The Tuesday Short Stack

re:  David Bowie:  
Wow! I sure didn't see this one coming ...  

Glam-Rocker David Bowie passed away on Sunday, January 10th, after a battle of cancer.  Ironically, he had just celebrated his 69th birthday on Friday, the 8th (also Elvis' birthday) and, the day before had released a new video of his new song called "Lazarus" from his brand new album "Blackstar".  
Born David Jones on January 8, 1947, he ultimately had to change his name when his musical career began to take off in the mid-to-late '60's so as not to be confused with that OTHER guy named Davy Jones of The Monkees, who were topping the charts worldwide at the time.  
Along the way, Bowie became known as his counterpart, Ziggy Stardust, as he helped to lead the Glam Rock  revolution.  By the '80's, he was scoring more of his hits in the techno-dance vein.  He also did a bit of acting for which he was also highly acclaimed. 
Biggest hits include Space Oddity (#10, 1973); "Changes" (#28,1975); "Young Americans" (#20, 1975); "Fame", which featured John Lennon (as Dr. Winston O'Boogie") on guitar and backing vocals ... Lennon also helped write Bowie's #1 Hit (#1, 1975); "Golden Years (#10, 1976); "Under Pressure", his duet with Queen (#22,1982); "Let's Dance" (#1, 1983); "China Girl" (#9, 1983); "Modern Love" (#14, 1983); "Blue Jean" (#5, 1984); "This Is Not America" with The Pat Metheny Group (#24, 1985) and the remake of "Dancing In The Street" with Mick Jagger (#7, 1985). 
Jagger wrote The Rolling Stones' #1 Hit "Angie" about David Bowie's first wife ... and since 1992 he's been married to world famous model Iman.  Bowie also produced albums for artists like Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and the Stooges and Mott The Hoople, for whom he wrote their biggest hit "All The Young Dudes". 
A sad loss of an extremely talented man, probably misunderstood by as many as he was loved.  We'll miss ya, David.  (kk)

Kent,

Wow, didn't think I'd be writing about this for several years at least.  Grew up with Bowie as Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane and the Thin White Duke.  Am heartbroken, maybe more then Davy Jones (I know ... coming from me ... )  He was truly a brilliant, visionary being.  His life force and originality will be missed in this world of conformity and soul-numbing sameness.  He managed to say goodbye without all of us realizing it (I sort of did, though - lots of rumours about his health after "The Next Day").  Still doesn't make the pain go away.  Time to pull out some classic Bowie, on film and on vinyl and CD.  Major Tom is free from his body capsule, and is now floating in the ether.  Hope he knew what he meant to me, and to all his fans old and new.  He was the ultimate Space Commander, and I was (and always will be) an eager Cadet, ready to follow him into whatever sonic / visual space he wanted to go to.  Saw him with Nine Inch Nails at the newly completed Rose Garden in Portland, OR - the first concert there after being completed.  What a way to baptize a place!  Ziggy played ... guitarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  R.I.P.

Later -  
Ed Pond    

Truly blew me away today when I heard it on the news when I woke up.  I had never heard he was sick or anything!  I never cared much for his outfits and acting and bizarre lifestyle, but his music was for the most part, great! The 80's stuff was popular and OK, but it was "Space Oddity" that is my fave (long version).  Here in the US, the short edit 45 version came out in 69 and failed miserably, yet became huge in 73 and was one of my top 10 records for the year on my personal charts.  

Today, he is often relegated on US classic rock to sharing billing with Queen on "Under Pressure" and not even "Space Oddity" gets airplay.  If anything, "Suffragette City" gets any or all of his airplay here.  
Besides the hits "Fame" and "Oddity", the 45s that also sit in my fave 45s boxes are "Changes" and the 45 version of "Rebel Rebel" which is much punchier than the "Diamond Dogs" version, IMO. 
Sad to hear of his loss to the music world. 
Clark Besch  

There's quite a bit of Bowie still being played here in Chicago ... "Under Pressure", yes ... "Space Oddity" not so much ... but his '80's hits like "Let's Dance", "Modern Love", "Golden Years", "Fame", "Changes" (which I heard nine times today alone after news his passing hit the airwaves), "Young Americans" and some "Rebel Rebel" and "Suffragette City" now and then.  One of my all-time favorites was actually released by The Pat Metheny Group, featuring David Bowie on lead vocals.  It was used as the theme song from the Sean Penn / Timothy Hutton film "The Falcon And The Snowman" and was called "This Is Not America".  Not a very big hit (#32 in Billboard in 1985) there was something haunting about it (and I never even saw the movie!)  Bob Stroud even featured him on One 45 at 1:45 on Friday for his birthday.  (How cool to share a birthday with Elvis!)  And, of course, every year at Christmas you'd always hear the duet Bowie cut Der Bingle ... "Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy" ... now whoever came up with THAT pairing?!?!  And yet it worked!  While primarily considered an album artist, Bowie still managed to crack The National Top 40 over a dozen times ... wtg, David!  (kk)

Hi Kent --

Sad death of David Bowie reminded me of his arrest here in Rochester, NY, in March of 1976 for possession (1/2 pound of grass). He had performed here earlier in the evening. Among the other three arrested in Bowie's suite at the Americana hotel was Iggy Pop (as James Osterberg). Bowie was booked under his actual name of David Jones.

After appearances in other cities over the next four days Bowie returned for his arraignment and said that the Rochester Police were very courteous and gentle and were just super.  Ironically, the Rochester lawyer who represented Bowie later went to prison for racketeering.

