Gulf Watchers has moved it's Block Party to Sunday evening, so more of you can join in the fun. We are here to enjoy drinks, food, and especially tonite: the Music.
With the recent deaths of two icons in the music industry- Dick Clark, and Levon Helm.
it brought forth many memories of how much music is part of our lives. For most here, good music memories go way back; for some others it is more current.
Follow me down the rabbit hole for some thoughts....
When I heard the news of the death of Levon Helm---I said: "Who?" I wrote someone to give me some insight---and got a good report. Of course, I knew he had to be important, as all the major networks and papers reported on his death
Simultaneously, I saw a story about the re-surgeance in sales of vinyl albums with something called "Record Sales Days".
Yup, even some groups are re-issuing material on the old-style vinyl albums.
This all connected me to the time when Dick Clark ruled the music world with the success of American Bandstand.
That was my era---When Bandstand first started (1957), I was 14---perfect age for the early rock 'n roll period----and Bandstand.
I remember rushing home from school to check on the latest singers ( & especially dancers) on Bandstand. What guy, during that era, wasn't in love with Pat Molittieri...?
(I learned much later in life that she was born two days to the day from me. Unfortunately she died quite young-1970)
How many of us learned "The Stroll" from watching Bandstand? Or "The Twist" with Chubby Checker?
Ah, those were the days.....But we moved on into the Sixties and with it came the Beatles and the British invasion----and a sea change in music....
There was so much taking place during that period, I'll leave you with just two Beatle songs---one early, and one late, that represent all the changes that took place in a short period of time in our music world:
Then, some years later...
Yup, time moves on----and into the Seventies, we saw the growth of a much more expressive kind of music---mostly quite good. Here are the top 100 names from that period and here are some of the biggest hits
To me the period was symbollized by two songs: Stayin' Alive..
And American Pie...
And, for me, my close following of new artists and songs dropped off dramatically after that. It seemed as though my tastes wanted to go backward; as the industry was going forward....
I have become a huge Big Band fan, as well as a big traditional jazz fan. Also love the older standards sung by people like Etta James, Ella, Tony, Frank, and so many others...enjoy the folk of Dylan & Joanie.
With that said, you can take most of Engelbert Humperdick, and Elton and Cyndi, and Madonna.. and so many others-----and I'll never miss them.
That doesn't mean there weren't a few individual songs or artists that I liked; just that my tastes have been hardened by a past era. I mean give me my Billy Joel--anytrime.
However, for those Helm's fan's out there; here is The Band's version of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. BUT, I still like Joan Baez' version better
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So, give us your fond memories of the music you love; or that you have enjoyed over the years.....
The Party is on!!!!!
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Addendum....
Barbra is 70??? (b 4/24/1942)
One of her best performances...
Addendum #2
Friday saw the passing of a NYC radio DJ; a legend during the Rock period--Peter Fornatale:
NYT obit
also this
