GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN:
As we begin a new month, the final month of 2020, we take a look back at the long list of artists we’ve lost this past year.
Add to these stats the fact that over one million Americans have now died from the Corona Virus Pandemic and it’s easy to see how this year has just been riddled with sadness.
This doesn’t even pretend to be a complete list … and, with a month still to go in 2020, we already know that several more names will need to be added here before the year is over … again, a bleak forecast of what’s still to come.
Meanwhile, here is where we currently stand with names most recognizable to our readers (shown alphabetically with date of death in parenthesis):
Len Barry (11/5) "1,2,3"
Ronald Bell (9/9) – co-founder of Kool and the Gnag
Hamilton Bohannon (4/24) - disco era producer and bandleader
Steve Martin Caro (1/14) - vocalist with the Left Banke, of “Walk Away Renee” fame
Paul Chapman (6/9) - guitarist with UFO
Max Crook (7/1) – innovative keyboardist on Del Shannon’s #1 hit “Runaway”
Charlie Daniels (7/6)
Mac Davis (9/29)
Spencer Davis (9/29)
Tommy DeVito (9/21) – original founding member of The Four Seasons
Manu Dibango (5/24) – African Musician (“Soul Makossa”)
Joe Diffie (3/29) - country singer/songwriter
Gloria Dobbins (9/21) - founding member of the Marvelettes, also wrote their hit “Please Mr. Postman”
Terry Doran (4/18) - longtime Beatles associate
Judy Dyble (4/18) - founding member of Fairport Convention
Bent Fabric (7/28) - “Alley Cat”
Steve Farmer (4/7) – member of The Amboy Dukes; co-wrote “Journey to the Center of the Mind”
Tom Finn (6/27) - co-founder of the Left Banke, of “Walk Away Renee” fame
Snooky Flowers (3/9) - saxophonist; member of Janis Joplin’s Kozmic Blues Band
Wayne Fontana (8/6) – British Invasion singer fronting The Mindbenders (“Game of Love”)
Marty Grebb (1/1) – keyboardist for The Buckinghams
Peter Green (7/25) - co-founder of Fleetwood Mac
Roy Head (9/21) - “Treat Her Right”
Ken Hensley (11/4) – founding member of Uriah Heep
Brian Howe (5/6) - Bad Company frontman in late ’80s/early ’90s
Pamela Hutchinson (9/18) - singer with the Emotions (“Best of My Love”)
Lee Kerslake (9/19) - drummer for Uriah Heep and Ozzy Osbourne
Hal Ketchum (11/23) – country singer
Astrid Kirchherr (5/13) – Early Beatles Photographer – Stu Sutcliffe left the band to stay with her in Germany
Bobby Lewis (4/28) - “Tossin’ & Turnin’”
Little Richard (5/9)
Trini Lopez (8/11)
Vera Lynn (6/18)
Johnny Mandel (6/29) – wrote the theme from “M*A*S*H”
Benny Mardones (6/29) – “Into The Night”
Moon Martin (5/11) – singer / songwriter (“Bad Case Of Loving You”)
Alan Merrill (3/29) – wrote “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll”
Ian Mitchell (9/1) - Bay City Rollers bassist
Ennio Morricone (7/6) - Italian film score composer (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly)
Dave Munden (10/15) - original member of the Tremeloes
Johnny Nash (10/6) – “I Can See Clearly Now”
Robert Parker (1/19) - “Barefootin’”
Neil Peart (1/7) – Drummer for Rush
Bonnie Pointer (6/8) – The Pointer Sisters
Joe Porcaro (7/6) – jazz drummer
Francis Rocco Prestia (9/30) – bassist for Tower Of Power
Steve Priest (6/4) – bassist for The Sweet
John Prine (4/7) – singer / songwriter
Helen Reddy (9/29)
Harold Reid (4/24) – bass singer for The Statler Brothers
Emitt Rhodes (7/19)
Kenny Rogers (3/22)
Jorge Santana (5/14) – Carlos’ brother, frontman for Malo (“Suavecito”)
Jan Savage (8/5) - guitarist for the L.A. ’60s band the Seeds (“Pushin’ Too Hard”)
Adam Schlesinger (4/1) - award-winning songwriter and founding member of Fountains of Wayne
Florian Schneider (5/6) – co-founder of Kraftwerk
Bob Shane (1/26) - founding member of the Kingston Trio
Billy Joe Shaver (10/28) – country singer/songwriter
Jerry Slick (3/17) – Grace’s first husband and drummer for the Great Society
Millie Small (5/5) – “My Boy Lollipop”
Mark Stone (9/26) – original bassist for Van Halen
Jim Tucker (11/12) - founding member and rhythm guitarist of the Turtles
Eddie Van Halen (10/6)
Jerry Jeff Walker (10/23) – singer/ songwriter (“Mr. Bojangles”)
Pete Way (8/14) – founding bassist for UFO
Eric Weissberg (3/22) – “Dueling Banjos”
Ian Whitcomb (4/19) – “You Turn Me On”
Bill Withers (3/30)
Edna Wright (9/12) - singer for Honey Cone (“Want Ads”)
A pretty staggering list, especially when you see it all laid out side by side like that.
