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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Happy 2026, everyone.

If you have been around for a while, you know I like to set the tone for the new year by picking a song with a message I can focus on when all the noise gets too loud. This year that track is one of the greatest rock anthems ever written sung by one of the most phenomenal voices in classic rock history.

Free’s 1970 album contains my song for 2026 (L-R): Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

On Christmas Eve 100 years ago in 1925, the first story about a bear who lived “under the name of Sanders” was featured in the London Evening News called, “The Wrong Sort of Bees”, written by Alan Alexander (A.A.) Milne. In October 1926, he expanded that story into a children’s book which followed the characters based on the author’s son, Christopher Robin, his stuffed animals led by his beloved teddy bear, Winnie The Pooh, all his friends & their activities in the 100 Acre Wood.

Image found on The Times website credited to TRUSTEES OF THE POOH PROPERTIES/TRUSTEES OF THE SHEPARD TRUST/HARPERCOLLINS.

In 1961, Disney acquired the rights to the characters and a decade after that, Kenny Loggins (who turns 78 on January 7) wrote an ode to childhood featuring that sweet bear. It was released 55 years ago on the first album Loggins & Jim Messina recorded together, 1971’s Sittin’ In.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elvis Aaron Presley was born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Seventy years ago in 1956, he released nearly a dozen songs and made his ground breaking debut in front of 60 million viewers on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on September 9, 1956. Two more appearances for The King would follow-October 28, 1956 & January 6, 1957- with his biggest selling single from 1956 performed all three times.

Elvis Presley on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in October 1956. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This month marks birthday #80 for Doors guitarist Robby Krieger. Born January 8, 1946 in Los Angeles, California, he was the guitarist & the second main songwriter for the band after Jim Morrison. The last album recorded during his lifetime-released 55 years ago in April 1971-features one of Krieger’s most notable tracks.

The Doors sixth studio album was released 55 years ago in April 1971 (L-R): Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Jim Morrison). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Free: “All Right Now” (1970, written by Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers).

Loggins & Messina: “House At Pooh Corner” (1971, written by Kenny Loggins).

Elvis Presley: “Don’t Be Cruel” (Performed on The Ed Sullivan Show on October 28, 1956. Recorded & released in 1956. Written by Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley).

The Doors: “Love Her Madly” (1971, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison).

Stay safe & well.