(Above: A man who has sold a lot of product.) December 6th is the Feast of Saint Nicholas. The story "A Visit from St. Nicholas" has been a longtime Christmas classic. From these events, we got Santa Claus, who has had an important role in the marketing of the Christmas season. Santa has also figured … Continue reading 12+ Blogs of Christmas: It Must Be Saint Nick
1960s
12+ Blogs of Christmas: “Sleigh Ride”
(Above: You can't go wrong with Santa Alpert.) Some of the annual Christmas selections cause problems for radio programmers. You can't just play the same songs too close to each other, no matter how many times they were done. While there are some unique versions that stand out, there are some Christmas songs that people … Continue reading 12+ Blogs of Christmas: “Sleigh Ride”
12+ Blogs of Christmas: The Rotary Connection, “Silent Night” (1968)
Thanksgiving is over. That's when the Christmas music starts. That was my rule as a program director. It probably cost me a few ratings points over the years, but I took it seriously. Thanksgiving remains one of my favorite holidays, and I didn't like seeing what was happening to it - the disappearance into the … Continue reading 12+ Blogs of Christmas: The Rotary Connection, “Silent Night” (1968)
How terribly strange to be seventy: Simon & Garfunkel, “Old Friends” (1968)
(Above: Mom showing me how the phonograph works, circa 1971.) My parents turn seventy this week. To be precise, my father does: my mother passed away before turning 59. In my family, you either live a very full life or a very short one. My grandmother (Dad's mom) also has a birthday today, and is … Continue reading How terribly strange to be seventy: Simon & Garfunkel, “Old Friends” (1968)
Election week special: The Royal Guardsmen, “Snoopy For President” (1968)
There hasn't been much funny nor entertaining about the election season this year. Rational discourse has gone out the window in favor of the repeated posting of memes. Even the most benign and apolitical of subjects take a turn in that direction in the comments sections on social media. If only we could go back … Continue reading Election week special: The Royal Guardsmen, “Snoopy For President” (1968)
Lost local hits (Grand Rapids, MI): The Fredric, “The Girl I Love” (1968)
(Above: The Fredric, circa 1967). In an earlier post I wrote about the phenomenon of the local chart hit, a product of a bygone era when local radio programmers had sway in adding songs to the playlists of their radio stations. It was a phenomenon I investigated in writing my dissertation to see if the … Continue reading Lost local hits (Grand Rapids, MI): The Fredric, “The Girl I Love” (1968)
Rest in peace, Bobby Vee: “Walkin’ With My Angel” (1961)
2016 has struck again, it appears. Singer Bobby Vee, who had battled Alzheimer's disease, passed away today at the age of 73. His son confirmed Bobby's death in a statement today. Bobby was just starting his recording career in Minnesota in 1959 when fate worked in his favor. The ill-fated Winter Dance Party had just … Continue reading Rest in peace, Bobby Vee: “Walkin’ With My Angel” (1961)
Rest in peace, Herb Kent: The Kool Gents, “I Just Can’t Help Myself” (1956)
Radio lost a true legend on October 22 when Herbert Kent passed away at the age of 88. Herb was known to generations of radio listeners in and around Chicago as "The Cool Gent." His night show on WVON was rated second only to WLS in its powerhouse AM days in the 1960s. It's hard … Continue reading Rest in peace, Herb Kent: The Kool Gents, “I Just Can’t Help Myself” (1956)
Happy 90th birthday, Chuck Berry: “You Can’t Catch Me” (1956)
Chuck Berry turns 90 today. If we have to pick one figure in American pop to whom the charts have not been kind, my vote likely goes to him. You certainly know the story of Chuck: born in St. Louis, went to Chicago, cut a few important sides for Chess in the 50s, faded out, … Continue reading Happy 90th birthday, Chuck Berry: “You Can’t Catch Me” (1956)
Light and easy: Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, “One Note Samba/Spanish Flea” (1966)
(Above: 1706 Brady Street used to be the launch pad for flamethrowin' beautiful music.) In the fall of 1989 I moved away from home to take my first full-time job in radio at KRVR in Davenport, Iowa. Earlier that year I had decided to spend more time at my radio job and less time in … Continue reading Light and easy: Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, “One Note Samba/Spanish Flea” (1966)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 