Today's Forgotten Oldie...

Gary Lewis & the Playboys were a 1960s rock group fronted by Gary Lewis, son of comedian Jerry Lewis. They are best known for their 1965 Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "This Diamond Ring." In 1965, Gary Lewis was Cash Box magazine's "Male Vocalist of the Year," winning against nominees Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. The group was one of only two acts during the 1960's whose first seven Hot 100 releases reached that chart's top 10 (The Lovin' Spoonful was the other): "This Diamond Ring" (#1), "Count Me In" (#2), "Save Your Heart for Me" (#2), "Everybody Loves a Clown" (#4), "She's Just My Style" (#3), "Sure Gonna Miss Her" (#9), and "Green Grass" (#8).
Of those seven songs, Save Your Heart For Me was a summer hit, evoking teen-age love song nostalgia reminiscent of the 50's. But the important thing is that it was a number two smash hit, it earned a gold record, and it's mostly forgotten today. Perhaps it's hard to take Jerry Lewis's son serious today, or maybe because it's a rock band with an accordion player... but whatever the reason it's a great song and deserves airplay!

Monday again... ugh!!

Did it seem like you got up"against your will" this morning? Did going to work seem really hard today? If you said yes, you are definitely not ready for a new week... me either!!

Here you go men... a 6-pack in seconds!!

Tired of keeping your shirt on when there's a camera around?  Ashamed of your belly?  Here's the answer... the Ab-Hancer!!

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

"Spill the Wine" is a 1970 song performed by Eric Burdon and War. Released as a single in May 1970 (backed by the non-album track "Magic Mountain"), it was War's first chart hit, peaking at number three on the hot 100. It was also a top three hit in Canada and Australia. In 1996, it was remixed by Junior Vasquez and released as a single again.
Lonnie Jordan said in an 2008 interview that Eric Burdon was the first Latin rapper in pop music.
In the introduction to the live version of the song on Greatest Hits Live, Lonnie Jordan reveals that the inspiration for the song was a time when he spilled a glass of wine on a mixing board in the recording studio. Eric Burdon found the event funny, so he and Jordan used it as the inspiration for the song.  However you view the song; latin, rap, California soul or just Eric Burdon making magic out of a fun idea... it's a great song and deserves air-play!

An amazing group...

Last night I again had a chance to watch Hal Atkinson perform. It was a small get-together of Stoney Creek Inn, mostly the folks that performed in the 20th Lindy Shannon Re-union Concert on Sunday were there. Again I was struck by how much musical talent is or was from this area.  Beth Timte, Jeff Cozy, Harold Jerue, Tari Tovsen, Dennis Roessler and several others were there and many performed in impromptu fashion. And at the center was Hal Atkinson, molding the offerings, keeping the flow. Here's to all you guys.  By the way the photo was taken last Wednesday when I was interviewing Hal on the Eagle.

Monday Escape!!

It's okay little buddy, there are Monday mornings that I feel the same way... just get in the car and escape!

Today's Forgotten Oldie...

With the 20th Lindy Shannon reunion concert this Sunday, it's appropriate to focus on a local record that made a big impact in La Crosse back in the 70's.  As I understand it, producer/writer Dale Menten asked UWL student and Shy Guys' band member Hal Atkinson to record a song he wrote. Hal went to Minneapolis and recorded "Kathy Believe Me".  The song was released on 45 in limited numbers in 1972. Surprisingly, radio stations played it and the kids bought it... in huge numbers.  Locally the song was in the top five in sales for weeks. Hal Atkinson will be performing this Sunday at the reunion concert, but he hasn't sang "Kathy Believe Me" in years... it's a shame, it's a great song and takes us back to a great time in La Crosse's music History.
The photo is Hal Atkinson live, singer, pianist and flute-player extraordinaire!