Music & makeovers! I swoon for chippy paint, a gorgeous patina and a fabulous song!!! I love great music (read: Bruce Springsteen & Otis Redding), white lilacs, walking in freshly fallen snow, the Golden Girls, road trips and the fall!!!
Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.
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Patricia Louise Holt, better known as the iconic Patti LaBelle, celebrated birthday #80 last month. Born on May 24, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was another R&B performer who began singing in church as a child. Her self-titled group, LaBelle, had a #1 hit in 1975 with “Lady Marmalade”. She went solo in 1977 and had hits with “New Attitude”, “If You Asked Me To” and a #1 duet with Michael McDonald in 1986. In addition to her music career which earned her two Grammy Awards, she has also acted, written her autobiography, several cookbooks and is well regarded as a fashion & style guru.
Patti LaBelle circa 2000.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Another musical legend turned 80 in May. Gladys Maria Knight was born May 28, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia. Regarded as “The Empress Of Soul”, the multiple Grammy Award winner is best known as the lead singer of Gladys Knight & The Pips, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1996. She has enjoyed a solo career which includes her performance on the 1985 song, “That’s What Friends Are For”, film & TV acting roles, multiple honors and accolades for her status as one of the greatest singers of all time.
Gladys Knight circa 2022. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The self-titled debut studio album by supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash was released 55 years ago on May 29, 1969 by Atlantic Records. Each member established themselves in the groups The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and The Hollies, respectively, but together their songs and harmonies put them in their own lane where they made musical history. Even when they were joined by occasional fourth member Neil Young, it is the three core members who are best known as one of the greatest folk rock groups of all time. And their very first album started that legacy.
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Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald: “On My Own” (1986, written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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Today marks my dad’s 85th birth anniversary. This was one of his favorite songs. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in August 1975. It is from the album released the same year, Captain Fantasticand the Brown Dirt Cowboy. Even now, our love for Elton John keeps us connected.
“It’s four o’clock in the morning Damn it listen to me good I’m sleeping with myself tonight Saved in time Thank God my music is still alive“.
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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Yesterday marked the 81st birth anniversary of my favorite Beatle. George Harrison was born February 25, 1943 in Liverpool, England. He was the youngest member of the Fab Four but carried a great deal of melody in his hands as their lead guitarist. The fame & wealth he found with the band did not satisfy his spiritual side, however, so he went searching. That lead him to Hinduism which helped him discover the sitar. That sound is featured on the 1965’s “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” and 1967’s “Within You Without You”.
I am featuring two songs today, both of George’s contributions to 1969’s Abbey Road. The first one is my favorite Beatles song of all time and the second is in honor of the fact that on this winter’s day here in New England, it was a very sunny 55 degrees. I may be jinxing myself by looking forward to the next season when we still have the entire month of March to go before the current one is officially over. My grandmother always cautioned such optimism as next month usually “comes in like a lion”. Whether that happens this year or not, “I say, it’s alright”.
Thank you, George. We miss you. Every. Single. Second.
George Harrison in the studio circa 1969.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The Beatles: “Something” (1969, written by George Harrison).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to an expanded edition of Music Monday.
Note: WordPress has this post marked as #1000. Thank you for being here for this milestone and for all your support. I truly appreciate it.
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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 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.
Paul Michael Glaser (left, as Starsky) and David Soul (right, as Hutch) in a scene from the incredibly popular 1970’s TV show. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
In December two music pioneers and legends hit birthday #80. The first is Forrest Richard Betts-better known as Dickey Betts-who was born December 12, 1943 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The singer, songwriter and guitarist is one of two founding members of The Allman Brothers Band still with us (The other is drummer Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson). Betts is behind the band’s only top ten hit-“Ramblin Man“-and many other memorable songs he contributed as the sole lead guitarist after the death of Duane Allman. Betts is thankfully still making music which you can find on his website.
Dickey Betts circa 2000.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Keith Richards was born 80 years ago on December 18, 1943 in England. In 1968 while The Stones were one of the top bands in the world they hosted a concert filmed for release as a BBC special, “Rock and Roll Circus”. Richards performed with them and also played bass for the only performance by the supergroup, “The Dirty Mac”. The other members were John Lennon on lead vocal and rhythm guitar, Eric Clapton on lead guitar and Mitch Mitchell (from The Jimi Hendrix Experience) on drums. But The Stones felt upstaged by another group-The Who-so the program did not air. It was not released until 1996.
