Groovy Grooves

08/07/2024

The group Badfinger was formed in 1961 in Swansea, Wales, originally known as the Ivies. They were signed to the Apple label (the Beatles' label) in 1968 and championed by the Beatles. Paul McCartney produced some of their records. The group's sound was often compared to that of the Beatles. As the Apple label began to implode with financial and legal troubles, Badfinger's manager Stan Polley diverted much of their earnings to himself, ultimately disappearing and leaving the group members virtually destitute. With no support from Apple, Badfinger guitarist Pete Ham committed su***de in 1975. Two years later, bassist Tom Evans also killed himself among continued financial and legal difficulties. In 2005, drummer Mike Gibbins died of a brain aneurysm, leaving guitarist Joey Molland the only surviving member of the classic Badfinger lineup. He continues to perform under the name Joey Molland's Badfinger. A supremely talented group cruelly and tragically abused--but leaving behind four exquisite songs written and performed by the group, as well as "Without You," written and recorded by the group but more popularly covered by Nilsson and Mariah Carey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tOnbeNAxdU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4NXero2HGQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LZxP2ID0G0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPfZE6DPW0E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wMwor2RBCQ

clásicos de los 70

25/06/2024

The "rural purge" happened in the early 70s, signaling a paradigm shift in American culture. This referred to CBS's decision to cancel its "rural" TV shows in favor of edgier, more "urban" programming. The network executives wanted to appeal to a younger audience with more disposable income. Even though most of these shows were still doing very well in the Nielsen ratings, in one fell swoop CBS canceled "The Beverly Hillbillies", "Green Acres", "Petticoat Junction", "Mayberry, RFD", "Lassie" and "Hee Haw" in 1971. The latter two continued in syndication for many years, but the others were summarily axed for good, replaced by programming such as "All in the Family", "Maude", "Good Times" and "The Jeffersons". "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza" survived for a couple more years.
Another difference is that the newer shows were filmed before a live audience, whereas the canceled ones had not been. CBS executives were unmoved by fans of the canceled shows. As Pat Buttram, who played Mr. Haney on "Green Acres" quipped, "CBS canceled everything with a tree in it...including Lassie."
The shows all had terrific theme songs, too (another lost art)...take a trip down memory lane to a more peaceful and groovy time...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwzaxUF0k18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrbPAt1_vc4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHR6ALVzjeo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZFN3h0Oogc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7BQWI3YRMc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELQVfKHW8QA

Welcome to Hee Haw Memories, the one stop place for Hee Haw Episodes. My goal for this channel is to eventually, upload every single episode of Hee Haw that ...

16/04/2024

Ah, those groovy and crazy 70s! The decade of the novelty song...you could hear anything on the radio. (What were we thinking?) Here are a few of the biggest novelty songs of the 70s...what are some other ones that you remember?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxUfg3uCBbg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97RjuC9YeXg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuRo6SLY44k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOs1w3zzWCQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nssSIKOrSNk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBxlsi5SYkg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmfudW7rbG0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9BWlGP_DJw

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupConvoy · C.W. McCallC.W. McCall's Greatest Hits℗ A Mercury Records Release; ℗ 1975 UMG Recordings, Inc.Released o...

16/04/2024

The Gap Band recorded "Oops Upside Your Head" in 1980. It made the US R&B charts but didn't even make it onto the Hot 100 upon release. However, it became a worldwide hit and sparked an interesting phenomenon: DJ Alex D**e played this song in 1980 at a festival on the Isle of Wight (off the British coast) and encouraged listeners to sit down and "row the boat home". This took off--and today in the UK you would be hard pressed to go to a wedding reception without this dance being performed. (Looks like most of the dancers are women....just like in the US). The world's record was set in 2023 when the dance was performed by 435 people at a carnival in the tiny English village of Kings Langley. Only in the UK!! (Incidentally, the Gap Band got its name from the three main streets in the neighborhood where they grew up, in Tulsa--Greenwood, Archer and Pine.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOGE2SSNqfs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm41ijvPLpk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRaVqdU0eGo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZhbwqRC09o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvTb5ACtG4M

'Oops Upside Your Head' world record attempt at Dymchurch UK, on Saturday 11th August 2018. The proceeds were in support of Pilgrims Hospices and British Leg...

16/04/2024

SCHLAGER music is a genre of music mostly found in central Europe, especially German-speaking countries. "Schlager" literally means "hit" (as in "strike") but it also has the connotation of a "hit song". Schlager songs are usually uptempo, with sentimental, easy-to-remember (and sing) lyrics and elements of traditional central European and "oom-pa-pa" music. The singers usually have a squeaky-clean image. The Eurovision song contest abounded in schlager songs. Schlager music is less popular than in its heyday (probably 1950s-1970s) but is still beloved by millions. Here are some examples of schlager music! Very groovy!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YHRTl8Ydc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9S3YMmIFdw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEvbhYaigOI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjZjJNGyd54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h2-QFbtXtM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S_mGdkqQsU

Alpenzusjes - Wienie WienieAbonneer hier:http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=BerkMusicDownload of stream: https://berkmusic.lnk.to/WienieWien...

16/04/2024

"Since You've Been Gone" is a great song that was written by Russ Ballard (formerly of the group Argent) in 1976. It was on his 1976 album "Winning"...and was covered by many other artists, all of them good. Give these a listen and see which one(s) you like best...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YHRTl8Ydc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P17ct4e5OE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYR64gDU2Po
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzofZh6hFMQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sUJOgbe2Wk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3qqRZhWzDI

It’s a live track from a concert by the Brian May Band, recorded at the Brixton Academy, London, on 15th June 1993. At the moment when we’re putting this up ...

26/03/2024

RC Cola never found the success of Coke or Pepsi, but it sure had some great commercials back in the day. The cola's best campaign and jingle featured the lyric "RC...the one with the mad, mad taste." The jingle was sung by various performers but the best-known version was by Nancy Sinatra. Here are four versions--by Nancy Sinatra; Joey Heatherton; Dino, Desi and Billy (featuring the sons of Dean Martin (Dino) and Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (Desi); and Australian singer Robie Porter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT8fhKun6p8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QCK7dw3PPo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymwK-n2VCms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyX76L2pweo

RC Cola Ad by Rob E.G. in Spain

26/03/2024

"Northern Soul" refers to a style of music and a cultural phenomenon starting in the mid-70s in northern England. DJs there rediscovered American soul songs from the 60s and 70s and played them in dance halls. They proved to be very popular. Dancers developed new styles of dance--most participants danced by themselves, without partners, almost lost in themselves. There were popular dance competitions at the dance halls. The Wigan Casino in the town of Wigan was perhaps the epicenter of the movement. Best of all, many singers found new popularity and careers, and were received like royalty when they came to the UK for concert tours. Here are some of the most iconic Northern Soul songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gxmkx8OplI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnGPgg-4Ic8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDAha2XYIOY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMUrgjcAThk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juDOPCZruc4

music dance video by Jud

18/03/2024

Gayle McCormick grew up in North St Louis County and graduated from Pattonville High School in 1966. She was the singer in a local group called Steve Cummings and the Klassmen until she moved to California and joined the group "Smith" The group's song "Baby It's You" reached #5 on the Billboard charts in 1969. Later, Gayle pursued a solo career and had some success, but ultimately chose to leave the music business, moving to Hawaii with her husband, a carpenter. When the marriage ended, she returned to St Louis and worked in retail and information technology. Gayle died of cancer in 2016 at her home in North County. Gayle McCormick was a dynamic, powerhouse singer often compared to Tina Turner and Dusty Springfield, and never reached the heights of stardom that her voice and talent warranted but she is the pride of Pattonville and St Louis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxVkJ5eCCw0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRXJDtNe_Pw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRkvhoduIxI

Note: Click "Show More" for lyrics. Gayle McCormick (b.26 November 1948 – d.1 March 2016) was an American singer, best known for her work with the rock band ...

