Sunday, August 18, 2013

The Sunday Comments ( 08 - 18 - 13)

re:  PAUL REVERE:  
Thanks for the news on Paul Revere. I always appreciate the care you put into your posts and your commitment to great rock and roll.
Stu Shea  

Excellent coverage.  Thank you, Kent.
Tommy Scheckel / Paul Revere and the Raiders
Thank you, Tommy ... that means a lot. You know what a HUGE fan I am of the band.  (kk)  

Thank you for your excellent coverage of Paul Revere's health condition.  While the other websites seem to focus and play up everything that may or may not be wrong with him, portraying only the weaknesses witnessed by fans at his Reno show last weekend, you took the high road and instead paid compliments to the incredible entertainer that he is, wishing him a speedy recovery, while still getting the basic health facts out there.  That is what I love about Forgotten Hits.  Informative ... and compassionate.
Tim  

Kent, 
I got 'goose bumps' when I saw the subject line of today's newsletter. Paul is a fighter -- in addition to being a dear friend, fantastic showman, a super businessman and leader of one of the truly 'great' rock bands of the rock era. 
It's a shame that he and the band have not been properly rewarded by induction into the R&RHOF, but we all know they have their own set of rules -- their own 'agenda' for lack of a better word -- and totally ignore the wishes of the fans they are supposed to respect. We all know the HOF has snubbed so many deserving artists and industry leaders that we've all but given up on them.  
When I was a junior at El Camino High School, Sacramento, in the spring of 1961, a local music store owner, Orville Hammond, turned  me on to Paul's recording of "Like Longhair" on the little indie label, Gardena Records. Orville knew I was a music junkie and that I would enjoy the single. I did! In fact, that little 45 is among my proudest possessions.  
So, when I read the story about Paul and the fight he's waging against his illness, and as I read Paul's former band mate, Mark, adding his thoughts, I couldn't help but reminisce about those early days in the fall of 1963 -- when I was doing all those early Beach Boys shows -- and I'd get a call from the legendary northwest promoter, Pat Mason, in Seaside, OR, who would call me whenever he needed a pickup date on Paul and the band.   
Often, in those days, promoters would book a string of dates -- and would make every effort to do them in some logical geographic order. Sacramento made a perfect 'fill-in' date between Portland, Reno, Fresno, or further south. I remember on one such call, Pat made me an offer I couldn't refuse: $150 against 80% of the gate, or something equally absurd:) Keep in mind I was booking Jan & Dean and The Rightous Brothers for $350 in those days and singles were often $200 or a bit more -- depending on their routing and how hungry the agents were to book more dates.  
I saw Paul immediately following the World Trade Center bombing, Sept 11, 2001. The concert -- at the TN State Fairgrounds -- had been canceled but Paul was already in town and we hooked up at a hotel out by the airport. I brought along an old boxing card style poster that I'd found while cleaning out my folk's garage in Sacto a few years before. It was one of very first posters that had been printed to promote the group ... it had a 'blank' top section where you could fill in the info about the gig -- sometimes a concert, sometimes a 'dance and show.'  
Of course, it featured a photo of the band in their Revolutionary War best. I had Paul sign it -- and when he saw the poster -- which was in absolutely mint condition, he wrote: 'To Fred, who is the only person -- besides my Mother -- who would still have this poster!"  
To make up for the canceled concert at the TN State Fair, he -- along with Peter Noone and his band -- played the fairgrounds the following year. Keith Alison and Freddy Weller were also backstage. The late Nashville 'oldies' deejay, Coyote Mc Cloud, was the emcee. Paul and the band rocked the crowd. Paul, always the showman and always one who gives 110% to the crowd, gave a tremendous show, as did Peter.  
Paul, my old, dear friend, you have thousands of fans who are praying for you. You'll kick this one, too!  
Fred Vail 
Treasure Isle Recorders, Inc.  
Music City, USA  


Hey Kent, 
We just wanted to send Paul our best recovery wishes.  We (Lettermen / Reunion) met Paul while receiving an award a few years ago from the governor of the state Idaho  (Gov. Kempthorne) for being successful music entertainers FROM the state of Idaho.  There were others there also honored  from different professional fields but we were the ones who had to get up at the ceremony and do a little ditty because we were the entertainers.  It was cool being honored as successful music dudes from Idaho. 
Get well our friend!!  
Jim and Gary Pike    

