Just a quick comment on Chubby Checker FINALLY being inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
As you know, I have been campaigning for this guy since 2007 … he has always been right up near the top of our Deserving And Denied list …
And I think the fact that he rode a dance sensation to the top of the charts … TWICE … was reason enough to include him.
(And I’ve already told you the story about how his management team told me to back off with the Chubby Checker endorsements several years ago because The Rock Hall would “take care of itself” ... which they finally did some eighteen years later!)
But some of Chubby’s comments since being announced as one of this year’s inductees are a bit hard to swallow.
I get that he would feel slighted … this man should have been recognized AGES ago … but check out some of Chubby’s comments since The Class of 2025 was announced.
He recently told “Variety”:
I was thinking that if I was chosen, or that if I wasn’t chosen, I’m still Chubby. What we did then, what we do now, is still there. It’s just a great thing that it’s happening. And if they finally put my statue up, well, I might not be alive to see that happen, but people will enjoy it.
I told them that, because of
what we’ve done in the music industry, the Hall should erect a statue of Chubby
Checker in its courtyard inviting everyone in to rock ‘n’ roll. Everyone got so angry about that. Everybody’s
made a whole lotta money off of Chubby. Give the man some credit!
You know what I do want from the music industry – or maybe I don’t care
anymore, I don’t know – is to hear my music in the same way people can hear
Billy Joel, The Beatles, Elton John or Fleetwood Mac: Everywhere … On the radio. In supermarkets. I
want to hear my music liked like them.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says I’m in, and I appreciate that, but I want to hear my music, and get it heard like [those other legends] do. Billboard gave me the first No. 1 song of all time for 'The Twist' in 2008, because it was on top longer than any other song. I want people to hear it. I want to hear it. They don’t have the No. 1 song on the planet; I do. And by the way: the dancefloor that so many of these artists enjoy and make millions of dollars on – I put it there. And it’s still there.
Now in all fairness, Chubby’s got a point … his music was off the radio for DECADES … but that’s not because of anything the Rock Hall or the public decided …
That was due to some ridiculous power trip executed by Allen Klein and ABKCO Records, who owned the rights to all of Chubby’s music … and wasn’t licensing it for movies and television and product commercials … they held this music back for YEARS … copies of his music weren't even distributed to radio stations, who could have helped keep it on the radar. It actually got to the point that Chubby had to go in and re-record his biggest hits just so he could get them played on oldies radio because ABKCO wouldn't provide the original tracks he cut back in the '60's.
But by then it was already too late … he was already off the radar. Yes, you’ll hear “The Twist” and “Let’s Twist Again” … and maybe, in a rare instance, his version of “Limbo Rock,” a #1 record from 1962 … but for the most part, the rest of Chubby’s twenty Top 40 hits have been tucked away for decades. (You don’t even hear his version of “Jingle Bell Rock” at Christmastime … this duet cut with Bobby Rydell was a #20 Hit in 1961.)
This music is more readily available now that Jody Klein has taken over ABKCO after his father's passing ... and maybe some of this Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame attention will inspire oldies radio to revisit some of these tunes ...
But the bottom line is that most of his music are mostly throw-away dance tunes that are dated by the “flavor of the month” fad that was going on at the time ... for Chubby to insist that this material deserves equal airplay and credibility with that created by the likes of The Beatles, Elton John, Billy Joel and Fleetwood Mac is REALLY a stretch. (It's well beyond that ... it's ludicrous!) Other than “The Twist,” “Let’s Twist Again,” “Limbo Rock” and maybe “Pony Time” (another #1 hit), Chubby recorded “disposable” music … of the time and not beyond.
Man, I truly believe that Chubby belongs in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame … and I’ve been pushing for him for nearly twenty years now … and I think it’s AMAZING that he's still out there doing live shows and twistin’ up a storm in concert … but I’m sorry … I just can’t support the whole statue thing and the “equal play and credibility” angle. (The idea of a Chubby Checker statue outside The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Museum is another ridiculous ask ... if they build a Mount Rushmore of Rock And Roll outside The Hall, Chubby wouldn't even be one of the first one hundred artists deserving of such a display!) I'm sorry, Chubby ... but I'm just telling it like it is. (kk)
Checker told Billboard pretty much the same story about just wanting to hear his music played … which again can solely be attributed to ABKCO holding it back for decades … a shame, really, as he’s right … there are probably HUNDREDS of products that could use “The Twist” in their ad campaign. (kk)
https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/chubby-checker-rock-hall-induction-interview-1235960395/
From Tom Cuddy, the complete “Variety” story, apparently also picked up by “American Songwriter”:
In an exclusive interview, Chubby
Checker talks about finally being voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,
and the styles of dance he popularized.
Source: Variety
https://search.app/A9VJgLidc6sb4E4y8
Eye Of Starbucks!
