Some Saturday Stuff (The Weekend Comments, Part 1)

Just a few quickies leading up to The Sunday Comments Page ...

re:  CLARK WEBER:

Here's something you're going to want to tune in and listen to!

Kent -

If you're in your car or at home on Saturday afternoon (TODAY) at 2:07 pm, tune in Rob Hart on WGN Radio (720 AM or online at WGN.com) as he interviews me about the Beatle concert of long ago, 1965.

Clark Weber

Clark tells some GREAT stories in his book about this whole experience.  You can check it out here:

Click here: Amazon.com: Clark Weber's Rock and Roll Radio: The Fun Years, 1955-1975 (9780979789229): Clark Weber, Neal Samors,

re:  LEON RUSSELL:
Here's an AMAZING (and VERY entertaining) out-take clip from the new Wrecking Crew documentary, courtesy of Denny Tedesco.  All we can tell you is the WHOLE movie is every bit as interesting and entertaining ... MUST SEE VIEWING ...(and the Cher bit will blow you away!!!  lol)  kk

re:  AND ANOTHER GREAT CLIP!:
A clip from the much beloved Lawrence Welk show of the early 60's.
(I'd say more, but don't wanna give it away.)

Click here: YouTube - The Lawrence Welk Show: 

Bill
LOL ... NOT the kind of thing you expected to see on "The Lawrence Welk Show" ... that's for sure!  Thanks, Bill!  (kk)

re:  ARTIE WAYNE:

Artie --

You are the bomb and I hope you are well.  I've always loved your stories and I wish I could've been there and done that right along with you. 

Bob Rashkow

Any idea if Artie Wayne’s book will ever come in a printed version?

Tony Waitekus

Evidently not yet ... but we'll keep you posted.  (Still worth getting your hand on 'tho!!!)  kk

Click here: Amazon.com: I Did It For A Song eBook: Artie Wayne: Books

re:  THE VOICE:

Have you had any comments about what anyone thinks about this show?

I know you liked this past season of Idol and had commented a couple of times. I hope I'm not the only one interested in this show but with the exception of Christina A., I really like this show. It's pleasantly different.

Stacee

I seem to be the biggest fan here at home ... Mrs. K and teenaged Paige pay semi-attention (and neither of them can stand Christina either ... but MAN, that girl can sing!!!) 

Personally, I quite enjoy the whole panel ... and their interaction ... VERY charismatic and entertaining.  And I absolutely LOVE it when the coaches go up and perform.  Haven't been totally knocked out by any of the performers yet (to the point where I've actually said, "Now THAT one's a star!") but I think there are some pretty strong contenders ... and the show's already been renewed for next season with ALL of the coaches coming back.  (I think I like the fact that they are genuinely trying to help these kids ... and each and every one of them can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.)

I'm also REALLY enjoying "The Glee Project" ... I think some of these kids are more talented than some of the singers vying for a spot on "The Voice".  With SO many of these types of shows on the air now, it's hard to pick and choose ... but these two in particular have held my interest in an otherwise pretty boring summer tv-wise.  (kk)

re:  THE MONO / STEREO DEBATE CONTINUES:

Tom Diehl found the ideal opportunity to write his buddy:

>>>Perhaps your buddy Jersey John could actually be so nice as to let people know WHERE they can find this version?!?!? It is on this cd:

http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Youve-Lovely-Daughter-Hold/dp/B004VSAKIE/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1308658056&sr=1-1 

which also includes some first time stereo

(or did JJ actually miss that? *gasp!*)

I KNEW you'd bring that up!!! First off, ABKCO does not possess these Hermits tapes, others do! So, those who do have access to the tapes, well, you know how it goes - there's always a single stereo lover in the crowd! Besides, Tom, I haven't heard you play "Mine Exclusively", by The Olympics, in stereo, on your radio show - big hit around here!!! You didn't miss that *gasp!*, did you!? Besides, Tom, the Red Bird, Blue Cat, EMI, Jubilee, etc. Records out-takes and first time stereo is way more exciting! Besides, Mr. Kent, Tom was yelling to the top of his lungs, elsewhere, giving a two thumbs up salute to ABKCO for Hermits, so, obviously, Stereo wasn't important then! :)
Best,

Jersey John

Hi Kent,

Have you ever come across reissues of Petula Clark's Downtown, the Lovin' Spoonful's Do You Believe in Magic or (your recently posted) Chad and Jeremy's Summer Song in mono?  I'm positive the 45 versions were not in stereo.  If you have them in their original format, is there any chance that you might post them?

