Now, for Forgotten Hitters Everywhere from Chuck Buell.
In this song, he basically sings “Listen to how my rhythm goes!”
And does it ever!
I'm sharing this with you for no particular reason other than to start your Tuesday off on an upbeat note! It's a song that I personally like more now than I did back when I had to play again and again over and over on my radio shows in the early 70s!
He’s considered to be one of the most influential and greatest guitarists of the last 50 years. Here with his former wife, knocking out some great accompaniment on drums, is Carlos and Cindy Blackman Santana with his 1970 Top 15 Worldwide Forgotten Hit.
Oh, and 20 other musicians from around the world also individually taking part!
So, feel free to join in on Air Guitar, Desk or Laptop Drumming or Singing Along Joyously!
CB ( which stands for Oye “Como-va Boy!” )
Believe it or not, Saturday Night we watched the entire Temptations mini-series again ... and I've got to tell you, enjoyed it every bit as much as any other time we've seen it. SO well done ... and perfectly cast ... with outstanding music throughout, this has to be one of the best biopics I've ever seen. (It is currently streaming on Roku and Prime Video) kk
Check out this really cool new video interview with Al Jardine on LifeMinute TV:
https://youtu.be/FfEZV3hO_eg
For the
latest Al Jardine Family & Friends Tour dates, plus all of Al’s
upcoming summer shows with Brian Wilson & Chicago, please visit: https://www.aljardine.com/shows (more Family & Friends shows to be announced soon!)
Also, here’s a new article on both versions of Help Me, R(h)onda:
https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/listen-the-beach-boys-help-me-rhonda-original-version-wasnt-hit.html
Have a groovy weekend! 😎
Spud
OK, just finished watching the Queen's Party Tribute and I have to say I just did not get most of it. WHY have Diana Ross, Alicia Keyes (singing about New York) and, worst of all, Rod Stewart singing "Sweet Caroline" with those horrible "Bah Bah Bahs." Duran Duran was OK, but not necessary. Andrew Lloyd Webber changing the words to his "King Harod's Song"? Of course, Queen with some Freddie sound-alike who didn't really SOUND like Freddie doing the well over played "We Will Rock You" / "We are the Champions" medley with their better "Dont Stop Me Now" in between. WHY have US people singing at all?
I know previous celebrations had Sir Paul, Cliff and giant Brit artists, but there are still more before they have to send in Hamilton play with American patriot uniformed actors against the Brits! Why not have Justin Hayward come and sing "For My Lady" and rock it up with "Singer In A RnR Band."
How about the
Who? -- They are still around at least. Ray Davies??? RINGO would have set
the crowd up well. And of course, the Montanas and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich are no
brainers (of course, Dave Dee passed away.) 
Cat Stevens could have sang something nice. There's so much they could have done to make it more ENGLISH! They could have sang "You'll Never Walk Alone," except it might have started a football brawl. Oh well, some of the speeches were OK and Elton did OK with "Your Song."
Next time, more
SKITS with the Queen in them!! 
WLS Clark
Apparently, you're not alone in your views and opinions ... and questioning of the talent line-up. (I didn't even watch the thing! lol)
Here is Paul Cashmere's review, from Noise 11 ...
Why Did The BBC Allow Diana Ross To Sing A Song About A Blow Job At The Queen’s Jubilee Concert?
Before we start on why was Diana Ross even there, who thought it was a good idea for her to sing a song about a blowjob at the Queen’s Jubilee Concert?
The lyrics for Diana’s Barry Gibb-written 1985 hit ‘Chain Reaction’ go:
You
make me tremble when your hand moves lower
You taste a little then you swallow slower
Nature has a way of yielding treasure
Pleasure made for you, oh
Did the album title the song came from even register with the producers of the concert? The 1985 Diana Ross album featuring ‘Chain Reaction’ is titled ‘Eaten Alive.’ At least the song was written by a Knight, Sir Barry Gibb. I guess that was its connection to the evening.
Why was Diana Ross even there … or Alicia Keys … or that piece from Hamilton with Lin-Manuel Miranda? They were all irrelevant to the Crown and Commonwealth. The Alicia Keys song was about New York, ‘Hamilton’ is about taking down the British in war. Who was in charge of the content for this bizarre Pomp and Pageantry?
