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 … ]
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 …
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)
