Happy Birthday, John!

John Ettline was born 116 years ago

on the 12th day of March, 1906.

I learned from John's family that

he once worked as a music agent
booking bands for York area clubs.
 He also managed several local
clubs including the historic
Valencia Ballroom, America’s
 first air conditioned dance hall.
For a time John was manager
of Lehmeyer’s, the classy men's
clothing store on North George St.
John himself was a dapper dresser,
a great dancer and a handsome
 gentleman, a ladies' man, a man's
man and very much his own man.

John loved music and dancing, and it's no stretch to understand
why he was inspired to buy the Shady Dell and turn it into
an ice cream parlor and juke joint for teenagers.

To celebrate John's birthday this year,
I picked three songs I think he'd enjoy.

 THE JIVE ACES 

Let's start John's party with a great cover of a song originally waxed

by Ruth Brown, dubbed The Queen of R&B. At the beginning of 1953,

Ruth released the single "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean."

The song became Ruth's third R&B chart-topper and her first hit

on the pop chart. Now fast-forward to modern times and meet

The Jive Aces. On their YouTube channel, the band is described

as: The UK's No.1 Jive & Swing band bringing you the finest in

hot jazz, smooth swing and rockin' rhythm and blues since 1989!"

Here's vocalist Cassidy Janson, who plays Carole King as star of

 the hit West End musical "Beautiful," fronting The Jive Aces on

their version of Ruth's "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean!" 

"(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" - Ruth Brown

cover by The Jive Aces feat. Cassidy Janson (Dec. 2018)

 JIMMY CLANTON 

Louisiana born Jimmy Clanton was known as The Swamp Pop R&B Teenage Idol.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Jimmy in the early and mid 70s when he

worked as a DJ at WHEX radio in Columbia, PA. I used to call in and chat

with Jimmy while he was on the air. He is a heck of a nice guy. I think

John would have liked this song by Jimmy. It's his first hit, a single

that topped the R&B chart and went top 5 pop in the fall of 1958.

Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Jimmy Clanton has the New Orleans

sound down as he sings-- "Just A Dream!"

"Just A Dream" - Jimmy Clanton

(Sept./Oct. 1958, highest chart pos. #1 R&B/#4 Hot 100)

 SHELLEY FABARES 

Again this year on his birthday, I think John will enjoy being
serenaded by America's sweetheart, Miss Shelley Fabares
aka Mary Stone, as she sings her sig song "Johnny Angel"
on her hit TV series, the family friendly Donna Reed Show.

"Johnny Angel" - Shelley Fabares

(Mar./Apr. 1962, highest chart pos.

#1 Hot 100 & Cash Box, scene from

TV series The Donna Reed Show)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN!

WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.