Allbutforgottenoldies.net Music News Digest: Week Of January 6, 2013

January 14, 2013 by Amy Gold

During the week of January 6, 2013, fans mourned the passing of country singer-songwriter Sammy Johns who became famous for his 1975 smash hit, "Chevy Van." The world also bade farewell to two people who had worked closely with Elvis Presley: Louisiana Hayride radio broadcaster Frank Page who, in 1954, introduced the world to the soon-to-be King of Rock and Roll, and rhythm guitarist John Wilkinson who had played in Presley's touring band.

Also, David Bowie released a new song from his forthcoming album slated for this March, a new TV show co-scripted by Cher is in the works, Bob Seger announced a tour to begin this spring, and some previously unreleased songs by Jimi Hendrix will be played in an upcoming episode of TV's "Hawaii Five-0."


January 6, 2013: George Clinton Hands Over Song Copyrights To Pay Off Legal Fees

Funk legend George Clinton has been ordered to hand over the copyrights to four of his songs to pay off a $1 million dollar debt to his former lawyers, Hendricks & Lewis. Once the debt has been paid off, the copyrights will revert back to Clinton who is filing a motion to reverse the decision.

Source: George Clinton - Funk Classics Seized to Pay Off $1 Million Debt | TMZ.com

January 6, 2013: Rare Beatles Color Photos To Go Up For Sale

Previously unreleased color photos from 1964 of the Beatles' first tour in the U.S. will go up for auction in the U.K this March. These photos, which were taken by Dr. Robert Beck, include many shots of the Beatles on stage.

Source: Rare color photos of The Beatles to go up for sale - San Jose Mercury News

January 6, 2013: Cher Working On Pilot TV Show Script

The multi-talented singer and Oscar-winning actress is collaborating with comedian Ron Zimmerman for a pilot TV show script set in early 1960s Hollywood. Cher and Zimmerman are currently working out a deal with Logo Network for the development of this project.

Source: Cher Signs Development Deal With Logo Network | Billboard

January 8, 2013: David Bowie Releases New Song

David Bowie has just released a new song on iTunes, "Where Are We Now?," his first new material in years. This song was officially released on January 8, 2013, which is the singer's 66th birthday. "Where Are We Now?" is from Bowie's new album, "The Next Day," slated to be released through Columbia Records this March.

Source: David Bowie releases new song, "Where Are We Now?," teases album - latimes.com

January 8, 2013: 'Chevy Van' Singer-Songwriter Sammy John Passes Away

Acclaimed country singer-songwriter Sammy Johns died on January 4, 2013 at age 66 at a Gastonia, NC hospital. He became famous for his 1975 smash hit, "Chevy Van," an iconic song which captured the free love attitudes of the 1970s. He also penned numerous songs for other artists, including Waylon Jennings' "America," John Conlee's "Common Man," and Conway Twitty's "Desperado Love," all of which became Billboard Country chart hits, the latter two topping the charts.

January 9, 2013: New Supergroup To Include Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, and Rick Springfield

A supergroup assembled by singer-songwriter Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters will include oldies music icons Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, and Rick Springfield. Other members will include Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Lee Ving, Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk, and members of Nirvana and Foo Fighters. This supergroup will be performing at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18 where Grohl's documentary about Sound City Studios will be premiered.

Source: Dave Grohl's Sound City Supergroup Swells With Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, and More | SPIN | Newswire

January 10, 2013: New Jimi Hendrix Music To Premiere On 'Hawaii Five-0'

Some previously unreleased songs by the late rock guitar legend Jimi Hendrix will be played for the first time on the January 20 episode of the CBS cop show, "Hawaii Five-0." These songs will be included on the upcoming Hendrix album, "People, Hell and Angels," to be released this March.

Source: New Jimi Hendrix Music to Premiere on 'Hawaii Five-0' - chicagotribune.com

January 10, 2013: Bob Seger To Tour This Spring

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band will launch the first part of their tour in North America on February 27, 2013 at the Huntington Center in Toledo, OH. Tickets will go on sale on January 19, and fan club members can have early access to tickets at Bob Seger's website.

Source: Bob Seger and Silver Bullet Band to Tour in Spring | Music News | Rolling Stone

January 11, 2013: Louisiana Hayride Voice Frank Page Passes Away

Famed radio broadcaster Frank Page died on January 9 at age 87 at WK Pierremont Health Center in Shreveport, LA after a severe respiratory infection. Page is best known for introducing the world to Elvis Presley in 1954 on his show, the Louisiana Hayride, which aired on KWKH. He also helped to launch the careers of several other top entertainers, including Jim Reeves and Nathan "Nat" Stuckey. Page's long and distinguished career in broadcasting spanned some seven decades, and he retired from KWKH in 2005. He received the Louisiana Association of Broadcaster's Lifetime Achievement Award and was a member of the County Music DJ Hall of Fame. He is survived by his wife Helen, a daughter, a brother, and a grandson.

Source: Louisiana Hayride voice Frank Page dies at age 87 - San Jose Mercury News

January 12, 2013: John Wilkinson, Rhythm Guitarist for Elvis Presley, Passes Away

Acclaimed rhythm guitarist John Wilkinson died on January 11 at age 67 at his home in Springfield, MO after battling cancer. He was a member of Presley's touring group, the TCB Band. During his nine years with the band, which ended in 1977 with Presley's death, he played in some 1200 shows. Prior to joining the TCB Band, Wilkinson had played with various folk groups that included the Kingston Trio and the New Christy Minstrels. Presley asked him to join the TCB Band after seeing him perform on TV.

Source: John Wilkinson, Rhythm Guitarist for Elvis, Dead at 67 | Music News | Rolling Stone