Thursday This And That

To Robert Coleman: 
Congrats on being the winner of the Jim Peterik and World Stage - Winds Of Change cd!  So glad you dig it. You certainly listened hard - which is a real compliment to the time and passion that I and every guest artist poured into making this. Of course, it didn’t seem like work at the time. We were having too much fun!

Whether it was flying to Atlanta to write with .38 Special or Nashville to craft a song with Jason Scheff, or asking Mike Reno Of Loverboy to stay in Chicago a few days after last year’s World Stage Show to write and record, these are experiences that I live for. 

And of course, my good fortune of working with rock legend Dennis DeYoung and he suggesting we put Proof Of Heaven (a great song we were writing for his upcoming album) on World Stage! (Thanks, Denn!)

Yes, every track has a story ... Gunnar and Nelson in my studio as they start playing me this Stonesy guitar riff.  I sort through my notebook and start singing, “you got me falling like an Avalanche.”  In 30 minutes we had a song ... cut it the next day!

And of course that emotional moment of silence after we listened to Jimi Jamison’s stellar voice fill the control room as Larry Millas soloed it on a song we cut back in 2008, “Gonna Love You All Over The World” ... Omg. He was in the room again as we cut a brand new track around him. 

And yes, classic friends like Kevin Chalfant, Kevin Cronin, and Night Ranger’s powerhouse, Kelly Keagy are all rocking on this record. 

But also more recent friends like Danny Vaughn of Tyketto and Lars Safsund and Robert Sall Of Sweden’s Work Of Art. And of course the amazing Toby Hitchcock of Pride Of Lions. 

To quote the line from a song from the upcoming Ides Of March album, “Friends like you are hard to find.”  Indeed ... and a blessing to me every day.  

Thanks, Kent, for all you do to keep the lights on in the classic rock arena.  

Rock on!  

Jimbo 

Paul McCartney, who just celebrated his 77^th birthday on Tuesday, also made industry headlines last week for taking a drink of water on stage!!!
(Funny because I can’t think of an act I’ve seen who doesn’t grab that quick swig of water to keep their voices fresh while performing … but apparently this is a practice that Macca has never been fond of, dating back to an old showbiz adage.  Funnier still in that The Beatles used to drink booze and eat sandwiches on stage all the time before Brian Epstein stepped in and cleaned up their act!)
FH Reader Phil Nee, who recently reviewed Paul’s show in Madison, WI, remarked how McCartney never took a drink during his entire three hour show.  (How many 77 year old performers are still operating at this level these days???)

So when he took a few swallows the other night in Raleigh, NC, it made the press services!  (Must have been a slow news day!)
McCartney explained on Chris Carter’s “Breakfast With The Beatles” radio program on Sirius / XM that he was feeling especially hoarse that night and at first thought he might just try to sneak a little swallow … but then realized, what the hell, and had an assistant bring the bottle of water out to him on stage.  He then apologized to the audience and whet his whistle.  (As fragile as McCartney’s voice has been these past several years, I would think he would try to take care of it the very best way he can on a regular basis … especially going out on the road for yet another extended tour of sold out shows.)  Watch some of the YouTube videos posted of this concert and you’ll go thru three stages … starting off with some serious cringing, then feeling sad … and a bit embarrassed … that he just can’t do this anymore … that his once beautiful voice is gone … and then flat out begging him to stop … to call it a career.  His voice cracking on “Here Today” is what prompted him to ask for the water … but it really doesn’t matter which song you watch … it’s a sad way to go out.  (Remember 40+ years ago when all the critics made fun of Linda McCartney’s singing on “Live And Let Die”??? Wait till you hear Paul sing it!)  The man scored a #1 album last year … he’s proven EVERYTHING anyone could EVER want to prove … it’s time to relax … and maybe write some songs for some younger singers to perform.  kk 

From Jessica Banov’s Raleigh News and Observer review: 

He even made a little Paul McCartney history. He famously doesn’t drink water on stage during his shows — oh, his poor vocal chords — but after clearing his throat a few times during “Here Today,” he broke down. Now mind you, he already had sung more than 20 songs straight, so I’m not really fretting about the quality of his voice. After “Queenie Eye,” a bottle of water was brought to his piano.  

