Category Archives: Music Monday

Music Monday: March 10, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another of my favorite songs just hit a milestone anniversary. It was written by blue-eyed soul master Daryl Hall and included by he & John Oates on their 1980 album, Voices. Another singer with a smooth R&B sound released it 40 years ago on February 25, 1985 as the first single from his second album, The Secret Of Association. The track reached the #4 spot in the UK a month later and the #1 spot in the U.S. for one week in July of the same year.

British singer, songwriter & musician Paul Young followed that hit with “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down” which reached #13, also in 1985. Young first broke into the U.S. Top 40 in February 1984 with “Come Back And Stay” which peaked at #22 off his 1983 debut solo album, No Parlez. Later that year he was chosen as one of the lead voices (and the first one heard) on the charity single by Band Aid, “Do They Know It’s Christmas”. He also performed at Live Aid in London in 1985.

In 1990, Young reached the #8 spot in the U.S with a cover of The Chi-Lites #1 hit from May 1972, “Oh Girl”. Another cover-this one of Jimmy Ruffin’s 1966 classic, “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted”-peaked at #22 for Young in 1992. A year later, he joined Elton John on his Duets album for a cover of “I’m Your Puppet”. To date Young has released 10 albums including 2023’s Behind The Lens.

Paul Young circa 2019. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Paul Young: “Everytime You Go Away” (1985, written by Daryl Hall).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 3, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marianne Faithfull died on January 30, 2025 at age 78. She began her musical career as a folk singer in 1964. When she met The Rolling Stones the same year at a party, their manager gave her one of their newly written songs to record which was the first of a series of hit singles for her. A relationship with Mick Jagger followed from 1966-1970 and while she proved to be a muse for him, her life became tainted by substance abuse which led to a decline in both her personal & professional lives. Her 1979 album, Broken English, started a career comeback with with more albums to follow along with acting roles on stage, TV and in movies.

Marianne Faithfull: December 29, 1946 – January 30, 2025.

Marianne Faithfull circa 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Jerry Butler died February 20, 2025 at age 85. He was the last surviving original member of The Impressions but left them in 1960 to pursue a solo career. In addition to his rich baritone voice, he also co-wrote several songs including “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” with Otis Redding (who recorded it in 1965 for his Otis Blue album), “Only The Strong Survive” and “Never Give You Up” with Philly Soul superstars Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. The former is also the title track to Bruce Springsteen’s 2022 album of soul classic covers. The latter was a hit for Butler in 1968 & covered by The Black Keys for their 2010 album, Brothers. Their version is also featured on the soundtrack for the British crime thriller, “Luther” (S3 E4). Despite his tenure on the Cook County Board of Commissioners in Illinois from 1985-2018, Butler stayed active in music where he served as the chairman of the board for the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

Jerry Butler: December 8, 1939 – February 20, 2025.

Jerry Butler performing in the 1970’s.(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Roberta Cleopatra Flack died on February 24, 2025 at the age of 88. She was born February 10, 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She started singing in church as a child and began formal piano training at age nine. In the 1970’s she was known for her own work which led to her becoming the first artist to win Record & Song Of The Year back to back at the Grammy Awards in 1973 & 1974.

That decade also gave her success with a few of her duets with Donny Hathaway in the (“Where Is The Love” was a #5 hit in August 1972 and “The Closer I Get To You” peaked at #2 in May 1978), later with Peabo Bryson (“Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” was a Top 20 hit in November 1983) and Maxi Priest (“Set The Night To Music” peaked at #6 in 1991). In 1996, The Fugees cover of “Killing Me Softly”-a #1 hit for Flack for five non-consecutive weeks in 1973- brought attention back to the original recording. In 1974 she received her third #1 song with “Feel Like Making Love” which topped the chart for one week in August 1974.

But it was the placement of one of Flack’s songs in 1971’s “Play Misty For Me”-the directorial debut by Clint Eastwood-that was not only an incredible moment in cinema but led to her first #1 song. It held the top spot for six weeks in the spring of 1972, yet it was originally released on her 1969 album, First Take. I was today year’s old when I found out she did not write that song as I always thought she did. It was written in 1957 by British singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl, the stage name for James Henry Miller. But Flack’s interpretation, her slow, easy yet powerful vocal placed perfectly in an incredible film gave the track and the artist the attention both so richly deserved.

Roberta Flack: February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025.

Roberta Flack performing in the 1970’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Yesterday marked the 75th birth anniversary for the beautiful & unbelievably talented Karen Carpenter. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut on March 2, 1950 and moved with her family to Downey, California when she was a teenager so her brother, Richard, could pursue a career in music. When she joined him as a drummer in his trio, he discovered her sublime voice. It was that sound along with his producing and arranging skills that catapulted them to stardom as a duo in the 1970’s.

There is a story I have read on several sites that mentions a time Karen crossed paths with John Lennon at a restaurant in Los Angeles, California and he told her that he loved her voice. Rumor has it that as flattered as she was, Karen did not believe it as she never realized how supremely gifted she was. The song I have chosen to honor her with today has amassed 67 million views on YouTube. And that is only one platform and only one song from the string of hits she put her vocals to. That is the staggering magnitude of her talent.

Karen Carpenter: March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983.

Karen Carpenter in the 1970’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marianne Faithfull: “As Tears Go By” (1964, written by Mick Jagger, Andrew Loog Oldham and Keith Richards).

Jerry Butler & The Impressions: “For Your Precious Love” (1958, written by Arthur Brooks, Richard Brooks and Jerry Butler).

Roberta Flack: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969 & 1972, written by James Henry Miller, stage name Ewan MacColl).

The Carpenters: “Rainy Days & Mondays” (1971, written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 24, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Several now classic and legendary songs hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts 50 years ago. This week I am focusing on three of my favorite #1 songs of 1975 – Part 1.

The year started with Elton John in the top spot for two weeks with his cover of a 1967 Beatles song. One of the song’s co-writers-John Lennon, billed on the cover track as “Dr. Winston O’Boogie”-played guitar and contributed backing vocals to it. The two artists collaborated on Lennon’s song, “Whatever Gets You Through The Night” in 1974. It became a #1 hit on November 16 that year, a feat John predicted would happen. That forced Lennon to settle a bet by appearing on stage at John’s concert at NYC’s Madison Square on Thanksgiving night on November 28, 1974 where the two performed that song & a cover of The Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There”.

John ended the year with two other #1 songs: “Philadelphia Freedom” hit the top spot for two weeks in April & “Island Girl” was #1 for three weeks in November 1975. He also provided backing vocals on Neil Sedaka’s song, “Bad Blood”, which was #1 for three weeks in October that year. That same month, John became godfather to Lennon’s second son, Sean. 1975 was one of several outstanding years for Elton John.

Elton John (L) and John Lennon (R) on stage at NYC’s Madison Square Garden on November 28, 1974. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The next song to hit #1 in 1975 was by Barry Manilow. The first top selling record of his career reached that position for one week on January 18. Two more #1 records would follow for him over the years along with 11 Top Ten hits to add to his previous success as a jingle writer, a theme song writer & a pianist for The Divine Miss M, Bette Midler. I love a couple of other songs by him-“Weekend In New England” and “Trying To Get The Feeling”, specifically-but Manilow’s #1 track from 1975 had me from the line, “You kissed me and stopped me from shaking”.

Barry Manilow’s second album was released in October 1974. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

On February 15, 1975 Linda Ronstadt took over the #1 spot for one week with a track from her fifth album, Heart Like A Wheel. That proved to be her breakthrough record, as it reached #1 on the Billboard Albums chart the same day her cover of the 1963 song by Dee Dee Warwick (sister to Dionne) gave Ronstadt the biggest selling song of her career. Ten Top 10 hits would follow in the next several decades as she successfully explored a number of different genres of music, but 1975 was the year Ronstadt broke through as one of the industry’s greatest talents.

Today’s Linda Ronstadt’s song is from her fifth album, released in November 1974. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elton John: “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” (1974, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Barry Manilow: “Mandy” (1974, written by Scott English and Richard Kerr).

Linda Ronstadt: “You’re No Good” (1974, written by Clint Ballard Jr.).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 17, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Four of my favorite albums are celebrating milestones this year.

