Kay Starr (Katherine Laverne Starks) July 21, 1922 - November 3, 2016 As a teenager in the 1950's, I'm pretty sure that I didn't catch on to the fact that a revolution was occurring in popular music. (Come to think of it, I missed a lot of things in those days -- but that's another … Continue reading Kay Starr’s Answer To Rock And Roll
Category: Oldies
The Grass Is Not Always Greener
It has always tickled me to observe how my mind reacts when I hear a piece of music, because it seldom takes a predictable route. At first I might be just enjoying the music while thinking about the performer or possibly the song itself, but then inevitably my thoughts drift into distant territory Here's an … Continue reading The Grass Is Not Always Greener
Swayze’s Ghost Revived An Old Song
In 1990, an old song appeared in a couple of memorable movies, in the process introducing itself to a new generation. On the soundtrack of Goodfellas it was performed by Vito and The Salutations, but it made a much bigger impression in another film -- Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. That movie appearance … Continue reading Swayze’s Ghost Revived An Old Song
Remembering Karen Carpenter — As A Singer
It's pretty much impossible to write about Karen Carpenter without first mentioning her tragic, premature death from the effects of an eating disorder. It's the first thing most of us think about. But having acknowledged it, I'd like to now leave it behind because I'd much rather remember Karen Carpenter the singer. The Carpenters began … Continue reading Remembering Karen Carpenter — As A Singer
REVIEW: It All Started With Doo Wop
Doo Wop has to be one of the most fascinating music sub-genres ever. During its long and vibrant life it's been reinvented again and again, but has remained ever popular. That last fact helps explain the frequent PBS specials and other TV events, along with boxed sets such as the one we're reviewing here. Time-Life, … Continue reading REVIEW: It All Started With Doo Wop
March Madness — Rock & Roll Style
March madness is again upon us so we're being bombarded by images of basketball in all its various incarnations. It's difficult to avoid and I have to admit that I'm pretty much enjoying it, but strangely enough I sometimes find my thoughts turning to -- rock and roll? I was watching my young grandson playing … Continue reading March Madness — Rock & Roll Style
Revisiting Elvis In Hawaii
I've written before about my affinity for some of the early movies of Elvis Presley, and especially Blue Hawaii. Even though it can be viewed through the prism of hindsight as Hollywood phony and politically incorrect to the Nth degree, to a teenager in small-town Midwestern America at that time it was very appealing. I … Continue reading Revisiting Elvis In Hawaii
Swimming To Catalina With The Four Preps
As a more or less typical Midwestern teenager in the 1950's, I was often fascinated by what I saw of sunny California in movies or even on TV (although it wasn't as colorful). It was a place that seemed almost magical, with a vibrant energy that was very appealing, and it was filled with exotically-named … Continue reading Swimming To Catalina With The Four Preps
Blue-Eyed Soul And Beyond – The Box Tops
Although it might be an oversimplification, the term 'blue-eyed soul' has generally been used as a way to describe white pop singers who perform R&B. You can find examples in almost every decade, even the 1940's, when Frankie Laine was often called the first of the blue-eyed soul singers, and it continued into the 1950's, … Continue reading Blue-Eyed Soul And Beyond – The Box Tops
Detour On The Road To Stardom – Jimmie Rodgers
A while back, I wrote an article that included some info about country music legend Jimmie Rodgers, but there was another Jimmie Rodgers who achieved some fame, but in pop music. In fact, he was a fast-rising, popular star for over a decade -- until a mysterious event in 1967 interrupted his career. The second … Continue reading Detour On The Road To Stardom – Jimmie Rodgers
Geezer Music Club 