As a customer, all I ask is that you do your job right the first time. If I have to call you more than twice, you will be speaking to “Angry Keith.” Honestly, I feel bad for the “smiling customer care representative” who answers my call.
We’ve used the same physical therapy place for both of our kids. With each one, they have messed up the billing. My insurance is the primary, Sam’s is the secondary. When we call about a bill they either don’t have both insurances or they bill the wrong one. The call always goes the same way – they ask for all the insurance information and say that they will correct the problem.
We received a fourth or fifth bill for my daughter this week. It was for over $2100. They still have not billed it right. So, today I called from work on my break. I explain the situation once again to the lady who answered the phone. She puts me on hold to look at the case. When she returns, she tells me once again that the primary insurance is out of state or out of network, so that is why they billed the secondary and why the secondary only covered part of it.
What this poor soul does not know is that I called my insurance company before I called her. I had them look for any attempts for the therapy place to bill them. The statement is for therapy sessions dating back to November of last year. Surprise, the insurance company says that the only bill that they received was in April of this year. It was covered and all we owed was the co-pay. That is what was supposed to happen with all of the other visits.
I asked the lady at the therapy place if they had billed all of the dates on the statement to my insurance. She says that they did and some claim committee (whatever that is) reviewed this and said that my insurance was out of state/network and that is why they told them to bill the secondary. At this point I kind of lose it.
I tell the woman on the phone that I talked to my insurance company and they never were billed until April. I said that I wanted to speak with someone on this “committee.” She told me, “I’m sorry, sir, but they don’t speak with customers and we can only communicate with them through e-mail.”
“Of course,” I said, “Because they certainly don’t want to speak with a customer like me. They don’t want to admit their mistake, their lie, and have to actually pay for the service that IS COVERED!”
I said a few other choice words, but said, “I need to to e-mail those bigshots on the committee and tell them to rebill those dates of service to the primary insurance, who stated that they have covered the first and only bill they have received from you. You can also tell them that if this isn’t rectified, I will go up the ladder – even if I have to e-mail them!”
If I had a dollar for every time the woman said “I’m sorry,” “I understand your frustration,” or “I will get this taken care of,” I could pay off the bill!
The kicker? After listening to me rant for what seemed like 20 minutes, she then says, “Is there anything else I can help you with, today?” Seriously?!? You didn’t help me with anything today! Even if I had another problem, I wouldn’t ask you to help me with it.
One thing I hate about working second shift is I lose Friday nights. One thing that was a very common thing for us to do on Friday nights when we first moved up to the area was go to the local hockey game.
We moved up to the Flint area in about 1999. There was a minor league hockey team called the Flint Generals. Watching these guys was an absolute blast. There was no bad seat in the arena. These guys would be hitting the glass right in front of you.
Our station used to sponsor games there. We gave away tickets all the time. It was a cheap night of fun. At some point, and I don’t remember exactly what the details of it were, team was disbanded. This left the town without a hockey team.
Now today we have a very successful hockey team called The Flint Firebirds. It’s very similar to the hockey that we watched when the Generals were around. Up north in Saginaw, they have the Saginaw Spirit and they’re kind of our rivals. The team actually plays pretty well, however the tickets aren’t as cheap as that used to be and neither is the concessions. It’s been a while since I’ve been to a game.
I tell you all of that, to tell you this. In between the Firebirds and the Generals, there was a short-lived team. This team was the Michigan Warriors. It was in a league that was lower than the other two teams, and it was mainly college kids playing. You might see a fight now and then, but it wasn’t as often as the other two teams. It still made for a good night out.
When the news broke that there was another hockey team coming to town, they had a contest or something who name the mascot. The mascot was a skeleton and that went right along with the logo of the team. Eventually, they called the mascot Skully. My kids absolutely loved him.
Whoever they had inside that suit was just absolutely fantastic with people. I really miss those games.
Somewhere in my basement, is my Michigan warriors jersey, which probably won’t fit me anymore!
