Friday, June 5, 2009

Helping Out Our Readers

re: HELPING OUT OUR READERS:
Hello there.
I just can't figure who did this one! Can you?
Here are the lyrics:
Take another ride and then I promise we'll be more than friends
Come with me, I love you.
My machine is guaranteed to satisfy your every need.
Come with me, I love you.

My machine was designed, with especially you in mine.
Fairy tails can come true, ______ me and you.
I heard it on WPGC out of Washington DC. I don't think it's "Small Faces" or "People." This one is driving me crazy.
Thanks!
Mike Boyle Sr.
AKA Spirit Sound
Not ringing any bells with me, Mike, so let's put it out to the list and see what THEY come up with. Hopefully we can not only solve the mystery but also find you a copy of the tune! (kk)

By the way, if you're a fan of The Psychedelic Era of Rock Music, be sure to check out our series on the web page ... it is now our MOST-VIEWED PAGE!!!
Click here: Forgotten Hits - Top 20 Favorite Psychedelic Songs

WHO ARE THE TWO ORIGINALS IN THE 1910 FRUITGUM CO.? IS THE ORIGINAL LEAD SINGER IN THE GROUP? ANY IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO MARK GUTKOWSKI? WASN'T HE THE LEAD SINGER FOR 1910? I'M SEEING THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME ON SATURDAY.
THANKS ...
MIKE
As far as I know, the only original member currently performing with the band at this time is Frank Jeckell. (Drummer Floyd Marcus was with them until just recently but no longer tours or performs with the band.) The 1910 Fruitgum Company have a number of appearances coming up and are performing as part of some of these oldies / bubblegum package tours, too. Let us know what you think of the show. We've got a couple of these guys on the list and they recently contributed to a piece we did spotlighting their 1968 Hit "Goody Goody Gumdrops". (I probably hear most often from Floyd and Mick Mansuelo, who I believe is their current music director.

Here in '60's FLASHBACK style is a brief excerpt from that piece:

The 1910 Fruit Gum Company were one of the PREMIER Bubblegum Bands of the late '60's. Unlike many of the other artists signed to the Buddah Record Label, these guys were, in fact, a complete band and (for the most part anyway) played on their own records. (Many of you will recall that it was Chicago's own Shadows Of Knight who performed much of this material as Buddah's "House Band" ... with Joey Levine on lead vocals.)

Artists like The 1910 Fruit Gum Company, The Ohio Express and The Lemon Pipers regularly hit the top of the charts in the late '60's with "Feel Good" pop songs like "Simon Says", "1, 2, 3 Red Light", "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy", "Down At Lulu's", "Chewy Chewy" and "Green Tambourine" under the guidance of bubblegum whiz-kids Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz. The 1910 Fruit Gum Company consisted of Frank Jeckell on Guitar, Floyd Marcus on Drums, Mark Gutkowski on organ, Pat Karwan on Lead Guitar and Steve Mortkowitz on Bass. While all of the guys sang and wrote their own music, studio musicians (and guest vocalists) were used on some of their later recordings.

In quick succession, the band scored five Top 40 Hits: Simon Says (#2, 1968); 1, 2, 3 Red Light (#3, 1968); Goody Goody Gumdrops (#31, 1968); Indian Giver (#4, 1969) and Special Delivery (#31, 1969). May I Take A Giant Step and The Train just missed, peaking at #45 and #52 respectively. In addition, THREE of these hits ... Simon Says, 1, 2, 3 Red Light and Indian Giver ... sold over a million copies each ... rare for a bubblegum group back in the day! We are fortunate to have both an original founding member of The 1910 Fruit Gum Company on our list ... Floyd Marcus ... as well as a member of the CURRENT band, Mick Mansueto. Each of these guys have agreed to share a few words with our FH Readers today!

