Thursday, February 5, 2015

Feedback On The Chicago Music '60's Style / Fundraiser For Marty Grebb


Reaction was good ... and immediate ...  those of us who grew up here in Chicago LOVE the music created by our Local Heroes ... and we can't wait to see them perform many of their hits once again.  To have this kind of talent all up on one stage, one more time truly is a dream come true.  (kk)
 
OMG, I BETTER SAVE MY PENNIES!. I HOPE WE CAN GO ONE BETTER AND URGE THE AMERICAN BREED TO REUNITE FOR ONE MORE TIME. NOW THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING!!!! 
MIKE
Cool, yes, but probably not too likely ... but never say never!  The addition of Gary Loizzo singing a couple of songs would be a HUGE bonus and treat ... he hasn't performed here in AGES!!!
I'm still hoping that Jim Peterik will stop by and sing a few Ides Of March and Survivor songs ... and that we might get even a short set of tunes from The New Colony Six ... but as I said yesterday, a lot of these details are still being worked out ... and the concert IS still three months away.
It's unreal the artists who COULD participate in something like this ... Marty has played with just about EVERYBODY over the years and people like Bonnie Raitt and Leon Russell have always sung their praises for this fine musician.
But this is a benefit concert put together BY Chicago Musicians FOR a Chicago Musician who is going through some difficult (and very costly) health issues right now.  So let's just hope we can all keep it in the spirit in which this concert is intended ... and also enjoy some GREAT Chicago Rock And Roll in the process!  (kk)   

Speaking of The New Colony Six, while they're not "officially" on board yet for the Marty Grebb Benefit Concert, they WILL be performing at another benefit concert at The Arcada Theatre the month before ... more details here:
This promises to be another great show for another great cause ... be sure to get your tickets for this one (where The New Colony Six will play a full set of hits ... along with some brand new music!)   

Hey kk!
Dig this "Kansas" slant on The Cryan' Shames tune.
and back in '69 ...
The Vibeman
Yeah, you can definitely hear the Kansas connection on that first one ... re-imagined in 2012!!!  Jim "Hooke" Pilster has told me several times that he was SO sure that this was the song that was going to put The Cryan' Shames on the map, he even went out and got married!!! (lol)  It WAS big here in Chicago ... and, from what I understand, in Texas, too.  (Personally, I still prefer The Shames' original ... I don't think these guys EVER rocked out any harder than this ... catchy as hell and TOTALLY "of the time" during psychedelic 1968!!! (kk)
This is really cool ... Isaac would love it!
Tom Doody 
The Cryan' Shames   

Speaking of The Cryan' Shames, here's a rare piece of audio, featuring Chicago's Very Own on The BBC!!!  

Anyone out there familiar with good old Brian Matthew of the BBC?  His voice can often be heard talking with the Beatles on the original  "Beatles at the Beeb" radio shows.  He was host at the exciting time in British radio when the Brit Invasion was in full swing!  Well, dear old Brian is STILL spinning those 60's discs and taking requests via Brit radio BBC2 and can be heard on the web!  The coolest is that it was also broadcast over the Brit AIRWAVES on that date.  That's great to think of having your radio tuned to his show ON THE AIRWAVES and hearing the Shames jangling out of BBC2!!!
Shortly after Christmas, my friend Joe Hideo sent me this link.  I was blown away when Brian played our beloved Cryan Shames on his show!!  He made sure to mention these were NOT the Brit Cryin Shames, but Chicago's very own Cryan Shames!  Just over an hour into his show, he not only plays the Shames first failed attempt 45 "If I Needed Someone," but also plugs the new Now Sounds CD reissue of "Sugar & Spice" that I was lucky to help a bit with this past year!  How cool to have Brian play the Shames after all the Beatles stuff he experienced in his lifetime.  Even more cool, his memories of some FANTASTIC Brit invasions songs on these broadcasts.  Following the Shames, comes one of my faves from Dave dee and Company.  You'll also find classic Scaffold, Status Quo, Marianne Faithful and lots of great stories!!   There's US songs like Jimmy Mack and more!  Pretty cool listening if you have two hours.  More podcasts there of other shows of his too.  Find a gem you haven't heard before!! 
This is the show from 12/27/2014:  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04v93w4  
Clark Besch

