BOOTH ANNOUNCER GARY OWENS:
...and the cow was returned to its rightful owner.
And that's the latest from S-P-M-M news...
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
BRIAN GRIFFIN'S
ECLECTIC AVENUE
ECLECTIC AVENUE
on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
(COLD SHOW OPEN)
"Bird Is The Word" - Peter Griffin
(cover of "Surfin' Bird" by The Trashmen
on episode of Family Guy, original single
Dec. 1963/Jan. 1964, highest chart pos.
#4 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
That was my human (and I use the word loosely) Peter Griffin, kicking off
my first official radio show with "Bird Is The Word," a mind-numbing cover
of "Surfin' Bird," a top 5 hit by The Trashmen. The song is a combination
of "Surfin' Bird," a top 5 hit by The Trashmen. The song is a combination
of two earlier hits, "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" and "The Bird's The Word,"
by the R&B group The Rivingtons. The Trashmen are remembered as
one of the leading landlocked Midwestern surf rock groups of the 60s.
Hello, everybody! I'm Brian Griffin from Family Guy, pleased as punch to
have landed a gig as a Shady Bunch DJ here on S-P-M-M Radio. I aim to fleas
with my new show Eclectic Avenue, a mongrel mix of tunes - something old,
something new, something borrowed (cool covers) and something blues.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Let's keep the ball rolling (into my open jaws) with another sound
of the 60s, a song adopted as the theme of the hit television series
of the 60s, a song adopted as the theme of the hit television series
The Drew Carey Show. The Vogues sing-- "Five O'Cock World!"
"Five O'Clock World" - The Vogues
(Dec. 1965/Jan. 1966, highest chart pos. #3 Cash Box,
#4 Hot 100, opening theme of The Drew Carey Show)
Arguably the greatest opening sequence in television history, that was
the fantastic music video created for The Drew Carey Show with the cast
doing a nifty choreographed dance production to "Five O'Clock World."
The song was a top 5 hit for The Vogues, a group from Turtle Creek,
PA, near Pittsburgh. (I once took a tinkle in Turtle Creek.) Hey it's
five o'clock somewhere and I think I'll have me another martini.
If you're just tuning in, I'm your
mangy musical mutt, Brian Griffin
- The Pooch with the Hooch -
and we're taking a stroll down
Eclectic Avenue here on S-P-M-M
where all the cool oldies come to play.
Here's a record that station manager
Shady hounded me to put on my playlist
because it's one of his favorites. Okay,
Shady, I'll throw you a bone (as long
as you return the favor).
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
It's the smooth soul sound of The Friends of Distinction.
-- "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely!"
-- "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely!"
"Love Or Let Me Be Lonely" - The Friends Of Distinction
(Apr. 1970, highest chart pos. #6 Hot 100/#8 Cash Box/#13 R&B)
They are very special friends indeed - Friends of Distinction - a sophisticated
soul group from la-la land, with "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely," a 1970 single
that performed even better on the pop chart than it did on the R&B survey.
soul group from la-la land, with "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely," a 1970 single
that performed even better on the pop chart than it did on the R&B survey.
Brian Griffin here on S-P-M-M...
the #1 station for a rock & roll nation,
and you're tuned to Eclectic Avenue,
a little bit of this, a little bit of that,
and all of it certified K-9 cool.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
As we continue to bop down Eclectic Avenue, let's take
a detour and rock down to "Electric Avenue" with
Eddy Grant, founder of The Equals, one of the
UK's first mixed race bands of the 60s!
"Electric Avenue" - Eddy Grant
(May/June/July 1983, highest chart pos.
#1 Cash Box/#2 Hot 100/#18 R&B)
That was Guyanese-British zinger and musician Eddy Grant ripping off my
"Eclectic Avenue" idea with a song called "Electric Avenue." Eddy's single
was one of the biggest hits of 1983, yet failed to reach #1 on the Billboard
chart. It spent 5 weeks at #2 bumping its head on songs that leapfrogged
over it to the top. "Electric Avenue" was held back from the #1 spot by
"Flashdance...What A Feeling," Irene Cara's theme from the hit movie,
and by "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. "Electric Avenue"
got the job done on Cash Box, reaching #1 for a single week.
