Sir John Hawkins ~ The Father of Music History

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Sir John Hawkins - 1786   

oil on wood panel 

painting by  

 
      

On March 29, 1719, Sir John Hawkins was born. Hawkins was the author of The General History which was the first history of music book in English.  

 

It took Hawkins 16 years to write A General History of the Science and Practice of Music which was published in 1776. Although this publication was respected, it soon was overshadowed, with the help of the likes such as Dr Callcott who composed a mocking song against Hawkins, by Charles Burney's General History of Music (1776–89). However, in years to come Hawkins's music history was considered to be superior to Burney's music history (compare the 1875 edition of Hawkins's work). Burney's discourse on Handel and Bach was viewed as being particularly inadequate.     

 

During his life, he wrote many works, including A General History of the Science and Practice of Music and his Life of Samuel Johnson in memory of his friend. He was appointed as a magistrate and later became Chairman of the Quarter Session for Middlesex. 

 

In 1753 Hawkins married Sidney Storer (1726–1793), second daughter of the attorney Peter Storer. With two daughters who died in infancy, their children were two sons, John Sidney Hawkins and Henry, and a daughter, the novelist Laetitia Hawkins.He was knighted in 1772 for his services.   

 

               

     

Viewfinder link:     

      

Sir John Hawkins     

        

Net links: 

          

Baldwin Wallace University ~ A History of Music: Burney vs. Hawkins   

Brittanica ~ General History of the Science and Practice of Music     

Sir John Hawkins Music ~ List of Music by John Hawkins           

Yale University Library ~ Sir John Hawkins      

 

 

      

     

     

Styrous® ~ Sunday, March 29, 2026         

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

 

 

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Music People

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Sir John Hawkins ~ articles/mentions

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The Father of Music History    

      

     

     

mentions:     

      

     

     

     

     

Sir John Hawkins - 1786     

oil on wood panel by James Roberts   

painting: University of Oxford      

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

 

 

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The Orchard / Galleries on 25

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 Sculpture by Bella Feldman

 

 

The first group exhibition at the Galleries on 25 (link below) had a remarkable number of attendees as well as favorable online reviews (links below).  

 

In conjunction with the Gray Loft Gallery, the Galleries on 25 is preparing for it's second round of amazing visual, sculptural and installation artists with the following announcement:     

 

 

You are cordially invited to the 
Opening Reception of THREE Exhibitions
at The Orchard / Galleries on 25
Saturday, February 28, 2:00 - 5:00 pm

The Orchard / Galleries on 25  and Gray Loft Gallery
are pleased to present three exhibitions:

• The Orchard is honored to present a solo retrospective of the 50-year international career of Bella Feldman.  Bella Tabak Feldman (1930–2024) was an American sculptor and installation artist whose work merged steel, glass, and wood into psychologically charged, often surreal forms that probe themes of war, sexuality, vulnerability, and the anxieties of the industrial age. A pioneering woman in sculpture and a Professor Emerita at California College of the Arts in Oakland, she is widely recognized for innovating techniques that combine blown glass with fabricated metal, producing works that are at once physically imposing and emotionally fragile.
   
• We present nationally recognized metal sculptor Joseph Slusky  with a selection of recent and past work. He is best known for his whimsical painted metal sculptures made from recycled scrap metal. Influences include metal toys, LA car culture, Constructivism and other twentieth century art movements. The sculptures explore realms of the subconscious and are fossilizations of the imagination. Joe taught drawing and three-dimensional design at the UC Berkeley Architecture Department for thirty-two years. 

