We got some GREAT responses to our last "Helping Out Our Readers" segment ... in fact, ALL of the tracks featured here today were tracked down in less than 24 hours after that piece first ran in Forgotten Hits! (But, because of our on-going computer issues, they're not making their appearance on the website until today as each correspondence had to be resurrected from what's left of our "dead files"!!!)
re: HELPING OUT OUR READERS: >>>Over the past several years of doing "Helping Out Our Readers" segment, I would have to say that we all owe a TREMENDOUS debt to Tom Diehl, who, more than anyone else on the list, has come up with more of the "lost classics" our readers have been looking for ... many believed to be simply unattainable ... so when we heard that TOM was looking for a track, I just HAD to put this out there in the hopes that one of our readers might be able to repay a small part of the favor!!! (kk) >>>Driving back to New York from North Carolina last week, on XM 60s we heard the Johnny Mann Singers' version of "A World Without Love", which was actually REALLY good -- it is on CD and I will be buying it eventually and, conveniently, it's on a cd with another song that came up recently while I was on vacation, the Johnny Mann Singers' version of "Up Up And Away", which I knew. (Tom) >>>If anybody out there can help Tom out by providing a clean, MP3 version of The Johnny Mann Singers doing "A World Without Love", we truly would appreciate it. (Heck, I'd like to hear it, too!) Thanks! (kk) Hi Kent, Being a reader of Forgotten Hits for a few years now, I'm always amazed at the knowledge and vast collection of Tom Diehl's music collection. If anyone should start up an internet radio station, I believe it should be him. What a wide variety of great music we would all enjoy! I am more than happy to provide Tom with the song he is looking for. I have the cd he is referring to and would be more than happy to send him all 23 songs if he wishes. He's a great contributor. Ask him if he's ever come across " Yes, I Know " by Steve Lawrence. I've been searching for that one for years and can't find it anywhere. If it is out there, Tom would find it. Thanks Kent and keep up the always amazing work that you do. Sincerely, Bill Tietz Wow! THAT didn't take long!!! Thanks, Bill ... and now the rest of you can hear it, too! (kk)
By the way, Tom DID find your Steve Lawrence song ... and sent it along with this note: Perhaps Bill couldn't find it because he was looking under a slightly incorrect title! What a good song! Tom Actually called "Yet ... I Know (Et Pourtant)", this one reached #68 in Cash Box / #77 in Billboard in 1964. (kk) Hi Kent - Thank you and Tom so very much for my mp3 of " Yet, I Know." It doesn't surprise me that he had it (nor that I had the title wrong.) Bill
The paragraph on the song wanted by the Johnny Mann Singers reminds me of the year 1967 in which they had a version of UP, UP AND AWAY along with the Fifth Dimension. Both records were played here in OKC and personally I always liked the Johnny Mann Singers' version better. Larry Neal Well, with all these fine endorsements for The Johnny Mann Singers' version of this song, we just HAD to track it down to feature here today! (kk)
Well, now that I've heard it, it's not bad ... in fact, had The Fifth Dimension not released the "hit" version three weeks earlier, this one might have turned into a bigger chart hit for The Johnny Mann Singers ... as it is, it peaked at #91 in Billboard. (kk)
Hi Kent ~ Just me, popping in again, like I do, occasionally. I read everything ... just kind of stay in the background until the "voices" tell me to comment. LOL Just kidding. I need a favor. Usually, when I can't find a particular song, I can ask you, you send it out to your FH readers and SOMEBODY ends up having what I was looking for. I really appreciate that. Well, here's another song. Not sure who did it but it was from the 60's and I think it was a B-side. I think it was called "I Never Was That Kind of Woman" and I thought it was by Merilee Rush or Sandy Posey or someone like that. One of the verses: "My life is spent in great anticipation, but it's a hopeless situation ... where will he be when he's not here with me?" That's some of it anyway ... anyone have any clue? I love you guys! Thanks a bunch! ~TokeiTwo {Sharon} Not a B-Side at all ... but rather Merilee Rush's follow-up single to "Angel Of The Morning". "That Kind Of Woman" reached #40 on The Cash Box Chart in 1968 ... (for whatever reason, it stalled at #76 in Billboard) ... and while I've personally never heard it before, Tom Diehl came through once again with a copy to share! (kk)
>>>I'm searching for a 1971 song called "Alive And Well" by Spare Change. I was living in NYC at the time but remember hearing it on WKBW from Buffalo. Thanks! (Mark) ANOTHER mystery solved in under 24 hours!!! (lol) Here, courtesy of Rich Grunke (sixtiesoldiesguy) is your song! (Although I'd never heard this tune before, I like it ... it kinda has that "More Today Than Yesterday" / Spiral Starecase sort of feel to it ... just never caught with the masses, I guess!) kk
The Spare Change single ("Alive And Well") was on Vanguard Records, VRS 35117 ... the b-side is "When Love Meets Love". A lot of play at WKBW Buffalo due to the great NYC DIst Alpha Dist. local promo whiz Frankie Nestro. This was out approx. 6 months prior to Joan Baez "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down " VRS 35138. Clay Pasternack
More Forgotten Hits tomorrow on the web page ... please check back! kk
re: MORE OF YOUR SUMMER SONGS COMMENTS: OK ... now you've put tears in my eyes ... just reading the top 100 Summer Songs. Some people take medicine ... I stream music. They can't REALLY hear me when I sing softly along with my MP3 player in the WalMart, can they? (Looks furtively around) Oh, heck, I made a lousy adult, anyway ... I just wanna be a perpetual teenager. Still can't believe "Indian Lake" didn't make even the top 100 ... that is so evocative of the inland summer experience ... not all swimming took place on CA ocean beaches! Please do another countdown again soon ... DJs programmed us that way. Pttibg Music is THE very best form of medicine, don'tcha know!!! I agree ... it's hard to believe that "Indian Lake" didn't make the list ... I sure thought it would ... so did Scott Shannon, who played it as an "extra" ... while it's certainly deserving, it only got 23 votes! We've got another Forgotten Hits Poll coming up ... and, as soon as we find out if somebody's gonna count it down, we'll be sure to let you ... and ALL of our readers ... know! Thanks! (kk)
Summer favorites? How about: Summer – War Spill The Wine – Eric Burdon and War Low Rider – War All Day Music – War I think just about anything by War! John Harold Kent, Jumping on the bandwagon regarding the 40 All Time Favourite Summer Tunes. Offering for a short time the opportunity to grab each and every song on the list from my collection. Bonus B side of each 45 comes with each summer hit song you grab. Check out all 40 songs out athttp://sixtiesoldiesguy.yolasite.com/ sixtiesoldiesguy Rich Thanks, Rich ... happy to pass this link along! (kk)
