Helping Out Our Readers

I'd like to mention that "Helping Out Our Readers" is one of my favorite features in Forgotten Hits.  Rock On!

Ed

Thanks, Ed ... then I think you're going to REALLY enjoy today's edition!  (kk)

>>>My second 45 is one that I’ve been trying to figure out for years now.  I can remember a light-blue label, and the song had something to do with a soldier sitting under a tree reading a letter.  Or maybe it was a girl sitting under a tree reading a letter from her soldier boyfriend.  Not sure, but I’d love to know what it was.  (Kathy Reilly)

Kent,

The song that Kathy Reilly is thinking about is somewhat familiar to me but I am like her in that I can't remember the name or artist. I want to say it was the song IF HE WERE IN HIS TEENS by Bill and Doree Post from 1959 on Crest records (blue label) but I am not sure without going in and playing it.

Larry

We've offered a couple of suggestions, too, but still haven't hit on a winner.  If somebody has a copy of this that we can post for Kathy to listen to, please let us know!  (kk)

No luck with this one right off the bat ... it seems it was once on youtube but the account got shut down by youtube ... however this time persistence pays off ... I noticed the name of the person who had posted the youtube video that got yanked and realized he's good friends with a buddy of mine, so I sent off a message on facebook and here's the end result ... so thanks to Cris Vanvalkenburg for sending me this one!

Tom Diehl
 

Well, thank you, Cris Vanvalenburg!  (Although listening to this and reading Kathy's original description, I can't imagine that this is the right tune ... but hey, we've been wrong before!)  kk

Kathy Reilly mentioning "Robot Man" made me think of a song with the same title from 1972 billed to Jay and the Techniques, a group long associated with my area, the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania.
It came after most of the band was reportedly drafted into the military (we were still in Vietnam at the time) and Jay Proctor had been cut loose from Mercury / Smash and was attempting a comeback with Motown (who released this on Gordy). Its writers and producers also penned Wilson Pickett's 1971 hit "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You."
It had great harmony and lots of horns, but did not chart nationally; it did get decent mileage on local radio here and in Philly. Since Motown never continued its "Complete Motown Singles" compilations past the company's departure for Hollywood, it's not really been available on
anything save possibly some overseas collections of Jay's bigger hits.
Closest I've gotten to this lately's been a few vinyl merchants who sadly sold out of whatever copies they had. Anybody have this in their collections?
-- BOB FRABLE

All we can do is ask ... but with all the Philly and Jersey readers we have on the list, my guess is that SOMEBODY will have it!  (kk)

Hey Kent!
I stumbled upon your lost hits website at:
http://forgottenhits.com/your_top_200_favorite_forgotten_b-sides

while searching for a song from my childhood.
I've had zero luck searching for this song and wanted to see if it jogged a memory that might help me find more information about it.

When I was a kid in the early 70s, my brothers and I used to listen to my mom and dad's old record collection on a record player. They had stacks of 45s that we'd listen to. Most of them we'd never heard before on the radio but we had fun listening to them anyway. We each quickly found our favorites to play and one of mine was a song called "Achuay" or "Achuway (not sure of the spelling but they sang it as awe-choo-way). It seemed to be a late 50s or early 60s song maybe? I don't know the artist or the label it was on, I just know some of the lyrics. Of course all those records went away over the years so they are now lost to us.
Anyway, I thought if anyone would be able to find information about this song and who the group was, you would!  Any help you can give me would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance for any advise you can give me for finding this song!
Sincerely,
Jim Schick
Rio Rancho, New Mexico

We've got a pretty astute group of readers out there, Jim ... I'll betcha SOMEBODY turns this one up for ya!  Stay tuned.  (kk)

>>>I have a 45 that has been in my possession over 35 years and I have never been able to find out who did it.  It is Point Me In The Direction of Albuquerque, but definitely not the Partridge Family version unless David sounded a bit like Wayne Newton.  The only number I can find on the disc is AQ-607AM engraved in the vinyl and the label just says test pressing. Any help or point me in the direction of help would be appreciated.  (Patrick Smiley)

But before we could even post this or come up with an answer, Patrick wrote back:

>>>I was doing some more searching last night and found a UK site that lists old records for sale and found a match after all these years.  It was done by Larry G. Hudson of Macon, GA.  I don’t know if it was ever released as a commercial single as the other one I found was also a demo.

I was hoping it would be an artist a bit more popular. Sometimes mysteries should stay that way, but it’s still neat to have found out who it is after all this time.

Thanks,

Patrick Smiley

Apparently, a few other artists cut this tune, too, besides The Partridge Family.  Here's a note from FH Reader Clark Besch:

"Believe it or Not", Joey Scarbury recorded "Albuquerque" (I think he wrote it too, but cannot remember) on Bell 113 in the early 70's.  It got some nice airplay in the midwest and I actually think it should have been a hit by him.  Excellent production work and enthusiastic singing much alike his big hit.  Might have been a big hit had Mark Lindsay released it instead at the time.  I have the 45, but no time to get it out.  If need be, I can maybe track it down next week.  Let me know. 

