Tuesday This And That

re:  Our Monday Morning 50-Year Flashback Series:

Kent,

FYI, Elvis' DO THE CLAM peaked at #11 here in OKC. I couldn't find anything really online by the group Squares with the tune THE "OUT" CROWD. Maybe this was a takeoff of some kind of Dobie Gray's IN CROWD. I know about a year later, Sam the Sham recorded a song called I'M IN (WITH THE OUT CROWD. My first guess was that the Square's tune is an instrumental but I really don't know.

Also in today's FH, the song at chart position #26 , DID YOU EVER by the Hullabaloos, which incidentally I have and made our local survey here, without checking, wasn't that the band that appeared on the weekly music show Hullabaloo? The show Shindig had a group I believe called the Shindogs and they also made a record which also made our local survey.

Larry

"Do The Clam" is one of those songs that achieved far greater success than it deserved, especially when weighed against the other music on the charts in 1965.  (Evidently Elvis still had a very loyal following at this time that bought his new releases no matter WHAT they were!!!  lol)

Rich Appel does his annual I.R.S. Countdown, listing songs (as voted on by music fans around the globe) that THEY feel really shoulda been a Top Ten Hit.  "Do The Clam" is one of those that, in hindsight, really shouldn't have even made The Top 40!  (We've seen similar lists about the "least deserving #1 records" ... quite a few come to mind on THAT list, too!)

 

For more on Rich Appel's upcoming countdown ... and your last chance to file YOUR returns, check this out ...

 

re:  THE I.R.S. COUNTDOWN ... AS IN "IT REALLY SHOULDA" BEEN A TOP TEN HIT:

The deadline is approaching ... you've got until April 1st to file your I.R.S. form at http://www.musicradio77.com/IRS.html  (full details can be found on the site)

This year we'll also be giving away copies of the books “Ranking the ‘60s” and the not-yet-out “Ranking the ‘70s” to random filers … and that we’ll be counting down the 8th Annual I.R.S. Top 104 the weekend of April 10-12 on Rewound Radio. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the 8th annual I.R.S. (“It Really Shoulda” been a Top 10 hit!).

To file your I.R.S. form, simply go to http://www.musicradio77.com/IRS.html by the April 1 deadline. Everyone who files AND leaves his /her mailing address is eligible to win the prizes we’re giving away, such as the books Ranking the ‘60s http://www.amazon.com/Ranking-60s-Comprehensive-Listing-Golden/dp/1492156280 and the not-yet-out Ranking the ‘70s.

Over the weekend preceding the deadline for that other I.R.S. - April 10-12 -  Rewound Radio will play back this year’s I.R.S. 1040, based on the songs you declared on your I.R.S. forms. As always, we’ll count down the upper 10% - the I.R.S. Top 104 - that weekend: Part 1 starts 6 pm Eastern Friday April 10 on Bob Radil’s show; Part 2 plays back on “That Thing with Rich Appel,” Sunday April 12 at 6 pm Eastern.

If you haven’t joined our Facebook group, where there’s currently lots of pre-I.R.S. activity, here’s where that is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/731369260214413/. For any other questions about I.R.S., email me anytime at IRS104@verizon.net. Thanks!

ALWAYS a fun time ... with TONS of songs you just don't hear anymore ... you'll want to tune in and listen to this.

We're also anxious to see Dann Isbell's new book "Ranking the '70's", the follow-up to his "Ranking the '60's" book reviewed here in Forgotten Hits a couple of years ago ...

http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2013/01/ramking-60s.html

 

Speaking of variety in radio again ... and songs you don't hear very often ...

 

re:  Me-TV-FM:

I'm in Rockford and love this station. Hope it streams soon!! I'd listen every chance I could.  

Thanks,

Melody Thoren

 

All cards on the table, I'll have to admit I'm becoming a little disenchanted with the new station ... as they get closer to their live launch, they seem to be drifting further and further away from the original concept of the station.  I'm hearing more repeats, more often, than ever before ... more programming errors (the same artist twice within a three or four song rotation) ... and less and less of the variety that a playlist of this size can afford.  (Six Fleetwood Mac songs in a day, six James Taylor songs in a day, etc, etc, etc.  Yesterday it was The Eagles and The Bee Gees ... today I'm sure it'll be somebody else.)  Despite this annoyance, they are still playing some GREAT tracks long-absent from the radio from time to time ... at least half a dozen times a day I'm amazed at hearing something new or different that I haven't heard them play before ... but we're no longer anywhere close to measuring up to the potential they originally exhibited.  VERY disappointing ... because ALL of this can be fixed and then better managed ... yet, as mentioned before, nobody seems to be watching the store.  SOMEBODY should be dedicated to correcting these glitches NOW before listeners start turning away in aggravation.  (I myself turned the station off at least a dozen times yesterday ... yet when they're "on", nothing beats it.  You seem to either get an INCREDIBLE set of music ... 18-20 GREAT songs in a row ... or you get annoyed by hearing something again that you just heard only hours before.)  The big launch campaign should be kicking in in high gear right now with advertisements, billboards, etc ... but asking folks to tune in now during their "construction zone" phase may ultimately turn listeners off ... and then turn them away.  SOMEBODY needs to step in a clean up this mess ... as this COULD be the greatest radio station in Chicago ... and a role model for other cities across the country.  The "construction zone" should be offering up something in the way of improvements ... yet instead I'm finding more and more to complain about.  (A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the Jose Feliciano version of "California Dreamin'" being played on the station, stating at the time that while this wouldn't necessarily be MY choice for a track to feature, something like this once or twice a year might cause a listener's ears to perk up ... I've just heard it now for the fifth time ... it does NOT belong in rotation ... and SOMEBODY over there needs to realize this!  Don't lose your audience at this most crucial point in BUILDING your audience!!!)  kk