Rod Stewart was recovering from Covid, as were his backing singers and their voices had not fully recovered. Why did Rod Stewart perform that awful version of ‘Sweet Caroline’? The song is totally irrelevant to him. (He said later he was ordered by the BBC to perform it.) And why perform ‘Baby Jane,’ one of his weakest hits. ‘Rhythm of My Heart,’ with an orchestra and bagpipes, would have been perfect.
Why wasn’t every living Sir or Dame invited to perform? There was no Tom Jones, Cliff Richard, Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger, Barry Gibb or Ray Davies. Paul McCartney was reduced to a pre-recorded thank-you and Elton John a pre-recorded performance. Why wasn’t the Commonwealth represented? Why no Australia’s Olivia Newton-John, Canada’s Anne Murray and New Zealand’s Kiri Te Kanawa. They are all Dames, the female title for a Knighthood. Dave Dobbyn of New Zealand is a Knight.
The event had a few highlights, The Queen with Paddington, Queen + Adam Lambert and Duran Duran were all exceptional performances. But all that mindless pop, all that American content, ignoring the Commonweath completely. What a weird way to honour 70 years of service.
Graham Nash spent HIS time in lockdown making new music.
Look for not only a new solo album but also one recorded with his oldest and dearest friend, Allan Clarke, with whom he formed The Hollies.
Nash told Classic Rock Magazine “Allan has been my oldest friend – I’ve known him since I was six years old and that means he has been my friend for 74 years.
“He quit The Hollies many years ago because he didn’t feel that he could reach those high notes on those beautiful songs that he did.
“But Allan has been singing unbelievably well and I’m very happy with this record.”
Now THIS I’ve gotta hear!!! (kk)
The Doobie Brothers have postponed dates on their 50th Anniversary Tour due to covid concerns … again!
Shows in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina have been postponed due to covid spreading thru their touring party. Dates are expected to be rescheduled and made up at another date. (kk)
Hey, Kent!
A longtime Radio Friend of mine, Randy Jay, brought to my attention that Neil Diamond also had a Forgotten Hit Song that begins with the same June 3rd opening date as Bobby Gentry’s song does!
Gentry told the story of “Billy Joe;” Diamond told the story of “Desirée!”
First in 1967, Bobby Gentry sang, “It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day.”
Then ten years later in 1977, Neil Diamond sang, “It was the third of June, on that summer's day."
For the record, let the Record’s Record show, “Billy Joe” was a Number One Hot 100 Song and “Desirée" was a Number One Easy Listening Song!
Here’s a ten-second opening lines comparison just for Fun ~~~
CB ( which stands for “Calendar Boy!” )
And let us not forget the 3rd of September … ‘cause that was the day that my daddy died …
Or the 21st night of September as immortalized by Earth, Wind and Fire!
I’m not sure how many hit “specific date” songs exist … but these four are certainly some of the most memorable. (kk)
Micky Dolenz’s PR Man David Salidor just let me know that the airdate for his CBS Sunday Morning interview hasn’t been scheduled yet … all he did was tape it this past week … so please stay tuned for more info. (His new solo show saluting his former bandmates has been getting rave reviews everywhere it has played. And he’s still doing shows with Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals, too!) kk
Thursday, June 16th – Micky Dolenz – Free Concert as part of Hot Summer Nights in Sherman, Texas
Thursday, July 21st – Micky Dolenz at UNC Wilmington – Kenan Auditorium in Wilmington, NC
Friday, July 22nd – Micky Dolenz at A.J. Fletcher Opera Theatre in Raleigh, NC
Saturday, July 23rd – Mick Dolenz at Central Piedmont New Theatre – Parr Center in Charlotte, NC
Friday, October 21st – Micky Dolenz at Bankhead Theater in Livermore, CA
Sunday, October 234d – Micky Dolenz with Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals at Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, AZ
David also sent us this review of Micky’s appearance at New York’s Palladium Theater last Friday night from the TIMES SQUARE CHRONICLES …
Micky Dolenz held court Friday at NY’s Palladium Theater smack dab in the heart of Times Square. The venue, which has been several differently named venues over the years, started out as the famed Loews Astor Plaza Theater - where Star Wars originally premiered in 1977 - and the building (1515 Broadway) has housed such entertainment clients as MTV; Billboard; CBS FM and many more.
Dolenz delivered his usual powerhouse set with his competent band and we were especially taken by his performance of the song “Valleri.” Just a stunning song, written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, and released in 1968. It just sounded so fresh.
