Author Archives: Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Music Monday: October 6, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This week will mark the 85th birth anniversary of the man who was first introduced to the world as “The Smart Beatle”. John Winston Ono Lennon was born in Liverpool, England on October 9, 1940. His parents did not have a stable marriage (his father was a seamen who was away a lot) so eventually Lennon was raised by his Aunt Mimi Smith after her sister & John’s mother, Julia, gave her custody when her son was nearly four. Two years before her death in 1958 from being struck by a car, she bought her son his first guitar in 1956, the same year he formed The Quarryman group.

At their second performance, Lennon met Paul McCartney & invited him to join the band. By 1960, George Harrison was invited by McCartney to join the group that by this time was renamed The Beatles. Two years later, the addition of Ringo Starr completed the lineup that would change the world.

This December will mark the 60th anniversary of The Beatles seminal album, Rubber Soul. And that comes in a year where we already celebrated the 60th anniversary of 1965’s Help! movie & album and the historic Shea Stadium show along with the 55th anniversary of 1970’s Let It Be. Still, Lennon has his own significant landmarks this year as well.

Fifty-five years ago in December 1970, he released his first solo album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

His songs explored the death of his mother, his disillusionment with life, fame, heroes & everything else that is supposed to make people happy. Lennon was writing the tracks as he approached his 30th birthday, after his time as a Beatle for nearly a decade came to an end and made him more rich & famous than most people would ever be, and he just wanted to be John. He wanted to live a much smaller existence with the woman he loved.

Five years later Lennon had a life altering year. It started 50 years ago in February 1975 with the release of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the album he made in tribute to his musical heroes.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

It includes covers of songs by Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino and Buddy Holly, amongst others. That album was followed by a greatest hit compilation, Shaved Fish, released in October 1975. That month Lennon turned 35 and on his birthday, he became a father for the second time with the birth of his son, Sean. That led Lennon to put his musical career on hold so he could focus on fatherhood. He spent the next five years as a self-described “house husband” (a/k/a a stay at home dad).

By 1980, he returned to his musical career. A summer of writing & recording resulted in Double Fantasy which was released on November 17, 1980.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

On December 27, 1980, it became the third #1 album of his career (after Imagine in 1971 and Walls And Bridges in 1974), staying in the top spot for eight consecutive weeks. Double Fantasy’s first single, “(Just Like) Starting Over”, reached the top spot in the U.S. on the same day where it stayed for five consecutive weeks. The second single, “Woman”, peaked at #2 in March 1981 while the third single, “Watching The Wheels”, reached the #10 spot two months later.

Double Fantasy was the last album released in Lennon’s lifetime. He died 45 years ago on December 8, 1980. My heart is still broken.

Sending “limitless undying love” today & every day “across the universe” to the man who changed music & life for so many of us.

John Lennon circa 1980. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “You’re Going to Lose That Girl” (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From the 1965 album, Help!).

The Beatles: “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From the 1965 album, Rubber Soul).

The Beatles: “In My Life” (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From the 1965 album, Rubber Soul).

The Dirty Mac: “Yer Blues” (As performed at “The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus” concert, December 1968. Written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney. From the 1968 album, The Beatles).

The Beatles: “Dig A Pony” (written by John Lennon. From the 1970 album, Let It Be).

John Lennon: “God” (written by John Lennon. From the 1970 album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band).

John Lennon: “Just Because” (written by Lloyd Price. From the 1975 album, Rock ‘n’ Roll).

John Lennon: “I’m Losing You” (written by John Lennon. From the 1980 album, Double Fantasy).

Stay safe & well.

Welcome, October!

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“I was going home in October. Everybody goes home in October.”

– Jack Kerouac, “On The Road”, 1957.

Welcome to the most beautiful month of the year, everyone!

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Enjoy this glorious month!

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: September 29, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Some of the very best friends I have ever known are celebrating an extremely big anniversary in a few days. The Peanuts comic strip debuted 75 years ago on October 2, 1950. As stated on their website, it was on that day when “Charles M. Schulz introduced a brand-new comic strip with an unlikely round-headed hero, “Good ol’ Charlie Brown.” PEANUTS was born”.

