Word circulated today that Mark Hollis, the leader of UK group Talk Talk, passed away at the age of 64. The band hit the music scene in 1981 but first saw chart success the following year with their eponymous first release. "Talk Talk" failed to chart in the US the first time around, but a … Continue reading Rest in peace, Mark Hollis: Talk Talk, “Life Is What You Make It” (1986)
Month: February 2019
New this week in ’69: February 22
It's the last new chart for February. What's going on 50 years ago today? February 22, 1969 Today marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the final stage of the Tet Offensive. It will last until June 8 and figure prominently in President Nixon's decision to take the war into Cambodia. On Monday the … Continue reading New this week in ’69: February 22
Rest in peace, Peter Tork: The Monkees, “Words” (1968)
Peter Tork, best known for his work in the Monkees, has passed away at the age of 77. Tork had been diagnosed with cancer about ten years ago, and had beaten it for a long time, but succumbed to the disease yesterday. I'm reluctant to say "ex-Monkee Peter Tork" in a piece like this. For … Continue reading Rest in peace, Peter Tork: The Monkees, “Words” (1968)
Pop perfection: Andrew Gold, “Lonely Boy” (1977)
(Above: It's an album AND it's a game.) At one point this afternoon I suffered from the earworm that wouldn't quit. I got the first verse of Andrew Gold's "Lonely Boy" - which I have not heard in years - stuck in my head. As you know, the only way to deal with these ailments … Continue reading Pop perfection: Andrew Gold, “Lonely Boy” (1977)
Rest in peace, Ken Nordine: Colors (1966)
Ken Nordine passed away today at the age of 98. You may not know Ken's name, but you know his voice. Nordine has done more than a small amount of voiceover work, including this legendary Levi's ad that might just make you OK with plaid pants. But Nordine is best known for Word Jazz, a … Continue reading Rest in peace, Ken Nordine: Colors (1966)
New this week in ’69: February 15
(Above: The top debut of the week.) February 15, 1969 Yesterday Pope Paul VI issued a document called Mysterii Paschalis. One of the things that it did was remove names from the Roman calendar of saints. Among them was Valentine, even though we still celebrate the saint today. Five days from now President Nixon will … Continue reading New this week in ’69: February 15
Great lost hit: Us3, “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” (1994)
(Above: If you haven't taken this off the shelf in a while, now's a good time.) I've had a lot of extra car time in the last few days due to the weather. One of the ways I pass the time on the commute is with - why not? - an iPod. Some days I'll … Continue reading Great lost hit: Us3, “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” (1994)
New this week in ’69: February 8
(Above: If you look up "groovy," you get this image.) February 8, 1969 The final issue of The Saturday Evening Post is published. It makes a brief return as an every-so-often magazine a year later. Tomorrow morning, a new airplane will make its maiden flight - a jumbo jet that Boeing has dubbed the 747. … Continue reading New this week in ’69: February 8
Soul sounds: WGES-AM/Chicago Top 30 Tunes, February 1, 1962
(Above: The back of the WGES survey, complete with on-air lineup.) One of the great tragedies of history occurs any time we lose something we can't get back. Along the way to doing the research for my dissertation, I learned quickly that the efforts made to preserve popular culture aren't equal, and there's no better … Continue reading Soul sounds: WGES-AM/Chicago Top 30 Tunes, February 1, 1962
New this week in ’69: February 1
(Above: Tommy James and a blogger, March 2009.) Continuing on with our series - it's a new month, and there's new songs to write about that are turning 50. February 1, 1969 On this date President Nixon starts meeting with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger to plan talks with China. Andrew Brietbart, who founds the … Continue reading New this week in ’69: February 1
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 