Steve and Dave's
@steveanddaves1.bsky.social
Steve Foulke & Dave Zook, American academics & friends for four decades, post daily about numerous American pop culture matters from the 60s, 70s & 80s, focusing on film & television, rock & pop music & electoral politics from these decades.
Plimpton! The Great Quarterback Sneak, a made-for-TV-movie starring George Plimpton (playing himself), aired on this date in 1971 on ABC. The program was based on his top-selling non-fiction book – Paper Lion – published in 1966 by Harper & Row. Plimpton (1927-2003) was a cultural icon in this era.
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Plimpton! The Great Quarterback Sneak, a made-for-TV-movie starring George Plimpton (playing himself), aired on this date in 1971 on ABC. The program was based on his top-selling non-fiction book – Paper Lion – published in 1966 by Harper & Row. Plimpton (1927-2003) was a cultural icon in this era.
Joe Gannon (born today in 1930) helped make Alice Cooper into the Alice Cooper we know today. Gannon’s complex stage designs in the early 1970s amplified Alice’s pseudo-menacing persona. An Alice Cooper show was a hot ticket in this era – & Gannon deserves much of the credit. Gannon died in 2024.
November 25, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Joe Gannon (born today in 1930) helped make Alice Cooper into the Alice Cooper we know today. Gannon’s complex stage designs in the early 1970s amplified Alice’s pseudo-menacing persona. An Alice Cooper show was a hot ticket in this era – & Gannon deserves much of the credit. Gannon died in 2024.
If anything, Bev Bevan (born today in 1944) was underutilized as a drummer while a part of ELO. Bevan was a longtime member of The Move and joined Roy Wood & Jeff Lynne as the trio transitioned into the Electric Light Orchestra. When called upon by Jeff Lynne in ELO, Bevan could bring the thunder.
November 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM
If anything, Bev Bevan (born today in 1944) was underutilized as a drummer while a part of ELO. Bevan was a longtime member of The Move and joined Roy Wood & Jeff Lynne as the trio transitioned into the Electric Light Orchestra. When called upon by Jeff Lynne in ELO, Bevan could bring the thunder.
“Show me a river that’s so deep; Show me a mountain so high; I’ll show you love that’ll last forever; Flying high, so high” On this date in 1975 the Commodores’ single “Sweet Love” was released as a single on Motown. Written by Lionel Richie, “Sweet Love” peaked at #5 pop & #2 soul in the U.S.
November 25, 2025 at 11:22 AM
“Show me a river that’s so deep; Show me a mountain so high; I’ll show you love that’ll last forever; Flying high, so high” On this date in 1975 the Commodores’ single “Sweet Love” was released as a single on Motown. Written by Lionel Richie, “Sweet Love” peaked at #5 pop & #2 soul in the U.S.
Born today in 1941 in Memphis, Donald “Duck” Dunn anchored the sound of Booker T. & the M.G.’s during the 1960s, often while smoking his trademark pipe. Later, Dunn became an easily recognized member of The Blues Brothers’ band. Dunn entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 & passed in 2012.
November 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Born today in 1941 in Memphis, Donald “Duck” Dunn anchored the sound of Booker T. & the M.G.’s during the 1960s, often while smoking his trademark pipe. Later, Dunn became an easily recognized member of The Blues Brothers’ band. Dunn entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 & passed in 2012.
Wayne Jackson’s trumpet – alongside the tenor saxophone of Andrew Love (1941-2012) – was at the core of the Memphis Horns for over three decades. Jackson (born today in 1941) gave punch to recordings by Al Green; Aretha Franklin; Wilson Pickett; Otis Redding & many others. Jackson died in 2016.
November 24, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Wayne Jackson’s trumpet – alongside the tenor saxophone of Andrew Love (1941-2012) – was at the core of the Memphis Horns for over three decades. Jackson (born today in 1941) gave punch to recordings by Al Green; Aretha Franklin; Wilson Pickett; Otis Redding & many others. Jackson died in 2016.
Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music aired this evening in 1965 on NBC. Directed by television veteran Dwight Hemion, it’s a straight-forward program – largely just Sinatra & other musicians. No nonsense – just peak Sinatra. It’s a classic.
November 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music aired this evening in 1965 on NBC. Directed by television veteran Dwight Hemion, it’s a straight-forward program – largely just Sinatra & other musicians. No nonsense – just peak Sinatra. It’s a classic.
Regarded as one of his best, Yusuf/Cat Steven’s 4th studio lp – Tea for the Tillerman – was released today in 1970. Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith, it was his first lp to make an impression in the U.S. – peaking at #8 on the lp charts. Tunes like “Wild World” & “Father and Son” are among his finest.
