A flatted fifth is a musical term. If you are a jazz fan, as I am, you know that flatted fifths are at the core of bebop. Just listen to recordings by Bird and/or Dizzy during the mid- and late-1940s (and beyond). That said, this blog will discuss anything that pops into my head--or yours (if you're a registered member)!
One of the many, many joys of living in Chicago was listening to Chuck Schaden's wonderful radio show, "Those Were the Days" every Saturday afternoon. Chuck began doing this show in 1970.
Anyone who loves old-time radio, as I do, loves Chuck's show. And, thanks to the Internet, old-time radio fans everywhere have been able to listen to Chuck's show beginning on the Tuesday after it aired for the following week by visiting Chuck's online Nostalgia Digest.
Chuck Schaden
A few years ago, I discovered I could hear "Those Were the Days" online. What a treat! I loved the Chicago references. Everyone brought back warm memories to me. And I loved hearing the old radio shows. Born in 1940, I heard so many of them on the radio when I was a boy.
My favorites were Sky King, The Lone Ranger, and Gangbusters. I also liked Your Hit Parade on Saturday nights. I also remember my mother and my aunt Dorothea, who lived with us, listening to the soaps every weekday at noontime. My mother's favorite was The Romance of Helen Trent.
In recent years, Chuck's Those Were the Days has aired on WDCB-FM in Chicago from 1 to 5 PM every Saturday. Now 75, Chuck has decided to retire. After all, 39 years has been a long run!
Chuck has given me his kind permission to feature his last broadcast, which aired on Saturday, June 27th.
The show continues with a new producer and host, Steve Darnall. And it wouldn't surprise me if Chuck returns to host Those Were the Days once in a great while.
George Spink Moderator - The Flatted Fifth Los Angeles, California Email Me
Little cullud boys with beards
re-bop be-bop mop and stop.
Little cullud boys with fears,
frantic, kick their draftee years
into flatted fifths and flatter beers
that at a sudden change become
sparkling Oriental wines
rich and strange
silken bathrobes with gold twines
and Heilbroner, Crawford,
Nat-undreamed-of Lewis combines
in silver thread and diamond notes
on trade-marks inside
Howard coats.
Little cullued boys in berets oop pop-a-da
horse a fantasy of days ool ya koo
and dig all plays.