We've got a nice new batch of comments to share with you on Monday Morning instead ...
So now, on with the show!
CLASSIC ROCK VOTE:
Watch for a new update later this week via email as to the results of our most recent balloting. (With over 800,000 votes tabulated now, this list will HAVE to be viewed as the definitive ranking by classic rock fans all over the country. Thank you all again for your on-going support.)
Kent ...
I hope you are enjoying your summer. Your classic rock vote survey is certainly making my summer interesting. I am having fun making the decisions for my favorites on every ballot.
Kent, you have so many connections and influence. Perhaps sharing the results of this classic rock list will enable you to illustrate to the Chicago oldies stations that there needs to be a bigger variety of songs. And maybe if the Chicago radio stations respond and change their format by adding a lot more songs, then the other national radio stations will follow suit. Not playing all of the great songs that are out there is like a library not being able to supply all of the classic books! There is a treasure trove of great songs! Sounds like our freedoms are being eroded.
Thanks for all you do!
God bless.
********KENT FOR PRESIDENT!!!********
Sandy Lopez
My hope is that radio stations WILL absorb SOMETHING from a list like this. A TREMENDOUS amount of work went into putting this whole thing together … and the response of what I’m SURE will be over a million votes CANNOT be ignored. Like I’ve always said, we’re not suggesting that any or all of these songs belong in heavy rotation … just that you mix it up a little bit … that’s what variety is all about. Clearly, your listeners will appreciate it more … and more listeners means more exposure for your advertisers (which is what REALLY drives the whole radio market anyway.) Revenue … that’s the name of the game … and we believe that more variety will bring you more revenue by way of more listeners and better word of mouth. Set yourself apart from all these other cookie-cutter radio stations across the country and provide something more that will draw more listeners in.
As for all of you out there voting, thank you, thank you, thank you. We’re providing you with the voice to show classic rock radio what you really want. But YOU hve to speak up, too. Contact your local and internet classic rock stations and tell them about this amazing list that we’ve all put together. Let’s make this thing MEAN something. That’s all we’re asking … let’s have some fun with this … and let’s see our efforts rewarded by way of more music and more variety! As to everything else, leave all the stressing out to me! (lol) kk
DID YOU VOTE TODAY???
COMMENTS ON OUR RECENT REVIEWS:
ELO:
ELO didn't include their best hit ever -- 1981's "Hold On Tight"?!"
Gary Theroux
"The History of Rock 'n' Roll"
Nope! I missed that one, too … always one of my favorites.
It was essentially the same show we saw last year (although, in my opinion, better executed this time around … which is really saying something, as I gave the 2018 concert a “10”. Guess that makes this year’s version a “15”!!!) kk
THE IDES OF MARCH:
Wow, Kent!
On behalf of the Ides team, thank you for the awesome coverage of our cd release event at the Jam Lab!
We had a blast and it’s all because of the people like you in the audience that were rocking along with us and making us feel so good. I know Colin will reach out on his own to thank you for your review.
Again, thanks for all you do to keep the music playing - bringing back memories and helping to create new ones. That’s what it’s all about.
Till then I’m just searching for an oil can. Lol!
The Tin Man
Rock on!! Jimbo
It was a blast for all parties concerned. Looking forward to Colin’s show at Q Bar … and the Ides (with special guests Mark Farner and Bo Bice … both of whom also appear on the new CD) at The Genesee Theatre on October 26th! (kk)
Excellent review Kent!!!!
Just a reminder … it comes out in DOUBLE VINYL AS WELL –
AND WE MAY BE SELLING AT THE TASTE OF ELMWOOD PARK - yippee!!!
Taste of Elmwood Park is August 9 - the Ides go on at 8:45!!!
Hope to see you!
Thanks!
Chris
Hi Kent!
Bummed we didn't get to meet at the record release on Sunday! Another time for sure!
Jim just sent us your article, going to read it now!
What a fun event!
