The Top 3333 Most Essential
Classic Rock Songs Of All Time:
Today’s the day!
FINALLY (after MONTHS of tabulating) the results are going to be
revealed.
It all starts this morning on the Classic Rock Essentials
Website.
We’ll be counting down all 3333 tracks in order every day …
from now until it’s done.
Be sure to bookmark this page so that you don’t miss any of
the daily reveals! (kk)
Kent,
When I first read about you doing
this project, I was thinking it would take MONTHS to calculate and tabulate
once the voting was finished. I can't imagine a larger labor of love than
what your proposal entailed. I also can't imagine anyone being so caddish
as to expect you to have this done in an instant. You work, I'm retired,
and I don't that think if I had twice the ambition which you do, I could get it
done in a short order. You have NOTHING to apologize for. I'm
willing to believe that close to 100% of the voters would agree. These
large corporate stations put out lists of 500 songs, which it takes them months
to prepare and, I believe, mostly without input from the listeners. You
are compiling, from an original list down to almost seven times that number, by
yourself, and with a lot of your own ethical feelings involved. You've
stated that you want it correct … power be with you. Once again, I'm
stupefied at the immensity of this project … truly a Labor of Love.
When you are ready, we will be ready.
Scott
I’m not sure
I’m “ready” … I’ll be chasing this thing every step of the way to get it posted
… but I can’t delay it any longer or people will forget about it and lose
interest. The list is done … now I’ve
just got to figure out a way to get it up on the site on a daily basis. Thanks, Scott! (kk)
Kent,
One of the first things that stands out is the
admission that some songs that the voters wanted, such as Runaway, have been
omitted due to the necessity of trying to satisfy or appeal to other factors. Automatically, the process and integrity of
the voters has been compromised and tainted. After all your time and
work, as well as the buy in from participants, that is sad to know.
Ron Lange
I would not …
and COULD not … publish a list that I didn’t believe in. I prefer to think that some of the voters
misunderstood the concept and were nominating and voting for their personal
favorites songs, period, and not specifically associating those songs with the
Classic Rock format. As such, I believe
it was my duty as the moderator to step in and keep the final list on
point. (As it is, you’ll still find a
few head-scratchers on the list … songs you’ve likely never heard played on a
classic rock radio station before … which was ALSO part of our purpose … to ask
classic rock radio to take the blinders off while reviewing this list and
evaluate what the true classic rock music fans want to hear … push the envelope
a little bit … step outside the box … and any other cliché you care to add
here.
That being
said, “Runaway” isn’t a song that would typically be heard on Classic Rock
Radio either (short of maybe Bob Stroud’s Rock And Roll Roots Program.) Yes, it’s a great song … and deserves to be
part of and rank high on any ‘60’s Favorites or Greatest Pop Hits (or even Rock
And Roll List) that anyone cares to compile … but it’s NOT Classic Rock … it
doesn’t fit the formula.
As to me
eliminating it, let’s keep one very important fact in mind … NOBODY … and I
mean NOBODY (including you) ever thought to nominate it. It was only added because after you mentioned
it as an oversight, mail started coming in saying that THEY would have voted
for it, too, had it been on the list.
But the plain and simple fact is, it was NEVER on the list. So while I feel bad that we got side-tracked
by me ever mentioning it at all, I never truly believed in my heart that it
belonged … any more than “Downtown” or “To Sir, With Love” or “1900 Yesterday.”
To me, I find
FAR more credibility has been exercised by steering the list toward the true
classic rock audience … and I stand by the final results, which could not have
been achieved without the input from some 4700 voters and 1,000,000 votes
cast. This is a list I believe in … and
can be proud of. And I think as all of
you out there watch it unfold, YOU will agree that it’s a pretty incredible
list after all.
Yes, there are
some surprises … as I said, some of the songs that these high-paid radio
consultants consider to be “must plays” didn’t score as highly as one might
expect, based on the amount of airplay they receive. Maybe listeners just need a break from them
for awhile so they can learn to appreciate them again. Or maybe listeners want more variety so that
they can hear some of their other long-time favorites being played again, too,
along with this week’s overdose of AC/DC, Aerosmith, Queen, Tom Petty and Bon
Jovi. For that reason alone, I am
anxious to see what kind of comments come in … both from the fans and from the
folks who have their hands in what gets played on the radio. While it may never
be properly credited for doing so, I believe this list will ultimately improve
what we hear on classic rock radio … it just won’t happen overnight. (kk)
The White Album Anniversary Tour:
Kent,
I knew you would love the show!