Hi Kent, Thanks for all the time you took to allow everyone to vote for their Summer Favorites and then for compiling the List of Top 100 Singles. Like you, I was listening Monday as Scott Shannon featured the Top 20 Hits plus some Extras on his Show at the True Oldies Channel. Obviously you, Scott, Randy Price, and I are all huge Oldies fans. Here is a copy of a message I have just sent to Scott Shannon. Hopefully you will agree that a few of the songs on my List were at least worthy of some consideration. Congratulations on a very interesting website. I wish you the best. Phil Zorn Here is a copy of my email to Scott Shannon: Hi Scott, As one of your regular listeners at the True Oldies Channel, I realize that the Top 20 Summer Favorites that you played on Monday were taken from a list created at forgottenhits.com. So I understand that it is actually no more your list than it is mine, but I believe both of us were intrigued by the good singles both making and missing the list. You mentioned several very deserving singles that much to your and my amazement were not on the original Top 40 List posted at the Forgotten Hits website. Due to apparently many questions regarding songs that were missing, they now have an expanded list of 138 singles including the "Honorable Mention" section. (EDITOR'S NOTE: You can find that "expanded" list here: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Your All-Time Summer Favorites) I put together a List of 51 singles that I could not recall from memory as being on the full list at Forgotten Hits. Three of them were actually included, but that still left 48 singles chosen based on three different criteria --- several lists of Beach Music Classics; actual hits during Summers from the 50's, 60's, or 70's; and songs that simply make me feel good every time I hear them on the True Oldies Channel. So here is the list of 48 singles that I wish had gotten some consideration, but were over-looked entirely by the voters who selected the list. Ain't That A Shame - Fats Domino Baby I Need Your Loving - The Four Tops Baby I'm Yours - Barbara Lewis Backfield In Motion - Mel & Tim Be My Baby - The Ronettes Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy - The Tams Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations But It's Alright - J.J. Jackson Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You - Wilson Pickett Gimme Little Sign - Brenton Wood Give Me Just A Little More Time - The Chairmen Of The Board Go Now - The Moody Blues Goin' Out Of My Head - Little Anthony & the Imperials Grease - Frankie Valli Groovy Situation - Gene Chandler Have Mercy Baby - The Dominoes Hello Stranger - Barbara Lewis Hey Baby - Bruce Channel I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash I Can't Stop Dancing - Archie Bell & the Drells I Love Beach Music - The Embers I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers It Will Stand - The Showmen I've Got Sand In My Shoes - The Drifters Just One Look - Doris Troy Knock On Wood - Eddie Floyd Love's Theme - The Love Unlimited Orchestra Memphis - Lonnie Mack Mony Mony - Tommy James & the Shondells More Today Than Yesterday - The Spiral Staircase Mr. Lee - The Bobbettes Ms. Grace - The Tymes My Girl - The Temptations My Guy - Mary Wells Night Fever - The Bee Gees Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Jessie Hill Our Day Will Come - Ruby & the Romantics Pipeline - The Chantays Reflections - The Supremes Rock Your Baby - George McCrae Summertime's Calling Me - The Catalinas Thank You John - Willie Tee There's Gonna Be A Showdown - Archie Bell & the Drells Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um - Major Lance What Kind Of Fool - The Tams Whispers (Getting' Louder) - Jackie Wilson With This Ring - The Platters You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes Being from the Southeast portion of the United States, I am probably a bigger Beach Music fan than the majority of your listeners in other sections of the country. But several of these were major Pop Hits. Hopefully you will find at least some of these worthy of some consideration. Would it be possible that you could offer a Weekend Special featuring the best of Summer Songs, Beach Music, and Surf Hits? That should cover a lot of bases with a wide variety of listeners at one time. Thanks as usual for all the Great Music. I believe quite a lot of us are regular listeners in Atlanta. Good Luck. Phil Zorn Hi Phil! First of all, thank you for your support ... glad you were able to enjoy Scott Shannon's playback of The Top 20 Summer Favorites. We're STILL getting feedback on the list ... "Under The Boardwalk" by The Drifters seems to be the most obvious oversight ... but hey, YOU guys did the voting! (lol) You've put together an interesting list, and there are some great songs on there, but I can honestly say that only ONE of those titles was even nominated as one of the 392 titles we had to choose from. (That would be "Pipeline" by The Chantays.) I would LOVE to see Scott put together a whole weekend of Summer Favorites ... even call it "The Last Blast Of Summer" and run it in September ... let's face it, we've got literally HUNDREDS of Summer Favorites to choose from! (What do you think, Scott???) kk
What a blast!!! I had great listener response and higher numbers than usual! And I also got some great feedback about your web site ... so all in all we knocked it out of the park! YEH BABY!! Thanks so much! I hope this is the start of a wonderful eternal summer romance ... Moochas Smoochas! DJ Scarlett I can honestly say that I had absolutely NO idea that this "Summer Favorites" thing would catch on to the degree that it did ... I'm shocked, overwhelmed ... and couldn't be happier. We have heard from SO many deejays around the country who have been airing many of the summer favorites from the list ... and receiving EXCELLENT response from their listeners. I think we DID hit a home run on this one! Thanks, Scarlett! (kk)
re: THE BEACH BOYS: I worked in the record industry in sales and distribution for 25 years and saw my share of free shows with comp tickets. The last few years have been tough, having to really PAY for shows, so I am quite selective. I paid the $60 to see Brian Wilson and can tell you that it was the BEST show I have ever seen, better than any Beach Boys show. The musicianship, soaring harmonies, and intricate solos left my jaw dropped for the whole night. Brian doesn't need Mike Love and I can't imagine that the "Beach Boys"put on a show anywhere near as good as Brian's. Brian owes Mike Love NOTHING. Without Carl and Dennis, there is only ONE Beach Boy. joeseadog We've seen Brian a few times now, too, and it is ALWAYS an excellent show ... MAJOR kudos to the band who, as I said before, REALLY love, cherish and respect his music ... it shows in every note they play and sing. Glad to see that he's back out there entertaining us again! That being said, I absolutely would have gone to see a full-blown 50th Year Beach Boys Anniversary Reunion ... no, it'll never be the same without Carl and Dennis ... but as many times as I've seen them (and I'll bet it's close to 25 times!), I have NEVER seen The Beach Boys WITH Brian Wilson. That alone would be worth the price of admission for me! (kk)
Meanwhile, Al Jardine clearly doesn't need Mike Love's help to take HIS show on the road ... and he's got a new solo album out to boot! Visit Al's website via the link below for all the details ... and, while you're there, be sure to check out the video to Al's reworking of The Beach Boys' #1 Hit "Help Me Rhonda" (with a little help from Steve Miller) ... you can also listen to a sample of his new version of "California Dreamin'", featuring David Crosby, Glen Campbell and John Stamos! All the details are here: BEACH BOYS FOUNDING MEMBER AL JARDINE WILL TOUR IN SUPPORT OF HIS NEW SOLO ALBUM: Download Available June 29th at iTunes Music Store BURBANK, Calif. - June 25, 2010 - Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine, who started the group in 1961 with the Wilson brothers (Brian, Carl, and Dennis) and their cousin Mike Love, will release his new solo album, A Postcard from California, through the iTunes music store on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010. To support this eagerly anticipated musical event, Jardine will be playing a series of concerts this summer with his Endless Summer Band, which features members of the original Beach Boys touring lineup, Ed Carter, Bobby Figueroa and Billy Hinsche, along with Jardine's sons, Matt and Adam. A Postcard from California touches upon California's history, natural beauty, and other ecological issues. It also revisits Jardine's number one hit with the Beach Boys, "Help Me Rhonda," in a new version with the legendary Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band supplying additional vocals, and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers on bass. An exclusive video of the recording session is posted on the official website at http://www.aljardine.com, along with music samples from the album, tour dates, reviews and other details. "The songs on this album have a timely theme, especially in these days of the Gulf oil spill and global warming," Jardine reveals. "However, my live show will also have plenty of hit songs for all audiences to enjoy."