Fred, Jim and Gary ... please know that I passed your emails along to Paul Revere ... he has received such a HUGE outpouring of love and prayers from his fans ... I'm sure he'll enjoy hearing from some of his contemporaries, too.  (kk)
Scott Shannon interviewed Paul Revere on the True Oldies Channel on Friday ... Paul seems to be in good spirits, chalking most of this up to simply getting older ...  Click here: TRUE-CM - Scott Shannon talks to Paul Revere
Don't count this ol' dog out of the race yet ... as we said in our piece, Paul Revere LIVES to perform ... and that's just what he intends to keep doing for a long time to come.  Catch this show if you can ... you'll find a complete tour list available under Thursday's posting.  (kk)  

re: HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR:  
After a three month concert drought, I will be seeing The Buckinghams this weekend at the Mohegan Sun Casino and The Happy Together Tour next weekend at the Woodstock Fair.  I am giddy with excitement.  And then ... back into the desert.  I understand the Israelites feelings now ... wandering through the desert looking for the 'promised bands'.  
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano 

Kent, 
So happy that the Happy Together tours keep on comin!  I was lucky enough to become good e-friends with the late great co-writer of "Happy Together," Alan Gordon, about 10 years ago and we enjoyed many emails of sharing memories and info on his career and songs.  Have I ever told you that Alan (along with Garry Bonner) had at least ONE song he had co-written on the Billboard Hot 100 and Bubbling Under charts for every week of 1967 except one?  An amazing stat in an amazing year for them. 
Anyway, Alan shared many demos and skits he wrote over the years with me yearly.  "Happy Together" was always "his baby" as he called it.  I became friends with his son, Christian, too, and decided to take the Bonner-Gordon demo for HT and try to synch it with the Turtles music track a year ago for a surprise for Christian.  Unfortunately, the songs were done in different keys, so after the first verse, I gave up trying to slow or speed up and finding it would not work.  I wish I could share the original demo with you, but Alan did not want that song shared.  SO, I am sending my failed attempt mentioned above to give you an idea of the demo (Garry singing lead).  You won't get much and Garry may seem out of tune, but it's because of the key.  On the demo, you would hear a small amount of brass with a swirling organ along with the rollicking piano.  Garry singing lead with Alan doing the harmony vocals.  Anyway, to get people in the mood for the tour, here's the Garry Bonner original demo intro and then everyone can do their own karaoke!!   

WLSClark
P.S. Alan , rest in peace and know your song lives on, despite oldies stations dropping 60's music!!



And, speaking of The Happy Together Tour, here's some good news for all you Chuck Negron fans out there ...  

re:  CHUCK NEGRON:  
On Saturday Morning Chuck Negron reached his goal of raising $75,000 in Kickstarter donations in order to be able to release a brand new album.  Titled "Then And Now", the album boasts brand new material recorded by Chuck (clean and sober now for 22 years after a HORRENDOUS battle with his own personal demons) as well as THREE previously unreleased Three Dog Night tracks dating back to 1973. Congratulations to Chuck and getting this album released ... and a HUGE round of thank you's to all the fans who pitched in to help make this happen.  $75,000 is a pretty tall order ... but this just goes to show you how much we love and support our artists.  WTG, Chuck ... see you at the show Friday Night!  (kk)  

You saw Three Dog Night a couple of weeks ago in Elk Grove Village?  Man, I would have LOVED to have gone to that show!  My wife would have loved it, too.  We used to fuck to their music!
Dennis  
Thank you for the over-share, Dennis ... but then again a lot of OTHER people on the list probably did, too!  (lol)  Screw all that Johnny Mathis stuff ... what better to put you in the mood than "Jeremiah was a bullfrog"?!?!?  (kk)   

re:  COKE COMMERCIALS:  
>>>Here's a "Forgotten Hits" question from me!  Do you have, or do you know where one could find, a list of the Radio Guys who tagged or introduced the famous Coca Cola Pop Singers and Groups Radio spots of the 1960s and 1970s?  Appreciate any info.  Thanx!  (Chuck Buell)  
>>>I know we've got a ton of Coke Ad Commercials Collectors out there ... anybody able to help out with this one?  (kk)  

