Some mixed reviews on the Herb Alpert documentary, “Herb Alpert Is …” …
We heard from nearly two hundred FH readers after we sent out the notice about the free screening on Thursday Night on Herb’s website, all saying that they knew absolutely nothing about it until we clued them in. (It is currently available to view on Amazon Prime and iTunes but there is now a charge to do so.)
A hopeful Frank B wrote in to ask …
kk …
What are the chances of Herb doing a live performance tonight …
of the whipped cream album cover?
FB
I think I know what cover you’re talking about … I’ve seen it before once or twice … not sure exactly where … but I’m sure SOMEBODY out there has been featuring it!
Naturally, this was a topic of discussion during the show. Herb said how, about a month and a half after the album first came out in 1965, a reporter / reviewer approached him, raving and raving about how much he loved the new LP … going on and on about the cover.
Herb asked him what he thought about the music INSIDE the cover … and he admitted that he hadn’t listened to it yet.
Another commentator told how he would sneak into his mother’s bedroom to sneak a peak at the album cover …
And we have covered COUNTLESS times here in Forgotten Hits the impact it had on all us 10-12 year old boys at the time. (Hey, I STILL like it!!! Lol)
But the music inside is pretty darn good, too. “A Taste Of Honey” topped the charts all over the country … and the title track is still one of my all-time favorites.
But the hidden gem on this LP is Herb’s stripper-vamp version of “Love Potion Number Nine” … it’s simply outstanding! (kk)
Glad you sent me this notice. I missed the LIVE time but have been able to replay it. He's a FAVORITE.
They were booked to play The Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place in Chicago until it burned on January 16, 1967. I planned to go, but hadn't yet bought tix.
JR Russ
Thank you so much for sending me this Herb Alpert notice. I would have had no idea that this was even happening were it not for Forgotten Hits.
Clark
Just watched the Herb Alpert documentary.
Brought me back to a 1966 Fairfax High School auditorium gymnasium benefit concert by Fairfax graduate Herb & The TJB gave to the students with the proceeds going to Mexican earthquake relief. It was loud and the sound bounced off the walls of the room.
Herb came back to the campus yearly. He was close friends with our principal, Dr. James Tunney. The event made a big impression on me. A guy from our school had sold more albums than the Beatles' "Rubber Soul." And the man with the trumpet was handing over the monies from this booking to help repair a neighboring country devastated by an earthquake.
In 1966, I then became more aware of the music-makers that came from Fairfax. Phil Spector, Timi Yuro, Jerry Leiber, Elliot Ingber, Annette Kleinbard, Marshall Leib, Russ Titelman, Wild Man Fischer, Allan Sherman, David Anderle, Steve Douglas, Shel Talmy, Mo Ostin, Steve Barri and PF Sloan.
We all had Dr. Homer Homel as a choir teacher. I recall being invited with some students for a field trip to A&M Records. Unlike everyone else, I didn't want to be a band on the label and didn't have a demo tape in my coat pocket. I just wanted to see their offices and newly built recording studio.
Herb Alpert once did a TV special on the Fairfax High campus around 1969. He was accessible to the students. and had driven his own car into the lot where I was walking around with a red headed girl named Leslie. She was a fan of Eddie Hodges. We used to dance to Motown records. Fifty years later we're still in occasional contact.
Herb and Leslie chatted. Herb was cool. I mumbled something about Love's "Forever Changes" album and the brass and string arrangements by David Angel. Herb was well aware of him from engineer Bruce Botnick.
Some of the "Forever Changes" charts reminded me of the early TJB sound. I used to call it "Olvera Street" music. It had that downtown Los Angeles bio-regional civic engagement feel of our real deal Mexican heritage. I think Principal Tunney later was involved with the Herb Alpert Foundation.
I knew Herb & the TJB had done many of their recordings at Gold Star Recording Studio with owners Dave Gold, Stan Ross and engineer Larry Levine. Stan was a Fairfax High School graduate who went to school with Herb Alpert's brother Dave. When I was at numerous Phil Spector Gold Star sessions for Leonard Cohen and the Ramones, Larry would on occasion greet me with, "Herb Alpert would stand right at that spot and blow his horn." He engineered a lot of albums with Herb & the TJB.
Larry later moved to A&M and was a staff engineer at A&M. I eventually went inside the fabled A&M Studio B, courtesy of Larry. Years later, in 2008, I spent some time on the premises when researching the liner notes I did for a deluxe edition of Carole King's "Tapestry" that Lou Adler produced, the epic 1971 LP Hank Cicalo engineered. I examined the Howard Holzer board, which had a special made console and lots of punch with Hank, and received a deep technical education about the A&M studio and the sound of "Tapestry."
Michael Peter Balzary, pkaFlea, bass player of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the group formed in the eighties at Fairfax High School, once told me that the music department at our school, where he was a star trumpet player, still had Herb Alpert’s charts from the fifties that he read as a student.
I really dug this documentary.
Now will the Herb Alpert TV specials from the sixties get commercially released?
Harvey Kubernik
Thank you for letting me know about the Herb Alpert movie. I really liked it but I felt like it went on too long. I tried to listen to some of the questions and answers afterward but by then I was just too tired.
I learned so many things about him that I did not know. I know him as a musician since “Rise” … I’ve seen him live and love the way he performs “Puttin’ On The Ritz” … I’ve even tried to introduce his music to my nephews.
