More Of Your Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Comments

re:  The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame:

I agree wholeheartedly with your list of artists deserving of induction yet not found worthy of consideration by the powers that be. I would also like to add to that list another artist who rarely gets credit for contributions and creativity. Tony Burrows had a string of great hits ... one (Melanie Makes Me Smile), a great, catchy tune ... even bore his own name. He had hits in his other incarnations as White Plains (My Baby Loves Lovin'), First Class (Beach Baby), Brotherhood of Man (United We Stand), The Pipkins (Gimme Dat Ding), and, of course, Edison Lighthouse (Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes). Sheeesh, what's a guy have to do?    

Dube

 

Kent, 

My two centavos: 

When in Cleveland, check out a Cavs, Indians or Browns game; the nice collar parks, Coventry, the Cleveland Museum of Art, etc., and skip the RRHOF. As one reader pointed out, it not relevant. It's run by and has been permanently tainted by idiot / bureaucrat / dictator / asshole Jann Wenner, the great inventor of phony gang-rape stories. Don't reward deplorable behavior with your dollars or time.  

Bill Fortune

 

Once and for all:
Forget about The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame altogether.
Let's just simply listen to the music and get all our information from Joel Whitburn.
Everything one needs to know to keep the "Rock and Roll era" in perspective is in his books.
Not to mention parts of Rock and Roll's history is in some of our memories as well.
That is: whatever portions we caught while growing up (and beyond).
Chubby Checker and Freddy Cannon are still NOT in the R&RHOF?
And still no Tommy James and the Shondells or The Guess Who?
(Yes, ELO and ELP would then follow accordingly ...)
WOW!
Tal Hartsfeld 

 

Hola Kent,

The list of Deserving and Denied artists would constitute the beginnings of an entirely new RRHOF. The fact that it exists is testament to the ridiculousness of the current hall.

I had a chance to visit the RRHOF a few years ago and decided against it specifically because of who wasn't in there.

It would surely be a hoot to see all the artists that are enshrined and the memorabilia representing them, but I don't think I could enjoy myself knowing that some of my favorites have been excluded, while some artists that literally disgust me are represented. Yes, they may have a large following but many should not be classified as Rock N Roll artists as they deserve a Hall of their own, which I feel would be untenable since they have such a small supporters that they could not sustain themselves, which is why they have been afforded space in the highly supported Rock N Roll Genre.

The innocence and beauty and angst of true Rock N Roll (along with a lot of country) endures while the "Parental Advisory" Genre attracts only the very immature and rebellious youth who abandon it once they mature. 

My Rock N Roll Hall of Fame is intact in my own mind and it differs from anyone else's, although I suspect that most, if not all of my contemporaries, would share almost the same listing. I needn't concern myself with what others do ... I step to my own beat (sorry Mr Thoreau) as I expect most people do.

My Oldies Music will forever enrich my life and I haven't time to worry about what others try to promote.

You know, Kent, I haven't seen too many "Rap" or "Hip Hop" downloads on your wonderful site.  That's because they belong to another blog as well as another Hall of Fame.

Regards,

CharlieOFD

While we've yet to visit it (maybe this summer [???] ... although I'm kinda starting to feel like The Cubs with that whole 'maybe next year' attitude), I hear it's beautiful and definitely worth seeing.  And the museum is NOT tied into the nominating or voting committees that ultimately decide who gets in.  (In fact, we spoken to several people from the museum over the years who are just as baffled as we are over some of the ridiculous picks these committees continue to come up with.)

I might not feel as disgusted by The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame process as I do were the public in any way, shape or form somehow involved.  As you say, we all have our favorites and our own ideas as to who does and doesn't belong ... but at least if put to a vote by the MASSES, I could justify it by saying "well, the people have spoken ... and, even if I don't agree with all the choices, I can accept this."  Instead, we have a narrow-minded nominating committee of just a select few who give the voting a committee a list to choose from each year ... and I also happen to know that some of these voting members scratch their heads as well ... some don't bother to vote at all ... because they don't feel the list is worthy enough of such an honor.  Fact is, we're never going to change it or fix it ... which is why most of us have given up on caring about any of this a long, long time ago.  Based on the list Rolling Stone published of who THEY feel would be worthy candidates for next year's ballot, I can't even imagine watching the ceremony on TV ... nobody there that interests me at all. (kk)

 

Hi, Kent:

Being from another generation is a lot like being from another planet. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame means nothing to me so I can speak as an alien life form.

I heard a lot of good music growing up in the 1940s but none of it was ever enshrined, to my knowledge, in some kind of Hall of Fame. The fame didn't need enshrining or some official coronation as royalty. We knew who the great ones were.

When some organization creates a Hall of Fame what it really creates is the notion that somebody or something is worthy of enshrinement;  that this form of entertainment, athletics, etc. is so important that a hallowed temple should be built to pay homage to it. It also creates a group of people who are self-appointed to tell whoever is willing to buy into it what is great, what is significant, what is shrine-worthy. Side effects are controversy, record sales and TV shows. For me, the best part is the controversy, because it makes for interesting dialogs that I can read on your website. It's like those fascinating discussions about which movie won an Oscar for best picture vs what many feel should have won. The object of any movie maker should be to make a good movie, not some damned award. The same can be said of the music makers.

We still know who the great  ones are, don't we?

Hil

 

Sadly, the day that Mariah Carey (and her screeching tires and brake noise down a mountain road -- also known as her voice) gets inducted into the Rock Hall before even a tenth of the people on your listing of the more deserving artists get in, it will be GAME OVER for me.  And she will be eligible next year.Be afraid.  Be very afraid.T. Jay Dexter

There are certain "givens" and Mariah will likely be inducted on her first round of eligibility.  Sadly, so will Britney Spears, who has probably graced the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine more times than The Beatles!!!  Go figure THAT one out!!! (kk)

 

Interesting comments, to be sure ... but hardly anything I haven't been saying / thinking for more than 15 years.

I've visited the R&R HOF four times over the years.  The building and experience itself is wonderful ... the process by which inductees are chosen sucks bilge water.

'Nuff said ...

Brad

And that's an important distinction that needs to be made and that we HAVE made numerous times over the years.  The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame MUSEUM is a glowing tribute to the artists who have provided the soundtrack to our lives ... you'll find hundreds of artifacts here by folks who haven't been enshrined by the nominating committee.  But it's the nominating committee (led by Jann Wenner) that has made a mess of things.  Off the record, several folks connected to the museum have fessed up to their own embarrassment at some of these selections ... but they have absolutely NO say so in the matter ... and simply carry on because they've got a museum to run.  Until there is a shift in power within the organization itself, we're doomed to just keep repeating ourselves.  I mean all you have to do is look at their list of who THEY believe the next "most likely candidates" should be.  Seriously?!?!  How CAN we take you seriously!!!  (kk)

 

The R&R HOF Committee is a sham ... it's all politics ... and Jann Wenner is a pompous jerk.

Half the inductees don't belong there. 

~ Bob

 

Hi -

Rick Levy here ...

I am attaching letter I have sent to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Foundation on behalf of TOMMY ROE.  He obviously should be inducted, but maybe because his hits were AM, and maybe because he didn't live a life of excess and self indulgence (which they seem to love), he is constantly overlooked.

But fans know ... Tommy is a songwriter, singer, artist, who survived and succeeded though the British invasion while most other American acts vanished.

THANKS -
RICK LEVY

Rick's letter:

To The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation

Hello friends,

I am manager and bandleader for pop rock legendary songwriter and artist TOMMY ROE.

Yes, I have written in the past to have Tommy considered for induction into the Hall Of Fame, as he is already in the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame, Hit Parade Hall Of Fame, Songwriters Hall Of Fame and Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.

Why you have not inducted him, I do not know.  Perhaps because his music is pop,feel good, AM radio MONSTER HITS, perhaps because he actually is monikered the King Of Bubblegum, or perhaps because he lived and lives a relatively normal life.

Fact is Tommy Roe had The Beatles as his opening act ... the last time the fab four ever performed as a support act (UK, 1963).  They then asked Tommy to open for them on their first North American Concert, February 11, 1964, at the DC Coliseum.  Tommy will be featured interviewee in the upcoming Ron Howard directed docu-film on the Beatles touring years.  The Beatles actually performed "Sheila" in their early touring days.

Fact is, Tommy Roe is one of the very few American solo acts to survive and THRIVE throughout the onslaught of the British invsaion ... but "inventing" his good time pop music.  He wrote and recorded SIX Top Ten Hits during the '60's, more than any other American Solo Artist ... SIX Top Tens!

