Paul McCartney stuck around New York a few more days after his Saturday Night Live finale appearance last weekend so he could show up as a special guest during the final farewell of The Stephen Colbert Late Show.
The musical segment that ended the show started with the quartet of Stephen Colbert, Louis Cato, Jon Batiste and Elvis Costello performing Costello's 1977 tune, "Jump Up." As that song ended, the stage lights went black during which time the foursome are joined by Paul McCartney and The Great Big Joy Machine for a very special performance of The Beatles' #1 Hit "Hello Goodbye," which ended with a giant singalong featuring the entire staff of "The Late Show."
You can check out the full clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG0HFw0edXY&list=RDzG0HFw0edXY&start_radio=1
In additional McCartney news, Macca has decided that after all the positive press surrounding his closing out this season of SNL by playing “Coming Up” over the end credits, he would post two additional performances on YouTube of songs he performed during the Season 51 finale that never actually made it to the air.
Now available for the first time, you can catch McCartney and his band performing “Help!” and “Drive My Car” from that same night on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaWFoV6MLvY&t=13s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lce7Jr5YF80&t=6s
These were recorded after the live broadcast ended, enjoyed only by the studio audience and cast. (A nice little mini-concert surprise for all of those in attendance indeed!)
It’s interesting in that during an appearance that was clearly designed to draw attention to his upcoming new LP, “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane” (out this Friday), McCartney performed only one new track from the LP (and that was the current single “Days We Left Behind.”) He then knocked out a couple of Wings tunes (“Band On The Run” and “Coming Up”, followed by a couple of Beatles tunes (“Help! and “Drive My Car.”) Then again, when you’ve got the kind of extensive catalog that Paul has assembled, you’ve got literally HUNDREDS of well known tunes to choose from! (kk)
UPDATE: When you consider the first stage that McCartney ever performed on in The United States was at The Ed Sullivan Theater when The Beatles made their television debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9th, 1964 … and that he was now closing down the Stephen Colber Late Night Show in the very same theater some 62 years later (in fact turning off the lights in the final moment), this had to be an EXTREMELY emotional moment for the seasoned performer. The Beatles “making it” in America was KEY to their long-lasting universal success … and in hindsight, I think we can all agree that they did ok. (kk)
Speaking of great live appearances, did you watch the Rod Stewart Grammy Salute concert on CBS last week?
While I’ve never been a huge Rod Stewart fan, I thought he put on an excellent show. (Maybe a few too many slow ones there at the end … but that also could have been the editing.) Because otherwise, the show was full-throttle with Rod performing with an AMAZING band of musicians, all choreographed together beautifully to make sure that there was a little something to please everybody watching. (Stewart has had some health problems recently that forced him to cancel several shows … but other than a few awkward moments where he looked like he may have been in a little pain while following through on some of his own body movements, I’d have to say he looked to be in top form … certainly presenting himself as considerably younger than an 81 year old man!)
Ironically, the same day the special aired, Rod made a comment that he thought next year’s tour of the UK would most likely be his last. (His “One Last Time” farewell tour, presenting so many of his greatest hits, is something that I could definitely sit through. What an incredible catalog of music this man has had!)
Guesting on a British soccer chat show, Stewart told his hosts Jeff Stelling and Ray Parlour, “I’ve got 40-odd shows this year and that’s not really a lot. And I’m touring the U.K. next year and doing the O2 and that will probably be it, I think. I’ll have to do something new … come on your show more often.”
Stewart still has a run of residency shows booked at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in May and June, followed by seven shows in the Western U.S. in June and eight more in July and August before returning to Vegas in August for The Encore Shows at the Colosseum. As of this moment, his last scheduled U.S. show is a September 5th gig at the Ravinia Festival in Illinois with special guest Richard Marx. (That show is already sold out, btw, so I don’t guess that I’ll get to see Rod Stewart performing live in this lifetime.) Beyond that, he hasn’t officially announced any 2027 dates, other than disclosing his plans to wrap things up in The U.K. … and those dates haven’t been booked yet. (kk)
From Tom Cuddy …
America's Dewey Bunnell on Keeping the Band Alive for 56 Years
Gerry Beckley had already been gone a year before I even knew it!!! Can you believe it’s been three years already???