Here's an idea: Hey Kent ... How about we play the Beach Boys 25th Anniversary twice. Would that work? lol! Frank B. Works for me ... back then we had ALL of The Beach Boys still with us (and a great reunion concert, too!) Sadly, those days are gone forever ... fortunately, I've got something like 50-60 hours of Beach Boys material stored on video so we can relive those magical moments as often as we like ... whenever we like! (kk)
re: MARK ESKIN / and THE NEW COLONY SIX: A few weeks back, we told you about the unexpected passing of Mark Eskin, guitarist for The New Colony Six and the John Lennon Tribute Band, Instant Karma. In fact, we even ran a short tribute on The Forgotten Hits Web Page, which was picked up by a number of other websites, who added in their own tributes to this talented man. (You can find the original here: Click here: Forgotten Hits: 4/25/10 - 5/2/10)
We told you at the time about the very unique memorial service they held in Mark's honor and memory ... where the audience participated in singing many of Mark's favorite songs, making it more of a joyous remembrance of the music that he loved and SO enjoyed sharing with us than the sad occasion typically surrounding a wake or memorial service. Now comes word that they've actually set up a Mark Eskin YouTube Channel, featuring many of these performances from that night. Forgotten Hits Reader David Lewis sent us this short note (kk):
Mark Eskin Memorial Sing-Along Videos are now available here: http://www.youtube.com/user/beatlemarktribute Of particular note are the performances of "I Will Always Think About You", a Chicagoland #1 Hit for The New Colony Six, featuring singer and composer Ronnie Rice leading the crowd in a sing-along ... as well as some incredibly moving performances by "New Jay", John Reincke, of Jay and the Americans ... his rendition of the Roy Orbison Classic "Crying" (also a hit for Jay and the Americans back in 1966) is especially stirring.
Meanwhile, current New Colony Six Vocalist / Guitarist Bruce Mattey tells me that the band HAS found a replacement for Mark (musically speaking) for their upcoming summer dates ... but that the shock of his passing still hasn't quite sunk in yet ... it was SO unexpected. In fact, they MAY actually turn out to be "The New Colony Six ... Plus One!!!" Yes, we have a new member as Mark's replacement. For upcoming shows, however, we will also bring in a second keyboard player. We may become the NC6 + 1. We'll see how it works and go from there. Bruce Mattey
NC6 Founder Ray Graffia, Jr., elaborates: It took a pair of talented folks to handle Mark's multiple roles ... our two new players for this summer will be: Greg Favata, also of the Renditions (as is Gary and sometimes Bill) - guitar and vocals ... and Mike Hanko, who also backs Ron Hawking and is in the New Image Band -on keyboards - which now gives us the benefit of two terrific keyboard players Debut of the NC6 with revised lineup, again with seven musicians (as we had at the time of the "Attacking A Straw Man" album), will be 7-15, a Thursday evening, in Deerfield. I believe the location is at the corner of Deerfield and Waukegan Roads, where, I believe they hold a Thursday evening concert series every year. I think the location may be called Deerfield Square Shopping Center, but I'm unsure ... I am pretty certain that the concert will be ~90 minutes beginning at 7 PM. With Mark's passing, we held up scheduling anything beyond the pair of dates we already had in place, and since the other one is near the border of WI and the U.P. of Michigan, around Marinette, WI, methinks you'll want to catch us on the 15th. For folks waaaay north in Wisconsin or living in the Upper Peninsula of MI, details for our 7-18 date can be found here: http://www.porterfieldscruisinoldies.com/. Colony rehearsals show promise and our last one was really, really strong so we'll see how it plays out with Mark watching from above and Mike and Greg each filling one of his boots. Still hard to imagine him not being on stage, but, as you know, Mr. Harrison wrote the line, "Life goes on within you and without you ..." Whether voiced or not, my efforts this season are dedicated to his memory and, of course, Les Kummel, Howard Bedno, and, above all, my dad. Happy Pappy's Day! Peace, Ray It'll be interesting to see the new line-up. Congratulations to the two new members ... I've known Greg for 30+ years and we actually played in a band together eons ago ... he's one of the guys responsible for the non-stop traffic jingle that plays in my head from the MacKay In The Morning Show!!! (lol) Talk about your EARWORMS!!! (Have you read Artie Wayne's blog about this?!?!? We've ALL got 'em!) Click here: 2010 June « Artie Wayne On The Web (Scroll back to June 16th!)
And as much as Mark LOVED The Beatles, you just KNOW that he had to love The Rutles, too!!! Check out this from FH List Member Clark Besch:
re: THE RUTLES: The Beatles "Love" caused such a stir that Dirk, Stig, Nasty and Barry have decided to give their catalog a new remix too! Theirs is called, of course, "LUNCH"! You can hear the whole lovely new stereo song mix at below site. 42 minutes for FREE!!!! It's a crazy rehash of Rutle songs in an all new way! How cool is that?? Comes complete with notes on how the engineers mixed this and that ... and oh yeah, that other thing too! Enjoy! http://www.rutleslunch.net/ re: AND BEATLES, STUFF, TOO!: From child star to Beatles Fan Extroidinaire, Benjy Greeberg has a story filled with excitement!!! Remember the kid on the Gumby advertisements? That was Benjy!!! Sid Bernstein’s close friend? Benjy!!! Had his Beatles collection featured on the Oprah show? Uh-huh, Benjy!!! Met Sir Paul twice in one lifetime? Yep, Bejy!!! His story is funny, interesting, and sooooo worth a read! I think you’ll enjoy this issue of “Meet the Beatles Fans.” It will make you smile. http://www.ontherockbooks.com/meet22/BenjyGreenberg.html It’s also very artfully arranged, thanks to the great work of webmaster, Tim Coulter … who rocks. And … (shameless plug) … don’t forget to pre-order your copy of Shivering Inside today (via the website below my name). I have about 15 signed, dated posters of the gorgeous cover left. (The numbered ones are sold out.) The poster, book, and mailing for both all comes to $30 … a pretty darn good value, eh? See you all at the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans! I can’t wait!!!! Luv, Jude Jude Southerland Kessler http://www.ontherockbooks.com/
The Fest For Beatles Fans runs August 13th - August 15th here in Chicago ... complete details can be found here: Click here: The Fest
And a VERY fine solo that is, too ... blew me away the very first time I heard it ... and so unlike ANYTHING else featured on a Carpenters single before! (I'm reading "Little Girl Blue" right now, the Karen Carpenter biography Ron Smith told us all about a week ago or so ... still pretty early into it ... got it for Fathers' Day ... but things are just starting to get interesting ... so far the book really portrays the mother as the true villain here ... anxious to see where it goes from here!) kk
re: REMEMBERING MICHAEL JACKSON: Hard to believe it's been a year ... lots of Jacko's music all over the radio and TV again this past week ... and this from Artie Wayne: Kent ... From now until the end of time, millions of words will be written about Michael Jackson and his influence in music, dance, and fashion, but the most important gift he has given the world is everlasting hope and inspiration. Over 300,000 thousand of Michael's fans all over the world have praised this tribute filled with personal remembrances, rare photos, and 30 of his videos.
re: TRIVIA QUESTION: >>> Here is my "Goodfellas" trivia question: At the bar scene, just before Frank Vincent gets killed, standing at the bar drinking, one of Frank Vincents crew is a man who's lead singer of New York 50's group. (They had a #1 Hit ) Name the singer and the group. (Frank B)
The answer to the Goodfellas question is Vito Picone, lead singer of the Elegants of "Little Star" fame.
Clay Pasternack
re: THE NOW GENERATION: A couple of weeks ago one of our readers mentioned a local television program from the early '70's that spotlighted popular music of the day ... now comes this link to a website that actually features brief clip montages from this program (kk): Hi Kent, This is a link for the show, from the summer of 1970, I mentioned in a recent e-mail. http://www.thenowexplosion.net/ Eddie, Orange, CT
re: PASSING IT ALONG:
Heartfelt Congratulations to Musician GRAHAM NASH, awarded an OBE from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, 6/14! NASH, of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash fame was quoted: "Everything I learned about being a decent human being I learned in England ... and I am grateful to be honored by the country of my birth." The OBE is a service award which stands for "The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire." GRAHAM NASH has long been a fan of Philly's Pioneer Rocker, CHARLIE GRACIE and will again appear on Charlie's new CD ... scheduled for release this Fall. Stay Tuned for Details.
(Pic: Charlie with Graham and Stephen Stills) Congrats from the Gracie Family to a fine man a great talent and a good friend. Charlie Gracie, Jr.
re: MORE COMMERCIAL FAVORITES: Hi KK -
Just got through reading your latest updates on your website. Really enjoy what other readers know about rock and roll music and want to know. For the last several years, I have seen brand new commercials for the first time on television. These particular commercials stand out to me, not of what they are selling, but the music which is being used in the background. For example, about 2-3 years ago there was a commercial on TV advertising a cell phone company, I believe. What I remember about the ad was the instrumental background being used. It was the 1959 recording of WOO HOO by the Rocketeens on Roulette Records. I sometimes would like to know who and why people come up with old songs like that to use in the background. Younger viewers would not be familiar with them. Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA
One of the ways we're keeping some of this great music alive that we all know and love for future generations to ALSO enjoy is its use in television commercials, tv shows and movie soundtracks. No, this wasn't the original intent of this music when it was first created by these talented songwriters ... but I'm in favor of ANYTHING that helps keep it around, helps breed familiarity and allows future generations to enjoy it as much as we did. Nothing pleases me more than to be out walking somewhere and seeing a bunch of young, barely teen-aged girls singing "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" or "Sugar Sugar" or any number of OTHER popular songs from our era ... and, from what many of them have told me, they LOVE 'em!!! (Might not always admit it to their friends ... but they do!) A few years ago we were at Six Flags / Great America and each mini-section within the theme park had different music playing ... one section was all '60's, another was all '70's, and so on. In fact, part of the entertainment even included a Jimi Hendrix impersonator ... and you should have seen the "kids" (from 8 - 48) lined up to watch him perform! (kk)
re: CORRECTIONS: Hey Kent, Thanks for the news blast on the Prunes and Gregg Rolie - I forwarded the link to both bands. One small mistake I made ... Mark Tulin of the Electric Prunes last name is with one L (Mark Tulin) not two (sorry)Thanks again and more info very soon!
Billy So noted and passed along. Thanks, Billy! (kk)
Hi Kent, Why do do spell my last name Lyt in your newsletters???? Sam Lit
President / CEO
Hy Lit Radio Technologies Inc.
www.HyLit.com Apologies, Sam ... I can only assure you that it is NOT intentional!!! Must be a mental block of some sort ... after I type "Hy" (with a "y") I end up typing "Lit" with a "y" nearly every time, too. Normally, I go back and fix them when proof-reading but I see that I did, in fact, miss one in our last newsletter, so I do apologize. I wish I could promise you that it'll never happen again ... but I think we both know better!!! (lol) kk
***
Computer Gods willing, we'll have brand new Forgotten Hits postings all week long here on the web page ... so be sure to check back often!!! Meanwhile, keep those cards and letters comin', folks ... we love it! (kk)
re: HELPING OUT OUR READERS: KK, Larry Boyington here in OKC. Love your website and news on the oldies. Got a rhetorical question for you.Through the years, people I know and sometimes I don't know, come up to me and ask me if I know the name of the artist or group that did a particular song or maybe they know the group or artist and want to know the name of a song that singer did. I like to think my knowledge of the music is above average and I help them the majority of the time. Do any of your readers occasionally write in wanting to know the title of a song, if the artist or group is know, or possibly if the title is known, then who sang it? The past week, I have discovered on you tube videos two songs in which the person who had the website wanted to know if anyone knew the titles o48the songs. Now they were both instrumentals and that makes it tougher. No lyrics to maybe come up with a title. Some instrumentals may be familiar with people but can't place a title. Also, through the years, there has been songs in which the title of the song is not included in the lyrics of the song. Larry (aka Larry Neal, Wax Museum) Actually, we get that a lot ... that's why we started our "Helping Out Our Readers" column ... and, with the wide range of readers, collectors, deejays, artists, historians and vinyl junkies on our list, we've developed a pretty good track record when it comes to solving many of these mysteries. Always a fun challenge ... but WE get to discover some new music along the way, too! Glad that you're enjoying Forgotten Hits! (kk)
>>>The commercial that I'm looking for with the Donovan song is older ... it was a hair-care product and the girls are dancing to the flutes ... forgive me for being a dirty old baby boomer, but in my memory they sorta bump their hips to the dum dum dum dum dum at the end ... so I'm still looking! (stolf) I think it was a commercial for a perfume, not hair care. The song was "Wear Your Love Like Heaven". From Wikipedia: The song was featured in the Eau De Love (by Menley and James) fragrance commercial in the early 1970s that featured Ali MacGraw. Here is the link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wear_Your_Love_Like_Heaven Bob in Clearwater, FL Nope, that's a different one ... and one we covered quite extensively in our recent "Favorite Commercials" Series ... I absolutely remember the one he's talking about ... I just can't seem to find it! (kk)
... and, speaking of radio commercials ... clearly STILL a VERY hot topic here in Forgotten Hits ...
Hi Kent, I am loving your focus on Summer Hits! In keeping with the summer, I'm looking for an aircheck or clip of the famous "Sun-in" hair lightener spot that ran everywhere in the early -to - mid 70s. It was a singing jingle, "Sun-in and sunlight, and you'll be blonder tonight ..." Do you know who might be a source for a spot like this? Thanks for the help, Jimmy the Jet (((AM Radio Forever))) on Live365 http://www.live365.com/stations/radiojet?play That was a pretty popular spot ... my guess is that somebody on the list will come up with this for you! Stay tuned! (kk)
Over the past several years of doing "Helping Out Our Readers" segment, I would have to say that we all owe a TREMENDOUS debt to Tom Diehl, who, more than anyone else on the list, has come up with more of the "lost classics" our readers have been looking for ... many believed to be simply unattainable ... than anyone else. So when we heard that TOM was looking for a track, I just HAD to put this out there in the hopes that one of our readers might be able to repay a small part of the favor!!! (kk) Driving back to New York from North Carolina last week, on XM 60s we heard the Johnny Mann Singers' version of "A World Without Love", which was actually REALLY good -- I go to my usual source to find songs and it's not there! Imagine my shock (you have to understand, the program I use connects me to thousands of other users who collectively are sharing probably a few billion songs among them) -- so to find that I cant find something that I heard on XM comes as a real shock. On the plus side, it is on CD and I will be buying it eventually ... conveniently it's on a cd with another song that came up recently while I was on vacation -- a friend of mine I was visiting in Atlanta played the Johnny Mann Singers' version of "Up Up And Away", which I knew. (My mp3 was not the proper version ... it was the Fifth Dimension version, mislabeled ... so I knew the other one was what I needed to find.) The next day at a record show in Atlanta what do I find but the promo 45 of the Johnny Mann Singers version! So the one track I need is their version of "A World Without Love". It's actually on this cd: Amazon.com: Invisible Tears/We Can Fly! Up-Up and Away: The Johnny Mann Singers: Music Tom If anybody out there can help Tom out by providing a clean, MP3 version of The Johnny Mann Singers doing "A World Without Love", we truly would appreciate it. (Heck, I'd like to hear it, too!) Thanks! (kk)
I have a customer who is looking to get one survey from every station that ever put one out. Obviously the earlier and smaller the market the better. I'm unsure if copies will do but I will find out. Also, can you please put me in touch with the one DJ who's doing the obscure Chicago area bands / performers. I've been thinking about compiling a list of the top 40 Chicago songs of all time, (if there are that many) and would like a list of artists he has featured, in case I forget anybody. Thanks. Jack That would be Jeff James over at Y103.9 ... you can email him at jjames@y1039.com ... and be sure to leave some feedback on his new Windy City @ 6 Program ... and that goes for all your OTHER readers who have been enjoying his new program, too! As for a Chicagoland All-Time Top 40, Bob Stroud aired a similar program on Rock And Roll Roots a few years back ... I know I have it on tape SOMEWHERE (but have NO idea where it might be.) As I recall, it tended to cover the era of about 1965 - 1972 or so ... and I clearly remember The Trolls coming in at #40 with "Every Day And Every Night" and The Cryan' Shames grabbing the top spot with their four-week #1 Hit "It Could Be We're In Love". Maybe we can persuade Bob to run that again one of these weekends! (And Bob, if you will, please let us know so we can help to spread the word!!!) On Jeff's show, you'll see the full gamut of Chicago-related music ... lots more Black and R&B artists ... stuff that was recorded here, even if the artist wasn't necessarily from here ... folks who were born here but gained fame somewhere else ... truly a little bit of everything ... but I'm sure he has one HECK of a check-list, so DO drop him a line and let him know that we all enjoy what he's doing with his new "Windy City @ 6" Program. (kk)
I'm searching for a 1971 song called "Alive And Well" by Spare Change. I was living in NYC at the time but remember hearing it on WKBW from Buffalo. Thanks! Mark I'm not familiar with that one ... but hopefully SOMEBODY on the list is and can track this one down for you. Stay tuned! (kk)
And this from Chart Guru Joel Whitburn:
Should we reprint our Sixties Chart Book? Help us make the decision. To Reprint or Not To Reprint ... It's Up To You! You can get a New, Deluxe Edition of "Hot 100 Charts: The Sixties" for just $79.95 hot off the press! Or a used copy from an online retailer for $300 or more! It's your call ... Call us and we WILL reprint. Here's your chance to have a deluxe 8-1/2" x 11" hardcover edition of this long out-of-print collectors' favorite for only $79.95. Used copies sell with online retailers for $300 or more! Straight from the pages of Billboard -- every weekly "Hot 100" music chart, from January 1960 through December 1969, reproduced in black and white at about 70% of its original size. But before we can commit to a costly reprint, we need a commitment to order from you. If we reach our print quota, you will then be charged and we will reprint. If our quota is not met, you will not be charged. So, tell your friends who also have a heart for the charts and CALL TODAY to reserve your copy. Pre-Orders for this book CANNOT be made online or by mail. You MUST call to order: In the U.S., please call (800) 827 - 9810 Outside the U.S., call (262) 251 - 5408 Monday through Thursday, 8 am - 5 pm; Friday: 8 am - Noon Central Standard Time Joel Whitburn / Record Research
Click here to see a sample page from Billboard Hot 100 Charts: The Sixties. I've got a complete set of ALL of Joel's Billboard Chart Books: The '50's, The '60's, The '70's, The '80's, The '90's ... and my 2000's is on pre-order ... these are a GREAT reference tool and if you're into the charts the way we are, you're going to want to get your hands on a copy, too. But these books are just to expensive to reprint without a substantial number of guaranteed orders ... so if you missed out the first time, please give Joel a call and tell him that you want a copy of his Sixties Charts Book for your very own. Thanks! (kk)
Hi Kent, Great job as always with the site. Reading it is one of the highlights of my week. Just wanted to give you some more background on your Lulu discovery. “Inside Thing” is a mashup with Sir Paul she released back in 2002 on her “comeback” UK album “Together” comprised of duets with legends (Sir Paul, Cliff Richard, Elton John, Sting) and some more dubious of the moment British “stars” (Atomic Kitten, Samantha Mumba, Westlife, Ronan Keating) covering classic songs. The album never got a stateside release back then despite going to number four on the UK album charts, spawning a top 10 single with her Ronan duet of Bob Seger’s “We’ve Got Tonight”, and going gold on the back of a TV special. Still it’s a fairly decent listen but the highlight for me is her version of the Beach Boys “Sail On Sailor” with Sting. I’d send you a you tube link that used to be up from her special but it’s been removed. It is available via her Greatest Hits album on I-tunes however, and overall a much more consistent listen as it spans the entire course of her career. Thanks for all the great work Glen Wood Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 I have heard her version of "Sail On Sailor", ALWAYS one of my Beach Boys favorites ... so we'll feature it here today. (kk)
A couple of weeks ago I told you about someone who had contacted me after they saw a brief article we did about "The Youngtones" posted on our website. In about thirty minutes, we were able to help these folks make a connection that was probably close to 40 years in the making. Here's a brief recap of what transpired ... along with a very moving, heartfelt update ... the power of music ... ya gotta love it! (kk) >>>Hi! My name Is Francis Ortiz ... I came across your website and found some info on the Youngtones and was wondering if you had any info on that guy named Jocco?? See, because my dad is the dark one from the Youngtones and he is always talking about the group and singing the songs ... and I would love to reunite my dad with some of his old buddies. My dad would be so happy ... so any info would be greatly appreciated. I know with security and all it would be hard for you to give me his info but I'm sending you my email address so please give it to him and ask him to please contact me.
