Time for another volume of
Cruisin'...
the album series that pays tribute to
top 40 radio and features simulated
broadcasts by some of the greatest
disc jockeys of the 1950s and 60s.
Today our Cruisin' journey takes us back to 1958 and the Home of the Blues -
the Gateway to the West - St. Louis, where we find top 40 radio personality
Jack Carney entertaining the heartland with his Silver Dollar Survey.
Jack Carney - WIL, St. Louis
I wanna testify that it was
great to be age eight in '58.
Everywhere I looked I found entertainment seemingly
designed with me in mind,
much of it coming from
the Walt Disney studios:
The Mickey Mouse Club,
Annette, Spin and Marty,
Boys of the Western Sea
and The Hardy Boys.
great to be age eight in '58.
Everywhere I looked I found entertainment seemingly
designed with me in mind,
much of it coming from
the Walt Disney studios:
The Mickey Mouse Club,
Annette, Spin and Marty,
Boys of the Western Sea
and The Hardy Boys.
TV Westerns were huge: The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Cisco and Pancho,
"Hoppy" Cassidy, Roy and Dale, Wild Bill Hickok and his sidekick Jingles,
Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Paladin, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.
Then there was Mike Nelson underwater on Sea Hunt and
Ricky Nelson on the bandstand in Ozzie & Harriet.
Man, it was all must see TV!
"Hoppy" Cassidy, Roy and Dale, Wild Bill Hickok and his sidekick Jingles,
Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Paladin, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.
Then there was Mike Nelson underwater on Sea Hunt and
Ricky Nelson on the bandstand in Ozzie & Harriet.
Man, it was all must see TV!
Drive-in theaters screened
low budget horror and sci-fi
flicks in a double-feature
format. All across the
U.S.A. (via Route 66)
crazy mixed-up kids
like me, Shady D, were
getting their kookie
way-out kicks!
low budget horror and sci-fi
flicks in a double-feature
format. All across the
U.S.A. (via Route 66)
crazy mixed-up kids
like me, Shady D, were
getting their kookie
way-out kicks!
FRANKIE
AVALON
AVALON
In 1958, a lot of rock was schlock,
but it sure nuff kept me interested.
As the story goes, teen heartthrob
Frankie Avalon held his nose as
he recorded portions of his single
"Dede Dinah." Later on, Frankie
held his breath as he waited to see
if listeners would hold their noses
and plug their ears. Lucky for him,
most didn't. Frankie's record made
a run at the top 5 and remains a
favorite of mine. Go! Go! Go!
but it sure nuff kept me interested.
As the story goes, teen heartthrob
Frankie Avalon held his nose as
he recorded portions of his single
"Dede Dinah." Later on, Frankie
held his breath as he waited to see
if listeners would hold their noses
and plug their ears. Lucky for him,
most didn't. Frankie's record made
a run at the top 5 and remains a
favorite of mine. Go! Go! Go!
"Dede Dinah" - Frankie Avalon
(Mar. 1958, highest chart pos. #7 Hot 100/#11 Cash Box,
dancers on Dec. 18, 1957, ep. of American Bandstand)
dancers on Dec. 18, 1957, ep. of American Bandstand)
BOBBY DARIN
Hard to believe that young, handsome, talented Bobby Darin has been gone almost
46 years. While still a boy, Bobby learned he had a serious heart condition and
would likely die young. The grim prognosis drove Bobby to achieve as much
as he could in his short life, a lesson for us all. In the years before his death
at age 37, Bobby achieved fame as a singer, songwriter, musician, music
business entrepreneur, actor and humanitarian. In the summer of 1958
46 years. While still a boy, Bobby learned he had a serious heart condition and
would likely die young. The grim prognosis drove Bobby to achieve as much
as he could in his short life, a lesson for us all. In the years before his death
at age 37, Bobby achieved fame as a singer, songwriter, musician, music
business entrepreneur, actor and humanitarian. In the summer of 1958
Bobby released the top 5 rock 'n' roll hit "Splish Splash" followed later
that year by "Queen of the Hop," another rocker that cracked the top 10.
that year by "Queen of the Hop," another rocker that cracked the top 10.
"Queen of the Hop" - Bobby Darin
(Oct./Nov. 1958, highest chart pos.
