EPISODE # 51
VOGUES - "YOU'RE THE ONE"
TAPING DATE: December 4, 1965
AIRING DATE: December 11, 1965
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D1 - MARIA POGEE
D2 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D3 - GWEN SELVAGE
D4 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D5 - DeANN MOLLNER
D6 - DAWN MICHAELS
__________________
V1 - DON MILLER
V2 - CHUCK BLASKO
V3 - HUGH GEYER
V4 - BILL BURKETTE
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This video of the Vogues performing their September 1965 top-ten hit "You're The One" is the only currently available performance from episode # 51. It gives us a good look at the GAZZARRI lineup, which at this point close to the end of the show's run, had become standardized. These same girls were there for the last episode which was only several weeks away: DeANN, JUNE, GWEN, JACQUI, MARIA, DAWN, and MIMI (not shown in this performance). The set had also become fairly standardized. Some of the small dancing platforms and ladder/steps had been replaced by the pair of large circular tables. Compare these to the tiny triangle platform that Jackie DeShannon had to dance on during episode # 9.
The great tempo of this tune allows the dancers to put in a good workout performance. At the time this show was taped the Vogues second big hit, "Five O'Clock World", was also near the top of the charts.
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EPISODE # 53
ASSOCIATION - "ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS"
TAPING DATE: December 18, 1965
AIRING DATE: December 25, 1965
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D1 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D2 - MIMI MACHU
D3 - DeANN MOLLNER
D4 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D5 - MARIA POGEE
D6 - DAWN MICHAELS
D7 - GWEN SELVAGE
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A1 - BRIAN COLE
A2 - TED BLUECHEL, JR.
A3 - RUSS GIGUERE
A4 - TERRY KIRKMAN
A5 - GARY ALEXANDER
A6 - JIM YESTER
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This performance is noteworthy for the great vocals by the Association and the up-tempo dancing by JUNE throughout.
The song is a Dylan-penned tune from 1964 adapted by the Association for their second single. Although it didn't chart, it did draw lots of attention to the band. They would be back in a few months with their third single, and first major smash, "Along Comes Mary".
During the intro we see SAM with DeANN. After that the dancing focus is on the vivacious JUNE who keeps up a frantic pace during the entire performance. We also get to see MIMI back in the dancing lineup after returning from her ankle injury in September. The seven GAZZARRI DANCERS appearing here would remain constant until the final episode which was only a little more than a month away.
This episode originally aired on Christmas Day 1965 and must have been a nice extra gift for fans of the show.
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EPISODE # 53
LESLEY GORE - "SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS"
TAPING DATE: December 18, 1965
AIRING DATE: December 25, 1965
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D1 - DeANN MOLLNER
D2 - DAWN MICHAELS
D3 - GWEN SELVAGE
D4 - MIMI MACHU
D5 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D6 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D7 - MARIA POGEE
____________________
LG - LESLEY GORE
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Episode # 53 is noteworthy not only for its great lineup of guests, which included the Association, Simon & Garfunkle, the Dixie Cups, Donna Loren, and Lesley Gore, but also because of the serious set lighting problems. You can read a first hand account on our "Audience Participation" page of the set happenings from Pam R., who was one of the dancers in the audience. The taping was an all day affair on account of the aforementioned problems.
Lesley, who was a very polished 19 years old at this time, puts in a solid performance while handing out lollipops during her stroll through the audience. JACQUI hands her the platter full of candy and an unsuspecting girl in the audience is presented with the empty tray near the end of the act. Lesley does however save one lollipop for "lucky boy" SAM. The idea for the candy distribution might have been hatched during the several hour break in the taping.
The late episodes "magnificent seven" GAZZARRI DANCERS are in action here again complete with showgirl high kicks. JACQUI and JUNE are consistently limber and very good at these. The only downside to this act is that we only get a very brief look at MARIA.
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EPISODE # 53
LESLIE GORE - "IT'S MY PARTY"
TAPING DATE: December 18, 1965
AIRING DATE: December 25, 1965
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D1 - MARIA POGEE
D2 - DeANN MOLLNER
D3 - DAWN MICHAELS
D4 - GWEN SELVAGE
D5 - MIMI MACHU
D6 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D7 - JACQUI LANDRUM
___________________
LG - LESLIE GORE
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Leslie gives us another solid performance on the episode that first aired on Christmas Day 1965. "It's My Party" was her first hit and it climbed to # 1 in June 1963.
