Here's an interesting update showing how YOU can help to raise funds for the upcoming Ron Riley film documentary that we've been telling you about ...
Hi Kent!
Hope you are doing well!
I wanted to announce that we have just launched a brand new auction and raffle. It all kicked off at midnight earlier this morning (Friday, June 11th) and will be on eBay for the next days!
Everything that we are auctioning off has been donated by Ron Riley himself and some of it even has his signature on them. Additionally, we will be selling raffle tickets on ebay for his WLS letterman sweater, which you can out on the eBay auction site.
Thank you for helping us to spread the word ... we appreciate it greatly!
All of the proceeds go towards the film, which we are shooting in less than two weeks!!!
Here is the link for the auction / raffle:
https://www.ebay.com/usr/riley_documentary
When people log in, they will be able to see everything and start bidding!
Best,
Francesca M. Poliseno
The Ron Riley Documentary Film Project
Happy to pass the info along … we definitely want to see this film get made!!! (kk)
MICKY DOLENZ’s DIFFERENT DRUM AT #1 in THE U.K.
It has just been confirmed that Micky Dolenz's new single, "Different Drum" - off his just-released DOLENZ SINGS NESMITH album - has moved up to the #1 spot on the Heritage Chart in the United Kingdom.
The Heritage chart is hosted by legendary broadcaster Mike Read on Nation Radio UK and is repeated on seven other radio stations in the United Kingdom, as well as across Europe from Talk Radio in Spain, North America from Chicago and in Canada from Vancouver.
7a Records' Glenn Gretlund says: "We are delighted that Micky's new single ‘Different Drum’ has gotten such a great reception and that it was able to beat Texas for the #1 spot. With airplay on Nation Radio's extensive network, millions of potential listeners are now able to hear brand new music from Micky Dolenz, something nobody would have thought possible just a few months ago."
Dolenz adds, “This is an awesome success for ‘Drum’ and I want to thank Mike Read and his listeners for making it happen.”
Every week, listeners from around the world can vote on their favorite songs on the Heritage Chart and the audio is also available on their website: HeritageChart.co.uk
"Different Drum" is from Micky Dolenz's new album DOLENZ SINGS NESMITH. The album is also available straight from Micky Dolenz at www.mickydolenz.com
Wow!!! This is frickin’ awesome!!! Congrats all the way around to all parties concerned. Great news. (kk)
OK, now this one is just too cool not to share …
A look back 55 years to see the 66 Best Things About 1966 …
from Ultimate Classic Rock … (the year BEFORE my all-time favorite year in music ... which gave us some pretty cool memories as well!) ...
Another great read we'd like to share comes from Best Classic Bands regarding the “All You Need Is The Summer Of Love” panel discussion held at the Paley Center on June 6th. (Be sure to check out the Facebook link within the article that allows you to watch it for yourself!)
https://bestclassicbands.com/summer-love-panel-nyc-6-7-17/
kk …
Paul Evans, from Queens, New York, visits Cousin Brucie this weekend.
I think you did a story on him.
How about giving us a preview of what he and Cousin Brucie might be talking about.
FB
I’ll betcha they’ll be talking about Paul’s new book - which doesn’t officially come out till next month (but Paul already sent me an advance copy so I’m guessing Cousin Brucie’s got one, too!)
Also about writing songs for Elvis -
And maybe even Paul’s hit Christmas video about Santa getting stuck in the chimney.
Paul's a great guy and has been contributing to Forgotten Hits for years!
(Let me know how well I guessed!) kk
Came across this "Forgotten" video of the early Buckinghams I hadn't seen before.
BTW, is there any way to find out who the horn players were on their hits?
Enjoy your blog,
Greg Campbell
We’ve run this link a couple of times before … original Buckinghams keyboardist Dennis Miccolis posted this of the band’s appearance on the WGN television program “All Time Hits,” where The Bucks would sing some of the biggest hits of the day. (This was before they had any hits of their own to showcase.)
