Monday, December 6, 2021

Monday Morning

Now how cool would it be to see this …

Cinelounge Theatres Presents Bye Bye Birdie At

The Montalban In Hollywood on January 13, 2022;

Ann-Margret and Bobby Rydell To Appear In Person!


Cinelounge Theatres and Cleopatra Records will present a special screening of the classic hit musical Bye Bye Birdie at The Montalban, 1615 N. Vine St., Hollywood, CA 90028 on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.  Two of the film’s stars, Ann-Margret and Bobby Rydell, are scheduled to appear in person and participate in a Q&A after the movie.  

Bye Bye Birdie … Comedy / Musical ... Directed by George Sidney ... Book by Michael Stewart and Irving Brecher ... Music by Charles Strouse ... Lyrics by Lee Adams ... Produced by Sidney and Fred Kohlmar. 

From Columbia Pictures  (Color, 1963, USA, 112 minutes, rated Approved)  Starring Ann-Margret, Bobby Rydell, Janet Leigh, Dick Van Dyke, Maureen Stapleton, Paul Lynde, Jesse Pearson, Ed Sullivan.

Conrad Birdie is the biggest rock & roll star of the 60's ever to be drafted. Aspiring chemist and songwriter Albert is convinced he can make his fortune and marry his girlfriend Rosie if he gets Conrad on the Ed Sullivan show to kiss a high school girl goodbye. Albert's mother will do anything to break him up with Rosie. Kim and Hugo, the high school steadies, live in Sweet Apple, Ohio where most of the action takes place.

Ann-Margret’s legendary career continues to this day, as she continues to record and also continues to act on screen and on television. She is the winner of an Emmy® Award and several Golden Globes.

Bobby Rydell, a major rock star and teen idol in the 1960s, with a string of chart-topping hits, has gone on to be an enduringly popular figure on the nightclub and concert circuits.

As a bonus, fans will be treated to a sneak preview of a few songs from Ann-Margret’s upcoming brand-new studio album Born To Be Wild from Cleopatra Records. The album features Bobby Rydell as a guest artist, along with many other legendary recording artists such as Blondie’s Clem Burke, Wrecking Crew member Don Randi, rockabilly superstar Danny B. Harvey and more!

Stream/download Ann-Margret’s new Christmas single featuring blues legend Sonny Landreth: 

https://orcd.co/ann_margret_rockin_around_the_christmas_tree

Limited, special “Meet and Greet” ticket packages are also available for an intimate, reserved seating section of Hollywood’s historic Montalban Theatre.

If you love classic Hollywood or classic rock, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event, your only opportunity to see these two stars together LIVE!

For tickets go to: http://cineloungehollywood.com

Hi Kent -

What a FANTASTIC Forgotten Hits Comments Page on Friday ... so much good news happening, especially the Brian Wilson / Chicago tour and the well-deserved off-Broadway show about DION, a true legend, still rockin' the blues.

A Very Merry Christmas to You and Your Family!! 

I know 2022 will be another GREAT year for Forgotten Hits!!!

Carolyn

 

From Danny Guilfoyle …

Happy Birthday to Freddy “Boom Boom: Cannon!


Have you seen the new ABBA video promoting their first-ever Christmas single “Little Things”?

Kinda cute … kinda different … and definitely in keeping with promoting their brand new avatar show at a custom built London theater, kicking off next year. 

(Oh yeah … and it’s not a bad song either!!!)  kk

Also releasing a new Christmas single this past weekend was Ed Sheeran and Elton John.  Titled simply “Merry Christmas,” this one sounds like a sure-fire holiday hit!  (kk)

More Christmas Cheer from north of the border …

Hi Kent –

Hope you’re well.

I don’t know if I ever shared the Carpet Frogs’ Christmas song, “Christmas Would Not

Be Christmas Without You” with you before or not.

It was done in a classic rock spirit a few years ago.

 

Waiting like everyone else here to see if the dates and stars align so we can get back to work next year at some point.

Fingers crossed

 

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Regards,

Sam Boyd

This is A GREAT track!!!  Thank you so much for sending.  (No, I had NOT heard this one before … and am happy to share with the rest of the group.)

Hopefully things get back on track for next year and Burton and Randy can cross the border again.  (I think I told you I had second row seats, center, for their show here in Rosemont … likely won’t get THAT opportunity again!!!)  Main thing right now is for everybody to stay healthy … seems like a week doesn’t go by where we have to report about another star (or member of their band) coming down with Covid and having to cancel shows.  Still best to be safe rather than sorry.

