Category Archives: Music Monday

Music Monday: May 19, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Lou Gramm turned 75 this month. Born Louis Andrew Grammatico on May 2, 1950 in Rochester, NY, he was the powerful and unmistakable voice of Foreigner for their most successful years-from 1976 to 1990-and rejoined them from 1992 to 2003. Their self-titled debut album was released in March 1977 to immediate success courtesy of the one-two punch of the first two singles, led by “Feels Like The First Time” which peaked at #4 in June 1977. All in all they had nine Top Ten hits and a #1 record 40 years ago-“I Want To Know What Love Is”-which was in the top spot for two consecutive weeks in February 1985.

In January 1987, Gramm released his debut solo record, Ready Or Not. Two more solo albums followed in 1989 and 2009. In 2024, he was inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame with Foreigner.

Top: Foreigner’s 1977 debut album. Middle: Lou Gramm circa 1979. Bottom: The singer circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

On of the greatest rock anthems in existence turned 55 last week. It was released on May 15, 1970 in the UK and performed by the band, Free. It is from their third album, Fire and Water, released a month later. The track features Paul Rodgers on an absolutely scorching lead vocal, an insane guitar performance by Paul Kossoff, an infectious beat courtesy of Simon Kirke on drums along with an unbelievably intense bassline by Andy Fraser, who co-wrote the track with Rodgers.

It marked a complete shift from 1960’s rock to the sound that would come to be known as classic rock because the song is just that powerful and spectacular. Free may have officially disbanded in 1973, but luckily for music Rodgers and Kirke went on to form Bad Company who will finally be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame later this year as part of the Class of 2025.

Free (L-R): Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff and Simon Kirke. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In March of this year Michael Martin Murphy turned 80. In early 1975 when he was known as Michael Murphy (he added the middle name around 1980 to avoid confusion with an actor by the same name), the singer & songwriter released the first single from his fourth album, Blue Sky – Night Thunder. The track peaked at #3 forty years ago in June 1975. I always loved the song and was thrilled when it became such a point of interest for David Letterman in 2007 during his “Late Show” tenure.

That phenomenal show ended 10 years ago on May 20, 2015. There are a plethora of moments I adore from it, but Letterman’s conversations about this song with his bandleader, Paul Shaffer, especially the musing over the line “gonna leave sod busting behind”, are some of my absolute favorites. They were hilarious and memorable, especially since the song was a favorite of Dave’s. And in a fabulous moment of appreciation, respect and class, he had Murphey perform the song on “The Late Show” 18 years ago on May 22, 2007. I miss Dave so much.

Top: Paul Shaffer (L) and David Letterman on “The Late Show” circa 2014. Middle: Shaffer (L) and Letterman in an IG post from 2024. Bottom: Michael Martin Murphy circa 2012. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Foreigner: “Cold As Ice” (1977, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones).

Foreigner: “Head Games” (1979, written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones).

Lou Gramm: “Midnight Blue” (1987, written by Lou Gramm and Bruce Turgon).

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

Michael Martin Murphey: “Wildfire” (1975, written by Michael Murphey and Larry Cansler).

Michael Martin Murphey:  “Wildfire” as performed live on “The Late Show With David Letterman” on May 22, 2007 (originally released in 1975, written by Michael Murphey and Larry Cansler).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 12, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stevie Wonder was born 75 years ago on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, MI. Out of all the artists who started their career with Motown Records, he is arguably the most successful & most enduring from that iconic label. He is an undeniable powerhouse in soul, funk & pop. This is from my post from May 16, 2022:

“What is left to say about “The Eighth Wonder Of The World”, Stevie Wonder, who turned 72 last week? The child prodigy born Stevland Hardaway Morris on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, MI began his career in The Motor City at age 11 as Little Stevie Wonder. His career grew even bigger as an adult in the 1970’s with three Album Of The Year Grammy awards for Innervisions (1973), Fulfillingness‘ First Finale (1974) and Songs in the Key of Life (1976). His talent continued to dominate from there and today, with over six decades of musical brilliance under his belt, Wonder continues to show us all how genius is defined.“

Top: Stevie Wonder circa 1963 at age 13. Middle: The artist circa 1972. Bottom: Wonder at the 2025 Met Gala in NYC earlier this month. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Four Tops first album was released sixty years ago in January 1965. The opening track, “Baby I Need Your Loving”, came out in July 1964 which proved to be their first hit, reaching #11 a month later. That prompted the record label to release the group’s follow up eleven months later in November 1965, aptly titled Four Tops Second Album. It features “It’s The Same Old Song” which peaked at #5 in August 1965 and the group’s first #1 record which hit the top spot nearly 60 years ago on on June 19, 1965 for two consecutive weeks.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marvin Gaye released his 10th studio album 55 years ago in January 1970. It consisted of 12 cover songs, with several made famous by other Motown stars like The Temptations (“I Wish It Would Rain” & “Cloud Nine”) and The Marvelettes (“No Time for Tears”) along with a few by other artists including The Beatles (“Yesterday”) and The Young Rascals (“Groovin”). But the title song-originally recorded by The Isley Brothers in 1967-is my absolute favorite track. Gaye’s version is a slower, more soulful take turning the song into a cautionary tale of love’s fickle side. He released it as a single in the summer of 1969 and it peaked at #7 in October of that year.

Marvin Gaye circa 1972. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another Motown song celebrating a milestone this year is by Freda Payne. Fifty-five years ago she teamed up with the powerhouse writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. However, the song was credited to the collective pseudonym “Edythe Wayne” due to the trio’s ongoing dispute with Motown Records. The track peaked at #3 in July 1970, just three months after it premiered in the #93 spot in April 1970. It hit #1 for six weeks (September 19-October 24) that year on the UK charts. It remains an undeniable gem from its decade, and as I wrote on Day 85 of my Lockdown Countdown, “The string interlude arrangement @ 1:37 is one of my all time favorites ever.  It just kicked this song to the next level from great to absolutely glorious.  I have reveled in the beauty of this song from the first time I heard it, and fall more in love with each listen.“

Freda Payne circa 1970. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stevie Wonder: “I Was Made To Love Her” (1967, written by Stevie Wonder, Lula Mae Hardaway, Sylvia Moy and Henry Cosby).

Stevie Wonder: “Superstition” (1972, written by Stevie Wonder).

Stevie Wonder: “Living For The City” (1973, written by Stevie Wonder).

The Four Tops: “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” (1965, written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Marvin Gaye: “That’s The Way Love Is” (1969, written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong).

Freda Payne: “Band Of Gold” (1970, written by Ron Dunbar and “Edythe Wayne”, which was the collective pseudonym for Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 5, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Before we get to the music, I want to give a shout out to a TV anniversary incredibly close to my heart. The pilot episode of the 1970’s cop show, “Starsky & Hutch”, premiered 50 years ago on April 30, 1975. Due to its success, it was picked up for a series and the first season debuted five months later on September 10, 1975. In my post from January 2024, I wrote the following tribute to David Soul:

“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-“Don’t Give Up On Us”-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.“

L-R: Paul Michael Glaser (as Starsky) and David Soul (as Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson in the 1975 pilot episode. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bob Seger will celebrate birthday #80 tomorrow. Born Robert Clark Seger on May 6, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan, he started making music in a group in 1961. A decade later, he released his first solo album-Brand New Morning-in 1971 after releasing three records as The Bob Seger System from 1969-1970. By 1973, he added The Silver Bullet Band to accompany him and together they made some of the best music of the 1970’s & 1980’s.

I was lucky enough to see him in concert before he officially retired in November 2019. His classic rock legacy includes seven career Top Ten hits, a #1 song in August 1987 (“Shakedown” from the movie, “Beverly Hills Cop”) and ten Top Ten albums including his 1980 release which was #1 for six weeks that year.

It is the title track from that album released 45 years ago that moves me the most. I wrote about it on Day 418 during my Lockdown Countdown:

“The first time I heard this song as an adult it hit me how quickly that time went, how ill prepared I was for the roads I took and probably even for the ones I didn’t. And just like the person in today’s song, “I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then”. A lot of songs deal with teenage angst. But not too many deal with what happens two decades later. That is part of what I love about Bob Seger. And why it has taken me 418 days to feature this song. For those of you still searching for shelter, I hope you find it.”

“Guess I lost my way
There were oh-so-many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed“.

Top: Bob Seger circa 1978. Middle: His #1 album from 1980. Bottom: Seger circa 2014. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Night Moves” (1976, written by Bob Seger).

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Against The Wind” (1980, written by Bob Seger).

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Fire Lake” (1980, written by Bob Seger).

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Shame On The Moon” (1982, written by Rodney Crowell).

