Randy Meisner: Another Eagle Flies Music Awards Music Business Music Culture Music History Music Legends Music News Music Trivia by da jack hayford - July 29, 2023August 5, 20230 In the world of rock and roll, there are legendary bands that have left an indelible mark on the music industry. The Eagles undoubtedly stand among these giants, and one of the foundational members who played a crucial role in shaping their signature sound is Randy Meisner. Sadly, Meisner died
Sinead O’Connor: The World Loses Another Great Voice Music and Politics Music History Music News by da jack hayford - July 27, 2023July 27, 20230 Sadly, the music world and beyond has lost yet another iconic rock voice. Irish singer, songwriter and activist Sinead O'Connor was found dead in her London home on Wednesday, July 26. At this writing, no cause of death has been stated, however London police reported they found nothing suspicious about
“Try That In A Small Town” Controversy: Country Music’s Conundrum Music and Politics Music Culture Music History Number 1 Songs Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - July 20, 2023July 20, 20230 Country music has long been celebrated for its storytelling prowess, often drawing from real-life experiences and cultural mores. However, with the genre's mainstream success and increasing popularity, artists have occasionally found their "truths" embroiled in controversy. Such is the case surrounding Jason Aldean's #1 hit song, "Try That In A
The New Louis Armstrong Center: A Tribute to the Jazz Icon Music Business Music Culture Music Education Music History Music Legends by da jack hayford - July 12, 2023July 12, 20230 Louis Armstrong Home and Original Museum Louis Armstrong Home Museum on 107th Street in Corona, Queens, NY Louis Armstrong passed in 1971. His wife, Lucille, continued to live in their home on 107th Street in Corona, Queens, working to ensure that it became a National and New York Historic Landmark. Lucille
Who Invented The Saxophone? Music Events Music History Music Legends Music Trivia by da jack hayford - July 9, 2023July 10, 20230 Featured Image Courtesy of National Saxophone Day In the vast universe of music, there are few names that carry more weight and significance than that of Adolphe Sax (Thus the name of his invention, get it?). Born in Dinant, Belgium, in 1814, Sax was a visionary inventor and gifted musician who
Who Wrote God Bless America? Music and Movies Music Culture Music History Music Trivia Song Lyrics Songwriting Special Occasion Music Spiritual Music by da jack hayford - June 19, 2023July 9, 20230 Irving Berlin 1906 Irving Berlin, by all accounts one of America's greatest songwriters, came to America in 1893 when his parents left Russia to escape persecution. Drafted into the Army in 1918, he was assigned to create songs for an Army show, Yip! Yip! Yaphank. (Yaphank, on New York's Long Island,
Is The Weeknd Changing His Name? Music Events Music History Music Legends Music News Music Trivia by da jack hayford - May 23, 2023May 24, 20230 In the world of pop stars, it's not unheard of for a major established artist to change their name, their showbiz moniker, in the middle of their career. Prince became a Symbol (or the Artist Formerly Known as Prince.) In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he
Remembering Ella Fitzgerald, The First Lady of Song Ella Fitzgerald Much like the "King," Elvis Presley, played an enormous role in introducing black music to white Americans in the 1950s, Ella Fitzgerald, "The First Lady of Song," can be said to have brought white music to black Americans. Though known as a versatile and brilliant jazz, scat and be-bop singer in
What is Cheekwood? When visiting Nashville TN, one of the cooler day trips is Cheekwood. What is Cheekwood? "Art...gardens." A very nice day for introspective guests and nature lovers. Allow yourself at least two hours to see everything as Cheekwood sits on 55 acres and the Museum is 30,000 square feet! The history and
What is Strange Fruit About? Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan in 1915, was a legendary American jazz singer known for her unique voice and emotive performances. Holiday had a difficult upbringing, growing up in poverty and experiencing abuse and neglect. She turned to music as an escape, and began singing in nightclubs in her early
Legendary Canadian Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot Dies at 84 Music and Movies Music History Music Legends Music News Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - May 2, 2023May 3, 20230 Canada's favorite son, Gordon Lightfoot, was one of the greatest singer-songwriters to come out of the 1970s...and that's saying something. His name, along with the likes of Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Carole King, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor, David Bowie, Randy Newman, Cat Stevens, Billy
American Idol and the Evolution of Talent Shows Since the 1930s, long before we became addicted to television (much less the Internet!), Americans have been mesmerized by "talent shows." What? American Idol isn't a recent phenomenon? Hardly. While talent competitions (and certainly Beauty Pageants) existed before the 20th century, it was radio, and then TV that hooked the public for good. The Original
When is the Monterey Jazz Festival? Music Events Music History by da jack hayford - April 30, 2023April 30, 20230 The 66th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival • Sept 22-24, 2023 About the Monterey Jazz Festival The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously-running jazz festival in the world and is held annually on the 20-acre, oak-studded Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, Calif. Since 1958, the nonprofit Monterey Jazz Festival has been committed
Who is Nina Simone? Music and Politics Music for a Cause Music History Music Legends Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - April 30, 2023April 30, 20230 Nina Simone was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who was known for her unique voice, powerful lyrics, and unforgettable performances. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina in 1933, Simone began playing the piano at an early age and demonstrated a natural talent for music. Her family was
