AHHHOOOOO!!!
Mercy mercy me! I'm so excited I can
hardly stand it, baby. This here's your
old pal Wolfman Jack sittin' in for my
good friend Shady Del Knight right
here at the greatest little station in
the nation, S-P-M-M... Shady's Place
Music & Memories. I'm your doctor
hardly stand it, baby. This here's your
old pal Wolfman Jack sittin' in for my
good friend Shady Del Knight right
here at the greatest little station in
the nation, S-P-M-M... Shady's Place
Music & Memories. I'm your doctor
of love, baby, and I got the cure
you're looking for... the best
oldies you ever heard plus
the best oldies you
never heard!
Darkness falls across the land.
The midnight hour is close at hand.
Cuddle your cutie while I strike up the band.
You're tuned to S-P-M-M and the Wolfman!
You're tuned to S-P-M-M and the Wolfman!
Now, you pay close
attention to these songs,
baby, or the Wolfman's
gonna GETCHA!
attention to these songs,
baby, or the Wolfman's
gonna GETCHA!
Oh my my - I've got a trick or treat that's
hard to beat. Every other song on today's show
is a cherry by the merry Mr. Chuck Berry!
And the super sound coming thru their car radios was Chuck Berry's
Awwwww land sakes, the Wolfman's takin' you back to old school
"Maybellene" - Chuck Berry
Oh "Maybellene," baby... why can't you be true?
We gonna rock & roll ourselves to death,
baby - hee-hee-heee!!!
COLD OPEN:
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
"Johnny B. Goode" - Chuck Berry
(May 1958, highest chart pos. #2 R&B/#8 Hot 100,
#11 Cash Box, scenes from Aug. 1973 film American Graffiti)
Yessiree, you listen to me, there's nothing like cruisin' the strip
with my friend Curt and the gang on American Graffiti.
1958 crossover hit "Johnny B. Goode," named one of the most
recognizable songs in pop music history and the first
rock & roll hit about rock & roll stardom.
Awwwww land sakes, the Wolfman's takin' you back to old school
and teachin' you a lesson. In late 50s Nashville, Connie Sue Landers
and two of her high school classmates formed a trio calling them-
selves The Teen-Notes. The girls landed a recording contract
and became Connie & The Cones. In 1960 they waxed their
best side, the pretty teen pop ballad-- "Lonely Girl's Prayer!"
"Lonely Girl's Prayer" - Connie And The Cones
(Jan. 1960, uncharted)
AHHHOOOOO!!! Good golly, miss Molly,
that songbird sure has a sweet tweet!
That was Connie Sue Landers, lead voice of Connie And The Cones,
singing "Lonely Girl's Prayer." Using the stage names Connie Dee
and Connie Landers, Connie released solo records. She signed
with the Nashville label Hit Records and became known as
"The 39 cent singer" releasing cover versions of hits by
other artists. "Hit Records" were sold in five & dimes
and supermarkets for 39 cents, less than half
the price of the originals.
The merry mister Berry is back in the spot-
light and on my turntable. Released in
the summer of 1955, this was Chuck's
first big hit and one of his greatest.
Inducted into the Grammy Hall of
Fame as one of the pioneering songs
that shaped rock & roll, Chuck's
record is ranked in the top 20 on
Rolling Stone's list of The 500
Greatest Songs of All Time.
Adapted in part from the
Western swing fiddle tune
"Ida Red," the song tells the
tale of a high speed hot rod
race and a busted romance
with a girl named--
"Maybellene."
"Maybellene" - Chuck Berry
(Aug./Sept./Oct. 1955, highest chart pos.
#1 R&B/#5 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
Oh "Maybellene," baby... why can't you be true?
That was Chuck Berry's pioneering rock & roll single,
a major crossover hit in the summer and fall of 1955.
You've got The Wolfman your radio, and this is S-P-M-M...
the #1 station for a rock & roll nation! Earlier in the show,
you heard from Conne Landers who found success
waxing soundalike cover versions of major hits.
Speaking of covers and sound-alikes, here is
a Los Angeles based girl group quartet best
remembered for their answer song to the
Gene Chandler smash "Duke Of Earl."
Here they are, The Pearlettes, with--
"Duchess Of Earl!"
Now you listen here to the Wolfman, because I'm gonna tell you
"Little Queenie" - Chuck Berry
remembered for their answer song to the
Gene Chandler smash "Duke Of Earl."
