Professor Mikey’s OLD SCHOOL

Old School Single: The Grind TOMMY BOLIN (1975)

The ultimate destiny of Tommy Bolin is one of music’s big mysteries, because he never got past the drugs or age 25.  Born in Sioux City Iowa, he was kicked out of school because he wouldn’t cut his hair.  This led to a move to Boulder Colorado, where he joined a local legend that went national called Zephyr.  Leaving that band at a time that he was becoming interested in jazz fusion, he was picked by drummer Billy Cobham to appear on the Spectrum album.  From there, he did stints with the James Gang and Deep Purple, before recording two solo albums.  Just as his star was ascending, it exploded.  Bolin was found dead of a heroin overdose in Miami in December of 1976, shortly after opening a show for Jeff Beck.  Here’s a little funk, a little jazz, a little metal, all at once…Tommy Bolin and The Grind from 1975’s Teaser…I walked all day tryin' to find me workI must have knocked on one-hundred doorsWould have swallowed my pride for some moneyAnd be satisfied sweepin' the floorsMister Broken-GlassMister Silver-And-GoldMister Bustin'-My-AssMister All-You-Can-HoldI spent last night sleepin' on a park bench'til a copy came and moved me alongTold him I was botherin' nobodyYes, he told me I was dead wrongMister Broken-GlassMister Silver-And-GoldMister Bustin'-My-AssMister All-You-Can-HoldEverywhere, I get the same kind of answer"Not now" or "Maybe then"Well, me time is runnin' out on me people,Yes, me peopleIf you're down and without a friendMister Broken-GlassMister Silver-And-GoldMister Bustin'-My-AssMister All-You-Can-HoldSource: LyricFindSongwriters: Jeffery Cook / John Tesar / Stanley Sheldon / Tommy BolinThe Grind lyrics © Equestrian Music, Music Sales Corporation This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

