Vinyl Record Memories Newsletter

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The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of our Newsletter. Writing stories about our vinyl record memories with content from my collection is our way of sharing memories and keeping the oldies alive.  We wish you lots of fun on this journey to the time of Drive-In Movies, Pizza Parlors, Malt Shops, and street cruising in your cool ride on those warm summer nights.

Issue #146, July, 2025

In This Issue:

• Special Connie Francis Issue - Our Favorite Female Singer Is Gone.

• Two of Our Favorite Heartbroken Classics.

• Framed Album Cover Art of The Month

• Best Cover Songs - The Highwaymen Live!

• Sad Ending To This Sixty Year Old #1 Song

•  Love Notes From The 50s. Drama Class At Its Best.

• Betcha Didn't Know!

• Ned Ward's Oldies Show - A Vinyl Record Memories favorite.

• What's Next?

Remembering Connie Francis With Two Of Our Favorites.

When we were young there were always some women we dreamed about. They excited our imaginations, inspired us and certainly entertained us. For me, Connie Francis was that lady.

For many of us, the  Connie Francis songs always bring back those special teen years, a bygone time of innocence where the fun part of life included Friday night sock hops, drive-in movies, cool custom cars and cruising with your friends.  

Her natural talent and beautiful voice have brought joy, not only to me, but to so many others, from teens to your close friends and to the military men and women around the world this wonderful lady has entertained.

Of all the singers that I listened to when I was young, she was the most beautiful singer with the most beautiful voice. Connie's songs were the one's you wanted to hear on the radio. There are few singers who really sing with their heart and mean it. Two of our many Connie Francis heartbreakers, "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You," and "Frankie" each have a special video included for your stroll down memory lane.

Her dignity and musical legacy will always insure her a place in the hearts of those millions that her music has touched. God bless you dear lady for all those wonderful musical moments you shared with me and my friends during our teenage years.  Sadly, Connie Francis died July 16, 2025, at the age of 87.   

Don't Break The Heart That Loves You - 1962

Connie's #1 song from 1962, this ballad is a plea from a heartbroken teenager who is trying to understand why her boyfriend is going out of his way to treat her unkindly.  The song's lyrics explore the girl's plea to her indifferent boyfriend, asking him not to break her heart, as her love for him is genuine and worthwhile. Sadly, the song ends with her begging him not to break her heart, and is another classic song where Connie possess that little "cry" in her voice that is so familiar with many of her songs. 

"Frankie" Vinyl Record Memories - 1959

As you listen to the music notice how simple the lyrics are but how much emotion Connie puts into this song. One of the more popular 50s Teen heartbreak songs ever.

Listen to her grand and powerful voice and how true her sound is. A clear example why her songs have held up over the years. Absolutely beautiful.

Another one of our favorite Connie Francis heart breakers you rarely hear played on the radio. A true vinyl record memories classic.

Framed Album Cover Art Of The Month - 1961 "More Greatest Hits."

Our Framed Album Cover Art for this month is the 1961 MGM compilation album by Connie Francis, titled "More Greatest Hits." An album I've had in my collection for more than sixty years. The album features the songs from Connie's most successful singles on the American market from her 1959 hit "Among My Souvenirs" up to the date of the album's release in May 1961.

Do you collect vinyl records or vinyl record art?  Vinyl records continue to captivate music lovers with their timeless charm and the stories they hold. When writing about music, especially music that was recorded before you were born, you only have the luxury of listening as an outsider. It is the Album Cover Artwork that will be a constant reminder of how good the music inside really is.

Best Cover Songs - Me And Bobby McGee - The Highwaymen 

Another cover of this song, and our personal favorite, is performed by The Highwaymen with Kris Kristofferson leading off. I also enjoy the Jerry Lee Lewis cover. You can flip a coin on these two great covers.

This is a very special video as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson, are no longer with us and they all sounded so good in this 1990 concert. Easy to see how much fun they are having together  singing this song live. 

Don't miss what Kris has to say about his friend, Johnny Cash at the end of the video. As great a songwriter as Kristofferson is, he holds Johnny Cash to a higher level.

A Sad Ending For This June 1963 #1 song.

Vinyl Record Memories returns to June 1963, when a song by Kyu Sakamoto became the surprise hit of the year, and American radio turned Sukiyaki into a #1 song.

Some say it was a terrible choice to give a beautiful ballad such a silly name related to a food that has nothing to do with the lyrics or the meaning of the song.

A Newsweek music critic pointed out at the time that this was like releasing "Moon River" in Japan with the title "Beef Stew." Maybe Sayonara rather than Sukiyaki would have been more in line with the lyrics of the song.

But as I recall, it made no difference to me at the time what the name of the song was. I loved the melody of the song. The original title means "I look up when I walk." Lyrics by Rokusuke Ei were inspired by Ei's breakup with actress Meiko Nakamura.

Kyu Sakamoto had a great voice, the melody was fantastic, and it was just another nice feel-good song. What else mattered when you didn't understand the words? Watch the video and then read below the sad ending to this #1 song from June 1963.

Sadly, Kyu Sakamoto was one of 520 people who died in a Japan Airlines crash in 1985. He was 43. This was and still is the world's worst accident involving a single airliner.

Love Notes From The Fifties.

Sending a message in the fifties was so much different in high school than it is today.

You had to secretly and physically move this note from point A to point B in the classroom without the teacher being aware of the mission at hand.

To discourage this practice notes captured by teachers were read out loud providing some entertaining moments for the class.  Some teachers would have you come to the front of the class and read the note yourself.  This was drama class at its best.

Today's teens simply punch a few buttons on their cell phone and the message is sent to someone anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds. A simple process today....but a whole lot more fun passing notes in those early non-techie years.

Betcha Didn't Know!

The Diamonds were the most successful white group to cover the hits of some of the great black artists of the fifties.

Among them was “Why Do Fools Fall In Love,” originally done by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, and their biggest hit, “Little Darlin," originally done by the Gladiolas. Watch The Diamonds sing this original "Little Darlin" classic live from their 2004 reunion concert.

Ned Ward's Oldies Show...

Each month, we showcase our favorite radio program, Ned Ward's Oldies Show. Ned airs his show from out Oregon way, and if you tune in, you might hear Ned talk a little about Vinyl Record Memories.com. Ned plays all your favorite oldies from the Golden Age of Vinyl Records and beyond.

Listen to Ned Ward's Oldies Show, Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 3pm, all times Pacific. DJ Ned Ward turns music into memories playing yesterday's Classic Hits from the 40's thru the 90's on the new and exciting KNCP Newberry Mix 107.3 FM

What's Next?

An Eagles Showcase - Framed Album Cover Art Original LP

New site updates to make your browsing of vinyl record memories so much easier. You're gonna love this new, simple way, to navigate our site.   

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Fifties Doo-Wop page -  Classic Street Corner Symphonies.

Best Cover Songs - Are some better than the original?

Cruise on over to our Golden Oldies page.

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