Although many music fans might remember it from a performance at Woodstock in 1969 by the British group The Who, the addictive rock song "Shakin' All Over" was actually a bigger hit a few years earlier for the Canadian band known as The Guess Who (originally Chad Allan & the Reflections). But both groups owed … Continue reading Shakin’ With Johnny Kidd
Tag: Video
Russ Columbo – The Almost Forgotten Crooner
One of my favorite posts is a piece from 2007 titled The Quintessential Italian Crooner, in which I put forth my nominee (Dean Martin) as the best of many Italian-American smoothies. That post also generated a lot of comments about a few singers I'd missed, but we all forgot a guy who certainly should have … Continue reading Russ Columbo – The Almost Forgotten Crooner
The Velvet Guitar Of Hank Garland
Most of the talented guitarists who have populated country music through the years have been perfectly happy to stay within their comfort zone. But the best of them have occasionally stretched themselves musically, and that would be the case with Hank Garland, the legendary composer of "Sugarfoot Rag", who surprised many fans with his detour … Continue reading The Velvet Guitar Of Hank Garland
Appreciating Manning — Bob, Not Peyton
For Indianapolis Colts fans who are suffering through the absence of Peyton Manning, I offer a Manning of a different type -- a crooner. Of course, baritone balladeer Bob Manning actually started life as Manny Levin, but even if he was sort of a faux Manning he was still a good singer who didn't receive … Continue reading Appreciating Manning — Bob, Not Peyton
Young Or Not, The Rascals Had Lots Of Fans
It's pretty easy to get a little confused about the particulars of a certain 'blue-eyed soul' group -- especially its name. But even if the group started out as the Rascals, then changed to the Young Rascals for a while before eventually changing back to the original, it entertained a lot of fans in the … Continue reading Young Or Not, The Rascals Had Lots Of Fans
Sam Butera – Out Of The Shadows
I realize the title of this piece might sound a little melodramatic, but for two decades beginning in the mid-1950s Sam Butera was the guy who led -- and performed in -- the band behind entertainer Louis Prima. That meant he was performing in the shadows of the flamboyant Prima and his wife, singer Keely … Continue reading Sam Butera – Out Of The Shadows
Revisiting Pete Rugolo
Award-winning composer/musician Pete Rugolo died Sunday in Los Angeles, so I thought I'd repost a piece from last year. ------------------------ The Long Musical Journey Of Pete Rugolo It might be unfair to call TV's Richard Diamond show a Peter Gunn clone, because even though both shows featured private eyes and a jazz-laden soundtrack, Diamond actually … Continue reading Revisiting Pete Rugolo
Just A Simple Bottle Of Soda-Pop
Although most geezers begin reminiscing whenever faced with something that triggers an old memory, those of us with blogs can then expose those moldy thoughts to hyperspace. My latest mental adventure occurred while I was fighting the exasperating behavior of a modern soft drink machine. You know the kind I mean -- it has bottles … Continue reading Just A Simple Bottle Of Soda-Pop
Rethinking The Village Stompers
The decade of the 1960s was rife with differing musical influences, all dueling for the attention of the record-buying public. One of the most popular genres was folk music, which might help explain why a few fans got a little confused about a group like the Village Stompers. The name sounded sort of folk-ish, and … Continue reading Rethinking The Village Stompers
Don’t Forget The OTHER Red Allen
A few days ago I wrote a piece about country music performer Red Allen, and today I thought I'd follow up with the story of another Red Allen, one who was different in just about every way. But the two did share one quality -- both loved to make music. Henry 'Red' Allen was a … Continue reading Don’t Forget The OTHER Red Allen
Geezer Music Club 