Acker Bilk was born January 28, 1929 in England. His father was a preacher and his mother played the organ in church. In 1947, he was sent to prison for 3 months for falling asleep while on guard duty in Egypt. While in prison, Bilk learned to play the clarinet and in 1958, he formed the Paramount Jazz Band. In 1962, Bilk became the first British artist to have a number one … [Read more...]

Bobby Darin was like quicksilver.. think you have him typed, have him pigeonholed? Don’t look now, but he’s morphed into something else. The Kevin Spacey biopic Beyond the Sea has focused the spotlight again on the man who hoped to become a legend in his own time. Perhaps it has taken these many years since his death to put his talents into perspective. Like … [Read more...]

From Wall Lake, Iowa to Branson, Missouri, by way of New York and Hollywood.. the story of Andy Williams has a Midwest flavor, a small-town boy who makes it big and returns to the small town. His performing style is friendly, laid back and approachable, not unlike that of one of his heroes, Perry Como.. a style that’s as comfortable as the sweaters he wears. And yet, … [Read more...]

October 14, 2009: Al Martino has died at the age of 82. The singer's death took place at his childhood home in Philadelphia. No word, yet, on the cause of death. The profile below was written in 2005. “'We lost Sinatra, we lost Dean Martin, Al Martino. All the great old singers have gone now, and people miss them.'” Michael Bublé quoted in an online … [Read more...]

Dick Haymes had a captivating baritone voice - some said it was the best of the 20th Century. He had a way with a ballad. He was good looking, a star on radio, TV and in films. He was a successful performer in nightclubs and concerts, and racked up an impressive string of hit records.Some say he was in the same league as Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Some critics considered … [Read more...]