Raised On Radio: Rush Makes A Statement

by Kevin Burton    The Band Rush made a musical comment on the state of radio in 1980’s “The Spirit of Radio.”  It took me more than 40 years to get wind of it.    Though they made reference to the lyrics of two of my heroes, Simon and Garfunkel, in the song, they didn’t …

Looking For A Spark In A Springsteen Song

by Kevin Burton    My favorite Bruce Springsteen song was born of irritation and is marinated in frustration.    I seem to have slipped into it comfortably, as one might slip into a t-shirt and jeans.     Here is how the song came to be, according to SongFacts:    “Springsteen wrote it after his manager, …

Still Singing, Petula Clark Turns 90

by Kevin Burton    Did you know Petula Clark has a new single?  Well, it’s her birthday today so let’s help her celebrate.    That’s 90 candles on the cake today for Petula, if you’re counting. She was born on this day in 1932 in Ewell, England. That’s 68 million records sold, if you’re doing …

Hearing My Story In The Rock And Roll

by Kevin Burton    The stories, the images, the sound and fury of rock and roll, truly resonate when they hit close to home.    By now we have enough rocking sounds to fill the seven seas. The messages are all over the map. The sheer variety is breathtaking. Not every song will get in …

Reality Intrudes Upon Laverne And Shirley

by Kevin Burton    Shame on me for this, but there was a time when I believed every word of the song from Laverne and Shirley.   That show ran from 1976 to 1983 on ABC. It was a big hit for its first few years, a spinoff from the very popular “Happy Days.” It …

The Trippy Lyrics Of Strawberry Letter 23

by Kevin Burton     From its carousel introduction to its abstract imagery lyrics, “Strawberry Letter 23” was, different.    The song was released 45 years ago this month on Epic Records.    You remember the tune? It was one of the quieter songs performed by the Brothers Johnson.    Wikipedia says the 7-inch single was …

Karen Carpenter, Born 72 Years Ago Today

by Kevin Burton    No rock and roll artist discussion can make me more happy, but at the same time more sad and more angry than that of Karen Carpenter.     None of my other favorites, from Steely Dan to Gerry Rafferty, Motown to the Beatles, to Supertramp, Billy Joel, Elton John, Flans from Mexico, …

My Smallish Musical Debut Is Coming

by Kevin Burton    Alison Trelfa’s “Winter Warmer,” to be released in the UK Nov. 30, has one element no album has ever had.    Me.     Let me be clear up front, I won’t exactly be featured on the album, and there is still editing to be done.  But I am pretty sure my …

Opening Another Can Of John Mayer Music

by Kevin Burton    It turns out my inelastic brain, not just a fondness for The Stylistics and Little River Band, keeps me spinning old tunes, not trying the new ones.     In a recent post I explained that my brain’s corticofugal network recognizes the music I am hearing and keeps me grooving by helping …

Letters From Hamburg: Sophomore Studies

by Kevin Burton    Well here it is, go day for me, a musical milestone of sorts, at least I hope.     This is the day I get into a local studio for an assessment of sixteen of my original songs. Publishing this post is one of the final things I will do before heading …