RIP Sergio Mendes

[edwin drood]

He brought us the sounds of Brazil and the Samba and the Bosa Nova

https://youtu.be/BrZBiqK0p9E?si=-etgLtfzUByRqDlr

[Pink Freud]

As you may know, I interviewed Herb Alpert (bucket list!!) several years ago before his concert at Yavapai College Performing Arts Center in northern Arizona. As a teen I had every album he and the Tijuana Brass ever put out. I asked him about the genesis of his wildly successful A&M Records with business partner Jerry Moss, and Herb told me Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 was the first act he signed for A&M.

Sergio blended the sounds of the influences mentioned by Edwin Drood above, along with Wes Montgomery, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Baja Marimba Band.....all of whom also signed on with A&M.

When Herb and his Tijuana Brass went on a huge tour, Herb invited Sergio's band to be the opening act. Alpert told his own TJB bandmates: No messing around with or hitting on Sergio's two beautiful lead singers.

There's a reason for that: Herb wanted one of them, Lani (pr. "Lonnie") Hall, for himself, and they've been married forever...and are still touring together.

When I spent a late morning finally exploring the Hollywood Bowl for the first time, just to watch and hear the LA Phil rehearse, I was disappointed to learn there would not be a run-through, since the Bowl was preparing for a live show that night....by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66, opening for.....yes, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

So, I spent the entire day and evening at the amazing Hollywood Bowl, touring the scenic grounds, exploring the wonderful Bowl Museum with the Beatles contract for playing the Bowl (produced and signed by Bob Eubanks) and the Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny cartoon featuring Bugs conducting at the Hollywood Bowl....and yes, enjoying my long-ago heroes performing live that night, having no idea at that time that ten years later I''d be interviewing Herb for a half hour live on radio.

I was really, really lucky in that regard: During the interview, Herb invited me to come backstage to say hello before the concert, due in a few days. Then the day before the show his tour issued a warning that nobody would be permitted backstage due to COVID fears (and Herb was 84). Turns out that show I attended was his last show of that year, as they had to cancel their entire sold-out European tour due to COVID.

[Ed Fraser]

Herb Alpert is porno music for your grandma.

[Pink Freud]

Herb Alpert is porno music for your grandma.

Has your father recently purchased a semi-automatic weapon for your birthday?