[78-L] Mainstream radio in the '60s

[Kristjan Saag]

Cary Ginell wrote:
> Kids are growing up thinking the Four Tops had two songs: "Reach Out, I'll 
> Be > There" and "I Can't Help Myself." They know all the words to these, 
> but have no > clue that they did anything else. These songs were made to 
> last 7 weeks and then > get replaced by something else. /snip/
> They weren't made to last 40 years, but the oldies stations are still 
> playing the
> same songs, over and over and over and burning them out.
--
But "Moonlight Serenade" and "Begin The Beguine" were made to last forever?
In fact, if you look at the entries for a particular hit song of the 
1920's-1940's in discographies most of the recordings were made within a few 
month's time. And the bands followed up with new recordings three weeks 
later. Just as 40 years ago or today.
If there had been "oldies format" stations in the US in the 1950's they 
would have played three tunes by Hal Kemp and two by The Casa Loma 
Orchestra. And, perhaps, five by Glenn Miller.
How many Paul Whiteman recordings did your mother remember?
Kristjan