We were sad to hear the news about Bruce Willis’ retirement the other day. Willis has been diagnosed with a brain condition known as aphasia, which hampers his ability to produce and process speech. I, for one, will miss his smirky grin … which wasn’t always the case for me, by the way.
When Willis first burst on the scene acting opposite Cybill Shepperd in the hit television series “Moonlighting” in 1985, I found him a bit annoying and passed him off as a Bill Murray wannabe. At first, I felt like he had pretty much lifted Murray’s schtick and just put a younger face on it. (I detected a little bit of Michael Keaton in his persona, too.)
But the more I watched, the more I was drawn into the character that Willis was building. When I learned a bit more about his background as a bartender affectionally known as Bruno … and then even watched him release his own album that, incredibly spawned a hit single remake of The Staples Singers’ “Respect Yourself” (#5, 1987) … I was hooked.
It was no secret that there was no love lost between Shepperd and Willis on the set of “Moonlighting” … and in hindsight, it’s a miracle the show lasted as long as it did (five seasons.) The program was developed as a star vehicle for Shepperd … and then suddenly this young upstart from New York was stealing every scene and getting all the publicity. As has been the case with so many tv series over the year, the show was doomed once its lead characters finally did the deed after years of tantalizing verbal foreplay. (In the meantime, the series would win five Emmys!)
When Willis morphed into an action hero movie star (literally going from suave, moronic David Addison to “Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker” overnight), no one was more surprised than me that he would be able to pull it off. I mean, that would be like taking the aforementioned Michael Keaton and turning him into Batman, for God’s sake!!! Or John Krasinski (mild-mannered clown Jim from “The Office,” another guy with a great smirk!) and asking him to play Jack Ryan!
But he pulled it off … in spades. The “Die Hard” franchise was a MONSTER money-maker, itself spawning numerous sequels … and other roles in films like “Pulp Fiction” and “The Sixth Sense” only solidified Willis’ stature as a serious actor and bona fide movie star … Box Office Gold, as they say.
So yes, Bruce, we will miss you up there on the big screen … we are so sad for you and your family and wish all of you the strength to make your way through this. In this day and age where virtually every new day brings news of an unexpected celebrity death, let me just say “Thank You” for giving us the chance to let you know how much we’ve loved and enjoyed being entertained by you before we have to say our final goodbyes. I fully expect years from now several new, young actors being touted as “the next Bruce Willis” … but for me, there will no other. (kk)
A few weeks back we told you that C.W. McCall (who had the #1 Hit “Convoy” back in 1976) was in poor health … so I can’t say it was a great surprise to hear of his passing earlier this past week … but still it’s sad news just the same. (I’m probably more shocked that he was 93!!!)
From our February 27th post:
Diane Diekman is reporting that C.W. McCall (real name William Dale Fries, Jr.), the guy who scored the #1 Hit “Convoy” in 1976, is in very poor health. (“Convoy” is apparently being used by Canadian trucker protesters.)
When podcasters Drew and Mike called him to ask what he thought about his song being used in this fashion, McCall (now 93) told them. "I'm in hospice," which caught his callers off-guard. His wife, Rena, has "bad arthritis problems." She is 90, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day. He reminds the callers he recorded "Convoy" in 1975 … and he also wrote the soundtrack for the 1978 movie.
"I'm not very well … I'm battling cancer," he said.
"They're using the song?” he asks. “Hey, that's great!"
McCall had nothing to do with the decision, but he still gets royalties from it. When Drew and Mike thanked him for his time, C.W. said, "It's amazing to me that I still have enough drawing power to have some radio station call me." (kk)
R.I.P. C.W. McCall
We lost "C.W. McCall" today, aged 93. Can't
remember his real name, though.
[It’s William Dales Fries, Jr. – kk]
One-hit wonder, when CB radio was in its peak in around 1974. The band
that was backing him up changed their name a short time afterwards ... they were
actually Mannheim Steamroller. Saw them live many times. Very
talented bunch of musicians.
Mike Wolstein
Elton John is wrapping us his current batch of US appearances on his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour now thru the end of April … then heads off to fulfill his European dates thru May and June …
BUT he’s coming BACK to The States for shows starting in July and running right up to Thanksgiving … (including one last stop in Chicago at Soldier Field on August 5th) …
Before departing AGAIN for a final series of foreign dates that’ll take him thru July of 2023!!!