I didn’t know that he was involved with The Carpenters … and that he was considering recording “Close To You” himself! It’s a beautiful song and I love it … it was even played at my sister’s wedding!
I remember a little bit about The Tijuana Brass but I was very young at the time … still, this is all “feel good” music to me to day (to use one of your phrases!)
I didn’t know he was a producer and had worked with artists like Sam Cooke and Jan and Dean … and even Sonny Bono!
I knew about his love for painting and sculpting … and all the generous donations he has made over the years to keep the arts live, starting scholarships and funding music programs … he is a very generous and compassionate man.
Anyway, I just wanted to write in to say thank you for letting me know about this film … I never would have known about it if it wasn’t for you.
I think it was good … just a little too long!
Dora
I’m in agreement that the film was too long … or at least longer than it needed to be. (By a good 30 minutes, I’d say!)
Don’t get me wrong … I’m a HUGE Herb Alpert fan … and have the utmost praise and respect for all that he’s done to help save and protect the arts.
But the fact of the matter is, there are an awful lot of music documentaries out there these days and for me, this one just ranks as “average” at best.
Before I started Forgotten Hits, I dreamed of doing an oldies music magazine, remembering all of the great songs and artists that just don’t get the airplay they deserve … songs that are still fresh in all of our minds, despite the fact that radio hasn’t played many of them for decades now.
I envisioned a “Cover Story Interview” in each issue … and my dream “get” was Herb Alpert for Issue #1. He was SO huge during “The Beatle Era” and I don’t think people remember and recognize just how big he really was.
This new documentary drives that point home … and that recognition is long overdue.
Unfortunately, it paints this period as a very unhappy time in Herb Alpert’s life … and that’s a shame … he had it all, right there at his fingertips … and wasn’t able to enjoy it the way he should have. (That scene of Herb alone on the beach, talking about his innermost feelings and breaking into tears was heartbreaking … it completely got away from him while the camera’s just kept rolling.)
I agree with Harvey that it would be cool to see some sort of release of all of Herb’s television specials … but honestly, while I’m sure I watched most of them, I more than likely watched them to see who some of his other guests might be.
(I also thought that Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66 deserved a little more spotlight, especially since that where Herb’s wife Lani Hall came from … and I’m not sure they even mentioned The Baja Marimba Band at all!)
I also didn’t see the point of the whole Q&A thing afterwards …
Why offer up questions that were already covered and answered in the film? And then, when Herb WOULD answer, he recited the exact same answer virtually word for word!!! It just seems that this, too, could have been better orchestrated and controlled. (Still, it beat last week’s Presidential Debate by a LANDSLIDE in content!!!)
I may watch it again somewhere down the line, more to hear all that great music again.
Alpert had his fingers on the pulse of the music industry at the time … as an artist, a record label owner, a producer and as a discoverer of great acts. The Carpenters were just one of the MANY successful acts that recorded for A&M Records.
In fact, several years ago, we ran a list of A&M Records’ 50 Biggest Hits …
Their line-up of stars is mind-boggling!
Here, for Dora and any other readers who may be interested, are the 50 Biggest Hits released by A&M Records:
(This list comes from Fred Bronson’s “Hottest Hot 100 Billboard Hits” book ...
It ranks these hits basaed on their actual chart performance at the time)
1. EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE – The Police (1983)
2. (EVERYTHING I DO) I DO IT FOR YOU – Bryan Adams (1991)
3. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY LOVED A WOMAN – Bryan Adams (1995)
4. ALL FOR LOVE – Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting (1994)
5. ALL I WANNA DO – Sheryl Crow (1994)
6. DON’T YOU WANT ME – The Human League (1982)
7. (THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU – The Carpenters (1970)
8. THIS GUY’S IN LOVE WITH YOU – Herb Alpert (1968)
9. LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER – The Captain and Tennille (1975)
10. BABE – Styx (1979)
11. ESCAPADE – Janet Jackson (1990)
12. RISE – Herb Alpert (1979)
13. MISS YOU MUCH – Janet Jackson (1989)
14. RUNAWAY – Janet Jackson (1995)
15. BABY BABY – Amy Grant (1991)
16. WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN – The Carpenters (1970)
17. MORE THAN WORDS – Extreme (191)
18. WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES – Billy Preston (1973)
19. ROCK ME AMADEUS – Falco (1986)
20. TOP OF THE WORLD – The Carpenters (1973)
21. RUN AROUND – Blues Traveler (1995)
22. HEAVEN – Bryan Adams (1995)
23. NOTHING FROM NOTHING – Billy Preston (1974)
24. WHEN I THINK OF YOU – Janet Jackson (1986)
25. DON’T YOU (FORGET ABOUT ME) – Simple Minds (1985)
26. TILL I HEAR IT FROM YOU / FOLLOW YOU DOWN – The Gin Blossoms
(1996)
27. (YOUR LOVE HAS LIFTED ME) HIGHER AND HIGHER – Rita Coolidge
(1977)
28. HUMAN – The Human League (1986)
29. LOVE WILL NEVER DO (WITHOUT YOU) – Janet Jackson (1991)
30. I’M IN YOU – Peter Frampton (1977)
31. RED RED WINE – UB40 (1988)
32. THE BEST OF TIMES – Styx (1981)
33. SUPERSTAR – The Carpenters (1971)
34. RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS – The Carpenters (1971)
35. CAN’T STOP THIS THING WE STARTED – Bryan Adams (1991)
36. COUNTIN GBLUE CARS – Dishwalla (1998)
37. IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY – Sheryl Crow (1997)
