Your "Commercial" Comments keep coming in ... here's another round for your post-holiday enjoyment!!!
re: AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR ... : We're STILL getting some pretty good response to our recent "commercials" features ... it's amazing how universally memorable and appealing some of these spots actually were! And we've clearly inspired you to send along a few of YOUR favorites for the rest of the list to enjoy, too!
Great job on all the versions of "She Let's Her Hair Down / Early in the Morning." I never dreamed there were so many version. By the way, the Tokens version is the one I know, because I was in college when the other version was playing in Chicago where I am from. Keep up the great work. Sue Patterson
HI KENT - So good to hear from you. I had no idea if this was a current site. I hope that I cleared up some of the mystery. In fact, I usually referred to the song as "She Let's Her Hair Down". I had forgotten that Bang used "Early In The Morning" as the title. I forgot to mention that Calla had it out as "Brainstorm" ... same record minus the classical intro, released around March or April of 1969. I wonder if there is any record of the appearances I made in Houston (Larry Kane) or Cincinnati (Up Beat )?? Those were other cities where I made it to #1. (They sent video tape to many other shows ... I guess it was cheaper than sending me.) Check out the Ben E King CD. (Google "Ben E King cd I've Been Around") and you will get to hear portions from Amazon. Keep in touch. Best to all for a Happy Holiday Season, Don Young Thanks, Don, and the same to you. We've been pushing for releases of the old "Up Beat" television series (Cleveland, I thought) for YEARS now ... seems like everybody who was anybody appeared on this program at one time or another. (I heard the video tapes are available but for an INCREDIBLE licensing fee, even just for one-time usage.) Would LOVE to see all this stuff come out again so that the rest of us around the country could enjoy it, too. Crazy to have all this great stuff sitting in a vault somewhere. The footage is truly getting less and less valuable as the audience that WANTS to see these again is shrinking!!! Might as well put it out while those who care can still enjoy it all! Thanks for all the info! (Hey, now Joel Whitburn can update HIS bio for his next edition, too!!!) kk Hi Kent! I have in my hand an original record from 1969. it shows the title as "SHE LETS HER HAIR DOWN" (EARLY IN THE MORNING) on BANG RECORDS by DON YOUNG. I also have the original release drom CALLA RECORDS by BRAINSTORM. The title on this is "Early In The Morning". Both records list PAUL VANCE and LEON CARR as the composers. I assume that because the CALLA record was pre-Clairol, hair was not an issue when this version was released in early 1969. (Note: this is the same record on Bang, minus the classical intro.)
I also have a record that was released around June, 1969 on ROULETTE called "HOW DO YOU MOVE A MOUNTAIN". ROULETTE chose to use my real name, DONNY ALBANO, for this venture, which was R&B. It seems that while they may have given up on "EARLY IN THE MORNING", they were still in favor of keeping me as an artist. CALLA and ROULETTE were related companys. The commercial was released around July of 1969 (and won a CLEO!) The transfer to BANG took place around the fall of 1969. I remember doing the Up-Beat show in Cincinnati and the LARRY KANE SHOW in Houston, one week before X-MAS 1969. In both cities the record was in the top three. I recorded several more songs for BANG in 1970,however they were not released. Paul Davis wrote one ... he was on Bang at the time. I tried to scan the records but I had a problem so I may just take a photo and send that. I find it interesting that you have a BANG record that lists Early In The Morning as the title??? Hope that information helps clear things up. Regards, Don "Young" Albano F.Y.I. The name YOUNG was first used by AM-CAN records in 1963 on my recording TWELVE TO SEVEN As the record took off in different parts of the country, Bang must have re-pressed it. Perhaps, as you suggested, "Early In The Morning" was the ORIGINAL title they went with ... and then, between the usage of this song in the Clairol commercial ad campaign (and the release of a completely different tune using the same title by Vanity Fare), they opted to just change the name to "She Lets Her Hair Down" to avoid any further confusion. (Strange, too, as we pointed out in our website piece, that Rupert Holmes produced a version called "Early In The Morning" for The Cuff Links LP but then, when he recorded it himself, changed it to "She Lets Her Hair Down" ... and, apparently, took a bit of the song-writing credit, too!!!) Again, thanks for all this extra information ... part of what makes Forgotten Hits such a COMPLETE source when it comes to things like these!!! (kk)
By the way, Don Young has been sending us ALL kinds of cool stuff lately ... this guy's had a pretty amazing 40+ year career in the music business. Watch for a special Don Young Tribute Page up on The Forgotten Hits Website soon! (kk)
The "Commercially Appealing" topic is GREAT stuff, Kent, and right up my alley. My focus is a little narrow, but I've always loved jingles and / or product endorsements that were recorded by '60s bands, have have collected quite a few that I list on my Web site: http://www.60sgaragebands.com/cameosjingles/endorsementsjingles.htmlI must have been anywhere from 5 to 8 years old when the Windsong jingle was popular, and I still haven't forgotten it. It has to be among the best remembered jingles of all-time. Another favorite -- I was a little older when first hearing it -- was the Pabst Blue Ribbon theme: 'I have Pabst Blue Ribbon on my mind; more and more likely I find; I've got the taste for livin'; I'm drinking cold Blue Ribbon; I've got Pabst Blue Ribbon on my mind.' I'd love to find that one. Mike Dugo 60sgaragebands.com Well, here's one from the '70's that I just found on YouTube: Click here: YouTube - Pabst Blue Ribbon on my mind horse racing commercial 1979 And, if you want to see a REALLY fun one, check this one out: Click here: YouTube - Pabst Blue Ribbon Commercial Feat. Dennis Hopper
Mike Dugo has an AMAZING collection of commercials performed by Top 40 Hit Artists posted on his website ... I asked him to share a few of his favorites with our readers.
