Happy Hump Day - This Is Shaping Up To Be A Rockin' Good Week!

Kent,

We found Svengoolie about ten years ago and loved watching the old black and white horror movies, but it was always fun to see Koz do his totally silly and corny schtick every break.  I knew Jerry G Bishop had been the original Svengoolie, but did not know of the connection or that the NEW guy was an offshoot of Jerry until I emailed Jerry long ago.  Jerry has passed on in recent years, but he was kind enough to answer my emails usually.  Koz carried Svengoolie to new heights, IMO.  Jerry was a Chicago era entity.  Jerry used Koz's gags in HIS era as Sven and now Koz has gone to national fame.  This comment Jerry sent in 2012 to me needed expanding upon from Jerry, but he never did, and now, never will.  Jerry began doing odd things early on in his career, singing entire songs with his guitar on air at KYW and, by his move from Cleveland to CFL in Chicago, he had a great 45 out (which HE called one of the worst in one article I have and "not bad" in another) at the time of his change of cities ("She's Gone") and left his own TV dance show behind and CFL used promos saying "If Jerry G can't make you laugh, YOU LOSE!"

Jerry's 2012 comment:

Svengoolie is a chapter I'd as soon forget, though it WAS fun (for the first six months.) Koz (Sven now) is a very talented guy who has made a career out of it.

Jerry G Bishop was one of my all-time ‘CFL favorites … we had talked about doing a Forgotten Hits interview just a few weeks before his passing … what a shame.

But “She’s Gone” is a Chicagoland classic.  (I’ve been trying to get Me-TV-FM to play it for a couple of years now without success … but I’ll betcha WCFLChicago.com will!!!  It’s a natural!  (kk)

Regarding the Freddy / Svengoolie Show ...

Why not add a horror movie?

When I went to The Alan Freed Shows, there was always a movie before the music.

Frank B.

The Arcada Theatre has one of those original pipe organs that the used to play in the movie theaters way before I was born … and, up until a few years ago, they would often start the show with organ music while patrons took their seats.  Unfortunately, the gentleman who played the organ (and had for nearly a century!) just recently passed away.  But The Arcada will still do movie screenings from time to time.

This looks like a pretty full bill the night that Freddy Cannon is playing … but it WOULD be cool to have Svenghoolie introduce just a short horror clip for fun!  (kk)

Great pic of you and Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon.  I believe that is you on the left, Kent, right?
I haven't been around much lately.  I became a grandma for the second time three weeks ago so my life has changed dramatically. I plan to get caught up on my FH reading. No worries.  I am still around.  lol 

Thanks for all you do.

Best always –

Sandy

Frannie and I became third time grandparents nearly three months ago … so we are enjoying “Baby Luke” too.  (And for the record, I couldn’t make the photo shoot that day … so they had Svengoolie stand in for me instead!)  kk

Hi Kent,
Love your website very much.  You speculated that Paul Simon might invite Art Garfunkel to join him in one of his final Farewell Tour performances at Madison Square Garden on September 20 and 21.  If you check Paul’s website, you will notice that the VERY last tour date is September 22 in New York, but the exact venue is “TBA” and tickets are not yet on sale. This has led to speculation that there may be another Central Park concert with Simon and Garfunkel on that date.  Wouldn’t that be a great way to end Paul’s touring career?

Ian N. Berger

It would indeed … I just hope the figure out a way to share this momentous event with the rest of the world so we can all experience it, too!  What a GREAT way to go out!  (kk)

I did not know about Russ' passing until I read it in FH.  My friend, Artie Wayne, worked a lot with Russ and did an interview with him in 2006 that you can read here:

http://www.spectropop.com/RussRegan/index.htm 

Artie always asked different questions in his interviews which always made them interesting to me.  Artie credited me at the end, but I don't remember why!!!  Anyway, Russ did a lot for music!  It's interesting how Harvey's story on Russ fits well with your FH article of Mike Rubini, since Russ was there pushing Sonny & Cher and Sinatra's "That's Life," which were artists / songs Mike played on!

