Month: November 2020

Our New “Between Heaven & Hell” Playlist Debuts, We Hear From The Beatles, and Irma Thomas in In The Spotlight, Monday, November 30, 2020

Good Morning, Music Lovers. We’ve got some really good stuff going on today, particularly with our new playlist kicking it all off at noon.

This is what we’re taught. Personally, I think we’re already in hell.

Here’s today’s line-up!

12:00 p.m. Between Heaven & Hell: Various Artists NEW!

We’ve got some real interesting songs in this one. Some stuff I know I’ve never put in a playlist before. Includes songs from Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, The Eagles, The Byrds, Emmylou Harris, Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, ZZ Top, Lucinda Williams, Roberta Flack, and others! it’s a good one.

Take this with a grain of salt, but the playlist should be up before the stream begins. Go to the Playlist tab and scroll to the bottom to see if I make good on my attempt.

4:00 p.m. The Beatles: The Early Years

We certainly don’t play enough of our co-House Band here. But all of this stuff I research has made me understand that sometimes we forget just how fucking good they were. But Bob Dylan? He knew:

“We were driving through Colorado, we had the radio on, and eight of the Top 10 songs were Beatles songs…’I Wanna Hold Your Hand,’ all those early ones. They were doing things nobody was doing. Their chords were outrageous, just outrageous, and their harmonies made it all valid… I knew they were pointing the direction of where music had to go.”

8:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Irma Thomas

Somehow, there are those great singers who fall through the cracks when they should be much bigger. Irma Thomas is such a singer. She is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin, and she is known as The Soul Queen of New Orleans.

It’s Monday. It’s going to be rainy here with 50-mph winds. I’m turning it up and hunkering down. You should too.

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Happy Monday From The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 11/30/2020

It’s another Monday morning in the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge, and it’s going to be pretty nasty here. Why not tune us in while you’re at it?

Paul McCartney & Wings in their heyday.

Here’s today’s lesson!

November 30, 1960: The Shirelles re-released Dedicated To The One I Love, originally released in 1959. It was re-released after Will You Love Me Tomorrow became a hit.

Also on this day, The Beatles finished up their 56-night run at the Kaiserkeller Club in Hamburg, Germany.

November 30, 1963: The Beach Boys song In My Room cracks Billboard’s Top 40. Although it peaks at #23, it becomes one of the band’s most popular songs.

Meanwhile, back in Beatle Land, She Loves You returns to #1 on the UK charts, while the album With The Beatles sits at #1 on the Album charts.

November 30, 1965: Petula Clark, one of the most influential singers of the British Invasion, releases her hit Downtown.

November 30, 1966: Legendary but quirky guitarist Jeff Beck quits The Yardbirds after a year and a half. He later forms The Jeff Beck Group.

November 30, 1968: Sly & The Family Stone released the single Everyday People.

Also on this day, The Supremes topped the Billboard Top 100 with their eleventh hit, Love Child. The song was introduced on The Ed Sullivan Show.

And Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & The Holding Company (featuring Janis Joplin) takes over the #1 slot on the Album charts.

November 30, 1969: The Rolling Stones wrap up a tour with an appearance at the International Raceway Festival in West Palm Beach, Florida. Also appearing at the event are King Crimson, Iron Butterfly, Ten Years After, The Band, Janis Joplin, Steppenwolf, and The Moody Blues.

November 30, 1970: All Things Must Pass is already released in the US. On this day, George Harrison released it in the UK.

November 30. 1971: Al Green, one of the most pleasantly soulful singers on the damned planet, released Let’s Stay Together.

November 30, 1972: Paul McCartney & Wings released the song Hi, Hi, Hi, which is promptly banned by the BBC because of its “unsuitable lyrics.” In site of that it goes to #5 in the UK. It will peak at #10 in the US.

November 30, 1974: The Eagles Best of My Love is released. It will become one of The Eagles’ five US #1 singles.

November 30, 1977: The Atlanta Rhythm Section released the single, So Into You.

November 30, 1980: Pink Floyd releases their double-album masterpiece, The Wall.

November 30, 2001: In Liverpool, flags are flown at half staff in memory of George Harrison. In London, the Coldstream Guards play a Beatles medley during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace in his honor.