Here they are, The Pearlettes, with--
"Duchess Of Earl!"
"Duchess Of Earl" - The Pearlettes
(Mar. 1962, highest chart pos. #96 Hot 100)
Yes, gracious, those were The Pearlettes with their only charting record,
"Duchess Of Earl," an answer to Gene Chandler's #1 hit "Duke Of Earl"
released in March 1962 while Gene's record was red hot on the radio.
Now you listen here to the Wolfman, because I'm gonna tell you
about another Chuck Berry biggie. It's "Little Queenie," the song
released in the spring of 1959 as a double-A side along with the
top 3 charting R&B hit "Almost Grown." "Little Queenie" has
the same melody as "Run Rudolph Run," a song Chuck
released on the B side of "Merry Christmas Baby"
during the holidays in 1958. Here's Chuck in
the 1959 rock & roll movie Go, Johnny, Go!
performing a song that went on to become
a fan favorite recorded by many other
artists -- "Little Queenie!"
"Little Queenie" - Chuck Berry
(Apr./May 1959, highest chart pos. #80 Hot 100/double-A side
of "Almost Grown," scene from June 1959 film Go, Johnny, Go!)
From the summer of '59, that was Chuck Berry doing
"Nadine (Is It You?)" - Chuck Berry
(Mar./Apr. 1964, highest chart pos.
From the summer of '59, that was Chuck Berry doing
"Little Queenie" in the Alan Freed - Jimmy Clanton
rock & roll feature Go, Johnny, Go!
Now, baby, I want you to get
real close to the radio and touch
the whiskers on the old Wolfman's
chin while I introduce the next
record. Everybody talkin' 'bout
the Wolfman's pompatus of love,
and this Carolina gospel singer-
turned secular soul siren likes
to sing about that subject. It's
the fabulous Maxine Brown
with one of her biggest hits--
"Oh No, Not My Baby!"
"Oh No, Not My Baby" - Maxine Brown
(Dec. 1964, Jan. 1965, highest chart pos.
(Dec. 1964, Jan. 1965, highest chart pos.
#22 Cash Box/#24 Hot 100 & R&B)
From Christmas 1964 and the early weeks of '65, that was
Miss Maxine Brown making a determined run at the top 20
on the soul and the pop chart with "Oh, No, Not My Baby."
You're tuned to Wolfman Jack on S-P-M-M Retro Radio.
I'm your cool canine with fangs for the memories.
Let's wrap up today's show with one more rock McNugget by
the one and only Chuck Berry. Seems like Chuck's had his
share of girl problems over the years and here's another
example. In this 1964 ditty, Chuck chases his future
bride all over town shouting "Nadine (Is It You?)."
"Nadine (Is It You?)" - Chuck Berry
(Mar./Apr. 1964, highest chart pos.
#23 Hot 100 & R&B/#32 Cash Box)
Goodness gracious... sakes alive...
...we done rocked around the clock,
baby, and now it's time for the old
baby, and now it's time for the old
Wolfman to say goodbye.
Before I go I wanna give a special shout out
to all you rat packers up there on the hill
at the Shady Dell!
at the Shady Dell!
Now you listen to the Wolfman. Be kind
to your fine feathered friends. Obey
your ma and pa, love thy neighbor
and find out how good it feels
to help a stranger in need.
This is your good buddy Wolfman Jack
signing off and wishing you health, but
much more than wealth, I wish you love!
signing off and wishing you health, but
much more than wealth, I wish you love!
AHHHOOOOO!!!
"If Only The Whole World Could Hear Wolfman Jack"
Great to see The Wolfman here with you today, Shady! As often happens, there are some songs I know and some that are new to me.
ReplyDeleteI got a real kick out of The Duchess of Earl. Too bad it didn't do better in the charts.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, dear friend!
Yessum, the songs by The Pearlettes and Connie And The Cones are the two rarities in this edition of the Wolfman's show. Some answer songs are well received, but "Duchess Of Earl," despite its use of the melody from a major hit, was a poor seller. To me it seems strange that the platter, recorded by a black LA-based quartet, (the Galloway sisters and two friends), failed to register on the R&B chart. The B side is another soulful song entitled "Everyday" written by Sonny Bono - not the same song as Buddy Holly's "Everyday." The Pearlettes released two other singles and both flopped - didn't even reach the Bubbling Under chart.