 

re:  Our Brand New Monthly Playlist Feature:

I like the new feature for each month ... very colorful and great to see the picture sleeves!  

Clay

 

Kent,

Love your new feature you began today in FH.

You asked the question at the beginning where one was in 1962. Well, I was in high school listening to my favorite top 40 radio station here in OKC, buying the records that made the survey. I still have them and I'll tell you what! I bet I'm not the only reader of yours that will say that.

Great Feature.

Larry Neal 

 

Kent,

It's interesting to see the hits that never got as far as #25 on any given week included in this top 25 list.  By my calculation there are six songs that fall into this category ... e.g. The Marvelettes' "Twistin' Postman" is listed at 25, but had positions #'s 34, 43, 46 and 57 on the four weekly Billboard 100 charts from which the list is calculated.    

 I've taken another look at the March listing and find it strange that Gene Chandler's "Duke of Earl" isn't included as I believe it was in the top 20 for the entire month.  Can any comments be provided on how the rankings are esablished?

I guess this is a testament to the durability of records like the above, that hang around the charts a long time, whereas others are up and then down the chart in no time at all.  

Mike Ogilvie

I asked Joel Whitburn if he could better explain how a record that never got above position #34 in the month of March could end up as the 25th biggest hit of that month ... and can now offer clearer insight into how the points were tabulated ...

The ranking is taken strictly from my “Pop Annual” book.  If you go to year 1962, page 78, check out the Peak Date column.  Look for March dates and you’ll see that the #25 hit “Twistin’ Postman” peaked on 3/3 at position #34 and ranked at #260 for the year.  Moving up the column, next in line is the Paris Sisters “He Knows I Love Him Too Much” at #257, etc., etc., all the way to the top peak hit in March of 1962 “Hey! Baby” by Bruce Channel.

Joel

So the total points are based on the record's accumulation for the year (which is how Joel's Pop Annual book shows the biggest records ranked for any given year) ... and then recalculated by records that peaked in each particular month (or, in this case, March of 1962).  The Pop Play Lists also only list a record ONCE ... meaning that it is only eligible for ranking in the month it first reached its peak chart position.  This way you get 25 unique songs for each and every month with no repeats. After all, a record only peaks once.  (I've addressed this issue before ... because of the formula used, we tend to get a distorted reality in certain situations.  Where I feel this method goes incredibly wrong would be with a record like "I'm A Believer" by The Monkees.  It first reached its peak position (#1) the last week of 1966 .. so technically it only spent seven days in the #1 spot of that year.  However, it spent all 31 days of January in the #1 spot, making it a FAR bigger record than any other record to hit the charts that month ... but because it peaked the previous month, it isn't listed again in January ... only in December of 1966, where the record first peaked.  But if "Believer" spent seven weeks at #1 on The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart and only ONE of those weeks was during 1966, it will ALWAYS be (to me anyway) the Biggest Hit of 1967.  (Year-End cross-overs are the toughest.  Billboard Magazine themselves used to cut off their year on November 1st, meaning the biggest hits from the previous year would reach their highest peak position just about the time the calendar page turned, thus placing the proper credit into the correct annual timeframe.  Breaking it down by month is even tougher ... I'd have to wager that nearly EVERY record that ever charted with any great success crossed over into multiple months, earning high points overall but not enough in any given 30 day period to rank as high as that record would on the overall year-end chart.  In THIS respect, I feel Joel better accomplishes "the big picture" ... but I guess who can't have it both ways.  (Personally, for me, I would have organized a Top 40 List for each month ... it's a "format" we're more familiar with ... and I would have let records cross-over to any month in which they earned enough points to warrant doing so.  (By expanding the list to 40 titles, you're still getting a large influx of new material each month ranked appropriately against the biggest hits of that month.)  But then make it VERY month specific ... if a deejay picked up this book as a programming tool and then said, "Today we're going to play back The Top 25 Biggest Records of January, 1967" ... and then COULDN'T play "I'm A Believer" by The Monkees, a record that topped the charts for EVERY DAY of January, 1967, he really isn't giving his listening audience a true picture of that moment in time.  If the book were broken down ONLY by points earned during each specific month shown, I believe you'd have a FAR greater outcome ... and a more accurate representation. 