(Seriously, Elton, how can we miss you if you won’t go away?!?!)
Just kidding … but due to numerous delays attributed to Covid and the singer’s own heath issues, this is beginning to feel more like a Five Year Goodbye Plan!
A press release referred to his November 20th appearance at Dodger Stadium as his 2000th live concert here in the United States. (I would have pegged that tally to be much higher actually … I mean, think about it ... he’s been coming here for 52 years now!!!)
Anyway, for those of you who have an Elton John concert on your bucket list … or simply want to see him again … here is the updated list of US dates …
March 30th – St. Louis, MO
– Enterprise Center
April 1st – Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
April 2nd – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
April 5th – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
April 8th – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena
April 9th – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
April 12th – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
April 13th – Hershey, PA – Giant Center
April 16th – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
April 19th – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
April 20th – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
April 23rd – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Arena
April 24th – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
April 27th – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
April 28th – Miami, FL – American Airlines Arena
July 15th – Philadelphia,
PA – Citizens Bank Park
July 18th – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park
July 23rd – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
July 24th – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
July 27th – Foxboro, MA – Gillette Stadium
July 28th – Foxboro, MA – Gillette Stadium
July 30th – Cleveland, OH – Progressive Field
August 5th – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
September 7th – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre
September 8th – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre
September 10th – Syracuse, NY – Carrier Dome
September 16th – Pittsburgh, PA – PNC Park
September 18th – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium
September 22nd – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
September 24th – Washington, DC – Nationals Park
September 30th – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field
October 2nd – Nashville, TN – Nissan Stadium
October 16th – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
October 17th – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
October 21st – Vancouver, BC – BC Place
October 22nd – Vancouver, BC – BC Place
October 29th – San Antonio, TX – Alamodome
November 4th – Houston, TX
– Minute Maid Park
November 9th – San Diego, CA – Petco Park
November 11th – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field
November 12th – Phoenix, AZ – Chase Field
November 17th – Los Angeles, CA – Dodger Stadium
November 19th – Los Angeles, CA – Dodger Stadium
November 20th – Los Angeles, CA – Dodger Stadium
(Looking at some of the holes in this schedule, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he added even a few more dates to this list!) kk
And, speaking of Elton John, we received this reaction to Billboard Magazine’s Staff Picks for Elton’s 75 Greatest Songs, put together in honor of his recent 75th birthday …
One of the most prolific performers of our time turns 75 and is still relevant 50 years after his first charted hit. How many of 2022's chart topping "artists" will be able to make the same claim? How many will still be around in 50 years? 20? Even 5 years from now?
So, because of his birthday milestone, it's Elton John who deservedly gets the "Best Songs" treatment from Billboard. (I wish these lists would call them "recordings" rather than "songs" but that's just a personal quibble.)
Elton (and his lyricists) composed "songs" that were really masterpieces, both musically and lyrically. Add on Elton's unique vocal phrasing and some of the best production work in the rock era and he's more than deserving of all the accolades that he's received -- the former Reg Dwight embodied the ‘70s for many of us growing up in that decade. And he turns out to be quite the humanitarian to boot.
But thanks to Forgotten Hits, I get another AAAAARGH moment by viewing yet another "critics" opinion of what is "the best" and thus may be considered "official" by some who would not know better but know of Billboard's reputation.
Some observations about the "Best 75":
Since 1970, Elton John has been represented on the US Billboard album charts by 31 solo studio albums, 4 live efforts, 3 works in collaboration with other artists, and 1 EP. There are also appearances on soundtracks as well as charted singles not included on albums. All these showed up on Billboard's 75 Best.
The double-LP set "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" was most represented on this 75 "Best Songs" list with eight selections, including the #1 song (a surprise to me) and two others in the Top 10.
