Found It!

The answer to Warren's query about the song that had the lyric line ...
one thousand two hundred and thirty two holes are drilled into this piece of metal today

The song is called 'The Words of Bartholomew' and it was done by Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders. Released in 1968 and well aired on NZ radio.
I have done my best to record and attach the sample I was sent, so I hope it gets to you ok.
Obviously, now I have the mission of finding the complete song, but gee, what a forgotton blast from the past this song is.

Cheers, Warren

In response to an earlier posting Daphne wrote that she was a bit puzzled about it though.

2^nd story “Your First Musical Memories Feb 23 2008

Paragraph 5

“We never heard of radio, tape decks. CDs etc -------. We listened to Big Band ----- on radio?????? Doesn’t quite make sense.

Took me awhile to realise that if you never heard of radios - how can you be listening to Big Bands on - the - radio?

Got me thinking that you can get transcriptions of some of the broadcast programs of the Big Bands on CD. You have to watch if you're a collector and wanting the original recorded version of something. Alex found that out and gave me the CD that disappointed him; Bob Crosby And His Orchestra "The Radio Years" 1940

How many people share your 'Favourites'?

Dear Ray,

Thank you for taking the time to get back to me again. I guess we got off to a bad start as I thought you were fobbing me off. The Theatre Organ especially the Mighty Wurlitzer was for some time the main music in theatres for many years. In the Silent Movie days the Theatre Organ was the instrument that accompanied the movie adding the music and sound effects. In later years it was used to supply the dance music in some of the large Ball Rooms. The Black Pool Tower Ball Room come to mind. Many Auckland people will remember the Civic Theatre's Theatre Organ in the 1950's.

So said Stan of Christchurch. So I asked Music Maestro Mark who had done a lot of research of music available on record in New Zealand stores in the fifties and sixties. Plus he was familiar, through where he works, with the Wurlitzer Organ – and Mark said;

“The Wurlitzer Organ is probably best remembered in this country as played by Reginald Dixon (in the Blackpool style) who was extremely popular from the 1930's to the 1960's. Saying this, it is also rather niche today. I know where this chap is coming from and he should be commended for trying to spread the word. I love early Rockabilly music, but it's not for everyone.

The reality is that it would be welcomed by only a small number of your listeners and probably alienate just as many. Most of the recordings that were popular by say, Reginald Dixon are instrumental versions of popular show tunes or medleys of hits of the day.

You could try it, but you won't please everybody. Just as say, I abhor listening to James Taylor or Joe Cocker as I don't think they fit the format.

If you were to go down that track you would be better off including the likes of Winifred Atwell, Russ Conway or Ron Goodwin as they had a huge "pop" following at that time and are very rarely played today.”

Which reinforced my thoughts.

And in similar vein – a desire for a favourite artist to get played, was Darryl pushing JAMES LAST

PLEASE INCLUDE THIS MAESTRO AND GENTLEMAN OF MUSIC ON YOUR REGULAR PLAYLIST AS YOU DO WITH MOST OTHER ARTISTS FROM THE SAME ERA THIS GUY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST RECOGNISED HOUSEHOLD NAMES AROUND THE WORLD PLEASE RECOGNISE AND ACKNOLEDGE THIS MAN AND HIS MUSIC IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD AS REGULAR AS IS POSSIBLE HE IS ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED BANDLEADERS OF ALL TIME

Message: HEAPS OF JAMES LAST GENTLEMAN OF MUSIC NON STOP DANCING ALL NIGHT LONG LAST FOREVER TRUMPET A GO GO LIVE AT ROYAL ALBERT HALL LONDON THE LIST GOES ON ENDLESS HAYLEY WESTENRA HAS OF RECENT TIMES SUNG WITH THE JAMES LAST ORCHESTRA I THINK IN EUROPE FIRST CLASS PROMO FOR NZ AND FAIRLY SURE IT WAS RECORDED OVER THERE AS WELL

KIND REGARDS DARRYL CHCH TAKE CARE GUYS BRILLIANT STATION COMING FROM A MUSO OF THESE YEARS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

There are some artists who were big in album sales, and so were familiar to a lot of people. For example, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams and Bert Kaempfert.

I guess my question for those that want their favourites played. Who else enjoys the music as much as yourself. Is it just limited to a small number? Perhaps the answer is to be inspired by the music on the radio to go get out the album and drop a needle on the vinyl to savour those memories for yourself.

Any comments or thoughts

Your first musical memories

What do you remember of the music from your early years?

Prompted by one of those wistful, nostalgia trips circulated by email.

Stay with this -- the answer is at the end -- it will blow you away. One evening an American grandson was talking to his grandmother about current events. The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.

The Grandma replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born, before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill. There was no radar, credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens. Man had not invented pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and man hadn't yet walked on the moon.

Your Grandfather and I got married first-and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every man older than I, 'Sir'- and after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir.' We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.

Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions.

Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege. We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.

We never heard of radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk. The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam. Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.

And so it went on and wrapped up by saying …

We were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap.....and how old do you think I am???....

I bet you have this old lady in mind...you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time.

This Woman would be only 58 years old!

I thought, have they got this nostalgia kick right?

Hmmm, this 60 year old doesn't remember Tommy Dorsey as a kid, rather it was the likes of Jim Reeves - Bimbo and Hank Thompson - Blackboard Of My Heart, then later in my teens; Dinah Lee, Gene Pitney and the Beatles and Rolling Stones. I did pick up on some Bing Crosby and Glenn Miller on vinyl in the La Gloria Gramaphone at home.

And I'm not even a Grandfather.

Diana came back to me saying ....

Aha ..... I picked up on them, cos that's what my Mum & Dad listened to, so I heard them all the time. The wonderful music of the 50s.

The Gene Pitney & Beatles were my listening choices of the 60s. I still have the very first vinyl LP that I bought as a teenager..... Gene Pitney.

Musical Memories

A plea via email for a memory of a song ...

Hi,
I am absolutely going mental trying to find out the name of a song and hopefully the artist, and I reckon my best chance is in asking you. I may not have the first part of my lyrics correct but I'm positive many of you will know the song as it was played frequently on the radio at its height.
the most I can come up with is --- one thousand two hundred and thirty two holes are drilled into this piece of metal today.--

If anyone can come up with an answer, this person “would be over the moon”.

Migrant’s musical memories

When I was gathering comment for the 30th anniversary (in 1993) of John F. Kennedy’s assasination I was intrigued to find the number of English migrants that we had listening to Today FM. Today (as in 'now a days') of course we know also have a good sprinkling of migrants from South Africa / Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and this influences the listening memories that people here have. From Tarankai, Kath Copeland was asking for “Three Wheels On My Wagon”. A song that Kath had not heard since leaving England 40 years ago. When I couldn’t find The New Christy Minstrels song in the British Top 40, Kath explained that it was very popular in the mid '60s in Britain - meaning it was often played on Radio Luxembourg which was the only station available that played modern songs.

One Broken Heart For Sale

Is one of a number of Elvis songs recommended by music researcher Mark for regular play as it was a Monster Hit in N.Z. and not played on Commercial Radio these days. Co-written by Otis Blackwell, it was another song from another Elvis film - 'It Happened at the World Fair' and considered by Tim Rice and his co-authors (in the Guiness Book of Number Ones); as one his worst records at the time. "It would not have sold more than ten copies if it did not have the magic Presley name on the label". Released before Devil In Disguise" it went on, through aggregate world sales to become his 45th million-seller.

Music musings

Phred of Onetangi came up with an interesting request, for Pigbag, a song and a group out of the late 70s or early 80s he thought. Luckily Alex managed to find the song for us.

Pigbag was a group formed in 1980 by four guys who blended elements of funk and jazz into their "anything goes" attitude using percussion, clarinet, trombone, trumpet, guitar and saxophone. For the first months after their formation, the group did little more than jam together. They opted to add more of a rock element by gaining a regular drummer and a bassist, these new members had played with James Johnstone previously in Hardware. They also added another bassist and sax player.

Thanks to a successful support gig with the Slits, Pigbag found themselves signed with Y Records. A trio of singles and a pair of BBC sessions predated their debut LP, 1982's Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jive. The album failed to receive the warm reception and brisk sales of the earlier singles, so the group re-released their debut single from a couple years prior -- somewhat surprisingly, "Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag" did even better its second time around, reaching the Top Five of the mainstream chart, in April 1982.
And from a search of; http://www.everyhit.com/dates/

UK#3 Pigbag Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag Apr 1982

UK#40 Pigbag The Big Bean Jul 1982

Jackie Brenston – Rocket 88

With the death of Ike Turner, we had a request for Ike and his Kings of Rhythm with Rocket 88. Checking with Alex’s collection; MCA Chess CHD4-9352 Chess Rhythm & Roll CD 1, we found the song was credited to Jackie Brenston and was recorded Memphis 3 March 1951. Brenston (vocal/baritone sax), Raymon Hill (tenor sax) Ike Turner (piano) Willie Kizart (guitar), Jesse Knight (bass) and Willie Sims (drums). Wikipedia on Ike Turner says

“Brenston was both the band's saxophonist and the leading vocalist of the song and Turner was the original writer though credits initially stated that Brenston had written it also. The song was one of the first examples of guitar distortion, which happened by accident when one of the amplifiers dropped before the recording.”

What is a Master Jack?

With a number of South African migrants in the Coast audience we get requests for songs from Danny Williams and The Four Jacks And A Jill. Brian Capper emailed to pose the question “What is a Master Jack"... it’s the person who is in charge of a mine shaft in South

Africa (not too sure if it is called that in other places in the world).

David Marks (of 3rd Ear Music) wrote the song when he was a mine captain (in charge of a shift working the face) in a gold mine. The Master Jack controls everything that is happening - nothing gets done without the Master Jack's say so as he has everyone's life in his hands. So, there is a piece of useless information for your listeners.

Regards Brian Capper

Film – ‘Go Johnny Go’

Heard "Go Jimmy Go" on the radio this morning. Unusual to hear that one, although it was a big hit for him here along with "Just A Dream". Just thought you would like to know that the song has no connection with the film "Go Johnny Go". Although Jimmy starred in the film, the film was named after Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" and he plays the song over the titles of the film.

Though the film was released in 1959, the artists that appear perform their songs from early 1958 and not the hit tunes advertised to be in the film, as was often the case in Alan Freed films. "Donna" by Ritchie Valens, "Lonely Teardrops" by Jackie Wilson, "I Only Have Eyes For You" by The Flamingos, and "Just A Dream" by Jimmy Clanton, (huge hits that are now Rock ‘n’ Roll standards from the summer of 1958 through the end of the year) were all missing from the film.

Hope this helps, Cheers, Mark.

Hank Marvin - Sacha

Sacha is often listed as a Shadows hit, however it was a solo effort by Hank Marvin.

The Shadows split from 1968 to 1973 (according to Shadows fan Neil of Howick).

Australian #1(2) from 18 March 1970, Sacha was coupled with “Goodnight Dick” for the Australian release and coupled with “Stingray” for the New Zealand release,

Sacha/Sunday for Seven Days for Japan, France, Italy, Belgium and Holland

according to http://www.cliffandshads.co.uk/marvin.html

End Of An Era

We've made it to 10 years of broadcasting our special "Unforgettable Music" on Sundays on 1593AM. We even lasted a whole year with our increased hours after Errol Baker's Auckland Jazz Radio relinquished its air-time on 1593AM.

Now, however with the Charitable Trusts having been cut to only having around $4 million to distribute, against the previous $11 million per year, we as a Society, competing with so many other worthy causes, just could not sustain the on-air rental.

The committee felt that it was best to retain some monies for future battles (maybe even paying the initial broadcast fee for our desired full time Radio Station in Auckland) and so the decision was made to give the required months notice to Soo Lee Lim and wind up our Sunday broadcast on the 28 October.

Our thanks to Soo Lee and her Lim Family Trust for allowing us this time and for all her support through the years. It wasn't just a commercial rental arrangement, Soo Lee helped us with extra hours here and there and we've had some interesting times and dinners together. Perhaps in the future, our respective interests can come together again.

Thanks to Errol Baker in working with us through the years, sadly Errol was struck down with a stroke which has taken him out of active radio work. Thanks to Eric Allen for being there back in 1997 and allowing a small group to meet at his place to discuss possibilities after the demise of Today FM (disposed of to meet business and Commerce Commission requirements).

Eric Allen has been there for us quietly in the background supplying music and putting us in touch with people who could help us and our music needs.

We started out with an Unforgettable Music Supporter's Club that evolved into the Incorporated Society that exists today, and had around 800 interested persons on our database from those calls made to the Today FM team in its last few days. We had reasonable advertising support in the early days but with our limited hours just could not get enough of our listeners out to the supporting businesses to make that sustainable and we gradually went more and more for funding grants.

Thanks to Warren Flaunty of Massey Pharmacy, Peggy (and Tony) of the Green Bay Bookshop, Jim Berger of Eden Discs (one of Errol Jazz clients but who also separately supported Unforgettable Music), Laurie of The Clinic Pharmacy (again mainly an Auckland Jazz Radio client that made a lesser contribution to our needs) T. Clark Shoes and Maurice Ball’s Payless Travel and a host of other small advertisers. Special thanks to Ivan, Steve, Darren and Craig of Sapich Brothers Wines who've been with us a long time. Even helping us host an event or two at their premises - good memories of the poolside event with Eric and his band providing music. At one stage we had Ray's mini transmitter sited at Sapich's Winery and Steve said we are welcome to do so again.

Funding support - thanks to Daphne and her special efforts. Daphne can list all those organisations that have helped us keep on-air. Thanks to Bob for supporting us through Daphne and for providing guidance on the right words for our constitution and correspondence with Government bodies.

To the on-air team through the years of Jacqui once or twice, Nick Martin and Karen (the cat lady) before they went off overseas, Paul Napier, Caroline Northey and Aidan Tavendale and the lady with style and experience, Rosemary Cobb.

Thanks to Brian Cumber for putting us in touch with a young computer whiz and his Dad - Ayden and Jim Wolf who have been marvellous through the years.

Thanks to Alex Farkash who has enjoyed just helping in the background with the knowledge and access to music. Our Saturday music lunches with Alex, Jim Wolf and myself have been a pleasure.

Thanks to Dave Nelson for his “Te Aroha Treats” on 1593 AM and help with other music.

Thank you to the various committee members and those behind the scenes who've given the support that sustained us. The 'We Are Sailing" Fosters for launching our early fund raisers and get togethers, The Turners, the guitar playing fireman, and the current team who can tell what is happening today and what is likely for the future

Thank you to those on the other side of the radio, for being there as a listener, making it worth our efforts in getting this music out there.

Maybe, one day, we can solve the conundrum of having enough air-time to make it viable for our style of music - for the seniors and those that appreciate music with a melody from great song writers.

Ray Mankelow,

Chairman, Unforgettable Music Society Incorporated. Saturday 13 October 2007