Fact is, Tommy has 23 Billboard chart singles, 11 Top 40, 6 Top 10, 4 Certified GOLD ... and, of course, with "Sheila" and "Dizzy", two international giants.  His 2012 album DEVILS SOUL PILE earned TWO Independent Music Network awards as well.

So while Tommy Roe is just an all around great guy ... and perhaps hasn't left a trail of destruction behind him ... but smiles, happiness and great memories ... and one HELLUVA track record ... I would hope Tommy, at 73 years old and still performing, will be considered for induction.

Thank you.

Rick Levy

I wish you all the luck in the world but as we've seen time and time again, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominating Committee pays absolutely NO attention to letters or petitions from fans.  (Several years ago a petition with over 10,000 signatures on it supporting Pat Boone was completely ignored and discarded.  Several other major petitions ... The Monkees and Neil Sedaka immediately come to mind ... were similarly disregraded without so much as an acknowledgement that they had been received.)  They simply don't CARE what the music fans think and operate on their own agenda.  (kk)

 

Kent,

Regarding your Rock And Roll Hall Of ShamMMM list ...

Your 52 artists all have one thing in common (except for the Spinners -- they will be on next list, likely).  I don't think any of them recorded for Atlantic Records at one time or another.  I'd bet that 60-80% of those in the Fame DID record for Atlantic, right?  Favoritism??  Slightly. 

The Kingsmen should be in for ONE record and their national appeal as the ultimate original garagers, but we get one time Atlantic artists MC5 instead.

Jack Ely and the Kingsmen inspired SO many garage bands.  Sad to hear Jack passed the other day at 71.

Clark Besch

While Ahmet Ertegen was still alive there is NO question that a little bit of favoritism was applied by Jann Wenner to please him ... once you get past the obvious nominees of the first few years, just the list that followed.  Hey, Atlantic Records turned out some stellar talent over the years ... and MOST of those inducted deserve their spot in The Hall ... but when Atlantic artist Percy Sledge is scratching his head over his own nomination, I've got to believe that some better choices could have been made along the way. 

And The Kingsmen is another EXCELLENT example of where The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has failed us.  They're simply NOT living up to their own credo.  How many thousands (and maybe even hundreds of thousands) of bands were inspired to give music a shot thanks to the raw, elementary sounds of "Louie Louie"?  When I look at the lists of nominees from the past decade, I cringe to think that these folks, who represent themselves as the most knowledgeable music people on the planet, continue to overlook the obvious in favor of the trendy.  (kk)

 

Hi Kent - 

Please include my top five list / requests for artists deserving to be the in R&RHOF:

YES - With the following members, IMO - Steve Howe, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford, Alan White (and mainly for the artistry during the YES “main sequence” which included the timeframe - The YES Album through Going For The One - as described by author Bill Martin in his book, Music Of YES from 1996)

POCO - Legend has it that The Eagles sat at the feet of POCO in their rehearsal space and listened, watched, dreamed and formed their band around the style of these “country rock” pioneers (Members most deserving, IMO - Richie Furay, Jim Messina, Rusty Young, George Grantham, Timothy B. Schmit and Paul Cotton)

The Moody Blues

Chicago

Todd Rundgren

Thanks,

Mike Stineman

Countless artists over the years have acknowledged the inspiration provided to their own musical careers by Poco ... should of the knowledgeable, previously inducted artists have SOME say as to who else belongs up there with them in The Rock's Hallowed Halls?  It's where the system breaks down the most ... giving the inducted artists some say goes well beyond voting only for their friends and comrades ... it gives them a voice into the whole process of insuring that the proper people are credited and inducted. (kk)

 

I really appreciate your top 50 "Who's Not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" list. 

Chubby Checker should be nearer the top of this list as "The Twist" changed the face of how people dance (without contact with their partner) that has been a cultural change along with musical change.

How about The Tokens?   From their original Doo-Wop beginning as with lead singer Neil Sedaka, to many chart records throughout the 1960's as well as the long-standing #1 record The Lion Sleeps tonight, Margo, Margo, Medress and Siegel were Bright Tunes Publishing, BT Puppy Records (responsible for their own hits and all the hits of the Happenings) to producers for The Chiffons (how about He's So Fine?), one of the first artists to perform commercials that became "hits" (Great Shakes and the Clairol commercial "She Lets Her Hair Down")  The popularity of The Lion Sleeps Tonight reached a whole new audience with the making of The Lion King.  This group affected Doo Wop, Pop, R&B and Childrens music over the last 50 years. 

Clay Pasternack
Rocky River, Ohio

Believe it or not, when we ran our first Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame expose series, The Chubby Checker Fan Club told us to back off with our push for Chubby ... they felt his induction would come in good time ... "Don't worry about Chubby ... the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame will take care of itself" was the exact message they sent me.  (I've always wondered how an artist's fan club is doing that artist any service with an attitude like this!)
Now, all these years later, he still hasn't even so much as made the ballot.  Recently, Chubby's been telling the media that they'd better induct him soon while he's still around and able to get up on the stage and "twist again".  No question in my mind that he belongs just for the incredible impact he made on pop culture in general.

The Tokens have been on and off our list numerous times over the past eight years ... they just don't seem to have the support of the masses as worthy candidates.  Again, they did SO much more than record "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" ... but with Neil Sedaka also long overlooked, I don't think we'll be seeing these guys inducted any time soon.  (kk)

My suggestion, for what it's worth, is that they need to do something similar to what baseball has done and have a veterans committee to consider acts from the early days.  Let's say 1955 - 1970 or so.  It would be independent of the regular voting and maybe add two or three older names a year.

Mark (GoHawksGo)

We've made a similar suggestion over the years ... and I think it's a great idea.  But then staff that committee with knowledgeable music people who were there at the time and can make a meaningful contribution to the selection process.

I've also suggested a mass induction ... fess up to these oversights and induct a dozen overlooked, deserving and denied artists in a special ceremony independent of their regular, annual event ... no, it probably won't give them the tv ratings they want by marketing this thing to HBO ... so run it on PBS where there is a HUGE audience for this sort of thing and these "vintage" artists.

Another thought is to have the inducted artists themselves come up with a list of nominees ... acts that influenced THEM to get into the business of rock and roll and carve out a successful career.  Who would know better than THESE guys?!?!  There is SO much that COULD be done, were the strings not so tightly controlled by the people at hand.  (kk)

 

 

Tonight's The Night!

And we can't wait!!! 

(Hope to see several of our readers there at the show tonight!)

Here are some final words by some of the artists participating in tonight's Benefit Concert For Marty Grebb ...    

Dennis is doing a good thing by putting on this benefit concert because you always try to help those around you and people you grew up with and even people you don't know.  I don't know Marty all that well but I have known him for fifty years now and I think he's a great player and a great guy ... I hate to see this happen to anybody, whether you're in this biz or just your next door neighbor.  Hopefully I'll escape ever having to need one of these for myself one day, but you never know. 
Anyway, here's a story from the old days: 
Back 1966 / 1967, the name of every girl you met depended on whether The Buckinghams came to town first or The Shadows.  If we got there first, they were all named Gloria ... if Dennis Tufano got there first, they were all named Susan. 
-- Jimy Sohns / The Shadows Of Knight

This is going to be a fun event ... it'll be fun to see Marty ... I haven't seen him in SO long. 
I remember seeing The Exceptions many years ago - and it probably was The Club Laurel - 
And all I remember about that whole night, besides how great they were - and they were exceptional, The Exceptions - was this guy playing keyboards ... and all of a sudden he steps up on his bench and picks up his sax, and he's blowing the sax all the while playing the Hammond with his feet ... with shoes on!  I didn't understand HOW that could happen. 
The minute that Dennis called me back in January about doing the show, I immediately said yes - I told him that as long as I could get the band together, we're there.  There was never a doubt - who knows, they might be doing one of these for ME soon!  But it'll be fun seeing all these guys again and hopefully everything goes right and we can get some of Marty's bills paid. 
-- Jim Pilster (Hooke, The Cryan' Shames)

Well, here's the thing - I didn't really know Marty all that well - I think Marty kinda came in as a second keyboard player right - I mean, wasn't there already another keyboard player in the band and I didn't know if he got sick or died - only that Marty was now in the band. 
(For the record, original keyboard player Dennis Miccolis, is still alive and well ... Marty was simply his replacement.  Original Drummer Jon Jon Poulos, who started the band with Dennis Tufano, died in 1980, several years later -- kk)
So I met Marty after that but even then I really didn't get to know him, but I hear he's a real good guy.  So when I got the call to do this, I  thought it would be a great thing to do, you know, a really good idea to do something nice for Marty and to see a bunch of old friends.  I had just done the 50th Anniversary thing with The Ides and it went over real well and a lot of this was going to be the same group of guys, so I said "sure" - I mean, how you gonna say no? 
I know for me, and I'm sure a lot of the other guys like Marty, it's like the late '60's and you're having the time of your life and it's like a competition ... I don't mean a competition because we all liked each other and wished each other well, but we all wanted a part of that same spotlight ... and all I can tell you is for me, a 22 year old kid, it was great -- and if afforded me a lot of the things I still have today.  We looked out for each other and to see The Bucks be the #1 Band on Bandstand was a big thing, just to see them on TV and they were on everything there for awhile.  To me, they were always good guys and Marty being a part of that group, I think it was great.  
I feel bad that he's going through this whole thing - I wish that we were doing this show for a different reason - it would have been nice just to get all of us together. 
-- Ronnie Rice

Me and the Ides of March are totally pumped about joining the team on May 7th to raise the roof and funds for the immortal Marty Grebb.  I remember being blown away by his talent many times through the years ...  first by his soulful vocals on Mercy Mercy with the Bucks, then at the Wild Goose in Schererville, Indiana, when the Ides shared a bill with the Fabulous Rhinestones.  

