FALSETTO THEN AND NOW

Ah, real he-men with high voices. A.k.a. falsetto. I don’t know what it is about males signing in this register that has such universal appeal, such endless fascination. The same isn’t always true of men with high speaking voices, but when they sing, the girls go crazy. I like it so much (warning, shameless plug coming up) I’ve included a section about falsetto singers in my forthcoming (2009) rock ‘n’ roll trivia book, “Peanut Butter and Mashed Potatoes” (the sequel to “Papa Do Run”). These guys have lasting appeal too, given that our two feature songs could barely be more separated on the popular music timeline. I’m happy to have both on my shelf. I realize I’ve had earlier posts that linked to “He’s In town” by the British Invasion group The Rockin’ Berries, but it’s just sooooo good, we can always listen again, right? And Coldplay is an instant modern classic. So, here they are; two of my favorite falsetto voices/songs. Ya just gotta love it! And go ahead and squeal, ladies. No one can hear you on the web.

The Rockin' Berries - He's In Town

Thanks to YT member Gatorrock786

Coldplay - Yellow

Thanks to YT member Jehann1999

KNOCK KNOCK (who's there?) MARY LOU (Mary Lou who?) THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT!

There’s a lot of titled royalty in vintage rock/pop songs. We have the King of the Road (Roger Miller), the Duke of Earl (Gene Chandler), a Pineapple Princess (Annette), the Lady Jane (Rolling Stones), and a particular favorite of mine, the Queen of the Hop, by Bobby Darin. Back in 1958, when Bobby was singing about his teen queen, I was just a kid barely into double digits, practicing my dance moves for some as yet unspecified rock and roll future (high school?) when they might come in handy. I listened to all the songs by my musical elders; the same music mentioned in “Queen of the Hop.” Man, that song is a veritable who’s who and what's what of vintage rock and roll. I decided I’d try and match them all up, but when I did, I found something that, like The Who, I can’t explain…Here’s the lyrics, edited for space:

Well, you can talk about your Julie and your Peggy Sue.
You can keep your Miss Molly and your Mary Lou.
But when it comes to the chicken or to doin’ the bop
I got a girl they call the queen of the hop.

(chorus) Oh well I love my queen.
Do you know who I mean?
Sweet little sixteen
Yes, that's my queen.

Well, she wears short shorts and-a rock ‘n’ roll shoes.
You ought to see her dance to the yellow dog blues.
She's my sugar time baby, I'm her lollipop,
And everybody knows I love my queen of the hop

Okey dokey, let’s with the last verse and work our way up. We’ve got “Lollipop” (The Chordettes, ’58) “Sugartime” (The McGuire Sisters, ’57) not to mention “Short Shorts” (The Royal Teens, ’58) and “Yellow Dog Blues.” The “Yellow Dog Blues” is a really old blues number credited to W.C. Handy in the early 1900s, but I did find a reference to a 1952 release by another artist, so I think we’re still in the ballpark.

Chorus: “Sweet Little 16” (Chuck Berry ’58)

First verse; here we’ve got “Oh Julie” (The Crescendos, ’57) “Peggy Sue” (Buddy Holly, ’57) “Good Golly Miss Molly” (Little Richard, ’56) and finally, Mary Lou. Hmmm, Mary Lou …Mary Lou…yes, but…which one? It looks like there’s two Mary Lou’s to consider. The sources I checked say that “Hello Mary Lou” by Rick Nelson was a hit in 1961, and “Mary Lou” (“she took my watch and chain…”) by Ronnie Hawkins dates to 1959. That sounds about right, as best I can recall, but if those dates are accurate, then both of those songs are too late for our Queen who ruled in 1958. So, who, then, is the Mary Lou in the song? My friends, I can't think of a thing. So is my Baby Boomer memory shorting out on me? Like, is there some other famous vintage Mary Lou that I’m forgetting, a song I really should know, and when someone out there reminds me, I'll slap my forehead and go, “Well duh-uh!” Okay, music fans out there; help me out, wouldja.

We've got quite a lot of listening to do here. And may I take this opportunity to say, Thank You to YouTube!

