re: THIS AND THAT:
After seeing the list of all of the media coverage dedicated to the reopening of the investigation into the plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, even Frannie had to admit:
You scooped the world with this one!!!
(Best Ray Stevens voice from "The Streak" ... "Yeah, I did.") kk
Kent,
Thanks for posting the two selections concerning Cinderella. I wonder how many of your readers remember old Jack Ross's tune and another one he had, HAPPY JOSE. Another tune I remembered
immediately was the 4 Preps CINDERELLA out of 1958.
Have a great weekend.
Larry
P.S. Incidentally here in Oklahoma this weekend in a town not too far from OKC, the Temptations and 4 Tops are appearing in concert for one night. I was immediately reminded of your discussion this past week concerning original members in the groups, etc.
The craziness surrounding the "Blurred Lines" / Marvin Gaye copyright controversy continues ... last week the courts decided that Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were guilty of copyright infringement and ordered to pay the Gaye family $7.4 million ... then Gaye's family said they were seeking to block any future sales or airplay of "Blurred Lines" (a bit extreme really ... just cut them in for a share of the royalties and then let them play the hell out of it ... EVERYBODY wins!) ... then Thicke and Williams said they would appeal the judge's decision (or possibly even file a counter-suit).
Now Gaye's family says they're considering more legal action regarding Pharrell's #1 Hit "Happy" ... they feel it sounds much too similar to Marvin's 1965 Hit "Ain't That Peculiar"!!! (Are they gunning for this guy or what???)
After a recent copyright decision regarding Sam Smith's infringement on the Tom Petty / Jeff Lynne song "I Won't Back Down" (a BLATANT rip-off in my opinion ... something I noticed the very first time I heard it ... although all parties seem to have amicably agreed that this was probably more of an unconscious / subconscious thing ... remember the George Harrison / "My Sweet Lord" / "He's So Fine" case???), one cannot help but wonder if this will be a new trend in music. (Kind of surprising in a way with all the "sampling" that's been going on for the past few decade now!) Like Frannie says, is there even such a thing as a new, original idea anymore? Is there ANY melody that can be constructed that doesn't in SOME small fashion resemble some nuance of the MILLIONS of songs that have been written and recorded in the past?
For me, I just don't hear it in the Gaye / Williams case ... if you're creative enough, you can lay any two similar "feels" on top of each other and make a case that one resembles, compliments or "fits" another ... I don't believe for a second that Williams sat down in either instance and said "OK, I'm going to write a song now that mimics "Got To Give It Up" and/or "Ain't That Peculiar" ... he may have been going for a certain Marvin Gaye "feel" ... but I do NOT believe that he consciously (or otherwise) sat down with the malicious intent to rip somebody off ... he's far too talented an artist in his own right to do so. (kk)
More great stuff from that Jeremy Roberts / Mark Lindsay interview ... now up to Chapter 5!!!
http://www.examiner.com/article/powder-blue-mercedes-queen-pickin-the-hits-with-rebel-raider-mark-lindsay?CID=examiner_alerts_article
Kent ...
Jimmy Sacca, lead singer of the Hilltoppers, died 3/7/2015. He was 85 years old.
The Hilltoppers bridged the gap between early pop and the Rock Era.
R.I.P. Jimmy Sacca.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTSCkLhG3FE
Frank B.
According to Joel Whitburn's new Chart Comparison Book, The Hilltoppers made The National Top 40 eleven times between 1954 and 1957. They also had eight Top 20 Billboard Pop Hits on the pre-rock era charts, the biggest coming in 1953 with "P.S. I Love You". (Obviously NOT The Beatles song!!!) Their biggest hit overall, of course, was "Marianne", which topped the Music Vendor Chart for a couple of weeks in 1957 and peaked at #2 and #3 respectively in Cash Box and Billboard Magazine. (It was also a #1 Hit here in Chicago.) The group, formed in Bowling Green, Kentucky, scored a Top 20 pop hit on The Billboard Pop Chart in 1955 with "The Kentuckian Song" from the Burt Lancaster film of the same name! (How's that for rock and roll symmetry???) kk
Kent;
Random thoughts about today's Forgotten Hits.
Frankly, at this point, I'd pay 100 bucks to AVOID seeing The Steve Miller Band. I'm also burned out on Steely Dan. God, I love the group and the brilliance of Donald Fagen but I always have this empty feeling when I leave their shows. Maybe, I would feel better if I thought Donald was actually enjoying himself.
