Thank you, everybody! (kk)
1969:
Rob Feder is reporting:
Fifty years after one of the
most remarkable seasons in Chicago Cubs history, Hall of Fame Pitcher Ferguson Jenkins has
written The 1969 Cubs: Long Remembered – Never Forgotten.
Just published by Signature Strength and
featuring a foreword by former teammate Randy
Hundley, it features personal reflections and insights from
Jenkins on the season and its aftermath. “Better late than never,” he writes,
“and better for this insider to share what he knows about the unforgettable
group of guys who truly gave birth to the modern
Chicago Cubs.” Jenkins wrote it in collaboration with Chicago sports writer,
historian and author George
Castle, who now has 17 books to his credit.
The story of The Cubs’ collapse and The Miracle Mets is the stuff of folklore … except it all really happened! ... and you can bet that we’ll be covering it as our salute to 1969 continues in Forgotten Hits.
The story of The Cubs’ collapse and The Miracle Mets is the stuff of folklore … except it all really happened! ... and you can bet that we’ll be covering it as our salute to 1969 continues in Forgotten Hits.
I’m
anxious to hear what somebody who was there has to say about what had to be the
most incredible roller coaster ride of all time … and the unhappy ending they
all had to live with. Who would have
EVER thought that it would take the team nearly fifty more years to finally go
to (and win) The World Series. (Usually
when you build a team of that magnitude and come up short, you remain a
contender for the next several years to come. For the record, The Mets couldn’t keep their momentum going either.)
It started out looking pretty positive for the Cubbies …
They finished 2nd in 1970, 3rd in 1971
and 2nd again in 1972 … but then “The Lovable Losers” (a moniker also long associated with The Mets, in fact!) started to
fall apart, finishing 5th in 1973, 6TH in 1974 (and
losing nearly 100 games), 5th again in 1975, 4th place in
both 1976 and 1977, 3rd in 1978 and then back down to 5th
again in 1979, 17 games ahead of The Mets.
New York, on the other hand waited until 1977 to completely
fall apart, losing nearly 100 games in each of the ’77, ’78 and ’79
seasons. In 1970, they finished one game
behind The Cubs in 3rd place … in 1971, they posted an identical record
to The Cubbies … 1972, 2 ½ games back behind The Cubs, 1973, they finished five
games ahead of The Cubs in both 1974 and 1975 and then eleven games ahead in
1976.
I just may have to pick up a copy of this book! Fergie Jenkins was one of the most likeable (and beloved) Chicago ball players ever. (kk)
THE BEATLES:
Hi Kent:
Just thought I'd send along my own
blog post, published today, about the rooftop concert anniversary. Looking
forward to your take on it (but please don't refer to "Let it Be" as
the Beatles "swansong" or "last album" -- we know it
isn't!).
Garry Berman
My
piece originally ran ten years ago as part of our 40th Anniversary
salute to 1969 … we just revived it for this brand new tribute (and it was
great … I found that I barely had to change a word!) Cool, too, that that piece included original
commentary by Beatles Historian Bruce Spizer … who also brings up the moon
landing, which we will cover on its anniversary in June as our Year Long Salute
to 1969 continues.Great piece, by the way … thoroughly enjoyed it!
There is also a new book by Ken Mansfield devoted exclusively to the events of the day when The Beatles took to performing “live” for the very last time.
https://www.amazon.com/Roof-Beatles-Final-Concert/dp/1682617572/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1548761995&sr=1-1&keywords=beatles+rooftop
(You may recall that this was a big point of contention at the time … Paul wanted the band to go out on the road again and just show up at the unlikeliest of places to see if they could rejuvenate the excitement and camaraderie of the early days. That was quickly nixed by both George and John. Then it was going to be one big concert event, broadcast from some mountain top … or ocean liner … or Greece … or in front of the great pyramids of Egypt ... but that, too, fell by the wayside.
Then came the idea to film it all as them getting ready for the big concert, which would then air live as a television special … which eventually evolved into what we now know as “Let It Be.”
