Here is More of What's Been On Your Minds:
re: THIS JUST IN!:
We knew him first as a singer ... then as a television star ... and then as the undisputed Sausage King (with apologies to Ferris Buehler and Abe Froeman). Of course I'm talking about Jimmy Dean, who topped the Pop Charts with his legendary "Big Bad John" back in 1961. (His tribute to JFK, "PT 109" was another Top Ten Hit a year later. "Little Sandy Sleighfoot", #32, 1957, "Dear Ivan", #21, 1962, "The Cajun Queen", #22, 1962, "To A Sleeping Beauty", #26, 1962, "Little Black Book", #29, 1962 and "I.O.U.", #33, 1976, rounded out his Top 40 Chart success.) Sadly, Jimmy passed away last night . (His wife told CBS News that it was natural causes.) He was 81 years old.
re: LIVING THE DREAM (Part Two):
Back on June 2nd we told you about Mark Wilkins, the Indiana Preacher who got to fulfill a life-long fantasy of rocking out on stage with Alice Cooper ... it was all part of a special "Living The Dream" segment featured on "Good Morning America". Now it's YOUR turn to fulfill your Rock And Roll Fantasy!
We just received word from publicist David Salidor and Gigatone Entertainment CEO Mitch Koulouris, that interested fans can take part in an actual recording session with some of their favorite rock artists! Check this out:
Gigatone Leverages Classic Artist Brand Equity with myRecordFantasy
Business Model Provides Classic Artists Recording Outlet, New Revenue Streams
New York - May 18, 2010 – Gigatone Entertainment, a next generation entertainment company based in Sacramento and Hollywood, announced plans today for a series of new recording projects with Classic artists that provide both the artist and label a number of new and compelling revenue streams, powerful and compelling marketing and promotion tools, and an up-close fan experience event, all in the context of the making of a new album.
myRecordFantasy brings the fan into the studio with the classic artists in the making of a new album. Fans get the opportunity to audition to record on the album among other up-close and unique experience in the three-day event. Gigatone has announced its first two myRecordFantasy fantasy camps with Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz and Starship frontman and lead singer Mickey Thomas. Gigatone has a number of additional classic artists in negotiation and the company will be making further announcement in future weeks.
“Classic artists have incredible brand equity and have legions of fans looking to participate in unique and compelling ways” said Mitchell Koulouris, CEO of Gigatone Entertainment. “With myRecordFantasy, Artists have both an outlet to record and release new music, have fans participate in the album in a unique behind-the-scenes way, and create new and previously unavailable revenue streams.”
myRecordFantasy places the super fan in the middle of the recording of a new album by a fan’s favorite artist. The three-day fantasy camp includes a number or unique, up-close, and behind-the-scenes experiences including the opportunity to audition to perform on the album. In addition, all fans attending a myRecordFantasy event receive Executive Producer credit on the album, forever associated them with an artist they love. Each myRecordFantasy events is capped off with a special VIP private concert from the artist featuring their memorable hits as well as selections from their new album. Each myRecordFantasy event is limited to 30 fans making each experience extremely limited, unique, and special. Pricing for each myRecordFantasy will vary depending on the project.
"Music fans of all stripes are looking to engage with their favorites artists in unique ways” said Mitchell Koulouris, CEO of Gigatone Entertainment. “myRecordFantasy takes the super fan behind the scenes with their favorite artist in a one-of-a-kind experience that forever associates them with an artist they love”.
Gigatone’s business model is unique in that it combines the best and most familiar aspects of the traditional recording industry with new and innovative components of an evolving industry that reduces risk for artist and label, and creates new, previously unavailable revenue streams and marketing vehicles for the artist and label.
“We have been overwhelmed with the positive response from myRecordFantasy from fans and artists alike” said Koulouris. “Fans clearly want access to unique experiences that get them as close to their favorite artists as possible. Artists want an ongoing outlet for recording new music in a way that makes sound creative and financial sense. Gigatone’s myRecordFantasy addresses this unique market condition.”
myRecordFantasy will be for the forthcoming album from Micky Dolenz, “King For A Day”, a 15-track tribute to legendary songwriter Carole King that will take place in Sacramento August 2-4, 2010. The second myRecordFantasy will be for the latest release from Starship’s Mickey Thomas featuring 16 new tracks including covers of his musical influences, contemporaries, and followers. The myRecordFantasy event for Starship’s Thomas will also take place in Sacramento in September 2010.
Dolenz was the drummer in the successful 60’s band, The Monkees, and was lead singer on most of the band’s hits including “I’m A Believer”, “Last Train To Clarksville”, and “Pleasant Valley Sunday” among others. Starship recorded some of the biggest hits of the 1980’s including “We Built This City”, “Sara”, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”, and “Find Your Way Back” among others. Thomas also was the lead singer on Elvin Bishop’s top five 1976 hit “Fooled Around And Fell In Love”.
