ROCKOLLECTIONS

Moving on with Part Two of our expansive Celebration Of America, we make a side trip to Broadway for a famous musical- don’t get nervous, it was a COOL one, lol!
Then, does anyone remember the KBC Band (Kantner, Balin, Casady)?
Well, we are gonna play them.
We will have a little more trivia.
And then a good long set of music about People-Americans!
We will conclude this chapter with a song that was a huge hit in the 60’s, that you probably haven’t heard in a LONG time, and maybe were glad you hadn’t, lol!
However, it does meet our requirement for having AMERICA in it.
Frankly, I like it- and we are indebted to these select brave men!
We are at the halfway mark.
Have a GREAT 4th Of July everyone- and keep all those fingers!!!

Here's the link to one of the Original Thirteen Colonies, and home of WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1416

Mike

This is an Encore of a series I did back in 2006, when the 4th Of July fell on Tuesday, the day my radio show is broadcast.
Therefore, add 3 years and this is our great country's 233rd Birthday.
So let the musical Celebration Of America begin!
And a, shall we say…surprising beginning it will be.
Come Saturday, those 233 years ago, the greatest document ever written, the Declaration Of Independence, was adopted by the Continental Congress.
With the singer/songwriters and poets of our songs we will take a broad look at the U.S.A.- warts and all.
And I should point out, ALL songs played in this series, and there will be 4 parts, will have the word “AMERICA” in them!
We will be patriotic, but not always warm and fuzzy- confronting some issues that may make our nation less than perfect.
But who is perfect? Certainly no other countries are.
Happy Birthday America!
Keep on rockin’ in the free world!

To hear this opening chapter, here is the link to the Made In America website WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1414

Mike

Well, we have come to the end of our extensive musical look at Fathers- this is the Grand Finale.
I counted the number of songs left over that we did not get to play. 17 songs went unplayed!
Even after 6 episodes!
I wanted to do segments on Good Fathers, Bad Fathers and Fathers I Wasn’t Sure About.
Well, they took the biggest hit in the left-out department.
We did get to 2 Bads and 1 Good though, and they open up this chapter.
And next, pulling no punches, for it would not be honest to ignore it after having come this far- DEATH.
It is the natural order of things that parents die before their children.
As sad as that may be, it is even sadder when it is the other way around. And even THEY would tell you that!
I think it was a Greek philosopher who first said that you are never a man until your father dies.
This part contains the Unresolved Issues- the unfulfilled or unfinished business between Father and Child, and Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda’s that can be very emotional.
Most of us are realistic and emotionally settled enough to handle this.
Some lyrics from a big hit song you will hear:
“I wasn’t there that morning
When my father passed away
I didn’t get to tell him
All the things I had to say.”
That is from the first of the final 3 songs.
The second one may surprise you, as I am sure you will know it, but maybe didn't know what it is really about- and after this, you will never listen to it quite the same way again.
And the last song...well I have learned over the years that there is NOTHING- nada, zilch, zip, etc.- that can follow it.
So it MUST be the last song to end the series!
It is my deepest wish that those of you who came along for the entire journey had an interesting, sometimes bumpy ride, but always fun.
It is strange, but even the sad parts of this series can somehow fill a need.
It is as if we want to do this to ourselves- it hurts but fills a hole. That’s the way I feel anyway.
To those who qualify, living or dead, Happy Father’s Day!
To all, thank you for listening.
Hopefully, we will take more of these thematic trips together.

Here's the link to the paternal final episode of this topic, at my home base WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1405

Mike

We continue with our Fathers theme, and these last 2 episodes will be the most difficult.
No better example of how music can reach into your heart, and extract all sorts of memories, and cause your eyes to water.
I present Part 5 with the subject of CONFLICTS.
They seem to be mostly between Fathers and Sons, but I may just feel that way because I was a son, and the eldest son at that.
Make no mistake, the intention here is to push buttons- regret, anger, sadness, and anything you may feel depending on your own personal relationship with your Father.
We will begin with a scene from a famous movie that captures the Generation Gap perfectly.
Then go on to play some songs that you may relate to more than you’d like- so here is an OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER.
WARNING: IF YOU ARE FEELING EMOTIONALLY FRAGILE OR VULNERABLE, YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP THIS EPISODE.
In this chapter, we will also have a spoken introduction to a live song and NOT play the song, a Biblical tale of Father/Son, and the best ever song in my opinion about these seemingly unavoidable differences
One last episode to go!

To get to this honest look at an all too common family situation , here is the link to WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1403

Mike

A few words about the preceding chapter.
I opened with a short song from an old vinyl album by Kenny Rankin, with help from his then little daughters.
They are all grown up now, and Kenny passed away a couple of days ago.
I didn’t even know he was sick, but cancer took him from us.
I can still remember the first time I heard him back in 1967, with a tune called Peaceful.
Hopefully he is at peace, but I am not as this one hurts.
But it is something to remember when thinking of loved ones…like Fathers.
And the death of Dads will be looked at when this series concludes.
Moving to Part 4 of our Salute To Fathers, we have songs from Fathers to Daughters.
Followed by a couple of more Sons to Fathers.
Then some Miscellaneous Songs that I didn’t have a slot for, but are interesting, and I wanted to play nonetheless.
One in particular is a song you should all know, but may never have noticed the role of the father is played and sung by a WOMAN!
This episode features our poets, plus a guitar hero, a lovable madman, a famous folk group and even an old Doo Wop song.
Do enjoy- and there will be 2 more episodes…IF my computer is able to hang in there.

Here's the link to WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1398

Mike

I just want to say that the pictures accompanying all of my episodes of Rockollections are chosen by the Head Honcho here at WLSO, Uncle Shag.
I am too computer inept to do so.

And let me point out to you the poignancy of the ones in this Fathers series.
These are all pictures of tools plucked from the toolbox of his own beloved Father!

A wonderful, respectful gesture, Unc- and now everybody else knows, as they should.
You're a good man.

Continuing on with our Salute to Fathers, and my personally handpicked songs for all these shows, in Part 3 we again begin things on the lighter side.

Then we will get VERY serious with some beautiful songs from Daughters to Fathers.

And all true stories- including the first one that ends with a situation I cannot even imagine.

If you are not moved by these songs, then you must have hated your old man!

After that, we begin to go the other way, with Fathers to Daughters.

Here’s hoping you enjoy this portion- with another coming very soon.

Comedy, pride and love are all in this one, here's the link to WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1395

Mike

In this chapter I will mainly deal with songs from Fathers to Sons, before just a little taste of Daughters about Fathers that will be continued next time.

Plus I will be reading some beautiful quotes about Fathers throughout this series that I am sure you will enjoy and will touch your heart.

For all the thought and work that goes into them, I always enjoy doing these theme shows the most. And frankly, I think this is what I do best!

Listening to the words is mandatory, I am not wallpaper!

I don’t DO background music.

So kick off your shoes and get a cold one, or a hot one, or a room temperature one (those winos!) and give me a little bit of your time.

In return, I'll give you a different way to present our music!

To hear this rather nice chapter, here is the link to WLSO.FM, run by the fatherly...or uncley...Uncle Shag:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1392


Mike

Here is the first of an ambitious series of shows dealing with Fathers, leading up to Father’s Day.

We will musically explore songs from Sons about Fathers, Daughters about Fathers, going the other way Fathers to their Sons and Daughters, some humor, Good Fathers, Bad Fathers, Fathers I wasn’t sure about (lol), Conflicts between Fathers and Children, some Miscellaneous Songs that didn’t fit any category, and finally Unfulfilled, Unfinished Business and Death.

By the final shows, I will have to issue a disclaimer.

This first chapter will contain a very popular song that you know, and have always heard with a bleep in it- not this time!

In these endeavors, the singer/songwriters, musical poets and storytellers will be checking in, with the usual surprises.

Let the Paternity Suit begin.

Oh, and I apologize for the 1st song, but I did something very similar years ago for Mothers.

For Dad songs playful and serious this episode, here is the link to the fertile WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1389

Mike

To open this 4th and final chapter, I have a few words to say about my man Steve Allen that I didn’t have time for before the previous break.
Then it’s off to perhaps the most famous tongue-twisting bit ever on the Tonight Show.
Did you know that Johnny Carson wrote the liner notes for Kenny Rankin’s album Mind Dusters in 1967?
I think the only other time he did so was for the jazz artist Stephane Grapelli.
So we will hear a track from that Rankin album.
And hear from another folk-rock singer who Carson had on the show, and was so impressed he invited him back the NEXT night! Only the 2nd time he had ever done that.
Carson had 2 guests on his next-to-last show (the final one was filled with clips from over the years).
One was Robin Williams and the other was Bette Midler, who famously performed that touching version of one of Johnny’s favorite songs. I guess there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
You’ll hear it.
Wrapping up, we come to the Final Goodbye on that last night, after almost 30 years of watching a guy from bed.
Kinda makes you feel you almost know him- and it was something that could be depended on.
We will close this whole thing out with another of Johnny’s favorite songs.
There were many versions to choose from- for my own reasons, I chose this one.
Here’s hoping you enjoyed this ambitious and difficult high-wire act of blending comedy with rock & roll.
If you can, let me know if you feel I succeeded.
And if you have any ideas for future theme shows, please pass them on.
Thanks for listening. And have a very pleasant Tonight!

