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

bring your records

I really dug a recent show by a guest dj on WMBR's Lost and Found who spun his childhood 45s from the 50s and 60s. Still in their original cases, the records were a fantastic musical glimpse into his life and I loved his anecdotes. I put many of the songs in the "I would've bought that 45" category. Here are some of my favorites....


Three Cool Cats, The Coasters, 1959 (Beatles' version)


The Honeydripper, The Kirby Stone Four, 1960
This tune reminds me of the early 60s Hanna-Barbera
cartoon themes composed by this guy.


The Honeydripper, Joe Liggins, 1945


Stop, Baby, The Four Preps, 1958


Sebastian, The Big Sound of Don Balke, 1959

Click Clack, Dickey Doo and the Don'ts, 1958
I love their name. This is the type of song the whole family sang along with while driving on vacation in the car. Whoooooaaaaahhh!

gotta dime?

How groovy is this 1961 Rock-Ola Regis 200? The Empress.
Check out this 1959 Rock-Ola with automobile design elements.

mom + dad approved

I walked and whistled all the way to Tucumcari and this is what I get? It all works out though, unless you're evil, then you're cooked.

Jimmie Rodgers had his own summer replacement show in 1959 and appeared as a guest on the programs of others many moons ago.

Beatle wigs

Thanks to WMBR's John Funke, I now know a 1964 Coaster's song about a guy in a Beatle wig. Because I need to sing along with it, I needed the lyrics. Since I couldn't find them on the net, I did it the old-fashioned way – by listening to the song 500 times. No need for the lyrics now. I know you're thanking me. How was this fun tune not a hit?!

Wild One, The Coasters, 1964

Because of Ringo's upcoming concert at the Boch Center/Wang Theatre, I've had Beatles on the brain. Check out Cher singing a Beatles novelty song about Ringo from 1964 as Bonnie Jo Mason.


Ringo, I Love You, Bonnie Jo Mason, 1964

Above is Cher's 1959 mugshot for driving without a license at 13.

now boarding

Everybody on board. Let's cha cha all the way to cha cha ville.


Choo Choo Cha Cha, The Rinky Dinks, 1959

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.

beautiful old cars

I'll take a 1959 Oldsmobile convertible please. And the beach house.

It's Madison time

Two regulars from Baltimore's teen dance program The Buddy Deane Show (1957-64) demonstrate The Madison in 1959. This program was the basis for The Corny Collins Show in Hairspray.

Is your organ happy?

The Booker T. show still has me jonesing for more organ so I've reconnected with my old friends Cherry Wainer and Don Storer. Thank God for people like Cherry. How cute and fun was she? I'm impressed her teeny poodle sitting on the bench could stand all that stimulation.




The Happy Organ, Dave "Baby" Cortez, 1959

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.

That Old Black Magic

This 1959 performance makes me laugh every time. I love their chemistry. Learn about this talented husband and wife team.


Jump, Jive an' Wail, Louis Prima, 1956

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.

Go, Johnny, Go!

Here's the opening of the 1959 film starring Alan Freed.

De La Soul

If you dig 1980s and early 90s hip hop, then you probably already know these guys. If not, sharing is caring...



• Say No Go
• Me, Myself and I
• The Magic Number
• Buddy
• Eye Know

Eclectic sampling at its best:

• Five Feet High and Rising, Johnny Cash (1959)
• You Showed Me, The Turtles (1968)
• Peg, Steely Dan (1977)
• Schoolhouse Rock (1973)
• I Can't Go for That, Hall and Oates (1981)

buzz off, creep

Some people are weak, corrupt and greedy. Just tell them no kings.


Tell Him No, Travis and Bob, 1959


Tell Her No, The Zombies, 1964


No, No, No, Chris Montez, 1963