Rest in peace, Burt Bacharach: A celebration of his greatest songs

(Above: Burt with Dusty Springfield on his television show, 1969) In terms of loss to the Great American Songbook, this is a big one. Burt Bacharach passed away yesterday at the age of 94. Just the numbers on Bacharach's career are staggering. He won a Grammy award six times, which was a much lower number … Continue reading Rest in peace, Burt Bacharach: A celebration of his greatest songs

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Rest in peace, Charlie Watts: The Rolling Stones, “Mixed Emotions” (1989)

Charlie Watts, the drummer for the greatest rock and roll band ever, has died at the age of 80. Just last week Watts decided that he would not be taking part in the Rolling Stones' tour this fall. He had beaten cancer once, but decided that the rigors of the road - and his ongoing … Continue reading Rest in peace, Charlie Watts: The Rolling Stones, “Mixed Emotions” (1989)

Rest in peace, Little Richard: “Long Tall Sally” (1956)

Richard Penniman passed away today at the age of 87. Like anything about Little Richard, that sentence doesn't tell the whole story. Little Richard began his recording career in 1951 with RCA Victor. His early sides for them, including "Taxi Blues," didn't go anywhere on the charts. But in 1956 the world changed. Richard, recording … Continue reading Rest in peace, Little Richard: “Long Tall Sally” (1956)

Rest in peace, Vinnie Bell: Ferrante and Teicher, “Midnight Cowboy” (1969)

Word circulated that Vincent "Vinnie" Bell passed away on October 3 at the age of 84. Bell's is not a name you would immediately recognize if you're looking for it on record labels. That is, of course, unless you happened to pick up a copy of "Airport Love Theme" in 1970, which lists him as … Continue reading Rest in peace, Vinnie Bell: Ferrante and Teicher, “Midnight Cowboy” (1969)

New this week in ’69: October 4

(And now for something completely different.) October 4, 1969 The day after Gwen Stefani was born (yes, she's also turning 50 this year) marked the start of the first-ever divisional playoffs in Major League Baseball. The expansion to twelve teams in each league included a split into two divisions. The American League sees Minnesota face … Continue reading New this week in ’69: October 4

New this week in ’69: May 3

May 3, 1969 It's the day after the Queen Elizabeth II made its maiden voyage, setting sail from Southampton with something new for navigation: a system that uses Navy satellites called a "global positioning system." It can pinpoint the location of the boat within 100 feet. Several musical birthdays are celebrated this week: Frankie Valli … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 3