Laura Orrico
Laura Orrico
President of Laura Orrico Public Relations, LLC
Reading your blog every day and seeing all these wonderful performers still active makes me wish that I was still living in Chicago so we could see them at all the venues there, especially the Arcada.
The Ides of March and New Colony 6 were two (and still are) of my favorites. You are living the dream.
Thanks for all you do every single day. Your dedication is nothing short of amazing.
Bill
It really is amazing … the revival of the Chicago acts and living the dream, I mean ... the next Cornerstones show happens November 30th at The Arcada … incredible to think that I haven’t been to one in over two years now!!! Am definitely planning to attend this one! (kk)
Hey Kent,
Lots of good reading, keep it up !!!
Wish I lived in the Chicago area to see so many great shows.
Ted Gstalder
I love the way you write! Great job! Incredible coverage! It was super great!
Colin's new band is incredible.
Cheers!
Kristie
And I love your photos … and the fact that you share them with our readers. This was a GREAT afternoon of entertainment, thanks to both The Ides Of March and The Brooklyn Charmers, who were quite amazing in their own right! Looking forward to their show in October … hope to see you there. (kk)
Please enter me in the new Ides Of March CD drawing …
I need it, I want it, I will love it!!!
Seriously, what a great time to be a Chicago 60's rock fan this month! The NC6 and Jimmy Sohms today in Addison, the Ides are in Elmwood Park next Friday and the Shames will be in Hillside on August 20! I am psyched!!!!!
Mike DeMartino
Oh Yeah ... Thanks For The Reminder:
We’ve got FIVE copies of the brand new Ides Of March CD to give away to our Forgotten Hits Readers.
We’ve got FIVE copies of the brand new Ides Of March CD to give away to our Forgotten Hits Readers.
Get your entries in NOW as we will be drawing the winners later this week!
(We’ve already received entries from as far away as Canada … and as close as former Ides Of March classmates!!!) This is a GREAT new offering … the guys sound better than ever. I can promise you that you will LOVE this new CD … and enjoy listening to it again and again. (kk)
While the complete "official" video hasn't been posted yet, you can get a minute and a half clip of The Ides’ new single “Friends Like You” here:
It’s catchy as hell … just try getting this one out of your head. It’s outright infectious!
And isn’t Mindi Abair INCREDIBLE!!! She adds SO much to this song! (kk)
Other Give-Away Options:
A pair of tickets to see The Fab Four, the PREMIER Beatles Tribute Band, at the Arcada Theatre on Friday, November 1st
A pair of tickets to see Matthew and Gunnar Nelson on September 6th in Findlay, Ohio
A pair of tickets to see Matthew and Gunnar Nelson on September 7th in Loraine, Ohio
A chance to win a copy of Mark Bego’s new book (written with Mary Wilson of The Supremes) … “Supreme Glamour”
Just drop us a note at kk@forgottenhits.com – let us know which contest you’re entering – and we’ll let you know if you’ve won!
ONCE UPON A TIME … IN HOLLYWOOD:
Wow! I was way off when I was thinking you might like Once Upon A Time.
We will have to agree to disagree.
That is what I like about Forgotten Hits. We are able to express our opinions, but still respect each other at the end of the day when we don't see eye to eye.
The Manson murders were horrific. I can't even begin to comprehend what the victims and their families went through. The fantasy of the film does not lessen the reality. The film, however, does portray them as likeable people that had incredible lives. They were more than just murder victims in a graphic crime scene from 50 years ago. In this fantasy, evil did not win and the heroes lived another day.
I am not a big fan of Tarantino films. In fact, the only reason I liked Pulp Fiction was the surf music in the soundtrack.
I did not know about the ending of Once Upon A Time before I went to the film. I actually felt relieved that they did not go with what really happened.
Phil – WRCO
We have always taken the position that there is no such thing as the one and only “right answer” to any topic when it comes to each of our own opinions. In fact, in reading other people’s reviews of the film, it has allowed me to see some things from a different perspective than my own original reaction.