The End Is Near- just a click on the link here to WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1386


Mike

In these final two chapters, you will hear more Johnny Carson.

In 1972 the Tonight Show moved from New York to Hollywood permanently- and that move was seriously questioned.

Since we played a show opening from New York, this time we will have one from Burbank- and right into some monologues. Just HOW hot was it?

There were times when Carson was never funnier than when a joke bombed.

He could be charming with celebrities as well as ordinary people.

Some examples, The Nut Lady and Pancho The Singing Bird.

Not sure how ordinary they are, now that I think about it, lol!

Johnny Carson had over 22,000 guests on the Tonight Show, and at one time he accounted for 17% of NBC’s revenues.

Some routines never get old, as we shall hear with Johnny playing Ronald Reagan- think Abbott & Costello!

All of this intermingled with our music.

Including a song I’ll bet you never knew existed, actually TITLED Johnny Carson!

We will go out of this episode with an on-air call to Carson from Steve Allen, one of my heroes.

It is very funny, and listen for the mad bedlam that was a staple of Steve’s show, when Johnny catches on.

SMOCK, SMOCK!!!

Coming up next time, the Goodbye.

You are invited to join in what is a cross-country trip for me to Hollywood, by following this link to WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1381


Mike

With this one, when you think it is over, it is not!
As stated, May 22 was the anniversary of the night Johnny Carson left the Tonight Show.And you may have noticed a certain trend of “Tonight” songs. We will continue that, double it, and even triple it!
First up, a real pretty one from Sara Evans.
I’ll have a little Carson biography for you, leading right into Karnac The Magnificent.
I will confess one my own personal quirks about opening envelopes.
A little more bio. And my opinion that Johnny Carson was not a big fan of Rock & Roll, he was a fan of the big band era, and if I am not mistaken a drummer.
Of all the late night hosts, he was the last to come around to our music.
It occurred to me, that for younger listeners or perhaps those from another country not familiar with the show, I am trying to “Teach You Tonight”. Ha!
Any Dion fans out there- Dion from BELMONT AVENUE IN THE BRONX, NEW YORK that is- here is an alert.
We will have much much more fun to come.
Dah dah dah dum dum…!
And there is an extra portion at the end, a reminder about Memorial Day and what it means.
Sounds like I called into my own show.
Which I did!
And that raises the question, if I called my own show...who answered, lol?
Have a Great Weekend!

Here is the link to an unusual chapter of our weekly endeavors, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1376


Mike

Two years ago, I was at the radio station and I noticed that May 22 was the day Johnny Carson retired from the Tonight Show after almost 30 years as the late night host.
And the light bulb went on. I canceled the show I had planned.
The challenge was, how do you do a Rock & Roll show, even a free-form one, about Johnny Carson leaving?
These next four episodes will answer the question as to whether I was successful or not.
First off, how many years ago do you think he quit?
Well ADD TWO MORE YEARS since I did this!
I will start the show off predictably enough, no surprise there- but then…!
Among other things, you will hear a song I played back when Johnny Carson died a few years ago, by of all people, Annette Funicello. I probably got the greatest response to anything I have ever played.
This is the only version I have ever been able to find. By Annette Funicello!!!
If we are dealing with the end of Carson’s successful reign, we should start at the beginning.
So we will hear the 1st words EVER spoken on the 1st night he took over, Oct. 1, 1962.
And check out that amazing guest list.
Many people have forgotten, or never knew, that the Tonight Show back then, and for Steve Allen and Jack Paar previously, was one hour and 45 minutes long.
The 11 o’clock newscasts were only 15 minutes long, and here in New York City we got to see the first, extra, opening 15 minutes before the show was picked up nationally for the next 90 minutes.
Ah well, let’s get started- HEEEEEEERE’S Johnny…!

And HEEEEEEERE’S the link for some televison on the radio, at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1373


Mike

Coming back with Manfred Mann, we’ve got Pretty Flamingo by them.
Then another of their many interpretations of Bob Dylan songs- this time his Just Like A Woman.

