Artists Forgetting their lyrics...

Often people ask me how such a young man like myself can be into old music. What is so great about 1950s and 60s music? They wonder. Almost every time I avoid explanations and reply something to the effect of: 'that's just what I like'. Less often when pressured for a more comprehensive reply, I like to explain to people how the caliber of the performers back in the day was much higher than it is now.

An example of this is Jay Z. Not too long ago Jay Z performed in front of a fifty thousand fans crowd for the Made in America set. The show was on fire, however, in the middle of the performance he forgot the lyrics to one of his songs (a pretty reasonable mistake); Jay Z then attempted to cover it up by having the crowd sing the gaps he couldn't recall, which raised the awkwardness as he struggled to catch up. This is nothing out of this world and if you ask me, the way he handled it seems like a pretty natural reaction for any singer that may forget the lyrics to a song.

Well, now take Ella Fitzgerald. The beloved late 40s sensation was in concert in Berlin in 1960, when she decided that she will go ahead and sing her own version of the popular 50s standard 'Mack the Knife'; and so she did! Except she too forgot the lyrics of the song halfway into it.  What did she do? She improvised and made up the rest of the song, of course!. Not only that, but while improvising she also delivered one of the most impressive vocal performances of all time. So good was her 'made up on the spot' version of Mack the knife that she was awarded Best Female Vocal Performance and it contributed to her album be inducted to the Grammy hall of fame.

Now, don't get me wrong! I really don't mean to say that all 50s artists are better than all current artists, every period has had its fair share of awesome music and performers. What I do think, though, is that today's music industry's standards are overall lower than they used to be. Many Labels and artists are only in it for the money, and while money has always been a factor and there's nothing wrong with profits, Artists also used to have a great deal of passion and love for their audiences. That's all I want in music, and the 50's had tons of it!

Flashback! Stagger Lee

Imagine you had a little radio that you use everyday (Maybe you actually do!) and then suddenly, it began tuning in frequencies from 55 years ago. Perhaps these frequencies bounced back from outer space after reaching 61 Virginis, (you know! that distant solar system that scientists say is just like ours). Come to think of it, this sounds like a good starter for that Sci-fi novel I've been meaning to write...Anyhow, these frequencies have taken you back to March 28 1959. You scroll through the stations.

 WCBS Newsradio 880, You're Listening to your host Jack Sterling and this is the Jack Sterling Show! Today in the news: China dissolves Tibet! and will Hawaii actually become the 50th state? It's a Maybe so far, more on this coming in the next hour...

While kids these day would probably have a hard time distinguishing this broadcast from a regular 2014 News report if they came across it, the natural response should be: Whoa, Am I tripping...Tibet? Hawaii? Wh't in the world!?

You then Scroll to the upper bandwidth and what do you hear? 1959's #1 hit billboard, and a personal favorite, Stagger Lee by Lloyd Price.

Oh and what a treat you've caught! Stagger Lee is a song that talks about the fate of Billy Lyons who was murdered in a ballroom over a gambling debt by his acquaintance [you guessed it] Stagger Lee. The song's narration is based on a true story and its up-beat is irreverent at best. This tune was deemed too brutal and over the top in 1959. It quickly got censored and an alternative 'less violent version' began appearing on the radio. However censored it was, The Original Stagger Lee still managed to become a #1 hit making it the first censored single to reach the top of the charts.

Modern Rappers and underground musicians owe Mr. Price's Stagger Lee a huge debt for daring to push the limits of conventionality. Anybody can be a rebel nowadays, but back in the 50's it was some dangerous ground to be standing on, to put it mildly. Now, turn off your little radios, cats and chicks and tune in for my next post!

What your $1 could buy you in 1951

 Inflation sometimes makes us wish we had a time machine. While today one dollar may only seem good for a small convenience at a dollar store, not including the sales tax; back in the early 50's it was enough to have a nice time.

Hungry?

No they did not need value menus in the 50's. When it came to satisfying your hunger $1 could afford you:

McDonald's
5 pure beef hamburgers, 1 soft drink and 1 side of fries.

Kansas Supermarket
10 Pounds of Potatoes,  1 pound of Apples, 1 pound of Bananas, 2 pounds of cabbage, and 2 cans of Campbells Tomato Soup.

Daily needs

What can you get at your local shops for $1? 2 packs of chewing gum, if you're lucky? Think (50's) again...

Pharmacy
1 bottle of dish washing soap, a giant pack of powder detergent, 5 rolls of toilet tissue.

Gas Station
5 gallons of Gas.

Post office
50 stamped envelopes, and 16 post stamps.

As a kid of the 90's, there are many things I wish I had experienced about this decade, and these prices are some I wouldn't mind having now.