April 25th is the birth anniversary of one of Rock N’ Roll’s greatest songwriters…Lyricist Jerry Leiber, one half of the team of Leiber and Stoller. Jerry was born in 1933, and died in 2011. Composer Mike Stoller is now 85.
English actress Hayley Mills celebrates her 72nd birthday! She started acting as a child, and was selected by Walt Disney to appear in Polyanna in 1960.
Lots of great childhood memories probably flooded back to you, as they did for me, when we heard that the great Chuck McCann had passed away this week at the age of 83. Chuck hosted a number of kids’ shows, first on Channel 5 in New York, then on Channel 11. Later the multi-talented Mr.…
On March 28, 1967 Van Morrison of Belfast entered a studio and recorded a song he’d written called “Brown Eyed Girl”. It was released in June on the Bang record label, and became the signature song of his career. At the time, though, Brown Eyed Girl was not a “huge” hit, peaking at Number 10…
March 14th marks the 73rd birthday of Chicago saxophonist Walter Parazaider. He’s been with the band since the beginning, and after 50 years, recently announced he’s retiring from touring due to a heart condition. Let’s celebrate his birthday by watching and listening to one of Chicago’s best….a 1973 live performance of Saturday In The Park!
March 7th is the 66th birthday of Ernie Isley, of the legendary Isley Brothers. He joined his older brothers in the group in the mid 60’s. The Isleys lived for many years in the Teaneck & Englewood area in New Jersey. His first recording session came on the smash hit “It’s Your Thing” in 1968,…
February 28th is the birth anniversary of Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones. Jones was the founder and original leader of the Stones. He came up with the name for the band. But within a year, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, whom Jones recruited as band members, began taking over the direction of the group.…
On February 21, 1970 the Jackson 5 made their first appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. They play their first big hit “I Want You Back” Live, not lip synched! And to make it more special they are presented with their first gold record. Watch and enjoy!
On Valentines Day, 1967 Aretha Franklin went into a studio in New York, and recorded what would become the signature song of her career…Respect. The song was written by and originally performed by Otis Redding in 1965, becoming his biggest hit up until that point.
