(Above: A song that almost didn't make it into a movie.) June 21, 1969 It's the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. That doesn't keep people in the UK from watching television: the documentary Royal Family, about - you guessed it! - is watched by an estimated 30 million people. A shorter … Continue reading New this week in ’69: June 21
radio
A night in front of the TV: REO Speedwagon, “Roll With the Changes” (1978)
(The famous Los Angeles Times photo of the Bronco chase.) "So - what are we going to do about the O.J. thing?" This was the topic of conversation after my morning show finished on Monday, June 20, 1994. I was working as the lead character of the show on Oldies WQQL-FM in Springfield, Illinois. The … Continue reading A night in front of the TV: REO Speedwagon, “Roll With the Changes” (1978)
New this week in ’69: June 14
(Above: Roy Clark and friends.) June 14, 1969 Some people you know are turning 50 this week. Today's the birthday of tennis star Steffi Graf, who is born in West Germany (back when that was still a thing.) Tomorrow O'Shea Jackson will be born in Los Angeles; you know him as Ice Cube. Tomorrow a … Continue reading New this week in ’69: June 14
“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
Rest in peace, Roky Erickson: The Thirteenth Floor Elevators, “You’re Gonna Miss Me” (1966)
Word circulated late Friday night that Roky Erickson, founding member of the Austin, Texas-based psychedelic band The Thirteenth Floor Elevators, passed away at the age of 71. Erickson started the band in high school in Austin in 1965. He dropped out a month before graduation in an argument over the school's dress code regarding hair. … Continue reading Rest in peace, Roky Erickson: The Thirteenth Floor Elevators, “You’re Gonna Miss Me” (1966)
New this week in ’69: May 31
May 31, 1969 It's the day after Mario Andretti won the Indianapolis 500. Andretti set a record in doing so, averaging 156.8 miles per hour and finishing the race in 3 hours and 11 minutes. It's the only time he'll ever win the race despite being a perennial fixture at the Brickyard. It's also the … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 31
New this week in ’69: May 24
(Apollo 10 is home safely.) May 24, 1969 It's the day after Jimmy McHugh passed away at the age of 74. The name might not be immediately familiar to you, but you know his work: the songwriter composed hundreds of melodies performed in films from the 20s through the 40s. The musical Sugar Babies, released … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 24
New this week in ’69: May 17
(Fun fact: Carlos May of the Chicago White Sox wore his birth date on his back.) May 17, 1969 Space dominates the headlines: it's the day that the Soviet probe Venera 6 begins its descent into the atmosphere of Venus. (It won't survive the planet's acidic rains and sweltering temperatures). The next day, May 18, … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 17
Rest in peace, Charles Barksdale: The Dells, “There Is” (1968)
Word circulates this morning that Charles Barksdale, the bass voice for R&B group The Dells, passed away at the age of 84. The Dells hailed from Harvey, Illinois, in the south suburbs of Chicago. (If the town of Harvey sounds familiar to you, it's because it was, for many years, the home of the Dixie … Continue reading Rest in peace, Charles Barksdale: The Dells, “There Is” (1968)
Rest in peace, Doris Day: “Everybody Loves a Lover” (1958)
Word circulated through the media this morning that actress and pop star Doris Day passed away at the age of 97. In a bit of irony, I got the news in my Facebook feed just as I was beginning a lecture in a communications class about death and mourning on social media, and how that … Continue reading Rest in peace, Doris Day: “Everybody Loves a Lover” (1958)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 