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Author
Series
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English
Description
We conclude our four part Hall of Fame spotlight on Frank Sinatra's career with more little known details about the man and his music. In this installment, you'll hear about the post-Columbia Records days when he was no longer in demand. He had no hits and no record contract — that is, until Capitol Records came calling and everything changed.
You'll learn what it meant for a songwriter to have one of their songs recorded by Frank and why Sinatra...
You'll learn what it meant for a songwriter to have one of their songs recorded by Frank and why Sinatra...
Author
Series
Language
English
Description
Harry Belafonte didn't start out with a dream of being a singer. He wanted to be an actor, and studied theater for five years in New York. Unable to find work as an actor, he had to choose between abandoning dreams of being a performer entirely, or find a new area of entertainment to pursue. Opportunity struck when he was offered a chance to be an intermission singer at a local jazz club, and his singing talent began to catch on.
In a conversation...
In a conversation...
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Series
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English
Description
Ella Fitzgerald's career began at various amateur nights around New York City, most famously at the Apollo Theater in 1934. From those early days, Fitzgerald grew to be an iconic jazz singer and the First Lady of Song.
In the spring of 1983, Fitzgerald sat down for a conversation with Wink Martindale. She discusses how her career began and some of her first hits including "A-Tistket, A-Tasket." We also hear about some artists she's a fan of and...
In the spring of 1983, Fitzgerald sat down for a conversation with Wink Martindale. She discusses how her career began and some of her first hits including "A-Tistket, A-Tasket." We also hear about some artists she's a fan of and...
Author
Series
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English
Description
Sammy Davis Jr. was, quite literally, born into show business. As part of a well-known vaudeville family, he began performing when he was just four years old and never seemed to slow down. From stage to studio to screen the singer, dancer, musician and actor travelled all over the world entertaining millions.
Wink Martindale spoke with the charming Davis at his Beverly Hills home in 1976. Davis reflects on his experiences as a performer, his success...
Wink Martindale spoke with the charming Davis at his Beverly Hills home in 1976. Davis reflects on his experiences as a performer, his success...
5) Ray Anthony
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Series
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English
Description
For his fifth birthday, Ray Anthony's father bought him a trumpet. It wasn't until the age of 12 when his trumpet was hidden as a punishment that he realized he couldn't live without it.
Anthony opened up to Wink Martindale in this interview from 1978 about joining the Al Donahue Orchestra at the age of 17, getting fired from the Glenn Miller Band and the popularity of the Bunny Hop. He also talks about the sound of Glenn Miller and what makes...
Anthony opened up to Wink Martindale in this interview from 1978 about joining the Al Donahue Orchestra at the age of 17, getting fired from the Glenn Miller Band and the popularity of the Bunny Hop. He also talks about the sound of Glenn Miller and what makes...
6) Lou Rawls
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Series
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English
Description
Lou Rawls got his start as a church choir boy. He performed a wide variety of musical styles including gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and blues for movies, TV shows, commercials and numerous successful albums.
In an interview with host Wink Martindale, Rawls discusses the many changes in the way music was created and performed throughout his career, his plentiful awards and accolades and his early life growing up in Chicago.
In an interview with host Wink Martindale, Rawls discusses the many changes in the way music was created and performed throughout his career, his plentiful awards and accolades and his early life growing up in Chicago.
7) Glenn Miller
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Series
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English
Description
Despite his first orchestra being a complete failure, Glenn Miller grew to become arguably one of the most famous big band leaders. Following this early stumble, Miller launched his second band in March of 1938 and went on to achieve great success before his tragic disappearance in 1944.
George T. Simon, big band expert, critic, author and a close friend to Glenn Miller, provides listeners with on an overview of Miller's career. In his conversation...
George T. Simon, big band expert, critic, author and a close friend to Glenn Miller, provides listeners with on an overview of Miller's career. In his conversation...
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English
Description
In Part 2 we hear about Welk from his manager Sam Lutz and others that played an important part in his career. We also hear from Lawrence Welk in a conversation he had with Wink Martindale in 1973.
Welk shares stories of numerous performances across the country, his time on tour and interactions with his fans. He also discusses his television career and his eventual return to recording music with Dot Records.
Welk shares stories of numerous performances across the country, his time on tour and interactions with his fans. He also discusses his television career and his eventual return to recording music with Dot Records.
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Series
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English
Description
"It's a Blue World" brought The Four Freshmen onto the charts and into the spotlight in 1952. In the years that followed, the band went through numerous lineup changes but never lost the sound that made them famous.
Wink Martindale spoke with original members Bob Flanigan and Ross Barbour in 1973 about their career and the lasting influence they had on musical acts that followed. The fascinating discussion includes colorful stories from the band's...
Wink Martindale spoke with original members Bob Flanigan and Ross Barbour in 1973 about their career and the lasting influence they had on musical acts that followed. The fascinating discussion includes colorful stories from the band's...
10) Ray Conniff
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Series
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English
Description
Ray Conniff got his start arranging and conducting for other recording artists. His success working for others eventually led to Columbia allowing him to record an album under his own name which was released to great success and acclaim.
Conniff was the first artist to use voices and vocal arrangements as part of the instrumentation. In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Conniff discusses his unique sound, evolving his style and his passion...
