as an exploratory journey through that old party question: if you could have a drink with anyone in history, who would it be? History is full of people you’d love to have a drink with. Let’s meet a few.
as an exploratory journey through that old party question: if you could have a drink with anyone in history, who would it be? History is full of people you’d love to have a drink with. Let’s meet a few.
Have a drink with: The Weller Brothers Blow, me bully boys, blow. Ask them about: Sugar and tea and rum Amidst other things people probably did not have on their bingo card in 2021 was the rise of Sea Chantey TikTok, but it’s been a strange year already, so why not? So the biggest question…
Have a drink with: P.G. Lowery The best under canvas. Ask him about: Hustle. If I say the words “circus music,” you probably have a certain type of music in your mind straight away – something loud, fast and slightly drunk – like this 1902 Sousa band recording of a typical “galop.” And that’s certainly…
Have a drink with: Glenn Miller Pennsylvania six-five-thousand! Ask him about: giving Sousa some swing Chances are, if I say “Glenn Miller,” something like “Moonlight Serenade” floats into your mind on cottony clouds, the dreamy musical equivalent of a Vaseline filter; or maybe it’s the sharp, perky big-band swing of “In the Mood.” Point is,…
Have a drink with: 19th Century Rock Bands Are we gonna do Stonehenge tomorrow? Ask them about: Their roadies’ workout schedule Last week I wrote for the fine folks over at Atlas Obscura about rock bands of the 19th century. Monster rock bands, to be specific, who played to sell-out crowds, caused riots and advertised…
Have a drink with: Spike Jones The best offense is a good fart joke. Ask him about: firearms as percussion instruments In 1942, New York radio DJ Martin Block sold war bonds on air – to an audience that was under wartime food and gasoline rationing – on the promise that he’d give a free…
