Billboard is reporting as major news the fact that the Fleetwood Mac classic “Landslide” has never made their Hot 100 Pop Singles list until now … fifty years after its original release on the band’s self-titled album.
I guess that’s TECHNICALLY true … but in all fairness, the song was never officially released as a single, despite extremely heavy airplay on both Classic Rock and Top 40 stations at the time. (You guys voted it #161 in our survey of THE TOP 3333 MOST ESSENTIAL CLASSIC ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME … currently under review and revision)
Back then, album tracks weren’t allowed to chart alongside singles, no matter how much airplay they were getting … but today, thanks to streaming spurred by the series finale of the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” (in which it was included) and a change to what constitutes "sales" in Billboard's revamped Hot 100 world, streaming is thru the roof for this track, pushing it to #41 on the Billboard chart dated January 17th. (Please Note: It has since fallen off the chart.)
This sudden spur of attention also pushed the song over the one billion streams mark, making it the FIFTH Fleetwood Mac song to hit that plateau, following “Go Your Own Way,” “Everywhere,” “The Chain” and “Dreams”.
Still, I should point out for the record that a live version of “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac DID make Billboard’s Hot 100 List in 1998, peaking at #51, but this surge has pushed the original studio version of the song even higher. That’s why we used the expression “TECHNICALLY true” above. (kk)
Good news for all our East Coast Monkees Fans ...
M60 is name of the Convention for MONKEES FANS in celebration of the 60th Anniversary.
Save the date: Saturday, Sept. 12th - the exact date THE MONKEES debuted on national television for the first time.
What to expect: It will be an entire day and night of bands, guests, vendors, and so much more.
Location: East Coast / Tri-State Area location to be announced.
MORE DETAILS COMING SOON.
TICKETS & HOTEL INFO SOON.
Proudly presented by Charles F. Rosenay!!!
Email: MonkeesFanConvention@gmail.com
Phone: (203) 795-4737
And, speaking of The Monkees, this just in from David Salidor ...
Very sorry to hear about one of our favorites, Alan Parsons, being sidelined for the next several months …
This from Shelley ... and in Alan's own words:
This is one of those announcements I hoped never to have to write, but here we are.
Due to some rather uncooperative health matters, specifically a stubborn back injury that is taking longer than expected to heal, our upcoming tour dates in Mexico will need to be postponed and rescheduled for the autumn of 2026.
According to my doctors (who are all much younger than me and more educated about these things), my “old English bones” are simply not quite up to strength yet for two weeks of shows combined with back-to-back travel. Apparently, leaping from airplanes and buses onto the stage is no longer considered “rest” and my spine requires I have more of it before going on any grand adventures again.
That said, I’m pleased to say that the remainder of the year’s plans should continue exactly as intended. This is not a retreat, merely a strategic pause involving sensible shoes and some more physical therapy. I’m enormously grateful for your patience, understanding, and continued support. I promise I’m taking this time seriously, so I can return properly upright, fully rehearsed, and with dignity.
All tickets will be honored for the new dates, and refunds will be available at the original point of purchase for those who need them. Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your continued support. We’re counting the days until we see you this fall.
I’ll see you very soon … just most likely not sprinting through airports.
~ Alan
The Alan Parsons Project has been one of our favorite live performers ... we've probably seen them half a dozen times over the last few years ... an incredible band who can reproduce their sound brilliantly in a live setting. (Search "Alan Parsons" in our web page search engine, located in the upper left hand corner of the web page, and you'll find our reviews of some of his amazing concerts that we had the pleasure of attending.) Hopefully, he makes a full recovery. (kk)
On the other side of the coin, we are happy to report that thanks to early detection and surgery for his Stage 1 Lung Cancer Diagnosis, Barry Manilow has been given the go-ahead by his doctors to resume his farewell tour.
