(Above: You may wish to add a few 45's to the table as well.) I grew up in a predominantly Catholic suburb of Chicago in the 1970s and 80s. We didn't stop to ask questions about other belief systems, especially not in grade school. The Spring Break calendar was the same every year: no classes … Continue reading Kosher for Passover: Jewish folk songs reimagined as rock and roll records
The Beatles rule(d) the roost: Billboard’s Hot 100, April 4, 1964
(Above: Never before, and never since.) The first week of April 1964 was the peak of Beatlemania. The group did something never before accomplished in the history of the Hot 100: they held down the top five positions on the chart at the same time. "Can't Buy Me Love" shot from #27 to the top … Continue reading The Beatles rule(d) the roost: Billboard’s Hot 100, April 4, 1964
Car tunes: The Rolling Stones, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (1967)
(Above: My 1969 Chevrolet Impala, nicknamed "The Chariot of Death.") April 4, 1985 was a Thursday. The end of my junior year of high school was in sight. While many of my classmates were making plans for the junior prom, I had no such prospects. Instead, I made a rather questionable investment of about $700 … Continue reading Car tunes: The Rolling Stones, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (1967)
Songs you hate, then love: The Beach Boys, “Kokomo” (1988)
(Above: Which is the guiltier pleasure - the song or the movie?) If I haven't made it clear enough in earlier posts or by dropping lyrics into text sans citation, I like the Beach Boys. A lot. That's why the revulsion I felt when I first heard "Kokomo" was so troubling. Eventually, though, I came … Continue reading Songs you hate, then love: The Beach Boys, “Kokomo” (1988)
Exploring the pop charts: The Billboard Hot 100 (March 26, 1983)
(Above: Michael Jackson, about to debut the moonwalk on Motown 25, taped 3/25/1983.) The last week in March of 1983 I was looking forward to the end of my freshman year of high school. Baseball fans on the South Side of Chicago were looking forward to opening day, not necessarily realizing that it would become … Continue reading Exploring the pop charts: The Billboard Hot 100 (March 26, 1983)
Hitting the big time: The Isley Brothers, “Shout (Parts 1 and 2)” (1959)
(Above: Rock, brother.) "Dude - you made it!" The first phone call I got on my first shift at WJMK in Chicago - 21 years ago today - was shortly after the start of the first song that I played on the station. It was from my friend Dave. Dave had been there since the … Continue reading Hitting the big time: The Isley Brothers, “Shout (Parts 1 and 2)” (1959)
Rest in peace, Chuck Barris – songwriter: Freddy Cannon, “Palisades Park” (1962)
(Above: A dangerous mind, indeed.) At some point today you saw the news that television producer and reluctant game show host Chuck Barris passed away at the age of 87. Most of the accolades and memories center around one of Barris' most famous creations: either "The Gong Show," which I loved, or "The Dating Game," … Continue reading Rest in peace, Chuck Barris – songwriter: Freddy Cannon, “Palisades Park” (1962)
RIP Chuck Berry: “Come On” (1961)
(Above: The 45 copy of Chuck Berry's "Come On," which is missing from my collection.) Within the last six months I wrote about Chuck Berry turning 90 and about Leonard Chess turning 100 (were he still with us). Both of those posts come together today in this obit. Chuck Berry died today at his home … Continue reading RIP Chuck Berry: “Come On” (1961)
Erin go bragh-less: Irish bands on the charts and “The Unicorn” (1968)
(Above: The Clancy Brothers, replete with pipes and sweaters.) Ah, Oldies radio. We like to observe the same conventions each year when it comes to things like holidays and commemorations. I will bet you everything in my wallet (a low risk on a Friday, least of all on St. Patrick's Day) that your friendly neighborhood … Continue reading Erin go bragh-less: Irish bands on the charts and “The Unicorn” (1968)
Rest in peace, Joey Alves: Y&T, “Summertime Girls” (1985)
(Above: Y&T from the "Summertime Girls" video. Nice shorts.) Got word this evening that Joey Alves, the guitarist for the band Y&T, passed away after a battle with ulcerative colitis. He was 63. It's the second death for the band in the last six months following the passing of drummer Leonard Haze last fall at … Continue reading Rest in peace, Joey Alves: Y&T, “Summertime Girls” (1985)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 