C.S. Elston

Worshipper, Husband, Author, Screenwriter, Home Cook, Fan

Some of My Favorite Music From 1960-1964

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Although it’s been a while, this is the third installment of the “Some of My Favorite Music” series. We’re heading into the 1960s now, which may very well be my favorite decade for music and I think it’s time to start splitting those decades in half. So, this time, I’ll be focusing on the 1960-1964.

Chuck Berry, songs: “Nadine (Is It You?),” “No Particular Place to Go,” “You Never Can Tell,” “Little Marie” and “Promised Land” (1964)

Ben E. King, songs: “This Magic Moment,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “I Count the Tears” and “Spanish Harlem” (1960,) “Stand by Me” and “Amor” (1961,) “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)” (1962) and “I (Who Have Nothing)” (1963)

Johnny Cash, songs: “Seasons of My Heart” and “Second Honeymoon” (1960,) “The Rebel – Johnny Yuma” and “Tennessee Flat Top Box” (1961,) “The Big Battle,” “In the Jailhouse Now,” “Bonanza” and “Busted” (1962,)  “Ring of Fire” and “The Matador” (1963) “Understand Your Man” and “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” (1964)

Nat King Cole, songs: “Time and the River” (1960,) “Ramblin Rose,” “Dear Lonely Hearts” and “The Christmas Song” (1962,) “All Over the World,” “Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer” and “That Sunday, That Summer” (1963) and “My True Carrie Love,” “I Don’t Want to Be Hurt Anymore” and “I Don’t Want to See Tomorrow” (1964)

Howlin’ Wolf, songs: “Spoonful” (1960,) “Wang-Dang Doodle,” “Goin’ Down Slow” and “The Red Rooster” (1961) and “I Ain’t Superstitious” (1962)

Etta James, songs: “All I Could Do Was Cry” and “My Dearest Darling” (1960,) “At Last,” “Trust in Me” and “Don’t Cry Baby” (1961,) “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and “Stop The Wedding” (1962,) “Pushover” (1963) and “Loving You More Every Day” (1964)

James Brown, songs: “I’ll Go Crazy,” “Think,” “You’ve Got the Power,” “This Old Heart” and “The Bells” (1960,) “Bewildered,” “I Don’t Mind,” “Baby You’re Right,” “Just You and Me, Darling” and “Lost Someone” (1961,) “Night Train,” “Shout and Shimmy,” “Mashed Potatoes U.S.A.” and “Three Hearts in a Tangle” (1962,) “Like a Baby,” “Prisoner of Love,” “These Foolish Things” and “Signed Sealed and Delivered” (1963) and “Oh Baby Don’t You Weep,” “Please, Please, Please” and “Have Mercy Baby” (1964)

Ray Charles, songs: “Let the Good Times Roll,” Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’,” “Just for a Thrill,” “Tell the Truth” and “Come Rain or Come Shine” (1960)

Sam Cooke, songs: “Wonderful World” and “Chain Gang” (1960,) “That’s It, I Quit, I’m Movin’ On” and “Cupid” (1961,) “Twistin’ the Night Away,” “Bring It on Home to Me,” “Having a Party,” “Nothing Can Change This Love,” “Somebody Have Mercy” and “Send Me Some Lovin’” (1962,) “Another Saturday Night,” “Frankie and Johnny” and “Little Red Rooster” (1963) and “Good News,” “Good Times,” “Tennessee Waltz,” “That’s Where It’s At,” “Cousin of Mine,” “Shake” and “A Change Is Gonna Come”

B.B. King, songs: “Sweet Sixteen, Pt. 1” and “Walking Dr. Bill” (1960,) “Someday” and “Peace of Mind” (1961,) “My Sometime Baby” (1962) and “How Blue Can You Get,” “Beautician Blues,” “Help the Poor,” “Rock Me Baby” and “Never Trust a Woman” (1964)

Elvis Presley, songs: “Stuck On You,” “Fame and Fortune,” “It’s Now or Never,” “A Mess of Blues,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” and “I Gotta Know” (1960,) “Surrender,” “Lonely Man,” “Flaming Star,” “I Feel So Bad,” “Wind in the Country,” “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame,” “Little Sister” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961,) “Rock-A-Hula Baby,” “Good Luck Charm,” “Anything That’s Part of You,” “Follow That Dream,” “She’s Not You,” King of the Whole Wide World” and Return to Sender” (1962,) “One Broken Heart for Sale,” “(You’re The) Devil in Disguise,” “Bossa Nova Baby” and “Witchcraft” (1963) and “Kissin’ Cousins,” “It Hurts Me,” “Kiss Me Quick,” “What’d I Say,” “Viva Las Vegas,” “Such a Night,” “Ask Me” and “Ain’t That Loving You Baby” (1964)

