Jerry Leiber and Nickolas Ashford: remember them this way

2011/aug/23 -> guardian.co.uk

It's a sad day for anyone who loves classic pop and soul songwriting as two great practitioners of the art have died. Jerry Leiber, who passed away aged 78 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles of cardiopulmonary failure, made an indelible mark on pop with songs he created with his writing partner Mike Stoller in the late-50s and early-60s.

Nick Ashford, who died aged 70 in New York of throat cancer, wrote songs with his wife Valerie Simpson that similarly defined an era – the late-60s and early-70s. Here are some of their finest moments: please share your own below. Full obituaries will follow shortly.

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+ More about Jerry Leiber:

Beach Boys songcredits on YouKiwi: ©Jerry Leiber (Lyr)

(& Smokey Joe's Cafe was also a fave of The Beach Boys)

Most important: The team Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller wrote 90% of the music of The Coasters!

COSIMO MATASSA RECALLS ENGINEERING THE SOUND OF NEW ORLEANS

Born 13 April 1926, New Orleans, Louisiana. He 'invented' R&R together with Fats Domino in 1949

QUOTE:
As a self-taught engineer and studio operator, Matassa, 83, was pivotal in developing the New Orleans sound during the fertile rock and R&B era of the '50s and '60s. He has a more modest take.

"There were great musicians everywhere you turned," he says. "They made me look good."

7/17/2009

usatoday.com

+ wiki

+ pdf interview (May 4, 2007)

+ rockabilly.nl: COSIMO MATASSA

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF LES PAUL

(Among many things he invented also the harmonica holder.)



At the age of 10, Les Paul encountered his first musical problem.
You see, he had been playing the harmonica for a couple of years and had gotten pretty good.
But his new love was the guitar – specifically an acoustic one he had bought with money saved from his paper route in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

06.09.2010 Bryan Wawzenek
The Wizarding World of Les Paul

MAGIC TRANSISTOR RADIO: 20 GOOD VIBRATIONS RECORDED BY BRIAN WILSON AND THE BEACH BOYS

Originals, now on one cd!
Do You Wanna Dance ? - Bobby Freeman / The Wreck Of The John B - The Kingston Trio / Come Go With Me - The Del-Vikings / Bluebirds Over The Mountain - Ershel Hickey / Hully Gully - The Olympics / Sweet Little Sixteen - Chuck Berry / One Kiss Led To Another - The Coasters / A Casual Look - The Six Teens / Alley Oop - Dallas Frazier / I’m So Young - Naomi Wilson / Shortenin Bread - The Andrews Sisters / Why Do Fools Fall In Love? - Frankie Lymon And The Teenager / In The Still Of The Nite - The Fivesatins / Talk To Me - Little Willie John / Gee - The Crows / Cottonfields - Leadbelly / Riot In Cell Block No 9 - The Coasters / Tennesse Waltz - Patti Page / Graduation Day - Four Freshmen / Rock N Roll Music - Chuck Berry

Cherry Red Cecords
cherryred.co.uk

+ More originals / covers overview

CHESS KING (WILLIE DIXON)

The story goes that in 1964, when the Rolling Stones visited Chicago to record at Chess studios, they were startled to recognize the Chess label's biggest star, Muddy Waters, helping to load in their gear.
On the same visit the band encountered Waters's producer Willie Dixon, whose behavior similarly belied his already legendary status with blues fans: he tried to sell the group some of his songs.

March 25, 2010 Frank Youngwerth
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/chess-king/Content?oid=893564

BREAKING NEWS!: U.S. RELEASE DATE FINALLY ANNOUNCED FOR JOHN LENNON BIOPIC 'NOWHERE BOY'

We've just gotten word from Weinstein Co., distributor in the U.S. for "Nowhere Boy," the drama about the pre-Beatles Liverpool life of John Lennon, that a big-screen release date for the film here has been announced.
The film will be released in America on Oct. 8, the day before what would have been his 70th birthday.

March 24, 3:03 PM Steve Marinucci
http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner~y2010m3d24-BREAKING-NEWS-US-release-date-finally-announced-for-John-Lennon-biopic-Nowhere-Boy

RETROFLECTIONS: AMERICAN BANDSTAND

From out of the blue today I was on the internet and this song came on…
We’re going We’re goin’ hoppin’, We’re goin’ hoppin’ today, Where things are poppin’ The philadelphia way, We’re gonna drop in , On all the music they play, On the bandstand –bandstand and it got me thinking…

Mar.04, 2010 Tyler Woods
http://tucsoncitizen.com/retroflections/2010/03/04/american-bandstand/

+ American Bandstand
http://www.pophistorydig.com/?tag=american-bandstand-mtv

81 SONGS THAT INSPIRED THE BEATLES EARLY YEARS

Disc 1
Big Joe Turner - Shake Rattle & Roll
Duane Eddy - Cannonball
Larry Williams - Short Fat Fannie
Chuck Berry - Johnny B Goode
Danny & The Juniors - At The Hop
Little Richard - Rip It Up
Hank Williams - Take These Chains
Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On
Lonnie Donegan - Digging My Potatoes
Guy Mitchell - Knee Deep In The Blues
Buddy Holly - Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues
Fred Astaire - Crazy Feet
Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes
Chuck Berry - Maybelline
Lloyd Price - Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Little Richard - Kansas City
Leadbelly - Take This Hammer
Elvis Presley - That S All Right Mama
Cliff Richard - Move It

Disc 2
Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love
Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
Gene Vincent - Be Bop A Lula
Little Richard - Lucille
Leadbelly - Midnight Special
Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen
Ray Charles - Hallelujah, I Love Her So
Elvis Presley - Shake Rattle & Roll
Stan Kenton - The Peanut Vendor
Bing Crosby - When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Buddy Holly - That Ll Be The Day
Jerry Lee Lewis - Fools Like Me
Conway Twitty - It s Only Make Believe
Little Richard - Slippin & Slidin
Bobby Darin - Queen Of The Hop
Elvis Presley - (You Re So Square) Baby I Don't Care
Chuck Berry - Schooldays
Tex Ritter - Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling
Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In (Third Man Theme)

Disc 3
Guy Mitchell - Singing The Blues
Jimmie Davis - You Are My Sunshine
Original Dixieland Jazz Band - Tiger Rag
Jerry Lee Lewis - High School Confidential
Screamin Jay Hawkins - Little Demon
Elvis Presley - Don T Be Cruel
Carl Perkins - Your True Love
Little Richard - Jenny Jenny
Hank Williams - Low Down Blues
Duane Eddy - Ramrod
Lonnie Donnegan - Rock Island Line
Carl Perkins - Right String, Wrong Yo Yo
Chuck Berry - Rock & Roll Music
Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away
Perry Como - Catch A Falling Star
Elvis Presley - I Got Stung
Louis Armstrong - St Louis Blues
Little Richard - Send Me Some Lovin
Rev Gary Davis - Cocaine Blues
Chuck Berry - You Can T Catch Me
George Formby - Leaning On A Lamp Post

Disc 4
Bill Doggett - Honky Tonk Part 1 & 2
Gene Vincent - Lotta Lovin
Little Richard - Miss Ann
Elvis Presley - True Love
Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls Of Fire
Howlin Wolf - Smokestack Lightning
Chuck Berry - Brown Eyed Handsome Man
Carl Perkins - Gone Gone Gone
Elvis Presley - My Baby Left Me
Carl Perkins - Sure To Fall (In Love With You)
Lonnie Donnegan - Midnight Special
Buddy Holly - Maybe Baby
Louis Armstrong - Mack The Knife
Little Richard - Long Tall Sally
Big Joe Turner - Honey Hush
Judy Garland & Johnny Mercer - Friendship
Elvis Presley - Milk Cow Blues
Duke Ellington - Tiger Rag
Chuck Berry - Thirty Days
Tommy Dorsey - Tea For Two
Nbc Symphony Orchestra - Adagio For Strings

2009
http://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Day-Originals/dp/B002QXINGM

+ John Lennon's Jukebox (incl. 41 songs)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/shows/lennon/index.html

HOUND DOG

The Leiber & Stoller Autobiography

In 1950 a couple of rhythm and blues-loving teenagers named Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller met for the first time.
Leiber was looking for someone to help compose music for lyrics he'd written, and a friend recommended a piano player named Mike Stoller.

June 2009
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Hound-Dog/Jerry-Leiber/9781416566809

THE TOP 5 LES PAUL SONGS YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO (AND WATCH) RIGHT NOW

Sites and sounds you don't want to miss from a career filled with memorable highlights

Les Paul was not only a music icon, but without him music recording as we know it today, would not exist.
If you are a musician or work in the industry, not a day goes by that you aren’t touched by something Paul influenced.

