Monday Morning: ON THE ROAD AGAIN EDITION

Hey, Kent,  

What would you say was / is / will be the biggest, most popular venue in the Chicagoland area for today's "Concerts of the 1960s?"

Chuck Buell

That’s a tough call …

We love the venues we typically support … The Arcada … The Genesee … but a concert of this magnitude might demand something bigger.  (We used to travel down to Indiana to see oldies shows at Star Plaza, but that theater is gone now.  Even so, I don’t think it would have made THIS list.) 

The Genesee is probably the most elegant of what remains, but only seats about 2500 people, I believe.  I haven’t seen the remodeling they’ve done at The Arcada yet, but that seats even less … and let’s face it, with Covid restrictions in place, who knows how many people they’d even let in!!!  (I think we’re still at 25% capacity right now … but local venues are hoping to see that increase to 50% by July, which is when most are starting to reschedule the bulk of their shows moving forward.)

I would LOVE to see a MAJOR oldies celebration put together … along the same lines of, but even grander than, The Happy Together Tour, bringing in SO many of the other deserving artists who aren’t given a chance to participate in this annual event. 

With that thought in mind, we might have to move things to The Chicago Theater … plus this way you get the whole “Downtown Chicago” experience.  (This will get you closer to a 4000 seat capacity under optimum circumstances.)  At this rate, we’d probably have to book it for an entire week!!!  (Hey, I just can’t wait till things get back to normal again … but we could probably put together a line-up of artists and deejays to fill a whole week there all on our own.  Imagine that … a different group of acts every single night!  At that rate, we could help fill hotel rooms and restaurants, too!!!)  kk

As we expected they would (just not quite this fast!!!), Genesis has already added more dates to their North American Tour kicking off in November.  Second shows have now been added for Chicago, Montreal and New York’s Madison Square Garden.  (Ticket sales for the first fourteen shows were described as “overwhelming.”)  So yeah, now we wanna go!!!  (lol)  Tickets for ALL shows (including these add-on’s) are on now.  (kk)

UPDATE:  Well, this isn’t going to happen … not for us anyway!!!  Ticket prices are thru the roof for this one … mezzanine seats are $400 a piece (plus fees and service charges) and main floor seats range between $800 and $1200 … and we’re talking FACE VALUE here … we’ve already seen broker prices in the $3600 - $5000 range.

Too rich for MY blood.  (I guess if you’re going to limit capacity to 50%, you have to make up for those lost ticket sales SOMEHOW, right?!?!?!)

I’m just hoping this is not a trend moving forward for all live shows … or we may be doing some major scaling back in this regard.  (When faced with the option to go see one two hour concert … or use that same money to take a well-deserved week’s vacation … the choice becomes pretty obvious to me!)

So … unless we WIN tickets … or some promoter COMPS us tickets (not likely … since Genesis isn’t exactly at the top of the Forgotten Hits Artists List!) … or some generous fan or relative decides to buy some mega-expensive tickets for Frannie and I to celebrate our 20^th Wedding Anniversary (which falls on November 17^th … Chicago’s concert dates are November 15^th and 16^th, so it WOULD have been perfect!) ... I guess we’ll have to be content to listen to Genesis’ Greatest Hits CD in the car on the way to dinner that night instead.  (Actually, Benihana sounds pretty good right now!!!  Lol)  kk

More and more venues are announcing the Summer and Fall Concerts, hopeful that the pandemic is now in the rearview mirror.

In fact, Milwaukee’s Summerfest has just posted their three week line-up of shows (all pretty much catering to a much younger audience group … which I guess makes sense) … but there are also a few chances to catch some names you’ll recognize …  (kk)

Adrian Belew, The Zac Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Chance The Rapper, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Ani DeFranco, The Destoyers, The Drive By Truckers, Flo Rida, The Goo Goo Dolls, Indigo Girls, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Jonas Brothers, Living Color, The Dave Matthews Band, Jesse McCartney, Scott McCreery, Nelly, Night Ranger, Liz Phair, The Psychedelic Furs, Queensyrche, Sheila E, Chris Stapleton, Styx, The Sugarhill Gang, Toad The Wet Sprocket, George Thorogood’s Destroyers, Tower Of Power, The Weather Staton, Wilco, ZZ Top and much, much more.  (List is subject change at any time)  kk

Rick Levy, musical director and manager of The Box Tops, is happy to report that the band is heading back out on the road (I know they’re scheduled to perform here at The Genesee Theatre with Tommy James and the Shondells) and plenty more shows are being lined up.

Here’s the latest: 

THE BOX TOPS ... hitting the road again!

After a year of pandemic shutdown, THE BOX TOPS, led by founding members BILL CUNNINGHAM and GARY TALLEY, will soon begin performing across America. The group was inducted into the prestigious MEMPHIS MUSIC HALL OF FAME for their contribution to the Memphis sound that dominated AM top 40 radio, joining pioneers Elvis Presley, BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and more.

THE BOX TOPS are known for their sweet, sensuous, slighty gritty sound, and as you listen, you will feel that gentle southern breeze and smell the smokey barbecue as if you are walking down Beale Street.

