Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Tuesday This And That


FREDDY CANNON:
>>>Kent: I’d like to bring the FH readers up-to-date on Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon.  As you remember I brought you the sad news at the beginning of the year that Mr. Palisades Park was having problems breathing and did not have enough energy to perform a concert.  As a result, Freddy decided to retire and he cancelled all the dates he had booked in 2019.  His specialist told Freddy his lungs were in bad shape.  So Freddy followed his Doctor’s orders and took it easy throughout the year.  He started walking every day and was sure to keep up with his doctor’s instructions.  In recent months Freddy has been feeling a whole lot better.  His breathing has improved significantly and his lungs are in better shape.  Feeling so good, Freddy did a test show recently to see if he would have any issues performing a 30 min set.  It worked out great.  Now Freddy is starting to accept dates again.  This week he’s in Florida at The Villages doing some concerts with Mark Lindsay.  Freddy celebrated a birthday earlier this month and, having survived his health issues, he was doubly appreciative that so many of his fellow artists called him or e-mailed him with greetings.  Merry Christmas to Freddy, his wife Jeanette, his kids and his grand kids in California.   (Tom Cuddy)

>>>That really is GREAT news, Tom … thanks for sharing.  I know Freddy was heartbroken about having to come off the road.  We talked after he made the announcement and it was so sad to hear him say “My lungs are shot.”  He’s made some incredible recoveries in recent years … which just means that everybody up there is looking out for him … and wanting a little more Boom Boom!!!  (kk)

HI KENT, 
YES, I’M DOING IT AGAIN!
THANK YOU FOR REPORTING THAT I’M BACK!
I WORKED WITH A BAND NAMED ROCKY AND THE ROLLERS …
KENT, THIS IS A REAL GREAT ROCK AND ROLL BAND!
MAYBE ONE DAY YOU WILL HEAR THEM THEN YOU WILL KNOW!
ANYWAY, THANK YOU.
TOM CUDDY IS MY VERY GOOD FRIEND AND, AS YOU KNOW, HE KNOWS HIS MUSIC AND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.
KENT, TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR  FROM FREDDY BOOM BOOM CANNON AND MY FAMILY.
GOD BLESS YOU.
Right backatcha, Freddy … to you and yours.
SO good to hear that you’re doing so much better!
Hoping we can connect somewhere down the road again.  (kk)

BURTON CUMMINGS / RANDY BACHMAN REUNION TOUR:
We’ve been telling you for the past two years that it was gonna happen … they were even going to film another Soundstage episode together … but now 2018 and 2019 have passed without an official tour.  (Burton and Randy DID do a couple of special appearances together in Canada this year, which reportedly went very well.)
Well, now Burton has been teasing a reunion on his Facebook Page that would make it sound like an OFFICIAL reunion tour in 2020 is going to happen.
Check out this link, sent in by FH Reader Tom Cuddy …
(All I can say is … WE CAN’T WAIT!!!!!)  kk

And, speaking of Burton Cummings, we lost another great Canadian artist this past week as early rock pioneer Jack Scott passed away …

JACK SCOTT:
kk:
Wild Wayne is reporting that Canadian singer Jack Scott has died.
FB
I heard about his passing first thing this past Thursday morning. There is a group of FH Readers who regularly campaign for his inclusion in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  Honestly, I doubt that it will ever happen as he just wasn’t well known enough (or revolutionary enough) to have made a difference … but that doesn’t diminish his contribution to the overall scene at the time.  I know first hand that he still has a large legion of fans who support and appreciate his work … and many years ago, I know that a petition for his induction was circulated on line ... and that didn’t get it done either.  (I will say this … based on The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s track record, it’s probably more likely that he would be considered now that he’s gone than it would have been before.  They just seem to wait until we lose these artists before they give them fair consideration.  I mean, why would we want to recognize them during their lifetime when they could be around to appreciate it???)
Scott had ten National Top 40 Hits:  “My True Love” (#3, 1958); “Leroy” (#11, 1958), “With Your Luck” (#26, 1958); “Goodbye Baby” (#8, 1958); “The Way I Walk” (#25, 1959); “What In The World’s Come Over You” (#3, 1960); “Burning Bridges” (#2, 1960); “Oh, Little One” (#34, 1960); “It Only Happened Yesterday” (#25, 1960); “Patsy” (#35, 1960) kk  

Kent,
You probably already know this by now, but a friend of mine just emailed me to tell me that Jack Scott passed away yesterday. No details of his death were known. As my dad would have said, " He was a good one". Always did like LEROY
Larry

kk:
From Glen Fisher's current newsletter, sent out today …
FB

Jack Scott was very good, but “The Best in Canada?”  I have to say, no way.
Burton Cummings is head over heels the best rock musician to come from Canada.  He's also very intelligent and a helluva nice guy. 
In 1976, at the end of their show at Arie Crown, he told the audience that he and the band would be at this record store on Oak Street near Rush. I went over, and there were maybe 15-20 fans there. After 45 minutes, I was one of three fans left. Needless to say, I monopolized Burton and Bill Wallace (bass player) for about an hour and then they finally gave up and decided to leave. I walked with them to their hotel over on Michigan Avenue. That made my whole year.  ;-)
I've been to a dozen of his shows, beginning in 1970 and ending about seven years ago, and he still puts lots of our old-time rockers to shame.  He gets my vote hands down.
Happy holidays!  And thanks again for a fantastic site.  Nothing like it anywhere I've been.
Mike Wolstein


I’m quite sure I was at that same Arie Crown show in ’76.
If you haven’t seen Burton in seven years, you definitely owe it to yourself to check him out again … he is still every bit as good as ever.  (And now, if he’s going to do a reunion tour next year with Randy Bachman, it becomes a MUST SEE concert!)
Search our website for some of our recent Cummings concert reviews … he’s amazing!  And, if by chance you haven’t seen it, read our exclusive interview with him, too.  You can find that here:

THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME:
Let’s just say that this organization has been known to get this wrong a time or two in the past.

Here’s a guy who’s been ignored for as long as The Rock Hall has existed … and for absolutely no good reason …

Hi Kent,
How can anyone in the music business not think that TOMMY JAMES qualifies for the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME ... his music and influence has stood the test of time. 
Please read below and pass this on.
Carol Ross, Manager
CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION, CRIMSON AND CLOVER, MONY MONY, HANKY PANKY, I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW, SWEET CHERRY WINE, DRAGGIN' THE LINE, THREE TIMES IN LOVE and MIRAGE - just a few of the many hits - 23 GOLD SINGLES, 9 PLATINUM ALBUMS and over 100 MILLION RECORDS SOLD WORLDWIDE - 32 BILLBOARD HOT 100 CHART HITS.
Artists around the world have and continue to cover Tommy's songs - BILLY IDOL, JOAN JETT, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, CARLOS SANTANA, REM, PRINCE, KELLY CLARKSON, DOLLY PARTON, CHER, TOM JONES and even THE BOSTON POPS.
Tommy's music is featured in 60 FILMS and 53 TV SHOWS to date along with numerous commercials ... BMI lauded Tommy for his success with the presentation of a FIVE MILLION AIR AWARD for his music being played more than 21 million times on air.
Tommy's critically acclaimed autobiography ME, THE MOB AND THE MUSIC, listed on ROLLING STONE'S Top 25 Music Memoirs, is now in production for a film with producer BARBARA DEFINA, whose credits include GOODFELLAS, CASINO, CAPE FEAR, AGE OF INNOCENCE, SILENCE, THE GRIFTERS and YOU CAN COUNT ON ME ... she also produced MICHAEL JACKSON'S video 'BAD.' 
The screenplay is being written by MATTHEW STONE, whose credits include INTOLERABLE CRUELTY and BIG TROUBLE. 
TONY AWARD WINNER KATHLEEN MARSHALL just signed to direct - she received TONY AWARDS for choreography for the Broadway productions of ANYTHING GOES, THE PAJAMA GAME and WONDERFUL TOWN - she was also nominated for DIRECTING each of those musicals.
Tommy is now enjoying more success with his own radio show on SIRIUS/XM RADIO -'GETTIN' TOGETHER WITH TOMMY JAMES  - airing Sunday evenings, 5 – 8 pm Eastern on the 60s on 6 channel.
The prestigious NEW JERSEY HALL OF FAME inducted Tommy and his life size hologram can be viewed at the NJHOF EXHIBIT at NEWARK AIRPORT in New Jersey - Terminal C.
Tommy recently received THE PITTSBURGH LEGEND AWARD and THE JUKEBOX ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD.
Now entering his 51st year in the music business, he continues to tour around the country and Canada.
Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - 
For additional information and touring schedule check out his website - TOMMYJAMES.COM

