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Remember this ballad singer from the eighties?
There is an interesting story about her that has just a few unexpected twists thrown in.
Charlene was an American artist who luckily was given a recording contract, setting out an album with a single or two in 1974 from the classy Motown recording label. Upon her signing, Charlene released her first album, but without anything really happening for her from her debut album. It just failed to get any kind of radio play.
The record label had a few ideas for the singer though. "Charlene Duncan", the name she was being labeled as at the time was going to be receiving consistent help from her supporting label. Three years had passed when album number two came out, "It Ain't Easy Comin' Down" from Charlene. But wait! Another album came out at the exact same time,too! This one was recorded by "Charlene Duncan", but was said to be recorded by just the artist "Charlene". Two albums at once in the same month with two different names by the same artist?
What kind of strategy is this to break-out an artist?
Then in 1977, another try occured, a single ballad was released on the album, but without any major chart action. She remained without any radio or sales fo her album.
The next attempt went with Charlene releasing the same single recording previously, but this time it was on Motown's umbrella label, and it had a change in it. A change? What kind of change?
Well, in the lyrics to the single, it was supposed to be from the male point
of view, but the writer, Ron Miller, he had decided to rewrite the lyrics for Charlene.
There was some controversy with these lyrics as where it is refered to as a female who wishes she made more of an effort to have children could be misunderstood. People for some reason didn't get the message.
Anyway, the changed single didn't do so much either on the chart. It just reached to the upper 90s for the fledging artist. The people behind her knew they could keep trying with the female artist.In a rather confusing way, this composition was brought out again, all in all, a third time all-together.
But what of the change?
All in all, it didn't work with the new change added. If you compared the two singles, both together, there was just a minor change lyrically.
Into the eighties, things were about to really change for the artist.
Charlene re-released the same ballad featured, except with a minor reworking back to the original recording. No change. "I've Never Been to Me" interestingly was the same composition she had brought out the first time.
Charlene had recorded this originally during 1976, waiting for it to go somewhere high on the single chart the following year, but now we know nothing much happened. It was a long wait for her for any change in her career with the hopes on one single tune.
Sometimes, change can be good.
The single effort was not forgotten by her company. Sticking firmly with the artist and composition, they took it out once again in 1982; but this time it went right up to the number three spot in America. All in all, Charlene did two versions of the this. The version which was initially released first was actually the version everybody liked. Charlene had preciously recorded it to be a hit for radio, and Motown knew it would be without giving up on it. Overseas, the situation was different for the artist in Great Britain, the 45 went to the number one position with great attention put on the singer then. Ironically, Charlene had released different lyrical versions of "I've Never Been to Me", but it was the original version that had been actually given a second chance by a disc jockey in Florida that brought it great attention. It was funny for her, Charlene had moved to England and began living a normal family life; working in a small store when the re-released 45 became a charting big hit. "I've Never Been to Me" was about going back to a fantasy life and not dealing in the reality world, this was regards to the lines about non-committed fantasy with familiar faces, and areas as she wanted them to be, which was against the commitment to the honest love for her family.
In the 80s, the organisation behind her tried to get her an even bigger hit, but it just never happened again for the performer, no matter what she did. This included changing her image and working with other artists at the label.
Lately, Charlene is currently still working on this one single with an updated sound for her fans.
Published by *E*
Tags:
England
Added: 9th December 2009
Views: 1063
Rating: 
Posted By: Electricland |
 
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The 1933 World Series pitted the National League champion New York Giants versus the American League champion Washington Senators. (The team was officially the Nationals, but they were commonly called the Senators by baseball writers and fans.) Both managers were player/managers. Bill Terry, New York's first baseman, was in his first full season as Giants' manager. Likewise, Joe Cronin was in his first full season as the Senators' pilot. Cronin played shortstop for Washington. This is what a souvenir scorecard from Washington's Griffith Stadium looked like. The Giants won the first two games at the Polo Grounds, lost the third game at Griffith Stadium, but won the next two--both in extra innings--to capture the World Series in five games. To date, Game Five, on October 7, was the last World Series game played in Washington.
