Tune Tuesday – Honky Tonk (Parts 1&2)

On this day in 1956, pianist/organist Bill Doggett walked into the studio at King Records and recorded what would be his signature tune - Honky Tonk Parts 1&2 (Part 1 was the A-side and Part 2 was the B-side). The song was a collaboration of Doggett (organ), Billy Butler (guitar), Clifford Scott (saxophone) and Shep … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Honky Tonk (Parts 1&2) →

Tune Tuesday – I Can’t Stop Loving You

64 years ago today, Ray Charles got his third #1 record when I Can't Stop Loving You topped the charts. The song itself not originally released as a single. The story of how it came to be released is an interesting one. Songfacts.com tells the story: Charles was known as a gospel and R&B singer, … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – I Can’t Stop Loving You →

Tune Tuesday – Eighteen Yellow Roses

It was on this day in 1982 that the late Bobby Darin received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 9 years after he passed away. Bobby burst onto the scene in the 50's with rock and roll hits like, Splish Splash, Dream Lover, Mack the Knife and Beyond the Sea. In 1962, he … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Eighteen Yellow Roses →

Tune Tuesday – Feeling Good

An amazing voice was silenced on this day in 2003 when Nina Simone passed away. She was a pianist, vocalist, and songwriter who went on to be a civil rights activist. She was born Eunice Wayman in February of 1933. As a child, she showed promise on the piano and would go on to play … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Feeling Good →

Tune Tuesday – Judy In Disguise With Glasses

John Fred (Gourrier) died on this day in 2005. His career in the music biz started in 1956 when he formed the band, John Fred and the Playboys. He was 15 years old. The first single that charted (#82) for the band was "Shirley" and the instrumentation was by Fats Domino's backing band. Their only … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Judy In Disguise With Glasses →

Tune Tuesday – For What It’s Worth

It was on this day in 1966 that Canadian and American talents combined in Los Angeles. The result was a band that would enjoy a Top Ten song and give us two Classic Rock Legends. The Buffalo Springfield brought Canadians Neil Young, Bruce Palmer and Dewey Palmer together with Americans Stephen Stills and Richie Furay. … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – For What It’s Worth →

Tune Tuesday – Town Without Pity

The great Gene Pitney was born on this day in 1940. In total, he charted 16 Top 40 hits in the US. His hits include, "Love My Life Away", "Only Love Can Break a Heart", "It Hurts To Be In Love", "24 Hours from Tulsa", "Mecca", and my favorite, "Town Without Pity". "Town Without Pity" … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Town Without Pity →

Tune Tuesday – Village of Love

For Tune Tuesday, I have to feature one of the artists that was introduced to me by my dad. He and my Godfather grew up together and loved listening to music together. They listened to blues stuff from Jimmy Reed, Motown, and plenty of R&B artists. Back in the day, local artists actually got airplay … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Village of Love →

Tune Tuesday – Jerome Kern

Born on this day 141 years ago, one of the great contributors to the Great American Songbook - Jerome Kern. He was born January 27, 1885. Jerome Kern was one of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century. He wrote more than 700 songs that were used in over 100 stage … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Jerome Kern →

Tune Tuesday – What’s Going On

It was on this day in 1971 that Tamla Records (a division of Motown) released Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. According to many stories, it almost wasn't released. From songfacts.com: According to the book Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves & Demons of Marvin Gaye, Motown head Berry Gordy initially refused to release this song, calling … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – What’s Going On →