All Blog Posts (1,462)

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VOL1- FAVES AND GUILTIES PT.1

It has occurred to me that this Rockollections Show will not go on forever.

Some day, for some reason, it will end, as everything does.

So rather than wait to play particular songs in a Theme, or finding a reason to play them, I have decided to go for myself and just play them because I want to!

These are Favorites of mine encountered over the many years I've been listening to Music, and some may be just Guilty Pleasures on my part.

Included in this opening half are some… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on April 15, 2024 at 8:53pm — 1 Comment

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT'S ONLY DEATH PT.8 FINALE

This is it, we made it, time to figuratively throw dirt on our Musical Exploration of Death In Song!

I’ll even read a Poem!

I picked the Music to end with, as I pick all the Music- I play what I want!

And I stand by what I chose, coming almost Full Circle with the last song.

This was a daring Series admittedly- risking alienating the squeamish.

The challenge, the trick, was to NOT do a Series about Death that was depressing and morbid.

Instead, make the Series… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on April 10, 2024 at 10:41pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT'S ONLY DEATH PT.7

I am back with and winding down the Lighter Side of It’s Only Death, beginning with a guy who was both a Satirist and Mathematician, and appeared frequently on PBS.

A friend of mine, Clay Eals, wrote a book about Steve Goodman and had a few Song suggestions- I hadn’t thought of Steve so I went with one of them.

After that, a couple that may tickle your Memory Synapses- Motherlode and Emmitt Rhodes anyone?

Then a Half Serious/Half Fun Set to close this opening half.

One more… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on April 8, 2024 at 9:08pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT'S ONLY DEATH PT.6

I’ll start this Chapter with a Song that is probably the first one I heard that had such very Upbeat Music masking a Serious Message.

We have been listening to not so terribly sad Death Songs, the premise of the Series.

And I should point out that it definitely occurred to me that the time to do a Series called It’s Only Death is when you are Alive- not much chance after, lol!

I can remember a time when we celebrated Heroes for the Right Reasons.

That’s what the Sets in here… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on April 3, 2024 at 10:57pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT'S ONLY DEATH PT.5

It’s back on track for hey, It’s Only Death, lol!

Still trying to prove that contrary to popular opinion Death can be a Ball Of Laughs.

Oh alright, not always!

A couple of serious ones in here, including a song for Janis Joplin.

And a Classic piece of Rock & Roll that inspired another Classic- interestingly the latter I have never played all the way through on the show before.

Although I love it, I always felt it was overplayed, but it’s Time!

It’s Only… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on April 2, 2024 at 12:42am — 4 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT'S ONLY DEATH PT.4

I am Poking The Bear, Mocking The Grim Reaper- knowing full well the Old Bastard will win in the end, lol!

What’s he going to do, come early?

Besides, there are other things to fear, as Jerry Seinfeld will inform us.

And Jack Paar will reappear.

I will have a very interesting Set in this Chapter.

I don’t want to give it away, just trust me!

To close this week, a very strange song based on a True Story.

You may never look at your dog the same way… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on March 27, 2024 at 8:58pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT'S ONLY DEATH PT.3

It’s Week 2 of It’s Only Death, a Series most people told me NOT to do!

They asked who’s gonna listen to that, Songs About Death, lol?

But I felt I could flip Death the other way, and lessen the fear of it with Our Music.

I’ll have the usual mix in here- some Comedy, a couple of Classics, including a memorable one Live At The Fillmore East, and a few you may not know or remember.

It will be interesting to see whether I pass or fail with this Series.

So come along for… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on March 25, 2024 at 11:45pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT'S ONLY DEATH PT.2

If there is an Unwritten Rule In Radio to stay away from Death Songs, I will write it down and break it, lol!!

Hey It’s Only Death, and it comes to us all.

The Lesson here is to not fear it.

In fact, I am going to have fun with it and mock it!.

We’ll hear some Gallows Humor to open this Episode.

Then a little story from Jack Paar, remember him?

He says something that could serve as the Motto of this Series.

After that a group that had the nerve to make a debut… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on March 20, 2024 at 8:11pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: IT'S ONLY DEATH PT.1

I will go where Radio dares not!

The Theme of this New Series is Death.

Fear not, don’t shy away, I will do this with a lighthearted touch for the most part!

I am doing this Series for two primary reasons.

I always wanted to see if I could do it.

And secondly, my Birthday is coming- Birth And Death go together, if you get one you’ll inevitably get the other!

To start, a Musical Point/Counterpoint!

Then a method of dealing with the Angel Of Death, and we'll… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on March 18, 2024 at 9:09pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VOL2- NAMEDROPPING PT.4

I forgot to identify the Song and Group that ended last Chapter, so I will.

That was TV, let's Go To The Movies for some Namedropping In Songs!

Self-explanatory, not much I can add.

And I'll close with that King Of Namedropping again this week.

Join me for a listen, we'll have fun with this!

Here are the links to Some Actor & Actress Names And More, at Mike Pell Rockollections:

At Podomatic:…

Continue

Added by Mike Pell on March 13, 2024 at 9:38pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VOL2- NAMEDROPPING PT.3

More Namedropping songs this week for one very good reason.

I am famously lazy, lol!

Rather than start a new pile of Songs, it was easier to stay with the pile I already had.

And one thing is clearly apparent, there is no shortage of Namedropping Songs!

This Episode is another of those Kitchen Sink ones.

With Soul, Classical, Sports, Jazz, Blues, a Pioneering Rock & Roll DJ, even a Beatnik Poet being Namedropped.

This is a good one!

Here are the… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on March 12, 2024 at 1:35am — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VOL2- NAMEDROPPING PT.2

There are some Namedropping songs that if you blink- don't pay attention for a moment- you'll miss them.

Others hit you over the head, the Namedropping is even in the title!

That's the case with the opening song in this Chapter.

Then a guy I am a huge fan of, who died a some years ago, known as The Originator, or Architect, when it comes to Rock & Roll!

This Artist's Rocking Rhythms and Electric Guitar playing still influence people.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, comes… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on March 6, 2024 at 9:24pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VOL2- NAMEDROPPING PT.1

I'll begin this Episode with a mischievous false start, lol!

Then it's a return to some Namedropping.

That's when a song contains a mention in the lyrics of a Musician, a Group, a Movie Star, a Politician...any one or any thing famous and well-known.

The first song is a Roll Call...a Rock & Roll Call.

A song so terrific, and mentioning so many Singers and Groups, once you hear it you'll never forget it!

After that, I'll go my merry way with my own peculiar… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on March 4, 2024 at 8:06pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BY THE NUMBERS- 25 TO 31 PT.6 END

NUMBERS 25 TO 31

Well I DID it, By The Numbers, an attempt to play songs in order with the specific number in it beginning with One, moving up to Thirty One!

The Number can be in the Song Title or the Lyrics, and in the vast majority of the Songs it's in BOTH!

I got to 31, and no Number was skipped or missed.

A Mixed Bag of Music, including Miles, Jennifers, Steppenwolf, a Tribute To Hank Williams, 50's Rock and more!

Join me for the 31 Pinnacle, it was fun, with… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on February 28, 2024 at 9:36pm — 6 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BY THE NUMBERS- 19 TO 24 PT.5

NUMBERS 19 TO 24

Running the table with By The Numbers, an attempt to play songs in order with the specific number in it beginning with One, moving up to Thirty One!

The Number can be in the Song Title or the Lyrics, and in the vast majority of the Songs it's in BOTH!

23 was one of the most difficult to find for me, but I did, lol!

It's the usual Mixed Bag of Music, this time going from 19 to 24.

Give a listen, it's unpredictable!

Here are the links to… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on February 26, 2024 at 9:54pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BY THE NUMBERS- 14 TO 18 PT.4

NUMBERS 14 TO 18

More By The Numbers, an attempt to play songs in order with the specific number in it beginning with One, moving up to Thirty One!

The Number can be in the Song Title or the Lyrics, and in the vast majority of the Songs it's in BOTH!

And for each Number I may play one song, two songs, who knows, maybe five songs.

It's the usual Mixed Bag of Music, this time going from 14 to 18.

Beginning with a 14 you have to listen for.

Join me, I am having… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on February 21, 2024 at 9:11pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BY THE NUMBERS- 8 TO 13 PT.3

NUMBERS 8 TO 13

It's back to By The Numbers, an attempt to play songs in order with the specific number in it beginning with One, moving up to Thirty One!

The Number can be in the Song Title or the Lyrics, and in the vast majority of the Songs it's in BOTH!

And for each Number I may play one song, two songs, who knows, maybe five songs.

It's the usual Mixed Bag of Music, this time going from 8 to 13.

Join me for a listen, I am having fun with this, and you might… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on February 19, 2024 at 9:17pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VALENTINES DAY 2024 PT.2

This St. Valentine’s Day Edition continues with a tune by a woman named Sam Brown, which can be found on the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra album that included George Harrison's last recorded song.

Then it seems to me Valentine’s Day is a good time for thoughts of Old Records and Old Loves.

I'll have a little History of Valentine’s Day, it dates back to the 3rd Century,

And for a finish, a couple of my favorite Love Songs, both with Girl's Names in the title.

I… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on February 14, 2024 at 8:08pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: VALENTINES DAY 2024 PT.1

The Super Bowl is over, and now we can turn our attention to Valentine’s Day.

For it, I wandered around the Music Library picking out Love Songs.

Songs I really like- Dedicated To The Ones I Love!

Love can lift you up, Love can break your heart.

And some of the most Touching Songs are about Love Lost, and one in here reaches in and GRABS me!

That Getting Over You thing!

Join me for the ride!

Here are the links to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, lol, at… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on February 12, 2024 at 8:15pm — 2 Comments

ROCKOLLECTIONS: BY THE NUMBERS- 5 TO 8 PT.2

NUMBERS 5 TO 8

Here is an idea that came to me listening to The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole, the part where he sings, "To kids from one to ninety-two".

I thought wouldn't it be cool to play a song with each of those numbers in them.

Then I realized that would probably be impossible, so I downsized.

7 of the 12 Months of the Year have 31 Days in them, so why not try that!

So that's the premise, play a song with the specific number in it beginning with One,… Continue

Added by Mike Pell on February 7, 2024 at 11:14pm — 2 Comments