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.
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.
Perhaps it was an unlikely combination – but what an album... Laura Nyro & Labelle’s lp Gonna Take a Miracle was released today in 1971 on Columbia. Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, & Sarah Dash create sparks with Nyro on “I Met Him on a Sunday” “Desiree” “Nowhere to Run” & the title track.
November 17, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Perhaps it was an unlikely combination – but what an album... Laura Nyro & Labelle’s lp Gonna Take a Miracle was released today in 1971 on Columbia. Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, & Sarah Dash create sparks with Nyro on “I Met Him on a Sunday” “Desiree” “Nowhere to Run” & the title track.
The album A Nod is as Good as a Wink…to a Blind Horse was released by the Faces on this day in 1971 on Warner Bros. The lp captures the band’s soulful boisterousness. The album features the classic “Stay with Me” & Ronnie Lane’s magnificent “Debris” – as well as the smoldering “Miss Judy’s Farm”
November 17, 2025 at 11:57 AM
The album A Nod is as Good as a Wink…to a Blind Horse was released by the Faces on this day in 1971 on Warner Bros. The lp captures the band’s soulful boisterousness. The album features the classic “Stay with Me” & Ronnie Lane’s magnificent “Debris” – as well as the smoldering “Miss Judy’s Farm”
Guitarist & songwriter Teenie Hodges was born on this date in 1945. Active in the vibrant music scene for Memphis for decades, Hodges is best-known for a productive alliance with Al Green. Hodges & Green co-wrote several hits, like “Love and Happiness” & “Take Me to the River” Hodges passed in 2014.
November 16, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Guitarist & songwriter Teenie Hodges was born on this date in 1945. Active in the vibrant music scene for Memphis for decades, Hodges is best-known for a productive alliance with Al Green. Hodges & Green co-wrote several hits, like “Love and Happiness” & “Take Me to the River” Hodges passed in 2014.
Musician & songwriter Dan Penn is one of the many who put Muscle Shoals, Alabama on the musical map. Penn (born today in 1941) has cowritten many classics, such as: “Let’s Do It Over” “The Dark End of the Street” “It Tears Me Up” “I’m Your Puppet” & “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man”
November 16, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Musician & songwriter Dan Penn is one of the many who put Muscle Shoals, Alabama on the musical map. Penn (born today in 1941) has cowritten many classics, such as: “Let’s Do It Over” “The Dark End of the Street” “It Tears Me Up” “I’m Your Puppet” & “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man”
“Jenny, Jenny, who can I turn to? You give me somethin' I can hold on to. I know you think I'm like the others before. Who saw your name and number on the wall.” The ridiculously catchy “867-5309/Jenny” was released today in 1981 & was the band Tommy Tutone’s biggest hit – peaking at #4 in the U.S.
November 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
“Jenny, Jenny, who can I turn to? You give me somethin' I can hold on to. I know you think I'm like the others before. Who saw your name and number on the wall.” The ridiculously catchy “867-5309/Jenny” was released today in 1981 & was the band Tommy Tutone’s biggest hit – peaking at #4 in the U.S.
Guitar great Hubert Sumlin was born today in 1931 in Greenwood, Mississippi. The mainstay of blues legend Howlin’ Wolf’s band for over two decades, Sumlin entered the Blues Foundation’s prestigious Blues Hall of Fame in 2008. Sumlin passed in 2011.
November 16, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Guitar great Hubert Sumlin was born today in 1931 in Greenwood, Mississippi. The mainstay of blues legend Howlin’ Wolf’s band for over two decades, Sumlin entered the Blues Foundation’s prestigious Blues Hall of Fame in 2008. Sumlin passed in 2011.
“Take It to the Limit” – featuring a tour-de-force vocal performance by Randy Meisner (1946-2023) – was released by the Eagles as a single today in 1975 on Asylum. Written by Meisner, Don Henley & Glenn Frey, it peaked at #4 on the American pop charts.
November 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
“Take It to the Limit” – featuring a tour-de-force vocal performance by Randy Meisner (1946-2023) – was released by the Eagles as a single today in 1975 on Asylum. Written by Meisner, Don Henley & Glenn Frey, it peaked at #4 on the American pop charts.
An outstanding session musician & record producer, Jim Dickinson was born today in 1941. For example, that’s Dickinson’s piano on the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” He produced records for many luminaries, such as: Big Star; The Replacements; Odetta; Ry Cooder; & Toots Hibbert. Dickinson died in 2009
November 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
An outstanding session musician & record producer, Jim Dickinson was born today in 1941. For example, that’s Dickinson’s piano on the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” He produced records for many luminaries, such as: Big Star; The Replacements; Odetta; Ry Cooder; & Toots Hibbert. Dickinson died in 2009
Opening with the freewheeling “Ventura Highway” (penned by Dewey Bunnell), America’s second album – Homecoming – was released today in 1972 on Warner Bros. It was a successful lp for the trio, peaking at #3 on the American album charts. Famed rock photographer Henry Diltz took the cover image.
November 15, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Opening with the freewheeling “Ventura Highway” (penned by Dewey Bunnell), America’s second album – Homecoming – was released today in 1972 on Warner Bros. It was a successful lp for the trio, peaking at #3 on the American album charts. Famed rock photographer Henry Diltz took the cover image.
