DON’T KNOCK THE ROCK!
Kent,
I enjoyed the surprise you had for your readers this morning with the posting of the nine videos with the subject of "knocking."
I am almost 100% certain that your posting of Little Richard is not the original studio / vinyl version. However, it is a very close second and probably most of your readers wouldn't notice the difference.
I would have posted Eddie Floyd's version of KNOCK ON WOOD, but Stewart's was OK.
Some other KNOCK KNOCK records you could have posted would have been KNOCK KNOCK by Mary Hopkin, KNOCK KNOCK (WHO'S THERE) by the Orlons and Sam the Sham and the Pharoah's THE HAIR ON MY CHINNY CHIN CHIN, in which the beginning of the record is the sound of knocking. Also, don't forget the Genies' WHO'S THAT KNOCKING?
Again, keep up the good work … especially little surprises now and then like you did today.
Larry
I enjoyed the surprise you had for your readers this morning with the posting of the nine videos with the subject of "knocking."
I am almost 100% certain that your posting of Little Richard is not the original studio / vinyl version. However, it is a very close second and probably most of your readers wouldn't notice the difference.
I would have posted Eddie Floyd's version of KNOCK ON WOOD, but Stewart's was OK.
Some other KNOCK KNOCK records you could have posted would have been KNOCK KNOCK by Mary Hopkin, KNOCK KNOCK (WHO'S THERE) by the Orlons and Sam the Sham and the Pharoah's THE HAIR ON MY CHINNY CHIN CHIN, in which the beginning of the record is the sound of knocking. Also, don't forget the Genies' WHO'S THAT KNOCKING?
Again, keep up the good work … especially little surprises now and then like you did today.
Larry
I think the term 'knockers" is British slang, so why not throw in Mary Hopkin's "Knock, Knock, Who's There," which was a UK #2 in 1970.
Mike Ogilvie
Mississauga, ON
You know, four other people ALSO emailed about this Mary Hopkin tune … and the funny thing is, I had it on my original list and then decided to drop it because I didn’t think anybody would know what it was!!! (Here in The States it only reached #78 … and #92 in Billboard.)
And Larry is right … that is NOT the original Little Richard hit recording version of “Keep A Knockin’” … but I needed something quickly so that’s the one I went with. (I actually had another clip entirely in mind but I couldn’t find it. (I still can’t … but I will ALWAYS think of that scene from the movie “Christine” when I hear this song!!!) Anyway, I’ve added that one and the Mary Hopkin tune … now posted below. (kk)
Hi Kent!
I never heard Joe Walsh’s ode to that amazing part of the female anatomy before! Thanks for the wake up call.
Where did you find that? Hilarious! ILBT’s.
Over and out.
Jimbo
It’s from Joe’s 1983 “You Bought It, You Name It” album, which also featured his minor hit “Space Age Whiz Kids.”
While I don’t consider myself to be a MAJOR Joe Walsh fan, I have ALWAYS loved the sense of humor he brings to his music … you can pretty much count on there being one or two tracks from each album that’ll just flat out make you smile. (Even his album titles crack me up: “The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get,” “So What,” “You Can’t Argue With A Sick Mind,” “But Seriously, Folks,” “There Goes The Neighborhood,” “You Bought It, You Name It,” “Got Any Gum?” and “Ordinary Average Guy.”
Once The Eagles split up (you know, prior to hell freezing over), I bought ALL of the solo albums by Walsh, Don Henley and Glenn Frey. In fact, I grabbed this LP as soon as it came out without ever having heard a single track before. Naturally, this PARTICULAR track IMMEDIATELY became my favorite!
We have featured it a couple of times before in Forgotten Hits … and it just seemed to be an appropriate way to end today’s tribute to Great Knockers!!! (kk)
We have featured it a couple of times before in Forgotten Hits … and it just seemed to be an appropriate way to end today’s tribute to Great Knockers!!! (kk)
Hi again Kent,
I just wanted to let you know that I really got a kick out of your knockers theme. It started out so innocently with Keep A Knockin' by Little Richard. By the way, there aren't too many facts about fifties early rock and roll that totally astound me and blow me away ... but when I learned from Matt The Cat that Keep A Knockin' wasn't
written by Little Richard and was, in fact, first recorded by Louis Jordan and his Tymphany Five back in 1939, well, that did totally surprise me!
