Song of the Day: Leaving On A Jet Plane

Since I'm about to be leaving on a jet plane, you can take a wild guess as to which tune is the featured Song of the Day. Unlike these lyrics, I thankfully know when I'm coming back, but the posting will be a little quiet for just a week or two. Written by folk singer John Denver, "Leaving On A Jet Plane" was originally recorded in 1967 by the Chad Mitchell Trio (of which the then unknown Denver had replaced Mitchell two years prior), and later that year, this song was always recorded by Spanky & Our Gang (which I really wanted to post their version too but it's not on YouTube). Peter, Paul, & Mary also released a version on their album that same year, but it didn't become a big hit until they released it as a single in 1969. For this famous folk trio, it turned out to be their biggest (and final) hit, becoming their only #1 hit on the US Billboard chart. It also topped the easy listening chart for three weeks. In the late '70s, the song was used in United Airlines commercials. Here's a live performance by Peter, Paul, & Mary in Melbourne, Australia in 1968 (the sound quality is a not so great at the beginning but does improve for the rest of the song).   

 

John Denver later went on to have a successful solo career and was one of the most popular acoustic acts in the 1970s. Here's also another live version featuring Denver and Cass Elliot (of The Mamas & The Papas) on The Midnight Special in the early '70s. Their voices blend really well in this lovely tune. (And no jokes now about the fact that Denver died while flying his personal plane in the late '90s).

Wow, sorry to end on such a melancholy note, but I'm be back soon.

Live and Up Close

Last night, my husband took me to see The Turtles and The Grass Roots perform at the "Live and Up Close" Theater in Sycuan Casino out in El Cajon (East San Diego County) and it was a rockin' good time! It may be the fact that I don't go to concerts enough but I couldn't believe how incredibly loud it was! The Turtles Featuring Flo and Eddie were the headlining act, so The Grass Roots opened the concert (each group played about an hour), and boy did they give us a show! Although original lead singer Rob Grill (pictured playing bass on the left) sadly passed away last year, Mark Dawson did a fantastic job taking over lead vocals and bass duties, and the whole group was solid. As soon as they opened with "I'd Wait a Million Years," the audience moved to the edge of their seats for the rest of the concert (if not jumping up and groovin'), impressed by this wall of sound full of '60s nostalgia. The band covered all of their hits including "Sooner or Later," "Two Divided By Love," "Heaven Knows," "Temptation Eyes," "Where Were You When I Needed You," and "Let's Live for Today," at which point they gave a heartfelt salute and thank-you to our veterans. They also added in a couple of covers that went well with their set, such as "Don't Pull Your Love" (originally by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds) and Edison Lighthouse's "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)." When the band acted like they were finished, I started thinking "Wait, they have to do "Midnight Confessions!" and thankfully, they saved that classic as their encore. Since my pictures from the concert stink, here's a photo of the current Grass Roots members:

 And since this wouldn't be The '60s Beat without some music, here are the original Grass Roots performing "Heaven Knows" on the short-lived series "Music Scene" in 1969 (and Rob Grill is looking mighty fine).

Be sure to check out past posts featuring other great tunes by The Grass Roots here.

