ROCK AND ROLL PIONEER LITTLE RICHARD TURNS 81

'Tutti Fruiti'classin 1957 with Alan Freed announcing helped put Richard
on the map where he has been ever since as one  of the real handful\
of rock and roll pioneers, there at the beginning , paying the way for
the Michael Jacksons and latter artists

ROCK AND ROLL PIONEER LITTLE RICHARD TURNS 81

December 5
Hard to see Little Richard as an 81 year old rocker but then also  will be hard  if he really does
retire as he has claimed in recent interviews.

Richard had it all...the voice, the look and the lyrics, even though   considered controversial in the day but nothing as compared to today's artists  He has inspired many of those later artists like Michael Jackson. Nice to have artists like Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis still with us when many hard-living rockers have moved on.

from Wikipedia:

Richard Wayne Penniman (born December 5, 1932), known by his stage name Little Richard, is an American recording artist, songwriter, and musician. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for over six decades. Penniman's most celebrated work dates from the mid 1950s where his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for rock and roll. His music also had a pivotal impact on the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. Penniman influenced numerous singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to rap.

Penniman has been honored by many institutions, including inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Recording Academy and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Penniman's "Tutti Frutti" (1955) was included in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2010, claiming the "unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat announced a new era in music."

BIRTHDAYS – Singers Doris Day, Wayne Newton, Billy Joe Royal, Tony Orlando

APRIL 3 - A busy day for birthdays of singers.  Actress-singer Doris Day is 90 OR 91 , depending on which source you follow - but it doesn't matter..  Singer Wayne Newton is 71. Singer Billy Joe Royal is 71. Singer Tony Orlando is 69.  Let's start out with this nice tribute to Doris from Sampodmike, noting her All Time #1 Box Office rank  as well as her activism for animals.


 DORIS DAY personified the happy days wholesomeness of the 1950s era, to which this website is devoted. Yet, she suffered more tragedies in one life than anyone should have to deal with, including  the loss of her only son , songwriter and singer Terry Melcher and troubled marriages.  Not surprisingly, she has devoted much of her life now to her animals  and rarely makes public appearances. She continues to reside in beautiful Carmel-by the Sea, California and still owns the wonderful, pet-friendly Cypress Inn there.



 

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 Since our other business is coupons we like to cross over and let our folks know some hot deals.  FREE Stuff - You can celebrate above birthdays with a FREE Cone at Ben and Jerry's but you must wait until April 9 

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WAYNE NEWTON, 71, next to Elvis was the biggest draw in Las Vegas for many years - still may be.  He even uses the Elvis Star Wars introduction and much of Elvis's stick 'The King of the Las Vegas strip', as on this 70th birthday tribute from last year, so it is said by SJSharkWanabe. Newton's had his own problems over the years. We wish him well on this special day. Enjoy this full 2 hour show

 



  BILLY JOE ROYAL had a few excellent hits ('I Knew You When, Down in the Boondocks,' etc. in the mid 60s, very much in the tradition of Gene Pitney and Roy Orbison before being one of the first cross over artists (listen to 'Boardwalk Angel ', reminiscent of 'Under the Boardwalk' and 'Stand By Me.' ) '  In fact, I just noticed he sounds and looks very much like Pitney, as you'll see in this rare video from 1965. Royal appeared in recent years with top orbison tribute performer Larry Branson.


 



 TONY ORLANDO, 69,  has had a long , fabled caree  , first catching a break at age 17 during the Brill Building late 50s era ('Bless You,' Halfway to Paradise) , only to see his career ressurected in the '70s with Dawn and a string of fun, singalong hits ('Tie A Yellow Ribbon, Knock Three Times, etc') and continues to perform today in Branson and other places. Orlando has always been a real crowd favorite. Bless YOU , Tony. Note the song was 'arranged and conducted' by Carol King! (though written by Mann and Weil