EARTH, WIND AND FIRE:
You mentioned Earth, Wind and Fire in this week's jumbo edition of The Friday Flash. 
Here's their Chicago roots:
In 1969, Maurice White, a former session drummer for Chess Records and former member of the Ramsey Lewis Trio, joined two friends in Chicago, Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead, as a songwriting team composing songs and commercials in the Chicago area. The three friends eventually got a recording contract with Capitol Records. Calling themselves "The Salty Peppers," they went on to have a marginal hit single in the Midwestern area entitled "La La Time," initially released on TEC Records, and re-issued in 1969 by Capitol. 


La, La, La (Part 1) b/w La, La, La (Part 2) (Tec 1014 / Capitol 2433) 1969
                Listen to “La, La, La (Part 1)” - https://youtu.be/qUuCAYP_uD0
Uh Huh Yeah b/w Your Love is Live (Capitol 2568) 1969
                Listen to “Uh Huh Yeah” - https://youtu.be/mOxCYuutZ_A
                Listen to “Your Love is Life” - https://youtu.be/UDgJPa3Zbnc

The Salty Peppers' second single, "Uh Huh Yeah," did not fare as well. Maurice moved on from Chicago to Los Angeles. He added to the band singer Sherry Scott and percussionist Yackov Ben Israel, both from Chicago, and then asked his younger brother Verdine how he would feel about heading out to the West Coast. On June 6, 1970, Verdine left Chicago to join the band as their new bassist. Maurice began shipping demo tapes of the band, featuring Donny Hathaway, around to different record labels with Maurice naming the band Earth, Wind and Fire, based on his astrological sign Sagittarius. His shopping landed them with Warner Bros. Records with their debut album released in 1971.
Ken Voss

It took a little while for them to catch on then, too.  Ten singles charted before “Shining Star” broke the band in a big way in 1975, hitting #1 on the Pop Singles Chart.  (The biggest of those early hits was “Mighty Mighty,” which wen to #29 in the Spring of 1974.  “Evil” (#50, 1973), “Keep Your Head To The Sky” (#34, 1974), “Devotion” (#33, 1974) and “Hot Dawgit” (#50, 1975) all made it into The National Top 50 … and, as “Shining Star” was climbing the chart, a duet reunion of sorts with Ramsey Lewis called “Sun Goddess” also went to #44.  (Lewis was also on their hit “Hot Dawgit.”)  Surprisingly, none of these early records charted here in Chicago.  (kk)

THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS:
>>>The Kennedy Center Honors show that when it comes to Sally Field, they like her … they really, really like her! (kk)
Totally unimportant, but interesting is the fact she never said that, at least not on Oscar night. Comics said it and, as usual, that is what gets remembered. I've attached a clip of what she said and "really" is no part of it.
Hey, I said it was unimportant. Did you know the queen in Disney's Snow White didn't say "Mirror, mirror on the wall?" LOL. I could go on, but I won't.
Hil
I still can’t believe they honored her for “Places In The Heart” and overlooked all those awesome “Smokey And The Bandit” movies!!!  (Tallk about life being unfair ... I don’t think she ever won anything for “Gidget” or “The Flying Nun” either!!!)  kk

