hop into our time machine
and go Cruisin' through
top 40 radio history.
This is the blog series
that pays tribute to
the Cruisin' albums,
those simulated radio broadcasts hosted by
that pays tribute to
the Cruisin' albums,
those simulated radio broadcasts hosted by
some of the greatest
top 40 deejays of
the 50s and 60s.
top 40 deejays of
the 50s and 60s.
As I have done in the past,
I will play a few songs
found on the original
Cruisin' album plus a
couple more favorites
released the same year.
I will play a few songs
found on the original
Cruisin' album plus a
couple more favorites
released the same year.
To transport us back in
time, set the mood and
create a party atmosphere,
I tacked up on the wall
these nostalgic vintage
soda pop print ads.
time, set the mood and
create a party atmosphere,
I tacked up on the wall
these nostalgic vintage
soda pop print ads.
The year is 1961 and we're
heading up the road to Beantown.
That's where "Old Aching Adenoids"
Arnie "Woo Woo"
Ginsburg
is hosting
The Night Train Show on
WMEX, Boston!
THE MARCELS
Listen to this brief clip to familiarize yourself with Arnie's voice
and DJ style. Arnie begins speaking at the 40 sec. mark
and introduces the first record-- "Blue Moon!"
and DJ style. Arnie begins speaking at the 40 sec. mark
and introduces the first record-- "Blue Moon!"
"Blue Moon" - The Marcels
(Mar./Apr. 1961, highest chart pos.
#1 Hot 100/#1 Cash Box/#1 R&B)
#1 Hot 100/#1 Cash Box/#1 R&B)
DEL SHANNON
Del Shannon's "Runaway" was one of
the biggest hits of 1961, topping the
Billboard chart four weeks in a row.
the biggest hits of 1961, topping the
Billboard chart four weeks in a row.
In the late 80s, Del reworked the
lyrics and re-recorded the song for
use as the theme of the NBC TV
series Crime Story, a cop drama
from executive producer Michael
Mann, the guy who transformed
the genre with the cult phenom
Miami Vice a few years earlier.
lyrics and re-recorded the song for
use as the theme of the NBC TV
series Crime Story, a cop drama
from executive producer Michael
Mann, the guy who transformed
the genre with the cult phenom
Miami Vice a few years earlier.
"Runaway" - Del Shannon
(Apr./May 1961, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100,
#1 Cash Box, /#3 R&B, re-recorded version used
as theme of TV series Crime Story, 1986-1988)
#1 Cash Box, /#3 R&B, re-recorded version used
as theme of TV series Crime Story, 1986-1988)
NEIL SEDAKA
Brooklyn born singer, songwriter and
pianist Neil Sedaka made enormous
contributions to pop music, yet he is
still locked out of the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame, leading some fans to
conclude it's because Neil wrote
and recorded pop instead of
rock 'n' roll. That's crazy talk.
In the 50s and early 60s, pop
was a big part of rock 'n' roll,
especially the danceworthy
up tempo style of pop that
was Neil's specialty.
"Calendar Girl," a song written by Sedaka
along with his composing partner Howard
Greenfield, is a great example. Released in
December 1960, "Calendar Girl" climbed the
chart in the early weeks of 1961 and finished
at #4, Neil's first single to reach the top 5.
along with his composing partner Howard
Greenfield, is a great example. Released in
December 1960, "Calendar Girl" climbed the
chart in the early weeks of 1961 and finished
at #4, Neil's first single to reach the top 5.
"Calendar Girl"
(Scopitone film)
- Neil Sedaka
(Jan./Feb. 1961, highest
chart pos. #4 Hot 100,
#4 Cash Box)
JOEY DEE & THE STARLITERS
Joey Dee went to school with the
classic girl group The Shirelles in
Passaic, NJ. Joey formed a band
called The Starliters which briefly
included actor Joe Pesci on guitar.
Joey Dee and The Starliters became
the house band at The Peppermint
Lounge, a club in New York City.
In late 1961 the group released a
single inspired by the trendy night-
spot and by the wildly popular
dance craze-- Peppermint Twist!"
classic girl group The Shirelles in
Passaic, NJ. Joey formed a band
called The Starliters which briefly
included actor Joe Pesci on guitar.
