Billy Joe Royal去世

Billy Joe Royal十月16日睡夢中在北卡羅萊納州家中去世 （73歲）。

Billy Joe Royal出生於喬治亞州Valdosta，青少年時期他在叔叔的廣播節目和喬治亞州的活動中就小有名氣，有一次他在參加表演活動時被安排和作曲Joe South住同一房間，Joe South要他錄一個Joe的作品"Down In The Boondocks"的樣帶，結果因為效果不錯而被Columbia唱片公司簽走，他正式錄了這首歌而且獲得排行榜第九名 (#9-1965)。

Billy Joe Royal接著推出的"I Knew You When" (#14-1965)"Hush" (#52-1967)成績還可以，但是"Cherry Hill Park" (#15-1969)是給歌迷們印象較深的歌，在他聲勢走下坡之前他還推出很多歌，但欲振乏力。

後來他轉而往鄉村歌唱界發展，"Tell It Like It Is" 和"Till I Can't Take It Anymore"也都得過鄉村歌曲排行榜第二名，1985-1992年他一共有15首歌進過 鄉村歌曲排行榜。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyEWCNCKxyk

CHERRY HILL PARK

Billy Joe Royal

Mary Hill used to hang out in Cherry Hill Park

The game she played lasted all day till way after dark

All the girls they criticized her

But all the guys just idolized her

Cause Mary Hill was such a thrill after dark

In Cherry Hill Park

Mary Hill used to love to ride the merry-go-round

All the guys got eager eyes watchin Mary go round

In the daytime Mary Hill was a teaser

Come the night she was such a pleaser

Oh Mary Hill was such a thrill after dark

In Cherry Hill Park

Mary Hill sure was smart down in Cherry Hill Park

Playing games with everyone till way after dark

In Cherry Hill Park, Cherry Hill Park

Then one day, Mary Hill, she married away

A man with some money said come on honey

And she said okay

She went away to play a one man game

And since that day it ain't been the same

Cause Mary Hill was such a thrill after dark

Yeah in Cherry Hill Park

Now Mary Hill sure was smart down in Cherry Hill Park

Playing games with everyone till way after dark

In Cherry Hill Park (Cherry Hill Park)

Stevie Wonder離婚

黑人盲歌星Stevie Wonder和第二任老婆十月五日終於離婚，經過14年的婚姻，Stevie被判定每個月要給前妻Kai Millard 生的二個小孩撫養費 25,000美元，Stevie 與Kai從2009就已分居。

Stevie Wonder是歷年暢銷歌星排行榜第六名的巨星，1950年出生於密西根州Saginaw，天生即雙眼失明，1963年13歲時即以Fingertips-pt1獲三周排行榜冠軍而成名，他能作曲、演唱、玩多種樂器，在歌壇四十多年有很多膾炙人口的暢銷曲，1980年代中期曾在當年還沒燒毀的台北中華體育館開過演唱會。

Stevie Wonder於 1989年進搖滾樂名人堂，1996年得Grammy終身成就獎，2004年得Billboard雜誌世紀歌星獎。

Stevie Wonder曾於1970年和女歌手 Syreeta Wright結婚，但1972年即分手， Syreeta曾和Billy Preston合唱一首情歌With You I'm Born Again，1979年獲得過第四名，但不幸他已於2004年因癌症去世 （58歲）。

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmM8aQar4Lg

With You I'm Born Again

Billy Preston & Syreeta

Written by David Shire and Carol Connors

Come bring me your softness

Comfort me through all this madness

Woman, don't you know, with you I'm born again

Come give me your sweetness

Now there's you, there is no weakness

Lying safe within your arms, I'm born again

I was half, not whole

In step with none

Reaching through this world

In need of one

Come show me your kindness

In your arms I know I'll find this

Woman, don't you know, with you I'm born again

Lying safe with you I'm born again

Come bring me your softness

Comfort me through all this madness

Woman, don't you know, with you I'm born again

Come give me your sweetness

Now there's you, there is no weakness

Lying safe within your arms, I'm born again

Woman, don't you know, with you I'm born again

I was half, not whole

In step with none

Reaching through this world

In need of one

Come show me your kindness

In your arms I know I'll find this

Woman, don't you know, with you I'm born again

Lying safe with you I'm born again

「沼澤地流行歌」與Frankie Ford

  外號紐奧良發電機的「沼澤地流行歌」歌手Frankie Ford，九月28日在長期生病後去世 （76歲）。Frankie Ford出生於路易斯安那州Gretna，靠近紐奧良，一輩子都在那裏過生活，童年時因參加Ted Mac的業餘劇場廣播電台節目出名，而獲得當地很多節目的邀請，中學時他組了一個合唱團，他是主唱兼鋼琴手，受到Ace唱片公司老闆的注意而和他簽約，他的第一張單曲"Cheatin' Woman"在當地頗受歡迎，但是接著推出的"Sea Cruise"（原來只是另一首歌"Roberta"的反面陪榜歌），卻獲得1959年底全美排行榜第14名，使他一舉成名。

接著他在Ace唱片公司加上在Imperial唱片公司推出的四首歌，最高只獲得第72名，然後又去當兵，使他的演唱生涯受到很大的影響。

他的故事還沒講完，因為他在老歌圈地位受到的肯定，1978年的電影"American Hot Wax"當中有它的出現，2010年他獲選進入路易斯安那州音樂名人 堂the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame。

swamp pop「沼澤地流行歌」是流行音樂的一個分支，主要流行於易斯安那州南部。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xelUdXAvDVU

Sea Cruise

Words and Music by ***Huey P. Smith and Frankie Ford***

Old man rhythm is in my shoes

No use tittin� and aingin� the blues

So be my guest, you got nothin� to lose

Won ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Won ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Feel like jumpin� baby won ya join me please

I don like beggin� but I on bended knee

I got to get tockin get my hat off the rack

I got to boogie woogie like a knife in the back

So be my guest, you got nothin� to lose

Won ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Won ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

I got to get tovin� baby I ain lyin�

My heart is beatin� rhythm and it right on time

So be my guest, you got nothin� to lose

Won ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Won ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Feel like jumpin� baby won ya join me please

I don like beggin� but I on bended knee

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Oo-ee, oo-ee baby

Won ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

oogachuga與Jonathan King

英籍唱片製作人及歌手Jonathan King九月九日遭倫敦警方逮捕，罪名與1970及1980年代在迪斯可舞廳性侵未成年少年有關，他後來獲得交保。

Jonathan King於1944年出生於倫敦，1965年以一首"Everyone's Gone To The Moon"獲得美國排行榜第17名，1972年曾開過一家U.K唱片公司，擔任過Hedgehoppers Anonymous和 the Bay City Rollers的製作人，也曾參與 Genesis的組團，2001年他曾因前述罪名判刑七年，坐牢四年才獲假釋，但是他始終聲稱他是無辜的。

瑞典合唱團Blue Swede的成名曲Hooked On A Feeling歌中背景和聲唱的 oogachuga，創意即來自Jonathan King 1971年的一首同名英國暢銷曲。

Hooked On A Feeling於1969年由B.J Thomas先推出獲得過第五名，1974年Blue Swede重新推出，獲得單周排行榜冠軍， oogachuga的幫助極大。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5BZtdumcw

Hooked On A Feeling

-Words and Music by Mark James

I can't stop this feelin' deep inside of me

Girl, you just don't realize what you do to me

When ya hold me in your arms so tight

You let me know everything's all right

I-I-I, I'm hooked on a feelin'

High on believin' that you're in love with me

Lips are sweet as candy, the taste stays on my mind

Girl, you keep me thirsty for another cup of wine

I got it bad for you, girl but I don't need a cure

I'll just stay addicted and hope I can endure

All the good love when we're all alone

Keep it up, girl, yeah ya turn me on

I-I-I, I'm hooked on a feelin'

High on believin' that you're in love with me

All the good love when we're all alone

Keep it up, girl, yeah ya turn me on

I-I-I, I'm hooked on a feelin'

I'm high on believin' that you're in love with me

REO Speedwagon團員去世

搖滾樂團REO Speedwagon自1970 至1989年的吉他手Gary Richrath，九月13日病逝（65歲），Gary寫過不少該團的曲子，其中包含"Ridin' The Storm Out" (#94-1977)及"Take It On The Run" (#5-1981)，而且擔任很多歌的偕同製作工作，他個人於1992年出過一張專輯唱片"Only The Strong Survive"。

1960年代即已組成的REO Speedwagon，來自伊里諾州Champaign，是1980年代很受歡迎的合唱團，團名取自1911年的一輛消防車，他們在歷年暢銷歌星合唱團排行榜獲得第210名。

REO Speedwagon名次最好的歌是1985年獲得三周冠軍的Can’t Fight This Feeling。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpOULjyy-n8

Can't Fight This Feelling

REO Speedwagon

I can't fight this feeling any longer.

And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow.

What started out as friendship,

Has grown stronger.

I only wish I had the strength to let it show.

I tell myself that I can't hold out forever.

I said there is no reason for my fear.

Cause I feel so secure when we're together.

You give my life direction,

You make everything so clear.

And even as I wander,

I'm keeping you in sight.

You're a candle in the wind,

On a cold, dark winter's night.

And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore.

I've forgotten what I started fighting for.

It's time to bring this ship into the shore,

And throw away the oars, forever.

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.

I've forgotten what I started fighting for.

And if I have to crawl upon the floor,

Come crushing through your door,

Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you.

I've been running round in circles in my mind.

And it always seems that I'm following you, girl,

Cause you take me to the places,

That I'd known I'd never find.

And even as I wander,

I'm keeping you in sight.

You're a candle in the wind,

On a cold, dark winter's night.

And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.

And I can't fight this feeling anymore.

