Monthly Archives: January 2022

Young Roy Orbison played mostly Country music with his band, the Wink Westerners. However, a college friend and future hit-maker, Pat Boone, urged Roy to lean more toward the new music craze called Rock and Roll. Orbison then formed a … Continue reading →

Its said that “Do You Love Me” was a song originally meant for the Temptations but when they weren’t available the Contours stepped in and created a classic and a Billboard top-5 hit in 1962. In 1988, the song was … Continue reading →

In the 1920’s, Ma Rainey was known as “the mother of the blues” and credited to be the first great female blues recording artist. Sometimes, because of the suggestive themes of her recordings, she was called “Madame Rainey.” All of … Continue reading →

“Don’t Be Cruel” with “Hound Dog” on the flip side is Elvis Presley’s all-time best-selling 2-sided single and his personal favorite. The king recorded 28 takes before settling on the version heard on record. “Don’t Be Cruel” was originally offered … Continue reading →

Dennis Coffey played on several Motown records along with the Funk Brothers, the musicians who played behind the Motown stars. Coffey can be heard on the psychedelic “Cloud 9” by the Temptations and “Someday We’ll Be Together” by Diana Ross … Continue reading →

Among the many bands to come out of San Francisco in the mid to late 60’s was Moby Grape. Their self-titled debut album caused quite a stir. Columbia records simultaneously released 8 cuts from the album as singles, greatly confusing … Continue reading →

Miles Davis was a musician, arranger, composer, producer, band leader, and the essence of what it meant to be cool. Along the way, he also introduced other Jazz greats like Sonny Rollins and Horace Silver. The Miles Davis album “Young … Continue reading →

Eddie Cochran was a true pioneer in the early days of Rock and Roll with classics like “C’mon Everybody” and “Summertime Blues.” As big a star as he was in the states, he was even more popular in England where … Continue reading →

Metallica is among the cream of the crop of Heavy Metal bands with their albums going platinum. Guitarist-singer James Hetfield struck a chord not only with suburban metal-heads but with critics as well for his songwriting. The bands’ music deals … Continue reading →

Born Jamesetta Hawkins and speculated to be the daughter of legendary pool-player Minnesota Fats, Etta James with hits like “Dance with me Henry” and “Tell Mama” is recognized as one of the all-time music greats. Her early 1960’s hit,“At Last … Continue reading →