Sunday, June 27, 2010

RNRHOF and Remembering When B B and Otis Played Lebanon

Couple of items here while we await the bands posting to the blog .
Here are 2 items :
1 ) The  March 2010 KY House Resolution For the RNRHOF to add Hyleme George and Obie Slater 

A RESOLUTION urging the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to enshrine Hyleme George and Obie Slater among its inductees.

WHEREAS, Hyleme George and Obie Slater were pioneers in the rock, blues, and jazz music and entertainment industry; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George was a native of Hamat, Lebanon, who immigrated with his family to the United States as a young child, and was known for his business acumen, timely wit, and penchant for El Producto cigars and black Cadillacs; and

WHEREAS, in the 1960s and 1970s, Mr. George owned two famous nightspots, Club Cherry and Club 68, in Lebanon, Kentucky, enlisting Mr. Slater to manage and handle the bookings for Club Cherry; and

WHEREAS, despite the clubs being in a small, rural town in central Kentucky, Mr. George and Mr. Slater had a major influence on the development of rock and roll, recognizing up-and-coming talent and giving many future stars the exposure needed to launch hall of fame careers; and

WHEREAS, more than 86 famous bands or entertainers passed through the doors of these two clubs during their heyday; and

WHEREAS, in the 1960s, Club Cherry became one of the most popular stopovers in the South for rock and roll stars and future hall of famers, hosting the likes of Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Clyde McPhatter, Bo Diddley, Jackie Wilson, the Supremes, James Brown, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry. Other notable artists who made their way to Lebanon include Ike and Tina Turner, B.B. King, Etta James, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, Junior Parker, Joe Tex, Laverne Baker, the Coasters, the Shirelles, Bobby Blue Band, and Count Basie; and

WHEREAS, Club 68 opened in 1964 with hall of fame musician Lloyd Price, and quickly established itself as a sanctuary for rock and roll stars, welcoming such performers as Nat King Cole, Ike and Tina Turner, Little Richard, the Kingsmen, Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, Sir Douglas Quintet, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rufus Thomas, Credence Clearwater Revival, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Steppenwolf, and the Platters; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George and Mr. Slater deserve immense recognition and praise for their many influences and contributions to the rock and roll music industry, and for the hard work, professionalism, and ingenuity required to develop a music mecca in a small town in the heart of Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, enshrining Mr. George and Mr. Slater would greatly enhance the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum experience with the addition of numerous stories and little-known anecdotes of the early days of these major stars; and

WHEREAS, Mr. George passed away in 2001, while Mr. Slater still lives in Lebanon, Kentucky;

NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

âSection 1.   The House of Representatives respectfully urges the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to enshrine Hyleme George and Obie Slater in recognition of their many achievements and contributions to the rock and roll music industry.

âSection 2.   The Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.


2. Obie Slater remembers the Club Cherry from Kentucky.com

No comments:

Post a Comment