I have all of your 45's on the original Sound Stage 7 label.- I've always liked "Look Homeward Angel"...Very powerful & emotional lead vocals on that song.- But, "This Old Heart" is the one that really gets my blood pumping!....Everything that The Monarchs recorded was terriffic!
@cynthia6637 Did you go to Male H.S. ? I attended from 60 to 63. Was on the Drill team and went to a lot of dances. What a great time to grow up. Maybe I didn't grow up !!!
I know the song came out in 1964 (I have it on a 45, great song). I assume the video was from some TV show, maybe late '60s or early '70s, judging by the longer hair styles, big lapels on jackets, etc.
Wow,for some reason this song came to mind.I think I was reading some author's book picks and one was "Look Homeward Angel." Vaguely,this song began to resonate in the back of my mind.I wasn't even sure if there really WAS a song,but,this exact theme was the same one I was remembering.What a great group/song!!!
I always loved this song. Haven't heard it in ages and for some reason it came to mind so I looked it up. These men are fabulous. It's nice to hear them sound so good after all these years. True professionals.
I never thought that I would find this but BOY I am glad that I did!!!! I was not around back in this era to ever see my Uncle Ernie(Donnell-guitarist) perform --- Well I'm 32 now and I guess I can say I finally got the chance--Thanks so much for posting this. I will make sure that my Dad gets to see this one.------------ R.I.P Ernie Donnell
I generally don't like comments by people who say one singer or group is better than another, but I'm afraid I'm going to be one. I personally like Johnny Ray's version of this better because he puts so much more emotion into the song. Or, it may be that it's Johnny's version that I remember when I was young.
Great memories. These guys played at my senior prom, New Albany High School, 1965. I'm happy to find this video and I'm going to send it a bunch of friends who also grew up in the metro Louisville (Southern Indiana) area in the 60s.
Thanks for this post. I knew Gene Snyder back in the day, all the hops, etc. (Saw Jerry Lee Lewis at some school, Bo Diddley, Ben E King in Middletown, I think.)
As a singer now over 60, it's an inspiration to watch the 2006 video and hear that Mike and the rest still have their chops.
Finally, a question: Was it the Johnny Ray version that you worked from?
Gene was a great part of Louisville's music scene. We fronted for Bo Diddley,I had forgotten that. Yes, The Johhny Ray version just recorded it as a 'B' side to 'What Made You Change Your Mind' our follow up to This Old Heart..
Great memories, so glad I could have been a part of this. Every Teen Dance on the Belle with the Monarch's in the 60's I was there Thanks for the memories
That is a VERY odd coincidence that i mentioned The Idol, then someone just posted it (again)...if you play that a few times, it may become one of your faves. Are you from Louisville? I have an e mail music buddy from Nashville who really has some obscure stuff..now, here are two to try: the British group Family Dogg had a hit called 'A Way of Life" but also did a great version of the old BeeGees song "The Storm"- they are on youtube, check them out.
Went through YouYube looking for a version of the song by The Fortunes, nothing showed were they recorded this song. Now in 1957 Johhny Ray released it and in 1956 the Four Esquires also released a version of it. But as you said this is as good as it gets.
You are correct...no one has posted The Fortunes' version of this, but they DID record it, and it is just as good as The Monarchs' version, trust me. It is hard to find..the 45 is probably impossible to locate, but it is on at least one Fortunes' compilation album/CD, as i have it ! Keep searching, you will be rewarded if you like this song.
Well if you say the Fortunes recorded this song I can't argue about it, they had many songs that hit the charts in the 60's, and are still enjoyable to listen to. But being from Louisville, I can't imagine any Group that could have ever done a better version of "Look Homeward Angel" than The Monarchs. Their original lead singer "Mike Gibson" had on of the greatest falsetto voices ever to come out of the early "Rock era". However, you seem to be a old time rock and roll fan just as I am.
Yep, i am an old time rock fan and love this song by The Monarchs...The Fortunes did not do it better, but about as good..The Fortunes' version is a bit more upbeat with great harmony...I hope you can hear it somewhere someday ! Meanwhile, i had a friend post a very good song called "Coming Home/To Mrs. Jones Garden" which is great but no one knows. Search for it on Youtube and play it a few times, then get back to me !