This is one of the few acts where the GAZZARRI DANCERS use props during their dance routine. In this case they capitalize on Leslie's line, "and I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to ...", by using hankerchiefs to do some of their own faux crying. Sharp eyed observers might notice that all of the dancers are using white hankies except DeANN who has a black one ! I questioned DeANN about this but she has no idea why her hankie was the odd one out.
This is another GAZZARRI performance that was choreographed by JACQUI LANDRUM and it's interesting to note how she had once again moved the dancers away from classic free style go-go dancing to a well rehearsed and themed routine.
Also note the height differential between DAWN, the shortest of the "magnificent seven", who is sandwiched between the two tallest, DeANN and GWEN.
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EPISODE # 53
DIXIE CUPS - "A-B-C SONG"
TAPING DATE: December 18, 1965
AIRING DATE: December 25, 1965
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D1 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D2 - GWEN SELVAGE
D3 - MARIA POGEE
D4 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D5 - DAWN MICHAELS
D6 - DeANN MOLLNER
D7 - MIMI MACHU
_____________________
DC1 - BARBARA HAWKINS
DC2 - JOAN JOHNSON
DC3 - ROSA HAWKINS
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This video is another from the "lollipops and lighting" episode. Producer MILT HOFFMAN seems to have made full use of the lollipops introduced during Lesley Gore's "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows". The GAZZARRI ladies are all in possession of them, and some of the audience dancers are as well.
The New Orleans based Dixie Cups were a pair of sisters, Barbara and Rosa Hawkins, joined by their cousin Joan Johnson. They are best known for their smash hit "Chapel Of Love", which reached # 1 on the charts in June 1964. By the time they appeared on HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO they were at the end of their two year run on the charts. Even though the "A-B-C Song" is one of the most widely known childrens' melodies, it went nowhere on the record charts.
The video starts with some up close looks at MIMI and JUNE. Then our "magnificent seven" GAZZARRI DANCERS appear and perform what can only be described as a child-like routine seemingly to go along with the song. We wonder if the routine was made up on the spot or actually rehearsed this way. JACQUI, in her role as choreographer, was coming up with increasingly complex arrangements, and this one does not appear to fit in that mold. The entire performance has an indifferent feel to it. Perhaps after the hours long delay due to the lighting problems the usually structured tapings dissolved into a hurry up and get it over event.
Adding to the juvenile feel is the patty-cake and jumping rope performed by the agile Rosa Hawkins. For those who follow our stage set diagrams Rosa (DC3) and Joan Johnson (DC2) swap positions for this segment.
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EPISODE # 53
DONNA LOREN - "CALL ME"
TAPING DATE: December 18, 1965
AIRING DATE: December 25, 1965
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D1 - MARIA POGEE
D2 - DeANN MOLLNER
D3 - MIMI MACHU
D4 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D5 - GWEN SELVAGE
D6 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D7 - DAWN MICHAELS
______________________
DL - DONNA LOREN
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Another gift for viewers watching this Christmas Day 1965 broadcast was the lovely Donna Loren.n She could at the same time manage to appear both innocent and sultry. Donna was a prolific performer in the 1960s and is best known for being a regular on the competing show Shindig. She appeared on 26 episodes of Shindig, many variety entertainment shows, and several beach blanket style movies. She continues to perform to this day.
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This song, "Call Me", was written for Petula Clark and recorded by her in 1965. But it was Chris Montez who had the big hit with it, also in the same year. With multiple artists releasing it, Donna's recording went nowhere on the charts.
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During SAM'S introduction we get some excellent looks at the very photogenic DAWN. This was her ninth episode on the show. She fit in very quickly with the rest of the troupe, no doubt in part due to her formal training. JACQUI choreographed this episode and her trademark fluid upper body movements are evident throughout the performance. Note the exceptionally high leg kicks by MARIA and JACQUI. These two, also both professionally trained, had known each other for several years, and when a dancing spot opened up with MIMI'S accident, JACQUI brought her old friend right in. We have a June 1963 photo of the two of them together on the Gazzarri Dancers photos page.
