THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: Here are The Top 40 Most Deserving and Denied Artists Who SHOULD Be In The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

 We’ve been running our list of THE TOP 40 MOST DESERVING AND DENIED ARTISTS worthy of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction since 2007, updating it periodically along the way.

To be fair, a good percentage of the artists who appeared on our original list way back then HAVE since been inducted to The Rock Hall.

These artists include:

Chicago, Neil Diamond and The Hollies, all of whom made our original Top Five …

(Connie Francis and The Guess Who, ranked at #1 and #3 respectively by your votes at the time, STILL haven’t gotten in … or even been nominated … and both still appear on our current Top 40 List, although Connie Francis has dropped from #1 down to #18.  At this point, it is HIGHLY unlikely that she will EVER be voted in … most of her original fan base has already left us … and let’s face it, the music SHE created didn’t appeal to the masses worldwide or leave a lasting impression on the music scene the way other artists like recent nominees NWA [Niggaz Wit Attitudes] did, right???)

The Moody Blues, The Dave Clark Five, ABBA, Linda Ronstadt, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Genesis, Yes, The Zombies, The Doobie Brothers, John “Cougar” Mellencamp, The Electric Light Orchestra, Joan Jett and The Ventures have also since gained induction.  (Several of our “Runners Up” choices have also since been inducted … but 16 out of 40 (40%), impressive as it may be, STILL doesn’t take into account the fact that SO many of these other great names on this list have never been so much as recognized.

That’s right, folks …

Somehow, someway, not only have THESE artists have not been inducted …

But in many (in fact, most!) cases, they have never even been nominated!!!

We’ve been saying for years now that The Rock Hall ought to have a “catch-up” year where they mass induct a group of artists who, for one reason or another, slipped thru the cracks over the years … and, in the process, made The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame look COMPLETELY stupid, out of touch and noncredible in the process.

So while we didn’t take an actual poll this year to come up with a new, revised Top 40 List, we HAVE been monitoring your comments over the past several years … and feel that this is a pretty fair representation as to what the majority of you out there are thinking.  (New comments and suggestions are welcome.)

THE TOP 40 MOST DESERVING AND DENIED ARTISTS

1. The Guess Who  (What’s the deal here?  The Rock Hall has never been kind to Canadian artists … but THESE guys [rhymes with “These Eyes”]outsold ALL of the other Canadian artists COMBINED at their peak)

2. Chubby Checker  (Seriously, already … #1 TWICE with “The Twist.”  The SONG finally got inducted … time to FINALLY honor the man who set the country on its heels (literally) twistin’ the night away.)

3. Ed Sullivan  (seriously, how can Ed NOT be in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame???  He brought Rock and Roll into our living rooms for 20+ years and made it acceptable.  An appearance on Ed’s show GUARANTEED a HUGE increase in record sales … and chart position … the following week)

4. Carole King (nominated this year … one of the most prolific and best selling songwriters of our generation)

5. Three Dog Night  (THREE lead vocalists … and the #1 Group in the World for YEARS … The Rock Hall is supposed to recognize artists who took rock in a new direction … what better example is there than THESE guys???  Not to mention the fact that their recording your song made hit songwriters out of countless “unknowns” at the time)

6. Glen Campbell  (Forget his solo career, if you must … despite the fact that he RULED the charts for two decades as a solo performer.  Now figure in the HUNDREDS of recording sessions he played on with The Wrecking Crew.  And, for good measure, throw in the fact that he even toured as a member of The Beach Boys for a short while.  Enough is enough already … this guy BELONGS in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame more than half the people that are already in there!)

7. Billy Preston  (Ditto for Billy Preston … yes, he did a stint with The Beatles … and had a few hits of his own in the ‘70’s … but Billy’s career dates back to the mid-‘50’s when he was touring as part of Little Richard’s band!)

8. Pat Benatar  (Joan Jett is in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and Pat Benatar ISN’T?!?!  Could there BE a greater insult?  And you guys say that YOU know music!!!)

9. Tommy James and the Shondells  (Again, LONG overdue for induction … songs he wrote in the ‘60’s are STILL being covered … and becoming hits … decades later.  Plus his story is one of a TRUE Rock And Roll Survivor.  Give this man his due, already!)

10. Paul Anka  (The Canadian Curse strikes again.  One of rock’s early pop stars, besides his own incredible catalog of music, Anka has written hits for everybody from Tom Jones to Frank Sinatra to Buddy Holly!!!)

11. Todd Rundgren  (nominated this year – as an artist, a producer, an innovator, Todd is another one that should have been inducted YEARS ago)

12. Neil Sedaka  (Ditto Neil Sedaka … another early rock pioneer with a songwriting gift that lit up all our hearts)

13. The Turtles  (I guess “Good Time Rock And Roll” doesn’t count, eh?  Then how about, in addition to their OWN classic, their work with Bruce Springsteen and Frank Zappa, BOTH Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees.)

14. Jethro Tull  (Another innovator wrongly ignored … who else was adding FLUTE to rock and roll songs at the time … and ELECTRIC flute no less!)

