The Classic/Retro Pop Culture Thread

[The Old Mixer]

I'd just read that Alex Chilton was in Big Star when working on this week's posts. I have a couple of their songs that are on the Rolling Stone list. His voice there reminds me of young Billy Joel.

I did not know that Klaus was in Manfred Mann! Having read dozens of books about the Beatles back in the day, I'd probably been exposed to that fact a time or three, but it would have fallen out of my head.

"The" Cream?

 

[DarrenTR1970]

I'd just read that Alex Chilton was in Big Star when working on this week's posts. I have a couple of their songs that are on the Rolling Stone list. His voice there reminds me of young Billy Joel.

I did not know that Klaus was in Manfred Mann! Having read dozens of books about the Beatles back in the day, I'd probably been exposed to that fact a time or three, but it would have fallen out of my head.

"The" Cream?

Yup. Most people forget that there's a definitive article there. They were 'The Cream' of the crop. Anyway that's how it's spelled in the book 'Strange Brew. Eric Clapton and the British Blues Boom 1965-1970'.

 

[The Old Mixer]

It looks like that article was used on a couple of the early single labels, and not even consistently within that era. The majority of their singles and albums had it simply as "Cream".

 

[The Old Mixer]

Totally random bit of music business that I stumbled across while working ahead on 55 years ago playlists and related purchases, and it was so odd that I just had to share...the hawkish, conservative answer song to Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction":

"The Dawn of Correction," The Spokesmen

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(Charted Sept. 18, 1965; #36 US)

 

[RJDiogenes]

FWIW, it's in a Best of episode that also includes Diana Ross & the Supremes, Spanky & Our Gang, and George Carlin (all from Mar. 24, 1968).

That might be one I've recorded and not seen yet.

It's easy to hear why she was a one-hitter, though. Nothing that really pops out and crosses over like "Ode".

Yeah, neither one is hit single material; more like flipping through an obscure book of poetry found at a used bookstore (which is pretty much my fate, so I'm not being critical ).

Did he ever spill it on his trousers?

Never. He was impeccable. He was born, lived, and died in a three-piece suit. We always figured he was found on the doorstep or something.

What the world needs now
Is Walt, sweet Walt...

(Needs a little work.)

Hah. Decades should do "Year of the Walt."

It definitely distinguishes itself from the original with its acid-drenched sound. It does rely a bit on being familiar with the original to fill in the blanks where it skips lyrics. (Also one-hit wonders, for the record.)

Yes, that's an odd choice. But I guess it makes sense that the acid version would rely on flashbacks.

Not quite 'nuff...it's one of their more striking songs that I'm familiar with, and makes that short list of prettiest songs with "God Only Knows."

It's a song with quite a pedigree.

This one doesn't do too much for me, but it's one of those friendly, familiar oldies radio staples. I like the video with all the dancing girls. Manfred Mann's history of hit singles on this side of the pond is a bit spread out...this is all that will be coming up in 50th anniversary context.

They also had a big hit, I'm sure you know, a few years later with the Boss's "Blinded By The Light." In both cases, they added much more production to the originals to good effect.

And I also bought my first non-compilation Dylan album about a week back...Blonde on Blonde. I was never much of a Bob fan in the past, but I'm starting to hear what all the fuss was about.

Ah, I love Dylan. He really is a poetic genius.

Woah. I like Puckett & the Gap...they've got a good, enjoyable sound...but they're not playing in the same league as the Beatles or the Stones.

Yeah, I agree with that.

Also, am I the only one who thinks that the girl in the video doesn't look "much too young"? She really does hide the secret of her youth quite well.

Yeah, I'm sure they wanted to be very careful.

It's a nice song, but I'm not getting where all of that is coming from. Must be one of those "lost in translation" things.

Wow, yeah. I have no idea.

Totally random bit of music business that I stumbled across while working ahead on 55 years ago playlists and related purchases, and it was so odd that I just had to share...the hawkish, conservative answer song to Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction":

That's quite interesting. I never heard of it before now. The first two verses are pretty twisted, but the third and fourth make valid points-- it's like it's two different songs.

 

[The Old Mixer]

That might be one I've recorded and not seen yet.

If you've got it, you should watch it on anniversary weekend!

Hah. Decades should do "Year of the Walt."

