This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of July 26th, 2015

July 26th, 2015 to August 1st, 2015

I was pleased to pay tribute to two wonderful songwriters who passed away. Both Wayne Carson and Buddy Buie wrote songs that became hits for many artists. For example, Wayne Carson wrote Always On My Mind, recorded by Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson, along with The Letter, Neon Rainbow, and Soul Deep, which became huge hits for The Box Tops. In fact, The Letter was also a hit for Joe Cocker and The Arbors. Buddy Buie was a very talented lyricist and his pen wrote songs for a diverse range of artists such as Sandy Posey (I Take It Back), Classics IV (Spooky, Traces, Every Day With You Girl, What Am I Crying For). He also formed and produced the Atlanta Rhythm Section (So Into You). It's sad to lose these talented people, but wonderful that their creative output will live on.

Congratulations to Danny Spaulding in Milford, Pennsylvania, the July winner of the Treasure Island Oldies 18th Anniversary Contest. Be sure to enter the contest today and your name could be drawn as the August winner. Click the 18th Anniversary Contest logo for more information.

A quick reminder for your calendar. Next Sunday, August 2nd it's the extremely popular Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special. The entire show is filled with instrumental hits and according to many listeners, it's their favourite show of the year. If there's a specific song you'd like me to play, be sure to let me know. Click on the Requests button or call the Listener Line to record your request message at 206-339-0709.

Do you have a birthday coming up soon? Please let me know so that the listeners and I can celebrate your special day. I'll wish you a very Happy Birthday on the show and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com 

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing Joe Cocker in a great live performance of The Letter. It's part of our tribute to songwriters Wayne Carson and Buddy Buie. And its our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents Clyde McPhatter, the original lead singer of The Drifters; and we spotlight his solo work. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Lover Please or A Lover's Question. I'll play the winner during next week's show.

Be sure to listen to this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast for the week of July 26th. Click the Podcast link on the left. 

And check out this week's Top 5 Countdown from 1956. Just click the Top 5 Countdown Link.  

Take care and see you next week for the Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special.

Bye for now.
Michael

Clyde McPhatter - Voice Your Choice

The Drifters were an R&B group formed in 1953 as a showcase for singer Clyde McPhatter. Prior to their first hit on the pop charts, they had eleven Top Ten songs on the R&B charts. The original lineup consisted of Clyde McPhatter, Gerhart and Andrew Thrasher, and Bill Pinkney.

When Clyde McPhatter left for a solo career, manager George Treadwell disbanded the rest of the group, brought in The Five Crowns, and renamed them The Drifters (perhaps The New Drifters would have been more like it). This new lineup included Ben E. King, Doc Green, Charlie Thomas and Elsbeary Hobbs. The majority of their Top 100 chart hits were sung by three different lead singers: Ben E. King (1959-60), Rudy Lewis (1961-63), and Johnny Moore (1957, 1964-66).

Clyde was born Clyde Lensley McPhatter on November 15, 1932 in Durham, North Carolina and sadly, he died of a heart attack at the young age of 39 on June 13, 1972. During his solo career, he charted 21 times, had 2 Top Ten hits and 1 Gold Record.

Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to spotlight Clyde McPhatter on Voice Your Choice. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Lover Please or A Lover's Question. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Letter - Joe Cocker - Song of the Week

As part of the tribute to the late Wayne Carson and Buddy Buie, two very successful songwriters who passed away, the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing The Letter, originally a smash hit for the Box Tops, and later so well done by Joe Cocker as part of the Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour and live album.

In another live concert performance, here is the late great Joe Cocker with The Letter. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!
Michael

Songwriter Wayne Carson Has Passed Away

Wayne Carson, a prolific songwriter whose hits for other stars included the Elvis Presley classic "Always On My Mind", died Monday. He was 72.

Carson suffered numerous health issues including diabetes and heart and gallstone problems, his wife, Wyndi Harp Head, told the Springfield News-Leader newspaper in Missouri, where they lived.

"Our music community has lost an immense talent much too soon," Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, said in a statement of the two-time Grammy winner.

Carson said he wrote "Always On My Mind" in 10 minutes at his kitchen table in Springfield and initially did not think that the song needed a bridge. Under pressure from his producer, he was sent to a piano and quickly came up with the song's memorable bridge -- two lines that begin, "Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died." Such speed in songwriting was common for Carson, who played piano, guitar, bass and percussion. "A song ain't nothing but a story waiting for somebody to tell it. It's like putting one foot in front of the another," he told the music biographer Gary James.

"Always On My Mind" became one of the classics of Elvis, whose version was especially poignant as it came out shortly after his separation from his wife Priscilla in 1972.

