re: IT WAS THE 3rd OF JUNE:
It was the dark of the moon on the 6th of June ...
Since you did a tribute to the 3rd of June, perhaps you should remember the night Convoy took place.
Phil - WRCO
Actually, we got quite a bit of "Third Of June" mail again this year ... but for me the KEY date is The Third of September ... that day I'll always remember. (kk)
re: ANDREW GOLD:
Kent ... How ya' doin'? The first time I met Andrew Gold was at a little studio off of Melrose in Hollywood, where my friend Val Garay was engineering his first album. The music was so loud and captivating I didn’t catch the name of the guy sitting next to Val who was quiet and unassuming; I thought he was the second engineer, not the rising star himself. http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/andrew-gold-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/ Respectfully, Artie Wayne Sad to hear the news. I have been a fan of his for a long time. I remember that Gary Collins and Judy Converse used "Thank You For Being A Friend" to close their morning shows. I always thought that was the perfect song to play for a radio host. "Halloween Party" is also one of my favorite all-time favorite Halloween tunes. Great talent! dludden Lonely Boy! Good song! Andrew mentions "Linda" Ronstadt in this early version, who helped with the hit song, but I don't think with this particular version. Jersey John Lots of folks still grieving over Andrew's recent unexpected passing. Bob Lefsetz's column ran two EXCELLENT letters that we'd like to share with you. (Thanks, Bob!) First up, Eric Carmen recounts a personal experience ... you may remember that Eric wrote Bob after the passing of Outsiders Founder Tom King recently, too. (Man, I wish we had Eric on OUR list!!! lol) And then another beautiful tribute from Graham Gouldman, who spent time with Andrew in the '80's rock band Wax. (You may remember their 1986 Hit "Right Between The Eyes".) Sign up for the Lefsetz Letter here: Click here: Lefsetz Letter ... all kinds of good stuff here! The first time I heard "You're No Good" on the radio, it catapulted itself right into my "best records of all time" list. It's still there. Aside from the stellar production and engineering by Peter Asher and the great Val Garay, the most astonishing thing to me (when I read the album credits) was that Andrew Gold played the electric piano, electric guitar, drums AND percussion on it! That's pretty much the whole record. I loved the strange amalgam of Marvin Gaye meets The Beatles he created. I really think it's a perfect record. My criteria for that judgement is that I can't think of one single thing about it that could have been better. From the spooky strings and hand-claps, to the brilliant guitar solo (I heard, at first, Linda thought the whole thing was "too Beatle-y") to the individual sounds and the mix, right down to the fade ... not one thing could have been better. I had the pleasure of working with Andrew on my second solo album (He played the guitar solo on "She Did It" and another on "Run Away.") He was a gentleman and a total pro, and I knew when I met him he was like a "brother", in the sense that I knew we listened to all the same records, and loved all the same music. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. Such a great talent, so young. I hope God's got a great vintage Rickenbacker 12-string and a Fender stratocaster (with a great compressor) waiting for him. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Eric Carmen I lost a dear friend and songwriting partner last week, the singer, songwriter, producer and multinstrumentalist Andrew Gold. He died in his sleep of a heart attack, following years of battling cancer, at the untimely age of fifty nine. I first met Andrew in 1981 when 10cc's US record company, Warner Brothers, recommended him as a co producer and writer, the idea being that 10cc's chances of breaking into the American market would be greatly enhanced by us working with him. That collaboration resulted in three great singles, testament to the fact that the partnership really worked well. In 1982, when Eric Stewart and I decided not to continue working together as 10cc, I called Andrew in L.A. and invited him over to my house in Cheshire to write some songs for a couple of weeks. He stayed for six months. What followed was five glorious years working together as Wax. Although we stopped working under that name in 1988 we continued to write and record together on various projects throughout the nineties. We always kept in touch with each other and were planning to get together again to write and possibly record a new Wax album, which we were both very excited about. Working with Andrew was my happiest musical partnership. He was an awesome talent and it was a pleasure and a privilege to have him both as a friend and to make music with him. Graham Gouldman |
re: MOODY RIVER:
>>>I couldn't agree with you more on your comments today about Pat Boone. Always did like
MOODY RIVER. Here in OKC there was an alternate version played by a singer by the name of Chase Webster on Southern Sound records. Also in 1961 Chase Webster had another record which made the local survey here call SWEETHEARTS IN HEAVEN on Dot records. Don't remember too much or know anything at all about Chase Webster.
Larry
Chase Webster had the original version of Moody River out on Southern Sound records in 1961. (He would go on to re-record it in 1970 for the Show Biz label, which was a Dot subsidiary, I believe). He had several other great records on Dot in the meantime and I'm including a couple of my favorites ... my top favorite being I Can't Walk Away.
Tom Diehl
re: JOE BENNETT AND THE SPARKLETONES:
Hey Kent -
Have you ever covered Joe Bennett on your site? They are from my home town of Spartanburg, South Carolina. They were family friends.
Joe played with three of my first cousins in a band before the Sparkletones. I did a story on them a few years back for Discover Record Magazine, the spin off from Goldmine.
While in the Air Force, Joe played in a band in Italy backing local musicians with Mickey Hart, the drummer from The Grateful Dead.
When they got out, Joe moved out to California to try and start something with Mickey, whose dad owned a music store. Joe didn't like what was going on and re-joined The Air Force.
