Please use these links or scroll down to view descriptions and listen to the shows.
Ronnie Allen (the other)
Archies
Ginny Arnell
Bruce Belland
Gary U.S. Bonds
Jim Ed Brown
Castells
Gene Chandler
Bruce Channel
Don Cherry
Chordettes
Jimmy Clanton
Coasters
Carol Connors
Jill Corey
Bob Crewe
Cuff Links
Sonny Curtis
Ron Dante
Delicates
Detergents
Tracey Dey
Diamonds
Dick and Dee Dee
Dicky Doo
Kenny Dino
Dixie Cups
Ronnie Dove
Duane Eddy
Paul Evans
Fireflies
Fleetwoods
Frankie Ford
Four Preps
Chuck Girard
Anthony Gourdine
Charlie Gracie
Gerry Granahan
Gogi Grant
Janie Grant
Barbara Harris
Larry Henley
Clarence "Frogman" Henry
Hondells
Islanders
Wanda Jackson
Peggy King
Beverly Lee
Dickey Lee
Barbara Lewis
Gary Lewis
Paul and Paula
Peggy March
C.W. McCall
Tony Middleton
Jody Miller
Chad Mitchell Trio
Chris Montez
Murmaids
Newbeats
Paris Sisters
Paul Petersen
Dee Dee Phelps
Pixies Three
Poni-Tails
Eddie Rambeau
Jimmie Rodgers
Billy Joe Royal
Shirelles
Sam The Sham
Jay Siegel
Dave Somerville
Randy Starr
Shawn Swords
Teddy Bears
Nino Tempo and April Stevens
Sue Thompson
Tokens
Carolyn Travis
Gary Troxel
Paul Vance
Bobby Vee
Willows
Maurice Williams
Ginny Wright
Kathy Young
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Carolyn Travis
60 MINUTES: If you have ever enjoyed listening to rock and roll radio, be it AM, FM or satellite, I am sure
that you will enjoy this interview show in which Carolyn and I talk about this incredible documentary
which took her and her husband Chris Fox Gilson (both award-winning filmmakers) ten years to complete!
This is a no-holds-barred true story -- covering approximately 56 years -- told by America's best-loved
deejays and people close to them. Carolyn personally conducted all the interviews seen in the film and
this show contains several airchecks and videos from it of our most beloved deejays over the years doing
what they do best and also, in several cases, talking about their careers and the evolution of rock and
roll radio.
Some of the deejays appearing in the film are, alphabetically: Dick Biondi, Jerry ("The Geator") Blavat,
Tom Donahue, Alan Freed, Jocko Henderson, Arnie (Woo Woo) Ginzburg, Dan Ingram, Martha Jean (the Queen),
Wolfman Jack, Murray the K, Casey Kasem, Jim Ladd, (Cousin) Bruce Morrow, Scott Muni, Phlash Phelps,
Rufus Thomas ... and that's just a partial list. The show includes touching comments
(from the film) from Alan Freed's son Lance and Murray The K's son Peter Altschuler.
The film will soon be available for everyone to see. I had so much fun doing this show with Carolyn
and I know that this ten-year "labor of love" for Carolyn and Chris is destined to be a huge hit.
You can visit their website to check out future developments: www.travisty.tv.
This filmmaker, along with her husband, co-produced and co-directed the outstanding documentary
"Airplay: The Rise And Fall Of Rock Radio," which tells the story of how that medium evolved and changed
our lives over a period now approaching 60 years.
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Jody Miller
60 MINUTES: She was born with the name Myrna Joy Miller but her fans throughout the world know her as
Jody. Like Wanda Jackson, who was my previous interview subject, Jody is from Oklahoma and has had a
very successful career singing many styles of music.
She was initially inspired to try to become a professional singer after hearing
a record by the legendary Italian-American tenor Mario Lanza! She started out as a folk singer before
forging a tremendously successful career singing pop, country, gospel and patriotic music.
It was actor Dale Robertson who helped Jody to get her foot in the door and it was her
Grammy-winning recording of "Queen Of The House" (an answer to Roger Miller's "King Of The Road")
that opened that door very wide.
Jody then scored with the totally-different-sounding "Home of the Brave" and
ultimately became a pioneer crossover female vocalist, paving the way for Linda Ronstadt, Anne Murray
and Olivia Newton-John and others as a pop vocalist who recorded with a large country influence and
found huge success in both genres. In the 70s, after changing her label and record producer,
Jody's main focus was country music and she had a total of 27 charted country hits.
