In a story that's been evolving since Friday, Jann Wenner disproved the old adage that "there's no such thing as bad publicity" with his idiotic remarks to The New York Times last week in defense of his new book, "Masters." (WTG, Jann ... here's one that isn't likely to make anybody's Best Sellers list!!!)
We first heard about it when Tom Cuddy sent us this article by Roger Friedman (who has long pointed out Wenner’s mental and musical shortcomings) … and some of the dumb-ass statements that Wenner makes here just reaffirm what a completely clueless (and thoughtless) individual he really is.
But it only gets worse from there ...
Wenner's book, "The
Masters," consists of interviews with what he describes as seven Rock And Roll Gods ... "extraordinary musicians who dominated rock and roll."
Making the list were Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Jerry Garcia and Pete Townsend.
However, when New York Time Journalist David Marchese pointed out that all of Jann's selections were white and male, Wenner went on to explain:
“The selection was not a deliberate selection. It was kind of intuitive over the years; it just fell together that way. The people had to meet a couple criteria, but it was just kind of my personal interest and love of them. Insofar as the women, just none of them were as articulate enough on this intellectual level.”
Even when given the opportunity to rephrase his remarks, Wenner instead showed his complete ineptness at digging himself out, instead just digging himself even deeper into the hole he’d dug by displaying his own ignorance.
(Remember, this is the guy who founded Rolling Stone Magazine … and launched The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame!!! It speaks VOLUMES as to why so many other inaccuracies and injustices have been committed over the years under his direction.)
Wenner went on to refer to Black and female artists inarticulate.
When addressing the lack of Black artists in his book, he explained that they "just didn’t articulate at that level. Of Black artists he said, "You know, Stevie Wonder, genius, right? I suppose when you use a word as broad as ‘masters,’ the fault is using that word. Maybe Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield? I mean, they just didn’t articulate at that level.”
As for the women, Wenner said “It’s not that they’re not creative geniuses. It’s not that they’re inarticulate, although, go have a deep conversation with Grace Slick or Janis Joplin. Please, be my guest! You know, Joni Mitchell was not a philosopher of rock ’n’ roll. She didn’t, in my mind, meet that test. Not by her work, not by other interviews she did. The people I interviewed were the kind of philosophers of rock.”
Once the shit hit the fan, Wenner FINALLY tried to backpedal … but even then couldn’t keep his own foot out of his mouth …
"You know, just for public relations sake, maybe I
should have gone and found one Black and one woman artist to include here that
didn’t measure up to that same historical standard, just to avert this kind of
criticism. Which, I get it. I had a
chance to do that. Maybe I’m old-fashioned and I don’t give a fuck or whatever.
I wish in retrospect I could have interviewed Marvin Gaye. Maybe he’d have been
the guy. Maybe Otis Redding, had he lived, would have been the guy."
After an immediate vote held by its current members, he has since rightfully been booted from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Board of Directors for their Foundation. WTG, Jann … always the diplomat. (Boy, I can’t wait to see how Rolling Stone Magazine handles this story!!!) kk
UPDATE #1: Rolling Stone Magazine DID eventually address it ... several hours after the story had already appeared as headline news in every other major outlet. It didn't even make their Page One headline story ... but rather appeared as a "side bar" article. In fact, if you actually want to READ what Rolling Stone had to say, you have to first subscribe to their online magazine. (My answer to that ... who cares? Wenner has proven what a complete dick he is time and time again for the past several decades. These new actions only serve to prove and confirm what most of us have already known all along. Pay to learn more? I think I already know everything I need to know about this guy.) kk
UPDATE #2: According to Billboard, Wenner was given the chance to present his case and his side of the story to The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Board of Directors ... but fumbled his way thru it with little or no real defense of substance. Damn!!! One could ALMOST say he sounded inarticulate!!! (kk)
Hi Kent,
Regarding WCFL speeding up the music, there are THREE schools of thought on this:
1. It was to play more music in an hour
2. It was to play more commercials in an hour
3. And what I feel is ... It makes the music seem "brighter" and your competitor sound "dead" or "dragging"
If you speed up an hour by 10% you come out to just over 54 minutes, so you could play a couple more songs or a lot more spots. 10%, however, is really noticeable … but if you speed up 2%, it just sounds "brighter" in most instances. Fast songs are more bouncy and slow songs "drag" less.
