Above he presents Roger Williams’s “Summer Wind” on the piano, mindless of the fact that the studio is being blown away at hurricane force. That being the case, here’s a list that might help jog your memory.įirst there was this insane Thaxton guy host, who lip-synced, finger synced and played more instruments than the entire Juilliard School of Music’s 1965 graduation class. I realize that after forty years, many of you might have forgotten a few things. Think about it and then take mouse in hand and start cliquing away. As a fan, what would you like to see and hear on the DVD? The words in the books are impressive and informational of course, but to complete the story, to get the history straight, you have to hear the music. And, even more important, the young people who danced (and performed) to the music. My hope is that the “My Name is Lloyd Thaxton – So What” DVD, measures up to both of the above books in highlighting the fascinating music and artists of the era. I can’t wait to read the book because I just happened to be snap-dab in the middle of that riot, penned down in the famous Schwab's Drug Store. “Riot on Sunset Strip: Rock'n'Roll's Last Stand in 60s Hollywood.” This book evokes a raucous, revolutionary time in American culture for those who lived it.
There is soon to be released a new book by Domenic Priore. Especially to me, as I lived in Laurel Canyon then and still do today. There is a wonderful book out right now titled “Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll's Legendary Neighborhood.” Veteran journalist Michael Walker tells the inside story of the unprecedented gathering of some of the baby boom’s leading musical giants of the 60s who turned Los Angeles into the music capital of the world and forever changed the way popular music is recorded, marketed, and consumed. Then he realized that I was making rock and roll fun. A fan once told me that when he started watching the show he first thought I was making fun of rock and roll.
My hope is that the DVD will be a legacy to calm in the middle of that chaotic and volatile storm called “The 60s.” Here was this show called, “The Lloyd Thaxton Show” dancing around in the midst of urban riots, civil rights movements, assassinations and war and yet we survived. As I’m in the middle of picking out bits for the “My Name is Lloyd Thaxton – So What” DVD, that got me thinking about what you might want to see.
Others remember certain zany bits that I did, or, the lip-sync contests or certain guests they saw for the very first time. ModGirl is groovin’ for a Dawk doll used on the opening of the show and bashed around a bit throughout the hour (I’m told that the doll in question sold for about a hundred bucks). It hasn’t been seen for 40 years so I am surprised (and delighted) it’s remembered at all. In talking to fans of the LT Show, I’m always surprised at what is remembered about the show. But more important it brought to mind the fact that different folks operate with different strokes. ModGirl, you made my day with your “my favorite people on this planet” remark.