re: Kudos For Forgotten
Hits:
This has been a great run of stuff. Almost every time I read the 1967 FH blog, I think of something I could share. The key is FINDING it. :)
Keep up the great memories.
Clark
I appreciate everything you've sent - this series has certainly sparked some great memories ... and we kick of May on Monday!!! (kk)
I have been reading your column for at least the past seven or eight years now and it never ceases to amaze me the quality that comes through on a consistent basis.
You have always maintained that Forgotten Hits is "all about the music" - but I'll venture to say that it is so much more than that.
Two recent examples that back up my case in point: Carolyn's recollections of The Outsiders playing at her local J.C. Penney's store ... and the mere mention of Frank Bond's Steak House triggering up another long-lost piece of her youth ... you were able to conjure up memories that I'd be willing to bet hadn't crossed her mind in 40-50 years! And your recent piece on Muhammad Ali was outstanding - what did THAT have to do with music (other than your mention of Cassius Clay's recording of Stand By Me?)
You're not a sportswriter yet in just ten paragraphs you were able to encapsulate Ali's entire career into a cliff books edition that all of us reading it could enjoy and understand. Truly an outstanding piece of journalism that would rival anything put together by some of the best sportswriters in the country.
The fact that you come to us every morning and ask nothing back in return is a testament to your passion for these memories ... and you invoke them from us on a nearly daily basis. You often say "enjoy the ride" ... well, you've taken us places we haven't been in fifty years - not only through your site but also through the deepest canyons of our minds.
I know I've said "thank you" before for all that you do - but I don't believe ANY of us can say it often enough.
Thank you for Forgotten Hits - thank you for sharing these memories with us - thank you for holding fast against cluttering your website with advertisements that could probably earn you revenue for what you do but instead keeping it all about the music and the memories.
And, if there is ANY doubt in your mind, let me assure you that NOBODY does it better - nor could they.
Forgotten Hits is written BY a fan ... FOR the fans ... and we appreciate you.
Rich Gaffney
Wow! How do I even respond to something like this. I am humbled. It's a love thing ... it's a passion that I share with (hopefully) ALL of our readers. The artist participation ... the deejays ... that's just the icing on the cake. Collectively, we have all lived through these precious times ... and it's the sharing of those memories that makes Forgotten Hits shine. Thank you for appreciating what I do ... but please know that I couldn't do it without the help and support of all of you. It's that two way street that makes all of this work. Forgotten Hits has often been referred to as "a labor of love" and that it is ... but it's the combination of my love for the music and the memories and the love that comes back from you, the audience, that makes what we do so unique.
I could write a million pages (and may have already done so!) but if it doesn't in some way affect those of you reading it, then it's all been for nothing.
Thank YOU for your very kind letter ... because no one ever truly gets tired of hearing "thank you" or "you're doing a great job". (kk)
>>>Ali then fought a couple more "warm-up" matches before finally getting his shot against Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier in 1971. (kk)
Actually he did fight some in some "exhibitions" but he only had two fights before facing Frazier. One was Jerry Quarry and the other was Oscar Bonavena. I would change this sentence to read "Ali then fought Oscar Bonavena before finally getting his shot against Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier in March, 1971."
Rich Klein
My bad ... You are correct. (And the Oscar Bonavena match was something ... both fighters looked completely drained ... physically exhausted at the end of their fifteen round brawl!)
I found this cool USA Today site that show The History Of Muhammad Ali, Fight-By-Fight, for his entire career. It's an interesting read for other Ali fans out there. (kk)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2016/06/04/muhammad-ali-fight-by-fight-career/85341622/
This has been a great run of stuff. Almost every time I read the 1967 FH blog, I think of something I could share. The key is FINDING it. :)
Keep up the great memories.
Clark
I appreciate everything you've sent - this series has certainly sparked some great memories ... and we kick of May on Monday!!! (kk)
I have been reading your column for at least the past seven or eight years now and it never ceases to amaze me the quality that comes through on a consistent basis.
You have always maintained that Forgotten Hits is "all about the music" - but I'll venture to say that it is so much more than that.
Two recent examples that back up my case in point: Carolyn's recollections of The Outsiders playing at her local J.C. Penney's store ... and the mere mention of Frank Bond's Steak House triggering up another long-lost piece of her youth ... you were able to conjure up memories that I'd be willing to bet hadn't crossed her mind in 40-50 years! And your recent piece on Muhammad Ali was outstanding - what did THAT have to do with music (other than your mention of Cassius Clay's recording of Stand By Me?)
You're not a sportswriter yet in just ten paragraphs you were able to encapsulate Ali's entire career into a cliff books edition that all of us reading it could enjoy and understand. Truly an outstanding piece of journalism that would rival anything put together by some of the best sportswriters in the country.
The fact that you come to us every morning and ask nothing back in return is a testament to your passion for these memories ... and you invoke them from us on a nearly daily basis. You often say "enjoy the ride" ... well, you've taken us places we haven't been in fifty years - not only through your site but also through the deepest canyons of our minds.
I know I've said "thank you" before for all that you do - but I don't believe ANY of us can say it often enough.
Thank you for Forgotten Hits - thank you for sharing these memories with us - thank you for holding fast against cluttering your website with advertisements that could probably earn you revenue for what you do but instead keeping it all about the music and the memories.
And, if there is ANY doubt in your mind, let me assure you that NOBODY does it better - nor could they.
Forgotten Hits is written BY a fan ... FOR the fans ... and we appreciate you.
Rich Gaffney
Wow! How do I even respond to something like this. I am humbled. It's a love thing ... it's a passion that I share with (hopefully) ALL of our readers. The artist participation ... the deejays ... that's just the icing on the cake. Collectively, we have all lived through these precious times ... and it's the sharing of those memories that makes Forgotten Hits shine. Thank you for appreciating what I do ... but please know that I couldn't do it without the help and support of all of you. It's that two way street that makes all of this work. Forgotten Hits has often been referred to as "a labor of love" and that it is ... but it's the combination of my love for the music and the memories and the love that comes back from you, the audience, that makes what we do so unique.
I could write a million pages (and may have already done so!) but if it doesn't in some way affect those of you reading it, then it's all been for nothing.
Thank YOU for your very kind letter ... because no one ever truly gets tired of hearing "thank you" or "you're doing a great job". (kk)
>>>Ali then fought a couple more "warm-up" matches before finally getting his shot against Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier in 1971. (kk)
Actually he did fight some in some "exhibitions" but he only had two fights before facing Frazier. One was Jerry Quarry and the other was Oscar Bonavena. I would change this sentence to read "Ali then fought Oscar Bonavena before finally getting his shot against Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier in March, 1971."
Rich Klein
My bad ... You are correct. (And the Oscar Bonavena match was something ... both fighters looked completely drained ... physically exhausted at the end of their fifteen round brawl!)
I found this cool USA Today site that show The History Of Muhammad Ali, Fight-By-Fight, for his entire career. It's an interesting read for other Ali fans out there. (kk)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2016/06/04/muhammad-ali-fight-by-fight-career/85341622/
"Cuddly Toy" is super!
I knew it'd been in at least one episode of their show ... that's likely where I first heard it.
For a long time I've had at least a souvenir guide from Expo '67, in wonderful condition ... trying to think if my grandmother on mom's side (d. 1981) went there, as she was quite the traveler.
BOB FRABLE,
Easton, PA
"Cuddly Toy" from The Monkees' "Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones, Ltd." album has always been one of my favorites, too ... a great track, written by Harry Nilsson. He and Micky Dolenz forged a close friendship during the series ... Dolenz later cut "Daybreak" and "Good Times", the title track from last year's Monkees Reunion album, is another Nilsson track ... in fact, he and Micky share the lead vocal duties on this one on the new LP.
Here's the clip you likely saw on their TV show ... another great music video from the days WAY before
MTV. (Now you can see why The
Monkees played so well on MTV in the mid-'80's! So much so that their brand new
recording, "That Was Then, This Is Now" made The Billboard Top 20!")
kk
Yes, the Monkees just recorded Nilsson's "Cuddly Toy" 50 years ago ... HOWEVER, I prefer the soon to follow Ron Brit-oni WCFL version, myself! It is attached. 1967 WCFL, what can ya say?
Clark Besch
Just watched "Inside Pop" ...
This documentary is well worth the 50 minutes one will spend on it.
From Janis Ian to Peter Noone, it is a fantastic show.
David Lewis
I remember watching this back in 1967 when it first aired and being somewhat bored by Leonard Bernstein's heavy-handed analysis of the pop scene. Watching it again, I still feel his delivery is WAY over the top on the heavy-handed scale ... but there's not getting around some of these great performances you get to view once he finally stops talking! (lol) Highly recommended. (kk)
Kent -
Just want to say a big thank you to you and to Clark Besch for pointing out that "Inside Pop" CBS Documentary ... Just Great!
Having been there and played with some of those folks, I never thought I would hear myself saying this, but seems Frank Zappa, of all, had the most far sighted opinion there, as it seems, to me at least, that it is completely spot on as to where we have come to TODAY!
Frank could see the other end of that paradigm even then - not that it hasn't done much really good, it surely has. Many things are better.
But the bad side might be somewhat of a hangover right now. And I know from hangovers!!!
ALSO - Clark has been very helpful to us, The Fifth Estate, on several other matters and also I was wondering if he or anyone else on your list would have the exact date that Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead was released here in the USA?
After all these years the only date we have is near the end of April 1967, which is right about NOW, 50 years ago.
Up till now, 50 years ago, the band was touring over two earlier single releases - So Little Time (as The D-Men still) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhfWItQ1n3A and then, after that fiasco with Murray The K at WINS / NYC, the band was renamed to The Fifth Estate and was out with Love Is All A Game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX05OCMSO2w
We were playing so much at that time that I don't think we paid much attention then to when that song actually came out.
