As expected, lots more praise, memories and stats for Hal Blaine … so let’s get right to it!
As a young teenager, I didn’t know who played what in the studio. All I knew is I couldn’t get enough of records by the Fifth Dimension, the Association, The Ronettes and, of course, The Beach Boys. There was something about the link between the bass and the drums that had me hooked.
Later in life I realized that nearly all of my favorite records shared one common drummer - Hal Blaine.
Often the bass man was Joe Osborne.
When I bought Insight Out by the Association (I put that album up there with Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper), I thought “Boy, that Brian Cole and the drummer in the band really got the Hal / Joe thing down!! Then I realized it WAS Hal and Joe!
I was naive at the time that these classic studio pros and others got hidden from the album credits so us teeny boppers could believe it was their heroes in the band playing!
But Hal finally got his due in a raft of interviews and accolades from the best and, of course, the great Wrecking Crew documentary.
Will the beat go on?
Yes, it will.
It will be led by all the young drummers who ever put a stick to skin listening to the amazing licks, musical instincts and feel of the great Hal Blaine.
Rock on!!
Jimbo
Jim Peterik
I HAD 10 DAYS TO CUT THE SONG “ACTION” FROM THE TV SHOW “WHERE THE ACTION IS.”
I WALKED INTO UNITED WESTERN THERE WAS THE WRECKING CREW …
TWO TAKES IT WAS DONE!
HAL BLANE WAS IN THE POCKET THE FIRST TAKE.
WOW!
HE WAS THE BEST!
LOVE YOU, HAL
FREDDY "BOOM BOOM" CANNON
After being a member of both Kaleidoscope and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, I began working as a sideman for Linda Ronstadt, John Stewart and Hoyt Axton. During this period I ended up doing a lot studio work in Los Angeles with Stewart and Axton, as well as James Taylor, John Fahey and many others.
As a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47 in Hollywood, I would have to call and see if the money from the sessions had come in. If so, I would drive to the office on Vine Street with copies of my W-2 forms and pick up the checks. Since I lived an hour away in Claremont, rush hour became an issue for me.
One day, I went to the Union and the check line was pretty short, so I was all ready to go visit a friend of mine until the traffic cleared. I was third in line and noticed that the person in front of me was the great drummer, Hal Blaine.
The first guy in line picked up his check and was out in a flash. When it was Blaine’s turn, he pulled out a big stack of W-2s and laid them out on the counter. It took over 20 minutes for him to go through all the checks he was going to get that day. That’s how popular he was! I picked up my two checks and was out of there in no time.
Chris Darrow
Hal Blaine was such a great musician and friend that I can’t put it into words.
Hal taught me a lot, and he had so much to do with our success — he was the greatest drummer ever.
Brian Wilson
Hi Kent ...
Hal Blaine was Mr. Wrecking Crew.
He was the drummer on all of my recordings in the late 60’s and early 70’s and some of my biggest hits. He played on Dizzy, Jam Up And Jelly Tight, Heather Honey and Stagger Lee.
He was always the leader on my sessions, and probably the leader on most of the sessions utilizing the talent of that fabulous group of musicians.
He had the ability to relax all the talent in the recording session and make it fun. He also had a wonderful sense of humor.
On some of my sessions I would bring along my guitarist, Richard Laws, who traveled with me on my concert tours and played guitar on some of my recording sessions. After Hal met Richard, every time he would see us together he would say to me, “I see you are still obeying the laws,” and the way he said it, we would all just crack up.
Hal was absolutely one of a kind, and most certainly one of the best drummers ever. I send my condolences to his family and friends and may he RIP.
Tommy Roe
I am sending you a few cuts from an early 2000 interview I did with Hal Blaine.
It was always amazing to hear him speak first hand about legendary music makers.
In one cut, he talks about a Phil Spector movie. Did they ever make this or did they scrap it?
Phil Nee – WRCO
There was a “Made For TV” movie a few years ago that starred, believe it or not, Al Pacino as the legendary producer.
Critics and, from what I’ve heard, most of the public hated it … and Pacino is often his over-the-top self … but I kinda enjoyed it. There were a lot of little inside jokes that I think a lot of people probably didn’t get so I liked it.
If you get a chance to see it, check it out … I think you will, too. (Now I wanna see it again!) kk
You may not know the name, but you know the sound.
The sound of Hal Blaine was one of jubilance, energy, drama, power, ferocity, and swagger, ever deployed solely in service of the song. Upon his death yesterday at the age of 90, Brian Wilson deemed him “the greatest drummer ever.” Few could argue with that description, as Blaine was Los Angeles’ first-call drummer during perhaps the greatest period of pop invention in the latter half of the twentieth century. From 1966 to 1971, Blaine played on all six consecutive Grammy Record of the Year winners: Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass’ “A Taste of Honey,” Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night,” The 5th Dimension’s “Up, Up, and Away,” Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” The 5th Dimension’s “Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” But those six songs barely scratch the surface of the Hal Blaine legacy.
