I Know That Some Of You Probably Don't Know This.
Except For Kent --- I'm Not Sure --- He Always Seems To Be Ahead Of Me!
May 6, 2026: WMEX In Quincy, Mass Announced That Scott Shannon Would Become The Host For Its Morning Show.
The Station Serving Greater Boston Area Moved To Classic Hits Format Two Months Prior.
SCOTT = How Could You Do This? New York / Boston?
You Got It Backwards. It Should Be Boston / New York!
FRANK B.
I did NOT know this!!! Kinda surprised as Scott retired a few years ago (although he continued to do his True Oldies Channel.) I wonder if he moved (???) Sadly, I haven’t heard from Scott Shannon for years now. (I think he's ignoring me!!!) kk
From Tom Cuddy ...
By “Michael”’s second week in theaters, streams of Michael Jackson’s music were shattering all of his previous records.
And his catalog is up in retail, too.
For starters, his landmark “Thriller” album debuted at #7 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart. (Seriously, who doesn’t already own this album?!?!) His “Number Ones” album and the movie soundtrack also crack The Top 40 on this week’s albums chart at #13 and #37 respectively.
Meanwhile, “Billie Jean” re-entered Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart at #38 thanks to 9.4 million streams. And he is just tearing up the R&B Singles Chart with TEN titles listed in The Top 50: “Billie Jean” (#5), “Beat It” (#9), “Human Nature” (#10), “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (#11), “Rock With You” (#13), “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” (#17), “The Way You Make Me Feel” (#20), “Smooth Criminal” (#22), “Remember The Time” (#23), “Dirty Diana” (#24) and “Man In The Mirror” (#25). What’s even more amazing is that both “Human Nature” and “P.Y.T.” eclipse their previous peaks on this chart with these new rankings!
The film his now passed $441 million worldwide with a US Box Office gross of $195 million thru May 5th. Amazing. (kk)
BE SURE TO CHECK BACK TOMORROW FOR AN EXCLUSIVE REVIEW OF THE NEW “MICHAEL” MOVIE WRITTEN BY CELEBRITY AUTHOR MARK BEGO. MARK HAS WRITTEN DOZENS OF ROCK STARS BIOGRAPHIES OVER THE YEARS ... AND HIS 1984 BIOGRAPHY ON MICHAEL JACKSON SOLD OVER 8 MILLION COPIES … SO WE ARE PROUD AND EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS TO YOU! (kk)
Have you heard the new Paul McCartney / Ringo Starr duet “Home To Us” from Macca’s upcoming “The Boys Of Dungeon Lane” LP? VERY Beatlish sounding!
Available now on all the usual streaming formats. (kk)
The Eagles (well, mostly just Don Henley) have a new short-term radio station on Sirius/XM. The Hotel California Channel (105) allows the band to play music by some of their favorite artists and influences as well as dig deeper into the history behind some of their own music, shown from a real songwriters perspective.
It's only available for a limited time, so tune in now! (kk)
A final studio album, released posthumously from Steve Cropper, will be released on August 28th. Cropper’s band, The Midnight Hour, will be featured along with special guest performances by Eric Clapton, Brian May, Billy Gibbons and Ronnie Wood.
Cropper passed away in December, 2025, at age 84. The new LP “captures the guitarist, songwriter and producer still deeply engaged in creative work during the final year of his life.” Definitely worth a listen! (kk)
Speaking of Ronnie Wood, he substituted for Keith Richards on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Thursday Night after NBC had been promoting Richards’ appearance all day long. (Wood wasn’t scheduled to appear until the 13th) He did a very cool harmonica duet with Fallon, who showed off his own skills on the mouth organ.
Wood also disclosed that he used the very same guitar on the new Rolling Stones / Cockroaches cut “Rough And Twisted” that he played on The Faces’ big 1971 Hit “Stay With Me.” Very cool!
Woody has been with The Stones now for over fifty years! Amazing! (kk)
We told you the other day about The Eagles’ return to The Sphere in Las Vegas …
But performing there right now is the Gwen Stefani-led No Doubt.
