Thursday This And That

I got the upsetting news yesterday morning that long-time friend, Forgotten Hits Reader and Contributor Jack Levin passed away on Tuesday (July 25th)

He suffered a stroke a few weeks earlier and just was never able to rebound.

I had known Jack for nearly fifty years.  We first met in the mid-'70's when he responded to an ad I had run in The Chicago Tribune looking for copies of old WLS Surveys.  He was shocked that there was someone else out there as crazy as him collecting these things!  (Actually, we would come to find out over the years that there were quite a few of us in pursuit of this hobby!)

We weren't friends in the sense that we really "hung out" together ... it was more a shared love of radio, music and the charts that bound us.  Over the years, we enjoyed many "finds" together ... and even had the opportunity to grab "pick of the litter" when a couple of well-known record shops closed in the area, boosting not only our own collections but also providing me with a very attractive and enticing inventory for my mail order record business at the time.

We went to each other's weddings ... and often met at the Record Collectors Shows held here at the Hillside Holiday Inn.  Jack and his wife Laura eventually moved to downstate Illinois and although we saw each other less and less over the years, we still stayed in touch, even if it was only as each other's foils in Forgotten Hits.  (Boy, he SURE loved to downplay the impact of The Beatles!!!)  I couldn't even to begin to count the number of times he supplied photos of WLS and WCFL surveys for us to run on the website.

I knew he had been in poor health the last several years ... I believe the last time I saw him was at an Ides Of March appearance at a Barbara's Bookstore in Vernon Hills a few years ago.  (He was at the original Cornerstones taping at the PBS / WTTW Studios several years ago, too ... I didn't even make it to that one!!!)

Most recently, he had stepped in as the brand new Grim Reaper of Forgotten Hits, posting notices as we lost some of our musical heroes.  Sadly, he has now become one of those casualties himself.  (When he first had the stroke, he wanted me to know that he met The Grim Reaper face to face ... and kicked him in the balls!!!)

Several readers on the list expressed their condolences after they saw Laura's posting on Facebook.  She also sent me this special note that read in part:

Dear Kent --

I am sorry I had not been back in touch but things just kept happening in a rush.  Jack took a turn for the worse and died early Tuesday morning at home.  I know the two of you had been friends for many years and he told me that you were the first person he ever met who also collected surveys.  

I also fondly remember entering a contest for Forgotten Hits (writing an essay involving Donny Osmond and psychedelic sno-cones,  which garnered 2nd place) because he wanted whatever obscure item was the prize.  

I haven't yet posted the news on Facebook, but I will shortly, so feel free to post the word on Forgotten Hits.  

He always said that the song he wanted people to play in his honor was "Hit The Road, Jack," which, let's face it, sounds like Jack.   

--Laura         

VERY happy to send you off in style with that one, Jack!  (kk)

Yesterday was Mick Jagger’s 80^th birthday … and he’s still up there prancin’ around like a 20-year-old … and this despite a heart procedure that sidelined him for a little while a couple of years ago.

With a new album and yet another tour looming, The Stones are as active as ever.  (I know it’s only rock and roll … but I like it!)  kk

 

From Mike Wolstein ...

 

Harvey Kubernik sent us this rare, candid shot of Mick …

 

Mick Jagger in a rambler car outside Elektra Records 1969 La Cienega and Santa Monica Blvd. … I believe this is a Robert Altman photo

HK 

 

Here’s another cool shot, sent in by Tom Cuddy …

 

Herb Alpert posted a short Tik Tok video congratulating Taylor Swift for tying his record of having FOUR albums in Billboard’s Top Ten Album Chart at the same time, a record that has stood since 1966!  (Previously, he was the only living artist to do so.)

 

https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/herb-alpert-congratulates-taylor-swift-billboard-200-accomplishment-1235377629/

 

Alpert says in the clip, “Hi Taylor, this is Herb Alpert.  I’ve been getting calls from all over the world from publications wanting to know how do I feel about you breaking my record of — I don’t know — 150 years ago. I feel great! I think you’re a wonderful artist, sincere, you’re gracious and you deserve it. You deserve it all. Congratulations.”

