Simon And Garfunkel - circa 1966

Long-time Forgotten Hits Reader and frequent contributor Clark Besch sent me this piece quite a while ago .. and it somehow got lost in the shuffle ...

So I'm happy to have stumbled across it again and am proud to share it with you today.

This is Simon and Garfunkel ... at the beginning ... circa 1966. 

I wonder if you would be interested in hearing an interview with Simon & Garfunkel done in early 1966 before a concert in Chicago, by WCFL Chicago DJ Jim Stagg, who traveled with the Beatles on their 1964 tour of the US.  It is QUITE enlightening as to the newfound "10 year overnight success" of the duo. 

Since most of us grew up in the 60's, it will be interesting to see the young stars' philosophies as they make their first trip to Chicago.  WCFL itself was new to top 40 radio, having only installed the format six months previously. 

Among many things, they give unbridled stories of their hitchhiking and trips to England and how stickball gave them their beginnings as a performing duo ten years previous.  You'll hear how they came to record "Sounds of Silence" and their thoughts on it becoming huge after originally being a flop.  "Homeward Bound" was their current single and they mention the folk rock of the day, saying that Sonny & Cher's new one, "What Now My Love," "is a good one."  Altho Paul felt "radio underestimated the hipness of kids," he felt (correctly) that the UK was ahead of the US scene.  He had many songs saved up already at this point and discusses his songwriting "style" and mentions what he WOULD have rather written something other than "Sounds of Silence" if he had been TRYING to make a hit record.  In a fit of future "Emitt Rhodes-ness," Paul does feel stress to write stuff a label wants, but he doesn't care.  He will write what he feels, instead. 

They name some of their favorite songwriters including saying what none of us in February, 1966, here in the US had any idea of:  'Music people' were previously TRYING to make Donovan into the "new Dylan," when in reality, he does great new music in his own style."  HOW TRUE!!!  Soon, "Sunshine Superman" would show us Americans what Paul told us months earlier!!!

With all the talk about how music is physically presented at that time, as opposed to letting the music stand by itself, Paul concedes that maybe it DOES matter what people dress like.  Simon & Garfunkel DO disagree at times, but Art says "no stress."  Wish THAT would have continued!!!  Look at them now.  Then, Art thinks the future is bright and Paul is a bit more conservative saying that at least, it won't be "Eve of Destruction."  Not a big PF Sloan fan, I guess?  Haha

This interview was originally aired in small segments during Jim's afternoon WCFL radio show, so may have never aired in its entirety.  The tape came with this unedited as well as all the edited parts used on the show.   Jim Stagg, IMO, had one of, if not THE BEST, radio voices ever. It's really a great 25 minute interview that is only out there in a small way, as I have the master tape and have shared it only sparingly over the decades.  Hope you enjoy it.

Clark Besch

Thanks, Clark ... a rarity indeed.  Enjoy Simon and Garfunkel ... as they were ... circa 1966. (kk)

  

This piece becomes all the more timely with the news earlier this week that Paul Simon has become the latest celebrity to sell off his music catalog.

While no official price tag has been revealed, it is estimated to be around $200 million and, much like the Bob Dylan deal from a few months back, this transaction gives Sony Music ownership of everything Simon has written to date ... some 450 songs.

Upon hearing the news, one FH Reader asked me if Dylan’s catalog might be more valuable … and, from the vantage point of prestige, it probably is.  However, the REAL value of this material depends on your planned usage of it.

If you’re going to start making your money back thru licensing this music in television advertisements and placement in movies, Simon’s catalog is far more commercial and accessible … hell, his music has been used in movies for YEARS!  (Where would “The Graduate” have been without him?  And that was 1967!!!)

Poor Artie must be seething right now … but that’s the advantage that comes with being the prolific songwriter that Paul Simon is, rather than the angelic vocalist behind so many of those early hits.  

This definitely seems to be the new trend as more and more artists starting hitting the end of the road, making sure their families and loved ones are provided for till the end of time.  (I’ve gotta believe the harsh reality of what something like Covid can do only helped to drive the point home that much harder.)  FH Reader Clark Besch, who prepared today's Simon and Garfunkel piece, quipped that this is now the SECOND time "Graceland" has been sold (referring, of course, to Elvis' Memphis mansion and Paul Simon's landmark recording of the same name.)

