re: Ex-Beatles In The News:
Big news this past week when Paul McCartney had to cancel / postpone / reschedule his first seven shows here in the States. Still recovering from whatever Japanese virus he picked up a few weeks ago, doctors advised McCartney to rest up some more before taking on something of this magnitude. As such, the tour will now kick off on July 5th instead, with make-up dates extending into October. (Most of these shows are complete sell outs.)
The rescheduling kind of messes up the original plan of closing out the tour at Candlestick Park, the last place The Beatles ever performed live in concert ... but let's face it ... things are a lot different now when you're 72 than they were when you were 24!!!
We've been telling you for weeks now about the up-coming Ringo Starr Art Exhibit at The Hard Rock Cafe downtown ... and subsequent concert at The Chicago Theater on June 28th.
Well, the folks at The Chicago Theater certainly could show the former Beatle a bit more respect than they have ... check out the marquee for the upcoming performance!!!
(Maybe it's a tribute to that whole Vee Jay Records / Beattles thing from 1963?!?!?) I should point out that the sign has since been fixed. (kk)
I just came across this on my computer, so thought I'd send along. Hope you get to take one just like it soon and send my way!
Clark Besch
Apparently NOT going to happen ... so is the official word as Ron Riley really can't leave Baltimore now as he has to tend to his wife. Latest story is that Clark Weber has asked former on-air mate Bernie Allen to stop by and visit that day. (Here's hoping I can get a couple of pictures for the site while we're there ... I still think this is going to be a great time!) By the way, I sent that Ringo marquee to Clark when I first saw it and told him that they have GOT to fix this ... is downright INSULTING!!! They did. (kk)
re: This And That:
>>>Congratulations to Chicago native Ron Alexenburg, who has accepted the responsibility of being named President of the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. (kk)
Very cool! Ron Alexenburg is a good friend. We've caught up when the Buckinghams play a Concert in Westbury, NY, at the NYCB Theatre, which has become a yearly show for us. He was instrumental in launching our career in 1967 at Columbia when he was running PR there.
Carl Giammarese
In local radio news, it was cool to see our WLS-FM Buddies Greg Brown and Danny Lake leading the pack in the mid-day ratings released last week. Congratulations, guys. (How the heck did Bob Stroud fall to fifth place?!?! Everybody I know listens to this guy ... including me!!! Too many "deep tracks, perhaps??? I warned ya!) kk
Kent,
I just now saw on television a 30 second commercial for Hyundai. Don't know if it was for a local dealership or not. The background music used however,was the song REAL WILD CHILD. I do know that it wasn't Ivan doing it.
Larry
Too funny ... the night I got this from you I saw that same commercial five times!!! No ... definitely NOT Ivan!!! (kk)
FH Reader Tom Cuddy just sent us this piece on The Dave Clark Five, courtesy of Harold Bronson, founder of Rhino Records ...
The 50th anniversary of the Beatles' debut in America has occasioned a number of other anniversary TV specials linked to the British Invasion. With a new documentary airing recently on PBS, The Dave Clark Five and Beyond -- Glad All Over, it's clear we're not done revisiting this rich musical period.
To a younger pop music fan, familiar postwar newsreel footage of hysterically screaming girls and a beaming boy band lip synching to a soundtrack of unfamiliar songs might lead one to suspect that the program is a spoof documentary of a fake group like the Rutles. Although the Dave Clark Five were a real group that had more hits than bands like the Kinks, the Animals and the Yardbirds, why are they less-well remembered? The documentary doesn't even pose that question. The answer is, it was a gross miscalculation of the group's mastermind, Dave Clark.
The DC5, as they were referred to, made great records, and were second to the Beatles in popularity with Americans before the rise of Herman's Hermits and the Rolling Stones. Dave on drums, Lenny Davidson on guitar, Rick Huxley on bass, and Denis Payton on saxophone were certainly competent, but keyboardist Mike Smith was a musical genius and superb vocalist who co-wrote many of the songs with Dave. The Dave Clark Five had their own sound, forged by Dave and his engineer, Adrian Kerridge, utilizing echo, compression and uncommonly loud drums. From having been a film extra -- occasionally a stunt man -- Dave acquired a unique theatrical sensibility that resulted in the group's stage show having more production value than that of any other rock act of the period.