Clark Besch

That was just one of life’s happy coincidences … but don’tcha just love it when everything comes together like that!  (lol)

I mentioned it to Mike Rubini, who has now become a regular Forgotten Hits Reader … imagine the stories THIS guy is going to be able to share!!!  (kk)

Hi Kent,

That symmetry you talk about between Russ Regan and me is not lost on me, I knew Russ quite well back in the old days. When he was just a promotion man he used to hang out in a coffee shop on Hollywood Blvd. (Coffee Dan’s? – Norm’s?) along with Joe Saraceno, waiting for their appointments to go upstairs to the radio station (KFWB?) to promote their latest single 45, and I used to hang there with Joe because he was the producer of the Marketts records and early on I was in the Marketts’ road band. I later became the leader of the band and was the only one (from the road band) who also played on the actual Marketts’ recordings. 

The name of the coffee shop is eluding me now, darn it, and the station, which was upstairs next to the restaurant was either KFWB or KHJ if my memory serves. Boy, I hate not being able to remember those little details. Anyway, Russ was a really nice guy and always friendly and helpful to me, even when he first became President of Uni Records.  
Cheers,

Michel

(Sonny, Cher, Me, Diamondhead)

Hi Kent,

Taylor’s In Orbit won another one!  She did it again!

Thought I would share,

Tommy Roe

C’mon … where else are you gonna find cool stuff like this?!?!?  (kk)

We still maintain a Locals List, keeping folks in the loop about upcoming concert events and often passing along special ticket offers.

We did one such mailing the other night and got a few responses … and today we’re happy to announce that if you purchase your tickets for ANY of the shows listed below at The Arcada Theatre, you can save 20% on your ticket price.  (Tickets much be purchased before midnight tonight!)

