My favorite “Theme from A Summer Place” moment: About 30 years ago I was riding with a friend of mine through one of the rougher neighborhoods of our hometown on a windows-open morning with the oldies radio station on. At a red light, someone pulled up next to us with hip-hop blasting from his car, so my friend cranked up the bass and the volume of his own radio, pulled his seat all the way back and did the gangster lean. To “Theme from A Summer Place.” Even the guy next to us had to laugh.
He was, indeed, born in Canada. He was originally going to be a musician, but he burned his hands in an accident, so he had to concentrate on arranging and conducting, which he did for the CBC before coming to America. And he had at least one hit as a songwriter, as co-author of the early 1950s standard "My Heart Cries For You".
I'm quite intrigued and surprised that he cut cover versions of "Shaft" and "Superfly"! All the more reason to try and find those 1970s albums.
I have also found some enjoyment listening to Ray Conniff's '70s output. There are some interesting arrangements going on underneath those Lawrence Welk-like vocals.
I was 12 the summer of 1959. I really wanted to see A Summer Place. Troy Donahue was in it after all. My mother refused to let me go—too racy I guess, but I could listen to the music. I played Theme from a Summer Place non stop on my record player that entire hot Southern California summer. Every time I hear it, it brings back memories…but I still haven’t seen that movie. PS I remember the disco version too. By that time I was in New York City. Completely different vibe. I guess you could say Percy Faith was a soundtrack of my younger life.
For 50 years, I accepted the conventional wisdom about Percy Faith: consummate pop conductor and arranger from the early 50's until the mid 60's, hopped on too many bandwagons in his later years. Your post and the clips you selected really turned my head around. Thank you, Dan, for opening my ears.
After last night's fiasco I feel a little better.
That's what I'm here for!
My favorite “Theme from A Summer Place” moment: About 30 years ago I was riding with a friend of mine through one of the rougher neighborhoods of our hometown on a windows-open morning with the oldies radio station on. At a red light, someone pulled up next to us with hip-hop blasting from his car, so my friend cranked up the bass and the volume of his own radio, pulled his seat all the way back and did the gangster lean. To “Theme from A Summer Place.” Even the guy next to us had to laugh.
HAHAHA - that's amazing!
He was, indeed, born in Canada. He was originally going to be a musician, but he burned his hands in an accident, so he had to concentrate on arranging and conducting, which he did for the CBC before coming to America. And he had at least one hit as a songwriter, as co-author of the early 1950s standard "My Heart Cries For You".
I'm quite intrigued and surprised that he cut cover versions of "Shaft" and "Superfly"! All the more reason to try and find those 1970s albums.
I have also found some enjoyment listening to Ray Conniff's '70s output. There are some interesting arrangements going on underneath those Lawrence Welk-like vocals.
I was 12 the summer of 1959. I really wanted to see A Summer Place. Troy Donahue was in it after all. My mother refused to let me go—too racy I guess, but I could listen to the music. I played Theme from a Summer Place non stop on my record player that entire hot Southern California summer. Every time I hear it, it brings back memories…but I still haven’t seen that movie. PS I remember the disco version too. By that time I was in New York City. Completely different vibe. I guess you could say Percy Faith was a soundtrack of my younger life.
For 50 years, I accepted the conventional wisdom about Percy Faith: consummate pop conductor and arranger from the early 50's until the mid 60's, hopped on too many bandwagons in his later years. Your post and the clips you selected really turned my head around. Thank you, Dan, for opening my ears.