Yes, it is like putting catsup to a filet at a steakhouse but, some people like it. The audience tells you by listening ... or not.
JR Russ
JR, who runs the awesome WCFLChicago.com website, also told us that he’s been doing the annual Voice Of Labor Labor Day Weekend salute to the station for several years (which now, unfortunately, runs into direct competition with Rewound Radio’s mega-successful WLS/WCFL Rewound Labor Day Weekend.) Still, JR presents vintage ‘CFL sound clips on a regular basis … and features not only music that the station was playing at the time but also an interesting selection of what tracks they MAY have played, had they continued broadcasting beyond 1976. (kk)
And, speaking of the WLS/WCFL Rewound Weekend, the comments have been absolutely GLOWING after we pointed out the series to Sean Ross … and he took the ball and ran with it for his weekly Ross On Radio column. Seems most folks agree that radio really WAS a lot more fun and interesting back then, even with the non-stop commercial and news breaks that were the normal during Top 40 Radio’s hey-day.
Check out some of the comments via the link below. (You’ll even find a few Forgotten Hitters on the list here!) Sean’s original article and commentary is also here. (kk)
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/258524/was-classic-radio-ever-that-good/
Big buzz about the *NSync reunion for the new Trolls movie … which kicked into even higher gear after they made an appearance last week at MTV’s Annual Video Music Awards Show, presenting Taylor Swift with one of NINE “moon men” awards she won that night. (While the band didn’t perform, it certainly feels like they’re setting us up for something. I’ve heard everything from a new album to a reunion tour to a Half-Time Show at this year’s Super Bowl … hey, it could be all three for all we know!!!) Let’s just say that they certainly have the pop world’s attention right now.
Between 1998 and 2002, the Boy Band scored nearly a dozen Billboard Hot 100 Hits, including the Top Five Hits “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.”
Justin Timberlake then launched a massively successful solo career. (He lends his talents to the new Trolls film again, along with Anna Kendrick.) The premise of the new film is that Kendrick’s character Poppy discovers that Justin’s character Branch used to be in a boy band BroZone with his four brothers … which allows for the reunited *NSync to perform their new song “Better Place.” *NSync’s first chart hit, “I Want You Back” (#13, 1998) is also featured.
The film opens in theaters on November 17th. (kk)
Last week we gave you a Sneak Peek at the new Micky Dolenz / R.E.M. track "Shiny Happy People" ...
and now we've just found out ...
Micky Dolenz will be making an in-store appearance at Wuxtry Records, November 3rd, in Athens, Georgia. That's the store pictured on the cover of the new EP and where the members of R.E.M. first met and decided to form a band.
It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of Don Braucht, bass player of The Yellow Balloon band. He slipped away peacefully today after having visited with his brother Gary and his wife. This was in Salem, Oregon. Other family members had the pleasure of visiting him today. He had been ill for a while and has now been blessed with peace and eternal rest, and no more pain.
I had the pleasure of speaking with him yesterday and, although his speech had failed him, I somewhat felt everything he had to say. I was able to convey my love to him and he made me feel that he understood. We all will miss his presence here. There is a lot that can be said about Don, he was truly one of God's children. Rest, my brother
alex valdez
the yellow balloon
>>>My friend Jacob, who lives in Israel, just posted a very cool homemade Platters video you might enjoy. (Clark Besch)
>>>It’s the song “You’re Making A Mistake” by The Platters with a stereo mix I did and a very unique video that was filmed in Israel during the tour of the Platters in 1958. I’m not sure how long will this clip stay on YouTube before taken down because this unique video was downloaded from an Israeli Film Archive so maybe, it’s copyrighted. I hope you’ll like it. (Jacob)
>>>This is a very high-quality clip ... catch it while you still can! (kk)
BEST PLATTERS CLIP I'VE EVER SEEN
Frank B
For being over 60 years old, it really is remarkable quality … again, catch it while you can! (kk)
The rest of the world is still catching up to Forgotten Hits …
Got this from Tom Cuddy the other day …
Larry Chance, Who Helped Keep Doo-Wop Alive for Decades, Dies at 82
So I couldn’t resist responding …
Whoa!!!
