Vinyl Record Lovers Newsletter
Issue 020, June 28, 2013

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Vinyl Record Lovers

Issue #020, June 28, 2013

Welcome to my Vinyl Record Lovers Newsletter and thank you for subscribing. I do appreciate the time you take to read my newsletter.

In this Issue:

---Welcome, Hamilton, Ohio class of 1962.

---Original Rockabilly bassist dies.

---What happened to all the Grand old movie theaters?

---Let's move the Rock-n-roll Hall of Fame.

---Interesting June dates in history

---Betcha didn't know.

---What's next for all-about-vinylrecords.

Welcome Hamilton, Ohio class of 1962.

I had an exciting first week in the month of May. My good friend Gary Ritchie sent an email to our former classmates and informed those on his list about my Vinyl Record website.

He was kind enough to give them a brief description and let everyone know I also publish a monthly Newsletter.

I have since received some very nice emails from guys and gals I have not seen or heard from since school days dating back to 1962. It was heartwarming to once again reconnect with friends and rekindle memories from a special place in time.

Everyone should be so blessed to have good friends like Gary and other old friends I have mentioned in previous Newsletters. Nice comments are always welcome. Hearing from former classmates will bring back all those wonderful memories from the past.

Carol C. wrote....What fun!! Thanks for sharing your passion!! Sure wish I had held on to the vinyls I had.

Another classmate Linda B. also brought back some great memories...Wow, what a great website. I remember dances and parties in my basement and playing these same tunes with wonderful memories....thanks so much...and don't forget Pat Boone!

A personal welcome to all of you, I'm so very glad you're here. Any favorites you don't see, please ask, I'm sure we share many of the same oldies.

Let's not forget where it all started!

A legendary bass player died on May 25, 2013 and I believe he should be remembered for his major contribution to Rock-n-Roll music. I'm talking about Marshall Lytle, the original old-fashioned acoustic standup bass player for Bill Haley and His Comets.

Lytle came up with a number of showman moves while playing with The Comets, including laying it down on its side and riding it while he played it.

This was considered quite scandalous and improper for the time, but he became a particular influence on rockabilly bassists, including Elvis sideman Bill Black.

When the Comets became stars, Haley refused to give the band the kinds of raises they were looking for, and Marshall started his own group, the Jodimars, to little chart success, but they did become one of the first rock groups to thrive in the showrooms of Vegas.

Lytle, who became a real-estate agent after his music stint, lost his battle with lung cancer at the age of 80 in Port Richie, FL, leaving tenor saxman Joey Ambrose as "Rock Around the Clock's" last living survivor.

My personal favorite fifties movie theater.

There once was a time when I loved going to movies. That was before all theaters looked like cookie-cutter mall cinemas. The theater buildings I remember from the fifties were colossal, fabulous Palaces.

One such fantastic movie theater I loved going to was in Hamilton, Ohio. Remember when you could go to a home town movie theater, buy a ticket, have popcorn, a candy bar and a coke and spend way less than two dollars?

The Paramount, Hamilton's most elegant theater, opened in 1931, with 1,813 seats (1,483 on the main floor and 330 in the balcony).

The interior appeared as a combination of the classic and modern period, with a dominant Italian Renaissance decor.

It was absolutely beautiful with a vaulted dome ceiling, a mammoth red carpeted stairway with gold trim leading to the balcony, as well as the series of little opera style boxes on the side walls, artfully illuminated by concealed lights.

The sound system was incredible, and after watching Elvis in "Loving You" and "Jailhouse Rock" on that large screen in 1957, I kinda figured that was the highlight of those early movie going days. The Paramount also had a very fashionable lobby in the basement and my sister told me about the fancy powder room for the ladies.

Sadly, some things come to an end that should remain. The Paramount, in my opinion, could have been a major center piece for downtown Hamilton, as it was located directly across the street from the historical Butler County Courthouse (completed in 1889) that is still standing today.

The last show was on Sept 5, 1960 and in January 1961, the family that owned Citizens Bank next to the theater had the Paramount demolished for, what else, a parking lot to serve their bank.

I would love to hear about your favorite movie theater.

What!...Move the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame?

My friend Bill from SC mentioned that he still believes the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame (HOF) should have been in Philadelphia instead of Cleveland. He's originally from Chester, PA and I'm from Ohio so you would naturally think I should disagree with Bill.

