Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Tuesday This And That

It sounds like Rod Stewart absolutely killed it over the weekend with his performance at the Glastonbury Festival.  He was joined onstage by former bandmate Ronnie Wood for a couple of numbers (and even by Lulu for a sizzling duet on his hit “Hot Legs”) in what was described as “sweltering heat.” (Considering that Rod’s had to cancel a few shows recently due to health reasons, this was probably a risky proposition at best … but it sounds like he pulled it off with flying colors.

Stewart performed a 21-song set of hits and covers to a massive crowd of over 200,000 … and he sounds great in the videos already posted on YouTube.  (kk)

Here’s the complete set list:

Tonight I’m Yours (Don’t Hurt Me)
Having a Party
Some Guys Have All the Luck
Love Train
The First Cut is the Deepest
Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
Forever Young
You Wear It Well
Maggie May
Young Turks
It’s a Heartache
I’d Rather Go Blind
Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?
Lady Marmalade
I Don’t Want to Talk About It
If You Don’t Know Me By Now (sung by Mick Hucknall of Simply Red)
Baby Jane
Proud Mary
Stay With Me (his big Faces hit, accompanied by former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood)
Hot Legs (with Lulu)
Sailing

We told you the other day that Foreigner WILL continue on with new lead singer Luis Maldonado.  (They were in the midst of what was supposed to be ... and billed as ... their farewell tour.)

This means that the band moving forward won’t have ANY of its original members.  (Hmm … there seems to be a LOT of that going around lately!)

Meanwhile, original lead singer Lou Gramm (who has also called it quits numerous times in the past, only to come back strong with more live shows) has filled HIS new 13 song set list ENTIRELY with Foreigner material (plus his solo hit “Midnight Blue” ... and a totally unnecessary drum solo.)

Here is the recent set list he performed last week:

1. Feels Like the First Time (from Foreigner, 1977)
2. Double Vision (from Double Vision, 1978)
3. Long, Long Way From Home (from Foreigner, 1977)
4. Waiting for a Girl Like You (from 4, 1981)
5. Blue Morning, Blue Day (from Double Vision, 1978)
6. Cold as Ice (from Foreigner, 1977)
7. Drum Solo
8. Midnight Blue (from Lou Gramm, Ready or Not, 1987)
9. That Was Yesterday (from Agent Provocateur, 1984)
10. Head Games (from Head Games, 1979)
11. Urgent (from 4, 1981)
12. I Want to Know What Love Is (from Agent Provocateur, 1985)

Encore:
13. Juke Box Hero (from 4, 1981)
14. Hot Blooded (from Double Vision, 1978)

We saw Lou perform at The Arcada Theatre a few years back and the music was so loud, we finally had to leave the theater … you just couldn’t enjoy it.  We saw him perform again as part of another show and he sounded fine so I’m sure it was just an isolated incident.  But what a GREAT show this would be to see!  (Talk about covering all the hits!!!)  kk

Micky Dolenz made an appearance at Comic Con this past weekend in Buffalo, New York … and I see that he’s once again earning headlines for his Songs And Stories Tour, which has just been resumed …

I saw this article posted on Yahoo over the weekend ... 

Last Surviving Member of The Monkees Shares Exciting News: 'Let's Make Some Noise'

https://parade.com/news/last-surviving-member-of-monkees-shares-exciting-news-june

A few pics from Comic Con, courtesy of David Salidor ...

 
Micky with Sam Jones (Flash Gordon), Danny Trejo (black cap) and Jodi Ritzen, who files this report ... photos courtesy the dis COMPANY

After thousands of cancelled flights Micky rerouted from LAX to NYC, then, next day, NYC to Buffalo, traveling for 30 hours in order to not disappoint fans at Nickel City Comic Con in Buffalo this weekend. 

The lines were crazy, Micky not stopping for two days in order to meet fans ... and then hosting a special dinner for Make A Wish.  He got to see some old friends like (the ones above) 

Micky did a hilarious Q and A, keeping the fans laughing for 30 minutes straight. It was a great weekend.

I keep saying it ... he's the hardest working man in show business!!!  (lol)  kk

Here are some more details on Stephen Bishop’s final album, “Thimk,” out August 15th (but available for preorder now) through his website:  https://www.stephenbishop.com/thimk

Look for guest appearances by Eric Clapton, Sting, Graham Nash, Art Garfunkel, Jimmy Webb, Dave Grusin, Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, Marilyn Martin, David Benoit and David Pack, most of whom have covered Stephen Bishop songs in the past.  (kk)

Here's the video for the first single ...

