Tag Archives: Presidential Medal of Freedom

today’s birthday: Aretha Franklin (1942)

Aretha Franklin (1942)

Known as the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin began singing in church choirs as a child before achieving mainstream success with a string of hit songs including “Respect,” “Think,” and “Natural Woman.” In 1987, she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and, in 2005, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian decoration in the US. She is the second most honored female singer in the history of the Grammy Awards. How many has she won? More… Discuss

news: Maya Angelou Passes Away

Maya Angelou Passes Away


Enhanced by Zemanta


Duke Ellington (1899)

Duke Ellington was an American jazz musician and composer. Among his best-known short works are “Mood Indigo,” “Solitude,” and “Sophisticated Lady.” He also wrote jazz works of complex orchestration for concert presentation and composed religious music, including three sacred concerts. Ellington toured Europe extensively, appeared in numerous jazz festivals and several films, and made hundreds of recordings. In 1969, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. What was his real name? More… Discuss

Track List:
1. “Stompy Jones” (Duke Ellington) 0.00
2. “Just Squeeze Me” (Fats Waller, Clarence Williams) 
3. “Big Shoe” (Jimmy Hamilton) 11:20
4. “Going Up” (D. Ellington)  16:58
5.”Just a Memory” (Lew Brown, Buddy DeSylva, Ray Henderson21:48
6. “Let’s Fall in Love” (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) 27:43
7. “Ruint” (Mercer Ellington, Johnny Hodges34:32
8. “Bend One” (Hodges) 37:07
9. “You Need to Rock” (Hodges) 40:07

Enhanced by Zemanta