The Sunday Comments ( 05 - 02 - 10 )

re: TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT:
No, I'm not talking about Rod Stewart here ... although with all the big names that'll be calling in this evening to congratulate legendary Disc Jockey Dick Biondi on his 50 year anniversary since first signing on the air here in Chicago, I can't say that I would be totally surprised if the Rod-man gave a jingle, too!!! (Of course YOU guys can call in, too ... assuming you can even get through the phone lines!!! They've been recording congratulations and well-wishes for a couple of weeks now ... here's the latest update from Rob Feder):
An array of rock ’n’ roll royalty will join the immortal Dick Biondi from 7 p.m. to midnight Sunday when he celebrates the 50th anniversary of his debut on Chicago radio. Luminaries on the lineup include Brenda Lee, Carl Giamarese, Frankie Avalon, Gene Chandler, Gary Puckett, Tommy James, Tony Orlando, Lou Christie, Bobby Vinton, Freddy Cannon, Jim “Hook” Pilster and Ronnie Rice. Also expected to stop by is Gov. Pat Quinn. The live special will be simulcast on Citadel Broadcasting news / talk WLS-AM (890) and oldies WLS-FM (94.7).
It’s not too late to leave your own message of congratulations to Biondi at
(312) 984-5350.
-- Robert Feder
Out-of-Towners can "Listen Live" here:
Click here: WLSFM - LISTEN LIVE

re: OTHER RADIO NEWS:
This is hilarious! It recounts Ken Levine's Chicago Radio Experience.
http://bit.ly/ck7kMx
David Lewis

Hi Kent!
I'd like to tell you about my new website.
It's located at www.ramtownlive.com/popshoppe
I'd like to thank Ramtown Mike for putting together a site for me to archive my interviews. Many more will be added both old and new.
Mike is one of our Dee jays at topshelfoldies. We have shows every night and topshelf now streams 24/7. Tune in and hear something different each night.
As I write this on Wednesday, Ramtown Mike is returning to topshelf after being on hiatus for a month. Mike moved from New Jersey to Tennessee. But Mike couldn't drive a car or fly to his new home, he had to hire a stagecoach. We all wish Mike and Barb good wishes in their new home. Sadly Mike now has a legal problem. The Mayor of Ramtown, New Jersey wants Mike to give them the name back since he no longer lives in Ramtown. It's always something.
DJ Stu Weiss
By the way ... next Friday night (May 5th) I'll be interviewing Dodie Stevens.
Another great phone interview!!!!!!!
Stu

Earthworks Entertainment Signs LOI For The Hit Parade Hall Of Fame
Addison, TX – April 30, 2010 (Market Wire)
Earthworks Entertainment, Inc. today announced that the Company has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire an interest in John Rook’s Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
The Hit Parade Hall of Fame was formed in 2006 by legendary radio programmer John Rook to recognize the highly popular recording artists that have been virtually ignored by the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. According to Rook “there are so many stars that have made major contributions from the 50’s through the 80’s that have never received the recognition they deserve, artists such as Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Pat Boone, Chubby Checker, Petula Clark, Nat “King” Cole, Perry Como, Tom Jones, Frankie Laine, Barry Manilow, Dean Martin, Al Martino, Johnny Mathis, McGuire Sisters, Patti Page, Neil Diamond, Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Kay Starr, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Vinton and Andy Williams have been inducted along with more than 100 others into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Every January the Hit Parade Hall of Fame nominating committee (which is made up of a who’s who of the radio and record industry) aided by the vote of fans at the website www.hitparadehalloffame.org decides the latest inductees and considers additional nominees that will be made public in February. Worldwide nearly one million fans have voted in the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
Earthworks Entertainment, Inc. CEO Steven Humphries commented “the Hit Parade Hall of Fame was the idea that sparked the Hit Parade Radio format which we partnered with John in last year. Hit Parade Radio will play a major force in the promotion of the Hall Of Fame, and vice versa. We expect to finalize our agreement over the next several days”.
John Rook will remain the operator and serve as President of The Hit Parade Hall of Fame.

It's good to hear Scott Shannon playing more Forgotten Hits on a regular basis. Yesterday I heard him play "Talk Talk" and "Sideshow" in the same half hour - and later in the same hour he explained the saga of Mark Dinning's second (almost) hit record "Top 40 News, Weather, and Sports". This kind of stuff makes me listen longer and keeps my finger away from the button.
David Lewis
I've talked to Scott about this several times in the past ... within the context of his show, he's pretty much got free reign to play some of these "forgotten hits" as requests, forgotten 45's and "Cheezy Easy Listening Songs" ... at least it gets some of these long-forgotten hits some long overdue occassional airplay. But what seems to get lost in translation sometimes is the very fact that the listeners WANT to hear some of this stuff more often rather than the same 200-300 songs over and over and over again ... THAT'S what makes the requests so much more interesting than the "norm". There must be SOME type of "compromise" that can be reached to satisfy everybody ... why not take those same 300 songs and spread 'em out over the five-day work week where you feature 60 a day ... but 60 DIFFERENT ones each day ... even a one week break for some of these titles would make us appreciate them more. All-in-all I think Scott does a GREAT job of programming his station ... but you know we're ALWAYS going to ask him to push the envelope just a little bit further!!! (In fact, we've got some GREAT suggestions for a few more weekend specials that we've been working on ... we'll keep you posted as these develop!) kk

re: AND ON TV:
one of the pbs channels having a begathon is doing ed sullivan the rock and roll classics or something like that ... if there's a time difference between here and the ny stations maybe you can catch it ... glorious upgrade to the video ... vibrant colors, crystal clear ... even the black and white looks like it was made yesterday ... wasn't like that the first time thru ... back then
gary
The airtimes will vary across the country for this one but it's actually been on quite a bit lately here in Chicago. We've got the complete Ed Sullivan Box Set that came out a few years ago with these edited pieces ... a long-standing VH1 feature, too. Always nice to see the artists present these songs ... definitely worth catching! A couple more recent dvd releases will be making their way to PBS in the very new future ... including a performance from the on-going Carole King / James Taylor Troubadour Tour! Check your local listings. (kk)

re: OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN:
Olivia guest stars on this week's episode of "Glee", one of our family favorites. She'll be performing her #1 Hit "Physical" with Cheerleading Coach Sue Sylvester (the incomparable Jane Lynch). The episode also introduces a new character portrayed by Saturday Night Live vet Molly Shannon who proves to be Sue's new nemisis. Should be a fun episode to watch!

And, speaking of Olivia Newton-John ... I just received this email from Artie Wayne about Jeff Barry, who cowrote another one of Olivia's biggest hits, "I Honestly Love You":
Here’s an article on my pal from the past, songwriter / producer Jeff Barry (“Tell Laura I Love Her”, “Sugar, Sugar”, “I Honestly Love You”) http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2007/02/10/jeff-barry-i-honestly-like-him/
Regards
Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/

re: THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS:
Very sad to hear that the Smothers Brothers are hanging it up (at their age a sabbatical certainly means permanent retirement) --- guess I should say I'm very glad I got to see them live one time ... in fact, it was in March of this year at the American Music Theater in Lancaster, PA. ... their appearance was one day after my friend George and I got into what could've been a very serious car accident on the New Jersey turnpike driving down from New York (during a heavy rainstorm we hydroplaned and spun out from the left hand lane into a ditch on the righthand side -- without getting hit by any other vehicles, during very heavy traffic). Aside from losing all of my 2009 Beatles remastered cds to flooding on the passenger side (the ditch we were in was full of water and only my door could be opened, and when it was, the flood came in ...) both we and the car escaped with relatively little damage (my friend's wallet, however did not -- he needed four new tires and had to pay towing expenses). Needless to say nothing was going to stop me from seeing the Smothers Brothers, I would've walked the rest of the way if I had to. My favorite comment from the night came from Tommy, who, after a short ramble on God knows what, said to the audience "you know, it's really hard to know when to stop when you have no idea what you're talking about". My only disappointment is that the two were not out selling merchandise, signing autographs, talking with fans, etc. ... I brought along several Smothers albums I would've loved to have had signed, would've loved to have spoken with them and would've loved to have gotten a picture with them, but it was not meant to be ... however I'm still glad I got to see them while I could. I got hooked on them a number of years ago when my father asked me to find their "My Old Man" skit for him. I did, on a "Best Of Volume 2 (There Is No Volume 1)" album. My dad loved it, I loved the whole album, and was hooked. Several years and many records later I'm still a huge fan.
By the way, ever hear the Smothers Brothers play it straight?:
YouTube - The Smothers Brothers - You Go Thisaway
Tom Diehl
I was a Smothers Brothers fan even before their hit television series ... I always thought they were hysterical ... and then the weekly Sunday Night Program just pushed them over the top for me ... and many other brand new fans as well.
I believe I have a complete collection of ALL of their LPs ... some classic stuff to be sure. Honestly, after touring for fifty years, I totally get "calling it a career" ... but I also have to agree with Jim Shea that SOME sort of proper send-off is in order. Here's hoping that some of the "movers and shakers" on our list can help to get this going. (We've already had some positive response to this ... but it's premature to speculate on anything just yet.) Thanks, Tom!
By the way, I actually own "The Best Of The Smothers Brothers" which WOULD have been Volume One had it been commercially released. It's a Dee-Jay only pressing (Mercury MGD-20!!!) and features four tracks from "It Must Have Been Something I Said", three tracks from "Curb Your Tongue, Knave", five from "Think Ethnic", three from "The Two Sides Of" and their version of "They Call The Wind Maria" from "The Smothers Brothers At The Purple Onion" ... a real rarity I guess! The LP is titled simply "The Best of The Smothers Brothers."
The LP you're referring to, I believe is "Golden Hits Of The Smothers Brothers, Volume II", on which the liner notes read: "With their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks, Tom and Dick Smothers have called this album 'The Smothers Brothers Golden Hits, Volume II'. Of course there is no Volume I, and it may be a while before one is available." (Hmmm ... maybe THAT'S why they're releasing their television series DVDs in reverse order!!! lol) It also refers to the tracks as "newly recorded, fresh versions of The Smothers Brothers' classic routines" and they are, in fact, different versions from the previously released tracks on their earlier LPs. (The Brothers would do the same thing on their weekly television series ... recycling classic routines to open each show.)
I have heard The Smothers Brothers "play it straight" and, although they're certainly competent singers, it just isn't as entertaining for me unless they're having fun with the songs ... I used to look forward to every single one of Tommy's interruptions!!!
And here's something ELSE I'm betting most Forgotten Hits readers aren't aware of. On their album "The Smothers Brothers Play It Straight", released in 1966, the boys leave the comedy behind and perform a number of songs in the folk tradition that first launched their career. (Musically, their first inspiration was the success of The Kingston Trio, who they tried to emulate in their early act, performing old folk songs along with a bunch of then VERY popular Harry Belafonte calypso tunes!) On this LP, they cover "Yesterday" by The Beatles (the new biography cites The Smothers Brothers as one of the first acts to recognize this track as a classic), "Little Sacka Sugar" by Woody Guthrie, the country classic "Silver Threads And Golden Needles", the folk standard "Down In The Valley" and a then unknown folk song called "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", a song that would top the pop charts six years later when covered by Roberta Flack. (Actually, Flack first recorded the song in 1969 for her "First Take" album ... it made no noise at all until Clint Eastwood decided to feature it in a love-making scene from his film "Play Misty For Me", at which time Atlantic Records rush-released a remixed, edited version of the song to radio where it caught on immediately!) Although The Smothers Brothers weren't the first artists to record this song (that distinction belongs to Peggy Seeger ... it was written way back in 1957 by Ewan MacColl, who would later marry Seeger) ... it became a bit of a folk club "standard" for fifteen years before it ever became a hit. Songwriter Ewan MacColl would later go on record stating that he hated EVERY version of the song ever recorded other than Peggy's original. (I tend to agree ... this one'll put me to sleep virtually every time I hear it ... although quite honestly I'm not all that fond of Peggy's rendering either!!!) This would include readings by Elvis Presley, American Idol David Cook, the aforementioned Harry Belafonte and The Kingston Trio, Gordon Lightfoot, Shirley Bassey, We Five, Peter, Paul and Mary, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, Bobby Vinton, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, Simon Cowell protege' Leona Lewis and a host of others. Here is the VERY rare Smothers Brothers version from 1966. (kk)



