Friday, July 23, 2010

Helping Out Our Readers

ANOTHER HEALTHY DOSE OF HELPING OUT OUR READERS:
>>>I have been trying to trace an instrumental which I can remember from back in the 1960s. I think the title in the UK was "Imago", or something close to that, and was recorded by an orchestra leader with (again - I think) a french sounding name. Very sketchy details I'm afraid, but can anyone remember any such recording? It was never what one could call a hit, but it got a few playings on the airwaves for a while then "disappeared". (Robin Cavaghan)
>>>Just a wild guess: could it be "Image" by Hank Levine? Charting at #37 on WLS and #98 nationally, this just barely missed my "WLS Only" collection.
(Ed Erxleben)
In reference to the instrumental called "Image" by Hank Levine ... I am originally from Los Angeles and back in the days of top 40 radio, there was a station there called KFWB. I believe that this was the same theme that they used for the jingle on KFWB ... in fact, they used to play it all the time. I have a copy of this on my reel to reel tapes ... it's a good instrumental ... actually, it's one of my favorite instrumentals! Not sure if this info helps any.
Ken
I never heard anything back from Robin as to whether or not the song we featured on the website (scroll back to July 14th) is, in fact, the one she's been looking for. Hopefully she'll drop us a line and let us know! (kk)
Regarding "Image" by Hank Levine ... when have you heard anything that captures the early-sixties instrumental "feel" better than this track? I can almost hear the Route 66 theme blending into this one. The visuals and the sounds from several sources kinda merge in my head, and I see Troy Donahue driving along "Seeing the USA in his Chevrolet."
David Lewis

>>>In the late 60s, I frequently heard two specific commercials for Tab Cola. As I recall, both had the same ad-lyrics, (though I'm not 100% sure of this) . The difference between the two commercials was that the first one was slower and had kind of a hippie-dippy mellow sound that was very typical of this era ... the second spot was faster and more rocked up. Are these specific commercials available? It would be wonderful to hear these again. Both commercials along with other ads from the 60s were sometimes featured on Tv Land in the mid 1990s. (Justin McDevitt)
Hey, regarding those Tab commercials ... if you're talking about the infamous "mind-sticker" campaign, I know of three variations, slow, medium, and heavy ... (well, heavy in the ford-babababa-the-going-thing vein) ... that one is on my stolfpod.podbean.com mini-tunes #14 (non-PC) ... couple are on youtube ... i could e-mail you mp3s, but gotta warn ya, sound quality is so-so.
-- stolf

Do you remember the Hai Karate Seasonal Sounds of Self Defense"? I'm not sure of the year but I'm certain it was between 1967 and 1969 and may have been aired all three years.Also - going back even further, to the early 60s, do you recall the Robert Hall commercial? There were three I remember. One was recorded by Les Paul and Mary Ford and I guess it was a generic for any time of year. The others were for back to school and Christmas. I think I heard the former sometime in the last year or so.
Thanks very much,
Bob Paine
We've run a couple of Hai Karate youTube clips on the website before ... type it into the "search" and it should take you there ... I remember any variety of Robert Hall commercials from the '60's ... heck, my Dad used to take us there whenever we needed a suit for some family occasion ... but I don't recall the specific series you're referring to ... but I'll bet SOMEBODY on the list will! (kk)

Hi, Kent ...
I know that I sent this to you once before, but I'd really appreciate another mention. I'm in the hunt for Gold Records, circa '57 thru the early '80s. If you have any, would you be interested in selling? Know of anyone who might have one or more? I'm brokering for a guy near Philly who has collected over 3,500 so far. Willing to pay, depending on certain criteria, anywhere from $50 to $1,000 each. He'll consider ALL but is most interested in those with a wooden frame, a white matte background and an RIAA logo on the front. Doesn't care who they were awarded to: artists, stations or PDs / MDs. Doesn't really care about the song title or the artist. If you've any interest, please furnish me a list ASAP and I'll put you in touch with my guy on the phone. At one time I had nearly 75, but during my many radio moves they just slipped away except for eight that I have displayed. He offered me $1,900 for them, but I'm keeping them for the time being anyway. I have a little Rock 'n Roll museum here at home and each one means a lot to me. If you don't want to part with any of yours, I'll certainly understand, but if you are interested, please let me hear from you. The buyer will pay half the shipping costs and will provide specific packing instructions. I've nabbed quite a few for him to this point. Also interested in certain old radio shows on disc or tape.Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you think might have some records. By the way ... one gold record I retained I considered my least significant: "Put Your Hand in the Hand" by Ocean. My man offered me $350 for it. Go figure.
Kindest regards ... and keep up the great work!
Ted Atkins
(former PD of KIMN, CKLW, KFRC and KHJ / former GM of WTAE, Pittsburgh)
kruzers@msn.com
Happy to run this again, Ted, in the hopes of helping you with your quest!