Mickey Cooksey
I don't recall running anything specifically on Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones ... but if you'd like to submit a piece (or an edit of your "Discover" piece), I'd be happy to run it. Bennett, of course, is best remembered for his 1957 Top 20 Hit "Black Slacks" (#17, 1957). He just missed making The Top 40 a second time with his follow-up release, "Penny Loafers and Bobby Socks", which stopped at #41 a few months later that same year. (kk)
re: THE CADILLACS:
Kent ...
Got this from Wild Wayne. He's trying to confirm report that Earl "Speedo" Carroll, lead singer of the Cadillacs, suffered a massive heart attack. Hope it's not true.
Frank B.
Frank B.
We ran a short blurb on this a week or two ago ... it sounds like Earl is not in good health.
re: BOBBY DARIN:
So I'm outside, trimming the hedges. (Who said retirement would be easy? LoL!!)
Listening to my i-pod. Bobby Darin sings "Hello Dolly" & "I've Got Rhythm."
Next - Platters, Johnny Maestro, Drifters. Back to Bobby for "Mack The Knife" & "Gyp The Cat".
Listening to my i-pod. Bobby Darin sings "Hello Dolly" & "I've Got Rhythm."
Next - Platters, Johnny Maestro, Drifters. Back to Bobby for "Mack The Knife" & "Gyp The Cat".
I said to myself that's a good song. I think it would've been a big hit.
Kent, could you look into your secret Bobby Darin File, LoL!!, to answer a question for me?
Why wasn't "Gyp The Cat" released as the follow up to "Mack The Knife"?
Thanks.
Frank B.
Frank B.
I don't think the timing would have worked out, Frank.
Bobby co-wrote it but it wasn't copyrighted until '65. As far I know, it wasn't even released on a primary album during his lifetime.
Jamie Ney
The one that I always thought could have kept the whole "Mack The Knife" / "Beyond The Sea" string going was "Rainin'" ... absolutely cut in the same groove and a FANTASTIC record. Alas, it wasn't released until 1966, and even then only as a B-Side to Bobby's comeback hit "If I Were A Carpenter". Always one of my favorites (and we've featured it a few times before ... probably most recently in our Favorite, Forgotten B-Sides Series ... but let's give it another spin today, too. (kk)
By the way, I asked Jamie about the Doc S question ... she says yes.
Try Bobbydarin.com ... I think it's listed here.
Frank B.
Yes, Severinsen did play on that album and I have vague memories of him being quoted as being an admirer of Darin's. I've attached a pretty complete list of session notes a great guy from Holland put together ... it's a great resource. It's also available on bobbydarin.com, I think. Thanks heaps for reminding me of this fact, which I'd let slip into the recesses of my poor little mind. OOOO
Jamie
As I said before, I'm not disputing it ... and have since seen it listed in a couple of places, too. I'm just surprised that this isn't a little bit better known piece of trivia, that's all. (Other connections to artists like Wayne Newton, Tony Orlando and Roger McQuinn have been well-documented ... and Bobby leaving the rock and roll path to do his "standards" album was big news ... and a career-changing mood. While literally dozens of other musicians certainly accompanied Bobby on this LP, Doc's name would have been a "stand-out" in hindsight ... but, as I said, even Doc himself was three years away from any real notoriety as he wouldn't become Johnny Carson's Tonight Show Band Leader until 1962. (kk)
Jamie
As I said before, I'm not disputing it ... and have since seen it listed in a couple of places, too. I'm just surprised that this isn't a little bit better known piece of trivia, that's all. (Other connections to artists like Wayne Newton, Tony Orlando and Roger McQuinn have been well-documented ... and Bobby leaving the rock and roll path to do his "standards" album was big news ... and a career-changing mood. While literally dozens of other musicians certainly accompanied Bobby on this LP, Doc's name would have been a "stand-out" in hindsight ... but, as I said, even Doc himself was three years away from any real notoriety as he wouldn't become Johnny Carson's Tonight Show Band Leader until 1962. (kk)
re: DION:
Kent ...
After consulting Ron Smith's book "Eight Days A Week", here's what I found out.
June 2, 1972 = Dion reunites with the Belmonts at Richard Nader Oldies Concert.
I sent a message to Dion and he answered me.
Here's what I said = Yo Dion. I was at Madison Square Garden, for your reunion with the Belmonts in 1972. Can you tell me something about that concert that I don't know?
Here's what Dion said = On that night the audience was 1000% better than we were.
I KNEW I was in good voice that night. I didn't think Dion could hear me up on the stage. LoL!!
Frank B.
June 2, 1972 = Dion reunites with the Belmonts at Richard Nader Oldies Concert.
I sent a message to Dion and he answered me.
Here's what I said = Yo Dion. I was at Madison Square Garden, for your reunion with the Belmonts in 1972. Can you tell me something about that concert that I don't know?
Here's what Dion said = On that night the audience was 1000% better than we were.
I KNEW I was in good voice that night. I didn't think Dion could hear me up on the stage. LoL!!
Frank B.
LOL ... I'm sure that's EXACTLY what he meant, Frank!!! (lol) There's MORE Dion below ... check out some of this week's vintage video clips! (kk)
re: FREDDY CANNON:
FREDDY CANNON’S MUSIC IS FEATURED IN THE # 1 MOVIE IN THE U.S.A.
