Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Happy Birthday Jack Dempsey 6-24-1895

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World Heavyweight Champ Jack Dempsey was born on June 24, 1895.

New Candye Kane Superhero CD Recorded At Joey Altruda’s

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I’m proud to let the world know that the latest release by Blues Diva Candye Kane is officially out. Superhero (Delta Groove Records) was recorded at the Joey Altruda recording facility (aka Joey’s Place) a few months back and the results are top notch-featuring blazing guitar work by Laura Chavez, with guest appearances by Kid Ramos, Dave Gonzales, and Mitch Kashmar.
Album Review

D Is For Dope # 8

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(via vintagepaperbacks.com)

Let’s see if the Photobucket Gestapo removes this image for violation of content-Oooohhh…So Scandalous!

Space Age Vinyl # 11

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Happy Birthday Moe Howard 6-19-1897

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Moses Horowitz, better known as Moe Howard (3 Stooges), was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. –June 19, 1897.

Gary “Chopit” Fioto’s 1955 Ford Beatnik

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The Beatnik was designed by Gary “Chopit” Fioto from a 1955 Ford, grafting Lincoln and Cadillac components, a bubble top, and a small block Chevy V8. The current estimated value for this custom vehicle is between $350,00- $450,000.
Click Here For Extensive Article & Photos

Golden Age Of Mysteries # 6

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Thursday, June 11, 2009

New Joey Altruda Music-Hey Smigly!

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The latest Joey Altruda 3 song EP has just been released on iTunes, emusic, Napster, and about 80 other online music stores. Hey Smigley, Doo-Boo-Dee-Boo, and The Swingin’ Smigs are written and performed by Joey & his Cocktail Crew, and featured in Allen Mesquida’s animated series of Smigly cartoons. Joey is also the voice of Smigly.
To view he complete first season, go to smigly.tv.

Happy Birthday Egon Schiele & Jim Nabors

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Austrian painter & graphic artist Egon Schiele was born on June 12, 1890.

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Actor & singer Jim Nabors was born on June 12, 1932.

Future Fiction # 5

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March 1940, via coverbrowser.com

Joe Bushkin & The Original Supermodels

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This is one of my all time favorite lounge record covers featuring pianist Joe Bushin surrounded by the biggest models of the 1950’s; on his shoulder-Gina Hall; on his lap- Nancy Berg; directly above him-Sunny Harnett; sprawled across the piano-Suzy Parker; on the very end-Ginny Taylor. These were the real supermodels of their time, decades before the term was coined, back when models were debutantes. Also of note is the photography by none other than Richard Avedon.
http://www.joebushkin.com/

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Happy Birthday Gene Wilder 6-11-1933

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American actor Gene Wilder (Willie Wonka, The Producers, Silver Streak, etc.) was born on June 11, 1933.

New Joey Altruda Vinyl Meltdown Podcast!

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That’s right folks! After a couple months hiatus, I am back doing the Vinyl Meltdown podcasts for Reserve Radio every two weeks. These are archived so you can go back and re-listen any time you want, or download into your iPod via RSS feed. This current episode is one long mega-mix, without interruption, featuring:
Billy May, Les Baxter,Los Chakachas, Arcano Y Los Maravillas, Moondog, Frencesco De Masi & A. Allessandroni, Dick Grove Big Band, Miss Dee, Stan Getz & Cal Tjader, Astor Piazzolla & Gary Burton, Earl Grant, Ronnie Cook, Robert Williams, The Musical Lynn Twins, Alfred E. Newman, Ray Charles, George Braithe, Nancy Wilson, and Arthur Prysock.
Just Click Here & Enjoy!

Jack Nimitz R.I.P.

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Jack Nimitz was an institution here in Hollywood for more than six decades, playing sax with the likes of Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, Supersax, Gerald Wilson, Benny Carter, the Lighthouse All Stars, The Beach Boys, and so many more. Known affectionately as “The Admiral”, Nimitz was born on January 11, 1930 in Washington D.C. and began playing clarinet at age 12, later switching to alto sax by 14, and performing professionally at 15. I had the great pleasure of working with Jack, when Anthony Wilson first formed his nonet in the late 90’s, and will never forget what a great player and gentleman he was. We’ll Miss You Jack!