Her middle name is Joy and that descibes my feelings about this show.
Call her the "Queen Of The House" and also call her a music pioneer!
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Wanda Jackson
60 MINUTES: She's rockabilly, she's country, she's gospel. And now she's one of the latest people to be
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
Legendary country singer Hank Thompson sensed that Wanda was someone really special when he heard her on
an Oklahoma City radio show and invited her to record with his band, the Brazos Valley Boys.
But it wasn't all a bed of roses. At an early point in her career Wanda asked Capitol Records to sign her,
but she was turned down by producer Ken Nelson who told her "girls don't sell records." (She signed with
Decca instead). She eventually did get signed with Capitol and Ken became her record producer for 18
years. I assume that Wanda forgave him for his initial comment and also that, in light of her incredible
success, he changed his mind!
In the early 60s Wanda had big pop hits with "Let's Have A Party," "Right Or Wrong" and
"In The Middle Of A Heartache" and in a period spanning 21 years -- 1954 through 1974 -- she had 30
charted country hits. In the early 70s she discovered Christianity and began recording many gospel albums.
Wanda's recordings are so varied and so wonderful.
The Queen Of Rockabilly and one of the latest Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame members.
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Gary U.S. Bonds
60 MINUTES: Okay, everyone now knows that Gary U.S. Bonds is NOT a group but rather a solo performer.
However, back in the 60s when he started having hits as "U.S. Bonds," deejays would say "there's a great
sound by The U.S. Bonds"! So the artist decided to call himself "Gary U.S. Bonds" figuring that would
solve that problem. But deejays then started calling him "Gary AND the U.S. Bonds." Most people with gimmicky
names don't have too many hits. But, based upon his national top 40 charted records,
including his #1 smash "Quarter To Three,"
Gary is a NINE-hit wonder! All of those hits are on this show. After a chart absence of 19 years, Gary had
an incredible comeback in 1981, spearheaded by none other than "The Boss" himself. This man has been rockin'
and rollin' for 50 years and it was so much fun doing this show with him. Come on in, the music's fantastic!
He added "Gary" to his name so that deejays wouldn't be confused.
It didn't work.
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Kenny Dino
30 MINUTES: "Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night" from 1961 is one of those oldies which,
because of its long title and its riveting hook, you just can't get out of your head once you've heard it.
Interestingly the first time Kenny heard it, he sure TRIED to get it out of his head!
He did NOT want to record it and his record label didn't want him to do so either.
Yet, after some arm-twisting and finding a new record label that believed in the song,
he wound up doing it and it became a national hit.
Born and raised in New York City, Kenny began singing in the late 50s while in the Navy stationed in Iceland.
His first guitar player was Doug Sahm, who eventually formed the Sir Douglas Quintet.
Kenny has been an active performer for 50 years and is still rocking and rolling, sharing stages
with some of the top names in the music business.
He's a fun guy with many great stories and many catchy recordings besides "Your Ma Said."
The "Your Ma Said" singer once convinced a huge radio audience that he was Beatle George Harrison.
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Vicki Spencer
75 MINUTES: I did this interview show especially for Clay Cole and up until now it has only been available
on his website: http://www.claycoleshow.com.
Vicki's dad, Lou Spencer, was universally-acclaimed as one of the top dancers in the world. At the age of
16, Vicki appeared as a featured singing performer with Chubby Checker and Dion in two motion pictures:
"Teenage Millionaire" (starring Jimmy Clanton) and "Twist Around The Clock" (starring Clay Cole). She sang
two songs in each of those films. She eventually did some modeling and commercials and was a semi-finalist
in The Miss Teenage America contest. Then she was in many bands with her brothers, doing extensive recording
and touring. Through a series of fortunate events, I was able to locate her and she graciously agreed
to doing this interview show. Her daughter, Jamie Perlow, is a professional singer
and she appears toward the end of this show. There's also a surprise call-in appearance by
someone very famous but I can't say who it is!
At the age of 16 she was the only featured female singing performer
in the most famous movie ever devoted exclusively to The Twist.
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The Doughboys
80 MINUTES: I did this interview show especially for Clay Cole and up until now it has only been available
on his website: http://www.claycoleshow.com.
In the mid-60s this New Jersey-based group released two singles,
"Rhoda Mendelbaum" and "Everybody Knows My Name," which are mid 60's NJ-American pop rock classics.
