Today In Oldies 9/30/2010

If it's Oldies news, you'll get it first at Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2

• Michael Jackson-related lawsuit #1,738
• Jerry Lee Lewis waxes nostalgic at 75
• A new documentary covers the biggest star in the world's time in the Big Apple
• How does Neil Diamond feel about his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination? 

Where In The World Is..........Bill Withers?

Born in 1938 in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, Bill Withers' original ticket out of small town life was enlisting in the Navy after high school.  Following his discharge in 1965, he went straight from the ship to Los Angeles to pursue a music career. 

Once he made it to La-La Land, his Naval training as an aircraft mechanic served him well as a day job, where he paid for his own demos and shopped them around town while performing in clubs by night.  By 1970, he landed a recording deal with Sussex Records.  Bill Withers might be one of the most sensible musicians in history, refusing to quit his day job even after he had his first smash hit, "Ain't No Sunshine", in 1971, because he found the music business to be fickle and he was still unpolished compared to other acts. 

Success came immediately with the release of Withers' first album, "Just As I Am", in 1971.  Recorded in just 9 hours (and featuring Stephen Stills on guitar), it generated a huge hit single.  "Ain't No Sunshine" hit #3 on the pop singles chart, sold over a million copies, and won a Grammy for Best R&B song in 1972.  The hits continued with the next album, "Still Bill", with "Lean On Me" topping the pop charts in 1972 and "Use Me" hitting #2. 

A legal battle with Sussex Records kept Withers from recording and maintaining his chart momentum, and in 1975 he signed with Columbia Records.  Several albums and a few more modest hits followed, including "Lovely Day" and a smash collaboration with Grover Washington, Jr., "Just The Two Of Us", in 1980.  Wisely, he also controlled all the publishing rights to the songs he wrote, making him financially secure above and beyond what he made as a performer. 

Upon the completion of his contract with Columbia in 1985, Bill Withers walked away from recording and live performing.  For the most part, he has retired from the business aside from his publishing interests and occasionally writing songs for other performers, most notably Jimmy Buffett on his 2004 album "License To Chill".  He currently resides in Los Angeles.  His legacy over his 15 years of performing and recording is vast.  It includes membership in the Grammy Hall of Fame (twice), Songwriters' Hall of Fame, and West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.  He has won 3 Grammy Awards as well as NAACP Image and Soul Train Awards.  His 2 children, Todd and Kori, followed their father into the "business" side of the music business and are involved with his publishing company. 

Let's revisit Bill Withers' run at the top.  From a 1973 BBC performance.........

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

What Oscar winning actor can be seen briefly in the music video for Madonna's 1987 hit "La Isla Bonita"?

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment here with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

What unlikely collaborator played guitar on the Monkees' 1969 song "Tear Drop City"?

Answer: Neil Young

 

 

 

Today In Oldies 9/29/2010

Oldies news when you need it......from Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2

• The list of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is out.......and as usual, there's controversy
• Rolling Stone has a complete rundown of all the celebrations of what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday October 9th
• You never know when a major music superstar might show up in your engagement photos!
• Aretha Franklin speaks out for the first time about her son's attack
• As many times as Rod Stewart has been married, you'd think he'd just stick to T-shirt and shorts by now

Where In The World Is........Juice Newton?

Born Judith Kay Newton in 1952 in Lakehurst, New Jersey, Juice Newton rode the great country crossover wave inspired by the movie Urban Cowboy to huge success across the U.S. Pop, Country, and Adult Contemporary charts in the early 80's.  She amassed 14 Top 10 hits across those charts, and has sold 10 million records worldwide to date. 

Juice Newton's first taste of the music business came shortly after high school in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  She formed a band called Juice Newton and Silver Spur that signed with RCA Records.  With only one minor hit under their belt, they moved to Capitol Records in 1977.  By 1978, Juice broke free and went solo (although her backup band was still known as Silver Spur through 1982).  Her debut solo album was strictly a rock and roll affair, and it flopped, with no hit singles to speak of.  Her second album, 1979's "Take Heart", produced several modest Country hits, but pop success continued to elude her. 

Her third solo album, 1981's "Juice", finally hit pop paydirt.  Top 10 hits came with a cover of Merilee Rush's "Angel Of The Morning", "Queen of Hearts", and a remake of one Silver Spur's early album cuts, "The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)".  All three songs were even bigger hits on the Country and Adult Contemporary charts.  Her follow up album, "Quiet Lies", produced several more pop hits in 1982, including "Break It To Me Gently" and "Love's Been A Little Bit Hard On Me".  Newton was also one of the only female artists to receive Grammy nominations for both Best Pop Female Vocalist and Best Country Female Vocalist, scoring back to back nominations in both categories in 1982 and 1983 and a win for Best Country Female Vocalist in 1982.  She also became an international star during that period, winning "Top International Country Artist" in Australia. 

The end of her association with Captiol Records also brought an end to Juice Newton's pop success.  She re-signed with RCA in 1984, and the powers that be decided to market her primarily as a Country artist.  Her reign on the Country charts lasted throughout the 80's.  After being dropped by RCA in 1989, she dropped out of the music scene and devoted her time to her family in San Diego, California. 

Juice Newton periodically re-emerges with an album, and still does live performances on occasion.  Next month, she is set to release an album of collaborations with artists such as The Pointer Sisters, Dan Seals, Glen Campbell, Melissa Manchester, Eddie Money, Willie Nelson, and Frankie Valli.  Entitled "Duets: Friends & Memories", you can find it in stores and online October 26, 2010. You can also discover more about Juice Newton's modern day efforts on her official website or her MySpace page. 

From an appearance on The Nashville Network in the 80's, Juice Newton now dispenses advice for degenerate gamblers......

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

What unlikely collaborator played guitar on the Monkees' 1969 song "Tear Drop City"?

Check back @ Everything Oldies tomorrow for the answer, and leave a Comment here with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Country superstar Vince Gill was once asked to join which rock band in the early 90's?

Answer: Dire Straits

Today In Oldies 9/28/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2........all the Oldies news that's available to link to (yes, we ended a sentence w/ a preposition.  Sue us!)

• Aretha Franklin cancels a show following the attack on her son last week 
• Who's getting left behind when Conan O' Brien moves his show to TBS in November?
• A familiar name (and face) is back atop the British album charts
• A Rolling Stone flies solo in record stores today!

Where In The World Is.......Rocky Burnette? 

Rocky Burnette was born into rock n' roll royalty, the son of rock pioneer Johnny Burnette.  While his run on the charts was a short one, his pedigree has connected him with some of the most talented artists in the music business! 

