This popular publicity photo of Elvis is one of my favorites.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
FROM OUR ARCHIVES POST (306) A LITTLE REITERATION OF MY STORY JUST TO GET YOU SITUATED !
EXCERPT FROM OUR ARCHIVES
POST (306) FROM APRIL 23, 2012
A LITTLE REITERATION OF MY STORY JUST TO GET YOU SITUATED !
... But if you've been following my story, you know that I was born in Murphy, North Carolina, that I made my first recording in a kitchen in Winston-Salem, that I was discovered as THE NEXT JAMES DEAN in Akron, Ohio, in 1957, which lead to auditions in Hollywood and my living in New York City. I studied at Actors' Studio. I traveled all around the United States promoting my first couple records as the FIRST ARTIST SIGNED TO UNITED ARTISTS. Then, while on Roulette Records I toured for a couple years - in 47 states! -with rockabilly Superstar BUDDY KNOX. I became friends with Elvis Presley back in '57, one of the great friendships of my life.
I performed on Ed Sullivan, Jack Paar, Wink Martindale... so many television shows all around the country. I played live on radio stations. And then - then I moved to Southern California to work as a staff songwriter for AMERICAN MUSIC about 1960, after the KNOX tour was completed.
From the east coast to the west I moved and so did some of the people who were integral to my story. People like Elvis Presley, Johnny Rivers, and Jimmy Bowen were now also living in Hollywood for film or music...
POST (306) FROM APRIL 23, 2012
A LITTLE REITERATION OF MY STORY JUST TO GET YOU SITUATED !
... But if you've been following my story, you know that I was born in Murphy, North Carolina, that I made my first recording in a kitchen in Winston-Salem, that I was discovered as THE NEXT JAMES DEAN in Akron, Ohio, in 1957, which lead to auditions in Hollywood and my living in New York City. I studied at Actors' Studio. I traveled all around the United States promoting my first couple records as the FIRST ARTIST SIGNED TO UNITED ARTISTS. Then, while on Roulette Records I toured for a couple years - in 47 states! -with rockabilly Superstar BUDDY KNOX. I became friends with Elvis Presley back in '57, one of the great friendships of my life.
I performed on Ed Sullivan, Jack Paar, Wink Martindale... so many television shows all around the country. I played live on radio stations. And then - then I moved to Southern California to work as a staff songwriter for AMERICAN MUSIC about 1960, after the KNOX tour was completed.
From the east coast to the west I moved and so did some of the people who were integral to my story. People like Elvis Presley, Johnny Rivers, and Jimmy Bowen were now also living in Hollywood for film or music...
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
ALBERT SCHWEITZER Quotation on
"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life; music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
(425) GARY LEWIS AND THE PLAYBOYS PALISADES PARK
Written by Chuck Barris, and recorded by a number of artists, Gary Lewis and the Playboys had a hit with this song in the summer of 1965. The Palisades Park referred to in this song was in New Jersey but production on this version takes us all back to the summer trip to an amusement park, on a board walk, or overlooking the ocean, and a lot of fun.
A new link for us : GARY LEWIS AND THE PLAYBOYS OFFICIAL SITE! Just as the son of Dean Martin and the son of Desi Arnez were succeeding in the music business, the son of Jerry Lewis, Gary, and his band, the Playboy's, got into the business and had a few hits.
From Gary's site; "It was the summer of 1964 when Gary Lewis and The Playboys were discovered by producer Snuff Garret. Before long, with the producer/arranger team of Garrett and Leon Russell behind them, they took their first single, "This Diamond Ring" straight to number one..."
Check out or past posts on Snuffy Garret and Leon Russel!
A new link for us : GARY LEWIS AND THE PLAYBOYS OFFICIAL SITE! Just as the son of Dean Martin and the son of Desi Arnez were succeeding in the music business, the son of Jerry Lewis, Gary, and his band, the Playboy's, got into the business and had a few hits.
