Bill Sharkey: Live Cover Songs

Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-24. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" was written and recorded originally by Bob Dylan in 1967 and is found on his 'John Wesley Hardin' LP (Wikipedia, 2021). According to secondhandsongs.com (2021), the song has been recorded by more than 120 artists. The most popular recorded version is UB40 & Robert Palmers' version, which in 1990, reached the #24 position on the US Billboard's Hot Modern Rock chart (Wikipedia, 2021). Here, I play the Ka'au Crater Boys' version of the song. Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Donna (Richie Valens, 1958). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-21. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "Donna" was Richie Valens second release and it rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February of 1969; it was his only top 10 hit and the second of only three recordings released before his death in a plane crash at the age 17 (Biography.com, 2017; Whitburn, 2013; Wikipedia, 2021). The song was written for Valens' high school girlfriend, Donna Ludwig (richievalens.com, 2020). Valens', J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Buddy Holly, and the plane's pilot Roger Peterson, all died in the plane crash on February 2, 1959 after playing a concert in Iowa. Their deaths have been immortalized in Don McLean's song "American Pie" (Biography.com, 2017). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Wedding Song, The (There Is Love) (Paul Stookey, 1971). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-16. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "The Wedding Song (There Is Love)" was written and recorded by Peter Stookey in 1971 and rose on the Billboard Hot 100 chart to #24 (Whitburn, 2013). Stookey stated that Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul, and Mary fame) asked his band mate to bless his wedding by playing a song for his wife and him (Stookey, guideposts.org, 1993). Stookey instead wrote this song and claimed the song was created through Devine intervention; because of this intervention, Stookey said that he could not claim ownership of the song and instead offered his song to Public Domain Foundation, which receives the royalties and offers them to charities (Stookey, guideposts.org, 1993; Wikipedia, 2021). Although the song has been recorded by many, only two other renditions made their way onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart: Petula Clark (1972, #65) and Mary MacGregor (1978, #81) (Whitburn, 2013). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Laléna (Donovan, 1968). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-14. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "Laléna" was a minor hit for Donovan, stalling at #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968 (Whitburn, 2013). Donovan claimed the the song was inspired by the character (Jenny Diver) in 'The Threepenny Opera' (1931) played by Lotte Lenya, a streetwalker. However, according to Donovan, the song is more of "a composite character of women who are outcasts on the edge of society" (donovan-unofficial.com, 2021). The song was released only as a single but was included on the 'Donovan's Greatest Hits' LP in 1969 (funtrivia.com, 2020; Whitburn, 2006). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Green Tambourine (Lemon Pipers, The, 1967). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-12. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" The one hit wonder, The Lemon Pipers, released their only top 40 song in 1967, "Green Tambourine," which hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained on the chart for 13 weeks. According to Shelley Pinz (the lyricist), "while standing in front of the Brill Building [1619 Broadway on 49th Street, Manhattan, NY] I watched a man holding a tambourine begging for money. I wrote a poem about him and called the poem, 'Green Tambourine'" (StocksandNews.com, 1999). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Stuck On You (Lionel Richie, 1983). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-06. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" In 1984, "Stuck On You" was Lionel Richies 8th top 10 consecutive hit landing at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (Whitburn, 2008). Additionally, the song hit #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and also debuted his country song writing/singing abilities toping at #24 on the Billboard Hot Country chart (Whitburn, 2004). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Wendy (Beach Boys, The, 1964). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-01-10. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" Although "Wendy" did not fare as well as many other Beach Boys' songs, it did climb to #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964 (Whitburn, 2008). September 27, 1964 was the groups first performance on The Ed Sullivan Show where they sang "Wendy" and "I Get Around" (Youtube, 2020). Unfortunately, it would be one of the last performances for Brian Wilson (leader, bass player, writer, high lead vocals); he was initially replaced by Glen Campbell and then Bruce Johnson (edsullivan.com, 2021). In 1988, the Baech Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (rockfall.com, 2021). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

