Final Islandays Update for 2019

December 22^nd, 2019 to January 4th, 2020

I was very pleased to present my Christmas Gift to you, the 23rd Annual Christmas Special. It's the show that I love the most throughout the year. I love reminiscing with you about my childhood memories and the impact Christmas music has had on me throughout my life. This year after I played Zat You Santa Claus by Louis Armstrong, I enjoyed telling you about how he got the nickname Satchmo. It's also a treat to relate the True Story of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. I also really enjoy hearing Christmas and Holiday greetings from many stars. Perhaps my favourite hour is the 4th when the music takes a bit more of a serious traditional tone. And I always look forward to closing off the Christmas Special with what may be the most beautiful version of Silent Night ever recorded. Listening to Mahalia Jackson would melt even the coldest heart.

I am taking my usual one week vacation and will return January 5th with the first show of the year, the New Year's Dance Party. We'll start off 2020 in style!

If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the New Year Dance Party, the first show for 2020 that will air January 5th. 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.

Voice Your Choice will return with the first show of 2020 with Stealers Wheel. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Stuck In The Middle With you or Star.

The final Top Five Countdown for the year is from 1968. The Number One song this week is a real Motown Classic. While it was the first version recorded, it was the second release of  I Heard It Through The Grapevine, with the first by Gladys Knight And The Pips. This week's Number One is by Marvin Gaye. It's playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

Click here for this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast for the week of December 15th. It's the final podcast for the year. The next Rock and Roll News will be on the January 5, 2020 show.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

Happy Islandays! 

Bye for now.
Michael

Red Robinson The Last Broadcast

My very good friend Red Robinson, who is part of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, had his last regular broadcast of his Red Rock Diner show in August 2017. This brand new book Red Robinson The Last Broadcast, written by Robin Brunet, chronicles that last day for Red and then goes back for a retrospective overview of the encounters and influences Red's had throughout his career.

It's a fascinating read; not just a legendary broadcaster and a pioneer DJ, but also a champion of all good music in the 1950s, when not all music was universally accepted. It also shows the humanitarian side of Red and the causes he has championed over the years.

I was honoured to be interviewed by Robin Brunet for this book and to be included among those that know him, respect and love him.

I'm sure you will enjoy this book and the sheer number of celebrities featured throughout the book. I'm glad to let you know it's available in Kindle and soft cover versions at both Amazon.com and Amazon.ca and other great online book sellers.

Thanks for sharing your memories, Red.

Michael

Your Islandays Update Week of December 15th

December 15^th to 21^st, 2019

Hi and welcome to this week's Islandays Update. This week's show sure zipped by fast for me that's for sure. At the end of one of the hours, I double checked to see if I was about to start the 3rd or the 4th hour. It was the 4th. Time flies when you're having fun. And I sure enjoyed putting together the playlist for this week's show for you. Among the many Christmas Treasures, I wanted to play There's Trouble Brewing by Jack Scott. I was saddened to learn of the passing of this rockabilly rock country pop recording artist and songwriter. And what a career he had! Between June 1958 and November 1961, Jack Scott scored 19 hits on the Billboard charts. His debut album yielded no less than 8 hit singles out of 12 songs on the LP. WOW! He died from congestive heart failure December 12 in Warren, Michigan. I was very honoured to have Treasure Island Oldies as the only online oldies radio show prominently featured at the top of his Jack Scott website. My sincere condolences go out to his family and fans.

I am getting so excited! My Christmas gift to you happens next week. It's the 23rd Annual Christmas Special and I reserve some of my favourite Christmas songs and recordings of all time for this special show. We'll be Live next Sunday, December 22nd at the usual time of 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern, and also airing throughout the week on the Broadcast Partners Network Affiliate Stations.

If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the New Year Dance Party, the first show for 2020 that will air January 5th. 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.

Voice Your Choice will return with the first show of 2020. Details soon.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1968. The Number One song this week is a real Motown Classic. While it was the first version recorded, it was the second release of  I Heard It Through The Grapevine, with the first by Gladys Knight And The Pips. This week's Number One is by Marvin Gaye. It's playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

Click here for this week's Rock and Roll News Podcast. It's the final podcast for the year. The next Rock and Roll News will be on the January 5, 2020 show.

Join me next week for the 23rd Annual Christmas Special. 

Happy Islandays! 