Manfred Mann was on of the few groups to successfully replace their lead singer and still remain at the top of their game.

The not so well known You Gave Me Somebody To Love is next, and the opening piano riff reminds me off the Vince Guaraldi Trio, the jazz group known for Cast Your Fate To The Wind and the Charlie Brown soundtracks.

Seemingly, ALL the British bands of that period HAD to do a cover of Muddy Water’s Got My Mojo Workin’- here is Manfred Mann’s contribution. And it rocks!

Gets MY mojo workin’- but that ain’t hard!

With their new lead singer, Mike D’Abo replacing Paul Jones, the group had their biggest hit in two years with yet another Dylan song.

Handbags & Gladrags I knew by Rod Stewart, but give a listen to their version of this excellent song.

Finally, a tune that bounced around in my head for over 20 years, and I never knew who did it- never knew any more than the part I would sing to myself!

Well, it was Manfred Mann.

See if you remember it.

Like I say on the show, old songs are like old friends- sometimes you haven’t run into them for years, and it feels so good when you do!

This whole Manfred Mann thing was fun.

And in order to Mannhandle your Manfred, just click on this link to my home base at WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1369

Mike

I think I can guarantee you a fun time with this one,
it was a treat for me to do!
The music of that 60’s British Invasion group, Manfred Mann.
Just wait till you hear these songs- the memory section of your brain will be in overdrive.
We will start off with a countdown, 5-4-3-2-1.
The band was asked to provide a new theme for the famous British TV music show, Ready, Steady, Go.
That was what they came up with, and it was their first hit.
Then it is on to two nonsense titled songs, including their biggest ever hit, Do Wa Diddy Diddy- and listen closely, I have a rare TRUE stereo version that you don’t usually hear.
As usual, I will be telling you a bit about the band throughout.
Next up, the recipe that made ME- Hubble Bubble, Toil & Trouble.
Followed by a racy song for its time, written by Bob Dylan, though not released by him.
A song I first heard in FRENCH- by the old Fairport Convention, called by them, Si Tu Doir Partir.
Well, here is the first English version I heard. If You Gotta Go, Go Now (Or Else You’ll Have To Stay All Night). My sentiments exactly!
If I didn’t outright say it, I suggested as much many times in my lifelong bachelor life, lol!
The tune reached # 2 on the British charts despite being banned or edited by many stations.
Then one of the most autobiographical songs I have ever heard, The One In The Middle.
Listen closely to those lyrics- they name NAMES! Of course they are their OWN names, but still…
Got their version of the old Coasters song after that, Poison Ivy- and a damn good version it is.
We will close this episode out with one I’ll bet you haven’t heard in years, Ha Ha Said The Clown- and a song that always make me really laugh out loud, thinking of those folks who are afraid of clowns.
That calls for another Mike Pell Moment Of Clarity.
People, now hear this. There are many things in the world to fear. Clowns are NOT one of them, LOL!!!
By the way, Engineer Ken said he was dedicating that clown song to me.
Wonder why?
There will be more Manfred forthcoming in Part Two.

To reach this carefully crafted production, lol, here is the link to WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1367


Mike

First off, I just want to say that if I had access to the studio, I would have done one or more shows on Mothers this year.
I did a couple of them a few years ago, and if you do a Search or scroll Previous Posts here, you will find them.
A few more words about the Schaefer Festival Concerts, where I spent many a joyous summer night.
They were held at the Wollman Skating Rink, which was and still is, an outdoor ice skating rink in New York's famous Central Park.
Since it is outdoors, obviously no skating in the summertime, and so folding chairs were put all around where the ice had been.
A wonderful, intimate setting to see some surprisingly big time artists!
Back to this found show on Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, a live song to open this chapter up, where Ronnie Spector formerly of the Ronettes made a guest appearance to duet with Johnny.
Sounding so right, and with that same distinctive voice!
Think I heard myself singing in the crowd on some of these songs.
Hey, you never know, lol!
We'll hear what is considered the definitive version of Bruce Springsteen's Hearts Of Stone, and a whole lot more.
Complete with a thoroughly fitting song to end with.
Happy Mothers Day to all who qualify!
Love ya Mom!

To listen closely and hear me rise above all those other out-of-tune wouldbe singers, lol, here's the link to WLSO.FM:

http://wlso.fm/wordpress/archives/1363

Mike

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