 

For the record, Herb Alpert accomplished his feat on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart dated the week of April 2nd, 1966, when his LP’s “Going Places” stood at #2, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights” sat right behind it at #3 (Have you ever seen that album cover???  It’s pretty cool!), “South of the Border” ranked at #9 and The Tijuana Brass’s first album, “The Lonely Bull,” still placed at #10.  Pretty remarkable.  (kk)

 

President Joe Biden released this statement regarding the passing of Tony Bennett:

Here is the full statement:

 

The CBS Morning Show did a superb job encapsulating Tony Bennett, his life's music, and the support he gave and received that allowed him a full life, through hardships.

Shelley

 

FH Reader Bill Hayes sent in this nice little piece … and photo … remembering Tony Bennett …

 

One of our karate students was in NYC just a few days before Tony passed ...

He was walking thru Central Park and noticed this man in a wheelchair sitting basically by himself ... but there was a nurse nearby. 

He recognized the man as Tony Bennet!!!

He asked the nurse and Tony if he could take a photo with him ... and they both said sure ...

 

This may be the last pic ever of Tony ...

 

Billboard Magazine ran a blurb this week reporting that Tony Bennett’s recordings were still generating about $3.4 million per year in global sales and streams at the time of his death.  Pretty remarkable for a guy who was 96 years old!  (kk)

 

Also leaving us this week ... Sinead O'Connor, who topped the charts with her version of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2U" back in 1990.  (It was a striking performance and a striking video ... it's a shame that the thing she may be most remembered for was ripping up a picture of The Pope during her appearance on "Saturday Night Live.")

 

No cause of death was immediately reported ... and most of the stories I saw mentioned her bouts with mental illness.  (She lost her 17 year old son last year.)

Billboard Magazine ran a piece on their Staff Picks for Ten Best Sinead O'Connor songs.  (Really???  Were there ten?!?!)

 

https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-sinead-oconnor-songs/the-edge-feat-sinead-oconnor-heroine-captive-soundtrack/#recipient_hashed=fa7e92da6f6e66bffcf0bcbf863670c6eb37d7159eb4d0ea1e44fecd5ec87eeb&recipient_salt=3a1d6b09af3b92ad7e38f8327cf18febeb049fd1c9a251b66957a07d9375735c

 

Her only other Billboard Chart Hits was 1990's "The Emperor's New Clothes," which peaked at #60.  (kk)

 

One year has gone by already ...

Sure flew past quickly.
We lost Jimy Sohns a year ago (7-29-22)  

R.I.P.   ;-(

Mike Wolstein

It sounds like Paul Simon isn’t enjoying retirement as much as he thought he would.  He has recently reassembled his touring band and they’ve begun rehearsing again …

Not necessarily for anything specific … yet

Simon’s retirement was self-imposed a few years ago … but he did say that he would be open to doing some “one off” shows here and there … he just didn’t want to go back out on the road again.  (Honestly, I don’t know what enticement there could possibly be, at that age, to be living out of airports and hotel rooms anymore!  As Micky Dolenz has said many, many times before … “They pay us to travel … because we’d sing for free!”)

Simon is also battling some extensive hearing loss, making it difficult to perform in front of an audience … but it sounds like he’s looking for ways that might help alleviate some of this challenge and allow him to start performing live shows again.

More to come on this, I guess.  (With a brand new album release … and a hit catalog that rivals the very best out there … I think Paul misses the roar of the crowd … even if he can’t hear it quite as well as he used to.)  kk

 

Ultimate Classic Rock just ran a piece on classic rock artists who have successfully “rebranded” themselves as a means of continuing their career. 

 

While Jefferson Airplane / Jefferson Starship / Starship may be the most successful in these transitions, I couldn’t help but notice that conspicuously absent from the list are The Rascals … who took on a more sophisticated sound once they dropped the “Young” from their name!

 

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/bands-that-changed-name/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ugh&utm_term=UCR

 

And, speaking of The Rascals, Best Classic Bands just ran this vintage piece by Harvey Kubernik spotlighting The Rascals’ talented drummer, Dino Danelli …

https://bestclassicbands.com/dino-danelli-interview-rascals-12-16-22/

 

I wasn’t aware of this … but apparently the Tom Jones hit “Delilah” has become a staple at rugby matches in the UK.

However, it has recently been banned at all Wales matches by The Welsh Rugby Union because the lyrics depict the murder of a woman by her boyfriend after she is caught cheating with another man.

Tom Jones hasn’t stopped singing it, however.  At concerts this past weekend, he twice performed the song, telling fans “You can’t stop us singing ‘Delilah.’  Can you imagine?  They may stop the choir from singing it, but they haven’t stopped the crowd. Keep on singing it – and I’ll keep on singing it, too.”

