Logan is a city of about 50,000 situated along the Utah / Idaho border just half an hour from the Great Salt Lake.
With Utah being the base of the Mormon religion, it is not surprising that a religious release might be on this chart and "Holy Man" fits the bill, I guess. Scott McKenzie's hit with John Phillips' "San Francisco" was the anthem of the previous year and the duo team up again in 1968 to try and recreate the hit sound from the summer of love, but few listened to Scott now.
Otherwise, this chart is interesting in that it sometimes features the current and previous hit by an artist in their countdown, as well as co-number one songs!
Following their hit "Zabadak," Britain's great Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich come back with the great "Legend of Xanadu," which was huge in their home country, but despite heavy airplay in the US, failed to dent the national charts.
-- Clark Besch
*Survey courtesy Frank Merrill
Jeez, I think the fake surveys I made up at home and kept in a notebook looked better than this professional survey published by radio station KBLW!!! Even store-bough stencils would have made their logo look better. (And I actually do remember making sure I always had a fresh, dark ribbon in my manual typewriter so that my charts look clean and legible, in the only font offered at the time! lol)
I am impressed, however, seeing "Nights In White Satin" listed as a "Sure Shot" ... of course KBLW would be proven right ... about four years later ... when The Moody Blues went all the way to #1 with this track.
We find Dickey Lee back in The Top Ten with "Red, Green, Yellow and Blue," a song we featured a few weeks ago in our Saturday Surveys feature. It seems to me that these multiple listings should have earned it better than a #107 "Bubbling Under" ranking in Billboard.
And what the heck is "Love Machine" by The Roosters? A Top Five Hit in Utah that peaked at #106 on The Billboard Chart in April of '68.
(Clark sent us a copy to share with our readers ... it's not a bad song!)
For MY special track this week, I'm going with "I Love You" by People.
I've told the story numerous times before about how I was SO disappointed when I bought this 45 that it didn't match the version that they were playing on the radio here in Chicago in '68. It store-bough single was MUCH longer, with a completely different vocal mix ... and recorded so softly you could barely hear it. (I ended up buying several copies trying to find the version I loved but to no avail ... and found that several other copies were poorly pressed ... also too soft and, in a couple of cases, the records skipped as probably being, at the time, more music than you could squeeze on to a vinyl 45.)
A few years back, Clark Besch (who put together this 1968 Saturday Survey Series) sent me an MP3 of the version I remember ... evidently the "promo only" track that our local deejays elected to play instead of the longer, "real" hit side. Even all these years later, it's the only way I want to hear the song. (It's a remake of a Zombies album track, which is also quite good ... but I fell in love with the People version that came in at just under three minutes ... so that's the one I'm sharing today.) For the record, I am still searching for an ABSOLUTELY MINT COPY of this promo version, vinyl or digital ... so if you happen to have one, please contact me! (kk)
THIS WEEK IN 1968:
4/8/68:Petula Clark’s television special “Petula” airs on NBC.It will spark outrage when, while performing a song together, she takes the hand of black singer Harry Belafonte.(It was a different time, America)
4/11/68:LBJ signs The Civil Rights Act prohibiting housing discrimination.That night Big Brother and the Holding Company (featuring Janis Joplin on lead vocals) make their national television debut on The Hollywood Palace.
4/14/68:Record Producer Phil Spector marries one of his proteges, Ronnie Bennett of The Ronettes.(The marriage will last five years … but the legend lives on forever!)
If you came to the Ann Wilson Soundstage Television
Taping expecting to hear her perform a bunch of Heart songs, you probably came
away from the show a little disappointed … she only did three. (“Barracuda,”
her second song in, followed by a completely slowed down, drawn out version of
“Crazy On You” and, about two thirds of the way in, a slowed down version of
what is already a slow ballad, “Alone,” a #1 Hit for the group back in
1987.)To keep that number in
perspective, she also did three songs by The Who … the show-opener “The Real
Me,” a kick-ass version of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Reign On Me.”She also did songs by The Eagles (“Life In
The Fast Lane”), Amy Winehouse (“Back To Black”), Buffalo Springfield (“For
What It’s Worth”), the obligatory Led Zeppelin / Robert Plant song (“Misty
Mountain Hop”) and an amazing version of the Yes classic “Your Move.”With a new LP out (“Immortal,” paying tribute
to many of the artists who have recently left us), her current solo tour (as
well as a new one coming up … “The Stars Align” tour, teaming her with rockers
Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers) and now this PBS television special, one could get
the impression that she was trying to distance herself from her past with the
band she devoted over forty years of her life to, earning Heart countless
accolades and, finally, recognition for those efforts by way of induction into The
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.(When a fan
in the audience held up a Heart album, Ann mumbled something under her breath
to the effect of “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m trying to get away from.”Wonder if that’ll make the final TV
edit!Lol)
If you came to the Ann Wilson Soundstage Television
Taping expecting to see her perform this incredible show, you had better be
prepared to stand for the entire performance … because the audience was up on
its feet the whole evening … screaming and cheering every step of the way.There were times it was deafening (and everything
was certainly amped up a notch or two for the benefit of the television cameras, preserving the event for all posterity.)
What you did see and hear was an energized
performance.She looked and sounded
great. (Ann Wilson has one of the most powerful voices in rock and roll … but
she is just as easily able to channel the blues and soul that clearly inspired
her along the way … and she can tear your heart out when she sings a ballad,
too!) she rocked the jam-packed Arcada Theatre to the rafters.)One point was made abundantly clear … no
matter what material she chooses to feature (she even did “I Put A Spell On
You” for God’s sake!), THE GIRL CAN SING!!!
One of her several encores featured her brand new version of the Lesley Gore tune “You Don’t Own Me,” which is getting quite a
bit of press in this current “Me, Too” age ... an anthem again of sorts, thanks
to its powerful message.(WTG to our
long-time buddy John Madara, who wrote the tune some 55 years ago … this song
is truly timeless and one of my all-time favorites.)
And her reading of an old blues track, “Danger Zone,”
accompanied only by a piano, which ultimately closed the show was simply
beautiful.The band then came back out
to take their final bow to well-deserved thunderous applause.
No official word on exactly when this Soundstage PBS
Special will air other than “Fall” for right now … but we will definitely keep
you posted.
Hi Kent, Just a note to say THANK-YOU for the consistently great reads -- the entertainment and information gained reading Forgotten Hits is invaluable. Plus, when I hear the music legends and luminaries that pop up to comment, I realize the prominence and importance of your publication. I wish you would do mini-interviews with some of these individuals. Something like "5 Questions for ______." When I see names like Hal Blaine, Tony Hatch, Tommy James, Felix Cavaliere, Burton Cummings, Lou Christie, and a bevy of bands and broadcasters too numerous to mention, I would love to hear mini-interviews on "how it was, how it is, and how it is going to be" concerning the state of music and radio. Love Forgotten Hits! Peace, Tim Kiley
>>>We watched the Chicago Soundstage concert on Sunday … overall, I found it to be VERY disappointing.I get it that the program was supposed to be a tribute to the Chicago II album … but they didn’t even perform it in LP order (unless this was more inept PBS editing that messed things up.)For me, the highlights were few … catching Robert Lamm, who still looks and sounds great, the timeless “Ballet for a Girl From Buchannon,” probably the LP’s best known track … and the fact the Lee Loughnane stepped up to the mike to sing “Colour My World,” a completely unexpected surprise … meanwhile, everything else fell short of everything else I’ve ever seen Chicago do.And I wasn’t too keen on the filming technique either … it made the whole show look very dated … grainy and faded … just not at all what I was expecting in this type of showcase.Still, I’m sure it all came off much better live before editing … this is usually the case … as the audience seemed to be having a really good time. I guess I just expected more of a Chicago II / Greatest Hits presentation at this stage of the game.(kk)
Yes, the Soundstage / Chicago program that was broadcast was heavily edited. They took out all of the talking going on between the band members and the audience, which took out some of the intimacy of the show. The broadcast was less than half of the actual performance. The first half of the show they did the Chicago II album … then they took a break and played their many other hits for over an another hour. And YES, it did sound much better live than it did on the broadcast.It did mean more by watching and reliving the live experience, than if you were not there at all. I wonder if they will release a DVD or Blu-ray of the COMPLETE concert. Probably not. Will have this in my archives in case they don't. Art Walicki
Interesting …
The first headline I saw said that Lindsay Buckingham had quit Fleetwood Mac … again.Hours later Rolling Stone was reporting that he was fired. (Sounds like Buckingham had spelled out some "special terms" regarding him touring with the band again ... and the band opted to just do the tour their way without him.)
In either case, he’ll be replaced by Mike Campbell of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers and Neil Finn of Crowded House … which should add an interesting dynamic to the band.
Rolling Stone Magazine also seems to be priming us for the announcement of this year’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees.
In a recent post they list “deserving” artists who still haven’t made the cut … yet they’re all the same artists they keep nominating year after year.Incredibly, The Guess Who STILL don’t even make the list!
You can review the next batch of likely candidates here … but don’t expect any surprises … it’s the same batch they keep shoving down our throats who still can’t earn enough votes to actually get inducted!(Maybe your voting committee is trying to tell you something!)
Hi Kent, The Michael Bolton concert was great. I saw him in the 80's when he opened for Belinda Carlise. He sang his known songs and covers. Overall, he still has the chops. Thanks again for the tickets! Debe
I've been slammed and should have gotten a note off to you when I first saw the Al Jardine concert review. When I saw a couple of comments in today's 'Monday Morning Quickie," I decided I'd better get a reply off to you or risk my reputation.
