Friday, July 7, 2023

THE FRIDAY FLASH: Getting You Ready For The Weekend! (we're posting this at 7 am ... on 7/7)

The Eagles have announced their farewell tour, "The Long Goodbye" ...

It'll all kick off this Fall ...

And likely run thru most of 2025!

They want to entertain their millions of fans around the world one last time (and they're bringing Steely Dan along with them for this final journey!)

In an official statement, The Eagles said:

The Eagles have had a miraculous 52-year odyssey, performing for people all over the globe; keeping the music alive in the face of tragic losses, upheavals and setbacks of many kinds. Credit and thanks go to our longtime management team, our dedicated road crew, and our exceptional backup musicians for providing skilled and steadfast support, throughout these many years. We know how fortunate we are, and we are truly grateful. Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed. But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle. The official farewell tour is currently in the planning stages. We want to give all our fans a chance to see us on this final round. So, scheduling information will be released as dates are set. The difficulties of booking venues for multiple nights may require us to return to certain cities, depending on demand. But, we hope to see as many of you as we can, before we finish up. Most importantly, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for embracing this band and its music. At the end of the day, you are the reason we have been able to carry on for over five decades. This is our swan song, but the music goes on and on.

With love and gratitude,

The Eagles

And, by The Eagles, this time around they mean Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill and Deacon Frey (along with a cast of back-up musicians.)

They promise to perform "as many shows in each market as our audience demands. The tour is expected to continue into 2025,” making the name of the tour, The Long Goodbye, quite apropos.

The first series of dates announced include:

Thursday, September 7th - New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Monday, September 11th -  Boston, MA TD Garden
Saturday, September 16th - Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Wednesday, September 20th - Belmont Park, NY UBS Arena
Thursday, October 5th - Denver, CO Ball Arena
Monday, October 9th - Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Friday, October 13th - Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
Tuesday, October 17th - Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Thursday, November 2nd - Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
Tuesday, November 7th - Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
Thursday, November 9th - Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
Tuesday, November 14th - Lexington, KY Rupp Arena
Friday, November 17th - St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center

Look for many more dates to be announced in the weeks (months and YEARS!) to come!  (lol)  [NO WAY WE'RE MISSING THIS!!!]

Hope you all had a nice 4th of July!

From Timmy …

Jim Morrison celebrating the 4th

 

Or, as Timmy put it, Light My 4th!!!

 


Heard the news about Dick Biondi …

Looks like I may be have the ominous title of being the last of the actual 60s WLS jocks still around - 

Best to you and yours.!

Ron Riley 

Well, from the early days I know Bob Hale is still around … and then, of course, there are a few of the late-‘60’s jocks we still talk to (Chuck Buell being one) …

But yes, sadly, a lot of these guys have passed on.

But I will say that all of the memories will never leave us.

As I have told you so many times before … I don’t know that any of you TRULY realized, knew and appreciated just how much a part of our lives you became.  It was SO much more than just a job of going on the air for a few hours and spinning the hits.  The days of Personality Radio were the greatest radio days in history as far as I’m concerned.  You saw it at the local “hops” … where fans turned out as much to see YOU guys as the bands that might have been playing!

It truly was a magical time … and that experience will never leave us.  It is EXACTLY what Forgotten Hits is all about.

Thanks, Ron!  (kk)

 

So sorry to hear of the legend's passing.  He was one in a million in talent AND originality!

We know that Ray Stevens provided the piano music for Dick's LP below and I THINK he is on the LP cover, too. 

He is circled (I think) below and a photo from same period on right.

Clark Besch



 

Hi Kent,

Thank You for the Great Tribute to the Fabulous Dick Biondi!

I still have the letters he sent me back in 1960 when we were planning a Fan Club, framed and hanging in my basement of collectibles!

Hope his movie will be on Channel 11 Public TV for everyone to see ...

He will be looking down from Rock and Roll Heaven!

Carolyn

 

I'm still hurting from the news of Dick's passing. It's going to take us a long time to adjust to our terrible loss.  Life is going to be very different without Dick.
I watched that Art Vuolo film that was made at Magic 104, and you gotta admit that it captured what Dick was all about.  Even after knowing him for over 60 years, I'm still bowled over by the amount of energy that he put into his routine.
Not a great time for it, but now the world will finally see what Dick was all about. The "Dick Biondi Film" will be a huge hit.
I still have great memories of the day in September of 2014 when I went to see Dick at the Route 66 Car Show in Berwyn.  A few days earlier, I had found a beautiful metallic blue jacket at a garage sale. On the back it read  "Rick Dees Top 40."  I knew I HAD to pick it up for Dick.  He immediately put it on and wore it for the rest of the day.  A few minutes later, while he was autographing my New Colony Six t-shirt (the
one that was shown in Bob Sirott's piece which was filmed at the Chicagoland Record Show some 30 years earlier), I noticed a young lady with a camera in the background. I thought she might be a reporter for a local newspaper.  She came over and asked me how well I knew Dick.
When she told me that she was making a film about him, I was excited.  She sat me down near the booth and "interviewed" me. We stayed in touch, and since then I've tried as much as possible to assist in any way I could.
I've attended three public screenings of the film, and I'm hoping Pam and her team can get it onto the "Big Screen" soon.
Rest in peace, Dick.  We'll miss you.  : ..-(
My condolences to Maribeth and the rest of his family.