It’s a shame that the film has been unavailable for nearly fifty years … but rumors persist that next year, in honor of the actual 50th Anniversary of the album’s release, it may finally see the light of day again as part of a big box set release … and also include all kinds of bonus material (showing the group having FUN in the studio) … so we are definitely looking forward to that … as well as whatever this year’s 50th Anniversary Salute to “Abbey Road” will bring. (What a shame that they skipped over “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver” in the way of deluxe, box set anniversary treatments. Maybe we’ll see something on those next year!) kk
Billboard Magazine plays up the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles' Roof Top Concert this week (along with commentary from author Ken Mansfield) ...
https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/8495731/50-years-ago-the-beatles-played-their-final-rooftop-concert-heres-what-it-felt?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Template%20BB:%20Multi%20Story%20-%201.0&utm_term=daily_digest
Billboard also tells us about a brand new Beatles documentary being put together by Peter Jackson (of "Lord Of The Rings" fame), exploring the making of The Beatles' "Let It Be" film. (Hmm ... a documentary about the making of a documentary ... now that's a new one!!!)
The GOOD news is that Jackson now has access to over 55 hours of filmed footage never before seen by the public, showing that while there were certainly tense moments between the Fab Four by the stage, there was also still a lot of love between the four members, friends since their teenage years. (This very well may be the documentary that will accompany the Let It Be 50th Anniversary Box Set next year, along with the theatrical cut of the movie ... but it sounds like it may play first in theaters .... which would simply be awesome!)
Along with Ron Howard's film from a year ago covering The Beatles' touring years, this would provide an in-depth look into their habits inside the recording studio. How cool is it that, even after fifty plus years, we are still finding new ways to discover the history of this incredible band?!?!? Including even a new college course, courtesy of The Herb Alpert School Of Music. Read on ...
But first check out the complete details on this new Peter Jackson film, coming your way with the complete blessings of Paul, Ringo, Yoko and Olivia ...
https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/8495700/peter-jackson-to-direct-documentary-about-the-beatles-let-it-be-recording?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Template%20BB:%20Multi%20Story%20-%201.0&utm_term=daily_digest
And, in other Beatles News …
Hi Kent,
Harvey Kubernik thought you might be interested in this.
FYI, Peter Asher was already a guest a couple of weeks ago.
Elliot Easton of the Cars is my in-class guest tomorrow.
Best,
David Leaf
Manager, Music Industry minor Intern Program
Adjunct Professor of Music Industry, Technology and Science
UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
VERY
cool! (Wish I could sit in on this class
if only to see its presentation!)
I’m
a big admirer or your work, David … thanks for sending. (kk)
Thank you, Kent. Very kind of you to write.
Next time you’re in L.A., you can sit in.
And we hope to get it online next year.
Best,
David
David
Celebration of Abbey Road's 50th Anniversary
This summer, Beatles fans from throughout North America will be traveling to Liverpool and London to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Abbey Road as part of a “Magical History Tour” vacation. Fifty years ago, The Beatles released their iconic album "Abbey Road," which was recorded at the legendary London recording studio on the street of the same name.
The visit to Abbey Road is part of the 36th “Magical History Tour” from August 19 - 28, 2019, which brings fans to The Beatles' homes, schools, clubs, homes, early hang-outs and the studio where they recorded 90% of their songs here between 1962 and 1970.
"Abbey Road" was the band's eleventh studio album, and the final wherein all four Beatles participated. George Harrison noted that on the album "we did actually perform like musicians again." They completed the sessions on August 20th, 1969 - the very day - albeit fifty years later - that the travelers will be there to commemorate the anniversary. That day would turn out to be an important date in the history of the Fab Four as it was very last time all four members of the band were present in a studio together.
The fully-guided, professionally-escorted tour to London and Liverpool also includes visits to Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, the Cavern Club, and all the places that long-time fans have always dreamed of someday visiting.
Other highlights of the tour include “Beatleweek” in Liverpool, featuring the International Beatles Convention, live nightly concert extravaganzas, the annual music festival, Liverpool's Beatles Auction at LIPA plus a fully-guided coach tour hosted by author David "Liddypool" Bedford and several walking tours escorted by historian Rene "Beatles Unlimited" Van Haarlem. There are special events inside the world-famous Cavern Club and the Casbah Club, a Ferry 'Cross The Mersey, exclusive concerts at some of Liverpool's most famous venues including the Philharmonic, visits to museums, and entry inside The Beatles homes and also inside the gates of Strawberry Field.
