Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, WA Home Inspector (King of the House)

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Stories Behind the Music -- Do You Recognize This Man?

In rock music, every once in awhile, an individual comes along who was popular in a group and then goes on to be a big star in his own right. That, of course, happened with all of the Beatles. However, there is another artist, a household name, who did essentially the same thing.

See if you recognize the young man, the lead vocalist, in the video below. If you are a real rock fan, dating back to the 1960's then you probably will. This was one of only a few hits by a band from Northern Ireland -- Them.

That lead singer went on to make quite a name for himself. You probably recognize a very young Van Morrison. One of his first big hits, after leaving Them, was a song called Brown Eyed Girl. It is a staple of oldies radio, especially in the summer.

Morrison is known for bluesy music, inspired by American R&B artists, and also he has been known to venture into the realm of more stream of consciousness efforts. Morrison is an accomplished songwriter. That was evident almost 50 years ago when one of his songs became a garage classic. Them first recorded Morrison's Gloria in 1964 and it has been covered by many bands since. When I was a teen every dance band had their version. A few years ago, Morrison himself re-recorded it with none other than the late blues legend John Lee Hooker.


John Lee Hooker & Van Morrison - MyVideo

 Morrison's music has aged well and changed. He is still a popular artist today. Some of his other solo hits, more mature perhaps than when he was a youth, include the classic Moondance and this next tune which has been covered by many artists including Rod Stewart.

Van Morrison was inducted into the rock n' roll hall of fame in 1993.

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

4 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector • January 14 2009 07:32PM
Stories Behind the Music -- Diamond in the Rough
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When I was a youngster, hooked on AM radio, I remember the first song that I ever heard by Neil Diamond. To this day I think it was his best song. Diamond developed his songwriting skills after seeing Pete Seeger perform.  Neil tried hard and… more
Whatcom County Home Inspection (King of the House) -- Skylight…
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Usually, when I see skylights in Whatcom County and Bellingham, problems are not as blatantly obvious as the issues clearly apparent in the photo below. This is one problem that an inspector better not miss! More often than not, skylight… more
Stories Behind the Music -- Lonely Teardrops
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One of the, unquestionably, greatest talents of the early years of rock n' roll was a young man named Jackie Wilson. He had an incredible voice, the range was often described by critics as "operatic. " He could bring the house down in a live show… more
Stories Behind the Music -- Herman's Unknown Hermits
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Okay, it is hard to get too excited about a post featuring Herman's Hermits To begin with, you have to be old enough to remember Peter Noone (Herman) and the Hermits. However, if you remember them and the British Invasion, you might get quite a… more
Painful Transitions -- Caught in Catch 22
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Some of the consequences of the new Washington State Home Inspector Licensing Laws have ruffled a few feathers. Of course, that is to be expected and before it is all done I am sure that more feathers will be ruffled. Change, and rules, always lead… more
Let me show you my bedroom…!
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This post by Charlie has already gotten no small number of comments at his blog and when Barbara Duncan put it out there again. It brings up interesting subject matter and shows how people vary in their ideas. Via Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home… more
Stories Behind the Music -- Canada Was Rockin'
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I was raised in a US border town. Bellingham is only about 20 minutes south of the Canadian border. Our area is heavily impacted by the large Canadian city of Vancouver, BC. As a kid, many of the TV shows and the radio stations I listened to were… more
Whatcom County Flooding
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I have been kind of isolated from all of the flooding going on in Whatcom County. I live in a high enough area that it is not a problem. However, flooding yesterday was so bad that schools were closed and people -- trying to drive through high water… more
Stories Behind the Music -- Let's Do It In The Car
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There are probably any number of songs that were written in a car, a bus or an airplane. However, from a historical standpoint, one song comes to mind. No doubt about it, the late Roy Orbison will go down as one of the true legends of pop… more