As I prepare my weekly show – ‘Vintage Favourites” – airing Sundays 2-4pm., I do a lot of research among a variety of music and historic sources.  As you may know, ‘Vintage Faves’ focuses on the music from the “vintage era” – the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 1960s.  Each Sunday I take a look at the events and birthdays that highlight that week in the vintage era.

Every week seems to be well packed with lots of fascinating stuff – but this coming weekend’s show is blessed with more highlights than most.  It seems to be packed with important beginnings and endings in popular music.

Elvis Presley made his national TV debut on the Dorsey Brothers’ ‘Stage Show’ January 30th, 1956 – 55 years ago this Sunday – so we’ll play the songs he played on TV that night – and we’ll even hear the introduction to the young man.  Here’s a cool piece of TV trivia – do you remember who appeared on that weekend with Elvis on ‘Stage Show’ ?  Comic Jack Carter and the June Taylor Dancers !

But it was also a weekend of endings – the Beatles played together for the final time on January 30th 1969 – atop their Apple office building in London – remember ‘Get Back’s ending when John says “I hope we passed the audition” ? 

Looking back it’s kinda hard to accept only 13 years passed from Elvis debut to Beatles farewell.  13 years ago, it was 1998 – we were going crazy over the movie “Titanic” – doesn’t seem THAT long ago does it ?

Of course the biggest anniversary we’ll be remembering is ‘The Day the Music Died’ … February 3rd, 1959 – when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper died in that plane crash.  I’m dedicating the entire second hour of the show (3-4pm.) to the three pioneers of rock’n’roll.

It’ll be a great show – I’ll toss in a few other surprises – Mario Lanza, The Hollies, and even Billy Fury – if you’re a fan of Brit-pop from before the Beatles, you’ll know Billy Fury.  So, please join me Sunday afternoon for ‘Vintage Favourites’.

And let’s wind down this oh-so-chilly month of January – it’s almost over, and that brings us closer to another spring !  Stay warm.  Your pal – Gene.