Monday, July 30, 2012

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies


July 29th, 2012 to August 4th, 2012

I had a nice visit on the phone with Paul at 247 Music Radio in Singapore. His station continues to enjoy airing Treasure Island Oldies every Friday from 8 am to Noon. Imagine, the show airs in Singapore! How cool is that??!! And it's been great hearing from listeners on our latest Broadcast Partners Network station, Team-FM in the UK. I even received a request for a song that I will definitely play next week on the Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special. We'll be Live from 6 to 10 pm Pacific time, Sunday, August 5th and on the Archives section of the Listen Page. Be sure to listen to this special; it's one of the shows that I receive the most requests for as well as the most comments from listeners. And if you'd like to hear your favourite Instrumental hit on the show, be sure to Click the Requests Button on any page of the website. Just be sure to get your requests in quickly, as it takes a long time to prepare this special.

I heard from Elizabeth Freund at Beautiful Day Media, the publicist for Eric Burdon. She informed me that Eric was forced to cancel his Summer European Tour. The reason is he has a debilitating situation caused by severe back pain, which has escalated over 3 years. Eric will undergo spine surgery, and although it is considered a routine surgery, his doctors indicate that he will experience a reduction in his activities during his recuperation period that can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. We send Eric Burdon our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery and we look forward to his new record, 'Til Your River Runs Dry, due out next year.

Having a birthday is one's very special day, focused on recognizing the unique individual you are. And I'd sure like to help celebrate your birthday by wishing you Happy Birthday on the show and also by playing Birthday by The Beatles. Send the details of your name, city and birthday date to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is paying tribute to Eric Burdon by playing The Animals and House Of The Rising Sun. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents a great couple of songs for your votes for next week's Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special. We've got the Philadelphia studio band The Applejacks with two of their instrumental hits. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Mexican Hat Rock or Rocka-Konga. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's Special.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of July 29th, 2012


And here's the Top 5 Countdown from this week in 1971



Be sure to enjoy the show while you're on the go this summer with your iPhone, or other smartphone, and the Tune In Radio app. You can listen to the Latest Show, the Rock & Roll News Podcasts, and the Live Show as well. Just be sure that to do a search for the live show, it will have to have started in order for the show title to appear in the live stations results. Get more out of your iPhone or other smartphone with the Tune In Radio app, available at the iTunes Store.

Show the world you're a proud Islander!  Send your photo and we'll post it to the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Send it to listenergallery@treasureislandoldies.com

Hope you have a great week. See you on next week's show.

Bye for now.

Michael

The Applejacks - Voice Your Choice

The Applejacks were actually an instrumental studio band formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Dave Appell. They also provided the instrumental backup on the campy Halloween classic, Dinner With Drac, by John Zacherle.

Dave Appell later became the producer of all the Tony Orlando & Dawn hit records. But in 1958 and 1959 Dave and the rest of the studio musicians appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 charts three times. And this week we're got two of them vying for your votes.

Cast Your Vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Mexican Hat Rock or Rocka-Konga by The Applejacks.

I'll play the song that wins in the 3rd hour of next week's Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special on Treasure Island Oldies.

The Animals - Song Of The Week

We send out our very best wishes to Eric Burdon for a speedy recovery, following surgery on his spine. For more details on this, please read This Week On Treasure Island Oldies post above.

I thought it would be fitting to play the first smash hit that broke the career of The Animals around the world. This week the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing The Animals and House Of The Rising Sun. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!
Michael

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Orleans Singer Larry Hoppen Has Died

Larry Hoppen, co-founder, drummer, guitarist and singer with Orleans, passed away Tuesday (July 24) at his home in Central Florida. He was 61.

 A Bayshore, Long island native, Larry was living in Ithica, New York (attending Ithica College) when he dropped out to play in a band called Boffalongo with future Orleans pianist Wells Kelly. Larry was asked by John Hall to move to Woodstock, New York and form Orleans, which eventually included Wells, Jerry Marotta and Larry's brother, Lance. 

