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"New York Mining Disaster 1941" by The Bee Gees.

OK, boys and girls, more 60s: This Beatles-inspired 1967 Bee Gees tune was their first U.S. release and their first chart single in the U.S. (#14) and the UK (#12). A trapped man yearns for his wife as his life fades away. The "mystery" opening chord is played by Barry using an open D tuning but playing a conventional A-minor chord shape (!). Song? Answer: "New York Mining Disaster 1941" by the Bee Gees. As opposed to Pete Seeger's and The Byrds' "The Bells Of Rhymney", this disaster never happened. I remember listening to this song for the first time with my dear friend Ralph Yunque and wondering where in the world that vocal vibrato came from. The opening chord sounded somewhat like an A-minor but not quite - aha, now we know the mystery! There were rumors early on that The Bee Gees were The Beatles recording under a coded pseudonym for "Beatles Group"! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S43YhQ_eGTw
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"Took the Last Train" by David Gates.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: This Tulsa, OK native was the co-lead singer, composer, guitarist and bassist for Bread. In 1977 he had a monster solo hit with the theme from the popular movie "The Goodbye Girl". He co-wrote the follow-up single with Larry Knechtel in 1978. A soft-rock classic about a man who travels to the French Riviera and falls in love with a local mademoiselle. He also plays the memorable fuzz bass line. The chorus is in French followed by the English translation. #30 on Billboard and Cash Box, #7 Adult Contemporary. Singer/songwriter? Song? Answer: "Took the Last Train" by David Gates. I loved it the first time I heard it and I still do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-Z8YnvuCA
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"Yellow River" by Christie.

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one-hit wonders: This eponymous British band's only hit came in '70 with a catchy tune penned by its leader and lead singer. It was originally recorded by The Tremeloes but they decided not to release it so the producer took the vocals off the master and added this band's voices. A young soldier has finished his tour of duty in Vietnam and is looking forward to returning home. #1 in the UK and 25 other countries; #23 on Billboard's Hot 100. CBS Records' biggest-selling song in '70. Covered by REM and Sir Elton John. Band? Hit? Answer: "Yellow River" by Christie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ5-FoiBuVc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEs2nFwo-i8
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"Lady-O" by Judee Sill.

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders (a toughie!): This classically-trained California folkie singer/songwriter was the first artist signed by David Geffen to his newly-created Asylum label. Profoundly religious, she was baptized by Pat Boone in his home swimming pool. Heavily influenced by J.S. Bach. The Turtles hired her to write songs for them at $35/week. Her only hit was a sublime country-cult-baroque piece first recorded and released by The Turtles in '69. She played acoustic guitar on the recording, along with David Crosby. Her own version came in '71, a minor hit. Openly bisexual, it is a love song to a woman. Even though she opened for Crosby & Nash, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot and Tom Paxton, she never achieved commercial success. A lifelong drug addict, she succumbed to an overdose in 1979. Singer/songwriter? Song? Answer: "Lady-O" by Judee Sill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP8DjFhxy60 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4tSxb
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"Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" by The Ventures.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This '64 The Ventures tune was one of their biggest hits. Based upon a ballet score composed by Richard Rodgers and choreographed by George Balanchine. It is the story of a hoofer that falls in love with a dance hall girl. Her jealous boyfriend shoots her and the hoofer shoots the boyfriend (boy, I HATE it when that happens!). Tune? Answer: "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" by The Ventures. I will forever be grateful to my dear childhood friend Frank Astor for introducing me to The Ventures in '65 with this record at his home. I was blown away! As a young man learning to play the guitar, Bob Bogle and Nokie Edwards quickly became my heroes. Dang, those Mosrites sound good!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNnl0j-xjVE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeBXjWUxBWk
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"Don't Worry, Baby" by The Beach Boys.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This B. Wilson/R. Christian ballad was the B-side to The Beach Boys' first #1 single, "I Get Around". It peaked at #24. Inspired by The Ronettes' hit "Be My Baby" ('63), Brian's favorite tune. It influenced Lennon's 1980 "(Just Like) Starting Over". A teenage drag racer accepts a challenge and his girlfriend pleads to take her love with him (sob!). Part of the "Deja Vu" and "Never Been Kissed" soundtracks. Arguably Brian's best vocal performance, it is The Beach Boys' finest recording, according to him. The Beach Boys masterfully re-recorded it with Lorrie Morgan in 1996. Song? Answer: "Don't Worry, Baby" by The Beach Boys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Riqmsn4qGU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPJO_9a01ps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSPpbOGnFgk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfbAAiL5ec8
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"When I Fall in Love".

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This beautiful 1952 (great year!) Young/Heyman popular romantic standard made its debut as the instrumental theme of Howard Hughes' last film, the Korean War Era's "One Minute to Zero". Jeri Southern cut the first vocal recording that same year and Doris Day had the first charting version. Nat "King" Cole's 1956 rendition was a hit for him and, in 1996, his daughter Natalie recorded a virtual duet with her father which won two Grammys. Other memorable charting versions include Donny Osmond, Linda Ronstadt, Van Morrison, Michael Buble, The Carpenters and Rick Astley. The Lettermen's 1961 recording spent 14 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 and topped the Easy Listening charts. Celine Dion's duet with Clive Griffin was part of the "Sleepless in Seattle" ('93) soundtrack and won them a Grammy. Song? Answer: "When I Fall in Love". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1mI8qORir8 https:
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