Spectropop - Digest Number 1351

• From: Spectropop Group
• Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004

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               SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 7 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

      1. Smokey Circles, anyone?
           From: brakinblack 
      2. The Metropolitan Soul Show on Soul 24-7
           From: Simon White 
      3. Re: fake Zombies
           From: Tom Taber 
      4. Re: bogue Vogues
           From: Mike McKay 
      5. Re: bogue Vogues
           From: Ed Salamon 
      6. Re: The Collector
           From: Jim Shannon 
      7. that bloke in The Zombies and Mike Smith
           From: John Hesterman 


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Message: 1
   Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 07:56:10 -0000
   From: brakinblack 
Subject: Smokey Circles, anyone?

I was wondering if anyone out there in Spectropop land knew anything 
about an album by UK band Smokey Circles, rumored to have involved 
Tony Burrows. They released one single, and, more interestingly, one 
full album called, creatively, The Album, on the Carnaby label. I 
haven't seen it or heard it, and was wondering if anyone who had 
heard it could recommend it or, if applicable, call it undistinguished 
trash not worth the search required to find a copy. I don't believe it 
was ever reissued or ever will be, but it's one of the most elusive 
albums I've ever (not) seen.  Any information on it or how one might 
ever get to hear it would be greatly appreciated.



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Message: 2
   Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 18:14:56 +0000
   From: Simon White 
Subject: The Metropolitan Soul Show on Soul 24-7

This Sunday, 15th Februrary 2004, on Soul 24-7, 2pm-4pm  GMT

http://www.soul24-7.com/index.htm

The METROPOLITAN SOUL SHOW with
The Utterly Marvellous Simon White.

2 solid hours of '60s, '70s but mainly Northern, Soul.

This week -- SPECIAL GUEST -- Gavin Stearn remembering the 
Rocket and playing current monster sounds.



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Message: 3
   Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 10:27:58 -0800 (PST)
   From: Tom Taber 
Subject: Re: fake Zombies

David Coyle wrote:
> My question about the many "fake" Zombies is this:
> When they appeared on TV shows, did they lip-synch
> to the "Odyssey And Oracle" tracks? And live, did they
> sound enough like the Zombies to fool anyone? 

When they came to little ol' Albion, NY, the Oak Orchard Lanes (bowling 
establishment) took out a full page ad on the front of the Pennysaver to 
announce their appearance. I didn't go, but after hearing of "fake Zombies"
in perhaps Rolling Stone, I asked a girl who did attend what they were 
like. "Well, when we heard their Ozark accents we knew something wasn't
right." She later dated the drummer from Canadian group Copper Penny,
then moved to London, where she married Archie and works for ... Vogue! 

Tom Taber 



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Message: 4
   Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 13:09:31 EST
   From: Mike McKay 
Subject: Re: bogue Vogues

David Coyle wrote:
> Did Blasky retire and decide again to come out of
> retirement? Or did he just quit the group and start
> his own lineup that he thought would be better? Or
> were these guys just lying to give themselves some
> "street cred"?

No, no and yes.

First of all, the name is Chuck Blasko. In testimony before the House of 
Representatives in May of 1999, he gave the entire story of the bogus Vogues. You 
can find it here:

http://www.house.gov/judiciary/blas0505.htm

I recommend reading the whole thing, but here's an excerpt that speaks to 
your question:

"I have attached to my written testimony several exhibits. The first is the 
biography I use for promotional appearances in the 14 counties in which my 
group is permitted to appear as 'The Vogues.' The second is the biography of the 
fake 'Vogues.' If you compare them, you will notice that the impostor Vogues 
plagiarized my groups' biography almost word for word. They have wrongfully 
appropriated our history, our accomplishments, and our hit recordings as if these 
parts of my life were theirs. They claim, and I quote, 'there is no mistaking 
the Vogues Sound,' **yet they played no part in the creation of that sound.** 
I was there, and yet, according to a Federal Court, the Lanham Act says I 
cannot make the same claim." [emphasis added]

So to answer your query, Blasko did not "quit the group and start his own 
lineup." This implies that the present lineup of The Vogues is somehow 
legitimate, when in fact they have nothing whatsoever to do with the original group, 
but are imposters to a man.

As far as Chuck Blasko retiring, I'm not aware of him ever doing any such 
thing. I'm certain that in the past year I've heard advertisments on Pittsburgh's 
WWSW-FM of appearances by "Chuck Blasko and The Vogues."

> To their credit, these "Vogues" did the old songs
> pretty much like the originals. Their performances of
> "Turn Around Look At Me" and "My Special Angel" were
> nearly as breathtaking as the "legit hits". ...
> Promoting themselves as something they're not, when they
> have no connection to the original group, is another thing.
 
