(Above: A bit of this week's chart, typos and all.) The bulk of the research done for my dissertation had to do with looking at original copies of pop surveys from the 1960s. You see these for sale on eBay and at record shows quite often for big stations like WLS and WCFL. The ones … Continue reading Fifty years ago this week in Grand Rapids: The WERX 15+30 Survey (December 6, 1967)
1960s
50 years of magic: The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
(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, 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)
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)
Soundtrack for the first day of school (Various)
(Above: First day of school, 1974.) Today is the first day of school for Grand Valley State University (and for many other colleges, high schools, grade schools, etc.) Many schools have started already: you've no doubt noticed your time line filling up with pictures of kids heading off for school as relieved parents plan to … Continue reading Soundtrack for the first day of school (Various)
A celestial soundtrack: Music To Watch an Eclipse By, August 21, 2017
(No, she's not on it.) In case you have been avoiding any and all news coverage for the last week, today's the day when a good portion of the United States is plunged into darkness for reasons other than someone saying "Hold my beer while I do this a sec." For the first time since … Continue reading A celestial soundtrack: Music To Watch an Eclipse By, August 21, 2017
Rest in peace, Glen Campbell: “Galveston” (1969)
(Above: The picture sleeve for "Galveston" overseas) When word of Glen Campbell's Alzheimer's diagnosis was made public in 2011, I knew that this day was coming. We've dealt with Alzheimer's and a variety of forms of dementia in my family, and there's no other way to put it: it's a long, slow goodbye. Glen made … Continue reading Rest in peace, Glen Campbell: “Galveston” (1969)
MOR music: Bobby Goldsboro, “The Straight Life” (1968)
(Above: Bobby, trying to hide against a wall.) Students of 1960s culture often forget that there were, in fact, old people alive at that time, and that they were consumers in their own right. While much of the "50 years later" type pieces spotlight teenage music preferences, there's a lot of other stuff that gets … Continue reading MOR music: Bobby Goldsboro, “The Straight Life” (1968)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 