Let’s Take A Moment Day 436

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Hi everyone. Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing. But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today is birthday #73 for Stephanie “Stevie” Lynn Nicks, born on May 26,1948 in Arizona. She started singing with her grandfather when she was a toddler and was in a folk band by high school. When she was a senior, she met Lindsey Buckingham & joined his band. Eventually the two recorded their own album, Buckingham Nicks, in 1973. A year later, Mick Fleetwood invited Buckingham to join the drummer’s group. Buckingham agreed on the condition he could bring his girlfriend & partner with him, so Nicks joined the band as well. Fleetwood Mac went on to great success and Nicks also enjoyed a successful solo career beginning with her 1981 album, Bella Donna.

Just before her 29th birthday on May 21, 1977 Rumours became the #1 album in the country. It was the second time that year the album was in that position. The first time was on April 2 for two straight weeks, then again from May 21-July 15 for eight straight weeks. But then in what could only be called an unexpected upset Barry Manilow Live took over the #1 spot for one week. After that Rumours went back to first place for 19 straight weeks from July 23 – December 2, until Linda Ronstadt’s Simple Dreams usurped the top position and stayed there for the rest of the year.

But Rumours was not finished ruling the chart just yet. It went back to the top spot for the first two weeks of 1978 but on January 21 a dark cloud appeared in the form of Saturday Night Fever which became the country’s top selling album for 24 straight weeks (January 21 – July 7). I always say 1978 was a great year for music. I must have blocked this out for obvious reasons. Disco was not my thing.

Today’s song is not from Rumours but it is probably Nicks’ most well known track. It was on the band’s 1975 self-titled album, the first featuring her & Buckingham, and just before the songs based on their inner band romances & breakups propelled Fleetwood Mac into the legendary group they became. Happy birthday, Stevie Nicks. Here’s to 100 more.

“Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older too“.

Top: Stevie Nicks circa 2019. Bottom: Fleetwood Mac circa 1977 (L-R): Lindsey Buckingham, Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie & John McVie. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Fleetwood Mac: “Landslide” (1975, written by Stevie Nicks).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

25May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 435

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Congratulations to Carole King who is finally being inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as a performer in the Class of 2021. She has only been waiting over two decades for this well deserved honor. To reiterate the rules of the HOF, an artist is eligible 25 years after their debut album is released. King’s first album, Writer, came out 51 years ago in May 1970 (Tapestry just celebrated its 50th anniversary as it was released February 1971). So King was eligible for The HOF in 1995. And what a prestigious class that was: The Allman Brothers, Neil Young, Al Green, Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, et al.

King was inducted in 1990 as a songwriter with her ex-husband, Gerry Goffin. But even if she did not get in as a performer with her first record, Tapestry should have made her a slam dunk for the Class of 1996. Then she would have been inducted with The Shirelles who turned her & Goffin’s song, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” into a #1 hit in 1961. David Bowie and Gladys Knight & The Pips were also part of that year’s honored group.

Now King will be inducted alongside another fabulous female artist, Tina Turner, which is great. But their class includes two rappers and a 1980’s bubble gum pop girl band. UGH!!! BUBBLE GUM POP In the same institution as King, Turner, Elvis, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, etc. Ugh again. My heart.

So to celebrate King’s insanely long overdue honor and to commemorate the anniversary of her free concert in NYC’s Central Park on May 25, 1973, today’s song is from her 1971 masterpiece. Tapestry is probably the greatest record ever made by a female artist. All hail Carole King!!!

“Sometimes I wonder
If I’m ever gonna make it
Home again it’s so far
And out of sight“.

Carole King, LA 1983. Photo by Jim Shea (Courtesy of caroleking.com). (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Carole King: “Home Again” (1971, written by Carole King).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

24May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 434

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Today we celebrate another milestone birthday. This one belongs to the man with the voice that defined the 1960’s. Bob Dylan celebrates his 80th birthday today and if there was one musician who defined the decade of change, it was him. Born May 24, 1941 in Minnesota, he was only 21 years old when he released his debut album nearly six decades ago in 1962. His folk songs became anthems for a generation.

