The Rock And Roll Hall Of
Fame:
The Class of 2015 has just been announced
...
Chicago, who led the "popular vote" category,
will FINALLY be inducted this year ... as will Cheap Trick, Steve Miller, Deep
Purple and NWA (who came in on the opposite end of the spectrum as far as fan votes
went ... but Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Dictator Jann Wenner has wanted these
guys inducted for a long, long time ... which is why they've made the ballot so
many times over the past few years ... whereas Chicago has never even been so
much as nominated before.) Second and third place vote-getters Yes and The Cars
were snubbed and ignored once again this year.
The 31st Annual Induction Ceremony (wow! have
they REALLY been pissing us off for that long already?!?!?) will take place on
Friday, April 8, 2016 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York ... and HBO will
broadcast the ceremony in spring 2016. (kk)
The final tally of fan voting shaped up this
way:
Chicago led the pack ... by a landslide ... with
over 37 1/2 million votes. As mentioned above, second and third place finishers
(Yes and The Cars) each had about 26 million votes. Deep Purple and Steve
Miller (both of whom made the cut) both finished with 25 1/2 million
votes.
After that, it wasn't even
closer.
6th Place went to Janet Jackson, with just under
10 million votes. Cheap Trick earned 2.3 million while The Spinners finished
just over two million. Chaka Kahn had 1.8 million votes while Chic finished
with 1.3 million.
In 11th Place were The JB's (with 950,000
votes), followed by NWA (who got in with just 675,000 votes ... or about 20% of
what Chicago earned), Nine Inch Nails (564,000), The Smiths (490,000) and Los
Lobos (405,000).
Greetings from AZ, Kent!
Just read this year's annual rant about the Rock and
Roll Hall Of Fame.
Of course you're correct in your assessment but also of
course our opinions don't matter to them.
I'm sure you'll get lots of mail reminding you of your
failure to mention other worthy ones but I think the HOF's single biggest
exclusion has to be Connie Francis. She certainly was the lead female singer in
the first decade of rock and roll and to exclude her because her songs weren't
hip enough is just plain wrong.
Steve Davidson
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Connie was one of
the Top Three leaders the first time we polled our audience many years ago and
came up with our "Deserving And Denied" list ... but she seems to have fallen
off the radar since then ... and, quite honestly, since you hear virtually NONE
of her music on the radio anymore (despite 44 National Top 40 Hits.) The young
people today will never consider her as they've not been exposed to her music.
(I remember making an argument a few years back that if you induct Brenda Lee,
you HAVE to induct Connie Francis. These were, without question, the two
biggest female voices of the 1950's and early '60's ... but the general
consensus we got back was that inducting Brenda Lee was a mistake in the first
place ... so why make ANOTHER mistake simply because these two artists were tied
at the musical hip?) And, since you can't UN-induct anybody, then just leave
well enough alone and move on.
I think Connie
Francis posted the stats necessary to gain induction ... but The Rock And Roll
Hall Of Fame has NEVER been about the statistics ... else how would artists like
Lou Reed (mentioned above), Leonard Cohen and Percy Sledge be enshrined?
(kk)
Kent,
"Only the beginning ... only just a start."
I am thrilled as I'm sure you are that Chicago finally won over the eastern establishment to gain entry into the shrine in Cleveland, Ohio.
Truthfully, if the group had only turned out "Chicago Transit Authority" it would have been Hall of Fame material. For example, tell me anything about The Ramones that truly makes your spine tingle.
Additionally, I happen to like Lou Reed, but except for his vocals on "I'm Waiting For My Man", and "Walk On The Wild Side" what did he offer rock 'n roll that begins to compare withe raging horns and lyrical excellence of Chicago?
In conclusion, The Rock Hall is about a lot of people but it is not about Steve Miller, a guy who has bored me for decades. I would rather see Jim Peterik enter the shrine based on his work with the Ides and other groups.
Jim is a rocker. Miller is "Billy Joe and Bobby Sue ... get it on watchin' tube."
Chet Coppock
I am thrilled as I'm sure you are that Chicago finally won over the eastern establishment to gain entry into the shrine in Cleveland, Ohio.
Truthfully, if the group had only turned out "Chicago Transit Authority" it would have been Hall of Fame material. For example, tell me anything about The Ramones that truly makes your spine tingle.
Additionally, I happen to like Lou Reed, but except for his vocals on "I'm Waiting For My Man", and "Walk On The Wild Side" what did he offer rock 'n roll that begins to compare withe raging horns and lyrical excellence of Chicago?
In conclusion, The Rock Hall is about a lot of people but it is not about Steve Miller, a guy who has bored me for decades. I would rather see Jim Peterik enter the shrine based on his work with the Ides and other groups.
Jim is a rocker. Miller is "Billy Joe and Bobby Sue ... get it on watchin' tube."
Chet Coppock
From FH Reader Tom Cuddy (by way of RollingStone.com):
Chicago on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,
Reuniting With Peter Cetera
"I guess if a reunion with Peter was ever
going to happen, this would be a prime opportunity," says co-founder Robert
Lamm
Chicago has been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ever since
their debut album, The Chicago Transit Authority, celebrated its 25th
birthday in 1994. But they never even got onto the ballot until this year, a
situation that enraged their passionate fan base to no end. To Chicago
co-founder / keyboardist Robert Lamm, however, it was never that big of a deal.
