Monday, October 4, 2021

A Monday Morning Quickie

Looking over the new Ed Sullivan YouTube videos list, I have to say that Bobby Goldsboro's "Can You Feel It" is a huge fave of mine.  Glad it was put up, even tho he fakes it, which is odd. 

Also, if you haven't seen the "Games People Play" video, it's worth watching, too.  How odd to have three big stars doing this Grammy winner of Joe South's. 

Clark Besch

I was quite surprised to see this clip come up the other day in FH and wondered what occasioned the circumstances of bringing together three great '60's artists together for an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show! (I honestly don't remember ever seeing it before ... quite a unique performance as it had already been a couple of years since Joe South had his Top Ten Hit with this one.)

I asked Tommy Roe about it, as I thought it might make for an interesting story for our readers … and also wondered if he had any new recording plans.  (Boy, looking at the state of the world's health these past two years, it sure looks like he picked the right time to retire from the road!!!  Who knew!)  kk


 

Hi Kent ...

Hope all is well with you and family. 

This Ed Sullivan appearance was the kick-off to our tour in the spring of 1971.

Joe, Billy Joe and I were very close friends and worked together for many years. Joe produced some of my early recordings, "Much More Love," which was the B side of "Sweet Pea," and "The You I Need," which was the B side of "Dizzy." "Much More Love" was a big hit outside of the USA, especially in South Africa where it went to #1 in their charts. 

When I was still in high school, Joe was already making a name for himself in Atlanta, and around the south east. I was a big fan of his rock 'a' billy sound and would go to all of his concerts. One of his early recordings was a song he wrote called, "I'm Snowed," still a favorite of mine, and one of the first records I ever bought. 

Joe was famous for always playing his red Gretsch guitar in his shows. I never will forget hanging out at the stage door at the Georgia Jubilee in East Point waiting for a chance to meet Joe after his show. I could see his red Gretsch in the case next to the entrance, and I walked up to get a closer look. Well, about the time I was getting ready to take a closer look, Joe saw me and yelled for me to get away from his guitar. Needless to say, my first encounter with my idol was not as planned.

When I finally started getting my legs in the record business, I met Joe for the first time at Lowery's studio in Atlanta. For me, at that stage of my career, it was like meeting Elvis. Next thing I knew, I was in the studio making music with my idol. For me this was unbelievable and the beginning of a long friendship. Great memories indeed!

Both Joe and Billy Joe passed away a few years ago, but their legacy of great music will live on. To me, Joe South is one of the greatest songwriters to come out of the South. His lyrics in all of his songs are absolutely incredible, and his melodies will be forever etched in our minds. To me, he is sadly overlooked and underrated in the music world, but not surprising. As you and I know, that is a whole ‘nother story.

Kent, as for me, I am slowly recovering from the loss of my wife and partner of 43 years. It is helping tremendously for me to still be able to go into the studio and do what I love after all these years. Music heals a broken heart and brings much happiness to life. That's what it's all about for me right now.

I am in the process of signing with a major label with my first LP release scheduled for early 2022. Once all the negotiating is over and everything is signed, sealed, and delivered, you and all of your faithful followers, will be the first to know.

As always, thank you for what you do.  You are helping all of us stay relevant and informed about this crazy business we all love.

Keep it going, my friend ...

Your Pal,

Tommy

 

Man, what a GREAT show that would have been … THREE top notch entertainers all sharing the stage on the same bill.  (And how cool is it that Ed Sullivan would showcase you guys prior to kicking off the tour?!?!)

That’s also some GREAT news about the new recording deal.  As you know, I’ve said many times your new stuff sounds great … and IS relevant, which is why we are more than happy to let others know about it and where to find it.  Hopefully, a major label will push to make this music more visible to a mass audience.  Please do keep us informed about any new releases … and congratulations again.

Bob Lind and I had a conversation last week about how music has always been a great healer … and boy, we sure have needed it more than ever lately.  Take care.  (kk)

 

Also from Clark …

 

>>>It's a Fractious Friday, as my man, the Real Don Steele would holler every Friday on KHJ! And fractious it is - Just wanna tell everyone that Joel Whitburn and the gang at Record Research have REALLY outdone themselves with their new edition. 

(Mike Markesich)

I gotta agree with Mike M.  I got the flyer and it really looks impressive. Like Kent, I bought my first book (the 1955-69 book) when I was in Junior High some fifty years ago!  While we were having Junior Achievement assemblies, I was leafing thru that book aghast at what I DID NOT know about Hot 100 hits.

Anyway, I took the flyer to my brother and he was enthralled, too.  Not sure if he will buy one, but I have MUCH of the same information in many books.  STILL, this is nice for having MORE coverage and the writer credits, too.  IF I didn't have so much now, THIS would be the go to book for me.  It looks awesome and at present,, the sale price is right around $65.

IF you don't have a Record Research book yet, THIS is the ONE to get!

Clark

I can’t wait.  And I totally agree that between this new volume and the Chart Comparison book, I’ve got ALL of the information I need covering the music era that means the most to me.  (Plus, of course, the weekly Billboard and Cash Box chart reprints.)

Actually, I’ve got dozens and dozens of Record Research books in my collection and they are amongst the most prized possessions when it comes to music history.  (Joel has been EXTREMELY kind by donating copies not only to Forgotten Hits, but also to give away to our readers from time to time … and we are forever grateful.)  kk

 

And then this …

 

Who knew there was a Bob Irwin BEFORE there was a Bob Irwin?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/vinyl-restoration/zvm2cqt

Clark Besch

 

We’ve been all over 1971 this year (which is, once again, coming to a close much faster than I ever expected!!!)

Best Classic Bands has just run a list of every #1 Single according to Record World Magazine for that year … and you can review them all right here:

The #1 Singles of 1971: Maggie May, Shaft and Jeremiah | Best Classic Bands

 

Big concert dates coming up here locally in October include …


Christopher Cross at The Genesee Theatre on October 14th

Tommy James and the Shondells at The Arcada Theatre on October 17th

Brian Wilson at The Genesee Theatre on October 23rd

America at Rialto Square on October 30th 

 

And former Van Halen front man David Lee Roth made headlines last week when he formerly announced his retirement … ironically, just DAYS after also announcing his upcoming short residency (kicking off New Year’s Eve, December 31st and running thru January 8th) at The House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

His statement was brief and to the point … “I am throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring. This is the first, and only, official announcement. You’ve got the news. Share it with the world.”

So we are.  (kk)



Harvey Kubernik’s 50th Anniversary piece on Frank Zappa’s “200 Motels” includes an interview with Flo and Eddie!!!

Kubernik: Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels Golden Anniversary | Music Connection Magazine


>>>Other Top 40 movers of note this week include "Women's Love Rights" by Laura Lee, which climbs from #40 to #31.  (I honestly don't think I've ever heard this song!)  kk
Being from Invictus / Hot Wax, it's got "that sound" that folks came to know quite well (like it or not) ... https://youtu.be/uuVSj83oKYk

--BF

OK, so playing this clip just now was absolutely the first time I have ever heard this song.  It never charted here in Chicago ... and nationally, while it DID peak at #20 in Cash Box Magazine, it only made it to #36 in Billboard ... so also not on my radar there ... and certainly not one that has made the cut over the past fifty years.

That being said, to use your ratings system, I guess I would have to vote "or not" ... nothing at all memorable about this one in my opinion.  (kk)