Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Last week we lost the epitome of a true Hollywood legend. Actor, director, filmmaker & independent movie champion Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025 at age 89. He started his acting career at the end of the 1950’s with roles on TV & on stage then segued into movies. He found fame thanks to such high profile roles in dozens of films including “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid”, “Jeremiah Johnson”, “The Way We Were”, “The Great Gatsby”, “All The President’s Men” and “The Natural”, just to name a few.
He used the proceeds of his success to start the Sundance Film Festival in 1978. Two years later, he made his directorial debut with 1980’s “Ordinary People” which earned him an Academy Award for Best Director. He went on to direct nine more movies while he continued his acting career. He also became involved in several causes, especially the environment. I loved so many of his roles and movies, especially how he brought “A River Runs Through It” to life not only with his directing skills but with his narration in the film as well. Goodbye, Sundance. Thank you for everything.
Charles Robert Redford Jr.: August 18, 1936 – September 16, 2025.
Robert Redford in Utah in 1969 photographed by John Dominis – The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock for the February 1970 edition of Life Magazine.
Robert Redford in NYC’s Times Square in 1969 photographed by John Dominis – The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock for the February 1970 edition of Life Magazine.
Riley B. King-known professionally as B.B. King-was born 100 years ago on September 16, 1925 near Itta Bena, Mississippi. Known as The King of the Blues, he started his six decade career as a Beale Street musician who went on to redefine the blues genre. He also made notable appearances in such movies as 1985’s “Spies Like Us”, 1993’s “Heart & Souls” and 1998’s “Blues Brothers 2000” as well as several TV shows including the legendary daytime soap, “General Hospital” in 1995 at Luke’s Blues Club opening. He collaborated with a multitude of artists including Eric Clapton, U2, Van Morrison, Elton John, Daryl Hall and many others. King died May 14, 2015 at age 89.
B.B. King circa 2000. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Tomorrow marks the 95th birth anniversary of Ray Charles Robinson. The singer & piano extraordinaire was born on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia. And this month marks 65 years since he released The Genius Hits the Road in September 1960. It contains his signature tune which was designated as the namesake’s state song in 1979. Charles died on June 10, 2004 at the age of 73.
Ray Charles circa 1990. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Neil Young’s third studio album-After the Gold Rush– was released 55 years ago in September 1970. It includes songs like “Tell Me Why”, “Southern Man” and “I Believe In You” as some of the notable tracks. This year marks another milestone of the legendary singer-songwriter’s career: It is the 40th anniversary of Farm Aid which Young started in 1985 along with Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp.
The organization’s first concert was held on September 22, 1985 in Champaign, Illinois and raised $7 million dollars. According to its website, the organization was founded “in response to the growing crisis faced by American family farmers during the 1980s. The inaugural concert marked a historic moment in the farm movement, to support struggling family farmers, but more importantly, raising awareness of the impacts of the crisis.“
Young, who will turn 80 this November, was part of the lineup over the weekend for the Farm Aid 40 concert held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on September 20. Some of the other performers included Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Nelson’s son, Lukas and Dave Matthews, who is also on the organization’s board.
Top: Neil Young’s 1970 album. Middle: Young, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp at the first Farm Aid concert in Illinois in September 1985. Bottom: Nelson, Young, Dave Matthews and Margo Price from Farm Aid 40 on September 20, 2025. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
B.J. Thomas: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the 1969 film, “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid“. The song was the #1 hit in the country for four consecutive weeks 55 years ago in January 1970).
B.B. King: “Three O’Clock Blues” (1951, written by Lowell Fulson).
B.B. King: “The Thrill Is Gone” (1970, written by Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins).
Ray Charles: “What’d I Say, Pt. 1 & 2” (1959, written by Ray Charles).
Ray Charles: “Georgia On My Mind” (1960, written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell).
Neil Young: “After The Gold Rush” (1970, written by Neil Young).
Neil Young: “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” (1970, written by Neil Young).
Stay safe & well.
Lilacs & Rust 