From left at a dinner in Nashville: Record producer Sam Phillips, Billboard music editor
Paul Ackerman, Billboard head of charts Don Ovens. (Photo by Claude Hall)
2.8.16
By Claude Hall
and
Rollye James
Claude Hall: “I didn’t do much this past week … and accomplished even less. Found it
difficult to face my computer. Instead, I read a great deal. Mostly Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Bought the entire Tarzan series, much of which I’d read more than five decades ago. That was
one popular hero! This eBook volume features the stories written by Burroughs, as well as
others who picked up the pen for the naked hombre. In the past few weeks, I’ve read perhaps
a hundred novels by Burroughs, Leigh Brackett, my favorite lady writer; Max Brand, my
favorite male writer; and H. Rider Haggard, whose fame is probably a mistake even though
“She” will no doubt go down in literary history in some shape or form. Now, some of these
tales I read long ago. With me, the literary Tarzan goes back about 70 years, give or take a
week or so. And, as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve read more than 160 novels by Max Brand
(real name: Frederick Faust) and have more than 160 pocketbooks in my collections, including
a hard-boiled detective and a science-fiction book he wrote.
“My intention had been to write a quasi-academic article comparing Burroughs with Haggard.
But I’ve just about given up that idea. Their work abounds with clichés and mistakes in
writing. Some of the writing irritates me. Best to mutter “Tarzan, John Carter” and let
history alone. If ever I return to Los Angeles, I may track down the gravesite of Burroughs
and place a red rose upon his grave in Tarzana. Barbara and over the years have paid tribute to
Mark Twain, O’Henry, Louis L’Amour, D.H. Lawrence, Hemingway. I’ve always
thought that it would make a good book. Descriptions and pictures about how they lived.
“I have not completely ignored my writing on ‘George and Me.’ In fact, the novel grew by
several hundred words this past week. It’s now more than 38,000 words.
“Woody Roberts thinks I ought to sell ‘George and Me’ for free – and I’m somewhat inclined
to agree and, if not for free, then a price tag of something such as 99 cents. For, while I’m
putting a ‘fiction’ tag on the book, there’s a lot of ‘news at the time’ in it. For example, it
begins with a radio conference at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan when Clive Davis announced
his comeback with the launching of Arista Records. A great number of record men wanted to
hear his talk and I said, “Sure, come on over” and let them in free. Someone else’s expensive
suits were lifted from a hotel room. That was the doggonest radio meeting! Not as
rambunctious as one I tossed that time at the Century-Plaza in Los Angeles, but well worthy of
the start of a novel about George Wilson. And where would a novel be without a murder of
some kind, eh? I’ve long wondered about this death of a record man that I only met once.
George Wilson introduced me to him. Later, his body was found washed up on the sand at
Miami Beach, a typical .22 calibre bullet hole in the back of his head. I’ve often wondered
who did it and why. I doubt that George was involved in any way, shape or form, but a lot of
people didn’t seem to care much when that guy was murdered and maybe even a couple of
people were pleased about it.
“Thus, maybe I’m doing a lot of reading – especially the Burroughs and Brand – to, as
Hemingway used to say, ‘fill up the juices in the well’. He also used boxing and fishing to fill
up his well. I used to play basketball a bit … usually with Gary Owens. Travel. Go camping
(sometimes with Bobby and Karen Vee and their kids, once with Joey Reynolds and wife
and kids). Can’t do most of those things anymore. I believe I could still travel, i.e., a cruise,
but we don’t have that kind of money handy at the moment.
“However, it appears that I can still write. A while longer. And I’m grateful for that.”
OTHER MATTERS
Claude Hall: “The ice cream king, Don Whittemore, sent me the program for the Henry
Winkler tribute lunch by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Los
Angeles on Jan. 29. I attended a couple of those tributes way back when. One for the
legendary King Family. Great fun! You’d be astonished at who turns up. I recall Bobby
Troup and wife Julie London were sitting at the next table. Wish I could have met Winkler.
Just so I could tell him that I still remember a movie in which he was a wrestler. Funny how a
movie like that sticks with you all of these years. Don also sent me a souvenir … a rolodex
card. Says that Chuck Blore asked him to send me the program. Great on you, Chuck and
Don. Chuck wrote a great book about his career and, lord, I’ve interviewed him on tape at
least two or three times and those were printed in the book that Barbara and I wrote called
“This Business of Radio Programming.” Without doubt, Chuck is a genius. The big mistake
that I made is in not talking with him enough about the contributions of Gordon McLendon
to his career. But Ken Dowe is supposed to be writing a book even as I speak about KLIF and
himself and Gordon. I fascinating man, Gordon … especially the psychology of his
relationship with his father. And, of course, Chuck and Ken are pretty doggoned fascinating
as well.”
MUSIC MATTERS
Claude Hall: “A new CD. Some great standards with a fresh approach by Neal McCoy …
worthy of being on KMPC when KMPC was the music king of Los Angeles and Roger
Carroll and Gary Owens were spinning the tunes. And William B. Williams at WNEW in
Manhattan would have loved this CD. Special favorite: “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”
But you will also enjoy the title tune “You Don’t Know Me.” With 11 albums and more than
two dozen charted singles to his credit, Neal McCoy packs staying power. And ‘I’ve Grown
Accustomed to Her Face’ packs evening music powder … just great listening! This entire CD
is recommended for airplay. Just FYI, my son John Alexander Hall also listened to this CD
and liked it even though he’s basically into acts such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan.”