Hey, maybe we can have a Youngtones reunion!!! Thanks for keeping my father's music alive ... (Francis Ortiz)
Literally 30 minutes after forwarding this note to Jocco, I heard back from both parties ... and now, after who knows HOW many years, these folks have connected again.
>>>What can I say? But thanks! Please do give her my e-mail address. (Jocco)
And then this just in: What do I say and how? I have been watching your website for several years, hoping to get information on him, Jocco, The Youngtones, etc. ... Well, that day has come and after lunch and now this evening dinner ... I don't even know where to begin to thank you. I contacted the woman who was on your site and she gave me my fathers e-mail address. Sent him an e-note, we met and it has been great ever since. I never knew about his ambitions ... the ranch that he has for handicapped children in Nevada ... and when I gave him all the photos from Brooklyn of the different fellows, he welled up with tears ... and those tears were enough. He now may have found another former group member in upstate New York and I will let you know. Thank you for finding my father.
ALL THANKS TO FORGOTTEN HITS RADIO Little "T"
Over the years, we've been part of about half a dozen of these types of reunions ... and it truly warms my heart to know that we could in some small way be the "connecting rod" that made it all happen. Like I ALWAYS say ... the power of music ... NEVER underestimate it! (kk)
Looks like we've got another "hit" on our hands!!!
The reaction to our Summer Countdown has been overwhelmingly positive (although you'll certainly find more than a few "Hey, what about ..."'s in the emails below!!! lol)
Scott Shannon featured selections from the list (as well as many of the runners-up) all day long ... and even counted down The Top 20 in order (which was a VERY pleasant surprise!!!) Sounds like he had some fun, fun, fun doing it, too ... and I think he did an EXCEPTIONAL job ... kept me glued to the radio for four solid hours (and I knew the results in advance!!! lol)
Not to be one-upped, Scarlett Hayze ended up counting down The Top 40 on her program Monday Night, "The Summer Solstice", and we hear that she's also had some very positive reaction to this special programming. (Were any of you blown away by her radio special??? Sounds like you weren't the only ones ... Scarlett tells me that severe storms and high winds literally knocked the station off the air right in the middle of the countdown!!! Now THAT'S not very summery, is it?!?!?) The GOOD news is, she'll pick up the countdown at #20 on Thursday Night. Hello darlings! Join me Thursday Night for the official countdown of the TOP TWENTY SONGS OF SUMMER as voted by the readers of http://forgottenhits.com/ on the DJ Scarlett Hayze show on www.myrevolutionradio.com The fun begins at 7pm sharp! BE THERE or BE SQUARE, darlings!! Moochas smoochas ... DJ Scarlett Hayze
Our website hits went through the roof on Monday thanks to all the new visitors who discovered Forgotten Hits for the very first time due to this special programming ... and don't forget that Phil Nee of WRCO in Richland Center, Wisconsin, will ALSO be playing down The Top 40 Favorites on his "Those Were The Days" radio program this Saturday Night, beginning at 6 PM Central Time (and throwing in a bunch of "extras" and personal favorites along the way, too!)
So thanks again to everybody who participated in this special countdown ... we really do appreciate it!
I thought Scott Shannon did a superb job of counting down The Top 20 Summer Favorites and loved how he talked about some of his OWN summer favorites that didn't make the list. (I'm sure you'll be hearing from quite a few of your readers who were disappointed not to see some of their favorites make The Top 40 ... but that was a pretty "primo" list to be part of!) I especially enjoyed when Scott played his own recording of "Here Comes Summer" from the early '70's ... that's not a song you usually hear on the radio and I really can't even imagine him playing it in any other context ... so your countdown provided the PERFECT forum for him to toot his own horn a little bit ... and even play part of the B-Side of that record, featuring "Super Shan" on lead vocals! All-in-all, I found it VERY enjoyable listening -- I didn't want to miss a minute -- and THAT, as you always tell us, makes for good "appointment" radio! Thanks again for all you do in Forgotten Hits --- and thanks for including your readers as part of the process. Betsy Kolmb It's the readers that make this whole thing work ... Forgotten Hits truly is, in EVERY fashion, a "Community Effort" that works because of our mutual love of this music. I, too, loved Scott's handling of the countdown ... it was more than I even imagined and a real treat to listen to. (And I'll tell you what ... it sounded like he was having a BALL doing it, too!!!) Thanks for the kind words. (kk)
I wanted to write about the first day of summer, but I didn’t have any ideas, until I read the blog today from my friend Kent Kotal at Forgotten Hits. The readers of this ‘60s and ‘70s music forum (which now number in the thousands) voted on the TOP 40 ALL –TIME SUMMER FAVORITES! Which will be played by my other pal, Scott Shannon all today LIVE on The True Oldies Channel! http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/scott-shannon-and-the-top-40-all-time-summer-favorites-from-forgotten-hits/ Regards, Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/ Kent, It went great!! ... big response ... great job! ... Scott Shannon Dee Jay The TOC As I told you, I couldn't have been more pleased with the way you handled the whole countdown ... VERY enjoyable listening! Thanks again, Scott! (kk)
We also received a number of emails from readers and listeners who asked:
"How Can You Possibly Do A List Of All-Time Summer Favorites That Does Include ... " Up On The Roof by The Drifters??? Palisades Park by Freddy Cannon??? Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves??? I Live For The Sun by The Sunrays??? Summer by War??? Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks??? Sunny by Bobby Hebb??? So Much In Love by The Tymes??? Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini by Brian Hyland??? California Dreamin' by The Mamas and the Papas???
But by FAR, the two songs most often mentioned as gross oversights were "Under The Boardwalk" by The Drifters and "One Summer Night" by The Danleers. Here are just TWO examples of the emails we received:
What’s “Under The Boardwalk” chopped liver? Arthur Resnick "Under The Boardwalk" was one of those that JUST MISSED making The Top 40 ... I agree, it should have been there ... and Scott Shannon feels the same way, as do several other readers and listeners that we've heard from ... but the bottom line is, it simply didn't get the votes! (I've noticed that MOST of the people complaining about the results DIDN'T bother to vote in the first place, which may have greatly changed the outcome ... but that's typically the way it goes!) That being said, based on the response to this countdown (now picked up on a number of websites and radio programs), we probably EASILY could have garnered another 3000-4000 votes this week alone, just based on the responses to what they did ... or didn't hear! Hey, these weren't exactly MY all-time favorites either ... and quite honestly, after listening to "Summertime Summertime" by The Jamies a couple of times yesterday ... and knowing that this song finished in The Top Ten ... I can honestly say that I can't think of a more ANNOYING song out there!!! (lol) But the fact is, the people have spoken ... we let the votes of the masses speak for themselves. (By the way "Under The Boardwalk" finished at #45 with 67 votes ... and, for those who have asked, their other big "Summer Classic", "Up On The Roof", received 37 votes and came in at #75.)