Dennis has participated with Forgotten Hits a time or two over the years … by the time The Buckinghams became Cash Box Magazine’s Artist of the Year in 1967, he had already been replaced by Marty Grebb, who we recently lost.
As for the horn players, I reached to Carl Giammarese to see if he could “name any names.” (Incredibly, I have previously been told that The Buckinghams NEVER performed or toured with a horn section back in their hey-day, which I found absolutely unbelievable since that was such a big part of their sound.) kk
Hi Kent,
Yeah, it’s hard to believe we didn’t use horns in our live concerts back in the day.
When we started recording at Chess in 1966, our producer, Dan Belloc, decided to add horns to our recordings. Dan was a big band leader and also owned the Holiday ballroom. So Belloc got his trombone player, Frank Tesinsky, to write the charts and he and Belloc’s horn players played on Kind of a Drag, I Call Your Name, I’ll Go Crazy and various cuts on the Kind of a Drag album.
Then we signed with Columbia and recorded all the other hits in New York for Columbia. I believe some of the tonight show band played on various sessions. Also, the great Clark Terry played on some of our songs.
I think our horn sound was trombone heavy because it all began with Frank Tesinsky writing the horn arrangement on Kind of a Drag. Our producer, Jim Guercio, continued the horn sound while producing Chicago.
By the way, Kent, The Buckinghams have about 18 dates coming up, starting on July 2nd. The dates are listed on theBuckinghams.com concert page and also Facebook under events. I’ll send you the schedule.
All the best,
Carl
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Speaking of upcoming shows, The Eagles have added six more dates to their US tour, now kicking off in August.
This is quite likely the last time the band will go out on the road.
The first set will consist of the entire “Hotel California” album, presented in its entirety (with a full orchestra and choir on stage for support), followed by a second set of Greatest Hits.
As of right now, no Chicago date has been set. (The last time we saw them, we said it would be the last. The Eagles have always put on one of the best live shows out there ... but the tickets are just SO damn expensive that we can’t keep putting that kind of money into a band we’ve already seen and enjoyed several times.)
But … and it’s a pretty big but … we still haven’t seen them with Vince Gill and Deacon Frey ... so that makes this a pretty difficult decision.
The last tour we saw coincided with the “History Of The Eagles” television special and DVD release that was running on Showtime. As such, they had a few “special guests” in the way of former members … and Glenn Frey was still with us at the time. People tell me, “You’ve already seen them at their absolute best … with Frey and Henley sharing the stage with Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmidt … what is it about Vince Gill and Deacon Frey that holds so much appeal to you?”
Well, we just happen to absolutely LOVE Vince Gill … and we’ve never seen the music of The Eagles presented live this way before. (Sure, we watched and bought the most recent live event … but it’s just not the same as BEING there.) So I honestly don’t know …
If The Eagles add a Chicago date or two (most likely at The United Center again), would we go? (Or, perhaps better worded, Would we feel OBLIGATED to go for what will now be “the last time” we see them?) I honestly don’t know. It’ll be a last second decision for sure. (kk)
But in the meantime, here is the full Eagles Tour Itinerary as it currently stands:
(Please note that the new dates have been tacked on to the BEGINNING of the tour)
Sunday,
August 22nd - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Tuesday, August 24th
- New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Friday, August 27th
- Boston, MA - TD Garden
Saturday, August 28th
- Boston, MA - TD Garden
Tuesday, August 31st
- Washington, D.C. - Capital One Arena
Wednesday, September 1st
- Washington, D.C. - Capital One Arena
Thursday, September 16th - Denver, CO - Ball Arena
Saturday, September 18th - Denver, CO - Ball Arena
Tuesday, September 21st - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
Friday, September 24th - Phoenix, AZ - Phoenix Suns Arena
Saturday, September 25th - Phoenix, AZ - Phoenix Suns Arena
Friday, October 1st - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
Saturday, October 2nd - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
Friday, October 15th - Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
Saturday, October 16th - Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
Tuesday, October 19th - Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
Friday, October 22nd - San Francisco, CA - Chase Center
Saturday, October 23rd - San Francisco, CA - Chase Center
You’ll note that virtually ALL of these stops (other than Dallas, which I think will change, if it hasn't already) are multiple night performances … so a new night stop-over in Chicago isn’t out of the question. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see! (kk)
Now that the touring world is opening up again, several of our vintage artists are not only hitting the road, but adding dates to their itineraries after being out of commission for so long.
