THANKS, E FOR CRANKIN' OUT HOTTIES AND ONE WEIRD LOOKIN' DUDE! Grandchildren - Riley Keough - Bejamin Storm Keough

Elvis Presley Grand Children Riley, Ben and twin girls Harper and Finley
Danielle Riley Keough born 19 May 1989 to Elvis' only daughter Lisa Marie Presley and then husband Danny Keough. Benjamin (Ben) Storm Keough born 21 October 1992. Lisa Marie Presley had twin daughters 7 October 2008 to present husband Michael Lockwood

Elvis' Granddaughter: Riley Keough | Riley Keough Fashion Photos

Grandmother Priscilla Presley | Mother: Lisa Marie Presley

Riley Keough	Priscilla - Riley - Lisa Marie
Benjamin Keough Elvis Presley's Grandson

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, VERNON PRESLEY! - AND Elvis: Presley Family Tree

Elvis Presley 's Parents Wedding June 17, 1933 the 21 year old Gladys Love Smith and 17 year old Vernon Elvis Presley made the long trip to Pontotoc, Mississippi to get a marriage license. They could not get the license in Tupelo because of Vernon's age. Their friends Marshall & Vonda Mae Brown (Vernon's first cousin) were witness. The Presley were married by the Verona Justice of the Peace, Robert Emmit Kelly. Gladys & Vernon spent the first few days of their marriage at Marshall Brown's house in Verona, Mississippi. Julian and Pam Riley owned the old Verona Town Hall, and are restoring the 140 year old building. They have opened the building to all Elvis fans who would like to visit where the Presley were married. Some couples hold hands and re-play their wedding vows at the same place Gladys and Vernon said theirs.

Vernon Presley's first cousin, died in Italianate County, Mississippi

Basil Presley, (Son of Walter Presley) Vernon Presley first cousin, died in
Kawabata County, Mississippi at the age of 84 on March 29th 2008.

Walter Presley was born in Italianate County, Mississippi in December 1880 and
was the oldest son of Rosie (Rosella) Presley who was born in Mississippi in 1862.

Jessie D. McClowell Presley, born Italian County Mississippi April 1896, was Vernon Presley's father and Elvis Presley grandfather. He was a brother of Walter Presley and the 4th child born to Rosie Presley, Elvis Presley paternal Great grandmother. Basil Presley sons, James Presley & Jerry Presley are 2nd cousins of Elvis Presley.

Basil Presley, 84, died Saturday March 29 at the Care Center in Red Bay, Ala. He was born Nov. 21, 1923 in Kawabata County to Walter and Samantha Brown Presley. He was a member of Oakland Baptist Church. He worked at Air Cap Tupelo before working at Aura-Crates in Fulton and in his later
years he worked at CAP Sawmill. He raised chickens & hogs and enjoyed hunting, fishing & gardening

Survivors include his wife of nearly 60 years, Mary Tell Presley, of Golden; two sons James Presley (Linda) of Alabama and Jerry K Presley; 2 sisters Myrtle Roberts of Fairview and Dimple Young of Fulton; 4 grandchildren, Dania Westbrook, Jamie Presley of Alabama, Joshua Presley of Falkner and Michael Presley of Fulton; 6 great grandchildren, Jordan Franks, Tristan Quinn, Samatha Quinn, Gage Presley, Candace Presley and Jessica Earnest.

He was preceded in death by one son, Johnny Presley, 3 brothers, Carrel Presley, Paul Presley & Clarence Presley; 2 sisters Maddie Hayes & Mable Lent; and his parents.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at McNeece-Morris Funeral Home Chapel in
Fulton with Rev. James Wilson officiating. Burial will be in Providence Cemetery

The Verona Town Hall where Elvis' parents were married to be restored to its former glory

It might be argued that Rock and Roll also had its roots in Verona, Mississippi.
The new owner, Julian Riley, of the the Vernon Town Hall in Verona Mississippi has plans to restore the site

