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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Before we get to the music, I would like to remember comedian & actor Bob Newhart who died July 18, 2024 at the age of 94. The accountant turned copywriter turned comedian turned sitcom/movie actor & author was at the center of two of the best comedies in television history: “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-1978) and “Newhart” (1982-1990). He then made appearances on several high profile shows including “ER”, “Desperate Housewives” and “The Librarians” before his Emmy winning turn as Professor Proton in “The Big Bang Theory”. Newhart revived that role on “Young Sheldon” for three episodes with the last one in 2020 serving as his final TV appearance after a combined 57 years on television. He is also a permanent part of the holiday season thanks to his role as Buddy’s dad in the 2003 Christmas movie, “Elf”.

I have been such a fan of this man’s ability to be so uproariously funny all while keeping his dead pan expression. His delivery and timing were unmatched, and his capacity to see the humor in the most banal situations is also part of why I adore him. In a 2015 blog post, I wrote about how I adjusted to my schedule working a second shift job (4PM-12AM) by turning to one of my most constant sources of comfort, television. And Newhart was a huge part of that ride.

It started with David Letterman, courtesy of his NBC show, which aired from 12:30am to 2am.  He was followed by three episodes of another of the greatest shows ever-“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 2am-3:30am, then two episodes of “The Bob Newhart Show” (the Chicago series, not the Vermont one) from 3:30am-4:30am. Those three shows with their collective group of accompanying characters became my very own Island Of Misfits and I loved being a part of them.

Soon another addition to my newly created world arrived by way of the “Newhart” series. It was not only warm, quirky and hilariously funny, but the last episode still holds as arguably the greatest TV finale of all time nearly 35 years later. It was absolutely ingenious.

I was lucky enough to meet Newhart in 2006 at a signing for his first book, “I Shouldn’t Even Be Doing This! and other things that strike me as funny” where one of the things he mentioned was that his experience making “Elf” was a lot of fun. And he said it with a big broad toothy smile as if he was afraid his standard deadpan look might not convey his joy. I am glad he had as much fun as he gave us. Rest in peace, Bob. Thank you for all the laughs.

Top: The cast of “The Bob Newhart Show” (L-R, from top): Bill Daily, Peter Bonerz, Marcia Wallace (center), Bob Newhart & Suzanne Pleshette. Middle: The cast of “Newhart” (L-R, from top): Tom Poston, Mary Frann, Newhart, Julia Duffy, Peter Scolari, John Voldstad, Tony Papenfuss and William Sanderson. Bottom: Newhart as Papa in the 2003 Christmas movie, Elf”. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elvis Presley’s first single was released 70 years ago on July 19, 1954. It was a cover of a song written and originally performed by American blues singer Arthur Crudup in 1946. Presley recorded it with the two musicians whom he joined forces with to form The Blue Moon Boys-guitarist Scotty Moore (who would go on to be a long time studio & touring guitarist for The King) and bassist Bill Black (he left the trio in 1958)-after they were all introduced by Sam Phillips, the owner of Memphis’s Sun Records studio.

The historic meeting between the trio is listed on the Graceland website timeline dated July 4, 1954 with the following paragraph:

“Elvis meets Scotty and Bill but nothing really clicks until July 5, when after a tedious session, Elvis and the guys break into a sped-up version of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s “That’s All Right.” This song, backed with “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” becomes the first of five singles of early Elvis songs recorded and released on the Sun label.“

How interesting to note that only two weeks lapsed from the recording date (July 5) and the release date (July 19). Regardless, this is where it all started for Presley and for all of us who would eventually crown him The King.

The Blue Moon Boys circa 1954 (L-R): Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley and Bill Black. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Doors fourth studio album, The Soft Parade, was released 55 years ago on July 18, 1969. It featured the songs “Touch Me”, “Wild Child” and the title track. The album-the first to list each songwriter individually rather than as a collective group endeavor, a format they went back to on 1971’s “L.A. Woman”-debuted just one year after their third record, 1968’s Waiting For The Sun, and four months after Morrison’s arrest for lewd & lascivious behavior for allegedly exposing himself during a Florida concert.

Despite reports from all three of his bandmates and several people in attendance who stated that the incident never happened, Morrison was convicted of profanity and indecent exposure in 1970 and received a $500 fine along with a six month prison sentence. He remained free on bail while an appeal was pending but his death in July 1971 stopped that process. However, Morrison was granted a posthumous unanimous pardon from the Florida Board Of Executive Clemency in December 2010 courtesy of the exiting governor. Thank you, Charlie Crist.  

The group performed several of their new songs for PBS’s Critique Show in 1969. It is part of a 2002 documentary, Soundstage Performances, which features 13 live TV appearances by the band chronicling their astounding evolution in their all too brief existence.

Every presentation is dazzling but the Critique Show is absolutely sublime. Despite the filming date coming a month after his arrest, and Morrison’s ongoing struggle with fame and substance use, he looked to be in exquisite form. His voice, his demeanor & confidence, his interaction with and enjoyment of his bandmates was on full display. At several points he even turned to face them, giving no thought to his back facing the camera. Morrison was in his element, as were Densmore, Krieger and Manzarek-so together we see and hear an absolutely stunning private concert.

This was the era I adored most for the band, especially Morrison. Having spent two years adjusting to the insanity of the band’s immediate success, he was growing both professionally and personally. This was a man who had not been a singer or performer until The Doors were founded in 1965, yet his swagger and presence were that of a seasoned frontman in mind, body and soul. Already well advanced beyond his 25 years, the pretty boy physique we were introduced to just two years earlier was now more mature, more masculine and more expressive with his longer hair, bearded face and fuller frame. A beautiful man with a beautiful gift which helped make The Doors fourth album a hit.

Top: The Doors 1969 album. Bottom: The band on the soundstage during their performance for the PBS Critique Show filmed in April 1969 (L-R: Ray Manzarek on keyboards, John Densmore on drums, Robby Krieger on guitar and Jim Morrison (center) on vocals. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bonus: It was 55 years ago that the Apollo 11 Moon Landing took place on Sunday, July 20, 1969. Lift off occurred four days earlier for Crew Commander Neil Armstrong, Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin and Command Module Pilot Michael Collins. The historic landing was broadcast live, with people around the country glued to their TV sets to watch Armstrong take a human’s first steps on the moon. His fitting and eloquent statement at that moment-“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”-is still one of the most revered and recognized quotes of all time. All three rocket men returned to earth in Hawaii on July 24 and were treated to a ticker-tape parade in New York City the following month.

Two months before the 45th anniversary of the moon landing, “Mad Men’s” 2014 season 7 episode, “Waterloo”, featured the impending event highlighted by the anticipation of and reaction to it by several main characters as history was unfolding on national television. For those of us either not yet born or too young to remember this moment of immense accomplishment and pride in U.S. history, the episode is a great watch for a vicarious experience.

Side note: Do you think Armstrong could have predicted that his image on the moon would become the face of MTV when the channel launched 12 years later on August 1, 1981? Or that the same image would become the trophy for the channel’s award statues? Me neither.

The Apollo 11 official crew portrait (L-R): Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin. Middle: The MTV logo featuring Armstrong’s historic footstep. Bottom: The channel continued the trend as its award statues were also based on the Moon Landing. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

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

The Doors: “Tell All The People” (Live performance on PBS’s Critique Show filmed in April 1969. Written by Robby Krieger).

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

Stay safe & well.