Kent, 
I saw Chuck Buell's message about Coke commercials.  Like you, I love those things and have collected them for decades off airchecks and tapes and CDs.  Altho I know of no site with the jock info for these, I can point out a few things.  I have heard the SAME exact Coke commercial with a different jock doing the vocal overdubs, so in one city, you may get Ron Riley and in NY, you may have gotten Dan Ingram.  You may get the short 10 second version without overdub voice or the 1:30 version! 
Chuck was / is a great voice of the old WLS that I grew up with.  Attached is a winter night in my Dodge City, Kansas basement with lots of static and Chuck upbeat as always playing ... a Coke Commercial ... done by the American Breed!!  Not sure who is doing the overdub on this one, but WLS' Ron Riley did overdub vocals for Fifth Dimension and Gladys Knight & Pips Coke commercials and Art Roberts did the heavy overdub for Vanilla Fudge for Coke!  I wonder if / what ones Chuck might have overdubbed.  Between all of us, we might have it!
You'll note that a Forgotten Hit follows the Breed jingle.  Chuck says Arthur Conley "snaps me out on this one" with his reggae version of "Obladi Oblada."  The same night I have Chuck playing the Beatles version, too!  No single from the White Album (not called that at the time), but WLS and CFL played most of the cuts anyway.

I listened to Chuck on KIMN in the early 60's in Denver, too, from DC. 
One more thing.  The Breed actually did three different Coke jingles while only two show up most places, according to my memory.  THIS particular "Cool It" version was re-written by Gary Loizzo and turned into a 45 for the Breed in 1969 "Cool It" which they performed on the NBC show "Showcase 68" with Lloyd Thaxton!  This version of the Cool It Coke Jingle has trumpet overdubs at the end that do not appear on the Sundazed CD release too!  They DO appear on original Coke reels sent to stations.  SO, even when a group had a finished take, there was still some fiddling at times in the studio before being sent out!  Enjoy.  WLSClark


More from Chuck Buell ...  

Hey Kent!   
Thanx for getting back to me.  I have a pretty complete collection of those great old Coke Radio spots myself as I tagged some of them for The Brooklyn Bridge, B.J. Thomas and others. The ones I'm most proud to have been associated with are, the "I'd like to Buy the World a Coke" spot series from the New Seekers, which as you probably know, was followed by their Big Hit "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing!"   
But no one seems to have a "list" of who did which other ones!  But thanx for your assistance!    
Chuck Dah-Bue-Ell-Ess  
I have a feeling we haven't even scratched the surface on this one.  This topic has come up numerous times over the years in Forgotten Hits and I know we've come some REAL serious Coca Cola Commercial Collectors on the list.  Clark's email implies that many of these were done "live" as voiceovers on the air ... but it sounds like you recorded SPECIFIC intros for certain artists ... so there's no telling how many variables may be at play here!  Anyway, it was cool to get a response right out of the box ... I'll keep you posted as more info comes in.  Maybe some of the other jocks on the list remember some specific Coke spots that THEY did.  I still find it amazing that people have hung on to these airchecks for so long ... it just goes to show you again how much this era impacted our lives.  (kk)    

By the way, it's fun for me to say that this week I am a Headline Selection on the largest radio show aircheck archive around, "ReelRadio.com!"  
Attached is a brief three minute introductory sample from this week's Fabulous "Aircheck Channel Update" hosted by one of my old Radio Buddies, the ridiculously talented Bobby Ocean spotlighting one of my old radio shows from 1970 WLS!   
If you are a subscriber to "Reel Radio," (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't be – especially for just a quarter a week!) you can hear both the complete hour and a scoped version of that hour there, too.   
I hope you find it fun too!   
Chuck


Click here: REELRADIO Golden Gift - Chuck Buell, WLS Chicago, March 19, 1970    

Yeah I was one of them. I did the Coke spots in about 1966 or 1967 for Fontella Bass and they were recorded at the Chess studios on Michigan Ave!  
Clark Weber  

