FORGOTTEN HITS

Monday, June 4, 2018

A Monday Morning Quickie

FORGOTTEN HITS EXCLUSIVE NEWS CONFIRMED:

Kent:

Here’s an exclusive for Forgotten Hits!

During Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon’s July 15th concert at the Arcada Theatre in Charles , IL , he’ll be joined on stage for one song by popular Me-TV host Svengoolie (Rich Koz).

As you might remember, a couple of years ago Freddy, a big fan of horror films and Svengoolie, wrote a song for the highly rated movie host. Freddy flew into Chicago and performed on his nationally seen Saturday night show. A music video was made from his appearance:

Since then, Freddy and Rich have been hoping to find the right time and right place to perform it for the first time in front of a concert audience and that will happen next month at Producer Ron Onesti’s Arcada Theatre.

Sharing the bill with Freddy at the 5pm show July 15th concert will be:

Jay Siegel’s Tokens (Jay is the original lead singer of the group)
Larry Chance & the Earls (“Remember Then”)
Lance Vance (the son of Kenny Vance of the Planotones and original member of Jay & the Americans)

Freddy and I would like to thank Svengoolie’s terrific Producer Jim Roche for his help in making this first-time concert performance come together.

Tom Cuddy

New York, NY

That’s GREAT news, Tom … Ron and I have been talking about this since the day he first booked Freddy to play The Arcada. Really looking forward to this show and FINALLY being able to say “hello” to Freddy in person! (Too bad you're not coming to Chicago, too ... would love to finally thank you in person for all your help and support over the past several years!) kk

GARFUNKEL ... AND SIMON:

Here is Shelley Sweet-Tufano's reaction to the response we received to her Art Garfunkel concert review …

HooBoy!

My only response is … I thought the tickets were very reasonable here in the USA. Everything else stands firm.

Shelley

I have read a lot about Art Garfunkel over the years, and I DO think he's bitter over the duo these days and, just like many duos, if one wrote the songs, it ends in bitterness. Personally, like Kent, I LOVE Art's solo stuff. In fact, I will go so far as to say I like Art's solo stuff BETTER than Paul's. Don't get me wrong … I love Paul's solo stuff, too, but I will take (in order) "Travelin' Boy" (LP version), "Break Away," "Crying In My Sleep," "I Only Have Eyes ForYyou," "Bright Eyes," "All I Know," and "I Shall Sing" over MOST of Paul's solo stuff. Many didn't care for Art's solo stuff, but I think both solo and as a duo, they BOTH gave us great music, bitterness or not!
Clark Besch

Theirs has always been an on again / off again relationship … the fact that they've been able to reunite as many times as they have and live in harmony (by ALL definitions) at all is pretty amazing, especially when you consider that overall you'll probably find that more nasty comments about each other than good ones have been exchanged over the years. Still, there is a deep appreciation for each other's strengths. (The very fact that Paul insisted that Art sing "Bridge Over Troubled Water," perhaps one of the five greatest compositions in the history of popular music, proves this point better than any other. He may have made comments to the contrary over the nearly fifty years since, saying that he should have sung it himself, but he knew at the time he was making the right decision by having Garfunkel handle the lead in what is one of the purest, cleanest, heart-felt vocals ever waxed.)

Will they reunite one more time for the grand finale at Madison Square Garden when Paul Simon wraps up his farewell tour? I don't know … but I hope so … again, go out on a high note and keep our best memories (and yours as well) intact. (kk)

One of my favorite clips ever … is this one … when Paul and Art recorded a self-interview about starting their solo careers. (Seriously, how could you ever top the "Bridge Over Troubled Water" album? Proof again to leave things on an all-time high.)