Here is the list of rescheduled dates:
February 27th – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
March 1st – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
March 2nd – Norfolk, VA – Chartway Arena
March 3rd – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
March 5th – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center
March 6th – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
March 7th – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
March 9th – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
March 11th – Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum
March 13th – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
March 14rh – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
March 16th & 17th – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
April 13th – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
April 14th – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
April 16th – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza
April 17th – Reading, PA – Santander Arena
April 19th – Portland, ME – Cross Insurance Arena
April 20th – Albany, NY – MVP Arena
April 22nd – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
April 24th – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum
April 27th – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
April 29th – Duluth, GA – Gas South Arena
It’s just amazing who modern medical technology can do these days. Who would have ever thought! (kk)
And, speaking of upcoming show, how’s this for a double bill …
Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind and Fire!!!
The “Sing A Song All Night Long” tour will kick off in June and run until the middle of August. Confirmed dates are shown below. (kk)
June 24th – St. Paul, MN – Grand Casino Arena
June 26th – Chicago, IL – United Center
June 27th – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
June 30th – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
July 1st – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
July 4th – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
July 5th – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
July 8th – Boston, MA – TD Garden
July 10th – Hartford, CT – PeoplesBank Arena
July 11th – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 14th – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
July 16th – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
July 18th – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum
July 19th – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
July 22nd – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
July 24th – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino
July 25th – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
July 28th – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
July 29th – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
July 31st – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
August 3rd – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
August 6th – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
August 8th – Palm Desert, CA – Acrisure Arena
August 9th – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome
August 11th – Phoenix, AZ – Mortgage Matchup Center
August 14th – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Meanwhile, The Guess Who (finally featuring Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman together again!) kicked off their 2026 reunion tour with a show in Ontario, Canada. Only one US date has been set at this time ... but we are expecting an announcement any time now giving us their US dates.
What did they play? A mix of Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive songs as expected ... but surprisingly only one Burton Cummings solo tune (and it wasn't his biggest hit, "Stand Tall.") They also did a couple of Guess Who album deep cuts ... kind of an odd mix, really. (No telling how much they'll revamp this program as it moves forward ... just think about the wealth of material they have to choose from!!!)
But for opening night, this is what they went with ...
1. "969 (The Oldest Man)"
2. "Proper Stranger"
3. "Hand Me Down World"
4. "These Eyes"
5. "Albert Flasher"
6. "Let It Ride" (Bachman–Turner Overdrive hit)
7. "Clap for the Wolfman"
8. "Laughing"
9. "Guns Guns Guns"
10. "Undun"
11. "Star Baby"
12. "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" (Bachman–Turner Overdrive hit)
13. "My Own Way to Rock" (Burton Cummings solo hit)
14. "A Wednesday in Your Garden"
15. "American Woman"
16. "No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature"
17. "No Time"
Encore:
18. "Share the Land"
19. “Takin' Care of Business" (Bachman–Turner Overdrive hit)
🎬 THE RED CARPET IS ROLLING… AND ROCK ’N’ ROLL HISTORY COMES ALIVE! 🎶
The spotlight is about to shine brightly on legendary radio icon Dick Biondi as the historic Des Plaines Theatre hosts the dazzling red carpet premiere of
The Voice That Rocked America – The Dick Biondi Story
This powerful new documentary celebrates the man whose voice helped define rock ’n’ roll radio in America. Dick Biondi — famously the first DJ to play a Beatles record in the United States and a champion of countless music legends — is honored in this long-awaited film directed, filmed, and narrated by Chicago filmmaker Pamela Enzweiler-Pulice, founder of Reel Stories Productions.
🏆 The documentary recently won “Best of Fest” at the Route 66 International Film Festival and will be released nationally via streaming and DVD in 2026.
🌟 RED CARPET PREMIERE EVENT
Sunday, March 29
📍 Des Plaines Theatre
🚪 Doors Open: 3:30 PM
🎶 Mini-Concert by The Stingrays: 5:00 PM
🎥 Film Premiere Screening: 6:00 PM
Arrive early to walk the red carpet, pose for photos, and enjoy a lively Meet & Greet with the cast, celebrity look-alikes, and fellow rock ’n’ roll fans. After the screening, stay for a filmmaker Q&A and a special auction featuring an autographed guitar.
