Category: Pop

Pop

Jimmy Thudpucker – Jimmy Thudpucker’s Greatest Hits (1977)

September 27, 2025

Many fictional characters have released albums, but few are as good as the one released by Jimmy Thudpucker. A character from Gary Trudeau’s award winning and ground breaking newspaper comic strip “Doonesbury,” “Jimmy Thudpucker’s Greatest Hits” was an experiment in hyperreality that crossed a three year period via a novelty single, a critically acclaimed animated feature and a full length album containing some of the best 70’s pop that you’ve never heard. Featuring legendary session musicians of the era,, trying to understand “Jimmy Thudpucker’s Greatest Hits” is like peeling an onion, with layer and layer of surprises opening wormholes from our world to the world of Doonesbury. Extra: Discovering the music of session singer Renee Armand, and….Keith Moon? How did he get on this album?

The Ventures – The Ventures (Play the Batman Theme) (1966)

September 14, 2025

In 1966 comic book superhero Batman and Robin came to television screens in a colorful action-comedy spoof starring Adam West and Burt Ward in the roles of The Dynamic Duo, starting a wave of Bat-Mania throughout the world. An overnight sensation, the program not only had memorable heroes and villains, but one of the most recognizable and beloved television theme songs of all time which quickly became the most recorded song of 1966. A deep dive into the history and the lore of “The Batman Theme,” with special attention to guitar group The Ventures’ 1966 release “The Ventures (Play the Batman Theme).” Bonus: The story of when an eleven year old Sam Tweedle bought his first vintage used record.

Vinyl Stories Interview – Look Up, Charlie Brown: A Conversation with Ben Folds

September 2, 2025

Released as a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the creation of the classic comic strip Peanuts, “Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical” is an all new animated feature starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and all our favorite Peanuts characters, and features three new songs by singer/songwriter Ben Folds. Currently streaming on Apple TV+, its an fun yet emotionally potent special which can be enjoyed by kids discovering Peanuts for the first time, and adults who grew up with the franchise. His second time writing for Peanuts, Ben Folds talks about the process of writing for Charlie Brown, and about continuing Peanuts’ musical legacy.

The Royal Guardsmen – Snoopy vs. The Red Baron (1967)

August 23, 2025

Within five weeks of releasing the hit single “Snoopy vs. The Red Baron” in 1966, high school garage band The Royal Guardsmen were not only selling millions of copies, but also at the top of the Billboard chars and opening for The Beach Boys and The Jefferson Airplane. However, despite overnight success, the group would never be able to climb out of the shadow of Charles Schulz’s famous cartoon beagle, and as the band tried to make it as their own entity, their label, Laurie Records, were putting more faith in the popularity of Snoopy than that of The Royal Guardsmen themselves. The often convoluted history of “Snoopy vs. The Red Baron,” and how Snoopy became both The Royal Guardsmen’s biggest ally and greatest foe. Extra: The surprising “song that got away” in 1969 and the one that probably shouldn’t have ever been recorded in 2006.

Paul Revere and the Raiders – Greatest Hits (1967)

August 2, 2025

Although iconisim seems to have passed them by, between 1966 and 1971 Paul Revere and the Raiders were one of the most prolific bands in America. With a regular spot on ABC-TV’s “Where the Action Is,” coverage in teen magazines and heavy hits like “Just Like Me,” “Hungry” and “Kicks” being part of the popular soundscape, The Raiders seemed to be everywhere. But, at the highest point of their popularity, the group’s entire backline, consisting of Drake Levin, Mike “Smitty” Smith and Phil “Fang” Volk walked away from the group leaving Mark Lindsay and Paul Revere without a band. A look at the history of The Raiders’ first golden era with a focus on Drake, Smitty and Fang including who they were, why they were essential to The Raiders’ success and why they left. Extra: When Drake met Jimi Hendrix, and Paul Revere’s revenge on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Leonard Cohen – The Future (1992)

April 29, 2025

As Montreal singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen went from being a cult favorite to entering the mainstream at the beginning of the 1990’s, he released his 1992 album “The Future,” gaining new fans and sealing his place as part of the modern music industry. Meanwhile, a moody seventeen year old Sam Tweedle sees the video for “Closing Time” broadcast on Much Music, giving him a cultural hero and sending him on a futile quest to achieve Bohemian cool. A look at Leonard Cohen’s reemergence into prominance during the grunge era and the continuing influence of “The Future.”

Bobby Sherman – Bobby Sherman (1969)

April 8, 2025

With his huge smile, bright eyes, perfect hair and dimpled chin, Bobby Sherman achieved success at the dawn of the 1970’s as one of the most iconic teen idols of all time. The story of how a young love sick teenager found a Bobby Sherman record and became a life long fan, and why Bobby Sherman reigns as the King of Bubblegum. Extra: Shindig!, Here Comes the Brides, Getting Together and Bobby’s second career as an LAPD paramedic! Peace, Love and Bobby Sherman forever!

