So many! Too many! I asked the husband which ones flew straight into his mind - he came up with a rather obscure one first, from an old radio programme he used to hear in his home town, Salina, Kansas long ago: "Let's Dance" played by Benny Goodman, opening signature tune of a favourite music show. Urged to recall something more mainstream he chose TV's The Lone Ranger theme music, and that from MASH.
Too many vied for first place in my own memory - a couple from British radio in the 1940s and 50s came up, but not many will recall these so I'll link without embedding: Dick Barton, Special Agent (The Devil's Gallop"); and Paul Temple (Coronation Scot).
Theme from long-running (1960 to present) British TV soap opera Coronation Street has stayed in memory long after I last saw the show in 2003/4.
From this side of the Atlantic, though watched from the other side initially (and more times than I'd care to count) the beautiful theme from Lonesome Dove, composed by Basil Poledouris.
And another old American favourite, Dallas and its signature theme.
So... which themes from radio and TV shows stick in your memory?
Showing posts with label radio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label radio. Show all posts
Monday, April 06, 2015
Monday, December 26, 2011
Music Monday ~ OSCAR LEVANT ~ Unusual Capricorn-Type ?
Oscar Levant would have celebrated his 105th birthday tomorrow, 27 December. He died in 1972. He has been largley forgotten now, I guess, except among keen musicians, Gershwin fans and those keen on old movies, TV and radio shows. I needed a reminder of which face fit his name. Recalling the movie An American in Paris did the trick. Levant played a concert pianist, still struggling to make it in the business, good friend of Gene Kelly's character a US ex-pat and would-be artist living in Paris. (Photograph from Virtual History: Oscar between Georges Guétary and Gene Kelly.)
Oscar Levant, in real life was something of a renaissance man: pianist, composer, author, comedian, wit, and actor. His "shadow side": hypochondriac, neurotic, addicted to prescription drugs, spent time in mental hospitals. He was considered to be near-genius. His own comment on this: "There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
Levant was a brilliant pianist, his renditions of his long-time friend George Gershwin's compositions are considered second only to Gershwin's own. During his time in Hollywood he wrote/co-wrote music for 20 or so movies and several popular songs. Blame It on My Youth, one of his compositions from 1934 is now considered to be "a standard".
Levant's ascerbic quick-wittedness took him to radio and TV (in the 1950s TV was still in its infancy):
ASTROLOGY
Born 27 December 1906 in Pittsburgh, PA at 11:45 PM (Astrodatabank).
Hey! Lookee here! A serious, steady Capricorn Sun conjunct eccentric Uranus! I could not have imagined a better signature for Oscar Levant! Who says astrology doesn't work? (Photograph from HERE).
Had Levant been born in a generation with Uranus well away from his Capricorn Sun, who knows what he'd have become? A straight-forward classical pianist/composer perhaps, or a novelist? Quirky Uranus irritates that serious Sun so much, is there any wonder he became neurotic and eventually depressive?
What else? Opposition to Sun/Uranus from Neptune conjunct Jupiter in Cancer - these two planets, conjoined, indicate an excess of creativity - or, alternatively propensity for addiction to something. The opposition to Levant's irritated Capricorn Sun must have produced even further irritation, and perhaps a choice of "outlet": using his a super-creative mind to its optimum, or deadening all feeling via drugs.
His Virgo ascendant didn't help at all. He would seek perfection, in his music and in life itself, thus bringing about yet more irritation.
Gemini Moon was a saving grace for Levant I think. His draw to communicate (Gemini) released some of that irritation safely, while entertaining an audience. Both Venus (music) and Mercury (communication, Gemini's sign of rulership) oppose Gemini Moon, more as balancing outlets here, rather than irritations. There's another indication of his outlet through communication too - a Yod (Finger of Fate) funneling "energies" of sextiled Sun/Uranus and aggressive Mars through - again, communcative Gemini Moon.
Sun's ruler, Saturn was in gentle, emotional Pisces (not terribly compatible, but indicating, maybe, a less rigid Capricorn-type) and in harmonious trine to Neptune/Jupiter, which, in turn were opposing Sun/Uranus - bit of a tangled yet inter-connected web there. I'm not surprised to learn that Oscar Levant had difficulty coping with life.
Below: Oscar Levant plays part of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor op. 23
Oscar Levant, in real life was something of a renaissance man: pianist, composer, author, comedian, wit, and actor. His "shadow side": hypochondriac, neurotic, addicted to prescription drugs, spent time in mental hospitals. He was considered to be near-genius. His own comment on this: "There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
Levant was a brilliant pianist, his renditions of his long-time friend George Gershwin's compositions are considered second only to Gershwin's own. During his time in Hollywood he wrote/co-wrote music for 20 or so movies and several popular songs. Blame It on My Youth, one of his compositions from 1934 is now considered to be "a standard".
Levant's ascerbic quick-wittedness took him to radio and TV (in the 1950s TV was still in its infancy):
Levant began to make the circuit of radio and television shows where his biting wit delighted listeners across America. In 1950, he suffered a heart attack and subsequently developed an addiction to the pain medication, Demerol. Despite his exceptional musical skills and quick wit, Levant was plagued with lifelong uncertainty and depression. As his bouts with depression progressed, he turned these sad episodes into biting commentary about himself, drawing out his lack of self-confidence for the world to see.
In the early 1950s, Levant hosted his own television talk show with guests of the stature of authors Aldous Huxley and Christopher Isherwood. He even brought his own psychiatrist, Dr. George Wayne, on the show from time to time. Television in its infancy was live. No one could be sure what Levant would do or say as the program progressed, and this show was often considered "must see TV" for everyone in Hollywood. His wit was notorious and, while he frequently used it against others, he more often used it against himself. Although Levant had the potential for becoming a success in this new medium, his increasing episodes of depression took their toll on his career. He recognized the affect his addictions had on his health and checked himself into Mt. Sinai Hospital each day after his show, but with little or no positive effects. He soon began to fade from the public's view.
In 1958, television host Jack Paar convinced Levant to appear on his program. For the next six years the composer appeared with regularity, amusing viewers with his neurotic satire. Levant both shocked and intrigued viewers with his open discussions about his neuroses and his addiction to painkillers. While his illnesses became more apparent with each appearance as his speech slowed, his wit remained as sharp as ever. FROM: Answers
ASTROLOGY
Born 27 December 1906 in Pittsburgh, PA at 11:45 PM (Astrodatabank).
Hey! Lookee here! A serious, steady Capricorn Sun conjunct eccentric Uranus! I could not have imagined a better signature for Oscar Levant! Who says astrology doesn't work? (Photograph from HERE).Had Levant been born in a generation with Uranus well away from his Capricorn Sun, who knows what he'd have become? A straight-forward classical pianist/composer perhaps, or a novelist? Quirky Uranus irritates that serious Sun so much, is there any wonder he became neurotic and eventually depressive?
What else? Opposition to Sun/Uranus from Neptune conjunct Jupiter in Cancer - these two planets, conjoined, indicate an excess of creativity - or, alternatively propensity for addiction to something. The opposition to Levant's irritated Capricorn Sun must have produced even further irritation, and perhaps a choice of "outlet": using his a super-creative mind to its optimum, or deadening all feeling via drugs.
His Virgo ascendant didn't help at all. He would seek perfection, in his music and in life itself, thus bringing about yet more irritation. Gemini Moon was a saving grace for Levant I think. His draw to communicate (Gemini) released some of that irritation safely, while entertaining an audience. Both Venus (music) and Mercury (communication, Gemini's sign of rulership) oppose Gemini Moon, more as balancing outlets here, rather than irritations. There's another indication of his outlet through communication too - a Yod (Finger of Fate) funneling "energies" of sextiled Sun/Uranus and aggressive Mars through - again, communcative Gemini Moon.
Sun's ruler, Saturn was in gentle, emotional Pisces (not terribly compatible, but indicating, maybe, a less rigid Capricorn-type) and in harmonious trine to Neptune/Jupiter, which, in turn were opposing Sun/Uranus - bit of a tangled yet inter-connected web there. I'm not surprised to learn that Oscar Levant had difficulty coping with life.
Below: Oscar Levant plays part of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor op. 23
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Two Mr. Dee-jays
A quick "drive-by" look at the charts of a couple of radio dee-jays today, one from each side of the Atlantic ocean, both born the same year, as it happens. One is, sadly, long gone; the other very much with us, but about to leave his long-running BBC breakfast show.
From the BBC in the UK, Sir Terry Wogan, from the USA, the late Wolfman Jack.
