The first official trailer for the Disney+ Beach Boys Documentary finally came out on Tuesday ... which, of course, was 4/09 ...
This is gonna be a good one!!! (kk)
It looks like it’s going to be an AMAZING Fest For Beatles Fans this year here in Chicago!!!
On hand to perform with the “house band” Liverpool will be Micky Dolenz, Randy and Tal Bachman, Billy J. Kramer, Laurence Juber and Steve Holley, both formerly of Wings, The Weeklings and more (with more surprise guests expected.)
Also on hand will be Freda Kelly, President of The Beatles Fan Club back in their UK hey-day, Apple Employee Chris O’Dell, Julie and Gary Evans (Mal’s kids), immortalized in the new Ken Womack book, “Living The Beatles Legend,” which I’m right in the middle of reading right now,
Terri Hemmert will do her annual Master Of Ceremonies duties (she’s been doing it now since the very first Beatlefest was held here back in 1976!)
Numerous Beatle authors will be on hand (Bruce Spizer, Jude Kessler and the aforementioned Ken Womack, to name just a few) … as well as the usual Collectors’ Displays and Beatles Flea Market … with non-stop movies running throughout the weekend.
The Fest runs from Friday, August 9th, thru Sunday, August 11th, at The Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont … and tickets are on sale now. (This sounds like a good one!!! Gonna have to check it out!) kk
Speaking of The Beatles, there’s been lots of talk regarding Beyonce’s new “country” Texas Hold ‘em album … drawing particular attention has been Beyonce’s cover of the Dolly Parton hit “Jolene,” which has proven to be a hit all over again.
But her cover of “Blackbird” features the actual Beatles track as the backdrop. (Paul McCartney, who was the only Beatle present on the track, is credited on Beyonce’s new album on guitar.) It sounds great … and Macca loves what she’s done with the arrangement. This could breathe new life into the already classic Beatles track.
(Hey, “Fast Car” just shot up the charts again for Luke Combs … so once again, everything old is new again! And as each new generation discovers this great music, it’ll just continue to cycle again and again!)
Beyonce became the first black woman ever to occupy the #1 spot on Billboard's Country Albums Chart with this new release. (I'm not exactly sure how they measure her sales against the country audience ... personally, I don't see her winning a CMA Award anytime soon ... but it definitely has proven to have had an impact.) And I can remember all the outrage fifty years ago when Olivia Newton-John, an AUSTRALIAN artist, was winning Country Music Awards!!! Things certainly have changed in that regard! (kk)
At least 66 never released Marvin Gaye demos have been found in Belgium (of all places!!!)
The previously unheard recordings have been stored on 30 tapes at the Ostend, Belgium, home of musician Charles Dumolin, with whom Gaye had been staying at the time. They’ve been sitting dormant for 42 years. Notebooks, letters and costumes were also found there.
No word yet as to when some of these will start to see the light of day. (kk)
This from David Salidor ...
DOLENZ AT THE TROUBADOUR –
Doug Weston's Troubadour club in LA is a most storied venue. Back in the day, that was the club to be at and to play at on Santa Monica Blvd. Elton John's US debut occurred at the club in 1970 when he was a mere 23. Other acts such as Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Poco, Neil Young, James Taylor, Eagles, Neil Diamond, Kris Kristofferson, Linda Ronstadt, Waylon Jennings, Tom Waits and so many more appeared at the club.
Somehow The Monkees never played the club (though Micky Dolenz was in the
audience for Elton's debut back then.) They
hung out there and Mike Nesmith actually played there under the name of Mike
Blessing during his Monkee-auditions.
That all changed Friday night when Micky Dolenz and his 6-piece band, with his sister Coco, performed there. It was sold-out (and a benefit for Make-A-Wish) and it was indeed history in the making.
The evening began with Dolenz's sister Coco
(it was her birthday) doing a short set with the band. Dolenz entered the stage
and began with "That Was Then, This Is Now" and "Last Train To
Clarksville." Dolenz peppered the show with many personal reminiscences
and his crack-band shone, especially guitarist Wayne Avers, drummer Rich Dart
and bassist John Billings. Dolenz's voice remains as strong as ever; it's been
said that his is a cross between Freddie Mercury and Roy Orbison, which is a
spot-on description.
Dolenz and crew then did "Good Morning, Good Morning" and "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," which was preceded by Dolenz's memories about his time with The Beatles. "Johnny B. Goode" (his Monkees-audition song) and "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" followed with the crowd singing along.
