Congrats on being the winner of the Jim Peterik and World Stage - Winds Of Change cd! So glad you dig it. You certainly listened hard - which is a real compliment to the time and passion that I and every guest artist poured into making this. Of course, it didn’t seem like work at the time. We were having too much fun!
Whether it
was flying to Atlanta to write with .38 Special or Nashville to craft a
song with Jason Scheff, or asking Mike Reno Of Loverboy to stay in
Chicago a few days after last year’s World Stage Show to write and
record, these are experiences that I live for.
And
of course, my good fortune of working with rock legend Dennis DeYoung
and he suggesting we put Proof Of Heaven (a great song we were writing
for his upcoming album) on World Stage! (Thanks, Denn!)
Yes,
every track has a story ... Gunnar and Nelson in my studio as they start
playing me this Stonesy guitar riff. I sort through my notebook and
start singing, “you got me falling like an Avalanche.” In 30 minutes we
had a song ... cut it the next day!
And of course that emotional
moment of silence after we listened to Jimi Jamison’s stellar voice fill
the control room as Larry Millas soloed it on a song we cut back in
2008, “Gonna Love You All Over The World” ... Omg. He was in the room
again as we cut a brand new track around him.
And yes,
classic friends like Kevin Chalfant, Kevin Cronin, and Night Ranger’s
powerhouse, Kelly Keagy are all rocking on this record.
But
also more recent friends like Danny Vaughn of Tyketto and Lars Safsund
and Robert Sall Of Sweden’s Work Of Art. And of course the amazing Toby
Hitchcock of Pride Of Lions.
To quote the line from a song
from the upcoming Ides Of March album, “Friends like you are hard to
find.” Indeed ... and a blessing to me every day.
Thanks, Kent, for all you
do to keep the lights on in the classic rock arena.
Rock on!
Jimbo
Paul McCartney, who just celebrated his 77th birthday on Tuesday, also made industry headlines last week for taking a drink of water on stage!!!
(Funny because I can’t think of an act I’ve seen who doesn’t grab that quick swig of water to keep their voices fresh while performing … but apparently this is a practice that Macca has never been fond of, dating back to an old showbiz adage. Funnier still in that The Beatles used to drink booze and eat sandwiches on stage all the time before Brian Epstein stepped in and cleaned up their act!)
FH Reader Phil Nee, who recently reviewed Paul’s show in Madison, WI, remarked how McCartney never took a drink during his entire three hour show. (How many 77 year old performers are still operating at this level these days???)
So when he took a few swallows the other night in Raleigh, NC, it made the press services! (Must have been a slow news day!)
McCartney explained on Chris Carter’s “Breakfast With The Beatles” radio program on Sirius / XM that he was feeling especially hoarse that night and at first thought he might just try to sneak a little swallow … but then realized, what the hell, and had an assistant bring the bottle of water out to him on stage. He then apologized to the audience and whet his whistle. (As fragile as McCartney’s voice has been these past several years, I would think he would try to take care of it the very best way he can on a regular basis … especially going out on the road for yet another extended tour of sold out shows.) Watch some of the YouTube videos posted of this concert and you’ll go thru three stages … starting off with some serious cringing, then feeling sad … and a bit embarrassed … that he just can’t do this anymore … that his once beautiful voice is gone … and then flat out begging him to stop … to call it a career. His voice cracking on “Here Today” is what prompted him to ask for the water … but it really doesn’t matter which song you watch … it’s a sad way to go out. (Remember 40+ years ago when all the critics made fun of Linda McCartney’s singing on “Live And Let Die”??? Wait till you hear Paul sing it!) The man scored a #1 album last year … he’s proven EVERYTHING anyone could EVER want to prove … it’s time to relax … and maybe write some songs for some younger singers to perform. kk
From Jessica Banov’s Raleigh News and Observer review:
He even made a little Paul McCartney history. He famously doesn’t drink water on stage during his shows — oh, his poor vocal chords — but after clearing his throat a few times during “Here Today,” he broke down. Now mind you, he already had sung more than 20 songs straight, so I’m not really fretting about the quality of his voice. After “Queenie Eye,” a bottle of water was brought to his piano.