Thanks very much.

Marie

I, too, prefer the original single mixes of what we heard way back then.  More and more reissues are offering both the mono and stereo mixes now ... so many more of these may turn up.  It was tough to find a stereo single back then as MOST people didn't have the right equipment to play them on ... and let's face it, we were often listening to a tiny little portable transistor AM radio with a headphone jack most of the time anyway ... or a mono car speaker ... so who knew!  On the other hand, hearing some of this cleaned up stuff now, with the crystal-clear, CD-quality stereo mixes is like rediscovering some of this music again.  (I've noticed some INCREDIBLE improvements in The Doors' catalog for example ... hearing things I never even knew were there before!)  So I guess there are trade-offs.  I think it'd be neat to see these major labels rerelease ALL of their singles output in original format on CD with higher-quality sound ... but others would rather invest in "first time stereo" mixes ... so you have to find what works for you.  (kk)

re:  PLUGGIN' AWAY:

Hi,

This is just to let you know that I've published my new website:http://www.music-gem.com/index.html

Please take a look at your convenience.

Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
http://www.music-gem.com/index.html

re:  SUMMER SONGS:

The other day, Ronnie Dove's 1966 recording of HAPPY SUMMER DAYS was featured. I always did like that song as well. Ronnie Dove was one of those singers who happened to be considered a DIAMOND in the rough when he came along.

I always liked the Sunrays' I LIVE FOR THE SUN, too. I will always remember when that record came out in 1965 ... the day I went to my local record store to buy it, it was completely sold out.  I told a friend of mine this as he and his parents were getting ready to leave for vacation.  While he was gone, he went to a record store and bought it for me and brought it back. What a friend he was to me. You might say he was my TOWER of strength.

Have a great Friday as well as a great weekend.

Larry Neal

re:  TODAY'S FORGOTTEN HIT:

I found an 'oldie' (1973) from a compilation that I made a few years back.
A country novelty (?) song by CHARLIE DANIELS ... got to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 ...
UNEASY RIDER ... 

Can't remember it being played on radio in a long, long time.
There was a time you couldn't get away from it.
Whatcha' think? 

Worthy of mention on FORGOTTEN HITS ?  

(gary) RENFIELD

I always enjoyed this one, too ... it made The Top Ten here in Chicago, too.  Tough to find the original these days.  Daniels hadn't really broken through yet ... this was his first major chart hit ... and he was still with the Kama Sutra Record Label at the time. 

Once he signed with Epic and the BIG hits started ... "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" (#3, 1979); "In America" (#10, 1980); "The Legend Of Wooley Swamp" (#31, 1980 ... talk about your "Forgotten Hits", now THERE'S one of my favorites!!!) and "Still In Saigon" (#22, 1982) ... he re-recorded some of his earlier work (including "Uneasy Rider", "The South's Gonna Do It" and "Long-Haired Country Boy") and THOSE are the ones you're most likely to hear today (if you hear any of them at all!)

"Uneasy Rider" always had that Johnny Cash story-song feel to it ... but with a contemporary edge thrown in ... really not unlike the big Five Man Electrical Band Hit "Signs" from a couple of years earlier.  Yep ... I'm up for playin' this one!!! (kk)

Kent,

The one thing I like especially about the FH for the day is that a few times it will instantly remind me of another record which the artist or group had previously recorded. For example, today's selection by J.J. Cale. It reminded me of a record he made that made our local survey here in OKC back in 1960, the old Jimmy Reed tune, AIN'T THAT LOVIN' YOU BABY on Chan Records. Thanks again for refreshing some old memories of other records.

Larry

All next week in Forgotten Hits we'll be saluting the artists performing on this year's Happy Together Again Tour in our Monday - Friday Daily "Today's Forgotten Hit" feature.  Watch for GREAT tracks by The Buckinghams, The Grass Roots, The Association, Mark Lindsay and The Turtles ... along with updated tour information.  (kk)

Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones

Hey Kent -

Have you ever covered Joe Bennett on your site? They are from my home town of Spartanburg, South Carolina. They were family friends. 

