Friday, January 30, 2009

Ray’s Song Pick of the Day from Tuesday 27 January 2009

Monday was Anniversary Day in Northland, Auckland and Bay of Plenty and so we were in ‘Holiday Mode’ with two 6 hour shifts for the day.

Tease for Tuesday 27 January
16th Top No 1 of 1961 in the US and this quartet's 3rd million-seller. This song had earlier been released simply as “Tomorrow” and was covered by the Beatles in 1965. A US#1(2) from 30 January 1961 and a MONSTER HIT in N.Z.

Tease for Wednesday 28 January
The 1st million-seller for this artist was a German tune from 1958, called 'Tivoli Melody'. The tune then appeared as 'Take Me Dreaming'; next came the piano version called 'Nicolette'; fourth it appeared as a song in Germany as 'Kalkutta liegt am Ganges; and finally in the States when the tune caught on with this instrumental version which also made #1 in Germany.

Tease for Thursday 29 January
This artist was part of a group formed from members of two Birmingham based groups, The Avengers and the Diplomats. With rhythm-and-blues so popular on the music scene at the time, it wasn’t surprising that their second recording was a cover of Bessie Banks' soul classic, giving it a rock 'n' roll-waltz-like treatment and making UK#1, 28 January, US#10 from March 1965 and a MODERATE HIT in N.Z.

Tease for Friday 30 January
Tonight, a US#2, 19 weeks in Top 100 from 29 January 1955 and a Big Hit in N.Z. The pop cover version of LaVern Baker's R&B#4 version, which also sold a million from 1955 and this artist’s second million seller.

And the songs;
Tuesday, The Shirelles - Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Wednesday, Lawrence Welk & Orchestra – Calcutta
Thursday, Moody Blues – Go Now
Friday, Georgia Gibbs – Tweedle Dee

Ray’s Song Pick of the Day from Monday 19 January 2009

Tease for Monday 19 January
Tonight the follow-up to this artist’s first hit from 1959. A Rock 'n' Roll drummer who became a prominent studio musician. Heard on "Alley Oop", "To Know Him Is To Love Him", "A Thousand Stars" and many others. Guitar playing on his first three hits was by co-writer Richie Podolor (aka Richie Allen), later a respected songwriter / record producer. A Top 10 in the US, UK Top 5 and Aus#1(2) from 20 January 1961 MONSTER HIT in N.Z.

Tease for Tuesday 20 January
Two guys who had been with Cliff Richard's backing group The Drifters, renamed the Shadows. The drummer left in October 1961, followed by the other half of this duo in March 1962. This hit knocked the Shadows – Dance On off the top of the UK charts on 31 January 1963 for three weeks.

Tease for Wednesday 21 January
The instrumental version of the same song that became an Australian #1 for Kathy Kirby. Replaced at #1 after a week by "Diamonds" by two ex Shadows members, Jet Harris & Tony Meehan.

Tease for Thursday 22 January
Similar to the late Eartha Kitt, tonight’s artist performed all over Europe and established a fine reputation. In 1958 she sang the French version of this song - "Le Jour Ou La Pluie Viendra" (B-side on her British #1). With English lyrics by Carl Sigman she recorded and released the English version to only moderate success in the US but in Britain her European reputation ensured No 1 success.UK#1, 23 January 1958 and a MONSTER HIT in N.Z.

Tease for Friday 23 January
The 1st million-seller for this quartet who began performing together in high school in New Jersey. A talent show success in 1957 brought them a recording contract with Decca with their first release, "I Met Him On A Sunday" making the charts in April 1958. This song charted twice, straddling their next release and first No. 1 and was a Moderate Hit in N.Z.


And the songs;
Monday, Sandy Nelson, Let There Be Drums
Tuesday, Jet Harris & Tony Meehan - Diamonds
Wednesday, The Shadows – Dance On
Thursday, Jane Morgan – The Day The Rains Came
Friday, The Shirelles – Dedicated To The One I Love

Friday, January 9, 2009

Mark's List of Celebrities still with us

Did you know these celebrities are still with us?
Mark Matheson Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 3:57 AM
This time to make it more interesting I've listed those 85 years and up. Enjoy!

George Beverly Shea hits 100 next month. Who says religion doesn't have it's advantages!