38. HANDS TO HEAVEN – Breathe (1988)
39. INSENSITIVE – Jann Arden (1996)
40. LONELY NIGHT (ANGEL FACE) – The Captain and Tennille (1975)
41. PLEASE FORGIVE ME – Bryan Adams (1993)
42. OUTA-SPACE – Billy Preston (1979)
43. ALIVE AND KICKING – Simple Minds (1985)
44. BLACK CAT – Janet Jackson (1990)
45. EVERY HEARTBEAT – Amy Grant (1991)
46. RHYTHM NATION – Janet Jackson (1990)
47. MUSKRAT LOVE – The Captain and Tennille (1976)
48. SECRET LOVERS – Atlantic Starr (1986)
49. LET’S WAIT AWHILE – Janet Jackson (1987)
50. MR. ROBOTO – Styx (1983)
Not even shown on this list are A&M recording artists Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66, Brothers Johnson, Sting, Chris Deburgh, Del Amitri, We Five, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Gino Vannelli, Chuck Mangione, L.T.D., Emitt Rhodes, The Merry Go Round, Vanessa Carlton, Suzanne Vega, Free, Joe Jackson, Nazareth, Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark, Supertramp, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, The Baja Marimba Band, Chris Montez, Burt Bacharach, Cat Stevens, Pablo Cruise, Joan Armatrading, Squeeze, .38 Special, Soundgarden, Sonny Charles and the Checkmates, Aaron Neville, Bell and James, Jeffrey Osborne, Quincy Jones, Humble Pie, Joe Cocker, The Flying Burito Brothers, Procol Harum, Split Enz, Ali Thomson … and more …
That’s just about EVERY kind of music known to man!!! (To say that Herb Alpert knew a hit record when he heard it is an understatement of biblical proportions!) kk
Thanks for the link, Kent –
Outstanding doc!
Hope you’re doing well.
Kind regards,
Billy Hinsche
I heard from a few other readers on our list who shared many of our assessments of the film …
Several random quotes appear below:
I applaud, support and appreciate all those who preserve the history of pop music in any form, as I know these tasks are more often labors of love than profitable.
As someone who has done one-on-one radio interviews with literally thousands of artists over the years … from the Beatles and the Stones to artists most folks have never heard of … I find that I can be unreasonably picky when seeing somebody else assuming that role.
My favorite part of the Herb Alpert documentary was the generous use of the archive film that Alpert had saved ... some amazing stuff which appeared to be outtakes and which really helped to tell his story.
I don't understand why the filmmaker was so inconsistent in identifying those being interviewed. It was hard for me to concentrate on what they were saying, when I was trying to figure out who they are.
I appreciated that there was a post-showing interview, but the interviewer had difficulty getting Alpert to say anything different than repeat his well-rehearsed answers that we had just heard. While these worked well within the film, I was hoping for a little more opening up when pressed with these queries.
More Helen Reddy / Mac Davis reports from FH Reader Ken Voss …
Helen Reddy: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/am-woman-singer-helen-reddy-024219054.html
Died September 29 at age 78.
According to the story, "It was reported in 2015 that Reddy was suffering from dementia and was being cared for at the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s Samuel Goldwyn Center for Behavioral Health in Woodland Hills"
Mac Davis:
The news follows days after Davis’s family announced that the musician was “critically ill" after undergoing heart surgery in Nashville.
https://news.yahoo.com/mac-davis-death-legendary-country-070049581.html
or
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/country-singer-mac-davis-dead-135247354.html
We’ve known about Helen Reddy’s problem with dementia for several years now … and her son made it pretty publicly known that she was in assisted living when the new biopic came out. (I still need to check this out … especially now!)
As for Mac, it’s sad that he died from complications for a surgery that was hoped to improve his quality of life. Very sad. Whereas I always appreciated Mac’s down home charm, Frannie felt he came across as far more hokey than honest. To each his own.
As mentioned before, I have enjoyed music from both of these great artists over the years and while I can’t declare myself as a true “fan” of either … never saw either of them perform in concert (although I hoped after his appearance on the Elvis anniversary special Mac might consider hitting the road again, at which point I absolutely would have gone to see him) … but I bought their records and enjoyed more than I disliked. (How’s THAT for a politically correct assessment?!?!) kk
For me, the word great and Helen Reddy and Mac Davis did not go together. I usually gnashed my teeth together when any of their stuff came on the radio. Having said that, I didn’t mind “Peaceful” by Helen … probably because it was written in ’68 … and Mac Davis had a couple of nice “Teeners” in the early 60’s.
I believe Helen Reddy’s 1st US 45 is from 1968 on the Fontana label. Might be called “One Way Ticket”.
Ken
“Peaceful” is a nice enough song. (#11, 1973) It was written by Kenny Rankin, who also recorded his own version of it.
I’m not sure if “One Way Ticket” was released here in The States or not … that would have been about three years before she made a blip on American Pop Music radar when she scored with her breakthrough version of “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” from “Jesus Christ, Superstar.” (kk)
Some special treatment for each artist from Billboard Magazine …
I was touched when I read LJ Coon’s piece about the song he wrote that had personal ties to Mac Davis’ #1 Hit, “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” “Mary Would You Write Me A Letter.”
I asked if he might have a copy of the song that we could share with our readers … but he told me that he hasn’t recorded it yet.
