never be a dirty bird

I'll never understand the mindset of people who litter. For decades starting in the 70s, Woodsy Owl reminded us how not to be little piggies. This 1970 ad ran for years when I was a kid and had a huge impact on me. Give a hoot and pick up your trash and ciggy butts.

people are strange

If the hippie movement had an aroma, what would it be?


People Are Strange, The Doors, 1967

the whole world is watching

This Rolling Stones tune was released during the chaos of 1968.

shake a leg

How do I dance when I can't hear the music? Pump up the volume.

clickety clack

Rockabilly group Lonnie Lee and the Leemen perform Frankfurt Special on Australia's National Bandstand which aired from 1958-1972. The tune is from the 1960 Elvis film G.I. Blues.

women of few words

Robins have flown back to New England for the spring and summer. I love watching them boogie across the grass searching for worms.

bossa nova baby

The Kessler Twins sing Quando, Quando, Quando in a Scopitone film from the early 1960s. Here's the original by Tony Renis.

Saturday morning dose of 1969

All you groovy peeps sing along now: Gliddy glup gloopy Nibby nabby noopy la la la lo lo. Sabba sibby sabba Nooby abba nabba le le lo lo. Tooby ooby walla nooby abba nabba Early morning singing song.

Lucretia MacEvil

How can people be so heartless? Don’t these ding-dongs know anything about karma because it’s real, folks. Make the world better.

Pee-wee sings Sly

I know you've all been jonesing to hear Pee-wee and friends singing Sly and the Family Stone. You're in luck. Jambi grants your wish.

Cilla Cilla Bo Billa

Cilla performs on Ready Steady Go!. She sings her first hit here.


Love of the Loved, The Beatles, 1962

I Got a Line on You

Divine Spirit, move me in the direction of my highest good, the good of all concerned and the good of all affected. Whooooooooaaaahhh!

spread your tiny wings and fly mmmkay

A sibling received this 45 for Christmas when it came out in 1970. I loved it and would play it over and over. What a beautiful voice.

mambo, cha-cha, twist, watusi

Will you please be my valentine and go to the dance with me?

Sylvester

Surround yourself with folks who make you feel mighty real.
Sylvester performs on The Merv Griffin Show with Two Tons O' Fun (Martha Wash and Izora Armstead) before they became The Weather Girls. Learn about the unfortunate mistreatment of Martha.


Do Ya Wanna Funk?, Patrick Cowley and Sylvester, 1982

3(a+b)–2(c+d)=

As a teenager, my mom would ask me "why don't you know your math like you know your music?" I recently met Bob and Gary on vacation and we blabbed nonstop Beatles and 60s music and the fun lasted hours. Gee mom, I don't ever recall talking algebra with vacationers during my travels. But then again, I don't need calculus to paint pictures. Nevermind. Keep up with your math, kids. 😀

picture day

I'm fascinated with school pics and how styles change. Say cheese.

Let me describe it

Dorothy Dandridge and her walking rainbow have outfits made while singing about Zoot Suits and reet pleats. I want a brown gown with a zop top with a hip slip, a lace waist in the sharpest taste. Yowzaa!

Learn about Zoot Suits and the violent, racist riots that followed.

Pata Pata

Miriam Makeba and her girls perform on The Ed Sullivan Show.

The bee's knees

I'm in love with the Charleston. Cut a rug and be the cat's meow.

• A Charleston competition • Check out this dame
• These fellas were big in the 1930s • footage from 1925
• this guy's a living museum • the Gatsby Girls • Josephine Baker

take your pick

Here are three versions of Gordon Lightfoot's 1965 song (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me by Lightfoot, Waylon Jennings and Peter, Paul and Mary. Gordon looks back at his HOF induction.