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EPISODE # 54
KNICKERBOCKERS - "LIES"
TAPING DATE: unknown date - late 1965
AIRING DATE: January 1, 1966
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D1 - MIMI MACHU
D2 - GWEN SELVAGE
D3 - DeANN MOLLNER
D4 - DAWN MICHAELS
D5 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D6 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D7 - MARIA POGEE
____________________
K1 - BEAU CHARLES
K2 - BUDDY RANDELL
K3 - JOHN CHARLES
K4 - JIMMY WALKER
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This is currently one of only three videos to have surfaced from episode # 54. The performance itself presents a few mysteries and unanswered questions. What was the actual taping date? This episode aired on New Year's Day 1966, which was a Saturday. It is extremely unlikely that the usual pattern of taping on the preceding Saturday was followed since it would have been Christmas Day 1965.
The studio set with the large round platforms is the late version that came into use on episode # 47, so we know that this performance was taped sometime after that. One anomaly is that the tape has been edited to include duplicate footage three times. We have no idea why this was done. Possible reasons include a malfunctioning camera, an occurrence that needed to be edited out, or a damaged piece of tape.
The performance itself by the Knickerbockers and the GAZZARRI DANCERS is pure dynamite. The band rocks and the dancers follow suite. GWEN, who is positioned directly in front of the band, is the featured GAZZARRI. The remainder of this all-star lineup includes DeANN, MIMI, DAWN, MARIA, JACQUI, and JUNE.
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EPISODE # 54
GLORIA JONES - "HEARTBEAT"
TAPING DATE: unknown date - late 1965
AIRING DATE: January 1, 1966
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D1 - DeANN MOLLNER
D2 - GWEN SELVAGE
D3 - MIMI MACHU
D4 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D5 - DAWN MICHAELS
D6 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D7 - MARIA POGEE
___________________
GJ - GLORIA JONES
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Be forewarned - a cool drink and a fire extinguisher might be required to view this video because the GAZZARRI DANCER "magnificent seven" are on fire throughout. The tape starts off innocently enough with the intro to this very late episode. The artists are the usual eclectic mix. One of this mix is Gloria Jones, who made a bigger name for herself several years later for different reasons. The intro goes straight into "Heartbeat" with Gloria who is the first act.
The performance by the GAZZARRI DANCERS could be classified as a serious and very hot workout. DeANN, GWEN, MIMI, and JUNE remain on the main platform after DAWN and JACQUI reposition themselves to two circular risers as the intro ends. Then the go-go fun and the hair swinging begins. The hip movements and pelvic thrusts by all are outstanding. We get some excellent looks at the four dancers on the main platform. We also get some up close camera looks of DAWN swinging her tresses at the 2:48 mark for three seconds. Then at the 2:58 mark we see MIMI doing the same, quickly followed by GWEN for three seconds. The beat of the song is perfect for the routine worked out by JACQUI and the action is non-stop for the entire performance.
Gloria Jones is most remembered for being the driver of Marc Bolan's (T.Rex) car in the 1977 accident that killed him. They were a couple for years and lived in England. She is also a prolific songwriter and producer. She was the first to record "Tainted Love" (1964), a tune that Soft Cell made a hit decades later. Gloria was also in the Los Angeles cast of "Hair". This HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO appearance is from early in her long career.
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EPISODE # 55
EVIE SANDS - "I CAN'T LET GO"
TAPING DATE: January 8, 1966
AIRING DATE: January 15, 1966
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D1 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D2 - MARIA POGEE
D3 - DAWN MICHAELS
D4 - DeANN MOLLNER
D5 - MIMI MACHU
D6 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D7 - GWEN SELVAGE
____________________
ES - EVIE SANDS
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Three months prior Evie made her first appearance on HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO episode # 42 (October 9, 1965). She was brought back no doubt because of her great voice, stage presence, and knack for recording great tunes (which would later become huge hits for other artists).
