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EXPERTISE
Music
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH:
BIOGRAPHY
Hearing She Loves You by The Beatles on a transistor radio in 1964 was all it took to capture Larry Hess’ imagination. It was the moment that sparked a life-long love of music.

Following a career in education and lifetime involvement in music (teaching and performing in symphony orchestras, musical theatre pit orchestras, and backing up many musical celebrities in concert), Larry began presenting programs on popular music history to great success on land. And since the cruise industry startup in the USA began in 2021 he has repeatedly been booked for itineraries with multiple cruise lines.

We all know these songs, but do you know The Stories Behind the Song? Larry Hess would to share these multimedia presentations with your cruise passengers!

Click here to visit Larry's website >> www.larryhessmusic.com






PRESENTATIONS

POP MUSIC HISTORY TOPICS
These topics summarize the trends and evolution of pop, rock, and R&B music over a decade and are designed to appeal to a wide range of passenger demographics. They can be presented as standalone talks, or if offered as a group I suggest they work best in chronological order (50s, 60, 70s, or 60s, 70s, 80s etc.)

1. Pop Music of World War II — Music for a World at War
In just one day, Pearl Harbor changed everything in America, including popular music Now, musical tastes would include stirring, uplifting songs of confidence (Remember Pearl Harbor), and songs of longing for relationships separated by great distances (I’ll Be Home for Christmas.) Experience the big bands, the vocalists, and the unique songs associated with these years; and how the headlines influenced the stories behind the music.

2. Pop Music of the 1950’s — the Birth of Rock & Roll
The “Baby Boomer” children born of returning GI’s came of age in the mid-fifties. They were interested in a new sort of music different than their parents! Artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly were there to deliver this new music. Experience the decade from Mona Lisa to Mack the Knife, from Blue Suede Shoes to Peggy Sue.

3. Pop Music of the 1960’s — The Times, They Are A’ Changin’
The 1960s were a time of civil and global unrest… the Cold War, Civil Rights, and Viet Nam all filled the headlines with news of changing times. The music popular during this decade reflected, perhaps even influenced the headlines of the day. From How Much is That Doggie in the Window, all the way to Magic Carpet Ride,…America, and America’s pop music, changes! And let’s not forget the British Invasion!

4. Pop Music of the 1970’s — Let's Dance!
The unrest of the sixties, in headlines and the music we listened to, led to a “reaction”… it became time for new styles, new dances, and new music. And there was such a diversity to the music available… something for all tastes! Everybody will find something to enjoy in this presentation… so put on your “boogie shoes” and “hustle” on down for a musical trip through the 1970s.

5. Pop Music of the 1980's -- From the Top of the Charts!
The 1960s was a wonderful decade for pop music, but the pop music of the 1980’s may be the equal to the 60s! In this presentation we will look at the very best the decade had to offer in popular music, as measured by the industry standard, Billboard magazine and their Hot 100 charts. In this decade digital recording techniques and music videos (and MTV!) would forever change how the music was made, heard… and seen!


THE THREE CHAPTERS OF THE BEATLES
This series works best as a three-talk combination, describing the origins and career of perhaps the most influential and successful rock band of the 20th century

Part 1 — The Early Years
One of the most influential and successful musical groups of the 20th century were The Beatles. Part 1 will cover their early years as the band formed, members joined or left, and the band “paid their dues” in preparation for success. You just might learn a few new stories!

Part 2 — Beatlemania!
This talk covers Beatlemania, the period many of us discovered The Beatles and fell in love with their music. Their success was felt worldwide, and the success in America alone changed the pop music of the 1960s and introduced the British Invasion. Come and relive the thrill we all felt as Beatlemania swept the world!

Part 3 — The Studio Years
With touring behind them The Beatles had unprecedented time and resources in the recording studio to explore new musical and artistic expression for their music. Ultimately the group grew apart and disbanded in a “divorce.” We will discuss why and clarify those reasons and "myths."


DESTINATION RELATED TOPICS
These popular topics often fit well with a destination stop on a particular itinerary

“Bond. James Bond” — the Jamaican music of the film Dr. No
Stories about the making of the first James Bond film? Check. A brief history of Jamaican pop music history? Double-check. Pictures of Sean Connery in a tux? You betcha! Pictures of Ursula Andress in her white bikini? Of course! No matter your interest in any of these topics, this is the presentation for you! Monty Norman was hired to write the music for the film, but John Barry (whose music is forever married to the James Bond film catalog) was also involved. Lawsuits ensued! Drama... intrigue... and fun! Come hear how the native music of Jamaica and Jamaican musicians contributed to this classic spy film series!