"If you're nominated for a Grammy and you don't get it, you don't have a heart
attack," he says by phone just a few hours after learning he'd gotten in. "You
just move on and keep working. That's really what my attitude always was."
We spoke with Lamm about the big news, sharing
the stage with N.W.A, dealing with brutal rock critics and the possibility of
reuniting with former Chicago frontman Peter Cetera for the first time since
Cetera left the band in 1985.
Congrats on the big news. Who told you?
I got a call from Peter Schivarelli, Chicago's manager, about this and some other
issues. We're about to ramp up and play a New Year's Eve show for NBC in Chicago and then go on to Asia, so we have some production things we're talking about.
The good news came in, and it's quite gratifying.
Are you surprised?
I can't say
I'm 100 percent surprised since we did get word that we'd been nominated. Heaven
knows we've been eligible for a long time, so that it was always something that
was possible. Frankly, I was very surprised that we'd been
nominated.
Why?
It's been so long that we've been
eligible. I think that the body of work, even just considering the work we did
on the first album and beyond, certainly changed the face of pop music and is
considered influential. As a composer, I can tell you that a number of songs
that Chicago recorded have been sampled a number of times by contemporary
artists, so that's an indication that the music seems
timeless.
How often did you hear from fans that were upset you
weren't in?
For years now, whenever the inductees were announced
there was always a number of DJs or entertainment reporters who would make the
point of, "What's going on here? Why aren't these guys in the Hall of Fame?"
That was endorsed by our fans to the degree that we know what our fans are
thinking.
Did it personally bother you that you didn't get in all
those years?
Thankfully, we've never stopped touring and for at
least the first 40 years, we recorded pretty steadily when we weren't touring,
so we were always busy looking ahead to what was next.
There seems to be a theme from your whole career that
you've always been a fan's band. The fans love you, but the rock-critical elite
has never embraced you. Do you understand why that happened?
It goes
in and out. When you have a long career and you've weathered the storms of
different trends in music and the changing of the guard as far as tastemakers
are concerned, you project a large target to be criticized or ignored, or
sometimes actually praised. We've had a taste of all of
that.
And through all of it, you guys simply plowed
ahead.
At some point, I'm guessing it was maybe 10 or 15 years ago,
we all sort of looked at each other and had this conversation of, "Well, I guess
music is what we're going to be doing for the rest of our
lives."
Do you think part of it was you simply had too many
hits in a short time period and that turned the critics off?
I do.
The specialness and avant-garde-ness of the first album was fully embraced by
critics all over the world. Frankly, we built a career on that one album. We did
subsequent albums and kept doing albums regardless of what critics said. We
performed all over the world and accumulated a following. By the fifth album,
the music became more mainstream. By the mid- or late 1970s, pop music itself
had become more mainstream until punk emerged. Then it really took a left turn
in terms of what critics liked. Critics are listening for what's new or
different or fresh. I completely get it. By the 1980s, it was power-ballad land
for us since that is what enabled us to maintain a career. But critics couldn't
pigeonhole us and I think that frustrated them.
Did they tell you the names of your fellow
inductees?
No. Can you tell me?
Sure. One is Cheap Trick. Are you fans of
them?
Sure. At least their one big album, the live one, is
terrific.
Deep Purple, Steve Miller Band, N.W.A.
Wow.
That's great company. I loved Straight Outta Compton, the movie.
That was really a long time coming and beautifully done, a historic document,
well-directed, well-acted. It really kind of puts that music in the forefront.
It takes it out of a genre and places it firmly in pop music. It's great. I'm
very happy with that one.
Did you ever imagine you'd be playing on the same bill
as them?
[Laughs] We've played with an amazing variety of
artists. It would not have surprised me, and here we
are.
I'm sure Steve Miller is someone you've met over the
years.
Actually, very early on, he played some dates as our opening
act when we were virtually at the level of an opening act ourselves. In the
beginning of our career, we opened for Jimi Hendrix and had Steve Miller open
for us. Bruce Springsteen opened for us. We've been privileged to hear all these
sorts of artists.
Have you ever been to an induction
ceremony?
No, I haven't. I'm hearing a rumor ... Do the artists that
get inducted wear tuxedos?
Many do. Others just dress how they're
comfortable.
How would you dress if you were
inducted?
I've never thought about it. Probably a tux, but maybe
not a traditional one.
Maybe just rock finery. I get
it.
The inductees usually perform. Are you guys going to do
that?
I honestly don't know. We love to play and we're ready and
willing to play if that's what is required or desired.
Bands usually play with ex-members. Do you think that
might happen?
Yeah, sure.
You're open to playing with Peter
Cetera?
Absolutely. I talk to Peter from time to time. I know he
hasn't played bass in many, many years, as fine a bass player as he was. He'd
certainly sing, at least I imagine.
Has he played with you guys even a single time since
1985?
[Softly] No. Not one. Not
one.
