The debate continues. (Trust me, it will NEVER end!!!)
re: THE BEATLES:
>>>Using my U.S. Beatles Singles logic, the IMMEDIATE problem I found with your story was the fact that Capitol Records never released "Love Me Do" as a single in 1962 ... it was completely passed over. Even when the record DID finally come out in America in the Spring of 1964, it was pressed on the Tollie Record label, a subsidiary of Vee Jay Records, who earlier had pressed singles like "Please Please Me" and "From Me To You" before Capitol finally released something by the group. So my first thought was that he COULDN'T have found the single in a stack of Capitol Records releases because, quite simply, they never had released it! (kk)
Capitol of Canada issued Love Me Do as Capitol 72076 on February 18, 1963. If it sold only 78 copies upon initial release, I doubt it would've gotten played on radio at the time. Just my opinion ... I still say Biondi was first.
Tom Diehl
We DID acknowledge that Capitol Of Canada released "Love Me Do" ... unlike their U.S. counterpart EMI subsidiary, who passed on the disk (and the other titles mentioned above, along with "She Loves You", which ended up on Swan Records here in The States.)
A February 18th, 1963, Canadian release dates puts this record neck-and-neck with Biondi's airing of "Please Please Me" here in Chicago ... EITHER one of these jocks could have been the first to air a Beatles record in North America. (See the email below this one for an even more-detailed argument!) kk
Here’s a little more background on Ray Sonin, also citing his claim to be the first in North America to play the Beatles:
Source1: http://www.biblio.com/books/24190568.html -
This website entry advertises the sale of a first printing of one of Ray Sonin’s books published in 1935. Some biographical info is included in the Book Description section:
"Broadcaster, journalist, writer and musician Sonin was a giant influence in the pop culture of his day, discovering a young girl named Vera Lynn singing in a London pub in 1935, and got her career started by introducing her to the famous BBC band leader, Joe Loss. He also influenced the careers of Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Frankie Laine, Roger Whittaker, Petula Clark and many other well-known musical talents through the years. He was a song lyricist and, among many, wrote "Lonely Woman" for Sarah Vaughan, as well as "Best of All" and "Homecoming Waltz" for Vera Lynn. For 10 years, Ray was also the editor of the UK's famous "Melody Maker" magazine, the first publication anywhere in the world to introduce a "Top Ten" music chart. On moving to Canada, he was the first to play the Beatles, ABBA, the Dave Clark Five and Petula Clark to North American audiences."
Source2: http://www.snowbirds.org/csanews/issues/47/32.html -
An account of Ray’s life and passing by his good friend, next-door neighbour and eventual colleague at CFRB.
Source3: Click here: The Beatles are coming!: the birth ... - Google Books
Text published in Beatlemania! published by Bruce Spizer in 2003 also suggests Ray as the first DJ, although there is not enough text in Google’s preview to verify this as fact.
Source 4: http://www.streamingoldies.com/Challenge/Ray-Sonin.mp3 -
Here’s the word from the man himself: Ray Sonin’s personal account of his first exposure to The Beatles; first a mention from his nephew in the UK, then finding Love Me Do in a stack of records.
Richard Warriner
Toronto, Canada
Unfortunately, Richard, I'm not so sure ANY of this makes your case any stronger ... taking things point by point:
For starters, the first couple of book references are non-specific as to a date ... and they simply state the same "facts" over and over ... unfortunately, this seems to be the trend with FAR too many Internet postings ... the same information (right, wrong or otherwise) keeps getting copied over again and again and again from one source to another until it's just simply accepted as "fact" regardless of what the REAL circumstances may be. Simply stating that something happened doesn't change the course of history ... that's why we've always looked for back-up information and checked a variety of sources in our efforts to determine "The Most Accurate Truth".
(That being said, one of the most unreliable sources we've found on the Internet seems to be Wikipedia, which, despite this fact, then seems to be quoted EVERYWHERE else as "gospel". And I say this knowing that, as of today, there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 1800 Wikipedia entries currently credited to Forgotten Hits ... and I have NEVER ... EVER ... submitted a single one of them!!! I don't know WHO'S been sending these in, but apparently since we tend to back our facts up with some pretty substantial documentation, they're now putting some "weight" behind these claims. Who knows, we may unwitingly be rewriting history as we speak ... bringing "The Most Accurate Truth" to the masses simply by digging a little deeper in our research!)
The short interview interview you included only makes me MORE suspicious that the facts may not be recalled entirely correctly by Ray Sonin himself! In it, Sonin ADMITS as much when he states that for YEARS he referred to "P.S. I Love You" as being the first Beatles record he played ... then changes his story to being "the one with the harmonica." Well, "the one with the harmonica" could be "Love Me Do", "Please Please Me" or "From Me To You" for that matter ... The Beatles almost OVER-USED the instrument on their early recordings, as perhaps a way of "defining their sound" or making it more identifiable as a Beatles recording. Interestingly enough, it was that very harmonica sound that most turned off Dave Dexter of Capitol Records here in America, thus preventing him from jumping on any of these early Beatles singles for release here in The States.
The fact that Sonin himself seems a bit "confused" lends NO credence to his claims. Add in to this the fact that he first began discovering acts in the 1930's (I believe I read that he was born in 1907 which, by 1963, would have made him 56 ... sorry to say but perhaps just a bit "too old" and "out-of-touch" to recognize what sounds would click with the day's teenagers, especially a brand NEW developing trend like a British Act crossing over to these shores) and I find it a bit hard to believe that The Beatles caught HIS ears before they caught anybody else's. Also take into account that he began making this claim some 25 years later, which would have put him in his late 70's or early 80's, by which time ANYBODY's memory could have faded a bit ... particularly regarding the circumstances surrounding what, at the time, could ONLY be described as a pretty insignificant event.
But the most damaging piece of evidence on your list is the Bruce Spizer book "The Beatles Are Coming!", published in 2003.
It was in THIS book that Spizer first used OUR article as concrete evidence that Dick Biondi was the first deejay in America to play a Beatles record on the radio. In fact, you'll even find us credited (although just BARELY ... which is to say that at least he spelled my name right!!!) in the beginning of the book. However, what you WILL find (on Page 17 to be exact) is a query that reads: "The first disc jockey to play a Beatles record in America was ... " followed by a series of events outlining EXACTLY what we had first pointed out in our article a year earlier. In fact, you'll even find a copy of the March 15, 1963, WLS Survey that we sent him (courtesy of FH Reader Bill Hengels, uncredited) that shows that "Please Please Me" (recorded by the mis-spelled Beattles, which is the way Vee Jay Records first credited them on their record label) had already been receiving WLS Airplay for four weeks by this time. In conjunction with this publication, we ALSO set up a one-on-one interview between Bruce Spizer and Dick Biondi (thanks to FH Reader Ron Smith, ALSO uncredited, who worked side-by-side with Biondi for YEARS over at the old Magic 104 FM here in Chicago, our one-time premier oldies station.) During this interview, they narrowed it down to February 8, 1963, as being the MOST LIKELY DATE that Biondi first played this record on the air ... Biondi aired
new releases on his Friday Night Program back then and this coincides with when Biondi would have first been presented with a copy of this brand new Vee Jay release, as it was officially released the day before, at which time a representative of the label personally ran a copy over to the station.
Further weakening your case (in this same publication) is DOCUMENTED PROOF that Capitol of Canada did not release "Love Me Do" as a single until MID-FEBRUARY of 1963. (In fact, on page 24 of Spizer's book you'll see an actual copy of the Capitol Of Canada "Sizzle Sheet" dated "Week Ending February 22nd, 1963) where "Love Me Do" / "P.S. I Love You" (Capitol 72076) first appeared on their new releases / hot sheet, along with these instructions:
"Give this side a couple of spins and you'll be hooked! This is an English record and a recent top 20 disc over there. Don't neglect this side!"
Again, this would have ALL happened about two weeks AFTER Biondi had already aired the "Please Please Me" record on WLS here in Chicago. (And keep in mind that "Please Please Me" was The Beatles' SECOND release ... Capitol of Canada was just first hopping on their FIRST single which, by then, had already fallen off the charts in England after being released some three months earlier!) The book then goes on to reiterate total sales of about 78 copies ... although stating now that "some accounts list sales at 170 units" ... STILL not enough to make a dent on any type of sales chart.
The first and ONLY mention of Ray Sonin that I could find then appears on Page 27 where Spizer acknowledges that "Toronto, Canada, may well have been home to the first airplay of a Beatles record in North America." It goes on to say that "towards the end of 1962, Ray received a copy of the Beatles' first single 'Love Me Do' b/w 'P.S. I Love You. The disc was sent by a Toronto listener (NOT his nephew as was also later claimed) who had just returned home from a trip to Liverpool. The accompanying letter told of the Beatles massive popularity in their hometown. Sonin read excerpts from the letter and played 'Love Me Do' on his show one late Saturday afternoon in December, 1962. This predates any known broadcast of a Beatles record in either Canada or the United States."
Only problem with THIS story is that it COMPLETELY changes the scenario of Sonin finding the single "in a stack of Capitol Singles that had just come over to the radio station" as, again, "Love Me Do" would not be pressed as a Canadian single until February of 1963, and this COMPLETELY contridicts the story that has been told for all these years and years ... NOT that a copy was submitted by a fan from England ... NOT that Sonin had picked up a copy of the Parlophone single on one of his many trips to England (which he was, in fact, making at the time in conjunction with his radio program "Calling All Britons") ... instead, the story has been CHANGED to reflect a more conductive timeline to allow for Sonin to have played the record first.
In effect, this story has turned into a "moving target", with the scenario constantly changing to better fit the timeline. Whereas the WLS Silver Dollar Survey documents WLS jumping on "Please Please Me" as absolute fact, here we're being asked to believe any variety of scenarios that would allow for the possibility that Ray Sonin MAY have played "Love Me Do" earlier. Simply put, there are just TOO many holes in this story to state CONCLUSIVELY that this is the way it happened.
Hate to be just a gloomy-gus but, hey, I'm just using the sources you gave me to shoot those holes in this theory. As I stated before, I believe Ray Sonin was most likely the first disc jockey in Canada to play a Beatles record on the air as I have NO reason to doubt so ... nor is there anybody else coming forward to make a similar (or earlier) claim otherwise ... but he did NOT play it in 1962 as it wasn't even released in Canada until February of 1963. (This proof is ALSO documented in Spizer's book.)
And even if he DID, in fact, play it the MINUTE it came out in Canada as a single, that puts him in AT BEST in a TIE with Dick Biondi for playing the record in mid-February. (Vee Jay Records released "Please Please Me" as a single here in The States on February 7, 1963 ... Capitol Of Canada held off on this release until APRIL, trying to give "Love Me Do" a chance to catch on.)
It never did ... in fact, it never even charted ... until it was re-released over a year LATER to catch the wave of worldwide, rampant Beatlemania ... and those are just the facts, Jack! (I mean Richard!!!)
One more point ... how cool is it that even if Biondi and Sonin SOMEHOW, remarkably BOTH played a Beatles record ON THE EXACT SAME DAY here in North America ... as unlikely a scenario as that may be ... that each of them would have played a completely DIFFERENT Beatles tune. In hindsight, pretty remarkable for a then unknown band trying to make a dent on the airwaves of our shores! (kk)
By the way, out of ALL of the Bruce Spizer books published, I find "The Beatles Are Coming" to be the most "fan-friendly". Jam-packed with statistic, it also presents an incredibly interesting diary of events of The Beatles' first year here on the charts in America. (TV appearances, U.S. tour dates ... they're ALL here ... along with TONS of historical photographs and documents that run cover-to-cover as Bruce paints a riveting portrait of what that first year was like as we were all being swept away in the throes of Beatlemania.)
Some of his other books are probably a bit too fact-and-detail oriented for the more casual reader ... but THIS one is an absolute delight from cover to cover ... and we HIGHLY recommend it.
Copies are still available through Bruce's website:
Click here: The Beatles In America - Books by Bruce Spizer
And tell him that Forgotten Hits sent you!!! (kk)
As an anxious junior high school student, I always had trouble sleeping on Sunday nights. But in 1963, that wasn't such a bad thing, because I always listened to a KFWB show (unfortunately, I've forgotten who the DJ was) that played 45s that did NOT make the station's playlist. The first time I heard the Beatles was definitely on this show, and the song was "From Me To You," not "Please Please Me" or "Love Me Do." As I remember, KFWB had the L.A. exclusive on "I Want To Hold Your Hand," and I immediately recognized the vocal blend. It feels like it was somewhere in the vicinity of 6 months to 1 year before the Capitol release that would change rock and roll forever.
Love Forgotten Hits.
Dave Feldman
"From Me To You" got enough airplay in California to chart in several local markets ... and that would have been just about six months before "I Want To Hold Your Hand" hit the U.S. airwaves ... so your recollections are likely correct. (Check our website to see "From Me To You" on a California Top 40 Chart!)
Click here: Forgotten Hits - Who Played The Very First Beatles Record In America?
In fact, airplay in California of "From Me To You" was significant enough that the record actually "Bubbled Under" on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Chart in 1963 before giving way to the more-accepted Del Shannon cover version. (Shannon had just wrapped up a tour of England with The Fab Four and, after seeing the reaction they were getting from their fans over there, decided to cut a version of their latest #1 Hit. Being the "established recording star" at the time, it was DEL's version who got the majority of the airplay back here at home.)
"Love Me Do" wasn't picked up by ANYBODY here in The States and, because it wasn't really all that big a hit at home either (it peaked at #17), EMI was willing to let that one go. But when "Please Please Me" shot up the charts in The U.K., eventually peaking at #2 (and #1 in some British markets), they pretty much INSISTED that their subsidiary Capitol Records release it. When the honchos at Capitol said they didn't "hear anything hit-worthy", EMI shopped it to some of the smaller independent labels ... and that's when Vee Jay Records (right here in Chicago) picked it up for distribution. Honestly, it flopped the first time around ... but before it was withdrawn, it DID chart for two weeks on The WLS Silver Dollar Survey, making Dick Biondi the first deejay here in The States to play a Beatles record on the air. Again, click on the link for more details. Thanks, Dave! (kk)
Kent,
I've nothing to add to the "Who played the Beatles first in North America" argument, though as an ex-Brit living in the Toronto area for many years I find the Ray Sonin, CFRB Toronto angle interesting.
I just want to commend you for the time you spend trying to get to the bottom of topics like this.
