BOOTH ANNOUNCER GARY OWENS:
...and the cow was returned to its rightful owner.
And that's the latest from S-P-M-M news...
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
STUCK LIKE GLUE
on SHADY BLUE
on SHADY BLUE
on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
(COLD SHOW OPEN)
"Don't" - Elvis Presley
(Mar./Apr. 1958, highest chart pos. #1)
(Mar./Apr. 1958, highest chart pos. #1)
Hey, old school's cool and old school's the rule here on S-P-M-M
Retrosonic Radio, where we go huntin' for the great songs of the past...
and bring 'em back alive!
Retrosonic Radio, where we go huntin' for the great songs of the past...
and bring 'em back alive!
You're Stuck Like Glue on Shady Blue. That's me. Howdy-do?
That was Elvis Presley opening our show with "Don't," a dramatic
ballad written and produced by Leiber & Stoller, and the eleventh
#1 charting single in the U.S. for The King of Rock and Roll.
BOOTH ANNOUNCER: It's another Shady Blue
(echo chamber) DOUBLE PLAY-ay-ay-ay!
(echo chamber) DOUBLE PLAY-ay-ay-ay!
That's right, folks... Elvis sings "Don't," and Shady Blue shouts
don't touch that dial, because I've got a double dose of The Pelvis!
don't touch that dial, because I've got a double dose of The Pelvis!
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
I'm flipping that Presley platter, freeing the killer bee,
and urging you to keep it here on S-P-M-M... "I Beg Of You!"
and urging you to keep it here on S-P-M-M... "I Beg Of You!"
"I Beg Of You" - Elvis Presley
(Mar. 1958, highest chart pos. #8)
Elvis Presley with one of his great double-
sider singles from the 50s, "Don't" backed
with "I Beg Of You." My next spinner is
another winner, a doo-wop - rock & roll
record that topped the chart in January,
1958, and went on to become one of
the best selling singles of the year.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
Here they are, ladies and germs, one of
Philly's Phinest vocal groups, Danny
And The Juniors, doing their smash
hit and signature song "At The Hop!"
Philly's Phinest vocal groups, Danny
And The Juniors, doing their smash
hit and signature song "At The Hop!"
"At The Hop" - Danny And The Juniors
(Jan. 1958, highest chart pos. #1)
Danny and the Juniors "At The Hop" and Shady Blue at the mic.
If you're just tuning in, you're Stuck Like Glue On Shady Blue
here on S-P-M-M Radio - more music with less talk and
always a guaranteed 7-in-a-row commercial free cruise.
If you're just tuning in, you're Stuck Like Glue On Shady Blue
here on S-P-M-M Radio - more music with less talk and
always a guaranteed 7-in-a-row commercial free cruise.
56 years ago this next song topped the
charts in Ireland and Australia. If you
happen to be watching our simulcast
on YouTube, you'll be able to enjoy
The Action Kids doing their thing.
They, of course, were the talented
dance company on Dick Clark's
TV series Where The Action Is.
Here now is the late great
Del Shannon with--
"Little Town Flirt!
charts in Ireland and Australia. If you
happen to be watching our simulcast
on YouTube, you'll be able to enjoy
The Action Kids doing their thing.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
They, of course, were the talented
dance company on Dick Clark's
TV series Where The Action Is.
Here now is the late great
Del Shannon with--
"Little Town Flirt!
"Little Town Flirt" - Del Shannon
(Feb. 1963, highest chart pos. #12 Hot 100/#11 Cash Box,
perf. on Sept. 28, 1965 ep. of Where The Action Is)
"Little Town Flirt," one of the many great hit
singles by rock 'n' roll legend Del Shannon.
Now here's a taste of the early 60s Nashville
sound. "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On"
was written and first recorded way back in
1949 by country music singer and Grand
Ole Opry star Hank Locklin. At the time
Hank's song didn't chart, but it became
a major crossover hit when it was
re-released at the end of 1957.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
Hit versions of "Send Me The Pillow" were also released in the 1960s
by The Browns, by Dean Martin, and by this man- Jacksonville,
Florida, country-pop singer Johnny Tillotson!
