A Day in the Life
A Hot August Night
Didja ever see Them?… Well, Didja?, We did! On a very warm So Calif. evening. August 30 1965. Myself, my best buddy, Gary and 17,000 other devotees had hiked up the steep hill and in to […]
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Let's Get Trivial
The SMS Trivia Question Of The Week (How good are you?)
Don’t know about you, but…. We blinked and WHAM! It’s mid-May! AND what’s more, it’s TRIVIA TUESDAY for May 15th But first, Big SMS congratulations go out to the one and only SMS reader who […]
Do You Want To Know A Secret?
Surf’s Up!
When you consider the great music of the 1960’s we’re sure you think about ” The British Invasion”, Motown, all the Girl Groups and the blending of Folk music and Rock and Roll. However it […]
Do You Want To Know A Secret?
60’s Music – Are You Feeling Horny?
Horns! The Brass section. Trumpets, Trombones, saxophones, French horns and, occasionally The Tuba. The horn section in American music was both its staple and it’s cornerstone. Going back to the early to mid 1920’s when […]
A Quick One
Hunh? Ummagumma!
It was on this day, April 27, 1969 that Pink Floyd appeared at Mothers Club in Erdington, Birmingham, England. Radio 1 D J John Peel reviewed the gig as ‘…sounding like dying galaxies lost in […]
A Day in the Life
A Hard Day’s Night and other malaprops
On this day, April 16th in 1964 The Beatles filmed the ‘chase scenes’ for A Hard Day’s Night with actors dressed as policemen in the Notting Hill Gate area of London. In the evening they […]
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“The British Invasion” – Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda?
No question, when we talk about 60’s music our focus and “Ground Zero” always turns to “The British Invasion” ! At one point in the mid Sixties statistics indicate that nearly every other record in […]
A Day in the Life
Beatles in Hamburg – 92 straights nights of sex, drugs, and new haircuts!
It was on this day, April 1st, 1961, The Beatles began a grueling three-month residency at The Top Ten Club, Hamburg, playing 92 straight nights. The group played for seven hours a night on weekdays […]
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When Quincy met Lesley
The 1960’s were so rich with innovation, creativity and originality, we all have our personal “Top 10 “lists of the Greatest records ever” However, there are a rare few that transcend the rest, are loved […]
A Day in the Life
“The Sounds Of Electricity” – Simon and Garfunkel
It was on this day, March 10, 1964 that “Folk Singers” Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel went into a New York studio and recorded their now classic debut single , “The Sound Of Silence”. Paul […]
A Quick One
The best Rock ‘n’ Roll scream!
It takes many elements to make a great record…Talent, creativity, a great lyric and melody and a healthy dose of spontaneity! A surprising guitar lick, or drum fill, a harmony from nowhere and for us,a […]
A Quick One
But Bill, why man?
You of course remember and are a bit curious about the mercurial, reclusive, quiet, gum – chewing former Bass player for The Rolling Stones Bill Wyman? When it came to the success and fame of […]
A Day in the Life
Dear Prudence, meet Sexy Sadie!
It was 50 years ago today, Feb 15th, 1968 when The Beatles, their wives and friends set off for the Ashram of The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi located in Northern India in the city of Rishikish. […]
A Quick One
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Misunderstood and misinterpreted lyrics have been the subject of laughter, conversation, many books, films and T.V! Take a look at a few hugely popular songs from the 60’s that YOU THINK YOU KNOW! However, after […]
Do You Want To Know A Secret?
Bobby Vee hits back
“I punched my buddy in the nose after lunch”…Wha?…Hunh? Yep, that’s what the man said, that man? Robert Velline! However you know him as Bobby Vee, and that is the opening line of lyric from […]
Our Favorite Things
Turn On! The Television – The Twilight Zone
In the 1960’s, when we weren’t listening to the greatest music of all time, we watched T.V ! No Hi-def flat screens with international satellite up links, just three networks and the most innovative and […]
A Day in the Life
“The Naked Truth” with John and Yoko
It was on this day, Jan. 25, in 1969, when New Jersey state prosecutors issued a warning to US record dealers that they would be charged with distributing pornography if they were caught selling the […]
A Day in the Life
Remember Your First Time?