Mike Ogilvie
Hey, it's what we do ... "The Most Accurate Truth" has become our motto ... and it's the reason we're quickly becoming the "go to" source for this kind of stuff. (Of course having the cooperation of the artists and many of the folks who were actually THERE at the time make the whole thing a lot more INTERESTING!!!) kk
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas Leftovers
re: IT'S OUR ANNUAL LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS DASH:
I didn't get these in time to include in our final Christmas posting ... but wanted to share these with you very quickly before we put this to bed once and for all 'til next year! (You'll find a few fun things to read here ... and it sure beats standing in the Return Lines at the Mall!!! lol) kk
Lest anyone think I'm a scrooge, I will confess to having the Phil Spector's Xmas album (only because it came as part of the Phil Spector boxed set) and a song called Punk Rock Christmas by a band called The Ravers, which appears on a Rhino records compilation which is where you'll also find the Hanukkah classic, Hanukkah Rocks and Walk On The Kosher Side, by Gefilte Joe & The Fish. Oh yeah and I do have If We Can Make It Through December, by Merle Haggard, which really isn't a Xmas song. However regardless of what I think about Christmas, which admittedly isn't much, I too wish all the best this Xmas to everyone in FH land.
Jack (Rock And Roll Never Forgets)
While you and Jersey John pretty much became known as our Resident Scrooges this year, that was more YOUR doing than mine!!! All that aside, I hope you BOTH still had a VERY Merry Christmas ... and let's make 2011 a better year for ALL of us! (kk)
Thanks, Kent, for including Matt Tyson and even the Facebook Christmas video.
Merry Christmas,
Phil
Hey, we got some GREAT stuff to share this year ... happy to do it! Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, Phil! (kk)
Kent,
It was great seeing Jeff's mention of the Goodyear Christmas albums. We have several of the Firestone and Goodyear LPs from the sixties and still enjoy them every year. The artists on these albums include numerous pop singers, opera singers, and even a few soft country singers from the fifties and early sixties.
Jim Reeves' plane went down near a heavily traveled road here in Nashville, and I think about him nearly every time I drive through that area.
David Lewis
Kent ...
Paul Simon has released this song for free.
It's off his "So Beautiful Or So What" album, available in the Spring.
Paul Simon’s “Getting Ready For Christmas Day” – WCBS-FM 101.1
I guess i must've been a good boy this year.
Santa brought me an "Elvis Mr. Potato Head."
Since a potato is dark skinned, Elvis looks black!
Frank B.
Elvis wasn't black?!?!?
Looks like we scooped WCBS-FM by about 3 1/2 weeks on this one ... Paul Simon's "Getting Ready For Christmas Day" was the VERY FIRST new Christmas song we featured this year in our Forgotten Hits Countdown To Christmas feature. (kk)
Pic: Charlie & Joan at Franco's Osteria (Philadelphia) on Dec.
22nd: WHAT-AM 1340's Christmas Party and Happy Hour where Charlie performed. Thanks to all who came out!
I don't think my last message ever made it through to you.
Here is a little gift for you ... my 5 year old daughter's first recording.
A Christmas song.
God bless.
Merry Christmas.
This'll make you smile.
Darren Dowler
Paul Revere and the Raiders
Nope, your original message never arrived ... because I surely would have run it! This is a GREAT little track that we're sharing with our readers today ... thanks so much for sending! (And I see that Paul Revere and the Raiders have already been booked into Chicago for NEXT YEAR'S Christmas Show ... can't wait to see it!!!) Thanks, Darren! (kk)
... And, speaking of Paul Revere and the Raiders, we also received THIS from the guys on Christmas Eve!!!
Have a Cool Yule!!!
Paul, Doug, Ron, Danny, Darren and Tommy
Merry Christmas!
Dave the Rave
Right backatcha, Dave! Hope you had a GREAT holiday this year! (kk)
Kent!
You're too much!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Enjoyed all the Holiday stuff! Just great.
Thanks -
from - Furvus and The Fifth Estate
Kent,
I have really enjoyed your website ... you keep it interesting, informative, and fun all at the same time. it's definitely a favorite of mine.
On behalf of The Buckinghams, I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy, and successful New Year.
Carl Giammarese
The Buckinghams
Thanks, Everybody!!!
And now ... back to the show ...
(Look for new postings all week long! Have you book-marked or subscribed to this site yet? Well, what are you waiting for?!?!? C'mon ... get with the program!!!) kk
I didn't get these in time to include in our final Christmas posting ... but wanted to share these with you very quickly before we put this to bed once and for all 'til next year! (You'll find a few fun things to read here ... and it sure beats standing in the Return Lines at the Mall!!! lol) kk
Lest anyone think I'm a scrooge, I will confess to having the Phil Spector's Xmas album (only because it came as part of the Phil Spector boxed set) and a song called Punk Rock Christmas by a band called The Ravers, which appears on a Rhino records compilation which is where you'll also find the Hanukkah classic, Hanukkah Rocks and Walk On The Kosher Side, by Gefilte Joe & The Fish. Oh yeah and I do have If We Can Make It Through December, by Merle Haggard, which really isn't a Xmas song. However regardless of what I think about Christmas, which admittedly isn't much, I too wish all the best this Xmas to everyone in FH land.
Jack (Rock And Roll Never Forgets)
While you and Jersey John pretty much became known as our Resident Scrooges this year, that was more YOUR doing than mine!!! All that aside, I hope you BOTH still had a VERY Merry Christmas ... and let's make 2011 a better year for ALL of us! (kk)
Thanks, Kent, for including Matt Tyson and even the Facebook Christmas video.
Merry Christmas,
Phil
Hey, we got some GREAT stuff to share this year ... happy to do it! Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, Phil! (kk)
Kent,
It was great seeing Jeff's mention of the Goodyear Christmas albums. We have several of the Firestone and Goodyear LPs from the sixties and still enjoy them every year. The artists on these albums include numerous pop singers, opera singers, and even a few soft country singers from the fifties and early sixties.
Jim Reeves' plane went down near a heavily traveled road here in Nashville, and I think about him nearly every time I drive through that area.
David Lewis
Kent ...
Paul Simon has released this song for free.
It's off his "So Beautiful Or So What" album, available in the Spring.
Paul Simon’s “Getting Ready For Christmas Day” – WCBS-FM 101.1
I guess i must've been a good boy this year.
Santa brought me an "Elvis Mr. Potato Head."
Since a potato is dark skinned, Elvis looks black!
Frank B.
Elvis wasn't black?!?!?
Looks like we scooped WCBS-FM by about 3 1/2 weeks on this one ... Paul Simon's "Getting Ready For Christmas Day" was the VERY FIRST new Christmas song we featured this year in our Forgotten Hits Countdown To Christmas feature. (kk)
And, speaking of WCBS-FM (does Frank really talk about anything else?!?!?), I tuned in to listen to part of their Ho-Ho-Ho Top 101 Christmas Songs Countdown on Christmas Day ...
Kent ... You already know that Big Jay Sorenson has been filling in for the past week here at WCBS-FM in New York. I spent Christmas Eve with my family and Big Jay. He was counting down the "Ho-Ho Top 101 Christmas Hits." I really like him. The ultimate pro. Great sense of timing. I love his sense of humor. If it was up to me, I'd hire him full time instead of just as a fill-in. Big Jay gave us the Top 10 news stories of the year. He read off 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2 (Drum Roll) and the #1 news story of the year is that "Big Jay Sorenson worked five days in a row at WCBS-FM." I guess you have to hear it instead of read it, for it to be funny.
Frank B.
Nope, it's still funny!!! BIG fan of Big Jay here, too ... and happy to see that he's been entertaining the folks over the long holiday weekend! WTG, Big Jay! (kk)
In case you missed it, the #1 Song was "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives. It's a catchy, happy-go-lucky tune, but I can't see it beating out "White Christmas", "The Christmas Song" or "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" for #1.
Frank B.
Nope, never heard #1 ... but that's consistent with The Top 20 Most-Played Christmas Songs List we sent out at the beginning of our series ... so no real big surprise there. I probably heard the Burl Ives tune about 30 times this holiday season ... and that was with turning OFF the All-Christmas Channel more often than not. Other big ones for me this year were "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano, "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" by Andy Williams and, for SOME odd reason, the Air Supply version of "Sleigh Ride"!!! Personally, I'm ready to put away the Christmas tunes till next year! (kk)
re: HOW ELVIS SPENT CHRISTMAS EVE:
Got this from Frank B. (by way of Ron Smith's oldiesmusic.com website) ... it comes from Kathy Westmoreland's website. (Kathy, of course, was one of The King's most famous back-up singers). She tells us how Elvis used to spend his Christmas Eve's when he was home in Graceland ...
How Elvis Secretly Spent His Christmas Eves
by Kathy Westmoreland
(Posted on Friday, December 24, 2010 at 5:56pm)
We all know, of course, that Elvis was a philanthropist and humanitarian. The stories of his generosity are legendary. Yet here is a tidbit that I believe is a monumental testament to the true nature of this man. One that most people have never heard ... one that was told to me after he died.
He did not discuss the daily good deeds he did for others ... both friends and / or strangers. I was so fortunate to witness them on a daily basis. Yes ... daily ... whenever I was with him. This quite remarkable story was actually told to me by more than one policeman, and deputies at the sheriff's department in Memphis at different times. I never knew this because I was home for Christmas with my own family and I am still amazed. Christmas Eve was the night that Elvis chose to go make all his annual donations to the many charities he supported. But here is the story that runs chills up my spine and makes me tear up even as I type this.
On Christmas Eves ... when most of us spend that entire special evening with our families, anticipating the exchange of gifts ... Elvis left the house for a while and went to the jail. He visited every prisoner, no matter their race, gender, creed and no matter the severity of the alleged crime ... just human being to human being ... and talked with every single one. I was told by the officers he would ask each one why they were there and how he could help them. And help them he did ... in any way he could.
He took notes, planned what he would do for each and every one he could possibly do something for. How many of us would do this at any time? How many would do this on Christmas Eves? Of course in most of our religions and particularly Christianity, we are taught that Jesus told us to comfort those in need, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, shelter the homeless, etc.
"I was in prison and he visited me" is one that I venture to guess not many of us, even though we call ourselves Christian Believers, would ever do. He assisted them in any way possible ... from contacting their families to see if they needed "anything" (financial assistance while their loved one was in jail? Were their children alright? Their husbands or wives?), and making certain they would be assisted in every way once they served their time, made certain they had proper representation in the court by a decent attorney ... and so forth.
This man ... Elvis Presley ... not only believed what he was taught, but physically acted on those teachings. Most of us (including me) somehow decide this one instruction is just easy to ignore and / or better left "out" of our good deeds.
And, shortly after we received this piece, we ALSO received notice that one of The Sweet Inspirations had died. The Sweet Inspirations, of course, ALSO backed up Elvis for many years in concert ... and had their OWN Top 20 Hit back in 1968 with the same-named tune "Sweet Inspiration", one of my favorites. Here's the full report from Ron Smith's oldiesmusic.com website:
Myrna Smith, member of the Sweet Inspirations, died Friday (December 24) at a hospice near Los Angeles. She was 69. Myrna was was hospitalized in London for three weeks in March while part of a European "Elvis On Tour" concert after suffering pneumonia and a stroke that led to kidney failure. She was placed on dialysis upon returning to the U.S. The Sweet Inspirations were an outgrowth of the backup group, the Drinkard Sisters, whose membership included at once time Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Troy. Cissy Houston replaced Dionne and Sylvia Shemwell replaced Doris as the group sang backup for Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin and on Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl." Myrna, a former New Jersey schoolteacher, joined along with Estelle Brown in 1965 and the group themselves signed with Atlantic Records. From 1967 to 1979, the quartet charted eleven times, most notably with "Sweet Inspiration" (#18 - 1968). But they were best known as Elvis Presley's backup singers in concert from 1969 until his death in 1977. Sylvia preceded Myrna in death this past February.
Here's a short piece we did on The Sweet Inspirations in Forgotten Hits a while back: Click here: Forgotten Hits: Sweet Inspiration
'CHRISTMAS GREETINGS' from CHARLIE and JOAN GRACIE
Joan and I wanted to take a moment to wish all of you a Blessed and Festive
Christmas Season, as we commemorate and celebrate the true source of HOPE for our world. We wish you and yours a new year filled with good health and lots of love shared with dear family and friends!
As you may know, our son Charlie, Jr. oversees our websites and the many emails and photos you so kindly send all year through ... and he takes the time to share them all with us! Our heartfelt thanks to our friends in the U.S., the U.K. and throughout Europe for your continued devotion. We love and appreciate all of you!
Charlie & Joan
Pic: Charlie & Joan at Franco's Osteria (Philadelphia) on Dec.22nd: WHAT-AM 1340's Christmas Party and Happy Hour where Charlie performed. Thanks to all who came out!
I don't think my last message ever made it through to you.
Here is a little gift for you ... my 5 year old daughter's first recording.
A Christmas song.
God bless.
Merry Christmas.
This'll make you smile.
Darren Dowler
Paul Revere and the Raiders
Nope, your original message never arrived ... because I surely would have run it! This is a GREAT little track that we're sharing with our readers today ... thanks so much for sending! (And I see that Paul Revere and the Raiders have already been booked into Chicago for NEXT YEAR'S Christmas Show ... can't wait to see it!!!) Thanks, Darren! (kk)
... And, speaking of Paul Revere and the Raiders, we also received THIS from the guys on Christmas Eve!!!
Have a Cool Yule!!!Paul, Doug, Ron, Danny, Darren and Tommy
Merry Christmas!
Dave the Rave
Right backatcha, Dave! Hope you had a GREAT holiday this year! (kk)
Kent!
You're too much!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Enjoyed all the Holiday stuff! Just great.
Thanks -
from - Furvus and The Fifth Estate
Kent,
I have really enjoyed your website ... you keep it interesting, informative, and fun all at the same time. it's definitely a favorite of mine.
On behalf of The Buckinghams, I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy, and successful New Year.
Carl Giammarese
The Buckinghams
Thanks, Everybody!!!
And now ... back to the show ...
(Look for new postings all week long! Have you book-marked or subscribed to this site yet? Well, what are you waiting for?!?!? C'mon ... get with the program!!!) kk
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The Sunday Comments ( 12 - 26 - 10 )
Just a few comments this weekend ... we'll follow up with more "mini-posts" during the week ... but first I REALLY wanted to thank everyone again for their on-going support (and affection for) Forgotten Hits ... it means a lot ... and I really do appreciate it! THANK YOU!!! (kk)
re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
Kent,
Your site is the brightest spot weekly for me. I don't read every post and sometimes a week goes by when I cannot GET to it due to "life", but I always enjoy seeing your new posts and all the Chicago music I find out about when I check it out!