It will be great to see and jam with many of our favorite contemporaries from the then-emerging Chicago rock scene.  

Our thanks go out to Dennis Tufano for his vision and stamina to see this to fruition.  

Expect the unexpected tonight at Ron Onesti's fabulous Arcada Theatre.  

Truly hope to see you there.  
I can't wait!

In Rock we Trust!!!

Jim Peterik- Ides of March


Folks interested in bidding on some of the silent auction items would do themselves well to get to the theater a little early tonight, where many of these pieces will be displayed on exhibit.

Some truly one-of-a-kind items will be available, so if this is your thing, you will definitely want to check it out. (Unfortunately there will be no online auction ... winners will be notified that night during the intermission.) 

Check out all of this cool stuff!!!

********SILENT AUCTION UPDATE!!!!**********
 

Marty's stage / photo / tv clothes from the 60s!!!

1)  Marty's suit made in Chicago at Fox Bros. Tailors 1967

2)  Marty's Beatle boots made in England

3)  Grey suit jacket designed by Dennis Tufano for the group

Other items for the silent auction so far:

Carl Giammarese has purchased and is donating a Black Epiphone GC Les Paul Style guitar which will be signed by the artists in sliver sharpie

Two tickets to the Neil Sedaka concert at the Arcada
 

A Pair of really good seats for Chicago White Sox
 

Gift Card Basket
 

A "Box of Bucks" Signed Buckinghams collection
 

Many cool items from musicians and actors
 

Silent auction details:

Bids will be taken before the show at "The Auction Station" in the lobby - Cash and Checks gratefully accepted and preferred ... credit cards will also be accepted.

Other items will be available for purchase at the concession tables, including many more rare and autographed pieces of memorabilia, gift baskets, specialty items and more.

And check out these EXCLUSIVE photos from Tuesday Night's Rehearsal, courtesy of Jack Mongan.
NOTE:  ALL photos are copyrighted / Jack Mongan Photography (2015) 

The multi-talented, mega-talented Marty Grebb ... 

Carl Giammarese and Dennis Tufano, who'll be sharing and trading off lead vocals tonight ... the voices of The Buckinghams  (and wait till you hear them!!!)

Danny Seraphine on Drums ... original drummer and founding member of the legendary band Chicago ... so good, they actually named a city after these guys!!!

Bassist Nick Fortuna (who'll also take you for a ride down the Expressway To Your Heart tonight)

Thanks again to Jack Mongan Photography for use of these photos in Forgotten Hits!

 

Prepare Yourselves To Be Blown Away!!!

When Dennis Tufano first talked to me back in January about putting together a benefit concert to help raise funds to offset some of Marty Grebb's mounting medical bills, I thought it was a great idea and was all in to help support his efforts in any way I could. 

As he explained to me, "This could have been any one of us" ... so pulling something together like this for Marty touched the hearts of a lot of people who were quick to lend their support.

Marty looks at it this way ...  

Hi Everybody -  

What does this concert mean to me?

For myself, it shows me personally, that there are a lot of people that care about me, by agreeing to make the effort to appear -- It's quite beautiful -- 

Beyond that, it's an opportunity for several things -- varying healings, not just my own -- reaching out in this manner means more water under the bridge where it belongs for many people -- letting go -- musically, spiritually, (which most all music is, except that which intends to be otherwise) -- joyfully, emotionally, passionately, excitedly, humorously, and many other possible "lys" -- 

I know there will be quite a powerful vibe in the room, and the spirit will come down --  

God Bless ALL!    
Marty

Thanks, Marty ... let's hope for universal healing at every level ... if we can't lean on each other, what else have we got?  I am SO glad that I could help out in ANY small way to help make this happen.  See you at the show!  (kk)

*****

Last night I was invited to attend the rehearsal for "The Buckinghams' Greatest Hits And More" set which will close The Benefit Concert For Marty Grebb tomorrow night at The Arcada Theatre and let me tell you ... it was nothing short of OUTSTANDING!!!

 

I don't care WHEN you've seen The Buckinghams ... WHERE you've seen The Buckinghams ... or in what CONFIGURATION you've seen The Buckinghams ... you have NEVER seen The Buckinghams look and sound like this!!!

 

There was electricity in the air ... and the buzz will continue throughout the night as a list of Chicago Rock Legends take the stage ... Ronnie Rice (formerly of The New Colony Six) ... Jimy Sohns and The Shadows Of Knight ... The Cryan' Shames (featuring Tom Doody and Jim Pilster) ... Jim Peterik and The Ides Of March ... The Chicago Experience (whose rehearsal we ALSO caught last night ... absolutely AMAZING!!!) ... and, capping it off, Nick Fortuna, Carl Giammarese, Marty Grebb, Danny Seraphine (original drummer and founding member of Chicago) and Dennis Tufano, performing The Greatest Hits Of The Buckinghams and More.

 

LOTS of one-of-a-kind auction items ... concessions stands filled with all kinds of cool, autographed memorabilia ... and an INCREDIBLE night of music.

 

It all happens tomorrow night ... FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY ... at The Arcada Theatre. 

 

The Benefit Concert For Marty Grebb.  

 

Ticket information here:  www.oshows.com

 

(And let me tell you, Marty looks and sounds FANTASTIC in every way!!!  Man, what a talented musician and vocalist he is.  Let's hope the magical healing powers of music can lift the spirits in each and every one of us ... and help drive away ... or at least suppress ... that which ails us. Come on out tomorrow night and celebrate the music ... celebrate the cause ... and have a good time.  You'll be glad you did!) 

And The Blitz Just Keeps On Comin'!!! (Man, I Am SO Ready For This Show!!!)

Great news ... The Benefit Concert for Marty Grebb has legs!!!

A second fund-raiser has been scheduled for May 27th in California ... featuring headliners Bonnie Raitt, Leon Russell and Ivan Neville.  Dennis Tufano will also be on board and several special "guest" musicians are also expected to attend and perform.

Vintage Vinyl News is reporting ...

The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, CA will be the home of three music greats on May 27 as they put on a benefit for legendary studio musician Marty Grebb.

Bonnie Raitt, Leon Russell and Ivan Neville will perform to raise money for Grebb, who has been fighting cancer for some time. The show is in conjunction with the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund with proceeds used for medical bills and living expenses.

According to a show announcement, Grebb "has already undergone numerous cancer-related medical treatments and surgeries, and the charges that are not covered by Medicare have exhausted his ability to pay with his income as a working musician."

Also on the bill are James "Hutch" Hutchinson, Jim Keltner, Johnny Lee Schell, Rick Braun and a number of others plus more special guests are expected to be announced.

Grebb was raised in Chicago and took up piano at eight, saxophone at ten and, later, guitar. In 1966, he joined the Buckinghams as their keyboard player and went on to play with the Fabulous Rhinestones, Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield. 

As a session musician, Grebb has played with a who's who of artists including Raitt, Russell, Olivia Newton-John, Roger McGuinn, Maria Muldaur, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash and Buddy Guy. 

Regarding this week's Chicagoland "kick-off" concert, Dennis Tufano adds ...

Getting together on stage for one night with all of Chicago’s legends of the 60’s is truly a gas! 

It will be a “live jukebox” of Chicago 60’s hits and for the first time ever, I believe, all on the same show! 