Your dial is set to S-P-M-M and this is
Eclectic Avenue with your lovable
lapdogBrian Griffin, playing an
exciting blend of tunes to keep your
fingers snappin' and your toes tappin'.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
Here's one that's never fails to get my tail waggin'.
It's English/Aussie goddess Olivia Newton-John
transforming her image from good girl to
Totally Hot with-- "A Little More Love!"
"A Little More Love" - Olivia Newton-John
(Jan./Feb. 1979, highest chart pos. #3 Hot 100/#4 Cash Box)
Ahhh yes, folks... in my dreams I'm dancing with her leg.
That was dazzling damsel Libby Newton-John with her
worldwide hit "A Little More Love," the lead single
from her 1978 album Totally Hot.
You're taking a musical trip down Eclectic Avenue
here on S-P-M-M, the station with personality,
and I'm your host Brian Griffin, the tyke
you can't help but like.
Ya know, folks, it would be a cryan shame if
I didn't include this great sound of the 60s on
my first blogcast. From Chicago they came...
The Cryan Shames their name.
CLICK TO START VIDEO!
In 1966 The Shames had a hot regional hit with this cool cover of
a song originally waxed by The Searchers-- "Sugar And Spice."
"Sugar And Spice" - The Cryan Shames
(Aug. 1966, highest chart pos. #49 Hot 100/#52 Cash Box)
From the summer of '66, "Sugar and Spice" by the Windy City
garage rock band The Cryan Shames, covering a 1964 hit by
the Liverpool band The Searchers, a song written and record
produced by Tony Hatch. The song makes reference to the
nursery rhyme What Are Little Girls Made Of? and also
borrows from the Pete Seeger - Lee Hays song "Kisses
Sweeter Than Wine," a hit for Jimmie Rodgers in 1957.
garage rock band The Cryan Shames, covering a 1964 hit by
the Liverpool band The Searchers, a song written and record
produced by Tony Hatch. The song makes reference to the
nursery rhyme What Are Little Girls Made Of? and also
borrows from the Pete Seeger - Lee Hays song "Kisses
Sweeter Than Wine," a hit for Jimmie Rodgers in 1957.
Well I'll be doggone, the show's over and it's time for me to chase my
tail out the door. Thanks for inviting me into your home and letting me
jump all over the furniture. Sorry I spilled my martini on your La-Z-Boy.
(Try a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda.) Stay tuned for my
good buddy Dr. Don Rose coming up on the flip side of news with
his Rose-Colored Glasses... and I'll be back in a jiffy with more
jarring juxtapositions on my really big shoe Eclectic Avenue.
tail out the door. Thanks for inviting me into your home and letting me
jump all over the furniture. Sorry I spilled my martini on your La-Z-Boy.
(Try a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda.) Stay tuned for my
good buddy Dr. Don Rose coming up on the flip side of news with
his Rose-Colored Glasses... and I'll be back in a jiffy with more
jarring juxtapositions on my really big shoe Eclectic Avenue.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Till then this is Brian Griffin, Your Pooch with the Hooch, saying
goodbye. I leave you with The Star Sisters, a Dutch trio from the
pop cover band Stars on 45, taking you all the way back to the
WWII era with their Andrews Sisters medley. See ya!
goodbye. I leave you with The Star Sisters, a Dutch trio from the
pop cover band Stars on 45, taking you all the way back to the
WWII era with their Andrews Sisters medley. See ya!
"The Star Sisters Medley" (Andrews Sisters medley of:
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" - "South American Way" -
"Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" - "In The Mood" -
"Rum And Coca Cola" - "Tico Tico" -
and "Say Si Si (Para Vigo Me Voy)" -
Stars On 45 Proudly Presents The Star Sisters
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" - "South American Way" -
"Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen" - "In The Mood" -
"Rum And Coca Cola" - "Tico Tico" -
and "Say Si Si (Para Vigo Me Voy)" -
Stars On 45 Proudly Presents The Star Sisters
(Aug. 1983, highest chart pos. #107 U.S. Bubbling Under,
perf. on German music television show ZDF Kultnacht)
perf. on German music television show ZDF Kultnacht)
No one ever questioned why Brian spoke...
ReplyDeleteI always thought Olivia was really pretty.
Hi, Alex!
DeleteYou take early bird honors again this week, good buddy. Thanks for coming by!