I've Gotta Get A Message To You (Bee Gees, The, 1968). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-01-26. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "I've Gotta Get A Message To You" is the Bee Gee's first top 10 hit in the US and their 6th top 40 US hit in just over a year; the song landed at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968 (Whitburn, 2008). The song is a great example of their work prior to their move to disco in the mid 1970s. According to Robin Gibb, who wrote the lyrics, the song focuses on a man who is in the process of being executed in the electric chair and wants the prison chaplain to pass along a message to the prisoner's wife (songfests.com, 2021). The man was convicted for the murder of his adulteress wife's lover (beegees.com, 2021). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Danny's Song (Anne Murray, 1972-1973; Loggins & Messina, 1971). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-10. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "Danny's Song" was written and recorded by Kenny Loggins for his first album, Gator Creek, in 1970 and then rerecorded for his collaboration with Jim Messina in 1971 on his Sittin' In album (songfests.com, 2021). Although his versions of the song did not chart, Anne Murray released her version in 1972 and had a hit landing at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart (Whitburn, 2008). Kenny wrote the song for his brother Dan, who just had his first child, Colin (Wikipedia, 2021). According to songfacts.com, many of the lyrics came from a letter Dan had written to Kenny (2021). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Leader of the Band (Dan Fogelberg, 1981). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-01-23. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "Leader of the Band" was Dan Fogelberg's 4th top 10 hit, which rose to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1981 (Whitburn, 2008). The song was written as a tribute to his father, Lawrence Fogelberg (songfacts.com, 2021), who is pictured in my Rumble thumbnail (fromthehistoryroom.wordpress.com, 2020). Lawrence was a music teacher and a high school band director (www.countrythangdaily.com, 2021). Dan's father died the year after the song was released (Wikipedia, 2021). Dan Fogelberg died in 2007 of prostate cancer (Whitburn, 2008). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Can't You See That She's Mine (Dave Clark Five, The, 1964). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-01-20. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "Can't You See That She's Mine" was the Dave Clark Five's (DC5) 3rd top ten hit rising to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964 (Whitburn, 2008). The DC5 were the Beatles' rivals during the mid 1960s charting 17 top 40 hits during this time frame (1964-1967). They were also the second British Invasion band to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show (the first the Beatles) and performed on the show 18 times, the most of any of the British Invasion bands (Wikipedia, 2021). The DC5 was inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 (Whitburn, 2008). During his induction speech at the Ed Sullivan Theater, Guitarist Lenny Davidson stated that the band arrived on March 8th, 2008 for the induction ceremonies, which was exactly 44 years to the day when they debuted in the US on the Ed Sullivan Show (youtube.com, 2008). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Lady Godiva (Peter & Gordon, 1966). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-06. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" As part of the British invasion, Peter and Gordan's third and last top ten release in the US "Lady Godiva" hit #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966; the song was their longest lasting song on the chart, staying for 14 weeks (Whitburn. 2008). The song was inspired by the story of the 11th century noblewoman, Godgifu, who was married to Leofric, the powerful Earl of Mercia and Lord of Coventry (Andrews, history.com, 2018), although the song is written with a 20th century storyline (Wikipeadea, 2020). The song deviates from the stylings of Peter and Gordan's other recordings, which focused more on love ballads. Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Dream A Little Dream Of Me (Mama Cass Elliot, 1968; Wayne King & his Orchestra, 1931) Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-04. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" was originally recorded by Wayne King and his Orchestra in 1931 and rose to the #1 position on the Billboard Hit Parade chart (Whitburn, 1986). Others who scored chart success with this song included Jack Owens in 1950 (#14 on Billboard's Hit Parade) and Frankie Laine in 1950 (#18 on Billboard's Hit Parade) (Whitburn, 1986). It had been recorded by more than 40 artists (Wikipedia, 2021). However, Mama Cass Elliot recorded the song in 1968 (the version presented here) and peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song became her "signature song . . . [but] On July 27th, 1974, Cass Elliott sang it for the last time at a sold-out concert at London's Paladium. Two days later, she died in her sleep [due to a heart attack] (legacy.com, 2012)]. Cass Elliott was 32 years old" (Blare, npr.com, 2000). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Neon Rainbow (Box Tops, The, 1967). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-02-01. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" The Box Tops' sophomore release, "Neon Rainbow," hit #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967, which followed their only #1 hit "The Letter" just three months earlier (Whitburn, 2008). The band hailed from Memphis, TN and was led by lead vocalist Alex Chilton (only 16 years old at the time), who later formed Big Star (Whitburn, 2008). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Sky Pilot (Eric Burdon & the Animals, 1968). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-01-14. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" Eric Burdon and the Animals released "Sky Pilot" in 1968 as a 7:27 minute single; however, the song had to be cut into two parts to fit onto a 45 rpm record, hence part 1 and part 2 (songfacts.com, 2020). "Sky Pilot (pt. 1)" reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (Whitburn, 2008), which is the version I perform here. Because of its length, the record did not get as much airplay as other anti-war songs of the time (alphahistory.com, 2018). The song focuses on a military chaplain who provides the troops with spiritual guidance before they head off to war. Interestingly, the term Sky Pilot does not refer to airmen, but instead to these military Chaplins (alphahistory.com, 2018). This song was the Animals 10th top 20 hit in the US (Whitburn, 2008). The same year, the Animals disbanded (Whitburn, 2008). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

