Tom Cuddy's Summer Concert Photo Album

Tom Cuddy sent us these awesome shots from some of the shows he was able to see this past summer and is letting us share them with our Forgotten Hits Readers!

Here's Sergio Mendes at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT.  

 

 

Sergio's current singers, at left, his wife Gracinha Leporace and Katie Hampton

 

 

And here's Christopher Cross at the Ridgefield Playhouse

 

And here are Rascals Felix Cavaliere and Gene Cornish at The Ridgefield Playhouse

 

Also at The Ridgefield Playhouse ...

Original AMERICA members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell

 

 

The Tokens featuring original lead singer Jay Siegel at the Westbury Music

Fair in NY

 

And Beach Boy Al Jardine at the Ridgefield Playhouse

 

Original members of the Association at the Tarrytown (NY) Music Hall: Jules Alexander (l) and Jim Yester (r)

 

Moody Blues vocalist Justin Hayward on a solo tour at the Ridgefield

Playhouse.

 

Don McLean at the Ridgefield Playhouse

 

 

And check out Original Stylistics lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr., who now tours with his own band "Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the New Stylistics, appearing at the Paramount Theatre in Peekskill, NY.  

At age 72, Russell can still deliver those smooth and beautiful ballads in the same key as his 70s Philly hits!

 

Man, what a summer you've had!!!  GREAT shows!

(And SO cool to see the commitment to booking our vintage acts on such a regular basis!)

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Tom!

Shelley's Concert Reviews (cont'd.)

Meanwhile, on the next night, back at The Milford Performance Center, I arrive to watch Gary Lewis and The Playboys with Mitch Ryder. The Playboys will be the backing band for both Gary Lewis and Mitch Ryder. Being the band for two such diverse entertainers must be a fun opportunity to stretch your skills. They are accustomed to Gary's fun, light, romantic numbers and for several concerts now they play the edgier, beat-driven rockers that Mitch Ryder performs. This is the last concert for this duo on this run and so they have decided to do a live taping for cd release. When it comes out, buy it and you will hear me in the audience. Just tell yourself it is me that you hear, and if you meet up with me ... lie to my face and tell me you heard me clapping and singing "BOW WOW WOW WOW".

Mitch performs first and by the time he finishes with 'Devil With a Blue Dress,' he proclaims his joy at being able to leave the stage and sit down. Mitch has had three back surgeries in the last year and a half. He walks slowly and seemingly in pain but when he picks up that tambourine and sings into the mic, you would swear you had just put the record on your stereo. As he tells us: "I am still singing because I WANT TO."  I have heard Mitch in live concert six times and each time has been the same vocal energy. He cannot dance around as he used to, nor jump and slap his leg but that voice screams 'I am forever young.'

Mitch tells us NOT to stand to clap no matter what, because, "Once one topples over, you all fall." Some of us risked it, and I haven't heard of any medical after-effects from the show.

During the intermission, a Gary Lewis scrapbook of his childhood to adult growth plays on the back screen. He opens his show with a video of he and his father performing 'Sonny Boy' when he was 10 years old. Given all the animosity that has been reported by the press and all the Lewis family members about the discord between them and Jerry Lewis, my heart is warmed to see this. It appears that healing on Gary's part is happening, and he now seems to enjoy watching the old clips as they pepper throughout the show. 

Singing responsibilities are shared between Gary and the Playboys:

Mike Gladstone - Lead Guitar

Nick Rather - Bass Guitar

Willy O'Riley - Keyboards

Bobby Bond - Percussion

 

All of the songs tonight Gary has recorded, though some were covers of other bands' hits. Gary's description of himself is that he does not have the best singing voice, but his enthusiasm and showmanship make the delivery of each song upbeat and bring back memories for each of us.

A story I have heard many times before is about the press interview Gary did in which the interviewer told Gary she liked his songs very much, and that she also liked his father, especially his father's song 'Great Balls of Fire.'  Great research, lady. I can't imagine why the press gets the criticism it does. I say this after watching this morning's weather video which states that this Tuesday, on election day, the weather would be beautiful. Election Day was last week. 

