A Final Blast Of Christmas Cheer!

And the Christmas Hits just keep on comin'!!! Here's another batch sent into us by our readers!

My radio and TV friends, please listen to my attached latest Christmas recording, "PATRIOTIC CHRISTMAS" and if you enjoy it, please consider airing it sometime in the next few days. I've posted it as a free download on my site WWW.TRADEMARTINMUSIC.COM and I've got no problem if you'd like to do the same on your site. I also have a strong, short video on my recording, and I will e-mail it to you immediately if you request it.
Have a great Christmas and thanks so much!!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA,
and best regards,
Trade



Kent …
How ya’ doin’? I’m so excited, I thought must be one of the luckiest guys in the world to have co-written four tracks on three recently re-released Michael Jackson CDs, then I hear that Amazon.com just included “Little Christmas Tree” by Michael on a special Christmas compilation, with Bing Crosby, Brenda Lee, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, The J5, and a dozen more classic artists!
I want to thank you and all my Forgotten Hits pals who’ve phoned and e-mailed me, as well as the Deejays, who added the song to their Christmas play lists …now I want to tell you the story behind the song.
“It’s summer of 1973 and Ed Silvers, President of Warner Brothers Music, is losing his patience with me. He thinks I’m spending far too much time trying to get our songs cut at Motown. Although I secure songs in our catalog by some of their biggest artists, they’re only album cuts. Ed is convinced that I’ll never get a single released by Motown.
I know at this point that the only way I could have a chance for a hit and escape the wrath of Ed, is to get a cover by the Jackson 5 or little Michael. There was only one staff writer at Warner Brothers music who could write in a classic R+B style, George S. Clinton, Jr.

I go to the two producers who love George’s writing the most, Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson, who just had big hits with 12 year old Michael on “Rockin’ Robin” and “Little Bitty Pretty One” (which was my suggestion). They tell me that “Ben”, from the movie of the same name, is racing up the charts and Berry Gordy Jr., the owner of Motown, wants each of his producers to start recording new sides with him.
I sit with Jerry and Mel and we talk about what kind of song they should record with Michael. I suggest a Christmas song, one so commercial that it could be the follow up single to, “Ben”. When I see their eyes light up, I tell them that George S. Clinton, Jr. and I have started such a song! When they ask to hear it, I tell them we were still working on it, when in fact we hadn’t even started! I can’t tell them the title, ’cause there isn’t any! I do tell them, however, that it’s a true story of how my girlfriend left me out in the cold like the last tree in a Christmas tree lot, which is left unsold on Christmas Eve. They freak out and say they had to have the finished song by Monday. I say, “No problem”
I call George, who knows nothing about any of this, as soon as I get back to my office. He can’t believe I told them we’d have a finished song to them by Monday, when it’s Friday and we haven’t even started.
Saturday morning we meet at my office. It’s the middle of summer, about 90 degrees, but we have to get in a Christmas Mood. As I tell George about my break up with Diana last Christmas, then I start to throw Ivory Snowflakes around the room. Soon, we have the first verse and chorus.”
“Little Christmas Tree, looking sorta’ sad and lonely just like me
No one seems to care, they just went away and left him standing there …
All alone on Christmas Eve”
On Monday morning George does a piano voice demo, and I get it to Jerry and Mel that afternoon. They love it so much that they knock one of their own songs off the date and cut ours.
I’m almost in tears when I hear the finished record the following week with the news that it’s being considered for the follow-up to “Ben”, which had just hit number one! You can imagine how I feel a few weeks later when Berry Gordy, Jr. decides not put out any follow up to the Oscar nominated “Ben”, until the Academy Awards are given out … which is after Christmas! A few days later I come up with a plan and present it to Motown. I suggest that the company puts a double album's worth of previously recorded Christmas songs by each of their hit artists, along with “Little Christmas Tree”. The double album is called “A Motown Christmas”, which includes cuts by Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross, and it’s released just in time for the holidays.”

To hear the song and watch the new video on “Little Christmas Tree” by Michael Jackson. http://over50music.com
Copyright 2009 by Artie Wayne from his forthcoming book, “I Did It For A Song” http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
Merry Christmas and regards,
Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/

Artie also sent us a special link for "Ten Holiday Videos That Don't Suck"!!! (lol) I especially enjoyed seeing the "Dick In A Box" clip again ... and that Elvis Presley / Martina McBride duet features some INCREDIBLE editing. Enjoy!

Kent ... How ya' doin'?

Tired of the same old videos? Here are TEN HOLIDAY MUSIC VIDEOS THAT DON”T SUCK! featuring WILLIE NELSON, Bruce Springsteen, UNCENSORED “DICK IN A BOX!”, Twisted Sister, U2, NEW BLONDIE!, ELVIS, RAD DUDES, NEW Michael Jackson, KILLERS, and Brian Setzer! http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/10-holiday-music-videos-that-dont-suck/
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and regards - Artie Wayne http://over50music.com

Here's another favorite from last year ... Henry Gross and "What A Christmas"!

Kent,
My long time friend Andy Kim sent me his latest Christmas recording a few weeks back. I forgot to pass it on to you and your readers.
Andy, who wrote several hits in the 60's and 70's, including "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies, continues to write and has an album of all new songs that he also sent me - very strong material.
Attached is "Whatever Happened To Christmas"
John Rook
Lyrics:
What ever happened to Christmas
What ever happened to you & me ...
The season is all over town
The meaning's not easily found
The hand that I used to hold is gone
Still my heart keeps holding on
What ever happened to Christmas
What of the child I used to be
What ever happened to Christmas
What ever happened to you & me
The shop windows flash in the night
The shoppers all go rushing by
The carols that you & I would sing
They used to mean everything
What ever happened to Christmas
What of the child I used to be
What ever happened to Christmas
What ever happened to you & me
I been wondering where you are
Wondering if you ever think of me
I been searching near & far
I'm not a wise man with a star or gift to bring
Solo
The hand that I used to hold is gone
Still my heart keeps holding on ...
Instrumental ...
What ever happened to Christmas
What of the child I used to be
What ever happened to Christmas
What ever happened to you & me
What ever happened to Christmas
What of the child I used to be
And what's become of forgiveness
What ever happened to you & me
Thanks, John ... a VERY nice Christmas song ... glad to hear Andy's still making music. (Tell him about what we do here in Forgotten Hits ... we would LOVE to have him come onboard!!!) kk