Joe played with three of my first cousins in a band before the Sparkletones. I did a story on them a few years back for Discover Record Magazine, the spin off from Goldmine.

While in the Air Force, Joe played in a band in Italy backing local musicians with Mickey Hart, the drummer from The Grateful Dead.

When they got out, Joe moved out to California to try and start something with Mickey, whose dad owned a music store.  Joe didn't like what was going on and re-joined The Air Force.

Mickey Cooksey   

I don't recall running anything specifically on Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones ... but if you'd like to submit a piece (or an edit of your "Discover" piece), I'd be happy to run it.  Bennett, of course, is best remembered for his 1957 Top 20 Hit "Black Slacks" (#17, 1957).  He just missed making The Top 40 a second time with his follow-up release, "Penny Loafers and Bobby Socks", which stopped at #41 a few months later that same year.  (kk)

I wanted to make a comment concerning the group Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones.

The first 45 I got as a kid was BLACK SLACKS. Always did like the follow-up, too, PENNY LOAFERS AND BOBBY SOCKS. They had one or two other records for ABC Paramount as well as Paris Records later on. In 1958 they had a song called COTTON PICKIN' ROCKER.  Sometimes I referred to that one as the "Hiccup" song. If you have never heard it, take a listen if you can ... then you will know why.

Larry

Nope ... not familiar with that one ... but our FH Buddy Tom Diehl tracked it down for us so we can ALL enjoy it!  Watch for Mickey Cooksey's article on Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones ... coming SOON to Forgotten Hits! 

And, speaking of Tom Diehl ...

One time my dad was visiting my grandfather in Sarasota, Florida, and they went and saw a magician named Vince Carmen and my dad was chatting with him afterwards and Vince told my dad that he was a member of this group and had been on American Bandstand with them, but that he didn't use his real name when he was with the group.  I've questioned that ever since my dad told me the story and I'd love to know if there was ever a guy by that name in the group, either recording or touring.

Tom Diehl

Problem is, WHAT name?!?!?  If he used a DIFFERENT name while playing with the band, how would we know who Vince Carmen was?  Nevertheless, I posed your query to Mickey Cooksey, who wrote the excellent piece posted below ... let's see if he can do a little digging!  (kk)

Hey Kent,

Here is the run down ... The original band consisted of Joe Bennett, Jimmy Denton, Howard "Sparky" Childress and Wayne Arthur. They signed to the ABC label ... and that is the band did all the TV shows in the fifties. Except for the Ted Mac show, same band, but in the beginning they had a girl lead singer.

Gene Brown joined later when Howard Childress left the band. 

Later on in the sixties there was another version of the band with Jimmy Denton and Howard Childress called The Sparkletones with two replacement musicians that I do not know, but they were local only and were on the local TV station every Saturday from 4:00 to 4:45.  I have an ad from the local paper with a picture of this version of the band but I do not recognize the other two musicians. The two main Sparkletones were missing from this version, Joe Bennett and Wayne Arthur. I can't say Vince was not in this version, but he was not on The Dick Clark show as that was the original band.

I have all the video from the TV shows except Dick Clark.  Joe said they were able to get copies for all the other shows but Dick would not let them have copies of the Band Stand Show.

Oh, by the way, Jimmy Denton the drummer opened the first Honda Motorcycle Dealership in Spartanburg in the sixties.  I bought my first Honda from him.

Mickey

While I can't state it definitively, this sounds like a "no" to me!  (lol)  While "magician" and "musician" may SOUND alike, I'm thinking this guy was NOT a Sparkletone during the  American Bandstand Era.  (Wouldn't be the first time we've run across these kinds of claims!)  kk
 

***

Below is Mickey Cooksey's excellent piece on Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones, first published in "Discover Magazine" a few years ago ... and now gracing the pages of Forgotten Hits.  (Thanks, Mickey!)  kk

I remember a time in my childhood days when three of my first cousins -- Ronnie, Jerry and Priscilla Cooksey -- were playing in my Uncle Adale's backyard with someone who was to become important in the music industry, Joe Bennett of Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones fame. Before their take-off to acclaim in January of 1957, they would perform on a stage built by my uncle in his backyard. Their first taste of popularity came as they began to attract quite a few people, whose cars would crowd the streets on weekends, all coming to catch a glimpse of the group in action. 

