Got an oldies question you need help with? Something on the site you'd like to comment on? Oldies news you want to pass along? Suggestion for an upcoming article? You can always contact me directly HERE! Who knows, once a week you may see your question answered on the site? I answer all e-mails, but before you send one, please remember two things: 1) I can only answer one song request per week per visitor, and 2) Not every inquiry will show up on this page, only the ones I find interesting enough. Also, be kind - I don't respond to rudeness very well, when I respond at all.

Important! If you're trying to identify an oldie, go to this page first - the answer you need may already be there!

Finally, I'm not omnipotent, so if I DO happen to get something wrong here, feel free and correct me. Kindly. :)

Hey there, fellow oldies lovers! Once again, we have some very informative letters in the bag (not unusual for this time of year). First off, two separate e-mails from Ron Dante's biggest fan, Laura Pinto:

Hello,

Just a quick note to let you know that the voice you hear singing "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini" on the Yoplait yogurt commercials is none other than Archies and Cuff Links lead singer Ron Dante!

Coincidentally, "Itsy Bitsy ... Bikini" was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, who also penned all the cool songs recorded by Ron's old group The Detergents, starting with "Leader of the Laundromat" in 1964, as well as most of the material for the Cuff Links, beginning with "Tracy" in 1969.

Thanks for all the cool info on your site...

No sooner do I write to you about Ron's vocal on the Yoplait yogurt commercial than I write again with info about Ron's BRAND-NEW CD, "Ron Dante's Saturday Night Blast!"

For details on this just-released album, check out this page on my MSN group:
http://groups.msn.com/RonDanteandtheArchies/rondantessaturdaynightblast.msnw

Here you'll find the track listing and also a link to "Saturday Night Blast" on Amazon.com - where you can read my review of the CD if you have a few moments. There's also ordering info for people wishing to purchase an autographed copy directly from Ron. That info of course is also available on Ron's official site, http://www.rondante.com.

Can you tell I'm Ron's #1 fan?

But of course, Laura! I remember Ron best as the voice of the Archies. Thanks for the info! -- Rob

And now, similar news from Bo Diddley's biggest fan, David Blakey:

BO DIDDLEY is good to go!

BO DIDDLEY is back in action and rockin' & rollin' again. Despite published reports suggesting otherwise, none of his upcoming concert dates have been canceled:

Fri 11/19/04 Johnson City, NY Magic City Music Hall
Fri 12/03/04 Kent, OH Kent Stage
Wed 12/29/04 Seattle, WA Showbox
Thu 12/30/04 Portland, OR Berbati's Pan
Sat 01/22/05 Alton, IL Alton Belle Casino
Thu 03/17/05 Lancaster, CA Performing Arts Center

We are also delighted to be able to announce the details of BO DIDDLEY's forthcoming 76th birthday party!

One of the undisputed legends of rock & roll and a true original, BO DIDDLEY will be celebrating his 76th birthday live on-stage at Berbati's Pan, 10 SW Third Avenue in Portland, OR on Thursday December 30th 2004. Further details can be obtained by calling the Box Office & Info. Line on 503-248-4579.

The previous evening, Wednesday December 29th 2004, BO DIDDLEY will be performing live at The Showbox, 1426 First Avenue in Seattle, WA. Further details of this gig can be obtained by calling the Info. Line on 206-628-3151. Please note that dates and venues are subject to change. Please check with the Forthcoming Appearances page of the BO DIDDLEY-The Originator authorized website at http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/dates.html for the latest updates.

If you can't make it to the above shows, you can still send BO DIDDLEY your special 76th birthday greetings and messages by signing the BO DIDDLEY-The Originator website's Guestbook which is located at http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/guestbook.html. You can rest assured that BO DIDDLEY will get to see each and every one of your messages.

The winter of 2004-2005 marks the 50th anniversary of BO DIDDLEY recording a demo of his songs "I'm A Man" and "Uncle John". In late February 1955 he entered the Chess Record Corporation offices at 4750-2 South Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago, IL with his demo recording and on Wednesday March 2nd 1955 he made his debut recordings, taping the songs "Bo Diddley", "I'm A Man", "Little Girl" and "You Don't Love Me (You Don't Care)" at the Universal Recording Studio in Chicago, IL. Late March 2005 marks the 50th anniversary of Checker Records releasing his debut single "Bo Diddley"/"I'm A Man" (Checker 814) and Wednesday May 4th 2005 will mark the 50th anniversary of his single entering the Billboard Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart, reaching No. 2, spending a total of 15 weeks on the Chart and exceeding one million copies in initial sales.

This is a unique opportunity for you to convey your appreciation and best wishes to one of the founding fathers of rock & roll and the popularizer of the world-famous BO DIDDLEY beat on the occasion of his 76th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the most famous beat in the world. Please visit the BO DIDDLEY-The Originator authorized website at http://members.tripod.com/~Originator_2/index.html and sign the Guestbook and show your support for The Originator - BO DIDDLEY. Thank you very much.

Hey, thank you! Always good to hear about one of rock's founding fathers! -- Rob

Michael Pottorff at Show Logic has some oldies record/memorabilia shows upcoming:

These events are promoted by Show Logic Productions, PO Bx 245, Warner Robins, GA 31099 USA. Phone 478-922-8851, Email http://www.showlogic.net. Hours are 10am-5pm, admission $3 (free for kids 12 & under with parent). Thank you.

Nov. 13: Greensboro, NC - Oriental Shrine Club, 5010 High Point Rd., 2 miles south of I-40 exit.

Nov. 14: Raleigh, NC - Holiday Inn, I-440 Beltline at Glenwood Ave. (U.S. 70), near Crabtree Valley Mall.

Feb. 26 2005: Chattanooga TN - Comfort Inn, I-75 exit 1.

Feb. 27 2005: Knoxville TN - Holiday Inn Select, I-75/40 at Cedar Bluff Rd.

Thanks, guys! -- Rob

Finally, this self-explanatory online "flyer" submitted for your approval:

Thanks to all of you for making oldies.about.com the number one Oldies site on the net! See you next time!