The Shirelles, songs: “Tonight’s The Night” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (1960,) “Mama Said,” “A Thing of the Past,” “Big John (Ain’t You Gonna Marry Me)” and “Baby It’s You” (1961,) “Soldier Boy,” “Welcome Home, Baby,” “Stop the Music” and “Everybody Loves a Lover” (1962,) “Foolish Little Girl” and “Don’t Say Goodnight and Mean Goodbye” (1963)

Nina Simone, songs: “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” (1960) and “Trouble in Mind” (1961)

Ike & Tina Turner, songs: “A Fool in Love” (1960,) “I Idolize You” and “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” (1961,) “Poor Fool” and “Tra La La La La” (1962)

Jackie Wilson, songs: “A Woman, a Lover, a Friend,” “Night,” “Alone at Last,” “Doggin’ Around,” “Am I the Man” and “(You Were Made For) All My Love” (1960,) “My Empty Arms,” “The Tear of the Year” and “I’m Comin’ on Back to You” (1961) and “Baby Workout” (1963)

The Crystals, songs: “There’s No Other (Like My Baby)” (1961,) “Uptown,” “He’s a Rebel” and “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” (1962) and “Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)” and “Then He Kissed Me” (1963)

Del Shannon, song: “Runnaway” (1961)

The Beatles, songs: “My Bonnie” (1961,) “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You” (1962,) “Please Please Me,” From Me to You,” “She Loves You,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “I Saw Her Standing There” (1963) and “From Me to You,” “All My Loving,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Twist and Shout,” “You Can’t Do That,” “Do You Want to Know a Secret?,” “Thank You Girl,” Ain’t She Sweet,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “I Should Have Known Better,” “I’ll Cry Instead,” “And I Love Her,” “If I Fell,” “Matchbox” and “Slow Down”

Patsy Cline, songs: “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy” (1961,” “She’s Got You,” “When I Get Through with You,” “So Wrong” and “Heartaches” (1962) and “Leavin On Your Mind” (1963)

Marvin Gaye, songs: “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” and “Hitch Hike” (1962,) “Pride and Joy” and “Can I Get a Witness” (1963) and “You’re a Wonderful One,” “Once Upon a Time,” “What’s the Matter with You Baby,” “Try It Baby,” “Baby Don’t You Do It” and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” (1964)

The Isley Brothers, song: “Twist & Shout” (1962)

Booker T. & the MG’s, song: “Green Onions” (1962)

Louis Armstrong, songs: “Mack the Knife” (1962) and “Hello, Dolly” (1964)

The Kingsmen, song: “Louie Louie” (1962)

The Rolling Stones, songs: “Come On” and “I Wanna Be Your Man” (1963) and “Not Fade Away,” “Tell Me,” “It’s All Over Now,” “Time Is on My Side,” “Little Red Rooster” and “Heart of Stone” (1964)

Martha and the Vandellas, songs: “Come and Get These Memories” and “Heat Wave” (1963) and “Quicksand,” “Live Wire” and “In My Lonely Room” (1964)

The Animals, song: “The House of the Rising Sun” (1964)

The Four Tops, songs: “Baby I Need Your Loving” and “Without the One You Love (Life’s Not Worth While)” (1964)

Little Richard, songs: “Crying in the Chapel” (1963) and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Goodnight Irene” and “Blueberry Hill” (1964)

The Kinks, song: “You Really Got Me” (1964)

The Righteous Brothers, song: “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” (1964)

The Shangri-Las, songs: “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” “Leader of the Pack” and “Give Him a Great Big Kiss” (1964)

The Sonics, song: “The Witch” (1964)

The Supremes, songs: “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love” and “Come See About Me” (1964)

The Zombies, song: “She’s Not There” (1964)

Well, now you probably understand why I decided to start cutting the decades in half. So much great music . . . And, so much more to come . . . After all, the early 1960s primarily continued the pop and rock ‘n’ roll trend of the 1950s but the second half of the 1960s would see the evolution of rock.

Some of My Favorite Music From the 1950s

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This is the second installment of the “Some of My Favorite Music” series. This time, I’ll be focusing on the 1950s. It was a great decade for music, dominated by doo-wop, country and western, rockabilly, blues, swing, pop, rhythm and blues, and the adolescence of the emerging rock and roll scene that was born in the late 1940s.

Since the last post in this series ended up being something of a list in paragraph form, and the length is even greater this time around, I’m going to make the body of this one a straight up list with the occasional and (hopefully) interesting anecdote.

