re: The Everly Brothers:
Hey Kent,
In looking at the promo for the “Everly Brothers, Harmonies From Heaven”, reminds me of back in the radio days when our dad had his band, “Russ Pike and His Prairie Knights,” and he used to tour the big fifty thousand watt radio stations with his band doing a half hour to a one hour live show. His music was western, similar to the “Sons of the Pioneers”, Eddy Arnold, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Another country act who did those same tours was a husband and wife team called “The Everlys”. Of course they were the parents of Don and Phil.
Jim Pike, my older brother and founder of the Lettermen is about the same age as Don and Phil and they used to mix it up at the stations. I wasn’t around till years later and not involved in their mayhem. Our dad used to tell us that the three of them (Don, Phil and Jim) at the age of about 6 to 8, at times used to cause grief for the station management and both sets of parents would have to wrangle them in. Who knew that these kids playing together would go on to be successful recording artists. The Everly Brothers would sign with Warner Bros. Records and the first record contract for the Lettermen was also at WB until moving on to have success at Capitol.
A bit of trivia and my best to you, Kent.
Ex-Letterman,
Gary Pike
There are some early vintage sound clips of the boys on their family radio show on the video ... yes, they started at a VERY early age and just grew up living and breathing music. (They would do the radio show early in the morning before they even left for school!!! And they were probably all of about 4 and 6 years old at the time!)
I can't say enough nice things about this new documentary (available now, by the way) ... in fact, we watched it again the other night! VERY well done and fun to watch ... GREAT sound and video ... they did an EXCELLENT job restoring all of this for the documentary ... VERY entertaining.
Folks tend to forget just how HUGE The Everly Brothers were at the time ... pop music had never really seen anything quite like them and to hit the scene right at the onset of The Rock And Roll Era, their voices and musical stylings REALLY stood out from the rest of the crowd. It's funny to think that their sound, which inspired SO many of the British Invasion Artists in the first place, would come to feel passe and no longer "of the times" when The British Invasion hit our shores. Like most previously successful American acts at the time, they suddenly couldn't get their music played on the radio anymore. After 23 Billboard Top 40 Hits between 1957 and 1962, The Everlys were held to just two more for the remainder of the decade.
Their early hits crossed over onto both the Country and the R&B Charts ... NOBODY knew what to make of them! "Bye Bye Love", "Wake Up Little Susie", "All I Have To Do Is Dream" and "Bird Dog" were all Top Ten Country Hits ... and "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Cathy's Clown" both topped Billboard's R&B Chart! (In the documentary it is explained that Cadence Records shipped their first record, "Bye Bye Love" to every pop and country radio station in the country by mistake ... but they all jumped on it. It was a long chart run for the record (27 weeks on the chart) as more and more folks discovered this unique sound across the country. While it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top 100 and Best Sellers Charts, it went to #1 in both Cashbox and Music Vendor magazines.
As a result, "Wake Up Little Susie" was an out-of-the-box smash, quickly going to #1 despite being "banned in Boston" for its risque and suggestive lyrics (which probably only helped the record sell even more copies at the time!!!) There is a GREAT clip in the documentary where they perform the song live on television an Phil rolls his eyes at the "Ooo-La-La" line ... more was said with that small gesture than ANY lyrics could have ever conveyed! (lol)
HIGHLY recommended ... this one's a keeper! (kk)
https://www.amazon.com/Harmonies-Heaven-Everly-Brothers/dp/B01IF5QKZU/ref=sr_1_2?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1473249410&sr=8-2&keywords=everly+brothers+dvd
re: It Could Be We're In Love:
We've been pretty vocal of late regarding The Cryan' Shames local #1 Hit "It Could Be We're In Love" ... we just HATE to see such a masterpiece rearranged in a concert setting ... and strongly advised against it now that the Cornerstones Of Rock show is hitting the road nationally ... suggesting that of all their material, THIS is the one that should be presented in its original form. (In fact, I went so far as to say that you can't really improve on perfection.)
Well, we heard from James Fairs the other day, who WROTE this song back in 1967 when The Shames were on their hot streak (and now performs it with them for the Cornerstones shows) ... and felt it only right to share his thoughts on the subject with our readers ...
This is a great site, and offering opinions as to how musicians should play their music fall under free speech.
For those who discuss this, here's a truth: musicians who still care about their songs and their music continue to be involved with it and to evolve it, insisting on making it fresh ... and never allow it to feel 'canned'.
There are an endless number of 'copy bands' that are more than adept at ripping note-for-note replicas of music made more than 50 years ago, and they're quite good at it ... and, note-for-note replication is something their audience expects.
My listeners constantly (and endlessly) express their appreciation for the hard work that goes into a fresh renderings of the music that I wrote and created, (with serious help from the band) ... and yet remains true to the spirit of the original work. I so much appreciate this, and always feel thankful for the support.
I want to take a moment to thank the Ides of March, Tom Doody and Jim Pilster for their support of and participation in the hours of hard work that have gone into creating the basis for an enduring environment of updating and improvement that I am convinced will one day result in (literally) one of the finest shows on the Planet.
On another note, "Mr. Unreliable " was a complete sales flop, and the arrangement stops and starts, never actually getting into a gear. We only have five slots, and we have to make judgements about energy, pacing, and other considerations.
Thanks for writing about this, and for your contributions;
James Fairs
As the writer of the song, I fully respect your opinion and understand that you are free to reinterpret your music in any way you see fit ... honestly, I get it. My only counter to this would be that when you go to see Paul McCartney perform "Yesterday", you don't expect to hear a rocked-up version of his most famous tune. Likewise, the audience would be let down tremendously if Brian Wilson came out and did a calypso version of "Good Vibrations", probably his best known and most respected work. And if you're thinking, "I know where he's going with this", let me just state for the record that yeah, I feel THAT strongly about your song "It Could Be We're In Love" to include it in this category with these other timeless tunes. It's a masterpiece exactly as it is and ANY tinkering with it takes away from its natural beauty.
Jim Peterik just did a whole album of re-imaginings of some of his best known work ... and, as discussed in this column before, some of it works and some of it doesn't. (Rephrase: some of it works better than others) Again, as a composer and as an artist you are all free to do what you please with your material ... but THIS one is the holy grail of Cryan' Shames music ... and I just hate to think that some brand new audience members who will be experiencing this song for the very first time (and, as such, have nothing to compare it to) will come away with anything less than a full appreciation for just how incredibly good this song truly is.
Enough said ... just a "for your consideration" suggestion. (kk)
re: We're Having A Baby:
Folks seemed to like our Labor Day selections ... especially the clip from "I Love Lucy" when Lucy tells Ricky she's pregnant ... a truly memorable tv moment!
>>>You know, I've probably seen this clip close to 200 times over the past 50 years ... and it STILL chokes me up nearly every time I see it! (kk)
Yes, I have and I agree. Sweet!
Blossmwrld
"There's a Brand New Baby At Our House" backed by a vocal version of the "I Love Lucy" theme was released as a Desi Arnaz single by Columbia in 1953 but did not chart and therefore today is quite rare. One of the most remarkable things about Desi's career in music is that, despite his film and later massive TV fame, Mr. Arnaz never managed to ever chart a hit single or LP. Even his most famous number, "Babalu,"which he cut for RCA Victor in 1947, was never successful on disc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g4-FqbWh9w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fofu0RnLGcs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvOUqWHnA_Y
One running joke on "I Love Lucy" dealt with Desi mangling the English language. In real life, he sort of mangled the program's title into what resulted in the couple's divorce in 1960: "I Love Loosely."
Gary Theroux
"The History of Rock 'n' Roll"
Hi Kent:
Regarding your recent mention of the song "We're Having a Baby, My Baby and Me," as performed on "I Love Lucy," you and your readers might be interested to know that the song played a big part in the very first instance of a person being censored on television.
That person was the legendary Eddie Cantor, who had a long and successful career, and always used clean, "family friendly" material.
During a very early TV broadcast in 1944, Cantor and his singing partner Nora Martin rehearsed the song for the TV broadcast (which was only seen by special link-up between New York and Philadelphia), and added a bit of speaking dialogue in between two of the verses. The NBC executives deemed the dialogue too risqué, and ordered it to be left out of the broadcast (I'm leaving out a few details for the sake of brevity). The duo included it anyway, as Cantor added some of his trademark gestures and gyrations, which were deliberately blurred live on the air. The audio during their spoken exchange was also cut. Afterwards, Cantor was furious. So, it's ironic that the song finally made it on to television for that "I Love Lucy" episode, because, as we know the word "pregnant" was not allowed on the air at the time.
I discovered this story while researching my new book, "For the First Time on Television," in which I cover over 100 "firsts" throughout TV history (please pardon the shameless plug).
Best regards,
Garry Berman
Wow! I want a copy of THAT book!!! This is something that I'm sure will appeal to MANY of the readers on our list. (We've gotten friendly with the folks over at Me-TV, who specialize in nostalgic television ... I'll betcha this thing could be turned into a full-blown promotion!!!) kk
re: The Monkees:
From David Salidor ...
Goldmine Magazine interviews Andy Partridge about the new Monkees LP "Good Times":
http://www.goldminemag.com/article/andy-partridge-goes-ape-monkees
Has anyone ever noticed a resemblance from the Monkees' "Make Friendss with Kool Aid" jingle to their new "You Bring the Summer"?? They just sound very similar to me.
http://search.aol.com/aol/video?q=monkees+make+friends+with+kool+aid&s_it=video-ans&sfVid=true&videoId=CDA6943793BA4ECED938CDA6943793BA4ECED938&v_t=webmail-searchbox
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbf6HbKZSMk
Clark Besch
And, in other Monkees news, Micky Dolenz was honored with his own personal "brick in the wall" at The Cavern Club in Liverpool this past week ...
During International Beatleweek in Liverpool, Monkee-MICKY DOLENZ was awarded his own brick-in-the wall at The Cavern Club. His brick is situated among Jimi Hendrix, Adele and acclaimed Brit-band Family.
re: This And That:
Happy Birthday to Dennis Tufano! And, on Tuesday, to Peter Cetera. (Thanks for the reminders, Frank B!!! All courtesy of Ron Smith's "Eight Days A Week" calendar book.)
Speaking of "Eight Days A Week", I guess that Ron Howard movie doesn't officially open until next Thursday, the 15th, and even then only in select theaters (with a wide release a week or two later).
I still can't wait to see it! (And, it'll be out on DVD in November, just in time for holiday gift-giving!)
Meanwhile The Beatles Live At The Hollywood Bowl CD DID come out on the 9th ... so it's a double whammy from The Fab Four! (In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Paul McCartney was asked if there was anything left in the vaults worth hearing ... and he said that was the key point ... is it worth hearing? Because EVERYTHING they did has grown in stature over the years, folks may be interested in hearing some early workings of their tunes ... but Paul seemed to feel that the most interesting release they could come up with would be all the between-song chatter, which was always picked up by a separate microphone. He says THAT is some of the most interesting material available ... catching The Fabs off guard in their true element ... lots of kidding around back and forth ... so who knows ... we just may see another "surprise" release down the long and winding road somewhere!) kk
Vintage Vinyl News reports that, had he lived, Buddy Holly would have turned 80 years old last week (September 7th)
http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/2016/09/today-would-have-been-buddy-hollys-70th.html
Frannie and I just watched "The Buddy Holly Story" on TV ... can you believe that film is already 38 years old?!?!? (kk)
And, speaking of excellent calendars, I found this in Bob Dearborn's daily "Olde Disc Jockey Almanac on Saturday, September 10th ... and wanted to share with our readers.
September 10, 1970 - Elvis Presley performed at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis. I was there - in the third row! - thrilled and exhausted after watching Elvis in concert. No capes, no "2001" theme - just one of the most charismatic performers ever having fun and giving his all to please the audience.