For me, the period from around 1964-1970 was a great time for music. Of course the Beatles arrived, and there were the Stones, The Young Rascals, all the wonderful Motown artists, besides The Jefferson Airplane, The Buffalo Springfield, Vanilla Fudge, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Blood Sweat and Tears, The Byrds, Jimi Hendrix. I mean, what other period included such an acceptance of such a diversity of styles, sounds, along with great song writing.The group that became The Fruitgum Company started out not only covering a wide variety of artists but also began doing original songs. My Uncle Sol (my dad's twin brother) had hits with songs he had written, including "Till Then" by The Classics and The Mills Brothers and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Nina Simone and later, The Animals. My Dad put up the cash and my uncle, along with his partner, Bennie Benjiman, took us to Dick Charles' studio in NYC. We recorded four of my originals. Jeff Katz and Jerry Kasenetz got hold of the demo and came to see us. They of course liked the band, but already had a hit with "Little Bit Of Soul" by the Music Explosion, so they had different plans for us. We didn't set out to be a Bubblegum band. We weren't those kind of kids, but after negotiating with Jeff and Jerry we decided to take the ride. Like other successful producers of that era, Super K had a good plan. They knew the market. Parents didn't want their 12 year old kids listening to Hendrix, The Stones, or Dylan. Jeff and Jerry knew their market. "Simon Says", "123 Red Light" and "Indian Giver" all achieved gold. Remember when a gold record was at least 1 million record sales? With all the 'heavy' music out then, talking about drugs, sex and rebellion, it made parents uncomfortable. Most parents were aware of what was going on. Remember the older entertainers like Sammy Davis wearing Nehru jackets and beads and some letting their hair get a little longer? Bubblegum music became an alternative to the serious, political, sexual, drug music of the period. A certain part of the public was ready for music that was just fun, without thought provoking content. That's what Bubblegum music represented. A departure from that music.
Floyd Marcus (original member of The 1910 Fruitgum Company)


Hi Kent,
Thank you for your interest.
Goody Goody Gumdrops is a very happy song. Frank Jeckell does the lead on it these days and we re-recorded a number of the hits with a little more energy than the originals. We are doing well and performing wherever we can. We will be heading to Vegas again soon and have a number of gigs lined up for this season. The act consists of original member and founder, Frank Jeckell, his friend and partner Mick Mansueto on lead vocals, Glenn Lewis, Bass player and vocals, Bob Brescia, keys and vocals, Oscar Dominguez on keys, and Phil Thorstenson on Drums and vocals. We are alive and well and looking to get to the UK for a tour ...
Thanks so much for the help.
Mick,
WWW.1910FRUITGUMCOMPANY.COM

A revamped version of The 1910 Fruit Gum Company (with original member Frank Jeckell) are still recording and performing today. You can find ALL of the latest information on these guys at their official website: Click here: 1910 Fruitgum Company During their hey-day, The 1910 Fruit Gum Company toured with big name acts like The Beach Boys and Sly and the Family Stone. (Remember ... this was a time when ALL this great music was heard side-by-side on the radio! And really, why not??? These guys had three Top Five million selling hits under their OWN belts!!!) We also found a great bit of trivia that's sure to make you smile in an interview that Floyd Marcus did with Carl Wiser, our buddy from Songfacts:
Before we became the Fruitgum Company, we used to do everything from Hendrix and Cream and The Rascals, and Motown, and Steppenwolf, and The Stones, Marvin Gaye. We did all of that. We did Vanilla Fudge, for instance. And there was a time when we came to a town and Vanilla Fudge was supposed to be playing at this venue, and they cancelled, and who do they put in there but The 1910 Fruitgum Company. So when the local DJ announced that we were going to perform, there was a lot of booing. They didn't like the fact that Vanilla Fudge "You Keep Me Hanging On" was going to be replaced by us. But the DJ was a nice guy, and he happened to go out and he said, "Well, give these guys a chance. You know, really." And we decided to do "You Keep Me Hanging On" because we had done it a long time. And by the time we got through that and did a few other songs, we really surprised the audience. We won them over and they were really on our side.
(You can read the COMPLETE Songfacts / Floyd Marcus interview here):
Click here: Songfacts Interviews: Floyd Marcus (1910 Fruitgum Co.)

DIDJAKNOW?: The 1910 Fruit Gum Company first formed as "Dr. Jeckell and the Hydes". It makes sense ... since the guitarist / founding member's name was Frank Jeckell!!!

re: THE DIAMONDS:
I recently picked up a batch of 45s on ebay, included was a later one by the Diamonds (and i believe Dave was out of the group by this point), called Woomai-Ling ... it sounds very very similar to one of their earlier hits (you'll recognize what it sounds like IMMEDIATELY) ... and take a look at the name of the guy that wrote the song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeWx2D6ala8
I'll attach an mp3 to this message of another later Diamonds record that i do not have the 45 of -- and have been looking for one for over two years now! Another one of their later mercury 45s (in fact the one released right before Woomai-Ling) called You Short Changed Me -- if any Forgotten Hits readers have You Short Changed Me on 45, i would be willing to purchase the disc from them for a reasonable price...alas, i'd rather not turn Forgotten Hits into Oldies Music Classifieds...so people should contact me directly at tomd1685@aol.com.
-- Tom Diehl
After all the help you've given us helping to track down songs, it seems like the LEAST we can do is try to find one for you!!! Anybody who may have a lead on this should contact Tom direct at the email address given above. (kk)




re: HIT PARADE RADIO:
John Rook just sent us word that Hit Parade Radio is now up and streaming ... and Wink Martindale joins Larry Lujack as part of their broadcasting staff. (And word has it that noted Dallas DJ Chuck Brinkman isn't far behind!) You can Listen Live here: Click here: Hit Parade Radio
Effective today Hit Parade Radio is streaming a sample of the music we will be providing starting in September. More than 3,000 hits, many from the 50's through the 70's not heard on radio today will be heard 24/7. Visit our
www.hitparaderadio.com website, click on "Listen now" and enjoy.
John
EARTHWORKS ENTERTAINMENT’S HIT PARADE RADIO SIGNS WINK MARTINDALE
Addison, TX – (Market Wire) June 2, 2009 – Earthworks Entertainment, Inc. (EWKS-PK), announced today that it has signed an agreement with Wink Martindale whose radio / television career is among the most celebrated in the entertainment industry and has earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hit Parade Radio’s John Rook said, “As a radio personality Wink inspired many young broadcasters during his successful stint on KFWB and KMPC in Los Angeles and his nationally syndicated radio broadcasts. As a host of numerous game shows, Wink also had success as a million selling recording artist. His personal friendship with many of show businesses biggest names and appearances on many of the nation’s top TV shows, including Jay Leno’s Tonight Show provides Hit Parade Radio with a wealth of entertainment value.”
Earthworks Entertainment’s Steve Humphries adds, “Wink Martindale is one of a kind with a unique style that will be heard as the afternoon drive personality on our 24/7 Oldies Radio Net scheduled to debut in September of this year”
“In the first 12 to 18 months, we expect more than 100 stations will affiliate with Hit Parade Radio and will generate more than $5.0 million in revenue.”
www.hitparaderadio.com
Adults 50+ represent seventy million people - 28% of the entire population. Demographic trends associated with the aging of Boomers, plus gains in longevity will grow this market to over 106 million by 2015.
The demographic of today that supports talk radio hungers for the songs and recording artists who provide memories of better days. This music is only available from Hit Parade Radio!
The only 24/7 satellite-delivered radio format that targets the 50+ audience … with the greatest hits of the '50s through the '70s.
This is EXACTLY the demographic that we keep talking about that traditional terrestrial radio is ignoring ... it'll be interesting to see how all of this catches on ... there are some VERY big names attached to this new format ... and John promises that you'll hear some songs on THIS radio station that you haven't heard on the air in 30 or more years! With an initial playlist of something like 3100 songs (as opposed to most other radio stations with 200-300 ... or the rare exceptions that program 1100-1500) that's almost a certainty! Stay tuned for more details ... but you CAN "Listen Live" now for a taste of what is to come. I tuned in for just a little while the other night and heard The Everly Brothers followed by Bill Withers followed by The Temptations ... followed by "In The Middle Of An Island" by Tony Bennett and "I Wanna Get Next To You" by Rose Royce ... now THAT's variety!!! (lol) I LOVE IT!!! (kk)


