let's fly away

Thanks, Lost and Found. I have a new song for dancing the twist.


Air Travel, Ray and Bob, 1962

Booker T. Jones

I'm so grateful to have seen Booker T. Jones once again last night at my favorite venue. Being at TCAN is like being in someone's basement with great artists performing just feet in front of you. Hearing his groovy organ playing the songs I love left me grinning throughout the whole show. Click on the photos to make them bigger.

Growing up in Memphis, he started in the biz at 15. Besides the Hammond, he also played his guitar for a number of tunes. Several standing Os were given along with tons of love. Thanks, Booker T.



Booker T. recorded Green Onions in 1962 at the age of 17.

Cilla Cilla Bo Billa

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


Love of the Loved, The Beatles, 1962

Happy Christmas!

I love this 1965 Ray Conniff Christmas special featuring traditional songs from his 1962 album. It includes Wilbur from Mister Ed and a go-go version of Joy to the World. Play it while making your figgy pudding. Have yourself a joyous Christmas and a groovy new year.

Arthur Alexander

Learn about Arthur Alexander and his origins in Muscle Shoals.



Dusty Springfield, above, performs Alexander's Everyday I Have To Cry on Ready Steady Go!. Did she have the hugest hair or what?


Everyday I Have To Cry, Steve Alaimo, 1963

A Shot of Rhythm and Blues, Arthur Alexander, 1962


Anna (Go To Him), Arthur Alexander, 1962, (Beatles' version)


Soldier of Love, Arthur Alexander, 1962, (Beatles' version)


You Better Move On, Arthur Alexander, 1962, (Stones' version)

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

In the blink of an eye

We really can handle anything that life throws at us. The roof of the condo building I've lived in for almost 20 years went up in flames a few nights ago displacing us for a year. I'm now forced to figure out what comes next, but that's life. Always remember this: things don't happen to you, they happen for you. Enjoy the rest of summer and stay cool.


That's Life (That's Tough), Gabriel and the Angels, 1962

gorillas and knee socks

Whenever I hear a song from the past for the first time, I try to guess the year it was recorded based on the musical style. Instrumental and vocal trends changed every few years or so but 1965 is one of my favorite years in pop music. Here are some groovy tunes by The Ideals from Chicago singing about gorillas, wigs and knee socks:


You Lost and I Won, 1965


Go Get a Wig, 1965


The Gorilla, 1962 (Cortland Records version)
This song is playing in this clip. Whoooooaaaaahhhhhh!

Go-Go Gorilla, 1966 (Satelite Records version)
If you like to boogie, just try to sit still during this one.


Mo Gorilla, 1963


Knee Socks, 1959
Knee socks and Bermuda shorts caused quite a stir in the 1950s.

Six O'Clock Rock tv show

Six O'Clock Rock was a teenage music program from Australia that aired from 1959-1962. All that spinning is making me dizzy.

• The host Johnny O'Keefe, 1959
• December 1960

The J. Geils Band

On rainy days when I was forced to hang out indoors, I would rummage through my family's albums and play records. I discovered one of the greatest live albums while listening to Full House.

Here is the band in 1973, a year after Full House was released.



Their concert at Holy Cross College in Massachusetts from 1972


The 1962 version of Homework by Otis Rush


1965's version of Homework by Al Perkins and Betty Bibbs

I finally saw Peter Wolf in 2019. One of the best shows I've ever seen.

latest in dancing from 1962

No thanks. You go ahead and have fun. I'll just watch.

Early Dusty Springfield

The folk group The Springfields sing Island of Dreams, circa 1962. Dusty sings In the Middle of Nowhere with great backup singing.

American Graffiti

I haven't seen this great 1973 movie in eons. Drag racing. In the opening scene, the "nerd" Toad comes flying in on his scooter. Crashing his scooter was unintentional but was so in tune with his character they had to leave it in. A happy accident at its finest. It takes place in 1962.

completely awful song...

...but excellent footage of The Buddy Deane Show circa 1962. Some chick is singing a horrible song that she wrote. This was at the beginning of the dance craze era that started with the Twist, The Pony and Mashed Potato. Where in the crowd is the Amber Von Tussle character? They all look like secretaries. Waaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!

The Larry Kane Show, 1962

Many 1950s and 60s teen dance shows are no longer with us because the tv studio tapes were erased. Here's rare footage of the Larry Kane Show from Houston, Texas. It ran from 1959–1972. A guy in this 1962 clip mentioned in order to be on the show, you had to take dancing lessons at the dance school next door then pass a series of dance tests.

Apollo Theatre, 1962

Let's head down to the Apollo for a good show and a steak.