EAT MY DUST!
Look out world! Opie Taylor's breaking badass in Eat My Dust...
winner of 50 Academy Awards including Best Picture and
Best Performance in a Supporting Role, an accolade
given to the suspension springs on Ron's muscle car.
SURPRISE!!!
You'll be surprised shocked upset happy to know that this post has
nothing to do with Opie's 1976 action film produced by Roger Corman,
King of Low Budget Filmmakers. The bold headline and poster are merely
"click bait" - a gimmick I used to attract attention and lure hundreds,
perhaps thousands of new readers to Shady's Place. As you will
see at the end of the post, comments are already pouring in
from the four corners of the world. Hooray!
My clever ploy actually worked!
Although this post isn't about Ron Howard or that el cheapo
bicentennial cult classic car chase flick, it is loosely related.
That's because it's time to go...
SCROLL DOWN
Cruisin' through the year 1963
with "Your Leader" - BMR!
That's right. It's time to hop
in the old jalop and go
C R U I S I N '
through the history of Top 40 Radio.
Today we're visiting The Big Apple, New York City.
The year is 1963 and the voice on the radio
belongs to the DJ known as "BMR" -
B. MITCHELL REED
one of the
Good Guys
on station
WMCA.
PIGGYBACK COLD OPEN:
CLICK TO PLAY FIRST VIDEO.
AT 21 SEC MARK, CLICK TO
START SECOND VIDEO!
"Easier Said Than Done" - The Essex
(June/July 1963, highest chart pos.
#1 Hot 100/#1 Cash Box/#1 R&B)
THE ESSEX
I just had to do that - test out the Piggyback Cold Open on that first song.
If you timed it just right, BMR's intro to that Essex song syncs up with the
full length song video that followed. WOW! If you aren't familiar with that
soulful group, The Essex consisted of four guys and a girl (Anita Humes).
Strange as it seems, their signature song, "Easier Said Than Done," is
categorized as a Girl Group sound. Solo female artist Diane Renay
also falls into the Girl Group category, as does Lesley Gore. The
confusion doesn't end there. In the wacky world of pop music
classification, certain recordings by all male groups or solo
male artists are also designated by some music historians
as Girl Group sounds! "Easier Said Than Done" was a
smash hit for The Essex. The record spent two weeks
at the top of the pop charts in the summer of that
great Cruisin' year 1963.
THE JAYNETTES
Another cool sound on the Cruisin' 1963 album belongs to The Jaynettes,
an all-girl vocal quartet from The Bronx. These one hit wonders charted
their biggie a couple months after "Easier Said Than Done." Inspired by
the nursery rhyme "Ring around the Rosie," the song "Sally, Go Round
The Roses" spent two weeks at #2 on the Hot 100, held back from
the top position by Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet." Here now are
the top position by Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet." Here now are
The Jaynettes with "Sally, Go Round The Roses!"
"Sally, Go Round The Roses" - The Jaynettes
(Sept./Oct. 1963, highest chart pos. #2 Hot 100/#3 Cash Box,
#4 R&B, dancers on Sept. 28, 1963, ep. of American Bandstand)
JAN BRADLEY
Born in Mississippi and raised near Chicago, R&B thrush Jan Bradley
is another one hit wonder, but her waxing of a Curtis Mayfield song
became a northern soul classic and my favorite song on the Cruisin'
1963 album. Released on Chicago's legendary Chess label at the
start of that year, "Mama Didn't Lie" became a top 10 hit on
the black chart and finished at #14 on the pop charts.
Here's Jan Bradley with Chitown soul at its best!
"Mama Didn't Lie" - Jan Bradley
(Feb./Mar. 1963, highest chart pos.
#8 R&B/#14 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
THE ROOFTOP SINGERS
Baltimorean folk singer/songwriter Erik Darling was a key figure
in the American folk music scene of the late 50s and early 60s.
in the American folk music scene of the late 50s and early 60s.
