From Steph W. – Mr. Pop – I saw your review of a book called “Sh-Boom” by Clay Cole. I can’t wait to buy it!
Mr. Pop History – Yes and thanks. Sh-Boom by Clay Cole is a wonderful read for pop and music fans. It’ll be available on October 1. Clay was a top video pop personality back in the 1960’s and his book is a must for anyone. Clay is so smart, he even knew that WMCA radio was the first to play Capitol Records’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles – setting off Beatlemania back on December 26, 1963.
You won’t be able to put the book down. It’s that good!
From Sue-Ann J – Hello Mr. Pop. What happened to the era of the instrumental? I hope they bring them back.
Mr. Pop History – Me too. Back in the top-40 heyday – instrumentals were such a big part of it all. Separately – most major groups put out instrumentals – The Beach Boys, the Beatles and so on. Motown was so smart – they had an instrumental orchestra called the San Remo Strings which gave us instrumental versions of Motown hits. “Smooth Jazz” is OK – but after a while, it all begins to sound the same. I’d like to see a giant hit instrumental. It’s possible. But, it’ll have to come from a movie – my guess.
From Dennis F – Mr. Pop History – What was Jeff Lynne’s first project after he stopped doing the ELO stuff? Thanks.
Mr. Pop History – According to Lynne, he had had it with ELO about 1986 and he began producing albums and his first one was George Harrison’s “Cloud Nine.”
From Regina M – Mr. Pop – Re: Paul McCartney and his songwriting… He has had such a wonderful command of the English language. Has Paul ever taken liberties to such an extant as to turn the language on its side?
Mr. Pop History – You mean use bad grammar? How about “My Love Does It Good” should be – “My Love Does It Well.” It just doesn’t have the same ring.
From Bryce M – Crooner Bobby Vinton once remarked he did a show in honor of NY DJ Jack Spector, who he said introduced his first hit on the radio. Can you or do you have any information on this?
Mr. Pop History – Wow – you’re taking me back. Jack Spector was one of the great all-time NY radio DJ’s making his at WMCA radio and helped build it to top ratings during the 1960’s. I found this article from March of 1970. It confirms Jack Spector first played “Roses Are Red My Love” back in 1962 and Mr. Vinton honored Jack Spector at the legendary Copa.
From Janette D. Randy and the Rainbows did a song called “Denise” and I recently heard they did – I believe, a follow-up song what was along the same kind of sound. Can you help?
Mr. Pop History – It was one of the catchier tunes from the summer of 1963. Then In 1979, a new group called “Blondie” recorded “Denis” – a sort of female answer record. Same tune and almost the same lyrics as the original “Denise.” Now – along comes Randy & The Rainbows in 1982 with a song called “Debbie” It was a “thank you” to Deborah Harry of Blondie. Gotta love it. Here it is… another catchy tune from Randy Debbie – Randy & The Rainbows (Salute to Debra Harry)and the gang.
Debbie – Randy & The Rainbows (Salute to Debra Harry)
From Carl N – Michael Jackson teamed with a well-known rapper on one song. What was it?
Mr. Pop History – He teamed with Tupac Shakur on “Never Had a Friend Like Me” from GRIDLOCKED’d. Jackson said he was never paid by Death Row records.
From Pam H – Mr. Pop – Did Bobby Darin ever record under a different name?
Mr. Pop History – On at least one single – he did. Back in January 1970, he recorded a single under the name “Bob Darin” and something called “Baby May” back with “Sweet Reason” – on Direction Records. It was yet another new direction for Darin.
From Jacob L – Mr. Pop History – When did the rock band “The Who” last perform their “Tommy” rock opera on stage? Nobody seems to know.
Mr. Pop History – In the U.S. – It was Sunday, June 7, 1970. Where? At the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, NY. Early? That’s because “Tommy” kept lingering and lingering. The movie was next.
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