Wow …
Add Meat Loaf to the list of recently lost music stars …
His album “Bat Out Of
Hell” (produced by Todd Rundgren) was a MONSTER hit in 1977, selling a reported
43 million copies!
Jim Steinman, the
composer of most of his hits, died last year in April. Together they made quite a team (although not
always one on the friendliness of terms … in 2006, the pair were involved in a
$50 million lawsuit … yet ten years later, they reconnected to make the album
“Braver Than We Are.”)
I love this quote from
Meat …
(wait … did his friends
call him “Meat” or did they call him “Loaf” … I forget!)
"We belonged heart and soul to each other. We didn’t
KNOW each other ... we WERE each other."
Meat Loaf’s cause of death was not immediately announced …
but later reports say it was in some way Covid related. (kk)
THE MEAT LOAF HIT LIST (showing Billboard peaks)
1978
– Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad (#11,
platinum)
1978
– Paradise By Dashboard Light (#39, platinum … and an entire one act play set
to music!)
1979
– You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth
(#39)
And
then, fourteen years later (!) …
1993
– I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) - #1 for five weeks … platinum
… and a Grammy winner for Rock Vocal Performance
1994
– Rock And Roll Dreams Come Through (#13)
1994
– Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are (#38)
1995
– I’d Lie For You (And That’s The Truth)
#13
More
Meat …
Meat
Loaf’s ‘I’d Do Anything For Love’: Forever Number One – Billboard
Meat
Loaf’s 10 Best Songs: Remembering the Late Rock Singer – Billboard
In
Memoriam: Meat Loaf (1947-2022) - The Second Disc
Meat
Loaf Dies: Rockers React (ultimateclassicrock.com)
Meat
Loaf's 13 Most Underappreciated Songs (ultimateclassicrock.com)
And from Harvey Kubernik …
I received a
Platinum album for the 1977 LP of Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell," initially
released on Cleveland International Records. I penned the first Meat Loaf
biography for the label that was serviced to retailers, radio and media
outlets.
I had
previously seen Meat Loaf act in "HAIR" at the Aquarius Theatre on
Sunset Blvd. We talked about the venue which had been the landmark Moulin Rouge
and The Kaleidoscope. We had established a bio-regional connection.
I thank Steve
Popovich of Cleveland International Records for introducing me to Meat Loaf and
collaborator Jim Steinman. Meat Loaf dedicated a song to me from the stage at
the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood when he debuted at the club.
Years later in
Los Angeles, Meat Loaf was introduced to my parents at a charity golf
tournament at Rancho Park on Pico Blvd. He asked about me and took a photo with
them. Grateful for that moment.
In a 2014
BBC-TV documentary, "Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell," directed by Matt
O'Casey, I was a featured interview on screen and provided supplemental
narration on the film that was first broadcast in the US during 2016 on the
Showtime cable TV channel.
Matt O'Casey's
celluloid portrait of Meat Loaf was seen as recently on BBC Four TV on March
13, 2021.
https://www.amazon.com/Meat-Loaf-Out-Hell/dp/B018377VQW
HK
From Tom Cuddy ...
I first met Meat Loaf in 1993. It was in NYC. I was the VP of Programming of WPLJ-FM (NY) and oversaw the remainder of the ABC Radio owned FM stations in the U.S. Stations like WLS-FM, Chicago; KLOS-FM Los Angeles; KQRS-FM, Dallas; WRQX-FM, Washington, etc.
Meat, as he liked to be called, hadn’t had a hit record since 1978. It was “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth” and it peaked at # 39 on Billboard.
From that first meeting in 1993 we worked together on several projects over the years. And conveniently Meat at the time, lived in Connecticut with his wife and kids, just a few towns away from me and my family.
It was hard not to like Meat when you met him. He was outgoing and a fabulous conversationalist. His two favorite topics of discussion when I was around him was rock and roll and sports. In another life I bet he would have loved being an analyst at ESPN.
