Tag Archives: Dorothy Blanche Rose and Sophia

Music Monday: September 8, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Before we get to the songs, I want to give a shout out to a couple of TV anniversaries close to my heart.

Two of my favorite TV cops-“Starsky & Hutch”-came to life in the show’s pilot which premiered on April 30, 1975. Due to its success, it was picked up for a series with the first episode broadcast 50 years ago on Sep 10, 1975. The two cops were not only partners but best friends who were dedicated to keeping the streets of their city safe. They had heart, smarts and great instincts and were adorable to watch, especially if you were a young girl experiencing her first real crushes. It was one of Aaron Spelling’s biggest hits in the early days of his TV empire. To me, David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser remain the best part of that universe.

David Soul (L) as Detective Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson and Paul Michael Glaser (R) as Detective David Starsky. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A decade later, I met four women who I will adore for all of eternity. “The Golden Girls” premiered 40 years ago on September 14, 1985. They gave us seven seasons of fun, laughter, jokes, sarcastic quips and life lessons served up with a side of cheesecake. For many of us, they remain the best surrogate mothers to those of us who desperately need them. A very special thank you goes out to the show’s creator, Susan Harris (who will turn 85 next month, who also gave us the hilarious 1970’s series, “Soap” & is from my home state of New York), who took her vision of women in their second & third acts & turned it into one of the greatest shows ever made. The show was nominated six times for the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy Award – it won two years in a row, 1986 & 1987 – and all four leading ladies won Emmy Awards for their work on the show. Thank you Estelle, Bea, Rue & Betty for making the wonderful world of Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche & Rose such a great place to be.

Four iconic women sharing a story & a laugh over a slice of cheesecake (L-R): Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo, Bea Arthur as her daughter, Dorothy Zbornak, Betty White as Rose Nylund and Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sir George Ivan “Van” Morrison OBE celebrated birthday #80 last month. Born August 31, 1945 in Belfast, Ireland, he grew up listening to his father’s extensive record collection, finding inspiration in artists like Ray Charles and Solomon Burke, among others. Morrison started playing guitar at age 11 and eventually would learn the harmonica & the saxophone as well. He was playing in bands by age 12 and by age 19, he was a member of the band, Them. The success of songs like “Gloria” and “Here Comes the Night” not only inspired the band, The Doors, but gave Morrison the push to start a solo career, which he did after quitting Them in 1966.

His debut album, Blowin’ Your Mind!, was released a year later and produced the Top Ten hit, “Brown Eyed Girl”. His sophomore album, Astral Weeks, came out in 1968 and that was followed by my personal favorite-Moondance-which was released 55 years ago in January 1970. Between the title track, “Crazy Love”, “Into The Mystic”, “These Dreams Of You” and other stand out songs, Morrison’s talents for songwriting, musicianship and vocals infused with a blend of rock, soul and rhythm & blues were irrefutable.

He released another album at the end of 1970-His Band and the Street Choir-which produced his second Top Ten hit, “Domino”. He has released nearly 50 albums in his career, some as collaborations (including 1988’s Irish Heartbeat with the Irish band The Chieftains & 2015’s Duets: Re-working the Catalogue) and some covering his favorite songs (2023’s Accentuate the Positive).

Morrison has received numerous accolades for his work including an Academy Award nomination in 2022 (for “Down To Joy” from “Belfast”), two Grammy Awards (1998-Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals with John Lee Hooker for “Don’t Look Back” and 1996-Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals with The Chieftains for “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” ) and the Ivor Novello Award in 1995. Morrison’s music has been used on numerous movie soundtracks and he was a featured performed in The Band’s 1978 concert film, “The Last Waltz”. He has influenced artists like Rod Stewart, Elton John, John Mellencamp, Glen Hansard, Damien Rice and many others.

Van Morrison through the years, first circa 1968 (top), in the 1970’s (middle) and circa 2015 (bottom). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Rod Stewart’s sixth solo album, Atlantic Crossing, was released 50 years ago in August 1975. He recorded it in Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama & it includes covers of the Dobie Gray classic, “Drift Away”, The Isley Brothers’ “This Old Heart of Mine” (which Stewart would record again in 1989 as a duet with Ronald Isley) and Gavin Sutherland’s “Sailing”.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The movie “Fame” premiered 45 years ago on May 16, 1980. The film, directed by Alan Parker, follows a group of talented teenagers from their acceptance to the New York High School of Performing Arts and their subsequent life experiences over the next four years as they hone their drama, music & dance skills. The movie introduced us to Irene Cara who starred in the film & was the voice behind its theme song. And I was today years old when I discovered that another tune she performed in the film-my favorite track-was co-written by 60’s teen sensation/girl singer Lesley Gore (“It’s My Party”, “Judy’s Turn To Cry” & “You Don’t Own Me”).

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

David Soul: “Don’t Give Up On Us” ((1977, written by Tony Macaulay).

Bea Arthur (as Dorothy Zbornak): “What’ll I Do” (Written by Irving Berlin. From “The Golden Girls” S7 E18, “Journey to the Center of Attention”, broadcast on February 22, 1992).

Van Morrison: “Caravan” (1970, written by Van Morrison).

Van Morrison: “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile)” (1972, written by Van Morrison).

Van Morrison: “Hard Nose The Highway” (1973, written by Van Morrison).

Rod Stewart: “I Don’t Want To Talk About It” (1975, written by Danny Whitten).