The fans will be thrilled if that
happens.
There were opportunities and discussions over the years
about doing some things together, but it never happened. I guess if it was ever
going to happen, this would be a prime opportunity. And personally, I'd find it
very moving.
That's one of the best parts about these nights, seeing
people come together after so many years apart.
Sure. Sure. Where
does the ceremony take place?
They rotate it, but this year they're doing it in New
York.
Wow, that's great! That's my
hometown.
There's usually a big all-star jam at the end of the
night. Is there one Chicago song you think would work for
that?
Well, especially for guitarists, I think "25 or 6 to 4" would
be the perfect jam tune.
Do you think any of your songs could work with
N.W.A?
I wonder what they would play? I've had "26 or 6 to 4" used
by a couple of rap artists who rap over the tune. Young Buck, I think, did one.
I can't recall the others. If we're talking about an N.W.A tune, I'd have to put
on the album and check it out.
That should do it. I'll see you in April on the big
night.
I'm very excited. I can't wait.
About
freaking time for Chicago and Cheap Trick ... that is great! And Steve Miller,
who learned from the masters when he lived here. So HAPPY. I think it is time
for a road trip!
Mike
It's Official! CHICAGO! Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame, 2016. Watch on YouTube
Eddie Burke
Some of the other inductees are also speaking
out today. FH Reader Tom Cuddy also sent us these links
...
Steve Miller Is Critical of The Hall Of Fame
...
And this from Robin Zander of Cheap Trick
...
The Cornerstones Of Rock:
>>>The featured violin soloist on "Lake Shore Drive" was
referred to by Peterik as "Cheech" on stage. Nobody I talked to seemed to know her real name for sure
... and the end credits whipped by so quickly I couldn't catch it
there either ... but she was amazing. (I asked
around but Jim Peterik never responded, Jim "Hooke" Pilster admitted that
he fell asleep before the end credits rolled (lol) and Skip Haynes THOUGHT her name
was Ann Harris ... so that's what I'm going
with for right now until somebody can offer more clarification.)
Speaking
of Skip Haynes (who flew in special for this to perform "Lake Shore Drive"
with The Ides and Ted Aliotta), he also
told me that in all the years he's performed his classic hit song
this was the first time that he EVER did it live on stage with violin
accompaniment. Amazing!
(kk)
Kent ...
The violin soloist name is Chihsuan Yang. Her
nickname is "Chich" and, on top of being an incredible musician, she is also,
obviously, stunning.
There were a few shots of her in my DNA article. I had more performance photos but as we know, WTTW didn't want those publicized.
There were a few shots of her in my DNA article. I had more performance photos but as we know, WTTW didn't want those publicized.
Jack
Now that the show has aired several times maybe it's safe to run a few
"exclusive" shots on the website? I still don't understand why they'd shy away
from additional publicity ... the whole idea behind this thing was to raise as
much money as possible in the way of donations. (And I heard they did very
well!) Let me know if you want us to run some photos up on the site ... maybe
we could dedicate a special page to the event or something. ALWAYS interested
in dressing up the site with some great photographs! (kk)
Hi Kent -
One word for the
Cornerstones of Rock Show ...
G R E A T
!!!!!
Like Jim Peterik said:
"We don't look 19, but we sure played the music like we did when we were
19".
I agree with you they
were ALL EXCEPTIONAL except for Rick Derringer's version of "Hang On Sloopy".
It was waaayy s l o w e r than the record!! Too much talk. But he is a
legend so I was still glad to see him. Too bad his younger
brother, who played the drums in the original group, didn't
perform.
Hope this program opens
the door for that period in Rock and Roll when the CHICAGO GROUPS ROCKED THE
NATION
Carolyn
Speaking of the Cornerstones Of Rock show, several readers have written in asking when the tickets will go on sale to the general public for The
Arcada Theatre performance. Ron Onesti tells me that this'll happen on January
4th ... which is right around the corner ... so stay tuned ... 'cause these
babies are gonna go FAST!!! (kk)
And speaking of upcoming Arcada shows, you can catch The Ides Of March (with special guests)
there tonight doing their annual Christmas show. LOTS of great dates have
already been booked for 2016 ... including these recent adds ...
Bret Michaels - March 10th
Don Williams - April 14th
Vince Neil - July 16th
Rita Coolidge - July 17th
Little Anthony and the Imperials - October 23rd (They put on an OUTSTANDING
show at The Arcada a couple of years ago!)
Charlie Daniels - November 3rd (I missed him the last time around)
Johnny Rivers - November 6th
Plus Air Supply on January 22nd
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top on January 29th
Jefferson Starship on January 30th
The BoDeans on February 12th
Chuck Negron and Mark Farner on February 13th
Creedence Clearwater Revisited on February 20th
UFO on March 4th and 5th
Tommy Roe with Chris Montez (and a Beatles Tribute Band, recreating the
excitement of their 1963 British Tour) on March 13th
Blue Oyster Cult on March 25th
Randy Bachman on April 16th
Crystal Gayle - May 6th
Alan Parsons - May 7th
Frankie Avalon - May 8th
The Orchestra - May 13th (former members of ELO)
Paul Anka - May 19th
Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone on June 4th
and the return of The Stylistics on October 7th
As always, check out the OShows website for updates and complete ticket
information ...
