Apologies again for yesterday’s glitch-filled edition of Forgotten Hits. (We have been having some technical difficulties of late … but this one was the worst!) Despite numerous attempts to fix it … and the page displaying properly in the “preview” mode, it all scrambled to gobbledygook once it was officially published. A shame, too, as yesterday was a big news day and anniversary date in Beatleland.
For right now, we have taken the page down – so many edits have made it unrecognizable from its original intent. If we can figure out how to fix it somewhere down the line, my hope is to repost it as I think it was a key tie-in to the new “Let It Be” 50th Anniversary Box announcement.
By the way … after we complained yesterday that the rooftop concert was NOT being included in the new deluxe 5-CD version of the “Let It Be” / “Get Back” sessions, I was told that the current rumor is that this material may have been held back for release as more of a “soundtrack” album to the new Peter Jackson film.
I’d be surprised if this were the case … after people shell out $135 bucks for the new box set, it’d be pretty cruel to hit them up for another $35 six weeks later to get the rest!!! (Plus they’d almost HAVE to include more of the studio chatter and rehearsal audio … which I guess would be all-right with me. Or maybe they should just do a combo-pack of the movie on dvd / blu-ray with the soundtrack on a separate disc???)
It'll be interesting to see where it goes from here. My preference would be for a three DVD set featuring the original print of “Let It Be,” the new Peter Jackson “Get Back” film plus an additional disc of outtakes … but then I’m sure I’d still want the audio of the rooftop concert, too!!! (See … this is why The Beatles still continue to outsell today’s contemporary artists … because there are too many suckers out there like me who just HAVE to have it all!!!) kk
This weekend Me-TV-FM is saluting our Hometown Favorites, spotlighting artists who came from Chicago and captured the hearts of music fans all over the world.
As Rick O’Dell tells us,
A Hometown Favorites Weekend returns this coming Friday night (August 27th) at 7:00. We’ll be covering four decades’ worth of Chicago-born and Chicago-based artists throughout the coming weekend.
Listen online thru the audacy ap! (kk)
https://www.audacy.com/metvmusic/listen#schedule
Kent,
You know it's late at the party when the band is going home. Don Everly, Charlie Watts, sadly the list keeps growing. I guess we all know it is "that time of the night" but it doesn't make it any easier.
While so many at the party were busy schmoozing and making small talk, some of us spent the night up front watching the band. I remember doing that as a kid.
While so many spent the evening dancing, I was up front watching "the gifted" making the music. Yes, I was also buying and playing countless albums on our Sears Silver-tone Stereo and going to the local radio station and watching the DJ present this music for all to hear. And in the end, I spent over 40 years doing the same.
Though you don't know so many of these artists personally, you feel like you do because for so many years, their talent and gift were so much a part of your life. What is there about the sadness you feel when an artist passes away of which you have listened to their music ever since you were young.
In the words of the people at IHOP, "I think I need a pancake."
Take Care,
Tim Kiley
CHARLIE WATTS HAS DIED!?
I can't keep this email going right now. I am in shocked grief.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
Short and Sweet. Good stuff around Charlie Watts this morning.
Loved the Hotel Story! Hadn't heard that one before! Gud for 'im!
CB
Charles Robert Watts: An Appreciation
by Harvey Robert Kubernik
This is not the platform or forum for me to display photos of myself with
Charlie Watts or a post card he sent me from the road. However, I feel encouraged by musicians and
poets who are offering phone shiva and compelled to write this appreciation.
Charlie was a friend of mine since the early nineties. We never talked about
the Rolling Stones ... Just jazz.
In my 2014 book "Turn Up The Radio! Pop, Rock, and Roll in Los Angeles 1956-1972" published by Santa Monica Press, I asked Charlie about a Stones' 1964 recording session at RCA.
"While
we were recording in Hollywood, I went to Shelley's Manne-Hole twice - once to
see Charles Lloyd, Albert Stinson [with Gabor Szabo and Pete LaRoca], and the
Bill Evans Trio with Paul Motian on drums [and Chuck Israels]. I saw Shelley at
his club."
Charlie was always thankful I introduced him to drummer Stan Levey, who he saw
in 1960 with Stan Kenton at Wembley. Earlier this century we had lunch at the
Levey house in Sherman Oaks and Charlie arrived in a cab from The Four Seasons
Hotel in Beverly Hills, wearing perfectly pressed blue jeans, to join Jim
Keltner and I.
