Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – Jun 18, 2023

A tribute to Father’s Day would not be complete without recognizing the legendary artist who is often referred to as the “Father Of Rock & Roll.” In his illustrious career he had numerous R&B hits and was able to cross over to the national pop charts 27 times from 1955 through 1973.

While always intended for the listener’s gratification, his lyrics sometimes address a third party. In a 1965 release, a son relays his frustration to his dad about his inferior automobile, revealing his disloyalty to the family business …

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Music critic and opera composer Gregory Sandow calls our featured singer/songwriter/guitarist “a poet of the practical life.” John Lennon has been quoted as saying he is the “greatest Rock & Roll poet” while others lean towards him being a storyteller first and foremost.

In a number of his songs he skillfully manipulates the story waiting until the end to divulge information that connects the dots to produce a surprise twist which often appears in the last verse or in the last line of the song. Case in point was his 1959 release, “Memphis.” At the end of the song, we find out that Marie is the artist’s six-year-old daughter, and that he is a divorced father trying desperately to get in touch with her.

He uses this again in a 1965 lament by making his listeners reimagine the history of the Ford Motor Company by having a son complain about his inadequate automobile and hinting that his father was in such dire straits financially that its founder would be unable to procure a proper vehicle for his son.

The last verse goes like this:

Well Dad, send the money

See what I can see

Try to find a Cadillac

A ’62 or ‘3

Just something that won’t worry us

To keep it on the road

Sincerely, your beloved son

Henry Junior Ford

A story with a twist as only Chuck Berry could tell it, here’s “Dear Dad,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.

YouTube video of this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ2Z1oG1EEs

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.