Showing posts with label Rockabilly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockabilly. Show all posts
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
LENNONYC : JOHN LENNON and JACK DOUGLAS, MUSIC PRODUCER ON ELVIS and the EARLY ROCK AND ROLLERS
LENNONYC is a documentary put out by PBS : AMERICAN MASTERS
Jack Douglas was the music producer of Lennon's album DOUBLE FANTASY. In this film, he talks about the song "Starting Over" and John talks about that time in his life when he was reaching back to his roots in early Rock and Roll.
JACK : "He's doing his Elvis Impersonation... the Elvis intonation. It brought back the feeling of early Rock and Roll."
JOHN : "It was tongue and cheek Elvis. It was John Lennon - American Rock and Roll - not competing but enjoying it."
John Lennon goes on to mention Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, and Elvis Presley as inspirations to him as a developing musician.
Jack Douglas was the music producer of Lennon's album DOUBLE FANTASY. In this film, he talks about the song "Starting Over" and John talks about that time in his life when he was reaching back to his roots in early Rock and Roll.
JACK : "He's doing his Elvis Impersonation... the Elvis intonation. It brought back the feeling of early Rock and Roll."
JOHN : "It was tongue and cheek Elvis. It was John Lennon - American Rock and Roll - not competing but enjoying it."
John Lennon goes on to mention Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly, and Elvis Presley as inspirations to him as a developing musician.
Friday, January 3, 2014
OUR ELVIS PRESLEY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - 2014!
When we began blogging in 2007, we dedicated this effort to ELVIS PRESLEY.
And every year we having Blogger Celebration focused on Elvis for his birthday. Elvis was born January 8, 1935. He'd be 79 years old if he were alive today.
This year the nature of our celebration is different because of the YouTube videos that have been posted by people who have somehow gotten their hands on HOME RECORDINGS. Now these people may have been there (or maybe their parents were since so many of us from the early rock and roll era are senior citizens now or have passed on). We don't know, but we think they're authentic.
We want to let you know that we're planning some Down Time in 2014. This blog is experiencing a lot of glitches - some mystifying - that need to be resolved that will take some time and focus, as well as updating of videos and links, and we haven't given up on a good slideshow to replace the one that went down with changes at Photobucket. (Some of our pages and posts just went poof!)
But for now relax and enjoy, and let the year begin on Elvis!
This popular publicity photo of Elvis is one of my favorites.
And every year we having Blogger Celebration focused on Elvis for his birthday. Elvis was born January 8, 1935. He'd be 79 years old if he were alive today.
This year the nature of our celebration is different because of the YouTube videos that have been posted by people who have somehow gotten their hands on HOME RECORDINGS. Now these people may have been there (or maybe their parents were since so many of us from the early rock and roll era are senior citizens now or have passed on). We don't know, but we think they're authentic.
We want to let you know that we're planning some Down Time in 2014. This blog is experiencing a lot of glitches - some mystifying - that need to be resolved that will take some time and focus, as well as updating of videos and links, and we haven't given up on a good slideshow to replace the one that went down with changes at Photobucket. (Some of our pages and posts just went poof!)
But for now relax and enjoy, and let the year begin on Elvis!
This popular publicity photo of Elvis is one of my favorites.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
(482) PLACES TO GO THINGS TO DO : BEN FRANKS DINER
CHARLES PHOENIX ON BEN FRANKS DINER link
IN OUR PLACES TO GO THINGS TO DO posts, we wrote about the Palamino for mostly Country Music (post 335 on Marty Robins and Jerry Lee Lewis), the Red Velvet - one of the few clubs Elvis used to go to and where P.J. Proby performed (post 334), and the dinner club, Ciro's, known for the Rat Pack, but also Johnny Rivers before The Whisky. Post 333 was about Trino Lopez. Post 336 Ciros. We've recently updated the videos and links for these posts from 2010.
All of these clubs were performance spaces.
One of my hangouts for just having coffee, talking, hanging out, was Ben Franks Diner. It was a good place to meet with friends, co-workers, and people I wanted to do business with, on the Sunset Strip, which has been active with entertainment for more than half a century.
Here's a link with a good picture.
EXCERPT: "Today, forty five years later the classic coffee shop structure still stands. But about decade or so ago Ben became Mel when Ben Frank’s quietly closed and morphed into a trendy retro diner called Mel’s Diner. I wonder if they have Liver and Onions on the menu."