Buffalo Springfield's "For What Its Worth" and Elton's "Your Song" followed, again peppered with Dolenz's poignant memories
Make no mistake, The Monkees had just terrific material to work with … songwriters like Neil Diamond, Harry Nilsson, Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, Neil Sedaka, Gerry Goffin and Carole King … but the synthesis of the four of them was pure magic. Dolenz is carrying on that spirit in fine fashion.
Dolenz and band encored with "Gimme Some Lovin'," “No Time" and "I'm A Believer."
Just a terrific show from start to finish. Bravo!
Seen in the SRO crowd, Alison Martino; Goldmine's Ken Sharp and Tone Scott; Breakfast with The Beatles' Chris Carter ; Craig Newman from Paladin Artists; Art Rutter; Michelle Grant; Jane Blunkell; Micky's daughter Ami Dolenz; and Roy Trakin from Variety.
(Photos: Tyrone Biljan; Alison Martino; April Hayes)
Look for a new Rascals box set coming out May 31st.
The 7-disc set encompasses their entire recorded output with Atlantic Records, 1965 – 1971, including mono and stereo copies of their albums, special singles mixes and some previously unreleased tracks. (I remember shelling out big bucks for an earlier CD edition of this set … but I’ve gotta tell you, this one has got the COOLEST looking cover!!!)
“The Rascals: It’s Wonderful: The Complete Atlantic Studio Recordings features 152 remastered songs, including 14 previously unreleased tracks. The first four albums are presented in both stereo and mono, along with significant single edits and foreign language versions. The collection includes a 60-page booklet with detailed notes and rare illustrations from The Rascals archives.
Amazon’s got it for $69.99 (I paid 2 ½ times that much way back when for the original!) so pre-order now. This is quite the collection! (kk)
Mike Wolstein noted that last Monday (April 8th) marked the 24th anniversary of a momentous music moment …
Today is the 24th anniversary of the "Gotta Have More Cowbell" skit on SNL.
Just thought I'd toss that at ya. ;-)
Mike
Clarence “Frogman” Henry passed away last week … he was 87.
Henry posted three Top 40 hits between 1957 and 1961 … “Ain’t Got No Home” (#20, 1957), “I Don’t Know Why (But I Do)” (#3, 1961) and “You Always Hurt The One You Love” (#12, 1961) In 1964, he was one of the opening acts for The Beatles when they first toured America. (kk)
Kent,
You were right when you said that FH reader Timmy sent in his "song of the day," that being BIG IRON by Kingfish. That was a new one on me.
As for the soap opera DARK SHADOWS, and the theme from such, Charles Randolph Grean's QUENTIN'S THEME peaked at #12 for the week of July 17, 1969 here in OKC.
Larry
“Quentin’s Theme” proved to be a surprising hit in 1969, reaching Top Ten Status in both Record World (#6) and Cash Box (#8) … but only peaking at #13 in Billboard.
Here is Chicago, it went all the way to #3 on the WLS Chart! (kk)
Some of you know I'll be back in North Miami at the Luna Star this Saturday Night (April 13th).
And they’ve just instituted a Massive Price-Slash on the Lind-at-the-Luna Cover Charge
Three things to bear in mind ...
1. The food is great ...
So I suggest getting there early and having dinner before the show.
2. Remember that they don't take credit cards. So bring a big wad of cash.
3. And we're offering a special discount off the already insanely low, low, low $20 cover charge. Anyone who brings a friend or family member who has never seen me live, will get in for a mere $15! And your guest will also get in for the same cheapo price.
So bring a bunch of fresh meat. I need more Lind virgins to play for.
You’ll find all of the details here: http://boblind.com/gigs/
Love to you,
Bob Lind
LOL .. wish we were going to be in Florida this weekend … this sounds like a fun time!
But, for those of you who ARE, why not take advantage of this great opportunity to see Bob performing live in concert! Please report back to us if you happen to see the show! (kk)
Speaking of live gigs, here’s one you may want to check out …
According to a recent post on Neil Young’s website, an album of live performances by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, recorded at New York’s Fillmore East in 1969, is in the works.
At this point, CSNY had only performed a handful of concerts (including the biggie at Woodstock the month before.) They played a total of four concerts that September (two per night on September 19th and 20th)
Young says that their set was “full of great songs and then-unknown gems ... with staggering harmonies.
“I was new in the band, having been brought in by Stephen Stills, my Buffalo Springfield band-mate. We didn’t know much material to sing together yet. They had the historic CSN album with tracks created largely by Stills, full of great songs and singing by all members. When we took the stage, CSN would play their favorites along with some brand new songs that would later [become] classics. Some, like ‘Our House,’ were so new that only the writer-singer would perform them.”
