I'm a big fan of many forgotten hits (lower case) and, of course,
Forgotten Hits. I usually listen to hundreds every week - but every now and
then one pops up that I can't recall hearing since it was popular.
That's the case with Flash's "Small Beginnings." It was
aired often here, especially by the AOR guys, but I can't say I've heard it
once since '72. Looking at these old charts from different states is lots of
fun, Kent. This is a great feature. Thank you!
David Lewis
That's not one that’s immediately familiar to me … it peaked at #26
nationally and only WCFL played it here in Chicago, where it went to #23, and I
honestly don’t remember ever hearing it on the radio at the time … yet Phil Nee
selected it as one of his 40 Favorite Songs of 1972, so it must have been big
just across the border in Wisconsin … although Ken Freck’s WRIT Chart Book for
Milwaukee only shows it at #36 for a week and then it was gone. Maybe an early FM hit perhaps??? (kk)
A lot of nice photos in today’s post so I thought you might
like a poor quality vintage photo. This is a publicity photo for a show in
Rockford, IL, on 3/18/66 that could have almost been the first Cornerstones of
Rock show. It included The New Colony Six, The Shadows of Knight, Baby Huey and
the Babysitters and The Flock. Also on the bill were local bands The Grim
Reapers and The Komans.
Although the biography of Barry Fey only lists three shows
in Rockford in the summer of 1965, I get the feeling that this could have been
a Barry Fey show as well. It was a good show.
Robert Campbell
Well, you're right about one thing ...This is an EXTREMELY low-quality photo!!! (lol) kk
Joe Walsh is reforming The James Gang
for a special appearance at VetsAid2022.
On board will be original founding member Jimmy Fox as well as Dale
Peters, who joined the band in time for their second album. (Peters and Fox kept the band going for six more
albums after Walsh left the band to join The Eagles.) Oh yeah … they’ll have a NEW member up on
stage with them for this very special performance … some guy named Dave Grohl
(who seems to be the most sought-after, in-demand musical artist out there these
days!) It should be a good set … and
it’s definitely for a good cause. The
show will take place November 13th in Columbus, Ohio. (kk)
More info on the Creedence Clearwater
Revival live album and concert film …
In September, the newly mixed tapes
(by Giles Martin, no less!) will finally see their official release. “Creedence Clearwater Revival At The Royal
Albert Hall” was recorded back in 1970 when the band still had all four of its
original members. (John Fogerty’s
brother Tom would leave the following year.)
A concert film of the same
performance (and also including a history of the band and their meteoric rise
to fame … it only took them about NINE YEARS to catch on!!!) … narrated by Jeff
Bridges will also be released the same day.
(September 16th)
In the film, Bridges recounts their
remarkable achievements, which include charting with FIVE Top Ten Singles and
THREE Top Ten albums in 1969 alone. In
Bridges’ own words, “In only 12 months, the band had achieved
five Top 10 singles and three Top 10 albums on the American charts, outselling
the Beatles. They had appeared on the
legendary Ed Sullivan
Show and played to over a million people across America,
including the hundreds of thousands gathered at Woodstock. 'John, Tom, Stu and
Doug' may not have had the familiar ring to it of 'John, Paul, George and
Ringo,' but Creedence were challenging the Beatles for the title of the biggest
group in the world."
That they were … but it would all be over just a couple of
years later.
This film has been talked about for quite some time … so
this should really be something to see.
(You can read OUR version of the Creedence Clearwater
Revival story here:
http://forgottenhits.com/creedence_clearwater_revival) kk
Look for a new book by Bruce Spizer
spotlighting The Beatles’ albums “Rubber Soul,” “Revolver” and the American
release of “Yesterday … And Today.” Due
out October 10th, it’ll make for another nice edition to his
on-going series spotlighting their recorded … and released output over the
years. (It also begs the question “Will
Apple Records FINALLY put out some type of deluxe box set commemorating these
two albums?”)