With his father being one of the kings of rockabilly, it stood to reason that Rocky Burnette would gravitate toward that genre.  As it began to re-emerge in the early 80's, Rocky was at the forefront along with The Stray Cats, Dave Edmunds, and Nick Lowe.  Appropriately, his debut album on EMI Records in 1980 was entitled "Son of Rock N' Roll", and it brought him his one and only Top 10 hit in the U.S that was also an international success.  "Tired Of Toein' The Line" hit #10 in 1980 and hit #1 in Australia.  It appeared Rocky Burnette was ready to follow in his father's footsteps.  

Unfortunately, financial problems at EMI Records saw promotion for follow up singles and his second album for the label, "Heart Stopper", come to a screeching halt, although several of the songs were hits in other countries.  By 1981 he had hit the road with the final incarnation of his late father's Rock N' Roll Trio. 

Since his one moment of chart and radio glory, Rocky Burnette has continued to write, record, and tour extensively, working with the likes of Dwight Twilley and Rosie Flores.  He has also dabbled in acting, appearing in the 1994 film Saturday Night Special, starring his cousin Billy Burnette (ex-Fleetwood Mac, currently a member of John Fogerty's studio and touring band).  In 1997, he wrote a huge European hit for Percy Sledge, "You Got Away With Love". 

Before we let Rocky Burnette slip into oblivion once again, let's toe the line with him in spite of how tired we might be.......

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Country superstar Vince Gill was once asked to join which rock band in the early 90's?

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

What was the official reason for Jimi Hendrix's discharge from the U.S. Army?

Answer: Years before "don't ask, don't tell", a discharge from the Army could be brought about by................."homosexual tendencies". 

Today In Oldies 9/27/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2.....back for another week with all that is Oldies!

• American artists aren't the only ones upset about politicians using their songs without their permission!
• A 50's pop legend (who loved a few of the ladies in his day) has died
• The Doobie Brothers don't need no stinking major record label! 
• The ultimate "tribute act" reunites over the weekend
• Presidents aren't the only ones who get their own libraries
• Does this list of the Top 10 Phil Collins Songs match yours? 

Where In The World Are..........The Cowsills?

The Cowsills preceded The Osmonds as pop's first clean cut family act in the late 60's.  Alas, like many other child stars before and after them, their story reads more like a "Behind The Music" episode.  Normally, we do the heavy lifting on these stories, but today, Spinner.com has done the work for us.  Read the story of The Cowsills, along with what they're up to these days, by clicking here. 

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

What was the official reason for Jimi Hendrix's discharge from the U.S. Army?

Check back @ Everything Oldies tomorrow for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess! 

Friday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Two members of Cyndi Lauper's band were later the founding members of what 80's band?

Answer: The Hooters, who in their heyday played Live Aid in Philadelphia and had 2 big MTV hits including this one.........

Today In Oldies 9/24/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Everything Oldies.........with the most Oldies news allowed by law!

• There's always one fan who just can't seem to wait for the next "meet and greet" and just HAS to stalk......
• Well, at least it lasted longer than most famous people marriages
• Our generation's artists are still packin' 'em in in concert!
• Who's following in the footsteps of Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, Phil Collins, etc. with a covers album?
• Whose life will soon be celebrated on the Broadway stage?  

Where In The World Is.......Marilyn Martin? 

In the 80's, the easiest way to insure your song or album would be a hit was to somehow have Phil Collins associated with it.  The man was omnipresent throughout the decade.  If he wasn't playing drums and singing lead for Genesis, he was making solo albums.  If he wasn't making solo albums, he was playing collaborating with other artists.  If he wasn't collaborating with other artists, he was acting.  If he wasn't acting, he was contributing songs to movie soundtracks.  Enter Marilyn Martin. 

Martin was born in Tennessee but raised in Louisville, Kentucky.  Her first taste of notoriety in the music business came as a backup singer both in the studio with the likes of Tom Petty, Don Henley, and Kenny Loggins and on the road with Stevie Nicks and Joe Walsh.  The head of Atlantic Records, Stevie Nicks' label at the time, was impressed with her work.  He signed her to a two album deal, but to introduce her to the world ahead of that, he teamed her up with Phil Collins for a song that would appear on the soundtrack of White Nights, starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gregory Hines.  Written by Stephen Bishop, "Separate Lives" was a smash, hitting #1 in 1985.  Marilyn Martin had arrived! 

Unfortunately, having a chart topping duet didn't guarantee solo success for Marilyn Martin.  She did hit the Top 40 once more, as "Night Moves" from her self-titled debut album peaked at #28 shortly after "Separate Lives" in January 1986.  Her second album didn't produce a hit, and she was subsequently dropped by Atlantic Records.  She went back to the world of background singers, where she continued in the music business into the 90's. 

Today, Marilyn Martin is pretty far removed from the music business.  She is currently selling real estate in Nashville, Tennessee.  If you're in the market for the home of your dreams in that area, you can find out more on her professional web page. 

For one brief shining moment in 1985, Marilyn Martin had no idea she'd be discussing "curb appeal" a mere 10 years later........

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Two members of Cyndi Lauper's band were later the founding members of what 80's band?

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Members of what professional (American) football team provided backup vocals on Huey Lewis & The News's 1986 hit, "Hip To Be Square"?

Answer: Before they backed up Huey Lewis & The News, Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott were winning Super Bowls as members of the San Francisco 49'ers. 

Today In Oldies 9/23/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2......giving you news about your favorites from yesterday TODAY! 

• What would John Lennon think if he were alive today in the Information Age?  Yoko Ono takes her best shot at answering that question....
• If you're a Rolling Stone and you have art to display, where would you choose to exhibit it?  Youngstown, Ohio, of course!
• The man who begged us to "Rock On" walks on......down the aisle......for the 3rd time.    
• To celebrate John Lennon's 70th birthday, Gibson guitars will try and make ridiculous amounts of money off his name (kinda like his widow!)
• Relive the good times with a list of 10 TV Theme Songs That Became Hits

Where In The World Is........Dr. Hook? 

Originally known as Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, Dr. Hook were consistent hitmakers throughout the 70's and the only band to make the cover of Rolling Stone by doing a song practically begging for it.  The band's lineup was a revolving door in its heyday, but the founding members were Ray Sawyer, Dennis Locorriere, Billy Francis, and George Cummings.  Ray Sawyer eventually emerged as the leader of the group and was mistakenly considered "Dr. Hook" because he wore an eye patch (the result of a near fatal car accident in Oregon). Many of their early songs were written by children's author Shel Silverstein. 

The band formed in 1969 in Union City, New Jersey.  By 1970, they were on their way to the big time.  Discovered by Ron Haffkine, a musical director for feature film soundtracks, two of their songs were chosen for the soundtrack of Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? starring Dustin Hoffman.  That secured their first record deal with CBS Records. 