“Once Upon A Time” is beautifully filmed in a nostalgic way that really captures the era … it almost has that grainy, vintage look of 1969. As I said, I believe Leonard DiCaprio and Brad Pitt both turned in Oscar-worthy performances … with a big tip of the hat to Julia Butters for a Best Supporting Actress nod (which I doubt will even be considered.)
My biggest objection and the one that sealed the deal for me was the messing with reality. If you’re going to incorporate real events into the storyline and build around that by having one plot coincide with the other, DON’T mess with the reality. Does anybody believe for a second that the fantasy of all those people brutally murdered that night not really happening brings comfort to ANY of their surviving family members? I don’t care if it’s been fifty years since or not … the REALITY is some very nice, completely unaware, unsuspecting and completely innocent people were slaughtered that night in an unspeakable manner.
Did I want to see that on film? Absolutely not … nor was there a reason to show it … because we all already know what happened.
If this is the storyline Tarantino wanted to pursue, I think THIS would have been a better, more realistic scenario:
Have a batch of Manson followers go out the night before to do a “test run” to see how things go by going to the neighbor’s house instead. Then they could have been confronted by the DiCaprio and Pitt characters who did everything in their powers to disarm them. (Although seriously … the flame-thrower gun and the dog biting off the testicles of one of the would-be murderers would still be a bit much … but at least fitting with Tarantino’s over-the-top movie methods.)
This way when things go horribly wrong, Manson dispatches ANOTHER group of followers (the REAL group) to go out the next night to fulfill their mission … at which point not another word has to be said about the results of that mission … because again, everybody already KNOWS the result. End the film with that team on its way to the Sharon Tate mansion and then cut to Leo and Brad nursing their wounds and wrap things up there. By not uttering a single word about what really happened that night, I think you accomplish a FAR more powerful ending to the film … and, I believe that his results in a far more satisfying ending that still accomplishes everything that Tarantino wanted to show us without messing with a true historical timeline.
I was listening to Sirius 60s on 6 this weekend and they were featuring tracks from the movie’s soundtrack throughout the weekend … so at least SOME good came out of it! (And I had never even considered Clark Besch’s opinion that maybe so much Paul Revere and the Raiders music was featured in the film because of the Terry Melcher connection … which now makes perfect sense to me, would that have been part of Quentin Tarantino’s intention.)
I think over time I will come to love and appreciate some of the individual scenes turned in by Leo and Brad in what essentially is the REAL movie and, as such, may up my final rating in the process … but I will NEVER accept the film as a whole because it completely fails on that level. (kk)
Check out the soundtrack to the new "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" film, based on the late 60's in Hollywood. Just the soundtrack listings below makes it worth the "trip" (being the operative 60's term) to see the movie.
Lots of really cool obscure tracks here. TWO Nebraska DJs are on the soundtrack also. We get KHJ, the top LA radio station that gave us "Boss radio," where (and on the soundtrack as listed below) one time Nebraskans Humble Harv Moore and the Real Don Steele worked in the 60’s! My buddy, Sandy Jackson, was on Omaha's KOIL with Steele in the early 60's.
It's funny that some of these songs are not LA associated, I believe, yet many are and there are also some GREAT commercial jingles for Heaven Scent and Summer Blonde, which are great 60's jingles, IMO. The former was on WLS all the time and the latter was also on the Big 89 AND on American bandstand often then.
THREE Paul Revere & the Raiders tracks! Great to see them getting Hollywood love, finally. The Wrecking Crew are definitely featured musically here too. A truly great Chad & Jeremy 45 as well from XXX movie of the time. Even if the show isn't good, I can hear some great audio clips!
Attached is one of several versions of the Heaven Scent jingle as well as a WLS Art Roberts aircheck from summer 1966 starting with top 10 Cryan’ Shames music followed by a cool WLS concert promo and the Summer Blonde jingle followed by Art throwing ANOTHER Chicago area band! I assume these jingles are similar to what will be in the soundtrack below. HEY, where's the Raiders' GTO jingle "The Judge" at???