That being said, once you get the proper methodology down, it all makes sense ... the charts ARE representative of the biggest records to peak in each month shown.  Plus, in  addition, you get a GREAT visual with each and every month ... full color charts with photos of original picture sleeves and more.  Be watching for our April selection to hit The Forgotten Hits Website on April 15th!  (kk)

 

re:  BRIAN WILSON AND THE BEACH BOYS / THE WRECKING CREW :

Hi  Kent -

GREAT  email on what's happening with Brian Wilson!

Thank you for all the information. Really looking forward to Love and Mercy. May be going to his Ravinia Concert, too!

Carolyn

 

I still treasure "The Beach Boys Today" album ... a great effort that clearly told us (in hindsight)  Brian Wilson was advancing from "409" and "Shut Down" towards the genius of "Pet Sounds."
However, that being said, Brian illustrated his continued appreciation for doo wop on "Today"  with the Boys' cover of "So Young", a great song done originally by "The Students."

I saw Ronnie Specter do a bang up job on the tune at Ron Onesti's Arcada Theatre few months back, but the Beach Boys' harmony and  "Wrecking Crew" band track developed a very ethereal slice of musical bliss.
Kent, you may know this. Did Brian turn out two versions of "So Young?"
Chet Coppock
Host: Chicago Blackhawks Heritage Series

Over the years, numerous alternate takes and versions of The Beach Boys' tracks have made their way to CD and specialty box sets ... they were also notorious for writing and recording a song one way and then doing a COMPLETE reworking (sometimes as a totally new and different song) at a later date.  They even did this on their #1 Hit "Help Me Rhonda"!!!
I went to David Beard, Publisher of ESQ, on this one for his expert opinion ...

Apparently so!  1965 and 1975.

David Beard

 

Hi Kent -  

Fantastic information!I love anything to do with the Wrecking Crew.  Hal Blaine is amazing. He keeps supplying me leads on people ... best contact I ever had ... he's a star.

So pleased for Denny that the film is getting bigger exposure ... he deserves it. I am going to get Don Randi on my radio show, too .I must get the new book "Sound Explosion" ... I wonder if its available in UK yet?  

Regards,  

Geoff  

Not yet ... sounds like we're still in the pre-order stage right now ... but I'll bet it's fascinating!  (Amazon is showing a release date of September 15th ... wonder if you'll get it sooner through The Wrecking Crew website.)  kk

 

Kent,

The "Wrecking Crew" movie opened in New York last night (Friday, March 13), and I was there to see it. What a fantastic look back at the inner workings of the music industry in the '60s, from the points of view of many of the artists, producers and especially the session musicians who provided the magic behind so many of the hits we heard on the radio back then. It's amazing not only how many hit records featured Wrecking Crew members on the music tracks but also how much work they did day in and day out -- sometimes recording the backing tracks for an entire LP in two sessions in a single day! I highly recommend this movie to anyone who grew up listening to the radio during the '60s, or even anyone who's a fan of the music from that period.

– Randy Price

If you grew up loving the music of the '60's, this is an absolute MUST SEE film ... we've been raving about it for the past eight years ... in limited release (but also available through other means of viewing ... scroll back to our March 12th posting for more details), it is now readily available to anybody who wants to see it.  Don't miss your chance!  (Sounds like the official DVD release has been pushed back to June.)  kk

 

Brian Wilson has a couple of brand new releases planned for Record Store Day this year ... first up a special single release, "The Right Time" / "Sail Away", two tracks from his upcoming "No Pier Pressure" CD that feature former Beach Boys members Al Jardine, David Marks and Blondie Chaplain.

Then a 10" LP of tracks originally written and produced for The Honeys and The Castells back in 1964 ...

Billboard Magazine is reporting:

 

For Record Store Day on April 18, Omnivore Recordings will release Sessions '64, a collection of songs Wilson wrote and produced for the Honeys, the Castells and the Timers. The Record Store Day pressing, on 10-inch gold vinyl, is limited to 1,500 copies.

Wilson produced the tracks with Jimmy Bowen with Sandra Glantz, aka Ginger Blake of the Honeys, and Gary Usher arranging. The tracks, which included Wilson's then-wife Marilyn in the Honeys, were originally released on Warner Bros. Records in 1964.

