Have You Heard the News... Here are current stories about Oldies Artists in the News: Gary Glitter's "Rock & Roll Part II," which is played at many sports arenas (including Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis) to fire up the crowd, has been banned from Sunday's (February 5) Super Bowl there by the NFL. The New England Patriots traditionally use the song to celebrate touchdowns. It was felt to be inappropriate to reward Gary with tens of thousands of dollars in royalties in light of his past child sexual abuse convictions. Don Cornelius, who developed and hosted the "Soul Train" television program that ran for 35 years, died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot at his Sherman Oaks, California home Wednesday (February 1). He was 75. The show began locally on WCIU-TV in Chicago in 1970, produced with Don's own money. He took no salary until he could get advertisers to support the black entertainment music program. His faith justified, "Soul Train" moved to syndication in 1971 in seven cities, including Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston and Los Angeles. Don stopped hosting the show in 1993 and it ended its run in 2006, but not before becoming television's longest-running syndicated program. Don's ending words became legendary and make a fine epitaph: "I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!" Barry Manilow announced Tuesday (January 31) that his reconstructed hips aren't ready just yet for touring so he's postponing three Chicago dates next weekend to July. He will begin touring again in New York February 10. Dick Kniss, bassist with Peter, Paul & Mary for most of their musical career and co-writer of John Denver's hit, "Sunshine On My Shoulders," died Wednesday (January 25) of pulmonary disease at a hospital near his Saugerties, New York home. He was 74. Lead singer of the Troggs Reg Presley, who was hospitalized with his second stroke in December, announced Tuesday (January 24) that he has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. And, as 70 year-old Reg put it, "I've had to call time on the Troggs and retire." Get Well wishes can be sent to Reg in care of his fan club secretary at: Jacqueline Ryan 56 Waite Davies Rd. London SE12 OND Great Britain Aretha Franklin has called off her planned Summer wedding to longtime friend Willie Wilkerson. In a statement Monday (January 23), the Queen of Soul said, ""Will and I have decided we were moving a little too fast, and there were a number of things that had not been thought through thoroughly. There will be no wedding at this time. We will not comment on it any further because of the very personal and sensitive nature of it. We appreciate all of the many well wishes from friends." Steven Tyler of Aerosmith sang the national anthem before the National Football League's AFC championship game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore ravens Sunday (January 22) in Foxboro, Massachusetts. A trial is set for Monday (January 22) in Nashville over how much money the secong husband of Jim Reeves' widow should get from his $400,000 annual royalties. Mary Reeves gave Terry Davis $100,000 and some land in her will but Terry is fighting Jim's neice and nephew for more since he was married to Mary for 30 years until her death in 1999. The company Neil Young owns which converted his 1959 Lincoln Continental to an electric car was sued Tuesday (January 17) by the insurance company for a San Carlos, California storage facility where the car was located. They're asking for nearly a half million dollars in damages from a 2010 blaze caused by the automobile. Etta James succumbed to her battle with leukemia, kidney failure and dementia Friday (January 20) at a hospital in Riverside, California. She was 72. Born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles in 1938, she believed later on that her father might have been pool sensation "Minnesota" Fats (a fact the player was unable to confirm for her when they met). Moving to San Francisco, she was discovered by Johnny Otis singing with a group called the Creolettes (who he changed to the Peaches), he dubbed her "Miss Peach" and helped get her signed to Modern Records, where she was best known for the 1955 R&B hit, "Dance With Me Henry" (31 R&B). Chess Records in Chicago picked her up in 1960, releasing her tunes on their Argo subsidiary (later called Cadet (though duets with Harvey Fuqua-with who she had a relationship-- were on Chess itself). On the pop charts alone, she notched 28 chart recordings, including "Tell Mama" (#23 Pop #10 R&B - 1968) "Pushover" (#25 Pop #7 R&B - 1963) and "Trust In Me" (#30 Pop, #4 R&B - 1961). Her best remembered recording, however, was her signature song, the immortal "At Last" (#47-1961 Pop but #2 R&B), played at Presidsent Bill Clinton's first inaugural ball. Her autobiography, "Rage To Survive", was published in 2003. She was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ten years later. Beyonce Knowles played her in the fictionalized story of Chess Records called "Cadillac Records" in 2008. Johnny Otis, who gave us "Willie And The Hand Jive" (#9 Pop, #3 R&B - 1958) but, more famously, launched the careers of