Vinyl Record Lovers Newsletter
Welcome to my monthly Newsletter. Thank you for subscribing.
The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of my Newsletter.
Writing stories based on my vinyl record collection is my way of sharing memories and keeping the oldies alive.
I do appreciate your valuable time reading my newsletter.
Issue #096 - February, 2021.
In This Issue:
- What's New?
- The Platters and Their New Teen Singer Make History.
- Country Doo Wop Spotlight Song.
- Buddy Knox Remembered.
- A Valentine's Day Tribute to Love & Passion.
- Earl Grant Best Love Song - The End.
- Love Me With All Your Heart.
- Framed Album Cover Art of The Month. "Rumours" released February, 1977.
- "Betcha Didn't Know!
- What's Next?
Vinyl Record Memories
The Original Country Doo Wop Show.
Tune in each day to my favorite oldies station, the Country Doo Wop Show. My friend, Ned Ward turns music into memories playing yesterday’s Country favorites and the Classic Doo Wop hits of the 50s and 60s. Listen in Monday thru Saturday from 1pm to 3pm, all times Pacific, on KNCP Newberry Mix 107.3 FM.
What's New?
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This month is dedicated to Valentine's Day - A Tribute To Love & Passion, and some February dates to remember.
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The Platters became one of the preeminent vocal groups throughout the second half of the '50s. When Zola Taylor joined she became the first female vocalist to break through the gender divide as part of an all-male vocal group.
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"Party Doll" is still played regularly on many oldies stations, especially the Country Doo Wop Show. A special tribute to Buddy Knox who died on this very special day in February, 1999.
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A Valentine's Day Tribute to Love and Passion. Two Valentine's Day perfect love songs you will not find on any of today's "Songs About Love and Passion" collections.
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Released in February, 1977, this month's Framed Album Cover Art spent 31 weeks at #1 and a total of 450 weeks on the UK listings.
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A look back to the January, 2019 newsletter entry reveals the son of "The Main Ingredients" lead singer won an Oscar in 1997 for his supporting role in a movie. "Betcha Didn't Know" article update for February, 2021.
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Let's get started...
The Platters Story.
The long overdue "Platters" Story is complete and ready for your review.
The group formed in 1953 and what changed The Platters fortunes boils down to one man: their mentor, manager, producer, songwriter, and vocal coach, Buck Ram.
With original classics like "Only You" and "The Great Pretender," both written by Ram, The Platters, along with teenager, Zola Taylor, became one of the preeminent vocal groups throughout the second half of the '50s. Read their story here...
Country Doo Wop "Spotlight Song."
Buddy Knox was 15 years old in 1948 when he wrote the original verses to "Party Doll" behind a haystack on his family farm near Happy, Texas.
More than 60 years later, the emotional power of this rockabilly classic still resonates with listeners, and as a result, still remains current. Our "Spotlight Song" for February...."Party Doll."
Rockabilly Hall of Fame member and Rock-n-Roll legend Buddy Knox died on Valentine's Day, 1999. He was 65. Read the remarkable Party Doll Story here...
A Valentine's Day Tribute To Love & Passion.
Since there are already countless cheap Valentine's Day compilations on the market, most are superficial and boring often containing the same titles, we decided to offer a nice alternative dedicated not only to lovers, but also to those who love their record collection.
For our Vinyl Record Memories newsletter fans, here is our choice for two Valentine's Day perfect love songs you will not find on any of today's "Songs About Love and Passion" collections.
Enjoy....
Earl Grant Best Love Song - The End
I believe this great love song, The End, remaining absent from any wedding song or love song lists, points directly to the title.
Without ever listening to the song the title suggests a song about a romance (or even a marriage) may be short lived. However, I played this song at my granddaughter's wedding and she and her guests simply loved it.
This well written comment I reviewed online said it best about this perfect love song from 1958.
"There are songs which will remain unheard within the memories of the masses during their lifetime. Then there are those songs that are so simple, so clear, so melodic in structure, and most important, their lyrical content. To the very few that remember these kinds of songs, our lives are blessed, for each of us will include Earl Grant's ('Til) The End (of Time) in the list of 'My all-time favorites'. My only wish is that it would have gotten more exposure over the years. Better yet, that it would be included in some soundtrack in the future. It remains one of those songs you simply cannot hear enough." (source Ed Weichsler)
Such a truly beautiful song by Earl Grant with words that reflect the long lasting meaning of love. Read more...