Here's an act that knows a thing or two about appearing on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour!!!

re: THE BUCKINGHAMS:
Kent and Forgotten Hits Readers,
As you know, our friend Tom Scheckel has been The Buckinghams’ drummer as we’ve traveled the country, performing for hundreds of thousands of fans for the past 27 years. His talents have meant a lot to us, and we have built a close friendship of great memories together.
We want our fans and friends to be the first to know that Tom is now the newest addition to the 60s band, Paul Revere and the Raiders. In the past, many Buckinghams’ fans have seen us perform on the same bill, and know and love Raiders’ music as much as The Buckinghams.
Tom is a dynamic drummer, who has performed with Jonathan Brandmeier (Johnny and the Leisure Suits) and Scott Wilk and the Walls, plus has been a substitute in many great bands, including The Turtles. Tom’s fans can look forward to seeing him in concert with The Raiders, who will perform with Bill Haley’s Original Comets, at Branson’s popular Andy Williams Theatre, May through December. Although our longtime friend moves to perform for Branson audiences, we enjoyed many great years of association together. Buckinghams’ fans can also order a copy of our recent live concert video, “Up Close” at http://www.thebuckinghams.com/up_close/index.html, which includes Tom’s drum work as well as the CD “Terra Firma”, on Nation Records.
On Saturday, May 1, The Buckinghams will play in Hershey, PA, at the Hersheypark Amphitheatre. On Thursday, May 20th, we start The 25th Anniversary Happy Together tour in Santa Ynez, CA. All the latest Buckinghams’ tour dates can be found at www.thebuckinghams.com, Facebook and MySpace. Our best wishes to Tom in his new association with Paul Revere and the Raiders. Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna The Buckinghams

Congratulations, Tommy!
And this from the official Paul Revere and the Raiders website:
Click here: http://paulrevereandtheraiders.com/index.html
He's spent the last 27 years with The Buckinghams (famous for "Kind of a Drag", "Susan", "Don't You Care" and other hits), he's been a fellow road warrior and a friend for just as long, we're happy to welcome Tommy into the Raider family! — The following review is provided by and courtesy of Pat Murphy (Entertainment Writer, Urban Media):
"Powerful and passionate only begin to describe the performance of drummer Tom Scheckel, and even that falls far short because it reached me on such an emotional level. When he wasn’t making love to the drum set he was beating it into submission with a warm smile that radiated into the audience and lifted the spirits of everyone who had a sight line to the drum riser. In the business of show it’s rare to find someone who exudes such a genuine in-the-moment joy, who’s showy without showing off and who thoroughly enjoys what they do. I believe that the core purpose of live entertainment is to heighten your senses, make you feel more alive, and perhaps, even optimistic. Tom Scheckel’s performance made me happy — a happiness that returns whenever I think about the blur of spinning sticks around the drums, and through the blur, that smile. Worth the price of admission? Every penny."
(You'll find more on Paul Revere ... including a picture from last weekend's '60's Weekend in Wildwood ... below!) kk

re: MARK ESKIN:
my first 45's memory was "i will always think about you" by the new colony six ... i still have the same 45 as well. mark eskin will never be forgotten and will always live in our hearts ... god bless you, mark.
sincerely,
darlene bobczyk
Services are later today and we're hoping to be able to attend (or at least stop by for a little bit.) So sad to hear of Mark's passing last week. (kk)

re: SANTANA:
Hello,
I just discovered your excellent site, and thought it seemed like a good fit for my Santana site: Ultimate Santana, including songs, albums, gear, history, and more. Thanks,
Michael
http://www.UltimateSantana.com
mc@ultimatesantana.com
Happy to pass your links along, Michael. We just recently heard from Billy James of Glass Onyon PR, who represents Gregg Rolie, one of the original members (and vocalists) of Santana ... Gregg has a new "live" CD out, featuring quite a few of the early Santana tracks. (After his stint with Santana, Rolie and Neal Schon formed another little band you may have heard of called Journey!!!) I believe the live CD is available through the Glass Onyon website:
Click here: to the Web-Bizarre


re: THE FORGOTTEN HITS BOOK CLUB:
The 9th Edition of Joel Whitburn's "Billboard Top 40" Book is FINALLY coming out on October 5th!!! (These books are designed to appeal to the more "casual" music fan than some of the "hardcore" editions that us obsessed fanatics shell out big bucks for!!!)

You'll typically find Joel's Top 40 Books in all good bookstores, reasonably priced at right around $30-$35 ... less than HALF the price of the full Top 100 Editions. (The Top 40 Book hasn't been updated since 2003 so we've really been looking forward to this one.)

