Hello Red, I am writing in regards to the Beatles’ performance in 1964 in Vancouver. My sister (then 16) and myself (12) travelled from Cortez Island where we grew up, to Vancouver to see the show. Imagine, two country bumpkins arriving to all that hysteria. We were dropped off outside by our family and then picked up afterwards, somehow we found each other.

I cannot remember who opened for the Beatles and a lot of the show is a blur as there was so much to watch with all that was going on. We, of course, had never seen anything like this before and never again. I do remember seeing all the girls fainting and collapsing, being carried off on stretchers and then the show being stopped after a very short performance. We were seated in the nose bleed section so a little hard to see all that was going on. I cannot imagine that if our parents had any idea of the way things would have turned out that they would have ever allowed us to go. It all worked out and we arrived safely back at the car at the appointed time and place, how I do not know.

My sister and I were just at the PNE last night to see Johnny Reid and that was one fantastic show. We have both seen him before. So, 45 years later there we were again. I now live in Campbell River and she lives in Port Alberni. We had a great time and relived lots of memories. We even had some of those delicious English scones that we remembered from way back when, they still taste as good as ever.

I had seen you on Global before the Beatlemania show and you had some copies of posters from the original show. Is there any way of buying a couple of those from you? If you could write back with the opening act information (was it the Righteous Brothers and Jackie DeShannon?) and the information on how to get the posters I would really appreciate it.  We had a blast at the concert last night and the evening was so beautiful. We had talked to Mark Madryga earlier in the day and he promised there would be no rain, he was right, thank goodness.

Thanks so much for your time, too bad the people did not listen to you when asked to sit down, but it turned out okay as everyone ended up standing and could see pretty good I think, at least we could and the big screen was great.  Bye for now and keep up the great work you do, always enjoy your segments on Global.

Lynn Michaluk

Hi Red, my wife and myself along with our friends were out at the Beach Boys concert.  It was a great time for all of us. We left the concert hoarse and worn out dancing to the great sounds of the Beach Boys. This is the sound that we danced to when we were teenagers many years ago. Thanks again for a great time.

Didn’t win at the casino but still had a great night out. I’ve been a steady listener since you started in radio so now you can guess how OLD we are.

Patricia & Steve

Hi Red, I am also an ex-student of Mr. Freshwater. He used to scare me. Remember Mr. Osterhout and his paddle? Anyway I have been thinking about a song called Running Bear. Do you remember it? I would like to hear it again.

Shirley

Oh, the memories. Mr. Freshwater was the most adept chalk thrower in the world. He lived to be 91 years of age. Running Bear was a hit by Johnny Preston on Mercury Records.

Hi Red, it’s sure great to hear you on the radio. There are only a very few djs that I like now – in fact probably only you and Susan Sierra.

Anyway,  I wanted to be sure you knew about the reincarnation of Wally’s Burgers.  Someone opened it at Cates Park for the summer. I’m not sure if it is still open, but I do know that the owner (an East Ender at heart) was looking for a drive-in type restaurant to move it into.

I’ll hear you on the radio.

Susan Willows

Hi Red, I am a retired public school music teacher/entertainer and am interested in old rock & roll songs that perhaps did not make it big in the charts, but nevertheless had some redeeming qualities worthy of pursuit.

Are you aware of music sources, in print, or perhaps on the net, that could shed some light on those songs that became somewhat popular, but the artist never came out with any other hits. Some examples that come to mind:

Velvet Waters –  by The Megatrons
I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman – by Whistling Jack Smith
Down at Papa Joe’s – by The Dixiebelles
Happy Whistler – by Don Robertson

Is there a written source that indicates ALL the singles released In North America  say from 1950 – 1969?

Terry Lowry

Terry, here are the answers. The reference book is titled Joel Whitburn’s Top Pop Singles 1955-1999. You can buy one by going to www.recordresearch.com.

Velvet Waters by The Megatrons were studio musicans exclusively. They never recorded as a group again. The hit came out in 1959.

I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman by Whistling Jack Smith. Again a studio session production from Liverpool England that never recorded as a group again.

Down at Papa Joe’s by the Dixiebelles.  These were three female R&B singers from Memphis. They did have one more hit titled Southtown U.S.A. which went to number 15 on the charts in 1964.

Happy Whistler with Don Robertson. Don was primarily a songwriter and instrumentalist. This is his only charted hit but wrote “Hummingbird” for Les Paul and Mary Ford, “Please Help Me I’m Falling” for Hank Locklin, “Ringo” for Lorne Greene and a host of songs for Elvis.

You should also buy a book titled “One Hit Wonders”.