The Winter Dance Party - 60th Anniversary of the Plane Crash That Took Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper

It was the first real Rock And Roll Tragedy ...

Dubbed "the day the music died" in his song "American Pie," Don McLean launched a catch-phrase that his been associated with February 3rd, 1959, ever since.

Long-time Forgotten Hits Reader Jim Nowoc made the annual pilgrimage to Cedar Lake, Iowa, to take part in this year’s Tribute to Buddy Holly / Ritchie Valens / J.P. Richardson.  (Nice guy that he is, Jim even invited me to come along as his guest … but I wasn’t able to clear my schedule to do so … so I made him promise to file a full report when he got back.)

And that he did.

Read on for a first-hand, eye-witness account of this year’s big event.  (kk)

The 60th Anniversary of The Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson plane crash is now in our rearview mirror. Once again the tragic event was heralded by the amazing annual tribute that is The Winter Dance Party. Each year the sold out event is attended by thousands of "BuddyHolics."  The iconic Surf Ballroom , where the three artists performed their final show, serves as the venue for the tribute.

The event began in 1979. It was the brainchild of a Clear Lake, Iowa, DeeJay named Darryl Hensley, aka The Mad Hatter. One day while he was on the air he fantasized that he entered a "Time Warp" in his studio. He playfully announced that Buddy Holly had entered the studio. During the "conversation" with the rock & roll legend, Buddy suggested the notion that a memorial concert  should be held at the Surf on the 20th anniversary of his death.

The event’s beginning were challenging … but with legendary DJ Wolfman Jack helping and agreeing to MC, a lineup was put together. The “One Night Only” affair performers included The White Sidewalls,, The Drifters, Jimmy Clanton, Del Shannon and original Cricket, Nikki Sullivan. 

The "Tribute to Buddy Holly Concert" took place on February 3rd, 1979. The inaugural event lost $4000 dollars.

Through the years the event continued to grow until it evolved into the sell out four-day tribute enjoyed today.

The event began with the traditional Wednesday night family Sock Hop. Performing as they did in 1979 were the White sidewalls.

Thursday evening began with a set by the Chicago band Good Clean Fun. After their performance, they served as back-up for Robin Luke, Hall of Fame inductees Little Anthony & the Imperials and Jay and the

Americans.

Robin Luke probably represents the second wave of early rock and rollers. This Rock-A-Billy Hall of Famer provided a nostalgic performance covering songs by Buddy, Ritchie, Ricky Nelson and the Everly Brothers.  He concluded his performance with his biggest hit, "Susie Darlin."  Robin was probably the only artist on the venue who toured with Buddy and Ritchie. 

The overflow crowd never left the jam packed dance floor during Little Anthony’s performance. Slow dancing ruled as they enjoyed the likes of "Tears On My Pillow," "Hurt So Bad," "Going Out Of My Head" and "Take Me Back."  Performing most of their catalogue, we were also treated to covers of the Temptations and even Prince.

It's hard to imagine that this version of Jay and the Americans has been together for nearly 15 years already. For some in the assembly, it was their first opportunity to see and hear Chicago’s own Jay Reincke.  Jay was greeted with huge ovations after performing "Cryin'" and "Some Enchanted Evening" and “Cara Mia" was followed by a rousing round of applause.  The group performed with Founder Howie Kane, original member Marty Sanders but without Founder Sandy Yaguda aka Deane, who was home recovering from surgery.

Friday began with the Surf Ballroom's Rockin' Kids Show, geared to Li'l Rock and Rollers aged K-3rd grade. 

It was followed by the sold out 29th annual British Buddy Holly Society Luncheon. The luncheon serves as a reunion for long time WDP attendees. Fans from as far away as England get to reconnect with old friends from California, Oklahoma, Colorado and throughout the entire Midwest. The afternoon of food, fun and frolic included a surprise appearance by the Zmed Brothers performing their "Everly Brothers  Experience."  The afternoon included an unforgettable Rock performance by Britain’s own "BALDY HOLLY."  If you've not seen him, check him out on You-Tube.       

The Friday night show was dubbed "A Night of Rock & Roll Royalty."  It began with a tribute to Ritchie Valens performed by sisters Connie, Lori-Anne and brother Mario. 

Continuing, two time Grammy Award Winning Guitarist Albert Lee performed with Edan Everly and Frank Avalon as they performed a tribute to the Everly Brothers and Frankie Avalon.

Austin Allsup performed and feted his father, Tommy. Tommy was Buddy Holly's guitar player and is yet another member of the Rock-A-Billy Hall Of Fame.  A gifted session player, he is remembered for participating in the infamous coin toss with Ritchie Valens to determine who would fly and who would not.

Other tributes were extended to Eddie Cochran by his Rock-A-Billy Hall Of Fame nephew, Bobby. Wendy and Carnie Wilson honored their father Brian with their performance. 

The Killer Vees, Bobby’s two sons and nephew, celebrated the timeless classics that Bobby Vee had recorded and performed.

It's been nearly 60 years since Del Shannon's signature song "Runaway " was recorded ... and since then, the song has been covered by over 200 artists.  James Popenhagen, Grandson of Del's guitar player Bob, took to the Surf Ballroom stage to honor Del with his own tribute to Shannon.

Finally, show stopper Linda Gail Lewis, the original Hard Rockin' Woman, did not disappoint when she included a lengthy tribute to her brother, Jerry Lee. Linda Gail is yet another Rock-A-Billy Hall of Famer that graced the stage this evening.

The Holy Rocka Rollaz kicked off what would prove to be an unforgettable evening of 60's Rock and Roll commemorating the 60^th Anniversary of the Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper plane crash.

Sixty years later, this memorial tribute remarkably demonstrates that Don McLean got it all wrong suggesting it was the day "The Music Died". More like Rock and Roll is here to Stay.

The evening continued with a Who's Who of 60's Rock.

Johnny Tillotson, spanning the Rock, Country, and Easy Listening charts for over 25 years, performing classics like "Poetry In Motion"," It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'" and Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On" began a cavalcade of performances.

Bryan Hyland had his first hit as a 16 years old when his novelty record "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" climbed the charts. Other songs he sang to the enjoyment of the audience were "Ginny Come Lately" and “Sealed With A Kiss". His set concluded with the critically acclaimed Impressions remake of "Gypsy Woman."  He collaborated with Del Shannon on the tune and watched it climb to an impressive #3.

Chris Montez is quick to attribute his passion for music to Ritchie Valens. He reveres Ritchie as the Hispanic Pioneer that proved inspirational to him and others like Trini Lopez and Los Lobos. He treated us with his classic renditions of "Call Me," "The More I See You" and the Valens-inspired "Let's Dance" … and continued with his tribute to Ritchie by singing his version of "La Bamba."

