Legacy Categories - The Hip Quotient

Estelle Axton: The First Lady of Stax

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Eclectic Ladyland Rhythm & Blues & Soul & Funk
Post comments:5 Comments
Post published:March 1, 2017

The name Stax Records is synonymous with soul music. But did you know that the legendary label of black artists like Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Wilson Pickett, and Isaac Hayes was co-founded by a white woman who began her career as a school teacher? In the late 1950s, Estelle Axton began investing in Satellite Records, a small label started by her brother Jim Stewart, a former bank clerk. Satellite evolved into Stax, a premiere recording studio specializing in soul, R&B, funk, jazz, and gospel music. Said Booker T. Jones of the M.G.s, "I doubt there would have been a Stax Records without Estelle Axton." The woman known as "Lady A" marketed the business, ran the Stax record shop, helped choose and develop the label's artists, and provided inspiration, advice, and encouragement to writers and musicians.

Larry Storch: My Corporal Crush, in the Land of Fort Courage

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Film, TV, Stage, Media Humor and Satire Rants, Reflections, Ruminations Teenage Wasteland
Post comments:11 Comments
Post published:January 26, 2017

I gave up trying to explain the appeal of my “crush objects” long ago. My fantasy figures, be they flesh-and-blood or fictional characters, have always been quirky types that never fit the traditional tall, dark, handsome, all-star, man-of-means mold. Such was the case with one of my earliest heartthrobs: Larry Storch. I’ve been in love with the guy from the…

Let Me Sleep All Night in Your Soul Kitchen

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Guitarists: The Axemen Cometh Humor and Satire
Post comments:1 Comment
Post published:November 3, 2016

Heavens to Murgatroyd! How did I forget to post this item yesterday in honor of…you guessed it…National 'Men Make Dinner' Day? Shite, my man didn't make me any vittles! Well, I guess it's MY fault for not alerting him to this most important and manly of holidays. Geez, women have to think of everything. I'll bet nobody had to ask these guys…

Lesley Gore on Owning Yourself

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Eclectic Ladyland
Post comments:4 Comments
Post published:May 2, 2016

Ladies, the next time you want to change your hairstyle or splurge on those Miu Miu pumps and your man gets bossy and tries to dissuade you, just say "you don't own me." Guys, the next time your lady tells you to turn down the car stereo or toss out those LPs that are hogging up space in the kettle…

Come Together, Beatles: Here’s a Check for Three Grand

Post author:Dana Spiardi
Post category:Beatles Film, TV, Stage, Media Humor and Satire John Lennon: One Spinal Cracker
Post comments:4 Comments
Post published:April 24, 2016

April 24, 1976, marked the last evening that Paul McCartney would spend with John Lennon. That night, Paul and his wife Linda dropped in on John and Yoko, unannounced, and the two former Beatles spent a few hours together in the Lennons' apartment in the monolithic Dakota Building in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Don't you just wonder what the Fab Two engaged in on that Saturday evening? Did they take turns bouncing 6-month-old Baby Sean on their knees? Nosh on a jar of Yoko's expensive caviar? Play "Bohemian Rhapsody" on John's turntable, hoping that Ms. Ono wouldn't screech "scaramouche, scaramouche" along with Freddie Mercury? Well, as it turns out, they sat in the Lennons' living room and watched Saturday Night Live! Imagine their surprise when SNL producer Lorne Michaels appeared on their TV screen, announcing an offer to pay the Beatles $3,000 to come together and perform three songs on his show!