1904 - Blues great Fats Waller is born on this day.

1941 - Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers is born today.

1943 - Hilton Valentine of the Animals is born.

1944 - Marcie Blane (”Bobby’s Girl”) is born on this day.

1948 - Leo Sayer is born on this day.

1955 - Stan Lynch of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is born today.

1957 - Paul Anka records “Diana.”

1962 - “Little” Stevie Wonder records “Fingertips” live at Chicago’s Regal Theatre.

1962 - Dee Dee Sharp records “Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes).”

1964 - The Drifters record “Under the Boardwalk.”  Johnny Moore is forced to sing the lead because of the death of Rudy Lewis the night before.

1966 - Appearing at the Freehold High School in New Jersey are the Castiles with Bruce Stpringsteen on vocals.  All five members of the band were juniors at Freehold High School.

1972 - The Notorious B.I.G is born today.  He was gunned down on the streets of Los Angeles at the age of 24.  He was credited with having the #1 song “Hypnotize.”

1968 - Pete Townshend of the Who marries designer Karen Astley.

2003 - Ike Turner is refused entry into Japan because of a past drug conviction.

 2008 - Steven Tyler checks in a Pasadena rehabilitation center.

#1 Songs This Week:

11952 - Leroy Anderson: “Blue Tango”

1963 - Jimmy Soul: “If You Wanna Be Happy”

1964 - The Four Pennies: “Juliet,” UK

1966 - The Mamas & the Papas: “If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears”

1972 - The Chi-Lites: “Oh Girl”

1976 - Paul McCartney & Wings: “Silly Little Love Songs”

1977 - Rod Stewart: “I Don’t Want To Talk About It/First Cut Is The Deepest,” UK

1983 - Michael Jackson: ‘Thriller,’ UK LP

1984 - Deneice Williams: “Let’s Hear It For the Boy”

1985 - Wham!: “Everything She Wants”

1988 - Prince: ‘Lovesexy,’ UK LP

1988 - Wet Wet Wet and Billy Bragg: “With a Little Help From My Friends/She’s Leaving Home,” UK

1994 - All 4 One: “I Swear”

1994 - Tim McGraw: ‘Not a Moment Too Soon,” LP

1998 - Mariah Carey: “My All”

2000 - Billy Piper: “Day and Night,” UK

1933 - Songwriter producer  for Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly,  The Monkees and Cliff  Richard, Mike Stoller (Lieber & Stoller) is born on this day.

1941 - Ritchie Valens is born today.

1943 - US singer Mary Wells (”My Guy”) is born.

1945 - Magic Dick of the J Geils Band is born on this day.

1947 - “Overend” Watts of Mott the Hoople is born today.

1950 - Danny Kinwan of Fleetwood Mac (left the band in 1972) is born.

1950 - The great Stevie Wonder is born on this day.

1955 - Johnny Tillotson is the opening act for Elvis Presley.  He watches as fans tear Elvis’ shirt off his back.

1966 - Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish is born today.

1968 - The Beatles shock Britain when they refuse an invitation to play for the queen at the London Palladium.

1970 - The world premier of the Beatles’ movie ‘Let It Be” took place in New York City.

1971 - Stevie Wonder received all his childhood earnings on his 21st birthday. Despite earning over $30 million, he only received $1 million.

1971 - Grace Slick crashed her Mercedes into a wall in San Francisco near the Golden Gate Bridge and was hospitalized.

1975 - A radio station in Jacksonville, Florida gives away tickets to an Elvis Presley concert and knocks out the city’s phone service in doing so.

1977 - The Beatles ‘Live at the Hollywood Bowl’ lp is released. Producer Geroge Martin says it is a labor of love.

197 9 -Michael Madden of Maroon 5 is born on this day.

1985 - Bruce Springsteen marries Julianne Phillips of Lake Oswego, Oregon.   The Rev Little Richard officiates. Julianne filed for divorce in 1988.

2003 - Michael Jackson filed suit against Motown Records saying he hadn’t been paid royalties for the music he did with the Jackson 5 in the 60s and 70s.  He also said that his music had been used in ads without his permission.

2003 - Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong pleads guilty to selling drug paraphernalia over the internet.

2007 - Bo Diddley suffers a stroke and is hospitalized.

2008 - Flo and Eddie of the Turtles sue Capitol Records for allowing a hip-hop artist to sample one of their songs without compensation.