But Carson, along with two co-writers brought in at the studio, won Grammys for the song in 1983 after it became a hit for country giant Willie Nelson. Other notable versions included a dance pop rendition by the Pet Shop Boys in 1987. Carson said that "Always On My Mind" had initially been offered to Fred Foster, a producer and record executive known notably for his work with Roy Orbison, but he did not like the song.

Born in Denver to parents who met working at a radio station, Carson was mostly associated with country music but developed a love of rock 'n' roll from a young age. His first break came when Nashville fixture Eddy Arnold asked him to help write an additional verse for his song "Somebody Like Me," which went to number one on the country chart in 1966. 

Other hits by Carson, whose full name was Wayne Carson Thompson, included "The Letter," a number one song in 1967 for Memphis soul-influenced rockers The Box Tops, and country singer Conway Twitty's "I See the Want To in Your Eyes."

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of July 19th, 2015

July 19th, 2015 to July 25th, 2015

Well wasn't that a colourful show! The Technicolor Special was a great success thanks to you, your comments and requests. It was great to welcome a first time visitor to the Chat Room, "sweetman" from Tennessee who  said he's been listening for a long time and decided to stop by the chat room for a visit. He was warmly welcomed by everyone. It was also very nice to get a first time request from Jim in Mexico, Missouri. Jim called the Listener Line at 206-339-0709 and requested a very fitting song, Technicolour Dreams by Status Quo.

On a sad note, I was quite surprised to learn of the passing of Diamond Dave Somerville from The Diamonds, at age 84. They had a huge string of big hits and Dave had an entire career performing as a result. I was pleased to be able to pay tribute to Dave and the Diamonds on the show. If you missed the Live show, check out the Archive at the Listen page.

Next week I will announce the July winner of the Treasure Island Oldies 18th Anniversary Contest. You still have time to enter. Click the 18th Anniversary Contest logo for more information.

A quick reminder for your calendar. Live Sunday, August 2nd it's the extremely popular Annual Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special. The entire show is filled with instrumental hits and according to many listeners, it is their favourite show of the year, apart from the Christmas Special. If there's a specific song you'd like me to play, be sure to let me know. Click on the Requests button or call the Listener Line to record your request message at 206-339-0709.

Do you have a birthday coming up soon? Please let me know so that the listeners and I can celebrate your special day. I'll wish you a very Happy Birthday on the show and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com


The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is keeping the Technicolor theme going with Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs. Li'l Red Riding Hood is our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents the ultra soulful Al Green. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Look What You've Done For Me or You Ought To Be With Me. I'll play the winner during next week's show.

Be sure to listen to this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast for the week of June 19th. Click the Podcast link on the left. 

And check out this week's Top 5 Countdown from 1958. Just click the Top 5 Countdown Link.  

Take care and see you next week.


Bye for now.
Michael

Al Green - Voice Your Choice

Al Green was born April 13, 1946 in Forrest City, Arkansas. He was only 13 when he became part of the family's group the Greene Brothers; quite an early start. He moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1959 and a year later he had his first recording contract, with Fargo Records.

Despite not have a hit record, he continued to hone his skills with the group The Creations from 1964 to 1967. From 1967 to 1968 he was a member of The Soul Mates, along with his brother Robert Green and Lee Virgins.

He turned to a solo career in 1969 and that's when things started to change for him. He teamed up with Willie Mitchell at Hi Records who ended up producing his hit singles and albums. Al Green became the #1 Hot 100 artist of 1972. He's been recognized for his achievements by receiving a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2002 and voted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.

He appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 charts a total of 25 times between 1967 and 1988, including six Top Tens and 8 Gold Records.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Al Green with two of his many hits. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Look What You've Done For Me or You Ought To Be With Me. I'll play the winning song during next week's show.

Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs - Li'l Red Riding Hood - Song of the Week

It's the Technicolor Special this week on Treasure Island Oldies and in keeping with the theme, the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing a fun song from the Summer of 1966.

Here's Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs with Li'l Red Riding Good. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

Songwriter Producer Buddy Buie Has Died

ATLANTA (AP) — Perry "Buddy" Buie, a songwriter and producer who helped form the Atlanta Rhythm Section and then fuel its success with the lyrics he wrote for the band, has died. He was 74.

Buie died Saturday, said Chip Chapman, owner of Chapman Funeral Home in Eufaula, Alabama, which is handling arrangements. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. CDT Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Eufaula, the funeral home said.

Singer Rodney Justo, one of the band's original members, remembers how Buie brought him and other musicians together to form the Atlanta Rhythm Section in the early 1970s.

"He calls me one day, and he says 'I have an idea Rodney, and I'd like you to be a part of it,'" Justo recalled on Sunday. "He said 'I want to get all the top musicians in the South, put them together and build a super group." "Atlanta Rhythm Section was Buddy's dream," Justo added. "He wanted a band that he could produce, manage, write songs for and to be a vehicle for his songs."