Lollipop - Check out Andy Williams doing the sound effects! And I have a funny feeling that could be the Everlys right at the very end, clapping. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=54fji0RBvWw

Sugartime - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgidhtnHq_s

Short Shorts - I put this in a recent post, but hey, you get to listen to that great sax all over again. http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=kcO-zKCiDlI

Yellow Dog Blues - I would so dance to this! http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wl4UMmk9KlY

Sweet Little 16 - http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=kxDPUEpLVsE

Oh Julie - http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=diAeONrhO2Y

Peggy Sue - http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=nnkTFxDE2hU

Good Golly Miss Molly - http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=MhybWFjuN2g

Queen of the Hop - and of course, the song that started all this - http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=vFaMibKIj7M

as for the elusive Mary Lou- http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=1uFcPjILC7k

BRIAN HYLAND & THE ELUSIVE FIFTH

Let me begin by saying I am not a musician, nor do I know anything much about music theory except for a few tattered scraps of info left over from the pre-teen years. At fourteen, I may have won the battle with my mom - and was allowed to quit taking piano lessons - but I am the poorer for it today. I truly wish I'd picked another activity to assert by budding independence with. Having said that, I do recall that intervals of harmony were named after the number of "steps" apart they were on the scale. The most frequent and pleasing harmony, to Western ears anyway, is the third. Practically every rock and roll ballad from my teen years utilized them. Some of the prettiest third harmony that comes to mind were by the Everly Brothers. To me, thirds sound kind of sweet and almost comforting, even if the lyrics of the song happen not to be. However, much as I like the sound of thirds, I think if I had to pick my favorite harmony of all it would be the fifth. I'm not sure why, but there's something different about fifths. Maybe it's me, but a fifth sounds exotic, even a little haunting, corny as that sounds. It's like it comes from another time or place. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that fifths were more popular in the Middle Ages, or something like that. Well, I don't know about those oldies, but when it comes to vintage rock and roll, I have a fifth I'd like to share with you (sounds like I'm going to pour your a drink!). Well, sorry, no happy hour - the fifth I'm talking about is in the song "Ginny Come Lately" by Brian Hyland. With thirds and fifths, I think this is one of the prettiest loves songs of any generation. If you're biting your lower lip about now trying to remember why his name sounds familiar, Brian Hyland had two huge hits with "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and "Sealed With A Kiss." He was one of those 60s teen heartthrobs who had a much better voice than I think he ever got credit for. I saw him on TV a while back, on one of those PBS rock reunion shows, so he's probably still performing and touring around. But you don't have to wait until a show comes to your town. Thanks to YouTube, we can all hear Brian and his fifths right now.

Ginny Come Lately

This is the original AM radio version, but the video may have to be taken down soon. That's too bad, because the fifth harmony is clear as a bell, e.g. in the first line of lyrics when he sings "couple of days ago."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vevj5VHPYGY

Here's another one of the same song, in case we lose the one above, but it's been re-recorded and changed; the fifths are much harder to pick out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wok315yEkws

RADIO MEMORIES

If you happened to be listening to WPON yesterday noon, then you caught Jukebox John's excellent interview with legendary DJ Tom Shannon. What a treat! Back in the 60s, as a teenager with transistor in hand, I logged a lot of hours listening to Tom Shannon on the airwaves from CKLW - that equally legendary cross-border radio phenomenon. For those of you who might not know the particular geography I'm talking about, CKLW was (and still is, but no more rock and roll) a Canadian radio station located in Windsor, Ontario, just across the river from Detroit. Back in the AM radio heyday, "CK" served a huge listening audience on both sides of the border. Their jingle was "CKLW...the Motor City." That ought to tell you how it was. Oh, those were they days all right!