MERCEDES-BENZ OF ST. CHARLES PRESENTS:     Full Show Lineup | Club Arcada  | Evanston Rocks       24 HOUR JUNE SALE! 20% OFF THESE SHOWS LISTED BELOW! USE PROMO CODE: JUNE20 VALID UNTIL MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY (6/6)     Tickets   June 22 | 8PM  Queensrÿche The band’s name is uttered in the same breath as many of the groups they looked to as influences and others who arose as peers. Queensrÿche built a dedicated legion of fans traveling the globe on tour with fellow rock giants.  Tickets   June 28 | 7:30PM  The Wailers The legendary Wailers band returns to bring their revolutionary sound to fans around the world. Steered by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett, and joined in solidarity with original Wailers’ guitarists Julian Junior Marvin and Donald Kinsey, The Wailers continue to create musical history. Tickets   June 29 | 8:00PM  America's AC/DC Thunderstruck Striving to stay true to the AC/DC way, Thunderstruck has perfected the tones and delivery of this iconic rock band’s songs, using all the gear necessary to bring the power and entertainment of a genuine AC/DC show. Thunderstruck brings the High Voltage Rock n’ Roll to the Arcada Theatre! Tickets   June 30 | 8:00PM  ULI JON ROTH TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR The original guitarist of the Scorpions, Uli Jon Roth, celebrates the 40-year anniversary of SCORPIONS – TOKYO TAPES, the 40-year anniversary of the birth of ELECTRIC SUN, and the 50-year ANNIVERSARY of Uli’s first ever stage performance in 1968! To celebrate this special anniversary year, Uli is performing a whole series of concerts and tours worldwide with varying programmes. Tickets   July 6 | 8:00PM  Patty Smyth and Scandal Patty Smyth, both with her hit band Scandal and as a solo artist, has always been, at heart, a rock and roll chick, and that’s no truer today for the mother of six, now back on the road and raring to play for fans new and old. Come out and hear the classics like, "The Warrior", "Only the Young", "All I Want" and "Another Bad Love"! Tickets   July 7 | 8:00PM  LOUISE HARRISON PRESENTS: LIVERPOOL LEGENDS “THE COMPLETE BEATLES EXPERIENCE!” Liverpool Legends “The Complete Beatles Experience!” are four incredibly talented musicians and actors hand-picked by Louise Harrison – sister of the late George Harrison of The Beatles. Louise’s involvement in Liverpool Legends makes them the ONLY Beatles Tribute Band with a direct family link to the original Fab Four. Tickets   July 11 | 7:30PM  Dave Mason & Steve Cropper: Rock & Soul Revue Two CLASSIC artists performing a night of CLASSIC hits! Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Dave Mason and Steve Cropper join and play together for the first time on one stage to deliver a night of timeless music and endless hits, performing material that defined a generation. Tickets   July 12 | 7:30PM  Killer Queen Tribute To Queen Killer Queen is the longest established worldwide Queen tribute. A fabulous tribute to Freddie Mercury and Queen! Tickets   July 13 | 8PM  Big Suit Tribute To Talking Heads Big Suit is a collective of nine musicians drawn to the cerebral adventures, infectious rhythms, and pioneering music known to the world as Talking Heads. BIG SUiT began when a Chicago-area producer reached out to Deacon Blues founder Steve Kikoen with a request to form a tribute to Talking Heads. Tickets   July 14 | 8PM  Vince Neil The Legendary Voice Of Mötley Crüe His unmistakable voice leads some of the greatest rock songs of a generation including “Wild Side," “Shout at the Devil,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr. Feelgood,” “Kickstart My Heart,” “Same Ol’ Situation” and many others. Tickets   July 15 | 5PM  Arcada Doo Wop Show: Jay Siegel’s Tokens, Larry Chance And The Earls, Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, And Ladd Vance – Son Of Kenny Vance And The Planotones Join us this July as three legends of doo wop take the stage. Their classic songs including “The Lion Sleeps Tonight," “Life Is But a Dream” and “Way Down Yonder In New Orleans” will have you snapping along as they send you back in time! Tickets   July 21 | 8PM  TIME TRAVELLER SALUTE TO THE MOODY BLUES The Moody Blues originated the Rock/Orchestra experience. True to this tradition, Time Traveller delivers a full symphonic rock concert alongside your community orchestra. Time Traveller highlights over three decades of material from the legendary group The Moody Blues, performing a full rock concert with lighting and video in addition to a complete Rock/Orchestra show. Experience the sound of the Moody Blues in grand style – A soaring rock and orchestral presentation! Tickets   July 22 | 5PM  BJ THOMAS BJ Thomas possesses one of the most distinctive voices in American pop music. Thomas is a five time Grammy and two time Dove Award winner who has sold more than 70 million records and is ranked in Billboard’s Top 50 most played artists over the past 50 years! Tickets   July 26 | 7:30PM  The Smithereens with Special Guest Vocalist Marshall Crenshaw The Smithereens are an American rock band from Carteret, New Jersey. The band is perhaps best known for a string of modest hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "Only a Memory", "A Girl Like You" and "Too Much Passion". Tickets   July 27 & 28 | 8PM  Ted Nugent  The Motor City Madman, Ted Nugent, returns to the Arcada Theatre this July after two SOLD OUT shows last year for TWO MORE! Rock out to songs such as, "Stranglehold," "Cat Scratch Fever," "Motor City