Lorne Greene (television's Ben Cartwright!) finally reaches the summit with his western tale about the outlaw "Ringo." It climbs three places to #1 in its sixth week on the chart.
"Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton is right behind it, however, up four places to #2 ... and seems poised to take over the crown next week. (Hey, Bobby started the year with an early "grab" of the #1 trophy ... why not finish things up the same way???)
"Leader Of The Pack" falls to #3 ... and "She's Not There," "Baby Love," "Time Is On My Side," "Come A Little Bit Closer" and "You Really Got Me" all hold on to their Top Ten berths.
Coming up seemingly out of nowhere are "Come See About Me" by The Supremes and the OTHER side of the Elvis record we've been talking about for several weeks now, "Ask Me."
British acts on the rise include Herman's Hermits (up four places to #14), The Dave Clark Five (up 16 spots to #22), Manfred Mann, up ten with their latest, "Sha La La" and, premiering all the way up at #34 is The Beatles with THEIR latest, "I Feel Fine." (The flipside, "She's A Woman," is new at #52.)
"Willow Weep For Me" moves up a dozen spots for Chad and Jeremy, while Marianne Faithfull's version of "As Tears Go By" climbs sixteen spots to #47.
The Searchers are back with what appears to be a very hot hit ... their remake of "Love Potion #9" climbs from #77 to #54 this week, a move of 23 spots.
Another fun premier to watch is The Detergents' parody tune "Leader Of The Laundromat." It features our FH Buddy Ron Dante on lead vocals! (I also like Hank Williams, Jr.'s remake of "Endless Sleep," which come in at #100 on this week's countdown.)
Today we celebrate our Third Annual Joel Whitburn Day in Forgotten Hits.
Joel affected all of our lives with his informative books on the music charts throughout the decades ...
And I am happy to report that Record Research has been able to continue to compile and release updated versions of Joel's many years of research.
From Paul Haney ...
After years of phone and email communication, I finally had the pleasure of meeting Paul Haney, Brent Olynick and Kim Bloxdorf, Joel Whitburn's daughter, back in September of this year ... and tour the infamous vault (which truly has to be seen to be believed!)
Here are a couple of photos I was able to snap both of inside the vault, Joel's office (with his own personal Record Research Library behind his desk!) and shots of me with the three remaining musketeers in charge of the castle.
L-R: Paul, Kent, Brent
L-R: Paul, Kim, Kent
A photo of Joel's "back desk," with some of his books and cd's on display behind him
The view of Joel's desk and work center -
He rarely went to the office to work - and why should he -
He had everything he needed at his fingertips right here at home!
(Not shown: to the left wall of this shot is a series of turn tables, so Joel could play whatever music struck his fancy during his work day!)
More books on display as you enter the vault area
The opposite wall from above -
With autographed portraits of The Beatles ("in the order they belonged," according to Paul Haney ...
John, Paul, George and Ringo)
Just one view of the countless racks of organized 45's, each and every one that ever made any of Billboard's published charts, alphabetized by artist
Those binders above house Joel's picture sleeve collection ... every commercially released sleeve
(plus a few special rarities) for each of their releases ...
ALL in immaculate condition, organized by artist. (Three of those volumes are for Elvis Presley alone!)
The end cap of each row of albums is decorated by some of the most high-profile releases by some of Joel's favorite artists ...
(You'll see lots of Beatles covers here ... including the infamous Butcher Cover below)
Earlier this month we ran our PASSION PLEA to try to help SAVE The Joel Whitburn Collection.
Unfortunately, despite any number of suggestions and inquiries, we were unable to successfully place this lifetime of work with an organization that would caretake and preserve it for many future generations to come.
Meanwhile, Kim Bloxdorf notified Record Research subscribers that any future publications looked unlikely at this point - they just didn't have the staff, resources and funds to continue to document The Billboard Charts beyond Joel's last book (Top Pop Singles 1990 - 2022)
My greatest hope was that Penske Media Group (who OWNS Billboard Magazine) might step in and save the day ...
Certainly, they would have the staff and the means to continue to document this information ...
But as so many of our readers seemed to agree, the generation that embraced this information probably stopped with Joel's Top Pop Singles, 1955 - 1989 book.
Still, there is SO much more that could be done with all of this information. So I appeal again, one last time ... if ANYBODY from Penske Media would like to contact me regarding preserving this incredible collection, please do so at kk@forgottenhits.com ...
And if you'd like to brainstorm some ideas regarding NEW ways to market this long-standing information, I would love to talk to you about that, too. (kk)
Meanwhile, Record Research still has one hell of a sale running through this weekend..
45% Off your order of $175 or more ...
A GREAT way to fill in your collection before these books disappear for good!
Just a note to let you know about my
newest production for Brian Hyland.
