Besides his mention in a key scene in the new Bradley Cooper / Lady GaGa remake of “A Star Is Born,” Orbison is currently out “on tour” (in Hologram fashion), hitting The Genesee Theatre next Sunday Night (October 21st) … and a second teaming with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is already in the works, this one featuring contributions from members of his own family.
Bob Merlis keeps us up to date with a couple of recent press releases …
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/roy-orbison-tribute-a-star-is-born-1202971833/
https://www.pollstar.com/article/roy-orbison-a-hologram-star-is-born-136474
https://www.pollstar.com/article/roy-orbison-a-hologram-star-is-born-136474
Orbison passed away back in 1988 … thirty years ago … just before the release of the second Traveling Wilburys album … but his music will live on long past all of our lifetimes thanks to marketing ploys like these.
We saw “A Star Is Born” Sunday afternoon … and I’m hoping to attend the Hologram Show next weekend as well. (I’ve just GOT to see it … my curiosity is piqued although, I will admit, in somewhat of a creepy way … but I’ve got to see it for myself in order to determine if a program like this will really work before a live audience. With the proposed ABBA Hologram Tour slated for next year, I need to know NOW if I need to get in line for tickets!!!) kk
HI
KENT,
JAY
SIEGEL IS MY GOOD FRIEND AND SO IS HIS WIFE JUDY.
ONE
OF THE GREAT SINGERS OF THIS MUSIC.
PLUS
HIS TONE IS AMAZING! IN FACT, HE SETS A
DIFFERENT TONE.
JEANETTE
AND I JUST LOVE THE TWO OF THEM.
THANKS!
FREDDY
BOOM BOOM CANNON
Please let Jay know about our
website … I’ve been trying to contact him for years as I think he would really
enjoy it!
I finally got the chance to meet him
after your show at The Arcada, but things were so hectic at that point we
barely got a chance to talk. I would just
LOVE for him to share some of his incredible memories with our readers from
time to time.
Thanks, Freddy! (kk)
I
WILL!
FREDDY
Regarding the Tommy Roe / Tommy Row typo in the CHUM Chart
you ran on Sunday …
At that time, the CHUM chart was compiled by the Program
Director (Allan Slaight), Music Director (Bob McAdorey) and the music
librarian. The information was then sent to the printer who mocked up a
proof and sent it back to the station for approval.
Now, since Tommy Roe's name is spelled correctly as the # 7
song, I can only assume (as I didn't start at CHUM until a year and a half
later), that this was missed at several levels. Shit happens.
Doug Thompson (CHUM Archives)
Hey, we’ve seen it on virtually
every chart we’ve ever reprinted … it just seemed to be a very low priority on
everybody’s list when it came to “spell check” … song titles and artists’ names
were regularly misspelled or misrepresented altogether. (You’d just think that as the featured artist
of the week, a little bit more attention would have been paid in this
regard!!!) kk
Speaking of the charts …
I loved the remembrance
of Jose Feliciano's "Star Spangled Banner" in this week’s Saturday
Survey feature.
At the time, it did not
seem that big a deal to a 12 year old loving baseball. However, it WAS
the model (IMO) for what came and I don't like the way most change the song
styling.
Hey, 50 years ago, here's
the American Bandstand Top 10 board! #2 and 3 are great surprises!
Clark Besch
Hi Kent,
Well Buddy, I had about a pot and a half reading through this Sunday’s blog ... you must of had at least that much creating it! ... lol
Well Buddy, I had about a pot and a half reading through this Sunday’s blog ... you must of had at least that much creating it! ... lol
Once again, well done, mi Amigo.
Have a great week, my friend.
Bless ya -
Barry Winslow
Have a great week, my friend.
Bless ya -
Barry Winslow
I
have to comment on the "B sides" thing, as that is one of my TRUE
PASSIONS in music.
I
have so many 45s where I like the "flip side" more. Most of
these flip sides were not hits, but some were.
You
mentioned "Something” / “Come Together" and "Laughing” / “Undun,"
so I will not discuss those.
A few
random thoughts beyond that, and believe me, I could go on and on and on about
this subject.
While
a few producers / record companies (Phil Spector being the prime example) put
'trash' on the B side to force attention to the "hit" side, I believe
most singers and bands really wanted 'quality' on both side of the
single. The Beatles, Elvis, Ricky Nelson, the Beach Boys, the Stones, the
4 Seasons, Gene Pitney and Roy Orbison rarely had anything but quality on both
sides of the record - at least to my ears. And even Spector broke his own
pattern once in a while. "Hung On You," the flip side of
"Unchained Melody," is every bit as quality at the 'hit side.'