He relished the Chico Hamilton autograph I personally got for him, and was
delighted by the gift I gave him of a Shelley Manne coffee table limited
edition book. I fondly recall how Charlie described the thin drum sticks that
Shelley used on the bandstand and in the studio. I was a Ludwig 7a wood tip
guy.
Charlie supplied a testimonial quote for the back cover for a Buddy Collette
album I produced and invited myself, brother Kenneth and Buddy to his big band
concert at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood.
Jim Keltner and I later connected with Charlie and with met drummer Freddie
Gruber. Lots of Buddy Rich and Max Roach tales.
On one Stones' tour this century, we had a pre-show chat with the legendary
drummer Earl Palmer. He had finally met Earl years earlier at The Palace in
Hollywood. In the sixties, Charlie visited a Phil Spector recording session at
Gold Star Studio in Hollywood, invited by arranger / keyboardist Jack Nitzsche.
He loved the Crystals' record "Da Doo Ron Ron." Earl or Hal Blaine
played drums on the track. On occasion, he referenced his drum set up at
Olympic studio in Barnes London, and Sunset Sound and Ocean Way in
Hollywood.
In 2016, Charlie and Jim Keltner invited me to a Rolling Stones' rehearsal in
North Hollywood. I carried some cymbals into the room with Jim's lead tech and
cartage man that were put on Charlie's kit. He handed me a tambourine from one
cymbal stand that I briefly shook for 20 seconds as the band jammed.
Ronnie Wood saw it and said, "Hey. You're big time. At our rehearsal. It's
your dream gig? Right?" And I replied, "Yes. But it is not lost on me
and just as important is that you were the bass player on Jeff Beck's
"Truth" LP." That blew him away. Keith Richard heard our
exchange and laughed out loud. Ronnie hugged me. Then they both handed me their
guitar picks.
Charlie smiled ...
A
couple of years ago, I saw Charlie at Don Randi's Baked Potato Club in Studio
City. It was an event honoring Hal Blaine on his 90th birthday party. Charlie
contributed some autographed drum sticks to a charity auction being held from
the stage.
Over the last few decades, my brother and I would send and give Charlie rare
jazz videos. He really dug them. In my last conversation with him, after he visited
the Motown Museum in Detroit, Charlie indicated he was building a collection of
rare drum items.
May his beat go on and on ...
Harvey Kubernik
Stan Levey and Charlie Watts - "Stan Meets Charlie"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6KqlUVr9LU
In 2014. Harvey Kubernik interviewed Andrew Loog Oldham, the original manager of The Rolling Stones.
Here he shares some insight into Charlie Watts, the early years …
(We can highly recommend the documentary “Charlie Is My Darling” as well.) kk
Harvey Kubernik: In 2012, your well-earned original producing credit was officially distributed in the retail and commercial universe on DVD by way of Charlie Is My Darling. Can you talk about the genesis of the project? You’ve shown it over the years in related charity functions.
Andrew Loog Oldham: Yes, it was a Julie Christie world but that is not the origin of the title. It's the Irish use of it, more soil, more turf, sod of the earth, nothing really 60's about it. The credit is only well earned because I made the movie in the first place. Allen Klein and I had discussed doing it on many occasions, but thankfully nothing happened. There are no accidents - and the timing on this was immaculate.
That end of the 60's is slipping away, soon there will be no more reliable witnesses and this film is a reliable witness. Dylan's Don’t Look Back is a reliable witness. A Hard Day’s Night is not - somebody wrote, constructed and directed that. Charlie Is My Darling is the real deal, the end of the innocence, the last hurrah before what the Beatles had started when they appeared in February of ' 64 on The Ed Sullivan Show turned the game into business.
HK: You told me in 2012, “The film was done as an audition to see which one of the Rolling Stones the camera actually loved off stage. We knew who the focus was on stage. The concept was to see who was telegenic off stage. Like an MGM screen test or how studio heads would view talent at RKO. It was Charlie that the camera loved. Ironically, Harvey, is it not the same camera that loved Ringo? There you go.” My only complaint is that some of the interview footage of Charlie Watts from the original print did not make the new cut of the DVD and new movie. And Charlie is terrific on screen.
ALO: I agree. Charlie was pissed about that as well, or let's say he noticed it when he was shown the new edit. I wasn't there, so I don't know how much he really cared.
It was indeed a screen test, done in Ireland so as to be away from journalists, girlfriends and the London life. I just wanted to see whom, off stage, the camera loved. The drummer's rule, I guess! I thought Charlie looked and sounded terrific. He had the look, he had the voice. I thought he could have a big future in French noir films, but for that to happen somebody else has to agree with you, and they have to be in the French film business.
