Sunday, April 10, 2022

THE SUNDAY COMMENTS ( 04 - 10 - 22 )

MORE BOBBY: 

 

kk …

I GIVE UP ... WE’VE LOST THE BATTLE

Scott Shannon Had To Explain To His Co-Host, Patty, Who Bobby Rydell Is.

WCBS-FM, Once One Of The Greatest Oldies Stations In The Nation, Has An Employee Who Can't Name A Bobby Rydell Song. 

FB

Kent:

Here is a picture I took of Bobby Rydell and Paul Shaffer exchanging stories at Bobby’s book release party in NYC.

Tom Cuddy

 

FH Reader Mike Wolstein sent us this picture of Pam Pulice, director of the upcoming Dick Biondi film, with Bobby Rydell, backstage at The Arcada Theatre, where he performed a few years ago.

 

 

During the making of the Dick Biondi documentary film project, Director Pam Pulice was thrilled to meet her teen heartthrob.

Mike
Like Biondi, he was a warm, sweet Italian boy who never let fame get to his head.

Pam

 

I worked with the late Randy Alexander on his book launch event (Teen Idol On The Rocks) at Patsy's in NYC - everyone showed, from Sirius' Steve Leeds to Scott Shannon. Great memories - RIP Bobby –

DIS

If I’m not mistaken, it was Randy who set up my interview with Bobby in the first place.  When I later told him how difficult he had become there at the end, Randy told me that he was done and would never work with him again!

Personally, I think Bobby just wanted to promote the book thru every means possible … and once he had completed his end of things, he was happy to move on to the next one.  But I will always cherish our FIRST conversation because I felt like we truly had bonded … short-lived as it may have been!  (kk)

 

One thing is for sure ... Bobby Rydell had the chops, the looks and the "sway" to swoon girls and his records were "dug" by both boys and girls.

I have plenty of these pic sleeve 45s.

 

 

With the Ron Riley documentary coming along these days, one item to feature might be about his being in a play with Bobby in summer 65 in Chitown!

 


Here's the ad for the show.  I believe Ron told me there were bikini clad girls running all over that stage.

He played the role of a DJ which changed location to location with local DJ's, I think.

You can see his name in small print below.

 


I always felt Ron Riley and Gene Rayburn were somewhat look-alikes as well as their humor and smooth vocal deliveries.

What if Ron had appeared in the NEXT play above at the Tenthouse with Gene?? 

Ron / Gene (L to R)

Clark Besch

You’re certainly right about one thing … Bobby Rydell was the one Philadelphia Idol who could actually sing … pure show-biz all the way … and the youngest artist at the time ever to play the infamous Copacabana!

Bobby did concerts, stage shows, movies, television appearances (quite often with Red Skelton as well as other big names in show business at the time like George Burns, ala Bobby Darin) … the kid could do it all.

I expected to hear a resurgence in Bobby Rydell music on the oldies stations but really haven’t experienced it yet.  Too bad … the guy had a lot of hits that have been absent from the airwaves for quite a while.  And now that most of this Cameo / Parkway stuff is finally available again, there’s really no excuse for not playing it.  This was definitely NOT the case for many decades there for a while!!!  (kk)

Check out this Philly intersection - well-deserved!

Mike Wolstein

Check out this incredible Philly mural!  (kk)

THIS AND THAT:

Congratulations to Gary Theroux, Wink Martindale and The History Of Rock And Roll …

Hi Kent -

We just learned that The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll with Wink Martindale (and me) is on the New York Festivals’ Shortlist for the world's "Best Regularly Scheduled Music Program."  In fact, it is the only U.S. production on their shortlist in that category.  The three others are from Canada, Austria and Ireland -- and all three are from large entities, such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

You can listen to THE HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL on such broadcast stations as ME-TV-FM (Chicago, IL), WCNS (Pittsburgh, PA), WGTO (South Bend, IN), WMYX (Milwaukee, WI), WXZO (Burlington, VT), WDQN (Du Quoin, IL), WJMK (Flint, MI), KWVF (Guernesville, CA), KIRK (Macon, MO), WKDK (Newberry, SC), WHGM (Havre de Grace, MD), WMIR (Myrtle Beach, SC),  WYAY (Wilmington, NC), WLBQ (Morgantown, KY), WMPS (Memphis, TN), WXJX (Pittsburgh, PA) and WCED (Dubois, PA) -- to mention just a few. 

Online you can find THE HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL on Stay Tuned America, CLEOldies.com, 60s 70s and More Flashback, Racketeer Radio, Oldies Radio Live 365 and elsewhere.  Internationally, the series runs all over the world -- from Scotland to Australia!       
We’ll find out who wins on April 26th.  Fingers crossed!

