MACCA:
Tonight’s the night …
Paul McCartney will be guesting on The Late, Late
Show with James Corden – featuring carpool karaoke (and hopefully a little bit more)
Thank GOD Kanye West made this guy
famous a few years ago … ‘cause he seems to be doing really well today!
(And he seems to be able to do just
about everything … he’ll go from world tours to new album launches to
television appearances … to even singing at weddings!!!)
Check it out …
In fact, Paul was all over the music
news yesterday as his brand new single (described as “a double A-side”) was
released. (“Come On To Me” and “I Don’t
Know.”)
A release date was also announced
for his new LP, which was originally rumored to being released last
Friday. (Titled “Egypt Station,” it will
be available on September 7th, about seven weeks from now.)
And if this still isn’t enough for
you, McCartney will also headline The Austin City Limits Music Festival in
October.
And then … on top of all the NEW solo
release hoopla, Paul confirmed yesterday that a newly expanded edition of The
Beatles’ White Album will be released to celebrate the LP’s 50th
Anniversary. (Awesome!!! Now I can buy it for the TWELFTH time!!! And you know I will!)
Totally remixed for better sound
(according to Paul, it’ll make the listener feel like you were right there in
the room with them while it was being recorded), the new release will also feature
some of the demos recorded by the individual Beatles prior to regrouping in the
studio after their trip to India. (We
published a link to several of these demos a couple of weeks ago in Forgotten
Hits … scroll back and check it out!)
No official release date has been
announced yet for the anniversary package (nor is there word yet on whether or
not it will take on the look of the “Sgt. Pepper” deluxe box set released last
year to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of THAT landmark LP.)
The White Album (officially titled
“The Beatles”) was the first LP released by The Fab Four on their own Apple
Records label, which originally hit the streets on November 22nd,
1968.
As mentioned before, we’ve been
encouraging Forgotten Hits Readers to submit their version of a 16-track single
LP utilizing the 30 tracks that made up the two-LP version. (Get creative … if you pulled a couple of
singles off the LP, it could be easier than you think!)
We’ll be running those comments
later in the year. (kk)
I have been receiving
this symbol from Macca alerts for a week, with the words blurred. So, as you
mentioned, Kent … Ahuh, Ahuh! Here it is!
I just previewed two
songs from Paul McCartney’s new album:
“Come On To Me”
WHOA, Paul! Mark
Lindsay says, “Rock and roll keeps you young!” BUT REALLY NOW!! Took a walk
after listening.
“I Don’t Know”
A song about life (love?)
being difficult to understand. So I Don’t Know about the background of this
one.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
You
can hear Paul talk about his new album on the BBC here:
Paul McCartney will do
carpool karaoke with James Corden tonight on The Late, Late Show. He'll spend about 20 minutes on the show
after they drove around in Liverpool for six hours last week. Don't miss
it!
Paul's new 45 came out
yesterday and he was a guest on the BBC and played the songs. Very nice tracks, I think. His new
album will be coming soon. The first track (I Don’t Know) is nice and the
second (Come On To Me) has quite a bit of Beatleish 60's things going on that
make it good. He's still got it, brave face and all!
Clark Besch
Both tracks are available for
downloading now in all the usual places (such as iTunes and Amazon) kk
Thanks for posting that review
of the Beatles solo albums.
I actually agreed with
most of it.
I would put McCartney's
Ram, Band On the Run, and Flowers in the Dirt at the top of all His albums.
They are the ones that
are my go-to's. I thought that Off the Ground should have been farther down
towards the bottom of the list.
I saw Sir Paul on that
tour, and I think he only did one song off the album. He must have known it
wasn't very good too.
Bill
THE MONKEES:
kk …
How come the Monkees
never recorded this song?
It’s not too late … Talk
to them!
Here's another one I don't think the Monkees ever recorded.
FB
Well, they sang the “Theme from ‘The
Monkees’” … and had an episode about a Monkey’s Paw … but no, they didn’t
record these tunes … although “Mickey’s Monkey” MIGHT have made sense … since
they actually HAD a guy named Micky in the group. Then again, they never recorded “Too Much
Monkey Business,” “The Monkey’s Uncle,” “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide
Except For Me And My Monkey,” “Shock The Monkey” or “One Monkey Don’t Stop No
Show” either! (Still I think they did
pretty well with the material that they DID record!!!) kk
BAKERSFIELD
BEAT WITH MICKY DOLENZ & MICHAEL NESMITH
Monkees Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith were guests on Dwight Yoakam’s
The Bakersfield Beat on SiriusXM.