Joey Dee and The Starliters became
the house band at The Peppermint
Lounge, a club in New York City.
In late 1961 the group released a
single inspired by the trendy night-
spot and by the wildly popular
dance craze-- Peppermint Twist!"
"Peppermint Twist - Part 1"
Joey Dee And The Starliters
Joey Dee And The Starliters
(Dec. 1961/Jan. '62, h.c.p.
#1 Hot 100/#2 Cash Box/#8 R&B)
#1 Hot 100/#2 Cash Box/#8 R&B)
THE REGENTS
You heard it last week on the sneak preview of Wordless Wendi.
In the early weeks of 1966, The Beach Boys cover of "Barbara Ann"
reached #2 on the chart, denied the top spot by two other records,
"We Can Work It Out" by The Beatles and "My Love" by Petula Clark.
Some folks don't remember the original recording of the song by
the New York doo-wop vocal group The Regents. Arnie Ginsburg
sure does... and he played it on his volume of Cruisin'!
"Barbara-Ann" - The Regents
(June 1961, highest chart pos. #7 R&B,
#13 Hot 100/#13 Cash Box)
#13 Hot 100/#13 Cash Box)
LITTLE EVA
From 1956 until he left WMEX in 1967, Arnie Ginsburg was
the number-one disc jockey in Boston. Let's Cruise past 1961
to the following year and let Arnie introduce the last song in
the style he used to delight listeners on his Night Train Show.
It's the Ginsburg Go on
Color Radio, and here's
the record that's perched
at the tip top of the Wimex
Tunedex - number one in
Beantown and all around.
START VIDEO NOW!
It's the perfect dance ditty for
the summer of '62. If you've
got the ocean, the lotion and
the notion, Little Eva's got --
"The Loco-Motion!"
"The Loco-Motion" - Little Eva (July thru Sept. 1962,
highest
chart pos. 1 R&B, Hot 100 & Cash Box,
June 2021 enhancement)
Don't miss the next thrill packed
episode of Cruisin' coming soon!
NEWS FLASH!
Hey, gang, this is your pal
Arnie Ginsburg of WMEX
Boston with exciting news.
Beginning next year, I'll
be
bringing my Wimex-Tunedex
Night Train Show to S-P-M-M
when I join The Shady Bunch
deejay team. The "Woo Woo"
wants
to see you-you in '22
right
here at Shady's Place
Music & Memories!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteIt's a joy to have my best bloggy buds to join the fun with me each Monday on the dance floor. Thanks for letting me know about this post. All of your song features released the year I was born, except for Little Eva's "Locomotion". Every time I hear the song "Blue Moon" an episode of Moonlighting. In this one, they did a black and white vintage noir filming to go with the story line where David Addison (Bruce Willis) was dreaming. Anywho, Maddie Hayes played by the very sexy Cybil Shepard was a night club singer in David's dream singing this song. She did a great job! I recognized all of these songs even though most of them came out several months before I was born with the exception of "Peppermint Twist" which released the same month I was born and then Little Eva's "Loco-Motion". Although I really love her version, I think I might be a bigger fan the cover done a dozen years later by Grand Funk Railroad. Either version, you can't go wrong with for sure but since this is a series of Crusin' 1961 songs then the later one won't work. Thanks for putting the groove in my move with these #1 chart toppers this Monday. Have a boogietastic week, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteBy golly, you're the Early Bird this week, dear friend! Thanks for coming over on day one to sample the sounds of 1961 & 1962 with Arnie Ginsburg, the most popular DJ in Beantown and future member of The Shady Bunch.
Thanks for sharing your memory of that noirish scene in the TV series Moonlighting. I watched every episode and recall David's dream sequence with slinky Cybil as a niteclub torch singer doing "Blue Moon." As I mentioned to you or another friend a while back, Moonlighting was such a popular TV show at the time that I decided to base one of my TV commercials on it, a 60 second spot for a local video rental store. (Remember when we went to stores and rented VHS tapes?) I hired actors to play David, Middie and Agnes DiPesto, the quirky receptionist, and we had fun recreating the characters and dialogue of Moonlighting.
