It’s coming …
Just two more weeks until the new Elvis film opens … and the buzz has been exceptionally good. (I’m not convinced I’m going to like this film … my experience with Baz Luhrmann films in the past has been less than satisfying … but I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt in the hopes that this one will prove me wrong and knock me off my feet … or, at the very least, allow me to relax in a cushy recliner for nearly three hours off my feet!)
This review from Noise 11 offers some fresh perspective regarding what to expect:
https://www.noise11.com/news/baz-luhrmanns-elvis-the-noise11-com-review-20220608
And, with all the hype surrounding the new Elvis movie, Paul Cashmere of Noise 11 decided to rerun his 2001 interview with Sam Phillips, the founder of the legendary Sun Records, who first recorded Presley back in 1953 …
https://www.noise11.com/news/my-interview-with-sun-records-founder-sam-phillips-20220609
Chicago has just leaked another track from their upcoming album … and I’ve gotta say I like this one a WHOLE lot more than that first track we ran a week or two ago.
“Firecracker” is a very upbeat tune … and sounds the way you want Chicago to sound.
(In fact, I’ll go so far as to say it’s the best thing they’ve recorded in YEARS!) And it sounds JUST like Chicago!!! (kk)
The Rolling Stones played a show in Liverpool last week as part of their new “Sixty” tour. It was The Stones’ first appearance there since 1971 … 51 years ago … and they added “I Wanna Be Your Man” to the set list to commemorate the event as a tribute to The Beatles, who gave them the song to record as a single back in 1963. (Although recorded later, The Stones’ version was released PRIOR to The Beatles’ version when it was issued as their second single in The UK. The Beatles’ version first appeared three weeks later on their “With The Beatles” album (issued in America as “Meet The Beatles.”) Here in The States, “I Wanna Be Your Man” wound up on the B-Side of The Stones’ first US single, “Not Fade Away.” It was only released as a single … and didn’t appear in LP form until some compilation collections issued many years later. (kk)
Got an extra five hundred bucks you don’t know what to do with?
Well, if you’re a Jimi Hendrix fan, you might want to check out this collectors’ edition of the new Baron Wolman photo book, featuring every frame of every photo Wolman took of Jimi Hendrix between 1968 and 1970. (kk)
https://shop.rockhall.com/products/jimi-hendrix-1968-1970-by-baron-wolman-silver-gilded-deluxe-edition-book?_pos=7&_sid=aaca48263&_ss=r?utm_source=salesforce&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=merch&utm_term=Shop&j=110447&sfmc_sub=7164090&l=122_HTML&u=6456207&mid=514010833&jb=2003&utm_source=salesforce&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Merch&utm_content=Jimi+Hendrix+Baron+Wolman+Silver+Gilded+Book
Look for a career comprehensive box set from Blondie this summer.
Available in both a 3-CD and a deluxe 8-CD edition, the set covers all six of their studio albums recorded for Chrysalis records … as well as over fifty demos, alternate versions and early rehearsal takes and other assorted outtakes (including a few clips from their very first recording session.)
More here: https://theseconddisc.com/2022/06/08/against-the-odds-blondies-box-sets-finally-coming-this-summer/
And here: https://bestclassicbands.com/blondie-box-set-against-the-odds-1974-1982-6-8-22/
Rock Cellar Magazine caught up with Henry Diltz at the NAMM Convention. (Henry, of course, by way of Gary Strobl, the keeper of his archives, has been sharing pages from his illustrious journal with our readers all year along … another EXCLUSIVE feature of Forgotten Hits!) kk
Mike McCartney Speaks!!!
You may have seen this interesting article today, but if not, Mike McGear (McCartney) has written a book and has LOTS of photos of the Beatles and early days and lots of new (hopefully) thoughts on what HE saw and experienced with the band in the early Beatles days. I found it especially interesting because he talks about how IMPORTANT Pete Best and Stu Sutcliffe were to the band! They always seem to be slighted by most. One thing you have to remember is that when the author says "McCartney said," he is talking about MIKE, not Paul. It was cool to hear Mike say that he was SOOO happy that Pete finally got some royalties from the two songs he played on in the Anthology series, because he deserved SOMETHING for his years and how he was treated. He was also a photographer back then, so the book apparently has tons of photos -- hopefully new to US!
https://www.insidehook.com/article/music/mike-mccartney-interview
Clark Besch
And talking about The Beatles, Bob Merlis sent us this about Global Beatles Day …
https://www.globalbeatlesday.com/
Kent –
I wanted to add to your request for comments. This comment is for your Magic Monkees Moments.
