re: The Marty Grebb Benefit Concert:
I'm feeling left out here, not being able to get to the Marty Grebb concert, but then, looking over the event comments from the artists performing, just maybe I will hear it here on the East Coast.
Shelley
Ah yes ... the Club Laurel!!! Now that's going back. My cousin worked there and got us in once or twice, since we were too young. Saw the One Eyed Jacks!
I'm feeling left out here, not being able to get to the Marty Grebb concert, but then, looking over the event comments from the artists performing, just maybe I will hear it here on the East Coast.
Shelley
Ah yes ... the Club Laurel!!! Now that's going back. My cousin worked there and got us in once or twice, since we were too young. Saw the One Eyed Jacks!
Marlene
Hey Kent,
Sure wish I could be at the concert next weekend, but I'll be gigging that night as well.
Tell Jim from the Ides that Bill Scherer from The Fabulous Armadillos says hi.
I noticed these Buckinghams links on Youtube this morning and don't remember you ever posting them.
First from the 2014 Happy Together tour:
Then the Buckinghams in 1965 on a WGN tv show.
Again good luck with the fundraiser. It's going to be great.
Bill in MN
I love those old vintage 1965 clips from the WGN series, "All Time Hits". The Bucks were regular, featured performed on this local program and we've run several of these now in Forgotten Hits. I swear they look like babies!!!
They were posted by original Buckinghams keyboardist Dennis Miccolis ... here's a link to a few more ...
And here's a link to the two songs they performed on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (or was it The Smothers Comedy Brothers Hour?!?!) back in 1967. Notice that they're singing along to a pre-recorded backing track, meaning that at least PART of the vocal is going out live. Sounds just like the record, doesn't it??? (kk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD9bdORfr0E
Kent -
You rock, man! Bless you for your love of the music and supporting Marty. Thank you. It's been an enlightening experience!!
Dennis Tufano
Kent -
You rock, man! Bless you for your love of the music and supporting Marty. Thank you. It's been an enlightening experience!!
Dennis Tufano
Kent,
So there are occasional times I wished I lived in Chicago to see shows like the Marty Grebb benefit. We get a lot of great shows down here in the Tampa Bay area but nowhere near as many that come through your town. I would love to see Jim Peterik and the Ides of March. I read his book and it's one of the best rock bios I've ever read. I do have to be honest though ... other than the concert situation, Tampa Bay is still better ... but you do get a lot of great shows. I would go bankrupt by just supporting the Arcadia.
Rich
Safety Harbor, Fl
What Ron Onesti is doing at The Arcada Theatre is incredible. I don't remember Chicago EVER having this kind of variety of acts passing through town.
Check out this line up for the next six weeks:
Tonight: The Lovin' Spoonful
Wednesday, May 6th: George Benson
Thursday, May 7th: The Benefit Concert for Marty Grebb (featuring The Ides Of March, The Cryan' Shames, Ronnie Rice, Jimy Sohns and The Shadows of Knight, The Chicago Experience and Nick Fortuna, Carl Giammarese, Marty Grebb, Danny Seraphine and Dennis Tufano recreating and performing the greatest hits of The Buckinghams!
Friday, May 8th - A Birthday Party featuring The McCartney Years
Saturday, May 9th - Quiet Riot, Y&T and Hellion
Sunday, May 10th - The Bronx Wanderers performing a Mother's Day Sock Hop
Friday, May 15th - George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
Saturday, May 16th - Gino Vannelli
Sunday, May 17th - an acoustic set with Gino Vannelli ... followed by an evening concert by Paul Revere's Raiders
Saturday, May 23rd - Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer
Sunday and Monday, May 24th and 25th - The Jason Bonham Experience, performing Led Zepplein I and II in their entirety ... plus all of Led Zeppelin's Greatest Hits
Friday, May 29th - The Alan Parsons Live Project
Saturday, May 30th - Herman's Hermits, featuring Peter Noone
Friday, June 5th - Ruben Studdard performing his Tribute To Luther Vandross
Friday, June 12th - Gene Cornish of The Rascals
Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th - Jenny McCarthy
Sunday, June 14th - Barbara Eden
Sunday, June 14th - Boogie Wonderband, performing their tribute to dance music of the '70's.
It just doesn't get any better than this!!!
And, speaking of upcoming concerts ... congratulations go out to Forgotten Hits Readers Lyn Amenitsch, Joe Malin, Melanie Mordhorst, Neil Neitling, Steve Sarley, Janet Weiner and John and Rosemary Longo, all of whom won tickets to see Engelbert Humperdinck at The Genesee Theatre next Saturday Night, May 9th. (Tickets are courtesy of The Genesee Theatre and Colleen Rogalski. In fact, if you think you can make it, we MAY be able to squeeze a few more tickets out of her ... but we need to know NOW!!! Drop me a line pronto and I'll see if I can add your names to the winners list!) kk
re: Me-TV-FM:
Kent -
Because of you my wife is pissed at me. You recommended MeTV-FM, 87.7. Well, I put the station on a button of her car radio. Ever since I did that, she has never turned it off. Well, when she drives, it is a law that the driver gets to pick the music. Since I am not able to drive my car, I have to listen to what she wants. So I have to listen to HER music which is 87.7 now ... no more talk channels or feel good format.
