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Paul Anka.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: This 84-year-old Canadian singer/songwriter is THE only artist ever to have hit songs on the Billboard charts for SEVEN straight decades! He wrote and released his first smash single in 1957 at age 15. He composed "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" for Buddy Holly - it became a poshumous hit for Holly in early 1959, shortly after his tragic death. The composer donated his royalties to Holly's widow, Peggy Sue, as a tribute to his departed friend. He was only 24 when he wrote "My Way" for Frank Sinatra. Singer/sonwriter? First smash single? Answer: Paul Anka. First smash single: "Diana". He still looks and sounds great! About to release a new album and an HBO documentary. ...and he's STILL NOT in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (don't get me started!)!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPw5WiABUOA&list=RDwPw5WiABUOA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQzdAsjWGPg&list=RDqQzdAsjW...
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Django Reinhardt.

OK, girls and boys, a little more geeeeetar comin' your way: This Belgian Gypsy jazz guitar virtuoso's nickname means "I awake" in Romani. Together with Stephane Grappelli, he formed the Quintette du Hot Club de France. At age 18 he burned the 3rd and 4th fingers of his left hand and was told he'd never play again. He relearned left hand technique, using only two fingers for solos and the injured fingers for chords. "Nuages", "Minor Swing" mmmmmmm.... Artist? Answer: Django Reinhardt. Was he COOL or what? How in the world did he play like that?! We had the privilege of seeing Stephane Grappelli's grave at the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris some years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY0FF4iR9Cw&list=RDDY0FF4iR9Cw&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTlo809EIlo&list=RDuTlo809EIlo&start_radio=1
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"Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon.

OK, boys and girls, more 70s one-hit wonders: Written at Phil Everly's request as a dance number(!), this Marinell/Wachtel/Zevon composition was Warren Zevon's only chart hit as a singer. Hilarious, offbeat lyrics - voted by BBC Radio 2 listeners as the "Greatest Opening Song Line" ever. John McVie and Mick Fleetwood provided instrumental and vocal backup for the recording. Peaked at #21 in '78, remaining in the charts for 6 weeks. Featured in the "Color Of Money" soundtrack ('86). Song? Answer: "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon. "...walkin through the streets of Soho in the rain. He was lookin' for the place called Lee Ho Fooks, gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein... And his hair was perfect ...Ahhhooooo, Werewolves of London". I understand that the Chinese restaurant still exists. Great songwriting! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qae25976UgA&list=RDqae25976UgA&start_radio=1
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The Four Freshmen.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 40s: This multi-Grammy nominated American male vocal quartet started out in 1948 in Indianapolis as "Hal's Harmonizers" in the barbershop tradition. Through many incarnations, they still perform over 100 shows per year. They have strongly influenced The Lettermen, The Four Seasons, ABBA and The Manhattan Transfer. Brian Wilson attributed The Beach Boys' early success to their harmonic patterns. Quartet? Answer: The Four Fresnmen. Great harmonies! In their 78 years together, they've recorded 49 albums. The early Beach Boys recorded a wonderful live version of "Graduation Day" in "Beach Boys in Concert" and they always dedicated their a capella rendition of "In My Room" to The Four Freshmen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHiPm0R9bjc&list=RDNHiPm0R9bjc&start_radio=1
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"C'est Si Bon" ("It's So Good").

OK, boys and girls, back to the 40s: This French pop classic was written in 1947 by Betti and Homez, with English lyrics by Jerry Seelen. First recorded by chanteuse Angele Durand. Joe Loss and His Orchestra released an instrumental version in 1950. Danny Kaye also covered it that same year with subsequent versions by Louis Armstrong and Yves Montand. Popularized by Eartha Kitt (#11) and by Johnny Desmond (#25) in '54. Conway Twitty did a Country version in '60. It celebrates the simple, profound joy and sweetness of romantic love. Song? English title? Answer: "C'est Si Bon" ("It's So Good"). Hard to think of "C'est Si Bon" and/or "La Vie En Rose" without thinking of Paris, oui, oui! BTW, if you haven't seen Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris", it is not to be missed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWCo5ex40IQ&list=RDNWCo5ex40IQ&start_radio=1
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"Abraham, Martin and John" by Dion DiMucci. (Posted 1/15/2026)

OK, girls and boys, a little birthday trivia today (1/15/29 - easy!): This classic 1968 Holler/Gernhard folk-rock collaboration reached #4 in the U.S. pop singles charts, #1 in Canada and #8 in easy-listening. RIAA certified gold and #248 in RIAA's Songs of the Century. A tribute to the memory of four assassinated Americans. Song? Artist? Answer: "Abraham, Martin and John" by Dion DiMucci. One of those few tunes that I fell in love with the first time I heard it in '68. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5hFMy4pTrs&list=RDa5hFMy4pTrs&start_radio=1
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"Trumpet Voluntary" by Henry Purcell (not really!).

OK, boys and girls, back to the 1600s: This 17th century English organist and Baroque composer of sacred and laic music was strongly influenced by his French and Italian contemporaries. He is buried at Westminster Abbey next to the organ. Arguably "his" best-known piece, a popular wedding processional, was incorrectly attributed to him for many years. It was, in fact, written around 1700 by British composer Jeremiah Clarke as "The Prince Of Denmark's March". According to Pete Townsend, his vocal and instrumental harmonies greatly influenced The Who's music. Wendy Carlos' Moog version of another one of his compositions served as the opening theme for Kubrik's "A Clockwork Orange" ('71). Composer? Best-known wedding processional NOT written by him? Answer: "Trumpet Voluntary" by Henry Purcell (not really!). When we got married in 1977, we were not given a choice regarding the wedding music. The Pastor "picked" for u...
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