By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
Though their roots stretch back into the late 1950s, Simon & Garfunkel were a product of the times. Those times were the music revolution that happened in the 1960s. Initially inspired by the Everly Brothers, the non-brotherly duo had that special vocal connection to produce sympathetic and wonderful harmonies. Each voice was a perfect balance for the other, with Art’s high range landing angelically above Paul’s more earthy tone every time they sang. Add to that the fact that Paul was, seemingly, a natural born writer of great songs, and there was a winning combination waiting for the world.
Their debut album, the sparse acoustic offering ‘Wednesday Morning 3 A.M,’ saw the light of day in the fall of 1964. These New Your City folkies, though sounding sharp as could be, were a little late to the party. Peter, Paul & Mary had a run of hits by then, the Kingston Trio were old news and the kingpin of the folk scene, Bob Dylan, had already released four albums and was a mere few months away from unleashing his ‘new electric sound’ on the world with ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues.’
That debut sank without a trace and Simon & Garfunkel went their separate ways, but not for long. In that downtime, a new sound had emerged called ‘folk rock.’ Led by the Byrds and Beau Brummels and followed by Sonny & Cher, the Turtles and others, it was a new exciting sound, and S&G producer Tom Wilson thought he may have a hit hidden on that first S&G LP. Buried at the end of side on on their debut, ‘The Sounds Of Silence’ had gone unnoticed, but once Wilson called on some studio players to add a band backing to the acoustic tune, everything changed and everything clicked. The revamped version shot to number one on the Billboard charts when re-released almost a year later.
This turn of events helped Simon & Garfunkel establish themselves as more than an aspiring folk duo as Simon’s songs proved there was more there than some Dylan wannabe. The Sounds Of Silence album was released at the start of 1966 with Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme’ following by years end. Eight singles followed, half of which landing in the Top 20 and half in the Top 10. In January of 1968 the soundtrack to the hit film ‘The Graduate’ was released and featured the hit ‘Mrs. Robinson,’ another number one.It had been a year since a proper S&G album had been issued, but that changed in the spring of 1968 with the release of ‘Bookends.’
Though critics in the rock press, a fairly new occupation at the time, were mixed, fans loved the album, as do we here at The Summit, hence being more than happy to feature it as out Essential Album this week. Songs like ‘At The Zoo,’ ‘America,’ ‘A Hazy Shade Of Winter,’ and ‘the aforementioned ‘Mrs. Robinson’ were all hits while the album itself, though relatively brief, held its own in the then emerging album sweepstakes as well. The backing band was comprised of the finest session players of the era like drummer Hal Blaine, Joe Osborn on bass guitar and Larry Knechtel on keyboards. The production, by Roy Halee, Simon and Garfunkel, was sparse yet warm, as it avoided any psychedelic tendencies of the era.
"This was the point where the perfect storm had happened, and Simon & Garfunkel were taken from a very formidable level of success into the stratosphere,” DJ and author Pete Fontale would later recall. "The true test of art is whether it speaks as eloquently to succeeding generations as it did to the generation to which it was originally intended. And with that in mind, all you've got to do is to listen."
In just over a year, this dynamic duo would call it a day, with one last album, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water,’ to send them on their way as the new decade dawned.
As with so many of the older acts, they were profoundly affected by everything going on around them; the music of other artists, the ideas that sprang from films, art and literature, and all in such a condensed period of time. It’s no wonder the 1960s cultural hangover still lingers out there in the ether. There was a lot to answer for and a lot to listen to.
Tune into The Summit FM all-day every Thursday to hear tracks from our Summit Album Essential of the week!
By Michelle Charles - Summit FM Development Director
This week’s volunteer is Rebecca Baird. I met Rebecca while working on the Summit FM's Elevate capital campaign a few years ago. I am thrilled that she volunteers with us here at the station! Rebecca works at the front desk on Mondays and Fridays and has also helped with many of our pledge campaigns by answering phones. She has been volunteering at the station since 2016 and lives in Copley with her husband Micah, daughter Kelly, and crazy dog Mokey.