And then just that fast comes the official Chuck Brinkman Press Release! Larry Lujack has a HUGE built-in audience and will be a welcome addition back to our morning routine ... and Wink Martindale sounds EXACTLY the same ... man, has this guy aged at all?!?!? Brinkman was HUGE in Dallas for YEARS ... sounds like he'll be maning the shift between Uncle Lar and Wink ... as The Hit Parade Radio schedule starts to take shape.
EARTHWORKS ENTERTAINMENT’S HIT PARADE RADIO SIGNS CHUCK BRINKMAN AS PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF 24/7 OLDIES RADIO NETWORK
Addison, TX – (MarketWire) June 3, 2009 – Earthworks Entertainment, Inc. (EWKS-PK) announced today that it’s Hit Parade Radio, Inc’s. 24/7 Oldies Radio Format has signed an agreement with veteran Oldies Programmer Chuck Brinkman, which is scheduled to debut from Dallas in September 2009.
Hit Parade Radio, Inc’s President John Rook said “Chuck is one the nations top programmers at the highly successful KLUV-FM in Dallas for Steven Humphries (then EVP/COO of TK Communications the owner of KLUV), now the CE0 of Earthworks and then later with owner CBS/Infinity. In one of the more competitive radio markets, for 15 years Brinkman kept KLUV-FM in a dominant position in the Dallas market.”
Earthworks CEO Steven Humphries commented “I’m delighted to be working with Chuck again, as we did incredible things together at KLUV. Chuck is perfect to head up the Programming of Hit Parade Radio. In addition to the programming duties, Chuck will also hold down the mid-day on-air position at Hit Parade Radio” following Superjock Larry Lujack and preceding Wink Martindale.
Brinkman’s career spans 40 years of broadcasting experience. He first worked with Hit Parade’s John Rook at ABC’s KQV in Pittsburgh in the 1960’s. Chuck and Rook were instrumental in introducing the Beatles to America in 1964 when together they toured, became friends with and vacationed with the British sensations in the Bahamas’s.
Company management expects to sign more than 100 stations in the first 12 to 18 months, which will generate more than $5.0 million in revenue for the Hit Parade Radio Network.

And so it grows ... keep us posted, John!

