Island Update - This Week on Treasure Island Oldies Week of May 24, 2020

May 24^th to 30^th, 2020

Be sure to join me for the Live Daily Edition of Treasure Island Oldies, weekdays at 11 am Pacific, 1 pm Central, 2 pm Eastern, 3 pm Atlantic.

It's so interesting with doing my show six days a week, the days seems to blend together. LOL Thanks for joining me for the Weekend Edition of Treasure Island Oldies. I am frequently asked about archives of the shows. While this no Island Vault at this time, you can still hear the current week's show over twenty times if that would be your kind of fun. LMAO :-) Seriously, just go to the Broadcast Partners Network page to find the days and times when the show will air on our Affiliate Stations. Incidentally, if you're available to hear the live show Sunday evenings and you have a smart device, just say "Play WTND LP" or "Play Oldies Funhouse Radio". You'll hear the live simulcast on these stations. Gotta love technology, especially when it works!!

This coming week on the Daily Edition of the show, we'll hear the stars themselves, talking about their hits and careers. These are rare clips indeed, as the majority are from interviews my good friend, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Pioneer DJ, Red Robinson shared with me from his personal collection of interviews he did with the stars of the day. And I'll play songs they mention or are closely associated with their fame. That's Monday and Tuesday this week. On Wednesday, I'll take a nostalgic look back at the 23 years of Treasure Island Oldies. I'll dig deep and far back into the many Requests I've had. It's All Request Wednesday. I'll figure out Thursday and Friday as it happens. LOL

I have received many comments from you regarding the cool show promos that play on the Home page. Thank You. It's nice being able to see the upcoming specials. And I've passed on your kind words to Eddy Fisher, webmaster extraordinaire! He appreciates it very much.

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week to Darrell Darnell in Jacksonville, Illinois. If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate your birthday with all the show's listeners. 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.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights those Jersey Boys, The Four Seasons. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Big Man In Town or Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye). I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1969, and The Beatles hold down the Number One spot on the charts. Get Back is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Don't forget to join me for the Daily Show.

Take care, stay safe and stay well!

Bye for now.
Michael

The Beatles Number One 1969 Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown spotlights 1969. In their final live performance as The Beatles, they performed on the rooftop of Apple Studios, and the album Let It Be.

From that concert a song surfaced that would become huge. And that's this week's Number One songs. It's The Beatles with Get Back.

Enjoy!
Michael

The Four Seasons Treasure Island Oldies Voice Your Choice

The Four Seasons went from having catchy singles done by a group with a lead vocalist who sang in a very high vocal range, to becoming an iconic group of the 1960s.

They had the hits, the tours, the Broadway musical, Jersey Boys, and even its movie adaption. And this week they're in the Voice Your Choice Spotlight on Treasure Island Oldies. Now their career is complete!! LOL

With so many hit records, it wasn't easy to select just two of them for Voice Your Choice. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Big Man In Town or Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye).
I'll play the winner on next week's show.

Malo's Singer and Guitarist Jorge Santana Has Died At Age 68

By The Associated Press 

May 20, 2020

Jorge Santana, the guitarist for the Latin-rock band Malo, best remembered for the 1972 hit “Suavecito,” died on May 14 at his home in San Rafael, Calif. He was 68. 

His death was confirmed by Michael Vrionis, the manager of his brother, the guitarist Carlos Santana. No cause was given.

The San Francisco-based band Malo — the name means “bad” in Spanish — played a laid-back fusion of jazz, rock and different forms of Latin music, not unlike the sound that catapulted Carlos Santana to international fame. Jorge Santana’s rock guitar playing was backed by percussion and horns more typical of Latin jazz.

The group’s debut album, titled simply “Malo,” was released in 1972. It featured “Suavecito,” a smooth, melodic song that peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard singles chart and became a staple for fans of Latin-tinged rock.