Along with with a friend, Bill Svanoe, and jazz singer Lynne Taylor,
Darling formed a folk trio called The Rooftop Singers. In their
trademark progressive folk style, the group recorded the 1929
country blues song "Walk Right In." To everyone's surprise,
the single shot to #1 on the chart. Return with me now
to the simple, uncluttered, unplugged, pre-Beatles
Hootenanny era, the pop-folk boom of the mid
20th century. Walk right in, sit right down,
Darling formed a folk trio called The Rooftop Singers. In their
trademark progressive folk style, the group recorded the 1929
country blues song "Walk Right In." To everyone's surprise,
the single shot to #1 on the chart. Return with me now
to the simple, uncluttered, unplugged, pre-Beatles
Hootenanny era, the pop-folk boom of the mid
20th century. Walk right in, sit right down,
Daddy, let your mind roll on!
"Walk Right In" - The Rooftop Singers
(Jan./Feb. 1963, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100 & Cash Box)
"A TALE OF TWO DITTIES"
(MAKE THAT FOUR)
(MAKE THAT FOUR)
The last song on B. Mitchell Reed's 1963 Cruisin' show is "Louie Louie,"
and there are four versions of the song that are important to know.
RICHARD BERRY
AND THE PHARAOHS
AND THE PHARAOHS
The Kingsmen are best known for their version of "Louie Louie," the infamous
late 1963 record that prompted an FBI investigation into allegedly obscene lyrics.
The Kingsmen's recording is a rockin' cover of an innocent Jamaican love ballad
written and first recorded in 1957 by R&B doo-wop singer Richard Berry
along with his backing group The Pharaohs.
late 1963 record that prompted an FBI investigation into allegedly obscene lyrics.
The Kingsmen's recording is a rockin' cover of an innocent Jamaican love ballad
written and first recorded in 1957 by R&B doo-wop singer Richard Berry
along with his backing group The Pharaohs.
"Louie Louie" - Richard Berry And The Pharaohs
(Mar. 1957, B side of "You Are My Sunshine")
ROCKIN ROBIN ROBERTS
The first cover of Richard Berry's "Louie Louie" was released in March 1961
by Tacoma Washington's Rockin Robin Roberts backed by the noteworthy
Pacific Northwest instrumental band The Wailers.
by Tacoma Washington's Rockin Robin Roberts backed by the noteworthy
Pacific Northwest instrumental band The Wailers.
"Louie Louie" - Rockin Robin Boberts
(Mar. 1961, uncharted)
PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS
Paul Revere And The Raiders recorded a version of "Louie, Louie" the same week
and at the same studio in Portland, Oregon, where The Kingsmen waxed their
history making record. For a short time after their release, the two singles
were running neck and neck, but events conspired to make one version
an iconic hit of the 20th century and the other a flop. Columbia A&R
man Mitch Miller, famous for his TV show Sing Along With Mitch,
hated rock 'n' roll and "pulled the plug" on the Raiders' single,
leaving it stranded on the Bubbling Under chart. Here are
The Raiders performing the song nearly three years
later on Dick Clark's Where The Action Is.
"Louie, Louie" - Paul Revere And The Raiders
(Nov. 1963, highest chart pos. #103 Bubbling Under/#118 Cash Box,
perf. on Sept. 16, 1966, ep. of Where The Action Is)
THE KINGSMEN
The Kingsmen, like The Raiders, were a rowdy Pacific Northwest garage band,
and as such gave "Louie Louie" the full frat party treatment. Lead zinger
Jack Ely mumbled and slurred the words and his vocal track is buried
beneath dense layers of crashing cymbals, drums, guitars and organ,
rendering most of the lyrics unintelligible and fueling speculation
that they were dirty. They weren't. The actual words to
"Louie Louie" are as safe as mama’s milk. (Shucks!)
The FBI probe went nowhere and "Louie Louie"
went on to become a rock standard, but it
didn't happen overnight.
