The usual Birthdays (but for the ENTIRE month of April) and Recent Deaths. THANKS so much to Rick Roth for recording/ announcing this show! ... April BIRTHDAYS: 1903 - Lawrence WELK; 1924 - HENRY MANCINI; 1924 - Sarah Vaughan; 1929 - Roy HAMILTON; 1931 - Bobby VEE; 1929 - Ed Townsend; 1933 - Jerry LEIBER - part of the LIEBER-STOLLER writing/ production team; 1937 - Johnny FARINA (SANTO & JOHNNY!)/ - guitar; 1937 - MERLE HAGGARD; 1938 - Walter JACKSON; 1938 - Klaus Voorman(MANFRED MANN)/ - bass; 1939 - Mel Carter; 1938 - Mike Vickers (MANFRED MANN)/ guitarist, arranger; 1941 - Keith Potger (The SEEKERS/ New Seekers); 1946 - Arthur CONLEY; 1946 - Steve HOWE (Tomorrow/ YES)/ - guitarist; 1946 - Skip Spence (Jefferson Airplane/ Moby Grape); 1946 - RONNIE LANE (SMALL FACES/ FACES)/ - bass, songwriter; 1946 - Randy MEISNER (The Poor/ POCO/ The EAGLES)/ - bass; 1947 - Ann Peebles ... ... ... ... ... RECENT DEATHS: March 11th - Ray Campi (Rockabilly singer)/ - age 86; March 29th - Hans Kind (Cuby And The Blizzards)/ guitar, age 74; April 7th - Bill Philips - songwriter/ age 87 ....
Time
Performer [Composer]
Song
Album [Format]
Misc
Misc –
[ ]:Highest chart position - US BB Pop, unless noted
B'DAY:Artist was born the month of that show
DEATH:Recent death of that artist/musical figure
BED:Instrumental bed that I talk over
REQ:Requests from listeners
BUB:45 peaked only in BB 'Bubbling Under', not Top-100
NEW:New Release
( ):Label, Year Rec/Rel
... BUBBLING UNDER/ SET #1 - A set for CAPTAIN AL; all either by April R&B/ Soul birthday artists or connected to recent deaths, plus a March birthday not broadcast, because the station went off the air during my show:
Arthur Conley, who first recorded in 1963 as "Arthur & the Corvets" (3 singles), was born in April of 1946. / In 1964 he recorded for Otis Redding's "Jotis" label. In 1967 he and Redding rewrote Sam Cooke's song "Yeah Man" into "Sweet Soul Music", which was released on the Atco-distributed label Fame Records. It was a huge hit (#2 Pop, R&B/ 03-67). He moved to The Netherlands in 1980 and changed his name to "Lee Roberts". // Click on Link above, to see the original single
Time:
12:03
Artist:
War [Papa Dee Allen, Harold Brown, B.B. DICKERSON, Lonnie Jordan, Charles Miller, Lee Oskar & Howard Scott]
Song:
Lonely Feelin' [First single billed _only_ under their name, not as 'Eric Burdon & War']
The original bass player in Eric Burdon And War WAR (1969-1979), B.B. Dickerson, died April 2nd at age 71 // He was a member from 1969 to 1979 and co-wrote all their big hits
... Ed Townsend was born in April of 1929 - biggest hit was 'For Your Love' (#13/04-58) // He wrote a number of hits, the biggest being "Let's Get It On", also wrote and produced Theola Kilgore’s "The Love of My Man." // Click on Link above for a complete listing.
Peebles was born in April of 1947, she married fellow Hi label singer Don Bryant in 1974. Her biggest hit was 'I Can't Stand the Rain' (R&B #6, #38/ 08-73)
Time:
12:12
Artist:
Sarah Vaughan [Billed as 'Sarah Vaughan With Joe Reisman's Orchestra And Chorus']
{NOT broadcast last show} / Jazz legend Sarah Vaughan was born in March of 1924. She was nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One", the titles of several of her albums.
Time:
12:12
Artist:
The Elektras [Jerry LEIBER & Mike Stoller - also the producers]
{NOT broadcast last show} / Jerry Leiber, part of the first successful songwriting/production team in popular music, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, was born in April of 1933. // Click on the Link above, to read the fascinating history of this group, also known as "Baby Jane & The Rockabyes".