It's a little similar to the Happy Together Tours but with
a really cool theme. You will be amazed at Christopher Cross's voice.
This was my week of concerts … The Who on Sunday, It Was 50
Years Ago Today on Tuesday, Phil Collins on Thursday and Deep Purple last
night. All this and working all day. I know a little of how you feel.
Rich Turner,
Palm Harbor, FL
I saw your post and I have to
disagree about Todd’s two solo hit performances … but I’m a HUGE fan and have
seen him probably twenty times, starting in the late ‘70’s. I think he stole the show.
Joey was a waste … maybe they
need to get some other person … how about Ringo?
I thought Micky was OK, but in
retrospect, it was kind of disappointing to see him doing that Neil Diamond
thing of talk-singing.
Both Christopher and Jason were
superb. Their rendition of “Julia” was
unbelievable! And the background players
and singers were top notch.
Sue and I both absolutely loved
it.
Bob Burns
We were really looking forward to seeing Todd Rundgren more
than any of the others simply because we had never seen him before. As such, I found it disappointing the way he
ran thru his two biggest hits … it wasn’t even so much as going thru the
motions or phoning it in, as not seeming to put any effort into performing them
at all … which was the EXACT opposite of the amount of enthusiasm he put into
his Beatles covers. Still, I found him
to be very entertaining overall. I don’t
know that I’m a big enough fan (or know enough of his material) to sit thru a
whole show of Todd on his own, but in the context of something like this, I
found it to be a mostly enjoyable experience.
Personally, for me, Christopher Cross stole the show … this
was HIS night and he delivered EVERY song with a newfound love and commitment
that we haven’t seen in any of the other shows in which we’ve seen him
perform. (That being said, I STILL found
it disappointing that he barely sang “Ride Like The Wind,” exercising such a
low, monotone delivery … especially coming after the best number of the night,
“Sailing.”) Based on the number of his lead vocals, I would have to see that
Cross was the perceived “headliner” between all these acts. His light-hearted humor also helped keep the
program interesting and entertaining.
Amazing to think that while out on the road promoting the 50th
Year Anniversary of The Beatles’ White Album (albeit nearly two years late),
his OWN 40th Anniversary is coming up when Cross’ debut album
gobbled up most of the Grammy Awards.
I like the underlying “six degrees of separation” thing
going on between some of the headliners.
Badfinger, of course, was the first (and most successful) group signed
by The Beatles’ Apple Records label.
Todd Rundgren produced a good chunk of Badfinger’s best album, “Straight
Up.” (Todd also paid homage to The Fab
Four on some of his solo recordings, such as “Faithful” readings of “Rain” and
“Strawberry Fields Forever.” And,
besides stealing The Beatles’ young, teenage audience after The Fab Four
outgrew them, Micky Dolenz had the honor of being over there in Jolly Ol’
England when The Beatles were recording their “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club
Band” album. Jason Scheff and
Christopher Cross? No connection that
I’m aware of … but I still maintain that these two should team up for another
series of shows together once this tour wraps up in December. They sound phenomenal together and really complement
each other’s style. I would DEFINITELY
go to see THAT concert! (kk)
I live within walking distance of the
Arcada Theater, but I don't get a chance to see many of the shows.
However, I made a special point to see the White Album Tribute there on Tuesday
night. Kent, your quick review on Wednesday was spot on, so I won't
rehash. I loved the show and you covered many of the highlights.
On the downside ... the day's high
was 90 degrees (in October) and I had front row balcony seats. As usual,
the theater was almost that hot during the show, which is normal on warm days
for the Arcada. Little did I know when I bought tickets for this late in
the year show that the temperature would be a problem. I do avoid the
Arcada between May and September for that reason.
Todd Rundgren nailed it on
"Helter Skelter" and many other songs, but his staging during the
evening was somewhat off-putting for me. I don't know why it bothered me,
but when he put down the guitar to sing, he seemed to walk back-and-forth
across the front of the stage ad nauseam, almost like a robot ... although, I
did enjoy his prancing around with a super-soaker squirt gun. In the
evening's heat, I wish I had been closer to get squirted myself.
