Monday, September 30, 2013

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week Of September 29, 2013


September 28th, 2013 to October 5th, 2013

It's amazing just how quickly four hours can go by; and that was the case again this week. The time just seemed to zip by and before you knew it, it was the last hour of the show. No wonder there's the expression 'time flies'. It sure does on the Island. And the Chat Room is a major contributor to the time passing quickly, with all the regulars and visitors and enjoying each other's company and the conversations. You should come by for a visit yourself. Click Chat on any page of the website and use the easy to follow instructions. We look forward to welcoming you as one of the Nuts in the Huts during the next Live show.

I also really enjoy hearing from you with your requests and stories as to why a particular song means a lot to you. Call or Click. The Listener Line at 206-339-0709 is available to you 24/7 to call and record your message. You can also click the Requests button on any page of the website. I'll do my best to play your song, but please just remember that it had to have charted on the Hot 100 between 1955 and 1979.



Once again this week I was pleased to play on the show a brand new song by one of the heritage artists of our time. Elton John has a brand new album released this week, The Diving Board. It's "back to basics" with regard to the arrangement style. If you're a fan, I know you enjoyed the first single, Home Again.

If you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Buffalo Springfield and their signature hit For What It's Worth. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

One of Motown's youngest stars when he got his first hit is in the spotlight this week on Voice Your Choice. Stevie Wonder was only 13 years old when Fingertips Pt 2 became a hit for him. This week we feature two of his many other hits. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either I Was Made To Love Her or My Cherie Amour. I'll play the winning song on next week's show in the 3rd hour.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of September 29th




Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1957


Hope you have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Stevie Wonder - Voice Your Choice


 
Stevie Wonder, was born Steveland Morris on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan and blind since birth. He was only 13 at the time of his first hit Fingertips Pt 2. He was signed to Motown Records as a backup singer when he was only 10 years old! He was named Little Stevie Wonder by Motown owner Berry Gordy Jr.

Stevie has received many awards, including his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and in 1996 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammy Awards.

Since his first charting single, Fingertips Pt 2, a number one record for three weeks in 1963 through 1997 1997, he appeared a total of 65 times on the Billboard chart. He has had an astounding 28 Top Ten hits, including 10 Number One songs!

It was no easy task trying to select just two songs from his incredible repertoire for Voice Your Choice this week on Treasure Island Oldies. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either I Was made To Love Her or My Cherie Amour. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.


Buffalo Springfield was an all-star rock band formed in Los Angeles, California. Check out the lineup: Stephen Stills (vocals, guitar), Neil Young and Richie Furay (guitars), Bruce Palmer (bass) and Dewey Martin (drums). Jim Messina (later with Loggins And Messina) replaced Palmer after their second album. The disbanded in 1968. Stills and Young were later with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Furay and Messina formed Poco. Palmer died of a heart attack on October 10, 2004 at age 58. Martin died on January 31, 2009 at age 68.

This week the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing their signature song. Here's Buffalo Springfield with For What It's Worth. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael


Monday, September 23, 2013

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week Of September 22nd, 2013

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September 22nd, 2013 to September 28th, 2013

It was great to be together again this week, as we start the fall season. And there are four more specials between now and the end of the year. The Annual Canadian Thanksgiving Special is set for October 13th, while our Halloween Spooktacular happens on October 27th this year. There's a Story Songs Special on November 17th, followed by the Annual Christmas Special December 22nd. So despite summer being over now, we've still got lots of great music and fun specials for you right here on the Island.

I received a nice email from listener Lynnsey Guerrero in Los Angeles. Lynnsey was saying he came across an interesting article on legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame DJ Dick Biondi, who he fondly remembers from when Dick was working at KRLA. Lynnsey concluded his email by saying, "Thank you, Michael, for continuing the legacy of great radio". Thank YOU, Lynnsey, much appreciated. You too can get in touch with me at any time by sending an email to me at michael@treasureislandoldies.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

If you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing one of the most successful singers ever to come from Canada. Jack Scott performed for the first time in 30 years in in 2009 at the Lincoln Center. Here is Jack Scott with My True Love. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents one of the great R&B groups, The Isley Brothers. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) or Twist & Shout. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of September 22nd


Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1959



Hope you have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Isley Brothers - Voice Your Choice

The Isley Brothers originated in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to New York in 1957. They started out as a trio with O'Kelly, Ronald and Rudolph, then added their younger brothers Ernie and Marvin, as well as brother-in-law Chris Jasper in 1969. Sadly, Marvin passed away in 2010 at age 56.