Kent ...
Re: Andy Kim's new Christmas song.
Here's an additional thought concerning Holiday music....
In the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's radio was responsible for introducing new Christmas and New Years hits that even today are programmed during the holidays. Where are the new holidays hits for the future coming from? What new holiday hit did radio introduce for this year? Or any recent year?
Last year Tommy James had a sensational Christmas record ... and this year, Andy Kim does. Unfortunately "oldie" radio doesn't seem to be aware they could offer some music excitement exposing a new holiday song each year.
John

We have been VERY fortunate here in Forgotten Hits these last three or four years in that many of these artists have chosen US to debut their new holiday music. We proudly post these on our web page and in our newsletter so that the fans out there can see that these artists are still creating new music ... and in the hope that some of the jocks on the list will pick up this music and feature it in their oldies programs. Tommy James' album is one of the best pieces of Christmas music I've ever heard ... certainly it deserves to be heard this time of year ... and it fits right along with all of the OTHER Tommy James music you're already playing. Andy Kim, too ... and so many OTHERS that we've featured over the past several years. This year alone we've featured holiday tracks by Michael Jackson, Tony Orlando, Henry Gross, Freddy Cannon, The Rip Chords, The Buckinghams, Danny and the Juniors and many others ... ALL of whom are oldies radio staples. What a GREAT excuse to play something a little bit off the beaten path by these artists and still celebrate the holiday season. (We don't need to hear "Mony Mony" eight times today ... nor do we need to hear "Feliz Navidad" eight times ... break up the monotony a little and feature some NEW Music by some of the established oldies favorites!

John raised ANOTHER excellent part regarding the programming of Christmas muisc:

With the holidays once again upon us, music radio has begun to discover the recording artists they neglect all year long. Bing Crosby, Nat “King” Cole, the Carpenters, Brenda Lee, Andy Williams and dozens of others suddenly “fit,” played right along with a steady diet of rock performers.

You're right ... and as soon as the holidays are over, ALL of the music recorded by these artists will all go back on the shelf and the mentality will once again be that this music simply doesn't "fit" ... when, in fact, it fits just fine!!! (More on this in our next "Radio Segment".) kk

Meanwhile, speaking of Andy Kim ... and The Archies ... here's a track from Ron Dante's "Archies Christmas Party" from last year!



Hi Kent,
We love all the Christmas goodies on your site. I'm sure you know that all your hard work is appreciated.
I hope you and Frannie have a wonderful Christmas.
Carolyn Travis and Chris Gilson
Thanks, Guys ... and continued success in 2010 ... hopefully "Airplay" will be seen by the masses so that others can enjoy this fine piece of work. (kk)

Kent,
Happee Hollydaze and a (hopefully) Merry Noo Yeer to everyone involved with "Forgotten Hits'! In this time of crisis and concern regarding our economy and Christmas in general, I'd like to impart a little wisdom by one Karen Walker of "Will & Grace". I think she sums everything up perfectly:
"Think about the Baby Jesus! Up in that tower, letting his hair down so that the three wise men could climb it, spin the dreidel, and see if there's six more weeks of winter!"
Love & Peace,

Ed "Don't Go" Pond

I love "All I Want For Christmas is You" by Vince Vance and The Valiants. I also love the version by Santa's Doo Wop Helpers (Joel Katz, Johnny Maestro, Bobby Van and Larry Chance. Katz sings lead and the other guys sing backup.
Topaz

Hi Kent,
Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday season,
Mick / The 1910 Fruitgum Company

Warmest Holiday Wishes from San Felipe, Baja, California MX.
Denny & Sandi Flannigan
PS Sandi is doing well after the breast enhancement and the green Christmas tatoo. It's really cool if you can't find a blouse ... HO HO HO

Sandi & Denny ... beachin' it in San Felipe ...

And remember last year when Veeder Van Dorn from The Moonrakers (Denny's old band) sent us his remake of The Beach Boys' classic "Little Saint Nick"???

Kent,
Hope you'll post "Riu Chiu", the Christmas song the Monkees sang on their Christmas show from the second season. It's beautiful!
Debbie in PA
We've featured this one a number of times in the past ... and even played it on Jim Shea's Radio Show last year when we featured "Forgotten Christmas Hits" ... but we like it, too ... so here it is again!!! (A special treat for all you Butch Patrick fans out there, too!!! lol) kk

And, speaking of The Monkees ...

re: DOLENZ, JONES, BOYCE AND HART:
I recently received an email from a guy named Mark Kleiner, a freelance writer from Saskatoon, Canada, who is putting together a piece documenting the career of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce And Hart. (Mark happened to see our Boyce and Hart piece on The Forgotten Hits Web Page and contacted me to see if I would share some of my personal memories of seeing DJBH at their premier performance at Six Flags Over St. Louis back in 1976.) Naturally, I obliged ... I was a HUGE fan of ALL these guys ... and thought it might be neat to see if any of our readers would also like to share some of THEIR memories. (Who knows ... you just might make his article!!!) So, as a favor to Mark, let's open this up to The Oldies Community out there and see what comes back. And, if you haven't read our piece yet spotlighting The Music of Tommy Boyce And Bobby Hart, you can check it out here:
Click here: Forgotten Hits - THE MUSIC OF TOMMY BOYCE AND BOBBY HART
(You'll also find our exclusive interview with Bobby Hart on the same site!)

Dear Kent,

My name is Mark Kleiner and I am a freelance writer from Canada. I have greatly enjoyed your internet pieces on Boyce and Hart; stellar work.

At the moment, I am putting together an extensive article on the career of Dolenz, Jones, Boyce and Hart, due out next summer to coincide with the 35th anniversary of their debut at Six Flags. Would you be willing to email me some more reminiscences of your experience of those concerts? They would be of tremendous value for this piece.

For example, when you mention the minimal amount of press, what press was there? What was the vibe in the park like? Why do you think St Louis was such a big DJBH center (along with Disneyland, the site of their most concerts -- three different stints)?

Thank you for your consideration, Kent. And all your great work on the Forgotten Hits site.