Abbey Road, while released in September 1969, was the #1 album in the country at the beginning of 1970 where it stayed for the first two weeks of the year. It was bumped during the third week of January but returned for one more week at #1 on January 24, 1970. Fifty-five years later, Sir Paul McCartney performed the side two medley – “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End” – to close out last night’s SNL 50th anniversary celebration. Respect.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Morrison Hotel is the fifth studio album by The Doors released by Elektra Records on February 9, 1970. This year also marks 60 years of the band which formed in Los Angeles, California in 1965. Three unbelievably talented accomplished musicians paired with a brilliant phenomenal vocalist & poet helped to bring an abrupt end to The British Invasion of the 1960’s with their stunning 1967 self-titled debut. The Doors are arguably the greatest American band whose impact & influence continues today.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

John Fogerty released his third solo studio album, Centerfield, forty years ago on January 14, 1985. It included three hit singles including the title track, “The Old Man Down the Road” and a song I am pretty sure is about me & my fellow “rock & roll girls”. Part of the success came from Fogerty’s decision to embrace the “new” format of music videos at that time, so several of his were in heavy rotation on MTV, which introduced him to a whole new audience.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Fifteen years earlier, Fogerty and the rest of Creedence Clearwater Revival released their fifth studio album, Cosmo’s Factory, on July 8, 1970. About a month later it became the #1 album in the country for nine consecutive weeks from August 22 – October 23, 1970. It includes a fabulous cover of Marvin Gaye’s smash, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” as well as original songs like “Travelin’ Band”, “Looking Out My Back Door”, “Run Through The Jungle” and my favorite song by the group. And 55 years later, CCR’s music is still one of the top chapters in classic rock.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “Something” (1969, written by George Harrison).

The Doors: “Roadhouse Blues” (1970, lyrics written by Jim Morrison, music written by John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek).

Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Who’ll Stop The Rain” (1970, written by John Fogerty).

John Fogerty: “Rock & Roll Girls” (1985, written by John Fogerty).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 10, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This month marks 66 years since Buddy Holly (age 22) and two other musicians-Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., better known by his stage name, The Big Bopper (age 28) and Ritchie Valens (age 17)-along with their pilot, Roger Peterson (age 21)-died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959 in Clear Lake, Iowa. The actual cause of the crash remains unknown with only speculations as to probable causes.

Remembering the four men who died 66 years ago in Clear Lake, Iowa (pictured L-R): Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., better known by his stage name, The Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the pilot, Roger Peterson. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

That tragedy was believed to mark the end of the early rock & roll era, so it was referred to as “The Day The Music Died”. That phrase was immortalized by Don McLean in his now legendary ode from 1971, “American Pie”. Its popularity continues to resonate as evidenced by the fact that the official YouTube video for the song has amassed over 40 million views.

Don McLean circa 1971. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The music of the three artists who died in the crash continues to be a part of pop culture more than six decades after their deaths. Some significant examples include a Holly song featured in a 2008 episode of one of my favorite TV shows, “Lost” (S4 E11, “Cabin Fever”) 51 years after the track’s initial release. The Big Bopper’s biggest hit appeared in the S4 finale of “Murphy Brown” (“Birth 101”) which aired May 18, 1992. When Eldin sang it to Murphy while she was overwhelmed by the pain of her labor in an episode which was broadcast 33 years after Richardson’s death, it allowed him to became a part of pop culture in a whole new way. Valens’ story was the feature of the 1987 movie, “La Bamba” and his songs have been heard in at least two iconic movies, “Grease” & “The Right Stuff”.

After over six decades I did not expect to have anything new to add to this monumentally tragic event. But last week I stumbled upon the 2022 documentary, “The Day The Music Died: The Story Of Don McLean’s American Pie“. It is a deep dive into his song verse by verse, the musicians involved in its recording, its impact in music while also taking an inside look at the arena where the three men played for the last time-The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa-during the Winter Dance Party tour. Valens’ sister, Connie, is featured in the film and is shown meeting McLean the day he performs at that venue.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One part of the documentary I found particularly moving came from the producer of McLean’s epic song, Ed Freeman, who expressed such a poignant sentiment about it:

“(The song) was really encapsulating the experience of a whole generation. We were witness to the death of the American dream…..Hippies thought we were gonna take over the world with love and peace. It didn’t happen. For me, “American Pie” is the eulogy for the dream that didn’t take place. It was real important that way. I think we all needed it. It was an acknowledgement of what we had been through and in a way, because it was an acknowledgement, we could move on”.

