Although seldom discussed now, Count Five (or Count V as they were sometimes billed) had a brief moment in the spotlight during the pop music smorgasbord that existed in the 1960s. Nearly reaching the top of the charts with the addictive "Psychotic Reaction" got the band off to a great start, but it never really … Continue reading Count Five Could Only Total One Hit
Category: Retirement
The Perseverance Of Herbie Mann
I've always had a little bit of a soft spot for the flute. My daughter played one during her school years, and I've also always enjoyed the mix of classics and lighter music that James Galway has performed so well -- his collaborations with Mancini on movie themes and pop tunes are some of my … Continue reading The Perseverance Of Herbie Mann
Chasing Memories Leads To Kentucky Colonels
I've been in a kind of funny place lately -- musically, I mean. I keep running across pictures or films of rural folk from years ago, many of the men in bib overalls and playing banjos, fiddles, or harmonicas, and I flash back to my own early childhood. But here's the catch -- although the … Continue reading Chasing Memories Leads To Kentucky Colonels
Weekend Goofiness
Regular visitors to the GMC might have noticed that weekends are often a little goofy in terms of what shows up here. You might find slideshows of strange sculptures or unusual objects, odd little tales from my checkered past, or just pieces built on the thoughts that sometimes drift through my admittedly nebulous mind. It's … Continue reading Weekend Goofiness
A Century Of Orrin Tucker
Although his name might not be a familiar one to current music fans, Orrin Tucker led a very popular orchestra during the big band era. Those who do remember him might also recall that his biggest hit was "Oh Johnny," with vocal by 'Wee' Bonnie Baker. It was just one of the band's half-dozen million-selling … Continue reading A Century Of Orrin Tucker
Lennons Transcended Lawrence Welk’s Square Universe
Although Lawrence Welk has shown up here on the ol' GMC more than once, his appearances have mostly been in a supporting role, as in When Lawrence Welk Became Cool, a piece about jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges. I've always maintained that during my teen years I pretty much considered Welk and his music hopelessly square, … Continue reading Lennons Transcended Lawrence Welk’s Square Universe
Happily Hurricaneless
As a lifelong resident of the Midwestern United States, my exposure to hurricanes is minimal. We have been known to get thunderstorms that can occur in fringe areas after hurricanes run their course, but for the most part we're not directly affected. I do have a Chicago friend who has a second home on the … Continue reading Happily Hurricaneless
Milton Brown And The Evolution Of Taste
I was thinking today about how a person's tastes in music can change -- the person in this case being myself, but I think it's true of most of us. I can think of a lot of examples from my own meandering course through musical waters but one that comes readily to mind is how … Continue reading Milton Brown And The Evolution Of Taste
Kingsmen Inspired By Fabulous Wailers
I probably should begin by apologizing for the awkward title of this piece but it is a reasonably accurate statement, even if it needs further elaboration. The Kingsmen, a fractious group that has existed in one form or another in almost every decade since its inception in the 1950s, is most remembered for "Louie, Louie." … Continue reading Kingsmen Inspired By Fabulous Wailers
Ozzie & Harriet Before TV
Regular visitors to the ol' GMC will probably recall that Ricky Nelson has made the occasional appearance here, and his family's TV show has also been covered (for example, HERE), but did you know that Ozzie and Harriet were once musical stars in their own right? OK, maybe not stars, but Ozzie did lead a … Continue reading Ozzie & Harriet Before TV
Geezer Music Club 