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The Golden Years
Introduction & Exhibit Descriptions by Contributor Norm Garr
Following in the footsteps of The HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL, Drake/Chenault produced THE GOLDEN YEAR series, each program featuring a single year between 1956-1972.
As they did with the 1st version of the HRR, production elements were sent to the individual stations (KHJ, KGB, KFRC, WOR, CKLW, etc.) and local talent would host the program. Bill Drake did his usual top of the hour/bottom of the hour image inserts.
Some of the shows REELRADIO will present are copies of KHJ's versions and some are from the later generic syndicated series. For the syndicated shows, Bill Drake and Charlie Van Dyke are image voices; CHUM's Mike Cleaver does the news inserts (that is a story we will talk about later) and Robert W. Morgan, Mark Elliott and Humble Harve are the hosts. On some of the programs, the host does it all, as is the case with 1972.
Many of these come from my personal collection and a number of them were provided to me by audio "GOD" Bill Mouzis, shortly before he passed away.
The programs will be presented in reverse chronological order.
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Golden Year 1972 (47:34)
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Robert W. Morgan opens the series with music and news from the GOLDEN YEAR 1972.
In the news: The Democrat Party thinks someone is watching them; more Nixon?; Gov. George Wallace can't dodge this bullet; and tragedy at the Olympics.
14 chart-topping hits are featured, interspersed with snippets of some of the year's other top songs. Accept it: we will "get you hooked" on the GOLDEN YEARS! Among other things, you're going to stay for a sugar high from the man with the sweets, you will cherish an opportunity to replace your old key, have a slice of your favorite desert - plus a "shot" to wash it down - and a chance to lean on Bill!
Mac Davis and Gilbert O'Sullivan give us lessons in songwriting; Don McLean talks about "hidden messages", and what inspired Roberta Flack?
Drake/Chenault's syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1972
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1972
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Golden Year 1971 (49:11)
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Robert W. Morgan is on top of his game guiding us through the GOLDEN YEAR 1971.
In the news: there is tragedy for the Soviet space program. Who won Super Bowl 5, Best Picture and the Frazer/Ali fight? On the political front, Nixon is battling the nation's woes with drug addiction and the war in Indochina.
12 "heavy hits" (copyright: The Real Don Steele) are featured, interspersed with snippets of some of the year's other top songs. The set list is, for the most part, straight off the Billboard year-end charts.
Al Green shares his feelings of loneliness; Bee Gee Robin Gibb reveals how quickly the hits roll; Tony Orlando explains a "structure malfunction"; and Donny Osmond experiences the loss of a "perfect take."
Drake/Chenault's syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1971
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1971
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Golden Year 1970 (49:57)
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Robert W. Morgan returns to usher in the dawn of a new decade with 13 featured songs from the GOLDEN YEAR 1970.
In the headlines: Paul McCartney wants to sever his Beatle "bonds"; air traffic controllers take a "sick" day; we celebrate Earth Day; and you don't have to be 21 to vote!
B.J. Thomas tells why he had to "re-cut" one of his biggest hits; Karen Carpenter found her #1 in Herb Alpert's desk; Burton Cummings explains why the women "look so different" in Canada, and Freda Payne says the first time is the right time! (Warning: Ms. Payne's comments contain mature subject matter!)
Drake/Chenault's syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1970
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1970
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Golden Year 1969 (53:48)
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Bill Drake and Charlie Van Dyke are your image voices; Mike Cleaver is our news guy and Robert W. Morgan takes us through the final year of the decade many believe was the most influential in rock (let alone - all) music: 1969!
Everyone's gone to the moon; the other New York wins the World Series, and as Humble Harve might say: it is time to SPREAD peace and LOVE, baby! Call out the Mounties; IKE Dies; Charles "DeG." calls it quits; did you wear a Maxicoat, and Joe Namath is on top of his game!
Tommy James tells us all he needed was a rhyming dictionary; John Fogerty says he was the "man in the middle"; The Guess Who only have "eyes" for hits; Florence Gordon from The 5th Dimension shares how two is better than one; and just how BIG were The Archies?
