No doubt change was in the air.
One of the things that started happening about this time is that executives from various labels started changing labels.
Some of us who had been musical artists, singer-songwriters, and "Singing - Acting Sensations" started moving from making demos to music production.
There was a shuffle there, as the popularity of The Beatles and phenomenal sales of their records started creating more competition for chart space. (But keep in mind that a single or an album didn't necessarily have to chart to eventually sell enough to earn a Gold.)
Many of my peers who had put in more time entertaining than I did and who were identified with the 1950's started to feel it in their pocketbooks which meant that their labels were feeling it in their pockets too: eventually so many of those talented artists who had kept us all entertained, who had provided us the soundtrack of our youthful lives, would slowly loose coverage in the media too.
BUT NOT ELVIS!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
THE LADY (BARBARA GRAY) AND THE KING : MYSTERY OF THE KISSED SOLVED : VANITY FAIR LINK
Linking here to the classic photo of Elvis kissing a mystery woman near 55 years ago - a mystery solved - in an article by Lenora Jane Estes, in August Vanity Fair magazine. The photo was taken by Alfred Wertheimer. Now Barbara Gray, the kissed, has been identified.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
(393) AMERICAN MUSIC : SYLVESTER CROSS DIES : I KEEP WORKING WITH BOONE AND CAPEHEART
1964 seemed like a happy time to me when I was living it, and in my memory.
We songwriters were not especially concerned about the effects of the so called British Invasion of the Beatles and other groups would have on our own careers. Shows like Shindig celebrated rock and roll in Great Britain and the United States and we had confidence in our talents and abilities.
But that year there was a big change coming for those of us who were on contract with American Music, the big music publishing house that I had come to Los Angeles to work for, where Jerry Capeheart, who once worked with Eddie Cochran and who had signed me on staff was my boss.
Sylvester Cross, the owner of American Music died. I'd signed a five year contract but it was cut short. We kept going to work until Sylvester's wife sold the American Music catalogue for a song (!) and shut down operations.
I kept working for Jerry and for Pat Boone, making demos.
We songwriters were not especially concerned about the effects of the so called British Invasion of the Beatles and other groups would have on our own careers. Shows like Shindig celebrated rock and roll in Great Britain and the United States and we had confidence in our talents and abilities.
But that year there was a big change coming for those of us who were on contract with American Music, the big music publishing house that I had come to Los Angeles to work for, where Jerry Capeheart, who once worked with Eddie Cochran and who had signed me on staff was my boss.
Sylvester Cross, the owner of American Music died. I'd signed a five year contract but it was cut short. We kept going to work until Sylvester's wife sold the American Music catalogue for a song (!) and shut down operations.
I kept working for Jerry and for Pat Boone, making demos.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
ARNOLD H. GLASGOW Quote on Friendship
"A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad."
From A Little Book of Friendship
Published by History and Heraldry 2002
From A Little Book of Friendship
Published by History and Heraldry 2002
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
(392) PJ PROBY ON SHINDIG AND AROUND THE BEATLES
Texan PJ Proby was on Shindig a few times, 1964 and 1965. Here's one of the Youtube videos of PJ's performance in 1964, which I believe was taped in England, his adopted country. (P.J. is still in England, still performing, and we've posted a lot about him so search!)
We're grateful to the YouTuber who posted this video of PJ. being presented by the Beatles on a 1964 TV show called "Around the Beatles". (The Beatle's first performance on Shindig was also taped in England.) UPDATE: We'll replace this video as soon as possible.Technical difficulties.
We're grateful to the YouTuber who posted this video of PJ. being presented by the Beatles on a 1964 TV show called "Around the Beatles". (The Beatle's first performance on Shindig was also taped in England.) UPDATE: We'll replace this video as soon as possible.Technical difficulties.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
(391) SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT I'M BEHIND BONNIE and DELANY BRAMLETT'S DAUGHTERS CAMPAIGN TO GET DADDY INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME!
From BONNIE BRAMLETT'S OFFICIAL SITE (Linked here)!
