The Day The Music Died...49 Years Later

The Day The Music Died
February 3rd, 1959

The 50s on 5 commemorates the 49th anniversary of one of saddest events in rock n' roll history; the deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & The Big Bopper. It was a stormy night near Clear Lake, IA when a small charted plane took off carrying the 3 stars, who had just performed as part of the Winter Dance Party tour. The plane crashed and for many this marked the end of the golden age of rock n' roll. This Sunday, February 3rd, the 50s will honor Buddy, Ritchie and J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) with hourly tributes to the three. Sunday, all day, on the 50s on 5.

And don't my special tribute on the Night Prowl Show, this Friday, Feb. 1st from 7-11pm ET.

Thanks,
Matt The Cat

Harlem: Week Of 1/28/08 - Jump Blues!

Shimmy, Shout, Knock Yo'self OUT....

Jump Blues

On

Harlem

This week, it's a full hour of hand clappin' and foot stomping as HARLEM features nothing but JUMP BLUES. You'll hear jivin' instrumentals by Red Prysock and Tommy Ridgley along with glorious blues shoutin' from Big T Tyler and Rockin' Roy Brown. Prepare to Lindy Hop til you drop with Matt The Cat, this week on HARLEM.

Harlem Airs on The 50s on 5:

Monday 1/28 @ 1pm over NYC

Tusday 1/29 @ 9pm PST / Midnight EST

Friday 2/1 @ 6pm over Baltimore

Sunady 2/3 @ 11am over Philly

-MTC

Harlem: Week Of 1/21/08 - Rare Chuck Berry!

CHUCK BERRY
Demos & Rarities

He's always been one of the building blocks of rock n' roll; writing his own material and inspiring generations with his groundbreaking guitar work. This week, Matt The Cat digs into Chuck Berry's creative process as we present some of Chuck's early demos for the songs that would make him famous. We'll hear early versions of “Rock And Roll Music” and “Sweet Little Sixteen” as well as the only known 50s record where Chuck played session guitar and didn't sing. Hear another side of Chuck Berry, this week on Harlem.

Harlem Airs On The 50s on 5:
Monday 1/21 at 1pm ET
Tuesday 1/22 at 9pm PT – Midnight ET
Friday 1/25 at 6pm ET
Sunday 1/27 at 11am ET

Doo Wop Thursday Feat. The Coasters!

Doo Wop Thursday

The Coasters

Doo Wop Thursday returns with a special focus on The Coasters. My guest will be James Ritz, who's compiled a great 4 CD box set for Rhino Handmade called "There's A Riot Going On: The Coasters On Atco". Find out more about it by clicking on the Rhino Handmade website.

Along with The Coasters, we'll also be highlighting great Doo Wop records by The Harptones, Jive Five, The Chantels, Lee Andrews & The Hearts, Five Keys and way too many groups to name. Join me at 4pm PT - 7pm ET for Doo Wop Thursday on The Night Prowl Show.

-Matt The Cat

Harlem - Week Of 1/14/08 - Mr. Excitement

Mr. Excitement
rocks
HARLEM
In the 1950s JACKIE WILSON had it all. His looks, his moves and his incredible voice shook the nation and helped to usher in the dawn of rock n' roll. Where do you think Elvis got all those pelvic gyrations? He got 'em from JACKIE, man. Hear Jackie Wilson's earth shaking beginnings as lead vocalist for the Dominoes through to his 1957 breakthrough and beyond. Look up "soul" in your dictionaries and sure enough you'll find a picture of Jackie Wilson (and Bobby Bennett), because he was there when it all began and so was HARLEM on the 50s on 5.

Catch Harlem 5 times weekly on the 50s on 5:
Monday 1/14 @ 1pm over Brooklyn, NY
Tuesday 1/15 @ 9pm over LA & midnight over Medford, MA
Friday 1/18 @ 6pm over Baltimore, MD
Sunday 1/20 @ 11am over Harlem, NY

Harlem - Week Of 1/7/08 - R&B Instrumentals!

R&B

INSTRUMENTALS

This week's Harlem is beyond words. That's because it features a solid hour of rhythm & blues instrumentals. You'll hear the LA honkers Big Jay McNeely and Joe Houston, pianists Ray Charles and Fats Domino and guitarist T-Bone Walker, just to name a few. You'll be speechless with 1950s instrumental R&B on Harlem.

HARLEM airs on the 50s on 5:
Monday 1/7 @ 1pm EST
Tuesday 1/8 @ 9pm over LA – Midnight over NYC
Friday 1/11 @ 6pm EST
Sunday 1/13 @ 11am EST

Keep on prowlin', Cats n' Kittens!

Matt The Cat