And this doesn’t even include some of the other folks who have impacted our lives along the way, such as:
Orson Bean (2/7)
Honor Blackman (4/5) – “Goldfinger”
Chadwick Boseman (8/28)
Wilford Brimley (8/1)
Kobe Bryant (1/26)
Sean Connery (10/31)
Olivia de Havilland (7/26)
Kirk Douglas (2/5)
Roy Horn (5/8) – one half of the magic act Siegfried and Roy
Terry Jones (1/21) – Monty Python
Tom Lester (4/20) – Eb from “Green Acres”
Curly Neal (5/15) - Harlem Globetrotters basketball player
Ken Osmond (5/18) – Eddie Haskell in “Leave It To Beaver”
Regis Philbin (7/24)
David Prowse (11/28) - Darth Vader
Carl Reiner (6/29)
Diana Rigg (9/10) – The Avengers and Game of Thrones
Tom Seaver (9/2) - New York Mets pitching ace
Jerry Stiller (5/11)
Alex Trebek (11/18)
Fred Willard (5/15)
As a side note, we have added a Kenny Rogers Tribute Page to our other Forgotten Hits Website …
In that this special series ended up running a few times, it seemed only right to post it on the archival site, especially in light of Kenny’s passing this year.
You can check it out here: http://forgottenhits.com/kenny_rogers
THIS AND THAT:
Morning, Kent -
As expected from you, another fine edition of Forgotten Hits.
Liked the Alan Freed play list.
You possible don’t know this, but we never got Alan on the radio in the UK. However, on Saturday night, if memory serves me well, at 10:30 he was available from Radio Luxemburg. I used to listen every week on my cats whiskers radio ... rather frustrating at times, as the signal, due to atmospherics, came and went.
Take care, stay safe ...
'cause Rockin’ Lord Geoff said so
Mariah Carey tops Billboard's Top 100 Holiday Chart again this week with "All I Want For Christmas Is You," her holiday fan favorite. (This marks the 26th consecutive week it has ranked at #1 on this seasonal chart dating back to the 2015-2016 holiday season. (In fact, this becomes the song's 41st week at #1 since the chart was first launched in 2011.
And, since we're now all being inundated with nothing but holiday music (with just 24 days to go until Christmas), here is out the balance of The Top Five currently rank:
#2 - Brenda Lee - "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
#3 - Bobby Helms - "Jingle Bell Rock"
#4 - Andy Williams - "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
#5 - Wham! - "Last Christmas"
What are the all-time greatest hits of Christmas? What inspired them, who made them famous and why has hearing them every Yuletide season become a best-loved American tradition?
This ten-hour special counts down from Number 100 to Number 1 every single one of your favorite Yuletide hits – based on data compiled by Billboard Magazine over the years as well as other sources – such as listings of the Christmas tracks most played on radio over the past
decade. Our listings include not just hit singles but key tracks from the best-loved (and bestselling) Christmas albums of all time.
Every form of Yuletide evergreen is here, from the goodtime gold (Burl Ives’ “Holly Jolly Christmas”) to the sentimental songs (Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”) … the deeply romantic (The Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas Darling”) to the beloved carols (The Temptations’ “Silent
Night”) and the Santa / Rudolph / Frosty fantasy favorites (Bruce Springsteen’s “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”). There are million-sellers and more galore – a portrait in sound of YOUR favorite music, magic and memories.
Each song is spotlit with the story behind it. Beloved radio and TV star Wink Martindale, supplies the fun facts, augmented by insightful commentary from the hitmaking stars themselves.
What kind of stars?
