Here are a couple of really fun pieces that Chuck Buell sent in to share ... First, a little Sugar Sugar for Halloween ...
As previously noted in a recent Forgotten Hits three-day salute, this year is the 50th Anniversary of “Sugar, Sugar” by the Archies, that carefree, uplifting song that would spend 22 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100, four of those weeks at Number One from September 20 to October 17, 1969. That feat actually followed the lead of its earlier Number One run that began three weeks prior on September 1, 1969 on the nation’s Midwest Pop Music Radio Station Powerhouse of the day, WLS in Chicago.
Over the years that followed, "Sugar, Sugar" has been covered by a variety of other artists including Bob Marley, Wilson Picket, Tom Jones, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Tommy Roe, Tina Turner and was featured as the second song in a “Stars on 45.”
And it’s still being covered today.
Here from October of 2019 is the latest version from a “Secret Recording Session” featuring Ron Dante, Kent Kotal, Frannie Kotal, Paige Brantley and Special Guest, Chuck ‘O’ Lantern Buell!”
So now, for your Halloween Holiday Dining and Dancing Pleasure ~~~
Trick? Or Treat?! CB ( which stands for "Chuck Boo-ell!" ) =======================================================
Hey, Kent!
Chuck Buell here!
This video is simply Just for Fun because it really has nothing to do with “Forgotten Hits” but, based on a certain special and large reading demo of FHers, this might be considered as a “Forgotten Memory!”
Remember when we were Kids, probably grade school level, and each Fall the Leaves had to be raked up into great big piles?
I thought it was so much fun then to run and jump into them, but I don't know if it was THIS much fun!
Personally, I didn't make it through the first six seconds of this video without laffing out loud and I just wanted to share it with you for a quick one-minute break!
I hope you enjoy it too! Until then, I will "leaf" you be to your musical memories of your youth!
[don't forget to "fall back and hour" this weekend as Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 am Sunday morning, November 3rd!]
And this from FH Reader Mike Wolstein ...
It's that time for everyone to listen to "I Want My Baby Back" by Jimmy Cross (1964, Tollie). Funny as heck ... and seems to be
unknown by everyone I mention it to. It's still my favorite Halloween recording. I guess it was knocked out of the box by "Monster Mash," which is and always will be a classic.
Mike Wolstein This was one of those Dr. Demento favorites that we used to hear back in the day. And the Beatles reference made it quite a collectible for those of us who had to own EVERYTHING pertaining to The Fab Four! (kk)
And a smile from Frank B ...
(somebody said their biggest hit was "Spooky"!!!)
Looking for something to watch tonight?
Check THIS out ...
MICKEY DOLENZ RECALLS ENLISTING YOUNG GUITARIST JIMI HENDRIX TO OPEN UP FOR THE MONKEES IN THIS FIRST LOOK AT AN ALL-NEW EPISODE OF MIXTAPE, AIRING OCTOBER 31 AT 8:30 P.M. ET / 5:30 P.M. PT
Dolenz Shares His Favorite Childhood Musical Influences, Reveals How He Had to Learn To Play Drums in ‘The Monkees,’ and Talks About His Latest Tour in this In-Depth Episode
Los Angeles, CA - Mickey Dolenz, beloved entertainer and founding member of the chart-topping rock quartet The Monkees, takes viewers on an intimate journey through his celebrated career and shares the songs that inspired him on an all-new episode of AXS TV’s MIXTAPE — premiering Thursday, October 31 at 8:30 pm E / 5:30 pm P. MIXTAPE in partnership with the leading music streaming service Spotify, provides music fans with each week’s custom full playlists from the MIXTAPE episode along with access to the MIXTAPE podcast that includes additional commentary on Spotify.
In this exclusive first look, Dolenz relays a priceless anecdote of searching for an act to open up for The Monkees as they were preparing to head out on tour. “I’m at the Monterey Pop Festival,” Dolenz recalls, “and all of a sudden these three guys come on stage in all these psycho-jello clothes and stuff, and they just looked incredible. That was, of course, The Jimi Hendrix Experience.” Dolenz thought the groundbreaking trio would be the perfect complement to The Monkees, as both bands had a very theatrical style. He continues, “I guess they liked the idea, our producers liked the idea, so sure enough a few months later we’re opening up and Jimi is the opening act. He did six or eight shows with us, and he was a great guy ... We had a lot of fun.” Watch it here.