This Sunday matinee was so much fun. I saw some friends who are new to our city's oldies performance schedule. They are now buying tickets to the rest of the shows. For those who are now saying, "SHELLEY, WHAT WAS THE SET LIST?," here it is

Mitch Ryder - Everybody Shake

                         Sock it to Me

                         Bow Wow Wow Wow

                         Jenny Take a Ride

                         When You Were Mine (written by Prince)

                         Shake a Tail Feather

                         Devil With a Blue Dress

Gary Lewis -  Count Me In

                        Love Potion #9 (this was recorded by many groups)

                        Sure Gonna Miss Her

                        Mustang Sally - sung by Mike Gladstone

                        Save Your Heart For Me

                        I'm A Believer - sung by Willy O'Riley

                        This Diamond Ring

                        Little Miss Go-Go

                        Wooly Bully - sung by Nick Rather

                        Sealed With a Kiss

                        Palisades Park

                        Green Grass

                        Everybody Loves a Clown - written by Gary and Leon Russell

                        Brown Eyed Girl - sung by Willy O'Riley

                        She's Just My Style - also written by Gary and Leon Russell

Two concerts in one weekend AND there is one next weekend. Life is GOOD!

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

NE Correspondent

Forgotten Hits

Shelley's Latest Review ... Doin' It HER Way!!!

At 82 years old and a little less than five and a half feet tall, Paul Anka is a giant on stage. To accentuate this fact, he stands with a HUGE grin in a Superman pose as he absorbs the applause from the audience. The Mohegan Sun Arena is a sports arena and as such, is vast and seemingly unfit for solo entertainment. 

 

The stage set is Las Vegas style neon and strobe lights with an incredible large video screen that is playing a retro video of Paul at 16, touring with Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars and other early tours that culminates with the live musicians and Paul singing 'You Are My Destiny'. 

 

Wait a minute ... our star is not emerging onstage. Oh, THERE he is, walking from the back of the arena to the stage with security and audience (ok, women members of the audience) swarming around him. How can he be singing through all this? He never misses a note, never gets cut off by people trying to manhandle him, never skips a beat. He finishes onstage and strikes the Superman pose. 

Paul Anka is known for singing the songs that he has composed, but I never realized that he is truly a songwriter who performs some of his songs. So many others were written for other people. Why? Because they asked him to. 

 

I have been listening to Paul Anka compositions far more than I knew.  Kent and I had a conversation about a particular song written by Paul Anka that I had never heard him perform and I doubted that he would use it in his own shows. Well, there are several performed tonight that I never expected to hear from him. 

From 'Destiny' we go to 'Diana'. Every time the audience is asked to participate in song, Paul follows up, and tops us, never missing a high note. Asked how he manages to jump around the stage and keep performing at 82, he states that "I want to. I stay fit, exercise and diet, diet, diet. I am on Jenny Craig more than Mr. Craig."

All Of Me

Let Me Try Again ... Frank Sinatra requested a song from Paul in 1973 to help put him back on the charts. Here we are.

Tonight My Love, Tonight

Having My Baby ... Not a favorite of mine now. Loved it when it came out. Probably several political and personal aspects that now make it less to me than before. However, he did dedicate it to a couple in the audience who were having their first child. 

That brings up a question for me. Paul thanked the audience for their requests tonight and stated that 'Having My Baby' was a request from this husband. Maybe so, but it is hard to fathom how people get requests to him or anyone else on the day of the show. Perhaps social media helps.

Papa

Put Your Head on My Shoulder ... This created a frenzy among women in the first few rows as Paul descended into the audience again. One woman took over and kept putting Paul's hand on her shoulder as she turned her back to him. I wondered if she had the lyrics wrong. Paul did explain before this song how special it was to slow dance with a girl's head resting on your shoulder. So, he wrote about it.

Puppy Love ... written by Paul for Annette. Who does it better, Paul or Donny Osmond? YES! Just can't go wrong either way.

Lonely Boy ... Paul takes a phone from a woman and sings, "You couldn't come to this concert. So you are getting it all for free."

Eso Beso

Goodnight My Love ... He performs this while standing on a chair in the audience. Pretty risky.

She's A Lady ... written for Tom Jones and finished with the Superman stance onstage.

Do I Love You ... he recently recorded this with Dolly Parton and had a difficult time concentrating ... "Working with the three of them."

Italian Song ... arrangement made specially for Paul to appease his fans. DO AN ITALIAN SONG. Strange request to make of a Canadian Greek.

