A quick review of McCartney’s two shows at The Fonda Theatre this past weekend can be found here: https://www.noise11.com/news/paul-mccartney-fonda-theatre-hollywood-2026-20260330
More Macca "Man On The Run" from Shelley ...
And this looks GREAT!!! … Billy Joel ‘The 100th: Live at Madison Square Garden' … Coming to Blu-ray/DVD on May 29th
Filmed March 28, 2024, the show captures his 100th performance of his iconic Madison Square Garden residency. It was partially broadcast on CBS, but this new release includes the full show with previously unseen performances from the concert itself.
Check out the track list, which also includes previously unseen footage of Sting performing The Police’s big hit “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic!”
1 Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway)
2 My Life
3 Vienna
4 The Downeaster ‘Alexa’*
5 An Innocent Man
6 The Longest Time*
7 Turn The Lights Back On
8 Big Man On Mulberry Street (featuring Sting)
9 Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (featuring Sting)*
10 Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
11 Half A Mile Away*
12 The Entertainer*
13 Don’t Ask Me Why*
14 Allentown*
15 New York State Of Mind
16 Only The Good Die Young
17 Medley: The River of Dreams / River Deep – Mountain High
18 Nessun Dorma*
19 Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
20 Piano Man
21 We Didn’t Start The Fire*
22 Uptown Girl*
22 It’s Still Rock And Roll to Me
24 Big Shot*
25 Medley: You May Be Right / Rock And Roll
*Unseen performances, not included in the original 2024 CBS broadcast
(Remember when this aired originally CBS cut-off the ending in the middle of “Piano Man” … so they had to replay the entire concert again a few nights later??? Now you get to see all of that … and much, much more!)
While we've been keeping you up to date with the events of 60 YEARS AGO TODAY, Billboard took a look back 70 year and paid tribute to Elvis Presley's initial dominance of the charts ... pop, best sellers, juke boxes and country ...
And this was only the beginning! Before Billboard launched their Hot 100 Pop Hits Chart in August of 1958, The King Of Rock And Roll had already scored ELEVEN #1 Hits that no longer show up in their history recaps. (kk)
kk …
Wild Wayne Ran This 50th Anniversary Interview Sunday Night With Dodd Darin From November 20, 1994.
Bobby Darin & Sandra Dee Met While Filming "COME SEPTEMBER"
It Wasn't Love At First Sight For Both Of Them …
Bobby Was Attracted To Sandra Right Away. Sandra Wanted No Part Of Bobby.
Bobby Got To Know Grandma -- Who Put In A Good Word For Him.
She Told Sandra He's A Nice Guy -- Give Him A Chance. It Worked.
Shortly After Filming The Movie, They Got Married In 1960. Divorced In 1967.
Sandra Dee Led A Sheltered Studio Life. Bobby Darin Was A Street Smart Guy.
They Grew Apart & Divorced. I Guess We Can't Always Have A Happy Ending.
FB
We’ve always been proud of our Bobby Darin series …
So here’s another plug for it: https://fhbobbydarin.blogspot.com/
Christopher North, an original founding member of the group Ambrosia, has passed away. (March 30th) He was 75.
North continued to perform with the band through 2024, but had been fighting some “health challenges,” including throat cancer, in recent years. He was the keyboardist of the band founded in 1970 and remained with them through their duration. Ambrosia’s biggest hits include The Top 20 smashes “How Much I Feel” (#3, 1978), “Biggest Part Of Me” (#3, 1980), “You’re The Only Woman” (#13, 1980) and “Holdin On To Yesterday” (#17, 1975), all written by David Pack, who has been estranged from the group since 1984.
Pack had this to say about his former bandmate:
Dear Friends & Ambrosia fans / family,
It’s with great sorrow to announce we have lost the incredible Chris “Christopher” North, founding keyboardist of the original Ambrosia band including Burleigh Drummond, Joe Puerta, and myself, who was raised in San Pedro, California.
Chris could do it all, from Ambrosia’s most Prog-Rock works first two albums - check out his classical piano on "Danse with me George" on LP #2, “Somewhere I’ve Never Traveled” - to the soulful organ solo for my song: “You’re The Only Woman” from our “One Eighty” album in 1980. And, if you saw the original band live, you couldn’t keep your eyes off of his wild and engaging stage persona. Most nights he’d bloody his hands on the B3 or break off keys. Ferocious is an understatement.
We found him in 1970 performing in South Bay while being delivered to the stage from a “coffin” by engineer Tom Trefethen (stereo speakers inside) and mounting the organ with a fifth of Jack Daniels in hand, shades, total attitude then ripping it up on Hammond B3; and said, “That's our man!”
