Tuesday This And That

Totally random bits and pieces ...

Episodes of that new Brady Bunch reunion program, "A Very Brady Renovation," began airing last night and curiosity got the better of me.  It's actually pretty interesting at the attention to detail (and the number of modifications) they're having to make to full restore The Brady Bunch House to all its 1970's glory.
HGTV paid $3.5 million ($1.6 million over the asking price!) for the original home used in the exterior shots only of the popular TV series.  NONE of the scenes were filmed in the real home ... they were all shot on a sound stage ... yet the goal is to renovate the actual real structure to match the look of the rooms shown in the long-running series. 
The fact that the original cast of Brady Kids have all reunited to participate in all of this is amazing in and of itself.  (Sadly Mom Florence Henderson, Dad Robert Reed and beloved maid Alice, Ann B. Davis have all since passed on.)
Check it out if you get the chance ... it's actually better than I thought it would be.  (kk)

And, while watching A Very Brady Renovation, I saw back-to-back commercials that featured Jackie Wilson's "To Be Loved" and Brenton Wood's "Oogum Boogum Song" ... talk about your strange choices in musical advertising campaigns!  (kk) 

>>>I swear there was a week where WLS showed the artist as Sweden Heaven And Hell ... but I can't find it anywhere.  Yet I still seem to clearly remember seeing it (even some 50 years later!)  kk

The original Billboard Hot 100 charts showed the artist for "Mah-Na-Mah-Na" as "Sweden Heaven And Hell" Soundtrack, which is a paraphrase from what was shown on the original Ariel Records label [attached]; Piero Umiliani was shown as the songwriter, not the artist. (The original Cash Box charts listed just the label and number, without an artist.) Following Billboard's example, I show "Sweden Heaven And Hell" Soundtrack as the artist on the SuperCharts (#50 with a bullet on the SuperChart dated Sept. 20, 1969). 

– Randy Price

You've really gotta wonder who came up with the marketing idea to release this as a single back in 1969.  (It performed best nationally in Record World, who listed the artist as simply "Soundtrack," where it peaked at #38.  Cash Box ranked it at #44 while Billboard showed it at #55.)

I sure hope Piero has been able to collect his royalties over the years ... this goofy little melody has probably been heard more times than "Yesterday," "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and countless other "ranked hits over the past 50 years combined!

Hard to imagine, too, any of these publications listing it WITHOUT an artist's name ... certainly not the norm ... but great information to know.  Thanks, Randy!  (kk)

 

Rock Author Mark Bego was honored with another book release party last week in Los Angeles for his new book "Living The Luxe Life" (Skyhorse Publishing), written with hotelier Efrem Harkham.  Appropriately, the event took place at Harkham's Luxe Sunset Hotel ... where guests included Mary Wilson (who arrived directly from the set of Dancing With The Stars), "Band Of Gold" singer Freda Payne and actress Rebecca Holden from TV's Knight Rider.

Bego's book with former Supreme Mary Wilson comes out later this month in the US.  (It's already a best seller overseas!)

PR Guru David Salidor sent us this picture of Freda, Mark and Mary to share EXCLUSIVELY with our Forgotten Hits Readers. (Thanks, David!)  kk

 

 

Forgotten Hits is giving away FIVE copies of the new Mary Wilson / Mark Bego book "Supreme Glamour" ... and will be drawing the winners later this week!  (kk)

 

 

Hot on the heels of opening for Steely Dan for two nights at Ravinia last week, Dinosaur Exhibit has just been booked to perform at Ron Onesti's Evanston Rocks on Saturday, October 12th.  (We heard from both Quent Lang and Jerry Smith of Dinosaur Exhibit on this one ... sure to be a very hot ticket!)  kk 

 

Hey Kent:

As you know, we opened for Steely Dan two nights this past weekend, and had a wonderful time. The crowds were enormous!  We received standing ovations both nights, hung with Donald Fagen and Company before the shows (some of us have crossed paths before), made a ton of new musical friends, and signed a boat load of autographs. Truly a magical weekend.