Thanks for keeping Chicago music and radio alive!
Merry Christmas!
Clark Besch / WLSClark
Normally I do not read everything in your posts but this weekend, December 18th and 19th, I was captivated!
For starters, I loved the discussions about Cher. She has always been one of my favorites just because she does her own thing no matter what anyone says. She is multi-talented and quite unique. That being said ... I guess she does give in to the pressures of the world and her profession or she would not have had all the plastic surgery. Too bad.
The story about the Association was sad and good. I bought their greatest hits album in 1969, mostly because I had heard Tony's Tygers (now The Tygers) do Cherish and Never my Love and, as we all know, I had that BIG crush on a certain Tyger. I felt closer to that certain someone when I would listen to the album. I played that album so thin you could hear the other side. Until the FH Sunday posting I had forgotten all about Time for Living. Love that song. Thanks for the memory.
I also liked the segment on Aretha Franklin. She was supposed to perform at the O'Reilly Family Center that just opened in my town earlier this year. She was supposed to be the first concert at this new venue. Of course that didn't happen. The Pointer Sisters performed instead. I own Aretha's Forever Legends collector's addition 3 CD set. In addition to the songs you listed I also really like Call Me and Angel.
Merry Christmas
Stacee
Happy Holidays! ForgottenHits really is awesome. Thanks for your hard work!Best, Linda
Hi Kent,
Thanks for all your hard work.
Arnold Kirkbride
Dear Kent
Thank you for all your great work.
Mark
Hi Kent
Thanks for all your "Wages Of Spin" updates the last two years. We really appreciate
all your help and publicity for "Wages Of Spin".
You have a great Website / Newsletter that I and any real oldies enthusiast cherish and follow habitually.
Happy Holidays
Shawn Swords
Thanks, Shawn ... I appreciate that! (kk)
re: AND LOVIN' OUR OLDIES:
>>>I've got to give Scott Shannon special props for including the word "Oldies" in his True Oldies Channel Network ... he's calling it what it IS ... and without a hint of shame. As it SHOULD be, as far as I'm concerned. Those of us who LOVE our oldies are PROUD of this music and feel NO sense of shame or embarrassment in saying so. That's right, dammit ... we're True Oldies Fans!!! (kk)
Hi Kent ...
I'm confused. Why would a radio station even want to drop the word "oldies" from their format? I think it's telling people of certain age group that we don't care about the music you grew up with. I don't know about you but I know how old I am and I love the music I grew up listening to. One of Scott Shannon's True Oldies slogans is: OPERATING ON A MILLION WATTS OF MEMORIES!!!!!! I've said many times that it's like TIME TRAVELING. The music takes you right back to where you were and perhaps who you were with when you hear certain songs. I love remembering the days when I was young and lovin' life. Now - not so young but still lovin' life and listening to SCOTT SHANNON'S TRUE OLDIES CHANNEL ON LINE!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Nancy Kitchens / Atlanta
YES ... of COURSE, I have to agree with you, that the 'so called' "Oldies" stations aren't devoting enough time to the REAL roots of it all, and that's too bad. One BIG illustration of that fact is this little story I have for you.
I was Christmas shopping in a discount store last night and the music they were playing inside the store was ALL old songs that I hadn't heard for years, even on the OLDIES stations. I hadn't even THOUGHT about some of them for years, but when they were out on the charts they were records that I would crank the radio way up on and groove with ... and one that I was so HAPPY to hear again was a record called "I'm On Fire".
Do you remember that one? I think it was in the 60s and it has a great rock thing about it ... sort of like a "Nashville Teens" type of guitar sound and vocal groove to it. Do you have any idea who that group was who recorded that?
To ME, THAT'S a song that OUGHT to be played on "Oldies" stations, but like I said, I haven't heard it since back in the 60s. Like you, all I can wonder is "What's up with Oldies Radio ???"
Veeder Van Dorn
The Moonrakers
If it's the one I'm thinking of, it actually dates back to the mid-'70's ... but you're right, it's got a REAL '60's feel to it. Dwight Twilley (a Forgotten Hits Reader, by the way, and sometime contributor) took this one all the way to #16 in 1975 ... and it was one of MY favorites back then, too. (In fact, me and the boys you to do this one back in the day ... it's got a great "vintage" feel to it ... "Tired Of Toein' The Line" by Rocky Burnette is another one that comes to mind ... that one came out a few years later and actually made The Top Ten!)
Twilley is still recording and recently put together an album of Beatles covers ... some pretty good ones on there, too. (We featured a couple of them a while back in Forgotten Hits ... but I'm with you ... let's spin "I'm On Fire" today ... GREAT to hear that one again!) Thanks, Veeder! (kk)
Hello Kent;
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the continued 'blurbs' from time to time about JST KLSX - http://www.RockandRollHeaven.net -
I did see your comments about a month ago, regarding my concept of 'Music for the Ages!' I know you have some of the same passions, and you already know the tremendous 'Brick wall' that we're up against when it comes to 'getting the music' that has been long forgotten, 'On the Air' ---I've been in a fight to program music while producing to keep some consistency, however, I've been trying to get this thing refined and syndicated for a long time now - and you already know what we're up against. If I had the money, I know what I would be doing, and that includes hiring some of those like-minded radio talents, and some great PR people - because we can make this DREAM happen.
We grew up with this music and there's plenty of great music still being produced by those artists who are not ready to hang up their Guitars or Drum sticks --- I just can't imagine why it's taking so long to get the idea across to some of the people, aside from their attitudes of … 'It's just not what we do."
What in the world are people thinking? Why are they so afraid to combine the greatest MUSIC ever produced in the UNIVERSE with some of the NEW stuff that is JUST as GOOD? I know, but I don't think they will like the answer.
Hope to hear from you. I have heard from a few talented radio folks, and once I get the funding, I would definitely be putting them to work on America's Coast to Coast - JST KLSX - http://www.RockandRollHeaven.net -
I saw where Clear Channel signed 'Pretty Boy' to a 60 million dollar contract - and to me that: JUST DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL! Especially not when there are so many talented radio folks who can do so much more, and it wouldn't cost NEARLY as much. I'm guessing that's what is wrong with me … I keep guessing. If I had even 1/10th of an operating capital, I know that we can turn it into more than 20 million a year with our programming ideas for the GROWING Baby Boomer Market. But, then again … I guess my passion is showing. I just have to ask; how does it look? I'm inclined to believe that, if it looks good, being out --- I should leave it OUT all day!
I've written a few articles if you're so inclined to read or pass along www.masonramsey.blogspot.com which concern, of course, some of the very same things we agree on --- and of course, think alike. I know that, if given the opportunity --- once we're funded, our combined efforts could go a great deal farther in the course of our travels.
I want to thank you again, as I have tried to give you as much in return on http://www.RockandRollHeaven.net -
In closing - we NEED people who have that PASSION and the WANT to be ON TOP and in the BUSINESS, and to be UNAFRAID of playing the music that means something - especially when it sets the MOOD, and brings the excitement. All too many times, you hear a TALENT on the AIR doing NOTHING except the same ol' dribble --- and you can tell .... it's so 'PLASTIC!' I'm 'guessing' it's because they NEED a JOB and are afraid to 'Step outside the Box.'
I know that's why we started doing what we're doing … to be our own 'MASTER and COMMANDER' - I can say this; once I hit that mark - I will have a 'Crew' who will want to sail those waters with me, being unafraid to 'BE on the Radio.' I think it's time to set the standards of getting BACK to the business of GREAT RADIO like it was in the "GOOD Ol' DAYS!' I, for ONE, want to be ONE of those in the 'Mix.'
Talk with you soon & see ya on the radio.
Mason Ramsey
www.RockAndRollHeaven.net
Happy to pass this along, Mason, because you're right, we DO share the same passion ... and so do a number of OTHER people on our list, deejays and music fans alike. As I keep telling you, keep fighting the fight ... there IS an audience out there for this great, forgotten music ... nothing will ever convince me of otherwise. Glad to see SOMEBODY willing to take a chance on this format ... now how do we get the right people behind it? (kk)
re: KEEPIN' IT INFORMATIVE, ENTERTAINING AND, ABOVE ALL, FUN ... aka THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT:
Kent,
You forgot about the 1000s of Russian women wanting to meet you.
Also would you put me in touch with Leonora Jordan?
It seems we both had the same 7th grade math teacher.
Thanks.
I have sent the email to AOL, complete with full orchestration and five part harmony.
Jack
Kent,
This is what I sent to AOL, with me being an AOL user as well ...
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter ...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted ...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
I have been an AOL user for about 15 years now and I'd be happy to change my service provider if they feel this isn't informative or entertaining to read and to enjoy.
I also work for a LARGE company with over 27k employees and I'd be happy to spread the word to as many as I can if AOL decides to prevent them from sending these wonderful messages about the oldies we enjoy.
Bob M
Vicmorrow@aol.com
On a side note, I run the Residential Division for ADT Security, and if ever I can help out, I do have some discount authority that I'd be happy to pass along to any of the Forgotten Hits readers. Just trying to Pay it Forward if you know what I mean!
Bob Morrow
Excellent gesture, Bob ... happy to pass it along ... and thanks for your GREAT letter! (kk)
Dear TOS General -
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter ...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted ...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
Forgotten Hits is not for profit ...
Does nothing illegal ...
and serves the music lovers who sign up to be on its group list.
It is not SPAM and nobody understands how it may violate TOS.
Deleting Forgotten Hits by TOS will damage AOL's reputation.
Please Keep Forgotten Hits.
Sincerely,
bdpoe@aol.com
Thanks
Thanks! ... GREAT letter ... and I appreciate it! (kk)
I copied and pasted the message you suggested in your email and sent it off to Brigadier General TOS but I may not have done your cause a favor.
I couldn't help myself.
I added as salutation of "Dear Nazi Gestapo Bastards".
Sorry.
I really, really couldn't resist.
... Ed44
Hey Kent -
They can't stop Prince Lumumba of Nigeria from trying to bilk you out of your quid because all he is doing is lying, and he's a phantom at best. In this day and age there are too many people who are miserable and want to screw up a good thing or look for ways to sue and make money.
Rock and Roll never dies so you will prevail. "If we should lose you, we'd lose a good thing"
Alex Valdez
Yellow Balloon
Kent -
Your notification from AOL makes NO sense and I am sending them an email as you requested.
I also wanted to let you know that last week I sent an email to ALL my email friends (39) telling them I have been with your list for YEARS and thought they would enjoy it if they had any appreciation of music (especially oldies).
I don't know if any of them joined, but I did my part.
And I have been with you for years too, since back when you could email your newsletter straight to our box before the emails were considered too big or spam engines started to get fussy :) .
I said it once and I'll say it again ... you do a great job for us music buffs and I greatly appreciate it.
Your Buddy,
Buck Lam
I just sent an email to the TOS General at AOL:
I would like to let you know about one of your clients, Forgottenhits.com ...
I look forward to getting their posting notices which may happen several days a week. THEY ARE NOT SPAMMING!!!! They are informative, entertaining and above all fun to read. You should be glad that you have a site like forgotten hits on aol ...
In addition to the above, they are also historical and educational as well.
Thank you for your consideration.
Scott J. Schultz,
McHenry, IL
Kent,
Love the newsletter and the blog. I've learned quite a bit about the music that I enjoy and don't wish to lose that ... it's become my personal Billboard magazine, without the expensive subscription price.All I have to do is open one email and I'm transported back to the days of my youth,when everything was right with the world and AM radio made hits, not just being a bunch of know nothing babbling heads who think music started in the 1990s.In these days, when I am quickly growing older, with health problems mounting and many of my heroes from those days falling by the wayside and becoming forgotten by the general public, it's nice to know that at least one person has kept that light that is the 1960s music shining brightly and given all of us a place to talk about, listen to and learn about the artists and music that we love ... that person being you.
God bless you and this blog ... may it last forever.
Happy days!
Don Rehrer
And another ...
Dear Sir:
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
Kent Kotal is very infomative and fun to read.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
That e-zine is a real credit to AOL!
Merry Christmas,
Robert C. Jones
Sacramento, CA
DEAR SIRS,
I FIND THE NEWSLETTER 'FORGOTTEN HITS' TO BE INFORMATIVE, FUN AND ENTERTAINING, ALL THE FACETS THAT SHOULD MAKE IT A GREAT SOURCE OF MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE APPROPRIATE FOR INCLUSION ON YOUR AOL SERVICE.
WHATEVER YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT DOING, AS FAR AS TAKING 'FORGOTTEN HITS' OFF OF YOUR AOL SERVICE, SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED, BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT I WILL UNSUBSCRIBE FROM MY 'PAYING' MEMBERSHIP WITH YOU.
FORGOTTEN HITS IS A GREAT WEBSITE AND A LOT OF FUN FOR SENIORS LIKE MYSELF, WHO LOVE TO DISCUSS AND DELVE INTO THE HISTORY OF THE MUSIC OF 'OUR' GENERATION.
VERY TRUYL YOURS,
V. DORN
SITEVILLE@AOL.COM
Thanks, Veeder, GREAT letter ... like they say, "Choose Your Battles" ... and before you come after us, at least do the research to see that everyone receiving these email notifications ASKED for them to be sent ... so, like everybody keeps saying, WHO are we hurting? And, the fact that we offer an opt on / opt off option means that anybody who decides that they DON'T want to receive these emails simply has to email us back and ask us to take them off the list ... in fact, just type "Unsubscribe" in the subject line and we'll take care of it!!! Pretty simple really! Thanks again! (kk)
We see it everywhere we go ... and there is nothing worse than over-regulating ... someone else making the decision for us as to what we'll like, what's good for us or what we should or shouldn't see ... protecting us from what, I don't know ... yet letting all kinds of other garbage filter its way into all of our mailboxes every single day.
Why can't they concentrate their efforts on eliminating some of THAT spam rather than come after somebody who is providing a service that each of us has asked for? An oldies music service that both educates and entertains us.
I hope your letter-writing campaign helps and earns you the victory ... as well as the rights that you deserve ... but my guess is it won't have any effect at all ... it wouldn't surprise me at all to find out they didn't read any of our letters.