It’s a gift back to the fans in Chicago to get a taste of every song they helped make popular and it will generate much needed funds for a very special Chicago Musician and friend, Marty Grebb.  

The most exciting moment for me was when we saw "Kind Of A Drag" in Billboard at #1 with a BULLET!!!!! Everything that followed was super cool, too, but that moment was FAR OUT, GROOVY and OUT OF SIGHT! And the beginning of a long and wild ride in music.  

Chicago musicians, fans, friends, family and Ron Onesti have all stepped up to make this an historic event for Chicago music lovers. It’s all hard work from many people … but WHAT A PAYOFF!!! 

Thank you for your support on this event. You rock hard, my friend!  

See you all there!!! 

Dennis Tufano  

Carl Giammarese concurs ... man, what a night this is going to be!!!  

Hi Kent, 

When Dennis Tufano contacted me to participate in the benefit for Marty, immediately I was all in.  We were all like brothers back in the day ... we shared a common goal, with all its success and failure, and experiences ... like I said, we were brothers. I am confident the May 7th concert will help Marty so that he can get all the medical treatment he needs.  

On a happy and positive note, it will be an exciting evening to bring so much Chicago talent together on the same stage. As far as I'm concerned, there was nothing like the Chicago music scene in the 60's, with so many great bands and talented musicians. Our concert will be special for me to once again share the stage with Marty, Dennis and Nick for this one time only concert. Also special is to have Danny Seraphine joining us on drums ... he is a tremendous talent.

Thinking back to I believe it was the end of 1966 when we asked Marty Grebb to join The Buckinghams. At the time, he was in a band called the Exceptions with Peter Cetera when we asked him to join us. The Exceptions were an exceptional band. They covered everything from The Beatles and Beach Boys to James Brown and everything in between. The Buckinghams already had a # 1 hit with Kind Of A Drag, so I think it was a no brainer to join us, ha. Marty immediately added a dimension to our sound. His musicianship was far ahead of the rest of us, so it was a welcome addition. When you look back through the years at his accomplishments and who he has performed with, you understand how great a musician he is.  

I could ramble on, but I'll stop by saying its gonna be an exceptional and special evening without losing sight of what this night is all about, and that is we all hope and pray for Marty's health. He has a lot more music to give us, God willing. 

Carl Giammarese  

Do NOT miss this concert!!!  A limited number of seats are still available through The Arcada Theatre Box Office ... order your tickets online at www.oshows.com!!!

And this just in!!!

FH Reader Clark Besch tells us that he's been working with Cary Mansfield (ALSO a Forgotten Hits list member) of Varese Sarabande Records ... and that together, they're putting the finishing touches on what promises to be the ultimate Buckinghams Hit Singles package right now  ...

Kent, 

A new exclusive for Forgotten Hits Readers!  
Over the last two months, I've worked with Varese Sarabande Records' Cary Mansfield on a project that could be announced before the benefit for Marty Grebb this week.  It's been awhile since the Buckinghams' singles have all been in print on CD, but that will change soon.   
Varese will be releasing "The Buckinghams:  The Complete Hit Singles" on CD early this summer.  Taken from the original master tapes, this CD will have all 15 original "A" sides of the band's USA Records and Columbia Records singles.  Not only will it include all of the national hits by the band, but also the local Chicago hits that were released on USA Records as well as the later Columbia singles that were just as exciting as the big hits, but lost out to the psychedelic music generation.  
Cary Mansfield has LONG been a fan of Chicago 60's music and has veteran Steve Massie mastering the project that will include a booklet featuring new previously unpublished photos of the group in their heyday.  For me, it will be a full circle occurrence.  Cary asked me to write the liner notes for Varese Vintage's very first 60's compilation CD in 1993, "Bend Me, Shape Me:  The Best of the American Breed."  He's letting me reprise the role 22 years later for the Buckinghams CD.  These Chicago bands have always been my greatest loves in music and I am thrilled to be a part of this project. 
I know the Marty Grebb tribute will be a great event and I wish I were going to be with you all.  Marty was a phenomenal part of the Bucks' success.  During their time with Columbia, Marty wrote or co-wrote more of their recorded songs than anyone else.  Many will know Marty only for his work with the Buckinghams, but his work previously with the super group, the Exception, as well as his work with the Fabulous Rhinestones in the 70's are well worth seeking out, as well.  Good luck to Marty in the future and I hope all have a great time at this event.

-- Clark

 

  

50 Year Flashback - May 4th, 1965

Here is yet another survey that shows the Them version of "Gloria" at #1 ... pretty amazing when you consider that this record charted for exactly ONE WEEK on The Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Survey ... and peaked at #93.

Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs jump from #30 to #2 with their very first chart hit, "Wooly Bully" ... that's quite a leap!  Although it never officially hit #1 on The Billboard Chart, the magazine ranked it as the Biggest Single of 1965 on their Year-End Chart ... ahead of "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones, "Downtown" by Petula Clark, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by The Righteous Brothers, "Help!" by The Beatles, "My Girl" by The Temptations and several other far more-likely candidates!

Another great track on this week's survey is "Concrete And Clay" by Unit 4 + 2.  I also liked the Marvin Gaye record "I'll Be Doggone".  Elvis' gospel hit "Crying In The Chapel" is at #17, up eleven places from the week before ... and the Freddie and the Dreamers record, "Do The Freddie" finally shows up on the list instead of the far-inferior Chubby Checker record by the same name.  (Are you ready to do your jumping jacks???)

The novelty hit "Queen Of The House" by Jody Miller, based on the Roger Miller smash "King Of The Road" is at #13 ... while Roger has this week's "Hillbilly Hit" with "Engine Engine Number Nine"!!!

The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 03 - 15 )

re:  The Marty Grebb Benefit Concert:  
I'm feeling left out here, not being able to get to the Marty Grebb concert, but then, looking over the event comments from the artists performing, just maybe I will hear it here on the East Coast.  
Shelley   

Ah yes ... the Club Laurel!!! Now that's going back. My cousin worked there and got us in once or twice, since we were too young. Saw the One Eyed Jacks! 

Marlene 

Hey Kent, 

Sure wish I could be at the concert next weekend, but I'll be gigging that night as well. 

Tell Jim from the Ides that Bill Scherer from The Fabulous Armadillos says hi. 

I noticed these Buckinghams links on Youtube this morning and don't remember you ever posting them. 

First from the 2014 Happy Together tour: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d6aWQmaLHs 

Then the Buckinghams in 1965 on a WGN tv show. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDD1AfbO9Fg  

Again good luck with the fundraiser. It's going to be great. 

Bill in MN   

I love those old vintage 1965 clips from the WGN series, "All Time Hits".  The Bucks were regular, featured performed on this local program and we've run several of these now in Forgotten Hits.  I swear they look like babies!!! 

They were posted by original Buckinghams keyboardist Dennis Miccolis ... here's a link to a few more ...  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2iLZB5mjmP_V-JhKiMNyiw 

And here's a link to the two songs they performed on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (or was it The Smothers Comedy Brothers Hour?!?!) back in 1967.  Notice that they're singing along to a pre-recorded backing track, meaning that at least PART of the vocal is going out live.  Sounds just like the record, doesn't it???  (kk)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD9bdORfr0E   

Kent -  
You rock, man! Bless you for your love of the music and supporting Marty. Thank you. It's been an enlightening experience!!  
Dennis Tufano

Kent,  
So there are occasional times I wished I lived in Chicago to see shows like the Marty Grebb benefit. We get a lot of great shows down here in the Tampa Bay area but nowhere near as many that come through your town. I would love to see Jim Peterik and the Ides of March. I read his book and it's one of the best rock bios I've ever read. I do have to be honest though ... other than the concert situation, Tampa Bay is still better ... but you do get a lot of great shows. I would go bankrupt by just supporting the Arcadia.  
Rich  
Safety Harbor, Fl  
What Ron Onesti is doing at The Arcada Theatre is incredible.  I don't remember Chicago EVER having this kind of variety of acts passing through town.

Check out this line up for the next six weeks:

Tonight:  The Lovin' Spoonful

Wednesday, May 6th:  George Benson

Thursday, May 7th:  The Benefit Concert for Marty Grebb (featuring The Ides Of March, The Cryan' Shames, Ronnie Rice, Jimy Sohns and The Shadows of Knight, The Chicago Experience and Nick Fortuna, Carl Giammarese, Marty Grebb, Danny Seraphine and Dennis Tufano recreating and performing the greatest hits of The Buckinghams!

