Tommy’s Coffee Break Calendar for July 10th

Today you got an early '60's summer smasheroo; an unbelievable all-star line-up for Harry Nilsson's latest; and an American Icon's having a birthday...

7/10/1961 (54 years ago today) - Bobby Lewis kicks off a seven-week-run at No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart with the classic "Tossin' And Turnin'"; Party-time!!! It's the longest running No. 1 single of the entire year!

7/10/1972 (43 years ago today) - The absolutely killer follow-up to Harry Nilsson's award-winning "Nilsson Schmilsson" LP is finally released and, good gosha-mighty boy, does it confuse the hell out of everybody! "Son Of Schmilsson" features Peter Frampton, George Harrison playing as "George Harrysong" and Ringo bangin' away under the name "Richie Snare". Little Feat's Lowell George is on here too, along with The Rolling Stones horn section of Jim Price and Bobby Keys, and the results are positively smokin'/drivin' rock and roll. But with Harry singing lyrics like "I'd rather be dead than wet my bed", "I sang my balls off for you, baby" and the notorious "You're breakin' my heart/You're tearin' it apart/So f--k you", it's little wonder nobody knew what to make of it. Truly a buried treasure well worth seeking out. The album's also got a masterful ballad that showcases Nilsson's amazing vocal chops, and here it is:

7/10/1947 - Happy Birthday to the son of a legend who has more than made good on his own, Woody Guthrie's son Arlo Guthrie turns 68 today. "Alice's Restaurant" is the landmark, but don't forget -- like his father, Arlo truly built his career around writing and performing songs of protest against social injustice. Oh, and nailing it! His song "Massachusetts" is the official folk song of the state where he's spent most of his adult life. I've interviewed Arlo and found him to be quite charming and sharp and funny, a genuinely talented, humble, really nice guy!

Thoughts on the Calendar? Let us know right here on our web site and on the WBLM Facebook and Twitter pages with the hashtag #TommysCoffeeBreak.

"I couldn't sleep at all last night/Just a thinkin' 'bout you...", xoxo!