Patti Page, songs: “Tennessee Waltz” (1950,) “Would I Love You,” “Mockin’ Bird Hill” and “Mister and Mississippi” (1951,) “I Went to Your Wedding,” “You Belong to Me,” “Come What May” and “Once in a While” (1952,) “How Much is That Doggie in the Window” and “Changing Partners” (1953,) “Cross Over the Bridge” (1954,) “Allegheny Moon” (1956) and “Old Cape Cod” (1957.)

  • Page was the top-charting female vocalist and top-selling female artist of the 1950s.
  • In a six-decade career, she sold over 100 million records.

Hank Williams, songs: “I Just Don’t Like This Kind of Living,” Long Gone Lonesome Blues,” “Why Don’t You Love Me,” “They’ll Never Take Her Love From Me,” and “Moanin’ The Blues,” (1950,) “Cold, Cold Heart,” “Howlin’ at the Moon,” “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You,” “Hey Good Lookin’,” “Crazy Heart” and “Baby, We’re Really in Love” (1951,) “Honky Tonk Blues,” “Half as Much,” Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” “Settin’ the Woods on Fire” and “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive” (1952,) and posthumously, “Kaw-Liga,” “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” Take These Chains From My Heart” and “I Won’t Be Home No More” (1953.)

  • Williams delivered seven number one hits in a six-year career before his death at the age of 29.

Fats Domino, songs: “The Fat Man” (1950,) “Ain’t That A Shame” & “Blueberry Hill” (1956)

  • “The Fat Man,” technically recorded in late 1949, is largely considered the first rock and roll record to sell a million copies.

Johnny Otis, songs: “Double Crossing Blues,” “Mistrustin’ Blues,” & “Cupid’s Boogie” (1950,) and “Willie and the Hand Jive” (1958)

  • Otis also discovered many other successful artists including “Etta James, Johnny Ace, Little Willie John and Jackie Wilson.

Nat King Cole, songs: “Unforgettable” (1951,) “Pretend” (1953,) “Smile” (1954,) “A Blossom Fell” and “Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup” (1955) and “When I Fall in Love” (1956)

Elmore James, songs: “Dust My Broom” (1951,) “I Believe” (1953,) “Standing at the Crossroads” (1954,) “Dust My Blues” (1955) and “It Hurts Me Too” (1959)

Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm / Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats, song: “Rocket 88” (1951)

  • “Rocket 88” was originally credited to Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats and considered by many to be the first rock and roll record (still hotly debated by rock and roll historians) but, Ike Turner, who plays piano on the track, later disputed the matter, saying that it was he and his band with Jackie Brenston sitting in on vocals, and he won.

Ray Charles, songs: “Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand” (1951,) “Kissa Me Baby” (1952,) “Mess Around” (1953,) “I Got a Woman” (1954,) “Hallelujah I Love Her So” (1955,) “What’d I Say” (1959)

Howlin Wolf, songs: “How Many More Years” and “Monin’ at Midnight” (1951,) “Who Will Be Next” (1955) and “Smokestack Lightning” and “I Asked For Water” (1956)

Jonnie Ray, songs: “Cry” and “The Little White Cloud That Cried” (1951,) “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home” (1952) and “Just Walkin’ in the Rain” (1956)

  • A pioneering figure in the development of rock and roll, Ray’s music was heavily influenced by both jazz and blues and seemed to alternate between R&B and classic pop.

B.B. King, songs: “3 O’Clock Blues” (1952,) “Every Day I Have the Blues” & (1955,) “Sweet Little Angel” & “Rock Me Baby” (1956)

  • King’s career began in 1949 with Bullet Records but his first number one single on the R&B chart was “3 O’Clock Blues.”

Lloyd Price, songs: “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” (1952,) “Stagger Lee” (1958,) “Personality” and “I’m Gonna Get Married” (1959)

Big Mama Thornton, song: “Hound Dog” (1952)

  • You’ll eventually notice that this song is on here twice. Elvis had the most popular version of it but, the original is arguably unbeatable.

Clarence “Frogman” Henry, song: “Ain’t Got No Home” (1952)

Johnny Ace, songs: “My Song” (1952,) and “Pledging My Love” (1955)

  • “Pledging My Love” was a posthumous hit because Johnny had died weeks earlier due to a game of Russian Roulette gone wrong.