Recent Passings
Luigi Creatore, Songwriter and Producer, Dies at 93
Tommy
"Snuff" Garrett, one of the leading American
producers of '60s and '70s pop-rock, has died after several months of declining
health. He was 77.
A native Texan, he
began his career as a rock and roll DJ in Lubbock -- where he became a friend of Buddy Holly. Garrett
moved to Hollywood in the early 1960s. At Liberty
Records, he became "the man on the other side of the glass," crafting hits for
Johnny Burnett, Bobby Vee, Vicki Carr, Gene McDaniels, Cher and Gary Lewis -- who credited Garrett with
launching his career.
Your readers might want to know about the
passing of legendary Gene Norman. His GNP Crescendo label gave us the Seeds,
Dick Dale, the "Star Trek" soundtracks from the original TV series, Robin Trower
and Savoy Brown LP's, and thousands of albums and singles over a 62 year
period.
Harvey Kubernik
Gene Norman, jazz impresario, disc jockey and
label president, passed away peacefully at his home in Hollywood, California on
November 2nd 2015. He was 93.
Born Eugene Nabatoff in Brooklyn, New York and
a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at 18, Gene began his radio career in
San Francisco, before relocating to Los Angeles in the 1940s.
A jazz buff, Gene Norman soon became Los
Angeles’ leading disc jockey via stints on various local stations, including
KLAC. Turning impresario, he initiated a series of jazz concerts throughout the
Southland across two decades, including dates featuring Benny Goodman, Peggy Lee
and Erroll Garner. His Blues Jubilee programs at the Shrine Auditorium in the
early 1950s attracted some of the first integrated audiences in the United
States.
Norman also introduced the Snader
Telescriptions, a prototype MTV-styled concept documenting recording
personalities of the era, on NBC-TV. He hosted the first ever televised jazz
concert on KTLA, as well as ‘The Gene Norman Show’ and ‘Campus Club’ on KHJ.
While a DJ at KFWB, Norman organized jazz
concerts at venues like the Shrine, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and the
Hollywood Bowl with artists like Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and Shorty
Rogers under the aegis of ‘Gene Norman Presents.’ These shows were recorded and
released on Decca, Capitol and Modern Records, presaging Norman’s later career
as a record label owner.
In 1954, Gene opened the Crescendo nightclub on
the Sunset Strip which featured an adjunctal venue, the Interlude, upstairs.
There he presented virtually every record and cabaret star of the era, including
Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Newhart, Johnny Mathis, Stan Kenton, Herb Alpert’s Tijuana
Brass, Lenny Bruce, Don Rickles, Rusty Warren, Mort Sahl, Woody Allen and Louis
Armstrong.
Norman continued to put on big concerts, and
produced a series of live albums and studio recordings based around his
promotions. His own record imprint, GNP Crescendo, was therefore a natural next
step, and indeed the label became the focus of the rest of his life. He served
as one of the directors of the RIAA, and was elected into the Hall of Fame of
the American Association of Independent Music in 1991.
Norman’s jazz recordings formed the base of
what was to evolve into a vast and varied catalog, including acts such as The
Seeds, Joe & Eddie, Queen Ida (who garnered a Grammy for the label),
Wrecking Crew regular Billy Strange, Bing Crosby, Gary Richrath and many
original film and television soundtracks. The label operated out of offices on
the Sunset Strip for more than five decades, moving to less hectic quarters in
later years. Up until his death, Norman remained a force in the label’s
direction, consulting with musician/producer/director son Neil, to whom his
legacy now passes.
More Harvey Kubernik interviews about his great new Neil Young book
...
We featured Harvey's remembrance of the "Rubber Soul"
album (on its 50th Anniversary) earlier this
week in Forgotten Hits. (Scroll back if you missed
it!) kk
And, speaking of Rubber Soul ...
Rubber Soul:
Rubber Soul was the first album I remember
buying. Along with Paul Revere and the Raiders. :)
Jack
I remember
the cut RUN FOR YOUR LIFE being played a lot from The Beatles' "Rubber Soul"
album.
Larry
Me, too. That one (and
"You Won't See Me") were my two immediate favorites. Our band used to do "Run
For Your Life" all the time back then. (kk)
Hey Kent,
Great Rubber Soul piece today! A
fantastic groundbreaking album.
I was even inspired to get an exact re-creation
of John Lennon’s suede jacket worn on the Rubber Soul album
cover.
(pic taken last year)
BeatleBob
Hi
Kent-
Re: Rubber Soul at 50 ...
This photo appeared just a few years ago.
Love your blog!
-Mike Lane
Minneapolis
Hi Kent -
Enjoying your Rubber Soul article with my favorite
coffee cup ;-)
Also, thought you might enjoy these random LP pix from
my collection …
Records put out by WCFL.
One I purchased back in the day (Sounds … Sun Set) and
the other (Winter Gold) I found at a Palatine Library book sale a couple of
years ago. Love the DJ photos on the back, and the cool / somewhat random
seeming song selections! Thanks for your continued efforts to keep this music
alive and well.