Mike Wolstein

 


As always, Kent, thanks for your caring.  Watch for an article by Rick Kogan at the Tribune coming in the next few days.

 

I read your comment:  

 

>>>I think somehow I always knew that he wouldn't live to see this film in wide release ... but hopefully fans from all of the country will get the chance to see it and come to appreciate what a major talent he was during the earliest days of rock and roll.  (kk)

 

I am so grateful that Dick got to see his movie and in spite of his health issues he generously gave me this quote:

 

That is SO good to hear -

Makes all the effort worthwhile -

Now we gotta get it on PBS!!!  (kk)

 

I talked to Bob Sirott today and he suggested a tribute, possible screening/fundraiser at the Illinois R&R Induction event, so I’m going to speak with Ron Romero about it. Are you attending? I certainly will be. Landecker is coming, too, I found out. John is having me on his show tomorrow or Thursday.

The time to get this film done is NOW!!!!!  

Hugs,

Pam

I couldn’t agree more … there will never be more focus on Biondi than right now … it would be great to get the commitment out of PBS in light of his recent passing to schedule and immediate screening … and then let the chips fall where they may after that.  (I‘m sure once folks see the final edit on PBS they’ll want to purchase the DVD with all the extra bonus footage … those sales alone may be enough to cover the cost of any additional licensing fees.  I would hope PBS would see it that way, too, and push to get this on the air pronto!) 

Good luck, Pam … and please keep us posted!  (kk)

 

I am very happy to report that Rewound Radio will feature Biondi in a special six-hour DJ Hall Of Fame segment on Saturday, July 15th.  (Lord knows there’s TONS of material to choose from … the guy worked for two dozen different radio stations over the years!  Lol)

 

Our Rewound Radio Buddy Ted Smucker fills us in with more info …

 

In celebration of the life of Dick Biondi, Rewound Radio will be featuring six hours of non-stop airchecks from “The Wild I-Tralian” on Saturday, July 15th, beginning at 12 noon ET / 11 am CT.  Tune in on your device of choice to the DJ Hall of Fame for a lesson “Biondi-ography”. We will be replaying vintage shows from WKBW in Buffalo, WSAI Cincinnati, and naturally from WLS, WCFL, and WJMK in Chicago.  

There is also one very special show from KRLA, catching Dick on his first night in Los Angeles.  This program was actually recorded by Dick’s WLS friend, Mort Crowley, and has not been released to the general public until now by curator Bill Shannon, over 60 years after the original broadcast date. 

Dick’s good friend Fred Winston can tell you all about it.

Ted Gorden Smucker

Rewound Radio … Where It’s Not How Old It Is, But How Good It Is

(By the Way, Bob Shannon is being featured this week, 7/8, on The Rewound Radio DJ Hall of Fame, beginning at 12 noon ET / 11 am CT ... another sad loss for the DJ world.)

Ted

http://rewoundradio.com

Besides getting married last week before, Frankie Valli had another honor bestowed upon him recently …

 

Just got this from FH Reader Ken Voss …

 

On May 2nd, the city of Newark, NJ, and the New Jersey Hall of Fame unveiled the brand new street “Frankie Valli Way” – a dedication to the legacy and catalog of the legend himself, Frankie Valli.

 


“It’s something to remember forever, it’s just one of the greatest moments of my life, I can’t believe they named a street after me,” Valli said. “It’s been a wonderful day really, and there is so much sentiment in Stephen Crane Village for me, right up until I became successful I lived here … my mother lived here and died here.”


Ringo Starr has chimed on the upcoming “new” Beatles track, reiterating that everything you hear on this record will be the four original Beatles without any vocals created thru the dreaded AI means.