"Send Me The Pillow You Dream On" - Johnny Tillotson
(Sept. 1962, highest cart pos. #17)
That was "Send Me The Pillow You Dream On," the version
recorded by Johnny Tillotson, the country crossover artist
who became a teen idol of sorts two years earlier with
the biggest hit single of his career "Poetry In Motion."
At the end of 1962 this next song was well
on the way to becoming a million seller.
Sung by Brooklynite Marcie Blane, it is
one of the many boy name teen pop
singles released in the pre-Beatles era.
Marcie's record shot to #2 on Cash Box,
blocked from the top spot by "Telstar,"
the international hit by the English
instrumental band The Tornados.
Here now is Marcie Blane with her
one and only hit-- "Bobby's Girl."
Sung by Brooklynite Marcie Blane, it is
one of the many boy name teen pop
singles released in the pre-Beatles era.
Marcie's record shot to #2 on Cash Box,
blocked from the top spot by "Telstar,"
the international hit by the English
instrumental band The Tornados.
Here now is Marcie Blane with her
one and only hit-- "Bobby's Girl."
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
"Bobby's Girl" - Marcie Blane
(Dec. 1962, highest chart pos. #3 Hot 100/#2 Cash Box)
One hit wondergirl Marcie Blane there with her signature song
"Bobby's Girl," a record that enjoyed a long 16 week ride on
the pop chart and was still hanging on this week in 1963.
"Bobby's Girl," a record that enjoyed a long 16 week ride on
the pop chart and was still hanging on this week in 1963.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
Hey, time's up and I gotta scoot. As the Bill Black Combo plays us out with
"Smokie - Part 2," another great instrumental that was charting 59 years ago
this week, I wanna thank you for joining me. Stay tuned on the other side
of news for my good friend Hy Lit who will put you on a Natural Hy.
I'll be back soon with another nostalgic stack of wax. I hope by
now you're Stuck Like Glue On Shady Blue and that you'll keep
it here on S-P-M-M, the station that's #1 for music and fun!
this week, I wanna thank you for joining me. Stay tuned on the other side
of news for my good friend Hy Lit who will put you on a Natural Hy.
I'll be back soon with another nostalgic stack of wax. I hope by
now you're Stuck Like Glue On Shady Blue and that you'll keep
it here on S-P-M-M, the station that's #1 for music and fun!
"Smokie - Pt. 2" - Bill Black's Combo
(Jan. 1960, highest chart pos. #17 Hot 100/#13 Cash Box
Good morning dear friend!
ReplyDeleteAh, "At the Hop"! Reminds me of gym class in elementary school because the teacher would play oldies to get our bodies im motion. We would bop and bounce around to "At the Hop."
Good old Elvis, recently a birthday boy. Never really listened to Elvis growing up because dad's one cousin was obsessed and dad grew tired of listening. Some of his songs are lovely - I loved the one you posted with the Jordanaires. I've always loved the Jordanaires.
Have a great day, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteCongratulations on being the early bird this week, dear friend! Thank you very much for tuning in to Shady Blue's second radio program here on SPMM.
It's good to know your elementary school P-E teacher had you "sweatin' to the oldies" and that Danny & the Juniors' sig song "At The Hop" was one of the tunes she played.
It's interesting that your dad overdosed on Elvis and tuned out, resulting in your limited exposure to the rock & roll giant. My series Stuck Like Glue On Shady Blue will help fill in those gaps for you.
The Jordanaires backed Elvis on many of his recordings and backed many other name recording artists including Patsy Cline, Rick Nelson, Johnny Cash, Cliff Richard, Ringo Starr, Don McLean and Dolly Parton.
Thanks again for coming over, dear friend JM. Have a wonderful Tuesday and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI'm looking forward to you filling the gaps! Dad loved Ricky Nelson and I remember growing up with the Nelson brothers! Johnny Cash is a personal favourite of mine and didn't realize that the Jordanaires backed him as well!
Will you do a feature on "Jolene" and other Dolly Parton hits one day? :) Dolly Parton has started growing on me, a little bit. Like I said, I listen to everything.
Enjoy the rest of your week too, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for returning to chat, dear friend!
The 40+ year generation gap between us is showing. When you told me you grew up with "the Nelson brothers," my mind immediately made a picture of David and Ricky, the Nelson brothers that Americans came to know and love through watching their family sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet every week. It took a while for me to realize that the Nelson brothers to which you were most likely referring are Ricky's sons Matthew and Gunnar Nelson who have the rock band Nelson.