The Doobie Brothers have just added new dates to their tour, too, which will now resume in the summer of 2022 after they complete their current run. (This is the tour that reunites Michael McDonald with the band.)
Here are the latest tour dates as we know them:
Aug
22 – Des Moines, IA – Iowa State Fair
Aug 24 – Milwaukee, WI – BMO Harris Pavilion
Aug 26 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
Aug 28 – Moline, IL – Taxslayer Center
Aug 29 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug 31 – St. Paul, MN – Minnesota Stair Fair
Sep 02 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sep 04 – Burgettstown, PA – KeyBank Pavilion
Sep 05 – Toledo, OH – The Zoo Amphitheater
Sep 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Sep 09 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Sep 11 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Sep 12 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
Sep 14 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
Sep 15 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Sep 27 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
Sep 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Oct 01 – Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena
Oct 02 – Seattle, WA – White River Amphitheatre
Oct 05 – Ridgefield, WA – Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
Oct 08 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheater
Oct 09 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
Oct 11 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
Oct 13 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Oct 14 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheater
Oct 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Oct 19 – Irving, TX – Toyota Music Factory
Oct 21 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Oct 23 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Oct 25 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Oct 28 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Oct 29 – Allentown, PA – PPL Center
2022
Jun 02 – West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Amphitheatre
Jun 03 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Jun 05 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Jun 07 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Jun 08 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Jun 10 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
Jun 11 – Raleigh, NC – Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Jun 13 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Jun 14 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Jun 16 – Saratoga Springs, NY – SPAC
Jun 18 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
Jun 19 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater
Jun 21 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Jun 23 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
Jun 25 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Jun 26 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
Jun 29 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Jun 30 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens
And, speaking of upcoming tours, there’s been a bit of buzz about this one …
King Crimson Announce “Music Is Our Friend” North American Tour Dates 2021
When King Crimson returns to action this July, it will be the seventh year that the band has toured since returning to performing live in 2014, a run only interrupted by the lockdown in 2020. In that time, the audience has been reinvented, as much as the band itself, something Robert Fripp noted after the band’s performance in Pompeii, Italy’s famous amphitheater:
“In Pompeii, a large percentage of the audience was young couples; KC moved into the mainstream in Italy. I walked onstage knowing that this band's position in the world has changed level.” - Robert Fripp
The band’s shows regularly include material from twelve of their thirteen studio albums, including many songs from their seminal 1969 album In the Court of the Crimson King, described by Pete Townshend as an “uncanny masterpiece.” The 7-piece line-up play many historic pieces, which Crimson has never previously played live, as well as new arrangements of Crimson classics – “the music is new whenever it was written.” There are also new instrumentals and songs, as well as compositions by the three drummers, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison and Jeremy Stacey, which are a regular highlight. A unique show, where seven of the best musicians in the world play music without distraction or adornment.