Born Harold Simon Belsky in Massachusetts, the drummer moved with his family to California in 1943 but made his first professional music in Chicago. After a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, he utilized the GI Bill to study there with renowned drum teacher Roy Knapp. He remembered honing his sight-reading skills in the city’s strip clubs, and eventually put those abilities to good use on the session player circuit back home in California where he was often called upon, with his fellow musicians, to create or enhance arrangements on the spot. It was Blaine who created the famous, often-imitated introduction to The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” in 1963, doubtless one of the most recognizable passages in pop history.
Phil Spector considered Blaine an indispensable part of his “house band” – the loose-knit group of top tier players who would collectively be known in later years as The Wrecking Crew. Blaine took credit for coining the name as a response to those older musicians who felt that the young men and women embracing rock-and-roll (but well-schooled in jazz, classical, and every genre that might be called for) would “wreck” the industry. Far from it, the group defined the sound of a generation and created music that still endures more than half a century later. The rock-solid, endlessly inventive anchor of The Wrecking Crew’s rhythm section, Blaine contributed mightily to the sound of Spector’s greatest disciple, Brian Wilson, and played on an approximate 150 top ten records and 40 chart-topping hits from The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Sonny and Cher, The Byrds, The Mamas and The Papas, Johnny Rivers, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, The Association, Cher, Carpenters, Captain and Tennille, The Supremes, and Barbra Streisand. It’s been estimated that Blaine played on anywhere from 6,000 to 35,000 songs, but even at the low end of that spectrum, he would be considered one of the most recorded drummers of all time – perhaps the most. While the changing sound of music led to a distinctive tapering-off of the Wrecking Crew’s assignments as the 1970s progressed, Blaine and his cohorts’ influence never waned.
“Hal Blaine Strikes Again” read the rubber stamp that Blaine would deploy on pages and places which he had played. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will keep striking again and again every time a radio is turned on to the magnificent sounds he created. Bum-ba-bum-BOOM.
Joe Marchese
Hi Kent,
So sorry to hear Hal Blaine passed. What an awesome career he had. He will be truly missed. Our prayers go out to his family.
I want to thank you for the kind words and passing "Lady" on to your fans. It's appreciated deeply my friend. Yes Sir, we thought it was at least good enough to get some airplay. :O)
Buddy, take another deep breath before you dive into the next go round ... looking forward to it.
Bless ya ~
Barry
The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame sent out this special link to Hal Blaine’s Web Page. (Hal was inducted in the year 2000.)
https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/hal-blaine?utm_campaign=Marketing&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--E_DroXZstZ5kBKMXbj9xBPQ1oChEMTy613JrDFCX5Y17p0X8rEXL2WA91fHq3EtV8x3G5hrYs0fTNyWfcOQwV8lXwtQ&_hsmi=70745247&utm_content=70745247&utm_source=hs_email&hsCtaTracking=9fe38d68-5262-40ca-82b0-c548bce784cd%7C661aacab-ff41-49d0-ae06-87b2eb050fe5
Hal Blaine may be the only drummer to back Presley, Sinatra and John Lennon.
-- Billboard Magazine
Billboard then went on to list EVERY #1 HIT that Hal Blaine played drums on …
Incredible!
Blaine estimated that he played on 4000 charted hit records, 39 of which went all the way to #1.
They are, in order:
The sound of Hal Blaine was one of jubilance, energy, drama, power, ferocity, and swagger, ever deployed solely in service of the song. Upon his death yesterday at the age of 90, Brian Wilson deemed him “the greatest drummer ever.” Few could argue with that description, as Blaine was Los Angeles’ first-call drummer during perhaps the greatest period of pop invention in the latter half of the twentieth century. From 1966 to 1971, Blaine played on all six consecutive Grammy Record of the Year winners: Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass’ “A Taste of Honey,” Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night,” The 5th Dimension’s “Up, Up, and Away,” Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson,” The 5th Dimension’s “Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” But those six songs barely scratch the surface of the Hal Blaine legacy.
Born Harold Simon Belsky in Massachusetts, the drummer moved with his family to California in 1943 but made his first professional music in Chicago. After a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, he utilized the GI Bill to study there with renowned drum teacher Roy Knapp. He remembered honing his sight-reading skills in the city’s strip clubs, and eventually put those abilities to good use on the session player circuit back home in California where he was often called upon, with his fellow musicians, to create or enhance arrangements on the spot. It was Blaine who created the famous, often-imitated introduction to The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby” in 1963, doubtless one of the most recognizable passages in pop history.