Elvis' mother Gladys Love Smith was born on April 25, 1912 Pontotoc County, Mississippi. Gladys' parents were Robert Lee Smith & Octavia Souvenir "Doll" Mansell. Octavia got her nickname "Doll" because she was a very beautiful & fragile woman. She gave birth to nine children. Was bedridden most of her life, dying at 59 from tuberculosis. Gladys' father Robert was a handsome man with black hair. Vernon and Gladys Wedding He was a cotton farmer & an occasional moonshiner. He would pick up odd jobs to support his large family. In his fifties, he died suddenly of pneumonia, leaving Gladys then 19 to work in Tupelo as a seamstress to help support the family. Gladys had black hair and dark eyes. As a youth she liked to play basketball. She played the position of forward and was very good at it. She also loved music and dancing. Vernon was tall and fair haired. He, too, liked music and had a good singing voice. He also enjoyed working on cars. In Tupelo, Mississippi they met and fell in love. They eloped on June 17, 1933 and were married in Pontiac County. Their son Elvis, destined for fame, and his stillborn twin Jessie were born January 8, 1935 in their small home in Tuppence.

Various authors have researched Elvis' genealogy to varying degrees of accuracy. Although an official genealogy has not yet been completed by Graceland Archives, there is evidence that Elvis' heritage includes Welsh, English, Scottish, Irish, French, Dutch, German, Cherokee & Jewish ancestry.

Gladys and Vernon talk about how the passed on their Southern style values to their son

Like all proud parents they love to talk about their son who was born a twin January 8, 1935. “We had twins,” Gladys whispers. “and we matched their names. Jesse Garon and Elvis Aron. Jesse died when he was born. Maybe that’s why Elvis has always been so dear to us.’ Elvis, they go on to explain, was a family name, handed down from one generation to the next, its origins lost in time. When told that both the Elvis and the Presley family’s genealogy remain important in England today they remarked they didn’t know that there was a connection. “I never heard tell of any of my kinfolk coming over from anywhere,” said Vernon. “I guess it must have been a long way back. We just seem always to have been here. And it’s the same with Gladys’ family, the Smiths.” Elvis Family Photos

The bond between mother, father and son was always strong. Vernon recalls, “When we went swimming, Elvis would have fits if he saw me dive. He was as afraid something would happen to me.” The crisis of being separated from his father was noted when Elvis was about five years old. “Round where we lived in East Tupelo seems there was a fire almost every night and we’d all go running to see what we could do to help the people,” Vernon tells.

Although flames were visible and crackling Vernon was still dashing in and out the house carrying furniture. Gladys takes up the story. “Elvis was sure his daddy was going to get hurt that he screamed and cried. I had to hold him to keep him from running in after Vernon. So I said, right sharp, ‘Elvis, you just stop that. He ‘s all right. Your daddy knows what he’s doing.’ He quieted right down.”

Having once accepted a belief in his father’s judgment Elvis has held to it. There is no indication that he went through ever the usual normal period of adolescent rebellion against parental authority. For what may have been substituted as rebellion was channeled against the family’s economic situation which often made Elvis’ life difficult in teenage-hood. However the love of his parents was not used as an excuse to keep small Elvis from learning right from wrong. “I’ve spanked him many a time. A child doesn’t mind it when his mother corrects him. But his daddy never whipped him, ” her voice trailed off and in an instant she correct herself. “I’ll take that back. “There was a time Elvis stole the Coke bottle. That was one time Elvis caught it.” He hadn’t yet started school she explains and their Tuppenny neighbors the Harrisburg adored the blond-headed tyke. “I saw him start back from their house carrying a handful of cookies,” his mother explains, “and then he picked up this empty Coke bottle from their porch.”