Sessions '64 Track Listing:
The Honeys:
"He's a Doll" (mono master)
"He's a Doll" (stereo mix)
"He's a Doll" (stereo backing track)
"The Love of a Boy and a Girl" (mono master)
"I Can See Right Through You (Go Away Boy)" (stereo backing track)

The Castells:
"I Do" (stereo mix)
"I Do" (stereo backing track)

The Timers:
"No Go Showboat" (stereo mix)
"No Go Showboat" (stereo backing track)

And, speaking of Record Store Day ...

re:  RECORD STORE DAY:

Lots of special releases coming ... 

 

ABKCO’S RECORD STORE DAY VINYL RELEASES INCLUDE CLASSIC TITLES FROM ANIMALS AND HERMAN’S HERMITS 

Saturday, April 18, marks Record Store Day 2015, celebrating the culture of the independently owned record store.  ABKCO Records, one of the world’s leading independent record labels, is participating with a slate of unique releases on vinyl – including one that has never been issued in the U.S. one that has been unavailable on any format in the U.S. for almost five decades.

 

THE ANIMALS – THE ANIMALS NO. 2 (EP) 

Celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2015, this is the Animals’ third British Extended-Play record. Never before released in the U.S., it is being reissued as a 45 rpm 10 inch (the original was a 45 rpm 7 inch) for optimum audio fidelity. The Animals No. 2 is part of a series of EP reissues for ABKCO, which earlier released 10 inch vinyl editions of The Animals (RSD 2014), The Animals Is Here and The Animals Are Back (RSD 2013).

SIDE ONE:  I’m in Love Again / Bury My Body  

SIDE TWO:  I’m Mad Again / She Said Yeah 

 

HERMAN’S HERMITS – BLAZE (LP) 

Considered an underappreciated psych-pop gem, Blaze was the final studio album to contain all new material from the Herman’s Hermits lineup of Peter Noone, Keith Hopwood, Derek Leckenby, Karl Green and Barry Whitwam. Produced by Mickie Most, the album features several originals, plus songs by Donovan, Graham Gouldman and the duo John Carter-Geoff Stephens. Blaze hasn’t been available in the U.S. on any format since its original release in October 1967.

SIDE ONE:  Museum / Upstairs, Downstairs / Busy Line / Moonshine Man / Green Street Green  

SIDE TWO:  Don’t Go Out Into the Rain (You’re Going to Melt) / I Call Out Her Name /  One Little Packet of Cigarettes / Last Bus Home / Ace, King, Queen, Jack

 

Also planning Record Store Day new releases are Paul McCartney, Joan Jett, Peter Gabriel, The Bee Gees, The Doors, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, the aforementioned Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, Simon and Garfunkel, The Zombies, The Everly Brothers, The Kinks, Todd Rundgren, Otis Redding, Gregg Allman, Jeff Beck, Blue Oyster Cult, Dionne Warwick, U2, Frank Sinatra, Sly and the Family Stone (Whew!) and Brian Wilson.  (see the above Beach Boys piece for more details.) 

 

For a complete list and more details, check out: 

http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2015/3/10/paul-mccartney-brian-wilson-bee-gees-many-more-releasing-dis.html#ixzz3UNd2O3A2

 

From FH Reader Scott Paton ... the never-ending debate continues!

The qualitative debate seems to have been resolved here, but people still prefer what they prefer:  http://www.laweekly.com/music/why-cds-may-actually-sound-better-than-vinyl-5352162

Scott 

For me personally, I've totally succumbed to the digital age ... I can't even remember the last time I threw a record on the ol' turn-table ... unless it was to make a digital copy of something for use in Forgotten Hits!  (Plus it's REALLY hard to play record in the car on the way to work!  lol)  kk

 

re:  FIRST 45's, FAVORITE FORGOTTEN B-SIDES, WHO PLAYED THE FIRST BEATLES RECORD IN AMERICA, AND MORE ... OUR VINTAGE FORGOTTEN HITS POSTINGS CONTINUE TO BE DISCOVERED BY BRAND NEW READERS EVERY SINGLE DAY!:

Happy almost Spring! 

Growing up during the late 50's and 60's as I did, all of my memories are encapsulated within the music of the time. The best music ever! Our family never sat down to dinner without the console stereo playing music in the background. All kinds of music ... folk, instrumental, rock and roll, big band, and male and female singers of the day. There was never a holiday or birthday on which we did not give or were given music in some glorious form. I can remember receiving "Meet The Beatles" and the joy that I felt holding that album in my hands.

My first 45 was Eydie Gorme singing "Blame It On The Bossa Nova. I had gotten a particularly good report card and the gift of the 45 was slipped under my bedroom door by our older sister. I will never forget that day!

August Moon

 

Came across the Forgotten Hits webpage and found the article on the Beatles' first airplay to be fascinating.

