If you missed it, here is CBS Sunday Morning’s tribute to
the 75th Anniversary of The Ed Sullivan Show …
>>>I'm not going to give you a review of
the concert, because I know FH correspondent Shelly Sweet-Tufano will be doing
one soon and she does a tremendous job.(Tom Cuddy)
>>>Tom sent us some GREAT photos to
share ... and we're looking forward to receiving Shelley's review of the show.(kk)
Oh boy! No pressure here!
I will just shrug off the expectations for now
and thank you both for the support.
While you are waiting for Happy Together
(which is coming later on), I better get to work on the reviews from this
weekend. The fun has never ended for me.
Shelley
Look for a new review from Shelley on The Fab Four later in the week! (kk)
A cool shot from FH Reader Timmy of Big Al’s, circa 1970 …
Happy Birthday, Sir Paul!
Bill Hayes
I was surprised to see Paul McCartney’s new photograph book
plugged on the same episode of CBS Sunday Morning as the Ed Sullivan 75th
anniversary!(kk)
Hi
there Kent,
You’ve
covered some great topics lately!
I am
so glad that the topic of Reunion's 1974 hit Life Is A Rock, (But The Radio
Rolled Me) has come up. First of all, it was truly fascinating to hear
Oo-ga-cha-ga Buell's fascinating version of the song when he was at the big 610
KFRC in San Francisco. That naturally led to the presenting of the two
Chicago versions of the song, which were truly fascinating to listen to and
enjoy. Now I'm wondering how many other radio stations played custom
versions of the song. I wonder if WABC
played
an alternate version of the song, or perhaps 99X, WXLO was the station that may
have had a custom version created in the big apple. I want to try and
find as many versions of the song that have been altered for radio stations as
possible.
In my
hometown of Columbus, Ohio, at the time, neither WCOL or WNCI FM did
anything
to alter the song. They just played it.
In
Hartford, Connecticut, on the other hand, WDRC's legendary Production Director
Charlie Parker put together a production where he recited the lyrics of each
verse of the song with some rather haunting background music. When I
visited the station in 1979, one of the production people at the station told
me that the music itself was called Reunion.
Charlie
Parker added an extra verse, mentioning as many names of the current and former
WDRC disc jockeys as possible, and since he wasn't singing it, it didn't have
to fit the tune. Incidentally, each time the chorus came up, that was
dubbed into the production.
Now,
Larry brought up a topic that has fascinated me ever since I learned about this
being done back in 1976. In issue #11 of American Airchecks Magazine
dated October 8, 1976, and ironically narrated by Shadoe Stevens, there was a
special profile done on CKLW. Amidst the early aircheck fragments from
prior to the Drake format that was
presented,
was a small portion of the song I Dreamed I Was In Hillbilly Heaven by Tex
Ritter. The very beginning of the song is presented, and then it is
telescoped to where the names of the then current CKLW disc jockeys are heard.
They included John Gordon, Bud Davies, Joel Van, Dave Shafer, Tom Shannon and
Ron Noles.
Then,
my girlfriend at the time told me that both WCOL and WTVN in Columbus, Ohio,
had special versions of the song which they both played on the air. Like
you, I am not at all clear if these versions of the song were pressed on record
for the public to buy, or if they were just played on the air from tape.
But I would love to get as many versions of this song as possible, but after
all this time, I probably won't find too many of them.
I
remember trying to find all 28 Atlantic singles of High School U.S.A. by Tommy
Facenda and I was off to a good start. I had the Virginia, New York City,
Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Minneapolis St. Paul,
Cleveland, Ohio, the San Francisco and Los Angeles versions. But I still
had a long way to go when I learned that all 30 versions, including the rare
original LaGrande label version which sounds very different from the versions
on Atlantic, were released on CD. Anyway, what fascinating topics coming
up here of late.
I
just want to add my shock and concern about Jack's stroke. It's always very sad
to hear about something like this and I just hope everyone's prayers will be
powerful enough along with his will to live, that will pull him through
this. I know he will be a long time in recovery, but I just wish him the
best, and I pray for strength for his wife Laura to get through this ordeal as
well.
Sam
Ward
Thanks for the kind words … I know we are all pulling for a
speedy recovery for Jack … and I hope he’ll soon be submitting the latest rock
and roll death notices again (although the very thought that ANYONE would be
looking forward to these is pretty scary unto itself!!!)Still, it’s all part of the circle of life …
and a lot of these aren’t widely reported in the media otherwise, short of the
really big names … so we will continue to do our part to let you know as some
of our favorites continue to leave us.