So momentous was the occasion, McCartney called attention to it, and the sip was taken with a drum roll. “One of the things that people say to me when they’re seeing the show, ‘You didn’t take a drink of water the whole time,’” he told the crowd between sips.
“But tonight I’m going to,” he said. “A rule is broken. That’s what rules are for.” 
Incredible.  (Like I said, it must have been a slow news night!)  kk

Here's a review of the Mike and Micky show from Down Under ... sent into us by Micky's PR Guy David Salidor ...
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jun/19/the-monkees-review-nothing-left-to-prove-in-fun-and-moving-final-show

kk:

Father's Day, 2019, was the 43rd year in a row that Wild Wayne played "My Dad" on his show.

FLASHBACK to 1976 ...

Paul Peterson was living in Connecticut, not far from Wild Wayne. One afternoon Paul invited Wayne to his house for an interview session.

"My Dad" was written by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil. It was written in the past tense and had to be changed for the Donna Reed Show since Dr. Stone (Carl Betz) was still alive.

Paul admitted that he could never hit the high note at the bridge to this song. He was always a 1/2 octave low. 

During the recording session, something magical happened (according to Paul.)  For the first time, he hit the note at the bridge.

FB

 

A few more random thoughts from Frank B ...

kk ...

--- I like that Top 500 Doo-Wop list ...

     Only 4000 more to go.

--- Kent, do you remember the story about Led Zeppelin

     being sued for ripping off opening from an instrumental

     called "Taruas?" I read this in the newspaper ... Led

     Zeppelin won the case. But the verdict was thrown out

     because the judge made a mistake ... must be re-tried.

--- Was watching "Pawn Stars" over the weekend. This guy

     had a guitar signed and hand painted by Phil Collens of

     Def Leppard. I was mixing him up with Phil Collins of

     Genesis.  (That's how much I know about non Doo-Wop

     music.) Pawn shop owner always calls an expert in to

     verify signature.

     SURPRISE - Phil Collens came in to verify his own

     signature. He even played the guitar. It sold for $8,500.

--- Here's a Jerry Lee Lewis story. 

     You know that famous "Million Dollar Quartet" picture?

     Elvis sitting at the piano, surrounded by Jerry Lee Lewis,

     Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

     The Killer was being interviewed by Imus (IMUS IN THE

     MORNING) and he asked Jerry Lee Lewis, "What were

     you thinking when this picture was taken?" The killer

     answered, "I was wondering why Elvis was sitting at the

     piano?"

FB

TOOOO funny!!!  (lol)

Yes, the "Stairway To Heaven" case is open again ... it's the case that won't go away.  (Think about how much money this song has generated over the past 40-something years ... and then imagine being awarded it, denied it, awarded it, denied it and hanging in limbo all of that time!)  kk

My niece lives in Pennsylvania and she went to a festival at Woodstock over the weekend. She said they have an awesome outdoor amphitheater and museum there now, and the lawn is closed off as hallowed ground! 

She sent this picture. Looks so calm and serene compared to the pictures we’re used to seeing!!!  

Marlene

Yes ... but then again Sox Park looked a whole lot calmer at last week's Disco Demolition Anniversary Celebration than it did on the night of the actual event, too!  (lol) Thanks, Marlene!  (kk) 

Hey Kent: 

I read with mild surprise your recent accolades for "The Israelites."  I remember it being huge in England although #1 there for only one week. No doubt it would have held the top spot longer had it not been for "Get Back," which premiered at #1 the next week and stayed there for six weeks. 

Reggae music was big in England in 1969. The Desmond Dekker song was the first reggae UK chart topper (although some will argue that The Marmalade's UK #1 cover of "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da deserved that honor.) Jamaican Max Romeo's "Wet Dream" was a UK top ten smash that year even though it was banned by the BBC. I remember seeing it in the UK music trade paper charts but never heard it. Radio Luxembourg wouldn't even play it. My first time hearing it was on the late Brian Matthew's BBC sixties oldies program about 13 years ago. How times change. 

