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Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
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There are 23 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: another song title request. / "Today"
From: Popsike67
2. Re: "We Can't Go On This Way"
From: Andrew Jones
3. Dick Summer / Howard Tate
From: Chris Stovall Brown
4. Re: Randy Sparks
From: Allen Roberds
5. The Hardy Boys
From: Patrick Rands
6. Re: "We Can't Go On This Way"
From: Wiper
7. Re: Canadian CDs
From: Stefan
8. Re: The Hardy Boys
From: Mike Rashkow
9. Re: Howard Tate
From: Steve Harvey
10. Re: Howard Tate
From: Mike Rashkow
11. Re: Phil Spector Daily Telegraph Interview UK
From: JOHN RAUSCH
12. Re: I Remember You by Frank Ifield
From: Norman
13. Re: Dick Summer etc
From: Clark
14. Re: ATM records, Ace records
From: Guy Lawrence
15. Re: another song title request. / "Today"
From: Nick Archer
16. Re: Dick Summer
From: Dan Hughes
17. Re: Randy Sparks / Nick Woods
From: Dan Hughes
18. Re: Phil Spector Daily Telegraph Interview UK
From: Martin Roberts
19. Re: Frank Ifield
From: Phil Chapman
20. The Beantown Sound!
From: Bob Rashkow
21. Re: Gigi Parker
From: Jeff Lemlich
22. Re: I Remember You by Frank Ifield
From: George Leonard
23. Re: Dick Summer
From: James Botticelli
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 13:28:28 -0000
From: Popsike67
Subject: Re: another song title request. / "Today"
> The song's called (surprise, surprise) "Today" and was written by
> Randy Sparks of (I think) the New Christy Minstrels. Jimmie Rodgers
> had a single of the song on A&M...
The Sandpipers have also recorded this song. Itīs on their "Misty
Roses" album. Haventīt heard any of the other versions, but the
Sandpipers' baroque arrangement is a bit too wimpy for my taste.
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 10:03:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Andrew Jones
Subject: Re: "We Can't Go On This Way"
About this song "We Can't Go On This Way": There was a song by that same
title by a group called The Unchained Mynds that was a big regional hit
here in Michigan (I don't think it went national). Same song?
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 11:38:12 -0500
From: Chris Stovall Brown
Subject: Dick Summer / Howard Tate
Hello everybody,
I've been a lurker on this list for several months without much to add
(or usually by the time the digest arrives someone else has replied
already!). Have to say I'm quite astounded by the width and breadth of
knowledge here. The recent discussions on Boston groups and "Bosstown"
sound has prompted me to query y'all on what I remember as the first
East Coast (at least outside NYC) "underground" radio show. This would
have been 1966 (I think) but at least 1967 and it was on AM radio-WBZ!
I'm talking about Dick Summer's Subway-Sunday nites from 6-8pm. Does
anyone else remember this show/dates? Also how come I never see mention
of this groundbreaking show in any discussion of progressive radio. I
do know that Dick published a collection of his poems that he used to
read over the air and I have it here somewhere-but whatever happened to
him? Country Paul, I recall seeing your group Benefit Street and may
have shared the stage with you guys at the Moses Brown Fieldhouse (if I
recall correctly??). Also I seem to recall you guys doing some Band
covers back in the day. Refresh my mind if I'm wrong? Also speaking of
Swallow (whom I ended up playing with some of the remains of in the
early 70's) they were managed by notorious Prov. promoter Skip Chernov,
who also owned a club on India Street called The Warehouse/ THe Jail and
many other things. I saw lots of the groups mentioned in the past couple
of days there on Sunday Afternoons. My recollection was that most of the
groups headed to the Boston Tea Party for weekend gigs would then come
down to Protown on Sundays and play for Skip at the Warehouse. I recall
seeing at least, Rhinoceros, Earth Opera, Illinois Speed Press (with Kal
David), Cat Mother and many more. Also a shout out to Jimmy Botticelli,
who had one of the finest Sunday morning Soul shows in Boston during the
80's. Finally, a little blatent promotion for those located near the
Boston area. On February 22, I'll be backing up soul/blues legend Howard
Tate with a 9 piece band at Cambridge House of Blues. The band will
include none other than Al Kooper on B-3 and we'll be premiering some of
the tunes off Howards soon to be released "comeback" lp (oops, cd!!)
produced by Jerry Ragovoy. BTW Jerry is flying in to rehearse us for this
show and we'll be doing a new tune cowritten by Elvis Costello and Jerry.
