2nd Post: G – (3 Groups) Last Names

1950 and 1960s MUSIC GROUPS (G’s)

This post highlights musical artists from the 1950s and 1960s that have last names beginning with G. The artists include: Marvin Gay, Lesley Gore and The Grateful Dead. These wonderfully talented musicians continue to support my belief that the 1950s & 1960s were the best music era of all time.

Gaye, Marvin. 1939-84

Known as “The Prince of Motown.” His famous hits were: “How Sweet It Is”(https://youtu.be/beW9AH1Goxg) (RQ 6) and “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” (https://youtu.be/hajBdDM2qdg) (RQ 9). His first record was “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” (https://youtu.be/nDWK5IANPWo) (RQ 6) in 1962.

In the mid-sixties he began doing duets with Kim Weston “It Takes Two” (https://youtu.be/cB5sCP6s120) (RQ 7) and Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (https://youtu.be/IC5PL0XImjw) (RQ 10).

In 1967, Tammi collapsed in Marvin’s arms during a concert and later was diagnosed with a brain tumor which required multiple surgeries. This caused Marvin to become disillusioned with the recording business. His final duet project was with Diana Ross “My Mistake” (https://youtu.be/6SNtIOfuszg) (RQ 7).

Gore, Lesley. 1946-2015

Her given name was Lesley Sue Goldstein. In 1963, at only 16, she recorded her first hit: “Its My Party” (https://youtu.be/mIsnIt1p978) (RQ 10). Soon afterward she produced five more hits:

“Judy’s Turn To Cry” (https://youtu.be/Yy7aPyNuPxA) (RQ 7)

“She’s A Fool” (https://youtu.be/BqENDPYWYKo) (RQ 8)

“You Don’t Own Me” (https://youtu.be/vNb-8gLcXLs) (RQ 9)

“Maybe I Know” (https://youtu.be/pkXExTweFV4) (RQ 8)

“California Nights” (https://youtu.be/fp69yVqqidQ) (RQ 8)

“It’s My Party” earned a No1 rating and was certified as a gold record. She then won a Grammy nomination for: ”Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” (https://youtu.be/XQmBXEZEYtg) (RQ 6). She had a shot to record “A Groovy Kind of Love” but Smash Records refused to let her record it with the word groovy was in its lyrics. The Mindbenders ended up recording it and it ended up being No2 on the Billboard charts. In 1967, she mixed acting with her singing. She picked up roles in Batman and Catwoman. Plus, “California Nights” ended up in the top 40 rankings. Later on in her career, she began composing music. In 1980 she wrote “Out Here on My Own” (https://youtu.be/DQkRp49b3wE) (RQ 8) for the film Fame. She won an Academy Award nomination. In 2005, she produced an album called “Ever Since” (https://youtu.be/uBBGF2GORNo) (RQ 7). The album received favorable reviews from the New York Times, Billboard Magazine and Rolling Stone.

Grateful Dead. 1965-

The group was formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band was known for their eclectic style, blending rock, folk, country, jazz, bluegrass, blues, gospel and psychedelic rock. The founding members were: Jerry Garcia (lead guitar), Bob Weir (rhythm guitar), Ron McKernan (keyboard, vocals), Phil Lesh (bass, vocals) and Bill Kruetzmann (drums). First hits: “American Beauty-album” (https://youtu.be/nxjvo4BRf-Y) (RQ 7) and “Workingman’s Dead” (https://youtu.be/yD1naKNQuF4) (RQ 8). The group produced a total of 22 albums between 1967-1999. In 1994 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll HOF. Also, in 2007, they received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.