They performed with the top acts in the business and were the house band at Greenwich Village's legendary
Cafe Wha? in 1968. They recently reunited and released a CD called "Is It Now?" which is getting a
tremendous amount of attention on FM and the Internet.
I interviewed lead singer Mike Scavone and bass player Mike Caruso
in the studio while drummer Richard X. Heyman was on the phone;
a week later I spoke by phone with Gar Francis and that conversation is also part of this show.
(Gar replaced the recently deceased original member Willy Kirchofer,
the founding member of the Doughboys.) It was a joy to do this show with this group who are hotter now
than they have ever been.
They started rockin' and rollin' in the 60s. Now, forty years later, they are still rockin' and rollin' and
burning up FM radio and the Internet!
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Tracey Dey
60 MINUTES: Nora Ferrari, a pretty young blonde, was attending Fordham University when famed record producer
Bob Crewe heard a demo tape that she had recorded. He quickly signed her to his production company
(aptly named Genius, Inc.) and gave her a brand new name: "Tracey Dey." Her first recording, produced by
Bob (of course!), was "Jerry (I'm Your Sherry)," an answer record to the Four Seasons' first #1 hit.
Tracey charted nationally with subsequent singles, including "Teenage Cleopatra," "Here Comes The Boy" and
"Gonna Get Along Without You Now." These and other releases by Tracey are considered by her fans throughout
the world to be as some of the best recordings of the "girl group" era. For more than 40 years, she's been off
the radar screen. I'm so glad that, in response to so many requests, I was able to find her and that she
agreed to do this show with me, her first radio interview ever. It was so much fun walking down memory lane
with her, reliving so many wonderful memories. Note: a special thank you to Jack Raymond for his help in
making this show possible.
Here comes the girl ... doing her first radio interview ever.
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Shawn Swords
60 MINUTES: "Wages Of Spin" is a revealing and critical documentary about the Philadelphia music scene from
1952-1963, focusing on the history of "American Bandstand," Dick Clark, payola and the teen idols of the day.
Director Shawn Swords and producer Blake Wilcox were in the studio with me as we discussed the film. Many
music personalities appear in it including radio personality Jerry Blavat, producer/songwriter Artie Singer
and rockabilly great Charlie Gracie; it focuses among other things on the fact that Dick Clark did not merely
play the hits, he also made the hits and in many cases owned all or part of them. The film was recently
exhibited at the Philadelphia Film Festival and will soon be on national TV and possibly in select movie
houses. You will probably be surprised by the revelations contained in this interview, which are presented in
much more detail in the film itself.
This filmmaker directed the eagerly-awaited and much-talked-about documentary "Wages Of Spin,"
which focuses on the Philadelphia music scene from 1952-1963, primarily on "American Bandstand"
and Dick Clark. Producer Blake Wilcox also participated in the show.
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The Delicates
85 MINUTES: The three Belleville (NJ) belles -- alphabetically by first name ARLEEN Lanzotti Gonnella,
DENISE Ferri and PEGGY Santiglia Davison -- are one of the most popular and enduring girl groups of the
pre-Beatle era. They also answer, respectively, to the nicknames LEE, DEE and PEG!
Those who listened to Murray The K's legendary "Swinging Soiree" show on 1010-WINS in New York City knew
them as his original "Dancing Girls": they wrote and sang his "Submarine Race Watcher Theme" and show
jingles and appeared with him on the radio and made many in-person appearances with him and other deejays at
major stage events with the top recording acts in the nation and at local venues.
They made so many delightful recordings including "Flip Flip," "Meusurry" and "Black And White Thunderbird,"
which, over the years, has become one of the most popular car songs throughout the US and around the world.
Just as important to them as their recording career is the fact that they have remained lifelong friends since
meeting each other at their elementary school in Belleville, NJ. You can find additional information, of
course, on this website.
For several reasons, no interview that I have done to date has been more fun than this one!
The first full-length interview ever with all three of Murray The K's ORIGINAL "Dancing Girls"!
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The Willows (Tony Middleton)
HALF-HOUR: "Church Bells May Ring" was one of the first 45s that I ever bought. So for that reason alone, this
interview was already very special to me even before the "tape started rolling."
Talking to Tony and learning (for the first time) about so many great
recordings that the Willows have done in addition to that one was both educational and enjoyable. This group,
originally from Harlem, is a splendid example of wonderful group harmony singing.
If you only know them from "Church Bells May Ring," you will be amazed by their versatility.
