Frank Sinatra at 103: Looking Back at Some of the Iconic Crooner’s Biggest Hits

Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra would have been 103 today. Known for such iconic songs as “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “Fly Me To The Moon” and “Come Fly With Me,” among many others, his work spanned more than five decades with an indelible impact that lasted far beyond his living years.

One of the first teen idols, Sinatra’s popularity exceeded that of any artist that came before him. By the time he went solo in 1942, he had throngs of hysterically screaming girls at his shows and he hadn’t even released his first solo album yet. He would go on to release 59 studio albums, plus countless compilations, live albums and more. That popularity would also translate into film and television. He has appeared in more than 60 films and television shows, as well as had his music featured in hundreds more.

In honor of Frank Sinatra’s birthday, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of the crooner’s biggest hit singles. Here are six that impacted the charts and changed the music industry forever.

1.       “Love And Marriage”: Most well known for its use as the theme song to the 1987 sitcom ‘Married…With Children,’ Sinatra first recorded “Love And Marriage” in 1955 for a television production of ‘Our Town.’ The song became a hit for him that same year, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the UK charts.

2.       “High Hopes”: Now a popular children’s song, “High Hopes” was initially made popular by Sinatra. The 1959 song, which featured a children’s choir backing up the crooner, didn’t fare as well on the charts as some of his other hits, though it still managed to rank at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

3.       “Strangers In The Night”: A number one hit all around, “Strangers In The Night” was Sinatra’s biggest hit by far. It was also one of his least favorites, having referred to it in the past as “the worst f***ing song I’ve ever heard” and never performing it live.

4.       “Somethin’ Stupid”: Like father like daughter, Sinatra’s daughter Nancy was also a singer with her own string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s.  The two collaborated in 1967 on a cover of the song “Somethin’ Stupid,” giving them a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also the first time a father-daughter duo reached number one on the chart and remains the only song to have done that.

5.       “My Way”: A Sinatra classic (and another song he disliked), “My Way” became a hit for the crooner in 1969, one of the last before he attempted to retire two years later. The song has since become one of the most covered songs of all time with some of the most popular versions sung by Sid Vicious, Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.

6.       “Theme from ‘New York, New York’”: Though mostly associated with Sinatra nowadays, “Theme from ‘New York, New York’” was actually originally recorded by Liza Minnelli in 1977. Minnelli’s version, however, never reached the top 100. Sinatra’s version reached number 32 on the chart and number 10 at adult contemporary, making it a bona-fide hit and cementing it as one of his most well-known recordings.

Frank Sinatra has had a prolific career, releasing more than 60 albums, hundreds of singles and appearing in many television and film roles. His hits, like the ones above, have stood the test of time and are still being enjoyed by fans all over the world to this day.

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Find music from icons like Frank Sinatra and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Freddie Mercury at 72: Six Influential Songs Written by the Queen Frontman

On this day in 1946, Farrokh Balsara, better known by his stage name Freddie Mercury, was born. Making a name for himself as the frontman for rock band Queen, the singer’s four-octave vocal range and grandiose performance style became legendary, launching him and the band to rock stardom. Following his passing in 1991, Mercury has remained an influential voice in music more than 25 years on.

In honor of his 72 birthday, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of the most memorable Queen songs penned by Freddie Mercury. From operatic epics to simple rock gems, here are six songs that show the genius in Mercury’s writing.

1.       “Killer Queen”: “Killer Queen” was the band’s first big hit, bringing them fame outside of their native UK. Written about a “high class call girl,” the song’s style is bold and show-stopping, building the character’s reputation through detailed lyrics and layered instrumentals. (video)

2.       “Bohemian Rhapsody”: “Bohemian Rhapsody” takes the listener on a journey, telling the story of the song’s narrator in the most theatrical way possible. Running nearly six minutes and broken up into six distinct parts, it’s an entire story in one song. The song became the band’s magnum-opus, giving them their first number one and going multi-platinum several times over (more than any of their other singles) with many publications considering it the band’s best work. (video)

3.        “We Are The Champions”: Starting out slow and sincere, lamenting about the band’s rise, “We Are The Champions” builds into this grand melody filled with pomp and triumph. This makes it perfect for big crowd sing-a-longs (it was supposedly written with those in mind), which is exactly what it has gone on to do. The song is nearly inescapable at sporting events where has become a favorite among teams celebrating game victories. (video)