All the best,

Gary Theroux

Hi Kent,

I went to the first show in The Monkees Celebration Tour last night in Nashville and it was fantastic!

Micky Dolenz sang all the hits (which I think would have been hits no matter which Monkee sang them) and deep cuts, backed by a band that captured the original music's  vibe perfectly. The constant presence of the original four via video on three screens made it a true Monkees' show. 

It was especially cool for me that the footage included their KHJ concert at the Hollywood Bowl and the group in front of WCFL's Marina Towers (both stations I worked with, albeit later on.) 

If The Monkees Celebration is coming to your town, or nearby, don’t miss it!

Ed Salamon

Nashville,TN

 

Sounds interesting.  Micky is still doing solo shows between his gigs with former Rascal Felix Cavaliere this summer … and this one sounds like a winner.  He hits the Chicagoland area with an appearance at The Rialto Square Theater in Joliet later this week.  (Wednesday, April 13th)  kk

And, speaking of Micky’s show at The Ryman, here’s an interview he did last Sunday on WGN Chicago Radio talking about his upcoming tour … and his opening show later that night in Nashville …

Micky Dolenz, last surviving member of The Monkees, on his bandmates, current tour (wgnradio.com)

Here’s an interesting interview angle for Beach Boys fans …

 

It’s Brian Wilson being interviewed by his current bandmates, Al Jardine and Darian Sahanaja … about some of his favorite L.A. memories!

https://floodmagazine.com/105707/brian-wilson-flood-12-feature/

 

So it looks like George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” album was honored with a Grammy Award this year.  (It won for its mega-expensive 50th Anniversary Edition as Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package” … yep, I guess there really IS an award for everything!!!)
A complete list of winners is linked below … I’m glad I didn’t spend the 3 ½ hours to watch … I can honestly say I am not familiar with 10% of what made this list!

 

George’s widow Olivia made the following comments when accepting the award …

“This is the 50th anniversary of this record and I guess it’s here to stay. It’s here for you, this music is filled with hope and compassion and healing and rock and roll. 

I want to thank the support of Universal, Paul Hicks for remixing this epic album, David Zonshine, Rachel Cooper, Darren Evans for his design work, but really Dhani Harrison, my son, for the respect and love he’s always showed his father and the attention he’s given to his father’s music and career and legacy.”

George’s album was nominated for the Album of the Year award at the 1972 Grammys, but lost to Carole King’s “Tapestry.”  His #1 hit single “My Sweet Lord” was also nominated for as Grammy Record of the Year in 1972 but again lost to Carole King for her song “It’s Too Late.”  (No question it was Carole King’s year that year … and deservedly so … there wasn’t really anything else released on the pop side of things that could touch it … and there were some GREAT musical releases in 1971, as we all saw last year in our year-long “looking back” salute.  “All Things Must Pass” was added to The Grammy Hall Of Fame list in 2014 and has been rereleased and repackaged numerous times since its initial 1970 release.  (Technically, it missed its OFFICIAL 50th Anniversary by better than a year when it came out again last year in a variety of different formats and packages, including one that was selling for a thousand dollars!!!  Love the album … and have probably bought it a good six times since it first came out in various configurations … original vinyl, cassette, cd, anniversary cd, etc., etc., etc. … but I’ll betcha COMBINED I haven’t spent a thousand dollars on it!!!  And there was NO way I was about to do that now after already owning this great music for 50+ years!!!)  kk

HERE IS THE COMPLETE WINNERS LIST FROM THE 2022 GRAMMYS:

https://tvline.com/lists/grammy-winners-full-list-grammys-2022-results/televised-winners/#recipient_hashed=fa7e92da6f6e66bffcf0bcbf863670c6eb37d7159eb4d0ea1e44fecd5ec87eeb

 

And, speaking of The Beatles (which we kinda were ... and always are!), 

Last week marked the 58th anniversary of the week The Beatles held down the top five spots on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Music Chart.

We got a couple of reminders … first this from Best Classic Bands …

https://bestclassicbands.com/beatles-billboard-april-1964-4-4-18/

 

And then this from our FH Buddy Chuck Buell, who put together this special radio tribute a few years ago …

 

Chuck Buell remembers a Forgotten Hits Historical Date of this Past Week.

Nearly 60 years ago, on April 4, 1964, The Beatles held the top five spots on Billboard’s Hot 100.

 


 

Two were on Capitol Records, the only then-current Beatle songs. The other three were on Tollie, Swan and Vee Jay labels that didn't score previously the first time they were released, but certainly did after the Beatles hit it big.

A few years ago, to commemorate this amazing one-time occurrence, I put together a Special “Beatles Top Five” production with all those songs from Number Five to Number One, heard in order in just over eight minutes, for my Radio Show (yes, some creative editing was utilized.)

