I've often written about how the familiar sounds of an old song can instantly transport me to a different time and place, and that was certainly the case with one I ran across recently. Johnny Bond's "Hot Rod Lincoln" took me back to a time when my friends and I had some hot rod adventures … Continue reading Rebel Without A Clue
Category: Oldies
Blues Image – A Brief Picture
Occasionally I've written that I think the label 'one-hit wonder' is a little overused, and in addition is sometimes unfairly and inaccurately applied -- but not always. About forty years ago, a group called Blues Image was probably the perfect definition of 'one-hit wonder' with their million-seller, "Ride Captain Ride." It all began in 1966 … Continue reading Blues Image – A Brief Picture
The Unforgettable Jaye P. Morgan
Although she more or less reinvented herself as a TV personality in the latter part of her career, in the early 1950's Jaye P. Morgan was one of the fastest-rising young singing stars around. Her vocal talents, along with her charisma and drop-dead beauty, helped set the stage for what would become a long-lasting career … Continue reading The Unforgettable Jaye P. Morgan
The Beau Brummels’ Answer To The British Invasion
Pop music in the 1960's sometimes seemed to be all about bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and others -- an era that came to be known as the British Invasion. But there was also a secondary effect. Many of the American groups scrambling for success during that period found themselves - consciously or … Continue reading The Beau Brummels’ Answer To The British Invasion
Sometimes You Can Have Too Much Tequila
Now that Christmas is in the rear-view mirror, a lot of folks will be looking towards New Year's Eve for their next celebration. If you're one of those who plan to host a party, you might want to heed the advice of an oldies-era instrumental group -- it's possible to have too much tequila. In … Continue reading Sometimes You Can Have Too Much Tequila
From Summer Camp To Pop Music Stardom
One of the quirkiest musical stories of the 1950's had to be that of the singing sisters known as Patience and Prudence. Their first two recordings reached hit status in the same year and that made them pretty special, but the really surprising part is that the young ladies were only 14 and 11 years … Continue reading From Summer Camp To Pop Music Stardom
What’s In A Name? Don & Juan
I've always had a healthy sense of curiosity about how musical acts choose their stage names. Some have obvious connections with their history or background, others have well-known stories behind them, but a lot of them might take some guess work. Don and Juan, a R&B duo who rose to popularity almost fifty years ago, … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Don & Juan
The Grinch Takes On Holiday Music
At the risk of sounding like the Grinch - and not for the first time, I might add - I have to admit that I've often had mixed feelings about holiday music. I didn't always have a problem with it. While I was growing up, the sound of Christmas music coming from the radio or … Continue reading The Grinch Takes On Holiday Music
The Danleers: One-Hit-Plus Wonders
Most of us are familiar with the term 'One-Hit Wonder', especially if we're among those who love to listen to Oldies. In an earlier post, I suggested that artists whose one hit reaches the top of the charts should be called Super-One-Hit Wonders, but what would you call someone who had one big hit and … Continue reading The Danleers: One-Hit-Plus Wonders
Remembering Ritchie Valens
It's always been a little interesting to me how a long-gone musician's legacy can develop with the passage of time. Ritchie Valens is mostly remembered now as one of the doomed passengers on Buddy Holly's ill-fated plane trip, and also for his hit song, "La Bamba." But his biggest hit by far was the slow … Continue reading Remembering Ritchie Valens
Geezer Music Club 