Lots of love for Harry Belafonte …
Perhaps the best quote I saw was that Harry was fortunate to have experienced “a life well lived” …
And that he did.
I’m sure many of us WISH we could do more …
But Belafonte DID … and as such, was able to help, touch and educate the world on so many different levels … all the while entertaining us with his records, his concert appearances, his television specials and his movies.
It was Harry who approached mega entertainment manager Ken Kragen about doing some type of benefit to help the people of Africa in 1985. Kragen contacted his client Lionel Richie, who wrote the song “We Are The World” with Michael Jackson … and then recruited a Who’s Who of musical superstars (including one of Kragen’s other clients, Kenny Rogers) to appear on the record. At the time, sales and donations totaled about $63 million (the equivalent of about $156 million in today’s dollars).
Belafonte’s “Calypso” album is reportedly the first LP to sell over one million copies … that’s right, he did it even before Elvis did!!!
His appearance on a television special with Petula Clark sparked a major racial controversy when Clark touched his arm … the thought of a white woman touching a black man was so appalling that such was the state of our thinking at the time. One of the show’s major sponsors, Chrysler, was apparently outraged by the incident. (The President of their Plymouth division reportedly asked that Belafonte be replaced before the program was even taped, simply because he was black. Director Steve Binder told him that if they forced his hand and had Belafonte replaced, he would tell the world the reason why.
Belafonte wanted to perform something of importance that would make a statement …
Bet he had no idea that this slight gesture on Petula’s part would cause such an outrage! (kk)
You can see the clip via the link below.
I remember when this took place ~~~
55 Years ago, almost to the day, on April 8th, 1968, at one moment during Petula Clark's TV Special, Clark grasps Belafonte's arm while they're singing a duet marking the first time a white woman and black man have physical contact on TV in such context.
And, in doing so ~~~
Harry Belafonte & Petula Clark Caused a Racist Scandal
Today, when so many TV Shows and Films have Black Leads featuring stories that revolve around a Black or Interracial Home or Workplace environment or matter-of-factly prominently portray couples of different races, many times participating intimately in more than just "holding another's arm," makes the over-the-top reaction to Belafonte and Clark's "incident" seem so stupid, trivial and ignorant now.
With still so very much more to accomplish, racial progress and acceptance in some areas has come a long way since the 1960s.
Personal Story: Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) ~ was one of the first records I ever bought! I can still remember hearing it on the radio for the first time and immediately running down to my local record story to buy it. ( which is what we kids often did then! )
Then, of course, THIS followed!
Which is another record I ran down to my local record store to immediately buy!
Chuck Buell
Harry Belafonte was a super-talented singer. Some of my earliest recollections were of his tunes in the mid-to-late 1950s. DAY-Oh!
An interesting fact: Harry's 1962 LP "Midnight
Special" LP was the first popular album to feature Bob Dylan (playing
harmonica).
Mike
My friend, Harry Belafonte, was truly a man of cause, conviction and principle. Besides being a great entertainer, he was a major political activist during the Civil Rights movement. I still remember the day in 1968 when Harry and I marched side by side on the Poor People’s March to Freedom. He will be missed and my sincere condolences go out to his family.
Berry Gordy
Founder, Motown
April 25, 2023
Lots of tribute comments here:
https://bestclassicbands.com/harry-belafonte-tributes-obituary-4-25-233/
https://theseconddisc.com/2023/04/25/in-memoriam-harry-belafonte-1927-2023/
Did you listen to Phil Nee’s interview with Pat Boone last weekend?
It was cool to see this article, sent in by Tom Cuddy.
I thought the very same thing the first time I ever heard “Crocodile Rock” …
But maybe that’s because I loved Pat’s “Speedy Gonzales” so much.
In fact, it was the second 45 I ever bought with my own money!!!