It Doesn't Matter Anymore ... written, of course, for Buddy Holly. Paul seemed to pause and almost tear up talking about Holly, his requesting Paul to write him a song and his untimely death while on one of "our" tours.

Lonesome Me

Bye Bye Love ... One for the Everlys

My Way ... Another one requested by Ole Blue Eyes. It is intricately matched with a portrait of Frank Sinatra on the back screen, mic in hand that sings the last two words: MY WAY as Paul flourishes a dance ending with a resulting standing ovation.

ENCORES!!! Yes, there are two of them!

New York, New York ... large and bold

Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On

My friend turns to me and says, "Well, what did you think?" I am silent because I cannot come up with the words I need. In a way, Paul Anka seems to be utilizing Sinatra and Vegas, BUT it is all uniquely performed HIS way. Every pause, tempo and emotion are his, and do not always reflect the recordings. That is enticing to me. His stage presence is super. His voice is totally unbelievable. Jenny Craig has done a lot for him.

What a weekend! It's not over yet though. Tomorrow night, I have another concert closer to home. Talk later.

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

NE Correspondent 

Forgotten Hits

 

Yes, that's it ...

 

But with a black suit!

Holiday Shopping

Normally, we have a very strict "No Rap" policy here in Forgotten Hits ...

But Chuck Buell presented such a compelling argument to run today's piece ...

And was just bubbling over with pride about it ...

So really, how could I say no??? 

Therefore, as we kick off yet another new week in November, it is important to note that the Year-end Holidays will be here before we know it. 

And our Special Forgotten Hits “Shipping Magnate Mail Boy,” Chuck Buell, has this story for shipping your personal Holiday Packages!

It’s time to keep mailing deadlines in mind and to think about packing and shipping presents to Friends and Family so that they arrive in one piece in time for the upcoming Festive Holidays.

And one of the handiest, light weight and most versatile packing materials is the sheets of clear plastic known as “Bubble Wrap.” But as universally popular as it is, that was not what it was originally designed for back in 1957.

Created by trapping air in small bubbles between two shower curtains, the original intention was for it to be used as a . . . “modern-design, textured wall covering!”

Well, that idea was a Big Bust.  Or a Prodigious “Pop!”  The concept did not “compute” with homeowners.

Wait!  “Compute?!”  Bubble Wrap was then presented to IBM as a possible packing material to replace their current protective shipping box fillers like newspaper, straw and such. IBM gave it a try. It was an improvement and soon after “Bubble Wrap” became the shipping industry standard for protecting delicate electronics!

And, of course, there’s also the simple, Happy Satisfying Joy and Pleasure of just popping the bubbles!

But maybe if, besides tiny bubbles, they had offered a couple of other small air-filled bubble “designs,” like “Flowers” or a “Brick” Pattern for their wall covering idea, people might then take a look and say, “Whoa! Hell-lo Walls!”

( Of course, when one mentions “Bubbles” to Kent, here’s what immediately comes to his mind! )

 

So, to "wrap" this all up, here's my "Chuck Buell Bubbles Wall Covering Minute Medley!"

THE SUNDAY COMMENTS ( 11 - 12 - 23 )

LOTS of Billboard chart information in this Sunday’s edition …

Billboard Magazine ran a tally of the top artists with the most combined #1 Hits on both their Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart AND their Top 200 Albums Chart.  Now THIS is a pretty hefty list of achievements right here!!!

Coming in at #1 was The Beatles, with a combined to total of 39 … 20 #1 singles + 19 #1 albums

#2 was Drake, with 26 (It is important to keep in mind that Elvis Presley was short-changed in this review as Billboard now only counts rankings achieved AFTER their Hot 100 Chart debuted in August of 1958, meaning that all of Elvis’ biggest early hits are no longer eligible for consideration.  As such, he only shows 17 combined #1’s on this list … when, in fact, if you went back to his very first #1 Record in 1956, he would have 11 more, or a total of 28, which would have been good enough for second place.  Instead, he is ranked in a tie for 8^th place with Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones, each with 17 combined #1 hits.  By the way, that means that Paul McCartney, in his combined solo career and his career with The Beatles, actually has 56 total #1 hits, a total no other artist can even come close to touching.)

Rounding out the list:

#3 = Mariah Carey (with 25)

#4 = Taylor Swift (24 … and likely to add to this total … especially if she keeps re-recording and re-releasing her own catalog!)