From the distaff side, we enjoyed performances by the Chiffons and Shirley Alston Reeves.  With Judy Craig still on lead, we were entertained by the group reprising their trademark tight harmonies with "He's So Fine," “Sweet Talkin' Guy" and the Carole King - Gerry Goffin written "One Fine Day."

Another Goffin - King penned mega-hit highlighted the Alston Reeves performance. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" was the center piece of such Shirelles’ hits like "Mama Said," "Soldier Boy," "Dedicated To the One I Love," "Foolish Little Girl," "Baby It's You" and the bluesy remake of the Doris Day hit, "Everybody Loves A Lover."  All in all, a catalog that reflects their Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame status.

The event concluded with a typical high energy, rollicking performance from the King of the Twist himself, Ernest Evans, aka Chubby Checker. With Chubby reprising his closet full of dance tunes … "The Twist," "The Huckelbuck," "The Pony," "Slow Twistin'," "Let's Twist Again," et al. Filled with loads of audience participation, Chubby proved to be the ideal finale to the four day extravaganza.

A sad commentary that accompanies an event that began with a tragedy that occurred 60 years ago is the attrition that has resulted in not only the loss of so many of our favorite artists but the loss of so many of our friends and other attendees of The Winter Dance Party.

This year is no exception as we mourn the loss of Peggy Sue Gerron and Bob Morales.  Peggy Sue, as Crickets Jerry Allison's girlfriend, she became THE PEGGY SUE of love ballad fame. Bob Morales was Ritchie Valens’ older Step-Brother. Bob was portrayed as the antagonist in the bio-film La Bamba.  Bob transitioned the hardened, rambunctious "La Bamba" persona into a gentleman that possessed a gentle, soft spoken, kind and generous, heart of gold. Bob was an icon in his own right.

See you next year. Until then, RAVE ON!

Jim Nowoc

Here’s a one hour video showing some of the highlights of the four day event …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiRGLLSHzLc&feature=youtu.be

Forgotten Hits Interviews Paul Evans

Singer / Songwriter Paul Evans has been part of our Forgotten Hits Family for several years now. 

In addition to enjoying his early 1960’s hits “Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Back Seat” (#5, 1959), “Midnite Special” (#14, 1960) and “Happy-Go-Lucky Me” (#8, 1960), we have covered his late ‘60’s anthem “Happiness Is” as well as his most recent Christmas novelty classic “Santa’s Stuck Up In The Chimney.”

And, in addition to his own hits, Paul wrote the Top 40 Hit “Worried Guy” for Johnny Tillotson, the Top 10 Hit “When” for the Kalin Twins and “Roses Are Red,” a #1 Hit for Bobby Vinton.

After we heard “Happy-Go-Lucky Me” featured in the new Hulu television series 11.22.63, we decided to contact Paul and see how things were going.  

The timing couldn’t have been better … as that very same week NBC aired the “All-Star Tribute To Elvis Presley.”

What’s the significance there, you might ask?

Well, Paul Evans also has the distinct honor of having FOUR of his songs recorded by Elvis Presley over the years!

The first big break came in 1960 when Elvis cut “I Gotta Know,” a #20 hit on its own when it was included as the B-Side to Elvis’ chart-topping single “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

That record topped the national charts for six weeks and, as such, “I Gotta Know” also became a million seller.

Evans placed another Top 40 Hit with The King in 1970 when “The Next Step Is Love” became a #14 hit when it was paired with “I’ve Lost You.”  (His other two other Elvis songs???  “Blue River,” #95, 1966 and the B-Side to the Top 20 Hit “Tell Me Why” and “Something Blue,” which was never released as a single but appeared on Elvis’ “Pot Luck” album.)

At the time of Elvis’ death, Paul had a couple of other songs placed with The King that were commissioned but never recorded, including a track called “Quiet Desperation” that Paul says was based on a quote from Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden,” which “would have made a spectacular Elvis record.

So we seized the opportunity to talk some about this, too.

Kent Kotal / Forgotten Hits:  Hi Paul!  We decided to check out the new Hulu original tv series 11.22.63 on Sunday afternoon and were pleased to hear "Happy Go Lucky Me" on the very first episode!  In fact, I looked at my wife and said, "Hey, that's my buddy Paul Evans!!!"  

With your wide catalog of work, I'm sure you're still finding plenty of opportunities to place your music in period pieces such as this ... commercial usage ... movies ... etc. ... and with the recent success of your very popular seasonal hit, “Santa’s Stuck Up In The Chimney,” it's gotta make you feel great that your career has meant so much to so many people.  Without question, music is the gift that keeps on giving.  So I just wanted to take a moment to say “Thank you for the music!”

Paul Evans:  Hi Kent,  I must admit that hearing my songs in movies, commercials, or TV shows gives me great satisfaction.  Makes me smile. (Also, the monetary rewards don’t make me frown. :-)   
And of course you’re correct that knowing that my songs made lots of people happy doesn’t hurt either.  I once received an email from someone who told me that I had been a member of his family for the past thirty years. Nice!

kk:  With the recent comments about the Elvis 50th Anniversary Tribute the other night, I was thinking that you might have a story or two to tell about The King, having written a couple of his hits.  Did you watch the special?  What did you think of it?

PE:  Yes, I watched it ... but I must admit, befitting my age, I longed to hear Elvis’ versions.  Most of the singing was just fine, but it wasn’t Elvis. I missed his unique vocal excitement that propelled me towards the music biz in the first place.  

kk:  I thought that the bit with Mac Davis was interesting because of all the people there, he was the only one (other than producer Steve Binder, Priscilla and Lisa Marie, of course) to ever have had direct contact with Elvis.

PE:  I definitely agree.  It would have been fun to see more of the people that “were there.”  Mac did great, by the way.

kk:  What did it feel like the first time you heard that Elvis was going to record one of your songs?

PE:  Heaven.  I was told by Freddy Bienstock at Elvis’ publishing company - Hill and Range - that they were going to show “I Gotta Know" to Cliff Richard but that would mean that Elvis wouldn’t cut it because he would never record a “cover”.  I begged Freddy to just go with Elvis. What I didn’t know was that Cliff had already cut the song.  But apparently Elvis’ people didn’t know about it and Elvis recorded and released it anyway.  By the way, although “I Gotta Know" peaked at #20 on the Billboard charts, it was released as the “B” side to “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” … not a bad first Elvis for me.  :-)

kk:  Elvis came back to the well a few more times for Paul Evans material ... did you ever get to meet the King?  And, if so, what did he tell you about your tunes and what they meant to him? 

