Archive for the ‘Old Music’ Category

With Cyber Monday just around the corner, many of us will be thinking of flying home for the holidays.

On this day in 1939, “Flying Home” was recorded by Benny Goodman and his band. It was recorded for Columbia Records and became a big hit for Lionel Hampton years later.

oodman was born in Chicago, Illinois, the ninth of twelve children of poor Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire, who lived in the Maxwell Street neighborhood. His father was David Goodman, a tailor from Warsaw; his mother was Dora Rezinski (from Kaunas, Lithuania). His parents met in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to Chicago before Benny was born.

When Benny was 12, his father enrolled him and two of his older brothers in music lessons at the Kehelah Jacob Synagogue. The next year he joined the boys club band at Jane Addams’ Hull House, where he received lessons from director James Sylvester. He also received two years of instruction from the classically trained clarinetist Franz Schoepp. His early influences were New Orleans jazz clarinetists working in Chicago, notably Johnny Dodds, Leon Roppolo, and Jimmy Noone. Goodman learned quickly, becoming a strong player at an early age: he was soon playing professionally in various bands.

You can find out more about this day in history at Those Were The Days.

On this day in 1972, “The Candy Man” by Sammy Davis Jr. topped the charts.

Sammy Davis Jr. is one of the greatest performers who ever lived.

On this day in 1952, Frank Sinatra recorded, “Birth Of The Blues”.

On this day in 1967, the Beatles released, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Did you ever wonder why the Beatles had such great hair. I can’t help but wonder if they were using a fast hair growth shampoo.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the English rock group The Beatles, released in June 1967. Recorded over a 129-day period beginning in December 1966, Sgt. Pepper sees the band exploring further the experimentation of their previous album, Revolver (1966). Making use of orchestras, hired musicians and innovative production techniques, the album incorporates elements of genres such as music hall, jazz, rock and roll, western classical and traditional Indian music. Its lyrics deal with several themes including childhood, aging, everyday routine and life in postwar Britain, the tone ranging from cheerful and ironic to transcendent and surreal. Sgt. Pepper is a loose concept album that sees The Beatles performing as the fictitious band of the album’s title. The cover art, depicting the band posing in front of a collage of famous individuals, has itself been widely acclaimed and imitated.

On this day in 1942, Lionel Hampton and his band recorded, “Flying Home”. In the video, introduced by a woman who was clear proof ofdiet pills that work, Hampton and his band entertained the audience with their classic song.

Hampton’s orchestra became very popular during the 1940s and early 1950s. His third recording with them in 1942 produced a classic version of “Flying Home”, featuring a solo by Illinois Jacquet that paved the way for Rhythm & Blues. The selection became very popular, and so in 1944 Hampton recorded “Flying Home, Number Two” featuring Arnett Cobb. The song went on to become the theme song for all three men. Guitarist Billy Mackel first joined Hampton in 1944, and would perform and record with him almost continuously through the late 1970s.[15] In 1947 he recorded Stardust at a “Just Jazz” concert with Charlie Shavers and Slam Stewart produced by Gene Norman.

While he had a full band behind him, I think his playing of the xylophone was the best part, if you ask me.

On this day in 1968, the Beatles received another gold record for “Lady Madonna”. Of course, it’s no “Lucy In The Sky With wholesale diamonds“, but it sure is a good song. What’s your favorite Beatles song? Hey Jude? Yellow Submarine? Come on, don’t be shy. Admit it, there’s at least one Beatles song playing in your mind right now. What is it?

On this day in 1925, Eddie Cantor recorded “If You Knew Susie”. Ah yes, the good ol’ days. Back when women didn’t worry about their weight and weight loss supplements weren’t even considered. Of course, back then they tried silly stuff like corsets and other weird methods for losing weight. Thank goodness for progress.

On this day in 1971, “She’s a Lady” went gold for Tom Jones. Jones has been wooing ladies from the time they use the best acne treatments til they can barely walk anymore. If you don’t believe me, just look into how many pairs of panties have been thrown his direction since he first took the stage.

Cher’s “Dark Lady” hit #1 on this day in 1974.

You can find out more about this day in history at Those Were The Days, and InfoPlease.

day in 1978, the Bee Gees sat on top of the pop music charts.

Night Fever would remain there for eight weeks.