The Top 40 Summer Hits list had no doo wop songs in it. Is it lost forever to the generations? "One Summer Night", by the Danleers, deserved to be on that list. Is it just that old geezers don't own computers? I doubt it. I hope this current generation, and the future generations, don't lose sight of the roots of today's music. Many deserving doo wop groups were never inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and most radio oldies shows don't play doo wop anymore. Such a shame and such a loss. Bob Hughes (stuck in the 50's) Actually, there were a run of votes for "One Summer Night" right near the end of the tabulation ... just not enough to propel it on to the list. (It ended up finishing at #51 with 58 votes.) Another doo-wop classic that received a fair amount of votes was "In The Still Of The Night" by The Five Satins (but with 16 votes it didn't even make The Top 100!) Everybody's got their favorites that they felt should have been on the list ... for me, I was shocked to see "Centerfield" by John Fogerty not make the list ... it started out REAL strong and then just faded. How about summer favorites like "Where The Boys Are" by Connie Francis? "Grazing In The Grass" by Hugh Masekela? "Save Your Heart For Me" by Gary Lewis and the Playboys? (What a GREAT, feel-good summer song THAT is!!!) A personal favorite of mine is "Do It Again" by The Beach Boys ... but MOST have argued that there are already too many Beach Boys songs on the list, taking spots away from other worthy artists. To quote Rick Nelson, "You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself" ... or, in this case, the voters ... and the majority have spoken! (kk)
Good list -- if somewhat predictable. I'd sure like to know where some of the other "less obvious" songs came in.
Rod
Great summer list, Kent. Thanks for all the work compiling it. Any chance of sharing, say, the next 60 or so finishers on the site sometime soon? I'm sure others are curious, too, of where some of their other favorites finished. Don Effenberger Lol ... I kinda figured it would come to that ... so The Top 100 are now posted on The Forgotten Hits Website: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Your All-Time Summer Favorites Truth is, whenever you do a poll like this, people want to know where some of the other tracks finished. If you count down The Top 40, folks wanna know "What was #41?" (In this case, it was "Walkin' On Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves", which just missed making The Top 40 by three votes!) And, once we run The Top 100, they'll want to know "What was #101???" (The answer to that one is "War" by Edwin Starr!) We just LOVE counting things down and "ranking" things ... because the after-debate is almost as much fun as the voting!!! Thanks, Don! (kk)
KK,
I enjoyed looking over the compilation of top 50 hits for the Summer of 1968 you have currently on your website. Basically, the same records were played here in the OKC area and were real big as well. The one exception would be James Brown's LICKING STICK. I have a copy of that song on an album but not single. Without going to go check my surveys, I don't think it was even played or made the local survey. Years ago I worked for a station here in town in which they had on the bulletin board in the control room a list of artists, (mostly black), they did not want their songs to be played on the air. This began around the late sixties and early seventies.I never was a big fan of Harris' MACARTHUR PARK. I had a DJ friend of mine tell me years ago (and I might add I had also read this) that one reason it was a hit was because of the length of the record. It was a 7:20 on the Dunhill Record Label. While the record was playing, an announcer if he wanted to, could run out and use the restroom, run downstairs and get a candy bar, coke, etc. out of a vending machine. A similar story or record occurred in 1959 when Nina Simone recorded the song I LOVES YOU PORGY on Bethleham Records. When promotional copies of that record made it to radio stations, DJ'S noticed the length of the song which was over 4 minutes. That was an unusual length for a song back in those days. They started to play it because that would give them more time for other things to do since most records back in those days were a little over 2 minutes in length average. As I mentioned, I never really liked Harris'MACARTHUR PARK but to me the best part was when it hit the 7:20 mark.
One final thing. Through the years have you ever noticed or were told that certain songs by artists or groups on the single version was a little bit different than the LP version? For example, the Clovers' 1959 recording of Love POTION #9 single ends differently than the version on their album.
Keep up the good work.
Larry N. Boyington, aka Larry Neal, former curator of the Wax Museum on the big 1520 KOMA Over the years, you'll find literally HUNDREDS of "punched-up" singles that are different mixes than the album tracks ... and, having grown up hearing these song a "certain way", it's sometimes frustrating to hear the wrong mix on the air all these years later. For decades now I have pushed for the record companies to raid their vaults and begin releasing "The Singles Collection" ... a COMPLETE collection of EVERY single on EVERY label in catalog number order to satisfy all of us "vinyl junkies" out there who are replacing their worn out and scratchy 45's collection with pristine CD versions. (kk)
Hi Kent, I just looked at the Summer All Time Top 40 and wanted to pass along some information about Summer in the City. One of the hooks of that record was the part played on what I believe was a Wurlitzer electric piano. That part was played by my friend Jimmy Czak, the recording engineer on the date. To my best recollection, Jimmy came up with the part at the session. Jimmy and John Post are the owners of Nola Sound Studios in New York City. The record was recorded at the studio where Jimmy worked in the 60s; May have been Bell Sound ... or Bell (???) Anyway, I was always curious as to who played on records, (before credits were listed) As a session player, this was important to me. Regards, Don (Young) Albano You would LOVE that new Wrecking Crew Documentary, Don!!! (I'm sure you've devoured "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" by now!!! lol) For a few more words on that Bell session, we've got THIS from Artie Wayne: I gave up some precious mastering time at Bellsound in N.Y.to my friend Artie Ripp so he could master “Summer in the City”! Artie Wayne To read more about some of Artie's connection to the REST of our Top 20 List, be sure to check out his website here: Click here: SCOTT SHANNON AND THE TOP 40 ALL-TIME SUMMER FAVORITES FROM FORGOTTEN HITS! « Artie Wayne On The Web
Kent ... 6/21/10 = First Day of Summer. It start's at 7:28 a m. Hope you're up to enjoy it. lol! Frank B. YouTube - The Ravens-Summertime You betcha!!! For the record, I was up at 5:19 ... and it turned out to be a GREAT First Day Of Summer ... I loved listening to BOTH countdowns of Your Top 40 All-Time Summer Favorites ... and I'm sure that there will be LOTS of Summer Favorites featured all day long for days to come. (kk)
One word about the True Oldies Channel Summer Countdown: Outstanding! (Any chance he's going to play it again?) Rick S.