 So over the last five decades, there have been several different personnel lineups for The Turtles, however, original members Howard Kaylan (lead singer) and Mark Volman (backing vocals/funny sideman) have always remained consistent. After The Turtles dissolved in 1970, some serious lawsuits took place with their record label, and for several years, they were prevented from using The Turtles name, as well their real names, in a musical context. Thus, Volman and Kaylan became Flo (aka "Phlorescent Leech") & Eddie. As you may have noticed these guys' antics in videos from the '60s, they are quite a comedic musical duo, and although their voices aren't as top-notch as they used to be, last night's show proved to be an entertaining mix of comedy and music. After an over-the-top orchestral introduction, Flo & Eddie entered the stage wearing Lady Gaga wigs as one of her songs played and was cut short with Kaylan ("Eddie") shouting, "What have they done to our music, man? Real music used to sound like this!" and the group began with their 1967 hit "She'd Rather Be With Me." The set continued with other Turtles hits including "You Baby," "It Ain't Me, Babe" (written by Bob Dylan), "She's My Girl," "You Showed Me," and "Elenore," mixed with lesser known but interesting Flo & Eddie material. The audience may have been expecting more familiar Turtles tunes, but I totally get why they branched out and wanted to show the crowd some of the other things they've done in their career. Actually, the duo has quite a fascinating history, joining Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention in 1970, and going on to lend their trademark harmonies in recordings for several other artists including T. Rex ("Get It On [Bang a Gong]"), John Lennon, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran, The Ramones, and many more. These guys have been best friends and musical partners for 50 years, so it only makes sense to showcase their extensive career and not just those five years when The Turtles were at their peak in the '60s. There was always a touching moment when the band sang a tribute for the late Davy Jones of The Monkees who was their dear friend, and they performed the first verse and chorus of  "Daydream Believer." Backed by an excellent four-man band, the exciting night ended with their most popular hit "Happy Together" from 1967 (previously featured here). And here are those crazy guys now (and yes, Flo managed to retain that wild 'fro).   

And of course, we'll conclude with The Turtles performing their 1968 hit, "Elenore." Written by all the band members at the time, this song was intended to be a parody of their "happy-go-lucky"-type tunes but to their surprise, it reached #6 on the US charts.

If you're interested in hearing these groups, be sure to check out the Happy Together Tour taking place this summer (here's the schedule). The Buckinghams, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees will be joining The Turtles and The Grass Roots, performing all their top hits.

Dance Crazes

Dance Crazes: Part 1

And now for something completely different, it's time for a quick, 2-part series on those fun and footloose dance crazes of the 1960s!
Obviously, we have to begin with American singer-songwriter Chubby Checker who popularized the twist dance style with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard's R&B tune "The Twist." It was actually Dick Clark who was extremely instrumental in helping propel this song to the top of the American charts by exposing it on American Bandstand and The Dick Clark Show. At the age of 19, Checker became a star when this nationwide smash hit reached #1 in that September and again in January of 1962 (the only song to top the Billboard 100 twice in two separate runs). This twist phenomenon also marked a significant turning point for adult acceptance of rock and roll as this song joined grown-ups and teenagers on the dance floor. In 1961, Checker had a successful follow-up single with "Let's Twist Again." Including a introduction by the late Dick Clark, here's one of Checker's many twistin' appearances on American Bandstand.

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After starting her career as a backup singer in 1961, Dee Dee Sharp got her big break recording a 1962 duet with fellow Philadelphian Chubby Checker called "Slow Twistin'" (which reached #3 on the charts). A successful string of hits followed including #2 hit "Mashed Potato Time," which sold over a million copies and earned a gold disc. James Brown had two Mashed Potato-related chart hits beginning 1959, but Sharp's tune was written to showcase this emerging new dance fad of the Mashed Potato. Even the "Monster Mash" (featured on the Halloween post here) is a variation of this dance with the same footwork (but with 'monster' arm and hand gestures). Also a #1 hit on the R&B chart, here's Dee Dee Sharp mashin' it up (and if you're interested in how to do this dance, take a lesson from the blonde dancer in this clip!).      

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Released in June 1962 and performed by Puerto Rican soul singer Little Eva, "The Loco-Motion" is a popular and enduring tune of the dance-song genre. While Eva Boyd worked as a babysitter for American songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin, the duo were amused by her individual dancing style, and wrote "The Loco-Motion" for her. Hitting #1 on the charts, the song is notable for reaching the American Top-5 two more times in two other decades (#1 with Grand Funk Railroad in 1974 and #3 by Australian singer Kylie Minogue in 1988), and is ranked among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. There was no dance for the song when it was originally written, so once it became a smash hit, Boyd created a dance to go along with the song. Here's Little Eva performing what appears to be a live version on Shindig!.

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Starting out as the house band at the infamous Peppermint Lounge in New York City, Joey Dee & The Starliters were a popular music team best-known for their successful million-selling record "The Peppermint Twist" from 1961. Wanting to capitalize on the Twist dance craze and the nightclub they performed in, Joey Dee and Henry Glover wrote this tune, and saw it hit #1 on the chart in early 1962, replacing Chubby Checker's "Twist." Featuring lead singer David Brigati (older brother of singer Eddie Brigati of The Young Rascals), the original song was considered too long for release as a single, so it was split into two parts: the first being "Peppermint Twist (Part 1)" and the second half (which was mostly instrumental) is rarely heard today. Actually, how about this for some trivia: while on tour in Europe in the 1963, The Beatles were the opening act for these guys, and over the next two years, Joey Dee toured with various Starliters including Eddie Brigati, Gene Cornish, and Felix Cavaliere (three-quarters of what later became The Young Rascals), as well as guitarists Jimmy James (later known as Jimi Hendrix!) and Joe Pesci (yes, that actor from Jersey). Anyway, check out Joey Dee & The Starliters, one of the first racially-integrated mainstream bands in America.  

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Finally, we'll conclude this dance crazy post with Shirley Ellis, the American soul singer and songwriter (of Caribbean origin) known for her novelty hits including "The Name Game" Written by Ellis with her manager Lincoln Chase, this children's singalong rhyming song was released in late 1964, reaching #3 on the pop chart and #4 on the R&B chart in 1965. Shortly after that song's success, Ellis released "The Clapping Song" which reached #8 on the US chart. With lyrics borrowed from the 1930s song "Little Rubber Dolly," this song also features instructions for a clapping game. Sure looks like these dancers are getting a pretty good work-out with this spunky tune. Actually, I just noticed this song being used in a VW Beetle commercial the other night. So here's the classy Shirley Ellis doing her thing (too bad the video is way out of sync).

Song of the Day: Goodbye

In a completely, unrelated transition to our next fabulous series (hopefully beginning later next week), here's a pretty little gem of a song, featured as our Song of the Day. Although we just talked about this cute little Welsh folk singer last month, this Mary Hopkin tune has been in my head lately. As we know Hopkin was one of the first artists signed to The Beatles' Apple record label and Paul McCartney was her producer, there's no mistaking which mop-top wrote this beauty. Credited to Lennon-McCartney (but of course written solely by McCartney) Hopkin's single reached #2 on the UK chart in March of 1969, and was only prevented from reaching the top position by The Beatles' single "Get Back." The song also reached #13 on the US singles chart. Here's a lovely live performance by the beautiful Ms. Hopkin (and another cute video here with footage of Paul coaching Mary in the recording studio).   

Although never officially released by either The Beatles or Paul McCartney, there are bootleg recordings of McCartney's original demo version recorded for Hopkin. Here's one posted on YouTube with a nice photo montage of this beloved Beatle. 

 

And how cool is this: McCartney's original manuscript on Apple stationary! (Courtesy of Life of the Beatles Blog)

Well, until next time, goodbye!

Act Naturally

Country Crossover Hits: Part 4

For our final Country Music Crossover post, we're featuring American singer-songwriter and actor Ricky Nelson, who first began his entertainment career in 1949 playing himself in his family's radio sitcom series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (followed by a successful TV sitcom of the same name in the late '50s). In 1957, after recording his first single and debuting as a singer on the TV series, Nelson's music career took off and he was the first teen idol to utilize TV to promote hit records. From 1957 to 1962, he had 30 Top-40 hits (more than any other artist except Elvis Presley and Pat Boone), including "Poor Little Fool," which was the first #1 song on then newly-created Billboard Hot-100 chart. When his career came to a halt in the wake of the British Invasion in the mid-'60s, he moved more towards country music, becoming a pioneer in the country-rock genre and had one last hit with "Garden Party" in 1972. Unfortunately, like quite a few iconic singers, he was killed in plane crash in 1985. Released in 1961, this rockabilly tune seems to make the lists of crossovers, hitting #9 on the US pop chart and #2 in the UK. Written by singer Gene Pitney with Cayet Mangiaracina, here's 21-year-old Ricky Nelson performing "Hello Mary Lou" on that All-American TV series.  