“Delilah” was a #15 Hit here in The States back in 1968 … and went to #2 on the British Charts that same year.

 

So WE’RE going to play it, too!  (This song actually has a bit of sentimental value to Frannie and me, dating back to a time we were getting to know each other before even actually having met.  So this one’s for you, Delilahbaby!!!)

 

Good morning, Kent:

Just a short note of thanks for your mention of MeTV FM in your Saturday Evening Post.  The FCC gave 87.7FM stations a vote of confidence last week, and it’s a relief to 87.7FM operators around the country.  These stations perform an important role in their communities, providing programming that no other station — especially those owned by the big media companies — would touch.  Chicago is a great example of an 87.7 station filling a programming gap and, in doing so, filling a listener need.

Stay cool!

Rick 

Rick O’Dell

Program Director

WRME-LD/Chicago – 87.7 MeTVFM

Noise 11 is reporting that Cher is launching her own brand of Jello.  (No … that’s just too weird for me to have made it up!!!)

Called “Cherlato,” it is apparently a project she has been working on for the past five years.  (And, as we all know, there’s always room for … Cherlato???)  kk

 

>>>I would make a couple of changes right off tho. For instance, in looking at this old historic photo, I wonder why the wardrobe for these women back then didn’t include “sensible heels!” I can’t imagine any one of them, determined and efficient as they may be, service revolvers at the ready, wearing the shoes in this photo while chasing a perp down a cluttered back alley and when they attempt to escape by climbing a chain link security fence to have to jump up on them and forcibly slam them to the ground and handcuff them!  (Chuck Buell)

 

My mouth dropped open when this photo came up. Every police woman must have been clerical or under-cover. Think back to the movie THE STING. Robert Redford was seduced and almost killed by his enemy's high-heeled, skirted, well-groomed hit person. 

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

 

 

(C'mon ... you knew it was coming!!!)  kk

Salute to 100 Years of American Legion Concert - Part Two

After Charlie Thomas' death in January, I was concerned about what would happen to his Drifters. So it was with true interest that I waited for them to open the second act of this show. 

Onstage strolled Louis Bailey, Jerome Manning and Stephen Brown. Who is this fourth gentleman? After a rough internet search, I found out conclusively that his name is Jeff Hall. The appropriate Drifters websites are not current, which is understandable, so I needed to use word strategies for searching. I also viewed videos to ensure myself at last, that this man's name IS indeed Jeff Hall; from North Carolina. What a great second act opening.

1. On Broadway

2. This Magic Moment

3. There Goes My Baby

4. I Count the Tears

5. Up on the Roof

6. Under the Boardwalk

The smooth, classy, textured Drifters dancing is all there, along with the harmonies, smiles and formal bows of thankfulness. Charlie is proud, gentlemen.

And now, a performer who jogged onto stage and created drooling women around me with the question, "How old is he anyway?" When I said, "Mid 70s," they reacted with "Can't be!"  I started to laugh and also to wonder that if Dennis Tufano were younger, would that make these ladies cougars?  

 

The original lead singer of The Buckinghams bounces around the stage as though he were a young boy at a high school dance. The Chiclettes are his back-up singers, and his first song is 'Don't You Care?' Dennis, I think they do.

 

1. Don't You Care

2. Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)

3. Susan

4. Mercy Mercy Mercy

5. Kind of a Drag

Dennis also has a Viet Nam story, told to him by some vets at his concerts. Even in jungle war zones, units had portable turn-tables that they used to play 45s. (To be honest, that would have been the only thing that would have gotten me through all that!) So when they were listening to a particular 45, and the bombing would start, they yelled, "SAVE THE RECORD!" The record they were saving was 'Kind of a Drag.'  It brought him joy and tears to hear this. Before he would allow Dennis Tufano to leave the stage, Dennis Nardone calls him back and points out that there are three 'Dennises' on stage right now, all with Italian surnames. The third 'Dennis' is Dennis Dibrizzi, the pianist of The CODA Band. Dennis Nardone feels this is "monumental."  Dennis Tufano replies, "Hmm ... Three Dennises, no waiting."  He runs off and I now have drooling, giggling women around me.

