Wow, talk about British Chart Domination ... The Top Five songs this week in Columbus, Ohio, all come from British Invasion Artists ... Herman's Hermits, Freddie and the Dreamers, Petula Clark, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders and The Seekers hold down the top five spots ... with a SECOND Hit by Freddie and the Dreamers sitting at #9, followed by The Rolling Stones at #10! That's an incredible 70% of The Top Ten Tunes. (Who said The British Invasion had run its course by 1965 and was waning??!?) Scaling down the chart you'll also find The Kinks, Tom Jones, TWO MORE HITS by Herman's Hermits, Sounds Orchestral (up an INCREDIBLE 21 places), Marianne Faithful, The Searchers, Peter and Gordon and Gerry and the Pacemakers ... and, for good measure, Dance Chart King Chubby Checker at #40 with his version of a song called "Do The Freddie"! The Pick Hit of the Week, however, belongs to The Beach Boys, with "Help Me, Rhonda". They already have the #30 Hit with "Please Let Me Wonder" (a case of yet another radio station charting the B-Side rather than the A-Side of this record.) The Beau Brummels are up 13 places with their latest, "Just A Little" ... and The Dixie Cups have a new hit with the New Orleans-sounding "Iko Iko".
We're still getting suggestions for great R&B / Soul performances ... here's the latest list provided by our readers ...
But first ...
Some very sad new this past week ... soul legend (and Rock And Roll Hall of Famer) Percy Sledge passed away at the age of 74. His name has come up several times amongst your Soul and R&B Favorites, thanks to his across-the-boards #1 Hit "When A Man Loves A Woman". (Personally, this is another record that, much as I loved it, I burned out on the track after radio beat it relentlessly into our heads for so many years ... but that doesn't mean it isn't a great and classic recording. Another Percy Sledge favorite for me is "Take Time To Know Her", a #11 from 1968.)
Here is Ron Smith's official obituary from his oldiesmusic.com website:
Percy Sledge, best remembered for the romantic classic, "When A Man Loves A Woman" (#1 Pop, #1 R&B - 1966) but who charted thirteen other times on the Pop Charts alone in nine years, died of liver cancer Tuesday (April 14) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the age of 73. Born in Leighton, Alabama, he started out singing with the local Esquires Combo while working as a hospital orderly. Percy and two of the Esquires (not to be confused with the later R&B group) wrote "When A Man Loves A Woman," but he gave the credit to the others. Recording the song at a Muscle Shoals, Alabama, studio, it was picked up by Atlantic Records, who made him a solo star. Other tunes included "Take Time To Know Her" (#11 Pop, #6 R&B - 1968), "Warm And Tender Love" (#17 Pop, #5 R&B - 1966) and "It Tears Me Up" (#20 Pop #7 R&B - 1966). Michael Bolton took "When A Man Loves A Woman" back to the top of the Pop Charts in 1991. Percy was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 and given the Rhythm and Blues Pioneer Award in 1989. He was also inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. -- Ron Smith
Percy's health had worsened of late ... I remember running a couple of reports in FH over the last several months. He was perhaps one of the most unlikely candidates for induction into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, with a limited hit list and nothing even closely resembling rock and roll in his catalog. Former Y103.9 deejay Jim Shea was at the ceremony in Cleveland when Sledge was inducted and had the opportunity to sit with him ... Sledge was as bewildered as anybody else across America, wondering what he was doing there. (Ahmet Ertegan probably had a LOT to do with that ... look at the early Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductees list and you'll see Atlantic Records artists all over the place. He was a big part of getting the organization founded ... and some might say that Jann Wenner went out of his way to make sure that Atlantic was always represented when the final vote tallies were posted.) kk
Kent ... "When A Man Loves A Woman" wasn't his only great song. In my opinion, this was another one. RIP. Frank B. I totally agree with you on this one ... one of MY favorites by him as well. (kk)
Kent, In regards to songs in which certain notes are held for quite a length of time in said song, another one of my all time favorites has got to be Gene Pitney's 1964 I'M GONNA BE STRONG, especially the last 14 seconds of the song. I remember on more than one occasion when I heard the Casinos' THEN YOU CAN TELL ME GOODBYE, the DJ on the air either before or after the song was played, commented that it sounded like it was recorded back in the fifties. A year later, in 1968, Gene Hughes had a record called WHERE AM I (HERE I AM) on U.A. records which dented our weekly survey here in OKC. As I am typing this to you, they just announced on network television that Percy Sledge has passed away at the age of 74. How ironic in a way he passed away today when his song WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN was chosen by many of your readers. The answer to that song, WHEN A WOMAN LOVES A MAN, was recorded by the late "Little" Esther Phillips. In our paper the following day, they told of the passing of singer Percy Sledge and all the musical accomplishments he received during his career. It also mentioned that his WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN was the first gold record for label Atlantic Records. I don't really know but took this statement at face value. I would have guessed that Atlantic Records would have had a gold record before then, but then again, maybe not.