He was a born bluesman + jazz and classical pianist, B3 organ badass + flute player. And when he sang, his voice was a total guttural “barrel house blues” style … Belting out his early song “Free Wheelin’ Man” and lyric " I’m a free wheelin' man … I got what you want babe, now you know where I stand … Free wheelin’ man where you headin’ for, God alone might know” was a show-stopper, especially at the San Pedro Free Clinic, where our following started.
Thank you, Chris, for adding so much to the original Ambrosia. I’ll write more about Chris as I’m too sad to continue — as it took him being hit by a car full speed while simply walking into his favorite restaurant in Santa Monica to finally take him out.
My heartfelt sympathy to brother Rich North, Chris' son Reed and daughter Crystal, the entire North family, friends, and those who experienced the heart, soul, trials and tribulations that made him one of a kind genius in his own right.
Goodbye, my brother Chris, I’ll miss you and make sure your best works get released
— David Pack
I was a bit shocked to read Pack’s assessment of North being hit by a car at full speed as his cause of death. Yes, that incident DID happen in 2025 … and North was hospitalized for two months after the accident … but Christopher North died of complications from a variety of other reasons, including a successful battle against throat cancer. I’m not saying that an accident of this nature didn’t have a permanent effect on his life or state of living … how could it not? … but reading this as worded, one could easily assume that it was a car accident in March of 2026 that killed him … and this simply is not the case. (kk)
Carl Bonafede has also passed away. An occasional participant with Forgotten Hits, it was Bonafede who helped guide The Buckinghams to national success in the mid-‘60’s. (The Bucks had seven straight National Top 50 Hits in just two years, striking hard between 1967 and 1968. Five of these made The Top Ten: “Kind Of A Drag” (#1, 1967), “Don’t You Care” (#5, 1967), “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” (#5, 1967), Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song (#5, 1967) and “Susan” (#6, 1968).
Clark Besch sent me this link to Ken Voss’ piece on Bonafede from The Illinois Music Archives / Illinois Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He also sent in a clip from a 1985 David Letterman show that mentions Carl. (I had the chance to meet Carl a couple of times, backstage at Buckinghams concerts. He was an energetic, enthusiastic guy every time I saw him!) kk
Illinois Music Archives | Carl Bonafede | Facebook
Here's a clip to see about 5:30 into the clip. Actually, the whole thing is fab but at 5:30 Dave and Paul are having great silly conversation about the Snake & Mongoose dragsters (which so many remember) and Chiacgo's Mr. Norms (The Buckinghams did the jingle) and Paul mentions CARL BONAFEDE, the Screaming Wildman! Being the PR man that Carl always was, you might note that Carl HIMSELF posted the clip on his own youtube site. haha
Carl has lots of cool stuff on his site.
R.I.P. Carl
The Screaming Wildman-Mr. Norm Kraus _Paul Shaffer-Late Night with David Letterman(1985)
Also from Clark …
Well, I ordered my Biondi DVD from Amazon and guess what? It's delayed. How long must I wait? :)
Great stuff on John Cowsill and Smithereens. I watched John's one hour interview recently thanks to FH (I think?) and it was great. Dennis Diken was also great. He had a show on WFMU (where my occasional radio shows are) for a few years and it was always great!
You can hear his old radio shows here, if you wish: Denny's Den with Dennis Diken
When I look back at the year 1966, I don’t think of it as the REAL Top 40 radio's AM dominance final year, BUT I DO look at it as the most prolific year for AM Top 40 of all types of music on AM. It was as the tightened playlists were only beginning, personality radio still held on, and you heard every kind of music on the Hot 100 and Top 10. EVERY week was exciting, as we witness in the Super Charts. This week, I look back in wonder of "Is the domination of the Beatles ending vs Stones?" "Nowhere Man" failed to even reach #2! "Breakdown" went to #1? BUT, you must look at a few things like the fact that the Fabs' song had been on the AM radio for months, thanks to Brit LPs airplay. It was old before it came out! Also, both songs left the Hot 100 the same week, Fabs with a RIAA Gold Record award and Stones not. Was the Hot 100 wrong along the line?
Coming up, the Stones will jump to #1 With "Paint it Black" until "Paperback Writer" knocks it off. Yet, the Chairman of the Board knocks “Paperback Writer” off the top, only to move back to #1 the following week. What a battle! PLUS "Paperback Writer" had "Rain" nearly as popular as a B side. The Stones would soon counter with "Mother’s Little Helper" and now a two-sider as well with "Lady Jane." Before you know it, "Yellow Submarine" and "Eleanor Rigby" are flying and Lennon makes his Jesus comment, the fabs have their last tour and the hair length shakes it all up. 1967 is wrought with change. Nothing is the same as 1966. FM starts to grow more and AM plays the hits and the locals get left out in the cold.
1966 -- the year that's hard to beat for varied TRUE top 40 music on radio.
That said ...
