With Christmas now just hours away, here’s a brand new animated video spotlighting The Beach Boys’ classic “Little Saint Nick” …
Footage of McCartney and Tonight Show Host Jimmy Fallon performing Macca’s modern day Christmas classic “Wonderful Christmastime” (along with “Sing” cast members Matthew McConaughey, Reese Withersoon, Tori Kelly, Scarlett Johansson) was aired again last week … but it is absolutely nowhere to be found on YouTube. Too bad, because accompanied by The Roots, it really is a pretty cool minute-and-a-half long clip. (If somebody has a copy of this to share, I’d love to add it to my private collection.) kk
UPDATE: I was able to snag this link …
Can’t promise you it’ll be there when you click on it … but give it a shot …
It’s only a minute and a half … and well worth the effort to track it down.
And one more holiday favorite ...
After watching Trisha Yearwood try to navigate her way thru this Dolly Parton classic on the live Garth and Trisha Christmas Special the other night, I just HAD to hear the original. (What a beautiful song!) kk
>>>"Amazing Grace" a Christmas song? I'm not sure I ever heard it played in that context before (kk)
Morning, Kent –
Oh yes, one of my favourite Christmas card videos, Grace just makes it special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJgidI0-KeQ
Take care, stay safe and be careful out there, remember there are only two kinds of music, rock “n” roll because, Rockin’ Lord Geoff said so.
I remember running this clip earlier this year …
Still a pretty clever arrangement of two classics …
A long, long time ago in the rock age, in a land called Forgotten Hits, only one seasonal song, "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)," ever topped the US Billboard record charts. But across the big salty pond in Brittania, Caledonia, and Upper Hibernia, ten Christmas singles reached the toppermost of the poppermost (1955-1990).
1973 is remembered as the year Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" held off Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" (UK #4). Slade's hit was the prestigious Christmas week UK number one, always a big deal but rarely a yuletide song. In 1987, a most unusual Christmas single, The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl's "Fairytale Of New York," barely missed at UK #2 behind The Pet Shop Boys' synth-pop cover of "Always On My Mind". According to Wikipedia, "Fairytale" has remained wildly popular and has reached the UK top 20 seventeen times since its release, including every year since 2005 (This might not be up-to-date.) In the UK, the article says, it's the most played Christmas song of the 21st century and is frequently cited as the best Christmas song of all time. In a 2012 UK television special, "Fairytale Of New York," "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" and "Merry Xmas Everybody" were voted 1-2-3 as the nation's favorite Christmas records. They have never charted in the US. "The Chipmunk Song" never charted over there.
On a sad note, during a December,
2000 vacation, Kirsty MacColl was killed by a speedboat in restricted waters
while snorkeling with her sons in Cozemel, Mexico.
Mike Gentry
Best Classic Bands ran a tribute to Kirsty on the anniversary of her death last week … https://bestclassicbands.com/kirsty-maccoll-accident-12-18-155/
OK, I got a good one for ya.
I combined Christmas music with Rap, and this one is the king. I've only seen two copies in my life, one of which I sold two years ago. It's from 1954!
Enjoy!
Mike Wolstein
The first rap record ever??? It very well could be, if this came out in 1954! Who the heck IS this?!?!? (kk)
Hey, Ralphie boy!!! It's Art Carney!!! Surprised? ;-)
Yeah, I'll say!!! What a COOL Yule addition to this year's Holiday Tunes Tunes!!!! Thanks, Mike! (kk)
And don't forget that Me-TV-FM will be airing the annual "Top 100 Greatest Christmas Hits Of All Time" Countdown (written and produced by our very own Gary Theroux ... and hosted by none other than the incomparable Wink Martindale), running all day Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
https://www.radio.com/metvfmmke/listen
Program Director Rick O'Dell tells us:
“The 100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time” with Wink Martindale will begin at 8:00 am Christmas Eve and continue through midnight Christmas night. (The complete countdown will air four times over those 40 hours.)
