More sad news to report this evening ... I didn't get this ready in time to include in yesterday's Sunday Comments Page ... But I've had so many responses from our readers in the last 48 hours that I felt it best to put together some sort of a small, special tribute on the web page. This past weekend we lost Don Fieger of The Knack and early rocker Dale Hawkins. Don had been fighting brain cancer for a while now and it wasn't unusual to see updates in the musical press regarding his condition ... but the news about Dale Hawkins (also a cancer victim) was especially disheartening, as we had just read an article / interview with him in the brand new issue of "Keep Rockin'" Magazine a few days ago. Giving us the "official" word is Ron Smith, Forgotten Hits' very own Grim Reaper ... followed by a couple of your comments as well.
Doug Fieger, guitarist with the Knack and lead singer on "My Sharona," lost his own fight with brain and lung cancer Sunday (February 14) at a California hospital. He had announced on January 11 that he that he had a piece of his lung removed two years ago and had suffered 22 brain tumors since. All-told, Doug underwent three craniotomies as well as whole-brain radiation. The Detroit native founded the Knack along with Berton Averre, Prescott Niles and Bruce Gary in Los Angeles in 1978. Their straight-ahead, power pop sound was a refreshing antidote to the current disco boom and their first release, "My Sharona, went to #1 forsix weeks in 1979. The "real" Sharona Alperin was Doug's 16 year-old girlfriend at the time and it was her that adorned the single's picture sleeve holding their first album, "Get The Knack." The success of that first single led to an immediate backlash however. The follow-up that year, "Good Girls Don't," stalled at #11 while "Baby Talks Dirty" onlyreached #38 the following year. After three more songs failed to reach the top 60, the group disbanded in 1982, though it reunited in 1986 to little success. -- Ron Smith
(always one of MY favorite picture sleeves!!!)
We've all heard "My Sharona" (that's Don's REAL Sharona in the photo, by the way!) a zillion times ... but I've got a couple of OTHER Knack favorites that I'd like to share with you today.
First up, their "Bottom 40" Hit "Can't Put A Price On Love", which peaked at #62 in Billboard Magazine in 1980. If "My Sharona" and the look of the first Knack album seemed to recall (quite intentionally, I might add!) images of The Early Beatles, then THIS song ought to conjur up memories of The Rolling Stones (and their hit "Beast Of Burden" in particular.) A pretty song showing the OTHER side of The Knack.
And then one of my personal favorites (and one that me and the boys used to perform live all the time in our early '80's band) ... "Frustrated", B-Side to their second chart hit "Good Girls Don't".
Knack lead singer Doug Fieger dies of cancer Paul Egan / The Detroit News
(submitted by Gary Renfield) Doug Fieger, who pursued his childhood dreams from suburban Detroit to a brief stint at the top of the pop music world with his band The Knack, died Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Fieger, who wrote and sang lead vocals on the 1979 hit "My Sharona," was 57. His death was confirmed by his brother, prominent Southfield attorney Geoffrey Fieger. He attended Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School in Oak Park and Oak Park High School. When he died, Fieger was living in Woodland Hills, Calif., and being treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He had battled lung cancer for six years. "Doug didn't wait for the world to come to him -- he made his own destiny, even as early as high school," said David Weiss, who went to school with Fieger in Oak Park and was later known professionally as David Was with the Detroit-born rock-funk band Was (Not Was). "He was a trendsetter, even in high school," Weiss said. "I think it was in 1964 that he showed up at school with the first bell bottoms anyone had ever seen and a pair of boots -- I think they were pink." Richard Fishman, now an antiques dealer in California, was in Fieger's first band, the Royal Jammers, when they were both about 11 years old. He remembers Fieger as a Beatles fanatic with an encyclopedic knowledge of rock history who insisted his first guitar be an expensive Gretsch Country Gentleman, because that's what George Harrison played. "He collected all this Beatles paraphernalia in a box under his bed," Fishman said. And when he saw Fieger recently, as he continued his fight with cancer, "he still had everything -- he had an unbelievable guitar collection," Fishman said. Detroit native Jaan Uhelszki, a former editor at Creem magazine in Detroit who is now a music writer based on the West Coast, knew Doug Fieger when he had the band Sky, which predated The Knack. "He had a radiant talent," she said. "He was determined and pugnacious with big dreams, most of which he achieved." And Detroit News columnist Laura Berman, who grew up next door to the Fiegers in Oak Park, said she never doubted Doug Fieger was headed for stardom. "He was one of the most extraordinary people that I ever met," Berman said. "He was the pied piper. He was so charismatic and admired that people would just follow him everywhere." Fieger was always putting on dramatic productions -- staging his own funeral with his brother Geoffrey's help when he was about 10 and Samuel Beckett's theater-of-the-absurd classic "Waiting for Godot" in high school, she said. "I'm more surprised that he wasn't a big star all his life than I am that he became a star," Berman said. "He always felt destined for stardom and intent on making himself a star." "Get the Knack" sold 6 million copies. Fieger's ex-wife, Mia, helped care for him during his illness. In addition to his older brother, Geoffrey, survivors include his younger sister, Beth. In one of the last interviews Fieger gave, he told columnist Neal Rubin of The News in January that he maintained a positive outlook even as he faced death. "Everybody knows they're going sooner or later," he said. "I don't know any better than anyone else when I'm going. "I've had 10 great lives. And I expect to have some more. I don't feel cheated in any way, shape or form." A memorial in Los Angeles for relatives and close friends is pending. Staff writers Neal Rubin and Sue Whitall contributed.
Original Knack Drummer Bruce Gary also died of cancer in 2006. (kk)
One of the great power pop groups of the late 70's and early 80's lost their lead singer and creative force yesterday. Doug and the Knack had many great songs and unfortunately was labelled as one hit wonders with My Sharona. If anyone has the time to listen to their albums, you'll see that they covered many genres and paid tibunes to many artists by their sound alike songs (Buddy Holly, Brian Wilson). Doug has been sick with cancer for a few years and never completely recovered. Touring was down to a minimum but they were in Wisconsin last year ... unfortunately, I never had a chance to see them. -- The Dude
73 year-old Dale Hawkins lost his battle with colon cancer Saturday (February 13). He had been in a hospice in Little Rock, Arkansas since Tuesday. Delmar Alan Hawkins was born in 1936 in Goldmine, Louisiana, a cousin (it's said) of Ronnie Hawkins. Dale made a name for himself in the clubs in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he played alongside artists like Johnny Horton and Merle Kilgore. It was at KWKH radio there in 1957 that Dale, with 15 year-old James Burton on guitar, recorded thelegendary "Susie Q." The "swamp pop" classic was leased to Checker Records in Chicago and got to #27, staying on the charts for 19 weeks. It's follow-up, "La-Do-Dada" the next year, topped at #32. And while Dale only charted two more times -- with "A House, A Car And A Wedding Ring" (#88 - 1958) and "Yea-Yea (Class Cutter)" (#52 - 1959), his legendary status had already been solidified. Dale went on to produce albums for the Five Americans, Jon And Robin & the In Crowd and the Uniques. He also was a vice-president at Aknak and Bell Records and hosted his own TV show in Philadelphia. His most recent album was 2007's "Back Down To Louisiana." Dale was named to the Louisiana Music and Rockabilly Halls of Fame and "Susie-Q" was named one of the 500 "Songs That Shaped Rock 'n' Roll" by the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. -- Ron Smith
Dale Hawkins passed away sometime over the weekend. I know you know his history: His last record was distributed by burnside who I work with. a very nice man - you will probably see something on the AP newswire sometime early this week.
