Sound of History

The British Invasion marked one of the most explosive and influential periods in American music history. Mika and Nick examine a few of the bands that helped create this sound that took the country by storm.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

We took a little break to reflect on the podcast so far. What do we like and what would we change? Then we played a fun game. Fun for Nick, anyway. Mika hated it. Feel free to play along and let us know your score.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

In this episode, we wrap up our discussion on the Rat Pack (and adjacent crooners) by talking about Nat King Cole. We play a lot of music, tell his story, and even debate the very existence of Bonus Episodes.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Frank Sinatra looms larger than most other figures in the history of American entertainment. Everyone knows his name. Mika and Nick take a look at his story and his career.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Dean Martin is a legendary performer in American history. Mika and Nick take a look at his incredible work as a member of the Rat Pack.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

We continue our look at the different Rat Pack members, but this week we turn our attention back to music and examine the story of the incredible Sammy Davis Jr.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

We start off our little Rat Pack break with our first ever non-music episode. We cover the actor, director, and producer Peter Lawford and the comedian and host Joey Bishop.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

We follow up our history of Bluegrass by talking about Bill Monroe and his legendary influence on the entire course of this genre.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Bluegrass is a smaller, but important genre, in the history of music. Mika and Nick take a look at how bluegrass was born and some of the key figures at the start.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Ray Charles was one of the most important figures in the development of Soul Music. Mika and Nick take a look at the Genius and play a lot of his music.   Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

We talk about Sam Cooke, Stax Records, Aretha Franklin, Gospel Music and so much more in this wild episode.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Mika, a self-declared Elvis hater, spends over an hour learning about his life and music.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Chuck Berry is arguably the most important innovator of the early rock and roll sound. His music influenced and impacted most of the legends of Rock. Listen as Mika and Nick tell his story.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

We've finally made it to the most explosive genre of music to come out of America: rock and roll. We talk about where it came from and what it did to society.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Hank Williams is arguably the first superstar of country music and is known as one of the greatest country artists of all time. Mika and Nick take a look at his troubled life and listen to some of his best songs. Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

For our second episode on country music, we take a look at several different genres emerging around country in the 40s and 50s. All of these directly influenced the birth of rock and roll.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Little Richard, beyond being a musical pioneer and legend, had an interesting career and life. Mika and Nick spend almost an hour learning about all he accomplished.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Rhythm and Blues is a direct precursor to Rock and Roll. Mika and Nick take a look at this wide and varied genre to try and figure out what it actually is.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Muddy Waters is a blues icon who has influenced American music in more ways than many people know. Mika and Nick look at his incredible story and talk a bit about what we owe him.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

It's our second shot at the blues! Mika and Nick focus in on Chicago blues as they inch ever closer to the birth of Rock and Roll. Also, they take a detour to briefly showcase the life of Howlin' Wolf.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

The Temptations are one of the most iconic and loved vocal groups in the history of music. Mika and Nick take a look at the often crazy but always fascinating story of The Temptations.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes! 

Doo Wop was a musical form birthed out of urban cities and it took the world by storm. Mika and Nick examine where it came from and what it meant for the wider world of American music.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_ Leave us a review on iTunes!   

Few figures loom as large in the history of American music as Bing Crosby. Movie star, record setting singer, Bing did it all. In this special episode, Mika and Nick take a look at his life and career.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_  

Along with starting the race records craze, Mamie Smith is known as the Queen of the Blues for good reason. Mika and Nick learn more about how she helped start the diva image.  Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_   Give us a rating and a review on iTunes! 

This week, Mika and Nick take a look at an unfortunate moment in American music history that fortunately gave us a lot of amazing artists and music.    Follow us on Social media!  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SoundofHistory/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/soundofhistory_