Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

In the late 60’s the big excitement of the week would be the get-together to watch the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour show. Their topical humor and music was always a hit as well as a great chance to see one of most popular bands of the time. It was time for a party!

We would all go to Diane’s house. She had one of those huge counsel color TVs that could play through the stereo and we would blast it for the bands.

The brothers started their comedy duo in 1958, becoming popular in the club circuit while releasing several successful albums. Tom played the slightly slow jokester while Dick was the straight man. They could never finish a song together without having an argument about the words.

During the 1965-1966 TV season they had a situation comedy show which flopped. With the introduction of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967 they became a huge success.
Writers such as Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, Pat Paulson, Bob Einstein (Super Dave Osborne) and Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci) kept the show fun while tackling the issues of the time. The youth oriented anti war, anti government and anti racist satire made the show controversial and was ultimately the underlying cause of its cancellation in April 1969.

So here is a few years worth of the
SMOTHERS BROTHERS COMEDY HOUR

Jefferson Airplane


Battle of the Folk Bands
Peter, Paul & Mary, + Donovan and Smothers Brothers


Liberace Hams It Up - Watch for Super Dave


Harry Nilsson


The Doors


The Who


Judy Collins – Object of CSN ‘Suite Judy Blue Eyes’


Joking with George Harrison


Cast of ‘Hair’


The Brothers


Buffalo Springfield


The First Edition – Recognize that bearded singer?


Steve Martin


Jefferson Airplane


The Who


Ventriliquist Ronn Lucas with Buffalo Billy


Pete Seeger


Mama Cass – What a voice, gone way too soon!


The Brothers


The Association


Steppenwolf


Byrds


The Brothers – From the 80’s


Peter Paul & Mary


Glenn Campbell


Simon and Garfunkel – annoying advert at front end


Peter Paul & Mary


Temptations


The Association


The Buckinghams


The Brothers – 80’s


Pete Seeger


Donovan


Ravi Shankar


The Byrds


The Brothers – 80’s


Mama Cass


Simon and Garfunkel


Blues Magoos


The Hollies


Donovan, Mary Travers and Jennifer Warnes


Harry Belafonte


Wrap it up Joan!

Smothers Brothers - Wikipedia

1965-1975

The time period of 1965-1975 was perhaps one of the most prolific periods for modern music. The music during this time evolved greatly from simple melodies to intricate blending of styles and genres.

The expanding realm of rock and related music from the AM radio band to the FM stations offered a rich musical experience for all. Unlike the Arbitron and Clear Channel subscribers of today.

These American bands were at the forefront of this era:

The Buckinghams - Don't You Care


The Crying Shames - Play It On the Radio
(Warning - Audio very loud)




Billy Joe Royal - Down In The Boondocks



The Association - Along Comes Mary



Adding to the mix was the early British Invasion:

Herman's Hermits - Can't You Hear My Heartbeat


Jonathan King - Let it all Hang Out


Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows


Manfred Mann - Do Wah Didy


Beatles - Kansas City - I'm a Loser - Boys


The Rolling Stones - Satisfaction


The Kinks - Lola



Three other bands emerged on the stage:

The Hollies - Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress


The Byrds - Chimes of Freedom


Buffalo Springfield - For What it's Worth



Members from these three groups would later merge into one of the first Super Groups:

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Down By The River



Suddenly the San Francisco sound, rich with it's altered states burst onto the scene:

White Rabbit Jefferson Airplane


Grateful Dead - Truckin'


Janis Joplin - Cry Baby


Creedence Clearwater Revival-I Put A Spell On You



And from Los Angeles:

Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride




And Detroit:

Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out



The next wave of the British invasion rolled ashore with a couple of 3 man bands:

Cream - Sunshine of your Love


Jimi Hendrix - All along the watchtower



And one wild bunch:

The Who - My Generation



Close behind a passel of rock fusion bands washed ashore. Suddenly rock had become intelligent:

Emerson Lake & Palmer - Knife Edge


Genesis - The Return Of The Giant Hogweed


Yes-Roundabout


King Crimson - Epitaph



Even Jazz wroked it's way into the daily playlists:

Return to Forever – SPACE CIRCUS



And fused with rock and other genres:

Mahavishnu Orchestra - You Know You Know



Blues also made its appearance regularily:

Taj Mahal - Everybody Got To Change Sometime


Roy Buchanan


John Mayall Bluesbreakers - Walking on Sunset


B.B. King


Blodwyn Pig



One act made it big in the new genre of Folk-Rock:

Simon & Garfunkel - Homeward Bound



And although little known as a performer in his own right, he wrote many of the days hits:

Harry Nilsson



Some bands were known for their eccentric stage performances:

Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick


Frank Zappa & The Mothers - Call Any Vegetable



And some were backdrops of many psychedelic journeys:

Pink Floyd - Careful with that Axe, Eugene


Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense and Peppermints



It's A Beautiful Day-Wasted Union Blues


Although this is only a small sampling of the many excellent bands of time, they are some of my favorites bands.

In the weeks to come I look forward to showcasing these and other artists on a weekly basis.

Peace
BB2