... One of the brothers who perform my closing theme, Johnny FARINA was born the last day of April, 1937. He played rhythm guitar. TOTALLY useless trivia - this debuted on the Billboard singles charts the same week (April 4th, 1964) The Beatles had _ALL_ five of the Top Five singles. ... ALSO ... Bass singer in The Heartbeats, Christian Waldemar "Wally" Roker was born in April 1937. For the Heartbeats, 'A Thousand Miles Away' was their signature song (R&B #5, #53/ 12-56) // Click on the Link above/left, to view the original Santo & Johnny single with the picture sleeve
Comment:
... BUBBLING UNDER/ SET #2 - Another set for CAPTAIN AL; all either by April R&B/ Soul birthday artists, or a March birthday not broadcast, because the station went off the air during my show:
Mel Carter was born in April 1939, and is still alive and WELL!! His big hit was "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" (#8 / 06-65) / He later became an actor, in such shows as: Quincy, M.E., Sanford and Son, Marcus Welby, M.D., CHiPs and also Magnum, P.I ... ALSO ... MY DAD was born April 16th, 19?? and this song was one of his favorites // Click on the Link above, to view the ALL-TIME CLASSIC scene in "Casablanca" in which this song was performed. Also, READ the COMMENTS. / "As Time Goes By" was first written/recorded in 1931.
The first star on the then-new Epic Records label, Hamilton was born in April of 1929; "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Unchained Melody", became Epic's first two number-one hits in March 1954 and May 1955.. ALSO ... Part of the first successful songwriting/production team in popular music, Jerry Leiber of the "Leiber-Stoller" production team, was born in April of 1933 / Click the Link above, to view the 173(!!) chart appearances of Leiber-Stoller-written songs.
{NOT broadcast last show}... R&B singer Walter JACKSON was born in March 1938 / Contracting polio at ages 16-17, he required crutches the rest of his life. After failing an audition for Motown, he was discovered by Columbia Records' A&R man, Carl Davis, who was impressed and persuaded him to move to Chicago in 1962 and sign for the label. After several releases, he was transferred to the subsidiary label, OKeh, which Davis was running. He had a series of mostly modest hits from 1964 till he passed away in 1983 at age 45. // Click on Link to the left, for an excellent in-depth overview of his career.
New Orleans singer Bobby Marchan, who started out as a female impersonator in the mid-50s, is probably best known now for being part of Huey Smith and the Clowns, sometimes performing as bandleader in place of Smith, who often preferred to stay in New Orleans to write and record while his band played clubs and toured. He sang on "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" and "Don't You Just Know It". He also recorded the original version of "Sea Cruise", but Ace Records owner Johnny Vincent decided to overdub Frankie Ford's voice over the music track. He was born in April of 1930.
Comment:
... BUBBLING UNDER/ SET #3 - MORE BIRTHDAYS, Recent DEATHS:
{NOT broadcast last show} / a-ONE, a-TWO: Polka/sweet band leader LAWRENCE (great name :) ) Welk was born in March of 1903, and had his own successful nationally syndicated TV show for decades (1951 - 1982) ... ALSO ... One of the leading members of "The Wrecking Crew", bassist Carole KAYE was born in March 1935; she created the 'walking bass' on the original/hit version of this song, by Sonny & Cher (UK #29, US #4/ 01-67). She played on countless sessions and many hits over the years: Nancy Sinatra' "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" and the solo bass line on Ike & Tina' Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High".
Time:
12:29
Artist:
Merle Haggard [Billed as 'Merle Haggard & the Strangers']
Country legend Haggard was born April 6th, 1937; he also died on April 6th ... ALSO ... My sister Susan (the BEST little sister EVER!) was also born April 6th.
Drummer John Barbata was born in April of 1945 / He was previously in surf band The Sentinels, then after The Turtles in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jefferson Airplane/Starship ... ALSO ... Turtles co-founder Mark Volman was born in April 1947 ... FINALLY ... The songwriter Alan GORDON was born in April of 1944 in NATICK, MA - he was previously in the group The Magicians with co-songwriter Gary Bonner; their 1st single "An Invitation To Cry" was a regional NY state hit in late 1965, and later on the seminal 1972 'Nuggets' 2-LP set.
