Every Hit Song for an Entire Decade!
You can hear them all. And the return of Kurosawa, "Good Night and Good Luck," and a rainy night in Soho.
Greg Mitchell is the author of more than a dozen books and now writer/director of three award-winning films aired via PBS, including “Atomic Cover-up” and “Memorial Day Massacre.” Now watch trailer for acclaimed 2025 film “The Atomic Bowl.” Before all that, he was a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy. You can still subscribe to this newsletter for FREE. Sustain this newsletter by ordering one of his books or SHARING link.
Okay, the usual variety to get to today. First, something to look forward to, one of the greatest movies ever made, Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” is coming back to theaters in July for a 40th anniversary run along with a new DVD package. I had the honor and thrill of being one of the few Americans to interview him (one of my heroes) in advance of its release back then. Here’s a new trailer which captures only a small part of the genius:
Speaking of films, PBS.org has just put up its preview and 30-second trailer for my “Atomic Bowl” doc, also coming in July.
Couple of widely varied news reports:
Kid Rock-themed steakhouse in Nashville abruptly halts service as undocumented workers flee ICE
and:
Okay, Bernie fans, here’s three minutes of Sen. Sanders with Colbert last night on “fighting oligarchy”:
The movie was great, now see the play in this new scary political/ethical era—surprise announcement last night:
George Clooney’s Broadway debut, “Good Night, and Good Luck,” will be broadcast live on CNN on June 7 at 7 p.m. Eastern as the network airs the penultimate performance of the critically acclaimed play. The broadcast will include special coverage before and after the show, focusing on the themes of the production and the current state of journalism.
On to music: If you are a certain age you ought to love this. A snippet with video of EVERY #1 hit via Billboard from 1960 to 1969. I remember them all. You? A surprise favorite you’d forgotten? Let me know in Comments.
Bob Dylan on current tour has been singing the great Pogues song “A Rainy Night in Soho” (as Springsteen did last year). Since these days you can’t make out what Bob is singing, here is Nick Cave’s emotional version at Shane MacGowan’s funeral last year:
From Tunes to Toons
Steve Brodner:
I remember most, if not all of them, albeit many probably heard on oldies radio. I was in elementary school in 1960 and high school in 1969, so AM radio was my source. Whatever the shortcomings of Top 40 radio, one heard a variety that couldn’t be heard later. Had to chuckle had the contrasting juxtapositions from week to week. And definitely a lot of Beatles and Supremes. A final word: I was a military brat and I recall when we were in England, riding my bicycle to the base youth club, where one could bring 45’s to play. I distinctly remember The Peppermint Twist. I also recall being less inhibited and dancing The Twist with one of the mothers—I was 8 or 9.
The 60s #1 survey was deliriously entertaining. It brought me way back, and remembering some of the sequencing of those hits as well. It demonstrates the sea change that happened in 1964, with "I'm Leaving It Up To You," "Dominique" and "There, I've Said It Again" giving way abruptly to "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You" and "Can't Buy Me Love." The pop music world was never the same. Thanks for sharing that - I'm going through the 40s now!