Gigatone CEO Koulouris is a seasoned entrepreneur and former NASDAQ CEO. He serves on the Board of Governors for The Recording Academy and has completed a number of Angel, Venture, and Public capital raises including a $38 million NASDAQ IPO of Digital Music Group, Inc. in February 2006.
www.gigatone.net
www.myRecordFantasy.com
Be sure to visit the website for more information on how YOU can rock-out with some of your favorite artists (including the two Mickeys!!!). kk
re: MORE ON MICKY'S NEW LP:
Brian Wilson's music director Jeffrey Foskett is producing an album on "Monkee" Micky Dolenz
-- Fred Vail
BEACH BOYS BAND VETERAN JEFFREY FOSKETT
PRODUCES "KING FOR A DAY"
A new album by former Monkee Micky Dolenz entitled "King For A Day" will be released on August 24. The album was produced by Jeffrey Foskett, the former Beach Boys band member and current bandleader for Brian Wilson's band. "Micky is an incredible vocalist and musician," said Foskett. "Working with an accomplished artist of his caliber made it easy to produce this record. I'm proud to be part of this project." "King For A Day" is an homage to singer / songwriter Carole King. A prominent songwriter for The Monkees, Carole King penned a number of the group's most memorable hits, such as "Pleasant Valley Sunday," and "Sometime In The Morning" as well as the title song to The Monkees' film "Head" ("Porpoise Song"). The album includes 15 classic songs from the Carole King catalog. The first single from the album is a duet with teen-star Emily Osment from TV's Hannah Montana on the King classic "I Feel The Earth Move." The single is NOW available at iTunes EUROPE, click here then change iTunes stores as directed: click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=UnDrEJCDaa4&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fgb%252Falbum%252Fi-feel-the-earth-move%252Fid356878053%253Fi%253D356878080%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30"
re: CAROLE KING:
I didn't know Carole King wrote "Pleasant Valley Sunday"! And I also learned that she wrote The Everly Brothers smash "Crying in the Rain", when I saw her sing it with James Taylor the other night!
Eileen
Honestly, I didn't realize that she wrote "Crying In The Rain" either ... but you are correct ... she cowrote that one with Howard Greenfield, Neil Sedaka's usual songwriting partner back then. (Makes sense ... they all came out of The Brill Building ... and of course we all know the story behind Neil's "Oh Carol" and her answer song "Oh Neil"!!! lol) Of course, Carole's written literally HUNDREDS of hit tunes over the years so this really shouldn't come as that big of a surprise!
I really wish we could have seen James Taylor and Carole King together in concert ... truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience ... but I've got to tell you that the DVD Concert that I told you guys about the other day REALLY captures the essence of these two on stage. (We caught part of it on PBS again this weekend, too!) Meanwhile, Eileen sent along a couple of Carole and James concert shots for us to share with the list ... thank you!!! (kk)
re: THE BEACH BOYS:
And, speaking of The Beach Boys ... here's a current list of scheduled concert appearances, submitted by Former Manager Fred Vail ... as you can see, the eternal "Boys Of Summer" are out on tour "All Summer Long"!
JUNE - 2010
June 10 - Randers, DENMARK - Justesens Plæne V/randers Bro
June 12 - Chicoutimi, QC, CANADA - Vieux Port
June 17 - Las Vegas, NV - Venetian Casino (TAO Beach)
June 18 - West Wendover, NV - Peppermill Concert Hall
June 19 - Reno, NV - Silver Legacy Casino
June 20 - Seattle, WA - Snoqualmie Casino
June 25 - Belfast, United Kingdom - Waterfront Hall Auditorium
June 26 - Castlebay, Ireland - Royal Theatre and Event Centre
June 27 - Dublin, Ireland - National Concert Hall
June 29 - Helsinki, Finland - Ice Hall
June 30 - Randers, Denmark
JULY- 2010
July 01 - Gothenburg, SWEDEN - Festival
July 02 - Karlstad, SWEDEN - Mariebergsskogen
July 03 - Målilla, SWEDEN - G & B Arena
July 07 - Tenerife, Canary Islands, SPAIN
July 09 - Cap Rog, SPAIN (Near Barcelona)
July 10 - Vesteras, SWEDEN
July 17 - Santa Maria, CA - S.B. County Fair
July 18 - Saratoga, CA - Mountain Winery, 7 p.m.
July 20 - Terlock, CA - Fair July 22 - Brooklyn, NY - City Show
July 23 - Westbury, NY - Theater At Westbury
July 24 - Baltimore, MD - Pier Six Concert Pavilion
July 25 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Filene Center
July 29 - Harrington, DE - Delaware State Fair
July 30 & 31 - Rising Sun, IN - Grand Victoria Casino
AUGUST - 2010
Aug. 01 - Detroit, MI - DTE Center
Aug. 03 - Clearfield, PA - Clearfield County Fair
Aug. 04 - Morristown, NJ - The Community Theatre at Mayo Center of the Performing Arts
Aug. 05 - Stamford, CT - City show, 7:15 p.m.
