1968, Deep Purple reached the number four spot on the US singles chart with their debut single “Hush.”‘ 1968, Jeannie C Riley went to number one on the singles chart with “Harper Valley PTA.” Jeannie won a Grammy for the best female country singer of 1968. 1968, Madame Tussaud’s Waxworks in London gave The Beatles […]
Song of the Day – “The Alley Cat” by Bent Fabric
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “The Alley Cat” by Bent Fabric Dance crazes come and go, but they are never forgotten. Most recently there was Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” wreaking havoc across dance floors all over the world while the youth of America (and Myley Cyrus) began to twerk. In the 1990s, there […]
Song of the Day – Jack Jones: “Wives And Lovers”
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – The Jukebox Series #10 – Jack Jones: “Wives And Lovers” b/w “Toys In The Attic” – Kapp 45 RPM Single K-551 (1963) (S1/T1) I know I’ve featured this 1963 classic before, but it’s one of my very favorite Burt Bacharach-Hal David compositions. I just love the nonchalance […]
Today in Rock History – September 18th
1968, The Beatles recorded 20 takes of “Birthday” while working at Abbey Road studios on new songs for their forthcoming White Album Roadie Mal Evans added handclaps, and Yoko Ono and Pattie Harrison contributed backing vocals on the track. 1968, The Doors film a six-song set for Danish Radio Television at TV-Byen in Gladsaxe, near […]
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “Mr. Dieingly Sad” by The Critters
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “Mr. Dieingly Sad” by The Critters Although their name was inspired by another ’60s group, The Animals, the similarities end there. The Critters were far more easy listening than their rough and tumble contemporaries. They formed in New Jersey in 1964 around singer/songwriter and guitarist Don Ciccone. […]
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “Things Will Never Be the Same” by Four Just Men
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “Things Will Never Be the Same” by Four Just Men I recently wrote about Freddie & The Dreamers’ single, “I’m Telling You Now,” and the American album of the same name. The record was not a Freddie & The Dreamers album per se, although they were the […]
Song of the Day – “The Horse” by Cliff Nobles & Co.
Song of the Day by Eric Berman – “The Horse” by Cliff Nobles & Co. Cliff Nobles was a gospel singer from Alabama who relocated to Philadelphia to break into the recording industry. He was quickly signed to Atlantic records where he recorded three singles: “My Love Is Getting Stronger,” “Let’s Have A Good Time” […]
Song of the Day – “I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman” by Whistling Jack Smith
Song Of The Day by Eric Berman – “I Was Kaiser Bill’s Batman” by Whistling Jack Smith Whistler’s brother? Actually, no. Then who was Whistling Jack Smith, and why is his sole hit from 1967 haunting me? I played an album of British Invasion hits released on the Parrot Record label from the late ‘60s […]
Today in Rock History – August 30
1966, The Who begin two days of recording at IBC Studios and Pye No. 2 Studio in London. During the sessions the group records The Regent’s “Barbara Ann,” The Everly Brothers’ “Man with Money,” Martha and the Vandellas’ “Heatwave,” and the theme to the then smash hit TV show Batman. The tracks are intended for […]
Today in Rock History – August 25
1967, Brian Wilson returned to performing live with The Beach Boys in Honolulu after a two year hiatus. The group had just released “Heroes and Villains.” 1967, Bobbie Gentry started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with “Ode To Billy Joe,” a No.13 hit in the UK. The song generated […]
