The late Freddy Fender was born Baldemar G. Huerta on this date in 1937. His two biggest hits are included on today’s playlist.
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“Daydreams light the corners of my mind.” That was the original opening line of this smash. Barbra Streisand suggested changing “daydreams” to “memories.” I applaud that change.
Barbra Streisand was born on this date in 1942. A few tracks from her are included on today’s playlist.
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Judy Craig, the lead singer of The Chiffons, was a senior in high school when “He’s So Fine” hit number one. Written by the group’s manager, Ronnie Mack, the song was recorded with the band The Tokens providing the instrumentation. The Tokens brought the recording to their record label, Capitol, to see if they’d be interested in releasing it, but the label president thought it “too trite.” Laurie Records signed the group and made “He’s So Fine” one of the biggest hits of 1963. The group hit the top ten twice more, with “One Fine Day” and “Sweet Talkin’ Guy.” Judy Craig, who turns 79 today, still tours with The Chiffons, now comprised of her, her daughter and her niece.
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The late Wilbert Harrison was born on this date in 1929. His best-known hit is “Kansas City.” That and other songs from 1959 make up today’s playlist.
A popular misconception that I sometimes fall into is that the years after The Day The Music Died (early 1959) and before The Beatles hit in America (early 1964) the pop chart was pretty dull. Sure, there was a lot of schmaltz on the Hot 100 – there always is – but there was a lot of exciting stuff, too, as today’s Throwback Thursday playlist will attest. Girl groups, Motown, Ray Charles, James Brown, Frankie Valli, Sam Cooke, The Beach Boys and lots of other good stuff made the top 40. Have a listen to thirty of 1962’s best.
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Today’s Throwback Thursday playlist revisits the music of 1975. Each of the 30 songs below made the pop top 40. I miss the days before radio became so segmented and one could hear Eagles rubbing up against Minnie Riperton next to Bob Dylan followed by Labelle with Bruce Springsteen’s first hit playing with The Captain & Tennille’s first hit on deck. It satisfies the musical omnivore that I am.
Inspired by the October 14 birthdays of Cliff Richard, Usher, The Moody Blues’ Justin Hayward, The Chicks’ Natalie Maines, All Saints’ Shaznay Lewis, Boney M’s Marcia Barrett, Thomas Dolby, Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty, Robert Parker, Bill Justis and Karyn White.
Inspired by the passing of Toots Hibbert and the September 12 birthdays of Ben Folds, Barry White, George Jones, America’s Gerry Beckley, Maria Muldaur, Jennifer Hudson, The Foundations’ Colin Young, Judy Clay and BTS’ RM.