Desmond Dekker's followup single that Summer of 1969 was "It Mek" (meaning "that's why") which reached UK #7. It was completely ignored by US radio. 

Although I love both of his songs I don't recall ever hearing "The Israelites" played on a US oldies radio station since I returned from London in the early seventies. 

Desmond took up permanent UK residency in 1969. I've read that his professional name was inspired by London's double decker buses.

Mike G
I'm not sure "It Mek" deserved to be a hit here ... not quite as catchy as "Israelites," is it?!?!  (For the record, it DID Bubble Under on the Record World only chart at #105.)
"Israelites" was a VERY big hit here in Chicago back in '69, where it peaked at #4.  It has continued to receive a fair amount of oldies airplay over the years ... and you'll DEFINITELY hear it this weekend as part of Me-TV-FM's salute to The Biggest Songs From The Summer of '69 ...

Speaking of which ... 

Hi Kent -

Hope you and family are doing exceptionally well.

I can't get 87.7FM on my 2018 car radio ... kills me.  My wife gets it in her Mini Cooper!

I've been looking for an app to stream it to my stereo.

Radio.com offers 99.1hd, which, I think, is the same station as 87.7 FM MeTV FM.

Do you know if the two broadcast the same content, just different call letters?

Warmly,

Ron Kolman

I have the same issue with my car ...

We can pick up the station just fine in our 2005 Jeep ... but not in our 2015 Dodge!  (Unlike most people I hear from, though, it also comes in crystal clear on our clock radio)

Me-TV-FM Chicago doesn't stream ... and apparently has no plans to do so ... so the links that I am providing are from the Milwaukee feed.

It's NOT the exact same show ... but it IS the same format and, with a few exceptions, the same musical content ... and Rick O'Dell tells me that ALL Me-TV-FM affiliates across the country will be featuring our Top 50 Biggest Songs Of Summer, 1969, throughout the weekend ... so check it out thru whatever means you can!  (kk)

Radio.com: Listen to Free Radio Online | Music, Sports, News, Podcasts

 

We've Got A Really Big Weekend Planned!

Kicking off tomorrow, the "official" First Day Of Summer ... and running throughout the weekend, Me-TV-FM will be featuring The Biggest Songs of the Summer of 1969.

The tunes come from our list of the biggest summer hits from exactly fifty years ago.  (You will be amazed by how many timeless and memorable classics are on this list!!!)

It's all part of their annual Summer Of Me celebration ... and now Forgotten Hits Readers all over the world can listen along thanks to this streaming link:  

https://player.radio.com/listen/station/me-tv-fm?_ga=2.87314776.1538320215.1560053215-1149904031.1560053215#.XPyF8Y97ncs  

Of course if you happen to live here in Chicago, you can tune in and live at 87.7 FM!) 

And, if you want to see the complete list of finalists, you can check out this link below: 

http://forgottenhits.com/the_summer_of_69_-_top_50_biggest_hits

And while you're listening, please take a moment to stop by The Forgotten Hits Website this weekend, too, because we've also got some very special 50th Anniversary features planned, including another 50th Anniversary WLS Chart remembering The Biggest Hits In Chicago for the week of June 23rd, 1969.

http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/

There is ALWAYS something interesting and exciting going on at Forgotten Hits ... make us part of your daily routine!  (kk)

INSIDE RADIO

Our recent appeals to Classic Rock Radio to broaden their horizons when it comes to their repetitive playlists has resulted in a couple of significant emails from two long-time and highly respected Chicago Radio veterans, explaining the other side of the coin and some of the thought process that goes into these programming decisions.  Despite the differences in the genre of each station's formatting, both of these gentlemen come from radio stations that excel in their field when it comes to providing the ultimate listening experience.

This is MUST reading for those wishing to gain more insight into the world of radio today.  

