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For DOC SEVERINSON, Former

Johnny Carson Band Leader

There’s No Stopping at 83

Doc Severinson is going stronger than ever. Now living in Mexico, Severinson still tours heavily , has a new CD and says he ‘is now working harder than ever.” ,after trying to retire – which is the thing one’s ‘supposed to do’ at age 79′ Severinson couldn’t stand it. He happened upon a couple ‘ world class trumpeters’ playing a small dive near his new Mexico home and asked them if they’d be interested in working with him. They didn’t know who he was at first, but the rest is history, as they say…

‘I want to be remembered as a guy who played way beyond the age when trum -Doc Severinson , Johnny Carson’s longtime band leader

pet players are not supposed to be able to play anymore.’

Don’t Forget DOC SEVERINSON

(Editor’ s Note: Before we continue with the rest of this remarkable story of a remarkable, if overlooked man today, let me just say that this is just another excample of an older person,a Senior, or Senor , in Mexico, who has been neglected, overlooked, forgotten or however you want to say it – by the folks in the US where he was a star for so many years. Why isn’t this still-talented, interesting and colorful man no longer seen on the Tonight Show, or most other media . Because the media and rest of us have neglected our heros of yesterday. If it weren’t for NPR and the interview you can listen to here, we wouldn’t have known about Severinson’s new projects.

It’s funny that , as much as a recluse Johnny Carson became after retiring, the opposite can be said of Severinson. Ed McMahon, who was the other third of the Tonight Show Gang Leaders also worked until his recent passing at 86.)

Ask Doc about retirement and the answer you will get leaves you with a very clear impression: he is not ready to hang up his horn or his traveling shoes.

Since moving to Mexico at the end of 2006, Doc has kept a busy performance schedule and made new discoveries in two very talented musicians from Mexico. Together with these gentlemen, Doc has crafted an innovative and exciting program.

El Ritmo de la Vida” is, of course, “the rhythm of life,” a very apt description of Gil Gutierrez and Pedro Cartas and their music. It is classical Spanish with a jazz flair, gorgeous ballads, both Latino and American, plus some great movie music,and among their best received — gypsy jazz, a la Django Reinhardt. Each are virtuosos and combined are electric. Add to this the soaring trumpet of Doc (not to mention his wardrobe!) and the experience is indescribably brilliant.

Trumpet Spectacular

‘Doc’ is now a resident of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and first heard Gil and Pedro playing at an Italian bistro to throngs of admirers, both American and Latino. He later recorded a few tunes with them and then immediately asked to join them.
According to ‘Doc’: “I came to Mexico with retirement on my mind, but when I heard them play I knew that I would be playing with them for some time to come. Latino music, along with the blues, has always been among my favorites, and Gil and Pedro do it along with a European style that I love and so do our audiences.
They are mature, gifted young men who play great, look great, and PLUS, we share a great lifestyle together. Our music is totally organic to us.”

 Collectors Choice Music

Recordings from Doc

A Grammy award winner, Doc has made more than 30 albums–from big band to jazz-fusion to classical. Two critically acclaimed Telarc CDs with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra showcase his multifaceted talents from Bach to ballads. The Very Best of Doc Severinsen reprises fifteen of Doc’s signature pieces. His other recordings include Unforgettably Doc with the Cincinnati Pops on Telarc, and the Grammy nominated Once More With Feeling on Amherst. He received a Grammy Award for “Best Jazz instrumental Performance – Big Band” for his recording of Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Band-Volume I. Doc Severinsen and His Big Band/Swingin’ the Blues is his latest release with Ed Shaughnessy and Ernie Watts.

Background
Severinsen’s accomplishments began in his hometown of Arlington, Oregon, population: 600. Carl H Severinsen was born on July 7th, 1927, and was nicknamed “Little Doc” after his father, Dr. Carl Severinsen a dentist. Little Doc had originally wanted to play the trombone. But the senior Severinsen, a gifted amateur violinist, urged him to study the violin. The younger Severinsen insisted on the trombone, but had to settle for the only horn available in Arlington’s small music store — a trumpet. A week later, with the help of his father and a manual of instructions, the seven-year-old was so good that he was invited to join the high school band. At the age of twelve, Little Doc won the Music Educator’s National Contest and, while still in high school, was hired to go on the road with the famous Ted Fio Rito Orchestra.

However, his stay with the group was cut short by the draft. He served in the Army during World War II and following his discharge, landed a spot with the Charlie Barnett Band. When this band broke up, Severinsen toured with the Tommy Dorsey, then, the Benny Goodman bands in the late 40′s.

After his days with Barnett and Dorsey, Doc arrived in New York City in 1949 to become a staff musician for NBC. After years of playing with the peacock network’s studio bands, Severinsen was invited to do a gig with the highly respected Tonight Show Band. An impressed conductor, Skitch Henderson, asked him to join that band in 1962 as first trumpet. Five years later, Doc took over as Music Director for The Tonight Show and stayed with the show until Johnny Carson retired from late night television in 1992. DOC SEVERINSON

Today, Doc has not lost his flair for outrageous fashions and witty banter. Yet, he is highly regarded as one of the most technically proficient trumpeters. Doc has the best stage presence of anyone out there. He can blow a horn like few others…he is a high note virtuoso, a genuinely funny man, and always a fashion fiend.

Somewhere along Doc’s journey from Oregon, to New York, to this evening’s concert, the “Little” was lost, but he remains ageless. Doc Severinsen continues to be a favorite of audiences across America.

