Music Monday: April 13, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week we celebrated how successful Otis Redding was in 1966. Not only did he release two albums that year, he also made his debut at the Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. He performed seven shows during his three night engagement which took place on Friday April 8, Saturday April 9 and Sunday April 10, 1966.

Photo of Otis Redding (center) on stage at The Whisky A Go Go from his Facebook page. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The now legendary Whisky-which opened in January 1964 & continues to operate today-welcomed many bands and artists over the last six decades & Redding’s shows were one of the first to feature a soul music artist. His shows took place a month before The Doors became the house band which opened for all the performers that played at the venue from May 23 to August 21, 1966 (more on that next week). But how incredibly sublime would it have been to have them & Redding on the same stage on the same night?

His live shows were his secret weapon. While the passion he exuded in his recordings was palpable, it was in full view when he was on stage. And it was infectious. That energy and Redding’s immense talent made him a standout at the The Monterey International Pop Festival a year later in June 1967, a career defining moment that became his breakthough to the American audience. But The Whisky is where California welcomed him first.

An album featuring that performance-In Person at the Whisky a Go Go-was released October 1968, 10 months after Redding’s death in December 1967.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A second album, Good to Me: Live at the Whisky a Go Go, Vol. 2, was released in 1993.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Redding’s appearances at the club, all seven performances were released on Live at the Whisky a Go Go: The Complete Recordings, on October 21, 2016. It won writer Lynell George the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. A playlist for all the songs from this recording are available on Redding’s YouTube channel.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “I Can’t Turn You Loose” (1966, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “Pain In My Heart” (1966, written by Naomi Neville a/k/a Allen Toussaint).

Otis Redding: “Mr. Pitiful” (1966, written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1966, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

Otis Redding: “These Arms of Mine” (1966, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “Chained and Bound” (1966, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “A Hard Day’s Night” (1966, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: April 6, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

1966 was a big year for Stax Records & Otis Redding and Steve Cropper-the label’s resident musical designated hitter-had a lot to do with that. He joined the label in 1961 as an A&R man before establishing his musical talent as a songwriter & as a supberbly skilled guitar player in the group he co-founded, Booker T & The M.G.’s, the house band for Stax. Cropper eventually became an in-house producer as well and saw success in that role, especially with the 1965 album, Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul.

Otis Redding (L) with Steve Cropper (R) circa 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The next year started with the release of a song written by Cropper and Eddie Floyd, played on by the house band and sung by Wilson Pickett. He took it to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart for seven consecutive weeks in the spring of 1966 (It peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in March 1966). The track also featured backing vocals by Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. A month later, the same song was covered by Redding on The Soul Album, which Cropper co-produced & played on with the house band. The record also includes another track co-written by Floyd (“Everybody Makes a Mistake”) as well as a great take on a Sam Cooke song.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In June 1966 Sam & Dave had their own #1 hit on the R&B chart for one week with “Hold On, I’m Comin'”, with Cropper & the rest of Booker T & The M.G.’s performing on the song. In July another track he co-wrote with Floyd-“Knock On Wood”-was released, this time with Floyd on lead vocal. It reached #1 for one week in November on the same R&B chart while also reaching #28 on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart.

Redding released a second album 60 years ago. Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul, which came out in October 1966, also featured Booker T & The M.G.’s as the house band, with Cropper contributing as a co-writer on two tracks. On their own, he & Redding were two musical powerhouses that helped put Stax & soul music on the map. Together, they created a sound so original that 60 years later, it still defines the genre.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Wilson Pickett: “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)” (1966, written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd).

Otis Redding: “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)” (1966, written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd).

Otis Redding: “Chain Gang” (1966, written by Sam Cooke).

Otis Redding: “Try A Little Tenderness” (1966, written by Jimmy Campbell, Reginald Connelly and Harry M. Woods).

Otis Redding: “Day Tripper” (1966, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Otis Redding: “My Lover’s Prayer” (1966, written by Otis Redding).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 30, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Darrell George Crofts, known professionally as Dash Crofts, died last week at age 87. He was one half of the musical duo, Seals & Crofts, formed in 1969. The peak of their success took place in the 1970’s with three Top Ten hits.

