‘Tis the season …
Christmas Music has overtaken the airwaves …
And that means that all these chestnuts from holidays past are making their way back on to the pop charts again.
Last week alone, Billboard was reporting “All I Want For Christmas” by Mariah Carey back in The Top Ten (as well as topping their special holiday chart), “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, which topped the chart last holiday season, is now sitting at #15 (and #2), “Last Christmas” by Wham! at #18 / #3, “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms at #19 / #4, Burl Ives at #33 / #5 with “Have A Holly Jolly Christmas,” Andy Williams at #35 / #6 with “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” and “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow” by Dean Martin at #39 / #7 … and that’s just The Top 40! (Rounding out The Holiday Chart Top Ten: “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano at #8, “Sleigh Ride” by The Ronettes at #9 and “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande, the only new, “contemporary” Christmas song, at #10.)
Moving down the holiday chart, you’ll also find old holiday stand-bys like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Darlene Love, Chuck Berry, Bing Crosby, Gene Autry, Elvis Presley, Eartha Kitt, Paul McCartney, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, The Jackson Five, John and Yoko, Johnny Mathis, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Daryl Hall and John Oates and The Drifters. (kk)
From Chuck Buell ...
Here's a weird fact I did not know until today.
According to an associate professor of radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, "As the size of a person’s belly grows, the memory center of the brain shrinks." I had a really good line about this, but I can't remember what it was now!
So for now, this Hoppy Holiday Greeting from the "Buell Beer Barrel Band and Christmas Chorale!"
CB
(I’m guessing Christmas Boy?!?!? – kk)
After nearly 40 years, Stephen King is shuttering his radio stations in the next few days …
Sean Ross reminds us of King’s journey, sharing and
celebrating the music we love … all out of his own pocket!
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/288532/final-listen-stephen-kings-zone-radio/
Sean also weighed in on the new Yacht Rock DOCKumentary airing on HBO/Max …
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/288245/review-yacht-rock-a-dockumentary/
Ultimate Classic Rock ran their list of 145 artists NOT in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame that THEY deem worthy of inclusion …
And while we don’t agree with a whole lot of their choices, there are some that are simply undeniable.
For example:
Bryan Adams, America, Asia, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Bad Company, Blind Faith, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Boston, The Chambers Brothers, Joe Cocker, Phil Collins, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (as a foursome), Derek and the Dominoes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Grand Funk Railroad, The Guess Who, Iron Butterfly, Tommy James and the Shondells (not on their list … but definitely on OURS), Jethro Tull, Love, The Monkees, Nilsson, Ted Nugent / The Amboy Dukes, Oasis, Iggy Pop, Procol Harum, Steppenwolf, Styx, Three Dog Night, Toto, Joe Walsh, War, Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter and Steve Winwood
Others on OUR list (but inexplicably missing from theirs):
ED SULLIVAN (how is it even REMOTELY possible that Ed hasn't been inducted for bringing all of these great rock and roll artists into our living rooms every Sunday Night for 20+ years?!?!?)
Original Rock And Roll Artists who were never honored but are now so far off the radar they likely never will be: Connie Francis, Chubby Checker, Pat Boone, Freddy Cannon, Paul Anka
"Feel Good" Rock by Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Turtles and The Association
And what about Glen Campbell and The Wrecking Crew???
Speaking of Ultimate Classic Rock, take a look at this …
Check out the photo they ran for the anniversary of “Beatles For Sale” last week …
Now EVERYBODY’S getting into the act!
Just I because I ran THIS photo last week ...
From one trend-setter to another, I guess. (Now see what I’ve started!?!?) kk
Our coverage (in case you missed it) ...
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2024/12/december-4th-1964.html
Look for a brand new Brian Wilson / Beach Boys / SMiLE book coming from acclaimed Beach Boys biographer and archivist David Leaf, due out next April.
The book will not only recount the circumstances surrounding the original recording of what, at one time, was considered to be the “greatest lost album of all time,” and its subsequent shelving for decades … but also how Brian resurrected these tracks with his new band, The Wonder Mints, and ultimately completed the album and the toured the world performing it. (kk)
Elton John told an audience recently (at a performance of the musical version of “The Devil Wears Prada,” now running at London’s West End) that he can no longer see. John, who wrote the music for this new stage show, first began experiencing problems with his vision back in July of this year after he contracted a virus in his eye. At the time, he said he had lost his vision completely in his right eye and had only limited vision in his left. He says that he is now completely blind.
Here's to hoping the mega star can continue treatment to regain at least partial sight. (The poor guy FINALLY retires from the road and now can’t even enjoy the new peace around him!) kk
The long-awaited (six years and counting!) Led Zeppelin documentary “Becoming Led Zeppelin” FINALLY has a theatrical release date of February 5th, 2025, with iMAX showings beginning February 7th.
