Close personal friend, best-selling author, personal companion and FH Reader Mark Bego files this report …
Due to Covid restrictions, the funeral of late Supremes diva Mary Wilson was postponed until this week in Los Angeles. On Monday, a gathering of family and close personal friends gathered to say their goodbyes at an "invitation only" viewing. The notable attendees included singer Freda Payne, record producer Eddie Holland, Claudette Robinson of The Miracles, songwriter Janie Bradford, actress Marla Gibbs, and author Mark Bego, who co-wrote Mary's recent Number One book "Supreme Glamour." Motown Records' Berry Gordy Jr. was represented by a huge arrangement of flowers.
At the end of the final event, her friends gathered in an arc in front of Mary and gave her a fitting champagne toast, which were her pre-arranged wishes.
What a way to go!
Mark Bego
Best Classic Bands ran this feature recapping Ringo Starr’s appearance on the Stephen Colbert Show earlier this week. (I missed it but it looks very entertaining and interesting … will have to check On Demand or YouTube in order to see the whole thing.)
The brief six minute clip of Ringo talking about the new Peter Jackson “Get Back” documentary is especially endearing … a very candid (and a little emotional) look back at what was originally presented as “Let It Be,” a documentary more about a band breaking up than one celebrating the joy of still being able to craft incredible music together.
I can’t help but think that if all of the guys were still with us, they’d all be waxing nostalgic at this point … into their late 70’s and early 80’s, one has to remember that ONLY these four went thru it … but they went thru it all together.
More here: https://bestclassicbands.com/ringo-starr-tour-postponed-2022-3-16-21/
Paramount+ has announced the
rebooting of the very popular VH1 / MTV music documentary series “Behind The
Music.” (No official launch date has
been announced.)
New episodes have already been filmed, spotlighting artists like Jennifer
Lopez, Huey Lewis, Ricky Martin and LL Cool J … and more episodes will be
added.
In addition, vintage clips from the series’ original run will also be featured. (This program was VERY well done … and quite informative, thanks to meticulous research and artist participation.) I am very much looking forward to seeing this program again … if I can ever work out my differences with Paramount+. (We purchased a year in advance only to find out that the streamer will only work if we upgrade all of our cable equipment, NOT something that was pointed out (or shown as a disclaimer) up front. This whole experience made for a VERY angry weekend last week … and we’re still trying to get it resolved. Apparently, there is also a “no refund” policy for the one year plan. GREAT way to launch a new streaming service, guys … how many hundred thousand more angry phone calls do you think you’ll get before you finally are forced to make things right???) kk
MeTV starts showing half hour Ed Sullivan Show compilations on Sunday nights at 8:30 PM Central time beginning this weekend.
The first show is The Beatles, Elvis and, of course, Topo Gigio, among others! Next Sunday, The Mamas & Papas.
SO, these sound like the same clippings most of us bought or have already, but you never know.
Clark Besch
As mentioned the other day in FH, they’re the same, abbreviated random clips that have been circulating for over a decade now on The Decades Channel and YouTube. (You can still find them running a couple of times a day on Decades … which is owned and operated under the same umbrella as Me-TV.
Still, I’m hopeful that some enterprising young executive will step in and do some updating ala YouTube’s Ed Sullivan Channel and bring back the full-length clips we saw when these programs first aired. Time will tell if this will happen. (Hey, I’d be open to that job opportunity!) kk
About two weeks ago you had a segment about songs that are featured in commercials. I spotted one, which is real interesting. It is for Belvita biscuits.
What is different about this one is that it's an album cut from the Zombies’ Odessey and Oracle album. The name of the song is Care of Cell 44.
The song only plays a short beginning snippet and lasts for maybe 10 to 15 seconds. A good thing, because if they played the entire song, you would hear that it is a song about a person waiting for his girlfriend to be released from prison ... obviously a song that would not fit any commercial!