Tou paired Keep A Knockin' by Little Richard with I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door by Eddie Hodges ... you could have gone with the original version by the Isley
Brothers. And then, of course, there's I Hear You Knocking by Smiley Lewis, Gale Storm, Fats Domino or Dave Edmunds take your pick. And how about Who's That Knocking by the Genies?
And now we get to the part of your theme that I love the best ... the "knockers" songs.
There are two live cuts on one of Rusty Warren's albums that would fit … Bounce Your Boobies and Knockers Up. And then we have a song recorded by the queen of late forties and early fifties party records, Ruth Wallis, but I think this was recorded a bit later in the sixties, a song simply called Boobs. And then there's the 1971 song by the Holy Modal Rounders that Dr. Demento almost made a hit on his syndicated shows, Boobs A Lot. He certainly always got a lot of requests for that one on his shows. There are probably even more, but now you've got me thinking about more possible boob songs. (Gee, I never knew that the Forgotten Hits blog was R rated! I'm kidding, of course!)
Today this is nothing, but some of those records I mentioned would not be polite to play in mixed company when they first came out. My, how times have changed.
Anyway, great idea for a theme, my friend. I LOVE IT!!!
Sam Ward
Damn, I wish I would have thought of the Rusty Warren track before I posted the final list. (This one, like many others lately, was pulled together at the very last minute, just to get something up on the site Friday Morning … but it turned out to be a fun piece to do.)
Although the Louis Jordan record came out in 1939, Little Richard still had no problem putting his own name on the song-writing credits for his 1957 version of “Keep A Knockin’”. (Now in all fairness, the bulk of it WAS a different song … but it was pretty obvious what it was based on!) Poor Jordan … he was ripped off by SO many early ‘50’s rockers who took his jump and jive style and turned it into rock and roll. (You can add Chuck Berry to that list, too.)
I’ve been making my way thru a 5-CD Louis Jordan box set … a whopping 127 tracks … just to better familiarize myself with this great artist … who had an incredible 54 charted Top Ten Hits on Billboard’s R&B Chart between 1942 and 1951. This list includes eighteen #1 Records, including “Choo Choo Chi’Boogie (which topped the chart for EIGHTEEN WEEKS!) and “Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens” (which sat at #1 for seventeen more!) In fact, Jordan’s 18 #1’s spent a total of 113 weeks at the top of the chart … and at least a dozen of these could EASILY qualify as “The First Rock And Roll Record,” charting nearly a full decade before “Rock Around The Clock” hit the summit.
I wasn’t familiar with The Isley Brothers’ version of “I’m Gonna Knock On Your Door” … so I had to check it out. I never realized that the Eddie Hodges record was a remake. (See, even I learn something new in Forgotten Hits on a regular basis!)
As for “I Hear You Knockin’,” that song was a MAJOR hit in 1955 for Smiley Lewis (on the R&B Chart) and Gale Storm on the pop charts, both of whom took it all the way to #2. (I first discovered the song in 1971 when Dave Edmunds cut it … and it went all the way to #1 here in Chicago … I fell in love with it immediately ... and it's 1950's sound!)
And that record by The Genies (also suggested by Frank B. below) is a GREAT track that I’d never heard before … this one is yet another one of those crazy chart discrepancy records that come up all the time. It was a #33 hit in Cash Box Magazine in 1959 … but only went to #71 in Billboard. Go figure! (I didn’t know the “Boobs A Lot” song either … and I used to listen to Dr. Demento all the time!) And I had to download the Ruth Wallis song after I heard it! Funny stuff!
Some more great suggestions … many of which we’re now featuring below.