Since we're in Spoken Word Format today, here is another one of my all-time favorite Simon and Garfunkel clips, recorded after their official break-up in 1970.  Clearly, the guys were still able to have some fun together, both brightly optimistically at the prospect of what the future may hold under this new, solo direction.  (Talk about going out on a high note ... their final album together, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," was an absolute masterpiece, topping the charts for ten weeks and becoming one of the biggest selling albums of not only 1970, 1971 and 1972, but of all time.)

It's Another Chuck Buell Take-Over!

I pity the fool ... especially on April Fool's Day ... who doesn't enjoy today's CB Extravaganza ... 

A little bit of Chuckfoolery, if you will ...

Now, from our Official In-resident Forgotten Hits Court Jester, here's some Chuck Buell "FHs April Foolishness!"

 

 

 

More Of Your Mid-Week Comments

Hi Kent, 

I loved reading your blog today and seeing a piece on music from across the pond and down under, mate. 

I was eleven years old when my family moved to Melbourne, Australia, in 1992, which is when I first started listening to oldies music on a station called Gold 104. (It’s still on the air today as a much more generic classic hits station that sounds the same as a lot of stations over here.)

Back then, a certain percentage of songs they played had to be from Australian artists. I was hooked on popular bands there like Sherbet (“Howzat”), John Farnham (“Don’t You Know It’s Magic), Axiom (“A Little Ray of Sunshine”) and fifties-sounding band Daddy Cool. I didn’t realize that Ol’ 55’s version of “Looking For An Echo” was a remake of an American song or that songs I heard by American artists such as “Wheelin’ West Virginia” by Neil Sedaka or “Top Forty, News, Weather and Sports” by Mark Dinning weren’t big hits in the States.

I also loved British artists like Cliff Richard, Blue Mink, Hank Marvin and T-Rex that were oldies radio staples then. Although I moved back to the U.S. long ago, I’m still trying to find copies of songs I listened to in Australia. Thankfully, iTunes has made several of them available throughout the years. 

And to show you what people enjoyed overseas back in the 70s, here’s a compilation CD I purchased containing “The Pushbike Song” and “Hot Love,” among others. 

Colin Donahue

It's amazing how the music we grew up with still sticks with us all these 40-50 years later ... which is kinda the whole point behind Forgotten Hits ... no matter where you grew up, there are certain songs and artists that mean a lot to you, even if they didn't make that much of an impact on the world or national charts.  We've featured songs that were Top 20 Hits here in Chicago that other readers had never even heard before ... but have now grown to know and love.  (Many years ago we did a "Show Me Your Hits" / Local Hits series, spotlighting some of the biggest local big city hits that never even made The National Top 50 ... I can't tell you how many new, great discoveries I made just putting that whole series together.)

It's all about the sharing.  Over the years, we've also featured many "It Really Shoulda Been A Hit" features ... and dee jays like Dave The Rave and Sam Tallerico have made it their business to sprinkle in a nice mixture of songs you know ... with songs you should know about.  (That's what keeps things fun and exciting ... and also helps to cut down on some of the excessive overplay SO many songs are still receiving every single day to the point that we keep turning them off when we COULD be discovering something "new."  (kk)

kk, 

I saw you mention that “The Pushbike Song” never charted in Chicago.  That made me pull out my Ron Smith books, to find out if that was true. 

Growing up in Stickney, IL, I heard the song on WCFL.  I even bought the 45 at G. C. Murphy’s in Berwyn after hearing it.  So, although it didn’t chart in Chi-town, it did get played.  I still have the 45.

Tony Waitekus

Both of Chicago’s powerhouse Top 40 stations would give a record a shot by giving it a minimum amount of airplay to see if it caught on with their listeners for a week or two.  WCFL was pretty good about logging each week’s “Premiers,” most of which never really turned into anything substantial on the chart.  (We’ve had a few people who worked for WLS at the time tell us that The Top 20 Records on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey were a pretty good representation of what the records stores were reporting in sales and listener requests were generating … but the bottom half of the survey was often just giving a record, label or promoter a chance to see if they caught on with the listeners.  Even The Beatles charting for two weeks in 1963 with “Please Please Me” was done more so as a favor to the folks at Vee Jay Records.)

Bruce Mattey, currently a member of The New Colony Six and previously a member of The Revelles in the mid-‘60’s, told me that WCFL played their record “Little Girl,” a GREAT piece of ‘60’s Garage Band Music, for about three weeks but it never officially charted either … and I don’t recall ever hearing that one on the radio.  (And I think I would have remembered it ‘cause it’s a real catchy tune!)

