Tune Tuesday – What’s Going On

It was on this day in 1971 that Tamla Records (a division of Motown) released Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. According to many stories, it almost wasn't released. From songfacts.com: According to the book Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves & Demons of Marvin Gaye, Motown head Berry Gordy initially refused to release this song, calling … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – What’s Going On →

Tune Tuesday – Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday

Today I want to wish Stevie Wonder a Happy 75th Birthday! He is a Michigan Hometown Hero as he was born in Saginaw, MI in 1950. When I went to pick a Stevie Wonder song to feature today, I was overwhelmed. He had so many hits to choose from. I suppose it shouldn't have been … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday →

Tune Tuesday – Agent Double-O Soul

Charles Edwin Hatcher was born on this day in 1942. You and I know him better as Edwin Starr. He was born in Nashville, moved to Cleveland and eventually to Detroit. In 1957, he formed the Doo Woo group, the Future Tones. Soon after, he was called to serve in the US Army. He spent … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Agent Double-O Soul →

Turntable Talk #28 – Musical Road Map

Welcome to my submission for A Sound Day's monthly feature - Turntable Talk, hosted by Dave Ruch. This is the 28th installment of this feature and I've had the pleasure of writing since for it since the beginning. His topics each month are always something that I look forward to writing about. This month his … Continue reading Turntable Talk #28 – Musical Road Map →

Tune Tuesday – It’s Your Thing

Today the great singer, songwriter, and producer Ronald Isley celebrates his 83rd birthday. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and like many singers, started singing in the church choir. After he appeared on a TV amateur hour show, he and his brothers decided to move to New York to continue their musical careers. The Isley … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – It’s Your Thing →

Tune Tuesday – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted

I've played a lot of Motown records in my radio career, and today I want to feature someone who should have been bigger than he was. The great Jimmy Ruffin was born on this day in 1936. I always felt that Jimmy was overshadowed by his younger brother, David Ruffin, who of course was the … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – What Becomes of the Brokenhearted →

Tune Tuesday – The Happening

Today is the 80th birthday of Diana Ross! She was born in Detroit, Michigan and naturally is one of the greatest artists to come out of our state! Fun fact: when she was born, she was named Diane, but a spelling error on the paperwork led to Diana. As a member of the Supremes, they … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – The Happening →

Tune Tuesday – Jackpot (Bruno’s Bop)

For Tune Tuesday, I thought I would celebrate the 69th birthday of Actor/Singer Bruce Willis. I don't recall just how I stumbled upon this album, but if I had to guess, it was probably playing in my local record store and it caught my ear. Despite the album being called the "Return" of Bruno, this … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Jackpot (Bruno’s Bop) →

Turntable Talk #18 – The Man (or Woman) Behind the Curtain

It is time once again for another edition of Turntable Talk. This is a feature created by my friend Dave Ruch from the A Sound Day Blog. This is my 18th submission for this feature and it is something I look forward to writing each month. This time around, Dave took us to the Land … Continue reading Turntable Talk #18 – The Man (or Woman) Behind the Curtain →

Turntable Talk #8 – Best Year In Music?

Once again, Dave from A Sound Day has asked some of us music lovers to participate in another round of Turntable Talk. This time around was a bit of a challenge for me. Dave's e-mail stated: "Put your thinking caps on and go through your stacks of records (or scroll thru that I-pod) and ... … Continue reading Turntable Talk #8 – Best Year In Music? →