There have been many blind musicians through the years and I'm sure that a few come to mind as you read this. But one that is mostly remembered as a songwriter -- if he's remembered at all -- was actually an amazingly skilled multi-instrumentalist and a very popular singer in his day. Texan Leon Payne … Continue reading Leon Payne – The Multi-Talented Texan
Category: Nostalgia
Harpers Bizarre — Beyond The Bridge
A while back I wrote about a group called the Danleers, and I coined the phrase 'One-Hit Plus Wonders'. It was my silly way of recognizing that sometimes musicians are a little more than just a simple One-Hit Wonder. To help prove the point I direct your attention to Harpers Bizarre, a California-based group popular … Continue reading Harpers Bizarre — Beyond The Bridge
In The Footsteps Of Glenn Miller
I guess it's just how things work sometimes, but it's not unusual for talented musicians to sometimes be more remembered for their association with a big name than for their own abilities. A case could be made that Ray McKinley's history with Glenn Miller fits that profile. The two were good friends whose paths often … Continue reading In The Footsteps Of Glenn Miller
Comic Book Collector Wannabe
A news item about the first Superman comic selling for $317,000 caught my attention today, especially when I saw that the original owner had bought it in a second-hand bookstore back in the 1950s when he was just 9 years old. The story triggered memories of my own childhood experience, which unfortunately didn't end as … Continue reading Comic Book Collector Wannabe
Musical Imports — The Swingle Singers
In the midst of all the musical chaos of the 1960s, an era when several different genres were fighting for dominance in the pop music world, there was always room for something a little different. That would certainly describe the Grammy-winning Swingle Singers, a French (and later English) import led by an American. Ward Swingle … Continue reading Musical Imports — The Swingle Singers
Remembering Hank Locklin
One of the best signs of the level of fame reached by a musical artist is the number of recordings appearing on the charts, but when a country music star also demonstrates the ability to cross over and show up repeatedly on the pop charts, you can bet that he's special. That was the case … Continue reading Remembering Hank Locklin
The Sound Of Waters
If you've enjoyed listening to any of the numerous lady singers who have performed "Am I Blue" through the years, then you might be interested to find out that it all started with a very special songbird. She introduced it in 1929 in a film called On With The Show, which was not only one … Continue reading The Sound Of Waters
From Poolrooms To Bandstands – Remembering Fats
Recently I happened to catch one of my favorite old movies on TV -- The Hustler, starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason -- and it made me reminisce a little about the first time I saw it and how it affected me. The simple fact is that even though Gleason's Minnesota Fats ended up being … Continue reading From Poolrooms To Bandstands – Remembering Fats
The Jive Five — Keepin’ It Alive
The 1950s were volatile years in pop music (although the same could be said of most decades). Everything seemed to be in transition, with early rock and roll evolving from R&B, rockabilly and other influences, and beginning to find an identity of its own. By the end of the decade a lot of popular acts … Continue reading The Jive Five — Keepin’ It Alive
Another Appearance From Mr. O
I'd like to welcome back Mr. Obvious, who is making yet another guest appearance on the GMC. Regular readers might remember that Mr. O sometimes shows up here just for the purpose of helping me make a point, or in some cases beat it to death. Anyhow, this time around I was going through some … Continue reading Another Appearance From Mr. O
Geezer Music Club 