The single waxed by The Kingsmen was going nowhere fast until
Boston deejay Arnie Ginsburg (now a member of The Shady Bunch
on SPMM Retrosonic Radio), started promoting the platter on his
Night Train Show as "The Worst Record of the Week." Arnie's
listeners went wild for the Kingsmen platter and it soon broke
nationally. "Louie Louie" spent two weeks at #1 on Cash Box
and six weeks at #2 on the Hot 100, denied the #1 spot
by The Singing Nun's "Dominique" and Bobby Vinton's
latest hit "There! I've Said it Again." Determined to
stamp out bland ballads in your lifetime, here are
The Kingsmen appearing in a Dallas, Texas,
and six weeks at #2 on the Hot 100, denied the #1 spot
by The Singing Nun's "Dominique" and Bobby Vinton's
latest hit "There! I've Said it Again." Determined to
stamp out bland ballads in your lifetime, here are
The Kingsmen appearing in a Dallas, Texas,
TV studio on the local Bandstand style
show Sump'n Else, performing one
of the greatest and best known
rock 'n' roll records ever
made-- "Louie Louie!"
"Louie Louie" - The Kingsmen
(Dec. 1963/Jan. 1964, highest chart position
#1 Cash Box/#2 Hot 100, perf. on TV show Sump’n Else
on WFAA-TV, Channel 8 (ABC), Dallas/Ft.Worth)
Don't miss the next thrill packed
episode of Cruisin' coming soon!
Have a Shady day!
i Noticed Beth harmon on your blog and I love this actress. So great in that Chess movie. I'll listen to jazz music from time to time, I love how different works have done renditions of jazz melodies. @theglobaldig.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHi, Trin!
DeleteCongratulations on being the Early Bird this week, my new friend! I'm happy to see you again and thank you for coming by!
Thanks too for noticing actress Anya Taylor-Joy (as Beth Harmon) in my sidebar. Mrs. Shady and I loved her miniseries The Queen's Gambit, and lately I've been seeing lots of trailers for her 2022 black comedy thriller movie The Menu which got a 90% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Thanks for letting me know you are fond of jazz. I wonder if you might enjoy listening to the "gypsy jazz" styling of the Avalon Jazz Band featuring Tatiana Eva-Marie. I paid tribute to the act last year in this post:
https://tctgyb.blogspot.com/2021/04/honoring-margaret-on-her-109th-birthday.html
Thanks again for stopping by, Trin, and have a wonderful week!
"Easier Said Than Done" I've heard. What a happy coincidence, while building a playlist for future 4M, I saw "Sally, Go Around the Roses". The song title and artist didn't ring any bells so I didn't take time to listen to it. After playing it here, I definitely can say this is a new-to-me oldie. I was only 2 years old the year it released but seeing how well it did on the charts I figured it surely made its way to my ears before now. I figured the "Louie Louie" covers it was Paul Revere & the Raiders' version I knew but I think in fact it was The Kingsmen rendition that my uncle introduced to me sometime in the mid to late 60s. Great music! Thanks for sharing with these oldies today, my friend. I'll see you tomorrow on the 4M dance floor. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Cathy!
DeleteI'm delighted to see you on a Sunday, dear friend! Thanks for coming over to go Cruisin' through the year 1963 with BMR - top 40 deejay B. Mitchell Reed.
Yessum, you were a tiny tot in '63, and I didn't expect you to know many of these songs. I'm excited that you have discovered the soulful "Sally" song based on a nursery rhyme.
I suspect that the version of "Louie Louie" your uncle introduced you to when you were little was the one by The Kingsmen. I say that because it is by far the best known and most successful version. Truth be told, it is the only version I remember from my own youth. The cover by Paul Revere And The Raiders started out on an even footing with The Kingsmen record, breaking up and down the West Coast. But the Raiders' record soon flopped, reportedly because of a decision made by Columbia Records exec Mitch (The Singalong King) Miller. In an interview published on sundazed.com in 2011, Mark Lindsay explained: "Mitch Miller told his promo guys to stop pushing the Raiders record, because he hated rock ’n’ roll. I think he thought, in his heart of hearts, that if they had a couple of failures in the rock ’n’ roll department, that maybe they wouldn’t have to have any more rock ’n’ roll at Columbia, and they could go back to Doris Day and Andre Kostelanetz… and Mitch Miller."