Would love to find out who picked the song out. Maybe somebody in the high ranks of this company that loves the Zombies!
Mike DeMartino
Too funny! I have not seen that one … but will have to look for it! Sounds to me like a song somebody fell in love with a long, long time ago and just wanted to find a way to use a snippet of the melody. Pretty cool actually … because how many people out there would ever even know!!! (kk)
They have extended the ordering date an extra week for the VERY limited edition Andrew Sandoval / Monkees book we told you about the other day. Scroll back to Monday’s posting for more details and links telling you how to order. (kk)
Rhino is pulling out all the stops for the 50th Anniversary Box Set release of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Déjà vu” album. Check out the link below for all the details on this new collection … as well as all of the other timely merchandise being offered to coincide with this event. (kk)
More:
https://theseconddisc.com/2021/03/17/back-to-the-garden-rhino-expands-csnys-deja-vu-in-new-box-set/
And this one sounds interesting …
Robin Trower, Maxi Priest and Livingstone Brown Release New Album
‘United State of Mind’ in the US April 16, 2021
Releasing on CD in the US on April 16th is a fantastic album that brings together three very different UK music legends: Robin Trower, Maxi Priest and Livingstone Brown: ‘United State of Mind’ (released on Manhaton Records). Three artists with distinctive, trademark sounds and styles that dovetail and fuse together, creating an excellent whole that’s full of atmosphere, allure and a whole lotta soul.
Virtuoso rock guitarist Robin Trower found fame with Procol Harum, then went on to lead his very own power trio: The Robin Trower Band. His album ‘Bridge of Sighs’ has sold millions of copies worldwide. Classic Rock Review described Robin as a “guitar player of unparalleled influence,” particularly for the passion and soul of his playing, as well as his virtuosity, all of which have inspired countless young guitarists to take up the instrument.
“USM was one of the first pieces of music that I came up with for Maxi,” reflects guitarist Robin Trower. “As soon as he heard it, Maxi had the lyric idea of ‘On a lonely highway,’ and everything started to fall into place from there. I think it is one of the best tracks I’ve been involved in. Working on the album with Livi and Maxi was a complete joy from beginning to end.”
Maxi Priest is an iconic British reggae vocalist, with Jamaican heritage, who’s best known for singing reggae with added R&B flavour, creating that potent blend called reggae fusion. Maxi was a pioneer in the genre and is acknowledged as one of the most successful reggae fusion acts of all time.
Livingstone Brown, meanwhile, is a talented producer/mix engineer and musician. As a session and touring musician during the 80s and 90s, Livingstone worked, separately, with Robin Trower and Maxi Priest; not to mention, in his long career, other high-calibre artists such as Ed Sheeran, The Waterboys, Tina Turner, Bryan Ferry, Kylie Minogue, De La Soul, ABC and Bill Withers —to name but an impressive several.
Watch United State Of Mind Official Lyric Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inmAsdcDzXE&feature=youtu.be&mc_cid=00c76e83ff&mc_eid=1c96dcd56d
Maxi, Robin and Livi’s distinct talents proved a winning combo: in songwriting, in performance and in production, and thus the trio’s chemistry and collaboration led to ‘United State of Mind,’ an album on which you’ll find Maxi's trademark smooth as silk, mesmerizing vocals, Robin Trower's soulful, passionate guitarwork, and Livingstone’s catalyst flair and Midas Touch.
What brought this remarkable trio together was a chance meeting at Livingstone Brown's studio in Brixton in the UK, caused by what Livingstone calls “a diary malfunction.”
Maxi Priest puts it this way: “Three different minds coming together trying to create a unification that we can give as a gift to the world. We wanted to come together to do something positive. I’m overwhelmed and proud of this album. It’s all live instrumentation — fully organic music. This album is for music lovers: all genres.”
