Sandwiched between the James and York Rivers along the Atlantic Ocean lies Newport News, a city of nearly 200,000 today. A 2016 inductee into the Soul Music Hall of Fame, Barbara Mason found early success with her "Yes I'm Ready." Mason was one of the few female soul hitmakers writing her own tunes back then. In the early days of 1968, her nice original "Oh How it Hurts" was attempting to make its mark nationally by breaking out here.
-- Clark Besch
Aretha Franklin takes over the top spot on this week's Saturday survey, as we feature Virginia in our state-by-state journey through 1968. (Why not ... last week West Virginia kicked off our brand new series ... and next week you'll see that we've gone in a completely different direction!)
Today's survey comes from Clark's own incredible collection of charts. Back in 1968, you could hear Dean Martin played back-to-back with The Doors' brand new single. (#28 and #27 on this week's countdown.) You won't find ANYTHING near that kind of variety on the dial today!
THIS WEEK IN '68:
1/7/68: Dionne Warwick appears on The Ed Sullivan Show and sings "I Say A Little Prayer" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". (kk)
1/8/68: Elvis Presley turns 33 ... he will end the year with an amazing NBC television special that will spur a tremendous comeback for The King. (kk)
1/12/68: The Supremes appear as nuns on an episode of Tarzan (Ron Smith)
1/13/68: Johnny and June Carter Cash record a live album at Folsom State Prison in California. (Harvey Kubernik)
Busy week ... but LOTS of cool stuff here ... so please indulge us for a little while today!!!
Kent, I hope you would pass along my best and Happy Holidays to all of the members of the wonderful FH group! Of course, my best to our supreme commander too! WLSClark Besch
Thanks … and right backatcha, Clark …
Together we’re putting together one heck of a Saturday Surveys feature looking back at 1968 through our weekly Fifty Year Flashback.Readers need to bookmark the site and check back every Saturday to see the latest charts (from fifty years ago!) as we journey across the entire United States, representing a different chart from a different state every single week!It’s been a major project, to be sure … but you just gotta know that ANY of these Clark / Kent Productions are going to turn out just Super!!!(kk)
Looks like you will get the dirty work of including "the hits" while I will happily supply some oddities (many of which are often faves.) Clark
That’s OK … I’m still going to throw in a “surprise” every now and then … the real treat is when I find something that surprises even YOU!!!(lol)kk
Hello, Kent,
Because throughout my on-air radio career I learned the important value around the economy of words, here’s my precise, personal to-the-point professional review of the unveiling of your bursting at the seams, jam-packed, information-loaded offerings in your fresh, new and updated for 2018 forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/which you premiered this morning.
“Whew!”
CB ( which stands for “Concise Boy!” ) aka Chuck Buell
I grew up with Chuck Buell by hearing him on KIMN from Dodge City, but reception was always iffy. When he basically replaced Ron Riley at LS, I was pretty upset, as Lujack had replaced Dex a year earlier and I felt I was losing my idols. Living in Kansas, I did not know where they went at the time. Still, I listened to and recorded Chuck on WLS his first year and he had great energy. So cool that he a member of the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Unlike you, I DON"T lump him into the early 70's jocks for one main reason. He started at WLS in 68 and it was early 1969 when stereo FM in the form of Wichita's KEYN got me to start spending LOTS of listening time with them and not WLS. By 1971, I was in Lincoln where KEYN could only occasionally be received and thus WLS was VERY back in my life again. I'm so glad Chuck talks so much on FH … and his humor is great, too. Clark Besch
Chuck has been a VERY welcome addition to The Forgotten Hits Family!(The 50 Year Anniversary of his first broadcast on WLS is right around the corner!)kk
Hi Kent! Congratulation on your emancipation! Wow! Thx for posting Harder Than Diamonds!Now I know what Survivor would have sounded like with Chubby Checker singing lead! Did he start wearing a beret? Lol! Who wrote and produced this? Was it me? Just kidding! It’s a loooong way from the Limbo Rock! Really good! Happy New Year!!! Jimbo It's a great track, isn't it?I can actually remember The Loop playing this one back in 1982 … surprised it wasn't a bigger "comeback" hit for The Chubster.(It peaked at #104 in Billboard)
Just because you asked, it was written by Scott Lipsker and Evan Pace, who also produced the track.
