"Hutch" Proves He Has "Soul"

I used to be a huge fan of the TV show “Starsky & Hutch” way back in the 70’s.

Although tame now by comparison to shows on today’s tube, “Starsky & Hutch” was fairly cutting edge in its day. Lots of action—and as much violence as television censors would allow back then. In other words, it was perfect for a teenager like me.

It was on this date in 1977 that David Soul (“Hutch”) hit #1 on the pop charts with his song “Don’t Give Up On Us Baby”. I guess I liked that song too….but not sure why. It’s a pretty wimpy song by a guy who I considered to be “tough”

Here’s the “music video” of that song—followed by a segment of the TV show “Starsky & Hutch”:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY8APrYU2Gs



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJnPS0QuTvY


Actors translating their small screen success to the radio and pop music was not new. Perhaps the first to do so was Ricky Nelson of “Ozzie and Harriet” fame. Then of course there was Bobby Sherman—and names like Patrick Swayze come to mind as well.

It’s just that this song was so……..corny—and in such contrast to the image he had cultivated on the tube. Unlike other actor-singers, however, it really was the singing that came first.

Back in 1967, David Soul wanted to be a folk singer. He found, much to his dismay—that his Scandinavian good looks were a distraction to the meaningful lyrics he was trying to convey through his music. Turning that “disadvantage” into a positive, he became “The Covered Man”—making 25 appearances on the Merv Griffin Show with a guitar in his hands and a black wool ski mask covering his face.

Really.

It all worked like a charm—and the gimmick proved incredibly popular----until Soul decided to remove the mask. Griffin and his audience lost all interest in the “uncovered” Soul. Luckily, a talent scout watched the unmasking of Soul on TV and sent him out to California for acting and karate lessons.

So, Detective Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson—after achieving the TV fame which gave him a platform for re-launching his music career---took advantage of it all—releasing the tune that would top the charts on this date 33 years ago.

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