15. Heart  (The Sisterhood MUST be recognized … they rocked like no other female led bands)

16. Styx  (Theater Rock, Hard Rock, Melodic Rock, Beautiful Love Songs … these guys can … and DID … it all.  It took FOREVER to get Chicago inducted … maybe it’s time to look at other Illinois acts like Styx and Cheap Trick … and Jim Peterik for his work with The Ides Of March, Survivor, .38 Special and several other key names on rock’s Who’s Who list ... so let's give a nod to Jimbo, too!)

17. Blood, Sweat And Tears (or, at the very least, Al Kooper)  Horn rock pioneers

18. Jan and Dean  (They’ve been eligible … and ignored for decades.  It’s time to put these guys in The Hall)

19. Connie Francis  (Brenda Lee is in … and has been for DECADES … yet Connie Francis, her chart equal and an international star, is not.  We need to fix this while Connie is still with us)

20. Johnny Rivers  (A constant favorite … he pioneered the live rock album and still performs countless shows each year)

21. Freddy Cannon  (Freddy put the “Boom Boom” in Rock And Roll.  Yes, he was a Bandstand favorite … and that trademark has probably hurt more artists than it has helped … but THIS guy could rock!)

22. Poco (forerunners to country rock … there is absolutely NO excuse for these guys not being in!)

23. Dick Dale  (The King of Surf Guitar … nominated … but never making the cut)

24. Paul Revere and the Raiders  (More “Feel Good” Rock, these guys rocked out with the best of them)

25. Grand Funk Railroad  (At one point, when Album Rock took over the charts, they were outselling The Beatles … and built their initial audience without the help of hit singles.  Then, in 1973, they hooked up with Todd Rundgren … ALSO nominated above … and had a string of hits on the charts)

26. The Monkees  (Say what you will … but these guys inspired nearly as many kids to go out and buy drums and guitars as anybody … partly because they made it all look so fun … and partly because they were just that damn good!  Never off the air, EVERY generation since the ‘60’s has discovered and fallen in love with The Monkees … as such, they are frozen in time … and their records continue to sell … and, much like Rick Nelson did in the ‘50’s, they proved the power of television when it came to rock music)

27. Emerson, Lake and Palmer  (There are a handful of bands that took rock in a new direction “progressively” … and ELP was one of the best)

28. Procol Harum  (Procol Harum did, too, a few years earlier, even performing with a full orchestra to make their point.  Their music was damn near classical … but most DEFINITELY Classic Rock.  Then again, look how long it took to finally get The Moody Blues inducted!)

29. The Go-Go’s  (Another rare girl group that played their own instruments and carved out a piece of the rock audience in the 1980’s.  This era couldn’t be better represented than by allowing The Go-Go’s their spot in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame … and they ARE nominated again this year … so cast your votes now!)

30. The Marvelettes  (one of the few Motown acts never inducted … and another Girl Group, albeit one that didn’t play their own instruments.  It is a real slight to have The Marvelettes be the only big name Motown Act NOT in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  They have been nominated before … time to finally give them their due)

31. Joe Cocker  (He virtually stole Woodstock.  For many of us, that was the first time we had ever heard … or seen … Joe Cocker … and SEEING him was half the treat.  A GREAT interpreter of other people’s music, with a unique voice and stage presence … this guy absolutely belongs in The Rock Hall)

32. Peter, Paul And Mary  (The Folk Movement isn’t very well represented in The Rock Hall … but if definitely WAS a thing!)

33. Harry Nilsson  (An incredible talent … The Beatles once said that Nilsson was their favorite American band!  And then he went on to work with John and Ringo during their solo careers.  Quirky … insane (?) … but brilliant … and just overflowing with creativity and ideas.

34. Jim Croce  (Another one of rock’s tragedies … there is no telling what else Jim Croce might have achieved had he not died in a plane crash at the peak of his career.  One of the best storytellers of our time, Jim could invent ridiculous characters and make them seem real.  Leonard Cohen is in, primarily for his “narrative” … but most people don’t even know his work.  Jim Croce, on the other hand, captured the hearts of the entire world when he burst on the scene in 1972.  And now that I’ve said that, Harry Chapin should be inducted, too … so I guess #34 is really a tie!)

35. Toto  (There are a lot of Toto haters out there … and I don’t understand why.  Being musical geniuses in the studio has earned many another artist their spot in The Hall as a session musician … and we’ve made a case today for a few more … but these guys also wrote and performed their OWN music … and quite brilliantly at that)

36. America  (Covering all styles of music, America has been packing them in for SIX decades now … do not deny them their rightful spot in The Hall)

37. Pat Boone  (Pat just keeps sliding further and further down the list with each passing year.  The people voting today don’t even know who he is … but at the time, he was second only to Elvis in sales and popularity … and brought R&B into the homes of White America from coast to coast, eventually wearing down our defenses to make this music not only acceptable … but credible as to the TRUE contribution it made on Rock And Roll Music overall)

38. The Association  (harmony deluxe, this group crossed over to both the teenage and adult fans)

39. The Searchers  (EVERY American group wanted to be The Searchers … or at least be able to pull off those incredible harmonies)

40. Dickie Goodman  (C’mon … this guy invented sampling … we just didn’t know it until forty years later!)

kk

Unfortunately, THIS year you can only vote for the sixteen names on the Class of 2021 Ballot … but start campaigning now for YOUR favorites and let’s make a little noise.  Sooner or later SOMEBODY of importance and influence has got to listen!!!

