I was in Muscle Shoals last Thursday and grabbed a bite at a pizza joint. As I walked out of the restroom there were three poster sized black and white images on the wall. One was of Etta James. One showed Wilson Pickett. The last was Bobbie Gentry. All three recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals along with many other big name stars. I do not think I had ever seen this particular photograph of Ms. Gentry, but I thought the readers here would enjoy it. As I was searching, I came across a few more that I decided to post. Enjoy.
We were in Muscle Shoals about a year ago, pulled into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, thought it was closed but it was open, we were just the only car in the whole parking lot so had the whole place to ourselves. We had dinner up in the revolving restaurant high in the sky.
That Hall of Fame is the real deal and so is the Marriott Shoals with the 360 revolving restaurant. I live about an hour south of the Shoals, but travel up there now and again. Besides plenty of shopping and eating places, one of the three Rural King stores in Alabama is located there.
And by all accounts, after 3 brief but failed marriages, she has been retired quietly for 40 years (she's now 80), and shuns publicity like the plague. Enjoy the lightning she put in a bottle during her brief moment in the spotlight.
Can't remember the name but there is an excellent documentary about Rick (again can't remember the name) who founded FAME studios. They talked about the singing waters of the river there. Rick said his biggest mistake was letting Lynyrd Skynyrd slip away.
It was never revealed since it wasn't the focus of the song. The song was really about the callous attitude of her family towards the death of one of her friends.
She was smoking, but it is like Aesop mentioned in that she has been somewhat of a recluse for the last 40 years or so. I wouldn't call her an introvert, because she seems to have possessed a lot of personality on stage and television. From what I have read she could have been much more, but I think she got exactly what she wanted. I am glad we have some of her music and images.
happens to a lot of people. they get what they thought they wanted only to realize it is a empty dream. and once that dream is gone, most either fall into drugs or booze. some just fade and hide away to look for peace after it all. some make it that far and find it.
We were in Muscle Shoals about a year ago, pulled into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, thought it was closed but it was open, we were just the only car in the whole parking lot so had the whole place to ourselves. We had dinner up in the revolving restaurant high in the sky.
ReplyDeleteThat Hall of Fame is the real deal and so is the Marriott Shoals with the 360 revolving restaurant.
DeleteI live about an hour south of the Shoals, but travel up there now and again. Besides plenty of shopping and eating places, one of the three Rural King stores in Alabama is located there.
And by all accounts, after 3 brief but failed marriages, she has been retired quietly for 40 years (she's now 80), and shuns publicity like the plague.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the lightning she put in a bottle during her brief moment in the spotlight.
Can't remember the name but there is an excellent documentary about Rick (again can't remember the name) who founded FAME studios. They talked about the singing waters of the river there. Rick said his biggest mistake was letting Lynyrd Skynyrd slip away.
ReplyDeleteIt is a well done documentary. It came out in 2019 I believe and is called "Muscle Shoals".
Deletehttps://youtu.be/hKmGUIM1uAI
So what was thrown off the bridge. Don't say it was a baby that makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteOnly to you.
DeleteI'm guessing you were born long after the '60s?
It was never revealed since it wasn't the focus of the song. The song was really about the callous attitude of her family towards the death of one of her friends.
DeleteAlways thought she was hotter than a popcorn fart. Maybe it's just me.
ReplyDeletemaxx
She was smoking, but it is like Aesop mentioned in that she has been somewhat of a recluse for the last 40 years or so. I wouldn't call her an introvert, because she seems to have possessed a lot of personality on stage and television. From what I have read she could have been much more, but I think she got exactly what she wanted. I am glad we have some of her music and images.
DeleteGorgeous woman!
ReplyDeleteEtta for the win with 100 times the talent. I would especially recommend the two disc Chess Masters.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but who'd you rather snuggle with?
Deletehappens to a lot of people. they get what they thought they wanted only to realize it is a empty dream.
ReplyDeleteand once that dream is gone, most either fall into drugs or booze. some just fade and hide away to look for peace
after it all. some make it that far and find it.
She was a looker and was smart enough (eventually) to find a better life for her.
ReplyDeleteSmokin hot. Got the song on my phone. Saw the documentary when it came out. Watch it if you have not seen it. Great post Jeffery.
ReplyDeleteThanks BCCL!
DeleteJust something about a Mississippi girl! Spent 50 years, 9 months, 2 weeks, and 8 hours married to one. She passed in my embrace.
ReplyDelete