Shooby doo lang lang

I woke up this morning with a memory of my mom singing The Carpenters. Yes, The Carpenters, that treacly, smiley duo who gave us the immortal (and by immortal I mean really, really awful) "Calling Occupants from Interplanetary Craft."

I don't remember my mom singing that, but she did use to sing "Yesterday Once More."  Some of my happiest car memories are of my super-cute, frosted-haired, mini-skirted mom singing to me in her little red 1968 Mustang. (The little red Mustang looked like this, for you car geeks.)

We played radio station KUUU 1590 AM Seattle as we tooled around in the 'Stang. The station has changed call letters several times over the years, and tragically, it's now a conservative talk station. But back then, it played stuff like The Carpenters. And like a cheesy family movie, we sang along. At least, Mom and I sang. I'm pretty sure Dad, being tone-deaf and rhythm-deficient, didn't sing, and my brother was just a baby in his (probably useless) car seat, waving his arms and smiling.

I'll now destroy any musical credibility I've had with you, my dear readers: I like The Carpenters. Karen's voice shimmered--don't tell me she couldn't sing. And she was a fellow LBHG, too. Give a listen and offer Karen's spirit some love.

Memories I wish I had

I'm departing a bit here from my usual kid memories to talk about some adult-ish memories I wish I'd had. If you see this movie, you'll wish you remembered these bands, too: Cookin' Bag. Black and White Affair. Cold, Bold & Together. Soul Swingers. And if you remember these bands already, bless you.

I geek-freak out every year at the Seattle International Film Festival (which is why you haven't heard from me for a bit. I'm geeking until the festival ends.) I have big love for American indie film and even bigger love for documentaries. Throw in local Seattle music history and I'm bursting with fruit flavor at the mere thought. Enter Wheedle's Groove.

Wheedle's Groove tells the unsung story of Seattle's rhythm and blues/funk scene in the late 60s and early 70s--which would have been an interesting enough story for diehard music lovers. But the fact that many of these bands were such amazing talents--as good or better than their more-famous contemporaries--makes the story even more compelling. And the music? Um, it grooves like Sly and the Family Stone. Or maybe Earth Wind & Fire. Take a listen.

Why didn't any of these talented musicians and singers (save for Kenny G) become famous? Blame disco, racism, Seattle isolation, the rain, or something.

Last night's screening was attended by not only the director (Jennifer Maas) but also several of the musicians featured in the movie, many of whom now live ordinary lives in Seattle.

Oh, and that Wheedle thing? The Wheedle on the Needle was the Seattle Supersonics' early, hairily orange mascot.

I'm a Cancer, and my name is LBHG

This is going to come across as an inappropriate song for a child to remember. And really, this blog is about 70s kid memories, not 70s adult memories.

But I had this song on a K-Tel cassette tape. Even as a kid, I thought it was over the top silly. Today it comes across as two steps past creepy into funny.

If you don't remember it, you have to listen. You just have to. Click to hear the swoony, the romantic, the snigger-inducing Floaters with "Float On."

This song honestly contains the line "sharing your love with Larry." Swear to God.

Wakadoo, muskrats, and Patti Smith

Kids are people, too. Could a television show in the 70s make you feel validated and important? This show thought so. Remember the theme song yet? I believe Wakadoo was the show's mascot dog.

I remember being desperately sick with a stomach virus and watching an episode on our black and white portable TV in which Maureen McGovern sang "The Morning After," and life seemed impossibly sad. Hey...I was sick, okay?

The show attracted some interesting and surprisingly big stars, including Kiss. And Patti Smith. Really. Nothing says "role model for kids" like barfing blood onstage and angry punk screaming. Oh, and Patti Smith sang "You Light Up my Life." Click here if you don't believe me. Patti turns corn syrup into wine on national TV. You absolutely must listen.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the musical coolness spectrum, here the show's house band, Special Delivery, joins Captain & Tenielle for a rousing rendition of one of the most fetid songs ever, "Muskrat Love." Note that Tenielle sings the song with sincerity and tenderness toward the twirling muskrats. Touching, really. If you can watch all of that clip, you have a stronger stomach than I do.

In honor of Marie Osmond, my childhood idol

I was incredibly sad to hear Marie Osmond's son, Michael Blosil, passed away this past weekend.  My thoughts and love go out to Marie and her family.

Marie Osmond was my childhood idol. She had brown hair and brown eyes, like me. I coveted her long red nails, her bright lipstick, her beautiful dresses. The Donny and Marie Show was wholesome and exceedingly cute in the way only variety shows could be. Seeing how much I loved the show, my parents bought me their album (yes, album) Featuring Songs From Their TV Show. I played it over and over on my orange Fisher Price record player.

It's a cliche to say it, but it really was a simpler time, and I was certainly a simpler being. I still love that music, heaven help me. It brings me peace and comfort, just like it did when I was a little girl.

Please click below for my favorite Donny and Marie song, "The Umbrella Song."

May she find comfort from the rain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRptvt5k6M4

Dancing with Dionne Warwick on Solid Gold

OK, so Solid Gold is kinda more about the early 80s than the 70s. You 70s kids remember it anyway. I know you do, because it was one of the first places we saw popular music--before CDs, before iTunes, even before MTV. The dancers seemed to have just two moves: Flip My Long Hair Dramatically and Swoon Like A Piece of Wet Spaghetti. Click below for an example.

Solid Gold, Season 1

Is it me or did their dancing get dorkier as the music got faster?