Katy Hatley, 08/14/2009
http://www.collegenews.com/index.php?/ear_candy/5_favories_from_guitar_hero_les_paul_986838383/

+ update 2009-08
http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php?PHPSESSID=0b3db25eb386fb326da0d3b6046a0441&topic=7680.0

THE BEACH BOYS AND MYTHIC CALIFORNIA

In his new book, Golden Dreams: California in an Age of Abundance, 1950-1963, University of Southern California professor Kevin Starr writes about California in the years directly after World War II—about the hot rods, surfing, and romance that were at the center of the Silent Generation’s high school years—and about the creation of an idealized California.

July 14, 2009 Megan Branch
http://blog.oup.com/2009/07/golden_dreams/

+ http://www.warwicks.indiebound.com/event/kevin-starr

SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME 2009 SCHOLARSHIPS AND HOLLY PRIZE

Quote:
"Buddy Holly was one of music's true pioneers. His unique style and all-around talent as a songwriter, performer and producer is still a major influence on today's music.
He was committed to controlling his own artistry and to helping other young musicians do the same. We are thrilled that Songwriters Hall of Fame wants to recognize that same spirit in the next generation of songwriters," says Jennifer Cohen, Managing Partner of Songmasters.

2009 jun 10 BMNN
http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6413

The roots of doo-wop music and harmony singing

2008 june Hilton1949

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/music_rock/watch/v16393531yBC2MWYx#watch%3Dv894391bjGEyG7k

LEGENDARY SURFERS

A Definitive History of Surfing's Culture and Heroes

Contents:
Roots of Surf Music
The Bel Airs and the South Bay
Dick Dale and the Orange County
Posers and Wannabees
The Beach Boys
Early '60s Youth Culture
Surf Music Industry
Surf Music's Demise

1992-2008 Malcolm Gault-Williams
http://www.legendarysurfers.com/surf/legends/lsc212.html

ROCKS BACK PAGES LINKS

14,000 articles, interviews and reviews from the world's best music writers and critics, from the late 1950s to the present day.

http://www.rocksbackpages.com/artist.html?ArtistID=wilson_brian

http://www.rocksbackpages.com/artist.html?ArtistID=wilson_dennis

http://www.rocksbackpages.com/artist.html?ArtistID=beachboys

CAROL KAYE FIRST CALL L.A. STUDIO BASSIST

Carol Kaye worked extensively with Phil Spector, Brian Wilson, Lee Hazlewood, and other top producers in the 1960s, although she was a straight jazz player when she started guesting on rock dates in the late 1950s.

2009 Apr 19 Richie Unterberger
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=34278

PROFESSOR LONGHAIR THE “REAL KING OF ROCK & ROLL”

Okay, children, sit up and pay attention. It’s music history time.

There are many who claim the title of the “King of Rock & Roll.” Carl Perkins, Elvis, Little Richard, but for those who really know the score, the “Real King of Rock & Roll” was Henry Roeland Byrd, more universally known as “Professor Longhair.”

2009 Apr 6 oldsalt1942.wordpress.com
http://oldsalt1942.wordpress.com/2009/04/06/professor-longhair-the-real-king-of-rock-roll/

The Beat Generation Multi Media Pages

Beat Generation Quotes:

"Who are all these strange ghosts rooted to the silly little adventure of earth with me?"— Jack Kerouac

"Rather, I think one should write, as nearly as possible, as if he were the first person on earth and was humbly and sincerly putting on paper that which he saw and experienced and loved and lost; what his passing thoughts were and his sorrows and desires."— Neal Cassady to Jack Kerouac

http://www.kerouacalley.com/main.html

+ http://beatpatrol.wordpress.com/category/the-beats/jack-kerouac/

VOCAL GROUPS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Puerling
http://www.singers.com/arrangers/genepuerling.html

http://cbvocalgroups.blogspot.com/2007/11/hi-los.html
http://www.thehi-los.com/
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/el/artists/hilos.htm

http://www.fourfreshmen.com/
http://www.answers.com/topic/the-four-freshmen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Freshmen

http://www.clarkburroughs.com/
http://www.answers.com/clark%20burroughs

http://www.singers.com/jazz/singersunlimited.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Singers_Unlimited
http://www.a-cappella.com/category/singers_unlimited

http://www.rosemaryclooney.com/

http://www.gigsalad.com/Singers

http://www.singers.com/arrangers.html

WHERE DID CAR SONGS GO?

Back in the mid 50’s through the late 60’s, when rock and roll was in its infancy, singers like Jan and Dean, The Beach Boys, and Ronny and the Daytonas sang about how cool it was to own a fast car.
Hell, the Beach Boys even sang about just the engine in their song called “409″.

2009 Mar 19 - David Clarke
http://blog.cardomain.com/2009/03/19/where-did-car-songs-go/

+ http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070801/AUTO05/708010375