Meanwhile, I was pleasantly
surprised by Christopher Cross. After I had read the review of the
Florida show by Rich in Palm Harbor, I expected his personality to be as dull
as watching canned goods rot, but I found the little bit of ad-libbed
personality he exhibited (while sitting down) to be quite nice. Maybe it
was because it was the opposite of Todd's staging.
Overall, an enjoyable evening.
JonM in Saint Charles
The Arcada CAN
be ungodly hot from time to time … and it was for this show … making it quite
uncomfortable and a bit more difficult to enjoy the whole live concert
experience. (How hot was it??? Micky even took off his hat!!!)
First and
foremost, I am always concerned about the performers, most of whom were in
their 70’s that night. Performing a
high-intensity show in that kind of heat can be dangerous for them health-wise. (The first time we ever went to The Arcada,
we saw KC and the Sunshine Band. It had
to be over 100 degrees in there that night … and KC kept having stagehands
bring out bottles of water, which he would then shake up and spray the audience
with. It was a welcome delight (and relief). One night we saw Johnny Rivers there and it
was so terribly warm that he called from the stage “Hey Ron … I think it’s time
to put another log on the air conditioner!”)
But it’s an old
theater and, in the scheme of things, it would be a MAJOR expense to outfit the
place with air conditioning for the 30-or-so nights a year when you really need
it … so us diehard fans just sweat it out, enjoy the show and shower afterwards! (lol) kk
Great
Review. I’m going to see it tomorrow
night with Tom Cuddy … can’t wait!
David
Salidor
You’ll have a
blast. (kk)
Micky posted
our review on his Facebook page the day that it ran … which garnered this
response …
You guys hit it
out of the park! So much talent on one
stage! It was all that we could have hoped for and more! It was great to meet
you guys … the best show ever! The entire Abbey Road as an encore??? We would have stayed all night!
Thanks to all …
it was a night to remember.
Christy Thomas
Eddy
Speaking of The Arcada Theatre, here are
some brand new shows that have just been announced …
The Cornerstones Of Rock return again on
Saturday, May 2nd! And Tommy
James and the Shondells have already booked their annual show at The Arcada for
next September 20th. Bobby
Rydell returns on June 7th and April Wine will be there on May 15th.
And how about this one …
The Empty Hearts, featuring members of The
Cars, Blondie and The Romantics, doing an all-hits show on February 13th! (That’s a whole lotta hits!)
Asia returns with A Flock Of Seagulls on
April 3rd …
And The Bay City Rollers are back on
Friday, March 13th. (We
missed these guys last time around. This
might be a fun show to see.)
Tickets for all shows (and dozens and
dozens of others) are on sale now thru The Arcada online box office … www.oshows.com. (kk)
FINAL REMINDERS:
This is your
LAST CHANCE to register for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see The Fab
Four at The Arcada Theatre on Friday, November 1st. These guys are one of the premier Beatles
tribute bands out there … we love ‘em … so why not come out and join us for an
unforgettable concert experience.
Register now to
win a pair of tickets by sending me an email at kk@forgottenhits.com … we’ll be picking the
winners by the end of the week. (A
splendid time is guaranteed for all!) kk
We’ve also got
a pair of tickets to see Booker T. Jones (of Booker T. and the MG’s fame) at
The City Winery on Thursday, November 14th. And another pair of tickets to see The Ides
Of March (with special guests Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad and American
Idol Runner-Up Bo Bice) at The Genesee Theatre on Saturday, October 26th.
Same deal …
shoot me an email NOW and we’ll throw your name in the hat … ALL winners will
be notified this weekend … so register now to see one of these great
shows! (kk)
In Other Oldies News:
Of course, the BIG story is the
passing of Drummer Ginger Baker. Baker
had been ill for quite some time (and, quite honestly, on and off for several
years now.) His work with Cream and
Blind Faith (which Baker maintained was jazz-oriented and influenced) is
legendary. Both are considered two of
the top Classic Rock Bands of all time.