Thanks again for your visit and comment, dear friend Kelly!
Hi Shady! So nice to see Wolfman with you today and pumpkin pumpin' out some great tunes! I haven't heard most of the songs in ages. In 1998 I was given my first CD player boom box and I bought an oldies CD. Many of these wonderful songs were on that CD. I played that CD to death, so it's fitting that you had these hits for your Halloween playlist.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelly, I get a kick out of the Duchess of Earl and it's a shame it didn't do better on the charts. Ah well.
I'm feeling much better and thanks for continuing to get me into the Halloween spirit. One more week! Have a great day!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteNice of you to drop by for a visit, dear friend!
In this edition of Wolfman Jack's series, you will find four of the best known Chuck Berry hits. I was lucky to find one video with scenes from American Graffiti which has the song in its soundtrack, and another clip lifted from the rock & roll musical Go, Johnny Go! I had a different video of the latter embedded in the post, but the Y/T gremlins struck at the 11th hour and removed it on the eve of publishing. I was lucky to find this colorized version to replace it.
Glad you agree that the R&B act The Pearlettes deserved better than a #96 chart finish. I'm thinking the record might have performed better if the group's label, VeeJay, had delayed the release of their answer song until after Gene Chandler's record was gone from the chart. A period of one or two months is usually all it takes for record buyers to respond favorably to a derivative follow-up song released by the original artist or an answer song released by a different artist, because such recordings remind them of a sound they loved and haven't heard for a while.
Glad you're feeling better and in the spirit for H-ween. Have a great week, dear friend JM!
I'm so glad you were able to find an even better video after the YouTube gremlins took down your other video. I've never see "Go, Johnny, Go," but I am familiar with "American Graffiti." One of my favourite movies.
DeleteAh, I guess that is a lesson all musicians have to learn at one point or another. Did they release other songs? I might have to YouTube the Pearlettes.
Have a great Spooky week ahead, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for coming back and following up, dear friend!
To answer your question, The girl group The Pearlettes released two uncharted singles on labels other than VeeJay before they got noticed with their third record, "Duchess of Earl." In December, 1961, they released "Can I Get Him" b/w "Never Be Another Boy Like You." In early 1962, the group released "Cheated" b/w "Can This Be Love," both sides produced by Sonny Bono of Sonny & Cher fame. Sonny also composed the B side of "Duchess Of Earl," a song entitled "Everyday" which is another great soulful sound that failed to make the chart for the girls (and for Sonny).
Thanks again for swinging back in, dear friend JM, and have a wonderful spook week!
Hi Shady,
DeleteThat's a shame that other songs of theirs failed to chart as well. I guess that shows you that the Chart can be fickle! I'll have to find those singles because now I'm curious.
Have a wonderful spook week as well, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
Delete"Shady's Law" states that chart position and number of copies sold have nothing to do with a record's greatness. Many low charting or uncharted records are excellent... lost gems that deserve to be heard. The DJs here at SPMM will continue to introduce those obscure recordings to you on their shows.
Thanks again for dropping by, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteYay! I so agree with that sentiment.
Have a great Thankful Thursday!
Hello Wolfman! So good to see you here, and all of your pictures! That is a great poster of the Cadillac and Ford.
ReplyDeleteChuck Berry certainly is an artist to be reckoned with! He looks so young in the "Little Queenie" video! A very cool song, he is so good! Chuck's band is pretty great also, with the piano player and sharp musicians! "Maybelline" we all know, is one of Chuck's best, so precise and fast. Chuck doesn't miss a beat on this one, or on "Nadine". He truly played a major part in establishing the groundwork for future Rock and Roll and Blues!
I like the way "Johnny B. Goode is used in "American Graffiti", how the Wolfman played a major part in this great film! What fun is is to see the classic cars at a drag race in the street, and on the strip. This is when I first remember seeing Harrison Ford, who eventually was voted "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1998, just before Patrick Swayze in 1999. I have enjoyed seeing Harrison Ford in all the films he starred in, and, for me it started with "American Graffiti".
"Lonely Girls Prayer" is a pretty song by Connie and The Cones. I don't recall the group or the song. How about "Duchess of Earl"! I have heard this song before, and just love it! I liked "Duke of Earl", it was so popular, and the guys in my town would strut around to this one, haha! I give The Pearletts a big 'thumbs up' on their comeback "Duchess of Earl".