"As you may have noticed my daughters are campaigning for their father's musical legacy. Our Michele has taken the reins and with her sisters right by her side, she has tested the waters (so to speak) to see if she would be embraced by our peers and she has been :-)
Delaney passed away not long ago and his daughters naturally want to celebrate his life's work, secure the recognition it deserves and bring it to a wider audience. He made some great music as a solo artist, as well as with Delaney & Bonnie.
I want to ask you all to support my girls in their endeavor to make things right. For whatever reasons, the girls have not inherited from their father, so they have no hope chest to work with.
They're working on their own so far. I want you all to know that I plan to support them with my performances if and when they need me. I will receive no financial benefit in any form for my performances or any other participation I may be asked to do. This IS NOT a request for any support in the form of $, just need your prayers and your votes. Just go see what the girls are up to. They are good girls and I'm very proud of them. I hope you will be as well :-) " - Bonnie Bramlett
"As you may have noticed my daughters are campaigning for their father's musical legacy. Our Michele has taken the reins and with her sisters right by her side, she has tested the waters (so to speak) to see if she would be embraced by our peers and she has been :-)
Delaney passed away not long ago and his daughters naturally want to celebrate his life's work, secure the recognition it deserves and bring it to a wider audience. He made some great music as a solo artist, as well as with Delaney & Bonnie.
I want to ask you all to support my girls in their endeavor to make things right. For whatever reasons, the girls have not inherited from their father, so they have no hope chest to work with.
They're working on their own so far. I want you all to know that I plan to support them with my performances if and when they need me. I will receive no financial benefit in any form for my performances or any other participation I may be asked to do. This IS NOT a request for any support in the form of $, just need your prayers and your votes. Just go see what the girls are up to. They are good girls and I'm very proud of them. I hope you will be as well :-) " - Bonnie Bramlett
Friday, September 23, 2011
(390) DELANY BRAMLETT ON SHINDIG and at KULAKS WOODSHED
LINKING TO THE OFFICIAL SITE FOR soul singer DELANY BRAMLETT!
There is some great information here including links to biography, interviews, concerts... Delany was a good friend of mine back in the day...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
FROM OUR ARCHIVES : (11) CHRISTINE WHITE, JAMES DEAN, & ME
FROM OUR ARCHIVES from October 27, 2008
(11) CHRISTINE WHITE, JAMES DEAN, & ME
Uncanny as it is, before I was "discovered" to be The Next James Dean, I took my first trip to Hollywood, and it was my fate to meet one of Jimmy's best friends! Dad and I were on a respite from home building. I loved to read all the fan magazines and I wanted to see the streets that all the stars - including James Dean - walked on.
So I headed to Los Angeles, California for the first time. I was coming out of a department store when I saw a beautiful young blond woman on the street. I recognized her from one of the movie magazines I'd read, an article called "The Girl He Left Behind." He meaning James Dean. The blond was CHRISTINE WHITE, a great actress in her own right. She and James Dean had auditioned together for the famous and prestigious Actors Studio in New York and both got in. James Dean might have been the youngest actor to be accepted there. Like James Dean, Christine White was active in television, live theater, and movies.
I introduced myself and Christine and I spent a few hours talking in a restaurant over tea. I asked her to tell me everything she knew about Jimmy. Christine and I would pick up our friendship years later when I moved to Los Angeles and I am blessed with her friendship to this day. Christine White is a devout Christian. I can tell you that she's played the part of angel in my life! Christine White is a regular speaker at the James Dean Conventions and has made many appearances in biographical films about James Dean.
CHRISTINE WHITE on IMDb World's Largest Movie Database linked above!
(11) CHRISTINE WHITE, JAMES DEAN, & ME
Uncanny as it is, before I was "discovered" to be The Next James Dean, I took my first trip to Hollywood, and it was my fate to meet one of Jimmy's best friends! Dad and I were on a respite from home building. I loved to read all the fan magazines and I wanted to see the streets that all the stars - including James Dean - walked on.