November 23, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Regarded as one of his best, Yusuf/Cat Steven’s 4th studio lp – Tea for the Tillerman – was released today in 1970. Produced by Paul Samwell-Smith, it was his first lp to make an impression in the U.S. – peaking at #8 on the lp charts. Tunes like “Wild World” & “Father and Son” are among his finest.
Songwriter Johnny Mandel was born on this date in 1925. Mandel was active for decades, co-writing tunes such as “A Time for Love” & “Shadow of Your Smile” (both with Paul Francis Webster); “Emily” (with Johnny Mercer); & “(Theme from MASH) Suicide is Painless” (with Mike Altman). Mandel died in 2020
November 23, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Songwriter Johnny Mandel was born on this date in 1925. Mandel was active for decades, co-writing tunes such as “A Time for Love” & “Shadow of Your Smile” (both with Paul Francis Webster); “Emily” (with Johnny Mercer); & “(Theme from MASH) Suicide is Painless” (with Mike Altman). Mandel died in 2020
“Step into Christmas, let’s join together; We can watch the snow fall forever and ever; Eat, drink and be merry, come along with me; Step into Christmas, the admission’s free” Elton John’s lively holiday standard – “Step Into Christmas” – was released as a single on this date in 1973.
November 23, 2025 at 12:43 PM
“Step into Christmas, let’s join together; We can watch the snow fall forever and ever; Eat, drink and be merry, come along with me; Step into Christmas, the admission’s free” Elton John’s lively holiday standard – “Step Into Christmas” – was released as a single on this date in 1973.
"A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye; A doleful damsel I heard cry: ‘Johnny I hardly knew ye.’” 62 years ago on this date, President John Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade passed through a crowded Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas.
November 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
"A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye; A doleful damsel I heard cry: ‘Johnny I hardly knew ye.’” 62 years ago on this date, President John Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade passed through a crowded Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas.
Tina Weymouth (born today in 1950) helped push the Talking Heads into fame in the late 1970s with her propulsive bass lines. In addition, with her spouse Chris Frantz, she started the influential Tom Tom Club in 1980. She entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 as a part of the Talking Heads.
November 22, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Tina Weymouth (born today in 1950) helped push the Talking Heads into fame in the late 1970s with her propulsive bass lines. In addition, with her spouse Chris Frantz, she started the influential Tom Tom Club in 1980. She entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 as a part of the Talking Heads.
Harry Edwards – one of the leading public intellectuals in the U.S. of the last half-century – was born on this date in 1942. Edwards launched the Olympic Project for Human Rights in the late 1960s – which created several high-profile moments at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968.
November 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Harry Edwards – one of the leading public intellectuals in the U.S. of the last half-century – was born on this date in 1942. Edwards launched the Olympic Project for Human Rights in the late 1960s – which created several high-profile moments at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968.
“Baby, everything is alright; Uptight, out of sight” Stevie Wonder’s single “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” was released today in 1965 on Tamla/Motown. Penned by Wonder, Sylvia Moy & Henry Cosby, the single peaked at #3 on the American pop charts – & #1 on the R&B charts.
November 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
“Baby, everything is alright; Uptight, out of sight” Stevie Wonder’s single “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” was released today in 1965 on Tamla/Motown. Penned by Wonder, Sylvia Moy & Henry Cosby, the single peaked at #3 on the American pop charts – & #1 on the R&B charts.
Robert Vaughn (born on this date in 1932) starred in one of the coolest American television shows of the 1960s – The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Vaughn & the dashing David McCallum (1933-2023) made a convincing pair of secret agents. Vaughn, a Renaissance man, had a long career in Hollywood, passing in 2016
November 22, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Robert Vaughn (born on this date in 1932) starred in one of the coolest American television shows of the 1960s – The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Vaughn & the dashing David McCallum (1933-2023) made a convincing pair of secret agents. Vaughn, a Renaissance man, had a long career in Hollywood, passing in 2016
“Don’t let me hear you say, life’s taking you nowhere, angel” David Bowie’s “Golden Years” was released as a single today in 1975 on RCA. Penned by Bowie, the record peaked at #10 in the U.S. “Golden Years” is a showcase for the guitar artistry of session greats Earl Slick & Carlos Alomar.
November 21, 2025 at 12:40 PM
“Don’t let me hear you say, life’s taking you nowhere, angel” David Bowie’s “Golden Years” was released as a single today in 1975 on RCA. Penned by Bowie, the record peaked at #10 in the U.S. “Golden Years” is a showcase for the guitar artistry of session greats Earl Slick & Carlos Alomar.
