Proving once again that just having talent and good looks isn't necessarily enough to make it big in show business, we offer the case of Nan Wynn. A gorgeous gal with a soft and sweet singing style, she had a nice career that included time spent as a big band songbird and radio entertainer, along … Continue reading Nan Wynn’s Near Miss
Tag: Oldies
Tommy Edwards’ Big Hit Was A Do-Over
One of my favorite records of all time is Tommy Edwards' 1958 chart-topper, "It's All In The Game." It was by far his biggest hit and is still a very familiar song to most music fans even though Edwards died in 1969. But did you know that he recorded a very different version way back … Continue reading Tommy Edwards’ Big Hit Was A Do-Over
The Marvelettes Had A Troubled But Memorable Run
For a girl group with a relatively short lifespan and a constantly changing lineup, the Marvelettes generated a surprising number of hits in the 1960s. Originally a quintet but at times a quartet or even a trio, the group had at least seven different members at one time or another, and is now mostly remembered … Continue reading The Marvelettes Had A Troubled But Memorable Run
Mr. Country Rock – Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock
One of many early rockabilly performers who later transitioned to the country side, Billy 'Crash' Craddock earned the title of 'Mr. Country Rock' during a long career that continues even now. His biggest hits -- songs like "Rub It In" and "Broken Down in Tiny Pieces" -- had a definite country flavor, but he started … Continue reading Mr. Country Rock – Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock
Battling The Heat Of Memorial Day Weekend
As I write this, weathermen are predicting daytime temperatures in our part of the Midwestern US to hit the high nineties and maybe even triple digits. Unseasonably warm, but the weather seems to be much more unpredictable than it once was. In any case, I wanted to show some pictures of 'cool' snow sculptures to … Continue reading Battling The Heat Of Memorial Day Weekend
The Hues Corporation’s Business Was Music
I've always been fascinated by some of the names chosen by musical groups. Many of them are very clever and inventive, although some require further explanation. A good example is a pop group with the unlikely name of the Hues Corporation, which enjoyed a few years of popularity in the mid-1970s and is now mostly … Continue reading The Hues Corporation’s Business Was Music
Again With The Signs?
Okay, I confess that posting this slideshow with pictures of funny signs is just a sort of continuation of what I featured a few weeks ago, but I'm a little under the weather today so cut me some slack. Besides, they're funny! (As I've said before, if the slideshow is going too fast you can … Continue reading Again With The Signs?
The Strangeloves Became Genuine Faux Australians
One of the oddest stories to come out of the 1960s pop music era had to be that of the Strangeloves, a group formed by three guys who'd been record producers and songwriters, but decided they wanted to get in on the action as performers. Of course, they weren't the first to do that, but … Continue reading The Strangeloves Became Genuine Faux Australians
The Essex – The Sound Of Singin’ Marines
A common thread among many performers has always been how they sharpened their musical skills while in the armed forces, and then made a career for themselves in the years following. But a R&B group known as The Essex did things a little differently. The members of the combo were all United States Marines, and … Continue reading The Essex – The Sound Of Singin’ Marines
Ohio’s Official Rock Song Had Hoosier Roots
Although a lot of states have official songs, Ohio might be the only one to have an official 'rock' song. In 1985, the Ohio General Assembly gave that designation to "Hang on Sloopy," the familiar 1960s hit by the McCoys, described as a Dayton group at the time. The only problem was that the McCoys … Continue reading Ohio’s Official Rock Song Had Hoosier Roots
Geezer Music Club 