Spinning Those Records

Hello the Great Cousin Brucie

DJ Cousin Brucie, whose real name is Bruce Morrow, is a legendary American radio personality whose career began in 1959. He got his start at ZBM-AM in Bermuda, where he was nicknamed “The Hammer”. But his big break came when he joined WABC (AM 770) in New York City in 1961. There, his energetic style and love for rock and roll made him a household name during the golden age of Top 40 radio.

The nickname “Cousin Brucie” stuck after a woman jokingly asked him for fifty cents, calling him “Cousin”—a moment that became part of his on-air persona. He famously co-hosted The Beatles’ historic 1965 Shea Stadium concert, a landmark event in music history1.

Over the decades, he worked at major stations like WINS, WNBC, WCBS-FM, and even hosted shows on Sirius XM’s ’60s on 6 channel. In recent years, he returned to WABC to host “Cousin Brucie’s Saturday Night Rock & Roll Party,” continuing to share his passion for classic hits with fans old and new.

He’s not just a DJ—he’s a living time capsule of rock and roll radio.

April and May 2025 British POP Months 

British pop of the 1960s, often called the "British Invasion," was a groundbreaking musical era that introduced the world to iconic bands and artists. This period was characterized by the fusion of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and skiffle, creating a unique and influential sound. Bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, and The Hollies became global sensations and redefined popular music.

This era wasn't just about the music—it was a cultural revolution. British pop of the '60s played a huge role in influencing fashion, art, and social attitudes. From the catchy harmonies of The Beatles' early songs to the rebellious edge of The Rolling Stones, this movement captured the spirit of the time.

Billy J. Kramer, born William Howard Ashton, is an English pop singer who rose to fame during the 1960s as part of the British Invasion. Managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles, Kramer achieved success with his backing band, The Dakotas. He is known for performing several Lennon-McCartney compositions, such as "Bad to Me" and "Do You Want to Know a Secret," which were not recorded by The Beatles2.

Kramer and The Dakotas had multiple chart-topping hits, including "Little Children," and they gained popularity in both the UK and the US. His career continued beyond the beat boom, and he remains active in music, performing and recording to this day2.

The Story Behind the Song 

The idea behind "Along Came Jones" by The Coasters is a clever parody of old Western melodramas and silent film serials like The Perils of Pauline. Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1959, the song pokes fun at the formulaic “damsel in distress” plots that were common in TV and film at the time2.

It tells the story of a villain named Salty Sam who repeatedly puts Sweet Sue in peril—tying her to railroad tracks, threatening her with dynamite, and more—all in an attempt to steal her ranch. Each time, the hero Jones, a “long, lean, lanky” cowboy, shows up just in time to save her. The twist? The narrator is just watching all this unfold on TV, flipping channels and grabbing snacks during commercial breaks.

The song also draws inspiration from the 1945 Gary Cooper film Along Came Jones, which itself was a satire of Westerns. What made the Coasters’ version stand out was how it used humor and Black voices to lampoon a genre that was overwhelmingly white at the time—years before Blazing Saddles did something similar on the big screen.

It’s a fun, satirical take that blends pop culture, parody, and a bit of social commentary.

What was the first real Rock N Roll record.

The origin of rock 'n' roll is a hotly debated topic, but many historians credit "Rocket 88", recorded by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats in 1951, as the first rock 'n' roll record. The song was produced by the legendary Sam Phillips—the founder of Sun Records—and featured Ike Turner’s band.

It blended rhythm and blues with the driving energy that would come to define rock 'n' roll. While earlier records contributed to the genre's formation, "Rocket 88" is often seen as the one that solidified the sound.

Yes, Jackie Brenston's "Rocket 88," recorded in 1951, predates DJ Alan Freed's coining of the term "rock 'n' roll." Freed, a Cleveland-based radio personality, is credited with popularizing the phrase in the early 1950s to describe the music he was playing on his radio show, blending rhythm and blues with a new, youthful energy.

While Freed gave the genre its name and helped bring it into mainstream culture, the roots of rock 'n' roll, as shown by songs like "Rocket 88," were already forming in the rhythm and blues scene. This makes the history of rock 'n' roll a fascinating mix of cultural influences and innovations!

Carrie Anne" is a 1967 pop hit by British band The Hollies, known for its catchy melody and rich vocal harmonies. Written by band members Allan Clarke, Graham Nash, and Tony Hicks, the song blends pop-rock with a slight Caribbean influence, thanks to its distinctive steel drum solo. A reflection on young love and admiration, "Carrie Anne" became one of The Hollies’ most beloved tracks and showcases their signature 60s sound.

History of Laurel Canyon the Music Hub of Artists