MUSICAL MEMORIES

     The Super National races are runnin' and Pufferfilly Days are comin.' Kornerland, meantime, is very quiet. So, here's a great opportunity to conjure up some great musical memories.
     The Kornerman loves to pull up You Tube music for a time of great listening to some of the greatest vocal (and instrumental) performances of our lifetime.
     What you are about to recognize are various songs I have enjoyed hearing (again) just in the past few weeks.
     Let's begin with the national anthem. Many fine performances have done a wonderful job on the anthem. One of the first that comes to mind is the presentation by Whitney Houston at the beginning of the Super Bowl game of 1991 in Tampa, FL..
     I like happy songs,......singalong type, and a couple quickly come to mind. How about "Standing on the Corner" by the Four Lads. "Standin' on the corner whatchin' all the girls go by," "Standing on the corner giving all the girls the eye." Another one is "Candy Man" by Sammy Davis Jr..
     Then there are sad songs......breakup songs like Eydie Gorme's, "What did I have I don't have now" and "One less bell" by the Fifth Dimension. "One less bell to answer, one less egg to fry. One less man to pick after. I should be happy but all I can do is cry."
     Lots of great music has been produced by wonderful vocalists who may not be considered super stars but, nonetheless, have made their mark. Neil Sedaka may be almost unknown by some but think about, "Laughter in the rain" and "Breaking up is hard to do." Then there's Tony Orlando and, "Knock three times" and "Tie a yellow ribbon." and Charlie Rich with "the most beautiful girl in the world" and "behind closed doors."
     I just listened yesterday to Crystal Gayle and the late Eddie Rabbitt and "Just you and I." What a great duet that was. Dolly and Kenny Rogers weren't bad either with "Islands in the stream."
     Full concerts are a fine way to spend an evening. I confess I didn't listen to the entire thing but I had a Glen Campbell concert on the other night that he had performed a few years ago for PBS in Sioux Falls, SD. It began with one of my favorites, "Wichita Lineman" and he went right through all of those great songs of his.
     The 70's and 80's were terrific......the BeeGees, the Carpenters, Barry Manilow, Tom Jones, Elvis, Willie Nelson, Earth Wind and Fire and Chicago and so many others.
     Anne Murray has one of the greatest female voices ever, along with Kim Hopper of the Gaithers.
     I'm a big Gaither fan. There's as much musical talent there as anywhere......David Phelps, Mark Lowery, Guy Penrod and the late Anthony Burger, probably the greatest pianist ever.
     A good source for some great music are the Lincoln Center tributes......like the ones to Billie Joel and Neal Diamond. In those, various artists sing the music that made those being honored famous.
     I haven't even mentioned Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Vic Damone and others starting in the 40s/50s that are available and much enjoyed.
     Well anyway, those are just a few personal thoughts. I wish I had a turn table and was able to play lots of this great music just for you.
K-----K
     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Fred Rather, 94, Boone........Tex Meeker, 89, Ogden. Married Mary Ann Barnum. The couple had two sons. He was a welder for Peoples Natural Gas of Ogden for 25 years before retirement in 1985. Survivors include his companion, Eleanor Rubenking, and a son, Ted, both of Ogden.........Ann Jeanette Sprecher, 91, Madrid. Formerly of Ogden. Born in Boone. Boxholm HS-46. Worked at Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines and for Dr. Borgen of Gowrie. Married Norman Sprecher in 1948 and they farmed north of Ogden. After moving to town, she became a CMA at Ogden Manor. Survivors include two sons, Milton and Orlan Sprecher, and two brothers, Gene and Bob Olson, all of Boone. Two daughters and a sister also survive........Sharon Mumm, 68, Boone. Passed away due to a horseback riding accident. Eldora HS. Married Jerry Mumm in 1972 and the couple lived in Boone. She was a physical therapist assistant at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Survivors include four sons, a daughter and two brothers..........Nancy Sunstrom Dean, 83, Boone. Passed away due to auto accident injuries. Jordan HS. Married Bob Sunstrom in 1957 and they later divorced. Married Harold (Tex) Dean in 1986. She worked at ISU as an administrative assistant until retirement in 1999. Survivors include her husband, Tex, of the Madrid Home, three sons, Jeff and Mike Sunstrom of Boone and Blayne Sunstrom, of Madrid. A daughter and step-daughter also survive.
K-----K
     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. To email your stories/memories/comments......
kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.