re: Congratulations!:
Special honors went out to two of our Forgotten Hits celebrity participants this past week ...
Burton Cummings is being inducted into The Canadian Music Hall Of Fame for the second time. (Burton was first enshrined back in 1987 as a member of The Guess Who ... this new recognition comes as a result of his work as a solo artist.) This will be the seventh Juno Award Burton has received throughout his incredible career.
More details here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/burton-cummings-to-be-inducted-in-canadian-music-hall-of-fame-as-solo-artist-1.3419224
And Goldmine Magazine has named Lou Christie to its Hall Of Fame as well ...
Lou Christie - Goldmine Magazine Hall of Fame Inductee!!!
There have been many great falsettos in the history of Rock & Roll … Frankie Valli, Del Shannon, Larry Henley of the Newbeats, Russell Thompkins, Jr. of the Stylistics, Jay Siegel of the Tokens, Brian & Carl Wilson and Barry Gibb through to a-ha’s Morton Harkett, Jeff Buckley, Jeff Lynne and Jack White to name just a few. Then, there was Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.
Sacco, who did journalists, disc jockeys and his many fans a huge favor by recording as Lou Christie, slipped into the upper reaches of the vocal scale with little apparent effort. As a result, Christie has managed to remain a popular attraction since his first hit record, “The Gypsy Cried,” which climbed to #24 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1963. Christie penned the hit along with Twyla Herbert, and the two followed with an even bigger hit, “Two Faces Have I,” which peaked at #6 on the Hot 100 and climbed to #11 on the R&B chart. The next single, “How Many Teardrops,” stalled at #46, perhaps due to Christie’s induction into the U.S. Army.
Discharged from the service, Christie wasted little time rejuvenating his career in 1965 when he signed with MGM Records and his first release became his biggest hit. Another Herbert/Christie composition, “Lightnin’ Strikes” first topped the charts in Canada in early 1966, then duplicated that feat in the U.S. In addition, it became Christie’s first U.K. hit, climbing to #11. “Lightnin’ Strikes” was somewhat controversial lyrically, the female chorus pleading “Stop!” to Christie’s advances, to which he replies, “I can’t stop. No I can’t stop myself.” The follow-up, “Rhapsody In The Rain” also co-written by Herbert & Christie, raised an even bigger fuss as “We were makin’ out in the rain. And in this car, our love went much too far” caused a radio ban in some spots. Still, the song reached U.S. #16 and #10 in Canada.
How times have changed.
He couldn’t find another hit until 1969 when he returned to center stage with “I’m Gonna Make You Mine,” which became his biggest smash overseas, climbing to #2 in the U.K. It also reached #5 in Canada and #10 in the U.S. In 1973, Christie’s recording of “Beyond The Blue Horizon” rose to #12 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and has been featured in several movie soundtracks, including that of “Rain Man,” 1988’s top grossing film. In 2015, Christie released new material, including “Drive-in Dreams.”
See more at:
http://www.goldminemag.com/news/goldmines-hall-fame-inductees-volume-73#sthash.Pa3LKcSx.dpuf
re: Speaking Of Burton Cummings ...
Burton Cummings, who fronted Canadian rockers the Guess Who in the late ’60s and early ’70s, is a most grateful fellow.
Near the end of his set at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, which was packed like a big, loud human sardine can with nearly 500 enthusiastic fans, he addressed his audience.
“Way back in the dinosaur era that was the early ’70s – back when we were recording our hits when I was in my twenties – I never, ever imagined that I’d be so fortunate as to still be performing at age 68 before such fabulous audiences as you, and I am so grateful,” he said.
Cummings, backed by the same quintet of veteran musicians he’s used for the past 15 years, performed a marvelous 90-minute set loaded with virtually all of his former band’s hit singles, most of which he either wrote by himself or with the band’s guitarist, Randy Bachman.
As Cummings delivered hit after hit, the same thought repeats, “Man, it’s so good to hear this again.”
Classic rock radio stations continue to incessantly spin over and over the likes of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” Boston’s “More Than a Feeling,” Manfred Mann’s “Blinded by the Light” and especially Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
What’s left off their playlists are some really good songs, including Guess Who songs such as “No Time,” “Laughing,” the rollicking “Albert Flasher” (trust me, you’ll remember it when you hear it) and Cumming’s concert opener, one of two No. 1 hits from 1970, “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature.”
What a drag.
Classic rock radio does play the Guess Who’s other No. 1 smash from 1970, “American Woman,” a lot, in fact. But it doesn’t even play the album version with the prolonged bluesy intro, so it was bloody marvelous hearing Cummings give the song what it deserves.
Now that Paul McCartney is in his 70s, like many seniors, his vibrato has often become more pronounced. Not Cummings.