Meanwhile, here’s more of the story …
(My Mac Davis experience)
As Paul Harvey would say ...'And now...The rest of the story'
Oh, that (Mac Davis experience) just keeps giving.
MaryAnn: 'Mary Would You Write Me A Letter '
Catholic
French Canadian
St. Mary's Schoolgirl
My Sister brought MaryAnn to our performance that evening so that she would have someone to sit with.
Well ... The U.S. Steel Mill circuit on 28th Street was sort of like multiple 'Road House' establishments, and we were at one of them.
(Like I mentioned ... it is a little tough to think your relationship would grow when you insist on performing Mac Davis's 'Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me' for your girlfriend!)
Anyway ...
We started about 9:00 p.m. and managed to get through the night.
We got done with a long first set, and a round of Mac Davis' 'Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me' and went on break.
The jukebox went on, the sound of pool balls falling as the coins were injected and Rac-em-Up was in the air.
Next:
Yes, everyone had a “Big Jim” friend and this band was no different (and our Big Jim didn't mix well with crowds and drinking.)
No sooner did our Big Jim step up to the pool table and I guess The Fit did Hit The Shan.
Big Jim ... was going at it 'Road House style.'
A bunch of us were at the bar taking care of business before we were to go back on when I saw someone at the pool table ready to take a stick to the back of Big Jim.
I rushed over and tried to restrain that individual from the back with the pool stick he was yielding.
With a couple of 'Ok, Ok, Let me go, I'm alright ' responses from the individual, I considered myself lucky and we went on with the night ... Or so I thought.
I went back over to the bar and rejoined everyone.
From out of nowhere I was spun around on my bar stool and someone sliced my good Jean Jacket, T-Shirt, and a Layer of Skin and off they went!!!
After a little self-evaluation:
We went on with the rest of 'The Road House' evening, minus The Chicken Wire … and a whole in the front of my Jean Jacket that pretty much saved the evening for me.
MaryAnn:
There is a scene in 'Twister' where the girlfriend psychologist announces ... “I can't take this … you guys are crazy” or something like that.
(That's where MaryAnn's psychological makeup was by the end of that evening).
Well ... If Mac Davis' 'Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me' wasn't enough, this fine establishment that my sister brought MaryAnn to may have just helped seal the deal.
(My Mac Davis experience)
I haven't recorded 'Mary Would You Write Me A Letter ' (at this time.)
Thank You for asking!!!
L J
There’s a whole ‘nother song in that story!!! (lol)
We were playing what could only be called a Red Neck Bar in the mid-‘70’s when some guy yelled out from the bar, “Play ‘Okie From Muskogee’.”
I explained, “We don’t know it.” (We were a rock band, for God’s sake, but even then sprinkling in a few of our favorite oldies.)
I went into “Love Potion Number Nine” instead when he shouted out even louder:
“PLAY ‘OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE!!!’”
Again, I tried to explain: “I’m sorry … but we don’t know that one” …
At which point this guy then took his beer bottle, smashed
it in half on the edge of the bar, held up the sharply cut-off edge of the neck
and said, very matter-of-factly,
“Play ‘Okie From Muskogee’” …
To which I responded (singing in perfect pitch, I might add)
“I’m proud to be an Okie From Muskogee” (lol)
We faked the rest of the song … we really didn’t know it … but this guy was so drunk, he didn’t care … and gave us a rousing ovation at the end of our effort, at which time we went right back into “Love Potion Number Nine.” He never bothered us again the rest of the night.
Gee, I miss those days! (lol) kk
Kent,
Ask Tom who the guy between him and Hornsby is ... it looks horribly like Shadoe Stevens, but without his often-wild hair ...
Bob Frable
It is … no idea how that fell off the photo credits! (kk)
Damn you, Kent …
You’ve got me thinking of the Partridge Family after all these years!!
If you were like me, you had a crush on Susan Dey (Laurie Partridge) back in the 70s.
Susan, who is 67 now, decided to walk away from the spotlight and retire from acting back around 2004-2005. She moved back to upstate NY, where she had spent some of her youthful years.
Should you search the internet, there’s really no recent interviews with her and you can’t find any paparazzi photos taken of her in many years.
So, now, let’s do a drum roll, for another Forgotten Hits exclusive!
Last year, Shaun Cassidy did his first concert tour in almost 40 years. He did a handful of dates, as he tried to test the waters to see what the reaction would be and how he felt about the shows.
Shaun was thrilled with the reaction from fans, who filled intimate venues to enjoy a set from the actor-writer-singer. In fact, Shaun has booked another tour for the Spring of 2021.
One date he played was the Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Connecticut. It’s a venue I’ve been to many times to enjoy a wide variety of musical acts.
Other than Shaun, perhaps the most famous face in the audience that night was Susan Dey. Shaun and Susan have remained friends over the years and she drove all the way from upstate New York to Ridgefield, CT, to see the rare concert by the former Hardy Boy.
I wasn’t there that night, but a friend shared with me some pictures taken in the parking lot of the venue, where fans did doubles takes as they ran into Susan Dey walking from her car, just like any other fan.
As people recognized her, they approached her and shared their memories. As you can see from the pictures I’ve attached, she was very approachable and very friendly.
--Tom Cuddy
Like most of teenage America, I, too, had a crush on Susan Dey. (Mine even extended to her time on LA Law … and ESPECIALLY “First Love,” when she decided to shed her squeaky-clean image by doing nude scenes with actor William Katt, later of “The Greatest American Hero.” (Now there’s THREE TV Themes for you to vote for right there!!!)