We scooped The New York Times by eight days!!! (lol)
[The Times won’t let me read any more of their articles unless I cough up the subscription - I guess I’ll just get my oldies news thru Forgotten Hits!!!] Lol
Thanks Tom! (kk)
To which HE responded …
Kent:
I depend on Forgotten Hits for my rock and roll news!!!
Touche’! (kk)
And then this from Frank B … who said Wild Wayne was just reporting the death of Ray Hilderbrand of Paul and Paula fame …
Which really shocked me as he typically is right on top of all of the latest oldies news.
(And, in fact, it was HE who first let us know … thru Frank B … about the passing of the above-mentioned Larry Chance!!!)
kk …
Wild Wayne Said He Just Found Out That Ray Hilderbrand (Paul & Paula) Died August 18th … 82 Years Old.
Ray Was Going To College In Texas. He Formed A Duet With Jill Jackson. She Was The Daughter Of The Boarding House Owner Where Ray Was Living.
One Of Ray's Team Mates On The Football Team Asked Him To Write A Song For His Girlfriend = Paula. I Thought That Ray Wrote It About His Girlfriend.
After Writing "Hey Paula," They Recorded It For A Small Texas Label Using Their Real Names, Ray & Jill.
PHILIPS RECORDS Bought The Rights To The Song. Ray & Jill Recorded "HEY PAULA" Using Paul & Paula. It Became A National Hit.
FB
Tell Wild Wayne that he should read Forgotten Hits then - I had that story up as soon as it happened – along with some really cool videos, too! (kk)
[And get this … it was Tom Cuddy who broke THIS story in FH!!! Amazing how these two guys each sent us the news about the passing of one of these recording artists … but then missed the story about the other one!!! And now with us being two Grim Reapers down … and not posting every day anymore … we’re sometimes finding it difficult to bring you all the latest oldies news in a timely fashion … but we’re doing our best!!!]
From our August 20th post:
Ray Hildebrand (he was the “Paul” in the pop duo Paul and Paula, that topped the charts in 1963 with their #1 Hit “Hey, Paula”) has died.
Their follow-up single, “Young Lovers,” also made The Top Ten, peaking at #6 later that same year. Paula’s real name was Jill Jackson.
Tom Cuddy sent us this link:
https://variety.com/2023/music/news/ray-hildebrand-dead-paul-paula-pop-duo-1235700560/
Be sure to check out both the original video clip from 1963 …
As well as Ray singing his hit with THREE Paulas from The Ray Stevens Show! It’s a hoot! (kk)
kk …
What I Learned Listening To Various Radio Programs ...
LARRY CHANCE = First Called His Group The Hi-HATTERS. The Idea Was For The Group To Wear Top Hats & Tux. Too Expensive.
Each Group Member Had An Idea For Name Change … But No Matter Whichever One That Was Picked, Four Group Members Would Be Unhappy.
Larry Decided To Randomly Pick Name Out Of A Book … And Came Up With "THE EARLS." (Could've Been A Lot Worse!)
During The British Invasion, THE EARLS "Became "SMOKESTACK" … Added Horns & Became A Nightclub Act.
Then, Thanks To An Oldies Revival, "SMOKESTACK" Went Back To Being "THE EARLS."
In An Interview, Larry Chance Told Wild Wayne That The Background Sounds For "REMEMBER THEN" Came From His 4 Year Old Nephew.
