What could be more patriotic over 4th of July weekend than to feature the band America on CBS Morning?
FH Reader Tom Cuddy sent us this clip. (We’re rarely up this early on a Sunday Morning … but they seem to have some EXCELLENT music features every week.)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/america-the-band-still-touring-after-50-years-2019-07-07/
TOMMY, CAN YOU HEAR ME?:
Have you seen the new HP commercial featuring Tommy James’ “I Think We’re Alone Now”? Pretty clever spot … and great use of the tune (which gets pretty full exposure) … the idea being “what are the kinds of things you might do when you think nobody is watching.”
Speaking of Tommy James, scroll back to yesterday’s post to see Tommy back in the #1 position on this week’s WLS Hit Parade Chart from exactly fifty years ago.
Tommy was always VERY big here in Chicago, earning SEVEN #1 Records on WLS between 1966 and 1971 … HANKY PANKY, I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW, MIRAGE, MONY MONY, CRIMSON AND CLOVER, CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION and DRAGGIN’ THE LINE all topped the charts here. In addition, SAY I AM (#2) and SWEET CHERRY WINE (#4) also made The Top Five. (Crosstown rival WCFL added I’M COMIN’ HOME (#4) and NOTHING TO HIDE (#2) to that Top Five tally.)
He still sells out every time he plays here … which he will again on September 21st at The Arcada Theatre. (kk)
A COUPLE OF MINI CONCERT REVIEWS:
Tom Apathy files this report (and shares a few photos) from The Spinners’ concert he attended the other night at Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside, Ohio …
A tight band with great vocals and rocking choreography, The Spinners put on an amazing show performing all the hits at a steamy Hoover Auditorium at Lakeside, Ohio. The Spinners were non-stop excitement performing It's A Shame, I'll Be Around, Could It Be I'm Falling In Love, One Of A Kind (Love Affair), Mighty Love, Sadie, They Just Can't Stop It (Games People Play), The Rubberband Man, Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me Girl and Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time/Havin' A Party.
Tom
More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/tom.apathy/media_set?set=a.10219373995005179&type=3
Kent,
My wife Barb and I just got home from a late afternoon Summerfest concert by The Association. Under a bright, sunny Senior Day sky, a large crowd thoroughly enjoyed a trip down historic pop memory lane. Fronted by original members Jim Yester and Jules Alexander, with son-of-original (Brian Cole) Jordan Cole, brother-of-original (Larry Ramos) Del Ramos, Bruce Pictor, and Paul Holland, the group breezed through their collection of hits and a few of their favorite covers.
The vocals were great, punctuated by the group’s signature harmonies and fine musical accompaniment. Highlights for me were rousing renditions of Along Comes Mary, Windy, Six-Man Band and the encore song, Good-Bye Columbus. Catch these guys if you can. They stay true to their music, appear to truly enjoy performing together, and put on a great show.
Bob Verbos
And, speaking of incredible shows, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman ARE reuniting after all this year … but, as of right now anyway, it’s only for a one-time appearance at the Casa Loma Charity Concert to be held on July 18th in Toronto. (This is not a cheap ticket … face value is $2500 … and I’m willing to bet that they’re selling them for far more than that if you can get your hands on one!)
Billed as “Music Under The Stars,” the show promises to feature their biggest hits along with stories behind those hits. It is also a way to re-establish themselves as the rightful kings to the throne when it comes to the incredible music created by The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive while other “pretenders” are out performing using these names, thus deceiving the public as to what they’re really going to see and hear.
More details can be found in this EXCELLENT article / interview:
https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2019/07/05/bachman-cummings-united-casa-loma-charity-concert
(I know Ron Onesti is still hoping to reunite the pair for another Soundstage appearance … and we’d LOVE to see them pull it together one last time and treat us to their incredible array of hits. Stay tuned for more details as the develop!) kk
>>>After seeing Danny Seraphine's name come up a few times this week, I thought I'd pass this tidbit along. (Mike Wolstein)
Danny was "swinging" in April, 1967, as drummer for Chicago's Missing Links. The band was still missing a few links before morphing into the Big Thing and eventually Chicago Transit Authority and then Chicago a few years later. Despite that, FOUR of the original Chicago band members were in the Missing Links and no doubt, listening closely to the headline act, the Mob, who they replaced on the Mob's nights off. The Mob's horns were what Chicago would soon bring to the table big time.