Check out this clip from "Fridays" … do these guys rock or what?!?!This absolutely shoulda been a hit!
[So now I'm thinkin' … Jim Peterik has got to produce Chubby Checker!!!]kk Chubby Checker …
Wow!. Now that would be cool! Rock on!! Jimbo
Back on land … Such a shame about Ray Thomas.
We could barely get communication at sea but maybe it was for the best so as not to dampen spirits at the end of cruise. Peace
Rock on!! Jimbo
Yes, a real shame about Ray Thomas … and at such a celebratory time, too.I've heard from several Moody Blues fans who were totally bummed by the news.(kk)
Hi kk -
I had this in my library with some data and comments on Ray Thomas. HK
In spring 2016, The Moody Blues embarked on their 2016 Spring tour titled Fly Me High - which began on March 3 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. The tour was named after the band’s 1966 recording of “Fly Me High,” that hit 23 cities that spring.
It also marked the 50th Anniversary of Justin Hayward and John Lodge joining Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder as lead guitarist and bassist for the iconic band.
Hayward remarked, "2016 is the 50th anniversary of John and myself joining the band, and one of the first things we did together that year was record 'Fly Me High' at our own expense at Regent Sound Studios in Denmark Street.”
Recalled Lodge, “1966 … England wins the World Cup … I complete my college course ... Ray Thomas telephones me (from our earlier days with El Riot and the Rebels) ... I meet Justin ... we go into the studios and record ‘Fly Me High’ … we get a record deal with Decca Records. We were truly ‘Flying High.’"
Said Edge, "50 years ago Ray rang up John to invite him to join us, and Justin was also invited." He laughingly continues, “I was a little put out as they were both over 6 foot and I, a mere 5 foot 8 inches, but over the next 50 years, I learned to look up to them.”
“Justin Hayward, Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge, and the Moody Blues asked the tough questions and wove the answers into a sonic fabric of magical melody. You didn't listen to a Moodies record - you shape-shifted yourself into the grooves and experienced it,” volunteered writer and author, Lonn Friend.
“That was my youth, my often moody and frequently blue rock ‘n' roll grooming. ‘Question of Balance,’ ‘In Search of the Lost Chord,’ ‘To Our Children's Children’s Children’ -- these sacred platters rested snug up against the Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd, Genesis and Elton John.
“While doing A&R duty at Arista Records in the mid-90s, I signed a progressive, eccentric band from Long Island called the Bogmen. I played the guys, ‘Legend of a Mind’ one day at the studio. I said, 'I think you should cover this.' They did and nailed it. Timothy Leary's dead but the Moody Blues, thank the cosmos, are still alive. As for their celestial catalog of songs, well, those will live forever.”
Here is an excerpt from my 2012 interview with Justin Hayward:
(Harvey Kubernik)
Q:I always enjoyed that on your albums there were bits of spoken word and narration integrated in some of the songs. Recitation and talk. Was that part of the process when you were preparing the projects or doing pre-production?
A: It wasn’t so much by design. It was Graeme wanted to contribute. He was a good lyric writer. He was good at spoken word. He was a poet. And we had to get it in there somehow. And he would often try and bring the whole album theme together with his spoken word stuff. And he did that very well. So that’s where that came from.
“Then also that album called The Zodiac Cosmic Sounds on Elektra Records. (incorporating moog synthesizer from Paul Beaver and narration by Cyrus Faryar). That really turned us on. And we have to give that album some credit for really influencing us.
Q:From your Question of Balance LP I used to spin a Mike Pinder song, “How Is It (We Are Here)” that followed your “Question.”
A: Oh yes!
Q: Are you even aware that decades ago, those songs chronicled the world of physical existence, and others, like your tune “Cities,” and Ray Thomas' “The Morning” and his “And the Tide Rushes In” were comments on ecology and planetary concerns. Akin to the Doors’ “When the Music’s Over.” Some local radio stations used to couple the recordings together.
