Friday, July 15, 2011

The Friday Flash!

AMERICA:
Loved the new America song - you're right - it sounds like a hit. Wish I could have heard more!
Dave
Gotta buy the CD!  And it's well worth it ... I've probably listened to it seven or eight times now!  "A Road Song" can absolutely be a hit ... if radio will simply play it.  And it fits on so many different formats, too!  (kk)

Thanks for the mention.
Yes, America will be doing a very unique show with songs from the Christmas album that they did ... plus Jim Messina from Loggins and Messina will be joining them … should be an incredible night!
Ron Onesti

re:  ON THE RADIO:
Kent ...
I promise this is the last time I'll mention the WCBS-FM A to Z Countdown. Here's a list of every song in their library.
Frank B.
Reading some of the comments, there appear to be some GLARING omissions ... it's tough 'though ... because you can't please everyone ... just ask Rick Nelson!!!  Can you imagine the DEFINITIVE A-Z Countdown ... with let's say 10,000 songs in it?!?!?  Now THAT would be something to hear! (kk)

We heard that frequent FH contributor DJ Stu Weiss and Top Shelf Oldies parted ways last week ... but it sounds like Stu has already landed on his feet at a brand new station.  Read on:
Starting this Friday my show "The Pop Shoppe" can be heard on a new Internet station, "Oldies your way".
I will have the same time 7 pm till 3:01 AM (eastern) with my same format.  Lots of great music.
I'm both happy and sad. I'm sad because I left my topshelf oldies where I have been for the past 10 years. I am excited about the new beginning on a brand new Internet station that is less than 2 months old.
The offer came last Friday for me to become part of this new venture.
I was thrilled, but I had to turn down CBS / NBC / ABC.
Join me Friday nights.
Here is the link
http://s1.streamorbit.com/start/anttorre/


On Friday at 4 PM (Eastern) and on Saturday at 9 AM (Eastern) Jimmy Jay DJ of the Stars will have his tribute show to Rob Grill of the Grassroots. This will featuring Rob talking about his life and career. The first airing of this show will be on www.flamingoldies.com then on many other FM, AM and Internet Stations around the world.
If any of the forgotten hits people own radio stations that would like to air this show please e-mail JimmyJay@rewindshow.com for this free download information. Rob Grill may be gone, but we are all keeping the music alive.
Jimmy Jay / Rewind
Hoping some of you will have the chance to tune in and listen to this very special program.  (We're still getting TONS of Rob Grill comments ... look for more this weekend!)  kk
 

re:  GLEN CAMPBELL:
For some reason known only to me, when I read or saw Glen Campbell's 1961 recording of TURN AROUND, LOOK AT ME mentioned, and in previous comments, I thought of the label it was recorded on, Crest Records. I then thought of Bobby Edwards' 1961 song YOU'RE THE REASON.
Larry Neal

>>>First, I would like for you to give me a K. Then an E. Followed by a N.  Now a T. Then a U, and a C,K,Y. Now as you probably know, that spells Kentucky but it really means Paradise. Dale Fitzsimmons and Carl Tanberg along with Glen Campbell in 1963 better known as the Green River Boys. Don't know if it made your survey in Chicago but it made ours. I guarantee you I will get this record out tonight and play it.  (Larry)Glen was into so many things.  Anyone ebaying old Sun / Phillips titles would like to check out the seller of this rare Glen Campbell item.   He says he has purchased the old Shelby Silverton / Sun / Phillips records and will be selling them for weeks.  Buyer beware, many of these are the smooth surface 70's Sun reissues (you can tell if you see the pics of 45s), however, many are originals as well (mainly mid-60's) from what I can tell.  Lots of country, but stuff Larry would likely love to browse through.  WLSClarkhttp://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250849831012&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT


Hi Kent;
I have been reading the notes posted regarding Glen Campbell (Jimmy Webb). I was fortunate enough to see him in concert on June 4, 2011, at The Palladium in Carmel, Indiana. The critics here did not have many good things to say about Glen's performance but in actuality the show was excellent. Yes, Glen flubbed up a few of the lines in the songs, but hey, with his medical condition and being 75 years old, he did a pretty darn good job. As far as still playing the guitar, he didn't miss a beat and during the playing of the William Tell Overture he played the guitar over his head. Unbelievable. The crowd gave him several standing ovations during the program. I did video three of his songs and have put them on YouTube. If any readers would like to see them, they can put in Glen Campbell, Carmel, Indiana under search and they should come up. Thanks!
John Blazier
Indianapolis, Indiana


re:  GARY LEWIS AND THE PLAYBOYS:
Welcome to the Pop Music Guessing Game ---
Marc W. wrote: I think even Gary Lewis prefers [his] the original hits -- the ones that were actually performed by backup singer Ron Hicklin.Ron Furmanek wrote: With all due respect to Marc, and to Ron Hicklin, Gary sings ALL of his own lead vocals 100% on EVERY Liberty recording!Marc W wrote: How come the recent Gary Lewis Complete Liberty Singles boxed set has an interview with Gary Lewis where even he says that Ron Hicklin performed most of the original vocals?Ron Furmanek wrote: [speechless]
Rock Music - You Gotta Love It!
Wait, it gets better! 
Charlie wrote: In the recent documentary about Tommy Tedesco and the Wrecking Crew, Gary is interviewed and smiles and says "the Wrecking Crew was brought in to blend with the Playboys"  Truth is Snuff walked the Playboys out after first recording session and replaced them with Wrecking Crew 100%There you have it folks, those cute boys on those 45 picture sleeves and LPs were just imaginary!!!!
John :)


