On this Young & Rubicam produced radio disk, you’ll find nothing less than ten syrupy renditions of hymns and popular Christmas songs. At the beginning of every song is an introduction by one of the following celebrities from the late 60′s (named in their entirety to encourage their Googling fans to join us here at “the ‘world”): Eddy Arnold, Phyllis Diller, Jack Webb, Norm Crosby, Florence Henderson, Robert Young, Gary Crosby, Shirley Jones, George Maharis and Edie Adams. Each of these very special people take the time remind us about the brave men and women “who make possible the reality of that ‘peace on earth’ we talk about” (My Lai notwithstanding), the ones “who’ve discovered that they can something special in the Navy” (don’t worry, William Calley wasn’t in the Navy).
Archive for the 'Oddities' Category
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On May 14, 1961, Alan Niederman of Merion, Pennsylvania celebrated his 13th birthday. The only reason I know this is because his well-heeled father pressed up a deluxe album commemorating his Bar-Mitzvah. No ordinary vanity effort, this four record set spans a whopping SIX HOURS. The ceremony itself unfolds in all its solemn glory across the first three sides. The last five sides capture the festive birthday blowout that was no doubt etched indelibly in the memory of all who received their complimentary copy of this magnificent keepsake. Oh, did I mention that it was pressed on clear red vinyl, or that it was mastered at 16rpm speed?
Back during its heyday, The Dean Martin Show came on at my bed time. Every Thursday night, I’d lie in my room falling asleep to the sound of my stepfather’s lusty guffaws. On the rare nights I managed to stay up long enough to sneak a peak at the program, I wondered what all the fuss was about. And when the plastic chicks in matching costumes came out, that definitely signaled time for a potty break. I caught on to chicks soon afterwards, but wasn’t until a little later that I developed an appreciation for plastic (especially the 33.3 rpm kind).
Back when I was very small, my parents would sometimes put me down in my grandparents’ den while they continued to socialize late into the night. As I lay there, chairs propped up against the couch to keep me from dropping to the floor, I would gaze with fascination at all the menus that covered the walls of the room. From these wall, I gained my first inkling of the exciting world awaiting me in adulthood.
I’ve been thinking about bubblegum pop this week, ever since I discovered my old contribution to “Bubblegum Is The Naked Truth” posted to Kim Cooper’s Bubblegum University site. It’s not the greatest thing I ever wrote, but at least my name is spelled right. Thanks for the link, Kim! Here’s a link to the article:
For fans of easy listening, bubblegum, middle of the road pop or any other non-rock retro-kitsch genre, the Going Thing is sure to be grail. They are a classic example of how the “youth market” was packaged to non-youths of the late 60s. The group offers all the energy and sex appeal of “the in sound” with none of the messy commitment. The records are packed with rock and roll medleys as soothing to the over-the-hill crowd as they are insulting to rock fans. They’ve got hits of the day with new lyrics written especially for Ford Motors employees. They’ve got trite jokes about this crazy loud music all the kids are listening to these days. The whole affair is served up with the kind of infectious super-square showbiz glitz that I’m always on the lookout for.
I guess it’s axiomatic that when kids finally leave the nest, they try to leave as much of their junk behind as they possibly can. But eventually the parents catch on, the nest is declared off limits, and the stuff has to go. It was during one such day of reckoning that I was helping a friend clear the clutter out of his parent’s store room.