CASEY:
I actually have a Casey Kasem 45. I'll attach the MP3 of it here, just for kicks.
It got airplay in San Antonio in the fall of (I think) 1964.
Brad
Yes, after Casey read the “Letter From Elaina” on his KRLA radio program, there was such a big response to it that they decided to recreate it and release it as a 45. (This was, after all, the height of Beatlemania, where ANYTHING Beatles-related was being scooped up by adoring fans … so, in October of 1964, the single “bubbled under” in Billboard at #103.)
A couple of record companies were interested in putting it out … (can you imagine a bidding war over this thing?!?!) ... and Casey went so far as to reportedly turn down $35,000 to record it for one of them.
Instead, he chose to make a deal with Joe Smith over at Warner Brothers Records. Casey told Joe, “Get me a part in a film or a television show that’s meaty enough so that I can get an acting agent and I’ll GIVE you this record for distribution.” (Casey first moved to California in the hopes of becoming an actor. Thankfully, fate had other plans.)
The single came out … did nothing … and faded away. FOUR YEARS LATER, Smith FINALLY got him a role in the Chad Everett movie “First To Fight.” Casey spoke exactly one line in the film: “What about all them medals?” It was the biggest acting part he ever got … and years later, when the film was finally shown on TV, his line was edited out. His only remaining on-screen exposure was as part of a crowd scene! (kk)
>>>In his book, in a segment focusing on some of Casey’s “most collectible shows,” Rob Durkee tells us that there is an extensive list of “mistake-filled shows.” He says: “The earliest notable goof came on the December 19, 1970 show, when ‘Love The One You’re With’ by Stephen Stills was supposed to debut at number 39. Instead, a song that had never even made the Top 40, ‘So Close’ by Jake Holmes, was identified as number 39. “Billboard usually phoned in the new chart to an AT40 staffer, who’d write the new numbers in the margin of the previous week’s chart. On the previous week’s chart, Holmes was at number 57 and Stills was a number 67. It is believed that the staffer wrote “39” beside the song at position 57 instead of the one at position 67. Nobody caught the goof when the show was recorded but measures were taken to prevent a repeat of this error.
“Stew Hillner, an original AT40 staffer, recalled, ‘Yeah, we played a wrong song. And Don (Bustany) said, ‘As we’re assembling the program from now on, you must hear the lyric or the title of that song.’”
Kent, that makes sense to me. I do not have a copy, but I see it is PARTIALLY in Google books to read. I will watch for a cheap copy, but who knows?
Clark Besch
>>>Durkee goes on to list several other mistakes made on the air over American Top 40’s history. The most common problem was playing the B-Side of the hit record that was announced by Casey. (Apparently, recording deadlines were so tight, nobody ever bothered to go back and “proof-read” … or “proof-listen” the show.) He documents FIVE times that this happened … “I Ain’t Got Time Anymore” by The Glass Bottle debuted on the chart on September 18, 1971, and remained there for three weeks. However, the first TWO weeks, its B-Side “The First Time,” was mistakenly played on the show. By the third week (the record’s final week in The Top 40), it was finally corrected and the A-Side was played. The B-Sides of “Angel” by Rod Stewart (1972), “You’re A Special Part Of Me” by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye (1973), “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” by Bad Company (1975) and “The Proud One” by The Osmonds (1975) all went thru a similar fate. Sadly, Rod Stewart’s hit “Angel” only spent one week in The Top 40 … so the A-Side was never heard on the program!!! (kk)
>>>Durkee goes on to list several other mistakes made on the air over American Top 40’s history. The most common problem was playing the B-Side of the hit record that was announced by Casey. (Apparently, recording deadlines were so tight, nobody ever bothered to go back and “proof-read” … or “proof-listen” the show.) He documents FIVE times that this happened … “I Ain’t Got Time Anymore” by The Glass Bottle debuted on the chart on September 18, 1971, and remained there for three weeks. However, the first TWO weeks, its B-Side “The First Time,” was mistakenly played on the show. By the third week (the record’s final week in The Top 40), it was finally corrected and the A-Side was played. The B-Sides of “Angel” by Rod Stewart (1972), “You’re A Special Part Of Me” by Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye (1973), “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” by Bad Company (1975) and “The Proud One” by The Osmonds (1975) all went thru a similar fate. Sadly, Rod Stewart’s hit “Angel” only spent one week in The Top 40 … so the A-Side was never heard on the program!!! (kk)
The syndicated recyclings of Casey's AT40 shows remedied one of those "wrong song" gaffes late last year, with the help of upstate-New-York personality and program director Ken Martin (http://www.kenmartin.info/)
"Angel" was culled from a later show and digitally grafted into the 12/16/1972 countdown, which aired 12/21 (or 22) / 2019, although "Lost Paraguayos" was preserved as an "optional" extra for airing at the end of the show's first hour if stations choose.
Ken is a technological wizard, and those first few years of shows originally in monaural sound light-years better in stereo ... that's mostly his doing!
--Bob Frable
Interesting about "The First Time." I loved "Aint Got Time Anymore" and yet, "The First Time" also sits in my faves box … but not sure I know where I heard it. Maybe AT40 let me hear it and I thought it was great?
Clark
ON THE RADIO:
You might remember our first K-Tel / Ronco Weekend last September. Since then, listeners have been asking us to do another one. We’ve put it on the calendar this coming weekend. Starting Friday night in the 7:00 o’clock we’ll start sprinkling in songs that appeared on the various collectors’ albums issued by the K-Tel and Ronco companies back in the ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s. If you bought any of those collections back in the day, you probably remember how eclectic they were. If not, count on MeTVFM to give you a proper introduction this weekend.
Rick O’Dell
Me-TV-FM
BOOBS-A-LOT:
Hi Kent,
In your songs about boobs, how could you miss the obvious choice ...
"Brick House" by the Commodores!?!
Paul Haney
Try “Knock, Knock” by The Humane Society on Liberty from ‘67. That should wake you up.
Try “Knock, Knock” by The Humane Society on Liberty from ‘67. That should wake you up.
Ken
Hi, Kent:
As probably the oldest original reader, I felt compelled to add an old, old "Knock" song to your list. Plus, it's a movie thing.
If you ever saw "Casablanca," you must remember this. Dooley Wilson early on singing Knock On Wood.
Hil
Hey Kent ...
Been a while, but still working on my own project down here.
One track I didn't see anyone come up with for the knockers subject is one I worked while I was at Reprise.
The follow up to Sir Mix-A-Lot's huge hit, "Baby Got Back" was ...
"Put 'Em On The Glass" LOL
Doc
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME:
IN ANTICIPATION OF BASEBALL SEASON OPENING ON JULY 23, ‘THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW’ YOUTUBE CHANNEL HITS A GRAND SLAM WITH FULL SEGMENTS STREAMING WORLDWIDE FEATURING LEGENDS WILLIE MAYS, JACKIE ROBINSON, AND MICKEY MANTLE
Iconic Clips From Three Legendary Baseball Hall Of Famers Officially Available Worldwide Via Streaming Platforms For The First Time Ever As Part Of The UMe Deal With SOFA Entertainment For Global Digital Rights
Just in time for the planned return of a historic abbreviated baseball season, The Ed Sullivan Show’s official YouTube channel hits it out of the park with the official worldwide streaming premieres of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays, offering viewers batting tips, and Mickey Mantle, who makes a major career announcement. These full segments join the streaming universe to live on forever more than 50 years after they first aired as part of 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 The Ed Sullivan Show performance and guest segments are officially available in their entirety across streaming services worldwide.
In his 21 seasons with the Giants baseball franchise, Willie Mays played both in New York and San Francisco. He is a living legend and an American icon. He is widely known and regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, with his unique and gifted combination of power hitting, base running, throwing and fielding. In this 1966 segment, Ed Sullivan learns how Willie Mays bats. Mays said exclusively of his appearances, “Ed Sullivan was a real gentleman. And, a real baseball fan. That’s why he had me on his TV show so many times! I learned later that he had been a sportswriter. You’d never have guessed that!! Anyway, Ed was really good to me. A nice man.”
Jackie Robinson pioneered the integration of professional sports in 1947 when he became the first African American to play in the major leagues in the 20th Century; he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers his entire career. In this 1962 clip, the same year he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Jackie Robinson gives Ed Sullivan insider tips on how to handle the bat.
Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle played for the New York Yankees his entire career, which included five World Series titles. In his 1969 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, the home-run champion and MVP announces his retirement.
In addition to sports, the voluminous gems in this vast catalog include iconic clips from all aspects of popular culture, many of which have primarily only been available in excerpted versions on EdSullivan.com or as low-resolution digital “bootlegs.” Scores of rarities will continue to 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.
STREAM LAUNCH
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SPORTS GREAT
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DESCRIPTION
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AIRDATE
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THU 7/23
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Jackie Robinson
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Batting Tips
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May 20, 1962
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FRI 7/24
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Mickey Mantle
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Retirement
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March 9, 1969
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SUN 7/26
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Willie Mays
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Batting Tips
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May 15, 1966
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And here’s a little bit different take on one of those songs that you just KNOW made our Top 100 All-Time Favorite Songs Of Summer List. (We’re still trying to figure out exactly when and where to run this … a radio countdown tie-in is also in the works … so it may turn into something like a “Last Blast Of Summer” / Labor Day Weekend sort of thing … but we will definitely keep you posted so you can enjoy it in all its glory!) kk
THIS AND THAT:
Elvis Presley's 'Sun Sessions' guitar up for auction
kk:
Let’s chip in and bid on Elvis' guitar.
FB
We told you about Harvey Kubernik's new book "Docs That Rock, Music That Matters" … which they’re now calling “the Documentary Music History Book for the 21st Century.
Harvey tells us …
kk:
The first 100 emails received have offered many kudos, and several referenced your FH site and were delighted to learn "Upbeat" has a chapter in the book. I'm sure in Chicago you caught the program weekly. One of the few TV shows in the States where I could actually see the Guess Who play live! And then catch them in Los Angeles in the early and mid-seventies. Plus, where else could I see Gene Pitney sing!
I'm very proud of this book. I cover the waterfront.
Best,
HK
I am really looking forward to reading this book ... SO many great rock and roll performances to be accounted for ... it'll make a great "check list" in tracking some of these things down!
Actually, I don’t think "Upbeat" ever aired here in Chicago … it was more of a Cleveland thing, I believe.
Actually, I don’t think "Upbeat" ever aired here in Chicago … it was more of a Cleveland thing, I believe.
I’ve always wanted to see the “Upbeat” show … especially after reading so much about it over the past twenty years from readers who grew up with the program. (And the number of artists who appeared on this program is staggering! A Who's Who of '60's heavyweights!)
A know a number of VERY interesting clips exist from this program but the licensing fees are astronomical … which is probably why you never see them.
There is a VERY limited audience left for these programs … but some incredibly interesting music specials could be put together using these vintage clips, whether it be PBS or just a series of ‘60’s Pop Music Specials. Release them on DVD then … or license them thru YouTube like The Ed Sullivan Shows are running right now … but keeping them locked up in a vault where NOBODY can see them, enjoy them and appreciate them just makes absolutely NO sense to me. (kk)
Hey Kent,
Your recent post of Joe Walsh got me thinking of his 2012 song, “One Day At A Time,’’ from his “Analog Man” album.
It’s no secret Joe has had a huge issue with alcohol.
Anybody looking for an “ANTHEM” to help them with this issue, please use this song on a daily basis.
Music will always be there for you.
Thanks,
Gary Maurer
Joe has had any number of demons to contend with over the years … the fact that he has stayed clean now for 26 years is a true testament to a changed man.
(I was talking with Burton Cummings after a show one night and he brought up how much fun Joe ISN’T these days!!! He’s gone COMPLETELY clean and won’t even have one drink with the guys. Burton and Joe have done a couple of Ringo Tours in the past and that was pretty much SOP in "the good old days" … but Joe has become quite the family man … and since Ringo has also had to deal with a drinking problem in the past … and all of The Eagles had their own drug issues back in the day … it’s kinda nice to see a “clean” and healthier Joe Walsh these days. (kk)
Ultimate Classic Rock is running an interesting debate right now …
Were The Rolling Stones better in the ‘60’s or in the ‘70’s?
The critics weighing in so far seem to be split right down the middle …
All seem to agree that the best Stones albums all came out between 1968 and 1972 … citing “Beggars Banquet,” “Let It Bleed,” “Sticky Fingers” and “Exile On Main Street” as being the cream of the crop … which puts HALF of their best LP output in each decade!
Interesting reading nevertheless …
And feel free to weigh in with YOUR opinion, too!
Meanwhile, The Stones have taken advantage of all this unexpected “down time” and continue to release new (old) tracks … including this one featuring Jimmy Page on guitar!
