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!!!
On the 9th day of Christmas a hero gave to thee “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. The holiday staple premiered 60 years ago today on December 9, 1965. It has been a treasured classic ever since.
That year was also the 15th anniversary of the first Peanuts comic strip which was published on October 2, 1950. It was a monumental success so The Coca-Cola Company commissioned a special from creator Charles M. Schulz. He collaborated with executive producer Lee Mendelson, producer & director Bill Melendez and jazz musician Vince Guaraldi to bring the loveable relatable Peanuts characters to life.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Schulz’s story about Charlie Brown feeling let down by the holiday, his exhaustive efforts to direct his friends in a Christmas play and to find the perfect tree for the stage leads him to wonder in frustration, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!”
That someone with the answer is the sage & gentle Linus who gives a touching recitation from the Book of Luke. Linus also gives the tree “a little love” to bring it to life which brings the gang together in song. While the final track is a familiar carol, most of the innovative and delightful soundtrack contains songs written exclusively for the special. Add to that scenes of winter activities like ice skating, catching snowflakes & snowball fights and the special is a a sweet perfect moment we get to relive year after year.
Thank you, Charles M. Schulz, for The Peanuts and “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
This year I found a new spin on my favorite song from the soundtrack courtesy of music legend Herb Alpert’s latest album.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Christmas Time Is Here” (1965, music by Vince Guaraldi, lyrics by Lee Mendelson).
The Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Skating” (1965, written by Vince Guaraldi).
The Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (1965, written by Felix Mendelssohn and Charles Wesley).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Fifty years ago on October 27, 1975, Bruce Springsteen appeared on the covers of both Time and Newsweek. His website refers to it as “a publicity coup engineered by (Born to Run) producer, Mike Appel”. But based on some of the quotes in the articles, Springsteen seemed quite uneasy with the hype that exposure caused him. But there was no denying the power of BTR-which was released two months earlier in August 1975-as it became his breakthrough record & remains the pinnacle of his catalog five decades later.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
This past Friday was another double play for Springsteen. A new five disc set-Nebraska ’82-Expanded Edition-was released on October 24, 2025, a week later than expected which was attributed to a production delay. But the new date coincided with the release of his movie, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere”. The biopic, based on Warren Zanes’ 2023 book by the same name, explores the time between the end of Springsteen’s sold out tour for his 1980 double record, The River-which gave him his first Top Ten song, “Hungry Heart”-and 1984’s Born In The U.S.A., including his personal struggle with depression and a very strained relationship with his father, Douglas, who was dealing with his own undiagnosed mental health issues for most of his life. That period led to Springsteen’s 1982 acoustic triumph, Nebraska.
Even after reading his 2016 biography named after his 1975 masterpiece-Born To Run, which presented a detailed account of his own mental health issues-I found the visual deep dive into Springsteen’s depression hard to watch. Knowing how the story ends helps, of course, but the image of him in such a dark place was not an easy place to go. Watching his creative process, however-even in the middle of that struggle-was incredible to see. I also found the performances in the film to be strong, especially Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen. And getting a glimpse of him as a young boy-played by the oh-so-adorable Matthew Anthony Pellicano Jr.-was a great contrast.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Top: The movie poster for Springsteen’s biopic. Middle: Jeremy Allen White (L) got a visit from Bruce Springsteen (R) during the filming of the biopic, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” in early 2025.Bottom: Matthew Anthony Pellicano Jr., Springsteen and White at the AFI Los Angeles Premiere of the film in October 2025.(Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
This Friday is Halloween. While trick-or-treating was the main event when I was a kid, the runner up was the yearly viewing of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown“. It premiered 59 years ago on October 27, 1966. After the success of 1965’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (which turns 60 years old in December), it made sense that the demand for more Peanuts’ specials was high.
It was no surprise that Schulz turned to the three men who brought The Peanuts to life for the Christmas special-executive producer Lee Mendelson, producer & director Bill Melendez and musician & composer Vince Guaraldi-to recreate the same magic for the Halloween special. And they did. The Great Pumpkin is an adorable tale of Halloween fun, friendship, make believe and childlike wonder. Nearly six decades later, it remains a beloved seasonal tradition. I cannot picture the holiday without it.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
This year marks two big anniversaries for one of my faves, Chris Isaak. His debut album, Silvertone, was released 40 years ago in January 1985. And 30 years ago, he released Forever Blue in May 1995.
