Still playing some major catch-up here ...
Our comments regarding this year's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominees are still to come ...
(I almost hesitate to promise a time or date just yet as my plate is pretty full right now) ...
But hopefully in the next few days.
Meanwhile, here is some of the other stuff that's been piling up in The Forgotten Hits Mailbag over the course of this past week ...
J.P. Richardson, a.k.a. the Big Bopper, deejay and novelty pop artist, left this mortal coil, along with Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens on the day the music died, February 3, 1959. He was on the winter dance party tour to promote his latest single, "Big Bopper's Wedding." As the tour bus, an old school bus with a faulty heater, kept breaking down in the frigid weather, he developed the flu. So he persuaded Waylon Jennings, the bass player in Holly's new band, to let him take his place on the small four-seater single engine aircraft Holly had arranged to take them to the next stop on the tour.
Buddy had split with the original Crickets in late '58 to go live in New York City, the place where he had met his bride. A few days after the fatal crash, George Jones' "White Lightning" was released, written by Richardson. Jones had once been a deejay himself at the same Beaumont, Texas, radio station as Richardson, whose radio persona was the Big Bopper. It would become future country music legend Jones' first number one record.
Having been recorded prior to the plane crash, "Running Bear" by Johnny Preston, a Richardson protege, was held back for release until October 12. Richardson wrote it, and along with Jones, supplied the background Indian chants. You might also notice a similarity on Blue Swede's "Hooked On A Feeling."
Anyway, it briefly charted, dropped out, and then made a u-turn, rebounding back up the Hot 100. It was the first record ever to leave the charts and then (in this case a couple of months later) reach number one (on January 18, 1960.) Sonny James would take it to the top of the country charts in 1969. Jerry Lee Lewis, rock 'n roller gone country, would cover "Chantilly Lace" for a number one hit in 1972.
So, in all, there were three songs, four posthumous number ones, from the imagination of the Big Bopper. Make that five, if you count "Running Bear" getting to the top of the pops in the UK on March 19, 1960. And he is credited with making the first music video for "Chantilly Lace."
Richardson penned many songs and they've been recorded by artists as diverse as The Guess Who, Joe South, and Hank Snow. There are other major stars through the years who have met similar fates … Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Otis Redding, Jim Croce, The Skynyrds, Ricky Nelson, John Denver, etc. Fear of flying is said to have kept Elvis Presley grounded for several years (he eventually bought his own private jet.) But none of the others has touched rock music's first generation memory banks quite like the deaths of the three early rock 'n roll legends who gruesomely perished in an icy Iowa cornfield near Mason City on that tragic midwestern winter's night.
Maybe it took that reminder Don
McLean gave us back in the Seventies to immortalize them for, as Neil Diamond
might say, they were done too soon. These were OUR pop culture heroes and they
died so young. Jiles Perry "Jape" Richardson was the old man of the
three. He was 28.
Mike Gentry
More on Buddy Holly from Gary Pig Gold …
https://popdiggers.com/charles-hardin-holley-sep-7-1936-feb-3-1959/
… and Harvey Kubernik …
https://bestclassicbands.com/buddy-holly-ritchie-valens-big-bopper-2-2-21/
With The Grammys airing tonight, Billboard Magazine selected 64 of Grammys’ Greatest Moments from the past 64 events …
By the way, Billboard has teamed with Sirius XM to name The 50 Greatest Love Songs in honor of upcoming Valentine’s Day. (You can hear the countdown “on demand” on the Sirius app.)
They’re calling it The Cupid Countdown … and it is airing exclusively on the SXM App from Feb. 3 through Feb. 16, extending Valentine’s Day vibes even after all the chocolate and roses have been shared. (The retrospective will also air on SiriusXM’s Love channel on Valentine’s Day at 12 p.m. ET, and again at 9 p.m. ET that day.)
All songs were chosen for their lyrics’ romantic and positive themes, making for a soundtrack spanning six decades of Billboard chart hits (as ranked via Billboard‘s Greatest of All Time methodology). Vaunted Valentine’s classics on the Billboard Cupid Countdown include The Captain & Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together,” REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” Mariah Carey’s “Vision of Love,” Alicia Keys’ “Fallin’,” Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” and more.
Charlie Thomas, the last of The Drifters assembled in 1959, who ran up a huge string of both pop and R&B hits, passed away earlier this week. He was 85.Courtesy of Tom Cuddy (from the TJ Lubinsky collection), here is a rare clip of Charlie reuniting with Ben E. King for an appearance on one of TJ’s “My Music” programs.
Louise Harrison, George Harrison’s sister, has passed away at the age of 91.