The end product — ‘United State of Mind’ — is an outstanding album, rich in commercial appeal, that’s beguiling, seductive and so smooth that it’s virtually frictionless. Also, full of verve and virtuosity that’s not only going to appeal to fans of the trio’s solo work, in reggae, rock and beyond, but is bound to delight many more besides. Definitely one to check out!
Here's what the press have raved about United State of Mind:
“This should be on everyone’s player this year – it is a simply fabulous recording.” - MUSIC NEWS
“This album and group came together through mutual respect for each other’s talents, and they have not only crafted here an incredible piece of work but an album that is destined to be a classic” - WEBLEED MUSIC
“USM combines Marvin, R & B, Jimi tones and subtly funky blues to excellent effect” - CLASSIC ROCK
“Soul drenched excellence” - GET READY TO ROCK
“This is a decorous and dignified album of graciously exquisite sounds presented by three superlative talents. The songs will steady your nerves and settle your jitters. Pure velvet harmony…” - RAWRAMP
“From the opening title track, it’s one of those releases that catches you and never lets go” - Pete Clack, Blues In Britain
Click here to Download/Stream the album: https://ffm.to/usomalbum?mc_cid=00c76e83ff&mc_eid=1c96dcd56d
To pre-order ‘United State of Mind’ CD: https://www.amazon.com/United-State-Priest-Livingstone-Trower/dp/B08T623Z5F/ref=sr_1_1
I love The New Colony Six and have Ronnie Rice’s Refried Rice CD. I would like to get the greatest hits one with I Confess and all the others. Do you have any idea where I can purchase a copy?
Kathy from Skokie
This CD sells for big bucks these days on the collectors’ market. (You’ll find used copies on Amazon and/or eBay, along with something called “The New Colony Six Singles Collection,” which goes for about $25 … not a legitimate release with, I’m told, suspect sound quality … but everything other than their MCA material is there.)
Long out of print on Rhino, I thought we were pretty close to a deal with Cary Mansfield’s Varese Sarabande label a few years ago regarding putting together a new career-spanning compilation. (The Rhino CD is an EXCELLENT representation of the band’s best-known tracks … they charted 19 times nationally and eight of those hits made The Top Ten here in Chicago. It was lovingly put together by New Colony Six Historian Jerry Schollenberger.)
Cary, if you’re out there, let me know if you’d like to revisit this project. The world is in need of a clean and expansive New Colony Six collection, especially now that some “bonus tracks” have been located. (kk)
Harvey Kubernik talks to … and about … Tina Turner in this new piece, just in advance of the upcoming HBO documentary …
http://ugly-things.com/tina-new-hbo-documentary-and-a-1975-interview/
Hi Kent,
Years ago when I was a kid, I remember this guy saying: "Someday, kids, you'll wear a mask and take shots!" Go figure!
Take Care,
Tim Kiley
Congratulations to our buddy Merrell Fankhauser on this lifetime achievement award of sort coming in from Billboard Magazine …
Kent,
I got a surprise recently when the mailman handed me the Gold Top 100 Registry Award for 2021! I had songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in 1968 and 1971. Soon they are publishing the Top 100 special yearly magazine with bio's on all the honorees. After all these years, it's a very nice honor. Please give it a mention.
Best,
Merrell
Happy to, Merrell … and congrats again! (kk)
Did you forget about the Roger Miller flipside of King of the Road, Atta Boy, Girl?
Phil Nee
Sure did! (lol) Thanks, Phil. (And seriously, who wouldn't appreciate an "Atta-Boy" once in a while for a job well done???) kk
A couple more songs I wanted to draw attention to …
Songs that fit the very essence of Forgotten Hits …
yet don’t receive very much airplay these days …
You know the kind of songs I’m talking about …
Songs you haven’t heard in YEARS …
yet the moment they come on, you know and can sing along with every single word.
Songs like “I Met Her In Church” by The Box Tops (one of my all-time favorite songs by them, as a matter of fact), which I heard this past week on Sirius XM’s 60s on 6 Channel …
Or “No Love At All” by B.J. Thomas, another track played by Sam Tallerico on his Lost And Found Oldies Show, as part of his on-going tribute to the 1971 Super Charts currently running in FH every Sunday ...