Clark Besch

Would LOVE to hear Joey's version (and I'm sure most of our readers would, too!)  By the way, all the sources I checked show Tony Romero as the song writer ... but it's SO cool to hear early efforts from artists BEFORE their big break-through hits ... and Joey's "Theme from 'The Greatest American Hero'" was a HUGE one back in 1981!  (kk)

Meanwhile, here's The Partridge Family version ... never a hit but quite popular due their inclusion of this track on their TV show!

Kent,

I found my copy of the Joey Scarbury version and I must admit that this is just a terrific rendition, not unlike the Cassidy vocal, but much more enthusiastic and just better all the way around.  Shoulda been a hit for him.  How many great pop tunes were on Bell in the early 70's that never made it (and did).  Obviously, the Partridges and Manilow made it big, but there are countless other non-hits with that same great appeal, such as this, the Addrisi's "Somebody Found Her" and Sandalwood's "Lovin' Naturally" and even Family Dog's (before Lindsay) version of "Arizona"!!

You are right that Tony Romeo was the writer of this version.  I will send the label scan along showing Mike Post ("Rockford Files") as producer too!!  I am sending this to a buddy in New York, Bob, who is the nephew of the late Tony Romeo, writer of the Cowsills' "Poor Baby" and "Indian Lake" as well as "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" by Lou Christie and Partridge songs and was a member of the Epic Records group "Trout".  Maybe Bob will want to start reading "Forgotten Hits" and have some input, too! 

Clark Besch

That would be great!  Thanks, Clark!  (kk)

OMG ... and now we've even got the Larry G. Hudson version, too!!!  Cool to see that so many artists believed in this song ... yet it STILL never became a hit record!  (Thanks to Patrick Smiley for sending us this clip from his rare test pressing!) Seriously, where else are you going to find an Albuquerque triple play like THIS one!!!  (kk)

I was curious about the Family Dogg version of "Arizona" as I had never heard it (or anything about it) before.  (Especially since Scott Shannon is putting together his next True Oldies Channel "Rock And Roll Remakes" Weekend right now!!!)  It sounds like they had quite an impressive run of "guest artists" work on their first album ... check out Clark's notes below ... and give a listen to this early take of "Arizona", too!  (kk)

Kent,

The Family Dogg 45 of "Arizona" was released around Christmas, 1969, here on Bell 848. 

The song was written by UK writer Kenny Young who also wrote "Under the Boardwalk" and other hits.  The Family Dogg formed in 1966 in England and released an album in 1969 that spawned a hit single, "Sympathy."  The single's follow-up was their flop version of "Arizona."  The Family Dogg featured Steve Rowland (produced all the great Dave Dee, Dozy, etc hits!!) and the great songwriting team of Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood (wrote Hammond's solo hits as well as "The Air That I Breathe," "Gimme Dat Ding," and "Little Arrows")! 
Their 1969 album featured Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham and Elton John as musicians playing on it!
You can certainly hear the British accents on the vocals and I think Rowland might have over modulated this song quite a bit.  A fair amount of distortion, unless my 45 is causing it?  It's not nearly as good as Lindsay's version, BUT it was first and has quite a history behind it.  
Clark Besch

After I passed this track and info along to Scott Shannon, I got this from Lou, part of the Research Team over at The True Oldies Channel, who offers a few corrections to Clark's assessment of Family Dogg ...

Hi Kent,

Scott passed the "Arizona" notes to me. For the sake of accuracy, in case you post the reader's letter on your site, Kenny Young, the songwriter, is certainly American, not British. He is a New Yorker, through and through.

Also, Steve Rowland, who sang most of the Family Dogg songs, was also American.

Mike and Albert were British, however. So, their vocals might be the ones he was referring to as having an accent, though I never noticed.

Anyway ... just want to keep it correct re: ol' Kenny.

Thanks,

Lou

I picked up on the bit about Kenny Young, too ... I believe he was part of the stable of songwriters signed to Bobby Darin's Trinity Music Publishing House at one time (and also wrote the Herman's Hermits Hit "Don't Go Out Into The Rain".)  Hadn't even HEARD of Family Dogg before ... but in further checking it looks like these two singles were released right around the same time ... November / December of 1969 ... so while it may have been the first, original release by a week or two, the song was certainly circulating trying to find a home with the right artist.  Without question, Mark Lindsay did a KILLER job on this track ... and was rewarded with a Top Ten Record in the process!  (kk)  

I have about 75 -- 45's and about 50 albums I want to sell -- but want to get the fair price for them -- any suggestions for finding out the real worth of my collection.  Thanks!