They actually did a standalone Walter Cronkite special that they were running a few months back, covering his whole career.

But I guess it makes sense that the acid version would rely on flashbacks.

There ya go!

Ah, I love Dylan. He really is a poetic genius.

Really I started to see what the fuss was about with my chronological playlists, hearing his singles and other especially noteworthy songs in chronological context with the other artists of the time. But I was pleasantly surprised to find an entire Dylan album (and a double LP at that) so listenable and enjoyable. I thought he'd be a tougher listen.

 

[RJDiogenes]

If you've got it, you should watch it on anniversary weekend!

When's that, March 24th?

They actually did a standalone Walter Cronkite special that they were running a few months back, covering his whole career.

Somebody should do a big-screen bio for him so that the public can see what journalistic integrity was like.

Really I started to see what the fuss was about with my chronological playlists, hearing his singles and other especially noteworthy songs in chronological context with the other artists of the time. But I was pleasantly surprised to find an entire Dylan album (and a double LP at that) so listenable and enjoyable. I thought he'd be a tougher listen.

He is certainly a unique creator, but, as I think Jimmy Carter said, a true American voice.

 

[The Old Mixer]

When's that, March 24th?

Yep.

Somebody should do a big-screen bio for him so that the public can see what journalistic integrity was like.

In this day and age, they'd probably just screw him up in an attempt to appeal to modern audiences.

He is certainly a unique creator, but, as I think Jimmy Carter said, a true American voice.

I'm planning to cover some of his earlier albums as they come up in sync with 55th anniversary business. I've decided not to continue doing a third playlist by going back another year before the year that I've been covering in 51st anniversary sync...once the 55th gets into the British Invasion era, I want to pay more attention to it.

 

[RJDiogenes]

In this day and age, they'd probably just screw him up in an attempt to appeal to modern audiences.

I'm afraid that's probably true.

 

[The Old Mixer]

I'm afraid that's probably true.

I'm picturing a CW show that has Cronkite as a high school journalism student today, dealing with supernatural threats and relationship angst.

 

[Christopher]

I'm picturing a CW show that has Cronkite as a high school journalism student today, dealing with supernatural threats and relationship angst.

That might actually be kind of awesome. No evil can stand against the power of journalistic integrity! And That's the Way It Is would make a good teen-drama title, I think.

 

[The Old Mixer]

That's too long for a CW series title. They'd want it to be one or two words, preferably his moniker or the name of his city...or even a shortened version of the former. So it would probably be Cronkite or The Cronk.

And because it's a prequel, the producers would enforce a strict "no catchphrase, no mustache" rule...he wouldn't be allowed to assume either until the final episode, though each season finale would tease us with nudging things a little closer.

 

[Christopher]

That's too long for a CW series title. They'd want it to be one or two words, preferably his moniker or the name of his city...or even a shortened version of the former.

Other CW shows include Beauty & the Beast, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and the British import Hooten & the Lady, so they're not averse to longer titles.

And because it's a prequel, the producers would enforce a strict "no catchphrase, no mustache" rule...he wouldn't be allowed to assume either until the final episode, though each season finale would tease us with nudging things a little closer.

Well, if we're going with the "teen Cronkite" premise, that would be pretty accurate. He didn't grow the mustache until sometime between 1930 and 1935 (his mid- to late 20s), and didn't coin his famous signoff until after he became the CBS Evening News anchor in 1962.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I'm picturing a CW show that has Cronkite as a high school journalism student today, dealing with supernatural threats and relationship angst.

I'd be more up for Cronkite: The Night Stalker.

 

[Christopher]

I'd be more up for Cronkite: The Night Stalker.

Except if it were Uncle Walter claiming we were being besieged by unseen supernatural terrors, everyone would automatically believe him.