 

Painting and Sculpture by Joseph Slusky 

 

 

• Curated by Gray Loft Gallery, we are delighted to present a satellite exhibition of the Art of the African Diaspora at the Richmond Art Center which is the longest running event of its kind in the Bay Area. It began in 1989 as a salon for African American artists known as Colors of Black, organized by artist and professor Marie Johnson Calloway.  This exhibition features 19 artists selected from the Richmond Art Center AOTAD roster, all of whom live and work in the Bay Area.  
  Featured Artists:
  Cynthia Brannvall, Stephen Bruce, Kim Champion, Cairo McCockran, Kelvin Curry, Anna W. Edwards, Jimi Evins, Eva Facey, Kin Folkz, Chuck Harlins, Raymond L. Haywood, Alexis Joseph,  Gathoni Kamau-Devers, Ashlie Kego, Eric Murphy, Arthur Norcome, Malcolm Ryder, Xan Walker, Darrin Westmore

 
Show dates:  February 28 through May 2, 2026
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 28, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Closing Reception: Saturday, May 2, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

The Orchard /Galleries on 25
489 - 25th Street, Oakland CA  94612

About The Orchard / Galleries on 25
The Orchard / Galleries on 25, is a vibrant arts venue located in the heart of the Oakland Art Murmur District and a new arts destination in Oakland’s thriving Art Murmur district, offering space for galleries and individual artists to present exhibitions, installations, and events. With its collaborative model and spacious layout, Galleries on 25 aims to foster community engagement and showcase the creative diversity that defines the Bay Area art scene. 

About Gray Loft Gallery Uptown

Gray Loft Gallery Uptown is the satellite location of our Jingletown gallery, which has been inspiring art and enriching the local cultural landscape since 2012. Gray Loft Uptown continues this mission by providing exhibition opportunities in a space that offers an alternative to the traditional gallery model. We foster creativity, meaningful engagement, and celebration within our community and beyond. We proudly support emerging, mid-career, and established artists, with a special emphasis on those who live and work in the Bay Area.

The gallery was voted Best Art Gallery in 2016, 2017, and 2021, and ranked among the top five from 2022 to 2025 in the Oakland Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards.   The gallery is a proud member of the San Francisco Art Dealers Association, Oakland Art Murmur and Jingletown Arts, Business and Community.
 

        

         

Viewfinder links:        

         

Gray Loft Gallery          

The Orchard / Galleries on 25         

Joseph Slusky          

        

Net links:                  

 

Gray Loft Gallery         

The Orchard / Galleries on 25          

        

Net reviews:        

        

EBX ~ Galleries on 25 gives larger works ‘space to breathe’     

Midbrow ~ Orchard Welcomes Fresh Flock          

Square Cylinder ~ Simone Simon        

        

Video links:        

        

Galleries on 25        

Galleries on 25 thanks to everyone                  

Rhythmix Cultural Works ~ The Breakfast Group - Joseph Slusky    

         

        

        

        

Styrous® ~ Sunday, March 8, 2026        
       

 

 

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Art/Exhibitions
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45 RPMs 104: Herman's Hermits – I'm Henry VIII, I Am

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Herman's Hermits ~ I'm Henry VIII, I Am 

45 RPM front cover 
    

    

In 1965, the first of February to be exact, Herman's Hermits recorded my very favorite song by them, I'm Henry VIII, I Am. It is one of the wackiest songs ever written! It's a bouncy high energy tune that roars along like a train out of control and there's some really great guitar work by Derek Leckenby.  

 

I saw the Hermits on the The Ed Sullivan Show in 1965 and thought the lead singer, Peter Noone, was the cutest thing EVER! He was an energetic 18 year old with skinny legs that rapidly bounced in and out to the beat of the tune.     

 

The song was originally a British music hall song written by Fred Murray and R. P. Weston in 1910 and recorded by Harry Champion in 1911. It is so completely different from the Hermits cover that it is a totally different song with three verses. According to one source, Champion "used to fire off [the chorus] at tremendous speed with almost desperate gusto, his face bathed in sweat and his arms and legs flying in all directions." Noone kept that part of the act in. In later versions recorded by Champion, "Willie" is changed to "William" because the former is a British slang term for "penis".          