Remembrin' the feeling,

Mark Kleiner

Saskatoon / Canada

Before you go Runnin' Back To Saskatoon, let me show you guys what I've shared with Mark so far ... again, we welcome your input and memories for this special piece.
Hi Mark!
I remember the feeling ... of going to that very first Dolenz, Jones, Boyce And Hart shows down at Six Flags Of America / St. Louis back in 1976.
As I recall, there was VERY little promotion for this show ... but having been a life-long Monkees fan, the minute I heard about it I convinced a friend to make the drive down there with me.
I remember that they couldn't use "The Monkees" name at the time ... so they billed themselves as "The Guys Who Sang 'em And The Guys Who Wrote 'em" ... and it was a VERY enthusiastic crowd ... a record-breaker (at the time) as I recall. I never had the chance to see The Monkees during their hot period ... and since Davy and Micky pretty much sang all the hits anyway, it was a REAL treat to see these guys in action. (Boyce and Hart thrown in on the deal only helped to sweeten the pot!)
I thoroughly enjoyed the show ... by December, they were back in Chicago doing some sort of "Toys For Tots" benefit show or something, where you had to bring a new, unwrapped toy and that was your ticket into the concert. They did pretty much the same show we saw down in St. Louis, but that was OK. (I remember, too, being VERY disappointed at the "live" album that was released from a show they did in Japan ... in fact, I can't believe they let it out ... it was about as unflattering a performance as I've ever heard!)
Anyway, not sure if that's what you're looking for or not ... I've seen probably a dozen Monkees reunion shows since then (never with Mike, however!) and seen them play everything from a packed outdoor theater where you couldn't even see where the crowd ended to a small theater in Indiana where there probably weren't 30 people in the entire audience (Micky and Davy ... "Just Monkee-ing Around") ... but that Dolenz, Jones, Boyce and Hart concert was the first. (By the way, their Capitol album just may be one of the most under-rated, overlooked gems of the decade ... and "I Remember The Feeling" should have taken them back to The Top 40. Incredibly, ten years later M-TV relaunched their career and the 20 year tour, 25 year tour, 30 year tour and 35 year tour have all successfully followed. Yep, I'm a fan!!!)
Kent Kotal
Forgotten Hits

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL ...

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!

(We'll see you all back here over the weekend! Have a Very Happy Holiday!!!)

Even MORE Christmas Presents

We've been receiving a ton of Christmas Greetings this year ... so we're sharing as many as we can with our readers before the holiday is fully upon us.

First up ... one we've received about a dozen requests for this past week alone ... it's a Texas Christmas Favorite ... and one of ours, too!



It's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Vince Vance and the Valiants. (The better-known song of the same title by Mariah Carey has been ALL over the radio this season ... and it's a GREAT track. In fact, our daughter won the solo on that one when her school chorus performed it as part of their Christmas Program this past week! Yay, Paige!!!)

The Vince Vance track has been circulating for years ... but one of our readers points out that Vince was NOT the first artist to do it ...

Vince Vance & Valiants - All I Want For Christmas Is You - a Dallas favorite - not the same as the Mariah Carey classic
Although I love the version of this song by the Valiants, many might not remember it was first sung by Johnny Maestro and Larry Chance. Thought you might enjoy this version also.
Carrie



And let's not forget a couple of FH Holiday Favorites from last season ... you can find Davie Allan's "Fuzz For The Holidays" on his website ... it includes "Winter Song", a rare VOCAL performance by Davie!


Click here: Davie Allan and The Arrows

The Rip Chords gave us "Hot Rod Holiday" last year ... it, too, is available on their website:


Click here: The Rip Chords on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

Hey Kent ...
All of us in The Rip Chords want to wish you and our Forgotten Hits friends a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thanks for all of your support these past years! We're looking forward to more years of the best rock and roll there is ... the kind we all love and talk about here at Forgotten Hits.
Here's our newest Holiday song ..."HOT ROD HOLIDAY" ... which is included on the new Collectables Records CD, "CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA".
Happy Hot Rod Holiday Everyone!!!
The Rip Chords ...
Richie Rotkin
Arnie Marcus
Mitch Schecter
Freddy Brog
Bobby Scammell

And Freddy Cannon was spreading HIS holiday cheer last year, too!


Click here: Freddy Boom Boom Cannon's Home Page

And THIS was a nice surprise ... a holiday greeting from Chicago Radio Legend Bob Dearborn!

All the very best to you in 2010!
Bob Dearborn


As you can see, we're getting ALL kinds of Christmas videos, too!!! (lol)
YouTube - You Ain't Getting Sh*t For Christmas - Red Peters
(submitted by Talk2Me)

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW to watch a rare CHARLIE GRACIE PBS CHRISTMAS SEGMENT from a few years back. Philly's first rock 'n' roll star performs "Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me" and "Jingle Bell Rock." Enjoy! (By the way, that's radio legend Harvey Holiday who's hosting this program.)
Charlie Gracie, Jr.
Click here: YouTube - Charlie Gracie Christmas

Tommy Conwell - Kinda Christmasy
Check out this Holiday video featuring Tommy Conwell:
Click here: YouTube - Tommy Conwell - Kinda Christmasy

From the CD, "Season's Greetings Philadelphia", check out Tommy's music video for his song, "Kinda Christmasy".
Produced, mixed & engineered by George Manney @ Geo Sound Studios in Philadelphia.
Video produced by George Manney.
http://www.GeoSound.org
Available online at iTunes & CD Baby:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sgp
"Season's Greetings Philadelphia"
18 song holiday compilation promises to be fun for the entire family featuring all Philadelphia artists including Marah, Tommy Conwell, Buzz Zeemer, Rolling Hayseeds , Mark Boyce Combo, Eltro, John Flynn and 10 other great artists.
Mostly Originals. All tracks C-Produced by George Manney.
A Record Cellar release.

Here's a couple more from Steve Knuettel ...
First up ... Dion's take on "Jingle Bell Rock" ...



