Presentations

Here you’ll find a list of available presentations. Most presentations run for around 90 minutes but most of them can be adapted to run for a shorter or longer period to suit your needs.

Rocking Around the Clock: A Look at Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll

One Hit Wonders

In this presentation, Ian delves into the world of popular music when he takes a video look at some of the most well known one hit wonders that appeared in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The presentation looks at those bands and singers who reached at least #40 and charted just once before disappearing from sight. You’ll remember the music but maybe not all the performers who had their 15 minutes of fame. If you like classic pop music, you’ll love this presentation. 

More One Hit Wonders

In this follow-up presentation, Ian again rummages the vaults of popular music with “More One Hit Wonders.” This video presentation looks at a fresh batch of pop music bands and singers who reached at least #40 on the Billboard Hot One 100 chart just once and then disappeared from sight. You’ll remember the music but maybe not all the performers. If you like classic pop music, you’ll love this presentation. 

Even More One Hit Wonders

In this second follow-up presentation, Ian again raids the vaults of popular music with “Even More One Hit Wonders.” This video presentation looks at a completely new selection of pop music bands and singers who reached at least #40 on the Billboard Hot One 100 chart just once and then disappeared from sight. You’ll remember the music but maybe not all the performers. If you’ve been to either of the previous two presentations you’ll know what to expect. If you haven’t, and you like classic pop music, you’ll really enjoy this presentation. 

Chicago: the City, the Music

In this video presentation, Ian looks at both the history of the city of Chicago and the distinct music that it has produced over the last century. You’ll learn some interesting things about the “Windy City” since it was initially incorporated in 1837 and be entertained by the varied music that originated there.

Early Chicago Jazz

Chicago is famous for its gangsters such as Al Capone, Frank Nitty and Bugs Moran but it’s also a famous city for jazz music. In this informative video presentation, Ian will discuss how the city of Chicago, along with New Orleans and New York City, was at the forefront of the birth of jazz in the 1920s. Think of King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton as well a host of less well-known musicians.

The Detroit Sound: The History of Motown Records

Detroit is known as the Motor City but it is also famous for music. In the late 1950s, Berry Gordy Jr. set up a record label that would take the music world by storm and dominate pop music charts around the world for the next 20 years with performers such as Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Jackson Five. In this video presentation, Ian will look at the development of Motown Records and the people behind its non-stop two decade success.

Blame it on the Bossa Nova (The Dance of Love)

What is the Bossa Nova? a type of music, a dance or both? All will be revealed in this entertaining and fun video presentation as Ian looks into the roots of this 1950s and ’60s musical craze and the people involved, including such diverse talents as Elvis Presley, Stan Getz, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Eydie Gorme. 

From Bebop to Swing” – In this video presentation, Ian looks at the way the big band era of the late 1930s and ’40s started to give away to the evolution of a new style of jazz music: bebop! You’ll watch plenty of swing bands such as Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Count Basie as well as some classic bebop by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis.