JSngry Posted August 26, 2004 Report Posted August 26, 2004 10 - Held over 10,000 shares of Studebaker stock! 9 - 1953 Greenwich Villiage Little League Coach of the Year! 8 - Allergic to potatoes! 7 - Wrote left-handed, ate right-handed! 6 - Passionate about preference for 5-string banjo over 4! 5 - Frustrated pastry chef! 4 - Original staff writer for Your Show Of Shows! 3 - Weekly poker games with Robert Oppenheimer & Harry Truman a legend; used winnings to co-finance JATP tours! 2 - Violently opposed the formation of the NBA! And the Number One Little Known Fact About Charlie Parker..... 1 - Assassinated by Russian spies! Quote
RDK Posted August 26, 2004 Report Posted August 26, 2004 I see Jim's been practicing his circular breathing techniques again. Better go outside and take a couple of deep breathes... Quote
Michael Fitzgerald Posted August 26, 2004 Report Posted August 26, 2004 Re: #6 - What is paradoxical is that he was equally passionate about his preference for 4-string bass over 5-. Bird forced Eddie Safranski to abandon his 5-string and borrow a 4-string bass for that date (there's that famous photo of Bird, Tristano, Safranski, and Billy Bauer). Originally Parker's view on guitar was that 4-string was better (the recordings with Tiny Grimes) but then he switched over to 6-string (probably influenced by his old friend Biddy Fleet who coaxed and cajoled him during their sessions at the chili house. It's reported that Bird wasn't happy about Fleet's 6-string then, but he seems to have mellowed on the subject and by the time of the Tristano photo, he was all for the more-is-more concept. It was rumored that he was considering recording with 12-string guitar, but that was in Ross Russell's book, so I'm not sure how much credence to give it.) Mike Quote
Big Al Posted August 26, 2004 Report Posted August 26, 2004 It was rumored that he was considering recording with 12-string guitar, but that was in Ross Russell's book, so I'm not sure how much credence to give it.) Mike Pity. Had he lived, he coulda been the sixth Byrd (can you imagine him playing on "Eight Miles High?") Quote
ghost of miles Posted August 26, 2004 Report Posted August 26, 2004 1 - Assassinated by Russian spies! C'mon, man--everybody knows he was murdered by Art Blakey. A group called Birdland Beboppers for Truth says so! Quote
JSngry Posted August 26, 2004 Author Report Posted August 26, 2004 Art Blakey WAS a Russian spy. Do your homework, dammit. Quote
BERIGAN Posted August 26, 2004 Report Posted August 26, 2004 I've heard rumors that he may have had some black ancestors....on his father's side. Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted August 26, 2004 Report Posted August 26, 2004 Originally Parker's view on guitar was that 4-string was better (the recordings with Tiny Grimes) but then he switched over to 6-string (probably influenced by his old friend Biddy Fleet who coaxed and cajoled him during their sessions at the chili house. So, is the chili house the source of Biddy's SECRET FORMULA ? Quote
blue lake Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 Well Chuck, I think you've taken us into Louis Armstrong territory with that one. "Leave it all behind ya!" Quote
Brad Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 (edited) Hmmm, here's one. What song did his son sing on in the 50s. I heard his voice was as light as a feather's Edited August 27, 2004 by Brad Quote
Dmitry Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 And the Number One Little Known Fact About Charlie Parker..... He is Sharon Stone's cousin. Quote
JSngry Posted August 27, 2004 Author Report Posted August 27, 2004 That makes him Sly Stone's nephew! Behold the power of the Internet! Quote
Eric Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 He was one of the original "Parker Brothers" Quote
Aggie87 Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 ...he got his nickname because his reed chirped. Quote
Michael Fitzgerald Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 Funnily enough, that's how Donald Byrd got his name too. Mike Quote
Chrome Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 ... he's Norah Jones' father. (Okay, I'm sure everyone saw that coming, but I couldn't resist!) Quote
Dmitry Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 A sole heir to the famous English Parker Pen empire he was disavowed by his father, Lord Parker for failure to endorse the Parker products during his JATP performances. Quote
Michael Fitzgerald Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 His composition "Bird Feathers" was written as a testamonial to the quill pen. And the piece "An Oscar For Treadwell" was originally titled "An Inkwell For Oscar." Mike Quote
Dmitry Posted August 27, 2004 Report Posted August 27, 2004 Ahh, the subtle advertising. You noticed it as well. Another track that was really a commercial jingle for Parker Pens was Dexterity. Quote
sheldonm Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 Funnily enough, that's how Donald Byrd got his name too. Mike naw....it's because he ate (eats) like a bird! Quote
Spontooneous Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 He greatly offended the Parker Pen family by using that plastic Bic pen at the Massey Hall concert. Quote
Spontooneous Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 He was the actual composer of "Abba Dabba Honeymoon." Quote
Spontooneous Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 After Parker's death, his influence was carried over to a whole new generation through the big, yellow, lovable character Yardbirdman on "Sesame Street." Quote
Nutty Posted August 28, 2004 Report Posted August 28, 2004 Speaking of Massey Hall, not only was Bird's saxophone plastic, it was manufactured by Fisher-Price as part of their "My First Gobble-Pipe" line. It was such a hit that the "My 'Lil Pawnshop Playset" soon followed...so that toddlers would have a convenient place to put it in hock. Quote
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