Kent, 
Just a short thank you for the posting today of the records that your boys made and charted with back in the sixties and early seventies.  Loved it immensely.
Currently I am at the bottom of the list with SHAKE.  Just love that record. Most of the records you listed (the minor hits and less than minor records that did chart in Chicago), did not make our local survey, but that is I think understandable.
Larry Neal
These records successfully competed against the biggest hits of the day here in Chicago ... as you can see, most went Top Ten ... and not just because they were recorded by our "Local Heroes" ... these were DAMN good records that STILL sound every bit as good today! 
Because WLS was such a powerhouse (you could pick it up in something like 32 states on a clear night), kids who grew up hearing these songs as part of their regular play list were often frustrated when they'd go into their local record store and NOT be able to buy the latest hit by The Cryan' Shames or The New Colony Six.  That's because MOST record stores back then only carried their OWN Top 40 Market ... or the biggest Billboard Hits.  Over the years, I've probably sold more 45's by some of these Chicago bands than I have by The Beatles, The Monkees and The Rolling Stones, just because kids couldn't FIND them when they went into their local record stores ... makes you wonder just how much bigger hits many of these might have been had they been readily available to consumers who wanted a copy for themselves!  (kk)

Hey Kent, 
Thanks for the info, Kent - Marty's cousin is a friend of mine. Let me know if I can help.
Also ... wondered ... a coupla years ago Carolyn talked about an old video of the Shames / NC6 that she was gonna send you - I asked if you could ask her if I could make / buy a copy, and I don't think I ever got an answer. Did you ever make a copy, and ask her about it? I'd still like to have a copy.
Marlene
Honestly, I don't recall this at all ... but if she ever DID mention such a tape, I never received a copy.  Maybe she'll see this and respond.  (kk)


On a Thursday night?  We'd drive to Chicago for this one if it weren't for work commitments. 
David Lewis  
Truth be told, it was tough finding an open spot for this ... The Arcada is already booked most weekends through the rest of the year.  (SO many GREAT shows coming up!!!  Popular spot, I'm telling you!!!)  Take a long weekend ... see the show on Thursday Night and hang out in Chicago for a couple of days before you head back.  The weather should be beautiful here by then.  A show like this probably won't happen again.  (Seeing first hand all that it's taking to get THIS one off the ground convinces me of that!!!)  kk 
I understand all the logistical challenges of getting a night at the venue and then rounding up the artists. Whew! We'll look and see if there's a way to cancel a commitment for May 8th. This would indeed be the one we'd make the trip for - if we could even secure the tickets.
DL  

You let me know for sure that you're coming and we'll make sure that you get tickets.  I already told Ron Onesti that a show like this will draw some out-of-towners once they read about it in Forgotten Hits ... and it's likely to be a sell-out ... and I've already heard from several readers who said they would make the trip into Chicago to catch this one.  (Heck, we might have to add a second show!!!  OMG, I can't even think about that right now!!!)  More ticket information to come.  (kk)   

Kent,
I received word on the May 7th concert from The Bucks and could not believe the power going on there.  I expect a play by play account from you on all events.  In the meantime, I am now off to Bowzer's Doo Wop concert.  You will be hearing from me.
Shelley
Shelley, you can expect a full and thorough report!  Meanwhile, send us your review of Bowzer's Doo Wop Concert ... always happy to run it!  Thanks!  (kk)    