A talking dog? Preposterous! :) I agree. ONJ was and is a pretty woman. You can bet that she will be returning to sing more of her hits on future volumes of Brian's radio show.
Thanks again for dropping by, good buddy Alex!
What a great eclectic group of songs! Five O'Clock World is a prime example of "I didn't recognize the title, but sure knew it when I heard it!". Love the way it's used in the Drew Carey Show.
ReplyDeleteI was a big fan of that Eddy Grant song when it came out. Researching him a bit, I see he wrote the "other version" of Baby Come Back.... which I recognize, but isn't the same as Player's song by the same title.
I saw Olivia Newton-John close to 45 years ago when she was the opening act for Kenny Rogers in Las Vegas!
Hi, Kelly & Pat!
DeleteThanks for hopping over to take a musical stroll down Brian Griffin's Eclectic Avenue, dear friend(s)!
Brian's starting from scratch (with vol. 1 of his new series) and he aims to fleas. Seems he did a good job of it as far as you are concerned. That fleases me! :)
That show open from the early seasons of The Drew Carey Show knocked me out the first time I saw it, and it still does. An awful lot went into that production including all those coordinated dance moves. What a fun series it was!
Yessum, Eddy Grant (I'll be changing my incorrect spelling shortly), the man who recorded "Electric Avenue," founded and fronted the British band The Equals nearly 20 years earlier. Teenage Shady bought their international hit single "Baby Come Back" during its run on the U.S. chart. You're right, the title is the same as the Player hit but it is an entirely different song.
WOW - you were lucky to have gone to a Kenny koncert all those years ago and witnessed Libby in the early countrified stage of her career before she became Totally Hot doing steamy pop songs.
THanks again for your visit and interesting comments, dear friend Kelly. I wish you and my buddy Pat a safe and happy week!
Well, Look at me at the #2 spot! I hope you are having a good November despite the COVID. We are getting more locked down which is fine as I don't go and do much anyway but I do feel bad for the small business man. I must send the word of the bird to my brother:). I love The Drew Carey Show and this song was so well done by the cast. I wish the typical opening for TV shows would come back like they used to be. Electric Boogaloo was on 3rd Rock From the Sun which is another fun show and I always like that song. Olivia was so good and I remember this song...she was a hot Tomale for the guys back then. I still don't understand how her previous fiance could fake his own death, leaver her grieving only to turn up a few years later somewhere. The old songs from the 60's like the one you showcased reminds me of surfing. Those Dutch gals are really good paying homage to the Andrew Sisters. So much fun. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for challenging others for the early bird position, dear friend! I'm happy that you hurried over to enjoy some music and have a few laughs with Family Guy's Brian Griffin.
Yessum, the virus is still wreaking havoc. Let's hope we can get this terrible plague under control sooner rather than later. If your brother or anybody else you know needs some cheering up, please do send them this clip of Peter Griffin's performance of "The Bird Is The Word." I challenge anyone to hold a frown while Peter is clowning around.
I'm glad you are familiar with The Drew Carey Show and this iconic opening music video sequence. It created tremendous buzz at the time and it is still thrilling to watch Drew, Kate, Mimi, Lewis, Oswald and the gang do their elaborate choreography to that hit by the Pittsburgh area vocal group The Vogues.
Yessum, Libby Newton-John was hot yesterday and is hot today. I am sure she will still be hot tamale. :) I went over to Wiki and read all about her rocky relationships with men and her failed marriage. For years she was unlucky in love. Shucks, if she would have played her cards right from the beginning, she could have had Shady! :) Seems she found the right partner in her second hubby John Easterling.
I'm happy you mentioned Brian's showender, the Andrews Sisters medley performed by The Star Sisters, part of the Dutch tribute band Starsound aka Star Sound, known stateside as Stars On 45.
I'm delighted that you had so much fun listening to Brian's first radio show. Thanks again for coming early and leaving such a fabulous comment. Have a great week, dear friend BB!
Good afternoon my friend. Hope you are doing well over on your side of the country. Brian is pretty funny on the Family Guy and he and Stewie really crack me up sometimes. This is one of your collections that i am familiar with most of the songs. Olivia Newton John has such a pretty voice. I didn't watch the Drew Carey show much but the intro is funny. Have a wonderful rest of your week my friend. Maybe I'll get a chance to post something too. It's been another busy week.