A story worthy of Hollywood, the life of Bobby Wilson has been one of endurance through tough times. Starting his show career as an impersonator of his father, Jackie Wilson, he now knows he is indeed Jackie's son. Childhood health issues kept him from playing as other children did, but kept him listening to music, which he then pursued. To thank the State of North Carolina and his country for all they had done for him, he joined the Navy and ran his two-year stint singing his way into a future as a Star Impersonator. Now knowing he IS Jackie's son, he enjoys bringing his heritage to the stage as a genetic gift. He is indeed a Jackie Wilson look-alike and sound-alike. 

 

1. Turn Me Loose (Fabian)

2. 634-5789 (Wilson Pickett)

3. Lonely Teardrops (1959 Jackie Wilson)

4. Baby Workout (1964 Jackie Wilson)

5. Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson)

6. I'll Be Around (The Spinners)

7. Ain't That Peculiar (Marvin Gaye)

8. (Your Love is Lifting Me) Higher and Higher (1967 Jackie Wilson)

Bobby scared security by running down into the audience and joining people who were dancing and yelling at people to sing louder and get up! A very lively, non-stop Jackie Wilson-ish show. Apparently, Jackie never knew about Bobby but Bobby is now relishing the knowledge that he inherited his father's talent - to an almost identical twin level.

How can any performer(s) close a show like this? It has exceeded everyone's expectations and fulfilled the promise as a thank you to The American Legion and all of our military. I am worried for this last group. I am stupid. 

 

Jay and the Americans cover the stage in their red, white and blue costumes and belt out 'Only In America.'   OF COURSE! PERFECT!

 

1. Only in America

2. Let's Lock the Door (And Throw Away The Key)

3. Some Enchanted Evening

4. She Cried

5. Let It Be Me

6. Cara Mia

7. Walking in the Rain

8. Come A Little Bit Closer

9. This Magic Moment

The harmonies of Sandy Deane and Marty Sanders on Some Enchanted Evening was breathtaking tonight. The voices of Jay Reincke, Sandy and Marty are all strong and again, my favorite duet, 'Let it Be Me,' is mesmerizing. The reason they can complete a show such as this is purely due to the work and professionalism they have put in all these years. Sandy reminds us again that this is a show of thanks to the American Legion and the USA Armed Forces. He also thanks the police, the firefighters, EMTs - and he even adds in teachers. (I had nothing to do with it, honest)

Many performers tonight are veterans. Several of The Drifters, Bobby Wilson, Marty Sanders ... there are others, I am sure, that I am not aware of.

After four and a quarter hours, we end. 

 

WOW! 

 

Happy Birthday, American Legion! I wish you had never needed to be established, but I am glad that you were.

Good night. I'm driving home now.

 

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

NE Correspondent

Forgotten Hits

It's Another Shelley Concert Review ... And A Double Whammy This Time Around! Salute to 100 Years of American Legion Concert - Part One

The American Legion in White Plains, NY is 100 years old! Let's have a party! 

Better yet ... MAKE IT A CONCERT!! Bring in SEVEN performing acts, have it hosted by a local radio DJ, and (most importantly?) let Shelley know about it.

The White Plains, NY Community Center has gone through many recent make-overs. When I first came to a concert here (maybe 8 years ago), it was a glorified gymnasium with a make-shift stage at one end. I don't even remember a stage curtain. When covid hit, it was transformed into a medical facility. Now it has been renovated into a proper auditorium with full staging, lights and sound equipment. 

An entire community has come together in various ways to bring this to fruition. I was super impressed with their line-up and could not wait to see how it unfolded. 

The people in the Center, from security to box office to officials, are all very helpful and particularly welcoming tonight. People are mingling together in the audience, Military Veterans in uniforms or red, white, and blue are smiling proudly and in the air is the very present scent of KETCHUP. There is a Nathan's Restaurant in the Center. But come on! For New York, the smell of ketchup exudes red, white, blue and freedom. 

Dennis Nardone of WVOX is the host and the show begins with a solo of The Star Spangled Banner. Officials are introduced and have their say. Then we begin the fun opening with a band called The Just Nuts Band. (I can't wait for you to hear about the other players of tonight's show ... however, all in good time people!)

The Just Nuts Band hails from the Bronx, NY and includes tonight's host on bongo drums. It is a fun start with cover songs and dancing in front of the audience seating. 

 

1. The Wanderer

2. My First, My Last, My Everything

3. Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel

4. Good Lovin'

 

As I watch them perform, I realize that they are the ones I saw walking around the audience, greeting people, shaking hands and hugging. They have a following in the area or there was a large Bronx representation watching tonight.

The CODA Band comes out and they will be the backing music for most of the acts tonight. I have seen them in many New York area concerts, and they just get better with time. The musicians are a revolving group, depending on concert needs. They have their own booking website.

The second group is called The Chiclettes, a local girl vocal group who perform singly or as backing vocals for others. They do both tonight. In red-tone sequin dresses they give a tribute to the amazing women of rock n' roll by performing some of these women's greatest hits.

 

1. Jump - Pointer Sisters

2. Freeway of Love - Aretha Franklin

3. Walk on By - Dionne Warwick

4. I Say A Little Prayer - Dionne and Aretha

5. Then Came You - Dionne and The Spinners

6. Proud Mary - Tina Turner

 

Sarah, Susan and Deanna have strong voices with blended harmonies. Each takes the lead, as the music warrants. They are connected with The CODA Band and appear often together.

There is a sudden POP as the stage crew sets up for the next performer. 

While the crew removes the offending amplifier, Dennis Nardone gets a bit wordy with his cover-up dialogue, so this "person" keeps popping on stage, waving, shrugging his shoulders, and trying to get Dennis to stop talking and let him start his set. WHO IS THIS MAN IN BLACK WITH STRIKING GRAY HAIR? The audience knows him and starts telling our host, "Tony is ready!" "Tony is waiting!" Oh yes! He is! There is no DAWN here, but we truly have TONY ORLANDO!

Fresh from Mohegan Sun, Tony Orlando and his band plunged into the military feel of the show with a story about 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree'. I will shorten it for you. 

 

Tony appeared on a Bob Hope Armed Forces Show when they were playing not only for military men and women, but also for the recently released Viet Nam Prisoners of War. Hope reminded him of what these prisoners had gone through and how much the show would mean to them. He sang 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon,' which had only been released for a month and was shocked that the entire audience was singing it with him ... INCLUDING THE PRISONERS OF WAR. All except for one man who had his head bowed and was standing still and not moving at all. Tony asked Bob Hope afterward if he had somehow offended the man. He felt terrible about it. Hope said, "Why don't you go ask him?" Tony did and the man replied, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I love the song, but my shoulders were pulled out of their sockets when they tortured me, and I cannot move my arms. I was looking down at my feet because I was moving my big toe to the beat as that is one part of me I can still control. My name is John McCain." John McCain continued to tell Tony that all military personnel knew his song. It was special to every person and their mothers as it starts with, "I'm coming home. I've done my time."

Goose bumps! From that point on, all proceeds from the song 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree' were given to armed forces charities. It has now totaled almost 200 million dollars. Tony could have walked off the stage at this point, and everyone would have thought he gave a great performance, but of course he then proceeded to sing and indeed gave a truly great performance.

 

1. Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree

2. Candida

3. Knock Three Times

4. Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose

5. You Can Call Me Al 

6. September

7. Black Magic Woman

8. Baby Grand

9. Coming to America

The first four songs are self-explanatory. Tony uses Captain, his 18 year old bass player/back-up vocals as a foil to ask him what he was taught about Tony Orlando and Dawn. Even though Captain's father is a guitar player in Tony's band, he claims he had never even heard of them before he joined the band. Feeling dejected, Tony asks if he knows ANY bands from the 70s and he replies, "I really like Paul Simon!" Hence they do a grand rendition, with Captain singing as well of 'You Can Call Me Al'. What is Captain's next favorite? Earth, Wind, and Fire-hence adding in 'September.'  Tony likes Santana, so they do 'Black Magic Woman.'  During these last three songs, the band goes wild with Tony, using drumsticks on stools, stage floors, scatting, guitar riff solos, and piano runaways. One has to calm down and catch their breath so 'Baby Grand,' a Billy Joel song, sung by Tony's brother and pianist, David, is a good melodic choice. The final song, 'Coming to America,' is a perfect Neil Diamond song choice for this event and has the stage and audience singing tributes INDIVIDUALLY, to veterans from World War II (yes, there was one), Korean Conflict, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, War in Iraq. Afghanistan/Iraqi War. We had Veterans from each and as they stood, we sang, "You put your life on the line for America. We want to thank you." 

One more thing before intermission ...

To all Viet Nam Veterans: WELCOME HOME!

