Great blog on the R&R HOF today. I hadn’t realized that HALF of this year’s inductees were already represented in the Hall in other categories. I completely agree with you on the waste of space that is.
Rick
After giving the matter much thought, here’s a new and different and (hopefully) interesting perspective on all of this …
Yes, Tina Turner and Carole King are both former Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees …
But both of those honors are tied to the work they did with their former husbands.
THIS time, they’re being recognized on their own … both as performing artists.
I cannot help
but feel that THESE awards will mean SO much more to these iconic ladies than
their previous recognition … because this time it’s “personal” as they step out of any of the perceived shadows that may have existed at the time.
Although Ike and Tina Turner put on one of the most exciting, high energy stage shows of all time, their actual “hits” catalog was pretty small … they’re primarily remembered for their “nice and easy” / “rough” version of John Fogerty’s “Proud Mary,” a #4 Hit in 1971, and the U.S. failure of their #2 British Pop Single (and Phil Spector “masterpiece”), “River Deep, Mountain High” from 1966.
They actually DID score six other National Top 40 Hits: “A Fool In Love” (#19, 1960); “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” (#14, 1961); “Poor Fool” (#23, 1961); “I Want To Take You Higher” (#34, 1970); ”Ooh Poo Pah Doo” (#37, 1971) and “Nutbush City Limits” (#22, 1973). (Two others charted as The Ikettes … “I’m Blue,” #16, 1962 and “Peahes ‘n’ Cream” (#34, 1965) … but this was without any involvement from the two principle characters.)
Then, Tina earned SIX Top Ten Hits all on her own: “What’s Love Got To Do With It” (#1, 1984); “Better Be Good To Me” (#5, 1984); “Private Dancer (#7, 1985); “We Don’t Need Another Hero” (#2, 1985); “Typical Male” (#1, 1986) and “I Don’t Wanna Fight” (#9, 1993.)
King, on the other hand, was best known as one half of the songwriting duo famous for writing half of all of the Top Ten Hits ever recorded!!! (Well, not exactly … but pretty damn close!)
Although she did hit the charts on her own in 1962 with “It Might As Well Rain Until September” (#22), her career REALLY took off in 1971 when she released her “Tapestry” album, still one of the best selling and most highly regarded albums of all time. Besides the #1 Hit “It’s Too Late” (coupled with its every-bit-as-popular B-Side, “I Feel The Earth Move”), King continued to rack-up hits with “So Far Away” (#5, 1971); “Smackwater Jack” (its tag-along B-Side), “Sweet Seasons” (#8, 1972); “Been To Canaan” (#17, 1972); “Believe In Humanity” (#24, 1973); “Corazon” (#27, 1973); “Jazzman” (#1, 1974); “Nightingale” (#9, 1975); “Only Love Is Real” (#27, 1976); “Hard Rock Café” (#25, 1977) and the remake of her own “One Fine Day” (#12, 1980).
In every respect, these are NEW honors being bestowed on Turner and King as solo, individual artists, worthy of recognition for these solo contributions alone. When coupled with the rest of each of their resumes, it is downright staggering! (kk)
It's about time. Todd Rundgren is finally being inducted into the RNR Hall of Fame this year! Some respect, finally! (This is not meant for Todd, but for the Hall. I give them a small bit of respect for inducting Todd at least. Haha)
Knowing Todd's sense of humor, he may get up and give an acceptance speech somewhat like this:
"HELLO, IT'S ME! Please don't look at me that way. I can hardly say what I have to say. Couldn't I just tell you the way I feel? Sometimes I don't know what to feel, but it's nice of you to be nice to me. It took some time to get this thing together, didn't it? It's a long time and a long way to go but, I opened my eyes and saw the light. It wouldn't have made any difference if you loved me, because time heals the wounds that no one can see. I know I said this is the very last time you will step on my face. I know, I may be a cry baby because you cried wolf at my induction in the past. YOU created my ever popular tortured artist effect. It was a hammer in my heart, but you were not wrong long, because a dream goes on forever. Don't forget that love is the answer. Many of you only know me as that guy from Ringo's band who can bang the drum all day, but can we still be friends? Thank you for believing in me. Now, LET'S TAKE IT HOME!"