Rollye: I second Claude’s thoughts. Thoroughly enjoyed “You Don’t Know Me”. The whole
CD is wonderful background music, making even the most distasteful chore palatable. (Click
on the graphic for a link to Neal's site.) “That’s All” is somewhat of a litmus test for me. One
of my favorite songs, it’s been done by everyone, but rarely is it done well. Of course Nat
King Cole made it a classic, and I sheepishly admit my favorite version is by Thee
Midnighters (Little Willie G nails it, though I admit to a lot of East LA bias), but the amount
of people who crucify this song seems endless. So, I kinda held my breath when I saw the
listing on the CD— but it was good. Really good.
Rollye: The Neal McCoy CD came from Don Graham who also kept me busy with a book
he sent by Don Randi. As you probably know, Randi's an impressive studio musician, who
also owns “The Baked Potato,” the revered jazz club on Cahuenga in Studio City. As is
probably the case with anyone who has worked with everyone, a lot of folks undoubtedly ask
Randi about the back stories. What is Raquel Welch really like? —Uh oh, maybe not the
best example, given what’s in his book, then again, maybe it’s the perfect illustration. Randj’s
unvarnished opinion about what borders on a who’s-who of musical talent is a fun read. Click
on the graphic for his website, more info and a way to order.
Ron Jacobs, the great guru of Hawaii to Rollye James and me: “Hi, you all … Mahalo for the
kind words. And the photo of me with hair comb over! Lenore passed away two years ago.
Though we divorced, she was my best friend for 50 years. Here’s a folo up to Bob Meadows’
cool KHJ video:
https://www.facebook.com/bob.meadows.14/posts/10205733006273513?notif_t=tagged_with_
story [That's the link Ron sent but it may not resolve for you, depending on your Facebook
status and maybe the phase of the moon. If it gets you nowhere, then click here to go to Bob
Meadows' Facebook home page and I think you'll easily find the content. Rollye]
Ron Jacobs continues... “Hope this is Vox Joxable! Feel free to use any and all text. Keep up
the fine work … and the flame lit. Warmest aloha, RJ Aloha from Lovaland … over the past
60 years (!) I’ve been fortunate to have programmed radio stations that many listeners fell in
love with. The most loyal, ardent and steadfast fans still fondly remember KPOI, KMEN,
KMAK, KHJ, KGB, KKUA and other projects such as American Top 40, History of Rock &
Roll, Elvis Presley Story, CRUISIN’, Child’s Garden of Grass and the other stuff I produced,
with the help of the best, most creative and hardworking crews you’ll ever see. I receive on
Facebook and email comments and questions from former listeners almost daily. The tributes
to KHJ alone are posted on YouTube and varies Internet nooks and crannies. But just when I
think I’ve ‘see it all’, someone pops up with something that radically blows my mind. That
happened several weeks ago when I first came upon the work of Bob Meadows, a
long-standing KHJ listener.
“He spent months researching and producing a video salute to Boss Radio. Honestly, it is one
of the very few listener efforts that I’d use if KHJ was still happening. And as some of you
know, my standards are ridiculously high. I called Bob and we began a dialogue. Bob is as
gaga about KHJ as I am about, uh, the Los Angeles Rams! At some point as I spilled out
anecdotes about KHJ plus many other situations I’ve experienced, Bob said something I’ve
heard for years: ‘Man, you should write a book’. Writing is as difficult as anything I’ve done
with books, magazine pieces, online stuff, etc. If you’ve ever written for public consumption
you know what I’m talking about. Bob came up with a concept that will exceed just the
written word. He suggested a video series that would highlight the many chapters the
comprise my 78-years of finding myself in so many various scenes, many, many more than
KHJ, for sure. Today he sent me the teaser promo for this daunting, formidable project. I’ve
worked with many super-creative people. Bob Meadows, the ultimate wannabe Boss Jock, is
now right up there with the most talented folks I’ve been lucky enough to associate with.
When you check out Bob’s Facebook site please ‘Like’ it. And better yet, ‘comment’ if you
enjoy it. Once I sentd this ‘announcement’ to special people the promo will be posted on my
Facebook site. Enjoy the Super Bowl, RJ.”
Doc Wendell: “It's so sad that so many musical icons are making their exit. Maurice White
left us last night on the 3rd so I was compelled to write this loving appreciation peace in his
honor. Claude, I hope you've been well. I usually write about old dead musicians but I'm
trying to stay a little more current. Here's my review of a spectacular artist from Japan named
Hiromi. She gives me hope which is saying a lot.”
Claude Hall: “My son Andy Hall, college professor and poet, came across this link about
Lee Abrams.”
Roger Lifeset: “Don’t know if you ever saw this about Al Coury. Forwarded to me be Fred
Taylor – Jazz Impresario of Boston. Here's the link. [I was going to embed the video but
YouTube had other ideas. But the link should get you there quickly. Rollye]
Ken Levine: “Hope you’re doing well. Got a question. I’ve recently become really fascinated
by Pete Myers/Mad Daddy. What an interesting and ultimately tragic story. Did you know
him or have any dealings with him? He had two very different air personas. I wonder what he
was like off the air. Thanks much for any insight you could lend.”
Claude Hall: “I arrived on the scene at Billboard a little late in the game for several of the
greats. A few I talked with on the phone. Dan Daniels, Art Ford, and I sat in one day with
William B. Williams. And, thank God, I sat in with Arthur Godfrey one day when he was
taping. Met a few others. Just FYi, I sent Ken’s request on to a couple of guys, though, who
probably knew Mad Daddy. Burt Sherwood was one. I got to know Murray the K and the
Woolyburger.”
