RIP Bobby Sherman

   My sister was born in 1959.  The perfect age for the late 60's/early 70's Teen idol boom that took over Top 40 radio and TV channels.  Her record collection at the time included the biggies of the era like David Cassidy and Donny Osmond.  But, oddly, no Bobby Sherman, despite the fact that she was a fan.  In fact my most lasting memory of Sherman's early 70's teen idol run involves cereal.  A promotion happening at the time had a cereal company giving away a Sherman record on the back of the box.  Just tear out the vinyl and you've got a new Bobby Sherman record to play.  I remember seeing this cereal and my sister wanting the box with the record.  As these things happen, my sister moved on from her teen idol phase.  Every pop music era has its teen idols.  Sherman went on to a fruitful post idol career away from music.  And I still like the frothy pop of  "Julie Do Ya Love Me" and "Easy Come Easy Go".

Welcome Back to America

  Today marks the 50th year that I moved to California.   June 23, 1975.  It was a Monday.  But wait. Before I begin a backstory. I had just spent four years living in Germany. My Dad, a member of the Army at that tine, was stationed in Mannheim, Germany (we also spent six months in another city). Before Germany I lived in North Carolina from the time I was born in 1964 until the summer of ‘71. That summer we moved to Germany. From 71-75. For me it was age 7-11. That’s a big leap in youth years. Elementary school to middle school. Many sports leagues too. I went from tee ball to fastball. From flag football to tackle football. There was a definite growth in my maturity. 

  By the time the summer of ‘75 arrived it was time to leave. And back to America it was. The choices were Colorado or California. And my parents chose Ft. Ord, California, because good friends who lived in Mannheim moved there. I remember my friends in Germany teasing me that moving to California meant nothing but sun and beaches. 50 years later I can say they weren’t too far off. 

  Before heading to California we spent 3 or 4 days at my Aunt’s place in Queens, New York City. My Dad and I took the train to Shea stadium to watch the Mets vs. Pirates. 

  Come Monday the 23rd of June we were off to Central California. For those not familiar the central coast is located about 70 miles south of San Jose. 

  One of the first things I did when landing in California was tune into the local radio stations. There were two AM Top 40stations. An AM Country channel. And various other genres on the FM/AM dials. This was all a bountiful feast to someone who had limited English language choices living in Germany. In fact one of the things I searched for the most of weekends was a station playing American Top 40. I managed to find one on the AM dial in San Francisco. 

  So here’s where we ended up. Now living on the Monterey Peninsula. 50 years later. It’s a beautiful place. I’m a proud central coast California native. At age 61, where else would I want to live?

Below is a Spotify playlist of some songs that I heard a lot on my return to the States, Summer '75.

Welcome Back to America

My Mom and yours truly, Ft. Ord, California. Summer of '75.

Ranking: Songs from Prince - Purple Rain (1984)

 When I really think about it, Purple Rain isn't my favorite Prince album.  Dirty Mind is.  But it is the album (and movie) that turned me from a casual Prince fan in to a die hard one. I talk a lot about "the moment" when it comes to an artists career.  Chances are they will never have that moment again.  Springsteen, Lauper, MJ's Thriller, all came out around the same time.  1983/84.  None of those artists came close to matching the success of those albums.  Neither did Prince with Purple Rain.  He could've.  If he wanted Prince could knock out hit singles in his sleep.  But he was too restless for the Pop charts.  Thus hindering his album sales.  Besides, Purple Rain had a hit movie to go along with it.  And he never came close to matching it.  So, Purple Rain it is.  Nine songs, 43 minutes.  The best crossover moments Prince had to offer,  He would have other moments, but not on a single album.

1.  When Doves Cry

2.  Let's Go Crazy

3.  Purple Rain

4.  The Beautiful Ones

5.  Baby I'm A Star

6.  I Would Die 4 U

7.  Darling Nikki

8.  Take Me With U

9.  Computer Blue

Playlist for 6/16

David Hepworth's More Deep 70's - various (Edsel box set) 

Sly & The Family Stone - Sly Lives!

Lana Del Rey - Right Person Will Stay 

Kathleen Edwards - Covers

Lola Kirke - Trailblazer

Miley Cyrus - Something Beautiful 

Corook - Committed to A Bit

Craig Finn - Always Been

Mumford & Songs - Rushmere

Morgan Wallen - I'm The Problem 

Mekons - Horror

Bluegrass Album Band - Bluegrass Album Vol. 4

Best Father's Day Songs (Updated 2025)

 Great Father's Day Songs:

Alan Jackson - Drive (For Daddy Gene)
Beyonce & Chicks - Daddy Lessons
Brad Paisley - He Didn't Have To Be

Bread - Everything I Own 

Bruce Springsteen - Independence Day

Bruce Springsteen - My Father's House
Cat Stevens - Father and Son

Conway Twitty - That's My Job

Dallas Burrow - My Father's Son

Dan Fogelberg - Leader Of The Band
Dolly Parton - Daddy's Working Boots
Drive-By Truckers - Outfit
Elton John - Last Song
Elvis Presley - Don't Cry Daddy
Eric Clapton - My Father's Eyes
Everclear - Father of Mine