Best,
Mike Stineman
Hey Kent -
Ahhh, "Rubber Soul." That album was sooooooo groundbreaking!
It was light years beyond what anyone else was doing at the time, even though
Capitol Records did all they could to sabotage the record by altering the
running order, adding different tracks, etc., as opposed to the UK
version.
I always thought "Wait" was a damn good track. Listen to John
and Paul trade off the lead vocals. Soon, that type of collaboration would be
unheard of. Great job, Kent!
- Larry Cave
50yearsagoonthehot100.blogspot.com
- Larry Cave
50yearsagoonthehot100.blogspot.com
Thoroughly enjoyed your recent coverage of the 'Rubber Soul' album - one that certainly spent a fair amount of time spinning around on my turn table way back when.
Way back when is right - where on earth did those 50 years go?
Steve
This And That
Kent -
When you were looking for various surveys from around
the country, I sent you a copy of a local, Maine Township High School
chart, first to broadcast on the air waves with their very first DJ,a young man
named Harrison Ford. I was thinking that this might be a good time to put this
up on FH ... what a perfect "Star Wars" tie in.
It was a simple typed up a survey, their first survey
with their first DJ, Harrison Ford.
It had call letters on it. I included some comments on
my email on it.
Bill Hengels
Just found this on the Internet ...
WMTH
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
 | |
| City of license | Park Ridge, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Slogan | "The Voice of Maine Township" |
| Frequency | 90.5 MHz |
| First air date | December 20, 1959 |
| Format | High School |
| ERP | 8 watts |
| HAAT | 31 meters (102 feet) |
| Class | D |
| Facility ID | 6050 |
| Transmitter coordinates |  42°02′14″N
87°51′30″W / 42.03722°N
87.85833°W / 42.03722;
-87.85833 |
| Callsign meaning | Maine Township High |
| Owner | Board of Education, Maine Township #207 |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | WMTH Online |
WMTH-FM, located in Park Ridge, Illinois, was among the first
high school radio stations in the
United States when it was licensed in 1959. Established by the Student Council
at Maine Township High School, now Maine East High School, the station
went on the air during December 1959.[1] The station became known
as "The Voice of Maine Township".
The radio station was built by
electronics teacher, Theron Whitfield, and electronics students in the school.
The first student voice on the
station was that of class of 1960 senior, Harrison
Ford,
who went on to become a major film actor in movies such as Star Wars
and the "Indiana
Jones" series.
WMTH-FM has studios at all three existing
Maine Township High Schools; Maine West High School in Des Plaines and Maine East High School and
Maine South High School in Park
Ridge. There was also a studio at the former Maine North High School in
Des Plaines.
The call letters were chosen "MTH" as in
Maine Township High (school). The WMTH-FM antenna is
located on the highest point of the school building at Dempster and Potter Roads
in Park Ridge. The studio from 1959 through 1970 was located in room 147B,
across the hall from the auditorium. When the center courtyard building opened
in the fall of 1970, the radio station relocated and the first WMTH-TV
television studio was built.
The original power of the station was 16
watts effective radiated power at a frequency of 88.5 MHz. This continued from 1960 until 1983
when the frequency was changed to 90.5 MHz and the power reduced to 8.9 watts.
This leaves it as one of the lowest powered FM stations in the United States,
and one of few remaining under the now-discontinued Class D license.
WMTH broadcasts between the hours on 9 am
- 5 pm on Weekdays only, with each Maine Township school broadcasting on a
different day. A full calendar schedule can be found on the station website.
WMTH also broadcasts online.
WMTH-FM continues to broadcast a mixture
of music, school sports events, and other programs of local interest.
Famous alumni[edit]
- Harrison Ford (1960)
- Steve Goodman (1963) Musician and composer
- Rich Koz (1970) Svengoolie Chicago TV celebrity
Very cool! I couldn't find a WMTH survey with Harrison Ford's name on it ...
but I did find the chart we ran last year. I also found this ... an old Beacon
Newspaper clipping of "Harry Ford" on stage in "Little Mary Sunshine", circa
1960. (kk)
Hi Kent ...
Season's Greetings!
As always, thanks for sharing with us all of these
great concerts of 2015. Fortunately in the last few years, I have seen most of
these artists. I saw Brian Wilson and the Wonder Mints when Brian made his
first comeback tour in NYC ... the audience was dancing in the aisles. It was
so exciting to see Brian return after many years. It left me with a great
remembrance of his fine talent and brought me back to being an adolescent. It
was the best "medicine" ever. It made me young again ... it was magical. It
was a "fountain of youth" concert. If anyone wants to feel young they should
definitely check out these great concerts.
I have seen Chuck Negron ... his voice still is good,
and when I was 12 or 13 I saw the Motown Review with "Little" Stevie Wonder. He
did "Fingertips Part 2", which was my favorite song and I played it so much I
think I wore the record out ... no, I wore the needle out! It was jazzy, it was
different, it was wild. I knew that he was "revolutionary" ... and
mind you, this was "pre-Beatles."