VOTE HERE:

You can vote once a day until the polls close … and vote for as many as five of the artists that you feel are most deserving.  The final nominees will be announced in May, with the induction ceremony taking place this fall.

vote.rockhall.com

Happy Valentine's Weekend

Me-TV-FM will be airing Love Song Dedications all Valentine's Weekend long ... blocks of three songs, picked by listeners, to express their feelings for their loved one.

You can listen live here:

https://www.radio.com/metvfmmke/listen#.W6oi2vZRfcs

 

I wonder if they'll play MY all-time favorite love song ...

 

 

Forgotten Hitter Chuck Buell, following up his recent “Holiday Season Gift-Giving Guide,” now presents “Fourteen for the Fourteenth,” the best ideas from the “Forgotten Hits Fantasy Gift Shop” for your last-minute Valentine Gift giving quandary!

 

BTW, ALL of these ARE actual items; some can be personalized; others he added the FH Logo on them just for imaginary visual Fun!

 

So, here we go!

 

Now you’ve probably given or gotten the standard Valentine Candy, Fragrant Flowers, Fine Jewelry and other “can’t miss” expressions of affection for, and from, your Significant Other over the years!

 

OK then, if your Festive Valentine Eve Plans include a Romantic Dinner and a Show, and you don't have a ring to "Wear Around Your Neck,"accent your out on the town wardrobe with these fine Golden Cuff Links designed as Replica Headphones and a Gold Forgotten Hit Record!

 

There’s also this pair of intricately designed and equally eloquent tiny Forgotten Hits 45 RPM Record Earrings!

Then later, as the evening winds down and the two of you head home for a . . . ah . . . nightcap, show your Valentine a Special Night is in store when lying in front of your Jim Lowe inspired "Green Door" is your Special Forgotten Hits MixTape DoorMat!

 

To “Set a Romantic Valentine Mood,” begin your evening with this guaranteed “Amour Enhancer!” Made from two upcycled LPs with a personalized label showing titles of your own Personal Forgotten Hits Love Songs, it also includes a half dozen Shooter Glasses! It does spin like a regular record and the two of you will soon be spinning too with the Swingin' Medallions, “Double Shot of My Baby's Love” playing in the background!

 

Now as you know, “Tiny Dancer,” there are few things as sentimental as the Beautiful Sound of a Music Box!  Here then is a traditional, hand-crank music box that actually plays a tiny delicate, bell-like sounding instrumental of that great Forgotten Hit, Bobby Day’s, “Rockin’ Robin!”  What makes this box so unique is its size - just 2½ inches by 2 inches by 1¼ inches!

 

Also in the Department of Miniatures, here’s a neat little Retro Designed Mini Bluetooth Speaker for Her to enjoy such Great Radio theme-inspired Forgotten Hits like Donna Summer’s, “On the Radio!”

 

And a Miniature Radio Speaker for him too to crank up other great Radio themed Forgotten Hits like Chuck Berry’s, “Roll Over Beethoven!”

 

If your Valentine has the key to your heart, it belongs securely attached to this two-sided Forgotten Hits Record Key Chain symbolizing your unbreakable bond similar to the closeness of those in Sam Cooke’s “Working on a Chain Gang!”

 

For a true Romantic Gift that'll show your dedication to each other and have you and your Valentine "Dancing in the Streets," here’s the Personalized Street Signs Wall Hanging commemorating your own Special Intersection of Togetherness just like the photo we can only imagine is on display in the Kotal Household!

 

And as so not to forget your Real Fine “409” Oldies Lovin’ Beach Boy Gear Head Heart Throb, just imagine the look on their face when you present them with this custom four-piece Forgotten Hits Car Mat set!

 

Now, every true Romantic knows one of the best ways to a Valentine’s Heart is through their dog!  Make your best "Hound Dog" move with one of these new, dedicated Canine Treats from Ben and Jerry’s! Ice Cream especially for Dogs made with doggie safe ingredients. There’s Pontch's Mix, 4 Mini Cup Frozen Dog Treats with Peanut Butter & Pretzel Swirls, and Rosie's Batch, 4 Mini Cup Frozen Dog Treats with Pumpkin & Mini Cookies!  Too doggone “cool!”

 

Later in the evening, as “The Beat Goes On” and you’re ready to mix up some “Love Potion Number Nine,” these Forgotten Hits Wooden Drumstick Spoons serve a dual purpose!

 

Then, show your Valentine that your place is the ultimate "Sugar Shack" when the time is right to cozy up together in front of the fireplace on this fabulous Forgotten Hits Record Design Area Rug!

 

But, if the Fourteenth Day of February arrives replacing Johnny Mathis’ romantic Forgotten Hit, “The Twelfth of Never,” a large, singular Chocolate Heart all for yourself may just be the comfort you need.