Chuck addresses some of Clark Besch's comments below ...  
>>>I have heard the SAME exact Coke commercial with a different jock doing the vocal overdubs, so in one city, you may get Ron Riley and in NY, you may have gotten Dan Ingram.  You may get the short 10 second version without overdub voice or the 1:30 version!  (Clark)  
I can neither confirm nor dispute this, but I can't imagine why they would have more than one guy on a commercial.  It entailed flying the guy to New York, putting him up, studio time, and some pretty nice talent fees and residuals.  I don't care HOW big Coke was, they didn't get big by throwing unnecessary money around, but, hey, I dunno here!  I do know that sometimes they sent out a version with NO voice on it – in particular, and much to my chagrin, the Seekers "Teach" spot, at one time!  Might have been after it became a hit or something.  
>>>Attached is a winter night in my Dodge City, Kansas basement with lots of static and Chuck upbeat as always playing ... a Coke Commercial ... done by the American Breed!!    
Yeah, I would love to hear that, if you can send it!  
>>>You'll note that  a Forgotten Hit follows the Breed jingle.  Chuck says Arthur Conley "snaps me out on this one" with his reggae version of "Obladi Oblada."  The same night I have Chuck playing the Beatles version too!  One more thing.  The Breed actually did three different Coke jingles while only two show up most places, according to my memory.   
As with the Seekers – in addition to "Teach the World to Sing," they also did a rarely heard "It's the Real Thing" version.   
Chuck  

re:  AND, SPEAKING OF THE RADIO ... :  
Today, August 13, 2013, is the 50th anniversary of radio station WLNG out of Sag Harbor, LI.  A true oldies station to this current day, (although in 1963 it must have been a newies station) they invited people IN TO THE STATION from 4 - 8 pm to celebrate with them.  When was the last time a radio station in your area invited you in?  
Happy Birthday WLNG!  I'm glad I found you.  
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano    
VERY cool ... and kudos to them for sticking to their guns for 50 years.  It is GREAT to hear that they're still playing the same music TODAY that they were playing when they first took to the airwaves all those years ago.  (This is what WLS SHOULD be doing here in Chicago ... instead they've tarnished and abandoned their legacy ... to the point that I don't know of ANYONE who listens anymore.  What a shame ... with such a rich heritage ... and the respect of the entire nation ... they've decided to instead become "just another station" playing the EXACT same music as everyone else in town ... which heavy emphasis on the John Mellencamp, Steve Miller, Boston and Journey tracks.  What a shame.)  kk  

And here's one more last minute reminder ... former Y103.9 Morning Man Jim Shea will be appearing as part of the Open Mic Performance at The Longshot on Route 120 in Lakemoor later today ... some time between 3 and 6 pm.  Stop by if you're able!  (kk)  

re:  THE EAGLES:   
Nice to see all the chat about The Eagles.  
One of my gigs is being a part of an Eagles Tribute show here in MN. We've been doing it for three years now and people still hire us to do it again. We've sold it out many times in the same places, too. It kind of boggles my mind.  It just shows how important music of our era still is in our lives. 
We have nine folks on stage so that we can do them justice. 
I loved the Eagles, and really do like Desperado, the album ... that and On the Border are my two favorite albums, and The Long Run is the album that I never play, but I love I Can't Tell You Why. 
I am always conflicted about them. They gave us all this wonderful music, but don't make it possible to afford to go and see them.  Seems as though there's something a bit wrong with alienating most of your fans because of the ticket price.  (That goes for Sir Paul, too.) <grin>
Bill
Yeah, their ticket prices are up there ... for what I've spent on The Eagles over the past 40 years (between concert tickets, albums, cassettes, CDs, videos, DVDs, t-shirts, program booklets, etc.) I probably could have traveled around the world ... twice!!!  And McCartney justifies HIS ridiculous concert prices by saying that every time he goes out on the road, they survey what other artists are charging and then price their tickets accordingly.  Clearly neither act needs the money ... but they SHOULD get a fair value for their services ... and they both provide top of the line entertainment.  It seems like there should be a happy medium there somewhere ... but both acts also consistently sell out every show they perform.  (I will say that McCartney also does a fair amount of charity work, too ... The Eagles not so much.)  kk 

