It's been a while since our last Fantastic Foursome, so I'll remind everybody how it works. I pick a classic song and tell you a little about it, and I usually include the definitive version of the song. Then I present four alternative performances and give you the opportunity to vote for your favorite. Today's … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – Tenderness Came Late To Otis
Tag: Oldies
Germans Loved The Lords
A couple of years back, I spotlighted Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, a British group that's best remembered now for a song that became a rock and roll classic, "Shakin' All Over." I also mentioned that a couple of other bands had hits with the song in those days, but there was one that I … Continue reading Germans Loved The Lords
Remembering The Crests
Although there were several integrated groups during the golden age of doo-wop, the Crests stood out as one of the most diversified. Now mostly remembered for the 1959 mega-hit "16 Candles," the Crests included an Italian-American, a Puerto Rican, and -- in the beginning -- three African-Americans, one of them a lady. Formed in New … Continue reading Remembering The Crests
Anatomy Of A Song – A Texas Favorite
Something I saw while watching an old Gunsmoke rerun on TV inspired today's edition of Anatomy of a Song. It surprised me at the time -- not because I didn't already know about it, but because those old Gunsmokes seldom ventured into subjects that didn't really have a lot to do with the action on … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – A Texas Favorite
The Odyssey Of Mickey Baker
In an earlier post about the Bonnie Sisters, I mentioned that they'd been helped along by Mickey Baker, a talented guitarist who would later be part of the R&B duo Mickey & Sylvia. But even though he and his performing partner struck gold in 1957 with "Love Is Strange," Mickey Baker might have been a … Continue reading The Odyssey Of Mickey Baker
The Bonnie Sisters Briefly Flirted With Fame
In a recent post about the DeJohn Sisters I mentioned that they'd been the inspiration for another singing group, the Bonnie Sisters, who weren't sisters at all but still managed a Top Twenty hit in 1956 with "Cry Baby." Unfortunately, it would be the girls' only good-selling record, and they soon became yet another forgotten … Continue reading The Bonnie Sisters Briefly Flirted With Fame
The Music Of The Sopranos
Most know by now that James Gandofini has unexpectedly died in Rome from an apparent heart attack. Not surprisingly, there are countless articles exploding into the media stream about the 51-year-old actor, and even though he had a diverse career most are centered around his iconic gangster character, Tony Soprano. We're doing the same here … Continue reading The Music Of The Sopranos
Bobby Sherman Has Worn Several Hats
One-time teen idol Bobby Sherman has led an interesting life. During the 1960s and 1970s he starred on TV and also had a number of million-selling records, all adding to his status as a heartthrob for a lot of young fans. And even when things started slowing down musically he still managed to find regular … Continue reading Bobby Sherman Has Worn Several Hats
Cornelius Harp Led The Marcels
I was sorry to read that Cornelius 'Nini' Harp, the lead singer of the original Marcels, died recently in suburban Pittsburgh. Harp's age wasn't given in obituaries, but he would have been in his seventies when he died, apparently of natural causes. Although his name might not be a familiar one to some music fans, … Continue reading Cornelius Harp Led The Marcels
Fantastic Foursome – But With A Twist
It's been about a month since our last Fantastic Foursome -- you know, the special feature that gives you the chance to vote for your favorite from among four versions of a song? That particular post featured the song "Moonglow" and also mentioned how I'd always been fascinated by the way it's often partnered with … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – But With A Twist
Geezer Music Club 