Aug. 06 - Ledyard, CT - MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods
Aug. 07 - Hyannis, MA - Cape Cod Melody Tent
Aug. 08 - Cohasset, MA - South Shore Music Circus
Aug. 10 & 11 - Moncton, NB, CANADA - Casino
Aug. 12 & 13 - Toronto, ON, CANADA - Casino Rama
Aug. 14 - Ocean Grove, NJ - Great Auditorium
Aug. 22 - Temecula, CA - Pechanga, 7 p.m.
Aug. 23 - Lancaster CA - Antelope Valley Farigrounds
Aug. 24 - Kennewick, WA - Fair
Aug. 26 - Missoula, MT - County Fairgrounds
Aug. 27 - Butte, MT - Civic Center
Aug. 28 - Billings, MT - Alberta Bair Theater
SEPTEMBER - 2010
Sept. 01 - Highland Park, IL - Ravinia Pavilion
Sept. 02 - Marshfield, WI - Central Wisconsin Fair
Sept. 3 & 4 - Harris, MI - Casino
Sept. 05 - Elkhorn, WI - County Fair
Sept. 10 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey's
Sept. 11 - Rancho Mirage, CA - The Show
Sept. 30 - Calgary, Canada - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
OCTOBER - 2010
October 1 - Red Deer, CANADA- Enmax Centrium
Oct. 02 - Edmonton, AB, CANADA - River Cree Casino
Oct. 06 - Lexington, KY - Singletary Center
Oct. 07 - Jackson, TN with symphony
Oct. 8 & 9 - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage
Oct. 23 - Southport,QLD - AUSTRALIA - Gold Coast 600 - (PROMO VIDEO) www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsAZuO0huHo&feature=player_embedded
All dates are subject to change without notice.
Most shows go on sale 90 days before concert.
re: THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION, 2010-STYLE!:
Our FH Buddy Barry McGuire just posted a new video for "Eve Of Destruction" on YouTube this past week ... you need to check this out ... some very insightful lyrics and some pretty powerful images ... really makes you think. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS0m-TBBOyM
Hi Kent,
Just posted this video two days ago ... Please forward it on to anyone you think might feel in tune or inspired by what it has to say.
I've never done this before, but the times we live in dictate the necessity of this email to you. Take four minutes of your life and click on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS0m-TBBOyM
Give it a look and a listen. You might have to watch it two or three times. It's one of the heaviest things I've ever done.
Let me know what you think.
Barry
www.trippinthesixties.com
www.barrymcguire.com
Barry my friend:
Thank YOU so much for putting this baby out! As an Oldies radio DJ, every time I play the original "Eve Of Destruction" it still rings true today, and now with the 2010 update, you sir have hit the nail on the head!!!
Much love,
"Wild" Bill Cody
Yes, some pretty powerful stuff ... and how cool that Mike Bush was able to photograph "McGuinn and McGuire" at this new PBS Show we just told you about last week!!! Now THAT should be quite a show to see!!! (kk)
>>>I'VE BEEN AT THE PBS TAPINGS IN PITTSBURGH AND I HAVE ANOTHER 50 ROLLS OF FILM TO ADD TO MY COLLECTION! IT WAS THREE DAYS OF "HEAVEN ON EARTH". FINALLY GOT A PIC OF "McGUINN & McGUIRE" TOGETHER, AND BARRY ACTUALLY JOINED OUR ALL NITE HOTEL LOBBY PARTY ON THE LAST DAY AROUND 3 AM, TWO HOURS BEFORE HE WAS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE FOR THE AIRPORT. WHAT A GREAT GUY!! THOSE SHOWS ARE WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD. (MIKE BUSH)
re: AND ANOTHER '70's COMEBACK:
Classic Rock Legends Wishbone Ash
Release First New Single In Over 20 Years!
6/13/2010 - London, UK - After 20 plus years, UK classic rock legends Wishbone Ash have released a new single, "Reason To Believe", which is creating a huge buzz amongst the music press and fans of the band worldwide. The single is part of an EP that also features an album edit from the forthcoming CD and two superb remixes which stand out on their own. It is now available for download on iTunes.
"Reason to Believe sums up what we are all about," says founding member and band leader Andy Powell, "both in terms of the ethos of the lyric and in the melodic nature of the song, which is itself enhanced by our classic twin lead guitar sound".
Founded in England in 1969, Wishbone Ash has released more than 30 albums to date, and has been touted as one of the first dual-guitar rock bands. Rolling Stone magazine counted Ash guitarists Andy Powell and Ted Turner among the world’s top 20 best of all time. The group’s 1972 classic release, Argus, was voted Album Of The Year by readers of UK’s Melody Maker and NME. It was remixed and reissued in 2002 as a special 30th anniversary edition and consequently was the fastest selling reissue in MCA’s history. Powell’s name is synonymous with the Gibson Flying V. Over the years, he has been prominently featured in such notable publications as Guitar, Guitarist and Vintage Guitar. He has also recorded with the likes of George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Stewart Copeland and Renaissance.