One additional note: A whole lot of people were scratching their heads when we first heard the news voice on this syndicated version of the GOLDEN YEAR 1969. We all thought it HAD to be someone connected with KHJ, but, as it turned out, that was not the case. I played a clip of Cleaver's voice for a number of people and only after Humble Harve suggested it had to be someone from Canada did REELRADIO contributor Jon Pearkins identify the voice as Mike Cleaver. Cleaver told me CHUM in Toronto produced a number of documentaries with news included and sold them to other production companies, which is probably how Drake/Chenault obtained them.
Drake/Chenault's syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1969
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1969
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Golden Year 1968 (51:37)
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It's a year of highs and lows for the USA with two political assassinations. The country enjoys Olympic success and tries to deal with it all by taking some good advice: just let your hair down for a while.
Bill Drake and Robert W. Morgan are the voices behind 1968 in this KHJ-specific version of the program with ample jingles and month-specific news highlights. And, we finally get the official copyright announcement that seems to have vanished from previously-presented GOLDEN YEAR chapters.
16 GOLDENS include: some psychedelic "cream"; you'll learn why I've been so hyper since birth; what those Rascals believe everyone must be; we visit with that lady who's trying to seduce Dustin Hoffman; and we will discover the true color of LOVE!
Gary Puckett of The Union Gap shares his secrets for the success of the group's hit records; John Kay of Steppenwolf says timing is everything; Bobby Goldsboro is surrounded by the best in the business; Bert Bacharach has a few "million sellers" just lying around, so he gives one to Herb Alpert; and P.T.A. politics inspire Jeannie C. Riley's biggest hit!
KHJ's version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1968
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1968
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Golden Year 1967 (51:55)
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The Summer Of Love is in full swing on the West Coast; one of the world's greatest athletes says NO to Uncle Sam; and "B&C" are shooting first and asking questions later!
Bill Drake and Robert W. Morgan return in their customary roles as image voice and narrator.
Aretha Franklin says she has Otis Redding to thank for her signature hit; Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals tells us why Sunday was his "fun day" long before The Bangels said so; Frank Valli confesses he can't tell a lie in regards to his first solo hit; Lulu has friends who can produce hits faster than it takes to boil water; and Glen Campbell and John Hartford recall gentle beginnings.
The Drake-Chenault version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1967
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1967
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Golden Year 1966 (49:35)
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There are so many hits from 1966 (as you'll hear in the full length songs as well as the clips from others), that this program should have run four hours! 1966 "marks" the first of several appearances by super talent Mark Elliott as host, with Bill Drake as image voice.
Ronald Reagan "takes over" California; A lot of high-flying birds are grounded; more transportation woes rock the Big Apple; The Real Don Steele "IS" number one; and what do The Monkees and Mrs. Miller have in common?
Mama Cass Elliott (no relation to Mark) tells us they weren't quite sure what musical theatre they were a part of; Paul Revere & The Raiders broke the mold at one major record label; Terry Kirkman from The Association struggled to find the words to one of their biggest hits; Herb Alpert gives us a "taste" of how it all works; and Stevie Wonder digs deep and pulls from "experience" to generate hit after hit.
The KHJ version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1966
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1966
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Golden Year 1965 (54:02)
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Mark Elliott returns as host, with Bill Drake as image voice in this KHJ edition of the Golden Year 1965!
The Vietnam War rears its ugly head; the Pope lands in the Big Apple; which picture was the country's "favorite thing" at the Oscars; the "Blue Crew" win it all; and it is the start of something BOSS!
Roger McGuinn shares the origins of the folk-rock giant; how did Roger Miller become the "King,"; Jackie DeShannon knew right away "love" was what she needed; and Temptation Otis Williams can't stop singing about his girl.
The KHJ version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1965
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1965
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Golden Year 1964 (49:52)
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Humble Harve is our host with Bill Drake as image voice in this KHJ edition of the Golden Year 1964!