I mentioned yesterday that an MSN article listed some 1960’s Pop Songs that they felt needed to be retired. I didn’t say much about how I felt, as I wanted to see what my musical friends had to say. So here is a look again at the songs and why they felt they should be retired, followed by my two cents.
Let’s first talk about the word “retire.” I am guessing from the tone of the article that retire means to “go away for ever.” Isn’t that a bit harsh? I think so. Each of these songs (like it or not) may be someone’s favorite song.
While working in oldies radio, we used to have features that would pull out a song you don’t hear all the time and play it. Sometimes, we’d call it a “Forgotten Favorite” or a “song from the Music Museum.” The idea is to play a song that makes the listener go, “Wow, I remember this one,” “I haven’t heard this in forever,” or simply “Oh, wow!” One consultant I worked with used to call them “Oh Wow Songs.”
When radio “tested” songs, the audience is sat in an auditorium. They are played anywhere from 500-800 song clips. Each clip is usually 15 seconds long. They call those “hooks.” Ideally, it is the most recognizable part of the song. After they hear it, they are asked if they 1) liked the song, 2) disliked the song, 3) heard it too much, 4) didn’t hear it enough, or 5) don’t care either way.
The answers from that music test is then calculated and decisions are made about where it should be on the play list. If a song that is in a hot rotation is said to be played too much, the station would probably back off on the number of times it is played. If it was something they wanted to hear more of, they might spin it a few more times.
With all of that in mind, Let’s look at the songs again:
Sugar Sugar – The Archies
MSN: “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies is a quintessential bubblegum pop tune that dominated the airwaves in the late ’60s. With its catchy chorus and playful melody, it quickly became a favorite among young audiences. Despite its charm, the song’s simplistic lyrics and repetitive tune can feel overly sweet, much like its title.
As a product of its time, the song was emblematic of the manufactured pop sound that appealed to a broad audience. Yet today, its perpetual presence in commercials and retro playlists has led to listener fatigue.
Keith: I’d like to know how they know that the listener is “fatigued” by this song. Was the song “tested?” Did they gather a bunch of people in an auditorium and actually let the listeners voice an opinion? I highly doubt it. It is a pretty bold statement to say people are tired of a song.
Bubblegum or not, the song is still being used in movies, commercials, and is a familiar favorite to radio listeners. Familiar is often what gets better ratings.
Green Tambourine – Lemon Pipers
MSN: The Lemon Pipers’ “Green Tambourine” captures the essence of the psychedelic era with its vivid imagery and whimsical sound. The song invites listeners into a world of colorful imagination, driven by its distinctive tambourine rhythm.
Despite its initial success, the song’s psychedelic charm feels dated, often overshadowed by more timeless tracks from the era. Its vivid imagery, once enchanting, now appears somewhat kitschy.
“Green Tambourine” was one of the first bubblegum pop songs to hit number one, symbolizing the fleeting nature of the genre’s appeal.
Keith: FYI – Kitschy means considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way. Thanks for using big words here MSN.
Does it sounded dated? Maybe, but no more dated that Magic Carpet Ride or any other “Psychedelic” song from that time. Does the “sound” of a song dictate whether or not it should be played? Let’s face it, if that was the case, we’d never hear disco or 80’s music. Talk about dated!
Personally, I don’t care for the song. That doesn’t mean that it should be retired.
In the Year 2525 – Zager and Evans
MSN: Zager and Evans’ “In the Year 2525” paints a dystopian future, capturing the anxieties of the late 1960s. The song’s lyrics take listeners on a speculative journey through time, each verse exploring the consequences of technological advancement.
While impactful during its time, its heavy-handed delivery and bleak outlook haven’t aged well. The song’s prophecy-driven narrative feels out of place in today’s music landscape, where optimism often takes center stage.
Keith: It seems to me that “today’s music landscape” is centered in drugs, sex, and profanity, so I’m not even sure that is a worthy comparison. Does “Give Peace a Chance” by John Lennon need to go away, too? “Gimme Shelter” by the Stones? Seems to me that there are plenty of songs that paint a grim future…
Cherish – The Association
MSN: “Cherish” by The Association is a ballad that epitomizes the romantic spirit of the 1960s. Its gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics made it a favorite for couples and weddings.
