Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Some of Your Mid-Week Comments

Got this quick review from our old Monkees buddy Gary Strobl after Micky and Mike did their final appearance at The Greek Theatre Sunday Night.  (November 14th)

Hello Kent,

I saw Michael and Micky this evening at the Greek Theatre!

Micky singing with his sister Coco on "Porpoise Song" was one of the highlights!

Michael was very animated throughout the whole show and he and Micky delivered a fine version of "Love Is Only Sleeping."

The Monkees gave us a very special night to remember.

The abundance of love on that stage spread into the audience and made us all feel good for almost two hours.

I recently found this photo of Michael and Micky at their very first concert at the Honolulu International Center on December 3, 1966.



It seems appropriately symbolic to The Monkees Farewell Tour 2021.

It has been an amazing adventure!

Thank you for being a part of it with all of us.

As Henry Diltz always tells me, "How lucky are we?"

Huge hugs to you!

Healthy & Happy Days Ahead,

Gary

 

I don’t get to see or talk to Gary as much as I’d like to this day … but that may change …

We are kicking around a few ideas for next year that would incorporate some incredible Henry Diltz photographs into our on-going posts … so stay tuned for more information on that.

(In fact, we’re working on several new features for 2022 that we think you’re going to enjoy for your daily dose of Forgotten Hits.  More details to come!)

Thanks, Gary!  (kk)

 

And it seems Harvey Kubernik was there, too!!!

Here is his take on the final show of the Farewell Tour …

 

As The Monkees' Farewell Tour Los Angeles date concluded at The Greek Theater on Sunday night, November 14th, and reminiscing with Monkees' scholar and chief archivist, Gary Strobl, my own regional memories of the group flashed in front of me. My mother Hilda worked at Columbia Pictures 1962-1972, and from 1965-1968 was a secretary and in the stenography pool at Raybert Productions, who produced the band's television series. She and other office members typed some of the show's scripts.  

This was after our family in late 1965 viewed the audition screenings of the actors at The Preview House, subsequently glimpsed the original TV pilot and attended the press party introduction of the group at the Screen Gems/Columbia Studios in Hollywood.

I remember my brother Kenneth and I assembling the initial yellow press kits for the area's trade magazines and television reporters on our kitchen table. There was also Howard Brandy, a hard-working publicist was very busy touting the Monkees' first concert in Hawaii. Gary showed me one of the press kits. I did keep one of the original Monkees' buttons.

I was probably on the set a dozen times when I could break away from Fairfax High School and find a few hours when I wasn't working at my after school job. Always grateful to see and chat briefly with crew members, episode actors Godfrey Cambridge, Stan Freberg, Rupert Cross, and second season staff photographer, Henry Diltz, and the delightful photographer Nurit Wilde.     

Anybody who has ever read one of my twenty books knows I parade my appreciation of the Monkees in photos, text, acknowledgements and credits. And Gary Strobl, Henry's archivist/librarian made damn sure there were rare and unseen photos of members of the Monkees with Jimi Hendrix in "Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child" published this month. 

A thank you to fellow Pisces Micky Dolenz, who was always accessible and really nice to me as a teenager, and decades later as an interview subject. (I just got an email from Denny Bruce, who played tambourine on the Gerry Goffin/Carole King-penned, Jack Nitzsche-arranged "Porpoise Song," which Micky and his sister Coco sang at the Greek venue.)

The circle is never broken. 

Harvey Kubernik, Boss Angeles

 

And then this …

 

I was around some recording sessions of the Monkees at RCA studios … it was a couple of blocks from Columbia Studio Gower Gulch, and I sort of remember one of the Monkees' session at Gold Star Recording Studio that Chip Douglas produced.

I believe it was a session for "The Girl I Knew Somewhere," a basic tracking session that was completed at RCA. At age 14 and 15 didn't quite know what a record producer was, but I immediately realized he wasn't in the group or on the television. I was always impressed that Chip and Henry Diltz were from Hawaii. So was Cyrus Farar, who was in the MFQ with the both of them.

One more anecdote Micky told me years ago ...

Around 1962, or '63, he worked for a summer at the landmark Wallichs Music City on Sunset and Vine behind the cash register, a block away from both his future home at Screen Gems-Columbia and RCA studios. He told me Bobby Darin once came in Wallichs as a customer and bought some LP's.     