Bye for now.
Michael

Marvin Gaye Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1968

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown, the last countdown for this year, is from 1968.

Marvin Gaye wrote and recorded I Heard It Through The Grapevine, but the first version released was by Gladys Knight and The Pips. This week though, it was Marvin's original version  that swept up the charts.

At Number One this week in 1968, here's Marvin Gaye with the definitive version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine.

Enjoy!

By the way, the Top Five Countdown will return for the first show of 2020, the New Year Dance Party, live Sunday, January 5th.

Michael

Jack Scott Canada's First Rock Star Has Died At Age 84

MICHIGAN (CelebrityAccess) – Canadian rock and roll pioneer Jack Scott has passed away at the age of 84.

Scott died of Congestive Heart Failure in a hospital in Warren, Michigan, earlier this week. His death was confirmed by his daughter Jackie Matthews in a Facebook post Thursday (Dec. 12).

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.

Your Islandays Update

December 8^th to 14^th, 2019

It's the second week of The Islandays Season here on the Island, and what a cool way then having Christmas with The Wrecking Crew. They were the studio musicians in Los Angeles who performed on countless hit records and albums. It's amazing to think these very talented musicians helped create incredible hits for Sonny and Cher, The Association, Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, The Mamas and Papas, The Monkees, The Crystals, Ronettes, Righteous Brothers, Darlene Love, Glen Campbell (a one time Wrecking Crew musician himself), and so many, many more. It was interesting to hear from some of the musicians and their thoughts on their career, as well as drop in on a recording session in Los Angeles. Add to that a ton of great Christmas and holiday songs by some of the greatest stars. All in all, a very interesting, entertaining and enjoyable show this week. And there's more to come next week as we continue to play  more great Holiday music from your Home for the Islandays!

We're just two weeks away from the 23rd Annual Christmas Special. We'll be Live Sunday, December 22nd and airing throughout the week on the Broadcast Partners Network Affiliate Stations. Can't wait to bring you this show; it's my favourite show of the year to present to you.

This week we celebrated several birthdays on the show. Happy Birthday wishes to Patsy Phipps in Springfield, Illinois; Lennart Persson in Gothenberg, Sweden (he's a long time listener via Radio 88 FM in Gothernberg), Paul David in Wembley Park, England (he listens via The VIP Lounge Oldies Funhouse Radio in England), my friend Aron Gutman in Richmond, British Columbia, and last but not least, Isaac Shane in San Diego, California. Isaac and I worked together many years ago at Top Forty CFOM in Quebec City. Wow, an international list of birthdays that's for sure! If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

Voice Your Choice will return with the first show of 2020. Details soon.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1963. The Number One song this week is a most unlikely sounding hit record. It's Dominique by The Singing Nun. It's playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Join me for more great music next week on Treasure Island Oldies, your Home for the Islandays!

Bye for now.
Michael

The Singing Nun - Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1963

Here is a very unlikely sounding hit record by a very unlikely artist. It's the Singing Nun with Dominique. It's Number One this week on the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown.
Enjoy!
Michael

Happy Islandays! Treasure Island Oldies Update

December 1^st to 7^th, 2019

It's the beginning of December and the Islandays Season! It was so good to go into the Christmas section of the music library and select some great songs to play for you this week. I like mixing your seasonal favourites, along with some Lost Christmas Treasures; and it was a pleasure to play Bobby Vee, Bing Crosby, Darlene Love, Gordon Lightfoot, Ray Charles and Betty Carter, and so many other great artists. Check out the entire list of songs I played on this week's show at the Listen page, then scroll down to the Playlist.

Apart from the next two weeks being filled with Christmas songs, be sure to mark your calendar for December 22nd, when we'll be Live with the 23rd Annual Christmas Special. Apart from the Live show, the Christmas Special will air twenty times throughout the week on the Affiliaite Stations of the Broadcast Partners Network.

If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date 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, it's the last Voice Your Choice for 2019 with Rare Earth. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either (I Know) I'm Losing You or Get Ready. I'll play the winner next week.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1967. The Monkees hold down the Number One spot with Daydream Believer. It's playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Join me again next week  next week on Treasure Island Oldies, your Home for the Islandays!