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Hi, Janet! How are you, dear friend? Hope you are smiling more day by day. I'm pleased to see you and thank you for coming! I'm delighted to learn that you watch Family Guy and like Brian Griffin and his baby brother Stewie (who never ages a day). Peter never ceases to crack me up on Family Guy. His rendition of "Bird Is The Word" is one of his funniest recurring bits on the series. Glad you like the singing of Olivia Newton John, a lady who has been a class act since the early 70s. The Drew Carey Show was one of my favorite TV comedies. If you ever want to turn your frown upside down, find the show streaming somewhere and give it a try, the early seasons in particular. I hope you're having the good kind of busy week. Thanks again for making time for a visit and for your cheery comment. Take care of yourself and I hope to see you soon, dear friend Janet!
DeleteOh yes, my toes were a-tappin'.
ReplyDeleteI loved that video of Drew Carrey and Five O'Clock World. When I held a 9 to 5 job (More like and 8 to 4:30) I would always tell people that the best half hour of the week was the ride home on Friday. Relief and wonderful expectations of the two days ahead was glorious.
Hi, Arleen!
DeleteHow's it going up there in The Keystone State, dear friend? I hope you are at least a bit more relaxed than you were when the month began. I certainly am. :) I'm thrilled to learn that Brian Griffin's first show on SPMM Retrosonic Radio got your toes a-tappin'. As the name implies, Eclectic Avenue will offer music to suit nearly every taste, unless you like kazoo classics, polkas and yodelling. :)
That show opener for The Drew Carey Show sticks in my mind as one of the greatest ever produced. It made a big splash when first introduced. What a great cast that series had - chemistry galore. Thanks for sharing your personal T.G.I.F. anecdote. When I was 16 and 17 I worked in the produce dept. of a supermarket. My shift ended when the store closed at 9 pm. On Friday and Saturday nights at closing time, I and other guys my age who worked in various departments punched the time clock, ripped off our white aprons, ran to our cars in the parking lot, fired up our vehicles and laid rubber, heading off in all directions to get our night of fun started. The scene looked like the start at Le Mans. You could imagine a racing announcer shouting, "Gentlemen, start your engines!" :) Of course, my destination on those nights was always my home away from home - the Shady Dell.
Thanks again for dropping in and for your delightful comment, dear friend Arleen. Please take good care of yourself up there and come back and see me again soon!
Hey there Shady! Thanks so much for the immediate giggle I got when checking out Brian Griffin's show on SPMM Radio. That crazy song is a hoot all itself but when watching it play out in a Family Guy episode it's just hilarious! I loved seeing the expressions on the faces of Brian and Stewie hanging on the couch a week into Peter still rockin' the Bird is the Word. I cracked up at his eye lids...and just about lost it when the blood started coming out of his nose!! OMG, I so needed that laugh!
ReplyDeleteOf course I had heard that song on the radio when I was younger but I never saw a video of the guy performing the song until a few years ago when I was working on a music post. I was fascinated by a video of the Trashmen appearance on American Bandstand back in 1963; this guy was outta control!! I could not take my eyes away from it all. And the bird in the tree, haha. OMG, it sure doesn't take much these days to make me laugh...
I'm sure you've seen the video on YouTube but in case you haven't, here's a link for ya: https://youtu.be/6GizTr6QLfc
Also loved hearing "Love or Let Me Be Lonely" -- brought back so many memories.
And "Electric Avenue" was a great party favorite back in my college days. It was fun to hear that again. So those were my favs from today's show.
I snagged a copy of the picture of Brian with his martini. Not sure if you know that my new dog Appleton has a nickname: I call here "Appletini" and even had a cool collar tag made for her that says "It's Appletini Time!" and includes a special image of a martini glass that I requested the tagmaker to design!
Great show, this Electric Avenue! Thanks for the memories...and the giggles.
Michele at Angels Bark
Hi, Michele!
DeleteI'm delighted to see you, dear old friend! Thanks for tuning in to the debut of Brian Griffin's new radio show Eclectic Avenue - a mongrel mix of tunes - something old, something new, something borrowed (cool covers) and something blues.