After much struggle finding a record label (eventually Asylum) and getting their records heard, the group broke through with the #55 tune "Let There Be Music," from their third album, in 1975. It was followed by two smash hits, "Dance With Me" (#6-1975) and "Still The One" (#5-1976). John and Jerry left the group in 1977 and the Hoppen brothers continued on, signing with Infinity Records and recording one last big hit- "Love Takes Time" (#11-1979). 

When Infinity, and later Radio Records, went bankrupt in the early '80s, Orleans continued to tour, but with no more hit singles. Though still involved in Orleans' projects, Larry performed with the "Voices of Classic Rock" tour beginning in 1997.

Monday, July 23, 2012

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies


July 22nd, 2012 to July 28th, 2012

I had the occasion to visit the SPARC Radio Museum in the Vancouver suburb of Coquitlam this weekend. If you live in the Vancouver area or are planning a visit, be sure to visit this fascinating museum. They are open to the public most Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving radio and electronic communications artifacts and history, with an emphasis on a Canadian perspective. The society is run by members and volunteers. SPARC also has a vintage, working on air studio and they even broadcast live most Sundays on the Internet as well as on AM and FM low power. Another really cool thing is you can bring in your old radio, as they offer restoration and rebuilding services. I met some very nice people who are passionate about preserving our communications past. They've even got a replica of the radio room on the Titanic! If you're interested in vintage radio, televisions, broadcast equipment, or anything to do with communications, I encourage you to find out more about SPARC. Be sure to visit their website  I'd also like to say hello to SPARC member, Martin, who even joined our Chat Room to say hi and to say he was listening. I also met Barb, who was excited to know that there was a good oldies show available to listen to and enjoy. My sincere thanks to my life-long friend Frank Vandeven for giving me a great tour.

Speaking of the Chat Room, apart from the regular Nuts In The Hut, it was very nice to welcome both the aforementioned Martin from the SPARC Museum, as well as Harry who joined in and who lives in Dallas, Texas. And everyone welcomes back Sunny after she returned from vacation. The Chat Room is like a family of friends who get together every week to catch up on their lives, while sharing some of the greatest music. I invite you to stop by for a visit when the show is live every Sunday from 6 top 10 PM Pacific time. Click Chat on the Menu and follow the instructions.

I really enjoyed receiving your requests for our Annual Technicolour Special on this week's show. Isn't it both interesting and amazing just how many songs were written with a colour in the song title! And we sure played a lot of colourful songs. One thing stood out to me is the fact that so many songs have Blue in the title, and they didn't necessarily refer to feeling 'blue' or depressed. Many were about beautiful blue sky days, etc. Thanks for listening to the show and if you missed it, you can enjoy the Archive. Click Archive at the Listen Page for this week's Technicolour Special.

Mark your calendar for one of the most popular specials of the entire year! Join me the week of August 5th for our Annual Instrumental Gems - Wordless Wonders Special. There was a time when an instrumental record was very common, but those days have long past. On this annual special, you'll get to hear some of the all-time greatest instrumental hits, along with some great instrumental Lost Treasures. Don't miss this special, as listeners tell me they absolutely LOVE this special.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is keeping with the theme of this week's Annual Technicolour Special with Elvis Presley and Blue Suede Shoes. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents The Chiffons with two of their signature hits for your votes. Cast your vote at the VoiceYour Choice Page for either He's So Fineor One Fine Day. The winning song will be played in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of July 22nd, 2012


And here's the Top 5 Countdown from this week in 1958



If you have a birthday coming up, be sure to let me know. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com and I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday, our official birthday song by The Beatles, for you.

Be sure to enjoy the show while you're on the go this summer with your iPhone, or other smartphone, and the Tune In Radio app. You can listen to the Latest Show, the Rock & Roll News Podcasts, and the Live Show as well. Just be sure that to do a search for the live show, it will have to have started in order for the show title to appear in the live stations results. Get more out of your iPhone or other smartphone with the Tune In Radio app, available at the iTunes Store.

Show the world you're a proud Islander!  Send your photo and we'll post it to the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Send it to listenergallery@treasureislandoldies.com

Hope you have a great week. See you on next week's show.

Bye for now.

Michael








 

The Chiffons - Voice Your Choice

 

The Chiffons, one of the early Girl Groups, were from the Bronx, New York. They started out as a singing group while they were still in high school. The Chiffons were Judy Craig, Barbara Lee Jones (born on 5/16/1947), Patricia Bennett (born on 4/7/1947) and Sylvia Peterson (born on 9/30/1946). Sadly, Barbara Lee Jones died of a heart attack on 5/15/1992 (age 44). 

They initially recorded as the Four Pennies on the Rust Records label but without much success. When they signed with Laurie Records, their career took off, beginning with their debut single, which reached Number One on the charts.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents The Chiffons with their two signature hits for your votes.

Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either He's So Fine or One Fine Day. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Elvis Presley - Song Of The Week

As part of our Treasure Island Oldies Annual Technicolour Special, the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing the King of Rock & Roll.

Here's Elvis Presley and his smash hit version of the Carl Perkins' classic Blue Suede Shoes.

It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

P.S. By the way, if you missed the Live show, be sure to Listen to the Archive.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Queen Of Country Music Kitty Wells Has Died At Age 92

Kitty Wells, the country singer known as the first female superstar of her genre, has died. She was 92.

The Associated Press reported that she passed away peacefully at home Monday following complications from a stroke.

The "Queen of Country Music" had a decades-long music career that began in the 1930s, and her solo recording career spanned from 1952 to the late '70s. She continued touring until 2000.

Well known for hits like "Making Believe" and "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," the singer's career almost didn't get off the ground in the first place. The only reason she recorded the latter song was to collect the union-scale wage of $125, the New York Times reports.

She racked up 25 Top 10 country hits, recorded approximately 50 albums, won a slew of awards and was known to be controversial for her time.

"They get away with a lot more today," Wells told the AP in 1986. "They're more [sexually] suggestive today."

"It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" was particularly controversial – the Grand Ole Opry asked Wells not to perform it, and certain radio stations wouldn't play the song.

"What I've done has been satisfying," she said in the 1986 AP interview. "I wouldn't change a thing."

According to the Times, Wells is survived by a son, Bobby; a daughter, Sue Wright Sturdivant; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Jon Lord - Deep Purple Keyboard Player has Died

Jon Lord, the former keyboard player with heavy rock band Deep Purple, has died aged 71.

Lord co-founded Deep Purple in 1968 and co-wrote many of the group's songs including Smoke On The Water. He also played with bands including Whitesnake.

He had been receiving treatment for pancreatic cancer since last August.

He died at the London Clinic on Monday, surrounded by family, a statement said. "Jon passes from Darkness to Light," it added.
Lord was influenced by classical, blues and jazz but played his Hammond organ with a rock attitude and helped Deep Purple become pioneers of progressive and heavy rock.

Tributes have been paid by musicians including one-time Deep Purple bandmate Joe Satriani, Iron Maiden and Anthrax.
Ex-Rage Against the Machine star Tom Morello wrote on Twitter: "RIP the great Jon Lord, Deep Purple's cornerstone/keyboardist. So many great great songs and that incredible SOUND of his! Thankyou." Former Yes keyboard player Rick Wakeman was a friend and said he was "a great fan".
We were going to write and record an album before he become ill," he said. "His contribution to music and to classic rock was immeasurable and I will miss him terribly."

Born in Leicester, Lord learned classical piano at an early age before being seduced by watching early rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis and jazz organist Jimmy Smith.

He could have chosen a career as an actor after receiving a drama school scholarship, but started playing in pub bands including short-lived outfits with future Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood and his brother Art.

He also worked as a session musician and is thought to have played piano on The Kinks' hit You Really Got Me.
After meeting guitarist Ritchie Blackmore through another project, the first incarnation of Deep Purple was born.

Lord's classical influence surfaced when Lord composed Concerto for Group and Orchestra, which the band performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in 1969.

But the group refined their heavy rock sound and found mass success at the start of the 1970s with albums including Deep Purple in Rock and Machine Head.

In their classic years, the band also included Blackmore, singer Ian Gillan, drummer Ian Paice and bassist Roger Glover.

Lord continued to compose classical works alongside the group's output and, when they split in 1976, he joined other groups Whitesnake and Paice, Ashton and Lord.

Deep Purple reformed in 1984 and resumed at the height of their commercial prowess, playing to tens of thousands of fans around the world.

They sold a total of 150 million albums and Lord remained an ever-present amid numerous line-up changes until he left in 2002.

Still composing, he had signed to a classical music label and performed a concert to mark the 30th anniversary of Concerto for Group and Orchestra.

"Thirty years later the piece came back and changed my life again... It gave me the courage to step outside and carve a career for myself outside the band," he told an interviewer.

He broke the news of his cancer diagnosis on his website last year, telling fans he would continue to write music as part of his therapy.


Funk Brother Bassist Bob Babbitt Has Died

I'm sad to report that Bob Babbitt, the second bassist with the Funk Brothers has died. I knew Bob and worked with him during my days as the head of the A&R department at A&M Records. Here is the complete story from the Detroit News.

Michael

Bob Babbitt, a bass player for Motown's studio band the Funk Brothers, died at 7:15 a.m. Monday in a Nashville hospice, according to his son, Joe Kreinar. Babbitt was 74.
Born Robert Kreinar in Pittsburgh, the veteran musician had been battling brain cancer for some time.
"He was a tough man, strong," said his son, Joe. "He could take pain. Right now I miss him deeply, and it's only been a few hours."
Although Babbitt's playing was always known by other musicians, his fame spread to a broader audience after the release of the 2002 film about the Funk Brothers, "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," in which he appeared.
But he was on many memorable recordings apart from Hitsville U.S.A.
That's him on Del Shannon's "Little Town Flirt," on Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia," Funkadelic's "I Just Wanna Testify," "Cool Jerk" by the Capitols, "Rubberband Man" by the Spinners and on Dennis Coffey's instrumental hit "Scorpio." His bass line on the latter propels the song so memorably, that, as Detroit musician Ralphe Armstrong once said, every bass player in Detroit had to be able to play it in the 1970s or they couldn't get a gig.
At Motown, Babbitt was used more and more in the label's later time in Detroit. He laid down the unforgettable bass lines on Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," the Temptations' "Ball of Confusion," "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye and Edwin Starr's "War," among many others.
Apart from his son, Babbitt is survived by his wife Ann and two daughters.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies


July 15th, 2012 to July 21st, 2012

We're in the thick of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and in many places, the heat is tremendous. Thank goodness for Treasure Island Oldies where we're serving up some cool hits for your hot summer days and nights. And if you miss hearing the Live show, be sure to catch the Archives, available at any time on demand. Come to the Archives at the Listen page and you won't miss a cool note of music.

Mark your calendar for our next special coming up next week, July 22nd. It's our Annual Technicolour Special; and every song will have a colour in the song title. It'll be a virtual rainbow of great music, all on next week's show.

If you have a birthday coming up, be sure to let me know. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com and I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday, our official birthday song by The Beatles, for you.

We're in a summer mood this week at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog. We're playing a classic summer song, this time by Brian Hyland and the all-time favourite, Sealed With A Kiss. It's our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents Ronnie Dove, a singer whose hits are rarely ever heard anymore. We're going to change that next week on the show by offering up two of his many charted hits for your votes. Cast your Vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either A Little Bit Of Heaven or One Kiss For Old Times' Sake. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show, the Technicolour Special.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of July 15th, 2012


And here's the Top 5 Countdown from this week in 1966



Be sure to enjoy the show while you're on the go this summer with your iPhone, or other smartphone, and the Tune In Radio app. You can listen to the Latest Show, the Rock & Roll News Podcasts, and the Live Show as well. Just be sure that to do a search for the live show, it will have to have started in order for the show title to appear in the live stations results. Get more out of your iPhone or other smartphone with the Tune In Radio app, available at the iTunes Store.