King Crimson tour dates:
July 22, 2021 - Clearwater, FL -
Ruth Eckerd Hall
July 23, 2021 - Delray Beach, FL - Old School Square
July 24, 2021 - St. Augustine, FL - St Augustine Ampitheater
July 26, 2021 - Orlando, FL - Dr. Phillips Walt Disney Theater
July 27, 2021 - Atlanta, GA - The Fox
July 28, 2021 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
July 30, 2021 - Fort Worth, TX - Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium
July 31, 2021 - Cedar Park, TX - H-E-B Center
August 2, 2021 - Greenwood Village, CO - Fiddlers Green Amiptheater
August 3, 2021 - Sandy, UT - Sandy Ampitheater
August 5, 2021- Concord, CA - Concord Pavilion*
August 6, 2021 - Los Angeles - The Greek Theatre*
August 7, 2021 - Scottsdale, AZ - Talking Stick Ballroom
August 23, 2021 - Saratoga Springs, NY - SPAC*
August 24, 2021 - Northampton, MA - The Pines Theater*
August 26, 2021 - Canandaigua, NY - CMAC*
August 27, 2021 - Lewiston, NY - Artpark Ampitheater*
August 28, 2021 - Rochester Hills, MI - Meadow Brook Ampitheater*
August 29, 2021 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia*
August 31, 2021 - Milwaukee, WI - Miller High Life Theatre*
September 1, 2021 - Cleveland, OH - Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica*
September 2, 2021 - Huber Heights, OH - Rose Music Center @ The Heights*
September 4, 2021 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center*
September 5, 2021 - New Haven, CT - Westville Music Bowl*
September 7, 2021 - Philadelphia, PA - The Mann Center*
September 9, 2021 - Forest Hills, NY - Forest Hills Stadium*
September 10, 2021 - Boston, MA - Leader Bank Pavilion*
September 11, 2021 - Washington, DC - The Anthem*
(*Support “The Zappa Band”)
As well as standard tickets, the band's label, DGM, also has announced sale of VIP Royal Packages, limited to just 72 per show. The Royal Package gives priority seating at the front of the venue, early access, special merchandise, and personal insights and answers from David Singleton and one of the band members. These are on sale now from DGMLive.com. https://www.dgmlive.com/tours?liveshow=on.
Sadly, as news of all these concert events resuming, we got the email stating that this year’s Fest For Beatles Fan has been cancelled here in Chicago.
I know that it had to be VERY difficult for Mark Lapidos this notice …
Dear Fest Family,
It
is with heavy hearts that we bring the news that The Fest For Beatles Fans 2021
Chicago, in August, will not be happening this year. It was a very difficult
decision to make, and we made it prioritizing everyone’s health, safety and
comfort. Every Beatles fan is important to our Fest family, and we simply will
not risk it.
We know that concerts are beginning to resume indoors, but we are much
different than your normal concert, as you know. So much of the magic of The
Fest is in the personal interactions with Special Guests, in jamming late into
the night, singing with each other in a circle, dancing to the live music, with
people flying in from all over the country and the world to be together.
We waited as long as we could to make this decision, hopeful that we would feel
the time is right for our event this August. But, unfortunately, it isn't.
Please Note: Next year's Chicago FEST is the weekend of August 12-14, 2022 and
there's no doubt we plan to make it one our best FESTS ever. You will be able
to make your reservations for 2022 beginning July 12, 2021.
Thank you for your understanding and we SO look forward to seeing all of you in
person in 2022!
Peace and Love,
Mark, Carol, Michelle Joni and Tilly Lapidos
Not QUITE back to normal yet … although Chicago is removing ALL Covid restrictions effective today, Friday, June 11th … there are still safety concerns to consider (along with peace of mind for many of us) … on the same newscast talking about life returning to normal, there was a report of this new strand of Coronavirus heading our way from India and doctors being unsure if the current vaccine will be sufficient enough to fight it. And a report released yesterday shows that more people have died of Covid globally in the first 24 weeks of 2021 than in ALL of last year combined … so no, not completely reassuring at this point … but one can only hope we’re getting there. (kk)
Hi Kent,
I came across something that might appeal to people who want to attend a concert but can’t get to see one in person.
Every Friday night at 6:00 pm Central, WGRR 103.5FM (out of Cincinnati) will be airing a concert for listeners to enjoy. This week, they’re featuring Elton John. Simply visit www.wgrr.com and click “listen live.”
Colin Donahue
Hi Kent,
Well, Bro, just read your “Up Close And Personal with Priscilla Presley” and
I’ve gotta tell you, this is another stellar article. I really enjoy all the
back stories you research. I know that's got to take days to do. Don't know how
ya do it, Partner.