#9 Hot 100/#12 Cash Box)
#9 Hot 100/#12 Cash Box)
BETTY JOHNSON
Carolina born Betty Johnson started out singing religious songs in her family group,
the Johnson Family Singers. In 1957 Betty became a regular on Jack Paar's Tonight
and stayed with the program until 1962 when the Johnny Carson era began. Betty
Johnson is best known (to me, at least) for her single "The Little Blue Man," a
creepy novelty number about a stalker from another planet. The voice of the
Little Blue Man was provided by Hugh Downs who at the time was Paar's
announcer on Tonight. As you might recall, Downs went on to host the
TV game show Concentration and later, with Barbara Walters, co-
hosted the long running news program 20/20. I always wondered
why this Halloween friendly record was released, not in October
as you might expect, but around Christmas in 1957!
"The Little Blue Man" - Betty Johnson
(Mar./Apr. 1958, highest chart pos.
#17 Hot 100/#25 Cash Box)
#17 Hot 100/#25 Cash Box)
THE MONOTONES
The Monotones were a doo-wop vocal group from Newark, New Jersey.
They went into the music history books as one-hit-wonders, their only
claim to fame being this song about a book-- the "Book Of Love."
"Book Of Love" - The Monotones
(Apr./May 1958, highest chart pos. #3 R&B,
#5 Hot 100/#7 Cash Box)
#5 Hot 100/#7 Cash Box)
HARVEY
AND THE MOONGLOWS
AND THE MOONGLOWS
Page through "The Book Of Love" and you're sure to find
"The Ten Commandments Of Love." That's the name of the
hit by Harvey And The Moonglows, a group from Louisville,
Kentucky, led by R&B singer, songwriter and record producer
Harvey Fuqua. Motown great Marvin Gaye got his start as
a member of Fuqua's Moonglows. Listen now to the
group's top 10 single from Halloween 1958--
"Ten Commandments Of Love."
"Ten Commandments Of Love" - Harvey And The Moonglows
(Oct. 1958, highest chart pos. #9 R&B/#22 Hot 100/#39 Cash Box)
THE ROYAL TEENS
"Short Shorts," the squeaky sax novelty number
by The Royal Teens, brings 1958 back alive.
by The Royal Teens, brings 1958 back alive.
The group included Bob Gaudio, who
later partnered with Frankie Valli to
form The Four Seasons, and Al Kooper,
one of the leading figures in 60s rock.
Kooper toured and played guitar with
The Royal Teens in 1959. In January
of 1958, the self-contained band was
jamming and goofing in the studio at
the end of a recording session when
"Short Shorts" came together. Two
young women were found hanging
hanging around the studio and the
guys pressed them into service as
singers on the call-and-response
parts of the song. Two different
short shorts girls were later used
when the band performed the
song on TV and at live shows.
one of the leading figures in 60s rock.
Kooper toured and played guitar with
The Royal Teens in 1959. In January
of 1958, the self-contained band was
jamming and goofing in the studio at
the end of a recording session when
"Short Shorts" came together. Two
young women were found hanging
hanging around the studio and the
guys pressed them into service as
singers on the call-and-response
parts of the song. Two different
short shorts girls were later used
when the band performed the
song on TV and at live shows.
"Short Shorts" is way out there, daddy-o... crazy, man, crazy!
"Short Shorts" - The Royal Teens
(Mar. 1958, highest chart pos. #3 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
Don't miss the next
thrill packed episode of
Cruisin'...
coming soon!
Have a Shady day!
Good morning dear friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for inviting me to the hop as we cruise in 1958. :)
A lot of favourites on here, as well as new favourites too. I'm not too familiar the Royal Teens or Harvey and the Moonglow. I really dig the style and I might have to search other pieces.
I love music from the 1950s, there's something raw and magical about the sounds. I'm thankful that you keep these sounds alive and are able to introduce them to a younger audience, like myself.
Have a great day! I'm going to cruise through this playlist as I work today.
Hi,Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for hustling over to claim the early bird spot this morning, dear friend!
I'm glad you had fun Cruisin' to St. Louis and sampling the sounds of 1958, a huge year in entertainment. It seems like more horror movies were released that year than any other. Disney shorts aired as part of The Mickey Mouse Club and the rock 'n' roll genre yielded a crop of teen idols that included Frankie Avalon. You might not have heard of The Royal Teens, but I am sure you and your dad know The Four Seasons. Royal Teens member Bob Gaudio helped form that famous vocal group. I am also confident that you have heard of the band Blood, Sweat & Tears which was founded by Royal Teens member Al Kooper. Harvey Fuqua gave Marvin Gaye his start.
I hope this 1958 play list enables you to go Cruisin' through your work day. Thanks again for coming and have a wonderful weekend, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteDad and I love the Four Seasons! I never knew that, but now I do. :) I might have to add some Four Seasons to my Royal Teens playlist. I'm catsitting for Terry tomorrow and this could be fun to play for the cats.