I also enjoyed knowing that the Joey Dee hit coincided with the birth of one of my bestest friends ever - Curious Cathy. Regarding Little Eva's dance ditty, "The Loco-Motion," I love the enhanced version I found for this post. I also very much like the Grand Funk cover you mentioned. Years ago, I also posted a cover version by the group Jackie And The Raindrops (feat. Irish songstress Jackie Lee). The song has been covered by many other artists including Kylie Minogue, who scored a #1 hit in Australia with her version, a 1987 single that reached #2 in the UK and climbed high on the charts of several other countries.
I'm so glad you had a good time listening to these moldy oldies from around the time you were born. Stay tuned, because Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsburg will be back next year with the official start of his Night Train Show here on SPMM Retro Radio.
Thanks again for joining the fun and have a super week, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteI thought you might want to know that this evening I got email notification of this post, so it looks like it still working. :) Ahh, that's so sweet you consider me one of your bestest friends. What a coincidence, I count you as well one of my bestest friends! :D Have a good evening!
:) :) :)
DeleteThank you, dear Cathy! I will be happy to send you personal email notifications whenever I publish if and when the automated ones stop going out to you. Let's play it by ear.
Yes indeed, you are one of my best friends, Cathy, and it reaches beyond the blog world. Thank you! :)
Tom,
DeleteThat sounds good to me. I don't want you to do extra work on my account. If I suspect I should've gotten notification and didn't then I will certainly pop over to check to see. I appreciate you stopping by this morning to read about my childhood neighborhood. I shared an earlier post featuring my August artwork if you want to take a peek but no pressure to do so. I just wanted to bring it to your attention as it's easy to over look multiple entries. I normally put everything together in one post but my childhood neighborhood write up was a bit long and I didn't want to overwhelm people. I think some perform to have things broken up and then I always wonder when I have lengthy post if it gets wasted on those looking for particular segments. Even though I try to keep the jumble of stuff organized by blogger participation I still can't help but think things get overlooked. Oh well...I've rambled on enough. Have a good day, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for returning to chat, dear friend! Yessum, I clicked your embedded link in post #2 and found my way back to post #1. I thoroughly enjoyed both. Your art sketches always delight me, and stories and pictures from your childhood touch my heart and bring back fond memories of my own developing years. As you can see from my comments on both posts, we share many experiences. We are much more alike than we are different. We could go on and on down the line identifying all the ways we are alike. No wonder I always enjoy myself and feel at home at CAAC. I hope things go well when you visit the specialist today. The worst part is not knowing. I hope at the end of the day you will have answers and protocols. I'll be thinking about you, dear friend Cathy!
Well, I'm peppermint twisting and doing some locomotion moves this AM as I have a PT appointment soon but I'm glad I caught this fun post first! I remember all these tunes even though I wasn't quite in the music mode yet. I had to wait for the Beatles to arrive I guess. But older brothers sure played them and of course they played off and on for years. My older brother Phil could sure twist and shout with the best of them! I imagine he would have been a super Del Rat given the chance. I hope you had a great weekend and have many plans for this week ahead. I'm off and running but just had to say hi!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteI'm delighted to see you this morning, dear friend! Thanks for hurrying over to take second place in the race. Your visit means a lot to me knowing that you have PT coming up today. Perhaps Woo Woo's Night Train tuneage helped limber you up in advance. (Be sure to tell your dog that there's another cool "Arnie" he might want to meet.)
Yessum, you are a little too young to have coming of age memories of Arnie Ginsburg's early 60s song relics. Thanks for sharing that your older brothers probably knew, liked and perhaps bought and played most of them. Yessum, I wish we could have inducted brother Phil into the Rodentia Intelligentsia at the Shady Dell.
Thanks again for your kind visit and comment, dear friend YaYa. I hope all goes well at your PT session. I'll be thinking about you. Have a super week!
Some fun songs here today, Shady! I've enjoyed The Loco-Motion in two decades. (not sure I've heard Kylie's more recent version)
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelly!