However, the song’s overtly sentimental tone can feel cloying to modern ears. While it speaks to eternal love, its earnestness may seem exaggerated today, overshadowing its lyrical beauty.
Keith: “Cloying” means excessively sweet, rich, or sentimental, especially to a disgusting or sickening degree. Apparently, wanting to express your love to someone in song is annoying to “modern ears.”
Maybe that is what’s wrong with the world today. Maybe people feel that this kind of feeling is impossible to experience? Perhaps there is more lust in the world than love? I go back to another “cloying” song – What the world needs now – is love!
Little Children – Billy J Kramer
MSN: “Little Children” by Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas tells a playful yet subtly unsettling story through its lyrics. The song’s narrative involves coaxing children to keep secrets, wrapped in a catchy melody that belies its unusual theme.
While musically engaging, the lyrics raise eyebrows today, as the playful intent can be misinterpreted. Its charm lies in its ability to create vivid imagery, though its content doesn’t resonate well with contemporary audiences.
Keith: In the past, I have been guilty of buying something and telling the kids, “Don’t tell mom.” I know that the article is trying to take this to an entirely new (and all to common today) level. I’m sure that was not the intention. It was like the “Baby It’s Cold Outside” fiasco a few years ago. “Let’s make the song say something that it wasn’t intended to say!”
I don’t hear the song enough for it to be a big deal. Honestly, in today’s music, there are far more disgusting and immoral things being sung about.
MacArthur Park – Richard Harris
MSN: Richard Harris’s “MacArthur Park” is an epic ballad known for its abstract lyrics and grand orchestration. The song’s vivid, though puzzling, imagery of a cake left in the rain has intrigued listeners for decades.
Despite its ambitious nature, the song’s dramatic delivery and length can feel overwhelming, often sparking debate among music enthusiasts. Its metaphorical complexity leaves some listeners puzzled rather than enchanted.
Keith: I never cared for this song. To me, it was a long song that I could play when I needed to use the restroom. Incidentally, I’d like to flush this song down a toilet. But, that is MY subjective opinion.
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da – The Beatles
MSN: The Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” is a track that divides fans and critics alike. Its upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics tell the simple story of Desmond and Molly Jones, painting a picture of everyday life.
Despite its playful nature, even within The Beatles, the song has drawn mixed reactions. Some band members themselves were not fond of it, and its repetitive chorus can feel tiresome.
Keith: Proof that music is subjective. Some of the Beatles themselves didn’t care for it. Does that mean retire it? Oh, and as far as the “repetitive chorus,” do they even know what a chorus is? It is literally defined: a part of a song that is repeated after each verse, typically by more than one singer.
I can think of countless songs where the chorus is repeated over and over. Many times, the chorus of the song is all the listeners know!
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – Righteous Brothers
MSN: The Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” is a soulful anthem of love and longing. Its powerful vocals and lush orchestration have made it a staple in romantic playlists.
However, the song has been covered so extensively that its impact can feel diluted. While its emotional depth remains intact, listener fatigue is inevitable due to its pervasive presence across media.
Keith: I divert to Turntable Talker, Randy here. I don’t know how many covers there have been, but they aren’t all being played on the radio. Certainly not enough to cause “listener fatigue.”
The song is a classic.
Eve of Destruction – Barry McGuire
MSN: Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction” is a protest song that captures the tumultuous spirit of the 1960s. Its urgent lyrics and raw delivery reflect the era’s social and political unrest.
While it resonated with audiences during its release, the song’s heavy-handed approach can feel outdated today. Its message, though powerful, lacks the nuance appreciated in contemporary protest music.
Keith: What exactly is the “nuance” that is appreciated in contemporary protest music? To me, this is a BS line to diss on the song.
Personally, it is one of the songs I hated to play. I never liked it, but I understood the message and how important it was for the time that is was released.
Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations
MSN: The Foundations’ “Build Me Up Buttercup” is a buoyant track that has become synonymous with feel-good nostalgia. Its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus have made it a perennial favorite at parties and karaoke nights.
While undeniably infectious, the song’s constant rotation can lead to listener fatigue. Its simplistic lyrics, once endearing, may now seem repetitive.
Keith: Thanks to the movie, There’s Something About Mary, this song gained more popularity in 1998. I believe that there was an earlier movie that also featured the song in the early 90’s that did as well, but I cannot think of what it was. Anyway, I can tell you that I played the snot out of this at parties and people danced!
It is not my favorite song, and yes it is repetitive. I wouldn’t mind hearing it every so often, not every day though.
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
MSN: Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” is a timeless classic that captures the essence of youthful romance. Its infectious melody and lively beat have made it a favorite across generations.
However, its overplay has led some listeners to seek fresh alternatives, despite its enduring charm. The song’s universal appeal is both a blessing and a curse, contributing to its overexposure.
Keith: Again, if music testing was done, and it truly was played too much, there is a way to fix it. Play it less. A lighter rotation on the radio will make it sound even better when you DO hear it. Imagine not hearing it for a month and then finally hearing it – it will have that “Oh Wow” factor.
I don’t feel that this should ever go away forever.
The Ballad of the Green Berets – Sgt. Barry Sadler
MSN: Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler’s “The Ballad of the Green Berets” is a patriotic anthem that reflects the valor and sacrifice of soldiers. Its martial beat and stirring lyrics resonated deeply during the Vietnam War era.
Yet, in today’s context, the song’s straightforward patriotism may not strike the same chord. While honoring bravery, its style feels dated to modern sensibilities.
Keith: My dad is a veteran. I have many veteran friends. I constantly walk up to people with Veteran hats and thank them for their service. I love veterans and all that they have done for our country. They are heroes. I say all of that, because I don’t want you to take this the wrong way. I never liked this song. I’m not sure why.
I think that it could be appropriate to play around Veteran’s Day or Memorial Day, but that is it. It is just not a song that I feel should be in a regular rotation. There are plenty of other patriotic songs, most of which only come out for those special days mentioned above. Those songs may or may not feel out of place when heard on a normal day.
I’m trying not to let my personal feelings for the song sway me and my thoughts. I hope that it came across that way.
Yummy Yummy Yummy – Ohio Express
MSN: Ohio Express’s “Yummy Yummy Yummy” epitomizes the bubblegum pop genre with its sugary-sweet lyrics and catchy melody. The song’s playful repetition of “I got love in my tummy” made it an instant hit among teens.
However, its simplistic nature can feel overly kitsch, thus losing its novelty over time. The song’s enduring presence in retro playlists might not appeal to those seeking depth.
Keith: To me, this is a novelty song. Novelty songs are rarely on a regular playlist. I don’t think I ever played this when it wasn’t part of a themed weekend or a countdown show. I also don’t think I have ever seen it on a “retro playlist.” I also highly doubt that anyone “seeking depth” is going to grab an Ohio Express album.
Conclusion
Much of MSN’s “reasoning” for retiring these songs is flimsy. Honestly, the piece sounded like it was written by a guy who just hates these songs. Despite trying hard to make the reasons sound grounded in facts, they are not.
Music, like many other things, is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. How many times a song is played is based on your perception. I could play a song you love and a song you hate the same amount of times in a day. The song you love you are not hearing enough, while the song you hate you are hearing too much.
I realize that all of these types of lists are subjective, and I will take it that way. I appreciate your thoughts!
I post this for all of my readers, but for my musical readers especially. Let me have your honest opinion.
While surfing MSN the other day, I came across an article entitled “1960’s Pop Songs That Should Be Permanently Retired.” I agree with some of these, and I’m sure you can guess which ones. On the other hand there are a couple I actually like.
So here is the list. No commentary. What are your thoughts? I will post my own comments in an upcoming blog.
