We remember Janis Joplin (1943-1970)

We remember Janis Joplin who was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on this day in 1943.      
She started singing with the band "Big Brother and the Holding Company" in 1966.    In 1968, they released a very popular  album "Cheap Thrills". 

Janis eventually went solo but but died in  1970 at age 27.   After her death, the album "Pearl" became a huge bestseller.    It included her biggest hit, "Me and Bobby McGee".    Later, a "greatest hits" was released.

A very tragic story.

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We remember Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)

We remember Edgar Allan Poe, who was born on this in 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts.    

His parents, both professional actors, died before he was 3 years old.  He was raised by John and Frances Allan as a foster child in Richmond, Virginia.

In 1844, Poe and his wife moved to New York City.    Shortly after, he published “The Raven", his most successful poem.

He died young in 1849.   

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Remembering Phil Everly (1939-2014)

We remember Phil Everly who was born on this day in 1939 and died in 2014.

If you love pop music, and I do, then you have to appreciate how The Everly Brothers influenced the music that we grew up listening to.

Just listen to John Lennon & Paul McCartney sing "If I fell" or "I'll be back" or a few others.  What you hear is John and Paul singing just like Don & Phil, or the harmonies that they used to hear as aspiring musicians in Liverpool radio.   Like so many of the British groups, they learned to sing listening to those tight harmonies recorded by those two Kentucky brothers dominating the US charts.

As Scott Johnson wrote, another political blogger who loves pop music, Don & Phil Everly brought "....the close harmony singing of traditional country music into the mainstream of American popular music."

Phil Everly died at age 74 and you can hear his legacy every time that you hear a duo on the radio.

Yes, it's hard to talk about rock history without devoting a good section to Phil & Don Everly.  

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Winchester '73 is still a great movie

What's the test of a good movie?   In my opinion, a great movie is one that you can watch years later and still enjoy.   Or one where you pick up a few new things that you missed the first time.

"Winchester '73" is such a movie.  It stars Jimmy Stewart.   He is not "George Bailey" or the idealistic senator who goes to Washington.    He is a rough guy in this film.

It is the story of that famous rifle in the hands of several men.

Intense?  Very intense!  

You can get a copy here!

P.S.  You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column.