#5 = Madonna (21)

#6 = Michael Jackson (19)

#7 = Jay-Z (18)

#8 = tie:  Janet Jackson, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones (17)

You can review the complete list here:

https://www.billboard.com/lists/acts-with-most-billboard-200-hot-100-number-ones-combined/39-the-beatles/#recipient_hashed=fa7e92da6f6e66bffcf0bcbf863670c6eb37d7159eb4d0ea1e44fecd5ec87eeb&recipient_salt=3a1d6b09af3b92ad7e38f8327cf18febeb049fd1c9a251b66957a07d9375735c

(It also lists the titles of each #1 hit on both their Pop Singles and Top Albums charts)  kk

Tom Cuddy sent us this story …

The Beatles & The Rolling Stones Together Again in the Top 10 of a Billboard Chart, 59 Years Later
https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beatles-rolling-stones-billboard-chart-top-10-1235468927/

Pretty frickin’ incredible!  (kk)

And, speaking of Billboard Magazine, three Halloween classics re-entered their Hot 100 Chart Halloween Week thanks to mega-streaming.

Michael Jackson’s 1984 hit “Thriller” came in at #21 for the week with 14.5 million streams, 10.9 million airplay impressions and 5000 downloads.

Dipping back even further, Bobby “Boris” Pickett re-entered the chart at #38, thanks to 11.9 million streams, 4.4 million airplay impressions and 4000 copies sold.

Finally, it was Ray Parker, Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” bringing up the rear with a #45 showing, thanks to 11.1 million streams, 5.9 million airplay impressions and 4000 downloads. (kk)

Lots of talk about the new Rolling Stones documentary profiling Brian Jones …

Here’s a Variety film review:

https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-stones-and-brian-jones-review-nick-broomfield-1235786508/#recipient_hashed=cb1fa0032addcfdb730f717f527f301d7f591bddae516591375953126c7fa463&recipient_salt=fdcde0102878ab3c1e53ecbcfbb0eaba79c60c270580241efc15cc4c9850dd7f

Meanwhile, our buddy Spud tells us that Surf’s Up again on Sirius XM …

The Beach Boys Channel is back, offering up all sorts of Good Vibrations!

Hi everyone!
The Beach Boys Channel is back on SiriusXM on Channel 503
More info:  https://blog.siriusxm.com/beach-boys-channel-good-vibrations  

Let SiriusXM know you’d like it to stay all year long:  https://shorturl.at/EGU15
Have a beachin’ Winter!
Spud

The 2024 line-up for The Happy Together Tour has been announced …

And it looks like they’ve shaken things up a bit for next year.

Naturally, The Turtles are still the headliners (which these days means Mark Volman and Ron Dante) … also on the docket are The Vogues, The Cowsills, Jay and the Americans, The Association and Badfinger.  Sadly, not many of the original members on stage anymore these days … but there is absolutely no denying the hit-making legacy of these six acts.

Counting Ron Dante’s hits with The Archies, The Cuff Links and The Detergents, these acts have had SIXTY Top 40 Hits between them, including eleven each for The Turtles, Jay and the Americans and The Vogues.  (kk)

I pre-ordered The Beatles Little Golden Book and just received it. A quick glance showed me many words on each page, which is not the best idea for a Golden Book reader. The first few pages also made my eyes widen as they spoke about John and Paul's loss of their mothers at a young age and the hardships connected with that. As I read along, I wondered why the authors hadn't mentioned 'this' or 'that', and why didn't they add more explanation in certain areas? 

 

Let's consider these thoughts of mine. It is a children's book. We can't expect it to include everything WE know of The Beatles. It is an introduction to help children understand who these four lads from Liverpool are and why they are and will continue to be important. As for any hardships (loss of family, childhood illnesses, practicing till fingers are sore), these just may inspire kids to see that roadblocks can be overcome and sometimes the worst parts of our lives lead us into the best parts. Success can come even in difficult times. 

 

The idea of the book is truly not to give a complete biography or tell them they must like Beatle music. It is to open a door and to allow each child the opportunity to continue with their search for information or at the very least, know who these people are.

 

I am not sure I could have done any better. And if just one child relates to them through hardship and decides that they too can follow their dream no matter what, then ... it is a winner.