Chet
A while back we told you about a new CD / DVD Release spotlighting Shania Twain's residency in Las Vegas with a grand, full-length live concert event. The original plan was to have this release distributed exclusively through WalMart ... and I remember thinking at the time that I couldn't wait to pick up a copy. (LOVE Shania!!!)
Well apparently now, after the success of her television special (an edited version of this same show) and the announcement that Shania would be doing her farewell tour this summer, Eagle Rock Entertainment has picked up the reigns and will now be mass-marketing this for a full-blown release around the globe. (It makes sense ... Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV and Digital Media in the world. They work directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition programs, both concerts and documentaries. Past releases include The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney, Ozzy Osbourne, Genesis, Alice Cooper, Eric Clapton and Aerosmith. Eagle Rock Entertainment is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 40 multi-platinum, over 80 platinum and over 144 gold discs, worldwide ... and they have offices in London, New York, Paris and Hamburg.)
Here are all the details, courtesy of Carol Kaye at Kayos Productions:
SHANIA TWAIN TO RELEASE SHANIA: STILL THE ONE LIVE FROM VEGAS
DVD AND BLU-RAY ON APRIL 7 VIA EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT
New York, NY (March 11, 2015)– International superstar Shania Twain wrapped up her successful two-year residency in Las Vegas, NV as her SHANIA: Still the One stage show came to a close in December. The five-time GRAMMY winner entertained concert-goers from all over the world at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace during the course of her 105 performances and now, fans have an opportunity to bring the Vegas production home with the release of Twain’s live Blu-ray and DVD SHANIA: Still the One Live from Vegas via Eagle Rock Entertainment on April 7, 2015.
Produced by Twain and directed by Raj Kapoor, Live from Vegas captures the full SHANIA: Still the One stage performance, plus the bonus feature “Backstage Pass,” which boasts over an hour of never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage tracking the conception, training, rehearsals, costumes and all decisions in-between that go into creating a one-of-a-kind experience for the audience. The show – a powerful journey through Shania’s biggest hits, country favorites, and beloved crossover songs – features a 13-piece live band, dancers, trained horses, a flying motorcycle and plenty of Vegas flash.
“This show has been my labor of love for over three years,” shares Twain. “It has meant so much to me and was such a privilege to live out my visions on that stage, and it is so exciting to now get to share the whole experience with the fans all over the world!”
With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Twain remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Her 1997 release Come On Over has sold in excess of 15.6 million making it the top-selling country album and places it in the Top 10 all-genre best sellers of all time.
For more information, visit www.ShaniaTwain.com.
SHANIA: Still the One Live from Vegas
Track Listing:
1. Opening
2. I’m Gonna Getcha Good!
3. You Win My Love
4. Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)
5. Up!
6. Good, Bad And Sexy (Interlude)
7. I Ain’t No Quitter
8. No One Needs To Know
9. Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?
10. Any Man of Mine
11. Shania Style (Interlude)
12. That Don’t Impress Me Much
13. Honey, I’m Home
14. (If You’re Not In It For Love) I’m Outta Here
15. Carrie Anne
16. Come On Over
17. Love Gets Me Every Time
18. Rock This Country!
19. Today Is Your Day
20. Black Horse, White Horse (Interlude)
21. You’re Still The One
22. From This Moment On
23. Red Storm (Interlude)
24. Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
25. Rock This Country! (Live From Calgary) – Credits www.ShaniaTwain.com | Facebook.com/ShaniaTwain | Twitter.com/ShaniaTwain | Instagram.com/ShaniaTwain
Hoping to catch Shania's Farewell Tour?
Here are the announced dates so far ...
“Rock This Country” Tour Dates:
June 5 – Seattle, WA – Key Arena
June 7 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
June 9 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
June 11 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
June 12 – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
June 14 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre
June 15 – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Centre
June 19 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens
June 20 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens
June 22 – Hamilton, ON – First Ontario Centre
June 24 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
June 25 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
June 27 – Ottawa, ON – Wesley Clover Field
June 28 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
June 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
July 1 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Coliseum
July 3 – Uncasville, UT – Mohegan Sun
July 7 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
July 8 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
July 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center
July 11 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
July 13 – Indianapolis, IN – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
July 15 – Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Veterans Memorial
July 16 – Miami, FL – American Airlines Arena
July 18 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
July 19 – Charlotte, NC – Time Warner Cable Arena
July 21 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
July 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
July 25 – Auburn Hills, MI – Palace of Auburn Hills
July 26 – Moline, IL – iWireless Center
July 28 – Minneapolis, MS – Target Center
July 29 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
July 31 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
August 1 – Atlanta, GA – Philips Arena
August 3 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
August 4 – Saint Louis, MO – Scottrade Center
August 6 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
August 7 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
August 9 – Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center
August 10 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
August 12 – Oklahoma City, OK – Chesapeake Energy Arena
August 14 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
August 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – Energy Solutions Arena
August 17 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
August 19 – Anaheim, CA – The Honda Center
August 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
August 22 – San Diego, CA – Valley View Casino Center
August 23 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center
Asia and King Crimson Lead Vocalist John Wetton to Release Solo Career Retrospective 'The Studio Recordings Anthology' and Live Album 'New York Minute'
London, UK - Legendary John Wetton, best known for his work with Asia, UK and King Crimson, is releasing two new albums this month: The Studio Recordings Anthology 2CD Set and New York Minute - John Wetton & The Les Paul Trio, on Primary Purpose via Cherry Red Records.