Conniff was the first artist to use voices and vocal arrangements as part of the instrumentation. In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Conniff discusses his unique sound, evolving his style and his passion...
11) The Carpenters
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Series
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English
Description
In a time when hard rock was all the rage, The Carpenters were bringing a softer sound to the airwaves of the 1970s. While many artists churned out new music constantly, they took a different approach. They waited for a great song with a great sound to come together, only putting out a new song when they were sure they were putting out a hit.
Siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter sat down with Wink Martindale in 1970 during the success of Close...
Siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter sat down with Wink Martindale in 1970 during the success of Close...
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Series
Language
English
Description
In February 1964, The Beatles made their TV debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, catching the attention of Bob Eubanks. Wink Martindale catches up with Eubanks in an interview from 1977 about The Beatles playing the Hollywood Bowl.
He discusses having second thoughts about booking them for the concert and then selling out in 3.5 hours. He explains how increasingly more difficult it became over the years to sneak The Beatles out of the venue. Eubanks...
He discusses having second thoughts about booking them for the concert and then selling out in 3.5 hours. He explains how increasingly more difficult it became over the years to sneak The Beatles out of the venue. Eubanks...
13) Andy Williams
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Series
Language
English
Description
Andy Williams got his start doing anonymous voice tracks for movies in the 1940s. He got his start singing at teas with his brother, and then made a move to singing on radio in Des Moines, Iowa and Chicago. Finally, Williams found his way to New York where he started to really focus on his singing career.
Television played an instrumental role in Williams' success. His big breakthrough came as a singer on The Tonight Show starring Steve Allen....
Television played an instrumental role in Williams' success. His big breakthrough came as a singer on The Tonight Show starring Steve Allen....
14) Peggy Lee
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Series
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English
Description
Norma Deloris Egstrom grew up far away from the big city life where her future would take her. While still a teenager, she left her small town of Jamestown, North Dakota to audition for WDAY in Fargo. An hour later, she found herself on the air and with a brand new name courtesy of radio personality Ken Kennedy – Peggy Lee.
The singer, songwriter and actress sat with Wink Martindale in her Hollywood Hills home in 1975 and reflected on the early...
The singer, songwriter and actress sat with Wink Martindale in her Hollywood Hills home in 1975 and reflected on the early...
15) Paul Anka
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Series
Language
English
Description
Paul Anka recorded his first single at the age of just 14. In addition to his success as a performer, Anka was also an accomplished songwriter. His credits include the theme song for Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and one of Tom Jones' biggest hits, "She's A Lady."
In this 1977 interview, Wink Martindale takes listeners on an extensive survey of the singer's long and successful career. From his first taste of fame with the single "Diana" to...
In this 1977 interview, Wink Martindale takes listeners on an extensive survey of the singer's long and successful career. From his first taste of fame with the single "Diana" to...
16) Natalie Cole
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Series
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English
Description
Before the daughter of Nat "King" Cole ever sang for an audience, she was lip-syncing in front of her bedroom mirror to the Supremes. Natalie Cole, the second of five children said her parents raised her to work hard for what she wanted.
The award-winning artist sat down with Wink Martindale to discuss what it was like growing up in a house filled with music. In this intimate conversation from the 1970s, she also reflects on her good friend Stevie...
The award-winning artist sat down with Wink Martindale to discuss what it was like growing up in a house filled with music. In this intimate conversation from the 1970s, she also reflects on her good friend Stevie...
17) Jerry Vale
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Series
Language
English
Description
Jerry Vale always knew that he wanted to sing. His tremendous vocal talent and charismatic personality allowed the crooner to impress both in recording and in live performances as he toured all over the country and regularly topped the pop charts throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
In this conversation with Wink Martindale, Vale discusses his career as a performer, some of his most popular recordings and the people that helped him in his professional...
In this conversation with Wink Martindale, Vale discusses his career as a performer, some of his most popular recordings and the people that helped him in his professional...
18) Bobby Goldsboro
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Series
Language
English
Description
Bobby Goldsboro describes the first song he ever wrote with a laugh as "one of the worst you've ever heard." Though those first attempts at songwriting weren't exactly successful, he went on to enjoy a wildly successful career including the chart-topping hit "Honey," which sold more than a million copies in the United States.
In the height of his popularity in 1973, Goldsboro sat down with Wink Martindale to discuss his wildly successful...
In the height of his popularity in 1973, Goldsboro sat down with Wink Martindale to discuss his wildly successful...
19) Gordon Jenkins
Author
Series
Language
English
Description
Gordon Jenkins arranged for legendary musicians, recorded a dozen hit singles including "P.S. I Love You" and "Blue Prelude" and a host of other accomplishments in the world of music. The arranger, composer and pianist was influential throughout the 40s and 50s.
Despite his many musical talents, Jenkins discusses his desire but unfortunate inability to sing. In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Jenkins talks about his expansive musical...
Despite his many musical talents, Jenkins discusses his desire but unfortunate inability to sing. In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Jenkins talks about his expansive musical...
20) Wayne Newton
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Series
Language
English
Description
An in-depth examination of the career of Wayne Newton featuring extensive interviews with Newton
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