When Joe and the boys first signed with ABC Paramount and recorded "Black Slacks," it lacked the "br-r-r-r" it became famous for. In the process of recording, producer Don Costa (who went on to become orchestra leader for Frank Sinatra) decided the song needed a gimmick, something catchy. While the guys were clowning around in the studio, they turned to each other and blurted out "br-rr-r." The rest is history.

After recording "Black Slacks," the group embarked on the "tour of all tours." ABC Paramount, who owned a string of movie theaters across the country, sent the Sparkletones on a 32-theater tour as the opening act for the movie "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral." They packed their equipment and the movie reels into a car and hit the road; the movie would play all day and during the evening, they would put on two performances between showings.  After "Black Slacks" began climbing the charts, Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones began making television appearances.

Asked who his influences were in music, Bennett said that when he was a child, his mother carried him to the State Theatre to see Little Jimmy Dickens, who at the time had a hit with "Take An Old Cold Tater and Wait." One of the guitarists with Dickens' band, "Spider" Wilson, played twin leads on each song, and inspired Joe to begin playing guitar.  Also making a mark on young Bennett was Buddy Emmons, who played jazz on a steel guitar.

During the high point of their career, Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones traveled extensively, appearing on such television shows as Dick Clark's "American Bandstand," Ted Mack's "Amateur Hour," "The Nat King Cole Show," and, on two occasions, "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In November of 1957 for their televised appearances they performed "Black Slacks," and in March of 1958 "Cotton Pickin' Rocker" was their song of choice. Bennett says their best televised performance was on Nat King Cole's show.

Click here: YouTube - The Sparkletones 1956 on The Nat King Cole Show
(This clip is incredible ... SO much fun to watch these "youngins" up there doing their rock-a-billy best!)  kk  

One of the Sparkletones, Howard "Sparky" Childers, enjoyed dancing onstage while playing guitar. Bennett said that "Often, Sparky would be playing rhythm guitar and dancing, and then when we'd go offstage, people would run up to the guys and say to Sparky, 'man, you sure can play that guitar,' while in reality it was Joe who had actually played all the leads."

By 1958, Paramount was cleaning their roster of performers no longer in the spotlight, only keeping big name acts such as Danny & the Juniors. By early 1959, the rigorous touring was taking a toll on Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones. Howard "Sparky" Childers dropped out of the band first and returned to high school, followed shortly by Jimmy Denton. Original manager Box Cox left also, as he was taking on other groups and moving in a different musical direction.  Joe Bennett and Wayne Arthur decided to stick it out because they felt they still had many songs to write and wanted to pursue their dream.

Taking what little money they had, they caught a train to New York City, accompanied by only one acoustic guitar. Checking into the King Edward Hotel, they immediately began looking up record and publishing company numbers. After many dead-ends, they convinced Jack Gold at Paris Records to listen to them. Gold said he'd take them on and signed Joe and Wayne to a contract.

In 1959 they released two singles, "Bayou Rock" / "Beautiful One," and "Boys Do Cry" / "What the Heck." 

In 1960 they put out "Are You From Dixie" / "Beautiful One," and "What the Heck" / "Softly."  
Unfortunately, fame similar to the success of "Black Slacks" eluded them, and in 1960 Paris Records terminated their contract.

Joe decided to enter the Air Force, where he met Mickey Hartman, a drummer. Their first Air Force assignment was in Spain, where they began doing studio work and backed up some of Spain's top recording artists, including Carina. The duo also recorded solo work on the Hispovacs label under the names of Joe and the Jaguars and The Jaguars.

When discharged from the service, Joe returned to Spartanburg, S.C., taking a job at Dan Clark's Music Store teaching music. Six months later Mickey Hartman (he'd now changed his last name to Hart) called, asking Joe how things were. "Slow" was the response. Mickey told Joe his father owned a music store in San Carlos, California, and asked Joe to move out there to work in the business with him so they could get something going together again. Joe moved to California but things didn't work out, so he re-enlisted in the Air Force. Mickey Hart went on to become one of the drummers in the Grateful Dead.

