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We conclude our four part Hall of Fame spotlight on Frank Sinatra's career with more little known details about the man and his music. In this installment, you'll hear about the post-Columbia Records days when he was no longer in demand. He had no hits and no record contract -- that is, until Capitol Records came calling and everything changed.
You'll learn what it meant for a songwriter to have one of their songs recorded by Frank and why Sinatra...
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In a time when hard rock was all the rage, The Carpenters were bringing a softer sound to the airwaves of the 1970s. While many artists churned out new music constantly, they took a different approach. They waited for a great song with a great sound to come together, only putting out a new song when they were sure they were putting out a hit. Siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter sat down with Wink Martindale in 1970 during the success of Close To...
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Gordon Jenkins arranged for legendary musicians, recorded a dozen hit singles including "P.S. I Love You" and "Blue Prelude" and a host of other accomplishments in the world of music. The arranger, composer and pianist was influential throughout the 40s and 50s. Despite his many musical talents, Jenkins discusses his desire but unfortunate inability to sing. In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Jenkins talks about his expansive musical work,...
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Sammy Davis Jr. was, quite literally, born into show business. As part of a well-known vaudeville family, he began performing when he was just four years old and never seemed to slow down. From stage to studio to screen the singer, dancer, musician and actor travelled all over the world entertaining millions. Wink Martindale spoke with the charming Davis at his Beverly Hills home in 1976. Davis reflects on his experiences as a performer, his success...
5) Ray Anthony
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For his fifth birthday, Ray Anthony's father bought him a trumpet. It wasn't until the age of 12 when his trumpet was hidden as a punishment that he realized he couldn't live without it.
Anthony opened up to Wink Martindale in this interview from 1978 about joining the Al Donahue Orchestra at the age of 17, getting fired from the Glenn Miller Band and the popularity of the Bunny Hop. He also talks about the sound of Glenn Miller and what makes it...
6) Neil Diamond
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The Coney Island section of Brooklyn, NY was the birthing ground for the man the rest of the world would eventually come to know as Neil Diamond. In this special Hall of Fame spotlight, host Wink Martindale takes a look at Diamond's illustrious career, beginning with those early days in Coney Island, which Diamond tells Wink, was "the most fantastic place in the world for a kid to grow up." Diamond shares his memories of the first song he wrote and...
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In February 1964, The Beatles made their TV debut on the Ed Sullivan Show, catching the attention of Bob Eubanks. Wink Martindale catches up with Eubanks in an interview from 1977 about The Beatles playing the Hollywood Bowl.
He discusses having second thoughts about booking them for the concert and then selling out in 3.5 hours. He explains how increasingly more difficult it became over the years to sneak The Beatles out of the venue. Eubanks talks...
8) Wayne Newton
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An in-depth examination of the career of Wayne Newton featuring extensive interviews with Newton
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For Alan and Marilyn Bergman, being married and working together as songwriters had many perks. The two found that their relationship allowed them to be uninhibited in sharing ideas while crafting a song. In this interview recorded with Wink Martindale in the 1980s, they discussed their lives, lyrics and careers as songwriters. The couple provides an intimate and detailed look at the songwriting process along with sharing interesting stories about...
10) Roger Williams
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Roger Williams stood alone in the world of popular music. He was just three years old when he first sat in front of a piano and played a song. He went on to study piano at Drake University and Julliard and had his first success with the single "Autumn Leaves." Williams sat down for a conversation with Wink Martindale in 1972 to discuss his career and passion for playing music. He talks about his early life and musical journey, the importance of hard...
11) Roy Orbison
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Roy Orbison was just one of many legendary performers to come out of the powerhouse that was Sun Records. In a conversation with Wink Martindale, Orbison discusses how he got his start with Sun and its founder Sam Phillips. Orbison continues to discuss his hectic early days of touring where he would perform anywhere and everywhere including drive-in theaters and backs of flatbed trucks. Orbison continues to elaborate on those thrilling beginnings...
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The second part of our Hall of Fame spotlight on Rodgers and Hammerstein details the phenomenal success Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II had as partners after joining forces in 1943. Throughout their long career in theater, the pair helped to start the careers of many now famous singers, dancers and musicians.
Narrator Wink Martindale interviewed the duo, who shared many details of their professional life. Hammerstein reveals his approach...
13) Eddy Arnold
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Eddy Arnold dominated popular and country music from the late 40s to the 60s, despite changing tastes over those two eventful decades. In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Arnold recounts his early life as a farm boy that earned him the nickname "The Tennessee Ploughboy" and his eventual rise to arguably become the king of country. Arnold continues to discuss his work as a musician, his leap from country to pop and the struggles and triumphs...
14) Johnny Mathis
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It's a testament to Johnny Mathis' talent and legacy that in 1958, just two years after signing with Columbia Records, the label released Johnny's Greatest Hits, the first album of its kind. It remained on the charts for the next 9 ½ years. Wink Martindale sat down with Mathis for a conversation in 1971. He discusses the diverse audience his music attracts, what he attributes his success to and his profound love of singing. A number of his contemporaries...
15) Tony Bennett
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Tony Bennett took his place at the forefront of pop music when he recorded "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in 1962. Despite being trained in art, Bennett made the decision to pursue a career in music that included a stint as a singing waiter. Bennett spoke with Wink Martindale in August of 1972 about his accomplished career that included numerous awards, honors and hit singles. He discusses his numerous hit songs throughout the 1950s and beyond....
16) Rosemary Clooney
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Rosemary Clooney grew up singing with her sister at family gatherings and in her senior year of high school they were hired to sing at the local radio station. She soared to fame in the 1950s with the novelty song "Come On-a My House" and continued to release a number of other pop and jazz hits. In 1973, Clooney sat down with Wink Martindale to provide an intimate look at her early personal life and legendary musical career. Beyond her work as just...
17) Percy Faith
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Though his work was often classified as just "arrangements," Percy Faith's work went well beyond that and could be more accurately described as "recompositions." He got his start as a child studying piano and eventually made his mark as an instrumental stylist, importing elements of jazz and rock into mood music.
In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Faith discusses the work it takes to find and keep fans, his lengthy music career and his...
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John Denver dominated the 1970s with sold out concerts and chart-topping music. Wink Martindale spoke with Denver in Los Angeles in 1975 in the midst of this success. Denver recounts the road that began with him dropping out of college and moving to Los Angeles to find work as a singer.
Denver passionately describes his attachment to music beyond entertainment, and his desire to connect with audiences on a personal level. While he's lax to espouse...
19) Harry Belafonte
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Harry Belafonte didn't start out with a dream of being a singer. He wanted to be an actor, and studied theater for five years in New York. Unable to find work as an actor, he had to choose between abandoning dreams of being a performer entirely, or find a new area of entertainment to pursue. Opportunity struck when he was offered a chance to be an intermission singer at a local jazz club, and his singing talent began to catch on.
In a conversation...
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In Part 2 we hear about Welk from his manager Sam Lutz and others that played an important part in his career. We also hear from Lawrence Welk in a conversation he had with Wink Martindale in 1973. Welk shares stories of numerous performances across the country, his time on tour and interactions with his fans. He also discusses his television career and his eventual return to recording music with Dot Records.
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