Bobby Vee Has Passed Away At Age 73

Bobby Vee, best known for hits including Rubber Ball, Take Good Care of My Baby and The Night Has a Thousand Eyes, has died at the age of 73.

Vee released more than 25 albums during his career, retiring in 2011 after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Vee's son Jeff Velline said the singer died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday. It was "the end of a long hard road", Mr Velline said. He described his father as "a person who brought joy all over the world", adding: "That was his job."

Vee's big break came about in 1959 at the age of 15 when he filled in for Buddy Holly after the singer's death in a plane crash. Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper were also killed in the accident in Iowa, along with the pilot, Roger Peterson. A call went out for local acts to replace Holly at his scheduled show at the Moorhead National Guard Armory. Vee and his band, which had only formed two weeks previously, volunteered.

Vee, born Robert Velline, also gave a young Bob Dylan his start. Dylan played briefly with Vee's band and he was the one who suggested Velline change his last name to Vee. Bobby Vee and the Shadows were signed in autumn 1959 and Vee had his first hit in the Billboard charts in 1960 with Devil or Angel.

A string of hits followed, including The Night Has a Thousand Eyes, Come Back When You Grow Up, Please Don't Ask about Barbara and Punish Her.

Vee and his wife Karen were married for more than 50 years and had four children. She died of kidney failure in 2015, aged 71.

Vee had been in a care home near Minneapolis for just over a year and had been receiving hospice care before his death, Mr Velline said.

From the BBC UK.

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of October 23rd

Week of October 23^rd - 29^th, 2016

To start this week's Island Update, I'd like to thank the over 130 friends, listeners, family and colleagues who took the time to wish me Happy Birthday. I sure appreciate it. It was also cool to hear from several recording artists including Mel Carter (Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me), Paul Peterson (My Dad), Keith Hampshire (First Cut Is The Deepest),  and Larry Chance of The Earls (Remember Then). It's pretty overwhelming to get so many birthday wishes. THANK YOU!

Be sure to join me next week for the 20th annual Halloween Spooktacular. We'll be live from the crypt next Sunday, October 30th  beginning at 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern time. Aaaaaoooooooooooooooooo!

Speaking of birthdays, it is my pleasure to wish California Barb a very Happy Birthday this week. Barb is a long time listener and a massive music fan; and she sure knows her music too. Happy Birthday, Barb.  If your birthday's coming up, let me know so that I can help celebrate your special day on the show. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you. All I need is the date of your birthday. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

I just heard that Bobby Vee has passed away. I will do an extensive tribute to his music in the show in two weeks.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing the Number One Song from the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown from 1961. It's Runaround Sue by Dion, and it's our Song of the Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice will return to the program in two weeks, as all the regular features are being pre-empted for next Week's Halloween Spooktacular. In the meantime, you can cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either (Down At) Papa Joe's or Southtown, U.S.A. I'll ^play the winner on Sunday, November 6^th.

Here's this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast.

That's all for now. See you next week in the Crypt!

Have a great week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Voice Your Choice Returns November 6th with The Dixiebelles

The Dixiebelles, Shirley Thomas, Mary Hunt and Mildred Pratcher were from Memphis, Tennessee. They only released three singles, in 1963 and 1964, yet two became Top Twenty hits.

Voice Your Choice spotlights The Dixiebelles. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either (Down At) Papa Joe's or Southtown, U.S.A. I'll play the winning song when Voice Your Choice returns November 6th.

Dion - Runaround Sue Number One Song of the Week 1961

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown was from 1962. And in the Number One spot was by Dion.

Here's Dion DiMucci with Runaround Sue, and it's our Song of the Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

The Intruders' Robert “Big Sonny” Edwards Has Died At Age 74

Robert “Big Sonny” Edwards of The Intruders -- the soul vocal group best known for the chart-topping R&B single “Cowboys to Girls” -- has died. After suffering a sudden heart attack at his Philadelphia home, the 74-year-old Edwards died at a local hospital on Oct. 15.

The news of Edwards’ death was announced Tuesday (Oct. 18) by Philadelphia International Records co-founders Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. As one of the first acts signed to Gamble & Huff’s fledgling Gamble label, The Intruders scored a string of R&B hits from the mid-’60s through the early '70s -- and simultaneously set the stage for the writing/production duo’s pioneering Philly soul sound and the establishment of the legendary Philadelphia International label.

“The Intruders, featuring Big Sonny and the rest of the original members, helped start our musical career as a team,” said Gamble & Huff in a joint statement. “Not only was the group one of the first artists we wrote for and produced, they were also our close friends.”