I met Alan when I booked the first Beach Boys headlining concert -- May 24, 1963 -- and, as I tell the die-hard fans, it was the ONLY time I paid to see The Beach Boys: $750, which included six roundtrip airline tickets from LAX to SMF. The sponsors made $4,000, my take was $600, and each Beach Boy made about $50 after expenses. That would be the ONLY time I actually made more money than 'the boys,' but keep in mind, even $50 a night was a lot of money in 1963 ... enough to borrow your 'old man's' car, put a buck or two in the tank, take your girlfriend to dinner -- burgers, fries and a shake or Coke, then to a movie, popcorn and another Coke ... all for about $12 or so dollars :)
I picked up the band in my folk's 1954 Chevy wagon -- equipment and all -- drove to the auditorium, set up, did two 35 or so minute sets, mostly, or at least half 'cover' songs, had late dinner with them after the gig, and it was at the dinner at the Mansion Inn Motel, that I proposed to Murry, their original manger, that they should do their own shows, not let William Morris undersell them for $350 to $500 a night. I talked myself into a job (advance man, marketing guy and emcee) and a friendship, that has lasted 55 years (and counting).
That night, Al Jardine was filling in for Brian, who was back in Hawthorne. David Marks was on rhythm guitar, Carl, lead, Dennis drums, Al filled out on bass, and did Brian Wilson's falsetto parts. Mike, at the time, was the cheerleader, front man, so to speak. That would change over the years as the others did more lead vocals. It was a great show, even in those very early years. Today, Al Jardine is singing like he's still 21, and looks great to boot. I introduced them at the Ryman about a year and a half ago and saw them in Birmingham last spring. Brian's band is incredible and they all love Brian and have a true passion for his wonderful, timeless music.
I produced an amazing three shows in Sacto that year … May, September and December 21, the show we recorded for their "Beach Boys Concert" album. It was my idea to do the recording and had to talk Murry and Brian into it. I introduced them on the record, which became their first #1 Gold album. We also did the Nov 22 show, the night of the Assassination of JFK. By that time, Dave Marks had left the group and Al had returned to assume his rightful place as an original founding member of the group.
Oh, on the night of the December 21 concert … billed as a 'gala Christmas concert and recording session" … the boys introduced "Little Saint Nick." The Christmas album followed in 1964. If they do the entire Christmas album front to back, what a thrill that will be -- yes, even in the heat of summer!
Fred Vail, President / CEO
Treasure Isle Recorders, Inc.
Music City, USA, Nashville, TN
Long-time FH Reader Frank B sent us a couple of vintage Wrecking Crew tapes to share.
Al Jardine shared some nice memories of Glen Campbell during his solo concert at City Winery.
The Beach Boys, of course, knew Glen from all The Wrecking Crew sessions they did … and they really got along great.(In fact, in 1965, Brian Wilson even wrote a song for Campbell called “Guess I’m Dumb” which, unfortunately went nowhere and didn’t kick-start Glen’s solo career as they had hoped it would.However, listening to it now you’ll find it to be a VERY sophisticated record for its time … and a glimpse into the future of where The Beach Boys’ music was headed as they approached the Pet Sounds era.
Anyway, after Brian suffered his nervous breakdown and had to come off the road, the remaining Beach Boys approached Glen about coming out on tour with them for a while, filling in for Brian and, who knows, maybe even ultimately replacing him forever or, at the very least, becoming a sixth Beach Boy.
Glen jumped at the chance, never realizing that he was most comfortable (at that time, anyway) working in the studio, honing his craft.He wasn't used to all the travel involved, the screaming fans, the girls chasing you after a show, trying to rip your clothes off … and, even more so … the fact that, while he was a top-notch session guitarist, he was now being asked to play bass … not his most familiar instrument to begin with … plus hit all the high falsetto notes that Brian sang on the records … while playing this unfamiliar instrument.Needless to say, it was a challenge (to say the very least.)
After a few shows, he approached Al Jardine about the possibility of switching instruments … letting Al play bass, allowing Glen to move back to his more customary (and familiar) guitar.
Of course Al could have said no … but he didn’t … he and Glen switched instruments and remained life-long friends right up until the time of Glen’s death a couple of years ago.In fact, Glen even sang the duet with Al on the title track of his latest CD, “A Postcard From California” … and throughout his City Winery concert Al showed several photos of him and Glen together spanning the past 40 years.
So there you have it … and we’ve got TWO of those tracks to share with you today.
First up … Glen’s 1965 recording (written and produced by Brian Wilson) of “Guess I’m Dumb” … and then the Al and Glen duet from last year on “A Postcard From California.”Enjoy.(kk)
Vintage Vinyl News is reporting that Niles Rodgers and Sergio Mendes recently met for the very first time … and are now making plans to work together on a new project.(Now THAT should be interesting!!!)We saw Sergio earlier this year at The City Winery and he put on a GREAT show.That extra dash of funk from Niles on top of Sergio’s well-established Latin beat should make for a VERY interesting batch of Musical Stew!We can’t wait to hear it! (kk)
Kent,
I enjoyed looking over the British Chart of 60 years ago this week that you posted on FH. I thoroughly enjoyed looking up online the #4 song by Jackie Dennis, LA DEE DAH. This is one of my all time favorites by Billie and Lillie. Had never heard of Jackie Dennie before.
Larry Neal
Got this from DJ Stu Weiss the other day and had to share …
This appeared in a music magazine several years ago.
It's a little history about my dee jay career.
I may not be making money, but I have lots of fun and many new friends over the years.
