be my pick.) Patti
I passed your note along to The New Colony Six members, circa 1968-1969. It's funny you should mention "Perfect Songs" ... there are VERY few songs that I can honestly say I have never stopped loving since the first time I've heard them ... and still listen to them EVERY time they come on the radio today. To me, THOSE songs would make my list ... not even sure how many that would be ... but when you consider that tens of thousands of songs have made the charts and crossed our consciousness since the dawn of rock and roll, I'll betcha I would have a hard time narrowing it down to 200 ... 500 ... 1000 ... but even THEN, I still wouldn't play the SAME 500 songs day in and day out, day after day after day ... because I don't want to run the risk of ruining THOSE songs for me, too. They are far to precious. (kk)
REMINDER: Don't miss The New Colony Six THIS SUNDAY at The Arcada Theatre when they perform as part of The Rhythmic Arts Foundation Fundraiser (also starring Denny Diamond and The Cadillac Casanovas). Chet Coppock will act as Master of Ceremonies and it all goes to a good cause. (Scroll back and read our March 31st interview with Robert Colletti, organizer of this event).
I passed your note along to The New Colony Six members, circa 1968-1969. It's funny you should mention "Perfect Songs" ... there are VERY few songs that I can honestly say I have never stopped loving since the first time I've heard them ... and still listen to them EVERY time they come on the radio today. To me, THOSE songs would make my list ... not even sure how many that would be ... but when you consider that tens of thousands of songs have made the charts and crossed our consciousness since the dawn of rock and roll, I'll betcha I would have a hard time narrowing it down to 200 ... 500 ... 1000 ... but even THEN, I still wouldn't play the SAME 500 songs day in and day out, day after day after day ... because I don't want to run the risk of ruining THOSE songs for me, too. They are far to precious. (kk)
REMINDER: Don't miss The New Colony Six THIS SUNDAY at The Arcada Theatre when they perform as part of The Rhythmic Arts Foundation Fundraiser (also starring Denny Diamond and The Cadillac Casanovas). Chet Coppock will act as Master of Ceremonies and it all goes to a good cause. (Scroll back and read our March 31st interview with Robert Colletti, organizer of this event).
Micky Dolenz was on hand last weekend for Johnny Mathis' sold-out concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Here's a great shot of Micky and Johnny together after the show, courtesy of DIS-Company! (kk)
Jay Black "The Voice" of Jay & The Americans
May 9th at the Levoy Theatre, Millville, NJ
I would LOVE to see Ron Onesti book Jay Black into The Arcada Theatre. He had Jay and the Americans there last year ... and it was a great show ... but now I want to see and hear THAT VOICE ... INCREDIBLY as strong as ever at the ripe old age of 76! (kk)
Speaking of great shows, FH Reader Steve Sarley jut sent us the Summer Line-Up for RiverEdge Park (a BEAUTIFUL place to see a concert, by the way ... we were there a couple of summers ago for the Sail Rock Show) ...
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2013/08/sail-rock-our-concert-review.html
This year headliners include Hall and Oates (July 31st), Earth Wind And Fire (August 22nd), Rock The Yacht (put on by the same folks who gave us Sail Rock a few years ago ... this time featuring The Little River Band, Ambrosia, Player, Stephen Bishop and Robbie Dupree) on July 24th, REO Speedwagon (July 18th), The BoDeans (June 13th ... they kick off this year's events), Meat Loaf (August 23rd) and a '90's Show featuring Smash Mouth, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Tonic. (Guess we'll be spending quite a bit of our summer out in Aurora this year!)
And check out this line-up for the 2015 Ponderosa Stomp ... even our buddy Freddy Cannon is back out on the road again after having heart surgery late last year ... that's GREAT news!!! (Now will somebody please bring this guy to Chicago so that WE can see him, too?!?!?)
I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT, KENT. YES, IM FEELIN GREAT ... THANKS FOR THINKING ABOUT ME.
This year headliners include Hall and Oates (July 31st), Earth Wind And Fire (August 22nd), Rock The Yacht (put on by the same folks who gave us Sail Rock a few years ago ... this time featuring The Little River Band, Ambrosia, Player, Stephen Bishop and Robbie Dupree) on July 24th, REO Speedwagon (July 18th), The BoDeans (June 13th ... they kick off this year's events), Meat Loaf (August 23rd) and a '90's Show featuring Smash Mouth, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Tonic. (Guess we'll be spending quite a bit of our summer out in Aurora this year!)
And check out this line-up for the 2015 Ponderosa Stomp ... even our buddy Freddy Cannon is back out on the road again after having heart surgery late last year ... that's GREAT news!!! (Now will somebody please bring this guy to Chicago so that WE can see him, too?!?!?)
