Friday, September 10, 2021

Chuck Buell Kicked Off This Week on Labor Day ... So Why Not Let Him Finish It Off, Too!

From that Trendy, Fashionable, On the Cutting Edge Forgotten Hitter, Chuck Buell ~~~

I came across this site that recalled several "trendy" and "fashionable" items from forty - fifty years ago, when Forgotten Hits were new and had not yet been Forgotten, some of which I DID have, about which was said would probably never appear again!

It wasn't easy being ahead of the curve then, but somehow I managed!  {:~}

For example ... 

OK, I actually had one or two of these in the SIXTIES, maybe also on into the early 70s!  A Lava Lamp!


(Yep ... had a FEW lava lamps over the years ... and then many years later, each of the kids got into them, too ... so we got to relive the whole experience all over again, fire-trap-waiting-to-happen devices that they are!  Still, pretty cool to look at once they were working properly. - kk)

Same for this digitally flipping clock radio which I thought was just too cool!


(Yep, had one of these, too ... although not on military time!!!  I remember they were so noisy when they flipped - you could forget all about waiting for the alarm to go off ... that flipping noise every sixty seconds would never let you fall asleep in the first place!  And actually I'm pretty sure I had something similar to that clock shown in your first photo, too, at some point in time! - kk)

I had this kind of Shag Carpeting in one of my former homes decades ago in my living room in a shade of Burnt Red, I think!


(The people that bought my parents' old home are probably STILL finding things hidden in ours, all these years later! - kk)

I also had one of these Bean Bag "chairs!"  I once made this "clever" answering machine message ( yeah, I had a stand-alone answering machine then too! ) about how "I couldn't come to the phone right now because I was stuck in my bean bag chair and couldn't get out, so please leave a message!"


Never got into those (for the very reason you mention) ... although these are just little puppies ... I'm talking about the full size ones where, if you were ever home alone and sat down deep into one of these, they might not even find you in there until days later! - kk)

I did TWO DIY Projects where I put this kind of similar fake wood paneling on the fireplace wall of my living room AND waist-high fake wood paneling complete with a "chair rail" in my upstairs "office" walls in my same home!


Then, I moved to a "New Build" and had the builder widen and extend the already-provided Stone Wall around my fireplace to cover the entire fireplace wall!


(Damn, Chuck ... that get-up looks about one step removed from Elvis' Jungle Room!!!  I'm getting dizzy just looking at the picture! - kk)

Did you have any of these trend-setting designs?! Or what others?!  
CB

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Thursday This And That

Today’s the day …

Today, Thursday, September 9th, (Which Would Have Been His 80th Birthday), Has Been Declared 

"Otis Redding Day" By The State Of Georgia - 

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY TO OTIS REDDING 




Otis Redding would have turned 80 years old today, September 9th. To honor the beloved soul singer’s everlasting legacy, the State of Georgia has declared today as “Otis Redding Day” throughout the state.  The Otis Redding Museum will also unveil a new collection of memorabilia chronicling Redding’s life, legacy, and influences on the world with handwritten notes, unseen photos, and more. 

For more information, please visit The Otis Redding Foundation website

In addition, Rhino Music is also introducing several releases that showcase the music that made Redding a legend in the 1960s and continues to win over younger generations. The Big O’s legacy is stronger today than ever with his songs earning more than three billion (and counting) streams worldwide. And now, fans have a new way to hear some of Redding’s biggest hits as Rhino introduces new immersive Dolby Atmos mixes for seven of his best, including “These Arms of Mine,” “Pain In My Heart,” “Love Man,” “That’s How Strong My Love Is” and “I’ve Got Dreams To Remember,” along with his two holiday classics “Merry Christmas Baby” and “White Christmas.” All seven tracks will be available today, Thursday, September 9, on all streaming platforms that feature immersive audio.


Also born on this date:  Dee Dee Sharp (1945) and the late, great Billy Preston (1946)

 

Today also marks the 50th Anniversary of the release of John Lennon’s “Imagine” album, considered by most to be his crowning achievement as a solo artist.  (September 9th, 1971)



More here: John Lennon Imagine Turns 50 - Noise11.com

 

And, of course, the date 09/09/09 looms large in Beatles history as well, as this was the date that newly remastered versions of their complete album catalog was first released on CD.  (It is also the date that launched the interactive Beatles Rock Band game, all the rage there for quite a while!)  Incredibly, at this point their music was not yet available on iTunes or any other downloading services … that wouldn’t finally happen until a year later.  (kk)


And here's more on the 50th Anniversary of The Doors’ “L.A. Woman” album …

Riders on the Storm: The Doors' 'L.A. Woman' Celebrates 50th Anniversary with New Box Set - The Second Disc

 

Kinda sad … but also kinda cool …

 

It looks like B.J. Thomas’ wife Gloria is selling off some of his personal belongings to fans, collectors, museums, etc.  And, this will be handled on an on-going basis with new items going up for sale or auction every week.

