Saturday, May 7, 2022

PHIL NEE - May 7th - Looking Back At 1967

I can't believe that it has been five years since the year long Forgotten Hits 50th anniversary tribute to 1967!   

Today I share from the WRCO archives background on two records that are turning 55 years old in 2022.    

The first is 'Sweet Soul Music' by Arthur Conley.   

It has long been a favorite of mine.  

In 2017 my family flew to Europe.  Fresh off the plane, we stumbled into a bar / cafe and as we walked in the door, we heard the opening notes of this 1967 classic and two couples were already dancing.  It truly has been a worldwide hit since it was released in the Spring of 1967. 

Originally written by Sam Cooke as 'Yeah Man,' it was changed in the studio by none other than Otis Redding.  

In 1998, I called Arthur Lee Conley at his home in Amsterdam.  A "Best Of" CD had just been released on the Jamie / Guyden label.  Arthur told me at the time he did not think he had done an interview with anyone in The States for many years.

  

The second Forgotten Hit of 1967 is 'Boogaloo Down Broadway' by The Fantastic Johnny C.  It is another personal favorite of mine (along with another
200 or more from that year).    

Johnny Corley was born April 28th of 1943.    Music took him out of his home in South Carolina and although he had a few other chart records (Hitch It To The Horse reached #34 in Billboard in 1968), none of them had the magic of Boogaloo.  

He joined me on the air at WRCO in 1999.

  

Be sure to listen to Phil Nee's THOSE WERE THE DAYS Program tonight on WRCO

Click on the 100.9 Headphones via the link below to start streaming!  (kk)

https://wrco.com/

Friday, May 6, 2022

The Friday Flash

Just as we expected, Dolly Parton WILL be one of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s Class of 2022 Inductees.

Along with Parton, The Rock Hall also selected Lionel Richie and Carly Simon (both of whom would also seem to be every bit as unlikely candidates based on their past selections), along with the obvious choices (and the only three that WE voted for) Eminem, Eurythmics and Pat Benatar.  (I’m told that when Annie Lennox of The Eurythmics was informed that her group had made the cut, her initial reaction was “We really deserve it.”  Honestly, when selected out of the options available to us this year, I agree 100% … but honestly, if the criteria were a bit tighter and not so focused on selecting so many new candidates each year, would they REALLY have ever been under consideration?)

The same could be said for Duran Duran, who led the fan voting ballot, so naturally they’ll be in as well.  (Guess you girls can hang those posters back up on your bedroom walls!)  The only other real rock act (and, depending on your opinion, perhaps the ONLY actual rock act) being inducted this year is Judas Priest.  The complete list of other honorees include Harry Belafonte, Elizabeth Cotten, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Allen Grubman, Jimmy Iovine and Sylvia Robinson.  (I’m sure most of you out there are wondering to yourselves, “How the heck did it take so long to recognize this last batch of honorees???”  Yeah, right.)

Meanwhile, other far more deserving nominees continue to miss the ballot.

The induction ceremony will take place on November 5th in Los Angeles … and will then be televised at a later date on HBO (as per usual) and once again I doubt that I’ll even watch … although I’ll betcha Dolly Parton will be entertaining as hell when she’s up there accepting her award and performing … so I may look for that one on YouTube!  (kk)

 

We’ve certainly covered this ground on numerous occasions … so I wanted to run Best Classics Bands’ list of 100 “Deserving and Denied” artists that they feel deserve recognition in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  (Some GREAT names appear on this list, many of whom have made OUR Top 40 list for nearly two decades now.  The very idea that some of these artists STILL haven’t found their way to The Rock Hall (and in many cases, never even been so much as NOMINATED) is such a disgrace.

And if THESE 100 names aren’t enough, check out the link at the bottom of their piece to find 100 MORE!!!

I think you’ll enjoy perusing this!  (kk)

https://bestclassicbands.com/rock-hall-omissions-12-13-17/

 

As the 60th Anniversary Celebration continues to roll out for The Beach Boys, now comes word that David Leaf’s 1978 portrait of the band, The Beach Boys and the California Myth, is being re-released in a revised and updated format.


Leaf’s original book was an instant classic, shining new light and backstories on America’s Band.  For the first time, fans learned not only of Brian’s musical genius but also some of the heartbreaking, turbulent behind-the-scenes stories of his troubled family life.  It even inspired a couple of different TV movies about the band.

 

The brand new revised and updated edition (now titled God Only Knows) will cover the decades since the previously updated 1985 edition, including Brian’s first acclaimed solo album, his startling return to live performing, the landmark Pet Sounds tour, the “All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson” (which Leaf wrote and produced) and the triumphant and miraculous Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE world premiere in London.  The new book also features forewords by Jimmy Webb, Barry Gibb and Brian’s wife, Melinda.

Scheduled Publication Date: June 23, 2022

 

And this from our FH Buddy Spud, who brings us up to date on a few more Beach Boys-related happenings this summer …

 

In addition to the release of the new remastered and expanded Sounds of Summer collection, The Beach Boys will be participating in a feature length documentary, a tribute special, other different events TBD and more. 