I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT, KENT. YES, IM FEELIN GREAT ... THANKS FOR THINKING ABOUT ME.
IF WE CAN FIND OUT WHO BOOKS THE SHOWS THERE THEN I WOULD COME THERE.
YOU'RE THE BEST !
THANKS AGAIN -
FREDDY
Meanwhile ... till then ... fans in the New Orleans area can enjoy Freddy ... and others ... at this year's Ponderosa Stomp! (kk)
12th PONDEROSA STOMP SET FOR OCT 1 - 3
PHENOMENAL LINE UP OF PERFORMERS INCLUDES FREDDY “BOOM BOOM” CANNON + LOS STRAITJACKETS, IRMA THOMAS, BARBARA LYNN, ROY HEAD, BRENDA HOLLOWAY, P.F. SLOAN, BILLY BOY ARNOLD, SAN ANTONIO CHICANO SOUL REVIEW AND MANY MORE!
NEW ORLEANS-BASED MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THE ORIGINALS OF ROCK, BLUES, SWAMP POP, SOUL, NEW ORLEANS R&B, ROCKABILLY AND MUCH MORE
The talent lineup has been set for the twelfth edition of the Ponderosa Stomp Festival, New Orleans’ annual music bash that shines a brilliant light on generations of performers whose pioneering efforts made postwar and midcentury rock ‘n’ roll the rich, eclectic stew that forever changed the culture. This year’s Stomp takes place the weekend of Oct. 1-3, 2015, with concerts the nights of Oct. 2-3 at the Rock ‘N’ Bowl™ in Uptown New Orleans.
The Ponderosa Stomp Concert is the in-person equivalent of having an infinite supply of quarters to play the world’s most thoroughly curated rock ‘n’ roll jukebox, stocked with “all killer – no filler” music that delivers a nonstop, high-energy rock ‘n’ roll experience. The Stomp’s Music History Conference is set for Oct. 1- 2 at the AC Hotel by Marriott, which is also hosting the Stomp’s annual Record Show Oct. 1-3. The kickoff Hip Drop VII DJ party gets under way the evening of Oct. 1 at a location to be announced.
Tickets for the concerts are offered as a two-night package at a discounted rate of $100 from now until May 1.
Purchase online: http://ow.ly/LmMAB
While this year’s Stomp offers its fair share of name artists, the festival is an enveloping phenomenon imbued a gospel-like fervor, irrespective of one’s familiarity with the individual performing artists. Those set to play this year’s Stomp, which The New York Times called “a party on its way to becoming an institution,” reflect a broad cross-section of vital performers who have made their mark in the realms of rock ‘n’ roll, soul, rhythm & blues, rockabilly, swamp pop, gospel, Tex-Mex, and other indigenous music.
These include Where The Action Is star Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon with Los Straitjackets, New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas, Motown diva Brenda Holloway, R&B doyenne Mable John, left-handed Gulf Coast guitar goddess Barbara Lynn, Roy Head of “Treat Her Right” renown, California folk-rock auteur P.F. Sloan, Chicago blues great Billy Boy Arnold, Muscle Shoals soulman Willie Hightower, and a West Side (San Antonio) Chicano soul revue with Rudy T. Gonzales backed by Sunliners alumni Little Henry, Rudy Palacios, and Chente Montes along with Manuel “Bones” Aragon of the Royal Jesters. Numerous other artists are also slated to appear; complete list below.
Despite their veteran status or, perhaps, because of it, the artists at this year’s Stomp embody the raw rebellion of rock ‘n’ roll’s first generation. The Stomp is far removed from the typical oldies cavalcade as its producers — The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation, under the direction of founder “Dr. Ike” (Ira Padnos) — are meticulous in selecting artists who are imbued with the spirit of the music. The live shows emphasize an idiosyncratic repertoire, all backed by first-rate musicians sympathetic to the no-holds-barred tenor of the event.
Music aficionados from around the globe eagerly anticipate the unrestrained performances that typify The Stomp. “The Stomp tells a story no other ordinary concert does. It opens up the inside of music history for examination,” The San Francisco Chronicle’s Joel Selvin noted. “The Stomp mingled high-octane rockabilly, elegantly dynamic Southern soul, intricate New Orleans R&B and some kindred untamed music,” Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote, likening the festival to “a dream” for lovers of authentic, raw, and unrestrained elemental music. Gulf South Travel Services is offering a variety of 3 and 4-day packages for this year’s Stomp with or without accommodations at The Stomp’s host hotel, AC Hotel by Marriott. Included is ground transportation to and from the concerts and access to The Stomp’s concurrent Music History Conference, Hip Drop DJ party and Record Show. Gulf South Travel Services donates a percentage of the proceeds back to The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation to help defray some of the cost of producing the festival. Call 504-952-0641 or email angelo@GSTS-travel.com for more information.
