Happy Birthday to Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter who both turn 75 years old today. They played Stephen and Elyse Keaton on the TV show Family Ties and were the parents of Alex P. Keaton, played by Michael J. Fox. The sitcom ran 7 seasons from 1982 to 1989 and also played a part in the success of today’s Forgotten 45 at 3:45, Billy Vera & the Beaters with “At This Moment”.
The song was originally released in 1981, but five years after the original release of this song, a studio recording of “At This Moment” was featured at the start of several episodes of the fourth and early fifth season of Family Ties as the love song associated with Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) and his girlfriend Ellen Reed (Tracy Pollan). Its exposure on on the show sparked huge interest in the song. People called and wrote NBC asking for the name of the song and its singer. The tune then began a revived chart run, eventually hitting #1 in January 1987.
Of course Michael J. Fox eventually married Tracy Pollan and on July 16th they will celebrate their 34th Anniversary! Of course Michael continues to be an advocate for Parkinson’s research and fund raising, a disease he has suffered with since the early 90’s.
So thank you Family Ties for today’s Forgotten 45!