Well, here is the reason my wife is pissed at me ... with every song that gets played, I say "when was the last time you heard that on the radio?". She told me to "stop saying that!" after every song. That station is GREAT ... they play oldies that you haven't heard on the air for over 40 years AND not the same song that every oldies station plays.
The music that will be heard on the station includes hits from such artists as Chicago, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Jim Croce, The Beatles, The Eagles, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Todd Rundgren, Aretha Franklin, The Carpenters, America, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Don McLean, Gordon Lightfoot, The Bee Gees, Billy Joel, and the best of Motown. Not the songs you hear everyday but one hit wonders and some deep album tracks from those artists. When was the last time you heard "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes" by Edison Lighthouse? Or "One Fine Morning" by Lighthouse?
My wife can't thank you enough for telling me about the station but now she is mad at me for asking after EVERY song "when was the last time you heard that on the radio?".
Thanks a lot!!!!
Bill
LOL ... my wife is the same way ... she listens to nothing else now in the car ... and she used to be a huge Eric and Kathy fan in the morning! When she gets home, if nothing is on TV she'll set the station to channel 877 which, on Comcast, is a simulcast to 87.7 Me-TV-FM. Then, before we go to bed at night, we'll drift off to another 30-45 minutes of the station playing in the background! It has COMPLETELY taken over our lives!!!
Yes, I'm unhappy with some of the repeats ... and I swear I don't think I've EVER gone an hour without hearing something by James Taylor ... but they continue to surprise and amaze me on a daily basis. It's like they're still adding new music to the play list every single day ... and radio is FUN again!!!
And for all the folks who have written in to say they've had difficulty picking up the signal, this past weekend we drove down to Normal, IL, to visit our daughter and I'll betcha we were able to tune in for at least the first 65-75 miles southwest of Schaumburg, which in and of itself is already about 25 miles from the City Of Chicago. I'll bet The Drive didn't last another 25 miles beyond that point!
I can't wait for Me-TV-FM to start streaming so Forgotten Hits Readers all over the country can tune in and hear what we've been raving about. It's EVERYTHING I've promised you guys radio COULD be ... if only somebody out there would take a chance. (kk)
For me, it's the little surprises that make listening such a pleasure. To quote Bill Hengels, when was the last time you heard THIS one on the radio???
For me, it's the little surprises that make listening such a pleasure. To quote Bill Hengels, when was the last time you heard THIS one on the radio???
Things that make you go Hmmmmm ...
Hi Kent -
I had an interesting thought ... a profound thought. I heard the song, "It's So Nice To Be With You" by Gallery (I think that is the band - its been so long since I have heard this song, I'm not completely sure.)
Apparently, the CBS.FM Oldies channel in NYC was reformatted recently to include "obscure" oldies songs. Anyway, I love this song. Hearing it again reminded me how much I love a good song and how much it puts me in a good mood for the day. I can hear it in my head all day long, especially while I am working. It really gets me through the day.
So I started thinking that now that I am 64, just turned, perhaps hopefully one day in the future hopefully soon that there will be revival or reformation of oldies music. Some of the greatest songs, "feel good songs" like "It's So Nice" will live on ...
And that thought brought me to the conclusion that after I leave this planet and go on to a better place, one of my fondest wishes is that the listeners will recognize that the best of the best songs will live on. In other words, the music will outlive me (and the rest of the baby boomers.)
I hope and pray that this will be the lasting legacy of our generation ... OUR MUSIC ... the good and positive and uplifting songs will endure and remain alive forever! :))
Blossmwrld
Unfortunately radio as a rule is doing absolutely NOTHING to help keep this great music alive ... yet everyone who is exposed to it falls in love with it just like we did back in the day. You hit it right on the head ... "Feel Good Music" ... nothing beats it. SO much of the music released over the past twenty years or so has so much anger attached to it ... That's why a song like "Happy" by Pharrell Williams totally captivates the audience ... try not singing along with that one ... or watch the video and try to sit still ... it's IMPOSSIBLE not to want to get up and do "The Happy Dance"!!!
Stations like Me-TV-FM are doing their part to show the completely variety of this music that captured our hearts so many years ago ... rather than just the same old 200 songs that the consultants have determined are the only songs we need to hear in order to link to our past.
Glad to hear that WCBS-FM has expanded their horizons lately ... we've received several other emails that fear the station will soon be 100% '80's and '90's music! Now if just a few more stations in every major city would simply follow suit, listening to the radio could become enjoyable again! (kk)
FH Reader Clark Besch tells us that Reel Radio is back up and running with unscoped airchecks again! Look for all your favorite, vintage jocks here! (kk)
FH Reader Clark Besch tells us that Reel Radio is back up and running with unscoped airchecks again! Look for all your favorite, vintage jocks here! (kk)
Apparently, Reel Radio is BACK online with "on demand" unscoped airchecks!! YIPPEE!!!
Clark
re: Leaving Us:
Kent ...
Let me know if I beat Ron (Grim Reaper) Smith with this sad news.
Frank B.
Frank B.
Just like nobody puts Baby in the corner, NOBODY beats Ron Smith with music death news!!! (kk)
We lost Tracy Partridge the same day!!!
