On this episode of Hippie Love Turbo, on KUCR 88.3 FM we kicked the show off with a group from London known as The Carnaby. As I mentioned during the show, the band had ties to the street fashion scene in Carnaby Street and at one time were promoted by Gordon Mills who is known as the former manager of Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Gilbert O'Sullivan.
At first the group was known for playing American influenced R&B before Mills convinced them to lean more towards the Mod sound which was popular in Carnaby Street. If you aren't aware, Carnaby Street served as a cultural hub for mods and hippies and it wasn't uncommon to see pop singers or members of various bands leisurely strolling around its fashionable shops. If you want to get a feel for how influential Carnaby Street was on 1960s fashion, I suggest checking out this short video about the time Barry Gibb was given a fashion award at John Stephen's (aka The King Of Carnaby Street) shop. Additionally, you can read more about the band, The Carnaby, on their official website.
As the show continued you heard another group known as State of Mind, from New Castle, Delaware. The best summary of the band's history is on the website Garage Hangover with my favorite part being the story behind the band's final performance. According to former member Paul Murtagh, following the departure of the singer and bassist, the remaining members chose to go forward with another gig even as their newest members weren't able to properly learn the material beforehand. Due to the new member's lack of practice, the band chose to lip-sync to their record rather than play live. It seems that the gig was a disaster because the group decided to stop performing soon afterwards. The situation sounds so silly yet relatable, especially when you consider how old the band members were at the time.
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| Liberty Bell Replica in Hemet, CA |
Towards the latter half of the episode, you heard The Liberty Bells play their song Recognition which reminded me of something from my youth. I may have mentioned this before on another episode, but when I was a kid, I used to occasionally pass a Liberty Bell replica that sits in front of a Realtor's office in Hemet, California. It always seemed somewhat out of place but the story goes that the bell was commissioned during America's bicentennial. The replica was made in France and was featured in many local parades as it was pulled by miniature ponies on a custom-made cart. If you are ever in East Hemet you should try to find it. Currently it sits inside a plexiglass case.
Interestingly enough, the actual Liberty Bell did reach the Inland Empire at one point in 1915 but it didn't quite make it to Hemet. Instead, the bell stopped in Colton during a Southern Pacific tour used to promote the rail line. Thousands of children from local schools stopped by to see the bell with the sounds of cannons, muskets, and whistles filling the air.
Well folks, that's about it for this episode's rundown! Thanks for reading the blog and be sure to listen over the air on KUCR 88.3FM on Saturdays at 9pm PST. You can also listen through KUCR.org, Radio Garden, or Tune-In.
You can check out this week's playlist below:
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