Here’s a great find that just may make your day. George Clinton and Funkadelic costumed up and in super-psychedelic mode dancing across New York City in 1973.
The band are performing “Cosmic Slop” from the album of the same name. The song, written by Clinton and Bernie Worrell, was released as a single so it’s fairly safe to assume this outing was captured to create what we’d now call a music video. The description by the YouTube poster, reelblack, sums things up perfectly: “George Clinton on LSD. Central Park in the 1970s. A Can of film. That was that was needed to make history.” Roll ’em!
Jeff Beck ‘Blow By Blow’ ad via Billboard April 5, 1975
Jeff Beck’s Blow By Blow LP was released in the spring of 1975 and grabbed a very respectable #4 on the album charts. This platinum-selling record of instrumentals was produced by George Martin and features a cover of the Beatles’ “She’s A Woman” and contributions by Stevie Wonder. Let’s have a wee listen.
In today’s quartet of 1970s commercials you’ll find, Florence Henderson for Klean ‘n Shine, Robert Conrad for Eveready batteries, the ’78 Volkswagen Scirocco, and Nestlé’s 100,00 bar. Chewy, chewy caramel!
To start off a fresh, new week here at Bionic Disco we’re taking a look at the top five songs in the US (Billboard Hot 100) for the week of April 5, 1975. 46-years-ago, Minnie Riperton and her incredible five-octive, high-flying voice occupied the number one slot. Let’s investigate and enjoy the tunes.
CHART TOPPERS – APRIL 5, 1975
#1)MINNIE RIPERTON, “LOVIN’ YOU”
Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” appeared on the Perfect Angel LP of 1974. The song was written by Riperton and her husband, Richard Rudolph, and produced by Rudolph and Stevie Wonder.
#2) ELTON JOHN BAND, “PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM“
Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” was recorded in the summer of 1974 and released as a non-LP single. This tribute song to tennis great Billie Jean King was written by Elton and Bernie Taupin and produced by Gus Dudgeon. It later appeared on Elton’s Greatest Hits Volume II in 1977.
https://youtu.be/q1oNWdrlWGo
#3) RINGO STARR, “NO NO SONG”
Ringo Starr’s “No No Song” appeared on the artist’s Goodnight Vienna album in 1974. This humorous ode to giving up the hard stuff was written by Hoyt Axton and David Jackson and produced by Richard Perry.
#4) B.T. EXPRESS, “EXPRESS”
B.T. Express’s near-instrumental track, “Express,” appeared on the group’s 1974 LP Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied). This train-themed dance song was written by the band and produced by Jeff Lane.
#5) JOE COCKER, “YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL”
Joe Cocker’s version of “You Are So Beautiful” appeared on the I Can Stand a Little Rain album in the summer of 1974. The song was written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher and produced by Jim Price.
In the new batch of seventies commercials you’ll find Christopher Knight of The Brady Bunch for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kevin Kline as Robin Hood for Schlitz Malt Liquor, an animated Kleenex Tissues spot, and the 1979 Dodge pickup. Roll ’em!
Dionne Warwick, ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’ ad via Cash Box, April 1, 1972
By early 1972 Dionne Warwick had left Scepter Records and signed with Warner Brothers. That likely makes this “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” Scepter single something of a cash in attempt. Warwick’s version of the famed Burt Bacharach/Hal David hit originally appeared on her 1970 LPI’ll Never Fall in Love Again.
Interestingly, you’ll notice Warwick’s name is misspelled as “Warwicke” at the bottom of the ad. This spelling also appears on Warwick’s late ’71 Scepter releases. Perhaps to differentiate between her Warner Brothers content or avoid contract issues. I’m really not sure but it’s all rather curious. Let’s listen in.
Dionne Warwick, ‘Raindrops Keep Falling On my Head’ (1970/1972)