THERE IS by the Dells is one of my all time favorite by them. However, I slightly disagree some with you in that I always preferred the original VJ recording out of 1956. Mark the Shark had some good songs on his list. Garnett Mims did have other records besides CRY BABY. I always liked the Volumes' I LOVE YOU. Bobby Moore's SEARCHING FOR MY LOVE was a favorite of mine, even though I haven't heard it in years. James Brown's TRY ME was probably one of the biggest J.B. records here in OKC. Always did like J.B.'s earlier recordings compared to the ones he made later on in his life. Larry Neal I don't believe Percy's #1 Hit was the label's first gold record (unless they pulled the Motown trick of not awarding gold records to their artists in order to keep them in the dark about just how well their records were really doing at the time. A gold record for a million sales would most likely inspire an artist to ask for more money ... or even more likely, "where's my money" ... and the record label would have to answer to that. Instead, most (if not all) of the record labels "cooked their books" in order to reflect far lower numbers ... or, like Motown, simply didn't publish a sales report at all. I've got to believe that somebody like The Supremes HAD to feel they might have had more money coming after scoring six #1 Records in a two year period ... they were posting Beatles-like sales at the time. Atlantic, meanwhile, had been placing hit records on the R&B Chart for nearly twenty years before "When A Man Loves A Woman" reached the top spot on the charts. Just doing some very minor research last night, it looks like the distinction of earning Atlantic's first gold record belongs to Ruth Brown and her 1951 hit "Teardrops From My Eyes". I will dig a bit deeper later to see if I can find other sources that back this up ... but many at the time considered Atlantic Records to be "The House That Ruth Built" ... spring-boading off of her career, they quickly increased their stable of incredible artists, making them forerunners in the game of rock and soul. (kk)
GOOD songs today. I love "Angel Baby" and once again had totally forgotten about it.
Stacee
Hi Kent,
It was great seeing the 1966 survey you posted from Jack showing the Five Stairsteps at number one with "Don't Waste Your Time". It's really a great song! If you have not heard it, give it a listen.
It should have been a hit ... and apparently it was at that station.
Mike Hartman
I wasn't familiar with this one at all. It never made any of the national pop charts ... and I don't see it making Billboard's R&B Chart either ... so pretty rare to see this track at #1 on ANY survey! (kk)
Hola Kent,
I think Winter has gone !!
Unforgettable song finishes and held notes are memorable for many reasons, and I believe you denied Jay Black's incredible performance of "Cara Mia" for the PBS special its rightful place of one of the finest displays of an entertainer rejoicing in his god given abilities and performing the song to best of his abilities ... especially considering the fact that his vocal capabilities appear to have remained in top form. What a thrill to view his rendition of his long ago hit and the purity of voice that comes through to the enjoyment of his audience and I believe he himself enjoyed it the most.
Springs return evokes the traditional cry of "Play Ball" but to me the bright sunshine and fair weather compel me to "Play Oldies" !
Happy Spring, keep the music alive,
CharlieOFD
Actually we ran the video clip of Jay's PBS performance the other day in Forgotten Hits ... without question, one of the FINEST examples of a great singer taking care of his instrument. The guy is simply AMAZING! (But, apparently according to his former coworker, a REAL prick to work with!!! lol) kk
I'm a little late on this thread but I can't believe I've seen so many lists without the "Genius of Soul", Ray Charles. I could submit a list of 30 RC songs and it would be great soul.
Instead I have chosen the following:
Night Time Is The Right Time - Ray Charles
What'd I Say - Ray Charles
I Got a Woman - Ray Charles
Please, Please, Please - James Brown
I Feel Good - James Brown
But It's Alright - JJ Jackson
I Thank You - Sam and Dave
Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett
Land Of 1000 Dances - Wilson Pickett
Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Temptations
Shake - Sam Cooke
Am I the Man - Jackie Wilson
Doggin' Around - Jackie Wilson
Baby Workout - Jackie Wilson
I'm Comin' On Back To You - Jackie Wilson
Cry Baby - Garnett Mimms and the Enchanters
Satisfied - Cashmeres
Yield Not To Temptation - Bobby "Blue" Bland
Let the Good Times Roll - BB King and Bobby "Blue" Bland
Who's Makin' Love - Johnny Taylor
Show Me - Joe Tex
Twenty-Five Miles - Edwin Starr
Shake a Tail Feather - Five Dutones
I Don't Want To Cry - Chuck Jackson
Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley
Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
Some Kind Of Wonderful - Soul Brothers Six
Ain't Nothing Stopping Us Now - Tower Of Power
Dance To the Music - Sly and Family Stone
Stay In My Corner - Dells
Strokin' - Clarence Carter
Danny Guilfoyle
PS -- you're right, I've always had trouble counting. PPS - And how could I forget the "Queen of Soul", Aretha Franklin? How about "Think". Also "I Can't Turn You Loose" by Otis, "I Need Your Lovin'" by Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford and "Ain't Nothin' But a House Party" by the Showstoppers. Danny I don't think we'll EVER reach the end of the list on this one!!! Every time you think you've covered all the bases, three or four more great examples pop into your head! (kk)
Couple of things. I don't know if there is a time frame involved in this discussion. I don't rate or rank music either but I love reading the comments of those who do. To each his own.