(It’s another bonus track on the special re-release of their 1973 album “Goats Head Soup,” covered in greater detail by Harvey Kubernik here …
FH Reader Geoff Lambert is reporting that Rod Bernard, who had The Top Ten Hit “This Should Go On Forever” (#8 in Music Vendor, #20 in Billboard) died on July 12th at the age of 79. His style has been described as “Cajun Swamp Rock.” After his hit, he worked in radio and television for the rest of his career. (kk)
And I’ve gotta tell you, Jerry Lee Lewis looks barely alive in this recent photograph sent in by FH Reader Frank B., showing him receiving an award from Liberty University School Of Music … how sad when one remembers what a vibrant showman he was in his prime. (kk)
>>>Happy birthday to Petula Clark, one of the greatest of all time! 88 on July 15th … and still performing! (Mike)
>>>By the way, the item above is 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. (Rick O’Dell)
>>>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!!!) kk
Kent,
I'm embarrassed beyond belief by my error. I've learned that we can't always take for granted what we read online until we back it up by getting the info from more than one source. The site it came from was one I'd been on before, so I assumed. but you know what they say about "assume". I've made slight errors when passing along info, but this one hurts. ;-(
Mike
I'm embarrassed beyond belief by my error. I've learned that we can't always take for granted what we read online until we back it up by getting the info from more than one source. The site it came from was one I'd been on before, so I assumed. but you know what they say about "assume". I've made slight errors when passing along info, but this one hurts. ;-(
Mike
It happens to the best of us! Normally I try to get at least THREE confirmed back-ups but things have been SO busy here lately, it’s become virtually impossible to do so. (Now we just all have to remember to wish Petula a Happy 88th Birthday in November!!!) kk
Kent,
As I see you are now posting some thematic song thread, wanted to let you know about a former WXRT engineer Marty Masters who produces a radio program he calls 3D RadioActivity. Each program is a historical snapshot of songs based on one musical topic. Each week, a different topic is chosen, sometimes seasonal, with cuts played that cover idea.
This week was the 544th edition of the show which he calls “The 3D RadioActive State of Boogie,” of which he describes as ,”as we check out the repetitive swung note pattern found in this shuffling “groove” rhythm, by taking things from coast to coast and further.” You can find a link to this hour-long show here” https://ia600602.us.archive.org/5/items/The3dRadioactivity/3dradio_20200719-RASt8O'B.mp3
About 3D RadioActivity, Masters continues, “It's more than a music show, it tells you a story about the songs and artists that you hear. You could call it a Rockumentary! We have over 100 feet of vinyl in the collection, and nearly a quarter million titles on the hard drive and industry insiders who help locate those hard to find rare numbers. All forms and genres, from Acoustic to Zydeco, just about anything between 20 Hz and 20 kHz.
A link to previous programs can be found at https://archive.org/details/The3dRadioactivity
The 3D RadioActivity program was honored in 2011 with the SFSU BECA Award, recognized as the Best Original Radio Program, and had received a BEA/NAB Award in the Specialty Program category.
Ken Voss
We have been offering up "themed" broadcasting ideas for as long as we have been doing Forgotten Hits ... and any number of radio stations have used these ideas on the air over the years. (It just makes for more interesting radio ... and Themed Weekends has always been a big thing in the oldies market.)
We are happy to work with any of the jocks on the list with putting together some specialty programming ... or rerunning ideas we have offered up in the past.
All I know is that our track record is pretty good ... ALL of these programs have brought rave reviews from the listeners of the stations who have run them. (kk)
Ken Voss
We have been offering up "themed" broadcasting ideas for as long as we have been doing Forgotten Hits ... and any number of radio stations have used these ideas on the air over the years. (It just makes for more interesting radio ... and Themed Weekends has always been a big thing in the oldies market.)
We are happy to work with any of the jocks on the list with putting together some specialty programming ... or rerunning ideas we have offered up in the past.
All I know is that our track record is pretty good ... ALL of these programs have brought rave reviews from the listeners of the stations who have run them. (kk)
Alex Valdez of The Yellow Balloon has a brand new book out …
And since he sent me a HELP A BROTHER OUT, Y'ALL email, I figured the least I could do is run a link to it! (lol)
And look for Andy Cahan’s book, too …
“The Most Famous Musician You’ve Never Heard Of” …
Filled with incredible stories. (You will not believe all the paths he’s crossed over the years!!!)
We'll have lots more from Andy in the weeks to come. (In fact, you'll see him popping up again in tomorrow's posting!) kk
We'll have lots more from Andy in the weeks to come. (In fact, you'll see him popping up again in tomorrow's posting!) kk
Speaking of which ...
More Emitt Rhodes tomorrow …
More Emitt Rhodes tomorrow …
But first we want to leave you Feelin’ All-Right TODAY …
(with a little help from Dave Mason, Sammy Hagar, Michael McDonald, Mick Fleetwood and The Doobie Brothers!)
They’re calling themselves Dave Mason and the Quarantines …
We’re calling it a great performance of a great classic!