And, speaking of rerunning a request from a reader, here's one we wanted to try again ... first time around, we got virtually ZERO response ... which, I suppose, isn't all that surprising in that Joel Whitburn has been looking for this record for over fifty years!!! But maybe one more mention will help do the trick:
Hi Kent,

This note goes out to all of your readers in CLEVELAND. I’ve always enjoyed collecting unusual novelty records, however, there is one that has eluded me for over 55 years. At the end of 1954 a record titled “Otto The Staggering Drunk” enjoyed a brief stay among the top selling records in Cleveland. I believe that the record was an import on the Polydor label and that the artist was “Crazy Otto”, “Happy Otto”, Der Schrage Otto” or simply “Otto”. I’m offering $150 to the first person that gets me this 45 rpm record. If anyone has a copy or may know of an old Top 40 station in the Cleveland area that may still have a copy, please send me a note at joel@recordresearch.com. Thanks to any reader in Cleveland who will finally end my 55 year search!
Joel Whitburn
We did get ONE response ... from FH Reader Tom Diehl ... who told us ...
It appears to me that "Otto, The Staggering Drunk" is the artist credit, not the song, on the 45. I say this because he has had records issued as Crazy Otto, The Oblique Otto (Der schräge Otto), etc. ... and the song itself may just be called Otto. That said, I sadly don't own the 45 (it would be on Polydor, yes), nor do I know anyone who has even heard of it. Good luck finding it, Joel!

-- Tom Diehl

We love your site, we here at
www.joccosautoworldpublication.com will allow our Hot Rods, Custom Cars, and Replicas to be placed on display at your Reunion or Oldies But Goodies Show or Stage production at no cost to you or them. Must supply certificate of insurance for total value and supply to and from transportation. Some of our clients are PBS, Oldies But Goodie Shows, ABC, CBS Canada etc.
JOCCO'S AUTO WORLD PUBLICATION SINCE 1976
Happy to pass this along! (kk)

>>>I just read Gary Renfield's comments on The Nickel Bag, but the group summary that he provided attributed band history to the incorrect "Nickel Bag." It looks like he took the bio info from my interview with Bill Brackin
(http://www.60sgaragebands.com/nickelbag.html) but that was an entirely different combo (who never recorded). I haven't located any info yet on the Kama Sutra group.
(Mike Dugo)
60sgaragebands.com

NICKEL BAG? - I just googled them for a pic for the item the other week and got all the other WRONG information. http://mygeneration60s.blogspot.com/2009/07/nickel-bag-doing-their-love-thing-1968.html
This might be better ... http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:IXNUIIa1l2EJ:www.redtelephone66.com/2010/06/the-nickel-bag-doing-their-love-thing-1968/+the+nickel+bag+kama+sutra&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
(gary) RENFIELD
www.RIPRenfield.com

STEREO: The Four J's - Here I Am Broken Hearted - 1962

Can't claim I know anything about the group, but my eyes and ears lit up when I heard Stereo! Maybe Harvey Holiday who plays this, but maybe in Monophonic!? Must have been a regional hit!!!Later learned that they're a Philly group! Jerry, Joe, Jimmy and Jeffrey???? Charted? Reminds me a bit of The Bongo Stomp! Who has the master tape!? Great song! http://www.angelfire.com/empire/abpsp/images/hereiam.mp3
Best,
John
Well, it didn't chart nationally ... but I'll bet between our hundreds of Philly readers, SOMEBODY may recognize this one and be able to fill in some of the blanks. Stay tuned! (kk)


Back in about '65 there were several clubs for teens in the NW 'burbs. The Cellar in Arlington Heights, a place called "The Hut" in Des Plaines, and another club that was on the north side of Rand Road in either the NW side of Des Plaines or Mount Prospect. I'm looking for the name of that club. Any ideas???