Following Tommy James' journey, and a lot of other folks we've had the pleasure
to play gigs with back then. Brings back some great memories.
I want to thank you for the "Baby Let's Wait" mention and the good wishes.
It means a lot, my friend.
Hope you can have several "Miller Time" breaks as you go ... lol
Love ya, man, and God bless.
Barry
The day Herman's Hermits played for the Queen Mum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w19S3-QzK-k
kk: Is That Really Peter?
I Recognize The Last Song.
FB
Sadly, this clip only serves as concrete evidence as to why Herman’s Hermits couldn’t make the transition out of the ‘60’s and into the ‘70’s and beyond. So many factors play into this … the fact that the didn’t write their own music … and the fact that they never adapted to the changing sounds that were evolving almost daily as the ‘60’s progressed. Instead, they chose to stay “cute.”
It was one thing to be cute in 1964 and 1965 singing vintage-sounding tunes like “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am” … but by 1970, this whole act was a bit played out and, as such, this clip is painful to watch. Even the one bonafide hit featured (“There’s A Kind Of Hush”) is presented in an almost unrecognizable manner. (At some point, I honestly felt like “Why even bother doing it at all if THIS is what you’re going to do with it?”)
The best thing they could do was to break up then and wait for the oldies nostalgia revival boom that inevitably catapulted Peter Noone back up to the top of the biggest and best touring acts on the planet. (It’s gotta be 35 years now that he’s been out on his own with a new batch of Herman’s, entertaining at sold out shows from coast to coast, presenting one of the most entertaining and enjoyable shows out there for fans of ALL ages.) As such, the music of Herman’s Hermits (the HIT music, I’m talking about … not the dreck presented in this awful clip!) has reached brand new audiences of the past three generations. There isn’t anybody out there that presents it better. (I will admit that I get a bit turned off by the grossly overplayed, laid on WAY to thick British accent he’s adopted … he sounds more British NOW, after living in California for nearly four decades, than he did when he first came over here as a teenager!) But other than that, there isn’t any oldies act I’d rather see than Peter Noone … and we try to go every couple of years just to see what kind of changes he’s made to the show. VERY highly recommended for music fans from 8 to 80 … you will have a GREAT time! (kk)
kk …
I answered last night’s Final Jeopardy Question right ...
1960's SINGERS:
In 2002, Macon, Georgia, unveiled a statue of this man, overlooking water, to honor his 1968 #1 Hit
I have to brag about it , ‘cause I probably won't be saying it again.
FB
I still like this cartoon that Mike Wolstein set in a few weeks ago …
Check out this new video by Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top …
Last Friday, June 4th, marked the release of Hardware, the latest solo album from ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons. The new album, out from Concord Records, has been lauded upon its release by both fans and critics alike. “She’s On Fire,” the fourth video from the album has just been posted.
Bob Merlis
Quite honestly, I don’t get it …
If you’re going to take the trouble to do a solo album, why use the exact same formula you’ve been using for 50 years with the other guys??? Three piece band … hot cars … hot girls …
You may just as well have made this a ZZ Top video ‘cause it probably would have received a lot more attention than it will now (and not leave some of your fans out there like me, scratching their heads wondering “What’s Up With That??!“ (kk)
Don Imus Rips of WNBC Rips WABC For Firing Harry Harrison
kk:
You have to love Imus for speaking his mind ...
FB
It’s actually a pretty powerful clip (and a rather risky one, too!) But Imus pulled no punches when chastising WABC, a competing network, on the air for firing legendary disc jockey Harry Harrison … and his whole tirade was absolutely on point. (One of the saddest things we’ve seen over the years … and we’ve seen it FAR too many times … is that a highly respected jock with a HUGE following isn’t given the chance to say goodbye to his legion of loyal fans … fans that tune in to that station EVERY day to hear one of their favorite jocks (and likely STAY tuned in all day long as this has now become their station of choice.)