Ban Deodorant (by John Fred and his Playboy Band)
Jack In The Box (by Free Design)
Pepsi (by Three Dog Night)
The Hondells- “You Meet The Nicest People On A Honda”!! A commercial and a record. Oh Yeah, by the way ... what Girl Group sang the “Heaven Scent’ commercial? I may have missed that on your lists. Ken Click here: YouTube - HONDELLS -YOU MEET THE NICEST PEOPLE ON A HONDA I don't think we ever determined just WHO sang the "Heaven Sent" commercial ... but a couple of readers mentioned that they thought it sounded like The Chiffons ... anybody know for sure??? (kk)
Kent, These old radio jingles of commercials are such GREAT memories for me. Only one commercial might have played more than the Heaven Sent one, it seems, on WLS and CFL. That would be the "Think Drink" commercial for the Coffee society. Almost ANYONE who listened to WLS and CFL back in the late 60's heard this one. Attached is the version used at the 1967 NAB meetings, but both WLS and CFL used their jocks just rambling about coffee's possibilities over the instrumental bed usually. I have both WLS and CFL jocks doing their seemingly ad-lib rants for a minute over this bed. How can you not remember and whistle along? Clark Besch
Incredibly, I don't remember this one at all!!! Maybe some of our other readers will recognize and remember it! Thanks, Clark! (kk) Kent, What as Chicago thinking by ignoring Come To The Sunshine? Great song and a preview of Brian Wilson's exotic SMiLE collaborator, Van Dyke Parks. CTTS could have been on amazing Van Dyke's Song Cycle album; similar feel and sound: Van Dyke Parks Palm Desert- Song Cycle - 1968 - 3:11 Laurel Canyon Blvd.- Song Cycle - 1968 - 0:30 Vine Street- Song Cycle - 1968 - 3:40 Phil PrayForSurfblog.blogspot.com
I clearly remember a commercial jingle for a fragrance called "Charlie". I became a big fan of Bobby Short listening to that one. Yes, I remember all of the words. I can still see Shelly Hack strolling into that restaurant with Bobby Short on piano. "kinda young, kinda wow, Charlie!" Classic! Dave Frey The Villages, FL Here you go ... Frannie and I remembered this one right away! (kk) Click here: YouTube - Revlon "Charlie" Commercial with Bobby Short - 1970s
Wow, how cool it was to hear that Heaven Sent jingle again! That was one of my "guilty pleasures" back then. I thought it was a neat song and I actually figured it out on my guitar but I couldn't admit to any of my friends that I liked it, of course! ;^) Dean Milano
Hi Kent! Now, during the 12 Days of Christmas, I want to wish you the very best of everything in the New Year! -- And to thank you for the wonderful FORGOTTEN HITS site! It's so informative and SUCH FUN -- and yes, there was a long ago day when I once wore "Windsong" perfume (may still have it in some old drawer somewhere). Remembering the past just makes the present so much richer. That's what FORGOTTEN HITS does for so many of us. Thank you for all you do! Connie Szerszen,
"Top Rock Girly Jock"
Happy Holidays, Kent! On this date ... on 22 December, 1966 ... the # 2 song on WLS / WCFL charts was "Kind Of A Drag" by The Buckinghams. There were so many radio and TV jingles that we sometimes got the jingles mixed up with the top 40. I and a friend of mine by the name of Jody were crusin' through Beverly, Illinois one night and a popular song of its time by The Buckinghams came on the radio. The Buckinghams, as all Kent's readers know, were huge in Chicago in 1966. It took me many years and many miles out of Chicago to find out that the rest of the country (and Jody) were not aware of the Buckinghams until about November / December of 1966. I was really surprised years later to find out that their earlier efforts, such as "I'll Go Crazy", "I Call Your Name" and "I've Been Wrong", weren't national hits. How ironic that their biggest hit never reached the top of the charts in Chicago but did nationally on Billboard. The competition between the two Chicago radio stations for #1 rating was hot. It was a common practice for all us teens to switch channels between songs so we could hear both stations DJs,songs and jingles. The by now famous horn section intro came over the radio and then Jody burst into song. "Canada Dry, when your baby don't love you". "Canada Dry, when you know she's been untrue". We had a good laugh after I put Jody straight about the real lyrics to the song. Just maybe Coca-Cola missed their chance for a nice radio jingle spot. "The Greatest Jingles Of All Time" might make a great Top 50 poll but I'm still partial to the person you suggested a "It Should Of Been Bigger". Top 35 poll. I think there are many interesting stories behind why some great songs failed to reach their peak. Here's Jody for Coca-Cola. "Canada Dry is not the drink for me and you". "Canada Dry will at best be just # 2". Was there a jingle or commercial used for the song 'Happiness Is" by The Association??? Merry Christmas To All! Thanks, Jerry (jfk) LOL ... it took me a couple of read-throughs before I realized that you were only kidding!!! (I thought maybe The Buckinghams really HAD cut a commercial for Canada Dry to the tune of "Kind Of A Drag" and somehow I just missed it!!! lol) Although I had never heard of such a commercial, I did some searching around just in case ... and, when I couldn't find anything, asked the guys if there was any truth to the rumor! Here's what I got back: Kent - Happy Holidays to you and your family. Forgotten Hits has become a giant source of unbelievable music info. Congratulations, my friend. We never did a commercial for Canada Dry. I do enjoy Ginger Ale. I know some folks thought I was singing Canada Dry when, in reality, it was 'Kind of a Drag' ... You know how rock 'n roll singers like to mumble sometimes :) (Just ask Jim Sohns) ;) We did a commercial for Mr. Norm's Dodge to get a free van and that's on the end of some album as it runs off towards the label, but I don't know which one. Looking forward to 2000-DEN! Hope to see you in Naperville on January 29th with The Cryan' Shames and Ronnie Rice. Stay warm and be well. God Bless - Dennis Tufano Well, evidently Jerry's friend Jody was one of 'em!!! lol ... Thanks, Dennis ... have a GREAT 2010! (kk)
Our last Sunday Comments Page of 2009 ... thanks again to everyone for contributing throughout the years!
re: MORE BEACH BOYS NEWS: How funny was "Full House" ... Really?!?!? Frannie just found this clip MINUS the laugh-track ... incredibly, they actually wrote these long pauses into the script to allow for the HYSTERICAL audience reaction to these INCREDIBLY un-funny jokes!!! (Kinda sad, really ... I mean the show WAS mostly lame ... but this REALLY proves it!!!) Enjoy this ... in a sick "car-crash" sorta way!!! But we used to watch it because you just never knew when The Beach Boys were going to show up!!! (kk) Click here: 'Full House' Without the Laugh Track? You Got It, Dude - Lemondrop.com
One Beach Boy's "Christmas Day": Al Jardine Has a Sack Full of Excitement for the Coming Year The Holidays Start Saturday, 5 PM Pacific, on Sirius XM's "Cousin Brucie" Show! BURBANK, Calif. - December 18, 2009 - Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine, who started the group in 1961 with the Wilson brothers (Brian, Carl, and Dennis) and their cousin Mike Love, is preparing for the holidays by releasing a special "live" Christmas recording for download through the iTunes music store.The song can be heard Saturday, December 19th on Sirius XM's "Cousin Brucie" show (8 pm to Midnight Eastern time, "The '60s on 6"), when Radio Hall of Fame DJ Bruce Morrow will conduct a live interview with Al Jardine at approximately 5:15 pm Pacific time. On the track, an informal "live" performance recorded at a Christmas party at Red Barn Studios in Big Sur, California in 2004, Jardine reprises "Christmas Day," the very first lead vocal he ever recorded with the iconic group. A video of the impromptu performance can be viewed at the website, http://www.aljardine.com. The original version of the tune appeared on The Beach Boys' Christmas Album, which was released by Capitol Records in October, 1964 and has been a holiday favorite for decades. Al Jardine has a plethora of exciting dates and events on his calendar, going into the new year: First, on Nov. 24, 2009, the Beach Boys' 1965 Capitol single, "California Girls," on which Jardine also appeared, was named by the Recording Academy® as one of its 2010 Grammy Hall Of Fame® Inductees. The Grammy Hall Of Fame Award was established by The Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973 "to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old. Inductees are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts." The list and recordings now reside as a collection on display at the Grammy Museum® in Santa Monica, California. Al Jardine is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Grammy in 2001 as a member of the Beach Boys. In January 2010 he will release an EP of three tracks, selected from the "green side" of his upcoming album, that speak to the relationship of