These “unique” versions were often created by the radio
stations themselves so likely were never pressed to vinyl … you’d almost have
to find airchecks from this era from these particular stations in order to
build a collection.(Tex Ritter, however
went in and recorded special versions to be aired on some of the bigger
stations around the country … and the Tommy Facenda idea was VERY unique for
its time.I guess it was only the
“national” version that was allowed to chart … which kinda makes sense.)kk
Hey Kent,
I hope all is well. Thought I'd ask if you
wouldn't mind doing a shameless plug for my new book. It's about American rock
group cameos on scripted U.S. TV. It combines '60s music with classic TV, two
topics I'm sure are dear to readers of Forgotten Hits. It's available online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble,
and the publisher, BearManor Media.It’s
a rather slim book … but it's as complete as far as including every
appearance I'm aware of.
Maybe some Forgotten Hits
readers can clue me in on appearances I haven't documented yet. Can we make it
interesting and state that anybody that shares info on a cameo I'm not aware of
will receive a free copy of the book from me? The caveat is that the appearance
had to feature an American ROCK GROUP on a U.S. scripted show, not solo
artists or duos. In other words, acts like Sonny & Cher, Lesley Gore, Neil
Diamond and the Righteous Brothers -- all who made cameos -- aren't included.
Some of the groups included in the book are obscure even by Forgotten Hits'
standards!
Let me know, please. And
Happy Father's Day!
Mike Dugo
Love
the title … “Rock And Role”!!!
VERY
happy to pass the information … the challenge and the offer along!
Here
is a quick order link if you’d like to check out a copy!(kk)
Although I have remained quiet here
on "Forgotten Hits," I’m still vertical and enjoy your gifted
presentations to us pioneer connoisseurs of the greatest music ever made. Just
a reminder that "Davie Allan & The Arrows" has a website:http://www.davieallan.com … and he will sign every CD at great prices for any fans who
wish to fill up their spot with additional music from the "King of
Fuzz" in the place where they have his other stuff or why not start one
now if one hasn't got his works.
"Melodicgrunge" is a form
of musical art that only Davie Allan has rightful ownership of and he
absolutely delivers it with finesse and execution. It is tonic for the troops
and is a musical vacation from this current time of chaos. Turn off the news
and put on headphones and ride each note to melodic adventures. Escape to the
"Fuzzitorium!" Works for me.
Thanks for your caring and dedicated
service ...
Vibramutant
Word is Bruce Springsteen has a second album of soul covers
ready to come out … eighteen more track to follow his “Only The Strong Survive”
release.No official release date has
been announced.(kk)
We had a great time in the Great White North. Stops at the
Motown Museum, crossing the border and to Windsor the first day. The
second in Toronto seeing the city on the hop on / hop off tour bus. The
third day Lighthouse and the fourth and final day Niagara Falls
Ontario!!
And now for the concert!
It was everything I could
have wanted and more. Lighthouse has not skipped a beat since I fell in
love with “One Fine Morning.” The lead singing has been handled by Dan
Clancy. He is one hell of a singer and more then capable of filling the
shoes of the late great Bob McBride. And the moves ... wow! Mick Jagger
does not have anything on Dan!
The band is a force of nature! Marc
Ganetakos has taken over the guitar slinging duties. Ralph Cole retired
at the end of 2022, but during his tenure with Lighthouse did not EVER
miss a performance. The great Paul Hoffert is one of the co-founders of
the band, playing organ and vibes. You could tell how much he loves the
music and uses his hands to help express the meaning of the lyrics. Paul
is backed up by Don Paulton and on bass we have Doug Moore. And on the
horn section, we have youngster and original member Russ Little, who is
only 81 (Trombone.) Russ was recalling me with his tales in Chicago with
the Woody Herman Band! Rounding out the horn section is Simon
Wallis (Baritone Sax), Chris Howells (Trumpet) and Michael Stuart (Sax).
All are superb musicians!
During the intermission I mentioned
to the photographer that we came all the way from Chicago for the concert
and asked if the band would be signing autographs after the concert?
She took my CD and said I will have all of them sign it. She asked my
name and who are you with? I mentioned I was with my girlfriend, Laura.
Much to my surprise, after intermission Dan mentioned we have visitors
from all the way from Chicago, Mike and Laura. How cool is that?!!!?
After the show we stayed and chatted and took pics with the band
members. We had a wonderful time!!
I know Lighthouse only had
one major hit One Fine Morning and two minor hits here ... Sunny Days and
Pretty Lady. But if you would delved into their albums, you would find
excellent compositions. Of course, all three were played at the concert . Also featured were 1849 (a song about the gold rush), Remember The Times (nostalgic tale of
being a youngster), Rockin' Chair (an old lady grooving to her wireless)
and many more.
If you like Chicago, The Ides of March in
concert, Chase and Blood, Sweat and Tears, I strongly urge you to check them out. Their
videos are on You Tube and we witnessed a splendid 50 years of Sunny Days and Lighthouse
reunion at Ontario Place,Toronto.
Check them out!!! Pics and videos are attached.