Press Contact: Bernadette Hilario – severinsendocinfo@gmail.com

More Doc Severinson  and other oldies but goodies

DOC SEVERINSON

CHUCK BERRY

Earlier today Chuck Berry’s representatives issued a terse statement on Chuck’s condition:

Due to exhaustion, Mr. Berry was unable to complete his scheduled performance in Chicago at the Congress Theatre January 1, 2011. However, he is fine and has returned to his home near St. Louis.

That’s the entire statement! Chuck had played B.B King’s Club in New York the night before, but from the git go had trouble with his band in Chicago the next night. Chuck’s next gig is scheduled for the 19th of this month at a club in his hometown of St. Louis where he regularly performs. As of now, that date is still on.

All we can do is hope it was just exhaustion and send our prayers and good thoughts his way.

• 
• courtesy KOOL 94.5 FM RADIO

Chuck Berry returns home after

health scare

We hate to see it take a health issue to bring perhaps the leading living legend of Rock & Roll back to the public eye, but 84-year-young Chuck Berry started off the year with a bang. Reports have him slumping over his piano, reportedly due to exhaustion, then having to cancel the concert and return home January 1.

By JIM SALTER , 01.03.11, 12:27 PM EST

ST. LOUIS — Chuck Berry, who fell ill with exhaustion and was escorted from stage during a Chicago concert this weekend, has returned home to suburban St. Louis, a close friend of the rock-and-roll legend said Monday.

The 84-year-old performer did not require hospitalization and Berry’s friend, Joe Edwards, said he appeared to have fully recovered.

“I think it was just exhaustion,” Edwards said, noting that Berry played two shows in New York on New Year’s Eve, then flew to Chicago where he played at the Congress Theater on Saturday night.

“I think by the time the concert in Chicago got near the end he just got tired,” he said.

Berry’s agent, Dick Alen, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that the singer “feels tired but good.”

Edwards said Berry returned to his home in Wentzville, Mo., on Sunday afternoon, and that he is feeling well enough to prepare for a Jan. 19 concert at Blueberry Hill in University City, Mo. Berry has performed monthly concerts at the popular bar and restaurant that Edwards owns since 1996.

Associated Press

Chuck Berry
Berry in Örebro, Sweden on July 18, 2007.
Background information
Birth name	Charles Edward Anderson Berry
Born	October 18 1926 (1926-10-18) (age 84) St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Genre(s)	Rock and roll
Occupation(s)	Guitarist, Songwriter
Instrument(s)	Guitar, Vocals
Years active	1955 – present
Label(s)	Chess Mercury Atco
Website	http://www.chuckberry.com/
Notable instrument(s)
Gibson ES-335 Gibson ES-125

Charles Edward Anderson “Chuck” Berry (born October 18, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In terms of performance, song-writing, and guitar playing, Berry is considered one of, if not the greatest of the pioneer rock-and-roll artists. His catalog of early rock hits includes some of the most iconic

REMEMBERING  DICK CLARK…

Other than New Years, We don’t

hear much about Dick Clark

BUT the man once known as ‘America’s oldest living teenager’ who almost single- handedly carried rock and roll through the ages is very much alive and still putting in his typical long days at work. But other than his brief annual appearances on his New Years Eve ABC program, we seldom see Dick Clark in the news since he suffered a stroke in 2004. Though, today, many of his programs are still running, from ‘Rock, Roll Remember’ in radio syndication, to his award and game shows. Recently , the Emmys paid a well deserved tribute to Clark . Ryan Seacrest – who is said to be Clark’s eventual successor – MC’d the program; you can see Clark and his wife in the audience for a brief moment. For Clark’s daily blogs and recent activities go to DickClarkOnline.com Here, many of Clark’s proteges pay tribute, from Donnie Osmond to Barry Manilow, who wrote the lyrics to Clark’s American Bandstand theme. Clark , himself, makes an appearance;. Clark has come a long way since the diabetic stroke, which left him with impaired speech – but nothing will probably ever stop ‘America’s oldest teenager’ until his final breaths, which are, hopefully, many years away. Most or all of the syndicated Rock Roll and Remember is comprised of early interviews with the many stars Clark worked with – and there’s a llot of this in the vaults. Recent features include a clip on John Lennon, whose recent’30 year passing’ was honored and some clips and interviews with Neil Diamond, who talks about those early days working at the Brill Building. Clark has brought in veteran DJ GaryBryan to help out – check out the REWIND blog, where Bryan talks about then and now with the stars….

DICK CLARK PERSONIFIES ROCK AND ROLL PROBABLY MORE THAN ANYONE

By the way, REWIND is also the name of what we believe is the finest interview program today featuring ‘ the stars you grew up with,’ t syndicated and online from Jimmy Jay http://rewindshow.com For us, Jay is doing today what Clark has been doing for years… schmoozing with the rock and roll artists we grew up . Jay offers full length, hour long entertaining interviews now online and in syndication. …

