Our highlights: Netflix takes a rate increase, the top 108 Memes of 2018, Beach Boy forgotten gems, the first Donnie & Marie show debuts, the perils of working at home and much more music from King Floyd, Jay Black, Ronnie Milsap and the Guess Who.

What’s being talked about today:

One of the things I’ve always loved about The Beach Boys albums, and particularly the CD re-releases, is the behind the scenes tracks and special mixes that are included. Rolling Stone posted this piece-worth-reading about how the Beach Boys’ Lost Late-Sixties Gems Got a Second Life.

Our daily dose of Fred Jacobs wisdom: The Power of Memes, those pictures Photoshopped with catchy phrases. Did you know that the term “Meme” predates the internet? Here are 108 of the most popular from 2018.

The Ghostbusters reboot with a female cast failed to find an audience at the box office. Now Jason Reitman, son of the original film’s producer, the wizard behind Stripes, Twins, and Dave, Ivan Reitman, wants to reboot it again, “in the original universe.”

Netflix has become one of the biggest producers of video content in the world with programming that rivals the linear networks in popularity and reach. Now, the company wants to reap some of the rewards. They announced an 11-13% rate hike… Just like the cable guys, rates never go down where video is concerned.

“Cleanup in Isle 9, HAL!” How robots are cleaning up spills in grocery stores.

More and more of us are working from home. While that feels like an ideal gig, there are definite downsides.

Quick Takes:

1936 The Screen Actors Guild incorporates with King Vidor as president.

1954 “South Pacific” closes at Majestic Theater NYC after 1928 performances

1962 Shooting begins on “Dr No” the first James Bond film. The producers were not yet sure if Ian Fleming’s character would resonate with the public, giving the film the smallest shooting budget of any in the series.

We said goodbye to Carol Channing yesterday. Today in 1964, she shot to stardom as  “Hello, Dolly!” opened at St James Theater NYC for 2,844 performances.

1965 “Outer Limits“, ABC’s answer to “The Twilight Zone” airs its last episode. It would be revived on the Pay TV service, Showtime, in 1995. “There is nothing wrong with your television set!” (Video)

1965 The Guess Who release their debut album,”Shakin’ All Over“. When the record was released, the group was calling themselves Chad Allan & the Expressions. Their cover of the Johnny Kidd & the Pirates original came out on Scepter records, which, for some reason credited the tune to “Guess Who?” The name stuck. (Video)

1965 The Searchers‘ cover of The Colvers “Love Potion Number 9” peaks at #3. (Video)

1972 David Seville (real name: Ross Bagdasarian), who created The Chipmunks, dies of a heart attack at age 52. Us DJs know that his first hit had nothing to do with chipmunks. Here’s a rare video from the Ed Sullivan Show of David’s performance of “The Witch Doctor” (Video)

1973 NBC presents 440th & final showing of “Bonanza“. It made stars of Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts and Michael Landon. Let’s listen to Lorne sing his most famous hit.. The full version of “Ringo” (Video)

1974 “Jaws” by Peter Benchley is published by Doubleday. It would become Stephen Spielberg’s first major movie hit.

1976 The “Donny & Marie”  musical variety show premieres on ABC. Here’s how they opened the first show. (Video)

1976 Peter Frampton released platinum live album “Frampton Comes Alive“. Three singles emerge from the double LP, which many DJ’s believe benefitted from sound effects which amplified audience reaction. (Video)

Happy Birthday to: A. J. Foyt (Racer), 1935; Jim Stafford (Spiders & Snakes), 1944; Ronnie Milsap, 1946; John Carpenter (Horror Director), 1948; Sade, 1959; Kate Moss, 1974;

Much More Music:

Jay Black‘s voice is one of the most distinctive of the rock era. This week in 1969, Jay & The Americans‘  “This Magic Moment” was climbing the charts. It was recorded first by Ben E. King and the Drifters . Jay’s version is the most widely remembered, spending 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. (Video)

For our birthday boy, Ronnie Milsap. One of his most underrated songs. “What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life“. Trivia; Ronnie is also a well regarded #AmateurRadio enthusiast (WB4KCG). (Video)

A little reggae feel for hump day from the great King Floyd. Let’s dig “Groove Me”. Climbing the charts this week in 1971. It was covered by John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd on their first Blues Brothers LP. (Video)

 

Today’s Quote Worth Re-quoting: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

Badfinger was top ten this week in 1972 with “Day After Day“. We leave you with Rod Stewart‘s worthy cover.