HK

 

Another review of their final tour appearance can be found here:

Monkees Say Farewell: Set List and Videos (ultimateclassicrock.com)

 

And another!!!  (Hey, it’s big news when a group as big as The Monkees officially calls it quits!!!)  A sad moment … but definitely going out on a high note!  (kk)

https://www.audacy.com/music/classic-rock/see-inside-the-monkees-final-farewell-show?utm_campaign=trendingclassichits&utm_content=WCBS-FM%20101.1%20-%20New%20York%27s%20Greatest%20Hits&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2VnfSBLor9O60rt3S4w3J57wrxBzOeWIoGvuXpuuRyW5duEoNkTBvzkz8

 

And how about this EXCELLENT review, sent in by David Salidor, from former L.A. Times Music Reviewer Randy Lewis … 


It was a sweet, poignant farewell performance Sunday night by the two surviving members of the Monkees: Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith, who wrapped up this swan song tour at the Greek Theatre here in L.A. For more than two hours they coursed their way through an impressive body of songs that began in 1966 with their introductory hit "Last Train to Clarksville," from Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, and went on to include masterful pop songs from the likes of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Neil Diamond, Harry Nilsson and John Stewart.

This show was also generous with songs written by Nesmith, from "Papa Gene's Blues," "Sweet Young Thing" and "Tapioca Tundra" through "You Just May Be the One," "Sunny Girlfriend," "Different Drum" and, in what was perhaps the most moving segment of the evening, "While I Cry." Nesmith, 79, has surmounted recent health issues to resume a tour that had been interrupted by the pandemic, and appeared more fragile than frail during the show. He spoke endearingly of the way he and his bandmates had bonded with one another and with their fans so long ago through the common affection for the music they played. His voice was strong and emotion-packed. At other times during the evening his vocals were harder to discern, while Micky's voice, at 76, was as distinctive and assertive as ever while he served as both emcee through most of the show, and lead vocalist on much of the material. Tour producer and Monkees archivist Andrew Sandoval once again made sure they were supported by a stellar band that, like the Brian Wilson Band of recent years, has studied the recordings and nailed the arrangements down to the last guitar effect, drum fill and keyboard sound, while also serving up so many multi-layered vocal harmonies in spot-on fashion. The Monkees' journey of 55 years has indeed been a long, strange trip in many ways, but one that created much joy -- evidenced by the number of preteens, teenagers and young adults in the audience singing out for all they were worth alongside the parents and, likely, grandparents who accompanied them. Nesmith underscored the two-way street of this group's remarkable longevity when he emphasized the refrain to "Tapioca Tundra": "It cannot be a part of me, for now it's part of you."

Thanks guys. It's been the pleasure of a lifetime.

--Randy Lewis


I agree 100% with every word you’ve said … and am SO glad I had the chance to see the last hurrah, after seeing SO many shows leading up to this one. (kk)

[ You’ll find our own review of the concert here … ]

Forgotten Hits: Concert Review: THE MONKEES FAREWELL TOUR - The Mike and Micky Show - THE MONKEES featuring Micky Dolenz and Michael Nesmith (forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com)


All the more timely to pick up a copy of Andrew Sandoval’s amazing new “The Monkees Day By Day” book, where he looks over the complete history of the band, down to the most minute detail …

beatland books – small-batch books for the music connoisseur

NOTE:  All versions of these books are now completely sold out …

But they HAVE started a Wait List …

So if you’re interested in obtaining a copy, THIS may be the best way to go.  (kk)

 

Philip Margo of The Tokens passed away on Saturday, November 13th.  In 1960, Philip and his brother Mitch teamed up with Jay Siegel and Hank Medress to form The Tokens, just in time to enjoy their biggest hit, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which topped the charts in 1961.  (Earlier that year the group hit The Top 20 with a tune called “Tonight I Fell In Love.”)

There were assorted “comeback hits” over he years, most notably “I Hear Trumpets Blow” (#28, 1966) and “Portrait Of My Love” (#25, 1967). In between, the Margo Brothers formed their own production company and began recording and producing other acts, including a string of hits for The Happenings, all reaping the benefit of their studio experience.  (In 1973, they regrouped as Cross Country and hit #18 with their slowed-down, harmony-driven version of “In The Midnight Hour” … and the year before that, they produced and sang on Robert John’s remake of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which went all the way to #2 on its own.)

