Singles Collection Episode 59: Toni Basil Leads The Cheer

Seeing as how my buddy, Micky Dolenz, celebrated a birthday this past Monday, I thought it only fitting that I post the classic Toni Basil single, "Mickey". If you were breathing in the 80s then you already know all there is to know about this song. It skyrocketed Toni Basil to superstardom. However, Basil has been around since the 60s. In fact, she was the choreographer and even appears performing a dance in the classic Monkees film, "HEAD". She was part of several famous street dance troupes in the seventies and in the eighties she tried her hand at singing. Her only #1 hit comes from her album, "Word Of Mouth". She continues to dance and choreograph to this day. Here is Toni Basil with her classic slice of 80s pop culture. Enjoy!

Toni Basil-MICKEY

The Best of The World of Wonder: Sing It Oli-ver!

Although usually lumped in with other so-called "Golden Throats" like William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, the late Eddie Albert had an extensive musical theatre background, including the original Broadway production of The Boys From Syracuse and taking over from Robert Preston in The Music Man. Still, it seems slightly incongruous that the star of Green Acres would get hip with the young crowd by covering Bob Dylan (Don't Think Twice It's Alright and, of course, Blowin' in the Wind), Simon and Garfunkel (Homeward Bound) and Gordon Lightfoot (For Lovin' Me) in his familiar avuncular manner. Just to be on the safe side, they include a new version of the Green Acres theme, lest anyone be disappointed. Of course the album I'm talking about is 1966's "The Eddie Albert Album". I was lucky enough to find a mint, unopened copy of this at an antique store for the amazing price of $1.00! I share my find with you now!

The Eddie Albert Album

Music Television RIP

In case you haven't heard, MTV took the "Music Television" out of their name last week. It makes what most of the world has known for years official: MTV is no longer a music channel. It's sad and very depressing. When MTV first hit the airwaves, it was a revolution and a phenomenon. It was very similar to the first wave of Rock and Roll back in the 50s. Kids loved it and parents hated it. It gave rise to a new form of musician and started a whole new era of music. Then, somewhere along the way, it became home to a bunch of really sophomoric programs that had nothing to do with music. Shows like The Real World and Made and the one where the parents fight their kid's boyfriend/girlfriend and try to come up with a better mate. I mean, seriously, what low level of intelligence are the folks at MTV looking for as their demographic. It's sad. I am a member of what was once called "The MTV Generation". Today's youth and all future generations have no clue just how great MTV once was. MTV has become the rebel that became part of the establishment when the sound of money clinked in their ear. As a memorial to the once great channel, here is the first 10 minutes of MTV. The first ten minutes of a broadcasting revolution. I wish it weren't so, but we will never see the like of this again.

They Stooge To Monkee

Today is my good friend, Micky Dolenz's birthday. He turns 65 today and is still going strong. As you read this, he is playing the role of Wilbur Turnblatt in the West End production of Hairspray in London, England. After that, he comes home to the US and this summer I will have the utmost privilege of playing a few gigs with him. To celebrate his birthday, I have asked The Three Stooges to personally wish him a Happy Birthday! Actually, it's just a coincidence. Back in 1961, in what has been touted as a unique marketing adventure, the Three Stooges recorded this birthday record in 238 different versions - one for each unique named child. So, you could purchase a 45-sized, 33 1/3-play record of the Three Stooges singing "Happy Birthday to You", personalized with your name. Sales were reported to be very slow, and with so many versions produced, stocking all of them was problematic. Production stopped soon thereafter. I was fortunate enough to find one of these in my travels for a measly $1.00. I share it with you now! As a bonus I've included the promo poster from the original release and an extra bonus Birthday song from the Stooges. Here is The Three Stooges with "Happy Birthday To Mickey". (yes I know Micky Dolenz spells his name without an e but what are you gonna do?!) Enjoy!