Joe volunteered for a tour of duty in Viet Nam, and was stationed there in December 1966. His base commander took him off night duty when he discovered he was a musician, so he could perform. Bennett put together a band called The Cousins, playing at NCO clubs.

In December, 1967, Joe began a tour of duty in Berlin, Germany, putting together a new band called The Brass Doors. They performed constantly during his time overseas.  Upon returning to the states and Shaw Air Force base, Bennett was released from the Air Force and went back into teaching music.

About a year later he moved back to Spartanburg, S.C., working with Randall Lark and John D. Brooks, formerly of The Chessmen (they'd backed up Bo Diddley, Freddy Cannon, the Clovers, and Little Anthony & the Imperials.)  By the late '70s, Joe was again working for the government, as an Air Traffic Controller, spending most of his time in Alaska for the next decade. On December 17, 1981, the Centennial for Spartanburg was celebrated, their 150th, and the Chamber of Commerce asked Bennett to write a song for them. He did, it's entitled "Caroline Clay" and was released through the Chamber on 45 rpm.

Joe left Alaska in November of 1992, returned once more to Spartanburg, and for the third time began teaching music, this time for Smith's Music Company. In January of the following year, Gary Henderson of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal wrote a big article entitled "Remembering the Sparkletones," which sparked local interest in the originals members of the band and their history. Continuing to garner publicity, in October of 1993 the public television station based in Spartanburg aired a documentary on Joe Bennett & the Sparkletones.  Two days later, on the 9th of October, the original Joe Bennett & the Sparkletones performed live for the first time in 35 years, at the annual Polk Salad Festival. Recently Joe has written two new songs, "Bubba Is A Good Ole Boy" and "Bubba and the Long Boys," and is hoping for release with MCA.

Joe Bennett continues to teach music, performs live and writes songs. His most recent album is Gone to The Country.

Discography -

 
ABC Paramount 9837- Black Slacks / Boppin' Rock Boogie  (7/57)
                      9867 - Penny Loafers & Bobby Socks / Rocket   (11/57)
                      9885 - Cotton Pickin Rocker / Dig You Baby (1/58)
                      9929 - We've Had It / Little Turtle (6/58)
                      9959 - Late Again / Do The Stop (10/58)

                      10659 - Run Rabbit Run / Well Dressed Man  (5/65)

Paris 530 - Bayou Rock / Beautiful One  (--/59)
        537 - Boys Do Cry / What The Heck  (--/59)
        542 - Are You From Dixie / Beautiful One  (--/60)
        546  - What the Heck / Softly  (--/60)

Top Rank 2017 - The King Is Coming Back / Come Back Baby (11/59)
(Although credited to Billy and Eddie, it's likely this record is performed by Joe Bennett & the Sparkletones)*
 

(NOTE:  Discography reprinted from John Blair's "Introduction to Joe Bennett & the Sparkletones in the August, 1981 issue of Goldmine)

The Sparkletones were: Joe Bennett, lead guitar and vocals; Irving Denton, drums; Wayne Arthur, stand-up bass; and Howard Childress, rhythm guitar. 

*note from Mickey Cooksey: In reference to the Top Rank single, #2017, referred to at the end of John's discography. "The King Is Coming Back" was written by Joe Bennett, C. Bennett and G. Brown. The truth of the matter is the recording artists really were Bill and Eddie [whoever they were], and the song was written for Southern Music. Jack Newman was the publishing representative and the song was written for him. He then took the song to Bill and Eddie to record.

By the way, Joe Bennett is still out there rockin'!  Here's a link to his website:

Click here: Joe Bennett & The Sparkletones:: The Official Website

In fact, we heard from Joe regarding today's special tribute piece! 

Hello Forgotten Hits and all your fans.  

I'm Joe Bennett from Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones. Thanks for having us as your guest today. 

All the original members of Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones are still alive and performing.  We just performed The Viva Las Vegas Show at The Orleans in Vegas, April 22, 2011.  