Bye for now.
Michael

Rare Earth Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Rare Earth were a hot rock group from Detroit, and one of the first successful white acts signed to Motown. In fact, Motown created a whole new label which they called Rare Earth Records. The original line-up consisted of Pete Rivera (lead vocals and drums), Rod Richards (guitar), Kenny James (keyboards), Gil Bridges (sax), Ed Guzman (percussion), and John Persh (bass).

Their first two charted hits, Get Ready and (I Know) I'm Losing You, were cover versions of classic Motown hits originally recorded by The Temptations; and both were Top Ten hits.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, the last Voice Your Choice for 2019 spotlights Rare Earth. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either (I Know) I'm Losing You or Get Ready. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Monkees Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1967

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown is from 1967. They met with instant success with the launch of The Monkees TV show. That popularity on television translated to radio, with the Pre-Fab Four scoring many hits.

Here they are with their youthful vigor, The Monkees with the Number One song, Daydream Believer.

Enjoy!
Michael

Roy Orbison Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Roy Orbison was born April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Texas and died suddenly of a heart attack at age 52 on December 6, 1988. He first hit the charts back in 1956 with Ooby Dooby, billed on the famous Sun Records label as Roy Orbison and Teen Kings. Overall, he appeared on the Billboard charts thirty-two times and had ten Top Ten hits and a Gold Record for Oh, Pretty Woman. What a voice, what a career!

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights the late Roy Orbison with two of his well-loved songs for your votes: Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) and Only The Lonely.
Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Blue Angel or Candy Man. I'll play the winner on next week's how.

The Partridge Family - Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1970

The Partridge Family was a TV show based on the real life group The Cowsills. Interestingly, the huge amount of exposure the show received also generated many hit records for The Partridge Family. David Cassidy even went on to a successful solo career following the end of the series.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Spotlight Year is 1970 and The Partridge Family were at their peak. And they were also at the peak of the Hot 100 this week in the Number One Spot.

Here's a memory for you; a clip from The Partridge Family TV show.

Enjoy!
Michael

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies Week of November 24, 2019

November 24^th to 30^th, 2019

Well here we are; it's the last week of November already! It's a big week for my American listeners and friends as they celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. Hope you have a safe and fun celebration with your family and friends. This week on The Island we saluted 1970, this week's Spotlight Year, including this week's Top Five Countdown. It was great to hear Ride Captain Ride, It's A Shame, Reflections Of My Life, Cecilia, Domino, After Midnight, and so many more fantastic songs by such wonderful artists. For the complete list of every song I played on the show this week, go to the Listen page and scroll down to the Playlist.

I'm sure excited to get the Holiday Season started next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Your Home for the Islandays! There's be lots of great Sounds of the Season throughout December, as we lead up to the finale of the year, the Annual Christmas Special. We'll be live Sunday, December 22nd and then twenty times throughout the week on our Affiliate Stations of the Broadcast Partners Network.

If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date 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 presents Roy Orbison, one of the greatest singers ever. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Blue Angel or Candy Man. I'll play the winner next week.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1970. The Partridge Family  became hugely popular due to the TV show. This week they're at the Number One spot with I Think I Love You and it's playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

See you next week for the start of The Islandays!

Bye for now.
Michael

The Island Update week of November 17th

November 17^th to 23^rd, 2019

 

I sure had a good time with you on The Island again this week. The Spotlight Year was 1965, including the Top Five Countdown. So much great music has been released over the decades, but it seems that a lot of the the '60s music endures today. I can't think of any other time than currently that I am hearing lots of TV commercials using songs from the the '60s. A couple of examples for you...I'm Free by The Rollings Stones, I Don't Know Why I Love You (But I Do) by Clarence "Frogman" Henry,. and a lot more. With the almost elimination of music from the '50s, '60s, and '70s from radio station playlists, I guess the easiest way to hear some great oldies is to turn on the television. There is an exception however; you just have to listen to Treasure Island Oldies to hear the music you love. After more than 22 years, we are still going strong!

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Marty Leiter in Naperville, Illinois. All the best to you Marty. Is your birthday coming up soon? If it is, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date 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 presents the Pre-Fab Four, better known as The Monkees. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone or A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You. I'll play the winner next week.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1965. The Supremes were in full swing and enjoying major success with hit after hit. This week they hold down the Number One spot with I Hear A Symphony, and it's playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

See you next week on The Island!