Hello Kent -
It's Greg Easterling from The Drive.
I can tell how much you love the music ... it's a real passion for you obviously. Me, too, as evidenced from my long resume of stations ... almost all of them have featured the music over all else.
Believe it or not, I share many of your frustrations but my most recent experience here at the Drive has given me a different perspective. 
The history of this station since 2001 has shown me plainly that it is most often the audience and not the often vilified corporations and individual programmers who determine what we get in media, music, movies, politics and government here in 2019. Look in the mirror is what I often say when people complain about the current state of media and music, although I believe there are many good things still going on and strive to promote them in my work on 97.1 FM The Drive, the American Backroads show on WDCB, and my reviews at ChicagoBluesGuide.com.
At the Drive, we have utilized many music intensive features and programs since the beginning: The Drive A-Z, The Classics, Rock and Roll Roots, The Deep End, The Long One at 9, 10 at 10, Stairway to Seven, Two Fer Tuesday and others. We used to track vinyl album sides and occasionally still do on special occasions. All of these features present songs that are seldom heard elsewhere. 
The music and the production crafted by Nick Michaels have helped define The Drive as one of the leading rock stations of our time. But here is the truth it seems ... the Chicago area and parts of Wisconsin want a classic rock station that plays top songs more often and has more personality oriented morning and afternoon shows with contests that feature money giveaways. We know this because our ratings and thus our earnings are much, much better now than previously. 
While the Loop was already sinking long before they finally went under last year, many of your neighbors were unaware of us, despite a huge billboard campaign over the years featuring some of the coolest images I've ever seen. We have been around almost 20 years, Kent and yet many chose not to try us. Yes, these are people of our age who run to the restroom or to get another beer at concerts when a classic rock artist plays a song they don't recognize. When the Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, the Eagles, Boz Scaggs, etc. put out worthwhile new albums, there is little interest in hearing them. And we know that judging from sales. 
Radio stations are businesses and must make a profit and more to survive. Your business would not make it without keeping an eye on the financial bottom line. 
People often have one standard for their own jobs and another for their media choices. The history of Chicago media is littered with the ashes of good stations that did not make it, bested in the ratings by others that are repetitive and redundant. I recall there are many on your board who yearn for the long gone days of Uncle Lar and Lil Tommy, Chickenman, WLS AM, WCFL and other remnants of the past that are never coming back.
When we have featured more music intensive features, we have sometimes gotten feedback such as "Why are you playing that, it wasn't a hit!! Or complaints about Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and AC/DC, some of the top grossing acts of all time. 
It is easy to throw stones, especially when you don't have all the facts or an insider perspective. But sometimes worthwhile things are successful even now, like the recent movies Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocket Man. Many of the classic rock bands still touring and sounding good are doing so with the near constant soundtrack radio has provided over the years to keep their music alive and relevant. 
Since I like what you do, I wanted to take the time to respond to you personally, more so as a means to help you to gain a better understanding and give you some background info about something you care about it. 
Keep rockin' Kent,
Greg 

Greg had originally requested that his comments not be published ... but I feel that he offers some insight that many readers may not be aware of or appreciate.
Truth is, I get it ... I really do.  (I may not LIKE it ... but I get it!!!  lol)
But that being said, I will never apologize for our efforts to make radio better and more interesting ... for pushing radio to raise the bar a bit so that one station can stand apart from the others.  In this respect, I firmly believe that The Drive successfully accomplishes this goal.
I have been a Drive listener since Day One ... I remember setting my alarm to make sure I was there in front of the radio to listen to Bob Stroud usher in the new station.  I have been to numerous Drive Birthday Parties in the past and consider myself to be a VERY loyal listener and supporter of the station.
But I also remember when The Drive's motto was "The Station That's All About The Music" ... and I have to admit that I miss that philosophy and the standard that was set.  I've never been much of one for the whole "game show" atmosphere that has become such a big part of the station these days ... but I also can't argue with success, as The Drive's ratings continue to climb, especially since the collapse of The Loop.
It is still, hands down, my first choice for listening to Classic Rock in Chicago (and that even includes streaming the station at work.)
And I agree that The Drive's approach to special features such as A to Z, Rock And Roll Roots, one 45 at 1:45, classic album sides, That '70's Song, etc., contribute to making the station stand head and shoulders above all the rest in town in this respect.  And I sincerely believe that MOST of the jocks are just as committed to the love of the music as I am ... and that shared bond comes across to the listener.
Thank you for you candor and your insight.  It is much appreciated and THIS is why I wanted to share it with our readers.  (kk)
[But seriously ... did they have to take the A to Z feature ...  probably my favorite radio feature EVER ... and turn it into a game?!?!?!]