Found the song pretty quick. Done by a Group called Weekend, from NY. One girl said this song was written for a POW from Vietnam. His name is Sgt. James Rozo from western NY. She didn't say what ever happened to him, but I hope he got home Ok . I'm still going to find the Fortunes version of "Look Homeward Angel".
Within a few weeks i will make the effort to find my copy of The Fortunes' version, and post it as i did for 'Mrs Jones Garden'- I had a friend do that with a cell phone, i think...i dont know how to do it myself. The Fortunes also had at least one other song, from 1967, which was fabulous, called 'The Idol'. A 'live' clip of this has been on and off youtube a few times, i dont know why it keeps getting pulled. But, see if you can hear that on another music site, it is one of their best for sure
You're not going to believe this, but several hours ago I found the Fortunes web site, they ofcourse had a contact us site and I wrote them as to wheater or not they had ever rcorded "Look Homeward Angel" whoever responded said yes, It's on an alblum they did called ' The World of The Fortunes", found the Alblum but couldn't pull up the song. It was the 16th song on the alblum. I was stunned that I got back a response, especially so quickly. If you can pull up their version send it to me.
I know of that site..i also have a friend, a pastor in LA, who is the #1 'Fortunes Expert'..i will ask him if he has a youtube name, then maybe you can ask him also.i did a quick look and could not find the record, though...i think maybe my friend taped it on a cassette for me years ago..i remember playing it over and over..you WILL like the Fortunes' version !! We will keep trying to locate the song to post it ! Also, try to listen to 'The Idol' by The Fortunes...
I will pull up The Idol" today! May I say one other thing, it has been enjoyable conversing with you. Too many times people who have a little bit of difference start ranting and raving and cursing each other. We have been able to have thoughtful and respectable conversations.
Did YOU just post The Idol ?? The clip is on youtube again..if not, make sure you look at it before it gets pulled again. As far as our conversations, heck, there is no difference of opinion- "Look Homeward Angel" is GREAT by the Monarchs and Fortunes...try also to find "Books and Films" by The Fortunes= pretty good ballad from '68...
I am very,very seldom up this time of night on the computer. But for some reason I decided to look through my e-mails before I went to bed. Got your e-mail about the song "The Idol". I did not post it,but pulled it up at 12:15am. It is the tyipical Fortunes sound, they were a very good group from the 60's, glad I was able to hear it. Says it was released in 1967. Glad it was re-posted, and that you e-mailed me about it being on line again, other wise I probably would have never heard it.
Oh how I love this song and The Monarchs!! I listen to this over and over!!! Fabulous!!
MsChattycathy13 2 weeks ago
I have all of your 45's on the original Sound Stage 7 label.- I've always liked "Look Homeward Angel"...Very powerful & emotional lead vocals on that song.- But, "This Old Heart" is the one that really gets my blood pumping!....Everything that The Monarchs recorded was terriffic!
newcolonyfreak1 4 weeks ago
Still Great Listening , After All this time !!
Louisville60
louisville60 2 months ago
Here we go , back to my favorite dances in Louisville, Ky dancing to the teen clubs and still go to see the GREAT Monarchs
cynthia6637 9 months ago
@cynthia6637 Did you go to Male H.S. ? I attended from 60 to 63. Was on the Drill team and went to a lot of dances. What a great time to grow up. Maybe I didn't grow up !!!
The6949891 6 months ago
I love this version of the song and it's great to see the video of the group but they are obviously lip syncing their original record.
karlin2007 11 months ago
I know the song came out in 1964 (I have it on a 45, great song). I assume the video was from some TV show, maybe late '60s or early '70s, judging by the longer hair styles, big lapels on jackets, etc.
1royalpalm 1 year ago
@1royalpalm Oops! Should of read the subtitle before posting. 1977 TV tape!
1royalpalm 1 year ago
Wow,for some reason this song came to mind.I think I was reading some author's book picks and one was "Look Homeward Angel." Vaguely,this song began to resonate in the back of my mind.I wasn't even sure if there really WAS a song,but,this exact theme was the same one I was remembering.What a great group/song!!!
crowleysridgegirl 1 year ago
I always loved this song. Haven't heard it in ages and for some reason it came to mind so I looked it up. These men are fabulous. It's nice to hear them sound so good after all these years. True professionals.