Clay P
Music fans owe a great debt to Dale Hawkins if only for discovering guitarist James Burton! And "Susie-Q" was named one of the most important songs ever to help "shape" rock and roll. Of course it was also the break-through hit for Creedence Clearwater Revival, who added even MORE of a "swamp-beat" to Hawkins' tune in 1968. They followed up this hit single with a tune written by ANOTHER guy named Hawkins ... Screamin' Jay Hawkins to be exact ... and CCR's version of "I Put A Spell On Your" went to #58 before John Fogerty began writing the hits that would shape the rest of their career.
In answer to all of your questions: Are you still alive? Do you ever get writer's block? Are you still posting new material on the website? Everything OK??? The answer is ... yeah ... sort of!!! It's been a rough couple of weeks here and, quite honestly, I just haven't had the inspiration or inclination to spend much time at the computer keyboard ... still not feeling anywhere near 100% but concerned that if I didn't get SOMETHING up here pretty soon, you'll just stop checking!!! So I've gathered together a few bits and pieces from the past couple of weeks, put 'em up on the site, and can only promise you that we'll see where it goes from here. It wouldn't be my style to simply fade into the sunset ... At the very least, I would post something ANNOUNCING that I was going to fade into the sunset!!! (lol) So thank you for all of your concerns and well-wishes ... I really do appreciate them. Meanwhile, on with the show ... albeit a much SHORTER version of the show than usual!!! (kk)
re: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY: Just copped this from Ron Smith's excellent oldiesmusic.com website, just in time for Valentine's Day!!! The Olivia Newton-John song, "Physical" was named the sexiest song ever on a list of 50 released by Billboard magazine for Valentine's Day. It was followed by Rod Stewart's "Tonight's The Night," "I'll Make Love To You" by Boyz II Men, "Too Close" by Next and Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." Rod also had the #10 song with "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" -- Ron Smith Wow ... I would have figured "Let's Get It On" for #1 ... with Gaye's "Sexual Healing" not far behind. (Never really found "Physical" all that romantic ... lol!) Where did "Afternoon Delight" place on the list? How 'bout "Je T'Aime", "Jungle Fever", "Love To Love You Baby", "Miracles" by Jefferson Starship ... that's the one I've heard most-often-mentioned as the song that turns people on ... or "Stay Awhile" by The Bells. Scott Shannon's been playing Valentine's Day Love Songs all weekend long on The True Oldies Channel ... so naturally I requested MY favorite love song of all time, "My Girl Bill" by Jim Stafford! Actually, the song that best helps me with MY romantic rhythms has always been "Mah-Na-Mah-Na" ... but that's a different story all together!!! (kk)
re: COOL STUFF: I was never one of those who got into the whole SpongeBob SquarePants phenomena ... it just never struck my fancy and the kids were at the "in-between" ages where they wouldn't have watched it anyway ... but tomorrow night (Monday, February 15th) is a "sponge-worthy" event worth noting. I guess there are two "Super Hero" characters on the show called Mermaidman and Barnacleboy who are normally voiced by Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway ... which is pretty cool in and of itself since these two guys starred together on McHale's Navy way back when. But on tomorrow night's episode they're running a "Back To The Past" time-traveling episode which will render younger versions of these two heroes that'll be voiced by none other than Adam West and Burt Ward, TV's original Batman and Robin!!! (Now how cool is THAT?!?!?) Check your local listings for more details (as I think this is one of those syndicated programs that runs at different times in different cities.) kk
Lionel Richie recently announced that The Commodores are getting back together for a reunion tour ... one last chance to allow fans to remember the good times. The band enjoyed their hey-day between 1974 and 1981 before lead Richie left to pursue a very successful solo career. The original Commodores scored sixteen Top 40 Hits including soft-rock classics like "Easy", "Three Times A Lady", "Still" and "Sail On" ... and showed their funky side, too, with tracks like "Brick House" and "Lady (You Bring Me Up)". After Lionel left, The Commodores managed one more Top Ten Hit when "Nightshift", their tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, soared to #3 and topped Billboard's R&B Chart for four weeks. This should be a VERY enjoyable concert, especially if Richie is allowed to work some of his solo material into the set. (He released a new CD last year called "Just Go" ... and the title track (featuring Akon) sounded as good as ANYTHING he'd ever put out before!) kk And, speaking of Lionel Richie, have you seen the new "We Are The World" video recorded to raise funds for Haiti? Richie, of course, had a major hand in the original 1985 production, cowriting the tune with Michael Jackson and, quite honestly, I was a little apprehensive about why a remake of such a powerful piece was necessary ... in my mind, I could only see it tarnishing and cheapening the original. Well, I'm happy to say that I was 100% wrong. If you haven't seen it yet, please check out the link below ... it's been updated to a very contemporary arrangement that still retains all of the power and charm of the original ... VERY well done ... and certainly for a good cause. I've heard news reports of food and supplies being intercepted on their way to Haiti and the very idea just sickens me ... once again, in what is most certainly the most difficult of financial times to do so, Americans and people all over the world have given from their hearts to try to help these poor people through this utter and complete devastation. Check out the video and, if you haven't already done so, make a donation. (kk) Click here: YouTube - We Are The World 25 For Haiti - Official Video
re: CRUISIN' TO THE OLDIES: Hi Kent ~ Love the column ... Always the best. I'm doing a Cruise show with my pal Davy Jones this coming April 3rd. On the bill with us is Barry Williams and Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods. Looks to be a fun 7 days of music and meet and greets. Here's Davy and me in Orlando last week. All the best mate and rock on Ronnie D.
Ironically, I had just been reading about this cruise the other day ... sounds like a real fun time. Over the past few years, we've been approached a number of times about putting together some sort of an "Oldies / Cruisin'" Program, utilizing so many of the artists on our list as featured performers. Let's face it, our age group is probably the most economically viable to do a 7-10 day cruise ... and just think about how much more fun that would all be with a different oldies headliner each night, some type of mega-jam-session on the weekend and maybe some individual "Meet 'n' Greets" or "on deck" acoustical performances where you never really knew for certain just WHO might show up. If any of the folks on the list express an interest in this ... or, if any of the artists might be interested (or have some stories of their own to share from similar type oldies cruises you've worked on), we'd LOVE to hear about them ... who knows ... 2010 JUST might be the year we finally put something together!!! (kk) The last cruise I did was with Bo Donaldson & The Hewoods. We cruised down to Mexico from the west coast on a Carnaval cruise and it rocked! We did one big show, a meet and greet, where we took questions from the fans, and then an unplugged night in the small showroom. It was so cool to get to spend seven days with the fans of our music on the ship. I'm really looking forward to this April's cruise with Davy Jones and the gang. All the best, Ronnie D.
