I got this notice last week from Charlie Gracie, Jr., but never had a chance to run it ...
CHARLIE GRACIE and SIR PAUL McCARTNEY TO
MEET AGAIN THIS WEEKEND
STANDING BY FOR DETAILS AND INSTRUCTION
coming from MARIE WESTON SR., PAUL's personal
assistant.
SIR PAUL is a longtime CHARLIE GRACIE
fan and recently contributed to the Foreword in Charlie's autobiography: ROCK
AND ROLL's HIDDEN GIANT (Alfred Music Press) available through Barnes &
Noble book stores or simply order at Amazon.com
R&R Magic indeed!
Charlie Gracie, Jr.
MESSAGE FROM MARIE BELOW:
Dear Charlie, JNR.
So sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Paul will be very happy to receive a copy of the book from you father in Philadelphia. I have copied in Michele Lawley who will be able to organise this for you.
All the very best
Marie
So sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Paul will be very happy to receive a copy of the book from you father in Philadelphia. I have copied in Michele Lawley who will be able to organise this for you.
All the very best
Marie
And then, an update from Charlie, Jr., after the McCartney concert ...
Met SIR PAUL McCARTNEY at his Wells Fargo concert in Philly on Sunday -- where
he serenaded my dad, CHARLIE GRACIE -- and sang 'FABULOUS' to him backstage ... AMAZING! This tune was my dad's follow up hit to 'BUTTERFLY.' Paul himself
covered it in 2000.
PAUL loved the GRACIE autobiography (ROCK AND
ROLL'S HIDDEN GIANT) and my father signed it for him! PAUL contributed to the
Foreword. He inspected it thoroughly and held it high in several photos.
SIR PAUL looked and sounded pretty FABULOUS himself. He was so gracious
and respectful of my dad and mom. The show was magnificent! *Photos
from this event will be coming in about a month - taken by Sir Paul's people - stand by. (Meanwhile I've sent along a few of my stage shots from the concert.)
God Bless
the man who remembered his roots and took the time to honor the pint sized
R&R star from South Philadelphia who was there at the beginning.
Here's an oldie but goodie featuring Paul and
Charlie. McCartney recorded a version of Charlie Gracie's hit "Fabulous"
for his "Run Devil Run" CD a few years ago.
Speaking of Charlie Gracie, we also received this
YouTube clip last week from Tom at Character Films, who put together that
excellent Charlie Gracie documentary film a few years ago. (You may have seen
it playing on your local PBS station)
Charlie Gracie Interview with John
Ricciutti Radnor Studio 21 ... Comprehensive
interview covering Charlie Gracie Rock &
Roll's Hidden Giant Book by John Jackson ...
And here's some more book info ...
Available at most Barnes and Noble book stores and through Amazon.com (Alfred Music Publishing)
Kent ...
Scott Shannon just talked to Micky
Dolenz.
I'm sure you know that Micky was a DJ on
the old WCBS-FM for a year right before they went off the air.
Micky told Scott that he wasn't good at
doing interviews. He said, "I'd be talking to Ringo about his new CD and
thinking I want to talk about MY CD."
Micky and Peter Tork will be doing some of those 50th Anniversary shows towards the end of the year.
Micky and Peter Tork will be doing some of those 50th Anniversary shows towards the end of the year.
Here's something you might not know
... Micky and his daughter (Georgia) are in the furniture business.
The end.
Frank B.
Frank B.
Actually, we've mentioned Dolenz and Daughter(s) SEVERAL
times in Forgotten Hits ... including as recently as last week when we ran a
photo of the two of them together for a promotional piece they did for Dwell
Magazine. Scroll back to June 18th and check it out for yourself!
(kk)
Hi Kent,
When you have "the time" (considering how
busy you are), could you do
something on THE KINKS!!!
What a group! But is it true the Davies
Brothers don't get along so they
don't tour??? Glad to hear their music used on some
commercials!!
Happy Fathers Day!!!! Hope you
have a Terrific Day!!!