Shelley

I agree that it is a lot to digest for a young child … and unnecessarily so.  I never really thought about any hidden meanings as to a youngster coming to terms with the deaths of one’s parents within the context of a Little Golden Book other than one designed specifically for that purpose … and certainly not within the pages of what should have been an uplifting introduction to the music of the biggest group the world has ever known.

But without being able to HEAR any of that music, a book like this can only go so far.  (Odds are any parent or grandparent buying this for the little ones in their family have already exposed these kids to the music by playing it at home.  My kids … and grandkids … were dancing and singing along to the music of The Beatles and The Beach Boys by the age of two!)

No, a book like this can’t be all encompassing … nor should it be.  (By the same token, I don’t think pages regarding all their drug use or John’s comments on Jesus would have helped present a broader picture to these yungins ... so I guess we should be thankful they didn’t take THAT route!!!)

Still, I think it could have been SO much more positive and informative as to how much joy this music brought people around the world … and STILL is some sixty years later.  (kk)

Another review of Mark Bego’s new Joe Cocker book …

https://tulsaworld.com/life-entertainment/local/music/mad-dogs-and-tulsans-joe-cockers-life-explored-in-new-book/article_afd0ede4-7cef-11ee-a367-23bf426db354.html 

Have you registered to win your copy yet?

Today is the last chance to get your entries in …

What Joe Cocker song won the Academy Award?

 

What Record Label launched Joe Cocker’s career in the 1960s and 1970s?

 

What was the biggest selling album with Joe Cocker music on it?

 

How many Beatles-composed songs did Joe Cocker record in his career?

Good luck!  (kk)

Herb Alpert has more money than God and will turn 89 years old next year … so he certainly doesn’t have to put out new albums and go out on tour anymore …

Yet that is exactly what he is doing …

And with the career he’s had (and all the good he has done along the way in sharing those riches), all we can say is “We Salute You, Sir … You Truly Are One Of A Kind.”

Alpert has given back in so many ways it’s impossible to count …

And this Best Classic Bands profile barely scratches the surface.

We saw Herb and his wife Lani Hall at The City Winery a few years ago and it was a very entertaining show.  If you get the chance to see him on this next excursion, I hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity. (kk)

https://bestclassicbands.com/herb-alpert-2024-album-tour-wish-upon-a-star-11-10-23/

2024 Tour Dates (so far):

January 26th – Santa Barbara, CA – Arlington Theatre
January 27th – Northridge, CA – The Soraya
January 28th – Orange County, CA
January 30th – Del Mar, CA – The Sound
January 31st – San Luis Obispo, CA – Cal Poly Arts
February 24th – Palm Springs, CA – Annenberg Theatre
March 24th – San Antonio, TX – Tobin Center
March 25th – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre
March 26th – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theatre
March 28th – Amarillo, TX – Globe News Center for the Perf. Arts
March 29th – Albuquerque, NM – KiMo Theatre
May 16th – Richmond, VA – The National
May 17th – North Bethesda, MD – Strathmore Music Center
May 18th – Philadelphia, PA – Kimmel Cultural Campus
May 20th – Nashua, NH – Nashua Center for the Arts

OK, now THAT'S a toughie!!!

Take a crack at the latest Me-TV-FM Poll ...

https://metv.com/quiz/what-is-the-best-cover-song-of-all-time

(If you could pick your Top Five, I could probably do this ... but to pick just one?!?!  Hey, give it your best shot ... and see how your vote compares to all the others they've received!)  kk 

11-11

From Chuck Buell ... on Veteran's Day ...

Thinking of and Appreciating all our Forgotten Hitters who are Veterans today!

And whether you served or not, I hope you enjoy the Attached!

Chuck Buell

The Friday Flash

Got this cartoon from Clark Besch …

Pretty much reiterates what I said the other day!

He called it “Now OR Then”!!!  (lol)

Harvey Kubernik asked me for a quote the other day about the longevity of Classic Rock for a new project he’s working on … it really is quite amazing if you think about it.

Hi kk:

Do you have a quote for an essay I will be doing addressing the subject of classic rock and its durability and ongoing popularity? This month the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and The Doors all have new retail products/box sets. WHY does classic rock matter? Any theories?  Would welcome a comment from your perch at your website.

Thanks.

HK   

This is what I sent:

Classic Rock is part of our DNA ... and not only have we passed it down thru each subsequent generation by playing this music at home and watching our kids (and grand kids!) fall in love with it ... but we have also been able to sit back and watch each new generation discover it for themselves and embrace it and fall in love with it just as we did when it was all brand new.