Here’s just a partial list of the more than 175 featured:
Eddy Arnold ● Gene Autry ● Band Aid ● The Beach Boys ● The Beatles ● The Bee Gees ● Justin Bieber ● Pat Benatar ● Tony Bennett ● Brook Benton ● Chuck Berry ● Clint Black ● David Bowie ● Garth Brooks ● Michael Buble ● Jimmy Buffett ● Jerry Butler ● Mariah Carey ● The Carpenters ● Johnny Cash ● Chubby Checker ● Nat “King” Cole ● Perry Como ● Jim Croce ● Bing Crosby ● Bobby Darin ● Dion ● The Drifters ● The Eagles ● Enya ● Jose Feliciano ● Ella Fitzgerald ● Dan Fogelberg ● Connie Francis ● Stan Freberg ● Judy Garland ● Ariana Grande ● Amy Grant ● Josh Groban ● Merle Haggard ● Bobby Helms ● Faith Hill ● Bob Hope ● Whitney Houston ● Alan Jackson ● Jewel ● Elton John ● Spike Jones ● Brenda Lee ● John Lennon ● The Lettermen ● Madonna ● Mannheim Steamroller ● Dean Martin ● Johnny Mathis ● Paul McCartney ● Reba McEntire ● Kylie Minogue ● Roger Miller ● The Muppets ● Anne Murray ● The “Mystery Science 3000” Cast ● Rick Nelson ● The New Kids on The Block ● Roy Orbison ● Dolly Parton ● Pentatonix ● Elvis Presley ● Jim Reeves ● Kenny Rogers ● The Ronettes ● The Seekers ● Simon & Garfunkel ● Blake Shelton ● Frank Sinatra ● Red Skelton ● Bruce Springsteen ● Gwen Stefani ● Jimmy Stewart ● Rod Stewart ● George Strait ● The Temptations ● The Three Stooges ● The Trans-Siberian Orchestra ● Randy Travis ● Andy Williams ● Tricia Yearwood ● and many more!
Some of the stories you’ll hear will be funny, some moving, some outrageous but all unforgettable. And once you learn how your favorite music came to be, you’ll never hear that track quite the same way again – because, as Paul Harvey used to say, “now you know the REST of the story.” (And yes – Paul Harvey’s in here, too.)
The countdown runs for 10 hours (minus 12 minutes of commercial avails per hour). Each hour showcases the next ten ranked hits, with Hour 1 starting off with #100 to #91, Hour 2 covering #90 to #81, etc. on down to the final hour which presents the Top 10 Christmas hits of all time.
Augmenting each hour are a handful of “bonus tracks” – other beloved Yuletide gems guaranteed to make you laugh, touch your heart and rekindle your life’s fondest memories.
THE 100 GREATEST CHRISTMAS HITS OF ALL TIME is written and produced by Gary ("History of Rock 'n' Roll") Theroux and syndicated by The Sun Broadcasting Group. Availability in some markets are still open. Call your favorite radio station and ask if they have signed up yet to air this classic countdown. If not, have them contact The Sun Broadcasting Group today at (800) 871-6163.
-- Gary Theroux
Me-TV-FM will be airing this special multiple times over the Christmas Holiday ...
And you can listen live here:
https://www.radio.com/metvfmmke/listen#.W6oi2vZRfcs
Speaking of Me-TV-FM, they're doing their "Flip Sides" Weekend again this weekend, playing back to back A-Sides and B-Sides beginning at 7:00 Friday Night.
(You can Listen Live via the same link above.)
This has been a very successful special for them.
(Catch our list of The Top 200 Biggest Two-Sided Hits Of All-Time as well as The Top 200 Favorite, Forgotten B-Sides, which inspired this feature, here):
http://forgottenhits.com/the_top_200_two-sided_hits_of_all-time
http://forgottenhits.com/your_top_200_favorite_forgotten_b-sides
>>>Rollye James is now on WGN late night and often has some cool musical guests on along with LOTS of obscure bumper music. On November 9, she did an hour long interview with Tom “Toad” Doody of The Cryan’ Shames. I thought it was excellent ... best interview I ever have heard with Tom ... very informative and in depth. Her podcasts are on her website. Here's the podcast for the hour with Tom. ENJOY!!
http://www.rollyestream.net/archives/Rollye110920.mp3Hey Kent -
My interview with Rollye was one of the favorite interviews I've ever done. She is incredibly knowledgeable about that era when we were making our records. She knew most of the same people that I did. It was more like a fun conversation, than an interview.
I absolutely know she would love Forgotten Hits. I hope you two can connect.