re: AND, SPEAKING OF "ARTIST PARTICIPATION ... : I received an email last night from one of our readers who has a new book coming out in October called "Rock And Roll Ghost Stories". She's already lined up a number of recent artists to share their personal experiences ... and she's asked me to see if we can entice any of the artists on OUR list to participate as well. Unfortunately, the deadline for submissions is March 15th ... (kinda short notice, I know, but Stacy tells me that a "Volume 2" edition is already in the works) ... who knows, maybe volume one can feature the "new kids on the block" and volume two can concentrate on some of the classic artists who take part in our publication. Anyway, all of the details are shown below ... and, if you DO have a story to tell and can get it over to Stacy before the March 15th deadline, you just may find yourself in this year's edition. (More details as they become available ... meanwhile, check out the website if you're interested.) Hi Kent, Hope this email finds you and yours doing well. Our mutual friend, Kristy White, mentioned your blog to me and thought you might be interested, as well as might be able to help me a bit. I am finishing up a book, Rock & Roll Ghost Stories, and am still looking for a few more stories. So far the book features newer bands like The Dandy Warhols, The Church, Tim Finn (of Crowded House), Morningwood, Hal Sparks’ Zero 1, Metropol, The Misfits … but I am so very interested in obtaining stories from 50s, 60s and 70s musicians. Kristy mentioned you have a lot of industry insiders watching your blog. Is it at all possible that you could mention that I am looking for more stories ... or help put me in contact with a couple management folk? Any help you can lend would be greatly appreciated. Here is my book website. There is an e-form for submissions at the site, or they can email stories to book@babbleandbeat.com. I will gladly include a small bio, a couple band website links and a photo if they desire. Volume 1 comes out October 2010 in paperback and digital formats. www.rockandrollghoststories.com Thank you for your time. Best, Stacy McArdle-Sardelli
re: WE'RE ALL GETTING OLDER: Here's one I think both the oldies fans AND the artists will enjoy ... recently submitted by our buddy Wild Bill Cody: Well gang, I hate to say it, but all the people we listened to when we were young have grown old just like us ... give a listen to see what I mean ... and enjoy! Wild Bill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnPINGavPP0
re: 789 CHEVY: Got this from our Forgotten Hits Buddy John Madara: 789 Chevy: 1957, 1958 and 1959 All Rolled Into One! This car was built by N2A motors (No Two Alike). Unbelievable! The company is planning a production run of about 100 vehicles. It sits on a Corvette C6 chassis and has been front styled like a '57 Chevy, side-styled like a '58 and rear-styled like a '59 ... hence the designation, "789." Is this a hot looking car or what!!! You probably need to be at least 60 yrs old to really appreciate this!!! The "789" Chevy. --John Madara
Oh, I don't know about that ... a cool car is a cool car at ANY age! Kinda reminds me of that Johnny Cash classic novelty hit "One Piece At A Time", always one of my favorites!
re: THE MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET: And, speaking of Johnny Cash ... and, in a minute, Roy Orbison, here's another quick review of "The Million Dollar Quartet", now playing here in Chicago: The Million Dollar Quartet was AWESOME! There's not a bad seat in the house! It's almost like you're just sitting thru a rock concert ... U guys would love it! I'd say I knew 60 - 70% of the songs. They were all amazing singers and played their own instruments! It was nuts! The Jerry Lee Lewis guy was phenomonal ... the Johnny Cash guy sounded JUST like Johnny Cash ... spot on. There were moments when you actually thought it was Elvis up on stage ... and they start it all off with a short clip of the real guys in the studio that night ... even the Sam Phillips guy is great! You've got to see it before it leaves town ... it's already been extended through March but then that's it. It's a small theater so every seat is a good seat ... and I think some of the tickets start at just $25. You guys have just gotta go see it! Nicki We're adding it to our "To Do" list for sure!!! Thanks, Nicki! (kk)
re: HONORING "THE BIG O": Roy Orbison honored with star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame (from TravelingWilburys.com) submitted by FH Reader Ed Andrews The late Roy Orbison was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during an unveiling ceremony on Jan. 29. Located in front of the historic Capitol Records building in Los Angeles, Roy’s star is positioned next to the stars of his great friends George Harrison and John Lennon. His wife, Barbara Orbison accepted the award on behalf of Roy, with sons Wesley, Roy Jr. and Alex. Special guests included Traveling Wilburys bandmate Jeff Lynne, Dan Akroyd, Joe Walsh, David Lynch, T-Bone Burnett, Phil Everly, Chris Isaak, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Mraz, Olivia Harrison and many others. Orbison grew up in the tiny Wink, Texas, and by the time he was 21 he was loved around the world for his soaring five octave voice. He recorded for Sun Records, becoming part of the label's artist roster. During his tenure on Nashville-based Monument Records, he recorded his first string of hits including as "Only the Lonely," "Blue Bayou," and "Oh Pretty Woman." These were among his first songs to top the charts, and Orbison is one of the very few artists to have been accepted by the world in all forms of popular music, and to have won Grammys in pop, rock and roll and country categories. In 1987 Roy was Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Bruce Springsteen, who subsequently joined an all star ensemble for Roy and friends 's Black & White Night (featuring Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt, JD Souther, Tom Waits, Jennifer Warnes). On December 6, 1988 the world lost Roy Orbison, but the legacy of his music lives on. Roy was the only artist (other than Elvis) to have two simultaneous posthumously-charting Top 5 albums with his mega-hit "You Got It" (written with Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty) off of Roy's solo release Mystery Girl (a collaboration with Bono); and The Traveling Wilburys (including bandmates Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty) . Both of these releases also won him two Grammys. In 1991, two years after his death, he won the Grammy for Best Male Vocalist, for his performance of “Pretty Woman” from the concert Black & White Night. A fitting tribute to be sure ... congratulations, Roy ... I hope you're up there smiling down on all of us today (making that increidble "GRRRRRWL" sound you always did!!! lol) kk
re: AND RINGO, TOO!: MONDAY NIGHT, AT THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME ", A STAR FOR A STARR" WAS UNVEILED RINGO STARR'S NAME CEMENTED A LITTLE PEACE AND A LOT OF LOVE INTO THE LEGENDARY WALK OF FAME The event, watched by thousands of fans, took place in front of Capitol Records, at 1750 Vine in Hollywood, where Ringo's star, the 2401st on the walk, was placed in line with fellow Beatle's George Harrison and John Lennon as well as dear friend Roy Orbison (whose star was celebrated just last week, with Ringo adding "Roy was the hardest act the Beatles ever had to follow"). The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a special evening event, and it was a full-on Hollywood style celebration, closing off Hollywood and Vine and using search lights to emblazon the night sky. Ringo applauded the change, encouraging the Chamber to continue these in the evening, "I don't know how it is where you come from," he said, "but where I live, the stars come out at night." Leron Gubler, CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone. On hand to induct Ringo was fellow "mocker" and now brother in law Joe Walsh, musician, friend and former producer Don Was and Ringo's most recent band mate and friend