Their hits include the worldwide mega smashes THE LETTER, CRY LIKE A BABY, SOUL DEEP and more (8 Billboard Top 40 Chart Hits). With live horns, they perform their hits and classic Memphis rock & soul, which transports audiences back to the late 60s and the Summer of Love.

2021

June 17 Fairbanks AK

June 18 Wasilla AK

June 20 Kenai AK

July 21 Chicago IL

July 22 Nashville TN

July 30 Petoskey MI

Aug 27 Arlington TX

Aug 28 The Woodlands TX

Aug 29 Austin TX

Sept 17 NYC

Sept 18 Westbury NY

Nov 4 Citrus Hills FL

Nov 5 Delray Beach FL

Dec 4 Waukegan IL

2022

March 12 Shippensburg PA

March 28 FLOWER POWER CRUISE

April 14 W Yarmouth MA

April 15 Woonsocket RI

April 16 Old Saybrook CT

May 30 Alto NM

For more information on the BOX TOPS and current tour schedule:  www.boxtops.com

 

Check out the line-up for the 2022 Disco Cruise … 

KC and The Sunshine Band (special appearance 2/28), Kool & The Gang, The Spinners, Rose Royce, The Ohio Players, Exposé, Russell Thompkins, Jr. & The New Stylistics, Evelyn "Champagne" King, A Taste of Honey, Thelma Houston, Norma Jean Wright, Luci Martin & Alfa Anderson (formerly of Chic), Peaches and Herb, The Hues Corporation, Third World, First Choice, Bee Gees Gold, Boogie Wonder Band, The Ultimate Donna Summer Tribute performed by Rainere Martin, Cruise Host Deney Terrio, and more!

(*Artist lineup subject to change, pending availability)

More information here:

https://ultimatediscocruise.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=TLLDSC22EMS_20210507_TLlist&utm_content=Logo&_bta_tid=01924553475476393508988068934779528158505388525404006685504867155242743876373703242972317737110069886213

 

Aaron Neville has announced his retirement from touring on his Facebook Page.  (Neville says he will still record but at this stage of his life … he just turned 80 … he needs his life to be “less hurried.”)

Aaron’s distinctive voice and style and unmistakable … yet his hit tally is FAR less than it should be on the pop charts.  According to Joel Whitburn’s “Top Pop Singles, 1955 – 2018” book, Neville only had four Top 40 Hits during a career that spanned sixty years.  (After gaining on-and-off notoriety with his brothers, we first heard him sing on his 1967 #2 Hit “Tell It Like It Is.”  Didn’t hit The Top 40 again as a solo artist until 1991 when his remake of “Everybody Plays The Fool” reached #8.  In between, he charted twice with Linda Ronstadt on the hits “Don’t Know Much,” #2, 1989, and “All My Life,” #11, 1990.)

Sadly, friends and readers have written in over the past few years about Neville forgetting the words to his songs during concerts (even with the help of a teleprompter) and seeming somewhat disoriented on stage.  This is news we hate to report (and chose not to at the time), but also a good indicator that it very well may be time to take life a little bit easier.

Living through the pandemic most likely influenced this decision as well ...

From Aaron's formal announcement ...

 

“I have had such an incredible and blessed journey as a musician, singer and human.  The time has come for me to stop ripping and running on the road. I waited for someone to invent a way to beam me from show to show, but no such luck. I love singing for others; it provides so much joy for me, at least as much as for those listening, if not more. Unfortunately, the grueling nature of travel and the schedule needed to make a tour work has become less than desirable.  The current climate of our world brought me many realizations.  Life is short, and I’d like to spend my remaining time on this earth being less hurried.”  (kk)

1971 SUPER CHARTS - Week Ending May 15th

As of this week, Three Dog Night's "Joy To The World" has now spent exactly HALF of its time on the chart in the #1 position ... it enters its fifth week atop The Super Chart this week.  As such, it holds "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Put Your Hand In The Hand" in their respective #2 and #3 positions.

The Rolling Stones continue their climb up the chart as "Brown Sugar" moves from #16 to #7 this week.  "It Don't Come Easy" jumps up 15 spots (from #28 to #13) and "Don't Knock My Love" by Wilson Pickett is up sixteen places (from #44 to #28.)

The Partridge Family appear to have another smash on their hands as their latest, "I'll Meet You Halfway," rockets up 22 places (from #62 to #40.)  "Nathan Jones" is up 20 spots, from #63 to #43, as is "Cry Baby" by Janis Joplin (#64 to #44) ... but neither of these are any match for The Carpenters, who leap 53 SPOTS from #98 to #45 with their latest, "Rainy Days And Mondays!"

Playing Favorites:

"It's Too Late" debuts at #64 for Carole King (not somebody you expect to see on the pop charts as anything other than a songwriter.)  This is one of the great classics of all time ... and certainly one of the biggest hits of the '70's.  It comes from her landmark album "Tapestry," still one of the biggest selling LPs of all time.