So I headed to Los Angeles, California for the first time. I was coming out of a department store when I saw a beautiful young blond woman on the street. I recognized her from one of the movie magazines I'd read, an article called "The Girl He Left Behind." He meaning James Dean. The blond was CHRISTINE WHITE, a great actress in her own right. She and James Dean had auditioned together for the famous and prestigious Actors Studio in New York and both got in. James Dean might have been the youngest actor to be accepted there. Like James Dean, Christine White was active in television, live theater, and movies.
I introduced myself and Christine and I spent a few hours talking in a restaurant over tea. I asked her to tell me everything she knew about Jimmy. Christine and I would pick up our friendship years later when I moved to Los Angeles and I am blessed with her friendship to this day. Christine White is a devout Christian. I can tell you that she's played the part of angel in my life! Christine White is a regular speaker at the James Dean Conventions and has made many appearances in biographical films about James Dean.
CHRISTINE WHITE on IMDb World's Largest Movie Database linked above!
FAIRMOUNT HISTORICAL MUSEUM : JAMES DEAN FESTIVAL 2011
The 2011 James Dean Festival runs from Thursday, September 22nd through Sunday, September 25th.
The festival's main attractions will be the Annual Museum Days and the Annual James Dean Run.
Linking to the Fairmount Museum for more information!
The festival's main attractions will be the Annual Museum Days and the Annual James Dean Run.
Linking to the Fairmount Museum for more information!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
(389) JERRY COLE ON SHINDIG : THE SHINDOG
SHINDIG first premiered September 16, 2011. It was the Rock and Roll television show that some of my friends, like Jerry Cole, worked on. Jerry was part of the show band called The SHINDOGS! The band started the show out with an intro composed of a selection of hit songs, just to get the audience warmed up. They threw a few Beatles songs in there and various guests took their turn at singing four bars.
Jerry was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2000 and was considered to be a charter member of the LA "Wrecking Crew," one of the best studio musicians around town.
Jerry Cole was a great friend of mine who we've blogged about before. Here he is on Shindig singing an intro to the show song called "Welcome To My Place." Oh those background singers are The Blossoms!
Wes says : Delaney Bramlett and Joey Cooper (who recorded a song I wrote called"I'm A Fool") were singers of the Shindogs. Most of the guys played their own instruments. Joey played the guitar....
Jerry was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2000 and was considered to be a charter member of the LA "Wrecking Crew," one of the best studio musicians around town.
Jerry Cole was a great friend of mine who we've blogged about before. Here he is on Shindig singing an intro to the show song called "Welcome To My Place." Oh those background singers are The Blossoms!
Wes says : Delaney Bramlett and Joey Cooper (who recorded a song I wrote called"I'm A Fool") were singers of the Shindogs. Most of the guys played their own instruments. Joey played the guitar....
Friday, September 16, 2011
(388) ANN-MARGRET STARS ON A "SHINDIG" ALBUM
RCA Victor put this one out. That was Ann's label. The same label Elvis was on.
It's a "Shindig" album that "Stars" Ann-Margret. I don't think Ann was ever on the television show Shindig but she was associated with Rock and Roll early in her career not only because of her own music because of her movie roles and of course, because of her relationship with Elvis Presley.
I've blogged about Ann before - WES BRYAN is a FAN! - and we're linking to Ann's OFFICIAL web site again!
(She's been recording a Gospel album.)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
(387) JOHNNY RIVERS STARS ON "SWINGING SHINDIG" ALBUM
The word "Shindig" came into common use as slang to mean...a rock and roll event...a jam...a party... and since titles are not copyrightable...Johnny Rivers appeared on the television show but I don't think this album came out of the show.
Check out our previous posts about Johnny and go to his web site by clicking on the title above!
Here you get the whole Shindig segment including an ad for zit busters ! (Eeeewwe!) Right after the zits came Johnny playing "Maybellene" and "Memphis," both cover-tunes of the songs written by Chuck Berry. We're struck by the high energy of the shows.
