Mr. Pop History – After the Monkees split-up in 1969 – Davy, Michael and – yes – even Micky – released records.
Nesmith’s biggest hit was with The First National Band – and “Joanne.” On RCA Records.
Davy Jones’ biggest solo records was “Rainy Jane” on Bell Records.
Micky Dolenz – He didn’t chart with this one, but his best-known post-Monkees solo effort was “A Lover’s Prayer” – on MGM Records.
Gary West – www.mrpopculture.com
Mr. Pop History – When you study the history of AM, FM, and various music formats over the years, the traditional top-40 format of playing the hits, sticks out. Some stations played more than 40, others less, but KFRC-FM (K-106) in San Francisco, played with a continuous top-20 countdown format. That’s right – more than several times a day, the station, mostly automated, counted down the top-20 hits, throwing in some new releases. Interesting, to say the least. This was during the mid-1970′s, when some FM stations would try anything.
Mr. Pop History -
At the height of the CB radio craze…
From April of 1976:
“Inspired by the phenomenal popularity of Citizens Band equipment which it pioneered 15 year ago, Radio Shack has launched a nationwide search for the most original CB song and is offering recording contracts and more than $100,000 in prizes.”
CBers where everywhere in 1976. Several “CB” type songs were making the charts including, “Convoy” by C.W. McCall.
The two-way radios provided easy access to non-techies, who would have otherwise had to take a ham radio license. exam.
Mr. Pop History -
It was 1946 when the new Channel 2, the CBS-TV station in New City – sent a color-TV test witnessed by CBS executives 25 miles away in Tarrytown, NY!
Back then, WCBS-TV transmitted off the Chrysler building in Manhattan, and CBS wanted to see if their own color-broadcasting would work outside the city – in their “B” contour. TV’s were set-up at Tappen Hill Restaurant in Tarrytown NY – and the channel 2 signal along with the CBS color system, came through loud and clear. Executives made the drive – with food, drink and a terrific color picture.
The CBS Color system eventually went away, because – it was not compatible with black&white transmission. But – this is an interesting not in color-TV pop history.
Mr. Pop History -
Yes, there was! New York City’s WNBT-TV, channel 1, operated with a program schedule from about August 1945 through February 1946. What happened?
The FCC took away channel 1 from the new TV spectrum and WNBT was reassigned TV channel 4. WNBT later became WRCA-TV – then WNBC-TV.
Other channel 1 TV stations were assigned, but never went on the air. One was in Providence – another in Riverside, California. Fascinating!
And, RCA did make at least one early TV receiver covering channels 1-13.
Mr. Pop History – I love this question.
Early rock was R&B so…
It was “Pledging My Love” by Johnny Ace. And – it was early 1955. This was a time when fast-spinning 78′s were being taken over by 45′s. In fact, 1955 was the first year 45′s outsold 78′s.
“Pledging My Love” began moving up the national charts after the untimely death of Johnny Ace in late 1954. At first, most of the pressings were 78′s – because, its mostly R&B black audience demanded the format. But, as more mainstream radio stations began playing the disc, more 45′s were ordered – and, they eventually outsold the 78 version. “Pledging My Love” got to #17 on the national charts.
And, it’s a good one. Always reminds of the movie, “Christine” – the haunted car – whose radio played only 1950′s hit songs – including, “Pledging My Love.”
Mr. Pop History – The English version only lasted a year or so, but on Univision, Cristina Saralegui would last some twenty years – ending in 2010. A comparable English version of “Cristina” ran on U.S. stations – for a few years during the 1990′s.
It was daring to take her successful Spanish/Univision show – produce an English version for U.S. syndication – and produce both at the same time. No one has done it since. Today, Cristina does specials for Univison.
Mr. Pop History -
Around 1970, when NET (National Educational Television) was making the transition to PBS – there was an excellent music series called “Soul.” A February 22, 1970 TV Guide tells us – on the show that week:
Jerry Butler host with the Unifics, Patti Labelle & The Bluenotes, Roberta Flack and an extra – Gale Sayers and the Chicago Bears.
This show – although short-lived – was one of the best of its kind. It lasted into 1971 – and that was about it for “Soul.”
This is research for a motion picture project and your timely assistance is most appreciated. The questions may seen obtuse, but they all have reasons.
What were the biggest outdoor pop festivals in the U.S. during the years 1974-78? Especially, what was the closest to a ‘Woodstock’ like experience and was there anything of this sort which took place in the south-central US – somewhere that might have been drivable from Texas in a day or so.
Mr. Pop History -
The height of the massive outdoor concerts that began with the likes of Woodstock, pretty much went away by 1974, but if we look around, there was one that came to mind – and, there were several during the mid-1970′s. I’m talking about Ontario-based California Jam concerts of this era. They were the most notable, although – off the top of my head, I don’t know the roster.
Mr. Pop Culture Report
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