Thanks, Sam! (kk)
And these from the aforementioned Frank B …
kk:
kk:
Add this one to your DJ 's list.
FB
FB
Maybe you should do the Top 5000 Knocking Songs.
(Don't blame me --- You started it!)
Frank B.
kk:
Song #1 = Knocking at my front door.
Song # 2 = Knocking at my back door.
You got me started and now I can't stop.
Live Doo - Wop A Cappella.
FB
Wow, right here in Bolingbrook, too! VERY cool!
Nilsson did a pretty good version of “At My Front Door,” too …
Pat Boone didn’t! (lol) kk
>>>In this RIDICULOUSLY absurd time of "political correctness," I like to call it: "A Nice Set of Knockers!!!" (kk)
Hey, we demand equal time! How about a set by these artists:
Dick Dale
Dick & DeeDee
Dick Hyman
Dick Van Dyke
Dick Smothers
... and, of course, Joe Cocker
Oh and by the way, there was an artist who released more than a dozen singles on the M.S.R. label out of Hollywood during the late '70s/early '80s.
His name?
Dick Kent!
– Randy Price
We just had a veteran newscaster pass away here in Chicago … on the air for something like 35 years …
And his name was Dick Johnson.
(Imagine carrying THAT around with you for your whole life?!?!?)
Of course, creative “sicko” that I am, I always wondered if his middle name was Willie. (kk)
THE BEATLES:
THE BEATLES:
My first thought when I read that The Beatles and four other classic rock acts were the top sellers was this:
What does that say about the music of today and the enduring popularity of The Beatles?
But, after I thought about it more, I believe that it's because young people stream music, they don't buy it. People my age still do.
Charlie Ricci
Kent,
I am wondering where you got the Beatles outselling everyone stats? That is great!
Clark Besch
I got my information from Ultimate Classic Rock … who got THEIR information from Billboard Magazine … who got THEIR information from Nielsen’s Mid-Year Report … who published this 36-page MRC Data Report.
(Now I’ll admit, you’ve gotta dig pretty deep to find it … and it’s a bit of a stretch when compared to some of the other categories listed in this very extensive, genre-driven report … but all of the facts stated are true in the Rock Category.
On Page 17 you’ll find The Top Five Genre Artists … On Page 18 you’ll find The Top Five Albums, The Top Five Songs and The Top Five Rock Songs … and On Page 28, you’ll find The Top Ten Vinyl Albums.
In fact, if you take into account The Top Five Radio Songs, you can add Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer,” The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” and Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” to the list of Classic Rock Classics that folks are downloading today. (The only current act on THIS Top Five List is Panic! At The Disco, who came in at #1 with their tune “High Hopes.”) Ozzy Osbourne, James Taylor, Pearl Jam and Bob Dylan ALSO get mentions in the rock section of this 36-page report. (kk)
BILLY JOEL:
Lots of Billy Joel-related news this past week …
kk:
Check this out …
Billy Joel Plays Piano Discarded on Sidewalk
This Is Billy Joel's First Live Performance In Months!
FB
Frank also sent us this clip of Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel’s long-time drummer) performing with The Lords of 52nd Street.
Liberty also drums for Billy J. Kramer … and I had the chance to meet him a couple of years ago at The Fest For Beatles Fans. In fact, his daughter Torrey, stars on the hit NBC series “Chicago Med,” which films right here in Chicago, and she was there, too. (I had never seen the show before but Frannie is now an avid fan … so I wish I would have taken advantage of the photo opportunity when I had the chance!)
He's a lot better than I thought he was. They're doing one of those park concerts next week ... but you must be a resident of Babylon Township in order to attend.
FB
From the comments on the YouTube clip:
The amazing-as-ever Liberty DeVitto performing his original drum part for Billy Joel's "Angry Young Man" with The Lords of 52nd Street at Havana's New Hope, 01/14/2017. Billy wrote some awesome songs but the guys in the Lords brought them to life! To me, Billy isn't the same without these guys behind him. If you love Billy's music, do yourself a favor and see these guys. It's as close to seeing the Billy Joel of the '70s and early '80s as you get these days...