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band: “Like A Rock” (1986, written by Bob Seger).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: April 28, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bread released their second album, On the Waters, in July 1970. The lead single came out three months earlier and became the #1 song in the U.S. for one week on August 22, 1970. The band had six Top Ten hits but this was their only top selling record. It was one of my mother’s favorite songs and she played the 45 so much it actually warped. And I still know every word by heart. A hundred years later, as soon as I hear the opening chords, I am transported back to that time so fast I lose my breath. On the series “Mad Men”, Don Draper likened “nostalgia” to a time machine, taking us to a place where we wish to go again. This song makes me long for a home I no longer have. And I ache for it.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Welsh musician Pete Ham was best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, guitarist & pianist for the band Badfinger. Their first hit, “Come & Get It”, was written & produced by Paul McCartney as the group was the first band signed to The Beatles’ Apple Records label in 1968.

Other hits followed including “No Matter What” and “Baby Blue” along with “Without You” which was covered by Harry Nilsson in 1971 and became a #1 hit for four consecutive weeks in early 1972. Ham co-wrote that song and was one of an array of guitarists who contributed to George Harrison’s solo album, All Things Must Pass, a year earlier. You would think that a musician’s story that started with an affiliation with The Beatles would have a reasonably happy ending. But that was not the case.

A string of fraudulent business deals by an unscrupulous manager who embezzled the band’s money left Ham distraught and he died by suicide 50 years ago on April 24, 1975, three days before his 28th birthday. I prefer not to acknowledge the date of an artists’ death, but Badfinger’s story is one-if not the saddest (a second member of the band, Tom Evans, also died by suicide in 1983)-in musical history. And their incredible contributions to music-and the price they paid-should be remembered.

Peter William Ham: April 27, 1947 – April 24, 1975.

Top: Badfinger circa 1969 (L-R): Pete Ham, Joey Molland, Mike Gibbins and Tom Evans. Bottom: George Harrison (L) and Ham (R) in the studio in 1971. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Twenty years ago my favorite episode of VH1’s “Storytellers” aired. Bruce Springsteen took center stage in the installment which was broadcast on April 23, 2005. It coincided with the release of his 13th studio album, Devils & Dust, three days later. He debuted the title track and “Jesus Was An Only Son” during the show. He closed his set with the first track off his 1975 masterpiece, Born To Run, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this August.

And forty years ago, Springsteen was one part of the all-star group who formed USA For Africa to record “We Are The World”, a philanthropic single which was a #1 hit for four weeks in the spring of 1985. An album by the same name was released on April 1, 1985 which has a live track by Springsteen. Last year Netflix released the documentary, “The Greatest Night in Pop” which provides a behind the scenes look in the studio during the recording of the charity song.

Bruce Springsteen at the piano during VH1’s Storytellers in April 2005. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

Badfinger “Day After Day” (1971, written by Pete Ham. Produced by George Harrison and Todd Rundgren).

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: “Trapped” (1985, recorded live at Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey on August 6, 1984, written by Jimmy Cliff).

Bruce Springsteen: “Thunder Road” (live performance on VH1 Storytellers, broadcast date April 23, 2005).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: April 21, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of the most influential jazz vocalists in history was born 110 years ago. Eleanora Fagan-better known as Billie Holiday or “Lady Day”- was born on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An unstable & tumultuous childhood led her to join her mother in Harlem in 1929 where Holiday soon began singing in nightclubs, inspired by the music of Bessie Smith and Louie Armstrong. Ten years later, Holiday recorded what is arguably considered to be the first civil rights protest song, “Strange Fruit”. Her unique interpretation & phrasing on jazz standards & original music helped elevate her recordings and performances to legendary moments. Although she died in 1959 at age 44, she is still considered to be one of the greatest voices in music.

Top: Billie Holiday circa 1947 with her dog, Mister. Bottom: The singer at Carnegie Hall circa 1948. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Sixty-five years ago on April 14, 1960, Sam Cooke released “Wonderful World”. He co-wrote the song with business owner & music producer Lou Adler and trumpet player extraordinaire Herb Alpert, who went on to become a co-founder of A & M Records in 1962. The track hit the charts by May 1960 and peaked at #12 a month later. If any of you think you have never heard this fabulous song, think again. It plays in the 1978 movie, “Animal House”, underscoring the iconic scene where Bluto (John Belushi) is going through the cafeteria line, then squeezes a chunk of Jell-O into his mouth just before the food fight scene (“That boy is a P-I-G PIG!!!”).

