The world is wounded in so many ways and in so many places. It could surely use a friend ! Back in 2011 – in what seemed to be ‘simpler times’ – the United Nations declared July 30th to be the ‘International Day of Friendship’. It just so happens that a few weeks ago, a loyal listener – ‘Grandpa David’, as he likes to be called – wrote in with a wonderful suggestion that I consider playing songs about friends, and the benefits of friendship. It was a great idea, and coincided beautifully with the UN’s annual ‘International Day of Friendship’.
So listen to ten great songs about friends – songs from films and TV series, songs by legendary superstars, and even a song by the late Ronnie Hawkins we’re never played before. When I discovered ‘The Hawk’s song about friendship, I couldn’t wait to play it for you.
I’ll carry the friendship theme a little further into my annual Paul Anka birthday spotlight, by playing Paul’s duets with various stars – some of whom, no doubt, are also his friends.
In the first hour (2-3pm.) ‘This Week in Zoomer Music‘ we’ll recall a pivotal event in music history – the launch of Billboard magazine’s first official sales-based music chart this week in 1940. The first song to top that historic chart had a Toronto connection.
We’ll also remember The Beatles’ second film, a solo song by Mick Jagger as we approach his 79th birthday, and ‘The Story Behind the Song‘ ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ – the live version first played by Bob Dylan, to much controversy, at the Newport Folk Festival this week in 1965. I hope you’ll tune in this Sunday (July 24) between 2:00 and 4:30. Cheers.