Buddy Holly: September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959.

Jiles Perry “J.P.” Richardson Jr., a/k/a The Big Bopper: October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959.

Ritchie Valens: – May 13, 1941 – February 3, 1959.

Roger Peterson: May 24, 1937 – February 3, 1959.

A Winter Dance Party poster image found on the NYC Met Museum website. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Buddy Holly: “Everyday” (1957, written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty).

J.P. Richardson a/k/a The Big Bopper: “Chantilly Lace” (1958, written by J.P. Richardson). 

Ritchie Valens: “La Bamba” (1958, written by Ritchie Valens based on a traditional Mexican folk song).

Don McLean: “American Pie” (1971, written by Don McLean). 

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 3, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This month marks 61 years since The Beatles arrived in America-on February 7, 1964-and changed music, Sunday nights & pop culture forever with their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show”-on February 9, 1964.

Here is the post I wrote about this epic event on the 55th anniversary in February 2019:

February 9, 1964.  One night.  One show.  One band.  And the rest, as they say, was history.

Ed Sullivan with The Fab Four on February 9, 1964. (Photo courtesy of CBS. Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles on February 9, 1964. (Photo courtesy of CBS. Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

There isn’t anything to add to this moment in history.  It was perfect.  And it changed music and subsequently the world forever.  Thank you, Mr. Sullivan, for introducing us to John, Paul, George & Ringo.  For all they gave us, for all those they inspired and all those that came after them.  This was the moment that started it all.

The performance of this song does not get as much recognition as the other songs they sang that night, but it was during this number that each of the Beatles were identified by their first name.

The Beatles:  “Till There Was You” (1963, written by Meredith Willson).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: January 27, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Less than a month into the new year and already a loss. Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band, passed away on January 21 at age 87. He was a multi-instrumentalist and true musical virtuoso who added such a unique and resounding piece to what turned out to be an incredible group of musicians.

Born August 2, 1937 in Canada, he & the rest of The Band-Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson-formed in 1957 and a year later were the backing band for singer Ronnie Hawkins until 1963. By 1965, The Band were backing Bob Dylan during his electric phase. While he was recuperating from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in 1966, The Band rented a house in upstate New York where they recorded their first album, Music From Big Pink, released in 1968. The Band broke up in 1977 and their last concert in 1976 was captured in the film, “The Last Waltz”, released in 1978.

The Band’s 1969 self-titled album (L-R): Richard Manuel, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

After that Hudson played as a session musician, reformed The Band for a brief stint (with all but Robertson in attendance), did some solo work & performed with his wife, Maud, who died in 2022. According to the AP’s report on his death, Hudson faced financial struggles in the later years of his life including bankruptcy, foreclosure & an auction to sell his personal items in 2013 when he could no longer afford a storage unit. Like the other three members of The Band, Hudson had sold his interest in the group to Robbie Robertson who had been called out on several occasions by both Levon Helm and Rick Danko for taking advantage of his so called brothers while they were struggling at their lowest points. Robertson also refused to acknowledge their contributions to the songwriting process.

When he died in 2023 his net worth was allegedly around $50 million dollars, yet did nothing to assist Hudson at the very least by paying for the back rent on the storage unit to save his belongings. By that time they were the last two surviving members after Helm’s death in 2012. Whatever brotherhood existed in The Band during their 19 years together, it does not seem Robertson had any part of it once the group disbanded. By comparison one of his biggest admirers, Eric Clapton, agreed to give his Derek & The Dominos bandmate Bobby Whitlock songwriting credit in 2017 for a few tracks for the group’s only album, 1970’s Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs, just ahead of its 50th anniversary reissue. Moral of the story: it is never too late to be a decent human being. And Hudson seemed to be one of the good ones who deserved a better ending to his story.

Eric Garth Hudson: August 2, 1937 – January 21, 2025.