Then again, maybe Liberty will drum for Billy again in the not-too-distant future …
(Wouldn’t it be nice if BOTH men could see “the error of their ways” and just man-up and start playing music together again?!?!)
DeVitto’s new book, “Liberty: Life, Billy And The Pursuit Of Happiness” came out last week … and Liberty reached out to Billy to write the forward. We are happy to report that fences have been mended well enough that this Billy agreed … and the two may soon play music together again … if such a time of live concerts exists again. (In the meantime, you’re just as likely to see Billy Joel randomly playing an abandoned piano on the street I guess!) kk
Longtime Billy Joel Drummer Liberty DeVitto Talks Mending Fences With the Piano Man:
THIS AND THAT:
Hi Kent:
Thank you for the generous mentions in your blog today. That was quite a pleasant surprise to start the day.
By the way, the item just above it was incorrect, I believe. Petula Clark is, indeed, headed for her 88th (!) birthday, but she’s probably not in any hurry to get there. Her birthday’s actually on November 15th. She’s a core artist on our station, so Mike’s reference to her birthday being on July 15th startled me. I had to make sure we didn’t miss something big.
We’re doing our Laurel Canyon Weekend starting tomorrow (Friday) night at 7:00. Then, July 24-26 will be a return of the “K-Tel / Ronco Weekend.” And the final week of July finds two former teen idols celebrating birthdays — Paul Anka turning 79 on July 30 and Gary Lewis turning 74 on July 31. We’ll do special features on both and then move into “A Teen Idols Weekend” for July 31st - August 2nd.
Rick O’Dell
Me-TV-FM
That’s a MAJOR “Oops,” Mike … and shame on me for not “fact-checking” before I ran with it. And thank you, Rick, for drawing it to our attention. (I think you’re probably right … she’ll be turning 88 soon enough without us taking four months away from her!!!)
Some cool stuff coming up on the station in the way of special weekend programming. (Me-TV-FM continues to add more stations to their stable … and you can always stream online from one of these other locations since Chicago still has no intentions of streaming from the home base.) The Milwaukee Feed thru Radio.com always works well for me …
Now how cool is THIS?!?! (Talk about your “vintage acts” sticking together!!!)
WILLIAM SHATNER Joins CANNED HEAT On New Version Of
“LET’S WORK TOGETHER!”
In 1969, songwriter and recording artist Wilbert Harrison released “Let’s Work Together” amidst unprecedented social strife and racial tensions in America. The song was a clarion call to “every boy, girl, woman and man” to join the burgeoning social movements that promoted peace, justice and equality and a declaration that “Together we will stand, divided we’ll fall.” The following year, Southern California hippie blues band Canned Heat released their own version of the song, which became a major hit and amplified Harrison’s call to action and unity. Now, that same band has teamed up with famed actor and musical interpretationist William Shatner for a much-needed revival of the spirit of unity found in this song.
“Let’s Work Together” features a backing track created by the current line-up of Canned Heat, including long-time drummer Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra, as well as a special guest appearance by former member, and revered blues guitarist, Harvey Mandel. The musical stage thus set, Mr. Shatner joins in with a dramatic, passionate rendering of the song’s lyrics, breathing a new life into the message.
Mr. Shatner proclaims, “This is a terrific song for this moment in time!”
Fittingly, “Let’s Work Together” will be one of the centerpieces on Mr. Shatner’s new album, The Blues, coming later this year that will feature a constellation of blues, rock and country performers who work together with Mr. Shatner to bring the blues to life including Sonny Landreth, Brad Paisley, Ritchie Blackmore, Pat Travers, Tyler Bryant and more - courtesy of Cleopatra Records.
Stream the single: https://orcd.co/william_shatner_canned_heat
“Let’s Work Together” features a backing track created by the current line-up of Canned Heat, including long-time drummer Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra, as well as a special guest appearance by former member, and revered blues guitarist, Harvey Mandel. The musical stage thus set, Mr. Shatner joins in with a dramatic, passionate rendering of the song’s lyrics, breathing a new life into the message.