The hits started coming with their debut album.  "Sylvia's Mother" provided Dr. Hook with their first Top 10 single in 1972.  A long string of hits followed, including one rather tongue-in-cheek song about getting on the cover of music's biggest magazine that landed them on that cover.  "Cover of the Rolling Stone" was a Shel Silverstein song poking fun at an artist having "arrived" when they were on the cover of Rolling Stone.  It became Dr. Hook's second Top 10 hit, and as a result, they graced the cover of the March 29, 1973 issue of Rolling Stone. 

The hits continued throughout the 70's, including "A Little Bit More", "Sexy Eyes", "Sharing The Night Together", "When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman", and "Only Sixteen".  While the band had a great run on the singles chart and toured constantly, their albums never sold particularly well, with their biggest, 1972's "Sloppy Seconds", peaking at #41. 

Ray Sawyer left Dr. Hook in 1983, and the band was done by 1987.  Sawyer continues to tour using the Dr. Hook name as "Dr. Hook featuring Ray 'Eye Patch' Sawyer".  Dennis Locorriere also plays select shows as the "Voice of Dr. Hook".  In 2007, he hit the road behind a Dr. Hook greatest hits collection with the "Dennis Locorriere Celebrates Dr. Hook Hits and History Tour".  He has also played shows as a member of former Rolling Stone bassist Bill Wyman's band, the Rhythm Kings.  The rest of the founding members are still making music today as well. 

And now, the song that helped them "arrive" in the music business..........

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Members of what professional (American) football team provided backup vocals on Huey Lewis & The News's 1986 hit, "Hip To Be Square"?

Check back tomorrow at Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Despite selling 32 1/2 million albums in the U.S., selling out stadiums and arenas across the country, and having 2 #1 American singles, Queen performed on American television only once.  On what show did they appear?

Answer: Queen was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live, Sept. 25, 1982 

 

Today In Oldies 9/22/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2......we've got you covered on all things Oldies!

• If you're a Deadhead with $4 million lying around the house, you've probably dreamed of an opportunity like this
• A reality TV "star" gets an autograph from an actual star.....and swears none of it was staged for TV
• If you want to catch Cher in Vegas, you better hurry!
• Aretha Franklin's son is beaten in Detroit

Where In The World Is.........Archie Bell? 

Archie Bell could be considered something of a musical vagabond.  Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Bell and his group, The Drells, gained their initial following in Houston.  By the time they broke nationwide, he was serving in the Army stationed in Vietnam.  After their initial success with "Tighten Up" in 1968, they became mainstays of the "Philadelphia soul" scene, recording for Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff's legendary Philadelphia International record label. 

Archie Bell & The Drells (James Wise, Willie Parnell, and Billy Butler) formed in Houston in 1966.  Signed initially to a local record label, the group recorded the song that would become their signature hit and the "summer song" of 1968.  "Tighten Up" was initially considered a throwaway song by the group's promoter, showing up as a B-side for their first single.  Eventually, fans and other record label heads convinced the promoter the B-side would be their gravy train.  Turns out they were right.  Originally a huge regional hit, "Tighten Up" began to pick up steam and became a national hit in the summer of 1968, with Atlantic Records picking up distribution of the song.  It topped both the U.S. R&B and Pop charts, but by the time it broke coast-to-coast, Archie Bell had received his draft card and was serving in the Army in Germany.  In a 2004 interview, he revealed that capitalizing on the success of "Tighten Up" was difficult for several reasons.  He was only able to gain a series of three day weekend passes from the military, allowing him only enough time to record new material.  On top of that, numerous knockoff groups claiming to be Archie Bell & The Drells began to tour on the strength of "Tighten Up", making the money on the concert circuit that the real group could not.  Ultimately, the Army relented and allowed Bell to tour with The Drells in 1969 and eventually granted him an honorable discharge. 

While "Tighten Up" would be the only major Pop hit for Archie Bell & The Drells, they eventually moved to Philadelphia and continued to be a force on the R&B charts recording for Philadelphia International Records.  By the late 70's, however, the hits had stopped completely, and the group broke up in 1980. Archie Bell released one solo album in 1981 and re-formed a new group of Drells, and they're still recording actively and playing about 100 concerts a year.  He has also written a book, a regular newspaper column, and has become a black belt in Kung Fu.  You can find out more about Archie Bell and The Drells on their MySpace page.

Now for the dance sensation that swept the nation in the summer of '68...........

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Despite selling 32 1/2 million albums in the U.S., selling out stadiums and arenas across the country, and having 2 #1 American singles, Queen performed on American television only once.  On what show did they appear? 

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!

Tina Turner had a memorable role as the Acid Queen in the film version of The Who's rock opera "Tommy", but she wasn't the first choice for the part.  Who was the original choice to play the role?

Answer: David Bowie (not surprising when you consider he was smack in the middle of the whole "gender bending" thing at the time)

Today In Oldies 9/21/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2.......your gateway to the world of Oldies

• A man whose name inspired a legendary Southern rock band has died
• Why did Mark David Chapman kill John Lennon?  We finally get the answer straight from the source! (and take a look at the other celebs he planned to take out)
• Coming soon to a PC or iPad near you........the tenth planet in our solar system........it moonwalks and takes Webster to awards shows!
• Ray Charles.....musical and music business genius!
• Why was Stevie Wonder addressing the United Nations?  
• USA Today fills us in on new album releases from now until the end of the year......with some very familiar names among them.

Where In The World Is.........Robbie Dupree?

Robbie Dupree's love affair with music began on the street corners of his hometown of Brooklyn, New York.  He developed a love for R&B that would eventually connect him with a music legend and a run on the Billboard charts as a solo artist. 

Around 1970, Dupree had become established in the Greenwich Village music scene.  He joined a group called New World Rising.  One of his bandmates, Nile Rodgers, would eventually become a founding member of Chic and one of the most successful music producers of all-time.  He moved to Woodstock, New York in 1972, hooking up with several groups in the process but none that were anything near commercially successful.  In 1978, he finally decided to make a run as a solo artist, which is how he would finally achieve stardom on a national level. 

His self-titled debut album ("Robbie Dupree") produced 2 big hits in 1980.  "Steal Away" was the song that introduced Robbie Dupree beyond the state line of New York.  Bearing a striking similarity to The Doobie Brothers' smash "What A Fool Believes" from about a year earlier, it was a Top 10 hit in June 1980, peaking at #6.  According to Dupree's official website, the song has since been played on radio more than three million times!  The follow-up single, "Hot Rod Hearts", also became a Top 20 hit. 

After one more minor hit, 1981's "Brooklyn Girls", the days of massive radio airplay and records flying off the shelves were over for Robbie Dupree.  His career, however, was far from over.  He contributed a song called "Girls With Cars" to a compilation album of theme songs for wrestlers from the former World Wrestling Federation in 1985.  He also continued to record and tour regularly throughout the 80's and 90's.

These days, Robbie Dupree is probably as visible as he ever was in his chart heyday!  Earlier this year, he collaborated with former E Street Band member David Sancious on an album called "Time and Tide".  On May 21st of this year, he performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as part of a supergroup saluting the "Yacht Rock" sound that emerged from the West coast in the late 70's and early 80's.  "Steal Away" has also been featured prominently in two major motion pictures, MacGruber (based on Wil Forte's character from Saturday Night Live) and I Love You, Phillip Morris starring Jim Carrey.  Find out the latest happenings in the career of Robbie Dupree by visiting his official website. 

We don't normally condone stealing at Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2, but in the case below we're more than willing to make an exception.....

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Tina Turner had a memorable role as the Acid Queen in the film version of The Who's rock opera "Tommy", but she wasn't the first choice for the part.  Who was the original choice to play the role?

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Prior to his superstardom thanks to his role on General Hospital and a #1 song with "Jessie's Girl", Rick Springfield was the star of a Saturday morning cartoon series.  What was the name of that series?

Answer: Mission:Magic.  Although only 16 episodes of the show were produced, it ran for two seasons on ABC on Saturday mornings in the mid-70's.  Take a look at the intro for the show below........

Today In Oldies 9/20/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2.......with these urgent Oldies news bulletins

• If there isn't currently a Guinness record for 'Most (and Longest) Hair In A Recording Studio', there should be when the sessions for this album begin
• This has all the makings of the next great music biopic
• Since he hasn't had a hit in 25 years, it's a good thing Julian Lennon has a fall back plan
• If you're still bummed about missing out on that auction for John Lennon's toilet a few months back, you have a shot at the next best thing!
• If you were sitting on pins and needles waiting for the reissue of George Michael's Faith album, your wait just got a little longer
• But if you simply MUST have an album reissue, try this one

Where In The World Is...........M? 

While M was technically a band made up of session musicians that would go on to form the basis of 80's British hitmakers Level 42 ("Something About You", "Lessons In Love", etc.), the project was the brainchild of Robin Scott, whose musical resume is so diverse that the fact that his biggest commercial success was a song called "Pop Muzik" is rather ironic. 

Robin Scott was born in London in 1947.  His initial foray into music came as an attempt to become a folk troubador in the early 70's.  Other early projects included a multimedia BBC project called "The Voice", a Rocky Horror Picture Show-type musical, Heartaches and Teardrops, and winning a British talent contest (years before Simon Cowell made it fashionable).  He also had his own record label for a period and produced several artists in the punk rock and R&B genre. 

Most of Scott's collaborative efforts as an artist came in the progressive rock area.  In 1979, he formed M, a collaboration of some of his progressive rock colleagues.  The song he wrote more or less read as a resume covering his 25 years in the music business up to that point.  That resume became "Pop Muzik", and millions of record buyers and radio stations proved to be rather impressed with his credentials.  The song hit #1 on both sides of the Atlantic and secured a full album deal for M, resulting in the LP "New York - London - Paris - Munich", which also performed well on the U.S. and UK album charts. 

While the hits continued in Britain, M never had another American hit despite 2 more full albums in 1980 and 1982.  Robin Scott would go on to dabble in African world music throughout the 80's.  Today, he deals primarily in art and occasionally re-emerges to reinvent the "Pop Muzik" wheel.  To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the song, Union Square records released an album with 13 different remixes of "Pop Muzik".  It has also been remixed and covered numerous times, most notably as part of U2's "Popmart" concert tour in 1997. 

Find out more about Robin Scott at his official website by clicking here, and relive his approximately three and a half minutes of American fame directly below.........

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Prior to his superstardom thanks to his role on General Hospital and a #1 song with "Jessie's Girl", Rick Springfield was the star of a Saturday morning cartoon series.  What was the name of that series?

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the Answer, and leave a comment with your best guess!

Thursday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

What was the first song ever played on American Bandstand when it debuted on ABC on August 5, 1957?

Answer: Jerry Lee Lewis's "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On".  The Killer would later become one of the only performers to play LIVE on the show and not lip sync to a record. 

 

Today In Oldies 9/16/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2........letting out the Oldies newshounds.......

• Will Brad Pitt soon become a "Killer"?  
• If there's Jimi Hendrix music to be released posthumously in the name of capitalism.....his family WILL find it and get it out there!
• Check out this superb video documenting the history of the "Muscle Shoals Sound" (not too far from Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's World Headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama!)
• Bruce Springsteen discusses one of his landmark albums....and the movie about what it took to make it

Where In The World Is.......Chad & Jeremy?

The British folk duo of Chad Stuart (birth name.....David Stuart Chadwick) and Jeremy Clyde are one of the few British Invasion acts who had more success on the American side of the pond than they had in their homeland.  On top of their musical success here, they had become bona fide TV stars in the 60's with numerous guest appearances. 

Success came relatively quick for Chad & Jeremy, with their first single for Ember Records in the UK, "Yesterday's Gone", being their one and only British hit.  In spite of being "one and done" in England, their second single established them in America for good.  "A Summer Song" went Top 10 in the U.S. (peaking at #7).  Between 1964 and 1966, they charted a string of seven Top 40 hits.  At the same time, they became fixtures on American television, playing both themselves and other characters on a diverse roster of shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, Batman, Laredo, and The Patty Duke Show.  Jeremy Clyde appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game in 1966 (and won!).  Chad Stuart broke through on the big screen, voicing the character of Flaps the vulture in Disney's animated production of The Jungle Book. 

After their last 2 albums flopped in 1967 and 1968, Chad & Jeremy were rarely heard from individually or collectively.  They reunited in 1983 to record an album for a small U.S. label.  PBS reunited them again in 2003 for a TV special.  This time, what was to have been a one shot reunion led to a full blown tour, and they've been at it ever since.  A 2008 greatest hits CD release was a hit, and at the moment Chad & Jeremy are working on their first album of new material in more than 25 years, to be titled "Zanzibar Sunset".  Their official website shows a jam packed touring and TV appearance schedule.

From an appearance on National Public Radio in 2008.......

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

What was the first song ever played on American Bandstand when it debuted on ABC on August 5, 1957?

Check back @ Everything Oldies Monday (8/20/2010) for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Even after lifting the ban on playing rock & roll music in the 60's, the BBC has banned dozens of individual songs for a variety of reasons.  One of the most notable is The Kinks' classic "Lola", with the ban being lifted only after the band agreed to change a single word in the song.  Why was "Lola" originally banned by the BBC?

Answer: The BBC had a strict policy against what they considered to be "advertising" in songs.....which we now call "product placement".  A line in "Lola" went "Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like Coca-Cola".  The Kinks were not immune to the ban, and ultimately agreed to release a version of the song using the words "cherry cola" instead.  "Auntie Beeb" had no problem playing that version, and it just missed the top of the UK singles chart in 1970, hitting #2. 

 

Today In Oldies 9/15/2010

And now.....the latest news from the greatest hitmakers of all time at Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2

• Several true music heavyweights team up with one of music's hottest producers for a Fall tour!
• How would George Michael look in an orange jumpsuit behind gray bars?  He'll find out firsthand soon.......
• What are the odds of another Genesis reunion?  Phil Collins tells Billboard
• An all-star lineup will perform at a John Lennon tribute concert to commemorate his 70th birthday (and, thankfully, Yoko Ono is not a part of that lineup.......yet)  
• Two rock legends are hired to play the prom
  

Where In The World Is........Greg Kihn? 

Born July 10, 1949 in Baltimore, Maryland, Greg Kihn migrated across the country and emerged from the Bay Area (California) music scene in the late 70's.  As the leader of the Greg Kihn Band, he turned out 2 big early 80's hits and is better known since for ventures outside the music business. 

1981 proved to be the year the nation found out who The Greg Kihn Band was.  Kihn was a songwriter with a knack for using his unique surname as a play on words for his album titles.  Their debut album, "Rockihnroll" (get it?), brought them their first hit.  "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em Like That Anymore)" hit #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and even higher on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, where it was a Top 5 smash. 

1983's "Kihnspiracy" (get it?) provided The Greg Kihn Band with their apex.  "Jeopardy" was the answer, and the question would eventually become "What was the biggest hit for The Greg Kihn Band?"  Although they were generally considered a true rock band, "Jeopardy" would prove to be a pop and dance chart smash in Billboard.  In fact, it fared better on the Dance chart, hitting #1 in 1983, than on the Hot 100, where it peaked at #2 a month earlier.  A rather bizarre music video for the song also became an MTV staple at a time when the channel was becoming firmly established as a household name. 

As the hits stopped for his band, Greg Kihn became a prolific artist in other areas.  He can currently be heard as the morning radio personality at KUFX in San Jose, California.  He also does a syndicated nighttime radio program based at heard primarily on Rock stations across the country.  Kihn is also a successful horror novelist, having written four books including one (Horror Show) that has been nominated for the prestigious Bram Stoker Award.  His passion for writing also produced a collection entitled Carved In Rock: Short Stories by Musicians, featuring contributions by Pete Townshend, Ray Davies, and others.  The Greg Kihn Band is also still active, playing several annual festival shows around the Bay Area.  Find out more than you ever wanted to know about Greg Kihn on his official website. 

Here's The Greg Kihn Band's shining moment.  And remember, while you're streaming the YouTube clip for "Jeopardy", you must phrase all answers in the form of a question.........

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Even after lifting the ban on playing rock & roll music in the 60's, the BBC has banned dozens of individual songs for a variety of reasons.  One of the most notable is The Kinks' classic "Lola", with the ban being lifted only after the band agreed to change a single word in the song.  Why was "Lola" originally banned by the BBC?

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the Answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

One of many odd jobs Tom Jones had before becoming a music superstar was selling what door to door?

Answer: Vacuum cleaners......and no truth to the rumor that the women he visited threw their undergarments at him even then. 

 

Today In Oldies 9/14/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Everything Oldies......with the latest from the news desk.......

• Reunion fever seems to be reaching epidemic levels again......who's the latest to catch it?  
• A 70's cult classic movie suddenly has a few of its stars filled with "Glee" 
• What's easier to write about.....spinning webs or political unrest in Ireland?  A man who has covered both topics lets us know!
• He was born in England, currently resides in Switzerland, and once played gigs in London & Philadelphia on the same day.  Now he's an honorary citizen of Motown  
• Three Beatles have had sons follow them into music......now it's officially all (fab) four.  
• Look both ways before you cross Joey Dee & The Starliters Square! 
• Robert Plant says getting to "Whole Lotta Love" took a whole lotta luck

Where In The World Is........Mac Davis?

Mac Davis was one of the few artists in pop history to successfully conquer both the pop and country music charts, write dozens of successful songs (most notably for Elvis Presley late in his career), and have success as an actor in TV and feature films. 

Born in Lubbock, Texas in 1942, Mac Davis's first taste of the music business came as a staffer at Nancy Sinatra's Boots Enterprises, Inc.  He played on several of Sinatra's hits and began writing songs via Boots Enterprises' publishing division.  It was there that he wrote two songs that became Elvis classics, "In The Ghetto" and "Memories", and another that would become a posthumous Elvis hit more than 30 years later, "A Little Less Conversation". He also wrote several other hits for other artists, with his biggest being Gallery's "I Believe In Music".

Davis left Boots Enterprises for Columbia Records in 1970 to embark on a solo writing and recording career.  Success as a singer came quickly, with his biggest hit as a singer or songwriter, "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me", hitting #1 in 1972.  Several other pop hits followed throughout the 70's, including "Stop and Smell The Roses" in 1974 and "Rock N' Roll (I Gave You The Best Years of My Life)" in 1975.  In the 1970's, pop chart success could normally be parlayed into a weekly network prime time TV variety show, and Mac Davis moved into that world with The Mac Davis Show, which ran for two seasons on NBC. 

Country music has always provided a haven for artists whose pop chart star has faded, and by 1976 Mac Davis had crossed over to the Nashville side of the business.  A string of Country hits followed, including "It's Hard To Be Humble", "Texas In My Rearview Mirror", and "Hooked On Music".  His acting career began to take off as well, with starring roles in the hit feature film North Dallas Forty and Cheaper To Keep Her and numerous TV guest appearances.  In the late 80's, he also conquered Broadway starring in a production of "The Will Rogers Follies". 

Mac Davis's huge success as a singer and songwriter came to an end in the mid-80's, and since then he's focused primarily on acting appearances.  Accolades for his songwriting accomplishments have come in the past few years, with induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006 and the West Texas Hall of Fame (with a plaque directly beneath Buddy Holly).  Avenue Q in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas has also been renamed Mac Davis Lane. 

Today, Mac Davis claims the golf course as his "office".  He makes an occasional TV guest appearance and movie cameo, most notably King of the Hill, Rodney, 8 Simple Rules, and the straight-to-DVD feature Beer For My Horses starring Willie Nelson and Toby Keith. TMZ has a photo of Davis taken in June 2010 at an event in Los Angeles. 

When you've had the kind of career Mac Davis has had, it's hard to be humble.  From a 1980 appearance on The Muppet Show.......

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

One of many odd jobs Tom Jones had before becoming a music superstar was selling what door to door?  (While it would be funny if it were women's underwear, sadly, it isn't)

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment here with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Which member of The Rolling Stones released a 1974 solo record cleverly entitled "I've Got My Own Album To Do"?

Answer: Ron Wood, but the title actually has nothing to do with the Stones.  At the time, Ron was a member of The Faces, and the title was a not too subtle dig at lead singer Rod Stewart.  Wood felt Rod was more concerned with his solo records than being the Faces' frontman.  The album was an all-star affair, featuring contributions from future bandmates Mick Jagger & Keith Richards and George Harrison.   

 

 

Today In Oldies 9/13/2010

EXTRA! EXTRA!  Read all about the Oldies from Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2

• Isn't it amazing about the hundreds of songs record labels can mysteriously "find" and release after artists are dead? 
• Lou Reed says he's not the bad guy
• An R&B pioneer dies over the weekend
• John Oates (sans mustache)........bluegrass & folk artist extraodinaire?!?!?! 
• Nothing like a good list to stir up debate.....today we offer The 100 Worst Songs of All Time (***DISCLAIMER*** According to AOL Radio, NOT Golden Hits Radio OR GHR-2)

Where In The World Is........Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs? 

Domingo "Sam" Samudio was born in Dallas, Texas in 1937.  His interest in music began at a very young age, and following six years in the U.S. Navy, he began to pursue it as a career.  After forming and disbanding several groups in the early 60's, he found himself as leader of the house band at the Diplomat in Memphis, Tennessee in 1963.  It was that band, called "The Pharoahs", that would break nationwide.  By that time, Sam had developed his stage persona "Sam The Sham", wearing a camp turban and cape onstage and hauling his equipment in a Packard hearse with maroon velvet curtains.  The rest of the band consisted of David A. Martin, Ray Stinnett, Jerry Patterson, and Butch Gibson. 

After initially paying to record and press their own records to sell at gigs, Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs were signed to Memphis-based Pen Records in 1965.  Their first hit for the label remained their biggest.  "Wooly Bully" was one of only three songs in history to become Billboard's #1 Song of the Year without ever actually hitting #1 during its chart run.  The song sold 3 million copies and was an instant smash!  It has since been recognized as one of the "500 Songs That Helped Shape Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

A year later, the group of Pharoahs that helped make "Wooly Bully" a hit quit en masse over a financial dispute, leaving Sam The Sham to form a new group that kept the Pharoahs name.  This incarnation of Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs broke through with another huge hit, "Lil' Red Riding Hood", in 1966.  Like "Wooly Bully", it was also a Hot 100 bridesmaid, peaking at #2 and selling a million copies. 

After a few more novelty records which made little noise on the charts and an attempt to reinvent the act with a companion female group called the Shamettes, Sam The Sham disbanded the Pharoahs in the early 70's.  Sam Samudio went solo and found critical success with an album for Atlantic Records called "Sam, Hard and Heavy" featuring first rate musicians including Duane Allman, The Dixie Flyers, and the Memphis Horns.  The album also won a Grammy in 1972 for Best Album Notes. 

Today, Sam The Sham is primarily a motivational speaker and poet.  He still occasionally writes and performs music.  You can find out more on his official website by clicking here.

From many a 60's college frat party........watch it, now, watch it.......

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Which member of The Rolling Stones released a 1974 solo record cleverly entitled "I've Got My Own Album To Do"?

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!

Friday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Stevie Wonder originally wrote "Superstition" for which rock guitar hero (who also created the original drum beat for the song)?

Answer: Jeff Beck.  Proving that an artist's manager is worth every penny he or she makes most of the time, Stevie's manager insisted he keep it for himself.  Stevie instead wrote another song that Beck DID record, "'Cause We've Ended As Lovers", on his "Blow By Blow" album in 1975.  

 

 

Today In Oldies 9/10/2010

Golden Hits Radio & GHR-2's Everything Oldies.....stand by for Oldies news

• Who's rakin' in the bucks on the road this summer?  (Hint....you can hear 3 of the top 5 @ Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2!)
• Apparently they're still making music videos.  Who knew?  Bet there's no "Thriller" or "The Boys of Summer" in the current bunch. 
• Which rock legend is no fan of TV talent shows......or one of the people who became famous appearing on one? 
• Two classic Duran Duran albums are back and bigger than ever!

Where In The World Is......Charlene?

Throughout the history of pop music, very few songs get more than one shot at becoming a hit.  Upon the rare opportunity they do, it is often the result of a radio personality rescuing it from obscurity for various reasons.  Examples of this include UB40's version of "Red, Red Wine", "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak, and a song from the subject of today's "Where In The World Is......"? 

Charlene Marilynn D'Angelo (known as "Charlene") had already lived quite a life before she ever stepped into a recording studio, having been married at 16 and physically abused by her first husband.  In 1973, she was one of the few white artists signed to the legendary Motown Records.  Several singles and two albums for the label crashed and burned, with none of the singles going higher than #96 on the Billboard Hot 100.  One fateful day in 1982, five years after it had been left for dead, one of those singles would become a smash on both sides of the Atlantic thanks to the girlfriend of a morning DJ in Tampa, Florida. 

"I've Never Been To Me" was written by Ron Miller, and originally came from a male perspective.  He rewrote it for Charlene in 1976 as a song from the perspective of the female singer addressing a housewife wishing she could trade her mundane life for the exciting, nonstop life of the singer.  It became the final straw for Charlene's days as a Motown artist.  After it flopped on its first attempt in 1977, she was dropped from the label and had quit the music business altogether.  She had married again, moved to London, and was working in a candy store.  Meanwhile, in Tampa, Florida, Scott Shannon of WRBQ-FM (Q105) had a girlfriend who loved "I've Never Been To Me" and urged him to play it on his morning show.  Once he did, momentum spread nationwide and the long forgotten 1977 flop became an international hit in the summer of '82, hitting #3 in the U.S. and #1 in Britain.  

Just as quickly as Charlene became a star thanks to "I've Never Been To Me", she returned to musical obscurity.  Follow up attempts, including a duet with Stevie Wonder, were unsuccessful, and a planned stint as a regular entertainer in Las Vegas never materialized.  She escaped the music business once again and spent most of the 80's and 90's as a full time mother.  One hit wonders never really go away for good, however, and TV shows including The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, Will & Grace, and (appropriately) Desperate Housewives have kept "I've Never Been To Me" at the top of our minds.  They've also helped Charlene come out of musical hibernation and milk the cash cow once more, as she recorded a dance remix of the song in 2007. She continues to do occasional live appearances, but has no plans to record any new material at the moment. 