Thanks folks.
Hope to hear,
Furvus
Anybody out there able to supply the definitive answer as to the release date of "Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead"? (This sounds like something that would be right up Tom Diehl's alley!!!)
It looks like it premiered in both Cash Box and Record World on May 13th (but not in Billboard until a week later), so I'm guessing that would most likely be a week or two after its initial release ... which would put you right at your "near the end of April" timeframe ... but maybe has something a bit more specific to share? Let us know. Thanks, folks! (kk)
Kent,
I thought I’d give you an exclusive on this Buckinghams release coming out this summer on the Now Sounds label. Scott Schinder did the liner notes and he interviewed Dennis Tufano and I for it.
I don't think there's an official release date yet, but I imagine that it should be out sometime this summer on Now Sounds (https://www.cherryred.co.uk/label/now-sounds/). The full title is "The Complete Singles Collection (1966 - 1970)." It's technically a British release (although Now Sounds is based in L.A.), but will be distributed in America as if it was a domestic release, so it will be available through all of the usual outlets at a non-import price.
Here's the list of songs on the album:
THE BUCKINGHAMS "The Complete Singles Collection (1966-1970)
1. I'll Go Crazy (USA 844)
2. Don't Want To Cry (USA 844)
3. I Call Your Name (USA 848)
4. Makin' Up and Breakin' Up (USA 848)
5. I've Been Wrong USA 853)
6. Love Ain't Enough USA 853)
7. Kind of a Drag (USA 860)
8. You Make Me Feel So Good (USA 860)
9. Lawdy Miss Clawdy (USA 869)
10. I Call Your Name (USA 869)
11. Don't You Care (Columbia 4-44053)
12. Why Don't You Love Me (Columbia 4-44053)
13. Summertime (USA 873)
14. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Columbia 4-44182)
15. You Are Gone (Columbia 4-44182)
16. Hey, Baby (They're Playing Our Song) (Columbia 4-44254)
17. And Our Love (Columbia 4-44254)
18. Susan (Columbia 4-44378)
19. Foreign Policy (Columbia 4-44378)
20. Back In Love Again (Columbia 4-44533)
21. You Misunderstood Me (Columbia 4-44533)
22. Where Did You Come From (Columbia 4-44672)
23. Song Of The Breeze (Columbia 4-44672)
24. This is How Much I Love You (Columbia 4-44790)
25. Can't Find The Words (Columbia 4-44790)
26. It's a Beautiful Day (Columbia 4-44923)
27. Difference of Opinion (Columbia 4-44923)
28. I Got a Feelin' (Columbia 4-45066)
29. It Took Forever (Columbia 4-45066)
Carl Giammarese
THE BUCKINGHAMS
www.thebuckinghams.com www.facebook.com/thebuckinghams www.facebook/carlgiammarese
Happy to help get the word out on this. Since the similarly titled domestic release "The Complete Hit Singles", released on Varese Vintage, didn't, I couldn't help but wonder if this new release will feature the full-length single version of "Susan". (It'll be great to get all the A and B Sides on this one)
Kent,
I will check on that.
Carl
It's funny because The Bucks didn't particularly like the psychedelic interlude producer James Guercio snuck in on their hit single without their knowledge ... but that's the way radio played it and that's the way we heard it and grew to love it ... and, if you bought the 45, that's the version that you got ... so I'm just hoping that this "error in judgement" had finally been corrected, making this new release the DEFINITIVE Buckinghams singles collection. (kk)
Thank you for posting the Davie Allan And The Arrows tune "Blues' Theme". It will always be my favorite instrumental. It sounds as good now as it did then. The song is a "verb"eration!
I've been quiet and waiting on this 1967 chart maker to be mentioned.
Davie Allan has a new download musical offering that can be accessed by visiting www.davieallan.com which showcases a teen girl singer named Paige Mills!
Thanks for always being a great Davie Allan fan and featuring his posts and doing wonderful things that only you do.
https://m.youtube.com/?reload=7&rdm=2jytwd4yz#/watch?v=3WPnXAHxNjw
The mix of "Blues' Theme" we featured the other day is a FH Exclusive mix, heretofore unavailable. (My hope was that Mike Curb might consider using this mix on some type of commemorative album celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Davie Allan's hit ... but since that no longer seems likely, we decided to run it here so fans can enjoy this new, crystal-clear stereo mix.)
I'm no technician but the method of creating this mix was explained to me this way:
For the creation of this brand new stereo version, the song was taken apart with "Spectral Editing," which allows you to remove various parts of a song and then remix the song into stereo.
All I know is that when Davie Allan heard it, he was blown away by the new mix, and he, too, tried to persuade Curb find some type of home for its release. (I know it's only May so who knows ... maybe we'll get some good news over the next several months!) kk