 

This is it ~~~

 

kk …

Last Night Cousin Brucie’s Guest Was Sonny Curtis --

He Met Buddy Holly When He Was 14 Years Old.

He Was A Member Of The Three Tunes & The Crickets.

He Wrote "WALK RIGHT BACK" / Everly Brothers, "MORE THAN I CAN SAY" / Bobby Vee & Leo Sayer and "I FOUGHT THE LAW" / The Crickets & Bobby Fuller Four.

Sonny Also Wrote & Sang "LOVE IS ALL AROUND," The Theme For The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

FB

Tom Cuddy sent us this special 50th Anniversary reminder …

 

'Go All the Way' back to the 1972 debut of Cleveland's The Raspberries
https://www.ideastream.org/news/go-all-the-way-back-to-the-1972-debut-of-clevelands-the-raspberries

I certainly was a fan … of the hit singles anyway.  (Honestly, I enjoyed Eric Carmen’s solo stuff much more … but Beatles knock-offs like “Go All The Way” and “I Wanna Be With You” were amazing hit singles … and both Top Ten Hits in 1972.)

Got the chance to see them play at The Rockford Armory in 1972 … what a double bill THAT was … Badfinger was their opening act … two of the best new ‘70’s bands that carried on the ‘60’s sound tradition.

I remember the “scratch and sniff” cover from their first album.  (Actually it was just a sticker … and it was usually under the cellophane … which meant that all the kids playing around with it in the record stores were scuffing it up in the process, making it virtually impossible to pick up a clean “unscratched” version.  A few years later Hustler Magazine did a scratch and sniff centerfold, which pretty much put an end to the whole scratch and sniff phase!  Lol)  kk

 

And, because you just can’t spend enough on brand new Beatles memorabilia these days, some of you might find this new release interesting!  (Actually, I kinda do, too … but at this stage of the game, I don’t feel that I need a “collectors’ edition” of anything anymore!!!) 

 

New Book “Inside No 3” A History on the Products and Memorabilia From Apple Records 1968-73 by Nigel Pearce Now Available for Pre-order 

Love The Beatles, Love The Music, Love The Book!

 

Now available for pre-order, “Inside No 3” is a history of the products and memorabilia from Apple Records from its public opening on 28th August 1968 until 1973 when Badfinger issued the last ever all new Apple single - Apple 49, “The Apple of My Eye.”

The book features engrossing vivid pages highlighting many products and artefacts that have not been seen for over 50 years, many never seen at all.

You will see photographs of artists, bands, records, memos, and other documents that illustrate the goings on of a truly great record company, that encompassed many ideals and plans but sadly fell to the one thing that was needed overall, and that was the split of the fab four. What was undertaken here was revolutionary in concept, fantastic, in thought, and pure gold in products.

This project will interface in social media, podcasts, youtube and other mediums to bring to you all that you require from INSIDENO3.COM

Artists specials will include everyone who recorded for Apple such as Mary Hopkin, Badfinger, Splinter, James Taylor, Hot Chocolate, Trash, Radna Krsna Temple – London, Modern Jazz Quartet, Ronnie Spector, Chris Hodge, Lon and Derek Van Eaton, and a host of others, including Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton who’s output here in many cases has somehow in times seem to have been forgotten. This will include artists who demoed and recorded at Apple under various Apple projects. All will be revealed in good time, so it will be worth your wait and devotion! You won’t be disappointed at all.  You will see photographs of articles and memorabilia that has not been generally seen for around 50 years, and that will be a huge eye opener for everyone. This will include memos, letters, press releases and other important social history artefacts as well.

The Book will come in the following formats all extolling the intimate beauty of the content:

1). The special collectors edition will be limited to only 100 units, worldwide and this is a hardback book that will be signed and numbered with repro memorabilia placed inside it.

2). A4 hardback book, signed limited to 500 units.

3). A4 hardback book, unnumbered.

4). A4 softback book, unlimited.

In whatever edition you purchase you will have a beautifully photographed and set book detailing some of the many Apple items used by The Beatles for marketing at No 3 Savile Row. You will see and feel many items that have either been forgotten or possibly have never been seen by fans before. It will adorn anyone’s Beatles collection and be a joy to own.

This will in time expand to interviews written and recorded and news items and special programmes on facts, links and parts of the lives of the fab four. It should prove to be a very interesting time indeed and we will ensure that “A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed By All”.

