DAILY DIRT: In a couple of weeks, there should be one heckuva 60th birthday celebration for these classics

Daily Dirt for Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024

There’s an incredible amount of pop music history — and memories — included in today’s first thought … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,143 of The Daily Dirt.

1. I had to sit down and take deep breath when I was scouring a list of songs that will turn 60 years old come 2025, which if you haven’t noticed is only about 2 1/2 weeks from right now.

Would you believe the following have been with us since 1965?

• “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” by the Four Tops: It is impossible to either sit still or not sing along when this classic comes on the radio. 
• “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” by the Rolling Stones: All of these years later, it’s still their signature piece.
• “What’s New, Pussycat,” by Tom Jones: He’s now 84, and he’s still singing this in concerts. And his fans absolutely love it.
• “Do You Believe In Magic,” by the Lovin’ Spoonful: Ten years later, front man John Sebastian was singing “Welcome Back, Kotter” for the ABC sitcom.
• “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” by Nancy Sinatra: I never really thought the song was that great, but Nancy looked great in those boots.
• “California Dreamin’,” by the Mamas and Papas: Who knew, at the time, one of the Mamas (Michelle Phillips) would end up as a star on “Knots Landing?” 
• “I Got You Babe,” by Sonny and Cher: When I was a wee lad, I remember seeing Sonny and Cher on The Sullivan Show singing this song and was certain they had no future. Who knew?
• “Mr. Tambourine Man,” by the Byrds: One of the great sing-a-long folk hits of the day.
• “Help!” by the Beatles: It hit No. 1 in the U.S. in early September that year.
• “Stop! In the Name Of Love,” by the Supremes: If you didn’t live through his period, it’s difficult to explain just how popular Diana Ross and her friends were.
• “Like A Rolling Stone,” by Bob Dylan: This was the release that really made people take notice of Dylan.
• “Ferry Cross the Mersey,” by Gerry and Pacemakers: Actually, my favorite Gerry and the Pacemakers song came along a couple of years later in the form of “Girl On A Swing”. Try it, I think you’ll like it. (“From yonder she came, I don’t know her name .. )
• “True Love Ways,” by Peter and Gordon: A very, very underrated duo who I have always felt never received the credit they deserve, much like Chad and Jeremy of the same era.
• “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” by the Righteous Brothers: It’s been played to death, but it’s next to impossible to turn the channel when it comes on. It’s (still) THAT good.
• “Downtown,” by Petula Clark: It’s hard to believe the forever adorable Pet Clark is now 92. And still singing.
• “Help Me, Rhonda,” by the Beach Boys: This song, plus “Wild Honey,” will always be my Beach Boys favorites.
• “Shotgun,” by Junior Walker and the All-Stars: I was a fan of this group forever as soon as I heard this song.
• “Eve Of Destruction,” by Barry McGuire: One of the early protest songs to become a major hit. McGuire, now 89, was a graduate of the New Christy Minstrels.
• “Hang On Sloopy,” by the McCoys: For 60 years, the theme song of The Ohio State University football team.
• “Down In The Boondocks,” by Billy Joe Royal: One of my first favorite songs, I thought it would send Billy Joe, who died at age 73 in 2015, to superstardom. It didn’t.
• “It Ain’t Me Babe,” by the Turtles: My favorite from this group, whose biggest hit — in terms of sales and Billboard Hot 100 history — was “Happy Together”.
• “It’s The Same Old Song,” by the Four Tops: Another hit from this group that simply requires you to sing along. It’s like a rule.

2. Did you know that (Part 217)

• That the wonderful people at Entenmann’s pastries are releasing Chocolate, Mint Chocolate and Salted Caramel Chocolate flavors in their new Big Chunk Soft Baked brand of cookies.
• That Hershey’s is providing a new Harry Potter Butterbeer brand of candy kisses. Look for these in early 2025. (Raise your hand if you cannot wait.)
• That Doritos Late Night Sizzlin’ Cheeseburger flavor is in stores now and reportedly tastes like a Burger King Whopper.
• That Ritz Bits crackers (the little ones) are debuting a new Spicy Queso flavor.
• That one of those NASA space suits worn by astronauts costs more than $12 million.

3. I’m keeping today’s music theme going with this last thought — the 10 greatest rock guitarists, according to The Mirror magazine:

• 1. Brian May
• 2. Jimi Hendrix
• 3. Eric Clapton
• 4. Mark Knopfler
• 5. Slash
• 6. Jimmy Page
• 7. Carlos Santana
• 8. David Gilmour
• 9. Keith Richards
• 10. Dave Grohl

For argument’s sake, I think I would move Page up to No. 4 and Richards closer to the middle of the pack. Other than that, it’s hard to disagree with this list.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – Junior Walker’s real name was Autry DeWalt Mixon. He died at age 64 back in 1995. I can’t tell you much I enjoyed his saxophone playing and singing.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. A list of the best guitarists without Eddie Van Halen or Prince shouldn’t be taken seriously.