Saturday, November 27, 2021

THE WEEKEND COMMENTS

Last Monday, November 22nd, marked he 58th anniversary of the assassination of President John Kennedy in Dallas.

Robert Feder ran his annual CBS / Walter Cronkite timeline (I remember it SO clearly, even after all these years … and being only ten years old at the time.  We were dismissed early from school and the only thing on TV, on every channel was coverage of this sad, sad event.  The whole country was grieving and bewildered … none of us had ever seen something like this happen before.  Even at the age of ten you couldn’t help  but be affected.)  kk

November 22, 1963: ‘Here is a bulletin from CBS News’ - Robert Feder

 

Sad day! I was standing on Jackie’s side and watched the motorcade go by. After I saw them, I went into a store to buy something and minutes later, I heard the commotion. We all know the rest.

Brian Hyland

I remember writing a piece on this years ago from the perspective of some of the artists who were there that day, scheduled to perform that evening as part of one of Dick Clark’s Caravan Of Stars extravaganzas.  Shocking to say the least.

(I seem to remember Tommy Roe being there, too, although his name is not on the poster … maybe it was just something he was telling me one day … but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find it in time to include in today’s piece.)  kk



Forgotten Hits: 50 Years Ago Today (forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com)

 

And then, of course, this is also the night that Brian Wilson and Mike Love (who ended up performing that night after all, after threats of their concert being cancelled ran throughout the day), returning to their hotel room and polishing off “The Warmth Of The Sun,” while grieving for our fallen President.  (kk)

Forgotten Hits - The Story Behind The Beach Boys' Classic "The Warmth Of The Sun"

 

From Jay Siegel … 


This is terrific, Kent ... Enjoyed reading this.

Happy Holidays,

Jay



Kent,

Some additional info you may already know about the song THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT ...

The group Darrell and the Oxfords had a less than minor hit with A PICTURE IN MY WALLET in 1959 on Roulette Records. Also, I don't know if it charted nationally, but in 1961 the Playmates of BEEP BEEP fame, recorded WIMOWEH on Roulette Records. That particular version made our local survey with the flip being a song called ONE LITTLE KISS. Finally, a group known as the Romeos in 1961 had the answer to THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT with a song called THE TIGER'S WIDE AWAKE on Amy Records.

Larry

 

And on D.B. Cooper …

(Which makes me wonder …

If he made it and landed safely, shouldn’t there have been a LOT more D.B. Cooper Burger King sightings than Elvis sightings over the past fifty years???)  kk

 

So this guy stole the money and probably botched the landing (?)

I think we should all move on from this one (!)

James

 

JUST FINISHED YOUR PIECE ON D.B. COOPER …

AMAZING ... THANKS 

ARLENE

 

Chuck Buell thinks he's uncovered the herebefore secret answer to the story I posted Wednesday!  (kk)

>>>50 Years Ago … November 24, 1971 … a man known only as D.B. Cooper hijacked an airplane that he then parachuted out of (over Southwestern Washington State) carrying a briefcase filled with $200,000 and disappeared.  (kk)



CB ( which stands for "Conspiracy Boy!" )

 

Wow, still amazing … no trace of him was ever found?

Merrell

Yeah, it’s like on the one hand, he got away with it … but in reality, got away with nothing at all! 

When you consider the planning that HAD to go into something like this, you’ve really got to wonder what he was thinking … yet no body, no money and no parachute were ever found … so where the heck did he go?!?!?  (kk)

 

About three years ago as we were boarding a nighttime flight departing Seattle, I asked the gate agent if Mr. Cooper had checked in for the flight. None of the gate agents knew what I was talking about, although a couple of passengers standing nearby did.

David

Hey, I woulda laughed!!! (lol)  kk

 

Hey Kent,
I know you're working hard my friend ... so I hope you can have a warm, blessed, and relaxed Thanksgiving.
I remember that Thanksgiving in 1967 ... "Snoopy's Christmas" broke on the Mike Douglas Show. Man, we had to sing live, with our track because the sound stage was pretty bad. Pretty scary for a bunch of kids ... lol 

Hope ya get a chuckle or two.



