Special Update Edition

August 30th, 2015 to September 5th 2015

I am really sorry about not being able to bring you the Live show this week and the planned Annual Labour Day Back To School End Of Summer Special. All of southern British Columbia and especially Greater Vancouver and the Fraser valley got hit with a massive wind and rain storm. It caused many downed trees and power wires, plunging a whopping 500,000 homes plus into darkness. As of Monday evening there are still approximately 52,000 without electricity. Unfortunately not only did the storm take out the power, it also damaged the main computer which sends the show out live to the network for distribution worldwide. The good news in all of this is that the computer has already been repaired and we will be back again Live next Sunday.


In the meantime, please enjoy the 2014 edition of the Labour Day Back To School End Of Summer Special at the Listen page.

See you once again next week.

Bye for now.

Michael

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of August 23rd, 2015

August 23rd, 2015 to August 29th 2015

The four hours of this week's show just flew by; in fact, I had to double check the clock as we were approaching the 4th hour. I was pleased to play a couple of leftover requests from last week's Planes, Trains & Automobiles Special. I ran out of time and had to hold them over to this week's show. Glad you enjoyed hearing Down By The Station by the Four Preps as well as Magic Bus by The Who. If there's a song you'd like to hear, please let me know and I'll do my best to play it for you. A few weeks ago, Jeff who is from Idaho, was visiting in the chat room and he mentioned a song that he had not heard since it was a hit in 1964. The song was Jump Back by Rufus Thomas. Unfortunately I didn't have it in the studio at the time, so I finally got to play it for Jeff on this week's show. If I could have seen his face, there would have been a huge grin on it. He was so happy to hear it again after so many years. It was my pleasure, Jeff. 

Be sure to enter the Treasure Island Oldies 18th Anniversary Contest now. I'll announce the August winner on next week's show. So don't delay. Click the 18th Anniversary Contest logo for more information.

A quick reminder for your calendar. The next special will happen next Sunday, August 30th for the Annual Labour Day Back To School End of Summer Special. If there's a work song, summer tune or a school themed hit you'd like to hear, be sure to let me know in plenty of time. Click on the Requests button or call the Listener Line to record your request message at 206-339-0709.

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 The Critters with their debut single, written by John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful. It's The Critters and Younger Girl. It's our Song of the Week.

Voice Your Choice presents Loggins and Messina. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either My Music or Thinking Of You. 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 August 23rd. Click the Podcast link on the left.  

And check out this week's Top 5 Countdown from 1959. Just click the Top 5 Countdown Link.  

Take care and see you next week.


Bye for now.
Michael

Loggins and Messina - Voice Your Choice

Loggins and Messina were the duo of Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina. Loggins was born just a short drive from the home of Treasure Island Oldies, Vancouver, BC, in Everett, Washington. And Jim Messina was born in Maywood, California and raised in Harlingen, Texas.

Kenny had been with Gator Creek with producer Michael Omartian, and later Second Helping. Jim Messina had been a member of Buffalo Springfield and also Poco.

When Loggins was signed to Columbia Records as a solo artist, he met Jim Messina. The solo project didn't happen then as they decided to record together as Loggins and Messina from 1972 to 1976. They recorded several fantastic albums with great album cuts that got a lot of airplay on FM radio. They also scored several hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and it's from that collection that Treasure Island Oldies features Loggins and Messina on Voice Your Choice.

Cast you vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either My Music or Thinking Of You. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Critters - Younger Girl - Song of the Week

The Critters were from Plainfield, New Jersey and while they had a short shot at the spotlight, they certainly made their mark. Their debut single was written by John Sebastian from the Lovin' Spoonful and it's that song the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing for you this week.

Here they are with Younger Girl. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of August 16th, 2015

August 16th, 2015 to August 22nd, 2015

Wow what a great trip around the world via Planes, train and Automobiles this week on Treasure Island Oldies! I did some checking and found out that the last time I had this theme on the show was way back in 1999. It seems to have been worth the wait as I had a ton of requests from listeners. In fact, I had so many that I have to include the last of the requests in next week's show. I love hearing from you with your calls and emails, thanks very much.

Be sure to enter the Treasure Island Oldies 18th Anniversary Contest today and your name could be drawn and announced on the show August 30th. Click the 18th Anniversary Contest logo for more information.

A quick reminder for your calendar. The next special will happen Sunday, August 31th for the Annual End of Summer, Back To School, Labour Day Special. If there's a work song, summer tune or a school themed hit you'd like to hear, be sure to let me know in plenty of time. Click on the Requests button or call the Listener Line to record your request message at 206-339-0709.

My best wishes go out this week to a newborn, Mary Elizabeth Meaney and the proud grandparents are Matt Meaney and Fay Greenwood, good friends and loyal listeners in Langley, British Columbia. Not only are they both elated with the news but they too are both celebrating birthdays this week. Happy Birthday Mary Elizabeth, Matt and Fay! 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 paying tribute to the late Cilla Black with a great hit of hers produced by the Beatles producer, George Martin. It's Cilla Black and You're My World. It's our Song of the Week. R.I.P. Cilla Black.