We will be doing Ron Onesti's  EVANSTON ROCKS on Saturday, Oct 12th, and we will be bringing back Jerry Goodman for this show. 

Here's more info ... hope you can make it out.

http://evanstonrocks.com/events/dinosaur-exhibit/

Quent Lang 

 

Just off the heels of two nights with Steely Dan at Ravinia, we are proud to announce that we will be performing at Evanston Rocks on Church Street in downtown Evanston on Saturday, October 12th.  

This is a very cool club that holds about 300 people and they have a fun Italian restaurant next door named Rock N' Ravioli.  Jerry Goodman will be with us on electric violin and I promise you a great show!  

This will be our last appearance in 2019, so it would be great if you could come out and support us.  

Tickets are now available and there will plenty of seating for everyone.  

We do expect a sellout, so please purchase your tickets early.  

Here is the link:

http://evanstonrocks.com/upcoming-events/

Hope to see you there for a great evening of music, drinks, etc.!!

Thanks,

Jerry Smith

 

And check this out ...

ZZ Top is coming to The Genesee Theatre!  (I've got to admit that THIS is a pairing I never expected to see!  lol)

The concert takes place on Saturday, November 2nd ... but the ticket presale starts today ...

https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/070057159D902288?CAMEFROM=CFC_GENESEE_EMAIL_PRESALE_ZZTOP

(just use the special presale code GENESEE)

This should be a killer night of music.  (We're going to the Genesee this weekend to see The Alan Parsons Project, one of our all-time favorites!)  kk 

 

From Forgotten Hits Sunday September 8^th ...

>>>September 2nd – The very first ATM machine in The United States is installed.

An “ATM Machine?”  Wouldn't that be an “Automated Teller Machine Machine?”

Yep, it would!  Redundantly redundant!

CB CB

Would you believe that about three weeks ago I used an ATM (machine) for the very first time in my life?!?!  It's absolutely true ... but in order to activate my new bank card, I HAD to use one.  (Crazy, no?)

I'm just dreading the day when I have to update my cell phone ... gonna miss that rotary dial and roman numerals!  (kk)

A Short But Sweet Monday Morning Quickie

Came across some interesting links this week so I thought I'd share ...

I think that most would agree that one of the greatest live performances of ALL live performances ever has GOT to be The 1984 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony posthumous tribute to George Harrison as a solo artist as an all-star band led by Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, George's son Dhani and a lead guitar solo performed by Prince has got to rank right up there at the top.

But the back story behind Prince's participation ... and the fact that no full-blown rehearsal for this performance ever occurred is the stuff of TRUE rock and roll legend.  (Meanwhile, where Prince's guitar went after it was launched up into the air at the end of the performance may be one of rock and roll's greatest mysteries!)

I don't care how many times you've seen it ... take seven minutes and watch it again.  You'll still find yourself mesmerized by this incredible display.  (kk)



Read the back story here:
https://wxrt.radio.com/prince-while-my-guitar-gently-weeps-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame?utm_source=second-street&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RADIO.COM+Music+9%2f6%2f19

FH Reader Tom Cuddy sent us this clipping stating that vinyl will likely outsell CD's in 2019.  (That would be the first time since 1986.  Who would have EVER thought?!?!)
Of course the #1 source for purchasing music these days is downloading and streaming ... and, fortunately, there are now over 50 million tracks to choose from!
As such, people are buying a lot of physical CD's anymore ... but vinyl seems to have captured the collectors' market.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vinyl-cds-revenue-growth-riaa-880959/

Well, I still buy CDs (and listen to them in the car!) ... and the release I can't wait for right now is the upcoming Abbey Road 50th Anniversary box set. 
Apple released a promo copy of the newly remixed version of "Oh! Darling" last week ... and it sounds amazing.  (Give a listen ... but crank it up loud to truly appreciate just how good this thing really sounds!)  kk



THE SUNDAY SURVEY:

>>>I have NO idea who Pete Howard is ... nor have I ever seen a pressing of the record with that name on it.  (kk)

Kent, 

I am pretty sure this was a WLS joke listing of Pete Howard on the survey as the artist for Mah Na Mah Na.  I am guessing that, with about a 70% accuracy hypothesis, this a combination of two of Chicago's most famous record promoters of the 60's, Pete Wright and Howard Bedno!!!