Madhouse" and many more! Tickets   August 5 | 5PM  Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have been dazzling audiences for more than 60 years. “Broken Lady,” “All the Gold in California,” “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You),” “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” “ I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” “Statues Without Hearts,” “Love is Just a Game” and “Night Time Magic.” Tickets   August 9 | 7:30PM  The Devon Allman Project With Special Guest Duane Betts Accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist Devon Allman, son of the late great Gregg Allman, has formed a new six-piece ensemble dubbed The Devon Allman Project. Guitarist Duane Betts, son of Allman Brothers Band co-founding guitarist Dickey Betts, will be one of the group’s special guests on tour! Tickets   August 11 | 8PM  Slaughter // Autograph Slaughter has sold more than 5 million records worldwide. The group has numerous top hits on the Billboard charts such as, Fly To The Angels, Up All Night, Spend My Life and Mad About You. They also won the 1991 American Music Award for “Favorite New Artist.” Tickets   August 12 | 3PM & 7PM THE THREE STOOGES! THE LIVE VEGAS SHOW! A revival of the iconic live Three Stooges stage show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas from 1994 through 1996, this reprise boasts the best Three Stooges impersonators and is the only official show authorized, cleared and licensed from the family estates of Howard, Fine and DeRita. Tickets   August 23 | 7:30PM DAVID BOWIE NIGHT WITH REBEL REBEL REBEL REBEL “The Many Lives Of David Bowie” The Concert is the ultimate experiential journey through the many sides and arousing sounds of David Bowie. This thrilling concert, created and directed by stage veterans Paul Horton and Quinn Lemley, has been generating enthusiastic standing ovations in casinos and performing arts centers throughout North America.  This theatrical concert hones in on the essence of some of the greatest songs of rock and roll ever written; “Changes”, “Heroes”, “Space Oddity”, “Starman”, and “Fame” are just the beginning. Tickets   August 24 | 8PM  Eric Martin Of Mr. Big Feat. Steve Brown & PJ Farley Of Trixter! Eric Martin is still alive and kicking, touring regularly as a solo artist and with his new celebrity rock group, Scrap Metal, in Europe, North and South America, Australia, India and Japan. In 2008, Eric signed a deal with Sony Japan to do a series of albums containing domestic and international hits. Sony brainstormed a concept that allows the rock singer's alter ego to come forth and sing the ballads that his fans have always loved. Tickets   August 25 | 8PM  JAY AND THE AMERICANS + THE VOGUES Jay and the Americans started with four teenage boys in Sandy Yaguda’s Brooklyn basement fifty years ago, and today they are one of the few lasting success stories in Rock ‘n Roll history. The Vogues created a new sound.  It was a fresh, original blend of vocal harmony that left an indelible mark in the world of pop music.  Tickets   August 26 | 5PM  JAN & DEAN’S BEACH PARTY STARRING DEAN TORRENCE From Jan and Dean, the legendary top-selling artists of the 60’s, comes a Beach Party like no other. Along with their chart topping hits, Dean Torrence brings to the stage all of the music that made the California beach scene famous, including many of the Beach Boys’ songs that Jan and Dean either co-wrote or performed on.  Tickets   August 31 | 8PM  ZEBRA It's been just over a year when Randy Jackson reported that the band is working on a new album. He told the Shreveport Times, "I have new material and hopefully we’ll get to work on a new record in the next couple of months." Now that time has come to hear some of what they have been working on as well as all of their classics!  Tickets   September 1 | 8PM  Faces Of The King – #1 Elvis Tribute Elvis Presley lives on as one of America's biggest musical legends. Now, Faces of the King shows you what it would be like if Presley himself returned to the stage to perform a show of all his career highlights. Tickets   September 7 | 8PM  Sara Evans She’s had five #1 singles, sold millions of records, won the Academy of Country Music’s Top Female Vocalist Award and claimed a Country Music Association trophy for her signature song, “Born To Fly.” It’s tough to imagine many accomplishments Sara Evans hasn’t already checked off her bucket list. Tickets   September 8 | 8PM  Stryper // Kix Heavy metal certainly has no shortage of rebels. It seems like everybody's rebelling against something, and that's part of the genre's allure. However, the most rebellious thing anybody can do is hold steadfast to personal beliefs and never waver. Tickets   September 13 | 7:30PM  Glenn Hughes Plays Deep Purple FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS…PERFORMING A FULL CONCERT OF CLASSIC DEEP PURPLE LIVE! With one of the heaviest repertoires known to rock, and sound and lighting production values befitting the legend, Glenn Hughes' Classic Deep Purple shows are destined to write a new page in rock history. Tickets   September 15 | 8PM  Pablo Cruise Today Pablo Cruise is bringing more energy and excitement to the stage than ever before. Honest, real down to earth vocals, accompanied by fun yet elegant, infectious grooves. To hear Pablo Cruise on record is one thing, but to experience the band live is an exhilarating event! Tickets   September 16 | 5PM  Tony Danza Standards & Stories The New York Times raved “Tony’s a live wire who