Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thursday This And That

>>>Here's what I'm hoping happens here ... the mere mention (and featuring) of one of our favorite Turtles songs, "You Know What I Mean", a #12 hit yet largely overlooked by both radio and the band itself,  sparked at least a dozen responses, all singing the praises of this forgotten gem.  Who knows ... just MAYBE Howard and Mark will read some of these and think to themselves ... "Well, if the FANS love it, then maybe we should start doing it again" ... I mean it was, after all, a HUGE hit.  (kk)  
Howard,  
Just add it to the Woodstock Fair in CT and I will go home happy.  
Shelley J. Sweet-Tufano  

Kent,
Loved the Walter Brennan "Old Rivers" tune -- a song from the day when the lyrics and tunes were pleasant -- any chance of this being covered today by Lil Jon and calling it "Old Rivers, bitch"?
Peace,
Tim Kiley
Probably not ... but The Lettermen placed their tongues firmly in their collective cheeks and had a little fun with this one back in the day ... here's a clip courtesy of Gary Pike, former Letterman.  The single was officially released by Tony, Bob and Jimmy ... check it out!  (kk)



These cool crooners played around in the studio and came up with a funny parody of the Walter Brennan hit "OLD RIVERS".  The other side was a spoof on "DUTCHMAN'S GOLD", too. Can't say they had no sense of humor! TONY BUTALA, BOB ENGEMANN and JIMMY PIKE ... otherwise known as "THE LETTERMEN".
Jim Pike and Bobby Engemann are the only ones on the record. Jim and Bob were messing around in the studio one day impersonating Walter Brennan and doing a parody of Old Rivers when Nick Venet, their producer, loved it and decided to record it. When the record was first pressed up it said Jim and Bob, but Capitol later included Tony for some reason. Jim starts off as the Brennan charactor and Bobby answers as the son. Bobby recently passed away from complication of heart surgery.
Gary 

Kent ...
I watched the first showing of Beverly Hills Pawn.  I can understand the other Pawn shows (Detroit & Las Vegas). It seems odd to me that you can afford to live in Beverly Hills and still have to resort to pawning items that you own.
A guy brought in a Doors keyboard played by Ray Manzarek.  The guy wanted $300,000 for it. After the young lady who worked there explained to the owner who the Doors were, he offered $100,000. He pointed out that if it was played by Jim Morrison it would be worth more. The customer took the $100,000.
A young lady came in with some jewelry. She wanted $300 for it. The owner explained to her that it was worth $80,000 and gave her a check for that amount.
I can't help thinking that if she was talking to the Detroit or Las Vegas guy it would've turned out differently.
Frank B.
LOL ... yep, that'd be my guess, too.  First he'd talk her down to $150 ... and then turn around and sell the jewels for $150 Grand!  (kk) 


As far as Pat Boone goes:  his 'April Love' and 'Love Letters in the Sand' make me tremble.  And that's enough for me. 
Shelley J. Sweet-Tufano


Kent,
The Bowery Boys were mentioned in regards to the Beatles' 
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band  album. Kent, I know this has nothing to do directly with FH, but I don't know about you, but I always enjoyed the Bowery Boys' movies seeing them on television. Would you believe just last night I watched their 1943 Movie on DVD THE BOWERY BOYS MEETS THE MONSTERS.  I sure felt sorry for the Monsters.
Finally, concerning the records of Pat Boone, one of his bigger records here in OKC was his 1966 WISH YOU WERE HERE, BUDDY peaking at #5 in November of that year.
Larry
"Wish You Were Here, Buddy" isn't a bad Pat Boone tune ... it hit #18 here in Chicago ... but still wouldn't make my list of songs worth recycling to a new audience.  (kk)


Regarding artists and autographs, please, folks, bring in one or maybe two items to get signed and leave it at that. IMO, if there are a bunch of us waiting it's incredibly rude both to the artists and to all the fans if you bring in everything you own, expecting to get it signed. 
Of course if you are bringing it in, just so they can have a look, that's something else. Just don't slow up that line. 
In a band I was in back in the 70's, we had the pleasure of being an opening act for various folk. Gotta say B.J. Thomas was one of the nicest guys. We got done and he came in to our dressing room and told us what a great job we did and chatted for a few minutes before e went on stage. 
We also did a show with Frankie Valli. I have always been a Four Seasons fan, so was totally excited to do that show. He was the total opposite of BJ. I have just always chose to believe that maybe he was having an off night? Interestingly enough, When we did the show with Mr. Thomas, his band wasn't very friendly, and when we did the show with Mr. Valli, his band was incredibly friendly. 
Bill

Hiya Kent ...
I'm still here. And this SUNDAY, will be my 60th birthday (and Father's Day) and I'll be doing the "Big Jay Big Birthjay Bash" on the overnight show late Saturday Night / Sunday morning starting at 1 am ET.
I'll be taking greetings and playing the FATHERS of Rock & Roll all night. Just wanted you to know I'm still kickin' on WCBS-FM 101.1 in NYC and www.wcbsfm.com ... plus with the smartphone app at Radio.com.
BE BIG!
Jay
Hey if you're up late and partying, be sure to tune in and catch Big Jay Sorensen Sunday Morning ... and Happy Birthday, big guy!  (60's right around the corner for me, too!)  kk

Just listened to the Paul Anka rant ... WOW! ... I do understand where he is coming from though. He says it several times ..."I'm the only one on that stage" ... It's his name, his reputation, his talent, his career, his life. He needs all of the people behind the scenes but ultimately it all begins and ends with him. His integrity dictates that he gives the paying public their money's worth and for him that is a flawless performance. 
Sounds to me like Joe may have been through one or two of these rants before, hence the no show. 
In summation, I have three words for Paul ... NO WIRE HANGERS!!!
Stacee
 
Hey Kent, 
Listening to Paul Anka’s rant at the band makes me chuckle and reminds me of when we were doing a show with him and  others.  Each performer was given an hour before the show to rehearse with the house band.  About a half hour into our rehearsal in walks Anka, strutting up and crowing to us saying: Time to get out of here ... I need to rehearse with the band now!  Jim says: We have half an hour left and we need it.  Anka says (with a voice very much like on the tape):  DO YOU KNOW WHO THE @*#% I AM??? NOW GET OUT OF HERE!!!  Jim says, yeah, you're Napoleon ... and if you don’t leave now, I’m gonna plant my fist right in your face.  Anka left. 
I still don’t why Jim wanted to record “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” (1968), which was a modest hit for us.  Maybe Anka made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.  NOT!  Later after the song was off the charts, Paul Anka called our manager and thanked us for doing it.  He said he really needed it at the time.  Now go figure.
Lettermen / Reunion, 
Gary Pike