Ronnie Haig

You all may remember Ronnie Haig and hopefully have read other posts on the blog about him and his music and his connection to Louisville .
Ronnie continues to create and we are pleased to present to you some of his latest .
On August 25 , 2010 , we did a blog post you may want to see as well .

http://louisvillemusicicians.blogspot.com/2010/08/ronnie-haig-sessions-at-chess-records.html

Wilson Pickett's Grave in Louisville , Ky

Wayne McDonald and I were talking today and Wayne mentioned that Wilson Pickett was buried in Louisville . Your humble blogger did not know that but thought that you all should know too . You never know when a bit of trivia may be useful .

Wilson Pickett

Birth:	Mar. 18, 1941 Prattville (Autauga County) Alabama
Death:	Jan. 19, 2006  Reston , VA
Legendary Soul Singer, Composer. He was dubbed “The Wicked Pickett” my radio DJ’s and fans, for his gruff power, raw groove and growling energy he brought to R & B music for over four decades.He first performed in the gospel harmony group the Violinaires in the 1950s and became a member of the Falcons in 1959. Their hit "I Found a Love" helped Pickett make a deal with Atlantic Records and the hook up with renowned producer Jerry Wexler at Stax Records. There with Steve Cropper, the guitarist in Booker T and the MGs, he co-wrote "In the Midnight Hour" a 1965 number one hit.In 1966, he followed with the classic hit, "Mustang Sally, a cover of "Land of 1000 Dances," "Funky Broadway," 1967 and the telephonic hit "634-5789." By the early 1970s, he had released several cover hits to include, The Beatles' "Hey Jude" and "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies.His last hit song was "Fire and Water" in 1972.Through the 1980s, he continued to be a popular figure performing for jazz and soul music showcases.In 1991, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a Grammy nomination for his album, “It's Harder Now" in 1999, which also received three W.C. Handy Awards, the in-genre trophy for blues and soul recordings.On January 18, 1999, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and received a life time achivement award. For the film "Blues Brothers 2000," he performed at the Los Angeles and New York premieres of the movie.(bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)  Pickett died from a heart attack on January 19, 2006 in Reston, Virginia. He was 64.He was laid to rest in a mausoleum in Louisville, Kentucky at Evergreen Cemetery on Preston Highway. Pickett spent many years in Louisville when his mother moved there from Alabama. The eulogy was delivered by Pastor Steve Owens of Decatur, Georgia. Little Richard, a long-time friend of Pickett's, also spoke about him and preached a message at the funeral.He was remembered on March 20, 2006, at New York's B.B. King Blues Club with performances by the Commitments,Ben E King, his long-term backing band the Midnight Movers, soul singer Bruce "Big Daddy" Wayne, and Southside Johnny in front of an audience that included members of his family, including two brothers. More at Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson_Pickett
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery Louisville (Jefferson County)Kentucky, USA
Maintained by: Find A Grave Originally Created by: Ashley Bell      Record added: Jan 19, 2006 Find A Grave Memorial# 13067599

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13067599

The Rolling Stones In Louisville 11/14/64

There were not many of us that saw the Rolling Stones at Memorial Auditorium on Saturday November 14 , 1964  They did 2 shows without Brian Jones and were touring behind the album 12 x 5 . I became a fan and have followed them along . 

On that album was 2121 S Michigan Avenue . Yours truly wondered about that and then one  day I figured it out . 
Drop me a note if you know what it is , OK ? 



While the Rolling Stones were very popular , the crowd for the Louisville show was about 300 people in a space for almost 1800 . 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones_2nd_American_Tour_1964

Yesterday , I saw the documentary " Twenty Feet From Stardom ", the Rolling Stones and a fabulous backup singer , Lisa Fisher , are well placed and there are marvelous sounds .
Here she is on Gimme Shelter ( Incredible and it's a live performance )Lyrics at the bottom *



Information about Memorial Auditorium 

The creation of Louisville Memorial Auditorium was the outgrowth of two movements: one for a public auditorium, the other for a memorial to commemorate the deeds of the sons and daughters of Louisville and Jefferson County who served their country in World War I.

The Louisville Memorial Commission was created by the Kentucky Legislature under Chapter 23 of the Acts of 1922 (KRS 97.630 through 97.780) for the purpose of administering the construction, maintenance, preservation and day to day operation of Louisville Memorial Auditorium. The first Louisville Memorial Commission was appointed by Louisville Mayor George Weissinger Smith. The Commission has been directing the operation of Louisville Memorial Auditorium for the benefit of Louisville Metro Government and serving the Louisville community faithfully and continuously since 1922.

Architect of the Greek Revival building was internationally known Thomas Hastings, assisted by Louisville architect Thomas Hutchings. On Memorial Day, May 30, 1929, Louisville Memorial Auditorium was dedicated. Within its walls Louisville’s cultural life flourished.

In 1954, the Louisville Board of Aldermen allocated $170,000 to improve the acoustics. The ceiling was lowered and the side balconies were closed off reducing the seating capacity from 2,349 to 1,742. The end result of this major renovation was dramatically improved sound that our patrons still experience today in our “acoustically perfect” theater.

Louisville Memorial Auditorium has two features which make it unique throughout the world. Louisville Memorial Auditorium is home of the World’s Largest Pilcher organ. This historic four-manual instrument with 5,288 pipes is still playing wonderful music today, just as it has been doing since 1929. Louisville Memorial Auditorium is also home to 144 World-Famous flags. These historic flags from World War I and World War II are proudly displayed in 6 beautifully lit flag cases along our carpeted hallway.

Louisville Memorial Auditorium has been designated a Louisville Landmark by the Louisville Landmarks Commission and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

*Songwriters: JAGGER, MICK / RICHARDS, KEITH     

Gimme Shelter lyrics © ABKCO Music Inc.

Oh, a storm is threat'ning
My very life today
If I don't get some shelter
Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Ooh, see the fire is sweepin'
Our very street today
Burns like a red coal carpet
Mad bull lost its way

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

Rape, murder!
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

The floods is threat'ning
My very life today
Gimme, gimme shelter
Or I'm gonna fade away

War, children, it's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away
It's just a shot away

I tell you love, sister, it's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
It's just a kiss away
Kiss away, kiss away