I am a guitar teacher at Roper Music in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  Drop by to see me if you ever come this way.   

Hope you get a chance to visit my web site   http://www.joebennettandthesparkletones.com  and drop me a line.  

The biggest highlight of my Air Force career was meeting and performing with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead.  He became and still is a great friend for over fifty years now,  and is one of the world's greatest and most knowledgeable percussionists.

One of the greatest moments of my Sparketones touring was when Elvis Presley attended our show in Vegas at the Royal Nevada Hotel.  After our show he came back stage and knocked on our door.  He came in for a visit and a photo shoot with us.  Another great moment was during a visit to my manager, when I was an artist for Paris Records.  I got to meet Buddy Holly and get his autograph in the waiting room because we shared the same management agency in New York City.

Black Slacks, our biggest seller, was featured in Disney's Rescuers Down Under.  My wife just recently purchased a DVD copy of it at Wal-mart for our grandchildren!

We started our Sparkletones career as major label artists with performances on The Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour,  ABC Parmamount Movie Tour, thirteen weeks in Las Vegas, which included The Nat King Cole Show, a recording session in LA, The Ed Sullivan Show Twice, Alan Freed Tours, American Bandstand several times, and numerous other shows throughout US and Canada. 

The most recent overseas tours included England twice and Germany.

THANKS FOR BEING GREAT FANS!

Joe Bennett

And thank you, Joe, for passing this along!  (kk)

Some Mid-Week Comments

Please add these folks to your prayers this week ...

re:  ROB GRILL:

Kent ...

Someone on Ron Smith's Oldies Bulletin Board is reporting that Rob Grill has been hospitalized in critical condition.

Frank B.

Here is a copy of that posting in question:

I found this posted on another board -
This came in from my friend Michael Lloyd:

Just got a call ... My dear friend Rob Grill - leader of The Grass Roots (legendary band) - is in need of sustained prayer tonight. He's in the hospital in critical condition. May God bless my friend.  If you can, please share this.

Ol Rocker

Hey Kent

I can't find anything on the net,but a friend told me today he had heard that Rob passed away?  He had been fighting some form of cancer. This could be why he has been absent from the shows and all.

Mickey

Over the past several days, we have received numerous reports about Rob Grill's failing health ... as of publication time this morning, we didn't see any official reports of his passing.  Without question, Rob has had his share of medical problems these past few years ... and some serious mental anguish as well after the loss of his son last year.  We wish him well.  (The Grass Roots are part of The Happy Together Again Tour line-up this year ... but WITHOUT Grill ... leaving NO original members onboard!)  kk

re:  GLEN CAMPBELL:

Click here: Glen Campbell has Alzheimer's, plans for final album and farewell tour - latimes.com

-- submitted by David Lewis

How sad ... imagine having THOSE kinds of memories ... and then losing them.  Campbell has had an incredible career ... an incredible life.  Glad to see he's planning his exit ... would love to see him go out on top.  (kk)

Glen Campbell revealed Wednesday (June 22) why he will be retiring after his next album in August and a series of farewell concerts this fall-- the 75 year-old was diagnosed six months ago with Alzheimer’s Disease. Said Glen, “I still love making music. And I still love performing for my fans. I'd like to thank them for sticking with me through thick and thin.”

-- Ron Smith

re:  ARTIE WAYNE:

And a VERY good friend of Forgotten Hits, Artie Wayne, has had a pretty traumatic week as well ...

KENT ...

HERE IS MY VERY SPECIAL "GOODBYE GIFT" TO THE READERS OF FORGOTTEN HITS ...

SINCE MY NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE LAST WEEK, I’VE DECIDED TO RETIRE, BUT BEFORE I GO, FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS I WILL BE GIVING AWAY COPIES OF MY NEW BOOK “I DID IT FOR A SONG” FOR FREE TO EVERY ONE  OF YOUR READERS WHO MAKES A COMMENT ON THESE THREE ARTICLES.

http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/artie-wayne-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/

http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/facebook-friends-appreciation-day/

http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/comments-that-people-have-made-about-i-did-it-for-a-song/

YOU CAN TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT IT AND TELL THEM THEY CAN TELL THEIR FRIENDS ABOUT IT AND EVERY  ONE WHO MAKES A COMMENT WILL GET A COPY OF MY BOOK FOR FREE!!