They charted an impressive 49 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1959 and 2001, with four Top Tens, three Gold and one Platinum record.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents The Isley Brothers. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) or Twist & Shout. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Jack Scott - Song Of The Week

Jack Scott was born in Windsor, Ontario and became a very big recording artist but not a big star. He seemed to be the reluctant success story, as he didn't clamor for the spotlight, even though he ended up in the spotlight on many occasions. He appeared on the Hot 100 charts nineteen times. That is a feat for anyone. And this week we spotlight his first hit single.

In a clip from a live concert from 2009 at New York's Lincoln Center, his first performance in New York City in 30 years, here's Jack Scott with My True Love. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!
Michael


Monday, September 16, 2013

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week Of September 15th, 2013




September 15th, 2013 to September 21st, 2013

I'm glad to back with you again this week after a wonderful vacation in Canada's desert, Osoyoos, British Columbia in the Okanagan Valley. Osoyoos and the surrounding area including Oliver are in a micro climate resulting in a true desert. There's sage brush, a variety of cacti, snakes, etc. Wonderful warm and sunny. It's the perfect environment for the dozens of wineries in the area, all growing multi-award winning wines. Rented a 31 foot Class A rv. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be in a luxury motorhome, you've gotta try it. Like a hotel on wheels. I really enjoyed it and will do it again. Thank you for the very warm welcome back during the live show. And it was great to hang out in the Chat Room with the Nuts In The Hut once again this week. Looking forward to a great fall with you and more of our specials. I'm also looking forward to being part of the lineup of shows when Peachland Community Radio debuts at the beginning of October. We'll be live on the station every Sunday evening at our usual time from 6 to 10 pm Pacific.

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Scott Harmon in Phoenix City, Alabama, Sara Koratowski in New Westminster, BC, James Gardner in Victoria, BC and Colin MacDonald in Vancouver, BC. Lots of birthdays this week; and if you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

This week marks the official return of a feature that was part of the show at its very beginning in 1997. To highlight the return of Compare The Hits, the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Neil Diamond with a live performance of Kentucky Woman. It's our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents a smooth R&B singer from the 1950s, Tommy Edwards, best known for the classic It's All In The Game. This week we present two of his other hits for your votes. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Please Mr. Sun or Morning Side Of The Mountain. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of September 15th



Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1970


 See you next week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Tommy Edwards - Voice Your Choice

Tommy Edwards, the smooth Black Adult Contemporary singer, pianist and songwriter, was born on February 17, 1922 in Richmond, Virginia. He first began performing at the age of nine! Sadly, he passed away at age 47 on October 23, 1969.

He managed to have quite an impressive string of songs to hit the charts. Between August 1958 and October 1960, he scored 14 songs on the Billboard Charts, including a Number One song and Gold record for It's All In The Game. An interesting bit about this song. The melody was written in 1912 by U.S. Vice-President Charles Dawes. The original version of the song was first recorded by Tommy Edwards in 1951 and reached # 18. He later re-recorded it and it then became the huge familiar hit in 1958.

This week on Voice Your Choice we spotlight two other hits by Tommy Edwards. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Please Mr. Sun or Morning Side Of The Mountain. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Neil Diamond - Song Of The Week


This week on Treasure Island Oldies marks the return of a feature that was part of the show when it began in 1997.  Compare The Hits this week presented Kentucky Woman, the original version by Neil Diamond in 1967 during his days as a songwriter in New York at the Brill Building and as a recording artist with Bang Records. Some fans say those were the best years for his writing and recording. The second version was recorded in 1968 and charted by the British group Deep Purple.

This week the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is pleased to play Neil Diamond in a live performance of Kentucky Woman. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!
Michael

Monday, September 02, 2013

Richie Knight and The Mid-Knights 50th Anniversary Reunion

50 years ago in 1963, Richie Knight and The Mid-Knights made history when they scored the first-ever Number One record by a Canadian band on 1050 CHUM, Toronto. This had never happened previously and the smash success of Charlena (a song they covered with a completely different arrangement than was done by The Sevilles from the USA), opened the doors for tons of other artists and groups in Toronto.