"Love Me With All Your Heart" from 1964
Just creamy harmony and seamless pleasure returns you to the days when easy listening was called "dinner music," and this group with very simple love song lyrics always seemed sterophonically perfect.
When we are far apart...Or when you're near me
Love me with all your heart...As I love you
Don't give me your love..For a moment..or an hour
Love me always...as you loved me...From the start
With every beat of your heart....
Based on the Spanish language love song "Cuando Calienta El Sol" you need to understand the true translation of the song. Which song is more romantic, the Spanish or English version. You decide. Read more...
Framed Album Cover Art of The Month.
"Rumours" Released In February, 1977.
Rumours is Fleetwood Mac's 11th and best-selling album. A Number One album on both sides of the Altantic, Rumours debuted in February, 1977, at Number 10 and went on to spend 31 weeks at Number One in the US and almost a year in the Top Five, the longest stint in the 1970s.
The record produced no fewer than four hit singles for the band - "Go Your Own Way," "Don't Stop," "You Make Loving Fun," and the US Number One single "Dreams." The record spent 450 weeks on the UK listings.
I have two copies of this album and if you look closely this copy is beginning to show some slight ring wear. The album becomes brighter and appears to over shadow the slight ring wear with the glass front added to the album cover frame. I remove the glass front due to glare as my photo skills could certainly be improved upon.
The second copy (not shown) has noticeable water damage but I purchased it because like this album shown, it contains an LP vinyl record in excellent condition on both sides. Both copies have the original fold-out picture inserts with lyrics to all the songs, and both are in very nice condition after 44 years in hiding. I could not believe the water damaged cover did not bleed thru onto the picture insert inside.
Left to right in the below photo are: John McVie, Bass, Lindsey Buckingham, Guitars, vocals, Stevie Nicks, vocals, Mick Fleetwood, Drums, Percussion, and Christine McVie, Keyboards, Synthesizer, vocals. This is the back view of the album cover.
Betcha Didn't Know!
In the January 2019 Newsletter I did a review on the 1970's songs and one in particular I enjoyed was "Everybody Plays The Fool" by The Main Ingredient.
The opening rap in The Main Ingredient's warmly philosophical "Everybody Plays The Fool" is so good natured it could make a potential suicide victim climb off the ledge: "You say you even thinking about dying?....Well, before you do anything rash, dig this."
But....I'll "Betcha didn't know" Cuba Gooding, who became The Main Ingredient's lead singer in 1971, is the father of Cuba Gooding Jr., who won an Oscar in 1997 for his supporting role in Jerry McGuire. The bittersweet ballad went gold in 1972.
Ever thought of having your own website? I built Vinyl Record Memories "from scratch" with SoloBuildIt! Click below to find out more....
What's Next?
Founding member of The Supremes, Mary Wilson, has died.
I have an original Supremes album titled -
Anthology - The Best of The Supremes - 1974
The Anthology series of The Supremes' releases began in 1974 with a three-disc compilation album. Coming next month in the Vinyl Record Lovers newsletter.
FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!
Congratulations on an outstanding site. I am from old school. I was 13 when Rock & Roll erupted in 1955. I would literally run home from school to watch Bandstand every day. I lived outside Philly and grew up with all the Philadelphia music scene and its performers. Keep up the good work and I thank you for your time and effort in keeping the old vinyl music alive for us and future generations.
Bill Moore,
Lugoff, SC
Deceased 2020
Bill was our first newsletter subscriber.
Rest easy my friend.
A kind reply
from a grateful family.
Danny, I think you did a great job and my family enjoyed it as well. I have had some more time to go through your site and find it to be fantastic, and your personal story is great as well.
You truly
are a blessing to all of Us. Thanks for sharing your memories with us. I
look forward to seeing and hearing more from you.
Paul Giacalone
The song "You Were Mine" was written by Paul Giacalone. Read the story here.