re: BOB LIND:
I'm sending this to the more cultured, refined and sophisticated people on my email list. If you're getting it, either that describes you, or you have me buffaloed into thinking it does.
Some of you know this; some of you don't.
My publisher Lulu Press, just selected my novel, EAST OF THE HOLYLAND for a featured spot on Amazon.com. This means somebody's taking me seriously -- as an author, not some guitar player who wrote a book.
Based on only a few reviews, it's currently enjoying a five-star rating (the highest a guy can get)!
That's good news to me because it means more people are going to be able to get their paws on it and become aware of what a heavy-duty literary lion I am. It's an honor and I'm proud of it.
The bad news is that in order to make a profit, Amazon has to elevate the price into the stratosphere.
So the bottom line is this: I know a lot of you are supportive of my work. Some of you have already bought the novel and others have told me you're planning on it. If you ARE planning on it, I urge you, please don't pay those Amazon prices. It's expensive enough on Lulu. The online publishing business is tricky. Like Burger King, they fry up the books to order, so they have to charge considerably more than bookstores do. That can't be helped. But I don't want to see anyone pay more for it than he / she needs to.So if you do decide to buy it, go directly through Lulu (
http://www.lulu.com/content/hardcover-b ... nd/5953502)
You'll still be paying more than you would for a novel at Barnes and Noble, but the Lulu price is a little more humane.If you've already read HOLYLAND and have strong opinions about it one way or the other, please post a review on the Amazon board. Or at least read the reviews others have posted. Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/EAST-HOLYLAND-Bob-Lind/product-reviews/B002ACKLWI/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
And BTW, don't feel you have to say all sweet and gooey stuff about it. Even bad reviews help because they promote exposure and online debate.
Just read it first.
Anyway, this Amazon posting comes at just the right time. Sales were slowing down and I was beginning to think it was dead in the water.
Love to you all,
Bob Lind
Meanwhile, in addition to his new "Successful Author" title, Bob is also still writing and producing some great NEW music ... there are about a dozen recent demos and samples on his website ... we recently featured one of OUR favorites, "Wrong Again" as part of our "Brand New Music From Some Of Your Old Favorites" feature ... (and his manager recently sent us another brand new track ... but, unfortunately, wouldn't give us permission to share it with our readers!!! What a jyp!!!) That's OK ... you can check out some of the OTHER new stuff right here:
Click here: Bob Lind Playlists - Songs & Lyrics Page (kk)


re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:
"Forgotten Hits" is, for me a "must have", and one of the best websites ever. I will look forward to your posts whenever you are able to get them out. Thanks so much for what you do.
Anita

Kent,

I'm am so very sorry you are having emotional pains in your life. But be aware that you have thousands of Forgotten Hits family members here for you. Be assured, my prayers are with your, brother, you and your family.Your Forgotten Hits blog is GREAT! Through it, I feel like I know you. Your blog fills a HUGH hole in the universe. I know your heart is hurting, but sometimes doing something like Forgotten Hits is just what it takes to get you through each day.
John Conatser
Thanks, John ... and to all the others who continue to write. We'll do what we can to keep in touch ... we all share a common bond with our love for this music ... and I've never found anything stronger than the music to keep me going. (kk)

>>>My feeling is that anybody coming to MY page is part of the team of folks we've put together to help keep this great music alive ... and it's going to take each and every one of us to make that happen. (kk)

I appreciate you so very much and, in fact, you are mentioned very prominently in our Links page in the Jersey Girls Sing website ... and have been for the past couple of months. Here it is: Links to Our Music Family
But I intend to do more. When I promote shows my shows in the future, I will mention both privately and publicly. You are so right, it is a community. And without people who share our passion then music would not continue to thrive.
I appreciate what you do and will do all that I can to help the cause. My Record Page is getting a lot of his, I am sure, from your readers.
Ronnie
Thanks, Ronnie, and please know that I sincerely appreciate that. My point was more that I would have been happy to run a link to this guy's new site in our next Leftovers Page (and, in fact, had already planned to do so) ... it really wasn't necessary to poach OUR list and make it look like we were passing along subscribers' names. (As it was, I received a couple of angry emails from readers to this effect.) I would MUCH rather prefer to put the link out there and then if folks on the list are interested in checking it out, let them go there for themselves and see if it might be something they like ... no differently than the links to MY sites that you have up on your web page ... hopefully, some of your visitors will be interested enough in the oldies community to see what we're all about, too ... and then make their OWN decision as to whether or not they want to subscribe or come back for another visit. (kk)

Hi!!!
Big KISSES allllllllllllllllllllllllllll over you. MWAH!!! Mwah!!! xxooxoxoxo!!!
Thank you so much for putting back "I've Got a Never Ending Love For You" by Delaney & Bonnie, you are the best. I appreciate this so much. This song touches my life.
X O,
Pat H.

You're welcome ... glad I could make your day. (Gee, I'm used to getting this kind of lovin' from the dog when I walk in the door but not for posting a song!!! lol) kk