It's called "A Little Bit Of
Christmas."
Brian and I met again on a Concerts
at Sea cruise earlier this year and decided to make some records
together.
First one was "Where Did The
Summer Go" and now this Christmas single.
Hope you like it.
All the best and Happy Holidays.
Ron Dante
Brian’s in fine voice once again!(His scheduled show here a couple of years
ago was cancelled … would love it if he could make his way back to Chicago
sometime soon!)
Thanks, Ron … Happy Holidays to you and yours!(kk)
Kent,
Congratulations on Forgotten
Hits' milestone anniversary!
Since first hearing about FH
during a concert at the Arcada Theatre, I've visited the site multiple times
each week, learning a ton about my favorite music and listening to many
terrific songs along the way.
I especially love FH because it
brings people together from all over the world, bonded by their enjoyment of
these classic songs and artists.
I can't imagine the number of
hours you've put in to making Forgotten Hits what it is, but I hope you know
how many people sincerely appreciate what you have put together. Congrats
again!
Colin Donahue
Thanks, Colin … it’s ALL of us that make this thing work … a
shared love of the music and the memories.Not sure I’ve got another 25 years in me … but we’ll see where all of
this takes us!(kk)
I obviously know when the FHs email
began. For my records, what was the DATE the site began?
Cb
I actually had to look that one up myself!!!
February 9th, 2008 … ironically the 44th anniversary of The
Beatles’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show!
And it’s still posted - as is EVERY post since.
Just scroll down to the bottom of the page and you’ll find all
the links!
People are always telling me, “You should write a book!”
But looking back, I think I’ve written something like 6000
of them! (kk)
I Heard Jay Black Talking About
That First Beatles Concert In Washington, D.C.
He Said It Was A Nightmare For
Him. I Think Jay & Americans Were A Late Replacement … Not Even Advertised.
Of Course, The Audience Was Yelling & Screaming For The Beatles.
Jay Said He Was About To Curse
Out The Audience ... But Changed His Mind At The Last Minute.
He Said That He Was There To
Entertain Them While Beatles Were Getting Dressed.
They Calmed Down & He Was
Able To Sing.Back Then, Jay &
Americans Didn't Have Many Hits.
And Check Out Chuck Arnold
Article In Today’s New Your Post.
I Wasn't Able To Send It To You
... But It’s Online.
The Beatles Were Trapped In
Their Hotel ... They Needed Help.
They Knew The Ronettes From
England ... George Was Dating Estelle.
They Called Ronnie Spector. She
Came With Limo. They Snuck Down The Back Staircase.
It Worked! They Escaped To
Harlem & Nobody Recognized Them.
FB
Yep, that story’s in the film … be sure to check it out on
Friday Night on Disney+!
(If you were allowed early access to view the film, there
was an embargo in place that prevented you about talking about it or reviewing it
until after 9 am Pacific Time Monday Morning … so you’ll find a wave of reviews
out there now that the embargo has been lifted!!!)
I still say it’s best to watch the film and judge it for
yourself!(kk)
>>>I’ll bet you 99% of the people you tell this to
will respond “Stephen who?!?!?”(kk)
Come on, Kent. Stephen is
the Delta House character credited as "Charming Guy With Guitar" in
the movie, "Animal House"!!!
How quickly they forget...
--
Tim K.
I know that … and I really DO
like some of his music … even bought a couple of his albums back in the day …
But c’mon … it DOES sound a bit
presumptuous that ANYBODY out there is going to want to impress their friends
with a message recorded especially for them by Stephen Bishop, doesn’t
it???(And it sounds a little cheesy,
too!)Let’s just say the whole concept
doesn’t earn him any more respect with me … only the opposite.
(Actually, you’re probably right
… he’s probably more famous for his cameo in “Animal House” than he is for any
of the great music that he’s done!And
that ain’t right!!!)kk
>>>19 weeks at #1 ...
and this is the first time I've ever heard it!Yeah, I guess I really AM stuck living in the past! (kk)
kk …
TALK
ABOUT BEING OUT OF TOUCH –
I
Watched The First Hour Of The CMA's.
I
Didn't Know One Singer Or One Song.
I
Was Never A Big Country Fan.
I
Knew Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson + Country Cross-Over Hits.
For
Example, Last Week Wild Wayne Played "PLEASE HELP ME, I'M FALLIN'" by
Hank Locklin (1960)
He
Told Me It Was # 1 On The Country Chart For 14 Weeks & Top 10 Pop Chart.
I
Already Felt Like A Dummy –
That's
Why I Could Only Watch The First Hour Of CMA's.
I'm
Happy To Report My Favorite New Country Artist Is Megan Moroney "AM I
OKAY?"
Now
I Know One Country Singer.
FB
P.S.
Wild Wayne Is About To Start His 49th Year On Connecticut Radio.