I always found it interesting that Charlie Watts was the ONLY Rolling Stone pictured on the cover of their live “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out” LP … that always struck me as strange, as Charlie always kept to the background in an unassuming way. That HE was selected for the cover photo may go right along with what Harvey and Andrew are discussing above. (kk)
DIDJAKNOW?: Despite it being widely reported everywhere else in the press that Charlie Watts was on every recording The Rolling Stones ever did, this really wasn’t the case. In fact, he was missing on a couple of key tracks. (In Forgotten Hits, we reworded that statement to read that Charlie appeared on every ALBUM The Stone ever recorded, leaving some leeway for those odd, isolated tracks where he did not appear.)
For example, on one of The Stones’ best known hits, “It’s Only Rock And Roll (But I Like It),” that’s Faces Drummer Kenney Jones behind the skins.
It has since been reported that the song was recorded at Ronnie Wood’s home studio and, although credited to the usual Jagger-Richards songwriting team, was actually written by Wood and Mick Jagger. Inspired to record it quickly, they found that Charlie wasn’t around so Ronnie Wood rang up his old drummer Kenney Jones (who lived nearby) to complete the session. (For the record, bass player Bill Wyman isn’t on the recording either! The bass on this track was provided by Willie Weekes … and the backing singer on the song is David Bowie!)
As to how Keith Richards received songwriting credit on the track, Jagger finagled a little side deal with Ronnie Wood so that The Glimmer Twins songwriting partnership could remain intact ... on paper anyway. (Rumors have persisted for decades now that The Stones’ big hit “Wild Horses” was actually written by Keith Richards and Gram Parsons, who recorded an early version of the track … but again, paperwork was manipulated to ensure that the Jagger-Richards songwriting credit remain undisturbed.) In this particular case, Ronnie Wood was about to start work on his first solo album “I’ve Got My Own Album To Do,” for which Jagger co-wrote the song “I Can Feel The Fire.” In exchange for the Jagger-Richards credit being attached to “It’s Only Rock And Roll,” Mick gave full credit to Ronnie on their collaboration.
Charlie also didn’t play on the excellent Stones track “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” For whatever reason, he was having difficulty nailing the pace on this one … so producer Jimmy Miller sat behind the kit and did the drummer. (That’s Miller on The Stones’ hit “Happy” as well. In fact, Mick and Keith are the only two Stones on that record!)
Now check out this Noise 11 report on the track “Shine A Light” from their “Exile On Main Street” album …
According to Noise 11, although this song is credited to Jagger-Richards, it was actually written by Mick Jagger and Leon Russell.
It was originally titled “Can’t Seem To Get A Line On You” and was intended for Leon’s self-titled solo album. A version recorded in October, 1969, features Leon Russell on organ, Bill Wyman on bass, Ringo Starr on drums, Keith Richards on guitar and Mick Jagger on vocals. A second attempt was made in 1970, on which Bill Wyman’s bass track was replaced by a new one laid down by Paul McCartney. However, when the Leon Russell version was finally released as a bonus track, it is Bill Wyman and not Paul McCartney who is credited. (Quite possibly a label / royalties issue … ALL of The Beatles would make “guest appearances” on other artists’ tracks from time to time, usually using some type of clever pseudonym so as not to betray any contractual obligations. (By the way, The Rolling Stones recorded the third version of this song a year later in December of 1971!)
Paul and Ringo posted photos and video tributes after the passing of Charlie Watts. Despite the rivalry played up in the press, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were actually quite good friends. (Let’s not forget that John and Paul gave The Stones their first British hit single when they allowed them to record the song “I Wanna Be Your Man” ahead of Ringo’s recording for their “With The Beatles” / “Meet The Beatles” LP … much as Mick and Keith let Jagger’s then-girlfriend Marianne Faithfull do the first recording of “As Tears Go By,” the very first song that Mick and Keith ever wrote together.) kk
In their on-going “Forever #1” series, Billboard Magazine pays tribute to The Everly Brothers this week with the story behind THEIR biggest #1 Hit, “Cathy’s Clown” …
kk:
Don and Phil get my vote for "BEST DUO OF ALL TIME."
FB
They held that distinction for quite some time. Daryl Hall and John Oates have since eclipsed them based on actual chart performance. Other duos of note: The Carpenters, Simon and Garfunkel, Jan and Dean and The Captain and Tennille, all of whom rank high on Billboard’s list of Top 500 Artists.