Pre-Orders are currently being accepted at Amazon.com ... and (naturally) it's also available through The Record Research Website:
Click here: http://www.amazon.com/Billboard-Book-Top-Hits-9th/dp/0823085546/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272126113&sr=1-2
Click here: Joel Whitburn's Record Research Music & Billboard Charts Data

Record Research is currently celebrating its 40th year of bringing us the most complete Billboard Chart Information ever available. Congratulations to Joel Whitburn ... and his on-going committment to continue to find new and inventive ways to update this information every step of the way! (kk)


re: THE COOL SCOOPS '60's WEEKEND:
Hey Kent,
Thanks for all your support.
Here are a few pictures from this weekends event.
1- Gary Puckett receiving the Wildwoods Music Award at cool Scoops Sat. April 24th.
2- A couple of Pauls ... PR and PR ... that's Paul Russo and Paul Revere minus the Raiders
A great time was had by all!
Paul

I forgot to tell you about a special guest who visited us over this past 60's celebration weekend.
Does everyone from New York remember Clay Cole from the Clay Cole Show ('59-late 60's)
Clay was nice enough to stop by and visit Cool Scoops and reminisce about the great artists who visited his show.
Stay tuned for the Special Event featuring Chubby Checker at Cool Scoops celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the TWIST!
And here's a program reminder as well ... Chubby and the Cool Scoops gang will be featured on Samantha Browns Great Weekend Show on May 13th @ 10pm.
Don't miss this Jersey Shore addition of the Samantha Brown Show.
Be Cool,
Paul

re: REBOOT:
A couple of weeks ago Preston Ritter, original drummer for The Electric Prunes, was telling us about his new band Reboot and we asked him to send a a short clip of what the band sounds like. (They specialize in playing some of the oldies you just don't hear that much anymore.) He just sent us this short little clip of the Dion classic "Ruby Baby":
Here is our "Ruby Baby" Reboot demo ... this is only part of the song, since it's on our demo CD.
Preston



re: CLIPS OF THE WEEK:
A couple of goodies this week ... featuring TWO "Fab Fours" ... (well one Fab Four and one Fab Faux) ... a vintage Rat Pack clip (wait'll you see who THEIR fourth is!) and an INCREDIBLE live presentation of "Most of Side Two" of "Abbey Road" by The Fab Faux, as presented on Howard Stern's Sirius Radio Program. Unbelieveable!!!
click here ... AWESOME!!
YouTube - Birth of The Blues

Click here: The Fab Faux - Abbey Road Side 2 (mostly) on Vimeo

submitted by Fred Glickstein

And here are a couple of nice little collectibles by that OTHER "Fab Four" ... Kent ... Let's go partners. I can come up with $5000. You put up the rest.

Paul Fraser Collectibles John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for A Day in the Life go under the hammer

Kent ... We really can afford this one.

Paul Fraser Collectibles Sir Paul McCartney (1942–)

Frank B.

re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:

Man, what a fabulous batch of info and comments the past few days!! Great job, Kent.

RE: "Get Yourself A College Girl" ...
Mike wrote:>>> Saturday AM I woke up at 3 am and was channel surfing ...
Isn't that one of the fun things about getting older? Waking up at 3 AM and being wide awake for no good reason ... RE: Clip of the Week (American Idiot - 21 Guns):Hadn't seen this yet. It's excellent ... and compelling. Thanks!
David Lewis

About time the author's name was incorporated into publication?
Hey Kent,
I'm sure people send you a lot of Forgotten Hits images (I've forgotten what you call them). I saw the most recent post with the black square and peace signs ... but your name?
Attached is FH 'logo' with the author's name appropriately attached
Thanks just one more time ...
Ron Kolman
Thanks, Ron ... VERY cool!!! (kk)

Mark Eskin

Chicago Music Fans lost a good friend, a great musician and true music lover earlier this week when guitarist Mark Eskin passed away at the age of 52.

We got to know Mark as a member of The New Colony Six for the past 14 years ... but Mark lived to play music and sat in with any number of bands whenever the opportunity presented himself.

He was also known as "Beatle Mark" in Instant Karma, a John Lennon tribute band that really captured the essence of Lennon's music and put on an incredible show. (In fact, a couple of years ago they took their act out on the road ... all the way to Jolly Ol' England!!! ... where they performed for appreciative audiences across the pond!)

Mark also performed with The Sting Rays ... and, over the years, we've seen Mark sit in with The Cryan' Shames as well as take the stage for any number of local musical events. In addition, we would run into him all the time at numerous local concerts in and around town over the years ... seems like if he wasn't up there playing the music himself, he was one of the many, many fans out in the audience, taking it all in.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Flo, who we also had the pleasure of getting to know thanks to our New Colony Six connection ...

There have been all kinds of memories posted on the web over the past 48 hours ... you'll find links to a few of them below ... along with Mark's own words about what it was like to perform that night with the ORIGINAL members of The New Colony Six the night before their induction into The Saint Pat's Hall Of Fame!

Thanks for all the music and all the memories, Mark ... we'll miss ya!

Kent Kotal / Forgotten Hits

It is with heavy hearts that The Instant Karma Band must inform you of the sudden passing last evening of our band mate, friend and lead guitarist, Mark Eskin. As everyone knows, Mark was a wonderful soul who always loved The Beatles and always loved to play rock and roll. He will be greatly missed. We ask for your love and prayers for Mark, Florence his loving wife and his family.
As our guitars and eyes gently weep for our loss, Mark is now in the heavens probably trading licks with George and John. Cheers to our great friend Mark!
Peace and Love,
The Instant Karma Band

It is with heavy hearts that we have to tell you that our very good friend and fellow Sting Ray Mark "Beatle Mark" Eskin died yesterday April 28, 2010 at his home in Morton Grove. We have set up an online memorial to Mark and hope that friends will share their stories, photos, videos and condolences.

Visitation for Mark will be: Sunday May 2, 2010 ... 3-8pm ...

Grein Funeral Home ... 2114 West Irving Park Road ... Chicago, IL

(773) 588-6336

There will be another opportunity to meet with family on:

Monday May 3, 2010 ... 1pm ...

