"Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?" That line, in Pink Floyd's "Vera," was my introduction to the existence of Vera Lynn. At the age of 11, with a fresh copy of The Wall in hand, I didn't necessarily understand all of the references (or all of the material, for that matter) contained in it. … Continue reading Rest in peace, Vera Lynn: “We’ll Meet Again” (1939)
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)
New this week in ’70: May 30
(Above: One of these two is on the charts this week.) May 30, 1970 The Indianapolis 500 is run; Al Unser (senior, of course) wins the checkered flag. The next day New York Rangers goalie Terry Sawchuk will succumb to injuries he suffered in a fight with teammate Ron Stewart a month earlier. He was … Continue reading New this week in ’70: May 30
New this week in ’70: May 23
(Above: Swan song.) May 23, 1970 It's the date that Matt Flynn, the drummer for Maroon 5, was born. Two days later Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush were born. The twins played the role of Carrie Ingalls on Little House On the Prairie. May 25th is also the day that the first sale of a … Continue reading New this week in ’70: May 23
The more things change: Spanky and Our Gang, “Give A Damn” (1968)
(Above: Demonstration in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1967. Photo credit: WOOD-TV) (Above: Demonstration in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2020. Photo credit: John Rothwell) I missed being alive in 1968 by about a year or so. That's not to say that I haven't studied it extensively. One doesn't teach media history to college students and not spend time … Continue reading The more things change: Spanky and Our Gang, “Give A Damn” (1968)
New this week in ’70: May 16
(Above: A memorial to those killed at Jackson State, 5/15/1970) May 16, 1970 It's the fiftieth birthday of tennis star Gabriela Sabatini. Fifty years ago on May 15th another college campus shooting took place. This is the one we have a blind spot for in history, likely because it took place at a historically Black … Continue reading New this week in ’70: May 16
Rest in peace, Betty Wright: “Clean Up Woman” (1971)
Soul singer Betty Wright passed away today at the age of 66. Wright technically started her singing career before she turned three. She was a member of Echoes of Joy, a group that featured her whole family, in Miami in 1956. It wasn't until ten years later, at the age of 13, that she recorded … Continue reading Rest in peace, Betty Wright: “Clean Up Woman” (1971)
New this week in ’70: May 9
(Above: Mercury is really pretty small when compared to the Sun. We don't get this view again until 2032.) May 9, 1970 It's the date that Walter P. Reuther, president of the United Auto Workers, was killed in a plane crash just outside of Pellston, Michigan at the age of 62. His wife May was … Continue reading New this week in ’70: May 9
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)
New this week in ’70: May 2
(Tin soldiers and Nixon coming. Photo credit: KSU photojournalism student and Valley Daily News staffer John Filo, who won a Pulitzer prize for this image.) May 2, 1970 It's a Saturday, and just after midnight hundreds of Kent State students went into downtown breaking windows and causing commotion in an anti-war protest. This led to … Continue reading New this week in ’70: May 2