The reason for that initial 1993 meeting was to listen to a new record he had coming out. It was his first for MCA and titled “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).”
Radio was not anticipating another hit from Meat Loaf ...
The incredible “Bat Out of Hell” had been back in the late 70s.
When the record rep gave me the disc to play in my office, 17 floors above Madison Square Garden, I was stunned how good it was and the hook was so BIG. It grabbed me upon first listen.
I also shared it with our morning man / PD Scott Shannon and Music Director Mike Preston.
All three of us liked the tune, and, as a result, we did something very rare for us in the # 1 market ... We added it right away. We were the first station in NY to air the tune that ultimately led to the comeback of Meat Loaf and he never forgot that. He was a very appreciative artist.
The song became Meat Loaf’s very first # 1 song on the Billboard charts. He won a Grammy for it and his touring income picked up dramatically. Plus, it led to a follow-up hit, “Rock and Roll Dreams Come True, # 13 in 1994.
During the PLJ years, I would annually invite staffers and their families to come to our Connecticut home for an afternoon of food, ice cream, carnival games and prizes, magicians, clowns, horseback rides, etc.
One fall, I invited Meat and his wife and they stopped by moments before a big Sunday football game would be kicking off. Meat said, "Would you mind if we socialize in front of the big screen TV?" So the picture you see accompanied to this FH story was taken in my den during a commercial break in the football action.
One year, we invited Meat to do a private concert in Times Square for WPLJ listeners only. He graciously agreed and we hosted it at the China Club on Sept. 23, 2003.
His first request was to protect his voice. He wanted us to turn off the club air conditioning. The request didn’t make a lot of our listeners happy because it was September and still very warm that day.
No matter how much the listeners were sweating, it was nothing compared how much Meat was perspiring as he sang his ass off on stage.
After his phenomenal one hour set, his road manager and I escorted him back to his dressing room one level above the stage. As we’re walking up the stairs, Meat drops to his knees and then lies down. He’s out like a light. Completely passed out. I’m a nervous nelly thinking OMG! We can’t have Meat Loaf die after a WPLJ show.
To relieve some of the stress, his road manager tells me that it’s not unusual for Meat to pass out after a show. His doctor tells him to hook himself up an oxygen tank after a show, but Meat didn’t always follow the suggestions.
Sure enough, five minutes later, Meat woke up, and was in terrific spirits, as if the fainting had never happened.
One last story, because there are so many memorable Meat Loaf memories.
I had asked him to participate in a softball game for charity. Meat pitched for his team and was a gifted hurler. He and his band took on the WPLJ staff team. It was a fun contest and because Meat was there, we had a sensational turnout and received generous donations for the charity when we kept passing the hat.
Meat showing up and playing and doing pictures and autographs for fans was enough of a contribution and not every artist would even do that.
But after the game as I was saying goodbye and thanking him for attending, Meat called his wife over and asked her for their checkbook. He then proceeded to write a very generous check out to the charity.
I miss Meat already!
But he is certain to keep things lively in rock & roll heaven!
-Tom Cuddy
New York, NY
Tom's fainting story reminds me of one very disappointing incident I remember about Meat Loaf that came out a couple of years ago.
He was performing live on stage and right in the middle of the performance, he passed out … fainted straight away and fell to the floor. (With Meat Loaf, you never knew if it was part of the act or not, as he was one of rock’s most theatrical performers.)
It wasn’t … he had passed out cold … but the whole while he was down on the floor, the music and his vocal continued … he had been lip-synching the whole time
Now one might expect something like that at a Britney Spears concert … but this was MEAT LOAF for God’s sake!!! (kk)
Meat Loaf and others are not dead until
see the official FH announcement.
Jack Levin
Rock And Roll Never Forgets
Unfortunately, it’s getting harder and harder to get these
announcements out in a timely fashion due to all the pre-planned and scheduled
pieces as part of our 2022 agenda.