Eat, drink, and sleep ... then repeat!  lol

Love ya, man -
Barry

This is great … thanks so much for sending!  (And I guess now we let the Christmas Season begin!)  kk

 

What would American Pie sound like if written today?  No idea, but the below song that came out three years after American Pie blew me away as if the SECOND COMING of American Pie.  Not only do I love it 50 times more than Don Mclean's song, but it got me to become a big Cotton fan.  Yeah, it's an obscure type lyric ala McLean's, but such a catchy thing that shoulda put Gene on top.  IF you have not heard this and loved Pie, this is for you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv0rWCQmtnI

Taxi was an awesome record, but Sequel fell way short.  I DO like it, but it just doesn't work somehow for me.

I like the new doowoppy American Pie, but after five minutes I had to stop.  ;)

Clark Besch

I agree, some of these song lengths have become a factor in my patience for hearing them.  I have a REAL hard time even making it thru “Hey Jude” these days.  (In fact, truth be told, I probably turn it of 7 times out of 10, just because they play it so often … and it is SO long to sit thru all the way to the end.)  “American Pie” has elicited that reaction from me for decades now … so I’m a bit surprised I find the doo-wop version so refreshing.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to it already!  (kk)

 

Speaking of which …

 

Thanks a million for posting that song by James Holvay, SWEET SOUL SONG. I can't tell you how many times in a row I have played that video. In fact, it's playing now in the background as I send you this email

Larry


And then …


Kent,

In a previous email, I asked you a somewhat rhetorical question of how many times do you think I've played James Holvay's SWEET SOUL SONG. Well, I am going to ask you how many times do you think I've played it today (Tuesday).

I'll give you a hint ...

Kent, you can't count that high. (lol)).

Also, I have gotten out Arthur Conley's SWEET SOUL MUSIC and played several times.

Larry

It’s catchy as hell and SO authentic sounding … James really outdid himself with this one … and I had to tell him so … I can’t stop playing it!!!  (kk)

 

A big THANK YOU, Kent. 

I need all the help I can get.

I wish had the $$$ to press some 45’s up. (ha, ha)

THANKS AGAIN,

James

One other you might try that also captures a very authentic feel of this era is Mayer Hawthorne’s “The Walk” …

This one never got played on the radio (because of the language) … and it’s a very sexy (and violent video) … but it’s an INCREDIBLE track that works hand-in-hand with James’ latest track.  (kk)

JUST ANNOUNCED BY BILLBOARD ... A VERY IMPRESSIVE #10!

Tom Cuddy 

https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-of-all-time-artists/

A very impressive list indeed … although I’m still having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that Taylor Swift is now considered to be a bigger act than Elvis, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, The Eagles, The Bee Gees, The Beach Boys, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin (!), Hall and Oates, Led Zeppelin, Diana Ross and Bob Dylan … and that’s just in The Top 50.

And I’m not quite sure how Barbra Streisand’s chart performance ranks a #6 showing either … Mariah Carey (#4) has earned her status with nearly twenty #1 hits … but Babs???  Wedged in between Madonna and Michael Jackson?

As usual, some of “the new kids” are earning their points in a distorted reality … but why go thru all of that again?  That being said, I’m both shocked and pleased to see Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Monkees and Three Dog Night make The Top 100 … because these acts, huge as they were, rarely show up on these kinds of lists … especially when artists like Drake, Eminem, Adele, Jay-Z, Nickelback, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Nelly, The Black Eyed Peas, R. Kelly, Tim McGraw, Chris Brown and Linkin Park earned a Top 100 rating.

Still, we all love lists like these … and the fact that The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elton John occupy the Top Three slots is quite impressive.  Kudos, too, to Stevie Wonder at #9, Chicago (as Tom noted) at #10, Paul McCartney (solo) at #12 and Herb Alpert (who I think should have ranked MUCH higher … he absolutely dominated the charts back in the mid-‘60’s) at #21.  (kk)

Also from Tom …

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Announces ROCK 'N REMEMBER LIVE!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/pittsburgh/article/Pittsburgh-Cultural-Trust-Announces-ROCK-N-REMEMBER-LIVE-20211124

Have you seen the commercial on television for Alexis where the two teens (boy and girl) are dancing to the song I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU and in the next scene, it is some 62 years later and they are still dancing to the same song? How about the commercial for a type of liquor where BAREFOOTIN' is playing, not the Bobby Parker version?

