The choppy clicking beat that drives the Bee Gees classic 70s hit “Jive Talkin'” was inspired by the noise that the Gibb Brothers car made as it crossed the Julia Tuttle Causeway Bridge in Miami. I wonder how many other songs were influenced by bridge related sounds?
Did you know that there are four winners of acting Oscars who have also had UK number one singles? No nor did I until I chanced upon the quiz in this weeks NME. Those four clever people and their UK number ones are;
Frank Sinatra won the best supporting actor Oscar for his role in 1954’s ‘From Here To Eternity’
Frank’s UK number one songs were; “Three Coins In A Fountain” (1954), “Strangers In The Night” (1966) and “Something Stupid” (with his daughter Nancy Sinatra (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlSbSKNk9f0
Cher won the best actor Oscar for her part in ‘Moonstruck’ in 1988.
Cher’s UK number one singles were “I Got You Babe” (with then husband Sonny Bono) (1965), “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)” (1990), “Love Can Build A Bridge” (with Chrissie Hynde, Eric Clapton and Neneh Cherry) (1995) and “Believe” (1998)
Lee Marvin won the best actor Oscar for his part in the 1965 film ‘Cat Ballou‘
Lee’s only UK number one was “Wandrin’ Star” which was taken from the soundtrack of ‘Paint Your Wagon’ in 1970. The B side was another actor not famed for his singing, Clint Eastwood with “I Talk To The Trees”
Barbara Streisand won the best actor Oscar for 1969’s ‘Funny Girl’.
Barbara’s only UK number one was “Woman In Love” (1980) which was written by Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees
Back on February 6th I posted about Robin Gibb‘s apparent remission from colon cancer. (Click here to read that post). As many of you already know he has now passed away aged just 62. Robin was a talented singer and songwriter who until the Bee Gees found mega success as the doyens of disco in the 70s was their lead vocalist.
I have nothing to add to all that has been written about him so far other than to say that my thoughts go to his family, friends and fans. Robin Gibb RIP.
This is a very brief post to wish Bee Gee Robin Gibb all the best in his continuing recovery from colon cancer. he said ‘Well, it’s all simple. I was diagnosed with a growth in my colon. It was removed. And I’ve been treated for that by a brilliant doctor, and in their own words ‘the results have been spectacular’.
he is also preparing to release his first classical composition based on the story of the Titanic and called ‘Titanic Requiem’. He collaborated with his son RJ on the project and will lead a performance of the work with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on 10th April. Which is the 100th anniversary of the launch of the doomed cruise liner.
Click here to read the story on the BBC website.
In the meantime enjoy a few Bee Gees classics;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uRiGtTqXRE
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 