man and his environment. "Don't Fight the Sea," "Tidepool Interlude" and "California Saga" are songs that reflect this artist's deep love for the California coastline and his concern for the ecological health of the planet. "I think the strength of this project lays here in these days of climate change," Jardine suggests. The new album, A Postcard from California, is slated to become available in its entirety in spring 2010, and some rough-mix samples of tracks from the album can be enjoyed on Al Jardine's website. The collection will feature Jardine along with a regular "who's who" of classic rock and popular music royalty, and includes a rare guest appearance by Neil Young, who will be honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year at a star-studded gala dinner and concert January 29th in Los Angeles. MusiCares is a charitable organization founded by the Recording Academy to benefit music professionals in need of help in various ways. The Person of the Year tribute dinner is an annual event that is held as part of the Grammy week activities. Inspired by -- and dedicated to -- Jardine's parents, who, as he puts it, "were infected by the American dream and never satisfied with the status quo," the album was largely penned by Jardine. He was joined in the studio by a steady and willing stream of famous friends, including Brian Wilson, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Glen Campbell, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, David Marks, Richie Cannata and John Stamos. Completing the generational span, Jardine's sons, Matt and Adam, are also heard fleshing out the vocal harmonies. The track, "Tidepool Interlude" (found on both EP and album packages), includes a spoken word narrative from another special guest, actor Alec Baldwin, who is heard reading a poem written by Stephen John Kalinich, in a moving tribute to California and its natural beauty. Baldwin is set to co-host the 82nd Academy Awards ceremony ("The Oscars") with Steve Martin at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 7th, 2010. Al Jardine's 21st century take on "Help Me Rhonda" has a special place on the upcoming album, and a video from the recording sessions, showing Jardine with Steve Miller and Flea recording the Brian Wilson-penned song, is also hosted on the website. "I wanted this version to feel like a blues classic," says Jardine, to which end he also featured Steve Miller Band harmonica legend Norton Buffalo on the track, for that authentic blues edge. The Beach Boys' original of "Help Me Rhonda," on which Jardine also sang lead, went to number one on the Billboard "Hot 100" chart in 1965. In other recent related activities, an alternate take of the Beach Boys' hit, "Heroes and Villains," (yet another original Jardine lead vocal!) appeared on Rhino / WMG's archival 4-CD box-set, Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968, which was released last September 18th. Al Jardine's single of "Christmas Day," which he defines as a "Christmas party song," could certainly liven up anyone's holiday festivities, and can be instantly downloaded from the iTunes music store with a couple of mouse-clicks. But Jardine's best Christmas present to himself this year is the fact that he's just wrapped production on his new album, A Postcard from California, in his studio in Big Sur. We will be looking forward to enjoying his Postcard in the months ahead!-- submitted by David Carr
I just got this clip in from Fred Vail (who knows a thing or two about the music of The Beach Boys! lol) What a GREAT performance of this Beach Boys Christmas Classic ... we've watched it several times now. You can check it out here: Click here: YouTube - The Fendertones - Little Saint Nick The #3 Christmas record of 1963, "Little Saint Nick" ranks right up there with "Jingle Bell Rock, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," "Blue Christmas" and a few select others, as one of the best seasonal records of all-time. Well, it may take 20 or so "Fendertones" to do what I heard 'the five boys' do 'live' on December 21, 1963 -- the night we recorded the "Beach Boys Concert" album -- but these guys are fabulous just the same. If any of your readers want more of the same, go to YouTube.com and put in "The Fendertones." They have equally impressive versions of "California Girls," "God Only Knows," "Good Vibrations," "Let Him Run Wild" and at least a half dozen more. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Kent, and to all my fellow appreciative readers of "Forgotten Hits." Fred Vail Treasure Isle Nashville, TN "Music City, USA" Same to you, Fred ... and this is a GREAT video ... we've watched it again and again and again! Thanks so much for sharing this with our readers! (kk)
Fred ALSO told me about an exciting Beach Boys / eBay auction (that ended last night) ... QUITE a collection ... and it went for a damn good price, too. When all was said and done, these LPs went for a little over $4.00 a piece!!! And there are some REAL Collectors Items in this batch! (Scroll down for complete information ... the auction has already ended) kk Click here: BEACH BOYS LP LIFETIME COLLECTION - APROX 500 LP'S - eBay (item 140368723514 end time Dec-26-09 15:27:57 PST) This auction closes in about two hours. By fate I stumbled on it and wrote the seller a note. His passion for our band started with "Beach Boys Concert." Read his description and reason for parting with his collection -- you're going to be touched by his story. PLEASE send this link on to your fellow BB collectors and fans. I hope his lifelong collection ends up in the hands of a fellow BB fan. It deserves to find another great home. Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas. Here's to a super healthy, prosperous and successful 2010! Fred
re: ROSES ARE RED: >>>According to Fred Bronson's book "The Billboard Book Of Number One Hits", Vinton was about to be dropped from the brand new Epic Record Label after his first two releases flopped. (kk) Actually, Epic was not a "brand new" label in 1962 ... the first record on the label to make the Billboard pop charts was "(My Baby Don't Love Me) No More" by the DeJohn Sisters in late 1954. And Roy Hamilton and other artists had hits on the Epic label on the R&B charts even before that. – Randy Price I'll take 100% of the hit on this one ... my phrasing was wrong again ... my intention was to convey that Bobby Vinton was brand new to the Epic Label and had had a couple of flops and was about to be dropped ... NOT that the label was brand new. (A quick online check shows the label was officially founded in 1953 ... as was I, for that matter!!! lol This would be consistent with your information about their first chart hit the following year by The DeJohn Sisters. The original intent of this Columbia Records subsidiary was to be a full-fledged classical label ... but by 1954 they were already touting their "pop" roster.) Where I went off-track was reading about how one of the gold records later received for this record was the first time a producer was recognized for his role in the sales success of a record. Focusing on that, I completely blew the "brand new label" bit ... apologies to Fred Bronson, too, if this even implied that this was HIS error in anyone's mind. The mistake was CLEARLY mine ... 100% ... and of "epic" proportion!!! (kk) MORE ON EPIC RECORDS: Some of the key acts that WE remember from the bright yellow label (besides Bobby Vinton) include The Dave Clark Five, Donovan, Lulu, The Yardbirds and (after their initial US stint on Imperial Records), The Hollies. In the '70's, Epic's top hit artists included Sly and the Family Stone, Charlie Rich, REO Speedwagon and the newly renamed Jacksons (after jumping ship from Motown ... Epic Records would ALSO be home to Michael Jackson's biggest hits in the late '70's and '80's. Of course by the mid-'70's and '80's, the label was blue.) According to Fred Bronson's book "Billboard's Hottest Hot 100 Hits", the two biggest hits the Epic Records Label ever had belong to Jennifer Lopez: "I'm Real" (2001) and "Ain't It Funny" (2002). Hard to believe that these two J-Lo titles outrank Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" (#3) and "Black And White" (#4). Jackson also holds down the #7 and #9 spots in The Epic Records Top Ten Hit List with "Rock With You" and "Beat It" respectively. Bobby Vinton's "Roses Are Red" (the song that launched this whole conversation in the first place) is Epic Records' #8 all-time hit. (He just missed with a couple of others: "Blue Velvet" came in at #12 and "There! I've Said It Again" ranks at #14.) Rounding out The Top Ten are Lulu's "To Sir With Love" (#5), Sly and the Family Stone's "Everyday People" (#6) and "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club (#10). Big as they were in the '60's, you won't find The Dave Clark Five's name on the list until you reach #59 ("Over And Over") and even The Hollies' over-played rock classic "Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" is way down at #45.