Voice Your Choice presents Guy Mitchell, one of the top male singers of the 1950s. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Knee Deep In The Blues or Rock A Billy. 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 August 16th. Click the Podcast link on the left.  

And check out this week's Top 5 Countdown from 1967. Just click the Top 5 Countdown Link.  

Take care and see you next week.

Bye for now.
Michael

Guy Mitchell - Voice Your Choice

He was born Al Cernik on February 27, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan, but he was better known to his fans as Guy Mitchell. During the 1940s, he sang with big band orchestras including Carmen Cavalarro's Orchestra. Sadly he passed away at age 72 on July 1, 1999.

He hit his stride in the 1950s and appeared on the charts a total of thirteen times between 1957 and 1962, including 2 Top Ten hits, Singing The Blues and Heartaches By The Number. He also appeared in several motion pictures including Those Redheads From Seattle and Red Garters.

Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to present Guy Mitchell in the spotlight n on Voice Your Choice. Cast you vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Knee Deep In The Blues or Rock A Billy. I'll play the winner during next week's show.

Cilla Black - Song of the Week

As a tribute to the passing of British pop sensation of the 1960s Cilla Black, the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is pleased to play a song originally written and recorded in Italian. The Beatles producer, George Martin, commissioned an English lyric version which he recorded. The result was a smash hit.

Here is Cilla Black with You're My World. It's our Song of the Week.

R.I.P. Cilla and thanks for the great music.

Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of August 9th, 2015

August 9th, 2015 to August 15th, 2015

Thanks again for all the comments I've received over the week regarding the Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders last week. For some reason, this particular show resonates with many listeners and it's been the same reaction since this themed show first became a special many years ago now. Just so you know, as long as the show continues there will always be an instrumental special. :-) 

I'd like to say hello to Dick in Cologne, Germany, who dropped by the Chat Room for the first time. He said that Treasure Island Oldies is his favourite station. Thanks very much, Dick. It was also very nice hearing from first time callers including Pamela Francis and David Arnold, both in Kansas City, Missouri. And wonderful to hear from Shirley Ham in Cincinnati, Ohio, plus Toni Howerton in Middletown, Ohio. Keep those call and emails coming!

Be sure to enter the Treasure Island Oldies 18th Anniversary Contest today and your name could be drawn and announced on the show August 30th. Click the 18th Anniversary Contest logo for more information.

A quick reminder for your calendar. Next Sunday, August 16th it's the next special, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. You'll hear songs like Next Plane To London, Last Train To Clarksville and Mustang Sally! 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 the British Music Invasion's Peter and Gordon with a song written for them by Del Shannon. Here are Peter and Gordon with I Go To Pieces. Its our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents Wilson Pickett. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Funky Broadway or In The Midnight Hour. 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 August 29th. Click the Podcast link on the left.   

And check out this week's Top 5 Countdown from 1965. Just click the Top 5 Countdown Link. 

Take care and see you next week. 

Bye for now.
Michael

Wilson Pickett - Voice Your Choice

Wilson Pickett was born March 18, 1941 in Prattville, Alabama, but later grew up in Detroit, Michigan. What a soul singer! He was a member of The Falcons from 1961 to 1963 and eventually went off on his own. He signed with Atlantic Records when he teamed up with the amazing guitarist Steve Cropper, who also was a producer.

During his Atlantic years, he hit the charts an impressive 37 times, including two Top Tens smashes and he also received two Gold Records.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Wilson Pickett. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Funky Broadway or In The Midnight Hour. I'll play the winner during next week's Planes, Trains and Automobiles Special.

Peter And Gordon - I Go To Pieces - Song Of The Week

Peter and Gordon arrived on the scene during the British Music Invasion on the '60s. Peter Asher and Gordon Waller scored many hits and this week the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing a huge hit written by Del Shannon for them as a result of them touring together.

Here are Peter and Gordon with I Go To Pieces. It's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

British Popster Cilla Black Has Died At Age 72

LONDON (AP) — Big-voiced British singer Cilla Black, a product of Beatles-era Liverpool who became a national treasure over a 50-year music and television career, has died. She was 72.

Spanish police said Sunday that the singer died Saturday at her home in Estepona, southern Spain. Black's spokesman, Nick Fiveash, confirmed her death and said details would be released after a coroner's report was completed.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney said news of Black's death came as a shock. "She had a fine distinctive voice and was always a bit of a laugh. It was a privilege to know and love her," McCartney said in a statement. Ringo Starr tweeted: "She was a good friend we will all miss her."

Black was born Priscilla White in Liverpool, northwest England, in 1943. As a teenager she sang part-time and worked in the cloakroom of the Cavern Club, where her musical talent was spotted by rising local stars The Beatles.

Signed by the Fab Four's manager, Brian Epstein, she had a string of hits starting in 1964 with "Anyone Who Had a Heart," written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and "You're My World." Both went to No. 1 in Britain, and the latter also charted in the U.S.

She also had success with the Bacharach-David theme tune for the 1966 film "Alfie," and recorded several Beatles songs, including "The Long and Winding Road." 