Because they failed to progress musically in the manner of the Beatles and Rolling Stones, they were later dismissed as being lightweight. It took so long for the group to be voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that it was almost an embarrassment when they were finally inducted in 2008. Joel Stein, writing in the Los Angeles Times, made a joke at their expense when he reasoned that they failed to get enough votes the previous year "for allegations of totally sucking. Even the sluttiest '60s groupie didn't want Dave Clark getting glad all over her."
At Rhino Records, the company I co-founded with Richard Foos, they were always at the top of my list to reissue. In a prescient move, Dave had retained ownership of the group's master recordings, but he hadn't made a deal in the U.S. since the mid-1970s. He thought that by keeping them off the market, especially when interest was heightened with the advent of CDs, he could command a bigger royalty advance. Starting in 1984, I wrote him a yearly letter expressing our interest. He didn't respond until my fifth and last letter, seemingly bothered by my once-a-year query in declining. With the DC5 having been released on an imprint of a giant company, CBS, it was almost as if our small operation was like a buzzing fly to be flicked away.
In 1989, Dave made a deal with the Disney Channel to program the 1960s English music show Ready, Steady, Go! during evenings to attract adult viewers to the kids cable channel. Dave had purchased the surviving shows -- only a small percentage of those that were produced. With a relationship with Disney now established, in 1992 he made a deal with Disney's Hollywood Records to issue his group's masters. At this point the record company was not a success, so it was with some desperation that they gave Dave the large advance he held out for. Because the record company needed us to be involved -- we had three DC5 experts, Hollywood had none -- they sold us the marketing rights for mail order. Dave knew this. What he didn't know was that we were pulling the creative strings.
Dave hadn't realized that by keeping the records out of the stores for nearly twenty years, he diminished their value. Oldies radio programmed less of the hits, as they were not available to the stations. Similarly, the records did not get exposed in other media like movies, TV shows, and commercials. He also was insensitive to music fans who wanted to hear the records: some wore out their vinyl copies, others replaced their turntables with CD players. Whatever residual presence the Dave Clark Five records had, had dissipated, and much of the band's great music faded from memory. Record fans might still remember "Glad All Over" and maybe "Catch Us If You Can," but how many can recall the top ten hits "Because," "Can't You See That She's Mine" and "Over and Over"?
Ultimately, sales of The History of the Dave Clark Five were disappointing and the project lost money. Because of Disney's unfulfilled enticements -- among them, getting the group's songs into Disney movies and installing a DC5-themed cafe in the United Kingdom Pavilion at Disney World's Epcot, Dave told me -- he was able to extricate himself from the deal with five years left in the contract. I met with Dave when he tried to come to grips with Rhino's inventory of unsold mail order CDs. It was during these discussions that I revealed our behind-the-scenes involvement, and our desire to produce an elaborate box set, hits collections and reissues of the original albums. Dave admitted that he should have made the deal with Rhino, but he was reluctant to grant us any further rights. The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, the Kinks, the Animals and the Yardbirds have all benefitted from extensive reissue programs, but not so the Dave Clark Five, whose only issued CD in the U.S. remains that one double album on Hollywood Records.
Harold Bronson is the co-founder of Rhino Records. His memoir THE RHINO RECORDS STORY: REVENGE OF THE MUSIC NERDS was recently published
And, speaking of British Invasion favorites ...
>>> Peter Noone in concert is ALWAYS a great show, no matter where he performs ... and his band is smokin', too! (I know Vance regularly reads Forgotten Hits and I would have loved the chance to finally say hello in person after exchanging emails for so many years!) kk
None of The Hermits are spotlight stealers off-stage. Vance can be elusive, but if he knows you wanted to shake his hand (now he does :-P), he will find you next time. Hey Kent, come join any of our Northeast road trips this summer and fall. For some reason, we are rich in all concert areas starting in July and going through November.
Shelley J. Sweet-Tufano
Thanks for the offer Shelley, but unfortunately I am NOT "rich" when it comes to buying airline tickets and travel expenses!!! (lol) Wish I could see some of these shows in other venues than the ones we have here locally, good as they are ... you seem to get a wider selection of musical choices out your way than we do here ... we seem to have the same group of artists making the rounds time and time again. I would LOVE to see somebody like Lou Christie come thru Chi-Town!
