Music & makeovers! I swoon for chippy paint, a gorgeous patina and a fabulous song!!! I love great music (read: Bruce Springsteen & Otis Redding), white lilacs, walking in freshly fallen snow, the Golden Girls, road trips and the fall!!!
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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I have been in a deep dive of Chris Isaak’s music lately after finding a few live clips of some shows he did last year. That has me missing his quirky, cool & unbelievably funny self-titled Showtime show which has yet to be made available on DVD or for streaming despite the fact that it ended its three season run 20 years ago.
Today’s song, which was featured in S2 E12 as a fabulous duet with country artist Allison Moorer, is from his 1998 album, Speak Of The Devil. It was the follow up to his sixth album, The Baja Sessions where he put an acoustic spin on some of his previously released songs along with his own takes of Dean Martin’s “Return To Me” and Roy Orbison’s “Only The Lonely”. It is hard to believe that Isaak’s debut album came out almost 40 years ago in 1985. But his voice, his lyrics and his sound are evocative and timeless which are the main reasons why I cannot get enough of his music after all these years.
“Cause I still dream of you And I will call your name And I will wait Till you come back again“.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Chris Isaak: “Walk Slow” (1998, written by Chris Isaak).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Yesterday marked the 81st birth anniversary of my favorite Beatle. George Harrison was born February 25, 1943 in Liverpool, England. He was the youngest member of the Fab Four but carried a great deal of melody in his hands as their lead guitarist. The fame & wealth he found with the band did not satisfy his spiritual side, however, so he went searching. That lead him to Hinduism which helped him discover the sitar. That sound is featured on the 1965’s “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” and 1967’s “Within You Without You”.
I am featuring two songs today, both of George’s contributions to 1969’s Abbey Road. The first one is my favorite Beatles song of all time and the second is in honor of the fact that on this winter’s day here in New England, it was a very sunny 55 degrees. I may be jinxing myself by looking forward to the next season when we still have the entire month of March to go before the current one is officially over. My grandmother always cautioned such optimism as next month usually “comes in like a lion”. Whether that happens this year or not, “I say, it’s alright”.
Thank you, George. We miss you. Every. Single. Second.
George Harrison in the studio circa 1969.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The Beatles: “Something” (1969, written by George Harrison).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Ray Manzarek born February 12, 1939 in Chicago, IL so this year marks his 85th birth anniversary. Below is the post I wrote for him three years ago:
Stories about brothers as rivals go back to the days of Kane & Abel. That competitive existence has played out over and over in history since. And it does not just exist between blood brothers as it can happen with two men who are friends as well. But some brothers, despite their differences, do not become rivals but rather exist in a more harmonious entwined state because they admire each other’s talents. This is sometimes referred to as a bromance. One of the best examples of this is found in Greek mythology between Zeus’ sons, Apollo and Dionysus. Apollo, the god of the sun, was logical and prudent like most left brain people are. Dionysus, the god of wine & dance, was more creative and ruled by his emotions which today translates into right brain thinking.
The Doors circa 1968 (L-R): John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Ray Manzarek of The Doors once said in a radio interview that he played Apollo to Jim Morrison’s Dionysus. Manzarek also referred to Morrison as his buddy, his pal, his friend and his soul mate. The man he created art with. I found it both heartbreaking and beautiful to listen to one man talk so eloquently about another man who he also referred to as his “brother”.
Manzarek was born 85 years ago on Feb 12, 1939. He met Morrison in California in the early 1960’s and by 1965 The Doors were a band. From 1967 to 1971 they conquered the music world & released six albums together before Morrison’s death on July 3, 1971. Manzarek died on May 20, 2013. After 42 years, the Apollo & Dionysus of the music world were finally reunited. The Morrison & Manzarek bromance continues.
“All your love is gone So sing a lonely song Of a deep blue dream Seven horses seem to be on the mark“.
The Doors circa 1970 (L-R): Robby Krieger, Jim Morrison, John Densmore and Ray Manzarek. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The Doors: “Love Her Madly” (1971, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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Last week I did not see the Grammys in real time as none of my streaming services offered it live. And let’s face it, for several years now this awards show was anything but remarkable so all I did was catch the highlights anyway. But after I saw the most talked about performance of the night (followed by Joni Mitchell’s), I echoed the sentiments of those who already witnessed that transcendent performance which brought Tracy Chapman back into focus. Her unannounced duet with Luke Combs was beyond beautiful and so was the love she received. That seemed not only to warm her heart but surprised her as well as evidenced by the enormous smile of sheer joy she showed to getting the love she absolutely deserves. When she sang the line, “Me myself I got nothing to prove“, she was 1000% right.
Her immense talent speaks volumes all by itself. Chapman was her authentic self-no fanfare, no designer dress or suit, no fancy set design, not even any ear monitors in sight. Just her guitar, her hauntingly beautiful voice and the power & poetry of her storytelling, proving a great song is a great song forever. I wrote about my love for this track & its wonderful cover last year. I have also written this many times before but it bears reposting: Music is the answer. It is joy, it is healing, it is a time machine to a past we ache to return to and it is love. And thank you, Luke Combs, for bringing Tracy and her masterpiece back to center stage.
Tracy Chapman (L) and Luke Combs (R) at the 2024 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 4th.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Last month marked the 75th birth anniversary of one of my favorite soulful vocalists, Robert Palmer. He was born January 19, 1949 in Batley, Yorkshire. He grew up listening to jazz, soul and the blues. He joined his first band at age 15. By 1974 he was signed to his first record deal. His solo career featured the #1 song, “Addicted To Love” (1986) and two #2 hits, “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On” (1986) and “Simply Irresistible” (1988)-and those unforgettable female driven music videos.
Palmer was also the lead singer for the supergroup, The Power Station. He co-wrote many of the tracks for their debut record, including today’s pick which he continued to perform after he left that band. I was lucky enough to see him in concert at NYC’s famed Radio City Music Hall. It was one the best shows I ever saw.
Top: Robert Palmer circa 1982. Bottom: A still from the 1985 video, “Addicted To Love”.(Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
Robert Palmer: ”Some Like It Hot” (From a live performance in 1988. Originally recorded in 1985 with The Power Station. Written by Robert Palmer, John Taylor and Andy Taylor).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
This week marks 60 glorious years of The Beatles taking America by storm. The band from Liverpool released two albums in the UK in 1963-Please Please Me in March and With The Beatles in November. Building on that momentum, the group then released two records in the United States, Introducing… The Beatles and Meet The Beatles, within two weeks of each other in January 1964. That helped add to the excitement and anticipation of the band’s first trip to America which brought them to New York’s JFK Airport on February 7, 1964.
Top: The Beatles at JFK Airport on February 7, 1964. Bottom: Their first press conference later that day.(Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
Two days later, February 9, 1964, The Fab Four appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” for the first time where they performed a total of five songs to 73 million fans and their parents watching at home. About four seconds into the first track, the world changed into a new color known as John, Paul, George and Ringo. It was-and remains-an extraordinarily beautiful hue.
The band made a total of three appearances on Sullivan’s show that month, but that first show 60 years ago signified the pop culture phenomenon known as Beatlemania. They took the country from the darkness of the Kennedy assassination less than three months earlier and catapulted it into a musical and cultural movement known as The British Invasion.
Top and bottom: The Beatles first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Sunday, February 9, 1964. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The band changed our lives, their lives and history during an incredible ride that ended when they broke up in April 1970. But for 6 magical years, we watched those four men teach us all the power of love, music, life and peace. And their songs continue that legacy today.
Let’s relive the magic of February 9, 1964 with the five songs the Beatles performed that night:
The Beatles: ”All My Loving” (1963, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).
The Beatles: ”I Want To Hold Your Hand” (Performed live on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Sunday, February 9, 1964. Recorded in 1963, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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This Saturday will mark 65 years since Buddy Holly (aged 22) died with two other musicians-Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., better known by his stage name The Big Bopper (aged 28) and Ritchie Valens (aged 17)-along with their pilot, Roger Peterson-in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 3, 1959. The cause of the tragedy remains unknown to this day.
Charles Hardin Holley, better known as Buddy Holly, circa 1957.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Referred to at the time as “The Day The Music Died” because the crash was believed to mark the end of the early rock & roll era, the phrase was immortalized by Don McClean in his now legendary ode from 1971. Released more than a decade after the crash, the loss of three musical pioneers-a teenager, a newlywed and a married father of one with another on the way-and the only one of the three to serve in the U.S. Army-still resonated with those who never recovered from the “bad news on the doorstep” on that cold February morning.
Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., a/k/a The Big Bopper, circa 1958.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
My post from 5 years ago explored the families left behind by these three men. And their roots in music still run deep more than six decades after that awful day. Two are already members of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame-Holly and Valens-while a 2017 documentary I have yet to find on a streaming service, “Bopper & Me“, explores one man’s quest to have Richardson inducted as well. As a songwriter, one of his most famous compositions aside from the one he sang is “White Lightning” by George Jones. It became his first #1 country hit for five weeks in April/May 1959, about two months after Richardson’s death. The song is featured prominently in the first episode of Showtime’s 2022-2023 miniseries, “George & Tammy“.
Richard Steven Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, circa 1958.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The crash linked these men forever in history by death, by comparison to their unbelievably short lives and by their musical legacies. But it connected a lot of other people, too. And every year when this somber anniversary comes around, I cannot help but think of the fans in the audience at the Surf Ballroom who watched these three men perform on February 2, 1959. As a music lover myself, I know how long my high lasts after a show by one artist, so to see so many in one night must have been a phenomenal feeling. But then to wake up the next morning to that tragic news, how could those people even comprehend that their presence at one show at one moment in their lives tied them forever to these three artists, to history and to fate? What a staggering reality.
These two pictures appeared in a February 2023 online story about the 1959 Winter Dance Party Tour and tragedy. It suggested that both photos were taken on February 1, 1959 at the show at the Green Bay, WI Riverside Ballroom. However, I believe the bottom photo is the same as the top one except it has been photoshopped with Valens image to show the three men together. But that is just my theory. Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
The Big Bopper: ”Chantilly Lace” (1958, written by J.P. Richardson).
Buddy Holly: “Everyday” (1957, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty).
Ritchie Valens: ”La Bamba” (1958, written by Ritchie Valens based on a traditional Mexican folk song).
Don McLean: ”American Pie” (1971, written by Don McLean).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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I have been a fan of Kenny Loggins-who celebrated birthday #76 on January 7-since he was in a duo, as a solo artist to his days as the “King of the Movie Soundtrack” to his 2023 Farewell Tour. If that were not hard enough to accept, this month marks 40 years since the release of the song, “Footloose”.
Featured in the 1984 movie of the same name, Loggins not only performed the track but co-wrote it as well. It was the #1 song in the country for three consecutive weeks beginning March 31, 1984 and it was nominated for “Best Original Song” at the 57th Academy Awards in 1985 (it lost to “I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder).
In June 2021, Loggins combined all his movie music on one album as a special Record Store Day release, At The Movies. Today’s song may have be written for a film, but since 2002 I cannot think of this track without picturing the man who brought it to life in the movie-Kevin Bacon-dancing to it with Will Truman, much to Jack McFarland’s shock and horror, on “Will & Grace” (S5 E2, “Bacon and Eggs”).
Happy birthday, Kenny Loggins, and congratulations on 40 years of “Footloose”.
Top:Kenny Loggins circa 1980’s. Middle 1: The 1984 “Footloose” movie poster.Middle 2 (L-R):Jack (Sean Hayes) catches Will (Eric McCormack) dancing with Kevin Bacon.Bottom:Loggins in 2012.(Images found online. Original sources linked or unknown.)
Kenny Loggins: ”Footloose” (1984, written by Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to a triple play edition of Music Monday.
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Last month we lost Denny Laine who died on December 5, 2023 at age 79. In 1964 he helped found the band that would become The Moody Blues. In November of that year they released their first single which hit #1 in the UK and #10 in the US in 1965. But when the band failed to capitalize on that record’s success, Laine quit in October 1966 and was replaced by Justin Hayward. In 1971 Laine, Paul McCartney & his wife, Linda, formed Wings with the three of them staying as the consistent members until the group broke up in 1981. So for ten years, Laine performed his #1 Moody Blues song on tour with Wings with and Paul & Linda as his back-up singers. Not a bad gig. RIP.
Paul McCartney (L) with Denny Laine (R) sometime in the 1970’s.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
James Patrick Page OBE, better known as Jimmy Page, guitarist extraordinaire and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin turned 80 years young last week. Born January 9, 1944 in England, this milestone birthday coincides with the 55th anniversary of Led Zeppelin’s self-titled debut album, which was released on January 12, 1969. While most of the songs were written by Page and the band including “Good Times Bad Times” and “Dazed and Confused”, the album also featured three covers: two by legendary blues musician Willie Dixon (“I Can’t Quit You Baby” and “You Shook Me”) and one by folk singer Anne Bredon, who wrote it sometime in the 1950’s. Page discovered the track after hearing Joan Baez’s 1962 version. But Led Zeppelin made it their own, due in large part to Page’s arrangement.
Top: John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page circa 1970. Bottom: Page onstage circa 2005.(Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
R&B singer Al Wilson had the #1 song in the country for one week 50 years ago on Jan 19, 1974. He had three other songs crack the Top 40 during his career but it was his top selling hit that he is best remembered for. It is a great track with a fabulous vocal.
Al Wilson in the 1970’s. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The Moody Blues: ”Go Now” (1964, written by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett).
Led Zeppelin: ”Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” (1969, written by Anne Bredon, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant).
Al Wilson: ”Show And Tell” (1973, written by Jerry Fuller).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to an expanded edition of Music Monday.
Note: WordPress has this post marked as #1000. Thank you for being here for this milestone and for all your support. I truly appreciate it.
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A part of my childhood has officially been laid to rest with the death of David Soul on January 4, 2024. “Starsky & Hutch” were two of the coolest cops with the biggest hearts who were also too adorable for words. I would go back & forth in my head each week trying to decide who was cuter.
But I must admit David’s #1 hit from 1977 gave him a slight edge. I am crushed beyond words. Rest in peace you beautiful Soul. Thank you for being one of my tween dreams. Sigh.
Paul Michael Glaser (left, as Starsky) and David Soul (right, as Hutch) in a scene from the incredibly popular 1970’s TV show. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
In December two music pioneers and legends hit birthday #80. The first is Forrest Richard Betts-better known as Dickey Betts-who was born December 12, 1943 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The singer, songwriter and guitarist is one of two founding members of The Allman Brothers Band still with us (The other is drummer Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson). Betts is behind the band’s only top ten hit-“Ramblin Man“-and many other memorable songs he contributed as the sole lead guitarist after the death of Duane Allman. Betts is thankfully still making music which you can find on his website.
Dickey Betts circa 2000.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Keith Richards was born 80 years ago on December 18, 1943 in England. In 1968 while The Stones were one of the top bands in the world they hosted a concert filmed for release as a BBC special, “Rock and Roll Circus”. Richards performed with them and also played bass for the only performance by the supergroup, “The Dirty Mac”. The other members were John Lennon on lead vocal and rhythm guitar, Eric Clapton on lead guitar and Mitch Mitchell (from The Jimi Hendrix Experience) on drums. But The Stones felt upstaged by another group-The Who-so the program did not air. It was not released until 1996.
The Dirty Mac in 1968 (L-R): Eric Clapton, Mitch Mitchell (in back, on drums), John Lennon and Keith Richards. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Last but never least, today marks the 89th birth anniversary of Elvis Aaron Presley. The short version of his life is that he was born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi and remains a legend. The long version is his musical legacy, his films and every piece of himself that he gave to all of us, especially every note he ever sang. All hail The King.
Elvis Presley circa 1955.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The Allman Brothers Band: ”Blue Sky” (1972, written by Dickey Betts).
The Dirty Mac: ”Yer Blues” (As performed at “The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus” concert, December 1968. Written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney).
Elvis Presley: ”Return To Sender” (1962, written by Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to the first Music Monday of 2024.
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Happy New Year, everyone! I wish all of you the best during the next 12 months. Thank you for being here with me week after week. I really appreciate it.
I do not believe in resolutions, but I do believe in Otis Redding. And his duets with Carla Thomas from their 1967 album, King & Queen, are some of his best moments. ”Tramp” was always my favorite collaboration of theirs, but today’s song is nearly tied with it. The lyrics offer good advice for every day, not just the first one. I can think of no better way to start off a week-let alone a new year-than with a lot of soul.
“Let’s turn over a new leave And baby let’s make promises That we can keep And call it a new year’s resolution“.
“So baby before we fall out Let’s fall on in, yeah yeah And we’re gonna try harder Not to hurt each other again“.
Top:Otis Redding & Carla Thomas’s 1967 album.Bottom:Carla Thomas (seated, then L-R):Otis Redding, Jim Stewart, co-founder of Stax Records, Rufus Thomas (Carla’s father) and Booker T. Jones in the Stax studio in 1967. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
Otis Redding and Carla Thomas: “A New Year’s Resolution” (1967, written by Randle Catron, Mary Frierson and Willie Dean “Deanie” Parker).
Lilacs & Rust 