1960’s Pop Songs That Should Be Permanently Retired (From MSN.com)
Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
Green Tambourine – Lemon Pipers
In The Year 2525 – Zager and Evans
Cherish – The Association
Little Children – Billy J. Kramer
MacArthur Park – Richard Harris
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La Da – The Beatles
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – Righteous Brothers
Eve of Destruction – Barry McGuire
Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
The Ballad of the Green Berets – Sgt. Barry Sadler
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy – Ohio Express
There were a couple others on the list that were more late 1950’s, so I opted to not share those.
So, what do you think? Do you agree? Are there songs that should be on this list that aren’t? I’d love to hear your comments.
There are plenty of “musical” birthdays that I could have tied into Tune Tuesday today. Billy Eckstine (1914), Jerry Vale (1931), Steve Lawrence (1935), Toby Keith (1961) and Joan Osborne (1962) were all born on this day. However, I decided not to pick any of them.
Instead, I wanted to feature one of the early influencers of Rock and Roll. As a matter of fact, he is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His music would not be considered Rock and Roll, but his “jump blues” and “rhythm and blues” sound certainly influenced many of those rock pioneers. I am talking about the amazing Louis Jordan.
Louis Jordan was born on this day in 1908. He was a saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Among his nicknames were “The King of the Jukebox,” “The Father of Rhythm and Blues,” and “The Grandfather of Rock and Roll.”
According to Wiki, “Jordan began his career in big band swing jazz in the 1930s.” He came to the public’s attention while he played in Chick Webb’s hard swinging band. As his career continued, he became better known as an “innovative popularizer of jump blues—a swinging, up-tempo, dance-oriented hybrid of jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie. Typically performed by smaller bands consisting of five or six players, jump music “featured shouted, highly syncopated vocals and earthy, comedic lyrics on contemporary urban themes. It strongly emphasized the rhythm section of piano, bass and drums; after the mid-1940s, this mix was often augmented by electric guitar.”
Louis Jordan, ca. 1950.
From 1942 to 1951, Jordan had 59 songs that charted! On the R&B charts, of those 59 songs the lowest charting song rose to #14. According to Joel Whitburn’s analysis of the Billboard magazine charts, Jordan ranks fifth among the most successful musicians of the period 1942–1995!
I’m staring at a list of his songs and it is hard to choose just one to feature. Memorable songs from Louis include: Five Guys Named Moe, Let the Good Times Roll, Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby, Knock Me a Kiss, Beware, Caldonia, Open the Door Richard, and G.I. Jive. His songs were even referenced in cartoons. One example is Tom the Cat singing Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby in a Tom & Jerry cartoon. Another is from a Bugs Bunny/Yosemite Sam cartoon where Sam is banging on a door and says, “Open the door!” He pauses, breaks the fourth wall by looking at the viewer and says, “Notice I didn’t say, ‘Richard?'”
Louis Jordan and His Tympani Five
Here are a couple of my top Louis Jordan songs. First, a little boogie-woogie with Choo Choo Ch’Boogie:
My buddy used the chorus of this song as his answering machine outgoing message. There Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens:
My best friend, Jeff, and I always laugh at this next one. Give it a listen all the way through once, and then go back and listen to it again and focus on the vocals by the Tympany Five in the back ground. Here is Beans and Cornbread:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame say that my final Louis Jordan pick is an “early example of rap.” I can totally see where they might thing that. It is one of those great “story” songs. From 1950, here is a Saturday Night Fish Fry:
Nine notes. Nine notes that are still recognizable today. Broken into two parts – 4 notes, then 5 notes. “Dum da dum dum” (Pause) “Dum da dum dum da.” Those notes were immediately followed by a stern narrator who informed listeners, “Ladies and gentlemen. The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.”
On this day in 1949, Jack Webb debuted on radio as Sergeant Joe Friday in Dragnet. He created and produced the show as well. Wiki states that “Dragnet is perhaps the most famous and influential police procedural crime drama in American media history. Webb’s aims in Dragnet were for unpretentious acting and a realistic depiction of policing. The series portrayed police work as dangerous and heroic, and helped shape public perception of law enforcement in the 20th century, improving the public’s opinion of police officers.”
The radio show was so popular that it made the transition to television. It ran on NBC from 1951 to 1959. NBC brought the show back to television from 1967 to 1970. It first appeared as a feature film in 1954. It became the first theatrical film to be based on a TV show.
Check out this trailer!
A TV movie was produced in 1966 with the intention of it launching the return of the show to TV. It didn’t air until 1969 for some reason. The final film version made Dragnet a comedy starring Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks.
Wiki says “The film contrasted the terse, clipped character of Friday, a hero from an earlier age, with the “real world” of Los Angeles in 1987 to broad comedic effect. Apart from Aykroyd’s spot-on imitation of Webb’s Joe Friday and Harry Morgan reprising his role of Bill Gannon (now Captain), the film version has few similarities with previous incarnations. This Dragnet parody was a hit with audiences.”
Dragnet was no stranger to parodies. It was parodied by Looney Tunes, Woody Woodpecker, Sesame Street, The Three Stooges, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and a series of audio parodies by Stan Freberg. Jack Webb loaned Stan the actual band/orchestra he used on radio for his parodies.
As I mentioned, the theme is instantly recognized today. For the 1987 film, producers got the British band The Art of Noise to perform it. The them is actually two songs merged together. The opening is entitled Danger Ahead, and what follows is the Dragnet March. The Art of Noise version is very …. 80’s.
The first “hit version” was done by Ray Anthony and His Orchestra in 1953. It starts very familiar and gets a bit “jazzy.”
And to start your Monday with a laugh or two, here are a couple of Stan Freberg’s Dragnet parodies. Notice how the music “stabs” were used to enhance the story, just like on the radio.
As the holiday weekend draws to a close, I hope you got the chance to enjoy it. We certainly enjoyed it, though it was toned down from previous years.
We didn’t have the entire family with us this year. Some of the family was sick and some were invited elsewhere or had something else going on. We tossed a few burgers and dogs on the grill and enjoyed a bonfire.
It’s been awhile since we have been able to enjoy a bonfire, so this was really nice.
The fireflies were plentiful and beautiful that night. Ella and Andrew loved catching them.
They had a little Tupperware container they were trying to put them in, but I think the lid wasn’t on right. Every time they came back to drop one in, the others were gone.
Sam bought us all matching shirts to wear. July is National Hot Dog Month, and she’s been thinking a lot about her sister Grace who passed away. The shirts have Mickey Mouse on them and say Hot Diggity Dog on them. Grace loved Mickey Mouse.
We were missing some of the cousins, but quite a few were with us and they had a blast.
We get to watch the fireworks right from our backyard every year. This year they were not too bad. They had some new ones, but I felt other years were better. For what it is worth, the town raises ,money every year to do them. Maybe they were short on donations this year. You still can’t beat a decent show…
Oh, and incidentally, I was able to get my yearly flag photos. Six Fourths of July for Ella and four for Andrew.
Dave at A Sound Day just wrapped up his monthly feature Turntable Talk. It was an interesting topic this time around and there were a lot of surprises as to who everyone chose to write about. This was my entry to the feature, which originally posted on Dave’s site on Monday:
It is time once again for Dave’s feature Turntable Talk. Dave features this every month on his site A Sound Day. This is the 39th edition, and he continues to come up with fantastic topics. This month is a fun one: Bands? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Bands! Dave’s instructions were simple: This time around, we’re looking for artists who left popular bands to go solo and did well (either commercially or else in your own critical assessment.)
I am sure that I did exactly what the other participants did when the topic was presented – I Googled. I was actually surprised at just how many artists moved from a group to become a solo artist. Off the top of my head I can list Diana Ross, Sting, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, Gwen Stefani, Ricky Martin, Peter Gabriel, Rob Thomas, Steve Perry, Lou Gramm, and Justin Timberlake. There are SO many.
In all honesty, I had my choice almost immediately. However, as I began to write about him, there was another artist connected with him that became more interesting to me. It was an artist who had solo success for a short time, and then a sad ending.
If I mention The Drifters I am sure you can name a few of their big hits. Under The Boardwalk, This Magic Moment, and Up On The Roof are just some of them. The Drifters were formed by my choice artist in 1953. His name was Clyde McPhatter. Let’s go back a couple years to see how it all came together.
Like many artists, Clyde McPhatter began singing in the church choir at his father’s church. In 1950, he was working at a grocery store. He entered the Amateur Night contest at Harlem’s Apollo Theater – and won! Afterward, he went back to working in the store.
One Sunday, Billy Ward of Billy Ward and the Dominoes heard Clyde singing in the choir of Holiness Baptist Church of New York City. He was immediately recruited to join the group. Clyde was there for the recording of their hit “Sixty Minute Man,” which was a number one song on the R&B chart for 14 weeks in 1951.
My original pick for this round was Jackie Wilson. Jackie was hired by Billy Ward in 1953 to join The Dominoes. That same year, Clyde left the group. He coached Wilson while they were out touring together. Wilson would leave in 1957. Apparently, Ward was not pleasant to work with. Wilson said, “Billy Ward was not an easy man to work for. He played piano and organ, could arrange, and he was a fine director and coach. He knew what he wanted, and you had to give it to him. And he was a strict disciplinarian. You better believe it! You paid a fine if you stepped out of line.”
Atlantic Records saw a Dominoes show and noticed that Clyde was not with the group, so they searched for him, found him and wanted to sign him to a record deal. Clyde agreed to sign on one condition – they allow him to form his own group. That group was the Drifters. While known as Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters, they released songs like Money Honey.
Elvis Presley covered Money Honey in 1956. In researching for this piece I was surprised to find that McPhatter and the Drifters did the original of another Elvis hit – Such a Night.
In late 1954, McPhatter was inducted into the U.S. Army. He assigned to Special Services in the continental United States. This allowed him to continue recording. After his tour of duty, he left the Drifters and launched a solo career. The Drifters continued as a successful group, but with many changes in personnel, and the group assembled by McPhatter was long gone by the time their greatest successes were released after he left the group.
It would take two years, but Clyde would finally get his first solo #1 R&B hit when he released “Treasure of Love” in 1956. It would top out at #16 on the US Pop Chart. I love his vocal on this one.
His biggest solo hit would come in 1958 when he recorded and released a song written by Brook Benton. A Lover’s Question would reach #6 on the Pop Chart. If I had to pick my favorite Clyde song, it would be this one. There is so much to love about this song. That acapella bass line being sung throughout the song is very catchy.
McPhatter would leave Atlantic Records and bounce from label to label recording many songs, but not having much success. His last top ten record would come in 1962 with a song written by Billy Swan. Lover Please was first recorded by the Rhythm Steppers in 1960. It was the title track from Clyde’s 1962 album of the same name. It would reach #7 on the Pop Chart.
Clyde did manage to have a top 30 hit in 1964 with “Crying Won’t Help You Now,” but when it fell of the chart, he turned to alcohol for comfort. He would record every so often, but nothing ever really did well on the charts. He always had a decent following in the UK, so in 1968 he moved to England.
He wouldn’t return to the US until 1970. Outside of performing on a few Rock and Roll Revival shows, he lived a very private and reclusive life. In 1972, Decca Records signed him and they were planning a a big comeback. That never materialized as Clyde passed away on June 13, 1972 of complications from liver, heart and kidney disease. This was brought on by his alcohol abuse years earlier. He was only 39 years old.
His legacy consists of over 22 years of recording history. Clyde was the first artist to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first as a solo artist and later as a member of the Drifters.
In 1993, Clyde was honored with his own stamp by the US Postal Service.