To purchase: www.insideandoutsideno3.com to order your copy direct from the publishers

For more information: website www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk

Now that The Doobie Brothers are back out on the road and touring again (after all kinds of delays and health setbacks), they have added several more dates to their 2022 run … including a stop back here in Chicago on Frannie’s birthday, September 14th!  (The tour now extends from June 2nd thru October 12th)  

In addition, a brand new book tracing the history of the band (and written by founding members Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons) is scheduled for release next month.  (Now THAT may make for an interesting read!!!)  kk

Congratulations to Rihanna who officially made Forbes’ Billionaire List this year! 

Worth a reported $1.7 billion, I was surprised to learn that most of that income came not from her massive list of hit records, but rather from her cosmetic, beauty and lingerie ventures.  (Rihanna owns Fenty Beauty Cosmetics and Savage X Fenty Lingerie.)

She ranks at #1729 out of the 2668 names that made the 2022 list.

(All I know is bitch betta have mah money!!!)  kk

It’s official … Deacon Frey, son of Eagles founding member Glenn Frey, has left the band to pursue solo ventures.

In a statement officially posted by the band, the announced:  

“Deacon Frey has devoted the past 4 ½ years to carrying on his father’s legacy and, after some weeks of reflection, he now feels that it is time for him to forge his own path. We understand, completely, and we support him in whatever he wishes to pursue in the years ahead. In the wake of his dad’s demise, Deacon, at age 24, did an extraordinary thing by stepping from relative anonymity into the very public world of his father’s long illustrious career.

“We are grateful to Deacon for his admirable efforts and we wish him well as he charts his future. Deacon’s Eagles Family will always be here to surround him with love, support and goodwill, and he is always welcome to join us onstage at any future concerts, if he so desires.

“We hope our fans will join us in wishing Deacon the very best as he moves into the next phase of his career.”

I honestly don’t know that they’ll miss a beat.  My guess is that Vince Gill will assume a few more of the lead vocal duties as the band completes its 2022 Hotel California Tour. (kk)

I’m sure we all remember the Andy Frain Ushers who used to “police” security at our rock concerts and sporting events back in the day.

 

Well, FH Reader Steve Sarley has an interesting story to tell about one particular Elton John concert he happened to work at …

I don't know if I have ever sent this to you before, but I thought it appropriate now since you are talking about Elton John quite a bit.

This clip is from a one-hour documentary that my old friend and co-worker, Jim Williams, created for CBS WBBM Channel 2 a while back.  I am in it talking about Elton at around the 9:20 mark.

Jim had to send it to CBS in New York so their lawyers could screen it for potential problems.  They turned it down because they were afraid that if Elton's people saw it, that he would sue Channel 2, as Elton has a reputation for being very litigious. 

Jim spent a lot of time searching for someone who had been at the concert who could back up my story.  Finally, he found someone and the documentary aired. 

This is a 20-minute clip. The whole hour is available on the Channel 2 website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wztieQ5NSlE&ab_channel=CBSChicago

Steve

>>>I remember the first time I ever bought gas in my life ... it was at a Sunoco station right near my house in beautiful downtown Berwyn ... $0.28 per gallon!!!  (For real!) kk

Not only that, but the attendant filled your tank for you, cleaned your windows, checked your fluids and tires and, if your tires were low, filled them with air … which was FREE.  In addition, there were clean rest rooms and, one of my favorite things, they gave away road maps.

RIP CW McCall.  Back in the seventies I had a CB.  On a trip to South Dakota I was listening to the truckers.  They didn't have much respect for the "four-wheelers" as they called us.  

I checked out some of his videos.  "Wolf Creek Pass" is one of my favorites.  There's a youtube dashcam video of a truck driving down Wolf Creek Pass set to the song "Wolf Creek Pass".  It's a white-knuckles experience.  

Ed #1

LOL … yeah, air was “free” … I mean it is, after all, AIR!!!  Yet today they can charge you for it … so they do!  Back then, we called them “service stations” … how many gas stations do you know of today that can still repair your car for you if you need it??? And in these days of 15 minute oil changes, even that has gone by the wayside.

In the old days, you built up a relationship with your mechanic … and trusted that he had your car’s best interest at hand  (Of course, you might also have to wait a week for the part to come in that he had to order!  Lol)  We were just such a friendlier and closer-knit world at the time … things were so much more personable.

(Yeah, I know, spoken like a true old fart … but it’s the truth!)  kk

 

FINALLY!!!

What the world has always needed is now becoming available!

JIMI HENDRIX BEAUTY PRODUCTS!!!

(How on earth have we survived this long without them?!?!?)

I can only guess that their primary color HAS to be Purple Haze, right???

Fully endorsed by his estate, check out these newly available items below …


From the official announcement …

 

The Limited-Edition Jimi Hendrix Beauty Collection

Today Rock and Roll BeautyTM, along with Authentic Hendrix, LLC and The Thread Shop, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, is pleased to announce the launch of their premier product line, The Limited-Edition Jimi Hendrix Beauty Collection.

Harkening back to a groovier time when tie dye ruled the day and Rock & Roll was evolving by the hour, this limited-edition Rock and Roll Beauty Collection celebrates Jimi Hendrix and his groundbreaking musical genius, amplified through his unique personal style. The limited-edition collection exudes a 60’s vibe with his signature song Purple Haze taking center stage in the creation of the line. (TOLDJA!!!)

The “Hey Baby” artistry palette with its names pulled from the 60’s, such as “Dolly Dagger” and “Right On” soothes and babies you with smooth blendable shades combining richly pigmented buttery mattes with soft lustrous satins, and shimmers for a look that’s definitely out of sight. The “Foxy Lady” matte lip duos offer three fiery colors with a long-wearing comfortable matte liquid lipstick, perfectly paired with a complimentary defining lip liner. These highly pigmented hues are designed to give you a bold, precise pout that is undeniably far out! The entire collection is available at www.rockandrollbeauty.com and www.ulta.com.


ABOUT THE HENDRIX COLLECTION:
The designers at Rock and Roll Beauty worked hand-in-hand with Authentic Hendrix, LLC and The Thread Shop to craft the entire collection. From designing cosmetic bags illustrated exclusively with Jimi’s likeness, and professionally styled makeup brushes, to choosing and naming the rich cruelty free pigments of the artistry palettes, every detail was inspired, right down to the packaging with Jimi’s handwritten lyrics. Every nuance of the line was creatively constructed to reflect the artistry of the legendary Jimi Hendrix, which made him arguably one the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century.


ABOUT EXPERIENCE HENDRIX, L.L.C. & AUTHENTIC HENDRIX LLC: As official companies owned and operated by members of the Hendrix family, Experience Hendrix L.L.C. & Authentic Hendrix LLC are charged with managing the name, image, likeness, and 100% of the Jimi Hendrix music catalog. Formed in 1995 by Jimi’s father James ‘Al’ Hendrix, Experience Hendrix and its affiliates oversee the daily operations of the Hendrix legacy on a worldwide basis.


ABOUT ROCK AND ROLL BEAUTY:
Rock and Roll Beauty marries nostalgia with the artistry of today’s finest beauty products and accessories. Our talented designers create limited edition collections working with your favorite blasts from the past. Each collection is skillfully curated to encompass the uniqueness of things reminisced and combine those with the latest in cruelty free cosmetics and accessories. From distinctive, one-of-a- kind artistry pallets like a funky electric guitar, to velvety eye shadows and punchy matte lip duos, these beauty collections have you covered. Let Rock and Roll Beauty rock your world!

FIRST FOUR U.S. ALBUMS BY THE ANIMALS, CHART-TOPPING 1960s BRITISH INVASION BAND, TO BE REISSUED ON 180-GRAM VINYL, CD WITH BONUS TRACKS DUE MAY 20:  The Animals, The Animals on Tour, Animal Tracks, Animalization Get Mono Vinyl Treatment For the First Time In Decades; Mickie Most Years And More Bundle Includes Vinyl Set +

I Just Wanna Make Love To You 12” EP  






ABKCO will reissue the first four US albums by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Animals this May. Originally released between 1964 and 1966 on MGM Records, The Animals, The Animals on Tour, Animal Tracks and Animalization have been out of print for decades and will be made available on 180-gram vinyl in mono with original cover art on May 20. CD versions of all four titles will come with contemporaneous bonus tracks. Also out on May 20, The Animals Mickie Most Years And More vinyl bundle will come with a reproduction of the ultra rare, one-sided 12” EP I Just Wanna Make Love To You, which kicked off the British Invasion band’s career in 1963. 

Formed in Newcastle by frontperson Eric Burdon from the ashes of the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, The Animals were known for their hard driving, R&B-influenced sound and became a hit-making machine on both sides of the Atlantic right out of the gate. Their self-titled 1964 album includes the #1 US and #1 UK charting “House of the Rising Sun,” and was made in an era when they were “the most important and successful British export after the Beatles,” as asserted by Rolling Stone’s David Fricke. Despite its title, their February, 1965, follow-up The Animals on Tour contains studio recordings and features the Top 20 single “I’m Crying.” Animal Tracks was released just six months later, in the same calendar year. As was customary for American versions of British records, hit singles were packed into it — “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” (originally recorded by Nina Simone the previous year), Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home to Me” and the Mann/Weil-penned “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” the latter of which became a de facto anthem for U.S. Armed Forces G.I.s deployed to Vietnam. 1966’s Animalization, released during the band’s final year of existence, saw original producer Mickie Most replaced by Tom Wilson (Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, the Velvet Underground, The Mothers of Invention). There is no shortage of Top 40 material, from “Don’t Bring Me Down” (written for The Animals by Gerry Goffin and Carole King), Ma Rainey’s “See See Rider” and the Animals’ re-imagining of a prison work song originally recorded by American folklorist Alan Lomax, “Inside-Looking Out.”  

 

“To me, The Animals were a revelation,” said Bruce Springsteen at his 2012 SXSW keynote speech. He went on to describe their catalog as “the first records with full blown class consciousness that I had ever heard,” before picking up a guitar and performing a large chunk of “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” and declaring, “That’s every song I’ve ever written. That’s all of them. I’m not kidding either. That’s ‘Born To Run,’ ‘Born In the U.S.A.,’ everything I’ve done for the past 40 years, including all the new ones.” Billy F Gibbons of ZZ Top expounds, “Oddly enough, it was the British bands who turned a lot of us Americans onto the blues that were our own backyard, and no one did it better than The Animals.” Along with numerous other groups, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were also disciples of The Animals, having covered “Don’t Bring Me Down” at Farm Aid in 1985. 

 

The CD versions of these titles will contain bonus tracks relating to the time periods in which they were originally released. The Animals has the unedited “Talkin’ ‘Bout You,” (the LP version was shortened due to the time constraints of the vinyl format), while The Animals on Tour has their versions of Jimmy Reed’s “Baby What’s Wrong,” Ray Charles’ “F-E-E-L” and a radio spot recorded for New Year’s Eve 1964. The CD version of Animal Tracks has five bonus tracks, including the hit “It’s My Life” and the UK version of “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.” The Animalization CD has stereo versions of three of the album tracks, which gradually overtook the mono format in the second half of the ‘60s.

 

ABKCO Records will be offering The Animals Mickie Most Years And More, a limited edition bundle consisting of all four titles on vinyl plus I Just Wanna Make Love To You — a faithful reproduction of the very first record by the band — a 12” EP privately issued in a run of 500 copies by Graphic Sound Ltd. Recorded on September 15, 1963. It contains the title track, “Big Boss Man,” “Pretty Thing” and an early version of “Boom Boom” (originally by John Lee Hooker) all on one side of a 45 rpm record housed in a plain outer sleeve. Captured by recording engineer Phil Woods at his home in Wylam, Northumberland, I Just Wanna Make Love To You is a peek into the early days of The Animals just before their rise international dominance.  

 

The Animals (U.S., 1964)

Side 1

1.   House of the Rising Sun

2.   The Girl Can’t Help It

3.   Blue Feeling

4.   Baby Let Me Take You Home

5.   The Right Time

6.   Talkin’ ‘Bout You (edited)

Side 2

1.   Around and Around

2.   I’m in Love Again

3.   Gonna Send You Back to Walker

4.   Memphis, Tennessee

5.   I’m Mad Again

6.   I’ve Been Around

CD bonus track:

  • Talkin’ ‘Bout You (unedited)

 

The Animals on Tour (U.S., 1965) 

Side 1

1.   Boom Boom

2.   How You’ve Changed

3.   Mess Around

4.   Bright Lights, Big City

5.   I Believe to My Soul

6.   Worried Life Blues

Side 2

1.   Let the Good Times Roll

2.   I Ain’t Got You

3.   Hallelujah, I Love Her So

4.   I’m Crying

5.   Dimples

6.   She Said Yeah

CD bonus tracks:

  • Baby What’s Wrong
  • F-E-E-L
  • New Year’s Radio Spot

 

Animal Tracks (U.S., 1965)

Side 1

1.   We Gotta Get Out of This Place

2.   Take It Easy Baby

3.   Bring It On Home to Me

4.   The Story of Bo Diddley

Side 2

1.   Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

2.   I Can’t Believe It

3.   Club A-Go-Go

4.   Roberta

5.   Bury My Body

6.   For Miss Caulker

CD bonus tracks:

  • Roadrunner
  • Don’t Want Much
  • We Gotta Get Out of This Place (UK Single Version)
  • It’s My Life
  • I’m Gonna Change the World

 

Animalization (U.S., 1966) 

 

Side 1

1.   Don’t Bring Me Down

2.   One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show

3.   You’re On My Mind

4.   Cheating

5.   She’ll Return It

6.   Inside-Looking Out

Side 2

1.   See See Rider

2.   Gin House Blues

3.   Maudie

4.   What Am I Living For

5.   Sweet Little Sixteen

6.   I Put a Spell on You

CD bonus tracks:

  • Don’t Bring Me Down (Stereo Version)
  • Cheating (Stereo Version)
  • See See Rider (Stereo Version)

 

I Just Wanna Make Love To You 12” EP (available as part of The Animals Mickie Most Years And More bundle)

 