Have a wonderful weekend too, dear friend.
Thanks, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI think the cats might enjoy listening to "The Little Blue Man." :)
We're getting socked by very heavy rain this morning thanks to the tropical storm that has formed in the Gulf. We need to hit the road soon and travel will be difficult. I can't wait to get home and back to my regular routine.
Have a safe and happy weekend, dear friend JM!
I'll play that for them! :)
DeleteI was just listening to "Smiling Faces Sometimes" and that really was the soundtrack for two weeks ago! Thank you for that suggestion!
Safe travels, dear friend. I hope the storms subside soon.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI'm glad you listened to the "Smiling Faces" song. It speaks to times of uncertainty or deception that we have all experienced.
Torrential rain all the way home but we made it!
I'm struck by how innocuous all this music is. Remember rock and roll in the 1950s was this controversial affront to adult sensibilities. It became INTENTIONALLY that in the decade to follow, but I wonder if it would have had not there been that initial overreaction.
ReplyDeleteOf course, stalking would be considered controversial today, but not, really, in the pre-feminist 1950s, when the word just meant something a hungry animal does. Betty Johnson may have just been upset that the man was small and blue.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for going Cruisin' with St. Louis DJ Jack Carney and me through the fabulous year 1958. You make some good points, my buddy. "Ten Commandments Of Love" is hardly the devil's music, but I'm sure there were a few small town preachers who denounced it from their pulpits, and The Royal Teens were surely the spawn of Satan for giving us "Short Shorts." As I always say, gangsta rap was still light years away. I think you're probably right about stuck up Betty Johnson. If a suave, debonair Cary Grant type guy had been stalking her, she'd have given him ten years to cut it out.
Thanks again for coming to Jack Carney's platter party, good buddy Kirk, and have a great weekend!
I actually knew more of these than not... some of them well enough to sing along to! 1958 was a might good year! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelly!
DeleteWelcome to 1958, dear friend! I'm pleasantly surprised to find out that you, youthful as you are, knew most of these rusty relics of the distant past. I agree that 1958 was a tremendous year throughout the world of entertainment, including popular music. I hope you've got a tune or two stuck in your noggin on repeat and that they add some fun to your day.
Thanks again for coming, dear friend Kelly!
Hi Shady. I only have two of the Cruisin CDs, but I love them, and I have enjoyed the ones you have shared over the years. 1958 had some really great songs, didn't it! Of course, I was around 10 years old, and now I put myself in Scootie's shoes where music is concerned. He said he doesn't like "old songs", haha! I do listen to his "new alternative" music with him though.
ReplyDeleteI still love Bobby Darin! Everything he did just got me! I don't know, but he had a certain magic and the right moves to go with his cool voice! It is still a sad thing to have lost him so young. "Queen of The Hop" is a great song, and I also like "Mack The Knife" and "Dream Lover". Each Bobby Darin song offers a different side of the man!
Gosh, "The Book of Love" is such a great song, and the Monotones were very talented in my book! I am so glad you brought this one to the forefront, loved watching it. It's hard to believe this was their only hit! I noticed, while watching the video that there were quite a few gum chewers in the audience, singing along and chewing at the same time, haha! And, "The Ten Commandments of Love" is a nice song, but too slow for me.
That "smooth" Frankie Avalon is another artist who had us swooning! He has that cute and sassy (not just reserved for girls) attitude. "Dede Dinah" is timeless, isn't it! It doesn't seem so long ago this song was fun and popular, and it was a treat watching the dancers on Bandstand with this song.
Okay, Shady and Jack! "The Little Blue Man" is a creepy song! You're right, it is more of a Halloween type song! Oooh, and I don't remember ever hearing that one.
Well, it's come down to this! My favorite of the day, and an all time fav is "Short Shorts"! I know there are not many lyrics, but I value the music. This group had only one guitarist and the sax player had it going on! In 1958! I believe this song to be a preamble to Robert Palmer's "Addicted To Love", and his others! And, short shorts have come back in style!
Love this post you guys! It's Friday, and I wish you a great weekend! Take care dear friend, Shady! ♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks so much for coming over on day one to go Cruisin' up to St. Louis where Jack Carney ruled the airwaves. I'm happy to have a fellow baby boomer here to sample the hits of 1958, a sensational year in music, movies and TV. Did you watch those Disney shorts: Annette, The Hardy Boys, Spin & Marty, and the Danish film Boys of the Western Sea to which Disney acquired the North American rights? I watched all of them and loved them.