The first act was TWO HOURS LONG! Incredible!

 

(Part Two tomorrow, exclusively in Forgotten Hits!)

A Monday Morning Quickie

Hello, Kent:

I'm still hanging around. All this stuff is interesting. Of course, Tony Bennett and I go way back. Hell, he was only eight years older than I. 

 

I was a teenager when he came upon the scene. Our house was filled with that kind of music. We actually heard "In The Middle Of An Island." When Tony was hot, Sinatra was not. He was singing almost anything trying to reclaim the glory of his 1940s success. Bim Bam Baby and Mama Will Bark were Mitch Miller's attempt to salvage Frank's career. He was two years away from "From Here To Eternity," Capitol Records, Nelson Riddle, etc. So I was a Bennett fan before I became a Sinatra fan. Frank won me over, but both are in my top 3 male vocalists, along with Nat King Cole.

 

Now, about the Beatles and that critique ...

 

I was about thirty when the Beatles landed and totally incapable of getting what was going on. Hell, I had a time with Little Richard, Fats Domino, Elvis and all that stuff as I transitioned away from the world of pop music and the likes of Kay Starr, Dinah Shore and Doris Day. Now this. We thought it was a joke when The Beatles did Ed Sullivan. Well, my family anyway.  It was our ignorance and it took some time and a lot of listening to transition into this whole new world which we had not grown up in. So Mr. Jones was writing with a tightly closed mind and a lot of us agreed. 

 

The Beatles now reside in about a zillion mp3s on my hard drive. Love 'em.

Having eclectic tastes myself, I enjoyed reading Obama's list.

 

I totally agree about Lady Gaga. In the world of show business sometimes you have to focus on the show. She can sing.

Hil

 

Those who weren't around in the early days of rock 'n roll like I was may have a different opinion, but in 1955 to Alan Freed (and me), Tony Bennett was a rock 'n roll star.

Please fel free to post and share his program cover from my collection. 

Ed Salamon

 

CBS reran the Tony Bennett / Lady Gaga special from 2021 Sunday Night ... and CBS Morning paid tribute to Tony as well.

(See, these are the kinds of things you can do when you're in the middle of a seemingly endless writers and actors strike ... think outside the box and run some interesting timely broadcasting instead!) kk

 

More on the writers strike below, courtesy of Chuck Buell!

 

>>>The State of Arizona is now offering an Alice Cooper license plate!  (kk)

 

This may be one of the first -- if not THE first Rock & Roll license plate in the country...

Tim K.

https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/the-alice-cooper-specialty-license-plate-is-now-available-in-arizona-16680329

 

Hi Kent ...

Mitch Schecter (formerly of The Rip Chords) here.

I wanted to let you, and the whole Forgotten Hits community know that Richie Rotkin passed away last Saturday. He was 82. We will miss him greatly.

I've attached a photo of one of Richie's happiest moments ... us onstage with Al Jardine (who he loved) in Las Vegas at a show we did together.

Mitch Schecter

 

Mitch, Richie and Al

 

So sorry to hear this.

Richie was one of the original members of The Rip Chords, after Bruce (Johnston) and Terry (Melcher) launched the group in the early '60's.

They had a couple of big surf/pop hits in 1964, most notably "Hey Little Cobra," which went all the way to # 4 on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart.

Thanks so much for letting us know.  (kk)

kk …

The Forgotten Hits Saturday Evening Post …

I Like It … Clever …  

But Why Stop At Saturday?

You Could Always Do:

The Monday, Monday Post

The Tuesday Afternoon Post

Wednesday's Child Post

Thursday ... I Got Nothing … Can You Think Of One?

The Monday I Have Friday On My Mind Post

The Saturday In The Park Post

And The Sunday & Me Posting

FB

Going to the dogs: Jeff Barry ("Sugar Sugar," "Be My Baby,"

"Chapel of Love," etc.) shoots the shit w/ Paul Shaffer @TWOR 9/13.

Tix now!