DeleteThanks for being in the top 3 early Birds this week, dear friend! I am pleased to have you on hand as I introduce Boston's most popular top 40 radio personality, Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsburg, who will be moonlighting here at Shady's Place hosting his famous Night Train Show beginning in 2022.
I found a list of dozens of artists who have waxed covers of Eva's "Loco-Motion" over the nearly 60s years since her original version became an international sensation. Here's the link to the official video for Kylie's 1987 version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POWsFzSFLCE
And here's the link to the version by Jackie And The Raindrops, a scene from the 1964 British jukebox film "Just For You," renamed "Disk-O-Tek Holiday" when re-edited with different (American) music acts and released in the U.S. in 1966:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCeVThFtRgU
Trivia: DJ Arnie Ginsburg, the host of this volume of Cruisin', appears in the above mentioned movie. A few years ago, I had the honor of exchanging emails with lovely blonde singer Jackie Lee, the frontwoman of Jackie And The Raindrops, the group in that clip. She is a sweet lady and happy to know she is remembered by fans all these years later.
How are you holding up, Kelly? I went to bed the other night with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat after learning that you had lost your noble and courageous dog Jed. His death hit me harder than I expected, probably because his story is so inspiring. He came from abuse and neglect and was lucky enough to find his way to you. You welcomed him into your family and gave him a good life and the best of care as a member of your outdoor canine clan. He grew old, took ill, fought valiantly and finally lost his battle, but let us take comfort in knowing that he suffers no more and that he is reunited with Mama Dog and your other beloved pets that passed away before him. Thanks again for sharing the news with me and giving me the honor of writing a few words about your wonderful Jed.
Have a good week, dear friend Kelly!
Thanks for all those kind words, Shady. Life goes on and we adjust. Sadly, there are others in our pack who are in "double digits", so it's an inevitable fact of life.
DeleteJust remember that I'll be here for you when the time comes to mourn another loss, dear friend Kelly.
DeleteHi Shady,
ReplyDeleteThe Locomotion is my favourite song and it was wonderful to groove to this song, post vacation! I'm feeling good and this song just added to the feel good mood I am in!
I never knew the Beach Boys' covered Barbara Anne and I really like the original. Thank you for that lesson, I always learn a lot about music from your blogs.
I'm familiar with Neil Sedaka, but I wasn't familiar with this song. It is catchy and I can't wait to listen to this playlist again tomorrow on my walk. I don't start my new job until next Monday, so this week as I prepare, I'll listen to this blog some more and the other entry you posted while I was away.
I can't wait for this series in 2022! Have a great evening, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, dear friend! I'm happy to know that you returned from your vacay feeling good and that DJ Arnie Ginsburg's play list enhanced your good mood. Mission accomplished!
Yessum, I posted the BB cover of "Barbara Ann" last week and the Regents' original this week so that you can compare the two. People I've talked to over the years seem evenly split over which version is preferred. Neil Sedaka looks goofy trying to dance for those calendar girls in his Scopitone film, but the production is a valuable relic that shows us what glamourous women looked like in the very early 60s which is typically lumped in with the Eisenhower 50s.
I'm sorry you missed my previous post, Jessica. I was hoping you'd weigh in on the long discussion I had with friend Kirk about actors/actresses Jamie Clayton, Nicole Maines,Chyler Leigh, Caity Lotz (Sara Lance/The Canary/White Canary) and Jesse James Keitel, all of them proudly representing members of the LGBTQ community as main characters in popular TV series, namely Sense8, Designated Survivor, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and Big Sky. Your input would be welcomed. Thanks for pledging to go back and check out that post in the days ahead.
I'm glad you enjoyed what Arnie "Woo Woo" had to offer in this sneak preview of his new SPMM radio show. Stick around for more vintage tuneage when he returns with the first official volume of his program next year. Have a wonderful week, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI will definitely check out last week's post! Since I start my new job on Monday, I've been trying to get the New York blog posts finished and of course Happiness Box 2020's scrapbook finished. So much to do, so little time!
While I work on projects today, I will take a listen and I will listen to both posts. I can't wait to check out that discussion.
Thanks, JM!