I asked Rebecca a few questions:
What do you like about volunteering?
I feel honored to help the wonderful people at the Summit make the music happen. The staff and other volunteers are the best people to hang out with, plus you just never know what is going to happen around here!
What was your first live concert?
I went to see Rusted Root and Jewel at Blossom in 1999, though the first concert ticket that I purchased myself was U2 in Lexington Kentucky in 2000.
What is an artist that you discovered on the Summit FM?
Kaleo
What is your favorite band of all time?
Sting
What is your favorite movie?
Love Actually
What book are you reading right now?
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
Would you like to become a Summit FM Volunteer? Click here for more information!
Wellness can be achieved by virtue of completing a journey and maintain a lifestyle. But it can also be magnified by our ability to appreciate and be thankful for the things that we already have! Summit Wellness continues to hum the melody of connection between feeling good and feeling grateful!
Gratitude is a monthly feature contributed by Matt Anthony, Digital Media Producer and on-air host for the Summit FM. Matt reflects on instances where we might uncover more ways to appreciate what’s in front of us, and how those instances might contribute to our overall health and well-being.
"The Space in The Attic"
By Matt Anthony - Summit FM Contributor
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” - Willie Nelson
We all need our space.
In a crowded house with a family of 9, it was difficult to find your own personal plot of real estate. Growing up in Canton in the northwest end, my parents rented an old Colonial. Then, during my sophomore year in high school, an opportunity presented itself where they were able to buy a similar house, one that sat just on the other side of our next-door neighbor. Think it was amusing to watch brothers wrestle a sofa down the street? Yes. It was.
My father taught industrial arts in the Osnaburg Local School District (East Canton) and he was a pretty skilled craftsman. And one of the first things he did in that new house was to create an extra bedroom in the attic for my twin brother and me. Like many people at the time, air conditioning was a luxury that wasn’t in the budget. And summer sleeping could be stifling.
“Enough is a feast.” - Buddhist proverb
But my twin brother seemed to run with his own crowd at the time, and that meant that I had the sweltering attic bedroom to myself for large chunks of time. So, I would sit on the edge of the bed, grab my headphones, plug them into the turntable, reach into my treasured cantaloupe crate of albums (I worked at a local market and could get for free what some were paying $20.00 for at record stores!) for some piece of vinyl that suited my mood, and off to paradise I went.
That private, personal space, in the dark corner of that attic, bouncing rhythmically to ‘Squonk’ or ‘Breathe’ or ‘Pretty Vacant’ or ‘Like A Hurricane’, while trying not to bang my forehead on the inexpensive panelling of the slanted roof, taught me to be grateful for my little plot of territory. While suffocating in the Summer and frigid in the winter, that re-purposed room was my salvation, my getaway. It was a space that allowed me to spend quality time with everyone from The Kinks to Dire Straits to Miles Davis. But more importantly, it taught me the importance of something that every human person needs and requires: time to reflect, time to evaluate, and time to find a way to be grateful for the things we have.
“And a voice seemed to say to me, ‘You are an old man and you have not said thank you; you have not brought your gratitude back to the soil from which this fragrance arose’." - Leonard Cohen
Today, I struggle with even the simplest home-repair project. My father, the wood-working magician, taught us absolutely nothing when it came to building or constructing anything. I’m not even sure he taught us how to pound a nail into a piece of board. A huge fan of sports and an athlete himself (he was called up to Pittsburgh for two weekends as a backup catcher for the Pirates in the early 50’s), he was much more interested in making sure that we knew how to dribble a basketball with our opposite hand, or that we were familiar with being able to block a pitch in the dirt or being able to properly tackle a player so that we didn’t injure ourselves.
But I’m extremely grateful that he took the time to use his skills to renovate that attic space, with cheap plywood on the walls and a thin but comfortable carpet-remnant. Today, at almost 95, he claims not to remember re-purposing that room for us when I remind him about it. But I remembered to tell him during my last visit that I was grateful for that space. A space for me, a turntable, and a cantaloupe crate full of albums.