From Gary's site; "It was the summer of 1964 when Gary Lewis and The Playboys were discovered by producer Snuff Garret. Before long, with the producer/arranger team of Garrett and Leon Russell behind them, they took their first single, "This Diamond Ring" straight to number one..."
Check out or past posts on Snuffy Garret and Leon Russel!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
HELEN KELLER Quotation on Friendship
“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.” - Helen Keller
Friday, July 20, 2012
THE BEATLES : BABY YOU CAN DRIVE MY CAR
Came out in 1964 in Great Britain and in 1965 in the United States, on the "Rubber Soul" album, the Beatles were dominating the charts in those years. They idolized some of the artists of my era and covered many early rock and roll songs, now classics, but by writing most of their own material and performing and recording their own material, grew wealthy with various Intellectual Property Rights. Things slowed down for singer-songwriters who were trying to sell their original music to others to perform but the cover tune era never really died.
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, July 16, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
FROM OUR ARCHIVES : POST (209) SURFARIS WIPE OUT!
FROM OUR ARCHIVES : POST (209) SURFARIS WIPE OUT! June 29 2009
Surfaris - what a great name for a group, so evocative of surfing adventure! Their surf hit "Wipe Out" - recorded in 1962 - has to be one of the most memorable of all the surf music that came out in the early 1960's and is played as an eternal classic - every summer since! "Wipe Out" is famous for that invigorating drum solo. Since the Surfaris have web sites and even a Google Blogger - yes they blog too! - we're posting links to them that probably tell their story better than we could!
Surfaris - what a great name for a group, so evocative of surfing adventure! Their surf hit "Wipe Out" - recorded in 1962 - has to be one of the most memorable of all the surf music that came out in the early 1960's and is played as an eternal classic - every summer since! "Wipe Out" is famous for that invigorating drum solo. Since the Surfaris have web sites and even a Google Blogger - yes they blog too! - we're posting links to them that probably tell their story better than we could!
Friday, July 13, 2012
FROM OUR ARCHIVES : POST (58) EDDIE COCHRAN : ROCKIN THE SUMMERTIME BLUES
(58) EDDIE COCHRAN : ROCKIN THE SUMMERTIME BLUES
I met Eddie Cochran at the Sheridan Hotel in New York City, where I also met Jerry Capheart, a man who would figure big in my future one day when he signed me to be a staff songwriter at American Music in Los Angeles.
Buddy Knox called Eddie Cochran "The Blond Elvis."
In England, the Beatles had followed him and Gene Vincent around. (When it came to Rock and Roll, first the Americans invaded England, then there was a British invasion of America.) Eddie performed at an Alan Freed produced Rock and Roll show for New Years about the time I met him. It was the same show I saw Ritchie Valens perform for the first time on.
The world of early Rock and Roll was tough. Eddie carried a Derringer hand gun in his boot and I hear it came in handy more than once, like when he was threatened by the boyfriends of certain fans...
Eddie Cochran wasn't the only one who packed a gun while on tour or while walking the streets of New York but I decided I could take care of myself with my fists. I grew up rumbling with my brothers, had learned some karate and self defence while in the U.S. Army, and admired the boxers who I tried to meet when they came into the Turf restaurant for meals instead of eating across the way at Dempsey's, which was owned by the boxer Jack Dempsey. We all had security concerns that were not met by our record labels or our management. We didn't have body guards and it was up to us to protect ourselves. It was also legal to take a gun on a plane...
During my tour with Buddy Knox I performed two of Eddie Cochran's hits, "Summertime Blues," and "Come on Everybody." Here's Eddie performing those hits on television - You Tube presentations.
"REMEMBER EDDIE COCKRAN" NEW SITE above! January 26, 2011
I met Eddie Cochran at the Sheridan Hotel in New York City, where I also met Jerry Capheart, a man who would figure big in my future one day when he signed me to be a staff songwriter at American Music in Los Angeles.
Buddy Knox called Eddie Cochran "The Blond Elvis."