The Dirty Mac in 1968 (L-R): Eric Clapton, Mitch Mitchell (in back, on drums), John Lennon and Keith Richards. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Last but never least, today marks the 89th birth anniversary of Elvis Aaron Presley. The short version of his life is that he was born January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi and remains a legend. The long version is his musical legacy, his films and every piece of himself that he gave to all of us, especially every note he ever sang. All hail The King.
Elvis Presley circa 1955.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The Allman Brothers Band: ”Blue Sky” (1972, written by Dickey Betts).
The Dirty Mac: ”Yer Blues” (As performed at “The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus” concert, December 1968. Written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney).
Elvis Presley: ”Return To Sender” (1962, written by Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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First, let us take a moment to remember that today marks 22 years since 9/11. Prayers for our country and all those still directly affected by the impact of this day. Never forget.
“Raising the Flag at Ground Zero” photograph by Thomas E. Franklin taken on September 11, 2001. (Image found online.)
Now to the music.
In July 2022 I got my tickets to see Bruce in concert on March 12, 2023 in CT. Unfortunately it was cancelled due to illness and rescheduled for September 16. Last week, Bruce revealed he is suffering from peptic ulcer disease so he will need to cancel the rest of his performances for this month, maybe even next. Of course, I am heartbroken but very hopeful he will regain his health soon.
In about two weeks The Boss will celebrate birthday #74. He was born September 23, 1949 in Long Branch, New Jersey and grew up in nearby Freehold. He released his first two albums in 1973: his debut, Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J., came out on January 5 (read more about that here) and its follow up, The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle, which was released 50 years ago today-September 11, 1973-as per The Boss’s website.
These two records predate long time E Streeters-Roy Bittan, Steven Van Zandt and Max Weinberg-who joined the band in time for Bruce’s exquisite third record, Born To Run. But they and two previous members of The E Street Band-Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez and David L. Sancious-were inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame with the rest of the group in 2014. I had the pleasure of attending that show and heard them-with Bruce, of course-perform two songs from the second album: “Kitty’s Back” and “The E Street Shuffle”. I chose today’s track to celebrate the album’s golden anniversary, to honor today being Patriot Day and as a shout out to Bruce recuperating at his residence across the river from my home state of New York.
Happy early birthday, Bossman. Get well soon. Thank you for every note.
“It’s midnight in Manhattan This is no time to get cute It’s a mad dog’s promenade So walk tall or baby don’t walk at all“.
Top: The cover of Springsteen’s second album. Middle: An alternative picture for the album’s back cover (seated: Bruce and Clarence Clemons with Danny Federici standing next to him. Back row (l-r): David L. Sancious, Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez and Garry W. Tallent. Bottom: An alternative picture for the album’s front cover. (Images found online. Original source: David Gahr.)
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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The Rolling Stones celebrated three major milestones over the last several weeks. I believe that calls for a triple play from the band.
First, their dynamic, enigmatic and legendary frontman celebrated the big 8-0 last month. Sir Michael Philip Jagger was born July 26, 1943 in Dartford, UK. He has been the lead singer of the Stones from the first day they formed the band back in 1962. That is six decades of singing, co-writing the bulk of the group’s songs and taking center stage in every show they have ever performed. A staggering statistic anyway you look at it. He also recorded four solo albums along the way. Happy birthday, Mick Jagger.
In 1973, the Stones released their 13th American studio album, Goats Head Soup. It was released fifty years ago-August 1973-on the band’s own eponymous label which was founded in 1970. Our second feature today is my favorite track off this album and was released as the first single.
Five years later, the band released Some Girls in June 1978. Two months later, the last of today’s three songs hit the #1 spot on the U.S. Billboard chart for one week. The album also includes a salute to one of the Stones’ favorite genres-Motown-with a cover of the Temptations’ “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)”. After 45 years and despite the controversy surrounding the lyrics on the title track, the album still holds up. But there are not many from The Rolling Stones that don’t.