The biggest difference between those albums is Isaak’s level of fame. It skyrocketed in the fall of 1990 after the song, “Wicked Game”-from his 1989 album, Heart Shaped World-was featured in the David Lynch film, “Wild At Heart”. But Isaak’s talent for songwriting, his vocal abilities and his rockabilly style were clear on his first record, even if it took a few years for the rest of the world to notice.
Isaak has released 13 albums over the last 40 years and expanded his career into acting in films including 1988’s “Married To The Mob”, 1991’s “The Silence Of The Lambs” and 1996’s “Grace Of My Heart”. He also made guest appearances on TV including “Friends” in 1996, “American Dreams” in 2004 (portraying Roy Orbison) and in his own self-titled program on Showtime from 2001-2004 and “The Chris Isaak Hour” which ran on the Biography Channel in 2009. He is gearing up for a holiday tour which starts next month. More information including the dates and locations of his appearances are listed on his website.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Bruce Springsteen: “Nebraska” (1982, written by Bruce Springsteen).
Bobby “Boris” Pickett: “Monster Mash” (1962, written by Leonard Capizzi and Bobby Pickett).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Some of the very best friends I have ever known are celebrating an extremely big anniversary in a few days. The Peanuts comic strip debuted 75 years ago on October 2, 1950. As stated on their website, it was on that day when “Charles M. Schulz introduced a brand-new comic strip with an unlikely round-headed hero, “Good ol’ Charlie Brown.” PEANUTS was born”.
“In 2025, Peanuts Worldwide celebrates the 75th Anniversary of Charles Schulz’ beloved creation, and the whole gang of personalities who have joined the cast along the way: philosophical Linus and his crabby big sister Lucy; piano-playing Schroeder; attention-grabbing Sally; history-making Franklin; not to mention Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Pigpen (and his famous dust cloud) and more. But no one has stolen the show quite like Snoopy, the coolest beagle on the planet”.
The Peanuts are fun, comfort, wisdom, great music & pop culture defined. Thank you, Mr. Schulz, for the gift of such beautiful and relatable characters.
Top: The very first Peanuts comic strip from October 2, 1950. Middle: Charles M. Schulz circa 1967 in front of a drawing of Charlie Brown. Bottom: The stamps issued by the USPS in 2022 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Schulz’s birth anniversary. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
Bobby Bloom released his self-titled debut album 55 years ago in the summer of 1970. It did not make much of an impression, staying on the charts for only three weeks & peaking at #126 by the end of the year. But the first single-a calypso style number celebrating a popular destination spot in Jamaica-fared much better, peaking at #8 in November 1970.
My first introduction to this song came when I was in elementary school. I had a very progressive gym teacher who knew that dance routines & choregraphed movements were great forms of exercise. She led us in a dance to two songs every year-the first was to the beautiful instrumental track, “Love Is Blue”, by Paul Mauriat (which I featured on Day 13 of my Lockdown Countdown). The second was Bloom’s Top Ten hit from 1970. To this day, I cherish those memories & both of these songs.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
In my February 24, 2025 post, I focused on a few of the top selling songs from 50 years ago. This week I am focusing on three more of my favorite #1 songs of 1975 – Part 2.
The Doobie Brothers had their first #1 song in 1975. It was written by guitarist, vocalist & songwriter, Patrick Simmons, and was featured on their 1974 spectacularly titled album, What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. His song was the B-side to the first single (“Another Park, Another Sunday”) but was not discovered by radio stations until the end of 1974. Three months later, it hit the #1 spot on March 15, 1975 for one week. The track is Simmons’ ode to the Delta Blues with a nod to New Orleans. It features an inviting a cappella section and a commanding viola arrangement. As a teenager who played that instrument in junior high & high school, it was an absolute thrill to discover that not only did one of my favorite bands use it in a song, but it was on one of their most successful tracks.
The Doobie Brothers circa 1975 (L-R): Patrick Simmons (guitar), Tiran Porter (bass), Keith Knudsen(drums), Tom Johnston (guitar) and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (guitar).(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Patti Labelle started singing in the group, The Ordettes, in the early 1960’s when she was still known as Patricia Holte. The group would change their name many times over the next decade, finally settling on LaBelle in 1971. Three years later, they signed with Epic Records and had incredible success with their soul, R&B, funk & rock infused album, Nightbirds, released in September 1974. It featured the #1 hit that reached the top spot on March 29, 1975 for one week, helping LaBelle become the first black vocal group to grace the cover of Rolling Stone for the July 3, 1975 issue.
LaBelle on the cover of Rolling Stone’s July 3, 1975 issue (L-R: Sarah Dash, Nona Hendrix (middle, seated) and Patti LaBelle. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
In 1974 Elton John wrote a song to honor his friend, tennis star & World Team Tennis MVP, Billie Jean King. That year she became the first woman to coach a professional sports team with both male & female players. The track not only became their anthem but also one for the city they played for. It was the second of EJ’s three #1 hits in 1975 (“Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” & “Island Girl” were the other two).
Tennis legend Billie Jean King (L) and Elton John (R) circa 1975.(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Bonus: Fifty five years ago on August 22, 1970, Bread hit the #1 spot in the country with a song written & produced by David Gates. It was one of my mother’s favorite songs & it is still one of mine. I dedicate it to her today on what would have been her 86th birthday.
“Life can be short or long, love can be right or wrong”.
Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Linus And Lucy” (1964, written by Vince Guaraldi).
Bobby Bloom: “Montego Bay” (1970, written by Jeff Barry and Bobby Bloom).
The Doobie Brothers: “Black Water” (1974, written by Patrick Simmons. It hit the #1 spot on March 15, 1975 for one week).
Labelle: “Lady Marmalade” (1974, written by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan. It hit the #1 spot on March 29, 1975 for one week).
Elton John: “Philadelphia Freedom” (1975, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It hit the #1 spot on April 12, 1975 for two consecutive weeks).
Charlie Brown and his faithful pup, Snoopy, and that tree in a scene from the iconic “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. (United Feature Syndicate.Image found online. Original source unknown.)
When Charles M. Schulz’s young group of Peanuts made their debut on October 2, 1950, in seven newspapers across the country, one of the most beautiful chapters in American culture and history began. The nation embraced Charlie Brown, his loyal and occassionally mischievous pup, Snoopy, their friend, Linus and the other characters from the gang.
Fifteen years later “A Charlie Brown Christmas” debuted on December 9, 1965. The sweet friends “Sparky” created became some of the best friends many of us have ever known while an international movement celebrating all things Peanuts came to be. And it continues today in the year we celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of Schulz on November 26, 2022.
As if all that were not enough, the Christmas special featured songs that are still warming our hearts and adding to our holiday cheer. They became as important to the Peanurs world as if the music was a character all its own, providing the soundtrack to skating, dancing and celebrating the tree that just needed a little love. The world created by Sculz and his friends, Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi, is one I never want to leave. Thanks to their legacy, I never have to. And neither does anyone else.
Three iconic images from 1965’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. (United Feature Syndicate. Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
The Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Christmas Time Is Here” (1965, music by Vince Guaraldi, lyrics by Lee Mendelson).
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
I hope you all had a wonderful extended holiday weekend of eating, shopping, resting or all three. Before we get to today’s songs (yes, plural as we have another triple play) let me remind you that the Christmas Music Coundtdown begins on December 1. For each of the 25 Days of Christmas, I will feature a different holiday song. I would love to hear some of your favorite music choices for this festive season so please share them with me in the comments below.
Today we are celebrating three milestones with three songs. The first is about one of my childhood heroes. Charles M. Schulz, the absolute genius who gave us Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts Gang, was born 100 years ago on November 26, 1922. Nothing in my life was ever the same after my first glimpse of the characters Schulz created. Meeting that brilliant, warm, quirky, kind, wise, friendly, talented, and irascible group introduced me to some of the best friends I ever had.