Mr. Shatner proclaims, “This is a terrific song for this moment in time!”
Fittingly, “Let’s Work Together” will be one of the centerpieces on Mr. Shatner’s new album, The Blues, coming later this year that will feature a constellation of blues, rock and country performers who work together with Mr. Shatner to bring the blues to life including Sonny Landreth, Brad Paisley, Ritchie Blackmore, Pat Travers, Tyler Bryant and more - courtesy of Cleopatra Records.
Stream the single: https://orcd.co/william_shatner_canned_heat
As we’ve been able to do for the past couple of weeks now, here is a Sneak Preview of the new video clips that are going to be posted on The Ed Sullivan YouTube Channel. Remember, these are the full-length clips as they actually aired during Ed’s remarkable 21 year run.
FULL SEGMENTS OFFICIALLY PREMIERING ON ‘THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW’ YOUTUBE CHANNEL JULY 24 - JULY 30
THESE INCLUDE AMERICAN ROCK, VOCAL GEMS AND COMEDY GREATS
The Lovin’ Spoonful’s classic “Do You Believe In Magic,” along with Songstresses Carmen McRae, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilsonand Peggy Lee … Plus more Motown with The Four Tops And Gladys Knight & The Pips ...Comedy Premieres that week include Morey Amsterdam, Myron Cohen, Sam Levenson and Señor Wences Entertains With His Puppets
Full segments from ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ are now officially available worldwide via streaming platforms for the first time ever as part of the UMe deal with SOFA Entertainment for global digital rights
The complete list of full-performance segments making their official premiere on The Ed Sullivan Show’s official YouTube channel
July 24 - July 30 are listed below:
July 24 - July 30 are listed below:
STREAM LAUNCH
|
ARTIST
|
PERFORMANCE
|
ORIGINAL AIRDATE
|
FRI 7/24
|
Peggy Lee
|
(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman
|
April 6, 1969
|
FRI 7/24
|
Mickey Mantle
|
Retirement
|
March 9, 1969
|
FRI 7/24
|
Lena Horne
|
From This Moment On
|
April 28, 1957
|
SAT 7/25
|
Nancy Wilson
|
Out Of This World
|
November 24, 1968
|
SAT 7/25
|
Peggy Lee
|
The Best Is Yet To Come
|
December 9, 1962
|
SAT 7/25
|
Carmen McRae
|
Isn't It Romantic
|
January 29, 1961
|
SAT 7/25
|
Sam Levenson
|
Kids & Money
|
September 26, 1954
|
SUN 7/26
|
Lena Horne
|
Can't Help Loving Dat Man
|
September 9, 1951
|
SUN 7/26
|
The Lovin' Spoonful
|
Do You Believe In Magic
|
March 19, 1967
|
SUN 7/26
|
Señor Wences
|
Puppets
|
March 20, 1966
|
SUN 7/26
|
Willie Mays
|
Batting Tips
|
May 15, 1966
|
MON 7/27
|
Myron Cohen
|
School Rivalries & Divorce
|
November 29, 1964
|
MON 7/27
|
Gladys Knight & The Pips
|
If I Were Your Woman
|
February 7, 1971
|
TUE 7/28
|
Morey Amsterdam
|
Jackie O, Nixon & Ballet
|
November 24, 1968
|
WED 7/29
|
Four Tops
|
When You're Smiling, It's The Same Old Song, Something About You, I Can't Help Myself
|
January 30, 1966
|
THU 7/30
|
Nancy Wilson
|
Face It Girl, It's Over
|
November 24, 1968
|
Nearly 50 years after The Ed Sullivan Show wrapped its final episode and charmed TV viewers for the final time on Sunday night June 6, 1971, it officially joined the streaming universe to live on forever on June 12 with the UMe agreement with SOFA Entertainment Inc. for the global digital rights to The Ed Sullivan Show, which encompasses the influential television program’s historic 23-year primetime run on CBS and marks the first time that Ed Sullivan Show performance and guest segments are officially available in their entirety across streaming services worldwide.