It was Louise who George came to visit in 1963, making him the first Beatle to plant his feet on American soil. It all happened just a few hundred miles from here in Benton, Illinois, and, depending on which of the legends you choose to believe, George may have sat in with a local band playing at their VFW Hall … or even had The Beatles’ latest released played on local radio at the time. (See our historic article regarding WHO WAS THE FIRST TO PLAY A BEATLES RECORD IN AMERICA from several years ago.)
http://forgottenhits.com/who_played_the_very_first_beatles_record_in_america
Unfortunately,
George and Louise spent a good number of years “on the outs” later in life,
George feeling that Louise was often taking advantage of his wealth, but early
on she was a regular contributor to teen fan magazines with Beatles updates and
columns offering young girls advice. She
made regular appearances at Beatlefest conventions all over the US as well. (kk)
Speaking of The Beatles, the anniversary of their final live performance as a band passed last week (January 30th) … all the more impactful now that the Peter Jackson “Get Back” film has presented the complete concert as it happened. I have to say that (other than freezing their arses off), the guys seemed to be having a really good time up their on the roof, playing their brand new songs for the passers by below.
Best Classic Bands remembers it here:
https://bestclassicbands.com/beatles-rooftop-concert-1-30-18/
The list of celebrity passings in January is nothing short of staggering.
In addition to Louise Harrison and Charlie Thomas (shown above), you can add Robbie Bachman (Bachman-Turner Overdrive), Sal Bando (Baseball Hall Of Famer), Jeff Beck, Jerry Blavant (very popular Philadelphia deejay), Lin Brehmer (long-time Chicago DJ), David Crosby, Bobby Hull, Robbie Knievel, Gina Lollobrigida, Lisa Loring, Gary Peters (Chicago White Sox Pitcher), Lisa Marie Presley, Adam Rich, Barrett Strong, Ted “Kingsize” Taylor (early Liverpool skiffle group leader), Annie Wersching, Fred White (Earth, Wind and Fire), Cindy Williams, Yoshio Yoda to the list … and these after a year-end flurry that included Barbara Walters and several others. (This list is by NO means complete!) kk
Ron Howard, on the passing of Cindy Williams:
Her unpretentious intelligence, talent, wit and humanity impacted every character she created and person she worked with. We were paired as actors on six different projects. American Graffiti, a couple of dramas and then Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley. Lucky me. RIP, Cindy.
>>>I wish we did not have to pepper it with death notices, but at the same time, the remembrances and information posted is incredible reading. (Shelley Sweet-Tufano)I’m afraid it’s become inevitable at this point, Shelley …
Consider each and every day without one a good day. (kk)
And, speaking of Who Played The First Beatles Record In America, I am proud to announce that I attended a very special “By Invitation Only” screening of the new Dick Biondi Documentary.
While I hesitate to call it “finished” (there is still some final editing to do … and the big factor of licensing to be resolved before it can be shown and distributed), this was the full, one hour cut … and it is very well done.
Eight years in the making, I have really given this project my very best, all-out effort in helping to get the word out … and I think we’ve finally reached the final lap. (The film is very well done and quite entertaining ... and along with MAJOR music stars like Frankie Valli and Brian Wilson, video footage of The Beatles and Rolling Stones, interviews with other deejays of renown, you'll even find a comment or two from ME!!! And the really cool and incredible part about THAT is that I actually look and sound like I know what I'm talking about!!!)
A deal with PBS is already pending, with the hopes of a showing this
summer if all the remaining details can be resolved. (It’s virtually ready to air right now!) DVD Sales will also become available once the
licensing requirements have been satisfied. Naturally, we'll keep you posted as to how, when and where you can get a copy.
Meanwhile, sincere VERY SPECIAL THANKS and CONGRATULATIONS to Pam Pulice and Joe Ferina, who have worked tirelessly to get this thing done. WTG, Guys!!! (kk)
Bryan Adams and Joan Jett are teaming up for a two month tour this summer. (Now THIS is a show I’d like to see … they hit Chicago on July 2nd, performing at The Allstate Arena in Rosemont!)
Other dates include:
June 6th – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank
Arena
June 7th – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Centre
June 9th – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden,
June 10th – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
June 11th – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
June 13th – Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
June 14th – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
June 15th – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
June 17th – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
June 18th – Duluth, GA @ Gas South Arena
June 20th – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live
June 21st – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena
June 28th – Sugar Land, TX @ Smart Financial Center
June 29th – Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena
July 1st – St Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center
July 2nd – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena
July 3rd – St Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Arena
July 6th – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
July 7th – Salt Lake City, UT @ Maverik Center
July 25th – Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center
July 26th – San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
July 28th – Palm Springs, CA @ Acrisure Arena
July 29th – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
July 30th – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
August 2nd – Portland, OR @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
August 3rd – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
NOT touring anymore (he made the official announcement this week) is Ozzy Osbourne.
His recent health issues have simply proven to be too much … and he is clearly devastated by having to make this decision.
His official statement read:
This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine.
My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.
I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required. Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.
Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way. My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.
I want to thank my family … my band … my crew … my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.
I love you all …
A vintage concert video featuring Darlene Love, Live at Liberation Hall from 1982, is being released on DVD and CD.
The event took place on April 21st, 1982, at Hop Singh’s in Marina del Rey, California, and Darlene couldn’t be more thrilled that this concert is finally seeing the light of day in home video release.
Running just 47 minutes, the track list includes “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Wait Til’ My Bobby Gets Home,” “(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” “We Can Work It Out,” “Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Heart?,” “He’s a Rebel,” “Not Too Young to Get Married,” “Sometimes When We Touch,” “Hungry Heart,” “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” and a Gospel Medley featuring “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Oh, Happy Day” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
It was Darlene’s uncredited voice that sang the lead on The Crystals’ hit ‘He’s A Rebel’ … and, of course, she used to perform “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” every year on The David Letterman Show. (In the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s, she even sang back-up for Elvis Presley as a member of The Blossoms.) kk
Kent,
I really enjoyed the posting of the father and daughter singing along to DON'T YOU JUST KNOW IT. I always liked the Fendermen's version that was a follow-up to their MULE SKINNER BLUES from 1960
Larry
The real hit, of course, belonged to Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns, who reached #9 with their version …
But you’re right … The Fendermen also charted with their version (although it only managed to bubble under in Billboard.) It did make t to #76 in Music Vendor however.
A cute video for sure. (kk)
Billboard Magazine is reporting that cassettes are making a comeback. (Sure, why not … you can buy select new releases on vinyl and 8-track … why not cassettes?!?!)
I’ll tell you what … and I’ve said this before …
I would like to come up with a device for the car that plays ALL different kinds of formats for whatever I happen to be in the mood for that day …
Bluetooth for online broadcasts like Rewound Radio, The True Oldies Channel and LAFOS …
Satellite Radio for Sirius/XM …
Traditional radio for Me-TV-FM, The Drive and some of our local favorites …
A CD Player and a Cassette Player (so I can listen to the HUNDREDS of cassettes I still have out in the garage right now … special mix tapes of charted hits that I accumulated over the years.) Time will tell! (kk)
Kent,
I enjoyed CB's Tator Tots Potato Mash-up Melody. There probably are some others that could have been included but the first one that came to my mind was Ray Stevens' 1963 novelty record HARRY THE HAIRY APE where in the middle of the song the DJ in question stopped to do a little bit MASHED POTATO.
Larry
Interestingly enough, Peter Noone devoted part of his Saturday Sirius XM '60's show to songs mentioning mashed potatoes in their lyrics. No idea if he was inspired by Chuck Buell's list or not ... and I still have to listen to the program ... but either way, it's just another example of great minds thinking alike! (kk)
Linda Ronstadt is back all over the music news this week after her 1970 Hit “Long, Long Time” was featured in last weekend’s episode of “The Last Of Us.”
“Long, Long Time” has long been my favorite Ronstadt tune … and I always felt it deserved better than it got when it peaked at #21 in Record World (and #25 in Billboard) during its three month run on the chart.
Sadly, Linda has made no secret of the fact that she won’t earn a dime from any increase in sales, downloads or streaming as a result of this newfound interest and activity … and that really is a shame. (You just never know these days what’s going to catch on again … but it goes back to what I’ve been preaching for the past 25 years here …
Give a new generation a chance to discover the music of OUR generation and they will get onboard … and this is a great track.)
Her performance of it with Bobby Darin back on his program has always been one of my favorite video renditions …
According to Sean Ross’ “Ross On Radio” column, radio has been slow to jump on the bandwagon … all the activity seems to be more on the download and streaming platforms. (Ross reports that it’s iTunes #4 song this week.) kk
Elton John’s 1972 album “Honky Chateau” gets the 50th Anniversary treatment with a deluxe 2-CD edition featuring studio outtakes, early demos and live performances of what certainly ranks right up near the top of my personal Elton John favorite LPs.
More info on that here:
Elton John can now also claim the honors for the highest grossing tour in history …
His “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” Tour passed ticket sales in excess of $800 million. (Of course, it also ran for YEARS … but that’s not to diminish in ANY way Elton’s way of saying goodbye to his legions of fans all over the globe.) Congrats to Sir Elton John … who is STILL Having hits some 53 years after he first made the US charts in 1970. (kk)
New recordings added in 2022 to National Archives: Don’t Stop Believin’, Bohemian Rhapsody, Franklin D's "Day Of Infamy" speeches, Moon River, The Christmas Song, Hank Aaron's 715th!
NOW, Journey can sit by Don’t Crush That Dwarf in the Columbia records stack. ;)
Short list but VERY varied! Some good and some bad.