That was the way of Top 40 Radio in the ‘60’s … ALWAYS looking for the next big thing, no matter where it might come from.  (kk)

As Joel Whitburn himself might say,

For Those Of You Who Have A Heart For The Charts,

I think you’ll like this brand new article in the new issue of Billboard Magazine.  It spotlights Paul Grein and his Chart Beat column, now celebrating its 40^th Anniversary …

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9547587/chart-beat-40th-anniversary-paul-grein-interview/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily&utm_term=daily_digest

>>>It looks like Keith’s website hasn’t been updated once since we first ran this link back in 2010!!!  But he DOES have some interviews posted from the early 2000’s, including one from WGN, one with Rollye James and one from The Lost 45’s Show.  And, most amazingly, one conducted by none other than Phil Nee, dating back to 2002, who sent us today’s email that inspired today’s ‘60’s FLASHBACK! [Don’tcha just love it when all this stuff ties together?!?!]  This has to predate Phil and I even knowing each other by more than a few years!  (kk) 

Wow!  I had forgotten about that interview. 

I have a few others floating around the internet.  One of my interviews is on a release from Sundazed.  My interview with Bryan McClean of the group Love is my only national release.  I did the interview with him shortly before he died and they wanted to put it on a solo album they put out on him.  My name is also in the fine print of the New Colony Rhino release you mentioned.  I sent them some info and interviews.  I also have a few spares of that cd.  I should try to sell them if they are going for that much! 

I think you and I first began talking in 2007- 2008.  It was shortly after one of the Colony releases and Ray Graffia told me I should get in touch with you.  Our first special, I believe, was the top instrumental countdown in 2009. 

Phil

I love doing your show and the way you incorporate our ideas and countdowns into weekend listening … we’ve done quite a few of these now and it’s always a good time.

I think Ray probably contacted you about us after we ran our month-long tribute to The New Colony Six … which was in 2005 (before we had the website.)  I keep toying with the idea of updating and reposting that series but (as with MOST things in my life, it seems!) I just can’t ever find the time to do the fun stuff.  (I’m still working on reposting the Phil Spector Series!!!  I had set a personal goal of April 1^st for that one … and I’m going to end up missing that date, too!)  kk

Glen Fisher (publisher of The Doo Wop Ramblings Newsletter) was telling us last week about the push to get Johnny Maestro recognized by The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  He had even been talking with Johnny’s brother, Ron Mastrangelo, about it.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work like that.  The Rock Hall has their own agenda and ideas about who does and doesn’t belong.

However, Johnny was, without question, one of the unique greats, with a voice well worth recognition.

Here’s some feedback generated by a recent email from long-time FH Reader Danny Guilfoyle …

Rock and Roll, as most of us know it, has certainly taken many strange detours over the years.

We were lucky to grow up during the original age of rock and roll and Johnny Maestro was right there at the forefront with his first group, The Crests. His incredible lead vocals were heard with this groundbreaking group beginning in 1957. I say groundbreaking because they were the ultimate interracially mixed group, consisting of one Puerto Rican, three African Americans, including one female, and one Italian American.

Beginning as a doo wop group with the classics My Juanita, Sweetest One and Pretty Little Angel, they then released the unforgettable 16 Candles, followed by nine straight Billboard Top 100 chart hits, including The Angels Listened In, Trouble In Paradise and Step By Step.

Johnny also had solo Top 40 releases with What a Surprise and Model Girl.

After a number of releases on various labels, including I’ll Be True with the Tymes, Johnny joined the Del Satins and they, in turn, joined a group called the Rhythm Method to form The Brooklyn Bridge.

Beginning with The Worst That Could Happen, the Brooklyn Bridge sold over 12 million records, including albums, with chart makers Blessed Is The Rain, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Your Husband, My Wife, Welcome Me Love, Day Is Done and Down By The River.

Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge became one of the most sought after self- contained groups ever and continued to perform together until Johnny passed away on March 24, 2010. Freddy Ferrara and Les Cauchi, original members from the Del Satins, have also since passed away.

This man belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as do his groups, the Crests and the Brooklyn Bridge, and yet strangely, he and they HAVE NEVER EVEN BEEN NOMINATED!

How can this be possible?

