WJR RADIO 760 * Theme from the Jimmy Launce Show * DON COSTA ORCHESTRA
‘GINA’
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In lieu of Jimmy Launce’s recent passing, August 28, Motor City Radio Flashbacks has received several requests for his designated show theme which Jimmy played for decades on WJR.
“Gina,” was the instrumental version Jimmy Launce had preferenced from the Don Costa 1964 album, “The Golden Touch“.
Beginning 1965, the selection, “Gina,” was heard at the close of his afternoon shows for nearly 30 years on WJR radio.
Motor City Radio Flashbacks remembers.
god rest jimmy lontz soul -mostly remember him over wjr working along with j.p. mccartney — two outstanding great radio legends! in heaven now
Anyone remember the short vocal piece that Jimmy would play right before “Gina,” at least in the mid-1970s? It went something like “The time has come to say ‘good night'” and “…until we meet again, good night.” Then “Gina” would start and Jimmy would say his goodbyes for the day. I’ve searched on the lyrics but can’t find anything that seems right.
I’ve also been looking for this for many years.
The closest thing I’ve found is a closing song by Steve Lawrence:
“The time has come to say goodnight.
Let’s make a date next Monday night.
May the coming week bring joy in everything you do.
May every dream you dream come true.
Until we meet again.”
Finally found it:
Searched Amazon music for
“Steve Lawrence goodnight”
And that revealed the song called
“The time has come to say goodnight”
It’s only 46 seconds long
But still as good as we remember
God bless!
That’s it, Paul! Thanks so much!
That song appears to have been the closing number on “The Steve Lawrence Show,” which only ran for 13 weeks on CBS in 1965. Steve Lawrence discusses the show on his website here: http://www.steveandeydie.com/sl_thestevelawrenceshow.html.
The song is available on iTunes as well on a compilation of songs from that short-lived show: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-steve-lawrence-show/1474817869
“Gina” is available for a listen if you look it up on YouTube.
I appreciate your help in solving this long-time mystery for me. Be well!
Can anyone tell me the name of the instrumental song played a minute or two before 6 AM sharp each weekday morning on WWJ radio 950 just before 6 AM news came on. I have the song in my head but have never heard it again anywhere since about ‘65 and/or ‘66