As a companion to The Best Damn Trumpet Player and The Song Stars, this is the last of a trilogy, with a foreword by Bob Hope, explores the world of male vocalists. Richard Grudens initiates a retrospective tribute to the early singers Al Jolson and Bing Crosby, Fats Waller and Nat King Cole. His heart-warming interviews or vignettes with living-legend artists, Frank Sinatra, Jack Jones, Vic Damone, Steve Lawrence, Tony Martin, Johnny Mathis, Guy Mitchell, Eddie Fisher, Andy Williams and Don Cornell are revealing, anecdotal gems. And who could forget Dick Haymes, The Ink Spots, Ray Eberle and Bob Eberly, and Billy Eckstine. Features: Donald Mills and the Mills Brothers, Sam Arlen talks of his father, Harold Arlen, and a look at Lou Lanza, Philadelphia's new singing star. The author provides a special insight into the lives of the Music Men and provides over 60 exceptional photographs to enrich your reading pleasure.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
As ever, Richard, you present us with a treasure trove of fascinating details about the great singers of the 30s,40s and beyond, couched in an engaging literary style. -- Kathryn Crosby
I'm glad for my copy of The Music Men,not the least of which because of the fond memories it brings. -- Charlton Heston
If you're a fan of the men singers, this is a book, presented in Grudens' warm and highly personal style, which should be on your shelf. -- Big Band Jump Newsletter
My wife Carol and I enjoyed it immensely. The book has warmth and it's a great job well done. -- Dom DeLuise
We have added all three of Richard Grudens' books to our library and to our bibliography of Graduate Course Offerings. -- Dr. Stanley G. Cohen, President Five Towns Music College, Dix Hills, NY
What a pity - So little is written about our American singers - Well done! -- Jeanne Martin
You did it again, Richard. The Music Men is very accurate, most big band books are not. You tell the truth about the music business --as I lived it. -- Connie Haines, legendary singer
"A Well written personal as well as factual- not just a who's who, also fun and enjoyable to read." -- Sam Arlen-Son of composer/lyricist Harold Arlen. Harold Arlen
"We are presented with a treasure trove about the great singers couched in an engaging literary style." -- Kathryn Crosby-Bing Crosby's wife.
I'm glad for my copy of The Music Men,not the least of which because of the fond memories it brings. -- Charlton Heston
If you're a fan of the men singers, this is a book, presented in Grudens' warm and highly personal style, which should be on your shelf. -- Big Band Jump Newsletter
My wife Carol and I enjoyed it immensely. The book has warmth and it's a great job well done. -- Dom DeLuise
We have added all three of Richard Grudens' books to our library and to our bibliography of Graduate Course Offerings. -- Dr. Stanley G. Cohen, President Five Towns Music College, Dix Hills, NY
What a pity - So little is written about our American singers - Well done! -- Jeanne Martin
You did it again, Richard. The Music Men is very accurate, most big band books are not. You tell the truth about the music business --as I lived it. -- Connie Haines, legendary singer
"A Well written personal as well as factual- not just a who's who, also fun and enjoyable to read." -- Sam Arlen-Son of composer/lyricist Harold Arlen. Harold Arlen
"We are presented with a treasure trove about the great singers couched in an engaging literary style." -- Kathryn Crosby-Bing Crosby's wife.
From the Back Cover
The Best Account of the Great Men Vocalists of the Big Band Era and Beyond Published in Over 25 Years.
As a companion to The Best Damn Trumpet Player and The Song Stars, The Music Men, the last of a trilogy, with a foreword by sometime singer Bob Hope, explores the world of the men vocalists. Richard Grudens initiates a retrospective tribute to the early singers Al Jolson & Bing Crosby (with a letter from Kathryn), Fats Waller, Rudy Vallee, Jack Teagarden, Russ Columbo, Jimmy Rushing, and Nat King Cole ( with Maria Cole). His heartwarming interviews or vignettes with living-legend artists, Frank Sinatra (just before his passing), Mel Torme', Herb Jeffries, Tony Martin, Johnny Mathis, Julius La Rosa, Guy Mitchell, Jerry Vale, Joe Williams, Al Martino, Eddie Fisher, Don Cornell, as well as Jack Jones, Vic Damone, and Steve Lawrence, are revealing, anecdotal gems to enjoy. And who could forget Dick Haymes (with Helen Forrest's help), The Ink Spots, Ray Eberle and Bob Eberly, and Billy Eckstine. Features: Donald Mills and the Mills Brothers, Sam Arlen talks of his father Harold Arlen ( the singer), and a look at Lou Lanza, Philadelphia's new singing star, who carries the torch. The chapter, Honorable Mentions, covers almost all the singers of the era.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ANN JILLIAN'S INTRO. SAYS IT ALL!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Jukebox Saturday Night: More Memories of the Big Band Ear and Beyond (Paperback)
Richard, you did a terrfic job, your book is for all music lovers but especially those of us who love big bands and great singers. And you know I love ANN JILLIAN'S SINGING! Count me in man. Best of luck Richard. Andy
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More great stories of the Big Band Era,
By A Customer
This review is from: Jukebox Saturday Night: More Memories of the Big Band Ear and Beyond (Paperback)
Like the Best Damn Trumpet Player, Grudens writes with feeling about all his heroes. Reading the interview with band leader Artie Shaw proves his respect for the musicians. Grudens is not a critic. He loves the music of his life and proves to all of us that the music of the era was the best music ever recorded. Where else have you ever read about people like Red Norvo, The Dorsey's the family of Duke Ellington, the great Stan Kenton, with help from Audree Kenton, Les Paul, the great Les Brown etc. You will love this book if you love that music. There is a feature about all the bands of Europe like Syd Lawrence and Ted Heath. The book is just great.There is even a section about the great songwriters, Ervin Drake ( I Believe and It Was a Very Good Year)and Jack Lawrence ( Linda, Tenderly) and others.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
an interesting interlude,
By
This review is from: Jukebox Saturday Night: More Memories of the Big Band Ear and Beyond (Paperback)
I enjoyed this book and found some of the detail fascinating although at other times I felt it was skimming the surface and not going deep enough. There are slight errors eg Fletcher Henderson did not write King Porter Stomp he only arranged it and I was surprised to see Bubber Miley's picture included in a set of fifties Ellington men - he must have smelt pretty bad!On the whole a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the big bands
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