Although it has not yet been widely reported, we've been informed in a comment here on the GMC (and it's also at wikipedia) that R.B. Greaves, who is still remembered for his big 1969 hit "Take a Letter Maria", has died in California. Rather than repost our original profile of Greaves, I am instead going … Continue reading R.B. Greaves Reportedly Has Passed Away
Tag: Oldies
Charline Arthur Was Something Else
When considering the female side of the early days of rockabilly, names like Wanda Jackson and Janis Martin come readily to mind. But one of the earliest -- and feistiest -- was a lady named Charline Arthur, whose career even included a boost from Colonel Tom Parker (before he became the force behind Elvis Presley). … Continue reading Charline Arthur Was Something Else
Jimmy Soul – The Wonder Boy
Pop music has always been filled with stories of prematurely shortened careers -- and lives -- and we've featured our share of them on the GMC. Another good example would be Jimmy Soul, who was known as the 'Wonder Boy' during his childhood. (More later about that.) As an adult performer he hit the top … Continue reading Jimmy Soul – The Wonder Boy
Frankie Lymon Inspired Michael Jackson
Although he died more than four decades ago, Frankie Lymon's name is still familiar to many music fans. But they might not realize how much Lymon inspired later R&B musicians, including many who became part of the Motown revolution -- among them Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, whose style was very similar. Lymon's life … Continue reading Frankie Lymon Inspired Michael Jackson
Rock And Roll Pioneer Hardrock Gunter
Any discussion of the early days of rock and roll should include a guy whose 1950 breakout hit, "Birmingham Bounce," is considered by many to be one of the earliest examples of the genre. But Hardrock Gunter (whose nickname is not music-related, but more later about that) has something going for him that most rock … Continue reading Rock And Roll Pioneer Hardrock Gunter
Del Shannon – An Early Runaway Success
It's difficult to think about Del Shannon without immediately recalling "Runaway," his debut record that ended up becoming one of the best known songs in the history of rock and roll. In fact, it was so evocative of the era that it was later used as the theme song of a TV show set in … Continue reading Del Shannon – An Early Runaway Success
Doin’ The Hucklebuck With The OTHER Paul Williams
You might have noticed that entertainer/songwriter Paul Williams has been in the news this Summer as the subject of an award-winning documentary titled Paul Williams: Still Alive. But there is another Paul Williams deserving of some attention, a guy who was a rock and roll pioneer. His claim to fame was something called the Hucklebuck. … Continue reading Doin’ The Hucklebuck With The OTHER Paul Williams
Bert Weedon – Beloved By Brits
American music fans probably paid little notice when British guitarist Bert Weedon died in April at age 91. He was really never a household name in the U.S. during a long career that began all the way back to the late 1930s. But Weedon did reach a measure of stardom in his native land, and … Continue reading Bert Weedon – Beloved By Brits
Don Grady Had A Musical Side Too
I was saddened to read of the recent death of Don Grady, who is probably most remembered as one of Fred MacMurray's boys on the popular, long-running (12 seasons) TV show, My Three Sons. But in addition to his acting career he also had a musical side, and he showed it before, during, and after … Continue reading Don Grady Had A Musical Side Too
Rock And Roll – The Early Days
Nailing down the details of the origins of rock and roll has always been a little difficult, but that hasn't stopped anyone from trying (including yours truly, here on the GMC). The truth is that it all came about from a combination of various musical influences, but it is possible to identify key moments, like … Continue reading Rock And Roll – The Early Days
Geezer Music Club 