IN OUR PLACES TO GO THINGS TO DO posts, we wrote about the Palamino for mostly Country Music (post 335 on Marty Robins and Jerry Lee Lewis), the Red Velvet - one of the few clubs Elvis used to go to and where P.J. Proby performed (post 334), and the dinner club, Ciro's, known for the Rat Pack, but also Johnny Rivers before The Whisky. Post 333 was about Trino Lopez. Post 336 Ciros. We've recently updated the videos and links for these posts from 2010.
All of these clubs were performance spaces.
One of my hangouts for just having coffee, talking, hanging out, was Ben Franks Diner. It was a good place to meet with friends, co-workers, and people I wanted to do business with, on the Sunset Strip, which has been active with entertainment for more than half a century.
Here's a link with a good picture.
EXCERPT: "Today, forty five years later the classic coffee shop structure still stands. But about decade or so ago Ben became Mel when Ben Frank’s quietly closed and morphed into a trendy retro diner called Mel’s Diner. I wonder if they have Liver and Onions on the menu."
Monday, September 30, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
DEPERATE GENERATION : A CLASSIC DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT 1990's ROCKABILY CULTURE AND CARS
This documentary film by Emily Dutton is about a Rock-a- Billy revival in Southern Claifornia during the 1990's, a sub-culture surrounding classic car clubs. It's about STYLE, as interpreted 40 years after the Rock-a-Billy era, as expressed in hair ("greasers"), clothing, interior design, and body art - tatoos. It's about hot rod events, musicians - stand up base! - and a then-younger generation of the handsome and the beautiful.
Watching it, I thought the artists that Wes has talked to me about over the years, including Elvis Presley, and their roots in Rock-a-Billy! My sense is that the not-famous stars of this DVD also found retro values of comfort to them and that they played out those values in their friendships.
Christine Trzyna
Watching it, I thought the artists that Wes has talked to me about over the years, including Elvis Presley, and their roots in Rock-a-Billy! My sense is that the not-famous stars of this DVD also found retro values of comfort to them and that they played out those values in their friendships.
Christine Trzyna
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
(477) BUDDY KNOX "THE ROCKABILLY GOLD RECORD LEGEND" AND PARTY DOLL : COVERED BY STEVE LAWRENCE, RICKY "BONGO" JAMES, JOHNNY MAESTRO and THE CRESTS, and THE HULLABALOOS
LINK TO OFFICIAL BUDDY KNOX SITE : BUDDY KNOX OFFICIAL
In the end, I don't think Buddy Knox himself made much money on his hit "Party Doll," a song that was covered all over the United States by local bands and covered in many recordings which illustrate the role of the music arranger and music producer in a record, not considering the song's popularity and endurance.
The song became a standard at local dance party type shows. It always got people up and jumping. Buddy wrote the song when he was a teenager and it was one of the first he recorded while with Jimmy Bowen and their group The Rhythm Orchids.
We were checking out the videos of Buddy and Jimmy on YouTube and found a lot of covers of "Party Doll," some which illustrate that American Invasion of Britain!
You'll find some excellent renditions of the song that go from Rock-A-Billy to Jazz to Mod Beatlesque circa 1966. Take a few moments to listen to the variety of these recordings of Buddy's song.
This first video is from the Ed Sullivan show, I believe.
The song was over quick. That's Jimmy Bowen on the bass.
As Recorded on Roulette and Columbia and...
Steve Lawrence didn't hesitate. His recording came out in 1957, not long after Buddy's.
Same year the song was recorded in Britain by Ricky "Bongo" James and his group. Jazzy Cool.
Johnny Maestro of The Crests recorded it in 1960! - looking for a hit four years after the became a hit for Buddy.
1966 in Great Britain - The HULLABALLOOS!
Recorded on Roulette... Roulette wasn't giving up those residuals!
Rock-a-billy cover bands like Sha-na-na and The Jets cover the song in their live performances.
In the end, I don't think Buddy Knox himself made much money on his hit "Party Doll," a song that was covered all over the United States by local bands and covered in many recordings which illustrate the role of the music arranger and music producer in a record, not considering the song's popularity and endurance.