During my time as singer/bassist for The Rip Chords, I had the opportunity to be part of "Rockers On Broadway." On the show was Micky Dolenz. As usual, he was excellent.
The Path Fund is a non-profit scholarship fund for theater arts and education. One of its main supporters and fundraisers is the "Rockers On Broadway" concert series.
Fast forward to 2022.
The organization has released a 2022, 12 track, live, fund raiser album.
One of the highlights of the project is a Micky Dolenz performance of "I'm a Believer."
I just wanted to point out the charity work in Micky's career.
- Bobby Scammell, The Rip Chords
A month ago, my brother and I sailed on the Cruise to the Edge. It was a "geek fest" for prog rock enthusiasts, but it also had some older acts on the ship including Alan Parsons, Al Stewart and Justin Hayward. Thoroughly enjoyed them and the prog bands I never saw before. A lot of notes, strange time signatures and epic long songs. Not your cup of tea, I believe.
Also, both of us got covid (after 2+ years of avoiding it!) Symptoms like a bad cold, no fever, chills just tiredness. Lasted about a week.
Also saw the Robert Plant / Alison Krauss show and that exceeded my expectations ... both are in fine voice, in contrast to Sir Paul's voice that is shot!
Are you going to see the Rubber Soul / Revolver show with Todd Rundgren at the Arcada? It originally had Jason Scheff as one of the stars, but I don't see him listed on the current ads for the show.
Bob
I’ve been on the fence for months now on this Rubber Soul / Revolver show … I’d like to see it and I’ll bet it’s good … but I’ve just never gotten around to getting tickets for it.
I know the cast list has been a bit of a revolving door this time around … but didn’t realize that Jason Scheff was now off the list … he was certainly one of the highlights the last time around when we saw their 50th Anniversary salute to The White Album. (Their rockin’ version of “25 or 6 to 4” was one of the concert highlights. Another was how entertainingly animated Christopher Cross was!)
I’ll have to do some digging to see who’s actually going to appear. (There was a country artist whose name escapes me onboard for a while, too, but I believe he dropped out of the line-up a while ago.)
Ron has also booked Starship (featuring Mickey Thomas on vocals) for a show at The Des Plaines Theatre in July … now THAT might be a good one to see! (We’ve seen Mickey Thomas a few times before, but always as a “guest” act. To see an entire show dedicated to the music of Starship might be interesting. Sadly, no Grace Slick or Marty Balin … but the catalog’s strong enough that I still think it’ll make for a great night out of music. (kk)
Speaking of Prog Rock, here’s something you might like …
World’s Largest Prog Rock Supergroup THE PROG COLLECTIVE Revisit Folk & Rock Masterpieces On New Album SONGS WE WERE TAUGHT, Release First Single!
Album features performances by David Clayton-Thomas (Blood Sweat & Tears), Rod Argent (The Zombies), Sonja Kristina (Curved Air), Candice Night (Blackmore's Night), Dweezil Zappa, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns N' Roses/Asia), Steve Morse (Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs), Martin Barre (Jethro Tull), Steve Hillage (Gong) and more!
Producer Billy Sherwood has helmed the massive prog rock supergroup The Prog Collective through an astonishing ten years and three studio albums with an ever-evolving cast of 50+ elite-level musicians, vocalists, and creative minds. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the project has always brought some of the most innovative musical arrangements, unique performances and cutting-edge production techniques, all in service of creating the most engaging, enthralling listening experience to the listener. The same holds true for the band’s newest effort, the gorgeous and sublime Songs We Were Taught.
