When You Walk In The Room

The Searchers arrived in the USA right after The Beatles in 1964.  A British Invasion Merseybeat band, the Searchers had a string of hits that year including the top 40 cover of a Jackie DeShannon song, "When You Walk In The Room".  Another great song that's pretty much forgotten today.
Click here to see the Searchers perform the song in 2009

Chase

I had a request for this song as a forgotten oldie.  Chase was a 70's band that combined rock and jazz with a driving beat and heavy use of horns, much like Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears and Lighthouse.  Their only hit - "Get It On" was a top 40 smash in 1971.  Chase, Get it on, a great forgotten oldie!
listen here

Happy Birthday Duke!!

Born on May 26, 1907 he still wins many polls of America's favorite actor!  He was the best!

I Like It

Gerry and the Pacemakers was the second act signed by Brian Epstein, right behind the Beatles. They rivaled the Beatles in England and for a while, did very well in the USA.  The song "I Like It" was a #1 hit in England and reached the top 20 in the U.S. in late 1964.  Just another mostly forgotten oldie today...
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Don't Throw Your Love Away

In 1964 the world was rocking with the British Invasion.  Among the many groups from the British Isles, the Searchers scored several hits starting just weeks after the Beatles.  The record that followed the smash hit "Needles and Pins" was a cover version of an Orlons single from 1963 called "Don't Throw Your Love Away". The song was #1 in England and a top twenty hit in the USA. Mostly forgotten today, I've always thought it was a great song!
watch a live version here

Penny Lane

Back to 1967, this is the era of Beatle music I love most... when they changed rock and roll again, and we went along willingly!!
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R.I.P. B.B. King!

A legend died yesterday, known as Beale Street Blues Boy King, or B.B. King,  there are very few artists that influenced as many musicians as King did.  I had the pleasure of introducing BB at the La Crosse Center ten years ago or so, and he was a complete gentleman.  I spent some time chatting with him, and I'll tell you a couple things... Lucille, his legendary guitar, did not feel special at all (very rough neck actually), and, he's not very happy when his fruit juice isn't sugar free (he was a diabetic).
R.I.P. B.B. King!
click here to watch BB King

Tribute to Keith Relf

I remember the great shock and sadness I felt on May 14, 1976, when I heard of the death of Keith Relf.  Keith was one of my absolute favorites. As lead singer and harmonica player for the British band The Yardbirds, he strongly influenced my musical direction back in the 60's.  As tribute today to Keith Relf on the sad anniversary of his far too early death, a forgotten oldie that shows his amazing harmonica talents, and his vocals ain't  bad either!  Today, give a listen to "I'm A Man" by the Yardbirds from 1965 featuring Keith Relf.
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One Fine Morning

Lighthouse was a Canadian band that formed in 1968 and had a string of hits through the mid 70's, most of them in Canada.  The band won the coveted Juno award several times.  Their biggest top 40 score came in 1971 with "One Fine Morning".  With their horn and string sections, the band was a big favorite at the Fillmore West and Fillmore East, as well as Carnegie Hall.  They reunited in 1992, and recently have appeared on the Moody Blues cruises.

listen here

Silliness...

I'm just feeling silly and happy that it's Friday!!

Pretty Flamingo

I totally understand why today's forgotten oldie rarely gets any airplay in the USA.  "Pretty Flamingo" by Manfred Mann only reached #29 in the USA in May of 1966, however it was a #1 smash in England and #2 in Canada.  It's been covered by many artists, people seem to love the song.
watch video

When I Was Young

Eric Burdon and the Animals had success around the world with "When I Was Young", which was top ten in many countries, peaking at #15 in the USA on May 6, 1967.  The song is biographical for Burdon, with a countercultural theme and has been covered by many artists.  Great song, largely forgotten today!
watch here

The Authentic MLB Collection

So yesterday, the Brewers got a new skipper... Craig Counsell.  I think it's absolutely great, and I was tickled to see the crew beat the mighty Dodgers in Craig's managerial debut.  Then I saw this picture on a website and I laughed out loud.  I looked at the picture, looked at Counsell's cool hoodie, and thought "I'm sure glad they give the manager a jacket from the MLB Authentic Collection". Funny!
Read the article here