Monthly Archives: August 2025

Music Monday: August 25, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

“The screen door slams
Mary’s dress waves
Like a vision she dances
Across the porch as the radio plays”
-Bruce Springsteen, “Thunder Road”, 1975.

Those lines opened the most important record of my life. And today that masterpiece of an album celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The iconic photo on the cover of the album was taken by Eric Meola.

Bruce Springsteen was 25 when it was released. During his performance on VH-1’s “Storytellers” in 2005, he said the album was “his big invitation to his audience, to himself, to anybody that was interested to a long earthly journey. Hopefully in the company of someone you love, people you love and in search of a home you can feel a part of.”  

So glad I went along for the ride. It was like taking the road less traveled and realizing it was the best one after all.  

I still remember the day I went to buy it. When I heard him on the radio, for some reason I did not wonder what Springsteen looked like. I did not think about that on my way to the record store, either. I’m not sure why. But one look at him on the cover of BTR-the long hair, the beard, the leather jacket, that smile…..sa-woon. But even with that physical swagger, it was his words that reached a place inside me so deep I did not think anything or anyone could touch.

The album’s back cover featured The Big Man (and his sax), Clarence Clemons. (Credit: Eric Meola).

As I have written before, “BTR is my heart. Springsteen’s masterpiece changed the trajectory of my life. I loved music before I heard this record, without question. But I became consumed by it because of BTR.

The musicianship, the poetry, the pageantry of his storytelling, the characters and his cautionary tales about life, loss, betrayal & the inevitable roads life will sometimes take us down all led to a phenomenal place I now know as home. This record brought light to the darkest place I knew, hope to replace despair, joy to remove unimaginable sadness and peace for a shattered heart. There are no words adequate enough to thank someone for all of that. Not to mention how great it was to find another person who loved the magic of the night just as much as I did.”

I will love Bruce forever.  He is home to me.  And that started with Born To Run. 

Thank you, Bruce.  

(Credit: Eric Meola.)

Bruce Springsteen: “Thunder Road” (1975, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Bruce Springsteen: “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” (1975, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Bruce Springsteen: “Backstreets” (1975, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Bruce Springsteen: “Born To Run” (1975, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Bruce Springsteen: “Jungleland” (1975, written by Bruce Springsteen).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: August 18, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In this the year that marks the 60th anniversary of when The Doors were founded in Los Angeles, California in 1965, there is another milestone in their history: the 55th anniversary of their performance at the Isle of Wight Festival in England on August 30, 1970.

Their set was at 2AM in the morning & it was a different show than the ones making headlines in the U.S., especially after Morrison’s arrest in Miami, Florida in March 1969 for alleged lewd and lascivious behavior. His once expressive and animated onstage persona changed to a nearly motionless stance. And on that night in England, he did not stray from behind his mic stand. Rather, Morrison stood as a stoic figure who let the strength & power of his voice along with the lyrics convey the messages of the songs that were carried through the musical prowess of the band. The result was an incredibly passionate and dynamic performance.

Despite the legal headaches, this era for the band-and Morrison especially-was my favorite. In just over three years from when their debut album was released in January 1967, the group’s sound had continued to evolve into an undeniable force in music with songs that were evocative, complex and intense thanks to three masterfully gifted musicians & guided by an exquisitely beautiful, intelligent and incredibly talented singer, songwriter & poetic man.

Morrison especially had changed both physically & emotionally. He went from a thin clean-shaven young guy to a more mature, bearded man who was trying to come to terms with the the trappings & limitations of his rapid success. His substance experimentation was supposedly becoming more frequent and excessive while his need and desire to express his art on his terms was being scrutinized and dismissed by law enforcement. He was convicted on the outstanding charges a month after the Wight show which he appealed. But his death in July 1971 ended that process. However, in 2010, Florida Governor Charlie Crist & the state’s Clemency Board posthumously pardoned Morrison.

A CD & DVD of this concert-Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970-was finally released nearly five decades later in February 2018. If you are a fan of the Doors, it is a must have. But then again what part of their catalog isn’t?

Top: The cover to the Doors 2018 release of their August 1970 concert. Middle: Jim Morrison during the concert. Bottom: The band on stage during their performance. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bobby Whitlock died on August 10, 2025 at age 77. He is most notably remembered as a founding member, pianist & songwriter for Derek & The Dominos. Six of the songs featured on their only album, 1970’s Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, were co-written by him (including “Bell Bottom Blues” which Clapton formally acknowledged many years later after Whitlock relayed the story of how the song came to be) while one song was written just by him alone.