Pop Music in the Hawaiian Islands
From early island musical influences to Don Ho (Tiny Bubbles) to slack-key guitar, the Hawaiian Islands have been a melting pot of musical influences reflecting its rich, diverse history. You will be in the "Aloha" mood after enjoying this musical treat!

Who were Canada’s TOP Music Artists from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s?
Canada has produced SO MANY great musical artists… way more than we can feature on one talk. So, what to do? We will talk about some of the most successful artists from the 1950s through the 1990s, and let Billboard magazine reveal WHO was the MOST successful from each of those decades. Can you guess them all?


STANDALONE TOPICS
These talks can be enjoyed by themselves, and in any combination

The Motown Story -- The Early Years
In the late 1950s Barry Gordy left the assembly lines of Detroit's auto industry and applied what he learned to making a "music factory." He took talented but raw low-income youth and polished them into the best entertainers and singers. This "factory" wrote the hit songs, taught them to the artists, taught them how to dress, and how to move and appear on stage. The results speak for themselves. Come hear the back story to this great music as we explore Motown in the 50s and 60s when it all began!

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band -- the Story Behind the Album
Widely regarded as one of rock's greatest albums, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is found on many of our "desert island" albums lists. Let's look at the making of the album and how The Beatles conceived of and created such a landmark album. Perhaps more interesting... what did The Beatles themselves think of their creation?

The Wrecking Crew -- the Studio Musicians who REALLY played on Your Favorite 60's and 70's Songs
You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, This Diamond Ring, California Dreamin', I Got You Babe, Good Vibrations, Strangers in the Night, Up, Up and Away... just a few of the classic hits from the 1960s and 1970s that came out of the recording studios of Los Angeles. But did you know the same handful of (largely unknown) studio musicians played on ALL of these hits, and many, many more? Learn about the musicians who really played on your favorite albums!

Love Songs — the Stories behind some of our Greatest Love Songs
Created for a Valentines Day cruise, this talk will examine a huge topic… love songs! We will briefly explore the history of the love song before diving into some of your favorite and most familiar love songs… and the fascinating story behind these songs!


HOLIDAY TOPICS
These talks are designed specifically for holiday cruising around Christmas and New Year. They can be scheduled as a single, double, or triple series.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year:

Part 1 - The Stories Behind the Christmas Songs We All Love to Sing
Christmas music may be the first music you recall hearing and learning. But, how did these songs originate? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Carol of the Bells, Jingle Bells… you know the songs… come hear the stories behind the songs!

Part 2 — MORE Stories Behind the Christmas Songs We All Love to Sing
Because one presentation was not enough! Come hear about Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Winter Wonderland, The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting...). Come get in the holiday mood and learn some fascinating trivia behind the songs!

Part 3 — The Stories Behind the SILLY Christmas Songs We All Love to Sing
Everyone asks about Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. Well not everyone. But a few have. That, plus the Chipmunk Christmas song and many others we can't seem to avoid this time of year. You know you're curious!
CRUISE HISTORY / EXPERIENCE
October 2024 - (future booking) Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas

October 2023 - Celebrity Summit

December 2022 - Princess Regal Princess

October 2022 - Celebrity Silhouette

September 2022 - Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas

February 2022 - Atlas Ocean Voyages World Navigator

October 2021 - Celebrity Millennium

September 2021 - Celebrity Equinox

July 2021 - back-to-back sailings on Celebrity Edge

RECENT PAST CRUISES COMPLETED
The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.
SHIP REF CRUISE DESCRIPTION NIGHTS SAILING FROM DEPARTURE DATE
Celebrity Summit SM231002 Boston, Maine & Canada 11 Boston Monday, October 2, 2023
Regal Princess G301 8-Day Southern Caribbean with ABC Islands Fort Lauderdale, Florida Monday, December 26, 2022
Celebrity Silhouette SI221020 Transatlantic Crossing 14 Southampton Thursday, October 20, 2022
World Navigator WNA220214 Antarctica Discovery 9 Ushuaia Monday, February 14, 2022
Celebrity Millennium MI211019 Pacific Coastal 8 San Diego, California Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Celebrity Equinox EQ210917 Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao Cruise 9 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Friday, September 17, 2021
Celebrity Edge EG210717 Eastern Caribbean 7 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Saturday, July 17, 2021
Celebrity Edge EG210710 Western Caribbean 7 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Saturday, July 10, 2021