Eric Johnson

A little before my time (for most of 1965 I was only ELEVEN!!!) ... so I referred your inquiry to Guy Arnston, who used to publish The Illinois Entertainer (and has been known to visit a club or two back in the day!) He's also hard at work (or is that hardly working?) on the DEFINITIVE History Of Chicago Rock Book. Here's what he came back with (kk):

Hey Kent,
I've been compiling a list of teen venues from back in the Sixties / Seventies for my never-ending History of Chicago Rock project. Here's what I have so far:
Chicago area teen clubs
The Cellar - Arlington Heights
The Pink Panther - Deerfield
The Deep End - Park Ridge (Papa Joe’s)
The Green Gorilla - Des Plaines
factory west of 294
The Jaguar - St. Charles
The New Place - Algonquin, burned down 12/20/1968
The Exit - Northbrook Park District
The Hut - Des Plaines
The Bank - Palatine
The Mother Duck - Glen Ellyn (North Ave., now a tattoo parlor)
The Pynk Phynk - Sheridan Road, Chicago (Ken Freeman)
Chipper Regalmuto ran and booked
The Blue Village - Cass Ave., Westmont (Bob Chiappano, retired Westmont police officer), house band Cryan’ Shames and Wild Honey, owner Jerry Hess (also It’s a Gass Records)
The Coffee Break (The CB) - Elmhurst
Crimson Cougar - Aurora
The Pit - Glenview
The Rolling Stone - Winnetka owned by Bob Medel ?
Bat Cave on Oliphant off NW Hwy. just in Chicago
The Blue Moon Ballroom - Elgin
The Wonderland Ballroom - Elgin (early 1970s)
Captain Rivers Waterfront
Wild Goose - Waukegan (in an old Jewel), Oak Lawn outdoors
VFW or something in Lincolnwood
Guy Arnston in Algonquin

I don't know if any of these will provide the answer you're looking for but that's one heck of a list! (Hmmm ... I'm gonna have to listen to my "Starbeat Presents What's Happening" commercials again to figure out which clubs are missing!!! lol ... Actually I worked for Steve Cronin, the genius behind that whole ad campaign, for a couple of weeks in the '70's!!!) Right off the top of my head I can think of at least a couple dozen more (including, Renfield might like to know, a club up on River Road called "The Nickel Bag"!!! lol) And let's not forget The Thirsty Whale, Haymakers, Beginnings and downtown clubs like Mother's and Rush Up ... how about The Cheetah? What was the name of that REALLY big club in Park Ridge? That's where I first saw Styx before they were called Styx!!! I'm sure that between all of the local band members on our list ... and those who visited the club scene back then ... we can add a HUGE number of names and locations to your list ... so send in your memories and we'll be happy to pass them along! Thanks, Guy! (kk)

Can you please help me find a Sam Cooke song entitiled "You You You"? I really want to hear it
Julio Sorondo
Since he repeats the word "you" about two hundred times during the course of the song, I'm guessing that you're looking for "You Send Me", a #1 Hit from 1957. Happy to feature it today ... it truly is a classic. (kk)





And, for more on Sam Cooke, be sure to check out THESE features on The Forgotten Hits Website:
Click here: Forgotten Hits: Forgotten Hits Remembers Sam Cooke
Click here: Forgotten Hits: The Sam Cooke Tribute Continues Today In Forgotten Hits