Many of his contemporaries have stated that he had the best lead voice ever! His career spanned 55 years and his groups never changed the keys of his songs … that’s the amazing voice that he had.

They called Frank Sinatra “The Voice.” Johnny Maestro WAS “The Voice.”

Danny Guilfoyle

He was one in a generation!

bmmroc

I agree, Danny. What can we do to bring this to the attention of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board?

Loren Kroll

I agree this is a travesty, but The Hall has forgotten so many fifties and sixties artists that deserve to be in that, as far as I'm concerned, they stopped being "Rock and Roll" years ago. They are the Popular Music Hall of Fame at best.

Robert Westfall

[Sadly, if this were the case, Johnny Maestro would actually have a FAR better chance of getting in!!! Unfortunately, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame no longer knows what it wants to be … or what criteria it needs to uphold in order to maintain any sense of credibility, something they lost DECADES ago due to their continuous bonehead moves. – kk]

When I worked with Johnny ,he was a great guy. He recorded two songs of mine and his record company asked me to produce an album. Nate, the man I spoke with, had me call him in two weeks.  I called and was told “Nate sleeps with the fishes - he had his hand in the til.“

I decided then perhaps I’d better pass.

Johnny was the best, as were his band mates ... terrific people who I had the pleasure to work with.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Voice!!!

Ferdinand Smith 

Whenever I ask Gene Cornish why so and so is not in the R&R Hall of Fame, he tells me about a rule stating that the induction process requires that the entire group be inducted.  I guess lead vocalists are not considered Hall of Fame material.

Patrick Proietti

[Interestingly enough, a few years back The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame corrected what many felt was an oversight when they previously had inducted Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, James Brown and Gene Vincent WITHOUT their back-up groups, The Comets, The Crickets, The Fabulous Flames and The Blue Caps … so perhaps this is what Gene is referring to.  However, I look at this as proof that The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame CAN overturn some of the ridiculous wrongs they’ve committed over the years by mass-inducting all of their oversights in one, special, “catch-up / make it right” ceremony … and this REALLY needs to be done.  Instead, they seem to prefer to rewrite history by placing equal importance on many of the acts they’ve inducted over the past several years who made little or no substantial, long-lasting contribution to the furtherment of rock and roll music with those who paved the way in the first place. – kk]

Anybody out there remember our whole big book slamming campaign back in 2012 when Irene Brodsky’s book on Johnny Maestro came out?

It was AWFUL!!!  And yet the more we talked about how BAD the book was, the more copies it sold!!!

In fact, Irene got irritated with us because she had to go back to the printer … TWICE … in order to print enough copies to fulfill all of the new orders she was getting thanks to our negative coverage!!!  (It is, without a doubt, one of the WEIRDEST experiences I’ve ever had doing Forgotten Hits!)

This page recaps the bulk of it … and if you hit the “Older Posts” button at the bottom, you’ll find even more … but this was truly one VERY strange series of events!!!

Meanwhile, we LOVE Johnny as much as the next guy out there … but our opinions really do not count in the eyes of The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nominating Committee … it doesn't matter if 100,000 people sign a petition stating his case ... the bottom line is, if they don’t put him on the ballot, he ain’t gettin’ in.  I’m not saying it’s right … I’m just saying that that’s the way it is.  (kk)

Check this out:  https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/search?q=johnny+maestro

And we’ll leave you with this …

One day you are talking about singers having "a sock in the pants."

Today you mention "Fort Dicks," which I assume is really "Fort Dix."

You, my friend, definitely have a groinal area obsession!!!

Thank you -
Steve Sarley

Tuesday This And That

Good Morning, Kent: 

I have to tell you, WKRP was big when I was in college, and the guys in my dorm (and who worked for the campus radio station down at the U of I) went for Bailey Quarters about 3 to 1, from what I remember.  And that includes me.   

Jan Smithers was the clear favorite. 

However, during my time at Weigel, I’ve talked to several staffers who worked with Loni Anderson on various promotions for WKRP, and they have nothing but positive stories about her and how she was a joy to work with.

By the way, we’re doing Fabulous Foursomes to celebrate the first weekend of the fourth month.  So, it’s ABBA through the Young Rascals and lots of people in between this coming weekend.