He then sees some friends take the stage to which he shouts "LEROY, boy, IS THAT YOU?" and he blasts into a medley of his hits with Utopia on stage with him!
... now on to the Guess Who, Raiders, Emitt and all the others who are actually great writers and artists who ROCK and made a presence in our Hall of Fame world that so many already IN the Hall did NOT!
Clark Besch
Rundgren has kind of downplayed his reaction to finally being inducted, saying instead that he is “happy for my fans” because THEY wanted this for him for such a long time. It is well deserved, both as a unique recording artist and as a producer. This is one fan who is happy that The Rock Hall finally wised up and found their way to recognize Todd’s contributions to the rock and roll landscape over the years. (kk)
Speaking of Todd Rundgren, watch for a new release by Todd and Joe Jackson from their 2004 Tour. The box set includes two CD’s and one DVD commemorating the tour. The official release date is June 18th. (kk)
Some thoughts on the Rock Hall …
What do I know, Kent . . . but every year, it seems, the Hall of Fame feels more removed from reality -- and its name!
To me, its biggest shortcoming has always been a too-narrow focus that ignores the CULTURAL impact of rock 'n' roll on America and focuses too much on individual artists (deserving or not).
I wish, for example, that it celebrated what rock 'n' roll (and its offshoots) has meant to the lives of real people, such as:
-- THE IMPACT OF TOP 40 RADIO AND TV SHOWS: They could easily get around some of the ongoing controversies by honoring such shows as "The Monkees," "American Bandstand" (beyond Dick Clark), "Soul Train," "Solid Gold," "Midnight Special" and others. Probably the biggest oversight in this category is not honoring Ed Sullivan, who did for prime-time TV and middle America what Dick Clark did for the after-school crowd by introducing big acts of the time to the nation.
-- TEEN IDOLS (and the impact of teen magazines in the early days on the music industry): For example, I could see inducting the Boys of Bandstand (Avalon, Fabian and Rydell) as a group. And then honoring maybe Connie Francis there, too. Others?
-- DANCE CRAZES: Here's where I'd salute Chubby Checker and the songs and artists that gave rise to the lasting impact of the mashed potatoes, the twist, the stroll and such -- and the passing parade of fad "dances of the month" -- that helped shape so much of music and young people's social lives.
-- THE IMPACT (AND EXCITEMENT!) OF CHART COUNTDOWNS: What's No. 1? What's the hottest record at the moment. All that music buzz. I'd honor as a group -- or somehow individually -- Casey Kasem and American Top 40, as well as chart-keepers Billboard, Cashbox and Record World.
-- AND THE RISE, IMPACT -- AND SUSTAINING POWER -- OF OLDIES RADIO AND NOSTALGIA ROCK: Folks like Scott Shannon and his True Oldies Channel, groups like Sha Na Na, the biggest oldies groups still out there on the road -- the whole "oldies industry." And believe it or not -- you and Forgotten Hits for all the invaluable work you've done to document the history of our music.
Just some random thoughts that I think would connect the hall of fame better to REAL people, as well as the music industry.
Don Effenberger
Thanks for the kind words, Don. I’ve got to agree with you that ALL of those “sub categories” you’ve listed above had an impact on the spreading of rock and roll music, bringing it to new heights and a much greater, wider audience over the years. (I hadn’t thought about awards for Billboard, Cash Box, et al, but that makes perfect sense now that you mention it.)