Irene Cara: “Out Here On My Own” (1980, written by Lesley Gore and Michael Gore).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: May 22, 2023

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

Bruce quote 2023

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today we celebrate three more milestones, the first involving one of my all time favorite shows. It is still an obsession of mine despite the fact that it concluded its six season run 13 years ago. “Lost” ended on May 23, 2010 and I have not been the same since. It changed me in ways I cannot explain except to say a part of me is still on the island with the characters I adore (and even the ones I don’t). I watched it again a few times in the decade after it ended. But during lockdown, I became more passionate than ever about this phenomenal series. If you never watched it and failed to binge it during the pandemic, do it now.

In the broadest reference possible, and at its very core, “Lost” is like “The Island Of Misfit People” who find where they belong. And who they belong with. One of the things the series focused on was the importance of certain numbers, 23 being one of them. So if you have never been to the island, you must-MUST-afford yourself this beautiful experience and make 2023 your year to get “Lost”. You will not regret it. The first of today’s three songs was used in a S3 episode which helped turn it into one of the best scenes ever in a television series. There is no way to watch it and not be moved.

Shambala

Lost anniversary 2

Lost 2

Three memorable moments from “Lost”: Top: A montage of the glorious van ride in S3. Middle: A scene from S1’s finale, “Exodus”. Bottom: Vincent the dog joins Jack (Matthew Fox) in the jungle in the series finale. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Rosemary Clooney was born 95 years ago on May 23, 1928 in Maysville, KY. The incomprable vocalist with the velvet & satin sound enjoyed a long career as a big band singer, jazz artist, actress and author. From her less than stable childhood she became a teenage radio singer as one half of the “The Clooney Sisters”. That led to a stint performing with bandleader Tony Pastor. When her sister, Betty, left the act in 1949, Rosemary was on her own in NYC and signed to Columbia Records. There she met Mitch Miller who persuaded her to record, “Come On-A My House”. With that, Rosemary Clooney the star was born.

The song I chose by her ties in with four other women I adore. The incredibly talented Bea Arthur, who was born 101 years ago on May 13, 1922, and the rest of “The Golden Girls” who ended their seven season run 31 years ago on May 9, 1992 (days before Arthur’s 70th birthday). She performed Clooney’s pick as Dorothy Zbornak in S7 E19, “Journey to the Center of Attention”. And talk about timeless-this song was written 100 years ago by the one and only Irving Berlin. I would be remiss not to add that Rosemary’s nephew, the dashing George Clooney, appeared in a GG episode, too: S2 E24, “To Catch A Neighbor”.

Rosemary Clooney mic

Dorothy 1

Golden Girls b and w

George GG 2

Top: Rosemary Clooney at a Columbia Records recording studio circa the 1950’s. Middle 1: Bea Arthur as Dorothy in “The Golden Girls”. Middle 2: The four GG’s: Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Blanche (Rue McClanahan), Rose (Betty White) and Sophia (Estelle Getty). Bottom (L-R): Another famous Clooney, George. appeared in a S2 episode of The GG along with Joseph Campanella, pictured with McClanahan & White. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stephanie Lynn Nicks will celebrate birthday #75 this week. She was born May 26, 1948 in Phoenix, AZ. She started her recording career in 1973 as part of a duo with Lindsey Buckingham before he was recruited by Mick Fleetwood to join his band. But Nicks’ boyfriend at the time would not go without her, so they both joined Fleetwood Mac. In 1975 the band’s self-titled album and its first with Nicks, included one of today’s songs and what has arguably become her most beloved track, “Landslide”.

From the group’s #1 iconic Rumours record, Nicks’ song, “Dreams”, became the band’s only #1 single. She started a successful solo career in 1981 with the release of her debut record, “Bella Donna“. That led to her becoming the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame twice as a performer-first with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and then in 2019 for her solo work. Nicks is currently on a U.S. tour with dates into 2024.

Stevie circa 1978

Top: Nicks circa 1977 (Image found online. Original source unknown). Bottom: Photo taken by me 9/4/2011 in Wantagh, NY. 

SONY DSC
                   

Three Dog Night: “Shambala” (1973, lead vocal by Cory Wells (February 5, 1941 – October 20, 2015), written by Daniel Moore. Featured in Lost S3 E10, “Tricia Tanaka Is Dead”).

Rosemary Clooney: “What’ll I Do” (2002, written by Irving Berlin).

Fleetwood Mac: “Rhiannon” (1975, written by Stevie Nicks).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 547

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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?

blog Sept 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.

First things first: A shout out to my four favorite ladies in TV land-Dorothy, Rose, Blanche & Sophia-who were introduced to the world as “The Golden Girls” 36 years ago today on September 14, 1985. How I love these women & how I love this show (yes, present tense on both counts). They are a part of me & always will be. Thank you, Ladies, for comedic platinum.

GG

The Golden Girls circa 1986 (L-R): Estelle Getty (Sophia/Ma), Betty White (Rose), Rue McClanahan (Blanche) and Bea Arthur (center, Dorothy). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Now to the music. In September 1967 The Doors released their second album, Strange Days. Today’s song was the first single and became a Top 20 hit that year for the group. When they appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” for their one & only performance on September 17, 1967, today’s track was the first of two songs they performed. And watching Jim Morrison swagger up to that microphone is one of the reasons why he is one of the greatest frontmen of all time. That stage was his and he made sure everyone knew it. Sa-woon.

“People are strange when you’re a stranger
Faces look ugly when you’re alone
Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted
Streets are uneven when you’re down“.

Doors

The Doors circa 1967 (L-R): John Densmore, Ray Manzarek, Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Doors: “People Are Strange” (Live performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” September 17, 1967. Written by Robby Krieger and Jim Morrison).

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

Stay well.