A little bit more than just a Quickie this morning ... as we've been building up material during the last several days of 60 YEARS AGO TODAY features!
What??? "Day Off???"
Who authorized this???
I just checked … and I had posted something for 686 consecutive days (plus probably an additional half dozen or so Saturday Evening Posts) … so I think I deserved at least ONE day off.
(No, these aren’t quite Cal Ripken, Jr. or Lou Gehrig numbers … but don’t forget they had scheduled days off in addition to the entire off season!)
Yeah, it’s been awhile … but between being out all day with commitments (and the return of Jimmy Kimmel Tuesday night), I just couldn’t pull anything together in time … so I took a day. What??? You want your money back for Wednesday??? (kk)
Great review of one of The Who’s final performances …
More 1964 Beatles memos ... this time, regarding their appearance on Shindig!
Jim Roup
Reminder …
You can get the ENTIRE “Shindig!” television series on DVD thru this special offer from The Video Beat …
https://www.thevideobeat.com/rock-roll-tv/shindig-all-86-episodes.html
Thoughts on Sonny Curtis after listening to Wild Wayne’s tribute …
Sonny Curtis Wrote " ROCK AROUND WITH OLLIE VEE " For Buddy Holly --- He Also Played Guitar On Recording.
On A Weekend Pass From The Army, Sonny Went To Visit Joe Mauldin To Play Him New Song He Wrote ---
"WALK RIGHT BACK." Joe Called The Everly Brothers. Don & Phil Liked It So Much They Recorded It That Same Weekend.
Sonny Wrote "MORE THAN I CAN SAY" In 1961 - Recorded By Bobby Vee & Then In 1980, Recorded By Leo Sayer.
Sonny Wrote "I FOUGHT THE LAW" Also While He Was In The Army.
Recorded By Sonny Curtis & Crickets + The Bobby Fuller Four. Also Recorded By Over 100 Others.
Sonny Wrote "LOVE IS ALL AROUND" (The Mary Tyler Moore Theme)
After Watching The Buddy Holly Movie, Sonny Curtis Wrote "THE REAL BUDDY HOLLY STORY."
TRIVIA: Before Playing "MAYBE BABY," Wild Wayne Told The Story Behind The Song.
Wayne Was In Texas For A Buddy Holly Event. He Spent An Evening With Buddy Holly's Parents And Buddy's Mom Told Him This Story.
Buddy Was Saying It’s Real Hard To Write A Good Rock & Roll Song ---
His Mom Said “No It Isn't.” Buddy Laughed.
His Mom Put A Piece Of Paper In Buddy's Pocket. Later Buddy Read The Piece Of Paper ---
It Said: "MAYBE BABY I'LL HAVE YOU / MAYBE BABY YOU'LL BE TRUE"
Buddy Wrote The Song --- One Of His Biggest Hits.
FRANK B.
Robert “Rabbit” Jaramilio, the last surviving founder of the group Cannibal and the Headhunters, passed away on 9/26. He was 78.
“Cannibal,” (lead singer Frankie Garcia) died in 1996. Robert’s brother, Joe, passed away in the year 2000 and Richard Lopez left us in 2010.
The group had one Top 40 Hit with their rendition of the ‘60’s classic “Land Of 1000 Dances.” It peaked at #30 in 1965. At The Beatles’ request, they performed as one of the opening acts at the group’s two 1965 appearances at The Hollywood Bowl. (After The Beatles left town, Cannibal and the Headhunters joined The Animals US tour.)
Harvey Kubernik sends more information …
I just heard about the passing of Robert "Rabbit" Jaramillo. have cited and praised Robert’s group Cannibal & the Headhunters in a slew of articles over the last 50 years and in two of my books. You really had to live in Los Angeles 1956-1972 to fully understand the impact of the East Los Angeles sound and hearing Cannibal and the Headhunters on local AM radio stations like KRLA and KFWB during 1964-1966.
Gustavo Arellano of the LA Times ran the following obituary …
https://www.latimes.com › obituaries › story
A brief excerpt:
"Their Eastside quartet, Cannibal and the Headhunters, had a spring smash with “Land of 1,000 Dances.” The hypnotic tune with a memorable “nah na na na nah” chorus earned them appearances on TV music variety programs like “American Bandstand." They played at concerts with chart toppers like the Temptations, the Righteous Brothers, Marvin Gaye and the Rolling Stones. The vocal group’s tightly choreographed performances impressed the Beatles, who asked them to be an opening act for their second U.S. tour that summer.
"Eastside Chicano rock group Cannibal and The Headhunters performed on the NBC TV music show 'Hullabaloo' in March, 1965, in New York City, New York.
Their rollicking appearance on the nationally syndicated program was what members claimed caught the attention of Paul McCartney, who supposedly told Beatles manager Brian Epstein he wanted the “Nah Nah boys” to open for them."
