RETRO ROCK & ROLL

Well good morning boys and girls! How are you doing on this humid hump day? Its wet and gross here courtesy of another tropical wave in the Gulf! Its an early morning here as my animals in the bedroom are freaking out for some reason! Getting into everything, jumping and running around, and being very vocal! I am going to assume its the barometric pressure changes again, because its effecting them ALL! Made for a rude awakening. I so have to say HELLO and WELCOME BACK to Susan this morning! Congrads on your little bundle of busy-ness! Hope all is well and so glad to have you back! And to my lovely mom, that bandana reference gave me nightmares! LMAO kidding, but it DID give me a good laugh!

OK here on 60's week, I want to talk about something I absolutely love... MUSIC! Popular music entered an era of "all hits", as numerous artists released recordings, beginning in the 1950s, as 45-rpm "singles" (with another on the flip side), and radio stations tended to play only the most popular of the wide variety of records being made. Also, bands tended to record only the best of their songs as a chance to become a hit record. The taste of the American listeners expanded from the folksinger, doo-wop and saxophone sounds of the 1950s to the Motown sound, folk rock and the British Invasion. The Los Angeles and San Francisco Sound began in this period with many popular bands coming out of LA and the Haight-Ashbury district, well-known for its hippie culture. The rise of the counterculture movement, particularly among the youth, created a market for rock, soul, pop, reggae and blues music produced by drug-culture.

Significant events in music in the 1960s:

Elvis Presley returns to civilian life in the USA after two years away in the U.S. Army. He resumes his musical career by recording "It's Now or Never" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" in March 1960.

Motown Record Corporation founded in 1960. Its first Top Ten hit was "Shop Around" by the Miracles in 1960. "Shop Around" peaked at number-two on the Billboard Hot 100, and was Motown's first million-selling record.

The Marvelettes scored Motown Record Corporation's first US #1 pop hit, "Please Mr. Postman" in 1961. Motown would score 110 Billboard Top-Ten hits during its run.

The Four Seasons released four straight number one hits

In a widely-anticipated and publicized event, The Beatles arrive in America in February 1964, spearheading the British Invasion.

The Mary Poppins Original Soundtrack tops record charts. Sherman Brothers receive Grammys and double Oscars.

Lesley Gore: At age 17 hits Number one on Billboard with "It's My Party" and '64 with Number 2 "You Don't Own Me" behind the Beatles "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."

The Supremes scored twelve number one hit singles between 1964 and 1969, beginning with "Where Did Our Love Go".

The Kinks release "You Really Got Me" in late 1964, which tops the British charts; it is regarded as the first hard rock hit and a blueprint for related genres, such as heavy metal.

The Grateful Dead was formed in 1965 (originally The Warlocks) thus paving the way, giving birth to Acid rock.

Bob Dylan goes electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.

Cilla Black's number one hit "Anyone who had a Heart" still remains the top selling single by a female artist in the UK from 1964.

The Rolling Stones have a huge #1 hit with their song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" in the summer of 1965.

The Byrds release a cover of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man", which reached #1 on the U.S. charts and repeated the feat in the U.K. shortly thereafter. The extremely influential track effectively creates the musical subgenre of folk rock.

Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" is a top-five hit on both sides of the Atlantic during the summer of 1965.

Bob Dylan's 1965 albums Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited usher in album focused rock and the "folk rock" genre.

Simon and Garfunkel release The Sounds of Silence single in 1965.

The Beach Boys release Pet Sounds in 1966, which significantly influenced the Beatles Sgt. Pepper album a year later.

Bob Dylan is called "Judas" by an audience member during the legendary Manchester Free Trade Hall concert, the start of the Bootleg recording industry follows, with recordings of this concert circulating for 30 years – wrongly labeled as – The Royal Albert Hall Concert before a legitimate release in 1998 as The Bootleg Series Vol. 4: Bob Dylan Live 1966, The "Royal Albert Hall" Concert.

In February 1966, Nancy Sinatra's song "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" became very popular.

In 1966, The Supremes A' Go-Go was the first album by a female group to reach the top position of the Billboard magazine pop albums chart in the United States.

The Seekers are the first Australian Group to have a number one with "Georgy Girl" in 1966.

Jefferson Airplane released the influential Surrealistic Pillow in 1967.

The Velvet Underground release their influential self-titled debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico in 1967.

The Doors release their self-titled debut album The Doors' in January 1967'.

Love release Forever Changes in 1967.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience release two successful albums during 1967 Are You Experienced and Axis: Bold as Love that innovate both guitar, trio and recording techniques.

The Beatles release the seminal concept album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in June 1967.