Followed by "A Not So Merry Christmas" by one of your FH Favorites, Bobby Vee

As a long time lover of pop music I’ve always been curious about the story behind the song. Knowing that many of you feel the same way, I’d like to share the story behind “I Lose it When I Hear 'White Christmas'", a new song that I wrote with Toni Wine (“Groovy Kind of Love”, “Candida”), which is on the Tony Orlando and Dawn “Reunion” album.
In 1995, after 20 years of being in the music business as a singer, songwriter, producer, being an exec at April-Blackwood, Warner Brothers music, and running Irving / Almo, I had become too weak to even hold a guitar. Finally, I could no longer work at Allan Rinde’s legendary Chinese restaurant in Hollywood, Genghis Cohen, [which I named and hosted off and on for ten years].
When I kept falling down in the street, I knew that something was seriously wrong with me! I was uninsured, and was facing this crisis all alone. My two closest friends, Allan Rinde, was spending more and more time in Nashville with his fiance, Toni Wine … and Patti Dahlstrom had moved back to Houston to teach music and critical thinking at the Art Institute of Houston. I had taken to wearing all black, as I stumbled around the back streets of Hollywood, hoping I wouldn’t see anybody that I knew. I felt, for the first time in my life, that I had reached the end of the road.
Fortunately, Patti was in town for a conference, and came over to visit. I didn’t want her to see me broke and broken … but now I’m glad I did. She convinced me to swallow my pride, and seek help from social services, which saved my life! I went to the USC medical center for two days of tests, and they kept me for three weeks.
It was a few days before Christmas, I was in a ward with many who were far worse off than me … and we did our best to keep each others’ spirits up. Somehow, I lost my phone book, and the only numbers that I could remember was my Mother's, who had moved to West Virginia, and that my long time friend Alan O’Day, who was on his way out of town.
It’s a policy of most hospitals to send as many patients home for the holidays to be with their family and friends as are able. Soon, I was the only one left in the ward, since I had nowhere else to go. One lonely night, as I sat feeling sorry for myself, I heard a group down the hall, singing Christmas carols. I followed the voices to the childrens' ward … where I heard the joyous sounds of “Jingle Bells”. It was the Salvation Army, passing out toys and candy, and singing to the kids, who were confined to their beds. I joined in on “Silent Night”, “Jingle Bell Rock”, and “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer”, but when they started singing “White Christmas” tears started running down my face and I had to sit in another room to compose myself. This song, written by Irving Berlin, always brings back memories of family and friends in a snow covered New York City, blanketing me with emotions.
Ten years later, I told Toni Wine (whom I’ve known since she was 14) this story ... and showed her some lyrics I had written that night: “I Lose it When I Hear 'White Christmas'”.
She loved it, but wanted to make the story more universal. Over two writing sessions, which we started on Irving Berlin’s piano (which Toni bought many years ago), here's what we came up with …

”If you want to hear the Tony Orlando and Dawn recording click: http://artiewayne.com/I_Lose_It.html
If you like it, please feel to share it with a friend … if you love it, however, feel free to share it with your entire address book!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and best of holidays, from Artie Wayne On The Web ENJOY TO THE WORLD!
Copyright 2009 by Artie Wayne from his forthcoming book, “I Did It For A Song” http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/

Thanks, Artie ... this is a GREAT story and a very beautiful song. (Tony sounds a little bit like Randy Newman on this one!) And it's a magnificient arrangement, too. It's from the recently released Tony Orlando and Dawn "Reunion" album, available now through Amazon.com. (kk)

Thanks Kent ... glad you like. Michael Omartian arranged, produced it and played piano on it.

Regards,

Artie

Well, it's OFFICIALLY my Favorite New Christmas Song of 2009!!! Been playing it over and over again ... wtg, Artie!!! (kk)

We'll have more Christmas magic coming your way tomorrow ... stay tuned!

We Hope You Find Today's Piece "Commercially Appealing"!!!

Sounds like we just may have found our next "hot topic" ... based on the number of emails that continue to come in on this subject ... Enjoy!!!

re: HEAVEN SENT:
Interesting topic. I always thought Heaven Sent was a distinctive fragrance that topped most others, many of which smelled more like insecticide. I actually convinced a girl in college to start wearing it.
Yes, it's still for sale. And, according to Fragrance.net, has been since 1936:
http://www.fragrancenet.com/heaven-sent-perfume/dana/womens-fragrances/wf/en_US/01147?cur_letter=H
I notice there's also a vanilla Heaven Sent. Interesting, since another girl I knew in college wore vanilla cologne. My past is catching up to me.
- Ron (not THAT Ron) Smith

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE MELODY TO HEAVEN SCENT IS SO CATCHY?
OK, I THOUGHT SO ... SO HERE GOES.
IT STARTS ON A MINOR CHORD AND THEN GOES TO A SUB DOM. MAJOR (THINK BRIAN HYLAN / "SEALED WITH A KISS"). THEN IT SCOOTS THROUGH A SERIES OF CONSONANT MEDIANT RELATED PROGRESSIONS (SOUNDS LIKE HEAVEN). THEN IT GOES TO THE ROOT IN MAJOR FOLLOWED BY THE RELATIVE MINOR. (THINK "GEE WHIZ" / CARLA THOMAS). ALL THIS I GOT FROM ONE QUICK LISTEN.
THE CHANGES ARE ANGELIC AND HAVE A PLEASING EFFECT ON THE LISTENER. THE WORDS HELP, TOO. IF YOU THINK THIS ALL A COINCIDENCE, YOU'RE WRONG. JINGLES WERE VERY CAREFULLY THOUGHT OUT AND I SPENT LOTS OF TIME TRYING TO CAPTURE THE MAGIC WITHOUT STEALING A MELODY. HOWEVER,YOU CAN USE THE SAME CHORDS ... OR, EVEN BETTER, SEVERAL TRIED AND TRUE PATTERNS. ANY GOOD SONG / JINGLE WRITER KNOWS WHEN SOMETHING WORKS. ON SOME OCCASIONS, AN EXISTING SONG IS FOUND THAT FITS A COMMERCIAL, LIKE CLAIROL DID WITH MY RECORDING OF "SHE LETS HER HAIR DOWN". IN EITHER CASE, THE WRITER DID A GREAT JOB.
(I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT THERE WERE QUITE A FEW JINGLES THAT I SANG AND PLAYED ON. MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT IN THE SAME DAY YOU MAY BE CALLED UPON TO SOUND LIKE THE BEACH BOYS IN THE MORNING AND RAY CHARLES IN THE AFTERNOON. I DO HAVE SOME VERY INTERESTING STORIES.)
REGARDS,
DON (YOUNG) ALBANO
And Don will be sharing some of those stories ... and some of his music ... with our readers real soon. Thanks, Don! (kk)

Hi Kent,
Am I not finding the Heaven Sent jingle on your page for downloading? I REALLY want to get an MP3 of the classic version Rob says he sent, but I can't find anything to click on. Can you send it to me, please?
HOWEVER, when trying to figure out where to hear the jingle, I did click on Jeff Lemlich's Limestone site and then clicked on his "Garage Hangover" site where Gary Myers' Portraits group has a great biography on this long lasting history. Possibly more exciting to me was finding the latest entry of the Five Bucks (later Byzantine Empire). If you do not know this USA / Dunwich records recording act, you NEED to read about them, and more importantly, listen to some of their 45s. Just GREAT pop rock stuff! I contacted Bruce Kerr years ago when researching the USA records catalog and he had some good info of which much is in the article as well as local top 40 charts. Finally, I am happy that the Five Bucks got some recognition on the recent Sundazed USA Records CD release. I wish they had the rights to the other 45s, but it is still good to get a song out there from this outstanding band!
WLSClark
Ironically, we just received a note from Gary Myers about this same piece ... more info below for those interested in reading it ...
For whatever interest (if any) it might be, here is an article I wrote that was just put online by the garagehangover site:
http://www.garagehangover.com/?q=Portraits
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem

re: MORE "COMMERCIAL" APPEAL:
I don't know if you've covered this one yet, but while we're talking commercials that turned into pop songs (or even commercials that didn't but should have; e.g., Heaven Sent) it's worth mentioning "Come to the Sunshine," which Harpers Bizarre released in 1967 and (according to Whitburn's Top 40 Hits), peaked at #37.
I don't know if Harpers recorded the commercial itself, but it was certainly done in their style. The product being pushed was called Sun-In, and is still being sold; it's a weak bleach that puts lighter streaks in your hair. The commercial's lyrics differed significantly from the song adaptation, but sheesh, they still stick in my mind:
Come to the sunshine!
Throw some light in your hair and swear it's the sunshine;
(Goofy British voice: "The sun did it!")
It's the sunshine;
You know they won't know it isn't the sun.
I swear, in the summer of '67 that commercial came on every twenty minutes on WCFL. The song itself was decent, but I liked almost everything that charted for Harpers Bizarre.
And it makes me wonder: What other commercials became pop songs back in the day?
Jeff Duntemann
Colorado Springs, Colorado



"Come To The Sunshine" was Harpers Bizarre's follow-up single to their Top 20 smash cover version of Simon and Garfunkel's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)". It didn't chart here in Chicago ... instead we awarded "hit status" to their NEXT single, a GREAT reworking of the old Cole Porter tune "Anything Goes". It's funny but I don't remember "Come To The Sunshine" from the "Sun In" commercial ... but I am familiar with the song ... so it must have been played here to some extent, even though it never made our local charts. Thanks for sharing, Jeff! (kk)

Hi KK:
I enjoyed the discussion and playbacks of the "Heaven Sent" radio ads. I more or less ignored them at the time because they were repeated so much. Now I appreciate how creative they were then. These days I don't seem to hear any ads as much fun.
The subject brought to mind a couple done in 1967 / 68 by SFs Jefferson Airplane for Levi's Jeans. I think they sound hilariously trippy considering how straight laced AM radio was in those days. From the 2400 Fulton Street compilation I'm attaching them here
Enjoy!
John B. Krug
Yes, you can turn me on! I'm on the radio!
Surf City Sounds Plus: http://www.Live365.com/stations/johns805?play



Happy Holidays to All!
The Heaven Sent jingle reminded me of a Local (Boston) jingle for getting Gas Heat, maybe it was Oil Heat. It was called the Montreal Express, about the cold wind coming down from CANADA, and how to fight it off by using the companies fuel. I haven't heard it for quite a long time, perhaps one of your readers has a version to share.
Isn't wonderful all the ways we can enjoy our music these days! I hope all your Christmas wishes come to pass.
Charles
Right backatcha, Charles! Being a Chicago Boy, I'm not familiar with this ad campaign ... but I'll betcha some of our East Coast Readers are! Let's see what comes back! (kk)

Jade East was a 60s icon. Who could ever forget it. Just ask any girl or guy from the 60's. As a female I loved to smell this stuff on my guy. Was there a jingle for this one?
Carrie
I don't remember a specific jingle for this one ... but we certainly seem to have found some "commercial appeal" with this latest topic! (lol) kk

Hi Kent
I seem to remember another fragrance being advertised back in the late 60's on either WLS or 'CFL. It was called ''Windsong'' by Prince Matchebelli [sic]. The jingle mentioned ''and her Wingsong stays on my mind'' or something on that order. Its been a long time ago! LOL!
Also there was an ad for H.I.S. jeans and slacks. It went something like ''the guy in the know,the guy on the go, goes H.I.S.,H.I.S.,H.I.S ... !!!"
This all stirs up lots of good memories. Keep up the great work!
Kay
That Windsong melody is another classic ... I had forgotten all about it but it came back IMMEDIATELY at the mention of this perfume! Unreal the subliminal effect these ads had on us growing up! Thanks, Kay! (kk)

Click here: YouTube - windsong
And check THIS one out ... another instant commercial classic!!! (Betcha can sing every word!!!)
Click here: YouTube - Prince Matchabelli TV Commercial - 1970s
And speaking of H.I.S. jeans, be sure to give a listen to those Levi's commercials above courtesy of John Krug and The Jefferson Airplane ... makes you want to run right out to the store and pick up a pair!!! (lol) kk

In thinking about radio jingles that became pop songs, I unexpectedly recalled a jingle for Ken-L-Ration dog food from the early-mid 1960s. It was played to death on TV, and I'd think anybody who could hear at all in that era would remember it:

My dog's bigger than your dog!

My dog's faster than yours!

My dog's bigger 'cause he eats Ken L Ration,

My dog's better than yours!

I vaguely remember a song with the same melody as the commercial that was played (a little) in the Chicago markets called "Doggie Named Leroy," of which I recall only a couple of lines:

I've got a doggie named Leroy
He can beat any dog any old time.
Me and my doggie named Leroy
We just play around.
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la la-la (woof! woof!) , etc.

I looked around online for anything on it, and the only mentions were in connection with WLS, so it may have been a local garage band. Interestingly, the Wikipedia writeup on Ken-L-Ration states that the jingle was adapted from a Tom Paxton song called "My Dog's Bigger Than Your Dog." So we may in fact have a song adapted into a commercial and then adapted back into a pop song!

Jeff Duntemann

Colorado Springs, Colorado
I definitely remember that one!!! I found an old LP from 1989 that features 55 different commercials ... they seem to be somewhat categorized by product: Soft Drinks, Breakfast Cereals, Beer, Cigarettes, Cars, Shaving, Skin and Hair products ... and then things like Alka Seltzer, Rice-A-Roni, Hawaiian Punch, Ajax Laundry Detergent and several others ... and your Ken-L Ration commercial appears on there, too! Nowadays, we mute all the commercials when they come on ... or folks Tivo through them!!! Back then, in the pre-technology days, we'd all just sing along! (kk)
Click here: YouTube - TV Land Retromercial for Ken-L Ration!