“A wailing guitar, a lively Latin rhythm section and crisp horns distinguish Malo, a San Francisco band under the leadership of Jorge Santana, Carlos’s brother,” a review by Loraine Alterman in The New York Times said in 1972. “In this all‐original album there are shades of Eric Clapton in Jorge’s guitar playing and traces of Blood, Sweat and Tears in some of the brass arrangements.”

Malo made four albums before a highly publicized breakup. Mr. Santana later had a solo career and played with the celebrated New York-based salsa collective the Fania All-Stars.

Guillermo Jorge Santana was born on June 13, 1951, in Autlán, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, to Josefina and Jose Santana. His father was a musician, and Jorge took up the guitar as a teenager in San Francisco. When he was still quite young he joined the Malibus, a rhythm and blues band with a horn section that evolved into Malo.

Mr. Santana worked with his brother Carlos’s management company and toured with him. In 1994 they released an album, “Santana Brothers.”

Treasure Island Oldies Island Update For The Week of May 17th, 2020

May 17^th to 23^rd, 2020

Be sure to join me for the Live Daily Edition of Treasure Island Oldies, weekdays at 11 am Pacific, 1 pm Central, 2 pm Eastern, 3 pm Atlantic.

It was great to have your company once again for the weekly show. Whether you listen via the Treasure Island Oldies Listen page, or via one of our Affiliate Stations that simulcast the live show, or the remaining Broadcast Partners Network stations that air the show airs over twenty times a week; it’s just great to have you listening. And I’m sure impressed with the variety of countries from where you are listening, including across Canada and the United States, and also Norway, Turkey, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, China, the Netherlands, and so many other places. Hello!

I am also very much enjoying to bring you the Daily Edition of the show. It’s a weekday one hour with some interesting themes. Since the daily show began March 25th, I’ve played the Top 100 of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. We also explored your 45s collection by playing both the A and B sides of some of your all time favourite records, and we also took a virtual trip to Club International. It was fun to hear the familiar English hits by such artists as Jay and The Americans, Connie Francis, Gene Pitney and many others; and is was also cool to hear them sing their hits in diverse languages as French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Swedish. All this week on the Daily show I’m playing two parts every day of The Motown Story. It’s a fascinating trip behind the scenes as we hear candid interviews with the Motown Stars. 

Join me all this week at 11 am Pacific, 2 pm Eastern for The Motown Story.

   Happy Birthday wishes go out to Cora Quinn in Peoria, Illinois. And my thanks to her long time great friend, California Barb, for the nice phone call wishing Cora a very Happy Birthday.  If your birthday is coming up soon, I’d like to help you celebrate your birthday with all the show’s listeners. 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.

   Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights the British group, The Foundations. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Baby Now That I’ve Found You or Back On My Feet Again. I’ll play the winner on next week’s show.

   The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1964, and Mary Wells, another major Motown star, has the million-selling Number One Smash. My Guy is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

   Take care, stay safe and stay well!

Bye for now.
Michael


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The Foundations Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

The Foundations were an Interracial R&B Pop group from England that was active between 1967 and 1970. The members were Clem Curtis (vocals), Allan Warner (guitar), Eric Allendale, Pat Burke and Michael Elliott (horns), Anthony Gomez (keyboards), Peter McBeth (bass) and Tim Harris (drums). Their debut single, Baby, Now That I've Found You, became a big hit for them in the UK, Canada and then the United States, where it peaked at Number 11.

Clem Curtis left the group in 1968 and was replaced by singer Colin Young, who sang lead vocal on Build Me Up Buttercup and In The Bad,Bad Old Days (Before You Loved Me).

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents The Foundations. Go to the Voice Your Choice page and cast your vote for either Baby Now That I Found You or Back On My Feet Again. I'll play the winner during next week's show.

Mary Wells Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1965

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, the Top Five Countdown is from 1964. At the top of the charts at Number One, it's a million selling smash for Motown's Mary Wells.

Here's a clip from the TV show Shindig of Mary Wells.

Enjoy!
Michael

The Motown Story All This Week on Treasure Island Oldies Daily Edition

Join me all this week for a fascinating look into Motown Records, filled with great music and interviews with the great Motown stars, on the Weekday Edition of Treasure Island Oldies.

The one hour daily show begins at 11 am Pacific, 2 pm Eastern at the Listen page at www.TreasureIslandOldies.com

Using your smart device, you can also listen to the live simulcast by saying "play WTND LP" or "Play Oldies Funhouse Radio".

Keeping you entertained as we stay at home.

Cheers!
Michael


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Betty Wright Soul Singer and R&B Star Has Passed Away At Age 66

Sad News posted at The Guardian

The singer and songwriter Betty Wright, who has died of cancer aged 66, occupied a significant position in African-American music across six decades, beginning with powerhouse gospel in the 1950s and settling on an R&B, soul and funk groove from the 60s onwards that eventually led to work with superstar rappers of the 2000s.

Wright’s career began as a young child in a gospel group in Florida, and her signature song, Clean Up Woman (1971), was recorded when she was only 17, epitomising what became known as “the Miami sound” – Floridian soul music shaped by the many facets of her home city’s cultural melange.
After years of solid achievement in the US as a singer and songwriter, in the mid-80s she set up her own record label and, although she continued to record her own material, began to make a new name for herself as a producer and songwriter, collaborating with the likes of Gloria Estefan and Joss Stone. Later still her material was much sampled – including by Beyoncé – and she was able to undertake projects with rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne.

She was born in Miami, to Rosa (nee Braddy-Wright) and McArthur Norris. The infant Bessie – as Betty was christened – was co-opted into the family gospel group, the Echoes of Joy, at the age of two. The Echoes worked the Southern US gospel circuit and Bessie proved to be a vocal prodigy – so much so that by the time the group split in 1965, she was confident enough to start singing on her own, in a new R&B vein, and with a new name – Betty Wright.

Willie Clarke and Clarence Reid, two Miami-based musicians, were so impressed by the young girl that they signed her to Deep City, the only African-American record label in Florida. Wright’s debut 45, Paralysed, was released in 1965, and it sold well locally. However, Deep City lacked the resources to promote records properly, and so Reid and Clarke eventually passed Wright on to Henry Stone, a distributor with experience and contacts who was launching Alston Records in Miami.

Aged 14, Wright recorded her debut album for Alston, My First Time Around (1968), which not only revealed her to be a formidable soul singer but generated a single, Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do, that reached the Top 40s of the US and Canadian pop charts.

Although subsequent singles failed to make much of an impression, Wright continued to sing in the Miami clubs on the weekends, building up valuable contacts in the music business. Then chart success returned in 1971 with Clean Up Woman, written by Clarke and Reid, which got to No 6 in the US. Based around a distinctive guitar lick played by Willie Hale, Clean Up Woman’s breezy, danceable funk ensured that Wright would be one of the few school pupils ever to have turned 18 with a million-selling hit record behind her.

For more of this article, please go to The Guardian

Island Update Treasure Island Oldies Week of May 10th, 2020

May 10^th to 16^th, 2020

Be sure to join me for the Live Daily Edition of Treasure Island Oldies, weekdays at 11 am Pacific, 1 pm Central, 2 pm Eastern, 3 pm Atlantic.

It was my pleasure to bring you the annual Mother's Day Special on Treasure Island Oldies; and so cool to hear so many songs for mom's everywhere. Whether our Moms are still with us or a wonderful memory, we salute every single mother around the world. The fun thing is some songs are almost reserved for playing only on the Mother's Day Special. For example, Mama by Connie Francis, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles or B.J. Thomas tend to get played once a year, while the rest of their catalogue gets explored throughout the rest of the year.