Also represented, with four songs each:
2. "Elton John" 70
3. "Honky Chateau" 72
4 “Tumbleweed Connection" 70
5 "Two Low For Zero" 83
three songs each:
6. "Don't Shoot Me ..." 73
7. "Captain Fantastic and the...." 75
two songs each:
8. "Madman Across The Water" 71
9. "Caribou" 74
10. "The Union" (with Leon Russell) 2010
11. "Blue Moves" 76
12. "Jump Up" 82
13. "A Single Man" 78
14. "Empty Sky" 75 *first charted appearance, originally released 69
15. "Peachtree Road" 2004
(and "The Lion King" produced two as well)
Based on the above, I hope NO one will walk away thinking "Two Low For Zero" is a "better" album than, say, "Madman Across the Water" just because there were four songs from that album instead of two labeled as "best" on the other ... That would be ... madness!
The following studio albums placed ZERO songs on the list. (Is zero too low?)
Victim Of Love 79
Ice On Fire 85
Wonderful Crazy Night 2016
Regimental Sgt. Zippo 2021 (originally recorded pre-1970)
Their non-inclusion doesn't shock me, though the #41 position of Elton's collaboration with Dionne, Stevie, and Gladys on "That's What Friends Are For" does.
I will reiterate that Elton John (and his lyricists, most notably Bernie Taupin) created what would become bona fide classics, meaning they have and will stand the test of time, decades from now. Is "I Fall Apart" at #17 from 1986's "Leather Jackets" worthy of such a designation? Is ANY Elton song post-2000, for that matter? (Sorry, Leon Russell & PNAU fans.) Worthwhile efforts, but classic masterpieces? Not when THESE songs didn't make the cut:
"Country Comfort"
"Love Song"
"Madman Across The Water"
"Holiday Inn"
"Teacher, I Need You"
"Writing"
"Sixty Years On" (Live In Australia version)
"The Greatest Discovery" (Live in Australia version)
"The Last Song"
You could probably cite your own examples of egregious omissions, but the above for me were some of the most jaw-dropping in a list that purports to spotlight "The Best".
Billboard did get my seal of approval, however, notably by including "I Feel Like A Bullet (In The Gun of Robert Ford)", "Ego", "Step Into Christmas" and "Elton's Song". Surprising, yet worthy mentions all.
Kent, your FH is now habit so I express my thanks to you and many of your contributors. Keep it up. And if by some miracle, Elton John and/or Bernie Taupin is reading this, additional thanks for being such an integral part of my musical youth. While you're at it, feel free to pass that dutchie pan the left hand side.
Best,
Sam Tallerico
www.mixcloud.com / LAFOS
That’s the thing about “Staff Picks” lists … they always seem to feel a need to get too artsy at the expense of ignoring some of the obvious choices in favor of presenting what comes across as a “We know more than you do” attitude by selecting obscure tracks that even some of most devoted fans won’t recognize. We ran into the same issues when we put together our Top 3333 Most Essential Classic Rock Songs list … in fact, it was another “Critics’ Picks” list that inspired us in the first place.
The general feeling is in polls like this seems to be “We don’t care what YOU think” … which is why we opened up OUR poll to the public and the fans to find out what the REAL fan favorites are … not the consensus of seven guys sitting in a basement drinking beer and saying, “Hey, let’s throw THIS one in there just to get people talking.”
Now the good that can come from a list like this is that it might make a few people seek out some of these critics’ picks and give them a listen … and maybe even download a few tracks … but I have made my way thru just about every Elton John album and there were at least a dozen or more songs on this Top 75 list that I couldn’t hum the melody to if it was the grand prize question on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” … nor could I think of a single "phone a friend" that I could call who would know them either!!!
(For the record, Elton John placed 34 songs on our Top 3333 list … less than half of what Billboard attempted to rank. Three of those made The Top 100: “Tiny Dancer” (#15), “Your Song” (#63) and “Rocket Man” (#88). By the way, Billboard’s #1 pick, “Funeral For A Friend” / “Love Lies Bleeding” came in at #965 according to the million plus votes we received … which represents a MUCH larger consensus than those seven guys sitting in their basement!
Fans can view the whole list here: https://classicrockessentials.blogspot.com/
And the Billboard list here:
kk
The Grammys air tonight …
But I’ll be watching “Winning Time” on HBO, the EXCELLENT new series remembering the rise of the LA Lakers basketball dynasty.
