As I write this, today’s date is February 4, 2022. So, that means it has been exactly 39 years since Karen Carpenter died. And that might not mean anything to younger readers and listeners. But she was considered one of the best female vocalists around, in her day. The news reports said Karen Carpenter died of a heart attack. They also called it “cardiac … Read the rest…
Category Archives: music history
When I lived in Pasadena, Texas, there was a levee my friends and I would drive to and throw frisbees and listen to music. And one of the songs we listened to was about how Buddy Holly died and music did, too. And Buddy Holly died after a concert on this date in 1959. On February 2, 1959 Buddy, and Richie Valens, and The … Read the rest…
We are the world. But that’s not a good thing. We can do good things. But we’re not solutions for change. We are not the answer to life’s challenges and problems. That’s why I don’t like that famous song, “We Are The World,” that was recorded on this day back in 1985. Sure, it’s catchy, I admit. But it’s wrong. It describes humans as … Read the rest…
He said he learned to sing “in church, because of my mother. God bless my mom.” And I read another quote from him that was in response to being called Mr. Evans. He replied, “Don’t call me Mr. Evans; only my minister can call me that.” And American music chart history shows how he had the only record, ever, to reach number 1 at … Read the rest…
It might still be possible. But my guess is, it’s rare. And I mean it’s rare for a person to have a lyricist career anymore. Especially since actual lyrics, with solid meter and rhyme. But something I shared yesterday led me to look a little more closely at the life of Johnson Oatman Jr. Ironically, Mr. Oatman didn’t really have a lyricist career. And … Read the rest…
Did you ever attend a church where “In The Sweet By and By” was part of the praise and worship time? I did. And I think, if I close my eyes and listen real close, I can almost hear my Grandmother singing it in her kitchen. In The Sweet By and By There’s a land that is fairer than day, And by faith we … Read the rest…
Sol was a songwriter. And way ahead of his time. But he could be SO negative. And that’s even after he basically had NO reason to be negative. At least as far as anybody could tell. But he toned down his negativity (a little) when he wrote some famous song lyrics that started with “To everything there is a season.” Can you sing the … Read the rest…