In 2009 Wishbone Ash embarked on an intensive 6-month tour plan taking the band 'round to July 2010 in celebration of their 40th anniversary. The band will be performing three dates in South Africa (May 28, May 30, June 1). A USA West Coast tour is planned along with two June shows in Tokyo, Japan. For a complete list of tour dates and venues, visit www.wishboneash.com/tourdates .
The new DVD Wishbone Ash 40 - Live in London was released in Europe on Oct. 10, 2009. This 40th anniversary show from Shepherd's Bush Empire was produced by RCN TV, the same team who made the highly acclaimed Wishbone Ash Live in Hamburg DVD. Recently a new Wishbone Ash compilation CD called Sometime World has been released on MCA Records. Andy Powell was recently interviewed on the Johnnie Walker Show on BBC Radio 2 for a special called 'Sounds of the '70s'. Powell was also interviewed by John Wilcox for Progsheet in which he discussed tracks from the legendary Wishbone Ash album Argus and can be accessed at www.progsheet1.hypermart.net/argus.html
For the latest news, tour dates, information and forums please visit the official Wishbone Ash website at www.wishboneash.com
In the UK the "Reason To Believe" single or EP can be downloaded at http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/reason-to-believe-ep/id369157364
In the US download at
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/reason-to-believe-ep/id369157364
If not an iTunes user "Reason to Believe" is available at many other stores: http://emubands.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=3
Billy James
Glass Onyon PR
re: FREDDY CANNON:
Hi Kent,
I saw this item on eBay and thought you might be interested. It's a cool Freddy Cannon item ... maybe you can pass it on to him!!
Clark Besch
Click here: FREDDY CANNON TEEN ROCK MOVIE JUST FOR FUN PHOTO 1963 - eBay (item 360111304479 end time Jun-19-10 19:29:22 PDT)
Better yet, let's share it with everybody! (kk)
Kent,
Good to see your site still keeping us all active and into the 60's etc. Also welcome to my buddy Justin McDevitt! Still stumping for a Mauds Mercury anthology and happy that one of our Artie Wayne produced obscurities will be showing up on CD in the coming months! Clues, but no details for now. Please don't ask, ok? ;)
By the way, I like your new memories page. Here are a couple ... Freddie Cannon - Action ad from 1965. What an amazing comeback GREAT record that was, as well as "The Dedication Song" which I still wanna hear in stereo. WHOOO!
Cark Besch
OK, I won't ask! (lol) Freddy owns ALL of his original masters ... we would LOVE to see the COMPLETE collection come out some day! "Action" was a GREAT comeback record for Freddy ...in fact, it's been earning quite a few votes as one of your Summer Favorites (as has "Palisades Park")! Watch for the complete final results on June 21st, the Official First Day of Summer. (kk)
re: ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE'S TOP 500 SONGS:
>>>Am I HIGH on dope or didn't Rolling Stone announce the 500 Biggest Records of All-Time like 3 or 4 years ago? (SAME LIST). Are they running out of new ideas and material or what? Hello??? ("Wild" Bill Cody)
>>>We went to the local Jewel to shop Sunday and came across the new issue of Rolling Stone. I am a sucker for any publication that lists the top 500 of anything regarding Rock N Roll and as I leafed through the issue I realized I had read this all before. Since I keep almost everything, I found the older issue and noticed it was almost exactly the same as before. What a ripoff. All they had to do was post a REVISED label on the front. At least I didn't buy this so called new issue. (Mark / GoHawksGo)
They explained that the previous lists were incorporated in a new "survey" of rock performers. If their magazine had been named "Good Vibrations" I wonder if that Beach Boys tune would have beaten out "Like a Rolling Stone" for #1 .... (:>)
Phil
www.PrayForSurfBlog.blogspot.com
re: MONO BEATLES:
>>>Beatles author Bruce Spizer, who also wrote the set's in-depth liner notes, told The Beatles fan website whatgoeson.com that a "third party mastering facility incorrectly sent stereo-to-mono mixdowns" to be pressed rather than the vintage mono mixes. (Jaco Fan)
All I can say is that listening to the new Beatles VI CD in mono, I was depressed to hear "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" not sounding like my 45. How can they do that? Get the mono master for the mono CD part!!!
WLSClark
The whole idea behind the Capitol Albums series was to present this music the way we first heard it growing up here in The States in the '60's. Many of us didn't HAVE stereo record players back then ... so rather than pay an extra dollar for an LP that wouldn't sound right on our turn-tables, we bought the mono mixes. In fact, I'd go so far as to venture to say that MOST of us bought the mono LPs at this time.
Also, all of the early U.S. albums had different song configurations than their British counterparts ... slightly different mixes sometimes ... a bit of echo here, a false guitar start there ... but this is the way we grew up hearing this music ... it's a part of us (and quite honestly some of this music just doesn't sound right otherwise!)