Top: The band circa 1963 (L-R): front: Jagger and Bill Wyman (front), Brian Jones (center), Charlie Watts and Keith Richards (top). Middle (L-R): Richards and Jagger sometime in the 1970’s. Bottom (L-R): Watts, Richards, Jagger, Ron Wood and Wyman sometime in the 1980’s.(Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Such heartbreaking news last week to learn that former Eagles co-founder, bassist, singer and songwriter Randy Meisner died at age 77. The band was one of my favorite groups when I was growing up but all the fighting really soured me on them. It also bothered Meisner, too, as it was reportedly the main reason for his departure from the group in September 1977, six years after they formed. That and because the band was freezing him out due to his reluctance to be in the spotlight, which never sat well with his ego-driven fame-hungry bandmates and fellow co-founders, Glenn Frey and Don Henley.
Meisner was the one member I always adored. His harmonies were pristine & beautiful, plus his vocals on “Take It To The Limit” (which was the band’s first million-seller, according to a Twitter post by the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame) and today’s song are my top favorite moments by the band. And the latter was written solely by him, a feat one of the primary antagonists for the group-Henley-never accomplished.
Before The Eagles, Meisner did session work for James Taylor and Waylon Jennings in addition to playing with Poco and Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band. After he left the Eagles Meisner released three solo albums, had a few bands of his own including Randy Meisner & the Silverados and The Roberts-Meisner Band, while continuing to play on various tours until 2008. He also contributed to records by Linda Ronstadt, Danny O’Keefe, Dan Fogelberg and Richard Marx, amongst others.
Reportedly Meisner was not invited to participate in the 1994 “Hell Freezes Over” tour indicating that both group’s dictators-Frey and Henley-were still harboring resentment over their former bassist’s decision to quit the band 17 years earlier. In 1999 Meisner supposedly asked to take part in the group’s New Year’s Eve show & was refused. Even in the statement on the band’s website about Meisner’s death, they fail to list his contributions as a songwriter, only his roles as a bassist and vocalist. With Frey out of the picture since his death in 2016, this puts the onus clearly on Il Duce, a/k/a Henley. (In the group’s 2013 documentary, he and and Frey made it clear they seized their self-appointed leadership roles using the philosophy that a band is not a democracy but rather an entity requiring leadership. So they ran the show-period. But it made an already bad situation even worse because both men were constantly fighting with each other, too.)
Randy Meisner on stage circa 1970’s.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
It is not only passive agressive but ironic since Henley is the only founding member who failed to write any of the group’s songs entirely on his own. And after a review of his five solo studio albums, only one track-a filler one at that-on 1984’s Building the Perfect Beast is credited solely to Henley. Despite how famous he became in the group and as a solo artist, I find his need to constantly cause trouble-whether within the band, against his record company, by attacking YouTube’s practices or whomever annoyed him the day before-to be quite distasteful. Add to that Meisner revealed in an interview in 2000 that he & Bernie Leadon (another co-founder) were initially left out of the financial profits for the band’s “Greatest Hits” record. Both men had to formally pursue their share which was not only ridiculous but essentially fraudulent. It left me feeling nothing but disgust for Henley, a singer & musician I once truly admired, especially for his efforts in establishing The Walden Woods Project.
But he or anyone else who might have tried could not stop Meisner’s prescence with the rest of the group at their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1998. And the man who replaced him-Timothy B. Schmit-was all class in his tribute to Meisner that night, recognizing that his predecessor was the man in the “trenches” with the band. Meanwhile, Frey and Henley stayed as far away as possible from where Mesiner was standing. Then Frey rewrote the narrative about the band’s well documented reputation on fighting (including the petty vicious ones between he and Henley) and said the members got along fine, they just disagreed (read: disagreed with him and Henley). And those members who dared to question the two dictators were eventually dismissed and/or robbed of their rightful profits: Leadon, Meisner and Don Felder, who joined the band in 1974. No wonder the two in charge are known as oppressors.
When I went on my first road trip to Vermont in October 2005, I somehow forgot to include my Hotel California cd in my music stash. Within 24 hours I started to have withdrawals. I needed to hear today’s song so badly that I actually went to a record store (remember those?) to buy another copy of it. I listened to this track so much it was as if Meisner was in the car with me. Well, he was but you know what I mean.