Did you guys watch this ceremony?
I've got to say it was one of the best Kennedy Center Honors I've ever seen ... entertaining from start to finish ... starting with a VERY emotional tribute to Linda Ronstadt (and the performance of some of her biggest hits, including "Blue Bayou" and "When Will I Be Loved" ... both performed by Carrie Underwood ... and "You're No Good," sung by Trisha Yearwood.  Aaron Neville even came out to sing "Don't Know Much" and was joined by Yearwood for the duet.  Guest speakers (including Don Henley, Emmylou Harris and Kevin Kline) spoke of Ronstandt's forays into other styles of music ... she truly covered it all during the course of her remarkable career.
Then came Sally Field ... and yes, there were references to Gidget, The Flying Nun and Smokey and the Bandit ... but also to her landmark roles in "Norma Rae," "Places In The Heart," "Forrest Gump" (where she was greeted by Tom Hanks as "Hi, Mama!"), "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Sybil."
The salute to Sesame Street was outstanding ... it changed the way we viewed TV for Kids forever ... and I can't even imagine how many celebrity guests have lent their talent to this program over the years.
But the salute to Earth, Wind And Fire blew it all away.  What an amazing showcase of material, performed by everyone from John Legend to Ne-Yo to The Jonas Brothers to Cynthia Erivo, who was remarkable.  The entire audience was up on its feet for "Boogie Wonderland," "Shining Star," "Fantasy," "Sing A Song," "Can't Hide Love" and the grand ensemble finale of "September."  I also especially liked magician David Copperfield's story about how the band wanted to incorporate some music into its stage act ... so Copperfield came up with an illusion that would make it look like band leader Maurice White had disappeared on stage.  The band absolutely loved the idea ... but in unison asked " ... but can we try it with Verdine?" (Maurice's brother)  It was very touching (and perhaps just a little bit uncomfortable) when they explained how Maurice had to retire from the road as he was no longer able to perform due to Parkinson's Disease ... sadder still since co-inductee Linda Ronstadt is suffering from the same debilitating diagnosis today.  He died nearly four years ago ... but was  clearly the driving force behind the band, who still perform today, offering up music of mass appeal, as evidenced by the tribute performances shown Sunday night.
I'm sure the program will be available On Demand ... and also online at CBS.com ... definitely worth two hours of your time.  (kk) 

THE BUCKINGHAMS:
I mentioned the other day that The Buckinghams will be playing select dates on next year’s Happy Together Tour (including a stop right here in Chicago at The Genesee Theatre on August 8th.)

Carl Giammarese explained things a little bit further for me ..

Hi Kent,
Yes, we are on a hand full of Happy Together tour dates, and the Genesee is one of them.  There are a couple in Colorado, one in Greensburg, PA, and there may be a few more. It’s a great tour, but I couldn’t commit to a full tour.  We played 53 dates last summer … that’s a lot! 
Speaking of the Genesee, we are playing a show with America on March 6th. It is different for us as we are performing unplugged ... just Nick, Dave and I … two acoustic guitars, bass and vocals. Really looking forward to it! It’s always fun to do something different. We plan on playing “I’m a Loser” from the first Tufano and Giammarese album.
By the way, this past Saturday night we played a Christmas show at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School at 700 West North Street in Bradley. It was a funraiser for KCTC (Kankakaee County Training Center). 
Here’s a little background on what it’s for and what they’re about.
KCTC is a not for profit organization that employs 200 workers plus 450 developmentally disabled adults. They provide services for many companies, including 5 Shark Tank companies that you see on TV. 
KCTC is a model organization that others around the country use as an example of working with adults with development disabilities.
KCTC’s vocational program in Bradley, IL, is not the only service we offer for adults living with developmental disabilities; we also offer rehab, residential, and day programs for senior citizens. The purpose of the senior citizen program is to enhance an individual's daily living and communication skills, to maintain and possibly improve their functional skills through recreation and leisure activities, to provide them opportunities for community outings, and to fulfill their socialization needs.
For those looking for meaningful work with developmentally disabled adults in Bradley, IL, look no further than Kankakee County Training Center for the Disabled, Inc. Our staff are trained to fulfill the mission of our programs, which is to provide adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to acquire skills necessary to become more productive, contributing members of their community.
This concert provided a great opportunity to do something for this organization … which is what the holidays are all about.
Have a Very Merry Christmas!
Carl G and the entire Buckinghams family
That America show sounds really interesting … a real switch-up for you guys … should be fun.  (An unusual pairing, too … but VERY cool to see them blend the ‘60’s and ‘70’s here!)
Best Holiday Wishes to you and yours as well …
Hope to catch up with you guys again real soon, whether it be a Cornerstones Of Rock Show, a Happy Together Show, the America concert of The Buckinghams solo … or all of the above!!!  Thanks, Carl!  (kk)