Be safe. Keep doing what you're doing and blessings.
Toad
Thanks, Tom ... put in a good word for me!!! (I sent her a copy of The Sunday Comments as an introduction.) kk
Did you watch the Reelz Elvis documentary this weekend?
It was OK ... they had limited use of his music to help move the story along ... and there wasn't a whole lot of NEW information revealed ... and, quite honestly, I got a little tired of the whole "Elvis was haunted his entire life by the loss of his twin brother Jesse, who died at birth" angle ... mentioning it once as a possibility would have been fine, as it's an angle that hasn't really been explored before ...
But they seemed intent on just beating this into us as an explanation / excuse for Elvis' behavior the rest of his life. (The closeness to his mother Gladys was also somewhat exploited ... but we've been hearing that one for years already!)
I also caught bits and pieces of the new Andy Williams PBS My Music Special ... some nice clips spotlighting one of the smoothest voices in pop music history. (I especially loved the "Butterfly" clip from 1957 with the quick shot of Jonathan Winters trying to "clap and snap" along in time to the music. Priceless!!! I wanted to share that one with you today but couldn't find it on YouTube.)
Anyway, if you're an Andy fan, check your local listings for this one ... a nice look back at a long-gone era. (kk)
Kent –
I'm glad you could use the article I wrote you.
One minor correction ...
My last concert with the Mystics was 2015. Not 2013. No big deal.
February 14th, 2015, at the Sunrise Theater in Ft Pierce, FL.
Lou Christie, The Rip Chords, Ron Dante, The Mystics and Jimmy Clanton (a true Rock & Roll gentleman)
-- Bobby
From FH Reader Clark Besch …
All I can say is "If my car could only talk to me," it would say "Bobby, why aren't you driving a Cobra?"
Clark goes on to write ...
"Lion Heart" is another great sounding tune from Jim Peterik that could be another movie theme if they bring out one called "Lion Heart." It's a song that begs to have a movie written around it! Another "Don't Stop Believin’" moment.
P.S. I would love to have a copy of the new Pride Of Lions CD
Clark Besch
We’ve got THREE copies of this new release to give away.
It’s another VERY strong effort from Jim Peterik and Toby Hitchcok …
I can only describe it as what I believe Survivor would sound like today, had they stayed together. Very strong material … incredible vocals … and just a feel-good shot of “UP” attitude when we all can really use it.
Wanna a shot at a copy?
Drop me an email NOW at kk@forgottenhits.com … and put PRIDE OF LIONS in the Subject Line … and we’ll enter your name in our drawing. (kk)
Drummer Mike Arturi, originally from Chicago, is a music educator, executive director at the Universal Music Center in Minnesota, and has been touring for years with the Lovin’ Spoonful.
On December 5, he will be presenting a special online salute to the Lovin’ Spoonful.
Also happening that evening is an online concert by Felix Cavaliere's Rascals ...
But this one's gonna cost ya ...
Ticket prices range from $25 (for the concert only) to $35 for an aftershow virtual meet and greet to $40 for all of the above plus a signed copy of Felix's Christmas CD.
Still, the program promises a 90 minute set of music from one of the '60's premier singer / songwriters ...
So you just may wanna check it out. (kk)
kk –
I'm just about finished reading "MADE MEN - THE STORY OF GOODFELLAS" by Glenn Kenny. The author is interviewing Barbra DeFina, Martin Scorsese's ex-wife and one of the producers of "GOODFELLAS."
He asked her about her current project- an adaptation of Tommy James' memoir "ME, THE MOB & THE MUSIC" … a rock & roll biopic with a strong crime element. The book details James' twisted relationship with Morris Levy, the very mob- affiliated head of Roulette Records, the label that broke and subsequently controlled James.
Barbara likens her situation to that of Tommy James who, after entreating boss / father figure Morris Levy to pay him, would be doled out money on which to tour and record, but no greater spoils. “That is,” she said, “I got paid for each individual movie but I never got any deal money.”
FB
We’ve been anxiously awaiting the Tommy James film for years now … and of course now with all the additional pandemic delays, it’s been pushed back even further. Still, this is going to be an excellent film, once it finally gets made! (kk)
And, while we're on the topic of Good Fellas (again!) ...
