Musical Interlude: Close to You (1990)

 As the 90's began, there was a need for fresh voices on the radio. Maxi Priest broke out of the gate with "Close to You":

Rockin' Funnies: Fire, ala Elmer Fudd via Robin Williams (1980's)

 Sometime in the early 80's, Robin Williams incorporated a brief excerpt of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire", which later became a hit for the Pointer Sisters, into his stand-up act. Less than a minute of pure bliss.

A trilogy of passings

  Woke up this morning to learn that South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, 71, had passed away on Saturday after a brief, sudden illness. Reports have it that Graham had suffered cardiac arrest in his Washington home.

While flags are likely at half-staff in Washington and throughout South Carolina, not everyone is mourning Graham's passing.

Conspiracy theorist "Loopy" Laura Loomer is pushing an idea, with no basis in truth or reality, of course, claiming that either Iran or Russia was looking to assassinate Graham, 10 months after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was murdered.

Laura Loomer calls for probe into Lindsey Graham’s death sharing Putin theory - AOL

Oh, but that ain't all.

Loomer is also stirring up controversy surrounding Kentucky's Mitch McConnell, who has been hospitalized for nearly a month under a cover of secrecy. She keeps poking into things where she doesn't belong to extend her 15 minutes, but, sooner or later, the more she cries wolf........!

Laura Loomer fuels speculation about McConnell’s health and home renovations

I hear Bellevue is calling.

Earlier this week, singer Bonnie Tyler had passed away. Tyler's hits included "Holding Out For a Hero", "Total Eclipse of The Heart"., a #1 hit in 1983, and 1978's "It's a Heartache":

Finally, actor Randolph Mantooth passed away, 2 months shy of his 81st birthday. Mantooth shot to fame on Emergency! as paramedic John Gage following guest appearances on The Bold Ones and Owen Marshall, Counselor-at-Law. This led to a daytime spin-off for kids, Emergency! Plus 4 (1973-5), which represented Mantooth's only cartoon work. He also appeared on Operation Petticoat, Detective School: One Flight Up, & All My Children during his career.

Rest in peace, one and all.

Musical Interlude: Survivors (1975)

 The Smothers Brothers returned to television in 1975, hoping to start anew. However, it didn't last too long, and, aside from their comedy-drama, Fitz & Bones, would not try again with a variety show until the 1988 writers' strike.

From the 1975 series comes this number that resonates even today, in the face of the intentional, ham-handed handling of government affairs by the current administration. John Stewart, formerly of the Kingston Trio, released "Survivors" that year, and is joined by the Smothers Brothers, Ringo Starr, Lily Tomlin (who was on the big screen that year in "Nashville"), Bob Einstein, Pat Paulsen, Steve Martin, & Don Novello, making a rare appearance without his Father Guido Sarducci persona.

Too bad it doesn't play on radio, 51 years later.

Musical Interlude: The Age of Aquarius (1969)

 The 5th Dimension's "Age of Aquarius" was released as a single in 1969, coupled with "Let The Sunshine In", off the "Hair" soundtrack. However, we have this clip, origin unknown, of the group performing "Aquarius", complemented with cheesy special effects.

Musical Interlude: The Stranger (1977)

 Billy Joel. Carnegie Hall. "The Stranger", title song from the album. Enough said.

Musical Interlude: This Land is Your Land (2009)

 Ahead of President Obama's inauguration in 2009, a concert took place in Washington. From that event, Bruce Springsteen & Pete Seeger cover Woody Guthrie's immortal folk classic, "This Land is Your Land".

Happy Birthday, America!

Musical Interlude: Spinning Wheel (1969)

 I remember watching some figure skating as a youth, and the background music was "Spinning Wheel" by Blood, Sweat, & Tears. It was so, so perfect.

So, let's go back to 1969, and a live performance of "Spinning Wheel":

In memory of singer David Clayton Thomas, who has passed away at 84. Rest in peace.

Musical Interlude: Just Another Girl (2013)

 Nearly 10 years after their debut, "Hot Fuss", The Killers released a compilation CD, which included the single, "Just Another Girl". Save for a cameo at the end, where he's dressed like he was in "All These Things I've Done", Brandon Flowers doesn't appear. Instead, Dianna Agron acts as a stand-in, miming Flowers' vocals.

Surreal.

Musical Interlude: The theme from Peter Gunn (1969)

 Hey, bub, check it. Henry Mancini. Peter Gunn. Ed Sullivan. Whut more y'need to know?

Videos of Summer: Suddenly Last Summer (1983)

 "Suddenly Last Summer" was the first single from the Motels' 1983 album, "Little Robbers". Singer Martha Davis, falling asleep after reading a Harlequin romance novel, imagines herself on the beach, and....

Musical Interlude: By The Time This Night is Over (1992)

 Kenny G teamed with Peabo Bryson on 1992's "By The Time This Night is Over", first released on Kenny's CD, "Breathless", then reissued on a Bryson CD 2 years later. Bryson had become known for his Disney duets from "Beauty & The Beast" and "Aladdin", the latter released around the same time as "Night".

