Music for Mondays: Ohio Players ‘Love Rollercoaster’

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Ohio Players 'Love Rollercoaster' The Midnight Special, 1975

Happy Monday, good people. Time to get our week started off right with some funky honey from the Ohio Players. Put your dancin’ heels on and enjoy the ‘Players performing “Love Rollercoaster” on The Midnight Special. “Love Rollercoaster” was released in November of 1975 (and went all the way to #1) so this appearance is likely from the end of ’75 or early 1976.

The rumor went around when we were kids that the “woman” heard screaming on the track was actually killed in the studio or even on a roller coaster. Say what? Not true at all but the publicity couldn’t have hurt. Enjoy!

Ohio Players Wiki

Henry Winkler Receives OBE From the Queen

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Henry Winkler appointed OBE (Pic: BBC)

Henry Winkler, best known for playing The Fonz on TV’s Happy Days, has been appointed OBE (Order of the British Empire) by the Queen of England. The BBC are reporting that Winkler has been honored for touring UK schools enlightening children about dyslexia and reading from his books featuring a young hero, Hank Zipzer (who has the affliction.) Good on ya, Henry!

Here’s a quote:

“Mr Sheinwald said: “Through [Winkler], thousands of young people have seen a role model and an inspiration for overcoming their learning challenges.”

Winkler shot to fame playing Arthur Fonzarelli – a leather-jacket clad, motorcycle-riding, ladies’ man, who was the epitome of “cool” – in Happy Days, which ran over a decade from 1974.

The Queen makes honorary awards to non-British citizens on the advice of the UK Foreign Office. It is not clear whether she is a fan of the Fonz.”

Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli. Happy Days made its debut January, 1974.

Funshine Friday: Time for Timer ‘You Are What You Eat’

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Hey kids, it's lovable Timer! He wants you to eat healthy yet he looks like a grossly overweight meatball. Oh, the irony!

“Hi there, Time for Timer!” Happy Funshine Friday, folks. This afternoon let’s ingest a small dose of Timer. Time for Timer shorts first aired in 1973 and ran throughout the 1970s on ABC Saturday mornings. The cartoon shorts were produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises (of Pink Panther cartoon fame.) Timer himself was first voiced by Len Maxwell and later, Lennie Weinrib (voice of and writer for H.R. Pufnstuf.)

The friendly and yellow…thing known as Timer inspired me to head into the kitchen and make my own popsicles by pouring juice into the ice trays and inserting tooth picks for sticks. Delicious and convenient. Grab a look at Timer singing “You Are What You Eat” in the spot below.

Time for Timer Wiki

Brady Bunch Moments: ‘Keep on Movin’

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Brady Bunch in action on 'Amateur Nite' Jan. 1973.

It’s time for a “Brady Bunch Moment” here at the Disco. This toe-tapping moment captures the Brady kids singing “Keep on Movin'” on the Pete Sterne Amateur Hour where the group attempt to win prize money to purchase a silver platter for their parents. They lose out to Patty’s Prancing Poodles – but what an effort!

*Note: I love how Alice feels the need to clean the arm of the chair she sits in while watching the show. Better keep working or the Bradys will toss her out on her behind!

Go Alice, go! Never stop shining you crazy diamond.

The Brady Bunch ‘Amateur Nite‘ January, 1973.

Trailer Tuesday: John Wayne, ‘The Shootist’

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'The Shootist' 1976 in action. John Wayne is J.B. Books.

35 years ago in August, 1976 John Wayne’s The Shootist was released. The film followed one of the last Old West gunfighters, John Bernard (J. B.) Books as he lived out his last few days at the turn of the century (1901). The cast included Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, Harry Morgan, Scatman Crothers, John Carradine, Richard Boone and James Stewart. Yep, it’s a good one and worth watching.

John Wayne died in 1979, three years after the film released. Watch the trailer below.

The Shootist Wiki, The Shootist IMDb

Music for Mondays: Bill Wyman ‘I Wanna Get Me a Gun’

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Bill Wyman Grippin' the Monkey 1974

Here’s one from out of left field for your Monday musical enjoyment. Bill Wyman, Rolling Stones bassist, performing “I Wanna Get Me a Gun” from his 1974 debut solo album “Monkey Grip“.

Ahh, the 70s. You just don’t see many performances featuring dancers like this anymore. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I can’t decide.

*Warning – A bit off off-color language in the tune. One word precisely.*

BillWyman.com