Dolenz and Nesmith, on their Mike and Micky Show, end their tour
June 25 at The Count Basie theater in Red Bank, New Jersey.
L-R: Dwight Yoakam, Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz
I'll have to listen for this ... let us know if they're going to replay it.
We've been enjoying watching Dwight in the first season of "Goliath," the Billy Bob Thornton Amazon Prime Television Series. (kk)
I FELT LIKE THE LUCKIEST DRUMMER ON THE
PLANET WHEN I WAS CHOSEN TO DO THE MONKEES SERIES. I WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF MY RESPONSIBILITY
AND RELIABILITY AS A STUDIO MUSICIAN. THE PRODUCERS KNEW THAT I
WAS A STRAIGHT AND SOBER, WORKING MUSICIAN WITH MANY HIT SONGS AND FILMS IN MY BACKGROUND. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE ACCUMULATED SO
MANY MORE GRAMMY AND OSCAR WINNING T.V. AND MOVIE SOUNDTRACKS ON MY RESUME. ALSO, I WAS PROUD TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY
MICHAEL NESMITH TO PLAY ON AND CONTRACT HIS RCA HUGE WEEKEND OF RECORDING THE
“WHITCHITA TRAIN WHISTLE” PROJECT. REGARDLESS
OF HIS WHITE OUT MOTHER’S INVENTION, OF WHICH WE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT AT THE
TIME, I FOUND MR. NESMITH TO BE AN ALL AROUND GREAT EMPLOYER WHO KNEW EXACTLY
WHAT HE WAS DOING, AS A MUSICIAN AND A WRITER. HE WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF
THE “MONKEES,” PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE GROUP, AND THAT’S PROBABLY
WHY HE WAS CAST ALSO FOR HIS MUSICAL ASSETTS AND BACKGROUND THAN JUST HIS
TEENAGE LOOK. HE WILL ALWAYS DO WELL FOLLOWING HIS CREATIVE ABILITIES. I’VE
ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO HAVE BEEN EVEN A SMALL PART OF THE FAME OF THESE KIDS … AND
BEFORE CLOSING, I WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE TO MENTION THE FACT THAT PETER
THORK(ELSON) OF THE MONKEES AND AL JARDINE OF THE BEACH BOYS WERE TWO OF THE
GREATEST GUITARISTS. ALWAYS KNOWN FOR
THIER TEENAGE GOOD LOOKS AND COMEDIC APPEAL AS PART OF THIER GROUPS
AFFILIATIONS, THEY ALSO JUST HAPPENED TO BE GREAT GUITARISTS AND MUSICIANS. I NEVER EVER SAW ANY DRUG AFFILIATIONS IN ALL
OF MY YEARS WORKING WITH THEM! MY BEST
WISHES GO OUT TO THEM … AND TO BRIAN WILSON, CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY TODAY AND
RECUPERATING FROM SOME BACK SURGERY. I
WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HELPED BACK THEM UP ON MY DRUMS DURING THEIR MUSICAL
SUCCESSES!!! GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!!!
SINCERELY ….
HAL BLAINE
And, in other Wrecking Crew news,
you can hear an interview with Michel Rubini here: http://kwxy.com/
We’ve been telling you about
Michel’s new book “Life In The Key Of Rubini,” which recounts his days as a
session man during The Wrecking Crew’s hey-day … as well as his time spent as
Sonny and Cher’s Musical Director. (The above radio link also takes you to
Michel’s website, where you can order a copy of this hot new book for
yourself.) kk
THE BUCKINGHAMS:
Hi Kent,
As you know, we have another great
Cornerstones concert coming up in Milwaukee at Summerfest on June 28th. It will
be slightly longer show starting at 3:30 – 4 pm. The Buckinghams, along with
the Ides, Cryan Shames, New Colony Six and Jim Sohns should have the
opportunity to play a couple extra songs.
We are excited this year to have the
opportunity to perform once again at Ribfest in Naperville on July 4th! I
believe it has been over 20 years since our last performance at Ribfest, when
back in the late 80’s and 90’s the festival scene in Chicago was rockin! It
wasn’t unusual for The Buckinghams to play 20 - 25 festivals in and around
Chicago.
I remember an article on the front page of
the Chicago Tribune about the festival scene. In the article was a comment from
one community that said, “We don’t want The Buckinghams at our festival because
they draw too many people.” Talk about an unusual, off-handed compliment, ha!
Naperville's Last Fling and Ribfest was
always a biggie and one of the best! It still is. We will share the main stage
with The Stray Cats and Melissa Etheridge. Very exciting!
Carl Giammarese
Here’s the article.
As you know, I have been pushing for a little more
variety in the Cornerstones shows … I believe it’ll help to keep those loyal
fans who keep coming back again and again to see the show want to come back
even more, with a new element of surprise added into the mix.
Unfortunately, we’ll miss the Summerfest show but I
wish you all the very best of luck … and hope to catch up with you when
Cornerstones returns to The Arcada Theatre in November.
Thanks, Carl!
(kk)
THIS AND THAT:
Kent,
I
saw a mention of the Dick Biondi interview on your blog.
About
a month ago, I was a part of the interview with the producer.
It
was the brainstorm of John Herrbach, the station manager of my high school
radio station in New Buffalo, Michigan, WNBI 107.9.
I believe the interview is available to
be heard on their website WNBI.org.
JR
I couldn't find a link for this interview on their site ... maybe you can help us out (?)
The thing that we’ve been talking about
is a film documentary, being put together by Pam Pulice. It will trace Biondi’s career from start to
finish. He had successful radio shows
from coast to coast in Buffalo, New York to LA … and, of course, here in
Chicago where he remained on the air for nearly forty years.
Pledges are still being taken to
fund the film … more information can be found here: https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/ (kk)
Hi Kent ...
On June 17th at Gulfstream Park, Taylor’s
In Orbit won her third race.
Three wins and a 4th place finish ...
Here’s a video of
the race:
Tommy
Roe
OK, now that’s gotta be pretty darn
exciting!!! WTG, Tommy! (kk)
Kent,
I
knew that Uncle Ricky had passed and that the site was down for a while. I
don't know what plans if any he made to have someone control the archives. I just hope someone will take over the
archive and continue it because it's an awesome glimpse of radio history.
JR
Russ
A listener called with a request for Cheryl Moana Marie by
John Rowles.
As a music collector and having worked in the business all
of these
years, I rarely am stumped anymore. I have never heard of this song
before. I see it charted at #64 on Billboard and #19
Adult. It does
not appear to have made the Top 40 in Chicago and it was
number 12 in Milwaukee in late 1970 – early 71.
I listened to it on youtube and heard it for the first time. Do
you remember this one?
Phil – WRCO
Nope … never heard it … or even OF
it before! (Honestly, I'm having a hard time hearing this as a hit of that era!) kk
It can't be a
forgotten hit if we've never heard it before! The guy
that requested it could have lived closer to Milwaukee or another area
that played it. It must not have played on the stations I was hearing on
my transistor. The song reminds me of others that were played on Top 40 radio in the seventies such as Miguel Rios - A Song Of Joy, Bobby
Vinton - Melody Of Love or Roger Whittaker - The Last Farewell.
that requested it could have lived closer to Milwaukee or another area
that played it. It must not have played on the stations I was hearing on
my transistor. The song reminds me of others that were played on Top 40 radio in the seventies such as Miguel Rios - A Song Of Joy, Bobby
Vinton - Melody Of Love or Roger Whittaker - The Last Farewell.
Phil
I can think of at least one or two folks I encounter
regularly online
with MASSIVE TV Guide collections!
As with any paper publication, it pays to keep the space in
which you
store these gems at optimal temperature and humidity so the
items don't fall to pieces when looking at them!
I may or may not still have a few "digest" TVGs,
e.g. the last one with
(at least in some copies) Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa,
then syndicated
morning-show stars, done up as Major Nelson and Jeannie of
"I Dream of Jeannie"! The current standard-size (and not always
weekly) version, I'm sorry, is just not the same thing!
BOB FRABLE
I have often thought about pursuing
a TV Guide collection but the cost would be phenomenal … way beyond my
means!!! I have several that I bought
for our 1967 Series so that I could document some of the rock and roll acts
that were being featured on TV … and a few other collectors’ editions that have
meaningful covers to me.
I totally agree with the new full
size format … it sucks … and it’s not just the look …
TV Guide used to be THE source for
television information … back stories and interviews … detailed descriptions of
each week’s episodes with highlighted features for some of the stand-out shows.
Now you’re lucky to get a six word
synopsis (if there is even a synopsis at all.)
They went from the cutting edge
leaders to barely playing the game anymore.