#1 Songs This Week:

1952 - Leroy Anderson: “Blue Tango”

1957 - Guy Mitchell: “Rock-a-Billy,” UK

1960 - Elvis Presley: “Stuck on You”

1965 - Roger Miller: “King of the Road”

1966 - Herman’s Hermits: “Mrs Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter”

1967 - The Monkees: ‘More of the Monkees,’ UK LP

1968 - Archie Bell & the Drells: “Tighten Up”

1973 - Stevie Wonder: “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”

1977 - Leo Sayer: “When I Need You”

1978 - Boney M: “Rivers of Babylon,” UK

1978 - Yvonne Elliman: “If I Can’t Have You”

1982 - Stevie Wonder & Paul McCartney: “Ebony & Ivory”

1985 - Simple  Minds: “Don’ You (Forget About Me)”

1988 - Fairground Attraction: “Perfect,” UK

1989 - Bon Jovi: “I’ll Be There For You”

1989 - Kylie Minogue: “Hand On Your Heart, ” UK

1990 - Madonna: “Vogue”

1993 - Janet Jackson: “That’s The Way Love Goes”

1995 - Various Artists: ‘Friday,’ LP

2007 - Maroon 5: “Makes Me Wonder”

2007 - Ne-Yo: ‘Because of You,’ LP

1931 - Country singer Faron Young is born on this day.

1943 - George Harrison is born today.  He was a member of the world’s most successful group, the Beatles,  and ofthe Traveling Wilburys. He was also a successful solo artist. George Harrison died of cancer in November, 29  2001.

1957 - Stewart Wood of the Bay City Rollers is born today.

1963 - Vee Jay Records releases the first US Beatles single - “Please Please Me/Ask Me Why.” Dick Biondi of WJS radio in Chicago becomes the first DJ in the US to play a Beatles song, the A side of the record.

1964 - Cassius Clay becomes the heavyweight champion of the world. Within a very short time, he releases a cover version of “Stand By Me.”

#1 Songs This Week:

1956 - Elvis Presley: “I Forgot to Remember To Forget”

1956 - Nelson Riddle: “Lisbon Antigua”

1965 - The Seekers: “I’ll Never Find Another You,” UK

1984 - Van Halen: “Jump”

1984 - Simple Minds: “Belfast Child,” UK

1995 -  Madonna: “Take A Bow”

2006 - Jack Johnson & Friends: Sing-a-Longs and Lullabies for the film ‘Curious George,’ LP

1927 - Johnny Ray (”Cry”)  is born.

1938 - Sale Mineo is born.

1943 - Jim Croce is born.

1945 - Rod Stewart is born.

1948 - Donald Fagan of Steely Dan is born.

1952 - Pat Benatar is born.

1956 - Elvis Presley starts his first recording session for RCA.

1958 - Shawn Colvin is born.

1997 - James Brown gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2000 - Melissa Etheridge ends speculation about the paternity of the children the rock star shares with partner Julie Cypher, when she announces that David Crosby is the children’s father.

2003 - British and Dutch police recover 500 Beatles master tapes stolen in the seventies.

#1 Songs This Week:

1958 - Jerry Lee Lewis: “Great Balls of Fire,” UK

1976 - CW McCoy: “Convoy.”

1981 - John Lennon: “Imagine.”

1981 - The Bangles: “Walk Like an Egyptian.”

1936 - Eldee Young of the Ramsey Lewis Trio is born. 

1942 - Paul Revere of the Raiders is born.

1942 - Danny Williams (”White on White”) is born.

1946 - Jan Wemmer, published of the “Rolling Stone,” is born.

1948 - Kenny Loggins (”Footloose”) is born.

1956 - Production begins on the movie ‘Rock Around the Clock’ with Bill Haley.

1959 - Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go’s is born.

1963 - Bobby Vee records “Charms.”

1963 - Gary “U.S.” Bonds sues Chubby Checker, claiming “Dancing Party” sounds too much like “Quarter To Three.” The suit is settled out of court.

1974 - Carly Simon and James Taylor become parents of daughter, Sarah.

1994 - Nirvana plays the Seattle Arena.  It is the band’s last US show.

1998 - Nashville producer Owen Bradley dies at 82.  He was known as the architect of the Nashville Sound.

2000 - Bob McFadden (”The Mummy”) dies of ALS.

#1 Songs This Week:

1962 - Chubby Checker: “The Twist,” for the second time.  It is the only song to do that by the same artist.