I didn’t really watch The Partridge Family when it first aired … I came to enjoy it a bit later in life. (It was just WAY too “un-hip” for me to watch this show in the early ‘70’s!)
Worse yet, there were enough people at school that thought I looked like David Cassidy at the time, so they all tended to razz me about it, turning me off from the show and the character of Keith Partridge even further.
kk ... Teen Idol!
But my little sister absolutely LOVED him … and, like most girls that age (she would have been around eleven), had pictures and posters of him up on her bedroom wall.
When the Rolling Stone issue came out with David on the front cover (lying in the grass naked enough to expose a hint of pubic hair!!!), my mother had an absolute FIT … and made me hide my copy in my room! (lol)
VERY cool to see Susan again, who has kept an extremely low profile for the past thirty years. (I’m a little surprised by all the fans coming up to her in the parking lot … I consider myself to be quite an admirer … and don’t think I would have recognized her from these photos! I think I would have been a little bit late to the party on that one!) kk
Kent,
Has it really been 16 years since you ran the Teen Idols piece my Trophy Wife composed?
I remember Laura taking great care in composing it.
Rock And Roll Never Forgets it's still an active business for over 30 years now, although the focus has shifted away from magazines. The market for music magazines has been stagnant for a number of years now. That, plus the fact I have no reliable sources to find more at a price that I could make a decent profit on, has caused me to change priorities. I've probably moved a thousand or so, in the last few years, but there's over a thousand to go. Top 40 surveys remain my bread and butter, but even my sources for those have dwindled. Got a few thousand 45s to choose from though. I have a source for those.
Speaking of music magazines, should you have a few dozen or more back issues, of 16 or Tiger Beat, lying around I'd be interested. However, the magazines must be intact with no pages missing, clipped, or marked up, and that's damn near impossible.
Thanks for the repeat of the feature.
Jack
(Laura's aging Teen Idol husband)
Jack Levin ... Teen Idol
I’m happy to put the word out.
You’re right … finding these intact and in good shape at this point in time is nearly impossible. Most of the girls that bought these magazines at the time, cut out the pictures of their teen idol favorites and pasted them in a scrapbook or hung them on the wall.
I was lucky recently to buy the complete collection of 16 Monkees Spectacular Magazines, ALL in excellent shape, for $100. I feel like I got a GREAT bargain.
Just HAD to have them … and have yet to look at a single one! (lol) VERY typical for me, unfortunately!
Yeah, I’m blown away sometimes when I look at all the ground we’ve covered now in the past 21 years. (UNREAL!!!) I should rerun the complete Teen Idols Series at some point as these were done when everything went out by email only … pre-websites. (I wonder what else I can find!) Then again, probably the only one of interest would be the Donny Osmond piece … I think most of the others have long since been forgotten. (kk)
Kent,
I enjoyed your posting of David Cassidy's COULD IT BE FOREVER the other day. Always did like that song.
Larry Neal
That’s MY favorite by him … there are a couple of Partridge Family things I’ve grown to like (“I Think I Love You,” their biggest hit, is still one of my LEAST favorites) … but I DO like “I Woke Up In Love This Morning” and “It’s One Of Those Nights (Yes Love)” … and even “I’ll Meet You Halfway” and “Doesn’t Somebody Want To Be Wanted” … wait a minute … may I HAVE turned into a Partridge Family fan over the years after all!!! (But I did get a little bent when I heard somebody once describing “Cherish” as David Cassidy’s song … uh-uh … sorry … that will ALWAYS be The Association’s song!!!) His comeback hit “Lyin’ To Myself” was pretty good … and I’ve been listening a lot to his theme from The John Larroquette Show in conjunction to our Favorite TV Themes Poll. I love the opening where David was out on the street with his guitar case open, singing and playing for tips. It’s a real bluesy thing … and a GREAT theme. (kk)
From our coverage of The Partridge Family on Saturday to Janis Joplin the very next day …
Now THAT’S what Forgotten Hits is all about! (kk)
September 4, 2020 - Harvey Kubernik …
50 years ago on October 4, 1970, at the Landmark Hotel in Hollywood the performer and singer Janis Joplin died of a heroin overdose ...
https://www.musicconnection.com/kubernik-the-2020-legacy-of-janis-joplin/
Harvey also just did this recent piece on Otis Redding …
https://www.musicconnection.com/kubernik-revisiting-otis-redding-live-at-the-whisky-a-go-go/
Also Fifty Years Ago (yesterday, October 5th) …
The Beatles’ first single was released in Great Britain.
“Love Me Do,” issued on the Parlophone record label (as ALL their singles would be until they started their own record company in 1968 and began releasing Beatles … and eventually solo releases on Apple.
It would peak at #17 … but earn them the right to go back into the studio to record a follow-up single … and an album, both titled “Please Please Me.” (“Love Me Do” wouldn’t be released here in The States until April of 1964 … some 18 months later … where it went straight to #1 at the height of Beatlemania. (Between January and April of 1964, The Beatles would chart an incredible NINETEEN times on the US Pop Singles Chart. Fourteen of those releases would make The Top 40 … and seven of those, The Top Ten … and five of THOSE would go all the way to #1!!!0
kk:
Here is a flashback photo from Harry Harrison's daughter, circa 1991.