Born On This Day

November 30, 1944: Rob Grill, singer, songwriter and bassist for the seventies hit machine known as The Grass Roots, was born in Los Angeles.

November 30, 1945: Roger Glover, songwriter, producer and bassist for Deep Purple, was born in Brecon, Wales.

That’s today’s lesson. We’ll be back with the line up as soon as I make some coffee and become human again.

An Intro to The Dirty Knobs, We Celebrate The Life of George Harrison, and The Stones Live Later, Sunday, November 29, 2020

Good Morning, Music Lovers! We’ve got a damned good line-up today here from The Mermaid Lounge! You ought to be listening to us. Seriously.

Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs. You can take the boy out of The Heartbreakers, but you can’t take The Heartbreakers out of the boy.

Here’s today’s line-up:

11:00 a.m. Album of The Week: Wreckless Abandon by The Dirty Knobs NEW!

What was Mike Campbell’s side project is now Mike Campbell’s new band, and they’ve just released their first album. I’ve got to tell you, it’s really good. One review said it’s like listening to old friends, and I agree.

Which proves one thing: You can take the boy out of The Heartbreakers, but you can’t take The Heartbreakers out of the boy. It’s part of his DNA now, and we’re glad here in The Mermaid Lounge.

3:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of George Harrison

From The Beatles to his solo career to The Traveling Wilburys. George Harrison was not only a mega-talent, but he was just a really good human being. But he wasn’t “the quiet Beatle” according to Mr. Petty. He was pretty damned funny.

George Harrison left this planet on this day in 2001. He was only 58 years old and I am sure he had so much more music left in him. Nevertheless, George left us a great musical history to remember him by. We will do so today.

7:00 p.m. The Rolling Stones Live At Palais Royale, Toronto, August 16, 2002

Mick and the boys tear it up on stage in Toronto. It has been my personal experience that they are always a good time on stage.

It’s Sunday. Someone once said it’s a day of rest, so just tune us in and chill. All you’ve got to do is click the link below.

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It’s Sunday Morning at The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 11/29/2020

Good Morning, Rock n’ Rollers! There’s never a day off at the College. We’re here as usual with with all the news that matters on this day in music history.

Creedence Clearwater Revival, one of the finest bands ever.

Here’s your message from the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge, and The Beatles continue to dominate:

November 29, 1963: The Beatles release I Want To Hold Your Hand in England. For the first time in music history, there were one million advance orders. It would spend seven weeks at #1.

November 29, 1966: The Beatles continue working on Strawberry Fields Forever by recording two more “takes” at Abbey Road Studios. They later remade the song, but the first minute from the final take on this day was remixed and used in the final version of the song.

November 29, 1966: Bob Dylan finished work on his John Wesley Harding album. He recruited Pete Drake to play some light pedal steel guitar, as he recorded the final two songs, I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight and Down Along The Cove.

November 29, 1968: John Lennon released his first solo album called Unfinished Music.

Also as of this day, The Beatles sold 1.5 million copies of The White Album in the UK during the first week of its release.

November 29, 1969: The Beatles’ domination of music continues when the the double-sided monster hit Come Together/Something goes to #1. This is the band’s 18th number one hit. It is also a first for George Harrison. It is the first time he is the composer of an A-side hit.

Meanwhile, Creedence Clearwater Revival has a two-sided hit of its own climbing the charts with Down On The Corner/Fortunate Son.

Also on November 29, Abbey Road by the Beatles is on its fifth week at the top of the Album charts.

November 29, 1975: Red Octopus became the first #1 album for the Jefferson Starship — and it is their only worthwhile album thanks to the influence of Marty Balin. The fact that this band even used part of Jefferson Airplane’s name is a travesty. What the fuck was Grace Slick thinking?

November 29, 1980: Stevie Wonder spends a fifth week on top of the R & B charts with Master Blaster (Jammin’), his 13th number one hit on the charts.

Also on this day, Bruce Springsteen’s The River remained at #1 on the Album chart for a fourth week.

November 29, 1986: It was another good day for Bruce. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Live 1975/1985 hits #1 on the Album charts.