Then, from December 26 through December 31, it’ll be our annual “In Remembrance” feature, where we’ll be paying tribute to the artists who passed away in 2020.
Also beginning immediately after Christmas ...
And running straight thru New Year's Day ...
Will be the Annual All-Time Top 77 Favorite Hits (which, since this is airing on Rewound Radio, means you'll actually hear about The Top 3500!!!)
This special is an absolute blast every single year ... this is their 23rd annual show ... so don't miss it!!!
rewoundradio.com/instantonchromebook.html
Here’s another Christmas greeting from Ron Dante …
(with a little help from his friends!)
Kent.
Wishing you and all your readers a very Merry Christmas.
Here's to Health, Happiness and Peace for all.
Ron
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks,
nuns window shopping in style.
In the aire of good feeling,
It's Christmas ... and GUITARS!
Three nuns, strolling down the streets of Chicago at Christmastime, 1966, and their conversation:
"Something about snow falling in Chicago is nice, isn't it?"*
"Ah, sisters, isn't window shopping in Chicago at Christmastime wonderful in 1966?"**
"Sister Bertrille, maybe you should learn how to play one of these instruments
for your new TV show, "Flying Nun"?"***
"Possibly. I remember Sister Maria played something like it in "The Sound of Music"
last year and she did well."****
"Maybe we can do something after Christmas about this?"
"They are lovely instruments.
I heard there is a 16 year old playing down the street
in a little combo that loves these things."*****
"Oh yes, I believe it is even a benefit concert that his little bandis performing in!"******
(see below)
"Do you think we dare?
After all, he IS a rock 'n roller, so I've heard."*******
"Why not, I heard he likes purple like me?
It's a benefit and maybe if we go,
they will do it again sometime!"********
"And that teen band, "Saturday's Children," has a very lovely little Christmas song that I just heard on the radio the other day that is much like our traditional "Deck the Halls!"*********
"Oh yes, I have heard it and another Christmas song by them that is also pretty.
Very nice, for rock 'n rollers."
"Alright then, it is settled. W
We'll go celebrate New Year’s to break in 1967
with the Jim "guitar youngster" and his Ides boys and those nice Christmas song boys."
"I wonder what will come of these young boys?"**********
"I don't know, but I WANT THAT GUITAR!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What were all those *'s about?
See below:
* - In less than a month, Chicago would come to a standstill from 27" of snow.
** - The nun picture was actually TAKEN in 1967!
*** - Sister Bertrille was the character played by Sally Field on the new TV series "The Flying Nun" and had a minor hit single in later 1967, "Felicidad,"which is Spanish for "Happiness"
**** - Sister Maria was the character played by Julie Andrews in the movie "The Sound of Music"
***** - Refering to then 16 year old Ides of March band member, Jim Peterik, who would go on to worldwide fame and be well knownto love guitars, as he owns over 200 in his collection!
****** - A benefit concert was indeed played on January 2, 1967, with The Ides of March and Saturday's Children at Paul Sampson's Cellar teen club.
******* - Rock 'n Roll is here to stay, or so they say.
******** - The Ides of March performed this past Saturday for their 25th Christmas concert -- 54 years after the concert above!
Ron Onesti has replaced Paul Sampson as the sponsor.
********* - Saturday's Children had just released a Christmas single on Dunwich called "Deck 5" (which does lend to "Deck the Halls" and "Christmas Sounds," which was an original tune.
Little doubt they performed both that night.
********** - Well, Saturday's Children is going to reunite in 2021 as Saturday's Children Reborn and hopefully record again together.
Watch for more news in the future.
You can hear a new fun
video with their 1966 Christmas "Nun" classic here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crxYeBiPKmA&feature=youtu.be
----------------------------------------------
Did you see it?
This past Saturday Night was
The Ides Of March 25TH Annual Sharing Christmas Concert
It all happened at 8 pm Central Time and was broadcast live from that now 70 years young
Jim Peterik home studio!!!.