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At 4 foot 9 inches tall, next is Little Miss Dynamite, country pop singer Brenda Lee, who was a young girl with a mature voice when she was discovered. Although she sang rockabilly and country music from a very young age, her record label she signed with in the mid-50s decided to market her exclusively as a pop artist, thus none of her best-known recordings from the 1960s were ever released to country radio (despite her country sound). In 1960 at 15-years-old, Lee recorded her signature song "I'm Sorry," which hit #1 on the Billboard pop chart and was nominated for a Grammy. Even though it was not released as a country song, it was among the first big hits to use what was to become the Nashville Sound, which emphasized stringed-instrumental sound with smooth vocal harmonies. In time, this country pop tune has become accepted by country fans as a standard of the genre, and is a fixture on many "country oldies" programs. Even peaking at #4 on the R&B chart and #13 in the UK, this song is considered as one of the "finest teen pop songs of the era" (Allmusic). In this (unfortunately poor quality) video, the adorable Brenda Lee sure makes singing like this look so easy.    
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Next up, it's American singer/guitarist Buck Owens who had 21 #1 hits on the country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos. Originally from Texas, he moved to Bakersfield, CA where he drew up his inspiration for his purely American music, and pioneered the Bakersfield Sound (a reaction against the over-produced  honky-tonk Nashville Sound in the 1950s). Owens was also known for co-hosting the hilarious TV variety series Hee Haw from 1969 to 1986. This next country tune became a crossover hit in a roundabout way. Released in March of 1963, "Act Naturally" was his first chart-topping hit on the country chart, staying at #1 for four weeks and making Owens a country superstar. In 1965, The Beatles brought more attention to this song with their (still country) cover version of this tune, featuring Ringo Starr on the lead vocals. Released in the US as the B-side of "Yesterday," it actually peaked at #47 on the singles chart (their adorable performance on Ed Sullivan here). Later in 1989, Owens and Starr teamed up for a brand-new version, also creating a lighthearted music video for it (here), and this duet peaked at #27 on the country chart. Now for a performance by the original, Buck Owens & His Buckaroos on the Ranch Show in 1966.      

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We'll finish this series with the American country music singer-songwriter and musician Merle Haggard who, like Buck Owens, helped create that Bakersfield Sound with his band The Strangers. Unrelated to his troubles with the law in his younger days, Haggard aligned himself with the growing outlaw country movement in the late '60s (a subgenre of country music whose artists had a raw sound and scruffier look in contrast to those clean cut singers of the Nashville Sound, wearing those rhinestone-covered Nudie suits ). In many of his songs, his guitar playing and voice gave country a hard-edged, blues-like style, and even into the '90s and 2000s, he has continued to release successful albums. Of his 38 #1 country hits, one of his most popular songs is "Okie from Muskogee," which also became a minor pop hit, reaching #41 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after its release in September 1969. Written by Haggard with his drummer Roy Edwards Burris during the height of the Vietnam War, this tune was first intended as a patriotic statement in support of the troops, but now has become more of a spoof than redneck anthem, as hippies (who are derided in the lyrics) seem to enjoy the humor in it; even counterculture acts like the Grateful Dead and Phil Ochs have cover versions of their own. From 1969, here's Merle Haggard performing "Okie from Muskogee" with The Strangers.    

Farewell to America's Oldest Teenager

Well, I'm sad to report that we lost another exceptional figure of the entertainment world today, American radio/TV personality, game-show host, and businessman Dick Clark. At the age of 82, Clark died from a massive heart attack after undergoing a medical procedure this morning. Originally from Mount Vernon, New York, he was best know for hosting long-running TV shows like American Bandstand (for 31 years) and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve (for nearly 40 years). He is always well-remembered for his departing catchphrase, "For now, Dick Clark...so long," while delivering a military salute, and for his youthful appearance, which earned him the nickname "America's Oldest Teenager." With a career spanning well over 60 years, he loved music and he really was a "chaperone to generations of music-loving teens" (from the LA Times).