Junior Parker, song: “Mystery Train” (1953)

The Drifters, song: “Money Honey” (1953)

Muddy Waters, songs: “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “Just Make Love To Me” and “I’m Ready” (1954,) “Mannish Boy” (1955,) “Trouble No More,” “Forty Days and Forty Nights,” and “Got My Mojo Working” (1956)

The Spaniels, song: “Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite” (1954)

Bill Haley & His Comets, songs: “Rock Around the Clock” and “Shake Rattle and Roll” (1954) and “See You Later, Alligator” (1956)

The Penguins, song: “Earth Angel” (1954)

Frank Sinatra, songs: “Young at Heart” (1954,) “Love and Marriage” (1955,) “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” (1956,) “All the Way” and the cover of the Rodgers and Hart show tune from the musical Babes In Arms “The Lady is a Tramp” (1957,) “Come Fly with Me” (1958,) and “Cheek to Cheek” (1959)

Dinah Washington, songs: “Teach Me Tonight” (1954,) “Unforgettable” & perhaps most importantly, her Grammy winning cover of “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes” (1959)

Elvis Presley, songs: “That’s All Right” (1954,) “I Forgot to Remember to Forget “ (1955,) “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender” (1956,) “Too Much,” “All Shook Up,” “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” and “Jailhouse Rock” (1957,) “Don’t,” “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck” and “Hard Headed Woman” (1958) and “A Fool Such as I” (1959)

  • The King was told he would never make it as a singer and became one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century.

Sonny Boy Williamson, song: “Don’t Start Me Talkin’” (1955)

  • Williamson had blues heavyweights Willie Dixon on bass and Muddy Waters on guitar for this song.

The Platters, songs: “Only You” and “The Great Pretender” (1955)

Chuck Berry, songs: “Maybellene” (1955,) “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956,) “Rock and Roll Music” and “School Days” (1957,) “Johnny B. Goode” and “Sweet Little Sixteen” (1958)

  • Berry is considered another rock and roll pioneer, having refined R&B into the major elements that distinguish rock and roll;
  • His guitar solos and showmanship influenced the future of rock and roll for generations that haven’t even been born yet;
  • “Maybellene” was an adaptation of a traditional country fiddle tune called “Ida Red” that was made famous in 1938 by Bob Willis and his Texas Playboys.

Jimmy Reed, songs: “You Don’t Have to Go” (1955,) “Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby” and “You’ve Got Me Dizzy” (1956,) “Little Rain” & “Honest I Do” (1957,) “I’m Gonna Get My Baby” (1958)

  • Reed influenced many other musical acts including The Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, The Animals, Neil Young, The Steve Miller Band and Elvis Presley.

Little Willie John, songs: “All Around the World” (1955) and “Need Your Love So Bad” and “Fever” (1956)

  • “Fever” has been covered by many artists including Peggy Lee, Madonna, Beyonce, George Clinton and The Doors.

Smiley Lewis, song: “I Hear You Knocking” (1955)

Bo Diddley, songs: “I’m a Man,” “Bo Diddley” and “Sixteen Tons” (1955,) “Who Do You Love?” and “Pretty Thing” (1956) and “Say Man” (1959)

Julie London, song: “Cry Me a River” (1955)

The Cadillacs, songs: “Speedoo” (1955) and “Peek-A-Boo” (1958)

Little Richard, songs: “Tutti Frutti” (1955,) “Long Tall Sally” and “Rip It Up” (1956,) “Lucille,” Jenny, Jenny,” and “Keep A-Knockin’” (1957,) “Good Golly, Miss Molly” (1958,) and “Whole Lotta Shakin’” (1959.)

  • Probably not even necessary to say this but, Little Richard was a rock and roll pioneer in both performance and music style – even performers like Elton John, Cee Lo Green and rockers like Kiss and Alice Cooper owe him some gratitude.

Johnny Cash, songs: “Hey Porter,” “Cry! Cry! Cry!,” “So Doggone Lonesome” and “Folsom Prison Blues” (1955,) “I Walk the Line,” “Get Rhythm” and “There You Go” (1956,) “Next in Line,” “Give My Love to Rose” and “Home of the Blues” (1957,)  “Ballad of a Teenage Queen,” “Big River,” “Guess Things Happen That Way,” “The Ways of a Woman in Love” and “All Over Again” (1958) and “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town,” “Frankie’s Man, Johnny,” “I Got Stripes” and “Little Drummer Boy” (1959)

The Dells, song: “Oh What a Night” (1956)

Carl Perkins, song: “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956)

  • This song, like “Hound Dog” before it, is another original that was also done by Elvis.

Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, song: “Who Do Fools Fall in Love” (1956)

James Brown, songs: “Please, Please, Please” (1956) and “Try Me” (1958)

  • For the record, while I’m only listing two songs in the 1950s, the hardest working man in show business was just getting started.

