The Hot Air tribute to the passing of a musical genius
posted at 8:08 pm on July 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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I’m tired of all the demands from the closed-minded, telling us we should ignore this tremendous talent taken from us far too soon. Stop the resentment, people. Unlock your hearts and give this man his due. Click on the image to watch:
Decades later, that music still grabs me by the heart. When he left us, a simpler time passed with him as well.
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I don’t watch the videos while I am at work so sometimes I feel like I am commenting blind but then that’s what I get for commenting on someone else’s time and dime.
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Wow. I knew that most people didn’t read all the comments on a thread, but now I know that they don’t even bother to look at the original post. Instead, they just charge in there with all opinions blazing. With those kinds of crappy research skills, how informed can they possibly be? Explains a lot, actually.
I’m there with those that regret the premature loss of both Jim Croce and Harry Chapin. I liked James Taylor, and Carly Simon, and Joni Mitchell and a bunch of others too, of course, but they’re all still alive (and showing up on Public Television in boomer-centric concerts whenever there’s a fundraising drive).
HTL on July 7, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Damn, I didn’t get married (for the first time until ‘82). I thought I was old.
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 7, 2009 at 10:12 PM
OK. I take it back. Neil Young – but he is still searching for a horrible end.
ericdijon on July 7, 2009 at 10:12 PM
I was a cavalry officer with Black Jack Pershing
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I threw a rod in one of those. And it was my girlfriend’s. That car sucked, but she didn’t see it that way.
Pablo on July 7, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I have wrinkles older than that
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Totally Agree. That car was truly a POS.
Dire Straits on July 7, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Am I missing something here? As bad as this country is becoming, you are criticizing us reliving memories of the 70’s. This is a nice release from the crap we have endured since last year. Lighten up Francis.
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 7, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I’m sorry? We’re hating on Jim Croce now? Why?
bopone on July 7, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I would love to get my hands on an an early 70’s ride (such as a Bonneville convert). The older the better and restore it in my garage.
Take about fun.
F15Mech on July 7, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I didn’t “meet” the first one but he owned the second one when we started dating. Sweet memories of that car. Thirty-eight years ago but you beat me on the marriage by two years.
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2009 at 10:15 PM
BOTH hatchback AND window gate. You had your choice of where to stick your feet out.
ericdijon on July 7, 2009 at 10:15 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5dwksSbD34
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Easy.
Do a web search for the tribute site for WABC in NY City, which was the greenhouse for this. They have plenty of on-demand live recordings from the classic days back when The Beatles were playing at Shea Stadium.
Del Dolemonte on July 7, 2009 at 10:16 PM
I used to wipe Custer’s ass.
Pvt. Homo.
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 7, 2009 at 10:16 PM
known to provide privacy..
ericdijon on July 7,2009 at 10:08PM.
ericdijon: Another name comes to mind on the Pacer,
“The FishBowl”!!
canopfor on July 7, 2009 at 10:17 PM
But the Gremlin was a good car, at least for the first couple of years it was on the market. My mom loved hers.
Gremlin and Memphis Belle
cozmo on July 7, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Met my wife in high school in 1971. A bell bottom brunette babe..LOL
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I was a teenager in the 70’s, I just aint believing that… :P
Did I mention my first car was a MG 1100??? :P :P :P
doriangrey on July 7, 2009 at 10:18 PM
They advertised it priced by the pound as cheaper than hamburger
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Ahhhh. Cars of the 70’s.
Remember the Gremlin, or the Maverick?
After my Pinto, I bought a 70′ Camaro. 350, with Rochester twin jet. Put a cherry Bomb on it and my girl fell in love with me.
Still together.
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Good Virginia girl…good for YOU! :)
ladyingray on July 7, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Nice care. I rebuilt a Triumph TR-3. Had a lot of fun with it.
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Seriously? Read much?
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2009 at 10:19 PM
That’s my home! Rush, Hannity, etc is on WABC….
Didn’t know they had a tribute site tho….thanks!
JetBoy on July 7, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Only better now!!!!
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Bought my wife’s first car at a rummage sale.’62 Buick Skylark for $50.00
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Nope, Neil is OK. Last year he ripped his bandmate David Crosby a new getalife for making fun of how Chimpy Bush talks, and he’s also a major owner of Lionel electric trains.
Del Dolemonte on July 7, 2009 at 10:21 PM
I was a professional service station attendant back in the day; cute stuff in a Pacer got every window squeegeed and was always offered a dashboard wipe down…
ericdijon on July 7, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Yeah but if you were listening to am radio, then you were probably smoking herb with seeds.
:-)
JohnGalt23 on July 7, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Damn! Nice.
I had a good friend with a MGB hatchback.
It would take forever fiddling with those twin carbs just to get the damn thing running long enough to go to the liquor store.
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:22 PM
One of my 70’s Heirloons is an 8 track of the band Boston and the tape is called Boston. We played that track a 1000 times at least.
Dire Straits on July 7, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Yes..much better..it takes about 20-25 years for a guy to get smart enough to really, really appreciate one’s wife.
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:22 PM
http://www.musicradio77.com/
Del Dolemonte on July 7, 2009 at 10:23 PM
If I lookI think I’ve got a Steppenwolf, a couple of 3 Dog Night and a Bread 8-track around here you can have..LOL
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:24 PM
ROTFLMAO… It looked like a Rolls Royce that shrunk in the washing machine, but was way sweet, the TR3… Just plain looked fast… ;)
doriangrey on July 7, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Military (I should insert some squid jab here but drawing a blank).
F15Mech on July 7, 2009 at 10:24 PM
It was absolutely critical to have a hatchback.
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:25 PM
ROTFLMAO… It looked like a Rolls Royce that shrunk in the washing machine, but was way sweet, the TR3… Just plain looked fast… ;)
doriangrey on July 7, 2009 at 10:24 PM
And leaked a lot of oil…LOL
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:25 PM
I have an album by the Monkeys if my mother hasn’t thrown it away.
Dire Straits on July 7, 2009 at 10:26 PM
ROTFLMAO…. Must not have had much practice with those dual downdraft SU’s. I could do mine (back in the day) in about 30 seconds… ;p
doriangrey on July 7, 2009 at 10:27 PM
TR3 = cheese-wedge
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Just for mood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXI6CdTVJ-0
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Don’t do that, you will make me feel guilty about all the ones I knew (& told) growing up in Virginia Beach.
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Teh awesome! Thanks! I’ll be spending some time there…
Heh, Everclear’s “AM Radio” is how I usually imagine how it must have been…
JetBoy on July 7, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I have “Thick as a Brick” up in my closet, havent had a turntable in at least 25 years.
doriangrey on July 7, 2009 at 10:29 PM
MonKEES
ericdijon on July 7, 2009 at 10:29 PM
[F15Mech on July 7, 2009 at 10:15 PM]
‘70 is about mid-way on detail After that they started getting gaudy and earlier were rather spartan. My brother had a ‘65, powder blue.
My preference would be a ‘62 300, which was my first. I really smart looking car, but sleek looking it was not.
Dusty on July 7, 2009 at 10:29 PM
I remember breaking my Dad’s 8 track player (and trying to fix it) in his Galaxy
F15Mech on July 7, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Too many screws to turn. It didn’t help much when 2 people were working at the same time! No way to sync the damn things when one was turned 1/4 left and another 1/4 right.
But, the thing was a chick magnet.
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Nah..that was the 7,3 was pretty old school and round
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Ahh..my dads last car a ‘63 Galaxie XL 500 390cid 4bbl
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Ahhhhhhhh.. My Bad! You’re exactly right. The 3 looked alot like the Austin Healey.
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Prince Al… working his way through Harvard?!?! Al Gore… working?!?!?!
Now that’s funny. Damn funny.