However....

After the 2013 HOF inductee ceremony I went outside and screamed! The HOF is nuts...

Who or what is Public Enemy? Is this our Hall of Fame culture at its finest. If this is the direction of our Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, it's all down hill from here. So here are my thoughts on what Bill suggested.

If you look at the music history between the two cities I do believe Philly wins hands down. Cleveland had two things going when the vote came down. Alan Freed, the Cleveland disc jockey that coined the phrase "Rock-n-Roll" and lots of money.

Give Cleveland credit, they raised the money, which in turn helped get the votes to make it happen, and lots of great Rock-n-Roll happened in Cleveland early on and continues today.

Philadelphia's major contribution was Dick Clark and American Bandstand that brought attention to Philadelphia's music scene. This facilitated the rise of local labels like Swan Records, Cameo-Parkway and Chancellor Records.

The system produced stars including Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and those Cool guys Danny and the Juniors (At the Hop).

Philadelphia's 1950s-era musical output also included Bill Haley from Chester, Pennsylvania. You oldies but goodies gotta remember Shooster's Drive-In Restaurant on the West End of Chester, PA.

Leaving Shooster's and headin' on over to watch the drags from an overpass on the Conchester Hwy just outside of town. Lots of fun in those days...So my friend Bill tells me.

I got off the path a little here, lets get back to the Cleveland/Philly comparison.

From the Philly record label Cameo-Parkway came original dance hits like Chubby Checker's "The Twist." They then produced novelty songs like "The Wah Watusi" by The Orlons, "Mashed Potato Time" by Dee Dee Sharp and "The Bristol Stomp" by the Dovells.

And the Rock-n-Roll hall of fame in Cleveland has yet to induct Connie Francis and dozens of other more deserving artists and groups, but instead adds a Rap group named Public Enemy. Shame on us for allowing this to happen. I'm with Bill on this one, but here is what I would do.

Change the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to "The Music Hall of Fame" and allow Philadelphia to open an all Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. Just my opinion. I'm sure I'll hear from Cleveland fans on this.

Interesting June dates in history.

June 7th

In 1954, Bill Haley and His Comets recorded their cover version of Big Joe Turner's current R&B chart hit, "Shake, Rattle and Roll." The Haley rendition entered the pop chart in August for a 27-week run, peaked at #7, and became the first rock 'n' roll record to sell a million copies.

June 10th

In 1970, singer/keyboardist Earl Grant died in a car accident at age 39. I believe his song "The End" would make a beautiful wedding "Our Song" played as the first dance at weddings. I have a special page on this song and hope you have time to read and listen to this wonderful old love song.

In 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton John went to #1 on the US singles chart with "You're The One That I Want," also #1 in the UK. Read the next to last paragraph on this Grease movie page and I'll explain the proper dress code when I went to school.

June 12th

In 1963, at Western Studios in Los Angeles, the Beach Boys recorded "Little Deuce Coupe" and "Surfer Girl." It was the first Beach Boys recording session where Brian Wilson served as the official producer. Read my Little Deuce Coupe Story here.

Betcha didn't know.

In 1949, Elvis Presley received an "A" in language but only a "C" in music on his 8th grade report card at Humes High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated in 1953, despite his "C" in music.

In 1955, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley appeared together at an autograph session at a Lubbock, Texas car dealership.

If the 33&1/3 rpm vinyl record was presented a birthday cake, it would have 65 candles! The long play record (LP) was developed by CBS Laboratories, and introduced to the world by CBS’ Goddard Lieberson on June 20th, 1948. Ok, many of you vinyl record lovers probably do know this:)

What's next for all-about-vinylrecords.

Gonna have to dig in and get a Pat Boone page up for Linda, our special classmate down Florida way. I'm also into Drive-in movies in a big way.

Drive-in movies are fading fast and new information about the transition to Digital will put many out of business. Tune in to see where my favorite Drive-ins are located and let me know where your favorites are.

Don't miss out on My favorite vinyl record Blog:

If you're into Vinyl Records and want good quality content, be sure to visit Collecting Vinyl Records.com. My friend Robert Benson puts a lot into his blog. You will not be disappointed.

Do you have some favorites?

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Have a great month.

Regards,