But just when people saw him as the Woody Guthrie of his generation, Dylan went electric with his music and gave us even more to think about. Along the way he influenced The Beatles especially his future Traveling Wilburys’ bandmate George Harrison, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Neil Young, Pete Townsend, all five members of his back-up group, The Band, and so many others.

Dylan’s accolades range from nearly every music award to every songwriter’s award to his Nobel Prize in Literature. With anthems like “Blowin’ In The Wind”, “Like A Rolling Stone” and today’s song, to his well known recordings including “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall”, “Positively 4th Street”, “I Shall Be Released”, “Mr. Tambourine Man”, “My Back Pages” and countless others, Bob Dylan is without a doubt one of the most important voices in cultural & musical history. Happy birthday to The Master Poet. Here’s to 100 more.

“As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin’
And the first one now
Will later be last“.

Bob Dylan circa 1964. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Bob Dylan: “The Times They Are A-Changin’” (1964, written by Bob Dylan).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

23May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 433

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

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Today we remember one of the finest female big band singers of all time. Rosemary Clooney was born 93 years ago on May 23,1928 in Kentucky. She started performing with her sister, Betty, and in 1945 they won a radio contest that awarded them a singing spot on a Cincinnati radio station. A year later Rosemary was singing with The Tony Pastor Band. By 1951 she had her first hit, “Come On-A My House”, produced by Mitch Miller. More hits and acting parts followed including her role in “White Christmas” opposite Bing Crosby & Danny Kaye.

She spent many years fighting addiction & mental health issues until she was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1968. She fought her way back to the career she loved as a “…a sweet singer with a big band sensibility…” which is how she described herself in her second autobiography, 1999’s “Girl Singer: An Autobiography”.

A year after Clooney’s death in 2002, Bette Midler released a tribute album, Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook, produced by Barry Manilow. In 2005 Clooney’s daughter-in-law, Debby Boone, released her own salute with Reflections of Rosemary.

Today’s song is from the musical “The Pajama Game” & was a #1 song for Clooney in 1954. Sam Cooke did a glorious cover of this track in 1960 and it is probably my favorite male version of this tune. But Clooney’s is the absolute best there is. As was she.

“Won’t you take this advice I hand you like a mother
Or are you not seeing things too clear
Are you too much in love to hear
Is it all going in one ear and out the other“.

Rosemary Clooney circa 1952. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Rosemary Clooney: “Hey There” (1954, written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

22May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 432

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

In 1994 Elton John was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. In his acceptance speech, he admitted he was not very good with words.

“I had someone to write my words for me and without him, the journey would not have been possible. I kind of feel cheating standing up here accepting because without Bernie, there wouldn’t of been any Elton John at all. And I would like him to come up and I would like to give this to him”. At that point Bernie Taupin joined him on stage, the two friends embraced and Taupin said one word: “Music”.

Today that legendary lyricist & poet who co-wrote all those beautiful & spectacular songs with John celebrates his 71st birthday. He helped create the soundtrack to my life & millions of others as well. Together they are one of the greatest & most important songwriting teams of all time, right up there with Lennon & McCartney, Bacharach & David and Leiber & Stoller.

Taupin was born May 22, 1950 in England. He grew up on a farm and wanted to become a journalist given his love for writing. When he was 17 years old, he answered an ad placed by a record company executive who was looking for new talent. Elton John, known then by his given name of Reginald Dwight, responded to the same one. That is how the two men met & began working as a team. Taupin wrote the words and gave them to John who set them to music.

They have countless hits together but it took them 53 years to finally win any awards for their exquisite work. In 2020 they received both a Golden Globe & an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from the movie based on John’s life, “Rocketman”.

Taupin became a US citizen in 1990. He has been married to his fourth wife since 2004. They have two daughters together and live in California. I fell in love with him & John the first time I heard “Daniel” (Day 375) and I am filled with an abundance of gratitude everyday for these two immensely gifted extraordinary men.

Today’s song was released 49 years ago on May 6, 1972. It was my favorite from the first album I ever bought, Elton John’s Greatest Hits. Happy birthday, Bernie Taupin. May you see 100 more. Thank you for your words & your heart.

“And all this science
I don’t understand
It’s just my job
Five days a week“.

