Noise Addicts notes that on this day in 1965 Wilson Pickett released “In the Midnight Hour.” This is an odd video: The drum set is on the front line and the main cameraman seems to be a mile away from the action.
Pickett had quite a resume. In addition to “In the Midnight Hour” — which Wikipedia notes that he co-wrote — Pickett recorded “Land of 1,000 Dances,” “Mustang Sally” and “Funky Broadway.”
Here are some books to check out.
Duke Ellington brought class, sophistication and style to jazz which, until that point, was proudly unpolished and raucous. His story is profound. The author, Terry Teachout, also wrote "Pops," the acclaimed bio of Louis Armstrong. Click here or on the image.
What else is there to say? Here is the story behind every song written by The Beatles. Click here or on the image.
The Grateful Dead don't get enough credit for the profound nature of its lyrics. Many of the band's songs are driven by a deep and literate Americana ("I'm Uncle Sam/That's who I am/Been hidin' out/In a rock and roll band" and "Majordomo Billy Bojangles/Sit down and have a drink with me/What's this about Alabama/Keeps comin' back to me?").
David Dodd's exhaustive study tells the story, song by song. Click here or on the image.