Friday, May 8th - A Birthday Party featuring The McCartney Years

Saturday, May 9th - Quiet Riot, Y&T and Hellion

Sunday, May 10th - The Bronx Wanderers performing a Mother's Day Sock Hop

Friday, May 15th - George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

Saturday, May 16th - Gino Vannelli

Sunday, May 17th - an acoustic set with Gino Vannelli ... followed by an evening concert by Paul Revere's Raiders

Saturday, May 23rd - Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer

Sunday and Monday, May 24th and 25th - The Jason Bonham Experience, performing Led Zepplein I and II in their entirety ... plus all of Led Zeppelin's Greatest Hits

Friday, May 29th - The Alan Parsons Live Project

Saturday, May 30th - Herman's Hermits, featuring Peter Noone

Friday, June 5th - Ruben Studdard performing his Tribute To Luther Vandross

Friday, June 12th - Gene Cornish of The Rascals

Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th - Jenny McCarthy

Sunday, June 14th - Barbara Eden

Sunday, June 14th - Boogie Wonderband, performing their tribute to dance music of the '70's.

It just doesn't get any better than this!!!

And, speaking of upcoming concerts ... congratulations go out to Forgotten Hits Readers Lyn Amenitsch, Joe Malin, Melanie Mordhorst, Neil Neitling, Steve Sarley, Janet Weiner and John and Rosemary Longo, all of whom won tickets to see Engelbert Humperdinck at The Genesee Theatre next Saturday Night, May 9th.  (Tickets are courtesy of The Genesee Theatre and Colleen Rogalski.  In fact, if you think you can make it, we MAY be able to squeeze a few more tickets out of her ... but we need to know NOW!!!  Drop me a line pronto and I'll see if I can add your names to the winners list!)  kk    

re: Me-TV-FM:   
Kent -

Because of you my wife is pissed at me. You recommended MeTV-FM, 87.7. Well, I put the station on a button of her car radio. Ever since I did that, she has never turned it off. Well, when she drives, it is a law that the driver gets to pick the music. Since I am not able to drive my car, I have to listen to what she wants. So I have to listen to HER music which is 87.7 now ... no more talk channels or feel good format.

Well, here is the reason my wife is pissed at me ... with every song that gets played, I say "when was the last time you heard that on the radio?". She told me to "stop saying that!" after every song.  That station is GREAT ... they play oldies that you haven't heard on the air for over 40 years AND not the same song that every oldies station plays. 

The music that will be heard on the station includes hits from such artists as Chicago, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Jim Croce, The Beatles, The Eagles, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Todd Rundgren, Aretha Franklin, The Carpenters, America, Bill Withers, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Don McLean, Gordon Lightfoot, The Bee Gees, Billy Joel, and the best of Motown. Not the songs you hear everyday but one hit wonders and some deep album tracks from those artists. When was the last time you heard "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes" by Edison Lighthouse?  Or "One Fine Morning" by Lighthouse?

My wife can't thank you enough for telling me about the station but now she is mad at me for asking after EVERY song "when was the last time you heard that on the radio?".

Thanks a lot!!!!

Bill

LOL ... my wife is the same way ... she listens to nothing else now in the car ... and she used to be a huge Eric and Kathy fan in the morning!  When she gets home, if nothing is on TV she'll set the station to channel 877 which, on Comcast, is a simulcast to 87.7 Me-TV-FM.  Then, before we go to bed at night, we'll drift off to another 30-45 minutes of the station playing in the background!  It has COMPLETELY taken over our lives!!!

Yes, I'm unhappy with some of the repeats ... and I swear I don't think I've EVER gone an hour without hearing something by James Taylor ... but they continue to surprise and amaze me on a daily basis.  It's like they're still adding new music to the play list every single day ... and radio is FUN again!!!

And for all the folks who have written in to say they've had difficulty picking up the signal, this past weekend we drove down to Normal, IL, to visit our daughter and I'll betcha we were able to tune in for at least the first 65-75 miles southwest of Schaumburg, which in and of itself is already about 25 miles from the City Of Chicago.  I'll bet The Drive didn't last another 25 miles beyond that point!

I can't wait for Me-TV-FM to start streaming so Forgotten Hits Readers all over the country can tune in and hear what we've been raving about.  It's EVERYTHING I've promised you guys radio COULD be ... if only somebody out there would take a chance.  (kk)   

For me, it's the little surprises that make listening such a pleasure.  To quote Bill Hengels, when was the last time you heard THIS one on the radio???

Things that make you go Hmmmmm ...

Hi Kent -

I had an interesting thought ... a profound thought.  I heard the song, "It's So Nice To Be With You" by Gallery (I think that is the band - its been so long since I have heard this song, I'm not completely sure.)

Apparently, the CBS.FM Oldies channel in NYC was reformatted recently to include "obscure" oldies songs. Anyway, I love this song. Hearing it again reminded me how much I love a good song and how much it puts me in a good mood for the day.  I can hear it in my head all day long, especially while I am working. It really gets me through the day. 

So I started thinking  that now that I am 64, just turned,  perhaps hopefully one day in the future hopefully soon that there will be revival or reformation of oldies music.  Some of the greatest songs, "feel good songs" like "It's So Nice" will live on ...

And that thought brought me to the conclusion that after I leave this planet and go on to a better place, one of my fondest wishes is that the listeners will recognize that the best of the best songs will live on.  In other words, the music will outlive me (and the rest of the baby boomers.)  

I hope and pray that this will be the lasting legacy of our generation ... OUR MUSIC ... the good and positive and uplifting songs will endure and remain alive forever!  :))

Blossmwrld

Unfortunately radio as a rule is doing absolutely NOTHING to help keep this great music alive ... yet everyone who is exposed to it falls in love with it just like we did back in the day.  You hit it right on the head ... "Feel Good Music" ... nothing beats it.  SO much of the music released over the past twenty years or so has so much anger attached to it ... That's why a song like "Happy" by Pharrell Williams totally captivates the audience ... try not singing along with that one ... or watch the video and try to sit still ... it's IMPOSSIBLE not to want to get up and do "The Happy Dance"!!!

Stations like Me-TV-FM are doing their part to show the completely variety of this music that captured our hearts so many years ago ... rather than just the same old 200 songs that the consultants have determined are the only songs we need to hear in order to link to our past.

Glad to hear that WCBS-FM has expanded their horizons lately ... we've received several other emails that fear the station will soon be 100% '80's and '90's music!  Now if just a few more stations in every major city would simply follow suit, listening to the radio could become enjoyable again!  (kk)   

FH Reader Clark Besch tells us that Reel Radio is back up and running with unscoped airchecks again!  Look for all your favorite, vintage jocks here!  (kk)

Apparently, Reel Radio is BACK online with "on demand" unscoped airchecks!!  YIPPEE!!!

Clark

http://reelradio.com/

re:  Leaving Us:

Kent ...

Let me know if I beat Ron (Grim Reaper) Smith with this sad news.
Frank B.

http://koin.com/2015/04/28/louie-louie-singer-jack-ely-of-the-kingsmen-dies/

Just like nobody puts Baby in the corner, NOBODY beats Ron Smith with music death news!!!  (kk)  

We lost Tracy Partridge the same day!!!

Actress Suzanne Crough, who played the youngest member of TV's "Partridge Family" (though she didn't play or sing on the recordings) died "suddenly" Monday (April 27) at her Nevada home. She was 52. She eventually gave up acting and worked as a manager of an office supply company. She leaves behind a husband and two children. 

-- Ron Smith   

Jack Ely, founder and guitarist with the Kingsmen and lead singer on their #2 hit, "Louie Louie" (1963), died Monday (April 27) at his home in Redmond, Oregon after what as termed a "long illness." He was 71. Born in Portland, Jack started out as a jazz pianist but switched to guitar after seeing Elvis Presley perform on television. While attending Portland State University, he helped form the Kingsmen, who became the house band for a club owned by a local DJ. They went in to a local studio and, for $50, cut a version of "Louie"-- their crowd-pleasing favorite with mystifying lyrics-- in one take. Before the record had peaked though, Jack got into an argument with drummer Lynn Easton over who would front the band. Since Lynn owned the name, Jack quit and formed his own Kingsmen group. The ensuing legal battle ended with Jack receiving vocal credit and $6,000 in royalties but he was forced to change the name of his own group to the Courtmen. His career essentially ended when he was drafted in 1967. He later became a horse trainer.

-- Ron Smith

Got quite a bit of mail regarding the passing of Jack Ely, especially in conjunction with our recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame piece.  If ANYBODY had an influence on millions of kids who picked up a guitar, bass and drums, it was guys like Ely and The Kingsmen, thanks to their #1 Hit "Louie Louie" ... it convinced MILLIONS of us that if THEY could do it, we could, too.  You didn't have to be good ... you just had to rock!  (kk)   

Kent ...