We lost Tracy Partridge the same day!!!
Actress Suzanne Crough, who played the youngest member of TV's "Partridge Family" (though she didn't play or sing on the recordings) died "suddenly" Monday (April 27) at her Nevada home. She was 52. She eventually gave up acting and worked as a manager of an office supply company. She leaves behind a husband and two children.
-- Ron Smith
Jack Ely, founder and guitarist with the Kingsmen and lead singer on their #2 hit, "Louie Louie" (1963), died Monday (April 27) at his home in Redmond, Oregon after what as termed a "long illness." He was 71. Born in Portland, Jack started out as a jazz pianist but switched to guitar after seeing Elvis Presley perform on television. While attending Portland State University, he helped form the Kingsmen, who became the house band for a club owned by a local DJ. They went in to a local studio and, for $50, cut a version of "Louie"-- their crowd-pleasing favorite with mystifying lyrics-- in one take. Before the record had peaked though, Jack got into an argument with drummer Lynn Easton over who would front the band. Since Lynn owned the name, Jack quit and formed his own Kingsmen group. The ensuing legal battle ended with Jack receiving vocal credit and $6,000 in royalties but he was forced to change the name of his own group to the Courtmen. His career essentially ended when he was drafted in 1967. He later became a horse trainer.
Jack Ely, founder and guitarist with the Kingsmen and lead singer on their #2 hit, "Louie Louie" (1963), died Monday (April 27) at his home in Redmond, Oregon after what as termed a "long illness." He was 71. Born in Portland, Jack started out as a jazz pianist but switched to guitar after seeing Elvis Presley perform on television. While attending Portland State University, he helped form the Kingsmen, who became the house band for a club owned by a local DJ. They went in to a local studio and, for $50, cut a version of "Louie"-- their crowd-pleasing favorite with mystifying lyrics-- in one take. Before the record had peaked though, Jack got into an argument with drummer Lynn Easton over who would front the band. Since Lynn owned the name, Jack quit and formed his own Kingsmen group. The ensuing legal battle ended with Jack receiving vocal credit and $6,000 in royalties but he was forced to change the name of his own group to the Courtmen. His career essentially ended when he was drafted in 1967. He later became a horse trainer.
-- Ron Smith
Got quite a bit of mail regarding the passing of Jack Ely, especially in conjunction with our recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame piece. If ANYBODY had an influence on millions of kids who picked up a guitar, bass and drums, it was guys like Ely and The Kingsmen, thanks to their #1 Hit "Louie Louie" ... it convinced MILLIONS of us that if THEY could do it, we could, too. You didn't have to be good ... you just had to rock! (kk)
Kent ...
Kent ...
Here's the late Jack Ely singing his hit "Louie Louie" to a horse.
The horse must've liked it ... he gave him standing ovation.Frank B.
Former Drifter and solo star Ben E. King died Thursday (April 30) of apparently natural causes at the age of 76. Ben was born in Henderson, North Carolina, but moved to Harlem at the age of 9. While still in high school he sang briefly with the Moonglows before joining the Five Crowns in 1957. When the manager of the already-successful Drifters decided to fire the entire group the next year in a contract dispute, he replaced them with the Five Crowns, including Ben. Ben co-wrote and sang lead on the Crown / Drifters first hit, "There Goes My Baby" (#2 - 1959). Ben also sang lead on "Save The Last Dance For Me" (#1 - 1960), "I Count The Tears" (#17 - 1961) and "This Magic Moment" (#16 - 1960), but only cut 13 songs with the group before leaving in a his own dispute for a solo career in 1960. His first session for Atco Records yielded "Spanish Harlem" (#10 - 1961) and "Stand By Me" (#4 - 1961 and again #9 when it was re-released thanks to the movie with the same name in 1986). Other hits included "Amor" (#18 - 1961), "Don't Play That Song" (#11 - 1962) and "I (Who Have Nothing" (#29 - 1963). While his career ebbed in the late '60s, it was revived with "Supernatural Thing" (#5) in 1975. Ben was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
-- Ron Smith
The movie "Stand By Me" definitely revived Ben E. King's career. After peaking at #3 in 1961 the first time around, it climbed right back up the charts in 1986, peaking at #9 (proving, of course, that Forgotten Hits is right again ... if you simply expose a new generation to this music, they will fall in love with it just like WE did. "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers would be another prime example.) Ben E. King will be missed. (kk)
More from FH Reader Ken Voss ...
And how about this? You can get in the Jerry Lee Lewis Death Pool!
Kent,
First, I hope you have a great week and wish you continued success with FH.
I discovered something a couple of days ago on the internet, even though I knew about it months ago and somewhat forgot about it.
I am talking about the Jerry Lee Lewis website that tells about his anticipated death. Apparently,
every day a new date is put on the website that tells of his impending death. His anticipated death now is on April 26 at the age of 79. Assuming that he will still be alive on April 26, his death date on the website will change by a day or two. Interesting!
Larry Neal
How'd you like to wake up to THAT every morning?!?! (kk)
re: David Lettermen:
re: David Lettermen:
Leaving us in a DIFFERENT way of course is David Lettermen who is winding down his stint as a late night television host. And he's had some incredible musical guests on his program of late ...