As we said last column, Dolenz had a sit-down interview with CBS’ Anthony Mason and Mason and crew did another brief interview with Dolenz this night and filmed the performance of “Last Train To Clarksville.” Mason added that the piece would air shortly and we’ll keep you posted. Also seen at the show were Billy Amendola; Anne Leighton; Dolenz aide-de-camp Jane Blunkell; Rachel Tarzia from the Palladium; Dolenz PR-man David Salidor; and Q1043’s Jim Kerr
Alec John Such, founding bassist of Bon Jovi, passed away on Sunday (June 5th) of unknown / undisclosed causes.
Such played on the band's first five albums before departing in 1994.
Leader Jon Bon Jovi issued this statement to the press:
"We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such. He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band. To be honest, we found our way to each other through him. He was a childhood friend and brought Richie [Sambora] to see us perform. Alec was always wild and full of life. Today those special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We'll miss him dearly."
Such blamed the heavy workload as his reason for leaving at the height of the band’s fame. "I was a good ten years older than the rest of the band," he told the Asbury Park Press in 2000 (as reported by Variety.) "I started to get burned out. It felt like work, and I didn't want to work. The reason I got into a band to begin with is because I didn't want to work."
Ultimate Classic Rock is reporting that at the band's induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2018, Such had nothing but good things to say about his former bandmates. "These guys are the best. We had so many great times together and we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for those guys. [I] Love them to death and always will."
"We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such," read his statement. "He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band. To be honest, we found our way to each other through him. He was a childhood friend and brought Richie [Sambora] to see us perform. Alec was always wild and full of life. Today those special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We'll miss him dearly."
Read More: Founding Bon Jovi Bassist Alec John Such Dead at 70 | https://ultimateclassicrock.com/alec-john-such-dead/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&utm_term=UCR&utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral
>>>Did I just read that Justin Timberlake sold his song catalog for $100 Million?!?! (kk)
I wouldn't give a DIME for any current artist's catalog of last 20 years.
Clark
Remember the good old days of Classic Rock when they’d hold concerts like The Super Bowl of Rock …
An all-day event held at some outdoor venue with maybe as many as a dozen different bands … all headliners … performing throughout the day and well into the evening?
Well, there are a couple of superstar tours happening this summer … and it’s been a long time since this kind of star power has shared the same stage, moving from city to city.
First up, you’ve got Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett (Joan Jett???) hitting the road together (see dates below) …
And then you’ve got Styx, REO Speedwagon and Loverboy making the rounds!
Ultimate Classic Rock sent out the tour dates and the set lists for both of these classic rock shows … and you can check them out here:
There has been a ton of activity surrounding what would have been the 100th Birthday of Judy Garland. Festivities are launching all over the world and we have been involved in some of the promotions at work as well including the new Judy Fragrance that her daughters say “smells just like Mom!”
Here's more from The Second Disc …
OK, now here’s one of the most clever album titles I’ve ever heard …
Robbie Steinhardt, violinist, vocalist and founding member of the rock group Kansas has a new solo disc out called … NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE!!! (Now if that’s not the most perfect tie-in to our previous Judy Garland story, then I don’t know what is!!! It’s enough to make me want to put on my ruby red slippers!)
Sadly, Steinhardt just recently passed away … so this becomes a posthumous release.
Just released! Kansas legend Robby Steinhardt’s video for “Not in Kansas Anymore” from the critically acclaimed album of the same name. Produced by Michael Franklin, the album was released on Solar Music just after the unexpected passing of Steinhardt.
You know him as the legendary violinist, vocalist and frontman for the band KANSAS, recording nine albums which reached gold, platinum and double platinum status, and is now making another mark on the world with his first and only solo album.
“Not in Kansas Anymore” is a powerful, well-thought-out offering of Prog Rock magic. Timely songs with incredible arrangements and virtuoso performances. Robby’s vocals and signature electric violin come through on this continuous work labeled a “Prog Opera.”
The album “Not in Kansas Anymore” grew out of the Jon Anderson “1000 Hands” sessions. Robby was a special guest on the song “Active.” He put down several violin tracks on that song and also a song Michael was working on with drum legend Billy Cobham. That song led to the making of “Not in Kansas Anymore.”
The art direction and video work was done by Alvaro Ortega, a gifted animator from Madrid Spain. Alvaro has received worldwide notice from his Beatle and British Invasion animations. Most recently his collaboration with producer Michael Franklin’s “A Day in His Life,” a highly acclaimed tribute to John Lennon. This work went viral and given high praise by Sir George Martin's son https://www.facebook.com/michael.franklin.1610/videos/10222238735251109. Art work in the video was based off of the album art by Tom Lupo, nominated “Album Cover of the Year” by ProgReport.
Robby Steinhardt “Not in Kansas
Anymore”
Recorded at Solar Studio, Orlando Florida, December 2020 - May 2021
Produced by Michael Franklin producer of Jon Anderson 1000 Hands
with the cast members 1000 Hands
Robby Steinhardt - Violin and Lead
Vocals
Tim Franklin - Bass and Vocals
Rayford Griffin - Drums
Jim Gentry - Electric Guitar and Vocals
Tommy Calton - Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Michael Franklin - Bosendorfer Piano, Kurzweil Forte, Hammond B3 and Vocals
And special Guests
Billy Cobham, Pat Travers, Chuck Leavell, Ian Anderson, Billy Ashbaugh, Patrick
Moraz, many others, orchestra and choir.
Songs Written by Franklin/Steinhardt/Franklin Solar Music BMI
“Not in Kansas Anymore,” Digital Download, CD and preorder LP with free Digital Download can be found at: www.robbysteinhardtofficial.com or www.solarmusic.com
Promo video available below … and also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu5T_3aEv0g
Robby was a big fan of local vinyl vendors. Here is where you will be able can to find LPs and CDs locally www.solarmusic.com/distribution
HELPING OUT OUR READERS:
We haven’t done one of these in a while!!!
Reaching out first to Tom Diehl, who ALWAYS seems to come thru for us no matter what we ask … but running it here, too, just in case he runs into any difficulties trying to locate an original, clean copy …
Hi there, FH readers,
In 1959, Tony Bellus came out with a song called Robbin' The Cradle. Like Gee by the Crows and Come Back My Love by the Wrens, which were both on George Goldner's Rama label and got seriously tampered with in the mid-fifties, and for decades it was nearly impossible to find the untampered with version unless you could find the original 45. This is also the situation with Tony Bellus's song Robbin' The Cradle.
It was one of those songs that some engineer tried to turn into fake stereo by adding lots of reverb to the song, especially on one channel. I'm so glad that this practice is no long acceptable, and some digitally extracted stereo creations are surprisingly convincing that they are a true stereo cut.
If anyone has a decent copy of the original 1959 single that they could make an mp3 copy of and either get it to Kent or put it some place where it can be downloaded from, I would really appreciate it.
I can't stand the tampered with version, just like I couldn't stand what they did to Gee by the Crows on a Roulette album that I think was called Pajama Party. Not only did they load the song with reverb, but they even slowed the song down by a half step, and I was so surprised back in 1971, when I finally heard how the song was supposed
to sound when Little Walter on WBCN in Boston in his Time Machine played the original single, Rama #5, and I heard how that song should sound for the first time. Once Time-Life put the correct version in a 1954 - 55 RNB CD, the correct version of the song popped up in other places as well, and now you've got to go back to fifties and sixties vinyl albums to hear that slowed down and reverb filled copy of Gee that was so awful.
But, it doesn't seem like this has happened to Robbin' The Cradle. Every single version of the song that I've seen on CD or that's on YouTube has that tampered with sound which is too bad because I really don't enjoy hearing the song that way.
Can anyone help?
Sam Ward
I checked with Tom Diehl, my resident expert on this sort of thing, who researched this further ... and this is what he came back with ...
According to Pat Downey's Top 40 Music On CD Database website, ALL copies of Robbin' The Cradle on domestic (US) cd releases, are the correct mono US single version, with the same echo that was available on the original 45 rpm single (ditto the Canadian pressing 45 that I own to compare to).
This mp3 is off of ACE (UK)'s Teenage Crush Volume 2 cd, and is taken from the UK tape dub copy sent over from the original record label back in the day when the UK 45 was being pressed up (London HL 8933). As far as I can tell, it sounds exactly like my Canadian 45, and the same as my copy of the song off of other US sourced cd's, which I have it on two others (one of which is significantly sped up, and likely dubbed from an actual 45 at the wrong speed).
Tom
THIS is what he sent me ...
I was happy to learn that:
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