Pop Archives - Vinyl Stories

Vinyl Stories Special Edition: Bandstand Dreams – A Conversation with Peggy Waggoner

September 4, 2023

VINYL STORY SPECIAL. Sam Tweedle’s dreams of American Bandstand becomes more tangible when he talks to Bandstand ’67 dancer Peggy Waggoner. A revealing conversation with behind the scenes information on the You Tube videos that have inspired Vinyl Stories and growing up in Los Angeles during one of the most exciting eras in American music.

Mercy – Love (Can Make You Happy) (1969)

August 28, 2023

Was “Love (Can Make You Happy)” by the Tampa, Florida based band Mercy ever a hit? The strange story of an ambitious singer/songwriter, the con man who tried to steal his musical legacy, and a pretty love song that stemmed out of an unlikely film.

Various Artists – Lambada (1989)

August 21, 2023

Journey back to 1989 when an international dance craze was started via French-Brazillian band Kaoma’s hit “Lambada” and the shocking crime which ended lead singer Loalwa Braz’s life. Extra: Just who wrote “Lambada” anyway, and how Kaoma’s success spawned Roberta and Chico – the 1980’s most uncomfortable kid’s act.

Janis Ian – Janis Ian (1967)

July 14, 2023

How a teenage Janis Ian shocked censors by recording her debut hit “Society’s Child.” Extra: Who was the Hollywood asshat who tried to tank her career and the outrageous reason why,

Lesley Gore – Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts (1963)

July 12, 2023

When Lesley Gore made her Billboard debut in 1963 she seemed to be the unlikeliest performer to become an early feminist icon. But after a string of hit singles where she played the role of the victim,, Lesley Gore changed the narrative of girls across America when she to recorded the first feminist anthem of pop music, “You Don’t Own Me.”

The Crew Cuts – Rock and Roll Bash (1956)

June 30, 2023

Although thier sound barely sounds like rock n’ roll by todays standards, in 1954 ,Toronto based vocal group The Crew Cuts drove 600 miles in a snow storm to Cleveland and became the first Canadian group to enter the Billboard charts with their doo wop classic “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream).” A look at Canada’s earliest entry into the pop industry when rock was very young.

Gene Pitney – It Hurts to Be in Love (1964)

June 28, 2023

How Gene Pitney helped give The Rolling Stones thier first American “hit.” The story of “The Girl Belongs to Yesterday.” Extra: The time the Stones and Gene Pitney recorded together. Not for the faint of heart or easily offended.

Gene Pitney – Town Without Pity (1966)

June 26, 2023

Are we living in a time without Pitney? Celebrating the career of 60’s pop singer Gene Pitney. Extra: The story of “Town Without Pity” and “Angelica.”

Sonny and Cher – The Wondrous World of Sonny and Cher (1966)

June 23, 2023

After getting thrown out of a Hollywood restaurant in 1965, a fed up Sono Bono wrote an emotional manifesto titled “Laugh at Me,” which became his only hit record, A look at “Laugh at Me,” Sonny’s fight for respect, and why he allowed the laughter to continue through the 1970’s and beyond. Extra: The lasting legacy of Sonny and Cher, and Chaz Bono’s attempt to reinvent “Laugh at Me” as a transgender anthem.

Sonny and Cher – Look at Us (1965)

June 21, 2023

When Sonny met Cher in 1962, he was a struggling songwriter working as an underdog in Phil Spector’s studio, and she was a teenage runaway with dreams of stardom. Ambitious and in love, the pair spent three years being kicked around the LA scene until 1965, when Inspired by the love that bonded them together, Sonny Bono wrote one of pop musics greatest love songs, “I Got You Babe,” catupultiing them to the top of charts and international stardom. A look at the early days of Sonny and Cher.

Tanya Tucker – Delta Dawn (1972), Bette Midler – The Devine Miss M (1972) and Helen Reddy – Long Hard Climb (1973)

June 19, 2023

The tragic real life story behind the country classic “Delta Dawn,” and how it hit the Billboard charts three times in two years with recordings by three iconic women – Tanya Tucker, Bette Midler and Helen Reddy. Extra: Who passed on “Delta Dawn,” and why?

Bobby Curtola – 12 Golden Hits (1967)

June 16, 2023

When Sam Tweedle met Bobby Curtola in his darkest hour. A haunting memory by a writer who loved the man, but not necessarily his music.

The Original Caste – One Tin Soldier (1969)

June 12, 2023

Before “Billy Jack,” Canadian pop-folk band The Original Caste introduced the world to “One Tin Soldier.” A look at the band, and the origins behind the song that would become one of the most famous anthems of peace.

The Monkees – Then and Now…The Best of the Monkees (1986)

June 2, 2023

In 1986 The Monkees had a resurgernce of popularity on MTV, and at eleven years old Sam Tweedle fell into Monkeemania when discovering them vai a TV commerical. How he fell in love with the Monkees, and the heartbreaking moment he found out not everyone felt the same way.. A personal tribute to Monkee fandom, and how the Monkees became an important, albeit unlikely, gateway band.