Rosehill Cemetery ... 5800 North Ravenswood Avenue ... Chicago, IL

Mark's wife Florence has said that she "wants lots of musicians, acoustic instruments and singing. We are not going out quietly."

Please forward this to anyone who loved Mark or call people who don't have email.

Dear Friends,

I'm sure by now many of you know that one of our good friends and a member of the NC6 MARK ESKIN has passed away. I understand that this happened sometime yesterday, Wednesday April 28th. Presently the reason that caused Mark's passing is not known.

I wish the best and prayers are with his family and especially Florence, Mark's most loving wife, friend and biggest fan.

Mark was a great friend to many of us. He was a fine person who loved life and his music. He will be missed. Words are never enough to heal the hurt but they are all we have.

With regrets,

Bruce Mattey / The New Colony Six

I cannot believe that we'll never again laugh over "inside" NC6 stage jokes; miss you already ...

Ray Graffia, Jr.

Mark Eskin, of the New Colony Six, Instant Karma, and various other bands around town, passed away yesterday. Mark was truly a fan of music, a great musician, and a good friend ... always had a smile on his face, and a guitar in his hand ... he'll definitely be missed ...

our love to his wife, Flo.
Marlene

***

How cool is this?!

I've been playing lead guitar & keyboards for the Colony for almost 12 years & I finally get to meet & jam with most of the other original members! It was absolutely wonderful (especially since I first heard the New Colony Six on WCFL in December, 1966 when I was 8 years old)!

I was especially honored when Ronnie Rice asked me if I would actually play at the induction ceremony. What a fabulous time! I'll treasure these memories for the rest of my days!

Mark Eskin

It was a very special and magical night indeed when the original band members got back together again ... in fact, these beautiful photos that are on display on the website today were taken that night by original New Colony Six Guitarist Gerry Van Kollenburg! We felt very fortunate and privileged to be there that night ... it's certainly a night WE won't ever forget either! (kk)

Click here: Forgotten Hits: The New Colony Six Reunion ... And WE Were There!!!

Dick Biondi - Celebrating 50 Years on Chicagoland Radio

From today's Robert Feder column:

This weekend’s celebration of Dick Biondi’s 50th anniversary on the air in Chicago just got 50,000 watts bigger: The live special from 7 p.m. to midnight Sunday will air not only on Citadel Broadcasting oldies WLS-FM (94.7), where Biondi still holds forth every weeknight, but also on news/talk sister station WLS-AM (890). Biondi was among the stars who launched the Top 40 format on WLS-AM on May 2, 1960. Fans are invited to leave voice-mail messages of congratulations to Biondi at (312) 984-5350. In conjunction with the 50th anniversary salute, Scott Childers is adding new features and additional enhancements to his website at WLSHistory.com. Childers is the author of Chicago’s WLS Radio, published in 2008 by Arcadia Publishing.

-- Robert Feder

Now in all fairness, Biondi hasn't REALLY been on the air for the past 50 years here in Chicago ... but he certainly has spent MOST of the last 50 years coming to us live from right here in The Windy City.

Dick Biondi debuted as one of the "originals" on WLS-AM in 1960 when the station switched over to its Top 40 / Rock format but was then famously fired in headline-making fashion three years later, the true details of which seem to be foggy in virtually EVERYBODY's memory after all this time.

After being the first disc jockey in America to play a Beatles record at the station in '63, he then departed for Los Angeles where he also introduced The Beatles live on stage at The Hollywood Bowl! (You can see our landmark feature on this whole topic on the OTHER Forgotten Hits Web Page here: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Who Played The Very First Beatles Record In America?)




A return gig to WCFL in 1967 brought him back to Chicago for a short while ... subsequent spots on WMAQ and WBBM-FM kept him in our consciousness until he landed at WJMK (Magic 104) in 1984, Chicagoland's then premier oldies station. He held THAT spot for nearly 20 years (until WJMK switched over to the Jack-FM format), paving the way for Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel to SAVE the oldies nationally after a similar incident occurred in New York City. WLS-FM, our local True Oldies outlet, snatched Biondi up immediately and he's been back on the air ever since.


Other famous on-air time was spent in Buffalo, NY (BEFORE his first stint at WLS ... in fact, Biondi was one of the jocks featured in that "Cruisin'" Vintage Radio LP Series) and KRLA in Los Angeles ... but without question his BEST radio years have been spent here in Chi-Town where Dick Biondi is literally an institution. (Jim Pilster of The Cryan' Shames has been campaigning for quite a while now about renaming one of Chicago's streets "Dick Biondi Way" ... a fitting honor for one who has done so much for our great city over the years. In fact, watch for many of our "local heroes" to show up during Dick's very special broadcast Sunday Night.)

(A Chicagoland Favorite by The Wild I-Tralian, Dick Biondi!!!)

Congratulations, Dick ... we love ya! Thanks for being so much a part of our lives these past 50 years ... and here's wishing you 50 more!!!

Up-Coming And Recent Events

re: UP-COMING AND RECENT EVENTS:
REMEMBERING EDDIE COCHRAN:
We Lost Him 50-years Ago This Month! April 17th, 1960
PHILLY'S ORIGINAL ROCKER -- CHARLIE GRACIE -- headlined the Big 50th Anniversary Memorial Concert for his late friend -- Rock n Roll Hall of Famer EDDIE COCHRAN in Chippenham, England -- the city where Eddie was killed in that infamous taxi accident. The event drew abut 3,000 from around the U.K and several countries in Europe.
Charlie and Eddie were good friends and played several show together in the late '50s. Charlie has a week to go his five-week British concert tour and will return for another month of shows this fall.
SOME CHARLIE GRACIE PHOTOS WITH EDDIE COCHRAN:
1. Charlie Jr. & Charlie Sr: location of Eddie's fatal in crash -- Chippenham, England.
2. Charlie and Eddie: 1957.
3. Charlie next to Eddie with Everly Bros. looking on -- Chicago 1958.
4. CHARLIE GRACIE with THE CLASS OF '58 -- ON STAGE AT THE OLYMPIAD ARENA in Chippenham England -- site of the Eddie Cochran 50th Anniversary Memoral Concert / Festival on April 16 / 17 / 18, 2010.
Charlie Gracie, Jr.