LEGENDARY SONGWRITER JEFF BARRY IS SET TO JOIN PAUL SHAFFER SEPTEMBER 13^th AT DOO WAH DITTIES FOR DOGGIES, BENEFIT EVENING FOR PUP CULTURE, LA-BASED DOG RESCUE ORGANIZATION

Purchase Doo Wah Ditties for Doggies tickets

 

Over the course of a hit songwriting career that spans more than sixty years, Brooklyn born Jeff Barry has had a hand in creating 23 Top 20 singles, with seven of his compositions going to #1.  His hit songs include “Chapel of Love,” “Leader of the Pack,” “Doo Wah Diddy Diddy,” “Sugar, Sugar,” “I Honestly Love You,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Be My Baby,” “Hanky Panky,” “Then He Kissed Me,” “Tell Laura I Love Her,” “River Deep Mountain High,” “Hanky Panky,” “Montego Bay,” “Chip Chip,” “Heavy Makes You Happy” and have resonated not only in the pop and rock marketplace but also in the country and R&B fields.  He has been a pioneer in creating music for television and, accordingly, produced tracks and albums by The Monkees, The Archies and wrote the theme songs for “One Day At A Time” and “The Jeffersons.” The latter, “Movin’ On Up,” was recently named the greatest TV theme song of all time by Rolling Stone. Jeff Barry has been inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Paul Shaffer started his music career in his native Ontario as musical director for the Toronto production of Godspell.  He went on to join the cast of Saturday Night Live as writer of special material and featured player and thereafter rose to renown on Late Night with David Letterman as the show’s musical director, leading the World’s Most Dangerous Band and had the same role on Late Show with David Letterman when the band was The CBS Orchestra. On the big screen, his most notable role is that of set-upon Polymer Records promotion man Artie Fufkin in This Is Spinal Tap. He is a recipient of The Order of Canada, his native land’s highest honor.  Paul Shaffer and Jeff Barry have known each other for more than 45 years and have an abiding admiration for each other’s work.  They first met when Paul starred in the short-lived TV series A Year At The Top, for which Jeff created music.  Paul recalls, “Obviously inspired by the Monkees series, each episode ended with a song and Jeff produced “Like A Rising Star” that was performed in the pilot, and he also wrote and produced the theme song.”   Paul Shaffer has been close to Jeff Barry’s catalog in many other ways over the years.  He notes, “Ever since I saw the Ronettes sing ‘Be My Baby’ on American Bandstand I have been obsessed with the songs and repertoire associated with Jeff and his late ex-wife Ellie Greenwich.” Paul played the role of a Spectoresque record producer in Leader of the Pack, the autobiographical musical that chronicles the life and work of Greenwich. He unabashedly calls himself “the world’s foremost authority on the Barry-Greenwich catalog. He adds, “I still have some questions about Jeff and his songs and I’m going to find the stories behind the hits on September 13th.  We’re all going to sing along with them and enjoy them and jog Jeff’s memory and take him back to 1650 Broadway and the Brill Building ... and help a great cause.” Jeff Barry spoke of the forthcoming event, “Over the years, we had talked about doing something together and when he told me about Pup Culture, the dog rescue organization that his daughter Victoria started, I blurted out something like ‘When you’re in town we should do a fundraiser.’  It was a totally spontaneous ‘Let’s put on a show’ kind of thing. It’s going to be a fun evening for a good cause.  We’re an interesting combination … but don’t except a slick, polished act.  It’ll be a one-of-a-kind night with an impromptu aspect to it.  We’ve never done anything like this before and, most likely, we won’t ever again.”   Pup Culture mission statement:  We rescue homeless, mistreated, and overlooked animals both locally and internationally. Once a dog joins our “cult”, we’re devoted to providing proper medical care and rehabilitation, and finding them their ideal furever home. Pup Culture Rescue is a 501(c)(3) foster based non-profit operating out of Los Angeles, California. Top 20 chart hits written by Jeff Barry  #1’s “Chapel of Love” (The Dixie Cups)  “Leader of the Pack” (The Shangri-Las) “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” (Manfred Mann) “Hanky Panky” (Tommy James & the Shondells) “Sugar, Sugar” (The Archies) “I Honestly Love You” (Olivia Newton-John) “Da Doo Ron Ron” (Shaun Cassidy) Top 5 “Da Doo Ron Ron” (The Crystals) “Be My Baby” (The Ronettes) “Take Me Home Tonight” (Eddie Money) Top 10 “Then He Kissed Me” (The Crystals) “I Wanna Love Him So Bad” (The Jelly Beans) “Tell Laura I Love Her” (Ray Peterson) “Chip Chip” (Gene McDaniels) “Jingle Jangle” (The Archies) “Montego Bay” (Bobby Bloom) “Baby, I Love You” (Andy Kim) Top 20 “People Say” (The Dixie Cups) “Maybe I Know” (Lesley Gore) “Leader of the Laundromat” (The Detergents) “Lay a Little Lovin’ on Me” (Robin McNamara) “Be My Baby” (Andy Kim) “River Deep – Mountain High” (The Supremes and the Four Tops)         7a Records, who have been releasing ALL kinds of rare Monkees-related product over the last several years, continues the tradition now with “extended family” members Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. 7a has just released their sophomore album “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite” … which quickly became their first their first Top Ten Single under their own name as a duo.  (Despite their long track record of creating Top Ten Hits for other artists, they would never hit The Top Ten again with one of their own recordings.) Much more info here: https://theseconddisc.com/2023/07/20/im-digging-you-digging-me-7a-reissues-tommy-boyce-and-bobby-harts-i-wonder-what-shes-doing-tonite/ And, if you haven’t already read it … or want to read it again … please check out our Boyce and Hart series (and interview with Bobby Hart) here: http://forgottenhits.com/the_music_of_tommy_boyce_and_bobby_hart http://forgottenhits.com/forgotten_hits_interviews_bobby_hart It’s a pretty damn good piece, if I do say so myself!!!  (lol)  kk   As the TV Writers Strike continues, TV Viewing research continues to show that among the most popular TV Shows on any platform for our Forgotten Hitters Demo have been Procedural Police Crime Shows. Just check your local listings to see how many there are each week! A 2022 poll declared that half of all Americans enjoy “Cop Shows” and network programming that can be defined as “Police Procedurals” has been as high as 40% or more of their programming at times. Tuesday and Wednesday nights seem to offer the most such shows of that genre at the moment.

