Sheri and I
were both blown away by the new Elvis movie. It's powerful and sad, especially
since we know how it ends. The actor playing E is freakishly good.
From all of the books I've read, it's very accurate. Like any film,
a couple of creative license points, but overall, absolutely wonderful.
I got into Elvis much later (like with Michael Jackson, it took time and some maturity to look past the circus/freakshow elements that were presented to the public) to truly understand. He was a little before my time when he was in his prime, especially since I really didn't start listening to music deeply until four years after his death. But Sheri was a huge fan and of the right age to be swept up in the whole thing. For her, it dug up a lot of memories and emotions that she had forgotten.
Paul Braun
I totally agree, Paul …
I was fortunate enough to see Elvis live three times when he performed here in Chicago - first in 1972, when he was all fired up about performing in front of an audience again and then twice in 1976 near the end where it seemed like he had all but given up in trying to impress anybody.
The scene in the film where the real Elvis sings Unchained Melody is heartbreaking / and breathtaking at the same time - that scene alone is worth the price of admission! (kk)
Sheri saw him at Notre Dame, also near the
end.
I'd seen that clip of E singing "Unchained" on YouTube before - it's
heartbreaking. You see the core of who he is trying to come through the shell
of what he'd become.
We've got the Aloha and the Comeback Special on DVD - stunning. That shows the
man at the height of his power - strong, confident.
We toured Graceland a few years ago. After hearing about it for so many
years, how weird and creepy it was, both of us agreed that we couldn't see any
of that. First, it's a lot smaller than I envisioned. The decor overall wasn't
out of line. And when we got to the Jungle Room, we both agreed that we'd be
totally fine with that as our living room.
I guess, compared to the 200,000-sq-ft monsters that some of today's
super-celebs live in, it's really just a nice, somewhat-large house.
Maybe back then it seemed outrageous.
I remember going by there when I was in High School and our family drove from
Southern Illinois to Florida on vacation, and remembering all of the tacky gift
shops across the street. It was nice to see that the family managed to grab all
of that land and clean it up and use a lot of it for extended museum stuff.
My own impression of E's life is that as a simple kid from Tupelo, he wasn't prepared for "Elvis" because nothing like that had ever happened before. And unfortunately, he was surrounded by people who used him for a paycheck and wouldn't tell him "no." When you start to get successful, and suddenly you ask for something a little out of the ordinary and it appears, I think human nature is to try and push those boundaries. If you don't have someone to keep you grounded and tell you that you're getting out of control, things will just start to spiral. From what I know, the only one who would stand up to him and tell him things were wrong was George Klein (I was lucky to have met George a year or so before his death, and got to talk to him for a bit, mostly about Jimi) and the others would tell George to shut up and not ruin things for them.
Paul
It’s funny … I’ve shared a piece of an interview with Elton John from a few years back where he as much admitted that he lost complete contact with reality once he had people taking care of every little incidental thing for him.
He was out walking in New York City one day and it was very windy out when all of a sudden he caught himself telling his assistant, “Can you do something about that?” It was then that he realized how ridiculous it had all become.
I’ve never toured Graceland (although we’ve talked about it numerous times … and even drove by once several years ago … yes, a lot of the gift shops are gone, but the surrounding area has REALLY deteriorated over the years.) I imagine we’ll still make it there someday.
But I DO have a very unique, one-of-a-kind Graceland story … I think I may have told it here before a time or two.
Back in February of 1976, my drummer Bob ("Cookie") and I drove down to Nashville to see if we could find anybody interested in listening to our songs. After being pretty much turned away from every stop we made (“This isn’t the way it’s done down here, son” ... which really surprised me, as all I had ever heard was that this was EXACTLY the way it was done down there), we decided to make the drive to Memphis and see Graceland. (You have to remember that this was 1976 … so Elvis was still alive then … and this was WAY before his home was open to the public and they started conducting tours.)
There was a small gathering of fans around the brick wall … but nothing at all like what you might expect (or what it eventually became.)
We figured we’d just get some pictures in front of the gate and as we were doing this, Cookie got the brilliant idea that if we could push the gate in just a little bit, he could slip thru that opening and get his picture taken from INSIDE the gate. (I mean, this made PERFECT sense to us 22 year old geniuses … let’s face it, ANYBODY and EVERYBODY can get their picture taken in FRONT of the Gate … but how many people get their picture taken THROUGH the gate!)
So he starts trying to push it open enough to squeeze thru when all of a sudden, the gates opened! The two guys in the guard house came out (and we figured for SURE we were about to be under-arrested!) but instead, they invited us in!!! (I guess they figured if we wanted to get in THAT bad, they’d just open ‘em up for us!!!)
We came in and sat with the guys for about twenty minutes … they even had coffee and donuts for us inside!
They told us how Elvis wasn’t home … he was out on tour at the time (which may have explained the much smaller crowd of “in the know” fans who knew they weren’t going to have any kind of chance encounter with The King.)
They let us snap a couple of pictures from inside the gate … and even a couple inside the guard house (including one next to a giant painting of Elvis that hung on the wall.)
Let me tell you, we thought we were the shit!!! Who else on earth could tell a story like this about their trip to Graceland!!! It really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! (kk)
Shot from INSIDE the gate, looking through the gate and out into the street, to prove that we had actually made it inside – even more incredible, this photo was snapped by one of the guards from Elvis’ Guard House!!!
I was totally hooked since like ‘55/’56 when one of my sisters brought home the 45 of Heartbreak Hotel. I was four years old. When I saw him on Ed Sullivan, it was world changing.
Looking so forward to seeing this new film.
