Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Tuesday This And That


This cartoon reminded me of a line DJ's on KONO (San Antonio) used in the late 70's and early 80's (maybe even further on) ... 
"KONO - Turn us up and embarrass your children" 
Brad


One of the most important and influential men in the music business was Russ Regan, who passed away recently.  His career and contributions were unbelievable … this guy discovered and developed so many hit artists it's unreal.  (Elton John … Neil Diamond … The Beach Boys … the list goes on and on.)

Our FH Buddy Harvey Kubernik was tasked with writing his memories of Russ for Cave Hollywood … he told me it was one of the hardest things he's ever had to do.

You can read all about it here …

Kent: 
This one hurts ...
I knew this guy for 50 years ...
www.cavehollywood.com asked me to write a tribute to Russ Regan. 
Read his accomplishments and learn why he discovered and/or signed recording artists whose sales eventually topped one billion units ...    http://cavehollywood.com/russ-regan-visionary-ar-man-and-bold-record-executive/

Hi kk,
I am contacting you because I have just released my autobiography and I think that your demographic is just about perfect and I’m sure everybody would be interested in my book.
Please go to:  michelrubini.com  and take a look at it.  Readers can order their copies there as well.
Just so you know who I am, I am attaching a photo of the plaque of The Wrecking Crew members that is located right in front of Guitar Center's store on Sunset Blvd. Here is the photo and its caption from my new book “LIFE IN THE KEY OF RUBINI”. My name is right above Leon Russel’s name.

“Known as “Mike” Rubini, in my early twenties I became a mainstay within the Wrecking Crew, a supremely skilled group of studio musicians that played all the instruments on seemingly every other hit record that came out of Los Angeles during the ‘60s. It was a time, place, and circumstance that I’m immensely proud and grateful to have been a part of. This plaque, commemorating our work, is from Guitar Center’s famed Rock Walk in front of their flagship store in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard.”
an excerpt From: Michel Rubini. “Life in the Key of Rubini.” iBooks

Here is a partial list of the artists I recorded with and / or arranged for at that time.

And here is a photo of the cover of my new book:


Sincerely,
Michel Rubini
PS: Here a partial list of Charted Hits I played on during my years in the Wrecking Crew.

Charted Hits I’ve Played On: (Partial list)  
1.  I Want You Back - Jackson 5
[number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart week ending January 31, 1970]
2.  Michael Jackson - Jackson 5 Medley (Immortal Version)
3.  Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers  [No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart]
4.  Strangers In The Night - Frank Sinatra
reached #1 on the pop single charts; Strangers in the Night has been certified platinum for one million copies sold in the US
5.  That’s Life - Frank Sinatra  (reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart)
6.  The Beat Goes On - Sonny & Cher
Hot 100 chart on January 14, 1967, peaking at number six.
7.  Eleanore - Turrtles (Peaked at #6 on US Billboard Hot 100)
8.  Swearin’ To God - Frankie Valli  (Peaked at #6 on US Billboard Hot 100)
9.  Classical Gas - Mason Williams
peaked at # 2 on US Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in August, 1968
10.  Baby That’s Me - The Cake
11.  Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me - Mel Carter
1965  spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 8,[9] while reaching No. 1 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart
12.  (Theme From) The Monkees - 
The Monkees
13.  Lipstick Traces On A Cigarette - The O’jays
14.  A Fool In Love - Ike & Tina Turner
15.  I Got You - Babe - Sonny & Cher
16.  When I’m Gone - Brenda Holloway
17.  Pride And Joy - Marvin Gaye
18.  Arizona - Mark Lindsay
The single was Number 10 on US Billboard Hot 100 on 14 February 1970 and was awarded a RlAA Gold Disc in April 1970
19.  Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5 - Best Of Michael Jackson And The Jackson 5
20.  I’ve Got The Devil In Me - Thelma Houston
21.  Half Breed - Cher
22.  Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves - Cher  (#1 single in 1971)
23.  Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Cher
            No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100
24.  All I Ever Need Is You - Sonny  & Cher
25.  The Way Of Love - Cher
Billboard Hot 100, reaching a peak of number 7 and ultimately selling almost one million copies
26.  A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done - Sonny & Cher
            peaked at #8 on the US Billboard Hot 100
27.  You Better Sit Down Kids - Cher
28.  Baby Don’t Go - Sonny & Cher
29.  All I Really Want To Do - Cher
30.  Dark Lady - Cher
31.  River Deep - Mountain High - Tina Turner
32.  What Now My Love - Sonny & Cher
33.  But You’re Mine - Sonny & Cher
34.  Just You - Sonny & Cher
35.  Little Man - Sonny & Cher
36.  It’s The Little Things - Sonny & Cher
37.  A Beautiful Story - Sonny & Cher
38.  Good Combination - Sonny & Cher
39.  Plastic Man - Sonny & Cher
40.  The Letter - Sonny & Cher
41.  Mama Was A Rock And Roll Singer, Papa Used To Write All Her Songs - Sonny & Cher
42.  Living For You - Sonny & Cher
43.  Me And My Arrow - Nilsson
44.  (You’re My) Soul And Inspiration - The Righteous Brothers  
(The single peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100
45.  Ebb Tide - The Righteous Brothers
46.  Baby Love - Supremes