Whitlock was born in March 18, 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee. He began his career as a teenager hanging out in the hallowed halls of Stax Records where he befriended the members of Booker T & The MG’s and Albert King, among others. Whitlock was the first white artist signed to that label but when he met the husband & wife team of Delaney & Bonnie who invited the young singer and pianist to play in their band, Whitlock left Memphis to join them. That tour in 1969 introduced him to the three men who would help him form Derek & The Dominos: Eric Clapton, Jim Gordon and Carl Radle. But not before all four men played on George Harrison’s solo record, All Things Must Pass, which was released three weeks after the Layla album in November 1970.

After The Dominos broke up in 1971, Whitlock pursued a solo career which he ended in 1976, perhaps as an act of penance. In a 2006 interview with The Austin Chronicle, Whitlock confessed, ” You know I’m indirectly responsible for disco? [Clapton’s manger] Robert Stigwood took the Dominos’ money, used it to create RSO Records and record the Bee Gees. My deepest apologies to the entire music world.”

Whitlock started performing again in 1999. He married musician & singer CoCo Carmel in 2005 and together they used their YouTube channel to give fans a glimpse into their lives. In 2010, his autobiography, Bobby Whitlock: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Autobiography, was published.

Robert Stanley Whitlock: March 18, 1948 – August 10, 2025.

Top: Derek & The Dominos in 1970 (L-R): drummer Jim Gordon, bassist Carl Radle, pianist Bobby Whitlock and guitarist Eric Clapton. Middle: Whitlock and Clapton from Derek & The Dominos’ performance on “The Johnny Cash Show” filmed in November 1970. Bottom (L-R): Jools Holland, Whitlock and Clapton in 2000. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Doors: “Back Door Man” (Recorded live August 1970 at The Isle Of Wight Concert in England. Originally released in 1967, written by Willie Dixon).

The Doors: “Roadhouse Blues” (Recorded live August 1970 at The Isle Of Wight Concert in England. Originally released in 1970, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison).

The Doors: “Light My Fire” (Recorded live August 1970 at The Isle Of Wight Concert in England. Originally released in 1967, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison).

Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock: “Bell Bottom Blues” (Performed live on “Later With Jools Holland”, broadcast in April 2000. Originally released in 1970 by Derek & The Dominos, written by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: August 11, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

It was 60 years ago today that The Beatles’ second film, Help, was released in the U.S. on August 11, 1965. Categorized as a comedy adventure where the group is running from a cult trying to get their hands on a piece of jewelry stuck on Ringo’s finger, it also provided fans with an accompanying album which debuted a week earlier.

A second film for the group was no surprise as it followed their landmark career altering arrival in America in February 1964 which prompted the release of their first film, A Hard Day’s Night, on August 12, 1964.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

As successful as a new movie & album were for the band, there was an even bigger milestone on the horizon for The Fab Four that year. This Friday marks the 60th anniversary of their historic concert at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York. At that time it was home to baseball’s NY Mets & football’s NY Jets, but on Sunday, August 15, 1965 the Beatles used it to become the first band to ever play a stadium concert. The music was inaudible over the screams of the majority of young girls in the audience of 55,600 attendees, but the band played their 12 song set anyway as follows:

  • “Twist & Shout”
  • “She’s A Woman”
  • “I Feel Fine”
  • “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”
  • “Ticket To Ride”
  • “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby”
  • “Can’t Buy Me Love”
  • “Baby’s In Black”
  • “Act Naturally”
  • “A Hard Day’s Night”
  • “Help”
  • “I’m Down”

The BBC made a 50 minute movie of the concert which was first broadcast in 1966, the same year The Beatles returned to Shea for another show which took place on August 23, 1966 as part of their final tour. The stadium was demolished in 2009 with Bill Joel holding the last concerts there a year earlier. Dubbed “The Last Play At Shea”, he welcomed several special guests to bid farewell to the place where The Beatles made history, including Sir Paul McCartney. He & Joel closed the final show with a performance of “Let It Be”.

