50 Years Ago this Month – Soul Stretching

Like 2015, 1965 was a year of change, unrest, and innovation. As the people spoke out on racism, religion, and war, our music reflected the times.

Leading a poignant revolution, The Beatles released Rubber Soul (December 3^rd), their landmark album that marked a change in their tunes, from purely moneymaking pop to introspective creativity. Peace and harmony? Not so much …

50 Years Ago this Month – DJ Dan Ingram Spins Sloooow

While we planned for Thanksgiving 50 years ago this month, The Supremes swayed to their music on the radio, thankful for a sixth #1 Motown hit, “I Hear a Symphony.”

 

The Supremes hung for two weeks at #1 on WABC/New York’s chart for 11/23/65, and it was still climbing at #3 on L.A.’s KRLA Tunedex. But what event earlier in the month cut fans off from their favorite songs?

50 Years Ago this Month – Just Yesterday

August’s “Help!” slip-slides down the charts as summer melts into school. By the end of September 1965 it was clawing the charts at #13 on KGB/San Diego’s “Boss 30” Records.*

Does that mean we’d lost interest in The Beatles already? Not just no, but hell no. Their nostalgic tune lamenting they weren’t half the men they used to be “Yesterday,” struck a chord with the KGBeachBoys (station’s cutesy name for their DJs) grabbing the #1 spot.

KGB has always reveled in its slightly rebel reputation … as some of their surveys have recorded for posterity. And this month, someone there liked Ringo best …

50 Years Ago this month – Magical Mystery Tour Part 2

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beatles_the_help/

Help! It was a magical mystery tour …

All ears were glued to Rockin’ Radio stations, and eyeballs fixed and dilated on posters taped to the ceiling, as The Beatles launched their second US concert tour.

It began August 15^th at Shea Stadium in New York, heralding the birth of “stadium rock,” as Beatlemania peaked.

NY radio stations, like WTRY (Albany) were in a ticket-giveaway frenzy, and lucky DJs like Lee Gray and Rick Snyder basked in the celebrity and summer sun. 
What was it like for fans and their fave DJs …?

50 Years Ago this month – DJ Rick Snyder in WTRY Dream Job

BFYP DJ Rick Snyder was at home on the turntable at WTRY/Troy, New York, in July 1965. His story is coming up in BFYP Book 2. In the meantime, a couple of tidbits in a sneak preview!

“‘My mother played the piano, my aunt sang, and I played the trumpet,’ said Rick. ‘But the only music that was constantly available was on the radio.’

“One day he rode his bike across town to WOLF (Syracuse, New York) and watched Denny Bracken doing his DJ thing. (Another station with a studio window on the world.) Denny invited Rick and his friend into the studio. It didn’t take long—watching the DJ say a few words while the engineer did all the work—Rick was hooked.

Rock the Party Bus April 11, 2015 with "Louie Louie"!

Well, we’re ten days into the month and I’m just now posting the 50 Years Ago this Month trivia. My how time flies when you’re havin’ fun – in Vegas, Baby! 

1965 news? April 19 WINS/NY gave up …