Larry

Yes, lots of great oldies are being used in commercials right now … and on television shows, too!  (I just heard “Oogum Boogum” in an ad right after typing this!) 

Others include the Pilot hit “Magic” (sung as Ozempic in their drug ads), “I Got You Babe,” “From Me To You” (a rare Beatles track being used in a commercial, albeit sung by one of those girl indie singers who all sound exactly the same) and perhaps the two most over-played of all, “You Make My Dreams” by Hall and Oates and “I Want It That Way” by The Backstreet Boys, part of Kohl’s new holiday campaign.

This weekend we heard “Runaway” by Del Shannon and “All I Have To Do Is Dream” by The Everly Brothers on the new episode of “Dexter: New Blood” … and then “Only You” by The Platters on “Big Sky” as well. 

Previously this season, “Dexter” has featured “Burnin’ For You” by Blue Oyster Cult and “Heart Of Glass” by Blondie … and an Iggy Pop song called “The Passenger” that I wasn’t familiar with but fits the theme of the show perfectly … and we’re only three episodes into the season!  (Ironically, “The Passenger” was also used on an episode of “Big Sky: … where I’ve already heard alternate versions of “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” “The House Of The Rising Sun,” “Spirit In The Sky” and “Bad Moon Rising” as well as “Happy Together” by The Turtles “It’s All Over Now” by The Rolling Stones,” “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters, “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash, “Top Of The World” by The Carpenters, “Blue Bayou” by Roy Orbison, “Somethin’ Stupid” by Nancy and Frank Sinatra, “High Hopes” by Frank Sinatra, “Yummy Yummy Yummy” by The Ohio Express, “Let It Be Me” by The Everly Brothers, “Dear Mr. Fantasy” by Stevie Winwood, “Louisiana Woman, Louisiana Man” by Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, the Joan Jett version of “Crimson And Clover,” “Crazy On You” by Heart, “The Girl From Ipanema” by Getz and Gilberto and “Chances Are” by Johnny Mathis on “Big Sky” over the past dozen episodes or so … so they’re definitely keeping in step with the music format!  (Typically, their television ads feature a popular tune, too!)  I think it’s great!  (kk)

 

Billy Hinsche had the musical chops and was keenly aware of pop sensibility. Brian Wilson really dug him, too.  I had never have seen this visual or label copy for the tune he wrote with Brian, recorded by Dino, Desi and Billy.



photo courtesy of Gary Pig Gold


I faintly remember hitch-hiking around Sunset Blvd. in 1967 or '68 ... maybe I was walking on Sunset ... and Billy had a yellow Sting Ray car and honked. He also took this photo earlier of Dylan and Rodney B. at The Trip in 1966 with Rodney's Brownie camera. I put it in one of my books. For decades no one would mention his name from my books in reviews and more than once I tried to actually do an interview or big piece on him for UK magazines and websites. All met with silence. His year, 1965-1966 is the stuff of pop music dreams. And he remained a top-notch musician for a half a century.  



photo courtesy of Rodney Bingenheimer, who is now heard as a deejay on SiriusXM's Little Steven's Underground Garage Channel

Billy took this photo of Bob Dylan and Rodney with Rodney's own camera. 

It was outside The Trip nightclub in 1966, a venue on Sunset Blvd.  

It was published in my 2009 book "Canyon of Dreams: The Magic and the Music of Laurel Canyon."  

I encountered Billy in 2002 when he helped produce and book acts for a series of shows to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip. In 2006 at the House of Blues on Sunset Blvd., he hosted  Rickenbacker International Guitar's 75th anniversary. Even after leaving Los Angeles and residing in Las Vegas, Billy still had roots in West Hollywood. 

Harvey Kubernik

Not a bad song at all … too bad it never charted.

Nationally, Dino, Desi and Billy only had two Top 40 Hits … “I’m A Fool” (#12, 1965) and “Not The Lovin’ Kind” (#23, 1965) … but here in Chicago they also scored with “Please Don’t Fight It” in 1966 and “Two In The Afternoon” in 1967.

Very cool photo … thanks for sharing.  (kk)

 

Billy indeed had many, practically life-long ties with the Beach Boys, Brian and especially Carl of course.

He was a mainstay of the band's 1970s tours (he's all over 1973's "Beach Boys In Concert" album for starters), and don't forget, he and big brother Bri wrote DD&B's final Reprise release, Lady Love.