Check it out:
Pat Boone Says Elton John Thought He 'Was Going to Sue' Him over 'Crocodile Rock'
http://forgottenhits.com/first_45s
From “The Glorious Corner” …
DINO MY DINO — Thursday night at Steve Walter’s Cutting Room was a tribute for the Rascals’ Dino Dannelli, who passed in December. Dannelli was just a sensational drummer who helped propel The Rascals into the history books. In my estimation, he was one of the top five drummers ever. His precision, dexterity and showmanship was extraordinary. Watch him on “Good Lovin'” from an early Ed Sullivan spot. in 1966. Just amazing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUNJbVFW5Pw
Organized by Billy Amendola, it
was a terrific show; featuring Benny Harrison on keyboards; Rich Pagano on drums
and an assorted number of fine musicians. Paul Shaffer at one point joined the
band and was just terrific. Will Lee, on bass, was there, too.
Seen in the SRO crowd were Dan Zelinski; May Pang; Ken Dashow and Maria Milito
from Q1043;
PR-pasha David Salidor; photographer Jeff Smith and Eddie Brigati and Gene
Cornish from The Rascals.
Terrific evening
http://t2conline.com/the-glorious-corner-465/
How cool would it have been to be there for this special show!!! And the fact that Eddie and Gene both showed up … TOTAL awesomeness!!! (Too bad Felix couldn’t make it a perfect reunion.)
The Buckinghams have a new drummer …
Well, a returning hero anyway!!!
Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna posted this notice earlier this week …
Welcome Back, Tom Scheckel!
For 27 years, Tom Scheckel played a vital role as The Buckinghams Drummer and a permanent part of The Buckinghams family.
One day, Paul Revere came calling and asked if Tom might share his time and skills with his Raiders band performing for long stints in Branson, MO, and other engagements.
Though it was a tough decision, everyone decided it was an opportunity Tom should accept.
And, because you never really lose friends, there was always an open door should he want to return.
Rocky Penn has been and will always be considered a highly regarded member of the band for the past 13 years and we thank him for all he brought to our music.
Spring, 2023, brings with it a new opportunity for Tom Scheckel to return home to The Buckinghams, and we welcome him back as we prepare for a very active travel schedule ahead this year and beyond.
Please join us in saying “Welcome back, Tom” to The Buckinghams.
We’ll see you soon, this weekend in fact, in Emporia, Virginia, at the Meherrin River Arts Council as we play in our SOLD-OUT American Pop Concert with The Box Tops and The Grass Roots.
Carl & Nick
Welcome back, Tommy! Can't wait to catch a show! (kk)
FH Reader Frank B tells us about an upcoming free concert …
kk …
COUSIN BRUCIE presents a Free Concert
Thursday, June 8, 2023 - 7:30PM
PNC Bank Arts Center / Holmdel, New Jersey
Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone and Tommy Roe
with Deborah Rennard & Al Sapienea
Also, Before I Say Goodbye, I'd Like To Point Out The Fact That Ross Bagdasarian Played The Part Of A Cop In The Alfred Hitchcock Movie "REAR WINDOW" Starring Grace Kelly & James Stewart. (1954)
FB
Great to see that Tommy’s doing shows again! (With a brand new album to promote, the timing couldn’t be better!)
This should be one heck of a show … if you end up going, please report back to us …
This is one that I wish I could see! (kk)
Also from Frank B …
LAST TUESDAY, KOJAK INTERVIEWED LINDA HAMILTON, BOBBY RYDELL's WIDOW.
I SENT HER AN E-MAIL & SHE ANSWERED ME …
>>> Hi Linda …
I Heard Your Interview On My Friend Kojak's Show Last Night. Very Interesting.
I Became An Organ Donor After Hearing Bobby's Julia Story.
I Told Bobby About It & He Was Glad To Hear It.
I Posted Some Bobby Songs On My Group "I LOVE THE PLATTERS." Will Post More.
I Like Bobby's Appearance On The Danny Thomas Show, "SINGING DELINQUENT."
I Just Thought You Might Like To Hear What I Have To Say.
FRANK B.
>>>Hi Frank -
Glad you enjoyed the interview - hard to believe he is gone but he had a wonderful life.
Linda
She might like the tribute we did to Bobby ...
It ran for a whole week back in 2016 when his book came out!
kk …
Linda Hamilton Told Kojak That It Was Her Idea For Bobby To Write The Book.
After His Surgery, He Needed Lots Of Rest. She Called Allan Slutsky & Told Him To Come Over Their House. He Visited Twice A Week, With His Tape Recorder, Gathering The Information He Needed From Bobby.
