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
Category: Oldies
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 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
Some Stray Cats Are Musical
Listening to music while flipping through old family pictures today, I encountered an interesting coincidence. Just as I was enjoying a tune by the rockabilly revival group Stray Cats, I happened to run across a photo that included a kitten. More about the music later, but let's talk about the picture. It's from a color … Continue reading Some Stray Cats Are Musical
Tommy Cash – Singin’ In The Shadow
You have to hand it to Tommy Cash. Johnny's younger brother has managed to forge a pretty nice career for himself, even if much of it has been spent overshadowed by his superstar sibling (who died in 2003). I've written before about musical brothers, mostly focusing on those in early jazz, but it's obvious that … Continue reading Tommy Cash – Singin’ In The Shadow
Lloyd Price – Still Workin’ Hard
One of the hardest-working R&B stars to come out of the New Orleans area during the Oldies era would have to be Lloyd Price, who even today - after more than fifty years of performing - still has a few irons in the fire. Growing up in nearby Kenner, young Lloyd's education in the music … Continue reading Lloyd Price – Still Workin’ Hard
Gene Chandler – Beyond The Duke
Although he'll always be most remembered for "Duke Of Earl," Gene Chandler was much more than a one-hit wonder. Over a long and successful career he had countless records that hit the charts even if they might not have quite reached the heights of his number-one seller. Born Eugene Dixon in Chicago, his singing career … Continue reading Gene Chandler – Beyond The Duke
Tony Burrows – The Human Hit Machine
One of the most unusual stories in pop music is that of British singer Tony Burrows, who could be described as a sort of human hit machine. Although his name is not widely recognized, in the late 1960's and early 1970's he had the knack - and the talent - to show up in an … Continue reading Tony Burrows – The Human Hit Machine
The Brothers From Mississippi + One
The Chambers Brothers were one of the best of the family-based R&B groups of the Sixties and they were a little unusual too. At their peak, the group consisted of four black brothers from Mississippi -- and a white drummer. Along with contemporaries such as Sly and the Family Stone, the group helped integrate pop … Continue reading The Brothers From Mississippi + One
Geezer Music Club 