Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Showing posts with label Memphis Tennessee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memphis Tennessee. Show all posts
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Music News: John Lennon's Murderer and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame
From the Oldies Music News site.
1. John Lennon's murderer, whose name will not be given, was denied parole for the 9th time on August 29, 2016.
2. Sam the Sham Samudio, John Lee Hooker, the Hi Records Rhythm Section and William Bell are the 2016 inductees into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. The induction will be November 3, 2016.
--RoadDog
SIGNS AND NOTICES: Sign in King's Canyon in California: "Slow Parking Ahead."
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Music Stuff: Van Morrison, Glenn Frey, Elvin Bishop
1. VAN MORRISON was officially knighted (as Sir Ivan) by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on Feb. 4. The new Sir Ivan remarked that he'd been in the music business for 53 years and "that's not bad for a blue-eyed soul singer from East Belfast."
2. GLENN FREY DRIVE-- On Feb. 11, 2016, the City of Royal Oak, Michigan and the Royal Oak School Board voted to rename a section of Willis Avenue as "Glenn Frey Drive," in honor of the Eagles'member who just died and grew up there.
3. ELVIN BISHOP-- to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis on May 4.
--RoadDog
TEEN ATTIRE: A teen-aged boy with spiked hair, nose ring and baggy clothes was overheard telling a friend, "I don't really like dressing like this, but it keeps my parents from dragging me everywhere with them."
2. GLENN FREY DRIVE-- On Feb. 11, 2016, the City of Royal Oak, Michigan and the Royal Oak School Board voted to rename a section of Willis Avenue as "Glenn Frey Drive," in honor of the Eagles'member who just died and grew up there.
3. ELVIN BISHOP-- to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis on May 4.
--RoadDog
TEEN ATTIRE: A teen-aged boy with spiked hair, nose ring and baggy clothes was overheard telling a friend, "I don't really like dressing like this, but it keeps my parents from dragging me everywhere with them."
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Stax Records, Those Good Old Soul Records-- Part 2
Booker T' and the MGs were like a four piece orchestra said Donald "Duck" Dunn, "Booker played so full, Steve was so precise and Al was the heartbeat of Stax. I just tried to complement the lyrics or stay out of the way of the lyrics. It worked."
Also, odd for the times, Booker T and the MGs were a racially-mixed group. Jones and Jackson were black and Cropper and Dunn white. According to Mavis Staples, "That was because was just so open, no boundaries, no rules at anytime."
Rob Bowman, who wrote the story of Stax in his book "Soulsville, USA" added The day-to-day workings at Stax were a manifestation of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream where white and black came together organically to make music.
However, Otis Redding's tragic death in a plane crash in 1967 and then King's assassination a few months later shattered the dream, causing office problems and local youths threatened musicians.
A NEW DIRECTION
Booker T & the MGs split in 1971 and Stax changed direction toward Isaac Hayes, who had been a songwriter for the label. He became a superstar after "Shaft." Then, the Staple Singers came along with their gospel-tinged music.
Otis, My Man!!! --RoadDog
Also, odd for the times, Booker T and the MGs were a racially-mixed group. Jones and Jackson were black and Cropper and Dunn white. According to Mavis Staples, "That was because was just so open, no boundaries, no rules at anytime."
Rob Bowman, who wrote the story of Stax in his book "Soulsville, USA" added The day-to-day workings at Stax were a manifestation of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream where white and black came together organically to make music.
However, Otis Redding's tragic death in a plane crash in 1967 and then King's assassination a few months later shattered the dream, causing office problems and local youths threatened musicians.
A NEW DIRECTION
Booker T & the MGs split in 1971 and Stax changed direction toward Isaac Hayes, who had been a songwriter for the label. He became a superstar after "Shaft." Then, the Staple Singers came along with their gospel-tinged music.
Otis, My Man!!! --RoadDog
Friday, November 6, 2009
Stax Records, Those Good Old Soul Records-- Part 1
This could actually go with my history blog, but since I do music in this one, here it shall be.
And, it's old news as I just found the article from the October 31, 2008, Chicago Tribune by Aaron Cohen "All-star reunion of Stax 'family'"
It was about an upcoming concert for an Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. I would have liked to have been there. It will feature the backbone of the Stax sound, session band (and performers in their own right) Booker T. and the MGs and Mavis Staples of The Staple Singers.
In case you're wondering what MGs stands for, it's Memphis Group. Plus, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn and guitarist Steve Cropper were in the famed Blues Brothers band. The group was rounded out by leader Booket T. Jones on keyboards and drummer Al Jackson, Jr who was murdered by intruders in his house in 1975. Not only did they have their own hits like "Time is Tight" and "Green Onions," but that's them you hear backing the singers on most Stax recordings and that music is tight.
Stax only lasted 20 years and never was a large company, but BOY, that music they put out sure gave me lots of enjoyment while growing up. They started in Memphis in the late 50s (along with Sun Records).
According to Cohen "the company's name still conveys different meanings. Fans of '60s R&B hits identify Stax with relentlessly upbeat singers Otis Redding (my favorite all-time soul singer) and Sam and Dave. To a '70s urban audience, the company signifies the sophisticated soul of the late Isaac Hayes (you know, the "Shaft" man)."
Man, That's Some Great Music. --RoadDog
And, it's old news as I just found the article from the October 31, 2008, Chicago Tribune by Aaron Cohen "All-star reunion of Stax 'family'"
It was about an upcoming concert for an Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. I would have liked to have been there. It will feature the backbone of the Stax sound, session band (and performers in their own right) Booker T. and the MGs and Mavis Staples of The Staple Singers.
In case you're wondering what MGs stands for, it's Memphis Group. Plus, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn and guitarist Steve Cropper were in the famed Blues Brothers band. The group was rounded out by leader Booket T. Jones on keyboards and drummer Al Jackson, Jr who was murdered by intruders in his house in 1975. Not only did they have their own hits like "Time is Tight" and "Green Onions," but that's them you hear backing the singers on most Stax recordings and that music is tight.
Stax only lasted 20 years and never was a large company, but BOY, that music they put out sure gave me lots of enjoyment while growing up. They started in Memphis in the late 50s (along with Sun Records).
According to Cohen "the company's name still conveys different meanings. Fans of '60s R&B hits identify Stax with relentlessly upbeat singers Otis Redding (my favorite all-time soul singer) and Sam and Dave. To a '70s urban audience, the company signifies the sophisticated soul of the late Isaac Hayes (you know, the "Shaft" man)."
Man, That's Some Great Music. --RoadDog
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