December 8, 2011 From Robert Celli [Bobby Vee Facebook Fan Club]
I talked to Bobby this evening. He told me that they were working on a video for "Small Town America" and he was excited about it! Not much else going on at the moment!
July 29, 2011 Gene McDaniels died at age 76
Bobby Vee's lable mate Eugene "Gene" McDaniels, the Omaha native who had six top 40 hits in the '60s, died in his sleep Friday (July 29) at his home in Maine. He was 76. Born in Kansas City, he grew up in Omaha and studied at its Conservatory of Music. Moving to Los Angeles, he began to sing in jazz clubs in 1954 before being signed by Liberty Records in 1959. His hits included "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" (#3-1961), which was banned in England because of its religious lyrics, "Tower Of Strength" (#5-1961), "Chip Chip" (#10-1962) and "Point Of No Return" (#21-1962). In later years Gene was a successful composer, penning Roberta Flack's "Feel Like Makin' Love" (#1-1974). Gene also worked as a producer and arranger with such artists as Gladys Knight, Melba Moore, Vikki Carr and Nancy Wilson. He appeared in the movies "Ring-A-Ding Rhythm" and "The Young Swingers."
July 15, 2011 Where Have All the Pop Stars Gone? Volume 1 by Marti Smiley Childs and Jeff March
The new book "Where Have All the Pop Stars Gone? -- Volume 1" chronicles the lives of musical soloists and band members whose songs hit the top of the music charts in the late 1950s and in the '60s. Through conversations with them, as well as producers, managers and family members, we share fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses into the lives of these creative, talented people. "Where Have All the Pop Stars Gone? -- Volume 1" includes authorized biographical chapters on seven musical groups and solo performers: • THE ASSOCIATION (whose songs include three gold records -- "Cherish," "Windy" and "Never My Love"); • HERMAN'S HERMITS (whose extensive string of hits includes three gold records -- "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter," "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" and "There's a Kind of Hush"); • THE KINGSTON TRIO (whose enormous popularity reflected in seven gold albums triggered the folk music craze of the early '60s, and whose hits included million-selling "Tom Dooley," along with "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "Greenback Dollar"); • CHRIS MONTEZ (whose hit tunes included "Let's Dance," "Call Me" and "The More I See You"); • THE SPIRAL STARECASE (who recorded "She's Ready," "No One For Me To Turn To" and the smash hit "More Today Than Yesterday"); • BOBBY VEE (whose 30 hit records included "Take Good Care of My Baby," "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" and the million-selling "Come Back When You Grow Up"); and • THE ZOMBIES (whose hits included "She's Not There," "Tell Her No" and the gold record "Time of the Season").
The book is available from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and other book sellers in paperback and e-book versions. There is also a Facebook page for the book, the address is www.facebook.com/WHATPSG
July 14, 2011 Goldmine Article Two Teen Idols for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and one is Bobby Vee
Two Teen Idols for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Read more: Rock Hall of Fame should induct Paul Anka and Bobby Vee | Goldmine Magazine http://www.goldminemag.com/blogs/two-teen-idols-for-the-rock-roll-hall-of-fame#ixzz1S7RV3unS
June 30, 2011 A Note from Bobby Vee
Here we are again gearing up for another fabulous "Joetown Rocks" on Sunday July 3rd. Nothing says small town USA, Minnesota and for me... "home" than this terrific annual festival. Ah... I can almost smell the "Joe-Burgers" from here! Once again the Vee Family & Friends musical caravan will be coming at you with an independence weekend barrage of good music and good times. I must confess that after this year's show (and 52 years of performing) I'll be pulling back the touring schedule to test the "semi-retirement" waters. It's a chance to concentrate on a few of the things going on in my life, namely grandkids, a new winter place that Karen and I just built at the base of the Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Arizona (with a LOT of daughter Jenny's help) and of course - recording music. That brings me to the exciting new project that we began this winter inside the walls of our new "adobe" garage. We had the idea to set up a portable studio and just start capturing some of the songs we've always loved but have never even thought about recording. The kind that never made it into our stage shows but always into our mix tapes and acoustic family campfires! Songs that seem to go well with crackling noises and 'smores. No particular theme, genre, or artist connects these tunes - just that we loved them. Songs from people like Townes VanZant, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Don Williams, Daniel Lanois, Carole King, Hank Williams, Rick Nelson, Elvis, Fats Waller, Johnny Horton, even a few of our own. It was really just about coming together purely for the joy of making music, as simple as that - and the fact that it looks like we'll have a complete CD at the end of it... BONUS !
