While the song “Kansas City” is officially credited to rock ’n’ roll demigods Lieber and Stoller, the first man to record it, then-20-year-old Little Willie Littlefield, often claimed in the ensuing years to have written it himself. It’s not hard to believe Littlefield had at least a hand in writing the song. After all, it was he who was hanging out on the corner of 12th Street and Vine in 1952, not Lieber and Stoller. They apparently never visited until 1986, to receive a key to the … [Read more...] about The man who sang “Kansas City” first
Bands
The heavy sounds of Stone Wall
If the Classmen (clean-cut brothers, managed by their father) were Kansas City’s equivalent to the Beach Boys and the Chesmann its Beatles, Stone Wall could be likened to Kansas City’s Cream or Led Zeppelin. A power trio with roots in the blues, Stone Wall was led by singer-guitarist Allen Blasco in combination with three different rhythm sections (1968-76). As a young teen (1965-68), Blasco led The Clergymen, whose ever-changing array of musicians included Ray Goldsich, later to … [Read more...] about The heavy sounds of Stone Wall
Starlight memories
The nostalgic triple bill coming up at Starlight Theatre on Friday, May 10 -- Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent -- made me wonder just how many times those three acts have collectively played Kansas City. The poster at left shows that promoter Chris Fritz presented two of the three groups – along with Joe Walsh’s Barnstorm – at Memorial Hall in the early ’70s. Nugent was still billed as leader of the Amboy Dukes then, just a few years after their Top 40 hit from 1968, "Journey to the … [Read more...] about Starlight memories
Need to unearth Cavern photos
Tom Sorrells, a great friend of the Kansas City Rock History Project, has a request. He needs photos of the former Cavern Studios in Independence, Mo., for a project he is undertaking with Chicago's esteemed Numero Group. Cavern was active at least from the 1960s to 1980s. As evidenced by these 2 photos at (Jim) Wheeler Audio's website, not only local acts, but giants like James Brown recorded there. Tom has rescued some great trax from the Cavern vaults, but he needs more pix for a package … [Read more...] about Need to unearth Cavern photos
‘Science of Rock’ premiere includes KC focus
“The Science of Rock,” an interactive exhibit that made its world premiere in October and which runs through May at Union Station, is something of a misnomer. But it’s fun and informative, and it contains a good deal of KC-specific rock history in its anteroom. Kudos to the staff of Union Station, many of whom donated their own memorabilia, for adding the KC-centered exhibit, placing our town in the context of the larger exhibit, which otherwise features posters and concert tickets from other … [Read more...] about ‘Science of Rock’ premiere includes KC focus
Fabulous Cinners@Boom Boom Room
Fred Burke from St. Petersburg, Fla., reached out to me recently and sent me this snap of his band, the Fabulous Cinners, playing in 1966 at a place for which I’ve seen ads but never before photos – the Boom Boom Room, 3736 Main St. Fred says the Cinners also played such clubs as King Arthur’s Lounge, 1115 E. Armour Blvd., Lakeside Ballroom and the Olathe Naval Air Station “during the Vietnam era every Sunday night for returning troops.” That’s Fred on vocals with Les Bogal (bass), Rich Bronson … [Read more...] about Fabulous Cinners@Boom Boom Room