He and Jim Seals-who died at age 80 in 2022-were both Texas natives who met in the 1950’s through local bands. They were also both multi-instramentalists who played guitar & mandolin, with Seals also adept on the volin and sax while Crofts played drums. They released their self-titled debut album in 1969. Their fourth record proved to be their breakthrough, with the title track reaching #6 in 1972. After a decade of success, the duo broke up in 1981 & reunited in 2004 for their final album, Traces.

As soon as I heard Crofts died, I did what so many of us do these days-I went to YouTube to reclaim the part of my childhood that had just been taken away. Once I heard the familiar opening notes of “Summer Breeze”, I was instantly transported back to my wonder years when I went to sleep with the radio on, reliving the feeling of unbelievable comfort I had from the song’s soothing melody and the beautiful harmonies that would follow. I also remember finding the 45″ of “Get Closer” in my cousins’ record collection because their dad loved that song so much. To this day, I think of my uncle whenever I hear that song. Despite that deep nostalgia, Seals & Crofts still ended up on my periphery. I don’t know why and that is my loss.

Those evocative memories aside, I was today years old when I found out that Seals & Crofts are considered a soft rock sound. I totally get it & see it from my grown up perspective now, but at the time I thought of them more as a sophisticated pop duo that I thoroughly enjoyed. Whatever category you place them in, they earned their place in the sountrack of this thing we call life.

Darrell George “Dash” Crofts: August 14, 1938 – March 25, 2026 

Dash Crofts (L) and Jim Seals (R) circa 1978. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

At the end of 2025 I rediscovered a song I loved that was released as a single in 2000. The very first time I heard it then, I thought it was by Celine Dion. But the more I listened, the more I second guessed myself. Eventually I discovered the singer was Lara Fabian.

Lara Fabian’s self-titled 1999 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

What I did not know then was that the co-writer of the song was David Allen Loggins (November 10, 1947 – July 10, 2024). Yes, he is related to Kenny Loggins (they are cousins) and Dave is best known for his own song, “Please Come To Boston”, which peaked at #5 in August 1974. The track earned him a place in the singer-songwriter genre which was immensely popular in that decade.

Dave Loggins on The Midnight Special in July 1974. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dave wrote several tunes for country artists and two reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart-one in October 1985 by Juice Newton (“You Make Me Want to Make You Mine”) and the second 40 years ago in January 1986 by Kenny Rogers (“Morning Desire”). Dave sang on a country song in 1984-a duet with Anne Murray-that reached the #1 spot on the country chart in December of that year. That track helped the two singers win the Vocal Duo of the Year prize at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in 1985. (Fun fact: That same year the song appeared on Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut album as a duet with Jermaine Jackson).

Another fun fact: Murray (who turned 80 in 2025, born June 20, 1945 in Nova Scotia, Canada) had two hit songs in the 1970’s that were written by Dave’s cousin, Kenny Loggins: “Danny’s Song” (a Top 10 hit in April 1973) and “A Love Song” (a Top 20 hit in 1974). Those three artists are connected in another great example of musical symmetry.

Dave Loggins (L) and Anne Murray (R) circa 1984. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Seals & Crofts: “Summer Breeze” (1972, written by Dash Crofts and James Seals).

Seals & Crofts: “We May Never Pass This Way Again” (1973, written by Dash Crofts and James Seals).

Seals & Crofts featuring Carolyn Willis: “Get Closer” (1976, written by Dash Crofts and James Seals).

Dave Loggins: “Please Come To Boston” (Performed on “The Midnight Special” TV show broadcast on July 19, 1974. Written by Dave Loggins).

Anne Murray with Dave Loggins: “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do” (1984, written by James Dunne and Pamela Phillips).

Lara Fabian: “Love By Grace” (1999, written by Dave Loggins and Wayne Tester).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 23, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This year will mark the 85th birth anniversary for a singer & songwriter best known for songs made famous by others. Tim Hardin was born December 23, 1941 in Eugene, Oregon. His father played bass in an Army jazz band and his mother played violin in the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Hardin learned guitar while he was in high school before he quit to enlist in the Marines where he served in Asia. He honed his musical skills during that time, so when he was discharged in 1961, he moved to NYC and began playing in small clubs. Two years later he moved to Boston where he was approached by Columbia Records. Unfortunately, they did not move forward with his demos.