Hello ... and Thank You for all your hard work and good information. 
In mid 1974 into 1975, The Ides And Shames Union was listed through the BLYTHAM LTD agency in Champaign, Il.  (Maybe others also) ... Doug Bauer, Tom Seymore, and "the usual suspects" .
If you would want to find out more about BLYTHAM LTD, you might want to visit the "Hollywood Hangover" website.  I think I remember seeing more info about BLYTHAM there, with more agent names.  Doug Bauer may be dead. I thought I heard that someplace ... BUT, some of these guys might still have a "promo pack" or two.
I'm not real good at this, but if I helped, then it's more than O.K.
Jim Melka 
Berwynite,  J.S. Morton West High School, class of 1968, and former road grunt for The All Star Frogs
 

Kent,
If I can swing it, I'd love to come see my idols ... thanks for the message! 
Clark


Hi Kent - 
What a Wonderful Concert that will be with ALL the Chicago Groups! Have Many Wonderful Memories of those years that were filled with Music from Chicago Talent.It will be a Great Tribute to Marty Grebb and his Family.  Many, many thanks go to Ron Onesti for his generosity.Look forward to May 7th. Please fill us in on the details when you find out more information!!
Carolyn  

Will do.  Thanks, Carolyn!  (kk)


Dear Kent;
The late Jack Brickhouse used to tell me, "You just know when you see class. You can almost feel it." And that's the case with both you and Ronnie Onesti.The May date at the Arcada with the essence of 1960's Chicago rock will serve to remind us all of what a glorious window that was for the Chi-town music scene. A window that's never come close to being matched.Naturally, for me it will awaken memories of my days as a roadie with Ray Graffia, Ronnie Rice and the Colony. As I've told you before, Kent, the 6 would have been bigger than the Association - perhaps as big as the Turtles - if Mercury would have given them "the Push." The New Colony 6 were cheated.This will be a night to rejoice, a night of celebration. Damn, I wouldn't miss this sucker for the world. My hat's off to both you and Ronnie for your efforts into making this show of shows take place.How many stories will be swapped about the Cheetah, the Kinetic Playground, The New Place, The Celler and Dex card's string of Wild Goose cash cows.I may break out a Nehru shirt from the old Man at Ease on Wells Street and 24 inch bells.Let the good times roll. 
Chet Coppock;
Host: Chicago Blackhawks Heritage Series


Kent - 
THANK YOU for your posting on Forgotten Hits Today!  
We have launched the event and are getting immediate ticket requests. Ticket price info below.
The Benefit Concert for Marty Grebb
VIP seating $75 / GEN $45.
We are hoping to have tickets available early next week so please stay tuned to these pages!!!
THE ARCADA WEBSITE AND BOX OFFICE
THE ARCADA THEATER
106 E. MAIN ST. ST. CHARLES, IL 60174
PH: 630-972-7000
MORE INFO ON WEBSITE:  http://www.oshows.com
Box Office open:
MON - FRI 10 AM - 6 PM
SATURDAY 12 PM - 6 PM
SUNDAY 12 PM - 4 PM
BOX OFFICE ALSO OPENS TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE EVENT
DOORS OPEN 1 HR PRIOR TO THE EVENT
TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE – CASH OR CREDIT ONLY
HANDICAP SEATING AVAILABLE
STANDING ROOM ONLY (BACK OF BALCONY) AVAILABLE FOR SOLD OUT SHOWS
NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY, NO PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS, NO VIDEO
FULL SERVICE BAR AND CONCESSIONS AVAILABLE – CASH OR CREDIT
Be sure to check out the official Benefit Website:
A donation button is coming soon
FaceBook page:  
Chicago MUSIC 60'S STYLE A Concert For Marty Grebb
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-MUSIC-60S-STYLE-A-Concert-For-Marty-Grebb/429503770521546

We are still looking for folks to help in other capacities for this event ... several of the participating musicians will have to fly in from out of town and need overnight accommodations ... food, equipment, promotional advertising, etc. ... all the things that go into putting on a great show for a great cause.  
If you feel that you may be able to help in some capacity, please contact me and I will pass your name and information along to the proper parties involved.