Hi Kent,
I sure enjoyed your latest
Double Dose!!!
Loved the photos of the Ides of
March … they put my hometown Berwyn on the map for sure!! Glad the
Beatles won a Grammy and like Sean Lennon's acceptance speech a whole lot.
And, out of all the new Rock And
Roll Hall Of Fame nominees, Chubby Checker deserves to be in it the most
I know you featured Burton
Cummings, but when will he and Randy Bachman make a tour together? This
summer would be GREAT!!!
Keep Rockin and Rollin with your
Forgotten Hits.
Carolyn 
Nothing booked right now in the way of rescheduling the previously
scrapped Bachman-Cummings Tour that Covid knocked off the calendar. (I would have thought after all they went
thru to secure the rights to the Guess Who name, a tandem tour would have been
a given … but right now, Burton is happy to be back out on the road with his
band while Randy and a reunited/revamped version of Bachman-Turner Overdrive have
been playing shows all over the place, too.)
We’ll just all have to be patient and keep our fingers crossed that the
big payoff in having the two rightful guys back on top as The Guess Who will
provide us with some thrilling live entertainment. (By all reports, Burton is in fine voice …
and excited to be playing again.) kk
I continue reading every day, Kent;
love your work and the contributions from your "regulars."
I was taken by a recent piece that
spoke of a tune that was of a certain age and that led me to do research on
when we were blessed to receive WLS airplay of our recordings for the first time,
The New Colony Six, of course, being Chicago’s first band to receive this
honor. Turns out that it was Thanksgiving week of 1965 when they began
broadcasting "I Confess" so while (1) I have that thought and while (2)
realizing that it is more than a bit early to share with you since while (3)
understanding its relative irrelevance to most of your readers while (4) and
because New Colony Six was not even considered for entry into the latest bit of
history to be made by the Ides and Bucks as I saw on Farcepuke, err Facebook,
my disappointment over that may have led to becoming infatuated here with use
of the word, "while" (5).
I shall close now for ... wait for
it, wait for it, wait for a while (NC6)!
Keep on keepin' on;
Thanks for your work;
Blessings to you, the team and, of
course, your family ...
Ray
(Ray Graffia, Jr.)
Thank you, Ray … always good hearing from you.
And condolences on the passing of your sister Kris who, if I
remember correctly, headed up The New Colony Six Fan Club back in the day … and
went on to sing background vocals for your next group, RJM. (kk)
Kent,
you wrote recently that there were other station versions that Tex Ritter recorded of "I Dreamed Of A Hillbilly Heaven" ...
Are ANY of
those other versions available?
Maybe we should send out all all points bulletin to
track those down!!!
Thanx,
Timmy
I don't know how many other "local" versions might exist ... in fact, I was kinda hoping that maybe my posting would stir up a few other versions out of the woodwork ... spark a memory or two in order to find out what other radio stations may have been involved with this great promotional idea. (Unlike Tommy Facenda's "High School USA," where he recorded 29 versions and each one listed the names of specific high schools in the area where the record was being played, we don't have any kind of a formal breakdown on these ...
But if anybody out there has or knows of some others, we would sure love to hear about it!) The big difference here is that Tex's versions weren't commercially available - they were just radio station copies / deejay only ... whereas the Tommy Facenda single was sold as distributed with 29 different catalog numbers printed right on the record label, each targeted to a specific geographic area. (Despite all the extra effort, the record still only peaked at #28, a cumulative total of sales and airplay derived from ALL of the versions.) Which one sold the most? Couldn't tell ya ... but my money's on the "generic" version that got played everywhere else where a specific targeted version wasn't issued! (kk)
Kent,
You mentioned that on this day
(2/17) that Oklahoma's own Patti Page's TENNESSEE WALTZ was chosen as the state
song of said state. Even though she was from Oklahoma. I always did like Bobby Comstock's 1959 rock
and roll version better. Somewhat Jerry Fuller's version as well.
Larry
I don’t know that it was Patti Page’s specific version that
was chosen … I took as being more the song itself. (I have always loved it – I remember hearing
my mom play on her old 78 it when I was just a little kid!)
Several other people have charted with it as well …
While it’s true that Patti’s version went all the way to #1
in 1950, several other artists have charted with this tune as well.
