Monday, June 27, 2005

Fillmore least...

Flushed with the success of his San Francisco rock arenas, promoter Bill Graham opened The Fillmore East in New York City on March 3, 1968. The small, funky, former movie theater on second avenue, featured Rock and Roll's elite acts for 3 years before bowing out on this date in 1971...

The first show featured Big Brother and The Holding Company with Janis Joplin, Tim Buckley and Albert King. The final show headlined The Allman Brothers, J. Geils Band and Albert King...

Some of the acts that played The Fillmore East include: B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Doors, Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal, Buddy Miles, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Ike & Tina Turner, Jethro Tull, Fats Domino, The Who, Santana, James Taylor, Led Zeppelin, Steppenwolf, Sam & Dave, Jefferson Airplane, Chuck Berry, Chicago, Sly & the Family Stone and Fleetwood Mac...All for the admission price of $1.50...

For more information about The Fillmore East, there is an excellent website hosted by the Fillmore East Preservation Society at http://www.fillmore-east.com

More June 27 Memories...

1964) Jan and Dean release "Little Old Lady From Pasadena"...

1965) #1 "A World Without Love" - Peter & Gordon...

1965) "Where the Action Is" premieres...

1966) Frank Sinatra tops the charts with "Strangers in the Night"...

1971) The Fillmore East closes...

1972) "Song Sung Blue" is #1 for Neil Diamond...

1973) James Bond movie, "Live and Let Die" premieres...

1979) Muhammad Ali retires as boxing champ...

1981) "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes is #1...

1988) Mike Tyson KOs Michael Spinks for the unified heavyweight championship...

1993) Met pitcher Anthony Young loses his record 24th straight game...

2002) Who bass player, John Entwistle checks out...

Happy Birthday...

1930) Ross Perot...

1942) Beach Boy Bruce Johnston...

1951) Actress Julia Duffy...

1975) Tobey Maguire...

Commentary...

William O'Shaughnessy, owner of WVOX and WRTN in Westchester is not letting satellite radio and the like run him out of town. Taking up the cause for terrestrial radio, Mr. O'Shaughnessy is the major force behind a movement by the New York State Broadcasters Association in their fight and right to defend terrestrial radio. This story was brought to light by David Hinckley in today's Daily News. For more on the story, click on http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story

We applaud Mr. O'Shaughnessy and wish him well...

Fri-Sat-Sunday, June 24-26, 2005

Music History Made...

There are two anniversary dates over the weekend to note. The two events, separated by 10 years and 5,000 miles occurred in England and Indianapolis, Indiana...

This Saturday, June 25th marks the 38th anniversary of The Beatles historic introduction of the single "All You Need Is Love". What made it historic was the live tv satellite feed to 26 countries around the world, reaching an audience of 400 million viewers. The Beatles were ably assisted by a chorus of some singers you might recognize: Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Mick Jagger & Keith Richards...

The second event took place in Indianapolis 10 years later. That date in 1977 marked the final appearance of Elvis Presley. The venue was Market Square Arena. The last song Elvis sang ? "Can't Help Falling In Love"...

June 24 Memories...

1957) "I Love Lucy" bows out...

1970) "Catch 22" premieres...

1972) "The Candyman" is #1...

1992) Billy Joel gets his diploma from Hicksville High School...

1992) "Crazy Eddie" is captured and arrested in Israel on U.S. fraud charges...

1995) The Devils make New Jersey proud by winning the Stanley Cup in a four-game sweep...

Happy Birthday...

1923) Comedian Jack Carter...

1935) Writer Pete Hamill...

1942) Mick Fleetwood...
1942) Actress Michelle Lee...

1944) Jeff Beck...
1944) Arthur Brown...

1945) New York Governor George Pataki...
1945) Original Zombie Colin Blunstone...

1967) ER's Sherry Stringfield...

June 25 Memories...

1951) CBS-TV broadcasts first color show ("Arthur Godfrey")...

1966) Beatles are #1 with "Paperback Writer"...

1967) Beatles reach 400 million in satellite broadcast...

Happy Birthday...

1925) June Lockhart...

1935) Eddie Floyd...

1942) Willis Reed...

1945) Carly Simon...

1947) Comedian Jimmie Walker...

1949) Phyllis George...

1963) George Michael...

June 26 Memories...

1919) New York Daily News is published...

1948) U.S. begins "Berlin Airlift" bringing supplies to the city's western sector...

1961) Gary U.S. Bonds tops the charts with "Quarter To Three"...

1963) JFK makes famous "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech in Berlin...

1964) Beatles release the LP "A Hard Day's Night"...

1974) Liz Taylor chalks up her 5th divorce (to Richard Burton)...

1975) Must be something in the water...Cher divorces Sonny Bono...

1977) Elvis bows out in Indianapolis...

1993) "Late Night with David Letterman" ends its NBC-TV run...

Happy Birthday...

1940) Billy Davis, Jr...

1955) Mick Jones (The Clash)...

1956) Chris Isaak...

1957) Patty Smyth...

1974) Derek Jeter...

1976) Chad Pennington...

1980) Michael Vick...

Commentary...

A must-read for the summer is "Freakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner and I highly recommend it. Whether you're a research freak like me or not, it places the proper perspective on all things involving numbers but also does more, exposing the hidden side of everything. It also teaches us a good lesson that there's a reason for everything that happens and that reason many times is unpredictable. Like "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell, another book I recommend, you'll learn how little things can make a big difference...

Thursday, June 23, 2005

The Caped Crusader...

While there had been "Batman" movies based on the hit TV series as far back as 1966, the first blockbuster, full-length film not starring the cast of the TV series, debuted on this date in 1989. Michael Keaton played the lead role, the villainous Joker was Jack Nicholson. Most critics agree that this was the best of the four summer blockbuster "Batman" films. The movie would gross over $250 million, more than $400 million worldwide...the 5th installment in this series, "Batman Begins" is in theaters now and stars Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Others in the cast include Katie Holmes, who we can only hope does not tell us how much she loves Tom Cruise...

Flashing back to 1989:

Our President: The first George Bush...

Cost of a new home: $148,800...

A gallon of gas: $1.12...

#1 TV show: "Roseanne"...

#1 Song: "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" - Boston's own New Kids on the Block...

Hot: Frozen yogurt, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Michelob Dry...

Not: Leona Helmsley, Oliver North and Salman Rushdie...

More June 23 Memories...

1958) Bobby Darin's "Splish, Splash" debuts on the charts...

1963) Troubled Met outfielder Jimmy Piersall circles the bases backwards to celebrate his 100th home run...

1970) The Jackson Five top the charts with "The Love You Save"...

1979) The Knack releases "My Sharona"...

1979) #1 song is "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer...

1980) David Letterman debuts on NBC-TV...

1982) Mary Hart joins "Entertainment Tonight"...

1988) Yankee Manager Billy Martin's 5th term ends. He's replaced by Lou Piniella...

1989) "Batman" premieres...

