Hey Professor Mikey here and I’m all wet!
In this episode we head back to the summer of 1963 when swimming pools were cool and music was blasting over the loudspeaker.
I held my breath and made this playlist from songs that would have made big splashes in the early part of the 60s, just before the British Invasion changed everything.
Believe me, when you are under water it’s still all about that bass. So do some stupid tricks off the diving board, eat a cheeseburger in the water while the lifeguard isn’t looking, and bring some of your hottest tracks to slip into the poolside turntable. It’s early 60s for you and me and we are back to the pool, fool!
THE LOCOMOTION Little Eva HOT PASTRAMI The Dartells TWISTIN’ MATILDA Jimmy Soul THE WANDERER Dion and the Belmonts THE PEPPERMINT TWIST Joey Dee and the Starlighters WHIP IT ON ME Jessie Hill TWIST AND SHOUT The Isley Brothers DAUGHTER The Blenders DA DOO RON RON The Crystals EASIER SAID THAN DONE The Essex IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY Jimmy Soul HEATWAVE Martha and the Vandellas FINGERTIPS (Pts 1 &2) Stevie Wonder SALLY GO ROUND THE ROSES The Jaynettes IN DREAMS Roy Orbison C’MON AND SWIM Bobby Freeman WAH-WATUSI The Orlons YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN The Dovells MOCKINGBIRD Inez and Charlie Foxx DENISE Randy and the Rainbows COME GO WITH ME Dion and the Belmonts DEEP PURPLE Nino Tempo and April Stevens
We want to thank Dick Clark and Wolfman Jack for the special guest roles they played on this episode.
The Turtles perform on Dick Clark’s “Where the Action Is”
Old School 69 Back to the Pool is just one of almost 70 Professor Mikey podcasts you can find online on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, wherever podcasts run free. With a little more restriction but an audience the world has never seen you can also hear select episodes on YouTube. The free newsletter will send love to your inbox and any given moment, you can subscribe at professormikey.substack.com.
The early 60s rolled out over a mixed musical landscape that was just starting to think about things like civil rights, equal opportunities, and people hooking up with people. Change was in the air, and when it went in the jukebox it reflected the times with music that still resounds a half century or later.
We close with a dreamy tune that gave a Hard Rock band their unforgettable name. Nino Tempo and April Stevens sing Deep Purple, and there is no smoke on the water. They are closing the pool for the night; it will be a while before the sun goes down and we climb the fence to sneak back in for a night swim.
This is Professor Mikey. You stay forever young and forever cool when you keep it all inside the Old School. See you next time!
OS#69 Back to the Pool