Clark Besch
Tom Cuddy sent us this interesting bit of info …
Ranked: The Top Online Music
Services in the U.S. by Monthly Users
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/top-online-music-services-us/
In a related note, Spotify announced last week that their 2022 year-end figures boast 250 million subscribers! Not bad for a newbie! (lol) kk
Tom also told us that we can look to a new Paul McCartney documentary profiling his career AFTER The Beatles, coming from Director Morgan Neville …
Paul McCartney’s Decade-Long Creative Surge Post-Beatles To Be
Explored In ‘Man On The Run’ From Oscar Winner Morgan Neville
https://deadline.com/2023/02/man-on-the-run-paul-mccartney-documentary-project-announced-mpl-polygram-entertainment-director-morgan-neville-news-1235249483/
I am currently reading “The McCartney Legacy, Volume 1” by Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair, which covers McCartney’s solo career thru “Band On The Run” in 1973 … and let me tell you, it has got to be one of the best-researched, well documented and detailed account I’ve ever seen on this or any other music subject. (I can only imagine how many volumes there will be in this series to truly capture all that Macca has done since the break-up of The Beatles.)
Quoting from literally hundreds (and maybe even thousands) of sources secured along the way, this is for McCartney purists only … it is almost TOO detailed … but fascinating nonetheless. (You’ll find footnotes and references in nearly every paragraph!)
Still, quite enlightening to the behind-the-scenes stories of Paul trying to launch a solo career while at the same time legally fighting to dissolve The Beatles and his partnership with Apple. (I can also recommend the book “Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969 – 2013) by Luca Perasi, which makes for the perfect companion piece. While Perasi’s book provides the interesting timeline as to the sequence of these recordings, RARELY tied to their chronological commercial release, “The McCartney Legacy, Volume 1” goes into the most minute’ details of these sessions, finally crediting some of the studio musicians hired along the way before Wings was officially formed. Now, this new documentary will help to illustrate things even better with, I can only imagine, a most awesome soundtrack. (I will tell you that reading this book has me simultaneously relistening to all of these albums … “McCartney,” “Ram,” “Wild Life,” “Red Rose Speedway” and “Band On The Run” in their vastly expanded “McCartney Collection” editions as a musical backdrop for all that is going on on the written pages.) kk
There will also be a new Donna Summer documentary airing in May on HBO. LOTS of good music stuff coming up! (kk)
Lock up your teenage daughters … Gary Glitter has just been released from prison!
The repeat sexual offender / predator (who also at one time boasted an extensive child pornography collection) was released from jail last week after serving half of his most recent sixteen year term. (Glitter, of course, topped the pop charts with his rock and roll / sports anthem “Rock And Roll, Part 2” in 1972.) Despite his history outside the music world, you still hear his hit on the radio (and at various sporting events) all the time. Wild. (kk)
Two anniversaries we missed yesterday (February 4th) from Mike Wolstein:
#1 - Karen Carpenter: R.I.P. 40 years (wow, has it been that long?)
This shot was taken by Sharon Fox, a fairly well-known local photog, who
specializes in music and other sorts of entertainment. It was taken at a
show they did at Mill Run Theater.
#2 - "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees hits #1 on Billboard on 2-4-78 (wow, 45 years!)
kk …
I Feel Like I Owe Your Readers A Chubby Checker Performance.
I'm Looking At Ron Smith's Book "EIGHT DAYS A WEEK," Like I Do Everyday.
I See 1/31/1988 = Super Bowl XXII ...
Halftime Show = Chubby Checker & Rockettes.
Go To You Tube & Punch In Above Information & You'll See Chubby Checker Twisting.
"LETS TWIST AGAIN" + "SUPER BOWL TWIST."
FB
Wow … I sure
don’t remember Chubby doing the Halftime Show at The Super Bowl!!! 1988???
Of course, I was just a little boy then … but he’s always fun to watch. But here's the proof (you'll have to scroll in almost seven minutes to see him 'tho ... unless you want to watch The Rockettes' performance first) ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqrksVDVO6w
His make-up show here in now scheduled for April 2nd at The Des Plaines Theater …
They’ve even pulled out some of the seats to create a dance floor.
This is a twistin’ good time … and good seats are still available. (kk)
https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/6987315/chubby-checker-dance-party-des-plaines-des-plaines-theatre?_ga=2.77890460.962755528.1675219771-1409816142.1675219771And we'll leave you with this final thought from Chuck Buell ...
Sometimes I think we overlook the truly important things in Life.
For instance, a change late last year to the shoes of the Green M&M Spokesperson, from go-go boots to sneakers, caused outrage on social media, with many bemoaning the loss of the character’s signature look.
A petition to “keep the green M&M sexy” garnered over 20,000 signatures.
Where do I sign?!
CB ( which stands for "Candy Boy!" )
