EVERYTHING OLD IS NEWS AGAIN! #5 “ROCK, ROLL,& RACISM PART TWO AMERICAN BANDSTAND DANCERS
May 16, 2012
I was born in New York City on January 22, 1942 and named Wayne Douglas Kent. I’m half-black and half-Jewish, which gives me the inalienable right to use “Oy” and “Yo” in the same sentence. I’m an only child, raised by my single working African-American mother and grandmother in theEast Bronxduring the 1950′s. I never knew or even met my father. I unconsciously seek male role models on TV and in the movies, but no one can live up to Roy Rogers!
I live on 164th Streetright off Boston Road. My family is one of the first black families on the block. My first experience with racism happens when I’m five years old. I’m with my mother at the Bronx Zoo, which is about a mile away, feeding food pellets to the long-horned mountainsheep. An older white woman passing by stops, looks down at me, and says to my mother, “What a cute little piccaninny!” then walks off. I ask Mother,” What’s a piccaninny?” She replies, “It’s one of those bad words you should never call anybody. Now why don’t you feed the little fella over there?”
It’s funny how certain experiences we have as kids can leave a mark on us for the rest of our lives.
I was born in Raleigh, NC on July 19, 1940 and named Hunter George, after my GGGGG grandfather, Col. James Hunter, Jr. The first 26 years of my life I lived at 2106 Breeze Road in the Hayes Barton – Anderson Heights section, which was considered a middle class area, although I don’t think we had class distinctions then. We weren’t poor, but we weren’t rich. I have one brother, who is three years older than I. My father was a printer/proof reader for a large printing company. My mother was a housewife and proud of it. My father was 19 years older than mom, and died of heart trouble when I was nine.
In those days, blacks lived in the south and east sections of Raleigh. Those sections were known as “colored town.” The only blacks that were seen in our section were maids and yard workers. We had a maid named Doretha Harris, whom I loved dearly, because she spoiled me rotten. Sometimes she would bring her kids to play with my brother and I. I had know idea how blacks lived until I was grown and sold insurance in the black section.
There is one thing I remember very clearly. In the summertime, when the black garbage men would come by to pick up garbage, my mother would meet them and serve them ice water, and she did not use paper cups. She used our everyday glasses. That one thing taught me a lot about respect. To my best memory, we all got along peacefully until the 1960s.
HUNTER – WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU BECAME AWARE OF ROCK & ROLL?
ARTIE – The first time I “ROCKED” when i went with my aunt Wan to see “BLACKBOARD JUNGLE” in 1955 starring Glenn Ford, Ann Francis, and Sidney Poitier. the minute that “ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK” started to play…the theater came alive with people singing, shouting, and dancing in their seats.
HERE ARE BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS WITH “ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRhYNLaziO8
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ARTIE – Tell me Hunter did you ever see Elvis in person?
HUNTER – I have been a Fan of Elvis from the start. I have nearly all of his original Sun recordings which started in 1954. I don’t remember when or how I first heard of him or his music. He was unknown outside of TN and the 3 or 4 surrounding states.
Elvis Presley’s first appearance in Raleigh, NC was on February 19, 1955. A Country Music (Hillbilly) show was booked into the Memorial Auditorium. The show had several stars and the headliner was Hank Snow. All of these singers were regulars on the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, TN. There was also a singer nobody had ever heard of, except for a few teenagers. His name was Elvis Presley. As the star of the show, Hank Snow was to go on last, but Hank learned early on that no one could follow Elvis. I was there. Elvis went on last, in the star spot because he tore that audience up. He was the talk of the town the next day because no one had ever seen or heard anything like him.
I don’t remember if his name appeared on posters advertising the show. Back in those days there were no video cameras, tape recorders were new, rare and expensive so I have no record of this appearance or the one in 1956.
On February 6, 1956 Elvis did 4 shows in one day at the Ambassador Theater in Raleigh. The Ambassador was an ornate grand old theater that had a stage from the old Vaudeville days. It was located in the first block of Fayetteville Street (the main drag), about a half a block from the State Capitol Building and square.
The day of the shows, lines started forming early. The line was over four blocks long for each show and I doubt if everyone got in. I went to the last show. I was 15 years old at the time and a bunch of NC State College students let me in at the head of the line with them. It was a madhouse but nobody argued with them.
I remember the show, with Elvis driving the girls to hysteria, cops across the foot of the stage getting battered by the girls and Bill Black riding that big old Bass like a horse. Even now I cannot find the words to describe the emotions of it. It was pure, raw Rock and Roll. It was new and it was ours….all ours!