And then this from Rick O'Dell, Program Director for Me-TV-FM ...    

Hi Kent:

I couldn’t help noticing this paragraph in your recent post regarding the current state of Classic Rock Radio today:

>>>Whatever the reason, VARIETY is virtually non-existent.  BOTH stations (The Drive and The River) have been tracked as playing the exact same song two, three and even FOUR times in a 24-hour period  (kk) 

You’ve touched on exactly why we shy away from doing countdowns here.  And it’s the reason why most stations that used to do countdowns have abandoned that feature.  

Why are these stations playing the same song that often?  Because currently ratings methodology demands it.  Listener behavior forces stations to repeat their highest testing Power songs that often — “two, three, even four times in a 24 hours period.” 

Think of it this way ...
If the Cubs were allowed to bat Rizzo and Bryant more than once each time through the lineup, don’t you think they would?  Of course!  They’d want to bat their best hitters as often as they could.  When it comes to radio, Nielsen’s PPM forces stations to turn around their best songs as often as they can.  Stations no longer can afford to make listeners wait around to hear their favorite songs, because listeners absolutely won’t wait around.   

Countdowns don’t let a station play their Power songs often enough.  By the very nature of a countdown, all the best songs (even on a “classic rock” station) get pushed to the final hour, so you end up playing nothing but library cuts and secondary cuts for the first 6-7 hours, then having to backload all your Powers into the final hour of the countdown.  That’s extremely disadvantageous in PPM.  You want your best songs to distribute frequently and evenly through the day, not all clustered in one hour.  

So much research data is available to stations now.  When it comes to programming, there are no accidents.  Everything is done for a reason. 

Rick

What makes Me-TV-FM stand apart from all of the other stations on the dial ... pretty much ANYWHERE in the world of terrestrial radio today ... is the variety ... 

You offer a vast playlist that encompasses the hits right along with those "Wow Factor" songs we keep talking about, sprinkled in with a few choice (and, let's be honest, NOT so choice) album tracks.

Regardless, it makes for a nice listening mix ... something you actually CAN listen to all day long without being bombarded by repeats.  And, even nicer, odds are you won't hear the exact same songs tomorrow.  Sure, you'll hear SOME of them ... but they'll be mixed in with some NEW surprises that keep the listening experience interesting and exciting.  (I can't tell you how many times I've sat in the car an extra 15-20 minutes because I just HAD to hear what song was coming up next ... only to be so pleased with the answer to that question othat I had to wait around again to hear the next one ... and the one after that!!!)

I have mixed emotions about the countdown theory ... 

My experience has always been that EVERYBODY loves a good countdown.

Now ours is pretty extreme ... counting down the Top 3333 Classic Rock Tracks is going to leave some "undesirables" near the bottom of the list, no doubt about it.  But there is also an audience out there that craves the unexpected ... you'd be amazed how many emails we've received from folks chomping at the bit to see the final results of this nationwide poll.  

I will agree with you that this is NOT your mainstream, average listener ... but I still maintain that, much like The Drive's A to Z feature, the excitement and intrigue of trying to figure out what's coming up next ... trying to "outguess" the radio ... makes for a very interesting listening experience.  (And I will allow that OUR reader base is much more focused on the obscure than your average radio listener, tuning in only for the 20 minute drive to and from work.  I remember years ago running a Top Ten game in the AOL Oldies Room ... the seasoned players didn't want to guess the names of the artists for The Top Ten songs ... they could do that in their sleep ... they wanted me to list the BOTTOM ten songs from that week's Billboard Hot 100 Chart ... and see who the REAL pros were there in the room and weed out all the amateurs!)

Still, I think the final outcome of our research is going to provide a very interesting list of candidates for future "Wow Factor Songs" for those stations willing to pay attention.  Let's face it ... there's a reason a lot of these songs aren't in heavy rotation ... you don't need to hear them every day or every week or every month ... but I firmly believe that nice little surprises sprinkled throughout the day will keep listeners coming back ... and tuning in longer ... to see just what else you might have up your sleeve.