Danny Guilfoyle

PS - Might be the best mug shot ever!

More Passings:

Hello Kent - 

Might be a little bit late with this bit of information but haven’t seen it posted on your site when I sent to you.  Did you know you that Troy Shondell passed away the other day?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAp5XcTTBCQ

Geoff Lambert 
No I had not heard this ...  
"This Time" was a #1 Hit here in Chicago.  
Story goes that budding musicians Jim Peterik and Tommy James each like Shondell's name so much they named their bands after them.  Chicago's Shondells became The Ides Of March after Michigan's Tommy James and the Shondells rose to national fame with their #1 Record "Hanky Panky".

We've featured "This Time" several times before in Forgotten Hits ... it seems to be a "fan favorite" ... especially amongst the locals.  Thanks, Geoff.  (kk)

The listing Geoff sent came from Ron Smith's OldiesMusic.com website ...

Troy Shondell (born Gary Wayne Schelton) died Thursday (January 7) in a nursing home in Picayune, Mississippi. He was 76. The cause of death was complications of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he attended Valparaiso University in Valaparaiso, Indiana, and was signed to Mercury / Smash Records in nearby Chicago. Recording as "Gary Shelton," he had a regional hit with "Kissin' At The Drive In" in 1958. Another Chicago hit that year was "The Trance" on the Regis label. His father's death in 1960 forced him to put his music career on hold temporarily, but the following year he changed his name to Troy Shondell and recorded "This Time" (written by Waylon Jennings and Chips Moman), which got to #6 nationally and sold a reported three million copies. Recorded during an April 1st snowstorm in Batavia, Illinois, it was initially released on tiny Goldcrest Records, before moving over to Liberty Records. Unfortunately, it was Troy's only top 75 record. Relocating to Nashville, he continued to work as a writer, producer and publishing agent. 

-- Ron Smith    

Ron is also reporting on the passing of Kitty Kallen, a very popular early '50's songstress who's a member of The Hit Parade Hall Of Fame ...

Kitty Kallen, best known for her 1954 hit, "Little Things Mean A Lot" (#1 for 9 weeks), died Thursday (January 7) at her home in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The Philadelphia native was 94. Born Katie Kallen in 1921, she started singing on the "Horn & Hardart's Children's Hour" on Philadelphia radio. That led to her own show and, by the time she was 15, a spot singing with Jan Savitt's big band. She later sang with Artie Shaw, Jack Teagarden, Harry James and Jimmy Dorsey before striking out on her own. From 1955 to 1959, Kitty lost her voice -- though only onstage and was confined to just recording. She charted 14 times solo between 1949 and 1963, including "The Chapel In The Moonlight" (#4 - 1954), "Aba Daba Honeymoon" with Richard Hayes (#9 - 1951) and "My Coloring Book" (#18 - 1963) before retiring in the mid-'60s. Kitty received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and was selected for the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009. She appeared on Broadway in the original production of "Finian's Rainbow" in 1947.   
-- Ron Smith

This And That:   
Hey Kent, 

It's been very interesting reading about the Chicago - Peter Cetera Hall of Fame news. Besides Peter, I really hope Danny Seraphine gets to drum behind the guys again. Just based on everything I've read about his exit, I believe he was railroaded out of the band. It seems communication was the main culprit. Anyway, Ron Onesti wrote a nice piece about becoming a fan of Chicago and Robert Lamm. I remember the first time I heard "Saturday in the Park". I liked the song so much that I had to buy the "Chicago V" album. The Italian "mystery line" was clear to me right away. On the liner notes, the transcriber didn't know what Lamm was singing, so a "?" was printed in place of the lyric line. Robert told Ron that it was "Italian Gibberish", but I knew it was in reference to the first line of Julius LaRosa's hit, "Eh Cumpari". We had the 45 around the house for years. I played that one part of "Saturday in the Park" to my dad, but I think it moved along too fast for him, so he couldn't figure it out. The lyric basically translates (in Southern dialect), "Hey friend(s), I will play (or perform) for you." Lamm's line is a bit incomplete, but most of it's there. 

I first heard bassist / tenor vocalist, John Cowan, when he was with the Newgrass Revival. Sometime listen to his vocals on "Callin Baton Rouge" (not the later Garth Brooks recording). He was just featured on a PBS music program, the other night. What a set of pipes he possesses! He has one of those rare voices that automatically turns heads in a room. Since his days with "Newgrass", he's had his own band and been a touring member of The Doobie Brothers. With all respect to Jason Scheff, I always wondered what Cowan could have done as a member of Chicago, if he was at all interested. 

- John LaPuzza 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LIB13SPkAzQ   

Hi Kent,  
Thanks for your enthusiasm and support with the Rock and Roll HOF nomination and induction.  
All the best,  
Lee Loughnane / Chicago   

Just wanted to share a quick video gem of Tom Petty and Prince playing "While My Guitar ... ". 

I was blown away by Prince, basically speechless! I knew he was a great musician but any doubt would be put to rest based on this on. The best cover I've ever heard.  Enjoy!

Dan M.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y  
Yep, I've seen this before ... pretty frickin' amazing to say the least!  Check it out ... you'll watch it again and again.  (What a line-up!!!)  kk  

For Christmas FH Reader Scott Paton sent me a compilation disc of alternate versions of well-known hits performed by the artists who helped to make them famous.

