And obviously has a WHOLE lotta catching up to do!!!
So let's get started, shall we???
As Shelley Sweet-Tufano told us last week (as part of her concert review of the Jay and the Americans show she saw at The Milford Performing Center) …
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-reader-review.html
>>>The two original Americans, Marty Sanders and Sandy Deanne are introduced and I continue to ask myself, "Where is chick-magnet Howie Kane?" Sandy explains Howie was in a car accident and cracked his sternum, which at any age proffers an OUCH! He is on the mend and will return, but needs time to heal.
Sadly, Howie was not to return … he died on Monday, March 27th as a direct result of complications incurred from the accident.
https://obitschapel.com/howie-kane-obituary-jay-and-the-americans-band-member-has-died-death/
Howie Kane was an original member of Jay and the Americans, formed in 1960. They hit the charts quickly with the Top Five Hit (and #1 here in Chicago), “She Cried,” in 1962. More Top Ten Hits followed: “Come A Little Bit Closer” (#3, 1964), “Let’s Lock The Door (And Throw Away The Key” (#10, 1965), “Cara Mia” (#3, 1965), “This Magic Moment” (#4, 1969) and “Walkin’ In The Rain” (#10, 1970.) They hit The National Top 40 a total of eleven times between 1962 and 1970.
Kane left the group in 1973 … but returned when they reformed in 2006 with Jay #3, Jay Reincke, a Chicago singer who bought his way into the band after Jay Black hit financial difficulties due to excessive gambling debts. (Kane was always portrayed as “The Chick Magnet” on stage by the other singer in the band. Word is that at one time or another, he dated all three of the Ronettes!)
Ironically, Jay and the Americans had just been booked into Ron Onesti’s Des Plaines Theatre for an appearance on September 17th. (Could Kenny Vance be returning to the fold??? Now THAT would be an interesting proposition!) kk
UPDATE: Right before we left for Louisville, I was prepping this piece to run on Jay and the Americans in response to Shelley’s recent review … so you can only imagine my shock and surprise to hear of Howie’s passing while we were gone …
We have seen Jay and the Americans a number of times now, both as a headliner and as a supporting act, and have always been impressed with their performances … their voices are still remarkably fresh after all these years … and Shelley is right … the story telling alone is worth the price of the ticket.
They’re coming back to The Des Plaines Theatre on September 17th …
And you can check them out at some of their other upcoming dates as well …
April 21, 22 & 23, 2023 @ 7:30 PM – The SOUTH POINT HOTEL CASINO & SPA - Las Vegas, Nevada
April 29, 2023 – Proctor’s Theater – as part of The Sixties Spectacular along with HERMAN’S HERMITS starring PETER NOONE, DENNIS TUFANO (original lead singer of The Buckinghams) and The 1910 Fruitgum Company
MAY 6, 2023 – F.M. KIRBY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING
ARTS – WILKES-BARRE, PA – as part of OH WHAT A NIGHT OF 60'S ROCK N ROLL –
along with THE GRASS ROOTS, GARY LEWIS AND THE
PLAYBOYS and JIMMY RUSSO
May 20, 2023 – The Lost In The 50’s Festival – Sand Point, Idaho (1st Time
Ever In Idaho!) – with Rocky And The Rollers
JUNE 3, 2023 – BENEDUM CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS – PITTSBURGH, PA – as part of Rock N Remember Live! – along with CHARLIE THOMAS' DRIFTERS, JAY SEIGEL'S TOKENS, CHRIS RUGGIERO, THE SKYLINERS, EMIL STUCCHIO AND THE CLASSICS, THE MARVELETTES, KATHY YOUNG and THE CRYSTALS
June 24, 2023 – The Newton Theatre – Newton, NJ
JULY 23, 2023 – THE CAPE MAY CONVENTION CENTER – Cape May, NJ
OCTOBER 7, 2023 - JAY AND THE AMERICANS with CHRIS RUGGIERO, LA LA BROOKS and THE SHADES OF BLUE - RIVIERA THEATRE - NORTH TONAWANDA, NY
OCTOBER 14, 2023 @ 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM - Back By Popular Demand! It’s JAY AND THE AMERICANS, THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE, THE SKYLINERS, THE COASTERS and VITO PICONE AND THE ELEGANTS (Hosted by EMIL STUCCHIO) - AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE - Lancaster, PA
OCTOBER 27, 2023 - JAY AND THE AMERICANS - Circle Square Cultural Center - Ocala, Florida
And check out THIS line-up, running from OCTOBER 28th - NOVEMBER 4th, 2023:
PAUL ANKA, THE TEMPTATIONS, JAY AND THE AMERICANS, LITTLE ANTHONY AND THE IMPERIALS, THE LETTERMEN, AL JARDINE (FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE BEACH BOYS & HIS ENDLESS SUMMER BAND ), DARLENE LOVE, THE BRONX WANDERERS, PETER ASHER, DENNIS TUFANO (ORIGINAL LEAD SINGER OF THE BUCKINGHAMS), THE VOGUES, THE SKYLINERS, THE CONTOURS, VITO PICONE & THE ELEGANTS, THE REFLECTIONS, LINDA GAIL LEWIS (sister of Jerry Lee Lewis), BOBBY WILSON, THE WINTER DANCE PARTY, THE EVERLY SET, THE UNKNOWN COMIC, THE CODA BAND AND THE CHICLETTES … with more artists to be announced …
It's all part of THE MALT SHOP MEMORIES CRUISE - FT LAUDERDALE / ARUBA / CURACAO
Book Cabins Today (844) 855-MALT – maltshopcruise.com
After years of refusing to be interviewed for or make comment on anything at all to do with Sly and the Family Stone, Sylvester Stewart / Sly Stone now has reportedly written his memoirs.
Because I have read quite a bit about the soulful funkmaster since The Family Stone’s hey-day, I know I will be one of the first to pick up his new book when it is released in October … however, I will admit to entering into this reading challenge with more than just a little bit of suspicion.
How much of his own life could Stewart POSSIBLY remember, being as inebriated as he was during virtually every minute of it?!?!
“Sly Stone” was notorious for his relentless drug use, no-show concerts and wild ways. He went from extravagant spending habits to being homeless … and burned nearly every relationship he ever had, professional and familial in the process …
ALL of which should make for some fascinating reading if there is even the SLIGHTEST element of truth printed between the covers! (The book is written with Ben Greenman, who has also worked on celebrity bios by Brian Wilson, Gene Simmons and George Clinton … so hopefully he has done enough research of his own to fill in some of the incredibly fuzzy gaps where necessary.)
Along the way, he also fused together a band of
brothers and sisters, black and white, that recorded some of the most memorable
and influential music of the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s. By the time Sly and the Family Stone brought
down the house at Woodstock in August of 1969, they had already scored MASSIVE hits with records
like “Dance To The Music” (#5, 1968), “Everyday People” (#1, 1969), “Stand”
(#20, 1969), “I Want To Take You Higher” (#60, 1969 and then #38 when it was released again in 1970) and “Hot
Fun In The Summertime” (#2, 1969.) Other
#1 Hits (“Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin” / “Everybody Is A Star,” 1970,
and “Family Affair,” 1971), would follow.
They were inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1993, but it
looked like Sly was going to be a no show for that one, too … until he popped
out at the last possible moment to say thank you ... and "See you soon!")
“For as long as I can remember, folks have been asking me to tell my story … but I wasn’t ready,” said Stone said in the official press announcement. “I had to be in a new frame of mind to become Sylvester Stewart again to tell the true story of Sly Stone. It’s been a wild ride and hopefully my fans enjoy it, too.”
From the official book announcement released on March 22nd: "One of the few indisputable geniuses of pop music, Sly Stone is a trailblazer and a legend. He created a new kind of music, mixing Black and white, male and female, funk and rock. As a songwriter, he penned some of the most iconic anthems of the 1960s and ’70s, from 'Everyday People' to 'Family Affair.' As a performer, he electrified audiences with a persona and stage presence that set a lasting standard for pop-culture performance."
Prior to launching his own musical career, Stone was a DJ at KSOL in San Francisco and a record producer / promoter for Autumn Records. (He produced the early hit records by The Beau Brummels.)
If done right, the book should paint a fascinating portrait of Sly's impact on the music scene ... whether it be the blending of rock, soul and funk or his legendary "There's A Riot Goin' On," inspired by true events right here in Chicago. (kk)
https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2020/07/july-27th-1970.html
Madison Square Garden captured a couple of Billys on stage last weekend …
(Note: I said BILLYS … not “billies”)
When Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top joined Billy Joel on stage for his monthly gig at The Garden, performing two ZZ Top classics, “La Grange” and “Tush.”
You can catch the whole performance, captured live here:
From Tom Cuddy …
Martha Reeves must raise $55K for her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star …
Tom also tells us about the new Alan Freed musical, starring “Joey Pants” as Morris Levy!!! … (Damn! Betcha Tommy James wishes HE coulda made that score!!!)
https://www.theatermania.com/off-broadway/news/joe-pantoliano-rock-and-roll-man-musical_95000.html/
And he sent us this, too!
Meet the Writer Behind “Rhythm of
the Rain” by The Cascades
https://americansongwriter.com/meet-the-writer-behind-rhythm-of-the-rain-by-the-cascades/
Rod Stewart is teaming up with Culture Club as his opening act for a British Tour that kicks off in June. (Right now, only seven dates have been announced … but Stewart and Boy George are apparently old friends.) Rod suggested, “We should misbehave” on their summer tour, being billed as his “Global Hits Tour.”
Confirmed show dates for our UK Readers:
Saturday,
June 24th - Plymouth, Home Park Stadium
Wednesday, June 28th - Northampton, Cinch Stadium
Friday, June 30th - Durham, Seat Unique Riverside
Sunday, July 2nd
- Bristol, Badminton Estate, Worcester Park
Tuesday, July 4th - Hull, Sewell Group Craven
Thursday, July 6th and Friday, July 7th - Edinburgh,
Edinburgh Castle
Meanwhile, Eric Clapton has announced a short (as in VERY short) North American Tour, kicking off in September with only five announced dates (and press releases state that these will be Clapton’s ONLY US appearances):
September 8th - Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena
September 10th - Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
September 12th - St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center
September 14th - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
September 16th - Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
Queen + Adam Lambert have also announced THEIR 2023 tour (their first since 2019) … and we just may have to catch them this time around!
Also heading out this fall, these are the dates that have been announced so far …
October 4th – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
October 8th – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
October 10th – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
October 12th – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
October 15th – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
October 18th – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center
October 23rd – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
October 25th – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
Octobert 27th – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
October 30th – Chicago, IL @ United Center
November 2nd – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
November 5th – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
November 8th – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
November 11th – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium
Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 31st (kk)
kk …
I Just Finished Reading Bob Dylan's Book "THE PHILOSOPHY OF MODERN SONG."
I Think You Might Like It. He Explains The Meaning Of 66 Songs …
Starting With "DETROIT CITY" (In This Song, You're The Prodigal Son …
Ending With "WHERE OR WHEN" (This Is A Song Of Reincarnation)
Dylan Began Working On This Book In 2010. He Offers A Master Class On The Art & Craft Of Songwriting.
From Stephen Foster To Elvis Costello … Hank Williams To Nina Simone.
In 2020, With The Release Of His "ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS" Album, Dylan Became The First Artist To Have An Album Hit The Billboard Top 40 In Each Decade Since The 1960's … Sounds Like One Of Those Records That Will Never Be Broken.
(And You Thought I Couldn't Send You An E-Mail Without Talking About Cousin Brucie!)
FB
PS -- "KILLING THE LEGENDS" (Elvis + Lennon + Ali) by Bill O'Reilly Is Another Winner.
I thought I might have been getting Dylan’s book for Christmas last year but it didn’t happen. (I dropped enough hints!!! Lol)
I’m sure I’ll get around to reading it eventually. (After all the controversy about him not really signing these collectors’ editions, most of the press surrounding the book was bad … glad to hear something positive about the actual book for a change!!!) kk
And how does THIS sound …
The Original Soul Duo SAM & DAVE Continue To Inspire Artists Across The Generations On A New Collection Of Revamped Classics! (Features guest appearances by Stax guitarist Steve Cropper, retro rock duo The Courettes, and legendary rock keyboardist Brian Auger!)
Iconic soul music duo Sam Moore & Dave Prater released some of the most influential and acclaimed music of the ‘60s. From “Hold On, I’m Coming” to “I Thank You” to their signature hit “Soul Man,” their songs not only put the great Stax label on the musical map but also inspired a generation of soul/pop crossover artists to rival the hit machine that was Motown.
