Friday, April 18, 2008

My Suppressed Desire


Athough they're almost entirely forgotten today, the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra may be the most successful act to have originated in Kansas City. Don't believe me? Chuck Haddix has details at Club Kaycee. He digs in even deeper in this essential history. Or just check Wikipedia.

(This gem was kindly brought to my attention by The New Low Down.)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The most successful act to originate in KC? Even disregarding Big Joe Turner and Charlie Parker (why would you?) and overlooking Burt Bacharach, have you ever heard of Count Basie?

Happy In Bag said...

In terms of public acclaim and commercial viability, the case can be made that at their peak, the Nighthawks were more successful than any of the legends you mention.

Of course, there's a reason Parker, Turner and Basie are remembered today while the Nighthawks are forgotten...