I think they should complete the series ... give us the rest of the LPs the way we first bought 'em. (Honestly, I don't think I saw my first Beatles import LP until after the band had split up! Our regular mom-and-pop record stores certainly didn't offer this product, nor did the big superstore chains where most of us bought our records back then like Sears, Korvettes, GC Murphy's, etc. But I DO remember when Ron Riley got his hands on the import LP of "Beatles For Sale" right about the same time that we in America were buying "Beatles '65" ... it was SO cool to hear him play tracks that were NOT on our LP, like "Kansas City" and "Words of Love" ... we Americans would have to wait another six months before WE could buy these tunes on "Beatles VI"! And what's the real deal with "Bad Boy" anyway? How did THAT track come out in America FOUR YEARS before it was released in Jolly Ol' England ... and then only as part of a "Beatles Hits" compilation LP??? But I digress!)
As for the wrong mixes, I believe Capitol should do something for all the loyal fans who have gone out and bought, re-bought, re-bought and then re-bought AGAIN this same product. Offer the correct mixes as individual CDs at a discounted price or something ... after all, it wasn't the consumer's error!!! Make it right and show the fans some sense of appreciation for their loyalty and dedication ... don't make us go out and re-buy a 4-CD set just so we can get the two replacement discs!!! Put out a notice offering these CD's through a website or something ... heck, WE'LL distribute them if you want ... but give the fans the correct mixes and be done with it! (kk)
re: OTHER BEATLES-RELATED NEWS
(and a bit more about ROCKCON!):
We've been telling you about the up-coming Rockcon Convention for quite a while now ... here's some more news regarding a special John Lennon Tribute they'll also be hosting that weekend!
LENNON LEGACY one of the themes of ROCK CON:
WEEKEND OF 100 ROCK STARS
East Rutherford, NJ: The three-day fanfest, “Rock Con: Weekend Of 100 Rock Stars” is turning into one of summer 2010’s most anticipated music events. Tickets for the 3-day show (July 30 – Aug. 1st ) at the Meadowlands Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in E. Rutherford, NJ are now on sale, modestly priced on a daily basis. There are also special weekend “Gold, Silver and Platinum Record” discounted packages available.
One of the themes of the convention is the "Lennon Legacy" with special guests
Sid Bernstein (World-famous promoter who brought The Beatles to America), Dennis Ferrante (John Lennon's Recording Engineer), Shaun Weiss (Beatles attorney Nat Weiss' son - the only person who attended both Ed Sullivan shows, the Shea Stadium concerts and the Beatles' final rooftop concert), Gary Van Scyoc (Elephants Memory, John Lennon's Live In NYC band), Earl Slick (legendary David Bowie guitarist who also played on John’s “Double Fantasy” & “Milk and Honey” albums), May Pang (John Lennon's personal assistant / girlfriend), and Clay Cole (legendary New York area Rock & Roll TV host and DJ who had both The Beatles & The Rolling Stones on the very same telecast). The Smithereens, who have recorded Beatles cover albums, and members of the Garage Band Beatles series, will also be appearing.
For more information regarding ALL of the fun, happening events surrounding Rockcon, check out the website below:
www.NationalRockCon.com
Hi Kent!
I just sent you my list of Top Ten Summer Favorites. Looking forward to seeing everyone else's lists. Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing a lot of my fellow "Forgotten Hits" friends at "ROCK CON: Weekend of 100 Rock Stars".
And, speaking of Summer acts, we just added Beach Boy AL JARDINE and sometime BEACH BOY Billy Hinsche (of DINO DESI & BILLY) to our guest list roster.
Hope to see you there!
Charles Rosenay
Man, I wish we could go to this ... SO many Forgotten Hits "players" attending both as guests and celebrities. You'll have to send us a full report! And, since you mentioned the Summer Favorites, I will beg for votes one more time. Remember folks, the polls close TOMORROW at Midnight ... so PLEASE gets your votes in NOW for your All-Time Summer Favorites. (By the way, you can expect ANOTHER full page web-beg tomorrow!!! lol) kk
re: PERFORMING THE HITS IN CONCERT:
>>>I just wanted to say that I was there when John Sebastian practically got booed off the stage because he only wanted to play new songs that nobody had heard of. (Eileen)
I remember Sebastian being known for this and questioned about it during a Howard Stern interview a long time ago. If I remember correctly, there was very bad blood between John and the 'owners' of the old music ... and he didn't want to line the pockets of the bastards with him promoting the music he wasn't being fairly (but legally) compensated for. I think he got over it.
(gary) RENFIELD
www.RIPRenfield.com
John Fogerty (of CCR) most notoriously went through the same phase ... until Bob Dylan convinced him one night that if he didn't start singing "Proud Mary" again, people were going to think of it only as an Ike and Tina Turner song!!! It seems like MANY artists go through a phase of denying their past success ... although I don't quite understand why ... it's what drew the fans to them in the first place. Eventually, they seem to come back around again ... we've seen it time and time again with artists like David Cassidy, Peter Noone, and even (for a short time) Paul McCartney, who refused to play any Beatles tunes in his set when he first started touring with Wings. (Now close to 70% of his show is Beatles material!) Sometimes they have to step away for a moment or two in order to rediscover (and appreciate) the "character" they created ... clearly for the better enjoyment of all parties concerned. (kk)
>>>After reading your piece on Rick Nelson and the reaction from the crowd at Madison Square Garden, thus inspiring his big hit record 'Garden Party', I just wanted to say that I was there when John Sebastian practically got booed off the stage because he only wanted to play new songs that nobody had heard of and the audience wanted to hear the old Lovin' Spoonful hits. And also in Atlantic City when Graham Nash DID walk off the stage while in concert with Crosby and Stills because nobody wanted to hear new music, they all wanted to hear the old stuff. I guess that's why I came! (Eileen)
This is the fight Beach Boys fans have been fighting since the early 70's! I give them credit for introducing new material and faithfully reproducing songs like Good Vibrations and Surf's Up live ... but, when they finally succumbed to the "Jukebox" version, it seemed like their creative juices dried up. So, there are the Beach Boys "hits" fans and the Beach Boys SMiLE / Sunflower / Holland fans.