Meanwhile, Tom Cuddy reminds us of The Grammys Award Ceremony from fifty years ago …
50 Years Ago, Carole King’s ‘Tapestry’ Dominated the Grammys …
and She Wasn’t Even There …
https://variety.com/2022/music/news/carole-king-tapestry-grammys-1235218947/
Here's hoping this new BBC 4-Part Television Series makes it over here to The States, too …
A four part profile of The Rolling Stones (one episode each featuring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts) is being aired in honor of The Rolling Stones’ 60th Anniversary. (The Stones will be touring in Europe at the time.)
Each one hour episode will feature interviews with the designated Stone, along with vintage video footage as well as home movies provided by each member, never before seen by the public.
According to the press release, “It tells the story of one of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands in a way that has never been done before – by viewing the band through the musical lens of each member, delving deep into their personalities, passions and memories from the past sixty years. Four hour-long films, each an intimate portrait of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts, show how these individual musical geniuses came together to make the music that has provided the soundtrack to the lives of millions. You’ll see unseen footage and exclusive stories from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood interwoven with new and archive interviews and performance. What better year for the BBC, in its centenary year, to pay tribute to and celebrate one of the world’s most significant rock groups, in their 60th anniversary year. The Rolling Stones have been ambassadors for great British rock ‘n’ roll for decades and are loved the world over, so I’m thrilled that the BBC is able to present this very special season of programming, including the world-exclusive TV series, to our audiences.”
Hey, PBS, are you paying attention??? (kk)
While The Stones are celebrating their 60th anniversary, today marks what would have been the 100th birthday of America’s Sweetheart, Doris Day.
Happy Birthday, Doris!
The Second Disc tells us some of the way this very special centennial year will be celebrated …
Jim Croce has been honored by The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with a historical marker in Lyndell, PA, marking the spot of the barn where he wrote the songs “Operator,” “Time in a Bottle,” “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” “Photographs and Memories,” “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” and several others.
I LOVE Jim Croce’s music … was a HUGE fan then and have never forgotten the moment when I heard about his plane crash … it was one of those "Where were you when you heard the news?" Kennedy / Beatles on Ed Sullivan / 9/11 moments for me. Wouldn’t it be nice if they ultimately turned this barn into some type of tribute museum to Jim? (kk)
Last night we saw another great show by The Chicago Experience at The Metropolis Theater in Arlington Heights, IL ... two phenomenal sets that featured everything from the obvious hits to some Forgotten Hits ("Lowdown" and "Free," for example, as well as the seldom played "Dialogue" and "Questions 67 and 68") along with some of the more obscure, yet immediately familiar album tracks that dominated rock and roll radio in the early-to-mid-'70's. (SO good to hear some of these tunes again ... and presented in as true Chicago fashion as humanly possible.)
Highlights for me included the back-to-back playing of "Searchin' So Long" and "Hard Habit To Break" in the second set ... but every song they played, they performed to perfection.
Do yourself a favor and check these guys out this summer ... you will NOT be disappointed. (kk)
https://www.thechicagoexperience.com/tour-dates
https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2019/01/concert-review-chicago-experience.html
We’re off to see Paul Revere’s Raiders and Jay and the Americans later today at The Arcada Theatre. As we mentioned the other day, this will be the farewell performance of Paul Revere’s Raiders … they’re hanging up the banner after all these years. (The band actually started in 1961, some 60+ years ago … sadly, Revere passed away in 2014, shortly after he appeared for the very last time, also at The Arcada.) From what I understand, tonight’s show is a complete sell out. I wondered if The Raiders would be closing the show in light of the memorable circumstances and Drummer Tommy Scheckel surprised me with this answer:
I believe we’re the opening act for this show. It’s only fitting really. Paul used to prefer to open. He liked having all the equipment set just the way we left it at soundcheck and he liked “setting the bar” for the other bands, as he put it. No ego about being the headliner for Paul, he was secure with who he was and what the band was about. I just loved that guy!
I look forward to hooking up at the show!
Tommy
Paul Revere and the Raiders helped to invent “Feel Good” Rock And Roll … and always had a good time performing it, often seeming to be having every bit as much fun as their audience … a class act all the way.