It featured all four of the original "boys" from the 1967 concert singing original Christmas songs that they have written and performed over the years.
In the meantime, you can also hear Jim discussing the concert on this week's WGN John Landecker Show interview podcast here:
https://wgnradio.com/john-landecker/jim-peterik-and-the-ides-of-march-are-bringing-2020-some-needed-christmas-cheer/
"How about that, Sister Bertille, John Landecker is still on the radio too!"
"Yes, sister, THAT"S why God made the radio!"
"Did you ever get that guitar in 1966?"
NO! That is why I bid on Jim Peterik's autographed guitar this week!+
(Many thanks to Kent Kotal and Forgotten Hits for the info, as always!)
Clark Besch
I wanted to offer congratulations to whoever won that awesome autographed guitar last weekend, the proceeds from which will go toward the funding of the Dick Biondi Documentary we keep telling you about, but I never heard back from Pam or Joe to share the winner's name or the amount of the winning bid.
Meanwhile, you can still make YOUR donations here:
https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/donate/
(Let's get this thing out there in 2021!!!)
Thanks for Forgotten Hits. It's always a refreshing read.
Wishing you and yours a Merry Illinois Christmas.
Have a joyous holiday.
Let's hope the New Year brings us back to reality.
Ken Voss
Christmas in Illinois
Christmastime is a special time of year. Over the years, many Illinois musicians have shared their musical contributions to the season. We thought it would be good to offer an Illinois musical soundtrack for all to enjoy.
Gene Ammons – Swinging for Christmas - https://youtu.be/NM1guDJNglQ
This was the first attempt at a seasonal release for the Aristocrat / Chess label in the late 40s.
Muriel Anderson – Christmas Hymn - https://youtu.be/Bw97ydxK_qw
Muriel Anderson – What Child Is This - https://youtu.be/7-_euKPk9Ew
Chuck Berry – Run, Rudolph Run - https://youtu.be/MVu4c7dhDRE
Chuck Berry – Merry Christmas Baby - https://youtu.be/wUQ33Q7s4ec
Suzy Bogguss – Two Step Round the Christmas Tree - https://youtu.be/ryu1_NCCuY0
Suzy Bogguss – I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - https://youtu.be/IFV5K5fm4_4
The Buckinghams – The Joy of Christmas - https://youtu.be/_RyHa9btpG4
Cheap Trick - I Wish It Was Christmas - https://youtu.be/YIZzn-LAtsQ
Cheap Trick - I Want You For Christmas - https://youtu.be/6xc2NcULOfk
Cheap Trick - Come On Christmas - https://youtu.be/GAEWxUwGxR8
Cheap Trick - Christmas Christmas - https://youtu.be/MgBwYlkbZKc
Cheap Trick - Merry Christmas Darlings - https://youtu.be/hOCJnjsqt1I
Cheap Trick - Run Rudolph Run - https://youtu.be/U30gnt9f_Ts
Cheap Trick - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - https://youtu.be/t3vblZlnnnY
Chicago - Because It’s Christmastime - https://youtu.be/T1l9_lsByBU
Chicago - Here We Come a Caroling - https://youtu.be/8MU_KDRXSbU
Chicago - All Is Right - https://youtu.be/BYoGH0veveo