Show the world you're a proud Islander!  Send your photo and we'll post it to the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Send it to listenergallery@treasureislandoldies.com

Hope you have a great week. See you on next week's show.

Bye for now.

Michael

Ronnie Dove - Voice Your Choice

I must say that I don't know a lot about Ronnie Dove. I can tell you he was born September 7, 1935 in Herndon, Virginia and later raised in Baltimore, Maryland.

He first recorded on his own record label, Dove Records, in 1958 without any national success. However, it was when he signed with Diamond Records in 1964 that he began his string of successful records. Incidentally, nearly all of his records were produced by Phil Kahl who was Vice-President of Diamond Records.

Between 1964 and 1969, he appeared on the Hot 100 Billboard charts a total of twenty-one times, including 11 Top Twenty hits.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Ronnie Dove with two of his hits for your votes.

Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either A Little Bit Of Heaven or One Kiss For Old Times' Sake. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show, the Technicolour Special.

Brian Hyland - Song Of The Week

Brian Hyland scored many hits in about a ten year period, including the summer novelty hit Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.

This week the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing another summer classic. Here's Brian Hyland with a perfect summertime lament, Sealed With A Kiss. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael









 

Monday, July 09, 2012

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

July 8th, 2012 to July 14th, 2012

A big welcome to the latest radio station to join the Treasure Island Oldies Broadcast Partners Network, Team-FM in the UK. After they aired the first Treasure Island Oldies show, I received an email from one of their listeners. Cay asked about a song I played last week on the Annual Made In Canada Special. She did not know the name of it but gave a clue from the first line of the lyrics. I immediately knew that the song was Lovin' You Ain't Easy by Pagliaro. She replied that she was so pleased to learn the title and artist. Now that is why I do the show every week for the past 15 plus years now. I love hearing from listeners wherever they may live around the world. And I'd like to hear from you. Send your email note to michael@treasureislandoldies.com. You can Listen to the Archive of our Made InCanada Special in the ArchiveSection of the Listen Page.

Mark your calendar for our next special the week of July 22nd for our Technicolour Special. Every song will have a colour in the song title. Here's a few examples of songs you may hear on the special: Little Green Bag, Green Onions, Brown Eyed Girl, Nights In White Satin, etc. You get the idea. If there's a song you'd like to hear as part of the Technicolor Special, Click Requests on any page of the website or Call the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Line at 206-339-0709.

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to my son, David, who is celebrating his 30th birthday. I'd also like to send my best wishes to my good friend Bobbi Gutman, in Richmond, British Columbia, Jim Amidei in Wheaton, Illinois and Wayne Harrett at 105.9 Seaside-FM in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia. If you have a birthday coming up, be sure to let me know. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com and I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday, our official birthday song by The Beatles, for you.

When I played Tell Me (You're Coming Back) by The Rolling Stones on the show this week, it brought back memories of buying that 45 on the Decca Records label. I even remembered the B side of the 45, I Just Wanna Make Love To You. Played the heck out of that record. Wow! So I thought I'd give you a treat this week at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog. The Rolling Stones lip synch Tell Me (You're Coming Back) in a clip from the Red Skelton TV Show. What a classic! It's our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents the smooth soulful voice of Ben E. King with two of his solo hits for your votes. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Amor or Don't Play That Song (You Lied). Both songs were Top Twenty hits and not heard all that often today. The winner will certainly bring back memories for you. Listen for it on next week's show.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of July 8th, 2012


And here's the Top 5 Countdown from this week in 1957



Be sure to enjoy the show while you're on the go this summer with your iPhone, or other smartphone, and the Tune In Radio app. You can listen to the Latest Show, the Rock & Roll News Podcasts, and the Live Show as well. Just be sure that to do a search for the live show, it will have to have started in order for the show title to appear in the live stations results. Get more out of your iPhone or other smartphone with the Tune In Radio app, available at the iTunes Store.

Show the world you're a proud Islander!  Send your photo and we'll post it to the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Send it to listenergallery@treasureislandoldies.com

Hope you have a great week. See you on next week's show.

Bye for now.

Michael








 
 

Ben E. King - Voice Your Choice

Ben E. King was born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 23, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina and was raised in Harlem, New York. While he was still in high school, he sang with The Moonglows and in 1957 he joined the Five Crowns, which became The Drifters in 1959. His first lead vocal performance with The Drifters was on There Goes My Baby, and he even wrote the song's lyrics. He left the group to pursue a solo career in 1960.

He appeared on the Billboard charts twenty-two times between the end of 1960 and 1986, with his last chart entry a repeat of his third hit, Stand By Me, due to its popularity in the movie of the same name starring River Phoenix and Will Wheaton.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Ben E. King with two hits from his solo career.  Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Amor or  Don't Play That Song (You Lied). I'll play the winner on next week`s show in the 3rd hour. Vote Now.

The Rolling Stones - Song Of The Week

I decided to play this classic video for you as a result of playing it on this week`s show and the memories it brought back for me of when I bought the 45. The Rolling Stones were just breaking out and this came out just before It's All Over Now.

This week the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing a classic clip from TV`s The Red Skelton Show. Here they are, The Rolling Stones wirth Tell Me (You're Coming Back). It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Iconic Actor Andy Griffith Has Died

Mayberry won't be the same anymore. Sheriff Andy Taylor, in real life veteran actor Andy Griffith, died today, July 3, 2012.

(CNN) -- The body of Andy Griffith, a North Carolina native and actor who for years won over audiences with his folksy appeal, was buried Tuesday morning less than five hours after he died.
He passed away at around 7 a.m. ET at his home on Roanoke Island, authorities reported.
At the request of his family, Griffith's body was lowered into a grave on the island at about 11:30 a.m. ET, according to a funeral spokesperson who declined to be named, citing the sensitivity of the matter.
"It had been planned for some time," said the spokesperson, who declined to reveal where on the island the body was buried.
"This was the wish of his family."
Most known for his role as the sheriff of Mayberry on the CBS series "The Andy Griffith Show," Griffith died Tuesday after an unspecified illness and "has been laid to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island," the family said in a statement.

But the speed with which the public learned of his death and was informed of his burial seemed especially fast, according to some observers.
"It's not very common," said Larry F. Stegall, executive director of the state's Funeral Directors Association. "I don't recall having heard of it, and I've been here 32 years."
Traditional funeral customs often allow for a more extended period between death and burial, so family and friends may have more opportunity to visit and pay their respects.
Still, said Stegall, "the family's wishes are always abided by."
"Andy was a person of incredibly strong Christian faith and was prepared for the day he would be called Home to his Lord," Griffith's wife, Cindi, said in a statement on Tuesday.
A member of the Television Hall of Fame, Griffith also was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007. His 1996 album, "I Love to Tell the Story -- 25 Timeless Hymns," netted him a Grammy Award.
Born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, in 1926, Griffith was a 1949 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received a degree in music.

The theme from Andy Griffith's TV Show is known by hearts by millions of people everywhere. You all remember the show theme, but did you know that the song has lyrics too? And did ytou know that Andy Griffith sang the theme song?

Well here he is Andy Griffith with the theme from The Andy Griffith Show.


And here is the instantly familiar version.

Enjoy!
Michael

Monday, July 02, 2012

Canadia Day Trivia


I thought I'd pass on some Canada Day Trivia for you via this podcast.


Cheers.
Michael

This week on Treasure Island Oldies


July 1st, 2012 to July 7th, 2012

O Canada! What a great time on this week's Made In Canada Special, the annual tribute to the artists and songwriters of Canada. Thanks very much for your many requests. While I was unable to play them all, I'll do my best to play them over the next several shows. There are just so many great records that were recorded by Canadians and I am very proud to play some of them for you on our annual special. And mark your calendar for our next special, the week of July 22nd, our Technicolor Special, with every song having a colour in the song title. It'll be a very bright special, so be sure to bring your sunglasses!