And, speaking of Paul McCartney ...  

re:  PAUL McCARTNEY:  
Busy Guy!  Paul McCartney's been all over the news again of late ... between a recent concert appearance in San Francisco (Outside Lands near Golden Gate Park where, by all counts he stole the show) and the announcement that he will now be performing at the sold-out iHeart Radio Show in Las Vegas, comes the even BIGGER news that he is about to get all of his copyrights back ... a REAL sore spot for the past 30 years after Michael Jackson swooped in and purchased the entire Beatles catalog ... incredibly at Paul's own suggestion that copyrights make for a very "sound" investment as well as a great way to show your support and help keep this great music alive.  (McCartney owns HUNDREDS of copyrights, including everything from Buddy Holly's music to show tunes like the soundtrack to "Annie"!) But imagine having that kind of a collection and then NOT owning the rights to your own songs!!!  A bitter pill to be sure.  Meanwhile, he'll soon have some NEW songs on the market as well, as the announcement of McCartney's next solo LP was also disclosed last week.  (Man, what a week!!!)  I guess at 71 he's decided to cram it all in at once.  The recently released "Wings Over America" Deluxe CD Box is also now available as part of The Paul McCartney Collection ... and it seems that every time you turn around he's playing at some major function.  (Man, I hope I have HALF that energy at 71!!!) WTG, Macca!  (kk) 

Last week also marked the anniversary of The Beatles' first concert at Shea Stadium, a landmark event at the time (and a concert milestone for decades to come)  Some memories of this very special appearance are below:  
Click here: Ron Parker Remembers The Beatles Invasion Of Shea Stadium « WCBS-FM 101.1 
 
re:  MIKE NESMITH:
Sounds like Mike Nesmith is enjoying life out on the road again ... he has just announced a new solo tour schedule ...  
From:  Videoranch
re:  Nez US Fall 2013 Tour
The Fall 2013 tour is starting to come together with the following confirmed dates offering a rare opportunity to hear Nez perform live!
"The songs I'll play are a touch chronological and a touch thematic. I picked my favorites to play, the ones I have come to love over the years, and the ones that are most requested by fans of my solo work," describes Nez.
Here is a list of dates and venues. We will have links available for purchasing tickets shortly. Although we have no tickets available here at Videoranch, we're happy to answer any questions you might have. We
expect a few more dates to be added to this schedule in the coming week and we will inform you when they have been confirmed.
Please check out our tour information page at Videoranch.com for the most up-to-date information.
27-Oct Phoenix, AZ MIM Music Theater
30-Oct Dallas, TX The Kessler Theater
01-Nov Birmingham, AL WorkPlay Theatre
02-Nov Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
04-Nov Vienna (Washington D.C.) The Barns at Wolf Trap
05-Nov Annapolis, MD Rams Head On Stage
07-Nov Bay Shore, NY YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts
08-Nov Phoenixville, PA The Colonial Theatre
10-Nov Shirley, MA The Bull Run Concert Series
11-Nov Fall River, MA Narrow Center for the Arts
12-Nov Englewood, NJ Bergen Performing Arts Center
14-Nov Elyria (Cleveland), OH Stocker Arts Center
15-Nov Chicago, IL City Winery
17-Nov Franklin, TN The Franklin Theatre
18-Nov Franklin, TN The Franklin Theatre
Hope to see you at one of the shows!
Best,
Videoranch Foreman
Michael is the only Monkee I've never seen live ... maybe we can finally catch him at the City Winery in November. 