Bye for now.
Michael

The Monkees - Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

The Monkees were formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965. This was a 'manufactured' group from over 400 applicants. Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz were selected to be the members of the made-for-television group. They became nicknamed "The Pre-Fab Four". Despite the fact they they had not been in a group together previously, they had great chemistry and could sing. They entertained fans for 58 episodes of The Monkees TV show.

Between 1966 and when the group disbanded in 1969, they scored 18 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Not only that, but they reached Top Ten status and earned Gold Records 6 times!

Treasure Island Oldies presents The Monkees in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either (I'm Not You) Steppin' Stone or A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You. I'll play the winning song on next week's show. Vote now!

Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson: The Supremes!

The Supremes became a Motown powerhouse and continued their winning streak this week. The Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown is from 1965, this week's Spotlight Year on the show.

Way at the top of the chart at Number One is The Supremes with I Hear A Symphony.

Enjoy!
Michael

Island Update - Treasure Island Oldies Week of November 10, 2019

November 10^th to 16^th, 2019

It was an honour to pay tribute to the many thousands of veterans and soldiers, many of whom perished while they were at war defending our country. I played George Harrison's  Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth), Peace Train by Cat Stevens, Coming Home Soldier by Bobby Vinton, the stunning Soldier by Shawn Hlookoff, along with Peace Brother Peace by Bill Medley from The Righteous Brothers, People Want Peace by Paul McCartney, and closed with Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon. I appreciate the immediate feedback I received.

Also this week, the Spotlight Year was 1969, including the Top Five Countdown. For the complete list of all the great songs I played throughout the show, go to the Listen page and scroll down to the Playlist.

It's my pleasure to send out warm birthday wishes this week to long time listeners, Christ Whitmer in Iowa City, Iowa, and to Connie Canode in Madison Wisconsin. All the best Connie and Chris! Is your birthday coming up soon? If it is, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date 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 presents Tommy James and The Shondells. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Draggin' The Line or Do Something To Me. I'll play the winner next week.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1969. Sitting at the top of the chart at Number One is The Fifth Dimension. Wedding Bell Blues is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Join me again next week. I love the company.

Bye for now.
Michael

Tommy James and The Shondells - Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Tommy James was born Thomas Jackson in Dayton, Ohio and started his pop group The Shondells when he was only 12 years old. Their first single, Hanky Panky, was recorded for a small independent label, Snap, in 1963. By the way, the original version of Hanky Panky was recorded in 1963 by The Blossoms as the B side of the 45. Roulette Records purchased the original master recording by Tommy James And The Shondells from Snap Records and issued it on their own label.  It took three years for the song to become a hit when it finally reached the top of the charts in 1966.

As the song was climbing the charts, Tommy James recruited the Pittsburgh group The Raconteurs to become the official Shondells. From 1966 to 1973, they hit the charts an incredible 31 times; during which time they enjoyed 7 Top Ten hits, including a Gold Record.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Tommy James And The Shondells with two of their hits for your votes. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Draggin' The Line or Do Something To Me. I'll play the winner next week on the show.

Fifth Dimension - Number One 1969 Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown

There were lots of great songs in 1969, but this was the biggest song this week in 1969.

Here's The Fifth Dimension with Wedding Bell Blues, the Number One song on the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown.

Enjoy!
Michael

The Season Begins December 1st on Treasure Island Oldies

This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of November 3rd, 2019

November 3^rd to 9^th, 2019

Thanks for joining me for the 7 hour extended special on Halloween. It's rare that I am able to bring you a Halloween special on the actual day. And this year I was pleased to play the 1938 original broadcast of War Of The Worlds by the Mercury Theatre On The Air, featuring Orson Wells. It was also great to hear once again the Jeff Wayne musical adaptation of War Of The Worlds, narrated by Richard Burton and featuring Justin Hayward, David Essex, Julie Covington, Phil Lynott and Chris Thompson. Finally, we wrapped up with a replay of this year's Halloween Spooktacular. What a night it was!

As many places turned back the clocks by one hour, I was pleased to play some very "timely tunes" on the show. It was great to hear Turn Back The Hands Of Time, No Time, What Time Is It, Time Won't Let Me, and so many others. Find out the complete selection of songs I played by going to the Listen page and scrolling down to this week's Playlist.