Forgotten Hits has been fortunate to communicate with Jay Siegel, Mitch Margo, and Hank Medress over the years … and Jay Siegel is still knocking ‘em dead on stage all these years later.  (Medress died in 2007, Mitch ten years later in 2017)

Their timeless music will outlive all of us.  (kk)

More here:

The Tokens’ (‘Lion Sleeps Tonight’) Co-Founder, Philip Margo, Dies | Best Classic Bands

 

THE TOKENS HIT LIST:

1961 – Tonight I Fell In Love (#15)

1961 – The Lion Sleeps Tonight (#1)

1964 – He’s In Town (#43)

1966 – I Hear Trumpets Blow (#30)

1967 – Portrait Of My Love (#36)

1973 – In The Midnight Hour (#30, as Cross Country)

19974 – The Lion Sleeps Tonight (#51, re-released to cash in on the success of the hit Disney film, “The Lion King.”)

 

THE HAPPENINGS HIT LIST:  (all produced by The Tokens)

1966 – See You In September (#1)

1966 – Go Away Little Girl (#9)

1967 – Goodnight My Love (#39)

1967 – I Got Rhythm (#1)

1967 – My Mammy (#12)

1967 – Why Do Fools Fall In Love (#39)

1968 – Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (#43)

1969 – Where Do I Go / Be-In / Hare Krishna

 

ROBERT JOHN (songs produced by The Tokens):

1972 – The Lion Sleeps Tonight  (#2)

1972 – Hushabye (#59)

 

Speaking of “Friends Of Forgotten Hits,” check out this Facebook clip sent in by Frank B., featuring Lou Christie, Brian Hyland and Chris Montez … still out there rockin’ pretty strong in 2022 …

(2) Facebook

 

Hi Kent:

I wanted to let you and your readers know that on Sunday, November 21st, Dave The Rave will have John Crecco on his live radio show. 

Dave will also be playing several tracks from the upcoming double vinyl album release The Shangri-Las Best Of The Red Bird And Mercury Recordings that Real Gone Music is releasing for Record Store Day on Friday, November 26th. 

John Crecco wrote the liner notes for this cool Record Store Day exclusive double LP which includes twenty-five tracks newly remastered by Eliot Kissileff (and all from tape sources).

Dave's radio program airs live on Top Shelf Oldies starting at 9pm EST. 

The sneak preview of this exciting new Shangs compilation will be can't miss listening for sure.

Santi Paradoa

Miami, Florida

 

As predicted, ABBA’s new comeback album, “Voyage,” scored big on the charts this week, peaking at #1 in the UK and debuting at #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart, their only album EVER to make the US Top Ten.  (It also premiered in the #1 spot in Australia.)  And with Anna-Frid making murmurs last week about possibly being interested in doing a bit more recording with her former bandmates, this may not be the “one and done” everybody said it was going to be after all!  Stay tuned!  (kk)

 

And just like that …

 

ABBA have just announced their first ever Christmas single!!!

“Little Things” will be released on December 3rd, just in time for the holidays!

 

An Observation from Chuck Buell ~~~

You wrote

>>>Maybe it’s time to return to another tried and true tradition and foundation of the ‘60’s … a good, old-fashioned Battle Of The Bands (kk)

How about between the Stones and the Beatles … since this rivalry came up recently as well!!!

You know, it'd probably look something like this ~~~



Actually, that's a VERY good idea.  (Oh man, wouldn't it be awesome if this actually happened?!?!  A teaming up of the remaining Beatles and Stones into one unit?!?!  Imagine the songlist THIS tour would generate ... even without "Brown Sugar"!!!)  What a GREAT way to celebrate and close out 60 years in the biz!!!  (kk)

 

Roger Daltrey has since said that his statement about The Stones sounding like a “mediocre pub band” were taken out of context and only used to grab a headline.  (kk)

 

Speaking of The Rolling Stones, they toured The Motown Museum while in Detroit this week … and then performed “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” in concert there for the first time since 2007.  (I think The Stones are having a ball on this tour, especially Mick, who seems to be making headlines every time he goes out in public in every city they’ve hit thus far.)  They’ve got two stops left and then the No Filter tour is over.  (MAN, that flew by, didn’t it?!?!)  kk

 

Meanwhile, Genesis finally kicked their US tour with a show right here in Chicago Monday Night.  (Would have loved to have seen that!)  kk

 

Did you hear about this one? 