Jim DeVito

The key to the whole thing is going to be condition and rarity of what you have in your collection.  There are ALL kinds of record price guides around, showing you the value of records ... but it's going to come down to what kind of shape they're in to attract a real collector.  (75 singles may not attract much of an audience ... typically these guys are used to dealing with collections numbering into the tens of THOUSANDS of records!!!)  However, a good starting point would be to check out some of the online services like eBay or Gemm.com to see what your titles are currently going for.  (These are both two excellent sources to sell your wares, too, as they cater to music fans and record collectors ... and both charge a small service fee or commission for listing your titles.)  But FIRST determine what kind of shape they're in ... and then grade conservatively ... or an educated buyer will kick them back at you if they find them to be not "as advertised".  If you're looking to sell them to a dealer, expect to receive far less than market value, as they're most likely buying these from you to sell at a profit.  Not knowing exactly what you have in your collection ... or how rare these titles and artists may be ... I'd check out Gemm.com and eBay first to see what records like these are typically selling for.  That should give you a pretty good idea as to what they're worth.  (kk)

Dear Kent,

We've been listening to KFRC on 1550 AM for years ... and now they aren't there!!
What station did they move to??
WE LIVE IN ALAMEDA, CA
Please write & tell us where to find them!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!!
Lynda & Bill

I nosed around online but didn't really see anything pertaining to a format change.  I asked Scott Shannon, too, to see if this was one of his True Oldies affiliates ... but I don't see anything listed for California on The True Oldies Channel web page.  (One of the sites I found for KFRC called it a "True Oldies Station" so I'm not really sure what's up with that ... if anybody out there can help Lynda and Bill out to find their oldies, please let us know!!!)  Meanwhile, of course, you can always listen to The True Oldies Channel online:

Click here: WPLJHD2

 

>>>This comes across the A.P. Entertainment History DJ prep every year on September 15th.

In 1969, Ed Sullivan released "The Sulli-Gulli," his first and only rock record. He was hoping it would create a new dance.  I have never heard the record.  I am sure it is really bad.  Do you have a copy of it?  (Phil Nee - WRCO)

Kent,

SOMEBODY does have a copy of that record, and recently paid $30.00 for the privilege: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ED-SULLIVAN-SULLI-GULLI-45-RARE-PROMO-NOVELTY-PS-/280585730269
-– Randy Price

It’s as bad as it mentioned. Released on Columbia Records.
sixtiesoldiesguy
Rich

It most certainly is!!!  (But isn't it also exactly everything you'd expect it to be?!?!?)  Thanks, Rich!  (kk)

Some Of Your Mid-Week Comments

Getting some good stuff this week that just can't wait ... check it out!

re:  MICKY DOLENZ:

We told you last week he was EVERYWHERE ... and now comes this insider's, behind-the-scenes look at part of Micky's press jaunt from last week ... busy guy ... but having LOTS of fun!!!  (More fun than a barrel full of Monkees???) It seems to be Micky-Mania all over again!!! 

(Check out ALL the details in James Edstrom's Times Square Gossip column!)

Click here: Times Square Gossip: MICKY DOLENZ MADNESS HITS NEW YORK CITY

(Click to enlarge photos)

 

Micky Dolenz with (L-R) Sarah Gore, Jane Hanson and Jacque Reid

(Certainly there are WORSE ways to spend an afternoon!!!)

Micky Dolenz with Scott Shannon (The True Oldies Channel)

 Micky Dolenz presenting his Monkees script at Planet Hollywood (with Jim Kerr)

Micky Dolenz at Q104.3's NY studio last week with morning man Jim Kerr 

(and Shelli Sonstein), talking about a memorabilia presentation, later that day, 

at Planet Hollywood: A 1967-original script from the NBC show 'The Monkees' called 

“The Monkees Blow Their Minds.”  

Kerr introduced Dolenz at a packed-Planet Hollywood later that day.

re:  SLY STONE:

FH Reader Ken Voss sent us this recent blurb ...

So what happens to legendary rockers?

Here's the story of Sly Stone:

Funk legend Sly Stone now homeless and living out of a van in LA

By WILLEM ALKEMA and REED TUCKER – New York Post

In his heyday, he lived at 783 Bel Air Road, a four-bedroom, 5,432-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion that once belonged to John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas.  The Tudor-style house was tricked out in his signature funky black, white and red color scheme. Shag carpet. Tiffany lamps in every room. A round water bed in the master bedroom. There were parties where Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Miles Davis would drop by, where Etta James would break into “At Last” by the bar.

Just four years ago, he resided in a Napa Valley house so large it could only be described as a “compound,” with a vineyard out back and multiple cars in the driveway.

But those days are gone.