George Strait - Best Day

George Strait - So Much Like My Dad

Harry Chapin - Cat's In The Cradle

Holly Dunn - Daddy's Hands

Jack Ingram - Measure Of A Man

James Blunt - Monsters

James Brown - Papa Don't Take No Mess

Jerry Jeff Walker - My Old Man

Jimmie Rodgers - Daddy and Home
John Lennon - Beautiful Boy
John Prine - Paradise
Johnny Cash - Boy Named Sue
Keith Urban - Song For Dad
Loudon Wainwright III - Father and A Song

Luke Combs - My Old Man Was Right 
Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Madonna - Oh Father
Madonna - Papa Don't Preach
Marc Cohn - Silver Thunderbird
Mike & The Mechanics - Living Years
Nas - Daughters

Paul McCartney - Put It There

Paul Overstreet - Seein' My Father In Me

Paul Simon - Father and Daughter

Queen - Father To Son
Reba McEntire - Greatest Man I Never Knew

Rod Stewart - Touchline
Simon & Garfunkel - Silver Haired Daddy of Mine

Slaid Cleaves - Welding Burns

Steve Goodman - My Old Man
Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
Tori Amos - Winter

Waylon Jennings - Between Fathers and Sons
Will Smith - Just The Two Of Us
Winstons -Color Him Father

Zac Brown Band - My Old Man 

RIP Brian Wilson

  It was Dave Marsh who wrote in 1989 that what made Brian Wilson a genius is not his Pet Sounds era work but the early days of the Beach Boys.  Wilson made songs about surfing, cars, girls and fun sound "transcendent".  A California Pop dream.  The Beach Boys were the group that fueled this legend in their early hits. But it is with Pet Sounds that Brian Wilson would forever land on the short list of Pop Music geniuses.  And what a record it is.  Of course Wilson never could follow it, not even with the aborted Smile (released in 2004 as a Wilson solo album).   

  My favorite Beach Boys songs touch on another oft-mentioned part of Wilson's genius: nostalgia and melancholy.  Warmth of the Sun, Surf's Up, Caroline, No, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, When I Grow Up, In My Room, Please Let Me Wonder, ‘Til I Die. 

  Of course the legend of Brian Wilson resides in those 1960's songs.  But I think a reevaluation of his post 60's era is long overdue.  But as long as there's a warm Saturday night at the beach in the Summer the genius of Brian Wilson's pure pop confections will outlive us all.  

RIP Sly Stone

End of the spring

And here she comes back
Hi, hi, hi, hi there
Them summer days
Those summer days

 My favorite Sly & the Family Stone song, "Hot Fun in the Summertime," is also the first by them I remember hearing in the Summer/Fall of 1969. 

 I figure Sly & the Family Stone's records were the first forms of funk music I ever heard too.  Of course, their music was much more than that.  Bridging Rock with Soul with bits of psychedelica and helping invent funk made his peak years irresistible. Sly's reign was a quick one.  1968-73 were the best years of his musical life.  After 1973's Fresh things turned sour in a hurry.  1969's Stand and '71's There's A Riot Going On are his masterpieces.  Defining his sound and a sound that would be copied by others for decades after.  

  Questlove's 2025 documentary Sly Lives! is a much needed reevaluation of Stone's legacy.  Recommended to all beyond his classic music years.  My own favorite Sly songs are the ones I heard early on in my youthful radio years.  Yes, the big hits.  But later on I grew to love songs love Smilin', You Can Make It If You Try,  Que Sera Sera, M'Lady.  

  

Favorite Summer Songs

 Consider this a never-ending list of my favorite Summer songs.  I've also included songs that may not be about Summer, but have the feel of the season.

All Summer - Little Big Town

All Summer Long - Beach Boys
All Summer Long - Kid Rock

Beach Baby - First Class
Beautiful Morning - Rascals

Boys Are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy 
Boys of Summer - Don Henley
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
California Girls - Beach Boys
California Sun - Rivieras

Constructive Summer - Hold Steady

Cool For The Summer - Demi Lovato
Cruel Summer - Bananarama

Cruel Summer - Taylor Swift 

Cruise - Florida Georgia Line
Crystal Blue Persuasion - Tommy James & The Shondells
Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest
Dancing In The Street - Martha and the Vandellas
Daydream - Lovin' Spoonful

Doin' Time - Lana Del Rey
Everybody Loves The Sunshine - Roy Ayers
Fourth of July - Dave Alvin
Fun, Fun, Fun - Beach Boys
Good Times - Chic
Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
Grazing In The Grass - Friends of Distinction
Groovin' - Rascals

Heat Wave - Martha & the Vandellas

Heat Waves - Glass Animals 
Hot Fun In The Summertime - Sly & The Family Stone

Hot In Herre - Nelly
I Live For The Sun - Sunrays
In The Summertime - Mungo & Jerry
Island In The Sun - Harry Belafonte
It's A Great Day To Be Alive - Travis Tritt
Lazy Day - Spanky and Our Gang
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett

Melting In The Sun - ELO
Miserlou - Dick Dale

Mr. Blue Sky - ELO

Night Moves - Bob Seger

No, Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems - Kenny Chesney

One Summer Dream - ELO

Other Side of Summer - Elvis Costello
Palisades Park - Freddy Cannon

Pontoon - Little Big Town

Rock Lobster - B-52's
Rockaway Beach - Ramones

Saints - Breeders
Saturday In The Park - Chicago
Sealed With A Kiss - Brian Hyland
See You In September - Happenings
School's Out - Alice Cooper
(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
Sitting In The Park - Billy Stewart

Sleep All Summer - Neko Case & Eric Bachmann 
Sleepwalk - Santo & Johnny

Smooth - Santana & Rob Thomas
Soak Up The Sun - Sheryl Crow
Southern Nights - Glen Campbell
Steal My Sunshine - Len
Stoned Soul Picnic - Fifth Dimension

Suddenly Last Summer - Motels

Summer and Lightning - ELO
Summer Song - Chad & Jeremy
Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra
Summer Nights - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

Summer - Bobby Goldsboro
Summer - War
Summer Breeze - Isley Brothers
Summer Breeze - Seals & Crofts

Summer Looks Good On You - Cheap Trick
Summer In The City - Lovin' Spoonful
Summer Madness - Kool & The Gang

Summer Means Fun - Bruce & Terry
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
Summer Rain - Johnny Rivers
Summertime - Billy Stewart

Summer's Comin' - Clint Black
Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran

Summertime Girls - Y&T
Summertime Sadness - Lana Del Rey
Summertime Summertime - Jamies
Sunny Afternoon - Kinks

Sunroof - Nicky Youre & Dazy

Sunshine On My Shoulders - John Denver
Surf City - Jan & Dean
Surfin' U.S.A. - Beach Boys

That Summer Feeling - Jonathan Richman

Theme From "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith

Theme From "Summer of '42" - Peter Nero
Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer - Nat King Cole
Thunder Island - Jay Ferguson

Toes - Zac Brown Band

Under The Boardwalk - Drifters

Vacation - Connie Francis
Vacation - Go-Go's
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
Watermelon Sugar - Harry Styles

Wipe Out - Surfaris 

Poll: April 1965 Songs

 Latest poll I voted in was for songs from April 1965.  This time 43 songs were voted on. 

You can listen to this at: Pop Gold Radio

"My Girl", Temptations : 1

"Stop! In The Name Of Love", Supremes : 2
"Shotgun", Jr. Walker & the All Stars : 3
"King Of The Road", Roger Miller : 4
"Eight Days A Week", Beatles : 5
"It's Not Unusual", Tom Jones : 6
"Ticket To Ride", Beatles : 7
"Help Me, Rhonda", Beach Boys : 8
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", Animals : 9
"Nowhere To Run", Martha & the Vandellas : 10
"Goldfinger", Shirley Bassey : 11
"Tired Of Waiting For You", Kinks : 12
"The Last Time", Rolling Stones : 13
"Back In My Arms Again", Supremes : 14
"I Do Love You", Billy Stewart : 15
"Land Of 1000 Dances", Cannibal & the Headhunters : 16
"Just Once In My Life", Righteous Brothers : 17
"I'll Be Doggone", Marvin Gaye : 18
"Go Now!", Moody Blues : 19
"I Know A Place", Petula Clark : 20
"Got To Get You Off My Mind", Solomon Burke : 21
"Game Of Love", Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders  : 22
"Do You Wanna Dance", Beach Boys : 23
"Can't You Hear My Heartbeat", Herman's Hermits : 24
"The Birds And The Bees", Jewel Akens : 25
"Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter", Herman's Hermits : 26
"I'll Never Find Another You", Seekers : 27
"I'm Telling You Now", Freddie & the Dreamers : 28
"Ferry Cross The Mersey", Gerry & the Pacemakers : 29
"Count Me In", Gary Lewis & the Playboys : 30
"Bumble Bee", Searchers : 31
"Long Lonely Nights", Bobby Vinton : 32
"The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap)", Shirley Ellis : 33
"Silhouettes", Herman's Hermits : 34
"If I Loved You", Chad & Jeremy : 35
"Do The Clam", Elvis Presley : 36
"Little Things", Bobby Goldsboro : 37
"Red Roses For A Blue Lady", Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra : 38
"Red Roses For A Blue Lady", Vic Dana : 39
"The Race Is On", Jack Jones : 40
"One Kiss For Old Times' Sake", Ronnie Dove : 41
"Cast Your Fate To The Wind", Sounds Orchestral : 42
"The Mouse", Soupy Sales : 43

Playlist for 6/1

Willie Nelson - Oh What A Beautiful World 

William Tyler - Time Indefinite

Sierra Hull - A Tip Toe High Wire

Valerie June - Owls, Omens & Oracles

Elton John & Brandi Carlile - Who Believes In Angels

Kinky Friedman - Poet of Motel 6

Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes

Lucy Dacus - Forever Is A Feeling

Ella Fitzgerald - Sings the Burt Bacharach Songbook (Podcast mixtape)