Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Tuesday This And That

re:  SONNY GERACI:
I guess you would say "Precious and Few" are the comments we've heard about Sonny Geraci, I would love to dig into myself but "Time Won't Let Me!". 
O
 
Well, Dave Zane shared some real encouraging news the other day ... I'm hoping he'll report back to us again after talking to Sonny.  (kk)
And, speaking of Dave Zane, here's a couple of shots of Dave front and center, performing with The Buckinghams, courtesy of FH Reader Eileen, from a show she saw in Atlantic City.  (That's Carl Giammarese on the left and Nick Fortuna on the right) ...   

re:  THE BUCKINGHAMS:  
I just saw your comments about The Buckinghams. Old age setting in, but I thought I'd sent you pix and a video from seeing them at VetRock Concert in Atlantic City a few weeks ago. If not, here they are!

The video quality wasn't too great, as it was very windy ... but here is a link to Hey Baby, They're Playin' Our Song!    
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151520491058101&l=2760509792278075411
Eileen   


re:  THIS AND THAT:  
Hi Kent:   
“You Know What I Mean” was a big Turtles hit in Milwaukee as well. As high as #2 here!  
An interesting Pat Boone gem you might listen to is “Beach Girl” from ’64. Flip side is his rendition of “Little Honda”! Can’t lose here! 
Ken 
We featured Pat's stabs at surf music a while back in Forgotten Hits ... at this point proven artists were trying just about ANYTHING to get their records on the radio and on the charts.  The British Invasion was in full swing ... and the West Coast Sounds of The Beach Boys, The Motown Sound out of Detroit and East Coast artists like The Four Seasons were tearing up the airwaves.  (kk)





Speaking of "You Know What I Mean", Mark Volman calls it one of the best Turtles records in a recent interview sent into us by Tom Cuddy!  (So it must just be Howard that doesn't like it!!!)  You can read the whole thing here ... a GREAT recap of The Happy Together Tour ... and some behind-the-scenes info on The Turtles' long recording career.  Check it out:  
Click here: FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!   

And, speaking of artists currently on The Happy Together Tour, Examiner columnist Jeremy Roberts tells us that former Paul Revere and the Raiders lead singer and front man Mark Lindsay has written and recorded a song with Brian Wilson that just may appear on the latter's brand new album ...  Click here: Rock 'n' roller Mark Lindsay discusses his debut collaboration with Brian Wilson - National Pop Culture | Examiner   
And it sounds like Mark Lindsay has a brand new solo release coming, out too!  (Mark is currently touring as part of the Happy Together Tour, 2013 ... and we're hoping to see him when they stop by in Chicago later next month.)  kk

Kent ... 
Saturday, 6/22/13, at the State Fair  Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Show Time = 7:00 PM 
The show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM's Sixties On Six channel.  
Lineup = All artists played at the original Palisades Park ... 
Neil Sedaka // Lesley Gore // Ronnie Spector // Bobby Lewis // Vito Picone & the Elegants // J.T. Carter's Crests // Randy & the Rainbows + others.  
I know what you're thinking, Kent ... what, no Freddy Cannon?!?!  
They say it couldn't be arranged.  
Cousin Brucie will talk to Freddy on the phone.  Frank B.  
Now THAT would be an amazing show to see ... please report back to us with a full review.  Thanks, Frank!  (kk)

Hey Kent,
When I was in college, my "hero" in broadcasting was Casey Kasem, followed by Roger W. Morgan. Roger made a name by "Morganizing" famous people on his morning drive. He also had a really good syndicated show, "Rock 'N' Roll Rewind", before he moved to the Virgin Islands. Now he lives in New Mexico and is in radio sales, which I think is a waste, because he is so good on the air. He does produce a new show, "Rock 'N' Roll Rewind Minute", another syndicated program, that features interviews with various recording artists, from the 60s through the 80s. Have you ever heard the show or know how we can get it? I think it might be a nice addition to your site.
- John LaPuzza
I'm familiar with ROBERT W. Morgan ... is there a deejay named ROGER W. Morgan, too?  (Robert W. Morgan died in 1998)  Meanwhile, I did find an interview with Roger W. Morgan from a few years ago, too ... you can check it out via the link below:
 
The other day we told you about Big Jay Sorensen's Birthday Bash on WCBS-FM.  (We drove 13 hours that day so crashed out before I had a chance to listen!)  But here's a report from FH Reader Frank B:
Kent ...
I forced myself to listen to WCBS-FM, cause I wanted to hear Big Jay Sorenson's Birthday Party. Pause ... waiting for you to stop laughing.
The truth is - I was in bed listening on my clock radio.
Highlight of the show ...  
Some woman calls in to wish Big Jay a Happy Birthday. Started out as typical call ... I listen to you all the time ... You are one of my favorites. ... "Happy Birthday James."
Big Jay tries to correct her. Of course she won't let him get a word in. Big Jay is laughing and still trying to correct her. He gives up and continues laughing.
Bottom line = Call starts and ends with "Happy Birthday James."
Ask Big Jay about it, next time you talk to him.
Frank B.
Too funny.  Obviously, a MAJOR Big Jay fan!!!  (lol)  kk
 
Good Morning Kent,
What a brilliant maneuver to reach the two million hits (sorry if I got the number wrong ... after all, I am a senior ha ha) You should easily reach your goal.
I love Music.  Of course I am from Bawston (home of the Future Stanley Cup Champions!) so I respect the fact that your emphasis is parochial to your home town Chicahgo. 
Your overall love of all things music comes through loud and clear. I may not read your Newsletter top to bottom, but I do review every iteration you send. I would not go so far as to say I would pay to subscribe but if you can benefit by extra 'hits' I am all for it. You deserve something for all the work you do.
The features you proscribe are lots of fun, the detail of your research is superb, and the broadness of the subject matter is unmatched. I am mainly interested in the early years through the early 70's,  but I try to stay alert to newer offerings (Josh Turner, DJ Otz, Darius Rucker, Zac Brown Band 'Your Man', remix 'Hey Baby', 'Wagon Wheel, 'Toes' - 'Chicken Fried' respectively) I feel the Country artists are the new Rock N Roll replacements with respect to fun upbeat music. I am not too interested in the band members although I do have opinions on who are the leading guitarists, what I am trying to say is that I enjoy most of your Newsletter and will continue to read it faithfully. 
I love Marty Robbins and all his songs it would be hard for someone to 'steal' one of his songs and make it their own. Having said that, I have recently had the pleasure to hear Bob Wier of the Greatfull Dead, a group I never had any interest in (perhaps I am growing as a listener?), but I fell in love with his 'Mexicali Blues', a really fun message song, which led me to his version of 'Big Iron'.  He re-invigorates that song with his marvelous guitar playing so now I can enjoy two versions of a great song, and I am sure Marty would approve of his tweaking.
Thank you again for your wonderful Newsletter and keep up the good work.
CharlieOFD (AOL Music Oldies / Oldies Music chatroom)
Dang!  It never dawned on me to have folks go to the website first to resubscribe!!! You're right ... that would have pushed me over the two million mark a whole lot sooner.  (Kicking myself right now!)  But hey, we want you to go there because you enjoy what we do ... nothing more really.  I'm not familiar with Bob Weir's version of "Big Iron" ... will have to check it out!  (kk)
 
Hi Kent -
Furvus here.  We've been recording more lately so I haven't been writing in as much, but I read them all and NEED them all - and need them to keep coming!!!!
Was tempted to write in when that Ding Dong / Thatcher thing was going on in England, but really didn't want to get us involved in all that or do what to some might look like we were politicizing what we do or worse politicizing what we do just to make a buck.
We do have some limits.  Not many obviously - but some.
Ken / I mean Furv
The Fifth Estate
Always good to hear from you, Furv ... keep us posted regarding these new recordings!  (kk) 
 
FH Reader Tom Cuddy sent us a couple of video clips from The Songwriters Hall Of Fame Ceremony last week ...  how cool to see Mick Jones and Lou Gramm bury the hatchet and perform together again!  And congrats again to our FH Buddy Tony Hatch ... FINALLY recognized after a long-overdue absence.  (kk)
 
And, speaking of exceptional songwriters ... have you seen the Burt Bacharach special currently running on PBS? 
KENT: 
Throughout June PBS-TV will be airing a tribute to Burt Bacharach 
Here is a list of songs and artists featured in the My Music: Burt Bacharach’s Best special. Check your local listings for when it airs in your area: 
“Walk On By” — Dionne Warwick
“I Say a Little Prayer” — Dionne Warwick
“Any Day Now” — Chuck Jackson
“What’s New Pussycat?” — Tom Jones
“The Look of Love” — Dusty Springfield
“This Guy’s In Love with You” — Herb Alpert
“This Girl’s In Love with You” — Dionne Warwick
“Alfie” — Dionne Warwick
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” — B.J. Thomas
“One Less Bell to Answer” — The Fifth Dimension
“What the World Needs Now Is Love” — Jackie DeShannon
“(They Long to Be) Close to You” — The Carpenters
“A House Is Not a Home” — Burt Bacharach and Dusty Springfield
“Arthur’s Theme” — Christopher Cross and Burt Bacharach with Carole Bayer Sager
“That’s What Friends Are For” — Elton John, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight
“(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me” — Burt Bacharach and orchestra 
--Tom Cuddy
I've missed this every time so far ... caught little bits and pieces here and there ... but need to see the whole thing from start to finish.  Check your local listings to see when this will be airing in your area.  What an incredible body of work!  (kk)
 
And, one more legendary songwriter ... this just in from FH Reader David Lewis:
 
If you're planning to buy "BY U.S. BONDS - that's my story" by GARY U.S. BONDS, consider ordering from his official website instead of amazon   www.garyusbonds.com
He'll autograph them individually!
Gary Renfield