sowny.net | The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum


You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?

August 3, 2020 4:33 pm  #1


CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

I grew up listening to CHUM as did many here, and I was also of the generation that went crazy during the Batman era that overtook ABC around 1966. How popular was the Adam West show? PAMS created a special jingle package that played off the high camp episodes and CHUM was one of the stations that bought it. 

I'm sure I was listening while both things were going on, but I have absolutely no memory at all of them and was surprised to discover them on an Internet video. Were they ever used? If so, for how long? And is this the only time that chopper pilot/traffic reporter Hartley Hubbs got his own jingle? Speaking of Hubbs, there's a great pic of him taken by the Toronto Star filed with Getty Images that I've never seen before. You can view it here. 




And on the subject of getting his own, it turns out one of my favourite SOWNY members, David Marsden, put out his own 45. It was called "Dear Mr. D.J." and it was credited to Dave Mickie, which was a very different persona than the laid-back music maven who came to run CFNY and now commands nythespirit.com. I don't know much more about it, other than it seems to have been released in the summer of 1964, and I'm assuming didn't get any airplay on stations where Mr. Marsden wasn't working. 

A definite artifact of the past and unique in another way - it's one of the few recordings I've ever tried to find on YouTube and there's no trace of it there. Definitely something I'd love to hear one day!

[img]https://img.discogs.com/so0hiOvvqmU1D1Sevabf_8DbM6w=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-8519014-1528405548-7716.jpeg.jpg[/img] 
Pic courtesy Discogs.com

 

August 3, 2020 5:09 pm  #2


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

I should add that it wasn’t uncommon for local disc jockeys at the time to release their own records. Danny Neaverth and Joey Reynolds had a minor hit with “Rats In My Room” when they were on WKBW in Buffalo.
 
Gary Ferrier of CHUM scored with “Ringo Deer,” a Christmas 45.
 
The Chummingbirds, made up of various CHUM DJs, managed a single called “The Brotherhood of Man.”

Keith Hampshire is well remembered for his string of Can Con tunes after he left CKFH.
 
Jim Lowe was a disc jockey at WNEW when "Green Door" was a huge smash in the 50s.
 
The Real Don Steele played music and then made some of it with a novelty hit for the legendary 93/KHJ in L.A.
 
Wolfman Jack made a few appearances on the tunes of others, including “Clap for The Wolfman” by the Guess Who and the Stampeders version of “Hit The Road Jack.”
 
And of course, Rick Dees took the novelty “Disco Duck” to surprising heights in 1976.
 
There are probably a lot more from other markets that none of us would have ever heard of.

     Thread Starter
 

August 3, 2020 8:13 pm  #3


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Still with CHUM, Al Boliska had a song (with the Rhythm Pals) in 1960 called "The Ballad of The Dying Cowboy".. In 1959, Mike Darow charted (on CHUM only) "The Battle of Queenston Heights", a parody of Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans", written by Garry Ferrier, who also was Race Marbles in 1965 with his Bob Dylan parody "Like A Dribbling Fram".  And don't forget several charted hits by CHUM DJ Mike Holland aka Michael Bouyea..

As for the Batman jingles, they were actually produced by MusicCreations in Dallas and yes, they were used on the air for a short while.  There were jingles for Bob McAdorey, Brian Skinner and Bob Laine as well as one, as you correctly noted, for traffic reporter Hartley Hubbs.   

As for the "Dear Mr. D.J.", it was produced by Stan Klees, who owned the Tamarac label.  Something happened between Dave Mickie and Stan and Stan re-recorded "Dear Mr. D.J." himself under the name Spec Filter, a parody on Phil Spector.  Flip side was was the backing track with singers for local DJ's to record their own version.  It was also on Tamarac.

Last edited by Doug Thompson (August 3, 2020 8:29 pm)

 

August 3, 2020 8:50 pm  #4


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Wow, thanks for the inside info. I'd long forgotten about the Boliska and Darow work. That era of radio is sadly long gone. 

And of course, Duff Roman is famous for his own records, not as a singer or performer, but as the owner of Roman Records. I believe CHUM had its own label for a while, but I can't quite remember if it had a specific name. All I recall is this announcement, from Jan. 1970:


Whatever happened to the Tote Family anyway? I can't say I ever heard of them.  