He did all of his songs including his newest for RCA, Heartbreak Hotel. What a night. It is still imprinted in my memory. It’s funny, but i didn’t notice any black people in the audience.”
FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS THERE WERE RUMORS THAT ELVIS WAS A RACIST
ARTIE -“On August 16, 1977, Elvis passes away at Graceland and the world mourns, but I feel guilty about crying over him. I was laughed at in my neighborhood, back in the Bronx, for liking and trying to emulate him. It angered the Black community that he allegedly said, “The only thing “Colored” people can do for me is shine my shoes and buy my records.” That afternoon my friend, DJ, Scott Shannon comes over to the house, and gives me a large picture book on Elvis and his life. I thank him with tears in my eyes and apologize for being so emotional. Then I tell him why I feel so badly. Then Scott says, “Artie, How could anybody who loved the blues, R&B and gospel music as much as Elvis did, ever say such a horrible thing. Isn’t listening to “In The Ghetto”, enough to convince you where his heart was really at?
Live 1970 performance from Elvis…”In The Ghetto”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ox1Tore9nw
Elvis Presley and Racism : The Ultimate, Definitive Guide
By: Elvis Australia
Source: http://www.elvis.com.au
January 1, 2012 – 8:01:00 PM
Elvis Articles, Elvis Presley Biography, By David Troedson
In 1957, a magazine printed a lie about Elvis, not the first one, not the last one, but one that has been often passed on through the years and at times artists of today like to throw out the slur when needing a headline, so there are those that believe Elvis was racist. Yes, we know that the notion that Elvis was a racist is preposterous. It’s as stupid now as it was then, but here is our definitive response to this nonsense.When the ‘establishment’ accused Elvis Presley of being vulgar, of being deliberately sexual, they did not mean this. This was the cover for what was really meant, what was really feared, and that was that Elvis would lead to equal rights and racial integration. And not just Elvis any white person singing rock ‘n’ roll. Carl Perkins was warned to not do his show. Elvis was simply the number one guy and therefore got the most attention.Following his ‘Milton Berle’ show, Elvis was savaged by critics who described his leg-shaking, hip-swiveling performance as ‘noxious’ and his singing as ‘caterwauling’. Often the criticism had a racist edge, since Elvis was singing what was considered ‘black music’. One critic summed up his performance as ‘the kind of animalism that should be confined to dives and bordellos’. A Catholic weekly ran its criticism under the banner, ‘Beware of Elvis Presley’. Ilva Price, an African American now living in West Memphis, TN, recalled how her father, angry about rumours (later found by ‘Jet’ magazine to be fabricated), that Elvis had stolen ‘their’ music and was a racist, quickly turned off the radio when he noticed her daughter’s reaction to his voice, then called him a ‘cracker’, a racial epithet as disgusting as any other …
James Brown and Elvis Presley were good friends and admired each others talents. James authored two books, and one contains this quote about Elvis: ’I wasn’t just a fan, I was his brother. He said I was good and I said he was good; we never argued about that. Elvis was a hard worker, dedicated, and God loved him … I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There’ll never be another like that soul brother’.
James was was one of the celebrities who attended Elvis’ funeral. George Klein : ‘One of the first phone calls I remember receiving came from James Brown, who wanted to tell me how broken up he was over the news. He asked if he could come to the house during the private viewing’. ‘I checked with Priscilla to make sure it was all right, and late in the afternoon James came up to join us – the first of many major artists to pay their respect.
I remember being taken aback by how truly distraught James was … Then he sat motionless in the corner of the living room for a long while before joining the rest of the mourners in the den. In his autobiography, Brown wrote, ’His death hit me very hard. When he died, I said, ‘That’s my friend, I have to go’.
Shortly after Elvis died, James Brown recorded Love Me Tender as the b-side of his hit record The Spank. Brown did this touching spoken intro: ‘I want to talk about a good friend I had for a long time and a man I still love, Brother Elvis Presley. You know, if he were here right now, I’m sure he would say the same thing for me. I loved the man and he was truly the king of rock and roll. We’ve always had kind of a toss up. Elvis and I. The King of Rock And Roll and I’m the King of Soul. So I wanted to say this for the people, Elvis, and myself’.
B.B. King defends Elvis
In a Sepia article, B.B. King supported Elvis. ‘What most people don’t know’, stated King, ‘is that this boy is serious about what he’s doing. He’s carried away by it. When I was inMemphis with my band, he used to stand in the wings and watch us perform. As for fading away, rock and roll is here to stay and so, I believe, is Elvis. He’s been a shot in the arm to the business and all I can say is ‘that’s my man’.
TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE FILLED WITH RARE PICTURES, AND PERSONAL REMEMBRANCES…CLICK ON TO http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/elvis_not_racist.shtml
WHEN I ASKED MY LONG TIME FRIEND AND PUBLICIST BOBBI COWAN IF SHE WANTED TO ADD ANYTHING TO MY DICK CLARK TRIBUTE AND SHE SENT ME THIS…
PHOTO L-R – FRANK SINATRA, BOBBI COWAN, AND STANLEY COWAN
“When I was 16 years old, I was into teen fan magazines, and had a pile of them on my bed and night table in the hospital where I was recuperating from a serious lung infection. I also had TV, and fell in love with “American Bandstand,”
I guess I became aware that this show was a phenomenon, when I saw the faces of those same kids in nearly every issue of those magazines in my hospital room. Their moves, clothes, and romances, Dick Clark and the joyous Rock n’ Roll music of “Bandstand” became the drug that healed me during my six weeks at Cedars.
In later years, I saw Dick Clark many times in the course of having my first PR office across Sunset Blvd. from his offices, shepherding many of the artists Beverly Noga and I represented, who appeared on “Bandstand”
Dick was always a gentleman, sweet and polite, one of the loveliest and nicest men in the business…somehow it seemed like he’d always be here.
Many years later, I met a delightful gal named Bunny Gibson, who was doing temp work in the PR office Warren Cowan had formed after the sale of Rogers & Cowan. Bunny had stayed in touch with many of her friends from the Philly “Bandstand”: days, and was a sort of “house mother” to the group, helping organize reunions, keeping track of as many of her pals from those early days of “Bandstand” as she could manage…a task that became easier with the advent of computers and E-mail.
Today, Bunny is a working actress, doing character roles on a variety of TV shows, but always a lifelong representative of those amazing days of “American Bandstand.”
Bobbi Cowan http://bobbicowan.com
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THANKS BOBBI FOR PUTTING ME IN TOUCH WITH BUNNY GIBSON …SHE’S GETTING ALL HER BANDSTAND FRIENDS TO MAKE COMMENTS.
“Dick Clark has been in my life since i was 13 and danced on his Philly AB show. He is like part of my family! We thought of him like a “Father” figure
and Kari was our “Mother”.
On May 8th, “Dancing with the Stars” gave their Tribute to Dick Clark and Steve Colanero and myself (Philly AB Regulars) and a group of wonderful LA Regulars were at DWTS in honor of Dick.
DWTS’ Judge, Carrie Ann Inaba, became an “Honorary Bandstand Club” member and she said that if it wasn’t for AB, there wouldn’t have been a DWTS. That says it all. Only Dick Clark could have done that – God Bless you Dick……God Bless you Kari……”
Bunny Gibson –http://www.bunnygibson.com
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“He was truly a great guy along with his wife who were always so nice to all of us….not only did i dance from 79-82 on bandstand i also went to all the ama’s the night time show and new years rocking eve.what a blessing to have most of all this taped in our back yard to make it easy to get to…dick thanks for all the memories,you will be missed !!!”
Robert Moreno
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“Hi there, i know i speak for a lot of dancers when i say it was a sad day in our lives when we heard of dick’s passing but the memories we have from dancing on the show and all the great times & friends we made and still have will last forever. i danced from 1975-1981. i was so excited to get that invite in the mail. i would drive every six weeks fromsan diegobecause i was still in high school. i remember my first day like yesterday, being mesmerized by all the dancers, their clothes, the set, and the icon himself, dick. i was surreal. i was a bit shy but as i kept getting asked to come back and became a “regular” i came out of my shell, became wild and crazy. dick always used to comment on what ever i had on when we were in the bleachers. i always seemed to get caught with gum in my mouth, hence he called me the “gum chewer”. he had a real cool sense of humor. he looooved the disco years (quoting him) “they were his favorite”. i loved going to the office and seeing the dogs run around, like being at home! so many great memories to list, but dick & american bandstand gave me 6 of the best years of my life and if i could do it all over i would. i thank you from the bottom of my heart for the experiences of a lifetime and the opportunities you gave to countless bands/singers.my love goes out to your family and someday we’ll meet you again up under that great disco ball up in the sky..”so long for now”
Lisette St.Claire aka Disco Liz, the gum chewer! ;o)
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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO YOUR FAVORITE BANDSTAND DANCER? FIND OUT ON FRIDAY WHEN BUNNY GIBSON GIVES US THE SCOOP ON EVERYTHING OLD IS “NEWS” AGAIN!