I do ! The first time I went down to the record store and bought my first record! The record store was Pedrinis Music on Eagle Rock Blvd in Eagle Rock Calif. The Masterpiece I […]
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The Laurel Canyon Mafia!
Yes, Virginia, there was a “Laurel Canyon Mafia”. Laurel Canyon, a cozy hamlet centered in the low-lying Hollywood hills, looming over the infamous Sunset Strip and acting as a geographical and cultural divide between L.A.s […]
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When Wendy Was Walter
You, of course remember and loved “The First Movement of The Brandenburg concerto number three in G major” Dintja? You should, it’s been a huge hit TWICE, although initially it was a regional hit breaking […]
A Quick One
The Early Days
On this day, Jan.5th 1969 Led Zeppelin were wrapping up their first American tour concluding four nights at The Whisky ‘A Go Go in Los Angeles. Their opening act was Alice Cooper and the Zep […]
A Quick One
“Quite Rightly”
You, of course recall Donovan’s retro ( trumpets, trombones and a tuba ) trippy and beautiful ballad from 1966, “Mellow Yellow” …..And you likely remember a couple of the rumors that circulated around the records […]
A Quick One
Playboy’s favorite drummer
Didja know that this week in 1975, “Playboy’s” annual music poll named Karen Carpenter “The best Drummer in popular music”…. OMG! Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham came in at number two!? Did you ever see The […]
A Quick One
Sixties Music – From The Wrong Side…
Didja know that in 2008 Neil Diamond became the oldest artist to attain the Billboard number one position with his album “Home Before Dark” Neil was 67 years old. Prior to Neil accomplishing this dubious […]
A Quick One
Metal Madness
This week’s “Quick One” will focus on “Heavy Metal” and it’s origin! It’s widely believed that “Heavy Metal” entered our musical conscious and nomenclature in the 1970’s when from outta nowhere our speakers were rattling […]
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“In L.A. You Know Where That’s At”
When history considers the “L.A.” or “West Coast” sounds of Southern California in the 1960’s, we tend to turn our attention to a relatively small yet incredibly prolific and powerful grouping of Artists and Musicians. […]
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Did you get “Head” in 1968?
The truth is most people didn’t! “Head” was the first and last feature film starring The Monkees! Released 49 years ago today Nov. 20, 1968….Columbia Pictures produced and distributed the film and everyone believed it […]
A Day in the Life
Midnight Confessions at ‘the sad cafe’
In the late Sixties, into the early Seventies, the “Club Scene in So. Calif. was thriving. World Class venues like “The Whisky au, go, go “The Hullabaloo Club, “The Trip, Pandora’s Box” “Bito Lido’s” “London […]
A Day in the Life
Like a Rolling Stone (magazine)
It was 50 years ago this week, Nov 3rd, 1967 that Rolling Stone Magazine, a weekly publication located in San Francisco Calif. published it’s debut issue Rolling Stone # 1…The founder and publisher Jann Wenner […]
A Quick One
Delete The Beatles
Welcome to a new feature at Sixties Music Secrets. Here’s the drill: What if you could travel back in time and completely remove one song from The Beatles incredible repertoire. Yep, eliminate any trace, history […]
A Quick One
“Mash good!”
It was 55 years ago today, Oct. 20, 1962 that Bobby “Boris” Pickett would begin his three-week run at number one on the Billboard charts with his now legendary mega-hit “Monster Mash”. Some called it […]
A Quick One
“Strap Your Hands Cross My Engines”
It was on this day Feb 8th, 1965 that The Castiles opened for The Florescents at thr I.B. Club in Howell New Jersey! This was The Castiles first advertised club show featuring their newest member […]
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Jumpin’ Jack Flash it’s a Gas, Gas, Gas! (UPDATE!)