Sir Terry is a national treasure in Britain, in the way no single radio dee-jay could be in the USA because of the vast size of the country. The UK is roughly the size of a big state or a couple of smaller ones, the BBC reaches every home and is simply a part of British life for which there is no exact US equivalent. Also, Terry Wogan is more than just a dee-jay. He has presented his breakfast show for over three decades, as well as a variety of other radio commentary - and some TV interviewing and game shows. His trademark warm personality, quick wit, good humored chat and great sense of fun transmit to his audience with a clarity quite rare in broadcasting. I guess he would translate more accurately as the UK's Johnny Carson, but Mr. Carson wasn't known as a dee-jay, so in that context he's not quite right here.
Tomorrow will be Sir Terry's last breakfast show. He's not leaving broadcasting altogether. He has other shows planned, much to his fans' relief. I've listened to his lovely Irish brogue on "Wake Up to Wogan" for longer than I care to remember, he sent me off to work with a smile on my face and a song buzzing around in my head for years. Even since I've lived in the USA I've continued to listen to his show on the BBC's "listen again" facility, almost every day.
I notice that benign Jupiter will return to its exact natal place in January 2010 - as Terry gets used to his constant newfound morning freedom.
Born in Limerick, Republic of Ireland on 3 August 1938. Terry's natal Sun conjunct Mars in Leo accounts for his warmth and unflagging energy. Mercury, the communcator and Venus the artist in precise Virgo (Mercury's rulershship) point to his unfailing professionalism and discretion. He somehow manages to skate around "iffy" jokes and innuendo, sent in by his listeners, without giving offence. His Sun is square Uranus and trine Saturn (much like my own, though from different signs) - what this reflects, I reckon, is a healthy disregard for convention whilst still managing to stay within reasonable limits. I'll miss him!
From the USA we have Wolfman Jack. One of American radio’s most distinctive voices, “Wolfman Jack” was born Robert Smith in Brooklyn, New York on January 21, 1938.
http://www.classicbands.com/wolfman.html
http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/wolfmanjack.html
Wolfman's Sun and Jupiter in Aquarius are more or less opposite Terry Wogan's Sun/Mars in Leo. I wonder whether Fixed sign Suns are good for anything regular and long-running. I suspect they might be.
It was said that Wolfman Jack drew upon his love of horror movies and rock and roll to create his raspy-voiced, howling persona, one of radio’s most distinctive voices, and a far cry from Wogan's soothing Irish brogue. Wolfman's Mercury, planet of communication is in Capricorn, bringing any over-the-top Aquarian antics back down to Earth. Taking care of business was his prime motivation. His Sun is square Uranus and sextile Saturn, a similar configuration to Terry's, bucking convention yet keeping within the bounds of decency - harder for a Sun Aquarian to do than for a Sun Leo, I guess, but his Capricorn Mercury is key.
From the BBC in the UK, Sir Terry Wogan, from the USA, the late Wolfman Jack.
Sir Terry is a national treasure in Britain, in the way no single radio dee-jay could be in the USA because of the vast size of the country. The UK is roughly the size of a big state or a couple of smaller ones, the BBC reaches every home and is simply a part of British life for which there is no exact US equivalent. Also, Terry Wogan is more than just a dee-jay. He has presented his breakfast show for over three decades, as well as a variety of other radio commentary - and some TV interviewing and game shows. His trademark warm personality, quick wit, good humored chat and great sense of fun transmit to his audience with a clarity quite rare in broadcasting. I guess he would translate more accurately as the UK's Johnny Carson, but Mr. Carson wasn't known as a dee-jay, so in that context he's not quite right here.
Tomorrow will be Sir Terry's last breakfast show. He's not leaving broadcasting altogether. He has other shows planned, much to his fans' relief. I've listened to his lovely Irish brogue on "Wake Up to Wogan" for longer than I care to remember, he sent me off to work with a smile on my face and a song buzzing around in my head for years. Even since I've lived in the USA I've continued to listen to his show on the BBC's "listen again" facility, almost every day.
I notice that benign Jupiter will return to its exact natal place in January 2010 - as Terry gets used to his constant newfound morning freedom.Born in Limerick, Republic of Ireland on 3 August 1938. Terry's natal Sun conjunct Mars in Leo accounts for his warmth and unflagging energy. Mercury, the communcator and Venus the artist in precise Virgo (Mercury's rulershship) point to his unfailing professionalism and discretion. He somehow manages to skate around "iffy" jokes and innuendo, sent in by his listeners, without giving offence. His Sun is square Uranus and trine Saturn (much like my own, though from different signs) - what this reflects, I reckon, is a healthy disregard for convention whilst still managing to stay within reasonable limits. I'll miss him!