(You’ll find twenty songs between them on our Top 3333 Countdown,
running now on the Classic Rock Essentials website.) kk
FH Reader Ken Voss sent us these
links:
For those who want more on Ginger Baker, here's an
excellent documentary link. Ginger Baker is well-known for his smashing work in
Cream and Blind Faith. But the world's greatest (and most volatile) drummer
didn't really hit his stride until 1972, when he journeyed to Nigeria and
discovered the sounds of Fela Kuti's Afrobeat. Following various periods of
drug-induced self-destruction and countless groundbreaking musical works, this
flame-haired musical madman eventually settled in South Africa — where he
currently resides with his much-younger bride and 39 polo ponies. Winner of the
Grand Jury Prize at SXSW, Jay Bulger's entertaining and acclaimed documentary
also features rock superstars Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Johnny Rotten, Lars
Ulrich, Carlos Santana, Stewart Copeland and many more. You've been warned:
BEWARE OF MR. BAKER! https://youtu.be/d7h8CqYXEx0
ALLAN CLARKE: Hollies Legend
Records Solo Album
Allan Clarke has ended his retirement with a solo
album.
20 years after
stepping down from The
Hollies, when he felt his voice had begun to fail, he's
released "Journey of Regret" as the preview single from Resurgence.
Clarke says he
began writing poems a couple of years ago, one of which was put to music by Los
Angeles-based musician Carla
Olson. That inspired Allan to do his own version.
In an interview
posted to YouTube, he says "Journey of
Regret" is a series of "situations in my own life ... I either did or
didn't do. And each time that I didn't do that, there was regret in not doing
them ... I've been on a journey of regrets in my life ... These are just a few
of them."
From one song,
the project grew to an entire album, which Allan recorded at home on his
computer. "It's given me a new lease of life in doing something I
thought I'd never do again.”
And, in other
British Invasion news, Rolling Stone Magazine is reporting that Ray and Dave
Davies of The Kinks are writing songs together again!
Ray told Rolling
Stone: “Dave
and I are having a collaboration on a few songs. I’ll be like, ‘Here is the chorus, you write
verse two.’ I’m trying to keep the energy flowing, and I really want Dave
involved creatively.” They’re even
referring to the collaboration as “Project Kinks” and have already produced a
series of new demos. (The Kinks have not
released a new studio album since 1993.)
Talks with original Kinks Drummer Mick Avory are also being bandied
about. Could a brand new Kinks album be
in the offering for 2020?
KENT:
I recently heard that the last original member of The Lettermen has
left the group after 60 years. His name would be Tony Butala and I
haven’t seen any press on it, so I’m not sure of the reason, but I would guess
that since he’ll be 81 next month, he decided to retire.
I understand he still owns the Lettermen trademark and that three
singers will continue to tour under the Lettermen name in future years.
Two of those three singers (Donovan Tea and Bobby Poynton) have been touring
with Tony for years.
I know former Lettermen Gary Pike is a FH reader, so I thought you
could check with him to confirm the details of this historic change for the
band. Gary ’s brother, Jim, who sadly recently died, was a original
member of the Lettermen as well.
In the album cover shot I have included, left to right, that’s Jim
Pike, Tony Butala and Gary Pike.
-- Tom Cuddy
New York, NY
Can you imagine if they tapped Gary Pike to fill this sudden opening? Be a GREAT way to keep the legendary group alive! (kk)
Hi
Kent,
We're
very proud to be sharing the top ten with the greatest act ever in rock and
roll.
Regards,
Frank
Jeckell
The
1910 Fruitgum Company
Look at the
diversity on this list! Music has rarely
been this fun since! Thanks, Frank! (kk)
By the way,
Frank is now also performing as part of The Royal Teens. We posted a promo clip a few weeks ago showcasing
his new gig … but now comes a link to the “new” Royal Teens website: http://theroyalteens.com/
I am also currently performing
with the Royal Teens along with original member Tom Austin on drums. Tom,
along with Bob Gaudio, wrote Short Shorts and Believe Me, the two records that
charted by the Royal Teens. Check out our new promotional video on our
website.
Regards,
Frank
Got this from a couple of readers last week …
How Quentin
Tarantino got the '60s sound for 'Once Upon a Time' - Los Angeles Times - with
Mark Lindsay
Kent,
Stop
the presses!!! This just in. Just saw, for the second time, a new commercial on
television featuring Coors beer. However, the background tune was Chad and
Jeremy's A SUMMER SONG. Love these new commercials airing during the football
game, especially with background music that we are familiar with.
Larry
Neal
I think I’ve
seen this one, too. This music is such a
big part of our lives … clearly it has affected the generations AFTER ours,
too. Hopefully it will continue to do
so. I have always said: A good song is a good song is a good song …
and THIS is a good song! (kk)
Watch for this new book on the history of soul music in
Chicago.
