Monday, June 30, 2008

The Staple Singers - Voice Your Choice

The Staple Singers were a family R&B group formed by Roebuck "Pop" Staples, and included his son Pervis, and daughters Cleotha and Yvonne, plus lead singer Mavis Staples.

Prior to being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio in 1999, they appeared on the Billboard charts a total of 18 times, including 4 Top Ten hits, two Gold Records and One Platinum Record. Sadly, Pop Staples died December 19, 2000 at age 84.

This week Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to present The Staple Singers on Voice Your Choice with two of their fantastic hits: I'll Take You There and If You're Ready (Come Go With Me). Cast your vote by coming to the Voice Your Choice Page. We'll play the winner in Hour 3 of next week's show.

5 Man Electrical Band - Song of the Week

In celebration of our annual Salute to the Music of Canada on Treasure Island Oldies, it is a treat to present the 5 Man Electrical Band performing Absolutely Right.

Enjoy!
Michael

Monday, June 23, 2008

The Stampeders - Voice Your Choice

The Stampeders, Rich Dodson (guitar), Ronnie King (bass) and Kim Berly (drums), were from Calgary, Alberta, and they all shared vocals. In the early 1970s they scored 3 hits in the USA on the Billboard charts and 8 hits in their native Canada.

To get you in the mood for our Annual Salute to the Music of Canada Special July 6th, this week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents one of Canada's most successful groups of the early 70s, The Stampeders, with two of their hist for your votes: Sweet City Woman and Devil You. Cast your vote for the song you'd like me to play on next week's show by coming to our Voice Your Choice page. Make your selection and wait for the results of the votes. I'll announce and play the winning song in Hour 3 of next week's show.

Copper Penny - Song of the Week

As a tribute to my friend Harry Hinde, who passed away after a long battle with cancer, here is one of his many record productions, Copper Penny and Sittin' On A Poor Man's Throne, our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!
Michael

Harry Hinde Record Producer Passes

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of my good friend, Harry Hinde, after a long battle with cancer. Harry was a veteran record producer. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, he made his mark in Canada producing many artists including Charity Brown, the first Shania Twain album, The Raes, Ginette Reno, country star Ronnie Prophet, R&B/Rock act Copper Penny, and more. Harry was a huge fan of The Funk Brothers, Motown's amazing studio session players, and he became longtime friends with their bass player Bob Babbitt. I had the pleasure of meeting Bob on a few occasions with Harry. He even had Tom Baird, a music arranger with Motown, on several sessions for Charity Brown. I first came to know Harry when I was A&R Director for A&M Records and he was producing Charity Brown for our label. The three of us enjoyed working together on her projects very much. He and I spoke together on the phone about six weeks or so ago, when he was home from the hospital for the weekend, and we had a great visit. Harry was a really nice guy and a talented producer. I am glad to have known him and really enjoyed working with him for many years.

Rest well Harry, you deserve it.

Michael

In tribute to Harry, please enjoy our Song of the Week video clip.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Comedian George Carlin Dead at 71

Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 23, 2008; Page A02

George Carlin, 71, the much-honored American stand-up comedian whose long career was distinguished by pointed social commentary that placed him on the cultural cutting edge, died last night in Santa Monica, Calif.

His death was reported by the Reuters news agency and on the Los Angeles Times Web site. He had long struggled with health problems and a heart condition dating to the 1970s.

Carlin was selected last week by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to receive this year's Mark Twain Prize, a lifetime achievement award presented to an outstanding comedian.

Over a career of half a century, Carlin placed himself in the forefront of comic commentators on the American scene. He was particularly known for an album that referred to what he described as the seven words that could not be used on television.

The playing of the album on a radio station led to a case that went to the Supreme Court, and the material was judged indecent but not obscene. The legal controversy brought about the enunciation of a rule permitting a ban on certain material when children are most likely to be in the audience.

The case was one of the highlights of a career that included TV and radio performances, including HBO specials and many comic albums.

The New York-born performer, who also was an Air Force veteran, once summed up his approach:

"I think it is the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately."

Carlin's entertainment career began in 1956 at a radio station in while he was in the service.

In the early 1960s, he began his one-man act, and his live appearances and the albums he recorded proved highly popular.

His wife Brenda, predeceased him. They had a daughter, Kelly. A second wife survives him.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Annual Summer Beach Party - Treasure Island Oldies

Be sure to join us this coming Sunday, June 22nd for our 12th Annual Summer Beach Party Special on Treasure Island Oldies. You'll hear your favourite summer songs plus some great Lost Treasures. After all, Treasure Island Oldies is The Home of Lost Treasures.

I'm bringing all the great music, so all you need is your sunscreen and something to "throw on the barby". The live show starts at 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern. And stop by the Chat Room for a visit; the "Nuts in the Hut" will warmly welcome you! Just click Chat Room on the Menu on any page of the website and follow the instructions.

See you on the Island!
Michael

Marvin Gaye - Voice Your Choice

Marvin Gaye was born April 2, 1939 in Washington, DC. Sadly and tragically, he was shot to death by his own father after a quarrel one day before his 45th birthday on April 1, 1984.

He moved to Detroit in 1960 and became a session drummer for Motown and became married to Anna Gordy, sister of Motown founder, Berry Gordy. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1987.

Between 1962 and 1982, Marvin Gaye appeared a total of 56 times on the Billboard charts, including 18 Top Ten hits, and he also received a Platinum Record for his last hit Sexual Healing.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Marvin Gaye with two of his Top Ten hits: Pride And Joy and I'll Be Doggone.

Cast your vote by coming to the Voice Your Choice page and making your selection. We'll play the winning song in Hour #3 of next week's show.

Friends Of Distinction - Song Of The Week

Our Song of the Week is by The Friends Of Distinction from Los Angeles, with a Top Ten hit and one of their best, Love Or Let Me Be Lonely.


Enjoy!
Michael

Monday, June 09, 2008

The Dovells - Voice Your Choice

The Dovells were from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They used stage names in place of their real names: Len Barry (Leonard Borisoff), Jerry Summers (Jerry Gross), Mike Dennis (Mike Freda), Danny Brooks (Jim Meeley), and Arnie Silver, the only member without a nom de plume.

Len Barry left the group in late 1962 to pursue a solo career and scored hits such as 1-2-3, Like A Baby, and a few others. Before he left, The Dovells scored eight times on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including 2 Top Ten hits.

And those two Top Ten hits are waiting for your votes this week on Voice Your Choice: Bristol Stomp and You Can't Sit Down. Have a favourite? Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page. We'll play the song with the most votes next week on Treasure Island Oldies.

Paul Evans Songs in Woodstock Museum

I received a note from my friend Paul Evans, who wanted to share some exciting news. Here's what he said:

The new, beautiful Museum at Bethel Woods (the Woodstock Museum) has just opened in Bethel, New York, on the site where the Woodstock Festival was held. One of the exhibits is a showcase of eight 45s from the early 60s.

I am honored to find two songs of mine represented in the exhibit.

"Roses Are Red (My Love)" by Bobby Vinton
"I Gotta Know" by Elvis Presley

I've attached a photo of the exhibit


Rock 'n' Roll will live forever,
Paul Evans

Congratulations, Paul, well deserved recognition! Your friends and fans are pleased and proud.

Michael

My Dad - Paul Peterson - Song of the Week

To get us in the mood for our annual live Father's Day Special on Treasure Island Oldies this coming Sunday, June 15th, here is the perfect Father's Day song, My Dad by Paul Peterson. However, this clip is very different from the one we presented last year. That was a clip from the Donna Reed Show with Paul singing the song on the show.

This clip is made up of montages and clips from the classic TV series The Rifleman, starring Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford, as father and son Lucas and Mark McCain. A short while into the clip after the father and son talk, the song My Dad by Paul Peterson will begin. The combination of lyrics and images is very well done.

I am sure you'll enjoy this very special Father's Day clip, My Dad, our Song of the Week.

Enjoy and Happy Father's Day!
Michael

Monday, June 02, 2008

Rare Earth - Voice Your Choice

Rare Earth were a hot rock group from Detroit, and one of the first successful white acts signed to Motown. In fact, Motown created a whole new label which they called Rare Earth Records. The original line-up consisted of Pete Rivera (lead vocals and drums), Rod Richards (guitar), Kenny James (keyboards), Gil Bridges (sax), Ed Guzman (percussion), and John Persh (bass).

Their first two charted hits, Get Ready and (I Know) I'm Losing You, were cover versions of classic Motown hits originally recorded by The Temptations; and both were Top Ten hits.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Rare Earth with (I Know) I'm Losing You and I Just Want To Celebrate.

To cast your vote, just come to the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. We'll play the winning song in Hour 3 of next week's show.

Simon & Garfunkel - Song of the Week

Now here's a special treat for you. Our Song of the Week is by Simon and Garfunkel in a live TV performance of The Sound Of Silence.

I know you will enjoy this clip.

Michael

Rock Pioneer Bo Diddley Dies At Age 79

By Ron Word
Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Bo Diddley, a founding father of rock 'n' roll whose distinctive "shave and a haircut, two bits" rhythm and innovative guitar effects inspired legions of other musicians, died today after months of ill health. He was 79.