His final years were sadly riddled with both physical and mental challenges, but Meisner was one of the good ones. It was all about the music for him, not the fame or the spotlight. And that should have been respected. Rest in peace, Randy. You will be missed.
“Right or wrong, what’s done is done It’s only moments that you borrow But the thoughts will linger on of the lady and her song When the sun comes up tomorrow“.
Randall Herman Meisner: March 8, 1946-July 26, 2023.
Randy Meisner circa 1970’s.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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Happy birthday, America. Let freedom continue to ring.
As our great country turns 247 years old, let’s mark the occassion with two takes on the holiday. The first is a not so traditional but unbelievably fabulous rendition of a song celebrating this great land of ours by one of its greatest treasures.
“O beautiful for spacious skies For amber waves of grain For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea“.
Ray Charles circa 1968. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
And for a fun take, let’s join one of America’s favorite sons in his “boardwalk life” with a stop at a “little seaside bar” to hear one of “Madame Marie’s” fortunes before she gets busted.
“Sandy the fireworks are hailin’ over little Eden tonight Forcin’ a light into all those stony faces left stranded on this fourth of July Down in town the circuit’s full of switchblade lovers so fast, so shiny, so sharp As the wizards play down on Pinball Way on the boardwalk way past dark“.
Bruce Springsteen circa 1985.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Ray Charles: “America The Beautiful” (1976, lyrics written by Katharine Lee Bates, music written by Samuel A. Ward).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
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Happy 75th birthday to Todd Harry Rundgren who was born June 22, 1948 in Philadelphia, PA. The singer, songwriter, musician and record producer has been part of the music scene for over five decades as a solo performer and as a member of the bands, Nazz and Utopia.
His career has included a few Top 40 hits like “I Saw The Light” (#16 in 1972) and “Can We Still Be Friends” (#29 in 1978). He also produced albums for Hall & Oates, Meatloaf, The New York Dolls, Badfinger and Grand Funk Railroad, amongst others.
Today’s song is from Rundgren’s third solo album, Something/Anything?, which was released in 1972. The track peaked at #5 on the Billboard singles chart nearly 50 years ago in December 1973. The first time this tune came out was in 1968 when Rundgren recorded it with his first band, Nazz. It is a slightly slower version of his solo hit but quite enjoyable as well.
I spotlighted his solo version on Day 388 of my lockdown music countdown. And everything I wrote then (see below) still holds. This song is part of my wonder years. So thank you, Todd Rundgren. And happy birthday.
“A rite of passage for children is their affinity for bubble gum pop music. Every generation has it but if your calling is music like mine was, even during those frivolous years good songs will break through and stay with you for a lifetime. I have written extensively over the last year about the ones that broke through to me. Today’s song is part of that group & can transport back to some of the best days of my childhood in one note. I will love Todd Rundgren forever for this song & the memories I have connected to it.”
“Seeing you or seeing anything as much I do you I take for granted that you’re always there I take for granted that you just don’t care Sometimes I can’t help seeing all the way through“.
Todd Rundgren performs as a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band at Jones Beach in Wantagh, NY in June 2012. Photo by me.
Todd Rundgren: “Hello It’s Me” (1972, written by Todd Rundgren).
Nazz: “Hello It’s Me” (1968, written by Todd Rundgren).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
Courtesy of Huffpost.com: Christian Jacobs, 4, of Hertford, North Carolina, at the grave of his father, Christian James Jacob, during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on May 25, 2015. JOSHUA ROBERTS/REUTERS
Freedom is not free. May we never forget what it costs or those who have paid the price.
“Home of the free because of the brave”. On befalf of a grateful nation, thank you.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
“Far between my finished sundown and midnight’s broken toll We ducked inside the doorways thunder went crashing As majestic bells of bolts struck shadows in the sounds Seeming to be the chimes of freedom flashin’
Flashin’ for the warriors whose strength is not to fight Flashin’ for the refugees on the unarmed road of flight And for each an’ every underdog soldier in the night And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin'”.
Lilacs & Rust 