Still, we WILL get the word out there as quickly as we
can. (I’ve thought about doing a
“break-in story” as this kind of news happens … but that takes away from that
day’s scheduled piece, which really isn’t fair to all of the contributors we
have onboard this year.) kk
AMAZING!!!
Since Meat Loaf's death was announced last week, ten of his albums and fifteen of his singles have raced to the top of the iTunes Chart! (And you thought you were hearing a lot of it on your local radio stations!!!)
Check out THIS report filed by Tom Cuddy (and Roger Friedman) ...
Meat Loaf Cooks Up Chart Takeover: 10 Albums, 15 Singles Swamp iTunes After Death | Showbiz411
The list of deaths that we have already reported this January is nothing short of staggering.
Now comes word that Don Wilson, founding member of The Ventures, and the last surviving original member, has passed away at the age of 88.
The Ventures are best remembered for their hits "Walk Don't Run" (#2, 1960) and "Hawaii Five-O" (#4, 1969) but along the way, they also set the standard for instrumental rock and inspired millions of teenagers around the world to pick up a guitar and try it for themselves.
Often lumped in with the "Surf Rock" genre, the band released over two hundred albums, employing ALL styles of music and then adapting them into their own unique sound.
Wilson now joins his former bandmates Nokie Edwards (died 2018), Bob Bogle (died 2009) and Howie Johnson (died 1988) in the instrumental wing of Rock And Roll Heaven. Long-time Drummer Mel Taylor (who replaced Howie Johnson after he was injured in a serious car accident) passed away in 1996. (kk)
Loving the new features in FH, Kent. I still can't imagine how you find the time to write (or even compile the already-written) all this great material.
Forgotten
Hits remains the most thorough and most relevant source in the industry.
David
Lewis
Thank you, David … much
appreciated!
The original plan, of
course, was to free up more time for myself this year by partnering with
several others to cover a good chunk of the 2022 calendar … but it really
hasn’t worked out the way I expected. In
fact, I’m probably spending MORE time doing all of the necessary editing
required plus (as is always my nature) sticking my two-cents into nearly every
piece …
But I’ve gotta tell you
… I’m lovin’ it!!!
Thanks to folks like
Jeff March and Marti Smiley Child, who are sharing excerpts from their most
excellent “Where Have All The Pop Stars Gone” book series and Phil Nee, who is
sharing vintage interviews from his 30+ year career doing “Those Were The Days”
at WRCO in Richland Center, Wisconsin and Gary Strobl, who is providing
excerpts from Henry Diltz’s personal journal as well as monthly Magical Monkees
Moments and guys like Chuck Buell and Harvey Kubernik who are apt to send in
just about ANYTHING to brighten up the day … plus resurrecting our own features
like The Sweet 16 lists and the Coast-To-Coast 1972 Weekly Surveys … plus
submissions from other Forgotten Hits Readers, this has been a non-stop
adventure … offering more variety than I ever could have come up with on my
own!!! Plus now, I get to enjoy reading
all of this just as much as you guys!!!
After doing this for 23
years, it’s sometimes hard to come up with new ideas …
But 2022 promises to be
a very exciting adventure. (kk)
Sweet Sixteen! Version.2022! Fun Feature!
For January! Great Playlist!
"IT'S ABOUT TIME!"
And to kick off this Forgotten Hits
Feature once again, in the words of Shirley and Lee, "Let the
Good TIMES Roll!"
CB ( which stands for "Clock Boy!" )
>>>Bowzer's 20th Anniversary Show Has Been Moved From This Sunday To February 20, 2022 ( COVID STRIKES AGAIN! )
Frank B
We did get to see Bowser's show in Clearwater
right before Christmas. Also along were Peter Noone, Henry Gross, Johnny
Contardo (from Sha NaNa and Gary Puckett. Here's a clip I took from the
concert. The ones in the colorful shirts are Bowser's back up singers, The
StingRays. Gary Puckett had his granddaughters on stage with him and he
was singing "Young Girl" to them, which I found kind of creepy. He
lives locally and he's in a lot of concerts in the area. Bowser not only
delighted the audience with Adam Sandler's Chanukah song , but played an
exquisite classical piece, as he was trained at Julliard on piano! We have seen
him every year!!