As the title suggests, Sherwood and his cohort travel back in time to revisit some of the most formative and influential songs of the ‘60s & ‘70s. From Bob Dylan’s massively important “The Times They Are A-Changin’” to Simon & Garfunkel’s unforgettable classic “Sound Of Silence” to the folk standard-turned-chart-topping-rock-dirge “House Of The Rising Sun,” the compositions included here are not ones that would immediately be associated with the kind of progressive / art-rock players featured on Prog Collective albums. But just one listen to the astonishing musicianship Wishbone Ash’s Martin Turner and electric violinist Jerry Goodman bring to Dylan’s song or the mix of soul and atmosphere that David Clayton-Thomas and Steve Hillage add to “House Of The Rising Sun” and you’ll know why this album exists. Thankfully, the band has released “House Of The Rising Sun” as the album’s first single!
Check out the single: https://orcd.co/house_of_the_rising_sun
Watch for the whole of Songs We Were Taught to be released on all formats, including CD, vinyl and digital, starting July 1.
Pre-order the CD/vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=songs+we+were+taught&post_type=product
Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/songs_we_were_taught
Track List:
1. The Sound Of Silence - Jon Davison (Yes) & Geoff Downes (Yes/Asia)
2. Year Of The Cat - Billy Sherwood (Yes/Circa) & David Sancious (Bruce
Springsteen's E Street Band)
3. House Of The Rising Sun - David Clayton-Thomas (Blood Sweat & Tears)
& Steve Hillage (Gong)
4. In The Land Of Grey And Pink - Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guns N'
Roses)
5. Summer Breeze - Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) & Steve Morse (Dixie
Dregs)
6. Fire And Rain - Sonja Kristina (Curved Air) & Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
7. The Weight - Rod Argent (The Zombies) & Jeff "Skunk" Baxter
(The Doobie Brothers)
8. Wild World - Rosalie Cunningham (Ipso Facto) & Patrick Moraz (The Moody
Blues)
9. It's Too Late - Candice Night (Blackmore's Night) & Dweezil Zappa
10. The Times They Are A-Changin' - Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash) & Jerry
Goodman (The Flock)
Getting back to singer Tony Bellus, in my last email I told you I couldn't remember offhand his follow-up to ROBBIN' THE CRADLE. I looked it up and it was called THE END OF MY LOVE (NRC). I just now played it and it was somewhat of a tear jerker like TEEN ANGEL. I checked and here in OKC, it was on the local survey for just three weeks, peaking at #33.
Larry
Yeah, that’s the one I kinda figured it was. (Chicago and Oklahoma City seemed to chart a lot of the same “more obscure” records back in the day. Here in Chicago, this one peaked at #19.) kk
From FH Reader Ken Voss …
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason kicked off his summer tour June 8th. This is a testament to Dave Mason's six-decade endurance as an icon in rock history.
Joining Mason on this run are longtime band members Johnne Sambataro on guitar and vocals, Alvino Bennett on drums, and exciting new additions Bill Mason on keyboard and vocals, and Ray Cardwell on bass and vocals. This new lineup will perform Mason's most loved and iconic songs as well as deep tracks and a few surprises.
In 2020, Dave Mason reimagined his iconic album Alone Together with the release of Alone Together Again. The album is available through Mason's online store, and on all digital platforms, via Shelter Records.
Written when he was only 20 years old, Dave Mason is likely best known for "Feelin' Alright?," one of the most beloved and covered rock anthems since its release in 1968. The timeless song continues to be a powerful and enduring moment of rock and roll history, featured in dozens of films and TV commercials as well as interpretations by artists as diverse as Joe Cocker, Three Dog Night, Grand Funk Railroad, ELO, Coldplay, The 5th Dimension and so many more.
A new version of this classic was re-recorded and released in July, 2020, featuring Mason alongside Mick Fleetwood, Sammy Hagar, Michael McDonald and The Doobie Brothers: John McFee, Tom Johnston, John Cowan and Pat Simmons.
Mason has been respectfully called a musical "gunslinger" for a reason; having worked with some of the biggest names in music, his trademark guitar licks and musical touches are all over beloved classic hits.
He recorded an album with Mama Cass, played rhythm guitar on "All Along the Watchtower" with Jimi Hendrix, was a founding member of Traffic, recorded with Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones, was part of Fleetwood Mac for a spell, as well as a guitar designer and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee ... Yep, that's Dave Mason.
Tour Dates:
Wednesday,
June 8th, 2022 - Carmel, CA - - Sunset Cultural Center
Thursday, June 9th , 2022 - Petaluma, CA - Mystic Theatre
Saturday, June 18th, 2022 - Boston, MA - - City Winery
Sunday, June 19th, 2022 - Hammondsport, NY Point of the Bluff
Vineyards
Tuesday, June 21st, 2022 - Derry, NH - - Tupelo Music Hall
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022 - East Greenwich, RI Greenwich Odeum
Friday, June 24th, 2022 - Augusta, NJ - - Rock, Ribs & Ridges Festival
Saturday, June 25th, 2022 - Amangansett, NY - Stephen Talkhouse
Tuesday, June 28th, 2022 - Ocean City, NJ - Ocean City Music Pier
Wednesday, June 29th, 2022 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere
Friday, July 1st, 2022 - Ridgefield, CT - Ridgefield Playhouse
Saturday, July 2nd, 2022 - Westhampton Beach Westhampton Beach PAC
Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 - North Truro, MA - Payomet Performing Arts
Center
Friday, July 8th, 2022 -
Warren, OH - - Robins Theatre
Saturday, July 9th, 2022 - Lorain, OH - - Lorain Palace Theatre
Sunday, July 10th, 2022 - Kent, OH - - The Kent Stage
Tuesday, July 13th, 2022 - Wichita, KS - - TempleLive Wichita
Thursday, July 14th, 2022 - Oklahoma City, OK Tower Theatre
Friday, July 15th, 2022 - Dallas, TX - - The Kessler Theater
Saturday, July 16th, 2022 - Houston, TX - - The Heights Theater
Wednesday, July 20th, 2022 - Fort Smith, AR – Temple Live Fort Smith
Friday, July 22nd, 2022 - Omaha, NE - - Memorial Park Omaha
We’ve seen Dave Mason a couple of times now … always a good show. (kk)
And locals can see The King of The Twist at The Arcada Theatre this Sunday Afternoon (June 12th) …
CHUBBY CHECKER (we’ve been trying to get him to come to Chicago for YEARS!!!) will be appearing this Sunday at 3 pm – and good seats are still available.
Ron has even cleared off a section of seats to create a dance floor so you can twist right along with Chubby!!! (I saw him a few years ago a The Genesee Theatre and he was absolutely amazing!!! You won’t believe the shape this guy is in! He literally looks half his age!) kk
And, on a final note ...
We've been making our way through Season Two of "Hacks" ... a really well-done show by the way ... and have been TOTALLY blown away by the music featured this season on the program.
On the episode we watched the other night, we were treated to TWO great Forgotten Hits ... "Run Run Run" by Jo Jo Gunne and "I've Got The Music In Me" by Kiki Dee ... both in the SAME episode!!! (How often does THAT happen?!?!)
Other tunes featured this season include the above-mentioned "25 or 6 to 4," "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt, "Stomp" by Brothers Johnson (when's the last time you heard THAT one!), "The Bitch Is Back" by Elton John, "Constant Craving" by k.d. lang, "Radar Love" by Golden Earring, "It Never Rains In Southern California" by Albert Hammond, "Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves" by Cher, "Born Under A Bad Sign" by Albert King, "Sweet Love" by Anita Baker (featured at least four times in the same episode when Debra's housekeeper couldn't figure out a way to turn it off!), "Goodbye Stranger" by Supertramp and more surprise gems along the way.
It's a very well-written, enjoyable show (starring Jean Smart in the lead role) ... but all of this great music makes it that much more enjoyable to watch.
The Jo Jo Gunne song was the real surprise for me. Here in Chicago, this was a #2 hit ... but nationally, it only got to #27, so a bit obscure to say the least.
But I LOVE IT!!! So it's today's Friday Real Good, Feel Good song to end today's posting. (Just try to listen to this without smiling!!!) kk