Her third single, "Take Me For a Little While" was literally stolen from her by a Chess Records producer who gave it to one of his artists, Jackie Ross, who then proceeded to get more airplay with it than Evie. While this legal case played out she released the Chip Taylor penned "I Can't Let Go". This great tune got overshadowed by the struggle between her label, Blue Cat, and Chess over the previous single. The Hollies jumped right in, recorded it, and had it in the U.K. top-ten by March 1966. In 1967 Evie was also the first to record "Angel of the Morning" on Cameo Records which was in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings at the time. Another lost opportunity as Merilee Rush recorded it the following year and the rest is history. Bottom line is that very few artists have had as much bad luck as Evie Sands.
Much of the camera time in this performance is focused on Evie, but we do get good looks at all seven of the GAZZARRI DANCERS. This was the "magnificent seven" that entertained viewers for the last two months of the show. From the opening hip shakes by DAWN and DeANN, and right on through all of the other great moves, this may very well have been the premier go-go team in television history.
Evie is still active in the music industry and continues to perform.
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EPISODE # 55
EVIE SANDS - "YOU'VE GOT ME UPTIGHT"
TAPING DATE: January 8, 1966
AIRING DATE: January 15, 1966
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D1 - MIMI MACHU
D2 - DeANN MOLLNER
D3 - GWEN SELVAGE
D4 - DAWN MICHAELS
D5 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D6 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D7 - MARIA POGEE
____________________
ES - EVIE SANDS
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Once again Evie puts in another fine performance and the cameras spend much of the time focused on her. We do however get to see a bit more of the GAZZARRI DANCERS. At the very beginning DAWN and GWEN hurry across the main platform behind Evie to get to their positions on the right. MIMI and DeANN are located on the left side of the platform. This is another JACQUI LANDRUM choreographed routine with lots of movement, albeit none of it flat out go-go dancing. Note the white boots worn by Evie which look very similar to those of the GAZZARRI ladies.
"You've Got Me Uptight" was the B side to "I Can't Let Go".
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EPISODE # 55
BOYS - "SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS"
TAPING DATE: January 8, 1966
AIRING DATE: January 15, 1966
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D1 - MARIA POGEE
D2 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D3 - GWEN SELVAGE
D4 - DAWN MICHAELS
D5 - DeANN MOLLNER
D6 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D7 - MIMI MACHU
____________________
B1 - PAULA HOLLANDER
B2 - NINA MAZEY
B3 - LISA MAZEY
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The Boys were one of the more obscure groups to appear on HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO. We here at GAZZARRIDANCERS.COM have searched extensively to come up with what little is known about this group. They are a pair of sisters, Lisa and Nina Mazey, and their friend Paula Hollander. They all hail originally from Long Island. The Mazey sisters and Paula attended Freeport (LI) H.S. and were both members of several vocal / choral clubs, so it should come as no surprise that they formed a group to showcase their harmonies. At the time of this taping Nina was 20 years old, and Lisa 18. Paula had just turned 18 two days prior.
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In September 1965 they released one single on the newly formed Kama Sutra Records. It was the third single on the Kama Sutra label and the record company was apparently impressed enough to release it with a picture sleeve. Perhaps this optimism was fueled by the fact that the song was penned by the talented Jackie DeShannon. The trio appeared on two other west coast TV music/dance shows during the December 1965 / January 1966 time frame. One appearance was on the Lloyd Thaxton Show on December 23, 1965, and the name of the other show is unknown at this time. After the HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO appearance the following month nothing more is heard of them.
One can't help but notice that all three "boys" were dressed in what appear to be heavy wool pants suits. Stylish and attractive for the times, but it must have been uncomfortable attire for a taping session in a TV studio.
The "magnificent seven" GAZZARRI DANCERS appear in this video. During SAM'S long introduction we get to see MARIA up close. Not only is she keeping to the HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO theme beat, but her eyes are also dancing along as well ! We also get some good looks at JUNE who is on the large circular platform. Everyone else is relegated to the background or shadows. DeANN and GWEN are on the main stage with DAWN on the runway in front. We get a few fleeting glimpses of MIMI towards the beginning of the song. JACQUI, who choreographed the episode, is lost in the shadows during this performance.