I will have my next radio show at the end of April on the 25th. It will be VERRRRY ’66-styled Chicago sounding! More later ...
Clark Besch
I got the same delay notice when I ordered my copy of the Dick Biondi documentary, only to have it show up the very next day. They’ve got them and, as far as I know, they’re in stock … so yours should be arriving soon.
You DID get to see the “rough cut” version of the doc, right? I think I sent you a copy about a year ago or so … so at least you have SOME idea as to what it’s all about.
1966 has always been a “transition” year for me … not my favorite, but it paved the way for 1967 to be as dynamic as it was. Looking back at those twelve most formative years for me, 1964 thru 1975, I’d have to rank my Top Five Years For Music as being 1967, 1969, 1971, 1970 and 1964. HATED 1973 and 1974 … but music came back strong for me in 1975 … and then a few years later, disco hit, and ruined it all for me at the time! (kk)
YES! I saw the rough cut and it was excellent. Just wanting for my Chicago collection. Will enjoy seeing bonus coverage.
Clark
UPDATE: By the way, Clark received his DVD on April 1st, ordered on March 29th ... so just three days to arrive ... so order YOUR copy with confidence now! (kk)
Here are a couple of photos from the Dick Biondi Red Carpet Gala last Sunday …
Above: The Des Plaines Theatre Marquee; Pam Pulice (producer and director) and Ron Onesti (CEO of both The Des Plaines Theatre and The Arcada Theatre); Jim Peterik (always the performer, of The Ides Of March); and (L-R) Ray Graffia, Jr. (of The New Colony Six), Photographer Michael Bush, Ron Onesti and Jim Pilster (of The Cryan' Shames)
- All photos by Jim Summaria
We've heard from several of you now who have ordered the Dick Biondi documentary DVD ... let us know what you think once you've had a chance to view it! (This has been a LONG road to this point ... I am so happy for Pam ... and that she stuck it out to the end!) kk
I was at the Red Carpet Premiere and have a copy of the film covering the career of DJ, Dick Biondi.
Long evening but supported the gal, Pam Pulice, who produced and promoted the movie many times as did The New Colony 6 and the other local '60s rock bands here in Chicagoland. I actually am in the movie for a few seconds. That’s right, I am still alive; still performing irregularly but things have been posted on Facebook if you're interested. Re those ...
NC6 has a show on the 30th of May so check my Facebook page for more details. I also do occasionally guest with others and we have one of those coming up on a very apropos Colony date = 6-6-26! I will be appearing that evening with the band, "Ambidextrous" and guesting with them alongside Rick "Elvis" Saucedo, who's performing that night too; a three for one evening - woohoo!!!!!!
Facebook has postings from family and fans from most of our gigs and you can find many of those on there or just get in contact with me if at all interested in remaining in contact.
https://www.facebook.com/New.Colony.Six.Ray.Graffia.Jr.r
Ray Graffia, Jr.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
It was truly a day filled with heart, history, and rock ’n’ roll. ❤️🎶
A huge thank you to all who attended our Red Carpet Premiere! It was an incredible sharing of love and warm memories for this special DJ who touched so many lives. It was the culmination of our 12-year dedication to Dick Biondi’s legacy and humanity. Thanks to Ron Onesti and all of you who worked behind the scenes and made this event possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.❤️🥰🤗
Pamela Enzweiler-Pulice, Director
kk …
Just Finished Listening To Cousin Brucie Interview Lee Loughnane, An Original Member Of The Band Chicago (Trumpet)
Started With "THE BIG THING" – Next "CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY" And Finally "CHICAGO."
Chicago Has Been Touring For 59 Consecutive Years.
They Have Already Done 20 Concerts This Year.
Starting In May, They Will Be Touring The South.
They Have 90 Shows Planned For 2026.
If You Want More Information, Visit Chicagotheband.com.
FB
We’ve got more than a few Frank Zappa fans in our audience …
So this announcement may please you …
14-PIECE FRANK ZAPPA TRIBUTE ANNOUNCES SOUTHWEST SPRING TOUR WITH ZAPPA ALUM, NAPOLEON MURPHY BROCK
The Stinkfoot Orchestra’s April – May run includes a headline slot at San Diego’s Global Earth Day Festival, first-ever shows in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and a two-night no-repeat Vegas stand
The Stinkfoot Orchestra, a Bay Area-based 14-piece ensemble dedicated to the music of Frank Zappa, will launch a Southwest spring tour beginning April 16, bringing one of rock’s most ambitious catalogs to stages across California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Fronted by Napoleon Murphy Brock and featuring a history of collaborations with Zappa alumni including Ike Willis and Ray White, the band’s 2026 spring run includes a headline performance at San Diego’s 34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival, first-ever appearances in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and a two-night late-night stand in Las Vegas featuring more than 70 songs with no repeats.