BANDSTAND LIVES IN PHILLY

DICK CLARK MEETS JIMMY JAY

http://rewindshow.com Jay done interviews with virtually everyone from the era – even a touching tribute to Gene Pitney, done weeks after Pitney’s passing and what would have been scheduled live interview with Gene. HEAR great programs from Branson and Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre featuring artists like Bill Medley and Paul Revere. Jay has done over 100 shows , with some artists more than once. Here are just some of the stars Jay has interviewed and/or featured in programs: Gordon Waller (perhaps last interview with him), Bobby Vinton, Chubby Checker, Brian Hyland, Gary Puckett, BJ Thomas, Tony Orlando, The Turtles, Bobby Goldsboro, Connie Francis, The Skyliners, Maurice Williams, Kenny Vance, Kathy Young, Duprees, Marvelettes, Petula Clark, DeeDee Sharp, Stevie Wonder,Sam Moore, The Crests (Johnny Maestro?) Jay uses the program also to raise money for good causes including stars down on their luck and the MDA. He’s currently offering a spectacular tribute to Tony Orlando featuring a nultitude of stars…. all available at his website. There are also a few podcasts offered at Rewind.com including an interview with Peter of Peter and Gordon, perhaps the last interview Peter ever did, which became part of a touch tribute that Jimmy Jay has put together. Jay even interviewed the man, Dick Clark, himself, in 2008. Here’s what Clark and others had to say about Jimmy Jay and his Rewind Show… Dick Clark 4-3-2008: “Jimmy Thank you so much for having me on your show!” Tony Orlando (64th Birthday Party 2008): “Jimmy You are a master at making sure everything goes well, you are a talented and incredible host, you did a job there and I’ve never seen anybody quite steer a show like that! Again Mr Jay you are the man! God Bless You and your Family believe me when I tell you I will never forget that night.” Andy Kim (Rock Me Gently): “I am honored to finally do this with you cause you’ve been carrying all of us on your shoulders playing the greatest songs of all time from this wonderful era that we happened to have grown up in it’s just an honor to be on your show!” Jerry Lewis: “Jimmy thank you for all you do for MDA, and it’s a real nice thing you are doing for Tony Orlando. I Love You Back Jim.” Bobby Vee: “Great Show, and I Love your web site! I have it bookmarked in my favorite places, Keep Rockin’…” MORE DICK CLARK, BEATLES AND GREAT OLDIES From Wikipedia: Richard Wagstaff[1] “Dick” Clark (born November 30, 1929) is an American businessman;[2] game-show host; and radio and television personality. He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Clark Productions, which he has sold part of in recent years. Clark is best known for hosting long-running television shows such as American Bandstand,[2] five versions of the game show Pyramid, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Clark has long been known for his departing catchphrase, “For now, Dick Clark…so long,” delivered with a military salute, and for his youthful appearance, earning the moniker “America’s Oldest Teenager”, until he had a stroke in late 2004. With some speech ability still impaired, Clark returned to his New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show on December 31, 2005/January 1, 2006. Subsequently, he appeared at the Emmy Awards on August 27, 2006, and every New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show since then. On November 30, 2009, disc jockeys throughout the U.S. paid tribute to Clark on his 80th birthday. Early life, education and early career Clark was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, the son of Julia Fuller (née Barnard) Clark and Richard Augustus Clark. His only sibling, older brother Bradley, was killed in World War II. His career in show business began in 1945 when he started working in the mailroom of WRUN, a radio station owned by his uncle and managed by his father in Utica, New York. Clark was soon promoted to weatherman and news announcer. Clark attended A.B. Davis High School (now A.B. Davis Middle School) in Mount Vernon and Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York, and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity (Phi Gamma); he graduated in 1951 with a degree in business. Clark began his television career at station WKTV in Utica and was also subsequently a disc jockey on radio station WOLF in Syracuse. His first television-hosting job was on Cactus Dick and the Santa Fe Riders, a country-music program. He would later replace Robert Earle (who would later host the GE College Bowl) as a newscaster.[4] Main article: American Bandstand In 1952 Clark moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, more specifically to Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania,[5] and resided within the Drexelbrook Community where he was neighbors with Ed McMahon. There he took a job as a disc jockey at radio station WFIL. WFIL had an affiliated television station (now WPVI) with the same call sign which began broadcasting a show called Bob Horn’s Bandstand in 1952. Clark was a regular substitute host on the show and when Horn left, Clark became the full-time host on July 9, 1956. The show was picked up by the ABC television network, renamed American Bandstand, and was first aired nationally on August 5, 1957. On that day, Clark interviewed Elvis Presley. Clark also began investing in the music publishing and recording business in the 1950s. In 1959, the United States Senate opened investigations into “payola”, the practice of music-producing companies paying broadcasting companies to favor their product. Clark was a shareholder in the Jamie-Guyden Distributing Corporation, which nationally distributed Jamie and other non-owned labels. Clark sold his shares back to the corporation when ABC suggested that his participation might be considered as creating a conflict of interest. In 1960, when charges were levied against Clark by the Congressional Payola Investigations, he quietly divested himself of interests and signed an affidavit denying involvement.[7] Clark was not charged with any illegal activities. Unaffected by the investigation, American Bandstand was a major success, running daily Monday through Friday until 1963, then weekly on Saturdays until 1987. In 1964, the show moved from Philadelphia to Hollywood, California. A spin-off of the program, Where the Action Is, aired from 1965 to 1967, also on ABC. Charlie O’Donnell, a close friend of Clark’s and an up-and-coming fellow Philadelphia disc jockey, was chosen to be the announcer, which he served for ten years. O’Donnell was one of the announcers on the 1980s versions of Clark’s Pyramid game show; he continued to work with Clark on various specials and award shows until his death in November 2010. Clark produced American Bandstand for syndicated television and later the USA Network, a cable-and-satellite-television channel, until 1989. Clark also hosted the program in 1987 and 1988; David Hirsch hosted in 1989, its final year. American Bandstand and Dick Clark himself were honored at the 2010 Daytime Emmy Awards.[8] [edit] Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Main article: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest In 1972, Clark produced and hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, the first of an ongoing series of specials still broadcast on New Year’s Eve. Segments of the first broadcast can be seen in the motion picture Forrest Gump. The program has typically consisted of live remotes of Clark in Times Square in New York City, New York, counting down until the New Year ball comes down. After the ball drops, the focus of the program switches to musical segments taped prior to the show in Hollywood, California. The special is live in the Eastern Time Zone, and it is delayed for the other time zones so that they can ring in the New Year with Clark when midnight strikes in their area. ABC broadcast the event on every New Year’s Eve since 1972 except in 1999 due to the airing of ABC 2000 Today, news coverage of the milestone year hosted by Peter Jennings. In the more than three decades it has been on the air, the show has become a mainstay in U.S. New Year’s Eve celebrations. Before then, Guy Lombardo (a.k.a. “Mr. New Year’s Eve”), along with his big band orchestra, the Royal Canadians, had long been the main draw for New Year’s Eve broadcasts for radio and, later, for television (on CBS). Watching the ball in Times Square drop on Clark’s show is considered an annual cultural tradition for the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day holiday. Twice, Clark was not able to host his show. The first time happened at the end of 1999, going into 2000, due to ABC 2000 Today’. However, during that broadcast Clark, along with ABC News correspondent Jack Ford, announced his signature countdown to the new year. He was a correspondent, according to the transcript of the broadcast released by ABC News. Ford had been assigned to Times Square during the broadcast and thus Clark’s role was limited. Nevertheless, he won a Peabody Award for his coverage. The second time happened at the end of 2004, as he was recovering from his stroke; Regis Philbin substituted as host. The following year Clark returned to the show although Ryan Seacrest served as primary host. From December 31, 2005, Clark co-hosted New Year’s Rockin Eve with Seacrest. [edit] Pyramid game shows Main article: Pyramid (game show) Before Pyramid, Clark had two brief runs as a quiz-show host, presiding over The Object Is and then Missing Links. In a near twist of irony, on Missing Links, he replaced his former Philadelphia neighbor and subsequent TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes co-host, Ed McMahon, when the game show switched networks from NBC to ABC; NBC replaced Missing Links with Jeopardy!. Clark later became host of The $10,000 Pyramid, which premiered on CBS March 26, 1973 (the same day as The Young and the Restless). The show — a word association game created and produced by daytime television producer Bob Stewart — moved to ABC from 1974 to 1980, during which time the top prize was upgraded to $20,000. After a brief 1981 syndicated run as The $50,000 Pyramid, the show returned to CBS in 1982 as The $25,000 Pyramid, and continued through 1988, save for a three month break. From 1985 to 1988, Clark hosted both the CBS $25,000 version and a daily $100,000 Pyramid in syndication. His daytime versions of Pyramid won nine Emmy Awards for best game show, a mark that is eclipsed only by the eleven won by the syndicated version of Jeopardy!. It also won Clark three Emmy Awards for best game show host. Clark would return to Pyramid as a guest in later incarnations. During the premiere of the John Davidson version in 1990, Clark sent a pre-recorded message wishing Davidson well in hosting the show. In 2002, Clark played as a celebrity guest for three days on the Donny Osmond version. [edit] Radio programs Clark also had a long stint as a top-40 radio countdown show host. He began in 1963, hosting a radio program called The Dick Clark Radio Show. It was produced by Mars Broadcasting of Stamford, Connecticut. Despite his enormous popularity on American Bandstand, the show was only picked up by a few dozen stations and lasted less than a year. The show proved to be ahead of its time, becoming one of the earliest attempts at radio syndication. On March 25, 1972, Clark hosted American Top 40, filling in for Casey Kasem. Several years later, Clark would become one of AT40′s most enduring rivals. In 1981, he created The Dick Clark National Music Survey for the Mutual Broadcasting System. The program counted down the Top 30 contemporary hits of the week in direct competition with American Top 40. Clark left Mutual in 1986, and Charlie Tuna took over the National Music Survey. Clark then launched his own radio syndication group; the United Stations Radio Network, or Unistar, and took over the countdown program, “Countdown America”. It ran until 1994, when Clark sold Unistar to Westwood One Radio. The following year, Clark started over, building a new version of the USRN and a new countdown show: “The U.S. Music Survey”. He served as its host until his 2004 stroke. Dick Clark’s longest running radio show began on February 14, 1982. “Rock, Roll & Remember” was a four hour oldies show named after Clark’s 1976 autobiography. For the first three years, the program was co-hosted by Los Angeles radio veteran Mark Elliot. By 1985, Clark hosted the entire show. Pam Miller served as producer. Each week, Clark would profile a different artist from the Rock and Roll era. He would also highlight the events and music from a certain year in the 1950s 60′s or early 70′s. The show ended production when Clark suffered his 2004 stroke. However, re-runs continue to air in syndication and on Clark’s website “dickclarkonline.com”. Since 2009, Clark has merged elements of “Rock, Roll and Remember” with the syndicated oldies show, “Rewind with Gary Bryan”. The new show is called “Dick Clark Presents Rewind with Gary Bryan”. Bryan, a Los Angeles radio personality, serves as the main host. Clark contributes profile segments. [edit] Other television programs At the peak of his American Bandstand fame, Clark also hosted a thirty-minute Saturday night program called The Dick Clark Show (aka The Dick Clark Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show). It aired from February 15, 1958, until September 10, 1960, on the ABC television network. It was broadcast live from the “Little Theater” in New York City and was sponsored by Beech-Nut Gum. It featured the rock stars of the day lip synching their hits, just as on American Bandstand. However, unlike the afternoon Bandstand program which focused on the dance floor with the teen age audience demonstrating the latest dance steps, the audience of The Dick Clark Show (consisting mostly of squealing girls) sat in a traditional theater setting. While some of the musical numbers were presented simply, others were major production numbers. The high point of the show was the unveiling with great fanfare at the end of each program, by Clark, of the top ten records of the coming week.