It features Eric Clapton and Sting! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr2MlrI5u5k 

From Tom Cuddy …

Dionne Warwick, Only 84, Takes a Victory Lap at the Apollo with Songs, Stories, Laughs, and That Voice - Showbiz411

https://www.showbiz411.com/2025/06/28/dionne-warwick-only-84-takes-a-victory-lap-at-the-apollo-with-songs-stories-laughs-and-that-voice

Also this …

Paul Simon, 83, Cancels Two Shows Due to 'Chronic and Intense Back Pain' That Has Become 'Unmanageable'

https://people.com/paul-simon-83-cancels-2-shows-due-to-chronic-and-intense-back-pain-11763170

And, from Harvey Kubernik …

I'm finishing my next book, ‘Screen Gems: Pop Music Documentaries & Rock and Roll TV Scenes.’  In 2007, I had lunch with Brian Wilson and always wondered why, in 1964. '65 or '66, the beach-centric music he created with the Beach Boys and in the recording studio was never heard in a James Bond movie or soundtrack.

In 2025 the Capitol Beach Boys catalog is owned by UMe, and a while ago, UMe issued a 'Best of James Bond" collection of themes, culled from the United Artists catalog they also own.    

Q: You actually wrote and originally recorded the instrumental “Pet Sounds” for a James Bond movie, “Dr. No.” 

A: It got turned down, Harvey. They turned it down! They turned the damn thing down. It got submitted. If you can do the twist, then “Pet Sounds” got turned down. “We don’t have any interest in that song.” Fuck that shit, I’m gonna put it on "Pet Sounds." That’s why it went on "Pet Sounds." The James Bond people turned it down. And, when we play the “Pet Sounds” instrumental on stage now I turn around and face my band and take the piece in.

(I know "Dr. No" came out in late '62, but Brian was just getting the point across that he and the label were trying to place him in the Bond world.  In fact, the song "Pet Sounds" was originally called “Run, James, Run.”  – HK)

As previously mentioned, The Beach Boys cancelled their performance in Syracuse Sunday Night (6/29) – no reason was given, nor does it sound like a make-up date is expected to be announced.  (They are currently offering refunds.)

After watching the YouTube video of the show Shelley saw last week, one cannot help but wonder if this cancellation was due to health reasons pertaining to front man Mike Love.  He just looked and sounded so weak and frail in that video!  (One of the stories that I heard is that Love went on a crash diet in an effort to lose twenty pounds in order to “look good” for his Songwriters Hall Of Fame award a couple of weeks ago … crazy ... but the truth is, he looked and sounded downright feeble!)  Take care of yourself, dude ... you're 85 years old!!! (kk)

>>>Director Laurence Harlan Jacobs has put together a new music video for Norman Greenbaum’s classic #1 1970 Hit “Spirit In The Sky.”  I’ll be honest with you, I don’t quite get the point of the story here.  (kk)

I don't get it at all either.  The video just seems so generic.  Seems to me it could go with any number of any other videos.  Where's the dying part?!  I was expecting at the end for them to drive off a cliff "Thelma and Louis" style, or something!  (Or was this just a "Poor Boy's Ferris Bueller's Day Off?!")

Even so . . . . .  

CB

Monday, June 30, 2025

Another Shelley Concert Review

Shelley just saw a double bill featuring two of the biggest recording acts of the '60's ...
And she's here to tell you all about it! 
  
Sixteen minutes east of Mohegan Sun there is another casino. Foxwoods stands tall and turquoise as I drive into the parking garage. I could say something snarky like everyone should enjoy both Indigenous Peoples casinos before they send ICE to send us all back to our homelands. Too late. I said it. Don't start hitting me with facts that ICE does not work them, etc. I am just trying to add humor to troubled times. I am also proud of this audience on June 26th that looked past any possible quarrels and histories to fully enjoy, dance, and sing through the night.

Two powerful groups appear here in a three-hour non-stop (except for intermission) high energy show. Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone opens. The Beach Boys close. I choose to start with a narration of the performers.

Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone not only boasts their front man and namesake but is always supported by the high-quality musicianship of Vance Brescia, Billy Sullivan (back from knee surgery) and Jimmy Herter on guitars. Rich Spina on keyboards and (wild) Dave Ferrara on drums complete a solid and tightly glued unit that never fails to impress. The audience adores them. 18 songs, including Herman's Hermits hits, covers and the arrival of Johnny Cash and Mick Jagger recreations have the audience standing and cheering, while watching Peter intermingle with the audience, (twice when ushers bring people to seats that require walking in front of him while he is standing amongst us.) Has no one (noone) ever joined the audience level before? 