Also among the voluminous gems in this vast catalog are iconic clips that have primarily only been available in excerpted versions on EdSullivan.com or as low-resolution digital “bootlegs.” Scores of rarities will also be available digitally for the first time and fans can visit The Ed Sullivan Show’s Official YouTube Channel and EdSullivan.com for more information.
Hi Kent,
The Forgotten Hits blog has had posts of the Chicago band The MOB. Let me provide the first teaser of an upcoming special broadcast and celebration of the first group from the Windy City to incorporate a full horn section (the Chicago horn rock sound).
Spread the word ...
This fall, a special broadcast and celebration of The MOB
Mike Baker And The Forgotten 45s
Please keep us posted, Mike, so we can let our readers know. (You have probably already done so, but if not, let me know if I can help you get the word out to the guys from the band.) kk
Please keep us posted, Mike, so we can let our readers know. (You have probably already done so, but if not, let me know if I can help you get the word out to the guys from the band.) kk
Kent,
I just found out from my Hollywood agent that "LILA" from the "Fapardokly" album is in this new movie! It was originally set for an October release but now it probably won’t be out till next year due to COVID. Amazing how songs from that album keep coming back into the spotlight!
Will keep you updated, hope this finds you doing good.
Best,
Merrell
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
· Movie
· Features Merrell Fankhauser song "Lila"
The story of 7 people on trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.
Director:
Writer:
Stars:
Congratulations, Merrell … it’s a great song!
Our daughter Paige has a small “extras” type role in this film … so we have anxiously been awaiting its release since she filmed her scenes last year! There are some top-notch people attached to this thing … so we’re really looking forward to seeing it. (I think Sacha can pretty much leave Borat and Bruno behind at this point … he has turned into quite the highly-regarded dramatic actor.) kk
Our daughter Paige has a small “extras” type role in this film … so we have anxiously been awaiting its release since she filmed her scenes last year! There are some top-notch people attached to this thing … so we’re really looking forward to seeing it. (I think Sacha can pretty much leave Borat and Bruno behind at this point … he has turned into quite the highly-regarded dramatic actor.) kk
That's something … your step daughter has a part in the film!
My agent said he will keep me updated on release date changes; it was supposed to be October, but probably pushed back now.
It still amazes me how the "Fapardokly"album songs keep getting in the spotlight! "Supermarket" is in the Thomas Pynchon novel 'Inherent Vice," "Tomorrows Girl" is on the Warner Rhino CD box set "Where The Action Is, L.A Nuggets, 1965-1968” and "Lila" was in the movie 'Chappaquiddick" and will now be in "The Trial Of The Chicago 7"!
I did a radio interview with a DJ in Melbourne, Australia, who said that a sealed original "Fapardokly" LP went for $1,900 there! If I only would have put a 100 copies in the closet back in the day! Who knew?
Hope this finds you and your family safe and well.
All My Best,
Merrell
Hi Kent,
Yes Sir, I agree, Stu should be considered a member of the Eagles in good standing.
Thinking of DJ's ... remember John R (John Richbourg) DJ for WLAC, Nashville? ... he was a hoot! All the time I lived in Nashville, (around 18 years), I never knew he was white! LOL. Loved his show.
Stay safe and well my friend.
Barry
Yes Sir, I agree, Stu should be considered a member of the Eagles in good standing.
Thinking of DJ's ... remember John R (John Richbourg) DJ for WLAC, Nashville? ... he was a hoot! All the time I lived in Nashville, (around 18 years), I never knew he was white! LOL. Loved his show.
Stay safe and well my friend.
Barry
Frank B. also sent us this great clip of “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” sequel, featuring some country music greats.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
And Happy Birthday to Dion ...
81 Years Old ... and more popular than ever!!!