PE:  I was in Nashville when he was cutting and I knew his producer, Felton Jarvis, but even Felton couldn’t get me past the tight security. So close, yet so far away.

kk:  With the benefit of 50 - 60 years' hindsight, how much more does that mean to you now, knowing that of the select amount of material Elvis recorded, some of these were tunes that you had written?

PE:  Oh yeah ... I was proud when “I Gotta Know” was released.  Elvis cut my song!  It made me feel like a real writer.  And looking back at my writing career, “Roses Are Red (My Love)", “When”, “Happy Go Lucky Me”, etc., Elvis’ recordings of three other of my songs still sends a tickle up and down my spine.

kk:  How was your material pitched to the King?  Did you have to partake in the royalty split ensuring that Elvis and The Colonel got a piece of the action as so many other songwriters had to contend with?  And, if so, how did that make you feel at the time?  And even today, all these years later? 

PE:  I managed to hold on to three of my four songs by hiding away when I knew that Elvis had cut a song of mine.  And here’s something that I’m proud of:  When Hill and Range’s lawyer shoved a paper in my face assigned a piece of my future songs to Elvis and threatened that if I didn’t sign it I’d never get another Elvis recording, we went into Freddy Bienstock’s office and I told Freddy about his lawyer’s threats. I reminded him that he had promised that I wouldn’t have to “give back”. (I don’t remember why he promised it - but he did.) 

“I promised you zis?” Freddy said with his thick accent.  

“Yes you did”.  

“Zis man," Freddy told the lawyer, “does not have to sign that paper.”

It wasn’t long after that Hill and Range stopped taking pieces back from writers.

kk:  Good for you!  (I’ve got a hunch you’re one of a select few who can make that claim!)  And so happy to see that your music is still finding an audience today, some 50 – 60 years later.  That’s the measurement of a good tune!

PE:  I’m now reaping the rewards of my old hits - the hits that keep giving via commercials, TV shows and movies. 

kk:  Thanks, Paul!  

PE:  It was so my pleasure.  Continued success, Kent, with your site. You’ve definitely got to be one of the hardest working men in showbiz.

Your buddy, Paul

For more on the Paul Evans / Elvis Presley connection, check out this link: 
https://paulevans.com/elvis.htm

And here’s the link to Paul’s website: 
https://paulevans.com/index.html

Tuesday This And That

By now, the whole world knows that "Bohemian Rhapsody," the little movie that could, scored big at the Academy Awards this year, scoring Oscars in four of the five categories it was nominated, including a Best Actor Nod to Rami Malek for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic.  (It did not win for Best Picture ... that award went to "Green Book," another movie we talked about the other day in Forgotten Hits.)

The Best Actor Award came as a bit of a shock ... (most were calling it an upset) ... this was a VERY strong category this year.  I personally never expected him to win it but was thrilled with the idea that he was even nominated due to the largely negative press the film received when it first opened.  (My best guess was Christian Bale for "Vice" while Frannie thought Viggo Mortensen was a shoe-in for "Green Book," which also took home a Best Supporting Oscar for Mahershala Ali.)

Queen (with Adam Lambert) opened the ceremonies in rousing fashion with their "We Will Rock You" / "We Are The Champions" medley ... and Lady Ga Ga and Bradley Cooper also performed a beautiful rendition of "Shallow," which won the Oscar for Best Original Song this year.

All-in-all, the show dragged in every other area other than the acceptance speech of Olivia Colman for "The Favorite," which was the highlight of the evening for me. Sadly, it took three hours to get to that happy point!  (All of these awards shows go on too long, spending WAY too much time spotlighting categories the majority of the world doesn't really care about.  I say you can easily bring this program in at two hours if you just concentrate on the heavy hitters, because those are the awards everybody wants to see anyway!)  

Still, it was a GREAT honor to see the music of Queen in this way and we congratulation all parties involved in the making of this film.  (And wasn't it cool to see Wayne and Garth reunite to help honor this film???)  kk

Will we see Rami Malek in a high-profile lead role again?

The truth is, he was perfectly cast in the role of Freddie Mercury ... 

But history has proven that an Oscar win doesn't necessarily catapult an actor to the top of the A-List.

Check out these recent winners from the past twenty years and see if you agree ...

Roberto Benigni, Helen Hunt, Adrien Brody, Jean Dujardin, Casey Affleck, Marion Cotillard, Brie Larson all took home Best Actor / Best Actress awards.  How many other movie leads by each of these folks can you name?  (kk)

Does it strike anyone else as odd that Rolling Stone Magazine would devote so many feature stories to the passing of Peter Tork?

The Monkees NEVER would have made their pages during their hey-day … they were deemed FAR too trivial to be taken seriously (despite the fact that, at the time, The Monkees were outselling absolutely EVERYBODY else on the charts.)

Yet now several pages have been dedicated to Peter’s passing … and his role in the group and how they left their mark in pop music evolution.  (Could a Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nomination be in the offing???)

We have campaigned long and hard that The Monkees deserve a spot in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  The premise on which it was founded dictates that those being honored in some way advanced the state and art of rock music.  The Monkees’ TV show bridged the gap between those two mediums … it proved just how influential television could be in promoting rock and roll music … and making it more “mainstream” and “acceptable” in the homes, to be shared by families.

Recent honorees further prove that The Rock Hall continues to move further and further away from this point ... which was the very foundation of what started their organization in the first place.

Taking nothing away from the group as artists, Bon Jovi is just essentially a bar band that made it big.  What revolutionary new thing did THEY add to the mix?   They were just better at it than most and, as such, crossed over to a larger audience and sold a whole lot of records (two things the Rock Hall has said would never influence their selections.)

And Steve Miller?  Yes, he was an early blues influence that bridged the gap between blues and rock and roll … but among his most famous pop tunes we find guitar riffs that he “borrowed” (most would say stole) from the likes of Joe Walsh and the rock group Free.  What’s innovative about that?  The idea is to bring something NEW to the table … not something you’ve taken, revamped and then put your own name on it.  (I know, I know … don’t even get me started on Led Zeppelin and all the five-finger-discounting THEY did over the years!!!)

Sure, The Monkees were light-weight … fabricated to cash in on their young teenage girl audience and occupy the covers of every teenage magazine known to man around the globe … but at least they proved the concept of cross-marketing (much as Ricky Nelson had a decade before them.)  And I ask again ... for at least the 50th time ... What's Wrong With Feel-Good Music??? 

TV as a tool to fuel rock and roll … what a concept … which is why omitting Ed Sullivan from the hallowed halls is also a complete injustice.  Ed brought rock and roll acts into our living rooms every week … MAJOR stars and artists for the whole family to see and enjoy.  How on earth can HE be denied a spot as an “early influence” or "non performer"???

And The Guess Who … our “just north of the border” friends who proved Canada could rock with the best of them, crafting timeless songs like “American Woman,” “These Eyes,” “No Time,” “Undun” and so many others.  (Even “Clap For The Wolfman” paid tribute to the great Wolfman Jack, another revolutionary deejay snubbed for induction by the know-it-alls that run things at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.)

Jann Wenner, founder of Rolling Stone Magazine, has long been the guy directing traffic at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  It seems a bit two-faced to tout The Monkees on one hand and deny them on the other.  It’s time that The Rock Hall makes things right.  Induct some of these long-overlooked, deserving artists who helped shape the sound of rock and roll along the way.  Brian Epstein gets in but Ed Sullivan doesn’t even get nominated?  What about Wolfman Jack?  Dick Biondi?  Alan Freed and Dick Clark are in … shouldn’t some of these others be recognized, too?  (Can ANYBODY out there make a case for Dick Clark doing more to advance rock and roll music than Ed Sullivan???  I’d sure love to hear it!)

For all the press may have blown it up to be, The Monkees were NOT considered to be a bunch of “fakes” by their contemporaries on the rock scene at the time.  Quite the opposite was true, in fact.

They regularly hung out (and often times hosted) parties that included Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, their earlier incarnations The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield, all of The Mamas and the Papas, Jimi Henrix and even The Beatles … NONE of whom treated them in any way as light-weight pretenders to the throne.

Check out this recent Rolling Stone post: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/peter-tork-monkees-lost-interview-1960s-797309/ 

The Monkees had numerous comebacks after their TV show was cancelled … most notably the mid-‘80’s when MTV started airing their television show again, sparking a series of reunion tours that ran for the next thirty years … and, most recently, a couple of years ago when a brand new album called “Good Times” debuted in The Top 20 of Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart.  It featured both brand new recordings by the band as well as a couple of resurrected tracks to enable them to include Davy Jones in the project.  Their loyal fan base has never left them … and that base has continued to grow over the next three generations of new fans who have discovered the group along the way.

It is time to properly honor them the way they deserve to be remembered.  As is so often the case with The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, this honor comes too late ... after half the members of the band have already left us.  (They really need to get better at this sort of thing … the honor means nothing if no one is there to enjoy it!) 

Still … it is time to give them their due … so please do right next year make things right once and for all.  (kk) 

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/monkees-peter-tork-tribute-rob-sheffield-797659/ 

After processing the sad news regarding the passing of their band mate, Peter Tork, The Mike and Micky Show resumes live performances on March 1^st with a dozen more US shows before departing for New Zealand and Australia for seven more … 

Remaining US Dates: 
3/1/19--Medford, MA-- Chevalier Theatre
3/2/19-- Atlantic City, NJ-- Ocean Resort Casino
3/3/19--Lancaster, PA-- American Music Theatre
3/5/19-- Red Bank, NJ-- Count Basie Center for the Arts
3/6/19--Glenside, PA-- The Keswick Theatre
3/8/19--Huntington, NY-- The Paramount
3/9/19--New York, NY-- The Beacon Theatre
3/10/19--Albany, NY-- Palace Theatre
3/12/19--Royal Oak, MI-- Royal Oak Music Theatre
3/14/19--Prior Lake. MN-- Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
3/15/19--New Buffalo, MI-- Four Winds Casino
3/16/19--St Charles, MO-- Family Arena 

The Monkees' Micky Dolenz & Mike Nesmith in New Zealand & Australia: 
6/8/19-- Christchurch, New Zealand-- Isaac Theatre
6/9/19-- Auckland, New Zealand-- Great Hall
6/10/19-- Wellington, New Zealand-- Michael Fowler Centre
6/12/19-- Brisbane, Australia-- QPAC
6/15/19-- Melbourne, Australia-- Palais Theatre
6/16/19-- Perth, Australia-- Astor Theatre
6/18/19-- Sydney, Australia-- Sydney Opera House

In other Monkees news, a brand new box set collecting all of Michael Nesmith’s RCA and Pacific Artists tracks will be released on March 29^th. 
https://theseconddisc.com/2019/02/different-drummer-edsel-collects-michael-nesmiths-rca-and-pacific-arts-years-on-new-box-set/ 
Of course a truly DELUXE box would also include his legendary “Wichita Train Whistle” album … and a dvd of all of his incredible videos made over the years … and maybe even Elephant Parts and Television Parts …

But if you’re just into the music, this may be the collection for you.
Nesmith’s biggest hit after The Monkees was, of course, “Joann,” which reached The Top 20 in 1970, shortly after the band had split.  (It would prove to be the biggest solo hit that any of The Monkees would have on their own.)  But he also has a number of “cult,” fan-favorites … and you’ll find them all here in this massive 12-disc collection.  (kk)

Bad week for music news ...
We lost Peter Tork on Thursday ;-(
And also, writer and producer Artie Wayne died Tuesday.
Mike

Peter Tork, of course, the whole world knew about … but I wonder how many people (other than those on our list, of course!) even recognize the name Artie Wayne.

Artie was a good friend and a HUGE supporter of Forgotten Hits in our early years.  I never got to meet the man in person but we exchanged hundreds of emails over the course of time and cross-promoted several different projects together over the years. 

Artie was an early blogger and had a huge following.  A big promoter with the record companies … a songwriter (“Midnight Mary” immediately comes to mind) and just an all-around good guy.  

He published his memoirs and it made for a fun and interesting read.

I know he’s had health problems of one sort or another for as long as I’ve known him … often escalating from bad to worse.  We lost touch over the last seven or eight years and, honestly, I checked up on him more than a few times to see if he was still around and doing ok … but never got a response so wondered if he had fallen upon hard times or perhaps already passed.  (His last web post is from 2014 so he’d been out of action for a while.  Still, you’ll find some very interesting reading here if you browse around a bit.)

Always hate to see the good ones go … and Artie was one of the good ones … QUITE the character, I’m told, in his hey-day (and continued to “embellish” for as long as I knew him … which was all part of his charm.)