As for Vance, I'd love the opportunity to visit for a while. (Surprising to hear he's "elusive" backstage ... because he's SO low-key and laid-back ON stage!!! lol) I love the fact that he does his charity work, entertaining at nursing homes and such, when he's not out on the road with The Hermits. And he's an accomplished singer, songwriter and musician in his own right, too. (We've featured a few of his tracks over the years.) Just seems like a good soul ... so I would have been quite pleased to meet him, shake his hand and thank him for all that he does. Maybe next time around. (kk)
Click here: Singer, songwriter Vance Brescia presents V-Place ... Watch, listen, laugh and learn about Vance's career and the
Believe me, I know where you're coming from! You notice, I do not travel more than 4 - 5 hours away. This summer / fall is especially affluent here for some reason that I will NOT question. The timing works well right now for me though, as I seem to have established myself in both jobs well enough to say ... "Gotta take off for a concert (or 3)" and get away with it.
Lightning Strikes has been notified of your request, and are also visiting FH from time to time (especially when they are mentioned). I think you have mentioned this to Ron Onesti. Lou has not stopped his schedule, even though he is still grieving over the loss of his son. I sent my condolences to them, but am giving them space to handle what they need to while keeping the music going. I will not see Lou till the first of September. NEVER SAY NEVER.
Shelley
I've been trying to get Tommy Roe to Chicago, too. (How's that for a GREAT double bill ... Tommy Roe and Lou Christie!!!)
Because of all of the artists that we're in touch with now, we know that there are SO many that would love to come here to perform ... but are never asked. Maybe the feeling is they couldn't sustain enough of an audience to fill a theater ... which is why these "package deals" appeal so much to me ... more variety and entertainment packed into every ticket sale. FH Regulars like The Rip Chords and Henry Gross ... Freddy Cannon ... Davie Allan ... Charlie Gracie ... The 1910 Fruitgum Company ... Ron Dante ... Bob Lind ... The Fleetwoods ... Billy J. Kramer ... most of these artists haven't played a gig in the Chicago area in AGES!!! Dionne Warwick recently approached me about lining up some shows in Chi-Town ... I put feelers out to several venues and didn't get a single reply ... and I just know that she would PACK the place!!! It'd be nice if some of the people with far more power than I could get involved. We would love to help make some of these connections and bring this talent to Chicago. Thanks, Shelley!
kk
I heard a ton of rumors last week ... both announcing (and denying!) a Kinks reunion tour. Guess we'll just have to wait and see how this develops. (With their 50th Anniversary upon us, ANYTHING can happen!) kk
Tell me this isn't Jim Carrey's role!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYQViYm92hg
Alex Valdez
LOL ... good call. It's almost creepy, isn't it??? (kk)
Kent ...
Here's a new recording by Bobby Rydell. I give it an 8. I like the lyrics and it's easy to dance to.
Frank B.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoh5CHGIe6Q&feature=youtu.be
Also from Frank ...
Click here: Tribute to Ricky Nelson - by Don Woods - YouTube
After seeing Matthew and Gunnar Nelson's tribute to their dad a few months ago, I just HAD to run this one! (kk)
HI -
Firstly, JAY PROCTOR is doing great after colon cancer surgery ... should be back working soon.
He just sent me this great pic of our VAN ... circa 1990 ... It was my van ... I had logos put on before a long road tour. Imagine my sons embarrassment when I'd pick him up from school ... haha!
L - R: Dave Ferrara, drums ... now with Herman's Hermits; Beau Jones ... deceased; JAY; Wayne Smith; Rick Levy ...now with Tommy Roe and Jay Proctor
RICK
Hey Kent,
I don't know if your readers are aware of the Mona Lisa Twins. They are two young ladies, actually twins, from Vienna, Austria, who play covers of 60's tunes and write original music in the style of 60's pop. They have now moved to Liverpool, recently played the Cavern Club, and with the generous support of their parents, are amassing quite a following. I just thought I'd pass it along because I think your readers would really appreciate their efforts. I'll attach some links. Have a look and see and hear for yourself.
Thanks!
Greg / NC6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKRle7mgadk&feature=kp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bAuhDjlAmM
http://www.monalisa-twins.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MonaLisaTwins
https://www.facebook.com/MonaLisaTwins
Not bad ... I especially like "Drive My Car" and "California Dreamin'" ... but you'll find ALL kinds of clips up on YouTube for these two! Thanks for sending. (kk)
THE SIGNAL - A Musical Rhapsody
The Acorn Theater – Three Oaks, MI
Sunday, August 10, 2014 ~ 5:00 PM
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Ticket Price: $25.00 per person
A true story in narrative and song … told at 45 rpm.