Tags:
1933
World
Series
scorecard
Added: 9th December 2009
Views: 1112
Rating:
Posted By: Lava1964 |
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Something that brought attention to the "Philly" lady back then, originally done in the late Nineteen Sixties from Tommy James and the Shondells. Remember him? The thing about the significant other one is that, it really went to the lower bottom of No. Eighteen - then went right out off the chart. Kinda a wonder how that happened so fast? Big one week, practically gone the following. Tommy and the Shondells percussion player put, both together, really made the effort to make a great sounding composition unlike anything they did prior; perfecting the steady number lyrically and instrumentally. The update had a harder edge than the '68 one. It was from an album that really showed how strong she is in the field. The release was a success for weeks. The updated one, it climbed up to the seven spot. The woman had a tough time getting a deal at first though. How many don't know that? In the end, she really proved herself with so many cover sleeves. And, you can really feel her coming off the disc. The lady was really influenced by what she saw on a trip to the United Kingdom, then did her best to project the appeal to the people she was trying to capture with her solid sound. She is still on the live circuit. And she inspired women globally with the actual fact that if she could do it, then they could do it too. Many of them became interested in her for this reasoning. This prompted the woman to continue on with what she does best worldwide. *E*
Tags:
Radio
USA
Added: 10th December 2009
Views: 885
Rating:
Posted By: Electricland |
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Know anything of it?
Just another classic from '53. But, I tell you something. It was not a family friendly one.
Remember the time. Strictly for fans and Santa Claus.
Remember her in the role of the iconic Cat on that 1960s show? It was only a short stint as we know.
The intellectual woman had quite a tough life growing up, going from house to house, really not knowing much about her parents until later on.
This needy composition was partly penned by Joan Javits. But there was a bit of trouble with the actual people connected with the Xmas Baby. It seems that Joan Javits and Philip Springer were all over it it, which is the truth. But another name was added to the 45. Fictional writer Tony Springer. Why?
Both Philip and Joan worked for a big entertainment co. back then, and both decided to add down a 3rd writer for another rival company to get their composition heard yearly. Kinda strange, but this is how it went. They wanted earnings.
Years later, Joan decided to sell her 1/2 of it for dollar reasons in 1981. It wasn't being used enough at the time. Huh?
Recently the history of the track has been revived, revenue checks have really increased, this is thanks to Madonna's update.
It has gone on to being added in various tele and holiday movies because of her. This is where the green papers really are. Each telecast brings in a nice check.
The sexy X'mas single has as well been covered by various people you may know.
Eartha had already updated it in the early sixties with a quicker tempo. Can't really imagine that, but that is where she went with it then. These days, it has since then been changed around from its original jazzy sound.
Kinda like a yearly signature for the 24th and 25th.
It is ironic that Eartha passed on December 25, 2008.
Did you see her portray the Wicked Witch of the West in the nationwide stage production of "The Wizard of Oz"? I really enjoyed that. How about you?
*E*
Tags:
1950s
Eartha
1953
Added: 21st December 2009
Views: 1387
Rating:
Posted By: Electricland |
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Here is a special presentation from 1988, kinda unforgettable, don't you think? This comedian is on a major comeback in 2010.
1991 has been too long a wait for this wacko.
Paul Reubens is shown here with his highly rated Christmas show. It was nominated for 3 Emmy awards. Nowhere can you see anything like this, except if you go out and look for it now.
Like Bob Hope, Paul was able to pull in a good amount of "star power", this means something to viewers. Is that Laurence Fishburne?
Since Paul Reubens major incident, the one that took him off the showbiz map in 1991, I am sure he's learned a valuble lesson or two.
I would love to see Robin Williams and Paul Reubens together, that would be entertaining.