In London, landmarks include the Beatles three recording studios Abbey Road, Trident Studios and Twickenham, an afternoon visit to Chiswick Park where The Beatles filmed their "Paperback Writer" and "Rain" videos, and locations from The Beatles' films "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!"
Travelers will not only experience every Beatles-related landmark in London and Liverpool, but will also spend an afternoon in Henley-onThames, where George Harrison lived. Fans will also meet and greet Beatle associates, relatives and dignitaries who take part in the annual festivities, including John Lennon's sister, Julia Baird.
The vacation is hosted by long-time Beatles aficionado, entrepreneur and super-fan Charles F. Rosenay!!!, producer of "The Fab 4 Music Festivals" in Connecticut, and "NYC FAB 50," which was 2014's Beatles' 50th Anniversary in New York.
The August 19 - 28, 2019 tour is presented by Beatles fans for Beatles fans and is open to all ages. The basic tour package is priced at only $2599 based on double occupancy with other add-on options. Price deluxe accommodations, transfers, ground transportation, breakfasts in Liverpool and all advertised events, parties, admissions, guests and activities. Packages with flights start at $2999 per person, with group departures from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities in the U.S. and Canada. Single supplements and group packages available. Space is limited to only the first 50 reservations.
For further information, write: email LiverpoolTours@aol.com or phone
(203) 795-4737. The website for the tour is www.LiverpoolTours.com and the
Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolTours/
As The Beatles sang, "Picture yourself . . ."
BUDDY HOLLY:
Sunday, February 3rd, marks the 60th Anniversary of the plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper ... forevermore known as "The Day The Music Died" thanks to Don McLean's song "American Pie."
I know that a few of our FH Readers are attending The Annual Winter Dance Party held in Clear Lake, Iowa ... and we hope to hear from you upon your return.
Meanwhile, FH Reader Frank B tells us about another celebration going on in Green Bay, Wisconsin ...
https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/01/25/buddy-hollys-winter-dance-party-lives-green-bay-60-years-later/2602426002/?fbclid=IwAR1EhsvMthAVqnJCN4tEie1TlKZ9q0acbnMY4c-m3APjGHvS4ngZsvHltGI
kk:
I know that a few of our FH Readers are attending The Annual Winter Dance Party held in Clear Lake, Iowa ... and we hope to hear from you upon your return.
Meanwhile, FH Reader Frank B tells us about another celebration going on in Green Bay, Wisconsin ...
https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/01/25/buddy-hollys-winter-dance-party-lives-green-bay-60-years-later/2602426002/?fbclid=IwAR1EhsvMthAVqnJCN4tEie1TlKZ9q0acbnMY4c-m3APjGHvS4ngZsvHltGI
kk:
After getting the news of a new Buddy Holly album coming
from the Decca/Ume label this week, "Buddy Holly with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: True
Love Ways," a new collection of Buddy Holly’s most beloved hits
set to brand new orchestrations, it was immediately after I spoke to Roger
Steffens and Chris Darrow, as we discussed and lamented the February 3, 1959,
airplane crash that took the lives of Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and
pilot Roger Peterson.
At the time I was working on an ongoing series of
interviews with Chris Darrow, and thought you and your Forgotten Hits readers /
viewers might like to read what Chris said about witnessing Ritchie Valens play
live in 1958 as well as Roger Steffens' memory of a '58 Buddy Holly
performance.
In service,
Harvey Kubernik
At the rate The
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra keeps cranking out these remakes, I think it’s
only a matter of time before they orchestrate the Soft Machine’s album (see
email below) in their never-ending quest to redo every recording ever
made. (kk)
Decca / UME U.S. release of Buddy Holly with the
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: True Love Ways;
60Th
Anniversary The Day The Music Died: February 3, 1959 –
Buddy Holly,
Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper Perish;
Author Roger
Steffens and musician Chris Darrow remember seeing Buddy Holly and Ritchie
Valens
By Harvey Kubernik © 2019
February 3, 2019, is
the 60th anniversary of the tragic airplane crash that
subsequently became known as “The Day the Music Died,” sadly referenced in Don
McLean’s song, “American Pie.” Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson
aka The Big Bopper died along with pilot Roger Peterson.
