Music

Connecticut radio stations and their charismatic disc jockeys played an integral role in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. They served as a vital connection between the music and their audience, providing listeners the one vehicle they most needed—a format for them to listen to their favorite songs. Learn about such memorable moments as the fierce rivalry between WDRC and WPOP, the zany antics of Joey Reynolds, and the on-air “death” of Lee “Baby” Simms. WPLR emerged as a “town hall meeting held in a frat house,” and colorful skits filled the airwaves. With in-depth interviews and timeless photos, author Tony Renzoni captures the spirit of the vibrant music scene and traces the important and influential role of past and present on-air personalities. 

Connecticut is home to a number of landmark music venues that have featured local and national performers. While some of the locations have closed, they have certainly not been forgotten. The New Haven Coliseum, the Arena and the Bushnell Memorial were once the places to be for music lovers, while elsewhere places like the Cheri Shack and the Shaboo hosted local bands and national headliners. Other venues such as Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, The Meadows and Toad’s Place have now taken center stage and continue to attract large crowds. With in-depth interviews with performers and many timeless photos, author Tony Renzoni takes you on a nostalgic and fun tour of the Nutmeg State’s most beloved music sites.

Established in 1924 by freshman Irving Harris, the Brown University Band is one of the school’s oldest student-run organizations. Its participation at sporting events, convocation and commencement makes it an integral part of campus life, providing music and spirited fun for the Brown and Providence communities.

A “scramble” band, rather than a traditional marching band, the Band provides cheeky entertainment on and off campus. Legendary antics from the world’s only ice-skating band include the infamous bass drum heist by the “Foxboro Four” and notable halftime shows at hundreds of football games. While invariably adapting over the years, the band keeps school songs and spirit alive and maintains its long-standing traditions. Author and former percussionist Sean Briody pays homage to the band’s roots and vibrant history.

The first notes of jazz hit Cape Cod in the very early days of the genre. Bournehurst-on-the-Canal hosted top bands, and emerging swing era dancers packed the hall. Cape Cod's First Lady of Jazz, Marie Marcus, was a child prodigy in Boston and found some of her most important instruction in the art of stride piano during lessons with great pianist Fats Waller in New York. At the very tip of the Cape, the Atlantic House in Provincetown showcased performances from some of the biggest names like Gerry Mulligan, Billie Holiday and Stan Getz. Author John Basile details the fascinating history and amazing musicians that made Cape Cod a music destination.

Long neglected in the annals of American music, the Nutmeg State's influence on the history of rock'n'roll deserves recognition.

Connecticut's musical highlights include the beautiful harmonies of New Haven's Five Satins, Gene Pitney's rise to fame, Stamford's the Fifth Estate and notable rockers such as Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer and Saturday Night Live Band's Christine Ohlman. Rock Hall of Famers include Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of the Talking Heads and Dennis Dunaway of the Alice Cooper Band. Some events became legend, like Jimi Hendrix's spellbinding performance at Yale's Woolsey Hall, Jim Morrison's onstage arrest at the New Haven Arena and teenage Bob Dylan's appearance at Branford's Indian Neck Folk Festival. With in-depth interviews as well as rare, never-before-seen photos, author Tony Renzoni leads a sonic trip that captures the spirit and zenith of the local scene.

In 1958, under the founding music director, Prof. Marvin Rabin, the Boston University College of Fine Arts established a youth orchestra for junior and senior high school students from the Greater Boston area. The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO), formerly known as the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, has flourished over the past 60 years, impacting the lives of thousands of young musicians. BYSO members have experienced countless unforgettable moments, including performances at the White House, Carnegie Hall, and renowned concert venues across the world. Today, under the musical leadership of Federico Cortese, BYSO serves 500 students from over 120 communities throughout New England. BYSO is one of Boston's most prestigious arts organizations, with a programmatic scope that includes three full symphonic orchestras, two young string training orchestras, six chamber orchestras, a preparatory wind ensemble, a chamber music program, and a nationally recognized outreach program that provides rigorous instrument instruction to students from underrepresented communities. In 2008, BYSO established an opera program that has become an integral part of the season repertoire. BYSO has selected images from its extensive archives to exhibit its rich history.

On Christmas Eve 1876, Portsmouth citizens watched flames reduce their largest meetinghouse and entertainment hall to ashes. During the following year, local families, businessmen, and craftsmen combined their resources to build a new auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting, rigging, staging, and seating-a comfortable venue for public addresses, charity functions, and international entertainment. The Music Hall, Portsmouth, was born.

Twain spoke from her stage, Sousa's brass echoed from her walls, and Edison's films brought her silver screen to life. Enduring war, depression, and multiple threats of destruction, this grand hall today stands as New Hampshire's oldest operating theater. Showcasing the world's finest stage and screen talent, offering artistic education to young and old, and hosting fundraisers and private events, the Music Hall is a testament to the necessity of arts in local culture and the strength of a community's resolve.

Martha's Vineyard has a rich musical legacy that stretches back to the earliest drumbeats of the Wampanoags and the whaling chanteys of the nineteenth century. Returning Civil War veterans formed the island's oldest continuous music ensemble, the Vineyard Haven Band. Vineyarders embrace all things musical, from choral and string ensembles to singers and songwriters. Discover this melodious history from the early twentieth-century dance bands at the Tivoli ballroom, through the war years, the piano bars and the nascent folk music scene at the Mooncusser Cafe, where Carly Simon and James Taylor played their first licks. Authors Thomas Dresser and Jerry Muskin explore the homegrown music scene and the summer stars who keep islanders and visitors moving to the beat.