Hi Kent,
I really enjoy your Forgotten Hits website. I don't even know why I started receiving it, but I'm glad I did.
I have three commercials that I'd be glad to send you if you are interested.
One is by The Moonglows, The Ten Commandments Of Hair Care (Protein 21 Shampoo). It's a series of four Radio Commercials.
The second is a Stan Freberg Commercial for "Terminex", Titled Terminex Termites.
The Third is a commercial for BP Gasoline - There Coming To Tow Me Away, Ho Ho, Hee Hee Haw Haw.
Anyway, if you want them, should I zip them and send you a link, or send them to you by E Mail.
Arnold Kirkbride
Send 'em in, Arnold! Obviously, this has turned into another hot topic around here lately! Glad to hear you're enjoying Forgotten Hits! (kk)

I'll send the commercials one at a time as MP3's. The first one is The Ten Commandments of Hair Care (Protein 21 Shampoo). I'm pretty sure it was from 1970. It's in four parts, four separate radio spots. The group, for those who never heard of them (The Younger Crowd), were The Moonglows, a popular R & B Group in the 1950's. Their most popular songs were "See Saw" & "We Go Together".
Actually the tune is the same as one of their later songs - The Ten Commandments Of Love.
Arnold

Funny stuff! Hard to believe this is from the '70's!!! I would have figured this to be much older to cash in on this sound. (And let's not forget the track that The Moonglows are BEST known for: "Sincerely" from the dawn of The Rock Era.) kk

This commercial is actually not the original radio commercial, but a sample of the commercial from one of Stan Freberg's Albums. It's still the funniest radio commercial I've ever heard.
I can't find the 3rd commercial, so this is all for now.
Arnold
Thanks, Arnold ... I'm hoping the other one turns up soon ... we've devoted quite a bit of space in these pages to Napoleon XIV and "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!" (kk)

I just found it ... Here it is!

Arnold

Hey Kent,

Loved hearing "Heaven Sent" just as much as everyone else did. Here in Omaha, we listened to WLS when the signal came in at night and their jingles (both commercial and for the station itself) are legendary.

So ... how about featuring "The Greatest Jingles of All Time"? What do you think? We can all submit favorite jingles -- hopefully with plenty of audio clips from the past. That's something that radio has lost -- many of its great commercial and station jingles.

Gary Emenitove (a jingle lover!)
I think we may have already started this without even realizing it!!! lol Like I always say, I never know where our next hot topic is going to come from ... I sure didn't expect it to be THIS one ... but hey, it sure looks like everybody's havin' fun!!! (kk)

The Sunday Comments ( 12 - 20 - 09 )

Another round of Sunday Comments ...

re: BEST SELLING ALBUMS ... OF THE DECADE ... AND OF ALL TIME!!!:
>>>As for "Dark Side Of The Moon", I don't think it's really fair to reduce its chart-life to just 14 years when it's been selling enough copies to consistently make the list for all 36 years that it's been available ... honestly, how is THIS not the biggest selling album of all-time? We keep hearing how Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and The Eagles' original "Greatest Hits" LPs were the ones constantly changing places at the top of the All-Time Best Sellers List ... but these two haven't sold enough copies on a consist enough basis to stay on the catalog chart for that duration, have they? They may have sold bigger numbers INITIALLY ... and certainly "Thriller" sold millions more after Michael Jackson's passing ... but I cannot help but wonder where "Dark Side Of The Moon" stands in the total scheme of things ... anybody know for sure??? (kk)
Kent,

The RIAA Web site has a page listing the all-time top selling albums in the U.S., based on its gold and platinum certifications: http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblTop100.
The numbers in the left-hand column are the millions in shipments the RIAA has certified for each album. (Note that most double albums are credited with two sales for each unit sold.) Dark Side Of The Moon is currently No. 22 on the list, certified for 15 million units shipped (compared to 29 million for Thriller and The Eagles / Their Greatest Hits).

– Randy Price
Doesn't it strike you as just a little bit odd that "Dark Side Of The Moon" has sold enough copies each and every week for 36 years to stay on the best sellers chart yet only ranks 22nd overall? I would have certainly expected it to be in The Top Five! Like I said, I understand that these other LPs sold more initially but most of these have had a comeback or two at best ... NOT a consistent run on the charts the way DSOTM has. Forgetting whatever "Dark Side Of The Moon"'s initial sales are for a minute ... and just calculating say 20,000 copies a week for the past 36 years (enough to keep it on the charts that entire duration) would put this at about 37 1/2 Million Copies PLUS the millions it sold when it was first released. For those of you who have not seen this before, this is a very interesting link ... Page One shows LPs with 10,000,000 in sales or better ... a pretty darn impressive list to say the least. FH Reader Dwight Rounds mentioned the other day that The Beatles' White Album ranks as their biggest seller because it achieved DOUBLE sales status as a two-record set (which also puts Pink Floyd's "The Wall" ahead of "Dark Side Of The Moon".) This, too, doesn't seem quite fair ... I mean you couldn't really buy one album without the other, could you??? It might be time to officially re-evaluate the way these sales are calculated, don'tcha think??? (kk)
Kent,

Don't forget that the RIAA certifications are done only periodically at the request of the record companies, so they may or may not correspond to actual retail sales. Also, in the case of Dark Side Of The Moon, it was No. 1 on the Billboard album chart for only one week, while Thriller was No. 1 for 37 weeks, so Dark Side's steady sales over time might not have been enough to overcome that initial difference. Furthermore, the Jackson and Eagles albums have sold consistently over the years, perhaps not always at the same level as Pink Floyd, but the difference between being in the lower regions of the Top 200 (or the Catalog Album chart) and being just below the radar was probably not that significant.

– Randy
And I agree that overall "Thriller" and "The Eagles' Greatest Hits" have sold more total copies if only because the initial volume was so much greater than Pink Floyd's album ... but it seems to me that "Dark Side Of The Moon" should have been slowly chipping away at all these LPs ranked above it simply by being a consistent seller for the past 36 years. Joel Whitburn's latest "Billboard Albums" book shows "Dark Side Of The Moon" at 15 times Platinum ... doesn't that translate to around 30 Million Copies sold??? (kk)
No, 15 time platinum for a single album / CD translates to 15 million copies SHIPPED (including those that are on record store shelves or in warehouses and haven't yet been sold over the counter or online).Also, don't forget that the album charts did not reflect actual unit sales until 1991... before that, they were based on reports submitted by record stores or one stops, which may or may not have been accurate representations of actual units sold.