And, if you don't know this person's identity,
you might be surprised when you find out in this interview what famous rock and roller
played the chimes on that legendary Willows recording. Doing this show with Tony was a total delight.
"Church Bells May Ring," with Tony on lead, is one of the most remembered and beloved doowop and R&B
recordings of all time.
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Little Anthony and the Imperials (Anthony Gourdine)
ONE-HOUR: I first spoke privately to Anthony on January 8, 2009, which happened to be his birthday.
He sounded real happy and now I know why: he had just been told that he and his group, the Imperials,
had been voted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, Class of 2009.
I recorded this one-hour phone interview show with Anthony exactly two weeks later, on January 22.
Members of his group who were inducted with him in Cleveland on April 4 include
Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Sammy Strain and the late Tracy Lord.
Anthony and his group are not only wonderful recording artists but consummate (and very busy) entertainers
as well and they are constantly re-inventing themselves. This fun interview is chock full of surprises,
musical and otherwise, and Anthony is one of the classiest guys it's been my pleasure to meet via
long distance!
What a birthday present: "You're IN!"
The group was officially inducted on April 4, 2009.
Congratulations!
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Maurice Williams
HALF-HOUR: "Stay" is the title of Maurice Williams 1960 chart-topping hit and it can also refer to his
own musical durability: he has STAYED as one of the most popular artists in the history of classic
rhythm and blues and rock and roll music for over 50 years. He first achieved prominence in 1957 as the leader
of the Gladiolas: their version of his composition "Little Darlin'" rode the pop and r&b charts; then the song
became a rock and roll classic when the Diamonds covered it and took it to #2 on the pop chart. Three years
later he and his group, renamed the Zodiacs, hit #1 on the pop chart with the aforementioned "Stay": at 1:37,
it remains the shortest record ever to hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Those songs, as well as several
other goodies, are on this fun show with the man who is still out there making great music and pleasing his
multitude of fans.
He wrote and sang the shortest hit ever to hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
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The Fleetwoods (Gary Troxel)
HALF-HOUR: Gary Troxel was the guy in the Olympia, Washington trio that was originally called "Two Girls And
A Guy." The girls were Gretchen Christopher and Barbara Ellis. Thankfully they changed their name to the
Fleetwoods. Their magical 1959 recording "Come Softly To Me" established them as overnight successes, zooming
to #1 on the national chart and remaining there for four weeks. Later in that same year they earned their
second national #1 hit with "Mr. Blue," a song which Gary tells me he didn't like at all! (He has changed his
mind!) From 1959 through 1963 they had a total of nine national top-forty hits, pretty amazing when you
consider that Gary was in the Navy for a good portion of that time. Their sound is unique and wonderful. By
the way, do you know what Gary REALLY sings at the beginning of "Come Softly To Me"? Listen and find out.
For close to 50 years their legendary "soft" hit has remained one of the most beloved recordings of the rock
era.
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The Newbeats (Larry Henley)
HALF-HOUR: Larry Henley was the falsetto lead singer of the trio called the Newbeats, who hit #2 on the
Billboard Hot 100 with one of the most memorable oldies of the mid-60s called "Bread and Butter." The other
Newbeats were brothers Dean and Marc Mathis. That hit was the first of four national top-40 records by the
group. Larry went on to write successful country songs. But probably his most notable musical accomplishment
was having co-written (with Jeff Silbar) one of the most loved songs of the past quarter century:
the best-known version of that song, which was "Wind Beneath My Wings," became a #1 hit for Bette Midler.
Note: there is a surprise guest appearance on this show by a very popular singer who had pop hits in the 60s
and country hits in the 70s.
The falsetto singer who wrote one of pop music's most enduring classics.
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Bruce Channel
HALF-HOUR: Bruce Channel became an overnight success in 1962 when a song that he co-wrote and recorded called
"Hey! Baby" zoomed to #1 on the chart. That song has become a classic and was also recorded in charted
versions by Jose Feliciano, Ringo Starr and Anne Murray, who took it to the top ten of the country chart.
Bruce also charted with several other recordings and then embarked upon a second career as a very successful
country music songwriter. Listener's advisory: this show includes a surprise guest appearance by someone very
near and dear to Bruce, for obvious musical reasons!
Hey, baby, it's pronounced shuh-NELL!
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Clarence "Frogman" Henry
HALF-HOUR: Clarence Henry, born in New Orleans where he has lived all his life, came to national prominence by
singing as a boy, a girl and a frog on his legendary 1956 hit "Ain't Got No Home." That success gave him the
nickname of "Frogman." In 1961, without using the frog voice, he had his biggest chart success with
"But I Do," a recording originally released as "I Don't Know Why." In 1964 he opened for the Beatles on 18
concert dates. Clarence, who has retired from performing, is a true gentleman who obviously enjoys life so
very much. His music, a quintessential example of the fabulous New Orleans sound, is earcatching and memorable.
The renowned New Orleans hitmaker with the three singing voices!
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Sam the Sham
HALF-HOUR: Domingo Samudio (aka Sam the Sham) and his group took the country by storm in 1965. "Wooly Bully"
by Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs, which everyone loved even though it made little or no sense, was the #1
record for that entire year according to Billboard Magazine. They had another huge hit in 1966 with "Lil' Red
Riding Hood," as well as several other chart records. And Sam even won a Grammy Award and you'll never guess
what the category was. (A clue: he beat out Miles Davis!) I could say more here but I think it would be more
appropriate to let you be surprised and delighted by this man. Even with several power failures during our
recording session, I found this to be one of the most enjoyable interviews I've done.
A combination of "Wooly Bully" and assorted fun and a healthy heaping of wonderful homespun philosophy!
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Chris Montez
HALF-HOUR: Ezekiel Christopher Montanez, aka Chris Montez, hit the jackpot in 1962 with his exciting recording
of "Let's Dance." Shortly thereafter an promising but relatively-unknown act called the Beatles was opening
shows for him and Tommy Roe. For the next few years Chris was pretty much not heard from. That changed when
Herb Alpert heard him and offered to record him but insisted that Chris change his style to something
completely different. That was a great career move but it had a side-effect: his second hit, "Call Me," was so
different from "Let's Dance" that several deejays who saw the name "Chris" and were unaware of his previous hit
called him "Miss Montez"! (The subsequent release of an album cleared things up for all.) The versatile MISTER
Montez is a very active performer today, both in Europe and the United States. Question: did John Lennon REALLY
pour beer over Chris's head in a bar, as has been widely reported by several sources? I asked him and he did
not take the fifth. Doing this show with him was "some kinda fun" for me.
The successful rocker and soft-style singer whose first soft hit was MISSunderstood by many deejays!
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Paul and Paula
ONE HOUR: Paul and Paula became overnight successes with their 1963 #1 smash hit "Hey Paula." These two Texas
natives had several other charted records which took their fantasy romance a few steps further, all of which
are included in this show. Inquiring minds want to know: (1) Did Paul (Ray Hildebrand) really write
"Hey Paula" for Paula (Jill Jackson)? (2) What blooper did Dick Clark commit when Paul and Paula appeared on
"American Bandstand"? (3) Why did Ray suddenly leave the Dick Clark tour and leave Paula without her Paul?
These questions and many more are asked and answered during this show. It was such a joy for me to interview
this delightful duo whose music I have loved for so many years.
On records and in performances they were singing sweethearts.
In real life they were good friends Ray Hildebrand and Jill Jackson.
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Peggy March
HALF-HOUR: She was billed as "Little Peggy March" back in 1963 when her second single for RCA Victor, entitled
"I Will Follow Him," zoomed to the top. She was only 15 years old and she became the youngest female vocalist
ever to hit #1 on Billboard's national chart, a record that still holds today. She followed with several more
chart records and then went on to become a popular recordinig star throughout the world, most notably in
Germany. She is still a very active active performer, both in the States and overseas, and she recently
celebrated her 60th birthday. And it was on that day, while she was in Germany, that she accepted my email
invitation to record this show with me when she returned to the U.S. She is a total delight and, 45 years
later, her biggest hits still sound as wonderful as ever.
There are leaders and there are followers.
Back in 1963 this little girl with a big voice was very happy to be a follower.
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The Teddy Bears (Carol Connors)
ONE HOUR: She was Annette Kleinbard when she sang lead on the Teddy Bears' #1 hit from 1958 entitled "To Know
Him Is To Love Him." The other Teddy Bears were its songwriter and producer Phil Spector and the late Marshall
Leib. Annette proved in a big way that there was musical life after the Teddy Bears. She began using the
professional name of Carol Connors and went on to co-write numerous hits, three of them being: the Rip Chords'
"Hey Little Cobra," Bill Conti's #1 "Theme From 'Rocky' (Gonna Fly Now)" and Billy Preston and Syreeta's
"With You I'm Born Again." She has received 10 major entertainment award nominations: two Oscar, five Emmy,
one Grammy and two Golden Globe. For this show, in addition to the above mentioned hits, Carol chose several
other songs that are the most special to her. Both the songs and the stories behind the songs are great.