As is usually the case with these types of releases, what stayed in the can did so for a good reason ... it just didn't measure up to anything close to that artist's best performance of this material.

One exception on this disc, however, belongs to one of my least-favorite songs ... which is why hearing it in such an early, stripped-down version made it so appealing.

Give a listen as Otis Redding does an early run-through of his biggest hit "Dock Of The Baby".  Forget the loud, corny seagulls tacked on to the beginning ... and realize that the guy at the end really needs to wet his whistle before doing another take ... and what you get in between is a very relaxed, comfortable feeling take on what's gone on to become a '60's classic.  Otis is in fine voice and the whole groove of this record helps to drive it home.

Hi Kent,

Great blog "Sunday Comments" ... so much good stuff.  
I especially enjoyed the 'Seenager" paragraph that refutes the profane belief by many that the deliberate measured comments of 'seniors' is evidence that they / we are in decline. How nice to see a reasoned well researched rebuttal on our behalf in your marvelous Forgotten Hits Blog.   (Alex Valdez for President!) 

I disagree on the comments about Bobby Darin's participation in the PBS special on folk music He appeared very uncomfortable as he sang an out of character, for his persona, song and very faintly displayed the Peace Symbol at the end ... you could tell he was uncomfortable yet committed to expanding his 'song book' and growing his fan base.

Great link to the Don McLean article, too.

We Oldies aficionados are very proud of ability to recall all the great songs of our youth, some of the negative aspects of growing older like poor memory, repeating ourselves and going off track are mostly comments made by lesser people who are jealous of our standing in the community.

Great Blog today, good stuff.  I liked the Darin comments as well as the American Pie comments. We often get criticized for going off point but we 'older people' are sharp as ever.

Happy Birthday, Elvis, belatedly.

Loved the Bobby Darin discussion ... good that Chicago is finally getting recognized ... look, a bunny!!!

Sharp as a tack, Merry New Year, and have a great week.

Thanks Mrc Cuddy. Be back soon.

Keep up the ????? work !

Peace over and out,

CharlieOFD

The really scary part is that MOST of our readers will be able to follow every word of that!!!  (kk)

Dion DiMucci - New York Is My Home:

I've been listening to Dion's latest album, "New York Is My Home" ... and really enjoying what I'm hearing.

Dion's last few releases have planted him squarely in the blues groove and his whole style and demeanor make this a perfect fit.  Dion is in fine voice throughout this new release as he runs through ten great tracks, eight of which he cowrote himself. 

The entire album feels all at once comfortable and familiar as Dion truly seems to be in his element, recording in this style.  (Who knew one could do SO much with so few chords!  And believe me, that's a COMPLIMENT and not a diss.)

DiMucci has a way of taking the most obvious blues chord patterns, throwing in an occasional Chuck Berry-type lick and weaving them into something fresh and new sounding ... while still retaining the very essence of the genre.  And the musicianship throughout fills just the right number of voids without ever going over the top ... again, a simple case of laying down ... and sticking with ... the overall groove.  It is very clear that Dion knows that sometimes less is more ... and it works to his full advantage on this new LP.

I can only imagine what a Dion concert sounds like today.  I've got to believe that he is most comfortable playing his most recent material, as it suits him to a "t" ... but the fans are still going to want to hear the hits like "The Wanderer", "Runaround Sue", "Teenager In Love", etc.  It must be a bit of a fine line trying to give them both at this stage of the game.  (Fans often forget that artists have to compromise from time to time, too!)

The song garnering the most attention from the new CD has got to be Dion's duet with Paul Simon on the title track, "New York Is My Home" ... this seems to be the one that everybody's talking about ... and it's a nice track and a real delight to see these two veteran artists pool their talents to create a track like this ... but to my ears ... and thanks to some other incredibly solid material ... it just may be the weakest track on the album.  Sure, it's great to hear these two '60's icons paired up, talking about the city that they love ... but it just doesn't seem to "fit" within the context of the rest of the  LP.  In fact, it almost hits you like a speed bump because everywhere else you're just cruising along, totally stuck in the vibe.  While under any other circumstances their collaboration would be considered to be a stand-out, worthy of special attention and promotion, in this instance it seems to "get in the way" of the rest of Dion's message.  Perhaps a stand-alone "companion single" released in conjunction with the new LP would have been a better way to go, rather than break up the momentum found everywhere else on the album.

If the title track doesn't especially work for me, I've already got several other favorites on the album ... "The Apollo King", "I'm All Rocked Up", "Can't Go Back To Memphis", "I'm Your Gangster Of Love" and "I Ain't For It" all struck an immediate nerve ... but the truth is, you'll want to listen to most of these tracks multiple times in order to really take them in.  There is some fine vocalizing and musicianship on display throughout this new CD.  (Makes you wonder what a Bruce Springsteen-produced Dion LP would sound like!)

That being said, I want to leave you with my personal favorite.  It's the lead-off track, "Aces Up Your Sleeve" which, for me, sets the tone of the whole LP.

Dion's got his groove down ... and I'd love to see him perform live in a setting like House of Blues or B.B. King's performing these tracks because I believe the audience will eat 'em up.  (Bring some CD's with you, Dion ... 'cause the fans will want to buy 'em on their way out the door!)  Yeah, we'll still want to hear some of the hits ... but the spot you're in right now suits you well ... so enjoy it ... and let the public hear these songs. 

kk

Kent Kotal

Forgotten Hits

Order your copy here:

http://www.amazon.com/New-York-My-Home-Dion/dp/B017WK8NX6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1452595766&sr=1-1&keywords=dion+new+york+is+my+home

What Do You Mean?