“In 2025, Peanuts Worldwide celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Charles Schulz’ beloved creation, and the whole gang of personalities who have joined the cast along the way: philosophical Linus and his crabby big sister Lucy; piano-playing Schroeder; attention-grabbing Sally; history-making Franklin; not to mention Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Pigpen (and his famous dust cloud) and more. But no one has stolen the show quite like Snoopy, the coolest beagle on the planet”.

The Peanuts are fun, comfort, wisdom, great music & pop culture defined. Thank you, Mr. Schulz, for the gift of such beautiful and relatable characters.

Top: The very first Peanuts comic strip from October 2, 1950. Middle: Charles M. Schulz circa 1967 in front of a drawing of Charlie Brown. Bottom: The stamps issued by the USPS in 2022 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Schulz’s birth anniversary. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bobby Bloom released his self-titled debut album 55 years ago in the summer of 1970. It did not make much of an impression, staying on the charts for only three weeks & peaking at #126 by the end of the year. But the first single-a calypso style number celebrating a popular destination spot in Jamaica-fared much better, peaking at #8 in November 1970.

My first introduction to this song came when I was in elementary school. I had a very progressive gym teacher who knew that dance routines & choregraphed movements were great forms of exercise. She led us in a dance to two songs every year-the first was to the beautiful instrumental track, “Love Is Blue”, by Paul Mauriat (which I featured on Day 13 of my Lockdown Countdown). The second was Bloom’s Top Ten hit from 1970. To this day, I cherish those memories & both of these songs.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In my February 24, 2025 post, I focused on a few of the top selling songs from 50 years ago. This week I am focusing on three more of my favorite #1 songs of 1975 – Part 2.

The Doobie Brothers had their first #1 song in 1975. It was written by guitarist, vocalist & songwriter, Patrick Simmons, and was featured on their 1974 spectacularly titled album, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. His song was the B-side to the first single (“Another Park, Another Sunday”) but was not discovered by radio stations until the end of 1974. Three months later, it hit the #1 spot on March 15, 1975 for one week. The track is Simmons’ ode to the Delta Blues with a nod to New Orleans. It features an inviting a cappella section and a commanding viola arrangement. As a teenager who played that instrument in junior high & high school, it was an absolute thrill to discover that not only did one of my favorite bands use it in a song, but it was on one of their most successful tracks.

The Doobie Brothers circa 1975 (L-R): Patrick Simmons (guitar), Tiran Porter (bass), Keith Knudsen (drums), Tom Johnston (guitar) and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (guitar). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Patti Labelle started singing in the group, The Ordettes, in the early 1960’s when she was still known as Patricia Holte. The group would change their name many times over the next decade, finally settling on LaBelle in 1971. Three years later, they signed with Epic Records and had incredible success with their soul, R&B, funk & rock infused album, Nightbirds, released in September 1974. It featured the #1 hit that reached the top spot on March 29, 1975 for one week, helping LaBelle become the first black vocal group to grace the cover of Rolling Stone for the July 3, 1975 issue. 

LaBelle on the cover of Rolling Stone’s July 3, 1975 issue (L-R: Sarah Dash, Nona Hendrix (middle, seated) and Patti LaBelle. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In 1974 Elton John wrote a song to honor his friend, tennis star & World Team Tennis MVP, Billie Jean King. That year she became the first woman to coach a professional sports team with both male & female players. The track not only became their anthem but also one for the city they played for. It was the second of EJ’s three #1 hits in 1975 (“Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” & “Island Girl” were the other two).

Tennis legend Billie Jean King (L) and Elton John (R) circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bonus: Fifty five years ago on August 22, 1970, Bread hit the #1 spot in the country with a song written & produced by David Gates. It was one of my mother’s favorite songs & it is still one of mine. I dedicate it to her today on what would have been her 86th birthday.

“Life can be short or long, love can be right or wrong”.

Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Linus And Lucy” (1964, written by Vince Guaraldi).

Bobby Bloom: “Montego Bay” (1970, written by Jeff Barry and Bobby Bloom).

The Doobie Brothers: “Black Water” (1974, written by Patrick Simmons. It hit the #1 spot on March 15, 1975 for one week).

Labelle: “Lady Marmalade” (1974, written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. It hit the #1 spot on March 29, 1975 for one week).

Elton John: “Philadelphia Freedom” (1975, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It hit the #1 spot on April 12, 1975 for two consecutive weeks).

