Hey, Kent,
So much Good Stuff in your "Weekend Catch Up" Posts this past weekend! I found it fascinating and so interesting to read all the details regarding February 3, 1959, some of which I knew, others I did not.
And as a Big Fan of Linda Ronstadt, it was nice to see your mention of her again. While I agree, "Long, Long Time'' is just a terrific song, it's hard for me to pick a Favorite of hers because so many bring back particularly Special Moments in time of one kind or another. ”Buell Bayou'' is right up there for me, as you might imagine.
BTW, did you ever see "The Sound of My Voice," the documentary about her life? I really liked it. For a Ronstadt Fan, it's definitely on my "should,” if not "must" see list.
CB ( which stands for Unofficial "Certified Bayou-Boy!" )
Yes, we did -
In fact, we went to a special theater screening of this about a year before it was released on home video and shown on TV thru PBS - EXCELLENT piece.
I have long been a fan of her music, which broached just about every genre known to man during the course of her long and very successful career.
(Yet for some reason ... despite ALL the accolades and awards ... the very first thing I always think of is how she wasn't wearing panties when she appeared on The Johnny Cash Show!!!)
kk
This particular accounting cracks me up ...
It is pretty rare that I can pick a “favorites” list for an artist that I really like … as, like you, SO many songs fit the bill … but “Long, Long Time” hooked me the very first time I ever heard it … and it can STILL bring a tear to my eye and lump to my throat all these years later.
Since you mentioned Buddy Holly (we got quite a bit of mail on LJ Coon’s piece, actually … and he sent links to every media service known to man to draw attention to it!), Linda was no slouch when it came to her appreciation of Buddy’s music. She had huge charted hits with “That’ll Be The Day” (#11, 1976) and “It’s So Easy” (#5, 1977) and released “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” (long associated with Buddy Holly … but actually written for him by Paul Anka) as the B-Side to her 1975 #2 Hit “When Will I Be Loved.” (A good chunk of Linda’s chart success came through remakes of earlier hits … everything from Betty Everett’s “You’re No Good” (a #1 Hit for Ronstadt in 1975) to The Everly Brothers to Martha and the Vandellas, to Smokey Robinson and the Miracles to Roy Orbison (“Blue Bayou” that you mentioned) to The Rolling Stones to Chuck Berry to Doris Troy to Little Anthony and the Imperials to The Hollies to Billy Joe Royal … the list goes on and on … and in many instances, Linda’s versions of these tunes charted higher than the originals did.
If I had to pin down my Top Five Linda Ronstadt hits (and believe me, this took some doing!!!), I would have to say:
#1 – Long, Long Time (1970, #25)
#2 - You’re No Good (#1, 1975)
#3 - Blue Bayou (#3, 1977)
#4 - Don’t Know Much (with Aaron Neville, #2, 1989)
#5 – Different Drum (with The Stone Poneys, #13, 1968)
And that’s QUITE a list!!! (kk)
Phil Nee - WRCO
Like I've said a thousand times before, I don't care HOW this music gets out there for new people to discover it ... whatever it takes (and this seems to be a popular way of sharing it right now) ... because once they hear it, they'll fall in love with it, too ... just like WE did when these songs were brand new.
We've just got to continue to get the word out ... SO many great "new" memories to share and discover. (kk)
Many of us remember Bobby's 13-show series that ran in '73, but it was hard for me to place this clip from 1970. Turns out this was a one-time 1970 Canadian TV special featuring Susan and Terry Jacks (The Poppy Family), George Burns, Pat Carroll, and Linda - with Bobby as host. The special was recorded in Toronto, and the title was alternately known as "The Darin Invasion" and "A Night With Bobby Darin."
But that's not really why I planned to email and comment on this video. The thing is, Linda's studio performance of this song was her penultimate moment, and it's always been significant to me that her very best performance of all time occurred so early in her career. This live TV recording is nothing short of superb.
The LP that delivered this track, "Silk Purse," was recorded right here in the northern burbs (not on Nashville's Music Row) at Cinderella Sound, the longest-running, still-operating studio in Nashville. Cinderella Sound was, and still is, owned by studio musician Wayne Moss. Music fans would be surprised to see the list of monster artists and bands that recorded there at the small, independent shop. Wayne played on hundreds of well-known tracks, but he's most-remembered for inventing and playing the memorable riff on Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman." A variation of that same riff is heard on "Day Tripper." Roy was touring the UK and strongly influenced the sound we hear from the Fab Four on that song.
I should add here that the excellent arrangement of "Long, Long Time" was done by musician/producer Norbert Putnam, who also conducted the musicians on the track recorded in early 1970. The producer was Elliot Mazer, who was recommended to Linda by Janis Joplin.