FB
How is it possible that last Friday marked the three year anniversary of Tom Petty’s death? Where is the time going??? (kk)
New videos this past week …
Jimi Hendrix performing “Foxey Lady” from the new “Live In Maui” release …
And William Shatner doing “I Put A Spell On You” (with Pat Travers) in this animated clip from Shatner’s new album called simply “The Blues.”
(Other artists performing on the new LP include Canned Heat, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Brad Paisley, Ritchie Blackmore, Albert Lee, Steve Cropper, James Burton and Harvey Mandel
In celebration of Rupert’s 100th anniversary, Paul McCartney is re-releasing his song from the 1984 animated Rupert The Bear film, “We All Stand Together.”
It’ll come out as a special, colorful picture shaped single (with a bonus poster.) (I remember having one of these when this tune was first released.)
A decent-sized hit in England (it never charted here in The States), “We All Stand Together” even made the UK version of Paul’s Greatest Hits Collection, “All The Best.” (It reached #3 in Great Britain during its 18 week chart run) You can pre-order a copy now thru paulmccartney.com. (kk)
We’ve shared a few videos of Fogerty’s Factory … John Fogerty and his kids, making music together from their quarantined basement.
Well, now comes word that the first official Fogerty’s Factory album is going to be released.
It features remakes of many of John’s best-known songs, both as a solo artist and from his days as the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
The complete track list of the first album are as follows:
1. Centerfield (Dodger Stadium Version)
2. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
3. Lean On Me (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
4. Hot Rod Heart (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
5. Blue Moon Nights (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
6. Tombstone Shadow (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
7. City Of New Orleans (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
8. Proud Mary (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
9. Blueboy (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
10. Bad Moon Rising (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
11. Fortunate Son (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
12. Don’t You Wish It Was True (Fogerty’s Factory Version)
And how about this parody / tribute album cover …
The album will be released next month. (kk)
Sixties Music Legends The Cyrkle to Release
New Recordings of Their Greatest Hits!
Opened for The Beatles at Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park!
Lightyear Entertainment has announced a new agreement with The Cyrkle to release new 2020 recordings of their huge pop hits of the 1960’s.
The Cyrkle opened for The Beatles at Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park in 1966, and were managed by Brian Epstein and Nat Weiss. They were originally called The Rhondells, but John Lennon suggested that they change their name to The Cyrkle, and they took his advice.
Their biggest hit, Red Rubber Ball, was written by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley, and rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lightyear will release the 2020 recording of Red Rubber Ball on October 2, 2020.
The band’s other huge hit was Turn Down Day, written by Jerry Keller and David Blume, which rose to #16 on the Hot 100. This has also been newly recorded and will be released through Lightyear in November.
The Cyrkle were offered another Paul Simon song but regretfully turned it down back in the day. But they have finally recorded The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) now, for the first time, and Lightyear will release it in January, 2021.
The recordings feature original members Don Dannemann and Mike Losekamp, joined by Pat McLoughlin, Mike Shoaf, Don White and Scott Langley.
Lightyear has quietly amassed a collection of big hit re-recordings by the original artists during the past few years, all released through the company’s longstanding distribution deal with Caroline/Universal Music Group. They include Jay Siegel’s Tokens (The Lion Sleeps Tonight), The Searchers (Needles and Pins), Irene Cara (Flashdance … What a Feeling), Rick Derringer (Rock & Roll Hootchie Koo), The McCoys (Hang On Sloopy), Jay & the Techniques (Apple, Peaches Pumpkin Pie), Herman’s Hermits (I’m Into Something Good), the Shadows of Knight (Gloria), the Rip Chords (Hey Little Cobra), Frank Stallone (Far From Over), and the Beau Brummels (Laugh Laugh).
All of these Legacy Artist deals were facilitated by Rick Levy, veteran manager, music director, band leader, guitarist, and author, who currently tours (when Covid allows) with The Box Tops. Levy was Lightyear CEO Arnie Holland’s college roommate at the University of Pennsylvania.
And on October 9th (Friday) the brand new Pride Of Lions album drops. Titled “Lion Heart,” the LP features Toby Hitchcock and Jim Peterik.
Here’s the video for the lead-off single, “Carry Me Back” …
We’ll be giving away copies of this hot new CD (already a hit in Europe) in the weeks to come …
As well as playing an exclusive interview with Jim Peterik conducted by Geoff Dorsett in the UK … so stay tuned for more details! (kk)
Hi Kent:
I see that Rolling Stone still doesn’t know what the hell they are doing.
Ken
Always glad to see Pet Sounds on or near the top of Rolling Stone's Greatest Albums list. The introspective soundscape of the album has brought joy to millions and somehow Brian and the boys continue to influence a wide spectrum of musical styles. Pet Sounds is a spiritual journey. Pop music with just enough touch of rock. A unique pallet of instrumental and vocal sounds. That Beach Boys blend that never grows old.
Phil
Yep … it’s right up there with all those OTHER greats like “It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back” and “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and “To Pimp A Butterfly” and “Kid A” and “Ready To Die” and “Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers” and “Voodoo” and “Lemonade” and “The Low End Theory” and “Illmatic” and “Aquemini” and “The Blueprint” … all Top 50 TIMELESS Classics. (Wait … you don’t know these??? Well, how can that be??? Rolling Stone Magazine has decided that ALL of these are among The Top 50 Greatest Albums Ever Released Of All-Time!!! (kk)
>>>He also founded his own record label, Curtom Records, with this manager Eddie Thomas. (kk)
Just to not confuse, Curtis Mayfield started Curtom in 1968.
