I'm sure most of us remember the Chiffons, a girl group that had some big hits in the 1960s, including several that featured 'fine' in the title. Among them were "One Fine Day," "A Love So Fine," and the 1963 chart-topper, "He's So Fine," which was the group's biggest hit -- but would later be … Continue reading A FINE Mess – The Chiffons VS George Harrison
Category: Boomers
The Clarinet Wizardry Of Johnny Dodds
I've always been pretty upfront about my appreciation for legendary clarinetist Benny Goodman -- even kiddingly comparing myself to him in an earlier post -- but there were lots of guys in the early jazz age who played a mean licorice stick. In fact, some of them probably inspired Goodman when he was first starting … Continue reading The Clarinet Wizardry Of Johnny Dodds
Chugging Through The World Of Graffiti
Those who remember the HBO miniseries Rome might also recall that the opening titles sequence showed example after example of graffiti on the walls of the ancient city. That was historically accurate because graffiti has been around for a long time. In fact, it's a pretty good bet that as soon as someone built the … Continue reading Chugging Through The World Of Graffiti
Shining A Spotlight On Tibby Edwards
Our society is so star-obsessed that we sometimes forget that the evolution of music also depends on lesser-known performers. Guys like Tibby Edwards, who was never a big star but still managed to be in the middle of things during the early years of rock and roll. In fact, at one point he shared the … Continue reading Shining A Spotlight On Tibby Edwards
The Time-Honored Tradition Of Busking
You might know it by a different name, but busking has been around for as long as people have been gathering in communities of any kind. It's the practice of performing in public for gratuities, either money or edibles, and it's as popular now as it has ever been. In addition to countless practitioners of … Continue reading The Time-Honored Tradition Of Busking
Frances Wayne – Songbird And Supportive Spouse
It was not unusual for big-band era songbirds to find a romantic connection with a member of the band and sometimes even marry them, but not many helped their new husband become a successful bandleader and composer. Frances Wayne did just that, marrying trumpeter Neal Hefti in 1944 and then helping him build his career, … Continue reading Frances Wayne – Songbird And Supportive Spouse
A Fantastic Foursome That’s Season Appropriate
Time for another of our 'fantastic foursome' posts. Today's choice is perfectly suited to what I see when I look out my window. Although "Autumn Leaves" has become a familiar standard, you might be surprised to learn that it started life as a French song titled "Les Feuilles Mortes" ("The Dead Leaves"), and was introduced … Continue reading A Fantastic Foursome That’s Season Appropriate
Link Davis Changed With The Times
I never cease to be amazed by the diversity of sounds that influenced early rock and roll, a diversity that even existed within each of the genres themselves. For example, what we now call rockabilly had room for rising young blues rockers like Elvis Presley alongside country music veterans like Link Davis, who first appeared … Continue reading Link Davis Changed With The Times
Sometimes Simple Memories Are The Best
My last surviving uncle passed away yesterday. An easy-going, down to earth guy, he enjoyed a long life as a proud family man. He was also a World War II Navy veteran who'd served in the South Pacific, and a skilled woodworker. Among his many interests were outdoor activities and all things Western, and I … Continue reading Sometimes Simple Memories Are The Best
Don Byas – What Might Have Been
Many of the best instrumentalists of the big band era, guys who were admired and emulated by their contemporaries, later became stars in bebop and the progressive jazz movement. But one of the best -- tenor saxophonist Don Byas -- chose a different route. Although he was fully on board with cutting edge jazz, he … Continue reading Don Byas – What Might Have Been
Geezer Music Club 