Maxine Brown is not a familiar name to me, or the song, "Oh No, Not My Baby". I like this song, and her pictures show her to be a beautiful lady.
So, Wolfman, and Shady, great job! I must say, Wolfman Jack was one of the most photographed stars of our time. I love seeing his photos and posters. I always enjoy hearing his voice, and listening to him as a DJ. The closing video, "Yakety Jak" is a good one. Thank you for this post with all of the great memories featuring Wolman Jack, Chuck Berry, the American Graffiti music, cars and handsome folks.
Take care, dear friend, Shady!
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteI'm very happy to see you, dear friend, and to know that your tech issues have been rectified. Thanks for coming to Wolfman Jack's Halloween platter party! The Wolfman has been hosting a H-ween show at Shady's Place for several years now, and a tradition has been established.
I'm delighted that you like the rowdy rock & rollin' and wicked guitar pickin' of Chuck Berry. Some of his best recordings are found in this edition. Yessum, as I told Jessica Marie, I was thrilled to find that video containing scenes from American Graffiti. The sound isn't quite up to my usual HQ standard for the blog, but the video makes up for it. Yessum, Graffiti marked the first time I saw Harrison Ford, too. He was great as trash talkin', drag racin' bad boy Bob Falfa.
"Lonely Girl's Prayer" is my personal Pick To Click in this volume. If you listen all the way through, the song alternates between innocent teen pop and slow rock & roll with rather suggestive lyrics for January 1960. It's a wonderful find. I'm pleased that you also give thumbs up to the unknown and underappreciated Pearlettes, a black quartet that shoulda been, woulda been and coulda been as successful as Martha And The Vandellas had they been able to catch a break or two. Maxine Brown, now age 82, is a well known R&B songstress. "Oh No, Not My Baby" is her second biggest pop hit behind "All In My Mind."
Thanks again for coming right over on day one and for your usual excellent comments, dear friend Suzanne. I wish you and Scootie a fine week ahead, and please join me if you can for my last H-ween related post of the year coming up next Friday. God bless!
Oh boy, Wolfman and Shady...what a treat on this Sunday! I loved American Graffiti! I mean, who the heck didn't? What a cast of stars and almost stars. The music was so good. The scene you showed here reminded me of my own youth cruising around town on a Friday night..hanging out at the "Dog and Suds" and just seeing who was dating who! However, our cars were nowhere near as cool as those in the movie! Some of the songs I knew and of course Chuck Berry is a classic, but there are a few here today that were new to me. But that's the fun of hanging out with the cool kids like you...you learn something new each time! Have a fun last week of October and get the treats ready for next Sunday! Take care Shady!
ReplyDeleteHi, Yaya!
DeleteThank you very much for reporting for duty early on day one, dear friend! I'm glad you like the Wolfman and his memorable role in American Graffiti. As always, you surprise me a bit by telling me stories about your youth, because I have trouble envisioning doing things like wearing go-go boots and miniskirts, cruising the strip and wishing to be a California girl. All of the above would more than qualify you to be a Shady Dell Dellette. :) I never heard of Dog and Suds restaurants. We didn't have them in PA, nor do we have them in my part of Florida. Our equivalent might have been the Gino's 15 Cent Hamburger chain. It was a "thing" for guys and girls to pull their cars into the horseshoe shaped parking lot, drive thru it very slowly and exit back out onto the main drag, basically just to show off their souped-up vehicles and check out who else was there.
I'm always happy to introduce you to new artists and songs that give me joy in hopes that you will find new favorites. Connie And The Cones and The Pearlettes are two such artists. Both groups deserved a greater measure of success.
Thanks again for joining the fun on your Sunday, dear friend YaYa. I hope your Jack checked out my Jack and that yours is feeling much better lately. Have a wonderful week ahead!
I loved Wolfman jack! He was so much fun to listen to. I remember listening to him in my grandma's car at first. My mom loved him too. American Graffiti was such a good movie.
ReplyDeleteCan't say I've ever hear of Connie and the Cones before.
I think everyone knows Chuck Berry or at least they should. He had some great songs.
I haven't heard of the Pearlettes or Maxine brown either but those are great songs.
Hi, Mary!
DeleteThanks for dropping in on day one of the run, dear friend!
