Author: Jim Feliciano

1976: CHARLIE VAN DYKE PAYS TRIBUTE TO “THE FLAG”

Charlie Van Dyke’s Bicentennial Salute to the American Flag in 1976

 

 

 

 

… Is it possible to wave the flag too much … provided of course, that you wave it with integrity….

 

Charles Leo Steinle aka Charlie Van Dyke, first launched his career in radio broadcasting in 1966, as a nineteen-year old with the legendary KLIF 1190 in Dallas, Texas. By the early 1970s, and rapidly-rising in the industry known for his baritone pipes, his distinct voice behind the radio microphone would eventually carry him to major markets around the country.

Harnessed by Bill Drake for his RKO radio stable, stops would include morning drives at KFRC in San Francisco, KHJ in Los Angeles, a short stint at CKLW in Windsor/Detroit and then it was on to WRKO in Boston.

But it’s the Bicentennial Year. 1976.

Seemingly what was lacking was a narrative to commemorate the country’s bicentennial celebration for that year. And that’s when Van Dyke decided to step in.

Charlie Van Dyke “The Flag” 45 RPM record sleeve from 1976

According to Charlie Van Dyke, he had retained a particular speech his uncle had written and prepared for an oratory-speech contest while in high school. His mother, in adding to the Van Dyke story, had saved a copy of that award-winning speech. That narrative saved would become The Flag.

With minor changes in the lyrics, Clive Fox worked on the produced project for release through United Artists Records. Jimmy Haskell would provide the music behind Van Dyke’s saturated, patriotic salute he voiced-over in The Flag. 

Today, while no longer in radio, Charlie Van Dyke continues to free-lance his voice talents for media markets in both radio and television affiliates across the country.  

Charlie Van Dyke, we thank and salute you for your acclimated 1976 display and show for true-American patriotism!

CHARLIE VAN DYKE * THE FLAG

Special thanks to George Griggs for contributing “The Flag” record/audio featured with this exhibit.

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From Keener13.com: The Backstory Behind Jungle Fever

If WKNR’s owner, Mrs. Knorr, thought that Tommy James’ “I Think We’re Alone Now” was a little too much for the Keener airwaves, then “Jungle Fever” by the Chakachas was well over the edge of the envelope. That it became a hit at all is one of those improbable stories that seem to proliferate in the music business. Here’s the backstory from Keener13.com.

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Remembering Don Cornelius

From 1971-1993 Soul Train was the place where every R&B act wanted to be. Former journalist and Chicago DJ, Don Cornelius, got the idea that there ought to be a television program to showcase soul acts. While some likened the program to a soulful American Bandstand, Cornelius made the genre his own with the famous sign off, “.. and you can bet your last money, it’s all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I’m Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!”

During it’s heyday, Soul Train was a showcase for some of the most memorable R&B acts, helping amplify Michael Jackson’s career and cementing James Brown’s “Godfather of Soul” image for a generation. It’s been credited as the inspiration for present day shows like “So You Think You Can Dance”. The show’s theme song, “The Sound of Philadelphia“, became a crossover hit at the dawn of the disco age. Even after Cornelius departure he remained in the public eye as the force behind the Soul Train Music Awards. Which aired in syndication from 1987 through 2009.

Don Cornelius died today. The police say it was an apparent suicide.

Here are the O’Jays performing, “Love Train,”  their number one soul single from 1973 on Soul Train.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaNMQg2nYT4

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KRKE RADIO / XM SIRIUS: ‘AMERICAN PIE’ DECIPHERED

ONE OF THE MOST analyzed records of all time is Don McLean’s “American Pie.” While it’s commonly agreed that the song is an ode to the deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper, it’s nuances are still debated.

The closest McLean came to explaining it’s meaning was in his 2000 video, Starry Starry Night. “I’m very proud of the song,” he said. “It is biographical in nature and I don’t think anyone has ever picked up on that. The song starts off with my memories of the death of Buddy Holly. But it moves on to describe America as I was seeing it and how I was fantasizing it might become, so it’s part reality and part fantasy but I’m always in the song as a witness or as even the subject sometimes in some of the verses.”

While Don McLean never fully discussed it’s meaning,  many of us have tried. The best analysis I’ve read was written by WKNR and WCFL veteran, Bob Dearborn. Here’s Scott Westerman’s breakdown of American Pie as broadcast on KRKE and XM/Sirius in 2010.

SCOTT WESTERMAN’S TAKEDOWN of AMERICAN PIE (2010)

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