DICK BIONDI:

One day circa 1971, while flipping through the cut-out LP bins at Rose Records in Chicago, I came across two albums featuring Windy City radio stars: "The Torch Is Burning" by Franklyn MacCormack and Dick Biondi's "Teenagers" LP. At the time I had no idea that either had ever released an album -- and immediately bought both. I then marched up the street to the tower which held WCFL and took the elevator up to the deserted lobby area which bordered the broadcast studio. Sure enough, Dick Biondi was on the air. He spotted me, a college student he did not know, exit the elevator and walk up the studio window with a shopping bag in his hand. Dick smiled and waved as he continued to read a live promo. He then saw the student reach into that bag and slowly pull up from it and place against the glass that Dick Biondi LP. I will never forget the surprised look and wide grin that which broke over Dick's face. He immediately came out of the booth laughing, saying "Where on earth did you find that?" With that one gesture, Dick Biondi won a fan for life.
Gary Theroux
"The History of Rock 'n' Roll"

Another great story that would make a fun anecdote for the film (although the album itself is one of the worst spoken word releases ever made … and virtually impossible to listen to!!! Lol) But Dick knew his audience was the teenagers out there … and he connected with them at a level a lot of other jocks only dreamed of. (kk)

Kent,

I really appreciate the comments that you are posting on FH on the sudden departure of Dick Biondi on the airwaves. I never got the opportunity to hear Mr. Biondi as he did a show live. However, I went and got out my CRUISIN' 1960 LP where one of his shows was recreated when he was on station WKBW in Buffalo. What a joy to have listened to him as one was growing up as a kid.

Larry

Hola Kent,

For all the Dick Biondi fans, Increase Records featured him in their Cruisin’ series for the year 1960. The original Vinyl and follow up CD are available from Amazon. (I couldn’t find him in the iTunes store).

This is a great series featuring hits of that year as well as station promos and ads. Pulled this off the internet.

Keep the Music Alive !

CharlieOFD

(chascot59)

Hi Kent,

I loved the blog this morning … absolutely fantastic that you have devoted it to Dick. Dick deserves everything we can do for him and I am so honored to be part of it all.

You also have some great photos that I do not have and wonder if it's possible to include them in the story.

Thanks, as always, Kent, for everything you do.

Pam

Willing to help in any way I can … I’m sure we can come up with all kinds of photos and memorabilia to include in the film … just helping to spread the word to find out what’s out there. (kk)

LEAVING YOU WITH A FEW SMILES:

kk:
Tomorrow night Billy Joel is performing at Madison Square Garden. According to Scott Shannon, Billy will be touring this summer ... Ireland and Europe. Scott said that Billy will also be coming to Chicago. Check your favorite venue ... maybe you'll get a chance to review him.
FB

Billy has been performing at Wrigley Field every summer for the past several years now … always a sell out. I have yet to see him … but my daughter has and says it was a great show. (I've told the story before about how during the course of the past 40 years I have had tickets to see Billy Joel three times … and have yet to make it to a single concert. Each and every time something came up that prevented me from being able to attend … and all those tickets went into the garbage instead! The most disappointing time was when Billy was touring to promote his "Innocent Man" album … my absolute favorite by him. My band got booked to do a show the same night as his concert so I couldn't go. I remember making an announcement from the stage, expressing my disappointment at not being able to attend the show … "So because we're playing here tonight, I feel really bad that I don't get to see Billy Joel … but then again he doesn't get to see us either." (kk)

I really don't think the Driver did anything wrong here!

(It's old guys like this guy that give old Forgotten Hits guys like us a bad name!)

CB ( which stands for "Crosswalk Boy!" )

Funny!
Imagine if he had seen THIS thing coming at him! (kk)

Yeah! And did you notice it comes with that well-known, long established, standard automotive driver assist feature?

The nagging back Seat Driver!

Chuck

Leave it to VW -

How many more cars do you think they’d sell if George Jetson was driving it??? (kk)

CB ( which stands for "Car Boy!" )

I don't know if you get the Hi and Lois comic strip out your way but today's
cartoon reminded me of Forgotten Hits.
Larry

Sunday, June 3, 2018

The Sunday Comments ( 06 - 03 - 18 ) : Special Dick Biondi Edition

Kent, my friend;
If you look in the dictionary under "Class," you may well find a picture of Dick Biondi, a man who brings new meaning to the phrase "uncommon decency." I loved Dick Biondi as a kid; I treasure his legacy and his energy and unique persona as an adult. #Oneofakind.
Rahm and the City of Chicago should have a day set aside to honor this master craftsman.
Chet Coppock

Well, they dedicated Dick Biondi Way a few years ago … but I agree that some type of proper send-off should be held.