His voice retains just the right timbre, the right amount of vibrato as well as that perfect vocal grit that gave many Guess Who songs added rock credibility. He still possesses an outstanding rock ’n’ roll voice.
Cummings is a charmingly fun and engaging performer whose entertaining gift of gab and array of broadly joyous and triumphant facial expressions gives one the impression that he is a genuinely fine fellow – a very nice guy.
As he wrapped his show, he took a moment to deliver to the throng the most genuinely heartfelt good wishes I have ever heard onstage from an entertainer.
He was so glad that so many demonstrative fans came out to hear him. With that, he ended the concert with his Top 10 hippie anthem from 1970, “Share the Land.”
That is, alas, another fine song that hardly receives classic rock radio airplay.
-- Steve Smith / Los Angeles Daily News
Steve hits on several points covered regularly in Forgotten Hits ... the "beat 'em to death" replays of radio today ... and the oversight of playing OTHER music that was just as meaningful in our lives growing up. SO many timeless classics are destined to be lost forever because these know-it-all consultants have decided that the public only needs to hear the same 500 songs over and over and over again ... and that THESE songs ... and ONLY these songs ... represent the greatest hits of all-time, classic hits we can't get enough of.
The Guess Who (with Burton Cummings out front) had 15 US Top 40 National Hits ... yet how often to do hear tracks like "Laughing" (#5, 1969); "Hand Me Down World" (#13, 1970); "Share The Land" (#5, 1970); "Hang On To Your Life" (#22, 1971); "Albert Flasher" (#22, 1971);
Rain Dance" (#11, 1971); "Heartbroken Bopper" (#26, 1972); "Star Baby" (#30, 1974) and "Dancin' Fool" (#24, 1974) anymore?
He also makes the point that while Paul McCartney (probably my all-time fave so I can say what I'm about to say about him) has lost the essence of the voice that makes him sound like Paul McCartney ... while Burton Cummings' voice is just as strong as ever ... he continues to nail it night after night after night. Catch him this year if you can ... you will NOT be disappointed. (Go to the show ... you can thank me later!!!) kk
re: Diggin' The Bobby Darin Hoodie:
I sent that jacket (or whatever it is) picture of the Bobby Darin “top” to a friend of mine.
Where did you get it? I know he’ll be asking as he’s a big Darin fan.
Thanks
Wm R Fellows
The hoodie photo came from FH Reader Frank B, who ordered it thru a Facebook Page. I asked him for the link as a couple of other folks asked about it, too.
Here's the link and the information ... but it sounds like this may have only been available for a short time. I'd say click on the link to check it out ... but you'd better order soon before it's no longer available to order. (kk)
Kent ...
Here's the information you wanted ... Upper right side = teechip.
It's against my better judgement.
Now I won't be the only kid on the block with a "Bobby Darin Sweatshirt."
https://www.facebook.com/914622135284637/photos/a.914723915274459.1073741828.914622135284637/950969384983245/?type=3&theater
Frank B.
On the other hand if these things really take off, you could find yourself on the cusp of fashion!!! (kk)
Better tell them to hurry up and order. It says the campaign ends in 8 hours.
Frank B.
I've checked it a few times now and they just keep increasing the order time. Might be best to use this link to place your order ...
http://teechip.com/cs13-BobbyDarin-1116#id=4&c=161616&sid=gildan-50-50-hoodie&s=front
Love that jacket of Frank B."s. For that matter, it's possible that no one needs therapy ... we just need to listen to those Bobby Darin songs and those "Forgotten Hits." The songs are great. The songs were songs when the music industry had a "social conscience." Today anything goes. For me the "music" is "disturbing" to listen to. Those oldies or vintage hits also had a lot of wisdom so people didn't need to see a psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, social worker, analyst, etc. Yep, "Mama said there'd be days like this." Amen.
By the way, Kent, I recently discovered a local radio station from Morristown, NJ, that is playing some of the obscure stuff. It's AM radio, call letters, WMTR. I commend this station for having the courage to play stuff that isn't the usual play list. It's not even pay radio. There are commercials but they play seven songs in a row which is great. Besides that, It's free! It's good to hear those songs once again and relive the gold!
Sandy
Frank B also sent us this link to the 2nd Grammy Awards ceremony where Bobby Darin won for Best New Artist ... and his recording of "Mack The Knife" won for Record Of The Year.
http://www.grammy.com/awards/2nd-annual-grammy-awards
re: This And That:
Wow! What a memory.
The core trio on "We Are The World" was the best in the business, which is why the stars fell in line. Quincy Jones had done Thriller and was the hottest (and most respected) producer in town. Michael Jackson was Michael Jackson. And then there was Lionel Richie, who had written #1 hits in each of the previous seven years - "We Are The World" made it eight.
