November 30

New Year's Eve just won't be the same this year without DICK CLARK (November 30, 1929 – April 18, 2012).

Remembering the late ROB GRILL (3rd from left) who was born November 30, 1943.











MICKEY and SYLVIA, most famous for "Love Is Strange" have reunited.

November 29

R.I.P. GEORGE HARRISON
(25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001)

This Young Rascal is 70 today.

FELIX CAVILIERE sang lead on a half-dozen hits including "Good Lovin'".

Remembering founding Papa DENNY DOHERTY.
(November 29, 1940 – January 19, 2007)

California Dreamin'

November 28

Motown founder BERRY GORDY JR. is 83 today.

He brought Detroit's assembly-line ideas to the studio at 2648 W. Grand Blvd and made it into Hitsville U.S.A. Some argue "the sound of young America" helped integration at a time when much of the nation saw only in black & white.

I highly recommend a visit to the Motown Museum in Detroit. You get to see the historic Studio A where so many hits were recorded. I've made 4 or 5 trips and even got to learn The TEMPTATIONS dance moves.

A Broadway Musical about Berry and his label is in development.

Gary Troxel was born 11/28/1939- he sang with The FLEETWOODS on "Come Softly To Me" and "Mr. Blue."

The lead on The FOUNDATIONS "Baby Now That I Found You" is Clem Curtis, born 28 November, 1940 in Trinidad.

R.I.P. R.B. GREAVES. The nephew of SAM COOKE, Ronald Bertram Aloysius "R. B." Greaves III (November 28, 1943 - September 27, 2012) had a million-seller with his tale of infidelity "Take A Letter Maria."

November 27

If 7 was 0.

JAMES MARSHALL HENDRIX
(November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970)


An incredible talent and influential guitar-player, JIMI was also a member of the 27 club.

Al Jackson Jr. (November 27, 1935 – October 1, 1975) was the drummer for BOOKER T. & The M.G.'s and played on hundreds of records at Stax. Click here to see Al and friends backing up OTIS REDDING on "Satisfaction."

President John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline is 55. What does that have to do with rock & Roll?

The BEATLES released Magical Mystery Tour today in 1967 with with the title track, "The Fool On The Hill", "I Am The Walrus", "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Hello, Goodbye", "Penny Lane", "Baby You're A Rich Man" and "All You Need Is Love".

November 26

The one and only TINA TURNER is 72 today!  Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee on on November 26, 1939, she went on to become a true superstar with hit records spanning generations.  And, oh, those legs!

After DIANA ROSS left The SUPREMES for a solo career, JEAN TERRELL (b. 11/26/1944) replaced her and sang lead on "Stoned Love."

The ZOMBIES recorded "Tell Her No" today in 1964.

November 25

The second best on the all-time greatest slow dance songs belongs to PERCY SLEDGE.

The pride of Leighton, Alabama hits 72 today and may be dancing a little slower but he's still with us.

"Take Time To Know Her" is another great song from Percy- lyrically it's a lot like "Shop Around".

November 24

It's no secret PETE BEST (b 24 November 1941) was the original drummer for The BEATLES.

Donald "Duck" Dunn (November 24, 1941 – May 13, 2012) was an incredible talent.

Most famous for his work with BOOKER T. & The M.G.'s, Duck also played on hit records by EDDIE FLOYD, WILSON PICKETT, ROD STEWART, STEELY DAN, BOB DYLAN and many more in his days as a session musician at Stax records. He also played with Jake and Elwood.

The recently discovered video of the 1967 Stax/Volt tour of Norway is worth watching as the M.G.'s act as the house band for some of the biggest stars of soul.

November 23

Enjoy your Black Friday shopping- I hope you get some great deals!

That's where it is!

Remembering the late BETTY EVERETT (November 23, 1939-August 19, 2001)

November 22

Try to smile on your brother and mother and sister as you get together. Jesse Colin Young's 71st birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year.

November 21

Mousketeer down! Bonita Lynn Fields Elder has died of throat cancer at the age of 68. She was on the third season of "The Mickey Mouse Club" in 1957, and went under the name "Bonnie".

Click here to see a part of an episode featuring Bonnie.

November 20

Only in the 1960's could a guy who went to Hebrew school have a Top 5 hit about a friend in Jesus. As NORMAN GREENBAUM turns 70, the "Spirit in the Sky" may be closer than it appears.

Before the ALLMAN BROTHERS shot to superstardom, DUANE ALLMAN was a session player at F.A.M.E. Studios in Muscle Shoals and played on a lot of great records. No disrespect to John, Paul, Geroge and Ringo, but this is my favorite version of "Hey Jude" ever.







NEWS: The BEATLES have been spotted around London.

November 19

I hope you're reading this because you know that "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was around before The Lion King. Before he was in The TOKENS, Hank Medress (11/19/1938-6/18/2007) was in a doo-wop group with NEIL SEDAKA at Brooklyn's Abraham Lincoln High School.












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As SMOKEY ROBINSON was to BERRY GORDY, Pete Moore was to Smokey. Pete (born Warren Moore on November 19, 1939) was the vocal arranger on The MIRACLES hits and co-wrote a few, including "Ooh Baby Baby"












The PENGUINS are almost extinct.

November 18

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive, my friends!

I'll be starting my day with the soundtrack to Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil- a great first look at JOHNNY MERCER's contributions to the Great American Songbook.

Johnny Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976)

November 17

Happy 80th birthday to The FOUR SEASONS' Bob Gaudio.

Bob was just 15 when he wrote "Short Shorts" with The ROYAL TEENS and went on to become a founding member of The FOUR SEASONS and wrote most of their biggest hits; including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Rag Doll", "Walk Like A Man" and "Sherry"- which he wrote in just 15 minutes.

One of the biggest bands in America before The BEATLES, The FOUR SEASONS were one of the few artists to continue to have chart success after the British Invasion.

Gene Clark was born November 17, 1944 and died at just 46 years old in 1991. A co-founder of The BYRDS, Gene wrote the lyrics for many of their early songs including the psychadelic "Eight Miles High"








LIGHTHOUSE is one of those bands that you may not recall, but you will remember the song when you hear it. Bob McBride (17 November 1946 - 20 February 1998) sang on their biggest hit "One Fine Morning".

The clothier to the King

Bernard Lansky has passed away at the age of 85.

ELVIS PRESLEY bought a lot of his clothes from he and his brother Guy at The Lansky Brothers in Memphis.

I think his funeral suit ought to have a pink strip down the side.