I'm happy to know that the first video, a scene from Family Guy with Peter covering "Surfin' Bird" while Stewie and Peter look on with glazed eyes, got you laughing. Boy oh boy do we need to laugh these days. I might have seen that clip from Bandstand years ago but I didn't remember it. Thanks for sharing the link. Steve Wahrer's awkward, lurching dance reminded me of a guy trying to escape from a straitjacket :) or maybe a variation of the dance Pee-wee Herman performed at the biker bar in his Big Adventure movie. :) I also remember the band's 1964 single "Bird Dance Beat" which reached #30 on the Hot 100. I read that The Surfmen broke up in 1967 and reunited in the 80s. Sadly Steve Wahrer died of throat cancer in 1989. At the time of their success with "Surfin' Bird," The Trashmen were one of the leading landlocked surf-rock bands. The Astronauts of Boulder, Colorado, were another.
The Friends Of Distinction looked and sounded a lot like The 5th Dimension. It's interesting that The Friends Of Distinction and Earth, Wind & Fire were both reportedly discovered by NFL football player Jim Brown who was also an actor. I loved Brown in the role of "Jefferson" in The Dirty Dozen.
I hope you'll send me pics or videos of your new dog Appletini. Did you ever show him to me? With politics dominating our emails in recent months, I don't recall if I ever saw him. I know I would have remembered that custom collar! :)
I'm so pleased you liked vol. 1 of Brian's Eclectic Avenue. Thanks again for coming over and checking it out and for your excellent comments. Take care, keep the faith, give Appleton big hugs from Shady and stay in touch, dear friend Michele!
Hey Shady-man, I can't remember if I shared pics of Appie with you or not. But Appleton is a girl. It's so weird: everybody refers to her as a "him" and I can't figure out why. Is Appleton a male name or something?? It's so strange. She's a 2 yr old goofy greyhound and I'll definitely send you some pictures this week. A few weeks after I lost Luca, my friend in the greyhound adoption group asked if I wanted to go with her to pick up 2 females from a breeder that were coming into our group and of course I said "Sure! I need to get out of this house!" One was a 5 yr old brood mama and the other was Appleton. I offered to foster one of them and expected to be getting the older one but she wasn't small dog friendly so she couldn't come here. Appleton has been with me since June I think. I also fostered another 14 month old male greyhound for a few weeks but he went on to be adopted.
DeleteI'll be in touch. Thanks again my friend.
Hi, again, Michele!
DeleteNow I am more confident that you didn't tell me about Appleton until this week. I doubt I would have twice made the mistake of referring to her as a he. Thanks for sharing the story of how you acquired her. That account is new to me as well and it warms my heart. I am eager to see pics and/or vids of Appie when you can send them. There is no purer form of love than the love of a human for an animal. Thank you for opening your home and your heart to Appleton in loving memory of Luca and Picasso, dear friend Michele!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteThe Friends of Distinction I should know but I certainly did not recognize their song feature. I really like them a lot and I plan to hop over to YT to hear more by them. ONJ was soooo pretty back in the day. I'm sure she still is and oh, how I loved her mewsic. Her vocals are lovely. Your other song picks are fabulous but what I most enjoyed is The Star Sisters "Andrew Sisters Medley". Boy, are they ever good! I will have to check them out on YT, too. Thanks for the great tunes, my friend. Have a boogietastic week.
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, dear friend! I'm happy to welcome you over to sample the sounds on Brian Griffin's first official SPMM radio show.
Yessum, as I was telling another reader, it seems clear that The soulful quartet The Friends Of Distinction, with two male members and two female members, were trying to match the success of The 5th Dimension. They dressed the same, moved the same and sounded similar. While The Friends had a couple of hits, they were not as successful as the 5th Dimension. I'm glad you like "Love Or Let Me Be Lonely." It's my Pick To Click for this group.
I am also happy to know that you are a fan of Olivia N-J. I didn't pay much attention to her in the early to mid 70s when she was singing innocent country influenced songs, but when she turned up the heat and went Totally Hot, she quickly became one of my favorite female artists.
Isn't that a rousing Andrews Sisters medley? Turns out there are many female groups these days imitating the style of WWII girl groups, but I haven't seen any better than The Star Sisters, a splinter act of Stars On 45, the Dutch studio group of soundalike singers who also did imitations of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, ABBA and many other famous hit makers.
I'm excited to know that you enjoyed your visit to Shady's Place, dear friend Cathy. Thanks again for joining the fun. I wish you a boogietastic week as well!