In 1965 he relocated to California and by July 1966, he released his first record, Tim Hardin 1, on Verve Records. One of the tracks, “Reason To Believe”, was the first single from Rod Stewart’s 1971 breakthrough album, Every Picture Tells A Story. When the B-side, “Maggie May”, started receiving more air play, it catapulted the double-sided single to the #1 spot in the country for five consecutive weeks in the fall of 1971. Over two decades later, Stewart included “Reason” as part of his MTV “Unplugged” performance and the song became a hit again, reaching the Top 20 in October 1993.

In November 1966, Bobby Darin’s recording of Hardin’s song, “If I Were A Carpenter”, peaked at #8. He included his own version on his second album, Tim Hardin 2, released in 1967. He also sang it live during his Woodstock performance in August 1969.

Hardin released nine albums in his lifetime before his death in 1980 from an accidental overdose of heroin, an addiction he struggled with since he was introduced to it during his military years in Asia. His 10th album, Unforgiven, was released posthumously in 1981. His music has been covered by many artists including Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, The Four Tops, The Carpenters and Don McLean.

My favorite album of Hardin’s-Bird On A Wire-was released 55 years ago in June 1971. The title track is my favorite vocal performance by him.

James Timothy Hardin: December 23, 1941 – December 29, 1980

Tim Hardin circa 1968. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

 Hardin’s 1971 album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another artist we lost too soon was English musician Paul Kosoff. Last year marked his 75th birth anniversary (born Sept 14, 1950) and March 19 marked the 50th anniversaryof his death in 1976 at age 25. He was the lead guitarist & co-founder of the rock band, Free.

He studied classical guitar from the ages of 9 to 15, at which time he decided to pursue a career in music after attending a show by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. In 1966 Kosoff was in the band Black Cat Bones with drummer Simon Kirke. Two years later they co-founded Free with vocalist Paul Rodgers and bassist Andy Fraser. Their debut album, Tons Of Sobs, was released in March 1969.

They found their greatest success from their third album-Fire and Water, released in June 1970-thanks to the their breakthrough single, “All Right Now”. It is one of the greatest rock anthems in music history. I have been obsessed with this track since I was a kid and a century later I still cannot get enough of it. Four standout performances by each member of the band combined together to make an intensely masterful and sublime track.

Free initially disbanded in 1971 due to internal tensions but came together a year later to record Free at Last. That was followed by Fraser’s departure, reportedly due in part to Kosoff’s undependability because of his growing substance abuse issues. The band broke up for good in 1973 and later that year, Kosoff released his solo debut, Back Street Crawler. He was set to be on a double billed tour with Rodgers’ & Kirke’s new band, Bad Company, beginning in April 1976. Sadly, Kosoff died from a pulmonary embolism a month before.

Paul Francis Kossoff: September 14, 1950 – 19 March 19, 1976

Paul Kosoff circa 1974 (L) and 1970 (R). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

(L-R): Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Kosoff & Simon Kirke. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Tim Hardin: “Reason To Believe” (1966, written by Tim Hardin).

Tim Hardin: “If I Were A Carpenter” (1967, written by Tim Hardin).

Tim Hardin: “Bird On A Wire” (1971, written by Leonard Cohen).

Free: “Moonshine” (1969, written by Paul Kossoff’ and Paul Rodgers).

Free: “Oh I Wept” (1970, written by Paul Kossoff’ and Paul Rodgers).

Free: “All Right Now” (1970, written by Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 16, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs’ Silk Degrees was released 50 years ago in February 1976. Seven months later, it peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200. It produced four singles, one that peaked at #2 and another which was a Top 20 hit. This was Scaggs’ seventh solo album and proved to be his breakthrough record.