Yessum, I remember you telling me last year how much you liked Wolfman Jack. He'll be back, and that's a fact, Jack. I plan on running a Wolfman post every Halloween from now on. In fact, I want you to be the first to know that Jack will soon be elevated to the status of full time staff DJ on S-P-M-M Radio, which means he will be voicing over the intros of records instead of simply tossing to them. His new radio show, coming soon, will be called Wolfman Jack's American Hot Wax. Stay tuned! Thanks for sharing memories of your youth when you were first exposed to the great Wolfman. I hope you listened to that poem at the very end of the post. It was written by one of the Wolfman's fans and recited live on the air. It is very touching.
Glad you are like the wild and woolly R&B style of the merry Mr. Chuck Berry. I am also thrilled that you enjoyed the songs by The Pearlettes and Maxine Brown.
Thanks again for hustling over for a visit, dear friend Mary. I wish you and my buddy Falcor a safe and happy week ahead!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTHAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!
DeleteTHAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT!
It's often forgotten that rock stars are usually at least ten years older than the teenagers in the audience. What that means, among other things, is that the original 1950s rock'n'roll stars didn't in fact grow up with rock'n'roll, at least not any music that would be labeled as such. I remember seeing Chuck Berry on a local talk show in the late 1980s, and he was asked who he listened to growing up. He at first couldn't remember the artist's name, saying "Bob Hope's golfing partner", and then "Oh, yeah, Bing Crosby! Sounds like Beethoven now, don't it?!" and laughed. I honestly don't detect the Groaner's influence in any of Berry's songs, but I've also read that Berry listened to country music (and of course the blues), and THAT I do hear. Love the thing he does with his knees in that movie clip. Elvis was of course in the army by then, but he obviously saw Berry or someone very much like Berry at an earlier date.
ReplyDelete"Lonely Girl's Prayer" is one of these songs like "Leader of the Pack" that exaggerates teenage romance so much that it's arguably tongue-in-cheek, though it helps to be out of one's teenage years to notice that tongue in that cheek. Kind of like the 1960s Batman TV show with Adam West. If you were a kid, you took it seriously, if you were a little older you didn't.
Finally, Suzanne Sommers recently turned 75. Do the math and that makes her about 27 in 1973 when American Graffiti came out and about 16 in 1962 when American Graffiti takes place. Compare that to 67-year-old Ron Howard, who was about 19 when AG came out and 8 when AG takes place. Yet we're supposed to buy their characters in Graffiti as being roughly the same age, and I in fact did when I first saw the movie. Just shows you how wide the net when casting teenage roles.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteI'm delighted that you could stop in early, good buddy!
Thanks for sharing that interesting tidbit about Chuck Berry revealing that one of his early influences was Bing Crosby. Maybe "influences" is the wrong word. Chuck remembers listening to The Binger, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he liked, loved or borrowed from his style. It is also fascinating that Berry listened to country music but, then again, some of his R&B songs revolve around rural life and characters, with "Johnny B. Goode" being one good example. Yes, it's funny that the censors were so worried about showing Elvis Presley from the waist down, when Chuck Berry routinely swiveled all over the place during his performances.
I can't make up my mind if "Lonely Girl's Prayer" was a put-on song or meant to be taken seriously as an angst-ridden girl pop ballad. Either way, it's a fun listen and a great recording with surprisingly suggestive lyrics, I think, for a record recorded during the Eisenhower years (late 1959) and released at the very start of 1960.
Yes, good buddy. When I saw "The Blonde" in the T-Bird in American Graffiti, it made me wonder how old Suzanne Somers is by now. Thanks for letting me know. Speaking of Ron Howard, I could hardly believe that "Thelma Lou" (Betty Lynn), Barney's girlfriend on Andy of Mayberry, was 95 when she left us recently. That got me wondering about Elinor Donahue, who played "Ellie," Andy's girlfriend in early seasons of the series. Elinor is now 84! Imagine, Betty Anderson on Father Knows Best is 84!!! Yvonne Lime, who played Betty's friend Dotty Snow (and who is now my SPMM deejay Joyce Martin), is 86!
Thanks again for dropping in early and for sharing your spot-on thoughts and observations, good buddy Kirk. Have a great week!