It's Birthday time! Sending out Happy Birthday wishes to Heather Dillon, 100 Mile House, British Columbia; California Barb; Andy Desilets in Ottawa, Ontario; Dana Van deen in Florida; and also to Tim Sykes in Cambridge, Ontario. Extra special wishes go to Tim, who is now back home recuperating from surgery. Feel better soon, Tim! Is your birthday coming up soon? If it is, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date 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 presents Herman's Hermits, one of the most successful groups from the British Music Invasion. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Leaning On A Lamp Post or Listen People. I'll play the winner next week.

The Top Five Countdown is from 1961 and it included some great classics. In the Number One spot is by Jimmy Dean. Big Bad John is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Join me next week for another four hours of great music on The Island.

Bye for now.
Michael

Herman's Hermits Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Herman's Hermits became of of the most successful of the British Invasion groups of the early-to-mid-1960s. While practically everyone knows Peter Noone, the lead singer and head of the band, not that many know who the rest of the members were. Time to rectify that situation. They were Derek Leckenby and Keith Hopwood on guitars, Karl Green on bass, and Barry Whitwam on drums. The name Herman's Hermits was derived from the cartoon character Sherman on the TV show The Bullwinkle Show.

Before Peter Noone left the group in 1972 for a solo career, Herman's Hermits racked up an impressive 19 charted hits, with 11 in the Top Ten plus 3 Gold Records.

Treasure Island Oldies presents Herman's Hermits in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast your vote for either Leaning On The Lamp Post or Listen People. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Top Five Countdown 1961 Treasure Island Oldies

This week the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown spotlights 1961.

Jimmy Dean recorded two versions of this week's Number One song. Big Bad John had two endings. In the original version he says One Hell of a Man, while the second version replaced it with A Big Big Man. The original was deemed to be perhaps offensive to listeners at that time and era. When I play the song on the show, I always choose the original with One Hell of a Man; and that's the version I played on the show this week.

Here now is Jimmy Dean in a clip from his own show, The Jimmy Dean Show, and a live performance of Big Bad John.

Enjoy!

Michael

It's Halloween Week on The Island!

October 27^th to  November 2^nd, 2019

It's Halloween Week on Treasure Island Oldies. Booo to youuuu! Thanks for joining me for the Live show this week, the 23rd Annual Halloween Spooktacular. It was so much fun to do the show from deep down in the crypt and the bat cave, err I mean the chat room, was filled with freaks and ghouls hanging out and scaring each other. It's really fun when you go out Trick or Treating on Halloween, you put on some form of disguise. So too in the chat room, everyone changes their name for Halloween. It was a blast trying to figure out who really is who. 

The Halloween celebrations will continue on Halloween, October 31st with a special extended Halloween edition. Things will start at 3 pm Pacific, 6 pm Eastern with the original 1938 radio broadcast of War Of The Worlds. The H.G. Wells classic is presented by the Mercury Theater of the Air players featuring the legendary Orson Wells. The original airing created quite a sensation with listeners actually believing that martians had invaded the world. Scary stuff for 1938!

I'll follow up that classic broadcast with Jeff Wayne's musical adaptation of War Of The Worlds, narrated by Richard Burton and featuring impressive performances from Justin Hayward from the Moody Blues, David Essex, Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy and Julie Covington, among others. This work is nearly two hours long! 

I'll wrap up the Halloween celebrations with a replay of this week's show, the 23rd Annual Halloween Spooktacular. You won't want to miss any of this extended Halloween celebration. As usual, go to the Listen page and click on the Yare Media player, precisely at 3 pm Pacific. Happy Halloween! 

Is your birthday coming up soon? If it is, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

Next Sunday, November 3rd on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice returns with Dean and Jean. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Hey Jean, Hey Dean or Tra La La Suzy. As next week it's the Halloween Spooktacular, I'll play the winner next week.

The Top Five Countdown will also be back next week. In case you missed last week's Top 5, it was from 1974. The Number One song is by Billy Preston. Nothing From Nothing is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Have a great week and thanks be sure listen for the extended Halloween Special October 31st starting at 3 pm Pacific.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Bye for now.
Michael

Island Update Week of October 20th 2019 Treasure Island Oldies

October 20^th to  26^th, 2019

Wow! What a great selection of music on this week's show! The Spotlight Year is 1974 and it was really good to hear some classics including the show opener, Sugar Baby Love by The Rubettes, You Little Trustmaker by The Tymes, Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me) by Reunion, and so much more. You can always find out the order of the songs I play on the show by going to the Listen page and then scroll down to the Playlist.