[By the way ... Happy Together tickets at The Genesee Theatre are selling like crazy ... so you'd better grab yours in a hurry!]
https://www.geneseetheatre.com/events/detail/happy-together-tour-2020
THIS AND THAT:
kk …
One of your big complaints –
Today, between noon and 3 PM I heard the # 1 song of 1970, "RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD" by B.J. THOMAS, three times on Rewound Radio.
FB
Had to be during their Rewound Dee Jay Hall Of Fame segment, spotlighting either this week in 1969 or some type of 1970 Year-End Countdown I imagine.  Yeah, it would seem that a little bit of editing could have remedied that situation and made the listening experience a little more pleasurable for those folks who tuned in … but back in 1970 we probably really DID hear “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” at least twice during every deejay’s four hour show!  (kk)

From Ron Dante, after he saw our Sunday Survey featuring our WLS Fifty Year Flashback ...

Kent -
1969 was a terrific year for my Archies and Cuff Links.
Thanks for posting that WLS chart.
Have a great Christmas and here's to the best new years for you and your family.
Ron


Talk about great shows, check out this killer line-up (sent in to us by FH Reader Ken Voss) for an event coming to Erie, Pennsylvania in March, 2020 … https://www.facebook.com/events/473341616645391/ 

Regarding Ken's letter yesterday about how the media evaluates the decade of the 1960s, focusing mainly on the last three years of it, I, myself, am quite aware of the "decade divide" phenomenon -- of how a decade starts out as "the continuation of the last one," develops a "character of its own" midway through, and often ends itself in a realm that doesn't remotely resemble its first two or three years.
Just for the record, I'm quite embracing of the entirety of (mainly) the '50s, '60s, '70s, and most of the '80s.  I think the musical diversity and attitude and mindset differences during each sub-era, all put together, renders the whole that much more interesting and fascinating.
Tal 
For me, the thing that makes the ‘60’s the most exciting and inventive decade of them all is the very fact that ALL of these wide varieties of music and genres coexisted together side by side … and nobody even gave that a second thought at the time.  That was part of their charm … and part of what shaped those of us growing up during this era to embrace the sounds of Roger Miller and Iron Butterfly … The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Four Seasons right alongside the biggest hits coming out of Motown by The Supremes, The Temptations and The Four Tops … Bobby Goldsboro, Bobbie Gentry, Bobby Vee, Bobby Darin and all the OTHER Bobbys who came along … “In The Year 2525,” “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Blowin’ In The Wind” and “They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!”
No other time in the history of music has provided this much diversity or inspiration.
Sure, every decade offered up something new … be it Rock And Roll in the ‘50’s, The British Invasion in the ‘60’s and (for better or for worse) Disco in the ‘70’s.  Each decade made SOME type of statement.  But for every great Elvis record in the ‘50’s, you got something by The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Paul Anka, Ricky Nelson, Fats Domino and The Platters.  For every #1 Hit in the ‘60’s by The Beatles (and there were TWENTY of them!), you got #1 Hits by The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Petula Clark, Otis Redding and Jeannie C. Riley!  And the ‘70’s gave us two COMPLETELY different sounds by The Bee Gees, the singer / songwriter stylings of James Taylor, the horn-rock innovations of Chicago, teenie bopper groups like The Jackson Five and The Osmonds and the Disco Diva, Donna Summer.
It was the combination of ALL of the musical styles and genres that helped music evolve during this era.  I wouldn’t trade it in for ANYTHING I’ve heard since!  (kk)