dozens of other R&B performers, including "Big Mama" Thornton, Etta James, Hank Ballard, Johnny Ace and Little Richard, died Tuesday (January 17) in Los Angeles at the age of 90. Despite his love for R&B, Johnny (born Ionnes Veliotes) was of Greek descent, though he chose to live in the African-American community. Starting out as a drummer in big bands in Oakland and L.A., Johnny eventually formed his own band, scoring 18 R&B hits from 1948 to 1969, including "Double Crossing Blues" (#1-1950), "Cupid Boogie" (#1-1950) and "Rockin' Blues" (#2-1951). In addition, he wrote such hits as "Roll With Me Henry" (Etta James), "Every Beat Of My Heart" (Gladys Knight) and "So Fine" (Fiestas and Sheiks). Johnny's Barrelhouse nightclub in Los Angeles, touring R&B Caravans and weekly Los Angeles TV show (which he broadcast for eight years) brought up-and-coming R&B artists to the attention of the general public, especially Little Esther, the Robins (later to become the Coasters), Sugar Pie DeSanto, Jackie Wilson, and Little Willie John. His son is the respected artist, Shuggie Otis, with whom Johnny played for a number of years. In later years, Johnny was the pastor of a non-denominational church and served as deputy chief of staff for U.S. Congressman Mervyn Dymally. Until 2006 he continued to air a radio program of the music he loved in Berkeley, California. Johnny was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame as a producer and writer in 1994. Jimmy Castor, leader of the Jimmy Castor Bunch who gave us the 1972 hit "Troglodyte (Cave Man)", died Monday (January 16) of heart failure in a Las Vegas hospital. Estimates of his age varied from 64 to 71. Jimmy had been hospitalized in November after a heart attack and had undergone bypass surgery. While still in high school, the native of New York's Washington Heights wrote the Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers hit, "I Promise To Remember" (#57-1956). Jimmy later went on to sing with Frankie's brother, Louis, in the Teen Chords. Forming his own band, Jimmy signed with Mercury Records' Smash label and recorded his own hit a decade later with "Hey, Leroy, Your Mama's Callin' You" (#31). By 1972, he had switched to RCA and, as the Jimmy Castor Bunch, charted with "Troglodyte" (#6). While his follow-ups (including "Luther The Anthropoid" and "Say Leroy, The Creature From The Black Lagoon Is Your Father!") were not as successful, he did return to the charts on Atlantic Records with "The Bertha Butt Boogie" (#16-1975) and "King Kong" (#69-1975). Moving to Las Vegas, the "E-Man" (for "Everything Man") continued recording in the '80s on his own Long Distance label and even appeared in the TV mini-series, "The Jacksons: An American Dream" in 1992. Larry Butler, keyboardist for the Gentrys ("Keep On Dancing" #4 - 1965) died of natural causes Friday (January 20) in Pensacola, Florida at the age of 69. Larry sang with Harry James and Red Foley as a child before moving to Music City, where he played piano on Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey". Moving on to producing, he is best remembered for his many hits with Kenny Rogers. He also wrote "Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" for B.J. Thomas and the Poppies "Lullaby Of Love." He won a Grammy for Producer of The Year in 1980-the only Nashville producer to do so. Henry Davis, bass, flute and keyboard player player with L.T.D. (Love, Togetherness and Devotion) has reportedly died. Formed in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1968, the group signed with A&M Records in 1973, reaching the pop charts eight times and the R&B charts 14 times between 1976 and 1983. The group is best known for its top four hit, "Back In Love Again" in 1977 and "Love Ballad" (#20-1976). Henry also played with the Friends of Distinction and on albums by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. Don McLean will receive a Lifetime Achievement honor at the BBC2 Folk Awards February 8 in Salford, England. Don will perform at the ceremonies. Levon Helm of the Band is set to undego an undisclosed medical proceedure that will cause him to miss a month's worth of appearances. Levon fought throat cancer in the '90s.He is expected to tour in March. The fiance of the late Gerry Rafferty has appealed to Britain's High Court for financial support from his estate even though his will was made out before he met her. The British Inheritance Act of 1975 allows those supported by the deceased to seek "reasonable financial provisions." Elton John is writing a book (his first) on the fight against AIDS. "Love Is The Cure: Ending The Global AIDS Epidemic" will be published in July. John Fogerty is performing the theme song to the new Fox-TV show, "The Finder," premiering Thursday (January 12). John also guests on the episode, performing "Fortunate Son." Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi announced Monday (January 9) that he is in the early stages of lymphoma and is undergoing treatment. The band is moving from Los Angeles to London to work with him during his recovery. Congratulations to the 2011 electees into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame: Harry Belafonte, the Crew Cuts, the Doobie Brothers, Duane Eddy, Percy Faith, Ferrante & Teicher, Al Green, Tony Orlando & Dawn, the Osmonds (including Donnie & Marie), Dolly Parton, the Pointer Sisters and Bruce Springsteen. Nominees for the 0212 class will be announced next month. Bob Weston, guitarist with Fleetwood Mac from 1972 to 1974 (the "Penguin" and "Mystery To Me" albums), was found dead in his London home of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage January 3. He was fired from the band by Mick Fleetwood in 1974 and speculation was it was after an affair with Mick's wife. Bob also played with Long John Baldry and Bob Welch, among others. Etta James was released from a Southern California hospital Thursday (January 5) and is said to be in "stable" condition at her Riverside, California home. The 73 year-old continues to suffer from leukemia and dementia. Condolences to Contours member Joe Billingslea, whose 39 year-old son was shot to death during a fight at a Detroit strip club Sunday morning (January 1). Friends tried to rush him to a hospital and were involved in a traffic accident. Eventually an ambulance got him to the hospital, where he died. Condolences also to Stevie Nicks, whose mother, Barbara, died December 28 of pneumonia in Arizona. She was 84. Robert Lee Dickey, who performed with his cousin James as James & Bobby Purify, died Sunday (December 29) in Tallahassee, Florida. He was 72. The Florida duo charted eight times from 1966 to 1968, most notably with "I'm Your Puppet" (#6-1966) and "Shake A Tail Feather" (#25-1967). Robert was replaced for health reasons by Buddy Grubbs (for one record) and by Ben Moore (permanently) in 1971. Bobby went on to work as supervisor for the custodial crew at the Tallahassee Police Department and became a Deacon in his church. Philadelphia native Patti Labelle sang the U.S. national anthem before the National Hockey League's annual Winter Classic there Monday (January 2). Congratulations to Aretha Franklin, who announced Monday (January 1) that she is getting married to long-time friend William "Willie" Wilkerson "probably in Miami" this Summer. It would be the 69 year-old Queen of Soul's third marriage. Congratulations also to Rick Wakeman of Yes. The 62 year-old keyboardist was quietly married to his 37 year-old girlfriend December 14. They've known each other for eight years. Fred Milano, second tenor with the Belmonts, died Monday (January 1) of apparent lung cancer in Massapequa, New York. He was 72. Formed in 1957 by three friends at Roosevelt High School in the Bronx and named after Belmont Avenue in the Bronx where Fred lived, the group was soon paired with Dion DiMucci on Mohawk Records before joining Laurie Records as Dion and the Belmonts the following year. Their first Laurie single, "I Wonder Why" that year, reached #22 on the charts. It was followed by such hits as "No One Knows" (#19-1958) and "Don't Pity Me" (#40-1958), which led to the groups's inclusion on the ill-fated Winter Dance Party tour that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper in early 1959. Other hits included "Where Or When" (#3-1960), "A Teenager In Love" (#5-1959) and "When You Wish Upon A Star" (#30-1960). Dissatisfied with the musical direction they had headed down, Dion left the group in late 1960. The Belmonts, with Carlo Mastrangelo now on lead, charted eight more times, (mostly on Sabine Records) including "Tell Me Why" (#18-1961) and "Come On Little Angel" (#28-1962). They reunited with Dion for a Rock 'n' Roll Revival Show in New York in 1972 and continued performing and recording under various incarnations to this day. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. Arson has been named as the cause of 19 separate fires at homes in the Laurel Canyon area near Hollywood Friday (December 30), including a house once owned by Jim Morrison of the Doors. The street the house is located on was the inspiration for the Doors' "Love Street." It's been learned that Ron Mosely, baritone singer, guitarist and arranger with Ruby & the Romantics, died December 3 in Akron, Ohio at the age of 72. Ruby Nash Garnett is now the only surviving member of the group. The group started out as the Skarletones (recording for Ember Records in 1959) and, for one recording, the Supremes before Ruby joined the group and the name changed for good. Far from the one-hit wonders they're often made out to be, the quintet hit the pop charts 11 times in seven years, including "Our Day Will Come" (#1-1963), "My Summer Love" (#16-1963), and the original versions of "Hey There Lonely Boy" (#27-1963) and "Hurting Each Other" (#113-1969). The group disbanded in the '70s as the hits disappeared and stage appearances dwindled, but were inducted in 2007 into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. They also received aPioneer Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation in 1997. Aerosmith's Steven Tyler has reportedly became engaged on the Christmas weekend to longtime girlfriend Erin Brady. It will be 63 year-old Steven's third marriage. Erin is 38. Peter Frampton filed a breach of contract lawsuit December 23 against Universal Music, owner of A&M Records, contending that he has been