I saw this commercial just now on TV! Jill says "Is that Jim?" I said NO, but they tried to make it LOOK like him, I guess!" haha
Clark Besch
Ha!! Yeah. As long as I get paid, I'm ok with it!
Jim Jim Jim!!
Rock on!!
Jimbo
>>>60 YEARS AGO TODAY: 5/3/65 – Dee Jay Don Steele kicks off his 40+ year radio career at KRTH in Los Angeles"
Hi, Kent,
I hate to be a stickler, but I just can't let this one go uncorrected ...
Fact is, he didn't begin there, he died at KRTH.
Please read the following:
The Real Don Steele:
A DJ on radio station KHJ/AM, Los Angeles, where he helped to promote the Top 40
Boss Radio format which began at 3 pm on April 27, 1965.
He also appeared on TV as host of Boss City and The Real Don Steele TV Show, a
show which ran from 1965 to 1975 on KHJ-TV, Channel 9 in Los Angeles.
Following his years at 93/KHJ, The Real Don Steele continued to be heard on
other Los Angeles radio stations, including KRTH-FM (K-Earth 101), until his
death in August 1997.
Full Station list:
KBUC (AM) - Corona, California
KEPR (AM) - Kennewick, Washington
KIMA (AM) - Yakima, Washington
KXLY (AM) - Spokane, Washington
KOIL (AM) - Omaha, Nebraska
KISN (AM) - Portland, Oregon (1964)
KEWB (AM) - San Francisco
KHJ (AM) - Los Angeles (1965)
KIQQ (FM) - Los Angeles
KTNQ (AM) - Los Angeles
KRLA (AM) - Los Angeles
KCBS-FM - Los Angeles
KRTH (FM) - Los Angeles (1990's)
Timmy
I took my information from an online calendar … should have done some fact-checking I guess!
Here’s what a quick search turned up …
Born in Hollywood, California, The Real Don Steele's radio career began in 1960 at KBUC in Corona, California. He later worked at various other stations before joining KHJ in Los Angeles in March, 1965, where he first became famous and nationally known. Although he was hired at KHJ in March of 1965, his on-air debut was on May 3, 1965, when he helped launch the "ultrahip" top-40 Boss Radio format, which began on April 27, 1965 at 3 pm.
The Real Don Steele stayed at KHJ until June, 1973, then moved on to L.A. radio stations KIQQ, KTNQ, KRLA, KODJ / KCBS and arrived at KRTH in July 1982. He recorded commercials and at one time had a successful, nationally syndicated radio show. He is also the DJ on Cheap Trick's "On the Radio" ("Heaven Tonight"). His career took a dive in the mid-1980s, at which time a copywriter directing him as a voiceover for a Sea World radio spot introduced him to legendary voice actor Ernie Anderson. On hearing Steele in the booth, Anderson immediately connected Steele to his agent. Within weeks, Steele was back on top with a drive time slot at KRTH-FM in Los Angeles.
That show, "Live From the 60's", was created by Steele along with friend and contemporary M.G. “Machine Gun” Kelly, who followed Steele at KHJ-0AM, then DJ'd with him in the '70s at 10Q. "Live From the 60's" was a three-hour program that featured oldies exclusively from the 1960s. Each hour of the show profiled a certain year from that decade. It was written and performed in present tense, and peppered with audio clips of news events, presidential speeches and TV shows that correlated with that particular year. The show ran in syndication, and was marketed and picked up by over 200 radio stations with an "Oldies" format from 1988 until 1993. Repeats of earlier shows aired in some markets as late as 1996. In July, 2015, "Live From the 60's with The Real Don Steele" was placed back into three hour re-run syndication for AM/FM and Podcasting radio stations.
Steele died of lung cancer on August 5, 1997, at the age of 61.
The posting has been corrected. Thanks, Timmy! (kk)
UPDATE: Purely by coincidence, FH Reader Ben Meijering sent me a series of copies of The Real Don Steele's "Live From The '60's" radio program. If you'd like a copy of a salute to 1965, drop me an email and I'll send it along! (kk)
Here’s a vintage shot (circa 1967) of Micky Dolenz, Peter Noone and Tom Jones, provided by David Salidor
And who would have EVER dreamed that they’d all still out there touring (and playing to packed houses!) some sixty years later!!! (Good music is good music … it never goes out of style!) kk
>>>20 July 1967 ... The Who live on a Herman’s Hermits Tour (Peter Noone)
Kent,
I hitchhiked the 42 miles to the newly opened Anaheim Convention Center to see The Who in 1967. I had no idea that The Hermits were headlining the show!