What a strange billing ... Journey, Billy Idol and Toto???

Ken Voss

I did … and was quite surprised as well … but it’s true … all three will be touring together as part of the 2022 Freedom Tour.  (Of course, Billy’s the only vocalist you’ll recognize up there from the records … but all of this music is part of Classic Rock’s regular daily playlist … and provides a VERY solid soundtrack to the Classic Rock Landscape.) 

In our 2020 Poll determining THE TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL-TIME, Journey scored 13 tracks on the list (“Don’t Stop Believin’” coming in the highest at #31), Billy Idol had eight (with “White Wedding” leading the pack at #140) and Toto had a very respectable nine tracks (with “Africa” coming in JUST ahead of Journey’s top hit at #30.)  kk

 

And, speaking of Classic Rock, Harvey Kubernik has this piece running now about the 50th Anniversary release of The Doors’ “L.A. Woman” album, out December 3rd …  Doors — SSDL (sportsstoriesdl.com)

 

Dates for The Zombies 2022 “Life Is A Merry-Go-Round” tour have been announced.  (No Chicago stop as of right now)



After mentioning that some readers had a difficult time finding Freda Payne’s appearance on “The View,” promoter David Salidor sent us these links …


Hi, Kent …

Sorry to hear your readers were having some problems viewing Freda’s appearance on The View ...

Below, please find links from yesterday's Freda Payne appearance – and feel free to post!

 D

Pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1MHtbRgLAhqOSgWZhhZq16qvsgGnSPbI_?usp=sharing

Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/TheView/status/1459238518090350595

Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/TheView/videos/583682792862670/

Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWMEUvxAbs2/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWMUGyeF7cA/

YouTube: 
https://youtu.be/a5uxG18OrOs

Thanks, David!  (kk)

 

And Sex Kitten (can you really BE a Sex Kitten at age 80???) Ann-Margret has a brand new Christmas single out.  (Well, I guess you can if you’re Ann-Margret!!!)  It’s her remake of the Brenda Lee classic “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” … and you can stream it below on Spotify!  (kk) 

Stage/Screen Legend ANN-MARGRET Shares Brand New Holiday Recording!   It has been a while since one of Hollywood’s brightest lights and star of the film classics such as Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas, Ann-Margret, has gifted the world with new musical recordings. So what better time than Christmas for the woman once dubbed the “female Elvis Presley” to return to the medium that launched her epic career? Ann-Margret is happy to announce the release of her brilliant and vivacious new version of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” today on all digital platforms. With special guest, southern blues icon Sonny Landreth, joining in the fun, these two artists have crafted a vibrant rendition of a holiday favorite that seems tailor-made for Ann-Margret’s sultry voice.

 


Stream/download the single: 

https://orcd.co/ann_margret_rockin_around_the_christmas_tree

The track presages a new full-length album that Ann-Margret has been hard at work on and will be released in 2022. The project will pair her with several stellar guest artists including Bobby Rydell (who co-starred in Bye Bye Birdie), Blondie’s Clem Burke, Wrecking Crew member Don Randi, rockabilly superstar Danny B. Harvey and more!

Also, for those in the Los Angeles area, Ann-Margret will be making an appearance at a special private engagement on January 13 at the Montalban Theater with special guest Rydell!

More new music from an old friend …

Cyclelogical …

My latest album, instrumentals this time.

Here's the first review. It's from Marty Korth, former Disney animator who did the cover …

Wow, Davie! I love it! You're really great! Some heavy, some wild and uplifting, some melodic, some romantic! Just great, Davie!   

Give a listen here:  ‎Cyclelogical by Davie Allan & The Arrows on Apple Music

The new movie "Belfast," released last week, prominently features the song "Everlasting Love."

Remember, the British group Love Affair released their cover at just about the same time Robert Knight's original hit the US charts. Carl Carlton's 1974 cover was also superb.

Check this clip - and the trailer. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMHGHlKMM3w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcYh5Lfy1PI

Local guys Mac Gayden and Buzz Cason, cowriters of this classic, are both in less than perfect health and finally get their song in a real flick. 