The Sunday Comments ( 01 - 10 - 16 )

re:  Chicago:  
Well, Peter Cetera FINALLY made his big announcement regarding his appearance at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony.  (I have to laugh at how he refers to his offer to appear and perform with his former bandmates as his "demands" ... clearly he has a pretty high opinion of himself and his role in the band's success ... or so says Vintage Vinyl News in the way they reported the story.  I beg to differ, however ... I think having Peter join the current members for a grand finale performance of "25 or 6 to 4" would be a pretty exciting moment ... and just may cap off the evening.  The fact that he suggests other one-time members Laudir de Oliveira, Donnie Dacus, Kenny Cetera, Chris Pinnick, and Bill Champlin should also join them on stage for this performance indicates to me that he realizes that Chicago was not a "one man show" ... honestly, at this point I feel like much has been made of nothing.  I couldn't be happier that the band is FINALLY being recognized for their contribution to The History Of Rock And Roll ... but beyond that I can only suggest that we all just enjoy it for what it is.  The fact that Cetera only has a few of the email addresses of his former colleagues speaks volumes about how closely they've stayed in touch over the past thirty years!)  

Here's Vintage Vinyl News' report ...   

Peter Cetera's big breaking news is that he is willing to come on stage to perform just one song, 25 or 6 to 4, at Chicago's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction.   
In an open letter to the surviving members of the band, Cetera seems to lay out a number of conditions for his appearance. First, he only wants to perform the rock classic. No mention of the other hits on which Peter sang such as If You Leave Me Now and Baby, What a Big Surprise or the rest of the Chicago songs where his voice was blended in the background.  Second, he wants that song to be the big finale of their appearance.   
He finishes by saying that, if they agree to his "demands", it could help heel old wounds.   

Here is the text of the message: 

January 6, 2016
Hello Everyone!

I’ve just sent this mail to everyone involved. Hopefully it will answer all the questions concerning my participation in the Hall of Fame induction ... Thanks!
Hello Robert, Danny, Lee, Walter, and James ... 

I’m sending this to you and Danny since yours are the only email addresses I have. Please forward this to everyone. 

First off, congratulations all around on this long overdue honor. While our fans believe we should have been inducted years ago, they find it harder to believe that we haven’t even been nominated in all that time. Oh well, we are now! 

All the credit goes to those who voted for us in overwhelming numbers during the recent poll. They alone deserve our thanks for finally making this happen.
I know we all look forward to speaking that evening and I’m sure we all wish that Terry was there to join us. That can’t happen unfortunately, but I have one thing that can.
As a finale, we can walk onstage together one last time as a group, I’ll strap on the bass, and we can do 25or6to4 in the key of E. I believe it would make for one fantastic Hall of Fame moment and satisfy those who have always wanted some sort of reunion.
Along with your current members, I would also like us to invite past members Laudir de Oliveira, Donnie Dacus, Kenny Cetera, Chris Pinnick, and Bill Champlin to join us up there as well on the song. They’ve all contributed to the legacy of the group and I think this would be a fitting way to honor them.
In the end, this should go a long way towards healing old wounds and showing solidarity on that night. At least I hope so!
See you all in Brooklyn,

Peter   

Through this whole controversy, we've tried to be neutral in our reporting; however, this letter has pushed us to say that it is time for Cetera to acknowledge that he was a MEMBER of the band that is being inducted. He was not the "big star". He was not bigger or better than Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walt Parazaider, Danny Seraphine or the late Terry Kath. He was not the only singer, songwriter or instrumentalist in the band. All seven of those men created the Chicago sound and are as responsible for their success in the 70's and early-80's. 

Cetera needs to, for one night, simply become a part of Chicago again. To "demand" that he be singled out for the "big finale" or be treated any different from the other members is the height of arrogance.   
-- Vintage Vinyl News

Ron Onesti of The Arcada Theatre wrote this piece on Chicago's entry into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ...  