Today, Sly Stone -- one of the greatest figures in soul-music history -- is homeless, his fortune stolen by a lethal combination of excess, substance abuse and financial mismanagement. He lays his head inside a white camper van ironically stamped with the words “Pleasure Way” on the side. The van is parked on a residential street in Crenshaw, the rough Los Angeles neighborhood where “Boyz n the Hood” was set. A retired couple makes sure he eats once a day, and Stone showers at their house. The couple’s son serves as his assistant and driver.

Inside the van, the former mastermind of Sly & the Family Stone, now 68, continues to record music with the help of a laptop computer.

“I like my small camper,” he says, his voice raspy with age and years of hard living. “I just do not want to return to a fixed home. I cannot stand being in one place. I must keep moving.”

Stone has been difficult to pin down for years. In the last two decades, he’s become one of music’s most enigmatic figures, bordering on reclusive. You’d be forgiven for assuming he’s dead. He rarely appears in public, and just getting him in a room requires hours or years of detective work, middlemen and, of course, making peace with the likelihood that he just won’t show up.

There was a time when Sly was difficult to escape. Stone, whose real name is Sylvester Stewart, was one of the most visible, flamboyant figures of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The multiracial, multi-gender band that Stone assembled fused funk, soul and psychedelic rock and became one of the most influential acts ever. The San Fran-based group released a string of hits beginning with the 1968 album “Dance to the Music,” followed by “Everyday People,” “Family Affair,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and “Stand!”

The group’s costumes and showmanship were just as memorable. The members favored giant afros, flashy capes, Beatle boots, neon vests and leopard-print jumpsuits.

Stone learned to sing in church as a child. He grew up in a middle-class, Christian household in Vallejo, Calif., and he and three of his siblings sang in a gospel group. As a young man, he studied music at a local junior college and worked as a soul disc jockey at a local radio station. He played in several bands with his brother, Fred, a guitarist.

The lineup of Sly & the Family Stone, which included Fred and sister Vet, solidified in 1966. The band’s energetic live shows, positive lyrics and diverse membership earned it buzz in the Bay Area, and the Family was signed by CBS Records.

Appearances on shows like “Music Scene” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” soon followed, and in the summer of ’69, at the peak of their power, they managed to turn what should have been a snoozy middle-of-the-night slot at Woodstock into one of the highlights of the festival. As the band began to play, tens of thousands of people creeped out of their sleeping bags to watch. They left the stage with the audience still roaring, “Higher!”

And then the inevitable cracks began to appear. Sly moved to Los Angeles while the rest of the band remained in the Bay Area. He started hanging around with unsavory characters. There were whispers of cocaine and PCP abuse, Mafia connections and guns being pulled on people.

Things got dark. Stone started missing rehearsals and even performances. In 1970, he failed to show up at 26 of the band’s 80 gigs and quickly developed a reputation as mercurial.

“There were these people that say I had to pay a $50,000 bond, so if I’m late, they keep the money, right?” Stone says. “It seemed that people saw to it that I was gonna be late, and I get there, and this promoter ran out and started shouting, ‘You gonna be late again? F--k you! We don’t need that s--t, man!’ I’m thinking about music, and the only time when I can play is when I am happy. So I just leave.”

Sly & the Family Stone began to fall apart. Drummer Greg Errico and bassist Larry Graham (who’s credited with creating the much-imitated slap-bass sound) bolted in the early 1970s, and by 1975 the group called it quits.

Drugs took a tighter hold. One night close to Christmas, Stone headed out to buy presents for his young son, Sylvester, whom he had with Kathy Silva, a model he married on stage at Madison Square Garden in 1974.

“I had about $2,500 to spend,” Stone recalls. “By the time I get [to the store], I had spent it all on drugs. Yes, I did. And when I getting close to little Syl’s house, I thought, ‘Oooh, man. I never should have done that.’ When I saw him, I said, ‘I spent your money up on drugs. I spend it up on dope.’ ”

Over the years, Stone has dropped tens of thousands of dollars on his other hobby: automobiles. In his early days, he drove a Jaguar XKE he painted purple. There were Hummers, a London taxi and a beloved Studebaker, which Stone asked to have painted in exchange for this interview. (The Post declined.) A few years ago, he would cruise around LA on a bright-yellow, custom three-wheel chopper. He was known to give cars to friends.

By 1980, the group’s popularity had declined enormously from its heyday. Stone appeared on an episode of “The Mike Douglas Show” and promised, “I’m going to do one more album real quick, and if it’s not instantly platinum, bye-bye.” Sly & the Family Stone’s 10th and final album, 1982’s “Ain’t But the One Way,” flopped.

Stone kept his word and mostly vanished. He was arrested a few times in the 1980s for cocaine possession and performed sporadically, but his days of sold-out shows and magazine covers were gone. A 1987 performance would prove to be his last for 19 years.

He finally reappeared during a 2006 Grammy tribute, shuffling on stage, his posture hunched and his neck bent as a result of a fall he suffered at his home. He arrived midway through a medley of his classic hits, played the keyboard and sang for a few bars, waved, then inexplicably left the stage before the song concluded.

