The horrific plane crash that killed singer Buddy Holly also claimed the life of the pilot and two other musicians. Richie Valens story was told in the 1980s movie “La Bamba”. I understand that there is supposed to be a movie about the life of The Big Bopper as well, but I haven’t seen it and do not know the title. However, like Buddy Holly, he had songs that will live forever. What follows is his hit CHANTILLY LACE.

The 1950s were a great time for beautiful music, and this song is one of the best. Performed here by Patti Page, THE TENNESSEE WALTZ has become a time honored classic. Many artists, up to and including Bonnie Rait, have performed it over the years, but none have even come close to the pure, honest sound as performed in this video clip from 1950. Even with the poor sound quality because of the recording, it doesn’t get much better than this. I hope you enjoy it!

These days, particularly since Rap became popular among those with no taste and a bad sense of hearing, harmonizing seems to be a more or less lost art form. Well, if you want to listen to (c)Rap, that’s up to you. There was a time, during the transitional period just before rock became a big thing, that harmony was everything. The Penguins were experts at harmony, as their performance of the classic song EARTH ANGEL shows. This song was highlighted in the “Back to the Future” movie, by the way.

I had to do some serious looking for this one, because, believe it or not, I managed to forget that the singer was Tennessee Ernie Ford. I found this song in several other incarnations, including renditions by Johnny Cash and Rockapella, but this one just isn’t right with any other singer, no matter how good they may be. This song was a major hit back in 1955. Most people since grew up hearing it. My grandchildren, however, had not heard it until today, so this one is for them. Enjoy!

These days, western music seems to blend into country music to the point that they are indistinguishable. However, there was a time not so long ago when western music, REAL western music, was as distinct as any other genre. In this version of the classic “Do Not Forsake Me” (Theme song for the movie HIGH NOON) Tex Ritter does an excellent job of showing what a real western song ought to sound like. I loved the movie, I love the song, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

No one will ever be able to argue that the great voice of Mario Lanza brought much to the music world. This rare clip from the 1950s shows him singing one of his best. It is recorded in the original Italian. We hope it brings you as much joy as it brings us every time we hear it…. SANTA LUCIA.

Frank Sinatra has always been a favorite. In this version of MOON RIVER, his softer style comes through admirably. He was one of the few singers of his time who could do both smooth, soft songs and power songs with the same result… great music. We hope you enjoy this as much as we do.

Most people can’t quite place the name. Humorous music has been around since WAY before Weird Al (although my grandkids would argue that point). Sheb Wooley was responsible for one of the classic great comedy songs of all time, FLYING PURPLE PEOPLE EATER. You may not have heard of him but I bet you recognize his work:) The song was released in the late fifties, and very few people managed to make it through life this far without hearing it. For those of you musically deprived folks who have no clue what I am talking about, here is the classic clip.

Watching the Lawrence Welk show may seem dull to today’s generation, but there isn’t a member of this family from ANY generation that isn’t familiar with the closing credits theme from the show, which I have here today. We still watch the show every week when it airs on PBS. Hope this brings back fond memories for you as well!

First, sorry it’s been a while since my last post. Things have been purely hectic around here. So, on to the song of the day… Kay Starr recorded The Rock and Roll Waltz in the fifties, and even a lot of today’s generation still think it’s a completely cool song… if you can talk to them where their friends can’t hear, of course:)