(And I’ve found them to publish wrong information WAY too often these
past few years.)
I know in today’s immediate society,
you can get any TV information you want online … with ALL kinds of special
insight … but if TV Guide was simply going to throw in the towel in this regard
than why bother to keep publishing it at all?
Honestly, nothing would please me
more than to see them revamp things to become an industry leader again. (That’s easier said then done when you
consider the lag-time required to go to press and get the magazine on the
newsstands … by then it’s already two week old information and probably not
even accurate anymore.
Still, I’m a big one on legacies …
which is why WLS ignoring their rich, trend-setting legacy and heritage is such
a disappointment here in Chicago. These
guys led the pack when it came to entertainment radio back in the day, breaking
ALL the big hits. Now they’re pretty
much just “the ‘80’s station” … which is pretty remarkable when you consider
that for MOST of the ‘80’s they weren’t even calling themselves WLS
anymore! (kk)
Kent,
The picture of the LP SGT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS with the
DJ's on it was one I was not familiar with. However, I immediately recognized
on the top row, fourth DJ from the right, to be that of Dale Wehba, former DJ
here in OKC working at both top 40 radio stations through the years, WKY-AM 930
and KOMA-AM 1520. Dale still lives here in the OKC area and I called him up to
see if he remembered that LP. He said he did and that he has two copies of it.
He remembered what the LP was all about and that Mercury Records distributed
it.
Mike Brown, I believe, sent you those WLS images for
downloading and said for you to watch out for the Rat Fink. Kent, 50 years ago
there were two DJ's by the names of Terry McGrew and Jim "Goose"
Bowman that worked for WKY in the evening from 7-10 PM weekday nights. They had
a character on the show by the name of RAT FEENQUE. This was just some
automated voice that was heard at times on air during the show. Please notice
back of survey which I sent to you.
Loved the section devoted to the Television Guide from the
"good old days". It was great seeing some of the covers and pictures
from within. Kent, it reminded me of a book I have entitled TV GUIDE - CELEBRATING
AN ICON. It covers over fifty years of covers and features pictures that have
been published from day one. It has a photo of every TV GUIDE cover from the
first issue, April 3, 1953, to the last one published in 2005, the year the
book was published. Also, on somewhat of a related matter, without getting into
specifics, I have a copy of every week of TV Guide for the OKC area from the
first issue to the end of 1969.
One final thing. I did not hear MY DAD by Paul Peterson
played at all on Father’s Day this year ... but to be honest with you, I didn't
expect to, considering the records one
doesn't hear anymore on the air.
Larry Neal
I have that same TV Guide book
you’re referring to, an interesting keepsake (and a far less expensive way to
collect all the covers!!! Lol)
That’s quite a collection … 1953 –
1969. As I said earlier, I thought about
pursuing a collection but at this stage of the game, it would be too cost
prohibitive. Plus the issues would come
from all over the country and wouldn’t be representative of what I grew up
watching here in Chicago. I absolutely
LOVE the fact that your collection covers your area exclusively … that’s QUITE
a collection!
If you get a chance, ask Dale if he
remembers any other circumstances surrounding this rare LP … how he came to be
chosen … if he knew what the promotional idea behind it was at the time … it’s
just such an oddity … but I’ll bet with proper research we can find deejays
from all over the country pictured on that cover. Did any of them actually play any of the
tracks on their programs? Might make for
an interesting piece.
I’m wondering if Rat Feenque is the
same character that Mike Brown was referring to. (Kind of a Chickenman piece maybe?) Mike, if you’re reading this, please let us
know … or anybody here in Chicago that might have some ideas on this. (kk)
And, speaking of Mike Brown, he’s
asking THIS question …
Has anyone ever tried
to get in touch with whatever management has taken over WLS (I've been
out-of-touch with the goings on for years) to find out if there is access to
their archive of WLS surveys in order to scan them? Assuming, of course,
that there is an archive of the surveys.
MB
MB
I don’t believe the station has a
complete set … or is in any way focused on these archives at this point … a
real shame, knowing the legacy this incredible station has.
We have a handful of readers on our
list who have managed to collect copies of EVERY WLS and WCFL Chart ever issued
(myself included), whether it be thru trades or xerox copies. (For me it wasn’t so much about having the
original sheet as it was about having the information of what each chart contained
… so the bulk of MY collection is xerox copies … and, in some cases, copies of
copies of copies!!! As long as I could
read the chart information, I was satisfied.
