Charlie Watts, the drummer for the greatest rock and roll band ever, has died at the age of 80. Just last week Watts decided that he would not be taking part in the Rolling Stones' tour this fall. He had beaten cancer once, but decided that the rigors of the road - and his ongoing … Continue reading Rest in peace, Charlie Watts: The Rolling Stones, “Mixed Emotions” (1989)
WJTW
So long, 2020: Sending off a troublesome year in song
2020 has been one for the books, hasn't it? It seems like a lifetime ago that we were all gathering, making our plans for New Year's Eve, organizing parties and such. This year looks very different. Or does it? The last several years we've spent NYE at home in relative quiet. It's different when it … Continue reading So long, 2020: Sending off a troublesome year in song
Rest in peace, Benny Mardones: “Into the Night” (1980)
(Above: Benny Mardones. Credit: Billboard/Getty Images) Billboard magazine is reporting the death of pop singer/songwriter Benny Mardones today at the age of 73 following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Mardones was born in Cleveland in 1946. His musical career began after serving in the Vietnam War when he moved to New York City and … Continue reading Rest in peace, Benny Mardones: “Into the Night” (1980)
Rest in peace, Bill Withers: “Lovely Day” (1977)
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)
Rest in peace, Marie Fredriksson: Roxette, “The Look” (1989)
(Above: If you didn't have this LP, someone that you know did.) Word is circulating this morning that Gun-Marie Fredriksson passed away yesterday at the age of only 61. Fredriksson had been battling a brain tumor. She, along with Per Gessle, were the forward faces of a band that you couldn't get away from hearing … Continue reading Rest in peace, Marie Fredriksson: Roxette, “The Look” (1989)
Guilty pleasures: Neneh Cherry, “Buffalo Stance” (1989)
(Above: This time, she is *not* introducing the high hat.) Thirty years ago this week "Buffalo Stance" by Neneh Cherry was on the doorstep of the Billboard Top 40. It entered Casey's countdown on May 6, and climbed up all the way to #3 before falling back off the charts. Neneh Cherry is the stepdaughter … Continue reading Guilty pleasures: Neneh Cherry, “Buffalo Stance” (1989)
Video killed the radio star: “Network Video Hour,” Lewis University Television Network, November 6, 1988
(Above: I may have a similar shirt, but that hair ain't comin' back.) In the two years I spent as an undergrad at Lewis University from 1987-1989 before setting out on my own to try and start a radio career, I probably spent more time in the radio station than anywhere else, including classrooms. One … Continue reading Video killed the radio star: “Network Video Hour,” Lewis University Television Network, November 6, 1988
30 years ago this week: The Billboard Hot 100, September 10, 1988
(Above: What a wacky college morning show looks like, apparently.) Thirty years ago this week I was starting my second year at Lewis University on the air at WLRA. I almost didn't come back; at the end of my first year I was left off of the management team and threatened to take my ball … Continue reading 30 years ago this week: The Billboard Hot 100, September 10, 1988
Ten Albums: The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds (1966)
We're getting closer to the top. #2. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966) I guess I was always a Beach Boys fan. When I got my first collection of 45s at the age of 4, one of the records in the pile was "Wouldn't It Be Nice." As a small child I played it … Continue reading Ten Albums: The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds (1966)
Mixtape review: “WJTW Backs Of the Racks” (1989)
(Above: You really shouldn't store your cassettes in the middle like that, especially not for almost thirty years.) I was digging through a box of cassettes at home this week and found a cassette that I have alluded to in the past, said that "I should write about," and never did - until now. … Continue reading Mixtape review: “WJTW Backs Of the Racks” (1989)
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 