Eileen
That sounds like a pretty good line-up ... and even cooler when one considers that Henry Gross used to be part of Sha-Na-Na way back at the beginning! In fact he performed at Woodstock with the band! (kk)
Chuck Buell
notes This Day in Musical History ~~~
January 22, 1931.
Yesterday would have been Sam Cooke’s 91st Birthday.
Reminds me of my days in the back row of an elementary school class where, like he once sang, “Don’t Know Much About History . . .”
And here's a Bonus Photo from the archives ...
Another Sam Cooke Oldie But Goodie!
We’ve been there since
the beginning … and love how from time to time they refer back to their days
living in Chicago. (A favorite line was
Laura Linney commenting “You know what I miss most about Chicago? … Johnnie’s
Beef … one of MY favorite spots to grab an Italian Beef and Italian Ice.)
But on this week’s
premier, I couldn’t help but smile when I heard “Vehicle” by The Ides Of March
blasting out of a car radio. (Actually,
they had several good songs playing on the soundtrack for this episode, kicking
off with the fantastic Sam Cooke / Lou Rawls duet “Bring It On Home To Me.”)
So congrats again, to
Jim Peterik who, as you know by now, recently sold the rights to his catalog
(as so many artists are doing these days.)
Regardless, we can’t help but acknowledge “Jimmy Makin’ Money” every
time we hear one of his songs being played … which is only about six or seven
times a day here in Chicago! (kk)
Kent,
Three things came to my mind after reading
Tuesday's FH.
First, I enjoyed the cartoon at the bottom of
FH.
Second, I enjoyed the video, (though I was not
a fan favorite of COCONUT.) But there at the beginning reminded me of the
Nairobi Trio that would play occasionally on the Ernie Kovacs television show.
Remember him? Killed in an automobile accident in 1963.
And thirdly, Dallas Frazier … his 1966 song
ELVIRA on Capitol, was a big hit here in OKC on Top 40 radio. Without checking,
I believe he wrote ALLEY OOP for Hollywood Argyles in 1960.
I always love your updates on singers who have
passed away ... can't ever find that news here in OKC on any radio and or
television station.
Larry
Ernie Kovacs was WAY
ahead of his time … used to love watching those reruns on PBS back in the day.
As for the Nilsson
video, that wouldn’t surprise me at all if The Nairobi Trio wasn’t part of
Harry’s inspiration in putting together that clip.
(I’m still waiting for
my new Harry Nilsson book to arrive … but there is also an EXCELLENT Nilsson
documentary on the market that is well worth checking out. He was one INCREDIBLY talented guy … but far
too often he lost to his own personal demons.
Order links below for
both …
Dallas Frazier’s version of “Elvira” topped out at
#72 … but The Oak Ridge Boys took it all the way to #1 on both the Cash Box Pop
Chart and the Billboard Country Chart.
(It was addictive as hell … talk about your earworms!!!)
Frazier DID write the #1 Hit “Alley Oop” for The
Hollywood Argyles as well as the hits “Mohair Sam” for Charlie Rich (one of
Elvis’ favorites, who recorded his “Where Did They Go, Lord”), “There Goes My
Everything” for Engelbert Humperdinck, “The Son Of Hickory Holler’s Tramp” by
O.C. Smith, “Johnny One Time” for Brenda Lee and many, many more. (kk)
A new rock star biopic about … Weird Al Yankovic?!?!
While perhaps not quite the musical caliper of Freddie
Mercury or Elton John, a new film starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter
fame as Weird Al is reportedly about to start filming in Los Angeles next month. (Yankovic is convinced that THIS is the role
future generations will remember Radcliffe for.)