CHICAGO finally gets to Cleveland  

I can’t believe it!  CHICAGO finally made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!  This is epic!  For so many years the fans have clamored for this moment (me being one of them), and justifiably so.  According to Billboard, Chicago was the leading US singles charting group during the 1970s. They have sold over 40 million units in the US, with 23 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. Over the course of their career they have had five number-one albums and 21 top-ten singles. The band is second only to The Beach Boys with singles and album-charting success, and is still performing over one hundred shows a year!  
Aside from being one of my all-time favorite groups, I am doubly excited about its induction because it represents The Windy City, an underrated contributor to the development of popular music.  Cheap Trick was also selected to be inducted this year and although the band is originally from Rockford, we will claim them as Chicago’s own.  So that’s a big score for us because so few Chicagoans have been invited into the inner sanctum of the Rock Hall.  Aside from Buddy Guy, you would have to dig deep to find others.  I could give you an hour on the subject of Chicago based bands that dramatically influenced popular culture, but that’s a whole different column! 
As my musical prowess began to develop in grammar school, my first “new” album that I bought with my allowance money (imagine getting “paid” for cleaning my room) was the double-album all-hits compilation “Endless Summer” by The Beach Boys.  “Good Vibrations”, “California Girls”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”- songs with meanings a seventh grader really couldn’t understand, at least by 1974’s standards.  My personal faves were “Be True To Your School” and “In My Room”. 
Oh I just couldn’t get enough of those songs because for me, they were less about surfing and more about girls, strange beings I happened to stumble upon and began to take notice of that summer.  Yeah, that was the music for me, and that topic became my favorite! 
Then as I entered eighth grade, my buddy turned me on to a group that was “kinda-like” the smooth rock of The Beach Boys.  It was called “Chicago”, which by virtue of its name I already thought was cool.  The band formed in 1967, so by the time I found out about them, they already had eight albums out including a mammoth four-record live set recorded at Carnegie Hall.  The 1975 Greatest Hits album cover featured a bunch of guys on a falling scaffold holding on for dear life in front of a halfway-painted “Chicago” logo on a building.  “Chicago IX”  featured popular radio hits including “Beginnings”, “25 or 6 to 4”, “Make Me Smile”, “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day”, “Saturday In The Park” and other smashes.  “Colour My World” was the first song I ever asked a girl to slow dance to.  Ahh, she was a foot taller than me and I can remember puberty setting in at that very moment.  Catchy songs with power horns … Now THAT was music, and those were memories!  
Just as I wore the grooves of that album down by constant over-playing while singing into a hairbrush, the band’s next album was released. The band’s 1976 “Chicago X” album was a logoed chocolate bar exposed by a peeled-back wrapper and featured more great songs.  After a “tragic” breakup between myself and that towering vixen in the summer after grammar school graduation, the power ballad “If You Leave Me Now” really resonated, and Chicago continued to be “my” band.  
I entered Weber High School in Chicago, an all-boys catholic school that required its students to wear shirts and ties, but had no actual uniform.  None of us cared what we looked like, so for most of us, it was corduroy pants, flannel shirt, and some goofy paisley tie from our dad’s bad Christmas present closet.  Style was not one of the electives offered there.  And instead of a sweater, I regularly wore a short-sleeved Chicago concert t-shirt over my long-sleeved flannel shirt as part of my regular high school wardrobe.  GQ Magazine never called.  
At that time, concert shirts weren’t as prevalent as they are now, so the guys would ask where I got them.  The light bulb went on!  I found the guy who printed the concert shirts and made a deal with him.  He had Led Zeppelin shirts, Pink Floyd Shirts and RUSH shirts.  I moved my books into my buddy’s locker next to me, and my locker became a concert shirt store. They were flying out of my locker!  That was my freshman entry into the entrepreneurial world … thanks to Chicago! 
Tragedy hit the group in 1978 when its guitarist, Terry Kath was killed by an accidental, self-inflicted gun wound.  Despite this devastating blow to the band, its fans and the international music world in general, the guys bounced back, in Kath’s honor.  They continued to pump out the hits, and perform sold out concerts. 
Fast forward to August 1, 1981.  ChicagoFest, the first major outdoor music and food festival in the City of Chicago’s history.  My cousin was also a huge Chicago fan was able to get us backstage passes for the band featured that night…CHICAGO!  I got to hang with my boys, and to literally be part of the band for a fleeting moment, as the drummer, Danny Seraphine let me tap on the snare for a bit during sound check! 
I think back to how the guys looked then.  I mean, it was the eighties!  Headbands, tight white pants, hair short on the sides but exploding on top…probably not the look they are most proud of.  I had a Pepsi I was drinking that I put down on the table to shake one of the guys’ hands.  I walked away only to realize that the entertainer then picked up MY Pepsi and started to drink it as if it was his.  I never had the heart to tell him it wasn’t, so I feel a special “closeness” to Peter Cetera, the band’s lead vocalist. 
In 1985, Cetera left the band to pursue a solo career.  That was a tough blow because although keyboardist Robert Lamm was also a lead vocalist (“Saturday In The Park”), Cetera contributed much to their signature vocal sound.  But I still remained a fan, looking forward to one day possibly working with the band. 
My day came about twenty years later when I was booking bands for an Indiana county fair.  I booked my fantasy band “Chicago” and it was magical.  By that time, Seraphine, who left the band in 1990 was gone, but the original home-town horn section consisting of Walter Parazaider, James Pankow and Lee Loughnane remained, along with Lamm.  The band was still incredible! 
I walked up to Robert Lamm and proudly said, “Hi Bobby!”  Instead of the warm response I was expecting, I got a relatively stern, “Um, its Robert.”  I hung my head low and crawled away. 
Later, he was cool, and I asked him about a certain part of the song “Saturday In The Park” where he refers to “Singing Italian songs.”  He does a couple of lines in what I presumed was Italian.  But being able to speak the language, I struggled with understanding what he was saying.  So I asked him about it. 
“Oh, I just made up some words that I thought sounded Italian,” he said.  With that, the secret to creative songwriting was shared with me! 
I remain a fan of the band to this day.  Original band member Danny Seraphine has become one of my closest friends, an incredible guy and one of my all-time favorite drummers.  We were out at a concert I was producing at the Park West one night recently.  He came as my guest and was just hanging with me.  Some drunken fool got a bit stupid with me, and as I foolishly beat on my chest, he stepped in and was going to take the guy out.  Once a Chicago neighborhood guy, always a Chicago neighborhood guy! 
I was so pleased to hear that not only Chicago will be inducted into the Rock Hall, but original members Peter Cetera and Danny Seraphine will reunite with the band on that night.  And with a tip of the hat to Terry Kath, an emotional moment will be had by all us Chicago fans.  Congratulations to my buddies and my musical heroes … from all of us “from the neighborhood”! 
-- Ron Onesti

re:  Happy Birthday Elvis!: 

Kent ...