LBJ and The Beatles are HUGE! Say hi to DOLLY! (Louis did!) Are cigarettes on their way out? Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews are the BEST!
The Dixie Cups invite us into their "LOVE" sanctuary; Bobby Vinton is repeating himself; Mary Wells will confirm whose "guy" it is; Dean Martin assures us there is SOMEBODY for everyone, and The Beatles' Hits are plentiful.
It's a short hour, but there's more! Bobby Vinton explains how he found his "gimmick;" Lorne Greene has trembling arm hair; Louis Armstrong had never heard of Dolly!; $37.50 was all The Kingsmen needed; and Eric Burdon says The Animals wanted to be "different."
The KHJ version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1964
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1964
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Golden Year 1963 (51:10)
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Our host is Robert W. Morgan, with Bill Drake and Charlie Van Dyke doing the image voice duties in this edition of the Golden Year 1963, with newsman Mike Cleaver given the sad duty of reporting one of America's darkest days...November 22.
But the year begins with a blast of sun and surf...from The Beach Boys. Bobby Vinton discusses his "blue" period and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary tells us "Puff" was really about a dragon.
Plus...Robert W. takes us out of the sugar shack and up on the roof, Phil Spector tells the story of how he first heard The Ronnettes (and met his first wife, Ronnie Spector, in the process), a song about a satellite hits the top of the charts, and we hear a big hit from a 12 year old genius.
Drake-Chenault's syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1963
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1963
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Golden Year 1962 (51:29)
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Our host is Robert W. Morgan, with Charlie Van Dyke as the image voice for this edition of the Golden Year 1962. Newsman Mike Cleaver reports on everything from civil unrest to the "twist" craze.
Do you remember The Sensations? How about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers? Only one of them is a pop group, and we hear their big hit. Gene Chandler tells how his biggest hit came from his backup singers warming up before a show.
And there's more — Bobby Vinton sings his way out of certain doom as a big-band leader, Neil Sedaka tells how three out of four disc jockeys can be wrong and Shelly Fabares becomes a reluctant music star.
The syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1962
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1962
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Golden Year 1961 (48:41)
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Can you spell — let alone pronounce — the name of the 1st man to orbit the earth? "Oscar" is the only thing that unites the Jets and the Sharks; and whose that FCC guy calling TV nothing but gar-bage?
Bill Drake is our image voice and the one and only Robert W. Morgan narrates The Golden Year: 1961. (It has the KHJ G.Y. jingle (instrumentally) but the calls letters never show up.)
Ricky Nelson "exposes" the secret to having a hit record "travel" up the charts; Bobby Vee explains how one of rock's greatest tragedies affected his career; from carpet sales to music sales, chord changes and a combination of classical and country giants propel Del Shannon to success; Bobby Lewis is a living example of "ask and you shall receive"; and Gary U.S. Bonds has his manager to thank for his biggest hit!
The KHJ version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1961
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1961
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Golden Year 1960 (48:56)
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Bill Drake and Charlie Van Dyke are the image voices for the show, Mike Cleaver reads the news headlines and Robert W. Morgan hosts this syndicated version of GOLDEN YEAR: 1960.
He's the 1st Catholic president of the United States; Pvt. Elvis Presley — the silver screen version; a most-wanted Nazi war criminal is arrested; The Yankees LOSE a series?; this war is getting really COLD; and the world says goodbye to one of Hollywood's biggest stars!
Don Everly explains how long before Gary Lewis & the Playboys, everyone could love this "clown"; Marty Robbins and disk jockeys everywhere had a love affair with one Texas lady; nobody could apologize like Brenda Lee; songwriter Joe Melson recalls his career with the late, great, Roy Orbison; and Percy had Faith in his seasonal hit!
If you "hang around" for this edition of the Golden Year, you'll meet a man who can do everything, go dancing with someone "wild," snap your fingers, meet a male "Chatty Cathy," and confront your fears of loneliness!
The syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1960
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1960
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Golden Year 1959 (49:55)
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This syndicated version is all ROBERT W. MORGAN: image, news and host!