The official announcement says the film will take the
audience on a “truly unbelievable journey through Yankovic’s life and career,
from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time.”
Yankovic himself says, “When my last movie UHF came out in
1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion
picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I’m very happy to say we’re on schedule.”
“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” was written by
Yankovic and Eric Appel, who will also direct the film. “When Weird Al first sat me down against my
will and told me his life story, I didn’t believe any of it, but I knew that we
had to make a movie about it,” Appel said.
If
the film itself is half as funny as the announcement, this just may be a good
one! (kk)
Actually,
if it’s half as good as this fake Funny Or Die Weird Al trailer released TWELVE
YEARS AGO announcing the “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” also written by Eric
Appel, this is going to be a WHOLE lotta fun!!!
(kk)
And did you happen to see Eagle Joe Walsh on this week’s episode of “The Connors?”
He plays the father of Harris' new boyfriend in what looks like could easily turn into a recurring role. (We used to enjoy his occasional drop-bys on The Drew Carey Show, too!)
From Tom Cuddy …
More on Rosa Lee Hawkins of The Dixie Cups …
Rosa Lee Hawkins,
Singer in the Dixie Cups, Dies at 76
https://pitchfork.com/news/rosa-lee-hawkins-singer-in-the-dixie-cups-dies-at-76/
And some of our other recent losses …
kk …
Wild Wayne Had To Work An Extra Half Hour (Till 8:30 PM) To Get
Through These Four Tributes …
I Thought That Gerry Granahan Was A One Hit Wonder.
He Started CAPRICE RECORDS and Produced "YOU WERE
MINE" by The Fireflies and "TRIANGLE" by Janie Grant and "TILL"
by The Angels and "IF YOU GOTTA MAKE A FOOL OF SOMEBODY" by James Ray.
Gerry Went To Work For UNITED ARTISTS and Produced "CARA
MIA" and "SUNDAY AND ME" for Jay and the Americans … Plus "DON'T
JUST STAND THERE" by Patty Duke.
Gerry Also Sang "DANCE GIRL DANCE" With The Wild Woods
(Really The 5 Satins) ... and in 1958, Gerry Recorded "NO CHAMISE
PLEASE" and "CLICK CLACK" Using The Name DICKY DO AND THE DON'T’S.
You Have Two Weeks If You Want To Hear The Whole Show …
Just Go To WWUH.org and Click On WWUH 91.3 FM / Program Archive
/ Memory Machine.
FB
The latest artist to postpone their
tour due to Covid concerns is Celine Dion, who was scheduled to resume her
North American Tour on March 9th.
(Ironically called “The Courage Tour,” health concerns prove to be the
clearer head at this time. The remaining
US dates were postponed during the first round of Covid in 2020 and are
technically make-up dates. No official
word yet as to whether or not she’ll continue with her European Tour scheduled
to begin in May.
In a prepared statement, Dion said: “I
was really hoping that I’d be good to go by now, but I suppose I just have to
be more patient and follow the regimen that my doctors are prescribing. There’s
a lot of organizing and preparation that goes into our shows, and so we have to
make decisions today which will affect the plans two months down the road. I’ll
be so glad to get back to full health, as well as all of us getting past this
pandemic, and I can’t wait to be back on stage again. Meanwhile, I’ve been very
touched by all the words of encouragement that everyone’s been sending to me on
social media. I feel your love and support and it means the world to me.”
Celine had cancelled previous shows
due to “severe and persistent muscle spasm which are preventing her from
performing.” With the increased spread
of the new variant, a risk unto itself and Celine perhaps not yet feeling fully
healed, another postponement for right now is probably the safest way to
go. (kk)
Adele has also postponed/cancelled (?) her upcoming Las Vegas Residency (for which fans paid upwards of $2000 - $2500 per ticket … and purchased airfare, hotel rooms, etc.) She sounds devastated having to do so ... but once again, Covid wins out ... and the old adage "Better Safe Than Sorry" comes into play. (kk)
Yet despite all this craziness going
on, Elton John resumed his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour in New Orleans on
January 19th with a 21 song set.