Old School 57 TREAT TO THE BEAT *Correct*

[][]That’s what I get for trying to replicate a sidecar on Halloween.Without too much technical explanation, let’s just say Jack the Ripper clones himself and not only stays on the track where he is supposed to be, but also appears over the top of “Cemetery Stomp” from the creepy surfer sensations The Essex. The result was a confusing monster mash that raised audio during the first 10 minutes of the original podcast.Hearing the results might frighten anyone, especially children and small pets. So this on has that error corrected so you hear pristine versions of Screaming Lord Sutch (born David Edward Sutch, 10 November 1940 – 16 June 1999) as well as the gothic surf stirred by The Essex.Pardon the confusion, it is already that time of year.best,Professor MikeyIt starts in a 1959 graveyard, lit by a Morningstar…Here are two songs Professor Mikey dug up from the groove yard of ghoulish golden goodies.  The first one rises from the graveyard on a hot night in the Singing River Studio in Biloxi, Mississippi.  For this 1959 single, Willie Morrell was possessed enough to change his name to Jackie Morningstar.  Then we move west and a little further in time, when a little known surf band called The Essex accidentally stumble onto a genre that centered around sun, sand, vampires and zombies.  Jackie Morningstar and Rockin in the Graveyard, followed by The Essex and Cemetery Stomp.  It’s a double shot of Halloween on Old School.In a small town, there was a ghastly tradition every Halloween. The local teens would gather in the cemetery, and as the clock struck midnight, they’d start “ROCKING IN THE GRAVEYARD” to wake the restless spirits. Jackie Morningstar’s catchy tune became their anthem, and even the ghosts couldn’t resist.2. “CEMETERY STOMP” by The Essex (1963):The Essex, a group of thrill-seeking teens, decided to throw a secret party in an old, haunted cemetery. With the moon high in the sky, they cranked up “CEMETARY STOMP,” and as they danced among the tombstones, they discovered that even ghouls have a groove.3. “HALLOWEEN SPOOKS” by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross (1959):Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross were known for their vocal harmonies that could raise the dead. They performed “HALLOWEEN SPOOKS” so well that it attracted all kinds of supernatural creatures to join in, creating the ultimate ghostly choir.Old School is all abuzz with costume ideas, overdosing on Starbursts and Three Musketeers, and toilet papering Professor Mikey’s crib.  Today, a rather lightweight but entertaining ghostly tune that goes back to the late 50s, and the remarkable jazz trio of Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and and Annie Ross.  They formed in 1958 and were voted the Best Vocal Group by the readers of Downbeat magazine for 59, 60, 61, 62, and 63.  A jazz group with a sense of humor.  That’s frightening enough, but it doesn’t compare to the downright dropdead horror that you are sure to experience when you hear Lambert Hendricks and Ross do “Halloween Spooks.”4. “JACK THE RIPPER” by Screaming Lord Sutch (1964):In a shadowy corner of London, a group of ghouls decided to have a sinister dance-off. They called it the “JACK THE RIPPER” showdown, with Screaming Lord Sutch as the master of ceremonies. The winner got to keep their soul for another year. Screaming Lord Sutch technically isn’t a member of the British Invasion because he never had a hit record in Great Britain or the US.  Still, he was one of the first horror rockers, he employed band members before they were famous like Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, Nicky Hopkins, and Mitch Mitchell.  He released pre-Beatle rock with studio wizard Joe Meek, ran for Parliament several times, founded the National Teenage political party, and started his own pirate radio station, Radio Sutch, in 1964.  Here he is with the story of Jack the Ripper, Sreaming Lord Sutch on Old School…5. “RACE WITH THE DEVIL” by Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps (1957):Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps were renowned for their fiery performances. One Halloween night, they had a “RACE WITH THE DEVIL” contest against the demons of the underworld, and the band’s blistering rock ‘n’ roll won, sealing the demons’ fate.6. “MONSTER MASH PARTY” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett (1961):Bobby “Boris” Pickett threw the wildest Halloween party ever. Creatures from all walks of the afterlife, including Dracula and the Mummy, gathered for a “MONSTER MASH PARTY.” It was a graveyard smash with dancing, howling, and monstrous fun. 7. “MY CRYSTAL SPIDER” by Sweetwater (1968):Sweetwater’s lead singer had a mysterious encounter with a crystal spider in the woods one Halloween. She sang “MY CRYSTAL SPIDER” to share the eerie tale of her arachnid friend who wove webs that foretold the future.8. “AFTER HALLOWEEN” by Fairport Convention (1975):Fairport Convention’s members were so dedicated to Halloween that they kept the festivities going into November. They celebrated “AFTER HALLOWEEN” with an epic bonfire, music, and plenty of pumpkin spice, ensuring the spirit of Halloween lived on.Yes there are many great Halloween songs clanging around the Old School.  And, after the apples have been bobbed, the trick or treaters have been sugarfied, the vampires have gone back to sleep and the witches have parked their brooms, there’s one great post-Halloween song.  Fairport Convention had formed in 1968 and successfully meshed the sounds of the present with the sounds of the past…rock and roll meets the music of Robin Hood.  In 1975 they were a finely tuned machine, now featuring the lead vocals of Sandy Denny only a short time before her tragic end that came at age 31 after injuries suffered in a fall.  From Rising of the Moon, their 13th album, Fairport Convention and “After Halloween.”ROCKING IN THE GRAVEYARD Jackie Morningstar 1959CEMETARY STOMP The Essex 1963HALLOWEEN SPOOKS Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross 1959JACK THE RIPPER Screaming Lord Sutch 1964RACE WITH THE DEVIL Gene Vincent and The Blue Caps 1957MONSTER MASH PARTY Bobby “Boris” Pickett 1961MY CRYSTAL SPIDER Sweetwater 1968AFTER HALLOWEN Fairport Convention 1975The tradition of bobbing for apples has ancient roots and is believed to have originated in various parts of the world. In Celtic cultures, it was part of the Samhain festival, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Bobbing for apples was a way to celebrate the season and engage in divination. Apples were associated with various forms of magic and the afterlife, making them a fitting choice.The game made its way to America through Irish and Scottish immigrants. Over time, it became a popular Halloween activity. In the game, apples are placed in a large tub of water, and participants attempt to catch an apple using only their teeth, without using their hands. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