I have at least two Dolly Parton songs in the pipeline but not "Jolene." I choose not to post that song because two other friends in my blog circle have already presented Dolly's version as well as the fine cover performed by her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. I will be posting less well known Dolly songs.
It's good to know you have eclectic taste in music as do I. Thanks again for dropping in, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteI can't say I've ever seen Matthew and Gunnar, I used to watch Ozzie and Harriet with dad, and grew to love the whole family. :) People at my full-time job call me the youngest old person they know. Eh, well, I grew up with a few generations in the household, plus my own tastes, and I don't think it's a bad thing. I think that is why I relate to so many people.
I never realized that Dolly originally performed "I Will Always Love You". I was blown away and I can't wait to hear the others you post. I'm sure I'll be just as blown away. :)
Have a great weekend, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteNow I am even more shocked, because you seem to be telling me that you were indeed referring to David and Ricky Nelson and not Ricky's sons who have the rock band. I am delighted to know that you and I (and your dad) share memories of The Adventures of Ozzie And Harriet, one of the best family sitcoms on television. I loved the natural dialogue spoken by all of the characters and the realistic situations explored in the story lines. I appreciated Leave It To Beaver for the same reason. Too many characters in today's sitcoms are over the top stereotypical caricatures.
The Dolly songs I will be posting are some of her earliest recordings, so stay tuned.
Thanks again for coming to chat, dear friend JM. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Send Me the Pillow. Now that is a really unique name for a song.
ReplyDeleteMy mother is a big Elvis fan. And yes, I have played an Elvis tune for her on my guitar.
Hi, Alex!
DeleteHow are you today, good buddy? Thanks for coming over to catch deejay Shady Blue's second blogcast here on Retrosonic Radio SPMM!
"Send Me The Pillow You Dream On" is indeed a unique song concept. We can only hope that pillow isn't infested with bedbugs. :) These "older oldies" presented by Shady Blue cover a span of years from 1958 through 1963, the innocent pre-Beatles era when songs and song titles focused on romantic love to the point of becoming a little creepy. I'm happy to learn that your mother was an Elvis fan. My mother preferred Sinatra and Dean Martin, but my big brother turned me on to Elvis by collecting many of his early career 45s.
Thanks again for coming by, good buddy Alex!
I enjoyed the Del Shannon pick this time. Just hearing it brings to mind a definite time.
ReplyDeleteHope your week is going well, Shady.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for joining the fun!
I'm glad you could be on hand as Shady Blue does his best to get you Stuck Like Glue for the second time. The song you favored, "Little Town Flirt" by Del Shannon, is also my Pick To Click. I can relate to the song itself, plus I love the arrangement and Del's vocal. As an added bonus we get to see The Action Kids dance troupe on Dick Clark's music TV series Where The Action Is as they perform with Del on that lifeguard station at the beach. It is a shame - make that a CRIME - that the entire WTAI series was erased, leaving behind only a few dozen blurry, grainy, washed-out kinescopes like this one. The Action Kids were the best dance company on television, and I wish we could see their artistry more clearly.
Thanks again for being here, dear friend Kelly, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hey Shady, Blue, is it today? Good show, good show! I liked Johnny Tillotson. "Send Me the Pillow" was a little bit too mushy for me, but I always liked "Poetry In Motion". It was such a nicely put, complimentary song for someone you have a crush on.
ReplyDeleteI have the CD of Elvis 30 #1 hits, and practically wore it out with so much play time. There are plenty of Elvis recordings I haven't heard and this CD introduces quite a few that were new to me. I remember hearing "Don't", but not "I Beg of You". Both songs are great, but, I liked the latter very much and enjoyed seeing a few photos of Elvis and the guys.
Marcie Blane has a very distinct voice, and THAT gets her point across! Corny as it is probably by today's standards, I like "Bobby's Girl". We all wanted to be 'someone's' girl...Bobby, Bill, and Johnny! I wonder, did the guys of those names, like this song and possibly gloat a little? Just kidding!