FB
It’s a very interesting book, well written and fun to read …
Bobby certainly went thru a lot … and was a true survivor.
I enjoyed most of our conversation … although I had to prod him along every now and then, trying to give me enough to run a full week’s worth of copy … but also pointing out that NOBODY else was going to give him this kind of attention.
Although he pushed back (and at one point actually told me not to contact him again! lol) he then later brought up the “excellent interview in Forgotten Hits” during OTHER interviews he was doing at the time to promote the book …
So I figure he couldn’t have hated me THAT much!!! (kk)
A short while back we ran a brief history on the evolution of 10cc.
I just found this piece by noted Goldmine journalist Jeff Tarmakin, taking things a bit deeper … and wanted to share it with you …
https://bestclassicbands.com/wayne-fontana-mindbenders-10cc-4-6-20/
Bonnie Raitt has postponed several shows in order to have an undisclosed surgery performed.
From the official announcement:
Bonnie has a medical situation that requires surgery to address. The doctors say that in order for her to heal properly, they recommend she not perform for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, this overlaps our five tour dates in May … We deeply apologize for this delay and inconvenience. It's always upsetting to have to disappoint her fans, band, crew and our promoters, but sometimes unforeseen things just happen.
We wish her a speedy recovery. (kk)
Meanwhile, Aerosmith began running “Peace Out” messages last week, along with a countdown clock … indicating that perhaps they were on the verge of announcing their farewell tour.
With Joe Perry out touring now on his own … and Steven Tyler battling thru a series of health issues … the band may have reached the end of their road.
But boy, what a wild ride it has been.
(Speaking of great rock star biographies, Steven Tyler’s is one of the best … a THOROUGHLY entertaining and enjoyable read … highly recommended) kk
The Aerosmith Hit List includes 21 Billboard Top 40 Hits, including eight that made The Top Ten and one that went all the way to #1. (“I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” #1 for four weeks in 1998)
Other notable smashes include “Dream On” (#6, 1976) and “Walk This Way” (#10, 1977) Their 1987 comeback (after a seven year absence from the charts) was remarkable … they scored more hits AFTER their hiatus than before!
In our Top 3333 Most Essential Classic Rock Songs List, Aerosmith placed 22 titles on the countdown, eleven of which made The Top 1000:
|
9 |
Dream On |
|
22 |
Sweet Emotion |
|
89 |
Walk This Way |
|
238 |
Dude (Looks Like A Lady) |
|
743 |
Big Ten Inch Record |
|
838 |
Janie's Got A Gun |
|
915 |
Rag Doll |
|
930 |
Back In The Saddle |
|
934 |
Love In An Elevator |
|
943 |
Last Child |
|
983 |
Cryin' |
Watch for new documentaries spotlighting Donna Summer and Cyndi Lauper … coming soon to a cable outlet near you!
And
a new film, HAVE YOU GOT IT YET?: THE STORY OF SYD BARRETT AND PINK FLOYD
premiers in the UK in two weeks. (kk)
Colin Hay, founding member and lead vocalist of Men At Work was honored last week with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
A touring member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, Colin was saluted by Ringo via video during the ceremony:
What a great pleasure it is for me to let you know that Colin Hay is receiving Australia’s Ted Albert Award for outstanding services to Australian music … and American music and English music.
Anyway Colin, you deserve it and I love you are a great member of Ringo and the All-Starr Band and it is always my pleasure being on stage with you and I’m sure the people tonight will enjoy you as much as I do. And I saw.
Peace and Love, Peace and Love to Australia.
Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration “Long Story Short” has been going on this weekend at The Hollywood Bowl.
And what a cast of celebrating celebritites!