"Is it true blonds have more fun?"
Check out the full Once Upon a Time in Hollywood soundtrack track list below.
1. Treat Her Right - Roy Head & The Traits
2. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man - The Bob Seger System
Boss Radio feat. Humble Harve:
3. Hush - Deep Purple
4. Mug Root Beer Advertisement
5. Hector - The Village Callers
6. Son of a Lovin’ Man - Buchanan Brothers
7. Paxton Quigley’s Had the Course (from the MGM film Three in the Attic) - Chad & Jeremy
8. Tanya Tanning Butter Advertisement
9. Good Thing - Paul Revere & The Raiders
10. Hungry - Paul Revere & the Raiders
11. Choo Choo Train - The Box Tops
12. Jenny Take a Ride - Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
13. Kentucky Woman - Deep Purple
14. The Circle Game - Buffy Sainte-Marie
Boss Radio feat. The Real Don Steele:
15. Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel
16. Numero Uno Advertisement
17. Bring a Little Lovin’ - Los Bravos
18. Suddenly / Heaven Sent Advertisement
19. Vagabond High School Reunion
20. KHJ Los Angeles Weather Report
21. The Illustrated Man Advertisement / Ready For Action
22. Hey Little Girl - Dee Clark
23. Summer Blonde Advertisement
24. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond
25. Don’t Chase Me Around (from the MGM film GAS-S-S-S) - Robert Corff
26. Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon - Paul Revere & the Raiders (feat. Mark Lindsay)
27. California Dreamin’ - Jose Feliciano
28. Dinamite Jim (English Version) - I Cantori Moderni di Alessandroni
29. You Keep Me Hangin’ On (Quentin Tarantino Edit) - Vanilla Fudge
30. Miss Lily Langtry (cue from The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean) - Maurice Jarre
31. KHJ Batman Promotion
2. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man - The Bob Seger System
Boss Radio feat. Humble Harve:
3. Hush - Deep Purple
4. Mug Root Beer Advertisement
5. Hector - The Village Callers
6. Son of a Lovin’ Man - Buchanan Brothers
7. Paxton Quigley’s Had the Course (from the MGM film Three in the Attic) - Chad & Jeremy
8. Tanya Tanning Butter Advertisement
9. Good Thing - Paul Revere & The Raiders
10. Hungry - Paul Revere & the Raiders
11. Choo Choo Train - The Box Tops
12. Jenny Take a Ride - Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
13. Kentucky Woman - Deep Purple
14. The Circle Game - Buffy Sainte-Marie
Boss Radio feat. The Real Don Steele:
15. Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel
16. Numero Uno Advertisement
17. Bring a Little Lovin’ - Los Bravos
18. Suddenly / Heaven Sent Advertisement
19. Vagabond High School Reunion
20. KHJ Los Angeles Weather Report
21. The Illustrated Man Advertisement / Ready For Action
22. Hey Little Girl - Dee Clark
23. Summer Blonde Advertisement
24. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond
25. Don’t Chase Me Around (from the MGM film GAS-S-S-S) - Robert Corff
26. Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon - Paul Revere & the Raiders (feat. Mark Lindsay)
27. California Dreamin’ - Jose Feliciano
28. Dinamite Jim (English Version) - I Cantori Moderni di Alessandroni
29. You Keep Me Hangin’ On (Quentin Tarantino Edit) - Vanilla Fudge
30. Miss Lily Langtry (cue from The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean) - Maurice Jarre
31. KHJ Batman Promotion
The Heaven Scent commercial was played so much in the 60's that the sheet music was even used as an ad for the product (below)
Do a search of the Forgotten Hits archives and you’ll find PAGES devoted to “Heaven Scent,” a VERY popular topic during some of our “commercial breaks” in years gone by. It still sounds great today.