1992) Godfather John Gotti is sentenced to life in prison...

1993) Lorena Bobbitt does her famous "slice and dice" act on husband John...

Happy Birthday...

1925) Art Modell (owner of the Baltimore Ravens and Modell Stores, former owner of the Cleveland Browns)...The city of Cleveland will not be celebrating...

1946) Ted Shackelford ("Dallas", "Knots Landing")...

1948) Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas...(no jokes, please)...

1957) Frances McDormand ("Fargo")...

Commentary...

WRKO, my alma mater, has just announced a multiyear deal to carry the Celtics games starting next season. While carrying play-by-play is risky at best with little or no revenue gain, there are some advantages which include the exposure of your call letters in signage at games and the hope that your team has a winning season and boosts your ratings. Today's press release brings to mind my early days at WRKO...

In 1966 the then "Boston" Patriots were coached by Mike Holovak who had a daily sports show on WNAC (soon to be WRKO the following year). Although he was a good coach, Holovak had a rather lackluster personality which was not conducive to "good" radio. There were many occasions that required someone, anyone, to call the coach with a question relating to the Patriots and I was game to contribute when called upon by Program Director, Bob Henabery. While I'll always consider Boston my adopted hometown, not being a native, I do not speak "New England" but did manage to put on the phoniest accent that would make even a "Vinnie from Dorchester" or "Frankie from Framingham" proud. Come to think of it, I, I mean, "they" were proud...

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

The Boy Wonder...

Little Stevie Wonder was barely 13 when Motown released "Fingertips" on this date in 1963. Signed by the legendary label at the age of 11, Stevie would top the charts with "Fingertips", giving us the summer's biggest hit of '63...

Stevie would become one of Motown's biggest Superstars and one of the greatest artists of all-time but little is known of the singer's songwriting ability. Here's a partial list of songs that Stevie has co-written: "I Was Made To Love Her", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", the Spinners hit, "It's A Shame" and the Miracles hit, "Tears Of A Clown"...

I've included one or two other things you may not know about Stevie Wonder in today's commentary...

More June 22 Memories...

1963) Motown releases "Fingertips"...

1969) Cleveland's Cuyahoga River catches fire...

1970) Voting age lowered to 18...

1979) Little Richard quits Rock and Roll for the ministry...

1981) Mark David Chapman pleads quilty in killing of John Lennon...

1982) Manhattan institutes bus-only lanes...

1987) Mets "franchise" Tom Seaver retires...

1990) Bobby Cox takes over as manager of the Atlanta Braves...

1990) Billy Joel rocks Yankee Stadium...

1994) Houston beats the Knicks in 7 games to win NBA title...

2004) "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" tops the list of all-time movie songs...

Happy Birthday...

1936) Kris Kristofferson...

1941) Ed ("60 Minutes") Bradley...

1944) Peter Asher...

1947) Howard (Turtles, Eddie of Flo and Eddie) Kaylan...

1948) Todd Rundgren...

1949) Meryl Streep...

1964) Amy ("Judging Amy") Brenneman...

1973) Carson Daly...

Commentary...

I met Stevie Wonder in 1977 when I was program director at WNBC. Stevie was on a promotional tour of New York radio stations at the time and we were lucky enough to get Stevie to sit in with afternoon drive jock, Walt "Baby" Love. Having an opportunity to spend some time with Stevie, I found him not only knowledgable and engaging but possessing a great sense of humor. In the middle of our conversation, Stevie broke into a top 40 jock rap that was so good I was tempted to hold him hostage so he could follow Walt on the air. Turning that down, Stevie did agree to play top 40 jock in his on-air interview, not only surprising Walt but doing one of the best interviews ever heard on New York radio...

Story #2 about Stevie...

Minnie Riperton, who would top the charts with "Loving You" in the mid-70s, would often sing backup vocals at Stevie Wonder recording sessions before starting a career with the group Rotary Connection and then going solo. Minnie would often mention Stevie Wonder's great sense of humor regarding his blindness and how she would ask Stevie to hold her hand and follow her. Those walks would lead into a wall. No problem for Stevie who would double over in laughter...

In today's transitory world of recording artists, we can safely assume that we will not see the like of artists like Stevie Wonder again...

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Happy Solstice...

Chh chh-chh, uh, chh chh-chh, uh

Chh chh-chh, uh, chh chh-chh, uh

In the summertime when the weather is high

You can stretch right up and touch the sky...

Lyrics compliments of the immortal group, yes, group, Mungo Jerry...Other songs with "summer" in the title: "A Summer Song", "Summer in the City", "Summertime Blues", "Here Comes Summer", "The Boys of Summer", "Summer", "(Theme from) A Summer Place", "Summer Nights", "Summer of '69" and how can we ever forget New England's own Jamies who gave us "Summertime, Summertime" ?

For the purists, here's a list of #1 hits on the first day of Summer over a 25 year span (1960-1985):

(1960) "Cathy's Clown" - Everly Brothers

(1961) "Moody River" - Pat Boone

(1962) "I Can't Stop Loving You" - Ray Charles

(1963) "Sukiyaki" - Kyu Sakamoto

(1964) "Chapel of Love" - Dixie Cups

(1965) "I Can't Help Myself" - Four Tops

(1966) "Paint It Black" - Rolling Stones

(1967) "Respect" - Aretha Franklin

(1968) "Mrs. Robinson" - Simon & Garfunkel

(1969) "Get Back" - Beatles

(1970) "The Long and Winding Road" - Beatles

(1971) "It's Too Late" - Carole King

(1972) "The Candy Man" - Sammy Davis, Jr.

(1973) "My Love" - Paul McCartney and Wings

(1974) "Billy, Don't Be A Hero" - Bo Donaldson & Heywoods

(1975) "Love Will Keep Us Together" - The Captain and Tennille

(1976) "Love Hangover" - Diana Ross

(1977) "Dreams" - Fleetwood Mac

(1978) "Shadow Dancing" - Andy Gibb

(1979) "Hot Stuff" - Donna Summer

(1980) "Funkytown" - Lipps, Inc

(1981) "Medley" - Stars on 45

(1982) "Ebony and Ivory" - Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder

(1983) "Flashdance...What a Feeling" - Irene Cara

(1984) "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper

(1985) "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - Tears For Fears

More June 21 Memories...

(1964) Phillies pitcher (and future Kentucky Senator) Jim Bunning pitches a perfect game on Father's Day against, who else ? The Mets...

(1969) Zager and Evans release "In The Year 2525"...

(1975) "Jaws" premieres...

(1975) Elton John, The Eagles and Beach Boys play before 72,000 at Wembley Stadium...

(1982) A jury finds John Hinckley, Jr. innocent by insanity in his attempted assassination of President Reagan...

(2001) We lose "Archie" actor, Carroll O'Connor at 76...

Happy Birthday

1921) Jane Russell...

1925) Maureen Stapleton...

1933) "Love Boat" actor, Bernie Kopell...

1940) Mariette Hartley...