That said, there are a lotta names I haven't seen or perhaps I missed, so here they are, sans discussion:
The Platters
The Moonglows
The Five Keys
The Penguins
The Spaniels
The Ravens
Clyde McPhatter
Brook Benton
Hil
Some good points taken today ... how do you do The Ultimate Soul List and leave off artists like Ray Charles and The Platters? Meanwhile, the list just keeps on growing! (kk)
Hi Kent -
Since you have been highlighting R and B songs, one of my favorites is "How Can I Forget" by Johnny Holiday. (hope I got the last name right?!)
Can you give me some info about that song? When in doubt ask the master ...
Carolyn
Actually it's JIMMY Holiday ... and "How Can I Forget" was his first pop hit back in 1963. (It peaked at #50 in Cash Box Magazine, #57 in Billboard and #65 in Music Vendor ... another one of those larger point spreads that just don't make any sense in hindsight.) It was as close as he'd come to a Top 40 Hit. Only one other record reached The Top 100 ... and that was 1966's "Baby I Love You", which spent a week at #98 in Billboard Magazine.
You may remember "How Can I Forget" because it did a little better here in Chicago, peaking at #21 on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey.
According to Joel Whitburn's book, Holiday was born in Durant, Mississippi but raised in Waterloo, Iowa. He died of hear failure in 1987 at the age of 52.
For the record, there WAS another artist named Johnny Holiday. He charted for a week in 1961 with a record called "One More Time" that peaked at #40 on the WLS Chart. (kk)
Kent,
Shouldn't Jim Peterik's "Vehicle' be in Chet Coppick's soul list??
This Saturday on Record Store Day, a special release to plug:
http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2015/3/4/the-ides-of-march-celebrating-50th-anniversary-with-five-dis.html Clark I think what we're finding is that it's virtually impossible to narrow a favorites list like this down to just 30 positions ... as soon as you do, you'll think of two dozen others that are just as worthy ... and then you'll read suggestions by other readers that will inspire you to expand the list even further. If I ever really DO put together a poll I guess we'll have to lay down some criteria in order to avoid too many white boy / soul wannabes ... because otherwise virtually EVERY great vocal performance would eventually qualify. (I'll have to give that one some thought.) Meanwhile we are VERY excited about the new Ides Of March 50th Anniversary CD Package ... four great CD's plus a live DVD spanning their entire career. (Too bad they couldn't have rushed this out for release ON The Ides Of March!!!) But it's available now ... and this link will give you a good overview as to what to expect. Can't wait to add this one to my collection. (Watch for a full Forgotten Hits review once we've had a chance to enjoy the discs ourselves!) kk
Tim Kiley mentioned "Soulful Strut," which is indeed a great recording -- and the biggest hit credited to Young-Holt Unlimited. Note though that I said "credited to" -- because not a single member of Young-Holt Unlimited actually performed on that track. In fact, Young-Holt Unlimited had absolutely nothing to do with that million-seller at all -- except to get label credit for it. (The same thing happened to The Crystals, whose "He's A Rebel" was actually a recording by Darlene Love and The Blossoms.)
Barbara Acklin -- who at one time was married to Chi-Lites' lead singer Eugene Record -- cut "Am I The Same Girl" for Brunswick Records. After it flopped, the label took the backing track from that recording, tweaked it a little and then decided to release it without Barbara's vocal. The problem was that that backing track has been recorded by a one-shot group of session musicians and not a formal band. So who could Brunswick credit the instrumental to? The only instrumental outfit signed to the label at the time was The Young-Holt Trio, which has just scored a small hit with "Wack Wack." Figuring that "Soulful Strut" sounded enough like "Wack Wack" to pass as being by the same musicians, Brunswick changed the Trio's name to Young-Holt Unlimited and released "Soulful Strut" -- which soared to #3 in early 1969 and quickly turned gold. It's success led to a reissue of Barbara's "Am I The Same Girl," which at least charted the second time but just barely.