Their string of hits numbered 18 Top 40 Hits between 1961 and 1972, including five Top 10’s: “Kicks” (#3, 1966), “Hungry (#6, 1966), “Good Thing” (#4, 1967), “Him Or Me, What’s It Gonna Be” (#5, 1967) and “Indian Reservation,” their only #1 hit, in 1971. Here in Chicago, they also topped our local charts with “Kicks,” earning a total of FOURTEEN Top Ten Hits! (kk)
>>>My guess is that this might have been the week after Larry Lujack's suggestion to flip the record was put into action but cannot state that with certainty (Ray Graffia, Jr.)
I think I sent that KLEM survey to Ray. There are many NC6 B sides that made charts I have over the years. WCFL even played "Come & Give Your Love To Me," as I have the opening recorded off there.
Imagine if Larry Lujack hadn't left ‘CFL … would he have flipped it over????? He would have still been in Chitown, but who knows??? I love that 45 version, altho Uncle Lar was so right and who can argue with Larry ... except maybe Lil Snot nosed Tommy, who might have asked "Is 'Come & Give' gonna be alright, Uncle Lar?"
Those 60's Chicago sounds are just TOO good!
Speaking of which, I listen to Jeff James’ Windy City Wednesday show every week and he's not on today. Do you know why? I emailed him just now and last week, he did not sound like there was any problem.
Clark Besch
All I can do is ask … may have just been a day off. (I don’t get to listen to the radio during the work hours any more so I miss all kinds of great stuff these days.) All of the website information is still up there (as is the links to listen to his Saturday Night Live At The ‘70’s program), so I’m thinking it’s likely something as simple as that.
For those of you into the great sounds that came out of Chicago over the years, Jeff’s Windy City Wednesday show is the place to catch not only the most obvious songs and artists, but also some of the more obscure tracks you may have missed along the way … as well as spotlight features on artists that may have had a Chicago connection you weren’t even aware of.
You can Listen Live (from 4-7 pm ) here: https://huntleyradio.com/hcr/windy-city-wednesday/
kk
From Jeff James ...
Thanks, Kent, for letting me know a few people missed out on some fine music … but I had a last minute issue so I could not make it in to studio in time for show. All is good now and I plan on being back to our normal schedule with both WINDY CITY WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE @ THE 70'S
Jeff
And, speaking of our Local Heroes …
Here’s a Flashback to April 1, 1966 …
When the Shadows of Knight were #1 in Chicago!
Ken Voss
You’ll also find Chicago’s Buckinghams and New Colony Six on this list! (kk)
MICKY & THE BOYS
Last weekend's Beach Boys Cruise was a hit, according to reports.
Here's a photo of Bruce Johnston, Micky Dolenz and Mike Love on the ship.
Micky kicks off his tour next week at the Ryman Theater in Nashville.
David Salidor
Hot on the heels of their comeback album last year (their first in over 40 years!) a brand new ABBA box set is being put together to now include their complete collected works. (The 10 disc set will be available in both vinyl and CD editions.)
Priced at $99.99 (for the CD edition), it’s really not a bad price to have the complete collection (if I didn’t already HAVE the complete collection, purchased separately over the years!) Still, there’s just something special about have the box set
And, just to keep things MORE tempting (and expensive!), they’re also releasing their complete LP collection on picture disc vinyl!!!
More details on how to preorder your copy below …
Vintage Classic Rock has posted a review of the new Beatles Get Back Exhibit currently running at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. They also include a new interview with Craig Inciardi, the Curator of the Museum, who sheds some insight into how this exhibit finally came to be.
Meanwhile, The Fest For Beatles Fans, which has been running all weekend (thru today) announced ANOTHER version special guest, participating via Zoom …
In addition to the previously announced Peter Jackson Q&A appearance (Jackson, of course, produced the new “Get Back” documentary that aired on Disney+ over the Thanksgiving Weekend … and is still in limbo regarding its official release date to the public), Michael Lindsay-Hogg, the director of the original “Let It Be” film released in 1970 will ALSO be making a virtual appearance! (Hopes for a “Let It Be” release are still on all of our minds as well!)
You can actually still get a virtual ticket of your very own for today’s event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fest-for-beatles-fans-live-virtual-fest-tickets-262392161017
And finally, it has been confirmed that Paul McCartney will headline this year’s Glastonbury Music Festival for the first time since 2004. (Interestingly enough, on the list of headliners, Macca comes in second to Billie Eilish … and just ahead of Kendrick Lamar and Diana Ross!) McCartney’s headlining show will take place on Saturday, June 25th.