The song became a standard at local dance party type shows. It always got people up and jumping. Buddy wrote the song when he was a teenager and it was one of the first he recorded while with Jimmy Bowen and their group The Rhythm Orchids.
We were checking out the videos of Buddy and Jimmy on YouTube and found a lot of covers of "Party Doll," some which illustrate that American Invasion of Britain!
You'll find some excellent renditions of the song that go from Rock-A-Billy to Jazz to Mod Beatlesque circa 1966. Take a few moments to listen to the variety of these recordings of Buddy's song.
This first video is from the Ed Sullivan show, I believe.
The song was over quick. That's Jimmy Bowen on the bass.
As Recorded on Roulette and Columbia and...
Steve Lawrence didn't hesitate. His recording came out in 1957, not long after Buddy's.
Same year the song was recorded in Britain by Ricky "Bongo" James and his group. Jazzy Cool.
Johnny Maestro of The Crests recorded it in 1960! - looking for a hit four years after the became a hit for Buddy.
1966 in Great Britain - The HULLABALLOOS!
Recorded on Roulette... Roulette wasn't giving up those residuals!
Rock-a-billy cover bands like Sha-na-na and The Jets cover the song in their live performances.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
(440) JACKIE DESHANNON : WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW
JACKIE DESHANNON OFFICIAL SITE link here
When you get to Jackie's site you'll learn that this singer-songwriter is now an activist. Here is her new song she wrote about her cause, clean water in Africa.
FROM HER SITE: "Singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon is the soulful voice behind two enduring 1960’s anthems -- Burt Bacharach & Hal David's "What The World Needs Now Is Love" and DeShannon's own "Put A Little Love In Your Heart." Beyond those standards is an artist who has created a body of work covering a diverse range of genres including rock, folk, R&B, country, gospel, reggae and jazz.
Her songs have been performed by Brenda Lee, The Byrds, Marianne Faithfull, Al Green, Annie Lennox, The Searchers, Pam Tillis, The Carpenters, Kim Carnes, The Temptations, Rick Nelson, Cher, Van Morrison, Ella Fitzgerald, Dolly Parton, Irma Thomas..."
When you get to Jackie's site you'll learn that this singer-songwriter is now an activist. Here is her new song she wrote about her cause, clean water in Africa.
FROM HER SITE: "Singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon is the soulful voice behind two enduring 1960’s anthems -- Burt Bacharach & Hal David's "What The World Needs Now Is Love" and DeShannon's own "Put A Little Love In Your Heart." Beyond those standards is an artist who has created a body of work covering a diverse range of genres including rock, folk, R&B, country, gospel, reggae and jazz.
Her songs have been performed by Brenda Lee, The Byrds, Marianne Faithfull, Al Green, Annie Lennox, The Searchers, Pam Tillis, The Carpenters, Kim Carnes, The Temptations, Rick Nelson, Cher, Van Morrison, Ella Fitzgerald, Dolly Parton, Irma Thomas..."
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
(438) DONNIE BROOKS : ROCKABILLY TO EARLY ROCK AND ROLL : 1965 HOLLYWOOD A GO GO
DONNIE BROOKS ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME This site has a good bio and memorial for Donnie which my friend Jerry Cole participated in.
Donnie's probably most known for his hit "Mission Bells" which was a hit in 1960. By 1965 he was appearing on local television show Hollywood A- Go Go! Thank you to the posters of these historical
music performances on
Youtube! I met Donny throuh Lou Bedell.
Donnie's probably most known for his hit "Mission Bells" which was a hit in 1960. By 1965 he was appearing on local television show Hollywood A- Go Go! Thank you to the posters of these historical
music performances on
Youtube! I met Donny throuh Lou Bedell.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
(437) MAE BOREN AXTON: THE QUEEN MOTHER OF NASHVILLE and PROLIFIC SONGWRITER
MAE AXTON wrote over 200 songs, and 14 charted, but she will go down in music history and Elvis Presley history because she was the person who with Tommy Durden co-wrote "Heartbreak Hotel," perhaps the song Elvis is most famous for. When Elvis had a hit with "Heartbreak Hotel" he had a hit on more than one chart. It hit on Country, Pop, and R and B.
As many songwriters have been known to do, Mae was out to sell her own song to the person she wanted to record it. She personally presented the song to Elvis in Nashville in 1955 at a country music convention. The video below is probably the January 1956 session with the Blue Moon Boys and session guitarist Chet Atkins.
