As I said in a recent post, I've changed my thinking about the use of the term 'one-hit wonder'. I know that it's always been meant as a put-down and I'm sure it's perceived as such by the artist, but it doesn't have to be. After all, they've achieved something that countless others haven't -- … Continue reading The Elegants Struck Gold With A Star
Tag: Oldies
Bubblegum Pop And The Lemon Pipers
When reading about the music world of the 1960s and 1970s, you sometimes see the term 'bubblegum pop' used to describe many of the best-selling records of the era. It refers to a type of music that was characterized by a light, upbeat sound with a catchy melody and the occasional singalong chorus, all meant … Continue reading Bubblegum Pop And The Lemon Pipers
Don Robertson – The Humble Whistler
Pianist and songwriter Don Robertson, who is still around and now in his nineties*, is probably most remembered for his 1956 gold record of "The Happy Whistler." But he always said that he didn't really consider himself an expert whistler, and if you examine the arc of his career there's little doubt that it's been … Continue reading Don Robertson – The Humble Whistler
The Shocking Of America
It might surprise you to learn that a tiny European country like the Netherlands has a strong tradition in pop music, but there have been numerous examples through the years. Golden Earring is probably the most famous, with decades of success and lots of hit records, but there have been many other popular groups. Still, … Continue reading The Shocking Of America
Teddy Randazzo Persevered
Brooklyn-born Teddy Randazzo was certainly in the right place at the right time to make it as a rock and roll star in the 1950s. Every street corner seemed to be filled with talented, good-looking guys determined to make it big and Randazzo was no exception, but he just never seemed to click in a … Continue reading Teddy Randazzo Persevered
Rethinking One-Hit Wonders
I've always said that I dislike the 'one-hit wonder' label, but a couple of things have occurred to me lately. First of all, writing about lesser-known musical artists is a big part of what the GMC is all about, and it's almost impossible to do that without including one-hit wonders. The other thing is that … Continue reading Rethinking One-Hit Wonders
Diamonds In The Rough – Part V
The first four editions of our Diamonds In The Rough feature have made their appearance about one month apart, so this time around I guess we're running behind that schedule -- but the purpose of the post is still the same. Below is a list of noteworthy efforts from the past that you might find … Continue reading Diamonds In The Rough – Part V
The Multiplicity Of Donnie Brooks
If you're a fan of early rock and roll you might remember the guy who had a Top Ten hit in 1960 with "Mission Bell." You might also recall that the name he used on the record was Donnie Brooks, and that's pretty much who he was from then on, but it wasn't his real … Continue reading The Multiplicity Of Donnie Brooks
A Fast Start For The Impalas
Among the many doo-wop groups that were based in Brooklyn during the 1950s and 1960s, only a few were racially mixed. One of those was a quartet called the Impalas, which had a huge hit with 1959's "Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)." Unfortunately, the group would never manage to replicate the success of … Continue reading A Fast Start For The Impalas
The Cascades Sang About The Rain
Every so often I run across a song that seems so familiar that I'm sure I've already written about it and the performer or group that made it famous. But then I use the GMC's handy 'search' function and find that sometimes I haven't. (You didn't expect me to just depend on my memory, did … Continue reading The Cascades Sang About The Rain
Geezer Music Club 