It looks like the updated sequel to the Robert Pruter books
on Chicago Soul.
The hub is Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions (thus the
book title, “Move On Up”), but it also expands to explore into the likes of
Baby Huey and Minnie Riperton and how soul seeped into the rock circles, as
well as exploring more of the socio-cultural contexts.
Ken Voss
>>>In 1969, Gainsbourg traveled to
London with his much younger bride, Jane Birkin, to re-record the song at Fontana Records' Marble Arch studios. Upon the release of "Je T'aime ... Moi Non Plus" (translation "I Love
You, Me Neither"), it
was immediately banned in most of Europe and by the BBC in the UK. (Mike Gentry)
I remember those days
very well. The only station in the Chicago area (that I
can remember) who would play that song, and they did quite often, was WEXI,
92.7 in Arlington Heights (ex-WNWC). I think that tune was just a tad too much
for most pop stations' audiences.
Mike Wolstein
I remember hearing it a couple of times, too (although it might have
been much later than 1969 … perhaps on one of Chicago’s early oldies radio
stations.) As expected, it was a tad too
“risqué” to chart on either of Chicago’s Top 40 Radio Stations. (kk)
It
warms my heart when I notice high school students singing songs that are at
least fifty years old! While calling the high school game of the week, I
witnessed both student sections singing 'Sweet Caroline' at the top of their
lungs. Later, 'Build Me Up Buttercup' was played and the kids were
singing and dancing to that song much more than the parents and adult
spectators. Journey’s 'Any Way You Want It' was one of the songs
played during the teams warm up time and 'Takin' Care Of Business' from B.T.O.
was heard when the game ended. This
gives me hope that some songs will live on for another generation or two.
Perhaps
all four songs will show up during your upcoming countdown?
Phil
– WRCO
Well … half of
them will! (kk)
>>>
Regarding “Jackson”: The song’s writer,
Billy Edd Wheeler was the first to record the song, which he cut as a duet with
a friend from Kentucky, Joan Sommer (not to be confused with popular singing
star Joanie Sommers, as has also been reported) singing the female part on his
very first album for Kapp Records. Johnny Cash learned the song from that
album, A New Bag of Songs. My understanding is theirs came out a
couple of months before The Kingston Trio cut it (all in 1963.) That's Wheeler's version of the story
anyway. The Kingston Trio also recorded the song in 1963
and included it on their "Sunny Side!" album that year.
(Some maintain that THEY cut it first, but I think that's unlikely.)
Their version sounds a lot like virtually everything else they ever
recorded! lol Incredibly, the song then sat dormant for the next
four years, only to become a hit TWICE in 1967 by two different duos on both
the pop and country charts. (kk)
The Kingston Trio recorded it in June of 1963
and it was on their Sunny Side LP, released in July of that year. Billy Edd
Wheeler didn't get around to recording his own version until October of 1963.
It first appeared on an LP he released in November of 1963, but wasn't issued
on a 45 until 1965.
Tom Diehl
Here is a review of The Eagles’ performance of “Hotel California” in
its entirety in Las Vegas last month … their only US appearances in 2019.
Man, I would
have LOVED to have seen this show!!!
They devoted Set
One to performing the album "Hotel California" in its entirety ...
the first time they’ve ever done this … and then they came back and played
"a few" of their hits in Set Two!!!
SET LIST
“Hotel
California”
“New Kid in Town"
“Life in the Fast Lane”
“Wasted Time”
“Wasted Time” (Reprise)
“Victim of Love”
“Pretty Maids All in a Row”
“Try and Love Again”
“The Last Resort”
(Intermission)
“Seven
Bridges Road”
“Take It Easy”
“One of These Nights”
“Take It To The Limit”
“Tequila Sunrise”
“Witchy Woman”
“In the City”
“I Can’t Tell You Why”
“Lyin’ Eyes”
“Best of My Love”
“Peaceful Easy Feeling”
“Love Will Keep Us Alive”
“Walk Away”
“Those Shoes”
“Life’s Been Good”
“Boys of Summer”
“Funk 49”
“Already Gone”
“Heartache Tonight”
(First
Encore)
“Rocky
Mountain Way”
“Desperado”
(Second
Encore)
“The
Long Run”
“Hotel California” (Reprise)
DAMN!!! (kk)
And finally,
one of Frank’s Funnies …
Today’s
weather report …
FB