Condolences to all of those who knew him.  (kk)

https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/

From Scott Shannon on Artie Wayne …  

ARTIE WAYNE WAS A ONE OF A KIND MUSIC MAN.
I MET HIM BACK THE LATE 70’S WHEN I WORKED FOR THE GREAT NEIL BOGART AT CASABLANCA RECORDS IN HOLLYWOOD. ARTIE HAD WRITTEN A GREAT FORGOTTEN HIT FROM THE 60'S CALLED MIDNIGHT MARY, BY JOEY POWERS. ARTIE WAS A BLAST TO BE AROUND, JUST A BALL OF ENERGY, ALWAYS READY TO WRITE A NEW SONG, OR TO JUST SIT AROUND AND PLAY AND SING SOME OLD SONGS. IT SEEMED LIKE HE KNEW ALL THE BIG NAMES FROM THE MUSIC BIZ, AND ALWAYS SOME NEW DEAL GOING ON TO TALK ABOUT.
LIKE I SAID, HE WAS ONE OF A KIND, AND SO MUCH FUN TO HANG WITH.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
SCOTT SHANNON
DEEJAY 

And, speaking of famous deejays … 

Hi Kent,
I always enjoy reading Forgotten Hits and catching up on all the news!  I am excited to hear the great Tony Orlando is the subject of a new Broadway show about his life!  It’s got to be an incredible story of a guy who sang on the rooftops of New York and dreamed of the big time.  I get goose bumps remembering this story told to me backstage at the Arcada Theatre during our interview about Dick Biondi.  Tony is a great interview. This man has a beautiful heart and a personality to match.  And he ADORES Dick Biondi!  He had a lot to say about Biondi’s influence on music and what he’d meant to his career.  Great stuff!  Tony's story will be part of our tribute to the Wild I-Tralian, which, by the way, will be a national PBS documentary when complete! 
“The Voice That Rocked America: The Dick Biondi Story” is currently in post-production.  When finished, the program will air on WTTW in Chicago (Chicago is where Dick introduced the Beatles to the U.S.), WNEO/WEAO in Youngstown/Akron/Cleveland, Ohio (Youngstown is where Dick introduced rock and roll), WNED Buffalo ( Buffalo is where Dick owned the Eastern Seaboard), South Carolina ETV (Myrtle Beach is where Bob Sirott found him after a ten year hiatus and Chicago got Biondi back!).  With Dick’s national exposure, we expect wide distribution on PBS stations so if anyone is interested in becoming a sponsor, please get in touch! Our sponsors are so awesome!  A big shoutout to IAET (Italian American Executives of Transportation), Paul Shaffer, Onesti Entertainment, VC Plumbers, and Haggerty Insurance!  
So when Tony heard we are having a big fundraiser on April 28th he donated a custom made tuxedo to our Director of Communications and Marketing, Joe Farina.  Joe has been reaching out to artists and entertainers for tax-deductible donations to help us finish the documentary.  Joe is a super nice guy and we are lucky to have him on board helping to make this dream a reality.  So many good people have come forward to enable this dream that sometimes I have to pinch myself that it’s really happening.  It’s been almost five years since I began the project with nothing but a hope and a prayer.  Now, it’s REALLY HAPPENING!
Kent, you are invited to come to the fundraiser and so is everybody reading this. You’re in for a real treat with performances by some of Chicago’s greatest rock bands led by the incredibly talented New Colony Six!!!!  That alone is worth the price of the ticket.  But there’s more!  Scott MacKay from 95.9 The River will emcee, with performances by The Hundred Dollar Quartet with Dean Milano and friends and Scott May from the Ides of March on keyboards, The Cave Dwellers, the Meteors, Bagshot Row, Southside Exiles, Pete Weldon who is Dick Biondi’s exclusive sock hop DJ, and Actor Joe Farina.  And this all takes place on a Sunday afternoon from 2:00 PM -6:00 pm at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park on Chicago's South Side.  This place is awesome, wait until you see the stage!  We’re keeping ticket prices low—only $37 plus service fees which includes a buffet dinner, beer and wine, Silent Auction/ 50/50 Raffle, and a screening of the Dick Biondi Trailer!  I’m attaching a poster and hope everybody comes out.  We are expecting several surprise guests.
Tickets are on sale now -- https://www.dickbiondifilm.com/goodtimesfundraiser 
Please help us spread the word and bring your kids and grandkids.  All ages are welcome.
Let's rock and roll for the Dick Biondi documentary!  Thanks everybody.
Pamela Enzweiler Pulice
Director 

www.Dick Biondi Film.com

TheDickBiondiFilm@gmail.com

More from Pamela … 

Hello Friends,  
Can you believe it's been almost five years since we began the Dick Biondi project, and we're happy to say momentum is building.  PBS stations in many parts of the country have written letters of support, like this one from WNED-TV in Buffalo: 
"I believe this film would not only be of interest to our viewers here in Western NY but also of interest to other communities across the country. Once the film is completed, we would be happy to discuss with the options for a wider distribution on PBS stations."
This is music to our ears!  Dick Biondi is one of the most influential radio deejays of the Twentieth Century.  Like his voice, Dick's story should have a national audience.  Letters like this one show that it will.
Special thanks to our generous sponsors, IAET (Italian American Executives of Transportation), Paul Shaffer, Onesti Entertainment, VC Plumbers, and Hagerty Insurance! Thank you for supporting our dream! We still have a ways to go, so if you are someone who loves Dick as much as we, do please consider becoming a sponsor. All donations are tax-deductible through our Fiscal Sponsor, Chicago Filmmakers. Learn more here.
Currently, 'The Voice That Rocked America: The Dick Biondi Story' is in post production. We are ready to add high quality photographs, archival footage, and music tracks to bring this story to life.  As you can imagine, all of this costs big bucks.  So we're putting on a big event, and you are invited!

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN CONTINUE TO BE PART OF MAKING HISTORY: 

Share our social media content on Facebook and Twitter — just add your personal touch! 
By spreading the word, you'll help us bring this story to PBS, film festivals, streaming, and DVD. By sharing our Facebook and Twitter posts, we'll help drive people to dickbiondifilm.com to subscribe for film updates and get them interested in the film — and our Good Times Fundraiser! 