Check out these clips of John Fogerty doing a Creedence medley of hits from his upcoming "1969" tour ... followed by a reunited Hootie and the Blowfish performing "Hold My Hand".
re: The Wrecking Crew:
Hi ya, Kent:
I haven't ticked anybody off for at least three hours, so here we go.
Over the weekend, I carved out two hours to go the superb documentary on the fabled Los Angeles based "Wrecking Crew." Drummer Hal Blaine, Bass guitar player Carole Kaye, and lead guitarist,
Tommy Tedesco, emerge as the heart and soul of the production.
A sad, but proud, Blaine explains how a bitter divorce cost him his Hollywood estate, yacht and Rolls Royce. At one point, he went to Arizona to work as a security guard.
So, on to the the main event. Only a nit wit would doubt the musical genius of Brian Wilson. However, after seeing the doc, I have reached this conclusion ... "Pet Sounds" would never have brought forth a musical revolution (See John-Paul-Pepper) were it not for the presence of the "Crew."
Yes, Brian constructed the songs we all love to this day, but it was the virtuosity and the imagination of these gifted studio musicians that made the Wilson project a seminal occurrence in musical history.
We will never see another "Wrecking Crew, a band that backed up countless artists and producers such as Phil Specter,The Righteous Brothers, The Ronettes, The Crystals, Sinatra, Sonny and Cher and countless other musical heavyweights. We should celebrate their overwhelming legacy.
No, to the best of my knowledge the Crew never did turn out tracks for the Captain and Tenille.
Chet Coppock
Host: Chicago Blackhawks Heritage Series
I haven't ticked anybody off for at least three hours, so here we go.
Over the weekend, I carved out two hours to go the superb documentary on the fabled Los Angeles based "Wrecking Crew." Drummer Hal Blaine, Bass guitar player Carole Kaye, and lead guitarist,
Tommy Tedesco, emerge as the heart and soul of the production.
A sad, but proud, Blaine explains how a bitter divorce cost him his Hollywood estate, yacht and Rolls Royce. At one point, he went to Arizona to work as a security guard.
So, on to the the main event. Only a nit wit would doubt the musical genius of Brian Wilson. However, after seeing the doc, I have reached this conclusion ... "Pet Sounds" would never have brought forth a musical revolution (See John-Paul-Pepper) were it not for the presence of the "Crew."
Yes, Brian constructed the songs we all love to this day, but it was the virtuosity and the imagination of these gifted studio musicians that made the Wilson project a seminal occurrence in musical history.
We will never see another "Wrecking Crew, a band that backed up countless artists and producers such as Phil Specter,The Righteous Brothers, The Ronettes, The Crystals, Sinatra, Sonny and Cher and countless other musical heavyweights. We should celebrate their overwhelming legacy.
No, to the best of my knowledge the Crew never did turn out tracks for the Captain and Tenille.
Chet Coppock
Host: Chicago Blackhawks Heritage Series
No, but The Captain and Tennille WERE touring members of The Beach Boys' Band at one point in time!!! (lol)
We've been raving about this film for about eight years now ... it is a "must see" event that can now be added to your home music video library. We've heard from several Chicago-area residents who are planning to check this film out during its one week residency downtown.
Do it! You'll be glad that you did. And Denny Tedesco tells us that final details are being worked out now for the official soundtrack album ... man, what a SOLID GOLD piece THAT'S going to be!!! (kk)
Question:
re: This And That:
After much consideration and evaluation The National Transportation and
Safety Board has decided NOT to reopen the investigation into the plane crash
that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper on
February 3, 1959.
Forgotten Hits has covered this story in great depth over the past few
months ... in fact, WE were the ones who broke the news worldwide, thanks to
some correspondence from LJ Coon, the man behind the research that prompted all
of this to take flight, if you'll excuse the pun!
Evidently, the board feels there just isn't enough sufficient new evidence
to proceed. (Meanwhile, Don McLean was able to sell the lyrics to "American Pie"
for $1.2Million ... so at least SOMEBODY benefited off of all of this recent
wave of publicity!!!)
Sorry it didn't work out for you, LJ ... who sends along his sincere thanks
for everybody's efforts to help spread the word. (A month after Forgotten Hits
broke the story, the media across the globe jumped on board ... and soon this
was the "talk of the town" worldwide!!!) kk
Thank you sincerely for all that you do
...
And to all the others who let our efforts be
known.
LJ
NOT picked up by the rest of the media, however, is the
fact that LJ isn't giving up just quite yet ...
He is resubmitting his petition, narrowed down to just nine points in the
hope that these will be specific enough discrepancies to warrant a new
investigation.
Dear
kk:
I have re-submitted points #1 thru #8 and the
CAB's #12 point to The NTSB (John
DeLisi)
See my responses
below to the following
for further review, and re-consideration.
Please read ... the #1
thru #8 points that NTSB John DeLisi responded with The NTSB:
Did you find each of the eight points to your satisfaction /
unanswered, concerned?
Did you find my eight responses, to your satisfaction and meeting
The NTSB Code-49 (para: A or B)?
