Billy Preston

Learn about Preston and the Hammond. 1950s: with Nat King Cole; 1960s: on Shindig!; 1970s: Will It Go Round in Circles

Studio Two

I grew up in a household with lots of music, singing and dancing and I've been a Beatles fan since I can remember. It must've been exciting to have seen them in person at The Cavern Club and smaller venues before they made it big. I got a taste of that last night when I saw Studio Two at The Center for Arts in Natick and it was scrumptious. These talented guys channeled The Beatles' early years fantastically and left me and the audience shoutin' for more. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

more cowbell

Sorry for the 19 messages I left, but we need to talk. Call me!

The Witch Queen of New Orleans

Redbone sing about Marie Laveau on Beat-Club in 1971.

Before they became Redbone, Pat and Lolly Vegas were in demand and had gigs all over the Hollywood scene in the mid-60s. Here they perform in the Oscar-winning It's a Bikini World. Is it though?

Sonny and Cher have a groovy night out at The Haunted House.

Saturday morning dose of Shindig!

Gladys Knight and the Pips

Need some new dance moves? Watch this and start practicing, baby.

Bony Maronie

This spoof group appeared on The Steve Allen Show in 1964.
He lets out his inner Ethel Merman here. Waaaaaaaahhhhh!

Do It Any Way You Wanna

Here's some mesmerizing grooviness for y'all disco kings and queens.

What's your hangup, man?

Richard Dreyfuss, Weezie and Mr. Roper appeared in this 1968 teensploitation flick. Let's go out, my mother's a huge drag.



The dancing chick was Rhoda, the child murderer in The Bad Seed.
This intense film is one of the best forms of contraception.

If you don't work...

...you can't eat. That means no tater tot nachos. That's right.

Chicago rocks

If you dig rock and roll history, then enjoy this little lesson.

I can't look away

I'll have what they're having. I'll take one of those green suits too.

Suavecito

Every few years I rediscover this beauteous tune from 1972.

Love Is The Drug

This Roxy Music song from 1975 was way ahead of its time.

radio station memorabilia

Here's a fun site to visit for promo ads and countdown lists.

Tower of Power

A friend bought some tickets to see Tower of Power at one of my favorite venues for Friday night’s show. I had no idea what I was in for. The band is now fronted by the charismatic, entertaining “Memphis Soul Man” Marcus Scott and the rhythm and horn sections were superb. This show blew me away. It also didn't hurt that we were in the second row.

My parents always relinquished control of the car radio to their kids.
I knew all of the latest pop songs from the car. I’ll often hear a tune and immediately think “car radio song”. So Very Hard to Go is my quintessential car radio song. How can I not throw in What Is Hip?

Very interesting interviews with Emilio Castillo and David Garibaldi



Have a listen to Stop by Howard Tate, one of the songs mentioned in Castillo's interview (above) that inspired the Tower of Power sound.

Joy to the World

This is my Christmas present this year. Screw aluminum.

Santa smokes?

He comes down the chimney, and IS a chimney. Happy Christmas!

Three Dog Night

Earth is the insane asylum of the universe. Yet the show must go on.

Check them out early in their career on the Hy Lit tv show. This syndicated program from Philly aired from 1965-71. You go, white boy.

• Easy to Be Hard    • Liar    • Eli's Coming     • Shambala
• Mama Told Me Not to Come     • One     • Black and White
• Family of Man     • Joy to the World     • Celebrate

leaf me alone

Billy Fury performs Nothin' Shakin' on Ready Steady Go!.

Happy Thanksgiving

Most importantly, give thanks. Then eat, eat and eat some more. Just
do it 'til ya satisfied. Have that 5th slice of pie in your sweatpants.

Sookie Sookie

Let it hang out baby. On Playboy After Dark, circa 1968. LOL.

Flowers on the Wall

The Statler Brothers perform for all you country bumpkins.

Candy Man

Every Halloween I'm reminded of all the candy that I only had at this time of the year – Razzles, Good and Plenty, Milk Duds, Pom Poms, Bit-O-Honey and especially Baby Ruth bars (rich in dextrose!).

I can't wait to decorate my Christmas table this year with Baby Ruths.

• Roy Orbison sings Candy Man, circa 1965.
• The Buckinghams perform Candy Man on a local Chicago talent program in 1965. I think the go-go girls are trying to fly away.

Sweet Jesus

Listen to what Lawrence Welk described as a "modern spiritual."

Splendor in the Grass

Here's a good ole classic for a rainy day if you've never seen it.

Barcelona, Spain

If you dig architecture (Antoni Gaudi), art (Picasso, Miro, Dali), a blow-out of a festival and delectable food (tapas, pinchos), then go
to Barcelona before you die. Did I mention sangria and mojitos?

During the third weekend in September is La Merce, a festival that began in 1902 – musical acts, performances and lots of drumming (check this out). When was the last time you went to a fun parade?
For me it was never, until I saw The Parade of Giants.

The people of Spain can really throw a party. Arriba! Andale!



The swell drumming in the movie above is from this video.

Saturday morning dose of The Beatles

Here's the complete concert at The Washington Coliseum in 1964.

don't point

I cannot stop laughing at the hilarious paintings of these fools.

feeling nostalgic

Sheila E, Prince, and Sheena Easton with Prince take me back.

Honey Lantree

Honey wails on the skins in 1965's Pop Gear, a.k.a. Go Go Mania.

• Google Eye, The Nashville Teens • Big Energy, Sounds Incorporated

Larry Graham and Dave Koz

I like to keep my posts short and sweet, but I need to gush for this one. I received a last-minute invite to see a legend perform at the cozy and wonderful Cabot Theater last night. It ended up being one of the best shows I've ever seen. The energy and talent were overwhelming and the audience participation was a blast. They had everyone singing, groovin', and clapping double-time at one point. Larry Graham, funk pioneer, was one of the original members of Sly and the Family Stone and invented the bass-slapping technique. He also collaborated extensively with Prince. Their renditions of Sly's and Prince's songs were perfection with Koz as the horn section with his sax. Prince was looking down for sure.

• Graham playing bass with Sly and the Family Stone

• Dave Koz with Postmodern Jukebox

Saturday morning dose of kitsch

I love this alien. The man with the alligator head, not so much.
Looking forward to seeing this exhibit at the PEM in Salem, MA.

Nashville Cats

The Lovin' Spoonful pay tribute to the Nashville Cats in 1966.

summertime

Summertime in New England is too short for my needs. Wah.

Saturday morning dose of 1968

The Equals perform Baby Come Back on Top of the Pops in 1968.

The Cuff Links

When my friend Tracey found out that I did a post for our friend Suzanne, she said "where's my post"? Tracey's parents bought her this 45 record in 1969, for obvious reasons. Get out your bubblegum.

Leonard Cohen

I was recently telling my friend Suzanne about this beautiful song.

here piggy wiggy

Just when everything is groovy, your pig goes missing. Damn it.

Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)

Who better to have backing you up than The Edwin Hawkins Singers. They sing live with Melanie on a Dutch tv program in 1970. Wowza!