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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In 1965 the band, The Left Banke, formed in New York City. They were classified as “baroque pop” because their sound was a fusion of pop/rock music and classical music elements. At the time, the charts were being ruled by the British Invasion so a new sound like baroque pop was powerful enough to break through. A year later in 1966, The Left Banke released the two songs that would define their career and the genre. The first one-released 60 years ago in July 1966-peaked at #5 and the second reached the Top 20. Both feature Steve Martin Caro on lead vocal and were primarily written by the band’s keyboard player, Michael Brown. The band had basically broken up by the time their first single became a hit, but 60 years later both songs are still considered the epitome of the baroque pop category.

The Left Banke in 1966 (L–R): Steve Martin Caro, Michael Brown, George Cameron, Jeff Winfield and Tom Finn. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Twenty years ago in January 2006 Augustana released the second single from their debut album, All the Stars and Boulevards. The title track was the first single, released in October 2005, one month after the album’s release on September 6, 2005.

I wish I could remember when I first heard this band, but I cannot seem to pinpoint it. I believe it was probably on a road trip once I lost my local stations and had to start searching for new ones to listen to. That has always been one of my favorite parts of being on the road. But I do remember that I was completely enthralled by their sound, the depth of their storytelling and the unique melodies of their songs. And the pensive sound of Daniel Layus’ vocals are both incredibly soothing and evocative all at once.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In 1981 Steven Bochco created ground breaking television with the premiere of “Hill Street Blues” on January 15, 1981. And 45 years later, it is still considered one of the best series ever made. It ran for seven seasons and featured what would become hallmarks of Bochco shows including a large ensemble cast, quirky eccentric humor, multiple storylines which often overlapped including social issues which were front and center in everyday life at the time. It was gritty, real, true to life and really showed the commitment the men & women behind the badge make every single day. I fell in love with it from the very first episode & it remains one of my favorite series of all times.

The show also featured a memorable theme song written by composer Mike Post. He went on to write the themes for Bocho’s other shows including “L.A. Law” (which premiered 40 years ago on September 15, 1986), “Doogie Howser, M.D.” in 1989 (starring HSB alumnus James B. Sikking as Doogie’s dad), “NYPD Blue” in 1993 (starring Jimmy Smits from “L.A. Law”). And in the I-cannot-believe-I-did-not-know-this-before category, I just discovered that Post co-wrote (along with Pete Carpenter) one of the best TV show themes in creation for James Garner’s 1970’s show, “The Rockford Files”.

I will never forgive Bochco for letting Jimmy Smits’ character die on “NYPD Blue”, but there is no discounting the contribution Bochco made to television history.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another show I absolutely loved premiered 40 years ago on September 18, 1986. “Crime Story”-created by Chuck Adamson and Gustave Reininger and executive produced by Michael Mann-was set in Chicago in the early 1960’s. It may have only lasted for two seasons but it started the careers of Dennis Farina (who was a former Chicago police officer who was a consultant for Mann on earlier projects), Anthony Dennison and Ted Levine (the creepy kidnapper in “The Silence Of The Lambs” and as Leland Stottlemeyer in “Monk”).

The song chosen for the theme song was a #1 hit for four consecutive weeks 65 years ago in the spring of 1961. It was re-recorded in 1986 specifically for the new series and featured the song’s singer & co-writer-Del Shannon-performing the track in the pilot episode at a nightclub. Respect.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Left Banke: “Walk Away Renée” (1966, written by Michael Brown, Bob Calilli and Tony Sansone).

The Left Banke: “Pretty Ballerina” (1966, written by Michael Brown).

Augustana: “Stars and Boulevards” (2005, written by Augustana: Daniel Layus, Jared Palomar, Josiah Rosen and Justin South).

Augustana: “Boston” (2005, written by Augustana: Daniel Layus, Jared Palomar, Josiah Rosen and Justin South).

Mike Post: “The Rockford Files Theme” (1974, written by Pete Carpenter and Mike Post).

Mike Post: “Hill Street Blues Theme” (1981, written by Mike Post).

Del Shannon: “Runaway” (1986, written by Max Crook and Del Shannon).

Stay safe & well.