Ben Harper, who just completed a promotional tour to support Ringo's current CD Y NOT. In his acceptance speech, Ringo said of his inductors, "I like to spend as much time as I can with great human beings, and the three guys that got up tonight are at the top of my list." The love was palpable, emulating from the heartfelt eloquent and often funny speeches from Ringo's friends and the crowd who could not contain their enthusiasm and shouted "Peace and Love!" and "We Love You Ringo!!" throughout the 40 minute plus ceremony. One voice from the crowd reached Ringo and he said into the microphone, with his typical wit, "in case you didn't hear her she said I look fantastic!" Sitting to the right of the stage was Ringo's family, including his wife, Barbara Bach Starkey, and Ringo thanked her from the podium adding "30 years we have been together, she is a beautiful human being with a beautiful heart and that's who I fell in love with ... I love you, Barbara." Ringo also acknowledged The Beatles, and Paul, who was in England and couldn't attend, saying, "I still think we were the best band in the land." Sitting next to Barbara was her sister Marjorie Bach Walsh, and friends Barbara Orbison and son Roy, Jr., Olivia Harrison, David Lynch, Eric Idle, Benmont Tench, Jeff Lynne, Noah Wylie, All Starr's Edgar Winter and wife Monique, Gary Wright and his wife Rose, Sheila E, Jim Keltner and many more friends and family. Even Mayor Villarigosa, who was scheduled to be at another simultaneous event, meant to just drop by but wound up staying for the duration. It was a love and star filled night for Ringo Starr, who concluded his speech with an exuberant trademark "Peace and Love!" The entire Ringo Starr Hollywood Star event could be seen on a live webcast, produced by SyncLive, which brought the event to online viewers around the world, and can still be seen in encore broadcasts at RingoStarr.com, TheBeatles.com, and several other sites. Meanwhile, Ringo's also getting ready for his upcoming summer tour with The All-Stars. Here are a few details on THIS event: RINGO STARR AND THE ALL STARS ON TOUR The 11th All Starrs will feature Edgar Winter on sax and keyboards, Gary Wright on keyboards and Gregg Bissonette on drums. New to the All Starrs are Rick Derringer on Guitar, Richard Page on bass (Mr. Mister) and Wally Palmar on Guitar and Harmonica (Romantics). Booked by Dave Hart, the tour will kick off this June 24, 2010 at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Canada, include a July 7 (Ringo's Birthday!) show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City ending at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on August 7. The complete schedule is listed below: June: 24-25 Niagara Falls, ONT Fallsview Casino 26 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center 27 Uncasville, CN Mohegan Sun Arena 29 Boston, MA Bank Of America Pavilion 30 Westbury, NY Westbury Theatre July:2 Easton, PA State Theatre 3 Atlantic City, NY Caesar's Circus Maximus 5 New Brunswick, NJ State Theater 6 Lancaster, PA American Theater 7 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall 10 Atlanta, Ga Chastain Park 11 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center 13 Clearwater, Fl Ruth Eckerd Hall 15 Hollywood, Fl Hard Rock Arena 17 Saint Augustine, FL St Augustine Amphitheatre 20 Cleveland, OH City Lights Pavilion 21 Canandaigua, NY Sands PAC 23 Windsor, ONT Caesars 24 Hammond, IN Horseshoe Casino 25 Prior Lake, MN Mystic Lake Casino 28 Calgary, ALB Jubilee Theater 30 Spokane, WA Northern Quest Casino 31 Woodinville, Wa Chateau St Michelle August:5 Rancho Mirage, CA Agua Caliente Casino 6 San Diego, CA Humphrey's 7 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre And, of course, we have to mention Ringo's new CD, YNOT!!! Y NOT - THE BRAND NEW ALBUM FROM RINGO STARR -NOW AVAILABLE 1. Fill In The Blanks 2. Peace Dream 3. The Other Side Of Liverpool 4. Walk With You 5. Time 6. Everyone Wins 7. Mystery Of The Night 8. Can't Do It Wrong 9. Y Not 10. Who's Your Daddy GET THE ALBUM NOW
Lots more to post ... I've got over three weeks of emails still to sort through and just haven't had the time or energy to do so ... we'll try to get out anything that's still relevant in about a week or so. Meanwhile, I've gotta tell you that it really feels good to get something out there today ... so please enjoy and keep those comments coming! (kk)
I'm not quite sure how the phrase "a little bit under the weather" came to signify a person's health issues but, since this seems to be the accepted case, then it's suffice to say that the weather has COMPLETELY kicked my ass these past few days!!!
Fortunately, I was still able to pull together enough of your most recent comments to fill a Sunday Comments Page ... so here we go!!!
re: THE BRITISH INVASION DVDs: Lots of buzz for this hot new series of DVDs ... we can't WAIT to get 'em!!! Meanwhile here are some new YouTube clip postings that'll have YOU salivating for a copy, too!!! Read the Gerry & The Pacemakers comment and your response about the series. Great stuff! Bob Merlis By the way, all the trailers are have been posted individually: GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS - It's Gonna Be All Right 1963 – 1965 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrIWPjCk8Gw The first band ever to have their first three singles top the British charts, Gerry & The Pacemakers rivaled the Beatles in the early years of the British Invasion. Their first official anthology DVD features 17 classic complete performances including the smash hits “How Do You Do It?,” “I Like It” and “You’ll Never walk Alone” as well as the timeless classics "Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying” and “Ferry Cross The Mersey.” Also included is an interview with Gerry Marsden that was conducted exclusively for the DVD at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club. Bill Harry, founder/publisher of Mersey Beat, the music paper that originally chronicled the Liverpool scene, also tells the band's story both on screen and in his accompanying liner notes. DUSTY SPRINGFIELD - Once Upon A Time 1964 - 1969 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os0_hVwxkSs Features 20 definitive complete television performances by Britain's greatest pop diva including “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me,” “Son Of A Preacher Man,” “Wishin’ And Hopin’” and “I Only Want To Be With You.” Dusty's story is told through new interviews with Burt Bacharach, Madeline Bell (who sang back-up for Dusty in the ‘60s), Simon Bell (Dusty’s back-up singer from the ‘70s to the ‘90s), and a newly discovered interview from 1978 with Dusty herself. Bonus features include Dusty’s complete 1965 and 1966 New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert appearances as well as a duet with Burt Bacharach on “A House Is Not A Home.” Annie Randall, Dusty’s biographer, wrote the accompanying essay. HERMAN'S HERMITS - Listen People 1964-1969 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8TJm_Y1Muc The DVD is their first official anthology chronicling their meteoric rise melding a traditional British music hall influence with good time rock ‘n roll. Among the 22 full-length performances are all of their biggest hits including “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am” and their later evocative masterpieces “No Milk Today,” and “Listen People.” The Herman’s Hermits’ story is told by original members Peter Noone, Keith Hopwood, Karl Green and Barry Whitwam as well as in the accompanying essay by GRAMMY-winning music historian Rob Bowman. A complete concert filmed in 1966 for Australian television is included as a bonus feature. SMALL FACES - All Or Nothing 1965 - 1968 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9Tq0GMIfZ4 In the mid-1960's the Small Faces challenged the Who, Kinks, Rolling Stones and even the Beatles for UK chart domination. This is the band’s first official anthology and features 27 complete performances capturing every aspect of their brief but brilliant run including early Mod/R&B classics such as “What’cha Gonna Do About It”, “Sha La La La Lee” and “All Or Nothing”, timeless rockers like “Tin Soldier” and later psychedelic treasures including “Itchycoo Park”, and “Green Circles.” Nine songs are included from the band’s masterwork Ogden's Nut Gone Flake including "Lazy Sunday", "Song Of A Baker", the title track and the six song “Happiness Stan” suite. Also included are interviews filmed exclusively for the DVD with original members Ian McLagan, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston as well as archival interviews with the late Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane. The 24-page booklet includes an informative essay by pop historian Ken Sharp as well as rare in-studio photographs by famed engineer Eddie Kramer. ... and all together (now): http://www.reelinintheyears.com/britishinvasion/ Cover art/pix: http://reelinintheyears.com/britishinvasion/bi_pressphotos.html and some info on bonus disc content (for those who purchase the box set of all four) that I didn't have earlier: British Invasion Bonus Disc Tracklist: DUSTY SPRINGFIELD: Airport Interview AUSTRALIA (1967); You Don't Have To Say You Love Me AUSTRALIA (21/10/67); I Only Want To Be With You AUSTRALIA (21/10/67); My Colouring Book AUSTRALIA (21/10/67); Twenty-Four Hours From Tulsa Bandstand AUSTRALIA (21/10/67); Interview AUSTRALIA (21/10/67); In The Middle Of Nowhere AUSTRALIA (21/10/67); I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself AUSTRALIA (21/10/67); What’s It Gonna Be AUSTRALIA (21/10/67); Everybody Gets To Go To The Moon ENGLAND (31/3/70); I Wanna Be A Free Girl ENGLAND (31/3/70) HERMAN’S HERMITS: Peter Noone Interview ENGLAND (1965); Man With The Cigar AuSTRALIA (3/2/66); Interview AUSTRALIA (1969); Dandy NORWAY (1967); I'm Into Something Good NORWAY (1967); Silhouettes NORWAY (1967); Bus Stop NORWAY (1967); A Must To Avoid NORWAY (1967); No Milk Today NORWAY (1967); ENCORE: Cutting Room Floor (Additional Interviews): Over 90 minutes of interviews with: Peter Noone (HERMAN'S HERMITS), Gerry Marsden (GERRY & THE PACEMAKERS), Simon Bell, Madeline Bell & Burt Bacharach (DUSTY SPRINGFIELD) Kenney Jones & Ian McLagan (SMALL FACES) All-in-all, some VERY cool stuff, most of it never seen here in The States before. If you grew up loving The British Invasion era of pop music (as much as I did), then this hot new series is for you!!! The British Are Coming ... Again ... beginning March 30th!!! (kk) BTW ... VERY Special Thanks to Bob Merlis and Colin Rae, who sent me an advance copy of the Gerry and the Pacemakers disc ... autographed by Gerry Marsden himself, no less!!! You have NO idea what a treat that is for a British Invasion Fan like me!!! Thanks, Guys! (kk)
MINI REVIEW: Ever wonder why Gerry Marsden held his guitar so high, almost at neck-tie level, while performing? It's here! So is a GREAT comment about how a Pacemakers fan from Chicago once told Marsden that he made it cool for "ugly guys" to play rock and roll and become famous! (lol) You'll hear how Gerry's love and affection for Laurel and Hardy movies provided the inspiration for him to record one of his biggest U.K. #1 hits ... and how Gerry remained true to himself by remaining a Liverpudlian long after the glory days were over, echoing his heartfelt lyric from "Ferry 'Cross The Mersey": "And here I'll stay." Powerful stuff. We've all heard the story about how The Beatles turned down the song "How Do You Do It", preferring to record their OWN composition "Please Please Me" instead, ultimately paving the way for Gerry and the Pacemakers to take THEIR version of that same song to #1 on The British Charts ... but didja know that Gerry also turned down a Lennon - McCartney composition as the follow up single, chosing to record another Mickie Most original instead??? ALL kinds of VERY cool stuff on here, as Gerry looks back at The British Invasion, circa 1963 - 1965 ... and it all makes for some VERY enjoyable viewing ... and I can't wait to see the REST of the series. (Hey, maybe Peter Noone will sign and send me the Herman's Hermits edition!!! lol And you can bet that I'll be adding the Dusty Springfield edition to my collection real soon, too!) kk re: I'LL BE THERE: >>>Anybody out there remember "I'll Be There" by Gerry and the Pacemakers? This was their last song together and my personal favorite. (Carrie) >>>Actually, no ... they had several singles come out after this one. (In fact, "I'll Be There" was the single that came out right before their Top Five Hit, "Ferry 'Cross The Mersey"! Their last charted hit here in The States was "Girl On A Swing", #28 in 1966.) "I'll Be There" is an old Bobby Darin tune (and one of MY favorites, too.) I actually got Scott Shannon to play this when we did our last True Oldies Channel / Forgotten Hits Weekend ... HE had forgotten all about it, too. GREAT track ... yet another over-looked gem! (kk) >>>This is what I read on it. I personally like Gerry and the Pacemakers' version better than Bobby Darin's although Darin's version is played much more on the oldies stations than Gerry and the Pacemakers. (Carrie) >>>"I'll Be There", was the quartet's final Top 20 entry and in 1967 Gerry embarked on a solo career. >>>Looking at The British Charts, this is a true statement ... in The U.K. "I'll Be There" came out AFTER "Ferry 'Cross The Mersey" and peaked at #15, making it their last Top 20 Hit. Here in The States, the order (and success rate) was somewhat reversed. Their first U.S. Chart Hit was "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" (#4, 1964), followed by "How Do You Do It" (#9, 1964); "I'm The One" (#82, 1964); "I Like It" (#17, 1964); "I'll Be There" (#14, 1965); "Ferry 'Cross The Mersey" (#4, 1965); "It's Gonna Be All-Right" (#20, 1965); "You'll Never Walk Alone" (#48, 1965); "Give All Your Love To Me" (#68, 1965); "La-La-La" (#87, 1966) and "Girl On A Swing" (#28, 1966). "You're The Reason", "Walk Hand In Hand" and a reissue of "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" in 1970 all "Bubbled Under" on The Billboard Charts. Surprisingly, in hindsight, (despite all their success in The Mersey Beat Polls back in The U.K.), Gerry and the Pacemakers seem to have had a more successful recording career here in The United States! Oldies Jocks would do well to give a spin to tracks like "I'll Be There", "It's Gonna Be All-Right", "Girl On A Swing", "I Like It" and "How Do You Do It" once in a while, as their audience certainly WILL remember these tunes! (kk)
An interesting note about the song "I'll Be There" ... when Bobby Darin recorded it, it was produced by Tony Orlando. In the same session, they reversed rolls with Tony singing it and Bobby producing it. Bobby also played piano on Tony's track. Vinny B I'm not sure I can buy into that story. When Darin wrote and recorded "I'll Be There" (July of 1959), Tony Orlando would have been all of fifteen years old ... Tony wouldn't even have his own first chart hit until two years later when "Halfway To Paradise" and "Bless You" both made The National Top 20. While it's true that Darin would later take the young star under his wing and was, in effect, his mentor, helping Tony along during the early stages of his career, I don't think he would have let Tony produce one of his sessions at that point ... and doubt that they had even met yet back in 1959! The original Darin release shows Atlantic Records Founder Ahmet Ertegen as Bobby's producer on this track. On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me at all to find out that Bobby later produced (or at least had a hand in making) Tony's version of the song, which was recorded two years later. In Tony's own words (from his biography "Halfway To Paradise"), "The first time I met Bobby was, of course, through Don Kirshner. When I met him in 1961, Bobby already had hits with 'Splish Splash,' 'Queen of the Hop,' 'Dream Lover,' 'Mack The Knife' and 'Beyond the Sea.' He was one of the biggest stars in America, and married to another of the country's most famous celebrities, Sandra Dee. Bobby was in town, staying at the St. Moritz Hotel on Central Park South. I'd mentioned that I'd