The Shangri-Las - Leader of the Pack
I’d like to pay tribute to Mary Weiss, who passed away two days ago aged 75. She was the lead singer in the American girl group The Shangri-Las, who had a few hits in the 1960’s. As a tribute to Mary’s memory, here is their best known song. Thank you for the great pop music Mary, may you be remembered!
As his family announced on Tuesday (23 January), Frank Farian passed away peacefully in his flat in Miami at the age of 82. With more than 800 million records sold worldwide, Frank Farian, who was born Franz Reuther in Kirn an der Nahe on 18 July 1941, is regarded as the most internationally successful producer from Germany. After initially working as a chef, he founded his first rock ‘n’ roll band Frankie und die Schatten in 1961. He signed his first recording contract at the end of the 1960s as solo artist Frank Farian, and his first number 1 hit followed in 1976 with “Rocky”. Around the same time, Frank Farian founded the disco band Boney M., with which he would go on to sell over 150 million records worldwide, including more than 60 million singles alone. Among the best known are “Rasputin”, “Rivers of Babylon”, “Daddy Cool” and “Ma Baker”. “Mary’s Boyc___d” was entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling single of all time.
In honor of Frank Farian, here is his hit “Rocky”, which is unfortunately only available in German.
Boney M. - Rasputin
Nice song many Scandinavian artists have sung in German over the years. Couldn’t help but bring “Rasputin” from my late youth!
Boney M - Daddy Cool
Since we’re at it, I can’t resist this one. Back then for a while the producer Frank Farian was brilliant with catchy hooks and melodies. And let’s not forget the bass lines!
Maybe it’s also worth mentioning that Bobby Farrell’s “singing” is actually Frank Farian’s voice.
Oh yes, I forgot that. Boney M is by some considered one of the biggest hoaxes in the history of modern pop music, but I don’t care. Brilliant pop music it is!
No, the biggest scam was Milli Vanilli… 
Oh yes, and that was Frank Farian too 
On the other hand, the Sex P____ls are also by some considered to be one of the biggest scams ever.
I think what’s funny about the Sex P____ls is how they are always seen as this authentic band especially by people who always bash later more radio friendly punk rock bands for being manufactured. But I don’t remember Green Day or Rancid or any other band firing their bass player because he did not fit the image of the group. Even Nsync was okay with fat Joey Fatone but if you like the Beatles you can’t be in the Sex P____ls.
Space - Final Signal
Cool song by the late 70s French electronic music group Space.
Fun fact: Hungarian TV Shows in the 80s and 90s often used somewhat obscure music like this as their theme songs (presumably unlicensed). Because of this many Hungarians are familiar with some random electronic tunes from the era.
I never watch Figure Skating but i liked this. Music from Benny Benassi.
Both of the two last songs represent a direction in music I’ve never quite “gotten the hang of”. Regarding Space, I read that their work is tied to the short-lived space disco genre and is a precursor to electronica. Benny Benassi (here with satisfaction) is probably a pioneer of today’s EDM (Electronic dance music) wave where “we” have Kygo and Alan Walker from Norway. I found their original Final Signal. This beat is reminiscent of The Shadows from the 60`s.
Space - Final Signal (1978) vinyl
Well, even though the P____ls were four genuine working class lads from London, the band itself was basically Malcolm MacLaren’s pet project. Nowadays “everybody” knows that. But the “Beatles story” is a myth, created by MacLaren at the time. Glen Matlock quit of his own free will, because he was fed up with the whole thing. As did John Lydon (Rotten) a little over a year later.
I agree with you about Green Day and Rancid, good bands that deserve all the praise they can get. But purists will always be purists.
Still, I love Never Mind the Bollocks…and Boney M
Neil Diamond - Solitary Man (live 2014)
Happy Birthday to Neil Diamond, who is turning 83 today. This American singer-songwriter probably doesn’t need further introduction. In addition to a long and successful solo career, his songs have been covered/preformed by Elvis, The Monkees, Lulu, Johnny Cash and numerous others. This is one of my all time favourite songs.
Fantastic song 
I stand corrected. But yeah, I don’t hate their music either. Nor Boney M but then again, I like about 99% of all music I hear so it’s not a high bar to meet 
Probably the best Offspring song.
