THE TEMPTATIONS (w/Dennis Edwards) * 1968
Audio
THE MAGIC BEHIND THE DETROIT MOTOWN SOUND! ’68
“CLOUD NINE” (INSTRUMENTAL; EXT. VERSION) * THE TEMPTATIONS * ’68
AMERICAN PIE, DECIPHERED: THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED
SCOTT WESTERMAN * Sirius XM/KRKE Radio * 2010
AMERICAN PIE. AN ANALYSIS REVISITED
But February made me shiver
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
—
I can’t remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
When I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
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 is my breakdown of American Pie as broadcast on KRKE and XM/Sirius in 2010.
— Scott Westerman February 1, 2012
American Pie. Revisited.
A special THANK YOU to Scott Westerman for sharing his special Sirius XM ‘American Pie: Deciphered’ (2010) with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
For more on the events of February 3, 1959, on this website, GO HERE.
DON McLEAN * American Pie * 1971
CKLW-AM BACK ON THE RADIO: TOM CLAY
CKLW RECALLED ON MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS
CKLW-AM 800 * 1964 * TOM CLAY
TOM CLAY CKLW aircheck date: Wednesday, June 17, 1964
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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI, for recently donating his CKLW radio aircheck (unscoped!) to Motor City Radio Flashbacks!
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* THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION *
A MCRFB Note: Tom Clay’s very last show on CKLW was Friday, June 19, 1964.
WXYZ-AM BACK ON THE RADIO: DON ZEE!
WXYZ RECALLED ON MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS
WXYZ-AM 1270 * 1965 * DON ZEE
NEW! Don Zee WXYZ aircheck date: Saturday, January 30, 1965
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* THE JIM FELICIANO COLLECTION *
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A MCRFB Note: While this is a very short aircheck, having recently been found, so shall we honor this legend and Detroit radio memory. The voice that was Don Zee on WXYZ
THIS WEEK 50 YEARS AGO: THE HOTTEST HIT IN THE USA!
NUMBER 1 IN AMERICA ’68 * The Lemon Pipers * 01/28/68 – 02/03/1968
BILLBOARD HOT 100 TOP FIVE: WEEK-ENDING February 3, 1968
(Click on chart image 2x for detailed view)
NUMBER ONE FOR 1968!
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THIRTEEN WEEKS on the singles chart, “Green Tambourine” by The Lemon Pipers peaked this week at No. 01 (1 week) on the Billboard Hot 100, January 28 through February 03, 1968. (Source: Billboard)
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MCRFB Link: For the previous No. 1 record in the U.S.A. 1968 GO HERE.
JANUARY 29, 2000. A QUEEN’S PASSING. REMEMBERED
“A TRIBUTE TO THE QUEEN”
THE QUEEN REMEMBERED
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Eighteen years ago today. A voice was stilled.
Martha Jean. Beloved in memory by many, simply remembered as, “The Queen“.
She was heralded having been the voice of the city . . . whose daily broadcasts inspired “generations of radio listeners” in Detroit for nearly four decades.
Eighteen years ago today. We remember.
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More on the passing of Martha Jean Steinberg. Tomorrow. On Motor City Radio Flashbacks
‘QBH 1400 INSPIRATION TIME: A TOUCH OF THE QUEEN
INSPIRATION TIME * “Reach Up And Touch Your Song” (w/James Cleveland) * WQBH
A TOUCH of THE QUEEN
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The Queen
The Detroit radio ‘soul’ legend was known having devoted her air time speaking well of her fervent beliefs in spirituality, and her faith. To instruct, uplift, and encourage (as well as admonish) with a devotion to inspire her Detroit audience daily (“Inspiration Time”) while on the air at WJLB and on WQBH.
If this WQBH radio segment you may find all-too inspiring, this was what she did best — as no other — delivering words for encouragement.
The Queen, she loved nothing more than sharing a voice of reason, advice, and a call for love. Void of the radio “entertainment” segues on her shows, reaching out to a city she loved became her platform — having touched many souls — for nearly four decades Martha Jean was on the radio in Detroit.
The Queen. Remembered Today
DETROIT MOTOWN MONDAY RECORD FLASHBACK ’68!
CHUCK JACKSON * 1968
THE MAGIC BEHIND THE DETROIT MOTOWN SOUND! ’65
“THE TRACKS OF MY TEARS” (INSTRUMENTAL) * THE MIRACLES * 1965