You're right about Bobby Darin. He had oodles of talent and just the right amount of swagger. It was a gigantic loss to the entertainment world when he died. "Beyond The Sea" is another big favorite of mine.
I'm so glad you brought up the gum chewing in the audience of teenagers. I have seen many such clips with the kids feverishly chewing gum, and I believe they were all salvaged from The Dick Clark Show aka Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beechnut Show which ran from 1958 through 1960. I am sure the sponsors handed out packs of gum to the kids and encouraged them to chew away during the broadcasts. A few days ago I watched the entire episode of American Bandstand from Dec. 18, 1957, the one from which that first clip was lifted. Before Dick introduced "Dede Dinah," he read a piece of fan mail sent in by guys who watched the show from the Air Force base in San Bernardino, California. They wanted to know the name and age of the cute girl with dark hair who is their favorite dancer on Bandstand. Dick interviewed the girl and learned that her name is Carol and she is age fifteen. Then he sent Carol out to the floor to dance to that Frankie Avalon song with her partner. (It took a few months for "Dede Dinah" to peak on the chart well into 1958.) Most of the kids Dick talks to on that 1957 show are only 14 or 15, which I found surprising since they all look older to me.
How about Hugh Downs doing the voice of "The Little Blue Man"? That's one for the music trivia books. I remember that goofy song playing often on my local top 40 station. Why it was released in December, 1957, just before Christmas, is beyond me. Incidentally, Betty Johnson released dozens of other singles from 1951 through 1963. I agree that Palmer's "Addicted To Love" seems inspired by The Royal Teens' gimmicky "Short Shorts" performances.
I'm thrilled that you got so much enjoyment out of the post, dear friend Suzanne. I hope all is well in your household and I wish you and Scootie a safe and happy weekend. Look for my next Halloweeny post coming up on Thursday. See you then, my wonderful friend!
Hi Shady! I was only 3 in 1958 but I definitely remember watching Walt Disney and LOVED the Hardy Boys and Spin and Marty. I know all those songs except the Betty Johnson one. What wonderful memories these bring back to me. Thanks so much for sharing them. Have a great rest of the weekend!
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Hi, Janet!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, dear friend! I'm excited to see you and to know that you remember most of the music and some of the TV programs mentioned in this 1958 Cruisin' post.
As you might recall, this particular Hardy Boys series starred (as Frank Hardy) Tim Considine, before he became one of My Three Sons. Tim also played "Spin Evans" on The Adventures of Spin and Marty. Playing Joe Hardy on The Hardy Boys was Tommy Kirk, star of Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog and other Disney films. The Hardy Boys solved The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure and The Mystery of the Ghost Farm.
I'm delighted to trigger happy memories for you, dear friend Janet. Thanks again for coming and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Loved listening to The Monotones, friend Shady, as well as DJ Carney's voice, thank you:) Age 3 back then, my life was far from monotone but full of carnies, carousels, curry dogs and collecting coins from more or less inebriated customers:) Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for coming down!
I'm happy to know you enjoyed watching and listening to The Monotones. They were an exciting act with a great sound and showmanship but their group name was rather dull and nondescript, I would say. Perhaps that is why they never caught on and remained one-hit-wonders. DJ Jack Carney had a smoky, gravelly voice that worked well for top 40 radio in the 50s.
You had an exciting and colorful life, cat, and I always enjoy the tidbits you share. Thanks again for joining the fun and enjoy the rest of your weekend, dear friend!
Hi Shady! I almost missed this post..sorry! I've been busy these days with work but I'm glad to have stopped by to catch this one. Many of the TV shows you mentioned were familiar to me but I'm sure they were reruns when I saw them. I was only 5 in this time frame but of course I remember Frankie Avalon and Bobby Darin. The Little Blue Man made me laugh..holy cow, I can't imagine it being a hit! Kind of weird actually! I'm heading out of town for a few days. Craig is flying in from Portland to Chicago for business so we'er going to see him and also visit with Mom and my sister. A win-win for us! I hope you have a good week and your weather is good too. We finally have chilly Fall stuff so I'm happy! Take care Shady!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks for joining the fun, dear friend! I'm glad you enjoyed time traveling back to your early childhood and specifically the Cruisin' year 1958. I'm happy to know you remember the TV shows I listed along with zingers Frankie and Bobby. "The Little Blue Man" must have been a bigger hit in my vicinity than in yours because I remember it well. I can't get over Hugh Downs providing the goofy voice of the alien. I'm sure you remember Hugh hosting the TV game show Concentration and later co-hosting 20/20 with Baba Wawa.