1944) Ray (Kinks) Davies...

1947) "Family Ties" actress, Meredith Baxter...

1947) "Family Ties" actor, Michael Gross...

1982) Prince William...

Commentary...

Congratulations to Tommy Noonan for another successful CBS Records Alumni Association Luncheon recently held at the Novotel Hotel in Manhattan. Emcee Jim Scully welcomed back former CBS Records alumni from all corners of the country. Among the other speakers were former CBS Records President, Irwin Segelstein, former Epic Records head, Ron Alexenburg and former Columbia and Epic A&R and Promotion chief, Steve Popovich.

What makes this luncheon special is the continuation of the family atmosphere always present whenever former CBS Records employees gather. There have been many sad occasions when we said goodbye to one of our own but this was not the case. There's a reason that CBS Records was known as "The Family of Music Labels" and I am happy to be part of that family...

Monday, June 20, 2005

"Toast of the Town"...

If you were lucky enough to be alive and have a television on this date 57 years ago, you would have witnessed the debut of a nervous, stoic, stone-faced newspaper reporter who would become a TV icon. Ed Sullivan opened his first "really big shew" with a potpourri of talent in the wings. His initial offering of guests on "Toast of the Town" numbered songwriters Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, the top comedy team in America, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, some plate twirlers, acrobats, unicyclists and of course, the June Taylor Dancers. The only change made on the show that dominated TV on Sunday nights for 23 years was its name which would change to "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1955.

Throughout the years we laughed with Ed and his marionette mouse, Topo Gigio, ventriloquist Senor Wences (who made 20 appearances) and stared in amazement at the host of jugglers, plate twirlers, knife throwers, acrobats and animal acts but oh what guests...Elvis Presley made 3 appearances as did The Beatles. It didn't matter if you were an opera singer or a baseball player, if you were famous, you were on. Ed Sullivan loved comedians and our research shows that Canadian comics Wayne & Shuster made 58 appearances followed by Jack Carter with 49, Myron Cohen (47) and Alan King (37). Diva Roberta Peters made 41 appearances and Pearl Bailey, 23.

Ed Sullivan exposed more talent than any other host in TV history. If you were alive from June 20, 1948 through June 6, 1971, you were watching Ed Sullivan every Sunday night at 8. Read my commentary for a personal view of Mr. Sullivan...

When Ed Sullivan debuted in 1948:

Cars cost $1,550...

Gas was 26 cents a gallon...

You could buy a house for $13,500...

Bread was 14 cents a loaf...

Milk was 86 cents a gallon...

Minimum wage was 40 cents an hour...

Average annual salary was $3,600...

Only one in ten Americans owned a television...

More June 20 Memories...

1948) "Toast of the Town" debuts...

1960) Floyd Patterson regains heavyweight crown by knocking out Ingemar Johansson...

1963) U.S. and Russia agree to set up a hot line...

1963) The Mets beat the Yankees in their first Mayor's Trophy game...

1964) The Dixie Cups are #1 with "Chapel of Love"...

1965) #1 song: "Mr. Tambourine Man" by the Byrds...

1977) Marvin Gaye tops the charts with "Got to Give It Up"...

1980) Roberto Duran wins welterweight title from Sugar Ray Leonard...

Happy Birthday...

1931) Olympia Dukakis...

1940) John ("Frazier") Mahoney...

1942) Brian Wilson...

1946) Anne Murray...

1946) Bob ("This Old House") Vila...

1949) Lionel Richie...

1952) John Goodman...

1953) Cyndi Lauper...

1967) Nicole Kidman...

Commentary...

I met Ed Sullivan when I came back to New York City in 1972 as Program Director of WOR-FM. Little did I know that Ed and his wife Sylvia had an apartment in the Delmonico Hotel, where I was staying before bringing my family to New York from Boston. To my shock I stood in awe as the elevator door opened in the lobby and there, dressed to the nines were Ed and Sylvia Sullivan. I blocked their exit, standing there mesmerized before muttering a feeble introduction. They were unimpressed but polite and went on their way. I would run into Ed Sullivan on two other occasions when he spoke at radio luncheons that I attended and found him to be an unassuming and humble person. In short, he was just a regular guy, this icon of television. When he spoke publically he was surprisingly a potty mouth with lots of funny jokes. Ed Sullivan rose from obscure newspaper columnist to the "Toast of The Town" and it all started on this date, June 20, 1948...

Beau Raines was a name I ommitted from the list of people who had some kind words about this blog, forgive me Beau and of course I remember you playing a hand in the early days of WRKO's history...

The original News Director of WRKO and best News Director I ever had the fortune of having as Program Director is doing a one-hour block on WNTK, Lebanon, NH, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:05pm to 7pm. Check out Roger Allan on WNTK @ www.wntk.com

Friday, Sat, Sun, June 17-19, 2005

Rookie defeats "Army"...

With another U.S. Open underway let's turn the calendar back to June 17, 1962 when one of the biggest upsets in Open history took place. For the first time, a golfer won the U.S. Open in his initial season as a pro. It happened on this date at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.

22-year old Jack Nicklaus attacked and defeated Arnie's Army, led by the number one seeded golfer in the land, Arnold Palmer. The Golden Bear would win the tournament by 3 strokes in an 18-hole playoff despite one of Palmer's characteristic rallies.

Despite the encouragement of the highly partisan gallery of 11,000, Arnold Palmer would get no closer than 1 stroke to Nicklaus who would hole out on his final putt to finish with a par 71 to Palmer's 74.

What music were we listening to on this date in 1962 ? The top 5 songs:

1) I Can't Stop Loving You-Ray Charles

2) Playboy-Marvelettes

3) The One Who Really Loves You-Mary Wells

4) The Stripper-David Rose

5) I Love You-Volumes

More June 17 Memories...

1963) "Sukiyaki" becomes the only Japanese tune to top the charts...

1967) Barbra Streisand performs in Central Park...

1968) "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy" goes gold...

1972) Looking Glass releases "Brandy"...

1972) Democratic Party HQ buglarized at Watergate...

1972) "The Candy Man" is #1...

1994) O.J. Simpson's Ford Bronco chased (very slowly) by LAPD...

Happy Birthday...

1946) Barry Manilow...

1951) Joe Piscopo...

1964) Greg Kinnear...

1980) Venus Williams...

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Memories...

1948) Columbia Records unveils the 33 1/3 LP...

1960) Arnold Palmer comes from 7 strokes behind to win the U.S. Open...

1977) Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson square off in Yankee dugout...

1979) Billy Martin becomes Yankee manager for the 2nd time...

1979) Carter and Brezhnev sign Salt II strategic arms agreement...

1983) Sally Ride becomes 1st U.S. woman in space...

2000) Tiger Woods wins the U.S. Open by 15 strokes...

Happy Birthday...

1939) Lou Brock...

1942) Paul McCartney...

1952) Carol Kane...

1952) Isabella Rossellini...

Sunday, June 19, 2005...

Memories...