As you already know by now, the movie features nearly TWICE as many tracks played along the way during the course of the 2:41 minute film. A COMPLETE soundtrack would have been nice but I’m sure there were licensing concerns again (as there usually are.) Still, even though I already own the majority of this music on other CD’s, it’ll be nice to have it all in one place. (Quentin Tarantino ALWAYS puts together an amazing score for his films … so this one will join all of the others currently in my collection.)
Thanks for the insight and special clips, Clark! (kk)
More on the “Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood” soundtrack …
Interesting to note that they refer to the film using “The Rolling Stones’ original version of the song” … which really isn’t true.
Instead of the pure original from 1967 (one of my all-time favorites), which probably would have fit the timeline of the film a whole lot better, they used instead the far-inferior orchestrated version that appeared on the “Metamorphosis” album, which was released as a single by Allen B. Klein as a means of cashing in on The Stones’ catalog in 1975 after they formed their own record company, Rolling Stone Records. (Again, something that just doesn’t fit in regards to the film and the events of 1969.) kk
This is the version that SHOULD have been used in the movie:
This is the version that SHOULD have been used in the movie:
1969:
We always knew it was coming … but it has officially been confirmed that there WILL be a 50th Anniversary “Abbey Road” Box Set. (More details to come as they’re announced … but start socking your money away now … because next year’s 50th Anniversary “Let It Be” box set is also a sure thing … meaning the movie will FINALLY see its re-release on home video … along with a brand new, extended version showing ALL kinds of unused scenes of “happier Beatles” in the studio, currently being put together by Peter Jackson of “Lord Of The Rings” fame. Jackson has been given access to 55 hours of unused filming and 140 hours of unreleased recordings to put together the ULTIMATE “Let It Be” film.)
Both of these projects promise to keep The Beatles in the limelight for a few more years to come … and beyond. (kk)
By the summer of 1969, Americans’ love of ALL things British seemed to be on the wane. Musical tastes were changing. The Beatles were imploding. British Invasion acts that had rode the Fab Four's coattails to US chart topping success, including Herman's Hermits and The Dave Clark Five, couldn't even get a whiff of their current UK hits on American radio. So it's no surprise that three of the most played hit singles that I remember that summer on BBC1 and Radio Luxembourg didn't cross the Atlantic.
“Hello Susie" (UK#4) became Amen Corner's follow-up to their number one smash "(If
Paradise Is) Half As Nice". It was written by future Electric Light Orchestra founder Roy Wood. The song would also appear on The Move's 1970 album, SHAZAM.
"Goodnight Midnight" (UK#4) was Clodagh Rodgers's follow-up to her breakthrough hit "Come Back And Shake Me" (a song originally written for but turned down by Lulu).
Both songs were penned by American songwriter Kenny Young. He was in London and had discovered the Irish born Rodgers on a BBC televised music program. Clodagh had struggled for years to find a hit and became a seemingly overnight pop star after Young made her his muse. The leggy blond caused a sensation wearing hot pants while representing the UK at the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest. "Goodnight Midnight" was my wife's favorite song back then.
"Viva Bobby Joe" (UK#6) was The Equals’ second biggest UK hit after their 1968 chart topper "Baby Come Back." The lyric "Bobby Joe and his funk machine" was probably the first mention of funk music on a British recording. The interracial North London pop group was one of the most successful late Sixties’ UK bands with eight charting singles but are remembered as one hit wonders in the US. Guyana born lead guitarist Eddy Grant would return to the charts with a string of hits as a solo artist in the Eighties.
Mike G
50 years ago today, the whole show of American bandstand as aired 8/2/1969!!!
We had one of the 1969 Pontiac Catalinas as shown in commercial at start. Rate a Record pits a black artist singing a Randy Newman classic vs. a song recorded by MANY and never a hit -- the Castaways, the American Breed, Peppermint Rainbow, Ronnie Dio, etc.
Dick talks with Salt Lake DJ who plays up his "announcer voice" and the station big time promoting the Spirit concert "tonight."
