JOE TROIANO'S BLOG ("KEEPING THE MUSIC ALIVE")

TRIVIA TEASER-530

joetroiano — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:08:24 +0000

HI…TODAY’S TRIVIA TEASER QUESTION IS: IN 1957 RICKY NELSON CHARTED HIS FIRST HIT SINGLE RECORD…A TEENAGER’S ROMANCE / I’M WALKING…BOTH BILLBOARD TOP 10 HITS…CAN YOU NAME HIS NEXT SINGLE RECORD…IT BECAME A #14 HIT ON THE BILLBOARD TOP 100 ALSO IN 1957?

THE ANSWER IS PRINTED BELOW

TILL THE NEXT TIME—JOE

ANSWER: YOU’RE MY ONE AND ONLY LOVE

“MONA LISA”–NAT KING COLE / CARL MANN / CONWAY TWITTY

joetroiano — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:57:55 +0000

One great song two very different versions, both big hits. Nat King Cole charted his classic version of…MONA LISA in 1950. His version became a #1 hit on both the Billboard R&B and Pop charts. The single record on Capitol Records (F1010) became a #1 R&B hit for 4 weeks and a #1 Pop hit for 8 weeks. Nat’s version sold over 1 million copies and was awarded a “Gold Record”. He also won a “Grammy: Hall of Fame” award. The song was featured in the movie…”Captain Carey, U.S.A. starring Alan Ladd.

Carl Mann charted a rock-a-billy version in 1959. His recording on Phillips Records (3539) became a #24 Billboard R&B hit and a #25 Billboard Hot 100 hit. Carl’s version of MONA LISA remained on the Hot 100 for 16 weeks.

Conway Twitty charted his version of MONA LISA also in 1959. Conway’s version on MGM Records (12804) charted at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on th e chart for 12 weeks.

Three versions of one classic song…pick your favorite…all three are here for you enjoyment.

Nat King Cole – Mona Lisa-1950 #1 R&B and Pop (Capitol Records)

Carl Mann – Mona Lisa – 1959

Conway Twitty – Mona Lisa – 1959

Till the next time—Joe

TRIVIA TEASER-529

joetroiano — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:36:15 +0000

HI, TODAY’S TRIVIA TEASER QUESTION IS: IN APRIL OF 1971 THE FEMALE VOCAL TRIO FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA…THE HONEY CONE CHARTED A HIT RECORD THAT WOULD BECOME A #1 R&B AND HOT 100 RECORD. CAN YOU NAME THIS MILLION SELLER?

THE ANSWER IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST

TILL THE NEXT TIME—JOE

ANSWER: WANT ADS

CLASSIC “SONG OF THE DAY”–THE CRESCENDOS–”OH JULIE”

joetroiano — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:02:35 +0000

One of my favorite tunes from the teen years is this great classic…OH JULIE by The Crescendos on the Nasco Records label (6005). The single record charted on January 6, 1958 and climbed the Billboard Top 100 chart to #5. The record crossed over to the Billboard R&B chart on January 27, 1958 and became a #4 hit record. Record sales topped 1 million and The Crescendos were awarded a gold record.

Members included…George Lanius, James Lanius, Ken Brigham, Tom Fortner and Jim Hall. George Lanius died in 1996 at the age of 56. The female voice on the record is Janice Green. The flip-side of the record is…MY LITTLE GIRL, it did not chart. The Crescendos did not chart any other hit records, but their one big hit…is a classic!!!!

CLICK THE TITLE BELOW…THE CRESCENDOS ARE SINGING…”OH JULIE”…JUST FOR YOU.

The Crescendos – Oh Julie

Till the next time—Joe

TRIVIA TEASER-528

joetroiano — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:31:22 +0000

Today’s TRIVIA TEASER question is: In 1959 Wilbert Harrison charted his #1 Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard R&B hit…KANSAS CITY on Fury Records (1023). His next Hot 100 hit would chart in December of 1969 on Sue Records (11). Can you name the record that became a #32 hit on the Billboard Hot 100?

THE ANSWER IS BELOW

Till the next time—Joe

ANSWER: LET’S WORK TOGETHER

THE PENTAGONS–”TO BE LOVED (FOREVER)”

joetroiano — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:34:24 +0000

The Pentagons are an R&B/Doo-Wop group from San Bernadion, California. Members included Josephus Jones-lead vocal, half-brother Otis Munson and brothers Ken and Ted Goodloe. Ken Goodloe passed away in 2008 at the age of 60.