The story of a crystal radio that captures a radio wave … a signal … thus beginning a quest for harmony.
It’s a reminiscence of radio, steel mills, gangs, family, and most importantly Gary’s Vee Jay Records. The female Black owned label that landmarked the Blues, pioneered R&B, triggered the Four Seasons (which ultimately led to the Jersey Boys), introduced the Beatles to America, was the role model to Motown and heavily influenced hometowners, The Jacksons, including Michael.
Starring live: Rhythm & Blues Pioneer Award Winners, The Spaniels, (Goodnight Sweetheart, Baby It’s You, Peace of Mind), Hall of Fame inductee, Willie Rogers of The Soul Stirrers, (A Change is Gonna Come, Chain Gang, If I Had a Hammer), and the nation’s premier a cappella group, Stormy Weather (Sweets for my Sweet, Sh-Boom, For Your Precious Love).
Tickets: Available on line at www.acorntheater.com
OK, this one sounds pretty cool!
Superstars Of Classic Rock Honor The Music & Legacy Of The Doors Feat. Members of Deep Purple, Foreigner, Yes, Rainbow, Mountain, Moody Blues, ELP and Others!
Featuring Todd Rundgren, Ian Gillan, Edgar Winter, Steve Morse, David Johansen, Larry Coryell, Mark Farner, Patirck Moraz, Mick Box, Keith Emerson, Lou Gramm, Leslie West, Thijs Van Leer, Steve Cropper, Rick Wakeman, Roye Albrighton, Nik Turner, Steve Hillage, Zoot Horn Rollo and Others!
Los Angeles, CA - A star-studded syndicate of rock virtuosos have gathered together to pay tribute to one of the best loved and most influential bands of all-time, The Doors, on a new CD release titled Light My Fire - A Classic Rock Salute To The Doors to be released by Purple Pyramid Records on June 24th! Produced by the extraordinarily talented Billy Sherwood, the album features brand new interpretations of classic Doors cuts that defined an entire generation, songs such as “Light My Fire,” “Riders On The Storm,” “Break On Through (To The Other Side),” “Love Her Madly,” “L.A. Woman,” “People Are Strange,” and lots more!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear some of The Doors’ peers and prodigies tackle these seminal songs. Not one but TWO members of the quintessential prog rock band Yes, keyboard wizard Rick Wakeman and lead guitarist Steve Howe, joined Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan on the signature song, “Light My Fire,” which as Wakeman explains, “has always been one of those iconic tracks that keyboard players listen to because of the fact that there are so few tracks with keyboard/organ solos on them compared to our six-stringed buddies. It’s also a solo area that is totally open to interpretation so whatever you do is not comparable to the original, so it was an absolute joy to do.” Howe likewise enthuses, “I was delighted to play on this album as The Doors were a band I heard a lot as everywhere I went in the late ‘60s their music was playing, at friend’s, in restaurants, gigs & bars throughout London. I’m sure I saw them play at Middle Earth, a then hip club. Then, when the reissue more recently came out, I got totally back into their music, especially ‘Light My Fire.’”
Another keyboard legend, Geoff Downes, likewise extolled the genius of Doors’ organist Ray Manzarek saying, “It was a real privilege to be asked to participate in this project. Ray Manzarek was one of the pioneers of keyboard playing in rock music, and had a major influence on me and many others. His style was totally unique, and an integral element into what made The Doors sound the way they did.”
Meanwhile, renegade guitarist Steve Morse, of Dixie Dregs fame, recollects that The Doors were “a soundtrack, literally, for some of the most memorable times, good and bad, that I experienced as a young teen. Like many of my favorites, they were adventurous, improvising, unafraid of what the media might say, and all with a sort of lyrical freedom that still stands up today.” The Cars’ lead axeman Elliot Easton proclaims, “I had a wonderful time reinterpreting ‘Spanish Caravan,’” a song Easton found both “challenging and very rewarding!” And jazz fusion Larry Coryell concludes, “The Doors were the unofficial representatives to the world for LA, not ‘Los Angeles,’ but ‘LA.’ Their sound - raunchy, cluttered, sassy, leering, kind of mean, and always horny was the sound of LA/Los Angeles itself. How many times circa ‘65-66 did my first wife Julie and I drive through LA on the freeway listening to, say, ‘Love Me Two Times,’ and think that The Doors were the sound of LA just as clearly as Thelonious Monk was the sound of NYC.”