And, speaking of The Monkees, our long-time buddy Gary Stobl (who is in the process of putting together the ultimate Monkees Coffee Table Book right now), caught the guys for TWO shows out on the west coast and had this to say ... 
I saw The Monkees in San Diego and Long Beach a few days ago. The concerts were wonderful, especially at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, where the crowd was standing and screaming before they even took the stage. The din of the crowd was like a Beatles concert! Two of the highlights were "Door Into Summer" and "As We Go Along." It is still bittersweet when the stage is darkened during their HEAD set and they play the video of "Daddy's Song." Then Michael, Micky and Peter return to the stage to sing "Daydream Believer." A lot of tears were flowing throughout the audience. It still doesn't seem real that our beloved David Jones is physically gone. All in all, an amazing show that I hope they will continue into the near future.
By the way, Happy 47th Anniversary! "Last Train To Clarksville" was released on this date (August 16th) in 1966! I hope you and your family are in optimal health and enjoying the sizzling days of Summer! I am plugging away every day on my book. I feel like I am back in school and I have homework every day including weekends. I am still finding the missing pieces of The Monkees puzzle. 
I'm A Believer, 
Gary

re:  EYDIE GORME:
Hey, Kent,
In the 60's, Steve and Eydie could bridge the generation gap well.  The old fogies (like us today) then could get plenty of their music on MOR stations and loved it.  The kids could like it as well.  Actually, Steve was the bigger star early for older folks while Eydie's more rock n roll attitude early kept her closer to the kid crowd.  "Bossa Nova" was even a #16 R&B chart rider in Billboard! 
Their teamed up records got Eydie more crossover hits leading her to be mostly being played on MOR stations in late 60's.  I loved the Steve & Eydie hit "I Can't Stop Talking About You", which likely would have been a top 10 smash if not for coming right as Beatlemania hit in Feb '64.  It has a girl group sound and with so many teen boy / girl duos like Dale and Grace or Paul & paula or Dick & DeeDee hitting big, it was a natural idea. 
Even as the BIG hits waned, I clearly remember my dad wanting a 1971 (or so) Eydie countri
fied single, "Take One Step".  I got the 45 for him and after he died, it wound up in my faves for a time. 
Bottom line, Eydie had a great voice and career and even if overlooked today, she was a big star in her day and deservedly so.
Clark Besch
I thought "I Can't Stop Talking About You" was a bigger hit here in Chicago, but I see that it peaked at #26 (still besting its national peak of #31).  It looks like their biggest hit as a duo was 1963's "I Want To Stay Here", which reached #18 locally and #28 on both the Billboard and Cash Box chart.
Steve Lawrence's big hit, of course, was the original version of "Go Away Little Girl", an across the boards #1 smash in 1963 ... but Steve also hit The National Top Ten with hits like "The Banana Boat Song" (#5 in Cash Box, riding along with the Harry Belafonte and Tarriers' versions); "Party Doll" (#1, 1957 ... he shared to top spot in Cash Box with the Buddy Knox hit); "Pretty Blue Eyes" (#5, 1960); "Footsteps" (#7, 1960)and "Portrait Of My Love" (#9, 1961). Eydie, on the other hand, only hit The Top Ten twice ... "You Need Hands" (#7, 1958) and "Blame It On The Bossa Nova" (#6, 1963).  "Bossa Nova" was a #3 hit here in Chi-Town.  (kk)