An Old Song & A New Friend
"I don't usually contact doo wop article authors as I rarely find much value in the articles, but your article struck me as sincere, genuine and respectful."
Tom Sokira,
Producer, Audio Engineer
"In The Still Of The Night" (1956)
Read the story here.
Read the true story of
"Darling Lorraine."
Danny, Great job !!!! I can't express enough how much my mother would have been so happy with your work on her song. As for myself and the rest of my family, we really appreciate your time & effort to let everyone who is interested in her song know the true story behind it. Read more...
Thanx so much, Bob
"Duke of Earl" Homecoming
I just read your article on Duke of Earl/Vee Jay Records. My father was Randy Wood, President of Vee Jay at the time. I'm doing some research on the company and am learning how influential Vee Jay was in shaping the future of music. Nice to see your web page. Read the Duke of Earl story.
Michele Marotta
February 15, 2015
Thanks for an excellent musical experience. I found your website by accident and just kept enjoying one classic after another. Great job! Like yourself, I'm still enjoying my vinyl collection. We share many of the same favorite artists. Regards,
Jim Miles, Germantown, MD
"Thank you so much for all the work you have done on these pages. I found my way here, and spent the next two hours in absolute bliss. Memories, memories...thank you for rekindling them."
Bob Douglass,
Richmond, VA
"Just stumbled onto this site and decided to stay and visit for a while. You have it laid out so wonderfully. Easy to get around and love your comments. Thanks for my trip down memory lane. Really, really enjoyed it."
Priscilla Hernandez,
Arkansas
I so love your site, brings back great memories. Elvis is still the King of several types of music. I wish that I could send you all of my old vinyls --I will keep Elvis. Thank you for your wonderful site.
Debra and Donald
Athens, Alabama
How I Took A Hobby
And Created A Website About My Passion.
Do You Know Something About Anything? A Hobby? A Passion? What Do You Know and Love?
Danny, great going with your site. I will be visiting often. I have all of my dad's LPs and several of my own, so your site is of special interest to me.
Roy Webber,
Salt Lake City, Utah
You Belong To Me
Patsy Cline songs are the voice of the average woman...the waitress at the diner, the counter girl at the all-night truck stop, or even the stay-at-home mom who stops to wonder what happened to all her dreams. Patsy Cline was their voice. Read more...
The song "True Love Ways" was recorded in the presence of Buddy's wife, and should be appreciated for the impact of this great song, and the love that inspired it. Read the story here.
"Just The Way You Are"
"We almost didn't put it on an album. We were sitting around listening to it going...naaah, that's a chick song." Billy Joel...
Song of the year and Record of the year in 1978. Read more...
Songs that will make you cry.
"Tear Time" takes you through a feminine emotional experience and will touch your heart with the lyrics, "All it takes is the smallest thought of you ... Then tear time starts crying all night through." Read more ...
Don't Break The Heart
That Loves You.
This haunting ballad is about a plea from a heartbroken teenager trying to understand why her boyfriend is going out of his way to treat her unkindly. Read more...
You're The Only One.
This song brings back those special vinyl record memories of the summer of '79 when I spent many nights alone with Dolly and she whispered in my ear.
You're the only one...
You're the only one...
Take me back to where
we started from.
And let's make it now
Like we made it then.
This old heart ain't gonna break your heart again. Read More...
"All I Have To Do Is Dream."
A Dreamy Duet
It's not often we have the pleasure of hearing a cover song outshine the original, but this song sure comes close. Read more...
"Dream" - Roy Orbison cover of this 1944 Johnny Mercer classic.
The song "Dream" reminds us of those glamorous movie stars of the '40s,' 50s, and early '60s. The one thing they all shared was a level of glamor we still aspire to today. This is a song everyone should have in their music collection. Read more ...
"Baby's Gone"
It's been more than fifty years since I heard this wonderful old tune.
A song I heard only a few times back in 1964, but from the first note of this memory-filled song, I was swimming in a sea of nostalgia. Read more ...
"Why Do I Love You So"
This 1960 teen love song was a short song with a long-lasting heartbroken message. One of the more romantic teen ballads written at the time. Read More ...