4.       “Don’t Stop Me Now”: Based around a hyped-up piano melody, “Don’t Stop Me Now” explodes with a speed and zest that energizes the listener upon impact. The lyrics mirror the intensity of the song’s caffeinated instrumentation. It’s also one of their more hard rock-leaning pieces, focusing more on the instrumentation than theatrics. Mercury’s vocals are also noticeably raw, pushing the limits of his vocal abilities. (video) 

5.       “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”: Not all of Mercury’s tunes have to be big show-stopping numbers. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” was reportedly written in 10 minutes from an idea he had in the shower. According to an interview with Melody Maker, Mercury said that the song was written on the guitar with the few chords he knew, keeping its melody simple. The song’s early rock ‘n’ roll feel provides a shocking contrast from the band’s usual fare, as well as a complexity to their sphere of influence. (video)

6.       “Under Pressure”: Generally considered to be one of Queen’s best songs of all time, “Under Pressure” is also one of their more culturally aware. Written by Queen as a whole (though usually attributed to Mercury) and performed as a duet with David Bowie, the song laments the “pressures” of the world and loving your fellow man/woman. The song has a lot of the theatrical gusto that had been the mark of Queen’s style for more than a decade at that point, especially as the song builds into the chorus. However, it also shows a bit of restraint, not soaring too high as to overshadow the lyrical content. (video)

Freddie Mercury has left an indelible mark on music over the course of his short career. With influences that ranged from the theatrical to different modes of rock, he helped Queen create a sound and presence that would remain unique and unmatched to this day. As his music continues to reach new audiences through live performances from the rest of the band and continued radio airplay, Mercury’s musical legacy will continue to live on for years to come.

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Find music from Freddie Mercury and more legendary artists at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres ranging from rock and pop to blues, jazz, R&B, hip-hop and more. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Happy Birthday Beyoncé: Her Nine Most Memorable Singles

On this day in 1981, Beyoncé Knowles was born, gracing the world with a talent that would define a generation of R&B and pop music. Regarded as one of the most powerful women in music today, her career continues to entertain and empower fans all over the world.

Getting her start with Destiny’s Child in the late 1990s, Beyoncé released four successful albums before breaking out on her own in the early 2000s. Over the last 15 years, she has been able to translate that success into a prolific solo career, releasing six solo studio albums and collaborating with the biggest names in music. Her most recent album, a collaboration between her and husband Jay-Z under the name The Carters called ‘Everything Is Love,’ debuted at number one upon its release earlier this year.

Not only has Beyoncé been a powerful force in music, but her music has had a powerful force on culture. Throughout her career, the singer has made it a point to release songs with empowering themes, especially when it comes to women’s rights and black culture.

In honor of Beyoncé’s 37^th birthday, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of her most memorable singles. Here are nine that have left a lasting impact on music and culture as a whole.

1.       “Crazy In Love”: One of her first singles as a solo artist, “Crazy In Love” cemented Beyoncé as a force in pop music. The upbeat love song gave her her first solo number one in the US, outdoing her previous collaborative single with future husband Jay-Z, “03 Bonnie & Clyde.” It would also lead her debut album, ‘Dangerously In Love,’ to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. (video)

2.       “03 Bonnie & Clyde”: Speaking of “Bonnie & Clyde,” This track became the first non-Destiny’s Child track for Beyoncé to chart in the US and the start of a beautiful relationship between her and Jay-Z. Not only would they get married six years later, but the two would continue to collaborate, including on a full album as The Carters earlier this year. (video)

3.       “Irreplaceable”: A break-up song for the ages, “Irreplaceable” is as much about empowerment as it is about the kiss-off. After all, she is a strong women who can find herself another man easily. The song was another huge hit for the singer, hitting that number one spot in even more countries, proving that with her second album she was here to stay. (video)

4.       “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”: By 2008, Beyoncé was already known as a powerful woman in the music industry and hasn’t shied away from it in her music. But when she released “Single Ladies” that year, something had clicked within the cultural consciousness that really made a connection. The song ended up becoming her most well-known solo single by far and an anthem for women everywhere. “Single Ladies” went multi-platinum in multiple countries while the video sparked a dance craze that swept the world. (video)

