Davy Jones Of The Monkees Has Died

Davy Jones of the Monkees has died of an apparent heart attack at age 66. The singer – who had been on a solo tour this month - complained of chest pains last evening and was admitted to a hospital this morning in Stuart, Florida.

Jones was born in Manchester, England and started acting as a child. In 1964 he had the misfortune of appearing in the cast of Oliver! on the same episode where the Beatles made their debut. The next year he was cast in The Monkees, a comedy show/band inspired by the success of the Beatles. They were an instant hit in the ratings and the record shops, scoring massive singles with "Last Train To Clarksdale," "I'm A Believer," "Stepping Stone" and "Pleasant Valley Sunday." Jones – who played tambourine in the band – was the lead vocalist on the classics "Daydream Believer" and "I Wanna Be Free." At the peak of their popularity in 1967 they sold more albums than the Beatles.

The Monkees music was written by some of the best songwriters of the day, including Carole King and Neil Diamond. As the group grew more popular, they insisted on writing their own music and playing their own instruments. Although their later work has attracted a huge cult audience over the years, their mainstream success quickly dwindled and the group split in 1971. Jones went onto a solo career, and he memorably performed his song "Girl" on an episode of The Brady Bunch.

Jones returned to acting in the late 1970s when his solo career failed to take off, but he found it difficult to escape the shadow of the Monkees. By the mid-1980s Monkee mania was reborn when MTV and other stations began regularly airing old episodes of the tv show. The band – minus Mike Nesmith – reunited for a highly successful reunion tour in 1986. They toured off and on through 2001 when infighting led to another split. Last summer they patched things up for a 45h anniversary tour, though it was called short because of what guitarist Peter Tork called a "glitch."

Jones was on a solo tour at the time of his death, playing as recently as last week.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

February 26th, 2012 to March 4th, 2012

Hi and welcome to this week's update. Every week, during the first hour of the show, I highlight some of the cities and countries where people live that have visited the show. This week there was a long list as usual, but with some very interesting locations. Apart from cities across Canada and the United States, we had visitors and listeners from New Zealand, Chile, England, Hong Kong, Russia, The Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Spain, Israel, Switzerland, and Sweden. WOW! We truly are a worldwide show. Thank you very much indeed.

Be sure to mark your calendar for our next special. It's the return of The Name Game Special the week of March 18. Every song will have someone's name in the song title and if there's a particular song you'd like to hear, be sure to let me know. Click or Call: the Requests button is located on every page of the website, and the Listener Line is available to you 24/7 to call 206-339-0709 and leave your request message. I look forward to hearing from you and to playing your request.

If you have a birthday coming up, be sure to let me know by sending the details of your special day to birthdays@treasureislandoldiess.com. I'll be pleased to wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Edison Lighthouse and Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes). There was really no group, just studio musicians fronted by session singer Tony Burrows. I know you'll enjoy this top pop hit; it's our Song Of The Week.

Voice Your Choice presents Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon with two of his hit records: Transistor Sister and Action. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page. We'll play the winning song on next week's show in the 3rd hour. Thanks for your votes for last week. The winning song by The Beach Boys was Do it Again.

Have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Freddy Boom Boom Cannon - Voice Your Choice

Freddy Cannon was born Frederick Picariello on December 4, 1939 in Lynn, Massachusetts. His Nickname, Boom Boom, came about as a result of the big bass drum sound on his records.

To the surprise of some, he appeared on the Top 100 charts a total of 23 times between 1959 and 1981. His last charted single, Let's Put The Fun Back In Rock N Roll was a collaboration of Freddy with The Belmonts (Dion DiMucci was a one time member of the group).

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Freddy Cannon with two of his hits for your votes: Transistor Sister and Action (the theme from the TV show Where The Action Is).

Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page and we'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Edison Lighthouse - Song Of The Week

Edison Lighthouse was not really a band, but a group of studio musicians fronted by session singer Tony Burrows. He was also the singer for The Pipkins (Gimme Dat Ding), Brotherhood Of Man (United We Stand), First Class (Beach Baby), and White Plains (My Baby Loves Lovin').