Tom,
DeleteI did pop over to YT to see if I could find non-WWII type song covers by The Star Sisters. They had a couple of songs. I forget now when they were recorded but their style transported me to the early 80s. I love how beautifully they harmonize! Have a great afternoon, dear friend!
Thanks, Cathy!
DeleteStars On 45 aka Starsound burst onto the scene in the early 80s doing soundalike medleys of The Beatles, ABBA, Supremes, Sam & Dave and many other top recording artists. The studio-born group released numerous albums and 12-inch dance singles. I was a freelance DJ at the time and bought their medleys to play at parties. They were a big hit. The Star Sisters probably lent their vocals to most of the recordings that required imitations of popular female artists.
Thanks for another cheery visit, dear friend Cathy!
Hi friend Shady. Thank you for another awesome show, and if you need some snow ... please tell me so :) Sending love. cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteHow are you and Theo today, dear friend? Thanks for making the long trip down from Alberta, Canada, to sit in the studio audience as Brian Griffin - The Pooch with the Hooch - presents his first radio show LIVE!!! here on SPMM Retrosonic Radio. I'm excited that you rated Brian's program "awesome." Keep checking your listings because vol. 2 of his series is coming soon.
Yessum, please send me some of your snow. I love snow and miss it. I'm thinking it will take a very powerful cold front to sweep this far south, but if you can make it happen I'll be grateful. :)
Thanks again for coming, dear friend cat. LUBBINS to you and kitty TT!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteThanks for opening this blog entry with Peter's "Bird is the Word" song! I absolutely love when Peter sings that. :) I'm not familiar with the Drew Carey song, but as I'm working from home, it was a perfect listen.
Electric Avenue is one of my favourites. Insane Clown Posse did a cover of it last year, but changed it to W. Vernor Avenue. They're from Detroit and W. Vernor Ave is pretty dangerous. It makes sense why they would use it instead of "Electric Avenue": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfuypT3zLLo
I'm not too familiar with the other songs, but I really enjoyed them. "Sugar and Spice" might be my new theme song. :) I'll have to check out more of the Cryan Shame and the Friends of Distinction.
Have a great day, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteIt's good to see you, dear friend. Thanks for coming by!
I know you are a fan of Family Guy and I appreciate you tuning in to the debut of Brian Griffin's new SPMM radio show Eclectic Avenue. I could watch that clip of Peter singing "Bird Is The Word" a thousand times and it would still crack me up.
That full length music video show opener for The Drew Carey Show was introduced in season two when the original theme "Moon Over Parma" was phased out.
I followed your link and listened to ICP's "W. Vernor Avenue" which samples Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue." I never heard that song before. The hook is effective.
"Sugar And Spice" was by far the biggest national hit for the Chicago band The Cryan' Shames, but they were hot locally and one of their other singles "I Wanna Meet You," was big in my neck of the woods, even though it peaked at #85 on the chart. The LA based pop soul group The Friends Of Distinction had two other hits - the vocal version of "Grazing In The Grass" and "Going In Circles."
Thanks again for coming to the launch party, dear friend JM, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI was watching Family Guy on Sunday evening, so I really appreciated your opener. I could listen to "Bird is the Word" over and over too.
Nan LOVED the Drew Carey Show, but I never really paid attention to it. She always got a kick out of Mimi, I think that was her name. Ah, good memories.
I love ICP. They're a bit sadistic, but they're good guys outside of music. That CD came out last year and they just released a new album in their new card series. I'll have to check it out and see if they sample other songs.
This past weekend I showed dad your other playlist and he was familiar with a few. Maybe this weekend I'll show him your blog and see if he's familiar with any of these gems.
Have a great day, dear friend. Office day tomorrow, so I will listen while in the office!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for the updates, dear friend! Yessum, Mimi was the crazy lady who was always giving Drew fits at the office. I liked her and Oswald and Kate. Thanks for the extra info about ICP. It's good to know they are good guys apart from the intense music they make. Your dad is still a little on the young side to know many of the oldies played by my SPMM deejays. Thanks for checking with him. I have another batch of 60s sounds coming up in my next post starting this Sunday.
I hope my tuneage helps you through your day at the office tomorrow. Stay safe, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteYes! The music did help... a lot of anxiety today. Ah well.