Hope you’ll enjoy this rare Warner Brothers promo-only 45 with some of the radio broadcast material. It was issued to promote the Everly Brothers’ “Roots” album, but the material on the promo 45 is not on the LP and it has never been reissued or comped. This from my buddy Michael Thom in OKC.
Mom Everly doing best Wolfman impersonation of how to get rid of those IOWA rats!!! It still keeps her alive at 102!
Some nice pickin' too.
Clark Besch
I’m always amazed by what survived some 70 years later. Who would have ever thought! (kk)
In what can only be described as one of the most ludicrous cases is music history, a man by the name of Spencer Elden is suing the band Nirvana and the estate of Kurt Cobain because he says his nude photo, used on the cover of the band’s “Nevermind” LP constitutes child pornography. (I keep saying it … the whole world’s gone crazy!)
The album and photo were released over thirty years ago without complaint … but now Elden says he was exploited for the picture.
(I say, "Stop being such a weenie!!!")
Elden alleges that the band “knowingly produced, possessed, and advertised commercial child pornography depicting photos of his naked body “in poses highlighting and emphasizing his exposed genitals and knowingly received value in exchange for doing so.”
(It’s a baby picture, for God’s sake … I’m sure SOME kind of release had to be signed at the time, giving the band permission to take and use these photos. Maybe he should be suing his PARENTS for taking the money for his modeling fee!!!)
But perhaps I’m wrong. The suit alleges that “neither Spencer nor his legal guardians ever signed a release authorizing the use of any images of Spencer or of his likeness, and certainly not of commercial child pornography depicting him.” As a result, Elden claims that the image has caused him “suffer lifelong damages." (I suppose ALL of that could have been avoided had he simply never told anybody it was him!!!)
The album skyrocketed the grunge group Nirvana to worldwide success and stardom. The cover pictures a naked four-month-old and became the definitive release of the grunge revolution. Its cover shows the naked four-month-old Spencer Elden in a swimming pool, chasing after a dollar bill hooked to a fishing line. I think most collectors would agree that it has become one of the most iconic album covers of all time. (Further investigating shows that Elden’s father, Rick, was paid $200 for his child’s modeling work. Like I said, take it up with Daddy!!! Instead, he’s asking for $150,000 each from the 15 people named in his suit!)
Although I’ve never really understood why, Nirvana just may be the last real super group we’ve had in rock. Their fan base was / is enormous, and Cobain became an overnight superstar who seemed to grow even larger in death when he took his own life in 1994. (Is there REALLY anybody out there thinking that the REAL reason this LP sold MILLIONS of copies was because fans wanted to see Spencer Elden’s four-month-old penis??? Is THAT what propelled the band to superstardom … and NOT the music the LP contained? If so, that would only help to prove MY theory that the band’s music really wasn’t all that entertaining!)
Apparently, Elden hasn’t always felt this way about the cover ... for example, he has “Nevermind” tattooed across his chest … and over the years, he has recreated the cover shot several times, going out of his way to draw attention to the fact that it WAS him on the cover. (Perhaps this is just a case of Elden hoping for the opportunity to prove to the world that the size of his penis HAS grown since he was only four months old. Or has it??? Is THAT what’s really troubling you, Spencer?!?!)
It just seems to me that you can’t have it both ways … you can’t argue that you’ve “suffered life-long damages” because this photo is out there and then recreate the cover in an attempt to draw even more attention to it! (kk)
UPDATE: There is actually talk about a substitute cover having to be issued until this case is officially resolved. (This reminds me of the original Blind Faith album cover that depicted a topless eleven / thirteen year old girl that was ultimately replaced by a vintage-looking photo of the band. I remember thinking at the time that that whole topless girl idea really DID smell like pre-teen spirit.)
Elden also alleges that Kurt Cobain
originally "agreed to redact Spencer’s image by releasing the album with a
sticker strategically placed over Spencer's genitals with the text: 'If you're
offended by this, you must be a closet pedophile.'" The sticker, however, was
"never incorporated." Elden hopes the band will make good on this
alleged agreement for any future releases. Maggie Mabie, one of Elden’s
lawyers, told the Associated Press, "If there is a 30th anniversary
rerelease, [Elden] wants for the entire world not to see his genitals."
Stay tuned … I’ve got a feeling this one’s far from over.
The Eagles’ Hotel California Tour kicked off Tuesday Night at Madison Square Garden. The band (with a full orchestra) performed their iconic album from start to finish for their first set … and then, after a break, came back to do a second set of hits billed as “Every Other Song We Know.”
And boy, what a set list …
Set 1: HOTEL CALIFORNIA
Hotel California
New Kid in Town
Life in the Fast Lane
Wasted Time
Wasted Time (Reprise)
Victim of Love
Pretty Maids All in a Row
Try and Love Again
The Last Resort
Set 2: EVERY OTHER SONG WE KNOW
Seven Bridges Road
Take It Easy
One of These Nights
Take It to the Limit
Tequila Sunrise
Witchy Woman
In the City
I Can’t Tell You Why
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Those Shoes
Lyin’ Eyes
Love Will Keep Us Alive
Walk Away
Life’s Been Good
Already Gone
The Boys of Summer
Funk #49
Heartache Tonight
Encore:
Rocky Mountain Way
Desperado
The Long Run
Best of My Love
It sounds like we’re one step closer to hearing new music from ABBA …
Talked about for over two years now, all four original members have been returning to the studio to work on new material. (I say returning because what at first was supposed to be just one song … and then became two … and most recently has become four … leads me to believe that an entire new album may be in the offering. This seems particularly more likely in that a special website has now been set up promoting a “major announcement” expected to post by September 2nd.)
I, for one, would LOVE to hear what they’ve come up with!!!
The last album of all new ABBA material was released in 1982, so we are quickly approaching the 40th anniversary of that event. (I’m still shocked they even considered doing this … but as we’ve learned over the years, “Never Say Never!”)
More details as they become available …
Or, you can sign up here to receive your own announcement …
Jim Yester of The Association went into the hospital in Indianapolis with covid this past weekend. He is on the Happy Together Tour. After three days, he was put in ICU and it is not looking good. His brother Jerry (The Lovin’ Spoonful) is asking for thoughts and prayers.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
So sorry to hear that. We do wish Jim a speedy recovery. Clearly Covid has raised its ugly head yet again. We really need to come up with a more permanent solution to this! (kk)
I no sooner typed this than it was announced that Paul Stanley has tested positive for Covid and Kiss has postponed its next series of shows. (I’m not sure what the confidence level was for returning to semi-normal … but it’s not looking like such a wise decision lately.) Unfortunately, we may have to go thru all the precautions again … although we’re all a bit older and wiser at this point, I guess. Even still, I think I’m stopping for toilet paper tomorrow just in case!!! (kk)
Covered by dozens of outlets but just in case you haven't seen this on Connie Hamzy:
https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-3151a97bd11baa47b7a90d8601d72e0d
David Lewis
I did … just never got around to running anything on it (so here it is now!!!)
Sweet Sweet Connie was doin’ her act …
Normally when it comes to rock groupies, we only feature the Plaster Casters … but Connie was immortalized in song … so how can we resist! (kk)
As a follow-up to a couple of recent stories covered in Forgotten Hits …
Tom T. Hall had a number one country hit with a song originally recorded by Manfred Mann. He was not the first country act to play the song, but the only to have a hit with it. The Mann version of Fox On The Run was a ballad and a hit in England. Tom T.'s version was bluegrass.
The worst K-tel album 'hack job' ever was on an album called 22 Explosive Hits (Volume One). It featured a less than two minute cut of Layla by Derek and the Dominoes!
They actually did release a few albums with complete tracks. I have a three-album set which was a best of some of the early 70's albums, and most all of the tracks are full length versions, including Pretty Lady.
Phil – WRCO
Now I wanna hear the two minute version of “Layla”!!!
This is one of those songs that pretty much bombed the first time it was released as a single (in edited form, I might add) in 1971. “Layla” peaked at #50 the first time around … but then, almost exactly a year later, the full length version was pressed on a single and it made The Top Ten! Maybe our tastes changed over the course of a year (or maybe the track had been played on FM radio for so long now that people were just looking for a cheap way to pick up the song they liked without having to buy the two-album set!!!) kk
I gotta go along with Mike M on that KRLA chart. It looks like a "rewind" survey that was created after the fact. That WMEX looks like the real deal BUT it was still probably charting due to being LP cut. It’s hard to say who programmed it as an A SIDE first. Altho "King Herod's Song" is a bit odd to play on radio due to its lyrics, I have to admit it is my second fave song on the LP. It's just a great song and was cool to see / hear Alice Cooper do it live a few years ago on TV.
Clark Besch
Yes, that first KRLA Chart that we ran on the site was clearly a “Flashback Chart,” celebrating a particular week or weekend from 1971 … but their REAL chart bares the chart positions out. Still, WMEX beat them to the punch … so until we see differently, we’ve got to go with that one as being the first. (kk)
kk:
Last Saturday Cousin Brucie talked to Don Donnemann of the Cyrkle.