Mike and Laura
As you mentioned, Lighthouse had THREE hits that made the US National Top 40 (plus another that just missed) ... but you've got to look beyond the Billboard Charts to find them.
"One Fine Morning" peaked at #13 in Record World in 1971 (#16 in Cash Box but only #24 in Billboard.)
"Take It Slow (Out In The Country)" had an even bigger spread, hitting #41 in Record World but only peaking at #64 in Billboard.
"Sunny Days" was a #29 Record World hit (and reached #34 in Billboard)
And "Pretty Lady" (which gets more airplay NOW than it did when it was first released in 1973) went to #31 in Cash Box but only climbed to #53 in Billboard. (I totally don't get that one, since it also reached #33 in Record World. And, it's a GREAT song!!!)
On the Canadian Charts, CHUM credited them with five Top 40 Hits:
"If Ever There Was A Time" (#24, 1969); "Hats Off (To The Stranger)," #27, 1971; "One Fine Morning" (#13, 1971); "Sunny Days" (#10, 1972) and their biggest hit, "Pretty Lady" (6, 1973)
Mike sent us pictures of himself with Dan Clancy, Paul Hoffert and Russ Little ... and a few really cool videos as well.
Missing in action was "Pretty Lady" ...
And we just couldn't let THAT happen!!!
Thanks, Mike and Laura for the great review, photos and videos! (kk)
Check this out ...
They even got a letter back from Dan Clancy after they sent him copies of the photos and video!
Hello Mike and Laura!
We are so humbled and honoured by your kind words ...
Thank you for these pictures and the video clips as well!
And thank you so much for taking the time to make the long trip to Peterborough, ON., to hear the band.
We are hopeful that we will meet again soon; and possibly closer to you
and your friends, and spend more time with you both afterwards.
Until then, we wish you good health and a fun summer ahead!
Thanks again and our best wishes,
Dan, the guys in the band, and Brenda (our manager)
Tell you what ...
If Lighthouse made their way to Chicago, that just might be a show we'd have to see ...
I was at the same Happy Together Tour concert at Westbury (NY) Music Fair last weekend as reader Charles Rosenay, so I enjoyed seeing the terrific pictures he shared with you and FH readers.
I've included some additional pics for you taken at different angles, to give readers a taste of what they have to look forward to as the tour travels the USA all summer.
The tour this summer features:
The Turtles
Little Anthony (for the first time)
Gary Puckett
The Cowsills
The Classics IV
The Vogues
I'm not going to give you a review of the concert, because I know FH correspondent Shelly Sweet-Tufano will be doing one soon and she does a tremendous job.
But here are an assortment of TOM'S TIDBITS that came to mind as I enjoyed the annual 60s concert party!
-- In previous incarnations of the Happy Together tour, Gary Puckett would refer to it as "the Seniors Tour," and kid he was the oldest member of the tour. He's now 80.
Now, the crown for the oldest performer of the night goes to Little Anthony at 82.
At a time when it's getting harder and harder for the tour organizers to track down original lead singers from the 60s who can still sing and are able to tour for 50-60 one nighters, I was thinking they should go after Tommy Roe. He still sounds incredible and has returned to performing recently. (I've seen him on TV)
Tommy is a youthful, spry 81!
-- It's been noticeable in recent years that original Turtles member Mark Volman has been struggling a bit on stage. He and the band make jokes about it, but at Westbury he was not able to remember every member of his band to introduce them (even though he had a piece of paper in his hand.)
Now that Mark has disclosed this past week to the public that he's fighting Lewy Body Dementia, we know why. Some concert-goers thought it was just old age.
Mark's a fighter and wants to stay active. He has the support of all his buddies on stage and behind the scenes. I wish him all the best with his health challenges.
-- They were selling Mark's new paperback biography, "Happy Forever," at the venue. Mark mentioned "You can buy them before the official release date. They're in the lobby." Then, one of the band members kicked in "Yes, please buy them, because we have boxes of them on the bus, and we'd like to get the space back!"
-- Legendary radio/TV personality Shadoe Stevens is again the voice of the Happy Together Tour, with his pre-recorded introductions for each artist. He's been a friend of the Turtles since the Flo and Eddie days.
Great news for Shadoe this past week. The National Radio Hall of Fame nominated him as one of 24 talents being considered for induction this November. Eight hundred members of the radio industry will receive ballots this week and six broadcasters will be voted in for induction.
Good luck to former American Top 40 host Shadoe Stevens!
-- The version of the Classics IV that appears is headed by lead singer Tom Garrett. Before original lead singer Dennis Yost died in 2008, he passed the baton on to Tom, who made a deal with Dennis and his wife Linda to use the name going forward.
-- Original Barry Manilow Producer, lead singer of the Archies & the Cuff Links and a FH reader, Ron Dante, was again handling the Turtles lead vocals, for retired from touring original Howard Kaylan. No one would guess Ron is 77 years old. He is youthful, energetic and amazing on stage. Plus,
vocally he delivers the hits just like you remember them on the radio!