Bread: “Make It With You” (1970, written by David Gates).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: Sept 22, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week we lost the epitome of a true Hollywood legend. Actor, director, filmmaker & independent movie champion Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025 at age 89. He started his acting career at the end of the 1950’s with roles on TV & on stage then segued into movies. He found fame thanks to such high profile roles in dozens of films including “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid”, “Jeremiah Johnson”, “The Way We Were”, “The Great Gatsby”, “All The President’s Men” and “The Natural”, just to name a few.

He used the proceeds of his success to start the Sundance Film Festival in 1978. Two years later, he made his directorial debut with 1980’s “Ordinary People” which earned him an Academy Award for Best Director. He went on to direct nine more movies while he continued his acting career. He also became involved in several causes, especially the environment. I loved so many of his roles and movies, especially how he brought “A River Runs Through It” to life not only with his directing skills but with his narration in the film as well. Goodbye, Sundance. Thank you for everything.

Charles Robert Redford Jr.: August 18, 1936 – September 16, 2025.

Robert Redford in Utah in 1969 photographed by John Dominis – The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock for the February 1970 edition of Life Magazine.

Robert Redford in NYC’s Times Square in 1969 photographed by John Dominis – The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock for the February 1970 edition of Life Magazine.

Riley B. King-known professionally as B.B. King-was born 100 years ago on September 16, 1925 near Itta Bena, Mississippi. Known as The King of the Blues, he started his six decade career as a Beale Street musician who went on to redefine the blues genre. He also made notable appearances in such movies as 1985’s “Spies Like Us”, 1993’s “Heart & Souls” and 1998’s “Blues Brothers 2000” as well as several TV shows including the legendary daytime soap, “General Hospital” in 1995 at Luke’s Blues Club opening. He collaborated with a multitude of artists including Eric Clapton, U2, Van Morrison, Elton John, Daryl Hall and many others. King died May 14, 2015 at age 89.

B.B. King circa 2000. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Tomorrow marks the 95th birth anniversary of Ray Charles Robinson. The singer & piano extraordinaire was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia. And this month marks 65 years since he released The Genius Hits the Road in September 1960. It contains his signature tune which was designated as the namesake’s state song in 1979. Charles died on June 10, 2004 at the age of 73.

Ray Charles circa 1990. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Neil Young’s third studio album-After the Gold Rush– was released 55 years ago in September 1970. It includes songs like “Tell Me Why”, “Southern Man” and “I Believe In You” as some of the notable tracks. This year marks another milestone of the legendary singer-songwriter’s career: It is the 40th anniversary of Farm Aid which Young started in 1985 along with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.

The organization’s first concert was held on September 22, 1985 in Champaign, Illinois and raised $7 million dollars. According to its website, the organization was founded “in response to the growing crisis faced by American family farmers during the 1980s. The inaugural concert marked a historic moment in the farm movement, to support struggling family farmers, but more importantly, raising awareness of the impacts of the crisis.“

Young, who will turn 80 this November, was part of the lineup over the weekend for the Farm Aid 40 concert held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 20. Some of the other performers included Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Nelson’s son, Lukas and Dave Matthews, who is also on the organization’s board.

Top: Neil Young’s 1970 album. Middle: Young, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp at the first Farm Aid concert in Illinois in September 1985. Bottom: Nelson, Young, Dave Matthews and Margo Price from Farm Aid 40 on September 20, 2025. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

B.J. Thomas: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the 1969 film, “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid“. The song was the #1 hit in the country for four consecutive weeks 55 years ago in January 1970).

B.B. King: “Three O’Clock Blues” (1951, written by Lowell Fulson).

B.B. King: “The Thrill Is Gone” (1970, written by Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins).

Ray Charles: “What’d I Say, Pt. 1 & 2” (1959, written by Ray Charles).

Ray Charles: “Georgia On My Mind” (1960, written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell).

Neil Young: “After The Gold Rush” (1970, written by Neil Young).

Neil Young: “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” (1970, written by Neil Young).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: September 15, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month I celebrated the 50th anniversary of the most important album in my world. Today I am honoring the second one, released 60 years ago. Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul was released on September 15, 1965. This album is the one that helped me love this man for more than his posthumous #1 masterpiece, (“Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay”.