Back then, most DJs had jingles and slogans of their own, to promote their shows. Tom Shannon had "The Sun Never Sets on the Shannon Empire" (fitting for a guy who started out in Buffalo, worked in the Rose City/Motor City, Denver, and in Tennessee). Speaking of Buffalo, Shannon had a jingle for his Buffalo show, too. You'd recognize it if you heard it today; it's set to the tune of the classic 60s instrumental, "Wild Weekend." Just to prove the truth behind the old saying "Learn something new everyday" - I found out during yesterday's interview that the jingle came first! Shannon and buddy Phil Todaro wrote it, and once it got playing, everyone liked it so much they turned it into a hit record, done by the Buffalo band, the Rockin' Rebels. Now, I have to admit that this is not a startling bit of previously-unknown trivia. You can easily find it documented online, but like much info on the web, if you don't know to look for it, you might not find it...and I simply hadn't yet. Anyway, Tom and Jukebox John chatted for almost 90 minutes. You can imagine what that meant to a trivia addict like me! One mystery still remains, however. When I was writing the Introduction to my book, Papa Do Run, I mentioned that I was searching for some 60s radio trivia, namely the Detroit/Windsor DJ who debuted the Barbra Streisand hit, "People." It was a memorable moment, and I really hoped to talk to someone who might remember the broadcast. For a while I was in contact with some people in the Windsor area who knew Tom Shannon, and who I'd hoped might be able to find out for me, but alas, nothing came of it, and the book went to print without the answer. Yesterday, there wasn't enough time to take many calls at the station, but Tom Shannon has promised he'll be back, so maybe next time I'll be able to ask him, and perhaps finally solve the mystery. It's kind of my own personal holy grail of music trivia.

Well, these days Tom Shannon is retired on the west coast - and pushing 70! - but he's still as fresh and entertaining as ever. It was great to hear all his stories from his radio (and some TV) days. Unfortunately, the interview isn't archived on the WPON site, but I'll include a link below to some bios of famous CKLW DJs. Tom Shannon's in the third from the top. There's also link to a 1965 CKLW air check that has not only Shannon, but a show promo by Chubby Checker, and an old Pepsi commercial (could that be Joanie Somers??) too. Enjoy!

CKLW - Shannon bio http://rockradioscrapbook.ca/bigeight.html

Wild Weekend video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWJFIItNjmE
Really terrific vintage visuals on this one!

WPON http://www.wpon.com/
If you like 50s, 60s and early 70s, especially the rare stuff, you can listen live on the Internet, or locally at AM 1460.

FRINGE BENEFITS

Folk Rock, Country Rock, and some Acid Rock too. We've been looking to the south and the west (coast) in recent posts. And last time we remembered the musical, "Hair." Now it's time to pay tribute to that staple of the hippie rock era - fringe. Like hair itself, fringe could be a very individual thing. If it was leather, you could leave it natural brown or doeskin white, or have it dyed any color that took your fancy. You could also have it made of synthetic strands, decorated with beads, long or short, thick or thin. Fringe in the 60s/70s was a visible statement of your mindset, lifestyle, politics - you name it. Plus it was a lot of fun to wear. I not only had the aforementioned fringe vest in my youth, but these days I still have fringes on a purse, a jacket, and some work gloves (but now it's more of a "cowgirl" thing, the result of all my years in Alberta). Anyway, in this post we will look at some memorable fringed outfits. These are the standout ones I remembered and could find easily on YouTube, but I know there are others. Feel free to post your favorites.

THE GREAT FRINGES OF ROCK AND ROLL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxGcAm0EkTU
Neil Young is known for several fashion statements, one of which is pictured above on the left. But, as the photo on the right shows, he also had some killer fringe. This is from the album, "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere." I couldn't find a definitive video at YouTube of Neil in full fringe, but this is a nice one regardless, and...he's wearing a jacket that may or may not have a bit of fringe at the elbow...you be the judge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfycUkxbnlk&feature=related
This one starts with Graham Nash solo at the piano, but hang in there, David Crosby steps in at 1:43 to harmonize, wearing a gorgeous brown abundantly-fringed shirt. After a little goofy chit chat in the middle, they duet up again on Marrakesh Express. I wonder where that shirt is today...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuVffu0YCa8
At the "Woodstock Nation" fringe was king. Here's Roger Daltry all bedecked, doing "See Me Feel Me" from "Tommy." The video is pretty dark (in the optical sense) in places, but you want to catch the last 2 minutes, when it brightens up, and Roger really works that fringe, and Pete Townshend does his signature jumps and fans the guitar. Love it love it love it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nbhZEi2uNg&feature=related
Here we have Jimi, starting out with a familiar riff, then just taking off, with his beautiful blue and white fringe swaying along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkmmBa7wDG4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ig-6f0g55c
Okay, there's two of these; both still at Woodstock. The first one is actually of Janis (who was really more of a feather than fringe gal) but it's the very first few seconds of the video that shows Sly Stone when he raises his fringed arms like a bird taking to the sky. The second link is for the complete video of Sly's performance of "I Want to Take You Higher" which ends with the same flight. Like the Who video above, it's pretty hard to see in places, but gets better. And that whole performance had to have been one of the most moving of the weekend. And the fringe is the piece de resistance, as far as I'm concerned. Big wow.