Karo and I worked on a recording of "At The Hop". I still don't know how to work the equipment we have, but I would like to hear our version again. It was fast, and Karo was impressed with my harmonies (made me feel good). He had a strong voice, hard to follow, but most of the time I could put in the backup. I turned "At The Hop" into a 4-part harmony song. But, we just didn't finish it completely! I love this song still by "Danny and the Juniors". They were good, and I like seeing the video of them in their Sharkskin suits-so classy!
Anyone who was a great fan of Del Shannon's, like myself, is still saddened by his tragic life. "Little Town Flirt"! What a powerful song and story-how many identified with this one? I know, Shady, they are just songs, but when we were young, we took the stories personally! Several of my school girlfriends admit that some of these oldies make them cry-but me, not the case! I remember and reminisce, even over the sadder times of my youth. But I am always so happy to hear the songs that are seldom mentioned or played-THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN, Shady Blue! Del Shannon will always be way up there on my favorites list.
And, now, I had better scoot myself into the kitchen for some lunch. Bill Black's Combo is a good one for closing today, Shady! I think I have hear this "Smokie, Part 2". Either way, I like it-very cool!
Thank you for a great post, Shady Blue. It was fun and nostalgic! Have a great week, I had to turn on the AC yesterday. It got a bit too warm with temps in the high 70's. Clouds moving in today. See you next time, dear friend!♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? I am delighted to see you here on day one of "Don't, I Beg Of You" - volume 2 of Stuck Like Glue. Thanks for coming!
You must be a little bit more rock 'n' roll than country, dear friend. Like you I also like Johnny T's pop hit "Poetry In Motion" a little more than the country flavored ballad "Send Me The Pillow You Dream On," but it was a biggie on the radio in my neck of the woods and I remember it well. Johnny's little known follow-up single - "Send Me The Whoopee Cushion You Sit On" - was a dismal failure. :)
I agree it's cool to see those candid pictures snapped in the studio as Elvis the Pelvis recorded his gold records. I have come to appreciate Elvis Presley much more in recent years, and this Shady Blue series will feature many great Elvis sides.
Bobby, Bill, Johnny and, if I might add another - Jimmy - were common names for teenage boys of the 50s and 60s. Seems like every Tom, Dick and Harry was named Bobby, Bill, Johnny or Jimmy. :) Songs like "Bobby's Girl," "Don't Mess With Bill," Johnny Angel" and "Go, Jimmy, Go" rode high on the charts. I am sure millions of girls sang those songs to their boyfriends and in the process inflated their egos.
Dear Suzanne, I would love to hear you and Karo doing "At The Hop." I remember hearing at least one your duets a few years ago. It would be great if you could finish mixing the song and post it on your blog (or Karo's). Can you believe the pristine picture clarity of that 1958 Danny And The Juniors video? It looks like a modern day monochromatic production!
Yessum, it makes me sad that Del Shannon came to such an unfortunate end. He was a stellar talent. "Flirt" is a song that rings with truth, warning what can happen if a guy falls under the spell of a flirtatious, manipulative small town girl. (I've been there.) Like you I am no longer afraid of reviewing the lowlights of my life. Many sad memories are triggered by listening to songs that formed the soundtrack of my youth. At this stage of the game "it's all good," so bring it on. As I mentioned to friend Kelly (above) the icing on the cake is the clip from Where The Action Is featuring The Action Kids dancers, the best professional troupe on any music TV series of the 60s. How unfortunate that the decision makers at ABC ordered all of the Action tapes "wiped" and new shows recorded over them - a stupid mistake and an incalculable loss to music history!
We went from cold to warm in a hurry and for the last couple of days we have been running the air conditioner 24-7. That dang groundhog was no friend to Floridians when he predicted an early spring the other day. I want a lot more winter! :)
Thank you again for your kind visit and excellent comments, dear friend Suzanne. Give Scootie a hug for me and enjoy the rest of your week!
Smokie just absolutely blew mw away, friend Shady … and of course Elvis … Baby, it's cold here in Alberta … was -35C/-27F last night … so me dug out some music from my rescued pile … https://youtu.be/6vpXLKChY8U … Anyway … Much love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteThanks for tuning in to volume 2 of Stuck Like Glue, dear friend!
