Johnny Grande 1930-2006

In 1951, when Bill Haley put together a band called the Saddlemen, Johnny Grande joined up as a piano player. He usually played accordian on stage (easier to carry), and featured on pretty much every Haley/Comets hit you can name staying with them until 1963.

For the last 19 years he has been a member of the continuously touring Original Comets, still playing great shows earlier this year. He died on June 3rd, 2006.

Here are two of those ground breaking early fifties sides. Rocket 88 from 1951, and Rock The Joint from 1952, and no, for those of you who were wondering, the 1957 hit was a re-recording of Rock The Joint for Decca.


Rocket 88 MP3
Rock The Joint MP3


There's a heartfelt history and a good read at answers.com and details on Every Haley Recording Ever at Chris Gardner's great Haley Database

Virtual Garage Blues Special

Over in Sonoma, in sunny California,
there's a man there with a mission, coz he just keeps wishin,
for some downright good n dirty honest as the day is long
music with holes in it's pockets.

Blaine Transue goes out live on KSVY 91.3 FM every Tuesday night. He features choice sounds from non-corporate independent, unsigned, 'do it coz I love it' musicians Worldwide, and Podcasts his shows at Virtual Garage

There is some wonderful music in the Blues Special ... but don't take my word for it!

You can download them from the Recent Shows Page or check out the Blues Special Playlist if you're up on your Unsigned, Independent, and Hearty as Life musicians.

Rob Andrews gets to choose ...

It's a new month and Rob has been delving into the archives to come up with a new selection of great tunage from MacIDOL, featuring some of our favorite artists and some I haven't heard before. Check it out, why doncha. Rob Andrews' MBOC June 06