give anything to meet Bobby, so Don arranged for me to come to the St. Moritz. I walked into the suite, and there was Sandra De, making spaghetti. Don had told me to bring my guitar and right away he said, 'Play that song you wrote called 'Old Napoli.'' It was a kind of Dean Martin-style tune. I played it, scared to death. Bobby listened, turned to Don and said, 'Donnie, this kid has a lot of raw talent.' I spent hours trying to figure out whether the comment was a compliment or not. Later, when I was on a West Coast tour, Bobby invited me to his house in Beverly Hills. I arrived bty cab, just at dusk. this place was everything you figure a movie star's house should be: swank. A pool lit for the evening, a fancy dining room with china and silver, linen napkins. I was all of seventeen years old and stunned into silence. The funny part of it was that there didn't seem to be a cook or anything. Sandra Dee served the meal: steak, mashed potatoes and peas. I took my knife and fork, started cutting the meat, slipped the knife, and shot the contents of my plate onto Sandra Dee's lap. I was so embarrassed, so humiliated, that I covered my face. I actually had tears in my eyes. All of a sudden, Bobby grabbed my hand away, looked at me, and freaked out. 'What's the matter with you? If you're gonna cry over mashed potatoes, you're in a lotta trouble. Mashed potatoes ain't crap.' That put him in a more serious mode, and he started to philosophize. He talked on about learning to differentiate between important things and nonsense. Sandra went and changed her clothes. And while I've teared up many times since, it's never been about the mashed-potato problems of this world. That star essence is an elusive quality. I never had it. I was always too much the kid from down the street. But I was just getting ready to learn about stardom, because Kirshner had decided to take me to Epic Records." These Epic sessions would have been the ones that gave Orlando his first crack at fame ... two years AFTER Darin had already recorded his own version of "I'll Be There." Another one of those "false legends" that makes for an interesting story ... but not a factual one. (kk) BTW: Tony Orlando recorded Darin's "Dream Lover" for his first Epic LP in 1961 ... Tony's version of "I'll Be There" would not be released as a single until 1963 ... which now places it FOUR years after Bobby's original first hit the charts. A quick look at the label shows Jack Keller as the producer, not Darin. (kk)
re: BARRY McGUIRE: Kent, Glad you gave Barry McGuire an opportunity to clear things up. He was gracious and did an interview for PrayForSurfBlog sometime back that may be of interest to some of your readers. Phil Good interview, Phil ... and it's GOT to be hard for some of these artists to answer the SAME questions over and over and over again for, in some cases, upwards of 40 years now!!! They've already TOLD these stories (or, in Barry's case, put his definitive memories down in his own words on his website) so I can truly appreciate their frustration sometimes in having to rehash this same material again and again. As such, we always try to find a "new spin" when we talk to these artists ... or, better yet, find out what THEY'D like to talk about. As we've seen in these pages time and time again, SO often the WRONG information is circulated as "fact" for SO long that it simply becomes accepted as the gospel ... hopefully, Forgotten Hits can continue to do its part to help dispel some of this erroneous rumor and innuendo and get the REAL facts out there ... fortunately, many of these artists have come to appreciate us for that and, as such, have given VERY "real" and honest interviews and shared intimate insight with our readers. You can't beat that!!! (kk)
re: CHUBBY CHECKER: >>>The Chubby Checker new recording of "The Fly" is getting great air play and selling. It is in the top five on a lot of stations (and number one on this week's Indie Play List!)John Madara Great things are continuing with Chubby Checker. Chubby is glad to let all of you know about the release of his new, updated version of The Fly. The original is considered one of the definitive, classic Chubby Checker songs. The new CD contains not only a new classic mix but karaoke versions as well. The CD is now available from Amazon.com or for downloading from Amazon.com as well as iTunes. (Chubby Checker – The Fly) And ... be sure to visit us at the Chubby Store at chubbychecker.com re: AL MARTINO: >>>I remember you published an interesting bit about Al Martino right after his sudden death. My mother's a big Al Martino fan, and I was going to send her a link to the blog entry that contains the story ... but I had trouble with the blog's "Search" feature, and couldn't find it. Could you please tell me, at the very least, what the date of the entry was? Thanks. (andrucharlz) >>>We've covered Al Martino a number of times over the past year or two but the entries you're looking for are most likely the ones dated 10/16/09 and 10/25/09 ... probably anything else right around that timeframe might also contain a mention or two ... as this was right at the time of his passing. Al was a sweetheart of a man ... when I featured his latest recording in Forgotten Hits, he personally called me on the phone to THANK me for doing so ... after all these business, he still took the time to do that. A rare breed indeed! (kk)
By the way, Al Martino was one of the artists inducted into The Hit Parade Hall Of Fame this past week ... we have it on good authority that the day before he died, Al was doing what he loved best ... recording new tracks for an upcoming album. Ironically, the last vocal he ever recorded was for the Garth Brooks classic "If Tomorrow Never Comes" ... sadly, Al died the very next day. I am hopeful that we will be able to share this track with our readers in the near future ... what a fitting tribute to a great recording artist that will be. (kk)
And, speaking of The Hit Parade Hall Of Fame, we saw THIS interesting posting on The Buckinghams' website. They were ALSO inducted this year! (Congratulations to ALL of The Buckinghams, past, present and future, for all the great music you've given us over the years; in the process, you have CLEARLY become fan favorites all over the world. WTG, guys!!!)
re: MORE COOL CHARTS: The Do's & The Don'ts recorded "I Wonder If She Loves Me" in 1966 on the Red Bird recording label. It was listed as a spotlight single in the July 2, 1966, issue of Billboard Magazine. Record World Magazine listed it among singles coming up, reaching #35 in the August 20 & 27 issues. KIOA Des Moines listed it at #14 on July 4, 1966; WAKX Duluth listed it at #6 on August 5, 1966; and WEBC Duluth listed it at #5 on August 6, 1966. See it listed at #9on The Northland's Original and Only Fabulous Forty Survey from WEBC - Duluth. This information is taken from http://www.escortsdosdonts.com/rock-music-history.html. Listen to "I Wonder If She Loves Me" at http://www.escortsdosdonts.com/. -- Rick Sherman I just love looking at these old regional charts ... amazing what you'll find there sometimes. Most amazing for me is to see The Robbs' single up in the Top 20 again. How these guys remained "The Kings of 'Bubbling Under'" is beyond me ... we've seen their singles in The Top Ten ... and even at #1 ... all over the country ... yet they never seemed to garner enough momentum AT THE SAME TIME to make the impression they SHOULD have on the national charts. Too bad ... these were some pretty good tunes! (kk)
re: THE MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET: Oh shoot! I forgot to have Mitch write you a little review of Million Dollar Quartet. My mom took him to see it last week, and they both said it blew Jersey Boys out of the water. My mom said that for her, Jersey Boys was about a 6, and MDQ was an 11. Mitch could not stop smiling and gets really happy when you ask him about it. He loves Jerry Lee Lewis and was thrilled at the whole thing! So if you haven't seen it yet, go now! Kristy We STILL haven't seen it yet ... although we've TALKED about going a number of times. (Everybody I know who HAS seen it has raved and raved about how good it is ... and can't believe that we haven't gone!!!) Guess we'll have to put this on our "To Do" List before IT leaves town, too!!! (kk) I guess the verdict is RUN don't walk to get your tickets! Mitch got a CD autographed by "Jerry Lee Lewis" and could not have been more psyched! He's the one who suggested we write to you about it. How cute is that? Kristy
