March 30, 1963: The Girl Groups are on top in the Evolution of Rock ‘n Roll…

It could have been another top of the charts score for the Phil Spector stable…

When, on March 30, 1963, producer Quincy Jones hurried 16 year old Leslie Gore into the studio…

  Jones had heard that Phil Spector was going to cut “It’s My Party” with The Crystals… 

 

Leslie Gore’s single would reach #1 in the US and #9 in the UK…

 

 

On that same day, The Chiffons enjoy the first of their five Billboard Top 40 hits when "He's So Fine" climbs to #1. In the UK, it reached #16…

THE USE OF ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS USED UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF "FAIR USE" IN TITLE 17 & 107 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE. SUCH MATERIAL REMAINS THE COPYRIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL HOLDER AND IS USED HERE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATION, COMPARISON, AND CRITICISM ONLY. NO INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT IS INTENDED…

March 30, 1963: The Girl Groups are on top in the Evolution of Rock ‘n Roll…

It could have been another top on the charts score for the Phil Spector stable…

When, on March 30, 1963, producer Quincy Jones hurried 16 year old Leslie Gore

into the studio…

  Jones had heard that Phil Spector was going to cut “It’s My Party” with The Crystals… Leslie Gore’s single would reach #1 in the US and #9 in the UK…

On that same day, The Chiffons enjoy the first of their five Billboard Top 40 hits when "He's So Fine" climbs to #1...

 In the UK, it reached #16…

THE USE OF ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS USED UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF "FAIR USE" IN TITLE 17 & 107 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE. SUCH MATERIAL REMAINS THE COPYRIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL HOLDER AND IS USED HERE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATION, COMPARISON, AND CRITICISM ONLY. NO INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT IS INTENDED…

March 21, 2015: R.I.P. Martin Simmons

March 21, 2015: Musician Extraordinaire  
Martin Simmons  

passed away...It was the early 1970s when I met Martin and one of his earliest bands (Geyda) at the Odyssey Bar in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Then, for years to come I saw him at so many venues that it's just too hard to remember them all. The man was a musical genius who gave it away...

On the streets...

Rockin' a party...

At a benefit...

At a friend's funeral...

Another benefit...(Photo credit: Wayne Dabney)

Playin' with a friend...

The Master, R.I.P. Brother...

You will be missed by many!

THE USE OF ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS USED UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF "FAIR USE" IN TITLE 17 & 107 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE. SUCH MATERIAL REMAINS THE COPYRIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL HOLDER AND IS USED HERE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATION, COMPARISON, AND CRITICISM ONLY. NO INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT IS INTENDED…

Lawrence Welk: A Rocker?

February 13, 1961:

Lawrence Welk gave hope to Rock and Roll hating parents when his instrumental "Calcutta" went to the top of the Billboard chart for the first of a two week stay. Welk, who was then 57, became the oldest artist to have a number one Pop single in the US… 

That hope was diminished a tad when, riding high as a rocker, Welk started having Rock ‘n Roll as a regular part of his show…

      Ultimately having  this “attractive couple” doing this classic on his show

 (a decade later):

Might have hit #1 in ’61, but

Ya just didn’t get it,

did ya Lawrence!?!

THE USE OF ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS USED UNDER THE GUIDELINES OF "FAIR USE" IN TITLE 17 & 107 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE. SUCH MATERIAL REMAINS THE COPYRIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL HOLDER AND IS USED HERE FOR THE PURPOSES OF EDUCATION, COMPARISON, AND CRITICISM ONLY. NO INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT IS INTENDED…