Gary Pig Gold

 

Hello Kent,

I am saddened to hear the news of the passing of our wonderful friends and musicians, Keith Allison and Billy Hinsche.

Here are a couple of photos taken by Henry Diltz of Keith at the Columbia Ranch during a break from filming "Monkees Marooned" on May 16-18, 1967.

Gary Strobl




Also, check out this video and you will see Billy at 1:57 …

Part of an actual news clip that ran in 1983.

Please share these with your readers.



Healthy & Happy Days Ahead,

Gary

 

How did you miss The Hollies’ "reunion" tour back around 1982?

I've seen the band twice. The first time was somewhere around the time of "The Air That I Breathe." Graham Nash was not there, although I've seen Graham with David Crosby a couple of times, as well with Crosby, Stills & Young.

All I remember about the 1982 show was that Graham kept babbling about how "magical" it was.

As far as the current line up, I'm a bit surprised that Terry Sylvester isn't there. I would not have expected Allan Clarke ... all recent footage I've seen shows his voice is gone (too bad).

What does that say about your band when Graham Nash is NOT the lead singer?

I don't think it's a question of having any major projects getting in the way, I think it's more of there's nothing left to prove. Still if I were physically able to make the trek to Chicago, I'd probably want to go.

Jack

Nope, I missed the 1982 reunion tour (although I’ve heard the live tapes from this and, truthfully, they’re a bit underwhelming) … but still, this is The Hollies (!), one of the most revered bands of the ‘60’s, with a hit list a mile long.

I’m most surprised that Terry Sylvester isn’t onboard for this as he seems to attach his name to virtually ANYTHING Hollies-related.

Graham reportedly had a blast doing the early ‘80’s reunion (which even resulted in a brand new album and a Top 40 Single with their remake of the Motown / Holland-Dozier-Holland hit, “Stop! In The Name Of Love” … not exactly Hollies material in my book!)

As for Allan Clarke, I’m perplexed …

He made a big major statement that he wasn’t going to be performing and singing anymore because his voice had become unlistenable … and then two years later he released a brand new solo album … so who knows what’s really going on with him!

Still, The Hollies are not going to sound like The Hollies without some of those key voices onboard … so I think I’m going to sit this one out.  (kk)

 

I admit it … we’ve been pushing the new ABBA release quite a bit here in Forgotten Hits … but the numbers don’t lie … #1 in England, #1 in Australia and #2 here in The States, all right out of the box … and now a first-ever Christmas single … AND their first-ever Grammy nomination for “I Still Have Faith In You” in the Record Of The Year category.  (ABBA has been releasing music for 49 years and … and were the top-selling act on the planet for YEARS … yet this is their first EVER Grammy nomination!!!)  So, once again, Hail to the world’s Super Group … ABBA!!!  (kk)

 

Also nominated (for a couple of Grammys, no less!) is Paul McCartney for his McCartney III album.

The album is up for Best Rock Album … and the song “Find My Way” has been nominated for Best Rock Song.  (Not bad for an old guy, eh???)

While I don’t think anybody expects him to win in either category, it is quite an honor to be nominated nearly sixty years after releasing his first recording with The Beatles in 1962.  (I’d say that makes for quite a career!)  kk


 

With his new lyrics book out just in time for Christmas, McCartney has had a pretty good year after lockdown!  (kk)

 

From Tom Cuddy …

Beatlemania 50 Years Later: Paul McCartney Scores 2 Grammy Noms, Sells 50K Copies of $100 Memoir in two Weeks
https://www.showbiz411.com/2021/11/24/beatlemania-50-years-later-paul-mccartney-scores-2-grammy-noms-sells-50k-copies-of-100-memoir-in-2-weeks

Yeah, I think this kid’s gonna do all-right for himself!

