#1 this week in 1961 on the CFUN-tastic Fifty, a one hit wonder for George, Johnny & The Pilots: “Flying Blue Angels”. You can read more at Ray McGinnis‘ amazing website Vancouver Signature Sounds.

My friend Pat O’Day loved flying. His son Jerry O’Day says, “He always enjoyed attending private parties for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, a couple nights before the hydro races in Seattle! It was nice for my father to rub elbows with those ‘fly boys’.

My dad loved airplanes and those who flew them. He eventually earned his pilot’s license and bought his own airplane. If Pat didn’t spend his life in radio and concert promotion, he may have had a career in aviation!”

Back in 1961, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flew the Grumman F-11 Tiger from Northrop Grumman Corporation, but today they fly The Boeing Company F/A-18 Super Hornets. They’re bigger, louder and faster than the “legacy” Hornets so expect some serious action! They’re back in the air over Lake Washington for the Seafair Festival the weekend of August 6-7, 2022. The Unlimited Hydroplane races are expected to be back in action as well! As Pat would say, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time… for Thunder On The Lake!!!”

Catch up with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels (if you can) at blueangels.navy.mil

“We’re flying blue angels, way up high… jet smoke streamin’ as we zoom across the sky!”