Top (L-R): Bernie Taupin and Elton John circa 1975 with a few of the gold records they earned over the years. Bottom: John and Taupin in 2020 after winning the Oscar for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from the movie “Rocketman”. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

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

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

21May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 431

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Fifty years ago today-May 21, 1971-Marvin Gaye released his masterpiece, What’s Going On. This album was an expression of the angst he was feeling between 1969 & 1970 due to the state of the world-the Vietnam War, the effect of pollution on the environment, racial injustice, poverty-and what was happening in his own world: the break-up of his first marriage, the death of his friend, Tammi Terrell, the trials his brother, Frankie, faced in service to our country & as a veteran returning home from the war to little support in how to rejoin society; Gaye’s inability to break free of the confines of his Motown contract to make the music he wanted to make, his strained relationship with label owner Berry Gordy and Gaye’s money troubles with the IRS due in part to his cocaine addiction.

He co-wrote all nine songs on the album & produced it as well, his first time in that role. Motown’s house band, The Funk Brothers, helped Gaye find the perfect sound for each song. Upon its release, it was hailed as a landmark album not only for the singer but for music as well. It was critically acclaimed as a concept record, a first for Motown, and was considered an important statement for black music, too. The album had three Top Ten hits: “What’s Going On” (Day 76) hit #2 on the main chart, #1 on the R&B chart, “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” (Day 380) hit #4 on the main chart, #1 on the R&B chart and today’s song, which was the third single. It hit #9 on the main chart & was another #1 song on the R&B chart.

If Marvin Gaye only gave us his recording of “Grapevine” what a contribution that would have been all by itself. But the legacy of What’s Going On defines not only his talent but his heart, soul, intellect, empathy, strength & compassion for the world around him as well. His was one of the first voices I remember hearing and I have absolutely adored it ever since. The soulfulness, the passion, the intensity & the four octave range of his deep rich baritone to tenor voice, it is a truly beautiful & remarkable instrument. I miss him every single day. Happy anniversary to one of the greatest records ever made by one of the greatest artists who ever lived.

“Hang-ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
Oh honey that I can’t pay my taxes“.

Marvin Gaye circa 1970. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Marvin Gaye: “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” (1971, written by Marvin Gaye and James Nyx Jr.).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

20May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 430

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Marshall Tucker Band released today’s song as the first single from their 1973 self-titled debut album. It failed to chart. But when they re-released it in 1977 it peaked at #75. Despite two poor showings on the charts two different times, today’s song went on to become a classic rock radio staple that still endures. And it remains one of only a handful of tracks featuring a flute arrangement, proving once again that bands that truly rocked used whatever instrument they needed to make a song go from good to great.

“I’m gonna buy a ticket, now
As far as I can
Ain’t never coming back
Ride me a southbound
All the way to Georgia, now
Till the train, it run out of track“.

The Marshall Tucker Band circa 1973. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Marshall Tucker Band: “Can’t You See” (1973, written by Toy Caldwell).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

19May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 429

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

My parents were married 59 years ago on May 19, 1962. Today’s song is dedicated to them.

“I wanna sing you a love song
I wanna rock you in my arms all night long
I wanna get to know you
I wanna show you the peaceful feelin’ of my home“.

Kenny Loggins (L) and Jim Messina (R) circa 1974. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Loggins & Messina: “A Love Song” (1973, written by Dona Lyn (D.L.) George and Kenny Loggins).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

18May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 428

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Heavy metal bands were never my thing. It was a genre of music I could not identify with at all. A big part of that had to do with their videos. Many of them were degrading towards women. The models in the clips were usually scantily clad with cheap looking hair & clothes as they emulated poses that looked like they were right out of a Penthouse spread.

Then in 1987 director Marty Callner was hired to do a few videos for the band Whitesnake. Once he saw the lead singer’s girlfriend, an up & coming actress, he chose her to star in them despite another model already being booked for the job. And together Callner & the actress decided she would be dressed in real clothes so she would look elegant, sophisticated & glamorous in every video they made together. He & that actress, Tawny Kitaen, changed the look for women in metal clips forever starting with what became the iconic video for the song, “Here I Go Again”.