AND IF ANYBODY ASKS,

“SOME PEOPLE DID IT FOR THE MONEY … SOME PEOPLE DID IT FOR THE FAME …

“I DID IT FOR A SONG!’

THANK YOU AND GOODBYE,

ARTIE

HTTP://ARTIEWAYNE.COM 

re:  SUMMER FAVORITES:

Good response again this year to our All-Time Top Summer Favorites ... great to see so many jocks on the list program this into their shows this year!  And we're still getting a few comments on this ...

YOU ARE ALL OVER THE TRUE OLDIES CHANNEL TODAY, COAST TO COAST ... A REPLAY WILL AIR TONITE!!!  RESPONSE HAS BEEN THRU THE ROOF!

SCOTT SHANNON

EXCELLENT!!!  Scott even put a blurb up on The True Oldies Channel website!  (kk)

Click here: True Oldies Channel

It looks like this special broadcast brought about 1250 first time visitors to The Forgotten Hits Website ... so again we say "Thank You" for helping us to spread the word.  (kk)

Wonderful to see a 'A Summer Song' in the top three All-Time Summer Favorites - and I was on it!

Vic Flick

Hey Kent ...

The show was a lot of fun and again, my listeners loved it! It's always such a good time ... my favorite part of summer!

Thanks again for the web site and all that you do to keep those gone but not forgotten hits alive!

Moochas smoochas....

DJ Scarlett Hayze

Revolution Radio

www.myrevolutionradio.com

I got a chance to listen to a little bit of it on Monday Night ... LOTS of "extras" on your show, too!  Thanks for helping us to spread the word!  (kk)

I read your list of the top 100 (AMAZING) summer songs and am tuned in to SCOTT SHANNON'S TRUE OLDIES CHANNEL right this minute.  I can't listen during the day so I am very thankful he's playing it again!!!!!!  Love me some True Oldies!
Nancy Kitchens / Atlanta

I listened to Scott Shannon play the countdown TWICE on Tuesday -- what a great way to celebrate the first day of summer.  (Did you notice how he slipped in his own version of "Here Comes Summer" as an extra?  LOVED it!)

Danny

Yeah, I told Scott that was one of the highlights for me, too!  The Wildfire version went to #43 in Cash Box Magazine in 1977 ... we've featured it here before, too!  (kk)

Another one that I thought sounded especially good was the MONSTER Percy Faith #1 Hit "Theme From 'A Summer Place'".  Not only did that record place at #6 on your All-Time Favorite Songs Of Summer List ... but it ALSO came in at #2 on your All-Time Favorite Instrumentals List, too!  (kk) 

My favorite Summer hit comes by way of Ronnie Dove with his record Happy Summer Days.

Tom Diehl

Kent,

How ya been, pal? Would you  rank "Live for the Sun" by the Sunrays, Murray Wilson's group, in the top 100?  I recall when the song came out i just loved it.  It was a solid rocker that also seemed to have a haunting feeling that the summers of our youth couldn't last forever.
the best,
chet coppock

Yep, that's a great one ... and it received enough votes to place at #44 (just shy of the Top 40 Countdown a few of the jocks covered ... but it makes for a GREAT "extra", too!)  I enjoyed "I Live For The Sun" AND "Andrea" by The Sunrays, both of which did pretty well here in Chicago.  (#28 and #12 respectively, besting their national showings of #45 and #41!)  I'm cool with featuring this one again today!  (kk)

re:  FREDDY CANNON:

TOP TEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT FREDDY ‘BOOM BOOM’ CANNON:

1.  He holds the record for the number of appearances on Dick Clark's American Bandstand - 110

2. Paul McCartney currently owns the copyright for 'Palisades Park.'

3. He opened for the Rolling Stones once … in 1965; with Herman's Hermits and Little Anthony & The Imperials.

4. 'Palisades Park' is featured in the current Top Ten movie X MEN: FIRST CLASS … which has grossed $98 million … so far worldwide.