The Avett Brothers, Beck, Edie Brickell, Leon Bridges, Buddy Cannon, Roseanne Cash, The Chicks, Tyler Childers, Gary Clark, Jr., Charley Crockett, Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Jennifer Garner, Chelsea Handler, Woody Harrelson, Emmylou Harris, Ethan Hawke, Warren Haynes, Gabriel Iglesias, Shooter Jennings, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Booker T. Jones, Norah Jones, Tom Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Miranda Lambert, Daniel Lanois, Lyle Lovett, The Lumineers, Ziggy Marley, Dave Matthews, Lily Meola, Helen Mirren, Lukas Nelson, Particle Kid, Wayon Payne, Orville Peck, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, Allison Russell, Sturgill Simpson, Snoop Dogg, Chris Stapleton, Stephen Stills, George Strait, Billy Strings, Bobby Weir, Owen Wilson, Dwight Yoakam and Neil Young have already been announced … and don’t be surprised if there are a few additional surprise guests along the way!
And in today’s Micky Dolenz news …
SPECIAL TO FORGOTTEN HITS
After 22 shows around the U.S. celebrating the legacy of The Monkees, MICKY DOLENZ of that mint-classic 60’s group has seen first-hand the adulation group has accumulated.
The group’s “Sometime In The Morning” was featured on this week’s Ted Lasso episode (Strings That Bind Us) on Apple +.
He has also generated some of the best reviews of his career for a two-set show that encompasses not only all the classic Monkees hits, but personally shot video footage of the group and some marvelous backstage moments.
He also fondly remembers each of the now-gone members of the group, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Davy Jones, and performs a song closely associated with each of them.
Saturday Night the tour pauses for a bit after a show in Minneapolis at the Pantages Theatre.
While Micky Dolenz Celebrates The Monkees was a smash, Dolenz will resume his solo shows this Friday, May 5th, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, in Skokie, Illinois, and will also appear at Abbey Road on the River, Thursday, May 25th, in Jefferson, Indiana.
The Monkees Celebration tour resumes on June 8th, 9th and 10th at the Egyptian Theater in Park City, Utah, and the Libbey Bowl, in Ojai, California, on Friday, September 15th.
Photos by Paul Undersinger
We don’t have Apple TV anymore so I’ve never seen an episode of Ted Lasso - although I hear it’s great.
That being said, “Sometime In The Morning” has always been one of my all-time favorite Monkees songs … since the very first time I ever heard it in 1967.
Purely by coincidence I added it to my “falling asleep” playlist the other night without knowing anything about any of this! (kk)
Dolenz is in nearby Skokie this Friday Night! (kk)
Tom Cuddy also tells us …
Belinda Carlisle is back on the charts!
And in a very big way …
She has the #1 Song in the UK on Radio 2 with “Big Big Love,” written by Diane Warren
And, speaking of the charts …
Kent,
You may be interested in listening to this countdown of the Top 40 pop singles as listed in Record World magazine from February, 1971.
I was always a fan of American Top 40 but wondered what AT40 would've sounded like if they used a chart from either Cash Box or Record World, instead of Billboard — so I have recorded some shows featuring the Top 40 from those magazines. I hope you enjoy the show.
https://archive.org/details/rwc-1971021301
Joe Cantello
Marietta, Ga
This news surprised me …
Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” passed one billion views on YouTube!!!
Never would have predicted that one!
The record only made it to #30 when it was released back in 1989 … and is not one of Jackson’s most familiar or stand out tracks. (kk)
Some of Freddy Mercury’s personal possessions are being sold at auction later this year by his long-time close friend Mary Austin. (If you saw the film “Bohemian Rhapsody” … and seriously, who didn’t … you know exactly who I’m talking about.)
She held on to the collection for more than three decades but has decided the time has come to part with them. 1500 pieces (including handwritten lyrics, his replica crown, stage costumes and paintings, among other items) will first be exhibited in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong before a string of six auctions will begin to take place beginning in August and September. (kk)
How
many of you out there got roped into buying some of those K-Tel Hit Collections
back in the ‘70’s???
https://bestclassicbands.com/k-tel-history-compilation-albums-as-advertised-on-tv-5-4-20/
Things that made me smile this week ...
Sirius XM's '70's Channel little interlude drop-in:
"Millennials ... Can you believe we used to have to dial a phone number to find out the time and temperature?"
And then this, from Chuck Buell …
I found and manipulated the message on a Beverage Mug for you ~~~
Along with a couple of closing smilers from Mike Wolstein …
(Both of these totally cracked me up!) kk