I remember many years ago when Biondi was doing one of his countless Toy Drives at York Town Shopping Center … he was center stage at the mic with Ronnie Rice and I was just out there as part of the very large crowd surrounding all the festivities when all of a sudden he called out "Hey, isn't that the Forgotten Hits Guy over there?" He called me up there with them … one of those TRULY "I am not worthy" moments.

Dick gave hundreds if not thousands of hours at Christmas Time, trying to raise money and toy donations for the less fortunate Children of Chicago … he would sometimes stay on the air for dozens of hours at a time … and local celebs regularly stopped by to help raise funds. He fulfilled his every dream of being a broadcaster ten times over … and should be allowed to step into the sunset in a FAR classier manner than just an announcement that he won't be returning to the WLS-FM airwaves. The man deserves FAR more than this.

Here's to hoping that SOME ABC Executive will demand that those currently in charge collectively remove their heads from up their collective asses and show this man the respect he deserves … and give him a classy send-off that ALL of Chicago can remember and appreciate. (kk)

Here's a photo of Dick Biondi at the Street Dedication Ceremony with Photographer Michael Bush, who is normally on the OTHER side of the camera lens. (Mike has a brand new exhibition coming up, showing off some of his collected works from the past 40+ years of hob-nobbling with the rock stars he has photographed ... both up close and personal as well as acts captured live on stage. Stay tuned for more details as to where you can check it out. It promises to be quite the tribute to the artists who have provided the soundtrack to our lives.)

When the Buckinghams first heard that Dick Biondi was let go at WLS, we were very saddened. As Jim Peterik and The Ides said, “You can’t fire a legend like Dick Biondi.”
Dick will have an everlasting impression on radio and the music business as we know it. Whenever Dick’s name comes up as The Buckinghams travel and perform around the country, we are always pleased to find out how many people, fans and other radio personalities know and love Dick Biondi. He has helped launch so many of our careers when we were starting out, when he would play our records in the early days, defying program directors just to support us. Dick has that God given talent to connect with his audience because he is one of them.
Dick, you are still a bright star and will always be … so much a part of the music we make. We are all so blessed to know you.
We will be thinking of you with good thoughts and prayers.
With Love and admiration.
Carl Giammarese and The Buckinghams

I first met Dick back in the summer of 1968. He was making an appearance at the Kane County Fair about 35 miles west of Chicago. At the time, I was a budding DJ on a local station. I hoped to introduce myself without all the crowds, so I staked out the entrance to the fair and waited for a fancy car or limo to enter ... and waited. Finally, when it was showtime, I went to see him and there he was. Somehow he had gotten by me.

After the appearance, I did have a chance to meet him and we talked for several minutes about my career and he invited me downtown to watch him do his radio show. I asked him how he got to the Fair and he showed me a somewhat used dark green VW beetle, that he drove himself ... nothing fancy. Since then, I did go and watch him do his radio show and met him several more times at area appearances.

When he returned to WBBM-FM, I was invited to come down to his studio 90 minutes before his show and had the opportunity to interview him for another station. On another occasion, he recorded several radio-show promos for me, even though I was on a different station in the same market. Each time we visited I reminded him of that VW beetle and he seemed truly pleased and nostalgic that someone had remembered it. I always wanted to invite him for dinner, but it never happened. If it had, my mom would have probably rolled over in her grave, since she practically took the radio away from me whenever he was on-air.

He is one of the truly nicest guys in the business.

Jon M

St. Charles, IL

Hi Kent,

So sorry to hear that the GREAT DICK BIONDI will not be returning to the Radio Air Waves! He is truly a legend and has meant a lot to my life, growing up listening to him.

I may have been the first person to approach him about starting a Fan Club for him in 1960 or 61. Took a bus, went to the WLS studio and met him with the idea. I still have the written correspondence from him! lol

Hoping Pam Pulice will have some Library Appearances in the near west Suburbs! There will NEVER by another DJ like the "WILD ITRALIAN DICK BIONDI"!!!!