Hi Kent ...
Just finished the Tommy James Book, Me, The Mob And The Music.
Morris Levy, the Godfather of Rock-n-Roll, owned Roulette Records. He wanted to sign Tommy James. When Morris wanted to sign someone, he would let it be known. The other labels would back off or else.
From Tommy James' point of view --- one of the pluses of being on the Roulette Label -He was left alone, as long as he kept making hit records. If he was on RCA or Columbia, he'd have agents, writers, producers, etc. telling him what to do. Tommy loved this freedom. One of the minuses of being on the Roulette Label - Tommy never got paid! It says in the book that Morris Levy owed Tommy James between $30 and $40 million. Towards the end of the book, Tommy and Morris are having a heated argument. Tommy says, "You're not going to have your men beat me up, the way they beat Jimmie Rodgers up."
First time I ever heard that. I was wondering if anybody knew anything about this accusation?
Frank B.
The circumstances surrounding a VERY mysterious altercation Jimmie Rodgers had with an (reportedly) off-duty California Policeman on The San Diego Freeway back in 1967 has never "officially" been solved. While I'm quite certain that this is what James is referring to ... and there has always been at least SOME level of speculation in this regard ... Tommy's book was the first instance I'd ever seen of somebody SPECIFICALLY tying this back to Morris Levy. (Rodgers left Levy's Roulette label and signed with A&M and had just had what would turn out to be his last real chart hit for the label with "Child Of Clay".) We've covered this incident several times over the years ... way too lengthy to recap here ... but if you go back to The Forgotten Hits Web Page and check out our entries for May 7, May 8 and May 9 of 2009 ... you'll find not only these astounding details but also one of the most remarkable recovery stories you'll ever hear!
Click here: Forgotten Hits: Jimmie Rodgers
Click here: Forgotten Hits: Jimmie Rodgers - Part 2
Click here: Forgotten Hits: Jimmie Rodgers - Part 3


A SUGGESTION FOR ALL OF OUR FORGOTTEN HITS READERS:
When we get into a lull like this where we're unable to post regularly due to other obligations, do yourself a favor and revisit the Forgotten Hits Websites and catch up on some of what you may have missed. You'll find over 400 postings on the main blog page, going all the way back to February of 2008 ... ALL kinds of interesting stuff (like this very special Jimmie Rodgers feature) that's come up over the past few years. (Or, simply type a topic into the search feature on the main page and see if we've covered a particular subject before ... odds are, at SOME point in time, we have!)
And be sure to check out the OTHER Forgotten Hits Website, too ... that's where you'll find all kinds of archived articles and interviews, FH Poll Results and just about everything else ... believe me, you'll NEVER run out of stuff to read between these two sites!
Click here: Forgotten Hits
Click here: Forgotten Hits - Home

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Catching Up On Some Oldies News

We've been away from the computer for the past several days ...

But that doesn't mean that stuff hasn't been happening!

Here are just some of the latest tidbits we've found to share ...

re: BRIAN WILSON / AL JARDINE / THE BEACH BOYS :
This announcement / update came while we were away ... so, unfortunately, all of these airdates are now behind us ... but you may want to check the radio websites to see if podcast rebroadcasts are available:
POSTCARDS ON THE AIRWAVES: Al Jardine Takes to the Air in Support of His Newly Released Solo Album