Two members of the Brooklyn doo-wop group The Classics, formed in 1958, were born in April: lead singer singer Emil Stucchio was born in April of 1944 ... ALSO ... lead tenor singer Tony Victor was was born in April of 1943. Click on Link above, to read their biography
... Bobby Vee was born April 30th, 1943 as "Robert Velline"; his first major public performance was as a 15 year-old with his hastily-assembled band the "Strangers", replacing Buddy Holly after Holly was tragically killed several days before (Feb 3rd, 1959). Bob Dylan briefly played piano in Vee's band ... ALSO ... Writer of this song "Cowboy" Jack Clement was born in April of 1931; he started in The Music Biz at Sun records as a producer and engineer, discovering and recording Jerry Lee Lewis ('Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On') when Sam Phillips was away. Songs he wrote made 41 chart appearances, click on Link above to view.
Writer Joel Adelberg, better known as Jeff BARRY, was born April of 1938. See the Link abve, for all 160(!!!) chart appearances of songs he wrote, many with Ellie Greenwich, such as 'Da Doo Ron Ron', 'Then He Kissed Me', 'Be My Baby', 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy', 'Leader Of The Pack', 'River Deep - Mountain High', 'Chapel Of Love'. // Dante's real name: Carmine Granito; lead vocalist for the cartoon group, The Archies; he also provided lead vocals for the group The Cuff Links.
One of the greatest composers in the history of film, Henry Mancini was born in April of 1924. Amongst his most memorable recordings are the "Peter Gunn" theme, "The Pink Panther Theme" and "Moon River" from Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Comment:
... BUBBLING UNDER/ SET #4- They were supposed to be played last month {So All MARCH birthdays, not April}, but the station went off the air (several times):
{NOT broadcast last show} / Bass player Randy MEISNER was born in March of 1946. Best known as a founding member of THE EAGLES, he started in the Colorado band The Dynamics, (1962-1965), then The Poor (four singles, 1966 - May 1968). He was also a founding member of POCO (first album only), then in Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band (1969-1970), then backed Linda Ronsadt with Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, who became "The Eagles" in early 1972. / Writer Tom Shipley was later in "Brewer & Shipley". Click on the Link above/left for an A-MAZ-ING-LY comprehensive listing of Meisner's live performances, starting in 1961 with The Dynamics.
{NOT broadcast last show} / .. Former child actor Eddie HODGES also had a recording career from 1959 to 1967, with over a dozen singles. His biggest hit was ' I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door' (#12/ 06-61), first recorded by The Isley Brothers./ He was in the films 'A Hole in the Head' (with Frank Sinatra) and 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'. Click on the Link above/left, to view the original single.
.{NOT broadcast last show} / .. English pop singer Eden KANE {born "Richard Graham Sarstedt"} was born March of 1942; he was one of three singing Sarstedt brothers - there was also Peter Sarstedt and Robin Sarstedt. / His last English hit single, 'Boys Cry' (UK #8/ 02-64) was covered by English New Wave group The Distractions in 1980.
{NOT broadcast last show} / Travis Pritchett, of The Everly Brothers-styled "Travis & Bob" from Jackson, AL, was born in March 1939 // Their big hit was 'Tell Him No' (#8/ 03-59) / Click on Link above for a detailed look of their music career.
Time:
12:52
Artist:
The Seekers [Tom Springfield, Gary Osborne & Bob Sage]
{NOT broadcast last show} / Founding member of the Seekers Keith Potger was born in March 1941. After they broke up, he formed the New Seekers in 1969.
Comment:
END of The BUBBLING UNDER - it's OVER; No really, THAT's IT!!!
Comment:
END of The BUBBLING UNDER - it's OVER; No really, THAT's IT!!!
Comment:
... APRIL BIRTHDAYS ... ... APRIL BIRTHDAYS ... APRIL BIRTHDAYS ... APRIL BIRTHDAYS ... APRIL BIRTHDAYS
... Manfred Mann guitarist (also playing flute, sax and other woodwinds) Mike VICKERS was born in April of 1940. He was a member of the group from their start in fall 1962, when they were called "The Mann–Hugg Blues Brothers" (!). They changed their name in early 1963 - after all, how could a group called "The Blues Brothers" be successful? :). He left in late 1965 to work as an arranger and composer, and Tom McGuinness moved from bass to take his place on guitar.
