Alison Krauss and Robert Plant

I love their chemistry. And the songs are pretty incredible too.

Ween

I so appreciate when people are confident to be their weirdo selves.

back to school

Steely Dan perform My Old School live in 1973.

The Mellotron

Make some space in your electric home for your new toy.
Want to see and hear the Mellotron in action? Lucky you:

• Paul McCartney demonstrates the Mellotron
• Would you care to Cha Cha?
• Dr. Mix shows you what it's all about
• Learn about it from the inside out
• More lessons / hear some famous tracks

The Point!

Teach the kids in your life about differences. Narrated by Ringo.

Wanna dance?

summertime fun

Take your bongos to the beach, park or wherever and enjoy. 😎

Delta Lady

Joe Cocker performs on the German tv show Beat-Club from 1969.

Herb Alpert

I experienced my most inspiring concert Saturday night at the Cabot with Herb Alpert and his wife, singer Lani Hall. Behind the five-piece ensemble were screens displaying photographs and films from both of their careers and images of his paintings acting as backdrops.

I've known his music all of my life but seeing this segment opened my eyes to the wonderful world he's created as a musical artist, trumpeter, painter, sculptor, composer, record-company businessman and philanthropist while remaining kind, humble and generous. 100% of the tours' proceeds go to the Louis Armstrong Foundation.

Between songs and medleys, he spoke about his life and what it means to be an artist and finding your own voice and way in the world.

In the photo above, Lani Hall is singing Mais Que Nada by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 in which she was lead singer. In the background photo from the 60s, she is in the red dress. Click pics to make big.

• Tijuana Taxi, Hollywood Palace, 1966
• Spanish Flea, 1965
• A Taste of Honey, The Ed Sullivan Show, 1965
• BBC tv special, 1967
• Tremendous documentary
• Check out Alpert's Vibrato Jazz Club in LA

Clark's Gum used Mexican Shuffle in their series of commercials.


Mexican Shuffle, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, 1964



In the clip above, Alpert plays along to a video at The Cabot Theater.
And did I mention that he is 88 years old? Keep enjoying life, Herb.


The Lonely Bull, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, 1962


This Guy's In Love With You, Herb Alpert, 1968

Da Da Dadaism

Learn about Dadaism and impress your friends and frenemies.

claps, whips, beeps and boops

What happens when you mix Boston-based Eddie Japan with Greg Hawkes? A blast of a show with many appreciative, bobbing heads. Hawkes, the keyboard and synthesizer player in The Cars had TCAN groovin' last night to his iconic sound. Hear him talk about the Beatles' influence. With the exception of a few tunes, all the songs performed were by The Cars. He also blew everyone away with his sax wailing.

Hawkes (in red blazer) with The Cars (left) and Eddie Japan (right)

Above, Greg Hawkes and Eddie Japan perform Candy-O at TCAN.

Ozark Mountain Daredevils

If you want to get to heaven, you got to raise a little hell. 🔥🔥🔥

They're fabulous

The Fabulous Thunderbirds rocked out last night at the cozy TCAN where there isn't a bad seat in the house. Too bad there wasn't a dance floor because they make you want to boogie. Their hit Wrap It Up was originally recorded by Sam and Dave – the fab duo from Stax.


Wrap It Up, Sam and Dave, 1968

reasons to be cheerful

Don't be a blockhead, Charlie Brown. Enjoy life and be grateful. 😌

my neck hurts

Question: how well can you whip your head around? You're hired.

look inward

Journey to the center of your mind with The Amboy Dukes from 1968.

Peyton Place

Micky Dolenz is a convincing creep in this 1965 episode.
Peyton Place (1964-1969) was the first prime time soap opera airing three times a week at one point. Ryan O'Neal and Mia Farrow starred as young people living in a seaside town in Massachusetts.

The 1957 film was born from the 1956 novel. The 1961 film "Return to Peyton Place" was based on the 1959 sequel of the same name.

Rain

Without the Rain we wouldn't have flowers and there would be no Flower Children Land. This is the actress on Welcome Back,
Kotter – a show I never missed during its 1975-1979 run.

I Can Hear the Grass Grow

Welcome summer. Looks like The Move shopped on Carnaby Street.



• Way out is way in on Carnaby Street in 1967
• A mixed boutique, 1966
• What's new in 1965?
• Who's the best-dressed entertainer of 1969?
• A Carnaby Street fashion show in 1966
• Les Move on French tv, 1967
• The heartthrob of housewives visits Carnaby Street, 1968
• What's your style: murderous bank robber or hippie hillbilly?

hey Babs

Ditch old Barbie for a more provocative version. What up, Marcia?