I can’t imagine an America concert without him, his voice was so immediately identifiable with their music … but that’s true of Dewey, too. Glad to see their music is still getting out there. (I’ve probably seen America at least six or seven times, dating all the way back to their trio status in the early ‘70’s on thru their successful duo run from the ‘80’s and beyond … so at one point I just kinda stopped going) …
But I have to admit that I am a little bit curious about what they sound like today. There are SO many bands now with just one remaining original member (and far too many more with NO original members!) … but if we want to keep this music alive, we have to support these artists and concerts. (kk)
UPDATE: Interestingly enough, the very next day after the Rolling Stone article ran, Gerry Beckley debuted the first single from his forthcoming solo album “Merciful.”
(You can hear “When The Wells Run Dry” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zXtUbNusHw&list=RD6zXtUbNusHw&start_radio=1)
Beckley says the songs on the new album are a mix of new material, finished versions of previously unfinished compositions and “old ideas” rediscovered by Beckley since he stepped back from touring with America.
“For the last few years, we’ve been going back through the archives to see if there were songs that could be improved. These days, since I’ve stepped back from touring, I’ve been coming up with lots of new material.”
(Beckley retired from touring three years ago and moved with his wife to Australia, her native country.)
The album is due out August 28th. (kk)
Michael Jackson continues to soar four weeks after the release of the biopic “Michael.”
For the week of May 8th – 14tth, Jackson’s solo catalog generated 161.2 million on-demand U.S. streams, another increase over the previous week’s record-breaking total.
The latest Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart shows Jackson with SIX songs in The Top 50, the most he’s ever charted simultaneously. “Billie Jean” moves up from #17 to #15, “Human Nature” climbs from #29 to #21), “Beat It” is up three places from #32 to #29), “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” moves from #42 to #36), “Dirty Diana” debuts at #44 and “Rock With You” premiers at #47. Five of those titles have previously topped Billboard’s list between 1979 and 1988, while “Human Nature” hit the Top 10 in 1983.
He also now has six albums on the Billboard 200: “Thriller” (#5), “Number Ones” (#6), “The Essential Michael Jackson” (#83), “Off the Wall” (#93), “Dangerous” (#135) and “Xscape,” which reenters the chart at #192.
No artist has ever dominated The Billboard Charts to this extent posthumously … especially since Jackson died nearly two decades ago. It all goes to show the power of the film … and the power of this music. (kk)
>>>What is and isn’t considered yacht rock seems to be a very sensitive subject between yacht rock aficionados. (kk)
>>>Looking at your list, the following are NOT considered Yacht Rock (followed by their final Yachtski Scale score): Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) - Looking Glass (36.825); Rich Girl - Daryl Hall & John Oates (37); Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts (21.75); Escape (The Pina Colada Song) - Rupert Holmes (35.25); Lido Shuffle - Boz Scaggs (47.5); Dreams - Fleetwood Mac (32); I'd Really Love To See You Tonight - England Dan & John Ford Coley (44); Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty (29.25); Diamond Girl - Seals & Crofts (47.5); Sara Smile - Daryl Hall & John Oates (32); Right Down The Line - Gerry Rafferty (32.25); We Just Disagree - Dave Mason (17.75); Jackie Blue - Ozark Mountain Daredevils (18.75); Lonely Boy - Andrew Gold (29.5); Still The One - Orleans (31.25); You Are The Woman - Firefall (28.5); I Can't Tell You Why - Eagles (41.5); Year Of The Cat - Al Stewart (29.25) - Paul Haney
HA! "Right Down The Line," "We Just Disagree!" But "I Can't Tell You Why!" - CB
>>>Since they are the guys that invented the "Yachtski Scale," I believe they should be the ones to decide what is "Yacht" and what is "Nyacht." (Paul Haney)
Yeah, I think that sounds right. But, you Guys are "Still The One(s)!" - CB
I noticed that Christopher Cross' Hit, "Sailing" made the Yachtski Scale" Top Ten. I think it should, just by its very name, also be the Honorary Number One Yacht Song!