It was the second stop of his first concert tour in more than a decade and, unlike some performances in later years, he was fully engaged. As one newspaper reviewer said of Presley the following day, "He worked like he needed the money!" Indeed.
Bob Dearborn
I saw him for the first time in 1972 ... it was electric ... there is no other word to describe it ...
Something just shot thru your body the moment he took the stage.
The show I saw was the identical set that was released as his "Live At Madison Square Garden" album a couple of months later ... so of course I had to buy it immediately.
I saw him twice more after that ... and although every show was great I have never experienced ANYTHING like that first moment in 1972 ... with him or any other performer ... I think a big part of that was just the realization of "Do you know who this IS?!?!?!" ... but a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sure.
Also on this date, 9/10/67, in another "I was there" sort of way but of more of a "local" note, Joel Horlen of The Chicago White Sox pitched a no hitter against The Detroit Tigers. No, I wasn't there at the ballpark ... but I was absolutely glued to the television set at my grandparents' house. It was the first no hitter I had ever seen in my life. (I HEARD Sandy Koufax no hit The Cubs a couple of years earlier on the radio when I just happened to be home sick from school that day ... but watching this live as it happened was mesmerizing.) Yet another moment I will never forget. (kk)
The concert you saw in 1972 was probably very similar to the one I saw in Chicago that summer. My 1970 experience was more like his "That's the Way It Is" movie and album, right down to the outfit he was wearing.The one in 1970 was my all-time favorite concert ... until I was present for Bruce Springsteen at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, then Live Aid in Philadelphia, both in 1985. The latter should probably be in a separate category because there were so many acts. Bruce was incredible and, for a short time, I thought his show eclipsed that Elvis performance in St. Louis. I soon regained my senses, however. Those three concerts are still my favorites, with Elvis first.I've never been in a ballpark for a no-hitter, I've just seen them on TV, like you. I WAS at Tiger Stadium in Detroit in September 1968 when pitcher Denny McLain won his 31st game of the season. AND, in that game against the Yankees, with the Tigers having a comfortable lead in the late innings, McLain grooved a pitch to Mickey Mantle (in his last Detroit appearance in pinstripes), and Mick parked it in the right field bleachers! The place went nuts! And what a joy it was to see Mantle circling the bases one last time. McLain could barely contain his glee. The two of them were giggling as Mick touched 'em all.Ah, memories.Enjoy your weekend!
Bob
Me thinks we were both at that same show in '72 ... at The Chicago Stadium. (Damn, we could have split a pizza! lol) We're all about the memories!!!
Relive them on a daily basis at Bob's Olde Disc Jockey Almanac website here: http://oldediscjockeysalmanac.blogspot.com/
Read it every day ... after your daily dose of Forgotten Hits of course!!! (kk)
Daryl Hall and John Oates were recognized with stars on The Hollywood Walk of Fame last week ...
Here's a photo sent in by one of our readers, Blossmwrld ...
Got some great stuff this week from FH Reader Tom Cuddy ...
Why Jeffrey Foskett left Brian Wilson's band to rejoin The Beach Boys ...
http://www.desertsun.com/story/life/entertainment/music/2014/09/22/beach-boys-brian-wilson-jeffrey-foskett/16070181/
A terrific brand new music series is coming to PBS in November ...
The eight-part series explores the art of music recording, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the birth of brand new sounds. Featuring more than 160 original interviews with some of the most celebrated recording artists of all time, Soundbreaking explores the nexus of cutting-edge technology and human artistry that has created the soundtrack of our lives.
