Vinyl Record Memories Newsletter

The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of my Newsletter. Writing stories about our vinyl record memories with added content from my collection is another way of sharing memories and keeping the oldies alive.

I do hope that you enjoy these little newsletter stories I write. They are short, they will not win any prizes for literature, but it’s all about the music and our vinyl record memories.

We wish you lots of fun on this journey to the time of Drive-In Movies, Pizza Parlors, Malt Shops, and those memorable Friday night school dances. 

Issue #145, June, 2025

In This Issue:

• Remembering Brian Wilson.

• A Brian Wilson/Beach Boys Tribute.

• Album Cover Art Of The Month..."Stray Cats"

• Old Flames - Keepers of Memories - Man Cave Art.

• This Month In June Music History.

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

Brian Wilson Left Us With Some "Good Vibrations."

Brian Wilson, one of the world's most influential recording artists, has died at 82. Wilson's genius for melody and arrangements inspired one of our favorite summertime anthems, "Good Vibrations." Brian carved out sweet melodies and classic harmonies surrounded by cars, girls, and beaches that resonated across time and places. Our Brian Wilson special feature edition begins with this classic from 1966. 

The production of "Good Vibrations" is reported to have been completed in seventeen recording sessions at four different recording studios in order to capture the sound Brian heard in his head.  It's impossible to overstate the influence Brian Wilson had on rock' n' roll and the music industry with his music masterpiece, Good Vibrations.

The Beach Boys rank among the most popular groups of the rock era, with worldwide sales of more than 100 million. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Thanks to you Brian Wilson for a time when it was fun to be a teenager, and The Beach Boys lit up the summers of the 1960s and beyond.  You were a special man with a special talent and you will be missed.

A Brian Wilson Tribute - Our Beach Boys Collection With Links.

Follow the Beach Boys link below and enjoy the Little Deuce Coupe song and the original Deuce Coupe owner's son talking about the magical presence of this classic '32 Ford coupe. And don't forget to check out the added stories on some great Beach Boys cover songs performed by some very famous artists. You can find all that great information starting with this Beach Boys Vinyl Record Memories link.

Framed Album Cover Art Of The Month.

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 how good the music inside really is.

In an age of digital downloads, another example why fans still love and need to love vinyl records. Between the mid-1960s and the late 1970s, the long-playing record allowed popular music to become an art form and changed popular music for ever.

Musicians could escape the confines of the three-minute pop single and express themselves as never before with glorious artwork and adorning Gatefold sleeves. Arriving at your local Drive-in-movie in this cool hot rod would certainly turn some heads for sure...

It was hard to pass up this 1983 album by The Stray Cats with its "take me back to the rockabilly fifties" look, and the great layout on the Stray Cats sleeve insert.

The stray cats rockabilly line up begins with one cool cat, Lee Rocker, "Slappin' that Doghouse Bass."  On drums we have "Hittin' Not Missin," and the "Howlin' & Screamin'" backing vocals courtesy of Slim Jim Phantom. The "Sangin' & Guitar Twangin'" is provided by lead cat, Brian Setzer.

Producer, Dave Edmunds, also did work on the Carl Perkins Rockabilly Sessions in London in 1985.  Gavin Cochrane did the cover photography and Liner photography was done by Robert Matheu.

"Old Flames"
They Are The Keepers of Memories.

This Drive-in-theater backdrop below titled, "Old Flames," will bring a smile to the face of many of our "senior" readers who grew up in this special time as we continue to reminisce about  "Old Flames."

Nearly everyone's been tempted to check up on an old flame.  Second chances can be lasting and wonderfully satisfying. They are the keepers of memories; they hold the keys to our past and help us make peace with aging.

It's simply undying love for those "Old Flames" we choose not to forget.  It does make life sweeter and my friend, Dale Klee, brings all those memories to life with his amazing classic car art.

Paintings with titles like Mopar Meadow, Mustang Mania, Country Vettes, Barnyard Shakers, and modified memories, will have you dreaming about that special old flame from years past.    

Surely you didn't think I was referring to an old high school flame or that sweet college girl you left behind.  Surely not!!!

Here's a couple of my favorite "Old Flames" sadly abandoned near a 50's drive-in theater, also known back in the day as the passion pit.

For the "Old School" guys, paintings like this one you proudly display on your man cave wall aren't necessarily limited to men with high mileage or fine character...Hot Rod and custom car lovers worldwide will continue to find this part of automobile history captivating.

In the November, 2020, I introduced Dale Klee and his amazing classic old car art paintings. In January, 2021 Dale's art was again featured with one of my favorites titled, A Few Good Years.

Today, Dale continues to create his colorful classic automobile scenes. 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. His prints now adorn homes and businesses throughout the world. You can view more automotive art at the Dale Klee Art website.

This Month In June Music History.

June 28, 1962 - The Drifters record "Up On The Roof."

June 29, 1963 - Del Shannon's cover of The Beatles' "From Me to You" enters the Hot 100 at #96, becoming the first Lennon-McCartney composition to chart in America. Shannon's version peaks at #77; in the UK the Beatles original hits #1 in May.

June 6, 1964 - The Dixie Cups' "Chapel Of Love," a Phil Spector wall-of-sound production, hits #1 in America, where it stays for three weeks.

June 3rd, 1967 - Aretha Franklin's "Respect" hits #1 in America. The song was written and originally recorded by Otis Redding, whose version hit #35 in 1965.

June 16, 1978 - The movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Grease, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, opens in US theaters, becoming the smash hit and  highest-grossing film of 1978.

June 2nd, 1979 - Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff" goes to #1 in the US, where it stays for three weeks.

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?

American Radio Turns Sukiyaki Into A #1 Song.

An Eagles Showcase - Framed Album Cover Art Original LP

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