Will anybody out there want to count down the whole list of 3333?  Of course not ... it would take at least two weeks of playing nothing else but the countdown and I don't think we could ever get anybody to commit to that.  But somebody interested in counting down only The Top 100 ... or 500 ... or even 1000 defeats the whole purpose of our research ... because THOSE songs are the ones everybody already plays every day anyway!  While the excitement still exists to see who finishes where, it diminishes the overall scope of how truly valuable a list like this can be.  (kk)

 

Tuesday This And That

Kent,

As the winner of the Jim Peterik & World Stage “Winds Of Change” cd in the recent Forgotten Hits giveaway, I would like to give everyone a few of my thoughts about this really excellent cd. 

As Jim does in his annual World Stage concerts, this cd has a number of well-known and some not as well-known guests to share the spotlight.  Each of the 12 tracks has a different guest singer. 

The songs all are great rockers or great power ballads.  The hooks are there in each song that pull you in and you can’t get them out of your head.   And that’s not a bad thing!  

My favorite tracks right now are “Proof of Heaven” featuring Dennis DeYoung, “The Hand I Was Dealt” featuring Danny Vaughn with a great Mike Aquino guitar solo, and “I Will What I Want” featuring Night Ranger’s Kelly Keagy with a fine organ solo from Eric Levi.  

Highly recommended cd from these classic rockers!!  

Thanks again to Kent and to Jim for this great cd.

Robert Coleman

I, too, found this to be a very enjoyable listening experience.  Some of my immediate favorites were the lead-off track and title track, “Winds Of Change” featuring Don Barnes of .38 Special.  This is a hit song were radio still playing tracks like these.  Unfortunately there’s no home for this as radio just doesn’t have a means to salute “vintage” artists who are still creating great music in this day and age … so we have to rely on good word of mouth to get the message out there. (Classic Rock Radio won’t play anything new … unless it’s perhaps a new Bruce Springsteen track … so GREAT music like this tend to go unnoticed … and that’s just wrong.  Twenty years ago, .38 Special would have had a Top 20 Hit with this song.)

I also love the Dennis DeYoung track, “Proof Of Heaven” … we premiered the new video for this one a few weeks back … another track that deserves some attention.

And it’s great to hear Jason Scheff’s voice again on “You’re Always There” … he’s been absent from our consciousness for far too long since leaving Chicago … but he’ll be part of that all-star salute to The Beatles’ White Album heading out on tour shortly that we recently told you about.

And how cool is it to hear Matthew and Gunnar Nelson singing a contemporary rock song again!!!  These are two of the most talented artists out there who just never found their nitch ... and that's a shame because they can do it all ... SO much more than the tribute to their father that’s been touring for the past twenty years or so now.  Two VERY talented young men with incredible skills.

And finally, Jimi Jamison, Jim Peterik’s old cohort from Survivor, has never sounded better than he does on the album’s closing track, “Love You All Over The World.”

This is a VERY solid CD from start to finish (and it had to be tough narrowing it down to just twelve tracks as I believe several other tracks were also recorded for this project that didn’t make the cut, featuring other big name guest vocalists.)

Highly recommended … by not only me and Robert, but by everyone else who’s heard it.  (Check out the reviews on Amazon … outstanding praise across the boards!)  kk

Kent,

Am I the only guy who listens to AM 750 WNDZ radio out of Portage, IN?

WNDZ is a 15000 watt station that features a myriad of English-language and foreign-language programming but plays commercial-free oldies music on weekend mornings. The music tends to be on the “softer” side from the 60s to the 80s, and almost totally free of the same old music heard on other stations. Chicago groups are occasionally included, like New Colony 6, Cryan’ Shames, and one of your favorites, “Lake Shore Drive.”

I’m in a southwest suburb of Milwaukee and am able to listen on my portable radio (often in bed!). On Sundays, the music seems to be on pre-8am and today (Saturday), I listened from 9 to 10am, when a golf show came on.

Bob Verbos

New Berlin, WI      

Detroit Music Legend MITCH RYDER Reimagines 14 Soul & Rock Classics With The Help Of An All-Star Cast Of Friends!