I'm not quite sure who they think they are or what their primary purpose in life is ... I don't know who they think they're protecting or exactly what they're protecting us from ... but I am sure that in their own minds, they are providing a very valuable and necessary service ... without knowing ANYTHING at all about what you do or the fact that your legions of readers have requested these updates because they enjoy your newsletters. Act first ... ask questions later ... far too much of this going on in the real world today on really important matters to worry about an oldies newsletter ... pick your battles, as they say. All I know is that you do an outstanding job providing these music facts to an audience that absorbs every single word ... and still wants more.
Don't let them get you down, Kent ... get an account somewhere else and start sending your update notices from there. Who knows, maybe a couple hundred readers will leave AOL with you ... and wouldn't it be great if several THOUSAND did over time. Let AOL wallow in its own righteous self-importance ... your love of oldies music will prevail.
We will follow you wherever you go ... just don't ask us to drink the Kool-Aid!
Jack Edwards
Hastings, Nebraska
Honestly, I'll probably NEVER know what kind of effect ... if ANY ... these letters had ... next time I do something wrong in their eyes, I'll get flagged again. Pretty discouraging, especially when you consider the fact that I've sent SEVERAL emails and left several voicemails asking for somebody ... ANYBODY ... to tell me what it is I'm doing wrong so that I can change things up and not do it again ... why risk losing my AOL service by providing a service that oldies fans all over the world want to read over some technicality. (Although I've been sending Forgotten Hits for going on twelve years now ... so I'm not sure why it's such an big issue NOW!!!)
The most frustrating part is the fact that they'll write you a threatening letter and then ignore EVERY SINGLE REQUEST to respond in an educating, pro-active way to actually SOLVE the problem ... that's the part I just don't get.
From as near as I can determine, somewhere in the neighborhood of 350 people wrote in that first day ... but you're right, they may not have read a single one ... or at least not a single one after they read the first two or three and saw what we all had to say.
I have yet to hear a single word back from ANYBODY ... nor do I expect to (unless I inadvertently do something wrong again!!!) ... so we'll just ride it out for now.
I just hope the readers will come to the website on their own ... sending the reminders out was a bit of a pain in the ass anyway ... at some point I've just got to trust you guys to come around once or twice a week and see what we've got going on ... or subscribe to the "Atom" link provided at the bottom of the page for updates. (Of course you could ALSO simply click on the link that's included in our Opt In / Opt Out Disclaimer that runs in the emails ... guess they haven't figured THAT out yet!!! lol)
Thank you ALL for your support ... I truly do appreciate it! (kk)
I sent the following to TOSGeneral@aol.com:
Please leave forgottenhits@aol.com alone.
I am one of thousands of people who very much look forward to the fascinating, insightful, informative blog which is Forgotten Hits.
All the best,
Gary Theroux
Thanks, Gary! That means a lot! (kk)
Dear Sirs at AOL ...
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter ...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted ...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
Please take notice that there are thousands more who feel the way I do.
Mitchell Schecter / The Rip Chords
Thanks, Mitch! (kk)
Kent -
I sent the following letter to the AOL TOS General about their threat to shut down your account for providing links to your website:
This is to inform you that I value the links in my e-mails from Forgottenhits@aol.com.
I find it informative, entertaining, and fun.I'll go further ... this site, and its newsletter which I have chosen to subscribe to, provides valuable, timely information about the music and entertainers of my generation ... information that the mainstream media finds worthy of printing 3 days later ... sometimes.
Please restore this link so that I can get today's topic in my e-mail.
I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstanding ...
And happy holidays to all!
Jim Shea (one time radio god)
Thanks, Jim ... that oughtta make 'em stand up and listen!!! (Just what is it they're policing anyway?!?!? Is there REALLY a need to protect oldies fans ... from ME?!?!? I'm Oldies Music's Best Friend, dammit!!!) kk
I understand that Forgotten Hits has received some form of TOS violation notice.
I have been a paid AOL subscriber for 15 years. I have reported countless spam emails to you over that time, and it seems that nothing ever gets done. I am aware of numerous situations where true TOS violations are reported and seemingly nothing gets done to stop these proven violators. It is difficult to understand how even a peripheral investigation (assuming one was in fact undertaken) could or would result in any sort of warning to Forgotten Hits. This is the most wholesome, family and fun-oriented site on your entire network.
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter ...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted ...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
Your warning should be rescinded and you should be grateful to have a site that so completely complies so correctly with your professed goals as Forgotten Hits.
Frank Rowland
Wow, THANKS, Frank ... now even I'M convinced that we're doing a good thing here! (lol) Seriously, thanks for your passionate plea ... no idea what effect (if any) all of this will have on AOL's consideration of our services but please know that I truly and sincerely appreciate any and all responses that you guys took the time to write ... it really means a lot! (kk)
And a couple just for fun!
re: PICK HIT VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
(Video submitted by Vibramutant)
An organized effort to make "Surfin' Bird" by the Trashmen the #1 song in Britain on Christmas week (a big honor there) fell short Sunday (December 19) as the song appeared at #3 on the charts. Still, almost 70,000 copies of "Surfin' Bird" were sold there.
-- Ron Smith
This whole concept kind of reminds me of the Billy Mack goal of hitting #1 on Christmas Day with his holiday remake of "Christmas Is All Around You" from "Love Actually"!!! (I've heard from a few of you now who went out and rented this movie based on our recommendation ... and have yet to hear from ANYONE who didn't LOVE the film!!! Check it out when you get a chance!)
Honestly, 'though, this one REALLY takes the cake! (kk)
Surfin' Bird Christmas No.1 2010 starring Matt Whistler from Convict Films on Vimeo.
Peter Griffin of The Family Guy does a pretty good version of this song, too. (Clearly, a few of you have probably already seen The Family Guy video ... it's already got over 32 MILLION viewings!!!) kk
Please check back throughout the week for more new postings ... including another one of our SUPER-SIZED Comments Pages mid-week ... or, better yet, click on the "Atom" link at the bottom of this page and subscribe to this blog ... they'll notify you each and every time something new is posted on the website.
Thanks again, everybody ... continued Happy Holidays!!! (kk)
re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
Kent,
Your site is the brightest spot weekly for me. I don't read every post and sometimes a week goes by when I cannot GET to it due to "life", but I always enjoy seeing your new posts and all the Chicago music I find out about when I check it out!
Thanks for keeping Chicago music and radio alive!
Merry Christmas!
Clark Besch / WLSClark
Normally I do not read everything in your posts but this weekend, December 18th and 19th, I was captivated!
For starters, I loved the discussions about Cher. She has always been one of my favorites just because she does her own thing no matter what anyone says. She is multi-talented and quite unique. That being said ... I guess she does give in to the pressures of the world and her profession or she would not have had all the plastic surgery. Too bad.
The story about the Association was sad and good. I bought their greatest hits album in 1969, mostly because I had heard Tony's Tygers (now The Tygers) do Cherish and Never my Love and, as we all know, I had that BIG crush on a certain Tyger. I felt closer to that certain someone when I would listen to the album. I played that album so thin you could hear the other side. Until the FH Sunday posting I had forgotten all about Time for Living. Love that song. Thanks for the memory.
I also liked the segment on Aretha Franklin. She was supposed to perform at the O'Reilly Family Center that just opened in my town earlier this year. She was supposed to be the first concert at this new venue. Of course that didn't happen. The Pointer Sisters performed instead. I own Aretha's Forever Legends collector's addition 3 CD set. In addition to the songs you listed I also really like Call Me and Angel.
Merry Christmas
Stacee
Happy Holidays! ForgottenHits really is awesome. Thanks for your hard work!Best, Linda
Hi Kent,
Thanks for all your hard work.
Arnold Kirkbride
Dear Kent
Thank you for all your great work.
Mark
Hi Kent
Thanks for all your "Wages Of Spin" updates the last two years. We really appreciate
all your help and publicity for "Wages Of Spin".
You have a great Website / Newsletter that I and any real oldies enthusiast cherish and follow habitually.
Happy Holidays
Shawn Swords
Thanks, Shawn ... I appreciate that! (kk)
re: AND LOVIN' OUR OLDIES:
>>>I've got to give Scott Shannon special props for including the word "Oldies" in his True Oldies Channel Network ... he's calling it what it IS ... and without a hint of shame. As it SHOULD be, as far as I'm concerned. Those of us who LOVE our oldies are PROUD of this music and feel NO sense of shame or embarrassment in saying so. That's right, dammit ... we're True Oldies Fans!!! (kk)
Hi Kent ...
I'm confused. Why would a radio station even want to drop the word "oldies" from their format? I think it's telling people of certain age group that we don't care about the music you grew up with. I don't know about you but I know how old I am and I love the music I grew up listening to. One of Scott Shannon's True Oldies slogans is: OPERATING ON A MILLION WATTS OF MEMORIES!!!!!! I've said many times that it's like TIME TRAVELING. The music takes you right back to where you were and perhaps who you were with when you hear certain songs. I love remembering the days when I was young and lovin' life. Now - not so young but still lovin' life and listening to SCOTT SHANNON'S TRUE OLDIES CHANNEL ON LINE!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Nancy Kitchens / Atlanta
YES ... of COURSE, I have to agree with you, that the 'so called' "Oldies" stations aren't devoting enough time to the REAL roots of it all, and that's too bad. One BIG illustration of that fact is this little story I have for you.
I was Christmas shopping in a discount store last night and the music they were playing inside the store was ALL old songs that I hadn't heard for years, even on the OLDIES stations. I hadn't even THOUGHT about some of them for years, but when they were out on the charts they were records that I would crank the radio way up on and groove with ... and one that I was so HAPPY to hear again was a record called "I'm On Fire".
Do you remember that one? I think it was in the 60s and it has a great rock thing about it ... sort of like a "Nashville Teens" type of guitar sound and vocal groove to it. Do you have any idea who that group was who recorded that?
To ME, THAT'S a song that OUGHT to be played on "Oldies" stations, but like I said, I haven't heard it since back in the 60s. Like you, all I can wonder is "What's up with Oldies Radio ???"
Veeder Van Dorn
The Moonrakers
If it's the one I'm thinking of, it actually dates back to the mid-'70's ... but you're right, it's got a REAL '60's feel to it. Dwight Twilley (a Forgotten Hits Reader, by the way, and sometime contributor) took this one all the way to #16 in 1975 ... and it was one of MY favorites back then, too. (In fact, me and the boys you to do this one back in the day ... it's got a great "vintage" feel to it ... "Tired Of Toein' The Line" by Rocky Burnette is another one that comes to mind ... that one came out a few years later and actually made The Top Ten!)
Twilley is still recording and recently put together an album of Beatles covers ... some pretty good ones on there, too. (We featured a couple of them a while back in Forgotten Hits ... but I'm with you ... let's spin "I'm On Fire" today ... GREAT to hear that one again!) Thanks, Veeder! (kk)
Hello Kent;
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the continued 'blurbs' from time to time about JST KLSX - http://www.RockandRollHeaven.net -
I did see your comments about a month ago, regarding my concept of 'Music for the Ages!' I know you have some of the same passions, and you already know the tremendous 'Brick wall' that we're up against when it comes to 'getting the music' that has been long forgotten, 'On the Air' ---I've been in a fight to program music while producing to keep some consistency, however, I've been trying to get this thing refined and syndicated for a long time now - and you already know what we're up against. If I had the money, I know what I would be doing, and that includes hiring some of those like-minded radio talents, and some great PR people - because we can make this DREAM happen.
We grew up with this music and there's plenty of great music still being produced by those artists who are not ready to hang up their Guitars or Drum sticks --- I just can't imagine why it's taking so long to get the idea across to some of the people, aside from their attitudes of … 'It's just not what we do."
What in the world are people thinking? Why are they so afraid to combine the greatest MUSIC ever produced in the UNIVERSE with some of the NEW stuff that is JUST as GOOD? I know, but I don't think they will like the answer.
Hope to hear from you. I have heard from a few talented radio folks, and once I get the funding, I would definitely be putting them to work on America's Coast to Coast - JST KLSX - http://www.RockandRollHeaven.net -
I saw where Clear Channel signed 'Pretty Boy' to a 60 million dollar contract - and to me that: JUST DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL! Especially not when there are so many talented radio folks who can do so much more, and it wouldn't cost NEARLY as much. I'm guessing that's what is wrong with me … I keep guessing. If I had even 1/10th of an operating capital, I know that we can turn it into more than 20 million a year with our programming ideas for the GROWING Baby Boomer Market. But, then again … I guess my passion is showing. I just have to ask; how does it look? I'm inclined to believe that, if it looks good, being out --- I should leave it OUT all day!
I've written a few articles if you're so inclined to read or pass along www.masonramsey.blogspot.com which concern, of course, some of the very same things we agree on --- and of course, think alike. I know that, if given the opportunity --- once we're funded, our combined efforts could go a great deal farther in the course of our travels.
I want to thank you again, as I have tried to give you as much in return on http://www.RockandRollHeaven.net -
In closing - we NEED people who have that PASSION and the WANT to be ON TOP and in the BUSINESS, and to be UNAFRAID of playing the music that means something - especially when it sets the MOOD, and brings the excitement. All too many times, you hear a TALENT on the AIR doing NOTHING except the same ol' dribble --- and you can tell .... it's so 'PLASTIC!' I'm 'guessing' it's because they NEED a JOB and are afraid to 'Step outside the Box.'
I know that's why we started doing what we're doing … to be our own 'MASTER and COMMANDER' - I can say this; once I hit that mark - I will have a 'Crew' who will want to sail those waters with me, being unafraid to 'BE on the Radio.' I think it's time to set the standards of getting BACK to the business of GREAT RADIO like it was in the "GOOD Ol' DAYS!' I, for ONE, want to be ONE of those in the 'Mix.'
Talk with you soon & see ya on the radio.
Mason Ramsey
www.RockAndRollHeaven.net
Happy to pass this along, Mason, because you're right, we DO share the same passion ... and so do a number of OTHER people on our list, deejays and music fans alike. As I keep telling you, keep fighting the fight ... there IS an audience out there for this great, forgotten music ... nothing will ever convince me of otherwise. Glad to see SOMEBODY willing to take a chance on this format ... now how do we get the right people behind it? (kk)
re: KEEPIN' IT INFORMATIVE, ENTERTAINING AND, ABOVE ALL, FUN ... aka THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT:
Kent,
You forgot about the 1000s of Russian women wanting to meet you.
Also would you put me in touch with Leonora Jordan?
It seems we both had the same 7th grade math teacher.
Thanks.
I have sent the email to AOL, complete with full orchestration and five part harmony.
Jack
Kent,
This is what I sent to AOL, with me being an AOL user as well ...
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter ...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted ...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
I have been an AOL user for about 15 years now and I'd be happy to change my service provider if they feel this isn't informative or entertaining to read and to enjoy.
I also work for a LARGE company with over 27k employees and I'd be happy to spread the word to as many as I can if AOL decides to prevent them from sending these wonderful messages about the oldies we enjoy.
Bob M
Vicmorrow@aol.com
On a side note, I run the Residential Division for ADT Security, and if ever I can help out, I do have some discount authority that I'd be happy to pass along to any of the Forgotten Hits readers. Just trying to Pay it Forward if you know what I mean!
Bob Morrow
Excellent gesture, Bob ... happy to pass it along ... and thanks for your GREAT letter! (kk)
Dear TOS General -
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter ...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted ...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
Forgotten Hits is not for profit ...
Does nothing illegal ...
and serves the music lovers who sign up to be on its group list.
It is not SPAM and nobody understands how it may violate TOS.
Deleting Forgotten Hits by TOS will damage AOL's reputation.
Please Keep Forgotten Hits.
Sincerely,
bdpoe@aol.com
Thanks
Thanks! ... GREAT letter ... and I appreciate it! (kk)
I copied and pasted the message you suggested in your email and sent it off to Brigadier General TOS but I may not have done your cause a favor.
I couldn't help myself.
I added as salutation of "Dear Nazi Gestapo Bastards".
Sorry.
I really, really couldn't resist.
... Ed44
Hey Kent -
They can't stop Prince Lumumba of Nigeria from trying to bilk you out of your quid because all he is doing is lying, and he's a phantom at best. In this day and age there are too many people who are miserable and want to screw up a good thing or look for ways to sue and make money.
Rock and Roll never dies so you will prevail. "If we should lose you, we'd lose a good thing"
Alex Valdez
Yellow Balloon
Kent -
Your notification from AOL makes NO sense and I am sending them an email as you requested.
I also wanted to let you know that last week I sent an email to ALL my email friends (39) telling them I have been with your list for YEARS and thought they would enjoy it if they had any appreciation of music (especially oldies).
I don't know if any of them joined, but I did my part.
And I have been with you for years too, since back when you could email your newsletter straight to our box before the emails were considered too big or spam engines started to get fussy :) .
I said it once and I'll say it again ... you do a great job for us music buffs and I greatly appreciate it.
Your Buddy,
Buck Lam
I just sent an email to the TOS General at AOL:
I would like to let you know about one of your clients, Forgottenhits.com ...
I look forward to getting their posting notices which may happen several days a week. THEY ARE NOT SPAMMING!!!! They are informative, entertaining and above all fun to read. You should be glad that you have a site like forgotten hits on aol ...
In addition to the above, they are also historical and educational as well.
Thank you for your consideration.
Scott J. Schultz,
McHenry, IL
Kent,
Love the newsletter and the blog. I've learned quite a bit about the music that I enjoy and don't wish to lose that ... it's become my personal Billboard magazine, without the expensive subscription price.All I have to do is open one email and I'm transported back to the days of my youth,when everything was right with the world and AM radio made hits, not just being a bunch of know nothing babbling heads who think music started in the 1990s.In these days, when I am quickly growing older, with health problems mounting and many of my heroes from those days falling by the wayside and becoming forgotten by the general public, it's nice to know that at least one person has kept that light that is the 1960s music shining brightly and given all of us a place to talk about, listen to and learn about the artists and music that we love ... that person being you.
God bless you and this blog ... may it last forever.
Happy days!
Don Rehrer
And another ...
Dear Sir:
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
Kent Kotal is very infomative and fun to read.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
That e-zine is a real credit to AOL!
Merry Christmas,
Robert C. Jones
Sacramento, CA
DEAR SIRS,
I FIND THE NEWSLETTER 'FORGOTTEN HITS' TO BE INFORMATIVE, FUN AND ENTERTAINING, ALL THE FACETS THAT SHOULD MAKE IT A GREAT SOURCE OF MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE APPROPRIATE FOR INCLUSION ON YOUR AOL SERVICE.
WHATEVER YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT DOING, AS FAR AS TAKING 'FORGOTTEN HITS' OFF OF YOUR AOL SERVICE, SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED, BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT I WILL UNSUBSCRIBE FROM MY 'PAYING' MEMBERSHIP WITH YOU.
FORGOTTEN HITS IS A GREAT WEBSITE AND A LOT OF FUN FOR SENIORS LIKE MYSELF, WHO LOVE TO DISCUSS AND DELVE INTO THE HISTORY OF THE MUSIC OF 'OUR' GENERATION.
VERY TRUYL YOURS,
V. DORN
SITEVILLE@AOL.COM
Thanks, Veeder, GREAT letter ... like they say, "Choose Your Battles" ... and before you come after us, at least do the research to see that everyone receiving these email notifications ASKED for them to be sent ... so, like everybody keeps saying, WHO are we hurting? And, the fact that we offer an opt on / opt off option means that anybody who decides that they DON'T want to receive these emails simply has to email us back and ask us to take them off the list ... in fact, just type "Unsubscribe" in the subject line and we'll take care of it!!! Pretty simple really! Thanks again! (kk)
We see it everywhere we go ... and there is nothing worse than over-regulating ... someone else making the decision for us as to what we'll like, what's good for us or what we should or shouldn't see ... protecting us from what, I don't know ... yet letting all kinds of other garbage filter its way into all of our mailboxes every single day.
Why can't they concentrate their efforts on eliminating some of THAT spam rather than come after somebody who is providing a service that each of us has asked for? An oldies music service that both educates and entertains us.
I hope your letter-writing campaign helps and earns you the victory ... as well as the rights that you deserve ... but my guess is it won't have any effect at all ... it wouldn't surprise me at all to find out they didn't read any of our letters.
I'm not quite sure who they think they are or what their primary purpose in life is ... I don't know who they think they're protecting or exactly what they're protecting us from ... but I am sure that in their own minds, they are providing a very valuable and necessary service ... without knowing ANYTHING at all about what you do or the fact that your legions of readers have requested these updates because they enjoy your newsletters. Act first ... ask questions later ... far too much of this going on in the real world today on really important matters to worry about an oldies newsletter ... pick your battles, as they say. All I know is that you do an outstanding job providing these music facts to an audience that absorbs every single word ... and still wants more.
Don't let them get you down, Kent ... get an account somewhere else and start sending your update notices from there. Who knows, maybe a couple hundred readers will leave AOL with you ... and wouldn't it be great if several THOUSAND did over time. Let AOL wallow in its own righteous self-importance ... your love of oldies music will prevail.
We will follow you wherever you go ... just don't ask us to drink the Kool-Aid!
Jack Edwards
Hastings, Nebraska
Honestly, I'll probably NEVER know what kind of effect ... if ANY ... these letters had ... next time I do something wrong in their eyes, I'll get flagged again. Pretty discouraging, especially when you consider the fact that I've sent SEVERAL emails and left several voicemails asking for somebody ... ANYBODY ... to tell me what it is I'm doing wrong so that I can change things up and not do it again ... why risk losing my AOL service by providing a service that oldies fans all over the world want to read over some technicality. (Although I've been sending Forgotten Hits for going on twelve years now ... so I'm not sure why it's such an big issue NOW!!!)
The most frustrating part is the fact that they'll write you a threatening letter and then ignore EVERY SINGLE REQUEST to respond in an educating, pro-active way to actually SOLVE the problem ... that's the part I just don't get.
From as near as I can determine, somewhere in the neighborhood of 350 people wrote in that first day ... but you're right, they may not have read a single one ... or at least not a single one after they read the first two or three and saw what we all had to say.
I have yet to hear a single word back from ANYBODY ... nor do I expect to (unless I inadvertently do something wrong again!!!) ... so we'll just ride it out for now.
I just hope the readers will come to the website on their own ... sending the reminders out was a bit of a pain in the ass anyway ... at some point I've just got to trust you guys to come around once or twice a week and see what we've got going on ... or subscribe to the "Atom" link provided at the bottom of the page for updates. (Of course you could ALSO simply click on the link that's included in our Opt In / Opt Out Disclaimer that runs in the emails ... guess they haven't figured THAT out yet!!! lol)
Thank you ALL for your support ... I truly do appreciate it! (kk)
I sent the following to TOSGeneral@aol.com:
Please leave forgottenhits@aol.com alone.
I am one of thousands of people who very much look forward to the fascinating, insightful, informative blog which is Forgotten Hits.
All the best,
Gary Theroux
Thanks, Gary! That means a lot! (kk)
Dear Sirs at AOL ...
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter ...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted ...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
Please take notice that there are thousands more who feel the way I do.
Mitchell Schecter / The Rip Chords
Thanks, Mitch! (kk)
Kent -
I sent the following letter to the AOL TOS General about their threat to shut down your account for providing links to your website:
This is to inform you that I value the links in my e-mails from Forgottenhits@aol.com.
I find it informative, entertaining, and fun.I'll go further ... this site, and its newsletter which I have chosen to subscribe to, provides valuable, timely information about the music and entertainers of my generation ... information that the mainstream media finds worthy of printing 3 days later ... sometimes.
Please restore this link so that I can get today's topic in my e-mail.
I'm sure this is all just a big misunderstanding ...
And happy holidays to all!
Jim Shea (one time radio god)
Thanks, Jim ... that oughtta make 'em stand up and listen!!! (Just what is it they're policing anyway?!?!? Is there REALLY a need to protect oldies fans ... from ME?!?!? I'm Oldies Music's Best Friend, dammit!!!) kk
I understand that Forgotten Hits has received some form of TOS violation notice.
I have been a paid AOL subscriber for 15 years. I have reported countless spam emails to you over that time, and it seems that nothing ever gets done. I am aware of numerous situations where true TOS violations are reported and seemingly nothing gets done to stop these proven violators. It is difficult to understand how even a peripheral investigation (assuming one was in fact undertaken) could or would result in any sort of warning to Forgotten Hits. This is the most wholesome, family and fun-oriented site on your entire network.
I find Forgotten Hits to be informative, entertaining and, above all, fun.
I look forward to reading it every day.
That is why I have chosen to subscribe to their newsletter ...
So that they can notify me when each new issue is posted ...
So that I never have to worry about missing a single issue.
Your warning should be rescinded and you should be grateful to have a site that so completely complies so correctly with your professed goals as Forgotten Hits.
Frank Rowland
Wow, THANKS, Frank ... now even I'M convinced that we're doing a good thing here! (lol) Seriously, thanks for your passionate plea ... no idea what effect (if any) all of this will have on AOL's consideration of our services but please know that I truly and sincerely appreciate any and all responses that you guys took the time to write ... it really means a lot! (kk)
And a couple just for fun!
re: PICK HIT VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
(Video submitted by Vibramutant)
An organized effort to make "Surfin' Bird" by the Trashmen the #1 song in Britain on Christmas week (a big honor there) fell short Sunday (December 19) as the song appeared at #3 on the charts. Still, almost 70,000 copies of "Surfin' Bird" were sold there.
-- Ron Smith
This whole concept kind of reminds me of the Billy Mack goal of hitting #1 on Christmas Day with his holiday remake of "Christmas Is All Around You" from "Love Actually"!!! (I've heard from a few of you now who went out and rented this movie based on our recommendation ... and have yet to hear from ANYONE who didn't LOVE the film!!! Check it out when you get a chance!)
Honestly, 'though, this one REALLY takes the cake! (kk)
Surfin' Bird Christmas No.1 2010 starring Matt Whistler from Convict Films on Vimeo.
Peter Griffin of The Family Guy does a pretty good version of this song, too. (Clearly, a few of you have probably already seen The Family Guy video ... it's already got over 32 MILLION viewings!!!) kk
Please check back throughout the week for more new postings ... including another one of our SUPER-SIZED Comments Pages mid-week ... or, better yet, click on the "Atom" link at the bottom of this page and subscribe to this blog ... they'll notify you each and every time something new is posted on the website.
Thanks again, everybody ... continued Happy Holidays!!! (kk)
Friday, December 24, 2010
And On The 12th Day Of Christmas ...
... He rested!
Whew! We made it! Twelve INCREDIBLE days of Christmas Music ... many premiered for the VERY FIRST TIME right here in Forgotten Hits!!!
Thanks again to all who played along this year ... and all that loved (or endured) our special holiday feature. Let's do it all again next year!
Meanwhile, a few more favorites and requests!
I think they should go back to playing Xmas songs like they used to do. Not start until Thanksgiving, and then occasionally until mid December. After the middle of December you gradually increase it until Xmas Eve where you play it straight through Xmas Day. Maybe people wouldn’t get so sick of them by the end of November.
Best Xmas 45-“Christmas” by Darlene Love
I believe “Christmas Time” by Beatles was on their 1967 Xmas disc
Ken
I think you're right ... on both counts.
The 1969 Beatles Fan Club Disc was pretty much all recorded as solo contributions by each Beatle (plus Yoko, of course!) and had little snippets of "Abbey Road" thrown in for good measure, too. (Is this the one that had Tiny Tim on it ... or was that 1968?) I listened to these SO many times over the years that I finally had to put them away! (lol)
And your Christmas Music airplay schedule pretty much matches the one we outlined way back at the beginning of this series ... build to a crescendo and leave it at that ... we really don't need 9-10 weeks of Christmas music 24/7! Thanks, Ken! (kk)
Don't hear much about this great Christmas song: "Old / Little Toy Trains"
Glen Campbell's version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAUheEHtOyQ
Roger Miller's version (he wrote it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I2KeRtvJ-A
A couple more great Nashville Christmas tracks would have to be "If We Make It Thru December" by Merle Haggard and "Pretty Paper" by Roy Orbison.
David
I think "Little Toy Trains" is one of the ones that Larry Neal mentioned the other day as a Christmas track they used to play down in Oklahoma City back in the day. You're right ... that one's all but completely forgotten now!
Besides topping The Country Charts, the Merle Haggard tune actually made it to #28 on the POP charts, too, charting for 11 weeks beginning in late 1973. I hear "Pretty Paper" quite a bit at Christmastime here in Chicago ... not one of my favorites by Roy Orbison, but a Top 15 Pop Hit ten years earlier in '63 ... and one of Willie Nelson's earlier chart successes as a songwriter. (kk)
America will perform on a Holiday Skating Special! Hear them perform such classics as “Tin Man,” “Ventura Highway,” “You Can Do Magic” and “Horse With No Name,” along with several holiday tunes, on NBC’s Christmas Day special Salute to the Golden Age of American Skating.
Recently taped in Atlantic City, the show features Olympic skaters Evan Lysacek, Sarah Hughes, Scott Hamilton, Nancy Kerrigan, Tara Lipinski, Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi. All told, the 30 cast members own a combined 17 Olympic medals. Salute to the Golden Age of American Skating airs on Saturday at 4 p.m. Frank B. (from the WCBS-FM Website)
Yep ... we told you ALL about this last week ... when America sent us their brand new Christmas song to share in Forgotten Hits! They've just released a new version of "Holly Jolly Christmas" ... and I wish radio would start playing it ... because I'm sick and tired of hearing the Burl Ives version every twenty minutes!!! (kk)
I'm sure our family had a few of these as well (although I don't remember anything specifically about them.) I don't think we played much Christmas Music around my house when I was a kid growing up ... but I made up for that in my adult years, building quite a collection of Christmas classics. That's why showcasing this brand NEW music is such a kick for me ... Christmas music did NOT end in the '60's and '70's (although radio, for the most part, will lead you to believe otherwise.) There's been some GREAT Christmas music released over the past several years ... and among my personal favorites are (believe it or not) Christmas Albums by Tommy James, Donny Osmond and Hanson!!! (Yes, the Mm-Bop guys!!! Their Christmas album is EXCEPTIONAL!) kk
Speaking of collectible Christmas albums, here's one you might want to act quickly to get your hands on ...
You can buy Jack and myself these inexpensive '78's to make OUR Christmas Merry!!! ...
John
http://cgi.ebay.com/Handel-Messiah-Columbia-1947-78-RPM-Vol-II-/150531372712?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item230c5e76a8
Well, it looks like he's already declined three offers (I'm guessing for around $50 apiece! lol) And now the $750,000 item has been removed from eligibility ... but as of this writing, there's still time to snatch up that OTHER 78-RPM set for $950,000! Good Luck! (kk)
I know you're not soliciting your readers' "picks of the day", but once again there's a major standout among all you shared today: Lou Christie's "Oh Holy Night" is so well-done that I've had to listen over and over again my friend. Thanks!
David
I've found at least a couple of absolute stand-out track in every posting so far during our Forgotten Hits Twelve Days Of Christmas Countdown ... some GREAT, undiscovered music out there. (Now why WOULDN'T oldies radio play the Lou Christie version of "O Holy Night" ... he's a PROVEN oldies artists and this is an absolutely INCREDIBLE rendition!!! C'mon Jocks, get with the program here!!! lol You're cheating your listeners out of some really great music by some of their very favorite artists!!!) By the way, one of the very best versions of "O Holy Night" I've ever heard is on the aforementioned Hanson Christmas album ... part of an OUTSTANDING Christmas Medley!!! (kk)
Kent ...
I like your idea of playing the Bobby Darin Christmas Hit followed by "Mack The Knife". That got me to thinking about this idea ... Christmas Double Plays.
Here's what I mean:
Play "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, followed by the newest version of same song.
Play "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" by Gene Autry, followed by latest version of same song. You get the idea.
When I heard about Wayne Newton's new CD, "Christmas In Las Vegas", here's what I expected to hear:
"Christmas When I'm Broke"
"Blackjack Got My Kids Presents"
"I Left My Wife's Gift At The Crap Table"
"How Can I Make A Snowman With Sand?"
"Daddy, How Can Santa Find Us At A Hotel On The Strip?"
Feel free to pass my idea on to Wayne Newton. Maybe he can use it next year.
LOL!!
Frank B.
What, no "Slot Machine Bells" ... no "I Bet The House On Christmas ... Now We Ain't Got No Chimney" ... or "I Crapped Out On Christmas"???? Now THESE are Las Vegas-style Christmas classics!!! (kk)
Dear Friends of The Wrecking Crew,
I'd like to end the year with a re-visit of an out-take from the "Phil Spector Christmas Album" ... still one of the greatest Christmas albums ever produced.
Click here: The Wrecking Crew Outtakes Phil Spector Christmas Album
I've also included another out-take with guitarist Louis Shelton.
Louis came into the music scene playing with The Monkees and then producing Seals and Crofts, Art Garfunkel, England Dan & John Ford Coley.
We're still trying to raise the financing to cover the licensing costs involved with a film like this that features so much of this great music. I've had the opportunity of showing fundraising screenings at recording studios, libraries, private homes, museums and music stores over the past year. This has allowed me to share the film with an audience that wants to experience it as well as them knowing they helped me get the film one step closer to a release by donating whatever amount they could.
If you haven't read the back story of this film, I started it 14 years ago when my father, Tommy Tedesco was diagnosed with cancer. Most people would have given up trying to make a film that everyone said couldn't be done, and I broke the cardinal rule in filmmaking by putting my own money into the film to complete it. But the fact is I did it. I made the film and received great acclaim at film festivals and screenings around the country. And we've got more screenings planned. (See below)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
UPCOMING SCREENINGS:
January 12th, Norfolk, Virginia
Screening at The School of Music For Army, Navy, and Marine Corps
To enter the base, you need to follow directions on the FACEBOOK Page.
January 16th, Sunday @ 10:15am - Anaheim CA -- NAMM SHOW
One time only screening at the NAMM Show. If you are lucky enough to have the coveted NAMM badge, please join us. I will be there with a special guest as well as talking to interested music vendors on how they may be able to host screenings around the country in 2011.
www.namm.org/thenammshow/2011/hot-zone
February 18th - Friday @ 7 PMThe Museum of Making Music
-- A Division of the NAMM Foundation
www.museumofmakingmusic.org/
Kent ...
Seasons greetings from Ringo in L.A.
Merry Christmas From Ringo – WCBS-FM 101.1
Frank B.
It’s the time of year when your Uncle Bob gives you that fabulous Christmas tree sweater with matching socks, when Grandma drinks a little too much egg nog and when Ringo Starr wishes you a Merry Christmas!
Ringo posted a Christmas greeting at RingoStarr.com for you to enjoy!
Speaking of new postings, we received a TON of them here at the deadline dash ... trying hard not to slight anyone but our Christmas Coverage ends today ... if we do this again next year, PLEASE get your entries into us as early as possible so we can give EVERYBODY a shot at some special holiday exposure! (kk)
While not officially a Christmas Song, we play this one every year around this time ... and it's one of my favorites ... "Angels Among Us" by Ron Dante!
By request ... and I think we've done this one EVERY year since our Christmas salute began ... here are The Monkees doing Riu Chiu from their television Christmas episode (starring Butch Patrick of The Munsters!!!)
re: DARLENE LOVE:
It just isn't Christmas without Darlene Love performing on The David Lettermen Show! And soon she'll officially be a Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, too! (kk)
Kent ...
Here in New York it's officially Christmas when Darlene sings on Letterman.
This year will be her 24th straight appearance on his show.
You can hear her now. Just click.
YouTube - Darlene Love - Letterman 12-23-09
Frank B.
Yep, we stayed up late to watch Darlene perform this Christmas classic again last night ... they called it her 17th appearance ... but I believe she's been on the show every year since 1989 (which would be 21 years ... minus the one and only year she failed to perform the song ... due to the writers' strike in 2007.) Good stuff ... made me dig out The Phil Spector Christmas Album to play again today! (kk)
re: THE IDES OF MARCH:
After hearing "Sharing Christmas" on your website the other day I ordered The Ides Of March Christmas CD -- I hope the rest of this album is as good as the track you featured as part of your special Christmas series.
Randy
I feel like we won the trifecta the other day when we featured songs sent in by The Ides: "Sharing Christmas", the Karel King song and the new one by Lisa McClowry ALL received VERY positive responses from our readers ... and the Skip Haynes track "Christmas On Lake Shore Drive" earned him some True Oldies Channel airplay and an interview on WRCO's "Those Were The Days" program with Phil Nee ... proof again that radio is listening to Forgotten Hits!
I haven't heard the whole Ides Of March Christmas album yet ... but it IS available through their website ... as is their brand new studio album "Still 19":
Click here: ::: The Ides of March :::
Jim Peterik's World Stage Event is coming up in January, too ... always a GREAT chance to see some heavy duty players up on stage jammin'. (kk)
Cool! Thanks, brother.
And Merry Christmas!
Keep Rocking!!
Jimbo
re: KAREL KING:
I can see where using the name "Karel King" might hamper airplay for this great Christmas tune. But what are you going to do if the guy's name really IS Karel King?
Ed
Yeah, I pretty much had to let it go at that point! (lol) kk
re: LISA McCLOWRY:
I really like that Lisa McClowry song. What can you tell us about her?
Paige
I don't know much about her ... other than the fact that Jim Peterik has been working with Lisa, both writing and producing material for her as well as showing up at the occasional odd gig here and there. I found a clip of Lisa performing at Jim's last "World Stage" concert event, singing a duet with Loverboy Lead Singer Mike Reno on his big hit duet "Almost Paradise", originally done by Reno and Ann Wilson of Heart in the film "Footloose." (By the way, DIDJAKNOW? that Eric Carmen cowrote that song?)
Click here: YouTube - Almost Paradise ( Mike Reno & Lisa McClowry ) 1-23-10
And here's a link to her website:
Click here: Lisa McClowry - Official Site - Download Lisa's new holiday single on iTunes
Looks like she's done a fair amount of filmwork recording, too! She's got a GREAT voice and really seems to be finding her audience here. (kk)
re: MONSTER'S HOLIDAY:
Kent ...
You thought that Bobby "Boris" Pickett came around once a year, for Halloween.
Wrong.
Frank B.
A Cool Ghoul Yule Song « WCBS-FM 101.1
Believe it or not, this was a Top 30 song for a short time back in 1962 ... and went all the way to #8 here in Chicago! (kk)
re: SAY IT ISN'T SO!:
Could this be the future of Christmas music - the iPad Touch band ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9XNfWNooz4
Ken Voss
re: IAN LLOYD:
KENT -
Thanks so much for the write-up in "Forgotten Hits". I know I started a bit late to promote this but hope this mention will help, and there will aways be next Christmas!
Could you add the CD cover art to the page as well. It visually fits well with the song and might help attract an extra download or two.
(You and Jack can breathe easy again! lol) kk
Whew! We made it! Twelve INCREDIBLE days of Christmas Music ... many premiered for the VERY FIRST TIME right here in Forgotten Hits!!!
Thanks again to all who played along this year ... and all that loved (or endured) our special holiday feature. Let's do it all again next year!
Meanwhile, a few more favorites and requests!
I think they should go back to playing Xmas songs like they used to do. Not start until Thanksgiving, and then occasionally until mid December. After the middle of December you gradually increase it until Xmas Eve where you play it straight through Xmas Day. Maybe people wouldn’t get so sick of them by the end of November.
Best Xmas 45-“Christmas” by Darlene Love
I believe “Christmas Time” by Beatles was on their 1967 Xmas disc
Ken
I think you're right ... on both counts.
The 1969 Beatles Fan Club Disc was pretty much all recorded as solo contributions by each Beatle (plus Yoko, of course!) and had little snippets of "Abbey Road" thrown in for good measure, too. (Is this the one that had Tiny Tim on it ... or was that 1968?) I listened to these SO many times over the years that I finally had to put them away! (lol)
And your Christmas Music airplay schedule pretty much matches the one we outlined way back at the beginning of this series ... build to a crescendo and leave it at that ... we really don't need 9-10 weeks of Christmas music 24/7! Thanks, Ken! (kk)
Don't hear much about this great Christmas song: "Old / Little Toy Trains"
Glen Campbell's version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAUheEHtOyQ
Roger Miller's version (he wrote it)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I2KeRtvJ-A
A couple more great Nashville Christmas tracks would have to be "If We Make It Thru December" by Merle Haggard and "Pretty Paper" by Roy Orbison.
David
I think "Little Toy Trains" is one of the ones that Larry Neal mentioned the other day as a Christmas track they used to play down in Oklahoma City back in the day. You're right ... that one's all but completely forgotten now!
Besides topping The Country Charts, the Merle Haggard tune actually made it to #28 on the POP charts, too, charting for 11 weeks beginning in late 1973. I hear "Pretty Paper" quite a bit at Christmastime here in Chicago ... not one of my favorites by Roy Orbison, but a Top 15 Pop Hit ten years earlier in '63 ... and one of Willie Nelson's earlier chart successes as a songwriter. (kk)
America will perform on a Holiday Skating Special! Hear them perform such classics as “Tin Man,” “Ventura Highway,” “You Can Do Magic” and “Horse With No Name,” along with several holiday tunes, on NBC’s Christmas Day special Salute to the Golden Age of American Skating.
Recently taped in Atlantic City, the show features Olympic skaters Evan Lysacek, Sarah Hughes, Scott Hamilton, Nancy Kerrigan, Tara Lipinski, Brian Boitano and Kristi Yamaguchi. All told, the 30 cast members own a combined 17 Olympic medals. Salute to the Golden Age of American Skating airs on Saturday at 4 p.m. Frank B. (from the WCBS-FM Website)
Yep ... we told you ALL about this last week ... when America sent us their brand new Christmas song to share in Forgotten Hits! They've just released a new version of "Holly Jolly Christmas" ... and I wish radio would start playing it ... because I'm sick and tired of hearing the Burl Ives version every twenty minutes!!! (kk)
Don't forget to give us a dose of LONELY CHRISTMAS by that local Chicago area artist ... It'll hit-the-spot for the tv dinner Christmas crowd ... renfield Actually, we sent that one out pretty early on this year ... and got virtually NO response this time around. (Maybe folks are already sick of THIS one, too!!! lol) Thanks, Gary ... Merry Christmas! (kk)
Not sure if you've covered this yet:
Back when I was a kid in the 60s, the two big tire companies (Goodyear and Firestone) both issued Christmas LPs as premiums every year. We didn't buy tires every year and so only had a couple of them when they were first-run, but back in the early 80s I picked up many more at used record stores. Early on, most were classical arrangements, but toward the end of the 60s there were numerous pop artists in the lineups, including Petula Clark, The New Christy Minstrels, Barbra Streisand, and Diahann Carroll. I like them because they're anthologies, and not 40 minutes of Burl Ives Sings Christmas Favorites. The Goodyear LPs appeared annually from 1961-1969. Firestone followed in 1963, and issued LPs annually until 1969 as well. "Back years" could be ordered for $1.25 each postpaid, while they lasted. For seasonal giveaways they were terrific, and although I don't think they've ever been reissued on CD, the LPs are still kicking around and worth having if you can play them.
-- Jeff Duntemann
Colorado Springs, Colorado
I'm sure our family had a few of these as well (although I don't remember anything specifically about them.) I don't think we played much Christmas Music around my house when I was a kid growing up ... but I made up for that in my adult years, building quite a collection of Christmas classics. That's why showcasing this brand NEW music is such a kick for me ... Christmas music did NOT end in the '60's and '70's (although radio, for the most part, will lead you to believe otherwise.) There's been some GREAT Christmas music released over the past several years ... and among my personal favorites are (believe it or not) Christmas Albums by Tommy James, Donny Osmond and Hanson!!! (Yes, the Mm-Bop guys!!! Their Christmas album is EXCEPTIONAL!) kkSpeaking of collectible Christmas albums, here's one you might want to act quickly to get your hands on ...
You can buy Jack and myself these inexpensive '78's to make OUR Christmas Merry!!! ...
John
http://cgi.ebay.com/Handel-Messiah-Columbia-1947-78-RPM-Vol-II-/150531372712?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item230c5e76a8
Well, it looks like he's already declined three offers (I'm guessing for around $50 apiece! lol) And now the $750,000 item has been removed from eligibility ... but as of this writing, there's still time to snatch up that OTHER 78-RPM set for $950,000! Good Luck! (kk)
I know you're not soliciting your readers' "picks of the day", but once again there's a major standout among all you shared today: Lou Christie's "Oh Holy Night" is so well-done that I've had to listen over and over again my friend. Thanks!
David
I've found at least a couple of absolute stand-out track in every posting so far during our Forgotten Hits Twelve Days Of Christmas Countdown ... some GREAT, undiscovered music out there. (Now why WOULDN'T oldies radio play the Lou Christie version of "O Holy Night" ... he's a PROVEN oldies artists and this is an absolutely INCREDIBLE rendition!!! C'mon Jocks, get with the program here!!! lol You're cheating your listeners out of some really great music by some of their very favorite artists!!!) By the way, one of the very best versions of "O Holy Night" I've ever heard is on the aforementioned Hanson Christmas album ... part of an OUTSTANDING Christmas Medley!!! (kk)
Kent ...
I like your idea of playing the Bobby Darin Christmas Hit followed by "Mack The Knife". That got me to thinking about this idea ... Christmas Double Plays.
Here's what I mean:
Play "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, followed by the newest version of same song.
Play "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" by Gene Autry, followed by latest version of same song. You get the idea.
When I heard about Wayne Newton's new CD, "Christmas In Las Vegas", here's what I expected to hear:
"Christmas When I'm Broke"
"Blackjack Got My Kids Presents"
"I Left My Wife's Gift At The Crap Table"
"How Can I Make A Snowman With Sand?"
"Daddy, How Can Santa Find Us At A Hotel On The Strip?"
Feel free to pass my idea on to Wayne Newton. Maybe he can use it next year.
LOL!!
Frank B.
What, no "Slot Machine Bells" ... no "I Bet The House On Christmas ... Now We Ain't Got No Chimney" ... or "I Crapped Out On Christmas"???? Now THESE are Las Vegas-style Christmas classics!!! (kk)
Kent ... I'm sitting at my favorite Pub, talking to my friends. I want to hear some music. I want to hear my favorite Christmas Song, by Bobby Darin ... so I play it. Instead of "Christmas Auld Lang Syne", I get Bobby singing "What'd I Say".
I love Bobby Darin. I'll listen to him singing anything.
At this time of the year I'd rather hear his 1960 Christmas Hit rather than a Ray Charles song. Because of technical problems, I had to take matters into my own hands. I sang the song myself.
My friends didn't think this was a good idea.
Frank B.
HUGE Bobby Darin fan here, too ... I fell in love with his catalog while doing our Forgotten Hits Bobby Darin Series a few years ago. (I know, I know, we've got to get it up on the website!!!) "What'd I Say"??? Not a big fan, honestly ... didn't care for the Elvis version either. Jerry Lee Lewis also took a crack at it ... and so have dozens of OTHER artists ... sorry, but for ME, the ONLY correct version is the Ray Charles original! He OWNS that song! Anything else is "nice" ... but unnecessary! (kk)
Hi Kent,
One aspect of Christmas that featured so much in Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” was nostalgia. It’s when we look back at past Christmases, very often remembering those who are no longer with us – for whatever reason. I’d like to indulge and note the lyrics of two wonderful Christmas songs that enable us to do just this. First up is Carla Thomas’ “Gee Whiz, its Christmas”:
It's been a long long time
Can't explain why you crossed my mind
I guess it's just to say gee whiz it's Christmas
It's funny that I haven’t thought to call you before
And why is it I haven't seen you around anymore
Another year has passed and I can't erase
The memory of your smiling face
So I have to call you up and say
Gee whiz it's Christmas
Then there’s Frank Sinatra with “Christmas Memories”:
Oh the joy of waking Christmas mornings, the family round the tree,
We had a way of making Christmas morning as merry as can be,
I close my eyes and see shining faces
Of all the children who now have children of their own
Funny, but comes December, and I remember every Christmas I've known.
And that last line is a line that only Mr. Sinatra can deliver. You know instantly what he’s singing about.
Mike Edwards
Kent,
I’ve been enjoying the new Christmas music you’ve been spotlighting and I want to make my contribution.
It’s hard to write a song about Christmas without using the same images and premise over and over again, so Patti Dahlstrom (“EMOTION”) and I set out to write a song from a completely different angle. I’m proud to present my latest AMBIENT MUSIC VIDEO of the song Patti and I wrote, “”WHAT ABOUT THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_kIVhPl6HY
Also here is the song I wrote with Toni Wine (“CANDIDA”, “GROOVY KIND OF LOVE”) that you raved about last year, “I LOSE IT WHEN I HEAR WHITE CHRISTMAS” by Tony Orlando and Dawn.
"Back in 1966 I was working as a staff writer and producer for Scepter Records. Florence Greenberg who owned the company decided to re-release “SOLDIER BOY” by the Shirelles, which had been number one a few years earlier, and asked me to write and produce a new b-side for it. She also suggested that to save time and money I should write the new song over the old Shirelles track, “A THING OF THE PAST", which she owned and was in the girls' key.
It was during the Vietnam War and I decided to write a song about a soldier returning from the front at Christmas. It’s called “MAMA, MY SOLDIER BOY IS COMIN” HOME”.
Finally I’m proud to say that my Michael Jackson classic “LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE” (Clinton jr,. Wayne) is used in 30 videos currently up on YouTube with over 300,000 views so far!
http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/michael-jackson-and-the-story-behind-little-christmas-tree/
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Regards,
Artie Wayne
Actually, I raved about the Tony Orlando track THIS year, too ... I absolutely LOVE this song ... and referred to it as my favorite new Christmas discovery last year. (In fact, I'll betcha I've played it 50-60 times here at home already this month. Scroll back to when this whole series started and give it a listen again ... it's a GREAT track.) As one of our oft-referred to Christmas twin spins, SOMEBODY on the list should play the Bing Crosby "White Christmas" classic ('cause you know they're going to play it fifty times today ANYWAY) and then follow it up with this Tony Orlando torch song ... now THERE'S a perfect Twin Spin!!!
Honestly, the response to our New Music Christmas Crusade has been over the top this year ... proving once again that there's an audience out there for this music if radio will simply give it a chance. Slip one in here and there and give the folks a chance to familiarize themselves with it ... see if anything "new" begins to click. No, they won't all catch on ... but if just two or three do each year, we'll be building a library of "Future Classics" for the holiday season ... and based on all the email we received from folks tired of the same old / same old, I'd say we're about due!
Meanwhile, thanks to all the jocks who HAVE been featuring some of this new music on your programs ... we (meaning me AND the artists) really, really appreciate it! (kk)
Radio has been very kind in remembering Jimy Rogers of late ... it's SO hard to lose someone around the holidays. Joan Gand, Jimy's bandmate in Blue Road and The Mauds, thanks Bob Stroud, WDRV, Dick Biondi, WLS, Greg Brown, WLS, Tom Marker, WXRT and Lynn Orman Weiss, WNUR and XM / Sirius for their great tributes on the radio.
We featured Jimy's live version of "White Christmas" last week in Forgotten Hits ... it's one of the tracks on their special Christmas CD Single available through the Blue Road, Mauds and Jimy Rogers websites. Today, Joan has sent us the OTHER track ... Jimy's version of "Merry Christmas, Baby" to feature.
If you like it, please hop on over to iTunes to download a copy ... Joan tells us:
These tracks are available on iTunes, and all funds from iTunes sales of Jimy Rogers and Blue Road is going to the James Rogers memorial fund to defray his medical expenses.
By the way, great stuff lately! Thanks for featuring Jimy's version of Merry Christmas Baby. It just occurred to me you might like the cover art too, so here it is:
Have a great Christmas, and thank-you for all that you do, and your rembrance of Jimy Rogers. Let's keep his memory alive!
Thanks,
Joan
And a quick non-Christmas reminder:
SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Reggies Rock Club
2505 S. State St. Chicago
Jimy Rogers Tribute Concert
Blue Road and friends, including the Cryan Shames, Jimy Sohns, New Colony Six and MANY MORE ... TBA
Order tickets here: http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/23913
DONATIONS to the Jimy Rogers Memorial Medial Fund (to help defray his medical expenses) are still being accepted ...
Make check out to The Estate of James Rogers
Mail to: Gand Music and Sound
780 Frontage Rd. Northfield IL 60093
Thanks to everyone who gave at the
memorial celebration concert.
Jimy Rogers Obituaries:
NWI.com Local Scene (includes a great quote from Jim Peterik)
Click HERE to read Tribune Obituary
Other Obituaries:
Daily Herald
www.rockingchicagoland.com
Forgottenhits.com
Kent,
You continue to surprise and amaze your readers. Today's FH was jam packed with great music. For me, Skip Haynes' project was tops, both as a surprise and in its uniqueness. But don't ask me to choose what I liked second best, because everything else was fantastic. I hope our participating artists will pass the word to other bands that this is the best place for them to continue to connect with their fans. Many thanks to Skip, Jim, Mitch, and everyone else who help Kent provide these treats to thousands of readers worldwide.
David Lewis
I couldn't agree more ... let's keep this tradition going and encourage more and more artists to participate in the years to come. Forgotten Hits has become a GREAT place to stay in touch with your fans and showcase new music ... and lately it has become THE place to hear brand new Christmas Music. And I would personally like to thank each and every artist who has sent us tracks ... and each and every deejay on the list who has been playing this great "undiscovered" music on the air. (kk)
In fact, here's a note I just got from Skip Haynes!
Hi Kent,
That's great about Scott Shannon playing Christmas on LSD on the True Oldies Channel ... can't thank you enough. I also did an interview yesterday with WRCO that came through your site. Thanks again.
All the best -
Skip
Glad to help in any way we can. In fact, Phil Nee from WRCO also sent us a note:
Hi Kent,
I recently hooked up with Skip Haynes as the result of your site. The interview that we did cleared up a lot of mystery for me about the song Lake Shore Drive. It has long been a much requested tune on our station. I remember it from the Summer of 1974, however, it was released nearly 3 years before that. Skip's personlized versions are great and are available on his website Lakeshoremusic.com
Thanks for the service you provide. You are a blessing to all of us that still try to dig out those old hits and connect with those that made them and with those that love the music. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Maybe we can hook up for another show in 2011.
Phil Nee
Wrco Radio
Richland Center, WI
Skip's "personalized" versions of "Lake Shore Drive" is a GREAT marketing idea for a well-loved tune ... did you hear the Forgotten Hits Version he did for us the other day? Scroll back on the website to find it ... it's a keeper for me, for sure! Interested parties should visit Skip's site at the link above to have their OWN version created. (You'll also find an Aliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah "Greatest Hits" CD available there!) Merry Christmas to you and yours, too, Phil ... would LOVE to do another show next year! (kk)
Just got this in from FH Reader George Manney ... It's another brand new Christmas Song!
From the CD, "Season's Greetings Philadelphia", here's Tommy Conwell's music video for, "Kinda Christmasy". Produced, mixed & engineered by George Manney @ Geo Sound Studios in Philadelphia. Video produced by George Manney.http://www.GeoSound.org
Click the Link to view n YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgjN8PIAFY
Buy the CD online at iTunes & CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sgp
18 song holiday compilation promises to be fun for the entire family featuring all Philadelphia artists including Tommy Conwell, Buzz Zeemer, Marah, Mark Boyce Combo, Eltro, John Flynn and 11 other great artists. Mostly Originals. A Record Cellar release. Happy Holidays!!!
First Listen: Annie Lennox – “A Christmas Cornocopia” – WCBS-FM 101.1
Kent ... Add this to your list of new Christmas Music.
Frank B.
Dear Friends of The Wrecking Crew,
I'd like to end the year with a re-visit of an out-take from the "Phil Spector Christmas Album" ... still one of the greatest Christmas albums ever produced.
Click here: The Wrecking Crew Outtakes Phil Spector Christmas Album
I've also included another out-take with guitarist Louis Shelton.
Louis came into the music scene playing with The Monkees and then producing Seals and Crofts, Art Garfunkel, England Dan & John Ford Coley.
We're still trying to raise the financing to cover the licensing costs involved with a film like this that features so much of this great music. I've had the opportunity of showing fundraising screenings at recording studios, libraries, private homes, museums and music stores over the past year. This has allowed me to share the film with an audience that wants to experience it as well as them knowing they helped me get the film one step closer to a release by donating whatever amount they could.
If you haven't read the back story of this film, I started it 14 years ago when my father, Tommy Tedesco was diagnosed with cancer. Most people would have given up trying to make a film that everyone said couldn't be done, and I broke the cardinal rule in filmmaking by putting my own money into the film to complete it. But the fact is I did it. I made the film and received great acclaim at film festivals and screenings around the country. And we've got more screenings planned. (See below)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
UPCOMING SCREENINGS:
January 12th, Norfolk, Virginia
Screening at The School of Music For Army, Navy, and Marine Corps
To enter the base, you need to follow directions on the FACEBOOK Page.
January 16th, Sunday @ 10:15am - Anaheim CA -- NAMM SHOW
One time only screening at the NAMM Show. If you are lucky enough to have the coveted NAMM badge, please join us. I will be there with a special guest as well as talking to interested music vendors on how they may be able to host screenings around the country in 2011.
www.namm.org/thenammshow/2011/hot-zone
February 18th - Friday @ 7 PMThe Museum of Making Music
-- A Division of the NAMM Foundation
www.museumofmakingmusic.org/
Kent ...