[9] This ritual became so embedded in popular culture that to this day it is satirized nightly by David Letterman. In the 1986 comedy-drama Peggy Sue Got Married, Kathleen Turner’s character after being transported back to the spring of 1960 is supposedly watching American Bandstand on television. The clip used in the movie, however, is actually of the Dick Clark Saturday night show, because the teen age audience is not dancing but sitting in a theater. In addition, members of the audience were wearing the “IFIC” buttons based upon the Beech-Nut Gum advertising slogan of the late 1950s (“It’s FlavorIFIC”). Beech-Nut sponsored the Clark Saturday night show and sponsored the top 10 countdown board on American Bandstand. The T.A.M.I. Show Collector’s Edition 1959 Dick Clark Photo Clearasil Lotion Medication Print Ad (16399)American Bandstand Collector’s Cards Signed Clark, Dick 8×10 B&W PhotoDick Clark – Movie Poster / Print — Custom Framing Available DICK CLARKFrom September 27 to December 20, 1959, Clark hosted a thirty-minute weekly talent/variety series entitled Dick Clark’s World of Talent at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday nights on ABC. A variation of producer Irving Mansfield’s earlier CBS series, This Is Show Business (1949–1956), it featured three celebrity panelists, including comedian Jack E. Leonard, judging and offering advice to amateur and semi-professional performers. While this show was not a success, during its nearly three month duration, Clark was one of the few personalities in television history on the air nationwide seven days a week.[9] Clark has been involved in a number of other television series and specials as producer and performer. One of his most well-known guest appearances was in the final episode of the original Perry Mason TV series (“The Case of the Final Fadeout”) in which he was revealed to be the killer in a dramatic courtroom scene. In 1973, he created the American Music Awards show, which he produces annually. Intended as competition for the Grammy Awards, in some years it gained a bigger audience than the Grammys due to being more in touch with popular trends. Clark attempted to branch into the realm of soul music with the series Soul Unlimited in 1973. The series, hosted by Buster Jones, was a more risqué and controversial imitator of the then-popular series Soul Train and alternated in the Bandstand time slot. The series lasted for only a few episodes. Despite a feud between Clark and Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius, the two would later collaborate on several specials featuring black artists. He hosted the short-lived Dick Clark’s LIVE Wednesday in 1978. In 1984, Clark produced and co-hosted with Ed McMahon the NBC series TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes. The series ran through 1988 and continued in specials hosted by Clark (sometimes joined by another TV personality) into the 21st century, first on NBC, later on ABC, and currently on TBS (the last version re-edited into in 15 minute/filler segments airing at about 5 A.M.). Clark and McMahon were longtime Philadelphia acquaintances, and McMahon has praised Clark for first bringing him together with future TV partner Johnny Carson when all three worked at ABC in the late 1950s. The “Bloopers” franchise stems from the Clark-hosted (and produced) NBC “Bloopers” specials of the early 1980s, inspired by the books, record albums and appearances of Kermit Schafer, a radio and TV producer who first popularized outtakes of broadcasts. For a period of several years in the 1980s, Clark simultaneously hosted regular programs on the 3 major American television networks: ABC (Bandstand), CBS (Pyramid) and NBC (Bloopers) and in 1993, he hosted Scattergories. In 1990 and 1991, he hosted the syndicated television game show The Challengers, which only lasted for one season. In 1999, along with Bob Boden, he was one of the executive producers of Fox’s TV game show Greed, which ran from November 5, 1999, to July 14, 2000, and was hosted by Chuck Woolery. At the same time, Clark also hosted the Stone-Stanley-created Winning Lines, which ran for six weeks on CBS from January 8, 2000 – February 12, 2000. From 2001 to 2003, Clark was a co-host of The Other Half with Mario Lopez, Danny Bonaduce, and Dorian Gregory, a syndicated daytime talk show intended to be the male equivalent of The View. Clark also produced the television series American Dreams about a Philadelphia family in the early 1960s whose daughter is a regular on American Bandstand. The series ran from 2002 to 2005. [edit] Other media appearances He made a brief appearance in the 2002 documentary film Bowling for Columbine. He was criticized for hiring poor, unwed mothers to work long hours in his chain of restaurants for little pay. The mother in particular works over 80 hours per week and is unable to make rent and gets evicted which results in her having her son stay at his uncle’s house. At his uncle’s house the boy finds a gun and brings it to school where he shoots another first grader. In the documentary footage featuring Clark, Michael Moore tries to approach him to inform him of the welfare policies that allow for these conditions and questions him about the people he employs and the tax breaks he takes advantage of employing welfare users; in response, Clark refuses to answer any of Moore’s questions, shutting the car door and driving off. Clark also appeared in interview segments of another 2002 film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, which was based on the “unauthorized autobiography” of Chuck Barris. (Barris had worked backstage on Clark’s American Bandstand as a standards-and-practices person.) In the 2002 Dharma and Greg episode “Mission: Implausible”, Greg is