Oh, yeah - Radio is missing this because radio is programmed weeks in advance and the programmers have never heard this masterpiece anyway. The public knows what sounds good, though. Just put a great song in the final scene and the credits of a TV show and watch what happens.
David Lewis
Fascinating stuff.
When I was putting together my Bobby Darin series, I made it a point to watch and listen to anything and everything I could find on this incredible artist … and MY copy of this dvd is, indeed, called “The Darin Invasion.” (I also have most of his tv programs, too. Bobby was in drastically failing health at the time he filmed these episodes … but just wouldn’t give up. It was critical to him to enjoy that one last moment in the spotlight … and by “last moment,” I mean he pretty much knew by then that he wouldn’t be around for very much longer.
Sad … and the programs a less than great, to say the least … but they would prove to be our last look at a one-of-a-kind star. (kk)
From our Bobby Darin Series …
(you can read the whole thing here: http://forgottenhits.com/the_bobby_darin_story )
‘60’s FLASHBACK:
In July of 1972, BOBBY was given his own television series. Running as a summer replacement for THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW, THE BOBBY DARIN AMUSEMENT COMPANY was a summer hit spotlighting BOBBY's musical and comedy talents. This was the time of the television variety / musical / comedy series ... SONNY AND CHER, DONNY AND MARIE, TONY ORLANDO AND DAWN and several others had their own network series. Opening night, BOBBY's guests were his old pal GEORGE BURNS and the recently Cosmo-nude BURT REYNOLDS! ALAN THICKE, later of GROWING PAINS, was one of the writers. Comic RIP TAYLOR and future-BARNEY MILLER cop STEVE LANDESBERG were both regulars. Musical guests ranged from '70's soft-rock popular mainstays like BREAD and SEALS AND CROFTS to the more traditional PEGGY LEE and DEBBIE REYNOLDS. In fact, one of the regular spots in the show featured BOBBY doing a duet (often referred to as the "mouth to mouth" duet) with his female guest of the week such as BOBBIE GENTRY (whom he also dated), NANCY SINATRA, PETULA CLARK or DUSTY SPRINGFIELD. (His duet with PETULA CLARK was on the Everly Brothers classic, ALL I HAVE TO DO IS DREAM ... in true "mouth-to-mouth" fashion, the song ends with a silhouette kiss.)
Another popular comedy sketch featured DARIN and his old pal DICK BAKALYAN portraying CARMINE AND ANGIE, two guys from the old neighborhood in the Bronx. Each week they would reminisce about the old days in the neighborhood and this sequence became a popular favorite with fans of the show. (I seem to remember comedian BILLY CRYSTAL doing a similar bit dressed in his New York Yankees jacket many years later.) All in all, BOBBY's television show was no better or worse than many of the others on the air at the time and, in January of 1973, it was renewed as a regular series. The stress and rigors of churning out a weekly television series took its toll on BOBBY ... it was a tremendous drain of his energy and his health most certainly suffered. After seven episodes, the new series was canceled.
It sounds like a Dino Danelli Tribute Concert is being put together in New York City. Still a few more details to be worked out before we can officially announce anything ... but stay tuned to these pages. (kk)
Kent,
Two quick things about Sunday's FH ...
First, and you probably already know this, the posted version of George Jones' WHITE LIGHTNIN' is not the Mercury Records version. Also, the green M & M's at the bottom always did remind me of years ago when I first became well aware of that candy. I thought at first that they were called W & W's. (Ugh)
Larry Neal
I knew the “White Lightnin’” track didn’t sound right to me – but I just posted what Mike sent me … I just figured there must have been some reason he selected the tracks he did and I didn’t want to mess with them … nor, quite honestly, did I have the time.
As for the M&M’s, a popular joke many decades ago was that my uncle got fired from his job as an inspector at the M&M Factory because he kept throwing out all the W’s.
Yep … that one’s been around for a while! (lol) kk
>>>Sometimes I think we overlook the truly important things in Life. For instance, a change late last year to the shoes of the Green M&M Spokesperson, from go-go boots to sneakers, caused outrage on social media, with many bemoaning the loss of the character’s signature look.
A petition to “keep the green M&M sexy” garnered over 20,000 signatures. (Chuck Buell)
Notice her legs and arms are fully covered … and she has become an "every woman." Although that is impossible!
We can't strive for acceptance of all types while trying to make everyone look the same.
Just let her be who she is ... a sexy chick.
You know, next we will have to change the candy name ...
Can't have people saying “MMmmm” while eating this colorful candy.
On another front ...