5. He is currently writing his biography with celebrity-author Mark Bego, tentatively titled 'Where The Action Is.'

6. Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin told Freddy that he considered Cannon one of his prime influences for wanting to get into the music business.

7.  Elvis Presley once climbed 17 floors up the fire escape of The Peabody Hotel in Memphis to hang out with Freddy Cannon, Frankie Avalon, and Fabian after a concert.

8.  Freddy is one of the stars of the 1965 cult horror film "Valley of the Giants" along with Ron Howard, Beau Bridges, and Tommy Kirk.

9.  Horror-meister Stephen King is a HUGE fan of Freddy's.

10.  Bruce Springsteen is such a fan of Freddy's, that he opened his 1987 "Tunnel of Love" tour with Cannon's huge hit song "Palisades Park."

-- David Salidor

HI KENT,

YOU KNOW BEING ONE OF MAYBE FIVE OR SIX ARTISTS WHO OWN THEIR OWN MASTERS, THIS IS A BLESSING!  SO WHEN PALASADES PARK IS NOW IN XMEN FIRST CLASS, ONE OF THE BIGGEST BLOCK BUSTERS THIS YEAR, I FEEL GREAT! 

LET'S ROCK, KENT!    

THANKS!

FREDDY "BOOM BOOM" CANNON

re:  MORE MOVIE MUSIC:

This past weekend we saw what is sure to be this week's new blockbuster hit, "The Green Lantern" ... and were pleased to see our FH Buddies The Fleetwoods' big #1 Hit "Come Softly To Me" prominently featured in one key scene.  After running blurbs about Freddy Cannon's and Alan O'Day's recent movie music placement, it's GREAT to see SO many of our favorite artists still getting soundtrack recognition after all these years ... proving AGAIN that this music is TIMELESS!!!  (kk)

Kent ...

Of course we're used to hearing our favorite Oldies on the radio.
You mentioned these two movies:  "Super 8" featuring "Undercover Angel" by Alan O' Day  and "X-Men" featuring Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon singing "Palisades Park".

Maybe it's better to have your song in a popular movie than to have it played on the radio.
One of my favorite movies, "Goodfellas", is on here in New York at least once a week. I get to hear "Life Is But A Dream", "Roses Are Red" plus all of the rest of those great songs over
and over every time I watch the movie.

I guess you would have to have a radio hit first, before anyone would consider putting your song in a movie. Am I making any sense?
Frank B.

Rarely ... but we still love ya anyway!  (lol)  Just kidding ... getting your song placed in a major hit movie is a VERY big deal ... tons of royalty, recognition and renewed radio airplay ... which is REALLY amazing because not all these songs GET regular oldies airplay anymore.  I told Gretchen Christopher and Gary Troxel about their #1 Hit being used in "Green Lantern" and they were THRILLED!  (And now a whole new generation will discover this song, too!) kk

re:  MRS. BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY DAUGHTER / HOLD ON / HERMAN'S HERMITS:

>>>Herman's Hermits - Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter - 1965
Here we hear Peter Herman (Noone) doing some studio talk, trying to find the right tempo!!! Good job, ABKCO!  Let's keep the ball rollin'!http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/mrsbrown.mp3

(Jersey John)

>>>Great clip, John ... shows you how things are worked out and put together in the studio!  (kk)

Perhaps your buddy Jersey John could actually be so nice as to let people know WHERE they can find this version?!?!? It is on this cd:

http://www.amazon.com/Brown-Youve-Lovely-Daughter-Hold/dp/B004VSAKIE/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1308658056&sr=1-1 

which also includes some first time stereo (or did JJ actually miss that? *gasp!*)

Tom Diehl

And, speaking of Jersey John ...

re:  TODAY'S FORGOTTEN HIT:

When collecting 45s ( @ 3 / $1.00 ) at a Jukebox dealer, decades back, I found this song. I thought it was cool! How was I to know Pete was a white guy!? A Forgotten Hit, indeed!

A bit of Doo Wop during the Disco phase!  Eighteen With A Bullet.
http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/18bullet.mp3
Best,

Jersey John

Yep, a GREAT (but LONG Forgotten) Hit from 1975 ... which is why we featured it a month back!  (lol)  

I'm telling you, you've got to check the website every single day!!!  (lol)  kk