As a singer, bassist and songwriter, John Wetton initially rose to fame as the lead singer of King Crimson and thereafter Wetton formed UK with Eddie Jobson and later he was the lead vocalist of the supergroup Asia, his biggest commercial success. The band’s self-titled debut album was the biggest selling album in the world in 1982.
Wetton also has a successful solo career releasing a large number of studio and live albums and these are showcased on the 2CD ‘The Studio Recordings Anthology’ meanwhile a unique live album with The Les Paul Trio includes a number of songs Wetton has never sung elsewhere.
The Studio Recordings Anthology 2CD Set
The Studio Anthology collects together the best of John Wetton's six solo studio albums within a 2-CD set with extensive new liner notes.
For more information: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4974
New York Minute - John Wetton & The Les Paul Trio
New York Minute sees John Wetton playing a selection of the songs that inspired him, many of which are not available on any other release. This new live album also includes unique renditions of his solo hit BATTLE LINES and the ASIA mega hit HEAT OF THE MOMENT.
Track Listing:
1. DO IT AGAIN
2. WHAT’S GOING ON?
3. GOD ONLY KNOWS
4. CAN’T FIND MY WAY HOME
5. ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER
6. NEW YORK MINUTE
7. LADY MADONNA
8. HEAT OF THE MOMENT
9. BATTLE LINES
For more information: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4972
John Wetton is embarking on a number of live projects in 2015 including the final tour of UK and a German 'Rock Meets Classic' orchestral arena tour.
John Wetton's official website: http://www.johnwetton.com
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT SIZZLES THIS SPRING WITH STYX - LIVE AT THE ORLEANS ARENA LAS VEGAS
~ DVD, CD, BLU-RAY, AND DIGITAL FORMATS ~
COMING MAY 26, 2015
New York, NY (March 11, 2015) — On May 26, 2015, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Live At The Orleans Arena Las Vegas from Styx on DVD, Blu-ray, CD, and Digital Formats
Filmed in High Definition on July 25, 2014, Live At The Orleans Arena Las Vegas is a sonic showcase of Styx’s live prowess and razor-sharp musicianship. This show features the band, backed by huge video screens, performing a set list packed with hit songs, classic tracks, and fan favorites, including “Lady,” “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Rockin’ The Paradise,” “Come Sail Away,” “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” “Renegade,” and “Suite Madame Blue.” The evening also held a special surprise when Don Felder – former Eagles guitarist – took the stage to join the band on “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)”.
In addition to the live set, Live At The Orleans Arena Las Vegas features a bonus interview with band members Tommy Shaw (vocals/guitar), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Ricky Phillips (bass, backing vocals), and Chuck Panozzo (bass guitar).
Formed in Chicago in 1972, Styx played a key role in defining the AOR genre, and established themselves as one of America’s greatest rock bands. Their blend of soaring melodies, hard rock guitar, and prog-rock elements led to millions of global record sales and numerous platinum and multi-platinum albums. With over 40 years of rockin’ under their belt, the band isn’t slowing down any time soon, and will embark on a national tour this summer with Def Leppard and Tesla. See below for dates.