Billboard reports that this makes Gwen Stefani the first female lead performer to appear at The Sphere. (Hmmm … I guess Dorothy and The Wicked Witch Of The West don’t count!!!)
You can read their very positive review of the show here: https://www.billboard.com/lists/no-doubt-sphere-recap-best-moments-gwen-stefani-las-vegas/no-doubt-sphere-dates/#recipient_hashed=fa7e92da6f6e66bffcf0bcbf863670c6eb37d7159eb4d0ea1e44fecd5ec87eeb&recipient_salt=3a1d6b09af3b92ad7e38f8327cf18febeb049fd1c9a251b66957a07d9375735c&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=billboard_daily&utm_content=680861_05-07-2026&utm_term=6338564
Meanwhile, No Doubt continue their residency at The Sphere May 13th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 27th, 29th, 30th and June 3rd, 5th, 6th, 10th, 12th and 13th.
(Maybe I just need to move to Vegas so I can see all these great shows!!! I’m still upset that we’re going to have to miss The Backstreet Boys again when they return in July. And I’d still love to see Donny Osmond do HIS big show again this year … his concert here in Chicago was one of the highlights of last year for me. (kk)
A while back we told you about the launch of the actual WKRP In Cincinnati …
Well, they took to the air May 4th (in Sean Ross’ words, “a day already devoted to geekery”) … and here, he tells you about his “First Listen” (I think I’d get pretty sick of the WKRP theme song at this rate!!!)
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/350772/first-listen-wkrp-in-cincinnati/
Timmy sent us this vintage television schedule from the Peacock Network … from back before there actually WAS a Peacock Network and it was only NBC’s nickname. (kk)
Sure beats most of what’s on these days!!!
Timmy also sent us an R.I.P. photo of Ted Turner ...
(kk)
Congratulations to Glen Fisher who this week is celebrating his 15th Anniversary of helming “Doo-Wop Ramblings” and “Doo-Wop Revival.”
Frank B tells us more …
kk …
This Week, Glen Fisher And "DOO-WOP REVIVAL / DOO-WOP RAMBLINGS" Celebrate Anniversary #15.
He Started Doing His Radio Show “DOO-WOP REVIVAL” In 2011 On WJCT In Jacksonville – And The Last Six Years On Doo-Wop Radio.
There’s A New Show Every Saturday (4 – 6 PM) With Repeats Wednesday (8 – 10 AM) + Friday (8 – 10 PM.)
I Like To Listen On Saturday --- He's My Warm Up For Cousin Brucie.
I Like His Style. Gives You A Lot Of Information About Each Song ... Year + Lead Singer + Where The Group Comes From.
He Also Does A Monthly Newsletter Called “Doo-Wop Ramblings.”
Like Glen Always Says, "Together We're Keeping The Music Alive."
FB
Tom Cuddy tells us about a new Darlene Love documentary that we can look forward to …
Tom also tells us that Bonnie Tyler (“It’s A Heartache,” “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”) was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday (5/6) for emergency intestinal surgery. A statement released after her surgery said "The surgery went well and she is now recuperating." Bonnie was hospitalized in Portugal. Tyler has a couple of key shows scheduled for May … we’re waiting for further word as to whether or not she’ll be able to honor those commitments. (kk)
UPDATE: Bonnie Tyler was placed in a medically induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal, with representatives for the singer confirming doctors took the step to assist her recovery. The 74-year-old “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” singer had initially been reported as recuperating well after the procedure earlier this week.
Lightyear Entertainment is re-releasing eight classic music films in high definition.
The first, “Elvis ’56,” snuck by quietly in February.
June 5th will see “Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (the Video Album),” “Jefferson Starship: The Definitive Concert” and “Stevie Nicks: Live at Red Rocks” released on BluRay (as well as digital platforms TVOD, SVOD, AVOD and YVOD … I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t even know what these other formats are!!!) …
And then on August 21st, we’ll see “A Night with Lou Reed,” “Rick Springfield: The Beat of the Live Drum,” “Waylon Jennings: America” and “Return to Waterloo (a film by Ray Davies of the Kinks)”.