You’re gonna love this ( and read below for an update ) On this day, July 8th in 1959, The Esso gas company introduced a campaign claiming that listening to “Rock an Roll” music on […]
A Day in the Life
The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour
Yes, it was 50 years ago today Sept. 11, 1967 when The Beatles set off on their newest project / adventure / and first major failure, their first and last film completely written, produced, directed […]
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“Whats A Matter Baby?”
The Music Business is rich with great stories! One of our favorites is about Ike Turner and his new girlfriend, protegee, meal ticket, future wife and Love Slave. Anna Mae Bullock…..Mrs. Tina Turner! As the […]
A Day in the Life
Stevie Wonder – 12 Year Old Genius
es, it was on this day August 25, 1963! that Stevie Wonder captured the music world and dominated it ever since! 54 years ago today his single “Fingertips part two” achieved the number one position […]
A Day in the Life
“A Hard Day’s Night”
Didja know that it was on this day August 12, 1964 (Yep, 53 years ago) United Artists released “The Beatles in their first, full length, Hilarious, Action Packed Film!”….. (that’s exactly how “The one sheet” […]
Do You Want To Know A Secret?
“Poor Jenny”
As a regular reader of Sixties Music Secret’s you’re probably aware that many of our posts are inspired after hearing a rare piece of music from the 60’s, which is the inspiration behind this post. […]
A Quick One
“Only The Lonely”
Didja know it was on this day July 29th 1960 that Roy Orbison had his first number one record, although in the U.K. with “Only The Lonely” where he was more popular than he was […]
A Day in the Life
“One If By Land, Two If By Sea”
THE BRITISH ARE COMING ! THE BRITISH ARE COMING ! We have discussed, analyzed, argued and reminisced about the incredible diversity of music that coalesced during the 1960’s. However, we believe there is one musical […]
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Days Of Future Passed
You, of course remember, loved and likely played ’til the grooves turned grey The Moody Blues Iconic ambitious and beautiful “concept album” “Days’ of Future Passed” This was only the bands second L.P. Following their […]
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Liverpool Sunset
It was 50 years ago today, May 5th 1967 that The Kinks released their staggeringly beautiful “Waterloo Sunset”. Acclaimed by many as The Kinks single best piece of work, it was solely written and produced […]
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Rod Stewart and his friend Sharon!
Elton John’s nickname is “Rocket Man”, So dubbed after his huge number one hit, of the same name in 1972, from his “Honkey Chateau” album. However, his very good friend Rod Stewart always calls him […]
A Day in the Life
“John and Mitchy were gettin kinda itchy”
Folk rock! When Worlds Collide. The inevitable and incredible merger of two uniquely American musical genres. Folk Music, performed almost exclusively on acoustic string instruments and “borrowed” its themes and lyrical message from the “Beat […]
A Day in the Life
The Ballad of John And Yoko
Didja know that on this day, April 14th 1969 The Beatles ( actually only John and Paul) entered the studio to record “The Ballad of John and Yoko. The first and only single to feature […]
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A Day in the Life
The Butcher Cover!
It was on this day, March 25, 1966 that The Beatles met at Bob Whitaker’s photo studio in London for a photo shoot of what was to be the cover for their next (ninth) album […]
A Quick One
“96 Tears”
You, of course remember and likely loved the “cheesy” garage band classic “96 Tears” by ? And the Mysterians in 1966. But, did you know that the original title of the song ( written in […]
A Day in the Life
Elvis Presley invades Britain
Didja know that THE ONE AND ONLY TIME Elvis ever stepped on British soil was on this day, March 2nd in 1960!…It was during his stint in the Army when a transport plane he was […]
A Quick One
Herman’s Hermits
Didn’t you love Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone as “Herman”? Although considered a singles artist and never critical darlings, they had over a half dozen huge and very diverse hits “Something Good” “Mrs Brown You’ve […]
A Day in the Life
“The Day The Music Died”
It was on this day Feb 3 1959 that Rock ‘n’Roll suffered its first tragedy.58 years ago on a very cold and snowy, winter night, a small 4 seat Beachcraft Bonanza charter plane took off […]
A Day in the Life
Ed Sullivan & The Rolling Stones
It was on this very day, Sunday, January 15, 1967 that the Rolling Stones appeared on The Ed Sullivan show to perform their new single. “Let’s Spend The Night Together” After reviewing the songs lyric […]
Do You Want To Know A Secret?