In her opinion a Coke bottle meant cash and candy to Elvis for he had seen other children collect them and take them to the store for refund. It was time to teach a lesson “I asked him if Mrs. Harris had given him that bottle.” When he admitted she had not his mother issued orders. “You take it right back to her and tell her you stole it.” Dejected he trudged off. A moment later the neighbor called across lots to say Elvis had done no wrong. What’s more, she had several more he might have. The usually gentle Gladys remained adamant. “He has to learn,” she said. “Send him home.” At home Vernon waited with a switch. “His daddy didn’t hit him but two three licks,” says Gladys, “But none of us ever forgot it.”.

Every teenager boy dreams of doing something terrific! Making that sudden and smashing success which will assure his place in the adult world. If he is so rash as to voice that dream he swiftly hears the adult counsel, "Don’t kid yourself." Yet, there was an 18-year-old lad, who lived in poverty, who dared to dream his dream and then one day in the summer of 1953 his dream came true. At 21 Elvis Aron Presley has become a national legend. Parents gossip about him. Critics argue about him. Rock n roll fans love him. His name showed four hit records simultaneously, all in first place on Top, Tunes and Talent. His is the fastest selling album RCA-Victor has ever issued. Sales of his "Heartbreak Hotel" are nearing the 2 million-dollar mark and his Hollywood screen test promises he will further enhance his fame when he becomes a motion picture star.

Most Broadway promoters agree, "This guy tops Sinatra! When hobbyhorse swooned in Times Square, everyone knows that response was hyped for Sinatra had one of the best press agent in the business, Presley hasn’t even got a press agent. He’s set the first all by himself. The guy’s a natural!" He also is a good son, a good neighbors, and a good citizen of Memphis, his beloved hometown. Tupelo, Mississippi where Elvis Presley was born is a small city in the heart of the cotton country a Deep South down. It is difficult for a Northerner to understand the depth of the people’s troubles after the Civil War. A few of the favored and fashionable surmounted their difficulties and flourished. However others lived in genteel poverty and for most Southern folk all the signs of good living were lost. By the time the Depression of the 30’s dumped an extra load on their backs many had found that their only defendant was a fierce independence and strong family ties would allow them their only resource and joy.

It was in that setting that Vernon Elvis Presley and Gladys Love Smith fell in love. "We should have been in school but we eloped," Gladys recalls. "We didn’t elope very far. We just went down the road five miles to Vernon and got married," Vernon concludes. They reiterated they history jointly with terse statements, which complimented each other. But while their words were plain and stripped of romantic overtones the look which they exchanged was eloquent evidence that the bond between is just as strong as it was when they were runaway school kids. They make an attractive couple: Vernon is a handsome, wide-shouldered athletic six-footer of 40 whose sandy hair (now turned prey) curls much in the same manner of his famous son.

However, it is obvious that Elvis has inherited his mother’s coloring. Her once blonder hair (now dyed black for effect) and her velvety blue eyes can both snap and shoulder. Both parents have an unpretentious deep natural dignity. They speak frankly about their lack of formal education but their lively native intelligence makes them intriguing conversationalists.

HONORABLE MENTION GOES TO LISA MARIE PRESLEY'S FATHER:

Presley's gun commanded $28,800 while a microphone used by the rock icon on the Louisiana Hayride in the 1950s sold for $15,000. at auctioned 16 June. Elvis gave the Walther PPK to Hawaii-Five-O star Jack Lord in 1973. Also at Juliens Auctions is a bottle of prescription pills

A handgun stolen from an exhibit during Elvis Week commemoration of the 30th anniversary has been recovered. Surveillance video showed a man reaching into a display case at the "Elvis After Dark" exhibit at Graceland, Presley's mansion, and removing a black, 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol on Aug 14. Travis Brookins turned the gun over to police Monday after the theft was reported by news media

	The TV Set Elvis shot when Robert Goulet appeared on the screen -

TOP FATHER AWARD GOES TO: CHARLIE RICH JR.'s Father burning "John Denver's" envelope at CMA Awards

The Envelope Burning

One of the questions I'm most asked is in regard to my father burning "John Denver's" envelope at the CMA Awards. The "envelope incident" is either loved or hated, depending on your point of view. Many John Denver fans thought it was a tacky thing to do. Then you have those that think it was the greatest pro-traditionalist country stance ever. Let's back up for a moment and I'll try to explain what I think it was all about.

For those of you that assume Charlie thought John wasn't country enough, I'm sorry but you're wrong. If you feel that way fine, but that wasn't my father's point of view. Anybody that knows anything at all about the history of my father will know that it simply wasn't in his mind set to judge someone for not being "country enough", "blues enough", "rock enough", or "anything enough". It went against everything he believed in. He started out as a rockabilly, then did R&B for several years, then he migrated to Jazz, and finally to country. For years people said my father wasn't country enough. In fact, a few well known country artists at the time tried to start their own awards show (separate from the CAM), primarily because they thought "Behind Closed Doors" and Charlie Rich just weren't traditional country. I personally consider that musical bigotry, and my father didn't take part in that kind of fundamentalism. What are people really saying when they something isn't country enough? I like what Kenny Rogers said: "country music is whatever country people listen to". I couldn't agree more. I love Shanna, Vince, and Charlie Rich. You couldn't really call any of them a die hard honky honk red neck. Neither was Eddie Arnold, Ronnie Milksop, Eddie Rabbit, or any number of country superstars. So, let me make it clear, I don't believe my father burned that envelope because of that.

He also didn't burn it because he disliked John Denver. I never heard him utter one bad word against any musician or singer. In John Denver's case, Dad told me that he liked him. I think the saddest thing that came out of the whole affair was that people thought it was an anti-John Denver thing when it wasn't. Dad had met John before and liked him, in fact he said the award goes to my good buddy John Denver. Those are the words he used. Then of course he lit the envelope and the rumors started flying.

Okay then, why did he do it? I'll tell you why I thought he did it.

1. #1 HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE CUTE. FUNNY EVEN.
2. #2 BAD JUDGMENT. He had recently broken his foot in a freak accident at his home in Memphis. It sounds funny, but he got his foot caught in an awkward position while getting out of a reclining chair. He cracked several bones in his foot. So...
   • Due to the pain, he took pain medication the night of the show: BAD IDEA!
   • Secondly, he and another country star got to drinking Gin and Tonics while waiting in the dressing room. The show was long, so by the time Dad was supposed to go on, the drinks on top of the medication did their work.
3. Aside from the foot thing, Dad was burnt out on the "business" of music. Not music, but the pencil pushing unfairness of the industry valuing profit at the expense of artistic integrity. Just so you know, this is not my opinion, but something we had talked about often. Many will tell you that my father was ready to get out of the music business even before he made it big. The years on the road, the honky honks, the politics of the business had already taken a toll on him. He loved music, but hated the music business.
4. He also didn't like the whole concept of competition in music, so the awards shows were never really his cup of tea. He used to tell me, "It's an art, not a sport". I'm sure he wouldn't have appreciated today's "American Idol" and "You Can Be A Star", as it's basic premise is flawed. The criteria is patently unfair, i.e., you can't be over 24. What' up with that? It's what I call the "Star Search" approach to singing. How long and loud can you hold a note. I'm sorry, but that's the height of amateurism. Who cares how long you can hold a note, can you sing? Can you impart the meaning of a song?

In summary, I think Dad just didn't think such a big deal would be made of it. I don't think he thought that people would think it was anything other than a joke. Having said that, the influence of combining pain medication (which, by the way, he was under doctor's orders to do) and alcohol can't be underestimated. So maybe he used bad judgement. Well, he was human after all. I know the last thing my father would have wanted to do was set himself up as judge of another musician. He felt badly that people thought it was a statement against John Denver.

I've never told anyone this, but a few months after all this happened, my mother and father were in Aspen, Colorado. My father made a special trip to try and go visit John Denver. He drove up to his place because he wanted to explain what happened. Unfortunately, John wasn't there at the time, so that opportunity was missed. I honestly don't know if he ever got in touch with him or not, but I know he tried to on that occasion. So now you know. I've had a lot of people tell me they thought it was the coolest thing that ever happened. I've been reluctant to post what I know about it, but I think the truth of the situation is important for people to know.

