The legend never fades aways as fans all over the world celebrate 79 years since the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” was born. Unfortunately, he died of a heart problem in 1977 at age 42, at his massive Graceland estate in Memphis, Tenn. Graceland, where Elvis spent most of his time when not performing, is the Read More …
There was a time when black and white teenagers where separed by a red wire on the dance floor. There was that time when any interaction between them would have been shocking. But Frankie Lymon did it. Frankie Lymon was the doo-wop king, the rock’n’roll idol and the R&B pioneer. Nothing could stop him to Read More …
Recently, I discovered a lovely documentary that compiles unknown stories of The Beatles. “Beatles Stories” (2011) is a beautiful collection of memories of those who stood besides, behind or on the stage with the Fab Four. One of the stories I deeply enjoyed was about Ringo’s star. It starts like this: Brian Skiff, an astronomer Read More …
But… it’s not what you put in, is it? It’s what you leave out. Listen to… listen to Marvin Gaye… A song like “What’s Going On.” That single “woo” at the end of the second verse – you know that woo – that single “woo.” That’s what you remember. The silly things, the little things… Read More …
Tommy James was America’s number one artist, the music prodigy, the multiple-hit wonder. But, above all, Tommy James is a memorable interlocutor, sharing his inspiring stories with passion and delight: OldiesMusicBlog: Your biography was included in Rolling Stone’s “25 Greatest Rock Memoirs of All Time”… Tommy James: Basically, my book is an autobiography, devoted to our very Read More …
1. “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector” album This album has grown in stature over the years and has been reissued countless times. Featuring the amazing Spector production together with Darlene Love, The Crystals, The Ronettes, BobB. Soxx And The Blue Jeans, even Leon Russell on piano and Sonny Bono on percussion, this Read More …
1. “Inside the Songs of the Sixties” by Brian L. Forsythe I truly recommend it to all sixties enthusiasts, as it is a never-ending source of stories – stories of artists, bands, songs, albums, concerts. And many other facts ready to be discovered page by page. The anthology includes everything that needs to be known Read More …
The first time the entire body of his Fortune recordings are in one place, this 2-CD set represents square-one for Andre Williams and the deepest blues and rhythm roots from which he grew his “bad boy” rock ‘n’ roll sensibility. In the same way his friend Ike Turner created a modern, post-blues persona from his Read More …
Recollections of the Golden Oldies era are never complete without giving Bill Withers his dues. Born on the Fourth of July 1938, Bill Withers became a musical icon with some of the most sensational hits of his generation. Among his more notable songs are: Lean on Me, Grandma’s Hands, Lovely Day, Ain’t No Sunshine, Just Read More …
“People started realizing that if you can play the guitar and sing your ass off, you could be better than Superman. And that was a strong feeling for a black man in the ’50s”. “Cadillac Records” (2008) explores the musical era from the early 1940s to the late 1960s, chronicling the life of the influential Read More …