The blues/R&B/rock singer-born William Royce Scaggs on June 8, 1944 in Canton, Ohio-started his singing career in 1959 as the lead singer for The Marksmen, which was guitarist’s Steve Miller’s first band. Scaggs was a member of The Steve Miller Band as well from 1967-1968, then pursued a solo career. Eight years later, the two former bandmates would meet on the music charts when Miller’s Fly Like An Eagle album was released in May 1976, three months after Silk Degrees.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs circa 1972. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Scaggs on stage during an October 2021 show in Florida. (Image courtesy of his official Facebook page. Original source unknown.)

One of the funniest films ever made just turned 30 years old. “The Birdcage”-based on the 1978 French-Italian film, “La Cage aux Folles”, which was based on the 1973 play by Jean Poiret-was released March 8, 1996. The stellar cast was led spectacularly by Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as a gay couple trying to hide their relationship from their son’s ultra conservative future in-laws, played to perfection by Gene Hackman and Dianne Wiest. Dan Futterman & Calista Flockhart play the young couple trying to merge the two polar opposite worlds.

Lane-who turned 70 last month-turned shrieking into an art form in the movie. He was on “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” last year & discussed how Mike Nichols cast him in the role of Albert opposite Williams as Armand. Lane tells a great story, full of laughs, insight & interesting information such as Williams was originally slated to play Albert opposite Steve Martin as Armand. As much as I adore Martin, I cannot picture anyone in the roles better than Lane & Williams. The movie is still one of my go-to’s whenever I need an intense laugh.

The official movie poster. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A still from the dinner scene (L-R): Calista Flockhart, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, Dan Futterman and Dianne Wiest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Lane and Hackman in mid-song, with Williams in the background at the piano. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Boz Scaggs: “Lowdown” (1976, written by David Paich and Boz Scaggs).

Boz Scaggs: “Lido Shuffle” (1976, written by David Paich and Boz Scaggs).

Boz Scaggs: “We’re All Alone” (1976, written by Boz Scaggs).

The Cast Of “The Birdcage”: “I Could Have Danced All Night” (1996, written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. Cast in order of appearance: Dianne Wiest, Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Calista Flockhart, Dan Futterman and Hank Azaria).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 9, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company’s third studio album, Run With The Pack, was released 50 years ago in January 1976. The supergroup had cemented their place in classic rock with their debut album in 1974, and by this third album in as many years they were known for the intensity of their live shows as well.

Run peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 in 1976 and produced three singles: the title track, “Young Blood” which peaked at #20-and was a Lieber & Stoller cover originally recorded by The Coasters in 1957-and “Honey Child” which peaked at #59. The album is one of my top picks by the band as it features three of my all time favorite songs by them.

Bad Company circa 1975 (L to R): Simon Kirke, Mick Ralphs, Boz Burrell and Paul Rodgers. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Speaking of the great songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller-who gave us so many of the songs Elvis made famous-I recently discovered another one of their tracks during an “Ally McBeal” rewatch.

Near the end of S1 E2, Vonda Shepard starting singing a song that was unfamiliar to me. After a quick Google search of the lyrics, I found the original recording from 1977. It is by English singer Elkie Brooks who I never heard of before but what a discovery. She has an incredibly soulful voice with a hint of rasp that gives Rod Stewart vibes. I cannot find Shepard’s version on line but she did a fabulous job on it, as she did on most of the songs she covered on the show.

Elkie Brooks circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another new-to-me song from my “Ally” rewatch is from Gladys Knight & The Pips. It was written by singer, songwriter & Mississippi native, Jim Weatherly (March 17, 1943 – February 3, 2021). He wrote five songs for their 1973 album, Imagination, their first release for Buddah Records, the label they landed at after leaving Motown. The group’s two biggest hits-“Midnight Train To Georgia”, which was #1 for two weeks in October 1973 and “Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)”, a #2 hit in April 1973-were also written by Weatherly. A year later, the group took yet another one of his compositions, “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me”, to the #3 spot in April 1974.

He was a quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels from 1962-1964 while he was a student at the University of Mississippi. After graduation he pursued music which included his own contract from Buddah after the success of “Midnight Train”. Weatherly released 11 albums between 1972 and 2008. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 20 years ago in 2006 and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. His songs were also recorded by Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond, amongst others.

Jim Weatherly circa 1973. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bad Company: “Simple Man” (1976, written by Mick Ralphs).