A:I was absolutely aware of that. I was a country boy and I never really, apart from a couple of times in my life for a few weeks, I never really, you know, lived in the city before. So I was very much in my mind. I love the English countryside. And London was a big kind of frightening place. But I knew it held the future. You had to be in London to get anything done."
By Harvey Kubernik C 2017
(Harvey Kubernik’s literary music anthology Inside Cave Hollywood: The Harvey Kubernik Music InnerViews and InterViews Collection, Vol. 1 was published in late December, 2017, by Cave Hollywood.Kubernik is also writing and assembling a multi-voice narrative book on the Doors.
From Vintage Vinyl News:
RAY THOMAS(1941 - 2017)
Ray Thomas, the singer and multi-instrumentalist for the Moody Blues, died on Thursday (January 4) after a multi-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 76.
His record company announced his passing on Sunday (January 7): It is with profound sorrow and sadness that Cherry Red Records and Esoteric Recordings regret to announce that Ray Thomas, founder member, flautist and vocalist of the Moody Blues, passed away suddenly at his home in Surrey on Thursday 4th January 2018.
We are deeply shocked by his passing and will miss his warmth, humour and kindness. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him and our thoughts are with his family and his wife Lee at this sad time.
Born in Stourport-on-Severn, England, Thomas began his musical career in a series of rock and blues bands including El Riot and the Rebels where he met future bandmate John Lodge. Mike Pinder also joined a couple of years later.
The band broke up when Lodge went to college and Pinder entered the army. After his release, Thomas and Pinder began playing together again in the Krew Kuts, eventually bringing in Denny Laine, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick to form the Moody Blues.
This original version of the band had an international hit in 1965 with their second single "Go Now" and followed with their debut album, The Magnificent Moodies but subsequent releases did not do well and, when Warwick retired from music and Laine left the group, they effectively disbanded.
In November 1966, a second version of the Moody Blues formed with the addition of Lodge and Justin Hayward and the head of Decca Records charged them with recording a rock version of Dvorak's New World Symphony. While that project was never completed, it did set the band on the road to orchestral accompanied rock which came to fruition with their album Days of Future Passed.
Thomas began writing music for the band around this time with the new album including his songs "Another Morning" and "Twilight Time". He would go on to write other group favorites including "Legend of a Mind", "Dr. Livingstone, I Presume", "Dear Diary", "Are You Sitting Comfortably?" and "For My Lady".
Between 1967 and 1972, the Moody Blues released seven albums that have gone on to become classics of progressive and orchestral rock including In Search of the Lost Chord, A Question of Balance, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and Seventh Sojourn but, in 1974, they broke up, allowing Thomas to test the solo waters with the albums From Mighty Oaks (1975) and Hopes, Wishes and Dreams (1976).
The Moody Blues reformed in 1977 and continued to release albums but Thomas' contributions began to diminish as they moved to a more modern sound in the 80's. Ray did contribute to their albums during the 90's but, due to failing health, he left the band in 2002.
In October 2013, Thomas announced that he had been diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer and was being treated with an experimental drug.
Last month, the Moody Blues were named in the latest class to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Back to Chubby Checker and twistin’ for a moment …
Looks like FH Reader (and Internet DJ) Mickey Bo may have been inspired all of of our twistin’ the night away here in Forgotten Hits lately … the dance craze is the topic of his Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue program this week … and you can listen to the whole thing here:
Los Angeles-based synth pop group Berlin, founded by bassist John Crawford, singer Terri Nunn, and keyboard player David Diamond, made its first national impression with the provocative single "Sex (I'm A ... )" from the gold-selling debut EP “Pleasure Victim” in 1982. The group was filled out by guitarist Rick Olsen, keyboard player Matt Reid, and drummer Rob Brill. Berlin's first full-length LP was “The Gold Love Life”in 1984. In 1985, the group was pared down to a trio of Crawford, Nunn, and Brill. Berlin topped the charts in 1986 with the single "Take My Breath Away," the love theme from the Tom Cruise movie Top Gun.