Stu
As I looked over the latest 'quickie' and read with great interest, and a bit of amusement, the comments on Alan, and the other artists featured in the short issue, I couldn't help but think that, like me, there is probably not a 'baby boomer' reader on your list that does not recall -- with great respect and admiration -- the phenomenal Doris Day, who's music and films have blessed us spanning eight -- yes, 8! -- generations. Like most, Doris, along with Sinatra, Nat "King" Cole, Dean Martin, Frankie Laine, "the singing rage,' Miss Patti Page, Teresa Brewer, Perry Como, Rusty Draper, Eddie Fisher, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Judy Garland, Mahalia Jackson and Tony Bennett started their careers as 'big band' singers, and, of the list here, only Tony Bennett is still at it and sounds great. Another 'survivor,' although retired for many years, is the aforementioned Ms. Doris Day.
She, too, began as a big band lead vocalist for Les Brown and His Band of Renown. Her hits became 'classics' and Grammy Hall of Fame and Oscar winners, including "Secret Love," "Que Sera, Sera", "Teacher's Pet," "Sentimental Journey," "Till The End of Time," "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," "A Bushel and A Peck" and "Everybody Loves A Lover." All Top 10 or #1 hits … and all etched in our minds forever. All helping to make up the 'soundtrack of our lives."
Kent, I think that you and your loyal readers might enjoy this video Dave Parrett and I put together to celebrate Doris Day's 96th birthday.I did this video in conjunction with a class I'm teaching at Lipscomb University (Pat Boone is their most famous alumnus and I visited with him two Friday's ago). Doris turned 96 this past Tuesday, and lives in Carmel-By-The-Sea. Her son, whom I knew during my long association with The Beach Boys, was Terry Melcher. As you've heard over the years, Mitch Miller, the head of A&R at Columbia was no fan of 'rock and roll,' and almost single handedly held the label back from signing rock acts. Terry, who was on the west coast, took a different view. He signed Paul Revere and The Raiders, along with The Byrds, produced their initial albums, and basically got Columbia into the rock and roll business. Unfortunately, Terry passed from cancer at age 62 in '04 -- devastating Doris -- but as I said in the video, Terry did her proud. He also got Brian and The Beach Boys into Columbia's west coast studio on Sunset Blvd, near Vine, and that is where Brian produced "Good Vibrations." I know. I was there. And now you know the 'rest of the story.' Have a great spring and summer. The link below will take you, and your readers, to the Doris Day "Happy 96th Birthday" video. Fred https://youtu.be/eHnexIp1Kcw
Wow! Lou Christie!I wonder if he can still hit the high notes?
Debe
He sure can!I saw him a couple of years ago and he sounded great … been trying to get him back to Chicago for an Arcada show ever since!
This is going to be a fun concert … Lou Christie opens the show and then Felix Cavaliere (pinch-hitting for Bobby Rydell, who broke his hip last week) mops things up.
Good seats are still available … and it’s a 3 pm start this Sunday (the 15th)You should check it out!(kk)
And, speaking of Lou Christie, I just got this from him yesterday …
Kent,
Be sure to stop by and say hello this Sunday at the Arcada show.I will be opening the show and, since some of us will be heading directly to the airport after the performance, I'm sure we will be leaving at intermission. Stop back before the show to say hello.
Looking forward to the show!See you there!
By the way, I read your articles on The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
Here's my version – and, of course there's a story connected to it. Due to a Management and Record Exec dispute, my voice was taken off --- and Robert John's voice was put on the same record.
Lou Christie
Yikes!OK, you’ll HAVE to tell me THIS story on Sunday!See you then!
(Stay tuned, Forgotten Hits Readers!!!)kk
Hi Kent –
Interesting stuff here ...
Bottom Line: In our lifetime of loving music, we never really leave high school!
Even more interesting for me since for the past twenty years I have been preaching that the music you heard at the age of 13 will most influence your life … it will stay with you and have the greatest impact … and will remain your favorite music till the end of time.(What do you think my whole 1967 Series was about?!?!Lol!!!)
Of course twenty years ago things like Spotify didn’t even exist so I had to rely on my own research of years of observing this trend amongst virtually every person I ever met!(I never got a New York Times article out of my “theory” either … but, much like the success of Me-TV-FM, it’s good to know that I have once again been proven right in the way of America’s taste in music!)Thanks for sharing.(kk)
Leaving you on a “feel good” note this morning, courtesy of Chuck Buell …
Hey, Kent!
Yes, the following would be my opinion!
First off, The Doobie Brothers “Listen to the Music” is one of the Best all-time “Feel Good” Songs in the last 45 years!
While they obviously sound great when singing their own song (it was a Top Ten Song and higher in 1972), listen to how it sounds when 30 musicians from countries around the world play and sing it in their natural environments all in ONE fabulous production.
If this doesn’t make you feel good or lift your spirits for a moment, you’re beyond any help I can share with you today! {:~}
End of “My Opinion.”
