A couple of years ago I wrote about how much I'd enjoyed seeing Jersey Boys, the musical based on the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I was thinking about that as I put together today's piece, because Valli and singer/songwriter Lou Christie have some things in common, even if Christie had far … Continue reading Lou Christie Still Entertaining Fans
Category: Video
Shirley Horn’s Late-Life Success Inspired Many
Performers who sing while accompanying themselves on the piano have been a part of music for a long time, and some of them have been very talented at handling both duties. But not many could measure up to the late Shirley Horn, a jazz artist who was so good at focusing on both skills that … Continue reading Shirley Horn’s Late-Life Success Inspired Many
Surfin’ To The Sound Of The Lively Ones
Several of the California bands performing 'surf music' in the 1960s have made appearances here, beginning with the Ventures, featured on one of our earliest posts (almost six year ago). Later pieces explored the Bel Airs, the Rivieras, and Dick Dale, whose name became retro-cool when his "Misirlou" was memorably used in the movie, Pulp … Continue reading Surfin’ To The Sound Of The Lively Ones
Julia Lee – Queen Of The Dirty Blues
For several decades beginning in the 1930s there was a type of music known as the 'dirty blues', and it was very popular but you wouldn't hear it on the radio. You could find it in live performances or on jukeboxes in certain kinds of places, and you could also buy records -- but you … Continue reading Julia Lee – Queen Of The Dirty Blues
Banjo Pioneer Earl Scruggs Will Be Missed
As you might have read, banjo wizard Earl Scruggs died recently at age 88. Although he is often remembered as part of the Grammy-winning duo Flatt & Scruggs, his career flourished for over four decades after the twosome split in 1969. Along the way he became one of the most admired and influential musicians in … Continue reading Banjo Pioneer Earl Scruggs Will Be Missed
Sal Mineo Also Had A Musical Side
Sal Mineo isn't the first name that comes to mind when I'm thinking musical thoughts, but even though he was primarily an actor he did sell some records as a singer. He also starred in a movie about jazz drummer Gene Krupa, but his musical side was only one aspect of the fascinating story of … Continue reading Sal Mineo Also Had A Musical Side
Dixieland: Italian Style – Tony Parenti
The legendary Louis Armstrong always said that he’d been born in New Orleans on July 4th, 1900, but a few years after his death it was discovered that he'd actually been born on August 4th, 1901. However, there was at least one local who actually was born in 1900 and went on to become a … Continue reading Dixieland: Italian Style – Tony Parenti
Being Out Of Control
It's become a standard joke, but I have to admit that I - like most men - enjoy playing with the TV remote control, and I was doing just that today when I got to thinking about something that I hadn't really considered before. Modern remote controls do just about everything, but their core function … Continue reading Being Out Of Control
Biggest Hit Record During World War II
If you're like me, you would assume that the biggest hit record of World War II was probably something along the lines of Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" or maybe the Andrews Sisters' "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," but even though they were very popular they weren't the biggest. That would be Elton Britt's "There's A … Continue reading Biggest Hit Record During World War II
Elvis Followed Big Mama Thornton
I would guess that anyone reading this is familiar with Elvis Presley's 1956 rendition of "Hound Dog," but the King wasn't the first singer to hit the top of the charts with the song. That would be Big Mama Thornton, the blues-singing harmonica wiz whose record of the song sat atop R&B charts while Elvis … Continue reading Elvis Followed Big Mama Thornton
Geezer Music Club 