Here's the late Jack Ely singing his hit "Louie Louie" to a horse.

The horse must've liked it ... he gave him standing ovation.Frank B.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlIr0IXnQrE

Former Drifter and solo star Ben E. King died Thursday (April 30) of apparently natural causes at the age of 76. Ben was born in Henderson, North Carolina, but moved to Harlem at the age of 9. While still in high school he sang briefly with the Moonglows before joining the Five Crowns in 1957. When the manager of the already-successful Drifters decided to fire the entire group the next year in a contract dispute, he replaced them with the Five Crowns, including Ben. Ben co-wrote and sang lead on the Crown / Drifters first hit, "There Goes My Baby" (#2 - 1959). Ben also sang lead on "Save The Last Dance For Me" (#1 - 1960), "I Count The Tears" (#17 - 1961) and "This Magic Moment" (#16 - 1960), but only cut 13 songs with the group before leaving in a his own dispute for a solo career in 1960. His first session for Atco Records yielded "Spanish Harlem" (#10 - 1961) and "Stand By Me" (#4 - 1961 and again #9 when it was re-released thanks to the movie with the same name in 1986). Other hits included "Amor" (#18 - 1961), "Don't Play That Song" (#11 - 1962) and "I (Who Have Nothing" (#29 - 1963). While his career ebbed in the late '60s, it was revived with "Supernatural Thing" (#5) in 1975. Ben was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009.

-- Ron Smith

The movie "Stand By Me" definitely revived Ben E. King's career.  After peaking at #3 in 1961 the first time around, it climbed right back up the charts in 1986, peaking at #9 (proving, of course, that Forgotten Hits is right again ... if you simply expose a new generation to this music, they will fall in love with it just like WE did.  "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers would be another prime example.)  Ben E. King will be missed.  (kk)

More from FH Reader Ken Voss ...

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32547474

And how about this?  You can get in the Jerry Lee Lewis Death Pool! 

Kent,

First, I hope you have a great week and wish you continued success with FH.

I discovered something a couple of days ago on the internet, even though I knew about it months ago and somewhat forgot about it.

I am talking about the Jerry Lee Lewis website that tells about his anticipated death. Apparently,

every day a new date is put on the website that tells of his impending death. His anticipated death now is on April 26 at the age of 79. Assuming that he will still be alive on April 26, his death date on the website will change by a day or two. Interesting!

Larry Neal

How'd you like to wake up to THAT every morning?!?!  (kk)  

re:  David Lettermen:

Leaving us in a DIFFERENT way of course is David Lettermen who is winding down his stint as a late night television host.  And he's had some incredible musical guests on his program of late ...

Check out these clips of John Fogerty doing a Creedence medley of hits from his upcoming "1969" tour ... followed by a reunited Hootie and the Blowfish performing "Hold My Hand".

re:  The Wrecking Crew:

Hi ya, Kent:
I haven't ticked anybody off for at least three hours, so here we go.
Over the weekend, I carved out two hours to go the superb documentary on the fabled Los Angeles based "Wrecking Crew."  Drummer Hal Blaine, Bass guitar player Carole Kaye, and lead guitarist,
Tommy Tedesco, emerge as the heart and soul of the production.
A sad, but proud, Blaine explains how a bitter divorce cost him his Hollywood estate, yacht and Rolls Royce. At one point, he went to Arizona to work as a security guard.
So, on to the the main event. Only a nit wit would doubt the musical genius of Brian Wilson. However, after seeing the doc, I have reached this conclusion ... "Pet Sounds" would never have brought forth a musical revolution (See John-Paul-Pepper) were it not for the presence of the "Crew."
Yes, Brian constructed the songs we all love to this day, but it was the virtuosity and the imagination of these gifted studio musicians that made the Wilson project a seminal occurrence in musical history.
We will never see another "Wrecking Crew, a band that backed up countless artists and producers such as Phil Specter,The Righteous Brothers, The Ronettes, The Crystals, Sinatra, Sonny and Cher and countless other musical heavyweights. We should celebrate their overwhelming legacy.
No, to the best of my knowledge the Crew never did turn out tracks for the Captain and Tenille.
Chet Coppock
Host: Chicago Blackhawks Heritage Series

No, but The Captain and Tennille WERE touring members of The Beach Boys' Band at one point in time!!! (lol)

We've been raving about this film for about eight years now ... it is a "must see" event that can now be added to your home music video library.  We've heard from several Chicago-area residents who are planning to check this film out during its one week residency downtown.

Do it!  You'll be glad that you did.  And Denny Tedesco tells us that final details are being worked out now for the official soundtrack album ... man, what a SOLID GOLD piece THAT'S going to be!!!  (kk)

re:  This And That:

After much consideration and evaluation The National Transportation and Safety Board has decided NOT to reopen the investigation into the plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper on February 3, 1959.

Forgotten Hits has covered this story in great depth over the past few months ... in fact, WE were the ones who broke the news worldwide, thanks to some correspondence from LJ Coon, the man behind the research that prompted all of this to take flight, if you'll excuse the pun!

Evidently, the board feels there just isn't enough sufficient new evidence to proceed. (Meanwhile, Don McLean was able to sell the lyrics to "American Pie" for $1.2Million ... so at least SOMEBODY benefited off of all of this recent wave of publicity!!!)

Sorry it didn't work out for you, LJ ... who sends along his sincere thanks for everybody's efforts to help spread the word.  (A month after Forgotten Hits broke the story, the media across the globe jumped on board ... and soon this was the "talk of the town" worldwide!!!)  kk

Thank you sincerely for all that you do ...

And to all the others who let our efforts be known.

LJ 

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ljcoon 

http://www.amazon.com/L-J-Coon/e/B004O9RJ98 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_urSDKdZ48 

http://blog.copdfoundation.org/drive4copd-encouraged-dancing-for-copd/ 

http://www.airplaydirect.com/music/ljcoon/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odQ7w0Fj9-4 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_p5ipBd0ac 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aURWdCNcWyo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_J8R52rb9M 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fZtT9vQons 

http://elvismatters.com/index.php?pagina=nieuws&id=13084

 

NOT picked up by the rest of the media, however, is the fact that LJ isn't giving up just quite yet ... 

He is resubmitting his petition, narrowed down to just nine points in the hope that these will be specific enough discrepancies to warrant a new investigation.

 

Dear kk:

I have re-submitted points #1 thru #8 and the CAB's #12 point to The NTSB (John DeLisi) 

See my responses below to the following for further review, and re-consideration.

Please read ... the #1 thru #8 points that NTSB John DeLisi responded with The NTSB:

Did you find each of the eight points to your satisfaction / unanswered, concerned?

Did you find my eight responses, to your satisfaction and meeting The NTSB Code-49 (para: A or B)?

Did it seem like to you that the NTSB just skimmed the surface with just 1 thru 8 'Cherry Picked' points to pacify me out of a 24 page Petition.

a). The Aircraft  N3794N is still in a secured holding facility, since the CAB Investigation submitted on September 23, 1959

b). Dwyer Flying Service was FAA certified for ONLY VFR Chartered Flights both Day and Night

c). To fly the February 3, 1959 Chartered Flight (there could not have been any weather phenomena) that didn't equal FAA certified VFR.

d). After The Mason City, Iowa, accident of February 3, 1959, Dwyer Flying Service certified by The FAA for VFR ONLY both Day and Night was never Prosecuted or De-Certified by The FAA nor was Dwyer Flying Service Insurance canceled. In fact...Dwyer Flying Service

Insurance company settled a lawsuit just days before the CAB findings of September 23, 1959.

(So, NO Violation of weather / VFR certification took place)

The FAA certification is just that, and doesn't account for The Possibilities of Carburetor / Induction Icing

This Aircraft / Chartered Flight N3794N on February 3, 1959, departed to the south with a Left-climbing turn  to a 315 degree heading, stopped the climb at 800 foot AGL, flew the 315 degree heading for slightly more than 2 minutes.  The Owner (Jerry Dwyer and The Tower Operator) then witnessed the aircraft began a " Slow Descent" to the Northwest.  The " Slow Descent" took 1 minute and 6 seconds to reach / impact the farm field with the right wing first.

a). The CAB report found that "The Magneto Switches were found in The OFF position".