Thanks again for sending this Christmas Cheer!!!

[For those who may not know, Sam Boyd is Burton Cummings’ road manager … and has been a friend of Forgotten Hits for many years now.  The Carpet Frogs perform as Burton Cummings’ band when he does his full band shows … but also perform under their own name when Burton is either not touring or performing his solo “Up Close And Personal” appearances.  As you can hear, they are an AMAZING band … and deserve a little bit of the spotlight as such … so we are happy to present this track to you today. – kk]

The Carpet Frogs (Official Website)

David Beard of Endless Summer Quarterly interviewed Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine about The Beach Boys’ first Christmas album, released in 1964 … and it was just posted on The Beach Boys website …

An interesting Q&A:

The Beach Boys

And here’s a long-time favorite, submitted for nostalgia’s sake by Chuck Buell …

From Chuck Buell to those of you who Celebrate, Acknowledge or just Enjoy the Holiday, here's an "Oldie But a Goodie," A "Wax That Was," A "Memory Maker!" …

And A "Great Forgotten Hit!"

It's the Drifters!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidaze from Me!!

CB ( which stands for "Caroling Boy!" )


 

And this one from our FH Buddy Paul Evan, whose book I just finished reading ...


 

Giving us half a dozen doses of holiday cheer this morning!  (kk)

 

And, speaking of Christmas …

Hey Kent,

I was watching a DVD compilation of Christmas clips from The Ed Sullivan Show and noticed that the music clips featuring The Supremes, Bobby Helms, etc., weren’t live.  When did they quit using live performances in the shows? 

I remember watching the Rascals, the Beatles, and “many, many more” groups on the show, and loved it because they were live.

I figure if anyone would know, you would know.

Bill

It’s funny because The Ed Sullivan Show always prided itself on presenting live performances, “right here on our stage” … but I have found a number of lip-synched performances over the years, so it wasn’t always the case.

In fact, in many (and with most of the rock acts), they sang along with pre-recorded backing tracks, sometimes even leaving the original vocals in place, thus achieving more of a “double-tracking” effect.

Honestly, it never really bothered me all that much … it was just SO cool to see all of our favorite artists appearing on Ed’s show every Sunday Night … definitely something to look forward to each week!  (kk)

Check out this new video for The Doors’ 1971 hit “Riders On The Storm,” released to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Release of their “L.A. Woman” album …

From the official P.R. press release …

You’ll find plenty of Doors easter eggs hidden throughout the video, including a sign for Barney’s Beanery (one of Jim Morrison’s favorite West Hollywood bars); a woman tied to a streetlight recalling the image found inside the original L.A. Woman gatefold sleeve; plus, a glimpse of the Alta Cienega Motel where Morrison lived in Room 32 from 1968 to 1970.

 

Out now, L.A. WOMAN: 50TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION is the ultimate version of the band’s sixth studio album. The new deluxe edition features the original album newly remastered by The Doors’ longtime engineer and mixer Bruce Botnick, plus two bonus discs of unreleased studio outtakes, and the stereo mix of the original album on 180-gram virgin vinyl. The music is also available today from digital and streaming services, as is a new Dolby Atmos mix of the original album by Botnick.

 

Among the unreleased gems is the original demo for “Riders On The Storm,” which was captured during an early recording session for the album at Sunset Sound studios. The demo was recently discovered on an unmarked tape reel in the band’s vault after being assumed lost for decades. The recording was done with producer Paul A. Rothchild, who famously referred to the song as “cocktail music.” This led to Rothchild departing the project, with the band opting to co-produce the album with Botnick.

Harvey Kubernik’s book on The Doors, “The Summer’s Gone,” is still my all-time favorite.  (Of course, I haven’t had a chance to read his new Jimi Hendrix book yet … but it’s next on the list.)  kk

The Doors Summer's Gone: Kubernik, Mr Harvey: 9781892900036: Amazon.com: Books

It’ll be interesting to see what kind of tours Covid will allow to happen in 2022 … but THIS one sounds like a monster …

 

Imagine the hit power of REO Speedwagon, Styx and Loverboy teaming up do a stadium tour next summer …

 

Here is a list of the dates announced so far …

 

MAY 31 - VAN ANDEL ARENA – GRAND RAPIDS, MI

JUNE 1 - BLOSSOM MUSIC CENTER – CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH

JUNE 3 - HOLLYWOOD CASINO AMPHITHEATRE ST. LOUIS – MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO

JUNe 4 - HOLLYWOOD CASINO AMPHITHEATRE CHICAGO – tINLEY PARK, IL

JUNe 7 - AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE AMPHITHEATER – mILWAUKEE, WI

JUNe 8 - DTE ENERGY MUSIC THEATRE – CLARKSTON, MI

JUNe 10 - RUOFF MUSIC CENTER – NOBLESVILLE, IN

JUNe 11 - RIVERBEND MUSIC CENTER – CINCINNATI, OH

JUNe 13 - WALMART AMP – ROGERS, AR

JUNe 14 - STARLIGHT THEATRE – KANSAS CITY, MO

JUne 17 - AMERIS BANK AMPHITHEATRE – ALPHARETTA, GA

JUNe 18 - MIDFLORIDA CREDIT UNION AMPHITHEATRE – TAMPA, FL

JUNe 19 - ITHINK FINANCIAL AMPHITHEATRE – WEST PALM BEACH, FL

JULy 8 - BALL ARENA – DENVER, CO 

JULy 9 - USANA AMPHITHEATRE – SALT LAKE CITY, UT

JULy 12 - WHITE RIVER AMPHITHEATRE - AUBURN, WA

JULy 13 - RV INN STYLE RESORTS AMPHITHEATER – RIDGEFIELD, WA

JULy 15 - SHORELINE AMPHITHEATRE – MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA

JULy 16 - FIVEPOINT AMPHITHEATRE – IRVINE, CA

JULy 19 - NORTH ISLAND CREDIT UNION AMPHITHEATRE – CHULA VISTA, CA

JULy 20 - AK-CHIN PAVILION – PHOENIX, AZ

JULy 22 - GERMANIA INSURANCE AMPHITHEATER – AUSTIN, TX

JULy 23 - DOS EQUIS PAVILION – DALLAS, TX

JULy 24 - THE CYNTHIA WOODS MITCHELL PAVILION – HOUSTON, TX

AUGust 5 - VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS AMPHITHEATER AT VIRGINIA BEACH – VIRGINIA BEACH, VA

AUGust 6 - PNC MUSIC PAVILION – CHARLOTTE, NC

AUGust 8 - ASCEND AMPHITHEATER – NASHVILLE, TN

AUGust 10 - COASTAL CREDIT UNION MUSIC PARK AT WALNUT CREEK – RALEIGH, NC

AUGust 12 - JIFFY LUBE LIVE – BRISTOW, VA

AUGust 13 - BB&T PAVILION – CAMDEN, NJ

AUGust 16 - BUDWEISER STAGE – tORONTO, ON

AUgust 17 - SARATOGA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER – SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY

AUGust 19 - XFINITY CENTER – MANSFIELD, MA

AUGust 20 - PNC BANK ARTS CENTER – HOLMDEL, NJ

AUGust 21 - NORTHWELL HEALTH AT JONES BEACH THEATRE – WANTAGH, NY

AUGust 23 - fallsvIEW CASINO RESORT - nIAGRA FALLS, ON

 

Here’s what THEIR Hit List looks like …

 

#  1 - Can’t Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon (#1, 1985, 3 weeks)

#  2 - Babe – Styx  (#1, 1979, 2 weeks)

#  3 - Keep On Loving You – REO Speedwagon  (#1, 1981 – 1 week)

#  4 - Show Me The Way – Styx (#3, 1991)

#  5 - Mr. Roboto – Styx (#3, 1983)

#  6 - The Best Of Times – Styx (#3, 1981)

#  7 - Take It On The Run – REO Speedwagon  (#5, 1981)

#  8 - Lady – Styx (#6, 1975)

#  9 - Don’t Let It End - Styx (#6, 1983)

#10 - Keep The Fire Burnin’ – REO Speedwagon (#7, 1982)

#11 – Come Sail Away – Styx (#8, 1978)

#12 - Too Much Time On My Hands – Styx (#9, 1981)

#13 - Lovin’ Every Minute Of It – Loverboy (#9, 1985)

#14 - This Could Be The Night – Loverboy (#10, 1986)

#15 - Hot Girls In Love – Loverboy (#11, 1983)

#16 - Heaven In Your Eyes – Loverboy (#12, 1986)

#17 - Renegade – Styx (#16, 1979)

#18 - That Ain’t Love – REO Speedwagon (#16, 1987)

#19 - In My Dreams – REO Speedwagon (#19, 1987)