The groups biggest pop hit is their 1961 classic…TO BE LOVED (FOREVER) on Donna Records (1337). The record was first released on Fleetwood International (100) in 1960. The single charted on February 20, 1961, climbing the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at #48. The Pentagons hit remained on the Hot 100 for 10 weeks. The flip-side of the single record is DOWN AT THE BEACH, it did not chart.

In October of 1961 the group charted their second single record…I WONDER (IF YOUR LOVE WILL EVER BELONG TO ME) on Jamie Records (1201). The single record charted at #84 on the Hot 100 and stayed on the pop chart for 5 weeks. The flip-side…SHE’S MINE did not chart.

The Pentagons did not chart any other hits, they should have, because they were that good. Their classic…TO BE LOVED (FOREVER) is an oldies and doo-wop classic that should have been even bigger in 1960 than it was. Thanks to oldies radio and internet oldies and doo-wop stations, the record has reached a new audience and lives in the ‘GOLDEN ERA OF ROCK AND ROLL”.

CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW…THE PENTAGONS ARE SINGING THEIR CLASSIC…”TO BE LOVED (FOREVER) JUST FOR YOU.

The Pentagons – To Be Loved (Forever)

Till the next time—Joe

TRIVIA TEASER-527

joetroiano — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:07:00 +0000

WELCOME TO TRIVIA TEASER…TODAY’S QUESTION IS…THE JIVE FIVE.. R&B VOCAL GROUP FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CHARTED A #3 BILLBOARD HOT 100 HIT IN 1961 WITH THEIR CLASSIC HIT RECORD…”MY TRUE STORY” (Beltone 1006), #3 ON THE HOT 100 AND #1 ON THE BILLBOARD R&B CHART. CAN YOU NAME THE FAMOUS LEAD SINGER OF THE GROUP?

THE ANSWER IS AT THE BOTTON OF THE POST

TILL THE NEXT TIME—JOE

ANSWER: EUGENE PITT

PLEASE JOIN ME ON THE “DOO-WOP CAFE”–SATURDAY 2/11…11AM-1PM

joetroiano — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:33:47 +0000

PLEASE JOIN ME THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11 ON THE DOO-WOP CAFE…JOE TROIANO’S…”CAFE MEMORIES”, BRINGING YOU THE BEST DOO-WOP ON THE NET. HOPE YOU CAN BE THERE AND ALSO JOIN ME ON OUR CHAT LINE…PLEASE STOP BY AND SAY HELLO!!!

TILL THE NEXT TIME—JOE

www.doowopcafe.net

BUDDY HOLLY, BIG BOPPER, RITCHIE VALENS—2/3/1959

joetroiano — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:11:05 +0000

Last Friday on February 3…marked 53 years since the tragic airplane crash took the lives of three of the biggest stars of Rock and Roll…BUDDY HOLLY…BIG BOPPER and RITCHIE VALENS. They lost their lives in a plan crash near Mason City, Iowa. The world grew a little sadder that day when news of their death flooded the air-waves…their star status…lifted to legendary…their music was of course, “original in sound”, each so very distinctive.

THE ”GOLDEN ERA OF ROCK AND ROLL” IS PROUD TO PRESENT A FEW OF THEIR CLASSIC HITS…LONG MAY THE MUSIC AND THEIR MEMORY LIVE…THEIR SONGS HAVE TOUCHED US ALL!!!

Big Bopper - Chantily Lace – 1958 Mercury Records

Big Bopper - Big Bopper’s Wedding – 1958 Mercury Records

Ritchie Valens – La Bamba – 1958 Del-Fi Records

Ritchie Valens – Donna – 1958 Del-Fi Records

Buddy Holly – Everyday – 1957 Coral Records

Buddy Holly – Maybe Baby – 1958 Brunswick Records (The Crickets)

LEGENDS LIVE FOREVER…

Till the next time—Joe

TRIVIA TEASER-526

joetroiano — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:47:40 +0000

HI, TODAY’S TRIVIA TEASER QUESTION IS: THE FOUR TOPS FIRST #1 HIT RECORD BECAME A #1 HIT ON BOTH THE BILLBOARD HOT 100 AND THE BILLBOARD R&B CHART. CAN YOU NAME THIS FOUR TOPS, MOTOWN CLASSIC FROM 1965?

THE ANSWER IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST

TILL THE NEXT TIME—JOE

ANSWER: I CAN’T HELP MYSELF…#1 FOR 2 WEEKS ON THE HOT 100 AND #1 FOR 9 WEEKS ON THE R&B CHART.