They scored two singles as Edison Lighthouse and their biggest hit, Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes), is our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

Wrecking Crew Member Billy Strange Has Died

Guitarist, composer/arranger and singer Billy Strange died Wednesday (February 22) in Nashville from an unnamed illness. The Long Beach, California native was 81. As a member of Hollywood's "Wrecking Crew" of studio musicians, Billy played on sessions for Frank and Nancy Sinatra, the Beach Boys ("Pet Sounds"), the Everly Brothers, Jan & Dean and b. He arranged "These Boots Are Made For Walking" for Nancy as well as "Something Stupid," her duet with father Frank. He also arranged the Partridge Family's "I Think I Love You." As a composer, he worked with Mac Davis on tunes like Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" and "Memories." A tune he composed (which he called "Monotonous Melody") later became "Limbo Rock." He provided the vocals for Steve McQueen in the movie, "Baby The Rain Must Fall." His own recording on "The James Bond Theme" reached #58 in 1964, followed by "Goldfinger" (#55) the next year. In later years he moved to Nashville and ran a publishing company for the Sinatras. He was married to actress Joan O'Brien for two years in the fifties and at the time of his death he had been married for many years to country singer Jeanne Black ("He'll Have To Stay"). Billy was enshrined into the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame in 2005 and the Musicians Hall of Fame two years later.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

February 19th, 2012 to February 26th, 2012

Thanks for letting me keep you company again this week on Treasure Island Oldies. I had a lot of fun on the show again this week and the music was great and so cool to hear some Lost Treasures like I Do by The Marvelows, I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore by The Young Rascals, Friendship Train by Gladys Knight & The Pips, and so many others. If you would like to hear a song on the show, be sure to send an email to me. Click the Requests button on any page of the website. You could also call our 24/7 Listener Line at 206-339-0709. I look forward to hearing from you and to playing your requests.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to George Mooth in Edwardsburg, Michigan. All the best to you George. If you have a birthday coming up, be sure to let me know by sending the details of your special day to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'll be pleased to wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Lulu performing To Sir With Love, the title song from the movie she starred in with Sidney Poitier. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents The Beach Boys with two of their many hits for your votes this week: Do It Again and Caroline, No. Cast your vote for the song you'd like me to play atthe Voice Your Choice page. We'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

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The Beach Boys - Voice Your Choice

The most popular American rock and roll group from Hawthorne, California is in the spotlight this week for Voice Your Choice on Treasure Island Oldies.

The Beach Boys, the epitome of summer beach music, are featured with two of their great hit songs: Do It Again and Caroline No. Which song would you like to hear? Come to the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. The song with the most votes will be played in Hour 3 of next week's show.

Lulu - Song Of The Week

Lulu was both a great singer and a very good actress. An example of the merging of these two talents was when she starred, along with Sidney Poitier, in the movie To Sir With Love.

Here's Lulu in a live television performance of the title song from the movie, To Sir With Love. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!
Michael

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies

February 12th, 2012 to February 18th, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day to you! And thanks very much for your requests and dedications. It was a pleasure to play your special songs. If you weren't available to listen to the Live show, the Archive of our Annual Valentine's Day Special is available to you for yourlistening pleasure at any time.

Congratulations to listener Pam Francis in Kansas City, Missouri, the winner of our contest in conjunction with our Annual Tribute To Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. She won a copy of The Buddy Holly Tapes, a CD of interviews between my good friend Red Robinson and Buddy Holly in Vancouver, October 1957. Enjoy this limited edition CD, Pam and thanks for listening to Treasure Island Oldies. A big thank you to everyone who entered the contest.

It is my great pleasure to welcome Smile 101.net in the United Kingdom. They are another new station to join the Treasure Island Oldies Broadcast Partners Network. We'll be on Smile101.net every week, effective immediately. How cool is that!

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing a great love song in celebration of Valentine's Day. We've got the great remake of The Ronettes hit, Baby I Love You by my good friend and fellow ex-Montrealer, Andy Kim. Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Voice Your Choice is pleased to present the amazing voice of Barry White with two of his very sensuous and sexy big hit records: Never, Never Gonna Give You Up and I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby. Cast your vote for the song you'd like to hear at the Voice Your Choice page. We'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to long time listener Guylaine Cote in Quebec City, Quebec. If you have a birthday coming up, be sure to let me know by sending the details of your special day to birthdays@treasureislandoldiess.com. I'll be pleased to wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles.

Have a good week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Barry White - Voice Your Choice

The multi-talented Barry White is presented on Voice Your Choice. He was a soul singer, a songwriter, keyboardist, as well as an arranger and producer. One of Barry's early hits as a producer and arranger was recorded by future wife, Felice Taylor, when he produced It May Be Winter Outside But In My Heart It's Spring.

I had the pleasure of meeting Barry when I was Vice-President of Artist & Repertoire with A&M Records. He was so warm and friendly, and yet a real big star. A pleasure to meet him.

