Celebrating Ringo Starr’s birthday on today’s playlist with a few of his selections.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 4-24-24
“Daydreams light the corners of my mind.” That was the original opening line of this smash. Barbra Streisand suggested changing “daydreams” to “memories.” I applaud that change.
Barbra Streisand was born on this date in 1942. A few tracks from her are included on today’s playlist.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 2-3-24
Melanie Safka wrote the song “Lay Down” after performing at Woodstock in 1969, where she was inspired by the sight of the audience lighting candles in the rain. It became her first US hit, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Melanie was born on this date in 1947. She passed away just over a week ago. A few of her songs are on today’s playlist.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 11-28-22
Today’s playlist celebrates the November 28 birthdays of Randy Newman, En Vogue/Lucy Pearl’s Dawn Robinson, The Fleetwoods’ Gary Troxel, The 5 Royales’ Johnny Tanner, The Foundations’ Clem Curtis, William DeVaughn, Chamillionaire, Bruce Channel, R.B. Greaves, and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.; and the November 29 birthdays of The Mamas and the Papas’ Denny Doherty, John Mayall, The Young Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere, The Game, Zapp’s Roger Troutman, Ronnie Montrose, New Kids on the Block’s Jonathan Knight, and Meco.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 8-29-22
Today’s playlist celebrates the August 29 birthday of The Jackson ‘s Michael Jackson, Charlie Parker, Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser, Dinah Washington, Johnny & the Hurricanes’ Johnny Paris, Pebbles, Fairground Attraction’s Eddi Reader, MeShell NdegeOcello, Kevie Kev, and Galantis’s Style of Eye; the August 30 birthdays of The Mamas & The Papas’ John Phillips, Kitty Wells, Hurts’s Theo Huthcraft, Paul Oakenfold, and D:Ream’s Peter Cunnah; and the August 31 birthdays of Van Morrison, Battles’ Ian Williams, Squeeze’s Glenn Tillbrook, The Vines’ Craig Nichols, Tony DeFranco, Bobby Parker, Debbie Gibson, Ivan, Bob Welch, Broadway lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, Richard Gere, and Julie Brown.
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Throwback Thursday: 1966
This week I’m reviving a feature I used to do on Tunes du Jour – Throwback Thursday, with each week focusing on a different year in the rock and roll era. This week we’ll listen to the music of 1966. Some notable events:
- The Mamas & the Papas had their first hit with “California Dreamin’.” Perhaps you’ve heard it.
- Simon & Garfunkel had their first top 40/top 10/#1 single in the US with “The Sounds of Silence.” The duo had actually broken up already and were unaware that their record label released a version of their 1964 acoustic recording on which electric guitar and drums were added.
- Bob Dylan released his game-changing album Blonde On Blonde, a staple of greatest albums of all-time lists since.
- ? and the Mysterians released their debut single, “96 Tears.” Perhaps you’ve heard it.
- Producer Phil Spector released what he considered to be his best work – Ike & Tina’s Turner “River Deep – Mountain High.” In actuality, Ike had nothing to do with the recording. Though a hit in the UK and several European countries, the single stalled at #88 in the US, leading Spector to retire for two years and produce far less frequently following that.
- Percy Sledge released his debut single, “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Perhaps you’ve heard it.
- The Beatles performed their last official concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
- The Supremes scored two more #1 pop singles plus another two that went top ten. During their career the group would have 12 #1s and 20 top tens. Many more hits followed for the trio’s usual lead singer, Diana Ross. Perhaps you’ve heard of her.
- New York City’s WOR became the first FM radio station in the US with a rock format.
- “Good Vibrations.” Where do I start?
Here are thirty of the year’s best:
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist (11-29-20)
Inspired by the season and the November 29 birthdays of The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere, The Mamas and the Papas’ Denny Doherty, Meco, Zapp’s Roger Troutman, The Game, and Firesign Theater’s Peter Bergman.
Your (Almost) Daily Playlist (9-23-20)
Inspired by the September 23 birthdays of Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, John Coltrane, Freeez’s John Rocca, Ani DiFranco, Jermaine Dupri, Paul Petersen, Anya Marina, Mary Kay Place, K’s Choice’s Sam Bettens and The Whispers’ Walter and Wallace Scott.