In England, the Beatles had followed him and Gene Vincent around. (When it came to Rock and Roll, first the Americans invaded England, then there was a British invasion of America.) Eddie performed at an Alan Freed produced Rock and Roll show for New Years about the time I met him. It was the same show I saw Ritchie Valens perform for the first time on.
The world of early Rock and Roll was tough. Eddie carried a Derringer hand gun in his boot and I hear it came in handy more than once, like when he was threatened by the boyfriends of certain fans...
Eddie Cochran wasn't the only one who packed a gun while on tour or while walking the streets of New York but I decided I could take care of myself with my fists. I grew up rumbling with my brothers, had learned some karate and self defence while in the U.S. Army, and admired the boxers who I tried to meet when they came into the Turf restaurant for meals instead of eating across the way at Dempsey's, which was owned by the boxer Jack Dempsey. We all had security concerns that were not met by our record labels or our management. We didn't have body guards and it was up to us to protect ourselves. It was also legal to take a gun on a plane...
During my tour with Buddy Knox I performed two of Eddie Cochran's hits, "Summertime Blues," and "Come on Everybody." Here's Eddie performing those hits on television - You Tube presentations.
"REMEMBER EDDIE COCKRAN" NEW SITE above! January 26, 2011
ROCKABILLY HALL OF FAME LINK HERE http://www.rockabillyhall.com/EddieCochran.html
History of Rock - Eddie Cochran! http://www.history-of-rock.com/cochran.htm
Eddie Cochran died at the age of 21, at the height of his fame, in 1960 while touring in England, in a tragic automobile accident on the way to the airport. Gene Vincent was left with a limp in the same accident.
ALL LINKS ACTIVE JULY 2012 New Video added
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
PLEASE ENJOY OUR PAST POSTS AS WE TAKE A VACATION
The Search feature on this Google Blogger will take you to so many interesting posts. While we take a little vacation, please enjoy WES BRYAN - MY LIFE IN MUSIC!
If you're using our sidebar of links, and you find a link that is no longer viable, please let us know via comments.
We are always open to suggestions!
If you're using our sidebar of links, and you find a link that is no longer viable, please let us know via comments.
We are always open to suggestions!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
HELLO TO OUR READERS AROUND THE WORLD - FANS OF EARLY ROCK AND ROLL !
Hello to Sweden, Brazil, Austria, United Kingdom, Mexico, and Nepal! (Yes Nepal!)
As always, we hope you're listening along with us, reading along with us, and checking out some of the links to the artists that we blog about... Let us know if you read us in English, or use the Google Translator and what language you read this blog in.
As always, we hope you're listening along with us, reading along with us, and checking out some of the links to the artists that we blog about... Let us know if you read us in English, or use the Google Translator and what language you read this blog in.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
(424) SINGER SONGWRITER BOBBY FREEMAN : DO YOU WANNA DANCE?: COVERED BY SO MANY ARTISTS!
With a song writer like Brian Wilson in your group, why cover a tune written by someone else? Because some songs are hits, and a hit is a song that's hard to resist. It can bring in a fortune. This is the 1965 recording.
For the SUMMER FUN of it, here are a number of other covers of the same Bobby Freeman song.
First BOBBY FREEMAN'S ORIGINAL! "Release in April 1958 while Bobby was still in High School and he became a singing sensation which helped this song moved right up the charts to Billboards Top 10." Thanks to the Youtuber who posted this one!
For the SUMMER FUN of it, here are a number of other covers of the same Bobby Freeman song.
First BOBBY FREEMAN'S ORIGINAL! "Release in April 1958 while Bobby was still in High School and he became a singing sensation which helped this song moved right up the charts to Billboards Top 10." Thanks to the Youtuber who posted this one!