Top: Sam Cooke circa 1960. Middle: Lou Adler (L) and Herb Alpert (R) circa 2010. Bottom: John Belushi as “Bluto” in “Animal House” (1978). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Today is the last day to cast your vote for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame nominees (find the ballot here). While the place has lost so much of it luster over the years given the list of unworthy people who have been inducted, one person who has deserved the honor for decades is Paul Rodgers. The singer-who celebrated birthday #75 last December-and the rest of Bad Company are finally in the running for the Class Of 2025 (and currently in second place in the voting). There have been rumors for years that Rodgers himself wanted no part of the HOF, but according to a Billboard story from February 2025, both he & bandmate Simon Kirke are thrilled to have finally received the nomination.

They were in a group together previously-Free-with Rodgers on vocals & piano and Kirke on drums before forming the Bad Company supergroup in London in 1973 along with Mick Ralphs from Mott The Hoople on guitar and King Crimson’s Boz Burrell (1946 – 2006) on bass. Kirke is the only continuous member of Bad Company in its 52 year history. Their self-titled debut album was released in the UK in May 1974 (a month later in the U.S.). Fifty years ago, the band released their second album, Straight Shooter, on April 2, 1975. The band recorded on Led Zeppelin’s own label, Swan Song Records.

This is a long time coming for the group and Rodgers specifically as his voice became one of the definitive ones in rock music nearly 60 years ago thanks to his tenure in Free (1968-1973, most notably as the co-writer & voice behind their anthem, “All Right Now”), Bad Company (1973-1982, 1998-present), The Firm (1984-1986), his turn with Queen (2004-2009) and numerous solo projects over the years. Maybe now that Bad Company has secured its own nomination, Rodgers’ individual achievements will soon be recognized by the hall as well.

Top: Bad Company circa 1974 (L-R): Boz Burrell, Mick Ralphs, Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke. Bottom: Kirke, Rodgers and Ralphs circa 2012. Both pictures courtesy of the band’s website. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Billie Holiday: “All of Me” (1941, written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons).

Billie Holiday: “God Bless The Child” (1942, written by Arthur Herzog Jr. and Billie Holiday).

Billie Holiday: “Good Morning Heartache” (1946, written by Ervin Drake, Dan Fisher and Irene Higginbotham).

Sam Cooke: “Wonderful World” (1960, written by Lou Adler, Herb Alpert and Sam Cooke).

Bad Company: “Bad Company” (1974, written by Simon Kirke and Paul Rodgers).

Bad Company: “Shooting Star” (1975, written by Paul Rodgers).

Bad Company: “Rock & Roll Fantasy” (1979, written by Paul Rodgers).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: April 14, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The year 1970 introduced us to the genius that is Elton John. Five years later, he was one of the biggest stars on the planet, with his music-and lyrics by Bernie Taupin-underscoring a number of “wonder years” moments for many of us.

His self titled album was released 55 years ago on April 10, 1970 in the UK. It premiered in the U.S. three months later as his debut album. But in the UK it was his sophomore record after 1969’s Empty Sky (which was not released in the U.S. until 1975 with a new cover design).

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The 1970 release features two of my favorite EJ songs along with “Take Me To The Pilot” and “Border Song”. Later that year on October 30, he released Tumbleweed Connection. Thus began his reign as one of the top talents of the decade.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In 1975, EJ had several #1 hits (which I highlighted in my February 24, 2025 post). That was also the year he made his acting debut as The Pinball Wizard in The Who’s rock opera, “Tommy”. It premiered 50 years ago on March 19, 1975. Two months later, on May 19, 1975, EJ released Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.

Together Elton John and Bernie Taupin brought us one of the greatest, most beloved chapters of music. It remains one of my all time favorites.

Top: Elton John’s 1975 album premiered two months after his acting debut in the movie, “Tommy” (bottom picture). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elton John: “Your Song” (1970, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

Elton John: “I Need You To Turn To” (1970, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

Elton John: “Burn Down The Mission” (1970, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

Elton John: “Pinball Wizard” (1975, written by Pete Townshend).

Elton John: “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” (1975, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: April 7, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles had the top selling song in the country 55 years ago. The title track from their final studio release, Let It Be, reached #1 on April 11, 1970 for two consecutive weeks.

