Edd Byrnes – Kookie (1959)

In 1959 television heart throb Edd Byrnes, better known as Kookie, the hip talking car hop on the hit TV series “77 Sunset Strip” teamed up with Connie Stevens to record the memorable novelty song “Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb),” producing a surprise Billboard hit and an entire album dedicated to Kookie. But how many Kookie songs did the world actually need? A look at the career of Edd Byrnes, and how his character Kookie continues to shape our modern culture. Extra: Edd Byrnes’ musical collaborators including Joanie Sommers, Bob Denver, Pat Boone, Sha Na Na and….Anthrax? It’s the ginchiest!

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

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)

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 Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and Peanuts Greatest Hits (2015)

As one of the most acclaimed and beloved Christmas albums of all time, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi mixed childlike wonder and post modern sophistication together for his soundtrack of the classic holiday special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” A look at the special relationship between Vince Guaraldi and the world of Charles Schulz’ “Peanuts,” and how he created the perfect soundscape, as well as modern holiday classics, for Charlie Brown, Snoopy and all their friends. Extra: “Cast Your Fate to the Wind,” “Linus and Lucy,” “Little Birdie” and the problematic “Christmastime is Here” sessions.

David Seville and The Chipmunks – Let’s All Sing with the Chipmunks (1959) and Christmas with the Chipmunks (1962)

Anyone who ever owned an album by Alvin and the Chipmunks remembers their manager/producer David Seville, but who was Ross Bagdasarian? The man behind one of the most enduring musical franchises of all time, Bagdasarian had a massive year in 1958 when he had two back to back number one Billboard hits – “The Witch Doctor” and “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” and unleashed Alvin, Simon and Theodore on an unsuspecting public for the first time! A look at the continuing legacy of “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” and The Chipmunks’ rise to fame! Extra: The Christmas that The Chipmunks teamed up with Canned Heat!

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

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)

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!

Robert Johnson – King of the Delta Blues Singers Vol. II (1970)

In the 1930’s blues man Robert Johnson travelled through the Mississippi Delta playing juke joints for tips and drinks. Unknown during his lifetime, in death he would become known as the greatest blues man that ever lived. But legend has it that Johnson made a deadly deal with the devil at a crossroads at midnight to gain his mastery of blues guitar, and months before he would have found fame, the devil came for his payment. A look at Robert Johnson’s deal with the devil, and its surprisingly legacy which continues today.

Various Artists – Nadia’s Theme (The Young and the Restless) (1976)

Whether you know it as the theme song to “The Young and the Restless,” “Nadia’s Theme” or “Cotton’s Dream,” Perry Botkin Jr and Barry De Vorsan’s composition has become one of the most recognizable instrumentals of the 20th Century. A deep dive into the song’s many incarnations and lives from “Bless the Beasts and the Children,” to the 1978 Olympics to….David Hasselhoff?? Extra: Who were The Sounds of Sunshine, and why did they successfully sue The Dead Kennedys?