The highest grossing movie in the country last weekend was the super hero prequel
“X-Men: First Class,” bringing in over $55 million in its first week of release and the soundtrack includes a 60s smash by rocker Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon.
A part of the movie’s timeline is 1962. When the film’s director, Matthew Vaughn, was given a list of hit songs from that year he chose Freddy’s version of “Palisades Park.”
Cannon said “Of all the great tunes released in 1962, it is such a honor that Matthew chose mine to represent that era. My wife, Jeanette, and I went to see the movie on opening day and we were completely blown away when we discovered they didn’t just use a small portion of the song, but they played the entire record, which is about 2 minutes.”
“Palisades Park,” written by game show host Chuck Barris, peaked at # 3 on the Billboard charts. Cannon first performed the song on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand,” which Freddy holds the record for the artist with the most appearances (110 times).
Cannon is currently writing his life story with author Mark Bego, a best selling author of biographies on rock stars. He has written over 50 of them. The book is tentatively titled “Where the Action Is,” and is slated to be published late this year.
In addition to touring many weekends throughout the year, Cannon now draws. He has completed pencil drawings of many of his colleagues in the music business. They can be seen at his official website www.freddycannon.com.
Wow, LOTS of Freddy in the news lately!!! Congratulations, "Boom Boom" ... we love ya! (kk)
While we haven't seen the X-Men prequel yet, we DID go see "Super 8" today. GREAT '70's soundtrack ... in fact, I give it an 8 1/2. Unfortunately, I can only give the movie a "2" ... MAJOR disappointment for a pretty big J.J. Abrams fan. (But we DID get to hear our buddy Alan O'Day's "Undercover Angel" ... well, one line anyway!!! lol) Other '70's tunes used in the film include "Silly Love Songs" by Paul McCartney and Wings, "Don't Let Me Down" by Electric Light Orchestra (twice!), "Le Freak" by Chic, "My Sharona" by The Knack, and several others. And, since we can't recommend this movie to anybody to go to see, here's OUR "Helpful Hint Of The Day" ... SOMEBODY out there needs to cast actor Ron Eldard to play either Dennis Wilson or Terry Kath on film ... or BOTH!!! He'd be PERFECTLY cast in well-deserved bio-pics for EITHER of these two artists ... and is a dead-ringer to boot. (kk)
re: HERMAN'S HERMITS:
Herman's Hermits - Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter - 1965
Unlike in The Wrecking Crew film, featuring studio musicians, (I'm told) there isn't any studio talk! Here, we hear Peter Herman (Noone) doing some studio talk, trying to find the right tempo!!! Good job, ABKCO! Let's keep the ball rollin'!
http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/mrsbrown.mp3Jersey John
Unlike in The Wrecking Crew film, featuring studio musicians, (I'm told) there isn't any studio talk! Here, we hear Peter Herman (Noone) doing some studio talk, trying to find the right tempo!!! Good job, ABKCO! Let's keep the ball rollin'!
http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/mrsbrown.mp3Jersey John
Great clip, John ... shows you how things are worked out and put together in the studio! (kk)
re: PAUL McCARTNEY:
Kent ...
1964 = Paul McCartney plays at Shea Stadium (home of the Mets) with the Beatles.
2010 = Sir Paul plays with Billy Joel, last play at Shea.
2011 = Paul McCartney will play at the new Yankee Stadium, July 15.
Do you think he just likes Baseball ... or is it the fact that he makes more money at these stadiums?
Frank B.
2010 = Sir Paul plays with Billy Joel, last play at Shea.
2011 = Paul McCartney will play at the new Yankee Stadium, July 15.
Do you think he just likes Baseball ... or is it the fact that he makes more money at these stadiums?
Frank B.
Maybe both ... he's doing two shows here at Wrigley Field, too ... July 31st and August 1st.
And next week his two truly "solo" albums are being re-released in deluxe format, too ... McCartney and McCartney II in VERY special packages ... Click here: Paul McCartney
And here's a cool shot taken off the big screen at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas by FH Reader Billy Hinsche. Macca's singing "Give Peace A Chance" and, in the audience, you can see Sean and Yoko Ono Lennon ... along with Olivia Harrison, George's widow, singing along. (Now how cool is THAT?!?!?)
This is the show that our FH Buddy Charles Rosenay was telling us about. (If any of you made it, please report back to us ... sounds like one HELL a show!!!) kk
And here's a cool shot taken off the big screen at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas by FH Reader Billy Hinsche. Macca's singing "Give Peace A Chance" and, in the audience, you can see Sean and Yoko Ono Lennon ... along with Olivia Harrison, George's widow, singing along. (Now how cool is THAT?!?!?)
This is the show that our FH Buddy Charles Rosenay was telling us about. (If any of you made it, please report back to us ... sounds like one HELL a show!!!) kk
Photo © 2011 Billy Hinsche
re: TONY HATCH:
I saw Tony Hatch's comments regarding Kathy Kirby ... I found them quite interesting,
especially since I like a lot of Mark Wynter's stuff, too!
I wonder if Tony knows that his song Tell Tale (which was recorded by the Brook Brothers on Pye records in the UK) was also cut by Anita And Th' So-And-So's (The Anita Kerr Singers) for RCA Victor in the States, which I just happened to notice while going through a random box of 45's.