5.       “Halo”: A true ballad, “Halo” showed a bit of vulnerability from the singer. It didn’t all have to be about asserting dominance, but being able to admit that a significant other can be your “saving grace.” Upon its release, the song was everywhere on pop and adult contemporary radio, becoming one of her biggest hits as well. (video)

6.       “Run the World (Girls)”: Picking up where “Single Ladies” left off, “Run The World” makes an even more blatant, bold statement for female empowerment. The song’s chant-like delivery made it more of a rallying cry, perhaps something you would hear at a political march. People are still putting the song’s title and message on t-shirts as an empowerment slogan, so its impact has lasted far beyond its time on the charts. (video)

7.       “Formation”: “Formation” isn’t as memorable as its cultural impact. From the moment she stepped out with her dancers as a guest at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2016, stealing the show with her provocative and attention grabbing performance, the world knew there was something at work. The boldness of the song mirrored the boldness of her last album, ‘Lemonade,’ which focused on her identity as a black woman and went in a much more political direction than anything she had released previously. (video)

8.        “Survivor”: Before hitting it big on her own, Beyoncé was serving up the empowerment anthems with her group Destiny’s Child. The title track and lead single from their third studio album, “Survivor” showed a level of confidence and strength in their lyrics that became a defining mantra for the group. (video)

9.       “Independent Women, Part I”: Originally written for the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ film in 2000, “Independent Women, Part I” became more than a soundtrack smash. The song’s chorus proudly states that the ladies of Destiny’s Child do not need to depend on anyone else for their success. Many found that message to be empowering, as it became one of the group’s longest-charting hits. (video)

Through her work with Destiny’s Child and her solo career, Beyoncé has been a tremendous force in the music industry for more than two decades. She has been able to inspire women of all races and creeds with her inimitable voice and empowering music. With a work ethic that pushes the boundaries of what pop music can be, Beyoncé’s music will continues to inspire more generations.

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Find music from Beyoncé, Destiny’s Child and more influential artists at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres that range from R&B and Hip-Hop to rock, pop, dance, jazz and everything in between. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Joni Mitchell: Top Seven Highest-Charting US Singles

Today marks Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell’s 74^th birthday. Best known for singles like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Help Me,” has released 19 studio albums over her four-decade-long career and received numerous awards for her work. Blending jazz, folk and pop, her music stand out from her contemporaries and made her a hit with both fans and critics.

To celebrate her birthday, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at Joni Mitchell’s highest charting United States hits. Here are the top seven, which span the singer’s most iconic and influential years.

1.       “Help Me”: “Help Me” was Michell’s only number one hit in the United States, taking the top spot on the adult contemporary charts, and reaching number seven on the Billboard 100. The second single from 1974’s ‘Court and Spark,’ Rolling Stone even called it one of the “greatest songs of all time.”

2.       “Free Man in Paris”: The follow-up single to “Help Me,” “Free Man in Paris” was almost as successful. The song, written about David Geffen (the head of her label), hit number 2 on the US adult contemporary chart and number 22 on the Billboard 100.

3.       “Big Yellow Taxi” (Live): Surprisingly, “Big Yellow Taxi” wasn’t initially a big hit for Mitchell in the US, even though it was a big hit in her native Canada, as well as the UK and Australia. The original only reached number 67. When she released the live version on her album ‘Miles of Aisles,’ the song gained ground, reaching number 24 on the charts.

4.       “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio”: Written specifically to be played on the radio, “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio” was successful in its mission. The song reached number 13 on the adult contemporary chart and 25 on the Billboard 100.

5.       “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care”: Originally performed by Elvis Presley in his film ‘Jailhouse Rock,’ Mitchell had a modest hit with “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care” herself. Included on and released as a single from her 1982 album ‘Wild Things Run Fast,’ the song reached number 47 on the Billboard 100.

6.       “Raised on Robbery”: ‘Court And Spark’ was a big album for Mitchell, as all three of its singles were hits. We’ve already mentioned two of them higher on this list, but “Raised on Robbery” also makes the cut. The album’s first single went to number 65 on the Billboard 100 and number 40 on the adult contemporary chart.

7.       “In France They Kiss on Main Street”: Mitchell’s 1975 album ‘The Hissing of Summer Lawns’ was initially panned by critics, but fans of hers proved them wrong by making album’s first and only single, “In France They Kiss on Main Street,” a hit. The song reached number 66 on the Billboard 100 chart and number 32 on adult contemporary.

Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential female artists of the last half-century. Her unique blend of folk, jazz and pop, and her unmatched music style have been inspiring fans and other artists for decades. As people continue to share her music with others, her influence will be felt by more generations to come.

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Find music from Joni Mitchell and other influential artists at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or shop online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Michael Jackson: Seven Groundbreaking Singles

On this day in 1958, Michael Jackson was born. The “King of Pop” would have been 59 today.

Michael Jackson led an amazing and prolific life and music career. Starting out at just five years old with his brothers in The Jackson 5, Michael’s career took off. His talent at such a young age stood out and by the time he was 14 made the transition to solo artist. Over the next four decades, he released hit after hit, breaking numerous records and making history. Even after his sudden passing in 2009, his career continued to flourish as continuous praise and several posthumous releases kept him in the public eye.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, would like to honor Michael Jackson’s legacy by taking a look back at his groundbreaking music career. Here are seven singles that changed music, music videos, and popular culture forever.

1.       “Thriller”: “Thriller” is one of Jackson’s most iconic songs and its video is even more iconic. Known for its graphic content, its epic graveyard dance scene and Jackson’s red leather jacket, the short horror film runs 14 minutes, longer than your typical music video. But because of its length and level of detail, it also revolutionized what a music video could be. It is also the only music video to have been selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry. There is still major interest in the video as well, with a 3-D upgrade of the video coming to movie theaters soon.

2.       “Billie Jean”: When MTV launched in 1980, they didn’t really play much music from black artists, usually just the ones that were integrated with white artists. This changed in 1983, after complaints from not only music fans but VJ’s and artists themselves made MTV reevaluate their line-up. Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” was the first video from a black artist that the network deemed appropriate to put in rotation. The song’s inclusion and success opened up a new platform for black artists to get their music heard by a new and wider audience.

3.       “We Are The World”: With large-scale charity singles en vogue in 1985 following the success of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?,” Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie were tasked with writing one for an American audience. What transpired was the hit “We Are The World,” which featured more than 40 performers singing about the famine in Africa. Once released, the song broke records, becoming the fastest-selling American pop song in history and the first single to ever go multi-platinum.

4.       “Love Never Felt So Good”: Michael Jackson has even been breaking records posthumously. In 2014, Jackson’s estate released an 8-song album of unreleased material called ‘Xscape,’ with “Love Never Felt So Good” as its first single. The song ended up peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking two records. The first was for having top 10 singles in five different decades as a solo artist, a record he still holds alone to this day. The other was for the most amount of time spent in the top 10 to more than 42 weeks (this record has since been broken).

5.       “Dirty Diana”: Jackson’s 1987 album ‘Bad’ featured the singles “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Bad,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Man in the Mirror” and “Dirty Diana,” released consecutively and each hitting number one on the Hot 100. This record stands to this day, with the only artist to even tie the record being Katy Perry.

6.       “Black or White”: When Michael Jackson released the video for “Black or White” in 1991, it was a television event. It was the first time a video was shown simultaneously on a global scale, with the MJ website noting that 500 million people tuned in to watch.

7.       “You’re Not Alone”: We all know that Michael Jackson is a number one-selling artist. But he is also the first artist to have a single debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. “You’re Not Alone,” the second single from Jackson’s 1995 album ‘HIStory,’ sold more than 120,000 units in its first week, leading it to take the top spot on the chart, something that hadn’t happened in the 37 years the chart had been around.

Michael Jackson released some of the most important music in pop history. From the contributions he made to the art of the music video to the impact he had on black representation in music, his career has been filled with innovation. His talent landed him countless chart successes that have made him one of (if not THE) the best-selling artists to date. Michael Jackson’s legacy proceeds him, as his continued popularity only shows that his music and cultural impact have gotten stronger.

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Celebrate iconic artists like Michael Jackson at Long Island’s top new independent record shop, Vinyl Bay 777. We have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. Stop by our Plainview store at 101-14 Dupont Street or check us out online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Richard Rodgers at 115: Seven Popular Broadway Musicals

Today marks composer Richard Rodgers 115^th birthday. Best known for creating some of the most iconic musicals in history, many of his works continue to be performed to this day.