As far as the flipsides, I can't believe that I saw no mention of two of the best B-sides ever (post 1959 only) - HB Goose Step which was a wonderful Johnny and the Hurricanes styled instrumental that backed the Rivieras' California Sun.  And Butchie's Tune - an original Lovin' Spoonful song (unusual in that it is not written or sung by John Sebastian) that was the flipside of Summer in the City.  Both are on youtube.  Butchie's Tune was even featured as the ending song on a Mad Men episode. 

And isn't it funny how some songs hold up and others don't?  I have nothing against Paperback Writer - I bought the single when I was a kid.  But the B-side, the Lennon tune Rain - the stature of that song has continued to grow over the years until it has easily become one of their very best.

MOBO

Welcome aboard!  "HB Goose Step" was written up in on of our chapters when this series first ran several years ago as it was inspired by local Chicago record promoter and manager Howard Bedno, who had a "funny way of walking" and was immortalized in song in this fashion.  The Lovin' Spoonful had a couple of B-Sides nominated ... but "Butchie's Tune" wasn't one of them.

And I agree that in hindsight "Rain" would seem to be the stronger track in a battle between both sides of The Beatles' Summer of '66 release.  I personally never cared much for "Paperback Writer" and I can think of a few instances where John got the short end of the stick when the group split up their A's and B's.  Another good example is "Hello Goodbye", a record that inexplicably reached #1 ... but sounds like it could have been written by a four year old ... while the magical, mystical "I Am The Walrus" "tagged along" as its flip.  (kk)

 

50 Year Flashback - March 16th, 1965

Here are "The Fabulous 57" Hits of WMCA, home of "The Good Guys" in New York CIty, circa 1965.

They're charting TWO versions of "Red Roses For A Blue Lady" ... Bert Kaempfert's instrumental hit is at #11 while the Vic Dana vocal version is at #21.  (We featured the Wayne Newton version a couple of weeks ago on our 50 Year Flashback!)

Petula Clark's got a couple of songs on the countdown this week ("I Know A Place" comes in at #25, three places ahead of her first US Hit "Downtown", now down to #28.)  In fact there are still quite a few British Invasion Artists represented on this week's chart:  "Goldfinger" by Shirley Bassey is at #2, "Eight Days A Week" by The Beatles is right behind it at #3, followed by Freddie and the Dreamers ("I'm Telling You Now", #4) and Herman's Hermits ("Can't You Hear My Heartbeat", #5).

Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders hold down the #13 spot with their future #1 Hit "Game Of Love", followed by The Animals ("Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", #17), the two previously mentioned Petula Clark hits, "Tired Of Waiting" by The Kinks at #31, "If I Loved You" by Chad and Jeremy at #32, followed by The Searchers (#33 with "Bumble Bee") and Sandie Shaw (#34 with "Girl Don't Come").

The Moody Blues are at #37 with their first big hit, "Go Now", followed by Julie Andrews (technically British, right?) and Dick Van Dyke with the "Mary Poppins" hit "Super-Cali-Fragil-Istic-Expi-Ali-Docious" at #38.  Bringing up the rear are The Who (#46 with "I Can't Explain") and The Rolling Stones, new on the chart with "The Last Time", premiering at #56.  That gives British Acts 16 of the Top 57 songs, or a solid 28%.

Other Forgotten Hits favorites include "The Race Is On" by Jack Jones and "She's About A Mover" by The Sir Douglas Quintet.  I'm also partial to "Double-O-Seven", the follow-up hit for The Detergents ... it occupies the #27 spot this week on WMCA!

Joel Whitburn's Record Research Play List ... March, 1962!

Welcome to our brand new monthly feature!

On the 15th of every month, Forgotten Hits will post a new list of Billboard's Top 25 Songs for that corresponding month from any given year, 1955 - 1984.

We kick it off this month with The Top 25 Hits from March of 1962!  (Were were YOU in '62???) 

These lists come courtesy of Joel Whitburn's Record Research ... and you can find a COMPLETE set of charts for EVERY month, 1955 - 1984 in his new "Top Pop Playlists" books.  

We'll be running a new chart every month EXCLUSIVELY in Forgotten Hits.  And, not only do you get a copy of that month's play list but you ALSO get a special medley of these 25 Hits put together by Joel Whitburn himself!



And check this out ... Record Research is offering a special $5 Off offer EXCLUSIVELY to Forgotten Hits Readers who purchase a copy of Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Playlists, 1955 - 1969 and 1970 - 1984.  These are beautiful, full color books with lots of photos of collectible picture sleeves, sheet music and more.  

Here’s the link to check out “Top Pop Playlists 1955-1969” book:  https://www.recordresearch.com/pop/top_pop_playlists_1955-1969.php   

Just enter the special promo code CORSAIRS and you'll get a $5 discount when ordering this book!  (This offer is valid from 3/15/15 through 3/31/15, expiring at 11:59 p.m. CST.)  Don't miss this great chance to add this book to your collection!   