>>>You may never speak to me again, Frank, but I am one of only seven people in The United States who has NEVER seen the movie “Good Fellas!!!” I know, shame on me … and I REALLY have been meaning to see it … for about thirty years now, I guess, based on what you’re telling me. There are a TON of those mobster movies that came out around this time and I haven’t seen ANY of them … so one day I’m just going to have to corner myself off and watch them all. (For some reason, St. Valentine’s Day sounds like a good time to do this!) kk
kk –
When it was first previewed, to get audience reaction, it was hated by the audience. Not disliked … HATED. People got up and walked out. Too violent. During some showings, they wanted to go after Scorsese. Then it won an award and got good reviews. That's what turned things around.
FB
Even Frannie couldn’t believe that I had never seen this film, wondering how I could have possibly avoided it.
Honestly, I fell asleep during “The Godfather” … just not my thing, I guess … and others that I’ve seen like it since have had no lasting impact on me.
But I WILL give it a shot … next time I’ve got 3-4 hours to kill. (kk)
And finally, "as a personal favor" to NY PR Guy David Salidor, here's a bit on The Oxfords.
Now I will be the first to admit that I have never even HEARD of The Oxfords ... or, for that matter, HEARD The Oxfords and whatever musical legacy they may have shared along the way ...
But David tells me that:
55 years after their initial success they're winding up the year with the #1 new release on the "Pop Oldies" chart on Amazon. It's remained in the #1 spot for 5 straight weeks.
The Oxfords Are: Steve (Bell) Silver; Steve (Fontz) Gelfand; Ivan (Van) Taub; Gary (Crainers) Stanley; Joel (Thumper) Naselow; and Byron (Fingers) Blau. These six local Philly guys found each other and formed their band in 1964. As Bell recalls, "It seemed like every kid in America saw the Ed Sullivan show that Sunday night in February when four guys from Liverpool changed the world. We certainly did and the Oxfords were formed shortly thereafter. We were only 16-ish but our passion for the music was palpable! Although we were a ‘cover’ band, Ivan and Gary started writing original material almost immediately.”
A few months later, they recorded some of those songs and quickly achieved a wave of regional success with a string of records: “It Serves You Right” and a cover of Ben E. King's “Don't Play That Song” (on the indie-label Grand Records), followed up by their cover of the Beatles' "You Won't See Me" (ABC-Paramount), which led to appearances on all the local TV music programs.
“We played 'live' at the myriad of clubs, functions, and parties in the tri-state area, culminating with the designation of house band at the nationally known Hullabaloo Club (a string of teen clubs across the country associated with the Hullabaloo TV show) We had a full-page article written about us in the National Hullabaloo Magazine and were mentioned in a Newsweek article about the club,” adds Joel.
In the summer as Philly empties out to the Jersey Shore, The Oxfords landed the coveted gig at Tony Marts, in Somers Point N.J.; one of the biggest clubs on the East Coast, at the time - 3 bands - 3 stages, non-stop music! All of the bands lived in apartments on top of the club.
The Oxfords were too young to even get a drink in the club but old enough to party in those unsupervised apartments. "It was a wild and crazy time,” adds Fontz, “And, yet, one of the most memorable summers of our lives.”
As time went on and the boys grew up, High School ended and college came into view; the band broke up in 1968. “We all fell out of touch and hadn't seen or spoken to each other in 50+ years until three months ago (Aug. 2020) when Ivan received a phone call from Gear-Fab Records, who was interested in releasing a collectible CD of our old music. These songs had never been released together in album form and we were ecstatic. Ivan tracked us all down, which resulted in a reunion via a 6-way Zoom chat which we've continued on a weekly basis,” says Gary. “It was fortunate that Joel had kept copies of all of the master tapes from the studios allowing the CD to have enough tracks for a complete album.”
Gear-Fab released the 14-song CD on Oct.16 and it shot to the top of the "pop oldies" on Amazon chart within two weeks. It was the highest pre-order sales for Gear-Fab in their history. It has remained at # 1 since then.
The bands’ talented keyboard man (Byron Blau) has a daughter, Jodi, who had fashioned a successful career for herself as a social media specialist and influencer. Adds Ivan, “She helped us immensely in the release of our CD and under her direction a national social-media campaign was initiated.
Unbeknownst to us, Jodi's Father Byron, had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He chose not to tell us, as he wanted to be treated as 'one of the guys' and keep the focus on the happy times about all of us and our music. Jodi finally let us know what was happening and that he probably wouldn't make it to see the release of the CD.
We were crushed by this news as Byron passed a month before the CD was released. We all decided to make Jodi the '6th Oxford,' sharing equally with her in any success we may achieve."