 

Simply put:  This music is truly timeless.

 

And whether it be used in commercials, advertising or movie and television soundtracks, it is everywhere you turn these days because it evokes a good feeling.

 

Who could have ever predicted 50-60 years ago that this music would last ... and that these artists would still be out on the road performing to sold out crowds all over the world.  It's 2023, and in the last few months we've seen brand new releases and sold out tours from artists like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Doors, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, The Eagles, Billy Joel, The Band and more dominate the headlines.

 

This music will be here forever ... and the fact many of these artists are adding NEW music to their catalog that holds up as well as the old stuff is a true testament to just how powerful this music is.

 

I don't care if you call it Classic Rock or Fossil Rock ...

 

This music is here to stay.

Kent Kotal

Forgotten Hits

Our buddy Cal Lynch launches Week Three of his Countdown of The Top 100 Biggest Two-Sided Hits Of All-Time tomorrow night on his Hot Wax and Doo Wop Memories Show …

More details below …

Hi Hot Waxers -

It’s week number three and the COUNTDOWN continues to inch closer to the #1 position of Forgotten Hits TOP 200 Biggest Two-Sided HITS of all time 1955-1979.

This Saturday night we will pick up the countdown at #47 …

Listen to both sides of The Biggest Double Sided Hits of All Time from:

Ritchie Valens – Donna b/w La Bamba; The Beach Boys - I Get Around b/w Don’t Worry Baby and, of course, more from Ricky Nelson - Stood Up b/w Waitin’ in School and the King, Elvis Presley - Teddy Bear b/w Loving you and lots more …

Hot Wax & Double Sided Memories, with your host DJ Cal. 

This show is a must listen. 

Put this on your calendar this weekend …

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11th, 2023, 7 pm PACIFIC 10 pm Eastern.

If this is too late for you, catch one of the three re-broadcasts Monday, Wednesday & Friday the following week:

Monday 2 pm Pacific, 5 pm Eastern

Wednesday 8 am Pacific, 11 am Eastern

Friday 9 am Pacific, Noon Eastern

All you have to do is set your browser to your station for great music and awesome memories:

www.memorylaneoldies.com

Check out the Flyer and Audio promo for more info

About a week ago we told you about The Rolling Stones setting the new record for Most Top Ten Albums on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart (with 38) … 

Now, The Grateful Dead have tied the record for Most Top 40 Albums on this same chart with their new release, “Dave’s Picks, Volume 48.”  (Who would have EVER though that this would be the case?!?!) 

Premiering at #33 on the new Billboard Albums Chart, this puts The Dead in a first place tie with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra for the most Top 40 LPs ever with 58. (Yeah, those three names ALWAYS seem to be linked together, don’t they???)  kk 

More here:  https://blabbermouth.net/news/the-grateful-dead-ties-record-for-most-top-40-albums-on-billboard-200

Kent,

If I may interject a little bit of political humor in FH.

On Jesse Watters’ Prime Time television show Wednesday night, they did an interview with the man on the street by showing them pictures of the people running for President of the United States on the Republican ticket, asking the people interviewed if they could identify the picture that was shown to them. 

One man was shown a picture of Republican hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy. The man being interviewed was given a hint that the picture he was looking at had a last name beginning Rama. The man finished up by saying LAMA DING DONG.

The Edsels would have been proud.

Larry

Thursday This And That

Mike Riccio just let us know that the polls are open for this year’s Rewound Radio Top 77 All-Time Favorites Ballot!  You can vote for YOUR ten favorites now.  Check it out!

Hi Kent !
Our yearly Top 77 of All-Time tradition continues this year and the voting has started! For the 26th time, we're polling your favorite songs of all time for the OldiesBoard.com site and RewoundRadio.com.
AND YOU'LL GET YOUR OWN COPY OF THE RESULTS ... "77-Plus" pages … with a list of EVERY song that got a vote, from #1 to the very bottom song. Plus, there's lots of trivia and other fascinating info on the music of our lives ... it's yours just for voting!
This is the only music survey that includes any artist, any era, any style ... and we say thanks so much for voting in the past but WE NEED YOUR VOTE THIS YEAR to make this the best year ever!
The voting process is easier than ever!
Please just take a few minutes to pick your favorite songs (pick anything from one song up to ten of your favorites.)
And pass the word to any other family members or friends.
Go to OldiesBoard.com or just vote at the following link (It's a 100% safe link and we never share info with ANY other sources):
https://musicradio77.com/voting2023.html
Thanks so much.
Mike Riccio
OldiesBoard.com moderator