The only downside of Sirius Radio's Cupid Countdown is that it starts from 1970 and goes to present. Yes, plenty of songs that I will like, but a large group of 50s and 60s that obviously don't stand a chance of being considered.
Shelley
Sirius XM seems to be going out of their way to make people dismiss (or outright forget) about all the great music that came out during the ‘50’s and ‘60’s.
When they moved their Decades Channels from “The ‘50’s on 5” and “The ‘60’s on 6,” it became pretty apparent that they were giving up on these channels. (They’re now channels 72 and 73 respectively.) Meanwhile, the ‘70’s on 7, ‘80’s on 8 and ‘90’s on 9 continue to broadcast from their original locations on the dial.
Billboard Magazine has essentially been doing the same thing, discounting ANY charts before The Hot 100 debuted in August of 1958. All of Elvis’ earlier hits (32 charters in all) have now been eliminated from all Billboard statistics when they run their ridiculous comparison charts these days. We’re talking about The King Of Rock And Roll here … rock and roll would have NEVER reached the heights it did without Elvis … and damn, if the success of last year’s Austin Butler movie and the recent death of Lisa Marie doesn’t prove just how relevant the King still is, then I don’t know what could better prove the point.
It's kind of like some of these CD compilations that are coming out now that also eliminate the ‘50’s and ‘60’s from the equation. Without naming any names, I actually had one of these companies executives tell me one time “We are programming music to people who are still alive.”
WHAT?!?!?!
The music of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s has proven timeless … each new generation who discovers it falls in love with it just as we did.
(Maybe we need to compile The Greatest Love Songs of 1955 – 1969!!!)
And honestly, if they’re letting Billboard compile the list, all bets are off … because records today stay on the charts for a year and a half!!! Back in the ‘70’s (and there were some INCREDIBLE love songs in the ‘70’s) a hugely successful single MIGHT stay on the charts for four months. There is just NO way to accurately compare these performances side by side! (I’ve not seen the list … but AM curious to know what placed where … just to better experience the ridiculousness of it all!!!) kk
Here is Billboard’s List of The Hot 100 Songs of All Time:
https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-hot-100-singles/
(See how many of THESE you agree with!!!) kk
Beyonce set a new Grammy record when she was awarded her 32nd golden statuette Sunday Night. This award, her fourth of the night, was for Best Dance / Electronic Album for her “Renaissance” album.
And it sounds like she won this one all on her own …
Without any commandeering of the stage by Kanye West!
Congratulations to Beyonce for hitting this new mark. (kk)
Mick Fleetwood made the announcement that the passing of Christine McVee last year will likely signify the end of the band.
He made the announcement at the Grammy Awards, where he told a Los Angeles Times Reporter:
“I think right now, I truly think the line in the sand has been drawn with the loss of Chris. I’d say we’re done, but then we’ve all said that before. It’s sort of unthinkable right now.”
Heart, The Supremes, Nirvana, Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Rapper Slick Rick were all presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards. (OK, so I guess it’s not just The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame that has their heads up their asses.)
I’m sorry … Slick Rick??? A LIFETIME Achievement Award??? For what exactly???
I just check Whitburn’s book and it shows two chart entries for Slick Rick … one from 1994 that peaked at #87 and one from 1995 that peaked at #101. So I guess I’m a little confused by this one.
Nile Rodgers? This man had his hands in EVERYTHING there for a while, producing hit after hit after hit for not only his own band but also a wide variety of other artists. Nirvana??? Not sure I get that one either … but they had a HUGE cult following (and Dave Grohl’s a great guy) … but a LIFETIME Achievement award for one notable single that Weird Al did the PERFECT parody of, with marbles falling out of the lead singer’s mouth. Seriously, I thought a Lifetime Achievement Award meant an act had to contribute music that withstands the strands of time.
(This would make for a FAR more feasible argument for The Supremes and Heart than some of these others.)
And let’s face it, The Grammy Committee is a pretty starched group of old foggies … what do THEY know about any of these acts??? Especially somebody like Slick Rick, who I had to look up for myself just to see what outstanding lifetime contribution he has made that most music fans are completely unaware of.
Oh well, the music world’s gone to hell … and there’s nothing we can do about it.
The saddest thing is that I have
dedicated the past 25 years to preserving this music and these artists by
telling their stories in the most accurate truth possible … and now ALL of that
has just flushed down the tubes and a distorted history is being presented
instead … one that generations from now will discover and similarly scratch
THEIR heads and say things like “But wait a minute … what about Herb Alpert …
and Elvis … and Chuck Berry and John Sebastian and Tommy James and The Monkees
and, and, and, and, and ... " (kk)
