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
Tag: Music History
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
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
Baritone Bopper Battled Bogeys
More than a decade after his death, Gerry Mulligan is still considered the greatest baritone saxophonist in the history of jazz. But before he rose to fame he was preceded by another talented instrumentalist, one who starred in the bop era but had his career slowed by drug addiction and cut short by a fatal … Continue reading Baritone Bopper Battled Bogeys
The OTHER Johnny Mathis
One of the busiest posts on the GMC -- in both visits and comments -- has always been my 2006 review of a special 50th anniversary release from Johnny Mathis. The beloved singer has a ton of fans and is still a world-famous entertainer whose name is familiar to almost everybody. That's why I was … Continue reading The OTHER Johnny Mathis
A Head Full Of Newbeats
One thing that most of us have in common is the ability to fixate on a particular song and hear it playing endlessly in our head. And to make matters worse, rather than being one we like it's often one that rubs us the wrong way. At the risk of offending their fans (or the … Continue reading A Head Full Of Newbeats
Marilyn Monroe The Singer
If your memories of Marilyn Monroe as a singer mostly consist of her breathy rendition of "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" offered up to Jack Kennedy or brassy numbers like "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend," then you might be surprised to hear that there is a movement afoot to reexamine her vocalizing. According to a … Continue reading Marilyn Monroe The Singer
The Pure Sound Of Molly O’Day
Modern country music doesn't much resemble what I remember coming out of the radio during my childhood, but I don't have a big problem with it. In fact, some of it is pretty good. But it would be a shame if the slick, packaged music of today caused modern listeners to run away from the … Continue reading The Pure Sound Of Molly O’Day
The Mystery Of The Disappearing Slide Rule
I saw an article recently about some of the odd things collectors look for, and I was surprised to see that old slide rules are considered a collectible now. It got me wondering what ever happened to the one I had to buy a half-century ago as a condition of attending a prestigious engineering college. … Continue reading The Mystery Of The Disappearing Slide Rule
Geezer Music Club 