'Breakfast with the Beatles' celebrates 40 Years   Host Chris Carter takes the KLOS/LA version on the road just about every Sunday while the daily show, heard nationally on SiriusXM’s Beatles Channel, airs Monday through Friday. That’s six days of shows but he’s also heard twice on weekends on SXM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage with Chris Carter’s British Invasion, so he’s literally on the air playing Beatles and Beatles-related music eight days a week! Chris has hosted more than 1800 episodes of BWTB on SXM, and 1100 on terrestrial radio to date.  On both SXM and broadcast radio, he’s played Beatles records (both by the group and individual members) 262,120 times.. give or take a song.  Upcoming in person broadcasts before live audience for the remainder of the year are as follows: Nov. 12 - Kobe Bistro - Seal Beach Dec. 3 - Hard Rock Cafe - Hollywood Dec. 10 - Kobe Bistro Seal - Beach Dec. 17 - Casino Morongo - Cabazon (the 2080th episode of BWTB on terrestrial radio since inception)  Guests have included Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sir George Martin, Julian Lennon, Lawrence Juber, Pete Best Billy Preston, Olivia Harrison, Pattie Boyd, Brian Wilson, Peter Asher, the Bangles, Paul Stanley, Gary Wright, Carmine & Vinnie Appice, Joey Molland, Billy J. Kramer, Freda Kelly, Peter Toro, The Smithereens, Jackie Lomax, Jim Keltner, Denny Seiwell, Neil Innes, Eric Idle, Victor Spinetti, Dick Cavet, Terry Brown, Little Steven Van Zandt, Mark Hudson, Ken Scott, May Pang, Spencer Davis, Ian Gillian, Joe Elliott, Johnny Rivers, Dave Davies, Focal Point, Bruce Spizer, Jon Anderson, Brute Force, Terry Sylvester, Amber Lee, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, Larry Kane, Micky Dolenz, Richard Perry, The Raspberries, The Fab Four, Geoff Emerick, Susanna Hoffs & Matthew Sweet, Sparks, Mick Brown, Tom Petty, Denny Laine, The Fab Faux, Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta), The Naked Brothers, Jack “Apple” Oliver, Davy Jones, Jason Falconer, Ian McLagan, Ace Freely, Dhani Harrison, Klaus Voormann, The Quarry Men, Donovan, Graham Nash, Dr. Demento, Todd Rundgren, Gene Simmons, Ethan Russell, The Rutles and others.    The Beatles were the biggest rock band of the 20th century, and their music lives on all over the world. The Los Angeles radio program Breakfast With the Beatles has helped ensure that longevity as it's been celebrating the fab four every Sunday from 9 to noon since 1983. The show is marking its 40th anniversary with a series of brunch parties — at the Hard Rock Café in Hollywood and Kobe Bistro in Seal Beach — featuring host Chris Carter (pictured above with Paul McCartney). Deidre O’Donoghue started the show at KMET until the station crashed from hard rock to become The Wave in 1987. She landed at KNX, then took the show to KLSX, the classic rock channel which became the local home of The Howard Stern Show for many years. O’Donoghue died in 2001 and Beatles expert Chris Carter took over the show, which has since moved to KLOS and Sirius XM satellite radio and is now the longest-running show if its type on L.A. radio, and the longest continually running Beatles-themed radio program in the world. Famous fans of the show over the years have included Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, filmmaker Cameron Crowe, and who’d have guessed? Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. “Over the years, this guy turned the show from a Sunday morning appetizer into a hot-house lab for Beatle passion,” Crowe said in 2006. Praising the show’s “Beatle rarities, way-inside Beatle news, brilliant set-lists and a place where music fandom in general could flourish." Carter founded the alternative rock group Dramarama in the 1980s and managed the pop band The Wondermints in the ’90s. He supervised the music for the films Mayor of the Sunset Strip, about DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, and Factory Girl, about Edie Sedgwick and Andy Warhol. "There's the long-standing idea that a monkey could host a Beatles show because the songs are all good," Carter told the Pasadena Star-News. "You string a bunch of them together, and you have a show. But I've tried to take it up a few notches. I love putting a great set together and sharing it with an audience." Meanwhile, babies born the day that John Lennon met Paul McCartney can start collecting Social Security next week.   Speaking of The Beatles, here's another important reminder about why it’s so important to proofread your work …   This went out in Ultimate Classic Rock on Monday … Sir Ringo Starr was all set to open a hair salon because he didn't think The Beatles would "last a week."  The legendary Liverpool group's final song, 'Now And Then,' was released last week, some 63 years after they first formed in 1960. The 'Eleanor Rigby' hitmakers - also comprised of the late frontman John Lennon and drummer George Harrison - split in 1970 and surviving members Starr, 83, and Sir Paul McCartney, 81, have admitted they didn't anticipate lasting as long as they did. Hey, I had my own gaffe last week – it happens (and I’m guilty of being so rushed, so often, that good, solid proofreading isn’t always an option anymore) … but the BIG blunders really make you look dumb!  (kk)   By the way, I knew that was a mistake because my brand new Beatles Golden Book arrived this week ... so now even little kids can learn that George Harrison actually played GUITAR for the group.  This book is available now (but it's pretty awful reading!!!)  Still, a very clever idea.  The new series also includes books on The Bee Gees, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift and others.  (I also got my new Beach Boys coloring book a few weeks back!)  VERY cool that today's kids will get to learn more about OUR heroes this way.  (kk)   One more quick "Now And Then" Beatles story that's kind of touching ... https://www.noise11.com/news/musician-on-the-beatles-now-and-then-died-without-knowing-she-played-on-the-song-20231109   Hello Mr. Kotal: Just wondering if there is any news on Al Kooper being inducted into the mis-named Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame?  I cannot seem to find anything on the internet about him.  I know he said in an earlier post somewhere that him showing up would depend on his health at the time.  Since he follows your website perhaps you could reach out to him and get his thoughts.  Also, you must know by now that our new favorite Russian band, Leonid and Friends did a great cover of Al’s “I love you more than you will ever know.”  Perhaps you could get Al to comment on what he thinks of that cover version of his song as well.  Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart also have a killer version of this one as well.  Thanks, Kent, for all the great work you do on this site. Pete Heger Al Kooper most certainly WAS inducted last Friday Night … and sent in a video clip to be aired during the ceremony in which he humbly accepted his award.  He is certainly a deserving artist in this regard. The recap shown during the ceremony recounted his time with Bob Dylan, starting the original Blood, Sweat and Tears, jamming with Stephen Stills and Mike Bloomfield on The Super Sessions LP and discovering, signing and producing Lynyrd Skynyrd. Al’s biography is HIGHLY recommended to anyone out there who may not have already read it. This Leonid and Friends group is frickin’ incredible!  Just listen to the sound on this thing.  How could Al possibly NOT love it!!!  (kk)