Phil Spector considered Blaine an indispensable part of his “house band” – the loose-knit group of top tier players who would collectively be known in later years as The Wrecking Crew. Blaine took credit for coining the name as a response to those older musicians who felt that the young men and women embracing rock-and-roll (but well-schooled in jazz, classical, and every genre that might be called for) would “wreck” the industry. Far from it, the group defined the sound of a generation and created music that still endures more than half a century later. The rock-solid, endlessly inventive anchor of The Wrecking Crew’s rhythm section, Blaine contributed mightily to the sound of Spector’s greatest disciple, Brian Wilson, and played on an approximate 150 top ten records and 40 chart-topping hits from The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Sonny and Cher, The Byrds, The Mamas and The Papas, Johnny Rivers, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, The Association, Cher, Carpenters, Captain and Tennille, The Supremes, and Barbra Streisand. It’s been estimated that Blaine played on anywhere from 6,000 to 35,000 songs, but even at the low end of that spectrum, he would be considered one of the most recorded drummers of all time – perhaps the most. While the changing sound of music led to a distinctive tapering-off of the Wrecking Crew’s assignments as the 1970s progressed, Blaine and his cohorts’ influence never waned.
“Hal Blaine Strikes Again” read the rubber stamp that Blaine would deploy on pages and places which he had played. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient will keep striking again and again every time a radio is turned on to the magnificent sounds he created. Bum-ba-bum-BOOM.
Joe Marchese
Hi Kent,
So sorry to hear Hal Blaine passed. What an awesome career he had. He will be truly missed. Our prayers go out to his family.
I want to thank you for the kind words and passing "Lady" on to your fans. It's appreciated deeply my friend. Yes Sir, we thought it was at least good enough to get some airplay. :O)
Buddy, take another deep breath before you dive into the next go round ... looking forward to it.
Bless ya ~
Barry
The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame sent out this special link to Hal Blaine’s Web Page. (Hal was inducted in the year 2000.)
https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/hal-blaine?utm_campaign=Marketing&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--E_DroXZstZ5kBKMXbj9xBPQ1oChEMTy613JrDFCX5Y17p0X8rEXL2WA91fHq3EtV8x3G5hrYs0fTNyWfcOQwV8lXwtQ&_hsmi=70745247&utm_content=70745247&utm_source=hs_email&hsCtaTracking=9fe38d68-5262-40ca-82b0-c548bce784cd%7C661aacab-ff41-49d0-ae06-87b2eb050fe5
Hal Blaine may be the only drummer to back Presley, Sinatra and John Lennon.
-- Billboard Magazine
Billboard then went on to list EVERY #1 HIT that Hal Blaine played drums on …
Incredible!
Blaine estimated that he played on 4000 charted hit records, 39 of which went all the way to #1.
They are, in order:
He’s A Rebel – The Crystals (1962)
Johnny Angel – Shelley Fabares (1962)
Surf City – Jan and Dean (1963)
Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin (1964)
I Get Around – The Beach Boys (1964)
Ringo – Lorne Greene (1964)
Eve Of Destruction – Barry McGuire (1965)
Help Me Rhonda – The Beach Boys (1965)
I Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher (1965)
Mr. Tambourine Man – The Byrds (1965)
This Diamond Ring – Gary Lewis and the Playboys (1965)
Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys (1966)
Monday Monday – Mamas and Papas (1966)
My Love – Petula Clark (1966)
Poor Side Of Town – Johnny Rivers (1966)
Strangers In The Night – Frank Sinatra (1966)
These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra (1966)
Somethin’ Stupid – Nancy and Frank Sinatra (1967)
The Happening – The Supremes (1967)
Windy – The Association (1967)
Mrs. Robinson – Simon and Garfunkel (1968)
Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In – Fifth Dimension (1969)
Dizzy – Tommy Roe (1969)
Theme from “Romeo And Juliet” – Henry Mancini (1969)
Wedding Bell Blues – Fifth Dimension (1969)
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel (1970)
Close To You – The Carpenters (1970)
Cracklin’ Rosie – Neil Diamond (1970)
I Think I Love You – The Partridge Family (1970)
Indian Reservation – Paul Revere and the Raiders (1971)
Song Sung Blue – Neil Diamond (1972)
Half Breed – Cher (1973)
Annie’s Song – John Denver (1974)
The Way We Were – Barbra Streisand (1974)
Top Of The World – The Carpenters (1974)
Thank God I’m A Country Boy – John Denver (1975)
Love Will Keep Us Together – The Captain and Tennille (1975)
I’m Sorry / Calypso – John Denver (1975)
Theme from “Mahogany” – Diana Ross (1976)
1969:
Sad news this week as it was disclosed that one of the biggest names of 1969, Tom Seaver, is suffering from dementia.
Seaver was a key figure in The Mets’ incredible year that season … “The Miracle Mets” as they came to be known. We fondly remember him, too, for the years he spent here with The Chicago White Sox. (During his 20-year major league career, Seaver won 311 games and struck out 3,640 batters. In addition to his time spent with The Mets and The White Sox, Seaver also pitched for the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox. He was selected for the All Star Team twelve times and was elected into Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1992 by a near-unanimous decision.
But it was Seaver’s career in New York that really shone. In 1969, he went 25-7 and won the first of his three Cy Young Awards. He also had five 20-win seasons. With the 50th Anniversary of The Mets’ first trip to The World Series just a few months away, the timing couldn’t be sadder.
Seaver joined The Mets two years early and immediately won Rookie Of The Year honors in 1967. Prior to winning the pennant in 1969, The Mets finished either last or second to last in every season dating to their 1962 debut as part of a National League expansion. He was nick-named “Tom Terrific” and lived up to that title in nearly every season he pitched. (Incredibly two career milestones happened while he was away from The Mets … he won his 300th game in a White Sox uniform … and pitched his only career no-hitter for the Cincinnati Reds.)
After working as a Mets broadcaster for several years after his retirement from baseball, he retired for good to his 116 acre vineyard in Calistoga, California, where he’s been making wine since 1998. It is here that he will retire from public life and live out his remaining days.
1969:
Sad news this week as it was disclosed that one of the biggest names of 1969, Tom Seaver, is suffering from dementia.
Seaver was a key figure in The Mets’ incredible year that season … “The Miracle Mets” as they came to be known. We fondly remember him, too, for the years he spent here with The Chicago White Sox. (During his 20-year major league career, Seaver won 311 games and struck out 3,640 batters. In addition to his time spent with The Mets and The White Sox, Seaver also pitched for the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox. He was selected for the All Star Team twelve times and was elected into Baseball’s Hall Of Fame in 1992 by a near-unanimous decision.
But it was Seaver’s career in New York that really shone. In 1969, he went 25-7 and won the first of his three Cy Young Awards. He also had five 20-win seasons. With the 50th Anniversary of The Mets’ first trip to The World Series just a few months away, the timing couldn’t be sadder.
Seaver joined The Mets two years early and immediately won Rookie Of The Year honors in 1967. Prior to winning the pennant in 1969, The Mets finished either last or second to last in every season dating to their 1962 debut as part of a National League expansion. He was nick-named “Tom Terrific” and lived up to that title in nearly every season he pitched. (Incredibly two career milestones happened while he was away from The Mets … he won his 300th game in a White Sox uniform … and pitched his only career no-hitter for the Cincinnati Reds.)
After working as a Mets broadcaster for several years after his retirement from baseball, he retired for good to his 116 acre vineyard in Calistoga, California, where he’s been making wine since 1998. It is here that he will retire from public life and live out his remaining days.
David Salidor, Micky Dolenz’s East Coast PR Man, sent us some pictures to run EXCLUSIVELY in Forgotten Hits today, spotlighting the Mike and Micky duo on stage at The Paramount Theater in Huntington, Long Island. (The occasion also happened to be Micky’s Birthday … you can read more about that in The Mac Wire link below.)
Micky and Mike appeared at both The Paramount and the Beacon Theater this past week and, by all accounts, it was a great show each night. (I was surprised to see that Mike has added his solo hit “Joanne” back into the set list. This was something we had suggested a while back … maybe after touring with The First National Band he enjoyed revisiting with the track that he wanted to continue to perform it!)
This first batch of photos were all taken by Paul Undersinger … and feature Micky being presented an original cover from the popular UK publication Melody Maker, commemorating Dolenz’s “Alternate Title” (aka “Randy Scouse Git”) reaching the #1 Spot in the UK. (That’s tour producer Andrew Sandoval presenting Micky with the award)
Photo #2 is a nice shot of Nez on stage
And a similar shot of Micky performing …
Followed by a couple of full band shots
And here’s a link to the review run in The Mac Wire by G. H. Harding …
http://www.themacwire.com/the-glorious-corner-the-mike-and-micky-show-palm-restaurant-and-more/
RECENT MINI CONCERT REVIEWS:
Hi Kent:
Thanks for the nice review in Forgotten Hits. All the “Knock On Wood and “Hold On” stuff was at the end of the show. Sorry you missed it.
