Thursday This And That

On Tuesday, we told you that Me-TV-FM would be celebrating the 59th Anniversary of the release of Herb Alpert's landmark "Whipped Cream And Other Delights" album throughout the day on Wednesday, the 15th.

But AFTER we ran the promo (it was just too tasty to resist!) we did our usual fact-checking follow-up, only to find that, according to all of the reliable sources we checked, the LP was actually released on April 1st, 1965 ... some six weeks earlier.  

We didn't want to spoil their fun yesterday, so we just let it go ... let Me-TV-FM have their preplanned (but unusual) celebration ... (59 years?!?!  Who celebrates a 59th Year Anniversary?!?!?)  Besides, we had already had Shelley's 67th Peter Noone concert review scheduled to run anyway ... 

But in the spirit of our pledge to always present THE MOST ACCURATE TRUTH POSSIBLE, I felt it my duty to point this out here.

Where they came up with May 15th is beyond me ... a simple check showed April 1st again and again and again as the LP's original release date.  

But then I reread their announcement ... and the anniversary was of the date the album first hit the charts ... and NOT the original release date ... and May 15th, 1965 is, INDEED, the correct anniversary date for that, rendering EVERYTHING I just typed completely useless information.  (It also makes the error MINE and not theirs ... which means I just as easily could have deleted every word typed thus far and everyone out there would have been none the wiser ... and yet I drivel on!)

That's because I know that there are some cynics out there who will argue that the ONLY reason I mentioned any of this at all was to formulate an excuse to run that cover photo again.

Some, in fact, have suggested that I have thoroughly abused the power of Forgotten Hits, running it again and again and again over the years ...

To which I, of course, reply,  

Album cover???  What album cover???

Oh ... THIS album cover!!!

(OK ... there may be something to this obsession after all!)  kk

Cher has FINALLY commented on being inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

After blasting the organization late last year on Kelly Clarkson’s show, stating (after acknowledging the fact that she and The Rolling Stones are the ONLY two acts in history to have #1 Records in SEVEN DECADES), “You know what, I wouldn't be in it now if they gave me a million dollars. I'm not kidding you, I'm never gonna change my mind. They can just go you-know-what themselves."

But now that Cher has been duly recognized for her contribution to The History Of Rock And Roll over those seven decades, she has since relented and says that she WILL accept the induction (as her due) … but not without a few choice words first as part of her acceptance speech!

“I'm going to have some words to say. I'm going to accept it in my Cher way, as me.  I can thank David Geffen, my friend and most wonderful person ever, and John Sykes."  (kk)

 

And, speaking of The Rolling Stones, the band had a few more set list surprises when they performed in Las Vegas last week …

Making the cut this time were “Let’s Spend The Night Together,” their cover of Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” (a song they have played intermittently throughout the years, this night introduced as "We didn't write this song … this was specially written for us by a Nobel Prize laureate"), “You Got Me Rocking” (the fan-voted choice) and “You Got The Silver,” giving Keith Richards back-to-back lead vocals on this one and the regular set list favorite, “Little T&A.”

When they played in Seattle last night, the only new "add" was "Wild Horses," the first time they have played that classic on this tour.

I guess you just never know which tunes you may hear when you see The Stones in concert this time around!  (kk)

Harvey Kubernik sent us this … and told us to “Remember Donovan’s Birthday,” which was last Friday (May 10^th) … Mr. Leitch turned 78.

You can read Harvey’s tribute here:  https://www.musicconnection.com/kubernik-happy-birthday-donovan/

I just came across some really cool items ... and, for Beatles and Beach Boys fans, these are quite incredible.

 

First, this really great stereo mix of Good Vibes that I thought was VERY good -- check headphones and speakers BOTH!

The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations (Stereo Remix) [AI]

THEN some amazing apparently recently auctioned off home movies made by audience members of the Beatles at Ready Steady Go and other items.  VERY cool to see and not AI generated.  This guy has managed to synch up the live audio also.  SO cool to see these.  All posted in past month and more seem to be coming!

https://www.youtube.com/@adambound7284/videos

And anyone into the Cryan' Shames, I just saw this interview with JC Hooke that is fun.  It's already been on youtube for two years!

JIM PILSTER - Percussionist (The Cryan' Shames)

Finally, this great tribute to one of my top 2 or 3 artists ever just showed up on youtube.  I miss the guy greatly, but his music will always live on.  Go ahead and sing along!

Emitt Rhodes 5 Song Instrument tracks from first album

 

Clark Besch 

 

From Chuck Buell (under the caption "Time Is Money, Apparently!") ...

 

Sylvester Stallone is auctioning off 11 watches from his personal collection at a Sotheby’s sale in New York early next month.

 

Among his watches is a rare Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which is expected to fetch as much as $5 million.

 

Stallone with his Watch

Is it just me or do you too think this watch has the Saddest Watch Face ever?!

 

Perhaps representing the buyer when they realize they just paid FIVE MILLION DOLLARS . . . for a watch!

CB ( which stands for “Clock Boy!” )

Shelley's Latest Concert Review (you'll never believe who it is!)

Musical groups cannot stay together forever. Sometimes they part company on differences, sometimes due to deaths, and there are times when it is just the right time to move on to something new or different. The rumble between Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman and the faux Guess Who edges the boundaries of the Truth in Music laws. I suspect that the name of the last original member has been kept on the roster, allowing them to continue to advertise as The Guess Who.

What about lead singers who move on when the group still wants to perform under the current name? And of course, if a lead singer passes away, it creates an absence that may be very difficult to fill and still sync with the recorded releases.

This subject can go on infineum, but I bring it up only because I am attending two such concerts this weekend.

 

The first one, the lead singer moved on and then reestablished a new band under the original name, and the second concert where the lead singer passed away in 2010 and the band has added a new lead. 

 

Friday, I hop aboard (more like drive aboard) the Bridgeport/Port Jefferson ferry to then drive to Riverhead, NY to The Suffolk Theatre for a “Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone” concert. It was bad weather, but apparently, I have sea legs, so although the choppy ride was not enjoyed, it did no damage. 

 

As expected, it was a wonderful concert. Guitarist, Vance Brescia is from Long Island so the "local boy done good" received much audience support and thoroughly enjoyed his time on stage. Jokes about respiratory medication that was behind a monitor flew around at one point, prompting Peter to ask Vance if he was ok to do his kick dance during 'Just a Little Bit Better.'  Vance took over the punch line after his parade across the stage to grab an inhaler from the floor and use, or appear to use, it much to the banned's and audience's delight. 

 

A surprise to me at this concert were the number of male fans who did not seem to have been dragged to the concert by their wives or partners. They expressed their enjoyment enthusiastically, with one gentleman jumping up in the aisle continuously to dance WILDLY. As a dancer, I was thinking, "I'm not sure I could do that anymore ... or if I did, I would need a few days recovery. He wore a cap that said DANCE, so it really wasn't his fault. It may have contained itching powder. 

 

There were solos and recognitions of each banned member:  Billy Sullivan on guitar, Vance Brescia on guitar, Dave Ferrara on drums, Rich Spina on keyboards. Peter came into the audience to sing several songs as he covered his daily "step" requirement. Vance threw T-Shirts to the balcony, making the target on the fourth try. He really has a great arm!

 

I passed out glowsticks to the three women near me. They had offered me a stick of gum and a section of their huge pretzel, neither of which I accepted, but it started a conversation. Two women were mother and daughter who were here together to celebrate Mothers' Day. The mother in question repeatedly thanked her daughter for thinking of her and this event. Keep it in mind, everyone! Concerts make good gifts.

 

I will add the set list as it has become tradition here …

 

Something Good

Wonderful World

Love Potion #9

Dandy

A Must to Avoid

Ring of Fire

Daydream Believer

All My Lovin'

Just a Little Bit Better

Silhouettes

Listen People

Doo Wah Diddy

RIVERHEAD (sung to tune of Barbara Ann)

Ferry Across CT (how about that?)

Leanin' on a Lamppost

No Milk Today

End of the World

Sea Cruise

Where Were You When I Needed You

Bus Stop

I'll Never Dance Again

Benny and the Jets

I'm a Man M*A*N

Start Me Up

Can't You Hear My Heartbeat

Mrs. Brown

Henry VIII

A Kind of Hush

 

Many Herman's Hermits songs and other 60s songs slipped in. And yes! I know I spelled band, b a n n e d. That is the way Peter spells it when referring to them in print. Have they ever been banned? That is for the history books, but no, not in the present incarnation. 

 

A much better ferry ride home to watch The Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday night. Whereas, HHSPN has an original lead singer and a new band, The Brooklyn Bridge has original band members, newer band members and a new lead singer. 

 

Although The Brooklyn Bridge was founded in March of 1968, it was a collection and merger of other groups who had been successful in the recording business. Johnny Maestro and the Crests were a group that developed from others. The Del-Satins began backing Dion and had several hits with him. Fred and Tom Ferrara from the Del-Satins joined Johnny Maestro with Joe Ruvio and Jim Rosica and became The Brooklyn Bridge - ultimately becoming Johnny Maestro and The Brooklyn Bridge. The band had accumulated so many people that it was an eleven piece set. That prompted their manager to say "Booking this group is going to be like booking The Brooklyn Bridge." OK! We got a name! The Bridge then went down to five pieces and back up to eight. Sounds like a revolving door, but through it all there was music. Hit music at that.

 

Tonight, we get to hear music from original members Joe Ruvio and Jim Rosica, as well as newer members, John Williams, Mike Ernst, Lou Agiesta, Joe Esposito, and Marty D'Amico. They continue to sing to honor the songs that might not otherwise be heard and to honor three members who have passed: Johnny Maestro, Fred Ferrara, and Les Cauchi.

 

Much to my surprise, as I sit down, I hear "Does anyone know if Johnny Maestro is going to appear tonight?" Golly, I hope not. I have to take deep breaths and realize that not everyone keeps up with the music industry. Time goes by but it remains the same for us in our memories. Joe Esposito, who is the lead singer turned down the initial request to join The Brooklyn Bridge as his thought was that there was no way he could replace Johnny Maestro. Then, like my thought process, he realized that the only way to continue to hear the songs was to have them performed. He has a similar voice and quality to Johnny and thankfully so, as these songs require F major key range.

 

River Deep Mountain High

Never Let You Go

Blessed is the Rain - Their second song released

Pretty Little Angel - written by Johnny Maestro

I'm Losing You - Motown cover

 Peace of Mind - sung acapella

 

In 1960, Dion left The Belmonts and used The Del-Satins as his backing band. To honor the hits that Fred and Tom Ferrara and Les Cauchi had as The Del-Satins, they sing the following songs:

 

Ruby Baby

Runaway Sue - A rise came out of the audience when they hit the AHHHHHHHHHH part and we took over almost professionally gaining volume and going up the scale perfectly. The Brooklyn Bridge stopped playing and just let us handle it. I was never prouder of audience knowledge.

The Wanderer

 

And then …

The Angels Listen In

Step By Step

16 Candles

(These were songs from Johnny Maestro and The Crests)

 

In 1955, Al Hibbler sang the controversial "prison" song, Unchained Melody.  Johnny Maestro and The Righteous Brothers re-recorded it in the '60s. Now Joe Esposito has to follow all their performances. FANTASTIC, JOE!

 

After a brief intermission, they return. They start with a couple of songs from The Temptations ... The Brooklyn Bridge enjoyed covering  Motown hits.

All I Need

Ready Willing and Able

 

My Juanita

Lonely Tear Drops – the Jackie Wilson song

My Prayer - a great hit from The Platters

Welcome Me Love - flip side of Blessed is the Rain.  Jim Rosica says that that they sold exactly the same number of records ... for those of us who are into coincidence. Joe Esposito responded, "Are you alright? Did you forget your medication?" I was already rofl.

 

Ain't That Peculiar from Marvin Gaye

Sweetest One - the flip side of My Juanita. (Bet they sold exactly the same number of records too)

Calling all Angels

Your Husband, My Wife - the 1969 controversial song that was pulled from radio stations at the same time that Led Zeppelin was singing, "I want to give you every inch of my love". I considered it a tragic love song and bought the 45.

Mustang Sally

AND FINALLY ... THE BIGGIE: Worst That Could Happen.

I also considered this a tragic love song, and since the two songs were the ones I remembered best, I considered The Brooklyn Bridge performers of beautiful harmonic tragic love songs.

 

There is no doubt I prefer to hear the originally recorded lead singer in live concert, but I can enjoy tribute bands, bands singing covers, and bands that continue on when their lead singer is unable or unwilling to perform. AS LONG AS THEY ARE HONEST ABOUT IT! 

 

A wonderful Mothers' Day weekend for someone who is musically inclined.

Because you know, a day without music is like ... just kidding ... I have no idea!

 

Shelley J Sweet-Tufano

NE Correspondent 

Forgotten Hits