tap-dances, plays the ukulele, tells stories and radiates irresistible charm… He exudes the kind of charisma that can’t be taught!" Tickets   September 20 | 7:30PM  EAGLES NIGHT WITH HOTEL CALIFORNIA For more than two decades, Hotel California has touched the hearts of fans all over the world by faithfully and accurately reproducing the Grammy award winning sounds of the Eagles. See how a spirited blend of originality and the pursuit of excellence have taken Hotel California to a level of international recognition normally reserved only for gold and platinum recording artists.This dynamic, highly acclaimed show incorporates their very own world renowned vocal harmony, and authentic instrumentation, including all specialty instruments in a stage spectacle that is both modern and exciting. Tickets   September 21 | 8PM  Fleetwood Mac Nite With TUSK Tusk, The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute, is the #1 Tribute to Fleetwood Mac in the world, bar none. No wigs, no backing tracks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note for note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating. Tickets   September 22 | 8PM  Tommy James & The Shondells On the road, Tommy James and his Shondells are still rockin’, performing their many timeless hits to sellout crowds across the country. including “Say I Am (What I Am)” and “It’s Only Love." What a great chance to see some outstanding musicians performing songs that shaped a lot of the music of their era! Tickets   September 23 | 5PM  The Bay City Rollers Featuring original guitarist / song writer / vocalist Stuart "Woody" Wood! All the million selling hit songs will be performed live, including; "Saturday Night," "I Only Want To Be With You," "You Made Me Believe In Magic" and "Money Honey"! Tickets   September 27 | 7:30PM  Ambrosia & Orleans Back to share the stage again! From their earliest days as a favorite at colleges and clubs in the Northeast US, to studio and live collaborations with industry greats Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Little Feat and others, the group has had Top 10 success with bona-fide classics such as “Still the One," “Dance With Me” and “Love Takes Time.” Tickets   September 28 | 8PM  The Classic Rock Experience 70s Arena Rock Tribute featuring the music of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, STYX, Boston, Deep Purple, Journey, Grand Funk Railroad & more!  Tickets   October 4 | 7:30PM  RICHARD MARX As a performer, songwriter and producer, Richard Marx’s nearly three-decade-long career has had innumerable highlights. The Chicago native has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide starting with his self-titled debut, which went to #8 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. It also spawned four Top 5 singles, including the chart-topping “Hold on to the Nights”, and “Don’t Mean Nothing”, which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. Tickets   October 5 | 8PM  RATT RATT released their self-titled first album independently in 1983 and never looked back after that. Their first major label release, Out of the Cellar proved a multi-platinum breakthrough and was subsequently followed by more platinum smashes including; Invasion of Your Privacy (1985), Dancin’ Undercover (1986) and Reach for the Sky (1988). By then the band had become mainstays on the radio with songs like the blockbuster anthem “Round and Round”, “Wanted Man”, and “Lay it Down”. They’ve continued to tour the world over, spreading their infectious brand of Ratt ‘N’ Roll to the masses. Tickets   October 7 | 7PM  Artimus Pyle Band The ultimate tribute to Ronnie Van Zants Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Artimus Pyle Band features Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer from Lynyrd Skynyrd! Tickets   October 6 | 8PM  Firehouse & Downtread Three head banging bands take the stage to give you a long over due dose of metal. This October get pumped for a night of wild Rock 'N Roll that will leave your ears ringing for days to come. You’ll hear all of your favorites like, "Don't Treat Me Bad," “Once Bitten Twice Shy" and ”Don't Get Weak." Get your tickets before they are all gone! Tickets   October 7 | 5PM  Gene Chandler “The Duke Of Earl!” Glenn Leonard Of The Temptations! Joel Coleman Of The Platters! Joe Blunt Of The Drifters! Back to the music of Doo Wop! Enjoy the sounds of "The Duke of Earl," "The Temptations," "The Platters" and "The Drifters" on one stage for one fantastic night! Tickets   October 12 | 8PM  BLUE ÖYSTER CULT The group has been known to incorporate elements of science-fiction and dark occultism into their jaw-dropping live show, and this allegiance to dynamic and masterful performances has led to the group being covered by everyone from Metallica and HIM to moe. Best known for their smash singles “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Burnin’ for You” and “Godzilla.” Tickets   October 14 | 5PM  The Glenn Miller Orchestra The most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements! With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. Tickets   October 19 | 8PM  April Wine And Kip Winger 2018 will see April Wine enter into their 49th year as a band, with just as busy a schedule as ever... quite an accomplishment for any Rock 'N Roll band! Kip Winger, the multi-platinum recording artist, may be known best for his success with Winger and his early days as a bass player with Alice Cooper. Tickets   October 22 & 23 | 8PM  PAUL ANKA SINGS SINATRA – HIS SONGS, MY SONGS, MY WAY A message from Paul Anka: “The Anka Sings Sinatra tour will honor a great artist who has influenced me more than anyone else throughout my career, Frank Sinatra.  