Keener 13

By Bob Berry

It’s truly one of the most remarkable songs in rock and roll history.

8 and a half minutes long, with a ton of complicated lyrics (but a nice chorus); and if it was on “Rate A Record“, it only got a 79, because you can’t dance to it.

“American Pie”, written by Don McLean, released in late November of 1971, by early 1972 it was Number One (as was his album of the same name) with a bullet. And stayed there for 4 weeks!

And all the while we wondered: who was the King, who was the jester? A song referring to the Book of Marx and a fall-out shelter? What?

Enter Bob Dearborn of WCFL/Chicago. As the story goes, Bob’s listeners had been asking for his insight, or analysis of the lyrics. And simple as that, with a lot of listening, and 5 typewritten pages, his amazing interpretation of “American Pie” was born. And distributed to over 100,000 listeners!

As for the Keener connection? We knew Bob as Mark Allen, who came to Keener  in 1968, replacing Sean Conrad on the 7-10pm shift. Bob/Mark later moved to mornings (with distinguished success) thru early 1970, when he migrated to the Windy City.

It’s Don McLean’s birthday tomorrow (10/2). We at Keener thank him for ensuring the memory of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QUYvRaQ4XM

By Bob Berry

I guess the music business can be like going to a casino. If you’re gonna hit, you may as well hit big.

At least that’s the way it worked for John (Cougar) Mellencamp, 24 years ago this week.

Mellencamp, who was in need of a hit, and a big one at that, got just that when his little ditty about “Jack and Diane” and the album American Fool both hit Number One; saving his record deal, and launching a career that placed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

John Mellencamp, who along with Willie Nelson and Neil Young, was one of the founders of Farm Aid. The 30th Anniversary concert was held two weeks ago, highlighted by a a great set by Mr. Mellencamp. We at Keener 13 applaud his efforts, and thought you would enjoy his performance.

By Bob Berry

Air Guitar Hall Of Fame?  Check.

One-Hit Wonder Hall of Fame?  Check and Double-Check.

Top 5 in the spring and early summer of 1970.? Triple check.

Just pick up that sweet “Strat” you have by the desk, and loosen up on the solo bridge at about 1:50.

And then join Birthday Boy Mike Pinera, lead singer of Tampa, Florida’s Blues Image and co-writer of “Ride Captain Ride”, on one of the great air guitar moments of all-time at about 3:14.

Love those power chords, even if you’re ripping off Pete Townsend’s windmill move!

By Bob Berry

A dear friend of mine is celebrating a birthday this weekend, and this happens to be one of her favorite songs.

Mine, too. Pretty much since the first time I heard it.

Johnny Rivers wrote it, and cut it live with the Wrecking Crew trio of Hal Blaine on drums, Joe Osborne on bass and Larry Knechtel on keyboards. Then, the real genius moment happened, and The Blossoms overdubbed an unmistakable-and unforgettable, backup vocals:

“Do-doo-doo-wah shoo-be-doo-be…”

Jenni, the spotlight is on you and Jim. Enjoy Slow Dance Number One for Sunday Brunch on Keener.

By Bob Berry

When I was researching Motown’s #1’s of September, 1970, I neglected to mention another Detroit gem that was Number One for six weeks. In the United Kingdom!

It was “Band Of Gold“, and it was about a “Detroit” as a record could be.

Sung by The D’s Freda Payne with backup vocals by Joyce Wilson and Thelma Hopkins (who soon became Dawn, with Tony Orlando). Written (under the pseudonym Edythe Wayne) by Motown legends Holland-Dozier-Holland, with members of the Funk Brothers including Dennis Coffey, Bob Babbitt, and Uriel Jones on the track. Recorded in Detroit and released on HDH’s new Invictus label.

If it was anymore Detroit, each 45 would have come with a coupon for a Lafayette or American Coney Island!

Released in the summer of 1970, here’s “Band of Gold”, the Friday Song on Keener!

By Bob Berry

I bet if Bobby McFerrin had one do-over it would be this:

Hold on to the marketing rights! Hey, it worked for George Lucas.

But, when you take a simple little idea, create a virtuoso acappella recording that becomes the first of it’s genre to hit Number One, and win Record and Song of the Year at the 1989 Grammys…well, what you gonna do?

That’s right, “don’t worry, be happy“.

Throwback Thursday on Keener is a “whistle-along”. Join in, and ignore the funny looks from the stiffs!

By Bob Berry

It was only 1:57 seconds long, but it’s two of the greatest minutes in the history of 60’s pop.

It’s “The Letter“, by Memphis, Tennessee’s The Box Tops, and it began FOUR weeks at Number One on September 23rd, 1967. And perhaps most remarkable,”the Letter” was the first song the group ever released!

The Box Tops had a string of hits thru 1969, including “Cry Like A Baby”, “Soul Deep”, all recorded with the legendary studio musicians, the  “Memphis Boys“. And lead singer Alex Chilton later became a seminal figure in alternative and indie music, fronting the group Big Star.

But they never equaled the success of “The Letter”.

Click here to read more about the song and it’s writer Wayne Carson, in a blog I wrote when he passed away in July. And here is a video of a live performance of “The Letter” by The Box Tops, recorded at the legendary New York City music showcase, The Bitter End.

By Bob Berry

I have a question.

How did Robert De Niro go from the guy who won Oscars for Godfather II and Raging Bull,  was Martin Scorsese’s go-to guy, recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, and a place on the short list of greatest American actors; to the guy who seemingly mails it in, in B-comedies?

Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Little Fockers? Really?

On the other hand, Robert De Niro-yeah, I’m talking to you, was brilliant in Analyze This and Analyze That. And even though every instinct tells me all the gags are in the trailer, the film as bloodlines.

The Intern, co-starring Anne Hathaway, opens this Friday (9/25).

By Bob Berry

Next time someone asks “what were the two Number One Songs of September, 1970?”, give ’em the answer they least expect.

It wasn’t a song by The Beatles, nor the Guess Who, Neil Diamond, Simon and Garfunkel or Smokey Robinson and the Miracles; all of whom had at least one #1 in 1970! And it wasn’t The Jackson Five, who had four consecutive Number One’s that year.

It was two of Detroit’s and Motown’s greatest artists: Edwin Starr and Diana Ross!

Edwin was first, Number One for three weeks (8/29-9/12) with his scorching version of the Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong Vietnam-era protest song, “War“. A song that was a much more mellow tune on The Temptations 1970 LP Psychedelic Shack, Edwin sang it with a fury  that reflected the times like few records ever have.

Diana Ross picked up where Edwin left off, and also went to Number One for three weeks (9/19-10/3)! Ironically, Diana’s song was also a cover, of  Ashford and Simpson’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough“. With spoken word, soaring strings from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and an amazing vocal, the song was a remarkable re-imagining of the original hit by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

A Postscript. Motown Records had an amazing year in 1970, with a total of eighteen weeks at Number One! . The “big dog” was The J5’s 10 total weeks on the chart-including five weeks for “I’ll Be There”. Smokey and The Miracles’ “Tears Of A Clown” was #1 for 2 weeks, a plus three weeks each for Edwin and Diana.

Makes you wonder, like so many of the Funk Brothers (and others) have noted.  What might have been, what could have been; if Berry Gordy not moved Motown to Los Angeles.

By Bob Berry

It’s one of the great lyrics.

“I’m easy as Sunday Morning…”.

Lionel Richie wrote it, and he and The Commodores took a song about breaking up, “Easy”, to Top 5 in the late spring of 1977. It’s a beautiful song, sung, like their other smash ballads, “Three Times A Lady” and “Still“, so effortlessly, so wonderfully.

And I’ll venture a guess that one reason Lionel Richie is sometimes overlooked as a great singer, is the simple fact that he made it seem so easy.

Sunday Brunch is served, on Keener 13.

By Bob Berry

I was having lunch the other day, and  “Going To A Go-Go” came over the speakers in the restaurant.

And I started seat dancing to one of the great grooves in Motown history!

Bennie Benjamin fabulous tom-tom back-beat, then James Jamerson’s  bass line locking in with Marv Tarplin’s lead guitar, and The Miracles, Claudette, Bobby, Ronnie and Pete singing the hook smooth as butter.

So there you are, already movin’ in places where most people (especially from outside “The D”) don’t have places-and finally, we get Smokey’s joyful, “come join us” lead vocal: “They come from everywhere, and if you drop in there, you might see anyone in town..”.

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, “Going To A Go-Go”!  The Keener Friday Song. “You should have some fun, I’m telling everyone…”, and enjoy this extraordinary “real, live” performance on Hullaballoo.

By Bob Berry

It was a perfectly timed TV show.

The British Invasion was happening, Motown was beginning it’s great run, and within the year the West Coast was more than just The Beach Boys, with Sonny and Cher plus The Byrds leading the way.

It was Shindig!, and we dug it!

It was TV that had the hits, just like turning on Keener. No more waiting for the spinning plates guy to vacate the stage, there was host Jimmy O’Neill and here comes the Righteous Brothers, Herman’s Hermits, Marvin Gaye, Del Shannon and even The Beatles!

Throw in the greatest house band in history, The Shindogs, including Glen Campbell, James Burton, Larry Knechtel and Ray Pohlman.  Mix in The Blossoms, with Darlene Love and Co. adding world-class backup harmonies. And then put dancers, The Shindiggers on the set, and Shindig! was Must-See TV 30 years before NBC thought of it!

Shindig debuted on ABC Television on September 16, 1964. And you had to watch, to be cool in school.