Dad used to listen to a lot of the 50s hits on the radio. The AM station he listened to no longer reaches him and he really misses it. It's always surprising what he does know! He's like you, he loves all sorts of music from every decade. I guess I get that from him too!
I'm hoping once COVID-19 is over, I can meet ICP. I want to meet Twiztid again, most definitely. They all make intense music, but they're all top notch guys. :)
Have a great Thankful Thursday dear friend!
Hi again, Jess!
DeleteI'm happy to know that Brian's tuneage helped you through your work day. When I was around 20 years of age, I started listening to an oldies station. For the first time I got interested in music from another time period, not merely the current top 40 hits coming out week by week. I'm sorry that station with the 50s format is no longer available to your dad. Have him tune in to SPMM Retrosonic Radio whenever Wolfman Jack, The Geator or Shady Blue do their shows. They are the DJs who play the most 50s records. It's nice to know your dad also has eclectic taste and appreciates good music from other decades.
Everybody yearns for an end to the pandemic so that we can get our lives back on track. It's good to know that two of your favorite metal bands are made up of decent guys. I hope you get to hang with them in the near future.
Thanks again for popping in and have a great Friday and weekend, dear friend JM!
Hi Brian...what a sensational performance and video you and Peter presented with "Surfin Bird"! You know, that was a fabulous "love to hate song", and everyone knew the words and could not stay in their seats anytime it was played. I'm not surprised it did so well in the ratings. It was fun watching the video and hearing the song again.
ReplyDeleteI love the "Drew Carey Show"! I still like him and the characters from the show, and the song! I don't remember seeing the entire video, with some of the suggestive dance moves, but I always liked the opening of the show with "Five O'Clock World". The Vogues are so cool, I enjoyed much of their work. "You're The One" could be my favorite, and "Turn Around Look at Me" is a good one. Thanks for the fun memories, Brian!
I don't remember "Sugar & Spice", the Cryan' Shames, and the song does lend a bit to several different hits from the mid-late 50's.
Olivia Newton John is so lovely, Brian and I am a fan who enjoys all of her music. I don't remember "A Little More Love" but it is a fabulous video and the song is great. It is a good video with The Friends of Distinction, "Love or Let Me Be Lonely". This group is so in tune with their vocals and the have great stage presence. I remember "Electric Avenue", Brian and this song truly rocks-another get up and go song!
What a fun post, Brian...thank you Shady for sending Brian our way. The Star Sisters' Medley is the best, and I love their shimmery satin costumes. Thank you for the fun time Brian and Shady. Take care, stay safe, dear friends!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks for swinging by, dear friend! I'm pleased to have you on hand for the exclusive worldwide premiere of Brian Griffin's new SPMM radio show Eclectic Avenue. Seems you found a lot to like. I'm glad!
That video of Peter terrorizing young and old, humans and animals, with his mind-numbing (and repetitive) rendition of "The Bird Is The Word" is one of the funniest Family Guy clips I have ever seen. The original "Surfin' Bird" single by The Trashmen has to be one of the goofiest novelty hits in rock & roll history. To keep up the frantic pace and dance to it, you'd need to be a speedster like Barry Allen of The Flash. :) Yessum, "Surfin' Bird" was a top 5 national hit. It peaked in December 1963 and January 1964. With that in mind, I'm thinking America embraced the wacky song because it helped pull them out of their depression in the wake of the JFK assassination. As you might recall The Kingsmen had a smash hit with "Louie Louie" around the same time frame and, of course, The Beatles sealed the deal when they arrived on our shores in January 1964 and conquered the American music scene.
This full length music video of "5 O'clock World" was used as the show open for The Drew Carey Show in season two along with a few shorter variations of it. I agree that The Vogues had a smooth, ear pleasing sound, yet they were cool enough to keep young music fans interested. "You're The One" is my top favorite song by the Western PA group, and their later hit, "Turn Around Look At Me," was a biggie during my courtship with the future Mrs. Shady #1.
I'm a bit surprised you don't remember Libby Newton-John's song "A Little More Love." It was a solid U.S. hit, reaching its chart zenith at #3 in the early weeks of 1979, and it was a major hit in my neck of the woods. Can you see and hear the similarities between The Friends Of Distinction and The 5th Dimension? Even their group names are similar! Thanks for singling out The Star Sisters, a trio of studio session singers from The Netherlands who did a superb job of channeling The Andrews Sisters as they performed that exciting "live" medley.