Phil / Pray For Surf
Hi Kent,
Re: ANOTHER WORD ON "PLAYING THE HITS" WHEN PERFORMING LIVE IN CONCERT:
1. The oddest situation I've run across was when our vocal group at the time (Sounds of Swing) opened for Kay Starr on a gig in 1998. She did some "show opener" type song (I don't recall what) and then talked a little about her early touring days with Frankie Laine. She said he told her to always do the hits - the songs the people want to hear. Then, after that spiel she proceeded to do only one of her hits ("Wheel of Fortune", of course) in her entire show! She didn't even do a medley of any others, and she even did Elvis' "Teddy Bear", which I'm sure no one would ever connect to her.
2. Our band (at the time) alternated sets with Spanky & Our Gang for a weekend on a club gig in '75. They didn't do any hits at all, but that was a different situation. They were recording their country-rock LP (on Epic) at the time; the club had country music, and it wasn't really a "concert". I'm guessing they probably had an agreement with the club regarding the material they would do on that gig.
3. When I saw the "British Invasion Tour" in the 80's, all the acts did their hits, but Chad & Jeremy added one new song. As they were announcing it I thought it might not be a good decision, but it turned out to be very appropriate musically and lyrically and it went over very well.
Gary E. Myers / MusicGem
re: FAVORITE, FORGOTTEN B-SIDES:
Just a final reminder, the Top 30 (1-30) B side hits of the Top 200 B sides as voted upon are now posted at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bside45/
This entire group of 30 will posted there through Tuesday, June 22nd.
Grab them if you want them.
sixtiesoldiesguy
Rich
re: WINDY CITY @ 6:
Kent,
Jeff James should be applauded for sticking his neck out and trying to bring Chicagoans the true talents uncovered from the past. I have been trying to do so for decades, following in the late Jeff Lind's footsteps often. Mr. James is doing a great service to Chicago by bringing both the good and bad songs to us -- depending on everyone's tastes. There are many more that like "Downtown" by Pet Clark than by Mrs. Miller, but you can appreciate them both if you look at all sides.
Try the Rovin' Kind's "Didn't Want To Have To Do It" vs. the Lovin' Spoonful original. I think the local guys win flat out! I'll take Dunwich's Warner Brothers' (from Peoria) "I Won't Be The Same Without Her" over the Monkees' version always. How about a battle of the bands for the American Breed vs. the Shadows of Knight on both of their versions of "I'm Gonna Make You Mine"?? There's many cool things out there in the way of Chicagoland obscurities that Jeff can continue to bring to light. Another radio man from Chicago's past that always pushed for creativity on the radio was the one and only Kingbee, Ron Britain! Ron is a nice guy and SO creative, even if some programmmers don't want such things these days. He has a condo in Marina Towers (YES, the same location his beloved WCFL moved to in the 60's) and sent some photos out of the big Blackhawks Stanley Cup celebration below. Congrats to the Blackhawks. Here in Lincoln, we have some red team moving to a new conference too. Think there's any press on that here in football land?
Clark Besch
I heard Jeff play The Rovin' Kind's version of "Didn't Want To Have To Do It" and was blown away by it ... now there's one that absolutely should have been a hit! (Especially since The Lovin' Spoonful didn't push THEIR version as a single release ... instead, it ended up on the B-Side of "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" ... but was a VERY popular B-Side Favorite when we did our FH Poll a few years ago.) We, too, applaud Jeff for his efforts ... and you're further proof that we've now got people tuning in from all over the country to hear this program. (So kudos to us, too, for helping to spread the word!!! lol) kk
As an aside, I have to say that I have fallen in love all over again with the Jerry G. Bishop track "She's Gone" from 1966, a track he recorded while still in Cleveland, right before moving here to Chicagoland and to WCFL ... what a GREAT record! I think I've heard Jeff play this one at least three times in the past two weeks.
I ABSOLUTELY agree! It's a great track. In fact, I understand it is getting some popularity with northern dance tunes people ... Stu Shea might know more about that.
It was released in late 66 when Jerry was at WKYC Cleveland and had his own teen dance bandstand show which always had top acts. He played the song on there (The Jerry G Show), but then left for WCFL and it was aired on CFL in early 67 when he joined the "Men at 10" and became a "V.I.P.".