Did it seem like to you that the NTSB just skimmed the
surface with just 1 thru 8 'Cherry
Picked' points to pacify me
out of a 24 page Petition.
a). The Aircraft N3794N is still in
a secured holding facility, since the CAB Investigation submitted on September
23, 1959
b). Dwyer Flying Service was FAA certified for ONLY VFR
Chartered Flights both Day and
Night
c). To fly the February 3, 1959 Chartered Flight
(there could not have been any weather
phenomena) that didn't equal FAA certified
VFR.
d). After The Mason City, Iowa, accident of February 3,
1959, Dwyer Flying Service certified by The FAA
for VFR ONLY both Day and Night
was never Prosecuted or De-Certified by The FAA nor
was Dwyer Flying Service Insurance canceled. In fact...Dwyer Flying
Service
Insurance
company settled a lawsuit just days before the CAB findings of September 23,
1959.
(So, NO
Violation of weather / VFR certification took
place)
The FAA
certification is just that, and doesn't account for The Possibilities of
Carburetor / Induction Icing
This
Aircraft / Chartered Flight N3794N on February 3, 1959, departed to the
south with a Left-climbing turn to a 315 degree heading, stopped the climb at
800 foot AGL, flew the 315 degree heading for slightly more than 2
minutes. The Owner
(Jerry Dwyer and The Tower Operator) then witnessed the aircraft began a " Slow
Descent" to the Northwest. The "
Slow Descent" took 1 minute and 6 seconds to reach / impact the farm field with
the right wing first.
a). The CAB report found that "The Magneto Switches were found in The OFF
position".
(Much like
our Car Ignition, to turn OFF the Magneto would take the turning of The
Key three separate notched positions to Reach the OFF
position)
b). There wasn't a 3,000 foot per minute VSI Instrument in
the aircraft N3794N (However, there is a 2,000
fpm VSI
Instrument)
c). February 3, 1959 ... Temperature 15 Degrees - Dew
Point 8 Degrees - Relative Humidity
60%
(How close
was the possibility of Carburetor / Induction Icing? Was the investigation and
were the investigators astute enough in 1959 to consider
"Carburetor / Induction Icing" the morning after?
d). That famous Sperry Artificial Horizon / Gyro was
always in The aircraft N3794N, since the very first day Dwyer Flying Service
purchased
this aircraft. That instrument was right there in front of Pilot Roger Peterson,
from Day One on every one of his flights in this
aircraft N3794N.
But remember
... Pilot Roger Peterson DID NOT have to be instrument rated,
ALL of The
Dwyer Flying Service Chartered Flights were ONLY FAA Certified for VFR (both Day
and
Night)
The FAA
certification is just that, and doesn't account for the possibilities of
Carburetor / Induction Icing.
I provided a
24 page Petition, to The NTSB for
consideration
Which one(s)
of the #1 thru #8 points of The NTSB and which one(s)
of the #12 points from The CAB report / findings most concern
you? I invite you to feel uncomfortable about the outcome of the Mason City
Iowa accident. In order for The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to consider a petition for reconsideration, it
must meet the requirements
specified in 49 Code of Federal
Regulations 845.41:
a). must
either present new information or
b). show that the original
report's findings were
erroneous
L
J
L J
Coon
Forgotten Hits has
obtained a copy of the "rejection" letter Coon received from the committee
...
John
DeLisi: NTSB
Thank you
for your January 15, 2015, and February 10, 2015, letters regarding the Mason
City, Iowa, airplane crash.
As stated in
our previous letter to you, in order for
the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to consider a petition for reconsideration, it
must meet the requirements
specified
in
49 Code of
Federal Regulations 845.41:
a). It must either Present new
information or
b).
Shows that the original report's
findings were
erroneous
Upon review of the
accident report issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on September 23,
1959, and
your letters, we find that the
criteria for a petition for reconsideration were not
met.
If you'd like to see a detailed analysis
of their findings (and LJ Coon's responses to these findings), drop me an email
and I'll be happy to send it along.
(kk)
Hey Kent,
It was funny to read how you would segue from Lollapalooza to my last name. Yes, they do rhyme, and I'm called that often. I also get Joe Palooka, from people who can't handle the pronunciation. I can thank my Italian father for that. What I know is that nobody in the family really knew how to spell their name, only how to pronounce it. I have met some shirt-tail relatives from the Chicago area; one, in Oklahoma City. To me, he just looked like anyone else down there (very midwestern American), but he showed me his high school picture, and oh yeah, he's family. I remember hearing about the comic strip, "Joe Palooka" from my folks. He was a buffoon heavyweight boxer, but a real sweet guy. There was a short-lived tv sitcom about him. Because I was so young, I don't remember much about it ... only that they had the actor overstuffed to make him look brawny. By the way, my best friends (and girlfriend) call me Johnny, and you have earned the right to do so! :-)
It was funny to read how you would segue from Lollapalooza to my last name. Yes, they do rhyme, and I'm called that often. I also get Joe Palooka, from people who can't handle the pronunciation. I can thank my Italian father for that. What I know is that nobody in the family really knew how to spell their name, only how to pronounce it. I have met some shirt-tail relatives from the Chicago area; one, in Oklahoma City. To me, he just looked like anyone else down there (very midwestern American), but he showed me his high school picture, and oh yeah, he's family. I remember hearing about the comic strip, "Joe Palooka" from my folks. He was a buffoon heavyweight boxer, but a real sweet guy. There was a short-lived tv sitcom about him. Because I was so young, I don't remember much about it ... only that they had the actor overstuffed to make him look brawny. By the way, my best friends (and girlfriend) call me Johnny, and you have earned the right to do so! :-)
As far as the next generation of The Beatles go, I
didn't come up with the idea. I do think they could make a one-time event of it,
and not try to re-create Beatlemania. You're right about all the comparisons.
