December 2014 – Motor City Radio Flashbacks

IN LOSING A FRIEND. REMEMBERING GEORGE GRIGGS

Remembering the Loss of Our Friend, George L. Griggs (1949-2014) Founder, Motor City Radio Flashbacks

A Final Thought in Closing Out 2014

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DETROIT (December 31) — Since November 6, 2013, when we first began tabulating the number of hits here, this website has experienced the successes you’ve enjoyed by your visits and stays at Motor City Radio Flashbacks. Just shy under an amazing three million website pages hits. Thank you.

On that note I am pleased to inform you we’ve experienced a most extraordinary year — a year soon having passed in the next 24-hours — by your recurring stops here on Motor City Radio Flashbacks throughout this past year.

**GEORGE GRIGGS** (1949-2014) January 27, 1985

But on a sad note it has been a difficult 2014 year, here, as well. Sadly, and with much regret it was announced here when we lost our dear friend. The one man who, in part, was responsible for creating and bringing this website to us here today, it’s founder, George Griggs.

Many of you did not know. Within three months into the new year, 2014, and much to my dismay then in learning the sudden, bad news, I recall my stunned reaction when George personally informed me he had prostate cancer.

While some may or may not have noticed, it was during a stretch George was for the most part visibly absent here. During those days he was undergoing medical treatments to eradicate the cancer. That was sometime beginning in March, through June, earlier in the year. After having gone through 8-10-weeks of medical treatments to kill the disease, we were both elated, relieved with the final good news the outcome was a clean success.

But shortly sometime in the ensuing weeks thereafter, after some time having passed, I noticed George was not participating much on the website again.

I last saw George in mid-August, having met at a restaurant engagement planned with our other longtime friend, our other “Detroit radio” friend, Greg Innis. While I thought he looked well at the time, he confined in us he hasn’t been feeling well for several weeks, then. He later needlessly apologized in an email he sent me for “not having felt too well” as he related later on, that he had “other things going on in his mind,” as he stated, during our lunch meet that one afternoon.

Sometime later George would email me this message, dated, September 4. As quoted in part, below —

Hey Jim, not good news. Well I had a CT scan done the other day and it’s not good. I have a mass tumor in my lung that is cancer. Don’t know any more now. I am having a PET Scan done on Saturday morning. So here it goes….

I need plenty of prayers Jim…. But I need to deal with it.

Will not know anything more until Monday…. I am not much to talk to. I hope I will be soon!

Take care Jim

Understandably in having to deal with any dreaded disease such as this it then becomes a personal and private family matter. Days turned into weeks. During which time we were not able to obtain further word on George’s medical condition. Respecting the family’s privacy, we just didn’t really know how bad it really had become.

Having becoming too ill and no longer able to contribute to the website, he posted his last feature on September 29, 2014.

Surrounded by his immediate family, his wife, Patty, his son, Scott, and daughter, Gina, George Griggs peacefully passed away in his home while in hospice care, Tuesday morning, October 28, 2014.

In wake of his recent passing a void is felt in our lives today.

On a more personal side, I am grateful to have known him as a true friend. A friend I found to be humorous. A friend I found to be gracious, caring, and loving. First and foremost towards his family, likewise, towards his closest friends. The same George I’ve come to know throughout the past nineteen years.

As Art Vuolo succinctly termed it well, George Griggs is the “Keeper Of The Radio Flame.”

It has been 63 days now. George Griggs is invisible as he is silent. But he remains vibrant here on this site, in our hearts and in our thoughts with every passing day. He may be gone. But he is not forgotten.

In closing, we knew about his established love for Detroit radio and its history will live on. Here on his website. We shall carry on in his memory.

To our good friend, farewell . . . . farewell George. May you rest forevermore in God’s heavenly peace.

Jim Feliciano

Wednesday, December 31, 2014 12:10 a.m.

A LOOK BACK: ‘U.S. ROCKS AND REELS FROM BEATLES’ INVASION’ . . . FEBRUARY 15, 1964

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

‘NEW YORK CITY CRAWLING WITH BEATLEMANIA’

**BEATLEMANIA! Billboard, February 15, 1964**

NEW YORK — In the New York City and Jersey areas record dealers and one-stops are reporting sales in large numbers on the Beatles.

Beatles arrive in New York City, JFK Airport, Friday, February 7, 1964 (Click on image for larger size). — The Beatles arrive in New York City, JFK Airport, Friday, February 7, 1964 *(Click on image for larger size).*

New York’s Colony Records store reports that the Beatles sales are “real big” on the Capitol, Swan and Vee-Jay versions. The store also noted increasing sales on these records throughout the weeks.