It will also feature the hits that have spanned my career on this 60th anniversary year.  It will be a night filled with His songs, My songs, My Way!” Tickets   October 25 | 8PM  HAIRBALL  Hairball is a Rock & Roll experience you won’t forget. A band puts on a concert – Hairball puts on an event! The lights, sound, video screens, smoke, fire, blood, bombs, confetti, spiders, snakes & monsters (oh my) and the screaming hoards of rabid Hairball fans create an event – an event that hits you so hard, it’ll take a few days to recover! Rock & Roll will NEVER die!!! Tickets   October 25 | 8PM  HOLLYWOOD CONFIDENTIAL WITH LAINIE KAZAN, CONNIE STEVENS, AND RENEE TAYLOR This very special event brings long-time good friends together for a peek behind the scenes in Hollywood … the lovers, the friends, and co-stars. Amazing film clips, private photos, Q&A with the audience, and a whole lot of dish! Warning: For Adults Only! Tickets   November 4 | 6PM  PBS SUPERSTAR PASQUALE ESPOSITO Italian tenor, Pasquale Esposito, returns to the Arcada Theatre with his new program celebrating Italian Piazzas (Squares). The program is the live version of his new Public TV Special on Chicago PBS (WTTW). This is Pasquale’s follow up to his 1st successful PBS Special Celebrating Enrico Caruso (2015).  Tickets   November 8 | 7:30PM  THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CREAM Ginger Baker‘s son Kofi Baker, Jack Bruce‘s son Malcolm Bruce and Eric Clapton‘s nephew by marriage Will Johns—have come together for the first time in North America to pay homage to the band’s extraordinary legacy with The Music of Cream. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime concert salute to the most innovative and explosive supergroup of all time, in the hands of those that knew them best. Tickets   November 9 | 8PM  Lita Ford // VIXEN The first Rock / Metal female guitarist / singer front woman in metal shares the stage with Vixen. Collectively they have sold over a million albums, and have had over six #1 videos on MTV! Tickets   November 16 & 17 | 8PM  America Founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (along with former band mate Dan Peek) met in high school in London in the late 1960s and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song "A Horse With No Name." Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Tickets   November 23 | 8PM  An Evening With Deacon Blues – The All-Star Tribute To Steely Dan Deacon Blues has structured their live repertoire to encompass a wide range of the Dan's prolific material, including rarities as well as repertoire from the 1991 reunion prototype, The New York Rock and Soul Revue. These eleven musicians, composers and educators have consistently played to sold-out audiences, appearing on regional and national television. In the words of legendary Chicago FM Radio personality Bob Stroud (“The Drive”): “If you are a Dan fan, you owe it to yourself to see Deacon Blues - they’ve got all the right musicians with all the right chops - they are an incredible tribute to the music of Steely Dan!” Tickets   November 24 | 8PM  CORNERSTONES OF ROCK:THE BUCKINGHAMS, THE IDES OF MARCH, THE NEW COLONY SIX, THE CRYAN’ SHAMES, AND THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT Cornerstones of Rock is a new concert series filmed in WTTW’s intimate Grainger Studio, where the groundbreaking music series Soundstage began more than 40 years ago, which is now being turned into a live production tour. The first special in the series will bring together Chicago area’s iconic rock groups of the 1960s and ’70s for a once-in-a-lifetime concert special. Tickets   November 30 | 8PM  Winger Winger is a hard rock band from New York City. Their debut album, Winger, came out on Atlantic Record’s label in 1988 and achieved platinum status in the United States and gold in Japan and Canada. It spawned such hits as “Seventeen” and “Headed for a Heartbreak.”  The band toured for over a years with Bad Company, Scorpions, Cinderella, Bon Jovi, Poison, Skid Row and Tesla. Tickets   December 9 | 7PM  Ronnie Spector And The Ronettes Only a few artists in history have been capable of defining an entire era in pop music. Ronnie Spector is one of those artists: the embodiment of the heart, soul, and passion of female rock and roll in the 1960s. And to this day, no one has ever surpassed Ronnie's powerful trademark vocals. Tickets   December 11 | 7:30PM  Tony Orlando & Dawn “A Christmas Reunion” REUNITING FOR A FEW SELECT SHOWS ONLY – TONY ORLANDO & DAWN! Tony Orlando is one of America’s most endearing and enduring iconic stars. Few entertainers have excelled in so many realms as Tony has: a top selling recording artist, songwriter, concert headliner, network television star, Motion Picture actor, Broadway performer and author. Tickets   December 29 | 8PM  The BoDeans Long known as one of the best live acts in the business, BoDeans continue to tour year round and continue to deliver amazing, high-energy performances. Chart topping songs like “Fadeaway”, “Only Love”, and “Dreams” won them Rolling Stone‘s readers poll for Best New American Band in 1987, and they were part of a small contingent of bands that inspired a new radio format known as Adult Alternative.   Want first access to preferred seating on upcoming shows? Become one of our VIP members for that and other great perks.   Learn More →