November 29, 2001: George Harrison, the youngest Beatle, a ground-breaking solo artist, and a proud member of the Traveling Wilburys later in his career, left this earth at a friend’s home in Hollywood Hills, California after a long battle with lung cancer. He was just 58 years old. His wife Olivia and son Dhani were at his side. His final words were reported to be “Love one another.” We will celebrate George Harrison’s life in music today.

November 29, 2013: Dick Dodd, lead singer and drummer for The Standells of Dirty Water fame, died in Fountain Valley, California, also at the age of 58.

Born On This Day

November 29, 1933: John Mayall, the father of British blues, singer, songwrite and multi-instrumentalist for his Bluesbreakers, was born in Macclesfield, England.

November 29, 1940: Denny Doherty of The Mamas & The Papas was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

November 29, 1944: Felix Cavaliere, keyboardist with The Young Rascals and one of the greatest rock n’ roll singers in one of the best rock n’ roll bands on the planet, was born in Pelham, New York.

And that’s it for today. We will be back soon to tell you about today’s programming.

We’ve Got New Bonnie Raitt, The Summer of Love, Live Dead, and Our Album of The Week on Saturday, November 28, 2020

It’s Saturday, and that means it’s like Grand Central Station for music lovers! We’ve got some great stuff today, but guess what? It’s still only a total of eight hours of programming in a 24-hour play cycle.

Bonnie Raitt. Great Fucking Voice. Badass Guitarist. Legend.

Here’s today’s line-up!

11:00 a.m. The Summer of Love, Volume One: Various Artists

Undoubtedly my time here. This was a time in music history when so many really good sounds were made. And they didn’t all sound the fucking same, or come out of the magic box.

This playlist features Petula Clark, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Yardbirds, The Spencer Davis Group, The Box Tops, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Marvin Gaye, Van Morrison, The Doors and many more!

3:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Homecoming by America

One of America’s finest albums has its final airing today. Tomorrow when you wake up, there will be a new album posted on the blog.

7:00 p.m. Bonnie Raitt In-Studio Concert: The Wonderland Tape, August 5, 1977 NEW!

Bonnie Raitt live in-studio in August of 1977, one month after the release of her Sweet Forgiveness album — her sixth album and the one that put her on the map (although, it should have happened much earlier). It also provided her first commercial hit, Runaway, the excellent bluesy remake of Del Shannon’s classic.

10:00 p.m. Live Dead! The Grateful Dead Live at Onondega County War Memorial, New York, September 28, 1976 (aka, Dick’s Picks, Vol. 20) NEW!

Yet another live classic from the world’s preeminent jam band. Even if we repeated a concert or a hundred, you’d never know. They never sound the same and you always hear something new. (BTW, there is no Grateful Dead without Jerry Garcia.)

Tune in. Turn on. Drop out. That’s the order of the day. So, just do it.

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It’s An Easy Day in The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 11/28/2020

Good Morning, Students! It’s an easy day at the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge. I use about six different sources for my information and, in comparison to other days, November 28 was relatively quiet!

Elvis Presley in Tupelo, Mississippi Sept 26, 1956 © 1978 Roger Marshutz—MPTV

Pay attention. Here’s today’s lesson:

November 28, 1960: Elvis Presley had his 43rd hit and his 15th #1 hit in just four years with Are You Lonesome Tonight.

November 28, 1962: The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, and then performed at a dance for the staff of Lewis Department Store at the 527 Club, also in Liverpool.

November 28, 1963: She Loves You by The Beatles returns to #1 in the UK.

November 28, 1964: Willie Nelson made his debut on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry when he opened for Roger Miller.

November 28, 1966: Paul Revere and The Raiders released their great single Good Thing.

November 28, 1968: Deep Purple played the first of four nights at the Fillmore West in San Francisco on their first tour of North America.

November 28, 1970: Bob Dylan owned the #1 album in the UK with New Morning.

Also on November 28, 1970, Dave Edmunds’ I Hear Your Knocking went to #1 in the UK.

Born On This Day

November 28, 1943: The great songwriter, Randy Newman, was born on this day.

And that’s all you need to know about today’s events in music history!

