New Concert Review: JOHN CAFFERTY AND THE BEAVER BROWN BAND

Man, what a ball we had Sunday Night at The Arcada Theatre.  The entire audience was under the spell of John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band ... 

And they were lovin' it!  

(In fact most of them stood up throughout the entire 90 minute performance ... and several others were up dancing in the aisles and in front of the stage.  It was a real party!!!)

Cafferty and Company rocked the house, playing a wide assortment of their classic hits as well as songs from their recently released album “Sound Of Waves.”  (The stripped-down title cut from this LP got one of the biggest ovations of all … as did all of the obvious choices: “Tough All Over,” “On The Dark Side” … which they played SECOND … a REAL surprise as this is clearly his best known track and would typically lend itself to be the show closer or encore hit ... “Tender Years,” “Voice Of America’s Sons,” “C-I-T-Y” (which WAS the show closer … and has always been one of my favorites), “Wild Summer Nights” and “Runaround Sue,” which John said he played for me because I asked him before the show if he was going to do any covers tonight. (“I hadn’t planned on it,” he told me ... "but I slipped this one in for ya!")

 

John and Me 

The intensity of the show never stopped … The Beaver Brown Band are well-seasoned players that really drive these songs home.

Gary Gramolini, the lead guitarist, has been with him every step of the way … some 50+ years now … and Ronnie Dee, filling in on sax after the unexpected departure of Michael “Tunes” Antunes, never missed a step.  (Ronnie’s got his own band which is starting to make a name for themselves … we ran their brand new video “Happy Hour” the other day in FH ... scroll back to Sunday's post in case you missed it.)  We also told you that Ronnie’s dad is the legendary Joey Dee of "Peppermint Twist" fame, who I’m hoping will soon be a Forgotten Hits contributor, sharing some of his incredible rock and roll memories with our readers.

John and Ronnie

When I first interviewed John back in April of this year I told him that we would figure out a way to get him out to Chicago for a show this year and boy am I glad that we did.   

https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2025/04/forgotten-hits-interviews-john-cafferty.html 

Special thanks to Ron Onesti who I’m sure will be bringing them back again based on the enthusiastic response they received from the crowd.  (Actually, I think they're already talking about it!)

Backstage at The Arcada Theatre:  (L-R): Guitarist Gary Gramolini, Keyboardist Rich McMahon, Arcada Theatre CEO (and Master of Ceremonies) Ron Onesti, John Cafferty and yours truly  

(Not pictured: Drummer Don Culp, Bass Player Dean Cassell and Sax Man Ronnie Dee)

John said they had to do an abbreviated set due to time constraints … they normally play for 2 1/2 - 3 hours! ... but we all got a great dose of Rhode Island Rock and Roll! (kk)

SET LIST:

Tough All Over

On The Dark Side 

Runaround Sue

Under The Boardwalk / Boardwalk Angel

Palisades

A Day In The Sun 

Blue California (Turn Your Radio Up)

Hearts On Fire

Voice Of America’s Sons

Sound of Waves 

Where The Action Is

Wild Summer Nights

Some Like It Hot

Blue Moonlight Drive

Tender Years

C – I – T - Y

Encore:

Garden Of Eden (Same Old Story Ever Since The World Began)

Send A Message To You

Pride And Passion

Just A Matter Of Time 

Tuesday This And That: FREDDY CANNON Edition

Rock 'n' Roll Icon Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon Unwraps New Holiday Hit: "Red Coat Santa"

Just in time for the holiday season, rock 'n' roll icon Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon is back with a brand-new Christmas single, “Red Coat Santa.”  Written and recorded by Cannon himself, the festive track blends his signature high-energy style with the warmth and nostalgia of the holidays.

Released on October 20, 2025, “Red Coat Santa” is already generating buzz among fans of classic rock and holiday music alike. The song is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Cannon, best known for his 1962 smash hit “Palisades Park” and his electrifying performances on American Bandstand, brings his unmistakable voice and timeless rock 'n' roll flair to this original holiday tune. With sleigh bells, saxophones, and a toe-tapping beat, “Red Coat Santa” is poised to become a seasonal favorite.

“I’ve always loved Christmas music, and I wanted to create something that felt both classic and new,” said Cannon. 'Red Coat Santa” is my way of bringing a little rock 'n' roll joy to the season. I hope it makes people smile, dance, and remember what the holidays are all about — fun, family, and music.”

“When I wrote this tune, I thought no one had really ever sung about Santa’s famous outfit. And I was inspired by my angel, my wife, Jeannette, who passed away earlier this year,” said Cannon.

