Radio Rewind is a time machine of sorts; travel back with us as we blow the dust off the old record jackets and remember the forgotten hits and good times past. Be sure to check out my Blog Archive, where you'll find all the songs and commentary featured in weeks past.
"Mony Mony" was a 1968 single released by Tommy James & The Shondells that again became a huge hit for Billy Idol in 1987. The hook in the song is said to have been inspired by James' view of a Mutual of New York's MONY sign on the New York City skyline from his Manhattan apartment.
Although it has no outwardly obscene lyrics, "Mony Mony" is often banned from teen-age dances due to the chant that became notorious alongside Billy Idol's version. Crowds would chant, "Hey mother fucker, get laid, get fucked" between the songs'verses.
Legend has it that Divinyls recorded "Human on the Inside" (1996) while trying to mimic the music and style of RnR Hall of Fame inductees , The Pretenders.
In 1999 Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde loved the song so much she wanted to do a version of her own for her bands upcoming LP titled Viva el Amor. It's really high praise when the person your emulating, returns the honor by emulating your efforts.
FYI, this singer is the same person (Chrissie Hynde) who appeared on the TV sitcom Friends' playing guitar along side Phoebe in the famed "Smelly-Cat" episode.
I think it's pretty cool how her hair turns to gray and back various times during the video...showing us all that she is indeed human.
Born Ricardo Steven Valenzuela, AKA Ritchie Valens was a pioneer of rock n' roll and a forefather to the Chicano rock movement. His most familiar song, "La Bamba," a timeless classic was spurned when Valens thought better to infuse the Latin classic with a modern rock n' roll tempo.
Lesser know hits like "Donna" and this featured number "Come On, Let's Go" offer a sheen of constant professionalism..... oh hell who am I bullshitting ? I just think its a great song.
Sadly, Ritchie Valens' music career lasted just a short eight months. After performing his final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear lake, Iowa; Valens along with fellow musicians Buddy Holly and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson , succumbed in a single-engine plane crash on February 3, 1959, on what has later become known as The Day the Music Died.
The charted four passenger aircraft was too small for five musicians to travel. so a coin toss was decided between Valens and Tommy Allsup for the final seat....Allsup currently lives in Azle, Texas.
The featured video contains clips from the 1987 biopic titled "La Bamba" introducing Lou Diamond Phillips as Valens.
This one-man act George Kranz is a German dance music singer and percussionist; check him out as he masterfully bangs on the drums. The neighbors must of loved it when this guy moved off the block.
This classic dance song hit No. 1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1984 and then returned to the chart in a new version in 1991, peaking at No. 8.
Though I remember this number vividly, it's finally nice to put a face to the song.
This great and powerful song titled "In The City" was recorded by Eagles front man Joe Walsh, written exclusively for the 1979 movie The Warriors soundtrack.
The song is accompanied with a fan-made video depicting clips from the above mentioned film, shot mostly on scene at Brooklyn's famed Coney Island, and for the record I still think Swan is the MAN!
The rival gangs... 1:18 - The Boppers (if they can't fight, I bet they can dance) 1:23 - The High Hats (not very tough looking if I may say) 1:26 - Savage Huns (dressed in used Vietcong outfits.....very cost effective I bet). 1:28 - Jones Street Boys (looks more like a gymnastic outfit) 1:34 - The Rouges (featuring Luther in his old Cadillac hearse clinging beer bottles) 1:36 - The Panzers (notice the camo's) 1:38 - The Punks (skaters... I hope they can play hockey) 1:43 - The Lizzies (lesbian tendencies perhaps) 1:47 - The Orphans (the worst, bottom of the barrel gang ever in NYC) 1:51 - The Gramercy Riffs (dressed in Karate gi's, and armed with hockey sticks) 3:30 - The Furies (who in their right mind would be scene in public wielding a baseball bat, wearing filhty uniforms and face paint...Don't these kids have mothers)?
and finally
0:56 - Holy Passion of Christ Batman!...Does getting stabbed in the arm really hurt that much? OUCH!
"When Will I See You Again" by The Three Degrees was one of the most successful recordings in the "Philly Soul" sound. Performed live on the Christmas 1974 edition of "Top of the Pops" UK television show, just sit back and listen to this trio blow you away. Listen to how close this live version is to the actual studio take.
In 2004, this song was referenced in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Volume 2 when Bill (David Carradine) claims it's his favorite soul song of the 70s.
Why I like this song ? It's probably the catchy bass lines and cheesy Revolutionary War outfits worn by the band "Paul Revere & The Raiders", plus the dancing girls with the lousy choreography somehow entertain me too. Please don't tell me that the girl shown at :58 seconds is Goldie Hawn...it's clearly not her.
Well what do you think ? Can anybody tell me what they think the "Kicks" are all about?
Radio Rewind is a time machine of sorts; travel back with us as we blow the dust off the old record jackets and remember the forgotten hits and good times past. Be sure to check out my Blog Archive, where you'll find all the songs and commentary featured in weeks past.
As site "Spinmaster", allow me to welcome you to Radio Rewind. Here we will celebrate the forgotten hits of yesteryear, all genres included. Please feel free to blog your comments, tell us why you like or dislike the daily selection.