Hope you all can help me bring my aging timeline of a brain into focus
here and trust I haven't bored anyone.
All the best,
Chris Stovall Brown
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 08:58:27 -0800 (PST)
From: Allen Roberds
Subject: Re: Randy Sparks
Randy Sparks was a very talented singer. He was the LEADER of the New
Christie Minstrels. I remember seeing them perform many times at the
Troubador in Los Angeles, where they launched their career. The
Troubador was 'the place' to perform in those days if you were a folk
singer. The Minstrels put on one of the best LIVE performances I ever
saw in those days. Their songs were excellent and their performances
were top notch. There was another great writer and singer with the most
unique and powerful voice in the group who was my favorite, named Nick
something or other. If anyone remembers his last name I would appreciate
hearing from you. I found out that he lived just up the street from me
on Woodrow Wilson Drive in the Hollywood Hills and we would often get
together and share our latest song writing efforts. Somewhere I have on
old acetate of a song he wrote that never got recorded that blew me away.
-Smokey Roberds
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 17:21:47 -0000
From: Patrick Rands
Subject: The Hardy Boys
I've uploaded a new song of the week (month?) - My Little Sweet Pea
by the Hardy Boys - written by Mike Rashkow and Ellie Greenwich and
included on the album Here Come the Hardy Boys (1969):
http://prands.kity.nu/pramarama/sounds/index.html Is anyone else a
Hardy Boys fan? I love both their albums a lot though when I talked
to Mike about it he is not a big fan of them. They do have a rushed
feel to them but I personally think they are amongst the best of the
bubblegum genre thanks to some great tunes. I would be very excited
if these two albums ever got reissued on cd someday.
On a somewhat related note - I saw they are doing a new version of
Hot Wheels - I wonder if the soundtrack to the original Hot Wheels
will ever see the light of day again?
:Patrick
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 13:45:04 -0500
From: Wiper
Subject: Re: "We Can't Go On This Way"
Andrew Jones:
> About this song "We Can't Go On This Way": There was a song by that same
> title by a group called The Unchained Mynds that was a big regional hit
> here in Michigan (I don't think it went national). Same song?
Yes, Andrew, same song, though the Unchained Mynds' version has a bit of
a harder edge.
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 20:19:11 +0100
From: Stefan
Subject: Re: Canadian CDs
Country Paul:
> The...page (http://www.gocontinental.com/classic4.htm) offers CD's by
> Andy Kim, very early Carole King, Ray Peterson...
Be careful with that website listing, a few CDs are of other origin as
Canada and only offered under a different number here. I know of the Rays
CD that has it's origin in the NJ area, The Halloween CD from the NY area
and the Bobby Curtola CD pictured is the Belgium Marginal release.
Stefan
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Message: 8
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 14:40:10 EST
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: The Hardy Boys
Patrick Rands:
> My Little Sweet Pea by the Hardy Boys - written by Mike Rashkow and
> Ellie Greenwich and included on the album Here Come the Hardy Boys.
> Is anyone else a Hardy Boys fan? I love both their albums a lot
> though when I talked to Mike about it he is not a big fan of them.
Please world--judge me not by The Hardy Boys. If I knew how to play
things up to musica, I would play up a couple of the original demos we
did on their tunes for comparison; as well as The Definitive Rock
Chorale's version of "I Hear The Grass Singing", which was written for
The Hardy Boys and for which we used the demo track sweetened and pro-
voiced for a pretty good little record, if I do say so myself. If
anyone else has copy of that version and wishes to play it up, I'd be
delighted. Current Bubble Gum Queen and group communicant Toni Wine
sang on a couple of DRC records I believe maybe on that one. Hi Toni,
you multi-talented thing.
Rashkovsky
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Message: 9
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 11:40:17 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Re: Howard Tate
Chris, The magazine section of the Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday
edition did a large piece on Howard Tate a year or so back. Don't
know if you can find it online, but it would be worth checking.