At 6:50 AM on Friday Scott Shannon played "Kentucky Rain" and mentioned my name. Not exactly the song I requested, "Burning  Love," but better than nothing. 

Frank B.

That's OK, Frank ... we featured the new Royal Philharmonic mix on the website Friday just in case!  lol  (Scroll back to Friday's post in case you missed it!)  kk

Thanks for playing my request.  You played the right one.  I also like this new arrangement.  (Scott just played "Burning Love", the 1972 version.)  

I got one of those "Elvis Mr. Potato Heads" in your picture on my mantel.

2035 for the Elvis Story?  I'm sure you'll get it done.  

If I'm not dead by then, I'll be too weak to press the keys on my computer to get to Forgotten Hits.
Frank B.

Hey, I'm planning to stick around till the year 2525 to see if Zager and Evans were right!  (I betcha they'll still be celebrating Elvis' birthday then!!!)  I still think that, other than the jumpsuit, the Elvis Mr. Potato Head looks more like Sammy Davis, Jr. than The King.  (kk)

re:  Bobby Darin:  
Forgotten Hits! 
What can I say?  Thank you for keeping the flame lit in 100% pure quality form. I tip my musical hat you.

Best,

Jimmy Scalia

"Jimmy Scalia Archives"
Visit the Jimmy Scalia website at:
www.JimmyScalia.com  
Thanks, Jimmy ...  
As the keeper of the castle when it comes to all things Bobby-related, that means a lot!  
Hopefully each and every new generation will discover and fall in love with Bobby's music, just like we did!  
kk

Kent Kotal

Forgotten Hits

Thanks so much.  
We're glad to see your Bobby Darin series is getting so much attention.  
Warm regards,  
Bobby Darin's Webteam

Kent ...

I agree with you about that hidden gem "Rainin'."  It's a great track.

Frank B

It has become, without question, one of my all-time Bobby favorites!  (kk)

Hey Kent, 
One of my favorite Bobby Darin songs was a song that I don't believe made the top 40. As a matter of fact, the first time I ever heard it was in the movie Out to Sea with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. The song was "More". It had the same type of Big Band arrangement as Mack the Knife or Beyond the Sea. A very good song!  
Pete G 
"More" never charted.  In fact, I had to go back to listen to it as it didn't really ring a bell with me at first.  Then I realized that it was Bobby's version of the very popular Kai Winding hit.  Yes, Bobby vamped everything up to fit his Vegas style.  I still say Michael Buble probably owes more to Bobby Darin's style than he does to Sinatra ... even 'tho Sinatra came first.  (kk)

Thanks for the information on Bobby Darin ... it was interesting and enlightening and sad, too. 

Thanks for bringing the information to light by getting it out of the "attic trunk" and dusting it off.  I read the readers' comments ... Bobby still has a lot of fans!

Sandy

Hey Kent, 

Still reading through all the Bobby Darin stuff on your site. I'd have to agree with another reader that he came off as brash and conceited. Even though I really liked his songs on the radio, TV was a different story. Personally, I thought he was slick and the very definition of "lounge lizard". When PBS aired a special featuring the folk music artists of the 60s, they put Bobby in there because of his protest song "Simple Song of Freedom". (Darin stuck in with all those folkies?) It's a good song, but here is Bobby, wearing a tux and singing with a half-smile on his face. It didn't gel, in my opinion. I wish I would have heard the song on the radio first.

I did come to appreciate his acting, however. One memorable appearance was on the TV series, "Run For Your Life", starring Ben Gazzara. I found one scene from it here, but the one that stood out was when Ben and Bobby were chasing the bad guys on bicycles. My mom talked about that scene for years! I wish I could find it (or the whole episode, for that matter) on the net. Maybe it'll turn up sometime. 

- John LaPuzza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kXNHp3i1sBg

Kent, 
Reader Jeffrey Beals mentioned to you in his letter the group the Frantics that backed up Bobby Darin with some songs when Darin was out Northwest. Now there is a group I haven't heard mentioned in years. They recorded for Dolton Records, I believe, with tunes like FOGCUTTER and WEREWOLF, a song I used to play every year when I did my Halloween Spooktacular. 
Chet mentioned that bad ass rocker Eddie Cochran. When Eddie Cochran died in that car crash, his recording of THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN was being played here in OKC. I don't believe that record charted nationally, though. How ironic when his death occurred and the title of that song. 
Larry 
"Three Steps To Heaven" charted for exactly one week.  It peaked at #99 in Cash Box, #108 in Billboard and #115 in Music Vendor.  The flipside, "Cut Across Shorty", actually did a little bit better in Music Vendor ... it charted for TWO weeks and reached #106!  (kk)  

We found a plug for our Bobby Darin Series here ... http://www.themacwire.com/the-glorious-corner-robert-satinwood-ncis-light-of-day-winterfest-2016-guns-n-roses-more/  
ALWAYS nice to be mentioned!  (kk)

re:  This And That: 

Kent ...

First on the "Tonight Show" (1/6) ...

Then Billy Joel's 25th Show during his current residency at Madison Square Garden on 1/7.

Everyone is guessing that Jimmy Fallon will show up as a surprise guest.
Frank B.

Well, I've got to admit that the pairing of Fallon and Joel for The Stones' "Beast Of Burden" was pretty fun and entertaining to watch ... Jimmy was definitely in his element on this on ... looked like he was having a ball.  (One could say he's got the moves like Jagger!)  kk

Not a bad combination.

Frank

Still my FAVORITE Jimmy Fallon video has got to be the lip-synching battle he did with Tom Cruise recently ... this one just totally cracks me up ... especially when Cruise pulls out his "secret weapon" ... and then doesn't use it.  (That just wouldn't be fair now, would it???)  kk

Here's news about a brand new PBS Carole King special coming up ... with a hit musical ("Beautiful") playing on Broadway and recently receiving The Kennedy Center Honors, it looks like Carole's hit-machine song-writing career is all the latest rage again.

You can check it out here:

http://www.examiner.com/article/carole-king-s-life-and-career-profiled-new-pbs-american-masters-documentary?CID=examiner_alerts_article

TURN IT UP! 

A FULL-LENGTH FILM CELEBRATION OF THE ELECTRIC GUITAR FEATURING LES PAUL, B.B. KING, SLASH, PAUL STANLEY, ROBBY KRIEGER, STEVE LUKATHER, NANCY WILSON, AND OTHERS

DOUBLE-DISC DVD, BLU-RAY, AND DIGITAL RELEASE ON JANUARY 22, 2016 FROM 71^st STREET ENTERTAINMENT

“The Film Is A Work Of Art About A Work Of Art.”  -WNPT (Nashville, TN)

New York, NY — Celebrating the electric guitar, the full-length documentary film Turn It Up!  will be released on January 22, 2016. A cinematic and auditory tour de force, the film – shot in high definition – is a combination of stunning photography, musical performances, world-class collections, and in-depth interviews – from international legends to “everyman” collectors. Released by 71^st Street Entertainment, Turn It Up! will be available as a two-disc DVD set, two-disc Blu-ray set (with 2^nd disc in standard definition only), and as a digital download (does not include bonus set). [MSRP $19.98]

Created and directed by Robert Radler (Best Of The Best 1 & 2, SS United States: Lady In Waiting, The Substitute), Turn It Up! is an emotional exploration of the electric guitar and the people who fall under its spell. Narrated by actor/musician Kevin Bacon, the film features interviews with an array of guitar royalty: the late Les Paul and B.B. King (in one of his final interviews), Slash, Robby Krieger, Paul Stanley, Steve Lukather, Nancy Wilson, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Albert Lee, Ana Popovic, Jerry Cantrell, Steve Howe, John 5 and many others.

The Turn It Up!  DVD and Blu-ray sets not only include the full documentary film, but the “Conversations and Extras” bonus disc, which boasts extended interviews; scenes with the Burst Brothers; mini-documentaries on RKS Guitars and Seymour Duncan; Robby Krieger noodling on his guitar; and a performance of Jeff “Skunk” Baxter from the film S.S. United States: Lady In Waiting.

Turn It Up! simultaneously honors the beloved electrified six-string and recognizes the rich bond between musician and instrument, and the pilgrimage to find the ultimate guitar and perfect tone. From the mouths of those who invent them, build them, sell them, collect them, and those who make them sing, the film reveals the deep cultural love affair of the world’s most popular instrument, and explores its past, present, and future.

It’s the sound of rebellion, heartbreak, joy, fear, madness, pain, and all-out exuberance – the electric guitar has been a beacon of self-expression for generations, and Turn It Up!  details exactly why.

The DVD, Blu-ray, and digital download will be available online and at physical retailers (through Sony RED Distribution).

View the official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZbC9fyUJQk

Available on Amazon: http://goo.gl/GP5PhZ

For more information, stay tuned to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/turnitupdoc

Kent ...

According to Ron Smith's great book "Eight Days A Week" -- on January 7th, 1963, Gary "U. S." Bonds sues writers of the song "Dancin' Party" by Chubby Checker. He claims it sounds too much like "Quarter To Three."

Listen and you can decide for yourself.  

I say Gary wins the law suit.  (It's settled out of court.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHfxA4GWfjE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzyhogPKV54 
Frank B.

There was a LOT of borrowing going on back then ... "Dancin' Party" was written by two of Cameo / Parkway's big-wigs, Kal Mann and Dave Appell.  Evidently the suit didn't hamper sales any ... it still became Chubby's 10th Top 20 Hits ... and he'd score another nine more after that!  (kk)

Hi Kent -

Thank you for the GREAT email on the upcoming dates of Our Chicago Groups!!!!!  Must keep their sounds alive!

I know you are a BIG fan of the NEW COLONY SIX like me and I had a question. 

From their "Colonization" album, I was wondering what was the influence or history about their song "The Elf Song" (Ballad of the Wingbat Marmaduke)!!

They are the most creative group but you must admit this tune was a bit unusual. LOL  

When in doubt, ask the master ...

Carolyn

When putting together our month long New Colony Six series several years ago I remember Ray telling me something about the fact that they guys had recently been reading J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord Of The Rings" in school ... and I believe that was the inspiration.

Unusual, yes ... and not one of my favorite tracks by them ... but, believe it or not, this was actually released as a single!  (And, if I'm not mistaken, it's the first track on which newcomer Ronnie Rice appeared.)

I've reached out to the original members to see if they can shed any additional light on this ... if we hear back, we'll be sure to post it here ... so stay tuned!  (kk)

Hi Kent,
Hope your doing well, my friend. 

