Once there was a famous Englishman. This man was having psychological problems with his being, his reality, his self confidence. He wanted to know -- Did people like, or love, him for what he offered, or did they only love him because of what he appeared to be -- his successful brand?

What had he become?  Was he a true artist or had the public entered into a phase of blind worship that made everything he did turn to gold -- even if it was pure junk? That question plagued and bothered this proud Englishman.

The young man, for his own piece of mind, needed to find out if his popularity was based on talent, or if it was merely an illusion and part of a runaway roller coaster ride. The Englishman decided that the best thing to do, to measure his artistry in his chosen medium of music, was to annonymously write a song for someone else. If he could write a song, under an assumed name, and it was popular for someone else, then maybe he was the real thing -- a true artist.

This Englishman, and his three friends from the old neighborhood, would not record this song. It would be hands off for those guys. That would not be a valid experiment anyway. Instead, he would give the song to another recording artist and see how the song fared on the charts. 

Before long, the song was complete and he had the experiment all figured out. He would give the song, as a gift, to his girlfriend's brother, Peter, and his singing partner, Gordon. The youngsters were having some modicum of success on the pop charts. The song, written by our mystery man, was called Woman. The songwriter, on paper, was a man named Bernard Webb. The song sounded like this.

The song was a smash and, if you were alive in 1966, you might have seen Peter and Gordon on TV.

So do you know the identity of Bernard Webb? If so, pat yourself on the back. If not, click here for the startling revelation. Actually, click there whether you know or not, it is a good link.

Please let us know if you were able to unravel this bit of musical nostalgia.

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

        

        

Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's.  I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.

           

 
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8 Comments on Stories Behind the Music -- Who Is Bernard Webb?

SEP
09
2008
406,115 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Wow... that is a neat peice of trivia. Thanks for sharing.

Sean Allen
11:22am • #1
255,754 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Very interesting trivia, thanks! I was not aware of this before.
11:32am • #2
1,150,674 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Glad you guys found it interesting. It is fun to be able to tell a story with the links.
6:25pm • #3
645,521 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

This was interesting and a complete surprise!  Those Beatles were something!!  I love them.
10:02pm • #4
1,150,674 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Barbara, Glad you enjoyed it. An old radio guy like me knows a lot of meaningless information. Sometimes I have to look it up or tickle my memory gland to remember it all.
10:27pm • #5
SEP
11
2008

I'm still sitting here with  my jaw wide open!  Where do you find all that interesting information?  BTW I liked Peter and Gordon and yes I was around in 1966, the year I graduated from high school!
9:48am • #6
SEP
12
2008
1,150,674 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Terry,

I liked Peter and Gordon too. Peter went on to be a top producer of records for others. I saw the video of them on a reunion tour. I guess we have all aged.
10:01am • #7
FEB
26
2009
Thanks for helping me to verify this information. Being a total Beatles freak, I did know about Bernard Webb. I actually had to google him to prove to a friend that this story was in fact true. Music of the 60's is the best!
Nancy
8:07am • #8

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Steven L. Smith, Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Bellingham, WA

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King of the House Home Inspection, Inc

Address: Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, Sumas, Nooksack, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Whatcom County, Bellingham, WA, 98225

Office Phone: (360) 676-6908

Cell Phone: (360) 319-0038

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Steven L. Smith, King of the House Home Inspection, provides information for real estate buyers, sellers and real estate industry professionals. Blog posts emphasize issues commonly found in Bellingham, WA and Whatcom County. Smith is Washington State Licensed Home inspector #207, a state licensed structural pest inspector and one of the most experienced inspectors in the northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest. Steven L. Smith is lead instructor of home inspection at Bellingham Technical College and teaches classes for Washington State University and the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Steve was a two-term member of the state licensing board.


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