 

[The Old Mixer]

_______

51st Anniversary Viewing

_______

Selections from Billboard's Hot 100 for 51 years ago this week:

1. "Ruby Tuesday," The Rolling Stones
2. "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone," The Supremes
3. "Kind of a Drag," The Buckinghams
4. "Baby I Need Your Lovin'," Johnny Rivers
5. "Georgy Girl," The Seekers
6. "The Beat Goes On," Sonny & Cher
7. "Gimme Some Lovin'," The Spencer Davis Group
8. "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye," The Casinos
9. "Sock It to Me, Baby!," Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels
10. "I'm a Believer," The Monkees
11. "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," Cannonball Adderley
12. "(We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet," The Blues Magoos

14. "It Takes Two," Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
15. "Pretty Ballerina," The Left Banke
16. "Go Where You Wanna Go," The 5th Dimension
17. "I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night)," The Electric Prunes
18. "You Got to Me," Neil Diamond
19. "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game," The Marvelettes
20. "For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey What's That Sound)," Buffalo Springfield
21. "Happy Together," The Turtles
22. "Darling Be Home Soon," The Lovin' Spoonful
23. "There's a Kind of Hush," Herman's Hermits
24. "Epistle to Dippy," Donovan
25. "98.6," Keith
26. "Dedicated to the One I Love," The Mamas & The Papas

28. "I've Been Lonely Too Long," The Young Rascals
29. "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star," The Byrds

31. "Green, Green Grass of Home," Tom Jones
32. "California Nights," Lesley Gore

35. "Music to Watch Girls By," The Bob Crewe Generation
36. "Penny Lane," The Beatles
37. "Ups and Downs," Paul Revere & The Raiders

41. "I Think We're Alone Now," Tommy James & The Shondells
42. "Tell It Like It Is," Aaron Neville

45. "Strawberry Fields Forever," The Beatles
46. "Pushin' Too Hard," The Seeds

49. "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron," The Royal Guardsmen
50. "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage," Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

54. "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)," Harpers Bizarre
55. "Let's Spend the Night Together," The Rolling Stones

58. "The Return of the Red Baron," The Royal Guardsmen

68. "Jimmy Mack," Martha & The Vandellas

77. "Dry Your Eyes," Brenda & The Tabulations

80. "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," Aretha Franklin
81. "Western Union," The Five Americans

83. "Beggin'," The Four Seasons

85. "With This Ring," The Platters

90. "This Is My Song," Petula Clark


Leaving the chart:
N/A

_______

The Monkees
"Monkees à la Mode"
Originally aired February 27, 1967

The Monkees are chosen as "Typical Young Americans of the Year," by Chic magazine, a haughty publication that runs a bogus article on the group molding them into a false image of clean cut young men.

Notes: Micky plays the kettle drum portion of "Randy Scouse Git" when drumming on the table.

Needless to say, they're sending up the magazine business in this one. Interestingly Chic would go on to be the title of a porno magazine. In any case, they're definitely getting featured in the wrong publication if the Monkees' apartment is considered unphotographable. You'd think that a publication targeting the right age group would find their pad groovy (as I'm sure the TV audience was meant to). At least they're referring to the Monkees as "young people" rather than "teenagers".

"Laugh"

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The magazine actually tries to paint the boys as being cultured and upper-crust...which for some reason offends a series of Cameo Girlfriends. As part of the Monkees' subsequent efforts to sabotage the ceremony, we get a cute sight gag of Davy pulling off a wig of his hair to reveal a bald cap.

"You Just May Be the One"

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_______

The Rat Patrol
"The Wild Goose Raid"
Originally aired February 27, 1967

When the Rat Patrol is assigned as the security force for a conference between the British and American Joint Chiefs of Staff, Troy races to uncover a deadly German plot before the meeting occurs.

No Dietrich this episode, but we've got Martin Milner! Of course, having seen his name in IMDb, he was my primary suspect for being the security leak before he even appeared onscreen. He's playing a nasty bugger, too.

At one point, Troy sarcastically calls his character "Superman". I'm not sure in context why he did. It just now occurs to me that maybe it was a Nazi reference rather than a comic book one.

If Milner's character was supposed to be doing a German accent after he was uncovered, it was a lousy one...somebody needs to get this guy on Mission: Impossible before Jack Webb gets ahold of him!

It's definitely another concept stretch having the Patrol in charge of security in a city.

_______


"Leaving the Nest Is for the Birds"
Originally aired March 2, 1967

A family dinner put on by Ann to show that life in New York City is safe is spoiled by an alleged peeping Tom (Jerry Van Dyke).

Holy overbearing relatives: The Maries are getting a visit from Ann's Aunt Harriette! Her daughter Arlene is an old rival of Ann's, so the Maries try to put on a united front of demonstrating how well-off Ann is.