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
As the Woodstock Nation said goodnight to the world and the decade from which they sprang, the gates of 1970 had flung open wide, presenting a variety of avenues, many untraveled, for the kids to ponder.
Within the first few years of the new decade the music world had already begun to splinter into several factions. There were the 60's leftovers, still relatively fresh, all things considered, lots of introspection going on with a cavalcade of 'singer/songwriters,' country rock, and of course the big leaguers like the Rolling Stones, the Who, CCR and so on, who moved seamlessly into the new era.
There was progressive rock, the first waves of heavy metal, bubblegum and glam rock. Mainstream audiences hung onto the tried and true in large part, as the mainstream press like Rolling Stone, who were all about the Jackson Brownes, Eagles, and Van Morrisons of the world. They scoffed loudly at anything tied to 'progressive rock' and the likes of Bolan, Bowie and Roxy just left them, well, unwashed and somewhat slightly dazed.
Something must have happened over Manhattan! Born out of a love for raw rock and roll, early 60s pop and a general sense of danger, all 'dolled' up in high heels, teased hair, lipstick, loud guitars, thundering drums and out for revenge vocals, the New York Dolls wandered into the party ready to take on the world. Formed in 1971, they became a fixture on the NYC underground scene with their most devoted fans singing their praises to the heavens while their most vocal detractors trying to think up new words for amateur and awful. Lines had been drawn!
The New York Dolls signed to Mercury Records, who hoped they were signing a band that would become huge. They had catchy songs, a larger-than-life image, rock and roll danger, the Rolling Stones for the next generation. Unfortunately, the masses didn't get the memo as the Doobie Brothers and James Taylor were found riding in the front seat.
Enter studio wizard, and true star, Todd Rundgren to the Dolls picture. With Rundgren as producer, the Dolls had a chance of getting a solid album and who knows, maybe even some radio airplay out of the deal. Though the story is often told that Todd took a while to warm up to the rowdy New Yorkers, once their signals converged, the magic happened in the studio. Rundgren proved to be the perfect producer for their self-titled debut, released July 27, 1973.
From the opening rave-up of 'Personality Crisis,' it's obviously we're a long way from Joni Mitchell's house. Loud, trashy, fierce, attitude overflowing, you know, Rock & Roll! This was what can only be described as the first genuine Rock and Roll for the next generation. No frills, no flowers, no fragrance, just a swift kick to the heart via stacked high-heels. Glamour never sounded so dangerous.
From the switchblade rumble of 'Looking For A Kiss,' 'Vietnamese Baby,' 'Frankenstein' and 'Trash' through the plaintive 'Subway Train' and glitter stomp of 'Jet Boy,' the New York Dolls were tough as nails from square one. With nothing but love and respect for the Rolling Stones, they made the Stones sound like a tired proposition from an old hooker. The Dolls were the new 'girls' on the street armed with high energy and killer songs.
So what happened? They sold millions of records and all lived happily ever after! Well, no, far from it actually. After a follow-up second album, 'In Too Much Too Soon,' they slowly imploded, and by 1975 were a ghost, fading with a whimper, bang long gone. Without the New York Dolls, there may very well have been no 'punk rock' and with no 'punk rock' radio would still be playing the Eagles, Billy Joel and, oh wait a minute. Maybe the whole punk thing was a figment of our collective imagination after all.
The New York Dolls, however, were very real. Their debut album still stands loud and proud 50 years on. That's half a century folks! The sad part is, on the large scale, the one where the baa-ing is loudly heard, the Dolls are still an unknown entity, barely a blip on any detectable radar, which of course, is one giant damn shame.
So, let's all celebrate the 50th anniversary of the debut album from the New York Dolls. Grab your old LP, CD, tape or stream it maximum volume. It's still a racket that needs to be heard and
you know what, it might just make the world a better place after all, even if only for a half hour. Here's hoping!
By Ryan Humbert - Summit FM Contributor
Americana music is everywhere nowadays. Legendary artists as diverse as Robert Plant, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray and many, many more are finding a home in the inclusive genre that encapsulates a mix of American music styles, including blues, folk, country, rock and more.