In addition to Dolenz’s appearance on MIXTAPE, he can be seen traveling across the country performing with his band and also as a part of the tour “It Was Fifty Years Ago Today – A Tribute to The Beatles’ White Album,” where Dolenz is joined on stage with Christopher Cross, Todd Rundgren, former Chicago front man Jason Scheff and Badfinger guitarist Joey Molland. The “White Album’ shows feature songs from the famous record as well as personal hits from each member. For more information about the tour dates and tickets, visit mickeydolenz.com.
MIXTAPE airs every Thursday at 8:30pm E / 5:30 pm P, only on AXS TV.
Here are some absolutely BEAUTIFUL shots taken by Gene Steinman at The Ides of March 55th Anniversary "Play On" show at The Genesee Theatre last Saturday Night ... with special guests Mark Farner, Bo Bice and Cathy Richardson.
Thank you, Gene, for sharing your outstanding work with our readers ... and to all the players and performers for presenting an incredible night of music and magic!
The Ides of March perform "L.A. Goodbye"
Mark Farner
Cathy Richardson
Bo Bice
Meagan McNeil
Anne Harris
After the show with The Ides Of March, Mark Farner and Bo Bice
Review in a word: OMG! [Wait a second ... is that even a word??? And if it is, how is it only ONE word?!?!]
Sorry ... no nitpicking allowed ...
This show was simply AMAZING!!!
The Ides Of March are celebrating their 55th Anniversary and have done so in high fashion by releasing a brand new CD of all new music called "Play On" ... and they used Saturday Night at The Genesee Theatre to house the celebration. (Now I don't know if I've seen The Ides Of March 55 times in 55 years ... but I'll betcha I've come close ... easily 30-40 times for sure ... and this just may have been the best, most electric performance I've ever seen yet!) [How is it that this band ... after 55 years ... just keeps getting BETTER?!?! It's like this whole experience has re-energized them ... and every member of the group has upped their game and risen to the challenge. The way they played Saturday night, I'd put them up against ANYBODY! ... not only mesmerizing the crowd with their own material but also blowing us away with all the NEW music they had to learn to accommodate the artists participating in this particular show. It was jaw-dropping!]
The "Special Guests" list was amazing ... Bo Bice, 4th Season American Idol Runner-Up to Carrie Underwood (who then went on to serve as lead singer for Blood, Sweat and Tears for six years), Cathy Richardson (who has portrayed Janis Joplin on stage and now is the OFFICIAL Female Lead Singer of Jefferson Starship ... fully endorsed by Grace Slick herself) and Mark Farner, mastermind genius behind the success of Grand Funk Railroad ... ALL of whom also contributed their talents to the new Ides CD.
The night provided the perfect opportunity to delve deep into the new album, featuring at least half a dozen tracks as well as all of their best known, best loved greatest hits ... plus music that Jim has written for .38 Special and Survivor ... AND Cathy Richardson belting out an absolutely KILLER version of "White Rabbit," Bo Bice taking both BS&T tunes "Spinning Wheel" and "You've Made Me So Very Happy" to church (as well as handling the lead on Grand Funk's #1 Hit "We're An American Band" and dueting with Peterik on their "shared" chart-topper "Vehicle") plus Mark Farner taking us through an absolutely stirring version of "Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain)" and "The Loco-Motion."
The group ensemble finale of "Eye Of The Tiger" was nothing short of electrifying as The Ides and all of the headliners were joined on stage by Guitarist Mike Aquino, Keyboardist Colin Peterik, Violinist Anne Harris (who added magical fills to several songs throughout the night ... especially "Closer To Home") and overnight YouTube sensation Meagan McNeil, whose vocals were so over the top that even Cathy Richardson (who can out-sing the best of them!) watched in awe as she hit some of those notes! (This girl was "Rape / Murder" good, if you know what I mean!!!)
An INCREDIBLE show, start to finish ... and the filled theater absolutely loved it. Truly one of the best shows I've EVER seen. (kk)
PHOTO GALLERY:
WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND - Full Ensemble - photo by Karen Peterik
BO BICE with JIM PETERIK and THE IDES OF MARCH - photo by Frannie Kotal
BO BICE: photo by Marlene O'Malley
(How do I NOT call this one JimBo???) photo by Frannie Kotal
BO BICE - photo by Frannie Kotal
JIM PETERIK and THE IDES OF MARCH - photo by Karen Peterik
MARK FARNER - photo by Marlene O'Malley
JIM PETERIK - photo by Karen Peterik
Be sure to check the website tomorrow for even more photos from this outstanding event!