The band had wide influence, and "they helped define the Southern Rock genre with other bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd," according to Buie's biography in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Though Buie is known for his work with the Atlanta Rhythm Section, he has also written or co-written numerous hits performed by artists such as Carlos Santana (the song "Stormy"); Gloria Estefan ("Traces"); and Garth Brooks ("Mr. Midnight"), according to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Buie, a native of Dothan, Alabama, was once Roy Orbison's road manager, Justo said. Over the years, Buie created many of his songs in a small fishing trailer on a creek in the Eufaula area, according to the biography, which credits him with writing or co-writing hundreds of songs. Buie wrote many of them with his old friend James "J.R." Cobb, 71, who was also a member of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. The two would retreat to the fishing trailer to get away from outside distractions.

"We would stay up late, sometimes write all night," Cobb said in a telephone interview Sunday. "There wasn't a phone to ring and no one to bother us."

The pair began writing songs together in the mid-1960s, and were still getting together to create music as recently as about six months ago, Cobb said. He estimates that they wrote at least 100 songs and possibly more than that. Eddie Owen, a longtime music promoter in the Atlanta area, said "I don't think there are many 'native' Atlantans over 40 that weren't influenced by his songs and work." 

Though he was involved in many aspects of the music business, "Buddy wanted to be a songwriter -- that's his thing," said Justo, 70, who first met him more than 50 years ago. He was also an intensely loyal person who built and nurtured lasting relationships in the music industry, Justo said. "Buddy was a very loyal kind of guy and loved loyalty," Justo added. "He used to tell me that people forget their beginnings."

Whether it was in Georgia or Alabama, or in New York City, "you could mention Buddy's name and people responded so well because they loved him," Justo recalled. "He was a character. He was one of a kind."

He also loved to travel, he loved to eat and he loved music, Justo said.

"A full life is a gift, a long life is a bonus... and we should all live the full life that Buddy lived," he said.

"Diamond" Dave Somerville of The Diamonds Has Passed Away

As reported in FYI Music News, David Somerville, co-founder and original lead singer of Canadian doo wop group The Diamonds, died July 14, 2015 in Santa Barbara, CA. He was 84.

Also called “Diamond” Dave Somerville, The Diamonds have been honored and inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Doo Wop Hall of Fame, The Rockabilly Hall of Fame and are in Canada's Music Hall of Fame.

Somerville's most recent stage show, "On The 1957 Rock & Roll Greyhound Bus,” was based on rock and roll’s first major tour. In it, he told road stories and sang the songs of such pioneer jukebox giants as Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, and Chuck Berry.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of July 12th, 2015

July 12th, 2015 to July 18th, 2015

A big hello and a warm welcome to OkanaganRadio.com, the latest station to become part of the Broadcast Partners Network. They are located in the beautiful wine country area of British Columbia, the Okanagan Valley. While they don't officially launch for a couple of weeks, they are "soft launching" this week and aired the Live show. Please give them a listen and let them know you are pleased they are carrying Treasure Island Oldies on their station.

A quick reminder for your calendar. Next week it's Technicolor Special, with a huge variety of colourful songs. It all begins at 6 pm Pacific time. If there's a specific song you'd like me to play, be sure to let me know. Click on the Requests button or call the Listener Line to record your request message at 206-339-0709. I've already heard from some listeners with their requests and I'm looking forward to playing them on the show next week.

If your birthday is coming up soon, please let me know so that the listeners and I can celebrate your special day. I'll wish you a very Happy Birthday on the show and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com 

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing one half of The Righteous Brothers. It's Bill Medley in a live concert performance from the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles from 1983 performing one of his solo hits, Brown Eyed Woman. It's our Song of the week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents The Kingston Trio, one of the groups lead lead the folk music movement. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either A Worried Man or Tijuana Jail. I'll play the winner during next week's show.

Be sure to listen to this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast for the week of June 12th. Click the Podcast link on the left. 

And check out this week's Top 5 Countdown from 1969. Just click the Top 5 Countdown Link.

Take care and see you next week for the Technicolor Special.


Bye for now.

Michael

The Kingston Trio - Voice Your Choice

The Kingston Trio formed in San Francisco, California, where they got their big break during an eight month gig at the Purple Onion. Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds were the originators of the folk music craze of the 1960s.

During their impressive career, they had 17 songs on the Top 100 chart, with five hitting the Top Twenty, including a Number One Gold record too. In addition, five out of their first six albums went all the way to #1 for a total of 46 weeks!