All about him leaving the business and returning later in life. I
remember the hairdo.
=====
Flip, flop and fly,
Steve Harvey
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 14:46:15 EST
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: Howard Tate
Previously:
> I'll be backing up soul/blues legend Howard Tate with a 9 piece band
> at Cambridge House of Blues. The band will include none other than
> Al Kooper on B-3 and we'll be premiering some of the tunes off
> Howard's soon to be released "comeback" lp (oops, cd!!)
Is this maybe "Look At (2) Granddads Run Run?" By the way, Artie Butler
did the charts and played piano on Tate's "Look At Granny Run Run". A
killer record!! Writers: Ragovoy and Mort Shuman.
Rashkovksy
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 15:04:31 -0500
From: JOHN RAUSCH
Subject: Re: Phil Spector Daily Telegraph Interview UK
Can any UK Poppers help? I would love to get a copy of the Spector
interview from the UK paper , that was mentioned earlier. I`m in the
USA. Any help is appreciated, if you can help, please email me off
list.
Thanks
John Rausch jonr@ohio.net
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Message: 12
Date: Sun, 02 Feb 2003 09:31:24 +1030
From: Norman
Subject: Re: I Remember You by Frank Ifield
Re: George Leonard and I Remember You by Frank Ifield:
> isn't that the song which includes the funniest scene in popular music?
You paint it in a totally new light!
Now I will rush out and see if I can rent the Dorothy Lamour film "The
Fleet's In" where the song was originally performed and see how they act
out that scene!
Norman
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Message: 13
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 23:09:57 -0000
From: Clark
Subject: Re: Dick Summer etc
Previously:
> ... has prompted me to query y'all on what I remember as the
> first East Coast (at least outside NYC) "underground" radio show.
> This would have been 1966 (I think) but at least 1967 and it was
> on AM radio-WBZ! I'm talking about Dick Summer's Subway-Sunday
> nites from 6-8pm. Does anyone else remember this show/dates?
Chris, I most certainly remember Dick Summers' WBZ show as a great
one. Actually, WBZ was a great station for breaking lots of great
songs that were not national top 40 hits, yet made top 30 on WBZ!
Certainly other stations including WABC-FM New York had some great
shows, but often not nightly at first. Dick's show was most
informative, covered psychedelic along side message and top 40 hits
all together. His humor was very outgoing. A presentation not
unlike Dick Biondi for enthusiasm, yet with a lot more than "let's be
happy" to say, which Biondi was always pushing. His son was a part
of the show often by 68. I'll never forget his "Hai Karate"
commercials and his sponsors, "The Psychedelic Supermarket"
and "Unicorn Coffeehouse". Despite listening from Dodge City, Kansas
as a kid then, it shows how much he splattered the US airwaves with
Orpheus, Beacon St Union and Ultimate Spinach songs. He also was one
of few to often play songs by the Fugs. I remember him
playing "World" by the Bee Gees as a "world exclusive", which of
course I believed every time some station mistakenly said that.
Oddly, "World" did not become the Bee Gees next US 45 at the time. I
love the WBZ charts, because they show that WBZ was not a follower of
national trends, but a voice of its' own. Yet, one cannot deny how
much they plugged the MGM local acts, wrong or right. If WLS (my
fave station of the 60's) had continued such a trend in Chitown
rather than eliminating locals when the Drake formats hit, maybe
Chicago's "Questions 67 & 68" and "Beginnings" initial 45 releases
would not have needed to wait until 2nd time around hit status.
Other notes, yes, Unchained Minds (which got a lot of airplay) was
same song as Teddy & Pandas'.
Feather's "Tryin to Get to You" got chart action here in Lincoln
Ne on KLMS as did Team Records' "Moccasin".
WSAI's Dusty Rhodes is a part of the new action at 1530 station
mentioned in a posting here. Dusty has been a fantastic part of
Cincy top 40 history and is back at it with the new WSAI complete
with PAMS jingles! His comments to me in an email this week:
"Clark, really taking off...lotsa fun, great vibes. WKBW (1520) in
Buffalo has just gone back to its roots with the "real oldies".
Maybe we started something. Hope so. Dusty" I hope so too, Dusty,
and I wish WSAI, WKBW all the best in their endeavors.
