Monday, June 24, 2019

Dave Bartholomew, Legendary Writer, Producer and Mentor to Fats Domino has Died At Age 100

Dave Bartholomew, credited by many with creating early rock ‘n roll in his work with Fats Domino, has died at age 100 at East Jefferson General Hospital in New Orleans, his son said. He was 100 years old.

A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, Bartholomew was a trumpeter, producer, arranger, songwriter, and bandleader. He was the longtime collaborator of Fats Domino, helping him write, arrange and perform some of the nation’s biggest hits back in the 1950’s and 60’s.

He was a key behind the scenes man at Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Recording Studio, matching musicians and producing some of New Orleans most memorable music by artists including Smiley Lewis, Snooks Eaglin, Little Sonny Jones, Pee Wee Crayton, Shirley and Lee, Frankie Ford and Sugarboy Crawford.

Bartholomew nurtured Domino’s career, letting him sit-in with his band when Domino was just a teenager. He invited Lew Chudd, the owner of Imperial Records, to hear Domino in a club on North Rampart Street. Chudd was impressed and signed him to a contract.

The first Domino song, a version of Junker Blues that was renamed “The Fat Man,” marked the first collaboration with Bartholomew. It was considered a landmark in New Orleans music, a meld of jump blues and rhythm-heavy style that was made for dancing. The two went on to produce such hits as “I’m Walkin’,” “Blue Monday,” “I Hear You Knocking” and “Whole Lotta Lovin’.”

In an interview with the Times-Picayune newspaper, the two discussed their musical collaboration.
“Actually, we never sat down to write anything,” Bartholomew said. “He and I just played. If we started a song and we got lost … I remember one time on ‘‘I’m in Love Again,’ we went outside and somebody said, ‘Don’t let the dog bite you.’ So we come back and put that in the song. We always had an awful lot of rhythm in our world, plus the blues, and New Orleans being known for its second-line, we considered that, too. With that, and what we added to it, we were very lucky. It went over big.”

Bartholomew was born in Edgard, Louisiana on Christmas Eve in 1918. He played in bands led by Papa Celestin, Fats Pichon and Joe Robichaux until joining the Army in World War II, where he was a member of the 196th Army Ground Forces Band. After working at Imperial Records as a talent scout, he also helped such labels as Decca, King and Specialty discovered the New Orleans sound. He wrote and recorded “My Ding-a-Ling,” which became a hit for Chuck Berry, and he produced Lloyd Price’s recording of “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” which Price had written, with Domino, uncredited, playing piano.He also worked for Trumpet Records and Mercury Records, before establishing his
own label, Broadmoor Records, in 1967.

Survivors include his wife, Rhea Bartholomew; five sons, Dave Jr., Don, Ron and Darrell Bartholomew, and Alvin LeBeau, all of New Orleans; three daughters, Deborah Hubbard and Diane Wilson, both of New Orleans; and Jacqueline Temple of Atlanta; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

No memorial plans have yet been announced.


This Week on Treasure Island Oldies - Week of June 23rd, 2019




June 23rd to June 30th, 2019
Thanks for sailing over to the Island for the annual Treasure Island Oldies Summer Beach Party. The sun, the surf, the sand and the greatest summer oldies of all time...what a combo! The Chat Room or "Tiki Hut" was hopping with listeners from all over Canada and the United States having a great time together sharing the music and memories. I was also pleased to hear from listeners via email as well as the Treasure Island Oldies Facebook page. Please remember that if you were not able to listen to the live show, it will air on our Broadcast Partners Network Affiliate Stations this week. Just go to the Broadcast Partners Network page for the days and times most convenient for you. But before you turn on the sunshine, be sure to wear your sunscreen and seagull repellent. LOL

Next week,  June 30th, it's my annual tribute to the Music of Canada! You'll hear songs that were regional, national and international hits. I look forward to spotlighting the artists and songwriters from coast to coast across Canada for you. Having spent many years with A&M Records as Vice-President of Artist & Repertoire, I loved discovering and helping to develop songwriters, recording artists, and record producers to realize their potential. This Music of Canada special means a lot to me personally.

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 spotlights Billy Joe Royal. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Cherry Hill Park or I Knew You When. I'll play the winner during the Music of Canada special next week.

This week the Top Five Countdown is from 1966. The Number One is yet another smash hit by The Beatles. Paperback Writer is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

See you next week for the Music of Canada Special.

Bye for now.
Michael

Billy Joe Royal - Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies


Billy Joe Royal's career began with disappointment. Joe South wrote a song he hoped would be recorded by Gene Pitney. Pitney never recorded the song. Joe South was a prolific songwriter with many successes including Games people Play, which he recorded himself. That song won a Grammy Award in 1968 for Song of the Year.