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A MESSAGE FROM ALAN O’DAY…Sonny Geraci is very ill with AVM (arteriovenous malformation) and is in intensive care.
Sonny & his group Climax had a hit with “Precious and Few”. He also was the first to record & release “Rock’n’Roll Heaven”.
If appropriate, consider sending a card to Sonny, c/o – –
Precious Time Productions
30799 Pine Tree Rd. #135
Pepper Pike OH 44124
Thanks,
AO
TRANSITIONS…VIDAL SASOON R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
My condolences to the family and friends of Vidal Sassoon, who made his transition to the other side last week. He was a good guy, who cut my hair even when I couldn’t pay him. (London in the ’70s)
SPECIAL THANKS TO HUNTER GEORGE, BOBBI COWAN, BUNNY GIBSON, AND THE LAURA PINTO CONNECTION FOR HELPING ME PUT THIS ARTICLE TOGETHER
Copyright 2012 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/celebrating-two-million-views-today-on-artie-wayne-on-the-web/
NOW YOU CAN BUY THE ARTIE WAYNE BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or from Smashwords
TO READ SOME OF THE AMAZING AND INSPIRING COMMENTS CLICK HERE
BACK TO ARTIE WAYNE ON THE WEB https://artiewayne.wordpress.com
Artie Kornfeld “The Father Of Woodstock” says, “…God Bless you Artie for keeping the music alive!”
Kornfeld http://www.artiekornfeld-woodstock.com/
Author/ publicist Bob Levinson says,” Dunno if I’m repeating myself here, but want to make sure you know I classify your book as a “must read” for anybody who was in the music business or interested in the music business when it was more about the music than about the business. Gone are the days; shamefully, they ain’t coming back anytime soon.
Warmest regards, Bob www.robertslevinson.com
Joel Diamond Producer, Says, “Classic pictures Artie…how lucky we are to have had contact and know some of these people first hand who could never be “duplicated” again in our industry…”
Patti Dahlstrom Singer/songwriter, adds, “So exciting and great pictures..but not as good as the stories inside. So many will love this book!”
I love the songs you got to us. “HEAVY CHURCH”, “PLAY SOMETHING SWEET”, “LET ME SERENADE YOU”, FREEDOM FOR THE STALLION”, and “EASY EVIL”, The fans have put together a few videos for you!
Chuck Negron…3 DOG NIGHT http://www.threedognight.com/index.html
I ENJOY READING ABOUT THE JOURNEY MUSIC HAS TAKEN AND THE WONDERFUL STORIES SURROUNDING IT. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.
STEVE CROPPER (“DOCK OF THE BAY”, IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR”) http://www.playitsteve.com/home.html
Stephen-Craig Aristei , independent film and TV music supervisor comments, “The pictures and the stories are all “greats”…When people read your book, they will realize how each and everyone of their lives was touched in some way, by what you did…We were a part of the industry when “people had fun” with what they did….Joel is right when he says “we are all so lucky to have had contact with so many of these people”…..I was blessed to work with, fight with and have success with many of the true “greats” of our industry….And Artie, you are one of them…You are truly the last of that breed of creative individual who truly make the music and the business great….you are one of the “Last of the Greats” ! ! Everyone who has ever loved music, needs to read your book….!”
Bernadette Carroll Says: As Clay Cole said it best “Weren’t We Something”….Thanks Artie!”
Barry Oslander Producer Says, “Artie like you, I have been waiting for this day since I read your book months before it came out and read it in one day…. Your a man who just wrote some more music history which in turn will bring bring back many minds to dreaming of the good old days and the way it was in the days when the music biz was great and we all were starting out and were friends joined by the music in our blood….Good luck with your book.”
Jerry Ross Producer (Bobby Hebb, Keith, Spanky and our Gang) comments, “Artie: New York Yankees 1930….
Lefty Gomez made the well known comment: “I’d rather be lucky than good”
You are blessed to be lucky; being in the right place at the right time, and so good at what you have accomplished…Congrats on your book!!!”
book.The title reflects the the entire mentality of the business in an
era that produced more classic music and creativity then in any other
time in it’s history.The book reveals how it all went down through the
journey of one man …..
“Artie, I got your book last night and read much of it through the night you have one incredible career. It’s an honor that you put me in your book literally in the same sentence with Paul Simon… How cool is that! I played a very, very, very small part, but what a part it was. You stopped by my office, at E B Marks Music and my ears heard that Joey Powers demo, Meet Me at Midnight Mary, and it was then I told you, that’s a hit, master it just the way it is. It was then that I told you to take it over to Amy Records. You did that … added a bass and the rest is history. Wow!”