Treasure Island Oldies spotlights The Kingston Trio on Voice Your Choice. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either A Worried Man or Tijuana Jail. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Bill Medley - Brown Eyed Woman - Song of the Week

Bill Medley, one half of the Righteous Brothers, had so many hits with his singing partner, Bobby Hatfield, including You've Lost That Loving Feeling. That song has become the most played song on radio - more than any other song! What a feat.

Outside the Righteous Brothers, Bill Medley also had solo hits and this week here at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog we spotlight one of them.

Here's Bill Medley from a live concert at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles in 1983 singing Brown Eyed Woman. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of July 5th, 2015

July 5th, 2015 to July 12th, 2015

Every year I very much look forward to bringing you the Music of Canada Special. I am very proud of the artists, groups, songwriters, producers, background singers and recording studios in Canada and how they have had an impact on the music world in general. Having spent a good part of my career in radio and then the record business, I love showcasing some of these artists for you. I also really enjoyed highlighting some of the artists I signed to A&M Records when I was Vice-President of A&R (Artist and Repertoire). On this year’s special I played Malcolm Tomlinson, my first artist signing. His debut single, Knockin’ My Head, was produced by Jack Richardson (The Guess Who, Bob Seger and others). It was also my pleasure to play my most successful artist, Bryan Adams and his summer smash, Summer of ’69, The Payolas with their classic hit, Eyes Of A Stranger, The Arrows with the rousing Heart Of The City, and an artist I signed to A&M and then left in order to become his manager, Paul Janz. Every Little Tear became a big hit in Canada and the US. It was also special for me to play Chilliwack (Fly At Night) with lead singer and songwriter, my friend Bill Henderson. Bill just received the highly prestigious Order Of Canada medal for all his contributions to Canadian music ! Congratulations. If you missed the Live show, be sure to listen to the Archive at the Listen page. You may not be familiar with every song, but rest assured they were all very noted and successful records in Canada, and in many cases, around the world.

A quick reminder for your calendar. The next special will be the Technicolor Special July 19th. It promises to be a very colourful show!  It all begins at 6 pm Pacific time. If there’s a specific song you’d like me to play, be sure to let me know. Click on the Requests button or call the Listener Line to record your request message at 206-339-0709. I’ve already heard from some listeners with their requests and I’m looking forward to playing them on the show next week.

Be sure to enter the 18th Anniversary Contest. Like Rich Clarke in Stillwell, Oklahoma, the June winner of the Treasure Island Oldies 18th Anniversary Contest, your name could be drawn as the winner for July. Click the 18th Anniversary Contest logo to enter the contest. Good Luck!

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Bobbi Gutman in Richmond, British Columbia. As well, I’d like to wish my son, David Godin, a very Happy 33rd Birthday. If your birthday is coming up soon, please let me know so that the listeners and I can celebrate your special day. I’ll wish you a very happy birthday on the show and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com 

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is continuing with our Music Of Canada Special theme with a song that is often requested. From Montreal, it’s Pagliaro with a live performance of Lovin’ You Ain’t Easy. It’s our Song of the week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents the internationally known and loved Anne Murray. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either You Needed Me or Danny’s Song. I’ll play the winner during next week’s show.

Be sure to listen to this week’s Rock and Roll News Podcast for the week of June 5th. Click the Podcast link on the left. 

And check out this week’s Top 5 Countdown from 1966. Just click the Top 5 Countdown Link.  

Take care and see you next week for another four hours of the best Oldies!

Bye for now.

Michael

Anne Murray - Voice Your Choice

I first met Anne Murray when I was working as Music Director at CFCF Radio in Montreal. A candid photo was taken of the two of us deep in conversation during a reception for her. Thought I'd dig up that old photo of us from the early 1970s; we were really just a couple of kids back then. Anne was on her first promo tour across Canada. You'll note she's wearing the same jacket in both photos!

She was born in the mining town of Springhill, Nova Scotia on June 20, 1945. She got her start on a CBC-TV show, Singalong Jubilee. She first recorded for a small Toronto label, Arc Records, one of Canada's earliest record companies. Her big break came with Capitol Records and her first single Snowbird, written by Gene McLellan, who also wrote Put Your Hand In The Hand, recorded by Ocean on Arc Records.

Anne has charted 28 times on the Billboard Hot 100, 54 times on the country chart and has also had 41 Adult Contemporary hits, all between 1970 and 1987!

Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to present Anne Murray on Voice Your Choice. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either You Needed Me or Danny's Song. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Pagliaro - Lovin' You Ain't Easy : Song of the Week

Michel Pagliaro, better known as just Pagliaro, is from Montreal and a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He had many hits in the 1970s, but one kind of stands out and that is the song the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is featuring this week as part of the Music of Canada Special on Treasure Island Oldies.

Here's Pagliaro with a live concert performance of Lovin' You Ain't Easy. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!

Michael