Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Bob Shane Founder of Kingston Trio Has Died At Age 85

The Associated Press

Bob Shane, the last surviving original member of the popular folk group the Kingston Trio and the lead singer on its million-selling ballad "Tom Dooley" and many other hits, has died.

Shane died Sunday at a hospice in Phoenix, Arizona at age 85. Mike Marvin, a cousin and surrogate son of fellow Kingston Trio founder Nick Reynolds confirmed the death but did not immediately know the cause of death.

Shane, Reynolds and Dave Guard were performers in the San Francisco club circuit in the 1950s and broke through nationally in 1958 with their eponymous debut album, which featured "Tom Dooley," an old standard inspired by a Confederate veteran's conviction for murder. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard pop charts, won a Grammy for best country and western song (no folk category existed) and helped launch the so-called folk revival, with other artists including Joan Baez; Peter, Paul and Mary; and, eventually, Bob Dylan.

Clean cut and amiable, they were criticized by some folk artists for being too slick and for avoiding political statements. But the Kingston Trio was one of the country's top acts over the next few years. Five Kingston Trio albums topped the Billboard charts, with favourite songs including "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?," "500 Miles," "It Was a Very Good Year," later recorded by Frank Sinatra, and "Sloop John B," later a Beach Boys hit.

Their success continued even after Guard left in 1961, and was replaced by John Stewart. But by the mid-1960s, the Beatles had arrived, Dylan was playing rock music and the folk market was in decline. The Trio broke up in 1967, although Shane continued to tour and record with various incarnations of the group over the following decades. He retired from performing in 2004 after suffering a heart attack.

Guard, whom Shane had known since both were attending high school in Shane's native Hawaii, died in 1991. Reynolds and Stewart, who went on to write the Monkees' "Daydream Believer" and other hits, died in 2008. The Kingston Trio received an honorary Grammy in 2011.

"Their music was a balm to the growing angst of a generation that was soon to turn our country and our world upside down," Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary wrote of them in 2014. "They tossed off renditions of song gems that felt effortless yet genuine, cool yet caring, sympathetic yet ‘no big ting.’"

Shane was married twice, most recently to Bobbi Childress, and had five children.



Monday, January 27, 2020

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies -Week of January 26 2020

January 26th to February 1 st, 2020

This week's Spotlight Year, 1961, was the gateway to the Sixties. There were still many successful instrumental hits (for example, Sandy Nelson, Bert Kaempfert, Ferrante & Teicher, B. Bumble and The Stingers, etc.), lots of R&B/Soul records (such as Curtis Lee, The Jarmels, The Impressions, Ray Charles, and many more). It was also a year when pop singers continued to hit the charts, including Gene Pitney, Matt Monro, James Darren, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, and others. It sure was an interesting year. If you'd like to check out every song I played, just go to the Listen page and scroll down to the Playlist.

Next week on the show, I'll devote the entire 4th hour to the annual Tribute to The Day The Music Died, the horrific day when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper all died in a terrible winter storm plane crash. You'll hear news bulletins advising listeners of the tragic accident, interviews, tribute songs, and of course the great music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Bill Myers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I'd like to help you celebrate your birthday with all the show's listeners. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features the great R&B duo, James and Bobby Purify. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either I Take What I Want or I'm Your Puppet. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Top Five Countdown is from this week's Spotlight Year, 1961. One of the earliest Girl Groups reached the top with this week's Number One song. It's The Shirelles and Will You Love Me Tomorrow and it's playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

Click here for this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast. 

Be sure to join me next week for the Day The Music Died Tribute. Have a good week.

Bye for now.
Michael

James and Bobby Purify Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies


Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to present James and Bobby Purify in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Robert Lee Dickey and his cousin James Lee Purify, from Florida, charted eight times from 1966 to 1968. 

Sadly Robert Dickey passed away Sunday, December 29, 2012 in Tallahassee, Florida. He was 72.

We celebrate James and Bobby Purify on next week's Voice Your Choice. Cast your vote at the Voice Your page for either I Take What I Want or I'm Your Puppet. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Shirelles Number One 1961 Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown

On Treasure Island Oldies this week, the Spotlight Year is 1961. Girl Groups were starting to blossom on the charts. And this week one of the earliest Girl Groups, The Shirelles, achieved the biggest record on the entire Hot 100 chart.

Here are The Shirelles with Will You Love Me Tomorrow. It's the Number One song on the Top Five Countdown.

Enjoy!
Michael


Monday, January 20, 2020

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of January 19th, 2020

January 19th to 25th, 2020
It's been great hearing from you over the past months with comments about featuring a different year every week. Some have mentioned that while it is nice to hear songs from various years during the weekly show, they really are enjoying to hear songs from one particular year. You have told me that by hearing songs from one year, it really gives the flavour of the music we listened to in that year. Thanks for your feedback; I always appreciate hearing from you. You too can get in touch with me with any thoughts or comments you may have about the show. Send an email to michael@treasureislandoldies.com.