Since Jerry Goodman was a guest artist, we also wanted to include some of his post FLOCK / MAHAVISHNU tunes.
There was a lot of material to cover, and we probably could have done a better job in mapping out our set list. Thanks for your suggestions. Much appreciated.
We will keep you in the loop regarding upcoming events.
Quent
Kent,
Thanks so much for your kind words! It’s greatly appreciated.
Hope to see you again soon!
Warm regards,
John Michael Coppola
Thanks, Kent, for your positive review of the Ides show at City Winery with special guest Cathy Richardson. Ya know that venue is just about perfect for what we do.
Intimate enough to tell stories and do unplugged, large enough to make you feel like stars. Lol!
Thx for coming with your entourage and thanks for your vital support through the years.
We are doing the final mix touch ups today on Play On then it’s off to Sterling in NYC for mastering. The production by Fred Mollin (Jimmy Webb, America) is incredible and, of course, Larry Millas at the engineering mast means great sound. The artwork is by Mark Alano and the photos by our own photo ninja, Kristie Schram, are outstanding.
Have a rocking week.
See you at the Arcada for Cornerstones on April 14!
Peace and love –
Jimbo
Awesome mini-review! Very cool!
Let’s go see The Four C-Notes again in the summer! They are so good.
Paige
They’re doing a number of outdoor shows this summer … and I would definitely be up for another show! It’s a date! (kk)
>>>I’ve got to be careful here … at the rate that I’ve been running Jim Peterik reviews lately, I’m bordering on challenging Shelley Sweet-Tufano and her Peter Noone / Herman’s Hermits / Noonatics obsession for most reviews posted for the same artist! (kk)
And here we are, coming up on March 15th, the Ides of March. It would be time consuming (and probably a waste of time) to go back and count them all for each of us. So, let the reviews continue, Kent.
Having a stable concert group is like having a fan base or a base theatre ... just there to continue your quality of life (or music).
I just put in requests on the East Coast for the Ides ... Always welcome here!
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
You’ll be knocked out!
They travel some (obviously if they’re doing the Moody Blues Cruise again this year!!!) They’re an impossible act to follow.
They’ve played The House Of Blues here several times … that would be a GREAT venue for them to perform at out your way … or how about Daryl’s House??? (Jim would have to fly us out there for that one … man, what a show that would be!!!)
Feel free to pass along ANY of our reviews to potential booking agents as a solid endorsement. I can only promise you that once they play there and win over the crowd, venues will be begging them to come back so that they can host them too! (Sadly, I have to miss the next Cornerstones show in April … it’s my grandson’s FIRST birthday!!!
Actually it’s been over a year now since we’ve seen a Cornerstones show … so we’re about due to catch it again … I’m sure more dates will be added before the year is up!) kk
Did Atlanta Rhythm Section play “I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight?”
I liked that song when it came out. Some stations did not play it because of the lyric 'tomorrow I might go as far as suicide.' It did get to #14 in Billboard.
Phil Nee – WRCO
They sure did … this has proven to be one of their most enduring tracks … VERY Southern Rock … and the fans loved it. (This is one of those that gets stuck in my head fairly often!) kk
THE ZOMBIES:
How cool is this?!?! The Zombies have just been added to the New York Fest For Beatles Fans coming up later this month.
After their Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction on Friday, March 29th, The Zombies will drop by The Fest the very next day (Saturday, March 30th) at 5:45 to be part of “In Conversation With Ken Dashow of Q104.3!!!
This is a VERY last minute addition and announcement … and they’ll only be able to hang around long enough to do the show (meaning no time to stick around for a signing session.) However, they WILL be offering some pre-signed merchandise for sale at a table specially set up in the foyer. If any of our readers are able to catch this show, please let us know all about it! (kk)
Lots of survey talk lately in Forgotten Hits. (Of course we run a 50th Anniversary WLS Chart every Sunday on our web page, often tying in special features spotlighting the songs and artists who were popular back then.)
Recently we ran an inquiry from FH Reader Bill Oakey regarding what his survey collection might be worth. And now I have been copied in on this brand new email chain asking much the same thing. (Fortunately, we’ve got some pretty heavy-hitting survey dealers and authorities on the list … so we’ll leave this one in their capable hands.) But if you’ve got some similar inquiries (or may be looking to expand your own collection), please contact us and we will be happy to pass your information either thru these pages or via email to the appropriate sources.
I got your name this morning at a vintage record dealer convention in Eugene, OR. I have a collection of WLS Silver Dollar Surveys which I amassed during my high school years in Winnetka, IL. My first one is dated May 20, 1961, and I have a complete year of the surveys ending on May 19, 1962. I then have many more surveys with random missing dates from June 2, 1962 through August 27, 1965 as well as one final Silver Dollar Survey dated September 9, 1968. In total, I have over 150 WLS Silver Dollar Surveys in basically mint condition covering the period from May, 1961 - September, 1968.