1846) First baseball game is played in Hoboken, N.J...

1910) Father's Day celebrated for the first time...

1934) The FCC is created...

1956) Martin and Lewis break up...

1964) Civil Rights Act is passed...

1970) Jim Bouton's controversial "Ball Four" is published...

2000) Phil Jackson coaches the Lakers to his 7th NBA title in 9 seasons...

Happy Birthday...

1936) Gena Rowlands...

1942) Singer Spanky MacFarlane...

1948) Phylicia Rashad...

1950) Ann ("Heart") Wilson...

1954) Kathleen Turner...

1962) Paula Abdul...

1974) Met first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz...

Commentary...

There are 3 things mentioned earlier in the report that have profoundly affected me. They are, in order:

1) The celebration of Father's Day. No Father could ever be more proud of their children as I am. Lynn and Robert Phillips have brought a lot of joy into my life and seeing them today as successful adults is the ultimate gift any Dad can receive for Father's Day...

2) The founding of the FCC created guidelines, rules and regulations that I discovered for the first time when I received my third class operator's license, required at the time to take transmitter readings. It was much like prepping yourself for your first driver's test. You looked at the booklet for 5 minutes, took the test and got your license. If you didn't have your "third-class ticket" back then, you didn't have a radio job...

3) The unveiling of the first 33 1/3 LP, done by the innovative, best in the business record company around, Columbia Records. I spent some of the best years of my life at subsidiary Epic, and later CBS International Records...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DADS...

Thursday, June 16, 2005

The Summer of Love...

With the Vietnam War escalating and demonstrations mounting throughout the country, Mamas & Papas' founder John Phillips and record mogul Lou Adler organized the first pop music festival of its kind in the summer of '67. The predecessor of the grand daddy of all festivals, Woodstock, was an event featuring 32 acts and was billed as a "three-day celebration of music, peace, flower-power and love"...

Officially named The First Annual Monterey International Pop Music Festival, the gathering of over 200,000 and music's biggest stars would grow into an historic event of epic proportions. Appearing at the festival were:

The Mamas and The Papas, The Association, Scott McKenzie, Canned Heat, Big Brother with Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Byrds, Country Joe and The Fish, Lou Rawls, Laura Nyro, Otis Redding, Booker T. and the MG's with the Mar-Keys, Ravi Shankar, Grateful Dead, Steve Miller Band, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Electric Flag, Hugh Masakela, Buffalo Springfield, Johnny Rivers, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Eric Burdon & Animals, Moby Grape, Simon and Garfunkel, The Group With No Name, Paupers, Beverly, Al Kooper, The Blues Project...

Most of the performers appeared for free with only lodging and travel expenses provided. If the Summer of Love had a beginning, it was appropriately right here in Northern California on the night of June 16, 1967. Funds raised by the festival and subsequent film and CD sales went to the Monterey Pop Foundation which is still in existence today and providing help to worthwhile causes such as the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic...

More June 16 Memories...

1960) "Psycho" premieres in New York City...

1961) Today Show host Dave ("peace") Garroway is fired...

1967) The Monterey Pop Festival makes history...

1976) "The Jacksons" summer variety show begins...

1978) Former Met Tom Seaver pitches a no-hitter...

1978) The Yankees' Ron Guidry strikes out 18...

1980) "The Blues Brothers" premieres in Chicago...

1987) Subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz is acquitted of the 1984 subway shooting of four attackers...

Happy Birthday...

1941) Songwriter Lamont Dozier...

1942) Eddie (O'Jays) Levert...

1951) Robert ("No mas") Duran...

1970) Golfer Phil Mickelson...

1977) Cub Pitcher Kerry Wood...

Commentary...

The Pop Music Festival in Monterey was the forerunner of everything else that followed, including Woodstock. The question remains, would there have been a Woodstock if not for Monterey ? Whenever you attend an open-air concert remember where and when it all started, Monterey, California, June 16, 1967...

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Genesis in greatness...

Let's throw out one of my least favorite words, arguably, in reference to the greatest songwriters of our generation. That songwriting team, inarguably (a more apt word) was and always will be, Lennon-McCartney (sorry Paul but that's the way it appeared on all your songs and that's the order it will stay in)...

This collaboration of greatness began with a simple meeting between 15-year old John Lennon and 13-year old Paul McCartney. It happened on this date in 1956 when Paul watched John and his Quarrymen perform at a church dinner in Liverpool...

Whatever your favorite Lennon-McCartney song might be, you're part of a world has been enriched forever by their music and penmanship. If you're looking for the genesis behind their greatness, it can be found in their first meeting, June 15, 1956...

More June 15 Memories...

1938) The Dodgers celebrate their first Ebbets Field night game by getting no-hit. Reds pitcher Johnny Vander Meer celebrates with his second consecutive no-hitter, a record that still stands, a record that will never be broken...

1956) John & Paul meet...

1965) Bob Dylan records "Like a Rolling Stone"...

1969) TV viewers I.Q.'s plummet as "Hee Haw" debuts...

1973) "American Graffiti" premieres in New York City...

1974) Ray Stevens tops the charts with "The Streak"...

1977) The Mets do the unthinkable, they trade "The Franchise", Tom Seaver...

1984) Tommy Hearns wins one of 5 crowns he would own with a second round KO of Roberto Duran...

1987) Michael Spinks wins heavyweight title with a TKO of Gerry Cooney...

1992) VP Dan Quayle misspells potato, as potatoe, flunks elementary school spelling bee...

Happy Birthday...

1932) Mario Cuomo...

1948) Mike Holmgren...

1958) Wade Boggs...

1963) Helen Hunt...

1964) Courteney Cox Arquette...

1968) Ice Cube...

1970) Leah (Queen of 'King of Queens') Remini...

Commentary...

Writing this blog is comparable to being on the air for the first time, not knowing if anyone is actually listening to you. You're really operating in a vacuum until that first phone call or in this case, your first compliment. At the risk of using the much-hackneyed "labor of love" in describing why I decided to do this, it's exactly that labor of love that keeps me going. I'm not quite sure what direction this blog will go in, but I'd like to thank those who've given me the encouragement to continue. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated in keeping this effort interesting enough to be included in your "bookmarks" or "favorites". My thanks to the following believers (alphabetical order, no relatives): Jeff Allen, Corinne Baldassano, Dick Bartley, Gene Bolan, Jim Carnegie, George Chaltas, Jay Clark, Joe D'Ambrosio, Joel Denver, Dennis Falcone, Monique Fortune, Jim Gallagher, Mickey Gensler, John Gorman, Dave Hemenway, Bob Henabery, David Hinckley, J.J. Jordan, Joe McCoy, Harvey Mednick, Peter Mollica, Tommy Noonan, Marty Ostrow, Paul Power, Mary Regel, Barry Resnick, Bill Rock, Ira Sherman, Len Zola...

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

"Now I can die in peace..."