1961
had two 45's where both sides were TOP 10 hits nationally, and all four songs
are among my favorites by their artist, for the year, and even beyond that.
First,
Rick Nelson released "Travelin' Man” / “Hello, Mary Lou" on the same
45.
Then
Elvis released "Little Sister” / “(Marie's The Name) His Latest
Flame" together.
All fpir
songs were TOP 10, and peaked at numbers 1, 9, 5 and 4, respectively.
One
of the oddest, to me, B side quirks had the same hit song. "I Say A Little
Prayer" was a hit for Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin. Dionne
took it to # 4 in 1967; Aretha to # 10 in 1968. But the flip side of
Dionne's version was "(Theme From) Valley Of The Dolls", which had fouor
consecutive weeks at # 2 in early 1968. The flip side of Aretha's version
was "The House That Jack Built," which reached # 6.
There
are so many other flip sides that I could talk about, but I will stop myself at
three for today.
Nancy
Sinatra had a big hit with "Sugar Town" in late 1966. The flip
side, "Summer Wine," one of her duets with Lee Hazelwood, actually
made the BILLBOARD TOP 50 several months later.
Guess
Who's smash "These Eyes", had a hidden gem on its flip side.
"Lightfoot" was an homage to fellow Canadian singer, Gordon
Lightfoot.
Finally,
since you had an article on the Tokens in today's blog, flip over their 1966
hit, "I Hear Trumpets Blow," and you'll find a hidden gem in
"Don't Cry, Sing Along With The Music."
Brad
Comments on a couple that you
mentioned …
“Hung On You” is another perfect
example of what I was talking about … THIS was the intended A-Side by Phil
Spector … so this is the track that HE produced. The B-Side, considered then just “another
version of ‘Unchained Melody,” was so unimportant to Spector that he let Bill
Medley produce it, as he had done on the majority of The Righteous Brothers’ other
B-Sides up to this point.
Again, disc jockeys jumped on the
remake … and The Righteous Brothers’ version of “Unchained Melody” has become
one of the most played records in history … right up there with their own smash
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”
‘Summer Wine” is, as you know, one
of my all-time favorites. It placed at #3
on our Readers’ Poll of Favorite, Forgotten B-Sides several years ago … and was
actually in the running to be #1 on that list until some last minute voting.
And “Theme from ‘Valley Of The
Dolls’” is another example of a good amount of time passing between its first
issuance and its hit status.
“Theme from ‘Valley Of The Dolls’”
was first released as the B-Side of Dionne Warwick’s “I Say A Little Prayer” in
October of 1967. Then, three months
later disc jockeys flipped the record over and started playing “Theme from
‘Valley Of The Dolls’” when the movie became a hit in theaters … and it
actually ended up outshining the A-Side, peaking at #2 to “Prayer”’s #4 showing
in Billboard. (It actually hit #1 here
in Chicago.)
Similarly, Lulu’s “To Sir, With
Love,” the #1 Record of 1967 according to many Year-End Charts, was originally
the intended B-Side of Lulu’s rocker “The Boat That I Row,” a Neil Diamond tune
that became a hit nearly everywhere but here in The States, where it “Bubbled
Under” at #115.
I, too, am fascinated by B-Sides …
that’s why we devoted an entire series to it.
(When all was said and done, over 65,000 votes came in to determine your
Top 200 Favorites!!!)
Hopefully, one of the enterprising
stations on our list will reconsider their decision and give this program some
airtime … because I am absolutely CONVINCED that this is a Hot Topic Special
that your listeners will love. (Call
me!!!) kk
And
here’s an interesting story from David Salidor, a long-time member of The
Forgotten Hits list …
It
seems that David Salidor’s father did PR for Todd’s first album RUNT (Ampex),
released in 1970. David told me, “I heard that album and just loved it; his follow up,
SOMETHING / ANYTHING (1972 / Bearsville) was an instant rock classic. About
time for him to go into the R&R HOF.” Salidor continues, “I
saw him in 2011 with the New Cars (Kasim was in the group, too) and he was
fantastic. They actually did ‘Black Maria’ from SOMETHING / ANYTHING and it
tore the house down. This was at a WPLJ / China Club event organized by Tom
Cuddy. Amazing show! "Todd's a
totally unique genius ... although at times, a bit of overindulgence does show.