Good morning, Tom!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my place over the weekend. I knew all the Chuck Berry songs but I wasn't at all familiar with the ladies in this set. Wolfman Jack was introduced to me by DH when we were teens. Living in the valley between some hills in WV made it difficult for me to get radio stations far away but DH who lived on top of the mountain had great reception and was able to pick up lots more! Whenever, I happened to be in the car with my parents then whatever station they wanted on is what played and I'm fairly confident Wolfman Jack was never a DJ they'd be interested in. lol Daddy likes bluegrass and mommy likes country music. Wolfman would've been too wild for them. lol Thanks for the introductions and fine musical content as always, my friend. You rock!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThank you very much for stopping by in the middle of your hiatus preparations, dear friend! Wolfman welcomes you and Shady welcomes you to the latest in my long string of Halloween theme platter parties for 2021.
I'm pleasantly surprised that you know all four of the Chuck Berry numbers on Jack's play list. Maxine Brown was a fairly big crossover artist, but the two featured girl groups in the show are obscure no-hit-wonders and their songs, although certifiably cool, seldom heard.
Thanks for sharing that it was DH, your sweetie on the mountain top, who introduced you to radio personality Wolfman Jack. I also appreciate the rest of your story about how your folks favored other styles of mewsic and understandably avoided Wolfman's shows.
Wolfman will soon take his place as an official member of the Shady Bunch DJ staff and will host an annual Halloween radio show called Wolfman Jack's "American Hot Wax" (inspired by the movie of the same name).
Thanks again for tuning in the Wolfman's show, dear friend Cathy. Have a safe and happy week ahead!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteThe popularity of Chuck Berry's hits has been timeless. That's why I knew the songs you used. I don't think I ever listened to Wolfman Jack as a teen even while dating DH but I vaguely recall hearing him on the radio in our early years of marriage as we made frequent trips back home keeping us out late on Sunday evenings traveling to Knoxville. He certainly had a distinct radio voice. I'm sorry about the confusion in my posts. I decided at the last moment to put together one for today and then failed to mention it in my 4M close. Thanks for dropping by, dear friend. Have a wonderfully Wild Wednesday!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for coming back to chat, dear friend! I'm always pleased to see you.
You keep mentioning Wolfman Jack on the radio, but I'm curious as a Cathy - didn't you watch him on TV as host of The Midnight Special? He was a semi-regular host for the NBC show from 1973 to 1981. If I recall, those are your teenage years, and you should remember him being a familiar face on TV during those eight years.
Thanks again for dropping in, Cathy. Program note: My final H-ween post of the year is coming up this Friday. If you're still around the blogosphere, I hope you'll check it out.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend!
Darn it, Shady. I had a lot to do this morning, but nooooo! I rocked to Johnny Be Good instead. Who needs a gym when you've got Chuck Berry to dance to?
ReplyDeleteWe need to bring back Mel's and the girls on roller skates, don't you think?
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
DeleteI'm pleased to see you, dear friend! I love being a bad influence on nice people like you - keeping you from important duties and tasks while you hang out and boogie with me in my clubhouse. :)
I was just thinking the other day that we need to bring back some of the curbside services we loved in our youth. That includes roller skating car hops and full service gas stations. I have a plan to combine the two. Imagine pulling into a service station and having a girl on skates bring your food order out to your car. She then proceeds to fill your tank, wash your windshield and check your oil while you eat. Don't ask me how I would make such a venture profitable. I simply like the idea and wish somebody could make it happen. :)
Thanks again for joining the fun with Wolfman Jack, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
Hey there Shady! American Graffiti is one of my all time favorites and I just introduced our oldest daughter to it. I was not familiar with the song by Connie and the Cones and I remember "Duke of Earl" but not the Duchess. Sorry it took so long to say hello, we were in Oregon visiting mom-in-law for a few days. Traveling is fun but it sure is nice to be home. Have a great rest of your week my friend.
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Hi, Janet!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place! I've been missing you something awful. Seems you haven't come through my clubhouse door in a few weeks, not just a few days.
I'm happy to learn that American Graffiti is one of your favorite films. Mine, too. Well, what did your daughter think of it? I've been noticing hundreds of YouTube channels springing up that are devoted to "first time reactions." Many of them are Generation Z-ers who sit on camera and listen to music by The Beatles and other iconic 20th century music acts for the first time - artists that have been a huge part of our lives since you and I were young. I can't imagine what it is like for those youngsters, in the year 2021, to listen to Abbey Road and other monumental 20th century works for the first time. I hesitate to even watch their reaction segments because, without any context, without having actually lived through the 60s, those younger folks might not "get it." They might turn thumbs down on something you and I hold dear. It's the same way with movies like American Graffiti that hark back even farther in time to the pre-Beatles years. To today's youth, the scenes and lifestyle depicted in that movie must look and sound like life on another planet.
