Don Kirshner .R.I.P.

[Lynch]

he found or helped promote :Carole King, Neil Sedaka , Neil Diamond Bobby Darin... in The Brill Building music world when he founded ALDON music in the early 60's

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, Don and Bobby Darin were a songwriting duo doing commercials and stuff like that. Once Darin "hit it big" with Splish Splash, he parted ways with Don. Something about "I enjoy writing soap commercials with you, but I think I'd like to give it a real shot at this R'n'R thing"

(Not quoting directly, just paraphrasing)

 

[CLASIKROKR]

One of the best "music shows" ever!!!

 

[Astrid Kirchherr65]

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, Don and Bobby Darin were a songwriting duo doing commercials and stuff like that. Once Darin "hit it big" with Splish Splash, he parted ways with Don. Something about "I enjoy writing soap commercials with you, but I think I'd like to give it a real shot at this R'n'R thing"

(Not quoting directly, just paraphrasing)

YES , it true ..thats the music business for you

 

[foreverblue]

rip

 

[METALPRIEST]

Very sad news.... R. I. P. Don.

Make sure to also post more tribute stuff in the Don Kirshner thread!

http://www.classicrockforums.com/forum/f6/don-kirshners-rock-concert-3996/#post62381

 

[Astrid Kirchherr65]

I DIDN'T even know there was a thread Metal...I'll go check it out THANKS


I pinched this off Old Wikki ...Re Don and The Monkees


Kirshner was hired by the producers of The Monkees to provide hitworthy songs to accompany the television program, within a demanding schedule. Kirshner quickly corralled songwriting talent from his Brill Building stable of writers and musicians to create catchy, engaging tracks which the band could pretend to perform on the show.

This move wasn't because of any lack of Monkee talent — Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork were already experienced musicians, though as a band they had little experience or polish and Micky Dolenz was completely new to drums — but to emphasize comedy over music, and to churn out ready-to-go recordings to give each new episode its own song. Each Monkee was retained for vocal duties, but they weren't allowed to play on the records.

The formula worked phenomenally well: Singles "Last Train to Clarksville" and "I'm a Believer"; the first two Monkees albums were produced and released in time to catch the initial wave of the television program's popularity. Future Taj Mahal and John Lennon guitarist, Jesse Ed Davis, sat in on guitar. After a year, the Monkees wanted another chance to all play their own instruments on the records. They also wanted additional oversight into which songs would be released as singles. Further, when word belatedly came out that the band hadn't played on the first season's songs, a controversy arose, and the public expressed a desire to hear the television stars perform their own music.

The matter reached a breaking point over a disagreement regarding the Neil Diamond-penned "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" in early 1967. The song, released by Kirshner as a single without the band's consent, led to his dismissal. The initial B-side was replaced with a Nesmith song, performed by the Monkees, and they performed on the next year's recordings, featured in the show's second season. Monkees record sales dropped by nearly half after Kirshner's departure.

Kirshner's later venture was The Archies, an animated series where there were only the studio musicians to be managed

 

[METALPRIEST]

^^^ Some good stories in the Monkees camp in regards to Kirshner.

 

[Rocker440]

I saw many of my favorite bands perform on DKRC mostly during the 1970's and thoroughly enjoyed those great shows! Many thanks to an exceptional man for both helping to promote a lot of fantastic bands, their music and also the opportunity to see and hear many of those bands live within the comforts of home. In many ways seeing some of the bands both inspired me to want to hear more of their music, and more importantly impressed upon the motivation to go see a lot of those favorite bands in person, which I did do and as much as possible!

Thanks Don Kirshner!

 

[snakes&ladders]

Rip d k

 

[Magic]

I saw this on the news yesterday, very sad. I have watched quite a few of Don Kirshner Rock Concerts back in the day. He will be missed by the music industry!