Some of these films saw their original release on Cinemax (after debuting at Sundance) – “Elvis ’56,” HBO (“Stevie Nicks Live at Red Rocks” and “Rick Springfield: The Beat of the Live Drum”) and MTV (“Eurythmics Sweet Dreams” and “A Night With Lou Reed”) and have been long out of print and unavailable since the ‘80’s. (kk)
From Timmy, dated 10-15-77:
And from David Salidor …
Micky Dolenz was saluted Thursday (April 30th) by the Valley of the Stars Awards Gala at the Hilton in LA
The annual event celebrates the businesses, leaders, organizations, and individuals helping strengthen the economic and cultural vitality of the San Fernando Valley.
Micky was recognized as the 2026 Entertainment Honoree, a special tribute to his enduring impact as a legendary musician, entertainer, and member of The Monkees.
Thank you to the Valley Economic Alliance for the honor, and to everyone who came together for such a meaningful evening. (dis)
Then, while in Tulsa on tour, Micky Dolenz was interviewed by KOTV’s Jonathan Cooper …
Tom Cuddy tells us that Keith Urban’s new album will be a tribute to Yacht Rock! (Here’s a brief example):
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX1Nu1XuXZ5/?igsh=MXU2cTdhOWhuOTl5cw==
And he says to look for a new Kenny Loggins documentary, too!
https://youtu.be/m_iWN1Ftgxw?si=H5nrA7jEibUIWuRx
Do We Have Any Lawrence Welk Fans Out There?
Jo Ann Castle (9/3/1939 - 5/8/2026) Has Passed Away.
She Was Known As "QUEEN OF THE HONKY TONK PIANO."
In 1959 She Joined The "LAWRENCE WELK SHOW," Replacing Big Tiny Little.
FRANK B.
About as close as we come to Lawrence Welk is this classic clip from 1971.
No, it doesn't feature JoAnn Castle ...
But it's just too good not to feature again!
Clearly they had absolutely NO idea what they were actually singing about ...
Especially since it was presented as "A Modern Day Spiritual!" (kk)
And, regarding his expose on risqué song lyrics, Chuck Buell had this to say …
Your response to me in FH's regarding notable risqué Forgotten Hits by artists of years gone by ~~~
>>>Both of these were just a little before my time ...
OK, does that mean I should be signing my emails to you as from, "Your Big Brother?!"
But you know, Little Brother, even if they were before your time, your extensive Hit Music Knowledge surely encompasses some things about Historical Popular and Forgotten Hit Songs anyway no matter their era! You did suggest that both Jo Stafford and April Stevens were a couple of pretty hot looking women who should have been on "Gilligan's Island!"
Jo Stafford April Stevens
Which leads to a personal aside from television to the world of Movies, while she was before MY Time, I thought she was pretty . . . ah . . . awesome! (Even tho the word "awesome" was not in play during her time!)
Lauren Bacall
Man, if I as a young Guy, didn't know how to whistle, I'd certainly learn!
(Lauren Bacall said that iconic line, "You know how to whistle, don't you? You just put your lips together and blow," to Humphrey Bogart in their 1944 film To Have and Have Not. This legendary alluring scene marked her film debut.)
Anyway, cueing the turntable back to more current Hit Songs, this got me thinking. Questionable and Risqué Forgotten Hits have been around for a long time.
In 1961, the subtle Shirelles Number One Hit "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," where they sang,
"Tonight, you're mine completely.
You give your love so sweetly.
Tonight, the light of love is in your eyes,
But will you love me tomorrow?
Is this a lasting treasure,
Or just a moment's pleasure?"
In 1963, Steve Lawrence in
his Number One Song, "Go Away Little Girl,"
"It's hurtin' me more each minute that you delay.
