Although we mostly think of Marlene Dietrich as an exotic and mysterious actress who began appearing in films way back in the 1920s, she had a surprising amount of success as a vocalist too. Although her singing voice might have been somewhat of an acquired taste for listeners, it was certainly distinctive, and music would … Continue reading Marlene Dietrich The Singer
Category: Boomers
John Davidson Still Doing His Thing
I thought I'd dedicate this one to my sister, who happened to mention John Davidson over coffee at a local java cafe recently. Although he was never a big singing star, Davidson was a familiar presence on TV for many years on shows like That's Incredible and Hollywood Squares, and is still entertaining fans even … Continue reading John Davidson Still Doing His Thing
Discovering Beegie Adair
I have a confession to make. I have the TV on and tuned to the cable music channels a lot, especially if I'm reading. But that's not what my confession is about. My guilty secret is that by doing so, I often discover - or rediscover - performers who make perfect subjects for write-ups on … Continue reading Discovering Beegie Adair
Andy Griffith – The Early Years
Most of us have probably read that Andy Griffith just died at age 86, and news stories have naturally focused on his memorable roles on The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock. But a lot of people might have forgotten that before he showed up in Mayberry, his career had already included huge record sales, Broadway … Continue reading Andy Griffith – The Early Years
Born To Be Blue – Beverly Kenney
Another of the many tragedies that seem to occur too frequently in music is the fate of singer Beverly Kenney, who was a rising jazz star in the 1950s. She seemed to have a lot going for her -- an outstanding voice and a singing style that meshed perfectly with the type of cool jazz … Continue reading Born To Be Blue – Beverly Kenney
Don Grady Had A Musical Side Too
I was saddened to read of the recent death of Don Grady, who is probably most remembered as one of Fred MacMurray's boys on the popular, long-running (12 seasons) TV show, My Three Sons. But in addition to his acting career he also had a musical side, and he showed it before, during, and after … Continue reading Don Grady Had A Musical Side Too
Summer Hits Hot And Dry — And Fiery
No, that's not a picture of my back yard. But that's how it seems around here, because we've had a really long, worrisome dry spell. And that's coming from someone who usually doesn't mind a little dry weather because it keeps my lawn from growing too fast. (I've often expressed my dislike for yard-work in … Continue reading Summer Hits Hot And Dry — And Fiery
Rock And Roll – The Early Days
Nailing down the details of the origins of rock and roll has always been a little difficult, but that hasn't stopped anyone from trying (including yours truly, here on the GMC). The truth is that it all came about from a combination of various musical influences, but it is possible to identify key moments, like … Continue reading Rock And Roll – The Early Days
Looking Deeper Into Ben Bernie And His Song
So I was listening to an old song that I'm sure most of us remember -- "Sweet Georgia Brown" -- and I discovered something interesting. The song, which you might remember as the signature tune of the Harlem Globetrotters, has been performed by just about everybody since it was written almost a century ago. And … Continue reading Looking Deeper Into Ben Bernie And His Song
Roscoe Holcomb Personified Old-Time Country Music
Once in a while I just get in the mood for some real, authentic, good old country music. You know the kind I mean -- lots of strummin' and pickin' and fiddlin', usually accompanied by a twangy-voiced singer. The kind of music that guys like Roscoe Holcomb were known for. Holcomb (whose family name was … Continue reading Roscoe Holcomb Personified Old-Time Country Music
Geezer Music Club 