re: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON: The possibility that our math was off concerning the REAL number of LPs sold on this Pink Floyd classic was addressed a couple of times this past week ... and from both angles ... RIAA Sales are based on US tallies, right? If we take foreign sales into account, the numbers would ALSO jump for Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and The Eagles' "Greatest Hits" ... but it's interesting to see the wide-ranging feelings on this one! (kk) Hey Kent, In my checking out the Billboard Top 200 album chart for years, the #200 title seems to vary between 4,000 and 10,000 copies, closer to 4,000 these days. So you'd better do a recalculation re: Dark Side Of The Moon, perhaps using 5,000 as your average figure. Don't make me do the math, though. Guy Arnston in Algonquin Kent, You are right in your assumptions regarding Dark Side Of The Moon. Randy Price is quoting RIAA figures. Do some of you Americans REALLY think that it's only US sales that make a successful album? At one time practically every CD plant in Europe was pressing almost nothing but DSOTM to keep up with demand. It's sold way over 30 million copies worldwide, maybe even over 40m. Those US people who think the world ends at US shores need to wake up! gvanwin
So there you have it ... clear as mud!!! (My Head Hurts!!!!) kk
re: INSTRUMENTALS: There was also a vocal version of “Sleepwalk” by Nick Noble that I believe charted on WLS! Ken #33 for exactly one week back in November of 1963. I'd be curious to hear THAT one!!! (kk) And, as it turns out, THIS track in on the "WLS ONLY" CD Set that Ed Erxleben made for me, too!!! So I DO have it to share! (To echo an earlier sentiment, how the heck did THIS guy have so many hits here in Chi-Town?!?!?) kk
It seems like I am always dating myself, 'Maria Elena' a great instrumental by Los Indios Tabejeros, was originally a vocal ! (Gene Autry) Also 'Apache' by Jorgan Ingmann (sp) was recorded as a vocal by Sonny James. Bonanza also had words, I am quite sure there are quite a few songs and a good topic foe discussion. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays and wishing you a great New Year 2010. Sweet Dreams Charlie Fraser re: THE BEATLES: >>>On February 8th, "She Loves You" joined "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in The Top Ten. The two records remained in The Top Ten for the next several weeks. On February 22nd, "She Loves You" hit the #2 spot while "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was still the #1 Record. The songs HELD those two positions for the next four weeks ... and by then "Please Please Me" had JOINED them in The Top Ten, giving The Beatles THREE Top Ten Charters. On March 14th, "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "She Loves You" and "Please Please Me" were the Top Three Songs in the Country. A week later, "She Loves You" replaced "I Want To Hold Your Hand" at #1 and "Twist And Shout" entered The Top Ten for the first time, giving The Beatles FOUR Top Ten Records the week of March 21st. The following week, these four records were The Top Four Records in the Country with "She Loves You" at #1, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" at #2, "Twist And Shout" at #3 and "Please Please Me" at #4. NO Artist had EVER achieved this feat before ... so imagine the surprise the following week when their latest release, "Can't Buy Me Love", jumped from #27 to the #1 Spot, giving The Beatles THE TOP FIVE RECORDS IN THE COUNTRY!!!: "Can't Buy Me Love" (#1), "Twist And Shout" (#2), "She Loves You" (#3), "I Want To Hold Your Hand" (#4) and "Please Please Me" (#5). No act would EVER repeat this feat. (kk) Kent, This is great, and I agree that it will never happen again. #2, #3 and #5 were "backlog" songs that had been written in 1963, and #3 and #5 had been released in that year, and went nowhere. You can add Love Me Do to this list, which reached #1. No band will ever have a "backlog" like this again. I still cannot believe the older songs bombed here in the US in 1963. -- Dwight Rounds www.AnimalsToZombies.com Have you seen this rather unusual collection before? http://beatlephoto.blogspot.com:80/ Cheers! Bill No, I haven't ... pretty cool 'tho!!! Check it out! (kk)
re: THE MONKEES: Just got this from Rich Appel of Hz So Good ... now wouldn't THIS be something to see?!?!? (kk) There’s talk of all four Monkees – yep, Mike, too – reuniting in 2010 to record a live version of their 1967 landmark album Headquarters. I say “landmark” because, unlike the group’s first two studio releases, Headquarters featured the Monkees singing and playing their own instruments. That’s crucial because the planned live recording is seen as an attempt to be taken seriously by music critics, particularly those long opposed to the Monkees’ being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Should this happen, it would be a triumph in several ways. For one, it would give a much-needed push to a long-overlooked piece of the Monkees’ musical legacy. As was the case with Sgt.Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Beatles album that came out at around the same time in the summer of 1967, no singles were released from Headquarters in the U.S. One that should have been, Micky Dolenz’ “Randy Scouse Git,” made it to #2 in the U.K. At least three other tracks on Headquarters – Mike Nesmith’s “You Just May Be the One,” Peter Tork’s “For Pete’s Sake” (which doubled as the TV show’s closing theme for awhile) and the Barry Mann-Cynthia Weil composition “Shades of Gray” – garnered significant radio play at the time.Such a reunion would also be a triumph for the group itself, seeing as Tork has been battling throat cancer. More on this story as it develops, but let’s hope it does. -- Rich Appel
As things begin to wind down here in 2009, we thought we'd run one more "Helping Out Our Readers" segment ... along with a few last minute holiday greetings from some of our readers. Enjoy!
re: HELPING OUT OUR READERS: >>>Is that the same Ron Dante who recorded "Something Happens" by Dante & Friends? If so, I would love to know the story behind who the friends were, and his career. That was a great, but unheralded doo wop song. Actually, one of my favorites from that era. Also, there was a group called Dante & the Evergreens. Same guy? Tell me more. (Bob Hughes) >>>Sorry, but no ... in fact, I think we covered this topic once before ... Ron Dante was the voice behind The Archies, The Cuff Links and The Detergents ... he also produced Barry Manilow's biggest early hit albums and can be hea8d on literally hundreds of jingles. For a more in-depth look at HIS background, just check out his website here: Click here: Ron Dante OnLine - The Official Website (We interviewed Ron Dante for Forgotten Hits a few years ago ... maybe we can post THAT up on the website sometime soon, too!) kk >>>Thanks for the info. The memory must be going. Do you know who the Dante was from Dante & Friends and Dante and the Evergreens? I had once heard that it might have been Gerry Granahan recording under a different name, but I have no corroboration of that. (Bob Hughes) >>>Dante (of Dante and the Evergreens) was a guy named Donald Drowly ... their version of the Hollywood Argyles chart-topper "Alley Oop" was their biggest hit. I'm not really familiar with Dante and Friends ... but maybe somebody else on the list can shed some light on this for us. And, since Gerry Granahan is ALSO on our Forgotten Hits mailing list, maybe he will see this and have a thing or two to say, too!!! (lol) kk Kent, According to Jerry Osborne's Rockin' Record guide, it seems that Dante & Friends was the same Don "Dante" Drowly of Dante and the Evergreens. I found the song, "Something Happens" on youtube, if anyone cares to hear it. In my opinion it was a real nice doo wop recording, circa 61 or 62. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKhyrhAZDS4 Bob Hughes Again, doo-wop is NOT my best genre ... but if Jerry Osborne says so, you can pretty much believe it's true!!! He just may be the foremost authority on this kind of stuff! (kk) Make that Don Drowty. He did record as "Dante & His Friends" for Imperial records (my favorite tune by him on that label is Magic Ring, which I can't send as an attachment as I do not have my own computer right now -- waiting on a brand new one to arrive just in time for christmas though). Tom Diehl Ooops ... sorry about that! Apologies to Don! Thanks, Tom. (kk)