 

I'm Henry VIII, I Am lyrics 

I'm 'Enery the Eighth, I am,
'Enery the Eighth I am, I am!
I got married to the widow next door,
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an 'Enery
She wouldn't have a Willie nor a Sam
I'm her eighth old man named 'Enery
'Enery the Eighth, I am!

Herman's Hermits ~ The End of the World 
45 RPM back cover 

 

The "B" side of the record is The End of the World which was originally recorded by Skeeter Davis, who was an American country music singer and songwriter who sang crossover pop music songs.       

 

 

Herman's Hermits ~ I'm Henry VIII, I Am 

45 RPM side 1 

 

 

 

Herman's Hermits ~ The End of the World 
45 RPM side 2 

 

 

                

        

Tracklist:

Side 1:

A - I'm Henry VIII, I Am, written by Murray*, Weston* - 1:49

Side 2:

B - The End Of The World, I Am, written by Kent*, Dee* - 2:57

Companies, etc.

    Published By – Miller Music
    Published By – Summit Music
    Manufactured By – Reverse Producers Corp.
    Record Company – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
    Pressed By – MGM Record Manufacturing Division

 Credits:

 

    Producer – Mickie Most  

 

Notes:

Catalog number appears with a hyphen on the picture sleeve.
Catalog number appears without any spaces on disc labels.
Reverse Productions credit is abbreviated. on labels.

from Album E/SE 4295 "Herman's Hermits On Tour"
A Mickie Most Prod.

Mf'd by Reverse Prod. Corp.

MGM Records--a division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
Made in U.S.A.

Barcode and Other Identifiers         

    Rights Society: ASCAP
    Matrix / Runout (Label side A): 65-XY-453
    Matrix / Runout (Label side B): 65-XY-454
    Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 1): K13367 65XY453-3
    Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 1): K13367 65XY454
    Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 2): K13367 65XY453-2 4 [block S]
    Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 2): K13367 65XY454-3 [block S]
    Matrix / Runout (Runout side A, variant 3): K13367 65XY453-2 [block S]
    Matrix / Runout (Runout side B, variant 3): K13367 65XY454-3 [block S]

 

Herman's Hermits – I'm Henry VIII, I Am / The End Of The World    MGM Records – K-13367, MGM Records – K13367
Format: Vinyl, 7", Single, 45 RPM, MGM Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1965
Genre: Pop
Style: Rock & Roll, Music Hall 

        

        

        

        

        

Viewfinder links:       

        
Harry Champion 

Skeeter Davis     

King Henry VIII         

Derek Leckenby         

Fred Murray 

Peter Noone         
     
Net links:       

         

Fred Murray         

R. P. Weston           
     
YouTube links:      
         

Joe Brown & The Bruvvers ~ I'm Henry the Eighth I Am            

Harry Champion ~ 

         I’m Henry VIII, I Am        

Herman's Hermits ~          

         I'm Henry VIII, I Am (Ed Sullivan Show June 6, 1965)        

         I'm Henry VIII, I Am (live August 10, 1973)        

        

      
        
         

        

        

Styrous® ~ Saturday, March 28, 2026 

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45 RPMs Archive
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Skeeter Davis articles/mentions

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mentions:     

Herman's Hermits ~ 

             I'm Henry the VIII, I am         

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Skeeter Davis     

date & photographer unknown     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

 

 

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Music People

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Harry Champion articles/mentions

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mentions:     

Herman's Hermits ~ 

             I'm Henry the VIII, I am         

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Harry Champion     

date & photographer unknown     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

 

 

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Music People

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Peter Noone articles/mentions

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I'm Henry the VIII, I am         

     

      

      

      

     

mentions:     

Herman's Hermits ~ Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter      

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Peter Noone     

date & photographer unknown     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

 

 

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Music People

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King Henry VIII articles/mentions

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mentions:       