I hope your family meet-up goes well and that you find your mother and sister in good health and in good spirits. Please drive safely. Our weather was awful yesterday - torrential rain from a tropical storm - but now things are settling down and getting back to normal - uncomfortably warm October weather. I'll bet your fall leaves are looking great up there in Ohio.
Thanks again for your cheery visit and comment, dear friend YaYa!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteAlthough, 1958 was before my time I know even from my childhood the entertainment industry seemed to crank out some great stuff. The songs I know from your mewsic set are 'Book of Love' and 'Short Shorts'. The later one I came to associate over the years with the Nair commercials from the early to mid 70s. What fun, simple times where women were proud of their femininity and loved to sport their figures in skimpy clothing! Thanks for sharing some tunes from your childhood, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks so much for dropping by, dear friend! I'm pleased you joined me as I went Cruisin' back to one of the best years of my boyhood. I'm glad you enjoyed these sights and sounds of 1958. I'm thrilled to learn that you know The Monotones' only hit "Book Of Love" and that you are also familiar with the saxy novelty number "Short Shorts" by The Royal Teens. Thanks for reminding everyone that "Short Shorts" was adopted as the television commercial jingle for the depilatory "Nair" in the 70s. I remember that campaign very well. The wolf whistle that leads off the Royal Teens single does indeed hark back to a simpler time when the relationship between men and women was more relaxed, light and fun, at least that's how it seemed. Today wolf whistles are frowned upon and the relationship between men and women is often tense, confrontational and even litigious.
Thanks again for taking a look and a listen, dear friend Cathy, and have a wonderful week ahead!
Tom,
DeleteWell...let me go on record in saying any guy who wants to give me a wolf whistle then I'd be flattered and shame on women today for being too offended to enjoy the attention. There's nothing wrong with a guy noticing a pretty gal. I tell you what's embarassing is how modern women oogle over men. That's just not lady-like and very degrading to a woman's imagine. Not that they would care but you know how I feel about such things. A woman should be above such behavior. Why act like a man UNLESS you are a man? :) Okay, I've ranted enough. *step off soap box* Thanks for listening to me. I know men such as you appreciate hearing these things from a woman and I'm all too happy to oblige. Have a good day, dear friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for hopping back over, dear friend! I hope Mrs. Shady doesn't read our conversation because, if she did, she'd probably give me a swift kick in the pants. Yessum, I do appreciate hearing from a woman of your mindset. It's refreshing. Are you sure you weren't sent here from another planet? :)
Have a tunetastic Tuesday, dear friend Cathy!
This was a lot of fun to listen to these golden oldies. I know almost all of them except that weird little blue man. I can't believe that is Hugh Downs whom I always remember from 20/20. I loved watching the dancing couple who knew how to jive. I always liked Bobby Darin who had quite the life, short as it was. The Monotones were fun to watch and the audience was even funnier with all their gum snatching. I had to laugh out loud at the one girl, near the beginning, who looks like she does not want to be there while her boyfriend is happy as a lark. The Short Shorts I remember the commercials way back when. Once again, late but always love reading and listening to what you have to offer
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for coming down, dear friend. I'm delighted to see you!
I am also thrilled that you remember and like so many of these Cruisin' sounds from 1958. As Sinatra sang, "It was a very good year." No one seems to remember "The Little Blue Man" novelty single. It was a biggie in my neck of the woods. Singer Betty Johnson turned age 90 this year. Young as I was at the time, I remember watching Jack Paar's Tonight Show in the late 50s and early 60s. Betty was a regular on the program, and therefore she probably sang her "Little Blue Man" song on several occasions between the time of the single's release at Christmas 1957 and it's peak on the chart in the early spring of '58. I'm glad you remember Hugh Downs from 20/20. Hugh will be age 99 a few months from now!
I'm pleased that you enjoyed the dancing couple on American Bandstand. Male fans had written to the show asking the girl's name and age, stating that she was their favorite dancer. Carol, who looked like a three-way cross between Connie Francis, Patsy Cline and Annette, was only 15 at the time but looked much older, I think. The feverish gum chewing took place on The Dick Clark Show aka the Saturday Night Beechnut Show. In this case, product placement was in the mouths of the audience members. Thank you for letting me know you remember the Nair spots with the women proudly wearing their short shorts.
Thanks again for joining the party, dear friend BB. I'll be seeing you "At the Movies" this Thursday. Until then, have a great week!