Please tell Charlie Fraser "thanx" for me ... his remembered song triggered my own "confusion" one ..."A Summer Song" by Chad & Jeremy. I, too, have thoought about it many times but this time I was able to look it up when I thought of it. I was sitting in a car waiting for my bf who had dashed into someone's house to pick up something ... what, I don't recall. You could just barely feel fall in the air but it was just about a perfect summer night with a tiny breeze rustling the shrubbery leaves across the street. Right after that, I returned home to VA so the date is pretty well fixed in my mind. This was Denver in 1964 so I looked it up and a blurb said it was released in September 1964, so that would be exactly right. Tim Findley (KIMN?) was my favorite DJ @ the time. Anyway, Charlie is right ... it is sorta fun to have our memories jogged like this, whether we come out right or not. I hope he finds out which song he's thinking of ... racked my brain and could not come up with anything that would work for him. Pttibg As we see our own memories fade from time to time, it's really no wonder that some of these artists can't remember every single detail every time either ... sure, they were there, but in many cases now, that was 40-50 years ago ... and, let's face it, they were right in the thick of the moment with a million other distractions going on. Hopefully we can continue to clear up some of these little mysteries (without offending anyone in the process!!! lol) As for "A Summer Song", it premiered on the Billboard Chart on August 15, 1964 and was a sure-fire Top Ten Hit, eventually peaking at #7. (Incredibly, despite some other GREAT recordings, it would end up being their ONLY Top Ten Hit!) Their chart debut, "Yesterday's Gone", peaked at #21 a few months earlier (and was one of those songs that fell victim to those "cover wars" we keep talking about ... a version by The Overlanders reached #52 on the Cash Box Chart and went Top Ten in many markets.) Other Chad and Jeremy favorites (besides their appearance on The Dick Van Dyke Show as The Redcoats) included "Willow Weep For Me" (#15, 1965), "If I Loved You" (#20, 1965), "Before And After" (#15, 1965), "I Don't Wanna Lose You, Baby" (#35, 1965), "Distant Shores (#30, 1966) and their version of the Lennon - McCartney tune "From A Window (#93, 1965). kk
dear kent, you've got to be the only guy i know who would know this. didn't long time wvon jock e. rodney jones turn out at a song around 1967 called "r and b time." buy your bears playoff tickets early ... the best, chet coppock Actually, 1965 ... it was one of those Part 1 / Part 2 singles ... but "R And B Time" was released on Tuff 6037 ... I don't think it DID much ... but you are correct!!! Happy Holidays, Chet! (kk) kent ... you are amazing!!!..... cc Gotta give kudos to Tom Diehl on this one ... I'd never even heard of this song ... but once I determined that it existed, I figured good ol' Tom could find it for us!!! (kk)
>>>I vaguely remember a song with the same melody as the commercial that was played (a little) in the Chicago markets called "Doggie Named Leroy," of which I recall only a couple of lines: I've got a doggie named Leroy He can beat any dog any old time. Me and my doggie named Leroy We just play around. La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la la-la (woof! woof!) , etc. I looked around online for anything on it, and the only mentions were in connection with WLS, so it may have been a local garage band. (Jeff Duntemann) The song Leroy charted in 1965 by Norma Tracey & the Cinderella Kids, and can be found ... where else? ... on your "WLS Only" CD's. Ed Erxleben Ah, yes ... a #35 "smash" from 1965!!! (This one went right by me!!! lol) Thanks, Ed! ( kk) Good Morning Kent ... Here's the Ken-L-Ration song someone's looking for. It Bubbled Under in 1965 by 9-year-old Norma Tracey and simpled titled "Leroy". Joel Whitburn Thanks, Joel! As I said ... one that slipped right by me in '65!!! (And I was pretty much listening to the radio all the time back then!!!) Maybe this one will jar a Chicagoland memory or two! Thanks, Guys! (kk)
I have a very good friend looking for "Somebody New" by the Riverias. He has searched all over and went thru each GoldMine publication and still no luck. Please let me know if you ever hear of one of the listeners finding this song. I tried I-Tunes with no luck. Vic Morrow
Let's just post it here, Vic, and see what comes back from our readers. (kk)
A trivia question for you: Does anyone have info on a band called the Capes of Good Hope and the song "Winter's Children" from 1966? My older brother is looking for a copy of this song, or any info about the band. Thanks, Joan Gand Blue Road There don't seem to be many topics, songs or artists that HAVEN'T come up in Forgotten Hits over the past ten years!!! Here's a little '60's Flashback to a short piece we did a couple of years ago ... along with your song request. (It looks like this one made it as far as the "Premiers" list on the old WCFL Chart but never actually charted.) According to Vernon Joynson's book "Fuzz, Acid And Flowers Revisited", The Capes Of Good Hope hailed from Chicago and included Joel Cory, Mike Horn, Mike Jacobsen, Yogi Landem and Dick Toops. It shows two singles releases on Round Records (by the looks of things, The Capes may have been their first ... and ONLY artist!!! lol) Their official single releases were "Shades" / Lady Margaret", released as Round 1001 and "Winter's Children" / "If My Monique Would Only Dance", released as Round 1002. A couple of our readers have written in about The Capes Of Good Hope before but there's not a whole lot of information to share ... seemed you either knew who they were (and liked what they did) ... or they were SO obscure that you never really heard of them at all. (Round Records DID have a very cool record label, however ... FH Reader Clark Besch sent us THIS photo to share a few years back):
Pretty cool, huh? (Get it ... "Round" Records!!!) Anyway, here's your "Winter's Children" request ... along with a couple of random comments from our old newsletter (kk):
Kent --
Sheesh. I meant to send this to you months ago. It's a song by Chicago band The Capes of Good Hope that has been cited on the Web as a psychedelic song, tho I was never a huge fan of the genre and don't like it much as a song. However, the Chicago connection is real, and if you've never heard it I figured you should.
The 45 was Shades / Lady Margaret, and it was released in 1966 as Round Records 1001. I believe it was Round Records' first 45.
I MUCH prefer their second single, Winter's Children, which also came out in 1966, and is actually a rock cover of J. S. Bach's "Sleepers Awake" from about 1720. The B side was called "If My Monique Could Only Dance" and the title alone is enough to make me go looking for the 45. (I only have the MP3 of the A side.)Here it is. I'm probably the only person on your list who's ever heard it!
Good luck and keep 'em coming!
--Jeff Duntemann
Colorado Springs, Colorado
We've learned to NEVER say "never" here in Forgotten Hits ... we are CONSTANTLY amazed at the wealth of knowledge our readers have (and the obscure tracks in their collections!) We're just proud to be the "glue" that holds it all together so that our music fans from around the world can share those musical memories with one another ... and even discover a few NEW gems along the way once in a while!
The Capes of Good Hope were indeed from Chicago. Their 45 "Shades" has a really cool label where (being on Round records), the title, group and all pertinent info is in one continuous line going around toward the center of the 45! Amazing! The label was an offshoot of Bell Records. Don't care much for it, but the followup, "Winter's Children" is very Left banke-ish baroque rock n roll. It even was released in Britain -- I have the 45. Much better vinyl on UK release. I also have WKYC Cleveland playing it on the air, so it got airplay outta town too! Not psychedelic, but sits in my faves.
Clark
And, once we heard that their record had charted in Cleveland, ANOTHER Forgotten Hits Reader got involved in sharing some of this rare, lost music! (kk)
Kent,
I sent you "Shades" and "If My Monique Would Only Dance". I would ask that I could get a scan of that Cleveland chart with Shades on it, if I could. It is not a bad song, with a noticeable guitar strumming exactly like Bob Lind's "Elusive Butterfly" from a year earlier. "Monique" is not too hot with French lyrics and a Seekers feel of sorts? I have a picture of the Capes somewhere, but couldn't find it quickly, sorry.
Clark
Thank you so much for sending the mp3 of Shades. I had just about given up on ever finding the song. I do appreciate it. Kent said that you wanted to see the Cleveland charts with the song. It spent 3 weeks on the WKYC charts, all at #19, on 9/30/66, 10/7/66, and 10/14/66. I am attaching scans of these 3 charts. Thanks again for sending the mp3.
