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
Category: Video
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”
Texas Ruby Was A Real Firecracker
Texas Ruby has been gone for fifty years now, and she didn't headline in Vegas or score any huge hit records during her too-short career, but she remains one of the most memorable country music stars of all time. Ably accompanied by husband Curly Fox's fiddle, her deep singing voice and distinctive performing style helped … Continue reading Texas Ruby Was A Real Firecracker
Ray’s Song Becomes A Fantastic Foursome
I know what you're thinking: isn't it about time we had another Fantastic Foursome? Okay, maybe you weren't thinking that but I was, and so here we go. It's difficult to hear "Georgia On My Mind" and not think of Ray Charles, but it has actually been performed by a lot of folks since Hoagy … Continue reading Ray’s Song Becomes A Fantastic Foursome
The Legendary Clarke-Boland Big Band
I don't consider myself a jazz expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I'd like to think that I've picked up a few things in the many years that have passed since I began enjoying it as a teenager. That's why I was a little surprised when I first read about a 1960s jazz … Continue reading The Legendary Clarke-Boland Big Band
Anatomy Of A Song – “Any Time”
I ran across this song a while back, and when I heard it I was once again transported back to my childhood, because I'm sure that we had a record of it around the house. My only dilemma is that both popular versions seem very familiar to me. When Herbert 'Happy' Lawson wrote the song … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – “Any Time”
Edd ‘Kookie’ Byrnes – Artist With A Comb
One of the unlikeliest recording stars of the 1950s was a guy who finessed a huge hit record by linking it to the peculiar habit of the character he portrayed on a TV show. Edd Byrnes was a young actor who played 'Kookie' Kookson on 77 Sunset Strip, a private-eye program first aired in 1958. … Continue reading Edd ‘Kookie’ Byrnes – Artist With A Comb
Lulu Belle And Scotty Took A Detour
The life of a performer is often a tough one and a husband and wife team probably faces added complications, but it can be a rewarding experience too. That's why it probably surprised country music fans in the late 1950s when popular duo Lulu Belle and Scotty left the business behind and took an unusual … Continue reading Lulu Belle And Scotty Took A Detour
Geezer Music Club 