I was personally very saddened to have learned about the passing of Rock & Roll Pioneer and icon, Little Richard at age 87. He would have turned 88 on December 5th. I vividly remember watching Rip It Up play on our 78 rpm radio/record player combination. When my parents got rid of the 78s they had in favour of the new 16/33/45 turntable, that was the last time I heard Rip It Up for many years until around 1967 or 1968 when I found an album on Specialty Records, Little Richard's Greatest Hits, and there it was among the song titles, Rip It Up! So it was with great love for his music that I paid tribute to Little Richard throughout the show and also the entire Rock and Roll Reunion in the last half hour. I saw him in concert in Vancouver several years ago. He and Jerry Lee Lewis shared the bill, with Jerry Lee opening the show. Well sadly, Jerry Lee would not get off the stage, even after what would have been a normal length of time for his performance. So eventually, the house lights came on and Jerry Lee went off. After a short intermission, the lights dimmed in the arena and the band started up and then Boom! Little Richard practically exploded on stage to a standing ovation for a good two minutes, even before he sang or played one note. His first words to the audience were "You still love me!" Of course, the audiences erupted in even louder applause and hollering. That was a very special night. Little Richard, R.I.P and Thank You. You helped me love and thrive on music even more.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Toni Howerton in Middletown, Ohio. She's a regular listener and song requester. All the best to you Toni. If your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate your birthday with all the show's listeners. 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.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights the British and American supergroup, Fleetwood Mac. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Say You Love Me or Don't Stop. I'll play the winner on next week's show.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1967. And The Supremes were back at the top of the charts once again. The Happening is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Don't miss the Daily Show at 11 am Pacific , 2 pm Eastern. This week we are virtually travelling to Club International.
You'll love hearing alternate language versions of the English hits you know and love. Let's travel together for one hour daily.


Take care, stay safe and stay well!

Bye for now.
Michael

Fleetwood Mac Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

Fleetwood Mac are a British-American group formed in 1967 in London, England, by drummer Mick Fleetwood, guitarist Peter Green, and additional guitarist Jeremy Spencer, plus John McVie on bass. Through many albums and personnel changes, the group eventually enlisted Christine McVie. When Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks became part of the group, and final American version of Fleetwood Mac came to be. Their first two albums with this lineup were called Fleetwood Mac and Rumours. To say they were successful would be a major understatement. They became superstars!

Treasure Island Oldies is pleased to present Fleetwood Mac in the Voice Your Choice spotlight. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Say You Love Me or Don't Stop. I'll play the winning song on next week's show.

The Supremes Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1967

The Supremes continued their winning streak again this week at they at the top of the charts for this week's Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown from 1967.

Here are Diana, Mary and Flo with The Happening.
Enjoy!

Rock & Roll and R&B Pioneer Little Richard Has Died At Age 87

From The Guardian:

Little Richard, one of the pioneers of the first wave of rock’n’roll, has died. He was 87.

Richard – whose real name was Richard Penniman – had been in poor health for several years, suffering hip problems, a stroke and a heart attack.

Rolling Stone magazine said Richard’s son, Danny Penniman, “confirmed the pioneer’s death … but said the cause of death was unknown”. Penniman also confirmed his father’s death to the New York Times.

The sheriff’s department for Macon, Georgia, where Richard was born and lived, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a post on Instagram, band member Kelvin Holly said: “Rest in peace, Richard. This one really stings. My thoughts and prayers go out to all my bandmates and fans all over the world. Richard truly was the king!”

Richard’s performing career began when he was in mid-teens, in the late 40s, but his early recordings with the RCA Victor label garnered little success. The breakthrough came when he signed to Specialty Records in 1955, releasing a run of singles that were among the wildest and most flamboyant of the rock’n’roll era – Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Rip It Up, The Girl Can’t Help It, Lucille, Keep A-Knockin’ and Good Golly, Miss Molly, among others – and that made him a star on both sides of the Atlantic.

He was known for his outrageous performance style – eyes lined with mascara, brightly coloured clothes – which was echoed later by Prince. He had been a drag performer before the rock’n’roll boom and by his own admission was involved in voyeurism, allowing men to have sex in the back seat of his car while he watched. He was arrested at least twice for lewd conduct. Richard’s breakthrough single, Tutti Frutti, was originally a song about anal sex – “If it don’t fit, don’t force it / You can grease it, make it easy,” he sang – until the producer Bumps Blackwell suggested it be cleaned up. The song bequeathed rock’n’roll its greatest nonsensical expression of joy, whose exact syllables are still debated: “Awopbopaloobopalopbamboom!”