This week's Spotlight Year is 1968. And what an excellent year it was too. It was great to hear excellent records by James Brown, The Association, The Beatles, The Grass Roots, Petula Clark, The Moody Blues, Jimi Hendrix Experience, and so many more. To see all the songs I played on the show this week, go to the Listen page and scroll down to the Playlist.

Coming up on February 2nd, it will be my annual Tribute 
to The Day The Music Died, the horrific day when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper all perished in a terrible plane crash. During the entire 4th hour you'll hear news bulletins announcing the tragic accident, interviews, tribute songs, and of course the great music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.

It's a Happy Birthday this week for Fred Waterer in St. Catharines, Ontario, and Wendy McDougall in Adelaide, South Australia. I'd like to help you celebrate your birthday with all the show's listeners. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features the the vibrant entertainer and great singer Jackie Wilson. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either I'm Coming On Back To You or Shake! Shake! Shake!. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Top Five Countdown is from this week's Spotlight Year, 1968. John Fred and His Playboy Band reached the top with this week's Number One song the title of which was a parody of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles. Judy In Disguise (With Glasses) is now playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

Click here for this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast. 

I hope you have a good week. Take care.

Bye for now.
Michael

Jackie Wilson Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Jackie Wilson was born June 9, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. He's been referred to as one of the all-time great entertainers and "Mr. Excitement". Prior to turning to music, he was an amateur boxer. Becoming a singer, he eventually joined Billy Ward and His Dominoes as a replacement for lead singer, Clyde McPhatter, who went on to a solo career. Jackie also became a solo artist in 1957, the same year he had his first hit record, Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want To Meet) and was produced by Berry Gordy Jr., who eventually went on to found Motown Records.

Jackie appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 charts a total of 62 times between 1957 and 1972, scoring 6 Top Ten hits. He collapsed on stage after suffering a stroke at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on September 29, 1975. Sadly he lived the rest of his life in nursing homes prior to his passing January 21, 1974 at the very young age of 49.

Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to feature Jackie Wilson on Voice Your Choice. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either I'm Coming On Back To You or Shake! Shake! Shake! I'll play the winner on next week's show.

John Fred and His Playboy Band Number One 1968 Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown

Although formed in 1956 as John Fred and The Playboys and they scored a hit in 1959 with Shirley, they remain best known for this week's Number One song.

While not an answer song to Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, from the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles, Judy In Disguise (With Glasses) was more of a parody of the song title. In fact, it even knocked The Beatles from the number One smash Hello Goodbye.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Spotlight Year is 1968 at at the top of the charts at Number One it's John Fred and His Playboy Band with Judy In Disguise (With Glasses).

Enjoy!
Michael
 

Monday, January 13, 2020

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies Week of January 12th, 2020

January 12th to 18th, 2020
As you know, I love the holidays, with all the lights and music and celebrating with friends and family. Once they are over, it's also good to get back into our regular routines. That's how it feels this week, now that we're back to our regular show and features. The first Spotlight Year is 1963, a year that was starting to transition to a new sound with the start of the British Music Invasion, yet pop and R&B were still very strong. Some great examples are Dion's Donna The Prima Donna, Hello Stranger by Barbara Lewis, The Four Seasons, Ronettes, Crystals, and so many more great artists and records. And in 1963 The Beatles started their steady climb to the top with the album Meet The Beatles in the UK and US, Beatlemania in Canada. I played a driving song sung by George Harrison, Don't Bother Me, this week's BBC - Big Beatles Classic. For a complete list of every song I played on this week's show, go to the Listen page and scroll down to the Playlist. 

As I was doing the show, I received an email from my friend Marc Denis in Montreal with sad news of the passing of legendary Montreal DJ, Ralph Lockwood. "The Bird" was 80 when he passed. I fondly remember hearing Ralph on the morning show at Top 40 station CKGM. He had a huge personality and a great wit which he shared with his morning team, including Mary Anne Carpentier, and the huge number of listeners who tuned into his show every day. R.I.P. Ralphie Bird! 

It's my great pleasure to send out Happy Birthday wishes this week to Judy Covington, in Canton, Ohio, and to Alice Lopez in Peoria, Illinois. If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate it with you on the show. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features the late great Jack Scott. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Goodbye Baby or My True Love. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Top Five Countdown for the year is from 1963. Steve Lawrence has the Number One song this week with Go Away Little Girl, now playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

Click here for this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast. 

Take care. See you next week. 

Bye for now.
Michael

Jack Scott Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Jack Scott 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 huge feat for anyone.