Carolyn
Spare time??? What's THAT?!?! I'm probably not
the right one to do a piece on The Kinks as I only know the most basic
information about them ... which includes the fact that Ray and Dave Davies have
not seen eye-to-eye on things for decades now. If somebody ELSE on the list,
however, felt so inclined to prepare an in-depth piece on The Kinks, I would
certainly run it. Just let me know! (kk)
Seems as though songs used
in commercials and tv shows comes up from time to time in Forgotten Hits so I
figured I'd pass this along.
Bill
Yep, songs used in commercials is a big topic here in Forgotten Hits. (Hey, Patti, did you know about this site? It
might help you compile even more titles for your on-going list of songs used in
television commercials!) And there are new ones popping up all the time. (Last
night I saw the new Miller Lite commercial that features the guy singing a
karaoke version of the Kansas hit "Carry On, Wayward Son" ... good stuff!)
Larry, this might help provided the definitive answer to your recent question,
too. It's a nicely organized list ... by PRODUCT ... so you can narrow down
your search simply by knowing who the advertisement was for. Very cool.
Thanks, Bill! (kk)
And don't forget about the Glen Campbell documentary "I'll Be Me" coming up this weekend ...
Touching Story.
Frank B.
Frank B.
We've been looking forward to seeing this a long time ... airs for the first time this Sunday Night on CNN - 9:00 Eastern, 8:00 Central. (kk)
Check out this review (and sampler) of the Hard
Day's Night Lush Spa ... opening up all over the world. Soothe your aches and
pains away with the mellow sounds of the Fab Four. (Hey, I LOVE a good massage
as much as the next guy ... just not sure I'd want to be distracted during the whole relaxing experience by tapping my
foot or singing along with these laid-back Beatles tunes!)
kk
We mentioned this show a little while back.
Well, it's now upon us ... and, in that we don't get
many doo-wop shows here in Chicago, you may want to check this out if you don't
have any plans for this Friday Night (as in tomorrow!)
STOP, DROP & DOO WOP!
Last chance to
get tickets!
Click for video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3rzRGYY50s
Kent ...
The benefits of being a Rock & Roll
singer.
Isn't that Carl being attacked by a
blonde?
"Susan" = Recorded - 6/20/
1967.
Frank B.
Yes, there are probably worse ways to make a living!
(kk)
Speaking of upcoming shows, Jay and the Americans
return to Chicago to appear at The Italian Fest on Friday, August 21st, in
Addison. The Bronx Wanderers will also be making multiple appearances at this
annual festival. Check it out!
http://www.oshows.com/#!festivals/cu0y
>>> just finished your
online tome on Top 20 Favorite Psychedelic Hits and was truly impressed by the
entire piece. The material was thorough, well presented (in its own psychedelic
way), and very entertaining.
I produce the
podcast Saturday Morning Cartoons,
and today I began research for an episode spotlighting psychedelic music, as
this month marks the 50th anniversary of The Charlatans' gig at The Red Dog
Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada. (attached
poster).
Your site was a fun trip
... so to say.
Greg
Williams
Thanks, Greg ... glad you enjoyed it ... this was a fun piece to put together, thanks to all the audience participation. Please mention the Forgotten Hits website during your podcast since it ties in so nicely with what you're doing (www.forgottenhits.com) ... and let us know when this show will be available so we can let our readers know to tune in. Thanks again! (kk)
Thanks, Greg ... glad you enjoyed it ... this was a fun piece to put together, thanks to all the audience participation. Please mention the Forgotten Hits website during your podcast since it ties in so nicely with what you're doing (www.forgottenhits.com) ... and let us know when this show will be available so we can let our readers know to tune in. Thanks again! (kk)
Our "What Is Psychedelic Music" piece is
one of the most-read issues of Forgotten Hits ever ... well over 250,000 people
have now enjoyed this solitary piece.
Haven't read it yet? Then check it out here:
http://forgottenhits.com/top_20_favorite_psychedelic_songs
Haven't read it yet? Then check it out here:
http://forgottenhits.com/top_20_favorite_psychedelic_songs
Thank you, Kent. Your e-mail has put a spark under my tail. Please let me know
your impressions of the show. You can click onto The Saturday Morning
Cartoons link and hear an episode right
now. And I have several others to enjoy. I most certainly will throw
out a plug in the show when I use material gleaned from your site ... which
will be often, I'm sure.