WITCHES YOUTUBE BREWPUB

Substack faithful:You (and Apple, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher) have the original version, so listen to that one when you need bewitching.Just to clear things, not all songs are cleared by YouTube for worldwide distribution, so having 3 of those caused the original version to get blocked on the service. This is a trim, but since people only watch YouTube videos for 30 seconds there is still plenty of programming to enjoy in most corners of the globe.If you are hearing this on YOUTUBE please subscribe. It costs nothing and it means everything.Thanks so much!Professor Mikey This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

Old School 56 ”WITCHES BREWPUB”

The Witches of Eastwick. Ronald Dahl ‘s Witches. The witch of Blackbird Pond pond. Wendy the good witch. Sabrina the teenage witch. Marvel’s Scarlet Witch.No matter how many buckets of water you empty, how many stakes you ignite, how many houses you drop on them, the wonderful witches of pop culture never fly completely away. They cast spells, ring bells, read books, and light candles. Samantha Stevens used to wiggle her nose to tidy up her 1962 living room.With all their hocus pocus, they hardly have time to put down the broom, to kick back and relax. Where do they go to bend an elbow with their friends, enjoy an autumn brew, and maybe light up a Salem?For that answer, we have come to the groove yard of golden goodies. Music celebrates the weird sisters, rarely discriminating between good and bad witches. Obviously Professor Mikey has spent a little too much time in the witches brew pub. I blame that midnight happy hour and the eye of newt calamari. And the music! The juke boxes Blair witch projects long after the witching hour.Old School loves to trick or treat at the Witches Brewpub. Keeps you out of Halloween traffic, clarifies multiple levels of focus, and thumps floorboards with a music too fun to be forgotten. After a few tall ones, you note the devil’s jukebox is exhaling brimstone, hemlock and headbangers. Serious observations, swinging cats, witched up rockabilly thugs, enchanted troubadours, all celebrating the risings of the moon on a time of bewitched and bothered rock and roll. All these song were created inspired by enchanted women of healing, magic, and strength. And flight.🅆🄸🅃🄲🄷'🅂 🄱🅁🄴🅆🄿🅄🄱 🄿🄻🄰🅈🄻🄸🅂🅃THE WITCH The Sonics 1964 MAD WITCH Dave Gardner 1957 WITCHCRAFT Frank Sinatra 1957 WITCH QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS Redbone 1971 SHE’S MY WITCH Kip Tyler 1958 MY GIRLFRIEND IS A WITCH October Country 1968 THE SALEM WITCH TRIAL Kiriae Crucible 1968 THE WITCHWOOD The Strawbs 1971 WITCH’S PROMISE Jethro Tull 1970 BURN WITCH, BURN Circus 1967 WITCHCRAFT IN THE AIR Betty LaVette 1962 WITCH HUNT Rush 1981 WITCH GIRL The Mystrys 1966 YOU MUST BE A WITCH The Lollipop Shop 1968 SEASON OF THE WITCH Steve Stills/Al Kooper 1968 DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD Sammy Davis Jr. 1966Witches Brew from the Witches BrewpubIngredients:* 1.5 quarts lime sherbet* Green food coloring, optional* 1 2-liter bottle lemon-lime soda (like Sprite), chilled* 2 cups pineapple juice, chilled* Dry ice, gummy worms, and gummy eyeballs for garnish, optional* 1 can pumpkin puree (15 oz)* 1/2 cup brown sugar* 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon* 1/4 tsp ground ginger* 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg* In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg until smooth.* Add the lime sherbet to the bowl and stir until it is mostly melted.* Add the lemon-lime soda and pineapple juice to the bowl and stir until everything is well combined.* If you want to add green food coloring to give it a more witchy look, add a few drops now.* If you want to add dry ice for a spooky smoke effect, be sure to follow all safety precautions when handling it.* Serve in glasses with gummy worms and gummy eyeballs as garnish if desired.Enjoy your Witches’ Brew with pumpkin! 1. Wicked Witch of the West: From L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz,” this iconic character is known for her green skin and flying monkeys. 2. The Sanderson Sisters: Winnie, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson are the witches from the movie “Hocus Pocus.” 3. Gandalf and Saruman: Wizards in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” series, they are often referred to as wizards but share many characteristics with traditional witches. 4. Bellatrix Lestrange: A prominent dark witch in the “Harry Potter” series created by J.K. Rowling. 5. Elphaba: The green-skinned protagonist of Gregory Maguire’s novel “Wicked,” which also inspired a popular musical. 6. The Witch in “Snow White: The evil queen who uses magic to try to eliminate Snow White. 7. Circe: A character from Greek mythology known for her magical abilities, featured in various works of literature. 8. The White Witch (Jadis): A character from C.S. Lewis’s “The Chronicles of Narnia” series, known for her ice-cold magic.* Sycorax is an unseen character in William Shakespeare's play The Tempest (1611). She is a vicious and powerful witch and the mother of Caliban, one of the few native inhabitants of the island on which Prospero, the hero of the play, is stranded.* The Grand High Witch. In The Witches (1990), based on the 1983 book of the same name by Roald Dahl, the Grand High Witch is the all-powerful leader of the world's witches. She maintains children smell like dog droppings.🐕💩 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

OLD SCHOOL After School Special JAN & DEAN IN CONCERT

Professor Mikey here, welcome to a special Old School After School Special, a rare live performance from California surf rockers Jan and Dean!Jan Berry and Dean Torrence met and formed their duo at University High School in West LA. Jan was also friends with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, and those two wrote Jan and Dean’s first number one hit, Surf City.In late October 1964 Jan and Dean hosted the The filming of The TAMI Show which brought together several major artists including  The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, James Brown and The Famous Flames, The Supremes, and Chuck Berry for the big screen.EXTRA: See the complete T.A.M.I. SHOW here!Now we catch up with them a few months later, March 12, 1965, once again at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Jan Berry’s tragic life changing car accident was a year in the future, so this show captures the two at their peak performance level.The album was called Command Performance, Jan & Dean/Live In Person, and was held from publication for ten years. Note: this is a vinyl rip from a disc that’s been sealed for almost a half century. Set the controls for 1965, wax you boards, and get ready to surf in the ocean or on the sidewalk. Jan and Dean  in concert on the Old School After School Special…Jan Berry’s accident:Car: Little red Corvette, 1966When: April 12, 1966Time: 5:30 p.m.Conditions: Clear and dryWhere: Sunset Blvd and Whittier Drive, Beverly Hills CA 90210, near 9901 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210TV Movie: Dead Man’s Curve (CBS, 1974) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

OLD SCHOOL 55 ”Animal Planet Rock”

Welcome to Old School, coming at you today from somewhere between the Animal Zoo and the wildlife preserve that is rock and roar radio.There are over 8.7 million species of creatures on this planet, and every one of them has a song to sing. Whether you're a night owl, a party-loving parrot, or king of beasts, the animal planet has its own chart-toppers and divas.The animal kingdom has woven itself into our music. David Attenborough said it well : “The whole of life is coming to terms with yourself and the natural world.”Couple of rules. There are so many great dog, cat, and bird songs, I’ll save them for future episodes. Here we are going to keep it wild and untamed. From creatures of the land to those beneath the sea, Old School has it covered.I can hear this podcast being played in traffic for people escaping the rat race. Or many it’s getting played in the waiting room at the vet. Or while they are cleaning the cages at the zoo. From the jungles, from the woods, from the zoos locked up neighborhoods. Welcome to Episode 55 of Professor Mikey’s Old School, Animal Planet Rock. Someone told me its all happening at the zoo. I do believe it, and so does Spirit from their 1970 album The Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus.  ANIMAL PLANET ROCK PLAYLISTAnimal Zoo SPIRIT 1970Mickey’s Monkey SMOKEY ROBINSON AND THE MIRACLES 1963I’m an Animal THE ANIMALS 1968Shock the Monkey PETER GABRIEL 1982The Lion Sleeps Tonight THE TOKENS 1962Ride the Tiger JEFFERSON STARSHIP 1974Tigerman RUFUS THOMAS 1953Eating the Bear JOAN ARMATRADING 1981Hungry Like the Wolf DURAN DURAN 1982Animals TALKING HEADS 1979Elephant Talk KING CRIMSON 1981Octopus SYD BARRETT 1970Animals TALKING HEADS 1979Man Gave Names to All The Animals BOB DYLAN 1979 They All Ask’d For You THE METERS 1975Do Animals Like Music? * Birds: Some studies have suggested that birds, particularly songbirds, can be influenced by music. For example, certain bird species may sing more when exposed to specific types of music. However, individual preferences can vary among birds.* Cats: Cats are known for their sensitivity to sounds. While there's no conclusive evidence that cats prefer one genre of music over another, some pet owners have reported that their cats seem to respond positively to calming or classical music.* Dogs: Dogs' reactions to music can vary widely. Some studies have shown that dogs may be more relaxed when exposed to classical music, while others may prefer silence or sounds of nature. Dogs are also known to respond positively to music specially composed for their hearing range.* Cows: There have been anecdotal reports of cows showing increased milk production when exposed to certain types of music. However, this is a subject of ongoing research, and results can vary.* Fish: There is limited research on the musical preferences of fish, but some studies have suggested that fish may react to certain types of music with changes in behavior.* Elephants: Elephants have shown an ability to distinguish between different musical genres, and some captive elephants have exhibited positive responses to classical music.We will return to Animal Planet Rock sometime in the near future here on Old School. Right now I need to get out and listen to some of nature’s music. If you’d like to do something for our furry feathered friends, there are lots of ways to accomplish that. On my free newsletter, the article attached to this podcast has some tips as well as a link top a list of 50 ways you can help the animals in your community.If you’d prefer to Venmo the lions tigers bears and more, you can reach out to any of the following: Animal Welfare InstituteBrother Wolf Animal RescueAlley Cat AlliesElephant Sanctuary in TennesseeMarine Mammal CentreAmerican Humane SocietyThe Humane Society of the United StatesThe Dian Fossey Gorilla FundThe Jane Goodall InstituteThe African Wildlife FoundationEXTRANOT MISSING LINKS!50 WAYS YOU CAN HELP ANIMALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY(Courtesy of The Humane Society of the United States) *****************NINE ANIMALS NAMED FOR ROCK BANDSFor Real 🛸 pinkfloydiThis lopsided crustacean has a massive pink claw that is able to stun or kill small fish with just the sound of its snap. Unsurprisingly, it is named after one of the loudest bands in rock, Pink Floyd, with a suitably sonorous song from their 2014 album The Endless Riverto accompany it.(Courtesy BBC Science Focus)Professor Mikey’s Old School is produced for educational purposes, and expects this episode to be available in public libraries for years to come.Any music you may have heard in this session resides within the public domain or is used within the guidelines of fair use provided for in Section 107 of the copyright act of 1976. Podcast carriers compensate artists directly, but if you the artist feel your work has been improperly used or misrepresented, please contact our producers at professormikey.substack.com.One more before we leave the orbit of Animal Planet Rock. Here’s The Meters from New Orleans, and They All Asked For You. Remember we are born free and meant to stay wild. Thanks for tuning in to Old School! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

OLD SCHOOL 54 ”Raunch and Roll: 50s Naughty Bop”