Exactly. If they peformed as "A Tribute to The Vogues," I wouldn't have a 
problem with it. But however they may try to lie and weasel out of it, they are 
NOT The Vogues.

Mike



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Message: 5
   Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 15:54:09 -0000
   From: Ed Salamon 
Subject: Re: bogue Vogues

David Coyle wrote:
> ... they did do a lot of "bar band" oldies, but what
> oldies group doesn't do covers against their character? 
> I've heard the Association do "Hold On I'm Coming" and 
> I've heard Billy J. Kramer sing "Old Time Rock And Roll". 
> Just because they don't stick to "Cherish", "Bad To Me" 
> or "Five O'Clock World" doesn't make them any worse. 

Point well-taken. In fact, the last time I saw the Chuck Blasko 
Vogues, they performed "Achy Breaky Heart". 

I've seen a number of groups perform contemporary material that I 
likewise felt was "against their character". Herb Reed's Platters 
comes to mind, and it's just not my personal taste. I prefer groups 
that  stick to their unique style, even when doing newer/other 
material. Walt Maddox's Marcels come to mind as one act that does a 
great job of this. I suppose Rick Nelson wrote "Garden Party" about 
folks like me at a Richard Nader show.

Chuck Blasko still leads the Vogues, who can only perform as such in 
a 14 county area surrounding Pittsburgh.

Ed



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Message: 6
   Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 18:38:54 -0000
   From: Jim Shannon 
Subject: Re: The Collector

"The Collector" was recorded by the former Bluebeats after the 
name change to The #1. The group was managed by a well-known 
former DJ named Ken Griffen. Griffen got them a record deal 
with Columbia.  The song had a heavy slow drum-roll intro, and 
did sound like the Hollies a bit. The song begins with the 
lyrics, "I am the collector of beautiful things ... I capture ..." The 
song broke into the Hartford-New Haven market in mid '67, and 
charted into the the Top 20 for brief while. There was some 
connection to the movie by  the same name.  The group did not 
have a follow-up. Lead singer was a guy named Lance Drake.

Speaking of the Hartford-New New Haven radio markets, it was 
not uncommon for record companies to test-market new 
releases there.  It was a fertile ground for "breakout releases", 
due to liberal play lists and fierce competition. One example:
The Box Tops "The Letter" and "The Neon Rainbow".

Jim Shannon



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Message: 7
   Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 08:01:48 -0800
   From: John Hesterman 
Subject: that bloke in The Zombies and Mike Smith

David wrote:
> P.S. I heard that in one instance where the "fake" Zombies were on tour,
> one fan said that the lead singer didn't look anything like they remembered
> from the album cover or the magazines, and was told that the original lead
> singer had died in a car crash. So who's that bloke touring with Rod Argent 
> now?"

Actually, Colin Blunstone didn't die in a car crash (it was Paul McCartney
who died in a car crash, remember?), and it IS Colin who is touring with
Rod. I saw them last August in Las Vegas with Jim Rodford of the Kinks on
bass, Jim's son on drums and a guitarist I wasn't familiar with. They opened
for Mike Smith of the DC5, and they were GREAT! Colin's voice is still dead-
on after all these years, and Rod's keyboard work is still awesome. They
played all the Zombies hits and then some. It was a fantastic show! They
also mentioned a new album is in the works, and that it will be released as
The Zombies. Finally!

Speaking of Mike Smith, here is the latest from his lovely wife Charlie:

> Hi everyone,

> All I can say is right now I'm missing the warm sunshine of Spain because
> here in England it's freezing cold!!! Brrrrr. I'm going to try to work these
> cold fingers into telling you all the good news.

> First, the benefit concert for Mike has not been held yet. I spoke with the
> wonderful Steve Van Zandt this week, and he informs me they are still working
> on it but the official date has not been selected due to all the legal issues 
> that must first be ironed out. Steve will let us know as soon as a date is 
> selected, so please keep watching the board for the 'official announcement'.

> Now are you all sitting down??? Remember I told you in the last e-mail that
> Mike was off his ventilator for about 15 minutes an hour???? Well dear
> friends, I'm very proud to say that he continues to make outstanding
> progress and now is able to breath for about 8 hours on his own!!! Please
> understand it is not all at once, and that he is still on the ventilator and
> the tracheotomy, but at least he is making huge progress. My buttons are
> popping I'm so proud of him !!!!!

> Lots of love,
> Mike & Charlie

All of us who love and respect Mike are bursting with pride as well :)

John H.

***God Bless Mike Smith***
www.5grapes.com/ourflag.html




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