The Five Satins, song: “In the Still of the Night” (1956)

Shirley & Lee, song: “Let the Good Times Roll” (1956)

Gene Vincent and his Blue Caps, songs: “Be-Bop-A-Lula” and “Bluejean Bop!” (1956,) “Lotta Lovin’” (1957) and “Dance to the Bop” (1958)

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, song: “I Put a Spell on You” (1956)

Miles Davis, albums: ’Round About Midnight (1957) and Kind of Blue (1959)

  • ’Round About Midnight was greeted with a lukewarm reception upon its release but has since been recognized as a masterpiece of the hard bop genre and one of the greatest jazz albums of all time;
  • Kind of Blue is considered by many to be Davis’ greatest album and features the songs “So What,” “All Blues” and the atypical subtle ballad “Blue in Green”)

Johnny Burnette and the Rock and Roll Trio, song: “Train Kept A-Rollin’” (1956)

  • This song was originally recorded by jazz and R&B musician Tiny Bradshaw in 1951 but, this cover was a decidedly more guitar riff-driven rendition

Paul Anka, songs: “Diana” (1957,) “It’s Time to Cry” and “(All Of a Sudden) My Heart Sings” (1958)

Buddy Holly, songs: “That’ll Be the Day,” Peggy Sue,” “Everyday,” “Oh, boy!” and “Not Fade Away” (1957,) “Maybe Baby,” “Rave On,” “Think It Over,” “Early in the Morning,” “It’s So Easy,” “Real Wild Child” and “Heartbeat” (1958) and “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” (1959)

Elizabeth Cotten, song: “Freight Train” – 1957

  • 50 years after she wrote it at the age of 12, Cotten finally got her song out there and had her time in the spotlight;
  • it was later covered by country star Chet Atkins and folk legend Joan Baez;
  • Cotten was a self-taught, left-handed guitar player who played a right-handed guitar upside down which gave her a unique, signature alternating bass sound that has since become known as “Cotten Picking”

Sam Cooke, songs: “You Send Me” (1957,) “Win Your Love For Me” (1958) and “Love You Most Of All,” “Everybody Likes To Cha Cha Cha,” “There, I’ve Said it Again” and “Only Sixteen” (1959)

Eddie Cochran, songs: “Twenty Flight Rock” and “Sittin’ in the Balcony” (1957) and “Summertime Blues” and “C’mon Everybody” (1958)

Huey “Piano” Smith and His Clowns, songs: “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu” (1957,) “Don’t You Just Know It (1958) and “Sea Cruise” (1959)

The Teen Kings, song: “Ooby Dooby” (1957)

  • While this record peaked at 59 on the Billboard Hot 100, it sold 200,000 copies and introduced us to the sound of Roy Orbison who would explode onto the scene in the 1960’s.

Patsy Cline, song: “Walkin’ After Midnight” (1957)

  • That’s it for the fifties but she resurged in 1961.

The Coasters, song: “Searchin’” (1957,) “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown” (1958) and “Along Came Jones” and “Poison Ivy” (1959)

Dale Hawkins, song: “Susie Q” (1957)

Link Wray, song: “Rumble” (1958)

  • Rumble was featured in the movie Pulp Fiction and is one of the earliest recordings to explore distortion and feedback;
  • Link Wray was ranked at number 45 of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone Magazine;
  • Wray is the man who invented the power chord so, just about every modern rock guitarist owes him a thank you and, without him, we would never have gotten punk or heavy rock.

The Everly Brothers, songs: “Bye Bye Love” and “Wake Up Little Susie” (1957,) “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Bird Dog” and “Problems” (1958)

Jackie Wilson, songs: “Reet Petite” (1957) & “Lonely Teardrops (1958)

The Champs, song: “Tequila” – 1958

  • The Champs are a prime example of the one-hit-wonder but they delivered a Latin-tinged instrumental with serious staying power.

Danny & the Juniors, song: “At the Hop” (1958)

Ritchie Valens, songs: “Come On, Let’s Go,” “Donna” and “La Bamba” (1958)

  • Valens’ recording career only lasted eight months before he tragically died in the same plane crash as Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper

Jerry Lee Lewis, songs: Covers of “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jambalaya,” “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Goodnight Irene,” as well as the original “High School Confidential” were all from his first, self-titled album in 1958; Other 1950’s hit singles included “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On” and “Great Balls of Fire” (1957,) and “Breathless” (1958)

The Shirelles, songs: “I Met Him on a Sunday (Ronde-Ronde)” (1958) and their cover of “Dedicated to the One I Love” (1959)

Nina Simone, songs: “I Loves you, Porgy” & “My Baby Just Cares For Me” – 1958

  • Not unlike James Brown, the career of Nina Simone was just getting started.

