Popular Entertainment

Elvis Presley Record

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

Date: 1970s

Dolly Parton

Rebecca "Dolly" Parton (b. 1946) was the subject of Henry Horenstein's first published photograph. It appeared in Boston After Dark (now the Boston Phoenix). He had an hour to meet and photograph Parton, a lengthy sitting photographers today rarely have.
Description
Rebecca "Dolly" Parton (b. 1946) was the subject of Henry Horenstein's first published photograph. It appeared in Boston After Dark (now the Boston Phoenix). He had an hour to meet and photograph Parton, a lengthy sitting photographers today rarely have. When Horenstein photographed Parton, she already had twenty albums to her name. But the crossover hit, "Here You Come Again," made her a superstar in 1977.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
Associated Name
Parton, Dolly
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.103
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.103

Dixieland Jubilee by the Sea Badge

This button is from the “Dixieland Jubilee by the Sea” festival, in 1978. It is made of yellow paper with black ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back, and a white fabric ribbon attached to the bottom.
Description

This button is from the “Dixieland Jubilee by the Sea” festival, in 1978. It is made of yellow paper with black ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back, and a white fabric ribbon attached to the bottom. The button is printed:

1978
DIXIELAND JUBILEE
BY THE SEA
[image of horn]
PISMO BEACH, CALIF.

(and printed on ribbon):

GUEST

Founded in 1976, ”Dixieland Jubilee by the Sea” is an annual three-day festival held in Pismo Beach and Grover Beach, California. It is sponsored by the Basin Street Regulars, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional jazz. The organization holds monthly meetings and concerts at Pismo Beach Memorial Veterans’ Hall. The organization also provides opportunities for young musicians to play alongside experienced musicians, as well as scholarships to jazz music camps for young jazz musicians.

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.115
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.115

Help Me Rhonda; Help Me Rhonda

Johnny Rivers. side 1: Help Me Rhonda [mono]; side 2: Help Me Rhonda [stereo] (Epic 8-50121)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Johnny Rivers. side 1: Help Me Rhonda [mono]; side 2: Help Me Rhonda [stereo] (Epic 8-50121)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1975
recording artist
Rivers, Johnny
ID Number
1996.3034.06543
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.06543
maker number
8-50121

Young, Gifted and Black

Aretha Franklin. Young, Gifted and Black (Atlantic SD 7213).33-1/3 rpm.
Description (Brief)
Aretha Franklin. Young, Gifted and Black (Atlantic SD 7213).
33-1/3 rpm.
date made
1972
recording artist
Franklin, Aretha
manufacturer
Atlantic
ID Number
2018.0195.01
accession number
2018.0195
catalog number
2018.0195.01
maker number
SD 7213

Billy Bird

Billy Bird, seen here autographing a paper plate, played with Ernest Tubb (1920-2001) and was a pioneer of the electric guitar.Currently not on view
Description
Billy Bird, seen here autographing a paper plate, played with Ernest Tubb (1920-2001) and was a pioneer of the electric guitar.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.075
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.075

That Championship Season

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1973
ID Number
2005.3021.137
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.137

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me; Patch It Up

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1971
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06149
catalog number
1996.3034.06149
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
47-9916

Free Me From My Freedom Tie Me To a Tree (Handcuff Me); Free Me From My Freedom Tie Me To a Tree (Handcuff Me)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
recording artist
Pointer, Bonnie
manufacturer
Motown
ID Number
1996.3034.06075
catalog number
1996.3034.06075
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
M-1451F

Anita Carter

The youngest of the three Carter Sisters, Anita began performing with Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family at age four. She performed with her mother and sisters throughout her career, though she found success of her own during the 1950s.
Description
The youngest of the three Carter Sisters, Anita began performing with Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family at age four. She performed with her mother and sisters throughout her career, though she found success of her own during the 1950s. Anita (1933-1999) was the first to record the song "Ring of Fire," written by her sister June (1929-2003). It later became a hit for her brother-in-law Johnny Cash.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.078
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.078

Westbury Music Fair: Tony Orlando

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
referenced
Orlando, Tony
ID Number
2005.3021.105
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.105

Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family

Maybelle Carter (1909-1978) was an original member of the performing Carter Family. After the breakup of that group in 1943, she formed a new act, known as Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, with daughters Helen (1927-1998) shown here on accordian, June and Anita.
Description
Maybelle Carter (1909-1978) was an original member of the performing Carter Family. After the breakup of that group in 1943, she formed a new act, known as Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, with daughters Helen (1927-1998) shown here on accordian, June and Anita. Maybelle was an influential presence, particularly as the originator of a style of guitar playing emulated by Leadbelly, Woodie Guthrie, and many other musicians.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.079
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.079

Wonder Woman Thermos

This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1977. It has a screw-on blue cup lid with handle and screw-on beige stopper. The bottle is blue-green with action images of Wonder Woman.
Description (Brief)
This plastic thermos bottle was made by Aladdin Industries in 1977. It has a screw-on blue cup lid with handle and screw-on beige stopper. The bottle is blue-green with action images of Wonder Woman. The bottle is the companion piece to the lunch box object number 2003.3070.26.01.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1977
maker
Aladdin
ID Number
2003.3070.26.02
nonaccession number
2003.3070
catalog number
2003.3070.26.02

Da

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
ID Number
2005.3021.029
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.029

Tribute

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
ID Number
2005.3021.031
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.031

Sergio Franchi

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
ID Number
2005.3021.108.01
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.108.01

Ernest Tubb arriving at music venue

For much of his career, Ernest Tubb, the "Texas Troubadour" was considered the ultimate honky tonk vocalist and stylist. Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers in the 1920s, Tubb sustained a musical career that at times also branched into film and television.
Description
For much of his career, Ernest Tubb, the "Texas Troubadour" was considered the ultimate honky tonk vocalist and stylist. Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers in the 1920s, Tubb sustained a musical career that at times also branched into film and television. No artist toured as much, or for as long as Ernest Tubb, who worked 150 to 200 shows each year between the early 1960s and 1982. No artist was kinder to his fans, and no fans were more loyal to their star. Ernest Tubb had one national fan club with a single president for its entire existence between 1944 and its deactivation in the early 1990s.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.084
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.084

Tombo Harmonica

This harmonica was made by Tombo in Japan, around 1972. It is in the key of D, 21 double holes and 42 reeds. This harmonica has a black painted wooden comb with metal cover plates to the top and bottom with screws and nuts. It is engraved:Tombo HarmonicaCurrently not on view
Description

This harmonica was made by Tombo in Japan, around 1972. It is in the key of D, 21 double holes and 42 reeds. This harmonica has a black painted wooden comb with metal cover plates to the top and bottom with screws and nuts. It is engraved:

Tombo Harmonica

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1972
ID Number
1988.0783.291
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.291

Hughes Family Show

Many acts in country music were built around brother duos and family members.Currently not on view
Description
Many acts in country music were built around brother duos and family members.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.007
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.007

The Wiz

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1978
ID Number
2005.3021.030
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.030

Over Here

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1974
ID Number
2005.3021.017
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.017

"Stayin' Alive"

This sheet music is for the song “Stayin’ Alive,” written and performed by the Bee Gees (Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb). The song was published by Brothers Gibb B. V. in 1977.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Stayin’ Alive,” written and performed by the Bee Gees (Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb). The song was published by Brothers Gibb B. V. in 1977. The song was featured in the 1977 Paramount Pictures drama film Saturday Night Fever, directed by John Badham and starred John Travolta and Karen Gomey.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1977
publisher
Brothers Gibb B. V.
ID Number
1984.1117.19
accession number
1984.1117
catalog number
1984.1117.19

Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop); Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1978
recording artist
Parliament
manufacturer
Casablanca
ID Number
1996.3034.05837
catalog number
1996.3034.05837
label number
NB 950 DJ
nonaccession number
1996.3034

Looking Back

Stevie Wonder. Looking Back (Motown M-804LP3).33-1/3 rpm.Motown Records released Looking Back, a triple LP anthology from Stevie Wonder in 1977.
Description

Stevie Wonder. Looking Back (Motown M-804LP3).
33-1/3 rpm.

Motown Records released Looking Back, a triple LP anthology from Stevie Wonder in 1977. The three LPs covered his Motown career from 1962-1971, including twenty four songs that hit the Billboard Top 100.

Location
Currently not on view
release date
1977
recording artist
Wonder, Stevie
manufacturer
Motown
ID Number
1996.3034.09820
catalog number
1996.3034.09820
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
M-804LP3

Bubbling Brown Sugar

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1976
ID Number
2005.3021.025
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.025

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