Bassist Eldee Young and drummer Isaac "Red" Holt first gained fame backing pianist Ramsey Lewis as the Ramsey Lewis Trio ("The In Crowd"). After Ramsey went solo, his two former bandmates decided to continue their act by adding pianist Don Walker, but Walker had left by 1968. Young-Holt Unlimited -- which couldn't even perform "Soulful Strut" like the single they were falsely credited as recording -- struggled on for a few more years but finally disbanded in 1974; Young died at age 71 in 2007.
Gary Theroux
I think Barbara's recording of "Am I The Same Girl" is a great record ... but it pretty much stiffed on the charts. MOST people think that she recorded a vocal version AFTER the Young-Holt Unlimited single became a hit ... but in fact, the vocal was recorded first. (That's because the CHARTED version of Barbara's hit came out three months AFTER the success of "Soulful Strut", which hit #1 in Record World Magazine in January of 1969. This one definitely belongs on Bill Oakley's list of shared vocal and instrumental hits, coming up soon in Forgotten Hits.)
Barbara's vocal version ultimately peaked at #52 in both Cash Box Magazine and Record World, 27 points higher than it did in Billboard. (That's quite a spread!)
23 years later, Swing Out Sister did a KILLER version of this track ... yet it still failed to crack The Top 40, peaking at #45 in Billboard. (kk)
Not much in the way of "free time" this past week ... But I was able to pull together a few things this morning ... Enjoy!
Would you please tell whomever is left of the original New Colony Six I still love and consider a potato chip song (you can't get enough of it) 'Things I'd Like To Say.' It has it all: lyrics, melody, singing, musicianship. Never get tired of it. I only have a handful of perfect songs ... another is 'On the Wings of A Nightingale' as sung by the Everly Brothers (and written by Sir Paul) ... pretty high standard, huh? It's crazy what makes this list ... they're just songs I can't help loving for no particular reason, like Bob Brady and the Con-cords 'Everybody's Going To The Love-In.' (Perfect Songs could be another fun survey ... I'm thinking about 'Sweet Soul Music' favorites you're currently surveying ... might be easier ... I don't even know where to start on that one because there are so many, beginning with Smokey's 'Cruisin''. Maybe if you asked us to send you one each & that'd be my pick.)Patti I passed your note along to The New Colony Six members, circa 1968-1969. It's funny you should mention "Perfect Songs" ... there are VERY few songs that I can honestly say I have never stopped loving since the first time I've heard them ... and still listen to them EVERY time they come on the radio today. To me, THOSE songs would make my list ... not even sure how many that would be ... but when you consider that tens of thousands of songs have made the charts and crossed our consciousness since the dawn of rock and roll, I'll betcha I would have a hard time narrowing it down to 200 ... 500 ... 1000 ... but even THEN, I still wouldn't play the SAME 500 songs day in and day out, day after day after day ... because I don't want to run the risk of ruining THOSE songs for me, too. They are far to precious. (kk)
REMINDER: Don't miss The New Colony Six THIS SUNDAY at The Arcada Theatre when they perform as part of The Rhythmic Arts Foundation Fundraiser (also starring Denny Diamond and The Cadillac Casanovas). Chet Coppock will act as Master of Ceremonies and it all goes to a good cause. (Scroll back and read our March 31st interview with Robert Colletti, organizer of this event).
Micky Dolenz was on hand last weekend for Johnny Mathis' sold-out concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Here's a great shot of Micky and Johnny together after the show, courtesy of DIS-Company! (kk)
I would LOVE to see Ron Onesti book Jay Black into The Arcada Theatre. He had Jay and the Americans there last year ... and it was a great show ... but now I want to see and hear THAT VOICE ... INCREDIBLY as strong as ever at the ripe old age of 76! (kk)
Speaking of great shows, FH Reader Steve Sarley jut sent us the Summer Line-Up for RiverEdge Park (a BEAUTIFUL place to see a concert, by the way ... we were there a couple of summers ago for the Sail Rock Show) ...
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2013/08/sail-rock-our-concert-review.html This year headliners include Hall and Oates (July 31st), Earth Wind And Fire (August 22nd), Rock The Yacht (put on by the same folks who gave us Sail Rock a few years ago ... this time featuring The Little River Band, Ambrosia, Player, Stephen Bishop and Robbie Dupree) on July 24th, REO Speedwagon (July 18th), The BoDeans (June 13th ... they kick off this year's events), Meat Loaf (August 23rd) and a '90's Show featuring Smash Mouth, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Tonic. (Guess we'll be spending quite a bit of our summer out in Aurora this year!)
And check out this line-up for the 2015 Ponderosa Stomp ... even our buddy Freddy Cannon is back out on the road again after having heart surgery late last year ... that's GREAT news!!! (Now will somebody please bring this guy to Chicago so that WE can see him, too?!?!?)
I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT, KENT. YES, IM FEELIN GREAT ... THANKS FOR THINKING ABOUT ME.