Colder than crap here ... can't make up it's mind to rain, sleet, or snow ... lol ...

Ahhhhh, life in the Ozarks ... !
Bless ya Bro,
Barry

We've got some winter storm due to hit Chicago this weekend ... and then a severe drop in temperature ... guess that just means it's winter!!!  (Personally, I hate it ... but whatcha gonna do?!?!?)  kk

Hi Kent,  

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY 2016 TO YOU and YOUR FAMILY! 

Keep the FORGOTTEN HITS comin' (or as the consultants used to tell us)  "non-stop, continuous, back-to-back, and commercial free!"  ha! 

Thank-you for your gift of FORGOTTEN HITS throughout the year, it's GREAT!
Happy Holidays,​
Tim Kiley

And a final smile, sent in to us by Alex Valdez ...  

I am a Seenager. (Senior teenager)  
I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years later.

I don't have to go to school or work.

I get an allowance every month.

I have my own pad.

I don't have a curfew.

I have a driver's license and my own car.

I have an ID that gets me into bars and the wine store.  I like the wine store best.

The people I hang around with are not scared of getting pregnant ... in fact, they aren’t scared of anything ... they have been blessed to live this long, so why be scared?

And I don't have acne.

Life is Good!

Also, you will feel much more intelligent after reading this, if you are a Seenager.

Brains of older people are slow because they know so much. People do not decline mentally with age ... it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information in their brains.  Scientists also believe this makes you hard of hearing as it puts pressure on your inner ear.

Much like a computer struggles as the hard drive gets full, so too, do humans take longer to access information when their brains are full.

Researchers say this slowing down process is not the same as cognitive decline.  The human brain works slower in old age, said Dr. Michael Ramscar, but only because we have stored more information over time.  The brains of older people do not get weak.  On the contrary, they simply know more.

Also, older people often go to another room to get something and when they get there, they stand there wondering what they came for.  It is NOT a memory problem, it is nature's way of making older people do more exercise.

SO THERE!!

I have more friends I should send this to, but right now I can't remember their names.  So, please forward this to your friends ... as they may be my friends, too.

And finally, 
Merry Christmas and a Happy 2016.

Alex
Thanks, Alex ... that explains EVERYTHING!!!  (kk)

Happy Birthday To The King!

Kent ...  
"Burning Love" is one of the few Elvis songs they still play.  I sent this request to Scott Shannon for Friday's show ... thought it might be a nice way of celebrating Elvis' birthday ...   

Hey  Scott ...  
I've been accused of living in the past with my music.  
Guilty --  
But, not this time. 
Friday would've been Elvis' 81st. Birthday.  You might not know that Elvis has a new album out called "If I Can Dream."  He's backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.  I think its already #1 in England. I'd like to hear "Burning Love" ... but instead of playing the 1972 Hit, could you play the 2016 version off this new album?
Who says I'm living in the past with my music?  (2016).  
Thanks.  
Frank B.  
Valley Stream, New York   

Do you think Scott will play my request?  
Frank B.  

THANKS FRANK! GOOD STUFF.  
SS  

Elvis' new album debuted at the #1 Spot on The British Charts and continued to sell well enough to finish as the 4th Biggest Album of the Year in Great Britain ... not too shabby for a guy who's been dead for over 38 years!!!  (Honestly, I don't know that the new album is all that exceptional ... but I DO like the fact that RCA / BMG / Legacy continues to try and make Elvis sound "contemporary" each and every year ... thus attracting new fans in the process with each new release.)   

And, just in case he doesn't, we've got you covered!  I kinda like this new arrangement!  (kk)

How about giving Elvis the Bobby Darin Treatment?  
Let me make my case ... 
            ---  It's Elvis' 81st Birthday today 
            ---  Elvis has a new album out called "If I Can Dream".  On it, he is backed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.  I think its already # 1 in England.  
            ---  You know as well as I do , a lot of the Elvis stories we hear about aren't true. 
            ---  I know Elvis is the " King of Rock & Roll. " In my mind its a dead heat between Bobby and Elvis for my favorite. 
            --- I learned from reading your Bobby Darin Story that Elvis was a big Bobby Darin fan and caught his Las Vegas Shows every chance he could. 
            --- This time I promise to be patient. How much time do you need? 
            --- It sounds like the logical next step.  And, it would look good on your resume.  
I rest my case. 
Frank B.  
Well, if I start working on it right now, I might be able to get it done in time for Elvis' 100th Birthday in 2035!!!  (kk)

Speaking of new Elvis releases, they've got a DOOZIE planned for later this year.   

Rolling Stone Magazine is reporting about a brand new 60-CD Box Set covering ALL of The King's Albums.  Titled "The Album Collection", you not only get Elvis' 57 commercially released LP's on CD but you also get three bonus discs of rarities ... one spotlighting tracks from the '50's, the '60's and the '70's.  Sounds like one interesting collection ... put the price tag may keep folks away ... especially if you've already invested in all of  the other career retrospectives they've released over the years.  (For me, my '50's Box, '60's Box and '70' Box will have to do!!!  Add in the special Movie Soundtracks collection and you've pretty much got it all ... without the alternate and unreleased takes.)  The 300-Page bonus book does make this quite appealing, however ... and it WOULD be cool to have all of these albums (in their original sleeves) in one place.  (See, I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff every time!!!)  kk

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/elvis-presleys-albums-to-comprise-60-disc-new-box-set-20160106