Here is a catchy tune "Hi Sweetie" sung by Steve & Eydie that perfectly describes the difficult and fast evolving musical environment for MOR/Easy Listening recording artists in the late 60s and early 70s. It is also a bit of a history lesson. Here is a general context and a few clarifying points to the lyrics: "My agent is working on a deal right now in Tahoe." Back then MOR singers were important attractions to entice gamblers to the Nevada casinos. "Got a good connection on the Joey BIshop Show." Guest stars on late night talk shows weren't paid much, but is was good exposure. Bishop's late night show with sidekick Regis Philbin was crushed by Carson and the Tonight Show, and was off the air at the start of 1970--interestingly replaced by the Dick Cavett Show on ABC TV. "My A&R (artists and repertoire) man 17." Well 17 years old is an intentional exaggeration, as the old time A&R reps like Mitch Miller were long gone. Reference is made to "Music City." It was the first large all purpose record store in LA. By 1971, Tower Records would arrive and Music City would become history. The same demise would come to Tower in 2006. "It's hard to find to find material. I'm looking for something in the Hal David and Burt Bacharach bag." MOR singers did not write songs. By 1970, the age of the singer/songwriter had arrived and along with Rock helped lead to the end of MOR programing. "Beatles groovy--did you dig their movies." In 1970, their filmed documentary Let it Be was released. "Got me a new agent, he's gonna make me a star on Broadway--gotta take my clothes off, but it's good exposure." In 1968, the Broadway hit "Hair" opened and revolutionized musical theater with its nudity.
You could say the end of Easy Listening music became official in 1979, when Billboard Magazine's Easy Listening chart transformed into the Adult Contemporary chart. And rather than Tony Bennett you heard Peter Cetera.
The top Easy Listening singers survived quite well. For example, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme became very wealthy via continuous live concert and casino appearances (a lot like Sergio Mendes). Steve was a natural comic. For the younger generation he is probably best known as the manager Maury Sline in the Blues Brothers movies. He and Eydie appeared numerous times on the Carol Burnett Show and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I had the good fortune of seeing Steve & Eydie perform live five times-- always before standing room only crowds. Their comedic timing was perfect and their vocals were impeccable. In my lifetime, they were my favorite all round entertainers.
You could say the end of Easy Listening music became official in 1979, when Billboard Magazine's Easy Listening chart transformed into the Adult Contemporary chart. And rather than Tony Bennett you heard Peter Cetera.
The top Easy Listening singers survived quite well. For example, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme became very wealthy via continuous live concert and casino appearances (a lot like Sergio Mendes). Steve was a natural comic. For the younger generation he is probably best known as the manager Maury Sline in the Blues Brothers movies. He and Eydie appeared numerous times on the Carol Burnett Show and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I had the good fortune of seeing Steve & Eydie perform live five times-- always before standing room only crowds. Their comedic timing was perfect and their vocals were impeccable. In my lifetime, they were my favorite all round entertainers.