As a producer and engineer, he's great, too. For a true testament to his talent,
watch his appearance on Daryl's House ... amazing! For the record, my favorite
Todd-production is the WAR BABIES album by Hall & Oates, released in 1974.
All these years later, still a bold record ... totally brilliant."
Todd
deserves Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction, not only as an artist but also as a
producer. He also helped totally
reinvent Grand Funk Railroad, giving them the biggest hits of their career …
and was instrumental in the Badfinger “Straight Up” album as well … one of my
Top Ten Favorite Albums of All-Time. He
has been on our Deserving And Denied List for over a decade now … it’s time he
finally gets his due. (At press time, he
was officially in 4th place with just under 75,000 votes … hopefully
The Rock Hall will see their way to finally recognize this great artist.) kk
kk …
Here are some great
photos from Dennis Tufano’s Saturday Night show at Staten Island, New York.
FB
EXPERIENCE HENDRIX TOUR RETURNS IN 2019
WITH JOE SATRIANI, DAVE MUSTAINE & MANY MORE - 2019 MARCH / APRIL TOUR WILL
BE THE BIGGEST CELEBRATION TO DATE
The Experience Hendrix Tour, the critically acclaimed
multi-artist celebration of Jimi Hendrix’s musical genius is returning in 2019
with its biggest ever tour -- 30 dates through the East Coast, South and
Midwest. What began as a single show tribute at the Rock & Roll Hall Of
Fame in 2000 has blossomed into a full-fledged concert experience that has
thrilled countless fans across the US. The tour presents a host of great
artists collaborating and interpreting Hendrix’s legendary songs as part of a
powerhouse, three hour concert experience.
This latest edition of
the much anticipated tour once again emphasizes the influence Hendrix has made
on a diverse group of artists. The concerts will bring together artists
as disparate as guitar wizard Joe Satriani, blues great Taj Mahal, Ernie Isley
and Dweezil Zappa. Megadeath’s Dave Mustaine will make his Experience
Hendrix Tour debut while mainstays such as Billy Cox, Jonny Lang, and Eric
Johnson will also be on board for the expedition. The Experience Hendrix Tour offers
fans a rare opportunity to see many highly regarded players performing together
in a unique setting.
15-time Grammy Award
nominee Joe Satriani will make his long-awaited return when the tour kicks off
March 3 kickoff in Pompano Beach, FL. Notable for being the biggest-selling
instrumental rock guitarist of all time, Satriani came to the forefront with
the release of his 1987 solo album Surfing with the Alien. He has worked with
Mick Jagger, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult and the fabled Spinal
Tap and is a member of rock super group Chickenfoot. In keeping with the spirit
of the Experience Hendrix Tour, Satriani has formed an all star trio especially
for the occasion, calling upon bassist and vocalist dUg Pinnick from King’s X,
and prolific sideman Kenny Aronoff on drums to serve as his rhythm section.
Satriani commented,
"The Experience Hendrix Tours are always so much fun. The camaraderie
between all the musicians on the show is magical. I’m so excited to play some
deep Hendrix tracks in a power trio setting with dUg Pinnick and Kenny
Aronoff!!!”
Originally the lead
guitarist for Metallica, Dave Mustaine next founded Megadeth in 1983 and the
group has earned a loyal, worldwide following. The Southern California
native can be considered an architect of the speed metal movement, which is one
of many branches on the family tree of heavy, guitar-based music that can be
traced back to Jimi Hendrix. With five platinum albums and one multi-platinum
album under his belt, Mustaine and his sound are institutions in the rock
world. The 2019 Experience Hendrix Tour will be his first.
Dave Mustaine
expressed his excitement about being part of the tour. “Jimi Hendrix. The name
that comes to my mind as one the ‘Premiere American Guitarists Of All Time.’ An
Innovator, and legendary musician, I am beyond honored to do my part in this
tribute to the immortal Jimi Hendrix, and want to thank [EH Tour producer] John
McDermott for inviting me to play along such mind-blowing guitarists as Joe
Satriani, and a personal favorite of mine, Eric Johnson. See you there!”
