60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
4/23/64 - Houston Colt 45s Pitcher Ken Johnson becomes 1st major league pitcher to lose a 9 inning no-hitter to the Cincinnati Reds, 1-0
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Monday, April 22, 2024
A Monday Morning Quickie
As announced here previously, the brand new Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Class of 2024 was revealed last night (Sunday, April 21st) on "American Idol." (or, as I like to call it, "Credibility Failure #1.")
Naturally, there were a few head-scratchers ... and a couple of surprise upsets ...
There always are. (Mariah Carey and Oasis NOT making the cut are probably the two biggest ones for me ... A Tribe Called Quest getting in, an even bigger travesty ... but I can live with most of the other choices, even if a couple of those will be begrudgingly!)
Officially, the artists being inducted into the Performers Category are:
Mary J. Blige, Cher, The Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool and the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest.
NOT making the cut this time around were Mariah Carey, Eric B and Rakim (who?), Jane's Addiction, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinead O'Connor and Sade.
In addition, also being inducted (in the non-performer category) are Jimmy Buffett (Musical Excellence), Alexis Korner (Musical Influence), John Mayall (Musical Influence), MC5 (Musical Excellence), Suzanne De Passe (Ahmet Ertegan Award), Big Mama Thornton (Musical Influence), Dionne Warwick (Musical Excellence) and Norman Whitfield (Musical Excellence).
As for the inductees, the only one I don't quite understand is A Tribe Called Quest ... what is is exactly that they did that was so extraordinary, so revolutionary and having had such a great and life-changing impact ... when virtually 99 people out of 100 couldn't tell you a single thing about them or sing a single note they ever recorded? THAT'S the biggest head-scratcher for me.
Mary J. Blige helped pave the way for hip-hop artists with a new and unique style ... and I actually voted for her on a couple of the ballots that I cast. Cher? For sure ... although I wonder what her next reaction is going to be since she literally told The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame to go fuck themselves (in those exact words!) just a couple of months ago.
The Dave Matthews Band won the Fan vote for the second time ... so I guess they deserve to be in ... although I don't know what long and lasting influence they've had on the rock genre. Foreigner? For sure. Peter Frampton??? Best quote EVER, when it was announced that he had made the nominees ballot: "You mean I'm not already in?" He should get in just for THAT!!!
Kool and the Gang? Yeah, they were great and they had a string of hits ... but what about them made them unique enough to stand out from the crowd? Great band, yes. Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame material? I'm not so sure. Ozzy Osbourne ... he was a given ... yet another double-inductee ... he's probably grown larger than life NOT making music than he ever was making it ... but he's become a pop culture icon.
As for some of these other special candidates? Jimmy Buffett ... never considered before he died ... now he's being recognized for his musical influence. John Mayall? Maybe ... probably ... he inspired hundreds of successful British blues musicians along the way ... that's the resume someone in this category is SUPPOSED to have. MC5? This induction proves conclusively, once and for all, how bogus the induction system really is.
MC5 has been on the ballot SIX TIMES and NEVER earned enough votes from the committee and their peers to make the cut ... but damn it, if they want them in, then they're going to put them in anyway ... which defeats the entire process (and legitimacy) of the whole nominating and voting process. If it's THIS simple, then just put them in and don't even bother announcing next year's nominees ... just induct who you want right now and skip the whole smoke and mirrors process altogether!
Suzanne De Passe? Absolutely ... she spear-headed Motown's talent pool for decades. Norman Whitfield was another HUGE part of the Motown machine ... he wrote and produced countless hits for their artists in the '70's. Big Mama Thornton? OK, she inspired Elvis ... and then what? Shit, if we're doing this, then The Kingsmen should be in for recording "Louie Louie" and inventing Garage Band Rock. Chubby Checker MOST DEFINITELY should be in for igniting the biggest dance craze in music history ... TWICE!!! Dionne Warwick? Another one I don't quite get. She's been on the ballot before ... in fact, I voted for her ... but she didn't get in, based on the overall opinion of the fans and the committee ... fuck that ... who cares ... let's just put her in anyway! A great interpreter of songs (especially those written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach) ... a one-of-a-kind unique vocal presence ... yes, she belongs ... but it feels dirty ... like they had to slip her in under the carpet when nobody was looking.
