A little honesty is called for here. Whenever a familiar name from the musical world dies, if it's someone that I've written about before then I often repost the previous piece, with an introduction explaining why I'm doing so. But it's not quite that simple with Dick Clark, who died recently. He wasn't a musical … Continue reading Dick Clark – It All Began With American Bandstand
Tag: Oldies
Lou Christie Still Entertaining Fans
A couple of years ago I wrote about how much I'd enjoyed seeing Jersey Boys, the musical based on the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I was thinking about that as I put together today's piece, because Valli and singer/songwriter Lou Christie have some things in common, even if Christie had far … Continue reading Lou Christie Still Entertaining Fans
3D Has Been Around For A Long Time
The 3D re-release of the 1997 film, Titanic, has not only continued to feed the Hollywood frenzy, it has also awakened memories of my experiences with a different kind of 3D, one that I prefer by far - still pictures. Until you've experienced it, you can't imagine the jaw-dropping realism that's possible with sharp, properly … Continue reading 3D Has Been Around For A Long Time
Surfin’ To The Sound Of The Lively Ones
Several of the California bands performing 'surf music' in the 1960s have made appearances here, beginning with the Ventures, featured on one of our earliest posts (almost six year ago). Later pieces explored the Bel Airs, the Rivieras, and Dick Dale, whose name became retro-cool when his "Misirlou" was memorably used in the movie, Pulp … Continue reading Surfin’ To The Sound Of The Lively Ones
Time Lurches On While Dust Collects
The passage of time can affect a geezer's life in a number of ways (aside from the obvious). In my case it often seems to result in the cobwebbing of previously well-used gizmos. One example would be the activity of bicycling, which I used to do so regularly that I even bought a second bike … Continue reading Time Lurches On While Dust Collects
Plumbing: A Life-Long Nemesis
A recent plumbing repair (having our water heater replaced) has once again reminded me how much I hate anything to do with it. For a lot of years I tried to do my own repairs and usually just made things worse. In fact, I always said that I could make a leak worse just by … Continue reading Plumbing: A Life-Long Nemesis
Elvis Followed Big Mama Thornton
I would guess that anyone reading this is familiar with Elvis Presley's 1956 rendition of "Hound Dog," but the King wasn't the first singer to hit the top of the charts with the song. That would be Big Mama Thornton, the blues-singing harmonica wiz whose record of the song sat atop R&B charts while Elvis … Continue reading Elvis Followed Big Mama Thornton
Something Different From The Left Banke
Looking back on the pop music scene of the 1960s, we now realize that it was one of the most diverse eras in history. Most of those variations still influence today's music, but a group known as the Left Banke was something a little different. The band's two big hits -- "Walk Away Renee" and … Continue reading Something Different From The Left Banke
Warren Smith – Talent To Burn
Most fans of early rock and roll know about Sun Records in Memphis and how it helped give starts to guys like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash. But there was at least one talented Sun alumnus -- Warren Smith -- who was just as good as … Continue reading Warren Smith – Talent To Burn
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
Geezer Music Club 