#20 - One Lonely Night – REO Speedwagon (#19, 19850

#21 - In Your Letter – REO Speedwagon (#20, 1981)

#22 - Here With Me – REO Speedwagon (#20, 1988)

#23 - Blue Collar Man – Styx (#21, 1978)

#24 - Don’t Let Him Go – REO Speedwagon (#24, 1981)

#25 - Love At First Sight – Styx (#25, 1991)

#26 - Sweet Time – REO Speedwagon (#26, 1982)

#27 - Why Me – Styx (#26, 1980)

#28 - When It’s Over – Loverboy (#26, 1982)

#29 - Lorelei – Styx  (#27, 1976)

#30 - Working For The Weekend – Loverboy (#29, 1982)

#31 - Fooling Yourself – Styx (#29, 1978)

#32 - I Do’wanna Know – REO Speedwagon (#29, 1984)

#33 - Live Every Moment – REO Speedwagon (#34, 1985)

#34 - Queen Of The Broken Hearts – Loverboy  (#34, 1983)

#35 - Turn Me Loose – Loverboy (#35, 1981)

#36 - Mademoiselle – Styx (#36, 1976)

#37 - Notorious – Loverboy (#38, 1987)

#38 - Music Time – Styx (#40, 1984)

 

Honorable mention:

Ridin’ The Storm Out – REO Speedwagon

Keep Pushin’ – REO Speedwagon

Roll With The Changes – REO Speedwagon

Time For Me To Fly – REO Speedwagon

Best Thing – Styx

Sing For The Day – Styx

The Grand Illusion – Styx

The Kid Is Hot Tonite - Loverboy

(all Classic Rock Staples)

 

They’ve got 38 Top 40 Hits between them … and another 8 Classic Rock hits to boot!

Should be one hell of a show!  (kk)

 

Also announcing a new, seven month tour is Weird Al Yankovic …

He’s calling it “The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour” … but it comes with a warning / disclaimer:

Please note: this is a scaled-down tour with limited production (no costumes, props, or video screens) in smaller theatres and more intimate settings, and Al’s setlist will be comprised almost entirely of his original (non-parody) songs. 

Now the question becomes:  Is anybody going to want to see it???  (kk)


• 
Elton John Guitar Legend Davey Johnstone To Release First Single ‘Melting Snow” From Forthcoming Solo Album! 
• Brand new solo album from long-term Elton John guitarist Davey Johnstone 
• Recorded during the pandemic hiatus that postponed Elton John’s Farewell Tour 
• A personal triumph following his debut “Smiling Face” some 48 years after its 1973 release. 

Davey Johnstone has been Elton John’s guitarist for 50 years. He has also played with Alice Cooper, John Lennon, Stevie Nicks, Lenny Kravitz and many, many more! In his role as Music Director, he will resume the hugely successful Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour with Elton and the band in January, 2022. 

Davey is releasing the first single “Melting Snow” from his forthcoming solo album “Deeper Than My Roots!”

Watch the video for “Melting Snow”:

During the COVID-19 recess, Davey has recorded an album utilizing the incredible talents of his children, plus a few close friends. The album has a wide range and crosses genres. Elliot, the youngest Johnstone, is lead vocalist on the record, with Davey supplying one lead vocal himself. Charlie Johnstone recorded many of the basic tracks at their home in California. Charlie also supplied keyboard and background vocal parts. Jesse Johnstone played drums remotely from his home in L.A. Jesse also joined his father and eldest sibling Tam Johnstone, on writing, recording and producing the album’s two instrumentals, “Black Scotland” and “Walt Dizney”. The beautiful artwork for the sleeve was conceived and designed by Juliet Johnstone. 

Denny Seiwell, the legendary drummer from Paul McCartney and Wings helped out on three tracks, and Nigel Olsson supplied drums on “Melting Snow”. Much of the recording was done by Major Wynn at Marlon Hoffman’s Kenrose Studio in California. Davey Johnstone’s forthcoming full-length album titled “Deeper Than My Roots” will be available on Spirit of Unicorn Records in January 2022.


And finally this, from long-time Forgotten Hits Reader Jack Levin ...

(We're calling it "The Wimpy Challenge"!!!)

So Keith Howland of Chicago is gonna retire because he broke his arm? Not gonna get an ounce of sympathy from me. The show must go on! I've done it twice. However, I'm almost a month out of prostate cancer surgery now. This is gonna be tougher than a broken arm, but I intend to be ready for the summer concert season.  

Jack