Great show by The Who. Moon tossed many drum sticks into the crowd. Both Pete and John smashed their guitars and did an hour-long performance. Daltrey smashed cymbals and microphones. Poor Peter and The Hermits faced a rude audience after The Who's dry ice clouds left the stage. Hitching home, I got busted for curfew in Hollywood around midnight. Many years later I told John Entwistle my tale. He was terribly sorry. 😂 !
Jim Roup
Also from Jim …
Happy May 1st 🎈🎂!!!! Birthdays to Judy Collins and Rita Coolidge!
Having fun with Chris Noel at a Beverly Garland hotel event. What a hero! 👏
Happy belated Birthdays 🎉🎈 to Engelbert Humperdinck leaving a trendy club in Hollywood … cool glasses! And two of Willie Nelson checking out the L.A. scene.
Here’s a great shot sent in by Timmy of Paul McCartney and Olivia Harrison, snapped at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills, at Paul’s photo exhibition
Paul with Olivia Harrison at the Gagosian Gallery , Beverly Hills 5/1/2025
And Timmy also sent this one in ...
Mr. Tambourine Man, I presume???
Tom Cuddy sent us this … a recent Tommy James concert, showing Tommy to be in fine voice (as always!) ... and it's the whole show!!!
Tommy James & The Shondells | Stagecoach Music Festival 2025 | Full Set
https://youtu.be/2xigjaqn52Q?si=i_3DvRL_Jz1u6nvu
Tom also tells us …
Cassette tapes see surprising sales surge
https://youtu.be/kmfaXNXPp7U?si=yvdQknOH6SAaoDGq
Laugh-In icon Ruth Buzzi passed away on Thursday (5/1) at the age of 88. Her spinster character Gladys Ormphby was a series regular in short skits, usually perused by Arte Johnson’s “dirty old man” character. Ruth experienced a series of devasting strokes in 2022 which left her bedridden. Her death is being listed as complications due to Alzheimer’s.
John Lodge of Moody Blues fame heads back out on the road in July in what he’s calling his “Just A Singer In A Rock And Roll Band” tour. Naturally, LOTS of Moody Blues material will be featured. (The tour poster boasts: “One incredible Moody Blues hit after another!”)
The shows kick off July 19th in Red Bank, New Jersey … and wrap up right here at The Des Plaines Theatre on August 7th. (He also does a show at The Arcada the night before.) Tickets are on sale now.
July 19th - The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ
July 20th – The Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ
July 23rd – The Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood, NJ
July 24th - Wind Creek Casino, Bethlehem, PA
July 26th - Lynn Auditorium, Lynn, MA
July 27th - Infinity Hall, Hartford, CT
July 29th – The Flying Monkey, Plymouth, NH
July 30th - JPT Film & Event Center, Newport, RI
August 1st - MCL Pavilion, Newport, KY
August 2nd - Agora, Cleveland, OH
August 6th - The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
August 7th - Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, IL
And, talking about some great shows coming up, look who The Arcada Theatre has booked between now and the end of the year ... with plenty more to come!
Saturday, May 24th - Ace Frehley (of KISS)
Thursday, June 12th - Jim Messina
Saturday, June 28th - Mark Farner (of Grand Funk Railroad) and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (who's played with just about EVERYBODY!)
Sunday, June 29th - Vanilla Fudge
Tuesday, July 29th - Night Ranger
Sunday, August 3rd - Firefall and Orleans
Wednesday, August 6th - John Lodge (of The Moody Blues)
Sunday, August 24th - Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band
Sunday, August 31st - The New Colony Six (with Ronnie Rice)
Friday, September 19th - Loverboy
Saturday, September 20th - Leonid and Friends (you have to see them to believe them - check 'em out - they're all over YouTube!)
Sunday, September 21st - Pat Boone and Debby Boone
Thursday, September 25th - Jefferson Starship
Sunday, September 28th - The Cornerstones of Rock (featuring The Ides Of March, The Cryan' Shames, The New Colony Six and The Buckinghams) - this show sells out every time!
Thursday, October 2nd - Tiffany and Sheena Easton
Wednesday, October 8th - Roger McGuinn (of The Byrds)
Saturday, October 11th - Gino Vannelli
Sunday, October 12th - Frankie Avalon
Sunday, October 26th - Don McLean
Sunday, November 2nd - John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band
Friday, November 14th - Three Dog Night (well, Danny Hutton anyway!)
Saturday, November 29th - Micky Dolenz
Tuesday, December 2nd - Darlene Love's Holiday Show
Sunday, December 28th - The Association, The Vogues and The Cowsills
You can order your tickets now at oshows.com (kk)
Hi, Kent ...
This book-signing event (on 6/14/2025) would most likely be of interest to your readers of "Forgotten Hits" blog, especially ones in the L.A. area.
Thank you …
Timmy
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And, for our East Coast Readers, this sounds like a fun event ...