I'm pleased to call two members of the group long time friends of mine. George Semkiw, founded the Mid-Knights, and in later years had his own successful recording studio. I met George through another member of the group, Doug Chappell. Doug and I worked together for years at A&M Records, where Doug became Vice-President Promotion and I was Vice-President Artist & Repertoire. It was a real treat for me to have a visit with Doug and his wonderful wife Ann when I was in Toronto last October.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Charlena, all original members of Richie Knight and The Mid-Knights got back together and performed at The Brawley.

I'm pleased to present this historic reunion of Richie Knight and The Mid-Knights and congratulations on the 50th Anniversary.


This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - September 1st, 2013 to September 14th, 2013


September 1st, 2013 to September 14th, 2013

Our Labour Day Back To School End Of Summer Special was a blast. Cramming three themes into one special was both a lot of fun and a challenge. Once again this week, there were a lot of requests and boy, were they ever good songs you requested. Thanks very much indeed. It was also a real treat to play the brand new song by Paul McCartney, called New. It is classic McCartney with a real vintage Beatles feel. I sure hope it becomes a smash for him; it is a smash for me at any rate. Being a huge Beatles fan, how could you not like this song! I played it twice, first time in the 1st hour and again near the end of the 2nd hour. The full album, produced by four different producers including the son of Beatles producer George Martin, Giles Martin. The album, appropriately also called New, will be released October 15 and I will preview it on the show for you.

You may have noticed that the dates for this week's update go from September 1st to September 14th. I will be taking off on vacation for one week. I'll be back with the next live show Sunday, September 15th. Next week I am pleased to bring you an Encore Presentation of the show from February 2008 when I was joined in the studio by Chad Allen, the original lead singer of The Guess Who. Chad shares memories and music of the early Chad Allen & The Expressions days. I know you'll enjoy this special show replay. It will be available on demand at the Listen page of the website and will also be streamed live on our Broadcast Partners Network station, The Legend. And of course, the Chat Room will be open as usual, so come over and meet the Nuts in the Hut. Click Chat and follow the simple instructions. I look forward to being with you Live September 15th.

Happy Birthday wishes to "Kitten" Connie in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gypsy Fisher in Victoria, British Columbia, Joe Summers in Toronto, Ontario, Jimmy Lawson at our Broadcast Partners Network station Space Coast iRadio in Melbourne, Florida, and also to Cindy Williams in Vancouver, British Columbia. I was also pleased to play Cindy's Birthday by Johnny Crawford for her. If you have a birthday coming up, I invite you to let me know so that I can wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing one of the greatest summertime songs of the '60s. It's The Shangri-Las, a great Girl Group with two sets of sisters, and the long Stereo version of their classic hit, Remember (Walking In The Sand). It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice will return on the next Live show September 15th, with Tommy James and The Shondells. You can cast your vote now at the Voice Your Choice page for either Ball Of Fire or Crystal Blue Persuasion. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of the show on September 15th.

Here's the Rock And Roll News for the week of September 1st

 


Listen to the Top 5 Countdown from 1961




See you September 15th and enjoy the Encore Presentation next week with Chad Allen.

Bye for now. 

Michael

Tommy James & The Shondells - Voice Your Choice


Tommy James was born Thomas Jackson in Dayton, Ohio and started his pop group The Shondells when he was only 12 years old. Their first single, Hanky Panky, was recorded for a small independent label, Snap, in 1963.By the way, the original version of Hanky Panky was recorded in 1963 by The Blossoms as the B side of the 45. Roulette Records purchased the original master recording by Tommy James And The Shondells from Snap Records and issued it on their own label.  It took three years for the song to become a hit when it finally reached the top of the charts in 1966.

As the song was climbing the charts, Tommy James recruited the Pittsburgh group The Raconteurs to become the official Shondells. From 1966 to 1973, they hit the charts an incredible 31 times; during which time they enjoyed 7 Top Ten hits, including a Gold Record.

Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Ball Of Fire or Crystal Blue Persuasion. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of the next Live show, Sunday, September 15th.

The Shangri-Las - Song Of The Week

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is pleased to play The Shangri-Las for you. I played this on Treasure Island Oldies this week as part of the annual Labour Day Back To School End Of Summer Special. If you missed the Live shgow, be sure to listen to the Archive.

Despite the fact that this great Girl Group is usually shown with three members, there were actually four: two sets of sisters.

So here are The Shangri-Las with a longer version of Remember (Walking In The Sand). It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael