I cannot remember a time when music and movies where not a part of my life.
South Africa 1964 – West Side Story
Having tea on our stoep in Newlands 1964
When we lived in South Africa we did not have television or a record player but my parents had a wireless in their bedroom and they would listen to music sometimes in the evening and certainly would get the BBC World Service for news from home.
The only source of music was therefore the musical films that my father would bring home courtesy of his role as Film Officer at HMS Afrikander. Last week I wrote about my first crush for Lt. Joe Cable and the love of the songs from “South Pacific” and this week I look at 1964 and the turn of another of my favourite musicals.
“West Side Story”was released in 1961 but by the time the cans of film had cycled around to Cape Town it was 1964 and our life in this amazing country was in full swing. I was attending the local Afrikaans school and was doing well with my language studies. At weekends my father would pile us into the car and we would head to the beach or up to the Ceres Mountains where we would stay in rondavels and swim in the icy cold water of the camp swimming pool.
The curry and film night had become a monthly fixture with couples who lived in our neighbourhood, mostly other naval colleagues of my father.
As usual I watched the musical through the crack in the living room door, trying not to cough as the cigarette smoke from all the dinner guests filtered as designed around the opening. In those days it was more unusual if someone did not smoke and it is no wonder that I took the habit up myself by age 14.
Anyway back to West Side Story. The original Broadway musical had been inspired by Romeo and Juliet in 1957. The adapted film was directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and starred Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn and the wonderful George Chakiris as Bernardo head of the Sharks.
I was entranced by the cast, music and the dancing and it confirmed my ambition to become an actress especially in musicals! (You never know I might still manage that….)
There were so many memorable songs from the film that it is hard to choose just one and as with South Pacific I took it upon myself eventually to learn the ones that I loved most. These included Maria, I Feel Pretty, America, Somewhere and the wonderful, Tonight.
Here is a recent version of “Maria” from the versatile Julian Ovenden courtesy adam28xx
Thanks for dropping in and I hope you have enjoyed my trip down memory lane.. next time we return to England where my father is stationed near Preston in Lancashire for two years… very different from sunny South Africa.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts in the US and UK starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to our show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my second selection of top 1974 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
News Event: June 15th “Back Home Again” 8th studio album by John Denver is released (Billboard Album of the Year 1975)
Elton John – Don’t let the sun go down on me
“Don’t let the sun go down on me” was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. An international hit, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached #16 on the UK Singles Chart. Elton recorded a later version of this song with George Michael and they performed it together for the first time at “Live Aid in Wembley Stadium” in July 1985. This version reached #1 in the UK, the US, and Canada.
“Rock the boat” became a disco favorite in New York City in the Spring of 1974. Then it was picked up by radio and quickly hit the charts, climbing up to #1 in seven weeks. It made the top ten in Britain, Canada, and throughout Europe. It is considered to be the first disco song to make it to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
News Event: November 18th “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” by English progressive rock band Genesis is released, their last to feature original frontman Peter Gabriel
Now time for my second top chart picks from 1974 and I hope you will enjoy my selection
The Hollies – The Air That I Breathe
“The Air That I Breathe” is a ballad written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, initially recorded by Albert Hammond on his 1972 album It Never Rains in Southern California. This song was a major hit for The Hollies in early 1974, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart. In mid 1974, it reached number six in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number three on the Adult Contemporary chart.
“Piano Man” is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel. His first single in North America, it was included on Joel’s 1973 album of the same name and later released as a single on November 2, 1973. “Piano Man” peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 1974. In 2015, the Library of Congress selected “Piano Man” for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its “cultural, historic, or artistic significance. Billy Joel
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcasterwho enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts in the US and UK starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to our show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my first selection of top 1974 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
News Event: February 2nd Barbra Streisand’s 1st #1 hit, “The Way We Were”
Barbra Streisand – The way we were
“The way we were” was 1974’s most successful record in the US, and reached #1 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles list. It topped the charts in Canada, and peaked in the top 40 in Australia and the UK. “The way we were” won two Academy Awards. The lyrics detail the melancholic relationship between the two main characters in the film of the same name
News Event:February 19th 1st American Music Awards: Helen Reddy & Jim Croce win
Barry White and The Love Unlimited Orchestra – Love’s Theme
“Love’s Theme,” penned by Barry White, is one of the few instrumentals and probably the first disco instrumental to reach the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. Billboard ranked it as the #3 song for 1974 and it peaked at #10 in the U K and #1 in Canada.
