Bill Withers passed away on Friday (April 3) at the age of 81. Heart complications were indicated as the cause of death. In total Withers put six records in the pop Top 40 with many more on the R&B charts. He's perhaps best known for two of them: "Lean On Me," which spent three weeks … Continue reading Rest in peace, Bill Withers: “Lovely Day” (1977)
1977
Pop perfection: Andrew Gold, “Lonely Boy” (1977)
(Above: It's an album AND it's a game.) At one point this afternoon I suffered from the earworm that wouldn't quit. I got the first verse of Andrew Gold's "Lonely Boy" - which I have not heard in years - stuck in my head. As you know, the only way to deal with these ailments … Continue reading Pop perfection: Andrew Gold, “Lonely Boy” (1977)
Fast away the old year passes: Barry Manilow, “It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve” (1977)
(Feel free to add your own caption.) A few random thoughts as we close out 2018: The year-end retrospectives have begun from mass media, and social media is no different. My various feeds are inundated with looks-back, best-ofs, and various videos. I'm not sharing any of them. Here's why: -I'm afraid that my Instagram "top … Continue reading Fast away the old year passes: Barry Manilow, “It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve” (1977)
Great lost hit: Dean Friedman, “Ariel” (1977)
(Above: Was hoping for a photo of Ariel, but OK.) Way on the far south side of Chicago, there was a song that WLS played a lot.... The summer of 1977 is one that I always look back upon fondly. There was nothing more complicated in life at time than getting up, riding our bikes … Continue reading Great lost hit: Dean Friedman, “Ariel” (1977)
Cut loose like a deuce: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, “Blinded By the Light” (1977)
Forty years ago this week - February 19, 1977, to be exact - Manfred Mann's Earth Band dug up an old Bruce Springsteen song and took it to the top of the pop charts. From a pop chart standpoint, that's rarified air for the Boss. Consider that Springsteen has never had a #1 hit. "Dancing … Continue reading Cut loose like a deuce: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, “Blinded By the Light” (1977)