Chicago - Chicago – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (video) - https://youtu.be/5VNi6Ks8Gjk
Chicago - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - https://youtu.be/YrzCRqiMbb4
Chicago - Little Drummer Boy - https://youtu.be/h0P_gxMpD3s
Chicago - The Christmas Song - https://youtu.be/JPusrM0K1dg
Classical Blast – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - https://youtu.be/MDLElAtdvHI
Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song - https://youtu.be/hwacxSnc4tI
Nat King Cole – Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire - https://youtu.be/I65_S78WHJY
Nat King Cole – Silent Night - https://youtu.be/VM8rQww53fk?list=PLMT28OgkBsxLsmriKuA1RlaFOmn5Qzhgw
Shawn Colvin – Christmas Time is Here - https://youtu.be/8uRep2akPJU
Shawn Colvin – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - https://youtu.be/f4OHku49-y4
Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers – Christmas Means Love - https://youtu.be/PoSJECSgaAE
Miles Davis – Blues Christmas - https://youtu.be/E3fHABn6SEE
Karla DeVito – Santa Claus is Coming - https://youtu.be/JQA0MUo84dM
Dennis DeYoung – When I Hear a Christmas Song - https://youtu.be/SNZAz5fJ1pc
Dennis DeYoung and Mike Eldred sing “Ave Maria” with the Chicago Children’s Choir (video) - https://youtu.be/ByBIR00ksZE
Ral Donner – Christmas Day - https://youtu.be/LPK3beY-3HE
Earth, Wind & Fire – Every Day is Christmas - https://youtu.be/Sz24PUPEFNw
Earth, Wind & Fire – Winter Wonderland - https://youtu.be/Lm1Z4lrcdBo?list=PL8Z7cWD-PWoDFB-CZvOYqMWA_5D8UoN31
Earth, Wind & Fire – Little Drummer Boy - https://youtu.be/MXi_OWy9iSA?list=PL8Z7cWD-PWoDFB-CZvOYqMWA_5D8UoN31
Dick Eastman – Santa’s Comin’ Here - https://youtu.be/I9t5FBxUJoE
Elvis Brothers – Rock-A-Billy Christmas - https://youtu.be/oClUSfOGVMg
Elvis Brothers – I Want to Be With You This Christmas - https://youtu.be/X57oZDdsnGk
The Emotions – What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas? - https://youtu.be/-OBKkmXgXJU
Fall Out Boy – Yule Shoot Your Eyes Out - https://youtu.be/IqGpUcjaVzo
Dan Fogelberg – The First Christmas Morning - https://youtu.be/sNjSaO2zH9A?list=PLPwpiddPcNbMMBpsvJ6kl3n32zC_59nUB
Dan Fogelberg - Yule Dance - https://youtu.be/FYV_xHqbx-A?list=PLPwpiddPcNbMMBpsvJ6kl3n32zC_59nUB
Dan Fogelberg – Feast of Fools - https://youtu.be/bqmpYn7YWvI?list=PLPwpiddPcNbMMBpsvJ6kl3n32zC_59nUB
Dan Fogelberg – What Child is This - https://youtu.be/3vjTcjXUy9M?list=PLPwpiddPcNbMMBpsvJ6kl3n32zC_59nUB
The Gems – Love for Christmas - https://youtu.be/pIvEZPfdpVs
Dora Hall – Give Me Your Heart for Christmas - https://youtu.be/UciLWDAaRjA
Donny Hathaway – This Christmas - https://youtu.be/Ncxa9dUzjAA
The Hepsters – Rockin’ N’ Rollin’ with Santa Claus - https://youtu.be/ailhZhwnEOE
Ides of March – I Believe in Christmas - https://youtu.be/rr3qi8uVn_s
Jim Peterik & Scott May – My Christmas Dream - https://youtu.be/EFrc0iPWEGE
Jim Peterik & Ides of March – Sharing Christmas - https://youtu.be/YWOf__yRBu4
Chaka Khan – The Christmas Song - https://youtu.be/NSzKDlmXNVU
