Music History Monday: What’s in a Name?

Music History Monday: What’s in a Name?

Author: Robert Greenberg July 8, 2024 Duration: 17:41

We mark the birth on July 8, 1935 – 89 years ago today – of the American Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, actor, and comedian Steve Lawrence, in Brooklyn, New York.  He died just four months ago, on March 7, 2024, in Los Angeles. Steve Lawrence, one might ask?  Have potential topics for Music History Monday become so depleted that after nearly eight years (my first such blog was posted on September 9, 2016) I’ve been reduced to profiling baritone-voiced male pop singers of the second half of the twentieth century?  Who’s next: Dean Martin? Perry Como?  Andy Williams? Tom Jones? Jack Jones? Vic Damone? Al Martino? Robert Goulet? And what of it, I would rather AGGRESSIVELY ASK IN RESPONSE?  Over the years, I’ve profiled the likes of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Otis Redding, and Chubby Checker, among others.  SO WHY NOT STEVE LAWRENCE? Okay, I will admit that there is an ulterior motive here, and we’ll get to that ulterior motive behind this profile of Maestro Lawrence in due time.  But first, permit me, please, to reminisce. “Fitting In” As I have mentioned more than once, I was born and spent my first years in […]

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Every Monday, join Robert Greenberg for a deep and engaging look at the events that have shaped our musical world. In Music History Mondays, Greenberg-a composer, author, and celebrated professor-applies his signature blend of expertise, wit, and storytelling to the dates that matter. Each episode focuses on a specific anniversary, weaving together biographical sketches, cultural context, and insightful commentary to reveal how a premiere, a birth, a death, or a scandal changed the course of music. You’ll hear about the fierce rivalries, personal dramas, and brilliant innovations behind the notes, all presented with a conversational energy that makes centuries-old stories feel immediate and relevant. This isn't a dry lecture; it's a weekly journey into the heart of why music moves us, hosted by a guide who makes every detail fascinating. Tune in to this podcast for a regular dose of historical discovery, where each story connects the past directly to the music we know and love today.
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