Top: Hudson in the late 1970’s. Bottom: The musician circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Band: “The Weight” (1968, written by Robbie Robertson).

The Band: “I Shall Be Released” (1968, written by Bob Dylan).

The Band: “Up On Cripple Creek” (1969, written by Robbie Robertson).

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: January 20, 2025

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

Blog 2025

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Happy 80th birthday to Sir Roderick David Stewart. Born on January 10, 1945 in London, the man more informally known as Rod Stewart has been one of the most solid, most consistent and most fabulous voices in all of music & a staple of the classic rock genre. He continues to bring his love of soul, Motown and R&B to every note he gives us. And I have loved nearly every minute of it and yes, that includes “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy”. It was 1978, after all.

His is one of the earliest voices I can recall hearing in my childhood. His distinctive raspy sound never disappoints me and always takes me on a virtual trip over across the last six decades he has been a part of. Influenced by the voices of Little Richard, Sam Cooke & Otis Redding, Stewart brought that inspiration to his early days on his first official single of “Good Morning, School Girl” in 1964. That was followed by his days as a member of The Jeff Beck Group (1967-1969) and The Faces (1969-1975) which not only gave Stewart an incredible foundation in his career but also forged lifelong friendships with Beck (who inducted Stewart into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994) and Ron Wood.

Stewart embraced the video era of the 1980’s which eventually made way to one of the best acoustic concerts with 1993’s Unplugged…And Seated where he was joined by Wood. Stewart has embraced so many different musical genres including the pivot to his Great American Songbook series starting in 2002 and his collaboration with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019. And yet I still cannot wait to see what he does next. Happy birthday, Rod Stewart.

Rod Stewart 1971
Rod and Ron 1970
Ron and Rod unplugged
Rod Stewart Philharmonic

Top: Rod Stewart circa 1971. Second: Ron Wood (L) with Stewart circa 1970. Third: Wood (L) joins Stewart (R) for his MTV “Unplugged” performance filmed in February 1993. Bottom: Stewart in the studio with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Faces: “Stay With Me” (1971, written by Rod Stewart and Ron Wood).

Rod Stewart: “Maggie May” (1971, written by Martin Quittenton and Rod Stewart).

Rod Stewart: “My Heart Can’t Tell You No” (1988, written Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan).

Rod Stewart: “Downtown Train” (1989, written by Tom Waits).

Rod Stewart: “Maggie May” (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) (2019, written by Martin Quittenton and Rod Stewart).

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: January 13, 2025

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

Blog 2025

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sam Moore, the surviving half of the “Sam & Dave” musical duo, passed away on January 10, 2025 at the age of 89. The higher tenor voice to partner Dave Prater’s lower baritone one, the men were amongst the most successful R&B/soul performers at Stax Records in the 1960’s with hits like “Soul Man”, “Hold On I’m Coming” and “I Thank You”. Their live shows were legendary and inspired many including Al Green, Steve Winwood, Tom Petty and others.

The duo split up in 1970 but reunited the following year. Unfortunately they did not attain the success they previously had. A resurgence in the men’s popularity came in 1979 courtesy of The Blues Brothers cover of “Soul Man”. After Prater’s death from a car accident in 1988, Moore continued performing including at the 25th anniversary concert for The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2009 with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Moore & Prater were inducted in 1992.

Sam and Dave
Sam Moore

Top: Sam Moore (L) and Dave Prater (R) circa 1967. Bottom: Moore circa 2015. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Last summer J.D. Souther & Karla Bonoff announced a joint tour together. They had been friends since their Laurel Canyon, California days in the 1970’s where both had found success- first as songwriters for The Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, respectively-before prospering in solo careers.

Sadly the tour never took place due to Souther’s death on September 17, 2024 at age 78. I adored him forever, going back to his Top Ten solo hit in 1979 (which I featured on Day 232 of the Lockdown Countdown) and his 1981 Top 20 duet with James Taylor, “Her Town Too”. I was thrilled when Souther branched out into to acting in movies like 1989’s “Always” and TV shows like “Thirtysomething” & “Nashville”.