BOTH were instrumental in helping Chicago 60's pop artists get radio airplay.  Wright arranged, produced and promoted many artists including the New Colony 6, Patti Drew, the Exceptions, the Mob, the Little Boy Blues and the Riddles and Quill Records was the brainchild of his that signed so many Chicago artists back in the 60's.  Besides artists that went on to bigger fame, Quill produced albums for WLS, WCFL and even the Chicago Cubs back then.

The two created a music promo business together in 1968.  Results included the below 45, my PERSONAL #1 song of 1969.  Their names adorn the 45.  There are a handful of CDs featuring Quill Records' output.  Bedno had been a promo man since the 50's, working a lot with USA Records and All State Record Distributors in Chicago. 

Do the two together make ONE "Pete Howard"(???)  I am thinking SO!  

Maybe Clark Weber played an "inside joke" or maybe Ray Graffia knows????

Clark Besch 

I never would have even considered this possibility in a million years.  This would make for a really odd scenario if all of this is the case.

As to my query as to why the label was listed as Ariel Records, that IS the label that released the commercial hit version of the song by Piero Umiliani.

I swear there was a week where WLS showed the artist as Sweden Heaven And Hell ... but I can't find it anywhere.  Yet I still seem to clearly remember seeing it (even some 50 years later!)  kk 
Actually, checking my weeks the song charted on WLS, the label is spelled correctly and never listed artist as "Sweden Heaven & Hell."  I am thinking the two promo men were pushing this 45 early and when someone at WLS said, "Who's it by?" they told them "Well, we don't know. You can just throw OUR names on the survey" and maybe that's what they did at the Big 89 as an inside joke (???)  

As Larry Neal mentioned, they listed a duo of people on the WKY chart in OKC as well.  Maybe the whole NO NAME thing was a prank to let stations decide HOW to list the artist???
Clark

I think where I'm getting the Sweden Heaven And Hell thing is that this is the way it was shown on the reissue 45 I bought back in the 1970's.  (The movie is also referenced in Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles book ... and has been for years.)

Still pretty incredible to think that WLS would do this ... but hey the WJJD / Top Tunes Of Greater Chicago charts would have fun with their listings all the time!  (kk)   

Kent ...
I saw Wednesday’s piece and will venture a guess as to Pete Howard.  

Our management team was Pete Wright and Howard Bedno and both were promo guys in addition to managing us.  I believe that Howard may have passed away a few years ago – I'm not sure – but I think Pete is still around.

Ray Graffia, Jr.

Yes, I remember covering the story after Howard passed.  Never had the opportunity to meet or talk with either of these two guys but they are nothing short of legendary here in Chicago as to who worked to get music played on our two big Top 40 stations.  (I know Pete was still around several years ago when I did the New Colony Six series because Ronnie Rice told me that he still spoke with him from time to time.  Wonder if we can track him down for a definitive answer to this Mah-Na Mah-Na mystery?!?!?)  kk    

I don't know how many dozens, hundreds, (thousands?) of times I've looked at the 9/8/69 survey, including when I sent you the copy you posted, but it's the first time I noticed the misspelling of Bob "Dyan". Is he related to Dyan Cannon? 
Jack 

CLASSIC ROCK UPDATE: 

In hindsight, how I EVER thought I would have the results of this mammoth project ready in time to start sharing over Labor Day Weekend is nothing short of ludicrous!   

