It's been twenty years since director Spike Lee's Malcolm X appeared in theaters and went on to win a number of awards for both Lee and the star of the film, Denzel Washington. One scene that I still remember well was when Malcolm (Washington) decided to undergo a lye hair-straightening treatment at the hands of … Continue reading Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson Named For His Misadventure
Tag: Nostalgia
Adding Up The Numbers
I was doing a quick bit of math with the calculator app on my tablet, and it got me to thinking about how far we've come since I was first exposed to a calculator more than forty years ago. I'm not counting slide rules (which I covered in an earlier post) but rather the first … Continue reading Adding Up The Numbers
The Forgotten Songbird – Mary Ann McCall
Not every female vocalist from the big band era went on to a big solo career. Although former songbirds like Doris Day and Dinah Shore became major stars, there were a ton of talented singers who just never seemed to get the key breaks. A good example was Mary Ann McCall, who was good enough … Continue reading The Forgotten Songbird – Mary Ann McCall
Davy Jones Starred With The Monkees
I was saddened to read that Davy Jones, the sole British member of the Monkees and a favorite of many of the pop group's fans, died unexpectedly in Florida after suffering an apparent heart attack. Just 66 at the time of his death, he is survived by his wife and four daughters. The song below … Continue reading Davy Jones Starred With The Monkees
Matt Dennis – A Different Kind Of Crooner
Although he was sometimes called a crooner, Matt Dennis didn't really fit the traditional image of a suave performer with a smooth baritone -- in fact, his singing voice was soft and often featured a hint of vibrato. But over the course of a long career that began in the big band era he found … Continue reading Matt Dennis – A Different Kind Of Crooner
1910 Fruitgum Company Helped Define A Musical Era
A quintessential example of a combo from the era of 'bubblegum pop' was the 1910 Fruitgum Company, a group that seemed by its very name to signal the kind of music it performed. And even though that name is not a familiar one now, in its few short years of existence the group was able … Continue reading 1910 Fruitgum Company Helped Define A Musical Era
Ducking Mardi Gras
Well, I guess this year's Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans is pretty much in the rear view mirror now. And that means that once again I've managed to avoid going anywhere near the place while the festival was in full swing. I've written more than once about my fondness for the people, the music, … Continue reading Ducking Mardi Gras
Ernie Fields Was Always ‘In The Mood’
One of the most iconic songs from the big band era was Glenn Miller's "In The Mood," which became a national hit for the bandleader just before the start of World War II. But that wasn't the only popular rendition of the song. According to ALLMUSIC, it has generated more than 2500 different recordings through … Continue reading Ernie Fields Was Always ‘In The Mood’
Mabel Mercer Inspired Sinatra And Others
Although she died in 1984 and is probably not a familiar name to current music fans, cabaret singer Mabel Mercer is still fondly remembered by many. She rose from humble beginnings to become a respected and much-admired performer during a colorful career that stretched out for many years. Along the way she influenced countless stars, … Continue reading Mabel Mercer Inspired Sinatra And Others
The Nostalgia Well Might Be Drying Up
Regular visitors to the GMC know that we're mostly about nostalgia and music, with an occasional shot of current events. But one of the situations that arise from something like this being around for so long (six years and a thousand+ posts) is that you start feeling like you're beginning to scrape the bottom of … Continue reading The Nostalgia Well Might Be Drying Up
Geezer Music Club 