GOT ON MY KNEES, PRETENDED TO PRAY

Prompted by the comment 

from Kelly of Ohio, after 

 yesterday's post:

"I heard you talk a lot about Cass as lot on the radio back in the original Whodagday, Sounds as though she was as sweet as her talent ... never thought she would  be a football fan" 

Left: Robert W. Morgan helps Mama Cass deliver one of her new puppies to the front door of  a lucky listener.

I was the first radio person  to hear "California Dreamin.'"  It was back when when I, Mr. Ego'd-out Golden Ear really believed  that I could "pick the hits".  The Mamas & The Papas had arrived in L. A. where they were unknown other than to the folkies in Laurel Canyon. This included my buddy Henry Diltz, World's Greatest Rock Photographer, who lived up there but was equally broke back in the 60s.

Los Adler, who began as an Every Brothers roadie and then moved in to manage the Beach Boys, finally replacing their father, Murry, the Monster.  Adler signed and was out pushing the first M&P record.  It was a 45 r.p.m. "single".  The record company was not into spending money on this seemingly non-Top 40 sound.  The disc came in a cheap, thin paper sleeve, with a black and white photo of the quarter on the cover, in a bathtub.  (This was before Mr. Diltz became the major album cover shooter, doing artist cover shots for everyone.  Google him if you doubt it). By the time the song had become a monster hit around the world, the record company re-shoot the tub shot in living color.

In '65,  Mr. Adler, who is now seen looking like perhaps the Oldest Hippie On Earth,  sitting next to Jack Nicholson at Lakers' games, was still low on the Haolewood Ladder.  And NO ONE got into Fortress Boss Radio except during assigned hours on Tuesdays.  The promo men were forced to sit in the lobby, shared with KHJ-TV, and often wait hours to see and hype someone in the record library. Our Betty Breneman was queen of the L. A. music directors and didn't take shit from anyone. And the word "hype" was a verb meant to hustle a record any way possible.  (Above right: Adler and Jacobs, half century ago,)

Finally, at a day's end, Adler conned his way into the record library -- at the time larger than most radio stations' complete facilities.  He dragged along Andrew Loog Oldham, then manager of the Rolling Stones.  They had waited it out, progressively pissed off, next door at Nickodell's, Hollywood's greatest hangout dating back to the Twenties.  I wasn't that impressed with either of them, frankly.  I first met the Beach Boys when they played for free on the roof at a promotion for KMAK-Fresno.  In 115-degree temperature.  And KMEN-San Bernardo presented  the Stones' first U. S. show, ever, at the Orange County Showgrounds.  

These events took place in 1962 and 1964, only two years before KHJ conquered L. A. airwaves. But it seemed like ages earlier the day these guys twisted my arm and got me to listen to "California Dreamin'" as sung by the stone freaks on the cover. 

Within 30 seconds I pronounced the song "too MOR" and told the aghast promo men to take the record to KMPC, the top Middle of the Road station in Southern California.  Well, as we all know, the record made it big, big, big. It made overnight stars of Cass, John, Michelle and Denny.  My arrogance and tin ear were soon forgotten.  KHJ put the Stones onstage in Long Beach and then produced their breakout Hollywood Bowl concert,  The Mamas and the Papas came on the First Annual KHJ Appreciation concert, perhaps the most astonishing charity show even seen in Boss Angeles.  The $25,000-plus profits went to the Braille Institute of America, as specified by Sonny Bono.

Cass and the crew appeared on the April 2, 1966 show, which headlined Sonny & Cher (when they had five hits on the BILLBOARD charts).  The Mamas and The Papas appeared on the undercard, along with Otis Redding, Donovan, Jan & Dan, Bob Lind and the Knickerbockers. Each of those acts had at least one Top Ten hit that year, 

Now you know the first of the story.  I could go on with endless name-drooping stories of the Crazy Daze when radio was fun.  If you are interested in madness from the last century, when radio was more fun than it should have been, drop a comment.  

You didn't need YouTube, MTV, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and Jeff Apatow flicks in order to laugh your okole off and cruise with your sweetie at the same time.  Using your Necker Knob.

TV NOTES:  How could Gabriel Brynne so spot on sensitive in Showtime's IN THERAPY and so incongruously inane in the PBS attempt at CAMELOT?

Is it possible to watch THE TUDORS without "I'm Henry The Eigth I Am" by Heman's Hermits creeping into your brain, and remaining there for the beheadings, burnings and bustier?