Two books help salute the 60s

As the Wildwoods prepare to give their Salute to the 60s, two local authors deserve to have their recent books mentioned.
The first is Scott Alan Murphy’s “Fun with Oldies,” and the second is Jim Rosin’s “Adventures in Paradise, The Television Series.”
Scott, a former radio personality at WILW 94.3, asks some fundamental questions:
Do you know how many songs there are about cars? How many songs celebrate the name Susie? What’s the story behind the “Day the Music Died?” And just how many one-hit-wonders recorded in the 60s?
“I used to do ‘sets’ when I was on the air,” Scott explained. “I would do three songs with a theme on various subjects. And I would write everything down.”
Over time, he built up quite a bit of research. “Fun with Oldies” is a book of lists (180 categories) of the popular music from the 1950s to the 1970s, consisting of classic songs of rock, based on an idea, theme, or genre.
For instance there’s a category on ‘Catch Phrases,’ which includes such well-worn axioms as Grovin’ by the Rascals (catch them at the festival), Kind of a Drag (how often did you say that back in the 60s) by the Buckinghams, and Let It All Hang Out by the Hombres, just to name a few.
How about ‘Little’ tunes. There’s Little Darlin’ by the Diamond (and the Gladiolas), Little Bitty Pretty One, Little Deuce Coupe… This list goes on for two pages.
There are some interesting facts you’ll learn along the way. Scott gives three pages to the cult favorite, Louie Louie by the Kingsmen, and, according to Scott, just about every other group that recorded the song.
“These are real conversation-starters,” he said. “They are songs that have a meaning in your life.”
One thing can be certain—the lists are a lot of fun.
Scott will be at a table in front of the Welcome Center (or inside depending on the weather) from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, 2-25. A portion of proceeds from every book will be donated to the Doo-Wop Preservation Society.
Rosin’s “Adventures in Paradise” is a chronicle of one of the most ambitious TV shows of the early 60s. Paradise ran from 1959-62, broadcasting 91, hour-long episodes based on material from Pulitzer Prize winning novelist James Michener.
It starred Gardner McKay, a man whose resume included sculptor, photographer, drama critic, playwright, novelist, and college teacher, and of course, actor.
McKay’s character was Adam Troy, a Korean War vet who sailed his schooner, Tiki, through the South Seas, seeking what commissions were available. It’s not difficult to see the focus of the series, nor from where its title came.
“McKay was an expert sailor in real life,” Rosin explained. “Producer Dominick Dunne admitted his presence exceeded everybody’s expectations.
Rosin, as he does with all his projects, interviewed surviving members of the cast and production crew. He then synopsizes every episode, and finished off the book with his usual biography of the series’ notables. And great photos too.
“Michener submitted three scripts, but was not otherwise involved in the show’s production,” Rosin said.
The show was filmed on the 20th Century Fox back lot, according to Rosin, where it backed up to a lagoon.
“There were four Tikis for the show,” Rosin noted. They included a 65-foot replica that was permanently moored, and an 85-foot boat that actually went to sea.
“Adventures in Paradise, The Television Series,” is available at Amazon.com, and classictvseriesbooks.com.
Like all of Rosin’s projects (Philadelphia: City of Music, Route 66: The Television Series, Wagon Train: The Television Series), Paradise is a nostalgic trip to a time when TV was…well, just better.
As the Wildwoods salute the 60s, these two books can help us understand why.