Billy Joel’s second studio album – Piano Man – was released today in 1973 on Columbia. Produced by Michael Stewart, the title track became Joel’s signature song – but other highlights here include: “The Ballad of Billy the Kid” “Stop in Nevada” “You’re My Home” & “Captain Jack”
November 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Billy Joel’s second studio album – Piano Man – was released today in 1973 on Columbia. Produced by Michael Stewart, the title track became Joel’s signature song – but other highlights here include: “The Ballad of Billy the Kid” “Stop in Nevada” “You’re My Home” & “Captain Jack”
Sherwood Schwartz (born today in 1916) wrote for Red Skelton (1913-1997) in the 1950s, which opened doors in the decades to follow. Schwartz created Gilligan’s Island & The Brady Bunch – two of the cheesiest (but most beloved) comedies in the history of American television. Schwartz passed in 2011.
November 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Sherwood Schwartz (born today in 1916) wrote for Red Skelton (1913-1997) in the 1950s, which opened doors in the decades to follow. Schwartz created Gilligan’s Island & The Brady Bunch – two of the cheesiest (but most beloved) comedies in the history of American television. Schwartz passed in 2011.
James Young (born today in 1949 in Chicago) has been anchoring Styx with his guitar & vocals since the early 1970s. Son of a Swedish immigrant, JY grew up in a musical family, but his connection with the guitar (like so many others in the era) was cemented when he saw Jimi Hendrix in concert .
November 14, 2025 at 12:34 PM
James Young (born today in 1949 in Chicago) has been anchoring Styx with his guitar & vocals since the early 1970s. Son of a Swedish immigrant, JY grew up in a musical family, but his connection with the guitar (like so many others in the era) was cemented when he saw Jimi Hendrix in concert .
“A-well-a everybody's heard about the bird! Bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word” The Minnesota quartet known as The Trashmen gained a type of immortality today in 1963 with the release of their mind-numbing (but catchy as hell) single “Surfin’ Bird.” The record peaked at #4 in the U.S.
November 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
“A-well-a everybody's heard about the bird! Bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word” The Minnesota quartet known as The Trashmen gained a type of immortality today in 1963 with the release of their mind-numbing (but catchy as hell) single “Surfin’ Bird.” The record peaked at #4 in the U.S.
Bobby Manuel (born on this date in 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee) is likely best known for his time as a session guitarist at Stax Records in Memphis. Manuel’s guitar is on dozens of Stax records – and Manuel’s work with Isaac Hayes on the legendary Hot Buttered Soul album is a highlight.
November 13, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Bobby Manuel (born on this date in 1945 in Memphis, Tennessee) is likely best known for his time as a session guitarist at Stax Records in Memphis. Manuel’s guitar is on dozens of Stax records – and Manuel’s work with Isaac Hayes on the legendary Hot Buttered Soul album is a highlight.
“The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another” Maurice Sendak’s beloved classic Where the Wild Things Are was published today in 1963 by Harper & Row. Sendak (1928-2012) received the famed Caldecott Medal in 1964 for this fanciful tale.
November 13, 2025 at 12:44 PM
“The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another” Maurice Sendak’s beloved classic Where the Wild Things Are was published today in 1963 by Harper & Row. Sendak (1928-2012) received the famed Caldecott Medal in 1964 for this fanciful tale.
Booker T. Jones – a gifted musician, producer & songwriter – was born today in 1944 in Memphis. Jones entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as the leader of Booker T. & the MGs. He’s played with everyone during his staggering career – & was a boyhood pal of the late Maurice White of EW&F.
November 12, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Booker T. Jones – a gifted musician, producer & songwriter – was born today in 1944 in Memphis. Jones entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as the leader of Booker T. & the MGs. He’s played with everyone during his staggering career – & was a boyhood pal of the late Maurice White of EW&F.
Nursery Cryme – the first Genesis lp with the classic lineup (with Steve Hackett & Phil Collins) – was released today in 1971 in the U.S. The initial 3 tracks (“The Musical Box” “For Absent Friends” & “The Return of the Giant Hogweed”) gives a sense of what Genesis would reach with Hackett & Collins
November 12, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Nursery Cryme – the first Genesis lp with the classic lineup (with Steve Hackett & Phil Collins) – was released today in 1971 in the U.S. The initial 3 tracks (“The Musical Box” “For Absent Friends” & “The Return of the Giant Hogweed”) gives a sense of what Genesis would reach with Hackett & Collins
“Our house, it has a crowd; There's always something happening; And it's usually quite loud” On this date in 1982, Madness released “Our House.” While Madness has long been a massive favorite in the British Isles, this single is the band’s highwater mark in the U.S. – peaking at #7 pop.
November 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
“Our house, it has a crowd; There's always something happening; And it's usually quite loud” On this date in 1982, Madness released “Our House.” While Madness has long been a massive favorite in the British Isles, this single is the band’s highwater mark in the U.S. – peaking at #7 pop.
LaVern Baker’s first charting single in the U.S. was “Tweedle Dee” in 1955 (#4 R&B, #14 pop). Over the next decade, Baker (born today in 1929 in Chicago) became a powerhouse presence on the charts – with 11 top ten R&B hits. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Baker passed in 1997.
November 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM
LaVern Baker’s first charting single in the U.S. was “Tweedle Dee” in 1955 (#4 R&B, #14 pop). Over the next decade, Baker (born today in 1929 in Chicago) became a powerhouse presence on the charts – with 11 top ten R&B hits. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Baker passed in 1997.
Sesame Street premiered on National Educational Television (the predecessor to PBS) on this date in 1969. The brainchild of Joan Ganz Cooney & Lloyd Morrisett (1929-2023), the trailblazing show challenged & entertained children (and adults) – & was startlingly innovative for the era.
November 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Sesame Street premiered on National Educational Television (the predecessor to PBS) on this date in 1969. The brainchild of Joan Ganz Cooney & Lloyd Morrisett (1929-2023), the trailblazing show challenged & entertained children (and adults) – & was startlingly innovative for the era.