The Righteous Bros.
We’ve all heard plenty of insane stories about the legendary and notorious record producer Phil Specter! Our favorite, however, occurred during the production of what many believe was Specters signature “Wall Of Sound” recording. “You’ve […]
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1967 – The Golden Anniversary
Today, Sunday January first 2017 marks “Day One” of the fiftieth anniversary of the most prolific, diverse, creative and experimental year of music in the decade of the greatest music in history! Like no year […]
A Day in the Life
Otis Redding’s posthumous hit
It was on this day Dec 7, 1967, Otis Redding went into a Memphis studio and began recording his classic “Sitting on the dock of the bay” Otis never finished that recording. In fact his […]
Do You Want To Know A Secret?
What’s the Point?
We’ll get to the point dear reader, but first we want to talk about our favorite singer/songwriter from The 60’s Harry Nilsson! Unassuming, soft spoken, timid, tremendously talented and criminally unrecognized. In our book, Harry […]
A Day in the Life
The T.A.M.I. Show 1964 – Ya Hadda Be There!
Were you there? I was! In the mid sixties, Southern California became ground zero for the two greatest concert events of the decade and the generation who embraced them. The T.A.M.I. Show and The Big […]
A Quick One
“A Really Big Show”
On this day (April 9th) in 1967, The Doors and The Jefferson Airplane played their first show together at The Cheetah club, on the pier in Venice Calif. Considered a ” Huge Event” at the […]
A Quick One
A Day in the Life
Jim Morrison! Did he, or didn’t he ?
On March 1, 1969, Jim Morrison and the Doors performed one of the most talked about concerts in the history of rock music at the Dinner Key Auditorium in Miami where he allegedly exposed himself […]
Let's Get Trivial
The SMS Trivia Question Of The Week!
Yep! It’s Trivia Tuesday for Sept. 18th But, first Things first! We’d like to acknowledge the “Right On” readers who correctly answered last week’s question, which was an Anagram; Nutter Iran actually translates to, the […]
Do You Want To Know A Secret?
“Shagadelic Baby”
Meet The Shaggs! As you know, we frequently refer to the 1960’s as “Thee greatest decade of music in all of history.” There is no question that the musical battle cry for the decade was […]
Let's Get Trivial
The SMS Trivia Question Of The Week ?,
Yep! It’s Trivia Tuesday for Sept. 11th ! A melancholy day in America, but perhaps we can lighten things up a bit with a bit of Trivia! But, before we get to today’s quiz, we’d […]
A Day in the Life
“Hey hey, who’s a Monkee?”
You probably know plenty about “The Monkees, aka “The Pre-Fab Four!” But do you know how it all got started, and who else showed up for the audition? It all began on this day […]
Let's Get Trivial
The SMS Trivia Question Of The Week !
As “Earth, Wind and Fire” once sang, “Do you remember, dancing in September” Well, now’s Your chance, cuz it’s Trivia Tuesday for Sept. 4th. BUT FIRST, Our usual giant congratulations go out to the loyal […]
A Quick One
The Who – Hoping to die, before they got old
Were you a fan of the original drummer and resident Madman for The Who? Unfortunately, next week on Friday Sept 7th we will recognize the 40th Anniversary marking the passing of arguably Rock music’s greatest […]
Let's Get Trivial
The SMS Trivia Question Of The Week ?
The ( semi ) Original Beach Boys ! The end of summer is cresting just over the horizon, but today is still Trivia Tuesday for August […]
A Quick One
WIPE OUT The Beach Boys!
In October of last year, we posted a column titled “Delete The Beatles”, asking you, our reader to choose one Beatles song they’d like to see banished from all of our mutual musical histories! Yep, […]
Let's Get Trivial
The SMS Trivia Question Of The Week ?
Yes, it’s time to open the door to Trivia Tuesday, for August 21. And, as we like to do each week, it’s time to recognize the brilliant readers that correctly answered last week’s question, which […]