Well, what's sad is that Snooky Young, one of the great lead trumpeters of all time is being confused, for the moment, with a "star" from an MTV reality series. But it won't always be that way. Family and friends packed the Old North Church at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills last Wednesday to say goodbye to the real Snooky:
We at the BBAA feel especially fortunate that we were able to honor Snooky with our Golden Bandstand Award at the Big Band Reunion in 2005. Along with fellow honoree Louie Bellson, Snooky helped make a wonderful afternoon that we won't soon forget. If you were there, you know what I mean.
Love you madly too, Snooky.
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Another prominent musician who used to be mistaken at times for a musical counterpart of the same name is Ray Charles:
Okay, clearly he wasn't the singer of "What'd I Say." And for decades he has even billed himself as "The Other" Ray Charles. However, our Ray is a first-rate vocalist in his own right, as well as a songwriter, vocal arranger and conductor. In fact, Ray was immortalized in a 1974 novelty hit, "Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)."
The song is basically a lung-busting list of pop/rock performers delivered in rap style but before there was rap. Ray's entry ("Ray Charles Singers," to be precise) is just the third from the top, so listen carefully:
How about that? And Ray never knew about the record until I brought it up to him a year or so ago. If you miss him the first time, freeze the video at the 10-second mark.
Meanwhile, Ray comments on our March 26 blog post in which we wondered if the recently deceased Hugh Martin might not have been the last living composer of a true standard in the pre-rock and roll edition of the Great American Songbook:
An outstanding point, Ray. I'll admit I couldn't have named the writer(s) of "I Believe." And it was a pre-rock and roll song - from 1953 - so I stand corrected!
How about that? And Ray never knew about the record until I brought it up to him a year or so ago. If you miss him the first time, freeze the video at the 10-second mark.
Meanwhile, Ray comments on our March 26 blog post in which we wondered if the recently deceased Hugh Martin might not have been the last living composer of a true standard in the pre-rock and roll edition of the Great American Songbook:
"You've overlooked 92-year-old Ervin Drake, who wrote or co-wrote, among other songs, 'I Believe,' 'It Was a Very Good Year' and 'The Father of Girls.' He also wrote the score to the musical version of 'What Makes Sammy Run' and provided lyrics for 'Perdido,' 'Tico Tico,' 'Good Morning Heartache' and 'Al-di-la.'"
An outstanding point, Ray. I'll admit I couldn't have named the writer(s) of "I Believe." And it was a pre-rock and roll song - from 1953 - so I stand corrected!