OK, so maybe NOT finally …
Because THIS announcement has to rank as one of “The Coolest News Stories Of The Week” …
It was just announced that Julian Lennon will release a new album in April called “Jude.” (“Hey Jude,” of course, was written by Paul McCartney, for a then five-year-old Julian, whose father had just left his mother Cynthia to be with Yoko Ono. McCartney was driving out to visit Julian and Cyn and starting singing the tune we now all know and love as “Hey Jules” … but then decided to change it to make it not quite so “personal” … besides, he said, the name “Jude” just had a better ring to it. Hey, this is the guy who first wrote the lyrics to “Yesterday” as “Scrambled Eggs, oh my baby, how I love your legs.” Thankfully, he changed THAT one up a bit, too! (kk)
Kent,
I must comment on two points you raised this morning.
You're not the only person to openly disdain what passes for today's top 40.
I see it almost every day on various music sites.
I seem to recall our parents expressing the same disdain for the music we listened to.
Let's be honest here ...
How many of FH readers’ parents remarked "Why are you listening to such crap?” (or worse) … Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, this ain't ... and it wasn't. But it wasn't meant to be either.
It belonged to the new generation of kids who were becoming teens in 1955. We stuck with it thru the early years, teen idols, British Invasion, psychedelia, singer/songwriters, disco, punk, metal, alternative and all sorts of hybrids in between. We stuck with contemporary music because we swore it would always be a part of us, and it has, as witnessed by the popularity of music sites like FH.
You've said it yourself, Kent ... the focus is on the music of our youth.
You're pushing 70, I'm past it, as are many of your readers. Somewhere along the line, we finished our schooling, got married sometimes more than once, had kids/grandkids, maybe even great grandkids. Our priorities have shifted from learning how to Do the Freddie to putting food on the table.
So just as our top 40 wasn't meant for our parents, your children's music isn't meant for you, nor does it pretend to be.
Our music heroes are dying off at an alarming rate, if for no other reason than old age. We won't get into the sad tale of Taylor Hawkins, outside of the fact who even knew who he was a month ago? For that matter, did you know who Dave Grohl was before Kurt Cobain passed?
I don't listen to your standard top 40, and haven't since the advent of classic rock, which has become boring as hell for me, too.
FH's popularity has shown that there is a lot of work that could be done to make it interesting ... but I won't hold my breath waiting. I no longer listen to it either.
If you don't like what you're listening to, you're listening to the wrong radio station. There are lots of radio formats out there. The days of listening to WLS or WCFL are over.
Secondly …
So 14 years ago you asked "Are the Beatles still relevant today?" My answer today and in 2008 and, for that matter, 1968, is no.
It is my view that Beatles lost any meaning once they started taking themselves seriously, probably within the first year after first appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show.
How much legal 1963 dollars were spent on promotions to help break the band here in America? Then there's the other monies that undoubtedly changed hands as well. For that kind of money, Kent, both you and I could be top tier rock stars.
However most baby boomers swallowed the hype. Elvis belonged to our older siblings, but the Beatles belonged to us.
Once they totally ditched doing bad covers of rock and roll classics, they turned to making music an "art" form. Sorry boys and girls, but rock and roll is not art, and was never meant to be. Worse yet is their solo output.
I know I have a minority viewpoint, but at age 72, I still love rock and roll, and that's what I search for on the radio. The Beatles, with the exception of a few songs, are not rock and roll to me. If I wanted to listen to pop music, I'd listen to Frank Sinatra.
Jack Levin
As you know, we have debated these points many times over the past now nearly 40 years … and we will never agree on any sort of common ground here.
As to today’s Top 40, I don’t listen to it either … and am the first to admit how TOTALLY out of touch with it I am. Unless a record creates a particular level of buzz, I likely won't know anything at all about it ... or, in most cases, the artist who recorded it.
I don’t plan on watching the Grammys tonight either … didn’t bother with the Oscars last weekend either (other than the nonstop airing of The Slap Heard ‘Round The World!)
It’s a shame because early on, when music became such a HUGE part of my life, I vowed to always stay with it … keep current no matter where the trends went, without every losing sight of the music that I truly love. But at some point, I gave up … the music became SO angry … you could barely even listen to a song anymore due to the number of bleeped words in what seemed like every line.