In memory of Bryson, 75, who passed away earlier today after a stroke. Rest in peace.

Celebrity Rock: Under The Bridge (2024)

From The Masked Singer:

We found out that Dr. Ken Jeong is a huge Red Hot Chili Peppers fan. Contestant Sherlock Hound got a rise out of Jeong with a compact cover of the Chilis' 1991 smash, "Under The Bridge".

Some folks initially thought it was Hootie & The Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker under the mask. Nope. Turned out it was former baseball pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who played for a number of teams, including Cincinnati, Boston, & Arizona, during his career. Jeong got in on the fun calling out, "One time!" prior to the chorus. 

Y'notice how judge Robin Thicke is sounding like his late father, actor-singer-songwriter Alan Thicke? Maybe his next album will cover all the theme songs dad wrote.....

Musical Interlude: Paradise medley (2025)

 The Steps of Faith Foundation is a non-profit in the midwest that hosts the annual ThunderGong event to raise money for disabled persons.

Last year's ThunderGong show, and earlier ones, have featured actors Jason Sudeikis & Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso), Will Forte (ex-Saturday Night Live, The Last Man on Earth), and musical headliner "Weird" Al Yankovic.

From last year, Richardson, Sudeikis, & Yankovic do a medley of songs with "Paradise" in the title, starting with Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise", which begat the late Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise", which, in turn, led to Yankovic's "Amish Paradise"........

There's more where this came from, including Forte & Yankovic's cover of Chappell Roan's "Pink Pony Club", down the road.

Videos of Summer: The River of Dreams (1993)

 "The River of Dreams" is the title track from Billy Joel's 1993 CD.

Look quick, and you'll see Billy's then-wife, Christie Brinkley, doing some painting. Brinkley did the cover for the CD.

Now, comes word that a bio pic, "Billy & Me", is being prepped for a release, but without any cooperation from the "Piano Man", whose former bandmate, Jon Small, & former manager, Irwin Mazur, are behind the bio, which covers Joel's early career, before he signed with Columbia. Joel is blocking the release of the film, claiming Mazur & Small don't have the rights to use his music.

Stay tuned.

Musical Interlude: 19 (1985)

 In 1982, ABC News produced the documentary, Vietnam Requiem, more than a decade after US troops had left Vietnam. Three years later, Paul Hardcastle scored a UK #1 hit, and reached the top 40 here in the US, with "19". Veteran commercial voiceover artist Peter Thomas narrated Requiem, and some of the dialogue was sampled on "19".

Thomas, after a bazillion commercials in the 70's & 80's, would narrate Forensic Files years later.

Many thanks to Chuck Miller for the tip.

Hmmmm, this came out around the same time as Max Headroom with the digital stuttering. 

What Might've Been: The Spike Jones Show (1954)

 Bandleader Spike Jones and his City Slickers landed their first television series as a mid-season replacement in the winter of 1954 on NBC. Small problem. Jackie Gleason was already an established draw over on CBS, and Spike was sent packing after 5 months. Jones would return with three more short-lived series between 1957-61, this time on CBS.

In addition to the City Slickers, Jones also had his wife, Helen Grayko, as a featured vocalist, and recurring regulars including Bill Dana, Len Weinrib, and, in this next clip, Billy Barty.

For those of you who may only know Billy from his work for the Kroffts in the 70's, as well as his later TV & film work (i.e. "Under The Rainbow"), this is a treat in and of itself. And now you know why Billy was so at home in primetime when he made appearances on Donny & Marie (like the Osmonds, Barty was a Mormon).

Spike made a number of Soundies in the 40's, including a hysterical number, "Clink! Clink! Another Drink!", with Mel Blanc. We'll bring that out another time.

No rating. Just a public service.

Videos of Summer: Let Your Love Flow (1976)

 50 years ago this month, the Bellamy Brothers hit #1 on the Hot 100, #21 on the country chart (WHAT?), and #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart with "Let Your Love Flow". Since Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is two weeks away, let's start our Videos of Summer....

Musical Interlude: All You Fascists Bound to Lose (2026)

 In 1944, during World War II, Woody Guthrie wrote "All You Fascists Bound to Lose", which may have been a rallying cry for the US during the war.

82 years later, actress-singer Bette Midler gathered a group of her Hollywood friends, including Barbara Hershey and Saratoga native David Hyde Pierce (Frasier) for an updated version of "Bound", adding contemporary lyrics & images taking aim at-----who else?-----president Trump.

How soon d'ya think Trump'll start whining about this?

What else could she do? (The Danny Kaye Show, 1964)

 "She" being ventriloquist Shari Lewis, who appeared with Howard Morris (ex-Your Show of Shows, The Andy Griffith Show) in an episode of The Danny Kaye Show.

We've seen Shari sing and perform magic in addition to her work as a puppeteer. Now, she steps into a new role as a dancer in this show-stopping number. 

I'd say she could've given Ann-Margret a run for her money, don't you think?