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Ruckus

Mr T, Cyndi Lauper and Hulk Hogan (Terry Bolea) circa 1985

History

In the early 1950s, female champion Mildred Burke often entered to theme music, while Gorgeous George was associated with "Pomp and Circumstance Marches", a song which was later used regularly by Randy Savage. Sgt. Slaughter, who has sometimes claimed to have introduced the idea to Vincent J. McMahon, entered to the "Marines' Hymn" at a Madison Square Garden show in the 1970s.[1] Though British wrestler Shirley Crabtree had been using "I Shall Not Be Moved" as his entrance music in the 1970s in the United Kingdom. However, the practice did not become widespread until the 1980s, when the Fabulous Freebirds, Hulk Hogan, the Junkyard Dog, and various World Class Championship Wrestling performers began using rock music for entrance themes.

Music is also used as a promotional tool during advertisements, video packages, and as the theme of television programs.

(Wikipedia)

The Wrestling Album

The Gentrys were an American band of the 1960s and early 1970s, best known for their 1965 hit "Keep on Dancing". A cover by the Bay City Rollers charted No. 9 in the UK in 1971. Follow-up singles charted outside of the Top 40: "Every Day I Have to Cry" (1966), "Spread It on Thick" (1966), "Cinnamon Girl" (1970), "Why Should I Cry" (1970), "Wild World" (1971), and a 'Bubbling Under' Billboard chart entry, "Brown Paper Sack" (#101, 1966).

The seven-member group of Treadwell High School (Memphis, Tennessee), alumni included Bruce Bowles (vocals), Bobby Fisher (saxophone, keyboards), Jimmy Hart (vocals), Jimmy Johnson (trumpet), Pat Neal (bass guitar), Larry Raspberry (guitar, lead vocalist), and drummer Larry Wall (replaced by Rob Straube) and also with another member, Larry Butler (keyboards). The youths formed the Gentrys in May 1963 as a rock 'n' roll group for local dances, and were very successful playing for high school dates. In September 1964 they won third place in the Mid-South Fair Talent Competition and auditioned for the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. They soon became the most popular teenage band in the mid-South and in 1964 won the Memphis Battle of the Bands. In December 1964 the group was given a contract by local record label Youngstown Records, and made their first record of "Sometimes", which was very popular locally in early 1965.

After bubbling under the Billboard chart for a week, the Gentrys scored with the million-selling "Keep on Dancing" which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.] Success led to appearances on Hullabaloo, Shindig!, and Where the Action Is, and they toured with The Beach Boys and Sonny and Cher, as well as playing on Dick Clark bills. However, five follow-up singles failed to break into the Top 40; several months after appearing in the 1967 movie It's a Bikini World, the group disbanded. Other notable band members during the 1963–1966 years were Claude Wayne Whitehead (rhythm guitar), Ronnie Moore (bass), Sonny Pitman (bass), and engineer/producer Terry Manning (keyboards).

"Keep on Dancing" is notable for being a song played twice, to stretch the record out to the length of the typical pop single of its day. The second half of the song, after the false fade, beginning with Wall's drum fill, is the same as the first. Though the group had Hart and Bowles as singers, their biggest hit was sung by their guitarist, Larry Raspberry.

Original member Hart reformed The Gentrys in 1969, with himself as lead singer; they recorded initially for the Bell Records label.[1] The 1969–1971 Gentrys included Hart, Steve Spear (bass), David Beaver (keyboards), Jimmy Tarbutton (guitar), and Mike Gardner (drums). In 1970 they recorded an album on Sam Phillips's Sun label and put two singles into the Billboard Hot 100: "Why Should I Cry" (which peaked at No. 61 on 7 March 1970) and "Cinnamon Girl", charting before Neil Young's version and peaking at No. 52 on June 13, 1970.

The 1971 through 1972 line-up of The Gentrys included Hart on vocals, along with Wesley Stafford on lead guitar and vocals, Alan Heidelberg (drums) and Bobby Liles (bass). Marty Lacker (a member of Elvis Presley's "Memphis Mafia") helped to land this version of The Gentrys a recording contract with Capitol Records. It produced a single written by Hart and Stafford entitled "Let Me Put This Ring Upon Your Finger." Knox Phillips was the record producer for all recording endeavors of this period.

Hart subsequently found greater fame and success in professional wrestling, as a manager nicknamed "The Mouth of the South." During this time, he also composed entrance music for wrestlers, as well as appearing as a member of The Wrestling Boot Band, a group fronted by Hulk Hogan. The story of the Gentrys is described in the book The Mouth of the South by Jimmy Hart, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and Jerry Lawler.

Raspberry went on to play with Alamo, who released a self-titled LP in 1971, and subsequently formed Larry Raspberry and the Highsteppers, releasing two albums in the mid-1970s. The band is still active. On a few occasions, Raspberry and other Gentry members reunite.

A contemporary lineup under the Gentrys name is a gospel family quartet of no relation to the original band

(Wikipedia)

News

WWE wrestlers, management and loyal, forgiving fans welcome Hulk Hogan back with open arms; Extreme Rules event sees Hogan mingling backstage -15th July 2018

by Greg Tingle

It's the news that just about everyone has been waiting for... Hulk Hogan is back in the WWE good graces and was welcomed backstage by fellow wrestlers and management.

Hogan has promised to help others learn from his mistakes, as the WWE gives the wrestling legend a second chance, after Hogan was overheard and filmed using racial slurs.

WWE issued a statement: “We have had discussions with Terry Bollea (a.k.a. Hulk Hogan) about how he can help others learn from his mistakes, however, he is not under any contract with WWE.

Earlier today the WWE.com website reported the news in a concise news item:

After a three-year suspension, Hulk Hogan has been reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame. This second chance follows Hogan’s numerous public apologies and volunteering to work with young people, where he is helping them learn from his mistake. These efforts led to a recent induction into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame.

The Media Man agency and we suspect the vast majority of the wrestling, entertainment and sports world, are absolutely delighted that Hogan is back with his WWE family and look forward to hearing more from the Hulkster and WWE regarding his return in the near future.

*Photo credits to WWE where applicable

Hulk Hogan themed at by Rob Schamberger

Hulk Hogan and Bruno Sammartino. Pro wrestling lost Sammartino earlier this year but wrestling still has Hogan as a living legend. R.I.P Bruno. Fans will remember you forever.

Hulk Hogan vs The Rock. One of the greatest pro wrestling matches of all time, from a sports entertainment perspective. Pro wrestling is not amateur wrestling or a test of who has the most moves.

Ric Flair vs Hulk Hogan. Long time wrestling rivals but real friends outside the ring. Flair has been a big supporter of Hogan, as he took steps to get his life back on track.

Hulk Hogan vs The Iron Sheik. Madison Square Garden. New York.

Andre The Giant vs Hulk Hogan. WrestleMania III. 29th March 1987.

nWo (New World Order) theme featuring Hogan

Hogan vs Terry Funk. Saturday Night's Main Event. 19th December 1985. Match available via WWE Network

Andy Warhol, Hulk Hogan and 'Mean' Gene Okerlund. WrestleMania. 31st March 1985