Monday, September 12, 2011
(386) JAMES BURTON INTERVIEW and on SHINDIG
JAMES BURTON, studio guitarist extraordinaire worked with - almost everybody (even me) - but is most famous for working with Elvis Presley. Writer James Calemine with the Swampland site featured this interview with Burton in 2007.
Here's James playing on Shindig in 1965:
Here's James playing on Shindig in 1965:
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
(385) THE EVERLY BROTHERS ON SHINDIG : LINK NOW TO EVERLY NET
This segment begins with the Everly Brothers performing "Wake Up Little Suzy" (a provocative song lyric for the time) and also includes James Brown.
We've posted several times over the years on the Everly Brothers (you can use that search feature to find archived posts) and we're linking to EVERLY NET which has some of the latest on the performances of Phil and Don, who've been working with other musical greats such as Paul Simon and a benefit for Habitat for Humanity.
We've posted several times over the years on the Everly Brothers (you can use that search feature to find archived posts) and we're linking to EVERLY NET which has some of the latest on the performances of Phil and Don, who've been working with other musical greats such as Paul Simon and a benefit for Habitat for Humanity.
Friday, September 9, 2011
(384) AN INTERVIEW WITH SHINDIG HOST JIMMY O'NEILL
JIMMY O'NEILL was the host of Shindig and this is a link to an interview with him posted originally by the Classic Bands site, written by Gary James. Link above!
"Q - Couldn't Shindig! have lasted as long as American Bandstand?"
"A - No doubt in my mind. ... I knew that if Jack did quit, chances were the show would not survive. Sure enough, it took about six months, but I could see almost with the first episode without Jack, that we had begun to stray off the track."
"Q - Couldn't Shindig! have lasted as long as American Bandstand?"
"A - No doubt in my mind. ... I knew that if Jack did quit, chances were the show would not survive. Sure enough, it took about six months, but I could see almost with the first episode without Jack, that we had begun to stray off the track."
Thursday, September 8, 2011
BUDDY HOLLY RECEIVES HIS STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME AS A 75th BIRTHDAY PRESENT!
Linking to the article and pictures from the Los Angeles Times newspaper:
Said Maria Elena Holly: “One of his dreams was to write scores for movies and to come to Hollywood and make his mark,” Holly, 78, said during the midday ceremony outside the Capitol Records tower before a crowd of a couple hundred fans and several dozen guests from the entertainment world and local politics. The ceremony was timed in conjunction with what would have been Holly’s 75th birthday. “Half of that dream did not come true,” she said, choking back a tear. “But the other half did come true with this beautiful star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
Said Maria Elena Holly: “One of his dreams was to write scores for movies and to come to Hollywood and make his mark,” Holly, 78, said during the midday ceremony outside the Capitol Records tower before a crowd of a couple hundred fans and several dozen guests from the entertainment world and local politics. The ceremony was timed in conjunction with what would have been Holly’s 75th birthday. “Half of that dream did not come true,” she said, choking back a tear. “But the other half did come true with this beautiful star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
(383) GLEN CAMPBELL ON SHINDIG
Since we recently posted on Glen Campbell, we thought we'd start off our videos of this one of Glen on Shindig. Check out our other posts for more on Glen!
UPDATE BY WES: I forgot to mention that Glen's appearances on Shindig and then on The Joey Bishop show caught the attention of The Smothers Brothers, and they decided to produce a show for him on CBS.
UPDATE BY WES: I forgot to mention that Glen's appearances on Shindig and then on The Joey Bishop show caught the attention of The Smothers Brothers, and they decided to produce a show for him on CBS.
Monday, September 5, 2011
(382) JACK GOOD : SHINDIG BLACKCAT: ROCKABILLY EUROPE
SHIINDIG was the hot Rock and Roll television show that aired for a couple years starting in 1964. Eventually the Beatles and the Rolling Stones performed and at the time we didn't know what we do now, how successful they would be or how enduring.