George Beverly Shea 99 01/02/1909 Music

Dolores Hope 99 27/05/1909 Music

Luise Rainer 98 12/01/1910 Entertainment

Gloria Stuart 98 04/07/1910 Entertainment

Ronald Neame
97 23/04/1911 Entertainment

Mitch Miller 97 04/07/1911 Music

Karl Malden 96 22/03/1912 Entertainment

Art Linkletter 96 17/07/1912 Entertainment

Risë Stevens 95 11/06/1913 Music

Frances Reid 95 09/12/1913 Entertainment

Tony Martin 95 25/12/1913 Music
(Tony's wife of almost 60 years, Cyd Charisse died 17 June 2008, aged 86)

Lou Jacobi
95 28/12/1913 Entertainment

Kevin McCarthy
94 15/02/1914 Entertainment

Irwin Corey 94 29/07/1914 Entertainment

Norman Lloyd
94 08/11/1914 Entertainment

Norman Wisdom 93 04/02/1915 Entertainment

Harry Morgan 93 10/04/1915 Entertainment

Les Paul 93 09/06/1915 Music

Meinhardt Raabe 93 02/09/1915 Entertainment

Frank Cady
93 08/09/1915 Entertainment

Eli Wallach 93 07/12/1915 Entertainment

Barbara Billingsley 93 22/12/1915 Entertainment

Bruce Gordon 92 01/02/1916 Entertainment

Horton Foote 92 14/03/1916 Entertainment,Theater

Lucille Bliss 92 31/03/1916 Entertainment

Olivia de Havilland 92 01/07/1916 Entertainment

June Havoc 92 08/11/1916 Entertainment

Sherwood Schwartz 92 14/11/1916 Entertainment

Kirk Douglas 92 09/12/1916 Entertainment

Ernest Borgnine 91 24/01/1917 Entertainment

Zsa Zsa Gabor 91 06/02/1917 Entertainment

Vera Lynn 91 20/03/1917 Music

R.G. Armstrong 91 07/04/1917 Entertainment

Celeste Holm 91 29/04/1917 Theater,Entertainment

George Gaynes 91 16/05/1917 Entertainment

Lena Horne 91 30/06/1917 Music

Phyllis Diller 91 17/07/1917 Entertainment

Herbert Lom 91 11/09/1917 Entertainment

June Foray 91 18/09/1917 Entertainment

Joan Fontaine 91 22/10/1917 Entertainment

John Hart 91 13/12/1917 Entertainment

John Forsythe 90 29/01/1918 Entertainment

Janet Waldo 90 04/02/1918 Entertainment

Allan Arbus 90 15/02/1918 Entertainment

Patty Andrews 90 16/02/1918 Music

Don Pardo 90 22/02/1918 Entertainment

Marian McPartland 90 20/03/1918 Music

Joseph Wiseman 90 15/05/1918 Entertainment,Theater

Marjorie Lord 90 26/07/1918 Entertainment

Helen Wagner
90 03/09/1918 Entertainment

Baby Peggy 90 26/10/1918 Entertainment

Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. 90 30/11/1918 Entertainment

Jennifer Jones 89 02/03/1919 Entertainment

Pete Seeger 89 03/05/1919 Music,Social Activism

Betty Garrett 89 23/05/1919 Entertainment

Richard Todd 89 11/06/1919 Entertainment

Gene Barry 89 14/06/1919 Entertainment

Louis Jourdan 89 19/06/1919 Entertainment

Al Molinaro 89 24/06/1919 Entertainment

Dino De Laurentiis 89 08/08/1919 Entertainment

George Shearing 89 13/08/1919 Music

Kitty Wells 89 30/08/1919 Music

Doris Singleton 89 28/09/1919 Entertainment

Joseph Wapner 89 15/11/1919 Entertainment,Law

Alan Young 89 19/11/1919 Entertainment

James Mitchell 88 29/02/1920 Entertainment

Eric Rohmer 88 04/04/1920 Entertainment

Ravi Shankar 88 07/04/1920 Music

Sid Melton 88 23/05/1920 Entertainment

Ray Harryhausen 88 29/06/1920 Entertainment

Maureen O'Hara 88 17/08/1920 Entertainment

G.D. Spradlin 88 31/08/1920 Entertainment

Mickey Rooney 88 3/09/1920 Entertainment

Jayne Meadows 88 27/09/1920 Entertainment

Nanette Fabray 88 27/10/1920 Entertainment

Ann Rutherford 88 02/11/1920 Entertainment

Noel Neill 88 25/11/1920 Entertainment

Ricardo Montalban 88 25/11/1920 Entertainment

Dave Brubeck 88 06/12/1920 Music

Little Jimmy Dickens 88 19/12/1920 Music

Carol Channing 87 31/01/1921 Theater,Entertainment

Abe Vigoda 87 24/02/1921 Entertainment

Neville Marriner 87 15/04/1921 Music

Barbara Hale 87 18/04/1921 Entertainment

Harry Carey, Jr. 87 16/05/1921 Entertainment

Hal David 87 25/05/1921 Music

Jane Russell 87 21/06/1921 Entertainment

Nancy Reagan 87 06/07/1921 Politics,Entertainment

Monty Hall 87 25/08/1921 Entertainment

James Whitmore 87 01/10/1921 Entertainment

Art Clokey 87 21/10/1921 Entertainment

Phyllis Thaxter 87 20/11/1921 Entertainment

Deanna Durbin 87 04/12/1921 Entertainment

Army Archerd 86 13/01/1922 Entertainment

Betty White 86 17/01/1922 Entertainment

Patrick Macnee 86 06/02/1922 Entertainment

Kathryn Grayson 86 09/02/1922 Entertainment

Steven Hill 86 24/02/1922 Entertainment

James Noble 86 05/03/1922 Entertainment

Carl Reiner 86 20/03/1922 Entertainment

Marty Allen 86 23/03/1922 Entertainment

Turhan Bey 86 30/03/1922 Entertainment

Gale Storm 86 05/04/1922 Entertainment

Michael Ansara 86 15/04/1922 Entertainment

Jack Klugman 86 27/04/1922 Entertainment

Bea Arthur 86 13/05/1922 Entertainment

Bill Macy 86 18/05/1922 Entertainment

Kitty Kallen 86 25/05/1922 Music

Christopher Lee 86 27/05/1922 Entertainment

Eleanor Parker 86 26/06/1922 Entertainment

William Schallert 86 06/07/1922 Entertainment

Kay Starr 86 21/07/1922 Music

Mollie Sugden 86 21/07/1922 Entertainment

Blake Edwards 86 26/07/1922 Entertainment

Norman Lear 86 27/07/1922 Entertainment

Sid Caesar 86 08/09/1922 Entertainment

Jackie Cooper 86 15/09/1922 Entertainment

Janis Paige 86 16/09/1922 Entertainment,Theater

Carl Ballantine 86 27/09/1922 Entertainment

Lizabeth Scott 86 29/09/1922 Entertainment

Fyvush Finkel 86 09/10/1922 Entertainment

Len Lesser 86 03/12/1922 Entertainment

Larry Storch 86 08/01/1923 Entertainment

Jean Stapleton 85 19/01/1923 Entertainment

Anne Jeffreys 85 26/01/1923 Entertainment

Liz Smith 85 02/02/1923 Entertainment

Conrad Bain 85 04/02/1923 Entertainment

Franco Zeffirelli 85 12/02/1923 Entertainment

Charles Durning 85 28/02/1923 Entertainment

Doc Watson 85 03/03/1923 Music

Ed McMahon 85 06/03/1923 Entertainment

Bob Elliott 85 26/03/1923 Entertainment

Gloria Henry 85 02/04/1923 Entertainment

Roy Dotrice 85 26/05/1923 Entertainment

James Arness 85 26/05/1923 Entertainment

Jack Carter 85 24/06/1923 Entertainment

Earl Hamner, Jr. 85 10/07/1923 Entertainment

Norma Zimmer 85 13/07/1923 Entertainment

Dale Robertson 85 14/07/1923 Entertainment

Rhonda Fleming 85 10/08/1923 Entertainment

Rose Marie 85 15/08/1923 Entertainment

Richard Attenborough 85 29/08/1923 Entertainment

William Windom 85 28/09/1923 Entertainment

Glynis Johns 85 05/10/1923 Entertainment,Theater

Harold Gould 85 10/12/1923 Entertainment

Bob Barker 85 12/12/1923 Entertainment

Earl Scruggs 85 06/01/1924 Music

Ron Moody 85 08/01/1924 Entertainment