It certainly was a turning point in
The Beatles’ recording career … it is essentially where the concept of
recording an album’s worth of material took on a whole new meaning.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Bruce’s book
coincided with a special year-end release??? (And wouldn’t it be even nicer if
Apple FINALLY released the “Let It Be” film the way it was originally shown in
theaters???) kk
In a new Paramount+ television documentary, Don McLean talks
about the back story of his #1 Hit “American Pie,” now celebrating its 50th
Anniversary. (You might be surprised by
the clarification of some of his long, misinterpreted lyric references.)
Tom Cuddy sent us this …
‘I
said, Don, it’s time for you to reveal’: 50 years later, the truth behind
American Pie | Music | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jul/19/don-mclean-american-pie-documentary-the-day-the-music-died
A few days ago, Chuck Buell
mentioned having Patience ... as in being Patient with a Girl, with a Song and with
a Steak!
He continues …
A couple of other examples have since surfaced
about episodes that tried our Patience many years ago.
Did this ever happen to you after you were exercising
the ultimate in Forgotten Hits Patience and Waiting ~~~ ?
Or, this ~~~ ?
Thirty-nine years?! I wonder if that’s
even close to completing its download yet!
Anyway, on a related subject, I got to thinking ~~~
Why is one who
sees a Doctor called a “Patient?”
“Patient” comes from the Latin “patiens,” from
“patior,” meaning to suffer or bear. The “Patient, in this language, is truly
passive, or being patient by patiently bearing whatever is necessary and patiently
tolerating the interventions of an outside expert, a Doctor, to
give of his or her skill. Hence, being “Patient!”
Conversely, there are Doctors who have said
that, at times, they need to be Patient with their Patients.
And there you go! Two words spelled the same with two different
meanings! And thanx for being Patient with my view of being Patient,
particularly a Patient Patient!
Now, here's my "ChuckBuell Patience-Waiting Minute Medley.''
CB ( which stands for “Constrained Boy!” )
This WLS /
WCFL Rewound Radio Labor Day Weekend Special has really taken off by leaps and
bounds this past week. We have heard
from SO many jocks who were part of our daily routine back then, and I can
promise you occasional promos until the show actually hits the air. (The goal at the onset was to come up with 66
hours of programming to fill The Labor Day Weekend. My understanding is that they now have over
150 HOURS of material, with more coming in every day! That’s a lot to weed thru and select the best
of the best … or, in many cases, the cleanest copies to air. Much of these will be presented exactly as
you heard them on the air way back when, with cleaned-up, higher quality music
tracks dropped in wherever appropriate.
In addition to dozens and dozens (and DOZENS!) of familiar voices, you’ll
also hear vintage commercials, news broadcasts and much, much more. I’m telling you, this thing is going to be a
blast … and not just from the past. Many
of these DJs have recorded new drop-ins and promos just like the ones we’ve been
airing that’ll pepper the broadcast throughout the entire weekend.
Here in a nutshell is a better description of what’s taking place, courtesy of
Ted Smucker, one of the guys who’s been putting in countless hours trying to
put this whole thing together for our enjoyment …
Hi Kent -
Here's some more info on the
Labor Day Weekend Special on Rewound Radio.
Allan Sniffen, a radio
enthusiast from NY, has been a lifelong fan of MusicRadio WABC. He
was involved in the on-air WABC Rewound, in which they remembered the golden
days of Top 40 as it was originally heard. It was much like WLS Rewind of
2007 and 2008, but they focused a lot more on old airchecks. When that
went away, Allan began running WABC airchecks all weekend long on Memorial Day
Weekend on his own Rewound Radio. In addition, he has run WOR-FM on Labor
Day Weekend, and does a Dan Ingram Special on Independence Day
Weekend.
Being from the Midwest, about a
year ago I asked Allan about featuring WLS and/or WCFL. He said he needed
airchecks. That was all I needed to begin assembling the very best
airchecks of those two stations I could find. I had recorded a number
of shows myself growing up, but the quality was marginal in some cases. I
digitized everything, and then began to filter out the bad where I could.