Time:
12:56
Artist:
Manfred Mann [Manfred Mann, Mike Hugg & Paul Jones]
Song:
Without You [B-side of '5-4-3-2-1' / Vickers going all "Ian Anderson" on flute, 4 years before Tull ...]
... Manfred Mann guitarist (also playing flute, sax and other woodwinds) Mike VICKERS was born in April of 1940. He was a member of the group from the start in fall 1962, when they were called "The Mann–Hugg Blues Brothers" (!). Vickers left in late 1965 to work as an arranger and composer, and Tom McGuinness moved from bass to take his place on guitar. // The flip side of their theme song for the popular British TV show "Ready Steady Go.", this was their third English single, but first US release, March 1964. Sorry if I confused ya ....
Klaus Voorman, who replaced Jack Bruce on bass in mid-1966, was later with Manfred Mann till the summer of 1969. He also worked as a commercial artist, and is probably best known for designing the award-winning cover to the "Revolver" album in 1966. He was born in April of 1938 // "Paddy Klaus & Gibson" = Paddy Chambers (ex-Farons Flamingos), Klaus Voorman and Gibson Kemp (ex- Rory Storm And The Hurricanes)
... EVENT - On April 11th, 1964, The BEATLES had 14(!!!) singles in the Billboard Hot-100 Singles Chart, the MOST {BY FAR ...} ever by one artist. This was at #61 // Originally the English B-side of "From Me to You", which was recorded on the same day (March 5th, 1963), and released April 11th, 1963 - then released by Vee Jay Records in the US on May 6, 1963. Got all that :) ? // Songwriting credits were "McCartney, Lennon" - click on the Link above to view this single.
Time:
1:03
Artist:
The Syndicats [P. Driscoll, K. Driscoll, Steve HOWE, S. Truelove]
Song:
What To Do [2nd of their 3 singles; B-side of 'Howlin' For My Baby']
Steve Howe is best known for playing guitar with Yes for many years (replacing Peter Banks in April 1970, shortly after their 3rd album was released), but his first recorded group was The Syndicats, in late 1963. He left them in Nov 1965 after three singles to join The in Crowd, which evolved into Tomorrow, best known for "My White Bicycle". He was born in 1946. ... ALSO ... Legendary/ eccentric producer Joe Meek produced The Syndicats singles at his home studio, located at 304 Hollaway Road in North London, where he made all of his recordings as England's first independent music producer of note. Click on the Link above, for a detailed and lavishly illustrated account of his career. His first hit production was John Leyton's "Johnny Remember Me" (UK #1!/ 08-61).
... Founding member of Brian Poole & the Tremeloes/ Tremeloes in 1958, rhythm guitarist/ keyboard player/ songwriter {co-wrote several of their English hits} Alan Blakely was born April 1st of 1942. He left in 1972 // Factoid: Bobby Graham was session drummer on this track and _ALSO_ drummer on the Dave Clark Five's competing version of the song, a {lesser} English hit (#30/ 10-63)...
Comment:
... OK, no birthday next - HERE's HOW to Do a Motown cover!:
Klaus Voormann replaced Jack Bruce as Manfred Mann's bass player in mid-1966 and was with them till the group broke up in mid-1969. Earlier, he had made acquaintance with The Beatles in their early Hamburg/ Kaiserkeller Club days in 1961. At George Harrison's invitation, he moved to London, but returned to Germany in 1963, to form Paddy Klaus & Gibson. He also worked as a commercial artist, and is probably best known for designing the award-winning cover to the "Revolver" album in 1966.
... Bobby Vee was born April 30th, 1943 as "Robert Velline"; his first major public performance was as a 15 year-old with his hastily-assembled band the Strangers, replacing Buddy Holly after Holly was tragically killed several days before (Feb 3rd, 1959). Bob Dylan briefly played piano in Vee's band/ This was first released on the local Soma label, July 1959, click on Link above, to view... ALSO ... My sister Susan was born April 6th, 19??. Happy birthday to the BEST little sister EVER!