Not likely ... but The True Oldies Channel has now put The Top 40 List up on THEIR website, too ... so an awful lot more people are going to see it. (Scott may update his list to include the entire Top 100 now that we've done that on our site ... time will tell.) Meanwhile, thanks to a VERY positive response, I imagine he'll be slipping in "summer favorites" every hour for a while now! (kk)
Hey Kent! I had so much fun doing the show last night! I spent most of yesterday getting ready for the show - and, in doing so, I realized I had plenty of time to slip in all of the top 40 hits!! I started the show by reading from your blog about how this countdown came to be and all in all it was a GREAT show UNTIL ... (dramatic pause) ... (here's the email I just sent out to my listeners) Damage control report from the Veranda: strong rains, thunder and lightning last night prematurely ended my Summer Solstice Show. :( The good news: Thursday night at 7 pm ET we will continue with the TOP TWENTY COUNTDOWN of the ALL-TIME FAVORITE SONGS OF SUMMER!! (courtesy of forgotten hits.com and myrevolutionradio.com) Just as I got to number 19 - I swear - I couldn't hold the stream. After numerous attempts - my "ping" was outrageous (2000 ms at one point!) - I gave up. The good news is I am going to play the Top Twenty on my Thursday show ... so the fun continues on! I did receive a lot of positive comments and even had listeners as far away as Australia and eastern Europe tuning in to hear the show! I meant what I said on the air ... I love your website. You are an amazing guy for doing this. I feel a very strong connection to your site because it is the music I play, the music I grew up with, and the music that changed the world. And I agree ... the tired, worn out oldies that standard oldies radio stations play do not accurately represent the music that was, and is, ours. Thank you for keeping it alive and in our hearts. Moochas smoochas! DJ Scarlett Hayze myrevolutionradio.com I got to hear bits and pieces but I lost the station at #22 ... figured playing something as new as Bryan Adams is what got you booted off the air! (lol) Hoping some of our readers will tune in again tomorrow night to hear The Top 20 ... and that anybody who can will check out Phil Nee's Show on Saturday Night as well. (Hey, Readers ... let's start a letter-writing campaign ... to WRCO in Richland Center, WI ... tell the powers that be there that WE WANT THEM TO START STREAMING!!! Tell them that IF THEY BUILD IT, WE WILL COME!!!) Phil does a FANTASTIC job every week with his "Those Were The Days" Radio Program ... and he genuinely loves this music. Over the years, he's had a Who's Who of artists on his show and it deserves to be heard by The Oldies Nation!!! (kk)
Bravo Kent! ... for the success of the great response to the songs of summer. They will never go out of style. What a blast to see an often unheralded Beach Boy song, All Summer Long, high on the list. Plus, California Nights by Leslie Gore, another great but seldom heard song. Not making the list but guaranteed to send you into summer ... two Beach Boys tunes: It's OK (70's) and Keepin' the Summer Alive (80's). Phil PrayForSurf.net
And, speaking of The Beach Boys, we sent THIS "revised" announcement out earlier today to our Forgotten Hits subscribers:
Well, THAT didn't take long!!!
Less than 24 hours after telling The Las Vegas Sun that The Beach Boys (including original members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and long-time member Bruce Johnston) would be reuniting for a 50th Anniversary Tour, Mike Love spent a good part of yesterday back-pedaling from that statement.
Quite honestly, I never REALLY believed it for a minute ... I just reporting what was reported ... in my mind, unless Brian said they were doing it, it didn't count ... and even then, I would fully expect them to abort ship after four or five dates when they realized that they simply could not coexist sharing the spotlight.
Let's face it, Brian Wilson has been doing just FINE without the others for several years now ... this would no longer be a case of Mike wheeling Brian on stage and propping him up behind the piano simply for appearances sake ... despite his long-standing disdain for touring, Wilson has put on some legendary and landmark shows of his own for the past decade and a half ... with an absolutely STELLAR back-up band that loves and appreciates his music. Unless Brian announced the band was reforming for this very special anniversary, this always ranked as more of a "PR" move (or perhaps some wishful thinking) on Mike Love's part.
Apparently a couple of our readers agreed ... I'm praying the Mike Love quote is more than his wishful thinking! Phil@prayforsurf.net
Actually, over the past two years, they have ALL ... at various times ... been talking about doing something special for their 50 year anniversary ... but always without any form of a firm commitment. (Honestly, I think was probably MORE shocked at the prospect of Mike letting Al Jardine back in the band!!! lol) Brian doesn't NEED to tour with The Beach Boys anymore ... his current band outshines anything The Beach Boys have put together in decades ... but, for the FANS' sake ... it SURE would have been a nice final chapter. Chalk this one up to "Wouldn't It Be Nice". (kk)
This is why I don't report rumor and speculation: -- Ron Smith Well, it felt good for about 24 hours anyway!!! (lol) In a prepared statement (my guess is under pressure from Brian's camp) Mike Love said on Tuesday: As The Beach Boys approach the 2011 - 2012 touring season, which will mark their 50th anniversary as a band, speculation continues to grow among fans and media as to reunion possibilities among all the original surviving members. In response to recent stories Mike Love had the following comments: “The Beach Boys continue to tour approximately 150 shows a year in multiple countries. At this time there are no plans for my cousin Brian to rejoin the tour. He has new solo projects on the horizon and I wish him love and success. We have had some discussions of writing and possibly recording together, but nothing has been planned. I, as I’m sure he is, am proud and honored that The Beach Boys music has endured these 50 years, but felt the need to clarify that there are no current 'reunion' tour plans.”
It's been rumored ... discussed ... denied ... pooh-pooh'ed as impossible ... and yet dreamed about for decades ... but earlier this morning, on The Official First Day Of Summer ... The Spinner Website ran THIS headline ... along with THESE comments from Mike Love of The Beach Boys: Brian Wilson 'to Rejoin Beach Boys,' Says Mike Love After decades of bad blood, recriminations and law suits, Brian Wilson is set to reunite with the other surviving members of the Beach Boys -- Mike Love and Al Jardine -- to mark the 50th anniversary of the band's inception, according to comments by Love in the Las Vegas Sun. Love still performs under the Beach Boys name alongside another veteran member, Bruce Johnston. Wilson made a triumphant return to the spotlight in 2002 when he performed the 'Pet Sounds' album in full at London's Royal Festival Hall, and in 2004 performed his incomplete masterpiece 'Smile' at the same venue. He has sporadically toured since then. Love said, "We're gearing up for the 50th anniversary and Brian Wilson, who has been working on some unfinished Gershwin music project, will rejoin us. "I'm sad that Carl Wilson passed away 11, 12 years ago from the same lung cancer problem that claimed the life of George Harrison. That was not a fun time for us." The surviving Beach Boys last appeared publicly in 2006 for a press conference marking 40 years since 'Pet Sounds'. Of the original members, Carl Wilson died of cancer in 1998 and Dennis Wilson drowned in 1983. Love, who once described 'Smile' as a "whole album of Brian's madness," also spoke about the current incarnation of the Beach Boys, saying, "We're still out there doing 150 shows a year, and the sound has reached all the way around the globe. Close your eyes and not only do we today replicate exactly how the original songs sounded, but the technology has gotten better so we even sound better. Yes, the line-up has changed over the years, but it's been pretty consistent the past several years."
