The memories, and no I wasn't in California. Wake at 3am north of Chicago, turn on the old tube radio down low so as not to wake my older brother then search for a Detroit station - music with a pause every half hour for a short read ad, review of what had been played then lead in to the next song. Chicago stations were ad, song, ad, song, ad, song with too much mindless blather inbetween.
I grew up about 1/2 hour drive from Detroit (Ypsilanti.) I mostly listened to CKLW as a kid. It was a Top 40 station, which was great music at the time (60s and 70s). It was based in Ontario, Canada, and extremely powerful, so it could reach us (possibly even Chicago?) In my later teens, I listened to the Detroit rock stations. It was a great era for music.
It would have been interesting to see where it would have led. Unfortunately, we will never know.
I have no issue with artists trying/adapting new styles in an effort to attract new followers or make a living. Or just because they want to. When George Benson had a "pop" hit with This Masquerade (and the Breezin' album in general), jazz purists were up in arms, saying he sold out. He replied, "Why should my family go hungry so I can please certain people?"
Most fans like to keep artists in the same box. But the artist may not want to stay there. If not, they shouldn't. That is what art is about: creativity, not rehashing the same thing over and over again.
The people who bought the "easy listening" stuff probably wouldn't like his jazz stuff, anyway. He will be remembered as a great jazz guitarist by those who can appreciate his talent. The rest don't matter. Those albums were rent money.
Perhaps. This was definitely a departure for him. But it was probably his biggest hit. Which back in those days was important if you wanted to make money, grow your audience, and keep a record contract.
I read an interview with Tito Puente, and he said he was receiving $10 royalty checks for "Oye Como Va" until Santana had a hit with it, then he started getting $10,000 royalty checks (I don't remember the exact amount, but it was six figures). So having a hit record was a good thing, at least financially. 🤓
Thank you, Mark, for sharing this bit of history. I probably knew about it at the time, but I had forgotten the circumstances of this great musician's death. But you know, 1968 in California..? they say if you remember it, you weren't there.
This is why Southerners shuck peas while sitting on the porch--they have to have something to show for just sitting around.
Smart. 🫛
The memories, and no I wasn't in California. Wake at 3am north of Chicago, turn on the old tube radio down low so as not to wake my older brother then search for a Detroit station - music with a pause every half hour for a short read ad, review of what had been played then lead in to the next song. Chicago stations were ad, song, ad, song, ad, song with too much mindless blather inbetween.
I grew up about 1/2 hour drive from Detroit (Ypsilanti.) I mostly listened to CKLW as a kid. It was a Top 40 station, which was great music at the time (60s and 70s). It was based in Ontario, Canada, and extremely powerful, so it could reach us (possibly even Chicago?) In my later teens, I listened to the Detroit rock stations. It was a great era for music.
Lovely, poetic thoughts. It’s a great song if rather melancholic.
Thanks, Rebecca. A classic.
Thanks Mark, now ill never forget that fact! I never knew he was the first!
Not really a statistic people strive for. 😬
Nearly every song Otis did was better. “Try a Little Tenderness “ as a prime example.
Some soul singers did have hits. He died before having one, except this.
It would have been interesting to see where it would have led. Unfortunately, we will never know.
I have no issue with artists trying/adapting new styles in an effort to attract new followers or make a living. Or just because they want to. When George Benson had a "pop" hit with This Masquerade (and the Breezin' album in general), jazz purists were up in arms, saying he sold out. He replied, "Why should my family go hungry so I can please certain people?"
Most fans like to keep artists in the same box. But the artist may not want to stay there. If not, they shouldn't. That is what art is about: creativity, not rehashing the same thing over and over again.
My rant is over. 🤣
Same here. Wes Montgomery made a lot of shitty pop stuff (fuck you, Creed Taylor). My gripe is only with people who think that’s ALL he did .
The people who bought the "easy listening" stuff probably wouldn't like his jazz stuff, anyway. He will be remembered as a great jazz guitarist by those who can appreciate his talent. The rest don't matter. Those albums were rent money.
Perhaps. This was definitely a departure for him. But it was probably his biggest hit. Which back in those days was important if you wanted to make money, grow your audience, and keep a record contract.
I read an interview with Tito Puente, and he said he was receiving $10 royalty checks for "Oye Como Va" until Santana had a hit with it, then he started getting $10,000 royalty checks (I don't remember the exact amount, but it was six figures). So having a hit record was a good thing, at least financially. 🤓
Sittin' yeah, but not fused to my seat-yet--you've got the whistle goin' and the music of the rippling waters.
You are FUN to start Mondays
Thanks, Jill. Whistling is fun! 🤓
Otis is one of my musical gods...
He was special. I read that his wife initially didn't like the song, thinking it was too "pop." But Otis wanted to expand his audience.
He was on the verge of doing that when he died. Earlier that year he'd killed the audience at Monterey.
A lot of great musical artists died in plane crashes. It's sad.
If not plane crashes, automobile accidents or drug overdoses…
True. Jim Croce died in a car accident. But drugs probably got the most. Sadly, the drug deaths were self-inflicted.
Thank you, Mark, for sharing this bit of history. I probably knew about it at the time, but I had forgotten the circumstances of this great musician's death. But you know, 1968 in California..? they say if you remember it, you weren't there.
I was seven years old at the time. I learned about it much later when I wanted to learn the guitar parts.
“Well, at least I learned how to whistle.”
Always look for a bright side!
You have to. 🤓