Score One for Us Pack Rats: Did You Hear the One About the '64 Mustang Convertible? -- Part 1

From the August 15, 2018, Chicago Sun-Times  "The joy of being first with a '64 Mustang"  Editorials.

A Park Ridge, Illinois, couple, Gail and Tom Wise debated for years whether to junk their old Ford Mustang convertible.  Gail had bought it in 1964 from a Ford dealer on Cicero Avenue so that she could get to her first job.  It then became the family's car, but stopped running after fifteen years (1979) and then, just sat in their garage.

Gail wanted to free up space in her garage.  Tom wanted to restore the car some day.

Hey, 1964, wasn't that the first year they made Mustangs?

Sounds Familiar, Doesn't It.  --RoadDog

Ford Mustang Turns 50-- Part 1

From the April 20, 2014, Chicago Tribune by Paul Ingrassia.

No Hint of Midlife Crisis Evident As Iconic Car Hits Milestone.

The Ford Mustang turned 50 the previous week evoking " a long-ago day when new cars could generate as much excitement, at least in America, as new iPads" even though it wasn't a technological marvel.

What it was "was a smartly styled body mounted atop the underpinnings of a pedestrian compact car, the Ford falcon.  One Ford executive termed it "like turning a librarian into a sexpot."

And, it could seat four and was practical.  And, its "styling captured the exuberant youth culture of America in the 1960s.  Even better, its $2,368 price tag made it affordable for the twenty-somethings and baby boomers.

That price gave you a six-cylinder engine, but you could pay extra for options like automatic transmission, air conditioning, convertible top and a 289-cubic-inch V-8 engine.

I liked the look of them, but didn't really want one, but was only 13 at the time.  Now, when GM came out with the Firebirds and Camaros in 1967, that was something majorly different, even if I was having trouble learning how to drive.

Where's Sally?  --RoadDog

Ford Mustang's 50th Anniversary-- Part 3: "Mustang Sally," Thanks Wicked Pickett

TO THE TOP OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING-- A Mustang convertible rode the elevator to the top of New York City's Empire State Building. But not in one piece. It was cut into four sections and reassembled for display on the 86th-floor observation deck in 1965. Wondering if they were able to put it back together after that? All the king's horses and all the king's men. //// JAY LENO-- The newly retired "Tonight Show" host owns several Mustangs, including a 1965 Shelby GT350. Must be nice to be rich. Now he has time to drive 'em. //// "MUSTANG SALLY"-- "All you wanna do is ride around, Sally," sanf the Wicked Wilson Pickett in his 1965 hit, "Mustang Sally." One of my all-time favorite songs. I also liked the Commitments version of it. //// 2014 MUSTANG-- A 2014 Mustand V6 premium convertible costs $31,610-- no extra charge for all-time favorite color red. //// "Ride, Sally, Ride." --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 Survey February 7, 1964-- Part 4

And, the Top Ten: //// 10. SURFIN' BIRD-- Trashmen // 9. THERE I'VE SAID IT AGAIN-- Bobby Vinton // 8. CALIFORNIA SUN-- Rivieras // 7. HEY LITTLE COBRA--Ripchords // 6. OUT OF LIMITS-- Marketts //// 5. FORGET HIM-- Bobby Rydell // 4. YOU DON'T OWN ME-- Lesley Gore // 3. SHE LOVES YOU-- Beatles // 2. DAWN GO AWAY-- Four Seasons // 1. I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND-- Big Surprise. //// And, That Was the New Shot Heard Round the World. The Last Time Britain Had Invaded the United States Before This Was the War of 1812, 150 Years Earlier. --RoadDog

WLS Top 40 February 7, 1964-- Part 3

Just giving you a taste of what was playing the night that group, The Beatles,  appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, fifty years ago.

20. A FOOL NEVER LEARNS-- Andy Williams
19. SEE THE FUNNY LITTLE CLOWN-- Bobby Goldsboro
18. JAVA--Al Hirt

17. AS USUAL-- Brenda Lee
16. HI HEEL SNEAKERS-- Tommy Tucker
15. PENETRATION-- Pyramids

14. FOR YOU-- Rick Nelson
13. STOP AND THINK IT OVER-- Dale & Grace
12. A LETTER FROM SHERRY--Dale Ward

11. POPSICLES & ICICLES-- Murmaids.

Burl Ives, Al Martino, Tony Bennett, Nick Noble, Andy Williams, Al Hirt in the Top 40? --RoadDog

WLS Top 40: February 7, 1964-- Part 1

From oldiesloon site.

OK, fifty years ago, tomorrow, I was in front of the TV for the Ed Sullivan Show, something I didn't usually watch. We only had one TV and the parents got to watch what they wanted to see at night.

I was in 7th grade at Winston Park Junior High School in Palatine, Illinois, in Mrs. Banie's 7-2 homeroom (I just remembered this and don't ask me where from). All the kids had been talking about for the previous several weeks was this group from England called the Beatles and everyone seemed to be inclined to watch it February 9th.

Until now, I never listened to pop radio, I could just care less. But, I had begun listening to WLS and I imagine WCFL as well and was starting to get interested in these four guys (and the other music I was listening to as well). The Beatles had debuted on the weekly Silver Dollar Survey just two weeks earlier with "I Want to Hold Your Hand" at #40. January 31st, it was at #8 and this week...well, you can probably guess, but I'll get to it eventually.

THE WLS TOP 40 SONGS IN CHICAGO:

40.  COME ON-- Tommy Roe
39.  TALKING ABOUT MY BABY-- Impressions
38.  ABIGAIL BEECHER-- Freddy Cannon

37.WHAT KIND OF FOOL-- Tams (HEY!! Beach Music!!)
36. SAGINAW MICHIGAN-- Lefty Frizzell (Country)
35. LITTLE BOY-- Crystals

34.  IT'S ALL IN THE GAME-- Cliff Richard (From England, but not who-know-who)
33. HARLEM SHUFFLE-- Bob & Earl
32. TRUE LOVE GOES ON AND ON-- Burl Ives
31.  THAT GIRL BELONGS TO YESTERDAY-- Gene Pitney.

Things Were Definitely Changing Fast!! --RoadDog