 

After, with Guy Mitchell turned up full blast, you take out your “Heartbreak by the Numbers” by smashing it into smithereens with the included wooden mallet!

And there you go!  “Fourteen for the Fourteenth” Great Valentine Gift Ideas from the Forgotten Hits Fantasy Gift Shop!

 

Happy Valentine’s Day to you!

 

CB ( which stands for “Cupid Boy!” )

 

Thanks, Chuck ... some GREAT gift-giving ideas here!

 

Of course, Valentine's Day has changed a little bit during the Covid Age ...

 

THURSDAY THIS AND THAT

CLASS OF 2021 ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME NOMINEES:

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has announced the nominees for The Class Of 2021 … and, once again, they did NOT disappoint …

That’s right folks …

Even by expanding the nominee list to sixteen artists, they have STILL managed to come up with a list of some of the most convoluted names for yet another year of head-scratching and WTF debates as to the worthiness of many of the names on this list.  (In all fairness, there is only ONE name on this year's list that I don't recognize ... but there are several more that leave me wondering "What exactly is it that they did that made such a huge impact on the music scene ... and how can I possibly be unaware of it?!?!"

Now, in all fairness, … and this isn’t meant to slight ANY of this year’s nominees … there are some great names on this list … 

I'm just not sure they're all "Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Worthy."

I mean, is it really fair to give some of these other artists a “speed pass” when there remain SO many deserving artists who have never been given the nod?  As such, it’s just a little hard to accept a list like this with so many “also rans” on it.

Just in case you missed it, here are The Class of 2021 Nominees: 

Mary J. Blige, Kate Bush, Devo, The Foo Fighters (they were considered to be the most likely candidates to be nominated this year and, as such, are considered a shoe-in for induction), The Go-Go’s (who are also on our list of deserving artists), Iron Maiden, Jay-Z (again … whatever happened to “three strikes and you’re out?), Chaka Kahn (again … we love ya, Chaka, but you’ve been bringing up the rear for the past couple of ballots now!), Carole King (FINALLY!!!!! But as a PERFORMER this time … she’s already in with former husband Gerry Goffin as a songwriter), Fela Kuti (Who?  No really, WHO?!?!), LL Cool J (of course!), The New York Dolls (probably more likely now than ever, after the recent death of Sylvain Sylvain), Rage Against The Machine, Todd Rundgren (let’s hope that this is his year to finally be recognized), Tina Turner (as a solo artist … Ike and Tina Turner are already in) and Dionne Warwick.  (She has been on our Runners Up list for YEARS … and most likely already knows if she’s getting in or not, thanks to her Psychic Network!)

Much as we have been doing since 2007, Best Classic Bands ran THEIR list of 100 Deserving Artists this week.  (In fact, they’ve actually upped their list to 200 names, giving you some idea as to how out of whack this whole thing really is!)

Now many will dismiss this list (along with our own Top 40 List of Deserving And Denied acts) as simply being “The Usual Suspects” … but all this really does is just further prove our case … 

How can SO many of the knowledgeable rock people and fans agree on these artists and yet the Rock Hall continues to turn a blind eye to them year after year after year, preferring instead to induct artists who barely registered a blip on the radar???

Anyway, will update our own Top 40 List this weekend …

This will give you a few more days to grumble about who may actually get in this year! 

Meanwhile, you can cast your votes now, here:  vote.rockhall.com  and vote once a day until the polls close on April 30th.  The final list of this year’s Inductees will be announced in May and the ceremony will be held in Cleveland this fall in what we can only hope will be a Covid-free world.  (kk)

UPDATE:

Billboard Magazine picked THEIR Top Five Choices for “Most Likely To Be Inducted” …

Leading the pack is Jay-Z, followed by Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go’s and Foo Fighters.

The actual first day votes tell a slightly different story, however …

After just under 130,000 votes were cast on Wednesday Night, Tina Turner has a 4000 vote lead, followed by Foo Fighters, Carole King, Iron Maiden and The Go-Go’s.

Dead last (and trailing by 17,000 votes) is Fela Kuti … which just proves AGAIN that The Rock Hall wasted a spot that COULD have gone to a far more deserving artist who has most likely been overlooked for decades now.  (kk)

MARY WILSON:

The music industry was quick to react to the news of Mary Wilson’s death earlier this week.

Diana Ross who, with Mary, formed The Supremes in the early ‘60’s, issued the statement: “I am reminded that each day is a gift.  I have so many wonderful memories of our time together. ‘The Supremes’ will live on in our hearts.”

Other comments of note …

I was extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a major member of the Motown family.  Mary Wilson was a trailblazer, a diva and will be deeply missed. –- Berry Gordy

It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge the passing of my friend Mary Wilson, our Angel, as she makes her transition onto Heaven. I pray for her family and that she may Rest In Peace for a life well lived.