That was the sign a fan held up after 54 years of frustration was wiped away by the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers' exciting 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden on June 14, 1994. The Broadway Blues, led by their captain Mark Messier were cheered mightily by the capacity crowd of 18,200 screaming Ranger fanatics who would no longer endure chants of "1940, 1940" representing the last time the Rangers won the Stanley Cup.

After getting phone congratulations from President Clinton, Ranger Brian Leetch, not believing that the president actually called, asked innocently, "Was that Dana Carvey?"

The 54 year vigil was over on the night of June 14, 1994...

More June 14 Memories...

1777) The Continental Congress adopts the Stars and Stripes as the national flag...

1964) "Chapel of Love" by the Dixie Cups is #1...

1965) "Beatles VI" is released...

1974) "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" tops the charts...

1980) Frank Sinatra has a hit with "New York, New York"...

1989) Zsa Zsa Gabor is arrested for slapping a Beverly Hills police officer...

1987) "A Team" ends its 4-year run...

1994) The Rangers are Stanley Cup Champions...

1998) Michael Jordan & the Bulls score their second "three-peat" and 6th NBA championship of the decade...

Happy Birthday...

1945) Rod Argent (Zombies, Argent)...

1946) Donald Trump...

1958) Olympic hero Eric Heiden...

1961) Boy George...

1968) Yasmine Bleeth...

1969) Steffi Graf...

Commentary...

What happened to displaying the American flag ? The rampant patriotism displayed following 911 was a heartwarming sight but it's faded like the first Stars and Stripes displayed in 1777. The Continental Congress in Philadelphia gave us that flag as well as the right to display the pride we have in our country. I hope we'll all remember that on this Flag Day...

His number's up... It was a day that even the skies wept. 49,641 sat in the damp discomfort of an unseasonably raw and unpleasant June day. The Yankee Stadium crowd swallowed hard in unison as "Auld Lang Syne" brought the great Bambino, Babe Ruth to the microphone at home plate. There in sincere and simple words the greatest player to play the game of baseball bid his fans goodbye. The Sultan of Swat was not only tired, he was dying. Throat cancer would claim The Babe just two months later. Babe Ruth's number 3 uniform was retired for good that day, becoming the first uniform to be retired in professional sports. It happened on this date in 1948... More June 13th Memories... 1970) The Beatles' "Long and Winding Road" single reaches the top of the charts for the first of 2 weeks... 1970) The Beatles' "Let It Be" LP is #1 for the first of 4 weeks... 1971) The New York Times begins publishing the "Pentagon Papers"... 1980) Billy Joel's "Glass Houses" LP tops the charts... 1990) Nelson and Winnie Mandela are welcomed to New York City... 1995) The New Jersey Devils beat the Philadelphia Flyers to reach their 1st Stanley Cup finals... 2003) Roger Clemens reaches 300 wins and becomes the third pitcher with 4,000 strikeouts... Happy Birthday... 1913) Ralph Edwards... 1940) Bobby Freeman... 1949) Dennis Locorriere a.k.a. Dr. Hook... 1951) Richard (John Boy) Thomas... 1953) Tim Allen... 1962) Hannah Storm... 1986) Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen... Commentary... It was a win-win day at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday and as Afleet Alex ran by the rest of the field, this was the call of Alex's dominating win: "It was as if the other horses were standing still..." Afleet Alex proved to be the best 3-year old thoroughbred in the country by winning 2 legs of racing's triple crown. In 12 races Alex has won 8 and finished in the money in 11. Also finishing in the money on Saturday was "Alex's Lemonade Stand" which collected some $30,000 at Belmont. All for children's cancer. Little Alex Scott was looking down at the results with a big smile on her face...

Friday, June 10, Sat, June 11, Sun, June 12, 2005

Elvis takes Gotham... While there were always rumours that Elvis would visit New York dating as far back as the fifties, the only appearances The King would make were those he made on Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town" TV show... That all changed on June 10, 1972 when Elvis Presley took New York by storm, appearing in 4 sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden. I was lucky enough to witness one of those shows and while I would see Elvis in concert a total of 3 times, this was by far the most electric and dynamic performance of all... Bathed in a white spot light accenting his white spangled suit, Elvis hit the stage accompanied by Also Sprach Zarathustra (the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey). The sold-out Garden crowd erupted in the loudest ovation and flash-bulb bursting hysteria I've ever witnessed at a concert. The Apple having waited patiently for 2 decades would wait no more. They didn't have to... While Elvis regaled the close to 20,000 screaming fans with almost all of his hits including his first release, "That's All Right", some would be full versions, some would be included in medleys. Elvis put a comical lyric spin on several of his hits, playing with the crowd who didn't seem to mind one bit but what surprised me the most were The King's versions of hits by other singers: "The Impossible Dream", "Polk Salad Annie", "Never Been To Spain", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling". Elvis then did what would become a signature song of his later career, "American Trilogy" which he would include in every performance. All of the above mentioned songs are included in the RCA album, "Elvis: As Recorded At Madison Square Garden", released in 1997. I had a chance to chat with Elvis backstage twice in Las Vegas and will give you some feedback on those meetings in a future report. In addition to the 4 shows that Elvis performed in June of 1972, there was a press conference prior to those shows which I'll discuss in my commentary... More June 10 Memories... 1935) Alcoholics Anonymous is formed (and not a minute too soon for some)... 1966) Mamas and Papas pick up a gold record for "Monday, Monday"... 1966) Janis Joplin's first live concert, Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco... 1972) Elvis debuts in New York City... 1978) Affirmed with jockey phenom Steve Cauthen wraps up the Triple Crown with another win (the third) over rival Alydar (Belmont Stakes)... 1984) The Celtics do it again, beating the Lakers for another NBA title... 1991) Desert storm troops are welcomed home with ticker tape in New York City... 2002) John Gotti is silenced forever... 2004) Ray Charles bows out... Birthdays... 1921) England's Prince Philip... 1933) Attorney F. Lee Bailey... 1941) Shirelle Shirley Alston Reeves... 1943) Media maven Jeff Greenfield... 1965) Elizabeth Hurley... Commentary... Just a day or two prior to the Elvis concert in New York I attended a press conference with other members of the media (radio, tv, print, etc.) that featured Elvis at a long desk, accompanied by some of the people involved in producing and promoting the show. I remember Elvis being extremely polite at the Q&A, "Yes sir, no sir, yes mam, no mam", The King was not a man of many words but he didn't have to be because he had Colonel Tom Parker, his legendary, P.T. Barnum of a manager. Colonel Tom didn't disappoint many at that press conference as he grabbed a mike and commented after every Elvis comment. The Colonel walked up and down the aisle leading to the desk and totally dominated the press conference. I remember thinking that this man could sell ice water to Eskimos. I left that press conference wishing that I could go directly into Madison Square Garden to see Elvis perform that second, why wait ? The Colonel worked the room so brilliantly he made you feel that way, why wait ? I did wait but was not disappointed on June 10, 1972, the day The King held court... Saturday, June 11, 2005... Memories... 1963) Gov. George Wallace blocks blacks from University of Alabama... 1964) Manfred Mann record "Do Wah Diddy Diddy"... 1966) The Rolling Stones top the charts with "Paint it Black"... 1969) David Bowie releases "Space Oddity"... 1977) Seattle Slew captures the Triple Crown, winning the Belmont Stakes... 1978) "Grease", the movie, opens... 1982) "ET" opens and sets record breaking numbers at the box office... 1982) Heavyweight champ Larry Holmes defends his title with a 13 round TKO of Long Island's Gerry Cooney... 1990) Nolan Ryan pitches his 6th no-hitter... 2001) Timothy McVeigh is executed for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing... 2002) Paul McCartney and Heather Mills are married... Birthdays... 1933) Gene Wilder... 1940) Joey Dee... 1956) Joe Montana... 1959) Hugh ("House") Laurie... 1982) WNBA star Diana Taurasi... Sunday, June 12, 2005 Memories... 1939) The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum opens... 1965) Sonny & Cher make their tv debut on "American Bandstand"... 1971) A White House wedding for Tricia Nixon and Edward Cox... 1978) Son of Sam killer, David Berkowitz, is sentenced to 25 to life... 1981) Baseball on strike for the third time... 1981) "Raiders of the Lost Ark" premieres... 1987) President Reagan says "tear down this wall Mr. Gorbachev"... 1997) Baseball begins inter-league play... 2002) The Nets get swept in 4 games by the Lakers... Birthdays... 1924) George H.W. Bush... 1928) Vic Damone... 1930) Jim ("well golllly") Nabors... 1941) Marv ("yes") Albert... Coming Monday, June 13th... Ever wonder what famous uniform was the first in history to be retired ? You'll find out Monday... Have a good weekend everybody...