One studio album really intrigues me, though. It would be cool to hear what
originality they could all come up with, writing and performing all new
material, and how it would sound.
- Johnny boy
- Johnny boy
Kent,
Thank you for the update on Jim Shea and Jeff
James. Those guys made Y103.9 unique. It was my favorite station, and,
frankly, I enjoyed it more than I had enjoyed any radio station since back in
the 60s. I keep up with Jeff through Facebook, and I wish Jim the best as he
heads to med school.
Dan Crabtree
Earlier this week temporary construction fencing went up at the site of
Jimi Hendrix Park in Seattle Park: a tangible indication that construction has
begun in earnest.
ERRG, Inc. is the contractor set to transform the open green space in Seattle’s Central
District into a celebratory space worthy of its namesake, hometown rock icon
Jimi Hendrix. The 2.5-acre park,
located adjacent to the Northwest African American Museum, will come to life throughout the summer and is scheduled to be complete
by the end of September.
The contractor will begin work by installing the underground
utilities and the connection to the city sewer line. Next they will start the demolition work, move to the rough
grading of the site, then
on to the
more visible built
improvements. This
project will complete phase one of the work. Fundraising for Phase 2 has begun and information can be
found here: www.jimihendrixparkfoundation.org
There will be a
planting party in late summer and the community is invited to attend. Planting
instructions and tools will be provided. Stay tuned for more
information.
-- Bob
Merlis
A special ticket discount offer to
this year's Ponderosa Stomp has been extended until May 5th
...
Full details here:
Tickets for the concerts are offered as a
two-night package at a discounted rate of $100 now until May
1 TUESDAY, MAY 5. Click to purchase: http://ow.ly/LmMAB
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!
re: Cool New
Releases:
Gonzo Multimedia has just released an exclusive Cream Triple DVD
Set Featuring Tony Palmer's Original Classic Films With Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce
& Eric Clapton
Cream Farewell at the Royal Albert Hall (Bonus Features: We're
Going Wrong from All My Loving, Layla and Tales of Brave Ulysses from All You
Need Is Love, Facsimile of the Original BBC Script)
This was
one of those occasions of which it can truly be said that those who were there,
will never forget it. Legendary rock trio Cream featuring Eric Clapton, Jack
Bruce and Ginger Baker performed their final gig on November 26th 1968, at the
Royal Albert Hall. The show was filmed and recorded that evening and originally
released on film and CD. Aside from the band's reunion concert in 2005 it was
Cream's only official full concert release on video. It was originally broadcast
by the BBC on January 5, 1969. It was not released on video in the US until
1977. The opening acts for the concert were future progressive rock stars
YES who were just starting out and Taste an Irish trio led by Rory
Gallagher. Now for the first time the concert is available in its original
broadcast version, together now with rare bonus features taken from Palmer's
landmark films, All My Loving and his definitive series on the history of
American popular music, All You Need Is Love!
Jack Bruce - Rope Ladder to the Moon (Bonus Feature: 2009
Interview between Jack and Pete Brown)
Jack
Bruce remains the greatest bass player in the entire history of rock 'n' roll.
He became a legend because of his association with Cream, still one of the most
extraordinary bands ever to grace the stage. But his own story is even more
extraordinary. Born amid the slums of Glasgow known as the Gorbals, his musical
talent was quickly recognized and he attended the Royal Scottish Academy of
Music where he played the cello and keyboards. Then he discovered jazz...and
rock 'n' roll. Although Cream did not immediately bring the financial rewards
some people imagine, after the group broke up in 1968 he was able to buy a large
island off the Scottish coast.
With
Cream Jack also discovered that he was a talented composer - many of the group's
famous hits were written by him - so it was no surprise when in 1970 he released
a jazz-orientated LP of his own compositions called “Songs for a Tailor”.
This
55-minute film, made at the same time, takes Jack from the Gorbals, via Cream,
to his island called Sanda, playing the cello, the sitar and thundering away on
the organ of the Albert Hall in London, while featuring many of the tracks from
his LP. With his strong socialist principles (his father had been a member of
the Communist party) Jack Bruce himself provides the striking commentary. “What
kind of a society do we want?” it begins....
Originally shown on the BBC in 1971, this critically acclaimed film
has been restored to something approaching its former glory and reminds us yet
again what a great musician Jack Bruce was.
Ginger Baker In Africa with Fela Ransome-Kuti (Bonus Feature:
The Artist by Baker Gurvitz Army)
Producer
Tony Palmer explains, “In November 1971, Ginger Baker wanted to set up a
recording studio in Lagos, then the capital of Nigeria. He was among the first
great musicians to realize the potential of African music. He decided also that
it might be an invaluable musical experience if he traveled to Nigeria overland.
