(Above: An album cover that - I gotta admit - freaked me out a bit as a kid.) Fifty years ago this week The Beatles released the LP Magical Mystery Tour. The LP is an interesting mish-mash, in a sense: Side One is the soundtrack of the made-for-TV film of the same name, and Side … Continue reading 50 years of magic: The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
Rest in peace, David Cassidy: The Partridge Family, “Doesn’t Somebody Want to Be Wanted” (1971)
(Above: The 45 picture sleeve, which - depending on your preference - you saved either for David Cassidy or Susan Dey.) The news of the passing of David Cassidy this week at the age of 67 wasn't entirely a surprise. Earlier this year, he had shared that he was suffering from dementia, and earlier this … Continue reading Rest in peace, David Cassidy: The Partridge Family, “Doesn’t Somebody Want to Be Wanted” (1971)
Rest in peace, Mel Tillis: Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town” (1969)
(Above: Mel Tillis and Terry Bradshaw hiding the car in the pool in The Cannonball Run.) Word is also circulating today that country singer Mel Tillis passed away on Sunday, November 19, after a long illness at the age of 85. Tillis' recording history is astonishing. In all he placed 26 albums in the Top … Continue reading Rest in peace, Mel Tillis: Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town” (1969)
Rest in peace, Malcolm Young: AC/DC, “Rocker” (1976)
(Above: Hey, I think I know those guys.) Word spread over the weekend that Malcolm Young, one of the co-founders of Australian rock mainstay AC/DC, lost his battle with dementia at the age of only 64. It was just a few weeks ago that I wrote about the passing of Malcolm's older brother George Young … Continue reading Rest in peace, Malcolm Young: AC/DC, “Rocker” (1976)
Movin’ out: Songs of Relocation (Various)
(Above: Celebrating the first night in the new home with what's available.) You'll notice that creative output of this blog has tapered off in the last several weeks. That's because my wife and I have been in the process of packing up everything we own (and some things we don't but are caretakers for) and … Continue reading Movin’ out: Songs of Relocation (Various)
Rest in peace, Fats Domino: “Lady Madonna” (1968)
Word circulated yesterday that Antoine "Fats" Domino, regarded by many as one of the godfathers of rock and roll, passed away yesterday at the age of 89. Fats was a survivor in the literal sense of the word. When Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans in 2005, Domino remained in his 9th ward home, riding the … Continue reading Rest in peace, Fats Domino: “Lady Madonna” (1968)
RIP George Young: The Easybeats, “Friday On My Mind” (1967)
(Above: The Easybeats, riding their bikes.) Got word this morning from Australia that George Young passed away at the age of 70. The Guardian wrote a full obit, which you can find here. In Australian pop music circles George is one of the most famous names there is, despite most Americans not being familiar with … Continue reading RIP George Young: The Easybeats, “Friday On My Mind” (1967)
Rest in peace, Jimmy Beaumont: The Skyliners, “Since I Don’t Have You” (1959)
(Above: Sheet music for "Since I Don't Have You.") Read this morning that Jimmy Beaumont passed away in Pennsylvania at the age of 76. That might not be a name that you immediately recognize, but you more than likely have heard his work. He's also the subject of a great article/obit in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. … Continue reading Rest in peace, Jimmy Beaumont: The Skyliners, “Since I Don’t Have You” (1959)
Songs of sock hops: The Billboard Hot 100: October 6, 1984
(Above: This sort of rain calls for a forecast of drama and commitment.) Another weekend, another opportunity to catch the VJ Big 40 Countdown on Sirius XM's 80s on 8 Channel. This weekend they chose to go back to 1984 - my junior year of high school. It would have been right around Homecoming time … Continue reading Songs of sock hops: The Billboard Hot 100: October 6, 1984
Rest in peace, Skip Haynes: Aliotta, Haynes, and Jeremiah, “Lake Shore Drive” (1971)
(Above: AHJ around the time of LSD) As if the music world hadn't suffered enough this week, the Chicago music scene took a specific hit as word spread that Skip Haynes passed away in Los Angeles on October 5 at the age of 71 after a long bout with cancer. Skip was the Haynes in … Continue reading Rest in peace, Skip Haynes: Aliotta, Haynes, and Jeremiah, “Lake Shore Drive” (1971)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 