The "Fab 4 Music Festival" will "get back" to Connecticut on Saturday, May 17th, marking a return for the perennial Beatles-themed music fest which has been a mainstay in the New York/New England area for many years. The musical extravaganza will "come together" in its new home at Dudleytown Brewery, 1001 Day Hill Road in Windsor, CT. It is the only Beatles-themed music-centric festival on the East Coast.
The popular regional Music, Foods & Arts Festival features eight bands playing the music of The Beatles, their solo material and other songs from the sixties, including one Rolling Stones set, and a Monkees tribute show.
Several key authors will be at the event, signing copies of their books. Connecticut music historian/archivist Bill Last is launching the release of his brand new book, “The Beatles Collected Videography” at the festival. Michael Ventrella, based in the Poconos, will be highlighting his current release, “The Beatles On The Charts,” which examines the band’s successful record releases from the early 1960s through the present. Tony Renzoni, well-known author of “Connecticut Rock ‘n Roll: A History,” will also be bringing along his more recent books, “Historic Connecticut Music Venues” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio Connecticut.” Festival producer Charles F. Rosenay!!! will be signing copies of his best-selling “Book Of Top 10 Beatles Lists.”
The bands have been announced for the festival. The first three acts offering acoustic sets will be the "Number Nine" Band from various parts of the state, Manchester's "Double The Dial," and Hartford's "Beatles Forever Band," featuring bassist Jerry Clapis, formerly of the famed CT band "The Neatles." All three bands have played at the festival in past years.
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is the name of a classic song from the "White Album," and it's also the name of a unique Massachusetts power trio who perform instrumental versions of Beatles' classics. This is their first festival appearance.
"Pat Horgan and Thunder Road" come from New York, and return to the festival for the first time in some years. At this show, however, they will be playing a set of all Rolling Stones. Connecticut's "The Taxman" are also returning favorites, with a mix of early and later Beatles favorites.
"Zilch" from Rhode Island is the only other band straying from Beatles tunes. Staying with the sixties, their show is a showcase of all hits from The Monkees.
"The 34's" are a high-energy act who will be closing the festival. The New Haven quartet spotlight a very danceable mix of music from various eras of The Beatles' career. One of the members, Dane Bramage, is well-known as the "Paul McCartney" in the famed CT tribute band "The Hofners."
Along with the great entertainment of live bands, there will be Beatles memorabilia & music dealers, special guests and authors, area vendors and artisans, exhibitors, attractions, and a wide variety of food options available.
Doors open at Noon, but the live music will start at 3pm. The band set times are as follows:
Number Nine 3PM
Double The Dial 3:45
Beatles Forever 4:30
While My Guitar Gently Weeps 5:15
Pat Horgan & Thunder Road (Rolling Stones Set) 6PM
The Taxmen 6:45
Zilch! (Monkees set) 7:30
The 34s 8:15
The outdoor event runs from Noon until 9pm on May 17th, and advance "Ticket to Ride" general admissions are only $10. Note that admission will be higher at the door. Advance tickets are available through the website www.Fab4MusicFestival.com. Admission is $20 day of show.
Because the venue is a world-class brewery, there will be a large variety of beverages available including IPAs, Hard Seltzers, Sours, Lagers, and Ales. No outside food or beverages are permitted.
The "Fab 4 Music Festival," on Saturday, May 17, 2025, is presented by Liverpool Productions, the same Beatles fan club that presented "NYC FAB 50: The Beatles' 50th Anniversary Celebration" in New York City, and has produced Beatles Conventions in CT and worldwide since 1978. They also organize the annual fan vacations to Liverpool & London known as the "Magical History Tour" (www.LiverpoolTours.com). The show is hosted by Beatles aficionado and promoter Charles F. Rosenay!!!
With a full day of fab 4 fun, great live music from eight great bands, and a non-stop fun vibe, as The Beatles sang, "It's Guaranteed to Raise a Smile."
For further info, visit the website www.Fab4MusicFestival.com or call (203) 795-4737. The website for the festival venue is www.DudleytownBrewing.com.
Hi all,
A friend of mine is looking to give the late great Bill Earl's incredible collection of airchecks, weekly top 40 chart lists, stickers, photos, that were his life, a new home. Many of you know he was an expert on SoCal stations like KHJ, etc. It might be sold or given to a museum, but they wanted the collection to stay intact and possibly displayed, but not sure if that will be feasible. Just tossing this out for ideas. Thanks! You can email me at wlsclark@aol.com if you have ideas to help? I am not the seller, just go between for them. Bill has written books on KHJ and SoCal radio.
Thanks,
Clark
And finally, a very passionate update from Kim Bloxdorf (Joel Whitburn's daughter) and long-time Record Research employee, Paul Haney ... https://mailchi.mp/recordresearch/ca0cx465v7-12866161?e=d5785dc612