Bad Company: “Love Me Somebody” (1976, written by Paul Rodgers).

Bad Company: “Silver, Blue & Gold“(1976, written by Paul Rodgers).

Elkie Brooks: “Pearl’s A Singer” (1977, written by Ralph Dino, Jerry Leiber, John Sembello and Mike Stoller).

Gladys Knight & The Pips: “Where Peaceful Waters Flow” (1973, written by Jim Weatherly).

Jim Weatherly: “Where Peaceful Waters Flow” (1973, written by Jim Weatherly).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 2, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Legendary actor Robert Duvall passed away last month at age 95. Born January 5, 1931 in San Diego, California, his esteemed & remarkable 60 year film career began in 1962 as Boo Radley in “To Kill A Mockingbird”. The screenplay was written by Horton Foote who was also the writer of 1983’s “Tender Mercies”. That film earned Duvall the Best Actor Oscar in 1984 for his role as country singer Mac Sledge. Duvall received a total of seven Academy Award nominations in his career, three times for Best Actor & four times for Best Supporting Oscar. He also won four Golden Globe awards amongst his many accolades.

In between those two films Duvall rose to prominance for several high profile roles especially as Tom Hagen in “The Godfather” (1972) & “The Godfather Part 2” (1974), Lt. Col. Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now” (1979), Bull Meechum in “The Great Santini” (1979), grieving dad Joe Hillerman in “The Stone Boy” (1984), Gus McCrae in “Lonesome Dove” (1989), Earl in “A Family Thing” (1996), the title character in “The Apostle” (1997), Hub in “Secondhand Lions” (2003), Wayne in “Crazy Heart” (2009) and Joseph Palmer in “The Judge” (2014).

Robert Duvall as Boo Radley in his 1962 film debut, “To Kill a Mockingbird” (with Mary Badham who played Scout). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Duvall (L) during the filming of “The Godfather” (1972) with Marlon Brando (R). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now”, released in August 1979. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Duvall in “The Great Santini”, released in October 1979. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)


Still from 1983’s “Tender Mercies” (L-R): Tess Harper, Duvall and Allan Hubbard. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Duvall with his Best Actor Oscar at the 1984 Academy Awards. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Jeff Bridges (L) with Duvall (R) in “Crazy Heart” (2009). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

James Roday’s hilarious alter ego, Shawn Spencer, mentions Duvall by name while talking to a friend in a Psych episode from 2010 (S4 E10). Spencer concedes to jumping to the wrong conclusion about a possible suspect the police were observing.

“It’s funny that Major General Felts turned out to be the good guy in all of this. If I hadn’t seen “The Great Santini” so many times, I probably would have seen that sooner”.

Spencer & his friend then marvel about the actor’s performance: “Duvall. Yeah, Duvall”.

Farewell to an astonishingly gifted actor.

Robert Selden Duvall: January 5, 1931 – February 15, 2026.

Duvall in “The Stone Boy” (1984). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

When the country rang in the new year 55 years ago, George Harrison’s first solo single was at the top of the charts. The song reached the #1 spot on December 26, 1970 and stayed in that position for four consecutive weeks. That success helped drive his third solo album, All Things Must Pass, to the top of the Billboard 200 chart for seven consecutive weeks beginning on January 2, 1971, less than a month after its release.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of my favorite movies, “Nashville”, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. I fell in love with the way director & producer Robert Altman told the story of two distinctively different families brought together by the union of their children in 1978’s “A Wedding”. He chronicled the every day  intricacies of life including all the ballast it brings through moments which are messy, quirky, warm, fun, sad, tragic and over entirely too fast. So when I found out he made a movie with all that set to a musical substory-and Lily Tomlin in a lead role-I welcomed it. The story features an ensemble cast telling the story of over two dozen people intertwined in each other’s lives, dreams, hopes & expectations over a five day period which changes their trajectory in powerful unexpected ways.

The Criterion Collection called the film “a cinematic tapestry that is equal parts comedy, tragedy, and musical. Many members of the astonishing cast wrote their own songs and performed them live on location, which lends another layer to the film’s quirky authenticity. Altman’s ability to get to the heart of American life via its eccentric byways was never put to better use than in this grand, rollicking triumph, which barrels forward to an unforgettable conclusion”.