-- Tom Cuddy
New York, NY
Tom sent us some GREAT photos to share ... and we're looking forward to receiving Shelley's review of the show.
We're hearing great things about this year's tour ... so keep sending us your comments as you see the show once it hits your area. (kk)
THE COWSILLS:
TOM GARRETT of THE CLASSICS IV
THE VOGUES
GARY PUCKETT
LITTLE ANTHONY
MARK VOLMAN of THE TURTLES
RON DANTE
I would LOVE to see Tommy Roe take part in The Happy Together Tour ... he'd make a GREAT addition to the line-up, mixing things up quite a bit. I have also suggested Lou Christie several times in the past ... Lou is ALSO still in fine voice and would bring a nice new dimension to the sound.
The issue may be that Tommy and Lou are not Paradise Artists ... but I really think something should be worked out to give fans to see a few "new" faces each year ... especially now that Chuck Negron and Mark Lindsay have kind of put a halt to their touring days. (Make no mistake ... it is a grueling pace ... and nobody's getting any younger ... audience members included!!!)
Just some thoughts on shaking up the line-up that we have shared several times over the years. (kk)
The “Life Is A Rock” discussion seemed to click with a few folks on the
list.
Those rapid fire lyrics were extremely clever … it rocked
thru the history of rock and roll in a fun way that “American Pie” only touched
on by way of disguise.(Actually,
shouldn’t Joey Levine get credit as one of the earliest examples of rap???)
The full lyrics are printed below … but the isolated vocal
sent in by Clark Besch is certainly a helpful tool as well.
LYRICS
B.B. Bumble and the Stingers, Mott the Hoople,
Ray Charles Singers
Lonnie Mack and twangin' Eddie, here's my ring, we're goin' steady
Take it easy, take me higher, liar liar, house on fire
Loco-motion, Poco, Passion, Deeper Purple, Satisfaction
Baby baby, gotta gotta, gimme gimme, gettin' hotter
Sammy's cookin', Lesley Gore, Ritchie Valens, end of story
Mahavishnu, Fujiyama, Kama Sutra, Rama Lama
Richard Perry, Spector, Barry, Righteous, Archies, Nilsson Harry
Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko Bop it, Fats is back and Finger Poppin'
Life is a rock
But the radio rolled me
Gotta turn it up louder
So my DJ told me
(Woo-woo)
Life is a rock
But the radio rolled me (Life is a rock)
At the end of my rainbow (Woo-woo, life is a rock)
Lies a golden oldie
FM, AM, hits are clickin' while the clock is
tock-a-tickin'
Friends and Romans, salutations, Brenda and the Tabulations
Carly Simon, Noddy Holder, Rolling Stones, centerfolder
Johnny Cash and Johnny Rivers, can't stop now, I got the shivers
Mungo Jerry, Peter Peter, Paul and Paula, Mary Mary
Dr. John the Nightly Tripper, Doris Day and Jack the Ripper
Gotta go so, gotta swelter, Leon Russell, Gimme Shelter
Miracles in Smokey places, slide guitars and Fender basses
Mushroom omelet, Bonnie Bramlett, Wilson Pickett, stomp and kick it
Life is a rock
But the radio
Life is a rock
But the radio, woo
(Woo-woo-woo)
(Woo-woo-woo)
Arthur Janov primal screamin', Hawkins Jay and
Dale and Ronnie
Kukla, Fran and Norman Okla, Denver John and Osmond Donny
J.J. Cale and ZZ Top and L.L. Bean and De De Dinah
David Bowie, Steely Dan, sing it prouder, C.C. Rider
Edgar Winter, Joanie Sommers, Ides of March, Johnny Thunders
Eric Clapton, pedal wah-wah, Stephen Foster, doo-dah, doo-dah
Good Vibrations, Help Me Rhonda, Surfer Girl and Little Honda
Tighter tighter, honey honey, sugar sugar, yummy yummy
CBS and Warner Brothers, RCA and all the others
Life is a rock
But the radio rolled me (Life is a rock)
Gotta turn it up louder (Woo-woo, life is a rock)
So my DJ told me (Life is a rock)
(Whoa-whoa, whoa-whoa)
Life is a rock
But the radio rolled me (Life is a rock) yeah
At the end of my rainbow (Woo-woo)
Lies a golden oldie
(Woo-woo, woo-woo, woo-woo-woo)
Listen, remember, they're playin' our song
(Woo-woo, woo-woo, woo-woo-woo)
Rock it, sock it, Alan Freed me, Murray
Kaufman tried to lead me
Fish and swim and Boston Monkey, make it bad and play it funky
(I wanna take you higher)
Freddie King and Albert King and B.B. King and
frolicking
Get it on and not to worry, Pappalardi, Hale and Hearty, yes
(Baby, baby, baby, Light My Fire)
(Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music)
There's a perfect more than you would carry,
words of Randy Newman
1-2-3, so long, Sophie, Anita, Freda
Aretha
(I wanna take you higher)
(Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music)
Tito Puente, Buffalongo, Cuba, War and even
Mongo
Lay it down, while it's hurtin', Herbie's Brass
(Baby, baby, baby, Light My Fire)
(Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music)
(Baby, Everything is Alright, Uptight, Outta Sight)
Whoa
California, Beatlemania, New York City,
Transylvania
S&G, V&C, Bobby Vee and SRO, yeah
(Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music)
(Baby, Everything is Alright, Uptight, Outta Sight)
Funny to see The Ides Of March mentioned in this song … many
years later, Jim Peterik would write a similar tune spotlighting all of the
great One Hit Wonders using a similar rapid-fire set of very clever lyrics.