With all the recent news about Cuban relations with the United States, guess who makes his debut in 1959? It's the year Charlton Heston climbed aboard his chariot and mowed down Oscar competition! Current long-suffering Dodger fans can only wish it were 1959 again! Eddie Fisher divorced Debbie and married who? The United States acquires Paradise! Three "Rock Pioneers" die in an infamous plane crash. The man who shared the #1 spot for 1959 would be gone just one year after its debut!
Paul Anka explains his "turning point" from adolescence to adulthood; What Ray Charles does to fill out eight minutes of a "gig;" EVERY Golden Year some artist explains WHY they didn't want the record released, and this time is it is Bobby Darin!; Jim Ed Brown recalls one of most beloved country-crossovers; and Freddy Cannon has a very talented Mom.
The Golden Year 1959 offers you the opportunity to mosey along, find a dry cleaner to remove that cosmetic material from your collar, travel to one well-known city in Missouri, question if it is your favorite shade of Blue, and finally wreck havoc in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1959
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1959
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Golden Year 1958 (48:43)
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Robert W. Morgan is back once again as the sole "pronouncer."
1958 has its sports milestones as Brooklyn moves West! The US space program goes exploring! The USA is one state bigger! Life for Sugar Ray is really sweet! The $64-thousand dollar program goes broke!
Bobby Darin got all wet and explains how! Sheb Wooley recalls how a joke turned into a Gold record! Dave Burgess of The Champs shares how success went from B to A! All it took was one year for The Kingston Trio, says lead singer Bob Shane. The secrets behind The Chipmunks are detailed by Dave Seville.
Would somebody PLEASE tell me exactly how many tears must fall in this "game,"; Phil and Don are in dream land; Vodka, Whiskey, Scotch, Rum or is it something else that will make you a "Champ;" Bugs Bunny would be right at home if he follows Danny & The Juniors advice; and try saying Domenico Modungo 10 times in a row!
The syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1958
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1958
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Golden Year 1957 (49:44)
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Robert W. Morgan continues his run as the sole voice behind another edition of the GOLDEN YEAR, syndicated by Drake-Chenault.
It's in with the NEW in the USA and out with the OLD in the USSR; the Yankees lose?; things are shaking in San Francisco - again; and Henry Higgins loses his temper!
Johnny Mathis explains how he had the "hits," but no gigs; the "Fat Man" is squeaky clean; Paul Anka had a crush on an older woman; Ricky Nelson talks about his 2nd hit which sold millions; Jerry Lee Lewis recalls getting it right the first time; and Jimmy Rogers is cutting hits at three in the morning!
The Coasters pledge they will find what they are looking for; Sonny James, who passed away this past February 22nd, yearns for a first love; Perry Como is going in circles; Pat Boone is looking for romantic correspondence on the beach; and Ernie Freeman's hit might be rated "R."
The syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1957
COMMENTS ABOUT GOLDEN YEAR 1957
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Golden Year 1956 (48:47)
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Robert W. Morgan hosts the first chapter of The Golden Years. Ike and "Tricky Dick" are back for round two; the UCLA Bruins aren't smelling the roses; it's a perfect game for the DONALD (no, not that one) in the World Series; who is the first to have a hit on the Pop, Country and Rhythm and Blues charts; Bill Russell is making basketball history and he is not even in the NBA yet.
Gene Vincent's Mom insists, and she was right; Little Richard had his own way of telling his boss he was full of $()*(*%&#$; the Coaster's Bobby Nunn is the star of this month's chapter of "we didn't want to do this record;" Fats Domino shares the inspiration for his latest hit; and Gogi Grant makes a connection with UCLA.
Billy Haley says bye-bye to the green monster; Dean Martin gives us a lesson in memory making; the Platters can spot a phony anywhere; Elvis asks us to be kind; and <Shirley & Lee had one of the shortest but memorable records in the GOLDEN YEAR 1956!
(Personal note from Norm Garr: I met Shirley & Lee, Chuck Berry, among others, at an oldies concert at the Hollywood Palladium in 1972!)
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