In this inaugural episode of Season 3 of American 100, we get a slightly adjusted format for our slightly adjusted times. Grief is the theme. Aretha Franklin & Dolly Parton provide the lens through which we will be examining this process that we’ve all been dealing with maybe a little bit more than normal lately.
We’ll be right back! But there’s plenty for you to do till then. Micah explains. In the meantime, always keep a song in your heart!
We would see the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy; the Tet Offensive would begin in Vietnam; and comedian Will Smith would be born. It’s 1968, and both Percy Sledge and Cliff Nobles would show up on the American Billboard Hot 100. We might’ve been protesting the Vietnam War, but we aren’t protesting this week’s episode of American 100 with Micha McKee and trusty robot sidekick, Rando!
The Hubble Space Telescope is launched, the Gulf War begins and Nelson Mandela is released from prison (at least in our current timeline). The year is 1990, and both Alannah Myles and Phil Collins would enjoy stints on the Hot 100! Welcome to our first post-Ida episode of American 100 with our hosts Micha McKee and Rando!
President Reagan dies, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban expires, and both LL Cool J and DIDO show up on the Billboard Hot 100! It’s 2004, friends, and Friends isn’t the only thing everybody’s talking about.
Idi Amin takes control of Uganda, Charles Manson and three of his followers receive the death penalty, and Jim Morrison is found dead in a bathtub in Paris. Also Matthews Southern Comfort and The Grass Roots hold places on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s 1971, and it’s not just war in Vietnam that’s raging! Join Micah McKee and trusty robotic sidekick, Rando, for this installment of American 100!
The Black Panthers are founded, The Beatles are bigger than Jesus and Vietnam rages on in the tumultuous year of of our focus this week. Also, The Cyrkle and Ray Conniff would find themselves on the Billboard Hot 100. Join our host Micah McKee, his trusty robot sidekick, Rando, and special guest, Keith Mannina for a trip back to 1966 to talk about a couple of the less likely tunes to make the charts on this installment of American 100!
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The DeLorean hits the markets; President Reagan appoints Sandra Day O’Conner, the first woman Supreme Court Justice; and the Columbia spacecraft is launched and safely returned. It’s 1981, of course, and both Barbara Streisand and Ronnie Milsap would hold places on the Billboard Hot 100. Join our host, Micah McKee, his trusty robot companion and special guest James Rose for this episode of American 100.
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John Glenn would become the first American to orbit Earth; the Cuban Missile Crisis would threaten, once again, to plunge the planet into war; and Marylin Monroe would sing an especially concupiscent “Happy Birthday” to the leader of the free world, John F. Kennedy. Also, in 1962, The Shirelles and Sam Cooke would make the Billboard Year End Hot 100.
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Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper would be killed in an infamous plane crash; the Guggenheim would open; and both Alaska and Hawaii would become states. In 1959 the Hot 100 would feature The Fiestas and proto-surf rockers, Jan and Dean. Join Micah McKee and trusty robot sidekick, Rando, for yet another philosophical jaunt into the past to examine the most important and puzzling metric for what Americans want in their earholes! This is American 100.
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The debut of Johnny Carson’s and David Letterman’s Late Night shows, along with the film E.T. would make headlines in 1982 along with the bombings of London by the IRA and the invasion of Lebanon by Israel. Also, The J. Geils Band and Michael Murphy would rank on the Hot 100.
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Lord, 1969. The moon landing, the Beatles final performance, the Manson murders, Hurricane Camille, Woodstock, and besides so so much more, Three Dog Night and Edwin Starr would feature on the Billboard Hot 100. Perhaps more importantly are the artists behind these hits. And loneliness. And interpretation. Join hosts Micah McKee and Rando and returning guest, Paul Oswell, on our tenth journey into the terrible, paisley miasma that is American pop music.
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And we’re back! Just as miraculously, in 1989 President George H. W. Bush would ban the importation of assault weapons, we would witness the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and both Sheena Easton and Janet Jackson would appear on the Billboard Hot 100. Welcome back to our cohosts, Micah and Rando. It’s American 100!
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Just a lil’ ol’ season break announcement.
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Same-sex Civil Unions are made legal, the last original Peanuts comic strip is published and the International Space Station is crewed for the first time. Also, Sonique and Destiny’s Child would find themselves on the Hot 100. It’s Y2K, baby, and even tho nothing happened to our computers due to the clock rollover, it was a big year for them anyway. Join our hosts, Micah and Rando, on this 8th journey into the deep spaces of America’s popular music.
Citing progress in peace negotiations, President Richard Nixon announces the suspension of offensive action in North Vietnam. He is then sworn in for a second term. Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court overturns state bans on abortion in Roe v. Wade. It’s 1973 and both Elton John and Johnny Rivers would find themselves on the Billboard Hot 100. Join our host, Micah McKee, Rando and this week’s guest, Rory Callais, for this seventh endeavor into the deep deep hole of American pop music.
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President Jimmy Carter pardons draft dodgers of the Vietnam War, Apple Computer is incorporated, and snow falls on Miami for the only time in its history. The year is 1977 and both jingle genius, Barry Manilow, and yet another family band, The Sylvers, find themselves on the Billboard Hot 100. Join Micah McKee, Rando & New Orleans comedian, Paul Oswell, for the sixth installment of American 100.
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Coca-Cola would introduce “New Coke” in what many observers declared to be the worst marketing blunder in history, the iconic Route 66 is removed from the United States Highway System, "Calvin and Hobbes" debuts in newspapers, and both Diana Ross and Sade would find themselves on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s 1985. Join Micah McKee, Rando and singer/songwriter/photographer, Paris Achenbach, for this, American 100’s fifth offering, “Mood & Mystery”.
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Sonny Bono would suffer a tragic arborcide during a skiing trip, President Bill Clinton would find himself in hot political water for some hot apolitical dealings, and Saddam Houssein is targeted by the United States for… replacement. It’s 1998, and pop divas Mariah Carey and Madonna would share spots on the Billboard Hot 100. After an indeterminable time spinning around a time-space drain battling some bathtub ring theory, our heroes, Micah and Rando, were finally snapped out of it by a bathtub ring snapping turtle and have fallen back into our swamp-space and enthusiastically bring you episode four of American 100: Divas & Supergroups.
Hey! Check out Lauren Oglesby at laurenoglesby.com. She has two wonderful musical projects, and we are thrilled to have her along for the ride.
There is rioting in the streets of Los Angeles over Rodney King. The Space Shuttle Endeavor has a successful maiden voyage. Bill Clinton is elected president, and Miley Cyrus is born. It’s 1992, and both Nirvana and MC Hammer would honor the Billboard Hot 100 with their presence. Join our host, Micah McKee, and a whole bunch of very special guests to explore the genre-defining hits Smells Like Teen Spirit and 2 Legit 2 Quit on the third episode of American 100.
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