BURBANK, Calif. - July 14, 2010 - Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine is currently in New York City, following a Long Island concert with his Endless Summer Band in Massapequa, NY on Tuesday evening, July 13th.
Starting today, Wednesday, Jardine will be popping up all over the radio dial, supporting his newly released album, A Postcard from California, while also discussing subjects as diverse as baseball and the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. So tune in to your favorite radio station, either on the air or in many cases online, and hear what Al is talking or singing about today! Here are some of the upcoming highlights:
Today, Wednesday July 14th:
Sirius/XM Satellite Radio (if you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for a 30-day FREE trial at http://www.sirius.com/siriusinternetradio and listen on your computer, iPhone® or iPod Touch®. All times are Eastern Daylight Time, some shows are taped for later broadcast, check local listings or online schedules)
Interview with The B-Team (Sports Talk) (Live) 10:45 a.m.
Freewheelin' with Meredith Ochs & Chris T. (Road Dog Trucking Channel) (live) 11:15 a.m.
The Judith Regan Show (show airs at 6 pm) (Current affairs, arts and entertainment talk).
Interview with Larry Flick (cohost of Morning Jolt daily, host of Feel the Spin on Sundays).
The Cousin Brucie Show with "Cousin" Bruce Morrow ('60s Hits, Legacy Artists).
Tomorrow, Thursday July 15th:
WCBS-FM 101.1 Dan Taylor Mornings (New York's Greatest Hits) (Live) 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. (listen online at http://wcbsfm.radio.com and click on "Listen Live.")Hot Wax Daily with Mike McCann (Premiere Radio Networks, nationally syndicated, check local listings for times in your area).
True Oldies Channel with Scott Shannon (nationally syndicated, check the website at http://www.trueoldieschannel.com to find the station and schedule for your local area).
On Saturday evening, July 17th, Al will be guesting on Coast to Coast AM with weekend host Ian Punnett (Live), starting at 10:00 p.m. PACIFIC time. Billed as the #1 late night show in the U.S., Coast to Coast is heard on over 500 radio stations as well as SiriusXM Satellite Radio (XM Channel 165). Go to http://www.coasttocoastam.com to find your local affiliate.
More shows are scheduled for next week, include Maria Danza's nationally syndicated Morning Jam, from Citadel Media Networks' Classic Hits Radio.
Al Jardine's new twelve-song collection includes four cuts that comprise what he calls "the green side" of the new album, compositions that speak to the relationship of man and his environment. "Don't Fight the Sea," "Tidepool Interlude" and "A California Saga" are songs that reflect this artist's deep love for the California coastline and his concern for the ecological health of the planet. "I think this material defines the new project in these days of climate change," he suggests. Unfortunately it also seems especially timely in view of current events in the Gulf of Mexico.
Jardine has always embodied a special concern for the environment, and the coastline and ocean in particular. Previously, on the Beach Boys' Surf's Up album, he and Mike Love wrote the song, "Don't Go Near the Water." The new album includes "Lookin' Down the Coast," a tale of the discovery of California by the Spanish explorers, as seen through the eyes of its natural inhabitants, the California condor, the whale, the otter and the bear.
A Postcard from California was largely penned by Al Jardine and features a virtual "who's who" of classic rock and popular music royalty. Jardine was joined in the studio by a steady and willing stream of famous friends, including Brian Wilson, Glen Campbell, Neil Young, David Crosby, and Stephen Stills; as well as Steve Miller and the late Norton Buffalo (Steve Miller Band), Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (America), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), David Marks, Richie Cannata, John Stamos, and even actor Alec Baldwin. Completing the generational span, Jardine's sons, Matt and Adam, are also heard on vocal harmonies. The song, "Don't Fight the Sea" features the voices of Brian Wilson, the late Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Al Jardine and Matt Jardine in a unique labor of love that took some thirty years to complete.
-- David Carr / Kubro Music Group
Sorry we're getting this to you so late ... but good to see that Al is out in full support of his new studio effort. You can also listen to song samples and view videos on Al's official website: Click here: * * * AL JARDINE * * *

Last week we told you about Brian Wilson's upcoming new release "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" ... this week we've got a short promotional clip talking about the making of this album: Click here: YouTube - Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
Sounds like an interesting piece of work. (kk)

... and, speaking of Gershwin ...

re: PAUL McCARTNEY:
A few weeks back we told you about Paul McCartney's appearance at The White House, where he was awarded The Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Well, now you'll be able to see the festivities for yourself in the comfort of your own home. PBS is airing a 90 minute special next week (it kicks off one week from tonight on Wednesday, July 28th but, as always with PBS, check your local listings to be sure ... although I'm sure this one will repeat a few times!) featuring many of the highlights of this musical event. In addition to Sir Paul serenading The First Lady with "Michelle", you'll also see The Jonas Brothers perform a rousing rendition of "Drive My Car", Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters doing "Band On The Run", Elvis Costello taking a crack at "Penny Lane" and Stevie Wonder joining McCartney for the #1 Duet "Ebony And Ivory". (kk)

... and, speaking of The Beatles ...

re: WHO PLAYED THE VERY FIRST BEATLES RECORD IN AMERICA?:
Hi,
I just read this essay and wanted to just say it's outstanding. Great sleuth work!Frank

Did you notice that on the news clip of the dedication of Dick Biondi Way, WLS-TV correctly reported that Biondi was the first DJ to play the Beatles, a distinction that had for many years erroneously gone to Murray the K.? Looks like Forgotten Hits' efforts to set the record straight on this matter have finally been recognized in the mainstream media.
Ed Erxleben

What are they talking about? You can read our landmark series on this topic here: Click here: Forgotten Hits - Who Played The Very First Beatles Record In America?

