Category Archives: Music of the 60s

Music et al, Music of the 60s, Today in history

FCC delivers FM Rock

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FCC delivers FM Rock

FCC delivers FM RockIn the early 1960s, people were watching TV more and listening to radio less. In July 1964, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a non-duplication rule. That meant that FM radio stations in cities of more than 100,000 people could no longer simulcast the programming of their AM counterparts. Stations fought the rule and delayed implementation.

FCC delivers FM Rock

Almost FM Rock

March 21, 1965: a record growth of FM radio was reported at the opening session of the annual convention of the National Association of Broadcasters, but a controversy developed over what course the high-fidelity medium should pursue. More diversity in music? Did FM need more bop and and less Bach?   (FM needs more bop and less Bach)

March 28, 1965: a column appeared in the NYT about how television had made inroads into the radio audience, but soon New York listeners will likely have more to listen to.

FCC delivers FM Rock

FM Rock…closer

March 28, 1965: overshadowed by the more spectacular doings of television, radio had interesting and hectic days ahead. New York City metropolitan area listeners were probably not aware in the fall there would be nine “new” radio stations for half of the program day.

FCC delivers FM Rock

FCC delivers FM Rock

December 13, 1965

December 13, 1965,  the Federal Communications Commission announced that it would give consideration to requests from radio broadcasters seeking exemption from the simulcast rule. (NYT article)

FCC delivers FM Rock

Closer yet

It seemed to take forever and still by June 8, 1966 there are indications that NY “Music lovers in the Metropolitan area will be singing the praises of the Federal Communications Commission on Jan. 1.” 

FCC delivers FM Rock
Finally
WOR-FM

FCC delivers FM RockJune 16, 1966: announcement that NY radio station WOR-FM would be first NYC FM station to play rock and roll music on a “regular basis.” ( WOR to broadcast rock)

July 31, 1966: WOR-FM  began running a free form progressive rock format for most of its broadcast day. There were no DJs at first because management was unable to come to an agreement with  AFTRA (the union that represents on air talent).

October 8, 1966, WOR-FM disc jockeys started. A NYT article led with: Radio station WOR-FM, which has been broadcasting rock ‘n’ roll music without interruption by announcers, will add the chitter-chatter of four disk jockeys, beginning tomorrow. A station official asserted, however that WOR-FM would not become a “screaming station.” (article: Oct 7, 1966…djs start)

Here’s a taste of it on one of Rosko’s shows:

FCC delivers FM Rock

Rosko resigns

Ironically, on October 2, 1967, Rosko resigned over corporate interference with his choices of music. (”When are we going to learn that controlling something does not take it out of the minds of people?” and declaring, ”In no way can I feel that I can continue my radio career by being dishonest with you.” He added that he would rather return to being a men’s-room attendant.

But he continued of course. How many of you learned the name Kahil Gibran from him?

A great site with lots of NY radio history is the NY Radio Archive site. Check it out sometime.

FCC delivers FM Rock
Beatles, Music et al, Music of the 60s

Rolling Stones Circus 1968

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Rolling Stones Circus 1968

Rolling Stones Circus
Rolling Stones Circus

Almost Woodstock

Less than nine months before the Woodstock Music and Art Fair and its 130-plus performers, the Rolling Stone Circus came to town.

Organized by the Rolling Stones just after their release of Beggars Banquet, they were looking for a way to promote the album in a fun way. Why not a Rock and Roll Circus?

Rolling Stones Circus 1968

December 11, 1968

They filmed it on December 11, 1968. As well as clowns and acrobats, John Lennon and Yoko Ono performed as part of a super group called The Dirty Mac which included Eric Clapton and Mitch Mitchell, and Keith Richards. The Who, Taj Mahal, Marianne Faithfull, and Jethro Tull also performed. It was originally meant to be aired on BBC, but the Rolling Stones withheld it because they were unhappy with their performance. A film was eventually released in 1996.

Here’s the Lennon clip with some wonderful conversation between Mick and John before “Yer Blues.” Two mates having some fun.

“Jumpin’ Jack Flash” with Woodstock Music and Art Fair alum Nicky Hopkins on piano (he sat in with the Jefferson Airplane for their sunrise serenade).

Rolling Stones Circus 1968

Brian Jones

Sadly, this also marked the final appearance of Brian Jones, who died within six months of filming the special.

The Ultimate Classic Rock site says, For all the controversy and mystery surrounding it..‘The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus’ now comes across as a quaint time capsule of the last days of Swingin’ London. And as strange as the idea of combining a rock concert and a circus may be, it manages to work, even if the only person who wasn’t stoned was the guy who ate fire. 

Rolling Stones Circus 1968
#1 Song, Music et al, Music of the 60s

Beach Boys Good Vibrations

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Beach Boys Good Vibrations

Beach Boys Good Vibrations

December 10, 1966 the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Capital Records had released the single on October 10. That may seem like a long time for such a great song to reach #1, but it wasn’t nearly as long as it took for Brian Wilson to make the song.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, “It took six months and cost $16,000 to make, with several distinct sections and such exotic instruments as Jew’s harp, sleigh bells, harpsichord, and theremin.”

He had started it on February 17, 1966 of that year while creating his masterpiece Pet Sounds album. At the time of its release, Billboard magazine wrote: Penned by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, group has a sure-fire hit in this off-beat and intriguing rhythm number. Should hit hard and fast.

Beach Boys

A film showing some of the ongoing recording of the Beach Boys Good Vibrations.

Read more from Rolling Stone magazine, which ranks Beach Boys Good Vibrations as the fifth best single of all time >>> Rolling Stone article

Good Vibrations

“Good Vibrations” was intended to be part of the “Smile” album, but  Wilson, suffering from depression, stopped work on the it in May 1967. A New York Times article began about that album began: “I’m writing a teen-age symphony to God,” Brian Wilson announced to a magazine writer some months ago. At the time, an album lay half-completed on spools of black acetate. The rest existed only in spurts of rhythm and harmony in Brian Wilson’s head.  (NYT article)

The song ended up on a makeshift version of the original Smile, called Smiley Smile.  According to Phillip Lambert’s book, Inside the Music of Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson said that compared to what Smile would have been Smiley Smile was  “a bunt instead of a grand slam.”