I have also been a long time friend of Tom Konard, and he and I remained in
contact until shortly before his death in Belgium this last year. Before
he passed, he sent me a boatload of Larry Lujack airchecks on a thumb drive,
direct from his collection. I held onto that closely until his
passing, as he asked me to, but since then, I have wanted to honor Tom and his
love for radio by sharing his work with others. I have also scoured the
Internet for Chicago airchecks, contacted friends like Art Vuolo, and received
some airchecks from collectors via email from John Troll, Mark Yurko, Steve
Brelsford, Greg Barman, Bob Bresse-Rodenkirk, Bob Jones, Rob Frankel, Dave
Gross, Bill Shannon, Rick Rumick, Scott Childers, Jeffrey Leonard, Pete
Battistini and some others. In addition, there has been some sharing by
Tim Brown and Don Beno on Facebook that are included in this project.
Thanks everyone for your generosity!
Another
part of the process is cleaning and clearing these airchecks. John Troll
has worked for years in curating airchecks for the Rewound Radio DJ Hall of
Fame, and he has been my mentor in this process, showing me how to take
marginal tapes, and present them as they were originally aired. We have
tried to maintain as much consistency with the original presentation as
possible, restoring music that may have fallen below the quality bar, or had been
edited in the past. We don't add to or change the playlist in any way ...
just restore the full version of songs that may have been affected. If
there is a bad spot in the tape, or extended newscasts, we may take editing
liberties for content, but we never insert songs or elements that were not on
the air in the first place.
Our
original goal was to have 66 hours of content to present, but we have been
fortunate, as we have over 150 hours amassed at this time. The hard part
is selecting which shows to include over the three day weekend. As one of
the producers, I am trying to balance a number of things, such as the dates of
the broadcasts, the quality of the airchecks, music variety, and naturally DJ
popularity and aircheck availability. There are a few jocks that I don’t
have much workable material for, but I am still researching sources.
We have
also received wonderful response from true professionals who helped to shape
the Top 40 landscape those many years ago. Jon Wolfert, owner of JAM
Productions in Dallas, was instrumental (no pun intended) in creating so many
of the WLS jingles, and is working with us in finding the best PAMS and JAM
jingles to represent the era. On a side note, Jon has a weekly program on
Rewound Radio in which he shares interesting stories on jingles and the
industry from a unique perspective. Jon is also the force behind all the
tremendous jingles heard on Rewound Radio. Some of the original air
talent from the 60s, 70s and 80s have offered their voice to the promos and
liners we will be running to promote WLS / WCFL Rewound, and they include Chuck
Buell, John Records Landecker, Tom Kent, and Jeff Davis. There are some
others in the wings sending things our way.
From one
Radiohead to another …
Ted
Gorden Smucker
We’re not attending the Happy Together Tour this year … so
thankfully, FH Correspondent Shelley Sweet-Tufano has stepped in to bring us
all up to speed.
Take it away, Shelley!
HAPPY TOGETHER, 2022
"DUE
TO COVID, MARK VOLMAN WON'T BE APPEARING TONIGHT"
Wait … what?!?!? A
Happy Together show without a single Turtle in the line-up?!?!
Now THAT's gotta be a first!!!
Did Ron Dante still do their hits? Antics-less I
assume!
This whole tour EXISTS because of their 1967
mega-hit!!! How do you do a Happy
Together Show without a Turtle?!?!
(Dylan was right … the times really ARE a-changin’!!!) kk
[Oh you just
can't wait for the second act! It was difficult for me, too.
Spoiler
alert: The names Ron, Godfrey and Susan.] - Shelley
Well! What a statement ten minutes before the
show begins! I am hoping he is alright and also still feeling the sting of
trying to get into this theatre. Only clear bags are allowed to be brought in
or small clutches. My clutch is 1 inch too long and is rejected for entry. I go
back to my car. The only things in my clutch are my cell phone, wallet and car
keys. The clutch size was selected because the size of these three things fit
it.
