I have followed the 1972 charts that have been posted this year in Forgotten Hits.
The Addrisi Brothers song 'We've Got to Get It On Again' has long been a favorite of mine.
I remember hearing it often during the first months of '72. The charts from each state that Kent has posted back that memory up. The song seemed to do well across the country.
Back in 2001, I interviewed Richard Addrisi about the story behind that Forgotten Hit ...
Oh man, what a FASCINATING story!!! I had never heard that before!
This is one of those songs that just never caught its momentum at the same time across the country.
As Phil mentioned, we saw it on many of the charts we've featured this year ... but nationally, its best showing was in Cash Box Magazine, where it went to #15. (Record World placed it at #20 ... and Billboard had it all the way down at #25.) kk
The Addrisi Brothers' first major hit was recorded by the Association.
Richard gave me the backstory of that major hit from 1967.
"Never
My Love," of course, ignited The Addrisi Brothers' career after The
Association recorded it in 1967. It really is the perfect love song.
A
short while back we featured the story behind THAT song in Forgotten
Hits as well. (In fact, there's even a photograph of the greasy,
bacon-stained paper they wrote it on!!!)
The first recording by Dick and Don Addrisi made the chart in 1959.
During the 2001 interview, we talked about the start of the brothers' career as singer/songwriters.
The Addrisi Brothers had their first chart hit (as artists) in 1959 with a song called "Cherrystone."
It went to #62 in Billboard ... and then they wouldn't have another for the next 13 years.
(The story goes that The Addrisi Brothers were first discovered by Comedian Lenny Bruce!)
It
was during this period that they really developed their career as
songwriters, scoring their biggest hit in 1967 when The Association
recorded "Never My Love," which went all the way to #1.
Don't you just find all of this stuff fascinating?!?!?
Be sure to listen to Phil Nee's THOSE WERE THE
DAYS radio program tonight on WRCO ...
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:
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 …
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)
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.)
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
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!
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!
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
Jim Seals of the hit-making pop duo Seals and Crofts
passed away on Monday (June 6th.)
The duo first burst on to the scene in 1972 with
their Top Ten Hit “Summer Breeze” … and seven more Top 40 Hits followed, including
a couple more Top Ten Hits … “Diamond Girl” (#6, 1973) and “Get Closer” (#4,
1976).
Jim’s brother Dan was one half of the popular duo
England Dan and John Ford Coley, who enjoyed their own string of hits in the ‘70’s.(Sadly, Dan … who also was quite successful
on the country charts, left us back in 2009.)
Both groups promoted the Baha’i Faith in practice and
in concert … and their teachings often spilled over into their lyrics.(Chicago has a BEAUTIFUL Baha’i Temple up on
the north side.)Having been fortunate
enough to see both acts during their prime, I personally favored the England
Dan and John Ford Coley material … but you certainly cannot deny the popularity
of Seals’ and Crofts’ music, too.The duo
first worked together as part of The Champs, joining just after their
instrumental smash “Tequila” topped the charts in 1958.(Glen Campbell was also involved with the
group right around this time … and for a short time, Glen, Dash and Jim
performed in a new band for awhile.) kk
Sadly, Jim Seals has passed away.
Seals and Crofts songs in the 70's were must
haves for me. Totally great music with FAVES like "We May Never
Pass this Way Again," "Summer Breeze," "Unborn Child,"
"King of Nothing," "Get Closer" and "First Love" --
ALL A sides and ALL in my fave 45s, making them one only a few of the artists
that actually have at least EIGHT 45s I am keeping as faves in my boxes of
keepers! LOVE their music. Sad to hear Jim has passed but his music
will live on at my house always.
Lots of radio schedule shake-ups announced this week here in
Chicago as some long-standing names are making some major career moves.
First and foremost for me is the news that Bob Stroud has
decided to go into semi-retirement after spending the past 21 years on The
Drive, a radio station he helped launch back in 2001.(Stroud has been a fixture on the Chicagoland
airwaves for over 40 years now … and no matter where he may have landed along
the way, his Rock And Roll Roots program has been a staple of great Chicago broadcasting
for all that time.)
According to Robert Feder’s column, Stroud will stop hosting
mid-days at The Drive after June 30th … but will continue to
pre-record his features “10 at 10,” “One 45 at 1:45” and “Rock And Roll Roots”
to be broadcast on the station.(One has
to wonder how much we’ll even notice that he’s gone!Lol)Between their 8-10 commercials blocks every 40 minutes or so, squeezed
in between a couple of long sets of music, Bob will still maintain a noticeable
presence at the station, even after he’s gone.(Another long-familiar, soothing voice at The Drive, Steve Downs, still tapes
and broadcasts special spotlight features for the station.He dates back to when the station was “all
about the music” rather than all the cash contests and giveaways they do these
days, trying to entice people to continue to listen.
