(Above: the cover of Bill Dana's breakthrough LP.) Comedian Bill Dana passed away last week at the age of 92. Dana wrote one of the most powerful television episodes dealing with race in the history of the medium - the episode of All in the Family where Sammy Davis, Jr. pays a visit to the … Continue reading The politically incorrect jukebox: Bill Dana, “The Astronaut” (1961)
1960s
Father figures and break beats: The Winstons, “Color Him Father/Amen, Brother” (1969)
(Above: The Winstons, in an ad from Billboard.) Father's Day weekend is upon us, and oldies stations will likely look for ways to adjust their playlists accordingly. You'll no doubt hear Paul Petersen's "My Dad" at some point along the way if your local station still deals in pre-Beatles material. Other stations will turn the … Continue reading Father figures and break beats: The Winstons, “Color Him Father/Amen, Brother” (1969)
How big was Batman, really? Neal Hefti and others (1966)
The death of Adam West on Saturday (June 10) at the age of 88 marked the end of an era for generations of TV fans. Sure, West was known for guest appearances in recent years on shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons, and did a lot of voiceover work, but was of course best … Continue reading How big was Batman, really? Neal Hefti and others (1966)
It was fifty – and forty – years ago today: The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
(Above: Odds are good that I don't have to explain what this is.) Much has been written, and will be written yet, about the anniversary of the release of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. June 1 is the anniversary of the American release, as it was out in Britain for several days before that. … Continue reading It was fifty – and forty – years ago today: The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
She’s your cover now: The Songs of Bob Dylan
(Above: Dylan from the Blonde on Blonde gatefold, with pliers.) Bob Dylan turns 76 today. I've been writing this blog for about nine months now and have yet to include a Dylan song in it. In a way, that's a means of checking myself: I love his music, and would be tempted to do … Continue reading She’s your cover now: The Songs of Bob Dylan
Don’t buy the liverwurst: Allan Sherman, “Shticks of One and a Half Dozen of the Other” (1963)
(Above: Yet another #1 album for Allan Sherman.) I always enjoyed comedy and parody. The earliest radio projects that I did (the ones I wrote about from sixth grade) involved taking something established and turning it on its ear in some way. When I got my own college radio morning show I sprinkled in liberal … Continue reading Don’t buy the liverwurst: Allan Sherman, “Shticks of One and a Half Dozen of the Other” (1963)
Happy birthday, Pet Sounds: The Beach Boys, “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” (1966)
(Above: Brian Wilson and a goat, from the album cover.) One day last semester during a lecture on the Sixties, I made an offhanded comment that 1966 may have been the greatest year ever in popular music. As I would hope that they would, students respectfully challenged me to defend my position. "Simple," I said. … Continue reading Happy birthday, Pet Sounds: The Beach Boys, “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” (1966)
Lost in translation: Kyu Sakamoto, “Sukiyaki” (1963)
(Above: The French 45 cover, replete with vaguely racist font.) In June of 1963 a catchy song that very few Americans could sing went to the top of the pop charts and stayed there for three weeks. That song was "Sukiyaki." Actually, that's not entirely accurate; the song is really titled "Ue o Muite Aruko" … Continue reading Lost in translation: Kyu Sakamoto, “Sukiyaki” (1963)
Graduation and the Top 40: Adrian Kimberly, “Pomp and Circumstance” (1961)
(Above: The author, 31 years ago, leaving high school.) I've been to a lot of graduation ceremonies. From eighth grade through earning my PhD last year I've had the opportunity to participate in several. In my role as a faculty member at GVSU I'm invited to attend them every term. I don't go every time, … Continue reading Graduation and the Top 40: Adrian Kimberly, “Pomp and Circumstance” (1961)
But if you try sometimes: The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (1968)
(Above: Alex's funeral in The Big Chill, which many people picture when they hear this song.) I was fifteen years old in 1984 when my family rented a copy of The Big Chill. We loaded it into the ginormous VCR that sat atop the television, dragged the cable for its remote to the couch, and … Continue reading But if you try sometimes: The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (1968)
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