March 16, 2024

Saturday morning dose of 1969

Above, Bill Deal and the Rhondels perform at The Peppermint Beach Club in Virginia Beach in July 1967. Whoooooaaahh!


May I, Bill Deal and the Rhondels, 1969

March 9, 2024

shake, shake, shake

Last weekend a friend and I put on our boogie shoes and headed to Bally's in Rhode Island to see one of my favorite bands of yore. What a humble and grateful person KC is. I loved how much he let his incredible band shine. His career started with writing Rock Your Baby in 1974 inspiring John Lennon to create Whatever Gets You Thru the Night. In the 70s and early 80s, one of the best ways to see bands and singers was on the Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas Shows. They both aired everyday from 4-5. Here's KC and the Sunshine Band in 1977.
 

March 2, 2024

What's the password?

I cannot stop playing Wynder K. Frog's 1967 version of Green Door. It has now replaced my morning coffee. During prohibition, a restaurant with a green door was a speakeasy. The mo ya know.


Green Door, Wynder K. Frog, 1967


Green Door, Jim Lowe, 1956

February 17, 2024

February 9, 2024

60 years ago today...

...The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. When I think of the rock and roll history timeline, I think of it in terms of before and after The Beatles came to the United States in 1964. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

February 3, 2024

Where's my sparkle sweater?

It's February, freezing and Black History Month. So here's James.

January 20, 2024

February 9, 1964


While listening to 88 Rewound count down the hits of January 13, 1964 from Philly's WIBG in honor of The Beatles, I thought about people I know who were around then. My mom was home cleaning and ironing to the kitchen radio while her oldest 3 kids left for school – then errands with my 2-year-old sister while listening to the car radio. I was unfamiliar with many of the songs and skipped through some slow ones. A few weeks later, the Beatles would be known worldwide. Yippeee!
Below are a few pop songs from the January 1964 survey:


He Ain't No Angel, The Lovejoys, 1963
Ellie Greenwich, who wrote the song, is really singing.


Move It Baby, Simon Scott with The LeRoys, 1964


Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys, The Cookies, 1963


What do you remember about this historic happening? Discuss.

January 13, 2024

Exsqueeze me?





Squeeze is one of my favorite groups of all time. Have a listen:

Tempted, 1981
Take Me I'm Yours, 1978
Pulling Mussels (From a Shell), 1980
Cool For Cats, 1979
Up the Junction, 1979
Black Coffee In Bed, 1982
Is That Love?, 1981
Annie Get Your Gun, 1982
If I Didn't Love You, 1980

January 6, 2024

hey sexy

A snowstorm's a coming. Let's make some hot chocolate, baby.

December 30, 2023

Happy New Year!


Ring out the old, ring in the new. Ring out the false, ring in the true.

December 23, 2023

Goldie and the Gingerbreads

Before The Runaways & Go-Go's, there was another all-girl band.


Bye Bye Baby, Goldie & the Gingerbreads, 1965


The Skip, Goldie & the Gingerbreads, 1965


Can't You Hear My Heartbeat?, Goldie & the Gingerbreads, 1965

December 16, 2023

favorite theme songs

Mine has always been the I Dream of Jeannie theme created by Hugo Montenegro and Buddy Kaye. Kaye wrote Little By Little and I'm All Cried Out for Dusty Springfield. Here is the first season with intro before the theme changed. Below is the version for Germany. 😛

December 11, 2023

ding dong ding dong


Enjoy the mix. 🎄 Suitable for every holiday occasion. 😉


Christmas Mix 2023


Christmas Mix 2023, part 2




Is it just me or is there something off about Mister Snowman?

December 9, 2023

I'm not feeling it

If this is feeling groovy then I think I'll pass. Whoooaahhhh!

December 2, 2023

Roger Miller

Roses are red, violets are purple, sugar's sweet, so is maple syrple.

November 25, 2023

November 18, 2023

rub a dub dub...

...thanks for the grub. Please pass whatever those are.

November 11, 2023

Nancy Wilson

This fabulous song received a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording in 1965. Check out her gorgeous live performance.


(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am, Nancy Wilson, 1964


(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am, Aretha Franklin, 1964

November 4, 2023

October 29, 2023

Googie architecture

What is the Googie architectural style? Let's go bowling.

October 14, 2023

October 9, 2023

Mirror, mirror on the wall...



...who's the roundest of them all? Looking glass, you're a gas.


Do the Slauson, Round Robin and the Parlays, 1963


Do the Slauson
wouldn't be as groovy without the fantastic backup singing by The Parlays (The Blossoms). Round Robin was the west coast Chubby Checker thanks to The Lloyd Thaxton Show.

September 30, 2023

Saturday morning dose of 1965



I love how this show incorporated the audience, especially them.

September 16, 2023

Ween

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

September 9, 2023

September 2, 2023

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

August 26, 2023

The Point!



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

August 19, 2023

August 13, 2023

summertime fun

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

August 5, 2023

Delta Lady



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

July 30, 2023

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

July 29, 2023

Da Da Dadaism



Learn about Dadaism and impress your friends and frenemies.

July 23, 2023

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.

July 22, 2023

Ozark Mountain Daredevils

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

July 15, 2023

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. 😌

July 8, 2023

my neck hurts

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