The Moody Blues release the album Days of Future Passed in November 1967.

Pink Floyd releases their debut record The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

Bob Dylan releases the Country rock album John Wesley Harding in December 1967.

The Bee Gees release their international debut album Bee Gees 1st in July 1967 which contains the pop standard "To Love Somebody".

The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 was the beginning of the so-called "Summer of Love".

Johnny Cash releases At Folsom Prison in 1968

1968: after The Yardbirds fold, Led Zeppelin is formed by Jimmy Page and manager Peter Grant, with Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones; and, released their debut album Led Zeppelin.

The Band releases the roots rock album Music from Big Pink in 1968.

Big Brother and the Holding Company, with Janis Joplin as lead singer, becomes an overnight sensation after their performance at Monterey Pop in 1967 and release their massively successful second album Cheap Thrills in 1968.

Gram Parsons with The Byrds releases the extremely influential LP Sweetheart of the Rodeo in late 1968, forming the basis for country rock.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience release the highly influential double LP Electric Ladyland in 1968 that furthered the guitar and studio innovations of his previous two albums.

Simon and Garfunkel release the single Mrs. Robinson in 1968 featured in the movie The Graduate.

Woodstock Festival, 1969Sly & the Family Stone revolutionize black music with their massive 1968 hit single "Dance to the Music" and by 1969 became international sensations with the release of their hit record Stand!. The band cemented their position as a vital counterculture band when they performed at the Woodstock Festival.

The Rolling Stones film the TV special The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus in December 1968 but the film is not released for transmission. Considered for decades as a fabled 'lost' performance until released in North America on Laserdisc and VHS in 1996. Features performances from The Who; The Dirty Mac featuring John Lennon, Eric Clapton and Mitch Mitchell; Jethro Tull and Taj Mahal.

The Woodstock Festival, and four months later, the Altamont Free Concert in 1969.

The Who release and tour the first rock opera Tommy in 1969.

Proto-punk band MC5 release the live album Kick Out The Jams in 1969.

Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band release the avant garde Trout Mask Replica in 1969.

The Stooges release their debut album in 1969.

The Flying Burrito Brothers released their influential debut The Gilded Palace of Sin in 1969.

Ahh, I love lots of those artists! My head starts that slow psychadelic sway to Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit", my arms swimming with the Beach Boys, and my hips swiveling to the king! Yes, no one will ever beat the king! LOL now, I don't know about you, but reading all those rockin facts puts me in a retro rockin craft mood! How about you? Today I am gonna recycle some vinyl LP's... you remember those? I think my favorite craft to do with old albums is the Rock & Roll Bowls. But you can also make things like jewelry and jewelry holders, or even notebooks and journals! So here ya have a couple of craft ideas to recycle/repurpose those old LP's that might not be playable anymore but ya just can't bear to part with them! Enjoy!



Craft Idea of the Day: Vinyl LP Record Bowl

Materials:

1 old vinyl Record
Oven proof dish
Oven mitts

Directions:

This recycled LP vinyl record project is a great recycled crafts project. It is created by manipulating the melted/soft plastic of the record after it has been heated in an oven.

Records can be bought from op shops, thrift stores or garage sales. (Don't forget FREECYCLE TOO!) If you don't want to destroy the classics look for damaged or cracked albums.

always wear oven mitts as the plastic is hot. Never leave it unattended in the oven and work in a ventilated area in case there are fumes or any type.
Start by heating your oven to it's highest setting around 250 Degrees Celsius or 480 Fahrenheit.

Place a sheet of aluminum on the bottom of your oven purely as a precaution in case it melts beyond rescue to avoid a massive clean up job.

Take your record and place it onto the oven tray over a bowl to help it shape and slide it into the hot oven. It will only take a few minutes for the record to become soft and flexible. Using your oven mitts take the record out as soon as it looks soft.

It will start to droop and deform when it is becoming soft, that is when it is ready to work with.

Place the oven mitts on and working quickly remove the bowl and the record from the oven. Turn the bowl the right way up and push the record into the bowl to shape it into the same shape as the bowl or work it into shape over the bowl if your bowl is small.

You will only have around 30 seconds to work so work quickly, if you are too slow or don't like the shape of your bowl then place it back into the oven and start again.
Allow it to cool and its ready to use.

You can also use these bowls for planters by drilling a few extra holes into the bottom or better still turn them into a funky hanging basket for either plants or storage.



ADDITIONAL Craft Idea of the Day: Vinyl Record Album Cover Notepad

Materials:

Record/ LP Album Cover
stack of computer paper
Hole Punch
Cord, wire rings or curtain loops
Scissors

Directions:

This record album has been recycled into a retro note pad for my desk by using a funky looking vintage album.

Start by taking your retro album cover and cutting it down to form a front and back cover for your note book.

I used recycled (printed only on 1 side) standard printer paper for this notepad, but you could use any sized paper your like.

Cut your covers out of the album cover and stack them all together with your inside papers to form the booklet.

Take a clamp or some clothes pegs and secure the stack of papers together. This allows you to punch the holes without the papers moving around.

Take a pencil and mark out your holes and then punch them using a punch and hammer. If you have a small press punch you will need to work a small stack of papers at a time, making sure to keep the holes well aligned with each stack.

Once you have made your holes it is time to bind the book.

There are several ways in which to bind your book, you can use cord and loop it through, you can tie ribbons and bows through each hole, You can make wire loops and you could even use recycled shower curtain rings, which will make your book easy to flip through.

You can recycle your cover onces your book is filled by taking it apart and adding a new stack of paper.

Ok let's talk about some delicious love! I am talking about FOOD my retro readers! From time to time, I love to pick up and read the latest copy of Better Homes & Gardens, and I think its interesting to see what advertising reflected back in those days... well I happened across this and, well, just see if you remember any of the ORIGINAL ads... I know I do- not because of age, but exposure! (Thanks mom!)

Better Homes & Gardens, October 1969:
Imperial Margarine (stick & tub), Pillsbury Create-a-Cake mix (recipes using Pillsbury cake and frosting products: Fudge Ripple Cake, Topsy-Turvy Pineapple Cake, Cherry Crmble Squares, Easy Cheesy Lemon Bars), V8 Juice, Ovaltine, Chicken of the Sea Tuna, Campbell's Manhandlers Soups (Vegetable Beef), Campbell's Vegetable, Tomato and Cream of Mushroom Soups (with recipes for Souperburger, Upside Down Pie, Burger Bean Cups), Nabisco Shredded Wheat, Chase & Sanborn coffee, Del Monte Raisins (& Prunes), Dinty Moore Beef Stew, Chiffon Margarine, Wilson's Certified canned meats (Hickory Smoked Pork Loin, Pork Roast, Corned Beef Brisket, Beef Roast, Turkey), Kraft Miniature Marshmallows, Chef Boy-ar-dee packaged dinners (Spaghetti, Tetrazzini, Stroganoff, Goulash, Lasagna, Macaroni & Cheese, Rice), Bisquick (new), Jell-O Pudding & Pie Filing (vanilla, with recipe for Pecan Pie), Stouffer's Frozen Spinach Souffle, Cool Whip (plastic tub), Cling Peaches (canned), Pepperidge Farm Apple Strudel, Betty Crocker Pudding (chocolate, ready to serve, can), Snow's Clam Chowder, Kraft Caramel Topping (also strawberry, butterscotch, vanilla caramel, chocolate caramel, chocolate fudge, chocolate syrup, pineapple and walnut flavors), Nestle's Semi-sweet Toll House Morsels & Butterscotch morsels (with recipes for quick party mixes: Choco-Scotch dandies, Munchers, Sticks 'N Straws, Choco-nut Chewies, Buttersotch Mix 'Ems), Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Betty Crocker Ready-to-Spread Frosting (vanilla, chocolate, milk chocolate, butterscotch, Sunkist lemon, & dark dutch fudge), Kellogg's Cocoa Krispies (with recipe for cocoa peanut logs), Arnold Golden Brick Oven White bread, park's Sausages, Nescafe coffee (instant), Domino Brownulated sugar, Greenwood's Sliced Pickled Beets, AND the Amana Radarrange microwave oven "Flameless Electric Cooking."

It is so cool to see all those familiar, trusted name brands! Shoot, I have to have at least a dozen or more in my house right now! LOL! Ok, so as like today, chicken was an inexpensive protein to feed the American family during the 60's. The creative domestic engineers of the times found numerous inventive ways to recreate the yard bird LOL! I personally LOVE chicken! Homecooking, chicken, good music... yep I have a 60's spirit I think LOL! Well today, I bring you another groovy 60's dinner dish to eat & enjoy!



Baked Chicken Breasts Supreme

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Plain yogurt or sour cream
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 cups fine dry bread crumbs

Directions

In a large bowl, combine first eight ingredients. Place chicken in mixture and turn to coat. Cover and marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Remove chicken from marinade; coat each piece with crumbs. Arrange on a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 45 minutes or until juices run clear.

Ok folks, that's all for me today. I hope you've had a rockin' good time and will swivel and sway on back here tomorrow for more groovy fun and excitement! I'll see you then my hippie friends! Peace, Love, and tons of HUGS!