Sorry, but there’s no mention of a reunion — Brian, Al and Blondie Chaplin are touring this summer with Chicago (25 shows), Mike and Bruce continue to tour as The Beach Boys and Al is adding more dates with his Family and Friends Tour (featuring Carnie & Wendy Wilson plus Matt Jardine): https://www.aljardine.com/shows

We’ll be at the Des Plaines Theatre show later this month … and then head out to Tinley Park in July to see Brian, Al, Blondie Chaplain and the rest of The Brian Wilson Band when they perform with Chicago at The Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre.

Can’t Wait!!!  (kk)

 

And check this out …

 

Fans can not only buy tickets to see Paul McCartney’s “Got Back” Tour (which features a video duet with John Lennon singing “I’ve Got A Feeling” from the Apple Records Rooftop Concert), but you can ALSO buy tickets to his soundcheck!!!

(Poor guy wasn’t able to tour for two years due to the pandemic … probably needs the money!)

But McCartney’s soundcheck is a show unto itself!!!

 

Check out this set list for McCartney’s show in Seattle on May 2nd:

Honey Don’t (from The Beatles, Beatles for Sale, 1964)
Twenty Flight Rock (from CHOBA B CCCP, 1988)
I Wanna Be Your Man (from With The Beatles, 1963)
Coming Up (from McCartney II, 1980)
C Moon (b-side of Hi Hi Hi, 1972)
Let ‘Em In (from Wings At The Speed of Sound, 1976)
Mrs Vanderbilt (from Band On The Run, 1973)
Every Night (from McCartney, 1970)
San Francisco Blues (from Unplugged, 1991)
Ram On (from RAM, 1971)
Midnight Special (from CHOBA B CCCP, 1988)
New (from New, 2013)
Lady Madonna (single for The Beatles, 1968)

And then he goes out and does another 2 ½ hour show!!!  The US portion of the tour ends two days before his 80th Birthday!!!

 

Sirius/XM is giving away a ticket package for his final show that includes two seats to both the concert AND the soundcheck …

 

Unfortunately, he just continues to sound worse and worse every time he takes the stage!!!

 

Go on YouTube and watch ANY of the clips from his first few shows … I don’t know how is voice is going to hold out for the duration of the tour!  Hoarse … brittle … out of tune … it feels like he’s trying to scream every word while his bandmates do their best to fill in all the blanks along the way.

 

The musicianship is stellar … but Paul really should have given up the road a long time ago.  Still, all these shows sell out and he LOVES the interaction he gets with the fans at a live show.  And the fans love HIM so much that it doesn’t really seem to bother them just how awful he sounds!!! (lol)

 

Oh well … as long as everybody’s happy, that’s all that really matters.  (kk)

 

Hi Kent,

Recent Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Zombies were on fire Saturday night at The Ridgefield Playhouse in Connecticut bringing the very appreciative crowd to their feet, which then proceeded to rush the stage, well before the encore.  

Rod Argent was at an apex on keys, absolutely incredible.  Colin Blunstone’s vocals were powerful on the rockers and beautiful on the ballads, dead on.  The band, Soren Koch (bass), Tom Toomey (guitar) and Steve Rodford (drums) were spectacular.  

The setlist compromised their hits, five songs from their iconic 1968 Odessey and Oracle album, recent songs from the last decade, and a preview of excellent new songs from an upcoming album.  

Hope you and your readers enjoy these photos.

All my best,
Brad Joblin

Here are six photos of The Zombies taken by my wife, Barbara, and me at The Ridgefield Playhouse (Connecticut) on April 30th, the second to last date of their Spring US Tour.

Photo credit for the first five photos:  Courtesy Brad Joblin … 

and for the sixth photo (of Colin Blunstone): Courtesy Barbara Joblin

 






 

I’ve got to tell you, Brad, these are absolutely AMAZING looking photos!!!  Great job!

kk

I love your appreciation.  Thank you.

Those photos were not taken with a Nikon Camera with “Kodachrome” … but an iPhone 11 (though I did significantly Photoshop them.)  Amazing for a phone camera. 

Brad

Outstanding job.  (kk)

 

In her Country Music Newsletter, Diane Diekman tells this story about Country Legend Bill Anderson, and his first meeting with Naomi Judd …

 

Bill Anderson writes on his website, "I am shocked and saddened along with the rest of our country music community over the passing of Naomi Judd. I'll never forget meeting her for the first time when she was a contestant on a TV game show I was hosting. I asked her to identify herself for the audience and she said, 'My name is Naomi Judd, and I am a nurse from Franklin, Tennessee. My daughter and I sing together, and someday we hope to make it in country music.' I was looking so forward to recalling that moment with her on Sunday when she and Wynonna were to be inducted into the Hall of Fame."

 

Here's another great tribute to Naomi Judd …

https://theseconddisc.com/2022/05/03/in-memoriam-naomi-judd-1946-2022/

 

Keyboard Legend Keith Emerson’s Life and Legacy Illustrated and Celebrated in New Book Now Available For Pre-order! 

