Some great musicians and a wonderful film star have passed.
These artists were the bassist for the Moody Blues; acted in The Godfather series of movies, Play It Again Sam, Reds, and many more; was the bassist for the Yardbirds and Box of Frogs; and was in Buddy Holly’s band the Crickets, and wrote the theme song for the Mary Tyler Moore Show.
This is a series of posts that will talk about my favorite songs that mention celebrities either in the title or lyrics. See if you agree with any of these!
“Buddy Holly” is a 1994 song by Weezer, written by frontman Rivers Cuomo, and released as the second single from their debut album, Weezer (The Blue Album); the track blends power pop and alternative rock with playful lyrics that reference pop culture, most notably name-dropping 1950s rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly and actress Mary Tyler Moore,
This “Stand Out Single” was number 1 on the U.S. Billboards Adult Contemporary and Hot 100 Charts, also in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Released in late 1971, “American Pie” is one of the most iconic songs in American music history, written and performed by Don McLean. The single was issued as two parts: “American Pie (Part 1)” as the A-side and “American Pie (Part 2)” as the B-side, both extracted from his second studio album American Pie (United Artists, 1971).
The original recording of “Running Bear” was performed by Johnny Preston.
“Running Bear” is a classic song written by J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper, in 1958. The song tells the tragic love story of Running Bear, a Native American man, and Little White Dove, a Native American girl from a rival tribe.
Far have I travelled and much have I seen, Dark distant mountains with valleys of green, Past painted deserts the sunsets on fire, As he carries me home to the Mull of Kintyre
Denny Laine was born Brian Frederick Arthur Hines on October 29, 1944 in the Channel Islands, England, to parents Herbert Edward Arthur Hines and Eva Lillian Hines (née Bassett). He grew up in Tyseley, Birmingham, England, where he attended Yardley Grammar School. He took up the guitar as a boy, inspired by gypsy jazz musician Django Reinhardt.
My boyfriend’s back he’s gonna save my reputation
(Hey-la-day-la my boyfriend’s back)
If I were you I’d take a permanent vacation
(Hey-la, hey-la, my boyfriend’s back)
Robert C. Feldman, commonly known as Bob Feldman, was a prominent American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Robert was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 14, 1940. He was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home and briefly studied to become a cantor.
My first inductee(s) for my Songwriters Award is Lennon and McCartney, John Lennon’s 2nd time and Paul McCartney’s 3rd time into Doyle’s Space Music Hall of Fame.
Lennon and McCartney complemented one another as personalities and as musicians. McCartney’s melodic facility smoothed over some of Lennon’s rougher edges. Lennon’s grit added texture and leavened some of McCartney’s more saccharine tendencies.
My second 2023 inductee, 14th overall, is Sir Paul McCartney. He is the first to be in my hall twice, once for The Beatles and now for his post-Beatle career.
The Beatles’ bassist, vocalist, and songwriter would continue solo beginning in 1970 at the sign of the break-up of the band. He would release his first LP, McCartney, a month before the release of The Beatles’ swansong Let It Be. The album, rich with experimentation, has McCartney performing all instruments and vocals himself, aside from some backing vocals performed by Linda McCartney. It also contained the song, “Maybe I’m Amazed”.
And so castles made of sand slips into the sea, eventually
My lucky 13th inductee, 1st for 2023, is one of the greatest guitar players ever. James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) was born at 10:15 a.m. on November 27, 1942, at Seattle’s King County Hospital.