I admit to a number of them that both Linda and I watch regularly.  And while doing so the other night, inspiration hit and I came up with what I thought could be a Fun Police Show Drinking Game, if we were a bit younger!

Every time one of these phrases is spoken in a Police Show’s episode, one would throw back a shot ~~~

”FBI! or POLICE!  OPEN UP!”  We need to talk to you!”

“We know you’re in there!”

“You take the Back! I’ll take the Front!”

“I need a Bus ( this season’s new term for an ambulance ) at my location!”

“Stop! You can’t come in here. Stay behind the taped off area!”

“But that’s my ( fill in the body’s relationship )!”

“All the Security Cams are either Down or Broken.”

“Can you Zero in closer on the License Plate?!”

“Getting any match on Facial Rec?”

“It all happened so fast.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Easy. Relax. You’re safe now.”

“You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

“Here’s my card.  If you think of anything else, call me.”

“Suspect is in Custody!”

“Either you start talking or your sorry ass is going to rot away in prison!”

“They won’t be getting out for a long, long time.”

“Everything’s going to be all right.”

“I’ve always wanted to be a Cop.”

BONUS SHOOTER!  Every time one hears a Forgotten Hit as part 

of the audio background, one would take TWO Quick Shots!

Along with “Blue Bloods,” a fictionalized Police Drama about the New York Police Department starring Tom Selleck, “The Rookie,” another imagined Police Drama about the oldest former rookie on the Los Angeles Police Force starring Nathan Fillion, is one of our favorites.

It’s already produced one “Rookie spin-off” series ( “The Rookie: Feds”. )  And here’s my show concept for another police “Rookies” show that I think could be interesting. This one would take place with the transformative and ever-changing years of the late 1940s as the background and would be based on the adventures and fast-paced lives of these Very Special Police Academy Cadets ~~~

I would make a couple of changes right off tho. For instance, in looking at this old historic photo, I wonder why the wardrobe for these women back then didn’t include “sensible heels!” I can’t imagine any one of them, determined and efficient as they may be, service revolvers at the ready, wearing the shoes in this photo while chasing a perp down a cluttered back alley and when they attempt to escape by climbing a chain link security fence to have to jump up on them and forcibly slam them to the ground and handcuff them! 

(Wait. I might have to add that recurring fence take-down scene to my drinking game!)

At any rate, now with this Law Enforcement Shows Story firmly in custody, here’s my Special “Chuck Buell Forgotten Hits Police Show Minute Medley!”

CB ( which stands for “Charlie's-Angels Boy!” ) 

Hmmm … The voice of Charlie sure sounds suspiciously like our very own Forgotten Hits “Charlie Boy!”  (kk)