Jimmy Webb is an American songwriter, composer and singer. Since his first platinum hit “The Worst That Could Happen,” Webb has had numerous hits including “Up, Up and Away,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “All I Know” and “MacArthur Park,” and has also become a leader and mentor in the industry as a champion for songwriters.
Webb is the only artist ever to have received Grammy Awards for music, lyrics and orchestration. In 2016 Rolling Stone Magazine listed Webb as one of the top 50 songwriters of all time, and he is the youngest person ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Whether playing familiar songs for the holidays, or celebrating the glory days of summer and romance, Robin Spielberg’s concerts always intertwine musical performance with stories that inspire, enlighten and make us laugh. With an impressive tour schedule and hundreds of thousands of recordings sold, she has been winning the hearts of listeners around the world with her compelling melodies and sensitive piano techniques since debuting her first recording of original solos for piano, “Heal of the Hand”. Named to the prestigious Steinway Artist Roster, Spielberg has sold one million CDs making her one of America’s most popular contemporary female pianists/composers.
There aren't many songwriters more successful than the incomparable Jimmy Webb … this should be a great show to see.(No less an authority than Jim Peterik told me Jimmy's biography is a MUST read … so Frannie got it for me for Christmas!)kk
I am beyond a fan of Jimmy Webb. Along with the writing teams of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Gerry Goffin and Carole King and, of course, Lennon / McCartney, he stands above all.
I had the pleasure of telling him in person a few years back at a dinner with he and Joe Thomas discussing the possibility of me producing an unplugged album with him. We also performed together at the first Brian Wilson show at the Norris Center.
He was charming and real. We swapped songwriting stories and I asked him if his line “the pimple on my neck began to hurt” ever embarrassed him. “Nope!” He said without hesitation. I learned a lot that day.
Featuring cast members from the critically-acclaimed CW comedy series “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” including Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Second City Alum Joel Murray, this completely improvised 90-minute show of games, scenes and songs promises to tickle not only the funny bone, but every bone in the body. Audience members are invited to bring suggestion and they might be asked to join the cast onstage.
Who doesn't love these guys?!?!Have some fun … but be careful … you just might find yourself up on stage with them!!!
Suzanne Vega - Performing Solitude Standing & 99.9 °F in Full
Saturday - Sunday, May 5 - 6
Singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been labeled contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Vega’s neo-folk style ushered in a new female, acoustic, folk-pop singer-songwriter movement that would include the likes of Tracy Chapman, Shawn Colvin and Indigo Girls. At City Winery Chicago, she will perform her albums “Solitude Standing” and “99.9 °F”in full.
Her name is Luka … well, not really, but that song … and the even more infectious "Tom's Diner" occupied a WHOLE lot of our listening time back in the late '80's and early '90's … and we can't say that about very many artists!!!(lol)
Click on the links above for more ticket information.
So sorry to hear that Mary Wilson was ill, but I give artists credit for going on even when they're not 100%.
Mary was one of the Special Guests of Honor at the 2010 ROCK CON: Weekend of 100 Rock Stars and one of the featured performers at NYC FAB 50 at the Apollo, where Soul / R&B / Motown acts paid tribute to The Beatles on the 50th anniversary. She was gracious, giving of her time, fan-friendly and always professional and classy.
Cheers,
Charles F. Rosenay!!!
Liverpool Productions LLC
Don't get me wrong … I think the world of Mary Wilson and all she's done … I just think she (and her fans) may have been better served had she chosen NOT to perform that night … the girl needed some rest!(Mark Bego, whose book "Eat Like A Rock Star" we've been promoting for months now) said it was his initial meeting with Mary Wilson that prompted him to write his book, currently the best selling cook book on Amazon!
I know it's gotta be a tough call … which would upset your fans more?I truly felt bad for her that night.(kk)
Hey Kent,
I've been thinking about what you said about hearing an ill Mary Wilson in concert, and how she should have stayed home, dealing with the flu. What can I say? People showed up to see her, but didn't bank on a very bad vocal performance.
This takes me back to the mid 80s, when I took my mother to a touring Broadway musical, "On the Twentieth Century", starring Frank Gorshin. Frank was one of the greatest entertainers in the business; master impressionist, actor, singer, and OUR Riddler!