Throw in the Disney+ premier of the “Get Back” film and I feel like no time has passed at all!  (Unless, of course, I have to move!!!)  kk

 

The Rolling Stones closed their No Filter Tour Tuesday Night with an intimate show at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.  Based on all the publicity and excellent reviews surrounding this tour … not to mention a TON of money … I can’t imagine that they won’t be planning another one in the not-too-distant future … perhaps tying in with a brand new album release.  (There is still the issue of carrying on without Charlie Watts, however … but I think if the demand … and the desire … is there, The Stones WILL be back again!)  Stay tuned for more details!  (kk)

 

The set list from The Stones’ final show in Florida, November 23rd:

 

Street Fighting Man (from Beggars Banquet, 1968)
Lets Spend The Night Together (from Between The Buttons, 1967)
19th Nervous Breakdown (single 1966)
Tumbling Dice (from Exile On Main Street, 1972)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (from Let It Bleed, 1969)
Living In A Ghost Town (single 2020)
Start Me Up (from Tattoo You, 1981)
Honky Tonk Women (single, 1969)
Connection (from Between The Buttons, 1967)
Slipping Away (from Steel Wheels, 1989)
Miss You (from Some Girls, 1978)
Midnight Rambler (from Let It Bleed, 1969)
Paint It Black (from Aftermath, 1966)
Sympathy For The Devil (from Beggars Banquet, 1968)
Jumping Jack Flash (single, 1968)

Encore
Gimme Shelter (from Let It Bleed, 1969)
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (from Out Of Our Heads, 1965)

 

More on the finale:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/11/24/exclusive-the-rolling-stones-end-2021-tour-rare-intimate-show/8753962002/

 

Kent,

Really enjoyed FH this Monday morning.

Clark mentioned the Carpenters' SUPERSTAR ... what a record ... one of my all time favorites by that singing twosome.

He also mentioned DESIDERATA. Remember the novelty record that came out lampooning that song? It was called DETERIORATA by a group called National Lampoon on Banana Records.

Larry Neal

It’s funny because at the time, I never knew “Deteriorata” was an “answer record” … Les Crane’s “Desiderata,” despite being a National Top Ten Hit, never got played here in Chicago.  “Deteriorata,” however, was a regular fixture on The Dr. Demento Show, which I listened to faithfully at the time.  (National Lampoon, of course, was a MAJOR publication at the time … so their foray into the music business was quite a surprise … several other releases by them also exist.  Then again, it wasn’t all that unusual for Alfred E. Newman to stick a flexi-disc in the middle of the pages of “MAD Magazine” either … that’s where this great “It’s A Gas” classic came from back in the day!  (kk)


 

And after running his pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Prep piece on Tuesday, Chuck Buell has now blessed us (cursed us???) with this Post-Thanksgiving wrap-up …

 

And now, this Personal Holiday Special Chuck Buell Post-Thanxgiving Report!

 


Oddly memorizing.


CB ( which stands for "Cornbread Boy!" )

 

HELPING OUT OUR READERS

(or, in THIS case … HELPING OUT OUR WRITER … which would be me!!!):


We have got ALL kinds of new features planned for 2022, having partnered with Writers Jeff March and Marti Smiley-Childs, WRCO Disc Jockey Phil Nee, former Top 40 Jock (from The Top 40 Era) Johnny Holliday, Archivist Gary Strobl, Author Harvey Kubernik, ARSA (the ultimate Top 40 radio survey site), Survey Collector Frank Merrill and more to bring you a series of regular features each month to enhance the Forgotten Hits experience …

But now we need YOUR help!!!

In addition to bringing back our SWEET 16 feature (from 2016), spotlighting sixteen songs of a similar theme each month, we will also be running Top 40 Surveys from across the country … one from every state, spanning 50 of the 53 weeks we’ll be covering (including TWO Chicagoland charts, one each from powerhouses WLS and WCFL) plus a CHUM Canadian chart as well as a chart from Washington, D.C.

However, we’ve run into a snag …

We have been unable to find a copy of a Vermont chart from 1972!!!  So we need your help.

If you happen to have … or know someone who might have … a ’72 Vermont Top 40 Chart, we need it to complete our 2022 run.

Now, in an absolutely PERFECT world, that chart would cover the date of August 14th … but we realize how unrealistic that request might be …

So right now we’ll take ANY chart from March – December, 1972, and shuffle around the rest of what we’ve got in order to slip this in and make it work, creating the perfect storm of 1972 Top 40 surveys.

Please contact me as soon as you possibly can if you have something that we can use.

And then get ready for one heck of a ride as we unveil Forgotten Hits, 2022 … our 23rd year!!!  Thank you for your support.  (kk)