🍕 Food and beverages will be available, including a signature
“Biondi Style — On Top of a Pizza” featuring Ron Onesti’s famous meatball.
Entertainment industry powerhouse Ron Onesti, a key supporter of the film’s production and fundraising, appears in the documentary and co-sponsors this unforgettable evening.
🎟 Tickets: $25 at www.DesPlainesTheatre.com
Get yours now!
From Tom Cuddy …
Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of The Heart hits 1 billion streams - but 'makes nothing'
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8ppnlmed8o
Yeah, and now it’s being used to sell laundry detergent!!! What a waste.
Tyler did have a substantial chart hit prior to “Total Eclipse” … her version of “It’s A Heartache” went to #3 on all three US charts (and #4 in Great Britain) six years earlier … but it’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” that became a worldwide #1 smash, topping both Billboard’s and Cash Box’s Top 100 singles chart for four weeks each. It’s a great performance. (kk)
A special “legacy” edition of Aerosmith’s first album (from 1973) is be released.
Here’s what you can expect to find on the new 3-CD edition …
CD 1 – “Aerosmith” Original Album Remastered 2024
1. Make It (2024 Remaster)
2. Somebody (2024 Remaster)
3. Dream On (2024 Remaster)
4. One Way Street (2024 Remaster)
5. Mama Kin (2024 Remaster)
6. Write Me A Letter (2024 Remaster)
7. Movin’ Out (2024 Remaster)
8. Walkin’ The Dog (2024 Remaster)
CD 2 – “Aerosmith” Original Album Remixed 2024
1. Make It (2024 Mix)
2. Somebody (2024 Mix)
3. Dream On (2024 Mix)
4. One Way Street (2024 Mix)
5. Mama Kin (2024 Mix)
6. Write Me A Letter (2024 Mix)
7. Movin’ Out (2024 Mix)
8. Walkin’ The Dog (2024 Mix)
CD 3 – Paul’s Mall Live Performance March 20, 1973 + Bonus Tracks
1. Introduction (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
2. Make It (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
3. One Way Street (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
4. Somebody (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
5. Write Me A Letter (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
6. I Ain’t Got You (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
7. Mother Popcorn (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
8. Movin’ Out (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
9. Walkin’ The Dog (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
10. Train Kept A Rollin’ (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
11. Mama Kin (Live at Paul’s Mall, 1973)
Bonus Tracks
12. Train Kept A Rollin’ (Session Take)
13. Make It (Rehearsal Take)
14. Make It (Alternate Take)
15. Write Me A Letter (Alternate Take)
16. Harmonica Bass Jam Jelly (Session Take)
17. Joined At The Hip (Aerojam)
Several months ago there was some talk of Lou Gramm and Mick Jones going thru the vaults to see if there was any unreleased Foreigner material that they might be able to “finish up” for release … but then Mick got sick again so I don’t think this “meeting of the minds” ever happened.
Lou, however, applied the same concept to his solo work … and in March will release ten tracks from the vaults as part of a new “solo” album titled “Released.”
Lou says:
My new album ‘Released’ is a collection of unreleased songs that were recorded in the 1980s during the production of my three previous solo albums. These are powerful, heartfelt songs with a great vintage sound taken right from my old multitrack tapes. This new album was a long time coming and it’s a real nostalgia trip. When I pulled these songs out of the vault, I knew I had to finish them for my fans around the world, so they can experience what I did when I first heard them after all these years. It means a lot to me to finally see this album released, to be taken back in time when I hear this music again, to remember working with all these great musicians, and to feel that my catalog is now complete.
Lou says that he will tour to support the album … and is even planning to make some appearances with Foreigner along the way. (Now THAT would be an excellent show to see!)
