Thursday, February 26, 2015

Words

By late 1967, the Monkees had three smash albums under their belts and were gaining more control over their music, something that they didn't have at all just a little over a year before.  They were also playing their own instruments both in the studio and at concerts. When they released their fourth album and the single  "Pleasant Valley Sunday" it roared to #3 on the Hot 100.  But the B side, "Words" got almost as much airplay, going all the way to #11 on it's own.  Words was a great song, sadly today it's another forgotten oldie...
Click here for the song as it played on the TV show

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Time Has Come Today

In 1968, the Chambers Brothers hit #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "Time Has Come Today". A strange combination of psychedelia, gospel, blues, rock and soul, the song stood out with it's unique sound.  Today you'll find the song in a number of movie soundtracks, but on the radio it's pretty much a forgotten oldie.
watch the long version here

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Ready for spring yet?

Here's a little bonus for those of you anxious for spring... the original "I Wanna Go Golfing" cartoon featuring Goofy!  Thanks Walt Disney!!
Goofy cartoon - click here

Friday, February 20, 2015

Today is National Hoodie Hoo Day!!

Seriously, everyone meet outside at noon and yell "Hoodie Hoo" to help drive winter away!!  I sure hope this works!
Click here for more!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Coconut

Today a forgotten oldie to warm you up, Harry Nilsson's 1971 hit Coconut. Reaching #7 on the Hot 100, the song takes me to summer fun every time I hear it.  Featured in a long list of movies and TV shows, how many other former top ten songs do you know that have been recorded and used for parodies by both the Muppets and Homer Simpson?
watch it here

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Liar by Three Dog Night

In 1971, Three Dog Night had a top ten hit with "Liar", peaking at #7 on the Hot 100.  I'm not sure why the song is a forgotten oldie today... probably because it was the follow-up to "Joy to the World".  Another instance where there are just too many songs to choose from in this great band's library.
watch it here

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

What I did over my long weekend...

I came back to work today after a four-day weekend... NICE!  And if you're wondering what I did with my time off, well the band played Saturday night for Valentine's Day.  We had a blast!!



Thursday, February 12, 2015

Kinkdom...

The Kinks' album Kinkdom had a gem among it's 12 tracks, "A Well Respected Man". Peaking at #13 on February 12, 1966 the song has been listed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 660 songs that shaped rock and roll.  Yet today, it's mostly forgotten.
watch here

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Raspberries!!

Although incorrectly considered by many to be one hit wonders, the Raspberries rocked their way around the charts for over three years in the 70's.  A top ten hit from 1972 "I Wanna Be With You" is proof of that.  The band was picked on for matching outfits and gigantic hairstyles, but they knew how to rock.  It's a shame so much of their music is ignored today.
watch here

Monday, February 9, 2015

February 9, 1964

51 years ago, the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first time. Rock history!!
See it here

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Are you ready boots?

On February 5th, 1966, Nancy Sinatra broke into the top 40 with "These Boots Are Made For Walking".  The song climbed to #1 a couple weeks later.  The song is a classic LA production, Lee Hazelwood wrote it and produced it, the famous session group the Wrecking Crew provided the music, and Billy Strange arranged it.  Nancy gave the song the perfect gritty, nasty feel and a signature double bass part should have insured that the song would be a classic... instead it's another forgotten oldie.
Careful, mini skirts abound if you click this!

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Let's Meet Halfway...

If you'll agree the Partridge Family actually had some good music, I'll agree they were overly controlled by record and TV execs.  One of their most successful singles, "I'll Meet You Halfway" reached the top ten in the USA, Europe, Canada and Australia in 1971.  I believe it's a great song, that still deserves airplay today.  The Partridge Family TV show lasted twice as long as The Monkees TV show, and had a broader age appeal.  The show also survived four years on a tough day... Friday.  Kudos David and Shirley!
Watch here