Music for Monday: Deep Purple, ‘Highway Star’

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Time to break the speed of sound with Deep Purple and 'Highway Star,' 1972

Time to break the speed of sound with Deep Purple and ‘Highway Star,’ 1972



Deep Purple’s “Highway Star” is the lead-off track on the March, 1972 L.P., Machine Head.

Machine Head is Deep Purple’s most successful album and spent 118 weeks(!) on the US Billboard chart, reaching a high of #7. “Smoke on the Water” is the best-known track on the L.P. but if you prefer something more hard-driving you’ll want to spin “Highway Star.”

Here’s the band performing live on German TV’s Beat-Club in 1972. Watch for Ian Gillian’s improvised vocals and Ritchie Blackmore and Jon Lord’s awesome guitar and organ solo freak-outs. Drive on!

Deep Purple “Highway Star,” Live On ‘Beat-Club,’ German TV, 1972

Previously, on Music for Monday: The Kinks, ‘Father Christmas’

70s Spots: Life Savers Candies

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'Suck 'em slow and suck 'em fast. The fun on your tongue is made to last!' (Life Savers, mid-1970s)

‘Suck ’em slow and suck ’em fast. The fun on your tongue is made to last!’ (Life Savers, mid-1970s)

Time for a commercial break – from out of the past! You didn’t see that one coming did you? Well, buckle your…computer chair belts…for today on 70s Spots we feature a double dose of Life Savers.

Henry Fonda remembers when Life Savers first launched around 1918

Henry Fonda remembers when Life Savers first launched around 1918

The first spot you’ll find below features lovable animated monsters singing about “22 flavors” of roll candy and lollipops. The creatures on display have always reminded me of The Beatles Yellow Submarine flick. If I’m not mistaken, Life Savers has re-shown this animated ad in recent years for a bit of nostalgic temptation.

The next ad features actor Henry Fonda returning to his home town of Omaha and reminiscing about the candy. It’s likely you won’t have seen this one since 1978. Roll it!

Life Savers, ’22 Flavors’ Animated Spot, 1976

Life Savers, Henry Fonda ‘Omaha’ Spot, 1978

Previously, on 70s Spots: Christmas commercials; Norelco, Coca-Cola, Burger King

Mood Music: T-Rex, ‘Metal Guru’

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'Sitting there - in your armor-plated chair, oh yeah!' (T-Rex, 'Metal Guru,' 1972)

‘Sitting there – in your armor-plated chair, oh yeah!’ (T-Rex, ‘Metal Guru,’ 1972)

I meant to post this rockin’ tune around Christmas but you know how things can get over the holidays. Still, we’re not yet into the new year and can continue celebrating.

Here’s Marc Bolan and T-Rex performing their UK #1 hit single, “Metal Guru,” 40-years-ago on Top of the Pops. Yes, turning up the volume and disturbing the neighbors is perfectly acceptable for this one.

T-Rex, ‘Metal Guru,’ Top of the Pops, Christmas, 1972

Previously, on Mood Music: Paul McCartney, ‘Wonderful Christmastime’

Funshine Friday: ‘The All New Popeye Hour’ (1978)

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'The All New Popeye Hour' TV title card, CBS, 1978

‘The All New Popeye Hour’ TV title card, CBS, 1978



Hanna-Barbera’s The All New Popeye Hour originally ran on CBS from September, 1978 to September, 1981. After that, the show was cut to 30 minutes and re-titled The Popeye and Olive Show.

The All New Popeye Hour was inspired by the Popeye comic strips of the 1930s (Thimble Theatre) and featured Popeye in his old sailor’s outfit, reverted Brutus’ name to Bluto and often featured Popeye’s “family” members; Swee’Pea, Poopdeck Pappy and four troublesome nephews.

You think your family is a bit weird? Be thankful. ('The All New Popeye Hour' cast, 1978)

You think your family is a bit weird? Be thankful. (‘The All New Popeye Hour’ cast, 1978)



Popeye was played by originating actor, Jack Mercer, Olive Oyl by Marilyn Schreffler and Bluto by Allan Melvin (The Brady Bunch). Additional cast voices were provided by cartoon greats Daws Butler as Wimpy and Frank Welker as Dinky Dog. Dinky Dog was an additional animated segment that featured a giant sheepdog.

The All New Popeye Hour TV Intro, 1978

The All New Popeye Hour Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: Uncle Croc’s Block

Show Toppers: ‘The Bad News Bears’ (TV, 1979)

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Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your 1979 Bad News Bears!

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome your 1979 Bad News Bears!

The Bad News Bears motion picture is one of my all-time favorites. And if you grew up in the 1970s and are a regular reader of this site, I’m willing to bet it’s one of yours as well. Today, on Show Toppers we take a look at the short-lived television series based on the classic film.

The Bad News Bears TV series originally ran Saturday evenings on CBS from March, 1979 to July of 1980. Jack Warden (Heaven Can Wait) played former minor-league ball player, Morris Buttermaker and Tricia Cast played his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, Amanda. Corey Feldman, Catherine Hicks, Greg Forrest, Sparky Marcus, Meeno Peluce, Phillip R. Allen, Billy Jacoby (aka Billy Jayne) and many others filled out the large cast.

Jack Warden and Tricia Cast in 'The Bad News Bears. ' CBS, 1979

Jack Warden and Tricia Cast in ‘The Bad News Bears. ‘ CBS, 1979

Grab a look at the TV intro below. If this piques your interest you may want to jump to Youtube and explore around. Full episodes may or may not be available. *Cough. Cough.*

The Bad News Bears TV Series Intro, 1979

The Bad News Bears Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Chico and the Man

Dec. 26, 1970: Rare radio DJ footage

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Don Schuster rocks Detroit on December 26, 1970

Don Schuster rocks Detroit on December 26, 1970



Happy Boxing Day all. Here’s six minutes of rare footage I found fascinating and hopefully you will too.

On Saturday, December 26, 1970, the day after Christmas, Detroit radio DJ Don Schuster can be seen showing off the W4 studio. Schuster, who sports a deep “radio” voice but looks to be about age 19, displays the UPI Tele-Type machine and explains how songs played are on “the computer” (an automated reel-to-reel tape system). The young pro can also be seen playing Beatles tunes, introducing commercials for Sly & the Family Stone and 8-Track Stereos and playing the “#1 L.P in the country” Abraxas by Carlos Santana. Roll it!

December 26, 1970: Detroit DJ Don Schuster WWWW In-Studio Footage