The first track released from the new album is called “Young Love” and, because of its vintage stature, sounds VERY much like what Foreigner was recording at the time he left them. (kk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MThFfWBPIlQ&t=3s
An album I didn’t think would ever see the light of day again in the digital age has been released and is now available for streaming.
“Together Again,” first released in 1967, marked the reunion of Dion and the Belmonts. Bob Merlis gives us all the details …
TOGETHER AGAIN … NOW STREAMING
INITIAL REUNION ALBUM FROM DION & THE BELMONTS AVAILABE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 59 YEARS
Photo
While Dion DiMucci has pursued an enduringly successful solo career since parting ways with The Belmonts (Fred Milano, Carlo Mastrangelo, Angelo D’Aleo) in the fall of 1960, there has long been a fascination with the Bronx-born group that first made the charts in 1958 and their run of hits including “Teenager In Love” “I Wonder Why” and “Where or When.” In the years that followed the breakup, Dion hit the upper reaches of the charts time and time again with no fewer than eight Top 10 hits, including “The Wanderer,” “Ruby Baby,” “Runaround Sue,” and “Donna The Prima Donna” while The Belmonts also enjoyed success with “Tell Me Why” becoming a streetcorner standard of the era.
In 1966, Dion and The Belmonts reunited at New York’s Regent Sound to record an album titled Together Again that was released by ABC Records in January of 1967 before Dion returned the next year to solo work with his “Abraham, Martin and John” ultimately hitting number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. Now, for the first time in almost 60 years, Together Again is available again, via digital streaming from Dion Productions, under exclusive license to Reservoir Recordings. The album’s eleven tracks, offered in the original mono versions, are available through all digital service providers as of this week. (1/30)
The sound of the group had evolved over the years and the album was a reflection of how times and tastes had changed. The era of the singer-songwriter had started with folk-rock emerging as a new genre. Dion rose to the occasion by contributing four songs of his own composition to the effort. He recalls, “I had written a group of songs and I thought it would be fun and interesting to record them with my Bronx boys as Dion & the Belmonts. One of those tracks, “My Girl The Month of May,” was later covered in the early ‘70s by The Bunch, the British folk group formed by refugees from Fairport Convention and Fotheringay, that included Richard and Linda Thompson, Sandy Denny and Trevor Lucas. Recently, Linda Thompson recalled, “Richard phoned up Dion and asked him how to sing it.”
Even more telling of the changing times was the inclusion of Bob Dylan’s “Baby You’ve Been On My Mind” to the track listing as well as a song titled “For Bobbie,” credited to one H.J. Deutchendorf, who would soon emerge as John Denver. The album’s initial single was “Berimbau,” written by Brazilians Baden Powell and Vinícius de Moraes. “Sivuca, the brilliant Brazilian guitarist and accordionist who was the bossa nova king and interpreter of that groove, gave me the song,” Dion notes, “and we had a lot of fun recording it.”
One of the other outside compositions heard on the album is “But Not For Me,” written by George and Ira Gershwin for the 1930 musical Girl Crazy that had become a piece of celebrated adult repertoire for the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Ketty Lester over the years. Also of note is “All I Wanna Do” that was written by Mort Shuman, whose celebrated collaborations with Doc Pomus included hits for Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, the Drifters and Dion & The Belmonts’ “Teenager in Love.” “My blessed friend,” is how Dion refers to Shuman who died 35 years ago. “I miss him dearly.”
Dion & the Belmonts Together Again track listing
1. Movin’ Man (P. Barr, B. Meshel)
2. Berimbau (B. Powell, V. de Moraes)
3. Come To My Side (D. Dimucci)
4. All I Wanna Do (M. Shuman)
5. But Not For Me (G. Gershwin, I. Gershwin)
6. New York Town (D. Dimucci)
7. Loserville (R. Evans, B. Meshel, J. Fishman)
8. For Bobbie (H.J. Deutchendorf)
9. Jump Back Baby (D. Dimucci)
10. Baby You’ve Been On My Mind (B. Dylan)
11. My Girl The Month of May (D. Dimucci)
Harvey Kubernik has a new piece out on Eddie Cochran that you might enjoy reading … you can find it here: https://www.musicconnection.com/dont-forget-me-eddie-cochran-documentary-set-for-2026/ and here: https://cavehollywood.com/dont-forget-me-eddie-cochran-documentaryset-for-2026/
It talks about a new documentary coming out later this year.