Doug
We're re-running ONE of those charts from way back when for our other readers to enjoy. Once again, another Forgotten Hits connection pays off ... I can't think of how many times now we've been able to find songs that folks on the list have been looking for ... sometimes for DECADES ... thanks to our networking readers and music fans. Always a proud moment when this happens ... thanks, guys! I've enclosed SHADES for the rest of the list to enjoy as well. (kk)
Kent - You are awesome, you are the man! What a Christmas present! Thanks, and have a fabulous holiday! Joan
HELP NEEDED! I could use some assistance in finding the following for Marty's biography: Musicians -- Claude E. "Eddy Fox" Headrick - drums - early 1970s Del Delamont - piano - late 1970s Conrad Noddin - piano and trumpet - late 1970s Tapes / DVDs -- Movie - From Nashville With Music - 1969 Movie - Country Music - 1972 Simulcast with Ralph Emery - Oct 1970 Grammy awards show - March 1971 NASCAR -- Information on Marty's '67 and '69 Dodge Chargers Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Diane Diekman Washington DC, USA If anybody out there can help Diane out with her research for her new Marty Robbins book / biography project, please drop us a line and we'll connect you. Thanks! (kk)
And, speaking of Marty Robbins ... THIS comment just came in:
Kent,
Great stuff I've been reading (catching up on) over the past few weeks. I wanted to remind the readers of a song by Marty Robbins when I heard the Lorne Greene song - Ringo ... Marty did a great song called Mr. Shorty and it's your typical gunfight western song. Tells a real good story and it just fits right into most things Marty Robbins did.
Bob Morrow
"Mr. Shorty" missed the pop charts ... but was a #16 Billboard Country Hit for Marty in early 1967. (kk)
re: THE ANIMALS ... AND THE REST OF THE BRITISH INVASION: Kent ... Good job solving The Animals Mystery. Most people love The Beatles. My favorite British Invasion Group: The Animals. Love all their recordings. My favorites, two lesser known hits. "Sky Pilot" - popular during The Viet Nam War and "When I Was Young" - Eric Burdon's Story. Who's your favorite British Invasion Group ? Frank B. Well, The British Invasion was MY era ... I was TOTALLY hooked ... and couldn't get enough. The Beatles always came in first for me (although I was also one of those die-hard Dave Clark Five fans who thought that they might be every bit as big as The Fab Four. Curiously, I didn't like The DC5's first two thumpin' hits "Glad All Over" and "Bits And Pieces" ... but after those, I was totally hooked and still count tracks like "Because", "Can't You See That She's Mine", "Everybody Knows", "Any Way You Want It", "Catch Us If You Can" and their versions of "Do You Love", "Over And Over", "I Like It Like That" and "You Got What It Takes" amongst my all-time favorites.) In third place would have to be Herman's Hermits ... EVERY hit was catchy as can be (and was there ever a cuter performer than Peter Noone back then?!?!? Of course, HE'LL say "What about now?!?!?" OK, Peter ... you've STILL got it goin' on!!! lol) I never really got into some of the heavier acts like The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and The Animals ... I liked ALL of their hits but didn't pursue their deeper catalog the way I did with some of these others. (I've always been kinda partial to "Sky Pilot", too!) There are SO many other great acts from this era: The Searchers, The Hollies, Peter and Gordon, Chad and Jeremy ... heck, even Freddie and the Dreamers!!! (lol) We've been talking about doing an in-depth British Invasion series for ten years now ... maybe one of these days we'll finally get around to doing it! (kk)
Didn't the Animals do TWO versions of "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place"? I could swear there was a version where they sang "SEE My Daddy In Bed / He's Dyin'" as well as "Watch My Daddy In Bed / He's Dyin'". I also wonder what Cynthia Weil thought about David Johansen's cover of The Animals version ... z800525a You'll see this very same question come up again down below in our "Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun" segment. The Animals recorded TWO different versions of this song ... the general consensus seems to be that the version released here in America was the far-superior take ... although THAT'S the one that they decided was inferior back home in Jolly Ol' England ... so they stuck it on the shelf. (It was actually sent here in error!!! One of those GREAT musical happenstances that we've come to enjoy over the years!) From time to time, if you're really paying attention, you'll hear BOTH versions played on the radio today, depending on which one the radio station happens to have in its library. Apparently the version released here years later by ABKCO was the British version, which circulated as the ONLY version for years until a legitimate MGM Greatest Hits CD was released with the American version intact. Check out some of the comments on Carl Wiser's Songfacts Page regarding this tune. You'll see the alternate version addressed ... as well as the significance of this song to our boys fighting in Viet Nam at the time. Click here: We Gotta Get Out Of This Place by The Animals Songfacts
US VERSION
UK VERSION
And then this from Charles, who started the whole "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" discussion in the first place: Sorry about The Animals We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place, I really had a senior moment. ha ha! Charles No biggie ... like I said, we're just trying to get it as historically accurate as possible. By the way, I did see that Ed Sullivan / PBS thing again the other night ... and they clearly give the date as February 6, 1966 for that Animals / "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" Sullivan performance ... the same date WE came up with when researching the history of this track a few weeks back. (kk)
re: DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE, DOUBLE YOUR FUN: Well, it sounds like THIS is the topic has been capturing the interest of some of you guys lately. We keep getting examples of multiple hit versions of songs climbing the charts at the same time ... a fairly common occurrence back in the '50's ... but there have now been several examples of '60's and '70's songs that ALSO competed for chart-share. Then, after we mentioned a few examples of artists who placed two songs in The National Top Ten at the same time, it spurred another wave of comments. So today we'll double your pleasure, double your fun by featuring some of these most recent comments:
As far as songs that were at least moderate hits for two artists at the same time post 1960 ... Using ARSA as a source, I have all the listed cities with major league sports teams where the song hit the top 10. Concrete And Clay -- Unit 4+2, Eddie Rambeau -- Unit [NY,TOR], Rambeau [DET,TOR] Beautiful People -- Bobby Vee, Kenny O'Dell -- Vee [STL,SD,LA,CLE], O'Dell [SAC,CLE,SD] Help Me Girl -- Animals, Outsiders -- Animals [LA/SD/SA], Outsiders [DAL/CLE] I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing -- New Seekers, Hillside Singers -- New Seekers [DET,TOR,SF,BOS,PHI,SD,KC], Hillside [PHI] Mark The Shark A couple of others just came to mind ... previously, we mentioned "Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife" by Glen Campbell and Wayne Newton ... but how about "Red Roses For A Blue Lady" by Wayne Newton and Vic Dana ... along with an instrumental version by Bert Kaempfert that performed everybit as well (or better) than these two others ... and, for a really ODD one, how about The Byrds and Cher both fighting for attention with their Bob Dylan covers on "All I Really Want To Do". Or how about The Critters and The Hondells doing The Lovin' Spoonful song "Younger Girl". (This one may be another example of the two versions actually canceling each other out and hurting the overall chances of EITHER song being as big a hit as it had the potential to be. In fact, had The Lovin' Spoonful pursued a single release with "Younger Girl", it probably would have silenced the other two completely! And don't forget, John Sebastian FIRST offered that song to Bobby Darin!!!) kk