Become a Biondi Backer 
Your contribution will help us get one step closer to funding the efforts needed to finish our script and edit a 56 minute PBS documentary.
With your help, we are going to make this movie for Dick.  He’s earned a place in rock n’ roll history and he’s the reason this story must see its audience.
Stay tuned,
Pam
Pamela Enzweiler-Pulice
Director, The Dick Biondi Film
pam@dickbiondifilm.com 

Rock Star Peter Frampton, who topped Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart for ten weeks and sold over 20 million copies of his “Frampton Comes Alive” album, has announced his “Farewell Tour,” which will kick off in June and run through October.  Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening will open the majority of the shows … and several special guests are expected throughout the tour, which will take in over fifty cities.  (It stops in Chicago on July 28^th for a show at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island)
A complete list of show dates is below (and more shows may be added along the way)
June 18 -- Tulsa, OK @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
June 20 -- Little Rock, AR @ Robinson Performance Hall
June 22 -- Montgomery, AL @ Wind Creek Casino & Hotel
June 23 -- Chattanooga, TN @ Tivoli Theatre
June 26 -- Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
June 27 -- Nashville, TN @ Ascend Amphitheater
June 29 -- Salamanca, NY @ Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino
June 30 -- Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
July 2 -- Pittsburgh, PA @ Benedum Center for the Performing Arts
July 3 -- Syracuse, NY @ St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
July 5 -- Montreal, QC @ Montreal Jazz Fest- Place des Arts: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
July 7 -- Gilford, NH @ Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
July 9 -- Boston, MA @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
July 10 -- Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
July 12 -- Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
July 13 -- Stayner, ON @ Roxodus Music Festival
July 23 -- Traverse City, MI @ Interlochen Center for the Arts-Kresge Auditorium
July 25 -- Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 26 -- Morgantown, WV @ MountainFest Motorcycle Rally
July 28 -- Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
July 29 -- Cedar Rapids, IA @ McGrath Amphitheatre
July 31 -- Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug. 2 -- Minneapolis, MN @ Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater
Aug. 4 -- St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 5 -- Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
Aug. 8 -- Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center
Aug. 11 -- Atlanta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre at Encore Park
Aug. 16 - 21 -- Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean
Aug. 30 -- Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
Sept. 1 -- Albany, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Sept. 2 -- Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Sept. 4 -- Jacksonville, FL @ Daily’s Place
Sept. 6 -- Miami, FL @ Coral Sky Amphitheatre at the S. Florida Fairgrounds
Sept. 7 -- Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
Sept. 10 -- Simpsonville, SC @ CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
Sept. 11 -- Washington, DC @ The Anthem
Sept. 13 -- New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
Sept. 14 -- Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Sept. 21 -- Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Sept. 22 -- Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sept. 24 -- Albuquerque, NM @ Sandia Resort & Casino
Sept. 26 -- Phoenix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
Sept. 28 -- Las Vegas, NV @ Red Rock Resort Spa & Casino
Sept. 29 -- Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Casino-Pechanga Summit
Oct. 2 -- San Diego, CA @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU
Oct. 3 -- Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre
Oct. 5 -- Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
Oct. 6 -- Tuolumne, CA @ Black Oak Casino Resort-Westside Pavilion
Oct. 9 -- Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
Oct. 10 -- Portland, OR @ Ilani Resort & Casino-Cowlitz Ballroom
Oct. 12 -- San Francisco, CA @ Concord Pavilion 

Frampton has since disclosed a degenerative muscle disease, which prompted the urgency to go out on the road one more time to thank the fans for all their support over the past 45 years.  (There is a genuine concern that if he doesn’t go out and tour NOW, he may not be able to do so in a year … so he wants to get in as much work as he possibly can while he’s still able to do so.)
More on this here: 
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/peter-frampton-degenerative-muscle-disease-ibm-797556/ 

Hi Kent, 

Saw this on the internet today and thought you would enjoy it. 
Peace,
Tim Kiley  



Jim is always “on”!!!  And this was filmed for a music special in The Netherlands!  Wow!  (Doesn’t his place look amazing!!!)

Congrats … he deserves every bit of the accolades.  And what a great guy!  (We’re trying to line up a British phone interview with him right now, too.  And we’re off to see The Ides Of March again on March 6^th at The City Winery. In fact, we’ve got an extra pair of tickets to give away … so if any of you “locals” are interested, drop me a line!  (But please, ONLY if you can 100% for sure attend the show.  We’ve had so many winners back out last minute lately that we’re considering instituting a ban from future promotions.  It is so difficult to go back to these venues time and time again to change the guest list.  I realize things come up … but PLEASE check your schedule BEFORE throwing your hat in the ring.  We appreciate the support and opportunities provided to us by places like City Winery, The Arcada Theatre and The Genesee Theatre for these oldies shows, as well as other special events … and we want it to continue.)
 
Speaking of which …
 
LAST CALL …
 
Last call for your chance to win tickets to see the Easter Seals Fundraiser being held on March 23^rd at The Athenaeum Theater in Chicago … or John Sebastian on July 8^th at The City Winery … OR The Ides Of March on March 6^th at The City Winery.
We’ll continue to accept entries through Monday night … and then draw our winners next week.


We’ve been hearing Foreigner reunion rumors for months now and were concerned that with Lou Gramm’s recent “retirement” announcement, none of this might come to pass.
But now, with a brand new musical, “Juke Box Hero,” about to open … featuring sixteen Foreigner tracks … interest may be at an all-time high … and Gramm is apparently reconsidering his recent holiday announcement to record NEW Foreigner music with his old partner, Mick Jones, as well as perhaps some sort of Las Vegas residency (where rock and roll bands seem to have found a new home … in addition to the recent Aerosmith tickets we recently told you about, Def Leppard is also going to do a month there of shows.)
More information on ALL of this can be found here:
http://ultimateclassicrock.com/lou-gramm-foreigner-new-music-vegas/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=newsletter_4572276

>>>”Water Boy" did pretty well here in Chicago, too, peaking at #7 on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey (kk) 
FYI, the only CD with the 45 version of "Water Boy" in stereo is the Complete 60s compilation Complete Instrumental Hits of the 60s, Vol. 2 - 1961 (http://www.ericrecords.com/C60-instrumentals-2.html). 
- Randy Price


>>>I noticed that Jimmy Dean's record “Big Bad John” made its initial appearance on the survey at song position #15.  (Larry Neal)
What was interesting about this was that it did not list the original banned version with title "Big John."  That tells me that the original 45 was pulled EXTREMELY fast.  I have a copy of it and it is now on CD, I believe.  It changes "one Hell of a man" to "big, big man" due to the word "Hell" being deemed not good programming on radio.
Clark Besch

Larry Neal and I communicated occasionally when he was doing his show.  Back in 2002, I had only been on the internet for about a year, so I had no idea what was going on there.  I had LOTS of KOMA and WKY charts, but I just HAD to tune in because I always have loved countdowns and to hear a station I listened to for countdowns was even more important.  I have the Cryan’ Shames on one of his shows which was very cool to get taped.
Courtesy of ARSA, here's what the KOMA charts looked like about this time, 1969.  I'm very surprised at #35 still hangin’ on in February.  That seemed impossible to my thinking until I checked and it stayed on Billboard for 19 weeks ending in mid-January!  It started charting before the White Album release and was still on when the Yellow Sub album came out!!!
Clark

Hey Kent ...

As I was enjoying this Sundays 60’s Blog ... and seeing my early appearance on the WLS Hit Parade ...I clicked on the nearby KOMA Larry Neal 2002 Aircheck ... and the first voice heard coming out of the song “Dizzy” is ME as the Image Voice of KOMA!  

A fun coincidence.

Today (thankfully) I remain the “Image Voice” on a bunch of Radio and TV stations nationwide.  

Amazing!!! 

What a great site, Kent. 

Thanks for bringing back all the memories. 

Kris Erik Stevens

"Kentucky Rain" was not recorded on Feb. 19th, as recently noted in forgotten Hits.  

I'm not sure where that source date comes from, but my local radio station, WAVZ listed the song on the February 7, 1970, Top 60 survey as a Hitbound  / Pick Hit.

It also first charted on February 14th in all three industry trade magazines - Billboard, Record World and Cashbox.

It would have to have been released no later than February 1st, in order for copies to have been sent off to radio stations, trade mags, etc.

Keepin' it accu-rate! 

Mike Markesich

Jane, you ignorant slut ... it most certainly WAS recorded on February 19th ... 1969 ... 

What you're doing is confusing two completely different years! (You're stating that since it was listed on February 7th, it couldn't have been recorded on February 19th ... but the time frame you're referring to is a full year apart!)

Much as "Suspicious Minds" was recorded on January 22nd (which was then held until September until it was released as a single), "Kentucky Rain" was recorded on February 19th but not released until a full year later, when it made its way into The National Top Ten.  ("Accuracy" is our middle name!)  kk

FH Reader Frank B tells us that Linda Jansen, one of the original Angels, has passed away … 

kk:
Wild Wayne is reporting that Linda Jansen has died. 
Here are the Angels performing “Till,” featuring Linda Jansen on lead vocal. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAPeNg3YKjY&fbclid=IwAR3uXK73AHXM23MSVWhMyCYU65SqdlscaweUZ511TC690hzA4mP7oEqh8f8&app=desktop 
FB  

Hello Kent, 
I expect you will be able to handle this one. If you find it interesting, you might want to post it to your blog. I can provide the answer, but would imagine you can guess it yourself ...  
Name this British male singer from the late 50’s and early 60’s, whose career spans over 60 years. He has sold a quarter of a billion records worldwide, but he never became a star in the United States. In 1963, one of his singles made #25 here, with another hitting #62. Both of these were covers of other singers’ earlier hits.  
This guy is #3 in British record sales, just behind the Beatles and Elvis. It’s too bad that he never made it big here, because many of his songs are fabulous. With the right promotion and exposure, like Ed Sullivan and American Bandstand, he probably would have become a major star. Like Paul McCartney, he was made a British Knight.  
Bill Oakey 
I'm assuming you're talking about Cliff Richard ... but while "star" might not be the correct word, Cliff DID have ten Top 40 Hits here in the States, most coming in the late '70's and early '80's ... so I think he was bigger here than you're giving him credit for.  "Devil Woman," "We Don't Talk Anymore" and "Dreaming" even made The US Top Ten.  
Yes, he was HUGE in Britain ... his backup band, The Shadows, were extremely popular as well.  (A very young George Harrison and John Lennon even wrote an instrumental together called "Cry For A Shadow" in their honor.)  
I've got a six-CD British Import set that features ALL of Cliff's singles releases through 2002 ... and there are some GREAT tracks on there that we never got to hear here in America ... and that's a shame.  I agree that he should have been bigger here than he was ... but he DID have his share of hit records as well. (kk)  
Of course, you're right. 

It is amazing to me that during the British Invasion, Epic Records didn’t use their opportunity to release several of his top selling British and worldwide hits. And there should have been promotional tours and TV appearances. 

He did score the hits that you mentioned at the end of the 70's, but his mega-brand should have been established nearly 20 years before that.

Check out this article from Wikipedia. “The Minute You're Gone” was a Sonny James hit that Richards recorded as part of a package of American songs intended to launch his career here. Epic flubbed it pretty badly. Why not release the songs that the rest of Planet Earth celebrated as hits? But then, for whatever reason, ABC Paramount didn’t have much success after “Living Doll” in 1959. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Minute_You%27re_Gone

I think my first introduction to the music of Cliff Richard came by way of a British Invasion compilation album ... a 2-LP set ... that featured his version of The Rolling Stones' song "Blue Turns To Grey."  To this day I much prefer Cliff's version to the original.

And then when I heard Burton Cummings sing "Don't Talk To Him," I knew Cliff had been cheated out of at least a couple more US Hits.

I totally agree that Epic blew their opportunity to cash in on the craze.  (There was no hesitation to bring Petula Clark over here ... and look at HER hit list!!!)

A deeper exploration into the Cliff Richard Songbook is well deserved ... hopefully some of our readers will take the time to discover just what a consistent talent he really was.  (kk)   

Hey Kent –
Jesse Colin Young has a new album out called Dreamers, a return to action after he was sidelined with Lyme disease. Spoke with him recently to discuss the album and cover a few other topics, including "Get Together" and why The Youngbloods weren't at Woodstock (maybe he'll get invited this year).
Here's the interview: 
https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/jesse-colin-young-of-the-youngbloods 
Be Well, 
Carl Wiser  

Kent,
I thought you would find this interesting. 

My songs from the 1967 Fapardokly LP ('When I Get Home') and a 1965 unreleased Exiles track  ('Don't Let Go')  as well as 'The Clouds Went That Way' from the 1st MU album are now all being used in this TV series. It's airing on various movie channels.
It amazes me how songs from the 1967 Fapardokly album keep coming back into the spotlight!
Thanks for the nice piece on the "Eklectia" 2 CD set … the U.K label thought it was Fab! 
All My Best,
Merrell

The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair is a novel by Swiss author Joel Dicker. It was published in the United States on 27 May, 2014, by Penguin Books. The original French version, La vérité sur l’affaire Harry Quebert, has sold more than one million copies, knocking Fifty Shades Of Grey off the top of the bestseller lists in French-speaking countries. Rights have been bought for translations into 32 languages. Including the translations, La vérité sur l’affaire Harry Quebert has sold more than three million copies. 
The novel is set in a coastal New Hampshire town (called Aurora in the original version and Somerset in the English translation). The protagonist, Marcus Goldman, is a successful young novelist who needs inspiration for his next book. Marcus heads to New Hampshire to stay with his college professor, Harry Quebert, to focus on his writing. When the body of 15-year-old Nola Kellergan is found 33 years after she went missing and Quebert is accused of her murder, Marcus works to uncover the truth. The result of his investigation becomes his next book.  