Side 1

1.   I Just Wanna Make Love To You

2.   Big Boss Man

3.   Boom Boom

4.   Pretty Thing

Side 2 intentionally blank

 

All tracks in mono unless otherwise stated

AND ON THE LOCAL SCENE: 

The “It Was Fifty Years Ago Today” show featuring the music of The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver” albums has just been booked into both the Des Plaines Theatre (Saturday, June 25th) and the Arcada Theatre (Sunday, June 26th)

This line-up has been rockin’ the country from coast to coast … Christopher Cross, Todd Rundgren, Jason Scheff, formerly of Chicago, Joey Molland of Badfinger and Denny Laine, formerly of The Moody Blues and Wings

Meanwhile, Lou Gramm, former lead singer of Foreigner, who made a very public and emotional retirement announcement a few of years ago, is apparently back out on the road again and headed to both the Arcada and the Des Plaines theaters here in Chicago!

What a voice!

He’ll first appear at The Arcada Theatre on Thursday, August 18th, before moving over to The Des Plaines Theatre for a show on Saturday, August 20th.

As much as I love Lou’s music, we actually had to leave the theater the last time we saw him perform.  The music was SO loud as to render it unlistenable … we even out of our seats to sit in the last row of the theater to see if that might help before giving up all together and heading home.  (Hopefully, they can control this for these new shows as it made what SHOULD have been a night out of GREAT Foreigner music a very unpleasant experience.) 

We went to see Lou again at The Genesee Theatre a short while later, where he was performing with a full orchestra as part of an ‘80’s Music Night, and he sounded amazing … which tells me it’s all in the mix!

I was very sad to hear him announce his retirement so am glad to see that he now feels he’s still got it … and wants to share it with a live audience again.  (kk)

Hi Kent,

So sorry to hear Paul Revere's Raiders are doing their final appearance at the Arcada Theater! Looking forward to your comments and photos of the show!

I remember seeing Paul and his Raiders at Westchester Fest one summer. They did the show for Tommy James and the Shondells, who had to cancel at the last minute!

I am a fan of theirs going back to their very First Hit,  "Like Long Hair."  I bought the record when it first came out, but I lost it somehow thru the years!!

Keep Rockin'

Carolyn

It was a fun show for sure … they were NOT about to make it a sad night and instead decided to just throw a rock and roll farewell party.

The crazy antics of Paul Revere were sorely missed … that was the main reason you went to their show after all … well, that and to hear their massive hit list. A brief video of Paul shown at the concert didn't even come close to doing the man justice ... and, as a final tribute, that was a bit disappointing to me as they MUST have had hours of live footage to choose from.  But man, they sure cranked out the hits (albeit many in medley form ... but when you've got that many, it's really the only way to fit the bulk of them into your set list!)

Between 1961 and 1972, Paul Revere and the Raiders made The National Top 50 a total of 21 times … and they played most of them throughout the night … as well as several other “cover tunes” along the way … including a brand new song written by 45 year Raiders veteran Ron Foos, who returned to the stage for their final concert.  (They even did Grand Funk's "American Band"!!!)

Actually, the whole "Proud To Be An American" theme seemed to run throughout the evening.  Ron Onesti kicked off the festivities with a salute to our flag and the audience singing "The Star Spangled Banner."

And then, to top things off, Jay and the Americans were the headliners! They were also very entertaining, not only doing their own hits, but a series of covers as well.

With three of their original members still onboard (all of whom are pushing 80+), it was a real treat to see and hear how amazingly well their voices have held up over the years (although I think I did catch a couple of them power-napping during certain parts of the songs!  Lol)

They were selling what they called “Gizmo Necklaces” and in the process, brought up a very cool point …

This symbol means something to our generation … and to our generation ONLY.

It won’t mean a thing to anyone who came before us or afterwards …

 


And you can buy these on their website for only $30 each.

http://www.jayandtheamericans.net/pages/store.htm

 

Of course, we’ve used this same symbol as part of our Forgotten Hits logo since the beginning of time …

 

And even made T-Shirts at one point show them off.   

 

(I’ll never forget going to the grocery store one time and the clerk ... a young kid of maybe 19 or 20 years of age ... telling me, “I know what that is!!!”   

When I asked him what it was and how he knew, he explained that he grew up with his mom playing her old 45’s all the time … and as a result, he learned to love the music of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s just as much as we do!)

 

Last year, Chuck Buell even suggested Forgotten Hits Wrapping Paper!

 

 

A good time for sure.  (Thanks again to Ron Onesti for hosting us … and to Tommy Scheckel for letting us be part of the final celebration.)  kk

 

A couple of photos that Frannie snapped at the concert (for which we had EXCELLENT seats, by the way, thank you Ron!!!)