And be sure to check back next month for a brand new list from a brand new year!  EXCLUSIVELY in Forgotten Hits!

Cinderella

Saw the new Disney live-action film "Cinderella" this afternoon and felt inspired!





Be sure to visit the Forgotten Hits Website on Sunday Morning after 6 am Central Time and check out our brand new Joel Whitburn's Record Research Playlist Feature!

A Brand New Monthly Feature

You'll want to be sure to check out The Forgotten Hits Website this Sunday, March 15th ...

That's when we launch our brand new Monthly Play List Feature in conjunction with Joel Whitburn's Record Research!

On the 15th of every month, we'll feature a time-capsule recap of the biggest hits of that month for any given year, 1955 - 1984.  (This month it's all about "Where Were You In '62?")!

You'll get a recap of that month's 25 Biggest Hits (as tabulated by Billboard Magazine) along with a special medley of those 25 Hits put together by Joel Whitburn himself.  We'll even direct you to his website so you can order copies of Joel's Play List Books for your own library.  (These lists also make for GREAT programming ideas for all the jocks on our list!)

And, as he ALWAYS does, Joel's got another hot new release coming up!

Just as he did with all of The Billboard Charts from 1955 - 2009, Joel will soon be offering exact photo reprints of EVERY Cash Box Chart published in the 1970's!!!

These are black and white reproductions of Cash Box's Top 100 Pop Singles List for every week of the decade.  (More books will follow ... but this first one is expected to be ready to ship by the end of May!)

You can check out all the details below (or visit Joel's website where you can even view some sample pages.)

Here's another GREAT book you'll want to add to your Record Research Library Collection!

https://www.recordresearch.com/billboard_chart_collections/cash_box_top_100_charts_the_seventies.php

1st In Our New Cash Box Chart Book Series ... Pre-publication sale on now -- Save $10! Looking just as they were within the pages of Cash Box magazine are the 520 weekly "Top 100" charts of the 1970s! Each chart was carefully scanned straight from the magazine and is printed here in black and white. Cash Box Top 100 Charts: The Seventies will arrive in late May, 2015. Order today! Don't wait until this limited edition is out of stock.

Happy Together ... With A Twist

Forgotten Hits Reader Rich Turner caught a special edition of The Happy Together Tour in Plant City, Florida, earlier this month and wanted to share his review with our readers. 

Take it away, Rich!   

Kent, 

Thought you might be interested in this. A couple of days ago, Monday, March 2, I caught the latest edition of the Happy Together Tour here in Plant City, Florida, at their annual event known as the Florida Strawberry Festival. I believe this was a one-off performance ... in other words, not part of any tour at this time. Their next tour starts in June. For the most part a very good show.  

The featured acts were: The Turtles, Chuck Negron (of Three Dog Night fame), Gary Puckett, Gary U.S. Bonds and Gary Lewis. They were backed by a group referred to several times as "The Happy Band." Don't quite know how the band members felt about that moniker, but in my opinion THEY were the stars of the show! An excellent set of musicians that made each artist's particular songs sound just like the original recording, except even better. Job very well done fellows. They introduced the band but none of the names struck home with me so they will remain incognito for now but "Happy."  

As far as the artists themselves go, IMHO I felt Chuck Negron was head and shoulders above and better than the others. What an outstanding voice he still has. He brought much new life into each of the five Three Dog Night songs he sang. Three of the songs he did were not even originally sung by him as the lead in the band back in the day, but they were outstanding. He opened with "Mama Told Me Not To Come" (as good as Cory Wells, maybe better), then went into "Celebrate" and brought the house down with "Eli's Coming", on which he received some help from the drummer and guitar player on vocals. Did I mention how great the Happy Band was?  

The next song was "One" and apparently he doesn't have the same hard feelings about the other Three Dog Nighters that they do because he dedicated the song to ... and he personally named ... all the original members of the Three Dog Night band starting with Danny Hutton, Cory Wells, Joe Schermie, Mike Allsup, Floyd Sneed, and then he asked for a prayer for Jimmy Greenspoon as he "is pretty bad shape right now." He then closed his portion of the show with, what else, "Joy To The World."  

He was also full of good humor and joked quite a bit with the crowd, especially when talking about the 60's. "It's kind of a blur right now." and "I hope you don't mind if I just kind of stand here by the microphone and sing because if I start moving around a lot, I have a tendency to get lost" ... and you get the picture. Very entertaining. Worth the price of the show right there.   

The three Garys were all just fine. Their voices left a little to be desired (Mr. Bonds was probably the best of the three) but they all had a lot of energy and enthusiasm as they sang their individual hits for probably the millionth time.  

And then, the featured act, The Turtles.  

