Monday, January 23, 2017

1967 Bonus #5

Don't miss a single daily post ...  

We're recreating 1967 EXACTLY as it happened, fifty years ago ...  

Be sure to start your day with Forgotten Hits by checking out the website each morning ...  http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com/

 
I'm loving it, Kent. It took a few days to get used to reading every single morning, but now it just happens! Great job all around. 
David Lewis
Obviously you can always scroll back and read a week at a time if that's your preference ... but I think a big part of the fun and the appeal is "the daily reveal" ... because then you're experiencing it EXACTLY as it happened fifty years ago.  (Plus, from a deejay standpoint, it gives you some bit of news to feature every single day, along with a track from that week's chart.)
The good news is, several deejays on the list are doing exactly that ... and others are writing in either amazed by "Oh My God, I can't believe that was FIFTY years ago already" or "I COMPLETELY forgot about that!!!" ... again, FAR more fun to make us part of your daily routine ... and start your day with the Forgotten Hits Fifty Year Flashback!!! (Of course who knows WHAT I'll have to do next year to retain everyone's attention!  Lol)  kk

I saw Pussycat ... I totally remember watching this episode when it first aired. I was sooo jealous of Lesley; she had that cute costume ... and Robin๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚
(And you know how much I love that song!)
Mrs. K

Hola Kent,
How many hours did I spend trying to find a classic homage to the plight of single girls and the bar scene, sung by Dolly Parton (1982). I was half asleep when I saw a female singer sing it on a Johnny Carson show and only remembering the lyrics searched for a long time, especially in those giant catalogues at the Tower Records stores. I thought it was ‘Single Girl’ but actually it was ‘Single Women.’ I gave up trying to find it back then but a supervisor where I worked was a country fan and when I explained my search to her she brought in a copy to me. A great but sad lament, and only pertinent to 1967 because of my misidentification of the title, but a great memory for me. I remembering arguing with my fellow chat room buddies in Oldies Music that ‘Country’ should be a valid topic in the room, especially with all the cross-overs.
This keeps getting better
1967FH,
Thanks,
CharlieOFD

Kent,
I really enjoyed reading Tommy James’ comment on 1967. Yeah, I remember playing dates with the Shondells back then. It was so great to see them have one hit after another ... it was a real inspiration for The Bucks. Tommy James sounded great then and still does today. What has been special is the friendships we developed back in the day, and we still have today. We  have played almost yearly with Tommy James in Westbury, NY. He is still a class act, so humble and genuine. 
Carl 
THE BUCKINGHAMS


Thanks again, Kent, for the spot on the Royal Guardsmen ... I'm so glad you're doing this blog.  Again, it's great seeing all the folks we knew.
Blessings my friend.
Barry
 


These 1967 stories are great!  Keep 'em coming.
Clark



So much good stuff lately - you really did your research here.  And even though I lived thru 1967, I'm learning (or relearning!) things I'd forgotten all about.  The first Super Bowl - the NHL Playoffs, where the best players from ALL of the other teams play against the previous year's championship team.  (And who knew that the 1967 game would be the ONLY shut out in NHL History ... that's 70 years of games!!!) 
All the Sgt. Pepper stuff ... the Batman photo and the "two Darrens" photo made my day! 
I grew up here in Chicago and had forgotten all about the McCormick Place fire - God, what a devastating event.  (Which means the great Chicago snow storm is just around the corner.)  SO much great music and memories - thank you for sharing this with all of us.
Ted
We seem to have hit a stride of great news events these past several days ... and you're right, the big Chicagoland Snowstorm of 1967 is just around the corner.  (It'll post on Thursday, the 26th)  
But let's face it ... the truth of the matter is that each day's posting is only as interesting as the events that took place on that date fifty years ago!  We can't rewrite history ... so we've tried to "dress it up" a little bit along the way by sticking with our Forgotten Hits formula of music of that time.  But I've gotta tell you ... even I am pretty impressed as I reread this stuff that I wrote during this past year of research.  Like all of you, I'm rediscovering it all again as we move forward.  (kk)

And speaking of the big snow storm, Me-TV-FM will be remembering The 1967 Record-Breaking Snowstorm that hit Chicago fifty years ago with a two-day salute next Thursday and Friday, January 26th and 27th.  They'll be playing many of the songs that were coming out of your radio on those two fateful days.  Naturally, WE'RE remembering it, too, as part of our Daily 1967 Calendar Posts ... so be sure to check out some of my personal memories of that landmark afternoon.  (kk)  
https://www.facebook.com/MeTVFM/photos/a.379790732200618.1073741828.354990974680594/659031314276557/?type=3&theater

One of my '67 tributes this weekend will feature the Electric Prunes.  I am sending some of the audio of a 2005 interview with Mark Tullin of the Prunes. 
Phil Nee / WRCO
 

Preston Ritter, original drummer of The Electric Prunes, used to communicate regularly with Forgotten Hits.  In fact, he and I were on Dave The Rave's "Relics And Rarities" radio program together a few years back. Sadly, we lost Preston recently. We've run the clip a few times before of Preston giving Barbara Feldon a quick drum lesson on The Mike Douglas Show fifty years ago.  Here it is again ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3wjUsZnkS0
(I've got to believe that back in the '60's there were far worse ways to spend an afternoon than with Barbara Feldon!!!)  kk

Hi Kent, 
I just posted this to Airplay's Facebook page.  
Love the series! It's bringing back lots of memories. 
Carolyn    
https://www.facebook.com/Airplay-The-Rise-and-Fall-of-Rock-Radio-152872684727830/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf   
Our friend Kent Kotal at Forgotten Hits is doing a great series on 1967. Fans, deejays and artists are sharing their memories of what was a pivotal year in music and rock radio.   
http://forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com   
Thanks, Carolyn, I appreciate it ... and anybody out there who's helping to spread the word!  (kk)  

Hi Kent -
I'm sending you this new show recorded today. 
It's The Summer of Love radio special. 
Thought you and your readers might like it.  
Regards  
Geoff Dorsett  
Radio Presenter  
Thank you, Geoff! (kk)





Another British reader Geoff (Geoff Lambert, that is!) sent us weekly lists of The British Charts for 1967 ... here is how January shaped up across the pond!  (kk)

According to Record Retailer the top thirty singles on the UK charts for week ending January 7th 1967 were:

WK LW TW

09 - 01 - 01 - Tom Jones – Green, Green Grass of Home

07 - 02 - 02 - Seekers - Morningtown Ride

05 - 07 - 03 - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich - Save Me

05 - 04 - 04 - Donovan - Sunshine Superman

10 - 03 - 05 - Val Doonican - What Would I Be

04 - 09 - 06 - Who - Happy Jack

04 - 14 - 07 - Troggs - Anyway That You Want Me

07 - 08 - 08 - Kinks - Dead End Street
04 - 12 - 09 - Cliff Richard And The Shadows - In The Country

06 - 05 - 10 - Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On

08 - 06 - 11 - Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of the Broken-hearted

08 - 10 - 12 - Small Faces - My Mind's Eye

08 - 12 - 13 - Easybeats - Friday On My Mind

04 - 16 - 14 - Barron Knights - Under New Management

10 - 15 - 15 - Beach Boys - Good Vibrations

02 - 29 - 16 - Georgie Fame - Sitting In The Park

04 - 21 - 17 - Wayne Fontana – Pamela, Pamela

05 - 18 - 18 - Bachelors - Walk With Faith In Your Heart

20 - 20 - 19 - Jim Reeves - Distant Drums

04 - 24 - 20 - Frank Ifield - Call Her Your Sweetheart

10 - 17 - 21 - Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Loving

05 - 11 - 22 - Elvis Presley - If Every Day Was Like Christmas

02 - 27 - 23 - Temptations - (I Know) I'm Losing You

01 - NE - 24 - Cream - I Feel Free

06 - 25 - 25 - Roy Orbison - There Won't Be Many Coming Home
04 - 30 - 25 - Walker Brothers - Deadlier Than The Male

01 - NE - 27 - Move - Night Of Fear

09 - 19 - 28 - Gene Pitney - Just One Smile

01 - NE - 29 - Monkees - I'm A Believer

13 - 28 - 30 - Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There

According to Record Retailer the top thirty singles on the UK charts for week ending January 14th 1967 were:

WK LW TW

10 - 01 - 01 - Tom Jones – Green, Green Grass of Home

02 - 29 - 02 - Monkees - I'm A Believer

08 - 02 - 03 - Seekers - Morningtown Ride

05 - 06 - 04 - Who - Happy Jack

06 - 04 - 05 - Donovan - Sunshine Superman

06 - 03 - 06 - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich - Save Me

05 - 07 - 07 - Troggs - Anyway That You Want Me

05 - 09 - 08 - Cliff Richard And The Shadows - In The Country

11 - 05 - 09 - Val Doonican - What Would I Be
07 - 10 - 10 - Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On

08 - 08 - 11 - Kinks - Dead End Street

01 - NE - 12 - Four Tops - Standing In The Shadows Of Love

03 - 16 - 13 - Georgie Fame - Sitting In The Park

02 - 27 - 14 - Move - Night Of Fear

01 - NE - 15 - Cat Stevens - Matthew And Son

05 - 17 - 16 - Wayne Fontana – Pamela, Pamela

09 - 13 - 17 - Easybeats - Friday On My Mind

02 - 24 - 18 - Cream - I Feel Free

09 - 11 - 19 - Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted

03 - 23 - 20 - Temptations - (I Know) I'm Losing You

09 - 12 - 21 - Small Faces - My Mind's Eye

01 - NE - 22 - Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally

11 - 15 - 23 - Beach Boys - Good Vibrations

01 - NE - 24 - Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe

05 - 14 - 25 - Barron Knights - Under New Management

05 - 20 - 26 - Frank Ifield - Call Her Your Sweetheart
06 - 18 - 27 - Bachelors - Walk With Faith In Your Heart

07 - 25 - 28 - Roy Orbison - There Won't Be Many Coming Home

01 - NE - 29 - Sandy Posey - Single Girl

01 - NE - 30 - Nancy Sinatra - Sugar Town

01 - NE - 30 - Lovin' Spoonful - Nashville Cats

According to Record Retailer the top thirty singles on the UK charts for week ending January 21st 1967 were:

WK LW TW

03 - 02 - 01 - Monkees - I'm A Believer

11 - 01 - 02 - Tom Jones – Green, Green Grass Of Home

06 - 04 - 03 - Who - Happy Jack

09 - 03 - 04 - Seekers - Morningtown Ride

02 - 12 - 05 - Four Tops - Standing In The Shadows Of Love

06 - 07 - 06 - Troggs - Anyway That You Want Me

02 - 15 - 07 - Cat Stevens - Matthew And Son

03 - 14 - 08 - Move - Night Of Fear

07 - 06 - 09 - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich - Save Me

07 - 05 - 10 - Donovan - Sunshine Superman
02 - 24 - 11 - Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe

06 - 08 - 12 - Cliff Richard And The Shadows - In The Country

04 - 13 - 13 - Georgie Fame - Sitting In The Park

03 - 18 - 14 - Cream - I Feel Free

06 - 16 - 15 - Wayne Fontana – Pamela, Pamela

12 - 09 - 16 - Val Doonican - What Would I Be

01 - NE - 17 - Rolling Stones - Let's Spend The Night Together

09 - 11 - 18 - Kinks - Dead End Street

08 - 10 - 19 - Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On

01 - NE - 20 - Paul Jones - I've Been A Bad, Bad Boy

02 - 29 - 21 - Sandy Posey - Single Girl

02 - 30 - 22 - Nancy Sinatra - Sugar Town

04 - 20 - 23 - Temptations - (I Know) I'm Losing You

06 - 26 - 24 - Frank Ifield - Call Her Your Sweetheart

10 - 17 - 25 - Easybeats - Friday On My Mind

02 - 30 - 26 - Lovin' Spoonful - Nashville Cats

12 - 23 - 27 - Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
10 - 19 - 28 - Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted

01 - NE - 29 - Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday

01 - RE - 30 - Rita Pavone - Heart

According to Record Retailer the top thirty singles on the UK charts for week ending January 28th 1967 were:

WK LW TW

04 - 01 - 01 - Monkees - I'm A Believer

03 - 07 - 02 - Cat Stevens - Matthew And Son

12 - 02 - 03 - Tom Jones – Green, Green Grass of Home

04 - 08 - 04 - Move - Night Of Fear

02 - 17 - 05 - Rolling Stones - Let's Spend The Night Together

03 - 05 - 06 - Four Tops - Standing In The Shadows Of Love

07 - 03 - 07 - Who - Happy Jack

03 - 11 - 08 - Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe

02 - 20 - 09 - Paul Jones - I've Been A Bad, Bad Boy

10 - 04 - 10 - Seekers - Morningtown Ride

04 - 14 - 11 - Cream - I Feel Free
05 - 13 - 12 - Georgie Fame - Sitting In The Park

07 - 12 - 13 - Cliff Richard And The Shadows - In The Country

07 - 06 - 14 - Troggs - Anyway That You Want Me

07 - 15 - 15 - Wayne Fontana – Pamela, Pamela

08 - 10 - 16 - Donovan - Sunshine Superman

01 - NE - 17 - Ken Dodd - Let Me Cry on Your Shoulder

08 - 09 - 18 - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick And Tich - Save Me

03 - 21 - 19 - Sandy Posey - Single Girl

02 - 29 - 20 - Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday

03 - 22 - 21 - Nancy Sinatra - Sugar Town

01 - NE - 22 - Spencer Davis Group - I'm A Man

13 - 16 - 22 - Val Doonican - What Would I Be

01 - NE - 24 - Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron

09 - 19 - 25 - Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On

07 - 24 - 26 - Frank Ifield - Call Her Your Sweetheart

01 - NE - 27 - Rita Pavone - You Only You

05 - 23 - 28 - Temptations - (I Know) I'm Losing You
01 - NE - 29 - Marvin Gaye And Kim Weston - It Takes Two

01 - NE - 30 - Keith - 98.6

01 - NE - 30 - Four Seasons - Tell It To The Rain

According to Record Retailer the top thirty singles on the UK charts for week ending February 4th 1967 were:

WK LW TW

05 - 01 - 01 - Monkees - I'm A Believer

04 - 02 - 02 - Cat Stevens - Matthew And Son

05 - 04 - 03 - Move - Night Of Fear

03 - 05 - 04 - Rolling Stones - Let's Spend The Night Together

03 - 09 - 05 - Paul Jones - I've Been A Bad, Bad Boy

13 - 03 - 06 - Tom Jones – Green, Green Grass Of Home

04 - 06 - 07 - Four Tops - Standing In The Shadows Of Love

04 - 08 - 08 - Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe

08 - 07 - 09 - Who - Happy Jack

02 - 22 - 10 - Spencer Davis Group - I'm A Man

06 - 12 - 11 - Georgie Fame - Sitting In The Park

08 - 15 - 12 - Wayne Fontana – Pamela, Pamela
05 - 11 - 12 - Cream - I Feel Free

11 - 10 - 14 - Seekers - Morningtown Ride

02 - 17 - 15 - Ken Dodd - Let Me Cry On Your Shoulder

01 - NE - 15 - Engelbert Humperdinck - Release Me

01 - NE - 17 - Tremeloes - Here Comes My Baby

04 - 21 - 18 - Nancy Sinatra - Sugar Town

02 - 24 - 19 - Royal Guardsmen - Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron

03 - 20 - 20 - Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday

02 - 27 - 21 - Rita Pavone - You Only You

02 - 29 - 22 - Marvin Gaye And Kim Weston - It Takes Two

01 - NE - 23 - New Vaudeville Band - Peek-A-Boo

08 - 13 - 24 - Cliff Richard And The Shadows - In The Country

04 - 19 - 25 - Sandy Posey - Single Girl

01 - NE - 26 - Jim Reeves - I Won't Come In While He's There

01 - NE - 26 - Monkees - Last Train To Clarksville

02 - 30 - 28 - Keith - 98.6

08 - 14 - 29 - Troggs - Anyway That You Want Me
09 - 16 - 30 - Donovan - Sunshine Superman
Kent,
In 1967 I was doing the morning drive gig on KMOR in Salt Lake City, UT.  We were the #2 station in the market that year with our "lite country" format.  When I finished my shift at 9 AM, I'd go and pick up the mail at the post office.  After that, as long as the all the production chores were done, I was free to come and go as I pleased.  The PR guy at the local music hall knew that, so any time they wanted to greet one of their incoming acts at the airport, he'd call me and a few other media types to show up.
My favorite memory was the day the Smothers Brothers arrived.  The usual greeters showed up and we had a mini press conference.  When that wrapped up, I was heading for the door when the PR guy called out to me "Hey Jim, can you give the Brothers a lift to their hotel?"  "Glad to" I replied, so the Smothers and their manager piled into the back of my big wide-track Pontiac and off we went.  As we drove into town, the conversation drifted from topic to topic, including a music hall in L.A. where the personnel were on strike.
Tommy and Dick both seemed to have the same personalities in my back seat as they did on their records (TV was in the future).  When we arrived at the hotel, they piled out of the car, got their luggage from the trunk and headed in he door, didn't say thanks or anything.  However, it is still one of my favorite memories and it was a thrill.
Enjoying the '67 features.  I'll throw a few more your way now and then.
Thanks
Jim Southern
Gladstone, OR
The Smothers Brothers was one of my prime "gets" for this series ... would LOVE to talk to them but haven't been able to establish a contact yet.  Their television show premiered that year and changed the landscape (and the boundaries) of television forever more.  (I had been a HUGE fan for YEARS before they hit the TV screen ... and still cherish many memories from that landmark series.)
Thanks, Jim ... keep 'em comin'!!!  (kk)

Here is an article from 1967 published in Disc And Music Echo that you might find interesting.
J Gentry

In January, 1967, The Move released their debut single "Night Of Fear". A unique rock song with a riff based on Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," it was a #2 UK hit. It was perhaps an early indication of the future direction of the band.
The Move was perhaps England's most successful sixties band not to crack the American charts. In the US, they were considered a cult underground group rather than a pop band.  With multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood as songwriter, their records occupied the UK Top 20 for five years.
When their lead singer Carl Wayne left in 1970, Wood's friend Jeff Lynne replaced him. Wood wanted to carry on in the direction The Beatles had trailblazed. He came up with the concept of forming a group with classically influenced instrumentation aligned more to an orchestra than a rock band. In 1972, Lynne and Wood dissolved The Move and created The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). 
Mike G
You'll find The Move listed in The Top Three on some of those British charts posted above.  (kk)

Nashville Cats ... I understand that John Sebastian didn’t know that Sun Records was in Memphis when he wrote this song. 
Shelley
That would seem to be the case, wouldn't it???  I suppose the next thing you'll be telling me is that he didn't really count thirteen hundred and fifty two guitar pickers either!  (kk)

Here is some information about The New Colony Six concert coming up at Durty Nellies in Palatine, IL, on February 11, 2017 ... A Valentines Date Night Special!  
Showtime: 7 to 9 pm  
Single tickets $20. Reserve a table of 4 for $100

Opening act are comedians  Timmy Hart Barron and Brian Moody.