Some even say that Americana music is also home to today's "real country music," since commercial country radio leans so heavily on pop and hip-hop sounds. While that may be true, the genre is open to more than just country music!
Here are five songs for July 2023, all brand-new Americana bangers, for your listening pleasure!
Tommy Prine - Mirror and a Kitchen Sink
If the Prine name sounds familiar to you, it's because this gifted songwriter is the son of the late, great John Prine. Produced by Ruston Kelly, this rocking song is from Tommy's debut album, available now.
Tanya Tucker w/ Brandi Carlile - Breakfast in Birmingham
Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings have teamed up to produce their second album for country legend and recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Tanya Tucker. It's the follow-up to the Grammy-winning album "Bring My Flowers Now." This song was co-written by Brandi Carlile and the great Bernie Taupin.
Colter Wall - Honky Tonk Nighthawk
Singer-songwriter Colter Wall is back with another album of folky country ballads, accompanied by his deep, dark, western drawl. You may have heard him on the hit TV show "Yellowstone."
Buddy & Julie Miller - In The Throes
New music from legendary Americana artists Buddy & Julie Miller is always a welcome addition to the genre. This new song is the title track to their forthcoming album "In The Throes" coming soon on New West Records.
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real - Ladder of Love
The son of the great Willie Nelson, Lukas and his band have been making waves for nearly a decade now. Their new album, the recently released "Sticks and Stones," is another example of their top-notch musicianship. This slice of vintage country songwriting, with playful musicianship and key changes, is a highlight of the album!
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
The year was 1978, in many ways a golden year in a golden decade for rock and roll. Popular music was all over the map, caught in an identity crisis of sorts. Disco was huge business and radio dominating. Mega-albums were soup de jour, with everyone from Fleetwood Mac and Eagles, to newer acts like Foreigner and the Cars, having their day in the sun. Meanwhile, the real heart of the punk/new wave explosion was failing to connect with Middle America who, for some unfathomable reason, were enchanted with the likes of Kansas and Styx as opposed to Ramones and the Clash. Into the midst of this melting pot, enter the Rolling Stones. Did they jump or were they pushed?
The Stones, Jagger in particular, was always keeping one eye on the current trends in music so as to not have he and band get left behind. A fine notion, but by 1978, the Rolling Stones had more than proved themselves and had no need to worry about trend watching. All they needed to do in that year was deliver a good Rolling Stones album. Mission accomplished with the release of the much loved ‘Some Girls,’ released that summer.
The Rolling Stones were smart enough to merge the sounds and styles from the outside world, heat to boil, let simmer then serve as only the Stones could. Cries of ‘Disco Sellout!’ initially greeted the single ‘Miss You,’ but once the groove set in, fans realized it was simply a really good song you could, if so desired, dance to. Plus, in that late 70s Disco onslaught, no one was safe from the effect. Rod Stewart and Kiss would also have their four on the floor hits but the Stones made it sound more organic. It proved to be one of the band’s biggest hits, topping the US charts that summer.
The ‘punk’ influence could be found on tracks like ‘Respectable,’ ‘Lies,’ ‘When The Whip Comes Down’ and, especially, ‘Shattered,’ all of which quickly became FM radio staples. The title track delivered a slow, sleazy blues ride laced with funk and lyrics which would have today’s PC crew looking for a safe space, in other words, pure Rolling Stones. ‘Before They Make Me Run’ was a fine Keith spotlight while ‘Far Away Eyes’ bordered on countrified parody. Again though, it was just part of an all-inclusive take on the sounds which did abound in that glorious year. ‘Beast Of Burden’ was sweet soul goodness that hit the Top 10 and remains a radio staple.
The album was a huge hit for the band, hitting the top of the Billboard charts in America and Top 10 pretty much everywhere around the world. To this day, it remains one of many a Stones’ fan’s favorite LP. It was the right album at the right time for these guys and while they had done much better before, an argument could be made for this being the last truly great Rolling Stones album, where everything just clicked. OK, settle down all you ‘Tattoo You’ fans, just be glad we’re on the planet the same time as the Rolling Stones!
