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Showing posts from April, 2025

"Will You Be Staying After Sunday?" by The Peppermint Rainbow.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s TWO-hit wonders: This Baltimore-based vocal quintet formed in 1967 as New York Times and was discovered by Mama Cass Elliot. They changed their name in '69. Their biggest hit came that same year with a sunshine-pop classic written by multi-Oscar collaborators Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn (as in Maureen McGovern's "The Morning After"). A love affair that only exists on weekends - tired of being "the other woman" and wanting something longer-lasting, she gives him an ultimatum. Crystalline vocals by sisters Bonnie and Patty Lamdin. Thematically, very similar to "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" by sound-alikes Spanky & Our Gang. Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks, peaking at #32. The group split in 1970. Song? Group? For extra credit, name their only other hit. Answer: "Will You Be Staying After Sunday?" by The Peppermint Rainbow. Only other hit: "Don't Wake Me Up in the Morning, Michael...

"Words" by The Bee Gees.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: This poignant 1968 Bee Gees composition and release was dedicated to their manager, Robert Stigwood. The ballad was originally written for Sir Cliff Richard, who never recorded it. #8 UK, #15 U.S. Barry Gibb sang lead AND ALL the background vocals! Covered by, among many others, Elvis, Roy Orbison and Rita Coolidge. Song? Answer: "Words" by The Bee Gees. I was a sophomore in high school when it came out. It was THE makeout song of the day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkqwRC23HN8

"Da Doo Ron Ron" by The Crystals.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 60s: This 1963 Barry/Greenwich/Spector composition is widely regarded as being the first example of Phil Spector's famous "Wall Of Sound". Originally recorded by The Blossoms, Spector removed Darlene Love's lead vocals after a dispute and replaced them with Dolores "LaLa" Brooks', preserving The Blossoms' backup and adding Cher. It peaked at #3 and is #114 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time. Shaun Cassidy's '77 cover was his first #1 solo hit. Song? Group? Answer: "Da Doo Ron Ron" by The Crystals. There's an unconfirmed rumor that Sonny Bono also sang background - we'll never know no thanks to that doggone tree! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-qqi7-Q19k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1nTfgUbW48

"Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak.

OK, girls and boys, back to the 80s: One night, out of the blue, this Stockton, CA rockabilly revivalist gets a call from a woman he barely knew and she tells him, "I'm coning over". By the time she got to his place, he had already written what would become his biggest hit and signature song. A soft-rock ballad about unrequited love "brooding, thoroughly conflicted". His long-time guitarist Jimmy "King of Slows" Wisley composed and played the haunting, hypnotic intro and "quivering riff" lead guitar parts using his 1962 Strat run through a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp, heavy on the whammy bar, delay, tremolo and gentle vibrato, creating its trademark and unique sound. The unforgettable sensual black-and-white video features the singer along with Danish supermodel Helena Christensen filmed at a Hawaiian beach. #6 Billboard Hot 100. The video won MTV's VMA awards for Best Video and Best Cinematography. Covered by, among many others, Cel...

"Love Is in the Air" by John Paul Young.

Ok, girls and boys, more 70s one-hit wonders: Australian songwriters Harry Vanda and George Young (no relation to the singer) penned this romantic 1978 Disco classic. It was the only Top 40 hit for this Aussie vocalist, becoming a worldwide sensation. # 7 U.S., #5 UK, #1 Easy Listening. A remix was part of the 1992 film "Strictly Ballroom" soundtrack. The artist performed it during the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Song? Singer? Answer: "Love Is in the Air" by John Paul Young. George Young was a member of The Easybeats, as was Harry Vanda, and he wrote their "Friday On My Mind". He is the older brother of AC/DC's Malcolm and Angus Young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNC0kIzM1Fo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOxMylotEZM

Clarence White.

OK, boys and girls, more Guitar Gods: This Maine native cut his teeth with Three Little Country Boys and the Kentucky Colonels. Did session work for the Monkees. Joined The Byrds in '68 until '73. "Time Between" and "The Girl With No Name" are fine examples of his string-bending mastery. Joined The Muleskinners in early '73 until his tragic death that same year. Marty Stewart owns and plays his prized '54 "B-Bender" Telecaster. Artist? Answer: Clarence White. One of my guitar heroes. The undisputed MASTER of the country-rock guitar. His guitar work in "Time Between" is as stellar today as when he played it way back then. He was only 29 when he died, hit by a drunk driver while loading gear after a gig. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeGTUP1JfWE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQmSMyAEguU

"A Thousand Stars" by Kathy Young and the Innocents.

OK, girls and boys, more 60s one-hit wonders: This Santa Ana, CA native was not quite 15 in 1960 when she met all-male trio The Innocents during a taping of "The Wink Martindale Show". Producer Jim Lee of Indigo Records promptly signed her up to cover a 1954 minor hit romantic ballad by The Rivileers. It peaked at #3 on Billboard and at #6 R&B. Artist? Song? Answer: "A Thousand Stars" by Kathy Young and the Innocents. Ol' Wink's (91!) been around for a LONG time! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwX4bjFrP_0