Scott Childers sent us the official WLS version that
competed with the WCFL track we featured on Friday.
Kent,
In discussing Reunion's record
and DJ's names being inserted in it, the only time I remember that happening
here in OKC was in 1961 when country artist Tex Ritter came out with I DREAMED
I WAS IN HILLBILLY HEAVEN (Capitol). The 6 or 7 DJ's working for WKY-AM had
their names somehow inserted towards the end when Tex Ritter started off naming
country artists he soon would be in Hillbilly Heaven. Now whether or not that
was released on 45rpm, I don't know or remember. I know I don't have a copy if
it was.
Larry
I seem to remember a discussion of this several years ago
where several radio stations recorded their own versions of this song for local
airplay, naming “locals” in their revamped lyrics … and it was their own unique
versions that were making their local charts, rather than the national hit by
Tex Ritter, which still managed a Top 20 Pop charting on its own.(kk)
UPDATE:In fact, I
found this posting from 2013 … TEN YEARS AGO ALREADY! … initiated by YOU,
Larry!!!With Clark Weber, a WLS Jock at
the time, chiming in about their own unique version of “Hillbilly Heaven” …
>>>I don't know if it made your charts
in your area back in 1961, but Tex Ritter's recording of I DREAMED I WAS IN
HILLBILLY HEAVEN made it into our top 10 locally here in OKC.Incidentally, Tex Ritter remade his HILLBILLY
HEAVEN when he was in OKC but used the names of local DJ's who were working
here in the city instead of the western actors and singers that were in the
original. Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of that record. Don't really know
how many copies were pressed.Keep up
the good work.(Larry)
>>>I seem to remember Tex recording
"customized" versions of "Hillbilly Heaven" for a number of
different radio stations at the time ... a long, lost art in record
promotion. (In fact, I'm know there's a Chicago version floating around out
there somewhere, too ... we featured it ages ago in Forgotten Hits.)
Ritter's Top 5 Country Hit peaked at #20 on Billboard's Pop Chart in 1961 ...
and went all the way to #7 here in Chi-Town. (kk)
>>>Hi Kent; Thanks for the memory
jolt. At the time, that was a brilliant move on the part of Capitol records.
While it was a huge hit on the country charts, there was just no way we would
have played the song on 'LS. However, by adding our names to the lyric, we did
just exactly that! Now Gene Taylor, Art Roberts, Sam Holman and Mort Crowley
are indeed gone. Sorta spooky! (Clark Weber)
Yep, a brilliant marketing move ... and WLS
played it all the way to #7!!! Who would have guessed! (kk)
Yep, that’s what an old warped record sounds
like, recorded off the radio!(lol)kk
I saw this posted
about 10 hours ago.
No comment from me ... kind of numb.
Shelley
THE GRIM REAPER TRIED TO COME FOR JACK; JACK APPEARS TO HAVE WON
THIS ROUND
This is Laura, Jack’s wife (yes, someone married Jack) and he gave
permission for this to be posted for those family member, friends, random
celebrities and porn bots who I haven’t had a chance to contact.
Early Tuesday morning Jack had a hemorrhagic stroke.Apparently, this is some really bad
shit.As in medical people looking a me
carefully while they use terms like “really bad.”As in life flight to the nearest neuro ICU
bad.
Through it all, Jack was awake, he was talking he was … making as
much sense as he ever makes, he was singing Bohemian Rhapsody (we caught “Mama,
just had a stroke / (unintelligible) / That’s no joke”)
Today he was moved to an ICU step-down room.He went from a doubtful “may survive” on
Tuesday to a more positive “probably will survive” on Thursday to “not in
immediate danger” on Friday.
He is not emerging from this unscathed.He will have to spend time in a rehab
facility.He can’t move his left arm –
not great for a guitar player – and can barelymove his left leg.Hi speech is
sometimes hard to understand.He has
moments where he insists it is the year 2525.He has head and neck pain that is currently only controlled by basically
knocking him out.How much any of this
will improve is unknown.