Funnily enough, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Museum has held live concerts by several artists NOT inducted (or even considered for induction) and has spotlighted special exhibits for things like teen idols … they’ve just never seemed to take any of it very seriously, as they have their own agenda to fulfill. (Actually, many of the people that I’ve talked to at the Museum over the years often feel the same sense of disappointment and confusion that WE all feel when some of the nominating committee’s choices are made known. They’ve gone on record as saying “Don’t confuse the museum with The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame organization … we’re just the place where the displays are exhibited … and have no input into the decisions made by The Rock Hall itself.”) kk
Billboard Magazine interviews John Sykes, recently appointed Chairman of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation, here …
A lot of press coverage this week regarding the Kansas concert that FH Reader Rich Turner reviewed for us earlier in the week. (Guess this is being considered a major breakthrough in the return to live music.)
While we were earlier hearing postponed dates resuming beginning in late July, there is now word of several major concerts kicking off before the end of May and into June.
Ultimate Classic Rock ran this schedule the other day for some of the major touring acts … https://ultimateclassicrock.com/concerts-return-2021/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&utm_term=UCR
Kent,
After reading your review of Kansas' Florida concert, as a Kansan, I like Kansas.
I bought their first 45 THERE just before moving to Lincoln 50 years ago. However, I liked them even more when they reunited as their early incarnation, Proto-Kaw, and did this fab remake of the Cryan’ Shames. Hopefully, if Ron Onesti has them come here, I hope he will insist on this being played by them!
Clark Besch
Wouldn’t THAT be something?!?!
This is certainly an unlikely and unusual choice for a remake … even The Shames’ version only went to #73 when it was first released in 1968 … and in Billboard the best it could do was “bubble under” at #115. Here in Chicago, it did much better, of course, reaching #9 on the WCFL Chart. Quite a departure for The Cryan’ Shames at the time, too … and I loved it. (Jim “Hooke” Pilster once told me that he thought THIS was the one that was finally going to break the band big … he bought a house and got married, betting on the come … but it just didn’t happen. I heard it was big in Texas, too … so how Kansas happened to become acquainted with it must be a fascinating story … I can’t believe it got much airplay … and, if anything, The Cryan’ Shames were probably considered to be a pretty “bubble gum act” at the time … especially for a bunch of Prog Rockers! (lol) Interesting. (kk)
Kent,
First, to get it out of the way, if I were voting for inductees in the RNR Hall of Fame, I would have voted for Tina Turner, Carole King and Todd Rundgren. Enough of that.
You mentioned" MY ANGEL BABY" … haven't heard that on the air since "I don't know when!"
Also, I agree with Sam in that years ago, someone told me that Spencer and Spencer was Dickie Goodman. You know, I kind of agree with Sam. I always thought that the LAWRENCE in the title was meant to be Lee, as in Stagger Lee. I knew that Lawrence Welk was being impersonated, but I really did make the connection. Great for Sam for bring this out.
You mentioned that Joel Whitburn said that Spencer and Spencer in reality was Dickie Goodman and Mickey Shorr. Speaking of Mickey Shorr, are you aware of a break-in record he made in 1962? It was a record called DR. BEN BASEY. On the label it said it was by Mickey Shorr and the Cutups. The flip was a tune called ROARING 20'S RAG. My copy says the record label was Tuba Records.
Now Dickie Goodman had a similar record called DOCTOR BEN CRAZY. Both records were a parody of a show on television called Ben Casey. The other doctor show on the air was called Dr. Kildare. That show featured Richard Chamberlain who, back in the early sixties (1963-1963), had a few records on the charts.
Larry Neal
Taking these in order …
I voted for Rundgren, Turner and King on every Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame ballot I submitted. I also voted for The Go-Go’s and then alternately Chaka Khan or Dionne Warwick (who’s about as far from “rock and roll” as anybody I’ve ever seen on the ballot!)
I, too, took “Stagger Lawrence” to be the substitute for “Lee” … and agree that Sam raised a valid point in suggesting that it was more likely Lawrence due to the Lawrence Welk imitation. While it’s not a particularly strong novelty record, I like the fact that it works on so many levels and pays tribute to both the Lloyd Price hit and the Stan Freberg parody from several years earlier.