(Much like our Car Ignition, to turn OFF the Magneto would take the turning of The Key three separate notched positions to Reach the OFF position)

b). There wasn't a 3,000 foot per minute VSI Instrument in the aircraft N3794N (However, there is a 2,000 fpm VSI Instrument)

c).  February 3, 1959 ... Temperature 15 Degrees - Dew Point 8 Degrees - Relative Humidity 60%

(How close was the possibility of Carburetor / Induction Icing?  Was the investigation and were the investigators astute enough in 1959 to consider "Carburetor / Induction Icing" the morning after?

d).  That famous Sperry Artificial Horizon / Gyro was always in The aircraft N3794N, since the very first day Dwyer Flying Service purchased this aircraft. That instrument was right there in front of Pilot Roger Peterson, from Day One on every one of his flights in this aircraft N3794N.

But remember ... Pilot Roger Peterson DID NOT have to be instrument rated,  ALL of The Dwyer Flying Service Chartered Flights were ONLY FAA Certified for VFR (both Day and Night)

The FAA certification is just that, and doesn't account for the possibilities of Carburetor / Induction Icing.

I provided a 24 page Petition, to The NTSB for consideration 

Question:

Which one(s) of the #1 thru #8 points of The NTSB and which one(s) of the #12 points from The CAB report / findings most concern you?  I invite you to feel uncomfortable about the outcome of the Mason City Iowa accident. In order for The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to consider a petition for reconsideration, it must meet the requirements specified in 49 Code of Federal Regulations 845.41: 

a). must either present new information or 

b). show that the original report's findings were erroneous 

L J

L J Coon

 

Forgotten Hits has obtained a copy of the "rejection" letter Coon received from the committee ...

 

John DeLisi: NTSB

Thank you for your January 15, 2015, and February 10, 2015, letters regarding the Mason City, Iowa, airplane crash. 

As stated in our previous letter to you, in order for the 

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to consider a petition for reconsideration, it must meet the requirements specified in 

49 Code of Federal Regulations 845.41: 

a). It must either Present new information or 

b). Shows that the original report's findings were erroneous 

Upon review of the accident report issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on September 23, 1959,    and your letters,    we find that the criteria for a petition for reconsideration were not met. 

If you'd like to see a detailed analysis of their findings (and LJ Coon's responses to these findings), drop me an email and I'll be happy to send it along.  (kk)

Hey Kent,
It was funny to read how you would segue from Lollapalooza to my last name. Yes, they do rhyme, and I'm called that often. I also get Joe Palooka, from people who can't handle the pronunciation. I can thank my Italian father for that. What I know is that nobody in the family really knew how to spell their name, only how to pronounce it. I have met some shirt-tail relatives from the Chicago area; one, in Oklahoma City. To me, he just looked like anyone else down there (very midwestern American), but he showed me his high school picture, and oh yeah, he's family. I remember hearing about the comic strip, "Joe Palooka" from my folks. He was a buffoon heavyweight boxer, but a real sweet guy. There was a short-lived tv sitcom about him. Because I was so young, I don't remember much about it ... only that they had the actor overstuffed to make him look brawny. By the way, my best friends (and girlfriend) call me Johnny, and you have earned the right to do so! :-)

As far as the next generation of The Beatles go, I didn't come up with the idea. I do think they could make a one-time event of it, and not try to re-create Beatlemania. You're right about all the comparisons. One studio album really intrigues me, though. It would be cool to hear what originality they could all come up with, writing and performing all new material, and how it would sound.
- Johnny boy

 

 

Kent,

Thank you for the update on Jim Shea and Jeff James.  Those guys made Y103.9 unique.  It was my favorite station, and, frankly, I enjoyed it more than I had enjoyed any radio station since back in the 60s. I keep up with Jeff through Facebook, and I wish Jim the best as he heads to med school.

Dan Crabtree

 

Earlier this week temporary construction fencing went up at the site of Jimi Hendrix Park in Seattle Park: a tangible indication that construction has begun in earnest.    

ERRG, Inc. is the contractor set to transform the open green space in Seattle’s Central District into a celebratory space worthy of its namesake, hometown rock icon Jimi Hendrix. The 2.5-acre park, located adjacent to the Northwest African American Museum, will come to life throughout the summer and is scheduled to be complete by the end of September.

The contractor will begin work by installing the underground utilities and the connection to the city sewer line.  Next they will start the demolition work, move to the rough grading of the site, then on to the more visible built improvements. This project will complete phase one of the work.  Fundraising for Phase 2 has begun and information can be found here:  www.jimihendrixparkfoundation.org

There will be a planting party in late summer and the community is invited to attend.  Planting instructions and tools will be provided.  Stay tuned for more information.  

-- Bob Merlis

A special ticket discount offer to this year's Ponderosa Stomp has been extended until May 5th ...

Full details here: 

Tickets for the concerts are offered as a two-night package at a discounted rate of $100 now until May 1 TUESDAY, MAY 5.  Click to purchase: http://ow.ly/LmMAB

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! 

re:  Cool New Releases:

Gonzo Multimedia has just released an exclusive Cream Triple DVD Set Featuring Tony Palmer's Original Classic Films With Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce & Eric Clapton  

Cream Farewell at the Royal Albert Hall (Bonus Features: We're Going Wrong from All My Loving, Layla and Tales of Brave Ulysses from All You Need Is Love, Facsimile of the Original BBC Script)

This was one of those occasions of which it can truly be said that those who were there, will never forget it. Legendary rock trio Cream featuring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker performed their final gig on November 26th 1968, at the Royal Albert Hall. The show was filmed and recorded that evening and originally released on film and CD. Aside from the band's reunion concert in 2005 it was Cream's only official full concert release on video. It was originally broadcast by the BBC on January 5, 1969. It was not released on video in the US until 1977. The opening acts for the concert were future progressive rock stars YES who were just starting out and Taste an Irish trio led by Rory Gallagher. Now for the first time the concert is available in its original broadcast version, together now with rare bonus features taken from Palmer's landmark films, All My Loving and his definitive series on the history of American popular music, All You Need Is Love!

Jack Bruce - Rope Ladder to the Moon (Bonus Feature: 2009 Interview between Jack and Pete Brown)

Jack Bruce remains the greatest bass player in the entire history of rock 'n' roll. He became a legend because of his association with Cream, still one of the most extraordinary bands ever to grace the stage. But his own story is even more extraordinary. Born amid the slums of Glasgow known as the Gorbals, his musical talent was quickly recognized and he attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music where he played the cello and keyboards. Then he discovered jazz...and rock 'n' roll. Although Cream did not immediately bring the financial rewards some people imagine, after the group broke up in 1968 he was able to buy a large island off the Scottish coast.

With Cream Jack also discovered that he was a talented composer - many of the group's famous hits were written by him - so it was no surprise when in 1970 he released a jazz-orientated LP of his own compositions called “Songs for a Tailor”.

This 55-minute film, made at the same time, takes Jack from the Gorbals, via Cream, to his island called Sanda, playing the cello, the sitar and thundering away on the organ of the Albert Hall in London, while featuring many of the tracks from his LP. With his strong socialist principles (his father had been a member of the Communist party) Jack Bruce himself provides the striking commentary. “What kind of a society do we want?” it begins....

Originally shown on the BBC in 1971, this critically acclaimed film has been restored to something approaching its former glory and reminds us yet again what a great musician Jack Bruce was.

Ginger Baker In Africa with Fela Ransome-Kuti (Bonus Feature: The Artist by Baker Gurvitz Army)

Producer Tony Palmer explains, “In November 1971, Ginger Baker wanted to set up a recording studio in Lagos, then the capital of Nigeria. He was among the first great musicians to realize the potential of African music. He decided also that it might be an invaluable musical experience if he traveled to Nigeria overland. Unfortunately, this involved crossing the Sahara Desert. Mad? Well, crazy - but that was what was so endearing both about the man and the musician. He bought a Range Rover - one of the first ever models - and it fell to me (because of my relationship with CREAM) to film this odyssey. And the music of Nigeria, when he finally got there, was a revelation. This was before the time of the oil boom and a succession of corrupt governments; the music pulsated with reckless freedom, from the African talking-drummers of Oshogbo, to a visit to the eastern city of Calabarwhere Ginger's friend (the then unknown) Fela Ransome-Kuti performed for us with devastating power.

“I remember filming Kuti in a stadium filled with several hundred Africans. Ginger & I, his driver and my cameraman were the only white faces. Scary. But not so scary as our nights in a Calabar hotel (well, 'hotel' is a bit of an exaggeration). The walls of our room, not to mention the seedy mattress on the floor, we recovered black with mosquitoes. I remember Ginger saying that if we survived this, we could survive anything. I'm glad he did, and the film pays tribute to his indomitable spirit and to his extraordinary musicianship.”