His debut single achieved Gold Record status and Top Five on the charts. What a debut! He eventually hit the charts an impressive 18 times, including 6 Top Ten hits and an amazing 7 Gold Records! So very impressive.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Barry White with Never, Never Gonna Give You Up  and I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby, both Top Ten and both Gold Records. Cast your vote for whichever song you'd like me to play at the Voice Your Choice page. We'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Andy Kim - Song Of The Week

In celebration of our Annual Valentine's Day Special on Treasure Island Oldies, here is a great love song by my friend and fellow Montrealer,  Andy Kim.

He scored an enormous Gold Record hit with his great remake of the classic Girl Group hit by The Ronettes.

Here is Andy Kim performing Baby I Love You. It's our Song Of the Week.

Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

February 5, 2012 to February 11, 2012

I am glad you enjoyed this week's show including our Annual Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. If you missed the Live show, be sure to check out the Archive. And don't forget to enter the contest that's part of our Tribute. Up for grabs is a very cool CD, The Buddy Holly Tapes. It's interviews with Buddy Holly from October 23, 1957 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame DJ Red Robinson, who was barely no longer a teenager himself, talks with Buddy backstage at the Show Of Stars concert that also included Paul Anka, The Everly Brothers, Frankie Avalon, Buddy Knox and Fats Domino at the Georgia Auditorium. It's become a rare and historic opportunity to hear a then still-rising star with a strong sense of naiveté. This CD could be yours. All you need to do is send an email to contest@treasureislandoldies and include your name and full mailing address. I will make a random draw from all entries received and announced the winner on next week's show. So you have all week to enter.

Speaking of next week's show, be sure to listen to our Annual Valentine's Day Special. It's be four hours of LOVE! The fun begins Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 6 pm Pacific time. And if you can't make it for the Live show, you can listen to the Archive at any time. I look forward to playing Cupid on next week's show.

If you have a birthday coming up, be sure to let me know by sending the details of your special day to birthdays@treasureislandoldiess.com. I'll be pleased to wish you Happy Birthday on the show and play Birthday by The Beatles.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog pays tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. There's a clip of Buddy and The Crickets performing Peggy Sue live on the TV show The Arthur Murray Dance Party from December 29, 1957. Then Ritchie Valens with a live concert recording of Donna, followed by Chantilly Lace by The Big Bopper in a clip from American Bandstand with an introduction by Dick Clark. They're our Songs of the Week. Just scroll down and Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents two great love songs for your votes brought to you Lady Soul, Aretha Franklin. It's perfect timing for our Valentine's Day Special. Would you like to hear (You Make me Feel Like) A Natural Woman or Baby I love You? Cast your vote for your preference at the Voice Your Choice page. We'll play the winning song on next week's Valentine's Day Special.

Have a good week. See you soon on Treasure Island Oldies.

Bye for now.

Michael

Aretha Franklin - Voice Your Choice

There is only one Aretha Franklin! Lady Soul was born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25, 1942 and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She was heavily influenced musically by her famous gospel preacher father, Reverend Cecil L. Franklin. Despite recording for two labels JVB/Battle in 1956 and Columbia Records in 1960, she had little success until she was wooed to sign with Atlantic Records where she worked with producer Jerry Wexler.

Between 1961 and 1998 Aretha appeared on the charts a total of 76 times, achieving 17 Top Ten Hits and 15 Gold Records. Isn't that astounding!!!

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, we are pleased to present Aretha Franklin with two of her great soulful love songs for your votes: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and Baby I Love You.

Which song would you like to hear? Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page. We'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Tribute To Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper

In recognition of the anniversary of the plane crash near Clear lake, Iowa on February 3rd, 1959 that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, we're paying tribute to them with three clips.

We start with Buddy Holly and the Crickets in a live performance of Peggy Sue December 29, 1957 on the Arthur Murray Dance Party TV show.

Next is Ritchie Valens in a live concert performance of Donna. Please note the clip is audio only.

Last but not least comes the Big Bopper on American Bandstand performing Chantilly Lace. Dick Clark does the introduction.

All three are our Songs of the Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper

Be sure to join me this week on Treasure Island Oldies for our Annual Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, The Big Bopper.

On February 3, 1959 a small plane carrying all three musicians and the 21-year-old pilot, Roger Peterson, crashed in a corn field near Clear lake, Iowa. There were no survivors.

Join me for great music from Buddy, Ritchie and the Big Bopper, along with news clips, interviews and much more.

That's all this week on Treasure Island Oldies. The live show is later today, Sunday, February 5th from 6 to 10 pm Pacific time and the one hour tribute will be in the last hour of the show. If you're unable to listen live then be sure to check our the Archive.

See you later.
Michael