IF WE CAN FIND OUT WHO BOOKS THE SHOWS THERE THEN I WOULD COME THERE.
YOU'RE THE BEST !
THANKS AGAIN -
FREDDY
Meanwhile ... till then ... fans in the New Orleans area can enjoy Freddy ... and others ... at this year's Ponderosa Stomp! (kk)
12th PONDEROSA STOMP SET FOR OCT 1 - 3
PHENOMENAL LINE UP OF PERFORMERS INCLUDES FREDDY “BOOM BOOM” CANNON + LOS STRAITJACKETS, IRMA THOMAS, BARBARA LYNN, ROY HEAD, BRENDA HOLLOWAY, P.F. SLOAN, BILLY BOY ARNOLD, SAN ANTONIO CHICANO SOUL REVIEW AND MANY MORE!
NEW ORLEANS-BASED MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THE ORIGINALS OF ROCK, BLUES, SWAMP POP, SOUL, NEW ORLEANS R&B, ROCKABILLY AND MUCH MORE
The talent lineup has been set for the twelfth edition of the Ponderosa Stomp Festival, New Orleans’ annual music bash that shines a brilliant light on generations of performers whose pioneering efforts made postwar and midcentury rock ‘n’ roll the rich, eclectic stew that forever changed the culture. This year’s Stomp takes place the weekend of Oct. 1-3, 2015, with concerts the nights of Oct. 2-3 at the Rock ‘N’ Bowl™ in Uptown New Orleans.
The Ponderosa Stomp Concert is the in-person equivalent of having an infinite supply of quarters to play the world’s most thoroughly curated rock ‘n’ roll jukebox, stocked with “all killer – no filler” music that delivers a nonstop, high-energy rock ‘n’ roll experience. The Stomp’s Music History Conference is set for Oct. 1- 2 at the AC Hotel by Marriott, which is also hosting the Stomp’s annual Record Show Oct. 1-3. The kickoff Hip Drop VII DJ party gets under way the evening of Oct. 1 at a location to be announced.
Tickets for the concerts are offered as a two-night package at a discounted rate of $100 from now until May 1.
While this year’s Stomp offers its fair share of name artists, the festival is an enveloping phenomenon imbued a gospel-like fervor, irrespective of one’s familiarity with the individual performing artists. Those set to play this year’s Stomp, which The New York Times called “a party on its way to becoming an institution,” reflect a broad cross-section of vital performers who have made their mark in the realms of rock ‘n’ roll, soul, rhythm & blues, rockabilly, swamp pop, gospel, Tex-Mex, and other indigenous music.
These include Where The Action Is star Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon with Los Straitjackets, New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas, Motown diva Brenda Holloway, R&B doyenne Mable John, left-handed Gulf Coast guitar goddess Barbara Lynn, Roy Head of “Treat Her Right” renown, California folk-rock auteur P.F. Sloan, Chicago blues great Billy Boy Arnold, Muscle Shoals soulman Willie Hightower, and a West Side (San Antonio) Chicano soul revue with Rudy T. Gonzales backed by Sunliners alumni Little Henry, Rudy Palacios, and Chente Montes along with Manuel “Bones” Aragon of the Royal Jesters. Numerous other artists are also slated to appear; complete list below.
Despite their veteran status or, perhaps, because of it, the artists at this year’s Stomp embody the raw rebellion of rock ‘n’ roll’s first generation. The Stomp is far removed from the typical oldies cavalcade as its producers — The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation, under the direction of founder “Dr. Ike” (Ira Padnos) — are meticulous in selecting artists who are imbued with the spirit of the music. The live shows emphasize an idiosyncratic repertoire, all backed by first-rate musicians sympathetic to the no-holds-barred tenor of the event.
Music aficionados from around the globe eagerly anticipate the unrestrained performances that typify The Stomp. “The Stomp tells a story no other ordinary concert does. It opens up the inside of music history for examination,” The San Francisco Chronicle’s Joel Selvin noted. “The Stomp mingled high-octane rockabilly, elegantly dynamic Southern soul, intricate New Orleans R&B and some kindred untamed music,” Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrote, likening the festival to “a dream” for lovers of authentic, raw, and unrestrained elemental music. Gulf South Travel Services is offering a variety of 3 and 4-day packages for this year’s Stomp with or without accommodations at The Stomp’s host hotel, AC Hotel by Marriott. Included is ground transportation to and from the concerts and access to The Stomp’s concurrent Music History Conference, Hip Drop DJ party and Record Show. Gulf South Travel Services donates a percentage of the proceeds back to The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation to help defray some of the cost of producing the festival. Call 504-952-0641 or email angelo@GSTS-travel.com for more information.
A closer look at the performers:
Brenda Holloway, Irma Thomas, Mable John, and Barbara Lynn are legendary “sisters of soul” whose talents and backgrounds are a reflection of many of the facets of rhythm and blues. Their participation respectively represents the Motown era, New Orleans’ own homegrown soul movement, soul’s gospel roots, and the Gulf Coast’s steamy take on emotive R&B.
Like Barbara Lynn, Roy Head is slated to make a return appearance at this year’s Stomp. The energetic, often acrobatic, performer inspired countless singers and bands to, simply stated, “let it rip.”
Also on tap is the enigmatic P.F. Sloan, one of the progenitors of the California folk-rock movement and composer of “Eve of Destruction” as well as scores of hits for the Turtles, Johnny Rivers, the Grass Roots, and others.
Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, star of TV’s Where The Action Is, will be backed by Los Straightjackets, a combination that is sure to dazzle on his lengthy string of top 40 hits, the biggest of which is, most presciently, “Way Down Yonder In New Orleans.”
Along with rock and soul blues, rockabilly, and swamp pop, Tex-Mex performers are featured at The Ponderosa Stomp. Packing a rockin’ brand of Tejano soul, Rudy T. Gonzales of the Reno Bops will headline a revue backed by the core of San Antonio’s Sunliners — Little Henry, Rudy Palacios, and Chente Montes — along with fellow Chicano soul drummer Manuel “Bones” Aragon of the Royal Jesters.
First-generation Chicago bluesman Billy Boy Arnold — whose “I Wish You Would” has been covered by the Yardbirds, David Bowie, and The Sweet — is returning to The Stomp this year. And Willie Hightower, one of Muscle Shoals’ most soulful standard bearers, will be making a rare appearance. Rockabilly stalwarts Royce Porter, Mike Waggoner, Al Hendrix, Jim Oertling, and Mack Banks are primed to bop at The Stomp, along with J.M. Van Eaton of Sun Records’ Little Green Men and drummer for both Jerry Lee Lewis and Billy Lee Riley.
The Louisiana-born phenomenon known as swamp pop will get royal treatment from a veritable Mount Rushmore of its stars: singers Tommy McLain, Rod Bernard, and Gene Terry, backed by The Mama Mama Mamas, a swampy supergroup that includes C.C. Adcock, Steve Riley, Dickie Landry, Pat Breaux, and drummer Jockey Etienne, playing his box tops that injected the murky soul into so many Excello 45s by Lazy Lester and others.
Louisiana’s own soul-music heritage is represented by New Orleans vocalists Tony Owens and Jimmy “Pistol” Jules, plus Creole-zydeco guitar slinger Lil’ Buck Sinegal and the Top Cats featuring James Alexander from Lafayette.
Making his Stomp debut, Gerry McGee, the son of Cajun music legend Dennis McGee, is the guitar great who worked on sessions for Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Linda Ronstadt, Kris Kristofferson, Nancy Sinatra, and the Monkees. A longtime member of the Ventures, McGee also replaced Ry Cooder in one of the earliest iterations of Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band.
Ponderosa Stomp performers as of April 1: Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon with Los Straitjackets; Irma Thomas; Mable John; Brenda Holloway; Barbara Lynn; Roy Head; Willie Hightower; P.F. Sloan; Billy Boy Arnold; West Side Chicano Soul Revue with Rudy T. Gonzales backed by Little Henry, Rudy Palacios, and Chente Montes of the Sunliners and Manuel “Bones” Aragon of the Royal Jesters; Royce Porter; Mike Waggoner; Al Hendrix; Mack Banks; J.M. Van Eaton; James Alexander; R.L. Boyce; Warren Storm; Raymond George; The Mama Mama Mamas, featuring C.C. Adcock, Steve Riley, Dickie Landry, Pat Breaux, and Jockey Etienne, with special guests Tommy McLain, Rod Bernard, and Gene Terry; Jimmy “Pistol” Jules; Gerry McGee; Lil’ Buck Sinegal and the Top Cats; Tony Owens; Jim Oertling; Deke Dickerson
ABOUT THE PONDEROSA STOMP FOUNDATION: The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation (PSF) is a 501(c) (3), not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to celebrating the legacy, revitalizing the careers, and preserving the history of American music and musicians.
The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation works to acknowledge, pay tribute to, and teach the cultural significance of the unsung heroes and heroines of rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm & blues and other forms of American roots music – while they are still alive. We provide both a voice and a stage to overlooked sidemen, session musicians, and other influential pioneers whose contributions have shaped American culture for over 50 years.
Early music forms, such as blues, soul, rockabilly, swamp pop, funk, and New Orleans R&B, are the building blocks of rock ‘n’ roll, hip hop, and other contemporary music styles. Many of us sing along to songs made popular by musicians as varied as Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, the Rolling Stones, the Ramones, and the Velvet Underground. But sometimes the most unforgettable parts of a song come from the behind-the-scenes architects, not the face on the album cover.