Hey, it's an annual tradition ... EVERY year The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame does SOMETHING that further tarnishes their reputation and credibility. SO many artists today feel it is no longer an honor (of ANY sort) to be recognized for your lifetime's work ... which is a REAL shame since this is NOT the vision The Rock Hall portrayed when it was founded.
Jann Wenner's gone ... and most of us hoped things would be different ... and maybe a few things really are ... but overall The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame seems to be its own worst enemy. And it's REALLY hard getting past that. (kk)
I REALLY enjoyed the CBS rebroadcast of the Billy Joel concert the other night … Billy’s 100th appearance at Madison Square Garden as part of his ten year monthly residency there. Joel is still in fine voice … and played an interesting selection of material distributed over the course of his lengthy career. (I guess if you’re going to play there every month … and many fans make it a point to be at every show … you’ve got to mix things up a little bit from time to time with the set list!)
EVERY song was performed with full enthusiasm from both Billy and the crowd. (Seeing Billy perform period is something that has eluded me numerous times over the years, despite the fact that I have had … and thrown away … tickets to FOUR of his concerts here in Chicago … but seeing him perform at Madison Square Garden has got to be the ULTIMATE bucket list ticket. My guess is that he’ll be back there again in no time … it’s become his home … his arena … and the fact that EVERY show has been a sell out over the course of these 100 appearances tells you something right there. (kk)
Speaking of bucket list appearances, Heart kicked off their first official tours with both Wilson sisters onboard since 2019 … and we can’t wait to FINALLY see them when they hit Chicago, a TRUE bucket list moment for me.
Here’s an interesting piece explaining how Ann and Nancy Wilson agreed to put all past differences behind them and carry on, putting forth the best show imaginable for all their die-hard fans …
And, speaking of tours, Ringo Starr has added September dates to his 2024 tour, including a stop here in New Lenox on September 14th.
The new dates include:
September 12th
– Omaha, NE – The Astro Amphitheater
September 14th – New Lenox, IL – Performing Arts Pavillion @ The Commons
September 15th – Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavilion
September 17th – Washington DC – The Anthem
September 18th – Medford, MA – Chevalier Theatre
September 20th – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
September 22nd – Niagara Falls, ON – Fallsview Casino Resort
September 24th – Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at The Mann
September 25th – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
More dates may be added.
Performing as part of Ringo’s All-Starr Band again this year will be Steve Lukather, Edgar Winter, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart and Gregg Bissonette.
(We saw the show last October at The Chicago Theater …
https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-sunday-comments-10-08-23.html )
And, speaking of Ringo Starr, who not only has a new tour coming up but also another in his series of new EPs, Paul McCartney has a new release of his own that was just announced.
For the first time, the entire soundtrack to his 1974 British television special “One Hand Clapping” is finally being released as a stand-alone piece. (I’ve collected bits and pieces of this show spread out over various McCartney Archive box set releases … but this is the first time the entire program will be released in its entirety in one single package.) After Paul, Denny and Linda were forced to complete “Band On The Run” as a trio, Wings had a couple of brand new recruits on board for this special show … so it’ll be interesting to hear it in its full context. (I have seen video of the entire show before … but in very poor quality … so hopefully a DVD release will follow.) kk
And, speaking of Macca, have any of you seen this?
I’m not quite sure what to make of it – is this a legitimate release or somebody just poking fun at McCartney’s expense as maybe an April Fool’s joke???
“The Worst Of McCartney” … from The Paul McCartney Archival Series?
Whatever the case may be, they sure went thru a bit of expense to put together this rather elaborate packaging.