A few comments on The Beatles "Remastered" CDs ...
Granted, they do sound a bit cleaner and, no doubt, have been digitally enhanced. However, what, it took (4) Four years to do just that? Ridiculous for the elevated retail price; a marketing ploy. The LEAST they should have done is remix the stereo songs that sound lopsided, with vocals to far left or right. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of remarketed Beatles. And I'd like to think everyone is sound quality conscious, when it comes to music, but all is discretionary.
Best,
John
The general consensus seems to be that they did an OUTSTANDING job with these ... even the surviving Beatles couldn't be more pleased ... until technology evolves to another level, I think this is gonna be it for a while ... now I'm just hoping they get back (pun intended) to The Capitol Albums Series here in The States! (kk)


re: JERRY LEE LEWIS:
Rolling Stone Magazine is reporting about some of the guest artists who will be appearing on legendary Jerry Lee Lewis' latest album.
In 1968, Jerry Lee Lewis rebounded from a decade of bad press when he scored his first country hit, "Another Place Another Time." The success kicked off a string of 30 Top 10 country successes, including the Number One single "To Make Love Sweeter For You."
The 74-year-old legend will return to the genre for the first time in decades this fall with his new album Mean Old Man. Like 2006's Last Man Standing, Mean Old Man finds Lewis teaming up with an iconic lineup that this time includes three Rolling Stones, Merle Haggard, Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr. "It's unique and very groovy, and I sound great on it!" Lewis tells Rolling Stone.

The Killer, Age 74 (2010)
Keith Richards plays guitar on the Stones' country-tinged classic "Sweet Virginia" while Mick Jagger sings on "Dead Flowers." Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood contributes on "Mean Old Man," a track Kris Kristofferson penned for the disc. Eric Clapton and James Burton provide backup guitars on "You Can Have Her." Ringo Starr and John Mayer appear on "Roll Over Beethoven," while country legends Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson sing on "Swinging Doors" and "Whiskey River," respectively. Kid Rock and Slash show up on "Rockin' My Life Away." Jim Keltner and Steve Bing produced the disc, recording with Lewis in Memphis and L.A. It will be released two ways: as an 18-track deluxe version and a 10-track standard edition on September 7th via Verve / Universal Music.
Lewis was initially a rock & roller with chart-topping Fifties hits like "Great Balls of Fire," "Whole Lotta Shaking Goin On" and "High School Confidential." DJs and record distributors abandoned him in 1958 after the press discovered he'd married his 13-year-old second cousin. When Rolling Stone profiled the piano-burning legend in 2006, he was grateful country fans gave him a second chance.
"My fans never stopped lovin' me," he said. "They always came to my shows. They didn't always get my records, 'cause [Sam Phillips] dropped all his distributors and wouldn't release anything. When I moved on to Mercury records in 1963 and started recording some country, my style of country, and some rock & roll too, one of them songs ['Another Place and Another Time'] sold a million copies right off the press. That tells you something is wrong."
--Patrick Doyle / Rolling Stone Magazine
Jerry Lee fans may remember a similar album he recorded back in 1973 that spawned a Top 40 Comeback Hit for the Rock and Roll Legend with his remake of the old Stick McGhee R&B Hit "Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee". "The Session" (recorded in England) featured a Who's Who of rock musicians helping out (including Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Albert Lee, Rory Gallagher, Gary Wright, Kenny Jones, Klaus Voorman, Matthew Fisher and Peter Frampton.) kk

re: MORE FOLLOW-UP NEWS:
A man pled guilty Tuesday (July 13) to arson in the February fire at Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International recording studio there (which was once the home of Cameo and Parkway Records, as well). His lawyer said the man's blood alcohol content was four times the legal driving limit at the time of the blaze and he didn't know where he was nor remembers setting the fire. Sentencing is scheduled for September 10.
-- Ron Smith
You can read our original coverage of this senseless, tragic event here:
Click here: Forgotten Hits: Fire Tears Apart Philadelphia International Records, Former Home To Cameo / Parkway Records in the
Click here: Forgotten Hits: More On Philly