The Beach Boys have their front runners: Mike Love and Bruce Johnston. The complete stage band includes: Jon Bolton on drums and lead vocals on Wild Honey and California Dreamin', Tim Bonhomme on keyboards along with Bruce Johnston, Brian Eichenberger on guitar, high harmonies and vocals, Keith Hubacher on bass, Randy Leago on woodwinds, Christian Love on guitar and vocals for God Only Knows and Good Vibrations and John Wedemeyer on lead guitar.

Now to address the elephant in the room ... 
 
Brian and his wife openly admit they gave Mike the license to use The Beach Boys name, and he pays fees to them for its use. Brian figured it was best to allow a cousin its use. This can be heard in a Larry King interview. So, we have jumped over that hurdle. Next, the ill-will between Mike and Brian. 

The tribute videos to Brian and Carl are a love story. It shows Brian and Mike laughing, working and playing together through the years. Carl's video adds Christian Love to the mix as he is seen with his Uncle Carl, whom he now emulates. The first thing that comes into my mind is Lennon and McCartney. So much is focused on their disagreements and fights, as well as George and Ringo. Now that I think about it, there are more groups who fought themselves apart than that have stayed together. For news people, the row is the thing! For me, the love that was there, if only for a moment, is the thing. The video salute to Dennis was not present but he was constantly shown in video throughout the show. Mike was not looking nor sounding as strong as he did last year. Did the audience around me notice? Apparently not! The couple next to me (and several years younger) reacted with, "Wasn't that all a great concert?" as we stood up to leave. 

I wax nostalgic. Too many good-byes recently. Too many "if onlys" in the air. 

18 Hermits songs, 30 Beach Boys songs. A packed Premier Theatre. Not one unhappy person leaving. Good vibrations and something good in conversations around me. I can't ask for more. I accept there were issues and problems. There may be regrets. God only knows there was a wonderful world here tonight.

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
 
A video of this concert can be found here:
(I will admit that The Beach Boys portion of this video is very hard to watch ...
Mike Love looks like he's suffering up there as he struggles to squeak out anything resembling an in-tune vocal.  [Shelley tells me that they sounded better than this live, but admits that the video isn't very flattering. Mike taking over the lead vocal on "Sloop John B." just may be the worst I've ever heard him.]
Peter Noone, on the other hand, is his usual entertaining self.  I really hate to give in to the idea that we may have come to the end of the road with many of our '60's favorites.  Some, like Peter, can still pull it off ... but it's downright painful watching some of the others. - kk)  

Sunday, June 29, 2025

The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 29 - 25 )

I am not a SiriusXM subscriber, but rely on others I know to keep up with what's going on there. 

I discovered from one of them that last week, Pat St John on Facebook verified that the 60s Gold channel played "Happy Together" by the Turtles, apparently breaking a long embargo either the channel or the organization had on either the song or the group.

Kent, I don't presume you or Frannie to be SXM listeners either, but as David Letterman used to periodically ask about random stunt performances on his "Late Show," "Is this anything?"

Thanks.

Bob Frable

Actually, we’re both Sirius XM subscribers and have been for many years … and Frannie is an avid listener to Pat St. John’s show but evidently didn’t know or hear anything about this comment or posting.

YEARS ago (like 1999???) The Turtles / Flo and Eddie / Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan filed suit against the satellite network for not paying royalties for the Turtles music they were playing on their station.  (Volman and Kaylan own the rights to all of their recordings.)  I can’t remember all of the details, but Sirius XM took the platform that said royalties for music recorded before 1972 was exempt from royalty payments by government law.  (In fact, new federal copyright law was written at the time to protect all music recorded beginning in 1972 and forward … but it ignored music recorded during the previous hundred years.)  Flo and Eddie challenged this ruling and, once a lawsuit was filed, Sirius simply stopped playing Turtles music, figuring (I presume) that lack of airplay would show them who really held all the cards here in this debate.

Mind you, it wasn’t just The Turtles’ music that was affected here … Sirius XM wasn’t paying royalties on ANY of the music it was playing from pre-1972 … thousands and thousands of records by hundreds and hundreds of artists.

As such, Volman and Kaylan filed a class action suit which was finally settled in 2016 with a ruling that the satellite network would have to pay $99 million in back royalties to all of the artists that they had ignored.  Except this, too, was appealed and eventually overturned.  To complicate matters even further, there were different guidelines regarding royalty obligations in place for different states.  It wasn’t until 2021 that things began to be sorted out … but even at this point, it still took several more years before Sirius XM would agree to start playing Turtles music again.  (If you can imagine, this “Turtles Ban” significantly messed up programing for regular ‘60’s Gold features like DJ Dave Hoeffel’s “‘60s Satellite Survey” show, which plays the top forty hits of selected weeks from throughout the decade … they literally had to go out of their way when programming this feature in order to skip any week that included a Turtles tune!)