Feb. 12/08 Update: Bingo! Just found one of Janis with fringe. Check out the photo at 3:45. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS2YgqDf-bg

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For those of you who operate on the Gregorian calendar (see my Dec 22nd post for further reference) here's wishing you a very happy New Year 2008! For those of you who use a different calendar than the one old Greg came up with, here's wishing you a very happy...regular day!! Starting on the first on January, we'll be back to our usual rock and roll oldies posts, starting a whole 'nother year of bringing you more about the GMOE (greatest music on earth). Meanwhile, like your mom told you, have a safe celebration, wear your seatbelt, don't drink and drive, or dance with a lampshade on your head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U9zXXRiTVA&feature=related

A CHRISTMAS SAMPLER

Here are a few of my favorite holiday albums. I'll post links for YouTube videos wherever possible, but you can always go to Amazon.com for the audio bites.









Classic Vintage Rock 'n' Roll

"A Christmas Gift for You" - Phil Spector.
Back when he was still the Boy Wonder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cY4WsQ68Tk

"Christmas With The Beach Boys"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKT5eUI333k

"The Jethro Tull Christmas Album"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAKjFxCx9SE
(not really a cut from the album, but who doesn't get a charge out of watching Ian Anderson!)

Country and/or Bluegrass

"Christmas" Chris Isaak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ANvdIIYslw
(is he not one of the best musicians and funniest cut-ups on the planet??)

"Bluegrass and White Snow" Patty Loveless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9I6GjLEAOQ

"Light of the Stable" Emmylou Harris
No videos from this album posted, but I'll throw in one of Emmylou buckdancing, just to keep you in your happy place...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLJa3iOnRrw


Celtic

"A Winter Garden" and "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" Loreena McKennitt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2SR_P-_98s

Happy Listening to all!

Welcome!

Papa Do Run-
A Baby Boomer Looks (and Laughs) at Vintage Rock and Roll

Hey kids...this IS your grandma's rock & roll!

Welcome rock and rollers of every age and generation. Perhaps you remember the song "Then He Kissed Me" from when it was a #6 hit for The Crystals back in 1963. Or maybe you first discovered it on the "Adventures in Babysitting" soundtrack in 1987, or the 1991 "Goodfellas" soundtrack, or even via the small screen in a 2006 episode of "The Simpsons." I recently learned that Mylie Cyrus (budding-performer daughter of achy-breaky Billy Ray - how old does THAT make the boomers feel?) is going to cover "Then He Kissed Me" on the 2008 remake of "Adventures in Babysitting" (to be titled "Further Adventures..."). As Danny & the Juniors (a group of young men obviously wise beyond their years) predicted way back in 1958 - "rock and roll is here to stay." I have absolutely no doubt about that.

This blog is a place for you to post your comments and/or memories about the golden oldies or the good old days. Be serious; be silly - it's all good. You can comment on something you read in my book, "Papa Do Run" or saw on my website, www.papadorun.com (as they say in Canada - check it out, eh?). From time to time I'll be posing a question or holding a "survey" on oldies. Or maybe even asking for help tracking down some trivia for the second volume on rock/pop music I'm currently writing, "Peanut Butter and Mashed Potatoes." You can also rant a little if you want (I just might, too). All I ask is that you don't use any language that you wouldn't use in front of Donna Reed or Harriet Nelson - you know what I mean, like George Carlin's Seven Dirty Words. Offenders will have their comments edited/removed, be tracked down and forced to sit in a windowless room listening to "Oops I Did It Again" on a loop until they crack (which, come to think of it, might not take that long). So drop by any time, the coffee's always on. I'll try to post something new at least once a week until I get the hang of it - did I mention I'm pretty new to this whole blogging thing? And nothing makes a boomer chick feel like an "old dog" more than tackling "new tricks" like websites and blogs. Aiiieee! Okay, that's it for now, BCNU - Deb