... and, speaking of The Philly Scene, here is some GREAT news about the long-awaited DVD release of "Wages Of Spin", the Dick Clark / American Bandstand expose we've been telling you about for the past two years!

re: WAGES OF SPIN:
Hi Everybody!
Our "Wages of Spin" DVD is now available for purchase. Any help in getting the word around is greatly appreciated. A lot of people have been asking about it for a long time.
"Wages of Spin" DVD now available on Character Driven Homepage at: www.characterdrivenfilms.com
Kick Off event at Rock Con: http://www.nationalrockcon.com
Shawn Swords

HELLO CHARLIE GRACIE FANS / FRIENDS -- ONE IN THE SAME!
FYI!: It's finally here -- the OFFICIAL RELEASE of "WAGES OF SPIN," the new documentary that covers the first chapter of Rock N Roll, the Philly Music Scene, American Bandstand, Bob Horn, Dick Clark and his role in Payola and so much more.
Featured: ORIGINAL AMERICAN BANDSTAND DANCERS, CHARLIE GRACIE, CHUBBY CHECKER, CONNIE FRANCIS, MIKE LOVE / AL JARDINE (Beach Boys), FRANKIE AVALON, LEN BARRY, THE DOVELLS, DANNY AND THE JUNIORS, THE CRESTS, FABIAN, and more!
THE OFFICAL RELEASE WILL TAKE PLACE AT ROCK CON at the Sheraton, Meadowlands, New Jersey on July 30, 31, & August 1st
*** Charlie Gracie and 116 other of his fellow rock legends will be at RockCon! Hope to see you there as well.
BUT YOU CAN STILL PURCHASE YOUR COPY ON LINE ---- NOW!
All of the information is available at the links shown above.
Charlie Gracie, Jr.

... and, speaking of RockCon, we're in the home stretch now. Hopefully some of our readers will attend and report back to us!


re: CHICAGO HONORS ANOTHER ONE OF ITS OWN:
Pretty neat news if you grew up here, loving the music of Steve Goodman. Wow ... now we've got Dick Biondi Way downtown ... and Ides Of March Way in Berwyn ... there is clearly a NEW appreciation standard to be met here in Chi-Town. (That reminds me ... I'd better get to work on my "Forgotten Hits Alley" campaign right away!!!) kk

Senate OKs Steve Goodman post office near Wrigley
July 14, 2010 9:49 PM

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously late Wednesday (July 14) to name a post office near Wrigley Field after the late folk singer and Cubs fan Steve Goodman.
By unanimous consent, the Senate gave the go-ahead to the resolution, which was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley D-Ill. and which passed the U.S. House in April in a 371-0 vote, to rename the
Lakeview post office at 1343 W. Irving Park Road the "Steve Goodman Post Office Building."

A Chicago native, the Grammy-winning Goodman died at age 36 in 1984 and is known for, among other things, having written the Cubs-themed songs "Go, Cubs, Go," which fans sing at Wrigley Field after every Cub victory, and "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request."

"While most Chicagoans know him for the song we sing after every Cubs win, Steve Goodman's contributions reach far beyond the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley," Quigley said in a statement in March, when he introduced the legislation. "Goodman was one of the most prolific American songwriters and performers of our time whose songs have been played by Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett and John Denver and whose short but tremendous life reminds us how one person can impact so many others."

The resolution now goes to the desk of President Obama, who is expected to sign it.

--Bob Goldsborough

(submitted by Ken Voss)
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/07/go-steve-go-senate-oks-goodman-post-office-near-wrigley.html
If I'm not mistaken, Goodman's ashes were scattered over Wrigley Field, a fitting tribute to a man who wrote "A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request"!!! (kk)

More news this week as time permits! See ya! (kk)