As for Mickey Shorr, you’ll read more about him in a minute in the next email. The Mickey Shorr and the Cutups recording of “Dr. Ben Basey” did well enough to reach #60 on The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart in 1962. Dickie Goodman’s break-in record, (titled simply “Ben Crazy”) did even better, peaking at #44. Ben Casey and Dr. Kildare were TV’s two Hot Docs at the time … and BOTH actors also enjoyed singing careers. (Vince Edwards, who played Ben Casey, never climbed any higher than #68 with his hit “Why Did You Leave Me?” in 1962 … but Richard Chamberlain charted several times, most notably with “Theme From ‘Dr. Kildare’ (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight),” #10 in 1962, his version of “Love Me Tender” (#21, 1962), his version of “All I Have To Do Is Dream” (#13, 1963), “Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo” (#55, 1963) and “Blue Guitar” (#41, 1963). Chamberlain was also the first artist to cut the Hal David / Burt Bacharach classic “(They Long To Be) Close To You” in 1962. (In fact, SEVERAL artists took a crack at this one without success until Karen and Richard Carpenter gave it a complete make-over for Herb Alpert and A&M Records, going all the way to #1 in 1970.) kk
Kent …
Your blogs rock, and the information you provide is invaluable!
As I read through today’s edition, I was just about to send you the information on Spencer & Spencer, but then as I read further, I see that, as always, you got an expert source to document the correct information.
But I still wanted to tell you about my personal connection with "One-Half of Spencer & Spencer" - Mickey Shorr.
I had a direct connection with Mickey Shorr. He was the #1 DJ at WXYZ-AM, the #1 Rock Station in Detroit in 1959. He was doing a “live remote” from the Victor Paint Store in suburban Garden City. He was my biological (I was later adopted) father’s best friend. My dad took me over to the remote and told Mickey that I hoped to be a DJ, too, someday. (I was then 11 years old.) So, Mickey put me behind his microphone and had me introduce a record. Six years later, I was doing folk music and history of rock shows on Sunday nights on WXYZ-AM and WXYZ-FM respectively. I have had the good fortune to be on the air somewhere on this planet ever since.
Thanks again for supporting my “Rare & Scratchy Rock ’N Roll” podcast!
Best wishes for super hit days and solid gold nights … and always rock on.
“Radio Dave” Milberg
Disc Jockey At Law
Jerry Lee Lewis is doing another streaming concert later this month … and once again it’s free to the public to enjoy …
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Don't forget to listen to Dave The Rave's "Relics And Rarities" show tomorrow night (5/16) on Top Shelf Oldies. It all kicks off at 9 pm (Eastern) and I’ll be stopping by right around 10:30. (I'll have to check with Dave to be sure, but we may even be able to take a few phone calls while I'm on the air ... it sure would be great to hear from some of our Forgotten Hits Readers!)
You can Listen Live here: http://topshelfoldies.org/
And be sure to email Dave your requests (the rarer the better!) prior to showtime at dave@davetherave.com and he’ll try to get some of these on the air. (Fair Warning … you’re going to have a pretty tough time stumping this guy … I have BEEN to Dave’s “No Static Attic” and his collection is really quite remarkable!)
You can learn more about Dave The Rave (and even listen to several of his archived shows here: http://davetherave.com/ (kk)
Hi, Kent ...
When I saw the mention of James Pankow today, I thought I'd toss an old memory of mine at ya.
For many years, I'd have my hair cut at a barber shop in downtown Glenview (the barber's name was Bruno), and as I sat in the chair, the photo below was in front of me. Sadly, the two of us never crossed paths, over all of those years.
And an added bonus was that another of his customers, an older gentleman named Jules, who lived in Glenview, was the sailor on the far left side of that famous Life Magazine shot taken in Times Square after V-J Day. He passed on a few years ago. Never knew who'd you'd find at Bruno's.