A closer look at the performers:
Brenda Holloway, Irma Thomas, Mable John, and Barbara Lynn are legendary “sisters of soul” whose talents and backgrounds are a reflection of many of the facets of rhythm and blues. Their participation respectively represents the Motown era, New Orleans’ own homegrown soul movement, soul’s gospel roots, and the Gulf Coast’s steamy take on emotive R&B.
Like Barbara Lynn, Roy Head is slated to make a return appearance at this year’s Stomp. The energetic, often acrobatic, performer inspired countless singers and bands to, simply stated, “let it rip.”
Also on tap is the enigmatic P.F. Sloan, one of the progenitors of the California folk-rock movement and composer of “Eve of Destruction” as well as scores of hits for the Turtles, Johnny Rivers, the Grass Roots, and others.
Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, star of TV’s Where The Action Is, will be backed by Los Straightjackets, a combination that is sure to dazzle on his lengthy string of top 40 hits, the biggest of which is, most presciently, “Way Down Yonder In New Orleans.”
Along with rock and soul blues, rockabilly, and swamp pop, Tex-Mex performers are featured at The Ponderosa Stomp. Packing a rockin’ brand of Tejano soul, Rudy T. Gonzales of the Reno Bops will headline a revue backed by the core of San Antonio’s Sunliners — Little Henry, Rudy Palacios, and Chente Montes — along with fellow Chicano soul drummer Manuel “Bones” Aragon of the Royal Jesters.
First-generation Chicago bluesman Billy Boy Arnold — whose “I Wish You Would” has been covered by the Yardbirds, David Bowie, and The Sweet — is returning to The Stomp this year. And Willie Hightower, one of Muscle Shoals’ most soulful standard bearers, will be making a rare appearance. Rockabilly stalwarts Royce Porter, Mike Waggoner, Al Hendrix, Jim Oertling, and Mack Banks are primed to bop at The Stomp, along with J.M. Van Eaton of Sun Records’ Little Green Men and drummer for both Jerry Lee Lewis and Billy Lee Riley.
The Louisiana-born phenomenon known as swamp pop will get royal treatment from a veritable Mount Rushmore of its stars: singers Tommy McLain, Rod Bernard, and Gene Terry, backed by The Mama Mama Mamas, a swampy supergroup that includes C.C. Adcock, Steve Riley, Dickie Landry, Pat Breaux, and drummer Jockey Etienne, playing his box tops that injected the murky soul into so many Excello 45s by Lazy Lester and others.
Louisiana’s own soul-music heritage is represented by New Orleans vocalists Tony Owens and Jimmy “Pistol” Jules, plus Creole-zydeco guitar slinger Lil’ Buck Sinegal and the Top Cats featuring James Alexander from Lafayette.
Making his Stomp debut, Gerry McGee, the son of Cajun music legend Dennis McGee, is the guitar great who worked on sessions for Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Linda Ronstadt, Kris Kristofferson, Nancy Sinatra, and the Monkees. A longtime member of the Ventures, McGee also replaced Ry Cooder in one of the earliest iterations of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band.
Deke Dickerson, the noted roots-music journeyman whose talents encompass everything from hard country and rockabilly to Western swing, blues, and rock, is once again a featured Stomp performer. Though there are numerous music festivals, it is clear that the Ponderosa Stomp is the most singular event in terms of unbridled, authentic, energy, and honesty. Robert Gabriel of The Austin Chronicle concluded as much: “As the pressure cooker of SXSW searches aimlessly for the next big thing, this mélange of blues, soul, and rock & roll made the old-timers of the bayou the hippest ticket in town.” Get yours now!
Ponderosa Stomp performers as of April 1: Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon with Los Straitjackets; Irma Thomas; Mable John; Brenda Holloway; Barbara Lynn; Roy Head; Willie Hightower; P.F. Sloan; Billy Boy Arnold; West Side Chicano Soul Revue with Rudy T. Gonzales backed by Little Henry, Rudy Palacios, and Chente Montes of the Sunliners and Manuel “Bones” Aragon of the Royal Jesters; Royce Porter; Mike Waggoner; Al Hendrix; Mack Banks; J.M. Van Eaton; James Alexander; R.L. Boyce; Warren Storm; Raymond George; The Mama Mama Mamas, featuring C.C. Adcock, Steve Riley, Dickie Landry, Pat Breaux, and Jockey Etienne, with special guests Tommy McLain, Rod Bernard, and Gene Terry; Jimmy “Pistol” Jules; Gerry McGee; Lil’ Buck Sinegal and the Top Cats; Tony Owens; Jim Oertling; Deke Dickerson
ABOUT THE PONDEROSA STOMP FOUNDATION: The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation (PSF) is a 501(c) (3), not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to celebrating the legacy, revitalizing the careers, and preserving the history of American music and musicians.