– Randy
That's right ... GOLD status signifies half a million copies sold, Platinum is the benchmark for a million sales. (Remember a few weeks ago when we ran the quote about Soupy Sales claiming that HIS single, "The Mouse", sold a million copies?!?! When the disbelieving interviewer questioned him on this, Soupy admitted that he still had 990,000 copies in his basement, should anybody need a copy!!!) kk

>>>I'll sheepishly admit to owning SIX of the decades Top Ten Best Sellers! (kk)
Easy for you to say. I have two: Beatles and Norah Jones ... and I had a copy of Linkin Park that I found on my cul-de-sac, but it was recorded from someone's computer, and had laid in the street for a few days, and wouldn't play all the way through, so I threw it away. Long live CD stores.
Guy Arnston in Algonquin
Yeah, but good luck finding them!!! Everything seems to be online now ... although you still can't beat a visit to Rolling Stone Records in Norridge, Illinois, once or twice a year! I hadn't planned on divulging my six "owns" but (since I've been asked by at least six or seven other readers already), I, too, have The Beatles and Norah Jones in my collection ... along with BOTH Eminem LPs, Britney Spears and *NSync ... now how's THAT for a mixed collection of pop?!?!? (kk)

After looking at the Top 10 Albums of the current decade, except for the Beatles Album which is really 60’s Music, all I can say is the Human Race is in big trouble!!!! What a pile of #%$###@^&
Ken

re: INSTRUMENTALS:
>>>1. Liechtensteiner Polka - Will Glahe (instrumental) or Lawrence Welk (vocal) Ed Erxleben
I never considered the Will Glahe version to be an instrumental ... my 45 of the song certainly has vocals all over it!
Tom Diehl

speaking of which ...
>>>I remember the 45 having a deep purple label ... maybe that was part of my fascination with it!!! (kk)

London records -- all of my copies (and I once had seven copies that I bought as part of a record store's liquidation many years ago, of some 25,000 45's) ... had a blue label ... though the Canadian pressings may have had a deep purple label.
Tom Diehl
I think you're right, Tom ... as soon as I read your email I vividly remembered a VERY deep, dark blue record label on this one. (kk)

Kent ...
I was thinking about compiling a list of songs recorded as instrumentals that were also recorded with words. For example: You Can't Sit Down, Theme From A Summer Place, Red Roses For A Blue Lady, Never On Sunday, Moon River. You get the idea. What do you think?
Frank B.
Go for it ... and there are TONS more ...
I never knew "Sleep Walk" even HAD lyrics until Gary Pike of The Lettermen sent it to me a few weeks back!!! In fact, I'll bet a good percentage of instrumental hits also had lyrics, whether we knew it or not. (Look how "Am I The Same Girl" surfaced all those years later for "Soulful Strut", even though Barbara Acklin had it out as a single at the time. "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", "Music To Watch Girls By", "Love Is Blue", "Last Date", "Stranger On The Shore", "Grazing In The Grass", "Exodus", "A Taste Of Honey" ... and those are just a few off the top of my head that made our Top 50 Favorites Countdown ... ALL these songs had lyrics ... hokey lyrics, perhaps ... but lyrics none the less!!!) kk
Hey Kent ...
I thought it would be fun to start a list of songs, recorded as instrumentals plus recorded with words. I did it off the top of my head, without using the computer. I checked my Billboard Book a couple of times to verify my picks.
- Sleep Walk (Kent gets credit for this one)
- Theme From A Summer Place
- You Can't Sit Down
- Red Roses For A Blue Lady
- Moon River
- White Silver Sands
- Don't Be Cruel
- Hearts Of Stone
- Tonight
- Around The World In 80 Days
- Beyond The Sea
- Hang On Sloopy
- The Happening
- Exodus
- Melody Of Love
- Memphis
- Theme From Love Story
- Only You
- Ghost Riders In The Sky
- Mack The Knife
I'm sure your readers can add to my list.
Maybe we can get somebody to play the list, when it's finished.
Love to hear the instrumental back to back with the version with Lyrics.
Frank B.
And you know there are dozens and dozens and dozens more ... actually, that might make for an interesting special one night! (kk)

re: EVERYBODY POLKA!!!:
On the subject of polkas ...
In Heaven There Is No Beer by Clean Living actually made the Billboard charts in 1972 (a polka!!). It made it to number 49. Our local record shop always posted the chart from Radio Doctors out of Milwaukee and it was top 10 on that survey, (after all we are in Wisconsin).
Perhaps in the future we could countdown rock and roll songs with a polka tempo. For example ...
Mr. Spaceman - the Byrds
Yellow River - Christie
Phil Nee
Wrco

re: ROSES ARE RED:
This week's piece regarding the song "Roses Are Red" by Paul Evans reminded me of this interview clip from Bobby Vinton.
David Lewis


>>>According to Fred Bronson's book "The Billboard Book Of Number One Hits", Vinton was about to be dropped from the brand new Epic Record Label after his first two releases flopped. (These releases could best be described as "Big Band" music ... Vinton first fancied himself as a band leader, not a singer.) "When they came back, they said the band just wasn't making it. I said, 'I can sing a little, and there's a song you're throwing away that really sounds like something I would hear on the radio.'" Since they agreed that they did, in fact, owe Bobby another recording session, they let him cut two more songs, including "Roses Are Red". (kk)
The only thing wrong with this story is that "Roses Are Red" was actually Bobby's fourth 45 on Epic ... and the one released prior to it was also a vocal record that definitely does not sound like a big band record. I'm attaching a copy of his version of the song "Well I Ask Ya".
-- Tom Diehl
Well, it's HIS story, not mine!!! (lol) Again, sometimes the LEGEND is FAR more interesting than the truth!!! (kk)

re: ERIC WOOLFSON:
Kent,
Sorry to hear about the passing of Eric Woolfson. (Alan Parson Project) They did music after our own heart, and we were fans.
Lettermen,
Jim and Gary Pike
I think he had a GREAT voice ... and Frannie and I were big fans of their music as well. (kk)

re: THE BEACH BOYS:
Another reminder from our friends at Endless Summer Quarterly ...
WINTER 2009 - Endless Summer Quarterly, Featuring : The TODAY! Session Outtakes
The Winter 2009 edition of ESQ is now available; it features Craig Slowinski's well-researched session outtakes from the Today! album to coincide with the re-release of Today! and Summer Days [And Summer Nights!!] on vinyl (from the Capitol Vaults); Phil Miglioratti's reflective article on the Beach Boys transitional recording years from 1968 to 1970; Pet Sounds Safari concert highlights, pictures and fan testimony!