Check out the late April, 1967, clip from the Trib about the Mob playing at the Happy Medium.
(And how about the Cryan’ Shames AND the Turtles TOGETHER at the Opera House! MAN, would that have been a FUN event? Which band would play "We'll Meet Again" which BOTH recorded and released?)
Clark Besch
And, speaking of incredible shows, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman ARE reuniting after all this year … but, as of right now anyway, it’s only for a one-time appearance at the Casa Loma Charity Concert to be held on July 18th in Toronto. (This is not a cheap ticket … face value is $2500 … and I’m willing to bet that they’re selling them for far more than that if you can get your hands on one!)
Billed as “Music Under The Stars,” the show promises to feature their biggest hits along with stories behind those hits. It is also a way to re-establish themselves as the rightful kings to the throne when it comes to the incredible music created by The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive while other “pretenders” are out performing using these names, thus deceiving the public as to what they’re really going to see and hear.
More details can be found in this EXCELLENT article / interview:
https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2019/07/05/bachman-cummings-united-casa-loma-charity-concert
(I know Ron Onesti is still hoping to reunite the pair for another Soundstage appearance … and we’d LOVE to see them pull it together one last time and treat us to their incredible array of hits. Stay tuned for more details as the develop!) kk
>>>After seeing Danny Seraphine's name come up a few times this week, I thought I'd pass this tidbit along. (Mike Wolstein)
Danny was "swinging" in April, 1967, as drummer for Chicago's Missing Links. The band was still missing a few links before morphing into the Big Thing and eventually Chicago Transit Authority and then Chicago a few years later. Despite that, FOUR of the original Chicago band members were in the Missing Links and no doubt, listening closely to the headline act, the Mob, who they replaced on the Mob's nights off. The Mob's horns were what Chicago would soon bring to the table big time.
Check out the late April, 1967, clip from the Trib about the Mob playing at the Happy Medium.
(And how about the Cryan’ Shames AND the Turtles TOGETHER at the Opera House! MAN, would that have been a FUN event? Which band would play "We'll Meet Again" which BOTH recorded and released?)
Clark Besch
Here's Mob member James Holvay's take on the above clipping:
Hi Clark:
Wow, I never saw this clipping, but I remember playing at The Happy Medium. That was a big gig for us. Prior to us performing there, they only had adult-type music acts there. We were the first rock band to perform at that club. The folks that owned the Happy Medium were taking a chance.
We had recently lost our lead singer Little Artie to “the draft” and had to change our whole show around. Our manager suggested his older brother Al who, at the time, just played sax and sang a few harmony parts.
We were still experimenting with different songs and hadn’t really had our act together yet. That took a while, but I guess we did okay at that gig. They didn’t fire us. (ha, ha) Here’s a Holvay Trivia Point for you ...
It was on one of our breaks between shows that Gary and I wrote “Susan” on the piano there.
Thanks for the article.
James
BTW, James is recording new music. I'll let you know when it is available!!!
Clark
Wow! Now that’s a pretty amazing bit of trivia to be sure! Thanks, guys. (THIS is the kind of stuff you can’t find anywhere else!!!) kk
And, speaking of Danny Seraphine, his show at The Arcada Theatre (with CTA and special guests Leonid and Friends, a Russian Chicago tribute band) is THIS FRIDAY NIGHT (July 12th) … but if you wanna go, you’d better act fast, because tickets are nearly sold out for this one! (Can you still get me in, Ron???) This should be a pretty incredible night of music. (kk)
OLD TIME RADIO FUN:
Big Jay Sorensen sent us this link airing vintage WNBC radio segments of “The Time Machine,” many of which feature his programs from back in the day. (It’s a non-stop play link and, from the sounds of things, you never really know what you’re going to hear next … so check it out for a fun walk and listen down memory lane.)