BUT Jack is still in there … and he’s still able to communicate
that … and that is what I am holding on to.
And, by the way, that whimpering you hear off in the corner?That’s The Grim Reaper bent over double,
clutching his balls.
--Laura
Yes, Jack no sooner took over the Forgotten
Hits Dr. Death Duties than had an incident of his very own.Laura contacted me earlier in the week
privately and said that Jack had had a stroke and just asked that I keep it
personal for the time being as they were only letting close friends and family
know what was going on.
I’ve known Jack for about 45 years and as
many of us have come to feel over the course of the past 25 years of doing
Forgotten Hits, we have truly become part of a “family” of readers and
contributors.They say it takes a
village … and I know that the millions of you who have read Forgotten Hits over
the past 25 years have brought great joy and vindication into MY life … which,
hopefully has spread into the lives of all the others who have taken part over
those past 25 years.And the coolest
part of all is the fact that I never had to ask any of you to drink to cool
aid!You came along and participated of
your own free will, which makes this all especially heartfelt for me.
We certainly wish Jack a healthy and speedy
recovery … he’s had some major health issues over the past several years and this
is one major set-back he really didn’t need.But I am SO pleased to see that he has kept his sense of humor about it
and his wits are still intact.(I won’t
really start to worry until he tells me that The Beatles were the greatest rock
band to ever come along … then I’ll know he’s truly lost it!)
From Laura’s original note:
Kent,
Jack had a stroke two days ago. Although he is not out of the
woods, the doctors seem to feel he will pull through, although he will be in
the hospital and then rehab for quite some time. But, to put it in Jack
terms: The Grim Reaper came for Jack; Jack kicked the Grim Reaper in the
balls.
--Laura, Jack's Aging Trophy Wife
Hang on in there, buddy!(kk)
We heard from several readers who reminded us that Casey
Kasem has also famously been diagnosed with Lew Body Dementia, which is
currently affecting Mark Volman of The Turtles.
In fact, FH Reader Joe Cantello told us …
Kent,
Just to let you know, Casey Kasem was
also diagnosed with Lew Body, which is what contributed to his death in 2014.
Casey passed on Father's Day (June 15, 2014.)
Regards,
Joe Cantello
Marietta, Ga
Wow … almost exactly nine years ago from this year’s Father’s
Day (today)
A great loss … and an even greater embarrassment the way his
family turned his body into a real-life Elf On The Shelf game there for awhile!(kk)
How many copies of The Beatles’ White Album do you own?
Here’s another sneak-peek at Dolly Parton’s new rock album …
This time around she covers the Heart classic tune “Magic
Man” … with a little help from Ann Wilson along the way …
Hi, Kent ...
While reading some miscellaneous stuff on the Net about the Beatles, it struck
me that over all the years that I've had that Peter Knight & His Orchestra
version of the "Sgt. Pepper" album, I STILL haven't read or heard one
word regarding the use of those "modified" photos of radio (and TV)
personalities which are strewn all over the cover. I'm assuming it's
because the LP wasn't very good, and obviously didn't sell.
Clark Weber told me, personally, that Mercury Records did NOT receive permission
to use those pictures.
I'd love to make contact with someone who was working for Mercury Records here
in Chicago during that time period, and possibly get some insider info.
It'd be interesting to make contact with 1960s-era radio listeners from the east
and west coasts to see who else we might identify in that picture. I know
there are DJs from the NYC area, but I'm not familiar with them - except I
believe one of them is "Cousin Brucie" Morrow.
As I mentioned earlier, it appears that Vicki Lawrence was not amused by her
being pictured.
Wondered if you'd received any other comments regarding that LP since we last discussed
it.
Mike Nobody seems to
know anything for sure about the origins of this release … an unusual find for
sure … but we’ll run it again because new people are discovering Forgotten Hits
all the time.
If anybody out there can shed any insight as to how this
cover photograph came to be, we’d love to hear from you!(kk)
Billboard Magazine recaps the best moments from last week’s
Songwriters Hall Of Fame Awards, where Gloria Estefan, Jeff Lynne and Glenn
Ballard were inducted, among others.
Jeff Lynne was inducted by Joe Walsh, who opened the show by
performing ELO’s big hit “Don’t Bring Me Down,” explaining that he HAD to come
to New York when he overheard his wife say that Jeff Lynne was being indited!!!(Funny stuff!)Lynne produced Walsh’s latest album (which I
guess I’m now going to have to give a listen to!)Afterward, Jeff himself performed the ELO
classic “Mr. Blue Sky.”
Gloria Estefan’s performance was equally moving and exciting
… the Billboard story below gives you all the highlights.(I'm hoping there's video of this on YouTube!) kk
Paul McCartney’s been out making the rounds, promoting his
new book of photographs, taken during The Beatles’ first trip to America in
1964 (as well as several stops in Europe.)