The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation works to acknowledge, pay tribute to, and teach the cultural significance of the unsung heroes and heroines of rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm & blues and other forms of American roots music – while they are still alive. We provide both a voice and a stage to overlooked sidemen, session musicians, and other influential pioneers whose contributions have shaped American culture for over 50 years.
Early music forms, such as blues, soul, rockabilly, swamp pop, funk, and New Orleans R&B, are the building blocks of rock ‘n’ roll, hip hop, and other contemporary music styles. Many of us sing along to songs made popular by musicians as varied as Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, the Rolling Stones, the Ramones, and the Velvet Underground. But sometimes the most unforgettable parts of a song come from the behind-the-scenes architects, not the face on the album cover.
Yet many of these musicians aren’t recognized for their contributions to contemporary popular culture.
With many of these unsung heroes aging, it is essential to honor and capture their pioneering cultural contributions for generations to come. It is with this sense of urgency and profound respect for the individuals and their music that the Ponderosa Stomp Foundation continues its work to:
Celebrate the legacy of the unsung heroes of American music whose influence and contributions have shaped American culture for over 50 years; Help revitalize the musical careers of these American music icons while they’re still alive; Preserve the individual's story behind American music history and educate young and old audiences, fans, and students about their work.
The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation achieves its mission through the presentation of unique and varied programming, ranging from music-education initiatives in public schools and museums to an oral-history project to the signature annual concert event, The Ponderosa Stomp. The results are long-term, with many Stomp performers going on to record new music and book gigs at local, national, and international events.
Speaking of P.J. Proby ... Van Morrison's got a track on this new album called "Whatever Happened To P.J. Proby" that FH Reader Frank B likes ...
Speaking of P.J. Proby ... Van Morrison's got a track on this new album called "Whatever Happened To P.J. Proby" that FH Reader Frank B likes ...
Kent ...
I like this song off Van Morrison's new album.
Frank B.
Frank B.
The concept behind Van's new LP is a "reworking" of his catalog with a number of duet partners ... including this one with PJ himself sharing the vocals! (kk)
Got some extra cash you don't quite know what to do with? Well, you could send some OUR way ... the rent is late again ...
OR ... you can bid on some of these VERY interesting auctions that Geoff Lambert told us about ...
Some of the following links may be of interest to you and your readers ...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3029035/Don-McLean-s-original-manuscript-American-Pie-sells-auction-1-2million-mystery-bidder.html
htp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3031310/Revealed-secret-American-Pie-pop-s-enigmatic-song-Drugs-Elvis-murders-lost-verse-sheds-new-light-Don-McLean-s-hauntingly-evocative-lyrics.html
Priscilla Presley agrees to serve as witness in contest for couple to win the 'ultimate Elvis wedding' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3027478/Priscilla-Presley-No-Elvis-imitators-new-Vegas-chapel.html
The Beatles' original Yellow Submarine surfaces and is set to fetch £10,000 at auction this week http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3027783/The-Beatles-original-Yellow-Submarine-surfaces-set-fetch-10-000-auction-week.html
Sergeant Pepper's cardboard gnome: 20-inch cut-out that appeared on album cover and is signed by The Beatles set to be auctioned
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3031097/Sergeant-Pepper-s-17-000-cardboard-gnome-20-inch-cut-appeared-album-cover-signed-Beatles-set-auctioned.html
Monkees fans to have chance to pick up instruments, costumes and more during auction of late singer Davy Jones memorabilia
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3028561/Treasure-Davy-Jones-locker-Monkees-fans-chance-pick-instruments-costumes-auction-late-singer-s-memorabilia.html
Take care,
Rockin’ Lord Geoff in England
Regarding "Sure Gonna Miss Her" ...
Kent ...
Great site! Listening to Sirius / XM and heard that this wasn't an original ...
You guys sure got to the bottom of it fast ...
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.ca/2013/04/gary-lewis-and-playboys-part-1.html
Regards,
Art in Toronto
Thanks, Art ... hopefully you'll continue to check back from time to time ... we ALWAYS have something interesting going on here at Forgotten Hits! (kk)
Kent ...
Regarding "Sure Gonna Miss Her" ...
Kent ...
Great site! Listening to Sirius / XM and heard that this wasn't an original ...
