Crazy For You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show presents two great versions of the doo wop classic, “Crazy For You” for your consideration this week. This hour long program also contains a tribute to the late Johnny Maestro, a few songs about baseball and spring, songs about ugly and beautiful babies and the vocalese jazz styling of Annie Ross. Plus, you’ll even find a great Elvis rarity in there as well as many other surprises. So listen to the show, vote for your favorite version of “Crazy For You” and have a swinging time.

Click HERE To Listen To The Podcast

Johnny Maestro

1939 – 2010

One of the greatest voices in music passed away on the evening of March 24, 2010 in Florida.  He had been battling cancer for quite some time.  The music of Johnny Maestro reached everyone who has ever turned on a radio.  From his oldies staples with The Crests: (“Sixteen Candles,” “The Angels Listened In,” “Trouble In Paradise,” “Isn’t It Amazing” and “My Juanita” to his late 60s rock masterpiece “The Worst That Could Happen,” we’ve all been touched by his powerful yet angelic voice. 

I was fortunate enough to have interviewed Johnny Maestro back in 2006 and he was a first class interview.  He cleared a few things up during our time together.  It’s been printed in many rock n’ roll history books that he was born in Brooklyn, but in fact, Johnny was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.  You can hear my entire interview with Johnny Maestro by clicking on my “radio interviews” page or listen to the podcasts at the bottom of this page.

My first Live encounter with Johnny Maestro happened during the hot summer of 1995.  It was a Saturday Night, mid-summer and I was sitting in my hot, non-air conditioned apartment in Boston’s North End.  An Italian Feast was going on outside, but I can’t remember which saint was being honored.  I was playing records and trying to keep cool, when in-between albums, I heard an angelic sound echoing off the city buildings.  It sounded like the voice was singing “The Angels Listened In.”  Could it be…THE Johnny Maestro?  I ran down three flights of stairs and out front to find that the REAL Johnny Maestro was standing atop a bandstand at the fire station across Hanover St. from my apartment.  My jaw dropped and for the next thirty-five minutes I listened to the incredible sound of Johnny Maestro. 

I told Johnny that story when I interviewed him in 2006 and we had a good laugh over it.  He didn’t remember the actual event, only to say that he played many Italian Feasts in both New York and Boston.  All I can say is that it was a magical night for me and one that I will never forget. 

 Fellow New York doo wopper and music ican, Dion DiMucci posted this statement on his Facebook page.

-Matt The Cat

Prowlin’ with Matt The Cat on the Oldies but Goodies Doo Wop Cruise

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matt The Cat has spent the last 20 years in radio, beginning at the tender age of 13 when his career began, hosting an Oldies radio show on the little 710 watts community radio station WBMT in Boxford, MA. He attended Emerson College in Boston, where he hosted a weekly classic soul music show called “The Soul Bucket.” It was there he interviewed the legendary Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band. Others included Barrence Whitfiled, Bernie Worell, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Luther Guitar Jr. Johnson, and Otis Clay.

Matt The Cat arrived at XM Satellite just before the historic launch of the nation’s first satellite radio company in June of 2001. Matt’s “Night Prowl Show” was the only live, national call-in request show of its kind to focus on the hits. Including the deep tracks that so many early rock n’ roll fans long for. In 2002, Matt The Cat began hosting a weekly R&B show called “Harlem.” He featured the soul that came before rock n’ roll and focused on post WWII rhythm and blues the music that shaped rock n’ roll. Music historian and singer and songwriter Billy Vera often appeared on the show to offer insight on such topics as West Coast doo wop and R&B. Other topics often included were vocal groups with bird names and the history of iconic record labels. Matt became the Music Director of the 50s channel to his duties in 2004 and he continued to host “Harlem” and “The Night Prowl Show” until October of 2008.

Memory Lane Cruises is pleased to announce that Matt The Cat will be joining its “Oldies But Goodies Doo Wop Mexican Riviera Cruise” from April 10-17, 2011. “This is an amazing event and I’m thrilled to be involved with such a legendary line-up. I can’t tell you how excited I am about being able to see the great Arlene Smith sing with The Chantels. I’m equally excited about The Olympics, Johnnie & Joe, The Pentagons, The Elgins and one of the most underrated vocal groups of all-time, The Calvanes. This is going to be one cruise for the history books and it shouldn’t be missed, if you LOVE 1950s rock n’ roll.” said Matt The Cat.

Other Recording artists include The Six Teens, Hearts/Jaynetts, Exciters, Cookies, and Rainbows. Also appearing is Vel Omarr with a Sam Cooke tribute. “Matt the Cat is one of the most knowledgeable and respected radio personalities of early rock n roll. Matt will be our master of ceremonies and involved in the many Doo Wop activities planned for our guests.” said Williams.

On April 10th 2011, the Oldies But Goodies cruise will leave from Los Angeles, California aboard Carnival’s new ship, the Splendor on a seven-day sailing to the Mexican Riviera. You will enjoy the most Romanic and exciting ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

Be a part of this history-making event, and join us in bringing back the greatest Doo Wop recording legends of the 50’s-60’s. “There has not been an event this spectacular featuring these sensational Doo Wop artists since those memorable days we spent at the Brooklyn Fox Theater and El Monte Legion Stadium.” said Williams.

Memory Lane Concert Cruises is musical theme cruise operator. Offering world-class concerts of performing artists in an array of music styles aboard luxury liners. http://www.mlccruises.com

Press Contact:
Grant Williams
Memory Lane Concert Cruises, LLC
Los Angeles, CA
541 679 6298
mlccruises@gmail.com
http://www.mlccruises.com