Tag Archives: 1965

Music Monday: August 15, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.

It was 57 years ago today that The Beatles made history in New York for the second time in two years. On August 15, 1965 the band played their now famous concert at Shea Stadium. It was the first time a musical group held a show in that type of venue in the United States. The Fab Four performed 12 songs-eight originals, four covers-during their 30 minute set in front of a sold out crowd of nearly 56,000 fans. Most of that crowd were young girls screaming so hysterically they drowned out the music, including today’s song.

I cannot even imagine what it must have been like to witness the kind of history The Beatles made on their first trip to America in February 1964, let alone the monumental concert nearly six decades ago. But I relived it vicariously through Sally Draper when she screamed & jumped for joy after her father, Don, told her he was taking her to the concert. That episode of “Mad Men” (S4 E10) aired 45 years after “The First Play At Shea”, but what a way to let those of us who missed Beatlemania experience a piece of that magic.

Thank you John, Paul, George & Ringo for EVERYTHING.

“You tell lies
Thinking I can’t see
You can’t cry
‘Cause you’re laughing at me“.

Beatles Shea

The Fab Four on stage in Shea Stadium in 1965 (L-R): Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “I’m Down” (1965, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Stay safe and well.

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Music Monday: January 17, 2022

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

Music Monday

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The Temptations’ David Ruffin was born January 18, 1941 in Mississippi. He had one of the best voices in Motown, right on par with Levi Stubbs and Marvin Gaye who was a huge fan of Ruffin’s as well. His group member Eddie Kendricks did a great job on his falsetto led songs. But to me, the achingly impassioned vocal Ruffin delivered on each of his tracks got me. Every. Single. Time. And the strings on this song elevate it to a level of perfection that just makes me swoon.

“Girl, I can’t believe my ears
Are you really telling my goodbye?
See, you’ve taken away my reason for livin’
And you won’t even tell me why“.

Temps

The Temptations circa 1965 (L-R): David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams and Eddie Kendricks. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Temptations: “I Could Never Love Another (After Lovin’ You)” (1968, written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong and Rodger Penzabene).

Stay well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 9

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

day 9

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I cannot remember a time when The Peanuts characters were not part of my world. I had sheets with their adorable faces on them when I was a kid, along with a lunch box & various other toys & collectibles. I still have many of those cherished items today. Every one of the beautiful characters Charles M. “Sparky” Schulz gave us became part of my heart at an early age. They remain my safe place, my familiar place, my constant and my home. And I am convinced that love affair started the first time I watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” which premiered on December 9, 1965. This season would not be the same without this TV special & its exceptional music. Today’s song is my favorite from that wonderful soundtrack.

Linus

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Christmas Time Is Here” (1965, music by Vince Guaraldi, lyrics by Lee Mendelson).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Let’s Take A Moment Day 517

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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?

Aug 2021 blog

(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.

On this day last year (Day 152), we celebrated the 55th anniversary of The Beatles’ Shea Stadium concert which took place August 15, 1965. That means today marks 56 years since that momentous occasion. So we will celebrate again.

The clips from the show are rarely up on YouTube because of copyright laws (BBC Television owns the film rights to the concert they released a year later). So even though today’s song was on the set list that night over five decades ago, the video I chose is of the group performing it in their movie, “Help“.

It was released four days before their historic concert and a year after their first big screen smash, “A Hard Day’s Night“. What a bland uninspired and sad color this world would be without John, Paul, George & Ringo in it, Thank you for everything, boys, especially the first play at Shea.

“She said that living with me
Is bringing her down yeah
For she would never be free
When I was around“.

Beatles Shea

The Fab Four on stage at Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965 (L-R): Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles: “Ticket To Ride” (1965, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

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

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 483

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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?

Tom Petty music quote

(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.

Sixteen years after they released their first record together, The Rolling Stones had the #1 album in America on July 15, 1978 with Some Girls. But over a decade earlier, on July 10, 1965, the band had the top hit in the country. It stayed in the #1 spot for four consecutive weeks and went on to become one of their signature songs.

The backstory is Keith Richards wrote this in his sleep. He actually does not remember waking up to write it down but when he got up in the morning, there it was scribbled on the pad on top of his bedside table. If there was any doubt that man was not suppose to have a legendary career in music, that one story alone ended the speculation.