I'm so glad you enjoyed the 1963 tuneage, dear friend Cathy. Thanks again for coming to the platter party. Have a wonderful week and I'll see you tamale on the 4M dance floor at CAAC!
Tom,
DeleteRock n' roll while not welcomed by many of that day proved them all wrong that it was here to stay. People really don't like change. We get rooted one way and unless you have an open mind to trying something new then you'll always be that way. I am glad to have various types of music genres to delight my senses. Every one has a purpose and place in a person's life. We don't always have to like one to enjoy it on occasion. This really was a fun set. Thanks for hitting the 4M dance floor this morning. Before things get a bit wonky for me, let me send to you and the wife warm wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving Day. I know she'll have some good smells coming from your kitchen soon. Here's hoping your heart and home is filled with the presence of those you love dearly, my good friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for the return visit, dear friend! My mother was a lot like Mitch Miller. She hated rock & roll. She bought and listened to Mitch's albums, and our family gathered around the TV every week and watched Sing Along with Mitch. Mom was constantly reminding me that what I was hearing on Mitch's albums and TV show was "good music," not the "junk" I normally listened to. I remember Mitch's "Yellow Rose Of Texas" hit playing over the loudspeaker whenever we visited the dirt track near us to watch the stock car races.
Like you, I regard my eclectic taste as a blessing. Why would an artist limit his or her paint choices to only one color? Why would a pianist be content to play "Chopsticks" each and every time, neglecting all the other keys? More choices mean more opportunities for fun, excitement and learning.
I went back to your blog this morning and replayed my two favorite songs from this morning's listening session: "You'll Be Mine" and "It Will Not Be Forgotten." I swooned! It occurred to me that the writing style of "Forgotten" is similar to that of another favorite artist, singer/songwriter Sam Phillips (Leslie Ann Phillips). I honestly can't decide which of the two above mentioned Pierces songs I like best. I absolutely love both songs and videos!
Thank you again for dropping in, dear friend Cathy I wish you, DH, your newlywed son and his wife, your two DDs and sweet LA many blessings and a happy Thanksgiving!
Tom,
DeleteMy parents weren't nuts about some of my music but I don't remember them calling it junk. That was the norm of most parents then and probably now. When our kids were growing up the music wasn't the same as what we listened to but it wasn't junk. I did notice a big change in the sounds as they got in their later teens which I wasn't so crazy about. They liked sharing their new discoveries with me and that was far more important than the style/genre.
I'm so happy you like The Pierces. I played their album a few times this week while busy in the kitchen. I noticed more the Mamas & the Papas influence in their music. They truly are a breath of fresh air.
Thanks for journeying this morning with me in my next part of reflections from our Maine vacation photo series. You truly are a wonderful friend. I am so blessed that we met on the cyberblock many years ago. Enjoy the marvelous bounty and company in your home tomorrow, dear friend. May God bless you always!
Thank you, dear Cathy!
DeleteMy mother lumped together all of the music I liked with a label she came up with: "jingle-jangle." Apparently her ears and sensibilities couldn't distinguish between one artist and another or one genre and another. It was all simply "jingle-jangle" to her. :) It was huge that your teenage children wanted to share their music with you and you payed attention.
Yessum, The Pierces are a tremendous discovery. In their glorious harmonies I can hear Mamas & Papas, Wilson Phillips and others.
I hold our friendship in equally high regard, Cathy. It is one of the great blessings of my life. The list of things you and I both like is very long and continues to grow. I like you, admire you, have fun with you and love you as a friend.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your wonderful family, Cathy, including sweet LA!
Despite being on the top of the charts in their day, I'm hearing the first three songs for the first time. Yes, I was a toddler when they came out, but I know so many other songs from that era. I guess the people who put the Oldies records, or the Oldies PBS fundraisers, together must be doing some cherry-picking. Anyway, my favorite of these is "Easier Said Than Done" by The Essex. I like that lead singer's voice, or at least the way she uses that voice.
ReplyDelete"Walk Right In" I've heard many, many times, but I didn't realize it was a folk song, or that it came out as late as 1963. I assumed it was one of those easy-going pop songs from about ten years earlier that dominated the charts before rock and roll came along. Not that it matters. I like it whenever it came out.