Stedman 1-Stop, Mount Vernon, New Jersey, said that sales on the Beatles’ started out as an explosion, then settled down to consistent and steady sales.” The outlet is expecting “another big blast” this week as a result of the group’s New York visit and appearance on CBS-TV “The Ed Sullivan Show” Sunday night (February 9).

The Capitol and Swan diskings have been selling “almost in equal volume” at the Mount Vernon outlet, with little or no sales on the Vee-Jay or M-G-M disks.

E. J. Korvette in downtown Manhattan completely sold out all of its Beatles’ product by the end of last week. The large discount store is gearing for a rush on Monday as a result of activities over the weekend (in New York City).

A Beatles records store-front display in Mount Vernon, New Jersey, February, 1964. (Click on image for larger size). — A Beatles records store-front display, Mount Vernon, New Jersey, 1964. *(Click on image for larger size).*

The Al Levin Record store in New York City reports the Beatles’ offering on Swan as the leading seller with the Capitol version trailing not far behind. The store reports no sales for the group on Vee-Jay or MGM.

A somewhat different picture is painted by the Record Shack here, which describes the sales of Beatles’ records steady here throughout the weeks with the Capitol Record “far in the lead” and followed by the Swan release. The outlet also reported no sales response to the Vee-Jay and MGM waxings. The store is also preparing for an onslaught of Beatles record buyers this week as a direct result of the Beatles’ appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

WWDC radio has proclaimed February 11 as “Beatles Day” in the nation’s capitol, and in honor of the special occasion deejay Carroll James will do his afternoon show from the site of the Beatles first “live” appearance in the United States — The Washington Coliseum.

Beatles In Washington Concert newspaper ad, The Washington Star, February 9, 1964. (Click on image for larger view). — Beatles Washington Coliseum newspaper ad, *The Washington Star,* February 9, 1964. *(Click on image for larger view).*

When the now-famous Beatles arrive in Washington, an unusual “art” exhibit demonstrating a facet of U.S. culture will greet the British vocal group. The station, believing the Beatles have had a profound influence on our culture, has asked its listeners to send any pictures from magazines, newspapers or whatever, with a Beatle haircut drawn on the subject.

The grand winner, the entrant judged to be the most “original,” will receive $100.00, with all others judged unusual enough to display, will be awarded $12.60 each. WWDC will display the “winners” art at the Coliseum tomorrow night, (February 11), the night of the concert.

New York’s WNIS is pulsating with Beatlemania. The station reports that for the first time Beatles’ recording occupy first, second, and third place on their musical playlist. In first place is their Capitol recording of “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” followed closely by “She Loves You” on Swan, and finally, the Vee-Jay waxing, “Please, Please Me.”

The Group W station has upstaged CBS-TV by taping exclusive Beatles which were aired once an hour Thursday (February 6) and Friday (February 7). On Sunday, at 7 p.m., one hour before their scheduled debut on the “Ed Sullivan Show,” the Beatles were heard on WINS in a 30-minute special.

The in-person interviews were obtained for WINS through the actions of their European correspondents Rod MacLeish and Jim Anderson in London and Bernard Redmont in Paris. The bureau also provided its it’s New York outlet with Beatles wigs which have been awarded to listeners via an on-air contest. Also awarded were tickets to the Beatles February 12 Carnegie Hall concert.

Brad Philips revived his old 1956 “Battle Of The Baritones,” Sunday (February 9) from 8 a.m. to p.m. on WINS. This time, however, Philips is labeling the action “Battle Of The Groups.” The winners, to be determined by votes sent in by listeners, will battle it out again next Sunday and in ensuing weeks.

WMCA, New York, has been running a Beatles wig contest. The “Good Guys” are seeking listeners to take photos of their friends or from newspapers and paint Beatles wigs on them. The station is awarding $57 to the first two most original entries, with another 998 winners receiving a 45 r.p.m. disk featuring photos of the group and the “Good Guys” on specially made record jackets. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; February 15, 1964)

Beatle fans converge near Plaza Hotel, awaiting the arrival of the Beatles. New York City, February 7, 1964. (Click on image for largest view). — **Beatle fans converge near Plaza Hotel, awaiting the arrival of the Beatles. New York City, February 7, 1964.** (*Click on image for largest view).*

“A TASTE OF BEATLEMANIA ’64” * WCBS Radio NYC * February, 1964

**Beatlemania in full effect. The Beatles Indianapolis concert, later in 1964. The Indianapolis State Fair, Indianapolis, Indiana, September 3, 1964.** *(Click on image for larger size).*

50TH! LOOKING BACK: THE FAB FOUR ON VEE-JAY ’64!