Unfortunately, as mentioned, KOMA Okla City 50kw Oldies since 88 and
originally, one of the most influencial midwest stations of the 60's
top 40 scene, is indeed about to succomb to news talk. Too bad, I'll
miss the "Breakfast Flakes" and that great skywave long fade in and
out like the good old days.
One more item: "Little Boy" Four Seasons was indeed a great song.
Maybe because of Vee Jays' Chicago base, it got a lot of play on WLS
and I remember it well. Too bad it's not stereo yet.
Take care, Clark
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Message: 14
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 21:48:24 -0000
From: Guy Lawrence
Subject: Re: ATM records, Ace records
I wrote:
> I was on the ATM website (www.atm-records.de) lusting after their
> Hondells CDs when I noticed compilations of stuff by Carole King
> and Ellie Greenwich. Inexplicably there are no track listings for
> them at the site (nor for their probably excellent surf vocal
> collections)... can anyone help me out with some tracklistings?
Seems the good people at ATM got wind of my post and they have
contacted me. They are a small but well-meaning company and have had
all kinds of problems with their website. They are, however, happy
to provide any information that is not listed on the site if contacted
by email at atmrecord@aol.com They really do have some great looking
albums and seem like the kind of company who deserve support.
For U.K. based Brian Wilson fans I can confirm that Ace's "Pet
Projects" has shipped to record shops for sale on Monday 3rd. Having
said that the massive amounts of snow that have fallen on southern
England this week and the ensuing road chaos have meant that many
deliveries from their distributor haven't arrived yet. American
Spectropoppers would be amazed at the effect 2 inches of snow can have
on the British transport system!
Regards, Guy.
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 18:05:16 -0600
From: Nick Archer
Subject: Re: another song title request. / "Today"
Does anyone else hear a similarity to "Today" in Dan Fogelberg's "Run
For the Roses"?
Nick Archer
Check out Nashville's classic SM95 on the web at
www.live365.com/stations/nikarcher
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Message: 16
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 18:10:49 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Re: Dick Summer
Chris asks about Dick Summer. Try these:
http://www.dicksummer.com/
http://www.voicetracks.net/summer.php
And here's his radio history:
WROW [Albany NY] 1956
WNHC [New Haven CT] 1957
WCPO [Cincinnati OH] 1958
WIBC [Indianapolis IN] 1959
WIL [St. Louis MO] 1959
WIBC [Indianapolis IN] 1959
WISH [Indianapolis] 1961
WBZ [Boston MA] 1963
WNEW-FM [New York NY] 1968
WNEW [New York] 1969
WMEX [Boston] 1969
WPLJ [New York] 1972
WNBC [New York] 1974
WYNY [New York] 1979
WPIX [New York] 1982
WTMX [Chicago IL] 1991
---Dan Hughes, who listened to Dick Summer on WIBC and WISH in
Indianapolis, then on WBZ.
By the way, I believe his books were called Lovin' Touch, Lovin' Touch
II, and Lovin' Touch III.
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Message: 17
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 18:18:53 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Re: Randy Sparks / Nick Woods
Smokey Roberds:
> There was another great writer and singer with the most unique and
> powerful voice in the group who was my favorite, named Nick
> something or other. If anyone remembers his last name I would
> appreciate hearing from you.
Smokey, the Nick you're trying to remember is Nick Woods.
---Dan
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Message: 18
Date: Sun, 02 Feb 2003 00:39:21 -0000
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Re: Phil Spector Daily Telegraph Interview UK
John asked:
> Can any UK Poppers help? I would love to get a copy of the Spector
> interview from the UK paper that was mentioned earlier.
I'm sure someone will be able to get you a copy, if not I'll scan it. It
really is excellent and I'm indebted to Richard Havers for giving the
advance notice. Generally the pictures weren't as good as my usual read
(The Daily Sport) but the Spector piece and accompanying pictures are
marvellous. Are there any quick typists with a copy willing to put up
the "Lovin' Feelin'" story?
Martin
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Message: 19
Date: Sun, 02 Feb 2003 00:39:47 -0000
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: Re: Frank Ifield
James Botticelli wrote:
> He also recorded "Lovesick Blues" which was a Hank-type song
> to the best of my memory.