Yet many of these musicians aren’t recognized for their contributions to contemporary popular culture.
With many of these unsung heroes aging, it is essential to honor and capture their pioneering cultural contributions for generations to come. It is with this sense of urgency and profound respect for the individuals and their music that the Ponderosa Stomp Foundation continues its work to:
Celebrate the legacy of the unsung heroes of American music whose influence and contributions have shaped American culture for over 50 years; Help revitalize the musical careers of these American music icons while they’re still alive; Preserve the individual's story behind American music history and educate young and old audiences, fans, and students about their work.
The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation achieves its mission through the presentation of unique and varied programming, ranging from music-education initiatives in public schools and museums to an oral-history project to the signature annual concert event, The Ponderosa Stomp. The results are long-term, with many Stomp performers going on to record new music and book gigs at local, national, and international events.
Speaking of P.J. Proby ... Van Morrison's got a track on this new album called "Whatever Happened To P.J. Proby" that FH Reader Frank B likes ...
Kent ...
I like this song off Van Morrison's new album.
Frank B.
The concept behind Van's new LP is a "reworking" of his catalog with a number of duet partners ... including this one with PJ himself sharing the vocals! (kk)
Got some extra cash you don't quite know what to do with? Well, you could send some OUR way ... the rent is late again ... OR ... you can bid on some of these VERY interesting auctions that Geoff Lambert told us about ...
Some of the following links may be of interest to you and your readers ...
Regarding "Sure Gonna Miss Her" ... Kent ... Great site! Listening to Sirius / XM and heard that this wasn't an original ... You guys sure got to the bottom of it fast ... http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.ca/2013/04/gary-lewis-and-playboys-part-1.html Regards, Art in Toronto Thanks, Art ... hopefully you'll continue to check back from time to time ... we ALWAYS have something interesting going on here at Forgotten Hits! (kk)
Kent ...
Got home at 3:00 PM, just in time to listen to Pat St. Johns' last show on WCBS-FM. Elvis, James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, Everly Brothers, Jimmie Rodgers, Little Richard, Chubby Checker, Chuck Berry, Rick Nelson. Wow! I'm sorry he's leaving!
Pat St. John said he never told this story before.
During the JACK-FM days, he requested a meeting with the president of the station. Took him about a month to get the meeting. He wanted to talk about his idea -- to switch JACK-FM back to WCBS-FM. The day before his meeting, they switched JACK-FM back to WCBS-FM. He kept the meeting, even though he had nothing to talk about. They hired him and he was on the air that night.
Pat's last show was supposed to end at 6:00 PM. He ran over. It ended at 6:20 PM. What are they going to do -- fire him?
Last song he played was a random choice = "Give Me One More Chance," by the Dukes from 1969. I know. I never heard it before.
Since he's moving to San Diego, I thought it would be a Beach Boys song. Frank B.
Nope, I've never heard it before either ... but apparently a big local hit in New York. (Nationally it reached #65 ... but only hit #80 in Billboard.)
More and more of our favorites and retiring these days ... SO many great voices over the years. Hope he can thoroughly enjoy his years away from the microphone! (kk)
Kent ...
-- Sunday (4/12/15) = I was listening to "Wild Wayne's Memory Machine" and reading "Forgotten Hits" at the same time. I was reading the part where Ron Smith (I think you call him the grim reaper) wrote about Stan Freberg's death. At the same time, Wild Wayne was playing a tribute to Stan Freberg.
-- On Sunday (4/5/15) = Wild Wayne played Stan Freberg's # 1 hit from 1953, "St. George And The Dragonet." This was before Stan died. -- I just found out that Percy Sledge died. I start reading "Forgotten Hits." First thing I see is the "Sounds Of Soul Survey" from May 6, 1966. #15 song = "When A Man Loves A Woman."
Why is it that a DJ's last show is always his best show? My theory is that he knows a lot of his peers will be listening. He puts a lot of extra effort into it, instead of going through his normal routine. Frank B.
Dan Mason is retiring. New management moving is in. It's never good news for the listeners when somebody new comes in. They always want to do something drastic, to put their mark on the radio station. I'm afraid that in a couple of months I might be hearing 1990's & 2000's music on WCBS-FM. I hope I'm wrong. Frank B.
Radio does seem to be leaning more and more that way. That's why something like Me-TV-FM has been such a welcome change here in Chicago. Yeah, we've bitched about all the things they're doing wrong ... but by comparison there are an AWFUL lot of things they're doing right ... and they're winning over the Chicago radio audience in the process. I listen to them almost exclusively now ... we'll put it on as background music when we're home and there's nothing on TV. We'll set the alarm clock radio to play a 30 or 45 set at bed time ... and wake up to it every morning. And I can honestly say that for all the aggravating repeats I hear (and that list just keeps growing and growing ... much as I LOVE the song, hearing "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" by The Friends of Distinction for the 16th time in the past two weeks was enough to make me change the station), I can honestly say that there hasn't been a single day that has gone by when I don't hear AT LEAST three or four songs on this station that I have never heard them play before ... which tells me they're still expanding the list as they go. (Hopefully this will help to weed out all of the songs that they're playing that absolutely NOBODY wants to hear!!!)