A week or two ago we told you about a brand new DVD that Billy Hinsche was making about touring with The Beach Boys in 1974 ...
We kept pressing him for more details ... and he's FINALLY ready to spill!!! (lol)
Check out the link below ... and find out how YOU can obtain a copy of this hot new release. (There's even a "Sneak Peek" video link on the website.)
Billy Hinsche - 1974 DVD
Sounds, great, Billy! (kk)

I've heard about Billy's new DVD but not seen it yet ... I saw some links to "Little Honda" when I watched the preview of this DVD. Interesting ... I was not aware that a very YOUNG Terry Garr was in the Hondell's video of the song. Always loved her legs:) One Beach Boys version of the song (there were two), shows Carl Wilson on a bicycle in a short humorous skit about the song. The driveway he starts in is Dennis Wilson's old Benedict Canyon home where he lived with his first wife, Carol, and her son, Scotty, whom Dennis adopted and loved as his own. Those were fun, fun, fun days on Benedict Canyon ... Dennis Wilson lived next to, or right up the street, from Cary Grant and his wife, Dyan Cannon. I spent a lot of time in that home in the mid-60's. You never knew who would show up there. Steve Boone was also a guest. Dennis and Carol were always gracious hosts. Can't believe that Dennis Wilson would have been 65 on December 4th. Carl Wilson's birthday is Monday. He would have been 63. Two tragic loses cut down far, far too early in life. But the legacy, and the music, lives on!.
Fred Vail

re: HEADING DOWN THE BEATLES PATH (OR WOULD THAT BE THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD???):
Happy Holidays!
"BEATexpo 2009" was awesome -- thanks to all the fans, guests, exhibitors, bands & our great staff! It was great seeing so many old friends. Hope we can do it again next year!
Looking ahead:
January 15: "Twist & Shout Dinner / Dance Party" with "The Beatle Forever Band" at San Martino's Ristorante in Yonkers, NY. Reservations (914) 779-5300, Info (203) 795-4737. (our 1st one here!)
February 5: "Twist & Shout Dinner / Dance Party" with "The Beatle Forever Band" at Aldario's Restaurant in Milford, CT. Reservations (203) 874-6096, Info (203) 795-4737. (our 3rd time back!)
February 19-21: "Weekend of LOVE 4" - Las Vegas vacation for Beatles Fans to see the Cirque du Soliel LOVE show + other Beatles bands, attractions & activities. Reservations or Info (203) 795-4737.
February 28: "R-I-N-G-O ... it's B-I-N-G-O for Beatles Fans!" Downtown Stamford Holiday Inn. Reservations or Info (203) 795-4737. THIS WILL BE GREAT! RESERVE YOUR SPACE!
March 28: "The Beatles Tribute Cruise" with Beatle bands, guests, parties and great activities (it's like a convention on a cruise-ship!). Reservations or Info: http://www.BeatlesTributeCruise.com. (we're not involved with this cruise, but they're friends, so we're throwing them our support!) August 23-September 1: "Magical History Tour" - Liverpool & London. Info (203) 795-4737.
August 21-September 1: "Magical History Tour" - Liverpool, London and Hamburg. Info (203) 795-4737.
And don't miss the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's New York Annex / John Lennon exhibit ... it closes on January 3rd!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah, one and all!
I think this holiday edition of “Meet the Beatles Fans” will bring a smile to your face, no matter how busy and stressed you are these days! Why??? It’s about a Second Gen Fan who is cooler than cool!!!!
Meet Ann Bandolik!!!
Ann is a musician, student, writer, adventurer, and “George girl.” She is a Beatles fan, within and without … an ardent supporter of “Every Little Thing” Beatles.
I met Ann two years ago at the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans, and ever since then, we’ve been e-mailing and chatting and comparing stories about Liddypool, John, George, music, English classes, and you name it! Ann is bright, witty, and supremely musically accomplished, and her Beatles story includes a face-to-face encounter with Dhani Harrison! (She held his beer for him.) You won’t believe the people she’s met and the musical feat she performed at The Beatles Story in Liverpool.
Read on, and enjoy! (And, as always, thanks to Tim Coulter at http://coultergraphics.com for making this and every feature groovy.)
http://www.ontherockbooks.com/meet18/AnnBandolik.html
Jude Southerland Kessler
http://www.ontherockbooks.com/

Ever wonder how The Beatles will be remembered long after we're gone? (Ever wonder if the historians will even come close to getting it right???) Here's a GREAT clip, send in by FH Reader Ed Andrews:

Thought you guys might enjoy this spoof.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z2vU8M6CYI&feature=player_embedded

re: TOMMY JAMES:
Hey Kent.
Our brand new Tommy James interview is up. I love this one. Be sure to check out the story (which I'm sure you've heard in various forms) about "Crimson and Clover" and WLS: http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/tommy_james/
Be Well,
Carl
Songfacts.com
This is a good one, Carl! I've been waiting for Tommy's book for close to two years now (and have had it pre-ordered for quite some time) ... can't wait to read it. James was HUGE here in Chicago ... Hanky Panky, Say I Am, It's Only Love, I Think We're Alone Now, Mirage, Mony Mony, Crimson And Clover, Sweet Cherry Wine, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Ball Of Fire, Draggin' The Line, I'm Comin' Home and Nothin' To Hide ALL hit The Top Ten here ... and seven of those went all the way to #1!!! (Hanky Panky, I Think We're Alone Now, Mirage, Mony Mony, Crimson And Clover, Crystal Blue Persuasion and Draggin' The Line ... 'cause I knew some of you would ask!!! lol) kk

re: JIM PETERIK:
One of the sales guys at work handles the Hammond / Suzuki Organ Company account ... and was invited to their company Christmas Party last week ... where the entertainment was none other than Jim Peterik of The Ides Of March and Survivor fame. He was able to pose for a picture with Jim and one of the owners of our company and sent it along to share with our Forgotten Hits Readers. In "Where's Waldo" fashion, see if you at home can "Pick Out The Rock Star" in this photo!!! Thanks, Dean! (kk)

re: AIN'T THAT COOL?!?!?:
More and more people are discovering The Forgotten Hits Web Page!!! This week's visitors included Johnny Tillotson and Andy Kim! Hopefully, we'll soon have stories to share from both of these recording legends. Meanwhile, we're finding ourselves mentioned in some pretty stellar company lately, too ... check these links out!

CONGRATULATIONS! You made it into the list of The Best Websites of 2009!!!
Click here to pick up your reward!

http://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/best-oldies-and-new-music-websites-of-2009/

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and ENJOY TO THE WORLD!
Artie Wayne

And, after The Buckinghams found themselves featured on OUR web page, they put ME up on THEIR web page!!! (How totally cool is that?!?!?)
Click here: The Buckinghams Concerts: Carl Giammarese, Nick Fortuna, Tom Scheckel, Bob Abrams, Bruce Soboroff: Kent Kotal's Fo

More great stuff planned for next week (if I can pull it all together in time) ... including more new Christmas music ... and a piece that I hope you will all find "Commercially Appealing"!!! Stay tuned! HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!