Now back to Billy Joe Royal. In 1965, Joe South asked his roommate, Billy Joe Royal, to record a demo of the song he had written for Gene Pitney. The demo tape was played for Columbia Records who signed the unknown artist to a six year deal. That song, Down In The Boondocks, became his debut record and a Top Ten hit.

Treasure Island Oldies presents Billy Joe Royal in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast your vote for either Cherry Hill Park or I Knew You When. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Beatles - Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1966

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown is from 1966. And what a great Top Five too, with Simon & Garfunkel, The Lovin' Spoonful, The Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra all included. However, at Number One it's The Beatles and Paperback Writer.

Enjoy!
Michael


Monday, June 17, 2019

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies Week of June 16th, 2019


June 16th to June 22nd, 2019
Now that was a great celebration on the Father's Day Special this week on Treasure Island Oldies. I appreciate all of the comments I received in the Chat Room, Facebook, and via email. Thanks very much. It's so cool that there are more than enough "Dad" type songs for the entire four hour show. If you missed the live show, be sure to go to thew Broadcast Partners Network page to find a day and time when one of our Affiliates will be playing the show on their station. And for the complete list of every song I played during the special, go to the Listen page and scroll down the page to the Playlist.

Please make sure you join me next week, June 23rd, for the annual Summer Beach Party. The sun, the surf, the sand and the greatest summertime music! And then on June 30th it's my annual tribute to the Music of Canada! I look forward to your company for these specials.

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 spotlights the smooth Lou Rawls. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Love Is A Hurtin' Thing or You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine. I'll play the winner during the Summer Beach Party special next week.

This week the Top Five Countdown is from 1971. The Number One is a smash hit by Carole King from one of the most successful albums ever, Tapestry. It's Too Late is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Don't forget to bring your sunscreen to next week's Summer Beach Party!

Bye for now.
Michael

Lou Rawls - Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Lou Rawls was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 1, 1935. He was known for his very deep voice and his smooth style of singing. He also appeared in the movies: Angel Angel, Down We Go and Believe In Me. In addition, he hosted his own TV show in 1969. Sadly, he passed away January 6, 2006 from lung and brain cancer; a real loss to the entertainment world.

He charted 19 times between 1965 and 1983; scored two Top Ten songs, one of which was the Christmas song Little Drummer Boy in 1967, and he achieved one Gold Record.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Lou Rawls. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Love Is A Hurtin' Thing or You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine. I'll play the winner on next week's Summer Beach Party Special.

Carole King Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1971

Before Carole King exploded onto the pop charts as a singer, she was already hugely successful as a songwriter with then partner Gerry Goffin. Together they wrote many songs that became anthems of our youth. Together they wrote The Locomotion (Little Eva), Chains (The Cookies), One Fine Day The Chiffons), (You Make Me Fee Like) A Natural Woman (Aretha Franklin), and so many, many more.

In 1971, her solo album, Tapestry, was released, becoming an instant success and one of the biggest selling albums of all time. Many hit singles were contained on the album, including this week's Number One song.

Here's Carole King with It's Too Late, number one this week from 1971 on the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown.

Enjoy!



Monday, June 10, 2019

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of June 9th, 2019


June 9th to June 15th, 2019

Thanks for joining me on the Island this week for another great music-filled show. Our Spotlight Year this week is 1964. Even though the British Music Invasion had begun, the airwaves were filled with a great variety of music. And this week's Top Five Countdown is a great example of the wide range of music, with something on the charts for just about every taste. From Louis Armstrong and the Ray Charles Singer, to Motown's Mary Wells, The Beatles and The Dixie Cups. WOW!

Please make sure you join me over the next few weeks for several specials. Next week it's the Annual Father's Day Special, live Sunday, June 16th. Then the following week, June 23rd join me for the annual Summer Beach Party. And on June 30th it's my annual tribute to the Music of Canada! I look forward to your company for these specials.

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 spotlights Nilsson, or Harry Nilsson, if you will. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Without You or Everybody's Talkin'. I'll play the winner during the Father's Day Special next week.

This week the Top Five Countdown is from 1964, this week's Spotlight Year. The Number One is the smash hit from the the Girl Group, The Dixie Cups. Chapel Of Lover is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Have a good week.

Bye for now.
Michael

Nilsson - Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

It's not often that a performer becomes known only by their last name. Such was the case with Nilsson, whose real stage name was Harry Nilsson.

Although sounding Scandinavian, Harry Nilsson's real name was Harry Nelson. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 15, 1941. Despite being a really good songwriter (he wrote One for Three Dog Night, for example), his biggest hit, Without You, was written Pete Ham and Tom Evans and who first recorded it as Badfinger.

He was a friend of so many musicians, and among them his close friends included John Lennon and Ringo Starr.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Nilsson. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Without You or Everybody's Talkin'. I'll play the winning song during next week's Father's Day Special.