He’ll tour The States thru April … then heads off to Europe and The UK
for appearances there.
His opening night set list is quite
exciting …
1. "Bennie and the Jets"
2. "Philadelphia Freedom"
3. "Border Song"
4. "Tiny Dancer"
5. "Have Mercy on the Criminal"
6. "Rocket Man"
7. "Take Me to the Pilot"
8. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"
9. "Levon"
10. "Candle in the Wind (solo)"
11. "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies
Bleeding"
12. "Burn Down the Mission"
13. "Sad Songs (Say So Much)"
14. "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
15. The Bitch Is Back
16. "I’m Still Standing
17. "Crocodile Rock"
18. "Saturday’s Alright for Fighting"
19. "Cold Heart" (solo)
20. "Your Song"
21. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Obviously, it’s a
mixed bag of reactions going around right now.
The same day that we read about Elton’s first comeback show, we also got
word that The Zombies have postponed their February and March 2022 shows so an
unnamed band member can have an "urgent but non-life-threatening"
medical procedure. (I’m sure more
details will be announced on this.) The
only more specific offered up at this time is that whoever the mysterious band
member is will require “a full six weeks of recovery time before he can
perform.”
"We
truly appreciate the patience and understanding of our fans, many of whom have
held on to their tickets despite this tour already being postponed twice due
to COVID," the Zombies
posted to their Instagram page.
The rescheduled trek
will now take place in April and May of 2023, with 23 shows planned throughout
the UK. (The Zombies were very excited
to be returning to perform for their “home crowd.) Original tickets will be honored at the
rescheduled shows next year.
I've
been asked occasionally if I have any sound reasons for wearing a mask.
I do.
And I thought I'd share some of those with you …
The chance to hide emotions, such as contempt when someone is standing too close in a checkout line, or boredom when a relative tells the same story for the tenth time.
Covering the majority of your face when you’re not being totally truthful.
Mouthing words to someone you normally would not do face-to-face.
Protection if you forgot, or were too lazy, to brush your morning mouth teeth.
Not shaving or wearing makeup.
Putting off any plans for Facial Plastic Surgery.
Not hearing obnoxious people say to you, “What’s the matter? You’re not smiling.
Realizing when you weigh yourself that your mask weighs about five pounds
Realizing your ears have been trained to carry face mask's straps, sunglasses, headphones, air pods and hearing aids.
Not having people trying to determine whether you silently mouthed “Chuck Buell” or something obscenely similar.
Chuck Buell
You can order the FREE govt covid tests here: https://www.covidtests.gov/
I got mine ordered just now with confirmation
email.
Biden will also distribute 400 million free
N95 masks starting next week!
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/19/politics/n95-masks-biden-administration-covid-19/index.html
Clark Besch
Soul Diva BETTE SMITH Joins Blues Guitar Phenom KIRK FLETCHER For A Tasty New Version Of The Rolling Stones’ BROWN SUGAR!
“Brown Sugar” is surely one of the
most infectious and memorable songs by rock legends The Rolling Stones. The
lead-off track from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers, the song was a Top 20 hit
and helped to make the album the biggest critical and commercial smash of the
band’s career. However, the song has not been without its share of controversy.
With lyrics that reference the African slave trade, physical abuse, and
suggestions of sexual assault, the song has become such a hot button that The
Stones themselves have backed away from it, vowing to not perform the track on
their 2021 tour.
But today two artists have come to
reclaim the track. Powerful retro-soul chanteuse Bette Smith and fiery blues
guitarist Kirk Fletcher have recorded a smoking hot new version of the song,
which is released today on all digital platforms. Smith declares, “I’ve always
loved ‘Brown Sugar’’s iconic groove, but it was only later that I realized how
shocking the lyrics were. Instead of ditching the project, I decided to turn
the song’s perspective on its head. I modified some words and sang the lead as
a rallying cry for women empowerment. I have no doubt that the Rolling Stones’
original intentions were good -- they wanted to express the absurdity and
evilness of slavery in an ironic sort of way. In fact, Tina Turner has
performed it with the band many times. So I'm happy to embrace this classic,
but transform its message performed by an independent woman of color and backed
by the phenomenal Blues guitarist Kirk Fletcher.”
Stream / download
the single:
https://orcd.co/bette_smith_kirk_fletcher_brown_sugar
The song has also been pressed on a limited edition 7” GOLD
vinyl backed with another Smith/Fletcher cover, a superb version of the quirky
pop hit “Dance Monkey” by Tones And I!
Buy the 7” vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/bette-smith-kirk-fletcher-brown-sugar-limited-edition-gold-7-vinyl/
This is a DAMN good version of this song … SMOKIN’!!! And “Dance Monkey”’s a pretty good track,
too. Check them out on Spotify via the
link above. Good stuff! (kk)
Hi,
Nice to see
you added my father’s band to your site.
Just wanted
to correct you on my father, Ralph’s birth year.
He was born
July 13, 1936.
Thanks!!
Christine M.
Gillotte
So noted. Thanks for
reaching out to us! (kk)
FORGOTTEN
HITS: Wilmer and the Dukes (forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com)
7a Records announces the
release of a brand new EP by Micky Dolenz on March 18 - Four songs written by
Michael Nesmith and performed by his friend and Monkees colleague Micky Dolenz
Following the release of last year’s successful and critically acclaimed ‘Dolenz Sings Nesmith’ album, 7A Records announces the release of a brand new EP by Micky Dolenz featuring four further Nesmith compositions, including the first ever release of ‘Soul-Writer’s Birthday.' The other tracks are: "Some Of Shelly's Blues," "The Crippled Lion" and "The Grand Ennui."
Micky
Dolenz is an American entertainer, best known for his role as the lead vocalist
and drummer in the 1960s series The
Monkees. As a recording group, The Monkees sold more than 65
million albums worldwide and outsold the Beatles and the Rolling Stones between
1967-1968.
The EP
During the height of the pandemic, Micky Dolenz went
into the studio to record his first solo album in nine years. He wanted to
honor his friend and colleague Michael Nesmith and the recording sessions
resulted in the critically acclaimed album, ‘Dolenz Sings Nesmith’. Produced by
Michael’s son Christian Nesmith, who beautifully re-imagined the songs
and came up with fresh and completely new arrangements. Four songs
from the sessions were kept back for this EP release, including the long-lost
Nesmith composition, ‘Soul-Writer’s Birthday,' a song Nesmith copyrighted in
1967, but never recorded. The EP is released on 10” coloured vinyl, as
well as on all major digital platforms and will be released on March 18th
worldwide.
The
Album
‘Dolenz
Sings Nesmith’ was released in May 2021. Media reaction to the album’s release
was very positive and it received rave reviews (including that of Nesmith himself
before his sudden passing) including four star reviews in Mojo Magazine and
Record Collector. Variety Magazine wrote: ‘Dolenz has never sounded fuller or
rounder as a singer’ and New York Independent commented that it was "One
of the best and most perfectly produced solo albums by any individual member of
The Monkees". The album is available on CD and Vinyl from most internet
retailers, as well as on all digital sites.
About 7a
Records
7a Records is an independent record label
based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2015, the label's releases are mainly
focusing on rare and unreleased solo recordings by members of the 1960s group
The Monkees. 7a has previously released the critically acclaimed Michael
Nesmith & Red Rhodes’ Cosmic
Partners album and recently released Micky Dolenz Live In Japan, an
unreleased concert from Dolenz’s tour of Japan in 1982. For more info
visit www.7arecords.com.
Hi Kent,
I know
that quite a while back we talked about looking for a complete version of The
History of Rock ‘n Roll … Do you know if anybody ever came up with anything? And
if they did, are willing to share, I’d love a copy.
