Monthly Archives: September 2009

From Devin G – Mr. Pop – Robert Conrad of the “Wild Wild West” – I heard you say, once had a pop recording career? Did he have any hit records?

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Mr. Pop History – He did! Warner Brothers groomed the young stars of their early TV shows for records. Connie Stevens and Ed “Kookie” Byrnes already had hits, so it was a good strategy. WB was thinking young and one of the first major media TV companies to crossover their TV actors to make pop/teen records.

Another young WB TV star was Robert (Bob) Conrad of “77 Sunset Strip. Warner Brothers Records released several Bob Conrad singles around 1961. The biggest was “I Just Gotta Have You” and here it is… “Love You” was another that received top-40 airplay.

I admit – The Wild Wild West was one of my all time favorites and so is Robert Conrad. Not a bad singer too!
Bob Conrad33m – I Just Gotta Have You – Bob Conrad

From Denise N – Mr. Pop – How many rock or pop singers/groups were also made into cartoons?

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Mr. Pop History – The Beatles, the Archies, the Osmonds. Even Prince was turned into a comic book in 1992. There are many more who were cartoon figures and released records such as “Barbie,” Jose and the Pussycats,’ “Pebbles and Bam Bam” and “The Simpsons.” href=”http://www.mrpopculture.com/thereport/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Archies.jpg”>Archies

From Jen C – Recently – I saw or heard something on hip hip history – that the late Tupac Shakur’s name was his real one. I was surprised given all rappers have handles.

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Mr. Pop History – That’s right. The late Tupac Amaru Shakur was named by his mother – Afeni Shakur – a Black Panther party member who was carrying him while imprisoned. The “real” Tupac Amaru, was a 16th century Incan chief and was the leader of what became the last Incan holdouts against Spanish rule. Fast forward to 1984, when a leftist group led by Victor Polay Campos assumed the name and declared its opposition toward the Peruvian government. You can find more on the Net. Tupac

From LK – The so-called 1990’s “grunge” rock scene has a time line and I was wondering if you knew or could share this information. Thanks.

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Pearl Jam

Mr. Pop History – I point to the 1990 release of “Louder Than Love” by Soundgarden.
Then on to 1991 – when Nirvana “Smells Like a Teen Spirit” was released. Then – Pearl Jam gets its name on the cover of Rolling Stone.

1992 – Nirvana is on the cover of Rolling Stone and the magazine describes Seattle as the new Liverpool. Pearl Jam’s debut album – “Ten” sells a ton. Vogue magazine featured grunge fashion, which was typically, flannel shirts, untied combat boots, knit caps, mismatched stripes and disheveled hair. There’s more, but this is a good start.

From Carolyn C – Am I right to say Donald Trump once had his own television show? I don’t remember it.

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Mr. Pop History – You must be referring to something called “Trump Card” – a game show taped at the Trump Castle in Atlantic City. It ran for a TV season – beginning in September of 1991. Trumped was dumped (stopped production) the following spring due to low ratings. Jimmy Cefalo was the emcee.

Ever the showman – here’s a picture of Donald Trump shaking hands with host Cefalo on the debut program.
Trump Card 1