The album-which debuted a month later on May 8, 1970-also reached the top spot in the U.S. for a month later that year (June 13 – July 10), knocking Paul McCartney’s self titled solo debut from the #1 spot after its three week hold in that position. The release of his own record on April 17, 1970 came one week after he officially announced he was leaving The Beatles, marking the end of what was arguably considered to be the greatest musical group the world had ever seen. Luckily the year ended with the release of another post Beatles solo record: George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. The first single, “My Sweet Lord” reached the #1 spot on December 26, 1970.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles never officially finished Let It Be, however. The final mixing was done by American music producer Phil Spector who took what was known as the “Get Back” tapes and turned it into the band’s last collaborative effort. It produced another top selling song, “The Long & Winding Road”, which hit #1 on June 13, 1970 for two consecutive weeks. Incidentally, an earlier rendition of “Get Back”-credited as The Beatles with Billy Preston (the keyboard extraordinaire who played on the song with them) was released as a single a year earlier and reached the top spot in May 1969 for five consecutive weeks.

A film under the same title as the album, directed by Sir Michael Edward Lindsay-Hogg, was released on May 13, 1970. Most of it features The Beatles in the studio rehearsing the Let It Be songs at the beginning of 1969 and ends with the rooftop concert the band performed on January 30, 1969.

The Beatles performing on the roof of the Apple building in January 1969 (L-R): Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison. . (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Many years later, that film became my first real introduction to the band. It was running on a loop on cable during the summer before I started junior high and I watched it every chance I got. I bought the album, read every book I could get my hands on about the group and started my life long obsession with their music.

Despite their official breakup in 1970, there would be a number of Beatles releases after that including Let It Be… Naked, released in 2003. It stripped the Wall Of Sound effects Phil Spector had added so the new album just featured the music we heard all throughout the movie. And 55 years later, both are still testaments to the magic of The Beatles.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “Two Of Us” (1970, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “I Me Mine” (1970, written by George Harrison).

The Beatles: “The Long And Winding Road” (1970, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “Let It Be ” (Naked version, remastered in 2013, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 31, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Trumpeter, songwriter, arranger, producer and band leader Herb Alpert turns 90 today. Born March 31, 1935 in Los Angeles, California, he is also well known as a record executive and businessman, most notably as the co-founder & the “A” in A & M Records, the label he started in 1962 with Jerry Moss (1935 – 2023). In 1989, they sold the company to the Polygram label for 500 million dollars.

Alpert started playing the trumpet as a child. After he served in the army during the Korean War, he began his professional career in music as a songwriter at Keen Records. One of the more well known songs he co-wrote during that period was “Wonderful World”, released by Sam Cooke in 1960. Shortly after that Alpert formed The Tijuana Brass (TJB) which had five #1 albums in the 1960’s.

Top: Herb Alpert in an A&M promotional picture circa 1965. Middle: With Jerry Moss (L) circa 1974. Bottom: With his wife of 51 years, Lani Hall (R), circa 2019. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

One of those top selling records, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, held the #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart for eight weeks. It is also celebrating a milestone this year, as it was released 60 years ago on on April 1, 1965. Renowned as much for the music as its cover which was deemed “racy” for its time due to its cover picture of a woman drenched in-what else-whipped cream, it features “A Taste Of Honey” and covers of the Johnny Mercer jazz standard, “Tangerine”, and the Lieber & Stoller hit, “Love Potion #9”. Alpert followed his tenure with the band with a solo career which included a #1 record in 1979 with “Rise”. He is currently on tour with the TJB celebrating their legacy.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Guitar legend Eric Clapton turned 80 years old yesterday. He was born March 30, 1945 in Ripley, United Kingdom and began playing guitar as a teenager. He joined The Yardbirds in 1963, then left for a short stint with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers before joining up with drummer Ginger Baker & bassist Jack Bruce in 1966 for the massively successful supergroup, Cream. In 1968 Clapton performed as a guest guitarist for The Beatles on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. After the end of Cream, he became a member of Blind Faith and Derek & The Dominos where one of his best known songs, “Layla” was recorded. His solo career followed including top selling albums from the 1970’s through the 1990’s which further secured Clapton’s place as a musical icon. He just announced a few U.S. concert dates for this fall in support of his latest studio album, Meanwhile.

Eric Clapton through the years from the 1960’s (picture 1), the 1970’s (picture 2), the 1980’s (picture 3) & the 1990’s (picture 4). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass: “Ladyfingers” (1965, written by Toots Thielemans).