I'm happy to know you enjoyed the hit instrumental "Smokie - Pt. 2" by Bill Black's Combo, a tune that played often on my local radio station in the early weeks and months of 1960. I am also delighted to know you enjoyed these two songs by Elvis Presley from 1958. Seems like Shady Blue's playlists, featuring oldies from the 50s and early 60s, are pleasing to your ears, more so than the song sets played by the other Shady Bunch deejays. There are at least 16 more volumes of Stuck Like Glue on the schedule, so please stay tuned for more!
Whenever I hear Mike Oldfield's instrumental hit "Tubular Bells," I immediately think about The Exorcist and Linda Blair's head spinning around. :)
Thanks again for coming to the platter party. Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend cat. Much love from me to you as well!
… other that life goes on in frozen Alberta … sometimes I wonder why I did this, friend Shadow … homesick for my stone faced culture … https://www.youtube.com/embed/_rfS47zmxhY?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0 … Anyway, love, cat.
DeleteHi, cat!
DeleteWe all get homesick. I tell myself that I miss the snowy winter season in Pennsylvania. Yet, if I moved back up there, I'm sure I would soon be yearning for the warmth of Florida. I think we are better off considering "home" as wherever we happen to be at any given moment - "wherever I hang my hat is my home."
Thank you again for coming to chat, dear friend cat, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteWow! You turned me unto some new tunes! I haven't heard them before except, “At the hop”! I thought I knew mostly all of Elvis’s tunes, I love me some Elvis. Last week, I watched a two part two, three hour documentary all about Elvis‘s life from birth to death. The two tunes you showcased were new to my ears!
It was fun to see the Action Kids again! I remember them from a previous post. I remember you featuring your favorite dancer and her interview.
Keep the tunes spinning, Shady!
Hi, Toni!
DeleteThank you very much for popping in, dear friend. I'm happy to see you!
You are considerably younger than Shady Blue, and therefore it comes as no surprise that most of the golden goodies played on his radio show are new to your ears. I remember you telling me about that Elvis Presley documentary. If they couldn't work either of these Elvis songs into a three hour program, even though one of them reached #8 on the chart and the other side went all the way to #1, it illustrates how many monster hits the artist achieved in his career.
You have a good memory, Toni. I'm thrilled that you recall The Action Kids and my three part series in 2015 marking the 50 year anniversary of the debut of Where The Action Is. That series also included a salute to my favorite dancer on the show Jeri Lyn Stapleton with whom I corresponded prior to the publish date.
Thank you again for joining the fun, dear friend Toni. I appreciate your input. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Hey Shadester!! Fun post! I also got to dance in school to the Hop. I think we used if for Musical chairs game. LOL
ReplyDeleteI love Elvis!! Always reminds me of my Aunt who iS HUGE crazy Elvis fan and the day he died, she left work early because she was so distraught.
I like the Jordonaires sound a lot. That Pillow song cracked me up!! Not a fan at all of that one. Good stuff all in all my friend, Have a great week!
Hi, Holliwood N. Vine!
DeleteThank you so much for coming by, dear friend. I'm pleased to see you!
It's a fun fact that "At the Hop" was used in Jessica Marie's gym class and at your school to play musical chairs. Without realizing it, I included in Shady Blue's vol. 2 playlist two artists who died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds - Del Shannon and Danny Rapp, the latter the lead singer of Danny And The Juniors. Danny ended his life just short of his 42nd birthday and Del committed suicide at age 55. Of course, we all know the story of Elvis Presley's decline and early demise, and so that makes three male recording artists in the same post whose lives were cut tragically short.
The backing vocals of the Jordanaires contributed greatly to the success of recordings by Elvis, Patsy Cline and other artists. They were important architects of the sound of the 50s and pre-Beatles 60s.
I'm delighted that you got so much enjoyment out of Shady Blue vol. 2, dear friend Holli. Have a wonderful week. I hope to connect with you again soon!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI forget sometimes just how good Elvis was in his early years. His rich bluesy tone when he sings is probably the very reason that stole so many young hearts. Maybe, his good looks, too. lol I had to smile at Danny & the Junior's singing 'At the Hop'. I mean, they should've been boogieing but they kep their composure with minimal body action. You'd think they'd be swinging a bit more singing that tune. lol Most of your song features are new to me. Del Shannon 'Little Town Flirt' is one of them but I really enjoyed it and I can't believe I haven't heard it before no. Thanks for sharing such great mewsic wrapped up in such a fun post!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks a lot for coming over, dear friend! I'm happy you could be here today and groove to the second set of tunes spun by Shady Bunch radio personality Shady Blue.
Most of these songs charted before you were born, and therefore I can understand why they are new to your ears. As I have told others, I am developing a greater appreciation of Elvis than ever before, especially his early career output.
Danny And The Juniors did look a little stiff in that performance, but it was common in the 50s for doo-wop vocal groups to perform on camera or on stage in a relatively sedate, subdued manner, even when singing up tempo songs. A few solo artists such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis performed in a flamboyant manner typically used by many of today's artists. You and I were just discussing Don Cornelius and the fact that he took his own life. Sadly, Del Shannon and Danny Rapp, lead singer of Danny & the Juniors, also committed suicide, and we all know that Elvis hastened his own early demise through drug abuse.
I'm glad you enjoyed Del's cautionary "Little Town Flirt" song. It's one of my favorites and the video featuring the moves of The Action Kids dancers makes it my Pick To Click for this post.
Thank you again for your kind visit and wonderful comment, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteI find over the years, I have a greater appreciation for many of the artists from yesterday even those I would not typically listen to because generally they had fantastic voices regardless of their genre. The mewsic style is what kept me away initally and while I still might not listen to that kind of mewsic, I certainly have a deeper connection with the entertainment value because of the vocal quality being far superior to what we're hearing today.
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for checking back in, dear friend! I'm happy to know you are cultivating a greater appreciation of the artists and mewsic of the distant past. Many artists of the 50s and early 60s sang with innocence and sincerity, and that is one of the main differences we hear in their vocals compared to those of today's entertainers.
Thanks again for coming by, dear friend Cathy, and have a wonderful weekend!
I think I could listen to the young Elvis all day. He had such charisma and boyish-sexy charm. It's hard to see later versions of him. I'd forgotten the white shoes! What a fashion statement that was in 50s.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to play Bobby's Girl at a woman's gathering these days. My, how we've changed.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
DeleteThanks for coming by, dear friend! It is a pleasure to welcome you back and have you on hand to experience the second blogcast of Shady Bunch deejay Shady Blue who is on a mission to get you Stuck Like Glue.
Some fans prefer the old Elvis and some prefer the reinvented Elvis of the late 60s and early 70s. I prefer his earlier work and sleek physique before he became bloated, doped up and forgot the words to his songs. You're right. Elvis had a boyish quality that endeared him to women and girls, and his approach to romantic relationships was also boyish in some ways.
Many teenage girls of the 50s and early 60s dreamed of "belonging" to a man someday, and many of the pop songs released during those years reflect that thinking.
Thanks again for swinging by, Cheryl-Lee. It is always a pleasure to see you. Enjoy your February, dear friend!
Elvis Presley is one of my favorite artist. Good thing my roommate in college was a huge fan and we listened to his music together every weekend.
ReplyDeletewww.ficklemillennial.blogspot.com
Hi, Gina!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for tuning in to Shady Blue's second radio show here on SPMM!
Young as you are, it comes as a pleasant surprise that you are an Elvis fan and that you became one by means of your college roommate. The roommate I had one year at college was just the opposite. He hated oldies and only listened to the latest rock bands. Whenever I played my Little Richard album he raised a fuss. :)
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Gina, and have a great weekend!
I have a slight--and I emphasize the word slight--preference for the 1950s Elvis that has nothing to do with his later pill popping excesses (I grew up in the 1970s when the rock star-as-hedonist persona was at its zenith--why should the world's first rock star be any different?) No, what I like about the early Elvis is that he had a more versatile singing style. He had a broader vocal range. He was both a tenor and a baritone. At least he could convincingly fake being a tenor, i.e., singing falsetto. The two songs you give us here, which seems to be the A and B side of the same record, is a good example of that vocal versatility. "Don't" is baritone Elvis, while "I Beg of You" is tenor Elvis. In fact, he practically yodels his way through the latter song.
ReplyDeleteAs Elvis got older, his voice deepened, making the high notes more difficult (though not impossible) to reach, and he mostly confined himself to being a baritone. He could still be versatile. Elvis liked a lot of different kinds of music, from gospel to country to the blues to swing to even show tunes ("To dream the impossible dream...") and he was a genius at incorporating those diverse styles into his singing. But the hillbilly yodeling of his youth was no longer there, and that's what I miss.