I get it … things change … but at least have the decency to allow a formal and heartfelt goodbye. (Then again, some of these jocks may just do exactly what Imus did and give their listeners and the powers that be a piece of their mind!!! Lol) kk
Speaking of Jocks …
>>>Robert Feder did a nice shout-out to The Drive’s Bob Stroud the other day. It seems that the podcast “Rock Conversations” (https://audioboom.com/posts/7873894-rock-conversations-featuring-bob-stroud) spotlights Bob in their latest edition. (kk)
Great interview with Bob Stroud. Thanks, Kent!
I still cannot believe I got to hang out with him while in Chicago for a few days over a decade ago when he was fronting the Cryan’ Shames as lead singer. Great experience along with my good buddy Mike and Janis Hartman as well as all the Cryan’ Shames' "Shameless Girls" and met Jim Peterik as well! They all gave me a great visit to Chitown loaded with awesome memories.
Bob, keep rolling the music!
Clark Besch
Hi,
Kent!
Today's (Tuesday) "column" was great! Learned a lot of interesting
things.
I'd like to add a few comments regarding some of the entries ...
I began
BCB DXing around 1963 and have heard some fascinating things on the AM band.
I've picked up stations in about 42 states and verified most of them via
"QSL cards." A number of my
favorite stations are in Canada; in the 60s and 70s, CBL (740) in Toronto was a
very good source for all sorts of music, some of which you might never hear
anywhere else. Some years back, they became CZMR, or "Zoomer
Radio", and they still supply a very good mix of music - you never know
what you'll hear in the evenings. They broadcast a different genre of music
every night - sometimes classic rock, sometimes folk, maybe a night of nothing
but schmaltzy music by Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra; R and B; Beatles;
they
surprise us sometimes. I still listen to them in the car once in a while. They
blanket the northern hemisphere (50 Kilowatts).
On the subject of CKLW in Windsor (Detroit), they were the kings of rock radio
for many years; however, a while back they were pressured into playing less
American music and more material which originated in Canada. This began a
downslide in their popularity. I HIGHLY suggest watching a piece (which
WTTW Channel 11 ran in June of 2009) called "The Rise and Fall of the Big
8". Absolutely fabulous documentary.
One of my favorite AM Radio memories occurred some years back, while driving in
the wee hours. I was tuning up the AM band looking for goodies, and I
heard a weak station fading in on 1440 KHz. I knew it wasn't WROK in
Rockford, IL, because they were a daytimer. They didn't ID; the DJ sounded like
a very young man. What caught my attention was when they "faded in"
enough for me to hear the music clearly, the song they were playing was "You're
the Apple of My Eye" by a group called The Four Lovers on the RCA label
(1956.) These guys were good, Kent,
and in 1962 they changed their name to the "Four Seasons." The signal kept fading, but I heard the DJ
say "If there's anything you'd like to hear, give me a call at ...".
I called and the DJ, a part-time college student, freaked out when I told him I
was calling from Chicago. He said the station was WJJL in Niagara Falls, NY,
and they were running a nighttime power of about 18 watts. (They had to lower it because they were
interfering with a station in Manitoba.)
DXing is like a box of chocolates ...
Mike
Last week we told you about the new Cher biopic that’s in the works.
And now comes words that this Sunday (June 13th) Reelz Autopsy Series will profile Sonny Bono, from birth to death. Harvey Kubernik tells us more …
This Sunday on REELZ TV there is a Sonny Bono program in their "Autopsy" series. It is a birth to death profile of Sonny and I'm sure his 1962 - 1968 world with Cher at Gold Star Recording Studios will be examined. I'm not involved in this. I was asked to be interviewed and politely passed. I did refer a jazz and classical music / movie music expert to be lensed.
I just saw the mini-trailer on REELZ TV last night. Good timing for them. It was just announced that Cher will have an authorized biopic produced by the people who did "Mama Mia."