Rick

Rick O’Dell / Me-TV-FM

This whole Bailey vs. Jennifer thing reminds me a little bit of the Ginger or Mary Ann fantasy from a few years before.  The more obvious, voluptuous, sex symbol fell short both times.  (Well, except for Herb Tarlek’s and Burt Reynolds’ vote, I suppose!)

Be listening this weekend to some of the biggest quartets in music … including that Fab Four a time or two, too, I imagine.  SO many great 4-piece groups in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.  It’s all happening on Me-TV-FM, kicking off at 7 pm on Friday Night.  (kk)

I wish more Chicago '60s groups would make some cool-looking, period-authentic logo or photo T-shirts.  I need more so I can wear 'em to work and befuddle all of the young-un's ...

I ordered one!
https://theshadowsofknightofficial.com/

Mike Markesich

OK, now that one’s pretty cool …

And cheap, too!!! 

Don’t miss out on this great deal (and a way to show your support for our local heroes!!!  (kk)

Speaking of our local heroes …

>>>I love The New Colony Six and I would like to get the greatest hits one with I Confess and all the others. Do you have any idea where I can purchase a copy?

(Kathy from Skokie)

>>>This CD sells for big bucks these days on the collectors’ market. (You’ll find used copies on Amazon and/or eBay, along with something called “The New Colony Six Singles Collection,” which goes for about $25 … not a legitimate release with, I’m told, suspect sound quality … but everything other than their MCA material is there.)  I thought we were pretty close to a deal with Cary Mansfield’s Varese Sarabande label a few years ago regarding putting together a new career-spanning compilation.  (The Rhino CD is an EXCELLENT representation of the band’s best-known tracks … they charted 19 times nationally and eight of those hits made The Top Ten here in Chicago.  It was lovingly put together by New Colony Six Historian Jerry Schollenberger.)  Cary, if you’re out there, let me know if you’d like to revisit this project.  The world is in need of a clean and expansive New Colony Six collection, especially now that some “bonus tracks” have been located.  (kk)

UPDATE:  I picked up a copy of “The New Colony Six Singles Collection” CD I mentioned last week … and the audio isn’t anywhere near as bad as I was led to believe.  (There are some stereo separation issues that could be better … “Treat Her Groovy” in particular … which was also true on the import CD of the same name that came out several years ago … but overall, this is a pretty worthwhile CD to own … especially since the Rhino CD is out of print and fetching much higher bucks on the Internet.  This one can be had for right around $25 thru either Amazon or eBay.  (kk)

>>>"Pushbike Song" by The Mixtures (up 15 spots ... I don't even remember this one!!!  Does anybody else out there recall it?)  kk

"Pushbike Song" was pretty much a clone of Mungo Jerry's "In The Summertime" from the year before. I have an mp3 if you need it.

– Randy Price

Kent:

Indeed, I do remember "The Pushbike Song" by The Mixtures (from Australia.)

No single on that week's Super Chart you presented was bigger in England.

It sounds like it could have been the follow-up to Mungo Jerry's "In The Summertime."  In fact, The Mixtures did release a soundalike cover of the Mungo Jerry smash hit for the Aussie market and theirs spent six weeks at #1 down under. 

Their original,"The Pushbike Song," knocked George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" from its #1 perch in the land down under. In the UK, it was runner up at #2 to Harrison. Mungo Jerry's "Baby Jump" leaped over both of them to claim the UK #1 spot on March 6, 1971.  Mungo Jerry also cut "The Pushbike Song".

Both almost indistinguishable groups' styles have been described as a good time blend of skiffle and jug band music. They were both only one hit wonders in the US. Another fun fact: The Idle Race had a #1 hit in Argentina with "In The Summertime" and it also did well in Germany. This was after Idle Race founder Jeff Lynne left to join Roy Wood in The Move, which later became The Electric Light Orchestra.
Mike Gentry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GOj85_qpKg

This one never charted here in Chicago … thus my unfamiliarity with it.

A #1 European and Australian hit?  Now I’ve REALLY gotta wonder what they were thinking!  (lol) 

Looking at 1971’s UK Best Selling Singles, I’m surprised by quite a few … especially the number of hits recorded by American artists that were covered by someone else over in Great Britain … and, that they were as big as they were!

For example:

“Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep” by Middle of the Road was the THIRD biggest hit of the year!!!  Here in The States, The Mac and Katie Kissoon version only went to #17.

