WANTED: CELEBRATION “ALMOST SUMMER” featuring MIKE LOVE (CKLW Version) Single 45
We are searching for the 1978 CKLW Version of this special Detroit themed (click here for audio) 45 single for a future project. Any information regarding this record, whether it may still exists somewhere out there and whether the 45 vinyl source can be available for purchase (or even a 132-bit kbps mp3 audio [stereo?] download from the vinyl source) please write to jim@mcrfb.com
We know there were at least three radio versions of “ALMOST SUMMER” which were specially recorded by CELEBRATION for these major markets in 1978: Los Angeles (KRTH), Detroit (CKLW) and New York (99X).
The above record photo is the L.A. radio KRTH 101 version. Any help or information locating “Almost Summer” (the CKLW Version) on vinyl would be appreciated.
Hi Folks,
WOW! I never thought I’d ever get to enjoy the CKLW version of this song, back when I was a teen (growing up & living in Long Island) 99X was “My” radio station, and I fondly recall listening to WXLO & enjoying their custom version of Almost Summer. I was in awe of how the radio station was able to get them to record a special version, .. anyway – years later, when I learned more about radio & understood the concept of customizing songs for markets, it made sense to me. Although I don’t have nearly as pristine a copy of your version of the CKLW version, for what it’s worth, I do have a copy I recorded off air during the morning drive program (which, at the time was the: Jay Thomas program)
I thought I would share a copy of that with you should you be interested in hearing it.
http://www.mediafire.com/?bead6vjk6b2edk1
Enjoy! & thanks for posting this CKLW version, it was really cool to listen to.
Cheers,
~JT
Thanks Ted — we appreciated the fact you found us here, with more of Celebration, on Motor City Radio Flashbacks! WE appreciate the link to the 99X version of that Mike Love hit as well from Long Island. Excellent comments in regards and glad you enjoyed dropping by for a listen to our CKLW version of Celebration from 1978….
THe most accurate info I have is that Celebration and Mike Love customized the song for about two dozen radio stations across the country. Listening to the XLO version, it’s clear that some of them were just minor customizations.
ONLY KRTH was pressed into vinyl format (backed with the regular version of the song). The rest were tape distributed. The movie version is different from the record version and is longer, including an extra verse incorporating the names of the different Beach Boys into it.
I wish I could find more of the versions…
If anyone comes across a 99X WXLO NY City version copy of “Almost Summer” for sale please let me know here or at my station. Thank you very much.