We've covered the whole Gary Lewis / did he or didn't he scenario ad nauseam in Forgotten Hits ... to the point that readers were actually writing in saying "Enough Already!!!"  Fact is, Gary had some PRETTY good connections and he wanted to be a rock and roll star ... so Daddy (Jerry) pulled a few strings and right out of the box Gary Lewis and the Playboys had a #1 Hit with "This Diamond Ring" which, to this very day, is STILL one of my all-time favorite songs and recordings.  I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I don't care WHO'S on that record ... it's a GREAT record!!!  (Although I think songwriter Al Kooper will most likely disagree with me ... again!!!)
"The Wrecking Crew" is an OUTSTANDING documentary that pulls back the curtain on many of these situations.  (In all fairness, Leon Russell, a Wrecking Crew member, performed as a "Playboy" on most of those hits, too ... and also helped co-write and co-produce a fair share of them, too, if I'm not mistaken!)
MOST of these are GREAT records that have stood the test of time ... and we love 'em!!! (kk)

And, speaking of The Wrecking Crew ...

re:  THE WRECKING CREW:
Kent,
I really enjoy Forgotten Hits.
Have you considered sponsoring a showing of the "Wrecking Crew" movie here in Chicago?
Bob
I've thought of it MANY times ... and would LOVE to be involved with something like this ... but am financially unable to do so.  The film was shown here several times at a number of local film festivals (and back then it was FREE for anybody who wanted to see it.)  The whole point now is arranging fund-raisers to help pay for the hefty licensing fees attached to all the music used in the film.  If somebody here locally has some ideas as to just how we might pull this off, I'm 100% in and will contact whomever necessary to make that happen ... I just have no means of footing the bill!  (kk)


re:  BRIAN WILSON:
Rock & Hollywood  Royalty Comes to St. Charles …
BRIAN WILSON is Appearing at The Arcada Theatre!
I wanted to make sure you knew about a fabulous opportunity to experience a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame legend and a St. Charles “Favorite Son!”!  In the past he has appeared at the Chicago Theatre, but very rarely does he do a show in an intimate environment like ours!  Really, you should not miss out on this!  Get your tickets today … great seats are still available … but not for long!
For tickets, call (888) 695 - 0888, 8 am to 9 pm CST
Live Customer Support
or log on to:  www.oshows.com
BRIAN WILSON OF THE BEACH BOYS RETURNS HOME TO ST. CHARLES
Greatest Hits Tour Set For July 30 at The Arcada Theatre  
Rock N Roll Hall of Famer Brian Wilson will once again "Rock St. Charles" as he brings his Greatest Hits Tour to the historic Arcada Theatre at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 30. This will mark the first time Wilson has returned to the community since selling his home onCrane Road in 2001.
"Paul McCartney credits Brian Wilson's Pet Sounds album as being the inspiration behind Sgt. Pepper.  The Beach Boys WERE America's answer to the Beatles.  He is a Rock icon and I am proud to be bringing him back home to my friends in St. Charles," said Ron Onesti, owner of the Arcada Theatre. 
The Arcada Theatre is located at
105 E. Main Street
in downtown St. Charles.  Tickets are $59, $69, $89 and $125.
 



re:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
Birthday wishes going out to Roger, who is 69 and still rocking today!
Wow!
It's hard to believe that God gave us the gift of music through James and Dorothy McGuinn on this date back in 1942! Little James Joseph McGuinn III was born to ROCK & ROLL!
Happy Birthday Roger, I hope this day is special for you.
Much love,
Wild Bill

re:  CONCERT REVIEW:
KK,  
Drove from Chesterton,Indiana, with my family to check out the New Colony Six at Lombard last Saturday. They still had gas in their tanks and played a two hour set!  They sounded great but played way too many NON-Colony songs.  I would have preferred to hear Long Time to be Alone, Roll On, and Someone Sometime, than Bang-A-Gong, Saturday Night's All-Right For Fighting, and others.  The most disappointing part of the evening was the encore song.  They did Brown Sugar by the Stones!  At a NC6 concert?  Come on!  Their medley of Chicago groups was super as they led into Things I'd Like to Say flawlessly! Stick with your songs! We come to hear them. All of them!
Steve H
I passed along your review to Ray Graffia, Jr., founding member of The New Colony Six and here's what he had to say.  (He makes some good points ... but I, too, as a die-hard NC6 Fan, wish they would do ALL the hits in concert.  While other Chicagoland groups fared better on the national charts, NOBODY had more hits right here at home than THESE guys!!!) kk
Here would be my response to Steve H … 
As much as we would love to only do our tunes, when in a fest setting, especially when the premise is what it was in Lombard, “Cruise Nights” --- not everybody came to see NC6, but may well have only been drawn to the stage area by the noise.  Many only came to see the cars (not The Cars …)  Hence, while we fill a ton of performance time with our own material, we feel somewhat compelled to stick to those songs that would be recognizable to most who are age appropriate.  With a freebie, no-charge policy, as was in place for Lombard, it is highly unlikely that most and surely would not be the case that ALL of those present came to see / hear The New Colony Six.  As you know, Kent, my personal preference would be to only play our own tunes – we could go 3 - 4 hours just on those ... but, over time, have been convinced of the validity of group wisdom which suggested that we pepper in other songs from the era so as to keep the interest of those who just were there because there was music and not because they wanted to see the Colony.
Ray