More Ides Events:
Members of The Ides of March will
be at the Oak Brook Barnes & Noble for an album and calendar signing on
Saturday, November 9th, at 2 pm. This is your chance to get
autographed copies of their brand new "Play On" album in both CD and double vinyl format. It will also mark the
premier release date of Jim Peterik’s Stars & Guitar’s calendar for 2020- 2021 ,
featuring photos from the Ides' shows and many more of Jim’s appearanes through the past ten years shot by Kristie Schram and other top photographers.
You can ALSO catch The Ides as part of the next Cornerstones Of Rock Show at The Arcada Theatre on Saturday, November 30th ...
As well as the Annual Ides Of March Christmas Show (also at The Arcada) on Saturday, December 14th. (It looks like Jim Peterik's World Stage Show at Wentz Hall in Naperville ... on January 25th ... another annual event ... has already sold out.)
And, have you watched that new television series "Perfect Harmony" yet? We decided to finally check it out Sunday afternoon and the first episode features the choir performing a rousing version of "Eye Of The Tiger" ... it's a whole lotta fun and available on Xfinity "On Demand" if you'd like to see it! (kk)
This Friday Night, November 1st, THE FAB FOUR pay a visit to The Arcada Theatre to perform their incredible Beatles Tribute Show. (We love these guys ... and this time we are taking a bunch of Forgotten Hits Readers with us to the show!)
We caught them for the very first time when they backed up Micky Dolenz and Mark Lindsay on their "Summer of '67" tour a few years ago ... and have seen their solo show a couple of times now ... and, for my money, I'll put them up against ANY other Beatles Tribute Band out there today. Simply put, these guys nail it ... every time and in every way.
MEET THE FAB FOUR (Artists shown represent the cast performing at The Arcada Theatre on November 1st)
RON McNEIL (John Lennon) Ron founded the band in 1997 as the original John Lennon, following a vision that inspired him to create a Beatles tribute act that would achieve such a high level of precision (down to the most minute detail)that it would become a role model for other Beatles tribute acts to follow. (He not only conceived and wrote the act's Emmy Award-Winning Stage Show, but he also programmed every individual sound used during their performances into The Fab Four's keyboards, giving them the perfect sonic tools to recreate The Beatles' more complex latter-era material live on stage while still limited to just the four musicians on stage. You have to see it ... and hear it ... to believe it.) His incredible look and sound-alike abilities have created the ultimate loving tribute to the late John Lennon. As such, he has performed his spot-on tribute to John Lennon all over the world, all in preparation and anticipation, leading up to this performance Friday Night, November 1st, at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. (kk) ARDY SARRAF (Paul McCartney) Ardy is also one of the band's original members, dating back to 1997 ... and most Beatles fans and critics will agree that he just may be the best musician ever to portray the young and talented Paul McCartney on stage. He, too, has performed the act you've known for all these years all over the world ... and, at various times, has even appeared on stage with Bruce Springsteen, Micky Dolenz and John Fogerty (to name but a few). His left-handed bass playing ability (and the fact that he can also jump on over to piano to perform Beatles / McCartney classics like "Hey Jude" and "Let It Be"), along with his "record accurate" vocals have won him first place in numerous Beatlefest sound-alike contests. (kk) GAVIN PRING (George Harrison) Gavin is the only member of The Fab Four to actually have been born and raised in Liverpool, England, birthplace of The Beatles. (With his gifted guitar playing abilities and uncanny resemblance to George Harrison, it was inevitable that he would become part of the cast of The Fab Four. He joined the group in 2006.) Gavin has performed at numerous international venues ... and has even shared the stage with Sir Paul McCartney himself! He also channels "The Quiet Beatle" in his side act, George Harry's Son, which performs at many of the prestigious Beatles Festivals held here in The States and back home in Liverpool. (kk) JOE BOLOGNA (Ringo Starr) You'll love Joe's familiar "Ringo Head Shake" when you see him perform as part of The Fab Four in concert. He also handles the vocals on Ringo's best known tunes like "Boys," "With A Little Help From My Friends" and "Yellow Submarine." Joe has been playing drums since the age of 13 and is also an accomplished musician on bass, keyboards and guitar. (He's also a successful singer/songwriter.) Joe, too, has performed all over the world ... and has made television appearances on Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, among others. (kk)
Photo Credit: Sal Gomez Photography
KENT KOTAL / FORGOTTEN HITS: You guys are all too young to have experienced The Beatles first hand as it was happening ... so I guess the most obvious question would have to be: How did you first come to discover the music of The Beatles? Was it at an early age ... did you discover this music on your own or through friends at school ... or was this perhaps music that your parents, older sibling or grandparents may have been playing around the house when you were growing up?