Love and God Bless --  Martha Reeves

I am deeply saddened by the passing of the beautiful Mary Wilson!  She was a legend and an icon and what she contributed to the world cannot be overstated.  I send my deepest condolences and prayers to her family, loved ones and fans. -- Patti LaBelle

RIP Mary Wilson. Legendary founding member of the Supremes and fantastic solo artist. I had a wonderful conversation with her just before the quarantine. She was full of energy and plans so this is shocking as well as tragic. Our love and condolences go to her family and friends.  – Stevie Van Zandt

OMG! Mary Wilson of the Supremes has died suddenly. I was just on a Zoom call with her Wednesday for about an hour and never could have imagined this.  So full of life & great stories. Absolutely shocked. Rest In Supreme Peace, Mary.” – Paul Stanley (KISS)

What an honor to have known and loved you, Mary Wilson! The heavens are singing for you now and your glorious return home. God bless you sweet friend. – Marie Osmond

I’m truly disturbed and saddened by Mary Wilson’s passing. We’ve lost yet another outstanding star in our entertainment galaxy. She was an amazing talent, a lovely and warm person who will be sorely missed.” – Gloria Gaynor

Mary Wilson, thank you for the music. – Boy George

Another angel left us. Mary Wilson (singer with the Supremes) a very sweet friend of mine has passed and I am sad for me but happy for her. Enjoy your next life my dear. – Tommy Chong (Cheech and Chong)

My deepest condolences to the loved ones of the iconic Mary Wilson! You gave us great music! – LaToya Jackson

David Salidor sent us a couple of pictures of Mary Wilson, taken with a few of his other clients.  (We are still reeling from Mary’s death on Monday)

Mark Bego, Mary Wilson, David Salidor

Freda Payne, Mark Bego, Mary Wilson

Micky Dolenz and Mary Wilson

And this official statement from very close personal friend, Mark Bego, who wrote three books with Mary …

Mary Wilson was, without a doubt, the most gracious, beautiful and fun-loving person I have ever met.  We were best friends for over 45 years, and the thought of losing her has me in shock and saddened beyond belief. On Sunday of this week, she called me and we talked, and laughed, and made plans for our next adventure together.  The next morning she was gone.

Over the years, Mary and I traveled together, we wrote books together, and we had so much fun together. I am blessed to have had her in my life for so many years. 

We first met in 1975 when I interviewed her for 'Record World' Magazine. In that very first meeting, we talked about one day writing a grand book together about her life with The Supremes. Not only did I work on her best-selling hit book 'Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme' in the 1980s, but in 2019, we wrote the book 'Supreme Glamour" together, and it hit Number One on seven separate Amazon best-seller charts. When it was released, I said to her, 'Well Mary, this only took 44 years to pull together!'"

She was so sharing and giving to me, and to others. One day in 1983, Mary called me on the phone and said, 'Do you know anything about what road managing and stage managing is about, and do you have a passport?' I sheepishly answered her affirmatively and, ten days later, I was landing in Tokyo for a madcap tour of Japan and Korea, in spite of never really knowing what a road manager or a stage manager did, until I was doing it.  I wasn't about to let Mary down!

Mary invited me to be her guest on so many of her grand adventures, from The Kentucky Derby, to seeing her inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, to Elton John's Academy Awards party, to accompanying her to Monte Carlo for a gala weekend including discoing with Prince Albert until sun-up.  Whenever we walked into any room together, all eyes were on Mary, her beautiful figure, and her captivating smile. In 2017 when I decided I was going to become a cookbook author and wrote my best-selling 'Eat Like A Rock Star' book, Mary graciously accepted my invitation to be the co-star of it. When I talked to her this Sunday, we were making plans to do a TV cooking show together.

With Mary's passing, there is suddenly a hole on my life that can never be filled.  I just lost my greatest friend. When former Supreme Florence Ballard passed away in 1976, Mary vowed to always tell the world about her deceased friend by proclaiming, 'I have this, Flo.  I will make it right.'  Now it is me who has the responsibility of saying to the world, 'I have this, Mary. I will never let the world forget how wonderful you were.'"  

Mark Bego

To say that Mary’s death was sudden and unexpected seems to be an understatement.  I have been told that on the morning of the 8^th, she posted on Facebook how February 8^th marked 56 Year Anniversary of when The Supremes’ #1 Hit “Stop! In The Name Of Love” was released in 1965.  She would die later that night.

I am sure the tributes will continue to pour in.  (I’m curious to see what Sir Tom Jones will say … the two had a wild fling in the ‘70’s!)

But once again, the music lives on.  Diana Ross is now the only surviving member of the trio that lit up the charts, our lives and our hearts from 1963 – 1969.  Mary soldiered on, keeping The Supremes on the charts for several more years after Diana departed for a solo career … and then went on to entertain us for decades in her solo shows.  In addition to Mark’s “Eat Like A Rock Star,” her book “Supreme Glamour” is a must-have for any book collection focused on the stars and music of the ‘60’s.  It displays some of the INCREDIBLE gowns worn by The Supremes on stage over the years from cover to cover … an absolutely BEAUTIFUL coffee table book.

We will miss you, Mary.  (kk)

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

FH Newcomer Tom Hancock found a number of errors in our Top 3333 List which have since been corrected.