He did a brief interview with Conan O’Brien … and soon will
do a one-on-one with Stanley Tucci, which is available as a pay per view
televised event.
The photos were long believed to have been lost to the sands
of time … but once he found them Paul realized that he was capturing
Beatlemania at its absolute peak … a time when he came to realize that his band
and finally made it … and were going to be more than just a flash in the pan success.
(Jack Levin … if you’re agreeing with me, thank you for finally coming to your
senses … but I’m worried about you!!!Lol)
From Mark Lapidos, curator of The Fest For Beatles Fans …
My copy arrived
last Friday and the book was even better than I anticipated. Ringo wasn't the
only budding photographer in the band!! The book of photos starts in late 1963
and finishes up in Miami, February, 1964. Apparently Paul had some extra money
(!) and bought some rolls of COLOR film for Miami!! The photos are terrific and
almost all of them have captions from Paul's recollections.Lots of photos of the FABS, plus a whole lot
more (Billy J, Cilla, Brian, Neil, Mal, Freda, fans, etc.)It puts that insane short time span that
changed the world, into a better perspective. And that was not an easy task
considering how much has been written and documented from that time period! I
highly recommend it.
Mark
Dorothy Ann, a long-time Fest Attendee, took this photo of Paul
as he headed into Tribeca to do the Conan interview … man, he looks good!(kk)
From Tom Cuddy … now this sounds like it would have been a
great show to see!
And Harvey Kubernik reminds us that this weekend marks the
56th Anniversary of the very first Monterey International Pop Festival
… and what a line-up it was!
Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, The Who, The Mamas and the
Papas, Janis Joplin, The Association, Johnny Rivers, Booker T. and the MG’s,
The Steve Miller Band, Simon and Garfunkel, The Grateful Dead, Eric Burdon and
the Animals (who commemorated the event in song), Scott McKenzie (who forever
immortalized John Phillips’ lyrics about wearing flowers in your air, if you’re
going to San Francisco!), Moby Grape, Ravi Shankar and many more.
Goes To Sirius XM’s ‘50’s Gold, who played Edd “Kookie”
Byrnes 1959 Top Five Smash “Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb” … a TRUE novelty
hit capitalizing on the popularity of Byrnes and his “77 Sunset Strip” costar
Connie Stevens (who did more singing on the record that Byrnes did!)Stevens would have her own Top Five Hit a year
later when she recorded “Sixteen Reasons.”(kk)
Your wonderful website blog is
still a daily visit for me. Thanks for all your efforts to keep the music
alive!
This morning I heard 1974's
"Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)" on our wonderful
over-the-air (and streaming) WDGY . I bought the 45 when it came out, since I
had a real love for "novelty" songs.
I googled the lyrics to see what
I've been missing all these years. Crazy stuff!
I also found this little bit of
info about the song, and was wondering if it had come up before on the
blog:
"In 1974, radio station
KFRC in San Francisco also aired a specially tailored take on the song:
"Life Is a Rock, but KFRC Rolled Me" with an extra verse naming all
of the station's then-current personalities. The verse was sung by KFRC's
afternoon personality, Chuck Buell."
Sorry if this has already been
discussed and I missed it.
But if it hasn't ...
Cough it up, CB! We want
to hear it!
-Mike Lane
Minneapolis
Wow - that’s a new one on me! I’ll have to ask him.
Here in Chicago, both WLS and WCFL aired versions with their
call letters inserted into the lyrics (where “and the radio” was) - Super ‘CFL’s
sounded better as it was a more natural fit - but I’d never heard about
the deejays names being inserted before - will ask Chuck so we can all check it
out.(kk)
Yes, the Special KFRC Version of the Forgotten Hit
"Life Is A Rock" with the names of our then On-Air Lineup is a
creation I came up with, wrote and "sang" within the original song!
Here's the video of that, with the complete
rendition of the song as heard many times on the "Big 610" in
1974. The verse appears at about 1:45 in complete with individual promo
photos of the team and then again quickly at the end.
Thanx for inquiring, Mike! It was a Fun
Project to do and to hear throughout the San Francisco Air! And
Fun for me to hear again today, too!
Appreciatively,
The Artist Formerly Known as "Oogah Chuckah
Buell!"
I think a lot of radio stations dubbed their call letters
into the lyrics … which probably made the song more popular than it really
was!(lol)
It went to #1 on WLS, stopping at #4 across the river at
WCFL here in Chicago … and peaked at #7, 8 or 9 nationally, depending on if you
were checking the Cash Box, Billboard or Record World Charts.