It's great to hear that this vintage performance will now be available for all to hear … Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at the infantile stage of their career … documented for all time. (kk)
This became a bit of an on-going debate last week between a small circle of oldies fans.
I chose not to comment at the time because I thought it might make for some interesting fodder here …
Especially at the ludicrous notion that ANYONE ANYWHERE could POSSIBLY consider Herb Alpert to be a One Hit Wonder!!!
Now Herb Alpert has been one of the most successful and generous show-biz personalities in the HISTORY of show business. He carved a REMARKABLY successful career in the ‘60’s with The Tijuana Brass, charting TEN Top Ten Albums between 1963 and 1968, six of which went all the way to #1, matched only by The Beatles in total album sales during this era.
(Some of you
may recognize this one)
As if it wasn’t insulting enough that Alpert was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in the NON-PERFORMER category, receiving The Ahmet Ertegen Award in 2006 along with partner Jerry Moss for founding A&M Records, one of the most successful independent record companies in the history of popular music, NOW Frank B’s buddy Kojak has decided that he’s going to refer to Herb Alpert as a “One Hit Wonder” because he only had one #1 Hit as a singing solo star. (I guess the fact that he ALSO topped the charts with his instrumental hit “Rise” … and placed nearly twenty OTHER hits in The National Top 40 doesn’t matter in our buddy Kojak’s book!)
I was shocked when I got this from Frank B last week:
EXPERTS -- SETTLE THIS ARGUMENT FOR ME – PLEASE!
Tonight, My Pal Kojak's "1960's JUKEBOX REVUE" Is About "ONE HIT WONDERS."
He's Planning To Call Herb Alpert A "ONE HIT WONDER" -- Because He Had One Solo (Singing) Hit.
He’s Not Counting The Millions Of Records He Sold With The Tijuana Brass.
It’s Mis-Leading.
It Makes It Sound Like He Had Only One Hit In His Entire Career.
This Should Be Different Category, In My Opinion.
I Don't Want To Sway Your Decision ... BUT
Glen + Dr. Bop + Billy + Wild Wayne = I'm A Loyal Listener Who Listens To Your Show Every Week.
Kent = I Read "FORGOTTEN HITS" Often / Glen = I Read Your Newsletter Every Sunday.
KOJAK = Never Reads "FORGOTTEN HITS" & Sometimes Reads "DOO - WOP RAMBLINGS."
KOJAK = Never Listens To The "MEMORY MACHINE" & Pops In & Out Of Dr. Bop’s & Billy's & Glen's Shows.
Thanks
FRANK B
TRIVIA -- Herb Alpert Is The Only One To Have #1 Hits With Both An Instrumental ("RISE") And A Vocal With Lyrics ("THIS GUYS IN LOVE WITH YOU")
Well, right off the bat I don’t like the guy … Kojak never reads Forgotten Hits?!?! This is especially disheartening since I’ve helped him book guests on his show! (But in all honestly, I don’t listen to HIS show either!!! So I guess that makes us even.)
But to just blatantly provoke an argument and controversy over one of the most successful recording artists in the history of pop music makes me like him even less!
There isn’t a nicer or more generous man than Herb Alpert … he has donated MILLIONS in the way of scholarships and aide to music organizations over the years … all the while creating a timeless catalog of songs of his own. He truly is one of a kind … and a genuinely nice and sincere man. Even if I WAS a listener of Kojak’s show, I wouldn’t have tuned in for this one … it’s just disrespectful. (kk)
https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/herb-alpert-and-jerry-moss
He had a hit under his name, many under his group name, Herb Albert & the Tijuana Brass, five #1 hits, nine Grammys and he was the A in A&M Records.
I lose a little respect for Kojak’s thinking if he says Herb is a one-hit wonder. And he better be reading Ramblings every Sunday. What’s up with that🥴
Thank you for your continued support, Frank. Maybe you should be
doing Ken’s show🤪
Glen Fisher / Doo Wop Revival
Saw this beautiful photo in Best Classic Bands the other day and just had to share …
Yoko Ono Lennon, Julian Lennon, Sean Ono Lennon and Cynthia Lennon, out to dinner and posing together looking just as happy as can be. (Who would have ever thought?!?!)
BEAUTIFUL shot! (kk)
And how about this picture sent in by Timmy?
Jackson Browne and Laura Nyro ... twins separated at birth (???)
