Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – Oct 12, 2025
Thanksgiving has a way of bringing out the best in all of us. The warmth of family, the smell of turkey drifting from the kitchen, and, of course, the making of room for dessert. Somehow, those moments take us back. Back to simpler times.
And back, perhaps, to a small town in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 1966, a young man named Jay Proctor had been leading a local band through the usual grind—weddings, community centers, even high school dances. They were good. Real good. But radio listeners didn’t know their names.
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Jay had the voice—smooth, soulful. The kind of voice that could bring Motown flavor to the pop charts. His band was integrated and defied racial boundaries that often divided music audiences.
The band had a sound that couldn’t be boxed in—part pop, part R&B, all heart.
And then along came a catchy, almost nursery-rhyme-sounding tune that masked something deeper. It was a song about someone resisting love, brushing it off like dessert they didn’t want – but secretly craving it all along. It was innocent, infectious, and oddly comforting—just like a holiday meal shared with loved ones.
The record label wasn’t even sure the song would chart. It sounded too playful, too light. But when it hit the airwaves in 1967, it soared, reaching the #6 position on the Billboard Hot 100. The band from Allentown were suddenly national stars.
The band never had another Top 10 hit. But that one slice of musical Americana earned them a place at the table—where food, family, and music always meet.
So when you gather around this Thanksgiving, remember Jay And The Techniques as you pass the “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube listing of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjEweWrbCbY
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