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EPISODE # 55
BOYS - "EVERY MORNIN' "
TAPING DATE: January 8, 1966
AIRING DATE: January 15, 1966
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D1 - MARIA POGEE
D2 - MIMI MACHU
D3 - DeANN MOLLNER
D4 - GWEN SELVAGE
D5 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D6 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D7 - DAWN MICHAELS
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B1 - PAULA HOLLANDER
B2 - NINA MAZEY
B3 - LISA MAZEY
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"Every Mornin' " was the Boys second performance from this episode. It was written by them and was the B side to "Splendor In The Grass". The picture sleeve for the record shows "You're The Boy" as the B side, but Lisa Mazey has confirmed that it was simply a typo that Kama Sutra never corrected.. Their entire currently known recording history consists of just the two tunes. They appear to have disbanded after this performance. This begs the question of whether there is more music by the Boys that we have not yet discovered. If anyone can help in this regard please contact us at our website address.
It is from SAM'S intro that we first learn that Nina, Lisa, and Paula are all from the NYC area. For this particular performance they have shed their woollen outfits and donned more casual and lightweight attire.
We get to see the same "magnificent seven" GAZZARRI DANCERS on this second Boys performance. Nice looks are had of DAWN and the two dancers on the large circular platforms, JACQUI and JUNE. Jacqui, who is credited with the choreography on this episode, leaves her signature upper body and arm movements throughout the dancing. As a choreographer on the show she used the pseudonym of JACQUI LANVIN.
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EPISODE # 55
LITTLE JIMMY DICKENS-"MAY THE BIRD OF PARADISE FLY UP YOUR NOSE
TAPING DATE: January 8, 1966
AIRING DATE: January 15, 1966
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D1 - DeANN MOLLNER
D2 - GWEN SELVAGE
D3 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D4 - MIMI MACHU
D5 - DAWN MICHAELS
D6 - MARIA POGEE
D7 - JACQUI LANDRUM
_______________________
LJD - LITTLE JIMMY DICKENS
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As was the case with most music dance shows and variety shows of the 1960s the choice of guest artists was usually an eclectic and sometimes strange mix. HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO fell right into this category and it couldn't be more evident than by having Grand Old Opry star Little Jimmy Dickens make an appearance. Jimmy was 45 years old when this was taped and we believe that he was the second oldest performer to appear on the show (Jimmy Witherspoon was a few months older). Remember, this was the same show that brought you the Rolling Stones several months earlier !
We've got the "magnificent seven" GAZZARRI DANCERS running through an outrageous routine almost assuredly dreamed up by JACQUI. The intro shows SAM embarrassing DeANN by directing the title of the song towards her. Then our go-go "birds" take flight in a routine slightly similar to the one in Jackie Lee's "The Duck". DeANN gets to strut her stuff solo on a riser while our other six birdies spread their wings on the main stage and the runway. With the bird of paradise and the duck on the same episode do we dare say that it was for the birds ?
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EPISODE # 56
KINGSMEN - "LOUIE LOUIE"
TAPING DATE: January 15, 1966
AIRING DATE: January 22, 1966
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D1 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D2 - DAWN MICHAELS
D3 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D4 - MIMI MACHU
D5 - MARIA POGEE
D6 - DeANN MOLLNER
___________________
K1 - LYNN EASTON
K2 - MIKE MITCHELL
K3 - NORM SUNDHOLM
K4 - DICK PETERSON
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This song always makes the finalist list as one of the greatest garage band recordings. Originally a # 2 smash in December 1963 / January 1964, it has rocked the house now for nearly five decades!
This is one of only four performance we have seen from episode # 56, only a few weeks before the end of the show. The GAZZARRI ladies are attired in the same outfits that they wore on several performances from episode # 58. All are clearly in fine go-go form.
The Kingsman keyboard player, Barry Curtis, is oddly absent from this taping although he did appear on a Shindig October 21, 1965 episode with the band.
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EPISODE # 56
PETER & GORDON - "WOMAN"
TAPING DATE: January 15, 1966
AIRING DATE: January 22, 1966
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D1 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D2 - MIMI MACHU
D3 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D4 - DAWN MICHAELS
D5 - GWEN SELVAGE
D6 - DeANN MOLLNER
D7 - MARIA POGEE
_____________________
P - PETER ASHER
G - GORDON WALLER
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Peter Asher and Gordon Waller made just one appearance on HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO. All three songs they performed were great, the surviving tape footage is outstanding, and in this performance they helped elevate JUNE and MIMI'S skills to a new level. As was the case in many of the performances towards the end of the show's run, the GAZZARRI DANCERS became equals of the guest artists on stage. In this case these were lofty heights considering that Peter & Gordon were upper echelon British Invasion artists.