EVERYBODY loves a good countdown …

And, in addition to the one running on Rewound Radio between Christmas and New Year’s (which, if any past years’ programs are any indication, will likely play as many as 3000 favorites as voted on by their listeners), Sirius/XM’s ‘60’s on 6 Channel has ALSO been tabulating votes for the past several weeks in order to determine The Top 600 Songs From The ‘60’s … which THEY will begin counting down on Monday, December 30th.  (This was an interesting ballot … where you were allowed to vote for your ten favorite songs from the early ‘60’s as well as your ten favorite songs from the late ‘60’s, which ties in nicely with the on-going discussion above.  Most of the time these days their ‘50’s Channel features songs from about 1954 – 1963 … right up to The Beatles coming into vogue … which I think is a more appropriate way of presenting The Golden Days Of Rock And Roll.  The artists featured in this format helped to influence all of the groups who came over and enjoyed success during The British Invasion.

Plus Me-TV has been running an online poll to determine The Top 16 ‘60’s Favorite Songs, Favorite TV Shows and Favorite Movies!  (Kinda like the Sweet 16 Countdowns we did back in 2016!)

The final song countdown has just been completed … and here are The 16 Favorites as voted upon by their television viewers, newsletter readers and radio listeners …

#1 - "California Dreamin'" - The Mamas and the Papas
#2 - "Daydream Believer" - The Monkees
#3 - "Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond (seriously?!?!?) 
#4 - "Hey Jude" - The Beatles
#5 - "The Sound of Silence" - Simon & Garfunkel
#6 - "Light My Fire" - The Doors
#7 - "Unchained Melody" - The Righteous Brothers
#8 - "Yesterday" - The Beatles
#9 - "Can't Help Falling in Love" - Elvis Presley
#10 - . "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - The Rolling Stones
#11 - "House of the Rising Sun" - The Animals
#12 - "For What It's Worth" - Buffalo Springfield
#13 - "My Girl" - The Temptations
#14 - "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" - Otis Redding
#15 - "Brown Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison
#16. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - Marvin Gaye
As far as Favorite ‘60’s Movies go, the ballots are still being tabulated … but the early leader seems to be “The Sound Of Music.”  In this category, I voted for “The Graduate” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” … but there are SO many more great movies to be considered.  (Damn!  I forgot all about “In The Heat Of The Night” … and “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” … and what about “Psycho”?!?!?)
Also on the list you’ll find “Goldfinger,” “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Mary Poppins,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “West Side Story” and “Rosemary’s Baby.”  (How’s THAT for a diverse list?!?!?)
I haven’t seen any results for Favorite ‘60’s TV Show yet (I voted for “The Fugitive” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” two prime examples of the best of the decade … as well as programs that have aged nicely over the years.)

It’s a GREAT newsletter … always full of interesting trivia and tidbits.  Head over to MeTV.com and sign up!

As the calendar flips to change decades they (like us) will begin to focus more on the anniversaries of the 1970’s … our Fifty Year Flashback begins almost immediately and throughout the year we will look back at interesting news headlines and events … as well as feature EVERY WCFL Big Ten Survey released that year!