This looks to be a very interesting read ... thanks for sending me the info, Mike ... very happy to pass this along.  (We have been helping to promote The Wrecking Crew film and other projects for years now ... just ask Denny Tedesco!!!)  kk


From Tom Cuddy … a few comments from Randy Bachman that indicate (well, hint anyway) that he might not mind working with Burton Cummings again.  (Burton, of course, is still recuperating from his car accident on Mother’s Day on Los Angeles … and Randy is promoting his new “By George” CD, a tribute to the music of George Harrison.)  What it all boils down to is that he isn’t ruling out anything … as there was obviously a very special spark of musical magic when these two first hooked up.  (Ron Onesti has told me several times that he would like to be the one to finally bring these two together again … man, I think he could sell out The Arcada Theatre for a week straight if he can pull it off!!!)

Anyway, this from Randy Bachman (courtesy of Tom Cuddy):

RANDY BACHMAN: He and Cummings "Might Clash Again"
The Guess Who's songwriters last toured together around 15 years ago. 
Randy Bachman says he's open to working again with Burton Cummings -- but isn't counting on it. The Guess Who's songwriting team -- who are not connected with the current version of the pioneering Canadian band -- last toured together around 15 years ago.
Randy Bachman says he and Burton Cummings have their own projects but haven't closed the door on a future Guess Who reunion.
"I can't say no to anything. Anything's possible. I mean, he's on his career, I'm now doing this By George thing. I don't know, we might clash again. I E-mail him and I never hear back, so that's pretty good."
While Cummings is in L.A.  recovering from injuries he suffered in a recent car wreck, Bachman is busy promoting the recently screened documentary on him, along with By George, his tribute album to George Harrison.
Randy Bachman says most of his musician buddies keep in closer touch than Burton Cummings.
"I get better emails back actually from Brian May or Neil Young, rather than Burton . He's not really what you'd call a correspondent. But I love him dearly, We were high school friends back in Winnipeg . And when he joined The Guess Who, it changed everything. We became, I guess, Canada 's greatest songwriting partnership. And after came a better one: Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams, who surpassed us in every way. But, we were like the first ones out of Canada that was really writing pop and rock music."
There’s also a new documentary out profiling the career of Randy Bachman.  Tom Cuddy sent us this excerpt from a Premier Radio Networks interview … 
Bachman tells his life story in 75 minutes with the help of famous friends Neil Young, Paul Shaffer, Peter Frampton and Alex Lifeson.
Randy Bachman is the latest rock legend to be profiled in a documentary.
The Guess Who and BTO co-founder, who helped write such classic songs as "Takin' Care of Business," "These Eyes" and "American Woman," tells Billboard that Bachman made its debut earlier this year at Toronto 's Hot Docs festival.
Along with guest stars such as Neil Young, Paul Shaffer, Peter Frampton and Alex Lifeson, there's archival footage, some of which hasn't been seen for decades.
Randy says seeing his life story told 75 minutes is, "pretty strange. It's like your dad doing a surprise and inviting out all your friends and showing all your old family home movies of going on vacation and the clothes you wore, and then have all your friends complaining about what a poor playmate you were or what a brat you were."
Bachman, now 74, is working on a book and DVD about his extensive guitar collection, which totals close to 400 instruments, but will soon be broken up. He's selling some to the Gretsch company for its new museum in Savannah , Georgia ; others will be donated to Canada 's National Music Center . Randy adds, "Every guitar has a story: I got it from so and so who got it from Stevie Ray Vaughan or something like that." He expects the most noteworthy instruments to become a traveling exhibit across Canada. 
Bachman is also working on a stage musical based on Prairie Town , a song he recorded with Neil Young a dozen years ago. It's a tribute to the musicians of his native Winnipeg.  

David Salidor sent us this review of the Michael Nesmith / Micky Dolenz concert from opening night in Chandler, Arizona …

Got this news release from several readers yesterday regarding Frankie Sullivan of Survivor suing original lead singer Dave Bickler for using the Survivor logo in his advertising for his solo shows.  (We saw Bickler as part of Jim Peterik’s World Stage in January … and he has reportedly been working on the recording of new material.)