Cliff Richard and The Shadows, song: “Move It” (1958)

  • This song is considered the UK’s first authentic rock and roll record.

The Big Bopper, song: “Chantilly Lace” (1958)

The Dave Brubeck Quartet, album: Time Out (1959)

  • This was the first jazz album to sell more than a million copies. It included the songs “Take Five,” “Blue Rondo a la Turk” and “Three to Get Ready.”

The Isley Brothers, song: “Shout” (1959)

Johnny Preston, song: “Running Bear” (1959)

The Flamingos, song: “I Only Have Eyes For You” (1959)

Dion & The Belmonts, song: “A Teenager in Love” (1959)

  • This pop group preceded their biggest hit with “I Wonder Why,” No One Knows,” & “Don’t Pitty Me;”
  • “A Teenager in Love” was followed up with “Where or When” & “That’s My Desire”

The 1950s came to a tragic end with an event that would later inspire the 1971 smash hit song “American Pie” by Don McLean. The song dubbed the event “the day the music died.” Buddy Holly, who had parted ways with the Crickets toward the end of 1958, had put together a band that consisted of Tommy Allsup, Carl Bunch and Waylon Jennings for his “Winter Dance Party” tour with opening acts Dion & The Belmonts, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. The long, cold bus rides between gigs had left several of the musicians sick and Holly decided to charter a plane.

Dion DiMucci was offered a seat but declined because he said that the $36 cost was too much because that’s what his parents paid for a month of rent in his childhood apartment. The Big Bopper had the flu so, Waylon Jennings gave up his seat for his sick colleague. Valens and Allsup flipped a coin for the final seat and Valens won.

The plane took off from Mason City Iowa at 12:55 am on February 3, 1959 under conditions of light snow, six miles of visibility and 20-30 mile-per-hour winds. Within minutes, radio contact had been lost. Later that morning, the owner of the charter company took off in another plane to retrace the flight path. He spotted the wreckage only six miles northwest of the airport.

Losing The Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly was a tragic end to an excellent decade of music and we’ll never know what music we lost with them. However, we do know some of the music we were blessed with because of who did not wind up on that plane. Dion had not recorded “A Teenager in Love” yet and both he and Waylon Jennings were still meant to give us some excellent music in the decade ahead. In fact, for my money, the sixties were even better than the fifties. But, we’ll save that for a future post . . .

Finding The Inspiration To Write

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I mentioned a couple of weeks back that I might do a post on finding inspiration to write. So, as promised…

Personally, I find inspiration all over the place and in any number of different ways.  Particularly when it comes to finding what it is I want to write about. That can truly come from anywhere: a news story, a song on the radio, a conversation with a friend . . . I’ve already written posts about what inspired my first two novels but, this might be a good time to bring it up again.

The inspiration for The Four Corners struck as I was driving down the 101 freeway in Southern California and thinking about all the different lives that were being lived by the people that surrounded me at that moment. Specifically, I began to think about the home-lives of the people in the houses and apartment complexes that I was passing by. It struck me that some were happy homes and some were not. That led to pondering the many differences and, conversely, the many similarities that existed between them and what led to the contrasting outcomes. Ultimately, I realized that a lot of those households could be changed if the people in them were faced with an extreme circumstance that forced them to realize and admit to both themselves and to each other, how much they loved one another. Those thoughts led to a book. And, now I’m currently writing the next book in the same series, The Four Corners of Darkness.

Although the inspiration for The Gift of Tyler also hit me in the car, it was a completely different experience. For one thing, I wasn’t alone. In fact, I wasn’t even driving. I was in the backseat and my parents were in the front. I was visiting from Los Angeles and we had just been to dinner. The song “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” by Five For Fighting came on the radio. I had heard the song many times previously but, for some reason, the lyrics resonated with me on a far deeper level than they ever had before that moment. I was taken by the idea that being the most powerful person (human or not) on the planet could be difficult and extremely lonely. From there, I wondered what it would be like if someone grew up thinking everything was normal and then suddenly found themselves in the position those lyrics were referring to. A person in that scenario would be faced with a choice between using that power for the common good or for selfish gain. Three weeks later, I had completed a screenplay for The Gift of Tyler. In a couple of months, the next book in The Gift of the Elements series, The Gift of Rio, will be released and I’ve already outlined the third book, The Gift of Matthias.

The main takeaway is the simple fact that there is no way to know when or where the inspiration for a great new story is going to strike. But, when it does, it’s unavoidable. It’s also awesome. You wouldn’t want to avoid it if you could. That’s why it’s always smart to keep a notebook handy. Or, a voice recording app on your smartphone. Whatever works best. Just don’t miss the opportunity to grab a great idea while it’s there because they can be as fleeting as the memory of a great dream.