From my 2013 book, published by Santa Monica Press, “Turn Up the Radio! Rock, Pop, and Roll in Los Angeles, 1956 – 1972” :
Mark Guerrero: (Musician, Songwriter, East L.A. Music Scholar):
“I was an East L.A. kid from the scene that had Cannibal and the Headhunters, the Blendells, the Premiers and Thee Midniters. We loved the Blendells. We had the same manager, Billy Cardenas, so Mark and the Escorts were on the bill with them several times.
“We did “Get Your Baby” for the Rampart label. We played with Cannibal and the Headhunters. I was proud of them, and they had a hit record, “Land of a Thousand Dances.” I saw them open for the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl. And they were the only act that got any response at all. They were a dancing vocal group, like the Temptations.”
Harvey Kubernik:
Thee Midniters were probably the most popular group in East L.A. at that time, even with these other groups having hits. They got screams. They had the look; they were polished and smooth. Little Willie G., I always looked at like a Frank Sinatra — a skinny guy who sang ballads. That was his strong suit, and still is. The girls screaming. We liked them. “Whittier Boulevard” was a local and national hit.
Manager Billy Cardenas describes himself as a vato from East L.A., this street kid. He just loved music. He took a lot of guys — for example, the Premiers, these lowrider kind of guys. Pachuco kind of guys. They were playing in the backyard, [and Billy] polished them up, got them in suits — sort of like what Brian Epstein did to the Beatles, but Chicano style. He managed so many bands. He was a record company owner and kind of a record producer sometimes, but more the manager. But Billy also was in the studio producing. We needed Billy because he was out there in the trenches, finding these groups and grooming them.
East L.A. was always part of the music world. The Byrds played East L.A. College in 1965. I later saw Linda Ronstadt do a show there. Sonny and Cher, when they were Caesar and Cleo, performed all around the area.
Rick Rosas: (Mark & the Escorts, Neil Young, Buffalo Springfield, Jerry Lee Lewis CSN&Y)
“Billy Cardenas was very important. He would release stuff on little private labels, like Rampart, and these records would get picked up by a major label because they were making noise in L.A., not just East L.A. Then it became national, like Cannibal and the Headhunters’ “Land of a Thousand Dances.” Cannibal and the Headhunters and the Blendells were very good. They were mentors, also. We opened up a lot of shows for them, and they showed us the ropes. We all listened to the same radio stations."
Harvey Kubernik:
From my upcoming book, "Screen Gems: Pop Music Documentaries and Rock & Roll TV Scenes," to be published later this year:
Chicano Rock! The Sounds of East Los Angeles (2008), produced, written, directed, and edited by Jon Wilkman, is narrated by the actor/activist Edward James Olmos. This film chronicles more than sixty years of America’s largest Mexican-American community as generations of artists and audiences defined themselves with music.
Featured are Lalo Guerrero, the father of Chicano music, along with Ritchie Valens, the Premiers, Cannibal & the Headhunters, Thee Midniters, El Chicano, Tierra, Los Lobos, Ozomatli, Quetzal, and punk band The Brat. Deejays Art Laboe and Casey Kasem also appear, joining Del-Fi record label owner Bob Keane, record producer/manager Billy Cardenas, and UCLA ethnomusicology professor Steven Loza.
(courtesy of Mark Guerrero)
Also from Harvey …
New Desert Rose Band Live Album: Chris Hillman and Harvey Kubernik …
Chris Hillman - The Desert Rose Band - Live at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum - CMA Theater
Harvey also remembers Elektra Records …
https://ugly-things.com/elektra-records-75th-anniversary-2/
“Rockers On Broadway” 2025 Sets Sail with Yacht Rock Theme honoring Jefferson Starship & Chris Stewart
On Monday, October 27, 2025, The PATH Fund, Inc.® presents the annual Rockers On Broadway® at Sony Hall, sailing into the season with a Yacht Rock–themed celebration. The program will highlight the breezy spirit of the genre while also rocking harder with a tribute to Jefferson Starship — arena rock pioneers whose sound defined an era — alongside honoree Chris Stewart, a visionary in the music industry. Their accomplishments will be recognized in a night of music and philanthropy benefiting arts education.
Acclaimed rock pioneers Jefferson Starship will be presented with the Rock Legend Award. With multiple platinum and gold records, the band has countless Top 40 hits, like “Jane,” “Miracles” and “Find Your Way Back.” Jefferson Starship, helped define arena rock of the ’70s and ’80s. Though their lineup has evolved over the decades, and now celebrating over 50 years of iconic rock, Jefferson Starship’s signature sound endures today, carried by founding member David Freiberg, drummer Donny Baldwin, keyboardist Chris Smith, vocalist Cathy Richardson, and guitarist Jude Gold. Their enduring influence and timeless music make them truly deserving of this honor.
Music industry leader Chris Stewart will be honored as this year’s Ambassador of Rock. Before launching into the music world, Stewart served as CEO of Gelber Group and held leadership roles on the boards of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He currently serves on the boards of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Teen Cancer America, and the Buddy Holly Foundation. Stewart’s extensive credits as a producer and investor include projects with Dave Mason, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Boz Scaggs, and multiple acclaimed music documentaries. A passionate advocate for music preservation and education, Stewart also spent years performing percussion with the Dave Mason Band.