Our old friend John Rook was one of Eddie’s best friends throughout his lifetime. He, too, wrote quite a bit about a side of Eddie than most others never got the chance to see.
Although both have long since passed on, I did find links to John’s writings that you may also enjoy …
https://johnrook.com/eddie-cochrandont-forget-me/
https://johnrook.com/eddie-cochran/
Harvey also celebrates the 55th anniversary of Carole King’s “Tapestry” album here …
https://www.musicconnection.com/carole-kings-tapestry-celebrates-55th-anniversary/
From Tom Cuddy ...
The 25th Anniversary Show @The Cutting Room, NYC 1/29/26 How Can I Be Sure
https://youtu.be/Q5jaB536hG8?si=75grfo0Y6IUEdMFs
Happy Birthday 🎉🎂 to Wendy Melvoin! seen here with music partner Lisa Coleman at The Roxy in Hollywood. They are the daughters of pianist Michael Melvoin and percussionist Gary Coleman.
Also ...
Very sorry to hear about the passing of Catherine O'Hara. She was very funny and always gave a smile when I would run in to her.
Jim Roup
Jim also poses this question ...
Hey Kent,
Any readers ever heard of my old pal Johnny Legend? Played drums with him in several bands over the years. Great performer and very funny. Was pleased to see he got a half page obit in the New York Times! January 30, 2026. Anybody in Chicago ever catch his act? Here is the article.
Jim
I am enclosing a couple of pix I took of my dear friend Johnny Legend, one giving me one of his demonic looks and another with our friend Preston Epps of "Bongo Rock" fame.
I'm not familiar with him, which surprises me because at one point I was a pretty big Andy Kaufman fan. Maybe some of the others in the class can weigh in on this one. What say ye, readers??? (kk)
>>>Look for a new Beach Boys Box Set release celebrating the Brother Studio years, 1976 – 1977. The expansive compilation also includes extensive liner notes (kk)
"Gee, Uncle Kent, what are liner notes?" asked a Generation Z Music Lover.
CB
Phil Miglioratti goes even further investigating this new release on his “Pray For Surf” website.
This just in from Phil ..,
HELLO KENT!
The latest from Mark Dillon and Phil Miglioratti @ Surf's Up: a Beach Boys Podcast Safari -
We have the scoop on The Beach Boys forthcoming We Gotta Groove - The Brother Studio Years box set, and are joined by co-producers Howie Edelson and James Saez.
We dissect the anchor LP The Beach Boys Love You - embraced by Krautrock and the CBGB crowd. With Brian and Dennis in full swing, was 1977 the best year of the decade for the band? What were the pros and cons of the 76-77 "Brian Is Back" era? What was Brian Wilson up to with the Adult/Child album, songs from which are now officially released? James describes his engineering approach to these archival recordings that are sacred to the fan base. You don't wanna miss it!
Brian Wilson Mike Love Al Jardine
Watch out for it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Music, and Audible, or listen on SoundCloud >>>right here!
Not to be forgotten!
Phil
- Pray For Surf Interviews & Podcasts >>>
- Pray For Surf Updates (subscribe; free) >>>
- Rare Beach Boys Video Archive >>>
- Our Prayers for The Beach Boys on Facebook >>>
- My Spotify Beach Boys Related Playlists >>>
- Surf's Up: A Beach Boys Podcast Safari on Facebook >>>
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- SoundCloud >>>
- Apple >>>
And this closer from Chuck Buell ...