Today, Sly is disheveled, paranoid -- the FBI is after him; his enemies have hired hit men. He refuses to let The Post into his camper, but, ever the showman, poses flamboyantly with a silver military helmet and a Taser in front of his Studebaker.

Sly Stone, now 68 years old, shows he can still get funky -- 

brandishing a Taser for a photo session in front of his Studebaker. 

(photos by John Chapple)

The singer claims his money troubles escalated in 2009, when his royalty payments stopped flowing after Stone accused his manager, Jerry Goldstein, of fraud. Stone says he was tricked into signing a rotten contract with Goldstein in 1989, giving the manager control of his finances in exchange for a weekly paycheck.

Last year, Stone sued Goldstein for $50 million, alleging fraud and 20 years of stolen royalty payments. (Contributing to the singer’s dire financial situation, he foolishly sold his valuable music-publishing rights to Michael Jackson for a reported $1 million in 1984.)

Goldstein did not return calls seeking comment.

The performer’s cash-flow problems forced him out of his Napa Valley house that he rented with money from a 2007 European tour and into cheap hotels and the van in 2009. Stone hopes to soon put the lawsuit and his other woes behind him.

“My music is a format that will encourage you to have a song you won’t forget. That’s why I got so much money, that there are so many people around, and that’s why I am in court. Millions of dollars!” Stone says. “But now please tell everybody, please, to give me a job, play my music. I’m tired of all this s--t, man.”

Earlier this year, Stone released an album of his hits re-recorded with other artists. Stone has new songs, but he no longer trusts record companies or managers and is wary about making a deal to release another album. He works constantly on new music, often staying up for two days straight, then sleeping for the next two. (In a nice piece of symmetry, some of his 1971 album, “There’s a Riot Goin’ On,” was recorded in a Winnebago.) He has hundreds of new tracks recorded in his van that he keeps for himself. For now, at least.

“But, with new energy, it will feel good to step on stage,” he says. “I see all the guys playing those old songs. Let these guys know, like Lady Gaga, let me come in, just let me come in and pay me if you like it.”

William Alkema is the director of the Sly & the Family Stone documentary, “Dance to the Music,” to be re-released this year.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/the_rise_and_fall_of_sly_stone_qijyKoYzmAqer1PA0YogSJ#ixzz1Z3VhvuWv

re: THE BEACH BOYS:

If you're a Beach Boys Fan, you've got ALL kinds of things to look forward to all of a sudden.  Check out this list of up-coming releases sent into us by Phil from Pray For Surf:

AVAILABLE NOW:  BEACH BOYS FAQ

A great rock-and-roll story is a magnet, and the Beach Boys story has one of the strongest pulls of all.  Author Jon Stebbins has been producing literary and televised Beach Boys productions for years, and now Backbeat Books' newest FAQ title puts his mammoth knowledge of Beach Boys history and obscure lore into one entertaining, fast-paced tome.  So pull up a chair or catch a wave -- it's time for fun, fun, fun in the summertime.

The Beach Boys FAQ: All That's Left to Know About America's Band (Backbeat Books, $19.99) dives down deep into the legend.  Great for casual fans, Stebbins discusses the album Pet Sounds, Brian Wilson's reclusiveness, TV appearances, and solo careers.  But, this book will also take readers beyond the shoreline:  Why are they considered the American Beatles?  What was the truth behind Murray Wilson, Showbix-Dad?  How did the band affect global warming?

The Beach Boys FAQ covers everything from the stories -- like the time Al Jardine went out to learn to surf with Dennis Wilson, but was disgusted to learn they were surfing exactly where LA's sewage was emptying into the South Bay -- to stats and lists such as instruments, addresses, song charts, and which boys sang which songs.  With access to the Beach Boys, their families, friend, and collaborators, Jon Stebbins has created the ultimate Beach Boys guide in a format that allows readers to choose to dip in a toe or plunge in headfirst.

Jon Stebbins is the author of Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy and The Lost Beach Boy.  His liner-notes credits include the 2008 Sony Legacy edition of Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue.  Stebbins has also written and produced shows for BBC-TV, including the documentary The Beach Boys: Wouldn't It Be Nice?

BRIAN WILSON - IN THE KEY OF DISNEY  (available October 25th)

Brian Wilson's forthcoming Disney album will have Disney film music classic songs re-interpreted by Brian.  Songs include:  You've Got A Friend in Me, The Bare Necessities, Baby Mine, Kiss The Girl, Colors of the Wind, Can You Feel The Love Tonight?, We Belong Together, I Just Can't Wait To be King, Stay Awake, Heigh-Ho / Whistle While You Work, When You Wish Upon A Star and A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes.  You can listen to Brian's interpretation of "Heigh Ho / Whistle While You Work" on his website at www.brianwilson.com.