As for dueling versions of songs ... I can think of at least four examples from 1966 alone. In Miami (where I lived for most of my life), "Gloria" by Them went all the way to number one in April,1966, easily trouncing the Shadows Of Knight (who were barely a blip on the South Florida radar). The K-Otics (#5 on 4/22/66) beat the Swingin' Medallions with "Double Shot" in South Florida, though the guys from South Carolina clearly won the national battle. "Younger Girl" charted by both the Hondells and the Critters, and while there wasn't a clear winner on that one, the Hondells fared slightly better in South Florida. And the Batman battle was won by Neal Hefti, 'though he shared time on the Miami airwaves with the Marketts and Batman-related singles by the Spotlights (with Leon Russell), Jan and Dean, Dickie Goodman, and the Campers (aka the Crickets). My favorite Miami cover battle was in early '67. Since there were no "local" contenders for the "Midnight Hour" crown, WFUN tried several different versions to see what would stick. For a few weeks they listed the artist as "Berries Riley Wanted Messengers"! This odd entry (which peaked at #64 on 4/29/67) denoted the Berries, Billy Lee Riley, The Wanted, and Michael & The Messengers! Finally the Berries won out, charting on their own, but not making nearly as much noise as in Orlando, where it peaked at #2 on WLOF (6/1/67 -- "Try It" by the Standells was at number one). Jeff Lemlich http://www.limestonerecords.com Radio certainly WAS an exciting time when these cover versions battled for air time. Here in Chicago, of course, The Shadows Of Knight CREAMED Them with their version of "Gloria", a #1 Hit here for our local heroes ... and a rare instance where the cover / remake clearly outshone the original version by its own composer. To this day, you're more likely to hear The Shadows Of Knight's version, #7 in Cash Box and #10 in Billboard, as opposed to Them's #88 / #71 showing. It's gone on to become a garage band classic ... back in 1966, they wouldn't even sell you guitar strings if you couldn't play THIS one!!! (lol) kk
>>>It was heard on the radio today (12/05/09) that, in the 60's, only The Beatles and Herman's Hermits had more than one song in the top 10 at a time. True?? (ShelleyCTTufano) I believe she was referring to the American Top Forty replay that is syndicated throughout the US. As you no doubt know, these are the original broadcasts from the 70's, and they bring back great memories and chart trivia. This past weekend, Casey Kasem was counting down the hits from the corresponding weekend in 1977. If I understood him correctly, he made reference to the Beatles and Herman's Hermits having more than one song in the top ten and each song STILL moving up on the chart. He brought that particular statistic up because, at the time, Linda Ronstadt had both It's So Easy and Blue Bayou in the top ten and both still moving upward. He speculated that either one of them might yet go all the way to the top. We know now that didn't happen (on Billboard), with It's So Easy peaking at No.5 and Blue Bayou reaching No.3. I would have thought that some other artists before that time had the same experience, but I think he just referenced the Beatles and the Hermits. Hope this helps. Dave 0'Gara www.oldies989.com Well, we found a total of eleven examples of artists able to pull off this trick during the 1960's in our long-winded answer ... which inspired another email or two on this topic. Thanks for the great answer to my question. Now, I need to figure out HOW to teach that to elementary school kids when we get into our 20th Century Music / Reading program. ShelleyCT After the question came up about any artists who had TWO Hit Records in The Top Ten at the same time ... and our exhaustive answer about the artists who achieved this feat (and the incredible run The Beatles had when they not only had two Top Ten Records, but ALSO had THE Top 2 ... then Top 3 ... then Top 4 ... and then Top FIVE Records in the country at the same time!!!) It's a feat that has NEVER been equaled ... but in the late '70's, The Bee Gees (and Barry Gibb in particular) NEARLY accomplished this feat as both a songwriter and a producer. (Even The Beatles didn't do that ... one of THEIR Top Five Records was "Twist And Shout", a song written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell ... and all their tracks were produced by George Martin.) We mentioned that OTHER artists ALSO achieved double Top Ten Status in the '50's and in the '70's ... but the question asked was specifically about the '60's ... so THAT's what we focused on in our answer. Meanwhile, here comes some more statistics courtesy of Danny Guilfoyle: I just had to mention quickly the achievement of Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees on the Billboard chart for the week of April 8, 1978. "Night Fever" was number one and "Stayin' Alive" was at number two, both by the Bee Gees. Number three was "Emotion" by Samantha Sang, written by Barry and I think Robin Gibb. Number five was "Love Is Thicker Than Water" by brother Andy Gibb, written by Barry. Soon to join the top five was "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman, written by Barry. Barry Gibb is the only composer to have four consecutive compositions in a row to hold the number one spot with ""Stayin' Alive", "Love Is Thicker Than Water", "Night Fever" and "If I Can't Have You" 1978 was an amazing year for Barry as he had six of his compositions hit the number one spot! Danny Guilfoyle
Here's another cool Barry Gibb statistic from 1978 ... in addition to the songs you mentioned above (the four consecutive chart-toppers) Barry ALSO topped the charts for ten ADDITIONAL weeks that year surrounding these titles thanks to the #1 Hits "How Deep Is Your Love" by The Bee Gees, "Shadow Dancing" by Andy Gibb and "Grease" by Frankie Valli. That means that during a 38 week stretch, a song written and produced by Barry Gibb held down the #1 Spot in the Country for 27 of those weeks!!! In "The Year Of The Beatles", 1964, The Fab Four occupied the top spot on the chart for 18 weeks ... 19 if you count the hit they wrote for Peter and Gordon! Amazing!!! (kk)
You recently mentioned the different versions of Spinning Wheel by Blood, Sweat and Tears. I was only aware of the "horn" one. Can you post the "guitar" one?" The other two that have always interested me: >>>"Help Me Rhonda" by The Beach Boys: "ruined our plans" vs. "shattered our plans" >>>"We Gotta Get Out of this Place" by The Animals: "watch my Daddy" vs. "see my Daddy" Any insights? Thanks and I really enjoy your production. Spudpar "Spud" Mark H. Friedman Birmingham, AL The two versions of "Spinning Wheel" have been playing for 40 years now ... I don't know that they're so much distinguished by a "guitar version" and a "horn version" as they are by the instrumental break and the "That wasn't too good" comment afterwards. In effect, these were simply the single and the LP version, a fairly common practice back then ... you'll find a huge difference between the recordings of their NEXT hit, too ... "And When I Die". Perhaps the most notorious label for this was Dunhill ... virtually ALL of their single releases differed slightly from their LP counterparts. (Which reminds me ... how many times have you heard them play the wrong version of the Tommy James and the Shondells Hit "Crystal Blue Persuasion" on the radio with the organ ending instead of the trumpet ending?!?!) A lot of these discrepancies are simply the difference between the album version and the "punched-up" single. As for "Help Me Rhonda", The Beach Boys recorded and released this song TWICE ... first as an album cut from "The Beach Boys Today!" LP (as kind of a Buster Brown / "Fannie Mae" heavy-on-harmonica arrangement) and then again in a totally new version (which was released as a single and then went all the way to #1.) They also included it on the follow-up album to "Today!", "Summer Days ... And Summer Nights". But The Beach Boys regularly recorded multiple vocals to their hits ... there are versions of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" that feature either Carl Wilson or Mike Love on the bridge ... some pressings of OTHER tunes (such as "Sloop John B., for example) feature Brian, others feature Carl ... and sometimes even Al! (These guys probably have more recorded and released discrepancies than any other major act I can think of.) As for The Animals' version of "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place", a COMPLETELY different take was released here in The States vs. the version that Great Britain got. By virtually ALL accounts, we got the better half of THAT deal. The difference you cited ... the lyric discrepancy ... is one of the major differences between these two recordings. (You can hear BOTH versions above in our Animals / British Invasion section.) kk
re: HOLIDAY MUSIC: A few last minute Christmas-related pieces that didn't arrive in time to make our last posting on Wednesday ...
