I want to challenge you to pick up an old favorite. Like REALLY favorite. An album that you listened to from the first song to the last every day for like 3 months. And listen to it AGAIN from first to last. I am listening to Abbey Road right now. Do you know how surprised … Continue reading Listen to the Whole Album
Raised on the Radio
Memories of Casey Kasem’s American Top 40
When Tiffany sang "you put your arms around me and we tumble to the ground," could I really have pictured a boy and girl tumbling down a hill—like, rolling down it log-style, maybe just before engaging in a potato-sack race? I've spent a lot of time trying to imagine how I sang that song without … Continue reading Memories of Casey Kasem’s American Top 40
The Number 1 Reason Thomas Dolby Wins
You know how someone will say some phrase and you always think of the same thing? Well that's how it is for me.... When someone says, "Well, you came close." My brain plays this: Close But No Cigar - Thomas Dolby https://youtu.be/IcNfZnPsQP4
Baby Boomers Music
Baby Boomers are egotistical asses, especially when it comes to music! I should know. I'm a Baby Boomer. You have to remember, most Baby Boomers have followed music from its early days. Say, a Baby Boomer, born in 1954, will remember songs from the Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley, The Big Bopper, and Buddy … Continue reading Baby Boomers Music
If You Haven’t Heard it, May I Suggest Beleza Tropical
In the early 1990s, I was not listening to a lot of mainstream music. I had become closely acquainted with world music and bands off the beaten path. Bands and artists like: They Might Be Giants, Poi Dog Pondering and Adrian Belew. An album I became enthralled with in 1990 has stood the test of … Continue reading If You Haven’t Heard it, May I Suggest Beleza Tropical
Every UK Number One Song: Here In My Heart…
I met Steve while running the longest meme in blogging history (okay I may be exaggerating) Twisted MixTape. I always loved his contributions, his take from across the pond was a fresh change. I pride myself in being aware of a wide range of music, but until Steve, had no idea there was so much … Continue reading Every UK Number One Song: Here In My Heart…
Gordon Lightfoot
I've been listening to Gordon Lightfoot for 44 of my 44 years. It's a gimme, isn't it? If you were alive in the 70's, you listened to Gordo. That doesn't mean I knew the ins and outs of the man. Actually.....I heard from a reliable source that his life took some serious wrong turns, … Continue reading Gordon Lightfoot
It’s been a while since I’ve been here, so I thought I might remind myself what Raised on the Radio is to me.
Hello Friends, Many moons ago I had an idea. This idea was based on the fact, the assumption, that there were more people like me - as far as music tastes go - than the growth of mediocre pop music would suggest. My idea was to create a space that celebrated the music of my … Continue reading It’s been a while since I’ve been here, so I thought I might remind myself what Raised on the Radio is to me.
What Are Your First Musical Memories?
What are the first songs you remember in your life? Of course, the answer may have something to do with when you were born. It may also have something to do with the type of music your parents listened to. And, believe it or not, it may also have to do with what your mother … Continue reading What Are Your First Musical Memories?
Jerry Reed – Guitar Genius – Musical Comedian
In the late 50's - early 60's, Jerry Reed was a songwriter, a famous songwriter. So many of the songs he wrote and recorded became #1 hits for other people. Yet when he played them, they didn't get far. Thanks to Brenda Lee's cover of his song, All You Gotta Do, his name was kept … Continue reading Jerry Reed – Guitar Genius – Musical Comedian
Thanks Dad, For Raising Me on The Radio
The site happens to have an apt title that resonates with me,because I was almost literally raised on the radio by parents who were, and still are, drawn to the music of the '50s, '60s and '70s. The literal edge of being raised on the radio stems from the fact that Dad, Tony, is a … Continue reading Thanks Dad, For Raising Me on The Radio
Radio Disc Jockey: Long Hairs Need Apply
So, you think radio was always the way it is today? Let's see, today, many "announcers" go into the studio, record all of their vocal breaks, and leave for the day. Oh, they might make a public appearance here or there, and cut a commercial or two, but in reality, radio has gone downhill over … Continue reading Radio Disc Jockey: Long Hairs Need Apply
Music Transports Me
The other day, I woke up disoriented to the sound of my husband’s clock radio alarm going off. In the split second it took me to process my surroundings and realize that it wasn’t the middle of the night and my toddler hadn’t woken me up coughing again, I became aware of the song. … Continue reading Music Transports Me
I Thought Billy Joel and Billy Crystal Were the Same Person
I admit it, I watched a lot of TV as a kid in the 70's. So much TV, that as a virtual latch-key kid, my sister and I often joked that TV was our mother. That same kid somehow managed to watch SOAP when no one was looking, which was basically always. Except on those … Continue reading I Thought Billy Joel and Billy Crystal Were the Same Person
The Magical Mystery of Music
If there was no such thing as the magical mystery that is music, I wonder what humans would do to pass the time? If I couldn't hum to myself or learn to produce tonal incantations from odd and diverse objects, then how would I express myself beyond the fragmentary thoughts that bind my mind and … Continue reading The Magical Mystery of Music
How On Demand Is Cheating Our Kids
In an age when it’s too easy to become a Ninja Netflix addict, stealthily clicking “next episode” on the iPad at 2am, knowing that you’ll regret it, and not being able to resist doing so, because it’s RIGHT THERE, right NOW, on demand, it’s hard to imagine that there was a time when life was … Continue reading How On Demand Is Cheating Our Kids
Memories of Jim Croce, Like Time in a Bottle – Guest post by Meg Hammil
I think most of us experienced in our youth what I think of as a “Day the Music Died” moment. We learned about the unexpected death of a performer we admired, and not only did we feel what was for many the first twinges of mortality, but we grasped the bitter truth that even our heroes … Continue reading Memories of Jim Croce, Like Time in a Bottle – Guest post by Meg Hammil
Thanks For That Magic Yellow Box
Thanks for That Little Yellow Box While children and teenagers across the land were secretly reading books by flashlight under the covers, I was covertly listening to the radio. My parents were none the wiser, thanks to a plastic yellow box -- the Sony Sports Walkman. With the Walkman came the ability to listen without … Continue reading Thanks For That Magic Yellow Box
FirstNotes and ForeverMusic
I was raised in a pretty shut-down household, where the music available was a strict diet of Classic FM (which I now love), Classical CDs (I love some of them), ‘Churchy’ music (still not that keen), and Gilbert and Sullivan (hate it with a passion). There was one exception (other than the stalwart ‘sung Times … Continue reading FirstNotes and ForeverMusic
]The Stones at JFK Stadium, 1978
photo: Mike Brody The following is an excerpt of the original review: Peter Tosh was better than the treatment the crowd was giving him. I had never heard reggae live and Tosh was the real ting. The Philly crowd was not as interested. Tosh left the stage to a roar of STONES! In the lull … Continue reading ]The Stones at JFK Stadium, 1978