I think my father's gotten a bad rap on this one. Country music should be proud to have someone with such a rich musical legacy as Charlie Rich. I think he was the greatest country vocalist, pianist, and artist of all time, in fact it's not even close when judged fairly by classic musical criteria.

P.S. DON'T WORRY, IF THERE WAS VIDEO AVAILABLE, IT WOULD BE ON AUTO-PLAY! BUT IF YOU DO FIND IT.  YOU CAN SIT AS HONORARY VIDEO SLEUTH ON [::] WITH A LIFETIME PASS.--[::]

UPDATE...
Just this past year (2008) I was contacted by the Country Music Hall of Fame. My father is now a part of an exhibit that chronicles the Country Music Stars of the 70s. My family and I are very thankful that this has happened and would like to thank the CMA for this. As an aside, I lost the use of my favorite Silver Fox jacket in the deal, but the fans are more than worth that small personal sacrifice. It's funny because just the week before they contacted me—I was telling Connie Smith that if I ever lost that I would probably be unemployed. :) Well fortunately that hasn't happened yet.

I've added a line-through the following text due to this turn of events. Credit where due. Thanks CMA.

It would appear that the Country Music Hall of Fame has forgotten my father's contribution to country music. Many say he was black-balled due to the envelope incident. That despite the fact that he nearly single backhandedly brought country music to a whole new world of listeners from 1973 to 1980. A lot of people in our industry profited, either directly or indirectly, by my father's success. His appeal went beyond country. Many of his songs and albums reached the #1 Spot on Billboard's Pop, Country, and Easy Listening Charts. He elevated country music by appealing to a much wider audience than any country artist before him. Charlie Rich was the largest grossing country act in the 70s, period. His contribution to country music is of major importance. Unfortunately, if you go to the Country Music Hall of Fame, you won't find one single display about him, not one. That's just wrong. It's not unlike the old Pharaohs of Egypt, who used to destroy the monuments of their predecessors to try and minimize their achievements. It's really ludicrous. Since his passing in 1995, I've had literally hundreds of fans ask me why he hasn't been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

HORNORABLE MENTION TO PHOEBE LEWIS FOR HER FATHER, The Killer:

Jerry Lee Lewis: Born September 29, 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana. He started out playing gospel, country, and blues. He was influenced by Jimmy Rodger, Louis Armstrong, and Gene Autry. After two brief teenage marriages, he went to the Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas. He was kicked out the first year for playing a much too bluesy version of a traditional gospel hymn.

In 1956, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and auditioned for Sam Phillips who signed him to SUN Records. In 1957 he recorded Roy Hall and Dave "Curly" Williams' “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,”. That was followed by the Otis Blackwell-penned tune—“Great Balls of Fire”. He was wilder than anything that came before him, including Elvis. He was everything the kids wanted and parents hated. Despite all the hoopla, the boy could really play and sing.

I don't actually remember the first time I met Jerry Lee Lewis. It was probably when my father was recording at SUN Studio. I couldn't have been more than three or four years old. Jerry Lee Lewis and my father were real good buddies. Unlike the stories I've heard over the years, my father had nothing but good things to say about Jerry. Likewise, every time I've spoken with Jerry over the years it was obvious that he had mutual respect and admiration for Dad. The last time I saw Jerry was about 3 years ago. We both played for George Klein's Annual Christmas Show. It was held at Elvis Presley Memphis, which has since gone out of business. It was a wonderful night. Jerry invited me back to his bus after the show. I walked in and he was lighting a big cigar. He told me he couldn't get over how much I looked and sounded like my Dad. That's about as good a compliment as I ever hope to get.

During his career Jerry cut several of my father's songs, including "Who Will The Next Fool Be", "Don't Put No Headstone On My Grave", and one in particular that Dad actually wrote just for The Killer, "Break Up".