GAVIN PRING:Growing up in Liverpool it was not hard to discover a band called "The Beatles" because their faces were literally plastered all over the place and the music they made was pumped out into the cold dank air of every pub West of Manchester ... but what got me about them was the White Album!!! Offered to me by my stepfather and in cassette format, I listened to that album from start to finish and then the tape would automatically start again and I think I wore the batteries completely flat the first time I listened to it ... lol!
JOE BOLOGNA: My older sister was a fan of them and got me hooked, too. I was 4 or 5.
RON McNEIL: I don't really remember a time when I didn't know about The Beatles. I "borrowed" my older sisters' records and never gave them back. No one at school was into The Beatles except for me. So, I was pretty much on my own.
ARDY SARRAF: Around the age of 10, between my mom's old rock and roll records and my sister's John Lennon tribute photo album after his murder, I was instantly hooked on his and The Beatles' past catalog of songs.
kk: How did your appreciation of this music change as you learned to play and perform it yourself?
RON: Listening to The Beatles and performing as The Beatles are two very different things. The songwriting is, of course, amazing ... but you gain an appreciation of the arrangements more when you perform the music live. You've got Ringo's steady beat coupled with Paul's moving, yet not too busy bass lines. John has his aggressive vocals and creative chord inversions. George adds his tasty guitar solos along with some third harmonies to fill-out the vocal sound. Put it all together with George Martin's producing, and it's just magical.
JOE: Honestly, it took away some of the magic for me, a little bit.
GAVIN: At first, any music you listen to is magical because you only really hear a finished product but then when you break it apart (by learning your individual parts) you end up having a whole new appreciation for it!! It was kind of like that for the Beatles, learning the harmonies and solos, etc., just added to the majesty of what I already knew!!!
ARDY: Sometimes the more basic songs musically can be the most memorable and endearing. So much variety in their songs, influences from all over the world.
kk: The music of The Beatles evolved rapidly in a very short period of time. Do you have a favorite era?
JOE: No. It changes all the time with me.
ARDY: That's an impossible question for me. Their ENTIRE album collection is too good to pick just one.
GAVIN: I liked the fact that they did evolve ... most bands don't ... and I actually like all the eras pretty much equally ... but if I was given the chance to go back in time and watch any live shows, then I suppose the early (Mop Top) gigs would've been magical. Seeing the people being swept up by the hysteria and seeing Beatlemania firsthand would've been great!!
RON: My favorite Beatles era is 1966-REVOLVER. The Beatles are starting to become prolific songwriters and they are starting to experiment with different sounds in the studio without getting TOO "out there" yet.
kk: My understanding is that The Fab Four is essentially a touring theater company with a revolving cast of actors particularly adept at "playing" The Beatles ... in a live concert setting that covers their entire career. But in the end, when you break it all down, it's still really just theater ... had any of you had theatrical experience prior to this? Is this something you did throughout high school / college / and beyond?
JOE: I’ve been in various bands since 1975 and got into a local acting troupe around 1979-82.
GAVIN: Nah, all of my staging and stagecraft knowledge was kind of undertaken as I gigged. The Fab Four are great at bringing whatever skills you have to the forefront, and I think maybe, I always did like theatre/plays/comedies and I've always been good at breaking apart what works. The Fab Four gave me a chance to try to see what works onstage for me, and whatever worked, I kept!
ARDY: My only classes pertaining to theatre were makeup classes in college. Funny how I did that early in life, not knowing how much it would help me now.