DeleteI'm heading out the door to a doctor appointment, but look forward to reading your remarks on this important topic, one that I know is of interest to you because you have discussed it so often on your own blog. Have a great Wednesday!
Hey there friend Shady. Absolutely love all these oldies. They all remind me of the movie American Graffiti, which I re-watched recently with my oldest daughter who had never seen it before. Sometimes I feel like I lack mothering skills when my kids don't know about these things. LOL Hoping all is well with you. Things are fine here. Fortunately I'm busy with typing for the next few days, that's why I was late to this party! I'll listen to these songs again when I take our buddy Benny for his walk! Have a great rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteHi, Janet!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend! Thanks for coming and welcome back to your home away from home... Shady's Place Music & Memories.
I'm happy that you didn't miss this sneak preview of Arnie Ginsburg's famous Night Train Show coming in 2022 to SPMM Retro Radio. Sadly, Arnie passed away a year ago just shy of his 94th birthday, but he will gain "immortality" as a member of The Shady Bunch.
Yessum, you'll find three of these 1961 hits on the soundtrack of American Graffiti: "Peppermint Twist," "Barbara-Ann" and the original version of "Runaway." I posted the cool re-recorded version of "Runaway" because it's the theme song of the Michael Mann TV series Crime Story which is set in the early 60s. Mrs. Shady and I watched the series and enjoyed it. I'm glad you introduced your daughter to American Graffiti. I'm curious to know what she thought of the film. Let me know if she liked it or not. Shirley, the movie resonates with people old enough to have lived through the experiences depicted. That would include me and perhaps you, but Shirley your daughter is too young to remember Wolfman Jack, places like Mel's Drive-In and teenagers spending their evenings cruisin' the strip in cities and towns across America.
I'm delighted that you had a good time listening to Arnie Ginsburg's lineup of classic vintage tunes from the early 60s. I hope you will introduce my buddy Benny to them on your walk. (He's standing in the window as I write this!) Come to think of it, you should make Benny sit down with you and watch American Graffiti! :)
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Janet. Enjoy the rest of your week and please smooch Benny for me!
I was skimming through the other comments and saw mention of the time Cybil Shepard sang "Blue Moon" on Moonlighting. I saw that episode and, obviously, she wasn't trying to evoke the Marcels version. It's a reminder that the song was composed by none other than Tin Pan Alley greats Rodgers and Hart and has been recorded many different times in many different musical genres by many different artists.
ReplyDeleteI watched the first season of Crime Story, which was more like a mini-series that ended with a considerable bang. The second season didn't hold my attention as much. Doing a bit of research to make sure I got my facts right, I see during its first season it was for a while scheduled opposite Moonlighting, which at the time I watched religiously, yet I honestly don't recall missing any of those first season Crime Story episodes. Summer reruns perhaps? Anyway, I know before he became an actor, the late Dennis Farina was in fact a policeman, just like the character he played.
I'm all for Neil Sedaka's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but don't think it will happen anytime soon. In addition to what you said, I think his late 1970s comeback--Top 40 when Top 40 wasn't cool--is held against him.
By the way, "The Loco-Motion" was co-written by Carole King, who Sedaka dated in high school and later turned that memory into the hit song "Oh, Carol". That alone should have gotten him into the Hall of Fame!
That's all I got.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for dropping by, good buddy! Much loved and recently departed DJ Arnie Ginsburg welcomes you to his volume of the Cruisin' album series which samples the sounds on his top 40 radio Night Train Show in Boston in the year 1961. Arnie's post serves the dual purpose of being a sneak preview of his new radio show on SPMM which launches in 2022.
You did ample research again, my friend, and came up with excellent observations and pieces of trivia in relation to the topic and content. That's great blogging.
My favorite character on Moonlighting is/was Miss DiPesto, the nerdy, quirky receptionist at the agency. Like you, I watched Moonlighting "religiously." Each week I prayed to see Cybil wearing a low-cut dress.
(BA-DUM-BUMP)
Cybil is very close to Shady's age and is now age 71. I still remember her as the teenage heartbreaker in Last Picture Show.