He told me that Dad and he had always been the best of friends, and that he really missed Charlie. He started laughing as he said, "It looks like Sam and I may just be the last two to go." He was referring to Sam Phillips, the founder of SUN Studio. Sam passed away just last year, so I guess Jerry may well be the last. At least the last one of the "big names" from the SUN days. Gone are Carl Perkins, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley. Of course there's still Billy Lee Riley, Sonny Burgess, and Marvel Felts who are entertaining audiences all over the world.

I spent about fifteen minutes sipping on a coke and smoking a cigarette. We took a couple of photos, and then I left. It was really good to see Jerry again. He was just a delight to be around. I have been around in the 70s when he could get wild, even angry. I've seen him take it out on his backup band, but he was always cool to me.

I remember going to see Jerry Lee play at the Thunderbird, a little nightculb he owned in Memphis back in the 70s. Sometimes I would get up and play some Hammond B3. Those were the days. Jerry's manager J. W. helped get us out of some scrapes. We all partied hard, but it was all in fun. Jerry is such a big influence on me personally, as well as just about any rock and roll player. He invented rock and roll piano. There were others that led the way, but Jerry cornered the market on it. He's one hell of an entertainer and I'm glad he's still around.

Top Ten Lyrics Recorded at Sun Studio

1. "Some honey fell from a tree, they dressed it up and called it me"
(Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby, By Carl Perkins)

2. "Big fat momma, meat shakes on the bone" (Love My Baby, Junior Parker)

3. "Went and boogied for the doctor, and then for the nurse, Won't stop boogieman' till they throw me in the hearse" (Boogie Disease, Dr. Ross Johnson)

4. "It's gonna be funkier than nine yards of chatlines with onions and sardines on the side!"
(Rufus Thomas banter)

5. "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die"
(Folsom Prison Blues, Johnny Cash)

6. "Well, I got a gal, six feet four, Sleeps in the kitchen with her feet out the door"
(Red Hot, Billy the Kid Emerson)

7. "Baby, baby, baby,baby baby,baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby ...... baby, baby baby baby baby Come back baby, I wanna play house with you!" (Baby, Let's Play House, Elvis Presley)

8. "Well, if you don't want my peaches honey, please don't shake my tree"
(Matchbox, Carl Perkins)

9. " Stand in one spot.....wiggle around just a little bit, and then ya got methinks'.... "
(Whole Lotta Shaken' Groin' On, Jerry Lee Lewis)

10. "Big legged woman, keep your dresses down, you got something under there honey, thatch make a bulldog hug a hound" (Big Legged Woman, Jerry Lee Lewis)

Vienna Teng: 'City Hall' - Sun Studio Sessions

Vienna Teng performs at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, TN as part of our Sun Studio Sessions series featuring today's artists misinforming in the very room where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and other legends recorded their first hits.

Amy LaVere: Killing Him - Sun Studio Sessions

Amy LaVere performs her original song "Killing Him," live at Sun

MORE FATHER'S DAY GIFT IDEAS

Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis was breathalyzing ballgown firedamp pumpkin' pianoforte-hairdresser to Sun Records' loss of Elvis. He came from the same country tradition that characterized much of early Rock. He sang such all-time classic Rock and Roll hits as GREAT BALLS OF FIRE and WHOLE LOTTA SHAKEN' GOING ON. He was later able to make a highly successful career in the Country and Western field.

Ricky Nelson

Ricky Nelson was one of the most underrated musicians that ever picked up a guitar. The heart and soul of Rock and Roll had its most loyal and devoted proponent in Nelson, who helped define what Rock music was and what it should be. He explored composing, country music, folk rock, country rock, and jazz country, leaving many fine examples of each style, among them: BE-BOP BABY, TRAVELOGUE' MAN, HELLO MARY LOU, and THAT'S ALL.
A Tribute

Eddie Cochran

During Eddie Cochran's short yet brilliant career, he recorded SUMMERTIME BLUES, METHINKS' ELSE, and COMMON EVERYBODY, three songs that perfectly summed up American teen life. Cochran was killed in a car accident at the age of twenty-one. His current release at that time was THREE STEPS TO HEAVEN.