Mike Wolstein
Hi Kent,
The recent talk of Genesis in concert prompted me to recall my very first live rock concert experience. It was on February 7, 1984. I was a senior in high school and I saw Genesis at the Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
I was a huge fan of both the band and the Phil Collins solo stuff. The concert experience was both fun and a bit disappointing. They played some of their hits, but not nearly enough of them. The ones I remember that night were: Abacab, That's All!, Mama, Illegal Alien and Follow You, Follow Me. They did two extended medleys, one of their 1970s stuff (which I was totally unfamiliar with at the time) and something call the Cage Medley. They ended the show with an impressive drum duet between Collins and their other drummer.
I was hoping that the encore would be Misunderstanding or possibly Paperlate, but they went with Turn It On Again instead. I must say that Phil Collins was a very entertaining stage presence and the audience got a big laugh when he brought out a huge boombox and scanned the radio dial, hoping to catch a station playing their current hit "That's All!".
Overall, it wasn't a bad way to start my concert going years. The one thing that really stuck with me was the funny smell emanating from the audience once the lights went down. Let's just say it wouldn't be the last time I smelled that smell.
Paul Haney
Record Research
Sergio Mendes gets the PBS Music Special treatment next month. Edited down from a full length documentary called “Sergio Mendes: In The Key Of Joy,” the “Sergio Mendes and Friends: A Celebration” features most of his story told in his own words, along with appearances by Herb Alpert, Lani Hall (Herb’s wife and original singer of Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66), Quincy Jones, Sergio’s wife Gracinha, who took over after Lani Hall left in 1971 and has been married to Sergio for the past 46 years, John Legend, Jerry Moss, Common, will i. am and more.
It first airs here in Chicago on Saturday, June 5th, at 10:30 pm. Watch your local listings for more details. (kk)
Kent,
A few things if I may.
The other day we were discussing Aaron Neville’s song OVER YOU from 1960. When you mentioned that the song was co-written by Toussaint McCall, a day later I remembered a song he came out with in 1966 called NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF YOU. Now offhand, I don't know how high it got on the national charts nor how high it got here locally in OKC, but it was played for a substantial period of time. It was on the Ronn record label, which reminded me of something else. A few weeks later a song came out called TELEVISION by a Ron Martin, also on Ronn. Remember that one by any chance? I had to play it to get some memory of what it sounded like.
For the past several weeks I have been watching movies online. These are movies I never went to and or paid money to see. Some of these movies are like these television commercials in that they have old songs playing on a radio. I’m watching one now in which playing TO BE LOVED (FOREVER) by the Pentagons is playing on the radio. Again, I wonder who chose that one. (The movie takes place in the, I would say, 1980's or early 1990's.)
Then, a few days ago, a friend of mine said that the group Argent recorded the Three Dog Night song LIAR. I did not know this. I am going to assume that TDN recorded it first with Argent's version was a cover, not a remake.
Larry
Actually no, it was the other way around. Three Dog Night did a pretty faithful reading of this tune. (They always had a knack for finding these great, undiscovered songs and this one was no exception. They made hit songwriters out of more than a few “nobodies” along the way.)
This is another group that TRULY belongs in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. THREE Lead Singers … and a killer, kick-ass back-up band … and 21 straight Top 40 Hits, creating classic, definitive versions of nearly everything they touched.
I’m not familiar with the three other songs you mentioned, but I DID look them up in order to pass along the chart information.
“Nothing Takes The Place Of You” was a #33 hit (#52 in Billboard) for Toussaint Mc Call in the Spring of 1967, “Television” by Ron Martin didn’t chart at all nationally and “To Be Loved (Forever)” by The Pentagons went to #48 in 1961.
Kent,
You are right. I did some double checking after I emailed you. Argent came first.
Don't know what label offhand, but I am going to say Epic
Larry
Correctamundo. Here is the Argent version of “Liar” … not bad at all … with a bit of a Zombies feel to it, too! (kk)
We’ve written a WHOLE lot of chapters during our Forgotten Hits journey … over 4100 posts since the website kicked off in 2008 … and easily another 2500 before that when our newsletter went out strictly via email …
But Rock's Backpages, which launched in the fall of 2001, is the world's most comprehensive online database of pop music writing … a unique resource unavailable elsewhere online. It contains an ever-expanding collection of primary-source, full-text articles from the music and mainstream press from the 1940s to the present day, along with a collection of exclusive audio interviews.