Correct ….
In fact, prior to leaving The Impressions to launch his solo career, the group released nine singles together … and The Impressions continued to record for Curtom until the hits stopped in 1976.
Top 40 Hits released on Curtom include “Fool For You” (#17, 1968), “This Is My Country” (#23, 1969), “Choice Of Colors” (#18, 1969), “Check Out Your Mind” (#21, 1970) and “Finally Got Myself Together (I’m A Changed Man)” (#15, 1974.) kk
>>>Now THERE'S an artist who REALLY
has a handle on her career! (kk)
Do you think Tyrese is a woman?
Tyrese is Tyrese Gibson, a male singer who later turned to acting. He appeared in the movie "Four Brothers."
I remember Tyrese because his 1999 hit "Sweet Lady" was the first mp3 I successfully downloaded. I was being patiently instructed in mp3 downloading by fellow trivialite MerryToonz (formerly Katzplay), and after many failed attempts, dropped links and partial files, I finally got a complete song. I was so pleased with my accomplishment I sent her a copy of the song.
Wow, that was 21 years ago.
Ed Erxleben
Clearly, I had absolutely NO idea who Tyrese was … definitely not on my radar … but it looks like he scored three Billboard Top 40 Hits between 1998 and 2003 (which are ALSO not my radar!!!) The one that you like, “Sweet Lady,” went to #12 in 1999, after “Nobody Else” peaked at #36 in 1998 … and before “How You Gonna Act Like That,” his biggest hit, peaked at #7 in 2003. I just listened to all of these on YouTube … and can honestly say that I had never heard ANY of them, even in passing, before … so apologies to Tyrese (and anyone else offended by my ignorance!) With this lengthy a career, I’m sure his tweet was done in jest. (Still funny ‘tho!!!) kk
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Vitagraph Films
ABOUT VITAGRAPH FILMS: CINEMA 360
While I can’t say that I share their enthusiasm for the films of 1962, there may be others on our list who do (Hil???) … so I’m happy to pass this along. Besides, we’re ALL looking for new ways to spend our time during this extended period of shut-down … so if you’re interested, give it a shot. (And be sure to report back to us with your review!) kk More Ed Sullivan Channel debuts to watch for: Sunday, October 11th – Chubby Checker doing a medley of The Twist and Let’s Twist Again (originally broadcast on October 22nd, 1961 Gerry and the Pacemakers – Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying (from May 3rd, 1964) Tom Jones – With These Hands (from October 3rd, 1965) Monday, October 12th: Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas – Bad To Me (from June 27th, 1965) Tuesday, October 13th – Ike and Tina Turner – Proud Mary (from January 11th, 1970) Wednesday, October 14th – Elvis Presley – Love Me Tender (from September 9th, 1956) New videos are being uploaded daily, including scores of rarities available digitally for the first time, to The Ed Sullivan Show’s official YouTube channel and EdSullivan.com … be sure to bookmark this page! (kk)
Here’s hoping these shows can come off without a hitch! (Believe me … we ALL really need it!)  Frank B. poses a Brian Hyland mystery currently circulating on Facebook … "One Night Jimmy” is a song from the 1966 LP The Joker Went Wild / Run Run Look and See and was written by Brian and Jimmy Holvay. It was never released as a single. But was it going to be released and someone changed their mind?  Because I’m in contact with both Jim Holvay and Brian Hyland, I decided to do a little bit of digging for you. First of all, I was very surprised to see that Jim was involved with Brian at this point in time … Holvay, of course, wrote the first four big hits for The Buckinghams (“Kind Of A Drag,” “Don’t You Care,” “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song” and “Susan” … But this Brian Hyland track predates ALL of these … So I started with him: Hey Kent: What’s goin’ on? How have you been doing thru all of this? I’m hangin’ in there and working on my music. I’m going to launch my website, which I have been putting off for years. It will have new original music ... Not in the pop genre but vintage soul. Let’s see … “One Night Jimmy” … Brian and I were on one of many Dick Clark Caravan of Stars Tours together and became good friends and still are. We wrote that tune and about nine other songs on the tour bus. It gets pretty boring on those long jumps between cities. The first song that came out of those writing sessions was released on Phillips Records and was called “Stay Away From Her”. A few years later, Brian was able to get Snuff Garrett to produce him. “One Night Jimmy” was another song out of that bunch. It appeared on the LP which included the hit “The Joker Went Wild”. I had a number of obscure 45’s out by different artists before The Bucks clicked. (i.e. Ral Donner, Dee Clark, Mousie & The Traps, The Livers.) USA Records didn’t think “Drag” was a hit, which is why they kept having The Bucks do cover versions of existing hits. As you know, “Drag” was the last single that the Bucks owed them and then they were out of their contract. Amazing, how crazy the record business is. Thanks, Jim In addition to writing those hits for The Buckinghams … and with Brian Hyland … Jim Holvay was also a member of The Mob, a great horn band / show band from here in Chicago that had some R&B leanings. Here’s another reminder and some more details about the WLTL Radio Special coming up on The Mob next Monday, October 12th …  The MOB is an American rock, rhythm and blues show band. They were the first group from the Windy City to incorporate a full horn section (the Chicago horn rock sound.) They influenced many local bands who came later (i.e. The Buckinghams, Chase, Chicago and The Ides Of March). The 50th anniversary of The MOB on the Colossus Records label will air on: Monday, October 12, 2020 – first broadcast 12 pm CT – rebroadcast 7 pm CT. Streaming on wltl.net and other services like: Alexa – “Alexa, play WLTL” Also, the Radio FX app, the Tune In app and the WLTL app for smart devices. Hosted by Elif Geris, Executive Producer and music reviewer at WGN Radio. Elif is also an alum of Lyons Township High School and WLTL Radio. One of the founding members of The MOB, Jim Holvay, is an LTHS Hall of Fame inductee. All tracks will be featured from the October 1970 Colossus release in (((stereo))). Clips from the original 1970 Dick Biondi interview on Chicago radio and 50th anniversary memories from the MOBsters will be heard. As a bonus, Dennis Tufano, the original lead singer of The Buckinghams, will spin the Holvay-Beisbier Buckinghams hits from the sixties. Note: the reason for the parentheses around the word stereo is because the CD and current mp3s from Sequel are in mono. Mike Baker And The Forgotten 45s OK, this sounds interesting … Join Al