Damn!  There's a bunch of these shows that I wanna see!!!  (kk)

Thanks, Kent, for including me on the list. 

Michele

Out of all of those I think the one I would want to go to would be Dick Dale.

Alex

Thanks, Kent,

I'm sorry to say that lots of these bands should no longer be performing any more. That’s just my opinion.

Drew Paul

Ouch!

Having seen a good number of these acts over the past several years, I can vouch for the following:

Alan Parsons – one of the best shows and concert experiences I have ever had – we’ve seen them five times now and EVERY show has been a stand-out – they’ve made our Top 5 Concerts List every time they’ve appeared in the area

Tommy James – sounds every bit as good today as he did in the ‘60’s … a very fun, upbeat and entertaining show … man, the energy this guy has got!!!

Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra – we’ve been looking forward to this show for two years, ever since he announced he was going to tour America again

The Eagles – you’ll never see a better live band … and even with the changes they’ve made necessitated by the passing of co-founder Glenn Frey, the band still shines with letter-perfect renditions of their hits catalog

Al Stewart – Intellectual Rock, for sure … we hated to miss his “Year Of The Cat” performance at The City Winery … but the show sold out … so we’re not alone in our admiration and appreciation of this great artist.

.38 Special – absolutely rockin’ the house every time we’ve seen them

Paul Anka - I don't know about his Tribute To Frank Sinatra Show ... but we caught him at The Arcada a couple of years ago and the guy is just Pure Class!  A great mixture of hits (even a few obscure ones!) and standards ... the guy's an absolute pro.

Micky Dolenz and Mike Nesmith – an interesting pairing, to be sure … Micky is still in FINE voice and always puts on a great show … we can’t wait to see this special show with two Monkees who have never toured together before as a duo

Happy Together Tour – a stellar line-up (even though Howard Kaylan won’t be there this time around) – a hit-packed 2-3 hours of ‘60’s favorites … you can’t miss with this one.  (Check out The Cowsills … you’ll swear it’s 1967 again!)

Richard Marx – Still in fine voice and an interesting story teller – plus the concert is free!

Paul Simon – How can you miss with this one?

Jim Peterik’s World Stage blew us away in January … I don’t know if this is the same show and line-up this time around … but from what I hear, he never disappoints.  (I’ve personally seen him at least thirty times … and NEVER seen a bad show.  Jim gives 150% to everything he does)  Ditto for his Ides Of March Christmas Show … always a holiday delight.

B.J. Thomas – hit or miss … but when he’s on, he’s every bit as good as he was in his hey-day.

Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon – can’t wait for this one either.  Freddy still sounds great … and has been a good friend to Forgotten Hits for many, many years now.

Boz Scaggs – one of the best shows we saw last year - outstanding

If you live in the Chicagoland Area and want to be added to our Locals List, drop me a line at kk@forgottenhits.com and we’ll add you to the list.  You’ll receive periodic emails about concert events and special offers.

Hi Kent, 

Thank-you for Forgotten Hits and the continual entertainment, music, information, and great reads that bring people together.  While so many people continue to argue over political issues and bang their heads against the wall arguing over problems that are always "the other guy's fault," thank-you for keeping the "oasis in the desert" Forgotten Hits, up and running.  Your publication is like going to a concert … it's a mini-vacation that puts everything back in perspective and reminds you what mindless bullshit you have let the world subject you to.    

By the way, the iconic Dick Biondi is an example of a profession that is sadly starting to fade and hopefully can be saved from the sin of syndication -- the friendly DJ on the radio who was always there "through thick and thin" when the rest of the world was swirling about.  The synergy of the talent and creativity of the music artist and the air personality that presented it on the radio, is a treasured memory that is a part of all of us in our generation.  Whether you were the Beatles or a bar-band, a Dick Biondi or a DJ working in the middle of nowhere, you were or are a part of someone's treasured, indelible memory.  Whether you were dancing to Freddy Cannon's "Tallahassee Lassie" at a party after the football game or listening to a John Records Landeker "Boogie Check" on the North Dakota prairie just after the sun went down, it's thankfully etched in your memory file forever (or at least until your brain gives you the "blue screen")!  Forgotten Hits reminds you that they really never are forgotten -- "If you know what I mean, Vern!"  Thanks, Kent, for your time, creativity, and energy.

THANKS FOR FORGOTTEN HITS!  It's a life-saver!
Best Regards,

Tim Kiley

Wow!  How do I even respond to that?  Thank you, Tim, for making ME feel like it’s all been worthwhile!  (kk)