My father wrote "What's Made Milwaukee Famous" (BMI Work #1636984) in 19xx which is published by Al Gallico Music. It has earned a BMI Award and was made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis on Another Place, Another Time (1968). The song continues to suprise me. Years back it showed up in the monster-selling Rod Stewart ANTHOLOGY. The liner note by Rod is priceless: 'It was late, and I have no idea why we recorded this!' Appropriate, as the song opens with the line, "It's late, and she's waiting ....... What's Made Milwaukee Famous has made a loser out of me." I'm a fan of the KILLER, but Rod Stewart appeals to my rock n roll side ... and I was in college at the time, so this made my Dad very cool.
Currently, Rod & Jerry Lee have reunited to perform the song on Jerry Lee's duets CD, Last Man Standing, which happens to be selling really well. Being a designer, I completely approve of the CD cover as well! Check it out...
The new, duet version, as well as The Killer's original version and Rod's drunken one are all available on iTunes. Please dowload!!
Another exciting note on this song is that a great band out of Austin has named themselves WHAT MADE MILWAUKEE FAMOUS. I had heard about them several years ago on the Texas circuit as they are co-managed by some familiar faces from Pat Green & Jack Ingram's bunch. But last night it appears they were on Austin City Limits with Franz Ferdinand. Eventhough they're from Texas & have a classic country song title as the band name, they rock . So support them too!! They'll never probably cut Milwaukee, but if they make it big, they'll further the name value & awareness of the copyright. And it doesn't hurt that the band is really good! (I recommend Hellodrama)
Lastly, JLL was performing in Kentucky a couple of weeks ago so Dad & I grabbed a couple of friends and went to the show! I'm still a huge fan, but the Killa plays a short set these days. He only did 6 songs!! (got $35k & a lear to/from Memphis so I guess he ain't doin' so bad) I would have loved to have heard my Dad's song, but am satisfied to have witnessed the Killer perform "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin'" after which he promptly plopped his butt across the keys to sound his final note ... and then left the stage. Follow That, Killer!
Related links:
Stephen Davis, Rolling Stone, 9/14/72
liveDaily
BMI
Wikipedia
STEREOGUM:: Glenn Sutton DOES rock!
What Made Milwaukee Famous (the band) on Austin City Limits
1 comment:
badass, Lisa. this is michael from WMMF. thanks for the vote of approval. your Dad really wrote an amazing song and we're happy to perpetuate it's greatness by referencing it in our band name. hopefully, we'll be headed your way soon. thanks for the shoutout!
love,
michael & WMMF
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