One of the first people to ever be awarded Emmys, Tonys, Oscars and Grammys for his compositions, Rodgers’ career lasted nearly six decades. Since getting his start in the early 1920s, he has written over 900 songs and 43 musicals. He has had successful partnerships with Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II. His influence on Broadway was so great that after his passing in 1979, the 46^th Street Theatre was renamed the Richard Rodgers Theatre in his honor.

In honor of Richard Rodgers’ 115^th birthday, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look back at some of his most iconic works. Here are seven shows that earned Rodgers his place in music history.

1.       Babes In Arms: One of many collaborations with Lorenz Hart, ‘Babes in Arms’ told the story of a group of kids who stage a play in order to avoid being sent to a work farm while their parents are away. Originally staged in 1937, the show went on to become a movie two years later with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney, and garner several hit songs, including “My Funny Valentine” and “The Lady is a Tramp.” It also started the trope of children putting on shows to earn money.

2.       Pal Joey: Based on the 1940 novel of the same name by John O’Hara, Rodgers and Hart composed the music and lyrics for the Broadway staging of the show that same year. With songs like “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” and “I Could Write A Book,” which became standards in the American Songbook, the show was turned into a movie nearly 17 years later with Frank Sinatra and has had various revivals, the most recent of which was performed from 2008-2009.

3.       Oklahoma!: While Rodgers had a lot of success with Hart, it was his work with Oscar Hammerstein II that really took off. The duo’s first collaboration, ‘Oklahoma!,’ became one of the longest running shows on Broadway (It’s currently 31^st on the list). Spurring hits like “Oklahoma” and “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” the show earned the duo a Pulitzer Prize and a Special Tony on its 50^th anniversary.

4.       SouthPacific: In 1949, Rodgers and Hammerstein had another hit on their hands with their adaptation of ‘Tales of the South Pacific,’ shortened to just ‘South Pacific.’ The show received 10 Tony Awards that year, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score, and earned the duo another Pulitzer.

5.       The King and I: ‘The King and I’ earned Rodgers and Hammerstein another Best Musical Tony, as well as another hit song, “Getting to Know You.” It remains one of the duos most well-known shows and shot Yul Brynner to stardom.  The show was last revived in 2015, winning a Tony for Best Revival that year and proving that Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music doesn’t go out of style.

6.       Cinderella: Written for CBS in 1957, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s adaptation of ‘Cinderella’ was one of the most successful versions of the classic fairytale outside of the squeaky clean Disney version. The production earned the duo an Emmy nomination, Rodgers’ second nod. The production has been revived many times in film and on stage.

7.       The Sound of Music: Arguably Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most renowned work, ‘The Sound of Music’ was based on a film about the real life story of the von Trapp family. Tapped by stage director Vincent J. Donehue to write a soundtrack for his show, Rodgers and Hammerstein came up with some of the most beloved songs ever released. Hits from the musical include “The Sound of Music,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” “So Long, Farewell” and “Edelweiss.” The show has had many successful revivals, including a televised production starring Carrie Underwood that led to the popularization of live musical television events.

Richard Rodgers had left an indelible mark on musical theater. For nearly six decades, his music has been the soundtrack to Broadway’s most important and classic shows. His songs have taken on lives of their own, becoming classics in and of themselves. As his musicals continue to be performed year after year, the influence of Rodgers will continue to live on from generation to generation.

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Whether you’re into musicals or music in general, Vinyl Bay 777 has you covered. Find thousands of titles in a variety of genres at Long Island’s top new independent record shop. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store, as well as online at vinylbay777.com. More titles are being added all the time, so it’s always a great time to stop by or shop online to see what’s new.

Happy Birthday Brian Wilson: His Five Highest-Charting Beach Boys Songs

Today marks singer/songwriter Brian Wilson’s 75^th birthday. As one of the main songwriter for the Beach Boys, his work has had a huge impact on music culture, helping to popularize the surf-rock sound of the 1960s.

Wilson has been credited with writing some of the most iconic songs of all time. Known for his experimental approach to songwriting, his compositions range from bright and cheery to intricate and arty, sometimes all in one song.