the victim of a college prank and comes up with an elaborate plan to retaliate. Part of the plan involves his use of a disguise kit, and the first disguise chosen is Dick Clark. During the fantasy sequence showing the unfolding of the plan, the real Clark plays Greg wearing his disguise. He also made a brief cameo in two episodes of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In one episode he plays himself at a Philadelphia diner and in the other he helps Will Smith’s character show bloopers from past episodes of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. [edit] Stroke and appearances since [edit] Initial news In 2003, it was revealed that Clark had Type 2 diabetes,[10] and on December 8, 2004, he was hospitalized in Los Angeles after suffering what was initially termed a minor stroke. Clark’s spokesman, Amy Streibel, said that he was hospitalized but was expected to be fine. However, on December 13, 2004, it was announced that Clark would be unable to host his annual New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast, that had aired for all but one year since 1972 (in 1999, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve was preempted with the Peter Jennings-hosted[11] ABC 2000 Today though Clark did perform his traditional countdown).[11] For the 2004 show, Regis Philbin was the substitute host,[12] and during the show on December 31, 2004, he gave his best wishes to Clark.[12] Return to television While having not been seen in public anywhere since his stroke, on August 15, 2005, Clark announced in a statement that he would be back in Times Square for the annual tradition, bringing on Hilary Duff and Ryan Seacrest as co-hosts and Seacrest as co-executive producer. Also in the press release, it was announced that Seacrest would eventually take over as the sole host should Clark decide to retire as the host on the program. On December 31, 2005, Clark made his return to television, returning to the Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast, having noticeable difficulty speaking, slurring his famous countdown to the new year. During the program, Clark remained behind a desk, and was shown only in limited segments. On-air, he said, “Last year I had a stroke. It left me in bad shape. I had to teach myself how to walk and talk again. It’s been a long, hard fight. My speech is not perfect but I’m getting there.” Before counting down to 2006, he mentioned he “wouldn’t have missed this (the telecast) for the world.” Reaction to Clark’s appearance was mixed, reported CNN.com. While some TV critics (including Tom Shales of The Washington Post, in an interview with the CBS Radio Network) felt he was not in good enough shape to do the broadcast, stroke survivors and many of Clark’s fans praised him for being a role model for people dealing with post-stroke recovery. Subsequent appearances Clark also appeared on the 2006 Emmy Award telecast on August 27, 2006. He was introduced by Simon Cowell, after the show paid tribute to his successful career that has spanned decades. He was shown seated behind a lectern, and although his speech was still slurred, he was able to address the audience and introduce Barry Manilow’s performance. For the 2006-07 and 2007-08 ABC New Year’s Eves, Clark still exhibited noticeably slurred and somewhat breathless speech, but improved from previous years, in addition to using his arms again. For the 2008–09 broadcast, he increased his hosting duties to the point where he split duties roughly evenly with Seacrest during the half-hour leading up to the ball drop. For the 2009-10 countdown show, he spoke with improved verbal expression, as well as improved head and arm dexterity, but incorrectly counted down, counting “…14, 12, 10, 11, 10, 9…”. In previous years following the stroke, Clark had only hosted the countdown and one brief segment. Clark was honored at The 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on CBS TV. It was a tribute to his 40 years hosting American Bandstand. Entertainment ventures Restaurants Dick Clark’s AB Grill in Branson, Missouri (November 2007). Clark has a stake in a chain of music-themed restaurants licensed under the names “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill”, “Dick Clark’s AB Grill”, “Dick Clark’s Bandstand — Food, Spirits & Fun” and “Dick Clark’s AB Diner”. There are currently three airport locations in Newark, New Jersey; Phoenix, Arizona; and Salt Lake City, Utah, one location in the Molly Pitcher travel plaza on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury, New Jersey, and one location at “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater” in Branson, Missouri.[14] Theaters “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater” opened in Branson in April 2006. A new theater and restaurant called “Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Music Complex” opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in June 2007. In October 2007, since nearby residents complained about the outside concerts performed at the new complex, it has been emptied of its contents and the box office closed temporarily. It was reopened in 2009 with new renovations for indoor concert performances. Personal life Clark has been married three times. His first marriage was to Barbara Mallery in 1952; the couple had one son, Richard A. (named after his father), and divorced in 1961. He married Loretta Martin in 1962; the couple had two children, Duane and Cindy, and divorced in 1971. Since July 7, 1977, Clark has been married to Kari Wigton. Youthful longevity references Before his stroke, Clark’s continuous youthful appearance drew attention to the point of becoming a subject of jokes in other forms of comedy entertainment and popular culture, most notably his famous nickname of “America’s Oldest Living Teenager”. One of Gary Larson’s The Far Side cartoons has the caption, “Suddenly, on a national talk show in front of millions of viewers, Dick Clark ages 200 years in 30 seconds.” In Episode 320 of Mystery Science Theater 3000, John Carradine – playing a mad scientist in the movie The Unearthly – is trying to get another character to consider eternal life when he says, “Suppose you could wake up every morning and see your face untouched by time.” Crow replies, “Like Dick Clark?” In “Police Squad: Testimony of Evil (Dead Men Don’t Laugh),” Dick Clark, appearing as himself, purchases Secret Formula Youth Cream from street snitch Johnny the Shoeshine.” [15] Notable awards\ The T.A.M.I. Show Collector’s Edition 1959 Dick Clark Photo Clearasil Lotion Medication Print Ad (16399)American Bandstand Collector’s Cards Signed Clark, Dick 8×10 B&W Photo