From the American TV documentary series This Is Your Life, here's a portion of the 1959 episode that featured Dick Clark. From 1952 to 1961, this show would surprise a guest and proceed to take them through their life in front of an audience including family and friends. Interestingly, Clark was only 29 years old at the time, which showcases just how popular and accomplished he was early on in his career. Oh and he was definitely a good-looking guy.

And of course, we must include a little music in every post. Here's the full clip of The Beach Boys' 1964 appearance on American Bandstand (performing "Don't Worry Baby"), and includes Dick Clark's introduction and follow-up interview with the group. The Boys look at a little uncomfortable without their instruments, but cute clip nonetheless.
Clip is broken up into two videos.

Part 2

Farewell to a legendary figure and radio pioneer. We will miss you, Dick Clark!

The End of the World

Country Crossovers: Part 3
Our next group of Country music artists begins with the hugely successful singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor Kenny Rogers. Although he is mainly considered a country artist, this Texan has charted more than 120 singles across different music genres and has topped the country and pop album charts for more 200 individual weeks in the US alone. Starting off with some rock hits in the late '60s with The First Edition (like "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In"), Rogers decided to take his group into more of a country direction, and recorded (in one take) their first country pop single, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." Released in 1969, this major hit reached #6 on the US pop chart, and was even a bigger success in the UK reaching #2 on their singles chart, eventually selling more than 7 million records. Rogers continued with this band until 1976 when they split and he launched a successful solo career. Live on The Mike Douglas Show, here's Kenny Rogers & The First Edition.

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Next, it's one of country music's best-known artists and biggest-selling female artists Tammy Wynette. Known as the First Lady of Country Music, she dominated the country charts in the late '60s and early '70s, scoring 17 #1 hits, and helped define the role of the female country singer in the 1970s. In 1968, she co-wrote (with her producer Billy Sherrill) and released the most successful record of her career, "Stand By Your Man," which reached #1 on the US country chart and crossed over to the pop chart at #19. Elevating Wynette to superstar status, this song also hit #1 in the UK after it was finally released there in 1975. Placed at #1 on CMT's list of Top 100 Country Music Songs, this country tune is one of the biggest selling hit singles by a woman in the history of country music (despite its lyrics being derided by the Feminist Movement of late '60s and early '70s). In 2011, the original recording was selected by the US Library of Congress to be preserved, chosen for its cultural significance. Here's one of the most influential country singers performing her Grammy Award-winning signature song, live on The Johnny Cash Show.

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An acknowledged influence on Tammy Wynette, Skeeter Davis was one of the first women to achieve major stardom as a solo vocalist in the country music field. Starting out as a part of The Davis Sisters as a teenager in the late '40s, followed by becoming a solo star in the late '50s, she scored her biggest hit in 1963 with "The End of the World." With this single peaking at #2 on the Billboard pop chart, #2 on the country chart, #1 on the Easy Listening chart, and even #4 on the R&B chart, Davis' four-chart Top-10 accomplishment has never been duplicated by any other artist in Billboard chart history. With its smooth vocals and sophisticated production (appealing to audiences beyond traditional country music listeners), this song is considered one of the foremost examples of the Nashville Sound. Davis did go on to release other country music and crossover pop hits, but as this was her signature song, she sang it at every concert appearance she made after its success. From 1965, here's Skeeter Davis' live performance on The Bobby Lord Show.

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Last but not least, it's American country music singer Leroy Van Dyke who, in his 50 years-plus career, has recorded over 500 songs with dozens of them making it into the charts. In August of 1961, he released his most successful single "Walk on By," which spent a ground-breaking 19 weeks at #1 on the country chart. Also crossing over to the pop charts peaking at #5 in the US and in the UK, this classic country tune was later named by Billboard magazine as the biggest country music record in history (based on sales, plays, and weeks in the charts). Currently at the age of 82, Van Dyke still continues a full performance schedule and sounds great, singing his signature tune here, as well as his 1956 hit "The Auctioneer." As my parents listened to a wide variety of music, I grew up being very familiar with the 1988 cover version of "Walk On By" by Asleep At The Wheel. Here's a live performance by Leroy Van Dyke at the height of this song's success.