 

 

Apparently also at the show was Ron Romero, President of The Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, who posted this shot of himself and the band ...

 

 
Followed up by this piece on the band ..

Paul Revere's Raiders' last show. 

You may remember that Paul Revere played his last show here

in Illinois.  Since then, the touring members have continued

to keep the legacy alive! This past week, the remaining members

played their last show here in Illinois as well. 

 

Ron Romero, Founder & President of the Illinois Rock And Roll Musuem, met Jay and the Americans and Paul Revere’s Raiders during their last performance. Paul Revere’s last gig was at a theater here in Illinois and tonight, the rest of the band played their last gig there. Bassist Ron Foos called Ron earlier that morning and asked if the Illinois Rock & Roll Museum on Route 66 would like his Raider boots to commemorate the band’s last performance ever in Illinois. Ron Foos would have offered his Raiders costume to the Museum, however it is owned by the organization.  Foos played with the Raiders for the past 45 years and is one of the nicest people around! You might recognize a couple of the members who are from Illinois, too … David Huizenga and Tommy Scheckel.


The show Ron Romero is referring to, of course, was last Sunday’s gig at The Arcada Theatre.  (But damn if he doesn’t seem to go out of his way not to acknowledge that fact!!!)

I'm sorry, but I found that to be a bit disrespectful ... he made sure that he had a ticket to the show in order to say goodbye to The Raiders ... and then simply says "they played their last show in Illinois, as did Paul Revere a few years ago."

BOTH of these shows were at The Arcada Theatre ... in St. Charles, Illinois ... making them somewhat historical in the scheme of things.

Sadly, I'm sensing that there’s no love lost between these two Rons … for years, there was a race to see who would open up the first Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame (although Ron Onesti’s plan was to make it more of an Illinois MUSIC Hall Of Fame, thus encompassing ALL of the great artists that had ties to our great state.) 

For whatever reason, after years of work (and a couple of key deals falling through), Onesti’s idea never happened.  (I am proud to say that I was on the Board Of Directors for that project, which was quite an honor indeed!)

While I still haven’t made it down to Joliet yet to see what Ron Romero has put together … I hope to make the trip sometime this summer ... I know Ron Onesti's plans were for a top notch facility.  It's sad that he was never able to realize this dream, as I know how much it meant to him as well.

It's a shame, but I think it's time to recognize the fact that the goal was common ... to, in some way, recognize and pay tribute to all of the great artists who had ties of some fashion to the great State of Illinois ... and continue ALL of our efforts to keep this great music alive.  (kk)

Meanwhile, The Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has just announced its new Class of 2022 Inductees … and you’ll find some great names on THIS list, too!  (kk)

HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS

Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66

2nd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Sunday, June 5th

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Rialto Square Theatre

102 N. Chicago Street

Joliet, IL. 60432


Based on the results of voting by Charter Members of the Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66, the Class of 2022 Inductees includes:

 

Band / Solo Artist: 
Styx; Chuck Berry; Sam Cooke; Dan Fogelberg; The New Colony Six


Songwriter:
Jim Peterik; Dennis DeYoung


DJ:
John Records Landecker


Radio Station:
WXRT-FM

Record Label:
Mercury

Tickets go on sale to Musuem Charter Members on Tuesday, April 12th, at Noon. Members will receive an email on Monday, April 11th,

with a special code to use.   Want your tickets early? 

Become a Museum Charter Member by Friday, April 8th,

to receive a code for early seating selections. 

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, April 15th, at Noon

through the Rialto Square Theatre  website.

And finally, we got this from FH Reader (and former Lettermen) Gary Pike …

 

It’s our  

CLIP OF THE WEEK!

President Zelensky does a duet with his Wife Olena !

Makes one incredibly sad to think what may be ahead for this couple. 

Really sweet song, "Endless Love," played some years ago when they were younger.
Google shows them now President Zelensky With Wife Olena!  

A crooner before a comedian and commander-in-chief.

During these tense and horrifying moments in Ukraine, aside from intense prayer to God, let us listen to President Volodymyr Zelensky and wife Olena Zelensky sing "Endless Love" not only for each other but for their beloved country Ukraine. SURPRISINGLY, IT’S QUITE GOOD!!!

Gary

Amazing!  I had NO idea that his former background was in entertainment … and obviously quite talented at it as well.  (Guess that sort of makes him the Ronald Reagan of Ukraine!  No wait, these two are actually talented!) 

This is hauntingly beautiful … and almost impossible to watch without tearing up. 

I have personally never cared for this song … but this has to be the best, most perfect arrangement I’ve ever heard.  Poignant ... heartfelt … and so INCREDIBLY sad to think that these two will never know the peacefulness of this moment again.  (kk)