Time:
1:15
Artist:
Small Faces [Kenney Jones, Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott, JamesWinston]
Not released in the US until the 2-CD "Ultimate Collection", 2003
Small Faces - UK Decca [Not released in the US until the 2-CD "Ultimate Collection", 2003]
Misc:
[UK LP charts: #3] • B'DAY • (May 1966)
Comment:
Bass player Ronnie "Plonk" Lane was an original member of The Small Faces, formed in spring 1965. He was their chief songwriter, usually partnering with Steve Marriot. They were _MUCH_ more popular in England where they had 12 chart singles (9 Top-10, 5 Top-5 hits) to three in the US, only one of which made the Top-20 ("Itchycoo Park", #16/ 08-67) // After they broke up New Year's Eve/ late 1968 Lane, Jones and McLagan joined up with with two former members of The Jeff Beck Group, singer Rod Stewart and guitarist Ronnie Wood, along with Art Wood and Kim Gardner to form Quiet Melon. Several recordings were made, before the lineup minus Art and Kim became "The Faces". / Lane left the group June 4th, 1973 shortly after the release of the "Ooh La La," album. He then formed his own band, "Slim Chance", who had two English hits "How Come" (UK # 11/ 01-74) and "The Poacher" (UK #36/ 06-74) and the album "Anymore for Anymore". / In 1977 he recorded the "Rough Mix" album with Pete Townsend.
Time:
1:17
Artist:
Juicy Lucy [Glenn Ross CAMPBELL, Paul Williams, Micky Moody]
Starting in Riversdale, CA with The Misunderstood, guitarist Glenn Ross Campbell formed Juicy Lucy in the fall of 1969 after The Misunderstood moved to England, but broke up. He was born in April of 1946./ He left the group after this album, then backing up Joe Cocker, later Sammy Hager.
The Spectres were founded by Francis ROSSI and Alan Lancaster, who later formed Status Quo in Aug 1967. Rossi is also the lead singer, lead guitarist and the sole continuous member of Status Quo. Rossi was born in April of 1949
. One of the brothers who perform my closing theme, Johnny FARINA was born the last day of April, 1937. He played rhythm guitar ... ALSO ... Billy Joe Royal had a number of hits from 1965-1969, most of them written by Joe South. "Hush" was #52/ 09-67, but much bigger for Deep Purple (#4/ 07-68). He was born in April of 1942. His biggest hit was his first, " Down in the Boondocks" (#9/ 07-65)
... Alexander "Skip" Spense, of Moby Grape, was born in April of 1946. Although a guitarist, the first recorded group he played with was Jefferson Airplane, as their (almost) original drummer in late Aug 1965. Apparently, Marty Balin saw him at the bar of the Matrix, the club he had just opened, and decided that Spence "looked like a drummer". He was on their first three singles and their debut album, but when he missed a show to take a trip to Mexico, he was fired in July 1966. However, he and former JA manager Matthew Katz soon formed Moby Grape, where he went back to playing guitar, writing and singing. He was on their classic debut album (June 1967), but during the NYC sessions for their second album "Wow", freaked out and was committed to Bellevue Hospital. After six months confinement, the day he was released he drove on his new motorcycle to Nashville in early Dec 1968, to record his only solo album "Oar".
... Alexander "Skip" Spense, of Moby Grape, was born in April of 1946. Although a guitarist, the first recorded group he played with was Jefferson Airplane, as their (almost) original drummer in late Aug 1965. Apparently, Marty Balin saw him at the bar of the Matrix, the club he had just opened, and decided that Spence "looked like a drummer". He was on their first three singles and their debut album, but when he missed a show to take a trip to Mexico, he was fired in July 1966. However, he and former JA manager Matthew Katz soon formed Moby Grape, where he went back to playing guitar, writing and singing. He was on their classic debut album (June 1967), but during the NYC sessions for their second album "Wow", freaked out and was committed to Bellevue Hospital. After six months confinement, the day he was released he drove on his new motorcycle to Nashville in early Dec 1968, to record his only solo album "Oar". // Recorded December 12, 1968 - the last day of the 'Oar' sessions.
