Music for Monday: Johnny Nash, ‘I Can See Clearly Now’

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“Gonna be a bright, bright sun-shiny day.”
Johnny Nash, ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ 1972

Good Monday to you, folks. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and that got me to thinking about songs that were hits over past seasons. 40-years-ago, for the entire month of November, 1972, a single song sat at the very top of the Billboard US “Hot 100” charts. That song was “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash.

“I Can See Clearly Now” came from the album of the same name which released in July of ’72. An interesting note: Nash’s L.P contains tunes written by Bob Marley including “Stir It Up.” Some of Marley’s first work to be heard outside of Jamaica.

Here’s Nash singing live on The Midnight Special in 1973. Let it cheer you up. Don’t cost nuthin’.

Previously, on Music for Monday: Elton John, ‘Honky Cat’ (live, ’72)

A Johnny Carson Moment: Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles (11.12.76)

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Johnny Carson to Frank Sinatra: “When you’re in a romantic mood…when you’re trying to make out. Whose records do you put on?”
‘The Tonight Show,’ Nov. 12, 1976

On the evening of November 12, 1976 The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson welcomed a special guest by the name of Frank Sinatra. As happened fairly often in the 60s and 70s, Don Rickles made a “surprise” appearance, walking onto the set mid-conversation. Watch the Hollywood shenanigans unfold below.

Previously, on A Johnny Carson Moment: Carnac the Magnificent (05.25.76)

Mood Music: Nazareth, ‘Dear John’

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Dan McCafferty wants to be your man
Nazareth, ‘Dear John,’ 1972

Are you in the mood to groove? I said…are you in the mood?! Well, damnit – this will help. Here’s Nazareth performing “Dear John” live on TV in 1972.

“Dear John” (pay no attention to VH1 calling the song “I Wanna Be Your Man”) appeared on Nazareth’s self-titled debut L.P. released in November of 1971.

I know it looks like the drummer is wearing a costume. He isn’t. Can you dig it?

Previously, on Mood Music: Bob Marley and the Wailers, ‘Concrete Jungle’

Funshine Friday: ‘The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie’ (1972)

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You never know what you’ll get – but you know it’s gonna be good –
‘The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie,’ 1972

On this week’s Funshine Friday we feature – Saturday! That’s right, this time around we take a look at The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie which launched in September, 1972.

An animated version of ‘Nanny and the Professor’?
I haven’t seen this in 40 years and I need to see it again. Stat!

The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie was a rare bird as it brought together diverse companies such as Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Filmation and Rankin/Bass and aired different cartoons and occasional live-action kids shows each week. Several cartoons, such as The Brady Kids, made their first appearances on the show.

The hour-long episodes offered up an abundance of fun titles. A partial list includes; animated versions of Nanny and the Professor and That Girl, The Banana Splits, Popeye, Looney Tunes, Lassie, Dr. Frankenstein, Robin Hoodnik, Willie Mays, Yogi Bear, Blondie and Gidget. Whew!

ABC Saturday Superstar Movie Intro

ABC Saturday Superstar Movie 1972 Promo Spot

The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: Jeannie

Show Toppers: What’s Happening!!

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You know you love this tune!!
‘What’s Happening!!,’ TV intro, 1976

This week’s Show Toppers features What’s Happening!!, which ran on ABC from summer 1976 to spring 1979. The sitcom was loosely based on the film Cooley High (1975) and followed three Watts-based L.A. teens along with their their family and friends.

Rerun and Raj moments before being booted from class.
‘What’s Happening!!,’ 1976

The teen trio in question were intelligent leader, Roger (aka “Raj”) played by Ernest Thomas, dim but lovable, Dwayne played by Haywood Nelson and rotund dancer, Rerun played by Fred Berry.

Dee “I’m gonna tell Momma” Thomas and Dwayne “Hey, hey hey!” Nelson
‘What’s Happening!!,” 1976

The cast was rounded out by Shirley Hemphill (Shirley), Mabel King (Mabel) and Danielle Spencer as Raj’s younger sister, Dee. Henry Mancini wrote the funky and fantastic theme song. Play it!

What’s Happening!! TV Intro

What’s Happening!! Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Show Toppers: Busting Loose (1977)

Partridge Pop: ‘Walking in the Rain’ (1973)

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David Cassidy sculpted his hair into some really interesting shapes in the 70s
‘The Partridge Family,’ 1973

In our second installment of Partridge Pop we feature The Partridge Family singing the Phil Spector-Barry Mann-Cynthia Weil classic, “Walking in the Rain.”

This short and sweet tune comes from season three of The Partridge Family and the episode entitled, “The Eleven-Year Itch.” It originally aired February 2, 1973. Bert Convy and Jodie Foster were featured co-stars and can be seen in the clip.

Emmy Award-winner, Bert Convy and Academy Award-winner, Jodie Foster together again – for the very first time.
‘The Partridge Family,’ 1973

“Walking in the Rain” appeared on the L.P., The Partridge Family Notebook, which released in November of 1972.

The Partridge Family, “Walking in the Rain”

German single for ‘Walking in the Rain,’ 1972
Note the fantastic face on Jeremy Gelbwaks in the lower left. That’s the kind of thing that got the kid booted from the show.

Previously, on Partridge Pop: ‘Together We’re Better’