The Jackson 5: I Want You Back (1970)

41 years ago today, the Jackson 5 reached No. 1 with, "I Want You Back" the first of four songs to reach that height. Originally intended for Gladys Knight and the Pips, this song exploded on the charts and gave boost to a two year string of top 10 songs. And oh by the way introduced us to little Michael.......

Read More

Sunday Vault: Ace Spectrum (1974)

Ace Spectrum was a vocal group from New York and released three albums between 1974 and 1976. It's members were, Ed "Easy" Zant, Aubrey "Troy" Johnson, Elliot Isaac, and Rudy Gay. The only hit on the top 100 was 1974's "Don't Send Nobody Else"....hope your having a great Sunday. ...

Read More

Remembering Gladys Horton of the Marvelettes

We received word that Gladys Horton, co-founder of the Marvelettes died late Wed. evening of complications from a series of strokes. She was 66. Gladys was only 15 when she founded The Casinyets with Georgia Dobbins and added Katherine Anderson, Juanita Cowart, and Georgeanna Tilliman. Wanda Young replaced Dobbins (due to her minister father being again them playing in clubs), and soon released, "Please Mr. Postman" We honor her this morning by...

Read More

Elvis Presley: Heartbreak Hotel (1956)

55 years ago, Elvis had his contract picked up by RCA and in a few weeks the first single, "Heartbreak Hotel" would be released and change his (and rock and roll's) destiny forever. Enjoy and have a great day today!...

Read More

The Rooftop Singers: Walk Right In (1963)

In the summer of 1962, Erik Darling put together a trio specifically to record an new version of the 1929 Gus Cannon blues song "Walk Right In". He recruited singer/guitarist Bill Svanoe and former jazz singer Lynne Taylor. The result was that on this day (Jan. 26), it reached #1 for two weeks on the top 100. 1963 turned out to be a very good year for them as they landed two more hits, "Tom Cat" (March #20) and "Mama Don't Allow" (July #55)....

Read More

Happy 70'th to Neil, Aaron, and Ray!!

Three artists share 70'th birthday wishes today: Aaron Neville, Ray Stevens, and to one of the newest members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Neil Diamond. In their honor, we'll hear songs from each of them. Have a great day! ...

Read More

Sunday Morning Vault: Sack dresses and The Accents Wiggle, Wiggle (1958)

The picture above is of a sack dress which evidently was in style in the 50's. Since I am not a fashion devotee (family and friends insert joke here), nor born before 1960, will have to take someone else's word on this monstrosity. Music has always touched on social commentary, moral sermonizing, or the latest fad. It could be fashion, a dance, a game (remember Pac-Man Fever?), or even a phrase. Robert Draper Jr., Robert Armstrong, Billy R.Hood,...

Read More

Just a video to warm you a bit.....

   It's cold here in Nashville, but am betting there are many places within the sight of this blog who are in a lot colder areas. We also have snow on the ground and above all of that, I have to see a dentist today (ugh!). With all of this in mind (not to mention it's a Friday), I bring a gift for you to help keep you warm today and through the weekend. Hope it's a great one for you...

Read More

Great news about the Omnibus!!!

We just got the dailies from Live 365 and out of 211 oldies stations we are number 93!! In these past 6 weeks we have been heard in 20 states here in the US and in 33 counties. Thanks SO much and not only keep listening, but get the word out about the BUS!...

Read More

Happy 65th Dolly!!

...

Read More

A Short Note About Don Kirshner with clip from Rock Concert (1974)

There were many names that were of importance in the history of rock and pop that had nothing to do with musicianship, but of the business side of things. Don Kirshner was one of those. He became known first as co-owner of Aldon Music, who had under contract at various times, Carole King, Jerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil. He also helped launch the careers of Neil Diamond and Bobby Darin. He also was the mastermind behind The Monkees and The Archies. This gave him a bit of a bad rep especially with the burgeoning rock crowd,...

Read More

Today in History: I Want To Hold Your Hand (1964)

Like many things in my early childhood, the time is foggy and the circumstances surrounding it murky. All I remember for sure is somewhere between 1966 and 67, my mom presented me with a 45rpm record of my very own. Am supposing upon reflection it was a gift to christen my new box record player. For those of you way to young to remember, it was truly in the shape of a box with the front having a mesh cover that hid the one tinny speaker. You could also close the lid and latch it for easy carrying, and the needles had a habit of breaking all of...

Read More

Show #3 of "The History of Rock and Pop" is on!!

Hey y'all...you can find the latest edition of "The History of Rock and Pop" on the station for the next week at 3pm, 10pm, and 6am Central time US. Here on the Omnibus.....

Read More

From the Vaults: A.B. Skhy

A. B. Skhy was a group formed in California and consisted of Dennis Geyer (Vocals, Guitar), Howard Wales (keyboards), Jim Marcotte (bass) and Terry Anderson (drums). Wales would be associated with Jerry Garcia, playing one of the Greatful Dead's most known albums (American Beauty in 1970) and a duet album in 1971 (Hooteroll?). The group recorded two albums, neither which charted, and only had one single the barely made it to the Top 100 in December of 1969. "Camel Back" was a nice slice of Booker T complete with 7 piece horn section, and organ....

Read More

Today in Music History---American Pie (1972)

Today in 1972, American Pie hit #1 on the American charts. Don McLean had several more hits, but nothing would equal the impact of this so...

Read More

The music of our hearts: Mill Valley (1970)

You know, if I were to talk to any of you out there in blog land about music, we would eventually come to a song (or songs) that touch a part of your soul that no one else knows exists. Sometime it's connected with an event or a person, but when you hear the song, it sends you to another place and another time. The emotions connected with can put a smile on your face, bring tears to your eyes, or both. According to her website: (www.ritaabrams.com), Miss Abrams (her name on the record), moved to Mill Valley CA to get away from the cold and gray...

Read More

This day in 1968, Johnny Cash goes to prison.

Special thanks to the Gibson.com website and "This Week in Music"...you can see it here: http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/spotlight-0113-2011/ Johnny Cash had his share of troubles and vices in his lifetime, but he never did prison time. Despite this, nobody in music history is more associated with the clink than the Man in Black. It’s interesting that Cash is much more tied to the struggles and frustrations of prison life than...

Read More

How Listening to Good Music is Like Having Sex

Taken from "This Week" website: http://theweek.com/article/index/210910/how-listening-to-good-music-is-like-having-sex For some people, listening to music can release as much dopamine into the brain as cocaine. A new study shows that a favorite piece of music can make your brain release dopamine, just like having sex, using drugs, or eating good food. Researchers at Canada's McGill University say their findings, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, will help us understand both our minds and our evolution better. Here's a look at...

Read More

Welcome to the Bus!

Hi there!     I expect several to visit the blog today so wanted to take a bit of space to explain what we're doing here. The "Rock and Roll Omnibus" was developed out of a desire to share the music of our past. Oldies radio for the most part have certain artists and songs that are chosen through focus groups and the like. Thanks to live365.com we are not under those constraints. There is a lot of music out there that isn't heard much anymore and we want to celebrate the popular and not so popular.    The centerpiece...

Read More

Gerry Rafferty, Singer of "Baker Street " dies

This is taken from Entertainment Weekly: “Baker Street” is easily the song most associated with Gerry Rafferty, who has died at the age of 63 after a long illness. Yet there was far more to the singer-songwriter than that sax-driven radio staple. In Rafferty’s long, if still sadly truncated career, he progressed from the U.K. folk circuit to worldwide rock fame. He also accrued a range of celebrity fans from Quentin Tarantino to the “Baker Street”-covering Foo Fighters. Rafferty was born in Paisley, Scotland, on April 16, 1947. His father...

Read More

Jim Europe, the man behind the first great dance craze.

     For anyone who studies the early blues, the names of Vernon and Irene Castle are important ones. Although there is speculation about it's origins, there is no doubting that the Castle's brought the foxtrot to international popularity. So...why is this important? Well, several things. First of all, ragtime had gotten young people on the dance floor in a way that their parents found very disapproving. Secondly, the Castle's used the early blues as the basis for demonstrating the foxtrot, which allows a form of music that...

Read More

Never can say goodbye.....

    I approach this blog with a bit of sadness, and more than a bit of trepidation. Yesterday it had been reported that Chuck Berry had collapsed during a gig in Chicago. More info has come out that he had pushed himself a great deal during the weekend doing a couple of shows in New York for New Year's Eve and then moving on to the windy city.      In this era of rock where the successful could make more than a lifetime's worth of money, it's hard to imagine someone who's 84 to even get on a stage much less play,...

Read More

The Bus is on the move!

Hey everyone! Welcome to the Bus! It's the first day of 2011 and we are rolling out the Rock and Roll Omnibus. You can find us by going to live365.com and then type in the name of our station and it will bring us up and you'll be ready to roll! Who are we? Well, we are lovers of rock and roll and it's history. We also thought it would be fun to share that love with those who share that passion. So that's what brought me to setting up the radio station and this blog. In the coming days and weeks, we will have a proper website for you to visit,...

Read More