It has been used in dozens of TV shows & movies with great effect. For me it was most memorable when it played as Don Draper walked out of the New York Athletic Cub into the blaring hot summer sun after he started swimming to keep his drinking in check during the season 4 episode 8 of “Mad Men”. When my favorite songs collide with my favorite shows, all is right in my world.

“When I’m watchin’ my TV and a man comes on and tells me
How white my shirts can be
But he can’t be a man ’cause he doesn’t smoke
The same cigarettes as me”.

Les Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones circa 1965 (L-R):  Bill Wyman, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones and Charlie Watts.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown).  

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

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

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 456

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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?

June 2021 blog

(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.

On June 15, 1965 Bob Dylan began recording today’s song for his sixth album, Highway 61 Revisited. It was a departure from his folk sound as this record took him into his rock music chapter. But his gift for story telling & his poetic verses were still front and center in his songs, leaving his audience to ponder the thoughts, questions & ideas he wrote about. In 2004 Rolling Stone Magazine published their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and today’s song ranks at #1. That is the power of Bob Dylan.

“You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now he calls you you can’t refuse
When you ain’t got nothing you got nothing to lose
You’re invisible now you’ve got no secrets to conceal“.

Dylan

Bob Dylan’s 1965 rock album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bob Dylan: “Like A Rolling Stone” (1965, 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.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 437

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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?

May blog 2021

(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.

Time for a Motown break. Today’s song was a Top 20 hit in 1965 for The Miracles before they were rebranded with Smokey Robinson as the headliner. He co-wrote it with bandmate Pete More and it appeared on the album, Going To A Go Go. Ella Fitzgerald, Todd Rundgren & Linda Ronstadt all did excellent cover versions of this song, but as good as they are, only Smokey sings it like Smokey.

“I’m just about at
The end of my rope
But I can’t stop trying
I can’t give up hope“.

Smokey

The Miracles circa 1965 (L-R): Smokey Robinson, Claudette Rogers Robinson, Ronald White, Pete Moore and Bobby Rogers. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Miracles: “Ooo Baby Baby” (1965, written by Pete Moore and William “Smokey” Robinson 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.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 414

Posted in Music by

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?

May blog 2021

(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 we remember The Godfather Of Soul. James Brown was born 88 years ago on May 3, 1933 in South Carolina. Who was not completely fascinated watching this man’s cape routine? No one will ever say that he did not give his all every single time he took the stage, yet still left the crowd aching for more. He introduced the world to the glorious sound of funk music and raised the game for every artist who came after him. And that is exactly what innovators are supposed to do.

“Come here mama
And dig this crazy scene
He’s not too fancy
But his line is pretty clean“.

James Brown

James Brown circa 1958. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

James Brown: “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag, Part 1″ (1965, written by James Brown).

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

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 338

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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?

Feb 2021 Blog

(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.

Time for another mid-week Motown break. Not every artist on the label became a household name, but that does not mean their impact was not substantial. One of the best examples of that was a group led by saxophonist and vocalist Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. who was known professionally as Junior Walker. He & his band, The All Stars, had hits like “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)”, “(I’m A) Road Runner” & today’s song which Walker also wrote.

It is an absolute powerhouse of a song, combining the soul of The Funk Brothers with a touch of jazz and rhythm & blues to give it even more of a kick. Walker’s intense vocal & interpretation of the lyrics, not to mention his fiery sax solos elevate the tune from a song to a three minute block party. It was a top ten hit on the singles chart & a #1 hit on the R&B charts for four non-consecutive weeks in 1965.

By 1979 the group disbanded but reformed a year later. When they were not touring, Walker did some session work for other artists. When I discovered the band Foreigner I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he played saxophone for them, most notably on their 1981 hit “Urgent”.

“Put on your high heel shoes
I said we’re goin’ down here to listen to ’em play the blues
We’re gonna dig potatoes
We’re gonna pick tomatoes“.

jrwalker

Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr., known professionally as Junior Walker circa 1964. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Junior Walker & The All Stars: “Shotgun” (1965, written by Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. a/k/a Junior Walker).  

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

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 291

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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?

2021

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal 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.

Happy New Year, everyone. Thanks for spending the last one with me. Glad to have you along for the new one ahead. I wish you all love, peace, health, happiness, grace, safety & great music in 2021.

“It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life for me
And I’m feeling good“.

Nina Simone

Nina Simone’s 1965 album features today’s song. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Nina Simone: “Feeling Good” (1965, written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley).

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

Stay well.