FH Reader Bob Merlis goes on to tell us …
ROCK’S BACKPAGES PODCAST RELEASES 100TH EPISODE IN ADVANCE OF SITE’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY - ONLINE MUSIC JOURNALISM ARCHIVE WITH SUBSCRIPTION BASE OF 15 MILLION NEARS 45,000 ARTICLES
Founded in the fall of 2001 as a way to archive music journalism, the subscription-based rocksbackpages.com has become the largest online database of its kind, with almost 45,000 articles from publications like Creem, Trouser Press, Rolling Stone, New Musical Express, Melody Maker and MOJO, and dozens being added to the site each week. The site also contains more than 700 audio clips from interviews with musicians and music industry people that had never been previously available to the public. In advance of crossing the two-decade mark, its accompanying podcast, also named Rock’s Backpages, has reached a milestone of its own with the release of its 100th episode this week. It is available to listen for free on all major podcast platforms.
LISTEN TO ROCK’S BACKPAGES PODCAST EPISODE 100 HERE
Rock’s Backpages podcast started as a way to shed light on the articles and audio clips added to the site every few weeks in a 10-20 minute conversation between editorial director Barney Hoskyns and chief archivist/production director Mark Pringle. With the addition of marketing/communications manager Jasper Murison-Bowie, the podcast quickly expanded into a one hour plus format that includes guests (usually, but not limited to journalists) on every episode telling personal anecdotes about their lives in music.
Guests have included former music writer-turned-rockstar Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys (episode 63) telling the story of how he was so nervous when he interviewed Marc Bolan of T. Rex in 1975 that he didn’t turn on his tape recorder (Bolan did it for him), and Disc and Music Echo reporter Caroline Boucher (episode 94) recounting Richard Branson’s attempt at signing Captain Beefheart to Virgin, and botching it by mentioning his intention of also signing Beefheart’s nemesis Frank Zappa. One of the more notable stories to come out of Rock’s Backpages podcast early on was NME journalist Keith Altham (episode 21) describing the time he spent traveling from the UK to the Monterey Pop Festival with Jimi Hendrix and how he convinced the soon-to-be legend to set his guitar on fire, arguably altering the course of popular music.
“From the beginning we wanted it to be personal,” says Jasper Murison-Bowie. “We wanted it to be a conversation addressed to an individual listener on friendly terms with an eavesdropping style. It’s great to see how far we’ve come. We started getting guests on and that’s been super. A hundred episodes later, here we are having a good laugh.”
The base for rocksbackpages.com has been growing steadily over the last score, with individual subscribers plus more than 230 universities, libraries and other institutional subscriptions providing potential access to more than 15 million people behind the paywall. The articles contained therein cover a wide spectrum of styles – from hip-hop to jazz, rock to electronica – and cover a massive swath of time. The earliest article is dated 13 May 1948 (a T-Bone Walker and Jimmy Witherspoon concert covered in The California Eagle by J.T. Gipson) and the most recent articles are from 2021, including pieces on Aretha Franklin (Tony Scherman, PopMatters), Kamasi Washington (Jeff Tamarkin, Reflex) and Tina Turner (Simon Warner, unpublished). A meticulous system of profit sharing is in place for authors who have multiple works on the site. RBP is an invaluable resource for researchers, students, teachers, fellow music journalists and musicians, including a few household names.