Tonithenightowl 1 year ago
I never thought that I would find this but BOY I am glad that I did!!!! I was not around back in this era to ever see my Uncle Ernie(Donnell-guitarist) perform --- Well I'm 32 now and I guess I can say I finally got the chance--Thanks so much for posting this. I will make sure that my Dad gets to see this one.------------ R.I.P Ernie Donnell
OlvRachel 1 year ago
Being on the Belle and listening to the Monarchs..1 of those memorys never forget..In honor of Vikie Harrison Gearlds
diamondswilldoo 1 year ago
Great Memories !!
louisville60 1 year ago
I generally don't like comments by people who say one singer or group is better than another, but I'm afraid I'm going to be one. I personally like Johnny Ray's version of this better because he puts so much more emotion into the song. Or, it may be that it's Johnny's version that I remember when I was young.
loverofcountry506070 1 year ago
What fun to go to John B's grade school partys in Highland Park.MI. And slow dance with my future wife to this classic.
tmurray615 1 year ago
The Beatles? ho-hum. The Stones? Who cares? We had The Monarchs. Thanks for 50 great years,guys.
cardman1006 2 years ago
They played at a dance when I went to Butler HS (Louisville, KY). So many thanks for this video!
01armychick 2 years ago 2
Dusty Miller is the MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tmillerla 2 years ago
Great Memories, years ago !!
louisville60 2 years ago
Great memories. These guys played at my senior prom, New Albany High School, 1965. I'm happy to find this video and I'm going to send it a bunch of friends who also grew up in the metro Louisville (Southern Indiana) area in the 60s.
aseventh 2 years ago
So I remember the Nashville Casuals. What event was that? The Senior Dinner Dance?
JAYSONGBIRD 2 years ago
Thanks for this post. I knew Gene Snyder back in the day, all the hops, etc. (Saw Jerry Lee Lewis at some school, Bo Diddley, Ben E King in Middletown, I think.)
As a singer now over 60, it's an inspiration to watch the 2006 video and hear that Mike and the rest still have their chops.
Finally, a question: Was it the Johnny Ray version that you worked from?
JAYSONGBIRD 2 years ago
Gene was a great part of Louisville's music scene. We fronted for Bo Diddley,I had forgotten that. Yes, The Johhny Ray version just recorded it as a 'B' side to 'What Made You Change Your Mind' our follow up to This Old Heart..
monarchmg 2 years ago
Great memories, so glad I could have been a part of this. Every Teen Dance on the Belle with the Monarch's in the 60's I was there Thanks for the memories
cat091451 2 years ago 4
I"m SO GLAD I found this on You-TUbe. I can't find it on CD or anywhere. I haven't heard it in years. I love this! (Monarch's version) Thanks!!
roanoke703 2 years ago 7
That is a VERY odd coincidence that i mentioned The Idol, then someone just posted it (again)...if you play that a few times, it may become one of your faves. Are you from Louisville? I have an e mail music buddy from Nashville who really has some obscure stuff..now, here are two to try: the British group Family Dogg had a hit called 'A Way of Life" but also did a great version of the old BeeGees song "The Storm"- they are on youtube, check them out.
tremsfan 2 years ago
Dusty Miller and Leon Middleton are still playing with the Monarchs, and they sound as good as they did then. Dusty can still hit those hit notes!
greatercc 2 years ago
This is an incredible song...as good as it is, The Fortunes did a version of this around 1964 which is almost as good !!
tremsfan 2 years ago
Went through YouYube looking for a version of the song by The Fortunes, nothing showed were they recorded this song. Now in 1957 Johhny Ray released it and in 1956 the Four Esquires also released a version of it. But as you said this is as good as it gets.
mltw1371 2 years ago
You are correct...no one has posted The Fortunes' version of this, but they DID record it, and it is just as good as The Monarchs' version, trust me. It is hard to find..the 45 is probably impossible to locate, but it is on at least one Fortunes' compilation album/CD, as i have it ! Keep searching, you will be rewarded if you like this song.