Jodi was also able to fully interview Byron, to obtain his side of the story.
Fontz recalls that a few weeks later, "Jodi confided that our reunion and pending CD release had lifted her father's spirits and brought them closer when he told her his story of the band's journey during those chaotic years (1964-68).
So, what made the Oxfords happen on a national scale? Hard work, determination, talent, creativity, and patience?
The Oxfords finally made it to the top!
My curiosity piqued, I ventured over to Amazon to listen for myself ...
And you can now do the same right here:
Hey, we're all about our Local Heroes here in Forgotten Hits, as you've certainly seen over the years...
So here's your favor, David!
(but now you owe me one! lol) kk
**********
Can you believe it’s already December 1st???
While I think that most of us would agree that there’s an underlying feeling in each and every one of us that would love to flip this final calendar page and put this horrid year behind us …
But the truth is we’re in no better shape today than we were nine months ago when the Covid virus first started spreading.
In fact, numbers for November showed more cases of Covid-19 diagnosed here in the month of November than for the entire YEAR in any number of other countries.
Now granted, we likely have more visitors than anywhere else on the planet …
But we have yet to get a handle on this thing and it is far from over.
So, for our closing segment today, let’s remember HAPPIER December 1st’s from the past …
#1, December 1st, 1955 – SIXTEEN TONS – Tennessee Ernie Ford
1956 – LOVE ME TENDER – Elvis Presley
1957 – JAILHOUSE ROCK – Elvis Presley
Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke and The Rays all make their national TV debuts this evening on The Ed Sullivan Show
1958 – TO KNOW HIM IS TO LOVE HIM – The Teddy Bears
Ricky Nelson becomes the first rock and roll star to appear on the cover of “Life Magazine”
Also on this date: Neil Sedaka signs with RCA Records
1959 – MACK THE KNIFE – Bobby Darin
1960 – ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT – Elvis Presley
That makes THREE #1 Hits on this date for Elvis!!!
Also on this date, Bobby Darin marries Sandra Dee!
1961 – BIG BAD JOHN – Jimmy Dean
1962 – BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY – The Four Seasons
1963 – I’M LEAVING IT UP TO YOU – Dale and Grace
1964 – LEADER OF THE PACK – The Shangri-Las
1965 – I HEAR A SYMPHONY – The Supremes
1966 – YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON - The Supremes
1967 – INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS – The Strawberry Alarm Clock
1968 – LOVE CHILD – Diana Ross and the Supremes
Wow, THREE #1’s on this date for The Supremes!
1969 – COME TOGETHER / SOMETHING – The Beatles
1970 – I THINK I LOVE YOU – The Partridge Family
1971 – THEME FROM “SHAFT” – Isaac Hayes
1972 – I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW – Johnny Nash (who we lost this year)
1973 – TOP OF THE WORLD – The Carpenters
1974 – I CAN HELP – Billy Swan
1975 – FLY ROBIN FLY – The Silver Connection
Bette Midler celebrates her 30th birthday with an emergency appendectomy!
1976 – TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT – Rod Stewart
1977 – YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE – Debby Boone
1978 – MAC ARTHUR PARK – Donna Summer
1979 – NO MORE TEARS – Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer
1980 – LADY – Kenny Rogers (who we lost this year)
1981 – PHYSICAL – Olivia Newton-John
1982 – TRULY – Lionel Richie
1983 – ALL NIGHT LONG – Lionel Richie
(Lionel has written THREE of the last four December 1st #1 hits)
1984 – WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO – Wham!
1985 – SEPARATE LIVES – Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin
1986 – YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME – Bon Jovi
1987 – THE TIME OF MY LIFE – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
1988 – BAD MEDICINE – Bon Jovi
1989 – BLAME IT ON THE RAIN – Milli Vanilli
Sly Stone is sentenced to 55 days in jail for driving under the influence of cocaine
1990 – I’M YOUR BABY TONIGHT – Whitney Houston
Born on this date: Billy Paul, Lou Rawls, Sandy Nelson, Bette Midler, John Densmore of The Doors, Gilbert O’Sullivan
Died on this date: Lee Dorsey
BEGINNING TOMORROW IN FORGOTTEN HITS ...
A three part series courtesy of Shelley Sweet-Tufano, recapping the recent Peter Asher Zoom Interview Program that aired a couple of weeks ago.
Be sure to stop back and check it out!