So as the coyotes yelped outside in the cool night time air, and with the adobe walls still radiating warmth from the days' desert sun, the candles were lit, the record button was pushed, Tommy, Robby and Jeff started playing - I started singing, and next thing you know we've got a dozen songs in the can ! And it was all recorded live, in the garage - everyone's part bleeding a little into the other guys mic - just like the old days.
Hmmm... from a garage band in Fargo in 1959, to Hollywood's United Studio "B" and London's Abbey Road, now back to a garage in Tucson in 2011 - what a ride it's been !
Anyway the record is just about finished, just a few little touches to add but it already has the feel of one of those relaxed Sunday morning records you've loved your whole life.
We're calling it "The Adobe Sessions" - and we even plan to test a few of the tunes on you at "Joetown Rocks". We hope to see you there - rocking out of course!
I'll be the guy up on stage one more time, flanked by family and friends with an ear to ear grin.
But rest assured, it's certainly not the last you'll hear from us !
As always, thanks from the heart to all the wonderful friends and fans
All the best
Bobby Vee
June 27, 2011 From Claude Hall's blog VEE MATTERS
... “Bobby Vee Rarities” was produced by Bob Celli and is released by EMI Records in the United Kingdom. What appears to be the situation is that Bobby’s sons Tommy and Jeff Vee took some masters of previous material and some material never released and worked like the devil in St. Cloud, MN, to bring them up to date and in stereo. These songs came from the Capitol Records vault (all but three tunes) and featured sidemen included some of the greatest musicians of our time – Jerry Allison, Hal Blaine, Larry Knechtel, Leon Russell, Dean Parks, James Burton, Tommy Allsup, Tommy Tedesco, Sonny Curtis. Dozens more! Reads like a who’s who of rock ‘n’ roll. Reads, hell! This is history!
I’ve listened to both CDs. They are absolutely phenomenal. Bobby Vee is presented here over a range of years … from his teenybopper years to his adult musical life. Along the way, this CD package contains two musical masterpieces. I remember when United Artists released the LP “Nothing Like a Sunny Day.” Released? That’s really not the word for it. A few copies sneaked out the back door. Several really good tunes were on this LP, including a modernized version of Bobby’s millionselling single “Take Good Care of My Baby.” Well, this British CD set by EMI features an even better version of that great, great Carol King/Jerry Goffin tune. I’m placing the classification “masterpiece” on it. I do not classify very many songs as masterpiece, I assure you. Another masterpiece on this British CD set is “Bittersweet.” According to the linernotes, it was never released. This, I find almost impossible to believe. What in the devil was going on at Capitol Records at the time? It’s a very good song – superb -- and Bobby, in superb voice, is backed by an orchestra. I liked this song so much that I immediately sent it and “Take Good Care of My Baby” to two of Bobby Vee’s closest radio buddies and copied my son John, a Los Angeles lawyer, who purchased the CD set. I also sent the two tunes to a singer/songwriter that I like immensely. Not to cover, but to enjoy because he, like me, enjoys good music.