An aritcle I have from 1980 or so asked local Chicago personalities what their 10 worst song picks were and Jerry had it in his Top 10!! Funny, but I think it great. I assume the original 45 tape is in the Warner vaults, as Cleveland's local Munx from Sandusky had their Clevetown 45 (the label that Jerry's record was on) released on CD by Rhino on those 2 great pop 60's CD sets taken from Warner vaults about 6 years ago.
Apparently somebody on ebay thinks it's worth a lot:
http://cgi.ebay.com/JERRY-G-BISHOP-45-NORTHERN-SOUL-GARAGE-ROCK-SVENGOOLIE-/390208194094?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item5ada38862e
$59 for a "VG" copy?!?!? I think I'll pass!!! Thanks for sending the MP3 so we can share it again with our readers! (kk)
re: THE FORGOTTEN HITS BOOK CLUB:
Here come a couple more book reviews, courtesy of Ron Smith:
www.oldiesmusic.com 
The prologue of “Little Girl Blue: The Life Of Karen Carpenter” (Randy L. Schmidt; Chicago Review Press; ISBN: 978-1-55652-976-4) details the troubles the writer of the 1989 television movie on the singer’s life had winning approval from Richard Carpenter. It took me back over twenty years to when a mutual friend related the same story to me. Richard insisted on complete re-writes to avoid blaming Karen’s 1983 death on either her family or her inability to handle the pressures of their careers. Schmidt notes that Ray Coleman had the same trouble when he wrote the “authorized” Carpenters biography in 1994.
So the fact that “Little Girl Blue” (named after a cut on the siblings’ “Lovelines” album) was treated by Richard with benign neglect is probably a good thing. It meant that Schmidt was free to document the pressures that led to Karen’s tragic battle with anorexia nervosa including her failed marriage and scrapped solo record album. And while her death was from a heart attack brought on by her eating struggles, Schmidt points out that the autopsy showed her heart was weakened by her use of the drug ipecac to induce vomiting as a purge. Karen had spent six weeks in a New York hospital the previous Fall being fed intravenously while being weaned into eating normally, but had checked herself out before her treatment was finished and soon returned to her old ways. Less than three months later, she was dead.
“Little Girl Blue” tells the whole Carpenters story, but this is a bio of Karen and the point of view is clearly hers. The singer’s mother comes across as domineering and clinging, her father as passive to a fault, Richard as controlling and her husband as a gold-digger. Whether any of that is the whole truth or not, one thing is clear: Karen spent her 32 years desperately seeking approval from them all — and ultimately from herself — without ever receiving it.
The trouble with a biography like this is that there’s always a sense of foreboding about the ultimate ending (even the cover photo is haunting). This is never a joyous book, even when the duo is on (you should pardon the pun) the top of the world. But it is an honest book. And a loving book. Karen could not hope for more.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=556529767/ref=nosim/oldiesmusicA/ -- Ron Smith
This is the book we told you guys about a few weeks ago ... I haven't picked up my copy yet but am looking forward to reading it .. I've heard really good things. Thanks, Ron! (kk)
This is an odd book. “The 60’s: The Hits And The Trivia” by CKOC Hamilton, Ontario Program Director and morning DJ Ted Yates (Collector’s Guide Publishing, Inc., ISBN: 978-1926592-18-4) is odd, but good. Part chart book, part trivia book, part art book, part history and all enjoyable; it’s a work that can be read for pleasure in small doses or devoured end-to-end as you please.
For each year in the 1960s, as well as for the decade, Yates has compiled a list of the Top 160 songs, along with several extras. The source of the lists is a combination of American, Canadian and UK charts, so it’s quite subjective. If you need a true authority, then this is not the book to use. Nevertheless, I found nothing that stood out as strange. You can argue about the order, but these are the big hits of each year.
Yates also adds a piece of trivia about each song. The trivia is nothing you couldn’t gleam from a Joel Whitburn Billboard reference book. But it’s doubtful that most readers of this book own a Whitburn volume. The book also lists short Top 16 lists of each year’s best country songs, albums, soul, hard rock, lost hits and one-hit wonders as well as the top artists, British, Motown, surf and instrumental hits of the decade. There’s a section on “Where are they now?” and a wonderful full-color gallery of album covers and 45 labels.
Yates even includes a list of deceased stars of the ‘60s and how old they’d be at the end of 2009 if they had lived (though there is something disconcerting about the thought of a 74 year-old Bobby Darin).
Where the book really shines is in the accompanying CD, consisting of short interviews with artists like Paul Anka, Bobby Vee, Gary Lewis, Pat Boone and Ringo Starr. These alone are golden. But where today are you going to find a conversation with the late Del Shannon? It’s eerie to hear Del — who committed suicide in 1990 — say, “Some people can’t adapt to this business. It’s a very hard business… They jump out of windows and crash their cars and stuff.”