Tom Diehl
My guess is that he knows ... but probably hasn't HEARD the song in AGES!!! So here it is! (kk)
re: THE WRECKING CREW:
Hello Friends,
The summer is here and we're making headway with paying off some music licenses. Over the last few months, we've received donations from many individuals as well as various organizations and businesses. Thank you so much to all of you.
We still can't release the film on DVD, television or theatrically until we have paid all the licensing for the 133 music cues. That's why we are still accepting donations.
The many privates screenings we've had around the country have also allowed us to share the movie with music and documentary fans of all ages. Its great to see people's heads and lips moving and singing along to the music. Each audience is unique and that is what makes it fun for us when we travel with the film.
Some people are upset we haven't made it to their area but we are trying our best. If there are folks out there that want to sponsor a trip to your area, please let me know.
When the DVD is released it will have out-takes of gems that we couldn't add to the film due to time. Our plan is to have DVD chapters that will include out-takes of Guitarists, Drummers, Pianists, Bassists, Horns, Producers and artists and one of my favorite chapters, The Engineers.
The summer is here and we're making headway with paying off some music licenses. Over the last few months, we've received donations from many individuals as well as various organizations and businesses. Thank you so much to all of you.
We still can't release the film on DVD, television or theatrically until we have paid all the licensing for the 133 music cues. That's why we are still accepting donations.
The many privates screenings we've had around the country have also allowed us to share the movie with music and documentary fans of all ages. Its great to see people's heads and lips moving and singing along to the music. Each audience is unique and that is what makes it fun for us when we travel with the film.
Some people are upset we haven't made it to their area but we are trying our best. If there are folks out there that want to sponsor a trip to your area, please let me know.
When the DVD is released it will have out-takes of gems that we couldn't add to the film due to time. Our plan is to have DVD chapters that will include out-takes of Guitarists, Drummers, Pianists, Bassists, Horns, Producers and artists and one of my favorite chapters, The Engineers.
In the next couple of months, we are booking fund raising screenings at:
• Museum of Ventura, CA June 17th
• Mission Viejo, CA - Civic Center June 25th
• Duquesne University - Pittsburgh, PA July 24th
• Bergen Community College - Paramus, NJ, September 28th
If you are interested in possibly donating product to fill some of our raffle baskets, please let us know. Raffles have been another helpful tool in raising funds. I'm also able to highlight the help we've received from companies by promoting the products we receive for the baskets. Many of our audience members are musicians of all levels. Ancillary products for various instruments are also very helpful. Contact denny@wreckingcrewfilm.com
If you're interested in more information regarding sponsoring screenings at your local music store, school, recording studio or anywhere where we can get an audience together, let me know. It's a chance to promote your business as well with an event.
Denny Tedesco
Glad to hear that you're inching closer to a commercial release, Denny. As we've said SO many times before, this is a film that deserves to be seen and enjoyed by millions. (kk)
re: THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE:
>>>This season is DEFINITELY worth watching. Meatloaf had a complete emotional breakdown during one competition ... as Team Leader, he had begged SO many friends for money for his charity foundation and raised a boatload in donations ... but then was told that if his team lost, all of the money that his team raised would also go to the winner. (Meatloaf said that this would make him feel like taking all the money people had invested because they trusted him and then skipping off to the Cayman Islands or something!) John Rich ... in perhaps the most powerful moment of the season ... then stepped up to the plate ... without having ANY idea as to the outcome of that week's competition ... and promised that no matter WHAT happened, he PERSONALLY would give the money Meatloaf raised to Meatloaf's charity ... out of his OWN pocket ... regardless of the outcome or the amount. I haven't gotten THAT choked up during a TV show in a LONG, long time ... and now hold John Rich in the absolute HIGHEST regard for such a bold and compassionate move. Seriously, if you can watch this past season, do it ... you will NOT be disappointed. (kk)
It's nice to know that amid the insanity and down right meanness that make up so much of this show that someone was able to maintain their integrity and compassion ... I will check it out.
Stacee
Stacee
re: STEVE POPOVICH:
Bob Sherwood wrote this little piece about his friend Steve Popovich this afternoon.
David Lewis
David Lewis
Steve Popovich: An Appreciation by Bob Sherwood
June 09, 2011
By Bob Sherwood
(Steve Popovich, a veteran music industry executive who played a key role in Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell" as well as the careers of the Jackson 5, Cheap Trick, Boston and many others, died Wednesday morning at his apartment in Murfreesboro, Tenn., at the age of 68. He ran Cleveland International Records and was based in the city for much of his life; he also held posts at CBS and PolyGram Records. His friend Bob Sherwood spent many years working in radio before joining CBS, Mercury and Sony Music.)
There are a lot of very exceptional people who contributed massively to the extraordinary success of the golden era of the music business (from the 1960s to the early '90s), but I submit that with the possible exception of Ahmet Ertegun and Bruce Lundvall, there was no one who cared more passionately about his artists and their music than Steve Popovich.
If he wasn't the greatest promotion exec who ever lived, you can't make a top 5 list without including his name.
When I was still in Top 40 radio it was generally acknowledged that the staff that Tommy Noonan and Ronnie Records put together was the class of the industry and Steve -- albeit lovingly -- drove them like a rented mule.
I cared about Columbia Records because of their artists but I also always gave their records an extra listen and evaluation because of Steve's credibility and that of his staff.
In 1980, I was running Mercury Records and signed Tom Jones via Jerry Kennedy and our Nashville office because Steve convinced me of his viability in live performances and in the country market. As usual, he was right and we all enjoyed a significant measure of success... which didn't prevent Steve from regularly torturing me as if I was still a Program Director in Sacramento!
Since I ultimately worked for Steve, I have a thousand and more memories but I want to pass on one in particular.
In early 1973 I was programming WGCL in Cleveland against AM Top 40 legend WIXY 1260 and Metromedia's FM monster WMMS, the Buzzard.
I got a call one morning at 3:30, which was about an hour before I normally arose to go to the station and do my air shift. Learning it was a promotion guy -- it was 3:30 in the bloody morning! -- I normally would've slammed the phone down after a string of obscenities and vowed never to speak to the miscreant again.
But it was Popovich.
So I halfway listened to his insistence that I had to hear "the greatest record ever recorded" while he trampled all over my need to get some sleep. As I desperately tried to continue making my handsome living in broadcasting, he compelled me to listen.
It was Paul Simon's "Kodachrome," and they had just done final mix in the studio. I wound up calling half the people I knew in radio to say that it was an unqualified smash.
Whatever came from that, it was all Popovich.
Steve will probably arrive at the Pearly Gates at about 3:30 am demanding that Meat Loaf, Frankie Yankovich and David Allan Coe be added to 'A' rotation on KHVN. I wouldn't bet against it!
Steve, old friend ... on your travels Northward, the bright light below is the fire from the candles I'm lighting at St. Mary's Church tomorrow. I'm sure the Ridgefield, Connecticut Fire Dep't. has sufficient staff to control the blaze.
June 09, 2011
By Bob Sherwood
(Steve Popovich, a veteran music industry executive who played a key role in Meat Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell" as well as the careers of the Jackson 5, Cheap Trick, Boston and many others, died Wednesday morning at his apartment in Murfreesboro, Tenn., at the age of 68. He ran Cleveland International Records and was based in the city for much of his life; he also held posts at CBS and PolyGram Records. His friend Bob Sherwood spent many years working in radio before joining CBS, Mercury and Sony Music.)
There are a lot of very exceptional people who contributed massively to the extraordinary success of the golden era of the music business (from the 1960s to the early '90s), but I submit that with the possible exception of Ahmet Ertegun and Bruce Lundvall, there was no one who cared more passionately about his artists and their music than Steve Popovich.
If he wasn't the greatest promotion exec who ever lived, you can't make a top 5 list without including his name.
When I was still in Top 40 radio it was generally acknowledged that the staff that Tommy Noonan and Ronnie Records put together was the class of the industry and Steve -- albeit lovingly -- drove them like a rented mule.
I cared about Columbia Records because of their artists but I also always gave their records an extra listen and evaluation because of Steve's credibility and that of his staff.
In 1980, I was running Mercury Records and signed Tom Jones via Jerry Kennedy and our Nashville office because Steve convinced me of his viability in live performances and in the country market. As usual, he was right and we all enjoyed a significant measure of success... which didn't prevent Steve from regularly torturing me as if I was still a Program Director in Sacramento!
Since I ultimately worked for Steve, I have a thousand and more memories but I want to pass on one in particular.
In early 1973 I was programming WGCL in Cleveland against AM Top 40 legend WIXY 1260 and Metromedia's FM monster WMMS, the Buzzard.
I got a call one morning at 3:30, which was about an hour before I normally arose to go to the station and do my air shift. Learning it was a promotion guy -- it was 3:30 in the bloody morning! -- I normally would've slammed the phone down after a string of obscenities and vowed never to speak to the miscreant again.
But it was Popovich.
So I halfway listened to his insistence that I had to hear "the greatest record ever recorded" while he trampled all over my need to get some sleep. As I desperately tried to continue making my handsome living in broadcasting, he compelled me to listen.
It was Paul Simon's "Kodachrome," and they had just done final mix in the studio. I wound up calling half the people I knew in radio to say that it was an unqualified smash.
Whatever came from that, it was all Popovich.
Steve will probably arrive at the Pearly Gates at about 3:30 am demanding that Meat Loaf, Frankie Yankovich and David Allan Coe be added to 'A' rotation on KHVN. I wouldn't bet against it!
Steve, old friend ... on your travels Northward, the bright light below is the fire from the candles I'm lighting at St. Mary's Church tomorrow. I'm sure the Ridgefield, Connecticut Fire Dep't. has sufficient staff to control the blaze.
You'll find ALL kinds of tributes and testimonials on Bob Lefsetz's website, too ... check it out here:
Click here: Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » Steve Popovich
Click here: Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » Steve Popovich
re: PAUL SIMON:
| Four Classic Paul Simon Titles From the 1970s Are Now Available! |  |
| Columbia / Legacy Recordings announces the first round of releases in the Paul Simon catalog project with definitive editions of four of the artist's essential solo albums -- Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Paul Simon In Concert: Live Rhymin' and Still Crazy After All These Years -- available everywhere today. The new Columbia / Legacy editions of four classic Paul Simon catalog titles marks the first set of releases since last year's historic licensing agreement between the artist and Sony Music Entertainment brought Simon's entire catalog of recordings together under the one roof for the first time since the 1970s. |
re: SHA-NA-NA:
Loved your article on Sha-Na-Na -- sounds like a GREAT way to spend an evening.