The announcement of his tour with Bonoff put her back on my radar and reacquainted me with her beautiful voice. I first discovered her music through Linda Ronstadt who recorded three of Bonoff’s songs for the 1976 album, Hasten Down The Wind. But it was her stunning version of “The Water Is Wide”-featured in a 1997 episode of my favorite soap, “Another World”-that put me in Bonoff’s orbit for many years. I do not know why or how I let her fall from my view in the last decade or so but once I found her again last summer, I discovered her 2020 holiday album, Silent Night. It is wonderful, especially her version of “The First Noel” which was featured on Day 13 of my 2024 Christmas music countdown.

Bonoff, who turned 73 last month, released her self titled debut album in 1977 which included the three songs on the Hasten album. I love them all but today’s pick is my favorite. I have included Ronstadt’s version as well not just for her incredibly stunning voice but to share the video also. It is a great look at her in the studio with her band so we actually watch the magic of the performance happen there. And moments like that need to be seen.

Karla and JD
Linda JD

Top: A show announcement from J.D. Souther’s Facebook page for a performance by he & Bonoff in July 2024. Middle: A picture of the two singers circa 1979 that Bonoff posted on her Facebook page with a tribute to Souther after his death in September 2024. Bottom: Souther (R) on stage with his one time girlfriend, Linda Ronstadt (L). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Sam & Dave: “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby” (1967, written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter).

Linda Ronstadt: “Lose Again” (1976, written by Karla Bonoff).

Karla Bonoff: “Lose Again” (1977, written by Karla Bonoff).

J.D. Souther: “You’re Only Lonely” (1979, written by JD Souther).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: January 6, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to the first edition of Music Monday for the new year.

Blog 2025

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Welcome to 2025, everyone.

If you have been here for a while you know I am not much for resolutions. I try to find a word or a phrase to guide me for the year. Not surprisingly, I usually find said inspiration in a song. This year is no different.

My process is to think about it for most of December and once I have chosen my song, I know it will be the first one I listen to in the new year to start it off right. The track I chose for 2025 alludes to a state of mind of peace and happiness as well as the path to get there. And the older I get the easier it is to see I have the choice and ability-albeit temporarily-to keep MY world as safe and as peaceful as possible by limiting the amount of time I let THE world in.

That is a powerful force to realize and utilize which I plan to do a lot more this year. I started doing this during the pandemic lockdown and it really helped me cope. I continued keeping myself fairly isolated in the figurative sense since then but there is a lot more I can do to improve on it. Plus, this year’s song also takes me back to an absolutely glorious scene from one of my favorite shows of all time. It drives the point home about our ability to make the choices that are best for us.

“Wash away my troubles
Wash away my pain
With the rain in Shambala
Wash away my sorrow
Wash away my shame
With the rain in Shambala“.

lost-van-scene
Lost van Jin and Sawyer

Above: The sublime van ride scene in “Lost” S3 E10, “Tricia Tanaka Is Dead”. Top: Charlie (L) and Hurley (R) (Dominic Monaghan and Jorge Garcia). Center: The ride. Bottom: Jin (L) and Sawyer (R) (Daniel Dae Kim and Josh Holloway). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elvis Aaron Presley was born 90 years ago on January 8, 1935. At 19 years old he recorded his first record which put him on the path that led to his throne as The King. He changed music, pop culture and how we saw ourselves reflected back in the world he created. And we were all the better for it.

Singer, actor, Army veteran, entertainer, legend. He not only introduced rock & roll to the mainstream, he also brought it to life. What more can be said that has not already been said about this stunning mountain of a man except that he is missed every single moment there is air around us. And thank you seems like such a small phrase which does not come close to the amount of gratitude he is due.

All hail 90 years of The King.

Elvis A
Elvis B
Elvis C

Top: Elvis at the beginning circa 1957 when he introduced the world to his hip shaking moves. Middle: The King and his guitar circa 1958. Bottom: A moment from the 1968 TV special. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Three Dog Night: “Shambala” (1973, written by Daniel Moore).

Elvis Presley: “That’s All Right” (1954, written by Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup).

Elvis Presley: “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (1961, written by Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti and George David Weiss).

Elvis Presley: “Suspicious Minds” (1969, written by Mark James).

Stay safe & well.