Now, a new retrospective album spanning Brian Wilson’s entire career has been announced. ‘Playback’ will feature 18 songs written over the course of his career, focusing mostly on his solo work. The album will also feature two brand new songs, a track titled “Run James Run,” written specifically for the release, and one titled “Some Sweet Day,” written in the early 1990s for an album that was never released. ‘Playback is set for release on September 22.

In honor of Wilson’s 75^th birthday, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the most popular songs written by the iconic musician. Here are his five highest-charting contributions to the Beach Boys.  

1.       “Good Vibrations”: One of the Beach Boys’ most important and critically acclaimed songs of their career, Brian Wilson wrote “Good Vibrations” in the midst of creating his magnum opus, ‘Pet Sounds.’ Wilson tinkered with the song after the album’s release, experimenting with different instruments and arrangements. The song was putting it out as a stand-alone single and became the band’s biggest hit. Going platinum in the US, the single reached number one in the US, the UK and Australia, and the top 10 in various other countries.

2.       “I Get Around”: While “Good Vibrations” was the band’s biggest single, it wasn’t their first brush with topping the charts. In 1964, the band released “I Get Around,” which was their first single to reach number one in the US. The song features classic surf-rock harmonies, which honor Wilson’s love of 50’s vocal groups.

3.       “Help Me Rhonda”: Though the track was originally released on the band’s eighth album, ‘The Beach Boys Today!,’ in the spring of 1965, it was actually the re-written version that was released as a single. Doing so was a good idea, as the single gave the band their second number one hit in two years.

4.       “Surfin’ U.S.A.”: “Surfin’ U.S.A.” is one of the Beach Boys’ most iconic songs. Taking the melody of Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen,” Wilson combined that with completely original lyrics about the best places to surf in the United States, mostly in California. The song reached number 3 on the Billboard Charts, making it the band’s first song to crack the top ten.

5.       “California Girls”: Another one of the Beach Boys’ most iconic songs, “California Girls” was written as a care-free ode to girls and the California sun. Written under the influence of LSD (Wilson’s first experience with the drug) over the course of one day, it became an instant classic. The song went to number three on the Billboard charts and became an anthem for the band and the surf-rock sound in general.

Brian Wilson has written some of the most well-known songs of the early-mid 1960s, popularizing the surf-rock sound and pushing it past its boundaries. His compositions have gone on to top the charts several times, helping the Beach Boys earn their place as rock icons.

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Catch the “Good Vibrations” at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Find music from the Beach Boys and more at Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres ranging from rock and pop to hip hop, R&B, jazz and classical. Visit us in store or check us out online to browse a wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia. More titles are being added to our selection all the time, so check back often to see what’s new at Vinyl Bay 777.

Happy Birthday Les Paul: How His Guitar Innovations Changed Music Forever

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, takes a look back at how Les Paul’s solid-body electric guitar became a rock music standard

Les Paul Live @ Iridium Jazz Club in New
York City in October 2008. Taken by
Thomas Faivre-Duboz, Paris, France. Found
on Wikimedia Commons

Today marks what would have been musician Les Paul’s 102^nd birthday. Known for practically inventing the solid-body electric guitar, his innovations have left a lasting impression on the music world forever.

A musician himself, Les Paul started his career playing jazz, blues and country music live and on the radio. From 1945 to 1961, he released several hit singles, many of which peaked in the top 10 on the singles charts. Paul continued to perform live solo and with his trio up until his death in 2009 at the age of 94.

Though he may have had a very successful music career, Les Paul is still best known for his electric guitar. A pioneer in the creation of the solid-body electric guitar, he put together his first design, dubbed “The Log,” in 1940. Built on a four-by-four piece of pine wood, The Log included strings and a pickup, which he would later add the “wings” of an acoustic guitar to for a more traditional guitar look. It would take 10 years for his design to officially be made, having been turned down originally by Epiphone and Gibson. But by 1952, the Gibson Les Paul was the most popular solid-body electric guitar in the world.

Les Paul’s talent for tinkering and innovation went much further than just guitars. As a young boy, he attached a coat hanger to a piece of wood and his harmonica, making the first known harmonica holder. His design has been in use for decades, its most iconic users being Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Paul also made strides in the worlds of recording and amplification. He was one of the first to come up with a way to record multiple tracks on top of each other, what he called “sound on sound,” and, along with Ampex, developed the first eight-track recorder in the mid-1950s.  Interested in achieving different effects with his guitar, he developed ways to incorporate delay, reverb and phasing into his sound. Paul was even one of the first people to use a coil and magnet to create pickup to amplify his guitar.