Soooooooo .....
Well, I have to bring my phone. The tickets
are virtual and only sent to smartphones; not printable. I can't leave my
wallet because I may need identification if my virtual ticket doesn't work (per
the website) … and the car keys? Obviously necessary. So I carry all three and
my notebook into the venue. I am mumbling, "Just WHY did I save THIS
theatre?"
Sitting down, I start getting excited. My key
chain hooks on my thumb comfortably and I am able to put a summer throw across
my lap and easily balance phone, wallet and open notebook.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ... ETC ... THE SHOW WILL
START IN FIVE MINUTES.
Countdown! For those who are new to this show,
there is a roar of laughter as the minutes have shorter intervals and 2 minutes,
1 minute, and 30 seconds come within a 45 second time slot.
THE COWSILLS
The Rain, The Park and Other Things
We Can Fly
Indian Lake
Love American Style
Hair
During their second number, the latecomers are
seated. The good news is that the seats are now packed! The bad news is that the
people who just came in behind me have one lady who is loudly talking about The
Partridge Family connection and shows no sign of stopping soon. NOW I know why
they want clear plastic bags or very small clutches. It is so weapons cannot be
used when the surrounding audience gets fed up with the talking. Ah good!
During the third song, someone in her party says something to her and she stops
talking.
The Cowsills come out jumping, running and
joyous to begin this evening. Granted, I have selected my seat to have good
acoustical balance but even so, they sound amazing! Joking is always welcome in
a concert, but Happy Together DEMANDS it! Going overboard is expected. Susan,
Paul and Bob compete for best joke deliveries and joke qualities. Let's just
hear the last one:
Susan: "Paul, knock knock!"
Paul: "Who's there?"
Susan: "Control Freak."
Paul: "Control Freak" Susan:
"STOP!"
Paul: "What's the matter?"
Susan: "NOW you can say 'who'"
A good knock knock joke for the times.
For 53 years they have been singing and
performing together. Incredible, and others tonight have been around for the
same or longer lengths of time. I love them! As I answer questions behind me
(it's ok, they were asked during intermission) I realize all that they have
gone through individually and as a family unit, and they still give us a joy
and love that reinstates the value of music. Particularly the music of the
pop/rock era; diverse and creative.
THE VOGUES
5 O'Clock World
You Are My Special Angel
Turn Around, Look at Me
You're The One
For the 2022 version of Happy Together, The
Vogues are represented by Troy Elich, Royce Taylor and Shawn Stevens. I see
Troy and Royce, but 'Shawn' looks more like Bill Cunningham of The Box Tops. I
know that The Box Tops were on the bill last night in Pittsburgh and I could be
entirely wrong (it happened once.) I was
quite a distance away, although in centered seating. Troy, jump in on this
topic!
The Vogue songs represent the best in harmonic
detailing. You cannot help but become romantic when you hear 'You Are My
Special Angel' ... or remember the crush that never knew how much you cared
when you listen to 'Turn Around, Look at Me.'
I see the audience cuddling up and hear ooohs and ahhhs behind me. When
The Vogues were announced, this audience went into high gear, evidence that
people have come to see more than just one act tonight. It is almost as if any
name will draw enthusiasm. Well, we shall see.
After two songs, Troy points out to people
down front: "Are you all in your proper seats? We have done two songs and
you were all trying to find out where you belong. I know, I know! You came in
late and someone from the back had moved up front because no one was sitting
there. Are we done?" The words may seem caustic in print, but the audience
is in belly laughs. Just Happy Together humour. Looking around, I see the full
audience. 4,803 is capacity ... we may be three short. (rofl!) A standing ovation for both The Cowsills and
The Vogues. I am in Heaven again.
THE BUCKINGHAMS
Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna enter from
different sides uniting center stage. I want to shout I'M HERE, GUYS! Yeah,
you're right. It would NOT make their tour, or even their night, but it is
doing so much for me to be here.