One of the tracks I absolutely adore-written & performed by Keith Carradine-won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 48th Academy Awards in 1976.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Keith Carradine (L) and Shelley Duvall (R) in “Nashville”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Robert Duvall (as Mac Sledge): “If You’ll Hold The Ladder (I’ll Climb To The Top)” (1983, written by Sara Busby and Buzz Rabin. Featured in the film, “Tender Mercies”).

George Harrison: “My Sweet Lord” (1970, written by George Harrison).

Keith Carradine: “I’m Easy” (1975, written by Keith Carradine).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 23, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

“Come down off your throne and leave your body alone
Somebody must change
You are the reason I’ve been waiting so long
Somebody holds the key

Well I’m near the end and just ain’t got the time
And I’m wasted and I can’t find my way home

Come down on your own and leave your body alone
Somebody must change
You are the reason I’ve been waiting all these years
Somebody holds the key

Well I’m near the end and just ain’t got the time
Oh and I’m wasted and I can’t find my way home

But I can’t find my way home
But I can’t find my way home
But I can’t find my way home
But I can’t find my way home
Still I can’t find my way home
And I ain’t done nothing wrong
But I can’t find my way home”.

Celebrating 57 years of one of the most beautiful tracks I ever heard.

Blind Faith’s 1969 self-titled album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Blind Faith: “Can’t Find My Way Home” (1969, written by Steve Winwood).

Steve Winwood: “Can’t Find My Way Home” (2012, written by Steve Winwood).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 16, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The death of Catherine O’Hara last month at age 71 brought an end to a five decade career for one of the funniest & most versatile actors in the world. Born Catherine Anne O’Hara on March 4, 1954 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, she started her career as a member of The Second City (SC) improv group in 1974. Two years later, they launched the sketch comedy show, “Second City Television” (SCTV). That exposure & her incredible talent led to dozens of movie roles including “Beetlejuice” in 1988, “Home Alone” in 1990, its 1992 sequel, “Home Alone 2: Lost In New York”, “Best In Show” in 2000 and “For Your Consideration” in 2006, amongst many others.

Catherine O’Hara in two of her most notable roles: As Delia in “Beetlejuice” (1988, top) and as Kevin’s mom, Kate, in “Home Alone” (1990, below). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

She also made several notable TV appearances in series like “Dream On”, “Six Feet Under, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “30 Rock”, “Modern Family” and many others. Her most succesful TV role was opposite longtime friend & frequent collaborator, Eugene Levy, as the spoiled pampered riches-to-rags couple in the uproariously funny series, “Schitt’s Creek”, which ran from 2015-2020. Their movie partnerships included 1996’s “Waiting For Guffman”, 2000’s “Best In Show” and the singing duo “Mitch & Mickey”in 2003’s “A Mighty Wind”. Farewell to one of the funniest women we were privledged to know.

Catherine O’Hara: March 4, 1954 – January 30, 2026.

#goodbyetoagreatactress😎

Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara as “Mitch & Mickey” in 2003’s “A Mighty Wind”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Rose Family (L-R): Levy, O’Hara, Dan Levy and Annie Murphy as John, Moira, David & Alexis. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

O’Hara as a Jazzagal in a 2017 episode of “Schitt’s Creek”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Richard Paul Astley-known famililarily as Rick Astley-turned 60 this month. Born February 6, 1966 in the U.K., his career started with his 1987 debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody. The first two singles were #1 hits: “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever”. Here is my post from Music Monday: November 18, 2024:

“An 80’s era singer that flew under my radar was Rick Astley. While I always thought he was quite adorable & swooned over the blue eyed soul sound he had going on, dance music was never my thing so I usually did not listen to him or watch his videos. But then his 1991 album, Free, came out and included a ballad I absolutely adore to this day. I was not alone in that feeling as it became a Top Ten hit for him, peaking at #7 in April 1991. It featured The Andraé Crouch Choir on backing vocals who were prominently featured in the performance video that was in heavy rotation back in those wonderful & magical days when music video stations actually showed them.”