JohnGalt23 on July 7, 2009 at 10:33 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRGbqO6FzZI&feature=related
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:34 PM
in the corner for 318 minutes….
backwoods conservative on July 7,2009 at 10:06PM.
backwoods conservative:
I will redeem myself,grade 9 high school,just got my licence
i could either criuse,in our families 67 Chevelle wagon,or
a 1956 Ford truck,273 ci,3 spd tranny,3.73 rear gears!
The 56 Ford truck,was fun to drive!!:)
canopfor on July 7, 2009 at 10:34 PM
This is just so wrong. First, some plastic plastic surgery addict, drug abuser, and pedophile dies of a drug overdose, and now we’re (indirectly) celebrating the artist who performed “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”, apparently with a straight face.
I mean, when was the last time anyone here was forced to listen to that appalling dreck? I’ll tell you when! It was just last week!
I share an office with an oldies radio freak and GD-it if those schmucks didn’t play that wretched song last week, and I was trapped. Trapped, I tell you.
Jaibones on July 7, 2009 at 10:34 PM
A
wow, my parents had a Galaxy 500. Bright red with big round tail-lights. Used to lay in the back window going to the lake for summer vacation.
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Oh, man…Tull!
C’mon, dorian…even I have a turntable…I weren’t around then, but I do have a nice collection of vinyl, if I do say so myself…
Honestly, CD’s and digital just don’t come close to a good vinyl record. The sound difference is unmatched.
JetBoy on July 7, 2009 at 10:35 PM
ROTFLMAO…. I guess you never heard of a Syncrofloat. It was a vacuum gauge made especially for the SU downdraft carburetors that allowed you to synchronize the carbs in a matter of seconds. God I loved having that little gauge… ;)
doriangrey on July 7, 2009 at 10:35 PM
That’s it
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:35 PM
First album I ever had. Dear Lord, I knew every word, every note.
I suggest a swap meet for that nostalgic turntable, dude.
Jaibones on July 7, 2009 at 10:36 PM
My main memory of 8-track tape players is wedging a paper match book in with the tape to keep it from double-tracking.
backwoods conservative on July 7, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Well, we didn’t have Google back then! :D
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:37 PM
I sold “Kill Em All” by Metallica for $50.00 on vinyl to a record store. Loved vinyl.
FlyoverJ-HawkFan on July 7, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Maybe they should tie you down and force you to listen more, you might get some culture. ;)
cozmo on July 7, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Pony convertible,
JetBoy on July 7,2009 at 10:12PM.
JetBoy: Mustangs are great,and you’ve got a drop-top to
boot! Cool:)
canopfor on July 7, 2009 at 10:37 PM
As I stated earlier in another post, my mind seems to be failing. This IS Jim Croce, right? Jim Croce died in September of 1973. As a matter of fact, I heard the news as my wife and I were planning our wedding. What am I missing here?
oldleprechaun on July 7, 2009 at 10:38 PM
8-teacks??!! …LOL>..The oldest 45 I ever bought was for a girl I had a crush on in sixth grade
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Cough cough… Retired professional musician here, remember? I probably still have 1500 cassettes though… ;O
doriangrey on July 7, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Nite folks. Really enjoyed this thread.
BacaDog on July 7, 2009 at 10:38 PM
8-tracks
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I don’t get it.
Jim Croce died in September 1973.
Someone clue me in please.
SilverStar830 on July 7, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I saw a turntable that plugs into a computer not too long ago.
cozmo on July 7, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Sounds about right, we were married in October of 73
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Thanks everyone for a light evening of growing up in the U.S.A. (& Canada). With everything so crazy it was fun taking a trip down Memory Lane. Good night and sweet dreams.
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Nite Baca..yup..this was fun
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:40 PM
[oldleprechaun on July 7, 2009 at 10:38 PM]
Ed Jim-rolled us.
Dusty on July 7, 2009 at 10:40 PM
No worries I am sure any joke your squid of a husband and yourself told on the shores of VA Beach, back in 1773 (sorry I could not resist) :), are old jokes in the Hampton Roads/Langley AFB area. (I was stationed at LAFB hence the extra slam)
F15Mech on July 7, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Thanks everyone for a light evening of growing up in the U.S.A. (& Canada). With everything so crazy it was fun taking a trip down Memory Lane. Good night and sweet dreams.
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Nite Cindy!
Jeff from WI on July 7, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Thursday, September 20 , 1973
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Just listened to the bootleg. Very sad day.
JohnGalt23 on July 7, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Ed you sneaky BASTAGE YOU!!!
44Magnum on July 7, 2009 at 10:43 PM
LOL!! Husband was Army and we are natives to the area. Nothing worse then natives in a military town, at least back then but thank God things have changed for the better. Goodnight again.
Cindy Munford on July 7, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Fell in love with it the first time I saw it. Not all mine yet…dang payments harshing my mellow, but it’s worth it!
I still have the first one I bought a few years ago, an ‘86 convertible…needs work, in my parent’s house garage. My dad wants it gone, but I just can’t do it.
JetBoy on July 7, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Gremin and Memphis belle.
cozmo on July 7,2009 at 10:17PM.
cozmo: Back in 72, i was about,13,my friends brother had a
Gremin,304 with a 4spd,anyhow,we went to a Midas
Muffler shop,to put the mufflers on his new,Hooker
headers,talk about loud!
Memphis Belle,loved the story,and I watched the movie
a great plane,the B-17!!
Love how the B-17 idles,thumping,pulsating power!:)
canopfor on July 7, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Night Cindy
F15Mech on July 7, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Thank you for this. I was a Croce fan when I attended Villanova only a few years after he did, and sang under some of the same trees (I saw the pictures of him in the yearbook and was able to identify some of the places he played on campus).
Odd that I recognized the picture immediately. It’s only been about 35 years.
And you’re right, Ed. He was a genius.
joebuckley on July 7, 2009 at 10:48 PM
heh…sorry, I forgot :)
Oh, man tho…cassettes are the worst! They have to be worse than 8 tracks even.
JetBoy on July 7, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Nope. Cassettes were a huge improvement over 8-tracks.
backwoods conservative on July 7, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Time for me to go to bed as well, night everyone…
doriangrey on July 7, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Nite everyone,it was a blast from zee past!!:)
Wife needs her quality time on zee net!!:)
Nite from Canada,Cindy:)
canopfor on July 7, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Jim Croce died!? When?
King of the Britons on July 7, 2009 at 10:54 PM
yeah, mornin’ comes early.
Nite guys and gals.
JetBoy on July 7, 2009 at 10:54 PM
FlyoverJ-HawkFan: I don’t know how you could have misinterpreted my point, but just for the record, I was criticizing the (many) commenters who wrote assuming that it was Michael Jackson being referred to, and didn’t bother to click on the link to discover it was Jim Croce.
HTL on July 7, 2009 at 10:57 PM
I got to the party late. But I have to say that what made AM so fun were the DJs. In L.A. we had Machine Gun Kelly and Robert W. Morgan. Also the Real Don Steele. They made it fun to listen to the top 40. I also had a Vega. Only lasted five years. I moved up to a Mazda GLC. It lasted a bit longer. This was a fun thread and I was and still am a big fan of Jim Croce.
Rose on July 7, 2009 at 10:58 PM
I saw him three times in the early 70’s. His shows were magjical. 20,000 rock fans didn’t make a sound while he played.
There are still characters like Big Jim Walker and Bad, Bad LeRoy Brown, but since he left they are just a little harder to find.
flyoverland on July 7, 2009 at 11:10 PM
We never missed Casey Kasem and top 40 countdown.
Dire Straits on July 7, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I have a turntable (not the usb kind) but no vinyl to play.
I burned all of my later ex’s records from vinyl to CD, because she did not have a quadraphonic sound system in her 2001 Caddy.
F15Mech on July 7, 2009 at 11:18 PM
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