re: KEEP ROCKIN' MAGAZINE: We've been talking quite a bit about "Keep Rockin'" Magazine lately ... a new publication dedicated to the music and memories of the '50's and '60's ... Click here: Keep Rockin’ Magazine, the 50’s & 60’s nostalgia magazine, 1950's, 1960's, Rock and Roll In facct, we mentioned to John Madara that the current issue features an interview with David White, John's former song-writing partner, regarding the evolution of their first big hit together "At The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors ... as well as their recent musical collaborations on some brand NEW music for a feature film of the same name. We talked to John about some of the "misconceptions" surrounding the song "At The Hop" in Forgotten Hits a year or so ago ... you can find it on The Forgotten Hits Web Page here: Click here: Forgotten Hits - John Madara's Greatest Hits Over the years, John has been (shall we say) "less than thrilled" with the way Artie Singer remembered the events surrounding that tune ... well, he seems a little unhappy with David White's recounting as well ... here's a copy of the letter he shared with David over this ... it arrived with the banner headline "FICTION": David ... I just read your interview with Keep Rockin'. My memory of "Do The Bop" is very clear. First, my ex-father-in law put up the money for the session. The session was never going to be a Danny & the Juniors record ... it was to be my follow up to "Be My Girl" and we never rehearsed "Do The Bop" with Danny singing lead ... and when we performed it for Artie, I was singing lead always. Your statement that Artie told you when you got to the studio that I was going to sing lead is totally false. I believe you are thinking about after the lyric was changed to "At The Hop", not "Do The Bop". With regards to Prep Records, they had already picked a producer to do a new session with me, Sid Feller, who was producing Paul Anka. They did not like "Do The Bop" as my next record. When we did "At The Hop", it was never intended for me to sing it because I was under contract to Prep and they already had plans for me to record with Sid Feller. I remember so clearly being in Artie's office and coming up with the name Danny & The Juniors after we made "At The Hop". I have done many interviews thru the years and I always make sure to point out that WE did things together and it was not all about me, it was Madara & White, and the story behind "Do The Bop" as always been the same, the way it really happened. Your story about "Do The Bop" and Danny & The Juniors is 100% wrong. John Madara For the OTHER version of the story, be sure to check out The Forgotten Hits Website Link above! (kk)
And, speaking of the publishers of "Keep Rockin'" Magazine, I just heard that they'll be guests on Stu Weiss' Top Shelf Oldies Radio Program, "The Pop Shoppe", next Friday Night (February 5th), reminiscing about "The Day The Music Died" and the plane crash that took Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper from us 51 years ago. All the details are here: The Pop Shoppe can be heard ever Friday night from 7 PM till 3:01 AM. It all happens at www.topshelfoldies.com I look forward to seeing you all this Friday night for a walk down memory lane. Remember, you must be here, because I don't want to be alone. Till Friday night, my best wishes, Stuart Weiss / dj stu
re: ANOTHER SAD PASSING: Robert 'Squirrel' Lester, 1942-2010: Original member of Chi-Lites - Group had hits with 'Oh Girl' and 'Have You Seen Her' By Trevor Jensen, Tribune reporter January 24, 2010, Chicago Tribune Robert "Squirrel" Lester teamed with singers from a rival South Side doo-wop group to form the Chi-Lites, which scored chart-topping hits in the 1970s with "Oh Girl" and "Have You Seen Her." Mr. Lester, 67, died of cancer Thursday, Jan. 21, in Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago, said Marshall Thompson, a fellow original Chi-Lites member. He was a South Side resident. Mr. Lester got his nickname for his propensity to clamber up trees as a small boy in Mississippi, Thompson said. His family moved to Chicago, and he met Thompson and other singers as a student at Hyde Park High School in the late 1950s. Mr. Lester and Eugene Record were singing with the Chantours, while Thompson was with the Desideros. Both sang in the fashion of the day. "They were modeled on the Flamingos, we were the Spaniels," Thompson said with a laugh, referring to doo-wop's big groups of the time. The Chantours and the Desideros faced off at South Side talent shows but members from each group eventually combined forces in the Hi-Lites. Mr. Thompson convinced an uncle to lend him money for a recording session at a studio on 47th Street. They later found there was another group called the Hi-Lites, so they added a "C" to reflect their hometown. Mr. Record, who died in 2005, was the group's lead singer and songwriter, while Mr. Lester sang second tenor. The Chi-Lites took awhile to get going, but by the late 1960s were on a roll. They played Harlem's Apollo Theater in 1969 — Thompson remembered it as "crazy" — and recorded 11 top-20 R&B hits in the ensuing decade. Members occasionally came and went, but Mr. Lester was a staple of the Chi-Lites throughout his life, playing concerts all over the world with stops in Japan, Germany, Korea and Greenland, Thompson said. His final performance with the group was last summer. Mr. Lester is survived by his wife, Louise; his mother, Ann Hines; two sons, Robert Jr. and Carey; seven daughters, Kimberly Johnson, Tijwana, Robin, Latoia, Chrystal, Kimberly and Lynnette; three sisters, Jacqueline Wahl, Pamela Denson and Joanne Hines; and 19 grandchildren. Services are planned for Feb. 4. -- submitted by Ken Voss
re: AND MORE OF OUR FAVORITES WITH RECENT HEALTH ISSUES: Ron Smith's excellent oldiesmusic.com website reports: Austin Roberts ("Rocky," "Something's Wrong With Me") suffered the beginnings of a heart attack two weeks ago and underwent a triple bypass surgery. He is resting in Baptist Hospital in Nashville. Cards can be sent to: Baptist Hospital 2000 Church St. Nashville, TN 37236 Attn: George Robertson SO sorry to hear this about our music buddy Austin Roberts ... Austin has been SO helpful in spreading the word about Forgotten Hits and what we're trying to do here ... and personally set up my interview with Bobby Hart for the piece posted on the OTHER Forgotten Hits website, www.forgottenhits.com. We wish you a healthy and speedy recovery, Austin ... from ALL your music friends out here who appreciate all that you've given us and all you have yet to give. Our prayers are with you. (kk) Susan Jacks announced on her Facebook page Tuesday (January 26) that she will undergo a kidney transplant on February 17. The organ will come from her younger brother, Billy (whose name was immortalized in her 1970 Poppy Family hit, "Which Way You Goin' Billy?"). The 61 year-old is currently on dialysis while battling liver kidney failure. Phoebe Snow underwent emergency brain surgery Tuesday (January 19) after suffering a hemorrhage at her home in New Jersey. Her manager said on Thursday she was in serious condition in intensive care at the undisclosed hospital. In a statement, her manager said, ""Phoebe is a very strong person and she is stable now. It is too early to assess any residual motor damage, and we are taking it day-by-day, but doctors are hopeful for a complete recovery." Charlie Daniels suffered a mild stroke while snowmobiling near his home in Durango, Colorado Friday (January 15) and was released from a hospital in Denver Sunday. His publicist said the 73 year-old is resting at home and has no plans to delay any concert dates.
