Thanks for the thread!Those RRRRs said:
Bill Black, who played dog-house” (stand up) bass for Elvis in the early years, and later formed his own combo was well known for his friendliness and humor. Author Robert Gordon put it well when he said that, "Bill Black was an extremely affable, warm-hearted, and humorous guy who loved and appreciated the craziness in rock and roll." Scotty Moore, Elvis’ guitar lead, was quoted as saying… while on tour with Elvis “Bill would start riding the bass and clowning, and get the crowd loosened up. Once he'd done that, then Elvis would have them in the palm of his hand. He was winding them up for us." Sam Phillips (Sun Records) has been quoted as saying, "Bill was one of the worst bass players in the world, technically, but man, could he slap that thing!" Black usually played a simple but very effective 'plodding' bass line which contributed to his later success. The Bill Black Combo scored numerous instrumental hits in the early '60s, including "Smokie," (Top 10), "White Silver Sands," "Josephine," "Don't Be Cruel," "Blue Tango," and "Hearts of Stone."amfmsw said:
"Little Bitty Pretty One", written and originally recorded by Bobby Day, was released on Aladdin 3398 backed with “I Hope You Won’t Hold It Against Me” in 1957. The A side was a hit for Thurston Harris; #6 on Billboard Hot 100, #2 on the Rhythm ‘N’ Blues charts, and a #5 Best Seller. The song is unusual in that the entire song is played with a single chord, F. There were notable covers by Frankie Lymon in 1958, Clyde McPhatter in 1962, the Jackson Five in 1972.amfmsw said:
"What a Wonderful World" was written specifically for Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong by Thiele and Weiss, it was released as a single on ABC in 1967. Although it sold fewer than 1,000 copies in the US, it was a major success in the UK, reaching #1 on the UK singles chart. It was also the biggest-selling single of 1968 in the UK. The song gradually became something of a standard and reached a new level of popularity. In 1988 Louis Armstrong's 1967 recording was featured in the film "Good Morning Vietnam" and was rereleased as a single. Armstrong’s original 1967 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1999.amfmsw said:
"Twist and Shout" was written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell. Phil Spector produced a version of "Twist And Shout" for Atlantic in 1961. This was before Spector perfected his "Wall of Sound" technique, and the recording lacked all of the energy the group exhibited in its live performances. When songwriter Bert Berns heard the final mix, he told Spector that he had "[messed] up the song," and predicted a quick demise for the single. When the Isley Brothers decided to record the song in 1962, Berns opted to produce, and thus demonstrate to Spector what he had intended to be the "sound" of the record. The resulting recording captured the verve of an Isley Brothers performance, and became the trio's first record to reach a Top 40 position in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.Those RRRRs said:
Thanks, "Those RRRRs", but I am far from being an expert. I just have a love for music (especially early R&R), its artists and trivia. I too have learned from this thread.Those RRRRs said:
Fats Domino recorded a few songs beginning with, “When…”. “When My Dreamboat Comes Home”, released on Imperial 5396, (#2 R&B, #14 Pop in 1956). Also, “When I See You”, Imperial 5454 in 1957, (#14 R&B, #29 Pop). Finally, “When The Saints Go Marching In”, Imperial 5569, only reached #50 on the Pop charts.amfmsw said: