For Valentine’s Day: Sam Cooke’s “Cupid”
Although it was a hit almost 60-years ago, Sam Cooke's lovely, lyrical "Cupid" is still a go-to song for Valentine's Day. Here's Sam's own 1961 version, and a 1980 cover by the Spinners. ...and here's a Boomer Music Update Valentine's Day toast to all the different...
…And the Academy Award for “Best Original Song” Goes To…
When "Shallow" by Lady Gaga from "A Star Is Born" won last year's Oscar for "Best Original Song" it was a bona fide, pop-culture hit: it ranked high on the music charts and got solid radio exposure, following in the footsteps of previous Academy Award winners, from...
“People Get Ready”–50-years of Black History Month
Martin Luther King, Jr. described “People Get Ready” as the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. Written and recorded in 1965 by Curtis Mayfield, at the time a member of The Impressions, the song ranks #24 on Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of...
Music’s biggest night! The Grammy Awards! Sunday night!
One of the highlights of Sunday night’s 62nd Grammy Awards show (CBS/ 8pm ET/5P PT) will be when Bonnie Raitt presents John Prine a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1970 Raitt recorded Prine's "Angel From Montgomery" -- it became a hit and is now a classic,...
Rock Stars Write Books
The life we Boomers lived and the music we listen(ed) to is having a pop-culture moment, in film: “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Rocketman,” on Broadway: “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” on TV: CNN’s Linda Ronstadt documentary bio “The Sound of My Voice,” and lots and lots...
Money Talks: Boomer Era Acts Grossed Big Bucks in 2019
Boomer era pop-rock-stars showed their muscle in 2019: North American rock concert tickets sales for the year were spectacular, a general reminder that Boomers are “still at the table,” and that there are a lot of us, and that we a spend a lot of money. Here are...
FYI: The Top 10 Most Popular Songs in 2019
Dear readers, We wish you the best-est 2020 ever, and what better way to kick off the new than by recapping from whence we came: Here are 2019’s 10 biggest hits. Old Town Road/Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider…)/Post Malone...
At 72 y/o, Elton John is Having the Greatest Year of His Career!
Both boosting the Boomer image and inspiring Boomers everywhere, Sir Elton, at 72-years old, is at the top of his game: His final tour is sold out-- on every date. The movie about his life is nominated for a Golden Globe. His memoir is a best seller. He has postage...
Let’s Hear It For The Songwriters
While it’s not true that “anyone can sing a song” it is true that crafting words and a melody out of thin air is akin to magic. In June, 2020, three songwriters and three others from the performing songwriter ranks will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame,...