Other videos featuring Kitaen followed including “Still Of The Night”, “The Deeper The Love” and today’s song which I always loved. But it was the first clip, featuring her splits & cartwheels across the hoods of two Jaguars that most people remember best. I do not know a man over the age of 40 who does not go into a catatonic state when he just hears the beginning of that song because he immediately pictures the video in his head. It blew up from its premiere in 1987 & turned metal into a hotter commodity leading MTV to feature that genre in its own weekly show, “Headbanger’s Ball”.

Kitaen & Whitesnake’s lead singer David Coverdale became immense stars because of those music clips. They were like MTV’s version of GH’s “Luke & Laura”. The music supercouple got married in 1989 but sadly their romance did not end happily ever after. They divorced in 1991 with Coverdale stating he should have never married an American actress while she said he did not appreciate how much attention she received for the videos from the band’s fans.

Kitaen died on May 7, 2021 at the age of 59 with no known cause of death cited. I had not seen her in years but when I clicked on the story announcing her death, I barely recognized her. Like a lot of women growing older in Hollywood, she used plastic surgery to try & stop the aging process. Her life after those videos was not easy as she battled some legal issues & addiction problems which were documented in reality shows like “The Surreal Life” & “Celebrity Rehab”. In the 1990’s she had two daughters with her second husband & despite their divorce after five years of marriage, they raised their family together.

But in the late 1980’s I remember thinking what a charmed life Kitaen had & how great it must have been to be her. That is how I choose to remember her. And as someone who had enough respect for herself & women in general that she showed us how we should be treated, even in a man’s world. Rest in peace, Julie “Tawny” Kitaen.

“I can feel my love for you
Growing stronger day by day
An’ I can’t wait too see you again
So I can hold you in my arms”.

Top: Tawny Kitaen sitting on the Jaguars she did her famous cartwheel over in the 1987 Whitesnake video for the song “Here I Go Again”. Bottom: Kitaen & David Coverdale inside the white Jaguar during another scene from the iconic video. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Whitesnake: “Is This Love” (1987, written by David Coverdale and John Sykes).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

17May2021

Let’s Take A Moment Day 427

Posted in Music by Michele at Lilacs & Rust

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Bobby Darin was born 85 years ago in NYC on May 14, 1936 as Walden Robert Cassotto. He grew up playing several instruments & developing his voice to prepare himself for a career in music. He started writing songs in 1955 at the Brill Building and eventually caught the attention of powerhouse music executive Ahmet Ertegun. By 1958 Darin had his first hit with “Splish Splash” and he was off.

His music evolved over the years taking him from the bubble gum pop sound of his first hit to his cover of Tim Hardin’s “If I Were A Carpenter” (Day 125) in 1966. He also starred in films & several TV specials & became half of one of the first supercouples when he married actress Sandra Dee in 1960. Darin died much too young at age 37 in 1973 but he left behind a legacy as a performer in all genres of entertainment because he did it all unbelievably well.

“Someday I don’t know how
I hope she’ll hear my plea
Some way I don’t know how
She’ll bring her love to me“.

Bobby Darin circa 1962. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Bobby Darin: “Dream Lover” (1959, written by Bobby Darin).

I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

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Lilacs & Rust

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!!!

Author Archives: Michele at Lilacs & Rust

Let’s Take A Moment Day 436

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Let’s Take A Moment Day 435

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Carole King, LA 1983. Photo by Jim Shea (Courtesy of caroleking.com). (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 434

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Bob Dylan circa 1964. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 433

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Rosemary Clooney circa 1952. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 432

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Top (L-R): Bernie Taupin and Elton John circa 1975 with a few of the gold records they earned over the years. Bottom: John and Taupin in 2020 after winning the Oscar for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from the movie “Rocketman”. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 431

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Marvin Gaye circa 1970. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 430

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The Marshall Tucker Band circa 1973. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 429

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Kenny Loggins (L) and Jim Messina (R) circa 1974. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 428

(Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Top: Tawny Kitaen sitting on the Jaguars she did her famous cartwheel over in the 1987 Whitesnake video for the song “Here I Go Again”. Bottom: Kitaen & David Coverdale inside the white Jaguar during another scene from the iconic video. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Let’s Take A Moment Day 427

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Bobby Darin circa 1962. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)