tremsfan 2 years ago
Well if you say the Fortunes recorded this song I can't argue about it, they had many songs that hit the charts in the 60's, and are still enjoyable to listen to. But being from Louisville, I can't imagine any Group that could have ever done a better version of "Look Homeward Angel" than The Monarchs. Their original lead singer "Mike Gibson" had on of the greatest falsetto voices ever to come out of the early "Rock era". However, you seem to be a old time rock and roll fan just as I am.
mltw1371 2 years ago
Yep, i am an old time rock fan and love this song by The Monarchs...The Fortunes did not do it better, but about as good..The Fortunes' version is a bit more upbeat with great harmony...I hope you can hear it somewhere someday ! Meanwhile, i had a friend post a very good song called "Coming Home/To Mrs. Jones Garden" which is great but no one knows. Search for it on Youtube and play it a few times, then get back to me !
tremsfan 2 years ago
Found the song pretty quick. Done by a Group called Weekend, from NY. One girl said this song was written for a POW from Vietnam. His name is Sgt. James Rozo from western NY. She didn't say what ever happened to him, but I hope he got home Ok . I'm still going to find the Fortunes version of "Look Homeward Angel".
mltw1371 2 years ago
Within a few weeks i will make the effort to find my copy of The Fortunes' version, and post it as i did for 'Mrs Jones Garden'- I had a friend do that with a cell phone, i think...i dont know how to do it myself. The Fortunes also had at least one other song, from 1967, which was fabulous, called 'The Idol'. A 'live' clip of this has been on and off youtube a few times, i dont know why it keeps getting pulled. But, see if you can hear that on another music site, it is one of their best for sure
tremsfan 2 years ago
You're not going to believe this, but several hours ago I found the Fortunes web site, they ofcourse had a contact us site and I wrote them as to wheater or not they had ever rcorded "Look Homeward Angel" whoever responded said yes, It's on an alblum they did called ' The World of The Fortunes", found the Alblum but couldn't pull up the song. It was the 16th song on the alblum. I was stunned that I got back a response, especially so quickly. If you can pull up their version send it to me.
mltw1371 2 years ago
I know of that site..i also have a friend, a pastor in LA, who is the #1 'Fortunes Expert'..i will ask him if he has a youtube name, then maybe you can ask him also.i did a quick look and could not find the record, though...i think maybe my friend taped it on a cassette for me years ago..i remember playing it over and over..you WILL like the Fortunes' version !! We will keep trying to locate the song to post it ! Also, try to listen to 'The Idol' by The Fortunes...
tremsfan 2 years ago
I will pull up The Idol" today! May I say one other thing, it has been enjoyable conversing with you. Too many times people who have a little bit of difference start ranting and raving and cursing each other. We have been able to have thoughtful and respectable conversations.
mltw1371 2 years ago
Did YOU just post The Idol ?? The clip is on youtube again..if not, make sure you look at it before it gets pulled again. As far as our conversations, heck, there is no difference of opinion- "Look Homeward Angel" is GREAT by the Monarchs and Fortunes...try also to find "Books and Films" by The Fortunes= pretty good ballad from '68...
tremsfan 2 years ago
I am very,very seldom up this time of night on the computer. But for some reason I decided to look through my e-mails before I went to bed. Got your e-mail about the song "The Idol". I did not post it,but pulled it up at 12:15am. It is the tyipical Fortunes sound, they were a very good group from the 60's, glad I was able to hear it. Says it was released in 1967. Glad it was re-posted, and that you e-mailed me about it being on line again, other wise I probably would have never heard it.
mltw1371 2 years ago
gosh I use to listen to this song endlessly when I lived in Louisville as a kid. I love this, thanks for the post.
jhaley12 2 years ago
Beautiful song and beautiful voices. This song broke my heart as a young girl. It reminds me of a neighbor boy who was killed in Viet Nam.
peaceandluvable 2 years ago
I am glad for your post, we lost 58,000 mostly young men and women during that time, I have not forgotten, Thanks !!
louisville60 2 years ago
Comment removed
peaceandluvable 2 years ago
they are truely one of the most underrate bands of the '60's and 70's. lots of talent and make a home boy proud.
josephelston 2 years ago