Read more https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/09/little-richard-dies-aged-83-rock-n-roll-pioneerhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/09/little-richard-dies-aged-83-rock-n-roll-pioneer

Island Update 23rd Anniversary Edition Treasure Island Oldies

May 3^rd to 9^th, 2020

PLEASE NOTE:

Be sure to join me for the Live Daily Edition of Treasure Island Oldies, weekdays at 11 am Pacific, 1 pm Central, 2 pm Eastern, 3 pm Atlantic.

The Irish Rovers had a great song that is so appropriate for the 23rd Anniversary celebration of Treasure Island Oldies. Wasn't That A Party! And what a great time I had with you. Thank you for your phone call greetings, emails, chat room talk, and facebook messages. And I heard from you in far flung places including right across Canada and the United States, England, Brazil, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, among the many countries. It is hard to fathom at times that I have been doing this show for 23 completed years as of this week. I never imagined when I started the show back in 1997, that I will still be talking to you and playing great music for you to enjoy after 23 years. Amazing! And thank you so very much for your support and enjoyment of the show for all these years.

I'd like to wish my good friends, long time listeners, first monthly subscription supporters, and just good people, Rick and Connie Canode in Madison, Wisconsin a very Happy 33rd Anniversary. Didn't want to miss sending them good wishes.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, it's the annual Mother's Day Special. Be sure to listen for songs for and about moms. Join me for this annual tribute.

I'd like to wish Happy Birthday to Marc Baillargeron-Molloy in Montreal, Quebec. Due to covid 19 conditions in Montreal, Marc and his wife Sandy are not able to be together in the same place. Thinking of you and Sandy; and you in particular, Marc, as it's your birthday. I am so pleased that the daily and weekly shows are keeping you company. All the best to you. I'd also like to wish Eddy Fisher, my Webmaster and husband a very Happy Birthday. And if your birthday is coming up soon, I'd like to help you celebrate your birthday with all the show's listeners. 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.

Next week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Chicago's classic  R&B  group, The Flamingos. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Lovers Never Say Goodbye or I Only Have Eyes For You. I'll play the winner on next week's Mother's Day Special show.

The Top Five Countdown this week is from 1965. And the number one song is by a group from Manchester, England who became more popular in North America than in their own country, Herman's Hermits. Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter is playing at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

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

Don't forget to listen to the Daily Show at 11 am Pacific , 2 pm Eastern. I'm currently exploring your 45 collections and playing both the A and B sides. It's good fun and lots of memories playing those B sides. And join me Live next Sunday for the Mother's Day Special.

Take care, stay safe and stay well!

Bye for now.
Michael


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The Flamingos Voice Your Choice Treasure Island Oldies

The Flamingos are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees from Chicago. The group was formed by Jake and Ezekial Carey who met cousins Paul Wilson and Johnny Carter at a Hebrew Israelite congegration.

They recorded with various record labels including Chance, Parrot, and Chess/Checker where they enjoyed many successful R&B hits. When they signed with End Records, their debut for the label also became a hit on the pop charts. That was Lovers Never Say Goodbye in 1959. That same year they released a standard written in 1934. I Only Have Eyes For You became a huge hit and a classic record of the era.

And those two stellar records are ready for your votes on Voice Your Choice. Cast you vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Lovers Never Say Goodbye or I Only Have Eyes For You. I'll play the winner on next week's Mother's Day Special.  

Herman's Hermits Number One Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown 1965

This week the Treasure Island Oldies Top Five Countdown brings us to 1965. This week in 1965, the most popular song on the charts and on the radio was by a group that were much bigger in North America than they were in their home country, England.

Here's Herman's Hermits with the Number One song this week on the Top Five Countdown from 1965, Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter.

Enjoy!
Michael