Thursday This And That

Barbra Streisand's got a new album of duets coming out June 27th.  

This time around, Babs will be singing with '60's contemporaries Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan ... as well as '70's icon James Taylor and as part of a trio with "modern-day" vocalists Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande.

The eleven-track LP shakes out like this:

1. THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE – Hozier
2. MY VALENTINE – Paul McCartney
3. TO LOSE YOU AGAIN – Sam Smith
4. THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU – Bob Dylan
5. LETTER TO MY 13 YEAR OLD SELF – Laufey
6. ONE HEART, ONE VOICE – Mariah Carey & Ariana Grande
7. I LOVE US – Tim McGraw
8. SECRET O’ LIFE – James Taylor
9. FRAGILE – Sting
10. WHERE DO I GO FROM YOU? – Josh Groban
11. LOVE WILL SURVIVE – Seal 

She posted on her Facebook page:  “I’ve always loved singing duets with gifted artists.  They inspire me in unique and different ways … and make our time in the studio a joy! My new album gave me the chance to work and play with some of my old friends, label mates, and new artists, too. I admire all of them … and I hope that you’ll enjoy listening to our collaborations as much as I enjoyed recording with all of my wonderful partners.”

Streisand turned 83 last week.  (kk)

Phil Nee’s interview with John Cafferty will air in three installments spread out throughout his “Those Were The Days” radio show on WRCO this Saturday Night, May 3^rd, between 5:30 pm and Midnight.  You can Listen Live here:  https://wrco.com/

We just learned that John will be appearing at The Arcada Theatre on November 2^nd … I can’t wait!  (It’d be great if we can line up a few other Midwest dates for The Beaver Brown Band to make this all a bit more practical!)  Tickets go on sale tomorrow thru oshows.com.

I am also hearing that Micky Dolenz will be returning for shows at both The Arcada Theatre AND The Des Plaines Theatre on November 29^th and 30th … and The Cornerstones of Rock will ALSO be appearing at both theaters on September 28th (at The Arcada) and November 29th at The Des Plaines. (The New Colony Six ALSO have a show coming up ... with a special appearance by Ronnie Rice.  That'll happen on August 31st at The Arcada.)

And check this out ...

The American Harmony Tour, featuring The Association, The Vogues and The Cowsills (fresh off The Happy Together Tour) will be appearing at The Arcada Theatre on December 28th!  

Tickets for ALL of these shows go on sale tomorrow at oshows.com ... don't miss out!  (kk)

And ... from Frank B ...

kk ...

COUSIN BRUCIE. IS TALKING TO ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS SATURDAY NIGHT ...

Cousin Brucie Talks To Dennis Tufano.

Don't Think I Can Tell You Anything You Don't Already Know ...

Before Or After The Interview.

FB

And our FH Buddy Clark Besch is doing a radio show this Saturday, too! ...

Hi all, 

I have another radio show coming up this Saturday (5/3) at 5 PM Central on WFMU radio.  This show is basically focused on the armed forces radio DJ Chris Noel from the late 1960s.  

Not exactly my normal show, but if you wish -- OR if you know of any veterans who might have served in Vietnam, they might even hear their name read on the air -- please tune in!  

I put this show together from my many AFRTS 60s original transcription discs of Chris' shows from the 1966 - 69 era.  It features Chris' show highlights as well as many of my fave Chicago artists and FMU faves that she played, while on the air.   

AFRTS began in 1942, the same year as Voices of America, which has sadly been silenced by the current administration.  

SOOO, I hope you enjoy this edited "A Date with Chris" show just as servicemen heard her in the 60s overseas. 

(BTW, my show will even include a five second off air clip from Chuck Buell on WLS!)

Thanks!

It should be available here on the day.  Just click "Pop Up" and then play.

Drop In presents Strictly 60s with WLS Clark - Tribute to Chris Noel: Drop-In

Clark Besch

Hmm ... I may have to do some channel hopping this Saturday!  (kk)

Clark explains the role of Chris Noel a bit further here ...

Here's a little bit about her story:

 

We know of many heroes of the Vietnam War, but 1960's Armed Forces Radio (AFRTS) female DJ Chris Noel was one, too.  She is STILL today a hero, even at age 83.  You may not know her name, unless you were stationed overseas during the Vietnam War.  However, she was a singer, a pinup girl, a TV and movie star, a New York Giants cheerleader, married to a Green Beret soldier during that war (after his proposal was made to her IN a helicopter, there!).  Was THAT worthy of winning a Distinguished Vietnam Veteran award in 1984?  How about her being on AFRTS from 1966 to 1971?  Still not enough?  After all, MOST of her well over 300 weekly "A Date With Chris" top 40 radio shows were recorded in LA, not Vietnam. 