Carolyn

These above two comments are priceless … especially the one from Carolyn, who started the very first Dick Biondi Fan Club! (I forwarded these to Pam Pulice, who is making the Dick Biondi Documentary that we keep telling you about.) Both of these stories belong in this film … and Pam agreed. (In fact, I would even suggest that she interview Carolyn on film so she can show her 1960 Dick Biondi memorabilia!)

Here is a copy of her comment back …

Dear Kent,
Wow! Thank you so much for sending these to me. I would love to capture their heart-warming stories. Yes, please put me in touch. Thanks again, Kent.
I don't recall if I told you that Paul Shaffer, who is in the film, made a generous donation. If we had 50 people like Paul, the doc could be finished in a matter of months. I give kudos to Ron Onesti of Onesti Entertainment for helping us get that interview with Paul and others, and for getting behind this project from the very beginning. Ron is a standup guy whose heart is in the right place. I just love this guy! And I can't thank him enough. He is right now putting together a fundraising committee to get this done ASAP so Dick can have the honor he so richly deserves.
I feel so grateful for all the people who have come forth to make this dream happen. There's a community of loving good folks in my life now that I never knew existed before. Life is full of surprises and connecting with all these people has enhanced my life tremendously.
This week my coeditor Steve Zagata and I are heading to the Cumulus / WLS FM studios to show the entire staff our 21 minute screener. Cumulus VP Marth Nyren is inviting the press to be there as well and has offered to help us by taking donations on the WLS FM website. We are very excited about this opportunity! This is BIG.
Kent, thank you for all your doing to help us spread the word. Keep up the great work! Love to you and all music makers, DJs, recorders of history, fans and friends who keep the music alive.
Pam

Here are several Dick Biondi newspaper clippings I’ve collected over the years … as well as a short piece of my interview with WLS Program Director Gene Taylor giving his take on what happened when Biondi left WLS in 63. This is from my personal interview with Gene in 1991.
Clark Besch

Remember this moment on Letterman? Hope this can be viewed somehow. Not sure if this was on youtube or off one of my video tapes. Has been on my computer for ages.
Clark Besch

The only way I could figure out how to share this video was to offer it as an attachment to anyone who wanted to see it after reading this week’s special posting. It is especially cool to see Paul Shaffer … who just made a sizeable donation to get the Biondi Documentary done … single out our Local Hero on national television! So, if you want a copy, drop me an email at kk@forgottenhits.com and we'll send it along to you via email.
Thanks, Clark! (kk)

PREVIOUS TRIBUTES:
Here are a few of the previous tributes we received after WLS announced that Dick Biondi would not be returning to the airwaves ...

I’m sorry, but you cannot fire Dick Biondi. That term will never apply. You cannot terminate a spirit as strong as his. You cannot compare him to anyone else on radio.
How can you put an expiration date on a legend?
A legend lives forever, changing the world for everyone in the range of his voice. Dick would never buy into his own divinity, which makes him even more divine.
He is a burning star in the galaxy of rock and roll ... and nothing can stop him from shining.
Dick, we are all thinking of you right now. And loving you forever.
Jim Peterik and all the Ides of March

Kent -

I enjoyed your tribute to Dick Biondi. It’s hard to believe that I never had the pleasure of meeting Dick, having worked in only one market at the same time and that was your city .

Without question, Dick is truly a Radio Icon and should be remembered for the impact he had on the industry. (Hey, we should all be as fortunate to have as long a run as Dick had in a very tough business.)

Keep your fingers crossed, Chicago … maybe someone will come along and welcome him with open arms.

Then again, Dick might say “Thanks but no thanks!”

Either way, thanks Dick, for a magnificent career.