RON: It's more like Theater meets Cosplay meets a Live Band. Lol. I had a little theater experience in school, but I wasn't a theater geek or anything like that. There's really only a little bit of acting when we're on stage. We've added some dialog to our live music show but we consider what we do to be a concert. And, altho we DO have an Emmy, I don't think we'd win one for our acting abilities.
kk: The Fab Four really goes WELL beyond the typical theatrical experience in that each actor has to not only be able to play the part, but also the MUSIC of The Beatles ... on any variety of instruments ... adeptly and believably on stage. What prompted you to first audition for this role ... and what in your background allowed you the skills to perform such a high level of musical accuracy? It sounds like all of you have done other Beatles-related shows over the years ... was this essentially just the next natural step?
JOE: I had downgraded my day job and needed a part time job for extra $$ on weekends. Looking thru the paper for a job, I saw an ad - “Ringo wanted for working Beatle tribute band - must sing as good (or as bad) as Ringo.” [I love this answer!!! lol - kk] Having been in bands and being a Beatles fan since way back, I thought “I can do that!” I eventually got laid off the day job several times while the Beatle work picked up. After a while, I just quit going back. I’ve played in Liverpool Legends, Classical Mystery Tour, Rain, 1964 and have subbed for a bunch of others.
GAVIN: Yeah, Yeah and Yeah!!! You have to be able to play an instrument, you have to be able to sing, you have to be able to resemble your character. But even though I'd performed with other tribute acts (and as good as they were), I always felt like I'd gone as far as I could. The Fab Four were so far superior in a lot of ways that it's kinda like golf: If you play with someone better than you, then you'll learn tricks from them and up your game. I still don't feel that I've hit the ceiling. I still have so much to learn.
ARDY: I first played with fellow Beatle fan friends in high school just for fun. I learned how to harmonize vocally, played backyard parties, gradually gaining experience performing. I’ve always had a very good ear when it comes to mimicry. I could sing just like the song's vocalist, no matter which band or genre. It’s always been a strength of mine, and I’ve tried to help others within the Fab Four to do the same.
RON: We started with the music ... just being a band. The other stuff was added. I already played keyboards and guitar, but I had to learn to play harmonica and upside-down bass for the show. Which is nothing compared to Gavin learning Sitar, and Ardy learning to play the bass left-handed!
kk: Speaking of which, there are a TON of other Beatles tribute bands and shows out there ... but I can honestly say that I have NEVER seen ANYBODY nail it the way that you guys to. The Fab Four literally take you thru every phase of The Beatles' career, from start to finish, and the audience is able to watch them evolve as musicians and songwriters right before their eyes. The actors portraying The Beatles on stage have to mimic their look, their voices, their proficiency on each instrument ... even down to some of their slightest mannerisms. Because The Beatles became so enormously popular, fans picked up on virtually every nuance of each member ... and I've never seen any other Beatles tribute nail this the way you guys do.
RON: Check's in the mail ;)
GAVIN: EXCELLENT!!! You're now on my Christmas card list!" Lol ... Well, that means a lot coming from another aficionado. But yeah, lots of homework, lots of watching the Beatles anthology and lots of positive criticism for and from your team mates and actually listening to the good (and bad) criticism from your audience. If you don't listen, you don't learn. It really is that simple!
ARDY: That’s the ultimate gratification for me when it comes to what we do. If we please the hardcore Beatle fans, and at the same time impress a general audience, I think we’ve done our job. We are always listening, learning and trying to improve in what we do and how we sound.
kk: I would think the Paul character would be the most difficult role to fill ... then again, perhaps finding somebody who LOOKS like Paul ... and can actually play the bass left-handed ... might make it "the role he was born to play." Ardy - you've been with The Fab Four since the beginning (1997). Is it tough to find "back-up" Pauls for some of these traveling road shows?
RON: Don't tell him this stuff, or we'll have to pay him more money.
GAVIN: Nah ... Pauls are ten a penny!!! Lol
ARDY: Yes is the only true answer to that. I mean I’ve been lucky with my natural ability to sound like Paul, and with makeup and some good genetics, can resemble him enough on stage to give an audience a great experience. Then teaching myself to play left-handed like Paul was sort of the last step. [Ardy is a natural-born rightie ... but had to teach himself to play the bass guitar left-handed ... no small task, I might add ... in order to accurately portray the Paul McCartney charcter! - kk] We have a couple of guys I can call on to sub for me. They are great in their own portrayal of Paul. It takes dedication and hard work to be in the Fab Four. We have high standards, and all of our team can deliver.
kk: And, piggy-backing in on that question, how many Johns, Pauls, Georges and Ringos make up the total touring company of The Fab Four? How many shows a year do they perform? And how often do the four of you get to work together?
