Let’s spin up another Hidden Gem, Bionic Pals! “Ice Cold Daydream” is the lead track on Freedom Flight, the second album by 17-year-old phenom Shuggie Otis. The tune was written by Shuggie and produced by his father, famed bandleader Johnny Otis.
Shuggie Otis is best-known for penning the Brothers Johnson tune “Strawberry Letter 23” but he’s also a wonderful guitarist and singer who deserves greater recognition. Listen to “Ice Cold Daydream.” It’s a funk epic packed into a concise 2:29. Ice cold!
This wild and wonderful new phone technology features a cassette tape and answers in “your own voice”! Even better, this cutting edge automatic secretary will only set you back an extra $14.40 per month on your bill. Nice.
Charlie the Tuna (voiced by Herschel Bernardi) is the star of our batch of seventies commercials today. You can also view spots for Sta-Puf Blue, Bell System Yellow Pages, and Ford trucks. Enjoy the memories.
STAR-KIST TUNA ‘GOOD TASTE’ COMMERCIAL (1976)
Animated Star-Kist Tuna Fish commercial featuring Charlie the Tuna and an octopus. Narration by Danny Dark. Charlie voiced by Herschel Bernardi. Spot aired March 1976 (produced in ’75).
STA-PUF BLUE COMMERCIAL (1977)
Sta-Puf Blue Concentrated Fabric Softener commercial featuring a mother and son. Spot aired August 1977.
BELL SYSTEM YELLOW PAGES ‘SPEED TALKER’ COMMERCIAL (1978)
Bell System Yellow Pages commercial featuring a fast-talking spokesperson. Spot aired July 1978.
FORD TRUCKS LINE-UP COMMERCIAL (1979)
Ford truck line-up commercial featuring Couriers, pick-ups, Broncos, vans, and big rigs. Spot aired February 1979.
We lost two music legends in the past few days, Don Everly (who was coincidentally featured here last week), and singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall who passed away at age 85. Hall had great charm and many excellent, observational tunes worthy of a place in any music collection.
Here, for fun and remembrance, is Hall with “I Like Beer.” This sing-a-long drinking song appeared on the I Wrote a Song About It LP in 1975 and hit #4 on Billboard‘s Hot Country chart. Pour one out for the man.
Four vintage commercials on tap today ranging from 1975 to 1978. You’ll find 30 second wonders for Hasbro’s Smack It! game, Gaines-Burgers dog food, Revlon Flex Conditioner, and Nestlé Hot Cocoa (with Holland Taylor and a very young Peter Billingsley). Have a pleasurable weekend!
SMACK IT! BOARD GAME COMMERCIAL (HASBRO, 1978)
Hasbro Smack It! board game commercial. End narration by Dan Ingram. Spot aired in 1978.
GAINES-BURGERS DOG FOOD COMMERCIAL (1977)
Gaines-Burgers dog food commercial featuring a new & improved product. Spot aired in 1977.
Revlon Flex Balsam & Protein Instant Conditioner commercial featuring a model in Western gear. Spot aired June 1976.
NESTLE HOT COCOA COMMERCIAL (1975)
Nestlé Hot Cocoa Mix commercial featuring actor Holland Taylor (‘Bosom Buddies’) and a 3-yr-old Peter Billingsley (‘A Christmas Story’). Spot aired November 1975.
Simon and Garfunkel, Bridge Over Troubled Water ad via Cash Box, February 20, 1971
“It seems that Silvergirl has found a lot of friends.”
A year after its January 1970 release, Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water LP, their final studio album together, was still a hot item. The record is best-known for the title track, as well as “The Boxer” and “Cecilla.” And, let’s not forget the short and sweet “El Cóndor Pasa (If I Could)” which hit #18 on the US Hot 100. Grab a listen below.
SIMON & GARFUNKEL, ‘EL CONDOR PASA (IF I COULD)’ (1970)