17/03/2024

Gordon Sinclair was a Canadian radio broadcaster in Toronto in 1973 when he wrote an editorial that he read on the air called "The Americans". It was a heartfelt paean to the American people. He wrote it when the USA was dealing with the aftermath of destructive tornadoes, flooding of the Mississippi, the impending insolvency of the American Red Cross, and the weakness of the American dollar. In it, he decried the fact that Americans always were the first to help other countries in crisis, but no one was helping them when they needed it. Later, it was read on the air by Byron MacGregor, a radio journalist in Windsor, Canada, and the station received many requests to hear it again, mostly from listeners across the border in Detroit. It eventually was recorded, backed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra playing "America the Beautiful" and went on to sell 2 million copies in a month, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1974. Gordon Sinclair also recorded a version, but it was no match for MacGregor's commanding voice. Listeners were surprised to learn he was only 25 years old. All proceeds were given by MacGregor to the American Red Cross.

Americans (Gordon Sinclair) by Byron Mac Gregor, “America The Beautiful” performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, produced by Peter ScheurmierThe Unforge...

17/03/2024

Who in St Louis can forget Dana Brown and his quirky coffee commercials in the 1970s? Dana Brown grew up poor in West Virginia but became a wealthy philanthropist through coffee. He started his own coffee brand, Safari, and took viewers on safaris and visits to the countries from which he sourced his coffee. While Safari coffee (and Dana Brown ) are no longer around, the Dana Brown Charitable Trust continues to benefit children and animals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hqIJ8wECnE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C5gMSi7zto

17/03/2024

The Eurovision contest has been around since 1956. It is an annual music contest, held in May, in which each country in Europe is represented by a group or singer and an original song. It is televised throughout Europe, and a winner is chosen based on a combination of the voting of music professionals and the public. Abba won the contest in 1974 with their song "Waterloo". The contest has been criticized as kitschy and cheesy, but its popularity has not waned. It will be held this year from May 7 to 11, in Sweden (it is generally held in the country of last year's winner). Here are some Eurovision winners over the years, starting with the first. Notice how the styles and genres change over the years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11gRqqnYenA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr_2bhQY2H4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FsVeMz1F5c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ew43u2gS0Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h2-QFbtXtM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qK0tZZ-FZI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10XR67NQcAc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGeTDNdjODk

WATCH IN HD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDF8hUjPy5k35 years to this day (6th April 1974) ABBA won with this performance of Waterloo. Enjoy!More informat...

07/03/2024

Rula Lenska was born in a refugee camp in England in 1947, the daughter of exiled Polish nobles who survived World War II (her mother survived two years in Ravensbruck concentration camp.) She was a TV actress in Britain but virtually unknown in the US when she was featured in a series of commercials for Alberto VO-5 hairspray in the US. It became something of a running joke (parodied on Saturday Night Live) to see Lenska presented as famous in the US. Here is one of her many commercials.

one of the vintage Alberto VO5 commercials from the late 1970s starring Rula Lenska

07/03/2024

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts recorded "I Love Rock and Roll" in 1981 and it became one of the biggest hits of 1982. The song was a remake, originally recorded in 1975 by British group the Arrows (led by American Alan Merrill, who wrote the song). Previous to this, Merrill had moved to Japan, where his mother (jazz singer Helen Merrill) was living and performing, partially out of frustration that his music career was not progressing in the US. He became a model, actor and singer in Japan. Later, he moved to the UK, where he formed the Arrows and recorded "I Love Rock and Roll". Jett always publicly gave credit to Merrill for her success. Alan Merrill died of COVID in 2020
Here is Merrill singing a Japanese song, and the Arrows with their hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_kQSWwn1tE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AT_Pbtyid0

Arrows, "I Love Rock N Roll" featuring lead singer Alan Merrill. The original a-side version from 1975 by the band (Alan Merrill and) the Arrows. The group w...

07/03/2024

"Gloria" by Laura Branigan became the St Louis Blues' victory song in 2019. It had been recorded in 1982, but was itself a remake of a 1979 song by Italian superstar Umberto Tozzi. The success of this song led Laura Branigan to record a series of English-language remakes of Italian songs, including Tozzi's "Ti Amo."

07/03/2024

Our theme song, "Working on a Groovy Thing" is sung by the sublime Patti Drew, who was still performing through 2019. Here is a clip of her singing the song on "American Bandstand" and then being interviewed by Dick Clark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvdEhM6UnYA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuMNqrHUntY

Dick Clark interviews Patti Drew on American Bandstand