So now, turn your speakers up a bit and check out the video posted below ~~ CB ( which stands for "Calliope Boy!" )
>>>Al Jardine will be teaming back up with Brian Wilson for a series of shows that’ll run through the end of the year. This time around they’ll be performing the entire 1964 Beach Boys Christmas Album along with some of the tracks from Brian’s solo Christmas album “All I Really Want For Christmas” … which begs the question … does ANYBODY out there really want to hear this block of material performed live???(kk)
Are you kidding? Every Beach Boys fan(atic) worth their vibe would love to hear this performed live. Take a listen to the five Beach Boys' original songs and think of them outside their Christmas theme. Very good, very timely (as related to rock & roll at that time), very much fun. Forgive the self-promotion but I've written an article on how Beach Boys Christmas is their "family" album: The Beach Boys All-In-The-Family Album
Comments / Observations The Beach Boys, birthed as a garage band with some harmony thrown in, grew into an American phenomenon releasing a string of hit albums covering the surf music wave, the car craze, and surfer girls. "Best of The Beach Boys" fans often overlook the creative, even daring albums they recorded. Artists and critics from across the music spectrum praise the groundbreaking "Pet Sounds" ('66) and the mind-blowing "SMiLE" (studio tapes finally released some 40 year later) but overlook "Party!" ('65), possibly the first unplugged album by a rock group or "Concert" ('64), one of the earliest (and loudest) live shows by a rock and roll band. "Stack-O-Tracks" ('68), the first backing-track-only album, was ahead of its time; a precursor to bootleg studio tapes (many bands are including similar bonus tracks on their new CD product). [Complete article at: https://prayforsurfblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/beach-boys-christmas-album-all-in-family.html Catch a wave this Christmas! Phil PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com Personally, I think I’d rather hear “Stack-O-Tracks” performed live, especially with Brian’s stand-out backing band of musicians.I can see throwing in a few Christmas songs during the holiday season … and, as you mentioned, they have some outstanding tracks to pick from … but I just can’t imagine sitting through a 40-minute set of their entire Christmas LP, which always struck me as more aimed toward the parents than the kids who were actually buying their records.(kk)
Phil also sent us this quiz from MeTV … man, if you can’t ace THIS one, you need to give back your record collection!!!
Hello Kent, Just an FYI that I uploaded another Pray For Surf podcast, once again teaming with Mark Dillon (author of "Fifty Sides of The Beach Boys"). We discuss our versions of what could be "The Beach Boys Humor Album." It was fun comparing our lists (several no-brainers for both of us but a bunch of surprises for each of us). So, if you are bugged at your old man and need a laugh, or have not had your daily dose of vegetables, then this is the podcast for you (:>)
PRAY FOR SURF PODCAST The Beach Boys "Humor Album"
Phil Miglioratti and Mark Dillon (author, "50 Sides of The Beach Boys") discuss the role of humor in the Beach Boys music. Each have selected an album's worth of songs ("Monster Mash") , skits ("George Fell Into His French Horn"), and statements ("Cost too much") that put a SMiLE on your face. They approach humor as "a state of mind" that brings laughter or amusement and, in the case of the Beach Boys, allows them to poking fun, even at themselves.
And, speaking of The Beach Boys and Al Jardine and such, David Beard, Editor and Publisher of “Endless Summer Quarterly,” is going to run my review of the Al Jardine concert we saw at City Winery Chicago in his Summer Edition of this VERY popular Beach Boys fanzine … so how cool is that?!?!?(kk)
Kent, Thanks so much for the info on the Soundstage Chicago concert. As someone who was lucky enough to attend, I have been looking for this show ever since I was there. It was not even listed in my Channel Guide magazine. I had to go to the online TV schedule for WTTW. Look forward to seeing at least half the show again. It is on Saturday @ 11:00 P.M. ART WALICKI
We’ll have to set the DVR for this one (so I don’t fall asleep halfway through!!!)What an odd time to first premier this program!!!(kk)
UPDATE:We watched the concert on Sunday … overall, I found it to be VERY disappointing … I get it that the program was supposed to be a tribute to the Chicago II album … but they didn’t even perform it in LP order (unless this was more inept PBS editing that messed things up.)For me, the highlights were few … catching Robert Lamm, who still looks and sounds great ... the timeless “Ballet for a Girl From Buchannon,” probably the LP’s best known track … and the fact the Lee Loughnane stepped up to the mike to sing “Colour My World,” a completely unexpected surprise … meanwhile, everything else fell short of everything else I’ve ever seen Chicago do.And I wasn’t too keen on the filming technique either … it made the whole show look very dated … grainy and faded … just not at all what I was expecting in this type of showcase.
Still, I’m sure it all came off much better live before editing … this is usually the case … as the audience seemed to be having a really good time.
I guess I just expected more of a Chicago II / Greatest Hits presentation at this stage of the game.(kk)
And since we just covered Chicago AND The Beach Boys, I've just GOTTA run this clip ... both groups in absolutely top form (and I just LOVE Lee Loughnane's intro ... look at that hair!!!) kk ...