That sound continues to reverberate outward through both space and time, touching each new generation around the globe and keeping The Doors’ flame burning brighter than ever! Producer Billy Sherwood sums it up when he declares, “The Doors’ music will live on forever, and it’s my hope that we’ve paid tribute to the band in the highest way possible.”
1. L.A. Woman - Jimi Jamison (Survivor), Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash) & Patrick Moraz (Moody Blues)
2. Love Me Two Times - Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Thijs van Leer (Focus) & Larry Coryell
3. Roadhouse Blues - Leslie West (Mountain), Brian Auger & Rod Piazza
4. Love Her Madly - Mark Stein (Vanilla Fudge) & Mick Box (Uriah Heep)
5. Riders On The Storm - Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Tony Kaye (Yes) & Steve Cropper (Booker T. & The M.G.’s)
6. The Crystal Ship - Edgar Winter & Chris Spedding
7. Intro (People Are Strange) - Keith Emerson, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter & Joel Druckman (John Fahey)
8. People Are Strange - David Johansen (NY Dolls) & Billy Sherwood (Yes)
9. Touch Me - Robert Gordon, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Steve Morse & Nik Turner (Hawkwind)
10. The Soft Parade - Graham Bonnet (Rainbow), Christopher North (Ambrosia) & Steve Hillage (Gong)
11. Hello, I Love You - Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep) & Roye Albrighton (Nektar)
12. Spanish Caravan - Eric Martin (Mr. Big) & Elliot Easton (The Cars)
13. Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) - Todd Rundgren & Geoff Downes (Yes / Asia) & Zoot Horn Rollo (Captain Beefheart)
14. Break On Through (To The Other Side) - Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) & Chick Churchill (Ten Years After)
15. Light My Fire - Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Rick Wakeman (Yes) & Steve Howe (Yes)
16. The End - Pat Travers & Jimmy Greenspoon (Three Dog Night)
To pre-order the CD at Amazon: http://georiot.co/216h
To pre-order the album on iTunes: http://georiot.co/Wns
And, speaking of cool new releases ...
Don't know if you've been informed about this yet, but there's a new Tony Hatch Compilation.
I believe Tony even wrote liner notes for it.
Here's a review ...
You can get it via the Amazon resellers for around 12 bucks plus shipping.
Click here: I Know A Place: Petula Clark, Scott Walker, Connie Francis Celebrate “The Songs of Tony Hatch” | The Second Disc
Bill
Actually I saw this in the Collectors Choice catalog a couple of weeks ago and meant to mention it ... it looks like a very interesting compilation ... and I think Tony should send me an autographed copy!!! (Are you reading this Tony?!?!?) kk
Hey Kent,
Last week, the local PBS station aired a Chubby Checker 50s music special, and this clip of The Dovell's "Bristol Stomp" was featured. This was one of my older brother's favorite songs back then, and I didn't pay much attention to it. As I watched them perform the song on the special, I thought the lead singer sounded a lot like Len Barry. Ha! Barry and the boys looked like they were having so much fun, and I feel it must have been a wonderful time to be in a group like that. I may be wrong, but I think Len's solo career was another American victim of the British Invasion Death Star. Daryl Hall stated that more Philadelphia artists should have been inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame by now, including Len. Well, I vote for Len Barry and The Dovells for future consideration.
- John LaPuzza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCOB5-E4P6Y
Actually, that's a GREAT clip ... and EXCELLENT quality for its time. (I wonder what it's from!) Thanks for sharing. (kk)
Hi Kent,
Enjoy seeing all the "Surveys" you include on your emails! They bring back so many memories of songs we NEVER hear!!!
You mentioned "She's About A Mover" and The Rolling Stones' "The Under Assistant West Coast Promo Man"!!! The Stones had an early hit, "I Used to Love Her, But Its All Over Now". They appear on the TAMI SHOW singing it. That performance alone is worth the price of the DVD.
What do you think of TJ Lubinsky's new "Party Song" DVDs? They have a clip of The Mc Coys doing "Hang On Sloopy". Was Rick Derringer the lead singer??
When in doubt ask the master.
Carolyn
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