According to Carol, her first boyfriend was a famous singer with the initials of E.P. During the show she
displays an amazing ability to do a dolphin call: I am certain that you will FLIP OVER it; you must hear it to
believe it and, even then, maybe you won't!
To know her voice is to love her 1958 chart-topper. (Or vice versa!)
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The Diamonds (Dave Somerville)
ONE HOUR: The Diamonds, from Canada, were an incredibly successful pop rock group from 1956 through 1961.
Their biggest hit, "Little Darlin'," spent eight weeks in the number two position while the King Of Rock and
Roll was all shook up. Their second biggest hit, "The Stroll," was one of the biggest teen dance records of
all time, even though the guys who recorded it were not teenagers at the time. All told they placed 15
recordings in the national top forty. Lead singer Dave Somerville is a fascinating fun guy with many
interesting stories to share about his group, whose other original members were Phil Levitt, Ted Kowalski and
the late Bill Reed. Those of you who only know the group from the aforementioned two hits will be surprised
at some of the other musical gems that are included in this show.
It was "that dang Elvis" who kept this group from hitting #1 with their classic recording, the one with the
indelible "la la la la la la" and "ha oopa oopa oopa" hooks.
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The Poni-Tails
ONE HOUR: The Poni-Tails were a trio from Lyndhurst, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland) who hit the big-time in 1958 with their incredibly-popular teenage lament entitled "Born Too Late." Lead singer Toni and high harmony singer LaVerne were two of the singers on that record. Though it overshadowed everything else they ever released, they did chart with several others. If you have only heard that one song by them, you will be quite surprised at how versatile they are: you will tap your toes to their great uptempo songs. Though their musical career was short-lived, they were seasoned entertainers who performed with some of the top names in the business. Toni and LaVerne seldom do interviews, so doing this show was a special joy for me. They are two delightful talented ladies who are full of fun and who appreciate so much those who love their music. We dedicate this show to Poni-Tails fans throughout the world and also to the loving memory of the third Poni-Tail on "Born Too Late," Patti McCabe, who passed away in 1989.
Poni-Tails appearing on this show are Toni (Cistone) Costabile and LaVerne (Novak) Glavac. Their girl group classic was one of Elvis's favorite recordings.
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The Murmaids
HALF-HOUR: The Murmaids, a trio from Los Angeles, achieved instant stardom late in 1963 with their recording of "Popsicles And Icicles," the first big hit ever written by eventual Bread founder David Gates. (He "appears" briefly at the start of this show via my 2003 interview with him.) The Murmaids' career lasted all of about six months. Terry and Carol re-formed the group 40 years later and recorded a brand new CD entitled, appropriately, "The Murmaids Splash Back!" The sisters come from a long line of musical people, including their late father Carl Fischer, who was Frankie Laine's pianist-arranger-conductor for several years. I first interviewed Terry and Carol in 2003 and that was their first radio interview ever. It was so much fun to touch base with them again.
Murmaids appearing on this show are sisters Terry and Carol Fischer. Their girl group classic was the first big hit written by David Gates.
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(The Other) Ronnie Allen
ONE HOUR: This is a strange show and that's putting it mildly. My guest and I have a few things in common: both of us released rockabilly records (I had one single on Dapt, he had three singles on San); both of us are deejays who have interviewed country singer Gene Watson; and both of us are named RONNIE ALLEN.
Unlike me, this OTHER Ronnie Allen, from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, has performed live with many of the top rockabilly stars in the world and has had his records played on "American Bandstand." His recording of "Juvenile Delinquent" is a rockabilly classic. And his singles, if you can find them, go for 50 to 100 dollars a pop. That has been true of my one single, "Flip Over You," but only because most record collectors have believed that I am HIM! Now that this show is posted and the truth will be known to many if not all who are interested, I expect the value of my record to plummet. So be it! My namesake is an unassuming guy with a great sense of humor and also a great talent. It was my pleasure to do this show with him and to give him some recognition, which he so richly deserves.
Actual email message:
"Hello Ronnie Allen, this is Ronnie Allen from WDXE Lawrenceburg.
I am the Ronnie Allen that you thought was dead."