Visit the Web Site for more information:
Or call Durty Nellies at 847 - 358 - 9150, ext. 0 for more info.
Great food, drinks and plenty of free parking. Thanks for your support helping keep "Live" music alive and well! Pass the word and hope to see you there.
Members of the NC6 1964 - 2017

Hi Kent,  
Whoa!  I never expected to find a connection like this, but my father-in-law was a Correctional Officer at Bridgewater State Hospital, actually more like a prison for the insane. We could use those terms back then. 
He was often assigned to bring Albert DeSalvo back and forth for court appearances. We always get a kick out of seeing his picture when they bring up the story again.

Charles Fraser


How tall was the late Rob Grill and Warren Etner?  In the videos I've seen, it appears that Ricky Coonce is the tallest, then Warren and then it appears that Rob is, I'm GUESSING, about 5'8' or 5'9'. 
They were never really shown side by side without the aid of platforms ... and who is the girl that sings along with Warren, playing the tambourine and all but backing into Rob's Guitar?

Thanks.
Karen Daehn
Ok, definitely one of the trickiest questions we've ever been asked here in Forgotten Hits!  (lol)  I would have absolutely NO idea as to the height of ANY of the members of The Grass Roots (nor would I even know where to begin searching for this information, short of maybe an original teen magazine from the late '60's / early '70's that might have listed this information ... and even that's a long shot!!!)  And since you don't reference the name of the song featured in the video you're referring to, I can't speak to that either!
But you know what ... we've got some MAJOR Grass Roots fans on the list ... so we may just ALL be surprised to find these answers in a future mailing ... so be sure to stay tuned for that!  (Anybody???)  kk

What with a movie once made out of one of 1967's biggest hits -- "Ode To Billie Joe" -- word has come that the ever elusive Bobbie Gentry's second biggest single, 1970's Fancy," is now in the works to become a Broadway musical!   Here is the just released casting notice:  
Fancy Was My Name - Musical Theatre
Charley MakumMale | Any Ethnicity | Age: 44 - 47
Mid 40's. A promoter who discovers and manages Fancy's career. He is sexually appealing, slick and a bit sleazy, very self-possessed. He takes over her life both professionally and romantically. While he's responsible for creating her star image, he is ultimately untrustworthy and cheats on Fancy repeatedly during their relationship. 
FancyFemale | Any Ethnicity | Age: 18 - 35
Character ages from 18 - 35. She is appealing, attractive and sexual in a nonaggressive way. She is a backwoods Louisiana country girl forced to leave home by her mother. As she makes her way in the world she is both innocent and vulnerable but quickly learns that she must be independent and strong enough not be used and abused by men in order to fulfill her dream of becoming a world famous country star. She abandons her husband and child for her career but eventually realizes that she can have both a family and fame. Must play the guitar well. 
Little TravisMale | Any Ethnicity | Age: 7 - 8
He's 7 years old. This is a non-speaking role that appears in a montage of the beginning of Fancy and Ned's marriage and family life 
Ned ConroyMale | Any Ethnicity | Age: 34 - 37
Mid 30's. A southern man. He is handsome, sexy, arrogant, controlling and volatile but has a tender side to him as well. He is the foreman of the glass factory, where he meets Fancy on her first day. He is immediately attracted to her, breaks down her defenses with his charm, and they marry. In his typical alpha male way he makes her into a house wife but he eventually realizes her great talent. 
TravisMale | Any Ethnicity | Age: 13 - 15
Travis is 14 years old. Fancy and Ned's son. He is a troubled arrogant teenager and bitter that his mother has abandoned him for her career. He eventually goes to prison for car theft but he is pardoned and reunited with his mother after his father's death. He and Fancy reconcile and he supports her stardom.
Gary Theroux
"The History of Rock 'n' Roll"
Sounds like a smash ... I can hardly control my excitement!!!  (NOT!)  kk