GAVIN: We don't really get to practice together often. A lot of what we do is reliant on technology and it's not unheard of to find a text asking what harmony someone's doing, etc. But, yeah, once we learn our part, then the other Georges have to know what I'm singing so that they can 'slot in' with the other three singers. We have a few "Georges" right now. Doug Couture and Robbie Berg play with the company from time to time, but unfortunately I never get to hang out with them because I'll be somewhere else. That's probably why they're on the gig!!
RON: We have enough cast members (including Ed Sullivans) to have 3 or 4 casts.
ARDY: The Fab Four performsclose to 100 shows a year, with 8-10 guys out on the road during the year ... and 90% of our shows are Adam, Ardy, Gavin, Joe.
kk: I guess if we're going to do a real "Meet The Fab Four" segment, we've got to ask:
kk: Favorite Color?
RON: Red
JOE:Red GAVIN: Turquoise ARDY:Blue
kk: Favorite Food? ARDY:Filet and Baked Potato
GAVIN: Chik-Fil-A RON: Mexican JOE: Good pasta
kk: Favorite Beatles Song?
RON: In My Life JOE: Changes all the time, but “You Never Give Me Your Money” GAVIN: Across The Universe ARDY: All You Need Is Love
kk: Favorite Beatles Song to perform on stage (and why)?
RON: Twist And Shout (duh!) ARDY:Hey Jude ... because it sums up what the Beatles music stood for: LOVE.
JOE: A Day In the Life. It’s like we’re all on a tightrope together, doing different things at the same time - yet we all land together - most of the time. GAVIN: Here Comes The Sun because it's bloody awesome!
kk: Do you like jelly babies? ARDY: Yes
JOE: Black Jelly Bellies!!! Yeah!!! RON: Yes ... as long as they don't hit my eye! GAVIN: I prefer midget gems to jelly babies
kk: Favorite Fab Four memory or moment (from your own experience)? RON: Opening for The Who at Carnegie Hall PAUL: My favorite moment would have to be playing Bad Moon Rising onstage with John Fogerty.
JOE: Probably the “solo” show at the PAC Amp in 2016. GAVIN: I haven't had it yet! Lol
kk: The Beatles revolutionized the world in virtually every way ... music, fashion, pop culture ... and every generation since has come to discover and appreciate their contribution to the world we all still live in. There isn't anything any one of us could say about The Beatles that hasn't been said before or talked about and analyzed to death. So, as a way to wrap this up, please state, in a simple summation, what the music of The Beatles has meant to you, personally, and why you think it continues to grow in popularity and resonate with a brand new audience some 50+ years later.
GAVIN: I really don't know. I grew up in Liverpool (which meant I grew up in the capital of Ireland). A lot of the local pubs had Irish duos and I distinctly remember growing up amidst all those familiar Irish songs: Whiskey in the Jar, Belle of Belfast city, Fields of Athenry, etc. A few years ago, I happened upon an Irish trio in a pub in Windsor, Canada, and something chemical happened. I was just mesmerized and a kid again, there was something neanderthal and raw and awesome happening, and I think that's what the Beatles are ... Raw, Neanderthal and HONEST ... a universal truth you cannot deny. They were here, they are gone, but they'll never ever go. And if you play their music to a kid, they just get it. They don't know what it is, but they know it's related to them and it's pure and it's LOVE ... Maybe that's why they have a show in Vegas called ... err, can't remember!! Lol
RON: Summation: The Beatles are good. Whatever good means. I think beyond the creativeness of the songwriting, the main subject they wrote about is love. And, as long as people love each other, their music will resonate.
ARDY: Their success is all about the music they created. Great melodies, great singing, great production, great movies ... all were possible because of the music. I hope their music endures forever. Thank you to John, Paul, George and RINGO!
JOE: There are great rock bands, pop groups, etc. ... and then there are The Beatles. They’re on a different level than anybody else. And the music is timeless. It’s just that good.
Elvis holds on to the #1 spot for the third week in a row ... "Suspicious Minds" will become one of the biggest hits of his entire career.
Breaking into The Top Ten for the first time (finally!) are The Beatles with their new two-sided hit "Something" / "Come Together" ... and after a major Top Ten shake-up last week, this is the ONLY new record to enter The Top Ten this week.