If anybody would like a revised copy, please drop me a note and we’ll get it off to you.  (And again, PLEASE let us know if you find anything else that needs to be fixed … we want this to be the most definitive list possible … and duplicate and missing numbers simply won’t do!!!)

Thanks, Tom!  (kk)

THIS AND THAT:

This is the kind of stuff that absolutely blows me away …

How … after ALL this time … some 55 years!!! … does something like this turn up???

On February 13^th, 1966, The Beach Boys visited The San Diego Zoo to shoot photos for their “Pet Sounds” album … and local San Diego CBS Channel 8 News was there to cover it.

That footage has been lost in the archives … and never seen since … till now!

Credit: Ron Garrison/San Diego Zoo

Over the years, we’ve heard rumors that The Beach Boys were a little too rowdy at the zoo that day … and even “banned for life” from ever coming back … but now, after a 55 year cooling off period, it sounds like the Zoo is ready to welcome them back “at any time.”

You’ll find more of the story here:  https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/zevely-zone/lost-footage-beach-boys-san-diego-zoo/509-2a90313f-8b22-425a-80f5-a12c381deceb

FH Reader Frank B. sent us this Facebook Posting from The East Coast Music Hall Of Fame, spotlighting Chicago’s own Dennis Tufano, former lead singer of The Buckinghams …

Dennis Tufano is either ready to be the poster boy for the next Marvel action movie or he's telling us he's ready to hit the stage and help us honor Bobby Rydell at our 2019 Gala. Rydell's connection to Dennis, a Chicago born-and-bred singer who scored seven national hit records as the lead singer of the Buckinghams, might not be immediately obvious. But both singers were heavily influenced by Bobby Darin and both singers pay tribute to their hero in their stage show. Dennis sang "Volare" as a tip-of-the-hat to Rydell and went on to present him with his ECMHoF Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to Bobby, a one-time spotlight artist here in Forgotten Hits, too!
http://forgottenhits.com/bobby_rydell

And, speaking of The Buckinghams, the highest bid (as of yesterday anyway) for the virtual Meet and Greet with Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams is now up to $500.  Get your bids in now for the chance to talk with Carl one-on-one … as well as donate to The Dick Biondi Film Fund.

Please email cathy@dickbiondifilm.com with your bid.  Bidding ends Sunday Night, February 21^st, at 11:59 pm.  (kk)

Kent,  

During the Super Bowl, did you happen to catch the one commercial for Amazon in which the girl (woman) commented IT WASN'T ME? Just between you and me, I was looking for Chuck Berry.

Larry

Not Amazon … this one was the girl had eaten the guy’s Cheetos … and it starred That 70’s Show (and real life) hot couple, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis … and, of course, Shaggy, who took this earworm tune all the way to #1 for two weeks in 2001.  (It stayed on the charts for six months … and has been getting regular airplay ever since.)

I like the song … and liked the commercial (to a point) … but man, what have those two done to their faces?!?!?  What’s up with this all-consuming need for celebrities to keep having extensive, repeated plastic surgeries?  The logic behind it all, I guess, is to appear to have never aged … but instead, so many of these wind up as such ridiculous disasters that they end up not even looking like themselves at all!  (kk)

Bill Haley, music pioneer, died 40 years ago, this past Tuesday. (February 9^th)
Mike Wolstein

Haley’s “Rock Around The Clock” launched the frenzy we all know today as Rock And Roll in 1955.  (The song was actually first recorded and released two years earlier … but went absolutely nowhere.  It wasn’t until it was included in the film “The Blackboard Jungle” that it caught on with teenagers everywhere … and by everywhere, I mean around the world.  Sure, there were rock and roll songs before this one … any number of R&B Classics would qualify … but NO song ever ignited a new musical movement the way this one did.)  

Haley was hardly the look rock and roll needed to fit the poster boy motif … so, thankfully, Elvis Presley came along just in time.  Few musical events took the complete world by storm the way “Rock Around The Clock,” Elvis, “The Twist” and The Beatles did in the short span of just ten years.  Our lives have never been the same since!  (Bill Haley would have turned 95 on Tuesday had he still been alive.)  kk

>>>The Bob Feller All-Stars pitching rotation boasted names like Bob Lemon, Dutch Leonard, Johnny Sain, Spud Chandler and Fred Hutchinson  (kk)

So how do we tie this baseball story to music?

One of your “Forgotten Hits” readers was actually at the plate and being pitched to by Dutch Leonard, and that would be me.

My guess is that it was somewhere between 60 - 62 and I had completely forgotten about it until I saw the name. For some reason he showed up one day and pitched to our Little League team. There were no “Forgotten Hits” that day as I don’t remember getting any, and I was scared to death. 

Robert Campbell

Too funny!  I keep saying it … we’re all about the memories! (lol)  kk

How funny! 

Trump even made Illinois Top 40 History yesterday by getting his lawyer on Fallon's monolgue!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jd_OLH0aWU

I am listening to the Trump thing and all of a sudden some guy is going on about Senator Dirkson of Illinois.  Amazing, as I was working on Ron Riley stuff and WLS Chicago had a "Gallant Man" contest in 66 when his 45 was going top 20 nationally!

