This is the place where I talk about singers and their songs, movie stars and their movies of the '50s, '60s and '70s. Occasionally, I may talk about classical music, art and poetry or anything else that comes to mind... You can also write your comments any time.
A most successful TV actor in the '60s as Dr. Kildare, Richard Chamberlain - the King of Television, went on to play more serious roles as Anjin-san (John Blackthorne) in Shogun (1980); as Father Ralph in The Thorn Birds (1983); and as Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity (1988).
Dick can sing as well! Besides singing the theme song (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight) for Dr. Kildare, he also recorded songs like "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo"; "True Love" and "All I Have To Do Is Dream". He turned to theatre work in his latter years. I saw him playing Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady when he toured Toronto some years ago; he was superb!
This man doesn't need any introduction for he has a brand of his own. Just mention his name and everyone who listens to oldies will know who he is or was!
Below are some of my favourite songs sung by him although I'd rather listen to his songs recorded in the '50s when his voice was so crisp and clear! What a voice! Fly Me To The Moon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rAsoLm1Ges&feature=related
"Martin Denny (April, 1911 – March 2005) was an American piano-player and composer best known as the "father of exotica”. In a long career that saw him performing well into his 80s, he toured the world popularizing his brand of lounge music which included exotic percussion, imaginative rearrangements of popular songs, and original songs that celebrated Tiki culture... His music was a combination of ethnic styles: South Pacific, the Orient and Latin rhythms."
My note: - The use of the word "exotica" here means Denny had built a collection of strange and exotic instruments that made the music sound like they are sounds of the south seas - bird calls, palm trees, waves, etc. His first big hit was "Quiet Village" and I just love this song very much. Later on, he also recorded "Pagan Love Song", "Stranger In Paradise", and many more Hawaiian songs. These songs were so beautifully arranged by Denny that upon hearing them, you feel as you were already in paradise!
