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We conclude our four part Hall of Fame spotlight on Frank Sinatra's career with more little known details about the man and his music. In this installment, you'll hear about the post-Columbia Records days when he was no longer in demand. He had no hits and no record contract -- that is, until Capitol Records came calling and everything changed.
You'll learn what it meant for a songwriter to have one of their songs recorded by Frank and why Sinatra...
2) Jerry Vale
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Jerry Vale always knew that he wanted to sing. His tremendous vocal talent and charismatic personality allowed the crooner to impress both in recording and in live performances as he toured all over the country and regularly topped the pop charts throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In this conversation with Wink Martindale, Vale discusses his career as a performer, some of his most popular recordings and the people that helped him in his professional...
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Frankie Laine's far-reaching appeal made him a hit in the '40s and '50s. While his contemporaries found success early in life, Laine didn't see fame until his late 30s. Despite his late-blooming career, his excursion into the world of music began much earlier, during his years as a teenager performing at dance marathons.
Wink Martindale spoke with him in June 1973. Laine recounted what led up to his first hit with "That's My Desire." He also reflected...
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John Denver dominated the 1970s with sold out concerts and chart-topping music. Wink Martindale spoke with Denver in Los Angeles in 1975 in the midst of this success. Denver recounts the road that began with him dropping out of college and moving to Los Angeles to find work as a singer.
Denver passionately describes his attachment to music beyond entertainment, and his desire to connect with audiences on a personal level. While he's lax to espouse...
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For Alan and Marilyn Bergman, being married and working together as songwriters had many perks. The two found that their relationship allowed them to be uninhibited in sharing ideas while crafting a song. In this interview recorded with Wink Martindale in the 1980s, they discussed their lives, lyrics and careers as songwriters. The couple provides an intimate and detailed look at the songwriting process along with sharing interesting stories about...
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Roger Williams stood alone in the world of popular music. He was just three years old when he first sat in front of a piano and played a song. He went on to study piano at Drake University and Julliard and had his first success with the single "Autumn Leaves." Williams sat down for a conversation with Wink Martindale in 1972 to discuss his career and passion for playing music. He talks about his early life and musical journey, the importance of hard...
7) Pat Boone
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Pat Boone's first hit came with "Two Hearts, Two Kisses (Make One Love)" in 1954. His success continued as he sold millions of records through the 50s and early 60s and recorded more than a dozen singles that went gold. Boone's career expanded beyond music as he starred in numerous films and even hosted his own variety television show. He sat down with Wink Martindale for a conversation in May of 1972 to discuss his early life, his relationship with...
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The story of The Mills Brothers is much like that of many entertainers, featuring humble beginnings,, big dreams, success, tragedy and ultimately a happy ending. In 1973, host Wink Martindale sat down with two of the original Mills Brothers, Harry and Donald, to recount their tale. The pair details the earliest days of their career in Piqua, Ohio. From that small-town start, the group went on to sell millions of records and enjoy wildly popularity....
9) Ray Charles
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Ray Charles lived his life with no regrets, no matter the ups or the downs. After losing his sight at 7 years old, and his parents passing away while he was a teenager, he went on to experience phenomenal success as a singer, songwriter and musician. Charles didn't often agree to interviews, but in this rare and lengthy conversation he had with Wink Martindale in 1970 he offered an introspective look at his personal life and storied career. He reflects...
10) Neil Diamond
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The Coney Island section of Brooklyn, NY was the birthing ground for the man the rest of the world would eventually come to know as Neil Diamond. In this special Hall of Fame spotlight, host Wink Martindale takes a look at Diamond's illustrious career, beginning with those early days in Coney Island, which Diamond tells Wink, was "the most fantastic place in the world for a kid to grow up." Diamond shares his memories of the first song he wrote and...
11) Vic Damone
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Vic Damone quit school as a teenager to work at the Paramount Theater to help support his family after his father was injured. During this time he was exposed to a host of accomplished singers both on the stage and behind the scenes. While operating the backstage elevator for Perry Como, Damone asked if he could sing for him to see if he had any talent. He stopped the elevator between floors and after he finished, Como told him he should keep it up....
12) Bobby Vinton
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Bobby Vinton, "The Most Successful Unknown," says he never wanted to be a musician; he wanted to be a football player instead. In fact, his parents would bribe him 25 cents an hour just to get him to practice his clarinet. Vinton sat down with Wink Martindale in 1973 to discuss his success with "Blue on Blue" and the story behind "Roses are Red." He says writing songs is difficult and he isn't sure who is buying his albums. Vinton also discusses putting...
13) Wayne Newton
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An in-depth examination of the career of Wayne Newton featuring extensive interviews with Newton
14) Gordon Jenkins
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Gordon Jenkins arranged for legendary musicians, recorded a dozen hit singles including "P.S. I Love You" and "Blue Prelude" and a host of other accomplishments in the world of music. The arranger, composer and pianist was influential throughout the 40s and 50s. Despite his many musical talents, Jenkins discusses his desire but unfortunate inability to sing. In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Jenkins talks about his expansive musical work,...
15) The Carpenters
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In a time when hard rock was all the rage, The Carpenters were bringing a softer sound to the airwaves of the 1970s. While many artists churned out new music constantly, they took a different approach. They waited for a great song with a great sound to come together, only putting out a new song when they were sure they were putting out a hit. Siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter sat down with Wink Martindale in 1970 during the success of Close To...
16) Nat "King" Cole
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Nat King Cole's musical journey began as a teenager receiving classical piano training, which he later abandoned to pursue jazz with the Nat King Cole Trio. His career continued to evolve as he found success as a singer with hits including "Nature Boy," "Mona Lisa" and "Too Young." Narrator Wink Martindale takes listeners on a captivating journey with producers, songwriters and other colleagues sharing stories of Cole's exceptional career. His wife...
17) Roberta Flack
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Roberta Flack gained national recognition with her song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" from the movie Play Misty for Me. The singer, songwriter and musician performed a wide variety of music including jazz, classical, folk, soul, pop and R&B. She was the first to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in two consecutive years.
Flack takes pride in being an accomplished artist and a shrewd business woman. Wink Martindale speaks with Flack...
18) Petula Clark
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Petula Clark's career began at the young age of nine. She got her start on BBC radio during World War II and in the years to follow she would perform hundreds of times for the troops and become known as "Britain's Shirley Temple." Clark sat down with host Wink Martindale to discuss her exciting musical journey that spanned more than seven decades and included radio, film, television and music. Martindale gives listeners an intimate look at the singer's...
19) Steve & Eydie
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Husband and wife duo Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé performed back-and-forth comic banter while keeping music at the center of their act. While much of the act was meticulously rehearsed, the pair left parts of each performance open for adlibbing and improvisation.
In an interview with host Wink Martindale, Steve and Eydie sit down and discuss how they had met, their early lives and their love for performing. Martindale gives listeners an entertaining...
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We begin our exploration of the career of Elvis Presley, which found him recording for the now world-famous Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips in 1954. Only a few short years later, he would shift to RCA Records, releasing his first single for the label, "Heartbreak Hotel," in January of 1956. As host Wink Martindale recalls, "Presleymania" was in full swing by 1957. Longtime Presley associates Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore, Ray Walker and Gordon...
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