How about that she was considered so valuable to American servicemen morale that the enemy placed a $10,000 bounty on her head?  WHY?  Start with her touring the US bases with the Bob Hope USO tours eight times in Vietnam during the war.  Her radio shows, for six years on AFRTS, were heard at US bases around the world on 300+ stations.  She was the first female to have a show on AFRTS and it was five days a week for 55 minutes, giving American servicemen an hour of time to remember home. 

Sure, she read letters on the air from the men and was a sex symbol that was often seen and heard on those tours, but she was ALSO the only entertainer to visit the troops regularly in helicopters and was at risk many times, entering war zones and being shot down twice.  She did her shows from Saigon when in South Vietnam and visited troops in Korea as well.  When in Vietnam, she would invite soldiers to drop by the studio and visit.  She visited wounded vets on her trips, as well.

Chris' early life included being in the Broadway production of "Mister Roberts," in 1963, and was on the cover of Good Housekeeping as a 16 year old.  She was Miss Palm Beach, was in magazine ads for Kodak, Ford Mustang and more.  Her big moment, tho, was when she visited a VA hospital in San Francisco in 1965.  That made her want to help the soldiers win the war in some way.  Thru her then boyfriend, the recently deceased Jack Jones, she managed to audition for and began an on air job to entertain the troops by spinning records on the radio.  She was also making "Beach Girl" and "Biker" movies, which were popular at that time, co-starring with Elvis, Steve McQueen, Robert Goulet, Dennis Hopper and a host of teen pop groups (including The Beau Brummels in the west to The 4 Seasons in the east to the Animals and the DC5 Brits) and even a young Casey Kasem.

STILL, why would that have her be considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom?  THAT may be partly because of all her work she did for people in the decades after the war.  In the 1980's, she opened a network to help women veterans with post-traumatic stress, opened a shelter for drug-free veterans, helped negotiate a hunger strike at the LA Vets Hospital.  In 1993, she founded a non-profit to provide food, lodging and employment opportunities for veterans, which still operates today.  She's written books on her experiences and had a documentary made of her life.   She has spent her life supporting the American troops.

Clark

Reaction from some of the new Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees has been coming forward …

"It is pretty amazing and very cool to be part of an iconic American institution that celebrates music, musicians and sometimes unsung heroes behind the scenes," singer Paul Rodgers told Billboard.  "I know that our fans, friends and some media have wanted this for a long time, so they will be pleased at last."

"It's been a long time coming," added drummer Simon Kirke.   "I'm not taking anything away from the [Rock Hall] committee; they had their reasons, but it's a welcome addition if you will."

It sounds like Rodgers and Kirke plan on performing (although they’re still unsure as to just what they might play!)  Guitarist Mick Ralphs, who suffered a debilitating stroke in 2016, noted via e-mail: "I am elated and think Bad Company's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is fantastic."  Bassist Boz Burrell, the fourth part of the band’s classic line-up, passed away in 2006 … but would also be honored as part of the group’s induction. 

Between 1974 and 1979, Bad Company scored five Top 40 hits, including the #1 single “Can’t Get Enough” (#5 in Billboard) in 1974, “Movin’ On” (#15, 1975), “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad” (#32, 1975, “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (#10, 1976) and “Rock And Roll Fantasy” (#11, 1979)  Rodgers and Kirke were also in the group Free together.

Cyndi Lauper posted: "I’m humbled to be in the company of so many of my heroes - Aretha, Tina, Chaka, Joni, Wanda, to name just a few.  Women have made so many important contributions to music and to rock n roll and a win for one of us is a win for all of us. Thank you to the voting members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for this honor. And thank you to my fans for supporting me throughout my career. I could not do any of this without you."

 

60 YEARS AGO TODAY:

May 1, 1965 – The Montreal Canadiens beat The Chicago Blackhawks 4-0 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, to take the title 4 games to 3

Also on 5/1, In the 91^st Kentucky Derby, Bill Shoemaker wins his 3^rd title aboard Lucky Debonair.  He will earn four Derby victories in all

Also on 5/1, Comedy great Spike Jones dies from emphysema