The latest Rolling Stones rumor says that they will not only announce the name of their new album as “Foreign Tongues,” a tribute of sorts to their infamous logo, on Saturday ... but also that it will be their LAST studio album together, bringing their British total to 25 in all, not counting live albums and greatest hits compilations. The announcement is expected to come on Saturday, 4/11, as previously teased.
The first single from the new album will be “Mr. Charm” … not quite sure yet if we’ll see it BEFORE the big April 11th announcement or on that date.
Will there be club dates announced as well to help promote the new/final LP? That remains to be seen. (kk)
A new book covering the career of Olivia Newton-John will be released on May 14th. It is written by Matthew Hild, who also wrote the Andy Gibb biography that we told you about a few years ago.
Matt tells us ...
I have stories in the book from people who were working with her in her final years that are pretty heartbreaking in terms of how much she was suffering then, but also inspiring in terms of how she kept forging on, as you clearly saw first-hand, judging from your concert review. One of the most powerful stories in the book, I think, is from Dane Bryant (son of Felice and Boudleuax), about the making of Olivia's final record, the duet with Dolly of "Jolene." (Dane, who worked with Olivia on and off as far back as 1995, produced the record.)
The review he's referring to is the one we ran back in 2022 when we named hers The Best Concert Of The Year ... sadly while also announcing her death in the same post.
https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2022/08/olivia-newton-john.html
Matt had asked us to write a review of his new book ... and as soon as we receive a copy, we will do so!
Meanwhile, here’s an announcement that appeared in Best Classic Bands earlier this week …
Tom Cuddy tipped us off to this very sad news ...
Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens is in recovery after undergoing minimally invasive heart surgery yesterday morning. Last Friday evening, Ray complained of chest pain and was admitted to a Nashville hospital. After a heart catheterization procedure, it was determined he’d suffered a mild heart attack.
Ray’s initial surgery was successful but performances at his CabaRay Showroom are understandably cancelled through July 2025 as he recovers.
Any cards of well wishes can be directed to:
Ray Stevens
5724 River Rd
Nashville, TN 37209
This is TERRIBLE news!!! Thankfully, he seems to be all-right and is recovering well. Ironically, we had just booked a trip to Nashville last weekend ... going to see Vince Gill and Amy Grant's Annual Christmas Show at the Ryman Theatre in December ... and I looked into the possibility of seeing Ray at his theater as well. (I don't think he's been performing there of late ... Ray's had a rash of injuries and health issues over the past year ... but I hoped we might at least get to meet him on our trip down south.)
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I have been a HUGE Ray Stevens fan for many decades now ... and wish him only the best. (kk)
The stalker we told you about that has been bothering Lindsey Buckinghams for several years now has been charged with SEVEN criminal counts including making criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon involving a motor vehicle (dating back to an incident on March 19) and felony vandalism.
Buckingham had a restraining order placed against Michelle Dick back in 2024 after repeated phone calls and altercations, including threats made against Buckingham's family. She is currently incarcerated with $300,000 bail. (kk)
Kent,
In today's FH, you showed a
picture of a group called the Crabs. I am reminded of a group out of the
Lawrence, Kansas area I believe. They were called Spider & the Crabs. In
1968, they had a record on the Veritas label: SOME KIND OF MAGIC / I CAN'T HAVE
YESTERDAY. I am not sure, but I believe that sometimes they recorded under the
name of The Rye. Their band appearance promos were heard constantly on KOMA
during the late sixties. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of that record.
Larry
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I’ve personally never heard of them … and couldn't find anything in my library of rock and roll groups ... but I did find these postings on the web …
https://music.lplks.org/artists/spider-and-the-crabs
https://www.southdakotarockandrollmusicassociation.com/inductee?id=312
https://psychedelicized.com/playlist/s/spider-and-the-crabs/
From Tom Diehl … who can typically find ANYTHING I’m looking for …
I couldn’t find anything under Spider and the Crabs … but I DID find this showing that the artist is actually The Rye ...
https://www.discogs.com/master/1302299-The-Rye-Some-Kind-Of-Magic-I-Cant-Have-Yesterday
Whether they later changed their name, I have no idea.
