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"Too Much Heaven" by The Bee Gees.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 70s: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb penned this flowing 1978 disco ballad for the "Music for UNICEF" initiative. They donated their $7M in writers' royalties to the organization. It suggests that finding pure, blissful, and heavenly (hint, hint!) moments in a relationship is rare and cannot last forever. #1 U.S. and Canada for 6 weeks, #2 Cash Box. Nine layers of three-part harmonies (27 voices!) comprise the recording including, of course, Barry's stratospheric falsetto. Chicago's three-man brass section can also be heard. Song? Answer: "Too Much Heaven" by The Bee Gees. It is rumored that the trio wrote "Too Much Heaven", "Tragedy" and Andy's "Shadow Dancing" in one day! Upon first hearing it, Brian Wilson commented that the Gibb brothers were "exceptionally good at harmonies". Not a big fan of Jimmy Fallon but you have to give credit when credit is due - his recurri...
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"Roses Are Red (My Love)" by Bobby Vinton.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This Cannonsburg, PA native (also home to Perry Como) became known as "The Polish Prince" as a teen idol early on in his career. He found his first chart-topping hit, an Al Byron and Paul Evans composition, in a rejected songs pile at Epic Records. A romantic but bittersweet 1962 pop ballad expressing nostalgia for a high school romance, heartbreak, and accepting a lost love. It was also Epic Records' first #1 hit, even though the artist had to do his own promotion. Topped the charts in many countries and also charted in Country and R&B. Covered by Jim Reeves. Artist? Song? Answer: "Roses Are Red (My Love)" by Bobby Vinton. Of Polish and Lithuanian extraction, the original family name was Vintula. He is 90, has been married to his wife Dolly for 64 years and still performs! Other hits include "Blue Velvet", "Blue on Blue" and "Mr. Lonely". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4yaA1K5...
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"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This 1966 Brian Wilson/Tony Asher composition's intro features harpsichord and french horn - groundbreaking for 60s pop. Inspired in part by Sibelius' Symphony #5 and Wagner's "Die Gotterdammerung". Angelic vocals by little brother Carl. Peaked at #39. Inspired The Beatles' "Here, There and Everywhere". Sir Paul called it "the greatest song ever written". #25 on Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Song? Answer: "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys. It is rumored that Brian Wilson and Tony Asher co-wrote it in 15 minutes (!). Some say that the reason it didn't get more airplay was because it contained the word God in the title. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NADx3-qRxek&list=RDNADx3-qRxek&start_radio=1
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"Around the World".

OK, girls and boys, back to the 50s: The theme for this epic 1956 film was written by Victor Young. Harold Adamson added lyrics later on. Only the orchestral version appears in the movie, which is based on an 1873 Jules Verne novel. Victor Young received a posthumous Oscar for Best Movie Score. The film stars David Niven, Cantinflas and Shirley MacLaine. The instrumental version peaked at #13 on Billboard in '57 but Bing Crosby's and Nat King Cole's vocal renditions became extremely popular. Part of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" soundtrack. Song? Movie? Answer: "Around the World" from "Around the World in 80 Days". I grew up listening to it on the ol' Bogen hi-fi. I find it interesting that David Niven was never knighted. ...and who can forget when a streaker ran across the stage while he was presenting at the 1974 Oscar Ceremony?! Unflappable and amused, Niven quipped: "Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the...
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"Lotta Love" by Nicolette Larson.

OK, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: The only chart hit for this Montana native came in 1978 with a soft-rock Neil Young composition. Talks about the need for deep love (hint, hint!) to overcome the challenges in a relationship. It was her breakthrough hit and a massive worldwide sensation. #1 Adult Contemporary, #8 Billboard Hot 100. Helped define the sound of the late 70s. She was first discovered by Commander Cody and sang background vocals for His Lost Planet Airmen. She was also the only female to ever sing backup for Van Halen. Artist? Song? Answer: "Lotta Love" by Nicolette Larson. We had the privilege of seeing her live at Fort Madison's Riverfest in the late 80s. What a voice! ...and that hair! Sadly, she left us way too early in 1997 at age 45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpFfjWdhROU&list=RDvpFfjWdhROU&start_radio=1
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‎"Witch Doctor" by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. ("David Seville").

OK, girls and boys, more 50s one-hit wonders: This novelty 1958 smash hit was written and recorded by "David Seville", a pseudonym. A man in love with a woman who ignores him takes "drastic" measures and is given some advice. Recorded in the artist's bathroom taped at double-speed. Mistakenly thought to be Alvin and The Chipmunks' first recording. It topped the Billboard, Cashbox and R&B charts and sold over one million copies. Covered in Spanish by Manuel "El Loco" Valdes. Song? Artist? For extra credit - advice? Answer: "Witch Doctor" by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. Advice: "Oo ee oo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang". ...and, of course, who can forget "El Medico Brujo"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwGwl-ktuNA&list=RDxwGwl-ktuNA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFrczwGOhiQ&list=RDmFrczwGOhiQ&start_radio=1
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"Little Star" by The Elegants.

OK, girls and boys, more 50s one-hit wonders: It was 1958 and lead vocalist Vito Picone, as well as harmony singer Arthur Venosa, were teenagers living in Staten Island. They co-wrote the lyrics to an enduring doo-wop ballad which was their group's only hit. The melody was inspired by a classic nursery rhyme. A young, innocent lover compares his sweetheart to a celestial object. It became a defining track of the era. Topped both Billboard Hot 100 and R&B, was Certified Gold and remained in the charts for 19 weeks. Covered by Dion in '61 and by Randy & The Rainbows in '63. Song? Group? Answe: "Little Star" by The Elegants. Vito Picone is 84 and he is the only original member still alive. He continues to perform as Vito Picone and The Elegants. He appeared in "Goodfellas", "The Irishman" and "The Sopranos". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8F4vdF-bJc&list=RDl8F4vdF-bJc&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/...
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