Welcome to summer! It’s been a very toasty 113 degrees here in Tucson this week, but has cooled down to a chilly 100 with no monsoon rain in sight yet. It’s a great time to stay in and work on genealogy.

Janice Sellers gave Randy Seaver a fun topic idea for this week’s Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge:

1)  According to Wikipedia, today is World Music Day!  How should we celebrate?

2)  How has music affected your life?  What is your favorite music type?  What are your favorite songs? 

As I have no ability to carry a tune with more than a range of two notes, music hasn’t had a big effect on my life in terms of family activities. Neither of my parents was musically inclined either.

However, my parents did love to play records and I was lucky enough to be just the right age at the start of Beatlemania.

Randy’s list is extensive and, while I recognize all of the songs on his list, my memory doesn’t go back quite that far. I’m going to cover 1962-1966, which is just pre-British invasion through rock becoming a bit more varied in bands and music.

The songs aren’t in any particular order and I absolutely could never pick just one song as my all-time favorite. I’m also only going to list a singer or group once to vary the choices more.

I do have to admit that my favorite music year has to be 1964.

1962
Johnny Angel – Shelley Fabares
Soldier Boy – The Shirelles
Duke of Earl – Gene Chandler
Peppermint Twist – Joey Dee and the Starlighters
Young World – Rick Nelson

I have to admit I’m partial to 1962 because I was born in Passaic, New Jersey and both The Shirelles and Joey Dee were also from Passaic. In fact, Joey Dee went to my elementary school (Roosevelt #10) and he returned to #10 to do a show for all the students.

1963
My Boyfriend’s Back – The Crystals
Blowin’ in the Wind – Peter, Paul and Mary
Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
I Will Follow Him – Little Peggy March
Those Lazy, Hazy Crazy Days of Summer – Nat King Cole

1964
Twist and Shout – The Beatles
Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups
Needles and Pins – The Searchers
My Girl – The Temptations
Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison

1965
Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
Ferry Cross the Mersey – Gerry & the Pacemakers
Dancing in the Streets – Martha and the Vandellas
Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
I Go to Pieces – Peter and Gordon

1966
California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and Papas
Summer in the City – Lovin’ Spoonful
Shapes of Things – The Yardbirds
Cherish – The Association
Guantanamera – The Sandpipers

This was a challenge that was lots of fun. I think I could pick 100 of my favorites from 1964. . . . most definitely my favorite year.