Meanwhile, some GREAT music still came thru … thank God SOME artists out there still understand the importance of a real melody rather than a computer produced, repetitive beat. (I know, I know … we can probably blame that on Napoleon XIV, right???)
My problem isn’t with the Top 40 today … or even the way its calculated … what other measuring tools are there available today to truly ascertain what music is being purchased and listened to. I get it … it’s the modern way.
(I’ve said it a thousand times before, but back in our day we had to physically get up and leave the house, travel to the local record store and BUY the latest records … and then rush home in the height of wondermint as to what else we might find on the B-Side or the rest of the album. And, if it WAS an album, all 12 tracks didn’t suddenly show up in The Top 100 the next week … because if you couldn’t buy them, they didn’t rank!)
Worse yet (and, I’ve also said before, perhaps a reflection on the QUALITY of the music being produced today), songs didn’t stay on the charts for a year and a half! Back in the ‘60’s, a 12-week charter was pretty much the most an artist could hope for. The market was SO competitive that you’d better already have your next record planned, recorded and ready to go so that the moment your current hit started to slip down the charts, your next record was ready to premier and make its way UP the chart, passing your previous hit along the way.
Plain and simple, it was a much more exciting and inventive time … music trends changed weekly … new ideas inspired other new ideas constantly … and you never really knew for sure what was coming next.
Just as plain and simple, music isn’t like that anymore. There is absolutely NO comparison to the era we experienced with the way music is presented and processed today.
So NOBODY … and ESPECIALLY Billboard Magazine … should NOT be comparing the accomplishments of these era side by side they way they have been doing for decades now. It’s not the same set of rules … it’s not the same criteria … and it has absolutely NO place distorting the relative importance of what’s happening today vs. what happened in the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s that still lives on today some 50-60 years later.
How much of today’s music do you think will still be getting played fifty years from now? TEN years from now??? Do you envision a “Fest For Britney Fans” in our future? But watch her make The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame!
THAT is my objection … not the process … not the current music … not the latest trends … the fact that anyone would DARE to compare the present methods and era against ANYTHING that went down in the past.
As for the music of The Beatles, it is proven every single day how important this music remains. They continue to outsell most of the current artists on the charts on an annual basis.
Talking about the era where they did “bad covers” of ‘50’s rock and roll and ignoring the TREMENDOUS catalog of music they created themselves is living with mega blinders on … and I know you know better. This music has been around forever now, attracting THOUSANDS of artists to record their own versions of these tunes, inspiring countless thousands more into pursuing a career in music and captivating EVERY generation that has come along since with the vast depth of their catalog.
I’ll give you the dig about the solo material … I would probably be hard pressed to come up with 100 Greatest Tracks between the four of them at this point … but The Beatles Years were unparalleled … and will likely never be repeated again in such a prolific way. (And I stand by that point even if Drake charts 300 tracks during his career. Who will remember half of them? How many other artists are out there clamoring to record THEIR interpretation of these great “classics”??? Hum three!)
Beatles songs were recorded by your aforementioned Frank Sinatra, early rock and roll icon Elvis Presley and even jazz great Ella Fitzgerald! The biggest artists at Motown Records interpreted their songs. So did a number of great country artists. EVERYBODY recognized the importance and uniqueness of this material … and you can’t tell me that THESE artists were influenced by the money spread around to help launch the band in America. At various times in the early years when Beatlemania was brand new, Sinatra and Elvis BOTH put the band down as a passing fad. But here it is now, some sixty years later … and every move they make is still considered headline news.
I don’t care if they spent TEN million dollars to hype the band (and I can assure you, they didn’t … most of the sources I've read peg it at about a million dollars ... don’t forget, Capitol Records passed on their first four releases!), that money was spent to target 11-13 year old girls … NOT an entire industry … not every major, reputable artist ... not as an attempt to influence the next six decades of music to come. Nobody at the time could have possibly ever guessed that The Beatles would go from “Love Me Do” to “Yesterday,” “A Day In The Life,” "Michelle," "Here, There And Everywhere," “In My Life,” “Something” and dozens and dozens of others in six short years … and that SIXTY years later, we’d all still be listening to these tracks. You can't POSSIBLY believe that that same legion of 11-13 year old girls is what has sustained their popularity for the past six decades ... so give it up already about the money they spent on the initial publicity to launch the band here in America!
