I turned 7 in 1970 and had my annual birthday party, a sign that we were trying to get back to normal after my father’s death two months earlier. These were always big events and usually each of my siblings and I had our own celebrations. Mine came first in February, followed by my brothers in March, and my sister in early April. It was always great having our friends over, eating lots of cake, playing games, and getting lots of gifts.
I found the juxtaposition of your family tragedy with a search for moving forward haunting along with the irony of your musical choices for 70. A new decade.
Your home movies are so captivating, Dan! I think I'm more envious that you even still have them!!! Your fascinating stories (and storytelling) don't need any embellishing, but with these vids, holy cow! And, of course, your soundtrack.....I know I am, so I sense everyone who reads you can relate, at least on one or more levels, to your life and some of the things you experienced!
I had just a few years on you....I was 15 in '70, so these were all in my life's soundtrack, as well...mostly on AM radio! I, too, was taken by "Band of Gold," and at 15, I had no idea what she was singing about (or, more to the point, just didn't care)! But, as is coming more well known, I cared nothing whatsoever about a song's lyrics! I was all about the song's construction, the arrangement, the melody, harmonies, etc....and, here, Freda's voice! Like, "Oh, sounds like she's singing about something!"
I hadn't looked hard at her song before, but I think I found out why we love it so much: It was written by legendary Motown writers, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. It was on their label, Invictus, but if it wasn't yet a Motown subsidiary, I believe it became one shortly thereafter.
I'm also impressed, Dan, that you're not dissuaded (even now) by "uncool" AM pop fair like Carpenters, Tony Orlando and B.J. Thomas! All were talented, and employed talented people around them....so, just some affirmation for boldly appreciating well-made music regardless of original radio bandwidth positioning!
I found the juxtaposition of your family tragedy with a search for moving forward haunting along with the irony of your musical choices for 70. A new decade.
Your home movies are so captivating, Dan! I think I'm more envious that you even still have them!!! Your fascinating stories (and storytelling) don't need any embellishing, but with these vids, holy cow! And, of course, your soundtrack.....I know I am, so I sense everyone who reads you can relate, at least on one or more levels, to your life and some of the things you experienced!
I had just a few years on you....I was 15 in '70, so these were all in my life's soundtrack, as well...mostly on AM radio! I, too, was taken by "Band of Gold," and at 15, I had no idea what she was singing about (or, more to the point, just didn't care)! But, as is coming more well known, I cared nothing whatsoever about a song's lyrics! I was all about the song's construction, the arrangement, the melody, harmonies, etc....and, here, Freda's voice! Like, "Oh, sounds like she's singing about something!"
I hadn't looked hard at her song before, but I think I found out why we love it so much: It was written by legendary Motown writers, Holland-Dozier-Holland, and produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. It was on their label, Invictus, but if it wasn't yet a Motown subsidiary, I believe it became one shortly thereafter.
I'm also impressed, Dan, that you're not dissuaded (even now) by "uncool" AM pop fair like Carpenters, Tony Orlando and B.J. Thomas! All were talented, and employed talented people around them....so, just some affirmation for boldly appreciating well-made music regardless of original radio bandwidth positioning!
Loved the puppies!!!!
Love the TWA backpack!