Hall of Fame Series

Glen Campbell’s career extended throughout song and screen as he worked in television, film and as a songwriter and performer. He achieved moderate success early on as a country artist and made history in 1967 winning four Grammys in both the pop and country categories. Campbell found crossover success with “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Southern Nights” in the mid-70s. Wink Martindale takes listeners on a journey through Campbell’s fruitful career with numerous conversations that took place between 1975 and 1977.

In a time when hard rock was all the rage, The Carpenters were bringing a softer sound to the airwaves of the 1970s. While many artists churned out new music constantly, they took a different approach. They waited for a great song with a great sound to come together, only putting out a new song when they were sure they were putting out a hit. Siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter sat down with Wink Martindale in 1970 during the success of Close To You. The duo shared an intimate look at what went into the process of creating music and discuss their security in creating easy listening songs.

Nat King Cole’s musical journey began as a teenager receiving classical piano training, which he later abandoned to pursue jazz with the Nat King Cole Trio. His career continued to evolve as he found success as a singer with hits including “Nature Boy,” “Mona Lisa” and “Too Young.” Narrator Wink Martindale takes listeners on a captivating journey with producers, songwriters and other colleagues sharing stories of Cole’s exceptional career. His wife Maria Cole provides an intimate look at the legendary musician and the story is rounded out by colorful conversations with Nat King Cole himself. ©2016 Happyland (P)2016 Happyland

Paul Anka recorded his first single at the age of just 14. In addition to his success as a performer, Anka was also an accomplished songwriter. His credits include the theme song for Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and one of Tom Jones’ biggest hits, “She’s A Lady.” In this 1977 interview, Wink Martindale takes listeners on an extensive survey of the singer’s long and successful career. From his first taste of fame with the single “Diana” to being one of the first pop singers to play in the Las Vegas casinos, Anka shares engaging stories of his career as an entertainer.

Tony Bennett took his place at the forefront of pop music when he recorded “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1962. Despite being trained in art, Bennett made the decision to pursue a career in music that included a stint as a singing waiter. Bennett spoke with Wink Martindale in August of 1972 about his accomplished career that included numerous awards, honors and hit singles. He discusses his numerous hit songs throughout the 1950s and beyond. While he sang some contemporary songs, Bennett never delved into rock and always stayed true to his unique singing style.

Rosemary Clooney grew up singing with her sister at family gatherings and in her senior year of high school they were hired to sing at the local radio station. She soared to fame in the 1950s with the novelty song “Come On-a My House” and continued to release a number of other pop and jazz hits. In 1973, Clooney sat down with Wink Martindale to provide an intimate look at her early personal life and legendary musical career. Beyond her work as just a singer, she starred in the movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby, appeared with him on television, and the two recorded duets together.

It’s a testament to Johnny Mathis’ talent and legacy that in 1958, just two years after signing with Columbia Records, the label released Johnny’s Greatest Hits, the first album of its kind. It remained on the charts for the next 9 ½ years. Wink Martindale sat down with Mathis for a conversation in 1971. He discusses the diverse audience his music attracts, what he attributes his success to and his profound love of singing. A number of his contemporaries also contribute thoughts about Mathis’ talents and career.

John Denver dominated the 1970s with sold out concerts and chart-topping music. Wink Martindale spoke with Denver in Los Angeles in 1975 in the midst of this success. Denver recounts the road that began with him dropping out of college and moving to Los Angeles to find work as a singer. Denver passionately describes his attachment to music beyond entertainment, and his desire to connect with audiences on a personal level. While he’s lax to espouse any specific causes, he works to convey his own personal feelings and opinions in a world where he feels music has evolved into a lifestyle instead of just simple entertainment.

Ray Charles lived his life with no regrets, no matter the ups or the downs. After losing his sight at 7 years old, and his parents passing away while he was a teenager, he went on to experience phenomenal success as a singer, songwriter and musician. Charles didn’t often agree to interviews, but in this rare and lengthy conversation he had with Wink Martindale in 1970 he offered an introspective look at his personal life and storied career. He reflects on his musical influences, his development as an artist and his continued love of performing.

Andy Williams got his start doing anonymous voice tracks for movies in the 1940s. He got his start singing at teas with his brother, and then made a move to singing on radio in Des Moines, Iowa and Chicago. Finally, Williams found his way to New York where he started to really focus on his singing career. Television played an instrumental role in Williams’ success. His big breakthrough came as a singer on The Tonight Show starring Steve Allen. In February of 1973, he sat down with Wink Martindale to take a look back at his career. Williams discusses his early life, his work in television and fruitful career.

Vic Damone quit school as a teenager to work at the Paramount Theater to help support his family after his father was injured. During this time he was exposed to a host of accomplished singers both on the stage and behind the scenes. While operating the backstage elevator for Perry Como, Damone asked if he could sing for him to see if he had any talent. He stopped the elevator between floors and after he finished, Como told him he should keep it up. In two different interviews from 1973 and 2003, Como discusses how this experience kicked off his fascinating career that spanned seven decades. Wink Martindale takes listeners on an exploration of the riveting journey from that moment, to his first hit with “I Have but One Heart” and beyond.

Pat Boone’s first hit came with “Two Hearts, Two Kisses (Make One Love)” in 1954. His success continued as he sold millions of records through the 50s and early 60s and recorded more than a dozen singles that went gold. Boone’s career expanded beyond music as he starred in numerous films and even hosted his own variety television show. He sat down with Wink Martindale for a conversation in May of 1972 to discuss his early life, his relationship with religion and his prosperous career.

The second part of our Hall of Fame spotlight on Rodgers and Hammerstein details the phenomenal success Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II had as partners after joining forces in 1943. Throughout their long career in theater, the pair helped to start the careers of many now famous singers, dancers and musicians. Narrator Wink Martindale interviewed the duo, who shared many details of their professional life. Hammerstein reveals his approach to writing and discusses his work on South Pacific, which broke new ground in musical theater. Rodgers explains how he uses the characters to understand what the mood of the music should sound like.

Perry Como’s career started with a dare. The teenage owner of a barbershop had done some singing locally, but when his friends dared him to get on stage and sing a few songs with Freddy Carlone, he was offered a job. Following touring, recording and a brief return to the barber business, Como went on to host his own radio show and sign a recording contract with RCA records where he would sell millions of albums. In the summer of 1977, Wink Martindale sat down for an enthralling conversation with Como to discuss his career that spanned more than half a century across music, radio, film and television.

“It’s a Blue World” brought The Four Freshmen onto the charts and into the spotlight in 1952. In the years that followed, the band went through numerous lineup changes but never lost the sound that made them famous. Wink Martindale spoke with original members Bob Flanigan and Ross Barbour in 1973 about their career and the lasting influence they had on musical acts that followed. The fascinating discussion includes colorful stories from the band’s difficult early years as they struggled to tour with their families and make enough money to keep making the music they loved.

Norma Deloris Egstrom grew up far away from the big city life where her future would take her. While still a teenager, she left her small town of Jamestown, North Dakota to audition for WDAY in Fargo. An hour later, she found herself on the air and with a brand new name courtesy of radio personality Ken Kennedy – Peggy Lee. The singer, songwriter and actress sat with Wink Martindale in her Hollywood Hills home in 1975 and reflected on the early days of her career, her musical influences and her ability to adapt to new sounds and audiences. Lee passionately discusses her accomplished work as a performer and creator of music.

It took 12 years for Mac Davis to find success in the music industry, first as a songwriter and later as a singer. Davis originally spent years working, going to college part time and writing his own music. He later dropped out of college and pursued work in the music industry doing radio and sales promotions, all the while cutting bathroom demos while on the road for work. About five years later, Davis was transferred to the West coast where he finally found the inroads he was looking for and his song, “A Little Less Conversation,” was recorded by Elvis Presley. Years later, “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me” led Davis to the top of both the country and pop charts as a singer in his own right. In two interviews from 1972 and ’75, Davis discussed his journey from frustrated songwriter to successful singer.

Roger Williams stood alone in the world of popular music. He was just three years old when he first sat in front of a piano and played a song. He went on to study piano at Drake University and Julliard and had his first success with the single “Autumn Leaves.” Williams sat down for a conversation with Wink Martindale in 1972 to discuss his career and passion for playing music. He talks about his early life and musical journey, the importance of hard work and practice and the toll life on the road takes.

Neil Sedaka had more than a dozen hits from 1958 to 1963, but his career slumped with the arrival of the British Invasion. In 1974 he found his way back to the charts with “Laughter in the Rain.” In March of that year, Wink Martindale sat with Sedaka to discuss his early career and his thrilling comeback. Sedaka recounts his early life as a child receiving classical music training and secretly writing pop songs, despite his sister telling him to stick to the classics. Sedaka clearly made the right call as he went on to achieve great success despite the ups and downs of his career as he cheerfully details in this enthralling conversation.

The second part of our Hall of Fame spotlight on Frank Sinatra’s legendary career features more audio interviews and highlights from Sinatra and the friends and family who knew him best -- including John F. Kennedy, Paul Anka and songwriter Sammy Cahn, among others. Host Wink Martindale explores the stories behind some of the classic songs in the Sinatra catalog, including “Three Coins In The Fountain,” a hit record for Sinatra that went to the top of the charts in the U.K. in 1954. In that same year, the Four Aces and Dinah Shore would also record their own very successful versions of the track. Hear the fascinating story of how the song that Sinatra thought was only a demo recording became a huge hit, one that would win a very prestigious award.

Dick Clark had taken over for a TV show that served as "filler” and showcased different musical acts. Young girls were invited to watch as the studio audience, but when they got bored they got up to dance and a camera man caught the moment. From that moment, American Bandstand was born. For teenagers, American Bandstand served as a replacement for hanging out at the local soda shop and listening to the jukebox with friends. Every episode showcased new music, fashion and dance moves. In this 1974 interview, Wink Martindale sits down with Clark to discuss the early years of the program.

Husband and wife duo Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé performed back-and-forth comic banter while keeping music at the center of their act. While much of the act was meticulously rehearsed, the pair left parts of each performance open for adlibbing and improvisation. In an interview with host Wink Martindale, Steve and Eydie sit down and discuss how they had met, their early lives and their love for performing. Martindale gives listeners an entertaining look at the couple’s career and personal life.

Sammy Davis Jr. was, quite literally, born into show business. As part of a well-known vaudeville family, he began performing when he was just four years old and never seemed to slow down. From stage to studio to screen the singer, dancer, musician and actor travelled all over the world entertaining millions. Wink Martindale spoke with the charming Davis at his Beverly Hills home in 1976. Davis reflects on his experiences as a performer, his success and his life in the crazy world of show business. He also shares engaging stories of times with colleagues and friends throughout his career.

Lou Rawls got his start as a church choir boy. He performed a wide variety of musical styles including gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and blues for movies, TV shows, commercials and numerous successful albums. In an interview with host Wink Martindale, Rawls discusses the many changes in the way music was created and performed throughout his career, his plentiful awards and accolades and his early life growing up in Chicago.

The third part of our Hall of Fame spotlight on Frank Sinatra’s legendary career with host Wink Martindale continues the story of the artist who remains an internationally known icon. We dig deeper into the songs and soundtrack of Frank’s career as told by friends and family, those who knew him best, including Nelson Riddle, Gordon McRae and a large selection of songwriters who collaborated with Sinatra. Bandleader Riddle remembers his arrangements for Sinatra classics like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Don Costa looks back on “Ol’ Blue Eyes Is Back,” Frank coming out of retirement and the genesis of “My Way.” There were autobiographical songs like “It Was A Very Good Year,” which surprisingly, weren’t written with Frank in mind -- but he quickly made them his own.

We conclude our four part Hall of Fame spotlight on Frank Sinatra’s career with more little known details about the man and his music. In this installment, you’ll hear about the post-Columbia Records days when he was no longer in demand. He had no hits and no record contract -- that is, until Capitol Records came calling and everything changed. You’ll learn what it meant for a songwriter to have one of their songs recorded by Frank and why Sinatra recording sessions were a special thing for the musicians who were lucky enough to be a part of them. Featuring recollections from Sinatra himself as well as his family and associates, including U2’s Bono, Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra Jr., Jimmy Bowen, Don Costa and others, host Wink Martindale brings this examination of Frank Sinatra’s incredible career to a satisfying close.

Roy Orbison was just one of many legendary performers to come out of the powerhouse that was Sun Records. In a conversation with Wink Martindale, Orbison discusses how he got his start with Sun and its founder Sam Phillips. Orbison continues to discuss his hectic early days of touring where he would perform anywhere and everywhere including drive-in theaters and backs of flatbed trucks. Orbison continues to elaborate on those thrilling beginnings and the journey to his later success with Monument Records.

Frankie Laine’s far-reaching appeal made him a hit in the ’40s and ’50s. While his contemporaries found success early in life, Laine didn’t see fame until his late 30s. Despite his late-blooming career, his excursion into the world of music began much earlier, during his years as a teenager performing at dance marathons. Wink Martindale spoke with him in June 1973. Laine recounted what led up to his first hit with “That’s My Desire.” He also reflected on each of his chart-topping hits from over the years and shares firsthand details and stories about each one.

From Joe DiMaggio to Humphrey Bogart and from John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan, Frank Sinatra was close to legends. He inspired and worked with the greats of popular music for well over 50 years. The first installment of our four part Hall of Fame spotlight on Frank Sinatra’s legendary career takes a look at the early years as he began to make a name for himself and presents a fascinating look at the development of Frank Sinatra as an artist. Sinatra tells the story of those early beginnings during his exclusive interview with Wink Martindale and associates like Tommy Dorsey and Sammy Davis Jr. also share their recollections.

Ray Conniff got his start arranging and conducting for other recording artists. His success working for others eventually led to Columbia allowing him to record an album under his own name which was released to great success and acclaim. Conniff was the first artist to use voices and vocal arrangements as part of the instrumentation. In a conversation with host Wink Martindale, Conniff discusses his unique sound, evolving his style and his passion for creating music.