I'm surprised to hear that Dave was slipped a Mickie (sorry, couldn't resist) by the producer. I'd love to hear the original. I wonder if Mr. Marsden still has a copy. I know one thing for certain - it would never air on his current site!

Appreciate the update, Doug, as always. 

     Thread Starter
 

August 3, 2020 9:11 pm  #5


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

The label was named MUCH (long before the cable channel existed).  Have no idea about the Tote Family, but Michel Pagliaro record for MUCH.

 

August 3, 2020 9:16 pm  #6


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Almost forgot about John Gilbert, who scored with the slobbery sentimental "No Charge," a spoken word effort sometime around 1976.

     Thread Starter
 

August 3, 2020 9:35 pm  #7


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Doug Thompson wrote:

The label was named MUCH (long before the cable channel existed).  Have no idea about the Tote Family, but Michel Pagliaro record for MUCH.

 The CHUM owned MUCH Records was around from 1970 until late 1974, they also had a few other sub labels like Sweet Plum, Fleur, and Much International.  Altogether the company released about 100 singles and albums with Pagliaro, April Wine and Copperpenny being the most successful acts. April Wine's albums and singles never appeared on the MUCH label but they were signed to Much Productions for their first three albums.   Notice how the MUCH Records logo is very similar to what 1050 Chum was using in the early 70's.
 
Always wondered how competing radio stations and companies felt about playing music from a record label that was owned by their competitor.
https://vancouversignaturesounds.com/hits/lovin-you-aint-easy-by-pagliaro/

Last edited by paterson1 (August 3, 2020 9:54 pm)

 

August 3, 2020 10:05 pm  #8


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

I suspect the record label wasn't much of an issue. The audience didn't really know what the label was or who owned it and the competition certainly wouldn't have mentioned it. A hit is a hit and that's all that mattered.

CHUM used to bend its name like a contortionist. If memory serves, they had a production company during the City TV days that was something like HUTCHUM Productions or some variation of that. 

The days of DJs putting out their own songs are over, with perhaps rare exceptions. Too bad. They were exclusive tunes you could run on a radio station that no one else could (or would) play and they added to the character of the place. In an era where the classic 45 no longer exists and personality radio is becoming a rare commodity, I can't really imagine anyone doing it today.  

     Thread Starter
 

August 3, 2020 10:31 pm  #9


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

A follow up to set the "record straight" (some will get the humor there)

The A side of that single was Granny Kitch. Both songs were produced by Stan Klees (who I still consider a friend) Joey Reynolds and Tommy Shannon. It was recorded at a studio in Buffalo The back-up band was The Rebels - known mostly for their hit song Wild Weekend. 

And yes both sides did get airplay and I probably performed them on Music Hop. Which I was hosting at the time. Dear Mr. DJ also got some play. I think I remember Walt or Stan telling me it was being played by a country station. It was spoken word and there was a country singer of fame who did a lot of spoken word songs at the time.

And - I usually play Granny Kitch during my Annual Halloween Show - now on NYTheSpirit.com 

Here is what Discogs has to say about it......Dave Mickie ‎– Dear Mr. D.J.Label:Tamarac Records ‎– TTM 604Format:Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, SingleCountry:CanadaReleased:01 Jun 1964Genre:RockPopStyle:Novelty



BTW - I just found out there are some of these being sold thru various internet sites.  d

Last edited by Marsden (August 3, 2020 10:40 pm)

 

August 3, 2020 10:36 pm  #10


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

The involvement of Reynolds and Shannon is a fascinating addition to the story. Do you still have copies of the record? Did it sell? And did other stations ever play it?

Discogs says it's selling for $14.99 if you feel the need to really clean-up! 

     Thread Starter
 

August 4, 2020 12:38 am  #11


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

RadioActive wrote:

Whatever happened to the Tote Family anyway? I can't say I ever heard of them 

Members of the group formed a new group called Seadog, and it was under this name that they recorded for MUCH ... more info is available at https://canpopencyclopedia.home.blog/s/.
 