McCartney explained on Chris Carter’s “Breakfast With The Beatles” radio program on Sirius / XM that he was feeling especially hoarse that night and at first thought he might just try to sneak a little swallow … but then realized, what the hell, and had an assistant bring the bottle of water out to him on stage. He then apologized to the audience and whet his whistle. (As fragile as McCartney’s voice has been these past several years, I would think he would try to take care of it the very best way he can on a regular basis … especially going out on the road for yet another extended tour of sold out shows.) Watch some of the YouTube videos posted of this concert and you’ll go thru three stages … starting off with some serious cringing, then feeling sad … and a bit embarrassed … that he just can’t do this anymore … that his once beautiful voice is gone … and then flat out begging him to stop … to call it a career. His voice cracking on “Here Today” is what prompted him to ask for the water … but it really doesn’t matter which song you watch … it’s a sad way to go out. (Remember 40+ years ago when all the critics made fun of Linda McCartney’s singing on “Live And Let Die”??? Wait till you hear Paul sing it!) The man scored a #1 album last year … he’s proven EVERYTHING anyone could EVER want to prove … it’s time to relax … and maybe write some songs for some younger singers to perform. kk
From Jessica Banov’s Raleigh News and Observer review:
He even made a little Paul McCartney history. He famously doesn’t drink water on stage during his shows — oh, his poor vocal chords — but after clearing his throat a few times during “Here Today,” he broke down. Now mind you, he already had sung more than 20 songs straight, so I’m not really fretting about the quality of his voice. After “Queenie Eye,” a bottle of water was brought to his piano.
So momentous was the occasion, McCartney called attention to it, and the sip was taken with a drum roll. “One of the things that people say to me when they’re seeing the show, ‘You didn’t take a drink of water the whole time,’” he told the crowd between sips.
“But tonight I’m going to,” he said. “A rule is broken. That’s what rules are for.”
Incredible. (Like I said, it must have been a slow news night!) kk
“But tonight I’m going to,” he said. “A rule is broken. That’s what rules are for.”
Incredible. (Like I said, it must have been a slow news night!) kk
Here's a review of the Mike and Micky show from Down Under ... sent into us by Micky's PR Guy David Salidor ...
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jun/19/the-monkees-review-nothing-left-to-prove-in-fun-and-moving-final-show
kk:
Father's Day, 2019, was the 43rd year in a row that Wild Wayne played "My Dad" on his show.
FLASHBACK to 1976 ...
Paul Peterson was living in Connecticut, not far from Wild Wayne. One afternoon Paul invited Wayne to his house for an interview session.
"My Dad" was written by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. It was written in the past tense and had to be changed for the Donna Reed Show since Dr. Stone (Carl Betz) was still alive.
Paul admitted that he could never hit the high note at the bridge to this song. He was always a 1/2 octave low.
During the recording session, something magical happened (according to Paul.) For the first time, he hit the note at the bridge.
FB
A few more random thoughts from Frank B ...
kk ...
--- I like that Top 500 Doo-Wop list ...
Only 4000 more to go.
--- Kent, do you remember the story about Led Zeppelin
being sued for ripping off opening from an instrumental
called "Taruas?" I read this in the newspaper ... Led
Zeppelin won the case. But the verdict was thrown out
because the judge made a mistake ... must be re-tried.
--- Was watching "Pawn Stars" over the weekend. This guy
had a guitar signed and hand painted by Phil Collens of
Def Leppard. I was mixing him up with Phil Collins of
Genesis. (That's how much I know about non Doo-Wop
music.) Pawn shop owner always calls an expert in to
verify signature.