Who Wrote the Words to Turn! Turn! Turn!? Well, that is a tough question. The iconic Turn! Turn! Turn! probably has a lot of co-authors. Folk Legend Pete Seeger Photo Courtesy of Billboard "Pete Seeger, along with the folk missionaries Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays and Odetta, has sung authentic American folk songs for so many years that his own
The Legendary Harry Belafonte Dies at 96 Music and Politics Music Education Music for a Cause Music History Music Legends by da jack hayford - April 26, 2023April 29, 20230 Harry Belafonte is a legendary figure in American popular culture, known for his incredible achievements as an actor, singer, humanitarian and activist. Born in Harlem in 1927, Belafonte's early life was marred by poverty and struggle. His parents were immigrants from the Caribbean, and his mother was often absent from his
What is the Eurovision Song Contest? Music Events Music History by da jack hayford - April 26, 2023May 14, 20230 The Eurovision Song Contest is an internationally televised songwriting competition, organized by the European Broadcasting Union and featuring participants chosen by EBU member broadcasters representing their countries from across Europe and beyond. Each Participating Broadcaster has until mid-March to choose a song and an artist to perform it. The song and
Who Wrote Ode to Billy Joe? Note: The actual title of this famous song is "Ode to Billie Joe" but it is commonly referenced and searched for as "Ode to Billy Joe." Bobbie Gentry 1969 Ode to Billy Joe is a song written and performed originally by Bobbie Gentry. Released in July 1967, it quickly became a hit
What is Bye Bye Miss American Pie About? Don McLean Celebrating 50 Years of "American Pie" A long, long time ago — 50 years, in fact — “American Pie” hijacked pop radio. Immediately, amateur sleuths began dissecting Don McLean’s sweeping, impressionistic lyrics for clues about all those intriguing references. Could Bob Dylan be the jester? Does the marching band
Newport Folk Festival 2023 SOLD OUT Music Events Music History by da jack hayford - April 11, 2023April 11, 20230 Next Newport Folk Festival July 28-July 30, 2023 is SOLD OUT. To get on a waiting list for tickets visit: newportfolk.org/tickets/. George Wein The world-famous Newport (Rhode Island) Folk Festival was founded in 1959 by folk-singer/activists Theodore Bikel and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Pete Seeger, folk musician, songwriter, radio broadcaster and Broadway play-write Oscar
Tower Records History On top of the world: Tower Records founder Russ Solomon above his Sacramento, CA store The Genius of Russ Solomon Russ Solomon was a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the music industry with his retail chain, Tower Records. Founded in Sacramento, California in 1960, Tower Records became a mecca for music lovers worldwide. Solomon
Who is Huey ‘Piano’ Smith? Huey ‘Piano’ Smith, New Orleans R&B Great and Rock Pioneer, Dead at 89 @OffBeatMagazine Huey "Piano" Smith was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter who played a crucial role in shaping the sound of rhythm and blues and early rock and roll in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for
What is the Brill Building? Brill Building NYC The Brill Building, located at 1619 Broadway in New York City, was a legendary music industry hub during the 1960s. The building housed a number of music publishing companies, recording studios, and songwriters, who collectively created some of the most iconic pop songs of the era. The Brill
Music and the Civil War "The American Civil War (1861–1865) was a major war between the United States (the "Union") and eleven Southern slave states that declared their secession and formed the Confederate States of America, led by President Jefferson Davis. The Union, led by President Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party, opposed the expansion of
What is Busking? Busk or Bust By Rhiannon Schmitt Many famous groups and superstars started their careers as buskers and moved on to further greatness. Examples include the music and acrobatics group Cirque Du Soleil, percussion sensation Stomp, comedians Bob Hope, George Burns and Robin Williams, actor Pierce Brosnan and musicians Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, Eric
Who is Robert Moog? Robert MoogBorn: May 23, 1934, New York City / Died: August 21, 2005 I was never worried that synthesizers would replace musicians. First of all, you have to be a musician in order to make music with a synthesizer. Robert Moog Robert Moog began his career in developing electronic musical instruments by making and working
What is a Theremin? When most people today think of the history of electronic music (not electronica music, ELECTRONIC MUSIC -- the start of it all!) they think of synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog. And in fact, Robert Moog (born in 1934 and died in 2005) played an essential and formative role in the development of
Who is Enrico Caruso? [Enrico] Caruso was the most popular singer in any genre in the first twenty years of the twentieth century and one of the pioneers of recorded music. Wikipedia Enrico Caruso25 Feb 1873 - 2 Aug 1921 Written by Joern H. Anthonisen Born on February 25th 1873, in Napoli, Italy, Enrico Caruso grew up in poor
Four Dead in OHIO—The Kent State Shootings in 1970 On May 4th, 1970, Ohio National Guard troops opened fire on Kent State students protesting the invasion of Cambodia, the escalation of the Vietnam War - and the presence of the guard on campus. Four students died; nine were wounded. The scene became an icon for the Baby Boom generation. In 2010,
You’re A Grand Old Flag! American Flag "Upon meeting George M. Cohan, a color bearer from the Civil War pointed to the flag and exclaimed, 'She's a grand old rag.'" —America's Story in Song Cohan then used the phrase in a song he wrote for his third musical, George Washington, Jr., in 1906. But facing criticism that the lyric was insulting