I agree particularly with the first review that mentioned that Michael Bolton looked stiff … but it didn’t bother his voice at all … but he was moving very slowly. Thx, Kent, Enjoy your blog! Bill Faust
Blecccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh to Bolton. Cannot stand his so-called singing which sounds like some poor soul getting a prostate exam from Dr. Edward Scissorhands. Brad
Michael Bolton! Good Grief! I don’t think there are enough drugs in the world to get me to see that. LOL Ken
While I don't think I ever would have bought tickets to see Michael Bolton on my own ... not even back in the day ... I absolutely would have gone to this show had my schedule been clear to do so. I look at it this way ... I see a LOT of shows ... but most of the time, it's artists I have seen before ... we tend to go see the same artists again and again because Chicago seems to be a regular stop on their tours ... so catching somebody brand new that I haven't seen before ... especially an artist like Michael Bolton, who DID have 18 Top 40 Hits ... holds a certain appeal for me at this stage of the game. (Then again, if he only performed four or five of those hits and filled the rest of his set list with songs from The Great American Songbook, I probably would have been disappointed, too ... we just went through that with Bobby Rydell a few years ago.) That being said, give a listen to Bolton’s version of “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” and see what you think … this one really surprised me! (I'm not trying to sway anybody's opinion here ... but you've gotta admit this is one hell of a vocal outing! kk
I’ve definitely been waiting for this one … so was quite excited to receive this email the other day from Paul Haney of Record Research …
Hi Kent,
The brand new Top Pop Albums 1955 - 2016 book just arrived at the offices yesterday. It’s 1,600 pages and weighs nearly 8 pounds!I will be dropping a copy in the mail for you today.
Paul
This is AWESOME news!Joel hasn’t done an update to this book since 2006.You can order YOUR copy from the Record Research Website now …
I saw Alice Cooper at the Orpheum Theater in Madison a few weeks ago.
He still sings "I'm eighteen and I don't know what I want," and he just
turned 70!
It was a very good show and Alice still sounds like he did in the 70's.There were fans from ten years old all the way to Alice's age at the show. He sang most of his hits. The only ballad he did, though, was Only Women. He did not do I Never Cry, You and Me, or (my
personal favorite of his ballads) How You Gonna See Me Now.
I did enjoy his appearance in Jesus Christ Superstar. Even though he appeared for only one song, he was one of the highlights.
Phil – WRCO
Do you get free tickets often? I would have loved to see Burton Cummings. I saw him in the 80's when he opened for Alice Cooper.
Debe Welch
I was at that same show ... about the strangest double-billing I've ever seen!But I couldn’t pass up the chance to see either of them.(Burton had just started his solo career and was taking every gig he possibly could to stay out there in front of an audience.Earlier that year we saw him open for Melissa Manchester … TWICE.)It was a unusual night for sure … especially knowing Burton’s “Glamour Boy” song from his Guess Who days!(lol)
We seem to be on a roll lately with the free tickets … check out Sunday’s Michael Bolton concert review to see that we’ve got THREE pair of tickets to give away for The Ides Of March show May 3rd at The City Winery Chicago.(It’s hit or miss when it comes to tickets … so anytime we can pass them along to our readers, we try to do so.)The same week you saw Michael Bolton for free at The Arcada Theatre, we took a couple of other readers to the Al Jardine show at City Winery!(kk) It was a strange pairing, but I loved Burton Cummings.
Debe
This is something that is been on our minds for awhile lately, what with the reason wave of retirement announcements by so many of the music stars of our era … add to that the recent passing of many more and the fact that more and more of this music is disappearing from the radio, will the rock and roll music we all know, love and grew up with eventually face extinction and disappear completely.(God, I hope not … there isn’t any better “feel good” music out there!)What more can we do to help keep this music and these memories alive?
This from FH Reader Tom Cuddy …
As Boomer Musicians Retire From Touring, Concert Industry Faces Uncertain Future
From Music News, a Flipboard magazine by Rolling Stone "It's extremely worrisome," says one high-powered agent. "Once these artists really do retire, who will be the … “
I came across this one while searching for somebody else ... but check it out ... a very young Mickey Thomas handling the lead vocal on the smash hit by Elvin Bishop ... man, what a voice this guy's got!!! (kk)
Kent,
I just now noticed something while listening to a television commercial that I have heard for about a week now. In the national ad for Arby's Roast Beef restaurants, it seems to me that in the background, very faintly I might add, is the song ARE YOU READY … same tune as the Pacific Gas and Electric's song from 1970. Here in OKC, the edited version was played on the radio (some 2 1/2 minutes long). When one went to the record store to buy it, that version was a little over five minutes long. Again, how the advertising firm came up with that song is anybody's guess. I fortunately have a copy of the edited version as well as the longer version.
Larry
I haven’t seen this commercial yet … good tune ‘tho!And you’re right, the version played primarily on the radio back then was the shortened edit.(Actually I’ll have to look for that as it’d be cool to have!)Thanks, Larry!(kk)
The other day I mentioned that I’ve been reading some back issues of Melody Maker and New Musical Express from 1965.
When I came across this quote (from Burt Bacharach, no less!) I just had to share.
When Burt Bacharach was asked by New Musical Express whose songwriting he enjoys he answered …
“Richard Rogers in fantastic and I like Jerome Kern.Lennon and McCartney write some very fine stuff and I think a lot of Goffin and King.Right now, Tony Hatch is writing very well.”