When you are near me like this,
You're much too hard to resist,
So, go away, little girl.
Call it a day, little girl.
Oh, please, go away, little girl,
Before I beg you to stay.”
And who can forget in 1966 Lou
Christie singing his Number One Song, "Lightnin' Strikes"
with the lyrics,
"Listen to me, baby, you gotta understand,
You're old enough to know the makings of a man!
I can't stop myself, I can't stop myself!"
Or his follow up a few
months later where he sang "Rhapsody in the Rain" with the
lyrics,
"And in this car our love went much too far.
It was exciting as Thunder.
The windshield wipers seem to say,
"Together - together - together - together."
And in 1968, Gary
Puckett' began a Trifecta, first with "Young Girl,"
"Beneath your perfume
and make-up,
You're just a baby in disguise.
And though you know,
That it's wrong to be,
Alone with me,
That 'come on' look is in your eyes.
It's hurtin' me more each minute that you delay.
Young Girl, get out of my mind,
My love for you is way out of
line,
Better run, girl.
You're much too young, girl.
Get out of here,
Before I have the time
To change my mind,
'Cause I'm afraid we'll go too far."
And his followup that same year with "Lady Willpower" when he sang,
"Did no one ever tell
you the facts of life?
Well, there's so much you have to learn.
And I would gladly teach you,
If I could only reach you,
And get your lovin' in return.
Lady Willpower, it's now or never.
Give your love to me and I'll shower
Your heart with tenderness endlessly.
And the following year, in 1969 "This Girl's a Woman Now!"
"This girl is a woman
now.
She's learned how to give.
This girl is a woman now.
She's found out what it's all about,
And she's learning, learning to live.
Our hearts told us we were right.
And on that sweet and velvet night,
A child had died, a woman had been born."
Fast Forward to 1982, there was John Mellencamp's Number One Song, "Jack and Diane" which at one point he sang,
"Diane's sittin' on Jacky's lap.
He's got his hands between her knees.
Jacky, say, "Hey, Diane, let's run off behind a shady tree.
Dribble off those Bobby Brooks, let me do what I please."
And, of course, in 1978 Meatloaf with "Paradise by the Dashboard Light!"
"And now our bodies are
oh so close and tight.
It never felt so good, it never felt so right.
And we're glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife,
Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife.
C'mon! Hold on tight!
C'mon! Hold on tight!
Though it's cold and lonely
in the deep dark night,
I can see paradise by the dashboard light.
OMG! Was I contributing to the Corruption of the Youth of America by playing those songs on the radio?!!
But wasn't it an early Cave Man who once sang, "Me bop-a-lu-lu on your head and we can go and have Wild Monkey Sex?!"
(This might be a good time to play, "Name That Tune!")
CB (which stands for "Corruption Boy!")
This sure are a lot easier these days …
Now an artist simply says EXACTLY what’s on their mind …
What they want to do and how they want to do it …
And then radio just bleeps out three or four words from every line …
A TRUE listener’s delight in my book. (NOT!)
I always say …
Who listening to and enjoying this music today will still be singing (and bleeping) along with these tunes 60 years from now like we do with OUR era of music. My guess would be “Nobody.”
Certainly I have to have SOME familiarity with the artists that came before the rock generation in order to be able to do what I do … but simply put, a lot of this music just hasn’t aged very well. (“Teach Me Tiger” would be a perfect example of that.
And you stumped me …
What IS that “Name That Tune” tune??? (kk)
And finally, Forgotten Hitter and Internet Surfer, Chuck Buell Presents, For No Apparent Reason, other than to share with us something Simple, Fun and Creative that he came across while Surfin' the Internet and then tweaked the audio to make it fit a bit smoother!
CB PROUDLY PRESENTS …
CB (which stands for Sugar "Cane Boy!")
This is EXACTLY what I was talking about earlier ...
I love it as each new generation discovers the oldies … OUR music growing up … and enjoys it as much as we did … and still do! (kk)