Herman's Hermits ~   

   I'm Henry the VIII, I am              

   Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter   

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Politics

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Derek Leckenby articles/mentions

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mentions:     

Herman's Hermits ~ 

             I'm Henry the VIII, I am         

             Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter      

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Derek Leckenby     

date & photographer unknown     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

 

 

 

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Music People

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Kate Smith ~ God Bless America, the Ku Klux Klan & Politics

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God Bless America      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday, March 24, 1939, God Bless America was recorded by Kate Smith. It is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin during World War I in 1918 and revised by him in the run-up to World War II in 1938. The later version was recorded by Smith and became her signature song.     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
      

    

      

     

Music critic Jody Rosen says that a 1906 Jewish dialect novelty song, When Mose with His Nose Leads the Band, contains a six-note fragment that is "instantly recognizable as the opening strains of 'God Bless America'". He interprets this as an example of Berlin's "habit of interpolating bits of half-remembered songs into his own numbers." I think that's kind of stretching it but judge for yourself (link  below).          

 

In 1938, with the rise of Adolf Hitler, Berlin, who was Jewish felt it was time to revive it as a "peace song", and it was introduced on an Armistice Day broadcast in 1938, sung by Kate Smith on her radio show. Berlin had made some minor changes; by this time, "to the right" might have been considered a call to the political right, so he substituted "through the night" instead. Woody Guthrie criticized the song, and in 1940 he wrote This Land Is Your Land, originally titled God Blessed America For Me, as a response. Anti-Semitic groups such as the Ku Klux Klan also protested against the song due to its authorship by a Jewish immigrant.       

 

Berlin gave the royalties of the song to The God Bless America Fund for redistribution to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in New York City.         

 

In 1940, God Bless America was the official campaign song for both President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his Republican opponent, Wendell Willkie. At that time, the song represented cultural and religious tolerance (my how times change).      

 

The song was used early in the Civil Rights Movement as well as at labor rallies. During the 1960s counterculture, the song was increasingly used by Christian conservatives in the US to signal their opposition to secular liberalism and to silence dissenters who were speaking in favor of communism or in opposition to the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.        

 

During a live television broadcast on the evening of the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, following addresses by then House and Senate leaders, Speaker Dennis Hastert (Republican) and Tom Daschle (Democrat), members of the United States Congress broke out into an apparently spontaneous verse of God Bless America on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.        

 

It has become common for it to be sung at major sport events: the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, American football and the Indianapolis 500.       

 

It has been recorded by Bing Crosby, Connie Francis, Jackie Evancho, LeAnn Rimes, the Violent Femmes (this is a very strange cover) and two versions by Celine Dion. The Firesign Theatre did parodies on two of their albums, Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him in 1968 and How Can You Be in Two Places at Once When You're Not Anywhere at All in 1969.    

 

And the 2011 film God Bless America, written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, is a dark comedy that satirizes present-day American values.          

 

 

God Bless America lyrics

 

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above.

From the mountains to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America, my home sweet home,
God bless America, my home sweet home.  

 

 

     

     

     

Viewfinder links:              

 

Irving Berlin         

Bing Crosby       

Celine Dion       

Woody Guthrie      

Adolf Hitler         

Ku Klux Klan         

Franklin Delano Roosevelt         

Kate Smith         

Violent Femmes        

      
Net links:       

        

        

        

        

        

        
        

        

        

        

        

        

        
        
     
YouTube links:       

        

Collins and Harlan ~ When Mose with His Nose Leads the Band         

Firesign Theater .~        

             How Can You Be in Two Places at Once (complete album) (57 mins.)  

             Waiting for the Electrician (Complete Album) (42 mins.)   

God Bless America ~            

                  Bing Crosby       

                  Celine Dion    

                  Jackie Evancho      

                  Connie Francis      

                  LeAnn Rimes     

                  the Violent Femmes       

        

        
        

        

         
Styrous® ~ Tuesday, March 24, 2026         
        

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