Otis Blue featured eleven tracks including three songs written by Redding (with one of them co-written with soul singer Jerry Butler), a Jagger-Richards tune and three songs written by Sam Cooke, one of Redding’s idols. The album is resplendent with his signature achingly impassioned vocal in every note while the house band at Stax-also known as the incomparable Booker T & The MG’s-keeps up with his energy and drive. And the band’s virtuoso guitarist, Steve Cropper, along with label co-owner Jim Stewart (1930-2022), produced the album with renowned engineer Tom Dowd (1925-2002) who worked with dozens of artists including Aretha Franklin, Cream, The Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton.

Earlier in 1965-March to be exact-another album by Redding was released, The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads. The collection includes covers of Sam Cooke’s “Nothing Can Change This Love” and Jerry Butler’s “For Your Precious Love” along with the Redding-Cropper collaboration, “Mr. Pitiful”, amongst its 12 tracks.

Last week marked Redding’s 84th birth anniversary. He was born on September 9, 1941 in Dawson, Georgia and was raised in Macon. He started singing in church and later in talent shows. By 15 when he left school to help support his family, he was singing with Little Richard (who inducted Redding into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989). By 1962 he had recorded & released his first hit with Stax, “These Arms Of Mine”. Over the next impossibly short five years, he established himself as The King Of Soul with notable performances at The Apollo Theater in 1963, The Whisky a Go-Go in 1966 & The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 before his death in a plane crash at the end of that year on December 10. Sixty years later, Otis Blue remains the pinnacle of Redding’s career.

Above: Otis Redding circa 1965. (Image found on OtisRedding.com. Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “Respect” (1965, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1965, written by Sam Cooke).

Otis Redding: “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (1965, written by Jerry Butler and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “Shake” (1965, written by Sam Cooke).

Otis Redding: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

Otis Redding: “You Don’t Miss Your Water” (1965, written by William Bell).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: September 8, 2025

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

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Before we get to the songs, I want to give a shout out to a couple of TV anniversaries close to my heart.

Two of my favorite TV cops-“Starsky & Hutch”-came to life in the show’s pilot which premiered on April 30, 1975. Due to its success, it was picked up for a series with the first episode broadcast 50 years ago on Sep 10, 1975. The two cops were not only partners but best friends who were dedicated to keeping the streets of their city safe. They had heart, smarts and great instincts and were adorable to watch, especially if you were a young girl experiencing her first real crushes. It was one of Aaron Spelling’s biggest hits in the early days of his TV empire. To me, David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser remain the best part of that universe.

David Soul (L) as Detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson and Paul Michael Glaser (R) as Detective David Starsky. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A decade later, I met four women who I will adore for all of eternity. “The Golden Girls” premiered 40 years ago on September 14, 1985. They gave us seven seasons of fun, laughter, jokes, sarcastic quips and life lessons served up with a side of cheesecake. For many of us, they remain the best surrogate mothers to those of us who desperately need them. A very special thank you goes out to the show’s creator, Susan Harris (who will turn 85 next month, who also gave us the hilarious 1970’s series, “Soap” & is from my home state of New York), who took her vision of women in their second & third acts & turned it into one of the greatest shows ever made. The show was nominated six times for the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy Award – it won two years in a row, 1986 & 1987 – and all four leading ladies won Emmy Awards for their work on the show. Thank you Estelle, Bea, Rue & Betty for making the wonderful world of Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche & Rose such a great place to be.

Four iconic women sharing a story & a laugh over a slice of cheesecake (L-R): Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo, Bea Arthur as her daughter, Dorothy Zbornak, Betty White as Rose Nylund and Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sir George Ivan “Van” Morrison OBE celebrated birthday #80 last month. Born August 31, 1945 in Belfast, Ireland, he grew up listening to his father’s extensive record collection, finding inspiration in artists like Ray Charles and Solomon Burke, among others. Morrison started playing guitar at age 11 and eventually would learn the harmonica & the saxophone as well. He was playing in bands by age 12 and by age 19, he was a member of the band, Them. The success of songs like “Gloria” and “Here Comes the Night” not only inspired the band, The Doors, but gave Morrison the push to start a solo career, which he did after quitting Them in 1966.