British JACK GOOD came to the United States to be producer. We thought he did a great job of it.
We're linking here to Black Dog Rockabilly, a site from Europe, that has a great profile of Shindig Producer and Creator Jack Good.
At the end of the article the question is WHAT HAPPENED TO JACK GOOD?
DO YOU KNOW?
"(Jack) superintended the nationally-broadcast pop showcase "Shindig" which, as well as "discoveries" like the Righteous Brothers and Sonny & Cher, represented a media breakthrough for diverse black artists from Howlin' Wolf to The Chambers Brothers...
"Cher tells the story of how and she and Sonny first got started in the US, and how they were not well received because people thought they were weird. She went on to say, "There was a man called Jack Good who was presenting a USA show called Shindig, who loved us. He said "You've got to go to England," so we sold everything, and we were famous there first. Even the older generation would ask for our autographs, and when we got back to America we were huge, and everyone thought we were English."
THIS MONTH WE FOCUS ON SHINDIG!
British JACK GOOD came to the United States to be producer. We thought he did a great job of it.
We're linking here to Black Dog Rockabilly, a site from Europe, that has a great profile of Shindig Producer and Creator Jack Good.
At the end of the article the question is WHAT HAPPENED TO JACK GOOD?
DO YOU KNOW?
"(Jack) superintended the nationally-broadcast pop showcase "Shindig" which, as well as "discoveries" like the Righteous Brothers and Sonny & Cher, represented a media breakthrough for diverse black artists from Howlin' Wolf to The Chambers Brothers...
"Cher tells the story of how and she and Sonny first got started in the US, and how they were not well received because people thought they were weird. She went on to say, "There was a man called Jack Good who was presenting a USA show called Shindig, who loved us. He said "You've got to go to England," so we sold everything, and we were famous there first. Even the older generation would ask for our autographs, and when we got back to America we were huge, and everyone thought we were English."
THIS MONTH WE FOCUS ON SHINDIG!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
OUR CRITEREA FOR YOUTUBE VIDEOS : HAVE A LISTEN TO OUR YOUTUBE STATION
The YouTube station we have is embedded to the left is PLAYLIST ONE. On the net you can also see the station itself along with PLAYLIST TWO. Each features a different set of music. And from time to time we check to see what videos have expired and find the best substitute possible.
We often seek videos that have historical value because we like the idea that you can get a view of the performers and the times - the sets - the fashions - the overall style of a concert or television show.
We listen and watch each video because we want to make sure that it fits into our standards for the blog. That means parents should not be concerned if their child is watching that video, though we love creativity and innovation.
We also give lots of points when a YouTuber provides some historical information as part of their post. We know opinions vary, but we appreciate the effort.
Last but not least (not at all) we care that a YouTuber is following the guidelines that we all agree to in having these wonderful accounts. That means that the particular account owner does not indulge in any abusive practices. Let's face it. It's easy for people to hide out behind an account on the Internet and post just about anything, even things they would never say to someone's face. That is not at all in the spirit of helpfulness or cooperation.
WE THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE SHARED VIDEOS and SENT US SUGGESTIONS!
Wes Bryan and Christine Trzyna
We often seek videos that have historical value because we like the idea that you can get a view of the performers and the times - the sets - the fashions - the overall style of a concert or television show.
We listen and watch each video because we want to make sure that it fits into our standards for the blog. That means parents should not be concerned if their child is watching that video, though we love creativity and innovation.
We also give lots of points when a YouTuber provides some historical information as part of their post. We know opinions vary, but we appreciate the effort.
Last but not least (not at all) we care that a YouTuber is following the guidelines that we all agree to in having these wonderful accounts. That means that the particular account owner does not indulge in any abusive practices. Let's face it. It's easy for people to hide out behind an account on the Internet and post just about anything, even things they would never say to someone's face. That is not at all in the spirit of helpfulness or cooperation.
WE THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE SHARED VIDEOS and SENT US SUGGESTIONS!
Wes Bryan and Christine Trzyna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
