(Above: Some of the management team of WLRA/Lewis University, April 1988, just before summer vacation. The author is on the left in clashing Hawaiian shirt and shorts. We all went back to work that fall, and that was it.) I got a chance to see some family members that I haven't seen in a while … Continue reading The last “summer vacation” begins: The Billboard Hot 100, May 28, 1988
growing up in the burbs
Rest in peace, Tina Turner: “Better Be Good To Me” (1984)
Anna Mae Bullock passed away this week after an illness. She was 82. Those sentences technically tell a story, but the story is much more complicated than that. Much has been written - better than I will or could be able to - about the story of Tina Turner, the stage name that Anna used. … Continue reading Rest in peace, Tina Turner: “Better Be Good To Me” (1984)
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)
On a mission from God: Solomon Burke, “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” (1964)
Forty years ago today - June 16, 1980 - The Blues Brothers made its film premiere. It was the first R-rated film I ever saw. In an age just in line with the advent of home video recorders and the infiltration of cable TV, it just wasn't as easy to see an "under 17 not … Continue reading On a mission from God: Solomon Burke, “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” (1964)
Rest in peace, Bill Withers: “Lovely Day” (1977)
Bill Withers passed away on Friday (April 3) at the age of 81. Heart complications were indicated as the cause of death. In total Withers put six records in the pop Top 40 with many more on the R&B charts. He's perhaps best known for two of them: "Lean On Me," which spent three weeks … Continue reading Rest in peace, Bill Withers: “Lovely Day” (1977)
Rest in peace, Kenny Rogers: “Love Will Turn You Around” (1982)
(Above: Recognize any of those kids?) This morning we got the news that Kenny Rogers passed away at the age of 81. I've already seen a lot written about Rogers' expansive career in both Pop and Country music. (I already covered one of favorite songs of his, "Ruby (Don't Take Your Love To Town)," when … Continue reading Rest in peace, Kenny Rogers: “Love Will Turn You Around” (1982)
Rest in peace, Gershon Kingsley: Hot Butter, “Popcorn” (1972)
Word is making the rounds that Gershon Kingsley passed away last week in New York City at the age of 97. Kingsley made music that you know even though you might not know his name. He was one of the earliest pioneers of the Moog synthesizer. His work with Jean-Jacques Perrey yielded some memorable collaborations; … Continue reading Rest in peace, Gershon Kingsley: Hot Butter, “Popcorn” (1972)
Rest in peace, Ric Ocasek: The Cars, “Since You’re Gone”
(Above: "How does he walk on the pool?" we asked, dumbfounded.) The news of the death of Cars frontman Ric Ocasek came as a bit of a surprise yesterday. I was perhaps more surprised by the fact that he was 75. That would have made him about 34 when the band hit it big initially, … Continue reading Rest in peace, Ric Ocasek: The Cars, “Since You’re Gone”
“Born in the USA” at 35: Ranking the tracks
It was 35 years ago today - June 4, 1984 - that the album that may be Bruce Springsteen's best known, Born in the U.S.A., was released. If I didn't buy it that day, I bought it on the 5th. It was during my junior year of high school, which would also have ended about … Continue reading “Born in the USA” at 35: Ranking the tracks
Guilty pleasures: Neneh Cherry, “Buffalo Stance” (1989)
(Above: This time, she is *not* introducing the high hat.) Thirty years ago this week "Buffalo Stance" by Neneh Cherry was on the doorstep of the Billboard Top 40. It entered Casey's countdown on May 6, and climbed up all the way to #3 before falling back off the charts. Neneh Cherry is the stepdaughter … Continue reading Guilty pleasures: Neneh Cherry, “Buffalo Stance” (1989)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 