His debut album, Blowin’ Your Mind!, was released a year later and produced the Top Ten hit, “Brown Eyed Girl”. His sophomore album, Astral Weeks, came out in 1968 and that was followed by my personal favorite-Moondance-which was released 55 years ago in January 1970. Between the title track, “Crazy Love”, “Into The Mystic”, “These Dreams Of You” and other stand out songs, Morrison’s talents for songwriting, musicianship and vocals infused with a blend of rock, soul and rhythm & blues were irrefutable.

He released another album at the end of 1970-His Band and the Street Choir-which produced his second Top Ten hit, “Domino”. He has released nearly 50 albums in his career, some as collaborations (including 1988’s Irish Heartbeat with the Irish band The Chieftains & 2015’s Duets: Re-working the Catalogue) and some covering his favorite songs (2023’s Accentuate the Positive).

Morrison has received numerous accolades for his work including an Academy Award nomination in 2022 (for “Down To Joy” from “Belfast”), two Grammy Awards (1998-Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals with John Lee Hooker for “Don’t Look Back” and 1996-Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals with The Chieftains for “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” ) and the Ivor Novello Award in 1995. Morrison’s music has been used on numerous movie soundtracks and he was a featured performed in The Band’s 1978 concert film, “The Last Waltz”. He has influenced artists like Rod Stewart, Elton John, John Mellencamp, Glen Hansard, Damien Rice and many others.

Van Morrison through the years, first circa 1968 (top), in the 1970’s (middle) and circa 2015 (bottom). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Rod Stewart’s sixth solo album, Atlantic Crossing, was released 50 years ago in August 1975. He recorded it in Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama & it includes covers of the Dobie Gray classic, “Drift Away”, The Isley Brothers’ “This Old Heart of Mine” (which Stewart would record again in 1989 as a duet with Ronald Isley) and Gavin Sutherland’s “Sailing”.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The movie “Fame” premiered 45 years ago on May 16, 1980. The film, directed by Alan Parker, follows a group of talented teenagers from their acceptance to the New York High School of Performing Arts and their subsequent life experiences over the next four years as they hone their drama, music & dance skills. The movie introduced us to Irene Cara who starred in the film & was the voice behind its theme song. And I was today years old when I discovered that another tune she performed in the film-my favorite track-was co-written by 60’s teen sensation/girl singer Lesley Gore (“It’s My Party”, “Judy’s Turn To Cry” & “You Don’t Own Me”).

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

David Soul: “Don’t Give Up On Us” ((1977, written by Tony Macaulay).

Bea Arthur (as Dorothy Zbornak): “What’ll I Do” (Written by Irving Berlin. From “The Golden Girls” S7 E18, “Journey to the Center of Attention”, broadcast on February 22, 1992).

Van Morrison: “Caravan” (1970, written by Van Morrison).

Van Morrison: “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)” (1972, written by Van Morrison).

Van Morrison: “Hard Nose The Highway” (1973, written by Van Morrison).

Rod Stewart: “I Don’t Want To Talk About It” (1975, written by Danny Whitten).

Irene Cara: “Out Here On My Own” (1980, written by Lesley Gore and Michael Gore).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: September 1, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

It is Labor Day on this Monday in the U.S. where we take a moment to celebrate the efforts of the American worker. Whatever the profession, whatever hours are worked and wherever that work takes place, working for a living is a status most of us share.

Today’s song tells the story of a couple of delivery men who imagine a much easier life if only they had “learned to play the guitar” instead of spending their days using physical labor and power tools.

This track was the #1 song in the country 40 years ago, hitting the top spot on Sept 21, 1985. It stayed in that position for three consecutive weeks & was the second single from the album, Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits, which was released in May 1985.

The tune also became the unofficial theme song for the channel every music lover wanted thanks to its battle cry, “I want my MTV!” And the video gave us some great-for-its-time animated storytelling and a cautionary tale about sweatbands.

“We got to install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We got to move these refrigerators
We got to move these color TVs“.

Top: Dire Straits circa 1985 (L-R): Keyboardists Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher, guitarist Jack Sonni, bassist John Illsley, lead guitarist, singer & primary songwriter Mark Knopfler (standing with guitar) and drummer Pick Withers. Bottom: A still of a worker “moving color TV’s” from the landmark video of today’s song. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Dire Straits: “Money For Nothing” (1985, written by Mark Mark Knopfler and Sting).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: August 25, 2025

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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

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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.