(And if you believe for one minute that Frank Sinatra's managers and mob bosses weren't paying those girls in the '40's to scream and swoon and try to tear the clothes off Old Blue Eyes ... or that The Colonel wasn't greasing more than a few palms to help break "his boy" then you really don't have a CLUE how the music business works ... and I just KNOW you're not that naive!!! This mega-hype trick dates back to the beginning of time.)
So no, your second argument simply doesn’t hold water … and it’s really a shame that you haven’t been able to truly enjoy this music during all the time it has existed … because I truly feel you’ve cheated yourself out of a lifetime of enjoyment, simply to be able to hold your ground.
I think you've built up such a wall of resistance to support your stance on this topic that you're not being fair in accessing the caliber of music The Fab Four created ... and that's a shame. (If you truly believe, in your heart of hearts, that the music of The Beatles is better measured by hype over substance, then you have cheated yourself out of a lifetime of enjoyment shared by BILLIONS of others around the world ... and that's a shame. Don't forget ... Beatlemania started halfway across the world and spread like wildfire before Capitol Records ever spent a penny on promoting the band here in The States ... America was just the last country to fall victim to this ever-so-enjoyable new phenomena, pushing it effect even further over the top. How and where it grew after that ... and continued to develop and sustain ... cannot even accurately be measured ... it is unlike anything the world has ever seen. And you think it's all the result of throwing a few bucks worth of hype in front of a bunch of 11-13 year old girls??? C'mon!)
You don't really hear Bing Crosby's music or Frank Sinatra's music anymore ... nor did it last twenty years, much less sixty. And, thanks to radio airplay the last 10-12 years, even Elvis seems to be slipping further and further into the background ... yet without Elvis, there would BE no Beatles. When I talk to industry executives today, the most common mantra I hear seems to be "I want to program music to people who are still alive." How sad. Thank God for television commercials and movie and TV soundtracks that are keeping our music alive today! It may be its best hope for survival.
Hey, I’ve got a little bit of tunnel vision, too. For me, pop has always been king … nothing beats a good, catchy melody … but along the way, I also embraced what we now call Classic Rock and, thanks to the variety radio presented back then, an exposure to country music and R&B … heck, I can even stand to listen to about 50% of those '70's disco songs now … and that’s REAL progress for me! (lol)
Maybe you need to revisit the journey The Beatles took to get to the status they have since attained.
Seriously … devote a week … commit to it and start at the beginning … and watch the progression as you go from “Meet The Beatles” to “A Hard Day’s Night” (their first album of all originals) to “Rubber Soul,” “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper.” And then listen closely to “Abbey Road” from start to finish and tell me that it isn’t a masterpiece.
This is all the same band … the same guys that sang “Love Me Do,” “From Me To You” and “She Loves You” … and the complete metamorphosis all happened over a period of about eight days a week.
Grant me that one concession … consider it "The Forgotten Hits Challenge" ... give it all a serious listen one more time … in sequence … and then come back to me and name ONE other artist who made that kind of development over the course of a career.
I think you’ll change your tune … and, along the way, enjoy a WHOLE bunch of great tunes you've apparently black-listed along the way as well. (kk)
And that’s why we call it “Feel Good Music” …
Chuck Buell, Our Pseudo Forgotten Hits Doctor is In with This! …
Nostalgia – that sentimental feeling of longing for the past – can reduce pain perception, according to new research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Liaoning Normal University.
Participants who were asked to rate their level of pain while looking at nostalgic pictures such as old cartoons and childhood games, or recalled certain odors and smells or tastes of certain foods that triggered old memories reported feeling much lower levels of pain.
AND they found reminiscing about certain stories and listening to old familiar music can also lower pain levels. So, perhaps a daily dose of Forgotten Hits Stories and Music might reduce those current old-age pain levels we all experience from time to time!
Ah, yes, “Those Oldies but Goodies Remind Me of You,” so “Take Those Old Records Off the Shelf and Give Me Some Good Old Rock and Roll!”
CB ( which stands for “Clinical Boy!” )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbsmGDKCmEM
