This week in 1968, Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain won his 31st game of the season. It was also the game where New York Yankee legend, Mickey Mantle, hit career home run #535 in what would be his last Motor City at bat. With victory firmly in the Tiger’s hands, McLain tossed a beefsteak to Mantle who slammed the ball into the right field bleachers. (That’s Don Wert watching Mantle round the bases.)
Bob Seger is about to “Turn the Page”. Ann Arbor’s favorite rock and roll son is 73 and ready do be done with the road. He’s announced that his final tour will begin in November in Grand Rapids, ending in May in Houston. While no Detroit dates have yet been confirmed, his team has intimated that additional appearances may be added.
Remember when cereals touted sugar? In the Kellogg portfolio alone, we remember Sugar Frosted Flakes, Sugar Smacks, Sugar Pops and Sugar Jets. And how many of us ate our breakfast out of the cereal box from a Jumbo Assortment? “K – E – Double L – O – Double G – S” of Battle Creek was a perennial sponsor of classic television programs from the Keener era, from My 3 Sons to Dennis the Menace. The company is still Michigan based and providing the “best to you” for over 112 years.
A number of television dynasties got their start this week in Keener history. The Patty Duke Show (Video) premiered this week in 1963 on WXYZ and ABC. Three iconic shows got their start this week in 1965: I Dream of Jeannie (Video) and Get Smart (Video) on WWJ / NBC and the rock and roll show Shindig! (Video of the first show) on ABC.
On September 18, 1969, NBC’s “The Tonight Show” was the setting where 37-year-old falsetto singer Tiny Tim announced his forthcoming marriage to 17-year-old “Miss Vicki” Budinger. Host Johnny Carson then offered up his show as a venue for the event, which attracted 40 million TV viewers on December 17, 1969 (Video).
This week in 1967…Singer/actor Rick Nelson and wife Kris welcomed twin sons, Gunnar and Matthew. The two front men of the band Nelson have 51 birthday candles on their cake. We lost their dad in a plane crash on December 31st, 1985 at the age of 45.
This week in 1970, Jim Morrison of The Doors was found guilty of indecent exposure and profanity during a concert at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Coconut Grove, Florida. He died the following July before he could appeal.
Keener number ones this week include:
Our deep dive into the WKNR Music Guide comes from the week ending September 19, 1966. It’s filled with iconic music. Two Motown tunes were in the Top 10, Richard and the Young Lions were at Number 3 with one of the first hits to feature “fuzz” guitar, “Open Up Your Door”. (Swingin’ Time Video). The Monkees were climbing the charts with their first single, The Boyce and Hart penned “Last Train to Clarksville” (Video). The Surfaris re-entered the chart at number 29, three years after first spawning a generation of questions to drummers everywhere: “Can you play ‘Wipe Out’?” (Video). And Ann Arbor’s Rationals were at Number 9 with their take on Otis Redding’s “Respect” (Swingin’ Time Video). The back of the guide featured Keener’s “Name the White Knight” contest. Remember the Ajax commercial featuring the phrase “Stronger than dirt”? We have the original video from 1966. What Keener hit ended with the same phrase? Answer: The Doors 1969 Keener Number 1 – Touch Me (Video).