 

August 4, 2020 8:27 am  #12


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

paterson1 wrote:

Doug Thompson wrote:

The label was named MUCH (long before the cable channel existed).  Have no idea about the Tote Family, but Michel Pagliaro record for MUCH.

 The CHUM owned MUCH Records was around from 1970 until late 1974, they also had a few other sub labels like Sweet Plum, Fleur, and Much International.  Altogether the company released about 100 singles and albums with Pagliaro, April Wine and Copperpenny being the most successful acts. April Wine's albums and singles never appeared on the MUCH label but they were signed to Much Productions for their first three albums.   Notice how the MUCH Records logo is very similar to what 1050 Chum was using in the early 70's.
 
Always wondered how competing radio stations and companies felt about playing music from a record label that was owned by their competitor.
https://vancouversignaturesounds.com/hits/lovin-you-aint-easy-by-pagliaro/

At the end of the article, there is a link to the CKVN  and CKLG music charts from Dec 3, 1971. #3 at CKVN. Not listed at CKLG.

 

August 4, 2020 1:21 pm  #13


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

I noticed there are a lot of differences in the top tens in the chart between CKVN and CKLG.  CKVN has Michael Jackson Got to Be There as #5 and doesn't show on LG.  Aretha Franklin with Rock Steady #10 on CKVN again not charted on CKGL.  LG has The Grass Roots, Two Divided by Love as #7 on their chart and it doesn't show on CKVN.

Both charts had lots of cancon but 5 Man Electrical Band and Lighthouse were not on both, along with Pagliaro as mace pointed out.

Proof that Top 40 stations actually didn't always play the same songs, even in the Top Ten.There were always lots of differences in the music between CHUM, CFTR and CKOC.  CHUM was usually a little heavier than TR and CKOC and definitely more than Billboard which tended to have more Adult Contemporary and MOR music in their top 40.

That article has a lot of mistakes in it.  Didn't really read it that closely when I found it.  The company was never called CHUM Records, and Pagliaro's album on MUCH was originally called CHLP 5001 and was recorded primarily at Toronto Sound Studio and partially at Apple Studios in London, not Abbey Road.   

Last edited by paterson1 (August 4, 2020 1:27 pm)

 

August 4, 2020 1:31 pm  #14


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

There are some parallels here. Consider these articles, both from 1969:


 

     Thread Starter
 

August 4, 2020 10:27 pm  #15


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Delmer McGregor used to co-host the morning show on Chez 106 in Ottawa with Geoff Wynter and came out with a tribute to the farmers in the Ottawa Valley, called the Meadow Muffin Blues...it was quite popular...

They don't just talk crap in Ottawa, they step in it too!




 

Last edited by Muffaraw Joe (August 4, 2020 10:28 pm)


The world would be so good if it weren't for some people...
 

August 5, 2020 12:04 am  #16


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

RadioActive wrote:

The involvement of Reynolds and Shannon is a fascinating addition to the story. Do you still have copies of the record? Did it sell? And did other stations ever play it?
Discogs says it's selling for $14.99 if you feel the need to really clean-up! 

DM - I have it on CD and I'm sure there is a copy somewhere around here. I don't keep any of my music in alphabetical order. Makes it more challenging when doing my live shows, as I don't have a before show playlist. The only song I pick is my first one.  Someone in Florida and another in Arizona keep track as I play the show. The result looks like this - https://rave-and-roll.com/?s=%22Marsbar+Playlist%22

I do not remember if there was ever sales or money earned.
 

Last edited by Marsden (August 5, 2020 12:06 am)

 

August 5, 2020 12:29 am  #17


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

CKOC's Scott "Hollywood" Harris and Pete Daly had a couple of singles a few decades ago as The Scottie-Pete Gang with "Rapper's De-Feet" (based on The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight) and "Beach Bum" (based on I don't know what. I think that was an original, and one that probably wouldn't fly in today's climate, although it did come out around the time of Dr. Hook's "Baby Makes Her Blue Jeans Talk", so that may have been partially the inspiration behind that). They also had a single as Harris 'n' Daly with "Low Budget Breakdance" around 1984. The proceeds went to local charities.












