Monthly Archives: August 2023

The first record from the 1990’s super band, Green Day, was “1,000 Hours.” Green Day was known as Sweet Children at the time and despite the objections from the record company, the band, led by Billie Joe Armstrong, switched to … Continue reading →

Due to the overwhelming success of the Elvis Presley movie, “Blue Hawaii” in 1961, Elvis returned to the islands in 1962 to film “Girls! Girls! Girls!” The big hit from the movie was “Return To Sender.” An original copy of … Continue reading →

Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen influenced many guitar players to follow but who influenced Hendrix and Van Halen? That would be Dick Dale, the king of the Surf guitar. As a surfer he was interested in putting to music … Continue reading →

Billie Holiday was perhaps the greatest female Jazz singer of all time. Born in Baltimore, she began singing for tips but would soon be fronting bands such as Count Basie’s and Artie Shaw’s. Among her greatest and most noteworthy recordings … Continue reading →

The third album by the Monkees was “Headquarters.” It’s noteworthy because, unlike their first two albums, the Monkees actually played their own instruments instead of using session musicians. They also wrote much of their own material on “Headquarters.” It took … Continue reading →

Those old Doo Wop records continue to be among the biggest collectibles. Here are two more to look for. in 1953, Sabre Records released the 45, “Lonely Mood,” by the Five Echoes. A black vinyl copy can get you $500.00 … Continue reading →

In 1970, Reprise Records released Joni Mitchell’s “Ladies of the Canyon.” The album gets its title from Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. The album contains many of Joni Mitchell’s best known songs including “Big Yellow Taxi” and “The Circle Game,” … Continue reading →

Little Richard called himself the “architect of Rock N Roll.” It’s hard to argue against it. He was as important to the birth of 1950’s Rock N Roll as any including Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry. His second album … Continue reading →

Legendary actor/dancer Fred Astaire called Frances Ethel Gumm “the greatest entertainer who ever lived” and for forty years she lived up to his praise, not just in the U.S. but throughout the world in front of movie audiences, on stage, … Continue reading →

“Sailor” was the second album from the Steve Miller Band. It features songs written by Miller and band member, Boz Scaggs. The album made Billboards’ top 25 in 1968. It contained hits like, “Living in the U.S.A.” and “Dime-A-Dance Romance,” … Continue reading →