And last but not least, I am still sick about the loss
of STP rocker, Scott Weiland. So young and talented yet, and WOW, what a
magnificent voice! If only he hadn't started with the drugs. If only, if only,
etc.
Howard Stern has an informative interview with Scott on
YouTube. However, Howard Stern is what I consider to be a jerk. I would have
liked to see Charlie Rose interview Scott Weiland. He has much more sensitivity
to emotional suffering of people. Who knows what contributed to
Scott's downfall. Stern didn't help the situation nor did Scott's ex-wife. I
doubt that she needs $60,000 a month to live on. So sad. Scott, I salute him for
being a great entertainer (and probably a great person before the drugs). Check
out Scott's Christmas songs. They are great. He will be missed.
Blossmwrld
Got an extra $1500 you don't know what to do with?
Well, if you're a Frank Sinatra fan, Rhino has an EXCLUSIVE, Collectors
Edition book you might be interested in ...
Not a Sinatra fan ... but the money's still burning a hole in your
pocket?
Then send it my way ... I've got a lot of Christmas gifts to pay for!!!
(kk)
Kent ...
Scott Shannon is talking to Mark Rivera from the Billy
Joel Band.
Tonight will be the 24th show of Billy's current
residency at Madison Square Garden.
Mark said they're already selling tickets for June,
2016. That will bring the total up to 30 straight shows.
Hard to believe anybody could sell so many tickets at
the same arena . By now you'd think everybody saw his show. I'm sure many people
have gone back two or three times.
Frank B.
Frank B.
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album made news again this past week when it
became the first album in history to be certified platinum thirty times over!
(Actually it's sold over 100 million copies worldwide!)
Here's a link to a story run in Vintage Vinyl News (erroneously crediting
Boris Karloff for the narration on the title track when it's actually Vincent
Price!) but interesting because it also lists the current twenty best selling LP's of
all time based on a new RIAA released report ...
Notice that "Thriller" and The Eagles' "Greatest Hits" album still hold the
top two spots on the chart ... these two have been duking it out for decades
now, changing places a couple of times along the way! Please note that The
Beatles only have TWO albums on the list, with only The White Album making The
Top Ten (with 19 million copies sold). They now fall behind contemporary
artists like Shania Twain and Garth Brooks! (I have to admit that I'm a little
surprised not to see Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" album on the list ...
it sold enough copies consistently to stay on Billboard's LP chart for 736
consecutive weeks. Once it left Billboard's current Best Selling Albums Chart
List, it moved over to their Best Selling Catalog Albums List ... where it has
remained for the past fifteen years. Incredible!!! How has it not sold enough
albums over the past 42 years to fall short of this new RIAA list?) kk
Kent,
For the past
week or so, the CRUISIN' LP series of albums have been mentioned in one way or
another from some of your readers. I was reminded today of the first time I
became acquainted with the albums.
It was either in 1970 or 1971. One night at
home I decided to channel surf because the particular songs being played on my
two favorite stations were not all that great to me. Those two stations by the
way, were KOMA and WKY, both top 40 stations in their heyday. Well, this one
particular night while I was channel surfing, I came upon the song BOOK OF LOVE
by the Monotones. I immediately stopped surfing and wanted to know what station
I had tuned into.
After the
song was over, it segued into a commercial for a 1958 Mercury auto. My first
thought was that I somehow had entered Rod Serlings' TWILIGHT ZONE and had gone
back into time. What was going on? I soon heard songs like CHANTILLY LACE, SHORT
SHORTS, AT THE HOP to name a few. Also, commercials, radio station jingles and a
DJ by the name of Jack Carney. Said station turned out to be WIL in St. Louis.
Finally, this eerie feeling of going back into time passed. Suddenly on the air,
a guy came on and told the listening audience that was a reproduction of an
aircheck done by Carney years ago. Now the station I had come upon, was a
"pirate" radio station that had been put on the air by a couple of guys here in
OKC operating out of their garage at their home. This was being done illegally
of course without permission by the FCC. As far as I know and remember, it was
only on the air for a few more days. I don't know how many days it had been on
the air before I discovered it. But again, what a weird feeling to tune in a
station on the radio thinking you had gone back into time. Later on I did become
familiar with the Cruisin' series of LP's and have them all in
vinyl.
Larry
Kent,
I have been a record collector of 45's since age 3 ... have
thousands of them.
I have been interested in chart data since age 14. As someone
said, I was too young to know about BILLBOARD, CASH BOX, AND RECORD WORLD. My
universe was WOKY in Milwaukee and some from WLS.
I started collecting Whitburn
books in 1976 and have them all. My FAVORITE book, just like you and Paul
Haney, is THE COMPARISON BOOK. Everything you have said about
the book is "right on!"
Keep the excellent information coming with FORGOTTEN
HITS!
Dennis
Darovich
Kent
Are you aware of this site?
Bill Hengels
Nope ... can't say that I am ... a club I'm in no hurry to join, I might
add! (kk)
Hi Friends,
If you haven't put your Christmas list together yet,
please note that my "Santa's Stuck Up In The Chimney" You Tube video broke the
2,000,000 views mark this past weekend. ( It's now at 2,030,000 ).