Best,
HK
Hi Kent -
Loved reading the full history of "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep." I agree with you ... Mac and Katie Kissoon's version is best! (Probably because that's the one I grew up with. Actually, have I ever grown up? Hmmm ...)
My vocal group (Chickaboom and Troglodyte) performs "Chirpy Chirpy" and many other "forgotten hits" of the 70's, with acoustic guitar, percussion, melodica and 4-part harmonies. We were just about ready for live appearances when Covid hit. We will resume rehearsals this week and hope to be up to speed in late summer!
(In case you're interested in hearing a bit of us, here's a link to our demo medley, featuring songs by the Spinners, Chicago,Carpenters and Johnny Nash)
https://www.facebook.com/chicksandtrogs/videos/720302865158843
Stay cool!
Mike Lane, Minneapolis
Hi there, Kent,
Thanks to your Forgotten Hits blog, I have very recently learned about two original versions of songs that I wasn't even aware existed. This is an ongoing truth in life, that the more one learns about music, the more one realizes how much he still doesn't know. I always LOVE learning new facts about well known songs.
I was blown away when I learned that the Young Rascals recorded the original version of Baby Let's Wait, which was a hit for the Royal Guardsmen in the fall of 1968, and then, that a group I had never even heard of called Middle Of The Road recorded Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep before Mac and Katie Kissoon had the hit version in North America.
Well, in view of all the recent discussion of B. J. Thomas's songs, I wonder how many of you FH readers know about and have ever heard the original George McCannon III version of No Love At All? This was a truly local hit that only charted in Hartford Connecticut. I was attending high school in Hartford at the time, and both WDRC and WPOP in Hartford played this version of No Love At All by George McCannon III from late October through December of 1970. So when I heard B. J.
Thomas's version of the song, it wasn't a new song to me and I considered his version a cover.
I have tried to find a biography of him on the net, but about all I can find out is that he was born, George Ellis McCannon on January 30, 1941, in Winsted Connecticut, and died on October 16, 2015 in Largo, Florida. He did record quite a few other records, some of which are available on YouTube, but right now anyway, No Love At All is unfortunately NOT available on YouTube. I would love to hear this song again. It's been a long time since I've heard it, that's for sure.
Sam Ward
I’ve never heard it, so I’d be curious to hear it, too!
George McCannon DID chart three times nationally with the songs “Lana” (#100, 1963), “Seven Million People” (#140, 1965) and “Birds Of All Nations” (#97, 1970) … but not with this one. (Ironically, Billboard showed “Lana” as a break-out hit in the Baltimore area but then never charted it in their publication.) The song was co-written by Wayne Carson Thompson, who also wrote The Box Tops’ hits “The Letter,” “Neon Rainbow” and “Soul Deep.” (Thompson also cowrote the Elvis / Willie Nelson smash “Always On My Mind,” too. Not a bad resume, eh???)
Here’s Wayne Carson’s version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyyc65j_iD4
So, since we’re back to Elvis once again, I should also mention that Thompson co-wrote “Always On My Mind” with Mark James who, as we ALL know by now, wrote Elvis’ #1 hit ‘Suspicious Minds” and B.J. Thomas’ hits “Hooked On A Feeling” and “The Eyes Of A New York Woman.” (Dontcha just LOVE it when all this stuff ties together?!?!?) It is said the B.J. was the first artist to record “Always On My Mind” back in 1970 … and that it has since been covered by over 300 other artists.
One more B.J. / Elvis connection I neglected to mention the other day was that Elvis recorded B.J.’s 1969 Hit “It’s Only Love” (#23) in 1971 and took it back up the charts to #42 … so there definitely was a connection of some sort between these two great recording artists. (kk)
BTW: B.J.’s version of “It’s Only Love” is yet another example of the incredible chart discrepancies that were going on at the time. Now granted, each of the major trades were using their own various sources to compile the charts, but how does “It’s Only Love” make it to #23 in Record World and #28 in Cash Box … but fall short of The Top 40 in Billboard, only peaking at #45? Just one more reason I say again that our Super Charts are the most accurate representation of what was REALLY going on on the charts at the time. (A point spread of 20-25 chart places just doesn’t make any sense!!!)