I'd also like to thank many listeners from around the world who sent Happy Birthday greetings to me, including Wendy McDougall in Western Australia. The Chat Room was also hopping with lots of visitors; and it was fun receiving audio birthday greetings from California Barb and Guylaine Cote, plus dozens and dozens of good wishes via my Facebook page. Wow, I am sure spoiled! Thank You.

This year Halloween will be extra special on The Island. First we have the 23rd Annual Halloween Spooktacular, live from the crypt next Sunday evening starting at 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern. Then on Halloween itself, October 31st, there will be a nearly seven hour extended Treasure Island Oldies Halloween celebration. We'll get started at the special time of 3 pm Pacific, 6 pm Eastern with the original 1938 radio broadcast of War Of The Worlds. This classic broadcast by the Mercury Theater On The Air featuring the great Orson Wells, scared many people when it first aired. It was so realistic. I'll follow that up with the really cool Jeff Wayne musical adaptation of War Of The Worlds. This nearly 2 hour musical extravaganza is narrated by none other than the legendary Richard Burton and features musical performances by many artists including Justin Hayward from the Moody Blues, Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy, David Essex, Julie Covington and others. Finally, it's a replay of the 23rd Annual Halloween Spooktacular. Prepare yourself to be scared witless! Be sure to join me next Sunday and the following Wednesday.

Happy Birthday to Mike Dillon in 100 Mile House, British Columbia and to Marcia Moses in the USA, and yours truly. Is your birthday coming up soon? If it is, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'll wish you Happy Birthday on the air and also play Birthday by The Beatles for you.

In two weeks, November 3rd on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Dean and Jean. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Hey Jean, Hey Dean or Tra La La Suzy. As next week is the Halloween Spooktacular, I'll play the winner in two weeks on the November 3rd show.

This week the Top Five Countdown is from 1974. The Number One song is by Billy Preston. Nothing From Nothing is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Have a great week and thanks again for your kind birthday wishes. Join me next Sunday for the Halloween Spooktacular!

Bye for now.
Michael

Dean and Jean Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Dean and Jean was the nom de plume for the R&B singing duo Welton Young and Brenda Lee Jones. Their success on the charts was rather short lived and the duo split in 1968. Sadly, they are both deceased today. Fortunately, they left us with a great couple of songs, and I have them for you this week.

In the Voice Your Choice spotlight, Treasure Island Oldies presents Dean and Jean. Cast your vote for either Hey Jean, Hey Dean or Tra La La Suzy. I'll play the winner in two week on the Live show November 3rd.

Billy Preston Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1974

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown is from 1974, this week's Spotlight Year. Sitting at Number One is Billy Preston and Nothing From Nothing.

Enjoy!
Michael

Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast

My very good friend, Red Robinson, has a new book coming out. Written by Robin Brunet, Red Robinson: The Last Broadcast chronicles Red's last on air radio show and the memories they conjured up of his radio career and the many many artists he met, interviewed and introduced on stage. What a day it was, I was so pleased to be at the radio station for his final show and later to attend a private party. I am sure you will find this another great read about a truly great guy!

Treasure Island Oldies Island Update Week of October 13, 2019

October 13^th to  20^th, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian listeners. I hope you had a great celebration of the Fall Bounty with your friends and family. It was great to play many "thankful" songs for the occasion, with songs such as I Thank You by Sam & Dave, Let's Turkey Trot by Little Eva, Share The Land by The Guess Who, the classic instrumental Autumn Leaves by Roger Williams and so many more. As Thanksgiving or any special occasion involves food, I also played some "delicious" tunes such as Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie by Jay and The Techniques, Green Onions by Booker T. & The MGs, Memphis Soul Stew by King Curtis, Mashed Potato Time and Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes), both by Dee Dee Sharp, even Hot Pastrami by the Dartells; and to wash it all down, a Bottle Of Wine by The Fireballs, . In addition to all that, this week's Spotlight Year was 1970. All in all, a great big serving of musical deliciousness. LOL For the complete rundown of all songs I played on the show, go to the Listen page and scroll down to this week's Playlist.