Some guy is streaming the WNNNBC Time Machine, mostly featuring my shows.
Enjoy!
BE BIG!
Jay
This is the link: https://streaming.radio.co/s88a0bddf2/listen
50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK:
>>>July 2nd, 1969 – Bassist Noel Redding and Drummer Mitch Mitchell quit The Jimi Hendrix Experience after performing at the three day Denver Pop Music Festival held at Mile High Stadium. Mitchell would team back up with Jimi Hendrix (along with new bassist Billy Cox) later this year to form the new (but short-lived) group Gypsy Sun and Rainbows … which is the act that performed at Woodstock six weeks later. (kk)
>>>The Band of Gypsys consisted of Jimi Hendrix on guitar / vocals, Buddy Miles on drums / vocals, and Billy Cox on bass / vocals. Although this talented group was short-lived, they left a colossal footprint on the world of music. Their four live performances on Dec. 31st, 1969 – Jan. 1st, 1970 at the Fillmore East in NYC. (Ken Voss)
****I was there!**** New Year’s Eve, 1969, at the Fillmore East, New York City, NY.
I know that this concert is very highly rated ... but Kent, between you and me, I fell asleep in the 5th row. It "seemed" like a great concert, but you see, Kent, I was three months pregnant, so I had an excuse to go to sleep. <smiles>
Sandy
Thus memorable for SO many reasons! (lol) Thanks, Sandy! (kk)
KEEP THOSE VOTES COMING!:
Ballot #1 is now officially closed … but, as of 5:00 this morning, you can still vote for your favorites and most-deserving titles from ballots #2, #3 and #4 … with a brand new ballot posting EVERY morning at 5 am Chicago time thru Monday, August 19th.
https://classicrockessentials.blogspot.com/
Top Ten Vote Getters from Ballot #1:
1- Ah! Leah – Donnie Iris
2 - All You Need Is Love – Beatles
3 - All Right Now – Free
4 - Africa – Toto
5 - 19th Nervous Breakdown – Rolling Stones
6 - All The Young Dudes – Mott The Hoople
7 - 25 or 6 to 4 – Chicago
8 - All My Lovin’ – Beatles
9 - All Day And All Of The Night – Kinks
10 - Abbey Road Medley – Beatles
And, if a couple of these don’t strike you as surprises (pay attention, Classic Rock Radio … listeners want Donnie Iris and Mott The Hoople!) … here are a few others that fared far better than I would have expected:
The Bob Dylan version of All Along The Watchtower
All I Need Is A Miracle by Mike and the Mechanics
All Shook Up by Elvis Presley
All Summer Long by The Beach Boys
All Those Years Ago by George Harrison
All You Zombies by The Hooters
After The Goldrush by Neil Young
After The Love Has Gone by Earth, Wind and Fire
Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers
Ain’t Too Proud To Beg by The Temptations
Air That I Breathe by The Hollies
Albert Flasher by The Guess Who
Alison by Elvis Costello
10538 Overture by ELO
13 Questions by Seatrain
1984 by Spirit
1985 by Bowling For Soup
1999 by Prince
20th Century Fox by The Doors
21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson
30 Days In The Hole by Humble Pie
’39 by Queen
500 Miles by The Proclaimers
59th Street Bridge Song by Harpers Bizarre (outranking the Simon and Garfunkel version 3-to-1)
867-5309 by Tommy Tutone
96 Tears by ? and the Mysterians
Absolutely Right by The Five Man Electrical Band
and Acadian Driftwood by The Band
Now we know you’re NEVER going to play them all …
But the listeners and fans have spoken …
And these are just some of the songs that THEY feel not only fit the format, but would also sound ear-appealing coming out of their radios once in awhile.
Trust me … by the time the final countdown is released, you’ll have HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of other to choose from. (This is only the 1st Ballot!!!)
Now who’s ready to test the waters? And, if you should be so bold, please report back to us with the results! (kk)
At least with OUR list you know you’re going to be getting the REAL DEAL …
Check out this American Bandstand clipping that FH Reader Clark Besch sent in …
Does anyone ever wonder HOW Dick Clark came up with his national TV Top 10 boards?
Usually, he was a week or two behind the national publications and a LITTLE bit closer to their top 10's, but WOW!, 1964 must have been a good payola year for Dick!
Check his Top 10 board below vs. Billboard’s Top 10 for that same week!
I used to always like seeing the AB board because it had a few odd things, but this is beyond odd -- it's insane!
I don't even KNOW what six of the AB Top 10 sound like!
Here's the actual VIDEO clip I took the Top 10 pic below from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Re2eYmxPI
Hi Clark:
Wow, I never saw this clipping, but I remember playing at The Happy Medium. That was a big gig for us. Prior to us performing there, they only had adult-type music acts there. We were the first rock band to perform at that club. The folks that owned the Happy Medium were taking a chance.
We had recently lost our lead singer Little Artie to “the draft” and had to change our whole show around. Our manager suggested his older brother Al who, at the time, just played sax and sang a few harmony parts.
We were still experimenting with different songs and hadn’t really had our act together yet. That took a while, but I guess we did okay at that gig. They didn’t fire us. (ha, ha) Here’s a Holvay Trivia Point for you ...
It was on one of our breaks between shows that Gary and I wrote “Susan” on the piano there.
Thanks for the article.
James
BTW, James is recording new music. I'll let you know when it is available!!!
Clark
Wow! Now that’s a pretty amazing bit of trivia to be sure! Thanks, guys. (THIS is the kind of stuff you can’t find anywhere else!!!) kk
And, speaking of Danny Seraphine, his show at The Arcada Theatre (with CTA and special guests Leonid and Friends, a Russian Chicago tribute band) is THIS FRIDAY NIGHT (July 12th) … but if you wanna go, you’d better act fast, because tickets are nearly sold out for this one! (Can you still get me in, Ron???) This should be a pretty incredible night of music. (kk)
OLD TIME RADIO FUN:
Big Jay Sorensen sent us this link airing vintage WNBC radio segments of “The Time Machine,” many of which feature his programs from back in the day. (It’s a non-stop play link and, from the sounds of things, you never really know what you’re going to hear next … so check it out for a fun walk and listen down memory lane.)
Some guy is streaming the WNNNBC Time Machine, mostly featuring my shows.
Enjoy!
BE BIG!
Jay
This is the link: https://streaming.radio.co/s88a0bddf2/listen
50 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK:
>>>July 2nd, 1969 – Bassist Noel Redding and Drummer Mitch Mitchell quit The Jimi Hendrix Experience after performing at the three day Denver Pop Music Festival held at Mile High Stadium. Mitchell would team back up with Jimi Hendrix (along with new bassist Billy Cox) later this year to form the new (but short-lived) group Gypsy Sun and Rainbows … which is the act that performed at Woodstock six weeks later. (kk)
>>>The Band of Gypsys consisted of Jimi Hendrix on guitar / vocals, Buddy Miles on drums / vocals, and Billy Cox on bass / vocals. Although this talented group was short-lived, they left a colossal footprint on the world of music. Their four live performances on Dec. 31st, 1969 – Jan. 1st, 1970 at the Fillmore East in NYC. (Ken Voss)
****I was there!**** New Year’s Eve, 1969, at the Fillmore East, New York City, NY.
I know that this concert is very highly rated ... but Kent, between you and me, I fell asleep in the 5th row. It "seemed" like a great concert, but you see, Kent, I was three months pregnant, so I had an excuse to go to sleep. <smiles>
Sandy
Thus memorable for SO many reasons! (lol) Thanks, Sandy! (kk)
KEEP THOSE VOTES COMING!:
Ballot #1 is now officially closed … but, as of 5:00 this morning, you can still vote for your favorites and most-deserving titles from ballots #2, #3 and #4 … with a brand new ballot posting EVERY morning at 5 am Chicago time thru Monday, August 19th.