Greg Williams,
Founder and Creative
Director
From our weekly Fifty Year Flashback Charts, we asked
...
>>> and how about Patti Page at #8 with
"Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte"?!?! (kk)
Kent,
This song was a top 10 hit for her
on Billboard, but was HUGE in the midwest ... #1 KOMA OKC, #1 KIMN Denver, #6
KLIF Dallas, #3 KMA Shenandoah, Iowa, #2 KNUZ Houston, #2 KLWW Cedar Rapids,
Ia. It was even a top 5 record on my personal charts, which is too bad, because
I really don't like the song at all today.
Also, I asked Dave Hogan, who was a
DJ on KSJB a couple of years after this chart, if he could offer any information
regarding the popularity of this tune. In 1965, he was on a Grand Island,
Nebraska station. I'll let you know if he gets back to me.
Clark
Hi Kent -
Bert Koelbl was in the studio with
me this past week for an interview. He was a member of Underground Sunshine out
of Montello, Wisconsin. I know you have mentioned before about their weak
version of Birthday that somehow charted very well. He has some great stories
about appearing on American Bandstand, opening for the Beach Boys for a few
shows, and having the Byrds as an opening act. One year later they were back to
playing bars and high school dances. He has a new cd out and would make for an interesting interview for you
sometime.
Phil Nee - WRCO
Phil Nee - WRCO
Since The Beatles didn't release any singles off
The White Album, it opened up the door for other artists to try and capitalize
on their latest works, usually with very disappointing results. (Off the top of
my head I remember Chubby Checker doing "Back In The USSR", The Five Stairsteps
doing "Dear Prudence", Arthur Conley doing "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" (a bigger hit in
England by Marmalade) and Underground Sunshine doing "Birthday" (perhaps the
weakest of the batch). Yet SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY it went all the way to #2 here in
Chicago ... and they played the heck out of it. (Now that radio incorporates
album tracks and singles together you're likely to hear The Beatles' original
version all the time ... in fact, I don't know if the Underground Sunshine
version has been played 30 times in the past 30 years!)
He might make for an interesting interview
candidate ... ala Barry Winslow of The Royal Guardsmen. One of the very first
web postings we ever did featured the Underground Sunshine version of
"Birthday". (It dates back to 2008 ... and you'll find it here ... along with
some 2500 OTHER previous postings depending on how much scrolling time you've
got on your hands!) kk
Guitar Legend
Merrell Fankhauser Releases New Sci-Fi Symphonic Instrumental Surf Album
"Signals From Malibu” on Gonzo Multimedia
Arroyo
Grande, CA - Guitar legend Merrell Fankhauser has released a new Sci-Fi
symphonic instrumental surf album “Signals From Malibu” featuring strange radio
signals from the underwater anomaly off the Malibu California coast. A few years
back UFO buffs began investigating some strange electronic signals that appeared
to be emanating from a spot deep beneath the Pacific Ocean off the Malibu coast.
They reported bizarre psychic phenomena in conjunction with them, and legendary
surf guitarist Merrell Fankhauser was inspired to write music based on, and
including them.
Says
Merrell, “The song 'Signals From Malibu' was inspired by the odd anomaly that is
off the coast of Malibu California 2000 feet on the ocean floor. The area has
had many sightings of UFO's diving into and coming out of the ocean. This has
led many to believe it is an underwater base. An ex Army radio expert recorded
some strange signals coming from the area. The signal recordings were sent to me
by Michael C. Luckman director of the New York Center for Extraterrestrial
Research and I incorporated them into the song. After listening more to the
signals I was compelled to write a symphonic song using more of the signals
titled 'Messages From The Dome'. I had the feeling the signals were
communicating with me and I was inspired to keep writing the rest of the songs
on this disc. If you feel tingly after listening don't worry its perfectly
natural!”
Merrell
Fankhauser is considered one of the main innovators of surf music and
psychedelic folk rock, and is widely known as the leader of the instrumental
surf group The Impacts who had the international hit “Wipeout”. He has presented
a number of television programs over the years including 'California Music',
'Route 66 TV Live', and in 2001 he began hosting a music show called 'Tiki
Lounge' that airs on the California Central Coast, Southern California, Hawaii
and parts of the East Coast.
