- Korla Pandit – The Universal Language of Music, Vol. 3 (1969)
Appearing out of seemingly nowhere on the Los Angeles entertainment scene in 1949, organist Korla Pandit was an unlikely local sex symbol who brought the culture and music of India to early television via his KTLA-TV program “Korla Pandit’s Adventures in Music.” Under his jeweled turban, Pandit was a true man of mystery. But, two years after his death in 1998, the mystery of Korla Pandit became even more profound when writer RJ Smith revealed that everything we thought we knew about “The Godfather of Exotica” was a lie, and there never was a Korla Pandit at all! So who was the man in the turban, and what was his connection to a long forgotten boogie woogie pianist named Johnny Redd? A story of how one man reinvented himself to escape racism and oppression in 1950’s America, and the lengths he took to ensure that nobody discovered the true identity of “The Genie of the Keys.”
- Korla Pandit – Music of Hollywood (1962) and Liberace – Liberace Plays Rhapsody in Blue (1966)
During the earliest days of television, two Los Angeles based keyboardists battled it out for ratings and audiences and became two unlikely sex symbols. On KTLA-TV was the mysterious Korla Pandit, the turbaned “Godfather of Exotica” with the hypnotic eyes with a dash of mysticism. On KLAC-TV was Liberace, with his keyboard smile and a chatty warmth who no woman could seem to get to settle down. Both shows were similar, except for the ways they weren’t, creating an often one-sided “winner takes all” feud which has been lost to time. The story of Korla Pandit and how he came to dominate television, and the coming of Liberace and his rise to fame. Two piano men, two cult followings, and two secrets that could dismantle both their careers and public personas forever.
- The Monkees – Christmas Party (2018)
On December 25th, 1967 The Monkees performed the 16th Century Spanish vilancico “Riu Chiu” on the Christmas broadcast of their popular TV show, marking the first and only time they sang live on camera during the series, creating a magical moment beloved by fans. For decades to come, through every movement of their careers, The Monkees have released holiday music although none of it has made it into the popular Christmas soundscape. We explore fifty years of Monkees holiday memories, from the mysterious “Riu Chiu,” to their rare 1976 Christmas single “Christmas is My Time of Year,” through their MTV period and finishing on their only official Christmas project, “Christmas Party.” Decade by decade, Monkee fans have always been able to celebrate Christmas with Davy, Mike, Micky and Peter. Extra: Howard Kaylan and The Christmas Spirit, and producer Chip Douglas, the Santa Claus who keeps giving the gift of Monkee music!
- Jackson Browne – Jackson Browne (aka Saturate Before Using) (1972)
In 1971 singer-songwriter Jackson Browne, not yet famous, was in London for a series of concerts and composing music for what would be his debut album when he met a young widow from California named Salli Sachse. After ten days with her, he wrote one of his most beautiful ballads about their fleeting love affair. Through interview excerpts and personal memories, Sam Tweedle pays tribute to the life and career of model, actress, artist and muse Salli Sachse, the woman behind Jackson Browne’s “Something Fine.”
- Hayley Mills – Let’s Get Together with Hayley Mills (1962)
In 1964 actress Hayley Mills’ mother mortified her when she called up a boy she liked and asked him to take her daughter out on a date. That boy was George Harrison. Hayley’s date with “the quiet Beatle” would be her greatest rock n’ roll adventure, but a few years before The Beatles had even cut their first record, Hayley Mills had her own hit on the Billboard Charts, “Let’s Get Together,” which introduced rock music to Disney movies. How Hayley Mills became the unlikely performer who brought rock n’ roll to Disney's big screens, her “dream date” with George Harrison, and a look at Walt Disney Production’s earliest foray into rock n’ roll. Extra: Darlene Gillespie, Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands, The Sherman Brothers and the recording Disney Productions buried so that Hayley Mills could have a hit.
- Charles Manson – Lie: The Love and Terror Cult (1970)
In 1970 rock n’ roll insider Phil Kaufman received a collect call from the state pen. On the other line was career criminal Charles Manson, awaiting trial for the Tate-LaBianca murders, who had one message for Kaufman – “Get my music out.” The result was the creation of Charles Manson’s only studio album, “Lie: The Love and Terror Cult.” The story of Phil Kaufman, and the role he played in the production and release of one of the most notorious albums ever made, and how the recording sessions may have connected to the crimes that made Charles Manson one of the most notorious villains of the 20th Century. Extra: Is Charles Manson’s music actually good, or do critics have difficulty separating the music from the crimes?