... Alexander "Skip" Spense, of Moby Grape, was born in April of 1946. Although a guitarist, the first recorded group he played with was Jefferson Airplane, as their (almost) original drummer in late Aug 1965. Apparently, Marty Balin saw him at the bar of the Matrix, the club he had just opened, and decided that Spence "looked like a drummer". He was on their first three singles and their debut album, but when he missed a show to take a trip to Mexico, he was fired in July 1966. However, he and former JA manager Matthew Katz soon formed Moby Grape, where he went back to playing guitar, writing and singing. He was on their classic debut album (June 1967), but during the NYC sessions for their second album "Wow", freaked out and was committed to Bellevue Hospital. After six months confinement, the day he was released he drove on his new motorcycle to Nashville in early Dec 1968, to record his only solo album "Oar". // Recorded December 12, 1968 - the last day of the 'Oar' sessions.
... Alexander "Skip" Spense, of Moby Grape, was born in April of 1946. Although a guitarist, the first recorded group he played with was Jefferson Airplane, as their (almost) original drummer in late Aug 1965. Apparently, Marty Balin saw him at the bar of the Matrix, the club he had just opened, and decided that Spence "looked like a drummer". He was on their first three singles and their debut album, but when he missed a show to take a trip to Mexico, he was fired in July 1966. However, he and former JA manager Matthew Katz soon formed Moby Grape, where he went back to playing guitar, writing and singing. He was on their classic debut album (June 1967), but during the NYC sessions for their second album "Wow", freaked out and was committed to Bellevue Hospital. After six months confinement, the day he was released he drove on his new motorcycle to Nashville in early Dec 1968, to record his only solo album "Oar". // Recorded December 12, 1968 - the last day of the 'Oar' sessions.
.. Alexander "Skip" Spense, of Moby Grape, was born in April of 1946. Although a guitarist, the first recorded group he played with was Jefferson Airplane, as their (almost) original drummer in late Aug 1965. He was on their first three singles and their debut album, but when he missed a show to take a trip to Mexico, he was fired in July 1966. ... However, he and former Jeff Airplane manager Matthew Katz soon formed Moby Grape, where he went back to playing guitar, writing and singing. He was on their classic debut album (June 1967), writing their only Top-100 single "Omaha" (#88/ 07-67) and "Indifference", but during the NYC sessions for their second album "Wow", freaked out and was committed to Bellevue Hospital. At least one song of his was recorded on all subsequent Moby Grape albums.
The mastermind behind Jan & Dean's recordings, as a producer/ arranger/ frequent writer, Jan BERRY was born in April of 1941. On April 12, 1966, he was severely injured in a a bad crash on Whittier Drive, just a short distance from "Dead Man's Curve" in Beverly Hills, CA , the subject of their big hit (#8/ 03-64) two years earlier. At the time, he was also a full-time student at California College of Medicine, which is now the U.C. Irvine College of Medicine. In a coma for more than two months, he emerged with limited use of his right arm, and had to learn to write with his left hand, also how to walk again. ... // ... IMHO, Jan & Dean belong in the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame, but that'll never happen, mostly because of their irreverent attitude. Some people think of them as a second-rate version of early Beach Boys, but they had a number of hit singles YEARS before the Beach Boys existed ...
The mastermind behind Jan & Dean's recordings, as a producer/ arranger/ frequent writer, Jan BERRY was born in April of 1941. On April 12, 1966, he was severely injured in a a bad crash on Whittier Drive, just a short distance from "Dead Man's Curve" in Beverly Hills, CA , the subject of their big hit (#8/ 03-64) two years earlier. At the time, he was also a full-time student at California College of Medicine, which is now the U.C. Irvine College of Medicine. In a coma for more than two months, he emerged with limited use of his right arm, and had to learn to write with his left hand, also how to walk again. ... // ... IMHO, Jan & Dean belong in the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame, but that'll never happen, mostly because of their irreverent attitude. Some people think of them as a second-rate version of early Beach Boys, but they had a number of hit singles YEARS before the Beach Boys existed ...
The mastermind behind Jan & Dean's recordings, as a producer/ arranger/ frequent writer, Jan BERRY was born in April of 1941. On April 12, 1966, he was severely injured in a a bad crash on Whittier Drive, just a short distance from "Dead Man's Curve" in Beverly Hills, CA , the subject of their big hit (#8/ 03-64) two years earlier. In a coma for more than two months, he emerged with limited use of his right arm, and had to learn to write with his left hand, also how to walk again. ... // ... IMHO, Jan & Dean belong in the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame, but that'll never happen, mostly because of their irreverent attitude. Some people think of them as a second-rate version of early Beach Boys, but they had a number of hit singles YEARS before the Beach Boys existed ... / Can a songwriter plagiarize his own song? You decide ...
