>>>On the topic of "You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore - that song was badly needed as an antidote to Pat Boone's "Technique" a few years earlier, which was released as the title cut on an EP. Hard to imagine that somebody so religious, so straight-laced would come out with something like this - somebody so pure and so white ... oh, wait ...
(Frank Merrill, Jr.)
The song "Technique" is from the 1957 feature film "Bernadine," which is about the fascination three high school boys have for a fictional girl by that name. 20th Century Fox had bought the movie rights to the 1952 play by Denver playwright Mary Coyle Chase, who also wrote the iconic Broadway smash "Harvey." Fox had intended to star Robert Wagner in "Bernadine," but as Pat Boone has become such hot stuff by 1957, a bidding war broke out among the Hollywood studios for the charismatic Pat's on-camera services. As the high bidder wound up being Fox, the studio chose to retool "Bernadine" a bit as a debut film vehicle for Boone -- who then went ahead and recorded Johnny Mercer's title tune. Needing a B side for the "Bernadine" single, Pat wound up waxing something called "Love Letters In the Sand," which wound up being the second-biggest hit of the year (after Elvis' "All Shook Up").
Anyway, the thing to keep in mind is that, like all actors in a motion picture, Boone was hired to play a CHARACTER -- and to the character Boone portrayed, the view of male-female relationship expressed in the tongue-in-cheek lyrics of "Technique" made perfect sense. They did not reflect Boone's personal view of romantic relationships but instead those of his film CHARACTER.
Regarding Chubby Checker being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, that's something that should have taken place decades ago. Chubby kicked off and led the entire early '60s dance craze chapter of rock 'n' roll history, introducing and popularizing everything from "The Twist" (and variations like "Slow Twistin'" and the Grammy-winning "Let's Twist Again") to "The Fly," "The Hucklebuck," "Pony Time," "Limbo Rock," "Popeye (The Hitchhiker)," etc. He even ventured into folk-rock ("Hey Bobba Needle," "Hooka Tooka," etc.). The fact that Chubby didn't write "The Twist" (but did compose some of his other material) is irrelevant. After all, how many of his hits did Elvis pen?
Regarding Chubby Checker being inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, that's something that should have taken place decades ago. Chubby kicked off and led the entire early '60s dance craze chapter of rock 'n' roll history, introducing and popularizing everything from "The Twist" (and variations like "Slow Twistin'" and the Grammy-winning "Let's Twist Again") to "The Fly," "The Hucklebuck," "Pony Time," "Limbo Rock," "Popeye (The Hitchhiker)," etc. He even ventured into folk-rock ("Hey Bobba Needle," "Hooka Tooka," etc.). The fact that Chubby didn't write "The Twist" (but did compose some of his other material) is irrelevant. After all, how many of his hits did Elvis pen?
Chubby scored 33 rockin' hits between 1959 and 1986, a lot more than some folks already enshrined in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame whose impact on rock and pop history far pales when compared to his.
So why isn't Chubby Checker in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame already? The fact that most of his hits were recorded for the Cameo-Parkway labels did not help -- as Allan Klein, who came to own those master recordings, deliberately kept them out of print for decades. That stupid move killed ongoing sales and heavily curtailed oldies airplay. Beyond that, though, it appears that Jann Wenner, who came to use the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame as a way of rewarding his personal fave-raves (if they deserved it or not), simply did not rate Chubby Checker all that high.
Gary Theroux
"The History of Rock 'n' Roll"
Kent,
You're blaming the singer for something that could be blamed on the songwriter.
Sadly, in this case, that would be the beloved Johnny Mercer, who left us over 40 years ago.
BOB FRABLE
I didn't know Darin #2 from "Bewitched" was in this flick! (Honestly, I've never seen it.) kk
We got to see Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk Railroad) when he was the featured headliner at this year's World Stage Show, presented by Jim Peterik.
Now you can see him, too, as he headlines his own show at The Arcada Theatre this Saturday Night (April 28th). More info below …
Legendary all-American frontman and guitarist Mark Farner was the engine that pulled the original Grand Funk Railroad to the top of the charts, and this Saturday, April 28, he performs those mega-hits live on the historic Arcada stage.