Airs weekdays, November 14 - 23, 10 / 9c.
http://www.pbs.org/video/2365689660/
Fall Books Preview 2016: Must-Read Music Tell-Alls
This fall, some of the biggest names in rock and pop will tell their life stories in print. Read on for a preview of stunningly candid tomes by …
Read it on Flipboard
Speaking of The Beach Boys ... and new book releases, LOTS of reports last week (thanks to Mike Love's upcoming biography) that Dennis Wilson may have eye-witnessed a murder committed by Charles Manson ... it even made the cover of People Magazine ... but experts who have followed Manson for decades are pretty much pooh-poohing the whole thing. (Key words: "may have") Seems to be more of a ploy to drum up publicity about his upcoming book. And let's face it, there was no love lost between Mike and Dennis back in the day ... talk about all in the family (whether it be Manson or cousins Wilson and Love), Dennis married Mike Love's illegitimate daughter Shawn!!! (Wonder how he reports on THIS incident!!!) She was his wife at the time of his death.
The book comes out on Tuesday, September 13th ... I've had it preordered for months now ... and then a month later (October 11th) a new Brian Wilson biography also hits store shelves. (This is Brian's second "self-penned" biography ... wonder which stories he'll be changing this time around!!!) ALWAYS fascinating reading ... ANYTHING to do with The Beach Boys!!! (kk)
More book news ...
50 YEARS IN THE MAKING: GENE SCULATTI’S TRYIN’ TO TELL A STRANGER ‘BOUT ROCK AND ROLL OUT SEPT. 21
“In Crawdaddy magazine, writers like Gene Sculatti had begun using the word ‘rock’ to describe the new experimental forms best heard on albums like Revolver, Sunshine Superman and Jefferson Airplane Takes Off…”
-- UK author Jon Savage, in 1966: The Year The Decade Exploded (2016)
Has it really been that long? Apparently. On Sept. 21, fifty years since his first published writing appeared, the phrasemaker will release Tryin’ to Tell a Stranger ‘bout Rock and Roll: Selected Writings 1966-2016, in both paperback and Amazon Kindle editions. The book collects more than 60 pieces from the career of Gene Sculatti: newspaper and magazine features, reviews, liner notes and online site postings.
Sculatti was one of the nation’s first rock critics, having covered the topic for Crawdaddy and the Mojo-Navigator Rock & Roll News before moving on to write for Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Creem, Billboard, Mojo and other publications. Among the book’s highlights are a long out-of-print 1973 interview with John Lennon on the release of his Mind Games album; the first article to appear in a national magazine on San Francisco’s then-emerging psychedelic music scene; the earliest rave reviews for the album debuts of the Ramones and Bob Marley’s Wailers; and interviews with Dion, Frankie Valli, Ben E. King and Brian Wilson co-writer Gary Usher.
Artists and subjects covered include Frank Sinatra, Madonna, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, garage-rockers the Sonics, punk, bubblegum and girl-group pop, Dylan and Springsteen wannabe’s, Justin Bieber and Walker, Texas Ranger. The range and often unorthodox observations on music, media and society is what led author and Vanity Fair contributing editor Nick Tosches to describe Sculatti as “a true connoisseur of the bizarreries that lurk beneath the stones of popular culture’s forgotten back streets.”
Both editions of Tryin’ to Tell a Stranger ‘bout Rock and Roll will be available through Amazon Books.
Sculatti is also a featured participant in the just-released documentary Ticket to Write: The Golden Age of Rock Music Journalism (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouNrxBVOros).
His previous books are The Catalog of Cool (1982), San Francisco Nights: The Psychedelic Music Trip (1985), Too Cool (1993) and the Kindle book Dark Stars and Anti-Matter: 40 Years of Loving, Leaving and Making Up with the Music of the Grateful Dead (2012). His writing also appears in Lost in the Grooves: Scram’s Capricious Guide to the Music You Missed (2005) and Jeff Gold’s 2012 compendium of 101 Essential Rock Records.
Harvey Kubernik sent us a link to his recent piece celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles' "Revolver" album ... you can check it out here:
http://cavehollywood.com/happy-50th-birthday-to-revolver/
Check out more of Harvey's recent work (he's been VERY busy this year ... and is close to finishing yet another book) via the links provided here: http://www.otherworldcottageindustries.com/KUBERNIK'S%20CORNER.html
Kent ...
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