The warm weather is here, and you know that means!
First released on a small record label in 1957, ‘Short Shorts’ is a perfect example of what I think of as White Kids Rock. It was the first hit song for Bob Gaudio, who later joined the Four Seasons and wrote or co-wrote virtually all of their hits.
Back when I was working in radio, we’d get free movie passes at the station. Most were given away in contests, but there were plenty of extras for the staff.
I saw American Hot Wax for free more than once, contributing to the movie’s financial failure. There are factual errors, no mention of DJ payola, and Tim McIntire is more like the Big Bopper than Alan Freed, but American Hot Wax deserves a proper video release.
My first awareness of Gideons Bibles came from hearing ‘Rocky Raccoon’.
The Beatles must have been in countless hotel rooms and suites with Gideons Bibles while on tour. Perhaps George drew spiritual comfort from one he found in this room.
Gideons Bibles are no longer universally accepted by hotels. I was in Baltimore this past weekend to attend a combination wedding and family reunion. I went back to my room, only to not find Gideons’ Bible.
Were the Monkees based upon A Hard Day’s Night or HELP!? If the first movie was the inspiration, the full-blown zaniness and colorfulness of the TV series certainly reflected the Beatles’ second foray into film.
The Monkees was an instant hit, starting on September 12, 1966 with ‘The Royal Flush’, featuring my mother’s old pal, Vince Beck, in one of his trademark comedic roles. He was even funnier performing for the family in person.
Click on the Archive logo in the upper right to see the complete list of episodes. Vince also appears in ‘Son of a Gypsy’ and, with Mike Nesmith conspicuous in his absense, ‘Card Carrying Red Shoes’. Fingers crossed these videos will continue to be available for a while longer.
Two years after Nino Tempo’s sister April Stevens passed away, he has joined her in the great beyond.
Here is, for me, one of the best albums by Ray Davies and his brother Dave. Its Top 10 single “Lola” was noted more for the unauthorized reference to “Coca-Cola” than for its transgender namesake.
The lyric change to “cherry cola” later became the less frequently heard version.