This release marks Cannon’s return to the holiday music scene following his 2002 album Have a Boom Boom Christmas, which featured both classic covers and original songs. Now, over two decades later, “Red Coat Santa” proves that Freddy Cannon’s rock 'n' roll spirit is as vibrant as ever.

The California based singer-songwriter is slated to do a series of radio interviews to spread the word on his new release, including a reunion with DJ Cousin Brucie on 770 WABC Radio in New York on Saturday, Nov. 22^nd at 7pm.

Cannon holds the record for the artist with the most appearances on “American Bandstand” (110 times).

Freddy’s new release on You Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUdzf8hAtWY&list=RDFUdzf8hAtWY&start_radio=1

 

Freddy's "seasonal" hits have really kept things rockin' these past few years ... between his Halloween / Svengoolie clips and now this great new Christmas tune, Freddy has proven that his brand of rock and roll is timeless.  Maybe he should be the next long-overdue "surprise" inductee into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame!  (kk)

THANK YOU, KENT!

WITH YOUR HELP, WE JUST MIGHT HAVE A HIT WITH THIS ONE

FREDDY "BOOM BOOM" CANNON 

Lord knows the world could use a little NEW Christmas Holiday Cheer ... let's hope radio jumps on this one and it catches on!  (kk)

THIS JUST IN:

Tom Cuddy tells us that last week's episode of the new hit television series "9-1-1 Nashville" opened with Freddy's big 1962 Top Three smash "Palisades Park!!!" 

 

November 3rd, 1965

65 YEARS AGO TODAY:

11/3/65 – The Beatles record “Michelle.”  

Although not released as a single (even Capitol shockingly passed it by, respecting the band's wishes to allow it to help sell their "Rubber Soul" album instead, which didn't contain a single), it still became another instant Beatles / Paul McCartney classic, recorded by hundreds of other artists.  (AM Top 40 Radio played it in hit single rotation to meet listener requests, despite the fact that fans had to buy the whole LP in order to obtain a copy.)

British duo David and Jonathan will score a Top 20 Hit with it in January of 1966.  (They're actually Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook, two very successful British songwriters and producers who will have numerous other hits working with other artists in the years to come.  See just a partial list below.)

"Michelle" started as a bit McCartney used to perform at parties in the early days of The Beatles, goofing around with the French lyric, which is all he had at the time.  (Paul would put on a very thick French accent and sing "Sont les mots qui vont tres bien ensemble, Tres bien ensemble" in a very flirty way to impress any female guests.)   One day, Lennon told him, "You know, you should finish that" ... and, with great success, he did!

Also on 11/3, Sandy Koufax is named the Cy Young Award winner by a unanimous vote.  (It’s the THIRD time he’s been so honored.)  Koufax posted a 26-8 record for the 1965 season, with a 1.73 ERA and record-shattering 382 strikeouts.  You had to see this man in action to believe what an incredible force he really was.

 

SOME OF THE HITS WRITTEN BY ROGER COOK AND ROGER GREENAWAY:

"You've Got Your Troubles" and "Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again" by The Fortunes

"Green Grass" by Gary Lewis and the Playboys

"I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman" by Whistling Jack Smith

"Softly Whispering I Love You" by The Congregation

"My Baby Loves Lovin'" by White Plains

"The Way It Used To Be" by Engelbert Humperdinck

 "Good Morning Freedom" by Blue Mink

"I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" by The Hillside Singers and The New Seekers

The Sunday Comments ( 11 - 2 - 25 )

From Mark Bego, Joe Cocker-biographer, on this week's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony inducting Cocker:

Finally, musical justice is being done, by inducting the great Joe Cocker into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He is a true legend, and it is about time! Rock on, Joe!

MB

Amen to that, Mark!  As you know, we have campaigned long and hard for Joe’s long-overdue and rightful induction … he truly was one of a kind.  (Now we can finally take him off our DESERVING AND DENIED list!) 

The ceremony airs live on Disney+ on Saturday (November 8^th)  Other inductees include Bad Company, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes in the Performer category; Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon (Musical Influence); Thom Bell, Nicky Hopkins, and Carol Kaye (Musical Excellence), and Lenny Waronker (Ahmet Ertegun Award)  kk

Chubby Checker, of course, was inducted earlier this year at The Des Plaines Theatre …   

https://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/2025/07/its-impossible-not-to-have-fun-at.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLOkrG7egRU

This clip will be edited into the live broadcast.  (kk)

Tom Cuddy tells us about a chart record set by The Monkees that has never been broken ...