By Laura Smiley - Summit FM Sales Director
This week our Summit FM Underwriter Spotlight shines down on the Massillon Museum in downtown Massillon, OH -- where art and history merge! Stop in to visit the Paul Brown Museum, various art galleries, Immel Circus, American Indian Gallery, museum café, and more.
The Massillon Museum...
- Welcomes more than 25,000 visitors annually.
- Preserves more than 100,000 artifacts and safeguards more than 60,000 photographs recording the communityʼs visual history in the permanent collection and archives.
- Accredited in 1972 by the American Alliance of Museums, MassMu is one of only 749 institutions in the nation to be recognized for the highest standards of excellence and impact.
- Supported by more than 150 volunteers who contribute nearly 5,000 hours each year to help operate the Massillon Museum.
- Received The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read grant nine consecutive years, providing more than 13,000 free copies of classic books and dozens of events adding to the communityʼs enjoyment of each yearʼs book selection.
- Initiated The Artful Living Program, which works with 12 community and arts organizations to provide 95 arts lessons weekly to more than 1,000 children in preschools throughout Stark County.
For more information on current exhibits, and a full schedule of museum events, visit massillonmuseum.org
To coincide with our new look and logo, our trusty station vehicle got a makeover too! Check out the Summit FM HHR at a community event, concert -- or in your neighbor -- soon!
The vehicle, and the front of the Summit studios, was wrapped by our friends at SpeedPro Akron. For more information on their services, call 234.657.3245 or visit SpeedPro by clicking here.If you see it out and about, snap a picture of it -- or with it -- and tag us on Instagram, Twitter of Facebook @thesummitfm!
By Dave Swanson - Summit FM Contributor
In the early 1980s there were a large number of underground rock and roll bands that were embracing the sounds and styles of the 1960s, particularly the garage and psychedelic side of things. From UK bands like Teardrop Explodes and Echo & the Bunnymen to American rockers like the Fleshtones, the Lyres and the Unclaimed, they were all tapping into various aspects of 60s rock and pop.
Out in Los Angeles, a cluster of like-minded friends had all formed bands with names like Bangles, Salvation Army, Dream Syndicate and Rain Parade. This lot, plus a few others, would become known as 'the paisley underground,' an offhand remark that gave the scene a name that fans and critics took to. One of the most intriguing and talented of the lot was the Rain Parade.
Led by guitarists Matt Piucci and David Roback, Rain Parade transformed punk enthusiasm into Byrds meets Big Star style guitar riffs, creating some of the first genuine psychedelic music for this new era. From jangly to meditative, they had guitars that rang and chimed , plus strong writing to make it all work. The band released one stellar single, 'What She's Done To Your Mind,' and LP, 'Emergency Third Rail Power Trip,' before partially imploding.
Roback and Piucci had different ideas as to the future direction of the band, with Piucci more interested in a sort of Television meets Crazy Horse path while Roback wanted to become more psychedelic and dream like. Musical differences being what they will, Roback left and formed Opal with girlfriend Kendra Smith, who had also recently left her ascending band, Dream Syndicate.
Initially christened Clay Allison, they soon became Opal and released a 4-song ep bursting with beauty, channeling the dreamy side of the Doors with the acoustic waves of the early Jefferson Airplane and a pound or two of Velvet Underground for good measure. This all added up to a perfect mixture for Roback's vision. A full album followed that found the band going more 'electric,' referencing T. Rex in hefty proportions. The 1987 album, 'Happy Nightmare Baby,' sold well and collected positive reviews.
Again, things just couldn't stay in place, as Kendra quit the band in the middle of a tour with Jesus and Mary Chain. She was rapidly replaced by vocalist Hope Sandoval, small of stature, great of beauty and voice, heads and ears were turning. After finishing the tour under the Opal name, 1988 found Roback deciding a fresh start was called for, and Mazzy Star were officially born.