News Event: March 2nd 16th Grammy Awards: Roberta Flack Best Record – “Killing Me Softly”, Stevie Wonder Best Album – “Innervisions”
Now time for my first top chart picks from 1974 and I hope you will enjoy my selection
The Three Degrees – When Will I See You Again
“When Will I See You Again” is a song released in 1974 by American soul group The Three Degrees, from their third album The Three Degrees. The song was written and produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The strings were arranged by Belford “Sinky” Hendricks, who also arranged songs for many top-flight groups and recording artists. Sheila Ferguson sang the lead, accompanied by Fayette Pinkney and Valerie Holiday. Billboard named named the song #67 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. The Three Degrees
News Event: May 11th Steely Dan releases “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”
ABBA – Waterloo
“Waterloo” is the first single from the Swedish pop group ABBA’s second album, Waterloo, and their first under the Epic and Atlantic labels. This was also the first single to be credited to the group performing under the name ABBA.
On 6 April 1974, the song was the winning entry for Sweden in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest. The victory began ABBA’s path to worldwide fame. The single became a No. 1 hit in several countries. It reached the U.S. Top 10 and went on to sell nearly six million copies, making it one of the best-selling singles in history. At the 50th anniversary celebration of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005, it was chosen as the best song in the competition’s history. ABBA
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcasterwho enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts in the US and UK starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to our show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my second selection of top 1973 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
News Event:May 17th Stevie Wonder releases “You are the Sunshine of my Love”
Dawn (Featuring Tony Orlando) – Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree
“Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree” hit the top 10 in ten countries, and topped the charts in eight. It reached #1 in the US, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2008, Billboard ranked the song as the 37th biggest song of all time.
News Event: June 17th Dolly Parton records her song “I Will Always Love You” (later huge hit for Whitney Houston) for RCA in Nashville
Carly Simon – You’re so vain
“You’re so vain,” written by Carly Simon, reached #1 in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and #3 in the UK. It is ranked at #92 on Billboard’s Greatest Songs of All Time and was voted #216 in RIAA’s Songs of the Century. In August 2014, the UK’s Official Charts Company crowned it the ultimate song of the 1970s.
News Event: September 27th “The Way We Were” single released by Barbra Streisand (Billboard Song of the Year 1974)
Now time for my second top chart picks from 1973 and that was a great year in the UK for clubs and dance halls.
Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly With His Song
“Killing Me Softly with His Song” is a song composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971. Lieberman released her version of the song in 1972, but it did not chart. In 1973 it became a number-one hit in the United States, Australia and Canada for Roberta Flack, also reaching number six in the UK Singles Chart.
News Event: October 20th Queen Elizabeth II opens the Sydney Opera House
Wings – Live and Let Die
“Live and Let Die” is the theme song of the 1973 James Bond film of the same name, performed by the British–American rock band Wings. Written by English musician Paul McCartney and his wife Linda McCartney, it reunited McCartney with former Beatles producer George Martin, who produced the song and arranged the orchestra. McCartney was contacted to write the song by the film’s producers Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli before the screenplay was finished. “Live and Let Die” was the most successful Bond theme up to that point, reached No. 1 on two of the three major US charts (though only reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100) and No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart.. It became the first Bond theme song to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, but ultimately lost the award to Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were”. It was also nominated for the Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) at the 16th Annual Grammy Awards in 1974.
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcasterwho enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to this week’s show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my second selection of top 1972 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
News Event:July 15th “Honky Chateau” becomes Elton John’s first No. 1 album in the US, includes hit “Rocket Man”
The Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There
“I’ll Take You There” was the Staple Singers’ biggest international hit, topping the charts in the US, UK, Canada, and South Africa. The song ranked #276 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. In 1994, the British band “General Public” released a cover of “I’ll Take You There” featured in the film “Threesome.”
News Event: September 2nd Rod Stewart’s 1st #1 hit (You Wear it Well)
Al Green- Let’s Stay Together
“Let’s stay together” was a huge hit for Al Green, topping the charts around the world and going gold and platinum in many countries. It was ranked the 60th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, has been covered by numerous performers and most notably Tina Turner. It was chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The song went on to claim the #1 position on the Billboard Year-End chart as the top R&B song for 1972.
News Event: September 28th David Bowie sells out his 1st show in NY Carnegie Hall
Now time for my second chart picks from 1972 and they certainly bring back memories of my teenage years.