Seasons greetings from Ringo in L.A.
Merry Christmas From Ringo – WCBS-FM 101.1
Frank B.
It’s the time of year when your Uncle Bob gives you that fabulous Christmas tree sweater with matching socks, when Grandma drinks a little too much egg nog and when Ringo Starr wishes you a Merry Christmas!
Ringo posted a Christmas greeting at RingoStarr.com for you to enjoy!
Speaking of new postings, we received a TON of them here at the deadline dash ... trying hard not to slight anyone but our Christmas Coverage ends today ... if we do this again next year, PLEASE get your entries into us as early as possible so we can give EVERYBODY a shot at some special holiday exposure! (kk)
While not officially a Christmas Song, we play this one every year around this time ... and it's one of my favorites ... "Angels Among Us" by Ron Dante!
By request ... and I think we've done this one EVERY year since our Christmas salute began ... here are The Monkees doing Riu Chiu from their television Christmas episode (starring Butch Patrick of The Munsters!!!)
re: DARLENE LOVE:
It just isn't Christmas without Darlene Love performing on The David Lettermen Show! And soon she'll officially be a Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer, too! (kk)
Kent ...
Here in New York it's officially Christmas when Darlene sings on Letterman.
This year will be her 24th straight appearance on his show.
You can hear her now. Just click.
YouTube - Darlene Love - Letterman 12-23-09
Frank B.
Yep, we stayed up late to watch Darlene perform this Christmas classic again last night ... they called it her 17th appearance ... but I believe she's been on the show every year since 1989 (which would be 21 years ... minus the one and only year she failed to perform the song ... due to the writers' strike in 2007.) Good stuff ... made me dig out The Phil Spector Christmas Album to play again today! (kk)
re: THE IDES OF MARCH:
After hearing "Sharing Christmas" on your website the other day I ordered The Ides Of March Christmas CD -- I hope the rest of this album is as good as the track you featured as part of your special Christmas series.
Randy
I feel like we won the trifecta the other day when we featured songs sent in by The Ides: "Sharing Christmas", the Karel King song and the new one by Lisa McClowry ALL received VERY positive responses from our readers ... and the Skip Haynes track "Christmas On Lake Shore Drive" earned him some True Oldies Channel airplay and an interview on WRCO's "Those Were The Days" program with Phil Nee ... proof again that radio is listening to Forgotten Hits!
I haven't heard the whole Ides Of March Christmas album yet ... but it IS available through their website ... as is their brand new studio album "Still 19":
Click here: ::: The Ides of March :::
Jim Peterik's World Stage Event is coming up in January, too ... always a GREAT chance to see some heavy duty players up on stage jammin'. (kk)
Cool! Thanks, brother.
And Merry Christmas!
Keep Rocking!!
Jimbo
re: KAREL KING:
I can see where using the name "Karel King" might hamper airplay for this great Christmas tune. But what are you going to do if the guy's name really IS Karel King?
Ed
Yeah, I pretty much had to let it go at that point! (lol) kk
re: LISA McCLOWRY:
I really like that Lisa McClowry song. What can you tell us about her?
Paige
I don't know much about her ... other than the fact that Jim Peterik has been working with Lisa, both writing and producing material for her as well as showing up at the occasional odd gig here and there. I found a clip of Lisa performing at Jim's last "World Stage" concert event, singing a duet with Loverboy Lead Singer Mike Reno on his big hit duet "Almost Paradise", originally done by Reno and Ann Wilson of Heart in the film "Footloose." (By the way, DIDJAKNOW? that Eric Carmen cowrote that song?)
Click here: YouTube - Almost Paradise ( Mike Reno & Lisa McClowry ) 1-23-10
And here's a link to her website:
Click here: Lisa McClowry - Official Site - Download Lisa's new holiday single on iTunes
Looks like she's done a fair amount of filmwork recording, too! She's got a GREAT voice and really seems to be finding her audience here. (kk)
re: MONSTER'S HOLIDAY:
Kent ...
You thought that Bobby "Boris" Pickett came around once a year, for Halloween.
Wrong.
Frank B.
A Cool Ghoul Yule Song « WCBS-FM 101.1
Believe it or not, this was a Top 30 song for a short time back in 1962 ... and went all the way to #8 here in Chicago! (kk)
re: SAY IT ISN'T SO!:
Could this be the future of Christmas music - the iPad Touch band ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9XNfWNooz4
Ken Voss
re: IAN LLOYD:
KENT -
Thanks so much for the write-up in "Forgotten Hits". I know I started a bit late to promote this but hope this mention will help, and there will aways be next Christmas!
Could you add the CD cover art to the page as well. It visually fits well with the song and might help attract an extra download or two.
Thanks!
Also, I've got two exciting projects that should come out in 2011:
The second SOCIAL HERO CD and my 1st Collabaration CD with Mr. JOHN FORD of the Straws.
Sooo You're on my list ... and I'll be checking it twice!
HO HO HO
Happy Holidays
IAN LLOYD
re: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU:
I first heard "All I Want For Christmas Is You" on a country music station many years ago, and I love the song. Nothing beats Lisa Layne's singing on the Vince Vance and The Valiants recording. According to Wikipedia, Andy Stone's real name is Andrew J. Franichevich, and he is the "current Vince Vance" and last original member of the Valiants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Vance_%26_The_Valiants
However, since Johnny Maestro is my favorite singer, I also love the softer version of the song by Santa's Doo Wop Helpers. Their recording of the song does go back to 1996 and is currently available on a newly released CD "Christmas With Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge and Joel Katz and The Glows". I have found three videos for the song on YouTube, all by Santa's Doo Wop Helpers. I am not aware that Johnny Maestro ever re-recorded the song. Because of Joel Katz's similar voice, he is often mistaken for Johnny Maestro on this recording.
Lois Dixon
Johnny Maestro Fan Club
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/JohnnyMaestroFans
Santa's Doo Wop Helpers ~ 1996
Joel Katz ~ Bobby Jay ~ Larry Chance ~ Johnny Maestro ~~~
Photo courtesy of the official Joel Katz website: http://joelkatzmusic.squarepins.org/pics.html
Hmmm ... well, if Andy Stone IS Vince Vance, that would certainly explain his co-writing credit! Thanks, Lois ... I know we found several YouTube videos CLAIMING to be Johnny Maestro singing "All I Want For Christmas Is You" ... but if you're saying he never recorded his own version of this track, even these become somewhat suspect. And Joel Katz DOES sound an awful lot like Johnny ... folks have been mistaking HIS vocal for Maestro's for YEARS on the Santa's Doo Wop Helpers version. Thanks for clearing that up ... or making it more confusing than ever! lol (kk)
re: HERE'S A SPECIAL "HELPING OUT OUR READERS" QUESTION, CHRISTMAS STYLE!!!:
In the spirit of the season, here's a Christmas-related Forgotten Hits question. Does anyone know anything about a singer named Eric Jay? He had a #5 hit in Chicago in 1958 with Little Drummer Boy. By the sound of the recording he was a very young kid, but after this one local hit, which also charted on CHUM in Toronto and was mentioned in Billboard's "Honor Roll Of Hits", there seems to be no record of him at all. This was one of the highest charting Chicago hits not to ever have made it on the national charts. I like the Harry Simeone version better.
Ed Erxleben
Yep, this is pretty awful. (Pretty easy to figure out why THIS one was never a national hit!!! lol)
Remember when little Ritchie Petrie sang this on "The Alan Brady Show" as part of their Christmas Special on The Dick Van Dyke Show? Their Christmas episodes are among my favorite childhood memories ... but HIS was pretty awful, too! (Love the "I am a fine musician ... " ending 'tho!!!) kk
re: IF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST HAPPENED IN 2010,
WE JUST MIGHT FIND OUT ABOUT IT LIKE THIS:
Here's one for all you Facebook Fanatics out there ... while it's not MY thing, it certainly IS the thing for many, many of you out there ... so, if you haven't seen this yet, check it out and enjoy. Submitted by Phil from PrayForSurf.net:Imaginative. Creative. Revealing .. even funny ...
Phil
re: A FEW QUICK "THANK YOU's" ... AND THEN A
GREAT, YEAR-END GREETING FROM THE BUCKINGHAMS!:
Kent,
Thanks for including my "New Years Carol" in your 12-Days-of ... collection.
I got a lot of emails and message boards posts when you did it last year.
Nice to know people feel it.
I appreciate your appreciation.
Have a great holiday season.
Yers,
Bob Lind
Kent,
I want to thank you for the good words you've spoken about me and about "Santa's Stuck Up In The Chimney".
Q. Where else can I speak to so many influential people?
A. Nowhere
So thanks, Kent. "ForgottenHits" is a great place to meet and greet.
Your note about what what AOL seems to allow - and what they just won't stand for - was right on. It's a disgrace. I am sure they've gotten tons of complaints by now from your army of readers. I hope it does some good. Long may it publish!
Have a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful 2011,
Paul Evans
Hi Kent,
Nick and I enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with many longtime fans on the Happy Together Tour this summer. Special thanks to Forgotten Hits readers and fans who wrote in to get us back for HTT 2011, with The Turtles, Mark Lindsay, The Grass Roots, and new this year, The Association. It was like the old days, all right, but some of those tour bus rides seemed easier the first time around.
We really enjoyed doing the Christmas concerts (6 shows at The Potawatomi) and the sold-out Beverly Theatre concert last Saturday, always a great venue to play each year. Speaking of, we were shocked by a surprise walk-on by Carl Bonafede, who proceeded to present Nick and I with 2 gold-framed copies of “Kind of a Drag”. He wanted to honor us, 45 years after the song hit the charts, and lamented that everyone at USA Records was gone now, and they’d failed (somehow) to certify the song as a million-seller with the RIAA and we were long overdue for ‘something’ gold. Vintage Bonafede!
Given that Columbia bought the masters from USA and released multiple singles of it for sale, juke box play, and internationally (on their Stateside imprint), it should have been “Palladium” certified by now. We heard on eBay that one of the French pressings of the “Kind of a Drag” album sold close to $400. You can bet that if Nick or I had extras, we’d be putting those on eBay ourselves!
2010 was a year of dynamic changes for The Bucks. Audiences always enjoy Bob Abrams’ gigs, performing solo and with Brock and Abrams, and we expect more good things to come for him. Tom Scheckel continues to enjoy performing with Paul Revere and the Raiders and filled in recently for The Comets, seems to love the Branson life. We stay in touch with John Cammelot and Laurie K. Lewis from our 1985 Happy Together Tour, and it seems The Buckinghams organization is one ever-growing family of friends.
This year fans have embraced Dave Zane, Rocky Penn, and Bruce Soboroff, calling The Buckinghams’ sound a ‘brand new vibe’. Already heard talk of us maybe doing a Christmas Show ‘Tour’ next year. Having had to say farewell to several of our music brothers and sisters this past year, far too soon, Nick and I feel very blessed to remain in this business, because we enjoy performing. And, lest we be left behind by technology, now Nick and I are on Facebook (where we never thought we’d be). Now, we’re finding the computer rooms in our hotels, to stay in touch with fans who are coming up with some great photo blasts from the pasts and concert ticket stubs from back in the day. Who’d have thought.
Our best wishes to you and yours for a special holiday season and may good fortune be yours for 2011.
Carl Giammarese / The Buckinghams
re: WRAPPING UP CHRISTMAS:
>>>Is Xmas over yet? (Jack)
Well, you must understand, Jack, it's not like we get to hear much Xmax music this time of year, since only 20 Trillions radio stations play it!!!
And you can personally tell our host, Kent, that I've done my Christmas duty and bought an Irving Berlin CD with Bing Crosby singing White Christmas!!!
But I must admit, some of the artists Kent finds and who participate are very nice and they send guitar picks with the CD that I bought. Maybe, next year, they'll send an electric guitar to use them with!!
Merry Blues Theme that, Kent!!! :-)
See you later Jack!
Best,
John
I take it that you're one of the FH Readers who bought Davie Allan's Christmas CD "Fuzz For The Holidays II" ... great CD ... and how cool that he threw in a Davie Allan guitar pick! WTG, Davie!
Copies are still available at Davie Allan's website ... and for a special reduced rate for Christmastime, too! (kk)
Click here: Davie Allan and The Arrows
In fact, here's a video promo for Davie's "Fuzz For The Holidays" CD, sent into us by Vibramutant, America's #1 Davie Allan Fan! (kk)
CLICK ON THIS PROMO FOR A ROCKIN' CHRISTMAS ROMP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqhdtIvta1g&feature=related
GREAT "new" Christmas Music is NOT Forgotten Hits!!! I want my money back! LOL!
Merry Christmas, Kent!!
Best,
John
Based on the response we got this year ... from both the readers AND the artists ... I think we're on to something here. (Yours and Jack's were the ONLY two negative responses I received ... everybody else ... hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of emails ... have been applauding our new feature ... so who would YOU listen to???)
With the support of the artists themselves ... and about a dozen deejays who hopped on board this year and started playing these tunes on their radio programs ... I think that for a couple of weeks a year we can get away with spotlighting NEW music by artists of interest, too. Seems to be working so far!
Artists, please contact us next year to have YOUR holiday music featured on our site. We just may be the best agent you never really had ... because we WILL get your music played on the radio!!! (And you don't even have to pay us a commission!!! lol Although the free CD's are a nice, added bonus!) And please participate with us throughout the year to let your fans know about any other upcoming releases and appearances ... that's what we're here for! (kk)
Oh yeah, and with that's, it's OVER!!!
(You and Jack can breathe easy again! lol) kk
Wishing ALL of our Forgotten Hits Readers ...
Their families and friends ...
And Oldies Music Lovers EVERYWHERE ...
The Happiest of Holidays!!!
Have A VERY Merry Christmas ...
And A Happy, Safe and Manageable New Year!!!
(They always say wish unto others
(They always say wish unto others
what you would wish for yourself, right?!?!?)
Thanks again to everybody for their continued support of Forgotten Hits ...
I truly do appreciate it.
See you next year!
(or sooner ... we got absolutely FLOODED with brand new emails this past week
so, if I can pull it together in time, we just may have a Sunday Comments Page
this week after all ... if not, we'll try to get you up to date later in the week!)
Please subscribe for notifications by using the "Atom" link at the very bottom of this page ...
They will let you know each time a new posting goes up on the site
(and allow me to continue to do MY thing without any AOL intrusion!!!)
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!
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