My questions to you:
1) Is there a market for these items in the record memorabilia market?
2) If so, can you give me any sense of whether they have any value?
3) Finally, can you point me in the direction of any collectors who might be interested in purchasing this collection?
Thanks for considering my questions. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Hank Hoell
FH List Member Frank Merrill replied:
Hi Hank,
It seems pretty strange that I'm not really the right person to ask ... BUT I'm the right person who can get the word out. My own eBay experience with these things is effectively non-existent: I can't REALLY consider the eight or nine surveys I listed and sold in 2004 (?) to be at all relevant anymore. I will say, though, that you do have items with some value here.
Interestingly I live less than ten miles from Winnetka, especially if taking Sheridan Road (and on up from there) from my Edgewater location ... there was no reason you would expect me to be living in Chicago. At the time, whoever gave you my address originally got it from me, I didn't even have a clue that I'd be living in Chic a-Go Go later. That only developed entirely from scratch in the last 26 months and the city was never even on my radar before Boxing Day, 2016 (when, of all people, Jello Biafra planted the idea when we were talking on the phone).
The early WLS surveys are far harder to find than, say, 1968 or middle-70s ones. In all my years, I've only seen a handful before 1963, though Jack Levin (who was also copied in on this chain – kk) is familiar with them and he knows the market extremely well.
Besides my own reply, I'm sending BCC's to Jack (in far downstate Ill-Annoy, a couple hundred miles south of me) and five other guys. Any or all of these guys might express interest … I'm thinking most likely Kent, Carl, and/or Jack, but any of the other guys might especially value your early complete [non-calendar] year's worth. You might even manage to get some "bites" from one or two of these guys wanting you to scan some of these (and possibly pay you a nominal-but-adequate amount via PayPal or something) … or offering to buy them all.
Hank, it would also be good to look on eBay and search for [WLS radio survey] - ADVANCED search "all of these words in any sequence" or however they set it up - and check the COMPLETED LISTINGS box. It's even possible that a simple search for nothing more than "WLS" or [WLS RADIO - all of these words in any sequence] to bring up *SOLD* surveys only. That tells more of what the market truly is, than looking at listings that might not be selling (like the stray person in Texas, or something, who might list an early 1962 one for $200 and never sell it). Looking at COMPLETED LISTINGS, they have a color-code for items which did or did not sell, though I forgot what it is.
Getting an idea of the market … and then deciding what is acceptable for you to get for these surveys, should help you sell them maybe to one of the guys getting the BCC of this email. Keep in mind, of course, that it will mean that somebody else will be doing all the work, eBay fees, etc. (all of which is considerable), so if there's interest in these and you get a fair offer and / or fair "second opinion," go ahead and think about taking it. For one thing, I don't know if Jack may already be "flooded" with WLS surveys of this vintage - I actually doubt it, though I know he has thousands of them from the 70s and late sixties.
Good luck finding a good home for these where everybody is happy with the results. WHAT CONDITION are they in? Are they pristine, or "used" and / or marked up, etc.? That can be important, too.
FRANK MERRILL
If anybody else out there wants to get in on this action, please drop me a note and I’ll be happy to pass it along.
My take is that the 1961 and 1962 WLS surveys (if mint condition as described) would be by far the most valuable … so yes, I believe you will find a buyer for these. But to add to Frank’s point, someone who is also a dealer will pay considerably less for them, even in bulk, because they have to be able to add their own mark-up to these items in order to make a buck. So I guess it really depends on how actively you want to be involved. If you’re looking to just “dump and run” and make a quick buck, that should be a relatively easy thing to do. But if you want to realize your maximum yield, this may take awhile … plus you open yourself up to interested parties “cherry-picking” only the surveys they want or need to complete their own collection. I would suggest that if you are going to pursue the eBay option yourself, you still offer the collection “in bulk” so that you don’t get stuck with a bunch of random weeks that virtually nobody wants. That’s my two cents. (kk)
BC:
Burton Cummings returns to The Arcada Theatre on Saturday, August 3rd. (He’s also got a full band show at The Genesee Theatre on May 16th. But STILL no “official” news on a pairing of Cummings and Randy Bachman for the Soundstage Taping of a brief US tour. Stay tuned … once it’s announced, we’ll have all of the details here. (kk)
THIS AND THAT:
Why oh why oh why???
Why on EARTH is there all this talk about a “Bohemian Rhapsody” sequel???
