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Category Archives: Music
The Yardbirds on the BBC
British bands in the 1960s knew they made it when they were asked to perform on the BBC. One band consistently asked back were The Yardbirds. They appeared on numerous BBC programs including Saturday Club and Easy Beat.
Their performances on the Beeb occurred between March 1965 and March 1968, so this was the post-Eric [...]
The Who ‘The Last Time’ sheet music
Back in June 1967, a certain Mr. Jagger & Mr. Richards of The Rolling Stones found themselves in trouble with the law. They were busted and jailed on drug charges.
To show a bit of solidarity to their fellow British mates, The Who recorded two Jagger & Richards songs: The Last Time and Under My [...]
The Disco Ball
As we dance into a new decade, let’s groove to the past and look into the mirrored disco ball.
It’s unclear as to who invented the mirrored ball, but it dates back to at least 1897! The February issue of The Electrical Worker describes a ballroom where the highlight was “a carbon arc lamp flashing [...]
‘Space Age Santa Claus’ sheet music
Oh, Santa Claus has a rocket sleigh
Getting ready to zoom away
On his first trip into space
In his pressurized suit with the fur along the border
And a long white bearded helmet made just to order
He’ll take the Christmas spirit every place
To learn about this novelty Christmas tune please visit: FaLaLaLaLa.com
Also posted in Holiday Themed Tagged novelty Christmas songs, Space and astronaut memorabilia Leave a comment
John Coltrane’s ‘My Favorite Things’
While technically not a holiday tune, My Favorite Things gets a lot of airplay this time of year. Here’s a clip of the classic melody as interpeted in 1961 by the late John Coltrane:
My Favorite Things was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for their 1959 Broadway musical Sound of Music. Coltrane took the song and [...]
The Beach Boys: From Stage to Studio
December 1964 was a turning point for The Beach Boys and their leader Brian Wilson. The group was at the top of the charts with their album Beach Boys Concert; their Christmas Album was in the top ten. And yet despite the success, the pressure was too much for Brian Wilson. In the midst [...]
The Ramones Logo
New York City artist Arturo Vega is the self-proclaimed Minister of Propaganda for the Ramones.
He’s held the position since 1974!
Arturo Vega created the group’s logo after a trip to Washington DC. He based it on the Seal of the President of the United States. Vega says he did it because he viewed the [...]
AKAI Reel to Reel Player
Before MP3s, compact discs, 8-track and cassette tapes there were audio reels. These were played on reel-to-reel tape decks. And you know what? For my money, they sound better than any of the aforementioned audio formats.
This particular reel-to-reel tape deck is owned by an audiophile friend of mine (eBay user ID: TechnoRay). I borrowed it [...]
Also posted in Electronics Tagged Akai GX-4000D, reel to reel players, vintage electronics Leave a comment