For more information:

http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15825/Cream-3_DVD_Boxset.html  

 

After the positive reaction to our recent concert review of "The Who At 50", we thought you might be interested in this vintage concert from 1982 ...

THE WHO - LIVE AT SHEA STADIUM 1982 

FIRST EVER RELEASE OF THE FULL SHOW, WITH RESTORED FOOTAGE AND NEWLY MIXED SOUND 

~DVD, SD BLU-RAY, AND DIGITAL FORMATS~

~JUNE 30, 2015~

New York, NY (April 30, 2015) — This June, Eagle Rock Entertainment will celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of The Who with the first ever DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Video release of Live At Shea Stadium 1982 [MSRP $19.98 Blu-ray, $14.98 DVD]. This is the first official release of the full show and features restored footage and newly mixed sound.

The Who (Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Kenney Jones) delivered both classic tracks and rarely performed songs: “Pinball Wizard,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “My Generation,” “Substitute,” “Who Are You,” “I Can’t Explain,” “See Me Feel Me,” “Baba O’Riley,” and many more. The tour promoted the 1982 album It’s Hard and the set list was comprised of several tracks from that album, some of which the band would only play live on this tour.

The Who’s 1982 North American tour was their last to feature Kenney Jones on drums and the band did not tour again until 1989. This concert film features the show from the second of their two nights at New York’s Shea Stadium and was filmed on October 13^th 1982.

2015 is a year of even higher profile than usual for this legendary band - with their 50^th Anniversary European / North American tour taking place this summer. Live At Shea Stadium 1982 shows exactly what their reputation has been built on.

TRACK LISTING

1) Substitute  

2) I Can’t Explain  

3) Dangerous 

4) Sister Disco  

5) The Quiet One  

6) It’s Hard  

7) Eminence Front  

8) Behind Blue Eyes 

9) Baba O’Riley 

10) I’m One  

11) The Punk And The Godfather  

12) Drowned  

13) Tattoo  

14) Cry If You Want  

15) Who Are You  

16) Pinball Wizard  

17) See Me Feel Me  

18) Love Reign O’er Me  

19) Long Live Rock 

20) Won’t Get Fooled Again  

21) Young Man Blues  

22) Naked Eye  

23) I Saw Her Standing There   

24) Summertime Blues  

25) Twist And Shout

re:  Frank, Elvis, The Beatles, et al ... :

Kent,

Thanks for your follow-up to my Sinatra question.  It was exactly what I was looking to hear ... your articulation of something I knew about, but wanted you to put words to it.  The longer length of your response just made it all the better.

Thanks,

Jon M  

Radio. It's a sound idea!

 

Hey Kent,
In today's FH, you wrote about Elvis, The Beatles, and Sinatra, and how they shaped the lives of our "yoot". You stated that Frank was the original teen idol and not "manufactured", like Frankie Avalon or Bobby Rydell was, several years later. I don't know if there is any truth to this, but a long time ago, I heard that J. Edgar Hoover actually pressured the record companies to "manufacture" new squeeky-clean teen idols, like Avalon, Rydell, Boone, Fabian, and others, because he thought Elvis was such a threat to the security of our country. Do you or your readers know anything about this? 
- John LaPuzza

First time I've heard this one ... but, as paranoid and conspiracy-concious as he was, it really wouldn't surprise me.  Do we know if Hoover was wearing a dress when he said it???  (kk)

 

Here's another brand new release that I thought sounded rather interesting ...

 

Superstar Vocalists From Both Sides Of The Pond Come Together For A Special Tribute To The Beatles!  

Featuring performances by Heart’s Ann Wilson, Todd Rundgren, Asia’s John Wetton, Judy Collins, Jack Bruce, David Clayton Thomas and more!  

Los Angeles, CA - An all-star gathering of musical luminaries bring their warmest performances to a brand new tribute album featuring 16 acoustic renditions of the best song’s by The Beatles! Keep Calm And Salute The Beatles offers heartfelt and inviting contributions by artists such as famed Heart vocalist Ann Wilson, who leads an elegant and meditative take on “Across The Universe,” while fellow Brit John Wetton belts out a passionate and playful version of “Penny Lane.” Another of the album’s highlights is a devastating interpretation of the mournful ballad “Eleanor Rigby” recorded by legendary Cream vocalist Jack Bruce just prior to his passing in late 2014. It was Bruce’s last recorded performance and a testament to the man’s prodigious talent and sincere passion for music. Other incredible performers include legendary Todd Rundgren, singer/songwriter Andrew Gold, Martha Davis of The Motels, ‘80s icon Howard Jones, Stephen Bishop and so many more. The entire project was overseen by producer extraordinaire Billy Sherwood (Yes).  Any Beatles fan worth their salt won’t want to miss it!

1. Across The Universe - Ann Wilson

2. Penny Lane - John Wetton

3. Eleanor Rigby - Jack Bruce

4. Blackbird - Liz Madden

5. Norwegian Wood - Andrew Gold

6. Hide Your Love Away - Todd Rundgren

7. All You Need Is Love - Helen Reddy

8. I’ll Follow The Sun - Judy Collins

9. And I Love Her - Howard Jones

10. Ticket To Ride - Felix Cavaliere

11. Let It Be - KC

12. Yesterday - David Clayton Thomas

13. Nowhere Man - Martha Davis

14. All I’ve Got To Do - Stephen Bishop

15. Something - Billy Sherwood

16. Hey Jude - Leo Sayer

Purchase the CD version: http://geni.us/KeepCalmBeatlesCD

Purchase the special bonus track version on iTunes: http://geni.us/KeepCalmBeatlesdigi

CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.

11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703

Los Angeles CA 90025

www.CleopatraRecords.com

 

You've probably heard by now that Elvis' two private planes (The Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II) have been taken off the auction block.  Sounds like the Graceland Estate has gotten involved and now owns these planes and they will continued to be displayed and greet visitors for a long time to come.

 

Meanwhile, it made news headlines around the world when Paul McCartney performed at Buddakan last week for the first time in 1949 since The Beatles filmed a concert there. (Slow news week?  Or are we just so starved for good oldies news?)

Actually, this was a pretty big deal.  Not only did Macca grace the Buddakan stage again but he also performed a Beatles tune live for the very first time EVER!!!

McCartney dug out the "Help!" chestnut "Another Girl" and performed it as part of his show.  (No, he didn't have a bikini-clad hottie to strum this time ... but it was still pretty cool to hear this one again just the same.)

With a catalog as deep as his, he could almost change up the set list nightly ... but he pretty much sticks to the tracks he thinks his fans most want to hear.  (kk)

re:  Diggin' Forgotten Hits:

Just a crush note from a fan.

I still read Forgotten Hits every day. My eyes get really big when people start comparing artists from different eras. I think it's fun but not particularly important except AS fun ... like old sports buffs comparing the short pants two hand set shot era of the NBA with the high-flying take as many steps as you need slam dunk circus of today.

I was alive when Frank Sinatra was a teen idol but I was in elementary school and we all thought he was a joke. I was in the Air Force when Elvis hit the big time and I damned near died laughing at that silly man with the silly name. I was about thirty when The Beatles became famous and I thought they were the silliest of all. Point is, for some of us, all these changes were startling and it took a while to get used to them. Sinatra of the 50s reinvented himself and became the ring-a-ding-dinger who created a template for pop singers like Steve Lawrence, Bobby Darin, Eydie Gorme, etc. Many took the Sinatra way as THE way, while non-emulators like Nat King Cole (and later Johnny Mathis) did their own thing. I never embraced Elvis Presley's music as a whole, while I did like a song here and there. I changed towards the Beatles as they changed and their craft showed through the mopheads and teen screaming.

I get virtually nothing out of current pop music as my brain is hardwired in another direction and I really don't think anyone anywhere is writing and performing music for 80 year olds.

I don't care who has the most # 1 hits. I don't care who is or isn't in that silly Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. I have about a million mp3s and way too many CDs so my music world is one of isolationism, be that good or bad.

But I LOVE Forgotten Hits. I love your passion for what you do and the passion for all those artists and fans who frequent your website and mailbox.

As I said, this is a crush note. I promise not to stalk you beyond the scope of the internet. 

Mister Hil

Wow, THANKS, Hil!!!  Your letter made my day!  As one of the original 35 folks on the list, it's a TRUE testament to what we've been doing here that you're still checking in fifteen years later!!!  And your points are well taken.  As a connoisseur of ALL good music, I regard your opinion very highly.  You have always told me that it doesn't matter WHAT it is ... or WHO it is ... Good Music is Good Music.  Simple as that.  (kk)