By the late '60s she was famous enough to be known by her first name alone, and hosted a BBC variety show, "Cilla." With her reliable good cheer and tireless work ethic, Black was a TV natural. Her catchphrase — delivered in a strong Liverpool accent that replaced the letter "t'' with "r'' — was "a lorra, lorra laughs."

She became a British television fixture as the cheeky, cheery host of matchmaking game show "Blind Date" (between 1985 and 2003) and heartwarming-reunion program "Surprise Surprise" (between 1984 and 2001). "She always felt like a friend in your living room, on your TV screen," television executive Michael Grade told Sky News.

In a tweet, her friend Joan Collins called Black "a resplendent and rare talent." Black's manager and husband of 30 years, Bobby Willis, died in 1999. She is survived by their three sons.

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of August 2nd, 2015

August 2nd, 2015 to August 8th, 2015

I'd say that this year's Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special was another great success. Thank you very much for your requests via email, the chat room, Facebook and the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Line (206-339-0709). It was great to hear from Judy in Canton, Ohio with her request to play Lawrence Welk's 1965 hit Apples And Oranges, a rare one to fine and rarer to hear today on radio. She also requested a real classic, Wheels by The String-A-Longs. Long time listener, Fred Waterer in Ste. Catharines, Ontario asked to hear another rare instrumental gem by The Beatles, Cry For A Shadow. It was recorded in Hamburg in 1961. Jake Salazar in Vista, California wanted to hear Outa Space by Billy Preston. There were many other requests, too numerous to mention here; but you can hear all of them by going to the Listen page and check out this week's Archived show.

Be sure to enter the Treasure Island Oldies 18th Anniversary 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. Sunday, August 16th it's a fun themed special, Planes, Trains and Automobiles. You'll hear songs like Next Plane To London, Last Train To Clarksville and even Beep Beep! 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 continuing our Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders theme by playing a real classic. Johnny Cash introduces the great Floyd Cramer and Last Date. And its our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents the Four Tops. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Something About You or Seven Rooms Of Gloom. 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 August 2nd. Click the Podcast link on the left. 

And check out this week's Top 5 Countdown from 1963. Just click the Top 5 Countdown Link.  

Take care and see you next week.

Bye for now.
Michael

The Four Tops - Voice Your Choice

Motown Records was quite the talent development organization, from the perspectives of singers, songwriters, musicians and producers. One of the most successful outfits was the Four Tops with Levi Stubbs as lead singer.

With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records, including such hits as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)."

The group performed for more than four decades without a change in personnel. Stubbs' death leaves one surviving member of the original group: Abdul "Duke" Fakir.

Stubbs "fits right up there with all the icons of Motown," said Audley Smith, chief operating officer of the Motown Historical Museum. "His voice was as unique as Marvin's or as Smokey's or as Stevie's."

The Four Tops began singing together in 1953 under the group name the Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. They later changed their names to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers.

They also recorded for Red Top, Riverside and Columbia Records and toured supper clubs.

The Four Tops signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 Top-40 hits over the next 10 years, making music history with the other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown stable.

Their biggest hits were recorded between 1964 and 1967 with the in-house songwriting and production team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. Both 1965's "I Can't Help Myself" and 1966's "Reach Out" went to No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart.

Other hits included "Shake Me, Wake Me" (1966); "Bernadette" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (both 1967).

They toured for decades afterward and reached the charts as late as 1988 with "Indestructible" on Arista Records. In 1986, Stubbs provided the voice for Audrey II the man-eating plant in the film "Little Shop of Horrors."

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents the Four Tops. Cast your vote at the With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records, including such hits as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)."

The group performed for more than four decades without a change in personnel. Stubbs' death leaves one surviving member of the original group: Abdul "Duke" Fakir.

Stubbs "fits right up there with all the icons of Motown," said Audley Smith, chief operating officer of the Motown Historical Museum. "His voice was as unique as Marvin's or as Smokey's or as Stevie's."

The Four Tops began singing together in 1953 under the group name the Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. They later changed their names to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers.

They also recorded for Red Top, Riverside and Columbia Records and toured supper clubs.

The Four Tops signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 Top-40 hits over the next 10 years, making music history with the other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown stable.

Their biggest hits were recorded between 1964 and 1967 with the in-house songwriting and production team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. Both 1965's "I Can't Help Myself" and 1966's "Reach Out" went to No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart.

Other hits included "Shake Me, Wake Me" (1966); "Bernadette" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (both 1967).

They toured for decades afterward and reached the charts as late as 1988 with "Indestructible" on Arista Records. In 1986, Stubbs provided the voice for Audrey II the man-eating plant in the film "Little Shop of Horrors."

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

On Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents the Four Tops. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Something About You or Seven Rooms Of Gloom. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Floyd Cramer - Last Date - Song of the Week

As part of the Instrumental Gems Wordless Wonders Special this week on Treasure Island Oldies, I'm pleased to continue the theme here at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

Johnny Cash introduces Floyd Cramer and his all-time classic instrumental smash hit, Last Date.

It's our Song of the Week.

ENjoy!

Michael