Herb Alpert: “This Guy’s In Love With You” (1968, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David).

Herb Alpert: “Diamonds” (1987, written by James Harris III and Terry Lewis).

Blind Faith: “Can’t Find My Way Home” (1969, written by Stevie Winwood). (1969, written by Stevie Winwood).

Derek & The Dominoes: “Bell Bottom Blues” (1970, written by Eric Clapton and Bobby Whitlock).

Eric Clapton: “Pretending” (1989, written by Jerry Lynn Williams).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 24, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A big album from 1985 turned 40 years old last month. Songs From The Big Chair, the second studio album by British band Tears For Fears, was released in February 1985. It proved to be their breakthrough with two #1 hits: “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” for two weeks in June and “Shout” for three weeks in August, the same month the album took over the top spot of the Billboard 200 for five consecutive weeks.

It helped earn the band-formed in Bath, United Kingdom in 1981 by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith-and their “synth-pop” sound a place as one of the most successful of the decade. My favorite track from the album was released in June 1985. The video was in very heavy rotation at that time and it is still quite popular, garnering 124 million views on YouTube to date. Orzabal’s evocative vocal and his manner of phrasing the song’s thought-provoking lyrics helped the song peak at #3 in the U.S. in November 1985.

Top: Roland Orzabal (L) and Curt Smith (R) on the cover of their 1985 album. Bottom: The duo circa 2024. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

If the milestone anniversary of that album does not make you feel old, try this: “The Breakfast Club” also turned 40 last month. The movie, released in February 1985 as well, told the story of five teenagers spending a Saturday together in their high school’s library for a day of detention who learned a lot more than just a lesson in right and wrong.

Whether you still see yourself as “a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess or a criminal”, I do not think there is a more relatable film about teenage angst. The John Hughes classic eventually earned 51 million dollars in box office sales worldwide and produced a theme song that hit the top spot in the U.S. for one week in May 1985.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Tears For Fears: “Head Over Heels” (1985, written by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith).

Simple Minds: “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (1985, written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 17, 2025

Posted in Music Monday by

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. In honor of this Irish holiday, I would like to pay homage to one of my favorite bands, U2.

Next year will mark 50 years since they formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1976. Their drummer, Larry Mullen Jr.-born October 31, 1961 in that city-placed an ad on a notice board at the Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, looking for musicians to form a band. These students responded:

David Howell Evans, lead guitarist, keyboardist & vocalist, who would later change his name to The Edge-born August 8, 1961 in Essex England-but his family relocated to Dublin a year later.

Adam Clayton, bassist, who just turned 65-born March 13, 1960 in England-who moved to Dublin five years later with his family.

Paul David Hewson, n/k/a Bono, lead vocalist, guitarist and primary lyricist, who will turn 65 in two months-born May 10, 1960 in Dublin.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

U2 was signed to Island Records and released their debut album, Boy, in October 1980. More than a dozen albums followed including 1987’s The Joshua Tree, 1988’s Rattle & Hum and 1991’s Achtung Baby. But it was their album released in 2000-All That You Can’t Leave Behind-that sent the group off on their “Elevation” tour in Marc 2001 which would put them front and center in the U.S. to deliver a love letter to the country not long after one of its most devastating tragedies.

U2 performed the halftime show at Superbowl XXXVI in New Orleans on February 3, 2002. Standing on a heart shaped stage, they opened with “Beautiful Day”. As they began their second song, “MLK”, a screen emerged from behind the stage which listed the names of all the victims who died five months earlier on 9/11. By the end of their third song, Bono opened his leather jacket to reveal it was lined with the American Flag. With that, the band clapped for the audience who stood before them-and for those watching from home-in an incredible act of kindness and grace underscored by the healing power of music.

Three unforgettable images from Super Bowl XXXVI in February 2002. Top: U2 on stage during the halftime show (L-R: The Edge on lead guitar, Bono behind the mic on vocals, Larry Mullen Jr. on drums and Adam Clayton on bass). Middle: The names of those who lost their lives on 9/11 were featured on a giant screen behind the band as they started their second song. Bottom: Bono showing America some additional love at the end of U2’s performance. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

U2: ” Where The Streets Have No Name” (1987, written by U2: Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr.).

U2: “One” (1991, written by U2: Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr.).

U2: “Walk On” (2000, written by U2: Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr.).

U2: “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” (2004, written by U2: Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr.).

Stay safe & well.