Following the same basic patterns as Opal, they dished out a brittle and engaging take on psychedelia and folk with nods to Syd Barrett and Nick Drake as well as obscure art bands like Slapp Happy, whose 1972 song 'Blue Flower' would become Mazzy Star's first 'hit' single in 1990. Mazzy Star signed to Capitol who would issue the second Mazzy Star album,' So Tonight That I Might See,' which would become a surprise smash album, ultimately selling platinum, propelled by the hit 'Fade Into You' in 1993.
In 1996, the band would make one more album, 'Among My Swan,' before taking a 17-year hiatus, releasing their final album, 'Seasons Of Your Day,' in 2013. Though they had mainstream success, they, Roback in particular, never seemed to care about keeping it or taking part in the business side of things. Mazzy Star were truly their own entity. In an interview with Uncut, Geoff Travis of Rough Trade Records (home of their debut) recalled, “They’re not your normal rock ‘n roll people. I think they really do live in their own worlds. It’s a very typical musician thing in a way, in that they’re so obsessed with music and doing what they do, that it kind of removes them slightly from normal social mores.”
David Roback died of cancer in 2020.
Hope Sandoval has carried on via her solo career.
Kendra Smith has become a recluse.
Rain Parade have reformed and are releasing a new LP.
By Brad Savage - Summit FM Program Director
Now fast becoming a signature program or feature of The Summit FM, "Cruisin' The Decades - 100 Years of Music" is a real, interesting musical journey each week. The concept is music from the 1920's to the 2020's, any one song per decade, all in one hour. We "cruise" from era to era and sound to sound, and if we do it right, we're mixing it up nicely across many different classic (and current) sounds and songs. Listen for Cruisin' The Decades on Fridays at 5pm on The Summit.
The program is unique enough that it is now offered in a self-syndicated version to other public radio stations across the USA and beyond. If you can believe it, the show is now aired on 38 radio stations in USA, Canada, New Zealand, Honduras, and Germany. Our newest stations are "Radio Free Santa Fe" KBAC Santa Fe, NM and Blue Wave Radio on the island of Roatan, Honduras! Find out more about the show and listen to the "Global Edition" here: www.cruisinthedecades.com
You can also hear the "Global" version of the show on Saturday nights at midnight (aka Sunday at 12am).
One of my favorite tasks each week is to do a "deep dive" through any and all popular music archives from the past 100+ years and prepare the show. I have really gotten into the "pre-Rock N Roll" era and the roots of what led to today's modern sounds. This show has given me more "music appreciation" and sense of history than ever before. Here are some great songs that I have discovered in recent months, as a result of "Cruisin' The Decades".
DAVID BROMBERG
"I Will Not Be Your Fool"
(1976) - an outstanding classic blues jam, of lovin' gone wrong!
GENE AUSTIN
"My Blue Heaven"
(1928) - this song haunts my dreams and mind at 3am. I seriously have been waking up in the middle of the night with this tune running through my head. It is a "standard" of the Great American Songbook, done by many artists through the years. In 1956 Fats Domino did an R&B version of this song.
ERNEST TUBB
"Walkin' The Floor Over You"
(1941) - One of the giants and legends of country music. Case closed. Full stop. An all-time classic!
RUTH ETTING
"Shine On, Harvest Moon"
(1935) - One of the early starts of radio, stage, and recordings, she is just dynamite. Amazingly, this song is decades older than this recording. The song itself was written in 1908 by Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth.
EDWIN STARR
"War"
(1969) - This song is one of the best-known in the catalog from Motown Records. It was actually originally performed by The Temptations, though Edwin Starr's version charted higher.
One of the memorable requests from a "Cruisin' The Decades" listener from afar was for this song. I heard from a retired school teacher in Central Germany in March 2022, who requested this song. He listens on Shortwave Radio "Channel 292" from Rohrbach, Germany (www.channel292.com). In his message, he said he wanted to dedicate this song to the people of Russia and Ukraine, and he was very concerned about the conflict that had recently broken out, and continues today in the region.