THE BEACH BOYS SMiLE ALBUM  (available November 1st)

The "SMiLE" ALBUM SESSIOS ARE SET TO BE

RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 1 BY CAPITOL / EMI -

Artwork and Track Lists have already been unveiled

Never-Before-Released 1966-1967 Album Sessions compiled for 2 CD and Digital Packages and Deluxe and an Expanded Box Set ... Special Packages to be available exclusively from TheBeachBoys.com.

Rolling Stone Magazine calls "SMiLE" "The most famous unfinished album in rock and roll history."  Produced by Brian Wilson, Mark Linett, Alan Boyd and Dennis Wolfe in Los Angeles, all of The SMiLE Sessions' physical and digital configurations include an assembled collection of core session tracks, while the box set delves much deeper into the sessions, adding early song drafts, alternate takes, instrumental and vocals-only mixes and studio chatter.

Artwork for all of The SMiLE Sessions physical and digital configurations has been created with and inspired by Beat-Pop artist Frank Holmes' original 1967 LP sleeve art and booklet designs intended for the SMiLE album.  With its three-dimensional shadowbox lid, The SMiLE Sessions Box Set offers a whimsical peek inside the storied SMiLE Shop.

View here (at Amazon.com):

www.amazon.com/Smile-Sessions-2CD-Beach-Boys/dp/B005J29HCQ/ref=pd_bxgy_m_img_b

And, speaking of The Beach Boys, here's more on The Wrecking Crew ...

re:  THE WRECKING CREW / AIRPLAY :

I read the postings about The Wrecking Crew. I can't believe Carol Kaye's so upset. We went to a screening and met Denny Tedesco. I think it's a great film and he did a remarkable job with it. I don't envy him all the music licensing, but I hope he works it out. It's so obvious that he loved the subject ... and not just his dad's part of it ... and I thought he went out of his way to portray Carol and all of them in a positive light. But it happens ... it's happened to me. I guess it's true that you can't please all of the people all of the time.

Carolyn Travis

I don't quite get it either, Carolyn ... and I'm hoping Carol will eventually contact us to discuss this more thoroughly ... the quotes attributed to her thus far, however, are pretty intense!

(Carolyn Travis is the film maker who put together the "Airplay" video we've been telling you about these past couple of years.  It has aired numerous times on PBS affiliates across the country and is now available for purchase.  In fact, we've got a copy to give away to a lucky Forgotten Hits Reader.  Interested?  Drop me an email and we'll add your name to the list.  Then, we'll draw one lucky winner and award them the brand new "Director's Cut" Edition, featuring lots of material NOT shown during the
PBS broadcasts.  (kk)

re: RICK NELSON:

Ricky Nelson was my Favorite 'Teen Idol' singer. I loved the articles.
Whenever you feel down in the dumps, tune in a current radio station, and think of what we grew up with !! that would cheer anyone.
How very lucky we were!
Take Care,
Charlie
Sweet Dreams
Charlie Fraser

re:  THE ZOMBIES:

Kent:

Here’s an update on the terrific new Zombies CD, “Breathe Out, Breath in.”  The group’s U.S. agent, Chris Tuthill, tells me the album is currently available as a digital download at Amazon and as an import (for $17.27) on Amazon as well.  They are currently working on proper U.S. distribution.

And, here are some more tour dates missing from the list you ran the other day: 

Tuesday, September 27th - City Winery - New York, NY

Wednesday, September 28th - State Theatre - State College, PA

Friday, September 30th - Celebrity Theatre - Phoenix, AZ

Saturday, October 1st - The Canyon Club - Agoura Hills, CA

Sunday, October 2nd - The Coach House - San Juan Capistrano, CA

WOW!

~ Saw The Zombies in concert at The Cannery Casino and what a concert it was.

Colin Blunstone can still belt out the tunes like no other and Rod Argent is a master on the keyboards. Kuddos to the rest of the band as they were excellent as well. A few of the classics performed were "Time Of The Season", "She's Not There", "Tell Her No", "Hold Your Head Up", and "I Love You". The only drawback is I wish they would have had a meet and greet after the show for the fans. All in all though, it was a GREAT concert from a legendary band!

-- John Blazier,

Indianapolis, Indiana

re:  THE FORGOTTEN HITS WEDDING FUND:

Kent,

Just got through reading the comments for this Sunday and from what I remember (and I could be wrong) and from what you said at the end of the comments, apparently someone in your family is getting married (daughter no doubt). For one week leading up to the wedding, why don't you feature a FH that is wedding related. For example, June Valli's THE WEDDING, Connie Francis had a 1969 song THE WEDDING CAKE, etc. One song I am sure you do not want to post is Tammy Wynette's D-I-V-O-R-C-E. Have a great week.