‘HEAR THE BEATLES TELL ALL’ * The Beatles * Vee-Jay Records (1964)

A LOOK BACK: CHICAGO FLIPS WIG; BEATLES AND OTHERWISE . . . FEBRUARY 15, 1964

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

‘U.S. Rocks and Reels From Beatles’ Invasion’

CHICAGO — The usually staid and conservative Midwest has virtually flipped its wig over the mop-headed Beatles from Liverpool.

Dealers describe Beatlemania as the most virulent form of record fever since the heyday of such artists as Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers.

Even then, neither Presley nor the Everlys had more than one record going for them at one time. Currently, the Beatles have no less than four singles and three albums.

Record store are filled with different forms of Beatles promotion material than often defy the imagination. Even the discount houses, traditionally slow to use point of sale material from any ony one diskery, even they have gotten on the bandwagon.

Radio Promotion

**WLS 890 AM**, Chicago, dated February 21, 1964 *(click on image for larger PC view).*

Radio likewise are running radio promotions, and in all cases, playing the records like mad.

WLS, the big singles-selling powerhouse, has had a pair of promos by its two evening deejays, Art Roberts and Ron Reilly, and is in the throes in starting a Beatles’ fan club.

WYNR, the big McLendon Corporation rocker, has been pushing Beatles’ records despite a recent station policy switch to an otherwise R&B format.

Even WIND, the MOR Westinghouse outlet, last Friday (February 7) decided to add a Beatles’ record to its playlist (“She Love You” on Swan).

The university radio station at nearby Notre Dame played “I Want To Hold Your Hand” for one hour straight last week and students responded by storming the studio en masse (though whether in approval or protest, no one was able to confirm otherwise).

Jim Lounsberry, king of the teenage hop-specialists here, planned a Beatles Dance for his Sunday hop in Elgin, Illinois, and was placing television sets around the hall so the kids could see the Beatles during their history-making appearance on CBS’ Ed Sullivan show.

Only the so-called “good music” stations were turning a deaf ear to the Four Charmers from England but with the way Beatles’ records were selling, nobody really seemed to care.

Capitol branch manager Tom Beckwith said he had moved over 100,000 Beatles’ LP’s and over 150,000 Beatles singles. He said in the ten years he’s been in the record business, the Beatles are the hottest recording artist he’s ever seen. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; February 15, 1964)

**WLS 890 AM CHICAGO** *WLS Beatles Jocks, February, 1964.* (Click image 2x for largest view).

50TH! FAB (FOUR) SONGS THAT DEFINED BEATLEMANIA

MEET THE BEATLES (No. 1) * The Beatles * ALL MY LOVING * (January 20, 1964)

BEATLEMANIA! '64 — **A LOOK BACK: IMAGES OF BEATLEMANIA! ’64** *(click image 2x for large detailed view)*

“Meet The Beatles” was released in the U.S. by Capitol Records, January 20, 1964 (Click on image 2x for largest detailed view).

ANOTHER LOOK BACK: THE BEATLES STAY IN DETROIT!

‘Ringo Starr Slept Here.’

Whittier Hotel Detroit 14, Michigan (4 of 4) September 6, 1964

50TH! THE ONE RECORD WHICH DEFINED BEATLEMANIA

“SHE LOVES YOU” * The Beatles * SWAN Records (U.S.A. 1964)

FLASHBACK POP MUSIC HISTORY: DECEMBER 31

From the MCRFB music calendar:

Events on this date: DECEMBER 31

1955: Les Baxter’s “Unchained Melody,” the hit theme from the movie Unchained, is voted Billboard’s top-selling single of the year, with no less than four hit versions. And the Righteous Brothers’ hit version was still nearly a decade away!

1960: The risque (and soon to be hit) beach vacation movie, Where The Boys Are, premieres in New York City, starring Connie Francis.

The Beach Boys in 1961 (Click image for larger view) — The *Beach Boys* in 1961 *(Click image for larger view)*

1961: The Beach Boys, formerly known as the Pendletons, make their onstage debut under their new name at a Ritchie Valens Memorial Concert in Long Beach, CA. They are paid $300 for the gig.

