Sunday Morning Vault: Richard Chamberlain--Three Stars Will Shine Tonight (1962)

     Richard Chamberlain has had a long, varied and successful career. His list of accomplishments range from the stage where he has played in latter versions of My Fair Lady and  The Sound of Music. He played the title role of "Hamlet" with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, being the first American to do it since John Barrymore in 1929.
      He has, and continues to act in films. His first being in 1960, and as recent as last year played roles in several movies. However, his fame for most of us has been on the television screen. From his role as intern Dr. Kildare in 1961, he has been a star on the tube. For folks my age he is best known for his role in the mini series', Centennial, Shogun, and especially The Thorn Birds. In the last several years he could have been seen on episodes of the Drew Carey Show, Will and Grace, Nip/Tuck, Desperate Housewives, and Chuck.
     For our purposes here however, it was his pleasant voice that gave him an opportunity to record several singles from 1962-1964. He had three top 40 hits, with this one, the theme from Dr. Kildare, being his highest charting song from the summer of 1962. Happy Sunday Everyone!

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Sunday Morning Vault: The American Beetles: You Did It to Me/She's Mine (1964)

     As we meander around the history or Rock and Roll, it becomes evident that just like in other areas of entertainment that imitation is truly the sincerest form of flattery. In popular music, it also becomes a millstone around the neck of artists and record companies. There is ONLY one Elvis, The Beatles, Stones, Claption...etc.., however billions of dollars are wasted on finding their version of the icon while other artists are languishing.
     Which brings us to the American Beetles. I don't know much about these guys other then someone's attempt (band members? Manager? Record Company) to package them as the American equivalent of the fab four right down to the "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah's".  On the packaging of one of the 45's you can even see them in a pose exactly like their British counterparts. Ironically, the music in these two singles are not bad, and they do a passable job of sounding like a British invasion band, but something more on the lines of Herman's Hermits than The Beatles.
      My imagination runs wild with guys like this, because there are so many questions to ask. For now, we'll just enjoy the music and wonder who in the world thought this was a good idea....

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The Mamas and the Papas--Monday Monday (1966)

   On this day in 1966, the Mamas and the Papas reached No. 1 on the US charts with "Monday Monday"....

    I'll never forget hearing their harmonies for the first time and being totally intoxicated by them, especially Cass Elliot. To this day, when hearing any of their music, my ears perk up at the weaving of the voices and the pristine (for that day) production. Monday, Monday was a song that none (except for John Phillips) of them liked at all, but were rewarded with a No. 1 hit and a Grammy in 1967 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. Happy Saturday all....and don't forget to check out our radio station. We have the songs that were hits, and the songs that should have been all in one place....just click the live 365 banner to the right of this page.

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