The Chat Room has never been more fun that it is these days. There is quite an array of listeners from all across Canada and the United States every week. There's always fun things to discuss and to share memories that surface as a result of a song playing on the show. It adds an additional element to the enjoyment of the show. I invite you to check it out during next Sunday's live show. Go to the Chat page for more information. Hope to welcome you to the chat room next Sunday evening.

Ok, it's time to prepare yourself to be scared witless!  It's the 23rd annual Treasure Island Oldies Halloween Spooktacular! Count Michael will open the crypt for all those who dare to enter Sunday, October 27th as darkness settles in for the night, 6 pm Pacific, 9 pm Eastern. A scary time is guaranteed for all! In addition, I'm pleased to let you know that on Halloween day itself, October 31st, the live stream will be running starting at 5 pm Pacific, 8 pm Eastern with Halloween howls for you. We'll start off with Jeff Wayne's Musical Adaption of H.G. Wells' War Of The Worlds, narrated by Richard Burton. Musical performers include Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy, Justin Hayward from The Moody Blues, David Essex, Julie Covington and more. It's an exceptional concept album. I'll follow it up with the original 1938 radio broadcast of Mercury Theater of the Air with Orson Wells in the adaptation of War Of The Worlds. We'll wrap up the Halloween festivities with a replay of the just aired 23rd annual Halloween Spooktacular. It's sure to be a Happy Halloween!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Donna Siren in St. Louis, Missouri. Is your birthday coming up soon? If it is, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date 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 spotlights Crosby Still and Nash. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Marakesh Express or Our House, both great songs. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

This week the Top Five Countdown is from 1970. The Jackson Five hold down the Number One spot. I'll Be There is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Have a great week. Join me live next Sunday evening on The Island.

Bye for now.
Michael

Crosby Stills Nash Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash formed Crosby Still and Nash. They all came from highly successful groups. David Crosby was with The Byrds, Stephen Stills with Poco, and Graham Nash with the successful British group, The Hollies.

Their intricate vocal harmonies combined with their lyrics and music, made them immortal icons of the era. They actually came together during a party at Joni Mitchell's house. Nash asked Crosby and Stills to sing the song You Don't Have To Cry. Graham Nash improvised on a third part harmony. By the end of the song, they realized the sound they had together. Thus Crosby Stills and Nash were formed.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Crosby Stills and Nash. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Marakesh Express or Our House. I'll play the winner song on next week's show.

The Jackson Five Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1970

The Jackson Five were at the top of their game. They already had huge success with I Want You Back, ABC, and The Love You Save, all reaching the highest position on the charts. And this week in 1970, they continued their stratospheric success.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Spotlight Year is 1970 and at the Number One spot on the charts on the Top Five Countdown, it's yet again, The Jackson Five with I'll Be There.

Enjoy!
Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies

October 6^th to  12^th, 2019

It was great spending time together again this week on The Island. I was very pleased to hear from several listeners who were able to enjoy last week's show via our Affiliate Stations of the Broadcast Partners Network. Although the live stream failed, the archive of the show survived in perfect condition. I received notes from listeners who heard the show from our affiliates including those in Illinois, New Zealand, England, and Sweden. Very cool. Now back to this week's show. I was so pleased to be able to adjust the playlist at the last minute to include a musical tribute to the late Ginger Baker, the innovative, yet at times combative drummer and co-founder of the first "supergroup", Cream.

Last week in the Chat Room I mentioned that I was trying to find a copy of a record that I played on radio in the early 1970s. I found a rather poor copy of it but still decided to play it. The song is called Saskatchewan Sunrise by Rick Jones. He's an artist I had never heard of before or since; but I really liked it for the vocals and strong horn arrangement. I was pleased to play it, "warts and all" for this week's Made In Canada feature. Sure wish I could get a clean copy of this great one hit wonder!

Speaking of the Chat Room, it was quite the gathering of the regular "Nuts in the Hut", as well as some great radio folks. Three of our Affiliate Stations joined us: Dr. Sandi from Budd Bay's KYA 101.9 FM Olympia, Washington; Tom and Darryl from WTND-LP 106.3 FM, Macomb, Illinois; and Shaun from Froggy Oldies 105.7 KFGV Thousand Oaks Venture County, California. In addition, Terry Nutt, former Program Director of CHOM-FM Montreal, and broadcast legend Dave Boxer, who I listened to at a teenager on CFCF in Montreal, were all having a good time. It was a lot of fun. I mention all this because I invite you to be part of a fun extra aspect of enjoying the show.  Every Sunday during the live show, the chat room is open. Go to the Chat page for more information. Hope to welcome you to the chat room next Sunday evening.