Why does Hollywood have to take EVERY good, new and unique idea and then milk the life out of it trying to recreate the magic? They just beat it to death until all the life and joy is gone, all in the name of the mighty buck!
The story that needed to be told has been told … all of the best music has been featured … Rami Malek has won his Oscar … the film is closing in on a ONE BILLION DOLLAR GROSS (oh … THAT’S why … forget quality … just churn ‘em out and see how many people you can sucker in to paying to see it again!)
PLEASE don’t ruin this by milking it to death. Please don’t permanently cramp Rami’s acting career by throwing so much money at him that he can’t say no, only to be forever typecast and remembered for the failure of a lesser quality film.
Don’t do it!!! Let the memory stand as is. Take the money and run … and maybe, you know, go out and get a NEW idea about a story that needs to be told! (kk)
That slowed-down Angels record is just blinkin' unbelievable!
But I KNOW some scientist, somewhere, given the honest chance, can explain it in terms we all can understand! :-P
Bob Frable
kk:
Brenda Lee … Little Miss Dynamite … talks about her incredible career.
FB
https://www.wsmv.com/news/music-icon-brenda-lee-talks-about-her-incredible-career/article_f2515c8a-43a1-11e9-8f14-abf295f1f15a.html?fbclid=IwAR3OGn86WsNOWa_anqLgw_jRm3BcpjyHBUymSClKmsm3GT_gTypA48u1RU8
Hi Kent,
This article appeared in Wednesday’s LA Times. Thought it might be of interest to you and/or your readers.
Lovin’ your posts!
Jerry Reuss
http://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=a64c4a11-04c2-4b55-bc56-613d261122fe
After our article ran the other day regarding the film being shown at The Smithsonian Institute regarding the Buddy Holly plane crash … and L.J. Coon’s insistence that the film should be modified … he received this response from The Smithsonian …
The Smithsonian
Melinda Machado
Director Communications and Marketing
Constitution Avenue, NW
Between 12th and 14th Streets
Washington, D.C.
Mr. Coon:
Thank you for your message about The Smithsonian documentary.
Your correspondence has been forwarded to The Smithsonian channel which is responsible for making films at The Smithsonian.
Baby steps, LJ, baby steps! But you’re being heard! (kk)
Still loving FH and still reading, and it's still awesome.
I was watching old cartoons from the 60's on Youtube the other day and came across one called Super Six. I watched it as a kid, not because it was a good one, but it was the best one on in its time period. With only our three networks back in the day, sometimes we had to settle for the best of the worst.
When the theme started to play on Youtube I thought that the singer had to be Gary Lewis. I did some digging and sure enough it was! I believe this to be 1966.
Bad cartoon, and not a great theme, but we all love our top 40 trivia.
Bill Scherer
kk:
Brenda Lee … Little Miss Dynamite … talks about her incredible career.
FB
https://www.wsmv.com/news/music-icon-brenda-lee-talks-about-her-incredible-career/article_f2515c8a-43a1-11e9-8f14-abf295f1f15a.html?fbclid=IwAR3OGn86WsNOWa_anqLgw_jRm3BcpjyHBUymSClKmsm3GT_gTypA48u1RU8
Hi Kent,
This article appeared in Wednesday’s LA Times. Thought it might be of interest to you and/or your readers.
Lovin’ your posts!
Jerry Reuss
http://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=a64c4a11-04c2-4b55-bc56-613d261122fe
After our article ran the other day regarding the film being shown at The Smithsonian Institute regarding the Buddy Holly plane crash … and L.J. Coon’s insistence that the film should be modified … he received this response from The Smithsonian …
The Smithsonian
Melinda Machado
Director Communications and Marketing
Constitution Avenue, NW
Between 12th and 14th Streets
Washington, D.C.
Mr. Coon:
Thank you for your message about The Smithsonian documentary.
Your correspondence has been forwarded to The Smithsonian channel which is responsible for making films at The Smithsonian.
Baby steps, LJ, baby steps! But you’re being heard! (kk)
Still loving FH and still reading, and it's still awesome.
I was watching old cartoons from the 60's on Youtube the other day and came across one called Super Six. I watched it as a kid, not because it was a good one, but it was the best one on in its time period. With only our three networks back in the day, sometimes we had to settle for the best of the worst.
When the theme started to play on Youtube I thought that the singer had to be Gary Lewis. I did some digging and sure enough it was! I believe this to be 1966.
Bad cartoon, and not a great theme, but we all love our top 40 trivia.