And for all you Brant Miller / Ron Riley wannabes out there (two EXTREMELY Top 40 Jocks on WLS back in radio’s hey day … and now BOTH long-time successful television weathermen), ANOTHER former ‘LS Jock, Chuck Buell, brings us up to date on Colorado’s record snow storm …
BTW,
Kent, when our rare Colorado Wicked Weekend Winter Weather broke, I discovered how true one of the lines I sent you around "Yesterday" truly was!
"There’s a Snow Drift On the roof hanging over me."
Our roofline!
Also attached is a quick 56-second video I put together after the snow total from this storm was the fourth highest in Denver's recorded history! We got 23 inches of snow at our place! Took a neighbor and his Bobcat THREE visits to keep our driveway semi-cleared!
ALL runways at Denver International Airport were closed for twenty-four hours Sunday after the storm dumped 27 inches of snow along with high winds AT the airport, cancelling over Three Thousand Flights, operations began to slowly resume yesterday. With all the passengers stranded at the airport, all flights were, and still are, booked solid and some folks will still not be leaving town until tomorrow yet or so. Had you come to visit for the weekend, you could still BE here!
Today, cloudy with a few more snow flurries possible and our high at two o'clock - only 37 degrees.
CB ( which stands for "Colorado Boy!" )
And for those of you asking … “What Season Is It In Colorado?” …
It's Colorado! Home of "Weather Saving Time!"
Spring Forward - into Spring Weather!
Fall Back - into Winter Weather!
Spring Forward! Fall Back! Jump and Repeat!
CB
Kent,
Another great read with your take on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Thanks for the shoutout in Tuesday’s blog.
I have been working with Ron Mastrangelo, Johnny Maestro’s brother, in his effort to get Johnny recognized by the Hall. I sent him today’s blog with the comments about the Hall. I’d like to use some of it in the newsletter.
Ron responded to me, “They were spot on. Hopefully, someone will step up and be an advocate for the originators that are not inducted.”
Last month on SiriusXM, Chazz Palminteri gave a great talk on John and raised the point again … “Why isn’t he in the R&RHOF? Got to keep plugging away.”
There are so many from the 50s and 60s that deserve to be inducted. Hopefully, someday down the line they will recognize that and do the right thing.
Keep up the great work on FH. It is greatly appreciated.
Glen
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Thanks for the kind words.
Sadly, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is so focused on the new eligible every year, most of whom have made very little impact on the advancement of rock and roll as an art form (the organization’s original intent) that the true originators continue to get overlooked and, quite honestly, aren’t even on their radar anymore. (My guess is that the bulk of the decision makers these days skews younger, too … so the idea of Britney Spears and N*Sync being inducted before long-standing deserving folks like The Guess Who, Chubby Checker, Freddy Cannon, Paul Revere and the Raiders and more is a very real possibility. (When Jann Wenner was still in charge, I was concerned that he’d lean more toward those acts who boosted sales of Rolling Stone Magazine when they appeared on the cover … for which Spears and the N*Synce boys would certainly qualify.)
I don’t know that there’s any other way to fix it other than just flat out announcing a “bulk induction” of deserving artists previously overlooked by the committee … but somebody’s got to have the balls to stand up and actually do that. And even then, it’s somewhat arbitrary. Still, somebody like Johnny Maestro carved out his own unique sound and deserves a spot. Taking nothing away from an act like Bon Jovi … who are VERY good at what they do … but the simple truth is they’re essentially a bar band out of Jersey who did well … great songs, great line-up … but what did they DO to take rock in a new direction? Seems to me they simply kept it going … but adding something NEW to the mix isn’t something I can honestly credit them for. I mean, not like a Percy Sledge or a Leonard Cohen did. (kk)