The Three Stooges-Happy Birthday To Mickey

The Best of The World of Wonder: By Your Command

Nowadays, when you mention Battlestar Galactica, the conversation always turns to the Sci-Fi Channel's series starring Edward James Olmos. As much as I loved the new show (although, in my opinion, it went way downhill after the second season) the original will always hold a special place in my heart. Back in 1978, when it first aired, MCA Records released an album featuring an edited version of the soundtrack to the movie that included dialougue and sound effects. This was a popular fad at the time. This was pre-VHS and DVD so the only way to have something in your personal collection was either a super 8 home movie or a record.(They did it with Star Wars as well, which I posted here a while back!) Here for you now, is The Saga Of Battlestar Galactica. Enjoy!

The Saga of Battlestar Galactica

Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio?

We've talked about Alan Freed and his Camel Rock'n'Roll Dance Party before and have even featured several of those shows here at the World of Wonder. What initially sparked my interest in the R'n'R Dance Party was a record that my father had when I was a kid. (A record that has since disappeared. I have no clue where it went but was glad to find a copy of it in my travels to replace the missing gem!) The record was put out on the Radiola label back in 1978. It was called "Rock and Roll Radio" and featured Freed introducing great hits from the big names of 1956. I had always assumed that these were two complete shows from the CRRDP and never questioned it any further. Upon further inspection and research we find that was not the case. In fact, the origins of these two shows on the record were a topic of discussion amongst fans of the show for many years. The man responsible for the release of this album was J. David Goldin, owner of the Radiola label. Goldin said he had received the recordings of 23 issues of the Camel Rock'n'Roll Dance Party from a friend in Frankfurt who had access to the Armed Forces Radio archives there. However, the recordings already had been edited a lot. Among other things, the AFR had cut out Camel's (the show sponsor) name everywhere, which must have been in every second sentence Freed had said. The Radiola album Rock'n'Roll Radio (Radiola MR-1087) was a collection of the songs Goldin liked best. So, in a nutshell, they are not complete broadcasts but are a compilation of several shows edited together to make it seem like complete shows. Either way, the album is great! The recordings have amazing sound quality for tapes of shows that were, at the time, twenty years old. With such greats as Frankie Lyman, Bill Haley, Clyde McPhatter, Etta James, the Chordettes, Ivory Joe Hutton, Gene Vincent and the great, Chuck Berry. Also, be on the listen for the presentation of an award to Count Basie from Cashbox magazine as "Best Rock 'N' Roll Band in the Country," based on a nationwide poll of jukebox operators. Here is that great Radiola LP. Here is "Rock 'N' Roll Radio". Enjoy!

Rock 'N' Roll Radio

Spike Parodies RCA

When Spike Jones left RCA Victor and moved to Liberty Records, he was determined to stick it to his former label. At the time, RCA was issuing a series of records entitled, "50 Years of Music America Loves Best". The albums were extremely popular and Jones attacked it from all angles going so far as to have the cover show a painting of himself on all fours in front of a gramophone, just like RCA's Nipper. The title of Jones' album changed the name from "50 Years of Music America Loves Best" to "60 Years of Music America Hates Best". It was recorded by Spike's later orchestra, "The Band That Plays For Fun," a tamed-down version of the City Slickers. Everything gets the Jones satirical needle injected into it here, from rock & roll and teenagers ("Pimples and Braces," "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb") to novelty tunes ("Mairzy Doats," "Three Little Fishes," "Hut Hut Song") to polka bands ("Strip Polka," "Melody of Love"). An interesting album from the last days of the bandleader's career. Certainly not his best work, but by no means his worst. Here is Spike Jones with "60 Years of Music America Hates Best". Enjoy!

Spike Jones-60 Years of Music America Hates Best

Super 8 Theater Presents: Abbott & Costello in No Bulls Please

This is the Castle FIlms digest version of Mexican Hayride. My grandfather had this one and he used to show it a lot! His was the silent version. This one has the sound! Enjoy!