1964 - Bobby Vinton: “There! I’ve Said It Again”

1965 - Beatles: “I Feel Fine”/”She’s A Woman”

1969 - Marvin Gaye: “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”

1972 - Don McLean: “American Pie”

1989 - Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan: “Especially for You”

I am really dating myself here, but some of the fondest memories of my teenage years come from the beach music hot spot of Myrtle Beach, SC, home state to Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs and the Beach Music Hall of Fame.

Think body surfing, burning your feet on the white sand beaches, listening to the Drifters, the Platters, the Embers, the Impressions and my favorite - Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs.  We sang, played and shagged our way through high school and the early years of college.  

The groups were ever-present at the clubs that “required” you to be 18 for entry.  There were open-air dance halls off the boardwalk where we could dance the night away while splashing down the Pabst Blue Ribbon. 

Everyone has heard of “Stay,” the #1 hit of 1960, but do you know that he wrote and performed “Little Darlin,” “May I,” ”Dearest Baby” and another of my favorites “Shoop Shoop?”  All these songs are classic R&B oldies that crossed over into the pop charts.  These songs along with Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs are part of what has helped round out pop/rock music history.

The group performed under many names before their current name stuck in 1959.  They recorded the Williams’ written “Little Darlin” as the Gladiolas on the Excelo label.  The song hit #50 but a Canadian group, the Diamonds, picked the song up and their version hit #2 in 1957.  It was then the group changed their name to the Excellos after their label.

As the Zodiacs, Maurice wrote the shortest song ever to hit the #1 spot on the charts - “Stay.”  It is said was a  teenager who was very unhappy with his girfriend’s curfew!  The song stuck and has played a vital part in forming our pop culture.  There were a number of artists that had hits with this historic little song: the Hollies, the 4 Seasons and Jackson Browne. Then it sold another 15 million copies re-emerging as a hit from the movie “Dirty Dancing.” 

Maurice Williams has been dazzling R&B fans and beach music lovers for five decades now. And it’s time to say thanks – at the 50th Anniversary Celebration to honor Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs on November 22 at the Charleston Music Hall, at 37 John Street in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Maurice Williams 50th anniversary tribute and concert are being presented by the nonprofit Beach Music & Shag Preservation Society of South Carolina. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. General tickets are $50. VIP tickets, which include a CD, photo of Maurice, meet and greet after the show, autographs and special seating are $75. For seating charts, log onto www.charlestonmusichall.com. For tickets, visit www.etix.com. The Best Western Downtown, always a supporter of beach music, is providing rooms at a special rate for this event.

Maurice is an inductee of the South Carolina Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, and the Beach Music Hall of Fame in Myrtle Beach.  I will forever remember his live performances and dancing the shag for hours.  Thank you, Maurice for the contributions you have made to my life.

Do you have a favorite Doo Wop song or group?  What about that song that sparks specials memories?  Let’s hear what you think….

Microscopic view of bug wing on record

There’s some “Sound Advice” by Tim Neely in the latest issue of Goldmine magazine. A question was posed about cleaning record using rubbing alcohol.  The high points of the text are below:

Is alcohol safe to use for cleaning all records?

The answer is “Yes” and “No.”

Yes - it is generally safe to use alcohol to clean records.

No - Never use alcohol on 78 rpm records.  There is a rish that the alcohol could cause the layers of 78’s to separate.

It Makes Sense That a Clean Record Sounds Better

Clean records are not as hard on your equipment - especially the stylus which will last longer if records are clean.  Also, there is some evidence that dirt, oils and more is hard on the record.

  You can easily purchase record cleaning solutions.  Most of these contain water, alcohol and a surfactant (big word that, in this case means a cleaning agent like detergent). There are some that believe the long term use of alcohol could have a negative effect on the vinyl.  This belief has not been proven, but for those who are fearful, there are many newer solutions that have no alcohol in them whatsoever. Nevertheless, short term use of solutions containing alcohol shouldn’t cause any problems. 

The Process Of Cleaning A Record Is More Than Deciding What Liquid To Use

Some people place the record on the turntable and clean it while it is turning.  Most would agree that it is easier to place the record on a table or desk covered by a couple lint-free towels (today’s mocrofiber works well). 

Apply a liberal amount of the liquid being careful not to get anything on the label (the cleaner could leave a residue or cause other damage).  Using a very soft, gentle brush that own’t scratch the record, and clean with the grooves. 