Clark Besch

It never ceases to amaze me that “Gallant Men,” a spoken-word record by Illinois Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen, became a Top 40 Hit here in Chicago.  (It peaked at #24 on the WLS chart … and made it all the way to #29 in Billboard Magazine, too!  In yet another national chart anomaly, it only peaked at #43 in Cash Box.)

Dirksen was a regular TV presence here in the ‘60’s … and had a very distinctive look and voice.  You may recall that a caricature of his voice was used as the B-Side on one of those Senator Bobby records, too … a take-off of Donovan’s “Mellow Yellow,” I believe, a few months later.  Dirksen served as The Senator Majority Leader from 1959 – 1969.  (kk)

This came to mind when you mentioned Brewer & Shipley today.
If poor old Larry Welk only knew ... he'd probably be turning over in his grave.  ;-)
Mike

Man, how did THIS one get past everybody on the show?!?!  (Oh, that’s right … everybody connected to the program was at least 80 years old!!!  Lol)

A true WTF Moment, as noted on the video.  Even better, Lawrence Welk, the champagne bubbles king, referred to it as a “modern spiritual” … yeah, ok.

You’ve gotta wonder what Brewer and Shipley were thinking.  As songwriters of this 1971 hit, a part of them had to be pleased to know that additional royalties were coming in as a result of this broadcast.  But I’ve just gotta believe that an even BIGGER part of them was thinking, “Please … ANYBODY but Lawrence Welk!!!”  (I mean, how do you maintain any credibility or street cred when your song is crooned on The Lawrence Welk Show by Gail and Dale?!?!)  Too funny!  (kk)

>>>Kudos to Forgotten Hits (and reader David Lewis) who had a copy of the original broadcast of The Evolution Of Rock on its way to you in less than 24 hours after reading our "Helping Out Our Readers" post a couple of weeks ago!  He sent ME a copy, too, and I've been slowly making my way thru it on my way back and forth to work in the morning.  Yes, it's dated ... yes, there is a fair amount of bad information ... yes, some of the songs used are not even the original versions ... but one has to remember that in the late '70's when this program was first developed, nothing quite like it had ever been done before.  It's not like today where you can just go online and download pristine copies of every song you need to put together such a program.  Back then, they had to use whatever they could get their hands on, which meant tracking down actual physical copies of the records and then recording those records (no matter WHAT shape they were in ... you'll actually hear hiss and skips in the final product!!!  No WAY would that EVER fly in today's world!) into the final broadcast around their commentary.

Still, it's a picture of history, captured as life as we knew it, circa the late '70's.

Many thanks to David Lewis ... and the Forgotten Hits Team, who have helped us keep our track record of Helping Out Our Readers up there in the 90% success range.  (kk)

Hi Kent,

While it was a bit of a chore to put David's pieces together, I do have most of the original version of the 1976 production now. Just trying to figure out how best to listen to it since we're talking about so many files. But David did not have the hours featuring 1977 - 1980 so I'm still on the lookout for them.

From the few hours I did have before, I found some of the "commentary" interesting and debatable but as an old PD myself, I loved how they talked about how "radio" itself evolved over the years which I feel has never really been well documented. The production in itself has a lot of "balls" to it and that's what I always loved about the show. I'm interested in learning about the "bad information," though mentioned in your email. I'm hoping to transcribe a lot of this information from the show in order to have it in writing. I would love to be able to use it as a teaching tool.

Now if anyone knows the fate of Walt Bailey from "Old Radio Shows," that would be helpful to know, as he had an incredible collection of old syndicated weekly shows and specials such as EOR and the History of RNR, although it had been several years since I had bought some things from him before finding out the site was no longer online.

Thanks again Kent. I will try my best to stay in touch. 

Dave Buettner 

‘THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW’ YOUTUBE CHANNEL CONTINUES IN 2021 WITH MORE MUSIC LEGENDS, COMEDY GREATS AND ENTERTAINERS!

Iconic Clips From Historic Performances Officially Available Worldwide Via Streaming Platforms Through Deal Between UMe and SOFA Entertainment For ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 

The Ed Sullivan Show’s official YouTube channel continues to feature full segments from across the entertainment spectrum, including playlists celebrating classic performances during Black History Month: Harry Belafonte, Motown Artists and Nat King Cole, plus clips featuring The Supremes and The Temptations. February also features performances by Pearl Bailey, Louis Armstrong and comedy from Richard Pryor. 

In a time of segregation, Ed Sullivan, an influential Civil Rights advocate, invited African American actors (Pearl Bailey, Diahann Carroll), athletes (Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson), comedians (Richard Pryor, Flip Wilson) and musicians (Harry Belafonte, James Brown, Motown artists such as Four Tops, The Temptations, The Supremes), to name just a few, to appear on the show.

For many Motown artists, a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show represented a pivotal career milestone bringing their talents to mainstream America and catapulting them to the top of the charts with breakout success. 

Also, 2021 kicked off with performances by Bobby Rydell, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Fats Domino; opera from Beverly Sills; vocal greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Liza Minnelli, Lou Rawls, Nat King Cole; and comedy from Dody Goodman, George Burns & Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, Red Skelton, Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield. The YouTube schedule below is a rundown of videos through February 11, 2021 with more to be announced.