Then you begin the much lengthier process of turning that brilliant new idea into a full-fledged finished piece of work – whether it be a short story, a 600-page novel, or something in between. I’ve already done a blog post on writer’s block so, I’ll try not to be too redundant. My main point in that post was that I find writer’s block to be little more than a myth. Sure, some days writing comes easier than others. That can be as simple as mood. And, some pages are easier to write than others. It’s all part of the process.

Sometimes, you just need to clear your head. This can mean temporarily moving on to another project, whether the project be something else you’re writing or pulling some weeds in the garden. The bottom line is that a writer needs to let the process run its course without letting difficulty become an excuse for laziness. As I said in the writer’s block post, “Do whatever it takes: A walk in the woods, a lengthy prayer, some journaling at the beach, or, maybe you need the inspiration that another artist can provide – a song with a similar feeling to the one you’re trying to write about.” Even another book, a movie (could be just a scene) or a TV show that you know hits you with the same type of emotion that you’re trying to convey. I’m not suggesting plagiarism. Far from it. Don’t copy. Just use that other piece of work to get you where you need to be mentally and emotionally so that you can do your own work and convey the story and the message that you set out to from the first moment where you were originally inspired to write whatever it is you’re writing.

Find what works for you. And, it may be different on different days, with different projects, and on different pages. That’s okay. Again, it’s part of the process. Every great piece of literature and/or art has a story of its own. A journey that the writer or artist took to bring it to life. Don’t be afraid to take it. Embrace it. No matter how frustrating that experience can sometimes be, when you look back, it will also be part of the joy that piece gives you. And, whatever you’re working on can become the inspiration for someone else. Or, maybe even for yourself at some point.

That’s the beauty of art, of writing, and of being an artist or a writer.

 

(BACK TO “LIFE OF ELSTON”)

Some Of My Favorite Music From Before 1950

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Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big lover of music. It inspires me, helps me grieve, comforts me, and at times, even makes me laugh. So, I thought I would start a series of posts on my all-time favorite music. The only problem is, there’s way too much of it! Even when I try to narrow it down by decade, it’s a long list. But, that’s what I’ll be doing after this first post on the subject. Even then, it won’t be fully comprehensive. For now, let’s just look at some of the great music given to us before 1950.

While I appreciate classical music, and admire some of the great classical composers of the past like Beethoven, Chopin, Handel, Wagner, Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Schubert, and Rachmaninoff, it’s far less common for me to listen to unless I’m trying to get inspired while writing (which is something I’ll likely get into in further detail in a future post on finding inspiration for writing). Here, I’m primarily (but not exclusively) referring to more popular fare in my every day life. In fact, I’m also purposely excluding Christmas music. I’ll save that for a later post, too.

To look at some of that older, awesome, and relatively popular music, I must start all the way back in the 18th century with one of my favorite hymns: John Newton’s “Amazing Grace” (1779). Whether you’re a Christian or not, it’s unlikely you have been around on this planet for long and not heard that song. And, with good reason. Few songs cut to my core like that one does. You can’t help but feel Newton’s passion and gratefulness for God’s grace. This is a man who grew up without religious conviction and worked in the slave trade until his conversion and commitment to the study of Christian theology. This song looks back with deep conviction and appreciation for the moment that everything changed. When precious grace appeared, the hour he first believed.

Okay, now we can fast forward in time a little bit. But, not too far. The 19th century gave us some great music, too. Francis Scott Key delivered with “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814.) So did Stephen C. Foster with “Camptown Races” (1850,) Sarah Adams with “Nearer, My God to Thee” (1859,) Julia Ward Howe with “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” (1862,) Patrick S. Gilmore with “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” (1863,) and Johan Strauss II with “The Blue Danube” (1867.) Then T. Brigham Bishop gave us “Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me” (1869) and William Howard Doane supplied us with “Safe In The Arms of Jesus” (1870.) But, the 19th century was far from over. Arthur Sullivan kept it going with “Onward Christian Soldiers” (1871.) So did Brewster M. Higley with “Home on the Range” (1873,) Euphemia Allen with “Chopsticks” (1877,) Charles E. Pratt with “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” (1881,) Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with the “1812 Overture” (1882,) Percy Montrose with “Oh, My Darling Clementine” (1884,) J. Hanold Kendall with “Mary Had a Little Lamb” (1889,) Henry S. Miller with “The Cat Came Back” (1893,) Samuel A. Ward with “America the Beautiful” (1895,) and John Phillip Sousa with “Stars and Stripes Forever” (1896,) to name a few. Alright, that’s more than a few. But, to be fair, I did warn you this was a long list . . .

And, we’re not done yet. We are, however, finally headed into the 20th century. The first couple of decades were, for me, a bit sparser. However, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov provided us with “Flight of the Bumblebee” (1900) right away and Scott Joplin wasn’t too far behind him with “The Entertainer” (1902.) Then, Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tizer gave us “Take me Out to the Ball Game” (1908,) the Fisk University Singers delivered “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” (1909,) and Frederic Edward Weatherly supplied us with “Danny Boy” (1913.)

As the twenties began to roar, so did the music. Al Jolson hit the scene with songs like “April Showers” (1922,) “California, Here I Come” (1924) and “When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbin’ Along” (1926.) Bessie Smith came on strong, delivering “Downhearted Blues” (1923,) “St. Louis Blues” (1925,) “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” (1929) and, eventually, “Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl” (1931.). Plus, Gene Austin gave us “My Blue Heaven” (1927,) Blind Willie Johnson supplied us with “Motherless Children (1927,) Maurice Ravel gave us “Bolero” (1928) and Jimmie Rodgers delivered “In the Jailhouse Now” (1928.) The roaring twenties also introduced us to The Carter Family who gave us the songs “Keep on the Sunny Side” (1928) and “Can the Circle Be Unbroken (1935,) Cliff Edwards who delivered “Singing in the Rain” (with Annette Hanshaw, 1929) and “When You Wish Upon a Star” (1940) and, one of the all-time greats, Louis Armstrong who gave us “St. James Infirmary Blues” (1929); and “All of Me” (1932.)

While the stock market crashed in 1929, the music scene didn’t. The 1930’s had Harry Richman “Puttin on the Ritz” (1930,) Cab Calloway delivered “Minnie the Moocher” (1931,) Albert E. Brumley gave us “I’ll Fly Away” (1932,) and Ethel Waters provided “Stormy Weather” (1933.) The King of Swing, Benny Goodman delivered both “Moonglow” (1934) and Sing Sing Sing (1937.) Fred Astaire had us dancing “Cheek to Cheek” (1935) while Bing Crosby delivered “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime” (1932,) “Pennies From Heaven” (1936,) and eventually both “Swinging On A Star” (1944) and “Don’t Fence Me In” (1944.) Robert Johnson gave us “Sweet Home Chicago” (1936,) “Hellhound On My Trail” (1937,) “Cross Road Blues” (1937,) “Love in Vain” (1937,) and “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom” (1937.) The 1930’s also introduced us to the unique and unforgettable style of Billie Holiday who delivered brilliant songs like “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” (1937,) “The Very Thought of You” (1938,) “Strange Fruit” (1939,) “God Bless The Child” (1941,) “Gloomy Sunday” (1941,) and “I’ll Be Seeing You” (1944). And, finally, Judy Garland closed the 1930’s out with the timeless hit “Over The Rainbow” (1939.)

The 1940’s were ushered in by the likes of Jimmie Davis with “You Are My Sunshine” (1940,) Coleman Hawkins with “Body and Soul” (1940,) Artie Shaw and His Orchestra who gave us both “Frenesi” (1940) and “Star Dust” (1941,) and Glenn Miller who delivered both “In the Mood” (1940) and “Chattanooga Choo Choo” (1941.) Then Joseito Fernandez gave us “Guantanamera” (1941) and The Andrew Sisters delivered both “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (1941) and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me – 1942.) Soon after that, Harry James and Helen Forrest gave us “I’ve Heard That Song Before” (1943,) Doris Day joined Les Brown and his Orchestra to deliver “Sentimental Journey” (1945,) and Perry Como supplied us with the song “Till the End of Time” (1945.) Then we were blessed by the soft baritone voice of Nat King Cole on songs like “For Sentimental Reasons” (1946,) “Route 66” (1946); and “Nature Boy” (1948.) Next, we were introduced to one of the most important American singer/songwriters of the 20th century, Hank Williams, who delivered “Honky Tonkin’” (1948,) “I Saw the Light” (1948,) “My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It” (1949,) “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” (1949,) “Lovesick Blues” (1949,) and “Lost Highway” (1949.) Finally, to close out the 1940’s, Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five gave us “Saturday Night Fish Fry” (1949,) Vaugn Monroe” delivered “Riders in the Sky” (1949,) and an evolutionary process that started in 1885 with Carl Gustav Boberg was completed in 1949 when Stuart K. Hine blessed us all with another amazing and timeless classic hymn called “How Great Thou Art.”

Again, I warned you it was a long list. But, wait until we enter the 1950’s. Rock and roll is just getting started . . .