(Wish I could go -- a Sha-Na-Na Sock Hop?!?! What could be more fun than that???)
I didn't realize that they were still performing together so once again, thanks for keeping us informed. I can't think of another band who has done more to help keep the music of the '50's alive than Sha-Na-Na. I used to love their TV show and you're right on the money about Sha-Na-Na introducing this music to a whole new generation of rock and roll oldies fans. As much fun as they were to watch, they still treated this music with the utmost respect.
Katlin in Ohio
Yeah, I guess it'd be kinda far for you to drive in for a Thursday Night Sock Hop ... but I'll betcha it's a real blast! (The same day our article ran we also heard advertisements on the radio for this show. Here's hoping The Arcada gets a complete sell-out!)
I think you may be right ... Sha-Na-Na has probably done more to preserve the integrity of this vintage music than any other act. And they nearly had a Top 40 Hit of their own when their remake of "(Just Like) Romeo And Juliet" went to #46 in Cash Box Magazine back in 1975. (kk)
During the 70s, I saw Sha Na Na on three separate occasions. I was totally into 50s music then and the highlight was always Bowser doing Blue Moon. One time Andy Kaufman opened for them and another time it was Muddy Waters.
Jack
I saw Sha-Na-Na live a couple of times back in the day, too, and it was ALWAYS a great show. (As I recall, Bowzer came later ... he wasn't in the original or Woodstock line-up ... more from the TV-era version of the band if I'm not mistaken.) He participates with Forgotten Hits from time to time ... and we've helped to pick up his Truth In Music cause here, too. I think most of the time he MC's oldies shows now, rather than performs in them. (kk)
re: CONGRATS!:
The new JC Dobbs music documentary, along with George Manney's first documentary, "Pipes of Peace" ... the Rufus Harley Story, were accepted by Howard Kramer, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Curatorial Director.
Howard visited Manney's collection on Friday June 3rd for two hours, took some photos along with the above DVD's. Kramer also request that George mail him the updated-latest version of "Philly Pop Music, The Lost Pioneers" doc to be included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Library & Archives.
A copy of the letter from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Curatorial Director, Howard Kramer is posted on our Pipes of Peace, News & Updates page online at: http://pipesofpeacemovie.com
View the letter on the JC Dobbs News page, Meet Me On South Street The Story of JC Dobbs: http://www.meetmeonsouthstreetmovie.com/
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Library and Archives will be the world’s most comprehensive repository of written and audiovisual materials relating to the history of rock and roll. The Library and Archives will collect, preserve, and provide access to these resources in order to educate people about rock and roll, its roots, and its impact on society. In early 2012, the Library and Archives will open its doors and begin serving the needs of scholars, educators, students, the media, and the general public.
Ever since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was conceived back in 1986, a Library and Archives has been envisioned as part of the mission. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum broke ground on the Library and Archives in 2007, and construction of the new building is complete. The 22,500-square-foot facility will be open in yearly 2012. http://rockhall.com/library/
Howard visited Manney's collection on Friday June 3rd for two hours, took some photos along with the above DVD's. Kramer also request that George mail him the updated-latest version of "Philly Pop Music, The Lost Pioneers" doc to be included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Library & Archives.
A copy of the letter from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Curatorial Director, Howard Kramer is posted on our Pipes of Peace, News & Updates page online at: http://pipesofpeacemovie.com
View the letter on the JC Dobbs News page, Meet Me On South Street The Story of JC Dobbs: http://www.meetmeonsouthstreetmovie.com/
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Library and Archives will be the world’s most comprehensive repository of written and audiovisual materials relating to the history of rock and roll. The Library and Archives will collect, preserve, and provide access to these resources in order to educate people about rock and roll, its roots, and its impact on society. In early 2012, the Library and Archives will open its doors and begin serving the needs of scholars, educators, students, the media, and the general public.
Ever since the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was conceived back in 1986, a Library and Archives has been envisioned as part of the mission. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum broke ground on the Library and Archives in 2007, and construction of the new building is complete. The 22,500-square-foot facility will be open in yearly 2012. http://rockhall.com/library/
-- submitted by George Manney
And, speaking of George Manney ...
PW - Philadelphia Weekly cover story
By Michael Alan Goldberg
Once again, Manney turned to his passion for music, and his deep love for Philadelphia and its rich, multifaceted music scene. He hatched a plan: To go around with his video camera and talk to as many Philly music figures as he could find. Musicians, producers, engineers and songwriters, from the legendary to the forgotten. Radio DJs, bouncers, bartenders, others involved in the scene, past and present. Anyone who’d tell him their stories before they, too, were gone. And then he’d combine that footage with his vast collection to create an epic film — the ultimate documentary about Philadelphia’s music history. It became his new obsession.
And his new Meet Me on South Street — an hour-long look at J.C. Dobbs that’s packed with great music, interviews and archival goodies—screens at the Franklin Institute on June 23 as part of the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival.