Les Paul’s namesake guitars are still some of the most popular designs to date. Guitarists spanning all genres of music, including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page,  Slash, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Kiss’ Ace Frehley, Reggae legend Bob Marley, The Who’s Pete Townshend and the Allman Brothers Band’s Duane Allman, have used his signature design to make music history.

Artists have been benefiting from Les Paul’s innovations for more than six decades. From his iconic guitars to his work developing new recording and amplification technology and techniques, his many musical innovations have had a monumental impact on how we hear music and will continue to shape the way we hear music for a long time to come.

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Find music from iconic artists like Les Paul, as well as artists that have been touched by his innovations, at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of  titles in a plethora of genres to choose from. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store and online. With more titles being added all the time, it’s always a great time to see what’s new at Vinyl Bay 777.

Happy Birthday Prince: Seven Ways People around the Country are celebrating the Legendary Musician

Prince Performing at Coachella 2008.
Found on Wikipedia. By Micahmedia

On this day in 1958, legendary singer/musician Prince was born. An innovator best known for hits “When Doves Cry,” “Purple Rain” and “1999,” Prince blended R&B with rock and pop to create a sound all his own. He would have been 59.

With Prince’s death still fresh in people’s minds, the Purple One’s life is still being celebrated. Particularly with his birthday being today, a lot has been happening all over the country in the last week and into the coming weeks and months to commemorate his life and work.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, has been scouring the news to find what people are doing to celebrate Prince. Here are seven events taking place around the country in the next week remembering his legacy.

1.       Prince: A Tribute To His Royal Badness: Starting off locally, on Friday, Maxwell’s in Hoboken, New Jersey will be filled with the sounds of Prince as the singer’s ‘Purple Rain’ album will be performed in its entirety. The event, ‘Prince: A Tribute To His Royal Badness,’ is being organized by Sylvana Joyce & The Moment guitarist C. Robert Smith and will feature several local musicians, both male and female, taking turns singing lead vocals on the album’s classic songs.

2.       Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival: Later this weekend, Hoboken, New Jersey  will be hosting another tribute, this time during their annual Spring Arts & Music festival. Jazz-fusion band Burnt Sugar The Arkestra Chamber will be playing a full set of Prince’s hits, a set they are already quite familiar with. The group did a similar show at New York’s Lincoln Center last year.

3.       Prince Double Feature: On Saturday, The Little Theatre in Rochester, New York, will be celebrating Prince’s film work. The theater is planning a double feature that includes screenings of both ‘Purple Rain’ and ‘Under the Cherry Moon.’ Tickets are $5 per movie, or $8 to see both.

4.       Princess: Across the country, female Prince cover band Princess will be playing a sold out show tonight in Los Angeles, California. The band features comedienne Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum and have brought their act all over the country, as well as television. Prince was even a fan of theirs, so this tribute would be approved by the man himself.

5.       Let’s Go Crazy: A Prince Dance Party: If you’re in Cleveland, Ohio, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is hosting a dance party tonight to commemorate his birthday, although they make clear that this is not a birthday party. The free event will include DJs spinning Prince’s greatest hits and will feature both an air guitar and dance contest. This is the second year the Rock Hall is putting on this event.

6.       LoVeSEXY: New Jersey isn’t the only state that will get to hear ‘Purple Rain’ in its entirety. Tonight in Boston, Massachusetts, Prince tribute band LoVeSEXY will be taking the stage at the Supper Club to perform the classic album from front to back, as well as some of the Purple One’s other hits.

7.       Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: While this is not happening this weekend, it is still a good time to plan ahead for this. It was announced yesterday that the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will be performing Windborne’s ‘The Music of Prince’ on January 26, 2018. The show will feature classical arrangements of Prince’s greatest hits. Tickets go on sale Friday.

On the anniversary of his birth, many are taking the opportunity to continue celebrating the life and work of Prince. As evidenced by the many tributes taking place this weekend, Prince and his incomparable music will never be forgotten.

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Celebrate the music of Prince and other legendary artists at Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from ranging in genre from R&B, pop and hip-hop to rock, metal, jazz, classical and more. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more both in store and online. With new titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you will find at Vinyl Bay 777.