Over its seven years of life the GMC has featured a lot of performers who have continued to entertain fans well into their golden years. Today's spotlight falls on one of the most respected singers around. Now in her eighties, Helen Merrill can look back on a long and fulfilling career as one of the … Continue reading Helen Merrill Still Has Many Fans
Category: Nostalgia
Elvis Has Achieved A Type Of Immortality
Although he died well over three decades ago, it would be difficult to find someone who isn't pretty familiar with Elvis Presley and his music. One reason for his continuing fame might be the countless impersonators we've been exposed to through the years, and I'm not just talking about those who often flock to Las … Continue reading Elvis Has Achieved A Type Of Immortality
Tal Farlow – The Reluctant Virtuoso
In a recent piece titled The Mystery Of Dardanelle, I mentioned that the featured artist had teamed up with jazz guitarist Tal Farlow in the early years of her career. Farlow's story is a good one too. Admired by his contemporaries as well as legions of loyal fans, he even lent his name to a … Continue reading Tal Farlow – The Reluctant Virtuoso
On the Bayou With A Fantastic Foursome
It's been a while since our last Fantastic Foursome, and I've picked a lively Hank Williams tune for this one. Although he was actually from Alabama, one of his best-known songs -- "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)" -- was based on the music of Southern Louisiana and named for an iconic dish from the region. But … Continue reading On the Bayou With A Fantastic Foursome
Goodbye To Claude King And Fran Warren
I've never really intended for the GMC to be a consistent source for obituaries of musical artists. In fact, there are a lot that don't show up here. But I do try to mark the passing of those performers who have been featured on earlier posts, and I also note some of those who haven't … Continue reading Goodbye To Claude King And Fran Warren
The Mystery Of Dardanelle
You won't hear much about her now, but at one time a quiet and respectable lady from Mississippi was one of the most talented jazz artists around. Over a career that lasted for more than a half-century, she played piano and vibes -- and sang a little too -- under the exotic-sounding name Dardanelle, years … Continue reading The Mystery Of Dardanelle
Jewel Akens Remembered For His Signature Song
I was sorry to read about the passing of R&B singer Jewel Akens, who succumbed to complications from back surgery a few days ago in Inglewood, California. Although he's most remembered for his big 1965 hit "The Birds And The Bees," he had a long career that included both performing and producing, and it lasted … Continue reading Jewel Akens Remembered For His Signature Song
Dick Stabile — Dino’s Go-To Guy
One of the things I enjoy about reading biographies of entertainment legends is learning about the less famous people whose lives revolved around the stars, like the guy I ran across in a book about Dean Martin. An accomplished saxophonist who'd gotten his start in the early big band era, Dick Stabile was the musical … Continue reading Dick Stabile — Dino’s Go-To Guy
Rockabilly Pioneer Sonny Burgess
Albert Austin "Sonny" Burgess - May 28, 1929 – August 18, 2017 I've written before about how common it was in the early days for rockabilly stars to come from the ranks of country music veterans, but it wasn't always that way. In at least one case, a guy who was one of the best … Continue reading Rockabilly Pioneer Sonny Burgess
Anatomy Of A Song – “And the Angels Sing”
It would be difficult to find a song with a more unusual history of success than the swing era classic, "And The Angels Sing." Originally an instrumental with a Jewish klezmer-style segment, it would later have lyrics added and become a hit record for a famous big band, while at the same time turning into … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – “And the Angels Sing”
Geezer Music Club 