It’s not hard to recommend Yates’ book to fans of ‘60s music — casual and serious alike. His love for the music and his years of dedication shine through.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1926592182/ref=nosim/oldiesmusicA/ If you’re looking for a more definitive chart book, consider “Ranking The ‘60s” by Dann Isbell (Jefrian Books). Isbell — a university professor in Taiwan — has taken every song from each Billboard Hot 100 during the decade (with permission) and ranked the 6,800 songs and 1,800 artists using a unique, weighted point system. He also shows the popularity of each act across the years.
The research is meticulous. The presentation is outstanding. Isbell has placed the ‘60s under a microscope and exposed the obvious and the obscure with equal precision. To those of us who grew up in this decade, he has encapsulated our musical lives perfectly.
“Ranking The ‘60s” is available as a downloadable PDF e-book exclusively from the following site:
http://www.ranking-the-oldies.com/
-- Ron Smith
re: SCRAPBOOK MEMORIES:
Check this out ... a newsstand for the ages! Wouldn't it be great to see a newsstand again with these vintage newspapers? Billboard, Record World, Jazz, Cash Box, Varorium, Fave, a big stack of New York Post papers all from summer of love 1967 in New York City! Artie Wayne, are you walking down this street? :) The accompanying article with insight as to questioning even in 67 if the "charts" are all they are cracked up to be?
WLSClark
re: SUMMER FAVORITES:
One more day to get your votes in ... it's shaping up to be QUITE a list! (Now nearly 8000 votes strong ... not bad for a week-and-a-half poll!!! lol)
Frannie pulled "Wifely Rank" and said that I had to print her list of Summer Favorites on the website ... so here they are. (Maybe a good suggestion or two on the list that you hadn't thought of???) A couple of comments from me follow on some of these titles ...
Frannie's Fav Summer Songs..no particular order:
All Summer Long Beach Boys (Got a feeling that THIS one will make The Final Top Ten ... it's currently the highest ranking song by The Beach Boys ... although as I type these, The Boys have THREE songs lodged in The Top Ten!)
Summer (The First Time) Bobby Goldsboro (I was TOTALLY shocked when I saw how many votes this one got ... always one of MY favorites, too, but I got the impression that it was one of the most hated songs in America after we featured it last time! One reader even wrote that he came close to stabbing pencils into his eyes to make the pain of listening to this song stop!!! Yet as I type this this morning, it currently has 37 votes!)
You Baby The Turtles (Dunno if it is technically a summer song, but such a great vocal by Howard, it just seems like a perfect summer song to me) (You ... and three other people so far!)
Sunny Afternoon The Kinks (Currently has 29 votes)
Island In The Sun Weezer (and yours is the FIRST for this one!)
Smooth Santana / Rob Thomas (Great choice ... and, incredibly, the first time this one was mentioned. I'll bet we get a few more votes for "Smooth" after people see your list!)
Surfer Girl Beach Boys (Another Summer Favorite by The Beach Boys ... but not enough votes at this point to make The Top 40. As of this morning, you need at least 61 votes to make the list ... and "Surfer Girl" only has 49 ... but again, this could ALL change by tomorrow!)
Endless Summer Nights Richard Marx (Good choice ... another first-time nominee!)
Summer War (59 votes as of this morning ... which puts it a couple of votes shy of making the countdown)
Boys of Summer Don Henley (apparently a list favorite)
Summer Breeze Seals & Crofts (ditto)
California Nights Lesley Gore (Must be a West Coast thing ... "California Nights", "California Sun", "California Girls" and "California Dreaming" are ALL performing well on the list!)
Thanks, Hon!!! (kk)
Frankly, Kent, I think you've given us too many options. There's songs FROM Summer, songs ABOUT Summer and songs that REMIND you of Summer. So anything's possible.
For my list, I took all the songs that peaked in June, July and August on any Chicago chart, took it's highest position on any of the charts and let the chips fall where they may. I undestand the limitations -- only Chicago hits, no "Wonderful Summer," no "Good Vibrations," no non-number one songs. But here's what I got: 1 Jun-59 The Battle Of New Orleans-Johnny Horton
2 Aug-70 War-Edwin Starr
3 Jun-67 Windy-Association
4 Jul-65 (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction-Rolling Stones
5 Aug-60 It's Now Or Never-Elvis Presley
6 Jul-61 Michael-Highwaymen
7 Jun-61 Quarter To Three-U.S. Bonds
8 Jun-57 Bye Bye Love-Everly Brothers
9 Jun-71 It's Too Late-Carole King
10 Aug-63 My Boyfriend's Back-Angels
That list does a nice job of saying "Summer" to me. It's as good as any subjective one I'd create (in fact a couple of those would still be onit if I did).
-- Ron Smith
What I was going for was what songs most evoke "Summer" to you ... naturally, that placed songs all over the board. "Fun Fun Fun" by The Beach Boys has over 120 votes ... and came out in February ... but there's something about cruisin' around town in your Daddy's T-Bird that will ALWAYS speak summer to most of us. Honestly, I think you'll see a VERY fair representation of summer songs once we publish the final list ... in fact, I'd go so far as to say you'd have a tough time eliminating ANY song from the final Top 40!!! (Stay tuned!) kk