Television adaptation 
The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair miniseries
In August 2017, Epix and MGM Television announced that production for a 10-episode TV series named after the book was underway. Principal photography started in mid-August in Firestville, Canada, and moved to Montreal in September to finish production in December. On April 6, 2018, 35 minutes of scenes from the series premiered at Canne series, the television festival held in Cannes, France, each year. In the United States, the premier occurred on Epix on September 4, 2018, and the 10-episode show concluded its run on November 6, 2018, and now is in reruns on select channels.  American actor Patrick Dempsey played Harry Quebert, while Ben Schnetzer, Damon Wayans Jr. and Virginia Madsen played other roles. Featured in the TV series are Merrell Fankhaauser's songs "Don't Let Go," "When I Get Home” and "The Clouds Went That Way."
Hey, I’m in favor of ANYTHING that keeps this great music alive!  Congratulations, Merrell!  (kk) 

Hello Kent - 
Mark Dillion ("Fifty Sides of The Beach Boys") and I (PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com) have launched a new partnership: "Surf's Up: A Beach Boys Podcast Safari" ~ and have just uploaded our first epid=sode, a conversation with David Leaf, the famous chronicler of The Beach Boys for over 45 years.
Phil Miglioratti (Pray for Surf blog) and Mark Dillon (Fifty Sides of The Beach Boys) are proud to announce the launch of Surf's Up: A Beach Boys Podcast Safari. In Episode #1, they speak with David Leaf, author of seminal bio The Beach Boys and the California Myth, coproducer of the Good Vibrations: 30 Years of The Beach Boys and Pet Sounds Sessions box sets, writer / producer of An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson and director of the SMiLE documentary Beautiful Dreamer.
Hear Today: 
@https://ia601409.us.archive.org/31/items/01SurfsUpDavidLeaf/01%20Surf%27s%20Up_%20David%20Leaf.mp3  
Phil 
Thanks, Phil … happy to spread the word!  (kk)

How about Bill Deal and the Rhondels from Virginia Beach! Those guys were legendary, doing gigs at the clubs along the Boardwalk there in the 60’s and 70’s. According to their drummer Ammon Tharp, they didn’t even realize what they played was Carolina Beach Music until years later. That’s a whole genre unto itself! 

Bill and the guys were pretty much the house band at the Peppermint Beach Club (15th St. @ the Boardwalk) until it closed in the mid 90’s. A new place using that name opened a few blocks away in the early 2000’s, I think. 

For me, 13 years old and visiting VB in 1969, it was unreal. Pics courtesy Ammon Tharp.

- Larry Cave
  50yearsagoonthehot100.blogspot.com

I wasn't familiar with the "Beach Music" term until much later in life either!  (FH List Member Danny Guilfoyle can probably best speak to its criteria .. he loves the stuff!!!)

For me, Bill Deal and the Rhondels were just feel-good music ... and they provided some of the best.

Their first three hits all won me over immediately ... and clearly I wasn't the only one.  "May I" (#33), "I've Been Hurt" (#27) and "What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am" (#20) were all HUGE favorites of mine in 1969 ... and they performed even better here in Chicago.  (#8, #9 and #16 respectively)

ALL of these tracks still sound great today ... and you'll hear them all as our Tribute to 1969 continues throughout the year.  (kk) 

Here's a track we featured a LONG time ago in Forgotten Hits ...

Bill Deal and the Rhondels doing a live medley of their hits.  Check it out!

Keep watching your local PBS Station for a couple of very special documentary career retrospective / tributes making the rounds …

The one profiling Sammy Davis, Jr. premiered last week …

And next week (beginning on March 2^nd), they pay homage to the great Nat “King” Cole.

As always, check your local listings for showtimes near you.  (kk) 

https://www.pbs.org/video/sammy-davis-jr-ive-gotta-be-me-trailer-cwlblx/ 

Kent,
Here are my votes for The Best Babes of the ‘60’s:
1. Barbara Eden (with or without navel)
2. Barbara Parkins of Peyton Place
3 Group entry: The Gazzari Dancers of Hollywood A-Go-Go
(Just watch the you-tube videos - Just Like Romeo and Juliet is my favorite)
Bob Verbos 
Thank God for lip-synching!  I don’t know how any of those artists were able to concentrate on performing with all that crazy gyrating going on around them!  (kk)

Here’s a smile sent in by Gary Pike, formerly of The Lettermen …  

I'll bet you didn't know this!

Many of the newer cars have a “Back-Up Sensor " that warns the driver before the rear bumper actually comes in contact with something.
Who invented this sensor?
I'll bet you think it was Ford, maybe GM; how about Chrysler?  
No?
Then how about Mercedes Benz, or possibly the French or Italian car manufacturers?  
No, wrong again.
It was a Japanese farmer by the name of  Kawasaki. His invention was simple and effective.
It emits a high-pitch squeal before the vehicle backs into something.
Here's his first prototype ...

And finally, Frank B sent us this “Older Than Dirt” quiz …

Heck, I already knew I was older than dirt …

I went to kindergarten with God!  (kk)

THIS WEEK IN FORGOTTEN HITS:  

Sunday - The Sunday Survey - The WLS Hit Parade from exactly fifty years ago today ... February 24th, 1969

Monday - Happy Birthday, George Harrison - includes his Sweet Sixteen biggest hits

(scroll back to catch up if you missed these two posts!)

Tuesday - A Mega-Sized "This And That" Comments Page  (if you've scrolled down THIS far, you've already read it!!!)

Wednesday - Forgotten Hits interview singer / songwriter Paul Evans  
Kent,

Can’t wait to see Chet Coppock’s review of our interview.

Paul

LOL ... see, something ELSE to look forward to! 

Thursday - The 60th Anniversary Winter Dance Party - a first-hand account by FH Reader Jim Nowoc

Friday - Depending on how you react to all of the above, most likely MORE of your comments!

Saturday - Your chance to see Paul Revere's Raiders at the Easter Seals Fundraiser concert (with special guest stars Ronnie Rice and members of The New Colony Six), John Sebastian or The Ides Of March ... get your entries in NOW!!!

Sunday - And on Sunday, we start it all over again, with another WLS Chart ... and THIS one will be followed by a couple more special features on Monday and Tuesday, March 4th and 5th.

BE SURE TO BOOKMARK THIS SITE AND CHECK IT EVERY DAY FOR BRAND NEW POSTINGS ...

OR USE THE SEARCH FEATURE TO CATCH UP ON WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED.

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON HERE IN FORGOTTEN HITS!