The guy picks a B side as his pick hit. What a phony. Ha!Ha! GREAT SONG, tho.
If things had turned out differently, the guest artist could have been the Rumbles! They scrapped their version of "Birthday" as this band jumped on the White Album track and it made its way to #1 on KLMS Lincoln as well as #2 on WLS in Chicago. Lame compared to the fabs, fer sure, but imagine if the Rumbles' recording had gotten out first and possibly done as well as this one??? Their version isn't much better, but if the Underground Sunshine can have a hit, they could have, too.
Good ole Ronnie Kaye from OKC's WKY got his dance couple in the AB dance contest and even gets to talk LIVE on the show as a guest! Ronnie still plays the oldies in OKC on KOMA-FM and I sent this to him. Maybe he will respond!
I was hoping this would have been the show I taped some off of in 1969 in Dodge City when Dick put Lou Christie's "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" bubblegummer up vs. Kansas' Jerms’ version of "Green Door."
Clark Besch
THIS AND THAT:
Queen’s original 1975 video for “Bohemian Rhapsody” passed one billion views last week. To help celebrate, the band posted a new, remastered version of the song (which also just happens to be the current #1 track on our Top 3333 Most Essential Classic Rock Songs as I type this).
You can check out the new, cleaned-up, remastered version of the video here:
Can you believe that Alice Cooper is coming to the Genesee Theatre?!?!
Well, it’s true!
Alice has been booked for a show on Saturday, November 30th … this should be REALLY interesting.
(I saw Alice Cooper once before … he was the headliner and Burton Cummings, who had just gone solo, was his opening act … talked about a mis-matched set!!!)
Still, both artists put on incredible shows … (I’m thinking Burton probably let “Glamour Boy” out of the playlist that night! Lol)
Cooper scored rave reviews for his part in the live “Jesus Christ Superstar” musical a few months back … and if he’s doing his vintage catalog stuff, this should be a pretty amazing show to see. Tickets are available now thru the Genesee Theatre Box Office … but it looks like they’re going fast! (kk)
https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/070056E8DCFE3667?brand=genesee&camefrom=CFC_GENESEE
(By the way, we saw Burton Cummings this past weekend at The Arcada Theatre ... watch for THAT review later this week!)
(By the way, we saw Burton Cummings this past weekend at The Arcada Theatre ... watch for THAT review later this week!)
Yay! for Heroes & Villains 😏
Totally underrated because of the fickle Top 40.
FYI - my new interview with a Dennis Wilson aficionado:
Also, Brian is going back on tour:
Surf’s Up,
Phil
#PrayForSurf
Hi Kent,
Art Walicki here.
Just got back to checking your site and boy, have I missed a lot!
Just got done in moving from Illinois to Arizona. Bet you can't guess why.
Anyway, I thought you would like to hear where I moved - interesting because it relates to music.
I live in a community called Province in Maricopa, AZ. The homes in my area are all named after musical groups or individuals. There are models called Zeppelin, Dylan, Mercury, Isley, Franklin and I live in the Simone.
The streets are also of a musical theme. I live at the intersection of Festival (Santana) and Abbey Road. Some other street names in my area are Jubilee (Mellencamp), Good Vibration Way, Jailhouse Rock Ct, I Get Around Way and others that I forget at this time, (I'm getting old)
Thought you would find this interesting, I know I did! I wonder if anyone else can make a similar claim.
Love the ballots. Keep up your great work that you always do.
Art
That sounds pretty cool … you’ll have to send us some pictures!
And now that you’re settled in, YOU can start voting, too! (kk)
WLTL-FM 88.1 will celebrate the 50th anniversary weekend of Woodstock 8/16, 8/17 and 8/18/2019. Co-founder Michael Lang told Variety that Woodstock 2019 has officially been canceled. But, WLTL will air the artists and bands who performed at the Three Days Of Peace And Music 1969 Festival all weekend long.
Mike Baker