Kudos to our FH Buddy Tony Hatch (albeit 53 years late!) for earning high praise from one of the most successful songwriters of the ‘60’s!(kk)
Rockin’ Lord Geoff from across the pond sent us the vintage British Chart from exactly 60 YEARS AGO this week … check out Petula Clark sitting at #23 alongside vintage rockers like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly And The Crickets, Little Richard, The Champs, Danny and the Juniors, Fat Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis … a full SEVEN YEARS before she’d hit the charts here in America for the very first time!(kk)
Week Ending 12 April 1958
(charts come from the New Musical Express, which we just mentioned above!!!)
Position charts show weeks on the chart / last week’s position / and this week’s position:
05 - 10 - 06 - Ted Heath And His Music - Swingin' Shepherd Blues
07 - 04 - 07 - Elvis Presley - Don't
13 - 06 - 08 - Michael Holliday - The Story Of My Life
02 - 10 - 09 - Champs - Tequila
02 - 22 - 10 - Connie Francis - Who's Sorry Now
07 - 14 - 11 - Little Richard - Good Golly Miss Molly
06 - 12 - 12 - Perry Como - Catch Falling Star
01 - NE - 13 - Pat Boone - It's Too Soon To Know
12 - 13 - 14 - Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock
10 - 09 - 15 - Eddie Calvert - Mandy (La Panse)
02 - 16 - 16 - Pat Boone - A Wonderful Time Up There
04 - 17 - 17 - Malcolm Vaughan With The Michael Sammes Singers - To Be Loved
13 - 08 - 18 - Danny And The Juniors - At The Hop
03 - 20 - 19 - Jimmie Rodgers - Oh-Oh, I'm Falling In Love Again
03 - 25 - 20 - Fats Domino - The Big Beat
19 - 19 - 21 - Pat Boone - April Love
01 - NE - 22 - Jerry Lee Lewis - Breathless
07 - 15 - 23 - Petula Clark - Baby Lover
06 - 28 - 24 - George Hamilton IV - Why Don't They Understand
11 - 18 - 25 - Paul Anka - You Are My Destiny
06 - 23 - 26 - Frankie Vaughan - Can't Get Along Without You / We Are Not Alone
03 - 24 - 27 - Jackie Wilson - To Be Loved
09 - 21 - 28 - Alma Cogan - Sugartime
01 - NE - 29 - Ted Heath And His Music - Tequila
01 - NE - 30 - Lonnie Donegan and his Skiffle Group - The Grand Coolie Dam
And, speaking of great singers from the ‘50’s, Geoff also tells us about an upcoming concert next month that’ll feature Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon as the headliner along with several other acts … catch out the promo poster below …
Singer / Actress REBECCA HOLDEN joined Howard Hewett (Shalamar) for a benefit given by Lifedriven in Beverly Hills. Lifedriven Foundation's mission is to provide life-changing solutions to the socio-economic problem of cancer by helping to enhance the lives and circumstances of children battling cancer in disadvantaged communities.
Submitted by David Salidor
Here’s an interesting “Helping Out Our Readers” email I received the other day …
Hello there -
My name is Elena and I’m Italian.
Firstly, I want to say that your archive is simply amazing! All those records so well kept and protected, it looks like the Trinity college library in Dublin.
I’m here to ask for your help … hopefully you’ll help us solve a mystery which began in the early 80’s.
In those years, Italy was literally invaded by Japanese cartoons, that are still nowadays much appreciated and remind us of when we were young.
We were all very fond of the theme songs … we used to buy the 45’s or tapes and now you’ll find all those songs in cd collections.
All except one.
There are hundreds of people who are trying to discover who wrote and who sang that song. They’ve also reached the network that firstly broadcasted the series in 1983, but apparently nobody knows the author or the singer. There are no credits appearing in the final theme, the song was never patented and, as they report in forums, the network owner seems very annoyed and declares that the series arrived with the theme included already. Many Italian singers who seem to have a similar voice were asked but they all denied being involved. I discovered those forums just by chance and, reading all the facts, I have come to a personal opinion: that song is probably a plagiarism. This would explain why nobody knows (or simply refuses to admit) who wrote and sang it and why the network owners let spoke their lawyers to give a stop.
I suppose you’re wondering why I am telling you all this (and you probably think I’m crazy.)
Well, I think the original song could be a b-side, and typing it in Google one of the results was your site.
Hoping not to be too annoying, I would like to send you the YouTube link to listen to the song. I see that many readers contribute to your site by posting titles, memories and information about thousands of songs, maybe someone could recognize the melody.
This is just an idea and, after all, I could be completely wrong. But you know, women are stubborn
Thank you for your attention and have a nice weekend.
Anybody out there got any ideas about this one???This may be a tough one to find, especially being sung in Italian … but we’ve got some GREAT music detectives on our list so let’s give it a go!Good Luck!(kk)
Kent,
Today's Saturday Survey of KLZ with the #1 record of DENVER got my curiosity aroused as to how high it made it here in OKC. For the week of February 29, it was at the bottom of the survey, listed as the PIC-HIT of the week. Two weeks later, it would peak at #24 before falling off the survey.