Jerry's character is actually on the ledge outside the kitchen, thinking of jumping. This turns out to be the result of a problem with his girlfriend, which gets resolved, but not before he switches to a fake stick-up.

In the coda there's a fake-out of Don proposing...playing on one of Ann's stories about Arlene, he's giving her not a ring but a skate key.

"Oh, Donald" count: 5
"Oh, Daddy" count: 1
"Oh, Mother" count: 1

_______

And that's the way it was, the week ending March 4, 1967.

_______

 

[RJDiogenes]

"Laugh"

That's a good one that I hadn't heard before (or don't remember).

The magazine actually tries to paint the boys as being cultured and upper-crust...which for some reason offends a series of Cameo Girlfriends.

Chicks don't want to get it on with a bunch of establishment creeps, man.

"You Just May Be the One"

Another decent one, but it does not have that Monkees sound.

No Dietrich this episode, but we've got Martin Milner! Of course, having seen his name in IMDb, he was my primary suspect for being the security leak before he even appeared onscreen. He's playing a nasty bugger, too.

I'd like to see that.

At one point, Troy sarcastically calls his character "Superman". I'm not sure in context why he did. It just now occurs to me that maybe it was a Nazi reference rather than a comic book one.

They probably figured that nobody would understand "Ubermensch."

And that's the way it was, the week ending March 4, 1967.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

The Monkees
"Monkees à la Mode"
Originally aired February 27, 1967
In any case, they're definitely getting featured in the wrong publication if the Monkees' apartment is considered unphotographable. You'd think that a publication targeting the right age group would find their pad groovy (as I'm sure the TV audience was meant to).

Well, the point of the phony Chic magazine was to remake who the "Typical Young People" as self-important, limp bon vivant types--the polar opposite of the generally eclectic Monkees and their environment. The reason the Chic article offends their girlfriends is pretty clear: they are down to earth girls and certainly don't want a relationship with would-be fashion/culture punks.

"Laugh"

Interesting lyrics just asking the listener to go with the flow, no matter how upside down the situations are

"You Just May Be the One"

Another Nesmith cornerstone of Monkees' music, played several times during season one, and on tour.

That's a good one that I hadn't heard before (or don't remember).
Chicks don't want to get it on with a bunch of establishment creeps, man.

Solid, brother!

Another decent one, but it does not have that Monkees sound.

How do you identify The Monkees' sound? Nesmith's songs were there from the start--on albums, radio airplay and all throughout the series.

 

[The Old Mixer]

_______

50th Anniversary Viewing

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The Ed Sullivan Show
Season 20, episode 25
Originally aired February 25, 1968
As represented in The Best of the Ed Sullivan Show

From a mixed Best of that mostly consisted of acts from a couple of 1970 episodes, we have from this date Gladys Knight & the Pips, promoting their current, still-rising single split into bookends in a medley that includes their previous hit and another song:

"The End of Our Road" / "(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over" / "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"

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This video cuts out most of the first bookend of "The End of Our Road".

Other acts in the original episode from this date...

--Dinah Shore - medley: "Oh, Lonesome Me," "It's Over," "Trains, Boats And Planes," and "Oh, Lonesome Me" (reprise).
--Ed Ames - "I Want To Be Free" & "Who Will Answer?"
--Ed Ames and Dinah Shore - "Sunrise, Sunset" duet.

Comedy:
--Jackie Mason (stand-up comedy)
--Andy Stewart (kilt-wearing Scottish singer-comedian) - sings and does impression of Dean Martin.

Also appearing:
--Ballet America (dancers perform to "Mule Train")
--The Bruskis (unicyclists, balancing act from Poland)

Audience bows: Governor Stan Hathaway; Jane Morgan; Tony Bennett; Sheila Davis (writer of song "Who Will Answer?")

I'm surprised that Best of didn't use some of the Ed Ames material...they featured appearances by him in several other episodes. Not that I'm complaining.

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Mission: Impossible
"The Killing"
Originally aired February 25, 1968

Conventional law-enforcement methods cannot stop a criminal mastermind, but his superstitions may be his undoing.

Wiki says that this aired on the 28th, but IMDb gives the above date, which matches the usual night.

Please destroy this recording in the usual manner. Good luck, Jim.

"The usual manner" is throwing it in a nearby trash can from his car, where it bursts into smoke. I remember that much from a previous episode.

This is a bit of a bottle show...the two main bad guys are the only credited guests. The boss, Gordon, is Gerald S. O'Loughlin, who played Axford's arsonist buddy on The Green Hornet. Looks like he was also in a Season 1 episode of 12OCH. The boss's hitman, Connie, is played by Roy Jenson...the very same week that he'll be showing up on Trek as Cloud William. Everyone else in the story is in the IMF. You kinda have to feel sorry for the bad guys when they're outnumbered 2.5 to 1...and that's not counting the uncredited, unannounced IMF accomplice who pops out of nowhere to operate the wind machine in the scheme's climax.

This is another scheme that relies on playing into a bad guy's superstitions / belief in the paranormal...not an uncommon trope for this show, it seems.

The bad guys have their own "usual manner" of incinerating bodies, which factors into the scheme. The scheme involves setting up Jim's murder and faking his making a spectral appearance, complete with a faked thunderstorm. Phelps does drunk better than he does accents. He also looks vaguely Trek pilot-ish in his mustard yellow, knife-proof, fake blood-spurting turtleneck sweater.

Why does Barney dramatically cut the phone cord when it rings? He could just unplug the cord from either the wall or the phone. Or were phones in that era hard-wired at both ends?

If this episode were recently recorded enough to be available via my Xfinity app, I'd totally use Jim's disembodied, mist-enshrouded head as an avatar.

_______

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Season 1, episode 6
Originally aired February 26, 1968

Nancy Ames, Buddy Hackett, Jerry Lewis, Leonard Nimoy, Edward Platt, Dinah Shore, Connie Stevens, Larry Storch, The Temptations

Spock, the Chief, and the Temptations in the same episode!

Does NBC know this show is on the air?

If Ladybird Johnson married Admiral Byrd, she'd be Ladybird Byrd.

If Humpty Dumpty married Hubert Humphrey, he'd be Humpty Dumpty Humphrey.

If Zsa Zsa Gabor married Minne Ha-Ha, she'd be Zsa Zsa Ha-Ha.

If Dean Martin married Frank Sinatra, there'd be a lotta talk.

Nimoy also does some Sock It to Me's, breaking into laughter.

After the cast announcements, they left in a static shot of the Joke Wall that apparently was supposed to have sponsors superimposed over it. All the things these channels cut in syndication, and they leave that in....

I do wish they'd stop the war, so our boys can come home from Canada.

LEGALIZE POTTERY

Dick makes a Leap Year reference. Yes, 1968 was a Leap Year, and 2018 isn't, so we're losing the day/date sync with 50 years ago...though it'll be back in 1970, FWIW.

Connie Stevens does parodies of Joyce Brothers and Rona Barrett.

Judy and Connie do a song about Beautiful Downtown Burbank, following which Dan and Dick get a noteworthy visitor:

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Cute, quick sight-gag: The Mothers, a record-breaking act from Detroit (who are shown actually physically breaking records).

The Temptations, "Get Ready"

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(Charted Feb. 26, 1966; #29 US; #1 R&B)
Looks pretty hot out there in the desert...bet they wish it would rain. Actually, it occurs to me that maybe they were shooting out in the desert to do a video for the current hit, but the footage they got didn't match the song so they used the more upbeat classic.

This episode appears to be the origin of Jo Anne Worley's running gag about chicken jokes.

_______

Batman
"The Joker's Flying Saucer"
Originally aired February 29, 1968

The Joker uses an alien distraction in order to build his own flying saucer. Before Batman and Robin can stop him, the Joker's bomb destroys the Batcave.

Barbara screaming at a guy painted green wasn't her finest moment. I'd like to think it was an act, but it wasn't played that way. And Richard Bakalyan was 5'7"...quite a bit taller than the 3 feet that Barbara described him as, and a few inches taller than Yvonne Craig. And now Batgirl's getting caught by henchmen so casually that it happens offscreen!

Batman quoting a Gotham penal code about meeting a man from Mars in a public park was a cute bit.

Joker must have gotten his idea for this week's scheme from something he read about happening in the Green Hornet's city around this time last year. There's really bad continuity with last weak's teaser...the Joker's saucer isn't even built yet.

You'd think Batgirl would notice Alfred talking into his handkerchief before Emerald would...she was sitting right next to him in the direction that he was talking.

_______

Ironside
"Barbara Who"
Originally aired February 29, 1968

Ironside develops feelings for a woman who can't remember anything - but who someone wants dead.

It turns out that Barbara was already amnesiac when Ironside met her as a nurse's aide after he was shot. Now somebody's trying to...well, you read it. With Ironside's investigative help, she learns who she is and how she came to be found, but never regains her memory and is reluctant to resume her old life because of it. Ironside doesn't get the girl, but he does kiss her.

Guests of note:

• Marion Ross as the wife of the police officer who found Barbara;
• Uncredited William Boyett as a truck driver;
• Uncredited Susan Olsen (future Cindy Brady) as one of Barbara's daughters.

_______

Tarzan
"Four O'Clock Army: Part I"
Originally aired March 1, 1968

Tarzan and Sir Basil Bertram clash over how to best handle an impending raid by a gang of slave traders.

In addition to Maurice Evans's recurring character, this two-parter (which appears to have also been released theatrically) features the return of Julie Harris as Charity Jones. Watching Charity sing a religious hymn just made me miss the Supremes.

The clash is actually between Sir Basil and Charity. Tarzan enlists Basil's help, devises the strategy behind Basil's plan to train the villagers into a militia, and secures guns. Charity has the right sentiment for the times--make (brotherly) love, not war--but it's presented as being naive and impractical in this situation. She arranges some demonstrations to disrupt the training. I suppose one could see this episode as being allegorical to Vietnam in much the same way as "A Private Little War."

Yet for all of her issues with Sir Basil, when Tarzan rejoins them at the end, Charity takes his orders without hesitation.

This one is setup and more setup, with Jai Chang Caine filling some time by having multiple flashbacks to earlier episodes with both recurring guests.

In the cliffhanger, the villagers are forced to flee for their lives when their guns won't fire, and Tarzan, Basil, and Jai are captured.

Tarzan's behind the wheel again in this one. Do you need a driver's license to drive a Jeep in the African wilderness, because I'm sure he's not carrying one.

_______

Star Trek
"The Omega Glory"
Originally aired March 1, 1968
Stardate Unknown

The Enterprise investigates the disappearance of another starship and discovers a planet where the inhabitants are immortal and engaged in a strange parallel of Earth's Cold War period.

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See my post here.

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The Saint
"The Best Laid Schemes"
Originally aired March 2, 1968 (US); September 29, 1968 (UK)

Visions of her dead sea captain spouse torment a widow as Templar tries to learn if the man's death was an accident, suicide or murder.

Simon rather matter-of-factly introduces himself this time...the lamest type of opening intro, kicking off a fairly mundane mystery with a predictable twist.

_______

Get Smart
"Operation Ridiculous"
Originally aired March 2, 1968

A magazine writer is doing a story on CONTROL. This article could make CONTROL look good, which would mean more appropriations from the federal government. A bad review could put CONTROL out of business, which would help KAOS advance their evil plans without resistance. To try to influence this outcome, KAOS plots to do what it can to make Max look even more stupid, inept, clueless and ridiculous than usual.

I thought from the title that this might be the old Mission: Impossible spoof trick, but it's not.

The gag with the series of false rooms and corridors was kind of neat; and the ongoing fight on an elevator while other passengers nonchalantly get on at each floor was cute.

This episode features the third and final appearance of Dr. Steele, the CONTROL scientist whose cover is being a chorus girl. The Chief sports a toupee for most of the episode.

_______

Another decent one, but it does not have that Monkees sound.

I think it's a pretty decent Mike number. His songs tend to be more miss than hit for me.

I'd like to see that.

If you're ever curious about a Rat Patrol episode, they all seem to be on YouTube.

The reason the Chic article offends their girlfriends is pretty clear: they are down to earth girls and certainly don't want a relationship with would-be fashion/culture punks.

But if they know where the Monkees actually live to storm in and return their rings, then they should know that the boys don't actually live like that.

 

[The Old Mixer]

_______

50 Years Ago This Week

March 6 – Un-recognized Rhodesia executes 3 black citizens, the first executions since UDI, prompting international condemnation.
March 7 – Vietnam War: The First Battle of Saigon ends.
March 8

• The first student protests spark the 1968 Polish political crisis.
• Vietnam War: Battle of Lima Site 85, the largest single ground combat loss of United States Air Force members (12) during the then-secret war later known as the Laotian Civil War.

Selections from Billboard's Hot 100 for the week:

1. "Love Is Blue (L'amour Est Bleu)," Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra
2. "(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls," Dionne Warwick
3. "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay," Otis Redding
4. "Simon Says," 1910 Fruitgum Co.
5. "I Wish It Would Rain," The Temptations
6. "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)," The First Edition
7. "Spooky," Classics IV
8. "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight?," Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
9. "La-La Means I Love You," The Delfonics
10. "Everything That Touches You," The Association
11. "I Thank You," Sam & Dave
12. "Baby, Now That I've Found You," The Foundations
13. "Bottle of Wine," The Fireballs
14. "Walk Away Renee," Four Tops
15. "The End of Our Road," Gladys Knight & The Pips
16. "We're a Winner," The Impressions
17. "Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You've Been Gone)," Aretha Franklin
18. "Words," Bee Gees
19. "Dance to the Music," Sly & The Family Stone
20. "Too Much Talk," Paul Revere & The Raiders feat. Mark Lindsay
21. "Goin' Out of My Head / Can't Take My Eyes Off You," The Lettermen
22. "Nobody But Me," The Human Beinz
23. "There Is," The Dells
24. "Valleri," The Monkees
25. "Green Tambourine," The Lemon Pipers
26. "The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde," Georgie Fame
27. "Kiss Me Goodbye," Petula Clark

30. "Judy in Disguise (with Glasses)," John Fred & His Playboy Band
31. "If You Can Want," Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

35. "Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)," Manfred Mann
36. "Woman, Woman," The Union Gap feat. Gary Puckett

40. "Playboy," Gene & Debbe
41. "Mission: Impossible," Lalo Schifrin
42. "Scarborough Fair / Canticle," Simon & Garfunkel
43. "Sunshine of Your Love," Cream

52. "Young Girl," The Union Gap feat. Gary Puckett
53. "Cry Like a Baby," The Box Tops

64. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," Hugo Montenegro, His Orchestra & Chorus

66. "Summertime Blues," Blue Cheer
67. "Love Is All Around," The Troggs

78. "Sweet Inspiration," The Sweet Inspirations

88. "Jennifer Juniper," Donovan

Leaving the chart:

• "Bend Me Shape Me," The American Breed
• "Different Drum," The Stone Poneys feat. Linda Ronstadt
• "Itchycoo Park," Small Faces
• "Tomorrow," Strawberry Alarm Clock

New on the chart:

"Jennifer Juniper," Donovan

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(#26 US; #5 UK; see also Additional Historical Notes below)

"Valleri," The Monkees

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(#3 US; #12 UK)


And new on the boob tube:

• The Ed Sullivan Show, Season 20, episode 26, featuring Morecambe & Wise
• Mission: Impossible, "The Phoenix"
• The Monkees, "Some Like It Lukewarm" *
• Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, Season 1, episode 7
• The Rat Patrol, "The Tug Of War Raid" *
• Batman, "The Entrancing Dr. Cassandra"
• Ironside, "Perfect Crime"
• That Girl, "Great Guy"
• Tarzan, "Four O'Clock Army: Part II"
• Star Trek, "The Ultimate Computer"
• Get Smart, "Spy, Spy, Birdie"

* To be reviewed at a later date.

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Additional Historical Notes:

"Jennifer Juniper" was written for Jenny Boyd, who was not only the sister of then-Beatle wife and future Eric Clapton wife Pattie Boyd, but also herself the future wife of Mick Fleetwood. 50 years ago this week, Donovan and Jenny were both in Rishikesh with the Beatles. (Ringo and Maureen have departed by this point, they left on March 1.)

50 years ago this week (March 9), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band won four Grammies: Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts; Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical; Best Contemporary Album; and Album of the Year (the first rock album to receive that award).

Sirius did a Satellite Survey today covering last week's chart in 1968, and I learned something about the Sweet Inspirations: Their leader, Cissy Houston, was the mother of Whitney Houston.

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