Their holiday specials, books and the comic strip, the merchandise & the movies remain as much a part of my life now as they ever did. And it is all thanks to the man known as “Sparky” to his friends. Part of the appeal of his gang was how relatable and human they were-they had real feelings, real hopes, real wants, real needs and real fears. They were children but not childish. And they loved to have fun which translated into lots of music and dancing to grown up songs. How do you thank one man for so much?
Top: Charles M. Schulz and his famous friend, Charlie Brown, circa 1965. Then three of the many cartoonists who remembered Sparky on the 100th anniversary of his birth including Bil and Jeff Keane of “Family Circus“, Lynn Johnston’s “For Better or For Worse” and Bunny Hoest and John Reiner’s “The Lockhorns“. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)
Twenty years later one of the most iconic films of all time was introduced to the world when Casablanca premiered on November 26, 1942. Eight decades later, Humphrey Bogart & Ingrid Bergman’s tale of love and loss during World War II remains one of the most beloved movies of all time with a theme song no one can ever forget.
Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in a scene from “Casablanca:. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
That same year one of the greatest musicians to ever set an instrument on fire-both figuratively and literally-came into the world. James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix was born November 27, 1942 in Seattle, WA. A singer, songwriter and performer best remembered as one of the premier guitarists in rock music made a name for himself with original songs but also with one of a kind covers of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower” and our National Anthem.
According to his website, Hendrix was a member of the “Screaming Eagles” paratroop division during his serivce to the U.S. Army in the early 1960’s. By the middle of that decade, he was playing with Ike and Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, the Isley Brothers, and Little Richard before forming his own band, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames. The rest is rock music history. Despite his death over 50 years ago, Hendrix is still unsurpassed in his esteem & tenure as one of the greatest of the greats.
Jimi Hendrix circa 1967. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
The Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Linus And Lucy” (1964, written by Vince Guaraldi).
Frank Sinatra: “As Time Goes By” (1962, remastered in 1999, written by Herman Hupfeld).
Jimi Hendrix: “Little Wing” (1967, written by Jimi Hendrix).
Today we celebrate not just one song, but several from what is arguably the best Christmas special ever made. Last night this holiday favorite aired for the 54th year in a row and yes, I was front and center. It leaves me all warm and cuddly inside while hitting all the points of the season: good will towards men, non-commercialism, listening to special holiday music with people you care about, choosing to decorate (and celebrate, for that matter) in a way that makes you happy, even if that way is not the conventional approach, knowing that anything is beautiful with a little love and the core religious aspect of what Christmas is all about. Plus it stars some of my best friends in the universe, the Peanuts.
Courtesy of Lee Mendelson Productions / MGN
Based on the successful comic strip started in 1950, the animated holiday special was commissioned and sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company which obviously knew a good thing when they saw it. It was the first TV appearance for the Peanuts characters and catapulted them and their creator from a mere phenomenon to super stardom. Merchandise of all kinds was created and it was not just limited to toys. Other items like cookie jars, home decor & accessories, watches, clothing, greeting cards, lunch boxes, Pez dispensers, banks, etc. were also marketed. You name it, it is out there. And today it is still a billion dollar industry that all began with this special from 1965. Not to mention its incredible unforgettable grown-up soundtrack that critic Shawn M. Haney wrote ” “introduce[d] contemporary jazz to youngsters with grace, charm, and creativity.” If this were the only Christmas album I could listen to for the rest of my life, I would be perfectly fine with that (but please don’t tell Bruce Springsteen!!!).
Other Peanuts TV specials followed, as did movies, including a 3-D one in 2015. And the comic strip also continued for the next 35 years. Sadly it came to an end in February 2000 when its glorious creator was forced to retire due to his failing health. He died the day after the last strip was published. His official cause of death was cancer. Unofficially, I think it was due to a broken heart. We all knew from the last words of that final strip how much it hurt to say goodbye to the characters he created who became our beloved friends. His words were ones we could all identify with:
“Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy…..how can I ever forget them?”
Thanks to “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, none of us ever have to. But how do we ever thank you, Charles M. Schulz, for the gift of our dear sweet cherished Peanuts?
“Christmas Is Coming” (1965, instrumental by The Vince Guaraldi Trio, written by Vince Guaraldi in 1965).
