TV Reminder: The ’60s Live!

Today on PBS is The ’60s Live!: My Generation, My Music. Petula Clark sings — you guessed it — ‘Downtown.’ Petula is in Manila for the first time, and a fan has written a review of her show last night. Pet does it all again tonight. In fact, given the time difference, it’s already happened.


The Zombies got a repeat appearance from My Music: The British Beat, but no Petula! I must have gotten bum information.

Arthur Godfrey at 105

DogRat regular Jan, who is a devoted fan of Arthur Godfrey, points out that August 31 would have been his 105th birthday. In recognition of this, here is Godfrey in a 1951 appearance on “What’s My Line.”

[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/2008/AUG/ArthurGodfrey.flv 440 330]

I have found a connection between Arthur Godfrey and Petula Clark, in the person of Rod McKuen, Pet’s longtime friend and sometimes colllaborator. McKuen appeared on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts around 1956.

[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/2008/AUG/McKuen.flv 440 330]

Alizée — French Family Entertainment

Petula Clark always sounds a bit amused that the French called her “sexy Pet.” But, then, what do the French know about what’s sexy?

If you’ve never heard of Alizée, you might be in for a bit of shock, because this is what passes for family entertainment in France. But I’ve never watched So You Think You Can Dance, so what do I know? Maybe it would be considered mainstream in America too.

Here is French superstar Alizée, five years ago, age eighteen. Computer gamer types will recognize this from the World of Warcraft. It was the basis for the Night Elf Dance.

Petula Catch-Up

Let’s get caught up a bit with some of Petula Clark’s doings.

  • Petula’s interviews on radio and TV tend to be diplomatic about personal matters, but in print she can be quite frank and open about herself. What she reveals at this link is one such example.
  • Coming up on September 13 on PBS is “The 60’s Live!” Petula’s appearance can’t be truly live, as she will be performing in Manila that day.
  • On September 22 Pet will be back in New York, for the delayed appearance with Harry Belafonte at the Paley Center at the Museum of Television and Radio. Click here for more background about that.

For complete up-to-date information, check the American site PetulaClark.net, and in the UK, the Petula Blog.

Petula Clark, International Star

XUXA’s stardom in Latin America failed to translate into American success. Of K3 and Free Souffriau in Belgium, I would suspect that Free has a better chance at finding an audience here in the states, or at least in the UK. English-speaking performers don’t necessarily have an advantage, otherwise Cilla Black would have been a much bigger name than she is in the U.S.

The point I’ve been leading up to is that Petula Clark’s career is unique. From child star on radio, to movie star, to adult French singing sensation, to 60’s Pop icon, to TV specials, to adult contemporary performer, to Broadway, and on and on, Petula Clark stands alone. No other entertainer, not even Madonna (in whom I have no interest) has reinvented herself so many times. And Petula has done it with apparent ease and without false fronts.

Here is Petula Clark’s recent appearance on Paul O’Grady’s BBC TV show. It features the hot, new Disney boy band, the Jonas Brothers. I love how the kids have to sit behind the old ladies.

[MYPLAYLIST=2]

Tech note: YouTube has the image shape wrong, so I downloaded the files and I’m giving this playlist a try. You’ll notice that you have to click outside of the player to change focus back to the page.