She's No Lady (Lyle Lovett, 1988). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-01-17. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" Lyle Lovett's "She's No Lady" from his Pontiac album climbed to #17 on the US Country Billboard chart in 1988 (Whitburn, 2008). Lovett has always called his own shots when song writing, and with "She's No Lady," Lyle produced a humorous, not so country, not so politically correct song about a henpecked husband (americansongwriter.com, 2020). Although Lyle has only had one song that broke the top 10 on the US Country chart, "Cowboy Man" in 1986 (Wikipedia, 2021), he has quite a following of fans who love his cross-genre song writing and performing skills. He is unique. Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

Choo Choo Ch' Boogie (Louis Jordan, 1946). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-01-10. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" was one of Louis Jordan's biggest cross-over hits in 1946 rising to #7 on the charts loved by both Black and White music lovers (Whitburn, 1986; Wikipedia, 2021). The song has been covered by a variety of artists: Manhattan Transfer, John Denver, Asleep at the Wheel, Joe Jackson, B. B. King, Foghat, Bill Haley & the Comets, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and more. "The song summed up the feelings of excitement followed by disillusionment felt by many who were returning from serving in the Second World War" (Wikipedia, 2021). Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey

98.6 (Keith, 1966). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2021-01-03. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" Peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966, "98.6" was Keith's only top 10 hit. Keith enlisted the Tokens (of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" fame) for background vocals (Whitburn, 2008). In an interview with Mojo magazine (2008, June), Keith said that he "had very little hope it would be a success. I was talking to my girlfriend after that session, saying I couldn't believe I had just recorded a song with a number related to a person's body temperature." Interesting fact, Keith spent a couple of years in the '70s as lead vocalist for Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention (Keith986.com, 2009).

I'll Be There For You (Rembrandts, The, 1995). Live performance by Bill Sharkey, Home Studio, Hawaii Kai, HI. 2020-12-28. "Keeping the Oldies Alive" Here's a song by the California band The Rembrandts, which rose to #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (Whitburn, 2008) but also rose to the #1 position on both the US Adult Contemporary and Mainstream Top 40 charts in 1995 (Wikipedia, 2020). "I'll Be There For You" was honored in Canada as the best-selling single of 1995 while holding the #1 position for five weeks on the Canada top Singles chart (Wikipedia, 2020). According to Allee Willis (one of the song writers), "It was never, ever to this day released as a single. It was just DJs who made a cassette of the song and just started playing it. And it became the #1 airplay record of the year, but the Rembrandts never wanted it out as a single because they didn't write the song" (songfacts.com, 2020). A question. Which NBC weekly sitcom used this song as it's opening theme song for 10 seasons (1994-2004)? Bandcamp Web Site: https://billsharkey.bandcamp.com Rumble Channel: https://rumble.com/c/BillSharkey Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/c/billsharkey