Monthly Archives: April 2024

In the early days of Motown, the company wanted to promote 12-year-old Stevie Wonder as the next Ray Charles. His first single was “I Call It Pretty Music but the Old People Call It the Blues.” The record isn’t a … Continue reading →

When it comes to the blues you won’t have them if you find some of those old Blues 78’s. In 1930, Columbia Records released “Big Rock Jail” by Barefoot Bill. A copy is now worth up to $2,000.00. In 1928, … Continue reading →

The Beach Boys’ only EP “Four by the Beach Boys” was released in 1966 on Capitol Records. In 1964 Capitol released the EP “Four by the Beatles.” In this battle of the Beatles vs. the Beach Boys who wins when … Continue reading →

Without a doubt Chubby Checker is the king of the Twist. But that dance craze is also associated with the Mavelettes and “Twistin’ Postman,” with Gary U.S. Bonds and the “Dear Lady Twist,” and with Joey Dee and the Starliters … Continue reading →

Tony Bennett is truly a legend who had his first hit in 1951 with “Because of You” followed by “Rags to Riches.” In 1962, he recorded the song that became his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” … Continue reading →

In 1969, the Winstons hit big with the top-10 smash, “Color Him Father.” The song is about a young boy honoring the man “with the big wide grin” who took in and married his mother, a widow with 7 children. … Continue reading →

The success of the Marlon Brando film “The Wild Ones” inspired a number of copy-cat motorcycle gang/hot rod movies such as the 1957 release, “Hot Rod Rumble.” The plot was of no importance. It was the drag-strip girls, the fast … Continue reading →

The first solo album by a member of the Beach Boys came in 1977 with the release of “Pacific Blue Ocean” by Dennis Wilson. Sales are estimated at around 300,000 copies. A second album called “Bambu” was never completed as … Continue reading →

The Andantes was among the least known girl-groups from Motown. They sang back-up for Motown stars, the Temptations, the Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye. Andantes member, Marlen Barrow, even filled in for Florence Ballard in many Supremes concerts. The Andantes … Continue reading →

David Clayton-Thomas is best known as the lead singer for the Rock band, Blood, Sweat & Tears, with hits like “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “And When I Die,” and “Spinning Wheel.” Their 1969 “Blood, Sweat & Tears” album, … Continue reading →