Now I will be the first to admit that Paul has released a LOT of crap over the past forty years or so … some of it so weak it doesn’t even spark a memory at all when I listen to it again … meaning it made absolutely NO impression on me whatsoever …
But some of the tracks singled out on this particular release include some of my few favorites from this era. (“Dress Me Up As A Robber” immediately comes to mind … I have always loved this song, so unlike anything else Paul has ever done.)
I can’t find it listed anywhere … not on his website or Amazon … and I really DO wish they’d finally get around to release some of the other albums that belong as part of this great reissue series ... (“London Town,” where art thou?) … rather than release the 68th commemorative version of “Band On The Run” again, certainly McCartney’s crowning achievement as a solo act … but c’mon on already!!! (The fact that a collection of McCartney I, II and III has already made the rounds … some of his WEAKEST tracks … ahead of some of his legitimate releases has always been a bit puzzling to me.)
But if you’re into this sort of thing, check out the elaborate “unboxing” video below … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI2rAOofUdw&t=7s
And from David Salidor, regarding the re-release of The Beatles’ film “Let It Be” …
As much as I liked the Peter Jackson version, the original still burns in my head. I well remember when it came out – with a great photo book I still have on my shelf. When all the chatter began about how much fun they really had come out, I sort of didn’t believe it. Face it, if the Fab Four didn’t like Hogg’s version back then … it never would have come out.
I think there was a backlash of sorts and that’s why the original is finally coming out again, though Jackson ‘s involvement is curious. The first time in 50 years no less! If you want to see it unvarnished and how it really was … watch it.
David tells me you can read the entire piece in G.H. Harding’s Times Square Chronicals / Glorious Corner post from last week: https://t2conline.com/the-glorious-corner-592/
Ooops!
A missed Happy Together date?
August 3, 2024, at Toyota Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT
Shelley
I just go with what they send me!!! (lol) THEY ought to know where they’re appearing! (lol)
Thanks, Shelley! (kk)
From Tom Cuddy:
Randy Bachman announces that over 200 of his most coveted guitars will be auctioned
From Ed Salamon ...
Sorry to learn of the passing of our friend Bucky Wilkin
who attended the Spectropop get togethers at our house on Chipmunk Lane.
Ed
https://musicrow.com/2024/04/bucky-wilkin-of-ronny-the-daytonas-passes/Ronny and the Daytonas had two GREAT Top 40 Hits in the mid-'60's ...
"GTO" (#4, 1964) and "Sandy" (#27, 1966) kk
And this just in ...
CB sez ...
>>>After 18 years, the long-running Beatles Cirque du Soleil “LOVE” show in Las Vegas is ending on July 7th of this year. (We saw it YEARS ago … and it truly is quite the spectacle) kk
I agree! Great Show!
I, too, saw it shortly after it opened years ago! I hope it was, or will
be, recorded for TV or online viewing. ( Altho they might want to find
another network other than CBS who recently cut away from Billy Joel's
100th Madison Square Concert Presentation last week before it was over.
Or NBC, which was the first to practice this "OK, time's up! We have to move along now!" concept by cutting away before an NFL game was over with their infamous "Heidi Game" in 1968!
Meanwhile, I've been trying to find a gray replacement "LOVE" cap for this one I got when I saw the show. While it has held up fairly well, the Bill is all internally cracked like the Death Valley Desert!
>>>You’ve got to watch the "We Are the World" documentary to appreciate the whole thing! (kk)
Another remarkable and informative Program!
And ~~~
re: Chuck Buell and Laundry Day …
>>>I have told him before that his research writing is extremely accurate and his teachers would be proud." (sst)
Wow! I just got a Great Review from THE Shelly Sweet-Tufano, "Reviewest Extraordinaire!"
The Highlight of my Day!
And even before my second cup of coffee was finished Brewing!
60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
4/22/64 – The 1964 World’s Fair opens at Flushing Meadow, Corona Park, New York
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