Finally, no one's mentioned it so I might as well, Bill Black was Elvis' bass player in the 1950s. He can be heard on all the Sun records and pre-Army RCA recordings.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming, good buddy, and for contributing so much to the discussion thread. I appreciate it!
Yes, the two Elvis Presley songs in Shady Blue's show are the A and B sides of one single, a "doublesider" or "two-fer" because both sides charted. The mark of a great and prolific artist is having so many excellent songs in the can that some are released as B sides of singles and still make the chart. You're right, good buddy, Elvis was versatile. He sang in a variety of genres and did so capably and convincingly. He was a fine rockabilly artist and his gospel recordings attracted fans who couldn't stomach rock 'n roll.
Thanks for sharing that tidbit about Bill Black backing Elvis as a member of the Blue Moon Boys. The Bill Black Combo is also in the history books as the opening act for The Beatles on their historic first U.S. tour albeit without Bill himself in the group. In that regard, I will add that Bill Black joins three others in this post - Elvis, Danny and Del - as an artist who died young. Black took ill and died of a brain tumor in 1965. He was only age 39.
Hey, thanks again for your visit and great comment, good buddy Kirk, and have a wonderful weekend!
I simply find it weird if someone does not like Elvis because he did everything from rock, blues, gospel and movie style tunes. I love his lesser known tunes, well, they are not known to me as much, like the ones you showcased here. At the Hop is a fun song that i have danced to more than once but I never knew that the voice came out of such a kid. He looks tiny in that suit. I mentioned before that I saw Del Shannon twice at a bar in Kitchener, Ont. long, long time ago called Lulu's. It was fun listening to some of these songs like that pillow one. For some reason it made me giggle a bit. the last song I really enjoyed but, man, were they inspired by the African Americans and the blues. Blow me down...I am here! I hope you and your wife are healing slowly...it takes a very long time to adjust but I have been thinking of you
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for coming over to catch up on all you've been missing at Shady's Place, dear friend!
When the nostalgia wave hit me in the early 70s, I started collecting Elvis Presley singles and albums, filling in the gaps of all I missed. Soon after, I got sidetracked by the Disco craze, then got caught up in the new wave and pop metal sounds of the 80s. In 1990 I once again turned back the clock and collected recordings from the 50s and early 60s, Elvis included. In the early 2000s I turned to my attention to British girl pop of the 60s, then hardcore metal, hip hop, rap and modern pop. Finally, in the last couple of years, the rudder has turned again, and I am focusing the bulk of my attention on artists, groups and bands of the 50s and 60s. There are many great recordings by Elvis that I didn't hear for the first time until recently. Danny Rapp does look diminutive in that video, doesn't he? It's a tragedy that he felt the need to take his own life. You were fortunate to have had a "brush with greatness" - a Del Shannon sighting - at an Ontario watering hole. Remember the 1968 single by The Ohio Express "Down at Lulu's"? It reached #25 on the Canadian chart. I'm also glad you enjoyed the recordings by Johnny T. and Bill B.
Thank you again for your kind visit and comments on both posts, dear friend BB. Have a safe and happy weekend!
Hi Shady!
ReplyDeleteCool doublesider for Elvis! I hadn’t heard either song but they both brought to mind pleasant scenes of yesteryear, like a bit of Mayberry porch warbling, and a whole lotta kickin’ up sand at the beach near a bonfire. His voice was so much smoother in his younger days…I’m sure I would have been a fan!
Danny and the Juniors seemed paradoxically composed in their performance of At the Hop. Meanwhile, I couldn’t remain seated. What fun!
I’d all but forgotten Del Shannon’s Little Town Flirt! It’s on my little list of Golden Gotcha Oldies, right after Runaround Sue ;-)
Johnny Tillotson sounds so much like Bobby Vinton! Someone in my family must have liked that song a lot, as I recall hearing it often.
Thanks to an over-zealous young schoolmate, I always swore I hated the song “Bobby’s Girl” though secretly, I loved it ;-)
Thanks for an excellent assortment of oldies, my friend. I enjoyed!