His
"MEMORY MACHINE" Is The Longest Running Continuous Oldies Program In
The U.S.
And it sounds like we’re not the
only ones …
As seen
in FHs ~~~
>>>Shaboozey’s
current #1 Hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is on the verge of tying the record
for most weeks ever at #1!" (kk)
Sha-WHOzee?!
What Bar Song?!
>>>19 weeks at #1 ...
and this is the first time I've ever heard it!I guess I really AM stuck living in the
past! (kk)
Yeah, me,
too, when it comes to today's "Hit" Music! (cb)
So in
fairness, I watched the video you shared.
First of
all, I know if I ever do a Music Video, I'm going to take it
from him and I, too, am going to start off by picking my teeth with my fingers!
(Hope he
got it! We all know how having something stuck in one's teeth can really be
annoying!)
Anyway,
it's always interesting to me that when something pops up for me, I
start to notice it all of a sudden more and more. For instance, "one
of the Football Games on Thanxgiving, the Bears vs. the Lions, will
feature "a halftime performance by Grammy-nominated musician
Shaboozey!"
In
review, his song DOES "have a good beat and you can dance to
it!"
CB!
(which stands for "Critic Boy!")
I guess he DID perform this song
at the CMA’s the other night … ‘cause there’s video of that, too, on YouTube.
Sure doesn’t look like your
typical Country Music Star ‘tho, does he???
(I think I may have him beat in
that department!)kk
(Damn … I haven’t run that photo
in 25 years … and now I’ve already run it twice in a week!!! Timing is
everything!)kk
Over 100 Billion Served!
No, it’s no McDonald’s … it’s
believed they’re now over 300 BILLION …
But in the twenty years since
its inception, Shazam! can now claim over 100 billion successful song
identifications!
Just
heard on network news that game show host Chuck Woolery has passed away. Had to
get out and play NATURALY STONED by the Avant Garde. I haven't heard that in
years. Without checking, I don't know what it did here locally in OKC or on a
national level. Happy Thanksgiving.
Larry
Woolery just seem destined (or
would that be determined) to make it in show business.
He first achieved success as
half of the Avant Garde duo, which snuck into Billboard’s Top 40 (AT #40) in
1969.(It did a little better in Cash
Box, where it reached #35 … and a little worse in Record World, where it peaked
at #42.)
Next up for Woolery were some
small acting roles … and then he hit the big time as a game show host.
(DIDJAKNOW?He was the
FIRST host of “Wheel Of Fortune” when it debuted in 1975 before Pat Sajak so
famously took things over in 1981.)
I remember my mom loved him on
“Love Connection” … and I think Chuck’s very animated, almost cartoonish face
helped establish him as the perfect game show host.He just seemed so likeable!(kk)
MICKY
DOLENZ guested on Billy Corgan’s podcast last week (on Bill Maher's new podcast
network); and will be interviewed this Saturday, November 30, by Cousin Bruce
(Bruce Morrow) on WABC, about his just released MICKY DOLENZ" LIVE AT THE
TROUBADOUR album.
MICKY DOLENZ & BRUCE MORROW (photo by Paul Undersinger)
A nod to The Beach Boys
Sadly,
Austin Roberts apparently passed away early this month.I never heard anything about it.
I
loved lots of Austin's songs and interacted with him some a decade ago.
My fave by him is this 1972 45 (charted in Omaha), which was also covered by
the Grass Roots on an LP then and ...
Austin Roberts was a good friend
to Forgotten Hits in the early days … I remember doing an interview and a brief
series (which is apparently now lost to the ages, some 3000 computer crashes
ago!)
I’d not heard “One Word” before,
but I liked it.(Looks like it “bubbled
under” in both Cash Box and Record World in 1973.)“Something’s Wrong With Me” has gotta be my
favorite (but only because I absolutely could not STAND “Rocky!!!”
So sad to hear of his
passing.(kk)
The Eagles (aka The House Band at The Sphere in Las Vegas) have added four more dates to their extended residency there. You can now catch them April 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th as well. (kk)
Bob Lind is heading back to one
of his favorite venues down in Florida in a few weeks … so we’ll let him tell
you all about it in his own heartfelt way …
Yeah,
yeah, I know … it's the Christmas season and time and money are in short supply
...
But
don't squander it in the warm homes of family and loved ones or by buying gifts
for the ones you cherish ...
Save
that gift money and spring for the low, low $15 ticket price.
(That’s
15 of the wisest dollars you’ll ever spend ... 5 for each of the Three Wise
Men, seeking their star.)
I
love the place. It’s one of the last of a vanishing phenomenon: A listening
room, where people go to actually hear music, not close business deals or sweet
talk their dates.
I'll
send out more reminders as the time grows closer. But this is the first call.
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