Through the years Mae placed songs with many country music greats from Johnny Tillotson to Willie Nelson.
MAE AXTON : BLACKCAT ROCKABILLY UK SITE : By Colin Kilgour
MAE AXTON : OKLAHOMA : Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 1985
As many songwriters have been known to do, Mae was out to sell her own song to the person she wanted to record it. She personally presented the song to Elvis in Nashville in 1955 at a country music convention. The video below is probably the January 1956 session with the Blue Moon Boys and session guitarist Chet Atkins.
Through the years Mae placed songs with many country music greats from Johnny Tillotson to Willie Nelson.
MAE AXTON : BLACKCAT ROCKABILLY UK SITE : By Colin Kilgour
MAE AXTON : OKLAHOMA : Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 1985
Monday, October 22, 2012
LENNONYC (LENNON NEW YORK CITY) DVD : (JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER
LENNONYC is an American Masters Series DVD which could not have been made without the cooperation of Yoko Ono, and this film did give me a different impression of John Lennon, but having read around the Beatles and John Lennon and Yoko Ono, I felt also that it had been edited in such a way as to admit previous controversies but also get past them quickly. All film makers have a point of view so I should not be surprised that this one proposed that at the time of his death on December 8, 1980, John had found personal happiness and career success.
I'm writing about this video DVD here at WES BRYAN- MY LIFE IN MUSIC because of the coverage of John's music making with Phil Spector as Producer in Los Angeles, and because John talks about how the Beatles used to cover early rock and roll "classics" in the studio when they need to relax, take a break, or get inspiration. He also references Elvis Presley in the section that involves his rockabilly song STARTING OVER .
To me this song has Beatlesque aspects as well as reminding me of some Electric Light Orchestra recordings. Christine
I'm writing about this video DVD here at WES BRYAN- MY LIFE IN MUSIC because of the coverage of John's music making with Phil Spector as Producer in Los Angeles, and because John talks about how the Beatles used to cover early rock and roll "classics" in the studio when they need to relax, take a break, or get inspiration. He also references Elvis Presley in the section that involves his rockabilly song STARTING OVER .
To me this song has Beatlesque aspects as well as reminding me of some Electric Light Orchestra recordings. Christine
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
LISA MARIE AND ELVIS DUET : FAN VIDEO TO BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC
LISA MARIE AND DAD VIDEO RELEASE : Chris Michaud reports for Rueters
Excerpt:
"Presley’s new video, “I Love You Because,” is an emotional duet with her late father.
Due to premiere on Thursday on country music TV channel CMT and CMT.com, the video was recorded in August for the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death."
"Presley, who died at the age of 42, recorded “I Love You Because” in July 1954 at Sun Studio in Memphis, the same time he recorded “That’s All Right.”
Producer Sam Phillips deemed it unsuitable for Presley’s first single, and it ended up on Presley’s first album, from 1956, never to be performed by Presley again, according to CMT.
Lisa Marie Presley, 44, recorded her vocals to the song in August at the suggestion of producer T-Bone Burnett, as a special song for fans."
Excerpt:
"Presley’s new video, “I Love You Because,” is an emotional duet with her late father.
Due to premiere on Thursday on country music TV channel CMT and CMT.com, the video was recorded in August for the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death."
"Presley, who died at the age of 42, recorded “I Love You Because” in July 1954 at Sun Studio in Memphis, the same time he recorded “That’s All Right.”
Producer Sam Phillips deemed it unsuitable for Presley’s first single, and it ended up on Presley’s first album, from 1956, never to be performed by Presley again, according to CMT.
Lisa Marie Presley, 44, recorded her vocals to the song in August at the suggestion of producer T-Bone Burnett, as a special song for fans."
Friday, October 12, 2012
(436) JOHNNY TILLOTSON POETRY IN MOTION MAE AXTON
I met Johnny when I was writing songs with Mae Axton. (Out of that collaboration I wrote "Apache Pearl" with Mae.)
He was also friends with Phil and Don Everly.
Little known is that Johnny is the singer for "The Mary Tyler Moore" TV show theme song.
JOHNNY TILLOTSON OFFICIAL SITE (It's terrific!)
He was also friends with Phil and Don Everly.