Professor Mikey here with an innocent but slightly dirty episode of Old School.I understand YouTubers expect music instantly. If you are new to Old School, realize we are able to play songs of vintage cool in their entirety because Professor Mikey checked the educational box. SO I tell quick but educational stories. Today, the subject is a bit off color, and it has nothing to do with techni-covered vinyl.The Fifties were more than I Love Lucy, Ivory Snow, and the New York Yankees. They were Davy Crockett, ‘55 Chevies, and Howard Johnson’s.As popular culture bounced in atom age patterns, a postwar world absorbed itself in peace and creativity. A global  Greatest Generation had sacrificed too much in history’s worst war. But to the victors belonged the spoils: affordable housing, color television, and rock and roll.Until he went to the Army in 1958, Elvis ruled the decade, which angered certain people. This “white man who could sing like a black man” was not a winning formula to many, so they tried to take down Presley in any way they could. One way was to go after the music itself, and all that it represented.To many, this was brain rotting filth. Something to be hauled out in the trash alongside bikini bathing suits and gruesome and violent comic books. This music had a beat that was suggestive and sexual, wild and rowdy. In one famous media move, the performance of the top cat from Tupelo could only be seen from the waist up. Those wiggling hips violated community standards.Bawdy songs were as old as pianos. They offered adult humor with sophomoric punchlines. Censors blocked what they could, but an occasional song containing blue material could liven up a club performance, or become the instant hit of a record party. Wink wink nudge nudge didn’t apply to everything, but when radio stations banned certain releases from their Top 40 lists the station itself became more famous for what it didn’t play than for what made it to the airwaves.On this show we will delve into some of those questionable songs with naughty lyrics and bad intent. Rock and roll was being born, and it would be an inaccurate deception to pretend there wasn’t a lot of going on between the sheets of music.As time passed, our popular music became more civilized. Bad language was welcomed into the art form, and the only questions about content was how much it might sell. What we are going to hear are some downright silly examples of the tunes that could get you banned in Boston or f****d in Florida. Fair warning. and Drugs and Rock and Roll, coming right up. This is Professor Mikey’s Old School, Episode 54 RAUNCH AND ROLL: 50s Naughty Bop.One Night of Sin ELVIS PRESLEYLet Me Bang Your Box THE TOPPERS60 Minute Man THE DOMINOESTake Out Your False Teeth Daddy MARGIE DAYA Rocket in My Pocket JIMMY LLOYDGet Hot or Go Home JOHN KIRBYBang Bang JANIS MARTINThe Girl Can’t Help It LITTLE RICHARDJail Bait ANDRE WILLIAMSIt’s Ain’t the Meat, It’s the Motion THE SWALLOWSShort Shorts THE ROYAL TEENSAin’t I’m a Dog? RONNIE SELFHot Dog CORKY JONES (BUCK OWENS)Keep On Churning WYNONIE HARRISMy Man Stands Out JULIA LEE AND HER BOYFRIENDSBig 10-Inch BULLMOOSE Great Balls of Fire JERRY LEE LEWISAs the years went rocking by, songs with secret references faded from earshot. The architects of rock and roll influenced the next wave, paving the way for the Beatles to launch their career with “Please, Please Me” and the Stones to sweeten the charts with Brown Sugar. In our progressive times, explicit language is up to the artist, as well as the retailer and the FCC.Professor Mikey’s Old School is produced for educational purposes, and expects this episode to be available in public libraries for years to come.Any music you may have heard in this session resides within the public domain or is used within the guidelines of fair use provided for in Section 107 of the copyright act of 1976. Podcast carriers compensate artists directly, but if you the artist feel your work has been improperly used or misrepresented, please contact our producers at professormikey.substack.com.You can hear Professor Mikey’s Old School wherever you get your podcasts, and many episodes are archived on YouTube where a subscription would always be appreciated. This has been Episode 54 of Old School, “Raunch and Roll: 50s Naughty Bop.” and we leave you with the late Jerry Lee Lewis, and a famous song all about personal confidence.Professor Mikey, we’ll catch you next time.Now on YouTube! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