I personally was wondering if they were going to show. I had heard that lead singer Howard Kaylan had back surgery about four weeks ago and was supposed to be laid up for at least two months. They were still advertised to appear so was it going to be one Turtle or Flo or both Turtles (aka Flo and Eddie)?    

When the Happy Band introduced the Turtles, who came out to my surprise but both Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan! I'm looking at Howard and I'm thinking, damn he's in pretty good shape for just having back surgery four weeks ago!  But then he picked up a guitar (Howard Kaylan never plays a guitar in concert) and the group started into "She'd Rather Be With Me", with Mark Volman singing lead. Uh-oh, what's going on here? Is Howard temporarily not strong enough to sing? The next song was "You Baby" with Mark again singing the lead (and to be honest, the song was really missing Howard's vocals).   

And then I figured it out. That was not Howard Kaylan up there at all, just someone with a very strong resemblance to him.  

And who did that person turn out to be?  

None other than Jim Pons, one of the original bass players in the Turtles back in the 1960's. So there were "two" Turtles on stage.  

He was introduced by Mark as being retired here in Florida and decided to join the show for this one performance to help things out. After being introduced, Jim said into his microphone "Thanks, get well Howard." And that was the only reference made to the missing Howard Kaylan the entire night.  

The group then played "It Ain't Me Babe", "Elenore" and closed with, of course, "Happy Together."  

Mark's vocals left a lot to be desired (not necessarily bad, just different than Howard's) ... which left what seemed to me most of the crowd wondering what was going on with the singing. Obviously most were unaware of the Kaylan back situation so there did seem to be a lot of negative feedback and it wasn't helped by the Turtles not really making any reference to the missing lead singer.  

The show ended with each singer coming back on stage to sing a snippet of their biggest hit and then into a huge crowd sing-a-long with "Happy Together."  

After it was all said and done, a real good show with a great band and a great performance by Chuck Negron. The crowd of probably about 1,500 I believe left "Happy!" for the most part.  

Rich Turner 
Safety Harbor, Florida 

Oh yes, the Happy Together Tour will be back here in Clearwater, Florida, in June with a different lineup (except for the Turtles). So I will check it out again, and hopefully Howard Kaylan will be back with the band!   

The Happy Together Tour has received a bit of flack the past few years for not quite putting up on stage what was always advertised ahead of time.  There were issues with The Grass Roots a few years back and last year Gary Lewis took ill mid-tour and missed a number of shows.  Gary "U.S." Bonds replaced him on at least a couple of appearances, one of which was caught by another Forgotten Hits Reader who gave it an outstanding review ... that night, it sounds like it was Bonds who stole the show. 

But The Turtles without Howard Kaylan on lead vocals just isn't The Turtles!  (My guess is that this show was booked before Howard underwent surgery so they made the best of the situation ... but to not mention or acknowledge Howard's absence or health condition just seems wrong to me.)  Best wishes for a speedy recovery, my friend ... it sounds like they need you!

The 2015 Happy Together Tour line-up includes The Turtles, Mark Lindsay, The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams, The Association and first-timers The Cowsills, who blew us away when we saw them a few months back.   

That's one heck of a line-up and we're looking forward to meeting up with all these guys again this summer when the show hits Chicago.  Here's hoping EVERYBODY stays healthy this year ... and fans get to see the artists they love and hear the music that never grows old.

Note:  Concert dates are still being finalized at this time ... 

Stay tuned to Forgotten Hits for more details as they become available

The British Invasion Show

Last Saturday Night, March 7th, The 2015 British Invasion Tour made its way to Chicago, stopping at The City Winery, a beautiful venue just outside the city limits.   

Unfortunately, we were unable to connect with the venue in time to attend and, as such, ended up missing one of the shows I most wanted to see this year.  (Talks for a second Chicago stop never materialized ... so they won't be coming back through town for a second leg ... and, in that Chicago wasn't a tour stop on last year's itinerary, I was quite disappointed, thinking that this very well may have been my one and only chance to see them.)

Thankfully, however, we heard from TWO Forgotten Hits Readers who WERE able to catch the show last week ... one in Wisconsin and the other in Ohio ... so we are now able to live vicariously through their reviews.  (No, it's not the same as being there ... but it looks like this is about as close as we're going to get this time around!)

First up, Ken Freck, sharing HIS perspective of the show he saw play in Milwaukee last week.  And then, a report from Tom Apathy, who not only caught The British Invasion Show last week in Ohio and sent us a review of the concert, but ALSO sent along some GREAT photos of the headliners.  

Extra, extra ... read all about it ... right here, EXCLUSIVELY in Forgotten Hits.  (Take it away, Fellas!)


Hi Kent:  

I want to highly recommend the British Invasion Tour that is going around. If you get a chance to see it, do so! It was outstanding. 