Read the full story online here;
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/news-and-opinion/cover-story/George-Manneys-Basement-Has-the-Key-to-Phillys-Musical-Past.html
Just a quick shout out ... If you, or anyone you know, are going to the United Center on Monday, June 20, 2011, to see Peter Gabriel, take a look in the string section. Andreanna Moravec from The Debe Welch Band will be there, on stage, playing her viola with Peter's string players. (see attached, so you know what she looks like)  Cookie PS > Yes, Debe and I are going ... As observers, and critics ONLY. |
AMERICAN ASTRONAUT PREVIEWS NEW ZZ TOP TRACK ON THE WAY TO SPACE
NASA Astronaut Michael Fossum, on his way to the International Space Station aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-02M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhastan, is treating his fellow astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the mission to a very appropriate sneak preview of a track that is slated to be in part of ZZ Top’s, as yet untitled, forthcoming album.
Fossum has maintained friendships with Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, the members of ZZ Top, for some time, dating back to even before the missions he flew aboard the US Space Shuttle in 2006 and 2008. He caught wind that one of the tracks on the new album, the band’s first studio recording since 2005, is entitled “Flyin’ High.” A excerpt from the song’s lyrics includes the following couplet: “Flyin’ high, I’m gonna touch the sky”
The reference obviously resonates with Astronaut Fossum regarding Soyuz trajectory and docking at the International Space Station. At 120 beats-per-minute, the song should keep the crew energized during the flight.
The astronaut, who grew up in McAllen, TX, and holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, might also find home state resonance in a line that chronicles a comely woman who wears “high heeled cowboy boots.” The Texas A&M connection is underscored by the fact that Charlene “Chuck” Hill, Dusty’s wife, is also “Texas Aggie.”
During the course of his mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, Fossum played the band’s hit “Got Me Under Pressure,” a reference to the raising of cabin pressures during the course of that 2008 flight.
Astronaut Fossum is joined on the latest Soyuz-ISS mission by Russian cosmonaut Segei Volkov and Satoshi Furukawa of Japan’s JAXA space agency.
-- submitted by Bob Merlis
Our old FH Buddy Garry Berman has a new book out. It's called "Old Wave" and is a self-published comic novel about a 1980's band that reunites. (You may remember our Forgotten Hits Interview with Garry a couple of years ago when we covered his book "We're Going To See The Beatles".)
You can read more about the new book here:
And, speaking of new books ... here's the word from our latest FH Book Winner ...
Hello Kent;
Received my copy of Ron Smith's "Eight Days A Week: Births, Deaths and Events Each Day In Oldies History" book and all I can say is WOW! The amount of rock and roll history in the book is outstanding. Kudos to Mr. Smith for bringing it all together. It surely is a must have for all rock and roll fans.
Thank you and Ron Smith for keeping the music of our generation alive and well!!!
John Blazier
Indianapolis, Indiana
P.S. Gary Puckett, Jim Seals and I share the same birthday. How cool is that?
Received my copy of Ron Smith's "Eight Days A Week: Births, Deaths and Events Each Day In Oldies History" book and all I can say is WOW! The amount of rock and roll history in the book is outstanding. Kudos to Mr. Smith for bringing it all together. It surely is a must have for all rock and roll fans.
Thank you and Ron Smith for keeping the music of our generation alive and well!!!
John Blazier
Indianapolis, Indiana
P.S. Gary Puckett, Jim Seals and I share the same birthday. How cool is that?
Biggest event on MY birthday was that Brian Epstein died the year I turned 14. It's also the day that The Beatles met Elvis Presley in 1965 and, on a more historical note, I also share a birthday with LBJ! Yep, it's a really cool book ... and will provide hours and hours and hours of trivial enjoyment! (kk)
And stay tuned ... we will soon be giving away FIVE COPIES of Artie Wayne's new book "I Did It For A Song"!!! More details to come! (kk)
re: VINTAGE CLIPS:
We received some GREAT clips to share this week with you ...
Obscure live doo-wop clip!
-- submitted by Stu Weiss
Hi,
I just found this early Kalin Twins video on You Tube.
Ye Gads ... were we all really this young once?
Paul Evans
What a GREAT clip! And the quality and clarity is outstanding! Thanks, Paul (kk)
Sadly both brothers are gone now, but oh how great this is to see ...
Stu
I received so many replies to the Kalin Twins performance video that I mailed to you yesterday, I thought that you might like hearing the original demo of "When". (From my CD, "Happy Go Lucky Me - The Paul Evans Songbook".)
You could never get away with presenting a demo like this today - just one guitar, Jack Reardon (my co-writer) and I singing once through; no instrumental and no turnaround. It's almost as though we were saying, "Here's our song. Like it or leave it."
We weren't. We were saying something more like "Please record our song!" :-)
Enjoy!
Paul
re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
Kent,
While perusing and reading today's Sunday Comments, it reminded me of one or two
things. First, I don't really buy or subscribe to music publications like Billboard, Cashbox,
Goldmine, etc., so I really don't know when a recording artist passes away unless I read
it in the FH newsletter. Many years ago in our local paper, such news would be printed but somewhere in the back portion of the paper.
Second, the Rock and Roll Trio was mentioned as per their video shown when they were on
Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour. It seems to me that years ago I read an article that said
that their song TRAIN KEEP A ROLLING as well as Screamin' Jay Hawkins' recording of
I PUT A SPELL ON YOU were eventually million sellers, even though at the time their
records didn't generate enough air play to make the national charts. Not sure about this
though.