The Monkees – The Monkees (1966)

May 31, 2023

Were The Monkees a real band, or four guys who were hired to play a band on TV? For nearly six decades, fans have been arguing with cynics and music snobs over the legitimacy of Davey, Mike, Mickey and Peter who, despite being one of the most successful pop acts in the history of music, have never been able to escape their preassembled origins. A defense of The Monkees and why their music matters.

The Mike Curb Congregation – Sweet Gingerbread Man (1970) and Sammy Davis Jr – Portrait of Sammy Davis Jr. (1972)

May 29, 2023

A look at the early career of ultra-conservative record mogul Mike Curb, his Congregation, and the defining moment Sammy Davis Jr. ran out of “cool.” Extra: Why Eric Burdon went to war with Mike Curb.

Sajid Khan – Sajid! (1969)

May 24, 2023

Remember Sahjid Khan? When India spiritualisim became cool in the 1960’s, teen magazine maven Gloria Stavers jumped on board with her own teen star from the middle east,, keeping him in the hearts of girls all over America. A look at Sajid Khan’s short but groovy career, and the last ditch effort to keep him relevant by cutting a forgotten pop album.

The Sugar Shoppe – The Sugar Shoppe (1968)

May 12, 2023

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how good of a band you are, you just don’t get a hit. The story of Toronto based pop group The Sugar Shoppe – the best “no hit” wonder that you’ve never heard of, and the best Canadian pop album you haven’t listened too.

Tommy Page – Tommy Page (1988) and Tommy Page – Paintings in My Mind (1990)

May 10, 2023

A deep dive into the career of often overlooked 90’s teen idol Tommy Page. Was he ahead of his time, and did his association with the New Kids on the Block help or hinder him? Extra: Was Tommy sending us a musical cry for help before his 2017 suicide?

Dino, Desi and Billy – I’m a Fool (1965)

May 8, 2023

How a wobbly voiced Hollywood garage band got the best of everything, and moved to the top of the charts. Was it nepotisim, or being in the right place at the right time? A deep dive of 60’s pop act Dino, Desi and Billy. Extra: Billy Hinche reveals the real story behind being signed by Frank Sinatra, and D,D & B’s special relationship with The Beach Boys.

Mark Lindsay – Arizona (1969)

May 5, 2023

Sometimes it pays to meet your idols. The time Sam Tweedle had a chance backstage meeting with Paul Revere and the Raiders’ front man Mark Lindsay!

Davy Jones – David Jones (1967 – UK rerelease)

April 26, 2023

The wisdom of Davy Jones. A true life story about the time Sam Tweedle visited with The Monkees’ Davy Jones. Not everyone was wearing pants.

Davy Jones – David Jones (1965)

April 24, 2023

On February 9th, 1964 73 million viewers tuned in to watch The Beatles on TheEd Sullivan Show. But they weren’t the only British pop stars making their American television debut that night as a young Davy Jones watched from the wings.. A look at the early days of Davy Jones’ career from the Artful Dodger to his 1965 pre-Monkees debut album “David Jones.”

David Bowie – Black Tie White Noise (1993)

April 19, 2023

His first solo album in years, David Bowie’s 1993 album “Black Tie/White Noise” got little attention upon it’s original release, but has reemerged as one of Bowie’s most powerful statements about racial conflict and American hate. How the LA riots juxtopossed with his mariage to Iman inspired Bowie to write an overlooked masterpiece which deservesd rediscovering.

Tommy James and the Shondells – I Think We’re Alone Now (1967)

February 24, 2023

How Tommy James and the Shondells’ hit “Mirage” created one man’s obsession for American Bandstand ’67. A loving journey back to a time and a place thast exists only on grainy black and white You Tube videos.

Burt Bacharach – Greatest Hits (1974)

February 9, 2023

Sam Tweedle celebrates the decade spanning career of America’s greatest pop music composer Burt Bacharach through the impossible task of choosing his top 11 Bacharach songs.

Kate Bush – The Sensual World (1989)

August 30, 2022

In 2022 Kate Bush hit the mainstream for the first time when a new generation discovered her via the hit Netflix seriesd “Stranger Things.” Sam Tweedle travels back to 1989 when he disocvered Kate Bush at age fifteen with her album “The Sensual World” and how it changed the way he listened to music forever.

Lights – Pep (2022)

August 9, 2022

That time that Sam Tweedle met Canadian synth-pop singer Lights and fell in love! A snapshot of a future pop superstar at the start of her career in the wake of her latest album “Pep.”

Olivia Newton-John and Electric Light Orchestra – Xanadu (1980)

August 8, 2022

In memory of Olivia Newton-John. That time Sam Tweedle caught “Xanadu Fever,” affecting the peace and tranquility of his home. Just how many times can a man listen to the Xanadu soundtrack?