(Of course, WE'RE running one heck of a countdown right now, too ... it's THE TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME ... as determined by YOUR votes ... nearly one million strong!
We'll be wrapping that up on December 30th ... which gives you plenty of time to check out the other countdowns mentioned above!)  kk

Kent: 
Here's something for your voluminous files about rock and roll.
Clark Weber
Bob Sirott interviews CLARK WEBER for the ILLINOIS ROCK & ROLL MUSEUM
As one of the ones who was there when it all was happening, you’ve got some WONDERFUL memories to share.
You can pick up a copy of Clark’s book here:

>>>There's a new New Colony Six single on the charts this week ... my LEAST favorite record ever released by the band ... "Barbara, I Love You" debuts at #33.  (kk)
Kent,
I guess one man’s ceiling is another man’s floor.
In 1969, the NC6 had four #1 records on my personal charts, each spending two weeks at the top except for "Barbara, I Love You," which topped in December for FIVE weeks!  Only the Hollies' Look Thru Any Window" and the Fireballs' "Long Green" managed five weeks at #1 on my 60's charts, so the last ‘69 NC6 45 was the best at that time for me. 
Today, when it comes on my MP3 player, it gets repeated several times before moving on.  Actually, all of theirs do, as well. 
I cannot call the song the BEST of theirs today, but it is still ONE of their best for sure. 
Ronnie Rice even did a Merry Christmas message for WLS to play before the song when airing at this time 50 years ago! 
I THINK the NC6 garnered the year’s best award on WLS for 1969 for local groups, too.
Clark Besch
They did … and they had a HELL of a run here in Chicago.  (Now that Joel Whitburn has published his Comparison Chart Book, we can see that The New Colony Six charted an incredible19 times … more than ANY other local band of this era.)  Sadly, only THREE of those hits registered as Top 40 material nationally … they certainly deserved better
My personal favorite looking back?  Probably “Long Time To Be Alone,” a 1971 release that barely made The Top 100.  This one should have been a HUGE hit in my opinion.
But there are SO many that I love to this day … “I Confess,” “Love You So Much,” “You’re Gonna Be Mine,” “I’m Just Waitin’ Anticipatin’ For Her To Show Up,” “Treat Her Groovy,” “I Will Always Think About You,” “Can’t You See Me Cry,” “Things I’d Like To Say,” “I Could Never Lie To You” (another HUGE personal fave), “I Want You To Know,” “Roll On” and “Never Be Lonely” … each and every one of these songs still brings me enjoyment every time I hear them.
Kinda surprised about the Ronnie Rice Christmas message for “Barbara, I Love You” … he didn’t even handle the lead vocals on that one!  (That honor fell to drummer Billy Herman, who also wrote the tune.)  kk

Hi Kent,
I would love the two Harvey Kubernik articles if I could.  Now if I could only get Harvey to let his books be put out in Kindle form so I could read them, things would be great. <grin> 
I'm still reading FH and loving it.
Thanks for all you do.
Bill Scherer in MN

Since you brought it up, I asked Harvey if there were any plans to publish his books in Kindle form …

Here’s what I got back …

Thanks for asking, Kent –
I am currently in discussion about some Kindle and E-Books of my catalog. 
When I began the big book coffee-table size format journey, it was a world before some of the new digital avenues were established. 
In the meantime, please feel free to continue to display the links to articles. 
HK

>>?"Vehicle" is on the new Cyrkle reunion live CD that has come out.  (Clark Besch)
Pretty cool, Kent. What an honor!
We love the Cyrcle guys and hope we get another rock cruise with them again soon!  
Jimbo 

And finally, THIS from FH Reader Mike Wolstein:

Might be in bad taste ... 
But, what the heck.  ;-) …
Jim might get a chuckle.
Mike


Everybody’s been quick to jump on the anti-Tiger bandwagon …
Just the other day on the way into work I heard one of the DJ’s offer this up as their Joke Of The Day:
What’s the difference between Santa Claus and Tiger Woods?
A:  Santa only had THREE Ho’s!!!
(rimshot)
Merry Christmas Everybody!  (kk)