Being a one hit wonder can be a blessing and a curse, and the sweet of "I've Never Been To Me" becoming a giant hit must be swallowed along with the bitter of the song making several lists of the "Worst Songs of All Time" over the year.  We'll let you be the judge of that after you take a look at Charlene's appearance on Solid Gold in 1982.......

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Stevie Wonder originally wrote "Superstition" for which rock guitar hero (who also created the original drum beat for the song)? 

Come back to Everything Oldies Monday (9/13/2010) for the answer, and leave a Comment here with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

"Martha" in The Beatles' song "Martha My Dear" is named after what (or whom)?

Answer: Martha was the name of Paul McCartney's English sheepdog

 

 

Today In Oldies 9/9/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2.......your 24 hour Oldies news team!

• If you're Wayne Newton, where do you keep your private jet parked? 
• For those who find it impossible to believe Bob Marley's kids would be in possession of anything illegal....hope you're sitting down
• Will The Rolling Stones do one last tour in 2011?  One member drops a hint!
• Meanwhile, a Stone's ex-girlfriend tells us all what we pretty much already knew

Where In The World Is......Yvonne Elliman?

Yvonne Elliman first made a name for herself in the music world as a member of the traveling cast of Jesus Christ Superstar.  Before she ever broke through as a solo act, she had received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role as Mary Magdalene.  By 1974, she had scored her first solo hit with "I Don't Know How To Love Him" (which later became a bigger hit for Helen Reddy) and provided background vocals for an even bigger hit, Eric Clapton's #1 cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff".  This led to a tour with Clapton and a solo recording contract on his label at the time, RSO Records. In his autobiography, Clapton hints at a relationship with Elliman during that era. 

Her first two albums for RSO produced two Top 20 hits, "Love Me" (written by Bee Gees Barry and Robin Gibb) and a cover of Barbara Lewis's "Hello Stranger".  Her association with The Bee Gees and RSO Records would soon put her in pop music's upper echelon two years later.

The Bee Gees had Yvonne Elliman in mind as they were working on the soundtrack to the movie Saturday Night Fever, but the megahit she eventually had from that album was not the song originally written for her.  The Gibb brothers initially wanted her to record "How Deep Is Your Love", but RSO label president Robert Stigwood had other ideas.  He told The Bee Gees to keep that song for themselves and give Yvonne Elliman another song.  It really didn't matter, as both became #1 smashes in the U.S.!  "If I Can't Have You" was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, hitting #4 in the UK.  A cover version by Kim Wilde made the song a hit again in the UK in 1993. 

After a few more minor hits and some acting gigs to capitalize on the mania surrounding Saturday Night Fever (including a guest shot on Hawaii Five-O), Yvonne Elliman escaped the entertainment business completely.  Married to Bill Oakes, who worked with music and movie magnate Robert Stigwood, she devoted herself to her children full time and was rarely heard from other than radio airplay for "If I Can't Have You" as Disco began to re-emerge in the mid-90's. 

After that self-imposed exile of 25 years, Yvonne Elliman re-emerged on the music scene in 2004 with a new album entitled "Simple Needs".  She has remained busy ever since, continuing to tour the world with music festivals and concerts. You can find out more at her official website by clicking here.

If we can't have Yvonne Elliman at Everything Oldies RIGHT NOW, we don't want nobody, baby.  We're even willing to overlook her use of incorrect English in the song with a double negative :-)  From a very rare live (no lip syncing) performance on Top of the Pops in Britain circa 1978.....

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

"Martha" in The Beatles' song "Martha My Dear" is named after what (or whom)?

Check back @ Everything Oldies tomorrow for the answer, and leave a Comment here with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

In what can be considered a very early music video, Bob Dylan carries a total of 64 cue cards in the clip for "Subterranean Homesick Blues".  What word would you find on the very first one?

Answer: Basement

 

 

Today In Oldies 9/8/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2.....w/ music news that's fair and balanced.....

• The man whose song made a movie a box office blockbuster and Patrick Swayze a superstar is giving something back in Swayze's memory
• Add another prestigious honor to Paul McCartney's resume
• With Jerry Lee Lewis back in the game with a new album, there's talk of another movie based on his life.  Let's hope this one is more Walk The Line and less Great Balls of Fire. 
  
• Here's a new game you can play with your friends......who gets parole first......Charles Manson or John Lennon's assassin?
• Frankie Valli, Singer.....Philanthropist.....Plaintiff
• Here's something you don't see every day......a documentary about a random 1985 assault on a former member of the Guess Who at a 7-Eleven

Where In The World Is........Jewel Akens?

By the time Jewel Akens was old enough to pursue music as a career, his family had been well-traveled, helping him develop a love for multiple musical styles.  Born in Houston, Texas, his family moved to Los Angeles, California in the late 40's.  By the 50's, he became acquainted with Eddie Cochran's manager, Jerry Capehart, who signed him to an early record deal and even had Cochran play guitar on the sides he cut for Capeheart and Crest Records. 

A stint with Era Records brought Akens his one hit.  A nursery rhymish song written by label owner Herb Newman's son was sent to him, and "The Birds And The Bees" became a hit, reaching #3 in 1965.  It would be the one and only time Jewel Akens would taste the glory that is the Top 40. 

Jewel Akens' story has a happier ending than many one hit wonders.  He toured with a diverse roster of acts throughout four decades, including The Monkees, and continued to record albums covering a range of musical styles.  He also found success as a producer with "Super Taylors", a 1973 soul collaboration with brothers Ted Taylor and Little Johnny Taylor. 

Jewel Akens continues to perform actively today, and we have proof below........

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

In what can be considered a very early music video, Bob Dylan carries a total of 64 cue cards in the clip for "Subterranean Homesick Blues".  What word would you find on the very first one?

Check back tomorrow @ Everything Oldies for the answer, and leave a Comment here with your best guess!

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

Motown put together the "dream team" of Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye for a duets album, Diana & Marvin, in 1973.  The project was far from a labor of love for anyone involved, however, as most of the album was recorded with the artists in separate studios.  What was the reason for that?

Answer: The initial session for Diana & Marvin brought tension between the two principles involved from the start.  A very pregnant Diana Ross was unhappy that Marvin Gaye was smoking marijuana in the studio and complained to Motown president Berry Gordy about it.  Despite an attempt by Gordy to bring about some sort of peace, Gaye refused to stop smoking, and the rest of the album was recorded with the two artists doing their vocals in separate studios. 