DICK CLARK

Do You Remember
picnics in the park
Do you remember
Dancing in the dark
Do you remember
Lying in the sand
All these special moments
We had in wonderland

If I could take these precious moments
Put them in a box
If I could feel these times once more
I’d turn back the clock
Wouldn’t it be wonderful
The way that things were then
I would like to turn back time
Live it all again

Do you remember
Stealing that first kiss
Do you remember
Falling in love like this
Time goes by so swiftly
Time goes by so fast
I want to have these good times
I want our love to last

[Spanish section]

Do you remember
the meaning of romance
Do you remember
when we took the chance
Wouldn’t it be wonderful
Not to think of sorrow
I want all my yesterdays
To be my bright tomorrows

If I could take these precious moments
Put them in a box
If I could feel these times once more
I’d turn back the clock
Wouldn’t it be wonderful
The way that things were then
I would like to turn back time
Live it all again

Times change, People change and Neil Sedaka remains one of the few consistencies in the world today. Yes, Sedaka is very much going strong -with a new album and live appearances- as he has been doing for over five decades..  While the music scene is vastly different today  Sedaka’s singing and playing i as good as ever.  ‘The Music of My Life,’ just released after over a year in the making, consists of original Sedaka material with an emphasis on looking back at his long, successful career.    ‘Music of my Life’ and is an eclectic mix of the many styles Sedaka drawn on in his storied career. The opener, ‘Do You Remember?’ has already become a hit in England  -yes, that’s right – make it five, no , that’s SIX DECADES of hits for Sedaka!. Anyway, Do You Remember is an infectious, Salsa-styled number that harkens back to the ‘good d old days.’ Unlike many vintage artists who will pass off the changing times as ‘Our parents said the same thing about our music and times’.  Sedaka seems more adamant. Listen to the lyrics closely – and not in just the opening song but many of them- and you will see that he is not  afraid to speak his mind. In other words, much of life today sucks (if you will)-  most of the  music, movies and TV.  Good for you Neil for telling it like it is. . If only more people would stand up and reject the status quo. Thankfully, we have Neil and scarily few other true ‘throwbacks’  still staying true to the good stuff.

There’s a little bit of everything on this  new CD, including a fine doo-wop effort and ‘You,’ a classic Sedaka ballad brought back from a few years ago. Though some of the old innocense may be gone from this CD, its still got its share of ‘Happy Days’ ; I like the patented Sedaka storybook lyrics like ‘wonderland’ included on ‘Do You Remember.’This is one of Sedaka’s strongest albums ever, we’ll let you discover the rest of it…. Go to this Amazon link for a nice price and ENJOY! Also, you can keep in touch with Sedaka and his busy schedule – TV appearances like Huckabee , below — and regular touring at: NeilSedaka.com  or listen here just for the melody of 01 Do You Remember but buy the entire CD !

In her quiet way, Doris Day continues to spread  joy  and not only with her music and films.  Residents and visitors  – two legged and four-legged – of  Carmel-By-The -Sea,  California are in for a treat as they reside or  visit in this beautiful beach  town near Monterey.   We were   unexpected recipients of  Day’s Happy Day Vibes  late January.

After dining at the excellent Grill on Ocean Avenue, we asked our waiter about any local spots where we could hear some music.  He said we were in luck, to walk down a couple blocks to the Cypress Inn.   Surprisingly  unfamiliar  with this place,  we came upon a beautiful 30s-era smalllish  Mediterranean   white stucco hotel.  Once inside the front door we were greeted by a small group of people and dogs(!) in a living-room setting with a pianist and flugelhornist playing jazz .   It was something rather unimaginable in this day an age.  The pianist, who turned out to be the well-known Dick Whittington and fellow musician , whose name we failed to write down, were  putting on what amounted to a private concert of world-class vintage  jazz as we reclined on couches, sipping drinks.  Everyone , both two legged and four legged , in the room couldn’t have been more friendly, including the artists themselves. The unplanned experience was like something from another time and place.  I can’t wait to go back to see what next time will have in store.  Whittington, a transplant from Berkeley, CA , plays every  Friday and Saturday with various renown guest artists.

Just experiencing the charming Cypress Inn was an experience in itself  but learning that Doris Day was part owner,  as was her late musical son, Terry Melcher, made it even more special. The retiscent Day was no doubt talked into allowing old movie posters (Pajama Game, etc.) and record  album covers to adorn the walls near ‘Terry’s Lounge,  an elegant classy but non-ostentatious bar which now serves tribute to Melcher, who had quite a remarkable, if under-appreciated career of his own as producer, musician and entrepeneur.   It’s obvious that   Day does not run the Cypress solely for profit , judging by the quality of music and charm we witnessed and not the number of  people who could squeeze into the place -  a gift for humans to enjoy with their  four-legged friends.  Their may not be another venue like it anywhere. Cats as well as dogs are welcome to stay overnight in the Inn along with their folks.

Usually one thinks of  Clint Eastwood as the person most synonymous with Carmel but that seems to have changed – at least for us…  Day is probably singly responsible  for making Carmel one of the most dog and pet-friendly towns anywhere.  Of course,  Doris Day is probably more famous today, especially among younger people, for her Doris Day Animal Federation, which helps rehabiliate and find homes for dogs and cats, most recently having sent relief help to Haiti for all the abandoned and injured pets in the earthquake.

Going from her  prototypical 50s image as the wholesome girl   next store to a later life filled with much sadness -  a number of failed marriages including brutality and the loss and associated tragedies involving   her devoted son Terry,  who, by the way , helped run DDAF,  Day no doubt takes solace in the animals and  in the contributions she has made.