The evening will be hosted
by Renée Marino, Broadway star (Jersey Boys, West Side
Story) and celebrated communications coach, named by People Magazine
as one of the “Most Inspiring Women of 2021.”
Already slated to perform are a powerhouse lineup of Broadway favorites, including Preston Truman Boyd (Pirates, The Penzance Musical, Kiss Me Kate, The Play That Goes Wrong), Keri René Fuller (Jagged Little Pill, Six, Waitress), Brian Charles Johnson (American Idiot, Spring Awakening), Donnie Kehr (Jersey Boys, The Who’s Tommy, Aida), Dominic Nolfi (A Bronx Tale The Musical, Motown The Musical, Jersey Boys), Lauren “LOLO” Pritchard (Spring Awakening and 2017 Grammy Nominee), Max Sangerman (Beau, A Beautiful Noise, Smokey Joe’s Café), Justin Sargent (Bonnie & Clyde, Rock Of Ages), Jeremy Schonfeld (singer/songwriter - Drift, The Father Who Stayed, Iron & Coal), and Talia Suskauer (Be More Chill, Wicked), with Hadar Baron, Reese Rehl and Gus Schonfeld. Together, they promise an electrifying mix of talent that bridges Broadway and rock for an unforgettable evening, joined by emerging young talent from The PATH Fund’s Rockers On The Rise and BBK Rocks programs. Special guest Willie Nile, the acclaimed New York rocker praised for his fiery live performances and poetic songwriting, will also take the stage.
[The full lineup of performers will be announced in the coming weeks. Sponsored by The Schoch Foundation, and Morgan Stanley.]
Tickets are on sale now, ranging from $30–$500 plus fees, with proceeds directly supporting arts education programs through The PATH Fund, Inc.®.
“Rockers On Broadway has always been about connection — between generations, between genres, and between artists and audiences,” says Donnie Kehr, Founder of The PATH Fund, Inc.® “This year’s Yacht Rock theme will make for one smooth night, all in support of the arts programs our young people need.”
“It’s inspiring to see artists, fans, and the community come together for an unforgettable night of music with a mission,” adds Cori Gardner, Executive Director of The PATH Fund, Inc. ® “Every ticket purchased fuels arts education and supports the next generation of performers.”
Event Details:
Monday, October 27, 2025
Sony Hall, New York City
More Info www.thepathfund.org | www.rockersonbroadway.com
And, for Beach Boys fans, here are a couple of new options!
Phil Miglioratti goes One-on-One with Gary Zenker, Curator of "The Beach Boys Volumes 1-8" in this latest Pray For Surf feature.
Sample Questions:
Gary, what inspired you to collect and publish these archival materials? Was there a particular moment, or gap in Beach Boys history that made you think “these artifacts need to be preserved and shared”?
How do these archival items help us understand the Beach Boys not just as musicians, but as cultural figures — influences on surf culture, youth culture, media, etc.?
What challenges did you encounter in locating, securing, or restoring some of the older or rarer materials? ... What is your perspective on the importance of preserving musical history in this way, especially for younger generations or scholars?
How do you see digital media and online archiving affecting the preservation and accessibility of materials like these going forward??
Please clear up the mystery - - who is Torrence Berry?
>>> Check out Gary's interesting, and sometimes surprising responses.
And then ...
Don't Miss My One-on-One with Critic/Author Tom Smucker
Sample Questions:
>>> Tom, what was your hoped-for purpose in writing “Why The Beach Boys Matter” in 2018? Who were you writing to and why were you convinced this book was necessary?
>>> How successful was the book at changing/challenging the then prevailing viewpoint on The Beach Boys? With dedicated fans? With music critics/analysts?
>>> Discovering The Beach Boys as we did in the 60’s is very different from how my grandchildren are introduced to them today. Describe those differences and how they impact personal connections to their music and influence their cultural identity?
>>> What’s your guess as to how The Beach Boys will be compared to The Beatles in the coming decades? How do you compare them?
√Check out our conversation here today>>>
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The Cars’ “Heartbeat City” LP gets the deluxe reissue treatment …
https://bestclassicbands.com/the-cars-heartbeat-city-40th-anniversary-deluxe-edition-9-23-25/
And The Rolling Stones’ “Black And Blue” album goes even a step further!
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/rolling-stones-black-and-blue-reissue/
And more info regarding Barry Manilow's farewell tour ... and new single!
https://www.noise11.com/news/barry-manilow-final-us-tour-2026-once-before-i-go-20250925
Timmy sent us two KBLA weekly survey sheets from 1965 …
Not the foldable type thick paper surveys we were used to...
These were a sheet of regular paper 14" X 9", only printed on one side.
Some pretty amazing "Bohemian Rhapsody" statistics ...
https://www.billboard.com/lists/queen-bohemian-rhapsody-anniversary-things-to-know/