When he hit the stage, the audience erupted! It was obvious, though, he was not feeling well. His speaking voice was low and strained. He sang flat in many of his songs. He wasn't at his best.
When the review came out in the paper, he apologized for his not-so-great performance, as he was struggling with a throat infection. He said he could have sat out and let the understudy take over, but knew the audience members paid good money for tickets to see HIM in the role, and didn't want to cheat them.
He was a chain smoker; up to five packs a day.Adam West once said Frank could inhale a whole cigarette in one drag!
I overheard folks talking at intermission, about his performance being far below 100%, but were delighted to see him on stage, anyway. My mom and I felt the same way. So there it is.
I don't know how I would have felt, hearing Mary Wilson and her health problems. She is a known SINGER, so I probably would have been in your corner on this one.
- John LaPuzza
Like I say, a tough call … and she did both explain and apologize … but I can't imagine that that made it any easier for EITHER of us!(lol)kk
Kent,
I always enjoy when reader Shelly Sweet-Tufano reviews one of her concert trips; however with her recap of the 60s concert she saw in Tarrytown, NY, I wanted to make one modification so that Vogues’ fans are up-to-date.
Shelley references original lead singer Billy Burkette as currently being with the Vogues. I wish that was true, but I, too, was at that Tarrytown concert and Billy was absent. I did some investigating and discovered some sad news.
Billy has taken a leave from the Vogues to concentrate on his health. Vogues singer and the Vogues trademark owner Troy Elich told me Billy was diagnosed with lung cancer this past Spring. He missed his first show in May when the band performed at Westbury Music Fair (Long Island, NY). I can certainly understand why she was under the impression that Billy was there because the official website still lists him as active. And hopefully he will be again in the near future.
That said, Troy and the two other singers that night (all non-originals) did a more than respectable job being loyal to the great harmonies of the Vogues and the original arrangements. I’m sure Shelley wasn’t the only concert-goer that night that wasn’t aware of who was in the group.
Tom Cuddy
Thank you, Tom, for the compliment, but more so for straightening me out. It would be so great if I knew who the knowledgeable people were at each concert. Then I could get their insight for reviews.
Shelley
Kent,
Kudos on your naming Olivia Newton-John’s concert as your favorite in 2017. I was at the Genesee Theater that night (right next to you as your guest) and I agree with all of your review. I admit to have been a bit anxious concerning Olivia’s ability to deliver after her re-occurrence of cancer but she was wonderful. Her voice was great and her stage presence wonderful.
Another big thank-you for the tickets and for all you do to keep the great music alive. I look forward to your e-ails every day. And, of course, Happy 2018.
Bob Verbos
She deserved it … she put on an INCREDIBLE concert … under ANY circumstances … and it was nice to finally be able to say "hello" to a few of our readers in person.(Hopefully we'll have some more great ticket give-aways in 2018!For starters, we've still got a couple pair to see The Fab Four at The Arcada Theatre on February 9th … so drop us a line if you're interested in seeing this one!We saw them when they open the show and then backed up Micky Dolenz and Mark Lindsay as part of their 50 Summers Of Love Tour last summer … and they were GREAT!One of the best Beatles tribute bands we've ever seen (and we've seen a WHOLE lot of 'em!!!)kk http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-top-10-shows-of-2017-countdown.html
>>>I want to specifically point out the guys in the band( Tom Doody)
Your listing of the Cryan' Shames as the #8 concert event is cool.
I first saw my #1 fave band in 2006 in Iowa and got to sit backstage with the guys. Both Toad and Hooke were very gracious to me, but the guys in the then current band (most of the same are still in today's Shames band 11 years later) had been members longer than many of the ORIGINAL members and THEY were SO gracious to me also. That speaks to their kindness and professionalism, as they had no reason to treat me special when I was bringing up the recording days, but it was like being around all the guys who embraced these songs then and NOW. The band is just magical in so many ways. As to Jim Peterik and the Ides ranking #4, I don't think anyone has done more to keep the Chicago 60's / 70's music flame alive than this amazing guy. If you do not have the Ides 50th box set, you really need to track it down. Some of the greatest music ever made and the Ides just keep pushing to the limit! Great song, but Jim, no way you are "One Hit Wonders!"