Chaka Khan – Christmas Only Once a Year - https://youtu.be/52QtRT9wSJc
Alison Kraus & Robert Plant – Light of Christmas Day - https://youtu.be/JMYwWRom01c
Alison Kraus – Silver Bells https://youtu.be/Cc3G0Efbdt0
Alison Kraus – O Come All Ye Faithful - https://youtu.be/nCF4kPrgVFQ
Alison Kraus with Yo-Yo Ma – The Wexford Carol - https://youtu.be/yxDZjg_Igoc
Ramsey Lewis – Christmas Blues - https://youtu.be/xKGeUPRjNZ8
Ramsey Lewis – Merry Christmas Baby - https://youtu.be/H8mqGJTbEKc
Ramsey Lewis – Sleighride - https://youtu.be/uAxkzbrwBPU
Ramsey Lewis – Winter Wonderland - https://youtu.be/lKzLQPqULcg
Lisa McClowry – It Wouldn’t Feel Like Christmas - https://youtu.be/AMFHtx8FQMg
Lisa McClowry – Do You Hear What I Hear - https://youtu.be/nmecQFcrES0
Paulette McWilliams – Christmas Song - https://youtu.be/IinwiHL8Oko
Mighty Blue Kings – All I Ask for Christmas - https://youtu.be/iOAWiGUvQeQ
Mighty Blue Kings – White Christmas - https://youtu.be/3CsTrw9zYZo
Liz Phair – Winter Wonderland - https://youtu.be/iOjBhhYOJo8
John Prine – Christmas in Prison - https://youtu.be/00Ig33jctXs
“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” - https://youtu.be/uSiNFEL3joc
“Silver Bells” - https://youtu.be/0ls5M6Ajnv8
Lou Rawls – Christmas Is - https://youtu.be/tAQUmFMy37I
Lou Rawls – Merry Christmas Baby - https://youtu.be/_1fARlEDGLc
REO Speedwagon – Happy Christmas - https://youtu.be/E3vj2KljPiM
REO Speedwagon – No So Silent Night - https://youtu.be/_oVkN4y8l2M
REO Speedwagon – Happy Christmas (War is Over) - https://youtu.be/qQx_dDI-hnA
Rotary Connection – Christmas Child - https://youtu.be/fqxtUXB8jh4
Rotary Connection – Christmas Love - https://youtu.be/xH5VsvSI4Pw
Dave Rudolf – Fruitcakes for Christmas - https://youtu.be/Zk1VXZrBoEE?list=PLUCE_MU8SlEtjF9FLQnS_igQ66wbpIsfs
Dave Rudolf – Folly Old St. Nicholas - https://youtu.be/rVGwlHDmFyU
Dave Rudolf – Christmas Limbo - https://youtu.be/jkbEk7Ks-oI?list=PLUCE_MU8SlEtjF9FLQnS_igQ66wbpIsfs
Saturday’s Children - Christmas Sounds - https://youtu.be/dc0gz3r2ZKI
Saturday’s Children - Deck Five - https://youtu.be/_u-VtS9QA4Q
Allan Sherman – 12 Days of Christmas - https://youtu.be/qDGVrtOmrQQ
Skafish – Joy to the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8pkulyNbY8&list=PLVJ2IHm1vvDWAyuyy9jIs6B2b3qEVW0rb
Staple Singers – Who Took the Merry Out of Christmas - https://youtu.be/s4rB5SdX0-o
Staple Singers - Silent Night - https://youtu.be/-WW-TTaOzf8
Staple Singers – There Was a Star - https://youtu.be/6ahThgzcHlQ
Styx – Ring the Bells at Christmas (live video from DVD) - https://youtu.be/EXlYWRbGS2w
Styx – All I Want for Christmas (live video) - https://youtu.be/UjWu0FVKMy8
Styx – Happy Christmas (War is Over) - https://youtu.be/TsCgnEq_7wM
Survivor – Christmas is Here - https://youtu.be/BYmX5PP0hxk
Michelle Thomas – Christmas Jazz - https://youtu.be/z5dx8Ey-K4w
Mel Torme – Christmas medley - https://youtu.be/IrDMtmFJ1nQ?list=PLwmygyzDZWfF85ptr4Jg8kPpVeEKi9WEA