Helping to ensure that future generations of music lovers will continue to discover the supremely rich and stylish music of Sam & Dave, a host of friends, both young and old, have come together on a special collection of revisited hits and cover tunes. Using as its basis the 1978 recording session Moore & Prater made in Nashville, Soul Man Explosion offers thrilling new mixes and new backing track recordings by original Stax guitarist Steve Cropper, internationally acclaimed retro rock enthusiasts The Courettes, and rock keyboardist extraordinaire Brian Auger!
For a taste of what’s in store, look no further than the completely revamped version of “Hold On, I’m Coming” featuring The Courettes who kick off the their version with a fantastic, reverbed snare drum and a Jack White-esque guitar riff interpolating the song’s well-known horn melody. The Courettes’ version ends up not only elevating the genius of the original but also standing on its own artistic merit.
Stream the single: https://orcd.co/samanddave_thecourettes
Starting April 28, Soul Man Explosion will be available on CD, digital and soon will be coming to vinyl! Order your copy today!
Order CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/sam-dave-soul-man-explosion-cd/
Pre-order/pre-save
the digital: https://orcd.co/samanddave_soulmanexplosion
Did you happen to catch the profile on The Everly Brothers this past Sunday on CBS Sunday Morning? GREAT tribute with some excellent footage
You MIGHT be able to catch it here … but these things typically disappear SO quickly!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YupKSVmy-28
And here’s another great vintage ABBA video (check out these “costumes!!!”)
It’s a 50th Anniversary Celebration of their first Swedish Hit, “Ring! Ring!” (They wouldn’t break big here in America for another year … and when “Ring Ring” was re-released here in 1975, it totally tanked, peaking at #112 in Record World only.)
But the group DID manage to score another hit or two along the way … fourteen Top 40 US hits in all, including the #1 smash “Dancing Queen,” a song you’re STILL likely to hear several times a day … EVERY day!!!
Looks like we missed another anniversary while we were gone …
Elvis’ induction into The Army!!!
BIG news in 1958!!!
https://bestclassicbands.com/elvis-army-induction-3-24-177/
(The Baz Luhrmann Elvis flick insinuates that Colonel Parker was behind Elvis being drafted as a means to protect himself from possible exposure during an Elvis world tour …
First time I’d heard THAT story …
But who knows!!!) kk
We celebrated a couple more Beatles milestones last week, too! (kk)
https://bestclassicbands.com/beatles-she-loves-you-3-21-17/
https://www.noise11.com/news/the-beatles-debut-album-please-please-me-turns-60-20230322
For most of us, we first caught glimpse of Peter Frampton thanks to his INCREDIBLY successful live album in 1976. But let’s face it … those HUGE hits “Show Me The Way” (#4), “Baby I Love Your Way” (#12) and “Do You Feel Like We Do” (#10) had to come from SOMEWHERE!!!
And now you can capture the early Frampton experience (post The Herd and Humble Pie) on this VERY limited edition vinyl box set “Frampton@50” (kk)
More Micky …
Bruce Springsteen, Jose Feliciano and Gladys Knight were all awarded The National Medal Of Arts this past week at The White House “for their life-long passionate commitment to our nation’s cultural legacy. We are a better nation because of their contributions.”
Of the recipients the board said of Bruce Springsteen: One of our greatest performers and storytellers, Bruce Springsteen’s music celebrates our triumphs, heals our wounds, and gives us hope, capturing the unyielding spirit of what it means to be American.
Jose Feliciano: Over 60 years, 60 albums, and 600 songs, Jose Feliciano has opened hearts and built bridges—overcoming obstacles, never losing faith, and enriching the goodness and greatness of the Nation.
And Gladys Knight: Gladys Knight’s exceptional talent influenced musical genres—from rhythm and blues to gospel to pop—and inspired generations of artists, captivated by her soundtrack of a golden age in American music. (kk)
Meanwhile, on Thursday, April 13th, John Fogerty will receive “The Music For Life” Award, a special honor commemorating his incredible and lasting musical lelgacy, at this year’s NAMM Conention. It is the entertainment technology industry’s highest honor and is presented in recognition of Fogerty’s lifelong contributions to music and commitment to inspiring music makers everywhere. (kk)
More to come later this week as time permits!!! Thanks, all! (kk)