From the USA we have Wolfman Jack. One of American radio’s most distinctive voices, “Wolfman Jack” was born Robert Smith in Brooklyn, New York on January 21, 1938.A longtime fan of radio, Smith first hit the airwaves as “Daddy Jules” on Newport News, Virginia station WYOU-AM. In 1962, Smith became “Big Smith” for station KCIJ/ Shreveport, Louisiana. Here, he drew upon his love of horror movies and rock and roll to create the raspy-voiced, howling persona of “Wolfman Jack.”
In the mid 1960s, the Wolfman crossed the border to Mexico and joined the 250,000-watt powerhouse XERF-AM. With his mix of verbal antics, and raw rhythm & blues, Wolfman Jack developed a radio personality that seemed to send energy and attract attention across North America. His howls and yips, and the blues and hillbilly records he spun blanketed much of the United States all night long. In between cuts, he would hawk plastic figurines of Jesus, coffins, and inspirational literature, and exhort his listeners to "get yo'self nekkid."
Soon, the national press was beginning to take notice, and stories began to surface in Time, Newsweek, Life and major newspapers around the world. Leading recording artists like Todd Rundgren, Leon Russell and Freddie King wrote chart-making songs about The Wolfman, and his popularity spiralled upward. Still, questions persisted: Who is Wolfman Jack? Where does he come from? What does he look like? Only Bob Smith knew all the answers, and he was keeping them closely guarded.Information from:
For all of his fame, many of Wolfman Jack’s fans had never seen him until 1973, when he appeared in George Lucas’ hit film American Graffiti and began an eight-year stint as host of NBC-TV’s Midnight Special.
“Wolfman Jack” died on July 1, 1995.
http://www.classicbands.com/wolfman.html
http://www.radiohof.org/discjockey/wolfmanjack.html
Wolfman's Sun and Jupiter in Aquarius are more or less opposite Terry Wogan's Sun/Mars in Leo. I wonder whether Fixed sign Suns are good for anything regular and long-running. I suspect they might be.
It was said that Wolfman Jack drew upon his love of horror movies and rock and roll to create his raspy-voiced, howling persona, one of radio’s most distinctive voices, and a far cry from Wogan's soothing Irish brogue. Wolfman's Mercury, planet of communication is in Capricorn, bringing any over-the-top Aquarian antics back down to Earth. Taking care of business was his prime motivation. His Sun is square Uranus and sextile Saturn, a similar configuration to Terry's, bucking convention yet keeping within the bounds of decency - harder for a Sun Aquarian to do than for a Sun Leo, I guess, but his Capricorn Mercury is key.
Friday, April 13, 2007
The Week That Was
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As this week progressed, I jotted down a few brief notes of news events in the USA which caught my attention. Occasionally when I do this, I notice a symbolic theme common to a number of the events. I think I found a theme this week, and it could be a matter of "as above, so below".
Three celestial bodies, the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn in the signs of Aries, Sagittarius and Leo respectively, were forming what astrologers call a Grand Trine, in Fire signs. In the astrological chart of the sky these bodies aspected each other at angles of close to 120* making up a gigantic triangle. While planets remain in such a configuration astrologically, it's said that the properties of the planets and signs involved (in this case the dynamic, expansive, impulsive, energetic Fire signs) can harmoniously flow and work together. So, was it "as above, so below" this week ? With Jupiter, planet of extremes, and the Sun, giver of life itself involved in the free flowing Grand Trine, I'd guess that some forms of excess or of going too far might emerge. Saturn's sterner discipline would be involved too.
Before I move on to the news stories, I feel compelled to say that I may have "gone too far" myself on occasion, when writing about people in the news. Jeffrey Kishner at Lunar Tunes is talking about "The Ethics of Celebrity Profiles" today. His blog entry caused me to search my soul! I shall need to discipline my own writing a little more strictly in future, I think. I can't really blame the Grand Fire Trine for my sins, but the symbolism fits.
Let's see about this week's news and the theme:
News of an entrepreneur in Nevada who is trying to sell bits of land on the Moon. (Echoes of a book by Robert Heinlein, written in 1949!) See the news HERE. That IS going too far - much too far! The Earth does not belong to us, still less the Moon!
Don Imus, American radio host/presenter once again shot a crude and offensive remark across the airwaves. I don't feel inclined to post a link to reports of this. It's worrying that over the years he has kept a large audience, bearing in mind his reputation for being coarse and offensive on a regular basis. Why do people enjoy this? Saturn's discipline moved in when he was fired from his jobs in radio and TV this week after going too far, once too often.