James P. Johnson By David Stone Martin

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Here’s a great example of David Stone Martin’s versatility as an illustrator. His work is usually line oriented with a minimalist approach, but this particular piece really showcases his rendering skills. James P. Johnson (for those who don’t know) was an iconic stride and boogie-woogie pianist who played an important role in the transition from ragtime into the jazz era.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Happy Birthday Nat Hentoff 6-10-1925

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Novelist, columnist, and Jazz critic Nat Hentoff was born on June 10, 1952

Happy Birthday Les Paul 6-09-1915

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Guitarist, inventor, and overall genius, Les Paul was born on June 9, 1915 in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

D Is For Dope # 7

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(via vintagepaperbacks.com)

Hopefully the Photobucket Gestapo won’t yank this image for violation of content.
They’ve been known to do this to me in the past. I wonder what sort of uptight God fearing assholes are running that site. Are we really living in the McCarthy era all over again?!?!?!

Space Age Vinyl # 10

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Friday, June 5, 2009

Happy Birthday Ted Lewis 6-6-1890

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Clarinetist/Bandleader and Coney Island Vaudevillian Ted Lewis was born on June 6, 1890.

Stars & Cars # 3

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Ron Howard and Cindy Williams pose in front of '58 Edsel, from American Grafitti

Strange Postcards # 6

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I wonder if pinche Photobucket will delete this for violation of content!?!?

Sci Fi En Espagnol # 12

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Latest Bachelor Pad Magazine (issue # 8) Features Bernie Dexter

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The latest issue of Bachelor Pad Magazine (issue # 8) is hot off the press, featuring my pal Bernie Dexter in a super risqué centerfold, plus pin-up vixens Skye Sinclaire, Sable Sin Cyr, and Diamond Minx.
This issue is chock full of other fun articles covering Vegas, tiki culture, drink recipes, advice columns, music revues, fiction, humor and much much more!
Also be sure to check out Java’s Bachelor Pad Radio Online!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Golden Age Of Mysteries # 5

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Happy Birthday William Boyd aka Hopalong Cassidy 6-5-1895

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Best remembered for his portrayal of Hopalong Cassidy, William Boyd was born on June 5, 1895.

David Carradine R.I.P.

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By GRANT PECK(Associated Press)

BANGKOK – Much like the character that made him famous, David Carradine was always seeking, both spiritually and professionally, his life forever intertwined with the Shaolin priest he played in the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu."

Carradine was found dead Thursday in Thailand. The 72-year-old actor appeared to have hanged himself in a suite at the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel, said Lt. Teerapop Luanseng, the officer responsible for investigating the death.
View Full Article

Koko Taylor R.I.P.

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Grammy Award-winning blues legend Koko Taylor, 80, died on June 3, 2009 in her hometown of Chicago, IL, as a result of complications following her May 19 surgery to correct a gastrointestinal bleed. On May 7, 2009, the critically acclaimed Taylor, known worldwide as the “Queen of the Blues,” won her 29th Blues Music Award (for Traditional Female Blues Artist Of The Year), making her the recipient of more Blues Music Awards than any other artist. In 2004 she received the NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award, which is among the highest honors given to an American artist. Her most recent CD, 2007’s Old School, was nominated for a Grammy (eight of her nine Alligator albums were Grammy-nominated). She won a Grammy in 1984 for her guest appearance on the compilation album Blues Explosion on Atlantic.

Via kokotaylor.com

Joan A. Stanton R.I.P.

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Joan A. Stanton, who was known as Joan Alexander in the 1940s when she was the voice of Lois Lane on the radio version of The Adventures of Superman, died Thursday in Manhattan. She was 94.
View Full Article

Jesus Alfonso Miro R.I.P.

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JESÚS ALFONSO MIRÓ, musical director of Cuba's famed rumba group, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, passed away at the age of 60 in his beloved city of Matanzas, Cuba the morning of June 3, 2009. Alfonso is a world renown master percussionist, and composer of some of Cuba's classic rumbas, including including Congo Yambumba, La Llave, Chino Guaguao, Lengua de Obbara, Saludo a Nueva York, among others. As lovingly reported by Cary Diez, manager/producer of Los Munequitos de Matanza, and producer of LA RUMBA SOY YO, the Grammy winning recording, "Jesús gave his entire life to la rumba. Without a doubt his name is there with CHANO, TATA, PAPÍN, and all the greats of CUBAN MUSIC."
Luz ... (courtesy of curuye.com)

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Happy Birthday Rosalind Russell 6-04-1907

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Actress Rosalind Russell (The Women, Auntie Mame, Gypsy) was born on June 4, 1907.

He Walked By Night-1948

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He Walked By Night is a great thriller/noir from 1948, starring Richard Basehart and co starring Jack Webb. John Alton’s cinematography makes this movie most noteworthy, as it captures a certain neo-realistic quality, much like the photos of Weegee, which was a brand new concept during this time period. This film is also significant as it was what inspired Jack Webb to create the Dragnet radio and later television series.

1956 Buick Centurion

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