At age 69, the multi-platinum recording artist commands the stage with the same intensity and outpouring of love as he did at 20 during the summer of ’69, and his fans are still flocking to their captain. The rock patriot’s synergy and open heart come through in epic hits that defined a generation — “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home),” “We’re An American Band,” a recut of “The Loco-Motion” and “Some Kind of Wonderful."
Throughout Farner's career, one constant has remained - the message. “I think our fans connected to our songs because we were sincere,” Farner said. “My lyrics were about Mother Earth, stop the war, and all about love. They still have a point of reference with me in their heart ... Love is unconditional,” he continues. “Just like when you hold a baby, the love transfers. I feel that when I’m on stage from the audience.”
Farner, the rock patriot that he is, works tirelessly to honor service personnel and Veterans everywhere. He wants everyone to remember the huge sacrifices the men and women of our armed services give up to protect our amazing country and our freedoms.
Tickets for the 8 pm show are $39, $49, $59, $69 or $79 and are available at oshows.com or by calling 630-962-7000.
The Historic Arcada Theatre is a 900-seat Vaudeville-era theatre that hosts over 300 live concerts annually.
THE GRAND FUNK RAILROAD HIT LIST
There was a time when their albums were outselling The Beatles! Their first eleven albums all went gold or platinum … and eight of them made The Top Ten. These include "We're An American Band" (#2, 1973); "Live" (#5, 1971, multi-platinum); "E Pluribus Funk" (#5, 1972); "Shinin' On" (#5, 1974); "Closer To Home" (#6, 1970, and multi-platinum); "Survival" (#6, 1971); "Phoenix" (#7, 1972) and "All The Girls In The World Beware!!!" (#10, 1975).
But they also tore up the Pop Singles Chart! Nine of their singles made The Top 40:
But they also tore up the Pop Singles Chart! Nine of their singles made The Top 40:
1. The Locomotion (#1 - 1974)
2. We're An American Band (#1 - 1973)
3. Some Kind Of Wonderful (#3 - 1975)
4. Bad Time (#4 - 1975)
5. Shinin' On (#11 - 1974)
6. Walk Like A Man (#17 - 1973)
7. Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain) #22 - 1970
8. Rock 'n' Roll Soul (#24, 1972)
9. Footstompin' Music (#28, 1972)
10. Time Machine (#42, 1969)
Kent,
Just thought you might like to know I finally got to see Jim Peterik perform live. He performed at the Jam for Jimi here in Memphis. The venue features artists who volunteer their time to support Jimi’s memory, a local music producer who has cancer and Jimi’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Since Jim wrote or co-wrote many of Survivor’s hits when Jimi fronted that band, he closed out the show with songs like Burning Heart and Eye of the Tiger.
Other performers included Mike Reno of Loverboy, John Cafferty, Gunnar Nelson, and Kelly Keigy of Night Ranger. We had a great time!
Mike Schooler
We've got The Ides coming up on Sunday at the Cornerstones show at The Arcada Theatre … and then again on Thursday, May 3rd, at City Winery. ALWAYS a great show! (kk)
FH Reader Danny Guilfoyle sent us this new Rascals poster by way of Gene Cornish, who will be joining Felix Cavaliere for a series of shows this summer …
I like this one — it has that ‘60s feel to it.
Danny
Another fun event you might be interested in …
The 2018 "Fab 4 Music Festival" will be held on Saturday, June 9th, at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, CT. There will be two stages of performances, half of the twenty groups will be performing indoors, under the Dome, while the other half will be playing outside on the "Octopus' Garden" patio. The hours are 1pm until 10pm. There is ample free parking.
Liverpool Productions has announced that THE FIFTH ESTATE will be joining the line-up as Special Guest performers.
The band began in 1963, and they made a number of TV appearances, including several historic NYC Clay Cole appearances, the first of which they were on the same taping session as The Rolling Stones when The Stones made their very first U.S. East Coast TV appearance. They also appeared on the hit show "Hullabaloo." The program was co-hosted by Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, who expressed an interest in signing them. They later won a Murray The K contest for best new release over The Dave Clark Five and The Animals in 1965. In 1966 they changed their name to "The Fifth Estate," and they had a national / international hit in 1967 with "Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead," which reached #11 on the charts.
