Celebrate The Music On National Jukebox Day!

November 22nd is National Jukebox Day! It's one of my favorite days, as I am an avid collector of jukeboxes. Currently, I have 3  jukeboxes at the Screamin Ranch.

National Jukebox Day offers several ways to celebrate! Be the DJ at your favorite bar that has a jukebox. Post song recommendations with Touchtunes on Facebook.

The first jukebox was installed at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco on November 23rd, 1889. It became an overnight sensation and made $1,100 in its first month. The jukebox became popular in the 1940s - 1970s. Companies like Wurlitzer, Rock-Ola, Seeburg, Ami . The 1980s saw the transition to CD.  TouchTunes came about in 1998 as “the world's first pay-for-play digital jukebox.

Detroit, Michigan in 1926, a 14-story building once housed the famous Wurlitzer Co., which made jukeboxes,  pianos, organs, radios, and instruments. The building, at 1509 Broadway is currently abandoned. But the famous script of the name of the company still sits at the top of the building.

One Of The Most Famous Jukeboxes

A Seeburg 100 Juke Box from "Happy Days" ABC Television, 1974.  The jukebox was at Arnolds Drive-In located over by the bathrooms. Took quarters but the character, "Fonzie" had a special touch and could get the jukebox to play for free for him by wrapping the glass with his fist.

The first jukebox I got was an NSM Jukebox from the 1970s. Love the style and the curve glass. Loaded with a ton of records.

The fun of owning jukeboxes is finding rare 45s to put in the jukebox. A hard one to find is a song that was in the Steve Martin, John Candy film, "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." A Ray Charles song called, "Mess Around."  Normally, the record goes for 150 dollars. But I found it on a site called Discogs http://www.discogs.com- great site to find hard-to-find records.

The story behind this jukebox is that it was at one time in use at the Emerald Theater in Mt. Clemens. For the longest time, you could find it way up in the upper balcony bar. The highest point of the theater. It was sold to a friend of mine who called up after I had made a visit to his home and asked if I was interested in the purchase of the jukebox. I was in love with this jukebox and proudly bought it. It's been in the game room at home for over 15 years, packed full of 45's records- a lot of the local Detroit bands like The Almighty Strut, The Look, Bitter Sweet Alley, Trash Brats, Kid Rock, and others.

One of my favorites is the 1959 Wurlitzer jukebox. Currently being restored with new power amp as well as fluorescent lights. Found this in a warehouse in Clinton TWP. and needed some TLC. Packed with 45s from the rock and roll era of the late 50's like Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis, and more.

In 2022, Jukeboxes are everywhere- on walls of local pubs, everywhere, but they are all hooked to the internet. You can now play almost any artist and music ever made. So today and in days to come, take time to enjoy a song on a local jukebox that has come a long way since paying a 5-cent Nickle in a slot, to using your credit card. Long live the Jukebox.

Canadian rock band Bachman Turner Overdrive  (B.T.O.) Randy Bachman wrote a song for the band's 3rd album,  Not Fragile (1974).  The song in question was, You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet. Song was a smash hit for the band reaching #1 on the Billboard charts in 1974. The song includes the song's famous stutter, and says, looking at him with big brown eyes and saying, "You ain't seen nothin' yet. B-b-b-baby, you just ain't seen na-na-nothin' yet. Here's somethin' that you're never gonna forget. B-b-b-baby, you just ain't seen na-na-nothin' yet." 

The song came about from Randy Bachman making fun of his brother, their former manager. Gary Bachman had a speech impediment. The song was never intended to be for anyone but Gary. The album needed a ninth song to brighten up the album. The producer asked Randy Bachman if he had any songs in the works. Randy played a very ruff demo of You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet. Randy said it was a joke song for his brother. The producer Charlie Fach of Mercury Records said: "That's it!" The single we need, so Randy Bachman reworked the demo to a full song. Let's just say the rest is rock and roll history.

The song made me do some research on other rock and roll songs that used close to the same formula to achieve greatness. I'm sure I will miss some classic songs.  Here are 7 Great Rock Songs That Stuttered Their Way Onto The Music Charts.

BTO's founding member, Randy Bachman, wrote “You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet” solo. In the song, he poked fun at then-manager and brother Gary Bachman's speech impediment.

People try to put us d-down (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Just because we get around (talkin' 'bout my generation)
Things they do look awful c-c-cold (talkin' 'bout my generation)

“My Sharona” was the first single released by The Knack, and it took the band straight to the top. Released in June of 1979, “My Sharona” spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard charts and later appeared on The Knack’s debut album, Get the Knack. In the story that would be considered creepy by today’s standards, Sharona Alperin was only 17 years old when she met The Knack’s singer and guitarist Doug Fieger who was 25. He fell in love with her and soon wrote “My Sharona” about her.

David Bowie's album, Hunky Dory came out in 1971 The song is written about going out on your own and not listening to critics. Just be yourself. Also used in the beginning of the movie The Breakfast Club 

Massive double album from Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road .  Elton wrote the song to pay tribute to glam rock movement of the early 70s. Not recorded live. Elton's record producer at the time, Gus Dudgeon, added ‘live' sound effects to the studio recording.

From the 1965 album The Beach Boys Party  The Song is written about a real person. Fred Fassert wrote that song in 1958, titling the song after his little sister, Barbara Ann Fassert. The song reached #13 in 1961

As the weather starts to turn gray and cold across Michigan, we're all looking for a laugh. Comedy is always great, but once the weather turns a laugh means even more than it does during the Summer months. To help, I've found 5 can't miss comedians coming to Metro-Detroit in November!

Across Metro-Detroit, there are tons of theatres, stages, and comedy clubs to enjoy. This November, we're thankful to have so many opportunities to check out some of our favorite comedians.

Comedy is a big deal here in Detroit. In fact, many of the stars in the comedy scene Detroit are from Detroit. Tim Robinson is a fellow native of Clarkston and graduated from Clarkston High School. His Netflix sketch show I Think You Should Leave is one of the most popular shows in recent years. It's constantly all over the internet and the show has created countless memes that have become popular on the internet. Seriously, no matter where you look there's Tim Robinson. I love it.

Additionally, Keegan-Michael Key is from Metro-Detroit. The Key & Peele star was born in Southfield and attended the University of Detroit Mercy. In the late 90s, Key cut his teeth doing improv at Planet Ant. Sam Richardson is another familiar face in the comedy scene who's from Detroit. He studied theatre at Wayne State and performed at the Second City when we had one in Detroit.

Detroit isn't just big on comedy because a lot of funny people are born here, though. We're passionate about comedy and there are tons of venues and stages to support the art. You have massive arenas like Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena for the big A-list comedians; theatres like the Fox, Fillmore, and Fisher to support large acts; then, smaller more intimate venues like Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle to host touring stage comics.

Here are five must-see comedians that will be coming to Metro-Detroit in November. This is just a starter list of recognizable names that we should be familiar with that will put on a great show. Let's get to the list!

November 2nd - The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

In 2018, Tiffany Haddish was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. She boasts an impressive resume and stole the show in the movie Girls Trip. She's one of the best comedians in the game, both doing stand-up and on the screen, and she'll be coming to town in November!

November 3rd - The Fillmore 

Chris is hilarious. He's a fantastic storyteller and is on the rise in the comedy world. Personally, I'm a big fan of the podcast Chrissy does with Sal Vulcano, of the Impractical Jokers, called "Hey Babe!"

November 4th - Fox Theatre

Hasan does it all. He's a comedian, political commentator, actor, and host. He became a household name due to his work on The Daily Show. He was even the featured speaker at the 2017 White House Correspondents' Dinner.

November 10th - The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor

I don't think these two need much of an introduction. These are two of the biggest named in comedy, and you can see them for the price of one. They are great friends and have amazing chemistry together. Definitely worth catching John and Pete when they come to Windsor in November. Have your passport ready.

November 30th - Fisher Theatre

Chelsea is one of the best in the game, and has been for a while now. I had the chance to see her years ago and she cracked me up. I have to imagine her set is even stronger now years later. I was always a fan of Chelsea Lately on E! Additionally, Chelsea Does on Netflix was hilarious and a must-watch. Go see Chelsea! You won't regret it.

Do you own any jukeboxes? What's your favorite? Let us know in the comments!