Carl Wiser
www.songfacts.com
Last Thursday we celebrated the anniversary of the "We Are The World" recording session that united SO many great voices together for a good cause.
Unfortunately there was another anniversary this past week of a much sadder (and scarier) nature.
January 26th marked the 32 year anniversary of Michael Jackson's hair catching fire while filming a Pepsi Commercial with his brothers. Even all these years later the video is frightening.
Speaking of memorable moments from this past week, yesterday marked the 47 Year Anniversary of the last time The Beatles performed live together. It was the "rooftop concert" filmed during the making of their "Let it Be" documentary when The Beatles took to the roof of the Apple Studios and performed live versions of some of the new music they'd been working on ... "Get Back" (twice ... at the time, THIS was going to be the name of the project, showing The Beatles "getting back" to their early rock and roll roots in the studio), "Don't Let Me Down", "I Dig A Pony", "I've Got A Feelinlg" and "One After 909", one of the first songs ever written together by Lennon and McCartney back in the late '50's. It was a one-of-a-kind moment ... all that more exciting when the police showed up and made them stop playing for disturbing the peace during the afternoon rush hour. (kk)
7A Records is proud to present “An Evening With Peter Noone & Micky Dolenz”. Listen to the lead singers of the Monkees and Herman’s Hermits take turns to tell their fascinating life stories, as they open up and, for the first time ever, go on stage with no script, no songs - just conversation.
*Why put this package together? When we heard that these shows were being put together by the promoter, we thought it an opportunity too good to miss. It was a unique chance to catch the guys doing something they had never done before. We are absolutely thrilled to release these very special performances, as they offer a unique insight into the lives of the two stars, both on and off stage.
*How supportive have Micky and Peter been? Micky and Peter did everything they could to make sure the shows were a success. It’s pretty much a no holds barred affair! Having worked with Dolenz before, we already had a strong relationship with him and he has also been helping us via his twitter feed and Facebook page.
*What’s the album like? Well, any fans expecting to hear the same old stories are in for a surprise. There are many new revelations that we can guarantee you won’t have heard before, and some extremely funny moments. The chemistry between Micky and Peter is great and they are talking to each other as a pair of old friends, nothing gets watered down or left out. As Peter says “Like the rest of the inquisitive audience I enjoyed sitting chatting and having fun with my fellow entertainer and friend Micky Dolenz”.
What’s interesting is that because this was so new to them, these highly experienced performers were a little nervous about doing something out of their comfort zone! Micky told us “I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about drifting into uncharted waters with my "Conversations with Peter Noone" but Peter is such a wonderful host and I was as fascinated by his stories as I hope he was by mine”.
*7a Records has previously had great success releasing ‘Micky Dolenz – The MGM Singles Collection’ on vinyl. You are also about to release a Micky Dolenz 7” single [Chance Of A Lifetime], Will this album be released on vinyl or is just a CD? The Dolenz vinyl releases are very special to us at 7a Records. We would love to do more vinyl releases, however, with the long running time of the two shows, we would have had to edit out a substantial part of the conversations to make them fit onto two LPs. We believe people should hear the complete shows, so this release will be on CD only.
*Will it be available in the US, or just the UK? 7a Records is based in the UK but this is a worldwide release…keep checking your online retailers and even your local record stores! The UK release date will be March 7th with the US date probably being the following week in order to allow for distribution.
*What does the name of the label signify? Monkee fans will get the reference – it’s the spoken intro to Daydream Believer. A very tired Davy Jones asking the producer ‘What number is this Chip?’ to be met by a sarcastic ‘7a!’
*What’s next for 7a Records? We are fully focused on this Album right now, but we have also recently released Bobby Hart’s ‘First Solo Album’, which we are still busy promoting. We do have some very exciting projects coming up in the future including the 7” vinyl release of Micky Dolenz’s previously unreleased songs “Chance Of A Lifetime” b/w “Livin’ On Lies”. “The MGM Singles Collection” with bonus tracks will be released on CD, and if that wasn’t enough, we are very excited about some releases featuring Bobby’s songwriting partner Tommy Boyce. Busy times!
For more information please visit:
www.7arecords.com
www.facebook.com/7aRecords
An Evening With Peter Noone & Micky Dolenz CD Cat No: 7A004 EAN: 5060209950044
Disc 1: Recorded Thursday, 7th January 2016,
The Space At Westbury, Westbury, NY
1. Three Minutes To Tell Our Life Stories
2. My Mom Was A Huge Fan Of Yours
3.The Bee Gees’ Dad
4. Don't Get Me Drunk, P