Thanks for the plays - and have a Merry Christmas and a successful 2016,
Thanks for the plays - and have a Merry Christmas and a successful 2016,
Paul Evans
Toldja you'd hit two million hits this year! Congratulations ... and Merry
Christmas to you and yours! (kk)
Thanks Kent.
Next year ... the moon! :-)
Paul
Traditionally we go to the movies on Christmas Night to see one of
the new blockbuster releases held for that day's premier.
This year, the plan is to go see the new Jennifer Lawrence / Robert
DeNiro / Bradley Cooper flick "Joy". (These three were so enchanting in "Silver
Linings Playbook" that we want to see them again.)
FH Reader Bob Merlis tells us about the soundtrack to this hot new
film ...
ABKCO TO RELEASE MUSIC FROM THE MOTION
PICTURE JOY ON DIGITAL (DECEMBER 18), PHYSICAL (JANUARY
8)
Soundtrack For David O. Russell Film Starring Jennifer Lawrence,
Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper Includes Cream, Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, Ella
Fitzgerald
JOY, the newest film written and directed by David O.
Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, American
Hustle, The Fighter) includes a remarkable
soundtrack that will be available for digital download Dec. 18 and as a CD Jan.
8 from ABKCO Records. 20th Century Fox will release JOY nationally
on Christmas Day.
JOY is the wild story of a family across four
generations centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business
dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right. Betrayal, treachery, the loss
of innocence and the scars of love, pave the road in this intense emotional and
human comedy about becoming a true boss of family and enterprise facing a world
of unforgiving commerce. Allies become adversaries and adversaries become
allies, both inside and outside the family, as Joy’s inner life and fierce
imagination carry her through the storm she faces. Jennifer Lawrence stars, with
Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd,
Virginia Madsen, Elisabeth Röhm and Dascha Polanco.
Like David O.
Russell’s previous films, JOY defies genre to tell a story of family, loyalty,
and love. Lawrence has earned a Golden Globe nomination (Best Actress in a
Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy) for her role in JOY.
Five time Oscar nominee David O. Russell commented,
“There are songs here I have been waiting almost 40 years to use in a movie,
from ‘Aguas de Marzo’, Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘I Want to Be Happy’, Bee Gees ‘To Love
Somebody’, to the rare Nat King Cole ‘A House With Love In It,’ with his
singular spoken radio introduction to the song. Cream’s ‘I Feel Free,’ with the
acapella harmonizing of Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton which at the film’s end,
becomes the new recording made for the film by Brittney Howard of The Alabama
Shakes, amazingly overdubbed with her incomparable voice. The privilege of
making a simple quiet piano version of Springsteen’s soulful melody ‘Racing In
the Street’, and the singing of collaborators Jennifer and Edgar, these are what
make a movie magical to me, and why I love going to the movies and listening to
their soundtracks. Our score by West, David, and Blake is at the heart of the
picture, together with the choirs.”
In addition to an original score provided by West Dylan
Thordson and David Campbell, with additional music by Blake Mills, Music From
the Motion Picture JOY contains a swath of timeless songs, ranging
stylistically from Latin jazz to hard bop to rock and roll. The collection is
bookended by two versions of “I Feel Free” – the original, which was an early
hit for power trio (Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker) Cream, and a brand
new rendition performed by Alabama Shakes vocalist Brittany Howard.
Other significant tracks include “Stray Cat Blues,”
from the Rolling Stones’ acclaimed 1968 album Beggars Banquet, and
“Sleigh Ride” by the Ronettes, which originally appeared on Phil Spector’s A
Christmas Gift for You, considered by many to be the quintessential
Christmas album. The title track from Lee Morgan’s landmark 1964 album The
Sidewinder is another JOY standout.
As is often the case with David O. Russell films, the
track selection for JOY leans towards the less obvious. “To Love
Somebody” is an early Bee Gees single that was only a minor hit in the U.S. and
UK in 1967. “I Want to Be Happy,” an original composition for the 1925
musical No, No, Nanette, is performed by a the pre-superstar Ella
Fitzgerald, when she was still with Chick Webb and his Orchestra. “A House With
Love In It” is performed by Nat King Cole from his groundbreaking 1956-57 NBC
television program The Nat King Cole Show. This rare version has not been
generally available in the U.S.
Music From the Motion Picture JOY contains three
musical performances by cast members that are featured in the film itself. Edgar
Ramirez sings the Randy Newman-penned
“Mama Told Me Not To Come,” most well known as a 1970 hit for Three Dog Night.
He is backed by Latin jazz mainstays Ray de la Paz and The Pedrito Martinez
Group. Ramirez, as the character Tony
Miranne, also sings Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Aguas De Marzo,” while his duet with
Jennifer Lawrence underscores their characters’ relationship. The two actors
sing “Something Stupid,” a duet that was a massive number one hit for Frank and
daughter Nancy Sinatra in 1967.
Story and song
are intertwined throughout JOY,
and having all of the crucial tracks featured in the film represented in one
package is an uncommon gift. Music supervisor Susan Jacobs, who also worked with
David O. Russell on American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook, meticulously chose a collection of songs used to
carry forth the themes that serve as threads throughout the
film.