Don McLean – Vincent
“Vincent” is a song by Don McLean written as a tribute to Vincent van Gogh. It is often erroneously titled after its opening refrain, “Starry Starry Night”, a reference to Van Gogh’s 1889 painting The Starry Night. McLean wrote the lyrics in 1971 after reading a book about the life of Van Gogh. It was released on McLean’s 1971 American Pie album, and the following year the song became the No. 1 hit in the UK Singles Chart for two weeks, and No. 12 in the United States,where it also hit No. 2 on the Easy Listening chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 94 song for 1972. folkman 123
News Event: October 17th Chuck Berry’s “My Ding-a-ling,” is #1
America – Horse with No Name
“A Horse with No Name” is a song by the folk rock band America, written by Dewey Bunnell. It was the band’s first and most successful single, released in late 1971 in Europe and early 1972 in the United States, and topped the charts in Canada, Finland, and the United States. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. badgarin
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcasterwho enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to this week’s show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my first selection of top 1972 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
News Event: January 27th World premiere of Scott Joplin’s rediscovered opera “Treemonisha” at Morehouse College in Atlanta
Roberta Flack – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” written by British political singer/songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger, was covered by Roberta Flack in 1972 and topped the charts around the world, winning Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Billboard ranked it as the #1 Hot 100 single of the year. “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” was played as the wake-up music on flight day 9 to the astronauts aboard Apollo 17, on their last day in Lunar orbit (Friday, December 15, 1972) before returning to earth, thus ending the last manned explorations of the Moon. Clint Eastwood, in his directorial film debut “Play Misty for Me,” highlighted the song in a love scene featuring himself and Donna Mills.
News Event: February 13th “Cabaret”, directed by Bob Fosse, based on the musical of the same name and starring Liza Minnelli and Michael York, is released
Don McLean – American Pie
“American Pie,” composed by Don McLean, was a monster hit worldwide. It topped the charts in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The song was listed as the #5 song on the RIAA project “Songs of the Century” and was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry as being “culturally, historically, or artistically significant.” The repeatedly mentioned phrase “ the day the music died” refers to the plane crash in 1959 that killed rock and roll performers Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens.
News Event: February 17th Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti receives record 17 curtain calls after his performance in “La fille du régiment” at New York’s Metropolitan Opera
Now time for my first chart picks from 1972 and they certainly bring back memories of my teenage years.
Elton John – Rocket Man
“Rocket Man” (officially titled “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)”) is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and originally performed by Elton John. The song first appeared on Elton John’s 1972 album Honky Château and as the lead single from the album. The song eventually rose to No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 becoming a major hit single for John. Elton John
News Event: June 6th David Bowie releases his breakthrough album “The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Helen Reddy – I am Woman
“I Am Woman” is a song written by Australian musicians Helen Reddy and Ray Burton. Performed by Reddy, the first recording of “I Am Woman” appeared on her debut album I Don’t Know How to Love Him, released in May 1971, and was heard during the closing credits for the 1972 film Stand Up and Be Counted. A new recording of the song was released as a single in May 1972 and became a number-one hit later that year, eventually selling over one million copies
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcaster who enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to this week’s show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my second selection of top 1971 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
“Ain’t no sunshine” was an international hit and went platinum in both the US and the UK. It won the Grammy for Best R&B Song in 1972 and is ranked 285th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song also appears on the original soundtrack album for the films “ When we were Kings” (1997) and “Notting Hill” (1999).
News Event:June 17th Carole King’s album “Tapestry” goes to #1 on US album charts and stays there for 15 weeks
George Harrison – My Sweet Lord
This was Harrison’s first single as a solo artist, and it topped the charts worldwide. It was the biggest-selling single of 1971 in the UK and the first #1 single by an ex-Beatle. Harrison wrote “My Sweet Lord” in praise of the Hindu god Krishna. “My Sweet Lord” was ranked 460th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.
News Event:October 8th John Lennon releases his megahit single “Imagine”
Now time for my second chart picks from 1971 and they certainly bring back memories of my teenage years.
The Doors – Riders on the Storm
“Riders on the Storm” is a song by American rock band the Doors. It was released as the second single from their sixth studio album and last with singer Jim Morrison, L.A. Woman, in June 1971. It reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.,[2][3] number 22 on the UK Singles Chart[4] and number seven in the Netherlands. 215Days
News Event:December 18th CBS radio cancels Saturday morning band concerts
Aretha Franklin – Spanish Harlem
“Spanish Harlem” is a song recorded by Ben E. King in 1960 for Atco Records. It was written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
In 1971, Aretha Franklin released a cover version of the song that outperformed the original on the charts and in which Franklin changed the lyrics slightly: from “A red rose up in Spanish Harlem” to “There’s a rose in Black ‘n Spanish Harlem. A rose in Black ‘n Spanish Harlem.” Her version went to #1 on the US soul charts for three weeks and #2 Pop for two weeks
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcasterwho enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Thank you very much for joining us today and we would love you to join us in the spin off shows where we share your memories of the 1960s and your favourite music.. please read how you can take part:The Breakfast Show 2021
Next week 1972 Part One. We hope you will tune in.. as always we love to hear from you.. thanks William and Sally.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to this week’s show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my first selection of top 1971 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
News Event:January 22nd John Lennon and Yoko Ono record “Power to the People”
Ike and Tina Turner – Proud Mary
“Proud Mary” was written by John Fogerty and first recorded by his band Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1968. Ike and Tina Turner covered the song in 1971 and had a major hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on Billboard’s R& B chart, earning the duo a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group. The single was certified gold in the US and the UK.
