This is a very special occasion.
Helen Trostle Ettline
was born 109 years ago
on January 9, 1911.
Every evening Helen was stationed behind the counter of the
Shady Dell snack bar preparing treats to feed the masses.
Shady Dell snack bar preparing treats to feed the masses.
As Helen worked, a steady stream of 1950s
doo-wop records played on the jukebox.
doo-wop records played on the jukebox.
Let's celebrate Helen's birthday by listening to songs by one of her favorite groups,
Little Anthony Gourdine and The Imperials. We begin with the fine ballad released
in 1958 on the B side of another great ballad, the Imperials' first and biggest hit
"Tears On My Pillow." This side played so often on the box in the snack bar
that I have come to think of it and and refer to it as "Helen's Song."
Little Anthony Gourdine and The Imperials. We begin with the fine ballad released
in 1958 on the B side of another great ballad, the Imperials' first and biggest hit
"Tears On My Pillow." This side played so often on the box in the snack bar
that I have come to think of it and and refer to it as "Helen's Song."
"Two People In The World" - Little Anthony And The Imperials
(Sept./Oct. 1958, B side of "Tears On MY Pillow")
The following year, Little Anthony And the Imperials climbed to the lower rungs
of the pop chart with another ballad that shoulda been, coulda been and
woulda been a bigger hit-- "A Prayer And A Juke Box."
"A Prayer And A Juke Box" - Little Anthony And the Imperials
(June/July 1959, highest chart pos. #81 Hot 100)
The Imperials bounced back big in the early weeks of 1960 with an uptempo number
that has a strange title and an exotic theme-- "Shimmy Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop"
"Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop" - Little Anthony And The Imperials
(Feb. 1960, highest chart pos. #24 Hot 200/#21 Cash Box/#14 R&B)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HELEN!
We love you and miss you.