Tony DiGirolamo tvlights@aol.com
Good to hear from you Artie. I love the songs you got to us. “HEAVY CHURCH”, “PLAY SOMETHING SWEET”, “LET ME SERENADE YOU”, FREEDOM FOR THE STALLION”, and “EASY EVIL”, The fans have put together a few videos for you!
Chuck Negron…3 DOG NIGHT http://www.threedognight.com/index.html
Ed Silvers former CEO WARNER BROTHERS MUSICsays, “Forever a great promoter/publisher/writer, Artie has been my artist, my friend, and co-writer through many years of music business. It has always been more than fun to work together!! I wish we lived closer to one another”
Mike Millius Says: “Dude, The best and most realistic Woodstock Experience I’ve ever read. Honest in it’s telling and observations.
HAVE KNOWN ARTIE WAYNE SINCE THE EARLY AND COLORFUL DAYS ON BROADWAY IN NYC, WHEN WE RUBBED ELBOWS..I BELIEVE HE USED TO BE AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS ‘THE SHADOW’ BECAUSE OF THE OUTRAGEOUS HAT AND CAPE-LIKE COAT HE USED TO WEAR..ARTIE HAS DEDICATED HIMSELF TO KEEPING US INFORMED MUSICALLY FROM HIS BROAD LIFE EXPERIENCE IN MUSIC AND LIFE, AND HIS COLLECTED RESPECT FROM MANY OF US WHO HE HAS WRITTEN ABOUT.
FROM ANOTHER BROADWAY SURVIVOR..LARRY, ‘RHINESTONE RABBI’ WEISS.
Your story needs to be told via a film, or even a TV mini-series. It is fascinating!
John Harrold
peggy santiglia davison (The Angels) Says: “Hey Artie, I always knew you were talented and smart and the Blog is great. It’s so interesting to me because even though many of us were in the thick of it, we didn’t always know what others were thinking or doing behind the scenes. Maybe that’s my take as a performer since I was on the “road” so much back then, but it is facinating to read the stories. Even just reading the comment list, I see the names of some very long ago business and personal friends and it brings back many memories, mostly good:-). Much success to you in all your future endeavors.
Peggy/The Angels/The Delicates
I skimmed through the book the first time around but now I’ll eat up every word. Thanks for the great ride…and please don’t leave.
Ira Howard
Irah36@aol.com
“Artie,Those were the days when our business was exciting every day.. I remember so well of what you wrote in your terrific book.. I miss those days & your weekly visits to our office at 1697 Broadway. We have great memories…”
Jay Siegel-The Tokens
jaysiegelandthetokens.com
Linda Perry Says: “Been a long time. So happy to hear you don’t miss a beat. You keep us all informed. Congratulations to a great guy.
Best regards,”
Linda
ann munday Says, “It’s amazing to me that you and I have known each other over 31 years now!
We were such children when we first met!
Congratulations on your passing another milestone. I know how hard you work, and I know how hard it all is for you physically and you’re truly amazing!”
Laura Pinto http://oldiesconnection.blogspot.com/
Bobbi Cowan PUBLICIST Says: “Hey Artie…Adding my congratulations to the growing list of your fans…and the unique perspective you bring to a business that no longer exists.”
Much love,
Bobbi
Don Charles Says: “Congrats, Artie! I’m convinced your blog was instrumental in getting Ellie Greenwich (posthumously) and Jeff Barry inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Thank you.”
“Artie, I’m loving your book and literally could not put it down until Chapter 22 when nature finally came knocking after my drinking an inordinate amount of coffee. Your writing style is lively and conversational. In a previous incarnation as a journalist I learned to “Write like you talk unless you’re from the Bronx.” It appears that you have come along and totally dispelled that adage. I love the story about your standing-up and telling a roomful of people that you don’t have to accept being exploited merely because you’re black; and nobody in the room was even aware of your racial make-up. Too funny. So much for the argument, right?”
Mark L. Ostrovsky
Richard Kimball Says: “Congrats Artie..Obviously you have waaaaaay too much time on your hands!!!!!”
Ash Wells Says: “Congrats Artie!! Truly always awesome & Informative stories which I love to read. Keep Goin’ Strong.. Love Your Work!”
Congratulations Artie!!!
That’s fantastic!!!