Well, maybe one Kent Kotal HAS done as much to keep the Chicago 60's scene alive for us all. Kent, bringing all my idols (no, not any of the bands!) on board has been a real thrill for me. I'm talking about Clark Weber, Ron Riley, Dex Card, Chuck Buell and more comments from the great DJs that I longed to grow up and be "the next" of! Of course, thank you for giving ME a chance to share things with people who loved Chicago and radio as well. Without FH, I would take much of my collection to my grave without anyone ever hearing / reading / seeing things I wanted to share "someday."
I feel sad for Jim Peterik and the Moody Blues when, after a nice cruise, you all came back to hear the sad news of Ray Thomas' death. Ray's work with the band will never be forgotten.
Clark Besch
STEELY DAN, DOOBIE BROTHERS: 2018 Tour Partners
The two legendary bands with '70s roots will do more than 30 shows beginning May 10th.
Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers will co-headline a two-month spring and summer tour.
The two iconic bands will raise the curtain May 10th in Charlotte , North Carolina, and will reach more than 30 cities across the U.S. and Canada.
Tickets for most shows on The Summer of Living Dangerously tour go on sale this Friday via LiveNation.com.
Also back together again in 2018 are ROD STEWART and CYNDI LAUPER
They'll team up again for 22 shows spanning late June through August.
Cyndi Lauper will again be the special guest on Rod Stewart's summer tour. Much as they did in 2017, they'll share stages beginning June 25th at the Hollywood Bowl.
After staging 18 shows last summer, the two stars will do even more this year -- 22 dates.
Stewart's set spans rock and R&B to ballads and the Great American Songbook, while Lauper has expanded her repertoire to include Memphis blues and rootsy country.
Tickets for the general public will be available Friday at LiveNation.com
>>>1/1/68: Mono albums are discontinued in U.S. (It'll be stereo format only from now on)Harvey Kubernik
Altho I did not know this at the time, by the end of the year, I was in 7th Heaven when all of these discontinued stock mono LPs started flooding discount stores at $1.67 a piece when we were paying $3.98 for the same albums just months earlier!
Clark
We saluted Elvis' Birthday in our Manic Monday Posting ... Now FH Reader Frank B has sent us this clip of Milton Berle remembering Elvis Presley, who broke big on Uncle Miltie's program way back when …
Hey Kent -
The other day someone brought up Johnny Holliday - he’s still kickin’! Johnny did Top 40 radio in the 60’s with stops in Cleveland, NYC (last voice on 1010 WINS before they went all-news) and San Francisco (helped introduce the Beatles’ last concert at Candlestick Park) and was he booth announcer on “Hullabaloo” back in the day. He landed in local radio in Washington, DC. Johnny is the voice of University of Maryland football and basketball for almost 40 years now, and hosts the pre- and post-game TV shows for MLB’s Washington Nationals. He also did sports segments nationally on ABC Radio for many years. Sounds as great as ever!
- Larry Cave
50yearsagoonthehot100.blogspot.com
Here's a guy who has done more great vocal work than you can shake a stick at (and, as you know, stick-shaking is STRICTLY forbidden here in Forgotten Hits!)Even more amazing, he's a Forgotten Hits Reader!!!(And has been for years!)
Imagine my shock and surprise several years back when he gave me a call to talk about "the good old days"!!!Quite amazing!(And yeah, he really DOES sound like that in person, too!)kk
This video’s been making the rounds … a time-lapse (warp?) video of The Beatles aging together … from their earliest days in 1960 to the present time.(Some of it’s a little bit creepy … but overall a pretty cool idea!) We first ran it a couple of months ago but Yahoo sent out a blast the other day so lots more people are seeing it now ...
For example, I'm THRILLED that Pink has been selected to sing The National Anthem at this year's Super Bowl …
And check out the video to my newest favorite song! (I love it ... and can't stop listening to it!!! Must be that "Pata Pata" thing that lives inside of all of us! lol) kk