underpaid a half-million dollars in royalties. Peter says he should be paid 50% royalties on digital recordings, as opposed to 13% on pre-packaged albums. The lawsuit comes one day after the sister of the late Knack drummer Bruce Gary filed a similar suit against EMI/Capitol. Sean Bonniwell, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter for the Los Angeles-based garage band, Music Machine, died Saturday (December 24) at the age of 71 after being admitted to the hospital with heart trouble. Born Thomas Harvey Bonniwell, Sean joined the Wayfarers, who recorded for RCA beginning in 1963, as a guitarist. When the folk era began to ebb, Sean formed a group called the Ragamuffins in 1965. By the next year, though, the group-- known for dressing in black with single gloves-- had changed their name to the Music Machine. "Talk Talk," released late that year, reached #15 on the national charts, but two subsequent singles-- "The People in Me" and "Double Yellow Line" in 1967-- failed to make the top 60. Internal conflicts led to the group's breakup and Sean continued as the Bonniwell Music Machine, but after one LP and some unreleased recordings, he gave up the name himself. A 1969 solo album saw him recording under the name T.S. Bonniwell. Its failure led Sean to give up the music business for the next 25 years. He published his autobiography, entitled "Talk Talk" (later retitled "Beyond The Garage") in 1996. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences have announced their Lifetime Achievement Awards to be given out February 11-- the day before the annual Grammy awards. Diana Ross, Glen Campbell and the Allman Brothers will be honored, along with George Jones, the Memphis Horns, Gil Scott-Heron and Antonio Carlos Jobim. In addition, producer and composer Dave Bartholomew, engineer Rudy Van Geller and Apple founder Steve Jobs will be given the Academy's Trustees Award. Etta James was hospitalized in Los Angeles Wednesday (December 21) and placed on a respirator with breathing difficulties. Her husband and sons had just reached an agreement Tuesday on managing her estate and medical care. Her husband of 32 years will continue to be her conservator, said a Riverside, California judge, while expenses have been capped at $350,000. Etta is said to be gravely ill, suffering from leukemia and dementia, but the hospital reported improvement Friday (December 30), removing the respirator. Ralph MacDonald, who co-wrote "Where Is The Love" (A hit for Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway) and Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers' "Just The Two Of Us", died of lung cancer Sunday (December 18) in Stamford, Connecticut at the age of 67. Ralph also played island percussion on such hits as David Bowie's "Young Americans" and Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville." Roberta sang at the funeral on Thursday saying, ""Ralph was a very important part of my life. He was the kind of musician who could play and understand any kind of music. There were no limits." The lawsuit filed last April by the surviving members of the Shirelles and Dionne Warwick against the Broadway musical, "Baby It's You" was settled out-of-court Thursday (December 15). The show closed in September. Chaka Khan and her sister Tammy were granted permanent custody of Chaka's 10 year-old granddaughter Wednesday (December 14). After claiming that her son and daughter-in-law are unfit to raise the child because of their drug use, Chaka had been given temporary custody in September. Phil Spector filed an appeal of his 2009 murder conviction Friday (December 16) to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the judge in the trial gave improper opinion on expert testimony. Police in Orchard Lake, Michigan say a Gibson guitar, seen on the cover of Bob Seger's "Greatest Hits" album, was stolen when Seger moved during late August, September or early October. The guitar is valued between 8 and 10-thousand dollars. Troggs lead singer Reg Presley was hospitalized in Winchester, England Wednesday (December 14) with what is suspected to be a stroke. He is also suffering from pneumonia and fluid around the heart. The 70 year-old suffered a major stroke about a year ago. Reg's wife says he first began to feel bad while performing in Germany December 3 and has gotten progressively worse. "Doctors think he has had another stroke. He's not very well and I have no idea how long he'll be in hospital," she said. Barry Manilow was hospitalized in Los Angeles Monday (December 12) for surgery to repair torn abductor muscles and have fluid removed from both hips. The day before he had completed his 1,000th show in Las Vegas. He hopes to be able to return to performing in early February. As you might expect, the group played live Thursday (December 8) for the grand opening of Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer in the Excaliber Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. New Zealand has honored Engelbert Humperdinck's "Ten Guitars" as part of a series of "number" stamps. Though released as a B-side to "Please Release Me" in 1967, the song has become very popular there. There even was an effort at one