From the official press release:
“Becoming Led Zeppelin is a film that no one thought could ever be made. The band’s meteoric rise to stardom was swift and previously undocumented. With unparalleled access to the group and their personal archives, their full support and never-before-seen footage, Becoming Led Zeppelin will immerse you in the sights and sounds of their early career. This big screen experience is as close as you will get to being there.”
Definitely worth seeing! (kk)
And Chicago / Illinois music fans can be proud of this new pairing …
Styx with Kevin Cronin (former frontman of REO Speedwagon), will be performing together as part of a new summer tour next year. (You may recall that REO officially split a few months ago, citing “irreconcilable differences” between members of the band.)
Cronin has been their lead singer throughout ALL of their hits … so this should be a pretty high-energy show. (And former Eagle Don Felder has been added as an opening act, too!)
REO Speedwagon and Styx first shared the stage together in 2000 … so this is going to make for one hell of a reunion!
Billed as the Brotherhood Of Rock Tour, here is a list of confirmed dates so far …
Styx, Kevin Cronin and Don Felder, Brotherhood of Rock
Tour 2025
May 28th - Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena
May 31st - Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 2nd - Jacksonville, FL @ Daily's Place
June 4th - Austin, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater
June 6th - The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
June 7th - Ridgedale, MO - Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
June 9th - Denver, CO @ Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre
June 11th - Salt Lake City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 13th - Concord, CA @ Toyota Pavilion at Concord
June 14th - Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater
June 15th - Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resort Amphitheater
June 28th - Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheatre
June 30th - Colorado Springs, CO @ Ford Amphitheatre
July 2nd - Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
July 5th - Birmingham, AL @ Coca-Cola Amphitheatre
July 6th - Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
July 8th - Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
July 9th - Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
July 11th - Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
July 12th - Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
July 14th - Syracuse, NY @ Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater
July 15th - Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
July 18th - Gilford, NH @ BankNH Pavilion
July 19th - Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
July 20th - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
August 1st - Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion
August 2nd - Brandon, MS @ Brandon Amphitheater
August 4th - Franklin, TX @ FirstBank Amphitheater
August 6th - Richmond, VA @ Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront
August 8th - Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
August 10th- Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake
August 12th- Saratoga Springs, NY @ Broadview Stage at SPAC
August 13th - Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage
August 15th- Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center
August 16th - Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
August 19th - Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
August 20th - Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center
August 22nd - Maryland Heights, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
August 23rd - Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
August 24th - Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater
A sick bay update from Shelley …
I just received an email from the President of Milford Performing Arts Center that Peter Yarrow's concert has moved from postponed to cancelled due to illness.
Shelley
Not a good sign … and sad news here at the holidays. (kk)
And Tom Cuddy ...
Joey Molland’s girlfriend’s posting:
.jpg)
Kent,
Sorry I’m so late to the party on wishing you a HAPPY 25th ANNIVERSARY! Good job keeping us all in line for that long.
I remember the60sshop stuff you put out long ago.
I had this email saved from nearly 20 years ago. Funny thing is that I was just sending Robbs stuff out to friends a week ago! This music thing never gets old, does it?
Clark Besch
From: the60sshop@aol.com
To: wlsclark
Fri, Sep 23, 2005 at 8:03 AM
Hi Clark!
Any interest in writing a short piece on the CHEROKEE phase of THE ROBBS' career for an upcoming FORGOTTEN HITS feature?
Nothing major ... 3-4 paragraphs would be great. Probably would need it in about two weeks or so. Let me know if you're interested. Thanks!
kk
You don’t realize how much time has passed until you see something like this … nearly 25 years ago!!!
Of course, we’ve covered The Robbs a few times now in Forgotten Hits …
Here’s a nice memory piece …
https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2010/05/wrapping-things-up-in-wisconsin-with.html
Congratulations are in order to Micky Dolenz and The Monkees for their recent induction into The New England Music Hall Of Fame.
From David Salidor …
Groundbreaking band The Monkees were inducted into the 2025 New England Music Hall of Fame on Monday December 2, 2024, at The Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, CT, where Dolenz began his NE tour of MICKY DOLENZ: SONGS AND STORIES.
Micky is the last surviving original member of the Monkees and was there to accept the award.
Peter Tork lived in Connecticut and his father, Halsten John Thorkelson, was an economics professor at the University of Connecticut.
NEMHOF Inductee drummer Rich Dart (The Monkees) inducted the band and presented the award to Dolenz.
Dolenz just released his first live album in seven years, MICKY DOLENZ - LIVE AT THE TROUBADOUR.