Funnily enough, the whole incident was kept pretty well under wraps during the 25+ year suit … very few listeners were any the wiser that something like this was even going on.  (And Sirius XM DID play some Turtles tunes from time to time during this period … how could they not???  The Turtles were one of the biggest groups of the ‘60’s.)  Still, that’s part of what makes it odd that they are publicly acknowledging it now by letting listeners know they’re playing Turtles music again.  (A little bit of gloating, perhaps???)

I won’t say that all is forgiven and forgotten at this point … it sounds like Volman and Kaylan never actually got any money (and probably spent a fortune litigating the case) … but at least The Turtles are back on the ‘60’s Channel again where they belong.

On a side not, the music of The Turtles hasn’t really waned during all this time … The Happy Together Tour, covered extensively here for decades now, is still one of the biggest drawing cards of the summer for fan attendance … and their music is every bit as popular as ever.  (kk)

>>>Aliens on other planets must be wondering if there are any intelligent signs of life on Earth right now. (kk)

That’s because the intelligent signs of life are quieter ... probably in shock.

Shelley

There's a future rumor going around that in the year 2525 The Who will still be trying to figure out the firing of Zak back in 2025. 

David Lewis

Foreigner’s Farewell Tour is no longer a farewell tour …

The band announced that they will continue on with new lead singer Luis Maldonado now that previous lead singer Kelly Hansen, who is retiring from the road to spend more time with his family.

Their music holds up incredibly well … and now that they’re officially Rock And Roll Hall of Famers, it will never die.  (In our TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME, Forgotten Hits Readers voted fourteen of their songs on to the list, including NINE that made The Top 500:

62

Cold As Ice

75

Juke Box Hero

146

Feels Like The First Time

199

I Want To Know What Love Is

224

Hot Blooded

249

Long, Long Way From Home

287

Waiting For A Girl Like You

312

Urgent

386

Double Vision

Want a copy of the list?  Just drop me an email at kk@forgottenhits.com and we’ll get one off to you.

PLEASE NOTE:  I am currently in the process of revamping this list … a VERY slow and tedious project … but when it’s done, you guys will be the first to know.

Meanwhile, you can still view the list “as is” right here:  https://classicrockessentials.blogspot.com/

>>>I think our friend Kristy/C-Gals, who we met there for the show, may have gotten kisses from both Bobby Sherman and her teen idol heart-throb, Micky Dolenz. (kk)

I didn't! I would have been impossible to live with if I had! I'd be actively talking about it today if I had. My life would have been consumed with it. Move over, Marcia Brady's cheek!!

Kristy

Actually, I think that day as we were walking over to meet them all, you said, "All I wanna do is lick Micky's cheek!"  lol  (kk)

bwahaha YEP that was the day!

Kristy

Happy Birthday 🎈🎂!!! to Mick Fleetwood on June 24th. Caught Mick at The Century Plaza hotel during The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Awards. Recall seeing Mick with Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green at The Whisky a few times. First band I recall casually drinking beers on stage during the show., 🍺🍻🍻!!!

Jim Roup

Speaking of Happy Birthdays, Happy Birthday to June Lockhart, who turned 100 on Wednesday (June 25th)!

Lockhart was part of our lives growing up, appearing in 200 episodes of “Lassie” as Timmy’s mother, Ruth Martin, before taking off again in the cult classic “Lost In Space.”  (88 episodes as Maureen Robinson)

Both of her “Lost In Space” children posted birthday greetings …

From Bill Mumy (of “Danger Will Robinson” fame):

Happy 100th Birthday to the Mighty JUNE LOCKHART today!! What a gal! She is truly special! Onward. 

A screenshot of a computer

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

And Angela Cartwright (my first school boy crush):

One hundred years!

What an extraordinary milestone — what an extraordinary person.

Happy 100th Birthday to someone who has touched generations with her wisdom, strength, and that rock and roll unforgettable spark.

Here’s to the joy of celebrating you today, June ... 100 Years Young

Me-TV posted this awesome tribute …

(Meanwhile, Mel Brooks just turned 99 yesterday!!!)  

[or would that be 2099???]  kk 

Hi Kent.

In this busy month of June I'm not sure you got this news on the death of singer Patti Drew. Here are some links with the sad news. She passed on June 16th at the age of 80.