“Christmas Time Is Here” (1965, vocal version by choristers from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Rafael, California, written by Lee Mendelson & Vince Guaraldi in 1965).
“Christmas Time Is Here” (1965, instrumental version by The Vince Guaraldi Trio, written by Lee Mendelson & Vince Guaraldi in 1965).
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (1965, vocal by choristers from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Rafael, California, based on a 1739 Christmas carol with various writers including Charles Wesley and George Whitefield).
“Linus and Lucy” (1965, instrumental by The Vince Guaraldi Trio, written by Vince Guaraldi in 1965).
“O Tannenbaum” (1965, instrumental by The Vince Guaraldi Trio, written by Vince Guaraldi in 1965).
“Skating” (1965, instrumental by The Vince Guaraldi Trio, written by Ernst Anschutz in 1824).
I do not own the rights to anything. I am just sharing some things that I love with you 🙂
Today’s song is by one of my all-time heroes, a man I love, adore and admire and the man I will eventually marry soon if his wife would stop hogging him already. I mean, she has had over 30 years with him-now she is just being greedy. I will let her visit the Oscar whenever she wants if that is what she is worried about.
Seriously, how refreshing that a man is so dedicated and protective of his music that he does not mess up that gift with drugs, or by letting some big box store use it in a campaign (that they hope will boost their sales in an effort to get the public to forget how bad they treat their employees, the environment or every small business in the free world) or even let even let the President of the United States get away with using his copyrighted music without his permission.
This year alone he was awarded the Medal of Freedom, he & the E Street Band had the #1 highest-grossing tour for the first half of 2016 according to Forbes Magazine, outdid his own extended show length and broke the record for the longest U.S. concert this year (4 hours, 3 minutes and 43 seconds).
President Obama presenting Bruce Springsteen with the Medal of Honor last month
It debuted in the #1 spot on the NY Times Best Sellers list, was one of their top picks for 2016 and their critic Dwight Garner wrote: “Mr. Springsteen’s memoir is big, loose, rangy and intensely satisfying. It has not been utterly sanitized for anyone’s protection, and it is closely observed from end to end, especially on subjects like sex, art and social class. The Boss could have phoned this book in. He didn’t.”
Amen.
Garner’s review also included this gem:
“Bruce Springsteen’s song lyrics have injected more drama and mystery into the myths of the American road than any figure since Jack Kerouac.”
Ah, two of my favorite men in one sentence!!!!!
“Both an entertaining account of Springsteen’s marathon race to the top and a reminder that the one thing you can’t run away from is yourself.”—Entertainment Weekly
How true.
And the best gift of all, IMHO:
“He must be conceded a magic with words: He can spin not only a yarn but often an extended analysis, too…. His disclosures here are rich, deep, and useful to help destigmatize mental illness.”—Slate
I have written this before, but it bears repeating:
P.S. An honorable mention to James Taylor’s cover, a jazzy-bluesy-piano-infused version that reminded me of Vince Guaraldi’s style from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.
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, fellow Vixens, happy listening!!!
Hello, Vixens!!! How are all of you today? Frazzled? Harried? Weary? Well, I hope not!!! ‘Tis the season, remember? Take a moment for you. Put your feet up, close your eyes and indulge in a great Christmas song.
Have you seen the Peanuts movie yet? If not and you are a fan, go now!!! The tagline for the movie-“The friends you grew up with but never outgrew”-describes my relationship with the gang perfectly. They were my best friends when I was a kid, and decades later I am proud to say I still cherish each and every one of them. And what would this season be without watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas”?
Source: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Well this year, our favorite holiday special turns the big 5-0. That’s right, 50!!! Fifty years of “I never thought it was such a bad little tree”, of Charlie Brown’s disdain over the commercialism of the holiday, of the dance, of Linus telling us the meaning of Christmas, of the gang decorating the little tree, wishing Charlie Brown a Merry Christmas and singing an adorable version of “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”.
But my favorite song from this iconic special? “Christmastime Is Here“. Nothing defines Christmas for me like this special and this song. Thank you, Charles M. Schulz, Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson for this gem of a special.
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