Unfortunately, this involved crossing the Sahara Desert. Mad? Well, crazy - but
that was what was so endearing both about the man and the musician. He bought a
Range Rover - one of the first ever models - and it fell to me (because of my
relationship with CREAM) to film this odyssey. And the music of Nigeria, when he
finally got there, was a revelation. This was before the time of the oil boom
and a succession of corrupt governments; the music pulsated with reckless
freedom, from the African talking-drummers of Oshogbo, to a visit to the eastern
city of Calabarwhere Ginger's friend (the then unknown) Fela Ransome-Kuti
performed for us with devastating power.
“I
remember filming Kuti in a stadium filled with several hundred Africans. Ginger
& I, his driver and my cameraman were the only white faces. Scary. But not
so scary as our nights in a Calabar hotel (well, 'hotel' is a bit of an
exaggeration). The walls of our room, not to mention the seedy mattress on the
floor, we recovered black with mosquitoes. I remember Ginger saying that if we
survived this, we could survive anything. I'm glad he did, and the film pays
tribute to his indomitable spirit and to his extraordinary musicianship.”
For more
information:
After the positive reaction to our recent concert
review of "The Who At 50", we thought you might be interested in this vintage
concert from 1982 ...
THE WHO - LIVE AT SHEA STADIUM 1982
FIRST EVER RELEASE OF THE FULL SHOW, WITH
RESTORED FOOTAGE AND NEWLY MIXED SOUND
~DVD, SD BLU-RAY, AND DIGITAL
FORMATS~
~JUNE 30,
2015~
New York, NY (April 30, 2015) — This June,
Eagle Rock Entertainment will celebrate the 50th Anniversary
of The Who with the first ever DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Video release of
Live At Shea Stadium 1982 [MSRP $19.98 Blu-ray, $14.98 DVD]. This
is the first official release of the full show and features restored footage and
newly mixed sound.
The Who (Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend,
John Entwistle, and Kenney Jones) delivered both classic tracks
and rarely performed songs: “Pinball Wizard,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “My
Generation,” “Substitute,” “Who Are You,” “I Can’t Explain,” “See Me Feel Me,”
“Baba O’Riley,” and many more. The tour promoted the 1982 album It’s Hard
and the set list was comprised of several tracks from that album, some of
which the band would only play live on this
tour.
The Who’s 1982 North American tour was their last to
feature Kenney Jones on drums and the band did not tour again until 1989. This
concert film features the show from the second of their two nights at New York’s
Shea Stadium and was filmed on October 13th
1982.
2015 is a year
of even higher profile than usual for this legendary band - with their
50th Anniversary European / North American tour taking place this
summer. Live At Shea Stadium 1982 shows exactly what their
reputation has been built on.
TRACK
LISTING
1)
Substitute
2) I Can’t
Explain
3)
Dangerous
4) Sister
Disco
5) The Quiet
One
6) It’s
Hard
7) Eminence
Front
8) Behind Blue
Eyes
9) Baba
O’Riley
10) I’m
One
11) The Punk And
The Godfather
12)
Drowned
13)
Tattoo
14) Cry If You
Want
15) Who Are
You
16) Pinball
Wizard
17) See Me Feel
Me
18) Love Reign
O’er Me
19) Long Live
Rock
20) Won’t Get
Fooled Again
21) Young Man
Blues
22) Naked
Eye
23) I Saw Her
Standing There
24) Summertime
Blues
25) Twist And
Shout
re: Frank, Elvis,
The Beatles, et al ... :
Kent,
Thanks for your
follow-up to my Sinatra question. It was exactly what I was looking to hear ...
your articulation of something I knew about, but wanted you to put words to it.
The longer length of your response just made it all the better.
Thanks,
Jon M
Radio. It's a sound
idea!
Hey Kent,
In today's FH, you wrote about Elvis, The Beatles, and Sinatra, and how they shaped the lives of our "yoot". You stated that Frank was the original teen idol and not "manufactured", like Frankie Avalon or Bobby Rydell was, several years later. I don't know if there is any truth to this, but a long time ago, I heard that J. Edgar Hoover actually pressured the record companies to "manufacture" new squeeky-clean teen idols, like Avalon, Rydell, Boone, Fabian, and others, because he thought Elvis was such a threat to the security of our country. Do you or your readers know anything about this?
- John LaPuzza
In today's FH, you wrote about Elvis, The Beatles, and Sinatra, and how they shaped the lives of our "yoot". You stated that Frank was the original teen idol and not "manufactured", like Frankie Avalon or Bobby Rydell was, several years later. I don't know if there is any truth to this, but a long time ago, I heard that J. Edgar Hoover actually pressured the record companies to "manufacture" new squeeky-clean teen idols, like Avalon, Rydell, Boone, Fabian, and others, because he thought Elvis was such a threat to the security of our country. Do you or your readers know anything about this?
- John LaPuzza
First time I've heard this one ...
but, as paranoid and conspiracy-concious as he was, it really wouldn't surprise me. Do we know if Hoover was wearing a dress when he said
it??? (kk)
Here's another brand new release that I thought sounded rather interesting
...
Superstar Vocalists From Both
Sides Of The Pond Come Together For A Special Tribute To The
Beatles!