https://classicrockessentials.blogspot.com/
Top Ten Vote Getters from Ballot #1:
1- Ah! Leah – Donnie Iris
2 - All You Need Is Love – Beatles
3 - All Right Now – Free
4 - Africa – Toto
5 - 19th Nervous Breakdown – Rolling Stones
6 - All The Young Dudes – Mott The Hoople
7 - 25 or 6 to 4 – Chicago
8 - All My Lovin’ – Beatles
9 - All Day And All Of The Night – Kinks
10 - Abbey Road Medley – Beatles
And, if a couple of these don’t strike you as surprises (pay attention, Classic Rock Radio … listeners want Donnie Iris and Mott The Hoople!) … here are a few others that fared far better than I would have expected:
The Bob Dylan version of All Along The Watchtower
All I Need Is A Miracle by Mike and the Mechanics
All Shook Up by Elvis Presley
All Summer Long by The Beach Boys
All Those Years Ago by George Harrison
All You Zombies by The Hooters
After The Goldrush by Neil Young
After The Love Has Gone by Earth, Wind and Fire
Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers
Ain’t Too Proud To Beg by The Temptations
Air That I Breathe by The Hollies
Albert Flasher by The Guess Who
Alison by Elvis Costello
10538 Overture by ELO
13 Questions by Seatrain
1984 by Spirit
1985 by Bowling For Soup
1999 by Prince
20th Century Fox by The Doors
21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson
30 Days In The Hole by Humble Pie
’39 by Queen
500 Miles by The Proclaimers
59th Street Bridge Song by Harpers Bizarre (outranking the Simon and Garfunkel version 3-to-1)
867-5309 by Tommy Tutone
96 Tears by ? and the Mysterians
Absolutely Right by The Five Man Electrical Band
and Acadian Driftwood by The Band
Now we know you’re NEVER going to play them all …
But the listeners and fans have spoken …
And these are just some of the songs that THEY feel not only fit the format, but would also sound ear-appealing coming out of their radios once in awhile.
Trust me … by the time the final countdown is released, you’ll have HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of other to choose from. (This is only the 1st Ballot!!!)
Now who’s ready to test the waters? And, if you should be so bold, please report back to us with the results! (kk)
At least with OUR list you know you’re going to be getting the REAL DEAL …
Check out this American Bandstand clipping that FH Reader Clark Besch sent in …
Does anyone ever wonder HOW Dick Clark came up with his national TV Top 10 boards?
Usually, he was a week or two behind the national publications and a LITTLE bit closer to their top 10's, but WOW!, 1964 must have been a good payola year for Dick!
Check his Top 10 board below vs. Billboard’s Top 10 for that same week!
I used to always like seeing the AB board because it had a few odd things, but this is beyond odd -- it's insane!
I don't even KNOW what six of the AB Top 10 sound like!
Here's the actual VIDEO clip I took the Top 10 pic below from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Re2eYmxPI
So where were the AB top 10 songs on Billboard that week?
Here ya go:
#1 was #1 (albeit the horrible 45 edit as heard in the video clip. Someone at MGM records made that slice with a machete!)
#2 was #66!!!
#3 was #80! Oh my!
#4 was #12
#5 was #40
#6 was #54
#7 was #14
#8 was #19
#9 was #5 (a glimpse of hope!)
And #10 was no longer in the Hot 100 after reaching #50 in a Five week run that ended the week before!
If he could manipulate the National Top 10 that much, he shoulda had the Coachmen or Smoke Ring up there, too!
I know we hear about "fake news" a lot today, but this damn near takes the cake!
Clark Besch