SURPRISE - Phil Collens came in to verify his own
signature. He even played the guitar. It sold for $8,500.
--- Here's a Jerry Lee Lewis story.
You know that famous "Million Dollar Quartet" picture?
Elvis sitting at the piano, surrounded by Jerry Lee Lewis,
Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.
The Killer was being interviewed by Imus (IMUS IN THE
MORNING) and he asked Jerry Lee Lewis, "What were
you thinking when this picture was taken?" The killer
answered, "I was wondering why Elvis was sitting at the
piano?"
FB
TOOOO funny!!! (lol)
Yes, the "Stairway To Heaven" case is open again ... it's the case that won't go away. (Think about how much money this song has generated over the past 40-something years ... and then imagine being awarded it, denied it, awarded it, denied it and hanging in limbo all of that time!) kk
My niece lives in Pennsylvania and she went to a festival at Woodstock
over the weekend. She said they have an awesome outdoor amphitheater
and museum there now, and the lawn is closed off as hallowed ground!
She
sent this picture. Looks so calm and serene compared to the pictures
we’re used to seeing!!!
Marlene
Yes ... but then again Sox Park looked a whole lot calmer at last week's Disco Demolition Anniversary Celebration than it did on the night of the actual event, too! (lol) Thanks, Marlene! (kk)
I read with mild surprise your recent accolades for "The Israelites." I remember it being huge in England although #1 there for only one week. No doubt it would have held the top spot longer had it not been for "Get Back," which premiered at #1 the next week and stayed there for six weeks.
Reggae music was big in England in 1969. The Desmond Dekker song was the first reggae UK chart topper (although some will argue that The Marmalade's UK #1 cover of "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da deserved that honor.) Jamaican Max Romeo's "Wet Dream" was a UK top ten smash that year even though it was banned by the BBC. I remember seeing it in the UK music trade paper charts but never heard it. Radio Luxembourg wouldn't even play it. My first time hearing it was on the late Brian Matthew's BBC sixties oldies program about 13 years ago. How times change.
Desmond Dekker's followup single that Summer of 1969 was "It Mek" (meaning "that's why") which reached UK #7. It was completely ignored by US radio.
Although I love both of his songs I don't recall ever hearing "The Israelites" played on a US oldies radio station since I returned from London in the early seventies.
Desmond took up permanent UK residency in 1969. I've read that his professional name was inspired by London's double decker buses.
Mike GI'm not sure "It Mek" deserved to be a hit here ... not quite as catchy as "Israelites," is it?!?! (For the record, it DID Bubble Under on the Record World only chart at #105.)
"Israelites" was a VERY big hit here in Chicago back in '69, where it peaked at #4. It has continued to receive a fair amount of oldies airplay over the years ... and you'll DEFINITELY hear it this weekend as part of Me-TV-FM's salute to The Biggest Songs From The Summer of '69 ...
Speaking of which ...
Hi Kent -
Hope you and family are doing exceptionally well.
I can't get 87.7FM on my 2018 car radio ... kills me. My wife gets it in her Mini Cooper!
I've been looking for an app to stream it to my stereo.
Radio.com offers 99.1hd, which, I think, is the same station as 87.7 FM MeTV FM.
Do you know if the two broadcast the same content, just different call letters?
Warmly,
Ron Kolman
I have the same issue with my car ...
We can pick up the station just fine in our 2005 Jeep ... but not in our 2015 Dodge! (Unlike most people I hear from, though, it also comes in crystal clear on our clock radio)
Me-TV-FM Chicago doesn't stream ... and apparently has no plans to do so ... so the links that I am providing are from the Milwaukee feed.
It's NOT the exact same show ... but it IS the same format and, with a few exceptions, the same musical content ... and Rick O'Dell tells me that ALL Me-TV-FM affiliates across the country will be featuring our Top 50 Biggest Songs Of Summer, 1969, throughout the weekend ... so check it out thru whatever means you can! (kk)