*E*
Tags:
Little
Richard
TV
Stars
Added: 21st December 2009
Views: 656
Rating:
Posted By: Electricland |
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Note: *Quality Difference*
Remember the comedy show that was a direct copy of Saturday Night Live?
How about this rare KISS performance?
After a series of hard sounding longplays, this concept album became one of their most recommended critical hits, but a bomb for the dedicated fans who had followed them since their breakthrough albums in the early 1970s. Upon hearing this new sound, which was actually different than this track; their business associates around them disowned the new material.
A major setback had started for the once popular group.
It was operatic, and just too different for a rock band to suddenly change into a new direction.
You would not know from this solid performace.
Executives had said, they had gone too far with being secretive in the Canadian/American studio sessions. Ultimately, the group was on the way to a lynching for this. Money had been drawn up to get this band back on the radio and the road. This was the last thing they needed. Their popularity was on the way down at that time, and this, this was a big mistake for them.
If ever you were a Friday night viewer, one can not forget this night's performance from the masked act on January 15, 1982. Actually, it was as close as you were ever going to get to seeing them live as well, as this was from their 1981 ill-fated album entitled (Music From) "The Elder".
In the studio, they were given acess to Bob Ezrin and Lou Reed's talents. The featured tune here was written by Simmons and Ezrin. Bob Ezrin had just finished working with Pink Floyd on "The Wall" album.
This did not matter though.
Because of this fact, the tour, which was going to include a stage in the "centre of the round" or
"theatre-in-the-round" performance did not appear. It was canned from the day the executives has heard what months of hard labour in the studio had become.
Now, this is not what you would call a lip -synced performance. This was as live as it gets on that big "A" network.
In the end, the album did better in Europe and Australia than America. But has grabbed itself a cult following as most things like this happens.
The album was just too different for the fans, the band from their went directly into the studio and brought out something with a more formulated and catchy sounding. This in which was expected from them.
The band lost the guitarist for years due to the bullying he got on the voting on what stays and what goes on each recorded disc. The group became stronger just after a few years of constant touring, especially in 1983, this was when they appeared without makeup on various programs and magazine covers. Despite the considerable success, the group returned to the makeup in 1996 with soldout concerts.
*E*
Tags:
TV
80s
Added: 20th December 2009
Views: 727
Rating:
Posted By: Electricland |
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In 1974, this was included on the top of the charts, the Hollies last major hit,
"The Air That I Breathe".
Recognized by many radio listeners, helped mainly in the California recording process by perfomer/producer Alan Parsons. As well, this composition has shown up on various other artists albums, including Olivia-Newton-John, and on television shows, and any other movie released with this track; which evidently is all good for any composer.
Once again, this means it's a moneymaker to the writer when used for a television production, not including radio plays, or album/single purchases. Released in record form in '73, becoming a big 45 single hit around the world the next year.
Don Everly of The Everly Brother turns out to be the first to take a try at it with radio play, but this version was the one that became a must-listen. Mike Hazlewood and Albert Hammond are British born writers responsible for this memorable tune.
If you take the time to listen to the tune "Creep" by the U.K. act Radiohead, you'll see that it sounds a lot like this. The influence from this track is incredible.
With The Hollies, this group has been together since the early 1960s, and once again, they also come from Britain.
This band will be placed inside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 for the amount of success they achieved as a group of musicians.
*E*
Tags:
Seventies
England
Added: 20th December 2009
Views: 1612
Rating: 
Posted By: Electricland |
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When the Beatles arrived in the United States in February 1964, Miami was a tour stop. (One Ed Sullivan Show was broadcast from there.) During their time in Florida the Beatles dropped in on Cassius Clay who was in training for his upcoming title encounter with world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. The Fab Four and the Louisville Lip posed for a few publicity photos together, like the one shown below. According to some reports, Clay--soon to be Muhammad Ali--had no idea who the Beatles were.
Tags:
Beatles
Cassius
Clay
Ali
Added: 18th September 2010
Views: 3578
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Posted By: Lava1964 |
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