I've always maintained that music lovers of my generation have surprisingly varied tastes in music. I've tried to reflect that fact in the pieces I write, touching on a lot of different genres from time to time. However, it occurred to me that I've sort of neglected one of my favorites -- the music of … Continue reading Queen Ida Still Rules
Tag: Video
Tea Party Reminiscent Of Johnny Cash
Recently I've been reading a lot of news stories about the Tea Party movement, and it made me think about the late Johnny Cash. That statement might sound like a head-scratcher, but before you jump to any conclusions, let me offer a quick explanation. There's a lot of information out there about the Tea Party … Continue reading Tea Party Reminiscent Of Johnny Cash
Les Baxter – Master Of Exotica
Since I've written from time to time about guys like Percy Faith, André Kostelanetz, and a few other specialists in Easy Listening music -- a genre that isn't exactly first on everybody's playlist these days -- it would be understandable if you thought I was at it again. After all, Les Baxter certainly did his … Continue reading Les Baxter – Master Of Exotica
Buddy Knox vs Buddy Holly
At one time, I thought that Buddy Knox's 1957 chart-topping "Party Doll" was reminiscent of something Elvis might perform. But my opinion changed through the years, and I eventually decided that Knox was probably a little more like his fellow West Texas native Buddy Holly. In addition to sharing a similar background, both wrote a … Continue reading Buddy Knox vs Buddy Holly
The Electric Prunes Embodied A Movement
I couldn't resist the title (although I probably should have) but the Electric Prunes were typical of the many colorfully-named groups that seemed to be around in the psychedelic Sixties. It was an era for inventive names, and whether those monikers were really the result of a drug-induced haze or marketing -- or both -- … Continue reading The Electric Prunes Embodied A Movement
Danny O’Keefe’s Classic Lives On
Occasionally a relatively unknown musician will write and perform a song that is enormously appealing to almost everyone who hears it, a song that not only ends up becoming a signature piece for the guy, but is also eagerly performed by countless others. A good example is Danny O'Keefe and his classic "Good Time Charlie's … Continue reading Danny O’Keefe’s Classic Lives On
Have Guitar, Will Travel – Johnny Western
Lately I've been watching some of the original episodes of the classic TV Western, Have Gun - Will Travel. It was one of the most popular shows around in the late Fifties, although it had plenty of competition because Westerns were all over the dial at that time. But most shows didn't even approach the … Continue reading Have Guitar, Will Travel – Johnny Western
Driving The Who To Stardom
Watching The Who entertain at the Super Bowl might have caused a few people to remember another British group, an oddly-named bunch that had a connection -- sort of -- to the legendary rockers. The band's name was Thunderclap Newman and it was assembled to give an opportunity to John 'Speedy' Keen, who actually did … Continue reading Driving The Who To Stardom
Music And The Highwayman
Sometimes it doesn't take much to entertain me. Lately I've found myself watching a TV reality series called Pawn Stars -- and for those who aren't familiar with the show let me just say that it's better than it sounds. It is truly amazing to see some of the odd objects that people bring in … Continue reading Music And The Highwayman
Johnny Burnette Mirrored Elvis
It's tempting to wonder what would have become of Johnny Burnette if he hadn't gone fishing that night in 1964. After all, by the time that speedboat came along, he was at a point in his career where he'd managed to pull off the transition from raw rockabilly singer to genuine teen idol, hitting the … Continue reading Johnny Burnette Mirrored Elvis
Geezer Music Club 