All the best,
Roger McGuinn THE BYRDS
: “Artie, you’re a consummate story teller and because we can track your personal history in tandem with the history of rock and roll. You were there, you’re honest about both your failures and triumphs. You da man! Proud to be your friend.”
Much love
John Brahaney
Copyright 2012 by Artie Wayne
WHILE FIGHTING LARGE CORPORATIONS WHO ARE TRYING TO KEEP ROYALTIES AWAY ME AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER ARTISTS, SONGWRITERS AND PUBLISHERS, MY ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME IS FROM THE SALE OF MY BOOK. ” I DID IT FOR A SONG”, WITH OVER 100 STORIES FROM THE MUSIC BUSINESS OF THE ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. I HOPE YOU’LL CONSIDER BUYING ONE DIRECTLY FROM ME THROUGH PAYPAL FOR ONLY $9.98 AT artiewayne@gmail.com OR BY CHECK TO…ARTIE WAYNE P.O. BOX 1105, DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA 92240
THANKS AND REGARDS, ARTIE WAYNE https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/celebrating-two-million-views-today-on-artie-wayne-on-the-web/
For the last three years I’ve been writing my book about my 50 years in the music business. I was warned not to write about certain people, certain companies, and certain things which made me want to tell more.
As my blog became more popular with over 1,870,000 VIEWS, I began to get bolder and relentlessly went after large corporations and social networks until they discontinued some of their questionable practices.
I’m proud to have been the first to write about Tommy James’ shocking book, “ME, THE MOB, AND THE MUSIC” and have an exclusive no-holds barred three part interview with my pal from the past and former label mate…probably the only such event where the participants didn’t have to go into the witness protection program right after the show!
In my book, “I DID IT FOR A SONG”, I write about my first hand experiences songwriting (Aretha, Michael Jackson,Tony Orlando, Cher, etc.) producing (the Kingsmen, The Shirelles, the Guess Who) and getting hits for Warner Brothers Music (“You’re 16″, “R+R Heaven”) and Irving/ Almo music (“I Honestly Love You”, “Our Day Will Come”).
I share my private stories about, Carole King, MORRIS LEVY, Neil Bogart, The BEATLES, Jimi Hendrix, SCOTT SHANNON, Eagles, MICHAEL JACKSON, Bert Berns, THREE DOG NIGHT, Alan Freed, BOBBY DARIN, Brian Wilson, PAUL WILLIAMS, Murray The K, TOMMY JAMES and the Shondells, Olivia Newton-John, HERB ALPERT, JERRY MOSS, Don Kirshner, RICK JAMES, Rolling Stones, ELLIE GREENWICH, Clive Davis, Barry White, DAVID GEFFEN, Marvin Gaye, QUINCY JONES, The Rolling Stones, DAVID BOWIE, Phil Spector, AND DOZENS MORE!
EXTRA! EXTRA! YOU CAN BUY MY BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or 
TO READ A CHAPTER OR TWO FOR FREE CLICK HERE
TO READ SOME OF THE COMMENTS CLICK HERE
Thanks and regards, Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.com
Special thanks to Sally Stevens for the Rainbow’s End photopainting on the cover. http://sallystevens.fineartstudioonline.com/
http://rockphiles.typepad.com/a_life_in_the_day/
http://www.rockphiles.com/rp_artistIndex.php
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
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ARTIE’S PHOTOS VOL.2
October 7, 2010
HEAR YOUR ALL-TIME TOP 40 SUMMER FAVORITES on the radio! All day today, SCOTT SHANNON will be featuring selections from YOUR ALL-TIME TOP 40 SUMMER FAVORITES on The True Oldies Channel … you can “Listen Live” here: 94.7 WLS-FM
I wanted to do a blog about summer, but I didn’t have any ideas, until I read the blog today from Kent Kotal and FORGOTTEN HITS. The readers of this ’60s and ’70s music forum voted on the TOP 40 ALL –TIME SUMMER FAVORITES!
I was not only impressed with the final list, but also how it was arrived at. Kent questioned, “What if you asked the REAL oldies fans out there … the ones who have seen their share of summers over the years … they’ve seen the various trends come and go … I just couldn’t help but wonder what songs best evoke the Spirit of Summer in the eyes and ears of The REAL Oldies Fans? (Of course, I suppose I could have simply listed MY All-Time Summer Favorites … but to me, that approach always seems to take on a “I Know Music and You Don’t” connotation … or, as I like to call it, the “Jann Wenner Philosophy of Music”!)
So, instead … in 2001, we polled our readers … and received about 400 responses … hardly an overwhelming or decisive amount (but you have to remember that we did have a much smaller circulation then … and we were also polling a pretty selective audience.)
