Sunday Drive: I Could Have Danced All Night

Last Sunday, I posted a famous film song apparently sung by Deborah Kerr that was actually dubbed by studio singer Marni Nixon.  Here's another one she did, from the musical My Fair Lady (1964) starring Audrey Hepburn:

This making-of doco (1995) shows how the film was restored to its original glory of sight and sound, as well as how the original negative was saved from destruction just in the nick of time:

Bonus: Julie Andrews, who originated the role on Broadway, sings the same tune live on the Ed Sullivan variety show on July 15, 1956, with no dubbing at all:

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Sunday Drive: It's My Party

Lovely Lesley Gore, who resembles a favorite cousin of mine, sings her first hit song on the Ed Sullivan Show, October 13, 1963 -- sixty-one years ago today.

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Sunday Drive: I Get Around

Ah, the sounds of summer - 60 years ago (!) and still just as fine as ever.  The Beach Boys performed this hit on the Ed Sullivan Show on September 27, 1964:

The crazed modern world has nothing to compare to this.

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Sunday Drive: I Got Rhythm

The amazing Peter Nero performs the Gershwin standard at lightning speed on the Ed Sullivan Show in November of 1965.

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Sunday Drive: Words

As performed by the Bee Gees on the Ed Sullivan Show in March of 1968, with Barry rockin' that Prince Charming smile.  Who could resist?

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Sunday Drive: Danny Boy

As performed by the great Tom Jones on the Ed Sullivan Show, April 21, 1968:

 

BONUS: Where, when, and how this beloved song originated:

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Flashback: Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, 1968

OMG, that voice.  I haven't heard these songs in years, but Gary's deep velvet tremolo still does things to me.  Wow. 

FYI, there was no lip-syncing on the Sullivan show; all vocals had to be performed live.  Imagine that.

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Sunday Drive: Turn! Turn! Turn! / Mr. Tambourine Man

A favorite of your Head Trucker's since the first time I heard it on the radio - performed here by the Byrds on the Ed Sullivan Show, December 12, 1965:

 

The lyrics are, of course, taken from the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, modified slightly for the song:

To everything turn, turn, turn

There is a season turn, turn, turn

And a time to every purpose under Heaven.

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep . . .

Encore:

 

Not my favorite group, but they had a memorable sound that calls to mind the jingle-jangle days of youth, when the endless road of life seemed to lead everywhere but the grave.

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Sunday Drive: Bacharach Medley, The Carpenters

Karen and Richard Carpenter perform live on the Ed Sullivan Show from Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, where they were giving a concert for wounded Vietnam veterans, November 8, 1970.  The Carpenters' first big single, "Close to You," had been a smash hit nationwide in the summer of that year.

I vaguely recollect that this medley of Burt Bacharach tunes was included on one of their albums that I used to have.

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Sunday Drive: Reach Out, I'll Be There

Something to take your mind off the troubles of the world for a few minutes:  Studly Levi Stubbs leads the fabulous Four Tops in one of their big hits on the Ed Sullivan show in October, 1966 - 56 years ago.

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Sunday Drive: Dancing in the Street

As performed on the Ed Sullivan Show by Martha and the Vandellas, 1965:

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