I am STILL processing votes some ten days later (although I will admit that I am finally starting to see a glimmer of light at the end of what still remains a very long tunnel!)
I can only assure that the final list IS coming ('tho I hesitate to even speculate as to a launch date yet as there are still several areas that need to be addressed, most importantly the massive number of "ties" we're encountering along the  way.)
We'll continue to keep you posted. 
But in the meantime, I CAN assure you of this ...
This is going to be one INCREDIBLE, eye-opening countdown once we wrap things up. 
We have GOT to find some way of having the final results broadcast ... this is a countdown that deserves to be heard ... in fact, if classic rock radio is EVER going to improve itself, it NEEDS to be heard.  (Reading the list is one thing ... and it's sure to trigger more memories ... and frustration ... than you can imagine.  But HEARING the list drives home the very essence of what we've been talking about these last several months ... these songs DESERVE to be heard, even if it's only once in a while to remind us of how great they really are.)
So please continue to be patient ... and watch for updates as they become available.  (kk)

September 8th

How cool is this?  The top three acts on this week's WLS Hit Parade Chart have all been Forgotten Hits participants over the years! 

Add to that tally Gary Puckett, The Box Tops, The 1910 Fruitgum Company, The New Colony Six and Lou Christie, and we can lay claim to 40% of this week's hit-makers!  (If you thought things were pretty darn exciting fifty years ago ... they're every bit as exciting for me fifty years later!) 

Biggest movers within The Top Ten this week include Grass Roots (I guess you can include the current members of that band to our "contacts lists," too, now that I think about it!), up from #11 to #5 with "I'd Wait A Million Years" and the aforementioned Mr. Puckett, who climbs from #15 to #6 with his latest, "This Girl Is A Woman Now," my all-time favorite Union Gap song.

The Temptations climb nine places (from #23 to #14) with "I Can't Get Next To You" and Bobby Sherman is up ten spots with his breakthrough hit "Little Woman" (#33 to #23).

Not much in the way of premiers this week ... but the two tracks that debut at #39 and #40 are both '60's Classics ... "Tracy" by The Cuff Links (giving Ron Dante TWO songs in this week's countdown) and "Hot Fun In The Summertime" by Sly and the Family Stone, soon to be yet another monster hits for these guys.

THIS WEEK IN 1969:  

September 2^nd – The very first ATM machine in The United States is installed in Rockville Centre, New York  
Also on September 2^nd, Former President of The Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, Ho Chi Minh, dies

September 3^rd – The Elvis movie “The Trouble With Girls (And How To Get Into It) opens in theaters nationwide.  Elvis has to feel a major sigh of relief that he won’t be making motion pictures like this one ever again … he is now once again a top concert draw.  (The Colonel has already booked him to perform at The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at The Astrodome on February 27^th, 28^th and March 1^st.  Elvis is taking his act out on the road!)

September 4^th – The Youngbloods are scheduled to appear on The Tonight Show tonight to perform their hit “Get Together” but during his opening monologue, host Johnny Carson states that they will NOT be appearing on the program …  "They complained about the set, the lighting, the sound, the show ... everything. So we wiped their noses, told them they'd been in show business a day and a half and sent them home."   Wow!

September 5^th – Lt William Calley is charged with six counts of premeditated murder for the 1968 My Lai Massacre, which killed 109 Vietnamese civilians in My Lai, Viet Nam

Also on this date, Dweezil Zappa (son of Frank) is born

September 6^th – After performing at a show at the Memphis Mid-Southern Coliseum, James Brown, “The Godfather of Soul,” announces his retirement from live performing.  (It doesn’t last long.)  Brown says he’s tired.  (James may have other things on his mind … he is also fighting a paternity suit file by the one-time president of the local James Brown Fan Club.)

Some Of Your Mid-Week Comments

Thanks for the spotlight coverage, Kent!

1969 was a great year for me ... now only with Sugar,Sugar hitting number one but my other group, The Cuff Links, hitting the top ten at the same time!

The Happy Together Tour just finished 53 shows this summer to sold out audiences and we are already getting booked for 2020.

All the best pal,

Ron

In fact, this year's tour no sooner ended and they were already announcing the line-up for next year's tour!!!

In 2020, you can see The Turtles, The Association, The Vogues (first timers ... this should be an interesting set!), Mark Lindsay, Chuck Negron and the Cowsills.

This show sells out everywhere so don't miss your chance to see it the next time it comes around to your area.  You're not going to find a better line up of '60's hits anywhere else, all performing together on the same stage.  (kk)

 

Kent-

It was great to hear Ron Dante's memories of "Sugar Sugar." Ray Stevens is indeed on the song. 

 

Here's what Toni Wine told us about it:

 

Ronnie was Archie, and I was Betty and Veronica. We went in, we did the record. It was a fun session, it was a blast. We just knew that something huge was going to happen. We didn't really know how huge, but it was huge. In fact, a friend of mine had been in town, Ray Stevens, who's an incredible songwriter, singer, producer, musician. We were going to grab a bite to eat, so I told him to just meet me at the studio, pick me up, and then we'll go eat. And he wound up handclapping on "Sugar, Sugar."

 

Her full interview is here:

https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/toni-wine

Be Well,

Carl Wiser

www.songfacts.com

 

I always thought that was a cool video for "Sugar, Sugar" ... [scroll back to see yesterday's post - kk]

I know that Ron mentioned all the tremendous singers and players on this #1 recording, but "they all look the same to me!"

Clark

And, speaking of The Archies, check out THIS email that we received after our three-day salute to "Sugar Sugar" ran ...

Hi Kent,

Maybe you can help me ...

When Sugar, Sugar came out and I was in like the 8th or 9th grade, we had a sock-hop at our grade school, with a great live band.

Well, lo and behold, they played Sugar, Sugar, as well as some other songs and, being a drummer, I stopped dead in my tracks to listen ... and I'm like No Way, the Archies!?!?!  In Rogue River, Oregon!?!?! 

So, after the crowd settled down, I asked a few teachers who were working that nite keeping us in line if that was, indeed, The Archies ... and our track coach, a nice young lady, (it was '68 or '69) nods her head yes and gives me the shhhh sign.

Evidently she was friends of one or more of the members of the band and they were visiting her that week so they played incognito for our sock hop...what do you think?

They rushed out after the party so I couldn't talk to them.

Curt Hinkle  

 

You know the odds have got to be a zillion to one ... but I sent your email along to Ron Dante anyway to see if he might comment on it.  (Hey, if nothing else, this can FINALLY give you peace of mind after fifty years of wondering "Could it REALLY have been them?!?!?!"  lol)  

 

Over the years, Mark Volman of The Turtles has shared some stories of his "close encounters" with fans from back in the day ... and he's got some great ones!  (All, apparently, fictitious exaggerations that loom large in the memories of the fans who were there when all of this was happening!)  The "legends" seem to grow as more time passes (and less people are around to dispute the circumstances!)

But hey ... I'm not taking ANY chances ... let's ask Toni Wine, too, if she just happened to stop by to visit an old track coach buddy in 1969 and ended up putting on a free sock hop concert for a bunch of eighth graders!  (You just never know!!!)  kk 

 

Kent,

I've got one quick question about the WLS survey for September 1. In song position #40, who or what was Pete Howard who supposedly was the artist on "Mah-Na, Mah-Na"? Was he an individual who worked for WLS at the time? 

When that record made its debut here in OKC, it was listed as Aunt Effie, or Aunt Effie Farquar, who was a voice character of DJ Don Wallace who was working mid-days at WKY. I didn't know who was on the record until I bought it.

This makes me wonder if other radio stations across the country that played MAH-NA MAH-NA used some other name on the survey other than Piero Umiliani? I mean, I didn't know who this person was or had ever heard of him. Probably if other stations played the record, the DJ's probably couldn't pronounce his name. What say you?

Larry Neal

 

Speaking of "Mah Na Mah Na" debuting on WLS makes me remember that when I first heard it, I was sure it was ART ROBERTS singing it!  Doesn't it sound just like him?  It would have been great to have him imitate it on air back then.  I would guess that he did, but have never heard a tape of it from WLS.  Likely most EVERYONE remembers this either from 1969 or from its use on Sesame Street.

Clark Besch

I have NO idea who Pete Howard is ... nor have I ever seen a pressing of the record with that name on it.  (I've also seen it listed as "Sweden Heaven And Hell" as the artist ... but I think that's because this was the name of the movie / soundtrack for which the song was first used.)

Obviously it was used extensively in Sesame Street ... but it also seemed to be one of Benny Hill's favorites, too!  (kk)

 

>>>Here’s a brain teaser for your followers.The first person who identifies which of the old Chicago disc jockeys used to exclaim “Whopper Waffles!” wins a copy of the brand new Ides cd.  (It’ll prob be Clark!  Lol!) Jim Peterik

Man, I just saw this ON SUNDAY morning!  I could have won!!!  

Art Roberts used "whopper waffles" back mostly in the early 60's on WLS.  

Do you know how he used to sign his shows off back then???

Answer at bottom of email.

BTW, I just ordered the new Ides and World Stage CDs from Amazon and will review when I get them!!!  Cool to see the vintage songs on the 2LP set too.  As Jim mentioned, Art helped many artists make their mark, as did many WLS DJs in the day. 

Here is a 1961 survey that I always thought the tease at the bottom was "Whopper Waffles" but never knew for sure as it would only have enough letters to spell 

"Whopper Waffle."  Maybe Clark (the OTHER Clark) Weber remembers?? 

Trivia answer below: 

Art Roberts closed his shows with "This has been a work of Art" and "Excelsior!"

 

Pour Some Sugar On Me ... 1969 Style!

SUGAR, SUGAR

The Archies' hit "Sugar, Sugar" reached Number One fifty years ago this week on the WLS Hit Parade Survey.

It was the brainchild of mega-producer (and "The Man With The Golden Ears") Don Kirschner, who also spear-headed The Monkees' success a few years later.  (That relationship didn't end well ... The Monkees demanded power of control over their own releases and ultimately had Kirschner fired. I guess Donnie figured he would face less resistance from a bunch of cartoon characters on his next venture!)

Kirschner's roots date back to the '50's ... he and Bobby Darin teamed up during Darin's early years, writing and recording jingles and wanna-be hits together.  In the '70's, he would host his own Friday Night television series, "Rock Concert," which competed against The Midnight Special, starring Wolfman Jack.

There is no denying his eye for talent.  Along the way, Don Kirschner guided countless careers to success.

Ron Dante, the voice of The Archies, remembers exclusivey for Forgotten Hits ...  

Hello Kent - 
I cannot believe that this is the 50th Anniversary of my Archies hit "Sugar, Sugar".

The session was truly the most fun a singer could ever have. 

Having Jeff Barry and Andy Kim writing the song, Don Kirshner supervising and having Toni Wine singing backgrounds with me was truly the best of times.

I remember Jeff taking his time with the track working on the the bass and drum for longer than usual. 

Andy Kim had to play his guitar to give the musicians just the right feel.

Being in the studio with the best NYC musicians I knew the sessions would be smooth and easy. 

Here are the guys who played on Sugar, Sugar:

·         Ron Frangipane - keyboards

·         Gary Chester - drums

·         Joe Mack - bass

·         Dave Appell - guitar

·         Sal DiTroia - guitar

·         Andy Kim - guitar

·         Toni Wine, Jeff Barry and Ray Stevens - Handclaps.

This summer I have had the pleasure of singing "Sugar, Sugar" on the Happy Together Tour, along with singing lead for The Turtles. It was great to see so many of my friends at these shows.

Ron

The Archies would go on to have a total of six Top 40 Hits between 1968 and 1970 ... among them "Bang-Shang-A-Lang" (#6, 1968); "Feelin' So Good" (#30, 1969); "Sugar, Sugar" (#1, 1969); "Jingle Jangle" (#4, 1970); "Who's Your Baby?" (#25, 1970) and "Sunshine" (#17, 1970).

