Monthly Archives: June 2021

“Dazed and Confused” was a song Jimmy Page played with the Yardbirds in their live performances. When he joined Led Zeppelin, the group recorded and released it on their 1969 debut album. Due to the demand from radio, Atlantic Records … Continue reading →

In the late 1950’s the New York and New Jersey area produced a plethora of Doo Wop groups, many of whom were one-hit wonders. A great example would be the Knockouts who in 1959 scored with “Darling Lorraine.” Released on … Continue reading →

In 1970 Apple Records released the John Lennon single “Mother.” It wasn’t much of a hit, reaching only #43 on the Billboard Hot 100. Abandoned by his father, and even though he didn’t live with his mother, the two were … Continue reading →

In September of 1967, sixteen-year-old Alex Chilton and his band, the Box Tops, are number one in the country with “The Letter”. It will stay at #1 for four weeks. “The Letter” is only the second #1 hit in the … Continue reading →

Brenda Lee charted 47 times in the 1960’s. She is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. It would take Madonna to break her record of nine consecutive top-10 hits … Continue reading →

James Brown may have had many children but in 1973 he became a surrogate father to 18 year old Alfred Sharpton. It was James who convinced young Alfred to shorten his first name to Al. Eventually Al became James Brown’s … Continue reading →

Gladys Knight & the Pips began their rise to stardom in 1953 and for the next 35 years the hits just kept on comin’. The first hit was “Every Beat of my Heart.” Next up was “Letter Full of Tears.” … Continue reading →

In 1996 Isaac Hayes, who wrote the classic “I’m a Soul Man” for Sam and Dave sent presidential candidate Bob Dole a letter requesting Dole supporters stop using the phrase “I’m a Dole Man.” The Sam and Dave album “Soul … Continue reading →

Jack Kerouac was a writer and poet who came to be the idol of the “Beat Generation.”  A deep Catholic faith as a child led him to think of himself as a saint. Later in his life, Buddhism would also … Continue reading →

In February of 1974, Casablanca Records released the first Kiss album. First issues do not contain the song “Kissin’Time.” In July the album was re issued and this time with “Kissin’ Time.” The Kiss album containing “Kissin’ Time” is worth … Continue reading →