50s and 60s Popular Culture

Articles Index

Solid Gold Spotlight: "Monster Mash"
The classic golden oldie that defines the Halloween holiday... a wonderful tribute to the mashed potato that takes a creepy turn! Learn the history of the track, get the lyrics, chords, and MIDI, and buy it here!

Three Decades of Cranberry Sauce
The greatest musical hoax of all time, and a rumor that refuses to die, even as a parlor game - did Paul McCartney die in the late Sixties, only to be replaced in the Beatles by a lookalike? Read the "clues" and decide for yourself!

It's Got A Good Beat...
The story of "American Bandstand" - the television phenomenon that helped turn rock and roll into a national obsession!

You Gotta Know How To Pony
The great dances of the Fifties and Sixties, and their place in the history of rock and roll and the rock generation.

It's Not Goodbye, It's Just Good Night
This week, I'm highlighting the story of the 1959 Payola Scandal and how it changed the face of rock and roll forever - not just its effect on Alan Freed and Dick Clark, but how it impacted future artists. Was it a necessary housecleaning or an attempt to sabotage rock and roll? Come inside and see!

Francie Schwartz: The About.com Interview
Back online again! The About.com interview with Francie Schwartz, who was Paul's girlfriend during the White Album sessions and wrote a notorious book about that and other things called "Body Count." Here, Your Guide focuses on the Beatles aspects of her Swinging Sixties days, and finds out things you won't hear anywhere else!

Francie Schwartz: The About.com Interview
Back online again! The About.com interview with Francie Schwartz, who was Paul's girlfriend during the White Album sessions and wrote a notorious book about that and other things called "Body Count." Here, Your Guide focuses on the Beatles aspects of her Swinging Sixties days, and finds out things you won't hear anywhere else!

Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy
The history of shag and beach music, including the story of how the postwar phenomenon evolved into a national pastime! Read about the bands past and present, the music, the dance, the clubs, and where to get this music right now!

Shut 'Em Down!
The history of hot rod music, surf music's meaner cousin... read about the guitar gods and smokin' bands who populated the genre, learn how the music developed along with the rods it provided the soundtrack for, and see where you can buy this music right now!

If Everybody Had A Notion...
The best places on the web to find information on classic surf music oldies.