Today In Oldies 9/7/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2.....with a nose for Oldies news

• USA Today shines the spotlight on The Killer
• One of the original members of Electric Light Orchestra has died......in rather bizarre fashion
• What do YOU think are the Top 10 songs by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons?  Compare it to this list!
• Yoko Ono visits her late husband's home in Liverpool.  Thankfully, she didn't sing (as far as we know). 
• Another music legend named Presley is in bad health
• Another Bee Gee is also in bad health.....sound familiar? 

Where In The World Is.......a-ha? 

With Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2 reaching listeners in 117 countries around the world, that question might seem rather ridiculous and easy to answer for our European listeners and readers, because aside from a brief hiatus in the mid-90's, a-ha has been one of the most consistent global hit makers in international chart history.  In 1991, they headlined the world renowned Rock In Rio festival in Brazil, where the crowd of 198,000 who turned out to see the band perform more than tripled the audience who turned out for the other headliners (which included George Michael, Prince, and Guns N' Roses).  In 2005, their performance at Live 8 in Berlin drew more than 200,000 fans!  According to their official website, they have sold more than 35 million albums worldwide, comparable to the likes of Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, and Phil Collins in America.  In the U.S., however, success came and went quickly. 

a-ha formed in 1982 in Norway with vocalist Morton Harket, keyboardist Magne Furuholmen, and guitarist Pal Waaktaar.  Shortly after the band formed, they wrote a song they originally titled "The Juicy Fruit Song".  As they began recording their debut album, "Hunting High And Low", the name became "Lesson One".  Yet another name change occurred by the time they decided to release it as their first single.  Although they were unhappy with the sound of the song, it was released as a single in the UK and flopped.  A second try with a different producer and complete remix also failed to dent the charts.  The third time, however, was definitely the charm. 

The title of the song changed for a third time as well, and this time it connected across the globe.  The new title was "Take On Me", and by 1985, if a song couldn't stand on its own as a hit, a memorable music video and heavy rotation on MTV was about as close as you could come to guaranteeing a smash.  A combination pencil sketch animation/live action production technique called rotoscoping gave the video an unforgettable look, and as a result, the song was both a radio sensation, hitting #1 in 1985, and one of the most honored music videos in the history of MTV, winning six Video Music Awards in 1986.  "Take On Me" also hit the top spot in nine other countries and #2 in the UK.  The video was #14 on MTV's list of the Top 100 Videos of All Time in 1999. 

a-ha only hit the U.S. charts once more with their follow up to "Take On Me", "The Sun Always Shines On TV", but they remained one of the biggest selling acts worldwide throughout the 80's and 90's.  In 1994, they took a brief hiatus from recording and touring, but they returned in 1998 and continued selling records and filling concert venues throughout Europe as though they'd never left. 

Though they released their ninth studio album, "Foot Of The Mountain", last year and are in the midst of a worldwide tour, all good things must come to an end.  After more than 25 years together, a-ha announced their current tour would be their swan song.  Their final three shows are scheduled for December 2-4, 2010, at the Oslo Spektrum arena in their homeland of Norway. 

For more on what a-ha is up to during their farewell tour and beyond, visit their official website, their YouTube channel. and follow them on Twitter.  The short answer to "Where In The World Is......a-ha" is.......all over the world!! 

And now, the song that created this monster........and a very clever spoof from an episode of Family Guy

 

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

Motown put together the "dream team" of Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye for a duets album, Diana & Marvin, in 1973.  The project was far from a labor of love for anyone involved, however, as most of the album was recorded with the artists in separate studios.  What was the reason for that? 

Check back @ Everything Oldies tomorrow for the answer, and leave a Comment here with your best guess!

Thursday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

He had 99 songs hit the Billboard Hot 100 over the course of his career (second only to Elvis Presley), but NONE ever reached #1, making him the most successful artist in chart history to have never had a song reach the top.  Who is he?

Answer: James Brown, with his closest flirtation to the top spot coming with "I Got You (I Feel Good" hitting #3 in 1965. 

 

Today In Oldies 9/3/2010

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2....with more Oldies news than you can shake a stick at (does anyone even know what that means?).......

• Crosby, Stills, & Nash take a cue from Santana
• If you dare to click here, don't say we didn't warn you
• Ask for an ex-Beatle's wife's approval, and ye shall receive
• Has Bono missed his calling by being a rock star?  Someone very prominent on the world stage thinks so! 
• If Pepsi used someone's song without proper permission, this means War!!
• Look who's packin' 'em in @ the concert arenas!!  And how many have seen #1 and #2 in the 70's AND recently?

Where In The World Is......Carl Douglas? 

Sometimes it takes the combination of luck and being one step ahead of a cultural phenomenon to turn a song that was something of an a

fterthought into a worldwide smash.  Carl Douglas had that sort of good fortune with his only hit, "Kung Fu Fighting", in 1974.  His ode to the martial arts turned average citizens into lean, mean fighting machines. 

Douglas was born in Jamaica, and was making very little headway in his quest to become a star until he spotted two children in London practicing their kung fu moves.  A song was born, but it was never meant to be an A-side single.  The A-side was supposed to have been a song called, "I Want To Give You My Everything".  The session to record that song was running long, so there was very little time to record the B-side.  "Kung Fu Fighting", which was to be the B-side, was laid down in the studio in ten minutes.  When the folks at Pye Records heard what was to be the A-side, they asked to hear the entire reel of material recorded.  Upon hearing "Kung Fu Fighting", they made the executive decision to make IT the A-side.  The rest is history.  "Kung Fu Fighting" hit #1 in America and the UK and sold more than 10 million copies worldwide.  It has been been covered dozens of times and shown up in numerous TV shows and movies both here and abroad.  Carl Douglas never again came close to having another solo hit. 

Fortunately, the song kept him financially solvent and he remained active throughout the 80's and 90's touring with the likes of Billy Preston, Curtis Mayfield, and the Ohio Players.  He currently runs a publishing company providing music for films and documentaries as well as commercials. 

In 1974, the whole world was "Kung Fu Fighting", and Carl Douglas was everywhere to celebrate it, including a rather bizarre Dutch TV show......

Golden Hits Radio and GHR-2's Burning Question of the Day

He had 99 songs hit the Billboard Hot 100 over the course of his career (second only to Elvis Presley), but NONE ever reached #1, making him the most successful artist in chart history to have never had a song reach the top.  Who is he?

Check back @ Everything Oldies Tuesday (9/7/2010) for the answer, and leave a Comment with your best guess!  Tou our fans and friends in America, have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and to the rest of the world, have a wonderful weekend yourself!! 

Yesterday's Burning Question (and Answer) of the Day

The debut episode of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975 featured two musical guests.  Who were they?

Answer: Billy Preston and Janis Ian