re:  GLEN CAMPBELL:
We just heard about a brand new book coming out this fall by Mark Bego, biographer to the music stars, covering the life of Glen Campbell.  His story is told through the eyes and experiences of Glen's daughter Debby and it promises to be quite a "bridge burner" (if you know what I mean)!  Here are a few details:  
BURNING BRIDGES - DEBBY CAMPBELL & MARK BEGO – OMNIBUS PRESS - $24.38  OCTOBER 14 – RELEASE DATE Glen Campbell began his musical career as a songwriter to many of the 1960's biggest stars. He transitioned to film with John Wayne in 1969's True Grit, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, and was awarded a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2012. During his 50 years in show business, Campbell has released more than 70 albums selling more than 45 million copies. His hits include Galveston, and Rhinestone Cowboy. For the last twenty-four years, Debby has been by her father's side, as a part of his concert touring act, as well as a supportive part of his family. She has been with her dad through his four wives, through drug and alcohol addiction, and now through the shattering beginnings of Alzheimer's disease. In Burning Bridges, Debby Campbell writes her story of a father and his devoted daughter from her heart, and from her diary. She has shared some of the most rewarding years in her father's life. And now, for the first time, she blows the lid off of all of Glen Campbell's family secrets. It is about a family bound together by Glen's talent. Debby will discuss the marriages, the drink and the drugs, the illness and her sacking, as well as Glen Campbell's many successes. In her frank family memoir Debby Campbell sets the record straight on a daughter's love for her talented father, with the full knowledge that she is about to start burning some bridges of her own.
Bego has published 61 books rock & roll, country music, and show business (and I've read quite a few of them myself!)  He has been called “The Number One Best-Selling Pop Biographer” in Publisher’s Weekly, and has been referred to in the press as “The Prince of Pop Music Bio’s.”   With over 10 million copies of his books in print, Bego has written two New York Times best-selling books (Michael! [Jackson] and Leonardo DiCaprio:  Romantic Hero), and a Chicago Tribune best-seller (Dancing in the Street:  Confessions of a Motown Diva with Martha Reeves of Martha & The Vandellas).  He is the author of the award-winning novel Murder at Motor City Records (2012).  His hit books have included Madonna:  Blonde Ambition (1993), Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul (2012), and Elton John:  The Bitch is Back (2009). 
Be sure to check out Forgotten Hits next week for a brief Q&A about his latest.  (kk)  

re:  THINK  (ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND):  
Kent,
Here is one minute of a spoof / alternate to "Things Get A Little Easier" / "Once You Understand".  I don't know who did this, or if it's available anywhere. I recorded it off the air in January, 1972. Are you familiar with this? 

David Lewis
 
Nope, haven't heard this before.  (But then again ... honestly ... I never really heard "Once You Understand" on the radio either for that matter!)  kk 
Wow -- it wasn't aired in Chicago? It received a good bit of airplay here. I'm pretty sure Scott played it. 
David 
I'm familiar with the record (pretty awful really!) as a national hit (it actually charted twice, hitting #21 in 1972 and then returning to the chart two years later and reaching the #42 spot) ... but here in Chicago it was ignored by both WLS and WCFL.  (We've got the REAL version here, too, for anyone out there who wants to endure it again!!!  lol)  kk


re:  THE HOT 100:
Lots of talk lately about the 55th anniversary of Billboard's Hot 100 Chart.  Found this on Ron Smith's oldiesmusic.com website ... perhaps the ultimate Hot 100 Blooper of All-Time!  (kk)


re:  MORE MUSIC MERGERS:  
The other day we ran some great ideas for band names submitted by Fred Glickstein of The Flock and Jim Peterik of The Ides Of March.  
Today we've got a brand new batch ... and Fred gives credit where credit is due.  Meanwhile, we invite our readers to send in some of their own suggestions.  (These are really kinda fun!)  
Check out the latest ... and then give us your best shot ...  
Kent,  
My friend Tom Stahl, nicknamed Rabbit, really started this whole funny band name thing when I sent his original list around. Then the others chimed in. It would be great if you could give Rabbit a shout - he played with the Shadows Of Knight from '73 - '76.  
Thanks,  
Fred  
Meanwhile, here are some more band names. These are from Ken Goerres:  
Blind Faith Hill
Buffalo Rick Springfield

The Grateful Dead Can Dance
Johnny Ray Cyrus
Peter, Paul and the Jesus and Mary Chain
Spanky and Our Gang of Four
Beach Boyz II Men
Earth Wind and Fire Town
Elton John Legend
James Taylor Swift
Sly and the Family Stone Temple Pilots
Tangerine Dream Syndicate
Neil Young Dubliners
Steely Dan Fogerty
Ike and Tina Turner Overdrive
Wet Willie Nelson
 

And then we heard from Tom, who added a few more from his original list ...  

Hi Kent,
I am a fan of your site and visit it often. I'm an old guitar rocker from The Shadows of Knight and many other bands. Fred Glickstein is a very good friend and I know many of the other early local rock guys. Music and the oldies is a big part of my life and I still play, too.  
Anyway, in case you wanted to put my funny idea on your site so we can get everyone on board with creating funny band names, here was my original e-mail to Fred with the explanation. It kind of says it all:  
(I was really surprised to see everyone embrace the idea and chime in with so many names too.)   