Throughout its historic 23-year primetime run (1948-1971), The Ed Sullivan Show brought the hottest performances from around the world and introduced emerging talent to America’s living rooms every Sunday night. The show featured some of the earliest or first televised performances of music superstars including Stevie Wonder, The Band, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Jackson 5, The Mamas and The Papas, The Supremes, and The Rolling Stones.

Among the voluminous gems in this vast catalog are iconic clips most of which have not been seen in decades. UMe uploads new videos daily, including scores of rarities available digitally for the first time, to The Ed Sullivan Show’s official YouTube channel and EdSullivan.com, both newly updated. 

Here are some of February’s Highlights, many of which are already streaming now …

ARTIST / PERFORMANCE / (ORIGINAL AIR DATE)

All Of These Clips Are Available Now:

Elvis Presley – Elvis Gets Vaccine on The ed Sullivan Show (10/28/56)  We ran this one the other day

The Harlem Globetrotters – Basketball Tricks (7/4/65)

The Milwaukee Braves (Hank Aaron, Joe Garagiola, Eddie Mathews, Del Crandall, Red Schoendienstand, Bill Bruton)  10/5/58  A hot topic here recently

Petula Clark – Colour My World (1/15/67)

Elvis Presley – Ready Teddy  (9/9/56)

Phil Silvers – Teaches Ed To Sing (10/1/61)

The Mamas and the Papas – Words Of Love (12/11/66)

Oliver – Good Morning Starshine (1/4/70)

Richard Pryor – Impressions (9/4/66)

Four Tops – Medley: When You’re Smiling (1/30/66)

Ella Fitzgerald – Can’t Buy Me Love (4/28/68)

Louis Armstrong – Blueberry Hill (12/23/62)

George Burns and Jack Benny – Dinner With Wives (1/30/55)

Rick Nelson – Fire Breathin’ Dragon (1/23/66)

Richard Pryor – The Ghetto (11/1/70)

Alan King – Kids, Parents And Little League (5/16/65)

Louis Armstrong – Mack The Knife (12/23/62)

Shelley Berman – Embarrassing Moments (11/22/59)

Humphrey Bogart – Interview with Ed  (10/14/51)

The Everly Brothers – Wake Up Little Susie  (10/6/57)

Senor Wences – Ventriloquism And Plate Spinning (7/10/60)

Paul Anka – Remember Diana (3/17/63)

Rare Earth – (I Know) I’m Losing You (9/27/70)

Jackie Vernon – Dull Men’s Club (5/17/64)

Robert Goulet – My Love, Forgive Me (9/27/64)*

*shooting our your own television screen is optional

Blood, Sweat And Tears – Lucretia Mac Evil (9/20/70)

Nat King Cole – Medley: Nature Boy / Mona Lisa / Too Young / Walkin’ My Baby Back Home (10/23/55)

Brenda Lee – Fool #1 (11/12/61)

Ella Fitzgerald – Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home (5/5/63)

Louis Armstrong – Up A Lazy River (7/2/61)

Bobby Rydell – A World Without Love (5/10/64)

Red Skelton – Doctor (6/23/63)

Diahann Carroll – Elusive Butterfly (5/12/68)

Ernie Kovacs – Branch Cutting (7/21/57)

Dionne Warwick – A Hard Day’s Night (3/1/70)

Nat King Cole – Tea For Two (3/18/56)

Diana Ross And The Supremes – Medley:  Baby Love / Stop In The Name Of Love / Come See About Me / My World Is Empty Without You (12/21/69)

Diana Ross and the Supremes – Someday We’ll Be Together (12/21/69)

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers – Goody Goody (8/4/57)

Fats Domino – Jambalaya / You Win Again (3/4/62)

Gwen Verdon – If My Friends Could See Me Now (3/5/67)

Johnny Carson – New York vs. California  (10/9/55)

Jack Benny – Jack Roasts Ed Sullivan (4/30/67)

Louis Armstrong – Blueberry Hill (3/5/61)

Jack Benny – Lost Dollar Bill (6/21/59)

Harry Belafonte – Crawdad Song (4/2/62)

Nat King Cole – Lover, Come Back To Me (10/31/54)

Ike and Tina Turner Revue – Bold Soul Sister (1/11/70)

Nat King Cole – Nature Boy / Pretend (3/7/54)

David Frye – Nixon Press Conference (2/8/70)

David Frost – Films And Headlines in the ‘60’s (12/21/69)
Lou Rawls – Yesterday (3/12/67)

Alan King – New Year’s With The Wife (1/2/66)

Alan King – Kids Getting A Dog (7/17/60

Rodney Dangerfield – Wife And Kid (5/12/68)

Alan King – Wife Having A Baby (10/2/66)

George Gobel – Autumn And School (10/29/61)

Peter O’Toole – When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (4/14/63)

Pearl Bailey – Come Rain Or Come Shine (7/30/61)

Norm Crosby – The Youths (11/9/69)