The Monkees Set a 1967 Music Record That Has Yet to be Broken
https://parade.com/news/the-monkees-set-1967-music-record-yet-to-be-broken?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic%2Fentertainment

Meanwhile, Harvey Kubernik sent us a couple of vintage Henry Diltz Monkees photos to share, courtesy of Gary Strobl …

From Jim Roup …

October 29th Birthdays 🥳🎉 include Richard Dreyfuss, Kate Jackson and Winona Ryder! All seen here around Hollywood,Calif. 😎

 

Speaking of photos …

Cutting Edge 1960s Hair Styles!

Which ONE is Sullivan now . . . ?

Ed Sullivan and Tommy James (as pictured in FH)

HA! Just being Goofy!  I love those dramatically contrasting 1960s looks like those!

Tommy James and Chuck Buell (1968 - as pictured in WLS)

My Dad used to ask how I could wear my "long" hair like that!

"Doesn't that tickle your neck?!" he'd ask!  ( Famous Generation Gap Comment!" )

Buell

Tom Cuddy also let us know about a new Harry Chapin documentary that'll be coming available later this week ...

Harry Chapin - Cats In The Cradle: The Song That Changed Our Lives
https://share.google/2JpgnMKByaDO6rgTf 

To Halloween Chuck ... 

You Lost your cash?

I mean the Halloween cash!

You spent your cash?

You had a candy crash!

So, no more cash?

I mean the Halloween cash!

Oh well ... that's a Transylvania Twist...

Shelley

At least you hung onto it until Halloween. Candy in large bags hit the stores in August. Most people jumped to purchase in fear of not having it on Halloween, then ate it and returned to the store multiple times to get more. (Having worked in retail makes me fully aware of this gimmick) 

We have lived in the same place for the past 27 years ... and in all that time have never once had a single trick-or-treater come by ... so we don't even buy Halloween candy anymore (unless it's to treat ourselves ... best to have what WE like on hand just in case some terribly lost trick-or-treater stumbles by our place.)

This year we didn't buy ANY ... Frannie was going to be out of town that whole week and I just didn't want it around the house ... and then lo and behold THIS year ... for the first time EVER ... three separate trick-or-treaters rang the bell!  I was completely unprepared and ended up not answering the door at all.  (How embarrassing!)

Meanwhile, Frannie was visiting the kids and grandkids down in Houston and they went thru three very large bowls of candy, giving out every single piece, eventually running out ... and they had a ball doing it.

I guess next year I'll have to be better prepared.

(Hey, isn't all that Halloween candy on sale today for half off?!?!)  kk 

We told you the other day that Ronnie Dee, son of the legendary Joey Dee (of The Starliters) will be playing sax for John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band at their show at The Arcada Theatre later today.

Well, Ronnie just released his own new single this past week … and it’s a killer!

With the sad, recent passing of their legendary sax player Michael “Tunes” Antunes, it’s reassuring to know they’ll still be in good hands.  (kk)

And last but not least, congratulations to us …

We’ve FINALLY trained Coco, our lovable Morkie, to do all of her #2’s on the paper …

The Saturday Survey

The Rolling Stones earn their second US #1 Record "Get Off My Cloud" leap-frogs "A Lover's Concerto" to the top of the chart.  (Meanwhile, The Toys retain the #2 spot for the third week in a row.)  The Beatles' "Yesterday" falls behind it to #3.

#4's and 5 remain unchanged as well for The Gentrys ("Keep On Dancing") and "Everybody Loves A Clown" by Gary Lewis and the Playboys.

The Supremes make a 25 point leap into The Top Ten with their latest, "I Hear A Symphony" (up from #35 to #10) while Petula Clark, The Byrds, The Temptations and The Silkie continue their upward strides within The Top 40.  ("Round Every Corner" moves from #38 to #25, "Turn! Turn! Turn" jumps 33 places from #62 to #29, The Temptations vault 27 spots right behind it from #57 to #30 with "My Baby" and The Silkie climb eighteen notches from #51 to #33.)

This week's top debut goes to Roger Miller, who premiers at #72 with "England Swings."

 

60 YEARS AGO TODAY:

11/1/65 – A Rolling Stones concert in Rochester, New York, is stopped by police a total of four times before the show is aborted.  The first occurrence happened just seven minutes into the start of the show when 3000 fans stormed the stage.  When all was said and done, The Stones only ended up performing a total of six songs.