Featuring guest appearances by Cherie Currie, James Williamson, Wayne Kramer, Brian Auger, Sylvain Sylvain, Walter Lure, Arthur Adams, Big Joe Louis & others! 

After wowing audiences with a rollicking Christmas-themed release at the close of 2018, the icon of Detroit rock and soul, Mitch Ryder, returns with this superb collection of all-new recordings - Detroit Breakout! The album celebrates both the music of Detroit as well as the classic, timeless songs of Ryder’s generation. From a smokin’ new version of Ryder’s own blockbuster hit single “Devil With A Blue Dress On” to The Capitols’ “Cool Jerk” to Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay, Detroit Breakout! has something for every true rock n’ roller including special guest performances by fellow Motor City alumni James Williamson of The Stooges and Wayne Kramer of MC5 as well as blues legends Joe Louis Walker and Arthur Adams PLUS the New York Dolls' Sylvain Sylvain, The Runaways' Cherie Currie, daughter of B.B. King, Shirley King and more!

Many of the guests who contributed to the project sang the praises of both Ryder and the project as a whole: 

“I love Mitch Ryder and I love ‘Devil With A Blue Dress On.’ Always one of my favorite songs. I had fun playing on the track. The finished version with Mitch sounds really current. Wow…just killer!" - James Williamson (The Stooges) 

“I’ve been smitten with Mitch Ryder since I first heard ‘Devil With A Blue Dress On.’ When asked if I’d like to back this legend? Heck! I’ve worked all my life for this!” - Cherie Currie (The Runaways) 

“[Mitch Ryder] is among the greatest soul singers of our generation and the opportunity to play guitar on his version of ‘Cool Jerk’ is a distinct honor for me. It's one of the greatest songs in recording history. Perfect in every way. I count this as a high-point in my career.” - Wayne Kramer (The MC5) 

“‘Dirty Water’ is such a garage classic. It’s the kind of music I’d listen to all the time as a kid and played in my earliest bands. Mitch’s vocals kicked ass and I really like how my guitar part turned out. I could play this kind of music all day long.” - Sylvain Sylvain (New York Dolls)

“It’s always a dream come true when you get an opportunity to be part of a project with one of your heroes!! I find myself in that situation, performing with Mitch Ryder.” - Joe Louis Walker

“This has been an incredible experience for me. Mitch Ryder was one of my favorite singers/bands growing up and he greatly influenced my tastes in music His songs were almost Punk before it ever existed. I feel incredibly lucky just to be a small part of his new album and I love it that he’s still doing this stuff to this day. He’s even older than me and still at it. Hope it lasts forever!” - Walter Lure (Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers)

“I felt absolutely chuffed to be asked to play on Mitch Ryders’ cover of ‘Have Love Will Travel.’ Upon listening to his awesome vocals, I was truly inspired to get my amp up to Warp 16 and let ‘er rip—so much FUN. Thanks for having me on board, Mitch!” - Paul Rudolph (The Pink Fairies / Hawkwind) 

Detroit Breakout! will be available everywhere starting June 14 on CD in a special digipak, on a limited edition RED vinyl pressing, and on digital!

Track List:

 1. Devil With A Blue Dress feat. James Williamson

 2. Cool Jerk feat. Wayne Kramer & Brian Auger

 3. Dirty Water feat. Sylvain Sylvain

 4. Turn Back The Hands Of Time feat. Shirley King

 5. Have Love, Will Travel feat. Paul Rudolph

 6. (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone feat. Walter Lure

 7. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) feat. Cherie Currie

 8. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay feat. Arthur Adams

 9. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) feat. Lee Oskar

10. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown feat. Joe Louis Walker

11. You Send Me feat. Linda Gail Lewis

12. Twistin’ The Night Away feat. Joe Louis Walker

13. If I Had A Hammer feat. Linda Gail Lewis

14. Shout feat. Linda Gail Lewis
 

Buy the CD: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/mitch-ryder-detroit-breakout-cd/
Buy the vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/mitch-ryder-detroit-breakout-limited-edition-red-vinyl/
Download/stream: https://orcd.co/detroitbreakout

Robert Feder ran this blurb in his column last Friday, the 14^th …

It contains the first public statement made by the woman who was driving the car in which Chet Coppock was killed several weeks ago … 

The woman who was driving the 2004 Lexus in which Chet was riding released her first public statement on the incident.