"Lovesick Blues" topped the UK chart in December '62, but I can
only remember radio play on the flipside, "She Taught Me How To
Yodel". Del Shannon's "Swiss Maid" was no.2 at the same time....
I wonder what sparked the brief trend for yodeling, pop fashion?
Phil
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Message: 20
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 19:42:34 -0500
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: The Beantown Sound!
Has Clark Weber, former morning DJ on WLS Chicago 890, recently
joined the list??!! If so a hearty welcome to you too! If you're
not he of "the station with personality", your input is greatly
enjoyed and appreciated!!!
Country Paul mentioned The Ill Wind--and there were several other Boston
groups, many under the dedicated care of Tom Wilson, on the ABC label as
well including the magnificent, magical Eden's Children. (BTW Thanks,
Country Paul for your info on Benefit Street and a bit of your DJ-ing
days. Oh, the power and the glory!! Green!!) I suppose Peter Rowan and
friends were the only ones who made it to the Elektra "extended family"
(as did Eclection whom I didn't know was British until I devoured
Tapestry of Delights!) As for the Spinach, the Beacon Street Union,
Phluph, and Orpheus, all terrific and all essential "haves" IMHO. (not
to mention the super Chameleon Church: Chevy Chase in his rocker days!)
Am still seeking BSU's 2nd and Phluph's only.
Andrew Jones, the Unchanged Mynds song is indeed the same as T & the P's.
Both got airplay in Chicago but neither went Top 40 here that I recall.
Glad to hear Jerry Ragavoy is still in the biz after over 45 years, and a
hearty welcome to Chris Stovall-Brown, another who's actually been there
and "done that!"
Bobster
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Message: 21
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 2003 23:01:15 -0500
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: Gigi Parker
Doo Wop Daddy wrote:
> re gigi parker: the four seasons appear on the song "lonely girl blue".
> others may appear on this side also. as far as the other side, i have
> not heard it, so i can not offer an opinion.
Thanks for the info! When I get the time I'll record the other side and
post it up to musica!
Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com
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Message: 22
Date: Sat, 01 Feb 03 20:28:03 -0800
From: George Leonard
Subject: Re: I Remember You by Frank Ifield
Re: George Leonard and I Remember You by Frank Ifield:
> isn't that the song which includes the funniest scene in popular music?
Norman:
> You paint it in a totally new light! Now I will rush out and see if I
> can rent the Dorothy Lamour film "The Fleet's In" where the song was
> originally performed and see how they act out that scene!
Dorothy Lamour film?! You Spectropoppers are the masters. Thank you!
Frank Ifield wasn't funny enough, we have to mentally add in Dorothy
Lamour? Was she in a sarong? She must have been fifty by then.
I'm reading with some pangs the posts by the fine studio musicians who
write in. I don't remember the details, but very early in our career,
before Steve Paul's Scene and Woodstock, they asked us if we'd care to be
the Archies. The Archies were-- oops, forgot who I'm talking to.
So, as you know, there was no Archies, just a name added on to the studio
tracks they'd put together, some of them by people now in this group, no
doubt. They needed a group to tour and sing the song. Wanna be the
Archies? We passed.
I can't remember the deal, Rob told me about it. Maybe, like pro
wrestlers wearing a mask, one night we'd be Sha Na Na and the next night
the Archies? There were lots of different groups like that, many touring
companies of "the Platters," for instance. Air travel was a killer, and
before MTV, who knew what a group looked like? In Texas some of the
Platters were Latino.
Some art form, huh? That's why when naive professors decide they're going
to write things about rock and roll my hair stands on end.
George
==========
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Message: 23
Date: Sun, 02 Feb 2003 00:31:55 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Dick Summer
Clark wrote:
> I'll never forget (Dick Summer's) sponsor, "The Psychedelic Supermarket".
Now you're pushin' me buttons lad. My formative concert going years were
spent at The Psychedelic Supermarket, now a parking garage at Boston
University if it hasn't been filled with Big Dig Dredge (locals know what
I be talkin' 'bout here). I saw Moby Grape, The Fugs, Country Joe & The
Fish, Procol Harum, & Blood Sweat & Tears here, a smoky basement/garage
that seemed like the hippest place on the planet in 1968.
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End
