Pop Culture Music Top-40 History. 1960′s. Where Have All the Pop Stars Gone?

September 28, 2011

Mr. Pop History -

Authors Marti Smiley Childs and Jeff March of done it again. Authors of “Echoes of the Sixties” – they’ve got a new book out, “Where Have All The Pop Stars Gone” vol. 1.

Find out where members of such top-pop groups as the Association, The Spiral Starecase, the Zombies, Chris Montez and others, have been up to. Yes, some of passed on, but others, well – life sometimes throws surprising things out. Sometimes – not. The book will hold you captive.

We find out, they’re just like us! Lots of nice surprises and, lest we forget, the book generously lists of all those songs we remember. Remember all the hits of the Association?

Gary West

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Pop Culture TV History. First Fishing Show – Gadabout Gaddis.

September 8, 2011

Mr. Pop History – Back in the 1960′s, there was a simple weekend show starring somebody called “Gadabout Gaddis.”

Each week, easygoing Gaddis would board his Cherokee plane – off to another special fishing spot. The show was unique. It was of course, shot on location, but all the audio was added later with Gaddis doing the narration. It was the first-ever fishing show – and lasted for years. Gadabout was seen in most of the United States via syndication.

Lots of people, especially kids of the 1960′s remember this show fondly. Gadabout left us in 1986, but his catchy name and show are not easily forgotten.

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Pop Culture Music History – Where Did The Name Come From? Creedence Clearwater Revival.

August 5, 2011

Mr. Pop History – They were one of the hottest pop/rock bands of 1969, 1970 and into 1971. They sold singles and albums by the millions – and, from the small Fantasy Record label.

Creedence – well, he was a real person. Credence Nuball. Band members also thought – adding an extra “e” gave them – well, creedence. Like creed. Credence Nuball was a friend of a friend of Tom Fogerty.

Clearwater – originally came from ads from beer maker Olympia – made from cool, clear water. THey liked its clean environmental sensibility.

Revival came from their musical values – values they carried from their beginning. Afterall – it took the band some eight years to “make it.”

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Pop Culture’s Motown – The Famed Record Label – Never Had A Gold Record During The 1960′s And 1970′s.

June 15, 2011

Mr. Pop Culture -
It’s amazing and a fact. Motown was probably the greatest hitmaker of the 1960′s with artists such as the Supremes, Diana Ross, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Four Tops, The Jackson 5, Martha and the Vandellas.

They sold millions of 45 singles – but not one certified gold record (a million in sales). How is that?

Not even their biggest single of all time, 1968′s “Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.

The answer is Berry Gordy. From the beginning, he set a very strict policy about who had access to Motown’s books and that included the Recording Industry Association of America – the folks who award gold and platinum recordings.

They began showing the books around 1977. And, that’s when you begin to find certification – but it was a long way from Motown’s hitmaking machine of the 1960′s and into the 1970′s.

It’s a great story – and one of the fascinating pop culture music history moments.

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Did Karen Carpenter Record Solo Before The Carpenters?

June 5, 2011

Mr. Pop History -
Karen Carpenter shows-up on a Los Angeles-based record label, Magic Lamp. She recorded four songs and the best of them is something called, “Looking For Love.” Not a bad song, but it did nothing on the charts.

To me, it’s an interesting take on Karen’s vocals. You can tell it’s her, but sometimes not.

This was three years before The Carpenters were signed to nearby A&M records and became superstars. It was a long way though between 1966 and 1969 – and that’s another story.

Here’s Karen Carpenter – “Looking” For Love” from 1966.

Gary West – www.mrpopculture.com

Looking For Love – Karen Carpenter Single From 1966

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F Troop TV Series A Movie? Pop. Culture. History.

November 3, 2010

From Anita T – Mr. Pop – Was the 1960′s TV comedy “F Troop” ever considered for a movie?

Mr. Pop History – It was. Back in 1992, New Line Cinema announced such a project and most of the main cast was to return. It didn’t happen.

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Early TV Shows And Pop Music… Pop. Culture. History.

September 22, 2010

From Anne C – Mr. Pop – Ricky Nelson set a big trend of singing songs on his TV show to sell records. Came you name others right around that time – the late 1950′s?

Mr. Pop History – Yes – either directly or indirectly – TV producers began realizing the power of their stars and the synergy of cutting a record, particularly shows aimed at younger audiences – the record-buying crowd.

Warner Brothers tried so hard with the likes of Ed “Kookie” Byrnes and Connie Stevens and others. Some had hits – others bombed such as Bob (Robert) Conrad. To be fair – these WB records were not sung on their respective TV shows – unlike Ricky Nelson. But some did…

Let’s face it – acting and singing are two different things – and the audience has to accept both. Sometimes – it just didn’t work. After Ricky Nelson – Dwayne Hickman of “Dobie Gillis” actually sang something called “I’m A Lover, Not A Fighter” on his comedy show. The episode aired September 27, 1960 and the single was released the following week (on Capitol) – but went no where.

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Mystery John F. Kennedy Film. Pop. Culture. History.

August 26, 2010

From Craig V – Mr. Pop – I heard before JFK was assassinated, a rather odd home movie was made by him – showing his death.

Mr. Pop Culture – Such a movie was made on that Labor Day weekend in 1963. According to the book, “A Hero for Our Time” by Ralph Martin – the movie shows Kennedy leaving his Honey Fitz yacht and suddenly – clutches his chest then falls to the ground. Several people including his wife Jackie, are shown walking past his body like nothing happened.

Sounds more like a Frank Zappa music video.

No such film is in the archives at the JFK library – and – it is indeed a mystery.

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Question About Nancy/Frank Sinatra… Pop. Culture. History.

August 23, 2010

From Jeneene S – Mr. Pop. Was looking at Nancy Sinatra’s greatest hits and noticed contributions by Lee Hazelwood as a producer and songwriter with Nancy on certain songs. Was that her father’s idea?

Mr. Pop History – No. Lee Hazelwood was a producer, songwriter and part-time singer, although not the best. Someone once told me he sounded like – well, what John Wayne would sounded like if he sang a song. I thought that was funny.

He was brought to Frank Sinatra’s “Reprise” label to produce Dino, Desi & Billy, then he began working with label mate Nancy Sinatra. He wrote her biggest hit, “These Boots Are Made For Walking” and continued to write and produce her songs – and even sang with her on several minor hits.

He also produced the #1 hit “Something Stupid” with Nancy and her father.

He once said of the line, “One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you” – that it came from a western movie.

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Early Breakfast Cereal Question… Pop. Culture. History.

August 14, 2010

From Jenny E – Mr. Pop – A friend of mind brought up an interesting breakfast cereal. She said she was around 5-years-old (C. 1961) and the cereal in question had star-shapes. It was not Lucky Charms, but she says she remembers the big “G” on the box.

Mr. Pop History – Well, the big “G” stands for goodness (remember that?). Actually, General Mills had such a cereal, labeled “Twinkles.” It didn’t last long.

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