Don't You Care
Hey Baby
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Susan
Kind of a Drag
This faux British (explained later) Chicago
band is no stranger to Forgotten Hits. There have been articles here about the
Chicago sound and the many bands that emerged from this area in the 60s / 70s.
The only horns here come from the keyboards but the hype is strong and Carl and
Nick are strong in vocals and enthusiasm that tickles the audience to a higher
level of thrill. Nick's Ed Sullivan simulation truly becomes a spot-on
impression tonight. In telling the story of their appearance on The Smothers
Brothers Show, his reaction to being given fish and chips for lunch instead of
the much more desirable pizza or sausage and peppers that a group of Italians
from Chicago would prefer brings strong laughter from the crowd. Well ... producers
of The Smothers Brothers ... Beatles haircuts, Edwardian suits and a name from
English history ... how were you to know? Hence, my use of 'faux British' at
the beginning of the paragraph.
From the back I watch the performer / artist
interaction that goes on with Carl, Nick and the fans. Thinking about it, these
acts are all seasoned manipulators, knowing how to bring more into their
musical performances. At some point tonight, I mentally note that this is not
just original artists performing strings of hits to move your head to, but
artists who are enthralled with their songs and performing them in a way that
will capture an audience and bring them in to a world only achievable with a
live performance. Otherwise, we could stay home and simply listen to whatever
songs we wanted to hear. A little over an hour has passed. Is it really time
for INTERMIISSION? Yes, after the standing ovation.
INTERMISSION
THE ASSOCIATION
There are several incarnations this year of
The Happy Together Tour. Acts are fluidly moving in and out at each concert.
Participants of the groups also need to be fluid for various reasons. Jim
Yester is still not up to touring, but there are three strong representatives
appearing on the tour: Del Ramos, Jules Alexander and Paul Holland. I needed to
ask for help on identifying Paul as I did not hear his name clearly. Paul
returned to the group after the loss of Larry Ramos. Del is Larry's brother and
Jules is the group's forever poet laureate. Always in white suits, they pop out
from others on stage. (It doesn't hurt that the band wears black lol)
Windy
Never My Love
Cherish
Along Came Mary
BMI designated 'Never My Love' as the second
most played song in the 20th Century. According to Del, they have now promoted
it to first place in the 21st century. Del dedicates it to his 102-year-old
mother. Huge applause again greeted this group when they were announced. I am
so gratified by the love that the audience gives back to each group here. There
are favorites for everyone. Audience knowledge of group facts varies, but the
dedication toward the groups and particularly their songs never lowers. What
you would expect from The Association: vocal harmonies, instrumental talents
and individual memories floating on air, arrives. A great opener to the second
act that brings romance and renewed longing into our lives.
GARY PUCKETT
The women are on their feet, screaming! Have I
fallen through a time warp? No, thankfully the rebellion and release to make
change from the 60s has been continued into the present era ... at least
through the music and concerts. Many in the audience bought tickets through
their corporations who have sponsored this tour and while the offices may not
be loud and wild, these are the creative people who tried to open up portals of
acceptance and variances. We / they are not perfect, and not all has been good.
Drugs, alcohol misuse, impatience, and outside pressures have side-lined many
an effort. Music brings back the dreams and visions and just may put us back on
a more productive course. After covid, we need this.
Lady Willpower
Over You
This Girl is a Woman Now
Woman, Woman
Young Girl
Wearing a representative Civil War cloak, this
man commands a take-over of the stage. Women continue to swoon, even as he
talks about being the senior representative on the tour. He will be 80 in
October as opposed to Susan Cowsill's age of 63. WAIT! SUSAN COWSILL IS 63???
More power to us folks!! We got this!! I had planned on seeing Gary earlier
this summer, but a covid uptick in my school changed my mind. I just sit, watch
and let him work his magic. When I first arrived tonight, I thought this
audience was more food and friends oriented. You know, self-centered and
deserving. But they have proven to me that no matter what was presented
outwardly at first, their hearts are here for the music and the performers. I
cannot give up on them now. I feel some vindication. Thank you, Gary, for
showing me what a 60s audience should look like when their kids and grandkids
aren't looking.