My offer still stands, guys ... bring me in for a couple of days to "clean up" the play list ... add a few titles, drop a few titles ... and mix up the rotation a little bit more. The station is SO incredibly close to being "the one" that I would LOVE being involved with pushing them up over the edge. (kk)
This month we venture back to 1979 ... when THESE 25 songs were the most popular tunes throughout the land ...
Ray Stevens did a PERFECT job of nailing the Barry Manilow sound when he cut "I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow" in 1979. What a GREAT novelty record! (Barry's been all over the news again lately, having recently announced his marriage to his manager over a year ago ... and his plans to stop touring.) And Ray Stevens is back with a new release, too ... featuring his latest attack on pop culture, "Taylor Swift Is Stalking Me"!!!
And, just for fun ... here's his big hit from April of 1979 ... one of my all-time favorites by Ray ...
There are a few songs on this month's list that I don't even recognize ... I guess 1979 wasn't a big year for me personally when it came to music ... "Dancer" by Gino Soccio? "Oh Honey" by Delegation? "Elena" by The Marc Tanner Band? "Souvenirs" by Voyage? "Keep On Dancin'" by Gary's Gang? "Bustin' Loose" by Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers? "Superman" by Herbie Mann? Even hearing them in Joel's excellent April, 1979, medley didn't do much to spark a memory for me.
Some of the others ... "Feelin' Satisfied" by Boston, "Rubber Biscuit" by The Blues Brothers, "Roller" by April Wine, "Rosanne" by The Police, "Maybe I'm A Fool" by Eddie Money (one of my favorites by him that NEVER seems to get any airplay anymore, regardless of how big it was in '79) and "Precious Love" by Bob Welch I knew because I was listening to Album-Oriented Rock at the time. The Disco Era was just winding down and I was focusing most of my musical attention on stuff that had a little more "edge" to it.
Others, like The Beach Boys' disco remake of one of their old album track "Here Comes The Night" and Linda Clifford's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (popular here in Chicago because she hailed from here ... in fact, I still see her from time to time performing with The City Lights Orchestra) were last ditch efforts to cash in on the disco craze ... listen to either one of them and you'll see why disco needed to die!!! (lol) Evelyn "Champagne" King's "I Don't Know If It's Right" was a little better ... at least it fit the mold of what disco was SUPPOSED to be, rather than being forced to fit a particular category.
Other popular tracks of the day included some that you still hear regularly today ... "What A Fool Believes" by The Doobie Brothers ... this one was literally EVERYWHERE at the time ... there was NO escape!; "Heart Of Glass" by Blondie (which had a hint of a disco feel to it as well ... but still a great rock track, too) ... "Sultans Of Swing" by Dire Straits, which still sounds very inventive today, all these years later, "Lady" by the ORIGINAL Little River Band, and, quite honestly, "Roxanne" by The Police belongs in this category, too ... along a few others that haven't weathered the 36 year storm as well like "Knock On Wood" by Amii Stewart (big hit ... but it loses ALL the soul of the original version), "I Just Fall In Love Again", a beautiful piece of work by Anne Murray, who was enjoying hit after hit after hit at the time, "Livin' It Up (Friday Night)" by Bell and James (I actually really liked this one ... still do!) and "Love Ballad" by George Benson (resurrected recently by Chicago's Me-TV-FM, a little more often than it needs to be in my opinion!).
Those were your 25 biggest hits, 36 years ago this month, according to Billboard Magazine.
You can capture monthly recaps of ALL the Billboard Hits with Joel Whitburn's new Record Research series of books, "Top Pop Playlists". Volume One covers the years 1955 - 1969 and Volume Two picks up in 1970 and runs through 1984. BOTH offer The Top 25 Hits for EVERY month in between ... 30 years of charts, 360 in all ... and all printed in beautiful 4/color with photos of the original picture sleeves for many of the featured tracks.
In fact, you can even view sample pages from both books on Joel's website.
And how's this for an ever MORE super deal!!!
Forgotten Hits Readers will get an ADDITIONAL $5 off Top Pop Playlists, 1970 - 1984 if they use the special ordering code BLONDIE ... this book is currently on sale for $5 off ... but Forgotten Hits Readers will receive a total of $10.00 (!) off the regularly published price of $29.95 ... but you've got to act fast! This offer expires on April 30th at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.
