Sunday, August 21, 2011

Gotta Dance!

I love the British Invasion!! Even today I still love these bands and the pop culture that surrounded them. During the early Sixties, many variety shows seemed compelled and required to feature dancing with musical performances. These are some of my favorite British Invasion bands, subjected to different types of dancing incorporated into their TV spots.

The Zombies
A rare "live" performance on the Hippodrome that is not lip-synced, included very weirdly-misplaced burlesque dancers.

The Yardbirds
This is Hullabaloo, and featured caged as well as floor dancers, and they are wild and wonderful. The music is a combination of pre-recorded and live, and is, in my opinion this cover is one of the meanest, wickedest blues-rock songs ever done.

The Moody Blues
Top of the Pops. This is the 'Mark I' version of the band - the founding members, (before Justin Hayward and John Lodge joined the band), and this one features Denny Laine on vocals. Denny went on to be a member of Paul McCartney's Wings. You will also see Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick. Clint is the only one (other than Denny) who didn't continue to the most famous and enduring version of the band. The dancers are not professionals like the others, but they are surrounding the band and very much part of the show!

9 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I loved the British Invasion too. But I went for the more bubblegum pop sound of the Beatles, Herman's Hermits, Gerry and the Pacemakers, etc. Hey, I was eight!

Blueberry said...

I love those guys too!

Connie, Orlando said...

....and The Dave Clark 5 & Freddie & the Dreamers. Remember The Freddie? I was an Ed Sullivan Show junkie.

Blueberry said...

Oh yes, and those too! Never missed Ed Sullivan... not that we had a lot of choices, but he had great musical guests - and plenty of dancing too, and acrobats, puppets, comedians, etc.

yellowdoggranny said...

I love all of them and remember dancing, singing to and making out to most of them...

Connie, Orlando said...

Blueberry are you anywhere near In Sync Exotics? They are looking for volunteers this summer. BIG KITTY CATS! Can I live vicariously through you, please?
https://www.facebook.com/insyncexotics

Blueberry said...

Connie, no, that is near Dallas and I am in Austin. Our zoo (austinzoo.com) is a rescue org though, lots of big kitties and other critters who ended up where they shouldn't be, and needed sanctuary.

Connie, Orlando said...

Austin rocks in so many ways. Are you sure it's in Texas?

Blueberry said...

It sure does, and sure is! I listed the zoo website wrong, it's austinzoo.org.