In addition, Ron Dante also sang the "ghost" lead vocals on The Cuff Links' #4 Hit "Tracy" ... climbing the charts simultaneously with "Sugar, Sugar" back in 1969!!!  (kk)

September 1st

"Sugar Sugar" jumps from #8 to #1 this week (was there ever really any doubt?), on its way to becoming the Biggest Hit of 1969 on many year-end charts.

All four top tunes this week have bullets as being the week's biggest movers ... "Hurt So Bad" by The Lettermen at #2, "Easy To Be Hard" at #3 for Three Dog Night and "Green River" by Creedence Clearwater Revival at #4.

Another Top Ten Hit deserving of a bullet would seem to be "Get Together" by The Youngbloods, up from #13 to #9 this week ... yet somehow missing from this honor.

"I'd Wait A Million Years" by The Grass Roots continues to climb the chart, moving from #16 to #11 this week.  "Keem-O-Sabe" by Electric Indian climbs ten places from #23 to #13.  And it looks like Gary Puckett and the Union Gap have another smash on their hands as "This Girl Is A Woman Now" (my personal favorite by them) climbs fourteen spots from #29 to #15.

The New Colony Six move up nine spots from #28 to #19 with their latest, "I Want You To Know," while "I Can't Get Next To You" by The Temptations jumps ten places from #33 to #23.

And The Rugbys seem to have a big local hit ... "You, I" jumps from #37 to #25 this week, a move of twelve places.

New on the chart this week ... teen idol Bobby Sherman debuts at #33 with his first chart hit, "Little Woman" ... and Nilsson premiers at #36 with "Everybody's Talkin'" from the #1 Box Office Smash, "Midnight Cowboy."  (You may recall from our 1967 series that this track dates back to then and was resurrected for inclusion in the film.  Nilsson felt that he could write a more contemporary song that better fit with the overall concept of the film ... and came up with the very similar sounding "I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City" ... but producers wanted the original, NON-Nilsson written track so that's the one they went with.  It paid off in the long run ... "Everybody's Talkin'" made The Top Ten and is still considered a classic some 50+ years later.  "I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City" (NOT included in the film) was released as the follow-up single and only reached #33.)  
And then, of course, there's that '60's classic "Mah-Na, Mah-Na," shown here as by Pete Howard, that debuts at #40.





THIS WEEK IN 1969:
August 26th - The Rolling Stones earn a gold record for "Honky Tonk Women"  

August 27^th – Forgotten Hits Founder Kent Kotal celebrates his 16^th birthday.  

August 28^th – Elvis completes his four week run at The International Hotel in Las Vegas.  By all accounts, it is a record-breaking stay ... 101,500 people would have seen him perform in the Grand Ballroom, earning gross receipts of just over $1.5 Million. International Hotel Vice President Alex Shoofey shows his appreciation (and congratulations) by treating Elvis and eight others to an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii.  (He is due to return to The International in January, 1970, for his next engagement.)

Also on this date, Paul and Linda McCartney welcome their first daughter together, Mary, named after Paul’s mother.  (Paul will later adopt Linda’s daughter Heather from a previous marriage.)

Also on this date, actor Jack Black is born 

August 29^th – A TWA flight from Rome to Tel Aviv is hijacked and diverted to Syria

Also on this date, Elvis and Priscilla Presley go to see Nancy Sinatra perform at The International Hotel in Las Vegas

August 30^th - The three-day Texas International Pop Festival opens at the Dallas International Motor Speedway.  Artists performing at this event include Santana, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and The Chicago Transit Authority and Bob Dylan.  

August 30th and 31st - The Who, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, The Moody Blues, Free and others perform at the annual Isle of Wight Festival. 

August 31^st – Bob Dylan makes his first live, paid appearance since his motorcycle accident three years ago at England’s Isle of Wight Pop Festival.  He is once again backed by The Band (and earns 38,000 Pounds for a one hour show)

Also on this date, Boxer Rocky Marciano dies …

And rocker Bob Seger files for divorce from his wife Sandy after just ten months of marriage.