Like you, I watched every episode of season one of Crime Story with enthusiasm, but I didn't view the series until a few years ago when Mrs. Shady and I discovered it on Hulu or one of our other subscription services. Like you, my interest in Crime Story trailed off during the second season. Dennis Farina and Tony Denison are two of my favorite actors. I first became acquainted with Dennis through his chilling role as serial killer Angelo Buono, Jr., one of the infamous Hillside Stranglers of Los Angeles area women, in the 1989 TV movie The Case of the Hillside Stranglers. Next, Mrs. Shady and I were both getting into Buddy Faro, the 1998 TV crime series in which Dennis starred, but it was yanked after only 8 episodes. You wouldn't want to mess with Lieutenant Mike Torello on Crime Story which we have already discussed, and just about every night I've been seeing Dennis in the role of NYPD Detective Joe Fontana on Law & Order, a series Mrs. S has been binge watching on the We channel.
Mrs. S and I are also big fans of Tony Denison, not only as mobster Ray Luca on Crime Story, but for his long running role as Lieutenant Andy Flynn in The Closer (2005–2012) and its spin-off Major Crimes (2012–2018). We saw every single episode of both fine series. Denison is also very close to my age and will soon turn 72. Farina died in 2013 at the too young age of 69.
Thanks for weighing in on Neil Sedaka, still waiting for the phone to ring notifying him that at long last he will be acknowledged for his enormous contributions to popular music by the R&R Hall of Fame. By the way, did you know that Cleveland Rocks? Yes, I knew that Neil's hit song "Oh, Carol" was inspired by his relationship with Carole King, but thanks for mentioning it for the sake of readers who did not know.
Thanks a lot for contributing so much to the discussion, good buddy Kirk. Enjoy the rest of your week and look for my next post on Saturday. Have a good one!
I've heard all of these. I love Runaway by Del Shannon. I'm pretty sure my mom had this record. When I was a kid she has a record player and a cabinet full of records and so did my grandma. That's probably where I heard these.
ReplyDeleteI remember my mom and grandma dancing to The Loco-Motion in our living room. It's funny what you remember when you hear a particular song.
Thanks for playing these songs. They brought back great memories.
Hi, Mary!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for tuning in to The Night Train Show hosted by Boston top 40 radio legend Arnie Ginsburg, recently inducted into the Shady's Place Hall of Fame as a new member of The Shady Bunch.
I'm glad you are familiar with all of these rusty relics from 1961 and 1962. The version of "Runaway" you are hearing on Arnie's blogcast is not the original single that your mom owned. It is a re-worked and re-recorded version created in the mid 80s as the theme song of Crime Story, a TV series Mrs. Shady and I watched and enjoyed. Crime Story was created by Michael Mann, who gave us the iconic Miami Vice. I'm thinking the show might be of interest to you since it is set in Las Vegas circa 1963-64.
Thanks for sharing the memory of your mom and grandma dancing to "The Loco-Motion." That same record reminds me of how I used to watch the girls dance with each other at a public swimming pool I frequented in the 60s. The property had a canopied dance floor and a jukebox. Girls clad in their swimsuits would dance to popular records like "The Loco-Motion" all day long as I sat nearby and watched. I'm sure you remember "I'm A Girl Watcher." Young Shady was probably the inspiration behind that song:)
I am always delighted to bring back happy memories of the past for you and other visitors. Thanks again for swinging by, dear friend Mary. Take good care of yourself and my buddy Falcor and I'll see you this weekend on your Apartment Life feature!
Good grief! I listened to this the day you posted and I thought I made my reply. (I am a bit upset...my niece, who considers herself binary, texted me that she does not want to talk to me(I had texted her). she stated that in every conversation she has had with me she finds me judgemental and insensitive and has had to hold back her tongue. She is 26. I really tried to be very careful not to call her niece or her or she. I don't know but it hurt to the core. Plus I have to go for a complete hysterectomy and I am crossing my fingers they find no cancer). On to some great music you showcase here-well, it is always great music and I like the intro from the DJ. Blue Moon is such a nice song that has been redone countless times. I saw Del Shannon 3 times, as I mentioned before, in a huge bar back in the 1980s. This is such a great song and perfect for this TV show that I loved watching.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked that Neil Sedaka is not in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Eons ago I visited that place and remember seeing Britney Spears slutty school girl look behind glass. If they show that, they should have him in there. That is a fun song and I always liked when they showcased girls for each month. I always liked the outfits they wore. I bet you liked their birthday suits.