Keep rockin'! Have a happy and healthy holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous new year. Ken Voss
Tell the truth ... aren't you kinda glad it's over??? We're a little Christmas Music'd out here ... just a little TOO much of a good thing, I guess. I mean, SOME of these songs were pretty good the first 60,000 times or so that I heard them ... but once we passed the 80,000 and 90,000 mark, I was pretty much pushing the buttons non-stop. (Think I'm kidding? Check out these statistics below!!!) kk
>>>Vince Vance & Valiants - All I Want For Christmas Is You - is a Dallas favorite - not the same as the Mariah Carey classic. Although I love the version of this song by the Valiants, many might not remember it was first sung by Johnny Maestro and Larry Chance. Thought you might enjoy this version also. (Carrie) Kent -- This is actually Joel Katz singing lead with Johnny Maestro doing the high harmonies, Larry Chance (Earls) the middle and Bobby Jay (Jeffers, formerly of the Laddins and a CBS-FM radio personality) doing the bass. They recorded this as Santa's Doo Wop Helpers. Joel owns a recording studio in NJ and has been a long time group lead singer, although never with a major hit. He has been singing since the 1960s and his list of groups that he has sung lead tenor for is staggering. The Conchords, Belvederes, Butanes, Autumns, Wizards, Platinums, Connotations, Twilight, Cliftonaires and currently leads Joel and the Dymensions. He has also sung and toured with the Emotions, Del Satins and Five Discs, although he was not an original member of these groups. He was the singing voice of "Dancing Bear" on the Captain Kangaroo TV show as well. His voice is very similar to Johnny Maestro's with more vibrato, so I can understand how Carrie might have thought Johnny was on the lead. Johnny has helped Joel dating back to the mid-eighties and even engineered some of Joel's projects. Joel lives to keep the doo-wop sound alive. Danny Guilfoyle
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE CHARLIE GRACIE FAMILY! TO ALL OUR DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS: As you may know, Joan and I rarely venture onto the computer -- we leave that to our son Charlie, Jr., but we wanted to send a message to all of you with our sincere wishes for a Blessed Christmas Season as we celebrate THE true source of HOPE. May God Bless and sustain you and your loved ones in the New Year and always. We feel especially blessed by your friendship and loyalty over so many years ... and we hold ALL of you close to our hearts! We hope our Jewish Friends enjoyed a Happy Hannakah -- the great festival of rededication to the Faith -- symbolized by the Lights! Finally, we want to send special greetings to all our friends oveseas -- especially in the United Kingdom. Lord Willing, we hope to see you during a 5-week concert tour beginning mid-March, 2010. HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Pic: Charlie, Joan, Angela, Charlie, Jr. and wife Kim Charlie Gracie
Hi Kent, Merry Christmas to you and all your fans ... the bottomless cup of enthusiasm and love you have for the music and the people who make it is one of the things I'm thankful for every day. Jim Shea / Y103.9 Thank you, Jim ... and right backatcha! (kk)
Hi Kent, I read Artie Wayne's Christmas article. He must be the hardest working man in the music business. Hats off to Artie. My video, "Santa's Stuck Up In The Chimney", jumped 2500 views yesterday. It’s definitely on the way to topping 125,000 views by the end of the year. Well, it seems to me that 125,000 people can’t be wrong. So the question is, how do I convince the "biz" that the song (and / or the video) is ready for inclusion in Christmas compilations -- or covers -- or whatever? A happy, healthy and successful 2010 to ALL, Paul Evans I don't know what to tell you, Paul ... clearly folks are discovering this song and then telling OTHER people about it ... or going back to visit it again and again ... so it obviously holds SOME appeal ... that tells me that it's marketable. (Like John Rook said above earlier, how many NEW Christmas songs do we ever get to hear anymore? Artists put them out but radio won't play them ... we've probably broken more Christmas Music here in Forgotten Hits these past four years than any radio station has!!!) But a video like this with 125,000 viewings MUST appeal to an awful lot of people ... maybe Forgotten Hits can help to get the word out ... or direct a little more traffic your way. (Interesting to see the spike in YouTube activity for both your video and the Jonathan Brandmeier clip after we ran links in FH!!! I guess that's a LITTLE bit encouraging!!!) kk “Santa’s Stuck Up In The Chimney”Now Over 122,000 You Tube Views! Click on the link below to see the video.
Unfortunately the blog apparently disables the animated Santa and the Reindeer dancing video AND the chimney link to Paul Evans' new video shown above ... too bad 'cause these are really cool features!!! (kk)
Hi Kent, Thank you for another excellent year of Forgotten Hits. Some of the issues took some reading but were always interesting. Thank you. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Vic www.vicflick.com
Well, you know our goal has ALWAYS been to provide more than a single-sitting's worth of reading for EVERY bathroom in America ... so we've got THAT going for us!!! (lol) Happy Holidays, Vic ... and thanks for your continued support! (kk) Kent One of the best things that happened this year was to find your newsletter. I love all the info and since we are both in the Chicago area it is a great source of useful info (for example Dean Milano book signing party). It was great to meet you at the Music Box for the rockumentory "Airplay". Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year Mike De Martino President of the Lovejoy Music Club (a bunch of guys who get together and listened to music, mostly 50's to 70's but are open minded to anything and everything!) Thanks, Mike ... it was nice meeting you and your buddies at the screening, too ... hopefully LOTS more happening on the local scene in 2010 ... glad you're enjoying Forgotten Hits! (kk)
As we celebrate the 55th anniversary of The Drifters' 1954 classic recording of White Christmas with Bill Pinkney and Clyde McPhatter sharing the lead, we thought you would enjoy the following animation created in 2002 by Joshua Held and revised in 2006 adding the credits shown below. www.aroundmd.com/whitechristmas/ (2002) Joyous Hanukkah, Peaceful Kwanzaa, "And may all your Christmases be white"! Maxine
Still one of my all-time favorites ... we ALWAYS watch this clip a few times every Christmas! Thanks, Maxine! (kk)
HEY KENT! HOW ABOUT A SHAMELESS PLUG FOR "YOUR" LOVELY CHRISTMAS CLASSIC? ALL THE BEST TO YOU & YOURS (AND EVERYONE ELSE OUT THERE IN FORGOTTEN HITS LAND). LET'S ALL RAISE A TOAST IN MEMORY OF YOUR BROTHER & HAPPY HO-HO-HO TO YOU!! MICHAEL G. BUSH Thanks, Mike! No, we didn't feature "Lonely Christmas" this year ... but it sounds like a few of the jocks on the list gave it a spin or two again this holiday season. (Not enough to make the ASCAP list, of course, but hey ... MY song is a TRUE Christmas rarity!) Thanks to ALL of you for another great year ... and for all your thoughts, prayers and support during the most difficult of times regarding my brother Mark ... many of you made mention of this again at Christmas time and yes, it WILL be difficult, especially for his family ... but he is remembered fondly by those closest to him. Thanks to all of you who made donations in Mark's name to Hospice ... they truly were a God-send during his final days ... and to all who have visited our permanent tribute to him on The Forgotten Hits Web Page. It means a lot. Click here: Forgotten Hits - Remembering Mark Kotal And now on to a MUCH brighter 2010 ... I mean, it's just GOTTA be, right?!?!? (kk)
I also have a record that was released around June, 1969 on ROULETTE called "HOW DO YOU MOVE A MOUNTAIN". ROULETTE chose to use my real name, DONNY ALBANO, for this venture, which was R&B. It seems that while they may have given up on "EARLY IN THE MORNING", they were still in favor of keeping me as an artist. CALLA and ROULETTE were related companys. The commercial was released around July of 1969 (and won a CLEO!)