JUNE and MIMI, who originated the statue dance, had been using it occasionally on the show since episode # 46 (taped the day before Halloween 1965). They made good use of their miming creation and talents as they shared the stage with Peter & Gordon in very close proximity. Their interplay, which dominates the whole performance, is both charming, funny, and priceless. This is some of the very best footage that we have of both JUNE and MIMI. JUNE was literally right within Gordon's personal space throughout, and as we see she startles him at one point.
The decision had been made ahead of time to put these four together on stage, and although there are five other GAZZARRI DANCERS in this performance, the cameras remain entirely focused on Gordon, Peter, JUNE, and MIMI.
Also of note is that this performance of "Woman" was undoubtedly the first time it was performed on television. This show was taped only five days after the record was released in the USA. British fans had to wait another month for their release. "Woman" rose to # 14 on the American charts, making it Peter & Gordon's sixth top-twenty hit stateside. The song was written by Paul McCartney, who was dating Peter's sister, Jane Asher, at the time.
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EPISODE # 56
PETER & GORDON - "I GO TO PIECES"
TAPING DATE: January 15, 1966
AIRING DATE: January 22, 1966
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D1 - DAWN MICHAELS
D2 - MARIA POGEE
D3 - GWEN SELVAGE
D4 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D5 - DeANN MOLLNER
D6 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D7 - MIMI MACHU
____________________
P - PETER ASHER
G - GORDON WALLER
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This is another video with some outstanding footage of the "magnificent seven" GAZZARRI DANCERS. Notice how the camera angles are set for most of the performance to feature both Peter & Gordon and the GAZZARRI DANCERS. It appears that Peter & Gordon are there to enchance the GAZZARRI performance and not the other way around.
One at a time we see all seven dancers walk the runway and descend several steps, each in their own particular style. It starts with DAWN followed by MARIA, GWEN, JACQUI, DeANN, JUNE, and then MIMI. After they reach the bottom of the steps they return to the back platform and repeat the process.
The song was written by Del Shannon, and was offered to the Searchers, who turned it down. It was then offered to Peter & Gordon, who cracked the top-ten in the US with it in February 1965. Many years later Gordon Waller commented that it was his favorite tune by the duo.
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EPISODE # 58
KAREN VERROS - "LITTLE BOY"
TAPING DATE: January 29, 1966
AIRING DATE: February 5, 1966
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D1 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D2 - GWEN SELVAGE
D3 - DeANN MOLLNER
D4 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D5 - MIMI MACHU
D6 - DAWN MICHAELS
D7 - MARIA POGEE
___________________
KV - KAREN VERROS
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This performance is from the final episode of HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO that featured an eclectic mix of musical guests. Karen Verros had a very short recording career that produced two singles on Dot Records. The first was a previously unrecorded song written by folksinger Donovan titled "You Just Gotta Know My Mind". It was released in October 1965. Two months later in December "Little Boy", the second single, debuted. It had originally been recorded by the Crystals in 1964. Despite this HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO appearance, and another on Where The Action Is, both of her records failed to make the charts and she disappeared from the music scene.
The GAZZARRI line up in this video of DeANN, MIMI, JUNE, GWEN, JACQUI, DAWN, and MARIA had been in place now for over twenty episodes, and the dancing was running like a well-oiled machine.
It was well known to the dancers and the entire production crew prior to the taping that the show had been cancelled. There was no reason to hold back anymore and in watching this tape you can see a certain intensity in the dancing. Freddy Cannon (the very last guest to appear on the final episode) had entered the ladies bathroom (as related by JUNE) before the taping to tell the dancers to "let it all hang out." They didn't disappoint.
This entire episode would never have aired on network television. Censors surely would have balked at JACQUI'S record setting high hemline (dancer D4 @ 0:51-1:02) in this Karen Verros performance. They would have had a problem with the skin tight suits worn by the girls during several songs. Likewise they would not have been pleased with JUNE'S cartwheel on stage in a dress. This was indeed edited out and producer MILT HOFFMAN was so incensed that he told JUNE that she would never work for him again. We only get a fleeting glimpse of JUNE in this video @ 2:18 - 2:20. MILT was not popular with the dancers like his predecessor, AL BURTON, and one can't help but think that it was by design that the GAZZARRI ladies decided to take it to the limit one last time. And we can all be thankful for that.
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EPISODE # 58
BOB LIND - "ELUSIVE BUTTERFLY"
AIRING DATE: February 5, 1966
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D1 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D2 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D3 - DeANN MOLLNER
D4 - DAWN MICHAELS
D5 - MIMI MACHU
D6 - GWEN SELVAGE
D7 - MARIA POGEE
____________________
BL - BOB LIND
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Another performance from the final episode, this one featuring some great footage of the talented JUNE FAIRCHILD. She has never looked lovelier than she does in this video. On her page on this website we have a recent photo of her taken at home with this video playing on her TV behind her.
There is some creative choreography by the GAZZARRI ladies during this performance. JACQUI was the choreographer at this time. GWEN (D6) is only seen during the intro. It's a pity that the show was cancelled after this episode. The dancers were certainly at the peak of their game by late 1965 and into the new year. DeANN and MIMI had been there from the start; JACQUI, GWEN, and JUNE for a long time and MARIA and DAWN for the last four months. They made a great dancing team.
"Elusive Butterfly" was still a few weeks away from entering the top-twenty where it would remain for seven weeks.
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EPISODE # 58
BOB LIND - "CHERYL'S GOIN' HOME"
TAPING DATE: January 29, 1966
AIRING DATE: February 5, 1966
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D1 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D2 - DeANN MOLLNER
D3 - DAWN MICHAELS
D4 - MIMI MACHU
D5 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D6 - GWEN SELVAGE
D7 - MARIA POGEE
____________________
BL - BOB LIND
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The most impressive aspect of this, the last episode, was the dancing by the GAZZARRI DANCERS. They were in top form throughout and at the peak of their game. Much of the credit goes to JACQUI who was in charge of the choreography for several months now. But one also has to give credit to the other six dancers who carried the show for the last four months. Perhaps it was the steadying influence and the professional training of the last two dancers brought aboard, MARIA and DAWN, but overall as a group, JUNE, MIMI, DeANN, GWEN, MARIA, DAWN, and JACQUI were truly the dream team from the show's 58 episode history. They worked together like a well drilled troupe. Watch DAWN, MIMI, and JUNE lined up on separate platforms from front to rear flowing in unison. JACQUI is positioned close to Bob in this performance and we get to see just how lithe she is. She and DeANN free-style their way through the performance. MARIA and GWEN are located on the right side of the studio and unfortunately receive almost no camera time. The "let it all hang out" feeling is pervasive.
After "Elusive Butterfly" this tune is probably Bob's most well known. For unknown reasons his record label at the time, World Pacific, put them both on the same disc as A and B sides. "Cheryl's Goin" Home" could have been a big hit on its own.
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EPISODE # 58
JAMES DARREN - "TOM HAWK"
TAPING DATE: January 29, 1966
AIRING DATE: February 5, 1966
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D1 - DeANN MOLLNER
D2 - GWEN SELVAGE
D3 - MARIA POGEE
D4 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D5 - DAWN MICHAELS
D6 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D7 - MIMI MACHU
____________________
JD - JAMES DARREN
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This is another of those high tempo performances from the final episode of HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO. From a dancing and GAZZARRI standpoint the "magnificent seven" were on fire from beginning to end. They all knew that this was to be their swansong with the show. This emotion, coupled with the fact that choreographer JACQUI LANDRUM (JACQUI LANVIN in the credits) had them fine tuned into a dance troupe that could expand the boundaries of go-go dancing, produced some memorable dancing performances.
Oddly enough it appears that at the show's inception go-go dancers were nothing more than a background decoration. In the earliest surviving tapes (episodes # 6 and # 9) the GAZZARRI DANCERS are clearly relegated to minor roles. In fact in many performances we see not one of them. And yet by this final episode they had equal camera time to the musical guests.
In one short year JUNE, MIMI, DeANN, and GWEN had gone from being local southern California girls who danced in clubs to becoming national TV stars who danced to an audience of hundreds of thousands on a weekly basis. JACQUI had advanced her career from dancing with road troupes to that of an up and coming choreographer who would go on to acclaim in her field. And the final two from the "magnificent seven", DAWN and MARIA, had added several months of go-go dancing to their professional resumes.
The lineup of guest artists for this episode certainly contended for the most eclectic in the show's 58 episode run. Whether juvenile rock from the Bantams, classic hits from the Everly Brothers, music from America's # 1 group at the time, the Byrds, staid music from David Watson, Bob Lind providing a showcase for JUNE, a hot number from Karen Verros, or this James Darren tune, the GAZZARRI DANCERS delivered and left a great final memory for all of us.
This performance opens with SAM interacting with one of the bantam-weight guests while DeANN dances behind them, followed by the introduction of James, who was equally well known for his acting. James adds to the episode's crazy mix with a surprisingly good up tempo tune that the GAZZARRI ladies took full advantage of. GWEN, MARIA, JACQUI, and DAWN are positioned on the back platform with JUNE and MIMI on separate platforms in front of them. They are all wearing their tight "spacesuit" outfits, which probably made dancing this routine even more challenging. One has to wonder whether Stanley Kubrick took note of these costumes for his movie, "2001 A Space Odyssey", which had begun filming only one month prior to this episode being taped ? They bear an uncanny resemblance to those in his production for the big screen.
Besides the song's non-stop fast tempo, and the dancing, what most stands out are the high kicks incorporated into the dance routine by JACQUI. Never have we seen them kicking quite this high before. This is Rockettes style dancing which required agility, stamina, equilibrium, and training. During the instrumental interlude James turns his back on the cameras to watch the dancers perform. One could easily make the case that the GAZZARRI DANCERS were the stars in this performance.
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EPISODE # 58
BYRDS - "TURN! TURN! TURN!"
TAPING DATE: January 29, 1966
AIRING DATE: February 5, 1966
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D1 - MARIA POGEE
D2 - GWEN SELVAGE
D3 - DAWN MICHAELS
D4 - MIMI MACHU
D5 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
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B1 - JIM (ROGER) McGUINN
B2 - DAVID CROSBY
B3 - GENE CLARK
B4 - MICHAEL CLARKE
B5 - CHRIS HILLMAN
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The Byrds played "Turn! Turn! Turn!" as the penultimate performance on HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO. Freddy Cannon had the distinction of performing the very last song. The Byrds had previously performed their hit on episode # 46 as the song was entering the top-twenty. It spent most of December as the # 1 song in America and was still on the charts when this episode was filmed in late January 1966. (The video link for this performance incorrectly lists the episode # 46 date. The video link is from episode # 58).
We only get to see MARIA, GWEN, MIMI, JUNE, and DAWN in this performance since DeANN and JACQUI were out of camera range. GWEN makes a fine backdrop to the Byrds and MARIA is positioned in front of them. DAWN, MIMI, and JUNE are lined up front to rear on two circular platforms and a runway. At the 2:50 mark we can see them reposition themselves by running to the back, but DAWN quickly reverses course and heads back to her platform.
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EPISODE # 58
FREDDY CANNON - "COME ON COME ON"
TAPING DATE: January 29, 1966
AIRING DATE: February 5, 1966
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D1 - JUNE FAIRCHILD
D2 - JACQUI LANDRUM
D3 - DAWN MICHAELS
D4 - DeANN MOLLNER
D5 - MARIA POGEE
D6 - MIMI MACHU
____________________
FC - FREDDY CANNON
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It all ended with Freddy Cannon's "Come On Come On" as the last performance on the last episode. The answer as to why he was given this distinction has probably been lost to history. It was not one of his better records and it was a B side. He was however well liked on the show with his congenial and comedic personality, and perhaps this was why he was given the final slot.
What happened to the choreography is also a mystery. Simply put it appears that there was none and the dancers were left to ad lib their way through the act. The three featured dancers behind Freddy were JUNE, JACQUI, and DAWN and it looks more like they are joking around than dancing. This is possibly the most bizarre and poor dancing performance in the entire history of the show. But this shouldn't cloud our judgment of the hundreds of other fine displays of dancing that preceded this over the 58 episodes.
During the closing credits we get to see SAM say "So long, music lovers" for the final time.
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