Rick Astley in a video from 1991. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Top: Rick Astley (Recent image from Rick Astley’s website. Original source unknown.)

Carly Simon released her self titled is the debut studio album 55 years ago on February 9, 1971. The first single peaked at #10 five months later. The singer/songwriter/pianist released her second album nine months later, Anticipation. The title track was a hit in 1972, reaching #13 in Feb 1972. Not long after that, the song became an ubiquitous sound of the decade when it was featured in a Heines Ketchup commercial.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Eugene Levy & Catherine O’Hara as “Mitch & Mickey”: “A Kiss At The End Of The Rainbow” (2003, written by Michael McKean and Annette O’Toole).

Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose with The Jazzagals: “Baby I’m Yours” (From “Schitt’s Creek” S3 E13, “Grad Night”. Original airdate April 2017. Written by Van McCoy).

Rick Astley: “Cry For Help” (1991, written by Rick Astley and Rob Fisher).

Carly Simon: “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” (1971, written by Jacob Brackman and Carly Simon).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: February 9, 2026

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today is Carole King’s 84th birthday. Born Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942 in New York City, she began playing piano at the age of three from her mother. While she was in high school, she formed her first band & changed her last name to King. In August 1959, she married her first husband, Gerry Goffin, whom she met while she was a student at Queens College.

They started writing songs together in their spare time. After their hit, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” became a #1 song for The Shirelles for two consecutive weeks in 1961, Goffin & King became full time songwriters at the Brill Building. Over the next several years, they wrote over 100 songs together, including hits like “The Loco-Motion”, “Up On The Roof”, “Hey Girl”, “One Fine Day”, “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and ” (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, amongst others. Goffin & King divorced in 1968 and King moved to Laurel Canyon, California to pursue her own recording career.

Carole King circa 1971. (Image found (Image found on her Facebook page with photo credited to Jim McCrary. Courtesy Lou Adler /Ode Records).

Her debut album, Writer, was released in May 1970. Tomorrow marks the 55th anniversary of her second album, Tapestry, which is widely considered the greatest record by a female artist. Released on February 10, 1971, it became a massive hit. The first single-a double A-sided one including “It’s Too Late”-was released three months later. It spent five consecutive weeks at #1, from June 19, 1971 until July 23, 1971. The album was #1 for 15 consecutive weeks, starting on June 19 as well and stayed on the chart for nearly a year, a total of 318 weeks. It also won her three Grammy Awards in 1972 (she actually won four that year, including “Song Of The Yeat” for James Taylor’s cover of “You’ve Got A Friend”).

Happy birthday, Carole King. Congratulations on 55 years of Tapestry.

My well loved copy of King’s 1971 landmark album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

At the 14th Annual Grammy Ceremony in 1972, King won four awards including the top three-Album Of The Year (for Tapestry), Record Of The Year (for “It’s Too Late”) and Song Of The Year (for “You’ve Got A Friend”)-along with Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female (for “Tapestry”). (Image found on her Facebook page with photo credited to Jim McCrary. Courtesy Lou Adler /Ode Records).

It was 62 years ago today that The Beatles made their American television debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show”. They arrived in America-at JFK Airport in New York City, to be exact-on February 7, 1964 & made history two days later. The Fab Four had six #1 hits in 1964. Today we celebrate the first three, two of which were performed during their first appearance on Sullivan.

The Beatles at JFK Airport in New York City on February 7, 1964 (L-R: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles’ first performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9, 1964 (L-R: McCartney, Harrison, Starr (on drums) and Lennon). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Beatles with Ed Sullivan on February 9, 1964 (L-R: Starr, Harrison, Sullivan, Lennon and McCartney. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Carole King: “I Feel the Earth Move” (1971, written by Carole King).

Carole King: “So Far Away” (1971, written by Carole King).

Carole King: “Tapestry” (1971, written by Carole King).

The Beatles: “I Want To Hold Your Hand” (Performed live on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9, 1964. Originally released in 1963. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “She Loves You” (1963, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Beatles: “Can’t Buy Me Love” (1964, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

Stay safe & well.