In 2006, we decided to ask our readers again to vote for their All-Time Summer Favorites. This time about 2100 people responded … yet the majority of The Top Ten remained the same. Hmmm … maybe a trend was beginning to develop here … maybe these really ARE the All-Time Summer Favorites.
Just to be sure, we asked our readers AGAIN in 2010 … and this time we received about 9200 votes!!! And guess what … the SAME song that came in at #1 in 2001 … and ALSO came in at #1 in 2006 … came in at #1 AGAIN in 2010!!! And by an increasingly larger margin each time. (Enough so to officially proclaim this year’s victory a LANDSLIDE!)
That’s good enough for me!!! I believe that we can unequivocally state FOR THE RECORD that the list you are about to review is, WITHOUT QUESTION, representative of The All-Time Favorite Songs Of Summer as determined by The Oldies Nation. (See if you agree!)”
1. SUMMER IN THE CITY – The Lovin’ Spoonful (#1 each and every time we’ve run this poll … and by a LANDSLIDE this year too!)
2. A SUMMER SONG – Chad and Jeremy
3. HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME – Sly and the Family Stone (These two tracks have ALWAYS finished near the top of the list … but this is the first time they’ve flip-flopped their ranking!)
4. ALL SUMMER LONG – The Beach Boys (The Beach Boys have placed in The Top Ten every time we’ve done the poll … yet it’s been a different song each time that earned this honor. 
5. IN THE SUMMERTIME – Mungo Jerry
(Just try not to sing along with THIS one … I dare ya!)
6. THEME FROM “A SUMMER PLACE” – Percy Faith
(A Summer Favorite … and an Instrumental Favorite … the vocal version by
7. SUMMERTIME – Billy Stewart (A popular song, “Summertime” was nominated by everybody from Billy Stewart to Janis Joplin to Billie Holiday to American Idol Winner Fantasia Barrino!)
8. SUMMERTIME BLUES – Eddie Cochran (Likewise, this one earned votes for Eddie Cochran, The Who and Blue Cheer,all of whom recorded successful versions of this summertime classic!)
9. CALIFORNIA GIRLS – The Beach Boys
10. SUMMERTIME, SUMMERTIME – The Jamies
11. I GET AROUND – The Beach Boys
12. HERE COMES SUMMER – Jerry Keller
13. CALIFORNIA SUN – The Rivieras
14. SURFIN’ USA – The Beach Boys
15. DANCING IN THE STREET – Martha and the Vandellas
16. SEALED WITH A KISS – Brian Hyland
17. FUN FUN FUN – The Beach Boys (Is there a better summer song that this one??? And it was released in FEBRUARY!!!
18. SCHOOL’S OUT – Alice Cooper 
19. SATISFACTION – The Rolling Stones
20. WONDERFUL SUMMER – Robin Ward
(A #1 Record here in Chicago!)
Now Artie Wayne cleverly slips in a plug. I wasn’t going to let this golden oldie opportunity to go by and not mention that I have a connection to 15 out of the first TOP 20 records listed.
I gave up some precious mastering time at Bellsound in N.Y.to my friend Artie Ripp so he could master “Summer in the City”!
My partner Kelli Ross and I ran Leslie Gore’s publishing companies which included “California Nights”.
Kelli and I also represented the publishing companies of Peter Udell and Gary Geld “Sealed with a Kiss”.
I helped get my pal from the past Alice Cooper (“School’s Out”) get on the first show of my former manager, Don Kirshner’s “In Concert” series on ABC.
When I was General Mgr. of Warner Brothers Music we ran Sly Stone’s publishing company which included “Hot Fun in the Summertime”! We also published Gershwin’s “Summertime”, Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues”, and “Theme from a Summer Place”.
I sang with Jerry Keller (“Here Comes Summer”) and Ron Dante (“Sugar, Sugar”) as the Duprees for one record.
When I was running Irving – Almo music, I represented Mungo Jerry’s “In The Summerrtime”, and five Brian Wilson songs in the first TOP 20, “All Summer Long”, “California Girls”, “I Get Around”, “Surfin’ USA”, and “Fun, Fun, Fun”.
FOR THE COMPLETE LIST FORGOTTEN HITS OF THE TOP 40 ALL-TIME SUMMER FAVORITES Click here: Forgotten Hits
To reach Scott Shannon http://scottshannon.com
Copyright 2010 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
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DOUG FIEGER R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
February 17, 2010
I was shocked when I checked Facebook this morning and saw my longtime pal Ellen Feldman had posted that our friend Doug Fieger, lead singer of the Knack, and co-writer of “My Sharona”, had passed away.