 

We got this notice from FH Reader Phil Nee …

 



B.J. THOMAS PERSONAL BELONGINGS FOR SALE, AVAILABLE NOW  - Stage Worn Jackets, Autographed Baseballs, Gold Album Plaques, and More Available To Fans With New Items Added To Online Sale Weekly

The belongings of five-time Grammy award winner and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, B.J. Thomas, are available to fans worldwide through a special online sale being curated by Rockology and overseen by the B.J. Thomas Estate. Items that were personal to B.J. including his Rolex watches, signed baseballs, guitars, awards, personal letters including one from President Reagan, and various other items. The sale, which is live now at www.rockology-estates.com, will add new items weekly.
“The hardest thing for me was losing the love of my life, B.J., my honeyman,” says Gloria Thomas. “Now, working with a team of people, we are placing items of B.J.’s in museums and are working to keep his legacy and memory alive. Doing this sale will also allow many of his loyal fans the chance to have a piece of history and memorabilia that normally wouldn’t be available to them. I can’t take everything with me, so I must downsize and the best way to keep B.J.’s memory alive is to share his stuff with the fans.”
Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s musical landscape than B.J. Thomas. With his smooth, rich voice and unerring song sense, Thomas’s expansive career crossed multiple genres, including country, pop, and gospel, earning him CMA, Dove, and Grammy awards and nominations since his emergence in the 1960s.
Thomas’ career was anchored by numerous enduring hits, among them his million-selling cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” the Grammy-winning “(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” and the iconic “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” which won the Academy Award for best original song. A five-time Grammy award winner and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, Thomas has sold over 70 million albums worldwide, scoring eight No. 1 hits and 26 Top 10 singles over his 50+ years in the music industry. His lengthy chart history led to him being named one of Billboard’s Top 50 Most Played Artists Over The Past 50 Years. Such memorable hits as “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love,” “New Looks From An Old Lover,” and “Hooked on a Feeling,” have made him a staple on multiple radio formats over the years.
Thomas’s first taste of success came in 1966 when he recorded “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” with producer Huey P. Meaux. Released by Scepter Records, it peaked at No. 8 on the pop charts and became his first million-selling single. He released the follow-up single, “Mama,” and delivered his first solo album that same year.
Thomas’ second million-selling hit came in 1968 with the release of “Hooked on a Feeling,” from On My Way, his sophomore album for Scepter. During his days with the New York label, he became friendly with Ronnie Milsap and Dionne Warwick, who were also on the roster at the time. It was Warwick who introduced him to songwriter-producer Burt Bacharach. In January 1970, Thomas topped the charts with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Penned by Bacharach and Hal David, the song was featured in the classic Paul Newman/Robert Redford film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, earning the Oscar for best original song. Sales quickly exceeded two million copies and it has remained one of the most enduring pop hits of all time, reoccurring in such films as Forrest Gump, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Clerks II, and Spider-Man 2 as well as multiple TV shows over the years. He followed that career-defining single with a string of pop/rock hits, including “Everybody's Out of Town,” “I Just Can't Help Believing,” “No Love at All,” and “Rock and Roll Lullaby.”
After six years with Scepter Records, Thomas signed with Paramount Records where he released two albums—1973’s Songs and 1974’s Longhorns & Londonbridges. In 1975, Thomas released the album Reunion on ABC Records, featuring “(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” which holds the distinction of being the longest titled No. 1 hit ever on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Like many successful pop / rock artists, Thomas fell into drugs and battled substance abuse. His wife Gloria became a born-again Christian and the turning point in Thomas’ life came when he became a believer in 1976. He immediately quit drugs and found an avenue for expressing his faith in gospel music. Thomas signed with Myrrh Records and released the album Home Where I Belong in 1976. Produced by Chris Christian, the project won Thomas a Grammy and became the first of two Dove Award wins. The album became the first gospel record to sell a million copies. The warmth and emotional timbre of Thomas’s voice was well suited to the genre and he became one of gospel music’s most successful artists. His rendition of “Amazing Grace” is considered one of the most poignant of the classic hymn’s many covers.
In addition to his country and gospel success, Thomas also enjoyed a healthy run on the country charts in the 1980s with such hits as “Whatever Happened to Old Fashioned Love,” “New Looks from an Old Lover Again,” “The Whole World’s in Love When You’re Lonely” and “Two Car Garage.” “(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” was No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs charts. It won the Grammy for Best Country Song in 1976 and was nominated for CMA Single of the Year. On his 39th birthday in 1981, Thomas became the 60th member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Beyond populating multiple radio formats with so many beloved hits, Thomas also voiced the theme song, “As Long As We’ve Got Each Other,” for the popular TV series Growing Pains, and has lent his voice to numerous commercials, including campaigns for Coca-Cola and Pepsi. He can also be seen on television hosting Time Life Music’s Forever 70s infomercial. As an actor, he also appeared in the films Jory and Jake's Corner. Thomas authored two books, including his autobiography Home Where I Belong.