I’m sure some industrious collector
has scanned their collection digitally for easier access ... and, thanks to
these guys, we’ve been able to run numerous WLS and WCFL charts here in
Forgotten Hits over the past eighteen years.
If there’s something specific you’re looking for, let us know and we’ll
either post it or put you in contact with somebody who may be able to help
you. (kk)
From
Chuck Buell ~~
Recently,
Mark DeMartino wrote in Forgotten Hits, “We will be leaving for Mexico in July and I need a
good rock book to read. Any suggestions?”
My
most recent read, which I truly enjoyed was, The Authorized Roy Orbison,
written by his Sons Roy Jr., Wesley and Alex Orbison.
It
might be a challenge to travel with, tho, due to its large coffee table
size! I would think that depending on the airline, they might even
determine its bulk counts as a personal carry-on! {:~} But it would
be a good read before or after a trip too.
I’ve
also read and liked, A Natural Woman: A Memoir, about Carol King. The
musical, Beautiful, portrays only the first half of her book so this is
a good completion of her story.
Currently
in que on my personal Beach reading list, The Boys in the Trees: A
Memoir by Carly Simon.
A
must read for any Forgotten Hits reader, if one hasn’t already read it, The Wrecking
Crew by Kent Hartman.
And,
if you’re going to be staying in a condo, you should probably bring along, Mark
Bego’s, Eat Like a Rock Star!
This
Beach-appropriate dish from his book is among my favorites that I personally
made ~~
Bego-Buell Crab Cake
CB
( which stands for “Current Bibliothèque!” )
Sunday’s
page made for great reading!
Thanks,
David
Man, another great read ... hope you can keep
it up, Bro!
Blessings -
Barry
Blessings -
Barry
Hi
Kent:
I
have been digging several of those obscure June, 1968, tracks on that Hawaii
survey you spotlighted this past weekend. I really like "Feelin'
Down" by the Poor ... also enjoyed "The Modley" by the Angels on
RCA Victor. I forgot the girl group was still recording in 1968. The seldom
heard Lulu track "Boy" is another nice uptempo track that you never
hear. Great stuff, sir.
Please
keep up the awesome job you do keeping the oldies alive.
Santi
Paradoa
Miami,
Florida
This Hawaiian Chart has proven to be
extremely popular with our readers who follow our Saturday Surveys feature.
This week we venture out to Vermont
to look at a WDOT chart.
Re: When Paul Simon
retires ...
HAHAHAHAHAH!
Dube
There’s been some talk about Paul Simon’s final performance
…
Some speculated that he might return to Central Park and do his final concert
with Art Garfunkel …
But it has now officially been announced that Paul’s last
show will take place on Saturday, September 22nd at Flushing Meadows
Corona Park … the first major concert event in the park in decades. (Tickets will go on sale next Friday, June 29th,
at 10 am EST at AXS.com.
Homeward Bound – The Farewell Performance will be a celebration of a renowned touring career that began in the 1960s and has coincided with his artistic journey as a songwriter and recording artist through the present day. Simon said of this final show, “It seems more like fate than coincidence that I should do the final show on this final tour at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I could have ridden my bike from home to the park in about 20 minutes, when I was a kid. But this is less a goodbye than a farewell. Thank you all for the ride, I had a great time.”
“When Paul Simon sings ‘Homeward Bound,’ there’s no doubt he means New York,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "The grit, beauty and complexity of this city are woven into Simon’s most haunting songs, and our greatest venues have formed the backdrop of his performing career. It’s only fitting that this son of Queens comes home to Flushing Meadows Corona Park.”
So Goodbye, Rosie … The Queen of Corona. (kk)
And finally ...
Happy Official First Day Of Summer!
You’ll find some great programming ideas here …
The Top 100 Summer Favorites as voted on by Forgotten
Hits Readers …
As well as the Biggest Summer Songs for every year,
1955 – 1980.
Me-TV-FM kicked off their Summer of Me over Memorial
Day Weekend …
And Sirius / XM has added The Beach Boys Channel to keep
you in the groove All Summer Long …
So put on the sun screen, grab your beach towel and
enjoy The Sounds Of Summer!
REMINDER:
PLEASE bookmark this site and check it regularly … we will be sending
out less and less “reminders” … so we’re trusting you to check it on your own
on a regular basis.
If you haven’t already done so, DO IT RIGHT NOW while
you’re thinking about it … ‘cause otherwise you’ll probably forget because you’re
old!!! (lol)
And thank you for your continued support. (kk)