Larry

Actually, it sounds like we've now got TWO daughters getting married in the next six months ... and since we're already IN the poor house I can't even blame these nuptial events for putting us there!!!  Personally, I always loved Julie Rogers' version of "The Wedding" (a different song) and haven't featured that one in AGES!  (We did "White On White" by Danny Williams last week however!)  kk

Kent,

Just thought of another song you could possibly use as a wedding type of song leading up to

your daughter's wedding. One of your readers spoke about doowop music. There is the

Willows 1956 song CHURCH BELLS MAY RING, later covered by the Diamonds. Currently I am watching the NFL game on television and they just ran a commercial which I have never seen before. The background music was the  Students' EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.

Would you believe I just thought of another wedding type of song to use if you decide to go that route. the Platters' 1967 WITH THIS RING.

Larry

Actually, there are TONS of wedding songs we could feature I suppose ... I'll have to give this some thought as the date draws nearer.  Thanks, Larry!  (kk)

re:  TODAY'S FORGOTTEN HIT:

Kent,

To be honest with you, I was not familiar with the James Brown song in today's FH. I double checked my surveys and sure enough, it did not make the local survey here in OKC. However, I do have the song on one of my Brown albums.

Larry

re:  DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:

Absolutely loved this week's Sunday comments installment. I checked out the Neil Diamond Johnny Cash clip ... it gave me chills ... man, Neil was a cutie!

The Beatles in Arkansas story was pretty cool ... who knew?

Sorry to hear that Mark Lindsay is no longer with the Happy Together tour ... he was the star of the show I saw. I can understand why the Association is out ... they were the weakest link. Micky Dolenz and Gary Puckett are no slouches though. I hope the 2012 tour comes back this way.

As usual Kent ... good job.

Stacee

My hope is that this will free up some time for Mark Lindsay to fill in a few more solo dates, giving fans an expanded set of Paul Revere and the Raiders and solo hits.  Micky couldn't do the 2011 tour because of The Monkees' Reunion Tour.  Rumors that they'll also regroup in 2012 are also circulating ... but time will tell.  If I'm surprised by anything regarding the new line-up, it's that The Grass Roots are still on the bill.  MOST of the mail we received this past year indicated that fans were overall NOT happy with this new representation of the group ... on the other hand, a billing like "The New Grass Roots" could easily change all of that ... so we'll see what happens.  (It's not that they don't do the material well ... or that they don't have a real affection for it ... it's more a case of without a single original member on board, it's tough to sell this act under the original brand name.  Folks still wanna hear the tunes ... but purists want the "Truth In Music" Act to take precedent, too. 

And how weird is this?!?!?  Howard Kaylan of The Turtles tells me that HE learned of the 2012 Happy Together Tour Line-Up by reading it in Forgotten Hits!!!  (I think that's the first time we ever scooped the ARTIST!!!  lol)  They're also hoping to do much more west coast cities this time around (which should satisfy many of the FH Readers who wrote in last year asking "Why doesn't The Happy Together Again Tour ever come out OUR way?!?!?)    kk

Another Christmas Present From Chicago: Right From The Band To Your Stocking!!!

Last week Forgotten Hits gave our readers an exclusive "Sneak Peek" of one of the brand new tracks from the forthcoming Chicago Christmas Album, "O, Christmas Three" ... available NEXT TUESDAY (October 4th) online at Amazon.com and in stores like Walmart and Best Buy ... as well as through the band's own website, Click here: Home Page


"Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" was the song we saw the band perform at their Ravinia Homecoming Concert back in August ... and it looks like it'll be the lead track when this new CD hits radio.  (Scroll back to last Friday's post if you missed it!)

However, with their wide range of devoted fans all over the world ... and the incredible, diverse talents of these fine musicians ... Chicago has prepared ANOTHER track for their "Easy Listening" / Soft Rock / Adult Contemporary audience as well.

Robert Lamm's vocal on this "Smooth Jazz" arrangement of "My Favorite Things" helps to reinvent this "Sound Of Music" holiday classic.  Even our fifteen year old daughter stopped in her tracks when I played this one for the first time, proclaiming "Wow, I really like that version!"



And for some of you cynics out there who have already written in saying "Oh My God!  Forgotten Hits has started the Christmas Music even earlier than The Lite this year!!!", rest assured that The Lite will be ALL OVER this hot new release once they switch over to Christmas mode in a few weeks ... this brand new Chicago Christmas CD is sure to be all the rage this holiday season!

For a complete track list, check out the back cover of the new CD.  (Click to enlarge photos)

Meanwhile, enjoy this OTHER exclusive track ... and then be sure to pick up your OWN copy of this new release on Tuesday, October 4th, when it hits the marketplace!
kk

 

Monday Morning Mini

CHICAGO LOSES ONE OF ITS OWN:

John Larson, trumpet player with the Ides of March, died Wednesday (September 21) of complications from cancer in Warsaw, Indiana. He was 61. John joined the group in the late '60s and his playing can be heard on the brass-dominated tunes, such as "Vehicle." A memorial service is being planned for November.

