I’m an unabashed fan of pop music! Sure, I love pure rock’n’roll, rockabilly, soul, doo-wop, and so many other genres – but there’s nothing quite like a great pop song. It’s got to have a strong melody, a hook that stands out, with lyrics that create an instant impression and leave a lasting memory. In fact, a great pop song is timeless – it can be covered and re-interpreted again and again.

‘Oh how can I forget you, when there is always something there to remind me…’. ‘You see this guy, this guy’s in love with you…’ ‘Raindrops keep falling on my head, but that doesn’t mean my eyes will soon be red, cause cryin’s not for me…”

And on and on… you can’t read those words without pausing for the notes you hear in your head. That’s the work of a musical magician and a wizard of words. Burt Bacharach made magic with his partner Hal David for some 5 decades, with dozens of hit songs, winning shelves full of awards including 3 Oscars and 6 Grammys. Burt’s golden touch crossed musical genres too – his first hit was in 1957 for country singer Marty Robbins (‘The Story of My Life’), and he’d go on to give hit records to pop crooners, soul singers, new wave rockers and generations of lounge singers too.

Bacharach is about to turn 90 on May 12th – so I thought we should give him a proper ‘Vintage Favourites’ salute. I’m also tipping the birthday cap to a Torontonian who made his mark at Motown Records, R. Dean Taylor … as well as a legendary Canadian country superstar born 104 years ago – Hank Snow.

So, I hope you’ll tune in for some great songs and stories – this Sunday, May 6th, from 2:00 – 4:30 for ‘Vintage Favourites’. Cheers. Gene