(I remember when the record first came out WLS ran the
lyrics on the back of one of their weekly surveys so that listeners could sing
along Chipmunk-style with the record!)kk
JR Russ, who runs the great WCFL Chicago site, sent us this clip of the WCFL version ... in stereo no less!!! (Thanks, JR!) kk
WCFL Chicago is more than just a tribute site ...
Give them a listen ... a great mix of music along with vintage clips from the station's hey-day ... http://www.wcflchicago.com/
More on Mark Volman, valiantly out touring as part of The
Happy Together Tour as his disclosure to People Magazine makes headlines around
the world …
Mark Volman has been a long-time friend of Forgotten Hits …
so we were naturally quite distressed to learn of his condition.Apparently first diagnosed in 2020 (after
experiencing, in his own words, “hallucinations, tremors and struggles
with concentration,” it was determined that Mark has Lewy Body Dementia.
Although I will admit to never having heard
of this condition before today, Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is actually the second
most common form of degenerative dementia after Alzheimer’s, affecting an
estimated 1.4 million people in the US alone.It is defined as a progressive brain disorder that affects thinking, memory
and movement.It is, in fact, the
same illness that comedian Robin Williams and business mogul Ted Turner were
diagnosed with toward the end of their lives.
Despite this situation, Volman, is
busying himself by promoting his new book and partaking in the annual Happy
Together Tour, something that will keep him busy for the next several months
ahead.
He knows what the future holds … and just
wants to make the most of the “right now” … and who can fault him for that!(Turtles partner Howard Kaylan stopped
touring years ago due to health issues, which is why Ron Dante has been the
lead voice of The Turtles for several years now during the Happy Together
concerts.
“I got hit by the knowledge that this was going to create a
whole new part of my life. And I said, ‘OK, whatever’s going to happen will
happen, but I’ll go as far as I can.’
In the meantime, pick up a copy of Mark’s book … and go out
and see him concert.(The tour runs
throughout the summer with an extensive list of stops along the way.)kk
I must admit that I, too, have mixed feelings about AI technology
in music, but I am anxious to hear this new John Lennon song whenever it becomes
available.
Thanks again Kent for all your hard work,
Sam Ward
A couple more public screenings of the Dick Biondi
documentary have been announced as Pam Pulice takes her film on the road.
If you live near Hobart, Indiana, you can catch the show on
Sunday, June 25th …
Our next big SNEAK
PREVUE is in INDY!
Join us Sunday afternoon, June 25th, for an afternoon of radio and
rock n' roll nostalgia at the Hobart Art Theatre in Hobart, IN,
hosted by Tom Lounges Entertainment & Tom Lounges Record Bin. Doors
open at 1:00 PM Central with an open bar & live entertainment by Buddy
Holly Tribute Artist, Kenny James, and Joe Cantafio of Jade 50s (who is in the
film). You can bid on our Silent Auction, Raffles, AND have a chance
to win a really cool guitar autographed by Joe and Kenny, Carl Giammarese, Ray
Graffia Jr., Ronnie Rice, Scott MacKay, the StingRays, and Jim Peterik.
The film starts at 2:00 Central time, followed by a Q&A. It's going to
be an afternoon of warm, happy memories for those of us who grew up with
Dick Biondi. So come join the fun and excitement, and please, help us
spread the love.
Or, make your way to the Acorn Theater in
Three Oaks, Michigan, where the film will be showing on Sunday afternoon, July
9th.
WE'RE COMING TO THE ACORN!
On Sunday afternoon, July 9, a special screening will be held at the
Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, MI. Doors open at 11:00 am Central time with live
entertainment by Gnarni, a band of brothers who will perform jazz, rock, and
Italian songs. The screening is at noon, followed by a Q&A with me. I
love when people ask questions about Dick and his radio and musician friends,
and about making the movie. So I hope you'll come out and bring your friends
because this may very well be the final screening of the
summer.
You can get your tickets by calling the Acorn box office, which typically opens
at 3 pm CT on show days) - 269.756.3879. Keep in mind the Acorn Theatre
is only 15 miles from the Central Time Zone so check your time on
Directions.
HARBOR COUNTRY
Enjoy a day, a weekend or more in southwest Michigan! Explore galleries,
boutiques, dunes, wineries, breweries, eclectic dining, AND the Acorn,
where you'll always find great entertainment!
Netflix premiers a brand new Wham! documentary on the 5th of July ... here's the trailer ...
"Whamania" never really took off here in The States to the degree that it did in The UK ...
But the duo still managed to score three straight #1 Hits in 1984-1985, along with four other Top Ten singles, all within the span of just two years. (A couple of these releases came out under just George Michael's name, before he officially went solo in 1987, earning seven MORE #1 hits.)
It was all fun, infectious pop music ... and Michael just earned his way into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year. This new doc looks well worth watching (if only to finally learn what Andrew Ridgeley's role was in all of this!!! To me, he's kind of the Brian Dunkleman of the pop world!) kk
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