David Lewis

I seem to remember talking to Buzz Cason some years ago in Forgotten Hits … sorry to hear he’s not doing well … but this sure is a great song.  (Gloria Estefan did a great version of it as well … and Rex Smith and Rachel Sweet also charted with their duet version in 1981.)

I had not heard about this movie.  (I’m still waiting to see “Last Night In Soho” and hear its ‘60’s-centric soundtrack!)  Thanks for sharing.  Kk

From Tom Cuddy …

Richard Carpenter Shares Insights Into The New Carpenters’ Biography

https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/carpenters-biography-interview/

This is the book I’m reading (and THOROUGLY enjoying!) right now.

It is a BEAUTIFUL, coffee-table edition, packed full of photos and memories, describing in great detail (although, admittedly sometimes in redundant fashion) the career of The Carpenters.  (Richard has kept meticulous archives … he reportedly has a warehouse full of memorabilia that he collected along the way, whether as part of a “family scrapbook” or old newspaper articles and reviews, trade magazine clippings, programs from special concerts and events … you name it, he’s held on to it all … and it's all on display in glorious fashion here.

I would caution you though … this is not so much a history of The Carpenters as a family unit and performing act as it is a “recorded history” of their work.  (The sticky issues of their personal lives are somewhat glossed over thus far in the 200 pages I’ve already read.  Even losing $2.5 million in cancelled appearances in 1975 due to their personal demons is dealt with in a paragraph or two with no real details divulged, other than to say they were “in no shape” to tour at the time. Cancelled dates throughout England, Europe and Japan proved to be very costly to The Carpenters at the time.  (Richard doesn't first mention his fondness for Quaaludes until page 201!)

Also interesting is how they were always intended to be known as “Carpenters” … and not THE Carpenters (much as The Eagles … I mean Eagles … disclosed a couple of years ago.)  One look at their beautiful logo says it all.

Highly recommended if you want a clearer picture as to just how big this duo really was at the time.  You’ll get the lowdown on every release, appearance, award … they’re all presented here in the most minute detail … but beautifully told by the authors and Richard, some of whose memories are as detailed and entertaining as anything else I’ve ever read.  (kk)

Still to come this month on The Ed Sullivan YouTube Channel:

Premier Date      Artist                 Performance              Original Air Date

SAT 11/13

Tony Bennett

Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

March 21, 1965

SUN 11/14

Sly And The Family Stone

I Want To Take You Higher

December 29, 1968

MON 11/15

Yogi Berra

Interview With Ed

September 30, 1956

WED 11/17

Oliver

Jean

January 4, 1970

SUN 11/21

Topo Gigio

Topo Gigio Is Homesick During The Holidays

December 20, 1964

SUN 11/21

Della Reese

Once Upon A Time

May 9, 1965

SUN 11/21

Tony Bennett

(feat. The Woody Herman Orchestra)

For Once In My Life

November 5, 1967

SUN 11/21

Johnny Mathis

My Funny Valentine

November 22, 1970

MON 11/22

Topo Gigio

Topo Gigio Introduces Bobo The Bear

April 18, 1965

MON 11/22

Ed Ames

The Windmills Of Your Mind

May 11, 1969

MON 11/22

Cilla Black

September In The Rain

September 12, 1965

WED 11/24

Cilla Black

Goin' Out Of My Head

September 12, 1965

TUE 11/30

Sonny James

A World Of Our Own

June 22, 1969

TUE 11/30

The Lovin' Spoonful

Darlin' Be Home Soon

January 22, 1967

I couldn’t resist having a little bit of fun with Rick O’Dell when I saw this clipping in the Me-TV-FM Newsletter earlier this week …

Check out Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, who are giving away 1,000 frozen turkeys and side fixings with a FREE Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway in partnership with Chicago Police Department's CAPS Program.

For more information about Chicago Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway visit here, follow the law firm’s Facebook page, call 708-222-2222 and dial ext. 6325, or email Arianna Baiz at abaiz@lernerandrowe.com.

Are Lerner and Rowe still planning on dropping those turkeys from a helicopter again this year or did they learn their lesson last time???  (kk)

And finally, Happy 20th Anniversary, Mrs. K.  (We’re now officially half-way thru our 40 year plan … so see, there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!)  Who knows what might lie in store for a couple hot 80 year olds twenty years from now!  We may be moving a little bit slower these days, but at least we’re still in step with one another and walking the same path.  I love you.  (kk)