The Chat Room was very busy again this week and it was great to welcome some old friends, along with welcoming new ones. I invite you to try the chat room during the live show every Sunday from 6 to 10 pm Pacific time. The camaraderie among the Nuts in the Hut and the various discussions that take place, make it a fun place to spend time while listening to the show. Come to the Chat Room and follow the instructions. See you next week in the Chat Room.

If you have a birthday coming up, be sure to let me know. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com and I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday, our official birthday song by The Beatles, for you.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Gino Vannelli. I first got to know Gino, who like me is from Montreal, when I worked at CFCF Radio. I got to know him and his brothers Joe and Ross. When he released his second album, Powerful People, I heard a song on the album called People Gotta Move. I added the song to the playlist at CFCF as if it were an actual single. The response was so good and the demand for it as a 45 at the record stores was such that A&M Records released it as a single and it became a Top Twenty hit in Canada and the United States. I was presented with a Gold Record by A&M, my first ever award. This week in keeping with our Made In Canada Special, we're playing Gino Vannelli and People Gotta Move, in a live concert performance. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents the early days of Rock & Roll with Bill Haley And His Comets, with two of their many hits. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either See You Later, Alligator or Burn That Candle. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

I know that in many parts of North America the temperatures are soaring. I invite you to the Archive page of Treasure Island Oldies, where you can listen to some very cool hits. And conversely, if you are finding it cool where you live, warm up with some hot tunes.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of July 1st, 2012


And here's this week's Top 5 Countdown:



Enjoy the show while you're on the go this summer with your iPhone, or other smartphone, and the Tune In Radio app. You can listen to the Latest Show, the Rock & Roll News Podcasts, and the Live Show as well. Just be sure that to do a search for the live show, it will have to have started in order for the show title to appear in the live stations results. Get more out of your iPhone or other smartphone with the Tune In Radio app, available at the iTunes Store.

Show the world you're a proud Islander!  Send your photo and we'll post it to the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Send it to listenergallery@treasureislandoldies.com

Hope you have a great week. See you on next week's show.

Bye for now.

Michael








 
 

Bill Haley And His Comets - Voice Your Choice

It could be argued that Bill Haley And His Comets were the group that launched Rock & Roll Music in a big way. When (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock was first released in May 1954, it went practically nowhere. When it was included as part of the movie Blackboard Jungle starring Glenn Ford, the song took off reaching #1 on the charts, remaining in the top position for 8 weeks, that's 2 months, and attaining GOLD status!

Their first charted hit, Shake, Rattle And Roll, a former #1 R&B hit foe Big Joe Turner, reached #7 and was a GOLD record.

Throughout their career, Bill Haley And His Comets had 28 hits on the charts, had 3 GOLD records and four reached the Top Ten .

This week on Voice Your Choice, Treasure Island Oldies presents Bill Haley And His Comets. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either See You Later, Alligator or Burn That Candle. 

I'll play the results of the vote in the third hour of next week's show.

Gino Vannelli - Song Of The Week


The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Gino Vannelli. I first got to know Gino, who like me is from Montreal, when I worked at CFCF Radio. I got to know him and his brothers Joe and Ross. When he released his second album Powerful People, I heard a song on the album called People Gotta Move. I added the song to the playlist at CFCF as if it were an actual single. The response was so good and the demand for it as a 45 at the record stores was such that A&M Records released it as a single and it became a Top Twenty hit in Canada and the United States. 

I was presented with a Gold Record by A&M, my first ever award. I'm looking at it on my wall as I type this Blog post. The inscription reads: "In appreciation  for making people move to People Gotta Move by Gino Vannelli. August 1974"

Ironically a year later, I ended up working at A&M Records for nearly 11 years and became Vice-President of the Artist & Repertoire department.This week in keeping with our Made In Canada Special, we're playing my friend Gino Vannelli and People Gotta Move, in a live concert performance. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!