The Canadian rock and roll pioneer Jack Scott passed away of congestive heart failure at the age of 84 December 12, 2019.

Scott, who was born Giovanni Scafone Junior in Windsor, Ontario, on January 24, 1936, had a major impact on the spread of rock and roll music across his native Canada. A master of moving seamlessly between rock, pop, doo-wop, rockabilly, gospel, and country, among other genres, Scott secured 19 records on The Billboard Charts between 1958 and 1961, according to FYI Music News.

His double-sided national hit “Leroy” (#11) / “My True Love” (#3), which was released on the Carlton record label in 1958, jump-started his career selling over one million copies.

In 2007, Scott was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame, and in 2011, he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to spotlight Jack Scott on Voice Your Choice. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Goodbye Baby or My True Love. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Steve Lawrence Number One 1963 Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown

He started out in the 1950s and also recorded with his wife Eydie Gorm. In 1963 he continued having hit records. And on Treasure Island Oldies this week, the Top Five Countdown is from 1963.

Here's Steve Lawrence with Go Away Little Girl.

Enjoy!
Michael
 

Monday, January 06, 2020

Where To Hear Oldies - Surprisingly!

Other than Treasure Island Oldies, where is the best place to hear some of your favourite oldies music? On TV! Yes, on your television.

Over the holidays I did a fair amount of watching TV and I was floored by the number of oldies that are being used as the soundtrack for various commercials.

Check this out; it's just a partial list of national and regional advertisers, in no particular order, all using the music we grew up with and still love today.

Sunshine Lollipops And Rainbows (Leslie Gore) - Lyft
Tweedle Dee (LaVern Baker) - McDonalds
Love Is All Around (The Troggs) - Canadian Tire
Don't Worry Baby (The Beach Boys) - BCAA
I Don't Know Why I Love You (But I Do) (Clarence "Frogman" Henry) - Expedia
Splish Splash (Bobby Darin) - Jeep Gladiator
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell) - BC Children's Hospital
Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (Wilson Pickett) - Amazon
Boom Boom (The Animals) - Ford F150
Ready Or Not Here I Come (The Delfonics) - Pelloton
I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher) - Etsy
Always Something There To Remind Me (Sandi Shaw, Dionne Warwick, Naked Eyes, and others) - McCains French Fries
Just What I needed (The Cars) - TD Bank
Brandy (You're A Fine Girl) (The Looking Glass) - Ford
From Me To You (The Beatles) - Visa Debit Card

And there's more! The cool thing is you can hear all these songs and plenty more WITHOUT commercials every week on Treasure Island Oldies.

P.S. I may have watched too much TV over the holidays. LOL
Michael



First Island Update of 2020

January 5th to 11th, 2020
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed the Holiday Season. Well here we are; it's 2020! I am sure looking forward to this year with you on The Island. What a great start to the year we had with the Annual New Year's Dance Party. I may need to take the rest of the year off to recuperate. LOL  It's interesting to note the number of dances and the number of songs that were based on specific dance styles. How many of these dances were you good at? The Wah-Watusi, The Jerk, The Twist, The Stomp, The Stroll, The Freddie, The Monkey, The Boogaloo, The Loco-Motion, and so many others!

It's birthday time and I'd like to wish Happy Birthday to Jill Brown Sykes in Cambridge, Ontario, Tammy Maynard in Nashville, Tennessee, Shirley Ham in Cincinnati, Ohio and to Darryl Roberts from our Affiliate Station WTND-LP in Macomb, Illinois. If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate it with you on the show. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features Chris Montez. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Some Kinda Fun or Let's Dance. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Top Five Countdown for the year is from 1966. The Beatles continue their long streak of hits with the Number One song this week, We Can Work It Out is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

Click here for this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast.

Here's to another year of sharing some of the greatest music ever recorded with you! 

See you next week. 

Bye for now.
Michael

Chris Montez Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Chris Montez was born Ezekiel Christopher Montanez on January 17, 1943 in the Los Angeles, California suburb of Hawthorne, also the childhood home of The Beach Boys.

His career began as a protégé of Ritchie Valens and during that time he recorded one of Rock & Roll's anthems, Let's Dance in 1962.

By 1966 he switched record labels and music styles. Under the guidance of Herb Alpert and A&M Records, Chris recorded several Adult Contemporary records. They were well received by music fans but this week we'll focus on the rock and roll side of Chris Montez.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice is pleased to feature Chris Montez. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Some Kinds Fun or Let's Dance. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Beatles Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1966

The Beatles continued their enormous success on the charts and with fans in 1966 and this week they were sitting at the top of the charts once again.

This week onb Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown is from 1966. Here in the Number One spot are The Beatles with We Can Work It Out.

Enjoy!
Michael