On May 1st, Philadelphia House is proud to announce a truly extraordinary concert experience in a wonderfully intimate setting ... the Philly Pop Music series.
The series will include the filming and recording of each performance and the marketing and promotion of the series. Curator for this series is George Manney.
Where:7312 Castor Avenue / Philadelphia, PA http://www.jtphiladelphiahouse.com


We will also be screening part of the music documentary in production, Philly Pop Music, The Lost Pioneers. The film features archival footage, performances & interviews of the great Philadelphia musical community. The event will be hosted by WMGK 102.9 - Sirius / XM DJ, Michael Tearson.
Featured performers on May 1st include:
Philadelphia's power pop sensation Nazz, featuring original lead singer Stewkey. Their live shows recreate searing, letter-perfect 4-part harmony driven versions of their classics "Hello it's Me" & "Open My Eyes" in addition to newer songs. Voted one of the top 100 cult bands by Mojo Magazine (UK), Nazz were light years ahead of most contemporary American bands.
The late-1960s Philly-based outfit, American Dream, featured the talents of NE boys, Nicky Indeliato - singer / rhythm guitarist, and singer / guitarist Don Lee Van Winkle. One of the first acts signed by Bob Dylan manager, Albert Grossman, to his newly formed Bearsville label (which was distributed by Ampex), their self-titled 1969 debut was also notable as one of Todd Rundgren's (Nazz) first outside productions.
Philly boy Jeff Washington's CD, Neptune Moon, showcased Jeff 's guitar work & won favorable reviews. Jeff has performed in concert & on tour with: Melba Moore, Lee Andrews & The Hearts, Mary Wells, Freda Payne, Albert King, Freddie Jackson, Blue Magic & Chaka Khan.
The Soul Survivors began a strong following playing venues in Atlantic City & Philadelphia. While enjoying great success in Philadelphia, they attracted the attention of record producers Gamble & Huff. Into the recording studio they went, emerging with "Expressway To Your Heart", a song that would climb to #3 on Billboard's R&B chart and #4 on it's Top 100 list. In polls taken by both the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia’s City Paper, The Soul Survivors "Expressway" was voted the number one record ever to come out of Philadelphia. Today, Charlie and Richie Ingui & The Soul Survivors just released a new CD titled, "Heart Full Of Soul".
Also performing on May 1st will include members of the NE bands: Edgar Murray, Stone Dawn, Cats and more!
Where is this all night rave located at???
7312 Castor Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
A night not to miss in Philadelphia!
http://www.jtphiladelphiahouse.com



KENT,
I would love to see the original Rascals. I still maintain their '65 hit "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Any More" is one of the most underrated songs in rock 'n roll history.The organ combined with Felix's lead vocal make it such a remarkably soulful slice of music. I've always wondered what an Otis Redding or a Percy Sledge would have done with that song. I'm not sure either guy would have matched the sense of urgency and angst that the Rascals brought to the table with that record.
Side Note: I'm still surprised after all these years that the song didn't have greater chart success.
Sure you already know this ... Henry and Street Gold have Dion coming to the Chicago Theatre in June for The Annual Doo-Wop Show.
Keep on rockin'
Chet Coppock
Without question, it's a GREAT track ... one of MY favorites by The Rascals, too. (For the record, that's actually Eddie Brigati handling the lead on this one ... but you're right ... Felix had / has one of the most soulful voices every waxed!)
Despite stopping at #52 in Billboard, it was a #17 Hit here in Chicagoland in early '66 ... right before they scored their first #1 Hit with "Good Lovin'".
The Rascals always did very well here in Chicago: "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore"; "Good Lovin'"; "Groovin'"; "A Girl Like You" (my favorite); "How Can I Be Sure"; "It's Wonderful"; "A Beautiful Morning"; "People Got To Be Free"; "See" and "Carry Me Back" all made The Top 20 here in Chi-Town ... and "You Better Run" (#21); "I've Been Lonely Too Long" (#23) and "A Ray Of Hope" (#22) just missed. (Wouldn't it be awesome if these guys loved playing together again so much that they decided to stay together for a reunion tour?!?!?) kk

Hi Kent!

Loved the column this weekend. Great stuff.

My show at BB KING'S in NYC this coming Jan 30th is going to be hot!

Not only my friends Dennis Tufano, Sonny Geraci and Bo Donalson but expect some very cool, special guests that night. The show starts at 7:30.

Rock on,

Ronnie D.

Wish we could be there to see this one. And, speaking of Dennis Tufano ...

Thanks for the mention for the NY gig.
Here's another closer to home. This is my baby, as you know, and I am really looking forward to this show.
Dennis

The Sunday Comments ( 04 - 25 - 10 )

re: ONE WE MISSED:
The Drive (WDRV-FM, 97.1FM), Chicago's premier Classic Rock Station, is playing 2000 tracks from their massive library in yet another one of their very popular A - Z Programs ... it all kicked off on Friday afternoon and, as always, the selection of music is nothing short of INCREDIBLE!!! (Typically, these run about 7-8 days ... and this time around, they're promising more "Deep Tracks" from some of your favorite albums, along with all the usual FM Classic Rock Favorites ... and quite a few surprises ... when Dr. Hook's "Cover Of The Rolling Stone" came on the other night, I actually had to double-check the station to see if I was still listening to The Drive! lol) It's ALL great stuff ... you'll find yourself listening non-stop ... and, to help you do so, we've not only provided a Listen Live Link but also a list of all the songs being featured during this special event:
Click here: The Drive 97.1 - The Soundtrack Of Our Lives
Click here: WDRV#bottom

re: THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS:
Last Friday when Jim Shea interviewed Tommy Smothers on his morning Y103.9 program, Tommy announced that the duo is "taking a break" after this current round of appearances wraps up at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on May 16th. Understandably, he was saddened to hear this news ... The Smothers Brothers have been performing non-stop for fifty years now, entertaining several generations with their rare brand of music and humor. And they're hotter than ever right now ... their controversial CBS Television Series is in the process of being released on DVD (Volumes 2 and 3 are currently available ... for some crazy reason, they decided to release the seasons BACKWARDS!!!) and a great new book, "Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story Of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" by David Bianculli is a very popular, MUST READ for anybody who grew up enjoying their long-lasting career.
Anyway, Jim has been making his appeal for a more fitting send-off to this legendary duo ... he recently copied me in on an email he sent to Chicagoland Media Columnist Rob Feder that I also wanted to share with our Forgotten Hits Readers:
I stumbled on to what may be (in retrospect) a pretty big story in the history of American entertainment, and I thought you might like to know about it.
I've been trying to get Tom Smothers on the air for about a year, and finally had him on today. He was warm and funny and serious as hell and it was great listening.
When I asked if there would be something new on tv he said no, and as a matter of fact, after 100 years of touring (50 for Dick, 50 for Tom) they were about to "take down the tent and clean up the cage" and take what he called a "sabbatical" from touring as of May 16th. Their performance at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas would be their final show.
Now I know the boys are not prone to Brett Farve theatrics or "Farewell Tours", so if they were to go away, this is exactly how they would do it. And I respect them for that along with everything else.
But I just think this is a bigger story than the kind you give to a dufus suburban radio guy in Crystal Lake. I feel this story needs to reach a broader audience.
I confirmed the story with their manager, Donna Seltzer. I don't know if you can do anything with this story or even want to ... I just thought I'd let you know.
Jim Shea
Mornings y103.9
I agree, Jim ... The Smothers Brothers deserve a fitting "send off" if this is, in fact, the end of the road for them. They brought SO much joy into our lives ... and set SO many landmarks along the way ... perhaps there are some people in our extensive audience who can help to make this happen. If so, please feel free to contact me and I will in turn hook you up with whomever we need to in order to pull something together.
As author David Bianculli points out in his book, if you have enjoyed the likes of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In or Saturday Night Live, you have the inspiration of The Smothers Brothers to thank. Bianculli goes on to write:
"When Michael Moore takes his time in the spotlight during a live Oscar telecast to scold President George W. Bush for sending America to war without due cause, The Smothers Brothers, in spirit, are there. When The Dixie Chicks make an anti-Bush comment onstage and suffer a backlash from conservatives before reemerging triumphantly with a new ht and a slew of Grammy Awards, the Smothers Brothers are there. When Bill Maher resurfaces on HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher" or Jon Stewart skewers politicians and the media on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart", The Smothers Brothers are there. When Stephen Colbert attempts a comedic run for the presidency, The Smothers Brothers are there."
Between all of the artists on our list (many of whom appeared on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour way back when), the deejays, artist reps, media folk, etc, my hope is a few of you out there will respond with some ideas. Clearly there's not much time ... May 16th is only a few weeks away ... but perhaps after they say "Good Night" THAT night, we can have a more fitting, universal setting to bid them farewell. Please let me hear from you!!! (kk)
P.S. By special request, we featured a Smothers Brothers "Fan Favorite" a few years ago when we ran their "Chocolate" routine as part of our Forgotten Hits Newsletter. Today, I'm running one of MY personal favorites, "You Can Call Me Stupid" from their classic "Mom Always Liked You Best" LP.



re: TOP 100 OLDIES:
KENT ...
Just checked my 'collection' versus the top 100 requested oldies ... I scored a 99 out-of-a 100! How I missed Sky Pilot - Animals I can't figure ...
I'll get right on it ...
(gary) RENFIELD
www.RIPRenfield.com
It's a GREAT record ... one of my favorites by them! (Here's the "short single edit" to get you started!) kk



re: CLIP OF THE WEEK:
We just can't stop watching this one ... it's the Broadway Cast of "American Idiot" performing last year's Green Day Hit "21 Guns" ... an absolutely INCREDIBLE version of this great tune. (Amazing to think where the Broadway Musical Stage has gone these past few years with more and more pop music crossing over to The Great White Way ... who knows ... long term THIS may be the way the music of our generation is best represented and remembered most!) If you haven't seen this clip yet (or aren't familiar with the song), you've got to check out this clip ... a VERY moving performance ... and the vocals are nothing short of perfection.
Click here: YouTube - Green Day & The Cast Of American Idiot - 21 Guns - album out 4/20

re: MUSIC IN THE PARK:
>>>Gotta be the weakest schedule EVER!!! (Then again they thought they might not do it at all this year ... so it coulda been worse, I suppose!) kk
Hey, don't you want to see "Fenton High School Graduate's" Bands?????
Very weak although I have never seen the Ides Of March. Always missed them when they played. And to all of those who thought Vehicle was their first hit see below. #30. I walked a mile to 95th and Western with a friend to buy this record. It's not such a nice neighborhood now. The Chicago Catz were pretty good, too.
Bill

(click to enlarge)

I'm sure we'll still get to a couple of these. The Ides Of March put on one of the BEST live shows you're ever going to see ... highly recommended for anyone in the area. (They open the concert series this year on June 9th) Because of Jim Peterik's success with The Ides of March, Survivor, .38 Special, etc, you'll be treated to a wide mix of music ... and a very high-energy performance.
Yes "You Wouldn't Listen" was a HUGE hit here in Chicago, ultimately peaking at #7 despite a #42 showing in Billboard ... now HERE'S a track that absolutely should have been a huge national hit ... it is SO "of the time" ... so yeah, we'll feature it again! Thanks, Bill! (kk)

... and, speaking of Chicagoland Hit Makers ... I just got THIS email from Ron Smith!

This is from Chicago magazine. Mostly good choices, though I disagree for the most part with the rankings: http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/April-2010/40-Best-Music-Albums-by-Chicago-Artists/

re: BRITISH INVASION DVD SERIES:

The attached photo was shot at British Consulate in New York at launch party for British Invasion DVD series from Reelin' In The Year Productions / Voyage Digital Media / Naxos of America. The first releases in the ongoing series cover the late Dusty Springfield, Small Faces, Herman's Hermits and Gerry & The Pacemakers. Gerry Marsden was unable to attend to due performance dates but Ian McLagan (left) of the Small Faces and Keith Hopwood of Herman's Hermits were on hand. Gerry, as it happens was on screen at the moment McLagan and Hopwood met -- for the very first time in their lives, it should be noted. At the event, producers revealed the artists confirmed for the second series of British Invasion DVDs: Manfred Mann, The Pretty Things and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's newest inductees, The Hollies -- with more to be announced.

re: MORE GREAT MUSIC FLICKS:

Hey Kent,
Saturday AM I woke up as 3 am and was channel surfing. I came across this movie on TCM called " Get Yourself a College Girl" from 1964. I only saw the last 1/2 hr, but it's one of those classic B movies. It has The Dave Clark 5, The Animals, The Standells as musical acts and the movie stars are Mary Ann Mobley (Looking quite fine btw!!), Nancy Sinatra (not looking too bad herself) and Chad Everett.
I hope TCM shows it again as I don't recall ever seeing it.
Below is the original trailer I found on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfsEpk2jeSI
Earlier on Friday night TCM showed "The Silencers" with Dean Martin ... it was one of Martin's Matt Helm movies. Dino is so classic in those movies; he plays the Bond character perfectly and they gave him all the neat little gadgets, too.
Hope all is well.
Mike

I just checked to see if "Get Yourself A College Girl" was available on DVD but apparently not ... nor is the soundtrack CD available. Too bad ... from what I remember it's a pretty horrible flick but some GREAT musical guests are on the bill. (Check out Video Beat ... I'm pretty sure THEY have a copy available!!! They do ... see link below!) TCM typically does "theme weeks" with some of their movie selections ... hopefully, BOTH of these will run again 'cause I'd love to see 'em, too!!! (kk)

Click here: GET YOURSELF A COLLEGE GIRL 1964 - Movie on DVD - DC5 - GET YOURSELF COLLEGE GIR

re: A RASCALS REUNION!:

OK, the planets must TRULY be aligned!!! Last night all four of the original Rascals reunited for a benefit concert in New York City ... man, we would have LOVED to have been there for this. Here's the official piece that ran in Live Daily the other day:

THE RASCALS REUNITE FOR BENEFIT SHOW:

By Phil Gallo / LiveDaily Contributor

The original lineup of The Rascals will reunite Saturday (4/24) for a fund-raising concert in New York. Eddie Brigati, Felix Cavaliere, Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli will perform at Robert DeNiro's restaurant Tribeca Grill to benefit the Kristen Ann Carr Fund that supports programs designed to help teenagers and young adults with cancer and other serious illnesses. It will be the first time the blue-eyed soul legends have performed together since their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Steven Van Zandt, who along with his wife Maureen is being honored at the annual fundraiser, gave The Rascals’ induction speech at the Hall. He has been trying since 1980 to get the group to reunite.
"I speak on behalf of the band when I say all the money offers in the world could not entice The Rascals to reunite," guitarist Gene Cornish said in a statement. "But four phone calls from Stevie and without hesitation we enthusiastically and immediately agreed to both support this wonderful cause and honor Stevie and Maureen."
The Kristen Ann Carr Fund was founded in 1993 by Bruce Springsteen's co-manager Barbara Carr and her husband, writer Dave Marsh, after Sarcoma claimed the life of their 21-year-old daughter Kristen. The fund has established a comprehensive sarcoma laboratory at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and provides sarcoma fellowships in both surgery and oncology at MSKCC.

Hoping that these guys continue to talk and leave some doors open ... what an incredible reunion tour this would be!!! (We can dream, can't we?!?!?) kk

re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:

Thanks for featuring a great song by Bread in today's edition. I always like to hear their non-hits and album tracks better than the ones that were over played. The second side of the group's first greatest hits album is pretty good with 'Mother Freedom', Truckin', and 'Let Your Love Go'.
Keep up the good work.
Phil - WRCO

BIG Bread fan here ... and actually "Mother Freedom" and "Let Your Love Go" were modest hits in their own right, especially here in Chicago where "Mother Freedom" went all the way to #12 and "Let Your Love Go" peaked at #11. (Nationally, these two reached #37 and #20 respectively ... yet you never hear EITHER of them on the radio anymore!) kk

I am a baby boomer disc jockey on a small internet radio station: www.myrevolutionradio.com

I love your web site ... thanks for keeping the best music alive and well ...

DJ Scarlett Hayze

Thanks, Scarlett ... glad you're enjoying Forgotten Hits! (kk)

I just wanted to tell you how happy I am with Forgotten Hits. I look forward to it every week. And I an always pleased when I see something about Top Shelf Oldies, an internet radio show that I listen to every evening.

The Great and Wonderful Malcolm Colllins

Well, thank you for the great and wonderful compliment!!! (kk)

And a quick thank you to everyone who has been supporting the website ... we're closing in on 200,000 visitors and we REALLY do appreciate it!