Little known is that Johnny is the singer for "The Mary Tyler Moore" TV show theme song.
JOHNNY TILLOTSON OFFICIAL SITE (It's terrific!)
One of several songs Johnny had out in 1965! In 1960 his hit "Poetry In Motion" was one of my favorites.
Friday, August 31, 2012
ROCK BOPPIN BABY : SUN ROCKABILLY VOLUME 3
Have a great Labor Day weekend.
Weekend listening!
Give a couple rounds to this CD put out in 1996 which features Edwin Bruce, Barbara Pittman, Roy Orbison, Gene Simmons, Kenny Parchman, Dick Penner, Dickey Lee and the Collegiates, Tracy Pendarvis, Jimmy Williams, Ernie Barton, Glen Honeycutt, Harold Jenkins (Conway Twitty), Jerry Lee Lewis, Alton and Jimmy, and Carl Perkins! It's music history and a lot of fun.
Weekend reading?
We've got the latest memoir by Johnny Ramone (of the Ramones) and is he an Elvis fan!
Weekend listening!
Give a couple rounds to this CD put out in 1996 which features Edwin Bruce, Barbara Pittman, Roy Orbison, Gene Simmons, Kenny Parchman, Dick Penner, Dickey Lee and the Collegiates, Tracy Pendarvis, Jimmy Williams, Ernie Barton, Glen Honeycutt, Harold Jenkins (Conway Twitty), Jerry Lee Lewis, Alton and Jimmy, and Carl Perkins! It's music history and a lot of fun.
Weekend reading?
We've got the latest memoir by Johnny Ramone (of the Ramones) and is he an Elvis fan!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
(427) BILLY LEE RILEY : SUN RECORDS PROTEGEE
Wes' cousin Dean reminded us that BILLY LEE RILEY passed away in August of 2009. We went through our archives to see what we'd posted on Billy before, and saw that the links needed to be updated.
See post (183)!
Like Elvis, Billy Lee Riley started out on that local label that became one of the most famous small labels in Rock-A-Billy and Early Rock and Roll : SUN. But here's a song Billy recorded in 1965. If you go right to the YouTube site you can read what the video poster wrote about Billy - all good.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
THE STRAY CATS COVER EDDIE COCHRAN'S SUMMERTIME BLUES
A new link for us...
THE OFFICIAL STRAY CATS SITE!
THE OFFICIAL STRAY CATS SITE!
Monday, April 23, 2012
JIMMY BOWEN : SINGER SONGWRITER AND FAMOUS MUSIC PRODUCER TO BE (307) FROM OUR ARCHIVES
FROM OUR ARCHIVES POST (307) JIMMY BOWEN : SINGER SONGWRITER AND FAMOUS MUSIC PRODUCER TO BE! from April 26 2010.
JIMMY BOWEN figures in my story from way back. I met Jimmy Bowen while he was passing through Akron, Ohio. He took me to a record hop there, where my first record was played. It was a record I home made in Winston-Salem without a label so it could not be played on the radio legally.
Jimmy Bowen and Buddy Knox had a group called The Rhythm Orchids. (They started out wearing light purple shirts when they played!) Buddy Knox and Jimmy Bowen were both Texas boys. Jimmy played a stand up bass, an instrument that featured in early rock and roll but soon disappeared from road performances.
Eventually I would perform with Jimmy on the road while on Roulette Records. I was on the Buddy Knox tour but I would occasionally meet up with Jimmy's tour.
The two of us showed up to work at American Music in Los Angeles. The two of us wrote some songs together... including "Break Down and Cry" which was recorded by Fabian and "Don't Stay Away" which was recorded by Jerry Fuller.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
JIMMY BOWEN : MY BABY'S GONE : FLIP SIDE OF BUDDY KNOX'S PARTY DOLL
JIMMY BOWEN and the RHYTHM ORCHIDS : "My Baby's Gone" was the flip side of fellow Rhythm Orchid BUDDY KNOX'S hit "Party Doll." Jimmy was instrumental in my early career as far back as Akron, Ohio. This song is one of many I remember from touring in the late 1950's. The Rhythm Orchids formed when Jimmy and Buddy and Don Lanier met at West Texas State College. Jimmy played stand up base, Donny played lead guitar, and David Alldred, who they first met when they recorded with Norman Petty, played drums.
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