- CB ("Cabin Boy!")
Hi Kent –
I have never contacted you before, but really enjoy your Forgotten Hits site.
The recent postings and comments on Yacht Rock (and of course what is and what is not YR) brought to mind this one panel cartoon which I thought you would appreciate it:
Also related, there is a long running thread on Yacht Rock on the Steve Hoffman Forum that you may be aware of: https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/yacht-rock-revisted-what-yacht-rock-isand-isnt.647689/
Best regards and thanks for Forgotten Hits,
Harvey Greenberg
Yeah, we try to cover all of the really important debates here in Forgotten Hits …
Like “Is ‘Die Hard’ a Christmas movie?” or “Who is hotter: Ginger or Mary Ann?” (We even asked “Who’s hotter: Betty or Wilma!!!”) Yep, you’ll find ALL the hard-hitting news stories here in Forgotten Hits! (kk)
Tom Cuddy sent us this list from Billboard – The Top Ten Acts of the “60’s (based on the number of Top Ten Hits)
Harvey Kubernik salutes Bob Dylan on his 85th birthday …
(as do several other artists and contemporaries)
Looks like after all the buzz about the upcoming Stephen Bishop shows in Aspen, Colorado (with David Pack, original lead singer of Ambrosia, Nelson, Rick’s sons Matthew and Gunnar, and Ray Parker, Jr., Bishop has decided to cancel these appearances. (The first upset was when Jimmy Webb, originally scheduled to appear, had to back out … he was replaced by Nelson and Parker, Jr.) … but now it sounds like Stephen is concentrating more on his “global farewell tour” due to kick off in the Spring of 2027. (Bishop hasn’t done any live shows in over seven years … something inside me tells me that ticket sales for these Aspen shows were underwhelming … and even these 2027 dates are probably “iffy” at best at this point.)
Here is his official announcement:
After a great deal of consideration, I’ve decided that I need to focus all of my time and energy into production and rehearsals as I prepare for the kickoff of my global Farewell Tour in Spring 2027. Dates will be announced soon!
Because of the focus required to mount this tour, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Wheeler Opera House performances in Aspen scheduled for September, 2026.
Thank you all so much for the love and support over the years.
Bish
The Super Bowl is coming to Nashville in 2030 … and there’s already speculation as to which country acts may provide the half-time entertainment.
Billboard ran a GREAT photo of Shania Twain, always one of MY favorites, performing at the 2003 Super Bowl in San Diego, CA. (That was for Super Bowl XXXVII between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders.) Her “special guests” were No Doubt … who I guess you could say “married country!!!” (A pre-country Beyonce has also done the show.)
Photo by Al Bello / Getty Images
(While it’s not uncommon to see country artists perform The National Anthem at this annual event, it IS unusual to see a country artist provide the half-time entertainment. Prior to Shania handling the honors in 2003, The Judds, Clint Black, Tanya Tucker and Travis Tritt performed a full country halftime show in 1994.)
There’s certainly plenty of country talent out there that would be up for the challenge (even though the event is still four full years away.) It’s hard to believe somebody like Taylor Swift hasn’t already provided the honors (although I believe she has turned down the opportunity a couple of times in the past … maybe now that she’s marrying a football star she’ll feel differently about it.) It would certainly feel more “down home” than another Bad Bunny concert. (I just checked and Taylor has said that while there’s been some talk in the past about her doing the half-time show, no official offer has ever been made.)
Morgan Wallen, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs … they’d all make good candidates (assuming they’re still considered relevant four years from now) … or how about Jelly Roll with Shaboozey??? I’d watch that one! (kk)
kk …
"Shotgun Tom Kelly" Has Been Elected To The DJ's Hall Of Fame / 2026.
I Never Heard Of Him -- Have You?
There’s A You Tube Clip Talking About The Book He Wrote A Year Ago.
Sounds Like An Interesting Character .
FB
Shotgun Tom Kelly has been a mainstay of the Sirius XM 60’s Gold Channel since 2018. Prior to that, he worked at a variety of California radio stations, most famously taking over the time slot of The Real Don Steele, a radio legend, on K-Earth (KRTH) in Los Angeles in 1997. (In fact, Kelly has a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame right next to Steele’s.) He has also done quite a bit of television work so overall he’s pretty well known, especially on the west coast. Good for him on his DJ’s Hall Of Fame induction!
The book you’re referring to is “All I Wanna Do Is Play The Hits!” (I haven’t read it but I’m sure he’s got some great stories to tell!!!) kk
Timmy just shared a trio of photos of Cream …
He also sent us this really cool Steppenwolf poster from back in the day ...
Kent,
If you have access to the comics in your daily paper, check out BLONDIE, the comic strip not the rock group on 5/22/26. (lol) The last two panels reminded me of course of FH.
Larry
I just happened to see this posted by Chuck Buell in the Official Forgotten Hits Lost and Found Department ...
CB (which stands for "Cake Boy!")
Thanks, Chuck! (Although I’m not so sure that all that green we see is still only frosting at this point!!!) kk
President Donald Trump decided that he would “regrettably have to miss” the wedding of his son, Don, Jr. this past weekend.
His OFFICIAL announcement read:
"While I very much wanted to be with my son, Don Jr., and the newest member of the Trump Family, his soon to be wife, Bettina, circumstances pertaining to Government, and my love for the United States of America, do not allow me to do so. I feel it is important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this important period of time."
We believe, however, that the REAL reason he ended up skipping it was because he was just too exhausted after staying up late Thursday Night to watch the series finale of “The Stephen Cobert Late Show.” And even then he didn’t go right to bed … first he had to spend another hour after the show ended preparing a statement to post around 2 am Friday Morning regarding the finale of the long-standing series:
"Colbert is finally finished at CBS. Amazing that he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life. He was like a dead person. You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk. Thank goodness he’s finally gone!"
(This is EXACTLY the type of classy and highly professional comment one would expect to see from a great world leader … right???)
And seriously, shouldn’t he really have been sleeping at 2 AM? The man’s got a country to run … a war to win … a strait to keep open … a scandal to draw attention away from … record gas and grocery prices to reduce … I’m genuinely concerned for his health and well being … especially since The Donald is already pretty well known for falling asleep during important meetings and ceremonies.
GO TO BED!!! Stop staying up late to watch and see what all of the Late Night Hosts are going to say about you every night ... and get some sleep!!! (Who knows ... you might even find yourself less irritable and in a better mood once in a while!)
Based on all the pressure he's under to keep his Truth Social Posts current and create all those "fake news" AI videos, he probably just felt it safest to take a pass on his kid’s second wedding since he had so many pressing things to attend to at home. (Besides, when you’ve been married as many times as our President has, how many more weddings can you really be expected to sit through???) And isn't it interesting that while he was too tied up with saving the world to go to his kid's wedding, he chose instead to play golf on Saturday ... until his game was rained out??? That's OK ... it just gave him more time to work on that gold statue he's erecting of himself.
Yep ... priorities ... that's what you need to focus on in order to make America great again. (kk)
Timmy reminds us ...
They learned to live with it because often this was the voice of the people ... the very people they were elected to protect and represent. (Some even found some element of truth and benefit by this constructive criticism.)
Today, our President seems to have a 'hit list" targeting anyone who speaks out against him. If you don't agree, you're just a no-talent jerk. (By the way, Prez, when you DO finally get caught up with your sleep, work on some new adjectives ... these seem to be the only ones you use when targeting anyone who doesn't agree with you!) kk