Mel Torme – Sleigh Ride - https://youtu.be/tq9Ya3uD-e8?list=PLwmygyzDZWfF85ptr4Jg8kPpVeEKi9WEA
Dinah Washington – I Want a Present for Christmas - https://youtu.be/ohFkOHpvA08
Dinah Washington – Silent Night - https://youtu.be/WESm-X_RaVs?list=TLPQMTMxMjIwMjCB0HAeDOsMIw
Dinah Washington – Ole Santa - https://youtu.be/ZoXH3RK0DnQ?list=TLPQMTMxMjIwMjCB0HAeDOsMIw
Gretchen Wilson – Christmas in My Heart - https://youtu.be/24HvSyy-FPw
Gretchen Wilson – I Want a Hippopatomas for Christmas - https://youtu.be/gnaTuDhObDo
Gretchen Wilson – Nuttin’ for Christmas - https://youtu.be/rPnyDbauqUw
Christmas Chicago Blues style
Carey Bell - Christmas Train - https://youtu.be/kC1ovZ6s8RI
Chuck Berry – Christmas - https://youtu.be/vibKu_-ZWuk?list=PLatDj-0DZR_ftLXiXSyZF1CvNBPTj2cGO
Elvin Bishop – Little Drummer Boy - https://youtu.be/3PV0Mos0WVg
Lonnie Brooks – All I Want for Christmas (Is To Be With You) – https://youtu.be/WAxwA1Jb70c
Charles Brown – Merry Christmas Baby
https://youtu.be/-RJJwk-Opw4?list=PLx-gbZyG7q8ZCMKAUcUvt1nrTUzIUCXNL
Shemekia Copeland – Stay a Little Longer Santa –
Tinsley Ellis – Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin - https://youtu.be/L2Ak2_AcVYs?list=PLBh2bMcvE5lUrNsShtO0UmYbzUxSOa2cI
John Lee Hooker – Blues for Christmas
https://youtu.be/mIOcxEsX2pE?list=PLX9NeEseBPZYA-MnlguVDXz1WjiKt1I0f
Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials – I’m Your Santa - https://youtu.be/pfVcl1D7ebQ?list=PLBh2bMcvE5lUrNsShtO0UmYbzUxSOa2cI
Charlie Musselwhite – Silent Night - https://youtu.be/dF0ESaTPCyM?list=OLAK5uy_njLec0MDZWBSXYitc_rhEdtymndeNedjw
Son Seals – Lonesome Christmas –
Koko Taylor – Merry, Merry Christmas - https://youtu.be/jopRwYpeHtE?list=PLBh2bMcvE5lUrNsShtO0UmYbzUxSOa2cI
Katie Webster – Deck the Halls with Boogie Woogie –
Sonny Boy Williamson – Sonny Boy’s Christmas Blues
Big Joe Williams – Christmas Blues – https://youtu.be/plg5KHs2eRE
And we’d like to leave you with this classic video:
Judy Garland & Mel Torme – The Christmas Song (video) - https://youtu.be/SaEedtRHklg
Wow!!! OK … That’ll keep you guys busy for awhile!!!
I like the fact that many of these haven’t been played to death …
A nice chance to discover some NEW Christmas favorites.
Thanks for sending, Ken …
And Happy Holidays to you and yours as well! (kk)
[Dare I be so bold as to include my OWN Christmas song once again???]
Sure, why not …
Here’s “Lonely Christmas,” recorded on Thanksgiving Day, 1975, all alone in my bedroom. (We put the drums on a few days later … but to make sure they came in properly, I pounded out the opening beat on my bed!!!)
Believe it or not, this thing has already been played on about two dozen radio shows … and is now up to an INCREDIBLY staggering 400 VIEWS!!! (Now if THAT'S not the very definition of "going viral," then I don't know what is!!! lol) kk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRg_tx91XEQ
Happy Holidaze!
Also On This Date in 1970: December 23rd –
Joni Mitchell receives her first Gold Album Award for “Ladies Of The Canyon.”