I worked with Doug in the studio helping on background parts when he was in the Sunset Bombers, a group DJ Scott Shannon and radio spot maker Joe Klein produced for Ariola Records. Doug was one of the most natural lead guitarists I’ve ever seen in the studio. He could emerge from driving a solid musical track track to playing a dazzling solo in a heartbeat, without overdubbing.
After the Sunset Bombers flew off into the horizon, I ran into Doug a few times at the Whiskey and the Starwood. He told me about a new band he was forming. A few months later Ellen Feldman, who was working at EMI records at the time, kept raving about this new group she wanted me to see, The Knack. You can imagine how happy I was to see Doug with a great band and a set that included “My Sharona.”
The last time I saw Doug, it was after his first #1 record. We were having dinner at Martoni’s Restaurant in Hollywood, with his girlfriend, Sharona and CBS’ Allan Rinde. I remember we had a lot of laughs, hearing stories about the Knack on tour, but I don’t remember much else, since I spent most of the night flirting with Susan Lucci at the next table.
Doug was always a positive person and years later, even though he knew he was fighting a losing battle with cancer he said to others who find themselves in similar circumstances, “Don’t stop living your life. Do every possible thing you can to build up your body. Stop doing anything that might be hurtful to your body. Eat really well, exercise, stop smoking and stop eating junk food,” he advises. “I’m here to tell you that you can get through it. I can’t tell you it’s fun. But going through it, I have to say, is nowhere nears as bad as the fear of going through it. The fear of having cancer is way worse than the reality of having cancer.”
Doug Fieger R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
Respectfully, Artie Wayne
Copyright 2010 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
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FREE CHRISTMAS VIDEOS, FREE HANUKKAH VIDEOS AND FREE HOLIDAY VIDEOS!
December 15, 2008
Alicia Keys (singer/songwriter) says: “Great job, thank you!”
Scott Shannon (DJ on WPLJ/ True Oldies Channel) says: “ARTIE, GOOD IDEA,, JUST LET ‘EM KNOW THAT WE PLAY THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS HITS OF ALL TIME,,, MIXED IN WITH OUR NORMAL OLDIES FROM 59 THRU 74……FROM NOW TILL DEC 26TH….WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO DIRECT MY MILLIONS OF LISTENERS TO YOUR CHRISTMAS VIDEOS?”
Ron Dante (The Archies) says: “Thanks Artie, Great Stuff for Christmas as usual…..You rock my friend…”
Steve Binder (director of “ELVIS ’68” Comeback special) says: “Thanks for including the Presley “Blue Christmas” on your Christmas list. I remember him singing it like it was yesterday.”
Joe Klein(Founder of New Media Creative) says: “A collection like this couldn’t have come at a better time. We could all use a little more Christmas spirit right now, and this list is bursting with holiday cheer.”
That’s right…..This year I’ve added more clips and call it 99CHRISTMASMUSICVIDEOS. It now includes the NEW JUSTIN BIEBER,, Nat “King” Cole, THE RAD DUDES, Bing, Elvis, JOSH GROBAN and songs from NOEL, NEW ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS, elvis,PAUL EVANS, Jingle Cats, ALAN O’DAY, Neil Diamond, LENNON, Band-Aid, CHRIS BROWN “THIS CHRISTMAS”, NEW JULIANNE HOUGH, Brenda Lee, NEW ARCHIES, and so much more! HOURS AND HOURS OF FAMILY FUN with the original Christmas music clips and new Christmas Video animations! You can find it here for FREE!
If you like 99 CHRISTMAS MUSIC VIDEOS, please feel free to share it with a friend….but if you really LOVE it, please feel free to send the link to your entire address book!
MERRYCHRISTMAS…ENJOY TO THE WORLD! Artie Wayne On The Web
YOU SAY YOU WANT MORE? Then check out THE STORY BEHIND THE MOTOWNCHRISTMAS ALBUM …the classic album that almost never saw the light of day. Diana Ross, The Miracles, The Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson all contributed to one of the greatest Christmas albums of all time. It is also the story of how George Clinton, Jr. and I wrote “Little Christmas Tree” for Michael Jackson.
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.com
NOW YOU CAN BUY MY NEW BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or from Smashwords
TO READ A CHAPTER OR TWO FOR FREE CLICK HERE
TO READ SOME OF THE COMMENTS CLICK HERE
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Artie Wayne On The Web 