Doris Day may be in her late 80s but, in our book its only a number and as one will witness at SeniorCountry.com ( to come) with  Jack LaLanne, Art Linkletter and others, people can be vibrant at any age while  others’ lives  are basically over at much younger ages.

Doris Day, we are told, rarely has made public appearances in many years.  Though we wish she did ,  for our own selfish reasons,  we can understand why this kind sole, who has helped so many others and not gotten back nearly what she deserves, must take life like the words of her signature song, ‘Que Sera Sera’.  We can only wish her the very best  for many more years doing what she does so well , while we continue listening  to her  beautiful music and watching those fun, uplifting movies. Perhaps this little mention will alert others to what Doris Day is about today, and perhaps bring some joy into their lives too, whether it be at the Cypress or somewhere in Carmel, or just enjoying the music and movies. Doris Day, one of a kind. Great to have her with us!

Find one of the most under-rated doo-wop groups ever, which continues performing today in classic form. The Pentagon’s never had a hit go higher than #48 on the Billboard charts (‘To Be Loved,’ 1961) but they probably deserved alot better fate. Lead singer Joe C. Jones hails from the West Coast (San Bernardino) , which may be part of the problem, since the bulk of doo-wop comes from the East. Plus, when the song was recorded, in 1961. doo-wop was already fading from the music scene as surf and lighter sounds were taking its place.
We caught Jones and his new Pentagons at an a recent appearance in Livermore, Calfronial, after having seen him a few years earlier in Modesto. If there’s a better , more classic sounding ddo-wop group going today, hits or no hits, I’d like to hear them. ‘To Be Loved’ couild have gone Top 10 a few years earlier. Their other early songs, as found on their CD, Then and Now, are very strong, especially ‘I Wonder,’ ‘I’m In Love’ and ‘She’s Mine.’
The song writing is classic doo-wop, the singing impeccable.
Jones singing remains spectacular today; I can’t think of another lead singer who has maintained the quality and sound of his early records. He’s done well to find two backup singers that round out this talented trio. Why they haven’t been given a spot on PBS’ doo-wop series is a mystery. Will have to talk to that TJ Lubinski. Afterall, he’s all the way over in Pittsburg, which again, is part of the probelm. Anywy, check out this rare interview with San Bernardino-raised Joe Jones on LaneQuigley’s fine Rocket Radio show, then listen to a couple cuts before you go out and get the CD, Then and No w. Enjoy!  Now that you’ve got a sample you can find the Pentagons CD ‘Then and After’ at Amazon by clicking here

BLUE RAIN: It’s not  your 50s/60s oldies per se, but in  Blake’s new CD he infuses  much of the  musical history he has witnessed since his breakout in 1964. Mister Blake, or Blake today,  of Vancouver, had a regional hit in 1964, covering Dusty Springfield’s ‘I Only Want To Be With You.‘  After that, the music scene changed and most artists including Blake’s Canadian compatriots like Bobby Curtola (Fortune Teller)  , Buddy Knox ((Party Doll) and even Paul Anka  had to take day jobs for awhile  to pay the bills. But,almost 5 decades later Blake has never forgotten his roots. He still would love nothing better than a hit record -er,  CD or download.  And, who knows. this could be the one…   ‘Blue Rain’ has a wide appeal as it covers the various styles he has grown up with, including disco, dance, electronica,  country and  a good bit of roots ‘oldies’ woven in. Order the CD and read more about Blake at MisterBlake.com . By the way, it’s interesting that Blake chose Blue Rain as the title song, Blake’s early hero, Roy Orbison, had a minor hit with Blue Rain in the 60s, but it is a totally different song. If you listen closely to the CD you may hear some Roy Orbison references or samplings. Experience has surely helped Blake grow over the years as both singer and songwriter. All songs – written by Blake and Andy Smyth, except Jubilation – are strong, especially the opening three, in this writer’s opinion, namely ‘Blue Rain’, ‘I’m in Deep’, ‘Sex, Lies and Changing Times,‘ the latter which interestingly chronicles  Blake’s and society’s wild ride  through the past several decades. Also of special interest are the last songs on the CD which include Blake’s version of fellow Canadian Paul Anka’s ‘Jubilation’ and, an updated remake of Blake’s biggest hit, ‘I Only Want To Be With You.’  Sample one of the many fine songs , ‘Hit or Miss’ , at Amazon by clicking here.

Dick Clark single handedly kept rock and roll alive throught the fifties into the sixties when many thought it was a flash in the pan


wild ride
wild ride
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Health Highlights: April 18 2012 - healthfinder.gov

It’s been about a year or more since we lost radio news legend Paul Harvey.  We were always amazed how Harvey kept going on , despite some derision of his politics. But, Harvey, it seemed, got along with everyone and was youthful for his years. He would pass off people he didn’t care for with a joke or a light-hearted jab, not mean-spirited like some today.   Not surprisingly, nobody was able to take Harvey’s place, it appears. Mike Huckabee and the Huckabee Report does a good job, and is one of the few programs today  that gives time to some of the older  celebs, like his recent interview with Sedaka (see above).   I , like many used to pass Harvey off as an ‘old coot’ until I saw him on aLarry King interview and, much like with Ronald Reagan, I was impressed with his low-key, self-effacing and humorous style. It wasn’t long after his beloved ‘Angel’  (pictured above in their native Chicago) passed that so did Harvey,   age 90. Maybe not so surprisingly  I guess.  Now, whenever I hear the commercials for pharmaceuticals, such as High Health Occular Nutrition , I think of Harvey.