Featuring performances by Heart’s Ann Wilson, Todd Rundgren,
Asia’s John Wetton, Judy Collins, Jack Bruce, David Clayton Thomas and
more!
Los Angeles, CA - An
all-star gathering of musical luminaries bring their warmest performances to a
brand new tribute album featuring 16 acoustic renditions of the best song’s by
The Beatles! Keep Calm And Salute The Beatles offers heartfelt and
inviting contributions by artists such as famed Heart vocalist Ann Wilson, who
leads an elegant and meditative take on “Across The Universe,” while fellow Brit
John Wetton belts out a passionate and playful version of “Penny Lane.” Another
of the album’s highlights is a devastating interpretation of the mournful ballad
“Eleanor Rigby” recorded by legendary Cream vocalist Jack Bruce just prior to
his passing in late 2014. It was Bruce’s last recorded performance and a
testament to the man’s prodigious talent and sincere passion for music. Other
incredible performers include legendary Todd Rundgren, singer/songwriter Andrew
Gold, Martha Davis of The Motels, ‘80s icon Howard Jones, Stephen Bishop and so
many more. The entire project was overseen by producer extraordinaire Billy
Sherwood (Yes). Any Beatles fan worth their salt won’t want to miss it!
1.
Across The Universe - Ann Wilson
2. Penny
Lane - John Wetton
3.
Eleanor Rigby - Jack Bruce
4.
Blackbird - Liz Madden
5.
Norwegian Wood - Andrew Gold
6. Hide
Your Love Away - Todd Rundgren
7. All
You Need Is Love - Helen Reddy
8. I’ll
Follow The Sun - Judy Collins
9. And I
Love Her - Howard Jones
10.
Ticket To Ride - Felix Cavaliere
11. Let
It Be - KC
12.
Yesterday - David Clayton Thomas
13.
Nowhere Man - Martha Davis
14. All
I’ve Got To Do - Stephen Bishop
15.
Something - Billy Sherwood
16. Hey
Jude - Leo Sayer
Purchase
the CD version: http://geni.us/KeepCalmBeatlesCD
Purchase
the special bonus track version on iTunes: http://geni.us/KeepCalmBeatlesdigi
CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041
Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los
Angeles CA 90025
You've probably heard by now that Elvis' two
private planes (The Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II) have been taken off the auction
block. Sounds like the Graceland Estate has gotten involved and now owns these
planes and they will continued to be displayed and greet visitors for a long
time to come.
Meanwhile, it made news headlines around the
world when Paul McCartney performed at Buddakan last week for the first time in
1949 since The Beatles filmed a concert there. (Slow news week? Or are we just
so starved for good oldies news?)
Actually, this was a pretty big deal. Not only
did Macca grace the Buddakan stage again but he also performed a Beatles tune
live for the very first time EVER!!!
McCartney dug out the "Help!" chestnut "Another
Girl" and performed it as part of his show. (No, he didn't have a bikini-clad
hottie to strum this time ... but it was still pretty cool to hear this one
again just the same.)
With a catalog as deep as his, he could almost
change up the set list nightly ... but he pretty much sticks to the tracks he
thinks his fans most want to hear. (kk)
re: Diggin' Forgotten
Hits:
Just a crush note from a fan.
I still read Forgotten Hits every day. My eyes get
really big when people start comparing artists from different eras. I think it's
fun but not particularly important except AS fun ... like old sports buffs
comparing the short pants two hand set shot era of the NBA with the high-flying
take as many steps as you need slam dunk circus of today.
I was alive when Frank Sinatra was a teen idol but I
was in elementary school and we all thought he was a joke. I was in the Air
Force when Elvis hit the big time and I damned near died laughing at that silly
man with the silly name. I was about thirty when The Beatles became famous and I
thought they were the silliest of all. Point is, for some of us, all these
changes were startling and it took a while to get used to them. Sinatra of the
50s reinvented himself and became the ring-a-ding-dinger who created a template
for pop singers like Steve Lawrence, Bobby Darin, Eydie Gorme, etc. Many took
the Sinatra way as THE way, while non-emulators like Nat King Cole (and later
Johnny Mathis) did their own thing. I never embraced Elvis Presley's music as a
whole, while I did like a song here and there. I changed towards the Beatles as
they changed and their craft showed through the mopheads and teen
screaming.
I get virtually nothing out of current pop music as my
brain is hardwired in another direction and I really don't think anyone anywhere
is writing and performing music for 80 year olds.
I don't care who has the most # 1 hits. I don't care
who is or isn't in that silly Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. I have about a million
mp3s and way too many CDs so my music world is one of isolationism, be that good
or bad.
But I LOVE Forgotten Hits. I love your passion for what
you do and the passion for all those artists and fans who frequent your website
and mailbox.
As I said, this is a crush note. I promise not to stalk
you beyond the scope of the internet.
Mister Hil
Wow, THANKS, Hil!!! Your letter made my day! As one of the original 35
folks on the list, it's a TRUE testament to what we've been doing here that
you're still checking in fifteen years later!!! And your points are well
taken. As a connoisseur of ALL good music, I regard your opinion very highly.
You have always told me that it doesn't matter WHAT it is ... or WHO it is ...
Good Music is Good Music. Simple as that. (kk)