Tracks:
1.
SIGNALS FROM MALIBU 3:12
2.
MALIBU USO 3:19
3. INTO
THE TUNNEL 3:14
4. POINT
DUME 4:23
5. ALIEN
SPACE SHUTTLE 3:51
6.
MOONLIGHT INTERLUDE 2:32
7.
SURFMEN FROM MU 4:02
8. MYSTO
SPOT 2:53
9. VOICE
OF THE SEA 3:10
10.
MESSAGES FROM THE DOME 4:55
Merrell's new CD comes hot on the heels of his recently released
critically acclaimed biography “Calling From A Star”, also released on Gonzo
Multimedia.
To
purchase “Signals From Malibu” CD:
To
Purchase “Calling From A Star” (book):
Official
website:
Kent ...
Billy Joel is about to prove he's
the top piano man at Madison Square Garden by beating Elton John's record for
the most performances there.
John has played 64 shows at the
Garden. Joel will tie that record this month and, on July 1, would surpass him
at 65. Joel has been performing at the Garden each month since 2014, and
promises to do so as long as fans demand it.
My sister went to see Billy Joel
last night. She told me his special guest was Richie Sambora of Bon
Jovi.
Frank B.
Yes, Billy's been doing his Madison Square Garden
"residency" for a while now ... and typically brings a "surprise guest" out with
him as a special treat. This would be an AWESOME way to see The Piano Man in
action ... never seen him (had tickets three times but never made it to a single
show), nor have I ever been to Madison Square Garden (now on my bucket list)!
(kk)
Hi!
I stumbled across your Top 200
Favorite Forgotten B-Sides Page while researching old Milwaukee Summerfest
lineups, which are conspicuously absent from any site, blog or other reference I
can find. I cut my musical taste 'teeth' on a lot of those shows and am
disappointed there isn't a comprehensive list somewhere. But that's a complaint
for another time.
I absolutely love this
list. Easily a third of the list are songs I haven't
forgotten! Wasn't #84, Silver Springs replaced by another song, maybe
Crystal, at some point? I know the song never made it onto a Fleetwood Mac
album until 'The Dance', but I have the 45, and it is probably one of my all
time favorite songs.
On the ones I don't remember,
I'm age - or taste - handicapped, because I don't remember half of the 'A' sides
of these, either. I think I'd graduated to LPs by the time the rest came out
... Beatles, Monkees, Jefferson Airplane, America, Queen, Janis,
Zeppelin, Byrds, Santana, Buffalo Springfield, Guess Who, the Doors,Three Dog
Night, etc. etc. I can't believe none of these songs charted!
Thanks for the
flashbacks.
Jan in Milwaukee
The most successful poll we ever did in
Forgotten Hits was our Favorite, Forgotten B-Sides Poll in 2007. (OMG, has it
REALLY been eight years already?!?!?) Over 65,000 votes came in ... and we were
able to compile a list of your Top 200 Favorites.
As such, I'd have to say it's a pretty
accurate poll reflecting the choices of oldies fans from coast to
coast.
In conjunction with this piece, we also ran
The Top 200 Two-Sided Hits Of All-Time
This was a mathematical compilation based on
the combined chart history of both sides of each given record. (As such you'll
find this list top-heavy with two-sided hits by Elvis and The Beatles as well as
several artists like The Beach Boys, Ricky Nelson and Creedence Clearwater
Revival who regularly charted with both sides of their latest hit
records.)
BOTH of these lists make for great
alternative, oldies programming material ... and we are happy to help support
these efforts in any way we can. Let us know if you'd like to put together a
weekend special saluting this great material. (kk)
Hello
Kent,
I really
enjoyed tuning in on Sunday to hear all of those songs I haven’t heard in
forever.
One
question:
I was
able to identify every song and its artist, except for “My Grandfather’s Clock.”
I tried Google, but came up empty. So I give up. Who did that
version?
Thanks!
Charlie
Randisi
This was another title where
I had several options to choose from. I went with the Lawrence Welk version.
(I'm surprised to hear that Google couldn't come up with any leads for you on
this one. Didn't the champagne bubbles give it away???) kk