Ok, with all the band members passing away as we get older ... we have had to combine a few bands in order to keep playing.  We have to combine the names too, so people will recognize.  
Here is a Start:  
The New Colony Styx  
The Barry White Stripes
Dave Clark and the MC 5
Shadows of Knight and the Pips
Flo and Eddie Rabbit
4 Tops and a Night
Gypsy Kings of Leon
Florence and the Soft Machine
Free Dog Night
Moody Blues Brothers
Jay and the American English
The Neil Young Rascals
Blood Sweat and Tears For Fears
Backstreet Boyz 2 Men
Huey Lewis and the Playboys
Blind Faith No More
3 Dog Nightranger
So, there is a start. We can add to the list as we see fit.
Rabbit - Tom Stahl
I saw your list and immediately thought of The Gypsy Kings of Leon Russell.  (lol)  And how about the Neil Young Rascals?  I think our list could have a WHOLE lot of fun with this one.  Like I told Fred, we're going to have enough here for a whole book pretty soon!  (kk)
hehehehe ... for sure!
My new favorite one is FlockU2!
Fred
Yeah, that one's going to be tough to beat!!! (lol)  Thanks, Fred!  (kk)   

Speaking of The Shadows Of Knight, we had planned to tell everyone to meet us out at Jimy Sohns' 67th Birthday Bash next Saturday Night (the 24th) at The Blues Bar in Mt. Prospect ... but we just received this last minute notice about this event being cancelled.  
Details are still a bit sketchy (and as we find out more, we'll let you know) ... but this came from Jimy himself:
DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE FACILITY, THE BLUES-BAR WILL BE CLOSED FOR 30 DAYS.
The birthday bash will be rescheduled as soon as possible after they re-open. 
I will be sending you an update as soon as I have confirmed the new date.  
Jimy
Yikes!  We knew quite a few people who had planned on going to this ... yes, please do keep us posted so we can pass the info along.  (kk)


re:  WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED:  
Yahoo Music did a piece this week on cover versions of popular songs.  Needless to say, their list came up a little bit short.  (We're sharing it with you today)  
Click here: The Singer Not the Song: The Best Covers Ever | Stop The Presses! - Yahoo! Music  
In yet another Forgotten Hits Homework Assignment, we're asking you to name the best covers ever.  Now we've learned over the years that most people's favorite version of a song is the one they happened to hear first ... THAT's the one that made an impression and stuck in their mind.  And, quite often, cover versions really don't add much to the original.  But every once in a while, a cover version will come along that stands alone on its own merit ... and those are the ones we're looking for. (In fact, if we get a really good response to this, we'll talk with Scott Shannon about counting down some of your favorites during his next "Rock And Roll Remakes" Weekend!)  
So let us hear from you ... and we'll build a list.  All-Time Favorite Cover Versions ... coming soon to Forgotten Hits!  (kk)  

re: DIGGIN' FORGOTTEN HITS:  
Kent,
Forgotten Hits has been INCREDIBLE with your ever-expanding artist and reader-base of stories, knowledge, and interest growing exponentially -- your love of the universal language of music is rubbing off on everyone -- it is nice when an artist gets to see and hear how much their gift of music is truly appreciated and continues to be appreciated.  Thanks for the GREAT concert reviews and presentation of songs that don't get near the airplay that they should.  Loved that cluster of songs that included "Nothing But Heartaches" by the Flirtations.  Another good one to give a listen to is "Sad Sweet Dreamer" from 1974 from a group out of Manchester, England called Sweet Sensation -- you'll recognize it when you hear it!  Thanks for being the catalyst in the culmination of an on-going interesting read called Forgotten Hits -- it just keeps getting better with every issue!
Thank-You,
Tim Kiley
My guess is that nearly EVERYBODY will recognize "Sad Sweet Dreamer" when they hear it again.  (Of course all radio has to do is give us a CHANCE to hear these great songs ... and then they won't become such distant memories!) This one was a #14 Hit back in 1975 ... so how do you ignore THAT?!?!  (It also topped the charts back home in Jolly Ol' England.)  kk