In Memory of Jan-Michael Vincent.

I am angered that it took them a month to report his passing. Feb. 10th.

He was no forgotten star in my eyes. News now entitling their articles “Heart Throb” of the 80’s dies. Got news for them, Jan was a Heart Throb from the 1960’s.

God what a fox.

 

First time I ever laid my eyes on him was in Danger Island, apart of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and I was hooked. My crush of jr. high (68′-70′), then when Tribes a TV film came out in 1970 and his hair got longer even more. As you can tell from the picture of him from that film above. I didn’t think I’d ever get over hating Earl Holliman. Lol

Basically watched every film after he was in through 1980. Other favorites:

Going Home with Robert Mitchum and Brenda Vaccaro
The Mechanic with Charles Bronson
Buster and Billie
Baby Blue Marine
Defiance

I remember catching an episode of Marcus Welby MD in the early 70’s, Jan played a teenage alcoholic, sadly in life what would ultimately lead to his demise later in life.

In 83′ I would watch The Winds of War that would hook him up again with Robert Mitchum.

By time Airwolf came on TV in 84′ and ended in 86′ I wasn’t ever home to watch it. Always admiring Ernie Borgnine and loving Jan I would have enjoyed it. I’ve never even seen it in reruns, if ever shown again I’ll make it a point to watch.

But early on he captured many hearts and long before the 80’s. It’s sad when somebody dies from my parents era of entertainment but when it come from mine own even more devastating. One by one whether musicians or actors, you realize you’re only still a hippie in mind, heart and yeah soul… but..

We are aging.

So with Jan’s death comes a sadness yet the memories he gave and left us with will always bring a smile. That good looking guy with the beautiful blue eyes to match the talent will fondly be missed and remembered.

His star didn’t fall, it burns brightly up in the Heaven’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully he has found the peace in Heaven that he could never seem to find here on earth.

Rest well Jan and enjoy Heaven.

 

 

 

Smooth As Silk Andy Williams is Gone.

 

Another vocal giant has passed.

I have listened to all of his songs throughout the evening that became not only the soundtracks to the movies he sang, but to three generations now.

And no matter which one I hear over and over again, I still keep coming back to his rendition and signature song of Moon River.

It still breaks out the chills and sends me back into a time period that had grace and class. Henry Mancini Composed and a set of pipes that just melted you.

What Beauty.

Saturday Psychedelics ~ “The World Is On Fire Tonight” ~ Strawberry Alarm Clock

 

One out of four songs that were featured in the 1967 movie, “Psych-Out”.

This one accompanied the last scene where the female deaf character (Susan Strasberg) gulps down an extra dose of STP and she flashes more than just a bad trip. More like a world explosion inside of the mind with everything around her igniting with fire. Buildings, telephone poles, from out of bricks and cement sidewalks. Spinning out of control then landing her some how onto a freeway with more fireballs blazing at her (I’m now experiencing this too, it’s called menopause), in realty headlights from cars.

One big exaggerated hallucination…. I loved it!

And the entire soundtrack was outstanding.

Wednesday When It Was Music & Movies ~ “To Sir With Love” ~ Lulu

The song still brings a warmth over me. It is as fabulous today as when it was first released in 1967.

Initially this song was recorded with The Mindbenders, who also acted in the film. It hit #1 on Billboard 100 for 5 consecutive weeks in the US and ended up earning the number one position for the entire year. In the UK it was never ever released for the hit it was in its own right, only remaining the B side to the 1967 No. 11 hit “Let’s Pretend”. US Release B side was “It’s Getting Harder All The Time” which was also in the movie.

I have watched this film at least 200 times in my life. It is among my top two favorites of Sidney Poitier, with the other being “A Patch Of Blue”.

Lulu’s voice couldn’t have gotten any better, it was picture perfect no pun intended. To Sir With Love was also her debut movie and epitomized an era of change. I always loved English Movies, Georgy Girl and The L-Shaped Room also comes to mind.

Saturday Double Feature

 

Let me know how the second one ends. I’m outta here!

Woodstock 1969 ~ I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die ~ Country Joe & The Fish

Generations

We were tougher, unspoiled ( unless you wanted your ass kicked by your parents ), more mature and willing to take to the streets and fight for what we believed in. Even if we got our heads kicked in.

Weren’t always right, weren’t always wrong.

In 1968 two of our hero’s were murdered before the nations eyes. Bobby Kennedy & Martin Luther King Jr.

The 68′ Tet offensive threw Nam into another realm as if it hadn’t been disastrous enough. No doubt in any body’s minds that RFK would have been our next President had he not been assassinated.

And Nam would have ended soon after. But as the words goes it just wasn’t meant to be. And I still say why the hell not.

When and Where Wednesday ~ 1986 At The Crossroads

This has to be my favorite Ralph Macchio movie and he never played a lick!

But this movie had some awesome Blues.

” Just One More Thing ” ~ Actor Peter Falk Has Died

Friday “Fallout!” ~ Henry Mancini

Just some of the Musicians in the Orchestra on this 1987 TV Special.

Pete Candoli, Bill Watrous, Vincent De Rosa, Ronny Lang, Ray Pizzi, Abe Most…….

Sunday Tribute to Director – Sidney Lumet

Elizabeth Taylor 1932-2011 ~ An Era When Hollywood Had Stars.

La Bella Luna

The Epitome of Class Presenting To The Epitome of Classless ~ The Academy Awards

At 94 years old Kirk Douglas could teach this day and very sad age of Hollywood a few lessons.

Monday Mourning ~ Another Legend Lost ~ Blake Edwards

My God what a talent we lost on the 15th. I could have picked so many TV or Movie themes to attribute this man to. A 100 flooded through my mind at once. Of course the main one being The Pink Panther.

Leslie Nielsen ~ In Remembrance

1926–2010

Another Hollywood Great gone. Tony Curtis

Sadly they say they go in threes. Especially in the Entertainment Business. Sometimes fours and fives. All I know is that my Parents Generation is ever so quickly going. Eddie Fisher -82 on Sept. 22, Gloria Stuart on Sept. 26 who was a 100 years old. Grace Bradley a 1930s Actress died on her 97th birthday Sept. 21. And now 85 year old Tony Curtis died last night.