Bill Scherer
Never even heard of this show before … but you’re right … the theme is pretty awful! (lol) kk
Hoping to see Gary at Mike Bush’s Gala Photo Exhibit this Friday Night (March 15th)
The show runs through April 5th and, in addition to opening night, Michael will be there each Saturday from Noon to 5 pm. (The gallery is closed on Sunday)
The Zhou B Art Center is located at 1029 W. 35th Street in Chicago (right near Sox Park) and Mike’s “61 At 61” Gallery will be on display in the second floor exhibition space.
Please try to come by if you live in the area.
Hoping to see Gary at Mike Bush’s Gala Photo Exhibit this Friday Night (March 15th)
The show runs through April 5th and, in addition to opening night, Michael will be there each Saturday from Noon to 5 pm. (The gallery is closed on Sunday)
The Zhou B Art Center is located at 1029 W. 35th Street in Chicago (right near Sox Park) and Mike’s “61 At 61” Gallery will be on display in the second floor exhibition space.
Please try to come by if you live in the area.
Gary Lewis (of the Playboys) said: "Mike and I have been friends since 1985. I met him when he was taking photos of the first Happy Together tour and doing a great job of it. His stuff is all quality, and I've used many of his photos on my website and for promo shots. I will be there to wish him well on his first showing!" David Somerville (lead singer of The Diamonds) – called MGB: “The rock star of rock photographers.”
Davy Jones (of The Monkees) – called MGB: "The best kept secret in rock & roll photography."
Radio legend, Dick Biondi - called MGB: “The greatest rock & roll photographer in the country."
Jim Peterik (Grammy winning member of The Ides of March, formerly of Survivor, and of .38 Special fame): "I've known Mike Bush since 1983, and was immediately impressed by his amazing eye behind the camera to capture the very essence of live performance. That is a talent that goes beyond mere technique and goes deeper to his appreciation of music and a passion that rivals the passion of the performers onstage. '61 at 61' will prove to be a must see treat for everyone that shares the same enthusiasm for capturing those magic moments".
Jimy Sohns (The Shadows of Knight): "Michael is an amazing photographer. He has the ability to capture every side of me, and there are many! He captures the soul of everyone he photographs. MICHAEL G. BUSH FOR MAYOR! I'd vote for him..."
Ronnie Rice (The New Colony Six): "Anyone who's met Michael knows he loves his craft, and it shows in his photos. He's a nice guy with a big heart, and he's been a loyal friend."
Carl Giammarese (The Buckinghams): "The artistry that Michael Bush shows in his photographs is because of his innate talent and his devotion to the music of our generations. Combining his devotion to his art and love of music, Michael channels his focus on the heart and soul of the performers he photographs. His pictures have that “something else” factor that distinguish his talent. For four decades, The Buckinghams have enjoyed his photographs and our friendship. I look forward to his “Legends” photo exhibit at the Zhou B Art Center."
TOMMY JAMES (Shondells): "I have known Mike for decades, and he is without a doubt one of the most talented and nicest people you are ever going to meet...He has a way of getting intimate expressions and moments from the people he photographs, and really captures who they are. I am very proud to call him my friend, and wish him great success on this wonderful project."
Here are a couple more exclusive shots that Michael sent me to feature in Forgotten Hits ... both will be on display at the gallery ...
We've been buggin' him for twenty years to show his work to the public ... SO many great photos and experiences to share ... yet for whatever reason he's been reluctant to do so ... until his Mother finally told him, "I want to see you do something with all these photos before I die!!!"
That was all the inspiration he needed ... so thank you, Mama Bush, for giving him that healthy kick in the pants!
Hope to see some of you out there. (kk)
Hello Kent -
Just an FYI –
I posted an excerpt from the recently released "Good Vibrations - Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys in Critical Perspective" (edited by Philip Lambert; music professor and serious Beach Boys fan)
https://prayforsurfblog.blogspot.com/?m=1
Phil
Pray For Surf blog
Hi Kent,
A few years ago, I sent you a comprehensive list of 50’s & 60’s instrumentals with vocal versions. Many of the vocals are quite rare and fascinating. Now, they are being posted to a YouTube channel by a music scholar named Bob Mokus. His user name is MusicProf78.
You might want to put this link on your Forgotten Hits blog. It’s nice to be able to click on any of the renditions and listen to the song. Bob has posted most of the material, but it is still a work in progress, so, people can get started exploring and then come back for the new additions. Bob has included a few hits from the 40’s, but the vast majority are from the 50’s & 60’s. And he has uncovered some that I was not aware of.
By the way, his channel has several playlists that your blog readers would certainly enjoy. I especially like the one that has the first recordings of popular hits.
Here is the link to the instrumental / vocals playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTFzQlK7fWk_RGMKhNnGZNKBZcM8tQ3bZ
This is a fun site … I’ve already been playing around on here for the past hour! Check it out, folks! (kk)