For those of us out there who wish to believe that there must be some method to their madness, we now present a quick music history lesson on The Billboard Hot 100 …

Billboard Explains: The Hot 100 Chart | Billboard

(Be sure to check out the accompanying video)

The short version of Layla reminds me of a d.j. years ago that I worked with.  He was terrible at backtiming.  He had a minute and a half before a newscast and quickly pulled a record and slapped it on the turntable.  He proceeded to play Richard Harris' MacArthur Park, which clocks in at 7:21, and did a quick fade before the news.

I have not seen the commercial with Big Rock Candy Mountain, however, the artist associated with that song is Burl Ives.  We have had requests for that version.

Phil

>>>Here is your K-Tel version of Layla  (Phil Nee)

That edit is only 15 seconds shorter than the original Atco 45 edit.

– Randy Price

Hi Kent:

Do people remember that the first 45 issue of Layla from early 1971 was 2:40 or there about? I bought it. The next year they issued the full cut, but I remember hearing the short version pretty much in '71.

Ken

Yes, we actually talked about that.

When “Layla” was first released as a single (in 1971), it was the much shorter version without the whole instrumental ending that makes up the greater portion of the song.  It pretty much failed, peaking at #50.

Then, nearly exactly one year later, Atco re-released the single with the full-length LP version this time … and it went all the way to #10 … and it’s been on the radio non-stop ever since.  (In our TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL-TIME Poll, it finished at #3, right behind “Hotel California” (#2) and “Bohemian Rhapsody” (#1) … and just ahead of “Sweet Home Alabama” (#4) and “Gimme Shelter” (#5) … you can’t seem to go a day without hearing every single one of these on the radio!)

We’ll be talking more about this topic in an upcoming edition of Forgotten Hits.  (kk)

 

Ray Graffia, Jr. of The New Colony Six shared this conversation with us between he and Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Founder Ron Romero after the induction ceremony last week.  (The New Colony Six are on next year’s ballot of nominees) …

Guys,

What an honor to have you play last night at the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66’s Hall of Fame Induction.  We have had nothing but good feedback from the night.  

You sounded great!  

We are sorting through photos and videos and will post and tag you on them. 

Soon we will again start the process for next year’s induction.  Actually, we started the nominations that will continue into late this year ... and I can tell you that NC6 has been nominated again! 

Thanks for the great music!  See everyone soon. Be well. 

Thanks again,

Ron 

President and Founder

Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66

www.RoadToRock.org

Thank you for the note above and know that it was indeed, for me, just a wonderful night, Ron, and that reflects my:

  • happiness for those who made the inaugural induction
  • sorrow that we, like more than a few others, did not exceed our onstage time limit --  ;o)
  • anxiety driving back north knowing that my alarm clock was going to demand getting up about four hours after getting into the garage
  • elation over the responses to our two tunes
  • meeting Kevin Cronin, others whose names I have already misplaced in my ever diminishing memory bank plus Jimbo's wife
  • sharing the stage again with all the Ides whose efforts, along with the Bucks, have kept me, Ronnie and Bruce with events to play, rehearsals together and mini travel opportunities outside of Arbortech (my biz - sold 6-1-21 to Hubbard-Hall but where I still have a desk in our shop up in Johnsburg, IL at least through the next three months)
  • seeing and chatting with Dennis Tufano again, with whom I last shared a stage at the Carl Perkins Theater down in Jackson, TN, a few years ago when each of us was honored to represent our music
  • meeting many of those whose tunes I knew and loved but mainly and some ONLY through covers by white artists
  • reliving times with the DJs and stations through the videos and some person-to-person yadda yadda yadda before and after taking the stage
  • hearing the incredible skills of The Millennials and seeing the passion that I too had and still have but find it far more difficult to express these days due to the aging process

Other than that, meh ... 

By blind copy of this note, I am letting my literal and extended family, those Colony founders (all of whom remain alive I might add)  with whom I remain in occasional rather than frequent contact due to all (but me) having departed from the Midwest, plus the guys who are and have been, most now for more than 30 years, New Colony Sixers, read this summary of my thoughts on the night. 

Blessings to you, Ron, and please share this with everyone else whose work is leading to completion of the Museum, including the laborers, your staff and, of course, the donors with financial wherewithal to provide more financial support than I can afford!  Maybe one day before my time of departure to wherever, if anywhere, we wind up in an Afterlife, NC6 will be honored with induction.  Ray, Sr., the current lineup, both the founders and other past Colony members already into that Afterlife, will all be smiling should that ever occur. 

Until the next time we see each other or correspond again, Mr. Romero ... thank you and peace,     

Ray     

P.S.  I attached a few mementos from the early days along with a couple of more recent photos of the current crew for grins. Note that it's been many years that NC6 consisted of seven members, hence I had to and DID finally find at least one picture featuring Chuck Jobes and another with our current "7th" member (but all equal), Mike Hanko!  Any pics you have of the band from a couple days ago will feature only six of us due to Greg Favata being overseas, therefore missing the event!

 

And then this from Ron Romero …

 

THANK YOU!!!

 

 

One week ago today, we woke up and thought WOW!!!

 

It took us a couple of days to realize the magnitude of what took place on Tuesday, August 31st at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.
As Lisa Fielding from WBBM Newsradio 780 and Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductor said, "There was a moment backstage that I realized there were hundreds of years of radio and music experience in one room." 
How crazy is THAT!!!

 

While we're still basking in the moments of that night and the days to follow with all the posts on social media.

Your participation was a big part of the success of that evening. From those that initially nominated their favorites to those that attended the event. Even those that follow and share our Facebook posts, you all play a part in our success.
We couldn't do it without YOU! 

 

Now it's time to get started on next years event. Please click on the link just below the Illinois Rock & Roll on Route 66 Hall of Fame logo below to nominate your favorites for next years induction ceremony. 

 

 


Hall of Fame 2021 | Road To Rock

 

The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 is a 501(c)(3) charitable  organization. EIN 82-2293229. Contributions are tax-deductible for income, gift, and estate  taxes. For more information, please visit www.RoadToRock.org. 

 

 

 

Don’t miss your opportunity to nominate one of next year’s candidates!  (kk)

 

You can catch Micky Dolenz on the Rock Solid Podcast with Pat Francis …

https://art19.com/shows/rock-solid/episodes/f8a7a775-61e8-4f98-ba55-31a96e7fb7dc

Speaking of which, The Monkees Farewell tour kicks off tomorrow in Spokane, Washington.  Reports are that their series of rehearsals in Burbank went off without a hitch.  In fact, one of the witnesses on hand said that "Micky's at the top of his game; he sounds better than ever."  (Sure, having a great album like Dolenz Sings Nesmith, which came out in May, can't hurt.)  They will also be including the newly reworked version of "Circle Sky" into the new show. 

They hit Chicago on November 5th with a show at The Rosemont Theater.  (Hmm … I wonder if I’ll be at that show???)  


And, we were assured that the new Andrew Sandoval Monkees Day-By-Day book will be shipping shortly.  (kk)

 

>>>It just so happened that when “I Want To Hold Your Hand” hit #1 Stateside on January 25th, the boys were in Paris when they got the announcement  (kk)

Here's another case of published date vs. week-ending issue date.

True, the issues of Cash Box and Music Vendor in which "I Want To Hold Your Hand" first jumped to the #1 position were dated January 25 (it hit #1 in Billboard a week later), but that was a week-ending date, so it's likely the Beatles were notified of their #1 status up to a week prior to January 25.

– Randy Price

I wasn’t referencing it so much as a specific date as much as a timeframe tying into the mention of The Beatles having been in Sweden with Joey Dee and the Starliters and then, when flying home to London, being spotted (and later signed) by Ed Sullivan for three appearances in early 1964.  They continued to tour Europe, of course, in the meantime but were notified by telegram by Manager Brian Epstein and Producer George Martin while there in Paris that they had officially hit #1 in America.

My reference was more to the fact that after boldly stating that they wouldn’t come to America UNTIL they had a #1 Hit, it was quite a coincidence that they achieved that #1 JUST before their already scheduled first television appearance on Sullivan’s program, which would have brought them to America regardless.

Pinning things down to a more specific timeframe, here is the chain of events that transpired between The Beatles’ appearance in Sweden, their flight home to London where they were spotted at the airport by Ed Sullivan and his wife, their subsequent trip to Paris, the announcement of their first U.S. #1 Record, and their first trip to The States to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th, 1964 … all backed up by Mark Lewisohn’s EXCELLENT Beatles diary, “The Complete Beatles Chronicle,” a day-by-day history of the band’s career highpoints.

Interestingly enough, The Beatles spent exactly one week in Sweden, recording a live radio program on October 24th, 1963 and then performing concert appearances (two on October 25th, two on October 26th, THREE on October 27th, One on October 28th and one on October 29th.  On October 30th, they taped a television appearance for the Swedish Pop Show “Drop In,” which then aired locally on November 3rd.  (On the morning of the 31st, they flew back to London, where they received their first pandemonium airport reception of screaming fans. THIS is where The Sullivans witnessed the crowd reaction, after which Ed Sullivan contacted Beatles Manager Brian Epstein and booked the group for THREE appearances on his Sunday Night television program … without ever even hearing them sing a single note!  (If you recall, Ed Sullivan thought there must be some royalty landing at the airport as he was waiting to take off ... he couldn't even imagine in his wildest dreams that there could have been THIS kind of reception to welcome home a rock band!)

Incidentally, there is absolutely NO mention of sharing the bill with Joey Dee and the Starliters is shown on this Swedish itinerary in Lewisohn's book ... kinda makes me wonder just a little bit as to what REALLY went on over there!

On January 14th, 1964, The Beatles departed London for Paris, where they actually received a lukewarm reception.

Quoting from Lewisohn’s book:

“Upon returning to their suite at the George V Hotel, they received a telegram carrying advance news of the following week’s singles chart in Cash Box, one of two American record-industry journals:  ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ had jumped from #43 straight to #1.

“This, above all else, was the breakthrough for which Brian Epstein and The Beatles had been waiting.  Apart from isolated incidents, no British act had ever broken through in the USA.  After just three days, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ had sold 250,000 copies across The States … by January 10th, sales had topped one million.  By January 13th, it was selling 10,000 copies an hour in New York City alone.

“And all this was happening just days before The Beatles’ visit to New York, set up three months previously, to appear on nationwide television via The Ed Sullivan Show.  The coincidence … for it was nothing more … was truly fantastic.”

So yes, The Beatles were notified about two weeks prior to the January 25th issue date of Cash Box Magazine by way of an advance chart showing what their record’s movement would be … which again raises even MORE suspicion regarding how and when these charts were compiled, that they could possibly even KNOW what the next trend was going to be so far in advance.

I think this was a pretty safe one, however … “I Want To Hold Your Hand” was on its way to becoming one of the biggest and fastest-selling singles of all time.  (kk)

 

Hi Kent,

I was so sorry to learn of Tom Konard’s passing.  

Tom had graciously given me many of his air checks and audio programs, photos and more for our Dick Biondi documentary.  I’ve been emailing Tom for months, thinking he was again having computer problems. To learn of his passing is a shock.  An incredibly nice man, I was honored to know him and will always be grateful for his help illuminating the Biondi legacy. 

As someone who has dedicated the past seven years to telling Dick’s story, I’m thrilled about our “Dick Biondi Big 89! Birthday Bash” at the Arcada Theatre on September 19, 2021.  Thanks to the generosity of Ron Onesti and the many artists who are performing to help finish the film, this is an opportunity to pay for licensing, color correction, audio balancing, legal fees, and all the necessary finishing cost of making a documentary film.  As you can imagine, we are so excited to see the end in sight!!  

This film is about how radio was back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, with interviews by the musicians, deejays, and the fans, and Biondi himself, and demonstrates the impact of one voice that cut through the ether and touched our hearts.  “The Voice That Rocked America” will be broadcast on PBS in the near future, and we can’t wait to share it with you!  

Please join us for this incredible all age show!  Bring your family and friends as we reminisce about Dick Biondi and celebrate his birthday with the music he promoted and loved by Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals, The Buckinghams, The Ides of March, The New Colony Six, Jimy Sohns of The Shadows of Knight, Rosie and The Rivets, Hot Rocks Rolling Stones Tribute Band, The Cave Dwellers, Blues Hall of Fame drummer Merle Perkins, hosted by Ron Onesti and Scott MacKay.  

When is the last time you saw a lineup like this one?  The V.I.P. Experience is a private pre-show party with the artists, wine and appetizers, sound check and lots more!  Please come out and help us bring the Dick Biondi film to audiences.  Tix are available at https://www.arcadalive.com/upcomingevents/

Pamela Enzweiler Pulice

Director 

www.DickBiondiFilm.com

The Brian Wilson Greatest Hits Live! Tour is on now.  (It hits Chicago by way of The Genesee Theatre on October 23rd, currently the last scheduled stop on the tour.)

Brian will be joined by former Beach Boys Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin and together they’ll be performing a barrage of Beach Boys classics such as:

California Girls; Dance, Dance, Dance; I Get Around; Little Honda; It’s OK; Do It Again; In My Room; Surfer Girl; Wouldn’t It Be Nice; Sloop John B; God Only Knows; Sail On, Sailor; Barbara Ann; Fun, Fun, Fun; Don’t Worry Baby; Add Some Music to Your Day; Little Deuce Coupe; Darlin’; Feel Flows; Long Promised Road; Help Me, Rhonda; Good Vibrations; Surfin’ U.S.A.; Fun, Fun, Fun; Love and Mercy and more.

In addition, Wilson has just launched a new Timeline website featuring outtakes, demos, rehearsals and live clips that have never seen the light of day by way of commercial release.

You’ll find more details on all of the above here:

Brian Wilson 'Greatest Hits Live' Fall Tour Starting 8/29 (rockcellarmagazine.com)

>>>These Songs were Banned from the Radio for the Weirdest Reasons (Brian Depolzo)

In Chicago, WLS banned "Eve Of Destruction" and "Society's Child" despite their popularity.

Banning a record because of misheard lyrics seems to reveal the dirty minds of the censors.  In 1948, Spike Jones' "By The Beautiful Sea" was banned from radio, despite being #1 in sales in Chicago, for the lyrics "then up for air."  You can look up for yourself what the censors thought they said.

By the way, there is one record on Brian's list that is so awful that it ended my streak of collecting Hot 100 #1 records.  I will not mention it here so as not to give it attention it doesn't merit, but radio not playing this record is not censorship, it's simply good taste.

Ed #1

OK, so now I'm dying to know ...

Why was "By The Beautiful Sea" banned???  (kk)

Some misheard the lyric “then up for air” as “then up her ass” …

I tried to find some documentation of this somewhere and found this on AllMusic …


AllMusic Review by Ned Raggett  [-]

Given the sheer range of Jones' music over many years, a totally definitive compilation is probably out of the question, so this two-disc effort makes a conscious decision to steer away from Jones' later (and arguably much sappier) work, as well as mostly sidestepping the failure of the Other Orchestra. But it's all for the good, because Musical Depreciation Revue, another success from the Rhino Records crew, makes for a great introduction to the maddeningly wonderful work of Jones and his various crews of City Slickers. All the legendary jaw-droppers and head-scratchers are here -- "Der Fuehrer's Face," "All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)," "Cocktails for Two," the manifold classical parodies -- plus plenty of odder and less-known efforts. There's even a true lost number, "By The Beautiful Sea," which in a precursor of the "obscene or not?" lyric wars of later generations was withdrawn because the line "then up for air" was heard as "then up her ass." Rhino's remastering job does the best it can with the original source discs and generally succeeds quite well, while a slew of photos and notes (from a perfect one-two team of Cub Koda and Dr. Demento) gives plenty of interesting background detail. They also make a really good case for Jones and his crew being the unheralded forebears to George Clinton and the Parliament/Funkadelic empire. It may sound strange, but consider: a core central personality who acts more as conductor and ringleader than individual performer, a rotating lineup adjusting and trying out different things over the years, and an emphasis on musical ability and nutty humor in equal measures. Jones may never have tried for the mothership, but in his own way he found his groove, and given all the non-musical noises he turned into music, who's to say he didn't help invent sample-based music as well?

 

Since you mentioned musical hypocrisy - in re Brian Depolzo's comments ...

I will never understand "Baby It's Cold Outside" being "risque".
I saw this a short while ago, and it really hits home.
Mike Wolstein



Mike also sent us this one …

 

Hi, Kent.
Response to the thing about Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl" (I may have mentioned this in the past):  That tune was NOT about a girl, but a guy named Victor Walker, who had some kind of involvement with Sara, who was apparently Darryl Hall's girlfriend back then.  Hall changed the title from "Rich Boy” to "Rich Girl" to "honor" this man. 

I don't know the exact story, but I know who the guy is, and would like to meet him some day. His brother, Ray Walker, owns the chain of Walker Brothers Pancake Houses all over the Chicago area.
There are many versions of this tale, but the one I clipped below may have contained an untruth, so ... this way we avoid trouble.
Mike



Yes, we’ve covered this one a time or two in the past.  (And Frannie and I laugh about it every time we visit Walker Brothers Pancake House for breakfast on Sundays, wondering if we'll run into Daryl Hall there!)  Get your inspiration from wherever you can find it, I guess, right?  In 1977l, 1“Rich Girl” became Daryl Hall and John Oates’ first (of six) career #1 hits.  (kk)

 

The Zombies strike again with another commercial from the Album Odessy and the Oracle!  The Zombies' “This Will Be Our Year” serves as the soundtrack of a back-to-school ad from Kohl's.

Mike De Martino

 

“Some Things Are Just Timeless!”

Cousin Brucie’s Palisades Park Reunion Concert LIVE! at the PNC Bank Arts Center

kk:

Looking Back At Cousin Brucie's Last Show.

https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2021/09/07/some-things-are-just-timeless-cousin-brucies-palisades-park-reunion-concert-live-at-the-pnc-bank-arts-center/?fbclid=IwAR3lWVgf1-finGyRQLAgNC5gbLGCTaKEuP3G4k5dWM4WIuuQ_PuhDrccM9I

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Drum Legend CARMINE APPICE & FERNANDO PERDOMO Form New Music Duo And Release The All-Instrumental Powerhouse Album ENERGY OVERLOAD On Cleopatra Records

Drummer extraordinaire, composer and producer Carmine Appice has joined forces with multi-instrumentalist and rising studio star Fernando Perdomo to form The Appice Perdomo Project, whose debut album ENERGY OVERLOAD will be released September 24, 2021. The first single, “Rocket To The Sun,” dropped this past week on August 31st.

“I had a ball writing and recording with Fernando,” says Carmine Appice.  “What a great talent he is. He is awesome on every level, as are the songs on Energy Overload! Adds co-musician Fernando Perdomo: “Carmine and I were introduced to each other roughly one year ago by Tom Dowd’s daughter, Dana. We instantly hit it off musically, sending files to each other and co-writing. Within the first six months, we had more than an album’s worth of material written, arranged and recorded. We had a blast making the music on Energy Overload. It is our hope that the energy that was created for this record is contagious to those that listen to it.”

Carmine Appice is best known for co-founding Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and King Kobra. As a drummer and composer, he has worked extensively with Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart and Ted Nugent, and remains on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Drummers of All-Time list.

Fernando Perdomo, the son of Cuban immigrants, quickly launched a successful career as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and session musician upon moving to Los Angeles in 2012.  He was recently featured in the film ECHO IN THE CANYON, where he recorded and performed with Eric Clapton, Brian Wilson, Jakob Dylan and many others.

VIEW THE VIDEO FOR THE SINGLE “ROCKET TO THE SUN”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV6oedEi5pY

The name Charles F. Rosenay is well known amongst Beatles aficionados …

For decades now, he’s been putting together Liverpool and Beatles History Fan Tours.  Prior to that, for 25 years he published the Beatles fanzine “Good Day Sunshine” … and has hosted more celebrity memorabilia shows than I can count over the years, always drawing big names to these events for “Meet and Greets” with fans of Pop Culture.  These include specialized Beatles Conventions and music festivals.

Another not-so-hidden passion has been Charles’ love of Horror Movies … and he’s just written a book on the subject.

More details below …

Beatles Festival Promoter Charles F. Rosenay!!! Releases His Book

Charles F. Rosenay!!! is best known to Beatles fans for all his promotional efforts and productions over the past four decades. Since 1978, he has presented Beatles conventions and festivals. Along with musical events, he published a magazine on The Beatles called Good Day Sunshine for 25 years, and, since 1983, he has organized and hosted the annual Beatles Fans Tours to Liverpool. For as long as he can remember, he has been asked to write a book on The Beatles, or on his adventures through the years as a Beatles aficionado, expert, and promoter. He has just published his first book, and although it’s not exactly a Beatles book, nor a memoir of his experiences, there is enough Beatles content to make it a welcome addition to any fan’s collection.

The pop culture book is titled The Book of Top 10 Horror Lists. It contains lists of favorite monster movies, actors, and other themes from 100 celebrities, a number of whom are closely related to The Beatles.

Charles called on many of his long-time friends in The Beatles universe to be part of this special book. Included in this unique collection are such people as original Beatles drummer Pete Best; John Lennon’s sister Julia Baird; Beatles friend and author Tony Bramwell; TV Personality Clay Cole, who had The Beatles (on video) and The Rolling Stones on his same 1960s telecast; Gary Van Scyoc of Elephant’s Memory, who played with John Lennon: actor Eddie Deezen, who starred in the film “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”; Stephen Friedland, who recorded “King of Fuh” under the name Brute Force, which was released on The Beatles’ Apple label; Robert Zapata, drummer of Cannibal and The Headhunters, who opened for The Beatles on their second U.S. tour; and Angie McCartney, who married Paul’s Dad.

There are also chapters from such Beatles contemporaries and rock & roll artists as singer Gary PuckettPhil “Fang” Volk of Paul Revere & The Raiders; Kasim Sulton of Utopia; Woodstock legend John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful; Mitch Schecter of The Rip Chords; Ron Dante of The Archies; Vince Martell of Vanilla Fudge; Buzzy Linhart; songwriter Bobby HartDennis Dunaway from the Alice Cooper band; Greg Hawkes and Elliot Easton of The Cars, ELO’s Bev BevanJane Wiedlin of the Go-Gos, Fred Schneider of the B-52s, Rock &Rroll Hall of Famer Little Anthony, disco diva Gloria Gaynor and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees

Other pop culture icons include William (Star Trek) ShatnerButch (Eddie Munster) PatrickRuth (Laugh-In) Buzzi, actor Ed AsnerBill (Lost in Space) Mumy, and so many others.

Along with the Beatles tours and events, Rosenay!!! is also the creator and organizer of the annual Dracula Tour to Transylvania, a “vampire vacation” that brings fans to the land of Vlad the Impaler and Dracula. That spun off his GHOSTours to Europe, week-long travel experiences for lovers of the supernatural. Charles has acted in several horror films and shorts, and was also the founder of Connecticut’s largest and scariest indoor haunted attraction, “Fright Haven,” which still operates in Stratford. So it isn’t such a stretch that horror turned out to be the theme of his book.

How exactly did this unique book come to be? For a few years, Rosenay!!! wrote an online newsletter called “National Horror Happenings,” which was read by thousands worldwide. A special feature of that column was an occasional Top 10 List from a celebrity. Rosenay!!! would invite well-known and not-so-well-known notables, many of whom were his friends, to contribute a list. In most cases it was their favorite monster movies. Others, however, contributed their lists of favorite genre actors, scariest scenes in horror films, funniest scary movies, sexiest scenes in horror, and so many other interesting themes. Within a short time, there were memorable lists from actors, rock stars, authors, athletes, horror icons, directors, producers, scream queens, radio and TV personalities, and other pop culture luminaries. 

When the pandemic hit, all of what Charles did, he could no longer do. A party DJ / MC / entertainer by trade, there were no longer events where he could perform. He was no longer able to book live bands, as there were no longer gigs. All the international tours, including his “Magical History Tour,” which brings American fans to the Beatles’ land every summer in conjunction with Beatle Week, were now postponed. With a little extra time on his hands during quarantine, Charles started to assemble, edit, and write introductions for all those Top 10 Lists. He called on a friend, Janet Davis, also from Connecticut, to proofread what he had written and accumulated. Davis became his Assistant Editor, and the book had, as John sang, “Come Together.” He realized that there were about 80 or 90 lists in the can, and his goal was to reach 100, which he did in just a short time.  

More than just lists, every submission is a list plus additional comments as to why the choices were made. Often hilarious, sometimes thought-provoking, but always fascinating, the lists run the gamut from brief, fan-based opinions straight through to thesis-worthy chapters on the horror aspects of Shakespeare’s work. 

Not only are there lists from a Beatle, a McCartney, and a Lennon relative, there are also lists from a Karloff, from “Star Trek”’s William Shatner, from respected thespian Ed Asner, from one of The Monkees, from a Munster, from a Woodstock legend, from a Baseball Hall of Famer, from three Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, and from many famous names one would never know were “monster mavens.”

Charles has always been a fan and follower of horror, pop culture, and Top 10 Lists, commenting, “Who doesn’t love a Top 10 List? They’re short, they’re fun, and we always want to see if our choices match. In this book, 100 celebrities reveal their Top 10 favorite monster movies and themes.” He adds, “You won’t believe the actors, singers, musicians, horror figures, writers, film-makers, artists, composers, disco divas, sports figures, and others who are horror buffs and “monster mavens!” Rosenay!!! asks, “Will your favorite horror films show up on any of their lists?“

At over 300 pages including photos and illustrations, The Book of Top 10 Horror Lists has been published in hardcover and trade softcover by BearManor Media, and is available on Amazon and from the website: www.BookOfTop10HorrorLists.com.

 

I love it!


(A final smile from FH Reader GJ Kubat)