Clarence Clemons, sax player with Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band, underwent successful back surgery Wednesday (January 13) in New York. He told the Associated Press he was "looking forward to a brighter future and playing more music." Leon Russell underwent five hours of brain surgery Monday (January 11) in a California hospital to repair a "chronic condition." The 67 year-old's web site says he is in good condition, will be released in a "few days" and hopes to resume touring in March. Doug Fieger, guitarist with the Knack and lead singer on "My Sharona," announced Monday (January 11) that he is battling brain and lung cancer. He had a piece of his lung removed two years ago but has suffered 22 brain tumors since. He has undergone three craniotomies and whole-brain radiation. Incidentally, the "real" Sharona was Doug's girlfriend at the time. But it's his ex-wife Mia who is helping to take care of him now. Wishing speedy and healthy recoveries to all of our musical heroes!!! (kk)
re: HELPING OUT OUR READERS: We just received this recent email from somebody who discovered our Jordan Brothers piece on the website pertaining to their recording of The Spencer Davis Group classic "Gimme Some Lovin'": Hi Kent, I just read your blog article on the Jordan Brothers' recording of Gimme Some Lovin' and I have to say after some 43 years I am delighted to see this getting some attention online. Fact is in late 1966 - early 1967 I was growing up near Boston. I was eight years old at the time and had just discovered rock and roll! And one of the very first songs I ever heard on the radio was the Jordan Brothers' Gimme Some Lovin'. Man, I was blown away. I absolutely loved that song and wasted no time in getting ahold of the record. As far as I know, the Boston station I used to listen to never played the Spencer Davis version because it wasn't until some years later when oldies stations came about that I realized there was any other version than the Jordans'. For this reason I have always considered the Jordan Brothers' recording to be the original and definitive version of the song. I love it today as much as ever. And I have had a very hard time convincing my friends that there was another band that had a hit with the song before Davis'. I don't know what chart position it hit in Boston, but it was the only version played there at the time. And one other thing I haven't seen mentioned here is that the Jordans' version contains a third verse not sung in the Davis' version. I wonder how that third verse came about if, in fact, the Jordans' based their take on a Spencer Davis' demo tape. Is it possible that Steve Winwood didn't write the third verse but the Jordans did? I'd love to know that. And I'd love to know how many other people consider the Jordan Bros' recording of Gimme Some Lovin' as the original hit. Alan Brodie I sent a copy of your email to Frank Jordan of The Jordan Brothers, hoping he could shed some light on that "additional verse" of "Gimme Some Lovin'". Here's what he had to say! (kk) Hi Kent. I have to say that I have talked about your site to a lot of my friends and told of our first conversation about the brothers' and my interrpretation of how the song Gimme Some Lovin' got first released in the US by our group instead of the Spencer Davis version. I sure hope that my answer has cleared up any misinformation that has been passed around. I am humbled by this particular reader since he regarded our version superior to the other version. This is not the first time that I have heard this kind of remark and it amazes me since our version was done without any additions. Just our group and our group alone with our version being raw without any technical help or recording tricks that were being used in so many recording at that time and even still today. Our version, the way I heard it, was #1 or #2 in WBZ Boston and was heard by many people as far as right here in Pennsylvania. Man, it caused a lot of commotion at that time. To the best of my knowledge, the Spencer Davis version has the same stanzas as ours. Three to be exact. It might be that on the third stanza the words were different because of confusion in trying to get it done in a hurry and a mistake was made in our trying to get the words down before we recorded it. As far as others thinking our version was and is the better version, I would have to say many, many Jordan Brother fans all over Pennsylvania and beyond have confirmed that to me. It proves how a radio station can influence the market just by playing the record first and, on another note, the first version heard can take the place of the second because of that early play. Wish radio stations would go back to the days when they could break records or Cd's without any help from trade magazines, etc. They took chances back in those days and WBZ, along with three other stations, had the courage to do so and break our record in those areas without being afraid of taking a chance. The record, our version, sold 80,000 records in that first week. We are proud of that accomplishment with a lot of thanks to those DJ's and Program Directors who were adventureous back then. Keep up the great work and I will keep talking Forgotten Hits up where ever I go. Thanks, Frank Jordan Great to hear from you again, Frank! You are SO right ... I think for MOST of us it's the FIRST version of any given song that becomes the "definitive" version in our minds ... we've just seen this SO many times over the years. That's not to say that we don't like the OTHER versions ... it's just that "first impression" that seems to stick with us the longest ... kinda like that's the way this particular song is SUPPOSED to sound. Here's The Jordan Brothers' version of "Gimme Some Lovin'" once again for the benefit of anyone out there that might have missed it the first time around! (kk)
re: TOMMY JAMES: Hi Kent, Now that I think of it, you've probably already seen or heard of this, giving the very astute members of the Forgotten Hits list.Just in case you haven't, though, here's an interview I discovered at Songfacts.com with Tommy James: http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/tommy_james/ Now I'm puzzled. All these years I thought Crystal Blue Persuasion was about a form of Acid? Bill Actually, yes, we ran a link for this a few weeks back ... but it's a GREAT interview so I'm happy to run it again for the benefit of anyone else on the list who may not have seen it yet. I cannot WAIT to read Tommy's new book ... and he shares some very interesting insight on the Songfacts Site, too! (kk)
re: HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME: Hi Kent - I'll bet everyone here knows "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" - a summertime 1965 hit for Mel Carter. Always good to hear this one. And, it's got a lot of mileage; covered not too long ago by Clay Aiken. Mel Carter's version is not the original - not even close. It was first played by radio stations back in the summer of 1961 by Lanny Duncan. Perhaps this wasn't a bigger hit because of name confusion? Too bad his name was Lanny Duncan ... his name is SO close to Lonnie Donnegan, who was out with "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavour" at about the same time. But here it is - thanks to someone on Youtube - the original "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" from the summer of 1961. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KDhjHTSgnw Gary West - www.mrpopculture.com Actually this tune dates back even further than this ... Karen Chandler had a Top Ten Hit with it WAY back in 1953!!! (We covered this AGES ago in Forgotten Hits ... but this makes for a GREAT excuse to feature some of these versions again. Gloria Estefan did a pretty nice version, too!) Mel Carter's version is one I've never grown tired of, no matter how many times I've heard it. In typical radio fashion, Carter has been written off as another One Hit Wonder because this is the ONLY song of his that anyone bothers to play anymore. The reality is that Mel Carter hit The Top 50 SIX TIMES between 1963 and 1966: When A Boy Falls In Love (#38, 1963); Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me (#8, 1965); All Of A Sudden My Heart Sings (#35, 1965); Love Is All We Need (#50, 1966); Band Of Gold (#32, 1966) and You You You (#49, 1966). "Band Of Gold" and "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" both topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart, too. (kk)
re: THE EVERLY BROTHERS: Hey Kent, Recently Mrs. C and I went on a Saturday trip up into Kentucky. On the road in Central City, there was a sign saying "Everly Brothers Monument, this exit." So after some searching around, and help from a nice local lady who made sure we found it, we found this monument. It's a nice granite structure, about 5 feet tall (picture attached). The inscription reads, "From Brownie, to Iowa, to Knoxville, to Nashville, to Hollywood, to England and around the world, Don & Phil have taken the music of Kentucky, as taught by their parents, and now they are bringing it back home to Central City. August 25, 1988." I told that story on The Flip Side a couple of weeks ago, and then played an Everly Bros 45: Cathy's Clown / So Sad. Mr. C VERY cool indeed ... thanks for sharing this with our readers, most of whom probably didn't even know such a monument existed!!! (kk)
re: CALLING ALL JOCKS!:
Will one of the jocks on the list PLEASE give this one a spin?!?!? It's a guaranteed "Can't Miss" with your listeners ... and one I'm sure they haven't heard in a long, long time! Give it a spin and let us know what kind of reaction you get ... I'd be really curious to know! (kk)
(always one of MY favorite picture sleeves!!!)