Finally, I will get out tonight Ray Bryant's 1960 recording of MADISON TIME and play
it once more. To be honest with you, I liked Al Brown's version just a little bit better.
(Hey, that would make a great song title for someone.)
Also in 1960 ... and also on Columbia records ... Ray Bryant had an instrumental called LITTLE SUSIE (Part I). However, on the flip side, it was called LITTLE SUSIE (Part III).
What became of or was there ever a Part II?. Was it a record misprint? Don't know!
Maybe Linda Laurie could help us!
And that reminds me of ANOTHER record from 1960 ... on Dot Records ...
Debbie Reynolds had a record that made the local survey here called SATISFIED - PART II. The flip was an entirely different song. What became of SATISFIED - PART I? This, I believe, was a cover version of a song put out by a group called the Cashmeres.
Larry
Taking your comments in order:
Thanks for the kind words about Forgotten Hits. For the most up-to-the-minute oldies news, may we suggest Ron Smith's oldiesmusic.com website ... ALL of the rock headlines make it there. And, with your affection for this music, you have GOT to pick up a copy of Ron's book "Eight Days A Week: Births, Deaths And Events Each Day In Oldies History" ... it is a MUST HAVE for an oldies enthusiast!
As for "Train Keep A Rolling" and "I Put A Spell On You", I checked Joel Whitburn's latest edition of "Top Pop Singles", neither record ever charted OR was certified gold ... but I'm sure somebody on the list can confirm this for sure via the official RIAA website.
Finally, Ray Bryant's version of "The Madison Time" competed with Al Brown's version back in the Spring of 1960. According to both Billboard and Cash Box Magazine, Al Brown's version fared slightly better, peaking at #14 nationally compared to Bryant's #25 showing.
As for the missing Parts 2 and 3, I don't know that we'll EVER find out the answers to THESE burning questions ... but hey, stranger stuff than THIS has turned up in Forgotten Hits ... so let's just throw it out there and see if anything comes back! (kk)
Sappy as this may be, thanks for featuring "The Men In My Little Girl's Life" the other day ...
I haven't heard it in a very long time. It made me miss my Dad.
Stacee
I don't check every day so you may have already done this - but I never hear it anywhere.
I don't recall the audio mix being this clean. It's very well done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKI91FtrhmA&feature=share
David Lewis
One of OUR favorites, too. (Actually, we still hear this one once in a while here in Chicago ... but it certainly deserves a few more spins now and then!) Thanks, David! (kk)
Kent,
Thanks for spotlighting Tomorrow by the Strawberry Alarm Clock as a forgotten hit.
I remember a few years ago, I heard Scott Shannon play Incense And Peppermints and he referred to it as a One Hit Wonder. Even my wife, who is not into this stuff as we are, knew that was wrong.
Ken
When Scott Shannon and I were putting together The Forgotten Hits / True Oldies Channel Weekend a few years ago ("One You Know ... One You Didn't Even Know You Forgot"), I had "Incense And Peppermints" / "Tomorrow" on my play list and he nixed it, saying, "I'm not as big a fan of 'Tomorrow' as you are" ... so it never made it on the air. Ironically, during another exchange, I suggested "One Toke Over The Line" / "Tarkio Road" by Brewer and Shipley. Scott said, "You will NEVER hear Brewer and Shipley on The True Oldies Channel!" (Betcha I've heard "One Toke" at least two dozens times since then on the station! lol) It's hard to ignore a song like "Tomorrow" when it legitimately reached The National Top 20. Like I keep saying, you don't have to play it all the time ... but once in a while ... three or four times a year ... as a "surprise" / "Wow Factor" song ... I guarantee you you'll get some reaction. (By the way, we ALSO featured "Tarkio Road" by Brewer And Shipley as one of our Today's Forgotten Hit features a few weeks back.) I say play it ... and let those memories rekindle themselves! (kk)
Kent,
It was good seeing you post a FH that crossed over from the country charts to the pop charts.
I have never really been a country music fan but in the early days of rock and roll most of the
ones that did cross over I liked. Without mentioning artists or labels, remember such hits
as WATERLOO (not Abba, of course), SEA OF HEARTBREAK, (which did go to number one
on our local top 40 radio station), WALK ON BY(not Dionne Warwicke, of course), RUBY ANN,
and finally another example. This one was, I am sure, number one with every teacher who
taught English in highschool at the time, I AIN'T NEVER covered by the 4 Preps).
I am looking forward to Sunday's Comments.
Larry Neal
Hi Kent --
Just the other night one of our listeners requested a song and in the very same breath mentioned to me you have the coolest oldest site.
I agree! Keep up the great work, Kent!
Danny Lake / 94-7 WLS
Just the other night one of our listeners requested a song and in the very same breath mentioned to me you have the coolest oldest site.
I agree! Keep up the great work, Kent!
Danny Lake / 94-7 WLS
Thanks, Danny ... ALWAYS nice to hear! (And it'd be GREAT if you'd incorporate our "Today's Forgotten Hit" feature into your Monday - Friday Program ... a neat excuse to deviate from the play list for three or four minutes ... and direct more oldies fans to the site! (kk)
