We're going with the top three songs on the rock charts from this time 60 years ago (July 1965), which happens to be the best year in rock and roll history (no arguments, please). We were enjoying summer vacation in the Midwest and listening to The Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" (#1), The Four Tops "I Can't Help Myself" (#2), and The Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man" (#3) on the radio. Timeless artists, timeless songs, great variety of musical genres. Hope you enjoy.
Our songs today are in remembrance of two musicians who passed away recently: one a legendary British blues artist who helped launch many musical careers, and the other a member of a great Motown quartet that had hit after hit. John Mayall passed away at the age of 90, his fame coming as the leader of the seminal John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, a British blues group that at varying times once included Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce of Cream, and John McVie and Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac. Abdul "Duke" Fakir died at age 88, the last surviving member of Motown's Four Tops, the first tenor in a quartet that had numerous hits in the '60s and '70s. R.I.P. to them both.
The passing on August 8 of Motown composer/ producer Lamont Dozier (of Holland-Dozier-Holland fame), sent us to the Google machine to recall all of the hits he co-wrote or produced, most notably to us for the Motown label. It's beyond impressive, including the vast majority of the hits recorded by The Supremes, The Four Tops and Martha and the Vandellas. We're picking three of his earlier songs to honor his genius, "Come See About Me" ('64), "It's the Same Old Song" ('65), and "This Old Heart of Mine" ('66). Hope you enjoy.