Digital release date:
December 18
Physical release date: January 8
Music From the Motion Picture JOY track
listing:
1) “I
Feel Free” – Cream
2) “Joy
Romantic Theme” (score)
3) “Aguas
de Marzo” – Edgar Ramirez
4) “The
Sidewinder” – Lee Morgan
5) “I
Want to Be Happy” – Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Webb and His
Orchestra
6) “In
the Bleak Mid-Winter – Thomas Bullard, Choir of King’s College, Benjamin Bayl,
and Stephen Cleobury
7) “Notre
Pere, Op. 14” – Salzburg Bach Choir/Alois Glasser
8) “Mama
Told Me Not to Come” – Edgar Ramirez,
Ray de la Paz & The Peditro Martinez Band
9) “Something
Stupid” – Jennifer Lawrence & Edgar Ramirez
10) “To
Love Somebody” – Bee Gees
11) “I
Am in Love” (score)
12) “Mop
Drawing” (score)
13) “Racing
in the Street” (score)
14) “Sleigh
Ride” – The Ronettes
15) “Stray
Cat Blues” – The Rolling Stones
16) “Texas”
(score)
17) “Markham”
(score)
18) “A
House With Love In It” – Nat King Cole
19) “Joy
Theme” (score)
20) “I
Feel Free” – Brittany Howard
21) "IFeel
Free” (Bonus Track) – Brittany Howard
And, speaking of Christmas, don't miss Mike Baker's annual event ...
First heard in 1995, the holiday broadcasts includes
groups and artists who’s only hit single is a Christmas song. This list is
available at https://mikebaker45s.wordpress.com/a-hometown-holiday/
along with more information.
Hello Kent:
I've been meaning to write you. Here in the Miami / Fort Lauderdale market we recently had the following happen:
On Tuesday, Dec. 8th, the entire on air staff at Magic 102.7 FM (WMXJ) was fired leaving only music and commercials on the air for the remainder of the month until a format change takes place in January. Three decades back the station was playing classic oldies from the '50s and '60s. Eventually the playlist moved to '60s and '70s, and more recently to '70s and '80s classic hits. Just six months earlier the station was sold to Entercom Communications Corp. so these firings may not have been a huge surprise to many. The jocks that were fired included Mindy Lang, who was at the station for 30 years, and Joe Johnson, who was a 28 year vet of the station (as well as host of the syndicated Beatle Brunch program since 1992). This format change officially signals the end of the "oldies / classic hits" format for the Miami/Fort. Lauderdale radio market.
It's no wonder that satellite and internet radio are the only places left to hear the excellent music from the golden age of rock n' roll. I personally play my own music playlist via my iPod as well as listen to internet radio stations (where I get to hear songs I've never heard prior). However, it's sad to see the last one standing is now gone for good. I wonder if this is just the beginning of a trend nation wide for this format.
Santiago Paradoa
Miami, Florida
I've been meaning to write you. Here in the Miami / Fort Lauderdale market we recently had the following happen:
On Tuesday, Dec. 8th, the entire on air staff at Magic 102.7 FM (WMXJ) was fired leaving only music and commercials on the air for the remainder of the month until a format change takes place in January. Three decades back the station was playing classic oldies from the '50s and '60s. Eventually the playlist moved to '60s and '70s, and more recently to '70s and '80s classic hits. Just six months earlier the station was sold to Entercom Communications Corp. so these firings may not have been a huge surprise to many. The jocks that were fired included Mindy Lang, who was at the station for 30 years, and Joe Johnson, who was a 28 year vet of the station (as well as host of the syndicated Beatle Brunch program since 1992). This format change officially signals the end of the "oldies / classic hits" format for the Miami/Fort. Lauderdale radio market.
It's no wonder that satellite and internet radio are the only places left to hear the excellent music from the golden age of rock n' roll. I personally play my own music playlist via my iPod as well as listen to internet radio stations (where I get to hear songs I've never heard prior). However, it's sad to see the last one standing is now gone for good. I wonder if this is just the beginning of a trend nation wide for this format.
Santiago Paradoa
Miami, Florida
We're
seeing it more and more ... the music of our lives is quickly disappearing from
the airwaves ... but us "oldsters" haven't given up yet ... we WILL seek out the
music we love on the internet and enjoy it there ... with FAR more variety than
terrestrial radio could ever offer. It's programming with blinders on ...
you've got a devoted, core audience out there for this type of music ... and
you're selling yourselves short by not recognizing it.
(kk)
REMINDER: Don't forget to
enter your name to win a copy of Joel Whitburn's new book "Cash Box Top 100
Charts: The Sixties" ... but I should warn you ...
This just may be the biggest response we've EVER received for a Forgotten
Hits Give-Away ... and we've only got one book to award as a prize.
So since you all agree that this is a Must Have Addition to your Music
Library, PLEASE head on over to Joel's Record Research Website and order a
copy. You won't be disappointed!
Meanwhile, we'll continue to take names through the weekend ... and then
award the grand prize sometime next week before Christmas!
P.S. We'll give away the Davie Allan CD's this weekend!
(kk)