--Tom
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From our Good Buddy Mike Dugo, who ran the GarageBands.com website (since closed) for years …
Spider & the Crabs were from Lawrence, Kansas. They had one single that I’m aware of, ‘Some Kind of Magic’ b/w ‘I Can’t Have Yesterday.’ It was on the Veritas label, and some copies credited Spider & the Crabs but others, as you noted, included Rye. Because of their name, they’re often classified as a garage band, but they were more of a horn/R&B band. Rye was a two-member female backing group.
Members were Steve Smith, Mike Sollenberger, Mike Landis, Charlie Shoemaker, Mike Robe, Mike Burloff, and Robin Ragland (of Rye). Apparently, there were several other players over the years, and my notes don’t indicate who played together at which times.
Good to hear from you!
Mike
Unfortunately, there isn’t even anything on YouTube to feature … so a pretty obscure group for sure! (kk)
From our buddy Chuck Buell ...
The early Beatles' quest for a drummer is quick legendary ... ALMOST of Spinal Tap proportions!!! Fortunately, they finally lured Ringo Starr away from Rory Storm and the Hurricanes ... and the missing link was cast! (kk)
Hey, Kent …
I Always Thought That Was Real Whipped Cream On The Herb Alpert Album Cover ... Till You Told Me The Truth In FORGOTTEN HITS.
You Ruined My Dream - Fantasy
Do You Always Have To Be So Honest???
FB
(I think he was talking about this one ...)
Frank also sent us this recap of Wild Wayne’s interview with The Playmates, all part of his 50th Anniversary archives programs …
APRIL 5, 2009 INTERVIEW WITH THE PLAYMATES: THE STORY BEHIND "BEEP BEEP"
Since The Group Is From Waterbury, Connecticut, Donny Picked Conn (For Connecticut) As His Stage Name.
The Group Wanted To Record "BEEP BEEP" But Roulette Records Said No – It’s A Silly Song.
The Playmates Appeared At The First DJ Convention In Kansas City & Sang "BEEP BEEP." All The DJ's Told Them That If They Recorded It, They Would Play It.
They Had 10 Minutes Left In A Recording Session & Roulette Let Them Record "BEEP BEEP."
In 1958 It Became A Million Seller. General Motors Dealerships Gave Away The 45.
The Stock Went From $20 A Share To $80 a Share.
In England You Can't Use Brand Names In Songs. They Had To Sing "BUBBLE CAR" Instead Of "NASH RAMBLER ."
FB
And finally, this list as ...
A TRIBUTE TO OUR ASTRONAUTS –
CRUISE TO THE MOON / CHAPERONES
CRUISE BACK TO THE MOON / CHAPERONES
THERE’S A MOON OUT TONIGHT / CAPRIS
THERE’S NO MOON OUT TONIGHT / THEMES
THERE’S A MOON OUT AGAIN / CAPRIS
FB
Here are just a few more …
but easily enough for a SWEET SIXTEEN! (and then some!)
Marcels – Blue Moon
Blue Moon Of Kentucky – Elvis Presley / Bill Monroe
Andy Williams / Henry Mancini – Moon River
Gale Storm – Dark Moon
Anything by Harvey and the Moonglows I suppose including “Sincerely”
Bob Seger – Shame On The Moon
Chuck Berry – Havanna Moon
The Police – Walking On The Moon
Frank and Moon Unit Zappa – Valley Girl
Pat Boone – Sugar Moon
Neil Young – Harvest Moon
Bad Moon Rising – CCR
Cat Stevens – Moon Shadow
Paul McCartney and Wings – C Moon
Starbuck – Moonlight Feels Right
Nat King Cole – Paper Moon
R.E.M. – Man On The Moon
Al Jarreau – Theme from “Moonlighting”
Tony Bennett – Fly Me To The Moon
Patti Page – Allegheny Moon
Jonathan King – Everyone’s Gone To The Moon
Anne Murray – Shadows In The Moonlight
Nilsson – The Moonbeam Song
The Beatles – Mr. Moonlight
Paul Revere and the Raiders – Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon
Moonlight Drive – The Doors
Moonraker – Shirley Bassey
Desert Moon – Dennis DeYoung
Duran Duran – New Moon On Monday
… and that’s just off the top of my head!
Here’s a link to the new AI-generated Freddy Cannon video posted for his current international hit “Everybody’s Rockin’ Tonight” …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBepNJIfY1g&list=RDuBepNJIfY1g&start_radio=1
Hey Kent and Pam,
Just watched the Dick Biondi documentary and the bonus footage. Just an excellent package and story of a DJ who saw the entire history of Top 40 radio from start to the oldies stations to the demise of AM radio as we knew it growing up. The production was EXCELLENT and you can tell that Pam was the top Biondi fan of all time. Great interviews with locals and national music stars relating to Dick's influence on not just listening but the culture of radio and the genre of rock 'n roll.
Like Dick says, he played radio as a kid. I did as well, but Dick actually MADE IT and for many decades! He could honestly say he was a coast to coast and border to border DJ in his various jobs. The film showed me many photos I'd never seen and great graphic representations for things that had no photos. He rolled from Pat Boone to Chubby Checker to the Beatles to playing them all decades later as oldies. He met and knew most over the period, too. His stories of these greats (many on the bonus footage part) was so much fun to hear.
Dick had a passion for his fans and listeners that few had, but then, he was personality radio even when the "play three in a row and shut up" era came along. Whether in Chicago or LA in the 60's, he loved the kids and they loved him back. He had a humility and shyness that DJs are not known for. The documentary took a LONG time to get finished and out on DVD, but was worth the wait. AND it's reasonably priced! Thanks, Pam, and all the many who helped contribute – and, as promised, their names are all listed in credits, which was a phenomenally nice thing to add at the end!
Clark Besch
Here is Pam's response ...
Hi Clark, and Kent,
What a lovely review of the film, Clark. Thanks for your comment about including names in the film credits. It was of the utmost importance to me, and as a matter of fact, when I realized a person’s name was missing, I held up the release to revise the final credits. Fortunately, we got it done and were able to keep the original release date.
I think you know this has been a 12-year labor of love from me and a grass roots community. Aside from the production and post-production crew, no one got paid. And we are not done yet. Next, we are working to secure streaming distribution in the UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Australia so even more fans can discover Dick’s legendary role in the birth of rock ’n’ roll radio. We have no marketing budget, simply word of mouth. So please, If you loved THE VOICE THAT ROCKED AMERICA: THE DICK BIONDI STORY let the world know! Your reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and Letterboxd help indie films get the spotlight they deserve.
Three of Charlie’s Angels (Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd) reunited at Paley Fest for a special 50th Anniversary tribute.
The show premiered on September 22nd, 1976, with Farrah Fawcett as the third angel. Fawcett married The Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors and left the series after its first season to pursue a film career. She died in 2009, the same day as Michael Jackson.
The show was a Top Ten Nielsen Hit during its first five seasons, all part of ABC’s “Jiggle TV” line-up that would also include “Three’s Company” and “Baywatch” over time. Fawcett (who played Angel Jill Munroe) saw her career explode that first season … everyone wanted the “Farrah look” with the feathered hair … and it is rumored that more copies of her poster could be found in boys’ bedrooms than the “Whipped Cream” album cover put out by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass a decade earlier. Ladd joined in Season Two as Fawcett’s younger sister, Kris Munroe. (Ladd had a Top 40 Hit Single, “Think It Over,” in 1978.)
How's THIS for a line-up?!?!?
The Genesee Theatre has a concert coming up on October 24th featuring Jefferson Starship, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Firefall and Orleans!!!
Tickets are available now thru the theater box office. (kk)
Other exciting shows coming up include Rick Springfield, Tommy James and the Shondells, Smokey Robinson, The Lovin' Spoonful, The Hollies and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels (all part of the My Generation Tour) and more. (kk)
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
4/8/66 – Actress Robin Wright is born