His career had ups and downs, and his hit songs were an important part of Rock and Roll history. Vocalists like Marv Johnson, Smokey Robinson and Ben E. King are all said to have patterned their vocal styles on Clyde’s. Others have cited him as a major influence as well. In the book “The Drifters” by Bill Millar, he says:
“McPhatter took hold of the Ink Spots’ simple major chord harmonies, drenched them in call-and-response patterns, and sang as if he were back in church. In doing so, he created a revolutionary musical style from which—thankfully—popular music will never recover.”
Thanks again to Dave for hosting another great round of Turntable Talk. I cannot wait to see who the other writers have picked and look forward to Round #40 next month.
Every year I have put little flags up around our yard on the Fourth of July. Over the winter, the box must have fallen off a shelf in the garage. While cleaning the garage I found that box with my flags in it and it must have gotten wet. Those darn squirrels probably got in there and knocked it over.
I may have to run out late tonight or early tomorrow to grab a couple. If I don’t, a tradition will be broken. We’ve always gotten pictures of the kids with an American flag in their hands walking down the sidewalk. Ella was just about four months old in 2020, so we didn’t get one that year. Every year since, we have.
In 2023, I put together a collage…
We continued that tradition last year, too.
I love seeing all the pictures progress from year to year. The time just keeps flying …
I mean, it seems like we just celebrated America’s bicentennial, doesn’t it? LOL
You may recall the fiasco that we went through recently with the dryer we ordered. If not, here is the short version of the story:
My wife ordered an electric dryer. We could not use the 220 plug. We called to return it. We waited over a month for them to finally come and get it. Between the original call to return it and the time it was finally picked up were countless phone calls and emails to find out what was going on. Once the refund happened, we immediately ordered a gas dryer (which was what we had in the first place). The dryer was delivered yesterday.
So there should be no more issues, right? Wrong! I get the following text from my wife while I am at work:
” The dryer people can’t hook up the dryer because we have the wrong gas line? They say we need a plumber to do it!”
I called her right away. Apparently, they are not allowed to hook up a dryer to a copper gas line. So they dropped it off and left. I called my father in law and said, “All I need to do is get one of those yellow gas line hoses and connect it to the dryer and the gas line, right?” He said that should fix it.
The hose comes with adapters that you can use to connect it to the dryer and the line. I get home and sure enough, one end connects to the dryer. When I get up to the gas line, I see right away that the hose is to big to connect. I grab one of the adapters, it is too big. They were all too big.
Rather than run all the way back to the big box hardware store, I stopped at the Gilroy’s right in town. I walked in and explained what I was looking for. The employee starts to ask me questions. I told him that my father in law and I had put a shut off valve at the end of the gas line and the adapters were too big to fit it.
He did his best to try to understand what I was asking for. He said he wished he could see what I was talking about. I told him I had taken a picture of it and showed him.
He said, “Oh, wow. You can’t do that. That is illegal. That is for water lines.” So now, I am really frustrated. He goes and he pulls out a couple fittings. He asks if I know how to flare the pipe. I gave him a blank stare. I have no idea what he means.
He took me in the back and grabs a piece of pipe and this “flarer” tool. He shows me how you put it on the end of the pipe and turn this handle to make the end flare.
It doesn’t look hard to do, so I got to buy one of those tools. He says, “Listen, I’m gonna let you take our flare tool home to do the job. If you have any concerns or issues, call me and I’ll come over to help you. I’m not going to leave you hanging.” I was taken aback by his generosity. All I had to buy was a tube of sealer and a couple adapters and I should be good to go.
I get home, finagle the flare took on the edge of the pipe (after cutting off the shut off valve). I do what he said and Bingo, the end of the line is flared. I slapped on some of the sealer and began screwing everything back together. I poured some soapy water over it to see if there was a leak and there was a small one. After a couple cranks with a wrench, I checked again and was happy to see there was no leak.
I think I had more trouble trying to get that vent hose on the back than hooking up the gas line.
After everything was all set, I threw my scrubs in the dryer to de-wrinkle them. I pulled them out after 10 minutes and was happy to feel that they were warm. The dryer is working!!
I am so happy that I do not need to waste quarters at the laundromat anymore!!
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 