time to make the tune New Zealand's national anthem. A portrait of Billy Joel was hung in Steinway Hall in New York Monday (December 12). Billy is the only non-classical performer and one of only two living performers so honored by the Steinway and Sons piano makers. Bob Burnett, second tenor with the Highwaymen, died Wednesday (December 7) of brain cancer at his home in East Providence, Rhode Island. He was 71. Bob started the Highwaymen with Dave Fisher, Steve Trott, Chan Daniels and Steve Butts. Originally calling themselves the Clansmen, they eventually changed their name due to its unsavory connotations. The new moniker came from the Alfred Noyes poem of that name. After honing their act for two years on campus, the quintet travelled to New York, where they quickly picked up a manager, producer and recording contract. Their first single on United Artists Records was "Santiano," centering on the California Gold Rush, with the classic folk tune, "Michael (Row The Boat Ashore)" on the B-side. Released during the height of the "folk boom" in January of 1961, it should have sailed to the top of the charts. It did, but not without a struggle. It wasn't until a Worcester, Massachusetts DJ turned the record over that summer that "Michael" reached #1 for two weeks. By then UA no longer had the group under contract and had to pay to get them back. "Michael" was followed early the next year by the double-sided hit, "Cotton Fields" (#13) and "The Gypsy Rover" (#42). The group steadfastly refused to leave school, performing only on weekends, which slowed their success. "I'm On My Way" only reached #90 in 1962 and "The Bird Man" finished their chart run at #64 that year. Bob left the group to the Army Reserve, then moved on to Harvard Law School in 1967. Putting music behind, he had a long career in law and banking. A lawsuit filed by the original Highwaymen against the later Johnny Cash-Willie Nelson-Waylon Jennings-Kris Kristofferson incarnation was settled amicable when Dave's group opened a concert for the others and then granted them limited use of the name. Former Fleetwood Mac star Lindsay Buckingham was forced to postpone his British tour, set to begin Thursday (December 8), when his guitarist suffered a serious back injury. The Beach Boys were among those inducted into the California Hall of Fame Thursday (December 8) in Sacramento. Mike Love and Al Jardine put away their differences to sing together for other inductees, including Clint Eastwood, Magic Johnson and Buzz Aldrin. Carlos Santana, another honoree, did not appear. Congratulations to the newest inductees into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday (December 7)-- Donovan, Small Faces/Faces, Laura Nyro, Guns N' Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys. Don Kirshner will be inducted as a non-performer along with producers Cosimo Matassa, Tom Dowd and Glyn Johns plus Freddie King as an early influence at the ceremonies April 14 in Cleveland. Dobie Gray, best known for the top five hit "Drift Away" in 1973, died in his sleep Tuesday (December 6), in his Nashville home of complications from cancer surgery at the age of 71. Born Lawrence Darrow Brown in Brookshire, Texas in 1940, he moved to Los Angeles in the early '60s, and with the help of Sonny Bono, began recording for Stripe Records (they named him Dobie after the "Dobie Gillis" TV show). Seven singles later in 1963, he was recording for Cor-Dak Records, when "Look At Me" reached #91 on the pop charts. When follow-ups failed to chart, he joined Charger Records and tasted his first real success with "The 'In Crowd'" (#13-1965). It was followed by "See You At The 'Go-Go'" (#69-1965), but Dobie once again disappeared from the charts. He spent 2 1/2 years in the Los Angeles production of "Hair", before joining Decca (MCA) Records in Nashville in 1972, hitting with "Drift Away" the following year. That summer, he charted again with "Loving Arms" (#61-1973). Two more singles on Capricorn didn't scratch the top 5, though "You Can Do It" on Infinity did reach #37 in 1979. He revived his career later on the country charts with four charted records there in the '80s. Uncle Cracker, who remade "Drift Away" with Dobie in 2003, said, "My heart goes out to Dobie's family this evening. RIP Dobie Gray. Thank you for the music. You will not be forgotten." Blues guitarist Hubert Sumein, who played behind Howlin' Wolf on many seminal recordings, died December 4 at the age of 80. It's been disclosed that the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are picking up the tab for Huberts suburban Chicago funeral December 13. Said Mick, "Hubert was an incisive, yet delicate, blues player. He had a really distinctive and original tone and was a wonderful foil for Howlin' Wolf's growling vocal style." Keith had guested on Hubert's album five years ago. Barbara Orbison, widow of Roy Orbison, died of pancreatic cancer at a Los Angeles hospital Tuesday (December 6) on the 23rd anniversary of Roy's death. She was 60. The manager of her hiusband's estate, she had been hospitalized since May. She and Roy had three children together. to Oldies Music Home Page © 1997-2012, Ronald P. Smith. All rights reserved.