Known for combining musical precision with theatrical irreverence, The Stinkfoot Orchestra has built a devoted following on the West Coast by bringing Frank Zappa’s technically demanding music to life through a 14-piece lineup featuring a six-piece horn section, five vocalists, tuned percussion, and a stage show that embraces both the complexity and absurdity of Zappa’s work.
“I appreciate the fact that they prepared themselves
properly. They learned the music properly, they play the right notes and they
are articulate about it. If they weren’t doing it correctly, I wouldn’t show
up. The standard is high.”
- Napoleon Murphy Brock, Frank Zappa alumnus and Stinkfoot Orchestra frontman.
The tour opens at Venice West in Venice Beach on April 16 - a favorite stop both for the band and fans alike where past performances have included sit-ins by several Zappa alumni including Bruce Fowler and Arthur Barrow. Venice is followed by a stop at Spaghetti Western in Morongo Valley on April 17. On April 19, the band will headline the Global Earth Day Festival at the WorldBeat Cultural Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
From there, the band heads to Arizona for a return to Tucson at 191 Toole on April 22, followed by its first-ever Phoenix performance at The Rhythm Room on April 23.
The run reaches a peak on April 24 and 25 in Las Vegas, where The Stinkfoot Orchestra will make its Vegas debut with two complete, late-night performances at The Bonfire following Phish’s second weekend at the Sphere. Curated by Cash or Trade, the shows are being billed as two nights of music with no repeated songs between them.
The band returns home to Northern California to conclude the tour with 3 dates at Cornerstone in Berkeley on April 30, The Boardwalk in Orangevale on May 1, and Lost on Main in Chico on May 2.
“The connection between the musicians is palpable, Chargin
making it look easy is an illusion that is the product of countless hours of
practice. Even my untrained ears recognize the technical ability required of
all the musicians to deliver. ”
- Spike Steffenhagen, San Diego Reader (March 2024)
“The impression left upon driving home from this experience
was one of deep appreciation mixed with laughter and amazement. The Stinkfoot
Orchestra is more than worthy of your time and money.”
- Ted Silverman, JamBase (September 2021)
TOUR DATES
Apr 16 — Venice West — Venice Beach, CA — 8pm
Apr 17 — Spaghetti Western — Morongo Valley, CA — 9pm
Apr 19 — WorldBeat Cultural Center Global Earth Day Festival — San Diego, CA —
Headlining
Apr 22 — 191 Toole — Tucson, AZ — 8pm
Apr 23 — The Rhythm Room — Phoenix, AZ — 8pm (first-ever Phoenix show)
Apr 24–25 — The Bonfire — Las Vegas, NV — 11:59pm
(first-ever Las Vegas shows; 2 nights, 4 sets, 2 encores, 70+ songs, no
repeats; following Phish Sphere weekend)
Apr 30 — Cornerstone — Berkeley, CA — 8pm
May 1 — The Boardwalk — Orangevale, CA — 8pm
May 2 — Lost on Main — Chico, CA — 9pm
ABOUT THE STINKFOOT ORCHESTRA
The Stinkfoot Orchestra is a Bay Area-based 14-piece ensemble dedicated to
performing the music of Frank Zappa. Featuring a six-piece horn section, five
vocalists, tuned percussion, and collaborations with Zappa alumni including
Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ike Willis, and Ray White, the group has earned a
reputation across the West Coast for performances that bring Zappa’s
technically demanding catalog to life with precision, humor, and theatrical
flair.
https://stinkfootorchestra.com/epk
And this just in from David Salidor …
Micky Dolenz, now on the 2026 Flower Power Cruise, photographed with his guitarist Emeen Zarookian by Jodi Ritzen
I came across this in my Cyber Surfin' the other day and I immediately thought, "Yep!" And I just wanted to share it with all the other Forgotten Hitters who at one time or another also made one of these for a Special Someone in their life then or may have gotten one especially made for them!!!
Love ya, Baby!
Buell!
And from Timmy ...
This was his Thrift Shop Vinyl Catch Of The Day ...
Anybody out there got this one??? Then again, I can't really imagine anybody responding with "I've got The Crabs" !!!!!
We weren't in attendance, but this photo was taken at Herb Alpert's Nashville concert on his birthday, March 31. I suspect a few FH readers who were present thought of you when this occurred.
David Lewis
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Man, I would LOVE to see this show! (kk)
>>>On the plus side, I would like to say that (in the absence of my “rather worn” original copy), I was able to find this totally awesome looking picture disc to distract me from my gaffs … and bring me a little pleasure while I licked my wounds. (kk)
Kent,
Why haven't you shown this vinyl cover picture before? It's lickin' good!
I could not help myself.
Shelley
That’s a good point …
So for the benefit of anyone out there who may not have seen it before, here it is …
kk