-- Ron Smith

John Larson, 61, Ides of March trumpet player passes

John Larson was the driving force behind the band’s 1970 hit “Vehicle.” 

Mr. Larson died Wednesday of complications of cancer at a hospital in Warsaw, Ind. He was 61.

Kent -

This is from the Sun Times on Friday. Sad to hear about John. I wondered why he was not with the Ides for awhile and now we know the reason.

Mike
The Ides Of March have lost a couple of former members recently.  (Guitarist Ray Herr passed a few months back.)  I have to wonder what kind of a memorial service "send-off" they're planning for him in November ... should be something!  (kk)

CHICAGO SALUTES ONE OF ITS OWN:

This past weekend, legendary DJ Dick Biondi was inducted into yet ANOTHER Radio / Broadcasting Hall Of Fame ... this time in Buffalo, New York, where Biondi spent 1958 and 1959 broadcasting on a couple of AM Rock And Roll / Top 40 radio stations ... prior to coming to Chicago for the very first time in 1960 to join WLS-AM.  Congratulations to Dick Biondi on yet another fitting honor and accolade.  We love ya, Dick!  (kk) 

RECENT AND UPCOMING CONCERTS:

Got this from FH Reader Dave Barry:

Diana Ross review: Superb voice keeps love aliveAidin Vaziri, Chronicle Pop Music Critic
Monday, September 19, 2011
"Stop!" Diana Ross raised her palm at the Golden Gate Theatre on Friday. The 67-year-old singer looked resplendent in a sparkling floor-length gown, red lipstick and an eruption of curls topping her smiling face - almost as if she had spent the past five decades preserved in amber. Less than a second passed, but it felt like an eternity.

Her 12-piece band stood at full attention. The stage lights illuminated the capacity crowd. Then Ross delivered the kicker, backed by a volunteer chorus of hundreds: "In the name of love!" She wailed. They wailed. "Before you break my heart!"

It was pop history in the flesh, with all the emotional heft that comes with it. Friday's concert marked the first time Ross had performed in San Francisco proper since she appeared with the Supremes at the Fairmont Hotel's Venetian Room in 1969, according to promoter Rick Bartalini.
That's where Ross picked up, opening the 90-minute show with the high points of the trio's Motown catalog delivered in quick succession. "Baby Love." "You Can't Hurry Love." "Where Did Our Love Go?" That's a whole lot of love.
You would think she would be sick of their ubiquity by now, but Ross and her 12-piece live band seemed genuinely thrilled to be playing each one for what had to be the 50,716th time.
Horns and synthetic strings cued a transition to the disco era, as Ross took the stage in earrings that looked like apartment chandeliers and a dazzling red dress with enough sequins to cover a small island in the South Pacific.
Her 1980 hit "I'm Coming Out" seemed to hold special resonance with the San Francisco audience, which could never quite figure out whether to sit or stand in a venue typically reserved for touring Broadway shows.
"Love Hangover," released in 1976, sounded as sublime as ever, while "Ease on Down the Road," from the Ross-helmed soundtrack to "The Wiz," would have fared better left in the used record store bins.
Her foray into jazz and blues was unexpectedly delectable, as Ross' wonderfully aged voice soared on lounge versions of "Fine and Mellow" and "Don't Explain." For the drag queens in the audience, it was like a master class in commanding the stage.
Just after "Theme From 'Mahogany' (Do You Know Where You're Going To)," when it seemed like she had completely exhausted her cache of popular songs, Ross dropped an all-hands-on-deck version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Plus the fifth costume change of the night - a little gold number with holographs.
So it was a little disappointing that she closed out the set (and encore) with a wedding band cover of Gloria Gaynor's signature anthem, "I Will Survive."
Then again, the sentiment hit the mark. Ross' enthusiasm and energy were remarkable, not just for her age, but any age. Now if we could just get her to visit more often.

You mentioned The Zombies touring, but didn't give dates  ... WWW.THEZOMBIES.NET

Sept. 30    Phoenix, AZ - Celebrity Theater

Oct. 1    Agoura Hills, CA - Canyon Club

Oct. 2    San Juan Capistrano, CA - Sunday Coach House

Oct. 5    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - McPhillips Station Casino

Oct. 7    Regina, Saskatchewon, Canada - Casino Regina

Oct. 9    Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - Century Casino

-- Ken Voss

Unfortunately, no stops anywhere near Chicago ... but a VERY glowing review from Tom Cuddy for their New York appearance.  We've heard good things every step of the way on this one ... and, with a brand new album to promote on the market (although apparently only available as an import at this time here in The States), we may be primed for MORE Zombies appearances in the weeks and months to come.  (kk)