The Wailers. You mean Bob Marley's Wailers? It would make sense for a song that originated in Jamaica. And though I never thought about it before, all four versions do have a reggae feel to them. Frankly, I think the Paul Revere and the Raider's version is even more unintelligible than the Kingsmen! Maybe the band having a patriotic name is what kept J. Edgar Hoover off their backs.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteGolly, are you still awake from last night, good buddy? :) I'm delighted that you could make it over before your busy work week begins. Thanks a lot for coming!
Yes, the first three songs in this set were major hits, but all three were recorded by black artists. I think a lot of oldies but goodies compilations favor white artists and neglect the contributions of black artists.
I'm tickled that you singled out the show opener "Easier Said Than Done" as your Pick To Click. Did you get the "Piggyback Show Open" to work? When I published the post first thing this morning, I immediately tried it out and - BINGO - it synced-up perfectly! It's great fun to play DJ.
How about the pristine picture quality and HQ sound on that Rooftop Singers video? The crisp notes fly off those guitars like sparks from a roaring blaze. I was thrilled to find that beautifully restored performance clip.
If you do a Google search using the words "The Wailers," the first 50,000 results are for the reggae band spun-off of the reggae-ska group Bob Marley and the Wailers. These Wailers are not those Wailers. These Wailers are from Tacoma, Washington, and are one of the principle rock 'n' roll garage bands of the Pacific Northwest, a region that also yielded The Kingsmen, Paul Revere & The Raiders, The Ventures and The Sonics. All of the above honed their chops as instrumental bands. The song "Louie Louie" was originally written and recorded by Richard Berry as a Jamaican love ballad, and the garage rock groups that covered it sought to capture the island feel on their recordings. When I was a teenager, my buddies and I were dead certain that Jack Ely of The Kingsmen was singing dirty lyrics. Now that I know the correct lyrics and have watched Ely's lip sync performance on Sump'n Else, I can see that he is indeed mouthing the correct (benign) words, not filthy ones. This shocking revelation stands as one of the greatest disappointments of my life. :) You're right. The version by The Raiders is even more slurred and unintelligible. Good old Mitch ("Yellow Rose of Texas") Miller pulled the plug on their version. (See Mark Lindsay's anecdote in my reply to friend Cathy above.)
Thanks again for your kind visit and comment, good buddy Kirk. Rest now, and have a wonderful week ahead!
I love Louie, Louie by the Kingsmen and had no idea it was a cover!
ReplyDeleteSo often I don't recognize song titles or know who performed them, but when I saw the title Walk Right In I was really hoping it was what I thought it might be ... and it was! I always liked that song!
I hope you and Mrs. Shady have a nice Thanksgiving holiday.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteYou arrived at your usual time this week, dear friend, and yet you finished 4th in the race to Shady's Place!!! When's the last time that happened? Never! :) I'm thinking that if you wouldn't have needed to stop and tie your shoelaces midway through the race, you might have placed higher. :) Thank you very much for joining the fun as we go Cruisin' through the year in music 1963!
Yessum, this special edition features four versions of "Louie Louie" - the Richard Berry original from the late 50s, and three capable covers released in the early 60s. Who knew it is such an innocent song? Shirley I didn't through much of my life. Yessum, the version that was by far the biggest hit and best known to this day is the one you love by the Portland-based garage rock band The Kingsmen featuring word-slurring lead zinger Jack Ely. Sadly, Jack was only 71 when he died of an undisclosed illness in 2015. Jack gained immortality as a result of that murky, muddy 1963 recording, today considered one of the greatest in rock & roll history.
I'm pleased that your ears also latched onto "Walk Right In," a hootenanny folk song that was #1 in the land on Groundhog Day, 1963.
Thank you for the cheery Thanksgiving wishes, dear friend Kelly. I hope you and your family, including your canine clan and my buddy Pat, have a wonderful and blessed holiday as well.
