Steve
Allen, Ann Southern, Steve Lawrence and Eddie Gormet, Dinah Shore, then Frank
Sinatra. This is a wonderful
song-and-dance piece. It was funny to
see Frank Sinatra introduced, standing all alone at a lamp post. What could that mean?
Don Adams was one of my favorite comedians growing up during the '60s. And I liked his co-star, Barbara Feldon. I also liked Bernie Kopell in his role as KAOS agent, Siegfried.
Here is Don Adams doing stand-up on the Steve Martin Show. I liked Steve Martin, the comedian. I didn't watch too many episodes of his Show. I will never forget the time back in September, 1984, shortly after the Summer Olympics in LA, when I was in Vancouver with Kathy Braidhill. I went into a bank to exchange my dollars for the Canadian loon and in the bank was Steve Allen and his wife, Jayne Meadows. I liked Steve's voice, his intelligence, his intelligent facial expressions, and how he seems to absolutely enjoy talking and thinking. He was also a sharp dresser.
Steve died in 2000 in Encino at his son's home. He was 78.
Henry Martinez was Duarte High School's Assistant Cross Country coach in 1972 when I was a 10th grader. The 11th grade was the only year that I did not run cross country. All other years I ran. One Saturday night, Henry drove a few of us from the Cross Country team to play basketball in the basement gym at Lake Avenue Congregation Church in Pasadena. I will never forget riding in Henry Martinez's raised Chevy that night with a few teammates as Henry put in his 8-track of the Hollies' "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress." I didn't know the band. Didn't even know they were British pop band, the Hollies, whose lead singer, Allan Clarke, is now 75. Funny what you remember . . . .
They are one
of the few British groups of the early 1960s, along with the
Rolling Stones, that have never disbanded and continue to record and
perform. In recognition of their achievements, the Hollies were inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
2010.[2]
Not all of those singles are hot. Bus Stop" is famous, as is "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," and my favorite, "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress."
Released in 1972, the lyrics are not the most edifying.
Saturday night I was down town Working for the F.B.I. Sitting in a nest of bad men Whiskey bottles piling high
Boot legging boozer on the west side Full of people who are doing wrong Just about to call up the D.A. man When I heard this woman singing a song.
A pair of forty fives made me open my eyes My temperature started to rise She was a long cool woman in a black dress Just a five nine Beautiful Tall With just one look I was a bad mess Cause that long cool woman had it all.
Saw her heading to the table With a tall walking big black cat When Charlie said "I hope that you're able Boy" Well I'm telling you she knows where it's at Well suddenly we heard a siren And every body started to run A jumping out of doors and tables Well I heard somebody shooting a gun.
Well the D.A. was pumping my left hand And a she a holding my right And I told her don't get scared Cause you're gonna be spared I gotta be forgiven If I want to spend my living with A long cool woman in a black dress Just a five nine Beautiful Tall With just one look I was a bad mess 'Cause that long cool woman had it all Had it all Had it all