Denny Laine, Chad & Jeremy, Mike Pender of Searchers, Terry Sylvester of Hollies, Billy J. Kramer & Peter Asher. If you love the songs by these guys, check it out. Who knows how many chances are left to see a quality cast like this.   

I can give you a somewhat short synopsis of the event. My friend looked up the previous couple of shows and I guess Milwaukee got lucky on Friday Night. Apparently we got several more songs than those shows ... I guess because we were there to have fun, and the groups could sense it. 

It was a three hour show. The night started with Terry Sylvester, who had a solid set of Hollies and Swinging Blue Jeans hits, his two high profile groups. When you start the night with “I Can’t Let Go”, you are living large. “Bus Stop” and “Hippy Hippy Shake were highlights as well.   

Next up was Mike Pender of The Searchers, who was outstanding! His 12 String Rickenbacker never sounded better. He played the great Searchers hits plus a welcome surprise of P.F. Sloan’s “Take Me For What I’m Worth”, which is a killer underrated 45. The only problem with this set is that it was about 30 songs too short. 

Thirdly was Chad & Jeremy, who I haven’t heard for a long while but was stunned at how great they still sound together. Hearing them do “Summer Song” just gives you chills. They looked older but the sound was pure 1964. 

After a short break, Denny Laine took the stage, playing a few early Moody Blues faves. He was in excellent form and “Lose Your Money” and “I’ll Go Crazy” were both great. Hearing him sing “Go Now” was special as well. 

Next up was Billy J. Kramer. He had the longest set of all, including a couple of newer tracks. He started out a little rusty and stiff, but after a few songs he was in full stride. He did his Lennon-McCartney catalog highlighted by an outstanding version of “Bad To Me”. A solid “Little Children” and emotional “Trains, Boats and Planes” were highlights as well. He was cookin’ by the time of his last song, a shockingly excellent rendition of “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore”. 

The final act was Peter Asher who also played emcee for the show. He was spot on with great versions of Peter & Gordon’s first four hits including “I Go To Pieces” and “A World Without Love”. After a whimsical version of “Lady Godiva”, he went to a very warm tribute to Gordon, which peaked with Peter singing a duet with Gordon’s video a few years back doing “True Love Ways”, which was incredible and came off extremely well and left some eyes watering. 

The crowd wanted more, so after thunderous applause, out popped Denny Laine who said he was going to take us to the 70’s for one last song. He and the band got going with “Band On The Run” which I wasn’t really looking forward to, but was pleasantly surprised at how well they did it ... and they also had all the singers come out and join in the song. It was a fantastic sight to see all those great artists joining in a rousing version. The night was also filled with many great and humorous stories from the old days.  A memorable night indeed! 

Ken Freck 
Milwaukee

Kent,    
It was a great show, focused on the 60's songs they were part of.  Peter Asher was the emcee as well as a performer, telling stories about each performer before they came on stage. 

Terry Sylvester started the evening performing Hollies classics like Just One Look, Bus Stop, as well as his Swinging Blue Jeans hits Hippy Hippy Shake and You're No Good, of which he claimed Peter Asher "stole" their version when he produced Linda Ronstadt. 

Next up was Mike Pender, who at 74 years old, looked, sang and played guitar like it was 1964.  He did all the hits ... Love Potion #9, Every Time You Walk Into the Room, Needles and Pins ... he did not disappoint.

Denny Laine was a bit of the odd man out ... doing mainly blues standards, like he did with the Moody Blues, and of course, Go Now.  Since it was a 60's show, he did not do any Wings until the encore, when all of the artists came on stage for Band On The Run.

Chad and Jeremy were funny and sounded great ... Distant Shores, Yesterday's Gone, Willow Weep For Me, and other hits sounded great.  The running joke was that prim and proper Jeremy Clyde still lives in London, while the shabby denim clad Chad Stuart lives in Idaho.

Billy J Kramer's voice sounded great ... doing all the hits ... Little Children, Trains, Boats and Planes, I'll Keep You Satisfied, as well as a song he wrote to get Brian Epstein into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.   

Peter Asher was funny and charming all night ... and was introduced by a video from Eric Idle of Monty Python, talking about how great Peter was and how he shagged Marainne Faithful ... ha ...  

The highlight was a video of the late Gordon Waller on the screen, with Peter singing a duet of True Loves Ways ... very touching.  

A very well performed show with a kick ass backing band ... a must see if they come to your town.   

All of these photos are from the March 4th Show at the Kent Stage ... 

(All photos courtesy Tom Apathy for use in Forgotten Hits ... thanks Tom!!!)

Sounds like we missed one heck of a show ... here's hoping they do this one more time next year so we get a second chance to see them.

Meanwhile, here's a live track by Chad and Jeremy from an earlier show ... still sounding pretty darn amazing some 50 years later ...