In the pre-rock era, you had Guy Lombardo (#6, 1951), Les
Paul and Mary Ford (#8, 1951), Jo Stafford (#17, 1951), Spike Jones (#16,
1951), The Fontane Sisters (#29, 1951) and Anita O’Day (#24, 1951)
Meanwhile, post-1955, Sam Cooke took it to #35 in 1964),
Bobby Comstock hit #52 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart in 1959 and
Jerry Fuller’s version went to #63, also in 1959.) And a BEAUTIFUL melody it is, too! (For some reason, this melody and the one
from “Song from ‘Moulin Rouge’ – by Percy Faith - always stuck in my head when
I was a kid … I’m talking at an age of single digits. Both really made an impression on me.) kk
BTW: Comstock and
Fuller shared the #34 position in Music Vendor with this hit in 1959, making their
versions officially bigger on the national charts than Sam Cooke’s
version. That’s not necessarily the way
I view it … but the numbers don’t lie ... and if we’re going to use them as a
barometer as to just how popular any given record really was, we have to accept
those statistics whether we agree with them or not! (kk)
Larry also wondered …
Kent,
I have got a question.
When you posted the Ventures'
THE MCCOY, I listened to it and it was entirely different from the version I
have. On my label, it says it's THE REAL MCCOY and off and on during the
record, group member Don Wilson does an imitation of actor Walter Brennan from
back when he played Amos McCoy on television. It's strictly an instrumental but
similar to the Champs' Tequila.
Larry
I did some research on this and discovered that The Ventures
have released over 250 albums and over 150 singles … so the chances of them
recording and releasing TWO songs that both have “The McCoy” in the title were
possible … and that’s exactly what they did.
“The Real McCoy” was The Ventures’ first single for Blue
Horizon Records in 1960. It was released
before they signed with Dolton Records.
(In fact, Blue Horizon was the first to release “Walk Don’t Run!”)
When “Walk Don’t Run” was picked up by Dolton, it was issued
as label number 25 with the song “Home” on the flip-side. At some point, Dolton rereleased the single
while it was already out with a new flipside (and catalog number of 25X) that
featured a song called “The McCoy” on the B-Side … that’s the copy of the
single that I bought back in the ‘60’s.
And you’re right … “The McCoy” and “The Real McCoy” are two
TOTALLY different songs.
So since we’ve already heard the first one, let’s give a
listen to the other one … The Ventures’ very first release, “The Real McCoy.” (kk)
>>>Don Henley’s going back to court (Man, this boy
SURE loves to litigate!)
Stay tuned. (If this gets moved to The People’s Court,
we’ll be watching!) kk
You're forgetting, Kent, that Court
TV made a comeback.
Granted, in Chicagoland you'll
need an antenna and a new-or-relatively-new TV to even find it, but they've got
far more time to devote to a case like that than any half-hour
low-level judge show.
BF
Kent,
Your
last item in today's FH mentioned cookie sellers with CB or Cookie Boy.
Reminds me of the Cookies' DON'T SAY NOTHING BAD ABOUT MY BABY and
CHAINS. Also, the group Cookie and his Cupcakes in 1959 with their song
MATILDA which I believe made it to number one here in OKC. Not to
mention Ed Byrnes' 1959 KOOKIE, KOOKIE (lend me your comb). I know,
that's stretching it a bit.
Larry
I know quite a few of us (myself included!) were quite surprised (if not just a
little bit concerned and apprehensive … and more than a little restrained from
becoming too optimistic) when Steven Tyler sang during his annual Jamie’s
Fundraiser.
We do not want this incredible singer to do any further
damage to his vocal cords.
And apparently we’re not alone …
According to an article that Tom Cuddy, just sent us, Ex-Guns
N’ Roses Drummer Matt Sorum Confirms Steven Tyler’s Touring Future With Three
Firm Words
https://americansongwriter.com/ex-guns-n-roses-drummer-matt-sorum-confirms-steven-tylers-touring-future-with-three-firm-words/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=user%2FAmericanSong
An update from Gary Theroux regarding the upcoming episode
of “The History Of Rock And Roll” …
Coming up this weekend (February
22-23) on THE HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL:
“The Most Requested Hits of
1970”: 26 in all, plus the stories behind the songs and stars plus insightful
commentary from Tom Jones, Rick Nelson, Tommy Roe, Terry Sylvester (of The
Hollies), Walt Parazaider (of Chicago), Robert Plant (of Lez Zeppelin), Badfinger
and Pete Townsend (of The Who.) There’s
also a HRR Spotlight profile by Gary Theroux of Tony Orlando & Dawn
(“Candida.”)
