101 Series

Before Apple Music, before YouTube, before Napster, before MTV, before things were in color there was only one place to get your music fix. And it was brought to you by the squarest man in the Western Hemisphere. In Lesson 153 of the 101 Series, Balcony Radio heads to Broadway as we focus on some of the best musical performances on The Ed Sullivan Show. From 1948 – 1971, everyone who was everyone appeared on the program from black and white to day-glo. The applause sign is on and we’ve just heard a word from our sponsors . . . time for some music.

I SAW HER STANDING THERE: THE BEATLES
DAYDREAM: THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL
OH, BOY: BUDDY HOLLY & THE CRICKETS
PROUD MARY: IKE & TINA TURNER
UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK: THE BAND
HOUND DOG: ELVIS PRESLEY
MACK THE KNIFE: BOBBY DARIN
LOVE ME OR LOVE ME: NINA SIMONE
12:30: THE MOMMAS & PAPAS
LONELY TEARDDROPS: JACKIE WILSON
JUST MY IMAGINATION: THE TEMPTATIONS
ONLY YOU: THE PLATTERS
IT’S NOT UNUSUAL: TOM JONES
IT DON’T MEAN A THING: ELLA FITZGERALD & DUKE ELLINGTON
I WANT YOU BACK: JACKSON 5
YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE: THE SUPREMES
THE LAST TIME: THE ROLLING STONES
I GET AROUND: BEACH BOYS
RAISE YOUR HAND: JANIS JOPLIN
I’M CRYING: THE ANIMALS
I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN: LOUIS PRIMA & KEELY SMITH
BLACK DENIM TROUSERS & MOTORCYCLE BOOTS: EDITH PIAF
PEOPLE ARE STRANGE: THE DOORS
SHE EVEN WOKE ME UP TO SAY GOODBYE: JERRY LEE LEWIS
PERSONALITY: LLOYD PRICE
FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE: STEVIE WONDER

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From the swampy mucks of Northern California’s East Bay is a little band everyone in the world likes: Creedence Clearwater Revival. In Lesson 152 of the 101 Series, we run through the jungle with 2 dozen of the best tracks that ever graced radio airwaves. Button up your flannel and lace up your work boots, sweet hitch-hiker, time for some real American music.

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Ten score and some ago a little experiment called America was begun. We at Balcony Radio are doing our patriotic duty to celebrate the good and (mostly) bad of that long history. Here in Lesson 151 of the 101 Series, we spin songs all about the whos, whats, wheres, and whys of American history. This show will be your Civics final this semester. Take notes accordingly, you might actually learn something.

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Sirens are blaring and you need a soundtrack for stepping on the gas . . . why not Balcony Radio? In Lesson 150 of the 101 Series we do 99 to life with the best songs we could find about crime. We’ve got misdemeanors, felonies, sins, thievery, and dick moves covered. The rap sheet makes for a pretty good playlist.

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ANNNNND! we’re back!!! Hello students of music. Summer break is over and class is (virtually) in session. What better way to get back to the music than a show to get your school spirit going? We can’t think of one. Straighten out your pencils and your books, your classmates at Balcony Radio have Lesson 149 of the 101 Series on your schedule. For first period of the new 17th season, we’re playing all the best songs about school we could find. Get ready for AP Music. Don’t be tardy.

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Time to get in the ol’ way back machine with your pals at Balcony Radio. This time out, we set our sights on 1991 . . .the year of Nirvana, Using Your Illusion, and heading out in the great wide open. Join us for Lesson 148 of the 101 Series, as we sample tunes turning 30(!) this year. Thirty! Man . . .

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Hey there, buddy . . . why don’t you join your pals here at BalconyRadio as we pay respects to one of the greatest songwriters America has ever produced: Mr. John Prine. In Lesson 147 of the 101 Series, we take a stroll through the man’s impressive discography and find out that he never put out a bad record. That’s hard to do. Roll one up, have some peaches, try to find Jesus and get ready for some of the best music you’ll hear all week long.

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Help us as we join together both the Roth and Hagar eras to praise him: EVH. Many people have picked up the guitar, but few pushed at its boundaries like one Mr. Edward Van Halen. It’s Lesson 145 of the 101 Series, and this time out we’re playing the tastiest licks tapped out over multiple generations of rock kick-assery. From the humble streets of Pasadena, to arenas everywhere, spark one up for Eddie. Turn this up to 11, let the neighbors know about it.

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It’s been 26 years since Woodstock ’94 and the mud has finally been completely washed off . . . time to celebrate a time when people could stand near each other. Jump the chain link with us for Lesson 145 (though your hosts misspeak and name it Lesson 144) of the 101 Series, covering one of the better sequels (don’t bother with part three) in music history. Join Balcony Radio and 1/2 million of your closest friends in the mud to hear two dozen of the best tracks over one long weekend upstate. Leave your car on the turnpike, it’ll still be there Monday.

Certain places where time, energy and good drugs meet are magical. One of those spots was a certain zip code in the hills above Hollywood from 1965-1975. In Lesson ??? of the infinite 101 Series, we take a geography lesson with the best music of Laurel Canyon. Harmonize with the wind and the trees and the bees landing on the flowers. (And don’t pay attention to the scruffy hippies coming up the driveway . . .)

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