After a February 2,
1959, “Winter Dance Party” show in Clear Lake, Iowa, Buddy Holly, Ritchie
Valens and J.P. Richardson took off from the Mason City airport, in a
three-passenger airplane that Holly chartered piloted by Roger Peterson during
inclement weather. It crashed into a cornfield in nearby Macon City, Iowa, just
minutes after takeoff.
I will
always remember the February 3, 1959, front page headline in The Los Angeles Herald-Express, a daily
newspaper who reported this accident.
Ritchie
Valen’s death was a very big regional loss. He was from Pacoima, a suburb in
Southern California. Ritchie’s records were very popular in Los Angeles and the
surrounding communities. It was KFWB-AM deejay Gene Weed who first spun his
music and the radio station held what seemed like an all-day shiva celebrating
the life of Valens, whose record label, Del-Fi, was based in Hollywood.
I knew
Buddy Holly from his appearances on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and from 1957 when he was on The Ed Sullivan Show. Holly’s records
were also spun on KFWB. “Chantilly Lace” by The Big Bopper was a national hit.
22 years ago on
February 3, 1997, I interviewed Keith Richards around a Rolling Stones concert
in San Diego. We talked primarily about his just released Wingless Angels album.
However, it wasn’t
lost on either of us that 42 years earlier, Buddy Holly, one of his musical
heroes, passed. An early hit record of the Rolling Stones was “Not Fade Away,”
produced by Andrew Loog Oldham, which was originally the B-side to Buddy
Holly’s 1957 chart hit “Oh Boy!”
In March 1958, 14-year
old Mick Jagger saw his first rock concert in London at the Woolwich, Granada.
“Not Fade Away” made a big impression.
Keith and I had a
brief discussion about how some music, like his Wingless Angeles endeavour or
the sounds of the Sun Records label, or any recording that penetrates, makes
immediate impact and a connection on your soul, even decades after initial
airplay or retail discovery.
“I think because it’s timeless music I call it ‘marrow
music.’ Not even bone music. It strikes to the marrow. It’s like a faint echo . . . The body
responds to it and I don’t know why …”
The
Decca / UME label this week releases Buddy Holly with the Royal Philharmonic
Orchestra: True Love Ways, a
new collection of Buddy Holly’s most beloved hits set to brand new
orchestrations.
True Love Ways (the name of the song
written for Buddy’s wife, Maria Elena) features Buddy Holly’s distinctive
original vocals and guitar playing, set to exquisite arrangements newly
recorded in England by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at London’s Angel
Studios. The album is produced by Nick Patrick, the man behind successful
orchestral albums for Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, and The
Carpenters.
Buddy Holly’s wife, Maria Elena Holly,
endorses the compilation. “60 years
on, this wonderful album relights the flame, the songs and the music shines
brightly again. I am proud for Buddy, his legacy continues to influence and
inspire. THE MUSIC LIVES ON.”
Larry Holley,
Buddy’s brother, also touts the title. “This is what Buddy would’ve
wanted done.”
True Love Ways is the poignant
realization of a dream Holly first explored just four months before his tragic
death.
On October 21, 1958,
Holly embarked on a musical adventure he would have continued, had he had the
chance. He entered the Decca Studios in New York for a three-and-a-half-hour
recording session with an 18-piece orchestra, fronted by Dick Jacobs, known for
bringing strings to rock & roll. They recorded four tracks: “True Love
Ways,” “Raining In My Heart,” “Moondreams,” and “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,”
all of which are soaked in strings, clearly demonstrating a new direction for
Holly’s music.
Holly’s widow, Maria
Elena, explains that her husband thought then that the rock & roll era had
peaked: “Buddy felt orchestral music
in a popular vein was where the future lay, so he wanted to write, record,
explore and innovate that style. So what better combination than the Royal
Philharmonic and Buddy’s music. It’s just beautiful.”