For 10 Years, Larry Was On The "IMUS IN THE MORNING" Radio Program.
In An Interview, Larry Told Glen Fisher That He Wanted To Be Remembered For Making Fans Happy ... Song - Joke - Story.
He Certainly Did That.
FB
I had to listen to Larry’s 4-year old nephew!!! (lol) kk
I just realized that next year is a Leap Year. (I noticed that when I saw that the new “Barbie” movie is being released on DVD and BluRay on February 29th, 2024!) ... and thought that this might make for a fun time to revisit our Leap Year Countdowns from four … eight … and even TWELVE years back!
Just scroll down to the bottom of this page and select February 29th for 2012 and watch as we counted them down throughout the day, The Top Ten Hits for February 29th, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980!
You can do the same thing for our 2020 salute
In 2016, we treated it as a Sweet 16 feature: https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2016/02/sweet-16-leap-year-1s-2-29-16.html
Speaking of countdowns, I’ve been trying to listen to Sirius/XM’s special “Billboard’s #2 Hits” Countdown … but having a difficult time. There is just SO much music post-1985 that holds absolutely no appeal to me that it has been difficult to listen to.
Last year, we counted down The Biggest #2 Hits, 1955 – 1989 … 47 “Second Best” Hits from The Top 40 Era. (This NEW countdown is claiming over 500 #2 Hits on Billboard’s Chart … that would mean that over 450 of these songs peaked at #2 between 1990 – 2023 … a 33 year period. Can this even possibly be true and accurate???)
We did our Biggest #2 Hits Countdown on 2/22/22 (get it?) and followed it throughout the day, relaying the 47 Biggest #2 Hits of The Top 40 Era, 1955 – 1989. (To put this in perspective, our #1 #2 Hit was Foreigner’s “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” which spent TEN weeks at #2 in Billboard. That was only good enough for a #7 showing on Billboard’s new countdown … which just goes to show you once again how boring the charts became after 1985 when records regularly started staying on the charts for a year and a half!)
In all fairness, to make OUR countdown, a record had to peak at #2 in all three major trade publications … shortening the total list considerably … but also making this a list of the DEFINITIVE #2 Hits. (kk)
https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2022-02-23T06:00:00-06:00&max-results=100
And then leave it to Chuck Buell to take us home with this triple play ...
>>>I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WE ( FORGOTTEN HITS ) HAD A PRODUCER!” (Shelly Sweet-Tufano)
And now this!
An unconfirmed rumor has been held under the tightest of wraps until it was painstakingly uncovered recently by our FHs Investigative Team Leader, Chuck Buell, that a major toy company is secretly working on a new doll design similar to their Barbie Line of a Special Edition, Limited Time Only . . . "Forgotten Hits Concert Reviewer Shelly!”
More details if and when they become available!
CB ( which stands for “Corporate-espionage-spy Boy!” )
(When I told Chuck Buell that Frannie and I would most likely go to Benihana for her birthday dinner, he sent me this) …
When I was in Chicago in the mid-1960s, I was told about this very cool, unique restaurant that had just opened. It was only their third location in the entire U.S. (The first and second were in New York.)
Chicago's Benihana's!!
I obviously don't know if you'll be going to the original location or not, but it soon turned into one of my favorite, go-to places then!
Now today, I find I haven't been to one for a very long time, even though we have one a decent distance from me. Probably because that concept has been copied by others over the years and there's one of those "imitators" closer and actually not bad. Interestingly, a Buddy and I went to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for a beach week about a month ago and guess what one of the "formatic" restaurants was that we ate at!
Yep! Not a Bennie's, but still --- grilled that shrimp on the Hot, Flat Stove Top and fliped at least one through the air to land squarely on my plate!
(I think Benniehana's should create a smaller, casual restaurant-expansion line, name their Great Grilled Shrimp that they flip through the air, "Jets," and call the place . . . . . "Bennie and the Jets!")
CB
And finally …
Apple introduced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro the other day.
Meanwhile on this Day in History not so long ago ~~~