The Super Charts utilize sales and airplay information collected by all THREE major trade publications and incorporate this data into the most complete and comprehensive chart possible, eliminating any “tunnel vision” or “playing favorites” that may have been caused by limiting the data collection pool for each individual trade. I maintain that, as such, they are the most accurate representation of popular music AS IT OCCURRED, utilizing nothing but the mathematical and statistical facts (without bias) collected at the time between the widest possible source, and then pared down to a Top 100 List that incorporates ALL of this data into one complete and comprehensive list. (kk)
ONE MORE THING: To Sam’s point, two similar experiences here in Chicago with a “new” hit song not being QUITE so new to our ears that immediately come to mind would be the #1 Hit “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” a duet between Diana Ross and the Supremes and The Temptations.
When this one was first released in December of 1968, we already knew and loved the song because of the Madeline Bell version that was released nine months earlier. HER version charted as high as #24 on our Chicagoland Charts. (It also made The National Top 40 but never climbed any higher than #26 … so the new Motown spin … with the combined Superstar Talents of two of their biggest recording acts … pushed this one right up over the top.
Another would be The Fifth Dimension’s hit “Save The Country,” a #17 hit here in Chicago in 1970 … this one coming six months after future Disco Queen Thelma Houston ran HER take up the charts to #18. Nationally, Thelma’s version never climbed any higher than #59 … but it was an absolute hit here in Chi-Town.
Whereas Sam’s example probably owes at least a little something to the fact that George McCannon was somewhat of a “local boy doing well,” these Chicagoland examples show that it even happened on a much larger scale when well established artists recorded the same tune … even if those recordings were released several months apart. (kk)
>>>Nice tribute to BJ Thomas, but I saw no mention of “Eyes Of A New York Woman” so I will mention it. Classic! (Ken)
>>>This one always felt like a “Hooked On A Feeling” wannabe / clone to me … which isn’t really fair because it actually came first … so B.J. was definitely headed in the right direction … and then REALLY hit his mark when “Hooked” was released as his follow-up single and went all the way to #5. (kk)
Up here in Brewtown, “Eyes of a New York Woman” gets to #3, actually bigger than Hooked On A Feeling (#7), but then “Hooked” is a “NY Woman” wannabe!! Lol
Ken
More BJ Thomas Inspiration from CJ Buell!
HA, Kent!!! Larry Neil wrote in Forgotten Hits the other day;
“Now don't get mad at me, but I always liked the version HOOKED ON A FEELING with the OOGA-CHOOGA'S.”
From the first day that I played that Blue Swede version on the air I, too, always thought it was just a FUN, Full Out, Crank the Speakers Up Song!
And I had to do something with it!
So, I did! Listen to this!
After all these years, because of that short 10-second snippet, I still get people who call out to me, “Hey! Oogah Chuckah!”
Of course, when I did play that song on my radio show, I said it was by “Buell Swede!” )
CB ( which stands for “Oogah Chuckah Buell!” )
(Brought back from a Forgotten Hits Era when Radio was just Too Much Fun!”)
AND A FINAL REMINDER:
Hi everyone!
You still have ten days to submit your video for the Official Al Jardine Waves of Love 2.0 Video Contest — the deadline is Sunday, June 20th (Brian
Wilson’s Birthday!)
Grand Prize winner will have their video featured on Al's website and receive a
signed acoustic guitar, a signed tour shirt that Al actually wore on stage,
plus the rare RSD vinyl releases of A Postcard from California and
“Don’t Fight The Sea," signed CDs of Postcard and “Waves of Love
2.0.” AND a signed copy of the NEW Beach Boys "Feel Flows" The
Sunflower & Surf's Up Sessions 1969-1971 CDs!!