Maria Elena also
recalls Buddy telling her he learned to play the violin as a child and later,
he had fantasized about writing film scores.
A January 24, 2019,
Decca / UME media press release hails the product: “True Love Ways’ orchestral
arrangements invigorate, rather than overwhelm, Holly’s originating rock &
roll style, preserving the energy of the songs he recorded with The Crickets.
“Everyday” shines
anew, with playful pizzicato strings and percussion alighting around Holly’s
original vocals. “Peggy Sue,” whose namesake recently died at age 78, is
carried along by percussion reminiscent of a cowboy movie score, with a
cinematic string climax. The new orchestral versions of “That’ll Be The Day”
and “Oh Boy” are warm and exciting turns for the beloved classics. “Heartbeat,”
the last song Holly released, retains its rockabilly guitar, while the new
arrangement’s strings serve to lift the spirits even higher.”
The music and recorded
catalogue of Buddy Holly never really died, and the sonic legacy of Ritchie
Valens has continued. And, “Chantilly Lace” is constantly heard daily on oldies
and classic rock radio stations. Humourist and songwriter J.P. Richardson, aka
The Big Bopper, wrote “White Lighting” that George Jones recorded, and penned
“Running Bear” for Johnny Horton. J.P. Richardson is in the Rockabilly Hall of
Fame. As we reflect on “The Day The
Music Died” 60 years ago, I asked two dear
friends of mine, author / music historian, Roger Steffens and
multi-instrumentalist Chris Darrow, a 55 year recording veteran, to share their
memories of witnessing Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens perform.
Roger Steffens: At Christmas, 1957, I went
to my first rock and roll show, Alan Freed's giant Christmas Jubilee of Stars at the Paramount Theater on Times
Square. The run broke all attendance records, including the previous best, a
Frank Sinatra tour in 1944. My friends
and I had to lie to our parents, because they were sure we would be mugged if
we went to a show where a lot of black kids were going to be. “So we told them we were going to Hackensack
to see a movie, but got on the bus to the Port Authority instead and walked the
few blocks to the Paramount, which had a line stretching three times around the
block.
“The show included Fats
Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis (back to back), the teenage Everly Brothers, The
Teenagers, Lee Andrews and the Hearts (with Questlove's father), Danny and The
Juniors, The Dubs (dear to my reggae soul) and eight others. Most of the second
line performers got only one or two songs each, but Buddy Holly and The
Crickets got five, because they were on the charts under both names at the
time. They were all dressed in tuxedos, and played with a stand-up bass.
“The audience went wild for
Buddy, clapping along with his rhythms, and singing along with his parade of
hits. I remember watching Alan Freed's 5 - 6 pm Rock and Roll Party TV show on WABD, Channel 5, in New York City.
“He interviewed Buddy about
the national tour they had done together in 1956, during which they flew in a
small plane to get to a gig, and encountered severe turbulence. Buddy recalled
the ‘woop-woop’ as the plane fell and climbed and fell again. What a
premonition!
“It was one of the saddest
days of my youth when we learned of that terrible crash that took his life, and
the first time I cried over the loss of a performer. Odd that one of the final
releases during his short lifetime was ‘It Doesn't Matter Anymore.’”
Chris Darrow: I saw
Ritchie Valens a month before his death in Pomona at the Rainbow Gardens, an
all-wooden building, with a low ceiling that was just south of the YMCA in
Pomona, California. It later was to burn to the ground.
“I was
from a mixed race, white and Hispanic neighborhood in Claremont called Arbol
Verde. My best friend, Roger Palos, was Mexican, and he and I were both
learning to play guitar and we would sing together a lot. The songs that we learned that were not from
the folk music genre, were popular songs mainly by Elvis Presley, the Everly
Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens.
For some reason our favorite song of Ritchie’s was not ‘La Bamba’ or
‘Oh, Donna’ but ‘Hi–Tone.’ We just loved
that song.
“I was
15 and in the ninth grade and was not allowed to go out many places by myself
at night. I was attending a private school
in Claremont called Webb, which had sons of famous people in my class … Chris
Mitchum, son of Robert, Chris Reynolds, (his father owned the L.A. Angels
professional baseball team), Tom Mitchell, whose father invented the Mitchell
35mm movie camera and Bob Washburn, whose dad was the head of 7UP.
“Since
I wasn’t driving yet, it took a lot for my folks to let me go into the dark
part of Pomona to see a rock ‘n’ roll show in late 1958 or early ’59. My parents weren’t square, but my mom always
worried about me.
“I
went with Roger Palos and Jon Dearborn to the concert, and it was kind of a
pilgrimage for us. Since I really identified with the Mexican culture and
wasn’t afraid, I couldn’t wait to see one of my main men, Ritchie Valens. After all he was only 17 and not much older
than Roger and me. I wore my bright, red
corduroy coat with silver buttons that my Grandma Darrow had made for me that
Christmas. I also wore white bucks,
white pants and red argyle socks. I
looked sharp!
“I’m
not sure who the house band was, but it could have been Manual and the
Renegades, or the Mixtures, for they both used to be regulars at the Rainbow
Gardens. I was very excited and hadn’t been to too many concerts before this.
“I
listened to a lot of radio at the time and because of the heavy Mexican
influence in my life, I got turned on to KDAY with Art Laboe, who would
broadcast live from Scribner’s Drive-In, and Ol’ HH - Hunter Hancock - who had
a great show called Harlem Matinee. These were the guys that the Mexicans
listened to on the radio. I was also
into KFWB, with Al Jarvis, Bill Balance and Ted Quillan … and Dick Hugg ‘Huggy
Boy’ on KGFJ. He was on so late at night
that I would have to listen to him under the covers of my bed in my room. So what is now called Doo-Wop was big with
me, as well as the white dominated music so prevalent on major radio stations
of the time. The Oldies but Goodies
albums by Laboe on Original Sound were right up my alley.
“I was
really into dancing at the time and had a chance to dance a few numbers with
some strangers at the show. The opening
act for Ritchie was Jan & Dean; possibly really Jan & Arnie. In those
days no one had their own bands and acts would use house bands as their
own. Either the band didn’t like Jan
& Dean or they just didn’t care.
Before they could get through the first song, which sounded awful, Jan
stopped, ran off the stage followed by Dean, and plowed through the locked
stage door and out into the night. Jan
just kicked it open like some thug in a movie.
I was so shocked and dumbstruck by this.
They never came back.
“After
the commotion died down, it was time for Ritchie to come on. He whirled in, probably from some other gig
earlier that night, and I went right up next to the edge of the stage. He was a pretty big guy and loomed on-stage
with a graceful power. He was not
overtly hard core in his presentation but was very soulful and I ate it up. There was a tenderness and sweetness about
him, even as he rocked. The house band
knew his stuff and did a great job on the songs. He did ‘La Bamba’ and ‘Oh, Donna’ and even
played my favorite song, ‘Hi-Tone.’
“I
liken Ritchie to another L.A. guy, Eddie Cochran. Both had the soul and drive of the Sun / Clovis,
New Mexico records, but they were from our own backyard. As soon as Ritchie finished, he was whisked
off in a flash. There was no chance to
say ‘hello’ or offer a handshake, but I was ecstatic over the event.
“The
house band played on to people doing The Stomp and I was awarded a prize for
being one of the five best-dressed guys of the night. A perfect end to a perfect evening.
“I
read somewhere that Frank Zappa saw Ritchie in Pomona, so he was probably
there, too. A month after the gig, I was
at school and heard about the deaths of Ritchie, Buddy and The Big Bopper. I was crushed and went off by myself and
cried like a baby. It was the first time
I remember crying for someone who had died.
Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly were like gods to me at the time and
could do no wrong. It was one of the
great losses in rock and roll history.”
Harvey
Kubernik is an award winning author
of 15 books. His literary and music anthology Inside Cave Hollywood: The Harvey Kubernik Music InnerViews and
InterViews Collection Vol. 1, was published in December 2017, by Cave
Hollywood. Kubernik’s The Doors Summer’s
Gone was published by Other World Cottage Industries in February 2018. During November, 2018, Sterling / Barnes and
Noble published Kubernik’s The Story of
The Band From Big Pink to the Last Waltz.
Harvey
and brother Kenneth Kubernik co-authored the highly
regarded A Perfect Haze:
The Illustrated History of the Monterey
International Pop Festival, published in 2011 by Santa
Monica Press.
This
century Harvey penned the liner note booklets to the CD re-releases of Carole
King’s Tapestry,
Elvis Presley The ’68 Comeback Special, The Ramones’ End of the Century and Allen Ginsberg’s Kaddish.
In
November, 2006, Harvey Kubernik was a featured speaker discussing audiotape
preservation and archiving at special hearings called by The Library of
Congress and held in Hollywood, California.
Harvey literary and musical expeditions are displayed on Kubernik’s Korner
at www.otherworldcottageindustries.com.
Perhaps Australian-based writer and music historian
Michael MacDonald captured Darrow best when he wrote, “Chris Darrow will never
run with the pack simply because he’s always so far ahead of it. A genuine
eclectic with a working knowledge of music that is encyclopedic, his only rival
would have been Doug Sahm. Country, Cajun, world beat, bluegrass, folk,
rockabilly, blues, Hawaiian rhythms, surf and flat-out rock ‘n’ roll are some
of the many musical forms Darrow has explored in his forty year plus career.
Can also add that Chris Darrow was Alt-country and Americana long before those
terms were minted.”
Darrow is also heard on the spring,
2004 CD reissue Moogy Klingman put together on Moogy Music, Take Your Place
In the Freak Parade, a re-release of the 1969 Music from Free Creek
sessions that included Keith Emerson, Dr. John, Mitch Mitchell and Chris Wood.
Darrow is on Linda Ronstadt’s He Darked The Sun and Living Like a
Fool with Bernie Leadon and Red Rhodes.
And this from our FH Buddy LJ Coon
…
Here’s an update on our efforts regarding the 'Tragic
Airplane Crash' that will forever be remembered as 'The Day The Music Died' …
'Imagine Entertainment' has been invited to create a Feature
Length Investigative Documentary. They
are reviewing five years / 70 full pages of investigative material as well as historic photos.
This crash took the lives of Buddy
Holly, Ritchie Valens, JP Richardson, and Pilot Roger Peterson.
'Buddy Holly Plane Crash May Be Re-Examined'
-L J
LJ also sent some incredibly cool pictures in this
announcement … which we share with you below …
TOMMY JAMES:
Hi Kent!
Great stuff on one of my heroes, Tommy James.
When the Ides have had the pleasure of sharing a bill with
him, we are always impressed by his warm personality and dry wit ... and great
performances.
He’s one of us … still doing awesome shows and 19 years old
mentally … as inspired now as he was then. That’s the mark of a true pro.
I hope me and the Ides can guest on his Sirius/Xm show
someday soon.
He’s a pop rock genius and an even better human being.
Jim Peterik
I’m sure you told him how The
Ides started out as The Shondells - I wonder if Troy Shondell was HIS
inspiration too! (Damn! I shoulda asked
him!) kk
I told him! Lol! Yeah. Troy must know. Is he still alive?
JP
Sadly, Troy died three years ago … on January 7th, 2016. His National Top Five Hit “This Time” went all the way to #1 here in Chicago … and inspired at least ONE band to use his last name as their own … and at least one OTHER band to go on to have great national success with it.
(For the record, Troy must have liked the name, too … his REAL name was Gary Schelton!!! And by the way, he was a local, Midwestern Boy, too … born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1939.)
I told him! Lol! Yeah. Troy must know. Is he still alive?
JP
Sadly, Troy died three years ago … on January 7th, 2016. His National Top Five Hit “This Time” went all the way to #1 here in Chicago … and inspired at least ONE band to use his last name as their own … and at least one OTHER band to go on to have great national success with it.
(For the record, Troy must have liked the name, too … his REAL name was Gary Schelton!!! And by the way, he was a local, Midwestern Boy, too … born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1939.)
Hi Kent,
Great job with Tommy … another great read, my friend. Tommy James is incredible for sure ... he’s a good guy and I am glad you got to hook up with him. I'm with you Kent … can't wait to get the new album. When I heard "I Think We're Alone Now" at his show in Branson, I was truly blown away.
Great job with Tommy … another great read, my friend. Tommy James is incredible for sure ... he’s a good guy and I am glad you got to hook up with him. I'm with you Kent … can't wait to get the new album. When I heard "I Think We're Alone Now" at his show in Branson, I was truly blown away.
I can so relate with his story about
the record company. Our label, Laurie (and
"friends") did a number on us … and other artists as well. And, of course, we were just kids, too ... lol.
Again, well done my friend.
"friends") did a number on us … and other artists as well. And, of course, we were just kids, too ... lol.
Again, well done my friend.
Keep up the good work, Buddy, and
try to catch a breath or two in-between. :O)
God bless ya ~
Barry
God bless ya ~
Barry
I enjoyed your Tommy James interview. He gave you
lots of info and no two or three word answers.
He rarely mentions it, perhaps only when he does interviews
here in Wisconsin, but he lived in Monroe, Wisconsin, as a young boy. His
father managed a hotel there for a couple of years.
His songs always did well in Wisconsin. Even his solo
stuff including: I'm Coming Home, Boo Boo Dont Ya Be Blue, Three
Times In Love, and the 1990 release Go.
Phil Nee – WRCO
Phil Nee – WRCO
For all his worldly experience, Tommy is still a Midwestern
Boy at heart. Niles, Michigan, Monroe,
Wisconsin and Chicago all factor deeply in just who he is and he has deep roots
here. (Kinda reminds me of the James
Corden / Paul McCartney episode when Paul comes home to Liverpool and gets a
little teary-eyed at all the memories and history there … I would guess Tommy
would have much the same reaction here, too, were he to take us on a tour of
his old stomping grounds.)
He is genuinely thankful and appreciative for his success …
50+ years now and an incredibly local fan base.
(He really DOES sell out every time he plays here … and he typically
plays here once or twice a year!)
His records on the WLS Chart did EXTREMELY well … 19 Top 20
Hits out of 21 charted singles, After
topping the WLS Chart with “Draggin’ The Line” (still one of my favorites),
Tommy went to #4 with “I’m Comin’ Home” and #2 with “Nothing T0 Hide” on the
WCFL Chart. (kk)
kk ...
I'm glad you asked him about the movie. I was thinking it would be released soon. Now I find out we have to wait two more years.
Was Tommy hinting that it was the mob and not cops who beat up Jimmie Rodgers?
Frank B.
There's been speculation of this for quite some time. Jimmie had all of his biggest hits for Morris Levy's Roulette label ... when he jumped ship in 1967 for A&M and hit The Top 40 again with "Child Of Clay," Morris was reportedly none to happy about it. (Much like the Bobby Fuller scenario, I don't know if we'll EVER know the whole truth about either of these incidents.) kk
THE CHICAGO EXPERIENCE:
It was a night of great music
performed by hugely talented musicians and incredible vocalists. I am not a big
cover band fan, but TCE is much more than that; their skill set is amazingly
high.
THE CHICAGO EXPERIENCE:
Great date night, hon! (and a spot on review)
Let’s go to Venuti’s next month.
Frannie (Mrs.K)
Sounds like a plan! A
night of great food … great music! (kk)
Perfectly worded review- well
deserved!!!
Mary Boch
Excellent
review for an excellent band!! Well deserved praise!!
Ann Linden
First Time and I loved the show!!!
Laura Kowalczyk Fortunato
Every
word is true ... 'bout time EVERYBODY discovers these guys!
They are
sooooo talented!!!
Patricia Nelson
Well deserved review.
I have seen them three times and have
always been impressed.
Maureen Kolbusz
Well deserved and such an honor!
Honor to read such rave reviews and honored to be in the presence of such a
wonderful talented group of artists whose passion shines through at each
performance! Congratulations!
Leslie Geiser
What an amazing review. Wish I lived closer so I could
come to a concert. Congratulations!
Cherrie
Larson Mader Chamberlin
Check it out here (in case you missed it):
Hey, Locals ...
How about a Forgotten Hits Night Out at Venuti’s in Addison?
We’re thinking Thursday, March 28th …
Let’s pack this place with music fans. This is a show you’ve got to see! (kk)