Thanks again for taking a look and a listen to Brian's "really big shoe." Stay tuned for the official debut of another SPMM radio show coming your way this Sunday. Until then, I wish you and Scootie a safe and happy week, dear friend Suzanne!
Hi Tom, just stopping by quickly to update you on Jack. He's slowly improving. Out of ICU and getting his system up and working and working on blood thinner regime for life. Thanks for your wonderful thoughts in our behalf...What a week!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kathleen!
DeleteI am very relieved to hear from you, my wonderful friend! As the weekend came and went and additional hours and days rolled by without any word from you on Jack's condition, I was growing increasingly concerned. It is a blessing that Jack is out of the ICU, improving and adopting new protocols that will hopefully prevent any more problems of this type in the future. I hope Jack will soon be back home with you and Arnie and that he will be feeling much better by Thanksgiving.
What a week - and what a year you've had, YaYa. I feel very badly that you have been required to go through so much this year. I hope it is all behind you now so that you can focus on good times and family fun at The Pines through the upcoming holiday season.
Bless you, dear friend YaYa!
I'm familiar with the Olivia-Newton John song, but I think this is the first time I've seen the video. It may just be the lighting, but she occasionally looks like a brunette. I always thought there was a bit of a sell-out aura about her switch to quasi-disco pop, but she certainly had the voice for it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could like The Andrew Sisters medley more, but those girls just don't have the vocal prowess of the original trio. Plus, Patty, Maxine and Laverne could really ro--uh, swing. These girls seem kind of tame by comparison. Still, it's a nice try.
The Drew Carey Show was a series that I sometimes found funny, and sometimes did not (and no, I don't feel like I have to give it my undying loyalty simply because I live in Cleveland), but I do remember the Five O'Clock World video, enjoyed it, and actually thought it was that show's high point.
I never saw The Family Guy version of "Surfin Bird" before, but enjoyed that immensely. And that Sponge Bob Square Pants cameo right in the middle of it--priceless!
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for staying up late to stroll down Brian Griffin's Eclectic Avenue, good buddy!
As you saw, the ONJ video is a combo of two different stage or set performances plus footage from her original music video for the song. She is wearing different clothing in each of the three and has different hair styles and colors. I believe Libby's steamy, sultry, smoldering style on songs from Totally Hot, Xanadu and Physical were mostly a put-on. I do not think she intended her performances of sexual material to be taken all that seriously. Olivia was simply having fun teasing and titillating. I prefer this phase of her career to the earlier pop country period.
Studio-born copycat/soundalike/tribute/cover groups like Stars On 45 managed to sound enough like the original artists they imitated to please fans of the famous acts. In addition the record buyer enjoyed the benefit of having the original act's greatest hits strung together seamlessly in extended medley form. I owned several of those albums and 12-inch dance singles and played them at parties where they were well received. In similar fashion, the albums in the "Hooked On Classics" series never pretended to be as good as the original classical compositions, but they offered the listener the unique opportunity to hear portions of many favorites blended together on a single disc.
SCORECARD: OHIO - RED CLEVELAND - ROCKS!
I'm glad you liked the full length music video created as a show opening sequence for season two of Drew Carey. I agree with you. Like most sitcoms, it was funny at times and not as funny other times. As is the case with many if not most series of any genre, it became less enjoyable in later seasons. I'm sure you remember Kate going over to Scrubs, another series I watched regularly. Hey, Drew Carey is now a game show host, but I can't for the life of me think of its name. Is it DOTTO? Concentration? :) Whatever the case, he is now uniquely qualified to run for President of the United States. He's a Republican, so he also has that going for him. :)
I'm delighted that I was able to introduce you to Peter Griffin's rousing lip sync performance of "Surfin' Bird" aka "Bird Is The Word." Yes, I saw that cameo by Sponge Bob. I got a kick out of Stewie exclaiming that he loves repetition. He didn't love it very much after being forced to listen to the record nonstop for a week.
Thanks again for coming by, good buddy Kirk. Stick around for my next nostalgic post coming dark and early Sunday morning. Until then have a good Friday and a safe and happy weekend!
The name of Drew Carey's game show? I'll give you a hint. It's synonymous with Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission.
DeleteI think Kellyanne Conway started her career as one of "Barker's Beauties."
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