A 50th Anniversary Celebration for ALL THINGS MUST PASS, and Valerie Carter in The Spotlight Later, Friday, November 27, 2020

Good Morning, Music Lovers Everywhere! Here we are with another day of exceptional music in The Mermaid Lounge. We’ve got some great stuff wrapped around all that Open Stream.

Valerie Carter, the little girl with the big voice.

Here’s today’s musical line-up:

11:00 a.m. The 50th Anniversary Celebration: All Things Must Pass by George Harrison NEW!

Today is the 50th anniversary of George Harrison’s triple-album release of All Things Must Pass. It is the first ex-Beatle solo album and the hit, My Sweet Lord, would become the first ex-Beatle solo song to go to #1. Today we celebrate with the expanded version of this album.

Afternoon Open Stream with Three-in-a-Row’s All Afternoon

We had a pretty busy Thanksgiving bit of programming and Saturday is always busy, so today we’re working on an afternoon of open stream.

7:00 p.m. In The Spotlight: The Music of Valerie Carter

Undoubtedly one of our favorites here in The Mermaid Lounge. Valerie Carter was an extraordinary talent who not only had a successful solo career, but also shared her vocal talent with her friends in the music world. You will enjoy this playlist.

This is a great day to tune us in, people. You will enjoy what you hear, and you will appreciate what you don’t hear: endless D.J. chatter and advertising. Tune us in by clicking the link below.

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It’s Another Day at The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 11/27/2020

Yes, it’s Black Friday, but not here in The Mermaid Lounge. There isn’t a damned thing we want for here that we have to go out among the teeming, greedy masses to get it.

Shit gets real with The Stones at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Here’s November 27th’s rock n’ roll history:

November 27, 1961: Patsy Cline’s version of Willie Nelson’s Crazy peaks at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It would be the biggest of her four records t cross over to the pop charts from the country charts (where it reached #2).

November 27, 1962: The Beatles recorded songs for the BBC in the UK for the first time ever. They sang Love Me Do, Twist and Shout, and P.S. I Love You at the BBC Paris Studio in London for a program called “Talent Spot.”

November 27, 1964: The Beatles appeared on the British television show called “Ready Steady Go.”

November 27, 1965: Marvin Gaye moved into the #1 slot on the R & B charts with Ain’t That Peculiar.

Also on this day, The Lovin’ Spoonful’s You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice entered the US record charts.

November 27, 1967: The Beatles released the album Magical Mystery Tour in the U.S. and Hello Goodbye as a single in the U.S. on the same day. If that isn’t enough, the B-side of Hello Goodbye, I Am The Walrus, will chart and be a hit as well.

Also on this day, Aretha Franklin released my favorite Aretha song, Chain of Fools.

November 27, 1968: Steppenwolf’s self-titled debut album is certified gold on this day.

November 27, 1969: All kinds of milestones will be reached at Madison Square Garden in New York on this day. The Rolling Stones perform a show that is recorded and later released on Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out. The Ike & Tina Revue opened for the Stones that evening, and Janis Joplin joined Tina on stage for a duet. And in the audience celebrating his 27th, and final, birthday was Jimi Hendrix.

November 27, 1970: George Harrison released his triple album entitled All Things Must Pass. The single release, My Sweet Lord, will be the first ex-Beatle solo effort to hit #1 in both the US and UK.

November 27, 1972: Carly Simon released the single, You’re So Vain.

November 27, 1976: Stevie Wonder’s Songs In The Key Of Life, which debuted at #1, remained at #1 for a seventh week.

November 27, 1979: The Eagles released the single, The Long Run.

November 27 1995: The Beatles set a rock-era record when Anthology 1 sells more than 1.2 million copies in its first week of release.

Born On This Day

November 27, 1934: Al Jackson of Booker T. & The MG’s is born in Memphis, Tennessee.

November 27, 1942: Jimi Hendrix is born Johnny Allen Hendrix in Seattle, Washington.

November 27, 1945: Randy Brecker, trumpeter and flugelhorn player for Blood, Sweat & Tears, is born in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.

November 27, 1948: Dave Winthrop, sax player and flautist for Supertramp, is born.

And that’s Friday’s lesson from The College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge. We are posting a bit early today as I’m on the run this morning, and we will be back with today’s programming shortly.

Our Thanksgiving Tradition This Morning, Some R & B This Afternoon; Our Album of The Week and The Kinks Later, November 26, 2020

Good Morning, Music Lovers! Here we are on a rainy Thanksgiving with not a damned obligation except great music. And we’re happy about that.

Arlo Guthrie and his fellow hippies at Thanksgiving Dinner at the church that would inspire the song, Alice’s Restaurant, 1969.

Here’s today’s Turkey Day line-up:

10:00 a.m. Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant, Our Thanksgiving Tradition!

If you read the story in our college blog entry today, you know the back story. If you haven’t read it yet, you can — as they say — read all about it here.

2:00 p.m. DJ’s Choice: My Favorite R & B Stream

Every once in a while, I am inspired to string a collection of songs together when I am up late at night. The night I created this was such a night. I hope you enjoy it.

5:00 p.m. Album of The Week: Homecoming by America

We’re winding down on America’s Homecoming album, just a really excellent album. There will be one more airing after today before we choose our new AOW on Sunday.

7:00 p.m. In the Spotlight: The Music of The Kinks

When Ray and Dave Davies weren’t beating the living shit out of each other backstage (and sometimes on stage), they were making some of the best music on the planet. And for that, we are thankful.

Tune in. Turn on. And shovel in that Thanksgiving turkey, if you are so inclined. But whatever you do today, make sure you tune us in.

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Happy Thanksgiving From the College of Rock n’ Roll Knowledge: 11/26/2020

Good Morning, Music Lovers, and Happy Thanksgiving from your friends in The Mermaid Lounge! We have our Thanksgiving tradition coming up at 10:00 a.m., so be watching for the back story to Alice’s Restaurant in this blog entry.

Arlo Guthrie and his wife Jackie, on their wedding day. Arlo followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a great storyteller, as you will see later this morning!

Here’s today’s entry from the College:

November 26, 1955: Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock reaches #1 in the UK, and is considered to be the first rock n’ roll song to accomplish that feat.

November 26, 1962: The Beatles record their second single, Please Please Me, in 18 takes at London’s EMI Studios. They also record the B-side, Ask Me Why.

November 26, 1964: The Zombies record Tell Her No.

November 26, 1965: After having Thanksgiving dinner in a church in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, a young Arlo Guthrie and a friend returned to clean up. When they can’t find an open dump, the two dump their trash down a hill. They are arrested, fined $25 each, and are forced to clean up the trash again. When they return to the church, Arlo writes the Alice’s Restaurant Massacree, in which he embellishes some of the events. Nevertheless, it is a moment in musical history that we musicologists will not forget.

November 26, 1966: You Keep Me Hangin’ On by the Supremes took over the #1 slot on the R & B charts.

Also on November 26 of 1966, I’m Losing You by The Temptations enters the R & B charts and will become the band’s fourth straight #1 hit.

November 26, 1967: The promo clip of The Beatles’ Hello Goodbye was aired on The Ed Sullivan Show.

November 26, 1969: John Lennon works on a Beatles song for the final time when he mixes You Know My Name (Look Up The Number) at Abbey Road Studios. It is the B-side of their Let It Be single.

Also on November 26, 1969, The Band receives a Gold Record for their second album, The Band, one of the greatest albums ever recorded from one of the greatest bands on the planet.

November 26, 1977: Linda Ronstadt becomes one of only a handful of singers who manages to have two singles in the Top Ten simultaneously with Blue Bayou and It’s So Easy.

Also on this day in 1977, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors album held the #1 slot for a then-record 29 weeks.

November 26, 2010: Willie Nelson was arrested for possession of six ounces of weed found on his tour bus travelling from LA to Texas. The prosecutor recommended no jail time because of the small amount, and instead suggested a $100 fine and that Willie sing Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain for the court.

Born On This Day

November 26, 1944: Alan Henderson, bassist with the Northern Irish band, Them, was born in Belfast. For those who do not know the band, Them had the 1965 UK hits Baby, Please Don’t Go and Here Comes The Night with Van Morrison on lead vocals.

November 26, 1945: Another bassist, John McVie, with Fleetwood Mac and John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, is born in London.

And that is it for today’s lesson! We will be back in just a bit with today’s Thanksgiving Day line-up!