WEEKEND WITH OLD FRIENDS AND KOOL 101

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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Neil Diamond

WHAT IS AN OLDIE? --- I spent the weekend with a bunch of old friends … mostly of the musical variety:The Kinks, Tommy James and the Shondells, Jackie Wilson, Glen Campbell, Herman's Hermits, Stevie Wonder; The Supremes; Paul Revere and the Raiders, Neil Diamond, The Ventures, Sly & The Family Stone, Seekers, Monkees, and, Three Dg Night. Yes, it's true I only heard them on the radio, but my memories of hearing them for the first time shot back to me like a series of electric shocks. I was listening to Kool 101 via New London, Connecticut, and, to tell you the truth … I loved it. Funny thing about oldies stations … they grow on you - ha ha! Everything on the station you've heard before, so the so-called familiarity factor is right up there. In fact, not only did I love hearing them again, but it appears that the more prominent ones also came with their one homegrown memories; my first summer away from home or those first few precious days in college. I tell you, I heard a ton of Supreme's records (especially their last official record as a group "Someday We'll Be Together") ; I immediately liked them when I first hear them years ago, but they've seem to have held up quite well. Also, The Kinks sounded particularly good, as did those early Neil Diamond songs. My friend Kent Kotal who conceived and operates the site Forgotten Hits has turned me onto the whole oldies-wave movement in a way I never got into it before. Its a tremendous site: www.ForgottenHits.com. Kent's knowledge is extraordinary and he continually poses some really thoughtful questions and observations. His most recent posting about 'How many original members of a group do there have to be to consider it a full reunion?' had me thinking for days. Also, a re occurring question is: 'What constitutes an oldie?' I've pondered this question a lot and the answers are varied: from the group not being around any longer; to the group not touring any longer, or ... what? I'd be curious to hear some more answers. Many of these so-called legacy groups don't record any longer and basically generate money only by touring ... and thus, performing their hits. I remember several years back when the group Vanilla Fudge wanted to record some new songs ... but, no one was interested. They only wanted them to record their hits ... again! Let's face it, the audiences who go to see them live, are going to hear the hits only; a new track would only confuse them. It's funny, I used to unceremoniously disown oldies station ever before I heard them; I guess since I'm now an oldie myself ... they're OK? It was a great weekend.


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APES RISE? --- We've been hinting for weeks that Rise of the Planet of the Apes could well be a hidden gem among this summer's movies. It opened to an astounding 54 million, so, not a bad debut at all. I read one review that said most all of the apes were 100% computer-generated and that was the real draw of the movie; to see this breathtaking technology in all its glory. Really! I thought the story and the acting usually drove a hit movie. Look how far we've come ... or, gone!

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Christy Turlington Burns

HAMPTON SIGHTINGS --- You never know who you're going to see walking down Main Street in East Hampton. This past weekend found an array of odd, random choices: Liev Schreiber; Betsey Johnson; and Christy Turlington (still looking as fab as ever!!!). What a trio!

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Marcia Cross

HOUSEWIVES END WITH CHERRY ON TOP -- I have to admit it, I never watched this show after its rather luscious premiere. I loved the opener, but quickly lost interest as it developed into a lower-class Dynasty, though you do have to admire the actors involved and the fact that it lasted all these years. But, ABC and creator Marc Cherry have decided this next season, their 8th, will be their last. Marcia Cross (Bree) called it bittersweet and hopes that all her former flames will return one last appearance. I can't quite add them all up, but frequent viewers tell me that it would indeed be a marvelous touch. Apparently, Cherry will wrap up the series by revisiting the Mary Alice murder-mystery that started it all; even though that arc has apparently already been wrapped up once already. Even Nicolette Sheridan, who appears to be in a lawsuit with Cherry, is rumored to come back. Marc Strong who narrates Mary Alice whose murder opened the series, but has rarely been seen on the show expects to be on more episodes this season as well. Cherry has a unique opportunity to end this show not with a whimper, but with a sharply written exit. We'll see what happens.

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Kyoji Yamamoto

KYOJI IN NYC --- On the news of Kyoji Yamamoto's first appearance in U.S. appearance since 1978 (at Klub 45 in midtown Manhattan in September), comes word that appearing with him will be Karl Wilcox, drummer for the legendary Brit-band Diamond Head, who have appeared of late with Metallica and Megadeth. Again, we can't recommend highly enough Kyoji's track “The Story of a Little White Whale” off the current compilation CD of Kyoji's on Bruce Pegg's City Boy Records.


Photos By: RD/Leon/Dziekan/Retna