Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 9-19-23

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Producer Phil Spector had Righteous Brother Bill Medley sing the first verse of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” When his righteous brother Bobby Hatfield (they’re not brothers in the familial sense, see) asked what he was supposed to do during that verse, Spector told him “You can go directly to the bank.” To the bank he went, as YLTLF became one of the biggest US hits of 1965.

Bill Medley turns 83 today. A couple of his duo’s hits are included on today’s playlist.

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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 11-28-22

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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: 10-22-22

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Today’s playlist celebrates the October 22 birthdays of Bobby Fuller, Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste, The Rascals’ Eddie Brigati, Dead Boys’ Stiv Bators, Shelby Lynne, Shaggy, Mountain’s Leslie West, Plan B, Annette Funicello, Pratt & McClain’s Truett Pratt, Baby Keem, Paul Lekakis, The Four Preps’ Bruce Belland, John Wesley Harding, and Franz Liszt; and the October 23 birthdays of Miguel, The Dixie Cups’ Barbara Ann Hawkins, Charlie Foxx, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and The Raindrops’ Ellie Greenwich.

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Throwback Thursday: 1968

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Today’s Throwback Thursday playlist makes a strong case for 1968 being the best year for pop music in the rock era. So many classics hit that year. Yes, I know I didn’t include all of them. I didn’t want to be too classic rock heavy, as other genres produced timeless pieces as well. There’ll be a part 2 one of these weeks. Until then, enjoy!

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A Martin Luther King Day Playlist

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“You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. 1963

“He had a dream now it’s up to you to see it through, to make it come true” – “King Holiday”

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Throwback Thursday: 1966

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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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