Happy almost Thanksgiving Shady! As you know 1963 was a crazy year for this 10yr old but I did recognize almost every song. Of course the Raiders made me smile although it was kind of a nutty video! The best version is the Kingsmen..sorry Mark Lindsay...and I always liked "Walk Right In". I never saw who sang it and I think the tall one reminds me of Lurch from the Addams Family! Ha! I enjoyed watching the kids dancing on American Bandstand. Those big hair gals and neat as a pin boys were one thing but a few of the girl "kids" looked like the guys brought their Moms! Boy, I'm being a bit harsh here today so I'll close with a big thanks for good tunes and fun videos. It's a bit chilly today (in the 20's) but a warmup is coming so I'll be thankful for that and I'll bet you're sending those temps from down south to us up here. Take care Shady and enjoy your holiday!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteWelcome to the festivities, dear friend! Since you always announce yours on your blog, I will let you be the first to know that today I am celebrating my 73rd birthday. Your visit is a delightful b-day present and I thank you!
Yessum, I know that 1963 was not your favorite year, but I think you'll agree that a lot of great music was released during that 12-month span. I am proud to bring you some of the best songs issued on the original 1963 volume of the Cruisin' album series along with a few bonus songs.
I agree that Paul Revere And The Raiders performed a nutty skit along with their version of "Louie Louie," a record that shoulda been, coulda been and woulda been a hit if not for rock & roll hating decision-maker Mitch Miller. (See an explanation in my reply to friend Cathy above.) Come to think of it, many of the Raiders' lip sync performances on Dick Clark's Where The Action Is were equally zany, gimmicky and goofy. I don't know why the band was consistently showcased in that manner on Action, but I would have appreciated more straightforward performances now and then in their appearances on the series.
The Kingsmen and The Rooftop Zingers are getting lots of upvotes today. Thanks for weighing in. Ha! Yessum, that one Rooftopper does bring to mind Lurch on The Addams Family.
That's a grainy clip from American Bandstand showing the dancers on a late September, 1963, episode. The terrifying house fire you and your siblings survived happened shortly after that episode aired, as I recall, and then came the assassination of President Kennedy. We should also consider that some of those young men we see on the dance floor were soon called into action to fight in the Vietnam conflict and lost their lives. That clip is also instructive because you see several couples doing that patented Philly-style "bump' dance in which they deliberately pulled themselves together and bounced off each other, a dance style that was apparently unique to Philadelphia and Bandstand. The dance did not follow Bandstand out to the West Coast when Clark and his famous show relocated in Los Angeles. I agree. Maybe it was poor studio lighting or the old school black & white TV cameras, but some of those teenage girls looked like their mamas. :)
I hope you guys have plenty of firewood on hand. It's rather chilly down here today - rainy, gray and raw. Even so, it is a welcome change from the relentless heat and humidity of summer, and helps us get in the mood for T-giving and Christmas.
Thank you again for your kind visit and comment. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family (including Annabelle & the Yeti), dear friend YaYa!
Although all the songs are new to me, I liked them.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen much of Ron Howard but I think he's just directing movies these days I hope you have a good Thanksgiving.
Falcor is feeling much better. I just have to keep him from jumping around too much.
Hi, Mary!
DeleteI'm 4 hours late getting your comment published because it went to spam this time, and I've been watching the boob tube with Mrs. Shady all evening. I'm glad I checked the junk dungeon and found it before bedtime. Thank you very much for coming over and going Cruisin' with BMR - New York radio personality B. Mitchell Reed, one of The Good Guys!
I'm delighted that you encountered all new songs in this 1963 lineup and liked them. It's a best case scenario when you learn new artists and songs and also react favorably to them, perhaps finding a new favorite or two.
Yessum, Ron Howard made a splash as a child actor and, as a teenager and 20-something, a main cast member of American Graffiti and Happy Days. Ron walked away from acting in 1980 to focus on directing, producing and writing films and TV series. Now it's his daughter, Bryce Dallas Howard, who is getting lots of attention in the acting arena, having been featured in The Help, three Jurassic movies and other sci-fi and space fantasy films.
Thanks for letting me know that my buddy Falcor is doing better. He's a small breed and only 8 years old, which means he should be by your side for many years to come, I hope so, anyhow. You are taking excellent care of him and doing right by him!
Thanks again for checking out Cruisin' '63, dear friend Mary. Happy Thanksgiving to you, your daughter and Falcor!
Dear Shady - I really enjoy watching the clips that have the dancers. Reminds me of when I was little and watched American Bandstand with my older sisters. I think the version of Louie Louie I remember best is the Kingstons. I'm pretty sure I had a picture of Mark Lindsay from Paul Revere and the Raiders on my wall as a teen. Can't stay and chat long today. Our whole family came down with Covid :(. We are looking on the bright side that at least we all have it at once and that way it won't stay in the house for months and months. Also, we are at varying degrees of illness so someone usually has the strength to walk our Benny even when I am stuck in bed. Hope you and the Mrs. have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I just ordered a turkey dinner pre-ccoked from Safeway that I will pick up on Wednesday. Our oldest daughter is spared because she lives on her own but is sad that she won't be here with us. It's our 1st Thanksgiving in a while without my mom as well so the whole day is going to be unusual. I may just stay in bed and read a book. You know I'm sick if I don't have the strength to be in the studio!
ReplyDeleteHi, Janet!
DeleteWelcome back, dear friend! Thanks for hopping in the old jalop and going Cruisin' through the year in music 1963 with WMCA New York Good Guy B. Mitchell Reed at the mic.
Any pre-Beatles episode of Bandstand is fun and educational to watch because Clark's show was still based in Philadelphia at the time and featured an entirely different crop of studio dancers and unique dances. This episode showing the teens dancing to "Sally... Roses" aired a few weeks before President Kennedy was slain. If you watch closely, you will see some couples doing a "bump" dance in which they pull their bodies together and bounce off. It's a hoot to watch, and I think it was ultra cool. From what I have gathered, the dance move was created by some of the regulars on Philly Bandstand. When the show relocated to LA a few months later, the bump dance no longer showed up because it was an entirely different group of dancers and they had their own steps.
Yessum, The Kingsmen were the ones who had the gigantic hit with their cover of "Louie Louie." The original version penned and waxed by Richard Berry in 1957 was hidden away on the B side of a single and didn't make the chart. The cover by Rockin' Robin Roberts also failed to chart. The version by Paul Revere And The Raiders charted for only three weeks in November of '63 and never made it out of the Bubbling Under basement, peaking at #103.
Oh NO, Janet! I'm so sorry you and your family caught COVID! Poor Benny must wonder what's going on. I hope you all recover quickly and completely, dear friend. Truth be told, Mrs. Shady and I are both "poorly" as well. She came down with a bad head cold a few days ago and I caught it from her yesterday - on my birthday! We hope to be feeling better by Thursday so that we can enjoy our holiday feast. I hope you and your loved ones will be well enough to enjoy yours. It's a smart idea to order a pre-cooked turkey dinner and have it delivered. I am sorry your daughter won't be able to join you, but you can be thankful she avoided the virus. Yessum, I often think about your dear mother and know that she will be on your mind as Christmas approaches. I'm sorry there will be an empty chair at your table this Thanksgiving. I hope you will conserve your strength and not try to do too much too soon. I'll be thinking about you. Please get well soon. Thank you very much for your kind visit and comment, dear friend Janet!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteWell, your click-bait sure did work. I'm not familiar with these songs, but I dug them. I liked rocking out and I may have to ask my dad if he's familiar with these diddies.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for coming over to hear the great sounds of 1963, dear friend!
Yessum, your dad might be a little too young to remember most of these songs, but they were all major hits at the time, with the exception of the versions of "Louie Louie" by Richard Berry, Rockin Robin Roberts and PR&R. You should run this set of songs by him and see if he recalls. Meanwhile, I'm delighted that you dig the tuneage on BMR's Cruisin' 1963 playlist. I owned every original volume of this great album series, but foolishly parted with them circa 1990 when I sold nearly all of my vinyl and converted to CD. I wish I had them back!
Thanks again for popping in and Cruisin' back to '63, dear friend JM. Happy Thanksgiving to you, David and your family!
Hi, Shady!
DeleteI'll definitely run these by dad. He was 8 in '63, so he might remember some of them! My mom was born in '64 and when she started dating dad, she started listening to music from the time she was born. I should run these by her too and see if she knows any of them.
Awww, dang. I know how you feel, however. I sold a lot of my CDs when I was trying to move to Canada and I regret it. Now I've converted to digital mostly, but I still love listening to my CD player from time to time. Same with my cassettes.
Thanks, dear friend. I will pass the wishes onto David. His mom's birthday is around Thanksgiving and she died in August 2021 from Leukemia. He's going to his friend's house for Turkey Day, but I told him if he needed me at any point this week, I am here for him.
I hope that you, Mrs. Shady, and the rest of the Shady Bunch have a wonderful Thanksgiving too.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThank you for the kind T-giving wishes and the extra background info about your folks and David's mom. His mother's death must be very fresh in his mind as he prepares to spend a second Thanksgiving without her. Let me know if any of these songs ring a bell with your folks.
Have a wonderful holiday, dear friend JM!
Here I am! Always late to the very festive party but happy to always attend. It's been s busy week..Christmas party in Toronto for work. Got over a foot of snow but home by then. No idea where the time went.
ReplyDeleteI loved listening to these oldies and, I've seen this movie with Clint Howard, Ron's brother. Ron loved the speed back then.
The first song has a great beat and her voice is great as well. Funny they would call this a girl band.
I didn't recognize the 2nd song but both tgat and the 3rd one made me get up and dance..at work! That 3rd song is folksy but I always loved the beat to it and had no idea it was so old.
I love Louie, Louie and the versions here for the song justice but love the original. The FBI people must be spinning in their Graves now with all the Rap songs that have explicit lyrics. Poor Mitch Miller...he had no clue how good Rock & Roll was and, he, too must be spinning in his grave with what vlnes out now. Hope you are well. Harley loves the snow and loves jumping into a drift, disappearing and then his head pops up. Too funny.
Hi, Birgit! The gang's all here now the you decided to "Walk Right In" the door and "sit right down." Yessum, you arrived "fashionably late," but certainly in plenty of time to get your share of the refreshments. Oh, my, it has indeed been a wild week for you up there, dearie! The foot of snow you guys got in the Toronto area beats our ZERO inches in Florida by... (wait, I'm doing the math).....12 inches! :) And you attended the office Christmas party and made it back home before the snow piled up on the streets. I'm happy to hear it!
DeleteThanks a lot for joining the fun as Opie Taylor breaks badass behind the wheel of his souped-up muscle car and "Your Leader" BMR - B. Mitchell Reed - hosts the 1963 volume of the Cruisin' record album series.
Wow, BB, you really know your stuff! I watched Eat My Dust years ago with Mrs. Shady #1, but never realized that Ron's younger brother, Clint, also had a role in the movie. I just read that Clint has appeared in no fewer than 17 films directed by brother Ron, including Ron's first feature Grand Theft Auto (1977).
Yessum, The Essex consisted of four male members and were fronted by a lone female, Anita Hume - all members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Since Anita's vocals are most prominently featured on their recordings, The Essex are lumped in with girl groups.
WHAT??? Songs #2 and #3 made you jump up and dance on the job at work? I hope your supervisor didn't wrestle you to the ground. :)
I'm glad you love "Louie "Louie." I am clinging to my believe that the lyrics are indeed filthy. I also still believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny. Yessum, old schoolers like Mitch Miller who hated rock & roll and tried to stop it had no idea how innocent it was compared to music that rose to popularity in the decades that followed. Gangsta rap was still light years away.
I wish you could take pics of my buddy Harley romping in the snow. I'd love to see them. All the dogs I have ever known enjoyed burying their heads in deep, freshly fallen powder snow. Bless his heart!
Thank you again for your visit and splendid comment, dear friend BB. Enjoy the rest of your week and I'll see you tamale for Song Day at the BBC!