Kent ...
Bob Seger is working on a Fall tour and a new album.
Frank B.
Kent ...
Will John Fogerty reunite with CCR ?
He used to say never .. now he says maybe.
Frank B.

As CCR is one of my ALL-TIME favorite bands, I, for one, would LOVE to see it ... and I'm sure millions of others would, too ... but there's an AWFUL lot of baggage to bury on THIS one!!!  (I mean, this isn't just water under the bridge ... this is OCEANS!!!)  Still, there was a certain chemistry with these three guys ... and stranger things have happened ... so let's hope for the best!  (Should they or shouldn't they ... hey, maybe we can get Dion to do a coin toss!!!)  kk
By the way, our Creedence Clearwater Revival series is one of the most-read (and most-revered) series we've ever done.  You can read the whole thing right here:   
Click here: Forgotten Hits - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Kent ...
Paul & Ringo may reunite at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Frank B.

Click here: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Reuniting The Beatles?
As cool as it would be to see Paul and Ringo perform together at The Olympics (about the ONLY thing cool enough to get me to watch it!), it would NOT be "The Beatles" ... nor should it be referred to that way by ANYBODY.  I've actually heard this "not-so-well-kept" rumor from a few people right now ... and Paul and Ringo HAVE stayed friendly over the years ... but hyping it this way is just wrong!!! (kk)

And, speaking of Paul McCartney ...




re:  PAUL McCARTNEY:
Kent ...
In case you want to listen - WCBS-FM will be broadcasting Paul McCartney Concert live from Yankee Stadium at 7 PM, Friday & Saturday.   www.WCBSFM.com
Frank B.
Macca is now just days away from his two-day show here at Wrigley Field, too!  STILL packin' 'em in.  (But hey, it's Paul McCartney!!!)  kk



re:  ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE ... THE BEST PHOTOS:
I must admit, I was very impressed with this CD photo! Great looking colors for that time period!!!
http://tinyurl.com/64ykdxt

John

re:  OTHER COOL MUSIC STUFF!:
We were watching some original "Peter Gunn" episodes and spotted Nino Tempo singing in a nightclub scene in 1958. Great stuff.
David

I'm working on a draft version of a blog called, "Don't Touch That Dial."  So far, there aren't any music links posted and no text, but I have added the list of 100 Favourite '60s A- or B-Sides which I will be writing about (and I can tell you it was not easy to restrict myself to that number - I'm still second-guessing everything) and a partial list of 100 Obscure Gems.  If you have any interest, I'd love it if you could take a look. 
Here's the link:
Marie
Some GREAT songs on that list!!! Sure, I think it has potential ... especially if you start taking comments from all the music fans (fanatics!) out there!  And thanks so much for the link to OUR site ... I really do appreciate it!  (kk)



re:  DISCO DEMOLITION:
Kent ... 
They were talking about this on Ron Smith's Oldies.
Do you remember it ?
Frank B.
Disco Demolition - Thirty Years Ago!
Thursday, July 12th 1979. At around 8:30 ~ 9 pm.
Visit The Museum of Classic Chicago Television at http://www.FuzzyMemories.TV for more fun!
Heck yeah, I remember it!  In fact, I was supposed to GO to that game!!! Decided to skip it thinking it would be jam-packed with crazies!!!  Ended up watching it at home on TV ... and it was complete insanity.  NOBODY in their WILDEST dreams could have predicted just how out of hand it would get.  And my beloved White Sox ended up forfeiting the game!  That was a first for me.  Can't believe it's been 30 years.  (I actually did a FH tribute to this several years ago ... maybe for the 20th anniversary (???)  Can't remember and I can't find it in the archives.  That was back in the old email only days!)  Steve Dahl was the hottest thing on the radio at the time ... EVERYBODY listened to him back then!  Last week he announced that he was starting his own subscription network for his podcasts from home ... it'll be interesting to see just how many people are STILL listening.  (He even had his own TV show here in Chicago back then!)  kk

re:  WHIPPED CREAM:
Thought I’d chime in on the Onion story. 
The Onion is a parody newspaper / web site.  The stories aren’t true. 
They are made up to be funny.   FYI.
Tony Waitekus
Ahh, yes ... but what YOU don't understand is that I will use ANY excuse to run that album cover on the website!!!  (lol)  kk