Jardine and John Hall from the band Orleans in an online conversation about
how to make a living doing what you love on Tuesday, October 13,th
from 3:30 pm – 5 pm Pacific / 6:30 – 8 pm Eastern  Hi Kent, My first reaction upon seeing the new list of Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums was ... ”What???” Then, I suddenly figured out the problem. There is absolutely no correlation between the overlapping musical eras in the list. It's like trying to rank apples and oranges, pumpkins and coconuts. In today’s world, the very definition of a “song” is nothing close to what it used to be. Now, there is no requirement for a song to contain a melody. You can even attend a concert or a Broadway musical, and walk away without a single memorable tune rolling around in your head. A vocal recording no longer carries the expectation of singing. It could be several minutes of rambling, agitated verbiage, with a repeating pattern of loud thumps. The odds are pretty safe that you could play a stack of modern albums and not hear a single twinge of harmony. My point is that trying to rank early 21st century albums in the same list with an entirely different form of recorded entertainment just doesn’t make any sense. It totally distorts the relative merits of the material being ranked. The logical solution would be to put recordings from the contemporary era into a separate list. Leave The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones in a separate list, where they are competing with albums that share at least at modicum of commonality. Bill Oakey Unfortunately, we see this (and complain about this!) all the time. You CANNOT rank the music of the past 30-35 years alongside the music that was released between 1956 and 1980 because ALL of the rules have changed … all of the criteria has changed. Now granted, THIS list isn’t based on performance or record sales … This is just Rolling Stones’ so-called “unbiased opinion” of the significance of these albums and their impact on the musical landscape as viewed thru their eyes only. Even so, as many accolades as Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” album has received over the past fifty years or so, I simply cannot get all the way thru it! And it’s ranked #3!!! Is Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” moving into the #1 spot Rolling Stones’ way of acknowledging that we have to do something about these turbulent racial times we’re going thru once again? Don’t get me wrong … it’s a great album … but more musically significant than “Pet Sounds” (#2), “Sgt. Pepper” (#24), “Dark Side Of The Moon” (#55), “Revolver” (#11) and “Thriller” (#25)??? Or Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” album? Carole King’s “Tapestry” album? I’m just not feelin’ it! But this is EXACTLY what these kinds of lists are supposed to do … stir controversy and stimulate discussion … because the results were tabulated by a significant group of “chosen” people. (That’s why I put more faith into the lists that WE are able to compile, based on tens of thousand of votes from real music fans from coast to coast.) Speaking of which … Have you voted for your TV Themes favorites yet? This from Gary Theroux: This is my favorite TV theme … Do you know who all the stars being parodied are? And can you spot the point when series creator Jay Ward appears? This title sequence was filmed in 1961. The 26 actual series episodes were produced in 1963
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I went to the guy on the list who I felt would be most likely to nail them all …
But even he couldn’t do it …
Oh I wish I could.
Some obvious ones are Harold Lloyd, John Barrymore, Frankenstein's monster (aka Boris Karloff), The Lone Ranger, Pearl White (aka Perils of Pauline).
My movie knowledge and enthusiasm doesn't go back farther than the 1930s. Maybe Theda Bara or any of the vamps. Keystone Kops and Mack Sennett's bathing beauties are in there.
Hil
Maybe Gary Theroux can fill us in the rest (???) kk
Hi Kent,
How weird is this? Received an email from Amazon with a suggestion that I check this out:
| All-Time Top 100 TV Themes |
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| $18.77 |
I have never bought music from Amazon or even thought about it. So how did they know I was thinking about tv themes??? It did remind me to add the Twilight Zone to my list! ;)
I looked at the previous Top 50 list and was so surprised that the theme from the Big Bang Theory wasn't there (or even in the honorable mention list.) I never watched it until after the final season was over, but think it's a great intro.
Didn't see a restriction on how many themes we could submit, so here is my first ballot. I'm submitting early so there will be time to add more later.
ladylion14
No limit … no restrictions … well, kinda …
We had to impose a bit of a restriction to ensure an accurate and fair vote.
Be sure to check back tomorrow as we narrow down the list for you in order to best maximize the vote.
PLEASE CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR A FULL TV THEMES UPDATE!
This week’s funny comes from Mike Wolstein …
I just found this picture online the other day ...
Very rare!
;-)
Mike
