Tom Clay's 1971 production "What the world needs now/Abraham, Martin and John"

The classic 1971 anti-war radio production that sold over 4 million copies -- and then was taken out of circulation.

In 1971, Tom Clay had been a radio disc jockey in Los Angeles for several years. He was noted for adding social comment to his programs, unique for Top 40 radio at the time. Early that year, he put together this production, incorporating documentary audio and a gospel-styled medley of "What the world needs now" and "Abraham, Martin & John." It became an immediate hit, and was issued by MoWest Records, a Motown subsidiary label. It became a national Top 10 hit single, selling over 4 million copies. Tragically, MoWest never paid Clay the royalties due him on this record, and he died a few years back before taking action on that point. The record has been out of print for over two decades now; this mp3 was made from a copy of the 31-year-old original pressing last year.

A 1991 updating of the piece, "Time for a change," will be uploaded later tonight.

Please drop me a note if you use this one on a radio show. Many thanks in advance.