His name sounds at least a little familiar to those of us who have been around a while, and it's a pretty good bet that you've heard a lot of his music through the years, but Ralph Marterie is not someone who comes to mind when you think of cutting-edge orchestral jazz. Nevertheless, he sold … Continue reading Ralph Marterie Knew What People Liked
Tag: Music History
Jimmie Logsdon Venerated Hank Williams
For a while in the early 1950s, singer/songwriter Jimmie Logsdon was on top of the world. After an early career spent trying to make his name in country music, he'd managed to become friends with Hank Williams -- and even better, he was touring and appearing on stage with his hero. Unfortunately, Hank died in … Continue reading Jimmie Logsdon Venerated Hank Williams
The OTHER Sylvia Syms
When Sylvia Syms died at age 74 in 1992, it marked the loss of a talented performer who was once described by Frank Sinatra as the 'world's greatest saloon singer'. But it was also another chance for people to mix her up with the British actress with the same name, something that had been happening … Continue reading The OTHER Sylvia Syms
The Return Of The Kon-Tiki Kid
Once again a dim and distant memory has surfaced from the mysterious depths of my mind, not unlike a strange creature rising from the deepest part of the ocean. It happened when I was reading an article in the newest issue of Smithsonian magazine. It seems that someone has produced a new movie about the … Continue reading The Return Of The Kon-Tiki Kid
Robert Goulet – A Different Kind Of Crooner
Robert Goulet certainly fit the crooner mold in many ways, with his smooth baritone singing voice and looks and style that made ladies swoon, but unlike many he didn't have a history as a band singer and he also wasn't a huge recording star. Although he sold a lot of albums, his highest charting single … Continue reading Robert Goulet – A Different Kind Of Crooner
The Kaye Sisters Were Neither Kayes Nor Sisters
We seem to be on a roll lately with British performers but I thought we could try one more -- or three more, to be accurate. Today's piece is about the Kaye Sisters, a trio that had some good-charting records for a period of several years beginning in the 1950s but is pretty much forgotten … Continue reading The Kaye Sisters Were Neither Kayes Nor Sisters
Syd Lawrence – Glenn Miller’s Biggest Fan?
Glenn Miller had a lot of fans in his heyday. Probably still does for that matter, even though he's been gone for a long time. But how many of those fans were so dedicated to his musical style that they'd end up leading their own band built around the Miller sound? That's what British trumpeter … Continue reading Syd Lawrence – Glenn Miller’s Biggest Fan?
Hardrock Gunter Will Be Missed
Apparently it didn't make a big splash in the national news, but a gentleman we featured a while back in a GMC post titled Rock And Roll Pioneer Hardrock Gunter passed away recently -- at least according to what's posted on his namesake website. On Friday, March 15, 2013, “Rock” passed away from complications from … Continue reading Hardrock Gunter Will Be Missed
Walter Brennan — Recording Star?
The most improbable recording star of the 1960s had to have been Walter Brennan. By then he was in his sixties and had already enjoyed a long acting career that included winning three Oscars and later starring on TV, but he turned out to be surprisingly popular with record buyers too. Of course, he didn't … Continue reading Walter Brennan — Recording Star?
The Two Sides Of Marion Worth
A long time before today's stars made genre-crossing a common practice, singer/songwriter Marion Worth made her mark as both a pop singer and a country music performer. Mostly remembered now for "Shake Me I Rattle (Squeeze Me I Cry)," for a period that began in the late 1950s and continued for more than a decade … Continue reading The Two Sides Of Marion Worth
Geezer Music Club 