Dave sang Survivor’s biggest hit, “Eye Of The Tiger” and was a mainstay in the band from its inception in 1979 through 1984, when he was replaced by Jimi Jamison, who remained the group’s lead vocalist until they split up in 1988. 

During a subsequent reunion, BOTH lead singers shared vocal duties until Jamison’s death in 2014.  Bickler has been out on his own ever since. (Incredibly TMZ even figured this a big enough story to report!!!)  But then again “Eye Of The Tiger” is probably one of the most-recognized songs worldwide!  (kk)


Let's see ... a radio feature which spotlights the stories behind the songs, eh?  Hmm ... seems like I've heard of that.
Gary Theroux
"The History of Rock 'n' Roll"


Hi Kent,
Here is the link for folks to subscribe to my Doo Wop Ramblings Newsletter:
Thanks. keep up the good work on the blog. Really enjoying it.
Glen Fisher
Doo Wop Revival
Sunday 8pm  
Listen Live:  WJCT 89.9 FM
Glen recently gave Forgotten Hits the spotlight treatment in his newsletter … in fact, you'll also find plugs included for Joel Whitburn's new Cash Box Book and Pam Pulice's Dick Biondi Documentary … and with as many Doo Wop fans as we have on the list, I thought maybe we could send a few more his way … so check out the link above.  (kk)


THE RUBBERBAND MAN!  I’LL BE AROUND!  GAMES PEOPLE PLAY! CAR WASH! ~ THE INAUGURAL 2019 ULTIMATE DISCO CRUISE ADDS THE SPINNERS & ROSE ROYCE TO SUPERSTAR LINEUP 
The Era’s Biggest Artists Come Together For One Unforgettable Vacation Experience …
Including:  KC and The Sunshine Band (special appearance 2/17/19), Kool & The Gang, The Spinners, Gloria Gaynor, Village People, Tavares, Norma Jean Wright, Alfa Anderson & Luci Martin (formerly of Chic), Rose Royce, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Thelma Houston, The Trammps featuring Earl Young, Musique, The Australian Bee Gees Show – A Tribute to The Bee Gees, The Urban Guerilla Orchestra and more! 
Hosted by Deney Terrio of “Dance Fever” 
Featuring Music Host Bob Pantano, host of the longest running radio dance party in the nation 
Luxury Cruise Sails February 14 - February 19, 2019 -
From Fort Lauderdale to Key West and Cozumel, Mexico 

StarVista LIVE, the leader in nostalgia-based music cruise experiences, is adding a pair of multi-platinum artists ― The Spinners and Rose Royce ― to an already unprecedented superstar lineup for its newest uniquely themed voyage, the 2019 Ultimate Disco Cruise.   
The Spinners and Rose Royce join a phenomenal gathering of pioneering musical artists who helped make dance music a lasting part of all of our lives: KC and The Sunshine Band, Kool & The Gang, Gloria Gaynor, the Village People, Tavares; Norma Jean Wright, Alfa Anderson & Luci Martin (formerly of Chic); Evelyn “Champagne” King, Thelma Houston, The Trammps featuring Earl Young, Musique, the Australian Bee Gees Show – a Tribute to The Bee Gees, and more! Together, they’ll “rock the boat” for five incredible nights, with live concerts anchoring a cruise that brings the cultural phenomenon of the 1970s from the dance floor to the high seas on a luxury ship that will wind its way through the Gulf of Mexico from February 14 - 19, 2019.   
Famed choreographer and “Dance Fever” TV host Deney Terrio, the man who taught John Travolta his Saturday Night Fever dance moves, hosts one of the greatest lineups of classic disco stars ever assembled and so much more – aboard the award-winning Celebrity InfinityÒ.   
The Spinners have six Grammy nominations and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination. They’ve been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and have received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Award. The group has performed for Presidents, received a star on the Hollywood “Walk of Fame,” and has appeared in numerous TV specials paying tribute to the music of the ‘70’s. And their impact on that decade – and dance music overall – has been indelible, with chart-topping smash hits like “The Rubberband Man,” “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “One of a Kind (Love Affair),” "They Just Can't Stop It (The Games People Play)” and with Dionne Warwick, “Then Came You.”    
Rose Royce exploded to international fame with its debut single, “Car Wash,” thanks to the movie of the same name and its multi-platinum Grammy-winning soundtrack. Many major stars have covered Rose Royce's classic songs, such as Seal (“Love Don't Live Here” and “Wishing on a Star”), Mary J. Blige (“I’m Going Down”) and Beyonce (“Wishing on a Star”), while the group has never stopped performing to standing room only crowds all over the world. 
“To be able to add artists of the caliber of the Spinners and Rose Royce to an already unprecedented lineup of classic dance music superstars is a privilege that we couldn’t be more proud to share with our Ultimate Disco Cruise customers,” says Alan Rubens, StarVista LIVE Senior Vice President of Entertainment/Executive Producer of the Ultimate Disco Cruise. “Dance Fever will be running higher than we ever could have imagined as we boogie on the high seas together!”  
As someone who came of age in the 1970s, Rubens remembers the Disco explosion as a “simply unforgettable” lifestyle and musical phenomenon. 
“Boogie Fever” is guaranteed to run rampant day and night from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West to Cozumel, and back, turning a luxury ship into one glorious “Disco Inferno.” Throughout the voyage, guests will also have the opportunity to attend special events to get up close and personal with the artists onboard, including a wine tasting, live game shows, behind the music Q&A sessions, panel discussions, pool parties, and unforgettable themed costume gatherings. It all takes place aboard the luxurious Celebrity InfinityÒ, renowned for excellence in dining, deluxe cabins and stunning showrooms. Celebrity Cruises represent modern luxury in cruise lines, through sleek cruise ships and top-of-the-line amenities. 
Cabin fares start at $1,499 and include admission to all shows produced by StarVista LIVE, most meals and major events. For further information on the Ultimate Disco Cruise, please call 844.296.3472 or visit www.UltimateDiscoCruise.com. 