I was a little surprised in that the record by Michelle Lee didn't make our survey though I do have a copy of it. Incidentally, today if you were ask anyone who Michelle Lee is/was, most would say an actress, especially best known for her work on the "Knots Landing" show. But how many would remember this record she made 50 years ago? Same goes for actress Ann-Margret, who had a big record earlier in 1961 with I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Now on this day back in 1968 here in OKC, the #1 record was HONEY with Bobby Goldsboro / Bob Shane being listed as the artist. I have got to be honest with you in that I really don't remember Shane's version being played at all.
Larry Neal
“Honey” was one of the biggest records of the ‘60’s … I can’t imagine ANYBODY sticking with the Bob Shane version for very long, let alone long enough to SHARE the #1 position on the chart!
Checking the national scene, I see that Shane’s version “bubbled under” in both Billboard and Record World Magazine … peaking at #104 in Billboard (during a six week run) and #118 in Record World.Again, how it earned #1 status on ANY of the local charts is beyond me … “Honey” has become the definitive Bobby Goldsboro song (for better or for worse!)kk
Hi Kent:
When I came home on leave from the Great Lakes NTC in the spring of 1968 the song "Uncle Sam's Navy" by Johnny Martin on Chart Records was getting a lot of airplay on a Charlotte top forty radio station. As you might guess, I could relate to the lyrics. It sounds like it could almost
be the answer song to Diane Renay's "Navy Blue" -- four years later. Although I don't remember where I bought my copy, I had no trouble finding it in a local record department. For years I thought it had been at least a minor hit. It wasn't until I bought my first copy of Joel Whitburm's TOP POP SINGLES book in the mid-Nineties that I realized it never even charted. When I returned to Great Lakes for school it seemed like WCFL and/or WLS could always be heard in the barracks, but I don't think I ever heard that record played on either radio station, and Chicago was a Navy town! I still like the song though and play it occasionally.
Another thing: One Saturday I rode into Waukegan with a buddy who had a new car with an in-dash tape deck. I think it was a four track. I remember earlier seeing an automobile record player (yes, there was such a thing) but this was the first car tape player I had ever seen. I was quite impressed! It wasn't until I came back from England that I had my own eight track car player. I wish I had all the money I blew on that lousy extinct format! By comparison, I've still got vinyl records that I bought in the Sixties that still play very well. Like "Uncle Sam's Navy".
Mike G
Well, I’m not so sure this one would have caught my ear back in 1968 … I was more into “Pictures Of Matchstick Men” and “I Love You” by People!
I checked Joel Whitburn’s “Chart Comparison” book (a book I use every single day and highly recommend to all of us chart fiends out there!) and see that “Uncle Sam’s Navy” DID “bubble under’ on the Record World Chart, eventually peaking at #145 in its three week run … probably something that can be attributed more to Navy sales than Navy Seals!(kk)
Hi Kent
I went to the Rocksino in Norhfield, Ohio (Cleveland) on Friday to see Robin Trower, former lead guitarist for Procol Harum, who then went on to a great solo career.
The 73 year old guitar legend did not disappoint with a solid performance backed only by a drummer and bass player.
I was lucky to get press credentials and shoot the show from the stage front.
The playlist was as follows:
Too Rolling Stoned
Lady Love
Returned In Kind
Not Outside Inside
Somebody Calling
Make Up Your Mind
Day Of The Eagle
Bridge Of Sighs
Can't Turn Back The Clock
Confessing Midnight
Daydream
Little Bit Of Sympathy
Rise Up Like The Sun
For Earth Below
Photos Attached
Tom Apathy
I’ve gotta confess that the only Robin Trower song I know is “Caledonia,” which is his only Top 100 Hit (it peaked at #81 in 1977) … so this one would have been lost on me … but I’m sure there are other Robin Trower fans out there who will appreciate this.Thanks, Tom!(kk)
And, speaking of great concerts …
Last Call For Ides Of March Tickets!!!
We’ll be picking the winners on Friday … so you need to enter now if you want a chance to see these guys at The City Winery on May 3rd.
And check this out … a recent study shows that going to concerts is good for you!!!
A new behavioral science study has concluded that attending concerts on a regular basis is good for people’s well being – and could extend gig-goers lives by up to nine years. The study, commissioned by U.K. cellphone network O2, claimed that 20 minutes at a concert is better for you that the same amount of time spent doing yoga or dog-walking.Researchers calculated that a 20-minute taste of live music increased people’s sense of well being by 21 percent, compared with 10 percent for yoga and 7 percent for dog-walking. “Key markers across the happiness spectrum” also increased, with self-worth up 25 percent, closeness to others up by the same amount, and mental stimulation boosted by 75 percent.
So do your body a favor a register to win a pair of tickets to see The Ides Of March at City Winery Chicago on Thursday, May 3rd!!!
Thx, Kent, for announcing the ticket giveaway for the Ides Of March May 3rd show at City Winery. And though it would be great to see some first timers win, we are just happy to welcome all.
We are announcing here that we will be doing a two-set show - the first being unplugged - the second full metal jacket. We feel each format has its own special vibe - the first more intimate with more stories - the next relying on the rhythm and brass and more of the hits me and the Ides are have enjoyed through the years. Can’t wait to see you!