You guys sure got to the bottom of it fast ...
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.ca/2013/04/gary-lewis-and-playboys-part-1.html
Regards,
Art in Toronto
Thanks, Art ... hopefully you'll continue to check back from time to time ... we ALWAYS have something interesting going on here at Forgotten Hits! (kk)
Kent ...
Got home at 3:00 PM, just in time to listen to Pat St. Johns' last show on WCBS-FM.
Elvis, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Everly Brothers, Jimmie Rodgers, Little Richard, Chubby Checker, Chuck Berry, Rick Nelson. Wow! I'm sorry he's leaving!
Elvis, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Everly Brothers, Jimmie Rodgers, Little Richard, Chubby Checker, Chuck Berry, Rick Nelson. Wow! I'm sorry he's leaving!
Pat St. John said he never told this story before.
During the JACK-FM days, he requested a meeting with the president of the station. Took him about a month to get the meeting. He wanted to talk about his idea -- to switch JACK-FM back to WCBS-FM.
The day before his meeting, they switched JACK-FM back to WCBS-FM. He kept the meeting, even though he had nothing to talk about. They hired him and he was on the air that night.
The day before his meeting, they switched JACK-FM back to WCBS-FM. He kept the meeting, even though he had nothing to talk about. They hired him and he was on the air that night.
Pat's last show was supposed to end at 6:00 PM. He ran over. It ended at 6:20 PM. What are they going to do -- fire him?
Last song he played was a random choice = "Give Me One More Chance," by the Dukes from 1969. I know. I never heard it before.
Since he's moving to San Diego, I thought it would be a Beach Boys song.
Frank B.
Frank B.
Nope, I've never heard it before either ... but apparently a big local hit in New York. (Nationally it reached #65 ... but only hit #80 in Billboard.)
More and more of our favorites and retiring these days ... SO many great voices over the years. Hope he can thoroughly enjoy his years away from the microphone! (kk)
Kent ...
-- Sunday (4/12/15) = I was listening to "Wild Wayne's Memory Machine" and reading "Forgotten Hits" at the same time. I was reading the part where Ron Smith (I think you call him the grim reaper) wrote about Stan Freberg's death. At the same time, Wild Wayne was playing a tribute to Stan
Freberg.
Freberg.
-- On Sunday (4/5/15) = Wild Wayne played Stan Freberg's # 1 hit from 1953, "St. George And The Dragonet." This was before Stan died.
-- I just found out that Percy Sledge died. I start reading "Forgotten Hits." First thing I see is the "Sounds Of Soul Survey" from May 6, 1966. #15 song = "When A Man Loves A Woman."
-- I just found out that Percy Sledge died. I start reading "Forgotten Hits." First thing I see is the "Sounds Of Soul Survey" from May 6, 1966. #15 song = "When A Man Loves A Woman."
Why is it that a DJ's last show is always his best show? My theory is that he knows a lot of his peers will be listening. He puts a lot of extra effort into it, instead of going through his normal routine.
Frank B.
Frank B.
More ...
Dan Mason is retiring. New management moving is in. It's never good news for the listeners when somebody new comes in. They always want to do something drastic, to put their mark on the radio station. I'm afraid that in a couple of months I might be hearing 1990's & 2000's music on WCBS-FM. I hope I'm wrong.
Frank B.
Frank B.
Radio does seem to be leaning more and more that way. That's why something like Me-TV-FM has been such a welcome change here in Chicago. Yeah, we've bitched about all the things they're doing wrong ... but by comparison there are an AWFUL lot of things they're doing right ... and they're winning over the Chicago radio audience in the process. I listen to them almost exclusively now ... we'll put it on as background music when we're home and there's nothing on TV. We'll set the alarm clock radio to play a 30 or 45 set at bed time ... and wake up to it every morning. And I can honestly say that for all the aggravating repeats I hear (and that list just keeps growing and growing ... much as I LOVE the song, hearing "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" by The Friends of Distinction for the 16th time in the past two weeks was enough to make me change the station), I can honestly say that there hasn't been a single day that has gone by when I don't hear AT LEAST three or four songs on this station that I have never heard them play before ... which tells me they're still expanding the list as they go. (Hopefully this will help to weed out all of the songs that they're playing that absolutely NOBODY wants to hear!!!)
My offer still stands, guys ... bring me in for a couple of days to "clean up" the play list ... add a few titles, drop a few titles ... and mix up the rotation a little bit more. The station is SO incredibly close to being "the one" that I would LOVE being involved with pushing them up over the edge. (kk)
Outta time ... gotta run! (kk)
Outta time ... gotta run! (kk)