Born in April of 1944, a really big Canadian Pop star; he had over 30 Canadian chart singles from 1960 to 1971, versus only two US chart singles, the biggest by far being "Fortuneteller" (#41/ 05-62). IF you don't believe me, click on the Link above to view them all. So - why was this released over a YEAR later in the US?
... Born in The Bronx in April of 1939, by his own admission Maresca wasn't much of a singer, but he sure sounds like he's having fun... / He wrote a number of hits for Dion & The Belmonts, Dion, The Belmonts, Reparata & the Delrons. His only chart hit was "Shout! Shout! (Knock Yourself Out)" (R&B #25, Pop #6/ 03-62). By the 1970s he was head of Laurie Records' publicity department. / Click the Link above, to read a fascinating "Spectropop" interview" of him, that goes into much detail.
Hard-Bop pianist Freddie Redd died March 17th at the age of 92 / He also played with Art Blakey, Charles Mingus and Tiny Grimes // Click on the Link above, for a non-Wiki biography
... Hans Kind, guitarist for The Rockin' Strings, then Cubby & The Blizzards {on their singles through early 1967, also their first album "Desolation"), died March 29th at age 74 // They had a very strong blues influence, distinguishing them from other Dutch beat groups // Click on Link, above/ left to view the original Dutch single and picture sleeve... ALSO ... above/ RIGHT to see original Dutch album
... Texas rockabilly singer and acoustic bass player Ray Campi died March 11th at age 86 / From 1967 on, he was a junior high school teacher in Van Nuys, California. He later recorded in the early 70s for Ronnie Weiser's "Rollin' Rock" label, then began touring Great Britain and Europe with the "rockabilly revival" overseas.
Co-written by Dolly Parton (and her uncle Bill Owens). He also wrote C&W hits for Skeeter Davis, Kitty Wells and Porter Wagoner.
Owens, who was also Parton's first manager, died April 7th at the age of 85
Time:
1:52
Artist:
Chiffons [Jeff BARRY, Ellie Greenwich & The Tokens]
... Pat Bennett of The CHIFFIONS was born in April 1947 ... ALSO ... The songwriter, Jeff Barry was born in April of 1938. See the Link abve, for all 160(!!!) chart appearances of songs he wrote, many with Ellie Greenwich, such as 'Da Doo Ron Ron', 'Then He Kissed Me', 'Be My Baby', 'Do Wah Diddy Diddy', 'Leader Of The Pack', 'River Deep - Mountain High', 'Chapel Of Love'.
Doug Clifford, born in April of 1945 was drummer since 1959 in Tommy Fogerty & The Blue Velvets, then later The Golliwogs, before they became Creedence Clearwater Revival in Jan 1968// Clifford, along with Stu Cook (bass) and the Fogerty brothers (John, Tom - died 1990) grew up together in El Cerrito, California // Songwriting credits: "Rann WILD" is a pseudonym for Tom Fogerty and "Toby GREEN" is a pseudonym for John Fogerty.
Bass player Ronnie "Plonk" Lane was an original member of The Small Faces, formed in spring 1965. He was their chief songwriter, usually partnering with Steve Marriot. They were _MUCH_ more popular in England where they had 12 chart singles (9 Top-10, 5 Top-5 hits) to three in the US, only one of which made the Top-20 ("Itchycoo Park", #16/ 08-67) // After they broke up New Year's Eve/ late 1968 Lane, Jones and McLagan joined up with members of The Jeff Beck Group, Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, along with Art Wood and Kim Gardner to form Quiet Melon. Several recordings were made, before the lineup minus Art and Kim became "The Faces". / Lane left the group June 4th, 1973 shortly after the release of the "Ooh La La," album. He then formed his own band, "Slim Chance", who had two English hits "How Come" (UK # 11/ 01-74) and "The Poacher" (UK #36/ 06-74) and the album "Anymore for Anymore". / In 1977 he recorded the "Rough Mix" album with Pete Townsend.