PJ



 

Last edited by Paul Jeffries (August 5, 2020 12:36 am)


ClassicHitsOnline.com...If you enjoy hearing the same 200 songs over and over again...listen to the other guys!
 

August 5, 2020 9:36 am  #18


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

The radio stations in Kitchener/Waterloo have a competition for Oktoberfest songs.  The Beat 91.5 usually has something pretty good.  Here is their offering from a few years back, a take off of Pumped Up Kicks...
https://youtu.be/WCzONPMYlUU

Last edited by paterson1 (August 5, 2020 9:47 am)

 

January 19, 2023 4:22 pm  #19


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

RadioActive wrote:

It turns out one of my favourite SOWNY members, David Marsden, put out his own 45. It was called "Dear Mr. D.J." and it was credited to Dave Mickie, which was a very different persona than the laid-back music maven who came to run CFNY and now commands nythespirit.com. I don't know much more about it, other than it seems to have been released in the summer of 1964, and I'm assuming didn't get any airplay on stations where Mr. Marsden wasn't working... 

...it's one of the few recordings I've ever tried to find on YouTube and there's no trace of it there. Definitely something I'd love to hear one day!

"One day" has finally arrived!

     Thread Starter
 

January 19, 2023 6:18 pm  #20


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Much of this I had to look up but here is what I think is the history. 

The song did get some airplay. It was produced in Buffalo. Walt Grealis and Stan Klees made this moment happen. WKBW DJ Tommy Shannon was the Producer with Joey Reynolds in the second chair. Both songs were written by Bobby Dow. 

The band heard on both songs was The Rockin Rebels. They are best known for their hit record Wild Weekend.

Thanks for remembering. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVf144-Ccj4


 

 

January 19, 2023 6:22 pm  #21


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Still looking for the flip side, "Granny Kitch Is A Part Time Witch." Maybe YouTube will have that one day!

     Thread Starter
 

January 19, 2023 10:55 pm  #22


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Found the following RPM listing showing that Dear Mr. D.J. got to #11 on CHIQ. Wasn't able to find any chart action for Granny Kitch, however.
https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/60s/1964/RPM-1964-06-29.pdf
 

 

January 19, 2023 10:57 pm  #23


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Yes, I believe Mr. Marsden/Mickie was working for CHIQ in those days, so it's logical they would have played it.  

     Thread Starter
 

January 20, 2023 2:34 am  #24


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

Buffalo Rebels, aka Rebels and Rockin’ Rebels, mentioned earlier for their hit Wild Weekend, saw their success
snowball from humble beginnings. From Wikipedia:

"Wild Weekend" was written by radio entertainer Tom Shannon and Phil Todaro as a theme song for Shannon's WKBW weekend radio show. The lyrics were: "Top tunes, news and weather, so glad we can get together... on the Tom Shannon show... KB radio... KB Radio." It was recorded with vocals and music by the Russ Hallet trio.

A local band, the Buffalo Rebels – or just Rebels – who asked Shannon to play at a record hop also asked if they could play an instrumental-only version of his theme song. They did, and Shannon and Todaro thought there was something to it. They moved the group to a recording studio in the same building where they had a production office. The record came out locally and was a hit, but since it wasn't on a major label, the song did not go any further. It came out on Marlee Records (ML0094) and Casino Records (1307).

Two years later the track was re-issued on Swan Records (Swan 4125). It sold more than 1 million copies, peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard charts and earned an appearance for the band on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" TV show. The Rockin' Rebels were inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

To avoid confusion with Duane Eddy and his Rebels, the Rebels became the Rockin' Rebels. Swan pressings can be found with either name; the British Stateside pressings had "Rockin'". The band's 1963 LP uses the name "The Rockin' Rebels".

While the instrumental is the best-known version, the original lyrics were, as mentioned above, a promo for the Shannon radio show.

Last edited by mike marshall (January 20, 2023 2:35 am)

 

January 20, 2023 2:47 am  #25


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

 

January 20, 2023 2:55 am  #26


Re: CHUM's "Batman" Jingles & Dave Mickie's Lost 45

RadioActive wrote:

Still looking for the flip side, "Granny Kitch Is A Part Time Witch." Maybe YouTube will have that one day!

I play it during my Halloween shows....:-)