Check out our buddy Ron Dante sitting pretty at #2 with "Tracy" by his other "ghost group" at the time, The Cuff Links.
Big move for The Flying Machine with their One Hit Wonder "Smile A Little Smile For Me," which climbs from #31 to #17, a move of fourteen places! "Eli's Coming" by Three Dog Night is right behind it, jumping from #30 to #18. Meanwhile, "And When I Die" by Blood, Sweat And Tears climbs eleven spots from #32 to #21.
THIS WEEK IN 1969:
October 22nd – “Led Zeppelin II” is released
Also on this date, Paul McCartney speaks publicly for the first time, denying rumors that he is dead.The story will make the cover of Life Magazine two weeks later.Despite a cavalcade or rumors to the contrary at the time, Paul was still with us … and last year scored a #1 Album with “Egypt Station” at the ripe old age of 76!
Also on this date, The Flying Burrito Brothers (featuring Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman) perform at The Corral in Los Angeles.Their audience includes The Rolling Stones.
And Roy Clark and Dionne Warwick appear on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.
October 23rd – Singer Tommy Edwards dies of a brain aneurysm.He is 47 years old.
October 24th – Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young record “Teach Your Children”
October 25th – Kenny Rogers and the First Edition appear on The Andy Williams Show
October 26th – Santana appears on The Ed Sullivan Show, performing “Jingo Jingo” and “Persuasion”
Also on this date Waylon Jennings marries Jessi Colter in Mesa, Arizona (she's not Lisa)
October 27th – Ringo Starr becomes the first Beatle to begin recording a legitimate solo album.(Both John and George had already done “sound effects” albums … and, in George’s case, the “Wonderwall” movie soundtrack … but Ringo was going into the studio to record actual SONGS!!!Who would have ever thought that he would be the first to do so!)
The idea was for Ringo to sing a dozen “standards” … songs that his parents loved … and have each one arranged by a special producer.(George Martin, Paul McCartney and Maurice Gibb of The Bee Gees were among those to get involved.)Titled “Sentimental Journey,” it predated a trend that would grow to ridiculous proportions some 20+ years later when virtually EVERYBODY (even rockers like Rod Stewart!) were cutting LPs with a similar concept.(Even Paul finally did one with “Kisses On The Bottom”!)
Also on this date, “Music Scene” features performances by Janis Joplin, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Lee Lewis and Richie Havens
From Rob Feder's column this week ... It’s a “45s and Flipsides Weekend” at MeTV FM. Look for the Weigel Broadcasting soft-rock oldies station at WRME 87.7-FM to spotlight a select group of records that had memorable songs on both sides. Starting at 7 p.m. Friday, listeners will get to hear both sides — first the A-side, then the B-side — played back-to-back —for more than 100 two-sided hits throughout the weekend. “As a kid trying to stretch my allowance, I remember that getting a popular song on the B-side of a 45 was a real bonus — two hits for the price of one,” said program director Rick O’Dell.
The most common response we got when we first ran our Favorite Forgotten B-Sides Poll back in 2007 was "Hell, yes I played both sides ... I PAID for both sides, didn't I?!?!?"
And I think that's probably true of most of us. (I remember as a kid having a very limited amount of 45's to choose from ... so when I would do my own weekly countdown on my pretend radio station in my bedroom, I would HAVE to play the B-Sides just to have enough songs to make up a Top 40 list!)
>>>After 2 1/2 years of badgering ... (OK, well maybe not badgering ... but you get the idea) ... Me-TV-FM is FINALLY going to run our A Sides / B Sides / Catch You On The Flipside Weekend! It all kicks off THIS FRIDAY NIGHT (October 25th) at 7 pm and runs straight thru Sunday Night ... and they'll be playing some of the biggest two-sided hits of The Rock Era along with some of your Favorite, Forgotten B-Sides ... over 100 2-Fers in all! (This one's been a long time comin'!!!) If you don't live in the Chicago area, you can LISTEN LIVE thru the Milwaukee feed. (kk)
HAHAHA! - Just saw this today -
You see the power you have, Kent! - Super Cool !!!!!!!!
Jeff James
It was a little bit hard sell than I anticipated as it just seemed like such a perfect fit ... but my hope is that if the initial response is good, they'll continue this tradition on an annual basis as currently anticipated. Be sure to tune in and listen ... I think they're doing a brand new 2-Fer every half hour! (kk)
kk ...
I can't wait for you to retire from your day job.