Luckily, I think there are quite a few young people today who take a genuine interest in the music and culture of the 20th century and are trying to revive and keep alive the best of it, like the musicians and singers I introduced earlier this month in my two-part series called WOW. That style of music, classic rock and metal, along with the TV shows and movies represented in the series, are also an important part of who I am, something I look forward to sharing with friends like you. It means a lot to me when a friend that I know might not be keen on the type of content I present in a given post, nevertheless demonstrates their loyalty and support by stopping in to say hello and finding something positive to say. That's my M.O. when I visit your blog and the blogs of other friends. Sometimes my interest in the content they present is low, and yet I show up for them, read every word of what they went to the trouble of writing, watch every video and find a way to express something positive.
I hope Benny got to go along to Oregon with you and that you found your hubby's mother in good health and in good spirits. I'm glad you returned home safely. I wish you and your family a safe and happy Halloween, dear friend Janet!
She liked it but as you say, I'm not sure she was as excited about it as I was, even watching it again. The music too, although I love to point out to the kids when one of "their" artists use a portion of one of "my" songs in their music. I do have to admit that the kids share a love of some of the "oldies" with me so that when we are going places together, we can find some common ground to listen to. Yes, I admit that I have been absent from the blogosphere for more than just a weekend. Hopefully I can get back to a more regular appearance!
DeleteThanks, Janet!
DeleteI have found the same reaction among younger people. They tend to be "underwhelmed" by things that, to us, based upon our experiences, are the greatest. Seems every generation has their own heroes and idols that they insist are the best ever. I for one am guilty of having dismissed the big band sounds of the Swing Years, the music that my parents listened and danced to as teenagers and still loved as adults. I simply didn't get what all the fuss was about. It is a curious phenomenon how one person's ears can "hear" or experience a certain kind of music quite differently from another, just as two people looking at the same piece of art might have different reactions, sometimes drastically different.
Thank you very much for renewing our "friendship vows," Janet :) I just noticed that you've got a new post running and I'll be joining you shortly.
Hey, buddy! This was one of the best posts of yours I ever intruded into. That Maxine Brown song was gorgeous, still playing in my head! And I liked that story about the "39 cent singer" as well as her song! You do an excellent WJ. I wanted to let you know I stopped by so I could tag your blog on that Halloween Bash that ends my Time Machine after a 4,000 + day run! I wanted there- and here- to credit you for showing me what a music post COULD be. I hope you stop by tomorrow when you can- I have at least one thing you're really gonna love! Hopefully, now I'll have the time to "intrude" a little more often.
ReplyDeleteHi, Chris!
DeleteThanks for dropping in and bringing such kind words with you, good buddy! I haven't forgotten about the invitation you extended weeks ago for me to join you at your place on Halloween. I've had a note on my desk ever since, and figured tamale would be the day to swing over and check out your T.A.W. Time Machine finale.
Chris, thanks for "getting me," good buddy. That means a lot. I'm humble but proud to know that my blogging style has inspired you. To me, it's lots of fun to write lines for various characters and let them do the hosting. In the next two years, my roster of SPMM Radio personalities (like those pictured in the right sidebar) will be expanding rapidly. I consider every one of them my family.
I'm pleased that you enjoyed Wolfman Jack's latest show, the Maxine Brown song on his play list and the introduction to Connie Sue Landers aka Connie Dee, a young singer who forged a career making sound-alike recordings. It wouldn't surprise me if Connie's "Hit Records" copycat platters are now worth a pretty penny to collectors.
Yes indeed, Chris, I will come to your site tomorrow for the final episode of your Time Machine in hopes of seeing a picture of Beauty Contest winner Granny Clampett in a bikini. Eat your heart out, Liz Hurley! :)
Chris, thank you for your continued interest and friendship over the years. I think it's terrific that we have maintained such a high degree of mutual respect and admiration through it all. I hope you, Laurie and Misty are well and in good spirits and that you have a happy Halloween. See you tomorrow, good buddy!