Added Phil Terry, The Intruders’ sole surviving original member, “Not only was Big Sonny my longtime friend for over 59 years, he was like a brother to me. He was clearly the heartbeat of the group and had a positive impact on all of us.”

Hailing from Philadelphia, The Intruders -- comprised of Edwards, Terry, Sam “Little Sonny” Brown and Eugene “Bird” Daughtry -- started out as a doo-wop group. The quartet hit the R&B charts for the first time in 1966 with the top 15 single “(We’ll Be) United.” Breaking into the top 10 a year later with “Together,” The Intruders notched its first and only R&B No. 1 with 1968’s “Cowboys to Girls,” which also climbed to No. 6 on the pop chart. The group’s additional top 10 hits include “(Love Is Like a) Baseball Game,” “When We Get Married,” “I’ll Always Love My Mama” and “I Wanna Know Your Name.”

Edwards is survived by his wife Deborah Edwards, son Nijer Edwards and two grandchildren. Memorial services will be held on Oct. 29 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (noon ET) in Philadelphia.

Thanks to Billboard.

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - October 16th to 22nd, 2016

Week of October 16^th - 22^nd, 2016

It was great to be back with you again this week for another show and thanks for the emails I've been receiving. My thanks to Hugh Dobbie Jr. and his team at Yare Media. They created a special page that includes both the Yare Media player plus a link to the Chat Room; and we incorporated it into the Listen page. Man y listeners have been asking about whether the Archives will return. I can tell you that I am optimistic that we will have at least the current week's show available to listen on demand. However, I do not yet have any date when it may happen. I'll keep you informed when I have more information.

We are just two weeks away from the 20th annual Halloween Spooktacular. We'll be live from the crypt Sunday, October 30th  beginning at 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern time. Don't be afraid; you won't be alone in the crypt.

I'm pleased to send out birthday wishes to listener Marcia Moses and also to Mike Dillon, who lives in 100 Mile House, British Columbia. And I'd like to thank you also for the kind birthday wishes in the chat room and via email. I turn 64 this week! Is your birthday coming up soon? If so, let me know so that I can help celebrate your special day on the show. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you. All I need is the date of your birthday. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing the Number One Song from the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown from 1970. It's the Jackson 5 with I'll Be There. Enjoy!

They started out as Chicago Transit Authority, eventually shortening it to Chicago and they are in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast you vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Make Me Smile or Colour My World. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Here's this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast.

That's all for now. Please join me again next week for another four hours of Treasure Island Oldies.

Have a great week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Chicago - Voice Your Choice

They started out as The Big Thing, but when they moved to Los Angeles, California in 1969, they changed their name to Chicago Transit Authority. Later that year, they paired it down to Chicago. Their sound was jazz-oriented rock with a full horn section. And boy they had many hit albums and 45s!

Between 1969 and 1997 they appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart a total of 50 times and scored an astounding 19 Top Ten hits, 4 Gold and 1 Platinum record.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies Voice Your Choice features Chicago. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Make Me Smile or Colour My World. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Jackson 5 - Number One Song of the Week 1970

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown was from 1970.

And here are the Jackson 5 with the Number One Song of the Week, I'll Be There.

Enjoy!

Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of October 9th to 15th, 2016

Week of October 9^th - 15^th, 2016

Thanks for listening to the Canadian Thanksgiving Special on this week's show. We seem to be settling back into the groove once again. One note for you to remember though. If you have been listening to your media player with the preset for the live stream, we no longer have a Windows Media stream. It is now Yare Media, and all you need to do to hear the live show is to go to the Listen page and click on the listen live link. No other player will work. Also with regard to hearing us live on one of our Broadcast Partners Network stations, we are fine tuning the technical aspects. We're back live on The Legend in Indianapolis, Indiana, and KWQQ Double Q 106.3 FM in Farmington, Iowa for the first time again since our "blackout" period last month. I know we still have some issues to resolve (including a mono only signal this week), and your patience while we work with our partner stations to resolve the issues is much appreciated.

On top of all that, our webmaster, Eddy Fisher, is also working hard on getting this year's Crypt ready for the Halloween Spooktacular. This marks the 20^th year that I will be presenting this annual special. Join me for the Live special Sunday, October 30th beginning at 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern time. Hard to believe it is 20 consecutive years!

Is your birthday coming up soon? If so, let me know so that I can help celebrate your special day on the show. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you. All I need is the date of your birthday. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

I'm pleased to let you know that my good friend and long time listener, Matt Meaney, in Langley, British Columbia, is getting better. Take it easy, Matt, and here's feeling 100% soon!