All the dirt and gunk will be brought to the surface.  The liquid will evaporate but the dirt will remain, so it is very important to remove all the gunk.  The two best ways to dry your record are with a chamois-based cloth or with micro-fiber.  Neither will leave lint or dust like a bath or paper towel.

After completely drying one side, flip the record over and repeat the process.

  Over time, you may get really tired of hand-washing all your vinyl records.  The     author, Time Neely says that it then may be time to invest into a record-cleaning machine.  He suggests two brands:  Nitty Gritty and VPI.  They combine the wet and drying into one continuous process.  The best part of these machines is that they use a vacuum that sucks all the fluid off the record.  It may be worth the investment if you have a large collection.

Remember, never use an alcohol-based cleaning solution on a 78 rpm record.  The alcohol could loosen the bonds between the 78 and cause them to separate.  The best way to clean your 78’s is to use  gentle soapy water - again being careful of the label.

I just had a birthday.  According to the US antique standards, I am beyond antique. 

In the US, an item is considered antique at 50.  This is 2008.

Let’s think about this a minute.  Hmmmm…..recorded music.  Records, specifically. 

Many of the records I own have hit the 100 mark or are very close to it.

The age of rock and rock has hit 50.

Taking all that into consideration, I decided to abandon the “retro” looks that many have used as the theme for their websites, blogs and Ebay stores.

I say not!!

Think golden years and rich patinas inviting you into the shelves of recorded music history.

No red, black, chrome or flashing disco balls here. 

It’s on its way. 

You will really want to gosinta this, sit back and reminisce!

The Pioneers 

We connected with each and everyone of these people - real or in  character - because they broke media ground…..

They held there own in a world that was resistant to change while at the same time embracing their talents. 

And, they each are attributed with coining a phrase.

“And awaaaaay we go!”  - Jackie Gleason on The Honeymooners

“Vitameatavegamin” - Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy

“What?…..me worry??  Alfred E Neuman of Mad Magazine

“Rock ‘n’ Roll” - Alan “Moondog” Freed

When Alan Freed hit the air waves as “Moondog” in July 1951, black music was still known as “race music.”  He rebelled against all previously thinking and did exactly what he thougth was right!  Needless to say it was hard for the program directors to swallow what was happening.  The audiences wanted to hear rhythm and blues by black artists - it was good for business.  Many of the listeners thought he was black himself since his voice had a beat similar to that of the contagious music he played. 

While Freed is attributed with coining the phrase “rock ‘n’ roll,” the phrase had actually been in use since the 1920’s.  It was black slang - replacement for the offensive word for sex.  It grew far beyond the slang and found its way the church.  Gospel music made people swing and sway - “rockin’ and rollin’.”   Alan Freed re-coined the phrase and used it to describe the new music he played on radio station WJW in Cleveland, Ohio. Guess it caught on, huh?!

Many say that this DJ held the first rock  concert.   The “Moondog Coronation” ball was scheduled for the Cleveland Arena.  Over 20,000 mostly black fans crashed the gates of the 10,000 seat arena causing the event to be canceled. 

Rock ‘n’ Roll Was On Its Way

In 1954 rock ‘n’ roll music hit the trade papers after Freed moved to WINS in New York and held a dance promoting black rock ‘n’ roll artists.  Within a month after the dance rock ‘n’ roll advertising hit the trades. ABC-TV scheduled him for his own TV show but canceled it in 1957 after a white girl danced with black performer Frankie Lymon of the Teenagers.  The southern affiliates were enraged!

Alan Freed became the first name associated with music through radio, television and the movies. was a prolific promoter - had his own record label, signed artists and promoted concerts.  

His career started its downward spiral in 1958 when he was charged with inciting a riot at a show in Boston.  WINS released him from his contract.  After being forced to file bankruptcy, he moved on to WABC, but his troubles only worsened.  1959 brought the ASCAP investigation of deejays who were thought to be taking gifts from record companies in exchange for giving their records airplay.  While many deejays were thought to be involved, the industry decided to focus on Freed. After refusing to sign a statement denying he had ever received payola, WABC fired him.  He finally pleaded guilty to 29 counts of “commercial bribery”. His fine amounted to $300 and 6 months probation, but his career was over. No one in the industry would touch him after this.

Alan Freed, the man who brought us rock ‘n’ roll died penniless at the age of 43.