The Buoys – Timothy (1971)

March 18, 2025

In 1971 Pennsylvania based group The Buoys shocked audiences with one of the most garish and strangest songs ever to hit the Billboard Charts – “Timothy.” The mouth watering tale about three men who get trapped in a mine only to have two come out thrilled record buyers with a hunger for the macabre, and became a delicious surprise hit despite being banned from radio stations across North America. But even more suprising was that the song was penned by future “yacht rock” icon Rupert Holmes long before “Pina Coladas” were on the menu. Grab a plate as we serve up the story of “Timothy.” We hope you brought your appetite.

Vinyl Stories Interview – “Now They’re All Here”: Celebrating a Century of The King Family with Cam Clarke

February 24, 2025

Once known as “The First Family of Song,” The King Family have been a part of the entertainment landscape for a century via radio, film, television, vinyl and beyond. Now Cam Clarke, son of The King Sisters’ lead vocalist Alyce King, has written a new book “Now They’re All Here: The King Family” chronicling his family’s entertainment legacy. From the roots of The King Sisters’ career during the Great Depression, to their union with bandleader Alvino Rey, their success on television in the 1960’s and the achievements by the third generation, Cam shares memories and stories featuring his family including The King Sisters, Alvino Rey, The King Cousins and more.

The Four King Cousins – Introducing…The Four King Cousins (1968)

January 27, 2025

Regularly seen on television throughout the 1960’s, The Four King Cousins – Tina, Cathy, Carolyn and Candy – were a legacy group who picked up the mantel of their hit making mothers, The King Sisters. But despite their popularity with audiences, their only North American release, “Introducing…The Four King Cousins,” failed to chart and is a difficult to find album today. A look back at The King Cousins and their special place in pop culture. Extra: A discourse of The Four King Cousins isn’t possible without a look at The King Family and their presence on 60’s television. Get up to speed with some King Family 101.

The Pogues – If I Should Fall From Grace with God (1988)

December 13, 2024

“Fairytale of New York,” by The Pogues has become the favorite Christmas song for people who hate Christmas songs. A duet between lead singer Shane McGowan and singer/songwriter Kirsty MacColl, its equally beloved and controversial for its combative delivery and blunt lyrics. But while her voice has become iconic for her important part in the song, Kirsty MacColl’s story seems to be overlooked by the audiences who play this favorite each year. We look at the life and career of Kirsty MacColl, and the heroic sacrifice that took her life during a Christmas holiday in 2000. Bonus: How Kirsty MacColl helped Tracy Ullman hit the top of the charts!

The Gentrys – Keep On Dancing (1965)

October 2, 2024

In 1965 Memphis based garage band The Gentrys were catipulted to fame with the release of “Keep On Dancing.” One of rock n’ roll’s most enduring party songs, the track would keep generations of music lovers dancing for nearly six decades. A look at the short and fast career of The Gentrys, and the continuing legacy of “Keep on Dancing.” Extra: The Bay City Rollers, Pink Lady and Sam Tweedle meets Jimmy “The Mouth of the South” Hart.

Vinyl Stories Interview – Mercy, Mercy, Mercy: A Conversation with The Buckinghams’ Carl Giammarese

September 15, 2024

Starting in 1967 The Buckinghams had a string of Billboard hits, including “Kind of a Drag,” “Don’t You Care” and “Hey Baby, Thier Playing Our Song” putting Chicago’s colourful and ecclectic music scene on the rock n’ roll map. Today, the music continues as original band members Carl Giammarese and Nick Fotuna keep The Buckinhams legacy going with concerts across North America for audiences still hungry for that specail 1960’s sound. Sam Tweedle and Carl Giammarese discuss all of The Buckinghams original albums and Carl’s 1970’s era partnership with Dennis Tufano, as well as the Chicago music scene and his current music projects.

Scott McKenzie – The Voice of Scott McKenzie (1967)

August 19, 2024

In 1967 reluctant singer Scott McKenzie had one of the biggest hits of the era with “San Fransisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair,” which became both an anthem for the entire “flower power” movement, and inspired thousands of wayward youth to migrate to California. However, despite its success, Scott McKenzie managed to get lost in the shuffle of the Summer of Love. A look at the origins of “San Fransisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” and the voice of Scott McKenzie. Extra: How the Montery Pop Festival gave birth to “San Fransisco,” and Scott McKenzie’s life long friendship with “Papa” John Phillips.

Cass Elliot – Bubble Gum, Lemonade and Something for Mama (1969)

August 14, 2024

In 1969 Cass Elliot went bubblegum and for the first time since leaving the Mamas and the Papas, became a Top 40 Billboard hitmaker. However, despite her success in this genre, it was not a direction she desired to go into. Why was Cass Rlliot forced to go into bubblegum music, and how did she make it work? The story of “Make Your Own Kind of Music” and “Getrting Better,”: and the final phase of Cass Elliot’s career.

Cass Elliot – Dream a Little Dream (1968)

August 3, 2024

After the break up of The Mamas and the Papas, Cass Elliot rose to the top as the breakout member of the pop favorite, especially after the surprise success of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” in the summer of ’68. Teamed up with superstar producer John Simon for her solo debut, Cass sought to create an authentic version of herself and harness the brand of music that was coming out of her Laurel Canyon community. However, marketing issues and expectations with her record label and a disastrous Caesar’s Palace performance would nearly tank her solo career before it even began. The story of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” and the missteps during the first year of Cass Elliot’s move to being a solo performer..

The Mugwumps – The Mugwumps (1967)

July 25, 2024

Immortalized with their mention in the hit song “Creeque Alley,” more people have heard of The Mugwumps than have actually heard thier music. In 1964 Denny Doherty, Zal Yanovsky, Cass Elliott and Jim Hendricks, four musicians from recently defunct folk bands, joined forces to become The Mugwumps. In five short months they would form, record an album, have John Sebastian join the group and then break up before going their separate ways to super stardom. A look at the short but important life of one of the 1960’s best curiosities.

Cilla Black – Is It Love? (1965)

May 5, 2024

When Cilla Black’s first US LP, “Is it Love?” was dropped on American soil, it claimed that the British songstress was “England’s Most Popular Solo Singer.” However, unlike many of the other women to come out of the British Invasion, Cilla never hit big in America. But there was two things that she had that the other girls didn’t have – the backing of The Beatles, and the genius of Brian Epstein. A look at Cilla’s place on the Merseybeat scene, her relationship with The Fab Four, the stories behind her biggest hits and the final gift that Brian Epstein left her which turned her into a UK entertainment legend. Extra: Cilla Black’s rivalry with DIonne Warwick!

Vinyl Stories Interview – Killing Us Softly with His Songs: A Conversation with Charles Fox

April 2, 2024

In conjunction with the new documentary “Killing Us Softly with His Songs,” Sam Tweedle talks with composer Charles Fox about his unique life in music. Although he has worked in the fields of jazz, classical, opera, film scores and pop music, Charles Fox has made his unique mark on pop culture by co-writing some of the most iconic television theme songs of all time. From the streets of the Bronx to the conservatories of Paris, the Hollywood Hills to the music halls of Cuba, Charles Fox discusses some of the music which has become an important part of our lives.

The Partridge Family – Sound Magazine (1971)

February 25, 2024

In 2015 Sam Tweedle found long lost fan letter to teen idol David Cassidy from a young girl named Monica. Offering an insight into the real anxieties and thoughts of a young teen fan, Sam shares the letter over fifty years after it was originally written. Bonus: Tiger Beat and 16 Magazine’s battle over David Cassidy coverage, David’s best friend Sam Hyman, that time Laurie got braces, and how YOU can win one of David’s puppies!

The Partridge Family – The Partridge Family Album (1970)

February 1, 2024

Everybody remembers David Cassidy as the lead singer of The Partridge Family, but who were the other members of the group? A deep dive into The Ron Hicklin Singers – the most famous uncredited singing group of all time. From Gary Lewis and the Playboys to The Monkees and far beyond, the Ron Hicklin Singers created a sound of an entire generation through television, film, radio and commercials, defining the signature sound of the 1960’s and 1970’s pop industry.

Melanie – Candles in the Rain (1970)

January 24, 2024

This week we said goodbye to the Little Sister of the Sun, Melanie Safka. Sam Tweedle revisits his 2012 interview as Melanie talks about the events that inspired her first Billboard hit “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).” From her unlikely debut on the Woodstock stage, the collaboration with the Edwin Hawkins Singers that nearly didn’t happen, and the night that the song saved a platoon of men in Viet Nam, Melanie tells the story of “Lay Down” in her own words.

The Love Generation – The Love Generation (1967), A Generation of Love (1968) and Montage (1968)

January 22, 2024

Made up of hand selected session singers from the 1960’s music scene, The Love Generation was brothers Tom and John Bahler’s attempt to break out in front as a pop act. However, despite some of the best vocal arrangements and harmonies ever recorded in pop music, the band seemed to out of touch for the modern record buyer. Ignored at the time, the Bahler Brothers introduced a sound through The Love Generation that would become recognizable in years to come via their work with major bubblegum acts through the early 1970’s. IThe Love Generation is a band that needs to be rediscovered by autophiles, fans of retro 60’s sounds and bubblegum pop music.

Frank Sinatra – The World We Knew (1967)

October 5, 2023

In 1967 Frank and Nancy SInatra scored an unlikely hit with “Somethin’ Stupid,” becoming the only father/daughter team to ever reach #1 on the charts. A look at the unique bond between Frank and Nancy, and the historical, albeit it problematic, legacy of the song they recorded together. Extra: In 1998 Sam Tweedle says goodbye to his hero. A look back at the death of Frank Sinatra, and the gift that the Sinatra Family gave to his fans,.

Nancy Sinatra – Boots: Nancy Sinatra’s All-Time Hits (1986)

September 28, 2023

Despite being remembered as one of the most iconic pop singers of the 1960’s, during her early days in showbusiness Nancy Sinatra was a hard sell. After struggling for years to find a hit, in 1965 Nancy was nearly dropped from Capitol Records roster despite her father being the boss of Reprise Records. Enter a new producer, a new attitude and “So Long, Babe” – the forgotten hit that saved Nancy Sinatra from obscurity. A look at the pitfalls of Nancy Sinatra’s early years in pop music.

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.