Get Ready To Shake Your Hips To The Letter “J”!
Time for the latest letter in my musical alphabet – either the band name or song title…a journey that does, indeed, include Journey!
Let’s begin with a classic rock song from one of my favorite Artists:
“Junior’s Farm” by Paul McCartney and Wings
After the massive success of “Band On The Run”, Paul McCartney and Wings released this as a single – it was never included on any album…and it was a #3 hit in the US.
Here is a great performance from the 70’s by Wings:
Here’s some trivia: this was McCartney’s last release on Apple records before signing with Capitol…the last farewell from the Beatles label!
McCartney released a lot of great music as “singles only” or “Bonus tracks”, here’s a look at his “Cold Cuts”:
If that song don’t your toes tapping, then my next one will do this to you:
Journey – “Separate Ways”
Journey had a great run of massive hits in the late 70’s and 80’s, as this 1983 hit shows…Steve Perry and the band with an aggressive and catchy rock song as seen here.
Here’s the great music video:
Perry ultimately left the band, but they still tour with a different lead singer, and there’s a great documentary all about that.
Another Artist from that era had a series of hit songs as well:
Joe Jackson – “Nineteen Forever”
Joe Jackson had a string of hits in the 80’s like “Is She Really Going Out With Him?”, but I love this one.
This 1989 song has great lyrics about never growing old:
“And if you see me looking tired
I’ve just been sleeping thought the day
But I got something to keep me wired
So we can dance the night away
Wouldn’t it be a drag to be like them
They’re gonna sell out everything
But I won’t get fooled again
Cause I’m gonna be. .. 19 forever
You better believe it – you know my dream’s still alive
You can love it or leave it
But I’m never gonna be 35!”
Here’s his live performance of the song on David Letterman:
That “forever young” spirit was also captured by one of music’s most enduring Artists:
Elton John – “Saturday Night’s (Alright For Fighting”)
Elton John’s double album masterpiece in 1973, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” included “Bennie And The Jets” and “Candle In The Wind”, but it’s this raucous song that I love:
“Don’t give us none of your aggravation
We had it with your discipline
Saturday night’s alright for fighting
Get a little action in…”
Here is Elton performing it live in 1980 in New York’s Central Park:
Elton John was larger than life in the 70’s, especially when he appeared in the classic film “Tommy” – see more about that performance, and his wild wild clothes, by clicking here:
Another iconic Artist came intones own in the 70’s as well:
Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”
In 1979, Michael Jackson released one of his great albums, “Off The Wall.” It included perhaps his most iconic song, “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.”
Here is the official music video…seems so long ago:
The Producer of this song, Quincy Jones, also produced one of my favorite tunes, from The Brothers Johnson:
The Brothers Johnson – “Strawberry Letter #23”
One of the most unique songs of the 70’s, and certainly the funkiest!
Here they are performing the song on television…there is no better definition of 70’s funk than this!
The Brothers Johnson were terrific – here’s a look at the strange behind-the-scenes story about “Strawberry Letter 23”:
Let me know what you think of the list!
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Categories: 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, Music, Obscure Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
I always like your musical choices. Journey was always one of my favorite bands. I got to see them in concert before they hit it big. For a time, they weren’t well-known beyond the Bay area. Steve Perry was a bit of an enigma.
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Hi John, some really great musicians featured here. I always feel sad when I see a young Michael Jackson. Such a tragedy what happened to him.
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Macca was 80 yesterday. He is still trying to pretend he is 40.
Joe Jackson is a forgotten legend, but Janet Jackson is also constantly overlooked. Her album ‘The Velvet Rope’ is amazing.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Love this list. Even though I love Joe Jackson’s music, I never heard Nineteen Forever. I was introduced to his music sometimes in the 80s by a friend who didn’t make to 35…
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Fabulous, John. Paul McCartney and Elton John are at their best here.
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a great j lineup and I’ve never heard of ‘junior’s farm,’ thanks for expanding my music world and happy Father’s Day –
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