Thursday, January 26, 2017

Malo

One of the interesting things that the San Francisco area produced in the late 60's and early 70's was  some good latin-tinged rock bands.  War, Santana, and another band named simply Malo, led by Carlos Santana's brother Jorge, that was to me the most interesting because they also featured a full horn section similar to Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears.  In 1972, Malo had their only national hit, "Suavecito", which went to #18 on the hot 100.  It turned out to be their only hit, and today it's our forgotten oldie.
watch it here

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Unchained Melody

In 1965 the Righteous Brothers took a song that had already been a hit several times all the way to #4 on the Hot 100.  "Unchained Melody" with a vocal solo by Bobby Hatfield became one of those prom anthems like "Colour My World" and "Wonderful Tonight".  It's one of those songs that makes you fall in love during a slow dance... and yet today it's mostly a forgotten oldie.
watch here

Thursday, January 19, 2017

My favorite lady singer...

Today's forgotten oldie is "Muskrat Love" by the Captain & Tennille, which climbed to #4 on the hot 100 in 1976.  Vocals on the song are handled by Toni Tennille, who is my favorite lady singer of all time.  Right now you're thinking Toni Tennille???  Well, not only did she have her own list of hits recorded with husband Daryl Dragon, but she also sang and toured with the Beach Boys (she's fondly known as their only Beach Girl), and sang backup for Elton John, Art Garfunkel, and even Pink Floyd (that's her singing backup on Floyd's "The Wall").  Yes, she is my favorite lady singer of all time!
Watch the song live here

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Georgie Fame

Georgie Fame was huge in Great Britain....  several #1 songs and many more hits, but for some reason he struggled in the USA.  A legitimate part of the British Invasion, his first hit here only made it to #21 on the Hot 100, but what a memorable song.  "Yeh yeh" from Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames is today's Forgotten Oldie.
watch it here

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Little Children

Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas were a big part of the British Invasion in 1964.  Managed by Brian Epstein, produced by George Martin, and with music written by Lennon and McCartney, the band just seemed like a clone of the Beatles.  Happily, Billy was smart enough to realize a Beatle clone wasn't best and released a non-Beatle song called "Little Children".  A good move because it became his biggest hit, #1 in England and #7 in the USA.  A very solid song, today it's just a forgotten oldie.
Listen Here

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Seeds

The Seeds were a LA rock band that gets credit for paving the way for 70's punk, even though they only had one top 40 hit. They were also pioneers in garage band rock and acid rock, plus they coined the phrase "flower power".  And they were the first band to use keyboards for the bass parts, paving the way for bands like the Doors.  Anyway, their 1966 smash was "Pushin' Too Hard" but today it's just a forgotten oldie.
Listen Here

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Sonny Solo

Are you kidding me?  Sonny Bono had a hit record without Cher?  Really?  The guy is a terrible singer!  And yet in 1965, without Cher, Sonny went to #10 in the USA, #9 in England, and #1 in Canada with "Laugh At Me".  Aha, that's why it was a success... because Sonny had a message!  Whatever the reason. Sonny Bono had a solo hit well before his talented wife, and yet today (unless you watch Dancing With The Stars and remember Chaz Bono dancing to it) it's very much a forgotten oldie.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

It's My Life

The Animals were riding a wave of hit records in 1965 when they scored again with "It's My Life".  The song was a top ten smash all over the world including #2 in Canada.  The song has also been covered by an impressive list of artists including Bon Jovi. The song also appears in several movies and TV shows.  It's one of those songs you recognize instantly, yet today it's a forgotten oldie.