Category: Music

Joe Sinnott, from Bing to Beatles

Joltin’ Joe Sinnott’s granddaughter Erin has been posting a very enjoyable weekly series of video Q&A’s with Joe on his Facebook page. Joe’s fans and friends know that he’s a big fan of Bing Crosby, and this week’s question comes from a fellow Der Bingle fan, who’s none other than my co-conspirator in fanboy endeavors, Dennis F. Rogers.

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Joe’s praise for Bing singing the plaintive Hang Me, Oh Hang Me makes it deserving of a listen, so here it is.

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I’m pleased no end that Joe Sinnott also has a connection to the Beatles, because when they came to America in 1964, Joe had the distinction of being picked to illustrate the authorized comic book of their story…

… and here’s Joe talking about drawing the Beatles. A couple of years later he would be in the thick of his legendary run with Jack Kirby on The Fantastic Four.

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They’re the old generation and they’ve got something to say…

Validation. Not the kind that gets free parking, but should gain entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sunday night, at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, the Monkees rocked a packed house. It was a happy, yet bittersweet night with the loss of Davy, but thanks to Mike Nesmith appearing as a Monkee for the first time in more years than I know, they have proven once and for all that what began in 1965 as a casting call for a new TV show became something real and great and enduring. If the Monkees had been just a TV show, all they could do would be autograph signings, but by the time Dennis and I got to the theater there was a line that stretched for more than a city block — for an act that, keep in mind, hit over 45 years ago! Here’s their entrance as seen from my seat. (Sorry for the poor video quality. The camera has only a 3x optical zoom and it didn’t auto-focus correctly.)

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A highlight of the show for me were the songs from the Monkees’ movie, Head. Here’s Mike doing Circle Sky, taken by somebody else in the audience.

The tributes to Davy were sincere and touching. This one in particular.

For guys like myself and Dennis who have, from the age of eleven, when the Monkees debuted, never wavered in our appreciation of the Monkees, last night was an amazing, unforgettable experience. What made it possible was the presence of Michael Nesmith who, after the album More of the Monkees appeared without their knowledge, said to the men who had control over their lives, “this shall not stand.” With the promise that the Monkees would continue making their TV show as contractually obligated, Don Kirshner was fired and the Monkees were given creative control over their music. That unique, angry, and powerful act of defiance resulted in their third album, Headquarters, and turned the Monkees from teen idols into a legitimate band. It’s past time for Mickey, Mike, Peter, and Davy to take their rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have validity, and now they should have vindication to go with it.

Thankful for Rewound Radio

Thanks to Mr. D.F. Rogers, I have Joel Whitburn Presents: Across The Charts The 1960s, and it’s the perfect companion for what Rewound Radio — by far the best oldies station on the Net — is doing this Thanksgiving weekend.

The All 60’s/No Repeat Weekend starts tomorrow morning (Thanksgiving Day) at 6AM (Eastern) and runs continuously until Sunday at 11PM on Rewound Radio. All 60’s songs with each song playing just one time.

Thanks for so many suggestions! We found almost all of them and they’re included. Rewound Radio really does play what you ask for!

We just ran the shuffle program tonight (we wanted to get as many of your songs in as possible). What a list! There are no rules other than no repeats. So, for example, you’ll hear things like Jimmy Gilmore’s “Sugar Shack” segueing into The Doors “Runnin’ Blue”. Totally unpredictable–and fun all Thanksgiving Weekend 🙂

As each song comes on I’m flipping to its entry in the book. Rewound Radio is playing *everything* from the 1960’s, and for many singles having the artist and song title is essential. Their “Instant On!” player, a great little Flash app, doesn’t do that, so I’m using Logitech’s excellent, but sadly now-discontinued, Squeezebox system.

The Whitburn book tells me that Thank U Very Much — a good song for Thanksgiving — is by The Scaffold and features Mike McGear, who is Paul McCartney’s brother. The song debuted February 10, 1968 on the Billboard hit chart, stayed for five weeks, and peaked at #68. Another option for listening to Rewound Radio and seeing the track information is to click on their PLS (Playlist) link and have the Real Player installed. Smartphone users are on their own, because I’m a confirmed clamshell guy.

Carol is making Thanksgiving dinner, and my sister’s family is coming over later. If they don’t want oldies with their meal I guess I’ll have to eat on the porch.