“Son, it’s faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money.” On this date in 1975, Tom T. Hall recorded “Faster Horses (The Cowboy and the Poet)” Released a month later as a single on Mercury, “Faster Horses” soared to the top of the U.S. country charts – Hall’s seventh (& final) #1 hit.
November 21, 2025 at 12:37 PM
“Son, it’s faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money.” On this date in 1975, Tom T. Hall recorded “Faster Horses (The Cowboy and the Poet)” Released a month later as a single on Mercury, “Faster Horses” soared to the top of the U.S. country charts – Hall’s seventh (& final) #1 hit.
Nurtured by years honing his craft at Second City, the National Lampoon & SCTV, Harold Ramis (born today in 1944) helped shape the comedic sensibilities of an entire generation as a writer, actor & film director. Ramis died in 2014, but his films continue to make the world laugh.
November 21, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Nurtured by years honing his craft at Second City, the National Lampoon & SCTV, Harold Ramis (born today in 1944) helped shape the comedic sensibilities of an entire generation as a writer, actor & film director. Ramis died in 2014, but his films continue to make the world laugh.
The original version (more or less) of the Alice Cooper band released its final lp – Muscle of Love – today in 1973 on Warner Bros. The years had taken its toll – this edition of the group was on its last legs. Still, tracks like ‘Teenage Lament ‘74” & “Working Up a Sweat” were able to turn heads.
November 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
The original version (more or less) of the Alice Cooper band released its final lp – Muscle of Love – today in 1973 on Warner Bros. The years had taken its toll – this edition of the group was on its last legs. Still, tracks like ‘Teenage Lament ‘74” & “Working Up a Sweat” were able to turn heads.
Duane Allman – the masterful blues & slide guitarist – was born today in 1946 in Nashville. In the decades since his tragic passing in 1971, the world has been trying to fully appreciate Skydog’s influence, whether as a session musician or as the foundation of the Allman Brothers Band.
November 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Duane Allman – the masterful blues & slide guitarist – was born today in 1946 in Nashville. In the decades since his tragic passing in 1971, the world has been trying to fully appreciate Skydog’s influence, whether as a session musician or as the foundation of the Allman Brothers Band.
Based on the Ken Kesey novel of the same name, director Miloš Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest premiered on this date in 1975. A critical and box office hit, it swept the Oscars the following spring. A landmark film.
November 19, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Based on the Ken Kesey novel of the same name, director Miloš Forman’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest premiered on this date in 1975. A critical and box office hit, it swept the Oscars the following spring. A landmark film.
“We slept in what had once been the gymnasium.” Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale – initially published in 1985 – continues to unsettle readers. Atwood (born on this date in 1939) is a prolific writer, but it seems clear that Atwood will long be remembered for this prescient work.
November 18, 2025 at 11:52 AM
“We slept in what had once been the gymnasium.” Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale – initially published in 1985 – continues to unsettle readers. Atwood (born on this date in 1939) is a prolific writer, but it seems clear that Atwood will long be remembered for this prescient work.
On this evening in 1971, Procol Harum played with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in a concert which was recorded. The resulting album (released in April of 1972) breathed new life into several of the group’s songs, notably “Conquistador” “A Salty Dog” “All This and More” & “Grand Finale”
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
On this evening in 1971, Procol Harum played with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in a concert which was recorded. The resulting album (released in April of 1972) breathed new life into several of the group’s songs, notably “Conquistador” “A Salty Dog” “All This and More” & “Grand Finale”
Tommy Bolin’s eclectic masterpiece – Teaser – was released on this date in 1975. Bolin is in fine form here, backed by terrific session musicians. “Homeward Strut” “People, People” “Lotus” & “Wild Dogs” are among the many outstanding tracks. Bolin was just hitting his stride but died 13 months later
November 17, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Tommy Bolin’s eclectic masterpiece – Teaser – was released on this date in 1975. Bolin is in fine form here, backed by terrific session musicians. “Homeward Strut” “People, People” “Lotus” & “Wild Dogs” are among the many outstanding tracks. Bolin was just hitting his stride but died 13 months later
Today in 1968, many Americans watched the made-for-tv movie Heidi on NBC – but they didn’t want to. NBC switched away from an AFL game featuring the Oakland Raiders & NY Jets. Much of America didn’t get a chance to see the Raiders rally late for a win. Fans were irate – the “Heidi Game” was born.
November 17, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Today in 1968, many Americans watched the made-for-tv movie Heidi on NBC – but they didn’t want to. NBC switched away from an AFL game featuring the Oakland Raiders & NY Jets. Much of America didn’t get a chance to see the Raiders rally late for a win. Fans were irate – the “Heidi Game” was born.