Tommy’s Coffee Break Calendar for November 16th

Here's why the '60's and '70's totally kick the '80's ass!

11/16/1968 (50 years ago today) - It's only one of the greatest musical statements of all time: The Jimi Hendrix Experience went to No. 1 with the stunning double-album set "Electric Ladyland", a heady mix of psychedelia, blues, pop, jazz, jamming and experimentation, four sides of the most convincing rock music ever recorded -- There's the definitive/never-been-topped version of Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower", along with tracks that still kill, like "Voodoo Child", "Crosstown Traffic", "Gypsy Eyes", "Burning Of The Midnight Lamp" and "Come On (Part 1)". Fact: There's absolutely nothing being made today that you could compare this record to. True genius stuff...

11/16/1974 (44 years ago today) - John Lennon reaches the top of the singles chart with the rambunctious classic "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" -- Elton John contributes piano and backing vocals, telling the ex-Beatle that the track is going to be a big hit and he's prepared to guarantee it: if the song does go to No. 1, then Lennon would have to appear live onstage with Elton! John kept his side of the deal on November 28th, performing at Madison Square Garden with Elton and band -- They do three songs together: "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" of course, and, somewhat weirdly, "I Saw Her Standing There". The audience goes nuts, followed by a bit of bonus for John, too: after their temporary split, backstage he re-unites with Yoko Ono!

11/16/1985 (33 years ago today) - Pass the Pepto-Bismol: Starship kick off two weeks at No. 1 on the singles chart with "We Built This City", the harshest 4:56 endurance test you may ever come across...

Share your "been-there/done-that's" with the Calendar here on our web site and on the WBLM Facebook and Twitter pages with the hashtag #TommysCoffeeBreak.

"Don't need a watch to waste your time/Oh no...", xoxo