FORGOTTEN HITS could not be any better.
I'm just wondering what its going to be like when you put 100% of your time & energy into it.
I love the two-sided hits countdown. I will be playing it in Larry's Pub Jukebox. My "FRANKIE" came in at # 10.
Frank B.
Figured you'd like THAT one! (lol)
I don't know if it made the Me-TV-FM cut or not ... but Program Director Rick O'Dell told me that SEVERAL songs never before played on the station will be airing this weekend as part of this special feature ... including a couple by Connie Francis! (Guess you'll just have to tune in and listen like the rest of us! lol)
Here are a few others that scored well in our B-Sides Poll:
Probably the best known Two-Sided Hit by The Guess Who would have to be "Laughing" / "Undun," both of which made The Top 25 in 1969 ... but actually this happened due to a bit of unusual circumstances.
After "Laughing" had run its course and was working its way down the charts, deejays started flipping the record over and playing the other side ... which then became a hit all on its own, working its way back UP the charts in the process. I think it's a pretty safe bet that you'll hear both sides of this single on Me-TV-FM's special A Side / B Side Weekend.
Two others that you probably WON'T hear (at least not in this format) would likely be "Bus Rider," the flipside of "Share The Land" which, incredibly, got quite a bit of airplay on both WLS and WCFL in 1970 despite the offensive lyric at the end of the tune ... and the other track listed below.
Then again, a lot of people thought Burton Cummings was singing "Goodbye American Woman, Goodbye American Bitch" when in fact he was singing "Goodbye American Chick," so many his "God-damned glad" like wasn't quite that out of character to listeners' ears in 1970! The B-Side of THAT single was the shortened version of "No Sugar Tonight," a song you've probably only ever heard since as part of the "No Sugar Tonight" / "New Mother Nature" medley that was included on the "American Woman" album. But that's NOT the way this 45 was released at the time ... so please enjoy, perhaps for the first time in nearly 50 years, "No Sugar Tonight" ... the single!
Herman's Hermits had some GREAT B-Sides, some of which got airplay during the early days of The British Invasion. Me-TV-FM will likely play "There's A Kind Of Hush" / "No Milk Today" as part of their "Catch Ya On The Flipside" Weekend ... but also worth noting are both Peter Noone's version of "The End Of The World," the B-Side to "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" and "I Gotta Dream On," flipside of their #1 Hit "Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter."
Other great B-Sides that may (or may not) get noted this weekend include "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac (flipside of "Go Your Own Way" ... and not released on an album at the time), "Everybody Is A Star" by Sly and the Family Stone (B-Side to "Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin"), "Ol' '55" by The Eagles (flipside of "Best Of My Love," two of the most beautiful ballads they ever recorded) and the aforementioned Led Zeppelin tunes "Livin' Lovin' Maid" (probably not heard as a single track since we played it on Dave The Rave's show back in 2007 ... and heard today only as the second half of the "Heartbreaker" medley on classic rock stations) and "Hey Hey What Can I Do," flipside of 1971's "Immigrant Song."
There are lots of others we could mention that would be great to hear on the radio again ... how about Elvis' "Treat Me Right" from "Jailhouse Rock"? It backed up that #1 Single. Ditto for The Four Seasons' original version of "Silence Is Golden," flipside to "Rag Doll." How about "Long Time Gone" by Crosby, Stills and Nash" ... "Let Me Roll It" by Paul McCartney and Wings ... heck, even their future #1 Hit "Black Water" first saw life as the B-Side of The Doobie Brothers' 1974 minor hit "Another Park, Another Sunday." (The same thing happened with The Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" ... although it's been getting TONS of airplay since it was first released in 1969, it didn't chart on its own until four years later when it was re-released as an A-Side in 1973.)
And I just can't wrap things up without playing one of my own personal all-time favorites. This just might be the most beautiful thing The Dave Clark Five ever recorded short of "Because." "Hurting Inside" wound up on the flip side of their 1965 Hit "I Like It Like That" ... it absolutely would have been a Top Ten Hit on its own had it been released as an A-Side.
There are TONS more of great choices for consideration ... review our lists ... and then call or email Me-TV-FM and tell them what you want to hear ... maybe they'll include more of these Forgotten Favorites in the SECOND Annual A Side / B Side Weekend!!! Meanwhile, be sure to let them know how much you're enjoying this feature! (kk)