It was also McCartney that played the first three inaugural concerts in July 2009 at the new stadium, Citi Field, which is located a few blocks from where Shea once stood. He included a song from the 1965 concert playlist, “I’m Down” and it can be heard on the live album set, Good Evening New York City, which McCartney released in November 2009.

In April of that year, Citi Field became the new home for the NY Mets. According to ESPN, the team will pay tribute to the historic Shea concert anniversary before their scheduled home game against the Seattle Mariners this Friday night.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week we said goodbye to American hero James Arthur Lovell Jr. The astronaut, test pilot, naval aviator and mechanical engineer died on August 7, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois at age 97. In 1968, he & two other men-Frank Borman (March 14, 1928 – November 7, 2023) and William Anders (October 17, 1933 – June 7, 2024)-became the first three astronauts to orbit the moon during the Apollo 8 mission. Then in 1970, Lovell commanded Apollo 13 and brought it back to Earth safely after an oxygen tank exploded in the service module 48 hours into the flight. Ron Howard’s film based on that mission was released 30 years ago on June 30, 1995 starring Tom Hanks as Lovell.

He was born March 25, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison before graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952. A decade later, he was selected as an astronaut by NASA which issued this statement after his passing:

“We are saddened by the passing of Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13 and a four-time spaceflight veteran,” the space agency said. “Lovell’s life and work inspired millions. His courage under pressure helped forge our path to the Moon and beyond—a journey that continues today.”

Lovell and his wife, Marilyn Gerlach, were married 71 years before her death two years ago on August 27, 2023. The couple had four children.

James Arthur Lovell Jr.: March 25, 1928 – August 7, 2025.

Jim Lovell in 1969 (top) and circa 2015 (bottom). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Beatles: “Help” (1965, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” (1965, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “I’ve Just Seen A Face” (1965, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “I Feel Fine” (1964, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “Ticket To Ride” (1965, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “I’m Down” (1965, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Elton John: “Rocket Man” (1972, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: August 4, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sweet Baby James is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter James Taylor, released on February 1, 1970. And 55 years later, it remains one of his most beloved records. The title track has always been one of my favorite songs by him. But it is the first track on side 2- which peaked at #3 in October 1970-which is probably his best known tune, along with “You’ve Got A Friend” which was released in 1971. That was the #1 song in the country on July 31, 1971 for one week.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic was also released 55 years ago, making its debut in July 1970. The band formed in Birmingham, England three years earlier and featured Jim Capaldi (August 2, 1944 – January 28, 2005), Dave Mason, Steve Winwood and Chris Wood (June 24, 1944 – July 12, 1983) . Mason was not on the 1970 album as he left the band after the release of their debut album-1967’s Mr. Fantasy-but came back for their third album, 1969’s Last Exit. After that, Mason departed for good. Traffic released a total of eight albums together, with the last one coming in 1994 after years of the two primary songwriters-Capaldi and Winwood-writing together for solo projects. Traffic was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2004.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Eric Clapton released his debut self-titled solo album in the U.S. on August 12, 1970. It was produced by Delaney Bramlett of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, who were one of the opening acts for Clapton’s band, Blind Faith, in 1969. When they broke up, Clapton continued touring with the Friends’ band. Delaney’s wife, Bonnie Bramlett, co-wrote eight of the eleven songs on Clapton’s solo record. His collaborations with The Friends’ band led to his meeting with Bobby Whitlock, who along with Carl Radle and Jim Gordon would form Derek and the Dominos with Clapton that same year.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Forty years ago on August 5, 1985, John Cougar Mellencamp released his eighth studio album, Scarecrow. It was the follow-up to 1983’s Uh-Huh which produced three Top 20 hits (“Crumblin’ Down”, “Pink Houses” & “The Authority Song”). The 1985 record had three Top Ten hits including “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” and “Lonely Ol’ Night”. In his career to date Mellencamp has 10 Top Ten songs & one #1 hit, “Jack & Diane”, which spent four consecutive weeks in the top spot in October 1982.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

James Taylor: “Sweet Baby James” (1970, written by James Taylor).

James Taylor: “Fire and Rain” (1970, written by James Taylor).

Traffic: “Empty Pages” (1970. written by Jim Capaldi and Steve Winwood).

Eric Clapton: “Let It Rain” (1970, written by Bonnie Bramlett and Eric Clapton).

John Cougar Mellencamp: “Small Town” (1985, written by John Cougar Mellencamp).

Stay safe & well.