We remember Duke Ellington (1899-1974)

We remember Duke Ellington who was born in Washington DC on this day in 1899.    He died in 1974.

Duke was a jazz giant.   However, I first heard of him many years ago when my father used to listen to The Voice of America in Cuba.

Duke’s “Take the A train” was the intro-music for Willis Conover’s jazz show broadcast to the world on short wave.     

Conover broke the Iron Curtain, The Berlin Wall and came into Communist Cuba, too. 

It was a very catchy tune and millions around the world came to know Duke that way.

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.

Remembering "Respect" by Aretha Franklin

"Respect" was released on this day in 1967 and hit # 1 by mid-June.  

Over time, "Respect" became one of the most popular records of the 1960s and a frequent addition to movie soundtracks.

The story of "Respect" is rather interesting.  It was ranked # 5 in Rolling Stone's Top 500 all time songs.

"Respect" was written by Otis Redding, another one of my favorite performers.

Click here for the song.....

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.

1968: The musical "Hair" opened in Broadway

We remember "Hair", the musical that opened in Broadway on this day in 1968.     

There were two angles to "Hair".    

The first was "political" and it did nothing for me.   It still doesn't.     

The second was the music and that was great, including "Aquarius/Let the sunshine in" by The Fifth Dimension, "Easy to be hard" by Three Dog Night and "Hair" by The Cowsills.

The music was good but everything else was not that important.

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.

We remember Tammi Terrell (1945-1970)

Tammi Terrell was born Thomasina Montgomery in Philadelphia on this day in 1945.  

She died in 1970.    Tammi died from complications of a brain tumor.

Along with Marvin Gaye, they were the romantic duo of Motown with hits like "Ain't no mountain high enough" and "Your precious love".

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.