Jim Peterik
Kent -
Loved reading about the interview you did with Jann Wenner and the Monterey Pop Festival. I was a there and to this day no words can describe what it was like. Talk about a great ... unusual ... time!
Jann is now 75!!~~!!! Any idea how I can get ahold of him? We had met while I was at KYA 1965-1969.
Hope you are good ... I will be in Cleveland July 14th as Cleveland Rocks Presents "The Life and Times of Radio Legend Johnny Holliday." (I was shocked to read they think I'm a radio legend.)
Stay well -
Johnny
Wow – congratulations!!! It is indeed a well-deserved honor … wish I could be there for it. (We’re still trying to coordinate a trip to Cleveland to see the Beatles Let It Be Exhibit at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame before it disappears … but have some difficulties working out all the timing and logistics. Still hoping we can find a way to make it happen.)
Actually, the interview was done by Harvey Kubernik, a frequent contributor to Forgotten Hits. I will ask him if he is able to provide any kind of connection for you to speak with Jann. (I’ve never met the man … and probably am not on his “favorites” list after all the slamming of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame I’ve done over the years!!!)
Congratulations again. Enjoy your big day! (kk)
We haven’t heard from Jim Shea in AGES!!! (Excuse me … DOCTOR Jim Shea!!!) So it was quite a surprise to receive this email from him over the weekend …
Some Prose For A New Summer Of Love …
When the sun is hot like a direct kiss, I am still a 10 year old kid watching a record go round and round and all the hippy trippy optimism flows turbulently through my elder veins and my really should know better heart
but the sun shines equally for the haves and may never haves and is the one truly essential element of life and the messages are just as fresh: I admit it’s getting better man I was mean but I’m changing my scene and I still talk about the people who’ve grown so cold who gain the world and lose their soul and all we can do is all we could ever do: shine on with love ❤️ the only thing that gives life color as vivid as those outa sight Beatle duds
Pepper Time is now
Iconic Philadelphia Radio, Film and Television Personality Bob Charger returns to Philadelphia Television hosting "Wages of Spin" TV Show !
The Wages of Spin is a television interview show hosted by iconic Philadelphia radio show host, Television and Film producer Bob Charger. In each episode Bob will interview a music industry notable about their career in the music industry and the pitfalls, inner workings of and emotional toll of a career in the music industry. Our show will also explore many of the corrupt practices perpetrated on artists and the public throughout the sordid history of the music industry.
The show is produced by the creative team behind the feature length documentary film "Wages of Spin" that has had over 2,000 PBS affiliate airings and is in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Archives.
Production on "Wages of Spin" series starts in July!
Bob Charger
We did a lot to help promote the “Wages Of Spin” documentary several years ago … and were thrilled to see it running on PBS (although we haven’t seen it airing there in quite a while!)
This was Paul Sword’s baby … and we worked closely with Paul Russo of Cool Scoops as well (who we had the pleasure of visiting with several years ago!
Will this just be a local program … or are there plans for syndication or YouTube showings?
Keep us posted as this may be something our readers would be very interested in seeing! Thanks, Bob! (kk)
In your recent article on Lee Hazlewood, you neglected to mention that he wrote the Al Casey classic "Surfin' Hootenanny," which 2 out of 3 Forgotten Hits readers agree should have been a bigger hit.
Ed #1
From Bob Lind … who’s making a return stop at his favorite Florida spot next month …
TO MY SOUTH FLORIDA FRIENDS & FANS (or friends and fans who may be in South Florida next month and like to plan early):
After almost three gigless years (Covid), I'm sticking my toe back into those still-dangerous waters and playing my favorite Florida venue.
Here are the specifics:
Bob Lind
at THE LUNA STAR CAFE
775 N.E. 125th St.
North Miami, FL 33161
(305) 799-7123
Saturday July 16, 2022
Showtime: 8 p.m.
Tickets: 15 of the wisest dollars you'll ever spend.
I don't kid myself that the virus isn't still kicking ass. But I've weighed the pros and cons and decided to take the gamble.
I would love to see you there. Masks are recommended but not required.
Two things:
1. Besides the cover charge, there's also a $15 minimum.
2. They don't take credit cards, so bring cash.
My advice, come early and have dinner. The food there is wonderful.
I will send a reminder closer to the date.
Love to you all,
Bob Lind
Here is an interesting question ...
What recording artist whose early death have you found to be the saddest? Not necessarily because of their career or loss of the future, but someone whose death just affected you. This would be an interesting question to pose to your readers.
Mike De Martino
Wow, for me there have been several … far TOO many as far as I’m concerned.
I’m sure our list could come up with dozens and dozens of names … besides the most obvious candidates like Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, Jim Croce and several others who were cut off in their prime, never having the chance to share their incredible potential with the rest of the world.
It hurt so bad to lose even some of the older artists … like Elvis and Rick Nelson … Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys … obviously, the shooting of John Lennon … Michael Jackson, George Michael, Prince … artists that had SO much to give and inspired so many others. Freddy Mercury … my God, the list goes on and on. (Two that hit me the hardest have to be Jim Croce and Carl Wilson … but now, after all these years of doing Forgotten Hits, losing someone we became close to through this connection hurts pretty badly, too. Guys like Billy Hinsche and Alan O’Day became GREAT Friends of Forgotten Hits … and I will miss their connection forever.) If I really stopped to think about it, I’m sure I could easily come up with another fifty more. At some point, you just realize how precious our time here really is.
I’m not opposed to making up a master list where we tally the responses we receive in order to determine which losses hurt us the most. I think it might make for an interesting future piece. (kk)
