In 1966, a lot of music fans thought that "Black Is Black" -- a huge hit attributed to a group named Los Bravos -- was actually recorded by pop star Gene Pitney in an attempt to get around record company restrictions. The story is still bouncing around almost a half-century later, but even though lead … Continue reading Did Gene Pitney Sing For Los Bravos?
Tag: Oldies
Boyd Bennett’s Big Break-Out
Five years ago we featured the Fontane Sisters and mentioned several of their hits, including one that wasn't their biggest but still nearly reached the top of the charts. But the trio's version of 'Seventeen" wasn't the only one to hit high on the charts, and it also wasn't the first. That distinction belongs to … Continue reading Boyd Bennett’s Big Break-Out
Anatomy Of A Song – A Lovers’ Lane Favorite
It hasn't been too long since our last Anatomy Of A Song post, but that one was kind of a special edition because it commemorated the recently deceased George Jones. This time around, we're taking a look at a classic romantic ballad, one that began life in the years following World War II but became … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – A Lovers’ Lane Favorite
Terry Noland – West To East And Back Again
Several times in the past we've spotlighted guys like Buddy Knox, Sonny Curtis, and a few others who all seemed cut from the same cloth as Buddy Holly. They hailed from the same part of the country, had a similar musical style, and inevitably spent some time at the iconic studio of Norman Petty in … Continue reading Terry Noland – West To East And Back Again
The Brook Brothers – Britain’s Answer To The Everlys
A couple of years back the GMC spotlighted the Kalin Twins, an early rock and roll duo often compared to the Everly Brothers. The Kalins and the Everlys were both American duos who were also very popular in Great Britain, so we're kind of completing the circle today by featuring the Brook Brothers, a British … Continue reading The Brook Brothers – Britain’s Answer To The Everlys
The Return Of The Kon-Tiki Kid
Once again a dim and distant memory has surfaced from the mysterious depths of my mind, not unlike a strange creature rising from the deepest part of the ocean. It happened when I was reading an article in the newest issue of Smithsonian magazine. It seems that someone has produced a new movie about the … Continue reading The Return Of The Kon-Tiki Kid
Anatomy Of A Song – “M.T.A.”
Those of us who have been around a while probably remember "M.T.A.", a song that was turned into a hit record by the Kingston Trio in 1959. You might even remember enough about the lyrics to have an idea what the song was about, but what you might not know is that it began life … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – “M.T.A.”
The Kaye Sisters Were Neither Kayes Nor Sisters
We seem to be on a roll lately with British performers but I thought we could try one more -- or three more, to be accurate. Today's piece is about the Kaye Sisters, a trio that had some good-charting records for a period of several years beginning in the 1950s but is pretty much forgotten … Continue reading The Kaye Sisters Were Neither Kayes Nor Sisters
Hardrock Gunter Will Be Missed
Apparently it didn't make a big splash in the national news, but a gentleman we featured a while back in a GMC post titled Rock And Roll Pioneer Hardrock Gunter passed away recently -- at least according to what's posted on his namesake website. On Friday, March 15, 2013, “Rock” passed away from complications from … Continue reading Hardrock Gunter Will Be Missed
Walter Brennan — Recording Star?
The most improbable recording star of the 1960s had to have been Walter Brennan. By then he was in his sixties and had already enjoyed a long acting career that included winning three Oscars and later starring on TV, but he turned out to be surprisingly popular with record buyers too. Of course, he didn't … Continue reading Walter Brennan — Recording Star?
Geezer Music Club 