(UPDATE JULY 2012: Sadly we must remove the historical music Bobby Freeman Video as Frank Sinatra enterprises owns the video and made claims on it... We still want everyone to know how great Bobby was and were thrilled to have found the video in the first place! But now I, Christine, making it up to you by presenting the RAMONES version! Beleive it or not, I like it as much as I like Johnny Rivers!)
WHO COULD FORGET my old friend Johnny Rivers' slow, romantic version?
Did you ever think we'd post the Ramones on this blog? Surprise! Surprise!
The great thing about this Bobby Freeman song is that you can listen to all these versions and want more!
Linking to the BBC Music bio of Bobby Freeman!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
AND NOW ELVIS CRYPT IS NOT FOR AUCTION
"Julien's Auctions announced in May that it would sell the empty tomb at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tenn., at its "Music Icons" auction Sunday. Julien said the company won't sell the crypt "unti Forest Hills finds a plan that best suits the interests of the fans while respecting and preserving the memory of Elvis Presley."
Thursday, June 21, 2012
(423) BEACH BOYS : PROMOTIONAL FOR GIRLS ON THE BEACH SHOWS OFF THE COMPETITION BETWEEN THE BEACH BOYS AND THE BEATLES
The competition between the Beatles, who lead the way of the British Invasion of America, and our home grown Beach Boys was a theme of the summer '65 movie "The Girls On the Beach," as this promo proves. ( Christine : Hey, are those girl guitarists? Who has more fans? Which Beatle or Beach Boy was on the poster on your bedroom wall ?) This might have been the height of the song writing competition between Brian Wilson and the Paul McCartney - John Lennon team.
You can link to the Beach Boys on our sidebar where we just listed their site as it is today, which features their band as it is and a new CD. On this post we're linking to the IMBd movie database about the film so you can learn more! The actress Ahna Capri, who we blogged about in the past, appeared in this film. Use the search feature of this Google Blogger to locate that post and read a little Wes Bryan history.
You can link to the Beach Boys on our sidebar where we just listed their site as it is today, which features their band as it is and a new CD. On this post we're linking to the IMBd movie database about the film so you can learn more! The actress Ahna Capri, who we blogged about in the past, appeared in this film. Use the search feature of this Google Blogger to locate that post and read a little Wes Bryan history.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
(422) JERRY COLE ON CAPITOL : SURF GUITARIST : STUDIO GENIUS
This Youtuber did a fine job of writing about Jerry if you go right to his link on that site. He was a great studio musician and had become known for surf music but in his case he got to be the vocalist for a couple songs.
"Come Over to My Place" was a Shindig TV show theme song. Capitol was the hot record label in Los Angeles summer of '65. Jerry became a life long friend of mine.
Linking to Jerry Cole on Rockabilly Hall of Fame!
Use the Search feature of this blog to locate other Jerry Cole posts, including the Interview with Wes Bryan.
"Come Over to My Place" was a Shindig TV show theme song. Capitol was the hot record label in Los Angeles summer of '65. Jerry became a life long friend of mine.
Linking to Jerry Cole on Rockabilly Hall of Fame!
Use the Search feature of this blog to locate other Jerry Cole posts, including the Interview with Wes Bryan.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
(421) P.J. PROBY 1965 : RECORDING LENNON-MC CARTNEY SONGS WITH GEORGE MARTIN AS PRODUCER
As some of you know, P.J. Proby was up for some serious charges in Great Britain, but in March 2012 he walked free, acquitted of benefit fraud - all 9 counts. So on this post, because we've linked to his official sites in the past and they're always on our sidebar for you to link to, we're going to link to a news article about this legal issue. Friends of P.J.'s here in the United States were concerned but never lost faith that he would walk free and are hoping to hear from him soon.
On this YouTube video, of the song "That Means A Lot," we see a label that has many names familiar to this blog. P.J. was certainly a big part of the American Invasion of Britain. In fact, he loved the British as much as they loved him, which is why he went to live there and the whole legal issue was so upsetting.