From Al ... 

I am so pleased when my songs are recorded, I  would never criticize ANYONE.

Either I like it or I don’t understand it.

It is VERY well done.

@l k%per

The Eagles have added seven more dates to their ever-expanding "Long Goodbye" tour.

New on the list are:

January 16th – Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena
February 6th – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
February 10th – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
February 13th – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
February 17th – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
March 4th – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
March 16th – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center

Plenty more to come!  (kk)

And, speaking of adding dates, Heart has added a THIRD date to their little get-together series ... but they're still not calling it a "tour."  (That being said, one can only hope that more dates will continue to be announced ... and they'll eventually head back to the Midwest!)

Ann and Nancy Wilson will regroup once more for a show in Highland, California on December 27th at The Yaamava' Theater.  (kk)

I thought this was a pretty interesting story ...

After all these years (and on the eve of the album's 50th anniversary) the man pictured on the cover of Led Zeppelin's fourth studio album has finally been identified!

For many of us, this is our favorite Led Zeppelin LP (although I'd have to rank Led Zeppelin II as a close second.)

Still, incredible to think that it has taken this long to put a name to the face!

https://bestclassicbands.com/led-zeppelin-iv-release-date-11-8-21/

And how about this ...

Boy George will be appearing on Broadway next year in the musical "Moulin Rouge!"  His stint will begin on February 6th and run thru May 12th at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre.  (kk)