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.
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