"That Means a Lot," is written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, The Beatles, who were almost everyone's biggest chart competition in '65. The Producer is George Martin, the Beatle's producer, and this is on Liberty Records, the small record label that we've blogged about a lot.
To quote the article we've linked to: "In a statement read by his solicitor, Chris Hilton, PJ Proby said: "For the last four years I have lived in fear of becoming homeless - because my housing benefit was cut off - and of being wrongly sent to prison for a crime I never committed."
On this YouTube video, of the song "That Means A Lot," we see a label that has many names familiar to this blog. P.J. was certainly a big part of the American Invasion of Britain. In fact, he loved the British as much as they loved him, which is why he went to live there and the whole legal issue was so upsetting.
"That Means a Lot," is written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, The Beatles, who were almost everyone's biggest chart competition in '65. The Producer is George Martin, the Beatle's producer, and this is on Liberty Records, the small record label that we've blogged about a lot.
To quote the article we've linked to: "In a statement read by his solicitor, Chris Hilton, PJ Proby said: "For the last four years I have lived in fear of becoming homeless - because my housing benefit was cut off - and of being wrongly sent to prison for a crime I never committed."
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
(420) BOBBY VEE : A TRUE INVADER OF BRITAIN : MUSICALLY THAT IS!
Bobby Vee had "Go Away Little Girl, and "Take Care of My Baby" and also "Run to Him." in the early 1960's. Since then he has a multitude of hits and gold records. His career has spanned 50 years, and in that time he truly invaded Britain, with top ten hits and albums. He appeared on television shows like, Hollywood A Go Go and Shindig, and is one of several Americans who gave the Beatles some good competition.
Recently it was in the news that Bobby, a few years younger than me, has a mild form of Alzheimer's. He announced that on his own web site and the news zipped around the world. Meanwhile, back home at Tuscan, Arizona, Bobby's been recording.
We're linking to his official site above, which will also take you to his sites on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame,
Just a short excerpt from Bobby's own fine site, linked above.
" If "Susie Baby" served as Bobby Vee's entrance into the world of Billboards hot 100, then 'Devil or Angel' was certainly the foundation for a string of hit records reaching the nations top 20 throughout the entire 60's era. Bobby's hits were not limited to America. By 1963 he had collected seven top ten hits in England as well as a number 2 album called "Bobby Vee Meets the Crickets" and in 1963 shared the charts for forty weeks side-by-side with the Beatles. His tours took him to Japan, Australia and Europe as well as the United Kingdom, where he is still a yearly visitor. His thirty plus year recording career has produced over twenty-five albums including a Gold Album from England for his 1981 "Singles Album" release. Back in the US, Billboard Magazine called him, "One of the top ten most consistent chart makers ever."
I met Bobby when we was about 16 years old in New York City when he was on a promotional tour for his song "Rubber Ball." Wes
Recently it was in the news that Bobby, a few years younger than me, has a mild form of Alzheimer's. He announced that on his own web site and the news zipped around the world. Meanwhile, back home at Tuscan, Arizona, Bobby's been recording.
We're linking to his official site above, which will also take you to his sites on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame,
Just a short excerpt from Bobby's own fine site, linked above.
" If "Susie Baby" served as Bobby Vee's entrance into the world of Billboards hot 100, then 'Devil or Angel' was certainly the foundation for a string of hit records reaching the nations top 20 throughout the entire 60's era. Bobby's hits were not limited to America. By 1963 he had collected seven top ten hits in England as well as a number 2 album called "Bobby Vee Meets the Crickets" and in 1963 shared the charts for forty weeks side-by-side with the Beatles. His tours took him to Japan, Australia and Europe as well as the United Kingdom, where he is still a yearly visitor. His thirty plus year recording career has produced over twenty-five albums including a Gold Album from England for his 1981 "Singles Album" release. Back in the US, Billboard Magazine called him, "One of the top ten most consistent chart makers ever."
I met Bobby when we was about 16 years old in New York City when he was on a promotional tour for his song "Rubber Ball." Wes
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