About StarVista LIVE:  StarVista LIVE creates unique entertainment experiences that bring fans together to relive their favorite moments, create new memories, and enjoy unparalleled access to the superstars they love. StarVista LIVE cruise events include, the Malt Shop Memories Cruise, the Soul Train Cruise, The Country Music Cruise, Flower Power Cruise, ‘70s Rock & Romance Cruise, the Southern Rock Cruise, Ultimate Disco Cruise, and Abbey Road on the River Festival.  StarVista LIVE is a division of Direct Holdings Global. Direct Holdings Global is a leading multi-channel marketer with a broad portfolio of products and services, most notably associated with the success of the StarVista / Time Life brand, delivered with a commitment to excellence and integrity. 
Additional information about StarVista LIVE can be found at:  www.StarVistaLIVE.com
facebook.com/StarVista-LIVE
linkedin.com/company/starvista-live


Legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman is launching his official YouTube channel in June 2018! The channel will feature many rare and unreleased videos, as well as the exclusive premiere of Rick's forthcoming film “Live Portraits.”
Watch the promotional trailer:
https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/watch_trailer
 
"Would you believe I now have an official YouTube channel. If you fancy subscribing to it you're going to see lots of different things. Some things perhaps you've seen before...certainly a lot you've never seen before. There will be some exclusive stuff - exclusive purely to this channel. So please subscribe and see some of the silly things I get up to, and the musical stuff as well.” - Rick Wakeman
 
Check out Rick Wakeman's new YouTube channel: https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/youtube
To subscribe to Rick Wakeman's new YouTube channel: https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/subscribe
 
To celebrate the launch of Rick's official YouTube channel in style, subscribers are asked to vote for the top track they want to see from the film “Live Portraits” (track listing below). Voting can be made here on PledgeMusic https://artists.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-live-portraits/updates/97478

Once the votes have been counted, the ten most voted tracks will be posted exclusively on Rick's YouTube Channel for 48 hours. Fans should subscribe to Rick's official YouTube Channel to be notified when this event will take place. Click here to Subscribe
https://rick-wakeman.lnk.to/subscribe

1. MORNING HAS BROKEN
2. AND YOU AND I
3. SUMMERTIME
4. SWAN LAKE
5. SPACE ODDITY
6. AFTER THE BALL
7. SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
8. HELP
9. AMAZING GRACE
10. WONDROUS STORIES
11. MERLIN THE MAGICIAN
12. LIFE ON MARS
13. ELEANOR RIGBY
14. CLAIR DE LUNE

In other news:
Following the hugely successful “Piano Portraits” tour last year, in support of the album of the same name, Rick Wakeman will return in Autumn 2018 with a new show based on the follow up release, entitled “Piano Odyssey.” The fourteen-date tour will feature even more classic tracks given Rick's unique piano treatment, and will travel to towns and cities not previously visited in 2017.
A live version of Rick's critically acclaimed album “Piano Portraits” was filmed & recorded at the Lincoln Cathedral in London on March 7th, 2018. “Live Portraits” will be released on CD/DVD soon. It can be ordered exclusively from Pledge Music by using the following link:
https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-live-portraits