Amy Louise Williams, 50, a former Chicago TV producer who now lives in Charleston, South Carolina, wrote in a Facebook post Saturday that she was still recovering from her injuries.
Here is the text of her post:
It’s been almost three months since my dear friend Chet Coppock and I were in a car accident together near Savannah, Georgia, [on] April 6.
Sadly, Chet passed away in the same hospital as I was in.
I’m still here, and will most likely be hospitalized for another four to six weeks due to two broken legs, two broken femurs, four broken ribs, a broken arm, and most importantly a broken heart.
I knew Chet for over 20 years, and we always found a way to communicate every week somehow.
I miss him terribly.
If you were lucky enough to have known him, I’m sure he would say now to the world, PLEASE WEAR YOUR SEATBELT!!!!
CHET COPPOCK, please rest in peace, I love you.

It was weird to see the song at #40 on this week's Top 40 survey from 1969 - "The Minotaur" by Dick Hyman, a veteran keyboard man, who was most likely the first artist to have a chart record using a Moog Synthesizer.  Very rare for that time ... the next one that comes to my mind was "Lucky Man" in 1972, I believe, which  was also a big first work for Emerson, Lake and Palmer.  The "Switched-on Bach" LP that hit about the same time as "Minotaur" (1969) really gave the Moog a huge push into the pop music arena.
Mike Wolstein   

HERE IS A STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF ‘BANDSTAND’ CREATOR LEW KLEIN WRITTEN BY KAL RUDMAN, LIFELONG FRIEND, FELLOW BROADCAST PIONEER, AND PHILANTHROPY PARTNER

Kal Rudman, fellow Philadelphia broadcast pioneer, philanthropy partner, and publisher of the influential music industry trade Friday Morning Quarterback, issued the following statement on the passing of his lifelong friend and mentor, Lew Klein, whom Rudman credits for launching his career when they were both teenagers in the 1940s, a decade before Klein did the same for a young Dick Clark on American Bandstand.

“Lew Klein was beyond the word ‘Legend,’” said Rudman. “We’ve shared so many things and commonalities over our 75-year friendship, including our philanthropic vision as broadcasters, and to see it culminate in our joint philanthropy effort with the students at our beloved Temple University, and its TV station, TUTV, is a beautiful, and fitting end to our incredible journey together over these many decades.”

Temple University's (Lew) Klein College recently presented its first Klein College Tribute Award to Rudman, a fellow Temple graduate, in recognition of his significant contributions to the college, creating a number of programs that provide students with significant experiences in television through TUTV, the student station. And in 2011, Rudman was named to the Klein College Alumni Hall of Fame as a distinguished alumnus whose achievements bring honor to the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University.

“I met Lew Klein when I was 15 years old and he was 17,” Rudman recalled. “My dream in 1947 was to be a radio announcer. Lew, with help from his father, had his own radio sports show on the powerful WPEN Philadelphia. I would go there and hang around in what was Heaven for me. One day Lew came out of the studio, saw me, and asked ‘What are you doing right now?’ I replied, ‘Nuttin’.’ He responded, ‘You’ll follow me.’ And he walked me to Broad Street, and we took an elevator, and we were at the powerhouse radio station, WFIL, the ABC Network. My jaw dropped. And we walked into the studio and the radio show on live was the incredibly infamous Eddie Fisher. I saw Lew walk over to the director and speak into his ear. The next thing I knew, Lew came back to me and said, ‘It’s all set, Solomon. You’re going on this radio show. In the quiz portion. I was ready to faint.’ I won the quiz show, and my prize was six pairs of beautiful socks.”

Rudman remained close with Klein while ascending through the broadcasting ranks, from his first job at WCAM in Camden, NJ, through his multiple appearances as a music industry expert on The Merv Griffin Show, The Today Show and The Tomorrow Show. They also shared philanthropic efforts together with the Police Athletic League, among others.