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 #095 - January, 2021.
In This Issue:
- What's New?
- Country Doo Wop Spotlight Song.
- Memorable 50's Classics by The Chordettes.
- January 1, 1956 - Happy Birthday Blue Suede Shoes.
- A Few Good Years - Dale Klee Automotive Art.
- Charley Pride Remembered - A Feel Good Sing-a-Long Trip Down Memory Lane.
- Framed Album Cover Art of The Month.
- Ed Bruce - Cowboy Songwriter Has Died.
- 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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Two songs by this talented 50s all girl group are still played regularly on many oldies stations, especially the Country Doo Wop Show, more than 60 years after their first release.
"Mr. Sandman" rapidly found its way into the public's consciousness, climbing to number one within weeks of release and remaining there for most of December 1954, and January 1955. The record sold 800,000 copies in 12 weeks with only radio and record shops available at the time.
In 1958, The Chordettes version of "Lollipop" stayed in the top ten for 9 weeks and remained in the top 40 for a total of 13 weeks.
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Blue Suede Shoes was released January 1, 1956. Written and recorded by Carl Perkins, this rockabilly classic remains an all-time favorite 65 years later.
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In the November, 2020 issue, I introduced Dale Klee, my favorite classic car artist. Our pick this month , "A Few Good Years," begins with my personal favorite field of dreams, the '55, '56, and my favorite, the 1957 Chevy.
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Burgers & Fries and Cherry Pies, in a world we used to know. It is indeed one of my favorite Charley Pride songs. He died last month after the December, 2020 newsletter was released, so let's take time to remember one of our most talented country music artists.
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An early 50s record player, some scattered records, school books and a Coke, blend in well for our simple and period effective Framed Album Cover Art of the Month. =======================================
"The Last Cowboy Song" is a favorite of mine. Is this the Best Cowboy Song ever written? Maybe, maybe not, but it is an unforgettable sad song and tells a real cowboy story. Ed Bruce, co-author of the song, has died. We remember Bruce and this classic cowboy song.
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Let's get started...
Country Doo Wop "Spotlight Song."
If you lived and breathed in the fifties those songs of the past reminds us of our connection to innocence and the fabulous harmonies of these four pretty gals.
More than 60 years later, the emotional power of these two songs still resonates with listeners, and as a result, still remains current. Our "Spotlight Song" double play kicks off the New Year!
"Mr. Sandman, send me a dream...make him the cutest that I've ever seen..."
In 1958 The Chordettes would record another song that was so cute and simple it just screamed the fifties.
The original "Lollipop" was released in February "58 by songwriters, Beverly Ross and Julius Dixon, and recorded under the name "Ronald and Ruby." Record owner and producer, Archie Bleyer recognized the potential it held for his feminine quartet and rushed out a version the same month to compete.
The original reached the top 40 while the Chordettes blasted to number two in March (held at bay by those "Tequila"-drinkin' Champs). Read the Chordettes story...
Happy Birthday "Blue Suede Shoes"
Blue Suede Shoes released 65 years ago on January 1, 1956 by Carl Perkins remains to this day, a rockabilly classic.
Enjoy the "Greatest Rockabilly Night of All Time" as Carl performs in this 1985 special from London with George Harrison, Dave Edmunds, Eric Clapton, Ringo Star and other rockabilly stars.
"One night I heard this boy tell the girl he was dancing with, "Watch out,
don't step on my suedes". "It kind of stuck to me," said Perkins, who pulled
out a paper sack the next morning and wrote on it...Read more.
"A Few Good Years"
"Like a herd of livestock, this collection of classic Chevy's graze peacefully on the farm." Dale Klee...
I
am partial to this painting as the 1957 Chevy is the very first car I
owned right out of high school. This painting kinda ties in with the "Burgers and Fries"
video below as the red and white '56 sitting next to the black '57
appears to have been resurrected from the farm, reconditioned, and then suddenly reappears in the video in like new condition.
My original blue '57 can be seen at 1:30 in the below video and the mythical red and white '56 "from the farm" is displayed perfectly at 1:19.
Today, Dale continues to create his colorful classic automobile scenes for everyone to enjoy. Each one forms a particular memory and a sentimental look back for those of us who grew up in this very special time in history.