THE TURTLES
WHOA! HOLD ON A MINUTE! THERE ARE NO TURTLES
HERE, REMEMBER?
Here were my assumptions when I heard Mark was
out sick (or has been exposed.)
I know that Ron Dante is here. I know that Ron
has been filling in for Howard Kaylan, who no longer tours. I know that Ron
does present some Archies or Cuff Links songs on Happy Together tours. So, I
believe he will perform. I believe he will do Turtles songs. BUT will he do
more Archies / Cuff Links / Detergents renditions tonight? Is he now a solo
act? What will he say to justify doing songs by The Turtles? And finally ... does
the audience even know the names and faces of those who perform in any of these
groups, including The Turtles? This last question comes from me overhearing
conversations and misstatements around me.
WHAT ACTUALLY TRANSPIRED - THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
There is a very lengthy introduction on all
The Turtles credits. I see Ron, in darkness, putting on a guitar. Music starts
and he jumps to one of two microphones placed upfront. Who is at the other mic?
Godfrey Townsend, leader of The Happy Together Band and one time member of The
Association.
She'd Rather Be with Me
You Baby
It Ain't Me Babe
You Showed Me
Sugar, Sugar
Eleanor
Happy Together
As you now can see, all but one song is from
The Turtles repertoire. The audience is delighted, but they do seem puzzled.
After the fourth song, Ron says to Godfrey, "Maybe you better introduce me
and tell them who I am." The introduction is given, the audience applauds
and screams in delight and Ron explains that he has been a Turtle for five
years now. He gives more history on The Archies, not mentioning any other of
his incarnations and then sings 'Sugar, Sugar' to the crowd, who also jumps in
singing and waving arms. Another discovery from Ron: "Godfrey, the band
hasn't been introduced and they have been great all night." Sheepishly,
Godfrey apologizes and introduces the band ... to each other! "Tom, this
is Manny. Manny, this is Chris. Chris, this is Tom." "NO, NO!
Introduce them to the audience!" (Dante)
They are - Drums: Chris Camilleri, Keyboards:
Manny Focarazzo, Bass: Tom (?) from NYC (Godfrey, jump in here) The announced
bass player for the tour was not there last night and yes, Godfrey gave Tom's
last name, but applause was continuing at this part in the program, and I
missed it. The other two ARE correct. I heard them announced. OH I have missed
telling you about an important addition to The Turtles. 'She'd Rather Be with
Me' requires a cowbell, played always by Mark Volman. The band could have
easily picked this up, but isn't it more fun to know that Susan Cowsill became
the cowbell instrumentalist?
Twice this summer covid has impacted my
concerts. Peter and Jeremy became Peter Asher Remembers when Jeremy became
sick. Now, Mark Volman is affected. Did I miss them? Absolutely. Was I
disappointed? Yes, especially upon first hearing of it. Did it diminish my
enjoyment of the shows? No, because the remaining performers were insistent
that we be fully entertained. I know that Jeremy Clyde is up and sending out
videos of songs he wishes to perform, and I pray that Mark Volman will soon be
back and healthy.
The only way to end this review is with...
THE FINALE!
Traditionally, we start over again, bringing
each act back onstage to enjoy a last moment of audience adoration. And they
do! And they clapped! And they cheered! Standing ovations for each act … and
nobody wanted the evening to end. Well, except those ten people who had to
leave before the show was over so they could be first in line leaving the
parking lot. It took less than 20 minutes for the entire parking lot to empty
out after the show really ended. These attending parking directors are fully
trained everyone, and the staff inside were truly friendly and eager to please.
I had a wonderful time, and Oakdale Theatre, I am now glad we saved you. Next
time I put everything in a baggy. Little problem.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
Northeast Representative
