Frankie Laine (born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio; March 30, 1913 – February 6, 2007) was an American singer, songwriter and actor….whose career spanned nearly 75 years….from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of “That’s My Desire” in 2005. Often billed as “America’s # 1 Song Stylist”….with other nicknames including “Mr. Rhythm”,…
“Truckin’“ is a song by the Grateful Dead….which first appeared on their 1970 album American Beauty…. and was recognized by the United States Library of Congress in 1997 as a national treasure. Written by band members Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, and lyricist Robert Hunter…..as“Truckin’” molds classic Grateful Dead rhythms and instrumentation. The lyrics refer to a drug raid of the band’s hotel lodgings in…
“Candle in the Wind“ is a threnody with music and lyrics by Elton John and Bernie Taupin….which was originally written in 1973 in honor of Marilyn Monroe….who had died 11 years earlier. The original version in the key of E major appeared on John’s 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road….and was released as a single in 1974. The lyrics of the song are a…
“Duke of Earl“ is a 1962 US # 1 song….which was originally sung by Gene Chandler…..as it is the best known of Chandler’s songs…..after which he subsequently dubbed himself “The Duke of Earl”. The song was penned by Chandler, Bernice Williams, and Earl Edwards….and was a 2002 inductee into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It has also been selected by The Rock and Roll…
The Temptations are an American vocal group who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960’s and 1970’s…..as the group’s work with producer Norman Whitfield, began with the Top 10 hit single “Cloud Nine” in October 1968….while pioneering psychedelic soul….and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music…..as the band members are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies…
“M.T.A.”, often called “The MTA Song”, is a 1949 song by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes….and was informally known as “Charlie on the MTA”….as the song’s lyrics tell an absurd tale of a man named Charlie trapped on Boston’s subway system….which was then known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The song was originally recorded as a mayoral campaign song for Progressive Party candidate Walter A. O’Brien…..while a version…
The Association is an American sunshine pop band from California….who during the late 1960’s had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts….which included “Windy”, “Cherish”, “Never My Love” and “Along Comes Mary”….with the first and latter being featured in this video herewith…..and were the lead-off band at 1967’s Monterey Pop Festival…..as they are known for intricate vocal harmonies by…
The Temptations is an American vocal group who released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960’s and 1970’s. The group’s work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit single “Cloud Nine” in October 1968….which pioneered psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music. The band members are known for their choreography, distinct…