THE HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL is
the 2024 first place gold trophy winner of the Communicator Awards for
broadcast excellence. If your favorite station isn’t carrying THE HISTORY OF
ROCK 'N' ROLL each weekend and you're in North America, call the station and tell
‘em to contact Ralph Riley of United Stations at 972-562 3381 (ralphriley@unitedstations.com.) Inquiries from
elsewhere in the world should be directed to Jessica D'Agostin at Radio Express
818-295-5800. And if you're not near a broadcast station carrying THE HISTORY
OF ROCK 'N' ROLL, you can always listen to it online via such online sources as
Cleveland's legendary CLEOldies.com (https://onlineradiobox.com/us/northcoastsgreatesthits/ which carries THE HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL Saturdays 10
AM - Noon; repeated Sundays 11 AM - 1 PM EDT. THE HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL is
also heard Sunday mornings in Chicagoland over ME-TV-FM.
A friendly reminder from Charles F. Rosenay!!!
On Sunday, March 16th,
The Palace Danbury presents a special program of rare, Beatles films
& footage never been publicly shown until now! Hosted by renowned Beatles
aficionado/author Charles F. Rosenay!!! and Beatles expert/archivist Erik Taros,
this afternoon program will feature:
- Rare, privately-owned Beatles concert footage shown on
the big screen
- Captivating stories that offer a closer look at John, Paul,
George, and Ringo
- Behind-the-scenes insights revealing how their early years
set the stage for their enduring legacy
- Q&A Session: A chance to ask your burning questions and
dive deeper into the Beatles’ history.
- After show Meet & Greet
Tickets are limited, get yours
now here: https://thepalacedanbury1.ticketspice.com/60-years-of-the-beatles-in-america
ONLY AT
THE PALACE DANBURY!
https://thepalacedanbury.com/event-list/
**********************************************
MARK THE DATE IN YOUR
CALENDAR: SATURDAY, MAY 17th
The Fab 4 Music Festival returns to Connecticut with a great line-up of bands, and
much more. Doors will open at NOON, Saturday, May 17th, and more
info will be coming soon.
Location: DUDLEYTOWN BREWERY,
1001 Day Hill Road, Windsor CT.
Tickets on sale soon.
INFO:
LiverpoolProductions@gmail.com or call (203) 795-4737
Hey Kent!
Great seeing the Patty Duke show episode again.
Walking around the neighborhood one day I ran in to a crew filming
something on the street. Turned out to be a TV movie. Happened to know
the director, who invited me to get something to eat at craft service.
While I was there, Patty Duke came by in her robe. Told her my dad worked
on the last season of her show when it moved to Hollywood in '65. She
told me they had a lot of fun doing the show. Bonus photo of her dad
from her show William Schallert at a celeb event.
I spoke to Danny Hutton tonight for a minute at the newsstand. He told me he
will be in Austin, Texas soon on tour with Three Dog Night. Busy dude.
Here is Danny in Studio City.
Happy Birthdays to 🥳🎉!!! Yoko Ono, 92, and Smokey Robinson, 85!!!
Yoko was arriving at a Santa Monica gallery opening ... and Smokey was at a Beverly Hilton event.
Jim Roup
Our FH Buddy Phil Miglioratti had the opportunity to interview David Leaf about his new "Smile" / Brian Wilson book ...
You can read all about it here: √here to read the entire interview. . .
And this from Chuck Buell ...
(I love it!!!)
I saw where some Loving Hearts actually gave Eggs for a Novelty Valentine Day's Gift! ( True! )
With that, my free-flowing mind took one word that led to another and to another!
Valentine's Day?! Expensive Gift?! Eggs?!
Led me to manipulate this photo!
CB ( which stands for "Cupid Boy!"
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
2/21/65 - Civil rights activist and Muslim minister Malcolm
X is assassinated, shot dead by Nation of Islam followers at Audubon Ballroom
in New York City