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing the Number One Song from the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown from 1960. It's Larry Verne with the novelty hit, Mr. Custer. Enjoy!

The great Mel Carter is in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast you vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Band Of Gold or Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Here's this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast.

That's all for this week. Be sure to join me again next week for another four hours of great Treasure Island Oldies.

Have a great week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Mel Carter - Voice Your Choice

Mel Carter was born April 22, 1939 in Cincinnati, Ohio. This Black Adult Contemporary singer got his start at the young age of four years old. He also appeared on stage with Lionel Hampton when he was only nine.

He was a member of several gospel groups including the Raspberry Singers, as well as his mother's gospel group, The Carvelts. He was even named Top Gospel Tenor in 1957.

Although he began recording for various labels, it wasn't until 1965 when he signed with Imperial Records and scored a smash on his second release for the label, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. From that point on, he ended up with six records on the Hot 100 Billboard chart.

He even branched out into acting and appeared on classic TV shows with acting roles on Quincy, Sandford And Son, Marcus Welby, MD, and Magnum PI. Quite the career!

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Voice Your Choice spotlight is on Mel Carter. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Band Of Gold or Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me. I'll play the winning song on next week's show.

Larry Verne - Number One Song of the Week

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown was from 1960. Here is the top tune on the countdown by Larry Verne. It's the novelty tune Mr. Custer, the Number One Song of the week.

Enjoy!
Michael

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - October 2 - 8, 2016

Week of October 2 - 8, 2016

Welcome back to our first Island Update since our "hiatus" in September. We are pleased to be with our new network, Yare Media. We are working at getting the Archives back for you, as well as having a stream that can be accessed by some of our Broadcast Partners Network radio stations that simulcast the show live. All good things take time and we hope to get things 100% back to normal in due time. Thanks for your patience.

I must say it has been very gratifying to receive so many comments of of encouragement and support while we were off the air. Thanks again for your emails and Facebook comments. It's very evident to me just how much you enjoy Treasure Island Oldies and just how much you missed hearing the show. Well as I said, we're back!

Be sure to join me next week as we celebrate the Fall Harvest with the Canadian Thanksgiving Special, Sunday, October 9th, starting at 6 pm Pacific time. There will be a fair amount of songs appropriate to the occasion played throughout the four hours.

Now that we're back on the air, so too are our regular features. And one feature I very much enjoy is wishing you Happy Birthday and playing Birthday by The Beatles for you. In order to have me send birthday greetings out to you, I need to know when you will be celebrating your birthday. I don't need to know your age or any other private information, just the date of your birthday. For example, October 3rd. That's all I need. Send the details to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com.

Get well wishes go out to good friend and long time listener, Matt Meaney, in Langley, British Columbia. Take it easy, Matt!

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing the Number One Song from the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown from 1965. It's The McCoys with Hang On Sloopy. Enjoy!

Creedence Clearwater Revival are in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast you vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Commotion or Hey Tonight. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Here's this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast.

That's all for this week. Be sure to join me next week for the Canadian Thanksgiving Special.

In the meantime, have a great week.

Bye for now.

Michael

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Voice Your Choice

Creedence Clearwater Revival were from El Cerrito, California. With their early "swamp rock" songs such as Born On A Bayou, many mistook them for being from the Bayou itself. CCR first recorded as the Blue Velvets in 1959 on Orchestra Records, then in 1964 they called themselves the Golliwogs and recorded for Fantasy Records. In 1967 they re-named themselves Creedence Clearwater Revival, consisting of John Fogerty (vocals and guitar), his brother Tom Fogerty (guitar), Stu Cook (keyboards and bass) and Doug Clifford (drums). Sadly Tom Fogerty died at age 48 on September 6, 1990 of respiratory failure.

Between 1968 and 1976 CCR appeared on the Billboard charts 20 times, scoring an incredible 9 Top Ten hits, 5 Gold Records, and an additional 5 Platinum Records. The group disbanded in 1972, but that didn't prevent them from having their version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine on the chart four years later in 1976.

John Fogerty went on to a successful solo career, while in the past few years Stu Cook and Doug Clifford have gotten back together to form Creedence Clearwater Revisited.

On Voice Your Choice next week,Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to present Creedence Clearwater Revival. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Commotion or Hey Tonight. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The McCoys - Number One Song of the Week

The McCoys have the number one song this week on the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown from 1965.

Many did not know this song was a cover of the original version recorded by the R&B group, The Vibrations.

So here they are, The McCoys with Hang On Sloopy. It's our Number One Song of the Week.

Enjoy!