I've forgotten what I started fighting for.

It's time to bring this ship into the shore,

And throw away the oars, forever.

Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore.

I've forgotten what I started fighting for.

And if I have to crawl upon the floor,

Come crushing through your door,

Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

The Who 近況

搖滾樂團The Who最近已延遲四場演唱會，由於主唱Roger Daltrey生病，這個只剩一半團員的英國合唱團於九月八日宣告取消14日聖地牙哥，16日安納罕，19日拉斯維加與21日洛杉磯的演唱會，另外還取消iHeartRadio九月18日拉斯維加音樂節的表演，他們希望九月24日能恢復正常的巡迴演唱。

1960年代中期於倫敦組團的The Who，原始團員有主唱Roger Daltrey、吉他手Pete Townshend、鼓手Keith Moon與貝斯手John Entwistle，他們帶頭於舞台表演時砸掉吉他及樂器為他們帶來了高知名度，反社會倫常的演出吸引了無數的年輕歌迷，1979年在辛辛那提的演唱會甚至因推擠造成11名觀眾死亡。

The Who的專輯唱片Tommy與quarophenia分別於1975及1979年拍成電影，他們的自傳電影The Kids Are Alright也於1979年推出。The Who於1990年進入搖滾樂名人堂，2001年則獲Grammy終生成就獎，他們在歷年暢銷歌星合唱團排行榜獲得第206名。

Keith Moon於1978年因吸毒過世 （31歲），John Entwistle則於2002年因心臟病去世。

The Who在排行榜上名次最好的歌是1967年第九名的I Can See For Miles，含這一首歌他們共有五首歌進滾石雜誌500大歌曲榜，而搖滾樂劇專輯Tommy則有Pinball Wizard，I’m Free及See Me ，Feel Me三首歌進入排行榜前二十名。

Pinball Wizard於1969年獲得過19名，後來因電影而廣為人知，Elton John  1975年的版本則未推出小唱片 。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AKbUm8GrbM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePiGVI2Hs-g

Pinball Wizard

The Who

Local Lad:

Ever since I was a young boy,

I've played the silver ball.

>From Soho down to Brighton

I must have played them all.

But I ain't seen nothing like him

In any amusement hall...

That deaf dumb and blind kid

Sure plays a mean pin ball !

He stands like a statue,

Becomes part of the machine.

Feeling all the bumpers

Always playing clean.

He plays by intuition,

The digit counters fall.

That deaf dumb and blind kid

Sure plays a mean pin ball !

He's a pin ball wizard

There has got to be a twist.

A pin ball wizard,

S'got such a supple wrist.

'How do you think he does it? I don't know!

What makes him so good?'

He ain't got no distractions

Can't hear those buzzers and bells,

Don't see lights a flashin'

Plays by sense of smell.

Always has a replay,

'n' never tilts at all...

That deaf dumb and blind kid

Sure plays a mean pin ball.

I thought I was

The Bally table king.

But I just handed

My pin ball crown to him.

Even my usual table

He can beat my best.

His disciples lead him in

And he just does the rest.

He's got crazy flipper fingers

Never seen him fall...

That deaf dumb and blind kind

Sure plays a mean pin ball.!!!!!

五度空間合唱團

The 5th Dimension合唱團團員 Florence LaRue八月28日做了髖骨手術，她預計 回家休息三天就可以復出表演。

The 5th Dimension 是歷年暢銷歌星與合唱團排行榜第90名的受歡迎團體，他們是一個走流行風的R&B合唱團，1960年代中期在洛杉磯組團，團員Marilyn McCoo與Billy Davis Jr來自the Hi-Fis合唱團，他們倆於1969年結婚，1976年後改以二重唱錄唱片，也主持電視節目，他們那一首動聽的情歌You Don’t Have To Be A Star（to be in my show） 於1976年曾得到排行榜冠軍。

The 5th Dimension 合唱團暢銷曲很多，其中名次最好的歌是1969年獲得六週排行榜冠軍的Aqurius/Let the Sunshine In，這一首混和曲是搖滾樂劇Hair當中的插曲，也是Grammy獎1969年的年度唱片，後來被收進搖滾樂名人堂。

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06X5HYynP5E

Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In

-Words by James Rado and Gerome Ragni: Music by Galt MacDermot

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius

Age of Aquarius

Aquarius!

Aquarius!

Harmony and understanding

Sympathy and trust abounding

No more falsehoods or derisions

Golden living dreams of visions

Mystic crystal revelation

And the mind's true liberation

Aquarius!

Aquarius!

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius

Age of Aquarius

Aquarius!

Aquarius!

Aquarius!

Aquarius!

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in,  the sunshine in

Oh, let it shine, c'mon

Now everybody just sing along

Let the sun shine in

Open up your heart and let it shine on in

When you are lonely, let it shine on

Got to open up your heart and let it shine on in

And when you feel like you've been mistreated

And your friends turn away

Just open your heart, and shine it on in

FADE