(The legendary keyboard giant remembered; stories, tributes, rare and unseen photographs)

 

  

Now available for pre-order, a lavish, fully illustrated book in which family, friends, colleagues, and fans talk to author Chris Welch about the life, work, and legacy of Keith Emerson from before The Nice and ELP through 3 to The Keith Emerson Band. Illustrated throughout with previously unseen photos from family, friends, and professional photographers, this official celebration tells the remarkable tale of Keith’s musical evolution, his personal relationships, and the creation of his astounding musical legacy. Includes new interviews with Keith’s children, ex-wife, close personal friends, Mari Kawaguchi, Carl Palmer, Rick Wakeman, Lee Jackson, Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, Alan White, Dave Kilminster, Marc Bonilla, Rachel Flowers, Darius Brubeck, Geoff Downes and others.

The book draws on the private Emerson family archives for photographs of Keith at home, at work and play. Close family and friends share memories and stories from throughout his life, revealing the true man, while fellow musicians from the worlds of prog, rock and classical attest to Keith’s talent and dedication, while others who worked with him tell of his spirit, generosity and sense of humor.

Keith Emerson celebrates the life and legacy of the man who first played the Hammond organ like a lead guitarist, introduced the European classical music tradition to rock fans with The Nice and helped create the template for prog rock with the very first Moog synthesizers with ELP. He also wrote movie soundtracks, performed with world-renowned jazz musicians and toured the world as a solo artist. All of that and more is explored in this deluxe book.

Pre-order now at www.keithemersonbook.com and choose to have a name printed in the book and be a part of this unique project.

Watch the video of Keith Emerson’s grandson Ethan playing “Quatermass Boogie Woogie” written by Keith when he was 12 years old! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SDgZgItMXU

Keith Emerson official website: www.keithemersonbook.com

And for all you Frank Zappa / Mothers Of Invention fans out there ... I mean this IS Mother's Day Weekend ... here comes word that a brand new 8-CD / 100 Track /nearly 10 hours of music box set is on the way, celebrating the group’s releases from 1971 (including never-before-released concert material)

https://theseconddisc.com/2022/04/27/review-frank-zappa-the-mothers-1971/#respond

Wow …

We’re only a third of the way thru the year and we have already lost SO many musicians that played a key part in our lives. 

Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Susan Jacks (The Poppy Family), Joni James, Naomi Judd (The Judds), C.W. McCall, Sister Janet Mead (who rocked The Lord’s Prayer in the ‘70’s), Meatloaf, Sandy Nelson, Fred Parris, Mike Rabon (The Five Americans), Bobby Rydell, Ronnie Spector, R. Dean Taylor, Timmy Thomas, Sonny Turner, Don Wilson (The Ventures)

And it’s not just musicians who’ve been leaving us …

All of these celebrities have died between January and April this year, too …

Louie Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, Ralph Emery, Dallas Frazier, Gilbert Gottfried, Howard Hessman, Dwayne Hickman, William Hurt, Sally Kellerman, Michael Lang (creator of Woodstock), Yvette Mimieux, Sidney Poitier, Ivan Reitman, Art Rupe, Bob Sagat

And those are just the “big names”!!!

And apparently on Sick Bay … Danny (Partridge) Bonaduce, who stepped down from hosting his successful Seattle radio show to take care of some “mystery” health issues.

Bonaduce posted:

Some news to share. I’m taking a temporary medical leave from my radio show. I’ll share more when I know more. I’m still working towards receiving a diagnosis. What I know is, I need time to focus on my health. I love my job and talking to you guys and I’ll be back on the air soon.

No more, no less.

Danny began his career in radio right here in Chicago after guesting on Jonathon Brandmeier’s radio showgram numerous times.  We wish him a speedy recovery.  (Lord knows he’s had LOTS to overcome during his lifetime!)  kk

And finally, look what Chuck Buell has for us today!

 

Starting this month, May of 2022, a crazy new outdoor event you may not have heard of is heading for cities all across the US during this summer. 

 

(It appears it's scheduled for Denver in August.)

 

An Unforgettable Forgotten Hitters night that involves both beds and blockbuster movies!

 

In Public!

 

Not kidding here!

 



(Puts a whole new update on sittin' in the last row of a movie theater's Balcony!)

 

To find out when you can take YOUR Special Someone to one of these Outdoor Movies, here’s their, sparse at the moment, website.

 

The Bed Cinema 

 

Probably not the best idea for you tho if you have a tendency to fall asleep during a movie!

 

But still!

 

CB ( which stands for “Cinema BulletinBoy!” )

 

I dunno … I don’t think this one’s for me.

 

Still livin’ in a Covid World, the idea of lying in a bed that a couple of total strangers just rolled out of holds absolutely NO appeal to me at all!!!  (Even in a NON-Covid World I can’t imagine myself wanting to do such a thing!!!)

 

And what about all the creepy-crawly nightlife that might be crawling around in the grass ... gives a whole new meaning to "bed bugs"!!!

But perhaps scariest of all is the fact that you just KNOW some couples are going to push the limits to see what they can get away with while they’re IN that bed … and the idea of lying in THAT for two hours while trying to watch a movie may prove to be a bigger distraction than I could possibly handle!  (kk)