In 1968, on "The Frodis Caper," the last of their 58 TV show episodes, The Monkees covered The Fifth Estate's version of "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead."
The Fifth Estate toured with acts such as The Byrds, Count Five, The Electric Prunes, Velvet Underground, The Buckinghams, The Music Explosion The Ronettes, The Lovin' Spoonful, The Turtles, The Easybeats, and Connecticut's Gene Pitney.
They will be performing on the main stage along with such acts as The Hofners, Penny Lane, Number Nine, The Taxmen, Rotary, Take Two & Call Me In The Morning, Double The Dial, Corporation TeeShirt, Beatlehead and Pat Horgan's Thunder Road.
Outside patio artists include Dramatic Turn's Brideau & Miller, Fools On The Hill Sal & Allen, Dizzyfish Acoustic with Eric Herbst, The Navels, Scott Ringle, David Tessier's Pre-Fab Monkees All-Star Show and Suns of Walrus .
The popular New York / New England regional Beatles-themed festival, known in past years as "Danbury Fields Forever," is a family-friendly Music, Foods And Arts Festival featuring the music of The Beatles, their solo material and classic songs from the sixties. Along with the great entertainment of 20 bands, there will be Beatles and music memorabilia dealers and vendors, exhibitors, kid-friendly activities, along with food trucks and other attractions.
In 1968 The Beatles produced their most whimsical work, "Yellow Submarine," as both an album and theatrical animated film, and also recorded their most intense collection of songs released as a two-record set, "The White Album." In celebration of the 50th anniversary of these historic releases and the year 1968, advance "Ticket to Ride" general admissions are only $19.68. There are also V.I.P. tickets available. Note that admission will be higher at the door. Advance tickets available at Ticketmaster.
In 1968 The Beatles produced their most whimsical work, "Yellow Submarine," as both an album and theatrical animated film, and also recorded their most intense collection of songs released as a two-record set, "The White Album." In celebration of the 50th anniversary of these historic releases and the year 1968, advance "Ticket to Ride" general admissions are only $19.68. There are also V.I.P. tickets available. Note that admission will be higher at the door. Advance tickets available at Ticketmaster.
The "Fab 4 Music Festival" on Saturday, June 9, 2018, is presented by Live Nation is association with Liverpool Productions, the same Beatles Fan Club that presented "NYC FAB 50: The Beatles' 50th Anniversary Celebration" in New York City, and have produced the Connecticut Beatles Conventions since 1978. They also organize the annual fan vacations to Liverpool and London known as the "Magical History Tour."
With a full day of fab 4 fun, 20 bands and non-stop music for all ages, as The Beatles sang, "It's Guaranteed to Raise a Smile."
Hi Kent:
An FYI for you ...
I will be on the air again on WMSE 91.7 in Milwaukee on Dewey’s Corner, Friday at approximately 6 PM ... available on the internet.
We will be counting down a WRIT Survey from April, 1968, 50 years ago. This list will feature a couple of Milwaukee Groups, a couple of Chicago Groups, etc. And, as always, we play Records!
Tune in if you get a chance.
Ken Freck
kk –
Here’s another one of my all time favorite WKRP quotes …
After Les Nesman' s news and big introduction, the Venus Flytrap show is about to begin … "More Music and Less Nesman."
FB
While flipping thru the channels late the other night I stumbled upon “Reefer Madness,” the cult-favorite propaganda film, and was shocked to learn that Frannie had never seen it before! (I clearly remember being shown this film in high school, some 40+ years ago, when it was already wildly out of date by then!)
Almost impossible to think that this film is now 90 YEARS OLD!!! (And amazing to me to know that even back then, some 90 years ago, they were already referring to the dreaded marijuana (then spelled with an “h” instead of a “j”) as “reefer” and “weed” … I guess I just always thought that this was some type of slang come up by our generation!
In addition to being horribly dated and terribly acted, I am happy to report that the film is just as hysterical as ever. (We especially liked “the laughing man”!!!) This was one of those flicks that always seemed to make the bill during all those Midnight Movies we went to back in the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s … but I hadn’t seen it since. Check your cable listings as typically something like this will end up airing several times over the course of the month. (kk)
