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Today, on Music for Monday, we’re celebrating the life of David Bowie. Here’s a video put together by the Dutch TopPop show comprising footage of Bowie visiting their studio in the fall of 1977. The tune is “Sound And Vision” which appeared on the Low LP in early ’77. “Sound And Vision” hit #69 on the US Hot 100 and #3 in the UK.
DAVID BOWIE, ‘SOUND AND VISION’ (BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT TOPPOP, 1977)
This time around on Ancient Advertising Adventures you’ll find an assortment of early seventies commercials. Start off with Romper Room’s Sherlock toy from 1974 and move on to a Chuck Wagon spot with the famed animated wagon from ’73. Following that, pour out a bowl of Fortified Oat Flakes and mash up the empty box in a Kenmore trash compactor. It deodorizes!
Have a great weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday.
‘SHERLOCK’ RIDING TOY COMMERCIAL (ROMPER ROOM, 1974)
Hasbro-Romper Room Sherlock riding dog toy commercial featuring a sing-a-long song. Spot aired in 1974.
CHUCK WAGON DOG FOOD COMMERCIAL (1973)
Chuck Wagon dog food commercial featuring the animated wagon mascot and a live-action wagon driver. Spot aired September 1973.
POST FORTIFIED OAT FLAKES CEREAL COMMERCIAL (MID-1970S)
Post Fortified Oat Flakes “High Nutrition” Cereal commercial starring the Welch Family. Spot aired in the early to mid-1970s (best guess 1973-75).
SEARS KENMORE TRASH COMPACTOR COMMERCIAL (1972)
Sears Kenmore Compactor trash compactor commercial featuring neighbors Harry & Sam and a week’s worth of garbage. Spot aired October 1972.
Joe Simon’s “Your Time To Cry” originally appeared on The Sounds Of Simon LP in early 1971. The song was written by Simon, Raeford Gerald, and Dock Price Jr. and produced by John Richbourg and Simon.
“Your Time To Cry” hit #40 on the US Hot 100 and #3 on Billboard‘s R&B chart and, as you can see in the ad above, #1 on the Cash Box R&B chart. This emotional break-up song with soaring backing vocals is well worth a listen. Spin it below.
I’m getting behind on my catching up. Here’s a dandy batch of seventies commercials that haven’t yet appeared on the website. From 1978, you’ll find Johnson’s Baby Shampoo (with Fran Tarkenton), and Chrysler Newport (with Hal Linden). From 1976, enjoy Brylcreem (with Mickey Mantle) and Lincoln Continental (with John Houseman).
Johnson’s Baby Shampoo commercial featuring Minnesota Vikings quarterback & TV host Fran Tarkenton. Spot aired December 1978 (possibly produced in 1977).
’79 CHRYSLER NEWPORT COMMERCIAL (HAL LINDEN, 1978)
Chrysler Newport commercial featuring the 4-door 1979 model and actor Hal Linden (‘Barney Miller’). Spot aired November 1978.
BRYLCREEM COMMERCIAL (MICKEY MANTLE, 1976)
Brylcreem commercial starring baseball great Mickey Mantle and Kathy Davis, Jan Jorden, and Deborah Shelton (Miss USA, 1970). Spot aired October 1976.
’77 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK V COMMERCIAL (1976)
’77 model Lincoln Continental Mark V commercial featuring narration by actor John Houseman (‘The Paper Chase’). Spot aired November 1976.
Hearty greetings, Bionic Friends. Today’s commercial theme is 1974. Hit the clickers for spots selling Uncle Ben’s Rice & Gravy, Yardley Old English Lavender Soap (with Maud Adams), Taster’s Choice coffee, and Listerol Disinfectant spray.
UNCLE BEN’S RICE & GRAVY COMMERCIAL (1974)
Uncle Ben’s 5 Minute Rice & Gravy commercial featuring a family gathering. Spot aired March 1974.
YARDLEY OLD ENGLISH LAVENDER SOAP COMMERCIAL (MAUD ADAMS, 1974)
Yardley Old English Lavender Fragranced Soap commercial starring Maud Adams of ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ & ‘Octopussy’ fame. Spot aired March 1974.
TASTER’S CHOICE COFFEE COMMERCIAL (1974)
Taster’s Choice 100% Freeze-Dried Coffee commercial. Narration by Ken Nordine. Spot aired October 1974.
LISTEROL SPRAY COMMERCIAL (1974)
Listerol Disinfectant spray commercial featuring Mrs. Vi Wellik and the Flying E Ranch in Arizona. Narration by Peter Thomas. Spot aired March 1974.
Ready for Peggy Lee‘s different, but enjoyable version of The Beatles’ “Something“? Yes, I thought you were game.
In case you need a little background or refresher, Peggy Lee is probably best-known today for the songs “Is That All There Is?,” “Fever,” and “Big Spender.” She also voiced characters in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp. “Something” was written by George Harrison and was the first song of his deemed worthy of an A-side Beatles single release. “Something,” along with “Come Together,” grabbed the #1 slot on the US Hot 100 in November of 1969.
Here’s Peggy Lee performing “Something” on The Ed Sullivan Show on March 1st, 1970. Dig those psychedelic Peter Max-style backgrounds!
PEGGY LEE, ‘SOMETHING’ (‘THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW,’ 1970)