“Rock’s Backpages is hallowed insurance that all those hard-won interviews, priceless rarities, and cultural snapshots will live forever in one grand gallery. It’s one of the best rabbit-holes in rock.” – Cameron Crowe
“Reading rock articles was a crucial part of my education, formation and inspiration. The great thing about Rock’s Backpages is that it’s done by experts, by people who’ve got a feeling for it. For me it’s definitive.” – Johnny Marr
ABOUT THE HOSTS OF ROCK’S BACKPAGES PODCAST:
Barney Hoskyns Editorial Director
A writer and editor for over 30 years, RBP co-founder Hoskyns is also the author of many books, including Hotel California: Singer-Songwriters and Cocaine Cowboys in the LA Canyons, the Tom Waits biography Lowside of the Road, Trampled Under Foot, an oral history of Led Zeppelin, and Small Town Talk, a history of the music scene in Woodstock and Bearsville. A former U.S. correspondent for MOJO, Hoskyns has contributed to Vogue, GQ, Rolling Stone, Spin, Harper's Bazaar, Uncut and many other titles. Thoughts of Chairman Barney can be found (and books bought) at barneyhoskyns.com
Mark Pringle Chief Archivist and Production Director
RBP co-founder Pringle has a chequered past including a stint as a musician with mid-'80s retro soul outfit Hot House; graphic designer; portrait photographer. In 2003 he curated Yes Yes Y'all, an exhibition about the first decade of hip hop ('72-'83) and, these days, when he's not covered in 50-year-old newsprint (it never dries) he now plays Free Rock™ with drummer pal Tom Fenner.
Jasper Murison-Bowie Marketing and Communications Manager
Jasper has written about jazz, funk and electronic music for Under City Lights and The Playground. While studying philosophy at University College London, Jasper hosted a radio show, Making Waves, about the genre future bass, which ran for three years. As a saxophonist and pianist, Jasper has played in venues including the Adelphi Theatre, the Bishopsgate Institute and Camden People’s Theatre. In 2015, he held a residency at Tredwell’s restaurant in Covent Garden, playing jazz and freely improvised music. He has also spent some time behind the decks at clubs in Oxford. His photography, writing and music can be found at jasperbowie.com
Another prolific writer who’s ALWAYS got something new and interesting to say about the music we all grew up with is Harvey Kubernik.
You can catch his latest, on the 50th Anniversary of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Déjà vu,” here: https://www.musicconnection.com/kubernik-crosby-stills-nash-young-deja-vu-50th-anniversary/
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(I’m not exactly sure why they’re calling it the 50th Anniversary … “Déjà vu” was released on March 11th, 1970 … 51 years … and a couple of months … ago.)
An album that really IS celebrating its 50th Anniversary this week is “Ram” by Paul and Linda McCartney. And, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Paul and Linda McCartney’s 1971 masterpiece RAM, the album has been reissued on a limited-edition, half-speed mastered vinyl pressing.
 Do you remember where you were when you first heard the album? Do you have a memory associated with one of the tracks? Share your favourite songs, lyrics and memories with other fans in a live chat, and look out for comments from the official Paul McCartney account. Fans all over the world will be able to listen together with an exclusive Listening Party 50 years to the day since the album came out. The RAM Listening Party starts on Monday 17th May 10am (PDT) / 6pm (BST). |
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You can also join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #RAMiversary. |
Paul even put two brand new videos on his YouTube Channel in celebration …
Meanwhile, The Moody Blues’ album “Long Distance Voyager” came out on May 15th, 40 years ago …
The cover was a photograph of an old print found hanging in the reception room of a photographic studio in London. The original was more brown, and over 5 feet wide.
The album is partially a concept album, as half the songs relate to the "Voyager" in the title.
The album is certified platinum and features two top 20 singles: "Gemini Dream" and "The Voice," and four tracks hit the Rock Mainstream charts: "Gemini Dream," "Meanwhile," "The Voice" and "22,000 Days."
The other day we showed you a copy of a Mother’s Day card sent in by Alex Valdez of The Yellow Balloon.
Well, he has since scanned us a photo of the INSIDE of the card, showing the way his son Gio inscribed it to his mother …
And a final smile from Mike Wolstein …
You know you're a true music aficionado when ...
p.s. The LP is Captain Beefheart's
"Trout Mask Replica"
Mike
OK, OK ... I've just gotta share ONE more ...
A photo of our Beatle Grandkids, Emma and Luke!!!
(I love it!!!)
