Today, we know Norman Greenbaum for his perennial hit “Spirit In The Sky,” but he also had a Top 40 chart placement with “Canned Ham.”
“Canned Ham,” a short, rocking number, appeared on the 1970 LP Back Home Again and rolled its way into the Cash Box Top 40 in June of 1970 (#46 on Billboard‘s Hot 100). I find it mildly amusing that a person named Norman Greenbaum had hits singing about Jesus and ham. You can fry it up below.
A very good 1975 to you. We’re rolling into a quartet of vintage commercials from the year featuring Chicken of the Sea, Betty Crocker cakes & candies (yes, candies!), Ford Granada, and Vise Grip. It’s not easy making an interesting commercial for a Vise Grip but they just about pull it off here. Watch and enjoy.
CHICKEN OF THE SEA JINGLE COMMERCIAL (1975)
Ralston Purina Chicken of the Sea brand canned tuna fish commercial featuring a catchy jingle aired November 1975.
BETTY CROCKER CAKES & CANDIES COMMERCIAL (1975)
Betty Crocker Devil’s Food Cake Mix & Chocolate Fudge Frosting Mix commercial featuring “easy” candy recipes on the box. Spot aired November 1975.
’76 FORD GRANADA ‘TEST TRACK’ COMMERCIAL (1975)
1976 model Ford Granada commercial featuring a test track comparison to the Mercedes-Benz 280. Spot aired November 1975.
VISE GRIP COMMERCIAL (1975)
Vise Grip commercial featuring two fellas in a hardware store aired May 1975.
The Guess Who, ‘Hand Me Down World’ ad via Cash Box July 11, 1970
The Guess Who’s “Hand Me Down World” released in the summer of 1970 and snagged a chart placement of #17 on the US Hot 100. The tune was written by the Canadian rocker’s new lead guitarist Kurt Winter and appeared on the Share The Land LP. Spin it now!
We’re focused on 1974 today and a lovely set of “new” commercials. Enjoy spots for Strawberry Jell-O, the AMC Matador (don’t see many of those on the road these days), Wrangler women’s fashions, and Power Tennis with Bobby Riggs.
JELL-O ‘AFTER SCHOOL’ COMMERCIAL (1974)
General Foods Strawberry Jell-O brand gelatin commercial featuring Jenny Schrang of Miami making after school treats. Narrator is Peter Thomas. Spot aired March 1974.
AMC MATADOR CAR COMMERCIAL (1974)
American Motors Corporation dealer commercial featuring the Matador and customer Larry Stewart. Spot aired March 1974.
Here’s a group of guys brave enough to drop their cool facade and sing “I’ll Always Love My Mama.” The bravery paid off for The Intruders and they grabbed a #36 hit on the US Hot 100 (#6 R&B).
“I’ll Always Love My Mama” was written by Gamble/Huff and McFadden/Whitehead and originally appeared on The Intruders’ 1973 LP Save The Children.
THE INTRUDERS, ‘I’LL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA’ (1973, ‘SOUL TRAIN’)