1961: Janis Joplin makes her on-stage debut at the Halfway House in Beaumont, TX.

1962: John Phillips and Michelle Gilliam, later of the Mamas and Papas, are married.

1963: The Kinks make their on-stage debut at London’s Lotus House Restaurant.

1965: Alf Lennon, John’s estranged deadbeat father, releases “That’s My Life (My Love And My Home),” a single designed to ride the coattails of John’s success and his recent song “In My Life.” Lennon instructs manager Brian Epstein to make sure it is blackballed in the UK. It is not a hit.

1967: Sonny and Cher are suddenly disinvited to appear at tomorrow’s Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA, after publicly backing the “Sunset Strip Rioters,” teenagers protesting the city’s new curfew.

1968: Billboard magazine reports that this year, for the first time, US total music sales have topped one billion dollars.

1969: Jimi Hendrix’s new group, Band of Gypsys, makes its onstage debut tonight at the Fillmore East ballroom in New York City. The concert is later released on LP as simply Band Of Gypsys.

A John Lenon Portrait, faci in sketch by Jilianaa27 (Click image for larger view) — A *John Lennon* portrait, his face etched in carbon sketch *(click image for larger view).*

1969: A BBC TV special declares John Lennon Man Of The Decade, on the same day that Rolling Stone names him ‘Man Of The Year’ and New Musical Express quotes him as saying he’s thinking of leaving the Beatles.

1970: Paul McCartney officially sues the other members of the Beatles for a legal dissolution of their “partnership,” effectively breaking up the band (though John Lennon had been the first to leave permanently, and George and Ringo had both quit temporarily before that). On the same day, British magazine Melody Maker announces that the Beatles are looking for a new bassist. Four years later to the day, and after endless legal wrangling, all four would come to terms, making the separation final.

1971: Elvis Presley announces to his entourage that his wife Priscilla will be divorcing him, saying simply, “She says she doesn’t love me anymore.” In contrast to previous years, tonight’s New Year’s Eve celebration is held at Graceland rather than a local club.

1971: Blood Sweat & Tears essentially break up as lead singer David Clayton-Thomas performs his last live show with the group. (The band would briefly reunite four years later.)

Dick Clark is joined by his wife, Keri Clark, during the 40th anniversary of Dick Clarks's New Years Rockin' Eve on ABC-TV, January 1, 2012 (Click image for larger view) — Dick Clark is joined by his wife, Keri Clark, during the 40th anniversary of Dick Clark’s ‘New Years Rockin’ Eve’ on ABC-TV, January 1, 2012 *(click image for larger view).*

1972: Dick Clark begins a new holiday tradition as his first New Year’s Rockin’ Eve concert is broadcast on ABC-TV. Dick himself will host the annual event for the next 32 years. Guests for the inaugural event include Three Dog Night and Al Green.

1974: Pink Floyd begin recording their landmark LP ‘Wish You Were Here’ after abandoning an earlier concept of an album recorded entirely with household objects.

1974: Ex-Faces guitarist Ron Wood flatly denies rumors that he will be joining the Rolling Stones to replace Mick Taylor, who had recently quit the band.

1974: Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham are asked to join Fleetwood Mac.

Elvis Presley 1975 Pontiac Silverdome New Year's Eve Concert, ticket stub, December 31, 1975 (Click image for larger view) — Elvis Presley’s 1975 Pontiac Silverdome New Year’s Eve Concert, ticket stub, December 31, 1975 *(click image for larger view).*

1975: Casablanca Records’ single release party for Donna Summer’s debut single, “Love To Love You Baby” features a life-size cake in the shape of the singer, flown in all the way from Los Angeles to New York. (It’s Summer’s 23rd birthday.)

1975: Elvis Presley sets a new single-show solo record at tonight’s concert in Pontiac, MI, earning $800,000.

1978: Bill Graham’s Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco closes its doors for good after the Grateful Dead play their 48th concert there. Also appearing this night: The Blues Brothers.

1982: Max’s Kansas City club in New York, where Bruce Springsteen, the New York Dolls, and the Velvet Underground played some of their first concerts, shuts its doors for good.

1982: E Street Band guitarist “Miami Steve” and/or “Little Steven” Van Zandt marries Maureen Santora at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. Little Richard officiates; Bruce Springsteen is the best man; Percy Sledge sings “When A Man Loves A Woman” during the reception.

1991: After 62 years, Radio Luxembourg, Europe’s oldest commercial radio station, goes off the air for good.

1991: Ted Nugent donates 200 pounds of venison to a Detroit soup kitchen run by the Salvation Army, declaring in a note, “I kill it, you grill it.”

1996: In the traditional New Year’s Eve knighthood announcements of England’s ruler Queen Elizabeth II, Paul McCartney is granted knighthood. Tom Jones was knighted in 2005, while Roger Daltrey (2004), and Eric Clapton and Ray Davies (2003) both received lesser “Commander” titles.

Birthdays: 1943: John Denver; 1943: Pete Quaife (The Kinks); 1947: Burton Cummings (The Guess Who); 1948: Donna Summer; 1951: Fermin Goytisolo (KC and the Sunshine Band); 1951: Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith)

Releases: none

Recordings: none

Charts: 1966: The Monkees’ “I’m A Believer” hits No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

Certifications: 1965: The Beatles’ single “I Feel Fine” is certified gold by the RIAA. 1965: The Beatles’ Beatles ’65 is certified gold by the RIAA.

Deaths: 1967: Bert Berns; 1985: Rick Nelson; 1997: Floyd Cramer

And that’s some of the events which took place in pop music history, on this day . . . .

MCRFB says, remember:

PLEASE DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE . . .

B E S A F E N E W Y E A R ‘ S E V E 2 0 1 4 !

A LOOK BACK: BEATLE BINGE IN LOS ANGELES . . . FEBRUARY 15, 1964

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

‘U.S. ROCKS AND REELS FROM BEATLES’ INVASION’

LOS ANGELES — The Southern California market has gone on a Beatle binge, according to a Billboard survey here. Retailers and broadcasters alike report that Beatle fare is getting top attention from listeners and buyers. Music City Vice-President Ethan Caston said the Beatles’ Capitol single and LP are No. 1 sellers. “The Beatles as an act are the biggest attraction since Presley. Their Capitol LP is the biggest album we had since “The First Family.”

Beatles on Swan Records, 1963 (click on image for largest view). — **THE BEATLES** on *Swan Records* 1964 *(click on image for largest view).*

The May Company Department stores are seeking to become the area’s “Beatles Centers,” selling disks as well as various Beatles-licensed merchandise.

California’s Music’s Buddy Robinson reported the Beatle tide rising, but that it won’t hit the full crest until after the group’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Top sales, he says, were being enjoyed by the Capitol single and LP, and the Swan single and the MGM releases were also enjoying a brisk business.

Wally Peters, sales manager at Sight and Sound, Van Nuys, said the biggest effect of the Beatles have been to move “Beatles-type product. In addition to their own releases, he said 90 Capitol LP’s, 700 Capitol singles and 300 Swan singles were sold. Generally he classified business as “hot.”

At Westchester Music, Al Spaulding said the Beatles were moving well. he said he had sold over 100 of the Capitol single and LP. At headquarters for the 12-store White Front change, disk buyer Charlie Sims said their Capitol items have been moving well but the only other merchandise which has held up strongly is allied product; namely, surfing and hot rod LP’s. END

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(Information and news source, Billboard, February 15, 1964)

A LOOK BACK: BEATLES SUIT IN STATE OF LIMBO, CITY OF CHICAGO . . . FEBRUARY 15, 1964

From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964

‘U.S. ROCKS AND REELS FROM BEATLES’ INVASION’

CAPITOL VS VEE-JAY RECORDS TIED IN COURT HERE

CHICAGO — The Capitol vs Vee-Jay lawsuit was in what one attorney described as “a state of limbo,” with counsel for both sides due in Appelate Court last Friday afternoon, for further hearings. February 7.

Last Wednesday, the Appelate Court granted Vee-Jay a stay on Capitol’s injunction prohibiting Vee-Jay from selling Beatles records.

The stay was issued pending Vee-Jay’s appeal and on the condition Vee-Jay post a $30,000 bond. The bond was posted, but meanwhile, Capitol attorneys filed a petition for rehearing.

The rehearing was scheduled for Friday, February 9, and the court held off approval of the Vee-Jay bond pending the outcome of the hearing. Vee-Jay thus continued to be prohibited from shipping or manufacturing Beatles records, though the situation could be conceivably different as this issue comes off the press. END

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(Information and news source: Billboard; February 15, 1964)

MCRFB ADDENDUM

For more read on the Beatles, Capitol Records vs Vee-Jay Records story archived here on Motor City Radio Flashbacks, we have the link here.