Johnny Holliday

Hi Kent,
GREAT NEWS!
We just received a very generous donation from Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band! We are honored to have Paul in the film, and especially grateful because this means we can get back to piecing together our story. Paul’s generosity gets us one step closer to the finish line.
We are actively seeking our passion partners … people who believe in our mission and want to help us bring the Dick Biondi story to PBS. Now, more than ever, knowing Dick will not be returning to the airwaves at 94.7 WLS-FM, we feel it is vital to finish this project in a timely fashion. If any of your readers would like their name, group, or company associated with “The Voice That Rocked America: The Dick Biondi Story,” please have them call me at 630-670-8411. Or visit our Donate page https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/donate/.

Kent, we are screening our new 20 minute prevue followed by a Q&A at select venues around Chicagoland and getting a lot of great reactions from people in spite of it being a work in progress. We’ve got two screenings booked and are planning more. Hope to see you at one. You never know who’s gonna show up, like John Landecker who surprised me at the Michigan City Library last Sunday. John calls himself the Dick Biondi Ambassador and has been a great supporter of the project. Of course John’s in the film along with so many great, great personalities. What a journey this has been for me to get to know all these DJs and artists I grew up listening to. Incredible.
June 5th - 1:00 PM - Fremont Library - 1170 N Midlothian Rd - Mundelein, IL 60060
July 1^st - 2:00 PM - Sulzer Library - 4455 N Lincoln Ave - Chicago, IL 60625 with Special Guest Ronnie Rice, who will talk about Dick’s impact on the music of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s
As always Kent, thanks for keeping us informed and keeping the music alive.
Pam Pulice
Director, The Dick Biondi Film
(630) 670-8411
Film website
Daily Herald article
Tax deductible donations
All donations to this project are tax- deductible and will be received through our fiscal sponsor, Chicago Filmmakers, which is a Non-Profit 501(c) 3 organization.
Checks can be made payable to Chicago Filmmakers — write Dick Biondi Project in memo line.
Mail to:
Dick Biondi Project c/o Chicago Filmmakers
5720 N. Ridge Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660
If you’ve got some comments you’d like to make about the storied career of Dick Biondi, please send them along … and we’ll make sure he sees them! (kk)

As mentioned yesterday, Dick Biondi has officially been terminated by WLS Radio, the station he helped put on the map back in 1960.

At 85 years of age (some would say 88), Biondi has certainly fulfilled his lifelong dream of being a disc jockey … a thousand times over … yet there is still a veil of sadness here in The Windy City to hear that he will not be returning to the airwaves again (unless another station in town happens to pick him up through his final ride off into the sunset.)

The general tone of the dozens and dozens of emails we received today echo the sentiment of “The End Of An Era” … Biondi came along at a time when rock and roll was still fairly new and there weren’t a lot of rules yet in broadcasting. Despite the age difference, he immediately appealed to the teenage audience who bought rock and roll records, went to concerts and came out to the many record hops held all around The Windy City.

He pioneered a style of broadcasting that brought out the rebel in dozens of disc jockeys who followed him down the road of prominence in the radio industry.

I’ve known Dick for many years now, first interviewing him for our feature on “Who Played The First Beatles Record In The United States” series that ran nearly twenty years ago and helped put Forgotten Hits on the map. (The answer to that question, by the way, IS Dick Biondi!!!)

I’ve been to dozens of events he’s MC’d over the years … everything from toy drives to pizza parlors to amusement parks to car washes … to record hops and concerts he has mc’d. A nicer human being you’re not going to meet.

Biondi has felt the love of this great city for nearly sixty years … and embraced it right back … he is in every sense of the word a radio icon.

Which is all the more reason this documentary about his career needs to be made.

We heard from Pam Pulice this morning after she read the news in Robert Feder’s column … she has spear-headed this project and is executive producing the film.

She sent me this note, which was also posted on the various websites devoted to raising funds for this film …

We just read the sad news, folks. We are sorry to hear that Dick will not be coming back to 94.7 WLS FM. We will work even harder to finish our tribute to Dick and we thank Marv Nyren, vice president and market manager of Cumulus Chicago, for supporting our mission.
Dick, if you're reading this, we love you and send prayers for your restored health. Friends, if you have something to say to Dick, please leave your messages and we will pass them on. Please share this with your friends.
Pam