I dance many times to Peppermint Twist at weddings and 50s/60s dances. I truly thought The Beach Boys were the first to do Barbara Ann...just shows what I know. So now I have posted! Have a fabulous day :)
Hi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for coming down, dear friend! I'm glad you were able to get a comment through on this post introducing the late great Arnie Ginsburg and his famed Night Train Show, coming soon to SPMM.
I am shocked to learn about the problem you are having with your niece. It seems like "they" are being insensitive toward you more than anything else. I personally like your outspoken style of communicating, because you remind me of Mrs. Shady and one of my aunts that I admired. People who know and love you as I do should be able and willing to accept your benign directness without feeling offended and cutting off contact.
I am also in dismay knowing that you need to go under the knife. I and all your other friends will be rooting for you and praying for a positive outcome (negative for cancer).
Yessum, I remember you telling me about seeing Del Shannon at that large dance hall back in the day. I'm excited to know I found a second person who has watched Crime Story. Like other series I could name, Crime Story started out with a bang but went downhill in its sophomore season. Mrs. Shady and I lost interest in the series before we watched all of season 2, but we do love actors Dennis Farina and Tony Denison.
Yessum, it is a great injustice that the prolific, terrific songwriter and recording artist Neil Sedaka continues to be snubbed by the nominating committee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I hope they finally come around while Neil is still with us. you're right. The Hall of Fame is wildly inconsistent with its choices. If anybody deserves to be in that hallowed Hall, it's Mr. Sedaka.
If you can find it, please post footage of yourself dancing the Peppermint Twist. :) I'm pleased to have taught you a musical history lesson about "Barbara Ann," a girl name song worth remembering in case it can be used in the Weekly Song Challenge.
Once again, I sincerely thank you for making time for a visit this week, and I wish you all the best with your procedure. I am sure you will notify us when the time comes for you to have it done. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a safe and happy weekend, dear friend BB!
Thank you for you kindest of words. I am not in the best shape as my hubby is now in the hospital with a kidney stone. It started last Thursday, hospital visit..left. Next day another hospital visit..found out it was a kidney stone. Yesterday, severe pain came back and finally convinced him to get ambulance. They picked him up and I stayed up until 4 am. Still no surgery but tomorrow likely..laser surgery. When it rains, it pours.
DeleteHi Shady! It's a hot day in Texas, and I'm still trying to keep up with the back to school happenings.
ReplyDeleteI love the Cruisin' CD's, and have a few of them myself. I was a 7th grader in 1961 (don't say it out loud, haha). "Blue Moon" is a great song, and we danced to it. I still know the words, and "KUDOS" to The Marcels for swinging it to #1. Don't you just love Del Shannon! You know, I don't remember "Crime Story". Maybe it wasn't in our network for TV. Also, my dad didn't want us watching crime programs where people got shot. My mom won out with Naked City, because she liked Paul Burke...he was handsome! So, I'm excited to have seen this video, even tho some of the words were changed in the song. Who cares! I love Del Shannon, and am still saddened by his tragic death. I also like Dennis Farina, and it doesn't seem so long ago that he passed away. Del Shannon's music was tops...he put a lot of bite into his vocals! This is my favorite of your offerings today! Thank you!
So, some claim that Neil Sedaka recorded "pop" instead of "rock n roll". Well, phooey on that. "Calendar Girl" was a hit, corny as it was! Now, hear me out! Although corny, we still danced to it, and who didn't know the words! I call that "rock n roll". What other videos in 1961 featured such 'risky' bikinis! Rock On, Neil!
That cool Joey Dee and The Starliters was one group I would like to have seen live. They really got the joints rocking with their lively songs and music! So great to know that Joe Pesci worked with them some! Love the "Peppermint Twist", and I enjoyed seeing them perform in this video.