We were a Drive listeners from Day One … I even set the
alarm early the day the station launched just so I could hear the whole thing
take off.(Hoping I can find a way to
listen to Bob’s last show on the 30th as well.)He has regularly won his time slot for
decades now … so this is going to be a major shift in the radio landscape.
Bob, we love ya … you have always been our fave … so let me
just say, Congratulations on a career well-played … enjoy the additional time
off.(I figure he can record an entire
week’s worth of material in a day … and then take the rest of the week off to
enjoy himself and spend time with his family!!! Can’t beat that!!!)
SLACKER!
WXRT, who bill themselves as presenting Chicago’s Finest
Rock, is also mixing things up a little bit …
Long-time WXRT radio host (and also their most recent morning
show host, having succeeded Terri Hemmert after her decades-long stint doing
mornings on the station) Richard Milne is leaving to care for his ailing wife …
so afternoon staple Marty Lennartz (another four decade veteran!) will roll
into the morning slot beginning on Monday, June 13th.
And Steve Cochran, who’s been around forever as well (30 years
and counting), has just signed on as Morning Man at WLS-AM, Talk Radio.(Cochran’s a funny guy so this should liven
things up in the morning on what otherwise can only be described as a somewhat
dormant station.The former
AM-Powerhouse most recently placed 28th in the latest morning radio
ratings.)And with Bob Sirott and John
Records Landecker now back on the air and holding down their regular daily spots
on WGN-AM, everything seems to be falling in place nicely here in Chi-Town.
You’ve also got great talent like Scott Mackay and Dave
Fogel on in the morning … as well as some interesting choices for younger
listeners at KISS-FM and 100.3.And
then, of course, although still “jock-less,” Me-TV-FM is always playing just
the right mix of oldies.
Who knows … Radio just may get interesting again!
(When one considers the usual short-lived radio careers of
the past … deejays having to relocate all over the country, sometimes dozens of
times … hell, half the time you didn’t even have to do anything wrong … the
station just changed formats and you didn’t “fit” anymore … it really is pretty
incredible that Chicago has been blessed with so much long-term talent over the
years.Each of the jocks mentioned below
have been able to make Chicago their home and enjoy decades-long careers
entertaining The Windy City.)kk
Kent,
When I think of the year 1959, one of the
records I think of is ROBBIN' THE CRADLE.
I went and checked and it made our local top
40 weekly survey's initial appearance for the week of May 28, 1959, in song
position #16. This was a survey of 50 records with a PICK HIT and SPOTLIGHT
RECORD at the bottom of the survey. It was on the survey for a total of 9 weeks,
peaking at #6 for the week of July 2, 1959. He had a follow-up hit, whose title
eludes me now. I read years ago that he was alive and living in Florida. That
may not be so today.
Larry Neal
Although I wasn’t listening to the radio yet in 1959, this
one seemed to fall off the oldies radar completely … even listening to it now,
it just doesn’t click with me (or sound like the kind of song that would have successfully made its way thru the annals of time. It just doesn't have that "connection factor.")
Nationally, it only got to #25 … and even that only happened
in Billboard where it enjoyed an incredible 26 week run on the charts!(An unheard of feat at the time.)It failed to crack The Top 40 in both Cash
Box and Music Vendor (although not missing by much, peaking at #42 and #43
respectively.)
Not sure about that follow-up hit … Tony was a true One Hit
Wonder on the national charts with “Robbin’ The Cradle” … he never charted
again.However, here in Chicago (where
his hit peaked at #12 on the old WJJD chart), he DID hit the charts one more time with a track
called “The End Of My Love” in 1960 … so I’m guessing this is the song you’re
thinking of.(That one made it to #19 in
Chicago.)
There may be a bit of a “hometown hero” factor going on
here, too.Whitburn’s book says Bellus
was born right here in Chicago in 1936 … which would make him 86 years old
today if he’s still with us.Wikipedia
says that in the 1960s and 1970s, Bellus “was a singing sensation
throughout the Chicago area nightclub scene. He was a mainstay performer
appearing nightly at Fritzel's restaurant at the corner of State and Lake
Streets in downtown Chicago. Fritzel's was a personal favorite of local and
visiting celebrities and dignitaries.”(Not familiar with that place either … and I used to read Kup’s Column
every day!Lol)kk
>>>"Men Of Learning" is one of those
tracks that showed varying success between the three major trades at the time
... Cash Box had it peaking at #45 while Billboard placed it a full 20 points
below at #65. Record World fell right in the middle, listing the record
at a peak of #58. Although I like quite a few songs by Vigrass and
Osborne, I wasn't really familiar with this tune myself ... so I figured this
would be a good one to feature today.)kk
This was a #1 on my personal charts then … with
their follow-up "Virginia" reaching #4, too.The B side of "Men of Learning" is
the original version of "Forever Autumn."