There are other really excellent tunes on this CD set, including “Stagger Lee” and “Party Doll” with the Crickets (yeah, I caught the box). These two versions were never released. An unreleased version of “Suzie Baby” is here, too. I especially enjoyed “Ferguson Road,” “I Wouldn’t Change a Thing,” and “Gone.” “Ferguson Road” was never released and this is the first stereo version of “Gone.” “I Wouldn’t Change a Thing” had only limited release, whatever that means. “Dance to the Music” is another song on this set that was never released. I’ll bet Tommy and Jeff Vee, when they heard all of the material from the Capitol vaults shook their heads and yelled, “What?” And all of the people who could answer that question probably left the building long ago.
Ah, Bobby. I consider you a very wonderful friend. A family friend. You and wife Karen, your three sons and your daughter. When I listen to this material, I feel a great deal of remorse. Capitol Records wounded you, my friend. You were, without question, a greater artist than they knew. Yes, I know you’re a musical icon. Worshipped by many, fondly appreciated in many parts of the world. But, still, greater than anyone knew. Far, far greater.
One of the persons I sent the songs to already had a copy of the set. Scotty Brink: “It truly is a great song. One of several cuts on the album that could have been hits, most especially ‘Take Good Care of My Baby’. The whole CD is fabulous. Lots of real gems. Jeff did a terrific job of restoring some of that old analog audio. It's a real collector’s piece.”
I don’t know why I did it, but I included John Barger in the above. Here’s the kicker: “I am all over ‘Bittersweet’. Full rotation on KAHL in San Antonio (now the Number Two AM in town). You haven't lost your persuasive charm. Good call.”
I’ve always felt that a mention in Vox Jox helped make “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding a hit. Would it be really weird if I was able to help “Bittersweet” become a hit record?
June 14, 2011 Bobby Vee to sample "retirement living."
Bobby Vee, is preparing for what’s being billed as his last major appearance before sampling “retirement living.” He will perform at 8:45 p.m., July 3 as part of Joetown Rocks, the combined festival of the city of St. Joseph and St. Joseph Parish. The concert is free. Read More
May 16, 2011 Bobby Vee Facebook Fan Club
Bob Celli now has an open group Facebook Page for Bobby Vee Fan Club. Come join the fun. Click here.
March 28, 2011 Bobby Vee in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Congrats to Bobby Vee on being inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Bobby is inductee number 235. Gene Vincent was the first Inductee on November 16th, 1997. Narvel Felts, Jack Scott, Dale Hawkins, Charlie Gracie, Ray Smith, Buddy Knox, Tommy Allsup, Carl Dobkins Jr., Frankie Ford, Rick Nelson, Wanda Jackson, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and many more have been inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and now Bobby Vee.
March 4, 2011 Johnny Preston, Dies at 71
Johnny Preston, who had a number 1 hit with the song "Running Bear" in 1960, died in Beaumont, Tex., on Friday (Mar. 4). He was 71 His death was confirmed by his son, Scott, who said Mr. Preston had bypass surgery late last year and suffered from lingering health problems.
Born Johnny Preston Courville in 1939, Johnny Preston spent most of his life in Port Arthur, Tex. He first performed in a group called the Shades at Lamar University, in Beaumont, in 1957 and was brought to the attention of Mercury Records by the disc jockey and singer J. P. Richardson, better known as the Big Bopper.
Richardson wrote "Running Bear," which told the story of an ill-fated romance between Running Bear, an "Indian brave," and Little White Dove, an "Indian maid." It spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and became a million-seller for Johnny the year after J. P. Richardson died in the plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. Johnny Preston's follow-up single, "Cradle of Love," reached No. 7 on the Billboard chart.
Johnny Preston was a regular on the bill with Bobby Vee back in the '60s and for the past 20 years or so they appeared together on many tours. Always a crowd favorite, Johnny would not only sing all his hits but the Big Bopper's "Chantilly Lace."
In addition to his son Scott, Mr. Preston is survived by his wife, Sharon; another son, Michael; two daughters, Leslie and Lisa; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