News Event: March 5th “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin first played live at Ulster Hall, Belfast by Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones
James Taylor – You’ve got a friend
“You’ve got a friend” was written by Carole King. Taylor recorded the song in 1971 and it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the UK Singles Chart. “You’ve Got a Friend” won Grammy Awards both for Taylor “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” and King “Song of the Year.”Billboard ranked it as the #17 song for 1971.
News Event: March 22nd 6th Academy of Country Music Awards: Merle Haggard and Lynn Anderson win
Now time for my first chart picks from 1971 and they certainly bring back memories of my teenage years.
Rod Stewart – Maggie May
“Maggie May” is a song co-written by singer Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton, and performed by Rod Stewart on his album Every Picture Tells a Story, released in 1971.In October 1971, the song went to number one in the UK Singles Chart (for five weeks), and simultaneously topped the charts in Australia (four weeks), Canada (one week), and the United States (six weeks). It was the No. 2 record for 1971 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles charts. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song number 131 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Rod Stewart
News Event: April 4th Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” opens at Winter Garden Theater NYC for 524 performances, then most expensive broadway musical
Tom Jones – She’s a Lady
“She’s a Lady” is a song written by Paul Anka and was released on his album Paul Anka ’70s (RCA 4309, 1970). The most successful recording was performed by Tom Jones, and released at the beginning of 1971. It is Jones’ highest-charting single in the U.S. to date (and his final Billboard Top Ten hit). Jesus Ranero
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcaster who enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Thank you very much for joining us today and we would love you to join us in the spin off shows where we share your memories of the 1960s and your favourite music.. please read how you can take part:The Breakfast Show 2021
Next week 1971 Part Two. We hope you will tune in.. as always we love to hear from you.. thanks William and Sally.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to our show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my second selection of top 1969 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
News Event: July 11th David Bowie releases the single “Space Oddity” 9 days before Apollo 11 lands on the moon
Stevie Wonder – My Cherie Amour
The song peaked at #4 on both the Billboard Pop and R&B singles charts as well as in the UK. It was originally entitled “Oh, My Marsha,” as it was composed about Wonder’s girlfriend while he was at the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing. Wonder also released Spanish and Italian-language versions entitled “Mi Querido Amor” and “My Cherie Amor.”
News Event: August 15th Woodstock Music & Art Fair opens in New York State on Max Yasgur’s Dairy Farm
The Edward Hawkins Singers – Oh Happy Day
Based on Acts 8:35 from the New Testament, this was originally a hymn from the mid-18th century (“O happy day, that fixed my choice”) by English clergyman Philip Doddridge. This rearranged gospel version became a worldwide hit, reaching #4 on the US Singles chart, and #2 in Canada and the UK. It has been included in the RIAA Songs of the Century list and won a Grammy Award for Best Soul, Gospel Performance in 1970.
News Event:October 10th “Jesus Christ Superstar” soundtrack album by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is recorded
Now time for my first top chart picks from 1969 and it seems like only yesterday that I was dancing at my local club to the music including one of my all time favourites.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – John Fogerty – Bad Moon Rising
“Bad Moon Rising” is a song written by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was the lead single from their album Green River and was released in April 1969, four months before the album. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 on 28 June 1969 and reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in September 1969 (see 1969 in music). It was CCR’s second gold single.
News Event:December 14th “Leaving on a Jet Plane” single sung by Peter, Paul and Mary, written by John Denver is No. 1 on US Billboard’s Hot Top 100
Peter Sarstedt ~ Where Do You Go To My Lovely
“Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?” is a song by the British singer-songwriter Peter Sarstedt. Its recording was produced by Ray Singer, engineered by John Mackswith at Lansdowne Recording Studios and released in 1969. The music has been described as “a faux European waltz tune,” and the arrangement is a very simple one of strummed acoustic guitar and bass guitar, with brief bursts of French-style accordion at the start and the end. The arranger and conductor was Ian Green
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcasterwho enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Each week William and I will select two top hits from the charts in the US and UK starting with 1960 for two weeks followed by 1961 etc..through to 1985. We will also include some of the notable events in those years for the up and coming stars who were centre stage at the time.