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Barbara Lewis
HALF-HOUR: In 1963 Barbara became one of the few solo female vocalists to write her own top three hit single: it was "Hello Stranger." Her backing group was one of the best groups in the business; if you don't know who they are, just imagine a mythical group of "singing computers" and you may figure it out; if not, Barbara will tell you! She followed it up with four more top forty singles, all of which are included in this show. Interestingly, and this is hard to believe, she absolutely did not want to record one of those latter four hit songs! Barbara is an extremely versatile singer and an active one as well; she did this interview show right after performing on a cruise.
Her biggest hit was inspired by her dad and did not start out as a love song.
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The Toys (Barbara Harris)
HALF-HOUR: The Toys, a trio from Queens, NY, charmed us in 1965 with their wonderful recording of "A Lover's Concerto," which remains one of today's most-played oldies. And it was co-written by a legendary classical music composer! The opening to their follow-up "Attack" was written by another legendary classical music composer. Barbara, the lead singer on both of those hits, was a joy to interview and their music is a joy to listen to.
What legendary composer wrote the music to "A Lover's Concerto?"
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Gene Chandler
HALF-HOUR: Gene Chandler achieved regional success as lead singer of a group called the Dukays. Then he hit the jackpot with his first solo recording, the #1 smash "Duke Of Earl." He appeared in the movie "Don't Knock The Twist," then went on to have many other hits. The Duke is still walking proud today and remains an active performer. He's also a very nice guy, having forgiven my embarrassing slip-up in the closing seconds of the show; I left it in to prove that no matter how hard much effort I put into what I do, I'm not ferpect!
The one and only Duke Of Earl.
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Paul Vance
ONE HOUR: In late September of 2006 songwriter Paul Vance received an unwanted 15 extra "minutes of being famous" when news media throughout the world erroneously reported that he had died. Happily he is very much alive and well! The first song he ever wrote in his life was "Catch A Falling Star," a #1 hit for Perry Como. Paul also wrote the legendary "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini," a #1 hit for Brian Hyland, and many hits for Johnny Mathis and others. This interview is fascinating, informative, humorous and, at the end, very serious and poignant, as Paul shares the stories behind several of his hits and also some very personal stories about his own life. By the way, see if you agree that he sounds a lot like Joe Pesci!
"I'm not dead! I'm ALIVE!"
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The Shirelles (Beverly Lee)
ONE HOUR: The legendary Shirelles, who were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1996, consisted of Shirley Owens Alston, Beverly Lee, Doris Coley Kenner and Addie "Micki" Harris. Between 1960 and 1963 they had twelve US top-forty hits, six of which made the top ten, including their two chart-toppers "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and "Soldier Boy." Beverly, who did this interview, is now celebrating her 50th year as a Shirelle and actively touring. This delightful lady shares some very interesting stories about all of their biggest hits and several lesser-known hits that are played during this show.
Beverly was one of four girls from Passaic, New Jersey who helped define what has become known as rock and roll's "girl group" sound.
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Bob Crewe
85 MINUTES: If Bob Crewe had produced and written songs for the Four Seasons and nobody else, his enduring place in pop music history would still be firmly established. But he also produced and/or wrote so many hits for other artists including the Rays, Billy and Lillie, Freddy Cannon, Diane Renay, Mitch Ryder, Lesley Gore, Oliver, and even the outrageous Monti Rock III! In this super-sized show, many of Bob's stories about the artists and the hits are as fascinating and entertaining as the hits themselves. The unbelievable success of the Four-Seasons-based show "Jersey Boys," the hottest ticket on Broadway and wherever else it is playing, is icing on this man's proverbial cake; he wrote many of the hit songs from that show. He's an incredible talent and, just as important, a true gentleman with an engaging sense of humor. It was truly an honor to do this show with him as a tribute to his prolific body of work.
This legendary producer-songwriter was originally a "Jersey Boy."
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Paul Evans
ONE HOUR: Paul Evans has had many reasons to be happy. He sang the hits "Seven Little Girls (Sitting In The Back Seat)," "Midnight Special" and his self-penned "Happy-Go-Lucky Me." He wrote several hits for other artists, including "When" by the Kalin Twins, "I Gotta Know" by Elvis Presley, and the #1 smash hit "Roses Are Red (My Love)" by Bobby Vinton. Paul recently appeared on the Conan O'Brien show as part of his own vocal trio, backing up rocker Robert Gordon, who sang Elvis's hit "(You're The) Devil In Disguise"; Paul called his trio the Gordonaires! This is one creative individual and an all-around fun guy!