Thursday, June 9, 2005

Big Red remembered...

Numerologists will forever remember the day that the numbers 31, 2 and 24 made sports history. It was 32 years ago today (sound familiar ?) that the horse known as Big Red became legendary.

The setting was Elmont, Long Island. The Belmont Stakes would prove if Secretariat was merely a very good thoroughbred or a horse for the ages. While breaking track records in the first two legs of racing's Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, they didn't call the Belmont Stakes, "The Test of Champions" for nothing. Big Red would have to prove if he was truly a champ by winning his last big test.

Jockey Ron Turcotte went to the front from the start with Secretariat breaking from the inside post. Half the distance of this historic race was run in record times and then Turcotte put Big Red on cruise control. 7 lengths turned into 20, 20 into 28 and 28 into a record 31 length victory. Secretariat had done something no horse has ever done before or since at the Belmont Stakes. Here are the record breaking numbers: 31 (lengths), 2 (minutes) and 24 (seconds)...

(answer to yesterday's "Name That Year" was 1976, the year that Boz Scaggs "Silk Purse" LP and singles "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" were released)

More June 9 Memories...

1963) "Cleopatra" opens in New York...

1971) McCartney's "Ram" LP goes gold...

1972) Bruce Springsteen signs with Columbia Records...

1973) Secretariat completes racing's Triple Crown by winning the Belmont...

1980) Richard Pryor "lights up"...

1984) Cyndi Lauper is #1 with "Time After Time"...

1991) The Boss marries backup singer Patty Scialfa...

Birthdays...

1915) Les Paul...

1936) Jackie Mason...

1939) Dick Vitale...

1961) Michael J. Fox...

1963) Johnny Depp...

1973) Tedy Bruschi...

1981) Natalie Portman...

Commentary...

While the 137th running of the Belmont Stakes this Saturday doesn't have the excitement nor drama of 1973's record breaking run of the great Secretariat, it does have a terrific story.

This is the rubber match between odds-on favorite Afleet Alex and Giacomo, owned by A&M Records co-founder Jerry Moss. But that's only half the story. Afleet Alex was named for his owner's son but there's another Alex, a young girl from Philadelphia who would lose her battle with childhood cancer.

Afleet Alex owner Chuck Zacney took notice of the young girl who opened a lemonade stand to raise money for cancer research to help other children suffering from her disease. The owner pledged $5,000 to the fund and continues to support Alex's Lemonade Stand by donating part of the winning proceeds of every race won by Afleet Alex.

This running of the Belmont Stakes is about more than winning a race. It's also about passion and for life itself. 8 year old Alexandra "Alex" Scott lost her battle with cancer last summer but her mission in life continues. Alex's Lemonade Stand has raised close to $2,000,000. On Saturday Alex's parents will once again be behind "Alex's Lemonade Stand" at the Belmont Stakes. Whether or not you follow racing or have an interest in who wins this year's Belmont Stakes, we hope, like most of America, you'll be rooting for the 9 horse...

To find out more about Alex's dream: http://www.alexslemonade.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Name that year...

Boz Scaggs celebrates his 61st birthday today. William Royce Scaggs, born in the Buckeye state of Ohio on June 8, 1944 was raised in Oklahoma and Texas. It was in Dallas that Boz hooked up with Steve Miller's group, the Marksmen in the 50s. He would later rejoin Miller with the Steve Miller Band in the 60s.

In 1968 Boz started his solo career but it was in the 70s before Boz would have his first hit, make that his first two hits, "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle". Both tunes were included in his hit LP, "Silk Degrees".

The Year Boz broke loose we had a Ford in the White House and were flocking to see "Rocky". On TV we had "Happy Days" but no happiness for Patty Hearst who was found quilty of bank robbery. Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford starred in "All The President's Men", exposing a president and making "Deep Throat" a mystery until last week.

All of those things happened that year, was it:
a) 1976

b) 1977 (or)

c) 1978

The answer...in tomorrow's report...

More June 8 Memories...

1965) U.S. troops enter Vietnam...

1968) The Rolling Stones release "Jumpin' Jack Flash"...

1969) A sellout crowd sees #7 Mickey Mantle retire...

1970) The Beatles top the charts with "Long and Winding Road"...

1979) Paul McCartney & Wings release "Back to the Egg" LP...

1983) "Trading Places", "Ghostbusters" and "Gremlins" premiere...

1986) #1 single: "On My Own"-Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald...

1986) The Boston Celtics beat the Rockets to win the 40th NBA Championship title...

1992) Yankee reliever Steve Howe is banned from baseball for the 7th time...

Birthdays...

1927) Jerry Stiller (Ben's Dad)...

1933) Joan ("Can we talk?") Rivers...

1940) Nancy ("Boots") Sinatra...

1942) Chuck Negron (3 Dog Night)...

1944) Boz Scaggs...

1950) Kathy Baker...

1960) Mike Hucknall (Simply Red)...

1966) Julianna Margulies...

Commentary...

More than the weather is heating up in New York. In addition to a pre-summer heat wave with temperatures tickling the low 90s, there's also a heat wave brewing in the Apple and that's the emergence of the "other" baseball team. Following another masterpiece by Pedro Martinez with 40,000 witnesses in attendance it's the Mets that have replaced the Yankees in the headlines. While the Mets are just one game out of first place, the Yankees are just about as close to last place as first place. It's not just the weather that's sizzling, it's the "other" team, the team in Flushing who just might be flushing the Yankees out of the spotlight after what seems like centuries of pinstripe dominance...

Tuesday, June 7, 2005

"Grease, is the word...is the word...is the word" I had come back home to New York in the summer of 1972 making the jump from WRKO to WOR-FM as Program Director. Leaving Boston that summer was the hardest career decision I had ever made. I knew it would be hard if not impossible to have the same kind of success that I had in Beantown but it was just posssible that a kid from Brooklyn, radio-schooled in New York could come back and be a winner in his home town. One of my first memories that summer was attending the opening of a new Broadway musical that made its debut on this date 33 years ago today. When "Grease" opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on June 7, 1972 flared bell bottoms were the fashion order of the day, Richard Milhous Nixon was our President and gas was a mere 36 cents a gallon. If you were about to buy a house, you were about to pay $30,500 for that house but the good news was that you had your whole life (71.2 years) to pay it off. 1972 also gave us the following: Richard Bach's best seller, "Jonathan Livingston Seagull"... "The Adkins Diet"... "The Peter Principal"... "I'm OK, your OK"... "Glitter Rock"... Frank Sinatra testifying about the (gulp) Mafia... "Sanford and Son"... "M*A*S*H"... "Deliverance"... #1 TV show: "All in the Family"... #1 at the box office: "The Godfather"... More June 7 Memories... 1955) "The $64,000 Question" premieres... 1966) The Mets pass up Reggie Jackson in the baseball draft... 1970) The Who perform "Tommy" at Lincoln Center... 1972) "Grease" opens on Broadway... 1982) The Mets draft Dwight Gooden, Roger McDowell and Randy Myers... 1993) Cleveland breaks ground for the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame"... Birthdays... 1940) Tom Jones... 1946) Jenny Jones... 1958) &%#$@, the artist formerly known as Prince... 1971) Mark Wahlberg... 1975) Allen Iverson... 1981) Anna Kournikova... Commentary... With his veto of the proposed Westside stadium Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver stood up to the mayor, deputy mayor, governor and Jets officals but more importantly spoke for the majority of New Yorkers opposed to the boondoggle plan that would have cost taxpayers in higher rents and taxes. Here is Mr. Silver in his own words: "The question is not whether New York City should host the Olympics, the question is not whether New York City should host a Super Bowl or eight Jets home games every season. The question is, what do we address first, our moral obligations or our ambitions?" Mr. Silver added: "Considering our constitutional obligation to provide each and every child with a sound, basic education, our moral obligation to rebuild and revitalize lower Manhattan, and our public obligation to provide a safe, affordable and efficient mass transit system, I cannot in good conscience cast my vote for the proposal before us today." Bravo, Mr. Silver...You are truly a New York City hero...

Monday, June 6, 2005

"Rock Around The Clock"...

The day that music died is well documented in "American Pie" but was June 6, 1955 the day that Rock & Roll music started ??? It was on this day half a century ago that "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley & the Comets was #1.

What should be recognized as the first Rock & Roll hit, "Rock Around The Clock" was bathed in controversy. The Rock classic was chosen as the theme song of the daring-for-the-fifties film, "Blackboard Jungle". It was a movie that was banned in several cities because of incendiary subplots (a school overrun by delinquents, the threatening of female teachers with rape and racial overtones). There was even some fear of the film sparking violence in schools across America. Of course in retrospect the only thing that "Blackboard Jungle" produced was the first Rock & Roll hit, "Rock Around The Clock". It also gave birth to the career of one of the stars of the TV classic "M*A*S*H". That would be Jameel Farah who we all know and love as Jamie Farr. But what great creative musical genius chose the song for the sound track ???

"Rock Around The Clock" was discovered by Peter Ford, the son of "Blackboard Jungle" star, Glenn Ford. Peter pulled it from a stack of his favorite singles and convinced his Dad to put it in the movie. "Rock Around The Clock" would rock the world as a chart topper and sell more than 25 million copies...

More June 6 Memories...

1944) U.S. troops land in Normandy , the beginning of the D-Day victory in Europe...The #1 song on this day: "I'll Get By" by Harry James...

1946) The Basketball of America Association meets to schedule its first season using 11 teams...the BAA becomes the NBA...

1955) "Rock Around The Clock" is #1...

1966) The Rolling Stones top the charts with "Paint It Black"...

1968) We lose Senator and perhaps future President, Robert Kennedy at the hands of Sirhan B. Sirhan...

1971) Gladys Knight & the Pips supply the music for the final episode of TV's "Ed Sullivan Show"...

1991) NBC announces Jay Leno as Johnny Carson's replacement starting May 25, 1992...

1992) David Bowie and model Iman tie the knot...

Birthdays...

1936) Levi Stubbs (4 Tops lead singer)...

1939) Gary U.S. Bonds...

1949) Robert Englund aka Freddy Kreuger...

1954) Diva Harvey Fierstein...

1967) Paul Giamatti...

1974) Uncle Kracker...

Commentary...

In light of the format change at my former home, WCBS-FM, I hope that my New York friends find some solace in reliving some good memories with this report by viewing what was happening on this date in history along with my views, interesting factoids and commentary. Please feel free to offer suggestions on ways to improve the report...

(As always, your comments are always welcome. It's as easy as clicking "comments")

