Songs for May 20

Syd Dale, Bruno Nicolai, Charles Blackwell, Janko Nilovic, Vangelis Papathanassiou, Sterling Magee, Shorty Long, Joe Cocker, Sonny & Cher, The Go-Go’s, The Cowsills, Chicago, and The B-52’s

Good morning, pilgrims. It’s May 20, and it’s a big day for film and television music composers and arrangers — an unusual convergence.

Syd Dale was born this day in 1924. He worked mostly in television and advertising. If you are British and of a certain vintage, you certainly know this one.

Bruno Nicolai was born this day in 1926. He worked with Ennio Morricone a lot. Quentin Tarantino is a fan.

Charles Blackwell was born this day in 1940. He is primarily an arranger, though he also produces and writes. He got his start with Joe Meek, and has been incredibly prolific throughout his life.

And Janko Nilovic was born this day in 1941. His work has been samped by Dr. Dre and Jay-Z, among others.

And speaking of film soundtrack people, Vangelis died yesterday. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the movie work he is famous for, but he was in some pop and prog bands and put out some solo records that I did like. Here’s a track from a 1973 solo record.

Moving on to non-film and television work, Sterling Magee was born this day in 1936, and this is a corker. He died of COVID last year.

Shorty Long was born this day in 1940,

and Joe Cocker was born this day in 1944. He wrote this one.

Cher was born this day in 1946. I don’t think she completely lost her marbles until later, or we couldn’t see it until Twitter.

The Go-Go’s’ (is that punctuation correct?) Jane Wiedlin was born this day in 1958. She wrote this one.

Susan Cowsill was born this day in 1959. I wonder if child services should have been called about this.

On this day in 1969, Chicago’s Peter Cetera was attacked at Dodger Stadium where he was enjoying a game between the Dodgers and his beloved Cubs. He was attacked by four Marines who didn’t like his choice of team or the length of his hair. He landed in the ICU, where he wrote “Where Do We Go from Here?”

And it’s National Quiche Lorraine Day, and you can certainly pass me a slice of this.

Have a great day. Take time to hear a little music. Hope to see you tomorrow.