Old School Single THE FAT ANGEL Donovan/Jefferson Airplane

This is an old FM underground DJ trick, intended to blow the listener’s mind. Playing the same song twice by different artists catches most listeners off guard, especially if they haven’t been paying attention and missed the segue.Donovan wrote the original in 1966 for the Sunshine Superman album that was released in September.. It was a fanboy offering to Mama Cass Elliot, beloved member of the Mamas and Papas. The story goes that Mama Cass often threw star studded hippie parties at her home in Laurel Canyon, offering all the stoner goodies that get mentioned in the song. In addition to the song being an homage to Cass Elliot, Donovan name checked the Jefferson Airplane.Two years later, the Airplane returned the favor during a November 1968 concert at the Fillmore West. The arrangement wasn’t very different, but it definitely flew the friendly skies of Trans Love Airways.Here’s the way DJs used to pair the two versions into a slightly longer flight. Chances are you too will attain cruising altitude when you hear the result. From Donovan and the Jefferson Airplane, here’s Fat Angel.THE FAT ANGELHe will bring happiness in a pipe,He'll ride away on his silver bikeAnd apart from that he'll be so kindIn consenting to blow your mind.Fly Translove Airways, get you there on time.Fly Translove Airways, get you there on time.He will bring orchids for my lady,The perfume will be of an excellent styleAnd apart from that he'll be so kindIn consenting to blow your mind.Fly Translove Airways, get you there on time.Fly Translove Airways, get you there on time.He will bring happiness in a pipe,He'll-a ride away on his silver bikeAnd apart from that he'll be so kindIn consenting to blow your mind.Fly Jefferson Airplane, get you there on time.Fly Jefferson Airplane, get you there on time.He will bring happiness in a pipe,He'll ride away on his silver bikeAnd apart from that he'll be so kindIn consenting to blow your mind.Fly Translove Airways, get you there on time.Fly Translove Airways, get you there on time.We'll be flying at an altitude of thirty-nine thousand feetCaptain High at your service.The Fat Angel Lyrics as written by Donovan LeitchLyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.Lyrics powered by LyricFindGeneral CommentAs I understand it, Donovan wrote this song for Cass Elliot of The Mamas and The Papas -- hence the "Fat Angel" title.Elliot was a much beloved figure among musicians in the psychedelic sixties. Top rock stars, American and British, would congregate at her home in Laurel Canyon, to hang out and get high.I believe the lyrics refer to the scene at her house. The rider on the silver bike is, I imagine, a stylish drug dealer who travels by motorcycle to bring his wares for all plus flowers for Mama Cass."Captain High at your service," indeed.Perhaps that was even the dealer's tag line which he announced upon arrival and Donovan tucked away all these details in his mind for when he later wrote this song.LuckyTownon September 10, 2014   Link This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

OLD SCHOOL 53: Hat Trick ’79

Bands at play in 1979 had no idea what the Eighties would bring, so they sharpened their own cutting edges. Today a quick sampling from three bands that were already mentally set for the next decade. You can almost hear the 80s in their music, bumping like a safe heartbeat on an ultrasound.The Runaways burst upon the Hollywood club scene of 1979.  Dismissed at the time as a marketing gimmick, they have since grown in stature as the first all-female band to make a substantial impression on the public by playing loud, straight-up, guitar-driven rock & roll. All were teens in the stable of promoter/manager Kim Fowley, who played up the sleazy jailbait imag. The Runaways' sound and attitude broke new ground.  Adam and the Ants were a British new wave punk rock band formed in the late 1970s. Lead singer Stuart Goddard aka Adam Ant had the revolutionary Johnny Depp pirate-like appearance going well before the famous Disney films appeared. With his hopping Ants, he achieved significant success in the early 1980s with albums like “Kings of the Wild Frontier” and blurred the lines between punk and glam.The post punk Gang of Four hailed from Leeds England, where they confused a lot of people. Take their name.  Many think it comes from China's Chairman Mao.  Actually, it's the big four Structuralist theorists who were in fact French intellectuals.  But philosophy, we are here to rock.  The band forms in 1977, comes to New York, sees Television and The Ramones in concert, and begin recording in earnest the following year.  From their debut album Entertainment, released in 1979, The Gang of Four takes a poke at revisionist history with Not Great Men.Three rockers from the twilight of the 70s, destined to appear on 80s mixtapes and at least one future Old School. Here is Hat Trick ‘79. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe

Old School Single: BUDDY STAY OFF OF THAT WINE Betty Hall Jones (1949)

Betty Bigby was born in Topeka, Kansas in 1911, and relocated early on to California.  Her father was the leader of a brass band, but she learned the piano from her uncle.  At 15 she married a banjo player named Hall, then divorced him ten years later.  She played with jazz bands throughout the 40s.  She married Jasper Jones around that time, and her professional name became Betty Hall Jones.  She recorded extensively for Capitol from 1947 to 1949.  One of her more popular songs came out in 1949, when she recorded an answer song to Stick McGhee’s “Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-Oh-Dee.”  It’s quite a song, Betty not only gives a thumbs up to beer and liquor and a thumbs down to vino, she foreshadows rap with a little talking blues.  Betty Hall Jones and Buddy Stay Off Of That Wine… This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit professormikey.substack.com/subscribe