A genuine happy-go-lucky individual!
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Gerry Granahan
ONE HOUR: Multi-talented Gerry had hits as Dicky Doo and the Don'ts ("Click Clack"), as himself ("No Chemise Please") and as a member of the Fireflies ("You Were Mine"). He founded Caprice Records and discovered and produced on his label Janie Grant, the Angels and the late James Ray. On this show you'll hear an unreleased duet by Janie and Gerry ("Gimme Gimme"), the Angels' heavenly version of "'Til" (their very first hit) and James's original version of "I've Got My Mind Set On You," a song which George Harrison eventually took to #1 on the chart. The aforementioned three recordings are from a new CD called "Caprice! The Story Behind Gerry Granahan's Caprice Label 1960-'63." For good measure, after he became head of A&R at United Artists Records, Gerry produced Jay and the Americans' "Cara Mia"!
This show includes a major surprise (sent from heaven?) for the guest of honor!
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Eddie Rambeau
ONE HOUR: This was a fun show all the way. Eddie co-wrote Diane Renay's top-ten hit "Navy Blue" and Mark Valentino's "The Push and Kick" and had his own hit with "Concrete and Clay." He has recorded over 500 songs and you will hear every one of them on this show. If you believe that then Eddie will be glad to sell you a bridge and will even throw in a tunnel. Come on in, the music's fine! That includes his debut recording called "Skin Divin'," his vocal recording of "Summertime Guy" (Chuck Barris's song which, as an instrumental, became the theme song of "The Newlywed Game") and Eddie's original recording (with kids) of "Good Morning Starshine" from the Broadway musical "Hair."
"Call me Eddie or call me Ed, just don't call me late to bed!"
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The Four Preps (Bruce Belland)
ONE HOUR: Bruce Belland was and still is the lead singer of this endearing quartet who sang the top ten hits "26 Miles" and "Big Man" and also charted with several others. Their repertoire ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous and you'll hear some of each during this show. In addition to writing hits for his group, Bruce has written around 200 songs for other artists, ranging from the Mousketeers to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He was also the TV executive who coined the legendary phrase "I can name that tune in three notes." And oh yes, the 40 kilometers mentioned in their hit really equals 24.8548 miles (or 24 miles and 1504.531 yards), but somehow "25 miles across the sea" wouldn't sound quite right!
40 kilometers? Maybe the Preps should have sung "25 Miles"!
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Nino Tempo and April Stevens
ONE HOUR: Twelve years before becoming "overnight sensations" by hitting #1 with "Deep Purple," April was enjoying her own top ten record and Nino was portraying a legendary bandleader in a very famous movie. As recording artists both have done extremely well, collectively and individually. Their catchy 60s duet recordings with that unique unmistakable "Nino and April" sound are still very much remembered and loved today by record fans in the United States and throughout the world. This was a fun interview show all the way and the music is very diverse and wonderful. "Deep Purple" is very important but their fascinating careers include so much more.
This is the first and only radio interview that this Grammy-winning brother-sister duo have done in the 21st Century!
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Don Cherry
ONE HOUR: Singer-golfer Don Cherry is the only person in history to have had both a national top ten record and a top ten finish in one of golf's four "major" tournaments. Besides "Band Of Gold" he had two pre-rock-era top ten hits, "Mona Lisa" and "Thinking Of You." But his biggest hit ever was not a charted record: it was his legendary Mr. Clean commercial which ran for nine years! Don's autobiography is called "Cherry's Jubilee" and we talk about it during the show. Oh yes, I just HAD to ask him about Buchanan and Goodman's "Flying Saucer" record; they "honored" Don by including "Band Of Gold" in their groundbreaking novelty classic!
Don Cherry, the famous singer. Don Cherry, the famous golfer.
The name's the same. So is the person!
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The Coasters (Carl and Veta Gardner)
ONE HOUR: In 1987 the Coasters became the first group (three or more members) ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. In this show Carl and Veta discuss their riveting book entitled "Yakety Yak I Fought Back." The title refers to Carl's struggle against, among other things, unauthorized bogus Coasters groups and his own serious illnesses. Music historian Harry Turner hailed the Coasters as the greatest comedy singing group of all time and a couple of guys named Leiber and Stoller were somewhat responsible for that! Carl and his unique group are surely in a wonderful class by themselves.
He is the only surviving member of the "classic" Coasters who took "Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown" to the top of the charts.