R&B Singer Patti Drew Dies at 80 (1944–2025): 'Tell Him' Star and Soul Pioneer — SOUL, America's Most Soulful Newspaper

60's Soul/Pop Singer Patti Drew, Known for hit "Tell Him" Has Passed Away

Santi Paradoa

Miami, Florida

I heard about this shortly after it happened and meant to post something but completely forgot with all the other deaths this month … unreal!

Patti had a hit twice with the song “Tell Him,” first  with her group The Drew-Vels in 1964 (#76) and then again as a solo artist a few years later in 1967. (#81)

She charted with “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing” a year before The Fifth Dimension took it into The Top 20.  (Patti’s version stopped at #41 in Record World … and #62 in Billboard.

For some reason, her records always did better here in Chicago than they did on the national charts.  The Drew-Vels’ version of “Tell Him” went all the way to #19 here in Chi-Town while “Workin’ On A Groovy Thing” peaked at #17 … so when I first heard The Fifth Dimension’s version, it registered immediately as a remake for 16-year-old me!  (kk)

Lalo Schifrin has died …

Will this ever end?  He was 93.

He wrote many really great film and TV scores, from Bullitt to TV'ers like Mannix (MY FAVE LALO SONG) and Mission: Impossible, just some classic themes and songs.

Lalo Schifrin, Prolific Film Composer Who Wrote ‘Mission: Impossible’ Theme, Dies at 93

One 1968 Lalo 45 I have is from the movie "The Fox" called That Night.  


Vocal on it by Sally Stevens, who sang on 100s of The Simpsons episodes, including the theme song.

She sang on 100s of films, TV shows as well.  She is living at 85 now.

Her career rivals Lalo's to an extent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgUSiyfbpwo&list=RDmgUSiyfbpwo&start_radio=1

Clark Besch

Schifrin's movie and TV score resume was quite impressive indeed.  

In addition to his most famous, "Mission Impossible" theme, Lalo's music could also be heard in landmark films like "Bullitt," "Dirty Harry," "The Amityville Horror" and "Cool Hand Luke" as well as TV series like "Mannix," "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.," "The Big Valley" and "Medical Center."  Whether we knew it our not, his music was all around us growing up.  (kk)

Among the great theme songs composed by Lalo Schifrin is "Burning Bridges" for the movie "Kelly's Heroes." Mike Curb is credited with the lyrics. For those few FH readers who ever heard of a group called "Pink Martini," they adapted the same melody to their wonderful track "Splendor In The Grass." 

David Lewis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52w-XKTqlXU&list=RD52w-XKTqlXU&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcOGbIBpH-I&list=RDIcOGbIBpH-I&start_radio=1

No question about it, The Celebrity Death Beeper has been in overdrive this month …

There were three more show-biz related deaths to report on Thursday / Friday (6/26-6/27):

In the music world, Buster Poindexter / David Johansen, leader of The New York Dolls. (He was the last original surviving member.)  Johansen earned his biggest hit as a solo artist under his alter-ego name in 1988 with “Hot Hot Hot.”

Actor Rick Hurst of “The Dukes Of Hazzard” and news journalist Bill Moyers also left us.  (kk)

The Beach Boys cancelled their show tonight ... no reason was given ... but we saw video of one of their performances last week and Mike Love looked and sounded exceptionally frail.

Meanwhile, Paul Simon has also cancelled a couple of shows, due to insufferable back pain.  After reviewing all of the above,  I hate to say it, but I think the days of seeing our '60's heroes live in concert many quickly be coming to an end. 

Director Laurence Harlan Jacobs has put together a new music video for Norman Greenbaum’s classic #1 1970 Hit “Spirit In The Sky.”  It stars Conor Sherry (Happy Gilmore 2, Snack Shack) and Abby Ryder Fortson (Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, The Pitt) … and Greenbaum even appears in the clip as the shop owner.

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t quite get the point of the story here … but this is such a great song, you’ve just got to watch it all the way through regardless.  (kk)

Looking at this week’s chart and seeing the two songs at number 4 and 5 (with Wonderful World just ahead of For Your Love) reminds me that Herman's Hermits recorded For Your Love as well but always thought The Yardbirds trumped them on this song. This is also the song that made Eric Clapton leave The Yardbirds. I always loved the song, not knowing there was any derision behind it.

Shelley

Herman’s Hermits are still holding strong on this week’s chart with three entries, including the week’s highest premier, “I’m Henry The VIII, I Am,” new at #23.  “Wonderful World” is still climbing at #4, while “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” has finally run out of gas at #81.  (“Silhouettes must have just slipped off this week … it was #51 last week.)  kk