Next week we celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with many "thankful" songs; and as it is a feast, I'll also play some songs about food and drink during the show. We'll get underway at our usual time, 6 PM Pacific, 9 PM Eastern. Two weeks later, it'll be the 23rd annual Treasure Island Oldies Halloween Spooktacular! A scary time is guaranteed for all!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Allan Holender in Kelowna, British Columbia. Alan is General Manager of our Affiliate Station, Okanagan Valley Radio, where we are heard every Sunday at 2 PM Pacific. Is your birthday coming up soon? If it is, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date 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 spotlights The Dovells. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Bristol Stomp or Bristol Twistin' Annie. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

This week the Top Five Countdown is from 1965. And the Number One song by The Beatles is most recorded song of all time, with over 1,600 versions! Yesterday is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Have a great week. See you next week for the Canadian Thanksgiving Special.

Bye for now.
Michael

The Dovells Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

The Dovells were from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here's an interesting bit of trivia about the group members. They used stage names in place of their real names: Len Barry (Leonard Borisoff), Jerry Summers (Jerry Gross), Mike Dennis (Mike Freda), Danny Brooks (Jim Meeley), and Arnie Silver, the only member without a nom de plume.

Len Barry left the group in late 1962 to pursue a solo career and scored hits such as 1-2-3, Like A Baby, and a few others. Before he left, The Dovells scored eight times on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including 2 Top Ten hits.

Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to present The Dovells in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Bristol Stomp or Bristol Twistin' Annie. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Beatles Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1965

When The Beatles first released Yesterday, it could have gone either way. From what I understand, it was the first 45 by The Beatles that featured only Paul McCartney. The stark recording only had acoustic guitar. What made it also stand out was it had a string section. It all made for an intimate recording.

Well it didn't go the wrong way; instead it leapt to Number One on the Hot 100 this week in 1965. In addition, it has become the most recorded song ever. In fact, there are more than 1,600 recorded versions!

Here is Yesterday, the Number One song on the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown.

Enjoy!
Michael

Island Update - Treasure Island Oldies Week of September 22, 2019

September 22^nd to  28^th, 2019

Hope you've had a good weekend. A nice way to wind down is listening the the live show Sunday evenings. And it was another fun show again this week. The Spotlight Year was 1969, including the Top Five Countdown. I was pleased to announce the winner of As The Years Go By...Conversations With Canada's Folk, Pop and Rock Pioneers. The lucky winner of the eBook version is Fred Waterer in Ste. Catharines, Ontario. Congratulations Fred, I am sure you'll enjoy reading this very informative and captivating book by Mark Kearney and Randy Ray.

As you know, I like keeping you informed of when one of our heritage artists release a new album. Last week I told you about the new Ringo Starr album coming out in late October; and I was pleased to play the title song, What's My Name. This week I let you know The Who are set to release their first new album in thirteen years. Although only being released in November, I was fortunate to give you a treat from the forthcoming LP. Ball And Chain is a Who tour de force with great playing, strong vocals and quite the lyrics. If you missed hearing the song, be sure to go to the Broadcast Partners Network page to decide which day and time are most convenient for you to listen to this week's show. You can now hear the show played 20 times over the course of the week via our Affiliate Stations around the world.

Our next special will be live Sunday, October 13th. We'll celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with many "thankful" songs during the show. My American listeners are always curious about Thanksgiving in Canada being in early October, while US Thanksgiving is in late November. In Canada it was scheduled to coincide with the Fall Harvest.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Joe Morgan in Missouri and Jim Howerton  who is celebrating his 50th Birthday. Jim is the brother of listener Toni Howerton in Middletown, Ohio. Is your birthday coming up soon? If it is, I'd like to help you celebrate it on the show. Send the month and date 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 spotlights country and pop singer, and extremely successful songwriter Mac Davis. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either (You've Got Me) Dangling On A String or Give Me Just A Little More Time. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

This week the Top Five Countdown is from 1969. And the Number One song is by the Saturday morning cartoon and comic books, The Archies. Sugar Sugar is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Have a great week.

Bye for now.
Michael