Tina Turner

Thanks, Tina for what you brought to the world. Mission accomplished.

• I Can't Believe What You Say, 1964
• River Deep Mountain High promo, 1966
• Playboy After Dark, 1969
• Proud Mary, Ike and Tina Turner Revue, 1970
• Nutbush City Limits, Soul Train, circa 1975
• What's Love Got To Do With It, 1984


River Deep Mountain High, Ike and Tina Turner, 1966

I'm not your stepping stone

Beware of manipulators. You come first. Now where are my maracas?

 

Choir! Choir! Choir!

Are you the type of person who loves singing along to music whether you know the lyrics or not? Then you will love Choir! Choir! Choir! I was taken to their show at TCAN without knowing about them or what was about to happen. I loved it. The theme was George Harrison tunes. There's something magical about a bunch of people singing together. Check them out with David Byrne, Patti Smith and Rick Astley.

Where are you?

There you are. Put that hamburger down and join me in a little shake.
If you love 1960s soul music, you'll dig Funky 16 Corners radio.


Hide and Seek, Lillian Dupree, 1965

Outta my way!

What are you doing on Saturday? I'm Rollerskating. What else?


I Got My Mind Made Up, Instant Funk, 1978

It's a Bikini World

What are you wearing to the go-go party? My bikini, of course.

There's something about you

The Four Tops perform at the Roostertail on Where The Action Is.

yikes

Hey Bob...... I think that may be my jumpsuit that you're wearing.

Killer Queen

Here are two performances from Top of the Pops from 1974.

A Hard Day's Night

Wanna Watusi?

Watusi with Luci Baines Johnson and Steve McQueen in 1964.
Don't know how? Tune in to The Lawrence Welk Show and learn.


Watusi with Lucy, The Dovells, 1964

Saturday morning dose of Soul Train

Take a stroll down the Soul Train line and get down. Whooooah!

Zephyr winds which blow on high...

...lift me now so I can fly. On Saturday mornings, I didn't go outside until after The Shazam/Isis Hour. Words of wisdom from Isis.

Tom Jones

Tom performs on The Dusty Springfield Show in 1967. Here he sings a rendition of Joe Tex's Show Me. On the tv show Beat Room:
• Chills and Fever and What'd I Say, 1964

Saturday morning dose of 1965

For the intellectuals: James Baldwin and William F. Buckley debate.
For the rest of us: commercials and tv show openings. Yippeeee.

It's a Beautiful Morning

During a recent visit to Oahu, my host surprised me with a show featuring Felix and Gene from The Rascals. They wrote so many groovin' tunes and played and performed with so much energy.
Check out this guy talking about Felix and the Hammond.

Felix and Gene perform at The Blue Note. Click pic to make big.


Honolulu Lulu, Jan and Dean, 1963

Thank God for acrylics

Heavy Makes You Happy

Rock'n Mania Records

During my teens, I bought most of my albums from a used record store two towns away. Buying an album for only one song sucked (Blue Oyster Cult), so I would scoop up many of the "best of" albums because all the songs were good. I was often hearing really good music for the first time – like Sam & Dave. What a gas to see video like this.

This is my used Sam & Dave "best of" album. Click on it to make big.

Dance Party USA

I smile when I think of some of the clothing I wore to express myself.

Happy New Year!

Whether you're going out, staying in, having Chinese food or will be asleep by 10, enjoy starting off the year on a good foot. Yippeee!

Merry Christmas!

In the photo above, my sister Janet and I visit Santa in 1966.

This is the 1966 Goodyear Christmas album sold in their stores.

The Beat

Every Christmas as a teenager, my mom would ask me for a list of 6 albums that I wanted. I would giggle at the thought of her in line with my selections. One of the Christmas commercials that aired in 1982 was for K-tel's "The Beat." I wanted it. I gave my mom the address to send for it and she came through. I still have it. I'm too lazy to make a new Christmas mix so here are some old ones. Enjoy the season!

Click on the album to make it big. Some of the groups on the record:
Go-Gos • Split Enz • Waitresses • Depeche Mode • Duran Duran
Kim Wilde • Bow Wow Wow • Haircut 100 • A Flock of Seagulls

push it over

I love backup singing in the 1960s. Here are 2 songs I've fallen in love with that have groovy backup singing and they're both about pushing:


Push a Little Harder, The Avons, 1963
The timpani and the "space organ" crack me up.


Push a Little Harder, The Enjoyables, 1964
How do you not enjoy a song by a group called The Enjoyables?
Beautiful harmonies in the style of Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. Keep On Pushing and since we're pushin' it...