Each limited edition print titled, "A Few Good Years," is inspected, numbered and signed by Dale Klee. You can view more automotive art at the Dale Klee Art website.
Burgers and Fries and Cherry Pies.
Charley Pride (March 18, 1934 – December 12, 2020)
What an absolute perfect song....A sentimental tune, always pleasing to hear....a warm relic of a bygone era.
Charley Pride recorded the song in the late seventies, but the song and lyrics will take you back to those wonderful teen years during the fifties and early sixties. Enjoy this feel good sing-a-long walk down memory lane.
We lost this country music great on December 12, 2020. Thanks for these special memories my friend. Charley Pride was 86.
Read my Burgers and Fries story here.
Framed Album Cover Art of The Month.
A 50s record player, a few scattered records, school books and a Coca-Cola, blend in well with this simple but effective, Framed Album Cover Art of the Month.
The 1950s signaled the beginning of modern teenager culture in America. This 1978 original LP titled "26 Original Hits," illustrates how most teens approached home work. If you grew up in the 50s, this is what many of the record players looked like.
Teens would spend hours on the phone talking about fashion and dating, with a little schoolwork sprinkled in. Continue below with more about this album cover.
This LP titled "26 Original Hits" is unusual as it is not a Gatefold Album. Gatefold album covers open like a book and reveal photos and artwork and contain liner notes, bios and song lyrics.
The majority of multi-disc vinyl albums used this type of jacket, which unfortunately almost disappeared with the advent of CDs in the 80’s and the other forms of digital media that followed.
This 1978 "26 Original Hits" album contains two records, both in separate sleeves, but in a single pocket of the album. Over time this may create noticeable ring wear, caused by pressure from the vinyl record that has worn a ring in the cover.
"Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." (Ed Bruce Remembered)
Ed Bruce, singer, songwriter and actor died on January 8th, 2021 in Clarksville, Tennessee. Bruce was most noted for his song, "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," a song he wrote with then-wife Patsy Bruce, in 1976.
The song was covered by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings on their 1978 album "Waylon & Willie." Their rendition made it to #1 in March of that year and spent four weeks atop the country music charts. Bruce supplemented his songwriting income doing voice-overs for television and radio commercials.
My favorite by Ed Bruce is "The Last Cowboy Song" penned by Ed Bruce and Ron Peterson and my favorite version of the song is by The Highwaymen. I believe it shares in the group of "Best ever cowboy songs." Ed Bruce was 81. Happy trails to you my friend.
Read more on my extended page featuring "The Last Cowboy Song."
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?
The Platters....I should have written a page on this wonderful group years ago. More talent than many groups today. 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
The Del Shannon Story
Few songs remain as enduring and haunting as the 1961 No. 1 hit, "Runaway." Written by Del Shannon and his keyboardist, Max Crook, it outlines in tear-streaked detail a guy who's lost his girl. 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.
Love Me
With All Your Heart.
Just creamy harmony and seamless pleasure returns you to the days when easy listening was called "dinner music." A Love Song...
The End - Earl Grant
A truly beautiful song with words that reflect the long lasting meaning of love.
"But just tell me you love me and you are only mine ...
And our love will go on 'til the end of time." 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...
The true story of a teenage crush and how a young man was inspired to write his song about the girl he left behind. Read the Fireflies story.
The Fireflies 1959
"You Were Mine."
The Conway Twitty Story.
Learn how he got his name, the friends he grew up with and the only #1 song he would place on the pop charts in 1958. Read more...
The Amazing Andrew Gold.
"That's Why I Love You"
A man with this much talent should certainly be entitled to more than this one simple page that I have provided and not just because I enjoyed one particular song of his more than his others. 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 ...
The Buddy Holly Story
If you grew up in the Buddy Holly era, this 1978 biography profiles the lives of someone who helped change forever, the music in the 50s and beyond. The Roller Rink medley and The Crickets at the Apollo looks back at this special time in history and how it all began. Read more ...
Cowboy Campfire Songs.
Polish up your spurs, Saddle up ole paint and get ready to relive your childhood! Come with me and let's relive those bygone days with these cowboy campfire songs and fond memories of your favorite silver screen cowboys. Read more...