Also hitting the road
this time around will be Billy Cox, bassist for both Jimi Hendrix’s Band of
Gypsys and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Cox has been the backbone of the tour
since its inception, providing a spiritual connection between the past and
present. Two other artists who enjoyed friendships with Hendrix will also take
part. Blues legend Taj Mahal and guitar Ernie Isley each make a welcome
return to the tour, as does the dynamic guitar and vocalist Jonny Lang, the
legendary Eric Johnson, Cesar Rosas & David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, drummer
and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chris Layton of Stevie Ray Vaughan and
Double Trouble fame as well as Calvin Cooke and Chuck Campbell, the “Sacred
Steel” slide guitar masters known as The Slide Brothers, Mato Nanji of
Indigenous and Henri Brown
"The tour is more
than a series of concerts," said Janie Hendrix, CEO
of Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. “It's a celebration of a man
whose amazing gift changed the face of music and informed an entire culture.
His influences were varied and diverse. And this year we’re shining a light on
that diversity with artists who represent it across cultures and who also share
a love for Jimi and his music. It’s exciting to be able to honor Jimi’s
enduring legacy in this way.”
The 2019 Experience
Hendrix tour dovetails with the release this November 9 release of the Deluxe
Edition box set of Electric Ladyland from Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. and Legacy
Recordings in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hendrix’s masterpiece.
It will be available as as either a 3CD/1 Blu-ray set or a 6LP/1
Blu-ray set, remastered by Bernie Grundman and including Electric
Ladyland: The Early Takes, which presents demos and studio outtakes from
this period in Hendrix’s career, plus a new 5.1 surround sound mix of the
entire original album by Hendrix’s original engineer Eddie Kramer. Also
included is Jimi Hendrix Experience: Live At the Hollywood Bowl
9/14/68 well as the feature length documentary At Last… The
Beginning: The Making of Electric Ladyland.
It has also been
announced that every pair of tickets purchased online for select Experience
Hendrix Tour dates will come with a physical CD copy of Both Sides of the Sky.
Heralded by Relix as “both a historically valuable document . . . and a treat
musically,” Both Sides of the Sky is the third volume in a trilogy of albums
intended to present the best and most significant unissued studio recordings
remaining in Jimi Hendrix’s archive.
The 2019 Experience Hendrix Tour is sponsored by Youcisian, the
popular online music instruction platform, along with Fender Musical
Instruments, Dunlop, Hal Leonard, and Axe Heaven.
2019 Experience
Hendrix Tour dates:
Mar
3
Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
Mar
4
Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall
Mar
5
Melbourne, FL – King Center for the Performing Arts
Mar
6
Jacksonville, FL – Florida Theatre
Mar
8
North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
Mar
9
Atlanta, GA – The Fox Theatre-Atlanta
Mar
10
Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Mar
11
Huntsville, AL – Von Braun Center
Mar
12
Chattanooga, TN – Tivoli Theater
Mar 14
Raleigh, NC
– Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Mar
15
Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
Mar
16
Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
Mar
17
Cincinnati, OH – The Taft Theatre
Mar
19 Louisville,
KY – Palace Theatre
Mar
20
Madison, WI – Overture Center for the Arts
Mar
21
Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
Mar
22
Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
Mar
23
Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre
Mar
24
Charleston, WV – The Clay Center
Mar
26
Washington, DC – Warner Theatre
Mar
27
Bensalem, PA – Xcite Center at Parx Casino
Mar
28
Westbury, NY – Theatre At Westbury
Mar
29
Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Mar
30
Niagara Falls, NY – Seneca Niagara Casino
Apr
1
Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre
Apr
2
Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre
Apr
3
Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
Apr
4
Lowell, MA – Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Apr
5
New Bedford, MA – Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
Apr
6
Wallingford, CT – Toyota Presents The Oakdale Theater
Here's some info on a new Chuck Berry
documentary:
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/chuck-berry-feature-documentary-gets-international-launch-1202979454/
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/chuck-berry-feature-documentary-gets-international-launch-1202979454/
Ken Voss
When we saw “A Star Is Born” this weekend we saw
previews for both the new Freddie Mercury / Queen movie (which looks amazing,
by the way) as well as a new Elton John biopic called “Rocket Man” (which I
really haven’t heard anything at all about!)
This is one way this music will stay alive and new
generations will continue to discover it … and nothing could please me
more. (Consider, too, “Mamma Mia … Here
We Go Again and all the recent award-winning portrayals of Ray Charles, James
Brown and Johnny Cash … not to mention older fare like “The Buddy Holly Story”
and “La Bamba” … ALL positive steps, in my opinion, as a means to introduce new
generations to the music we all love and grew up with. (kk)