Bill
We get asked about this from time to time … but I don’t really hear
much about these changing hands anymore other than between collectors who want
a copy for their personal library.
I will put it out there again to see if we get any nibbles … quite
often, deals like this are made on a trade-out basis … so I’ll throw that out
there, too, just in case there are any interested parties. (Of course the NEW version of The History Of
Rock And Roll runs every weekend on Me-TV-FM … new episodes on Saturday Mornings
from 7 - 9 am with repeats of the previous week’s episodes airing Sunday Nights
from 10 pm – Midnight … all Central Time.
You can always stream online thru the Milwaukee outlet. (Gary Theroux and Wink Martindale have put
together an interesting new theme for every week.) kk
Kent,
First, I did not know that this was
'"National Popcorn Day" Come to think of it, I haven't had any
popcorn in a long time.
When I saw at the top of FH that this was
"National Popcorn Day," the first record that came to my mind … not
the second, because the second record was the one you posted by Hot Butter … was
a novelty spinoff of Larry Vernes's MR CUSTER in 1960.
Kent, by some chance, do you happen to remember
a record from 1960-1961 called CUSTER'S LAST MAN? It was done by a group called,
according to the label, Pop Corn and the Mohawks. It was a Berry Gordy, Jr.
produced record with the writers being Gordy – Wylie - Robinson. It was on
Motown with the flip being SHIMMY GULLY. I am going to assume that some minor
singers with Motown record this. I don't know.
Larry
Nope, never heard of
this one! (And it didn’t chart … but I
DID find it on YouTube for those curious enough to want to listen … sure
doesn’t sound like a Motown Record to me!!!)
Popcorn
and the Mohawks - Custer's Last Man - YouTube
Lots of other songs from this era are mentioned in
the “lyrics” (which is essentially just a narration not unlike Larry Verne’s
original) … heck, you’ll even hear a Yogi Bear impression!
I’ve got the complete set of Motown Singles, 1959 –
1972, and this one is on Volume 1 (along with a track called “Have I The
Right,” which they are showing as the B-Side.)
However, the Discogs website shows the “Shimmy Gully” song you’re
referring to with “Have I The Right” actually being the group’s THIRD single.
Popcorn
And The Mohawks | Discography | Discogs
Wikipedia says future Motown Superstars James Jamerson
(bassist for The Funk Brothers), songwriter Lamont Dozier and
songwriter/producer Norman Whitfield were all part of Richard Wylie’s band!
Richard
"Popcorn" Wylie - Wikipedia
(kk)
>>>Today is National Popcorn Day! (kk)
If you enjoy
Popcorn as much as I do, then I would think a Big Bowl of that Crunchy Salty
Treat will be part of your Special Menu sometime today!
I also put
together a quick twenty-second “in depth,” up close video of that fabulous corn
kernel transition for you.
Of course,
my camera is now dysfunctional!
(Then again,
there are those who have said the same about me.)
Happy Day!
CB ( which
stands for “Corn Boy!” )
This pic sleeve came to mind after reading Chuck Buell's message today. Quite provocative pic sleeve from 1976!
Clark Besch
OK, I’m going to stop here (before I have to go online and requalify the site for
porn status!!! Lol Where is Renfield when you really need him?!?!?)
But yes, she is (beautiful, that is) … in a perky sort of way!
(Did record stores really allow this 45/Picture Sleeve on their store
shelves? Clever an idea as it was, I
think that ultimately it had to limit record sales. Check our trusty chart book, it looks like
this record peaked at #79 in 1976.) kk
Here is an EXCELLENT LIVE ASSOCIATION VIDEO CLIP we found the other day while scouting around for something else ...
Definitely worth sharing ...
And finally, FH Reader Mike Wolstein leaves us with some food for thought …
Under the heading “SPEAKING WORDS OF WISDOM” …
(Damn, I sounded just like Paul McCartney on that!)