And just for fun's sake, how about "Ajax Liquor Store" by Hudson and Landry.  (Remember when a straight out comedy record could get played on your popular radio station?!?!)

 

 

This Week In 1971:

May 12^th – Mick Jagger marries fashion model Bianca Perez Morena de Macias in St. Tropez, France.  Guests include the other members of The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills and others.  Mick and Bianca Jagger became the celebrity “it” couple for the next several years … but separated in 1977.

 

Also on this date, an earthquake in Turkey destroys most of the city of Burdur.

May 13^th – Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane crashed her car into a wall near The Golden Gate Bridge and had to be hospitalized

Also on this date … Stevie Wonder turned 21 years old and received his lifetime earnings to date … or so they said. 

Although Stevie had earned $30 Million, he was only given $1 Million.  (What’s up with that???  Did they just think he wouldn’t see the difference?!?!)

May 15^th – Pink Floyd perform at The Crystal Palace Bowl in front of a lake in London.  Their loud music reportedly kills several fish.  (And no, I did NOT make that up!)

LLOYD PRICE

 

Early Rock and Roller Lloyd Price has died.  He was 88.

Price was already topping The R&B Charts several years before rock and roll exploded on the mainstream.  His version of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" (which he wrote) went all the way to #1 in 1952 ... and stayed there for seven weeks, proof positive again that rock and roll existed before Bill Haley rocked us around the clock ...  we just didn't know what it was yet!  

Five more records made The Top Ten before Price finally topped the Pop Charts as well with "Stagger Lee" in 1959.  ("Oooh-Oooh-Oooh," #4, 1952; "Restless Heart," #5, 1952; "Ain't It A Shame?," #4, 1953; "Tell Me Pretty Baby," #8, 1953 and "Just Because," which also crossed over to reach #29 on the Pop Charts but was a #3 Hit R&B in 1957.)

More cross-over hits followed ...

"Where Were You On Our Wedding Day" (#23 Pop, #4 R&B, 1959); "Personality" (#2 Pop, #1 R&B, 1959); "I'm Gonna Get Married" (#3 Pop, #1 R&B, 1959); "Come Into My Heart" (#20 Pop, #2 R&B, 1959); "Lady Luck" (#14 Pop, #3 R&B, 1960) and several others.

Price was fortunate enough to continue his career after a stint in the US Army interrupted his burgeoning career from 1953-1956 ... and went on to form three record companies over the course of his career.  (KRC, Double L and Turntable)

His first records were released on Specialty Records, eventually home to Little Richard.  While Price was in the Army, rock and roll exploded and Little Richard became the darling of Specialty Records.  When Price got home, he formed his own record company ... and then leased his recording of "Just Because" to ABC-Paramount, which eventually signed him to his own record deal ... and became home to his next dozen R&B Chart Hits.

Lloyd's music greatly influenced a whole new generation of artists and musicians.  The number of cover versions of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" is staggering and includes everyone from Elvis Presley to The Buckinghams on the list.  In 1975, John Lennon did  a GREAT cover version of "Just Because" for his "Rock And Roll" album ... and in 1971, Tommy Roe scored a Top 20 Hit with his interesting pop version of "Stagger Lee."

In addition to participating in many Rock And Roll Revival Shows as an artist, Price also became a concert promoter ... and even had a hand in organizing the concert staged before Muhammad Ali's and George Foreman's Rumble In The Jungle Heavyweight Match in 1974.  He was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1998.

From Tom Cuddy:

Kent:

A brief memory of Lloyd Price.

I loved many of Lloyd Price’s tunes.  Many of them were released before my time, but I discovered them as time went by.

About ten years ago I walked into a diner in the Connecticut city where I live and I sat down at the counter to grab a late breakfast.  There was only one other person sitting at the counter and we exchanged smiles as I sat down.  I said to myself, wait a minute, I recognize that face with the huge smile, but I wasn’t sure from where.

And then I remembered: every time I left this diner taped above the cash register was an autographed 8x10 glossy of Lloyd Price inscribed to the owner and staff of the Bulls Head Diner.

So I said to him “Are you Lloyd Price?”  He said he was, but couldn’t understand how a guy of my age would recognize him.  It turned out he lived right over the CT line in a small NY town with his wife.

It was one of the most memorable diner meals — ever.  He told terrific stories, was super friendly, and was delighted that a guy who programmed a NYC radio station knew who he was. 

He seldom appeared in the NYC area and he told me that because of his publishing and business investments (he owned several companies), he didn’t have to accept every oldies show offer he received.  So he was able to hold out for the good money and the environment he wanted to appear in.

He totally won me over.  And after talking music with him for an hour, I can assure you Lloyd was the real deal . . . he truly had PERSONALITY!

- Tom Cuddy

DIDJAKNOW?:

In 1959, ABC Television wouldn't let Dick Clark play Lloyd Price's #1 Hit "Stagger Lee" on "American Bandstand" due to the violent nature of some of its lyrics.  Price went back into the studio and recorded a "tamer" version, now know as "The Bandstand Television Version" so that Clark could play the record on the air!!!