The official induction ceremony will take place on February 15, 2025 at The Vault, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It will also be a food drive for PACE https://paceinfo.org/ and 50/50 fundraiser for South Coast LGBTQ+ Network https://www.sclgbtqnetwork.org/ The event will be hosted by the voice of Charlie Brown, Duncan Watson https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0914603/
(L-R) Rich Dart; Chris Annino, NEMHOF; and Micky Dolenz
Kent,
I am sure you know by now, but I just found out that singer Steve Alaimo has passed away. What a record EVERY DAY I HAVE TO CRY was back in 1963 here in the OKC area.
Larry Neal
Yes, got emails from several FH Readers on this one … amazing in a way because Alaimo didn’t really have much of a chart career, other than “Every Day I Have To Cry,” which only scratched The Top 40 in Music Vendor at the time, where it peaked at #36. (Cash Box and Billboard pegged it at #45 and #46 respectively)
Steve may have been better known for his co-hosting duties on “Where The Action Is,” the Dick Clark after school music program that ran on ABC for a couple of years.
While Joel Whitburn’s Chart Comparison Book credits him with 22 total chart entries between the three trades, he only made The Top 50 with that 1963 hit mentioned earlier.
Frank B said there was a big article in the Miami Herald on December 4th … interesting since Steve was born in Nebraska! (kk)
Hi Kent,
I hope you’re doing well.
Did I hear it was your 25th anniversary recently? Congrats on your good work! I apologize, but for some reason I’m no longer getting your emails.
We have exciting news! We are finalizing the licensing of the Dick Biondi film. Any day now, we will have a letter in hand from the copyright attorneys, which means the film is picture locked. No more changes. Two days ago, we sent it out for color and sound mixing, and once that’s done, it will be ready for distribution. YES! So many wonderful people have made this film possible. It has truly been a grassroots labor of love from Dick’s fans and friends in the entertainment industry. And for me personally, it’s been an incredible privilege getting to know so many of them.
We are still raising funds to cover E&O insurance, close captioning, and deliverables, To reward our crowd funders, we need to order DVDs, and print posters. If anyone would like to help, donations are tax-deductible to our Fiscal Sponsor, Chicago Filmmakers -- https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/donate. If you’d like to see your name in the credits on screens across the country and eventually streamed around the world, become an official sponsor -- https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/sponsorships-1. Don’t wait because we are wrapping things up now.
We have a special gift offer right now for Ides of March and Dick Biondi fans - a beautiful ‘Sharing Christmas CD," featuring music by The Ides Of March with narration by our favorite disc jockey, Dick Biondi. Jim Peterik graciously donated the CDs to help with finishing Dick's movie.
To make a donation to Chicago Filmmakers on behalf of the Dick Biondi Film, just click the link -- https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/donate
$15 donation, you'll get 1 CD
$25 donation, you'll get 2 CDS
Message me on Facebook or email dickbiondifilm@gmail.com with your address so I can pop your CD in the mail in time for Christmas.
Kent, Thanks for being part of the film, and thanks for all you do to keep the music and the memories alive.
Merry Christmas everybody!
With love and gratitude,
Pamela Enzweiler-Pulice
Director/Producer of THE VOICE THAT ROCKED AMERICA® - The Dick Biondi Film
Reel Stories Productions LLC
And Jim Roup loaded us up with goodies this past week …
Hi Kent,
Happy Birthday 🎂 to Max "Jethro" Baer Jr., who turned 78 on December 4th!
Also, Birthday 🎂 wishes to Jeff Bridges, who hit 75 on the same day.
Got the Bridges family together for this photo one night in Hollywood …
Beau, Lloyd, sister Cindy and Jeff. Jeff went to my junior high school.
I notice that Wynonna Judd is in the news now. She was born in 1964.
Here she is talking to Ringo Starr at a U.C.L.A. music event.
>>>There are many concerts here, but there seems to be a new development. They are scheduled during the week more than on the weekends. I will be optimistic and say that our performers are so popular, they need to be scheduled throughout the week or the venues won't get them. For me, this makes things difficult ... getting there, getting home and then getting up to get to school ... too much getting. Are you finding the same in the Mideast? (Shelley)
>>>We've seen much slimmer pickings of late ... but yes, a lot of weekday shows ... WAY too many tribute bands (and getting top dollar for some of these tickets, which hardly seems worth it to me) ... we find ourselves going less and less ... or being motivated to go unless it's something really special. And so many of the others are the same old, same old that come thru here all the time ... very little in the way of NEW entertainment. (kk)
This can't really surprise anyone with the actual stars no longer available due to age, etc., and the young folks today not being familiar with the stars of our youth. Unfortunately, the stars of the 60s and 70s or so will be completely gone before too many years. Can't stop father time.
Ted Gstalder
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
12/8/64 – Actress Teri Hatcher is born
(Gotta agree with you, Teri ...
They're spectacular!) kk