I am one who remembers the original "Barbara Ann" by the Regents, and I always liked this one. The Regents' recording is awesome...a tough act to follow, and The Beach Boys nailed it. I like both recordings!
It's always fun to see Little Eva, and read her story. She came along just at the right time with "The Locomotion". Who was expecting that! Little Eva and "locomotion" was a breakthrough to fun dance songs, and female artists.
Great post, Shady, with cool soda pop ads! Thanks Arnie Woo Woo Ginsburg! Have a great weekend, Shady, be safe!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteForgive me for being late with my reply. I was away from the computer last night and didn't see your comment until bedtime when I was too tired to respond. I'm thrilled to see you, dear friend! Thanks for dropping in for a sneak preview of Arnie Ginsburg's oldies platter party, The Night Train Show, coming next year to this station. I had already picked Arnie to become a regular DJ on SPMM when I read the news last summer that he passed away just shy of his 94th birthday. Arnie will live on here at Shady's Place!
Like you, I love the Cruisin' series, but I bought the original vinyl albums when they were released starting in 1969 or 1970. The vinyl version of the series contains a substantial number of songs that are different from what is offered on those reissue CDs. When they produced the CD set, they were unable to get or afford the licensing to use some of the songs found on the vinyl series. As a result, the CD's have rough editing in some spots where different songs were inserted. It simply isn't the seamless top 40 radio experience offered on the original vinyl set.
Yessum, it was a great idea to give "Blue Moon," the Rodgers & Hart song of the mid 1930s, an uptempo doo-wop arrangement and have the group The Marcels record it. In that form, the song became one of the best known of the rock & roll era. I'm delighted with your reaction to "Runaway", both Del's original and his re-recording for use as the theme of Crime Story. That show open is great, isn't it? Dennis Farina was a fantastic tough guy in movies and on TV. Mrs. Shady sees him nearly every night as she binges on Law & Order. We loved Dennis in his own series Buddy Faro, and I still have chills from his portrayal of a creepy serial killer in the fact-based TV movie The Case of the Hillside Stranglers.
Yessum, there's a lot of politics and snobbery involved with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame selection process. Seems the scales are tipped heavily in favor of "serious" music - musicians who based their careers on performing material for the thinking man, protest songs, depressing social commentary, etc. To me, when you take the fun out of music, it's a step in the wrong direction and a step away from what rock & roll originally stood for - fun and partying. Neil Sedaka's songs are lighthearted and fun. They get you up and dancing. They have validity and worth, and Neil should be recognized for his enormous contributions. Nancy Wheeler of Stranger Things will be introducing a brand new rock anthem a few weeks from now on her "No More Mr. Nice Girl" show here at Shady's Place. The song encourages today's youth of the USA to snap out of it and capture the spirit and excitement of music as it was in the 80s when rock ruled the music landscape. BOLO for that new song which will be used as Nancy's showender for that volume. Getting back to our discussion of Neil Sedaka being denied his place in the Rock Hall, it's the same in the movie industry. "Serious" films get awards while great comedies are often overlooked. Why is making people smile, laugh and feel good considered less important to society than dragging them down? I dare say it is the same in blogging. My theme and content might be dismissed by those looking for serious commentary on current events or social and philosophical issues. I will never stop believing that singing, dancing, laughing and having fun are vitally important to health and well being, and therefore we need blogs like Shady's Place now more than ever.
(CONTINUED)
I'm glad you like the Joey Dee biggie and the original of Barbara-Ann. It took me forever to find a video that has decent sound quality for the latter. That gem of the genre by The Regents is in dire need of 21st century remastering.
DeleteThanks again for dropping by in time to catch Arnie's sneak preview. Stay tuned, because the party rolls on tamale when Erica Strange drops by to host her new show Strange Magic Being Erica. It's loaded with classic tuneage from a more recent period on the rock & roll timeline - the late 60s through early 80s. I hope you and Scootie are well and in good spirits. I can't wait for the cooler weather to set in. I let our black cat out onto the lanai this morning at 4:30 and it already felt like a blast furnace out there. Thanks again for your kind visit and marvelous comment, dear friend Suzanne. Have a super weekend and be looking for Erica Strange starting tomorrow!