Track Listing:
The Grand Illusion / Too Much Time On My Hands / Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) / Lady / Suite Madame Blue / Light Up / Crystal Ball / Superstars / Blue Collar Man (Long Nights) / Come Sail Away / Rockin’ The Paradise / Renegade
2015 Tour Dates (with Def Leppard and Tesla):
Thu 6/25 - West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheater
Sat 6/27 - Birmingham, AL - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Sun 6/28 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Tue 6/30 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavillion Charlotte
Thu 7/2 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
Fri 7/3 - Virginia Beach, VA - Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
Sun 7/5 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
Tue 7/7 - Gilford, NH - Bank of NH Pavilion at Meadowbrook
Thu 7/9 - Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center
Sat 7/11 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Sun 7/12 - Darien Lake, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Tue 7/14 - Toronto, ONT. - Molson Amphitheatre
Fri 7/17 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sat 7/18 - Oshkosh, WI - Rock USA
Thu 7/23 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Fri 7/24 - Saratoga Springs, NY - SPAC
Sat 7/25 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
Fri 8/7 - Davenport, IA - Mississippi Valley Fair (STYX ONLY)
Sat 8/8 - Sioux Falls, SD - Sioux Falls Arena
Tue 8/11 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre
Fri 8/14 - Sedalia, MO - Missouri State Fair
Sat 8/15 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair
Mon 8/17 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
Tue 8/18 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
Fri 8/21 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
Sat 8/22 - Woodlands, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Sun 8/23 - Austin, TX - Austin360 Amphitheater
Thu 8/27 - St. Paul, MN - Minnesota State Fair
Fri 8/28 - Grand Forks, ND - Alerus Center
Sun 8/30 - Noblesville, IN - Klipsch Music Center
Tue 9/1 - Allentown, PA - The Great Allentown Fair
Thu 9/3 - Louisville, KY - KFC Yum! Center
Fri 9/4 - Maryland Heights, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Sat 9/5 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
Wed 9/16 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre
Thu 9/17 - Ridgefield, WA - Amphitheater Northwest
Sat 9/19 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
Tue 9/22 - Chula Vista, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Wed 9/23 - Phoenix, AZ - Ak-Chin Pavilion
Fri 9/25 - Albuquerque NM - Isleta Amphitheater
Sat 9/26 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
Mon 9/28 - West Salt Lake City, UT - USANA Amphitheatre
Wed 9/30 - Spokane, WA - Spokane Arena
Fri 10/2 - Bozeman, MT - Breeden Fieldhouse
Sun 10/4 - Bismarck, ND - Bismarck Civic Center
A couple of weeks ago Forgotten Hits was all abuzz with news about The Platters ... now this week we've learned about a brand new release by the legendary Coasters!!! (And I'll tell you what ... they're sounding MIGHTY FINE on The Temptations remake we get to feature today, courtesy of Billy James and Glass Onion PR.
Read on ...
Legendary Vocal Group The Coasters Celebrate Their 60th Anniversary With Their First Album Of New Recordings In 35 Years!
Los Angeles, CA - America’s premiere R&B vocal group and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, The Coasters, have had one incredible, miraculous, astounding ride in the music business. Less of a group and more of an institution, The Clown Princes of Rock & Roll established themselves six decades ago, and in that time have seen many musical fads come and go. But one thing has always remained - the power of a truly timeless song especially when experienced through the prism of the expertly sung 4-part harmonies that are The Coasters stock in trade.
To commemorate the group’s unique and longstanding career, The Coasters are proud to present Magical Favorites a collection of brand new recordings covering some of the very best American rock and R&B classics such as Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me,” The Temptations “Just My Imagination,” Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” and many more - all done in the indelible Coasters way! Magical Favorites will be available March 31 from Goldenlane Records.
For those unfamiliar with the group’s history, The Coasters scored their first hit single “Down In Mexico” in the spring of 1956, which they followed in 1957 with “Young Blood” and “Searchin’” the following year. In 1958, the band again hit the chart with two blockbuster hits that would become as iconic as the band that sang them, “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown.” From then on, it was hit after hit for the group with songs such as “Poison Ivy,” “Along Came Jones,” “Love Potion #9,” “Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart” and many more! The line-up of The Coasters that was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 (Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, Will Jones, Cornell Gunter) have all since passed but their legacy lives on with the help of Joe Lance Williams (tenor / baritone), Primo Candelara (tenor), Dennis Anderson (baritone), and Eddie Whitfield (bass). Three of these gifted vocalists were personally handpicked by group founder Carl Gardner, with Dennis coming aboard in 2011 after Carl had passed. Though often imitated, they have never been duplicated and they continue to do what they do best on both the stage and in the studio, entertain the audience!
Track List:
1. All I Have To Do Is Dream
2. Cool Jerk
3. Don’t Be Cruel
4. If I Had A Hammer
5. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
6. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
7. Lyin’ Eyes
8. Shout
9. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay
10. Turn Back The Hands Of Time
11. You Send Me
12. Twistin