“Hot Love” by T. Rex was a hit here in Chicago … but nationally it stalled at #52 (and #72 in Billboard.)  They also placed on the Year-End Chart with “Get It On” (released as “Bang A Gong” here a year later, where it also performed very well) and “Jeepster,” a somewhat popular album cut.

Then again The New Seekers had the UK hit with Delaney and Bonnie’s “Never Ending Song Of Love and even Benny Hill had a Top 50 Hit with “Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West).”

A far cry from OUR US Year-End Chart (which you’ll see on the Forgotten Hits Webpage on New Year’s Eve!)  kk

Kent,

I am rather surprised to see Tom Jones at the top of the chart, as the song never reached #1 in Billboard, but did reach the top in both Cash Box and Record World - although not the same week. 

Actually, the #1 song in both Cash Box and Record World this week is the song that sits at #2 on the Super Chart, Doesn’t Somebody Want To Be Wanted by The Partridge Family, while Billboard has the Temptations Imagining themselves at #1. 

I know 1971 was the year that my 10-year-old brain began to really pay attention to what was playing on the radio.

Thanks for keeping the oldies alive,

Joe Cantello

I asked Randy Price (who assembled all of The Super Charts) to take a quick look.

I know sometimes, because of the way the point system works, there were songs that reached #1 here that didn’t hit #1 on any of the national charts … a record at #2 on all three charts for example, would beat a song at #1 on one chart, #4 on another and #7 on a third.  Likewise, a track like “Good Vibrations” (the example I always like to use) topped all three national charts … but not on the same week … so it never officially hit #1 on The Super Charts.  (kk)

Randy’s explanation below bears this out …

The April 3 chart stats were as follows:

She's A Lady: #4 BB / #2 CB / #2 RW

Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted: #7 BB / #1 CB / #1 RW

Just My Imagination: #1 BB / #3 CB / #5 RW

So, the Partridge Family's #7 showing in Billboard (after peaking at #6 the week before) prevented them from surpassing Tom Jones on the Super Chart that week.

– Randy Price

So there you have it!

Over the weekend, you mentioned the artist Keith.   

The weekend that we sprang forward, a listener requested the Keith record, 'Daylight Saving Time.'  I was not familiar with it, but it is a pretty good song.  It did make Billboard’s Hot 100. 

After 35 years of doing a show, I can still learn from those in 'radio land.'

Phil - WRCO

“Daylight Savin’ Time” was a minor hit in 1967 … and another one of those had had a wide chart discrepancy between the three trades.  Record World charted it at #59 … but Billboard had it a full 20 places lower at #79 … while it fared even worse in Cash Box, peaking at #85.

Here in Chicago, it was a featured “premier” on WCFL … but never officially charted.  (I do remember Keith being pictured on the front of the WCFL Survey while “98.6” was riding high.)  It looks like it never made the Milwaukee Chart.  (kk)

We did a short piece on Keith back in 2010 …

Here it is again, in ‘60’s FLASHBACK Style …

EVERYBODY knows Keith's Top Ten Hit "98.6" ... it went all the way to #7 back in 1967 ... but Keith also had two OTHER Top 40 National Hits that seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth (and oldies radio) ever since.  

Today we'll feature the first of those ... in fact, THIS one pre-dates "98.6" by about three months.

In September of 1966, Keith (real name James Barry Keefer ... he later legally changed it to Bazza Keefer in 1988, after his mother!) debuted on The Billboard Chart with his first chart single "Ain't Gonna Lie."  It ultimately reached #39 in Billboard and rose to #31 in Cash Box Magazine. (Here in Chicago, it went all the way to #14 so we were QUITE familiar with Keith's earlier work!)

DIDJAKNOW?:  Keith's first two singles featured the background vocals of The Tokens.

Not to be confused with Keith Allison (as was often done back in the day ... Allison was a semi-regular on the hit afternoon television series "Where The Action Is" and the guys even looked a little bit alike), OUR Keith also made several appearances on this Dick Clark-produced program, including shows featuring Forgotten Hits Regular Preston Ritter and The Electric Prunes, the recently-departed Sky Saxon and The Seeds and The Blues Magoos.

Give a listen to "Ain't Gonna Lie" today and see if that doesn't spark a memory or two!!!

Keith's biggest hit may have been called "98.6" but you'll find that there was very little "normal" about his recording career.