The Dixie Cups - Number One 1964 Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown

The Dixie Cups were one of the many Girl Groups prominent on the charts in the 1960s. This week they topped the charts in 1964.

Here they are in a performance from the TV show Shivaree with Chapel Of Love, Number One on the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdcown.

Enjoy!



Friday, June 07, 2019

The Legendary Dr. John Has Died At Age 77

 Dr. John, the flamboyant New Orleans singer-pianist whose hoodoo-drenched music made him the summarizing figure of the grand Crescent City R&B/rock ‘n’ roll tradition, died Thursday of a heart attack at age 77.

“Towards the break of day June 6, iconic music legend Malcolm John Rebennack, Jr., known as Dr. John, passed away of a heart attack,” a statement on his social media pages said. “The family thanks all whom shared his unique musical journey & requests privacy at this time. Memorial arrangements will be announced in due course.”

Rebennack had already tallied more than a decade of experience as a session musician in his hometown and Los Angeles when he rose to solo fame in the late ‘60s after concocting his voodoo-influenced, patois-laced persona of “the Night Tripper.”

In their history of postwar New Orleans music “Up From the Cradle of Jazz,” Jason Berry, Jonathan Foose and Tad Jones wrote richly of the artist they called “a true original.”The writers described him exclamatorily: “Dr. John! – sunglasses and radiant colors, feathers and plumes, bones and beads around his neck, the crusty blues voice rich in dialect cadences, and then the man himself in motion: scattering glitter to the crowds, pumping the keyboard, a human carnival to behold.”

After flashing his fantastical character on a quartet of early albums that garnered him an enthusiastic underground following, Dr. John settled in to become New Orleans’ great latter-day exponent of bayou funk and jazz, playing in a style that reconciled the diverse streams of the city’s music.
His early ‘70s work was distinguished by a collection of historic New Orleans favorites, “Gumbo,” and a pair of albums with famed New Orleans producer-arranger-songwriter Allen Toussaint and funk quartet the Meters – the first of which, “In the Right Place,” spawned a top-10 hit.

More at https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/dr-john-new-orleans-music-icon-dies-at-77/ar-AACvduX?ocid=spartanntp

Monday, June 03, 2019

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of June 2nd, 2019

June 2nd to June 8th, 2019
Welcome to this week's Island Update. The Spotlight Year this week is 1968, another year with so many great records released for fans to enjoy. And I really enjoyed playing some of them for you, including There Was A Time by James Brown, The Montanas' You've Gotta Be Loved, Sly & The Family Stone's Dance To The Music, and so many others. For the complete list of all songs played this week, go to the Listen page and scroll down to this week's Playlist.

A couple of program reminders for you. First off, it's the Annual Father's Day Special, live Sunday, June 16th. Then the following week, June 23rd join me for the annual Summer Beach Party! I look forward to your company for these specials.

I'd like to congratulate long time listener Marc Baillergeon in Montreal on his marriage. Marc, I hope you and Sandy will enjoy a lifetime of happiness together.

Lots of birthdays this week with Happy Birthday wishes going out to Nancy Turnbull in Niagara Falls, Ontario; Michael Gee in Berrkley, California; Paul Carter Jr. in Ellicott City, Maryland; and also Darryl Darnell in Jacksonville, Florida. 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 spotlights former Arkansas native turned Canadian resident, Ronnie Hawkins. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Forty Days or Mary Lou. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

This week the Top Five Countdown is from 1968, this week's Spotlight Year. The Number One is the smash hit from the movie The Graduate. Mrs. Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Have a good week.

Bye for now.
Michael

Ronnie Hawkins Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Ronnie Hawkins was born January 10, 1935 in Huntsville, Arkansas. And since it is his birthday this week, it's perfect timing for him to be the first artist of 2012 on Voice Your Choice.
 
Ronnie formed a group called The Hawks in 1952 and moved to Toronto six years later in 1958. He's now been in Canada longer than he lived in his own country. He had a knack for discovering and nurturing great new talent. He assembled a group of musicians who later went on to call themselves The Band.
This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents Ronnie Hawkins with two of his hit records for your votes. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Forty Days or Mary Lou. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Simon & Garfunkel Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1968

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown is from this week's Spotlight Year, 1968. Simon & Garfunkel had become huge stars with hit after hit. In 1968, they reached new heights of popularity due top the immense success of the movie The Graduate that starred Anne Bancroft and and young Dustin Hoffman. Throughout the film, there are musical signatures featuring the acoustic guitar of the main theme song.

That main theme song became a huge success and this week it sits at Number One on the Top Five Countdown.

From their Concert in Central Park, here are Simon & Garfunkel with Mrs. Robinson, the theme to The Graduate.

Enjoy!

Michael