Al Gore was refused permission for the American concert in the Live Earth series, planned for July to be staged in Washington. Opposing factions led by Senator James Inhofe forced him to look elsewhere. The concert will be staged in New Jersey. More interesting stuff about the series of concerts HERE . Was Al Gore going too far (purposely?) expecting that his concert would be welcome in Washington, and is Sen.Inhofe going too far with his extreme anti-global warming stance ? (The Grand Trine touched Al Gore's Pluto/Saturn/Mars conjunction in Leo, by the way.)
Blogger Tim O'Reilly put forward suggestions for a Code of Conduct for bloggers. It's a well meaning proposition, but seems a bit like going too far, in an attempt to stop others from going too far.
And
The late Johnny Cash's former home was destroyed by fire. Not a "Ring of Fire" as in the famous song he sang, but maybe the blaze flourished under that fiery astrological triangle
Lastly:
Famous American author Kurt Vonnegut died this week. His wisdom will be sorely missed. He frequently made it clear in his writings that he thought humans have gone, and are going too far, in war, in the way we treat the environment, and in our attitudes towards each other.
A sweet quote from his book "God Bless You Mr. Rosewater"
"Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It’s round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you’ve got about a hundred years here. There’s only one rule that I know of, babies - ‘God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.’ ”
Three celestial bodies, the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn in the signs of Aries, Sagittarius and Leo respectively, were forming what astrologers call a Grand Trine, in Fire signs. In the astrological chart of the sky these bodies aspected each other at angles of close to 120* making up a gigantic triangle. While planets remain in such a configuration astrologically, it's said that the properties of the planets and signs involved (in this case the dynamic, expansive, impulsive, energetic Fire signs) can harmoniously flow and work together. So, was it "as above, so below" this week ? With Jupiter, planet of extremes, and the Sun, giver of life itself involved in the free flowing Grand Trine, I'd guess that some forms of excess or of going too far might emerge. Saturn's sterner discipline would be involved too.
Before I move on to the news stories, I feel compelled to say that I may have "gone too far" myself on occasion, when writing about people in the news. Jeffrey Kishner at Lunar Tunes is talking about "The Ethics of Celebrity Profiles" today. His blog entry caused me to search my soul! I shall need to discipline my own writing a little more strictly in future, I think. I can't really blame the Grand Fire Trine for my sins, but the symbolism fits.
Let's see about this week's news and the theme:
News of an entrepreneur in Nevada who is trying to sell bits of land on the Moon. (Echoes of a book by Robert Heinlein, written in 1949!) See the news HERE. That IS going too far - much too far! The Earth does not belong to us, still less the Moon!
Don Imus, American radio host/presenter once again shot a crude and offensive remark across the airwaves. I don't feel inclined to post a link to reports of this. It's worrying that over the years he has kept a large audience, bearing in mind his reputation for being coarse and offensive on a regular basis. Why do people enjoy this? Saturn's discipline moved in when he was fired from his jobs in radio and TV this week after going too far, once too often.
Al Gore was refused permission for the American concert in the Live Earth series, planned for July to be staged in Washington. Opposing factions led by Senator James Inhofe forced him to look elsewhere. The concert will be staged in New Jersey. More interesting stuff about the series of concerts HERE . Was Al Gore going too far (purposely?) expecting that his concert would be welcome in Washington, and is Sen.Inhofe going too far with his extreme anti-global warming stance ? (The Grand Trine touched Al Gore's Pluto/Saturn/Mars conjunction in Leo, by the way.)
Blogger Tim O'Reilly put forward suggestions for a Code of Conduct for bloggers. It's a well meaning proposition, but seems a bit like going too far, in an attempt to stop others from going too far.
And
The late Johnny Cash's former home was destroyed by fire. Not a "Ring of Fire" as in the famous song he sang, but maybe the blaze flourished under that fiery astrological triangle
Lastly:
Famous American author Kurt Vonnegut died this week. His wisdom will be sorely missed. He frequently made it clear in his writings that he thought humans have gone, and are going too far, in war, in the way we treat the environment, and in our attitudes towards each other.
A sweet quote from his book "God Bless You Mr. Rosewater"
"Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It’s hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It’s round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you’ve got about a hundred years here. There’s only one rule that I know of, babies - ‘God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.’ ”
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