Keith went from Top Ten '60's Pop Star, touring with the likes of The Beach Boys, The Hollies and Neil Diamond ... to draft dodger (Keith says it was all just a big misunderstanding ... he thought he was supposed to report at 8:30 am when he was REALLY supposed to be there at 8:30 pm ... or some such confusion ... after being arrested while out on tour, he was ultimately enlisted and served at Fort Dicks, where he said he was put to work "making coffee for generals") ... to part of Frank Zappa's touring band ... all within the span of about six years!!! (An oft-repeated Keith story tells of the time that John Lennon patted him on the back, telling him how much he liked his single "98.6" ... while both men were standing at the urinal peeing!!! lol)

His third and final Top 40 Hit was a remake of a song first written and performed by The Hollies.  "Tell Me To My Face" also reached #31 in Cash Box Magazine and, of his three Top 40 Hits, it's actually my favorite. (In fact, I love EVERY version of "Tell Me To My Face" I've ever heard, including The Hollies' original 1966 LP version as well as Dan Fogelberg's later '70's remake ... recorded with his "Twin Sons Of Different Mothers" partner, Tim Weisberg.)  In fact, as a special Forgotten Hits bonus, we'll feature all three of those recordings here today.

KEITH

 

THE HOLLIES

 

DAN FOGELBERG AND TIM WEISBERG

I've asked Keith several times over the years to say a few words to our Forgotten Hits Readers and bring us up to date on some of his most recent activities. I think we got exactly one response over the past six or seven years ... truth is, he declined to respond to our most recent request, too. Oh well, that's cool ... we'll still plug his website:

While there are no new upcoming performances posted on his website, Keith says he DOES still perform from time to time in various oldies revues.  (You'll even find a 2008 video of Keith performing his biggest hit, "98.6" on his website.)

You can keep up with all of the latest Keith news right here:  http://keith986.com

UPDATE:  It looks like Keith’s website hasn’t been updated once since we first ran this link back in 2010!!!  But he DOES have some interviews posted from the early 2000’s, including one from WGN, one with Rollye James and one from The Lost 45’s Show.  And, most amazingly, one conducted by none other than Phil Nee, dating back to 2002, who sent us today’s email that inspired today’s ‘60’s FLASHBACK!

[Don’tcha just love it when all this stuff ties together?!?!]  kk

Kent, 

Thanks a million for posting Johnny Mathis' version of MISTY. What a good example of rock and roll music; that being the softer side of rock. I immediately thought of other versions that came out through the years. For example, Ray Stevens' version as well as Lloyd Price's version in 1964, which he recorded, I believe, on his own label. And, of course, one mustn't forget Erroll Garner's earlier version before Mathis.

Larry

Johnny’s was the highest charting version … but Ray Stevens’ TOTALLY different take came pretty close … Ray’s version peaked at #14 in 1975 … while Johnny Mathis’ version hit #12 in 1959.  (The Erroll Garner version predates all of them … he wrote the tune, soon to become a jazz standard, for his 1954 album “Contrasts” … but, surprisingly, it never charted as a single.  (A new version by Garner appeared in the Clint Eastwood film “Play Misty For Me” in 1971.)

It was Johnny Mathis who asked that lyrics be written for it … and it quickly became his signature tune.  The song was soon being recorded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald, as well as Bing Crosby, Count Basie, Aretha Franklin, Lesley Gore, Sarah Vaughan and Wes Montgomery.  (Wouldn’t THIS make for a “Wow!” song, coming out of your radio once or twice a year?!?!)  kk

Former Singer / Game Show Host Peter Marshall is celebrating his 95^th birthday today with an online birthday bash.  It all kicks off at 8 pm Eastern Time tonight on Peter’s YouTube Channel.

More info here:  https://theseconddisc.com/2021/03/29/hollywood-squares-host-peter-marshall-celebrates-95th-birthday-tomorrow-march-30-with-all-star-online-party-streaming-debut-of-albums/

I didn’t realize that Peter almost died earlier this year when he contracted Covid-19 … so THIS birthday is ESPECIALLY meaningful.  (Some of the guests appearing look a lot like a Hollywood Squares puzzle!  Lol)

Peter is also an avid animal lover … and donations are being taken to help animals in need.  (Again, check out ALL of the details via the above link.)  kk

And finally, FH Reader’s response to our Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Fan Ballot update yesterday …

>>>Still on top (and I don’t know if I’ll ever understand why) is Fela Kuti  (kk)

Gesundheit!

Clark