K-Chuck Radio: Take the Stage!

You’ve made it to the big time.  You’re performing on stage, you’re living the dream.  That microphone’s right in front of you.  Twenty thousand screaming fans are chanting your name.

And what do you do about it?

You write a song about it.  And it becomes part of your catalog.

So without further delay, let’s bring on stage some songs about signing that big contract, recording that first big hit – and the times when it all went wrong.

RICK NELSON and the STONE CANYON BAND
Garden Party

When Rick Nelson (he dropped the teen-idol “y” from his name) performed at a nostalgia show at Madison Square Garden, the crowd cheered for his old hits, but weren’t interested in his new material. In fact, when he tried to perform a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman,” he got booed off the stage. Nothing to do but turn that experience into a Top 10 hit.

VALDY
Rock and Roll Song

This is Canadian folk singer Valdy’s biggest hit, in which he tells the story about the negative crowd reaction to his folk songs. And like Rick Nelson, Valdy found a way to channel his feelings into a musical tribute.

BOSTON
Rock and Roll Band

Is this song autobiographical or acropyphal? Maybe it’s both. Maybe it’s neither. Still a great song, nonetheless, about starting out and trying to make a name for yourself on stage.

THE MAMA’S AND THE PAPA’S
Creeque Alley

Another “autobiographical” song, in which we get the complete history of how John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty and Cass Elliot first met, worked together and eventually became chart-toppers.

THE RASPBERRIES
Overnight Sensation (Hit Record)

Lead singer / songwriter Eric Carmen (yes, THAT Eric Carmen) constructed a 5 1/2 minute song complete with a snippet of his “hit record” blasting out of an AM radio at 2:55; he even added a “false ending” at 4:10 just in case you thought the song was completely fading out. And yes, it did become a “hit record.”

BOYZ II MEN
Motownphilly

Here’s another origin story that turned into a hit song, and if you watch the video you might see another group, a boy band called “Another Bad Creation,” who had a few minor hits of their own.

I know there are others, and I know that you can add to this playlist.  That’s what the comments page is for.

Here you go.  Another show for you on K-Chuck Radio!