Welcome to our show and we are excited to share decades of music with you in 2021. Here is my first selection of top 1969 hits which I hope you will enjoy. William.
News Event: January 12th Debut album of Led Zeppelin released first in the US
Sly and the Family Stone – Everyday People
“Everyday People” composed by Sly Stone, this was the first single by the band to go to #1 on the Soul singles chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, holding that position for four weeks. Billboard ranked it as the #5 song of 1969. The song is a plea for peace and equality between differing races and social groups, which was a major theme and focus for the band. Rolling Stone ranked “Everyday People” as #145 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time
News Event: March 12th 11th Grammy Awards: “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” by Glen Campbell wins best record
Blood, Sweat and Tears – Spinning Wheel
“Spinning Wheel”, written by the Canadian lead vocalist David Clayton-Thomas, was a huge hit worldwide, reaching #2 in the US charts and remaining for three weeks. It was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won two: Best Instrumental Arrangement and Album of the Year. This song has been covered by practically every major recording artist in the world
News Event: March 29th 14th Eurovision Song Contest: Salome for Spain (“Vivo cantando”), Lulu of United Kingdom (“Boom Bang-a-Bang”), Lenny Kuhr of Netherlands (“De troubadour”), and Frida Boccara of France (“Un jour, un enfant”) all win in Madrid
Now time for my first top chart picks from 1969 and it seems like only yesterday that I was dancing at my local club to the music.
The Rolling Stones – Honky Tonk Women
“Honky Tonk Women” is a 1969 hit song by the Rolling Stones. It was a single-only release, available from 4 July 1969 in the United Kingdom, and a week later in the United States (although a country version called “Country Honk” was later included on the album Let It Bleed). It topped the charts in both nations. The song is on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Murciélago SV
News Event: May 31st Stevie Wonder releases the single “My Cherie Amour” which goes on to become a soul classic
Bobby Gentry – I’ll Never Fall in Love Again
“I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” is a popular song by composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David that was written for the 1968 musical Promises, Promises. Several recordings of the song were released in 1969, the most popular of which was by Dionne Warwick, who took it to number six on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 and spent three weeks with it at number one on the magazine’s list of the 40 most popular Easy Listening songs in the US. Another best-selling version was by Bobbie Gentry, which topped the UK chart which is my favourite version. SweetDreams
William Price King is an American jazz singer, crooner, and composer.
His interest in music began at an early age when he studied piano and clarinet in high school. At Morehouse College in Atlanta where he grew up, he sang in the Glee Club and studied classical music. After graduation he went off to the Yale School of Music where he earned a Masters degree. From there he journeyed to New York where he created a jazz trio ‘Au Naturel’ which performed in some of the hottest venues in Manhattan including gigs on Broadway and the famous ‘Rainbow Room.’ These gigs opened doors for performances in Montreal and a European tour.
While touring Europe he met a lovely French lady, Jeanne Maïstre, who, a year later became his wife. King left the group ‘Au Naturel’ and settled in the south of France where he started a new life on the French Riviera, opening his own music school – the “Price King Ecole Internationale de Chant.” He has had the pleasure over the years of seeing many of his students excel as singers on a professional level, and some going on to become national celebrities. He continues to coach young singers today, in his spare time.
Sally Cronin is an author, blogger and broadcasterwho enjoyed four years as part of the team on Onda Cero International’s English speaking morning show in Marbella and then for two years as a presenter on Expressfm the local radio station in Portsmouth. She co-presented two ‘Drive Time’ shows a week with Adrian Knight, hosted the live Thursday Afternoon Show and The Sunday Morning Show guests including musicians and authors. Following this she became Station Director for a local internet television station for two years, producing and presenting the daily news segment, outside broadcasts and co-presenting the Adrian and Sally chat show live on Friday evenings.
She and her husband David have now returned to Ireland where they live on the Wexford Coast where she blogs and continues to write books.
Welcome to Writing Through the Soul. Every writer writes through their soul and I understand. Here you can read about anything having to do with writing. I share my writing tips and prompts. Enjoy reading my poetry, short stories and what's on my mind in the Writing Through the Soul section. I have something for every reader and writer out there.
Inspirational stories and motivational quotes about Life In Africa how people struggle just to survive and how hard it is to make a living.Here we are teaching people skills and crafts business ideas and survival tactics in third world countries