In 1966, they were the opening act for the Beatles. They were also at the Beatles’ final concert at Candlestick Park. Don almost missed the tour.
He got permission to leave the Coast Guard early.
The Cyrkle became the first American group managed by Brian Epstein.
"RED RUBBER BALL" and "TURN DOWN DAY" … Two-Hit Wonders.
After the Cyrkle broke up, Don became a Pro Jingle writer.
On October 1st of last year they reformed group and started touring in the New York / New Jersey area.
This Saturday (as in tomorrow), Cousin Brucie talks to Joey Dee about his new book.
Brucie wrote the forward for Joey Dee. I'm guessing we'll be hearing some mob talk, just like Tommy James’ book.
FB
Well, Joey Dee and Tommy James were on the same record label … Roulette Records … which Morris Levy was head of … so yeah, I’m guessing you’ll hear ALL kinds of mob talk on this one!
The Cyrkle had those two Top 20 Hits that you mentioned (“Red Rubber Ball,” #2, and “Turn-Down Day,” #16, both in 1966.) Although they did manage to chart six more times, only one of those records (“Please Don’t Ever Leave Me,” #50, 1966) made The Top 50. “Red Rubber Ball,” of course, was written by Paul Simon. (kk)
And finally, a brief history lesson from our buddy Chuck Buell …
In ancient Israel, it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com did take unto himself a healthy young wife by the name of Dorothy. And Dot Com was a comely woman, large of breast, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed, she was often called Amazon Dot Com.
And she said unto Abraham, her husband, "Why dost thou travel so far from town to town with thy goods when thou canst trade without ever leaving thy tent?"
And Abraham did look at her as though she were several saddle bags short of a camel load, but simply said, "How, dear?"
And Dot replied, "I will place drums in all the towns and drums in between to send messages saying what you have for sale, and they will reply telling you who hath the best price. The sale can be made on the drums and delivery made by Uriah's Pony Stable (UPS)."
Abraham thought long and decided he would let Dot have her way with the drums. And the drums rang out and were an immediate success. Abraham sold all the goods he had at the top price, without ever having to move from his tent.
To prevent neighboring countries from overhearing what the drums were saying, Dot devised a system that only she and the drummers knew. It was known as Must Send Drum Over Sound (MSDOS), and she also developed a language to transmit ideas and pictures - Hebrew to the People (HTTP).
And the young men did take to Dot Com's trading as doth the greedy horsefly take to camel dung. They were called Nomadic Ecclesiastical Rich Dominican Sybarites (NERDS.)
And lo, the land was so feverish with joy at the new riches and the deafening sound of drums that no one noticed that the real riches were going to that enterprising drum dealer, Brother William of Gates, who did insist on drums to be made that would work only with his drum heads and drumsticks.
And Dot did say, "Oh, Abraham, what we have started is being taken over by others." And Abraham looked out over the Bay of Ezekiel, or eBay as it came to be known. He said, "We need a name that reflects what we are."
And Dot replied, "Young Ambitious Hebrew Owner Operators. “YAHOO!" said Abraham. And because it was Dot's idea, they named it YAHOO Dot Com.
Abraham's cousin, Joshua, being the young Gregarious Energetic Educated Kid (GEEK) that he was, soon started using Dot's drums to locate things around the countryside. It soon became known as God's Own Official Guide to Locating Everything (GOOGLE).
Centuries later, a remarkable music oasis of all-knowing knowledge around all great songs of yore was declared and revered across the land. Given unto it was the name “Forgotten Hits,” as so proclaimed by the King of That Amazing Land (KOTAL).
And lo, a faithful and loyal scribe cried out spreading this story by the Best Use of Empowering Lottsa Laffs! (BUELL).
And that is how it all began.
===============================================
Disclaimer: I take no credit for writing the first, and major, portion of this story; only the three lines before the last. Simply, I thought this fable was just too good not to share! < cb >
Chuck also sent me this birthday greeting as the calendar flips another year for me today …
Great column as always, Kent!
Johnny Holliday
kk:
I love your 18th Birthday Picture –
You were a real "COOL CAT."
What happened to you?!?!?
L-o-L!!!
FB
Thanks to all the birthday "well wishers" ... it is much appreciated. (kk)
LOTS more tomorrow ...
As we continue to dig out from all the (Barney) rubble.
Stay tuned! (kk)