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ringo-starr-new-beatles-song-fake-vocals/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ugh&utm_term=UCR

 

And, for some great pictures and a short review of Ringo and his All-Starr Band, performing at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles, be sure to check this out ..,

 

https://rockcellarmagazine.com/ringo-starr-all-starr-band-greek-theatre-photos-los-angeles-concert/?utm_source=Rock+Cellar+Magazine+Subscribers&utm_campaign=d416b6e38d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_8_26_2021_9_13_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_951cfef8de-d416b6e38d-162343372&mc_cid=d416b6e38d&mc_eid=f8f75f98ed#main

 

More on Ringo (who just happens to be celebrating a birthday today, btw!) here, courtesy of Tom Cuddy …

https://www.vulture.com/2023/07/ringo-starr-beatles-best-worst.html

 

83 years young ... and still rockin' the house!  (kk)

 

There’s been a spark in sales of Elton John’s music in Great Britain since his appearance at the Glastonbury Festival last week …

His greatest hits compilation “Diamonds” jumped from #11 to #2 the week following his performance … and his singles “Cold Heart” with Dua Lipa leaped from #66 to #30.  Meanwhile, his 1983 hit “I’m Still Standing” returned to the charts this week, premiering at #34, making it a Top 40 hit all over again! (kk)

 

Here are photos of Micky Dolenz with the Sirius XM’s Underground Garage's Michael Des Barres and Bill Chadwick at last weekend's Comic Con and Collectibles Extravaganza in Boxborough, MA, courtesy of Micky’s PR guy,, David Salidor



 

From Tom Cuddy …

 

Gloria Gaynor reveals pain behind 'I Will Survive' in new doc

https://nypost.com/2023/06/12/gloria-gaynor-reveals-pain-behind-i-will-survive-in-new-doc/

Wow, I had no idea!  This sounds like one well worth watching.  (kk)

HAPPY 4th!!!

Just saw Beautiful Noise ... liked it a lot!!! Much better than the buzz ...

dis

This is one I very much want to see … heard very good buzz about it.  (kk)

The music was great, but unfolded oddly - started off with the OLD Neil Diamond reflecting on his younger ND self.

The Monkees were mentioned twice, but nada on Diamond actually introducing Elton at the Troubadour - Micky was there - which I felt would have made a nice moment. They were both on Uni and my father worked at Decca ... so I was privy to a lot of intel back then.

Am doing longer review and will send - D

Please do!  Can’t wait.  (kk)

 

Meanwhile, here’s a review from The Glorious Corner …

https://t2conline.com/the-glorious-corner-492/

 

Now here’s an ambitious set of music! … 

 

Keith Emerson “Variations” 20 CD Box Set To Launch As The Definitive Collection Of This Once In A Generation Artist  (On Sale October 13, 2023)

 

Spirit of Unicorn Music are proud to announce the release of Keith Emerson “Variations,” a 20 CD box set covering the entire career of one of the greatest musicians of all time, which will launch on October 13th, 2023.

“Keith Emerson invented progressive rock.  I know because I was there at the time,” Lee Jackson (The Nice, Jackson Heights, Refugee), Emerson’s long-time friend and one-time bandmate in The Nice, once told Prog Magazine. Keith Emerson (Emerson Lake & Palmer, The Nice, 3) is revered as a genius by both fans and fellow musicians alike.

Considered one of the greatest keyboard players of all time, this deep dive into the creative life of Emerson is divided into five parts, beginning with his early years in The Nice and Emerson Lake & Palmer. The collection then moves onto Keith’s solo albums, his sound-tracks and collaborations and finally ends with a set of stunning live performances which present his breath-taking keyboard skills to full effect.

The collection has been curated with the full involvement and blessing of the Emerson family.  Aaron Emerson, Keith’s son, said “It is with great excitement that we can share all of Dad’s great work, expanding throughout his long career.  I hope it gives you as much joy as it has done for all of us”.

Presented in a special 10 x 10 inch box, the 20 CDs are accompanied by sleeve notes writ-ten by Jerry Ewing, Editor of PROG Magazine.  Ewing casts a magnifying glass over the immense Emerson catalogue and speaks with many of his collaborators to deliver a fasci-nating history of the man behind the keyboard.

Also included is a 48 page book containing many never-before-seen photos taken directly from the Emerson family archive.

All 20 CDs have been mastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce.  The collection also contains a previously unreleased show from BB Kings in 2004.

Whether you are a seasoned fan or just starting out on your Keith Emerson journey, there is no finer, deeper or more definitive collection available on the market.  A tribute, in the truest sense, to one of the greatest musicians of all time.

This box set can be pre-ordered now from here (along with full track listing):
Keith Emerson: Variations, 20CD Box Set - Cherry Red Records (https://www.cherryred.co.uk/?post_type=product&p=1051835&preview=true)
https://burningshed.com/store/elp


TRACK LISTING

PART ONE: THE EARLY YEARS / THE BANDS
DISC ONE: Early Years / The Bands

PART TWO: THE SOLO ALBUMS
DISC TWO: Honky
DISC THREE: Changing States
DISC FOUR: Emerson Plays Emerson
DISC FIVE: Keith Emerson Band

PART THREE: THE SOUNDTRACKS
DISC SIX: Inferno
DISC SEVEN: Nighthawks
DISC EIGHT: Murderock
DISC NINE: Best Revenge / La Chiesa
DISC TEN: Iron Man
DISC ELEVEN: Harmagedon / Godzilla

PART FOUR: COLLABORATIONS
DISC TWELVE: Three Fates Project
DISC THIRTEEN: Beyond the Stars

PART FIVE: LIVE / COLLABORATIONS
DISC FOURTEEN: Boys Club (Live from California)
DISC FIFTEEN: Moscow Pt 1
DISC SIXTEEN: Moscow Pt 2
DISC SEVENTEEN: Live from Manticore Hall
DISC EIGHTEEN: Off the Shelf
DISC NINETEEN: Live At BB Kings
DISC TWENTY: B.B.Kings - NYC - 21/05/2004 / The Keith Emerson Trio

Noise 11 reminded us that before he was a highly regarded actor, Alan Arkin was first a member of the folk group The Tarriers, who scored two Top Ten Hits in late 1956 and early 1957 with the tracks “Cindy, Oh Cindy” (#9, 1956) and their version of “The Banana Boat Song” (#2, 1957.)

Their first chart hit was released as “Vince Martin with The Tarriers,” a trio that consisted of Erik Darling, Bob Carey and Alan Arkin.  Arkin, of course, would go on to greater fame and fortune as a movie actor … but Erik Darling didn’t fare too badly either.

In 1958, he replaced Pete Seeger in The Weavers and then, in 1962, formed The Rooftop Singers, who scored a #1 Hit with “Walk Right In” in 1963!  (kk)

 

 

I think I may have told this story before (but after 25 years, who can remember?!?!)

 

I was probably about 16 at the time and was on vacation down in Florida with my family and while there, I found a music shop that was in walking distance of our motel.  I hit it off with one of the salesmen there, who played a 12-string guitar they had for sale … it was a real showpiece, and he was an incredible guitar player.  His “go-to” tune was “Walk Right In” by The Rooftop Singers.  I went there every day we were in town, just to watch him play … and he let me play around with the 12-string a little bit as well, showing me a few things here and there.

 

On one of those days, I brought my dad with me so that he could see this guy play … he was that impressive!  (Of course, my ulterior motive was to beg my dad to buy me the 12-string guitar!!!  Lol)

 

My dad was suitably impressed … how could he not be … this guy was amazing!  But my pleas to buy the guitar and let me pay him back over time fell on deaf ears.  Finally, just to shut me up, he said, “Tell you what … if you can learn to play the 12-string like that, I’ll get it for you.”

 

Well, that’s all I needed to hear.  I spent the next day at the guitar shop, learning “Walk Right In.”  (I have to admit, I had a pretty incredible tutor … who was just as motivated as I was to SELL the guitar as I was to buy it!!! Lol)

 

When I brought my dad back the next day … I literally made him stop there before we headed home … we had checked out of the motel and the car was all loaded up for our long drive back to Chicago … I sat down and played “Walk Right In” flawlessly.  (Hey, it was a do or die moment!!!)  My dad had no choice but to buy me the guitar … which we then VERY carefully slid into the back of our station wagon for our long journey home.)

 

I carried that thing around with me everywhere.  Truth be told, it was a bitch to play … and was constantly going out of tune … but the song “Walk Right In” will ALWAYS hold a soft spot in my heart.  (kk)

 

Is “Barbie Girl” primed to be a hit all over again?

The original single by Aqua went to #7 in Billboard in 1997 …

But with the new flick about to premier in theaters …

And a brand new version recorded by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice already on the air, I’d have to say “Yes.”

In fact, the NEW version, now titled “Barbie World” (and featuring Aqua’s original “Barbie Girl” single playing way in the background) PREMIERED at #7 this week on Billboard’s Chart … so it has already equaled the success of the Aqua version in its very first outing.

Stay tuned.  (kk)

 

Are you a Rolling Stones fan/collector?

Then you’ll enjoy this week’s edition of Collector’s Call on Me-TV.

https://www.metv.com/lists/meet-larry-leibowitz-inside-the-collection

 

And,  for a final Friday smile ...


I don’t care how many times I’ve seen this …

It STILL cracks me up every single time.

Such GREAT talent from two others that are now dearly departed.  (kk)