Fri-Sat-Sun June 3-5, 2005

Friday, June 3, 2005 Graceland opens to the public... 23 years ago today, Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis opens as a tourist attraction. One of the most visited homes in America, over 600,000 visitors pay homage to The King every year. The most famous home in the U.S. after the White House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. If you plan on attending the home Elvis used as a refuge for 20 years, we'd suggest bringing plenty of peanut butter and banana sandwiches to munch on while waiting on line (or is it "in line" in Memphis ???)... More June 3 Memories... 1965) Astronaut Edward White becomes the first American to walk in space during the flight of Gemini 4... 1971) Ken Holtzman of the Cubs pitches his second no-hitter... 1974) Mc Cartney & Wings are #1 with "Band on the Run"... 1976) Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" goes gold... 1988) Margo Adams sues Wade Boggs for palimony... 2001) Mel Brooks' "The Producers" wins a record 12 Tony Awards... 2003) From the oops file: Sammy Sosa's bat is uncorked... Birthdays... 1925) Tony Curtis (you know, Jamie Lee Curtises Dad) 1929) Chuck Barris ("Gong" show host, superspy) 1939) Ian Hunter 1946) Eddie Holman 1951) Deniece Williams 1954) Dan Hill Saturday, June 4, 2005 The Stones get "Satisfaction"... One of the most copied bass lines in the history of Rock & Roll was born on this day in 1965 when The Rolling Stones released "Satisfaction". If you were to choose the seminal Rolling Stones song it would be unarguably "Satisfaction". The group that "takes a licking but just keeps on ticking" made their mark with this 1965 chart topper. You probably wouldn't get an argument if you chose "Satisfaction" as one of the greatest Rock & Roll hits of all-time... More June 4 Memories... 1942) Capitol Records opens their doors for business... 1964) Sandy Koufax pitches his 3rd no-hitter... 1965) "Satisfaction" is released... 1984) The Boss (Bruce Springsteen) releases "Born in the USA"... Birthdays... 1924) Dennis Weaver 1937) Freddy Fender 1971) Noah Wyle 1974) Horatio Sanz 1975) Angelina Jolie Sunday, June 5, 2005 The first personal computer goes on sale... Is it possible we've been walking around with carpal tunnel and red eyes caused by hours of squinting at a damn computer monitor for as long as 28 years ??? Yes it is, well some of us have anyway. It was on this date in 1977 that the first personal computer, the Apple II went on sale. Does anyone remember what happened to Apple 1 or did Apple just start with number II ??? If you know click "comment" after my post and we'll share it with everyone... More June 5 Memories... 1959) Robert Zimmerman graduates from Hibbing High School (Minnesota). He then graduates to a new name: Bob Dylan... 1964) Davie Jones and his group, the King Bees debut. Davie Jones dumps the King Bees and becomes David Bowie... 1977) 1st personal computer, the Apple II goes on sale... 1981) A dark day for the world: AIDS is discovered... 1984) Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" is #1... 1993) Mariah Carey weds Tommy Mottola in New York City... Birthdays... 1934) Bill Moyers... 1937) Waylon Jennings... 1956) Kenny G For those who've submitted comments (okay so there've only been a couple) please know that they've been read. You don't have to submit comments (just enjoy the report) but if you do, click "comments" at the end of my post. You can also read your post after you've submitted it...

Thursday, June 2, 2005

The Rolling Stones make their U.S. debut... It was on this date in 1964 that The Rolling Stones opened their first U.S. tour at the Manning Bowl in Lynn, Massachusetts. Lyndon Johnson was our President, the cost of a new home was $20,500, milk was less than a buck, at the pumps you could fill it up for 30 cents a gallon. The highest rated TV shows: 1) Bonanza 2) Bewitched 3) Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. 4) The Andy Griffith Show 5) The Fugitive 6) The Red Skelton Show 7) The Dick Van Dyke Show 8) The Lucy Show 9) Peyton Place II 10) Combat If you were dancing you were doing The Dog, Swim, Frug, Watusi or Monkey (or all at once)... 1964 saw these "firsts": The Mustang, Kennedy half-dollar, Pop-Tarts, Zip codes and Lucky Charms... More June 2 Memories... 1964) The Rolling Stones debut (above)... 1972) Dion performs in a reunion concert with The Belmonts at Madison Square Garden... 1975) The Orioles theme song, "Thank God, I'm A Country Boy"-John Denver is #1... 1977) New Jersey allows casino gambling in Atlantic City... 1981) Barbara Walters asks Katharine Hepburn what kind of tree she would be (denied by Ms. Walters)... 1985) "Everybody Wants To Rule The World"-Tears For Fears is #1... 1986) NYC transit system issues a new brass (with steel bullseye) token... 1990) Randy Johnson authors Seattle's first no-hitter... Birthdays... 1941) Charlie Watts 1944) Marvin Hamlisch 1948) Jerry ("The Beave") Mathers 1955) Dana Carvey 1978) Nikki Cox Commentary... Is NBC on to something ? On the heels of presenting The Eagles last night in prime time (in a concert taped in Australia), the Peacock Network tonight debuts "Hit Me Baby One More Time" at 9 (EDT). The first of 3 summer episodes will feature 5 different acts of usta-be's (Loverboy, A Flock of Seagulls, Arrested Development, Tiffany and Cece Peniston). All will be competing against each other for cash prizes, to go to a charity of the winner's choice...Future shows will feature Wang Chung, The Knack, Irene Cara, Sophie B. Hawkins, Cameo and Tommy Tutone... We salute NBC for not testing us any further on our tolerance of reality shows and for finally competing with VHI, MTV and E by presenting programming for a lower (but key) demographic. By programming music by 80s acts in this series they will capture at least a portion of that audience... (your comments are welcome by clicking "comments" at end of my post)...

Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Best Beatle Album of All-Time ??? At the top of the British charts today is a tune ("Crazy Frog Axel F") that's a cell phone ringtone but if you turn back the clock to this day in 1967 The Beatles released what can be arguably called their greatest LP of all-time, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I can remember how exciting it was to receive that LP and listen to it for the first time with WRKO Music Director Paul Power. Being the music elitists we were even we had to admit the LP had some merit. Who's kidding who ? This was one of the greatest albums of all-time. The LP was released in both mono and stereo on June 1, 1967. It was rush released after airing on the BBC on May 20. The cover was designed by Peter Blake and was to originally include photos of Elvis, Hitler and Jesus. In addition, 2 people who were included were later removed by retouching the artwork. Leo Gorcey was removed because he requested a fee and Ghandi felt his inclusion might offend record buyers in India. More June 1 Memories... 1925) Lou Gehrig pinch hits and replaces Wally Pipp at first base starting the adage "stay in the lineup if you have a headache or not". Gehrig will play in 2,130 consecutive games... 1964) The Rolling Stones arrive at JFK for their first U.S. tour... 1967) The Beatles release "Sgt. Pepper", documented above... 1975) Nolan Ryan pitches his 4th no-hitter (he'll have 7 before he's through)... 1980) CNN debuts... Birthdays... 1927) Andy Griffith 1935) Pat Boone 1938) Morgan Freeman 1948) Ron Wood 1973) Derek Lowe 1974) Heidi Klum 1974) Alanis Morissette Commentary... Now that we know who Deep Throat is it's time to unravel another mystery, this one about the tune that's become known as Boston's theme song. If you're guessing "Dirty Water" you'd be wrong. This song does not contain any lyrics about Boston or baseball. The composer has no connection to the Red Sox. It's a song that hit the charts more than 30 years ago. If you're wondering why "Sweet Caroline" is played at every Red Sox home game you're not alone but you're about to find out why. Credit or blame (if you prefer) Amy Tobey whose assignment was to decide what music would be played at Fenway Park from 1998 to 2004. She remembered hearing the song at other sporting events and decided to try it at Fenway. The song was picked up by fans and would be played if the Sox were ahead somewhere between the 7th and 9th innings. When new management took over in 2002 they requested that Tobey play the tune during the 8th inning of every game. "Sweet Caroline" was even included in the recent film "Fever Pitch" and has unofficially become the official theme song of Boston. Scheduled to perform at the Fleet Center on August 15, singer Neil Diamond has been asked to sing the song live at Fenway at an August 14th game at Fenway. It is not known whether or not he will. Come on Neil. Okay everyone: "Sweet Caroline....bah, bah, bah....." (To post your comments, click "comments" at the end of my post)