December 22nd

Diana Ross and the Supremes hold on to their #1 position with "Someday We'll Be Together" as "I Want You Back" by The Jackson Five drops back to #3 and B.J. Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" flip-flops positions to assume the #2 spot.

"Venus" by Shocking Blue moves up another ten spots this week to #10. (Hey, at least they're consistent!!!  This record has gone from #40 to #30 to #20 to #10 over the course of the past four weeks!)  My guess is it'll go all the way to #1 ... but will it do so in another ten point jump or take a little bit longer to get there?  Tune in next week to see for yourself!!!)

Speaking of ten point jumps, Vic Dana does exactly that with "If I Never Knew Your Name" as his new hit record climbs from #33 to #23.  The New Colony Six are also inching toward The Top 20 this week as "Barbara, I Love You" moves from #27 to #21.


The top debut this week belongs to Tom Jones as "Without Love" premiers at #30.  (This just may be my all-time favorite record by him.) 

THIS WEEK IN 1969: 

December 17^th – An estimated 40 million viewers tune in to The Tonight Show tonight to see 36 year old singer Tiny Tim marry 17 year old Victoria (“Miss Vicky”) May Budinger.  For appearing on the program (a ratings bonanza), the couple received a free wedding reception, their wedding apparel, free hair styling, flowers and their honeymoon in the Bahamas.  The couple would have one daughter together (named Tulip, of course!) before divorcing in 1972.  (The divorce would be finalized in 1977.) 

Also on this date, Project Blue Book officially comes to an end.  The project began in 1952 when The United States Air Force began investigating sightings of UFO’s … unidentified flying objects.  Between 1952 and 1969, there were over 12,000 reports compiled by Air Force Officials.  Investigating each one, all but 701 cases were identified as either “atmospheric, astronomical or a man-made event.”  The Air Force determined that of the remaining 701 cases, none of them threatened national security and did not present any evidence of extraterrestrial life or technology.  As such, it was decided that it would make more sense to shut the project down than continue the high operating cost to continue to investigate UFO sightings. 

December 18^th – Bobbie Gentry marries William Harrah, owner of the Harrah’s gambling casino chain.  (Ironically, Bobbie first started as a show girl prior to launching her singing career.) 

December 21^st – The Ed Sullivan Show presents a retrospective program looking back at the 1960’s, a decade where his program was center stage, providing the looking glass that introduced America to some of the biggest names in show business over the past decade.   

(MEMO TO ANDREW SOLT ... we need to get this released on home video ... Ed Sullivan Remembers the '60's ... people need to be able to see this again!!!)

Titled “The Swinging, Soulful Sixties,” film clips highlight the program, including: 

Broadway-Theater music (taped):

--Richard Burton - Soliloquy from Shakespeare's "Hamlet"
--Robert Goulet - song from "Camelot" and "Happy Face"
--Gwen Verdon - "If My Friends Could See Me Now" (from "Sweet Charity")

Beatlemania (taped):
--The Beatles at Shea Stadium August 15, 1965

Other British Invasion acts (taped):
--Petula Clark - "Downtown" (excerpt) and interview.
--Clips of the Dave Clark Five, the Animals, Herman's Hermits and the Rolling Stones

'60s Headlines and Movies (live in-studio)
--David Frost looks at '60s news events and cinema

Diana Ross & the Supremes (live):
--Ed Sullivan talks to Diana Ross about trends of popular music in the 1960s.
--The Supremes perform a live medley of their hits:  "Baby Love," "Stop! In the Name of Love," "Come See About Me," "My World Is Empty Without You," "You Can't Hurry Love," "The Happening," "You Keep Me Hangin' On," "Reflections," "Love Child" and "I Hear a Symphony" … followed by a live performance of their swan song as a group, "Someday We'll Be Together."

Barbara Streisand (taped):
Excerpt of Barbra Streisand singing "I Cried a River," clips from "Funny Girl" and her Las Vegas appearance.

American performers (taped):
--Herb Alpert - "A Taste of Honey" (excerpt).
--Judy Garland - "Smile."

After The Sullivan Show, Glen Campbell performs his 1969 hits “Wichita Lineman” and “Galveston” on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.  Cher is also on hand and performs a duet of “Jingle Bells” with Campbell.

December 22^nd – As part of their effort to promote peace (another was their “plant an acorn for peace” campaign), John and Yoko meet with Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau for one hour.

Also on this date, Davy Jones of The Monkees, Gordon Lightfoot, Chuck Berry and Frankie Laine appear on “Music Scene.”