Diddley died of heart failure at his home in Archer, Fla., spokeswoman Susan Clary said. He had suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke while touring in Iowa. Doctors said the stroke affected his ability to speak, and he had returned to Florida to continue rehabilitation.

The legendary singer and performer, known for his homemade square guitar, dark glasses and black hat, was an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, had a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and received a lifetime achievement award in 1999 at the Grammy Awards. In recent years he also played for the elder President Bush and President Clinton.

Diddley appreciated the honors he received, "but it didn't put no figures in my checkbook."

"If you ain't got no money, ain't nobody calls you honey," he quipped.

The name Bo Diddley came from other youngsters when he was growing up in Chicago, he said in a 1999 interview.

"I don't know where the kids got it, but the kids in grammar school gave me that name," he said, adding that he liked it so it became his stage name. Other times, he gave somewhat differing stories on where he got the name. Some experts believe a possible source for the name is a one-string instrument used in traditional blues music called a diddley bow.

His first single, "Bo Diddley," introduced record buyers in 1955 to his signature rhythm: bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp, often summarized as "shave and a haircut, two bits." The B side, "I'm a Man," with its slightly humorous take on macho pride, also became a rock standard.

The company that issued his early songs was Chess-Checkers records, the storied Chicago-based labels that also recorded Chuck Berry and other stars.

Howard Kramer, assistant curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, said in 2006 that Diddley's Chess recordings "stand among the best singular recordings of the 20th century."

Diddley's other major songs included, "Say Man," "You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover," "Shave and a Haircut," "Uncle John," "Who Do You Love?" and "The Mule."

Diddley's influence was felt on both sides of the Atlantic. Buddy Holly borrowed the bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp rhythm for his song "Not Fade Away."

The Rolling Stones' bluesy remake of that Holly song gave them their first chart single in the United States, in 1964. The following year, another British band, the Yardbirds, had a Top 20 hit in the U.S. with their version of "I'm a Man."

Diddley was also one of the pioneers of the electric guitar, adding reverb and tremelo effects. He even rigged some of his guitars himself.

"He treats it like it was a drum, very rhythmic," E. Michael Harrington, professor of music theory and composition at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., said in 2006.

Many other artists, including the Who, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello copied aspects of Diddley's style.

Growing up, Diddley said he had no musical idols, and he wasn't entirely pleased that others drew on his innovations.

"I don't like to copy anybody. Everybody tries to do what I do, update it," he said. "I don't have any idols I copied after."

"They copied everything I did, upgraded it, messed it up. It seems to me that nobody can come up with their own thing, they have to put a little bit of Bo Diddley there," he said.

Despite his success, Diddley claimed he only received a small portion of the money he made during his career. Partly as a result, he continued to tour and record music until his stroke. Between tours, he made his home near Gainesville in north Florida.

"Seventy ain't nothing but a damn number," he told The Associated Press in 1999. "I'm writing and creating new stuff and putting together new different things. Trying to stay out there and roll with the punches. I ain't quit yet."

Diddley, like other artists of his generations, was paid a flat fee for his recordings and said he received no royalty payments on record sales. He also said he was never paid for many of his performances.

"I am owed. I've never got paid," he said. "A dude with a pencil is worse than a cat with a machine gun."

In the early 1950s, Diddley said, disc jockeys called his type of music, "Jungle Music." It was Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed who is credited with inventing the term "rock 'n' roll."

Diddley said Freed was talking about him, when he introduced him, saying, "Here is a man with an original sound, who is going to rock and roll you right out of your seat."

Diddley won attention from a new generation in 1989 when he took part in the "Bo Knows" ad campaign for Nike, built around football and baseball star Bo Jackson. Commenting on Jackson's guitar skills, Diddley turned to the camera and said, "He don't know Diddley."

"I never could figure out what it had to do with shoes, but it worked," Diddley said. "I got into a lot of new front rooms on the tube."

Born as Ellas Bates on Dec. 30, 1928, in McComb, Miss., Diddley was later adopted by his mother's cousin and took on the name Ellis McDaniel, which his wife always called him.

When he was 5, his family moved to Chicago, where he learned the violin at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. He learned guitar at 10 and entertained passers-by on street corners.

By his early teens, Diddley was playing Chicago's Maxwell Street.

"I came out of school and made something out of myself. I am known all over the globe, all over the world. There are guys who have done a lot of things that don't have the same impact that I had," he said.

Check out this great live Bo Diddley performance clip.