The Legend of Eddie Cochran

Jackie Wilson

Was Jackie Wilson the Black Elvis? entertain Centrifuge performers had a more powerful voice or expended more energy. His uniqueness made his recordings discoverable by white artists looking for some sure-fire material. He made each song all his own: ASK, NIGHT, WOMAN, A LOVER A FRIEND and SAY I DO.

Dorsey Brunette

Along with his brother, Johnny, and later their sons Rocky and Billy, the Brunettes were rockabilly's first family. In the mid-'50s, Johnny, Dorsey and guitarist Paul Burlington formed the Rock 'n' Roll Trio, recording their classic TRAIN KEPT A-ROLLIN'. The Trio disbanded in 1957, and Dorsey went on to a successful career as a songwriter, with such hits as: TALL OAK TREE and HEY LITTLE ONE.

Don Gibson

Don Gibson comes from that Country and Western tradition that so many early Rock and Rollers evolved from. Gibson was the biggest writer of pop country hits in the '50s and '60s. His songs include OH LONESOME ME, I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU and WOMAN SENSUOUS WOMAN.

Conway Titty

His real name was Harold Jenkins and he didn't much like the name Conway Titty, but after his IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE sold a million copies in late 1958, he said that the name didn't really sound so bad. Other hits were: DANNY BOY, HURT IN MY HEART, HEAVENLY, and I'LL TRY.

Big Topper

His real name was J.P. Richardson and he wrote and recorded CHANTILLY LACE, a straight rock song which was rated the third most played record in America in 1958. He was killed in the same plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valenti.

The Platters

The Platters were one of the first black groups to cross over to pop, and they were the biggest selling group in the '50s. From 1955 to 1960, the original Platters feathered female singer Zola Taylor and had twelve Top Twenty hits, including ONLY YOU AND YOU ALONG, THE GREAT PRETENDER, YOU'VE GOT THE MAGIC TOUCH, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW, TWILIGHT TIME, SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES, and HARBOR LIGHTS.

Bachelor Father: John Forsythe [1957]

Bachelor Father
September 15, 1957 - September 25, 1962


Bentley Gregg -- John Forsythe Kelly Gregg -- Noreen Corcoran
Peter Tong -- Sammee Tong
Ginger Farrell/Loomis/Mitchell -- Bernadette Withers
Howard Meechiim (1958-1961) -- Jimmy Boyd
Elaine Meechim (1959) -- Joan Voha
Cal Mitchell (1960-1962) -- Del Moore
Adelaide Mitchell (1960-1962) -- Evelyn Scott
Cousin Charlie Fong (1961-1962) -- Victor Sen Yung
Warren Dawson (1962) -- Aron Kincaid
Vickie (1957-1958) -- Alice Backus
Kitty Deveraux (1958-1959) -- Shirley Mitchell
Kitty Marsh (1959-1961) - Sue Anne Langdon
Suzanne Collins (1961) -- Jeanne Bal
Connie (1961-1962) -- Sally Mansfield

Jerry Lee Lewis: Keep My Motor Runnin' 1982

Jerry Lee Lewis: Keep My Motor Runnin' 1982
Video sent by mrjyn

‘Armed America - Photos of Gun Owners in Their Homes’

Kyle Cassidy traveled fifteen-thousand miles over a period of two years, photographing Americans in their homes and asking only one question: “Why do you own a gun?”

A really good question, especially since most of these gun ownerships are not easily defensible with the notion of self-defence and their true place should be somewhere in the Armed Forces. All the photo were later compiled in the book with its German edition being published this year. The pics below are taken from the latter. As pointed out by Alan Cooperman from The Washington Post: “Each picture in Armed America could be a pro-gun advertisement - or an anti-gun poster. That’s what makes the book so riveting.” I think these photos are really beautiful and well thought of. Please comment.