Hirt was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of a police officer. At the age of six, he was given his first trumpet, which had been purchased at a local pawnshop. He would play in the Junior Police Band with the children of Alcide Nunez, and by the age of 16, Hirt was playing professionally, often with his friend Pete Fountain. During this time, he was hired to play at the local horse racing track, beginning a six-decade connection to the sport.
In 1940, Hirt went to Cincinnati, Ohio, to study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with Dr. Frank Simon (a former soloist with the John Philip Sousa Orchestra). After a stint as a bugler in the United States Army during World War II, Hirt performed with various swing big bands, including those of Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and Ina Ray Hutton.
In 1950, Hirt became first trumpet and featured soloist with Horace Heidt's Orchestra. After spending several years on the road with Heidt, Hirt returned to New Orleans working with various Dixieland groups and leading his own bands. Despite Hirt's statement years later "I'm not a jazz trumpeter and never was a jazz trumpeter", he made a few recordings where he demonstrated his ability to play in that style, during the 1950s with bandleader Monk Hazel, and a few other recordings on the local Southland Records label.
Hirt's virtuoso dexterity and fine tone on his instrument soon attracted the attention of major record labels and he signed with RCA Victor. Hirt posted twenty-two albums on the Billboard charts in the 1950s and 1960s. The albums Honey in the Horn and Cotton Candy were both in the Top 10 best sellers for 1964, the same year Hirt scored a hit single with his cover of Allen Toussaint's tune "Java" (Billboard No. 4), and later won a Grammy Award for the same recording. Both Honey in the Horn and "Java" sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs.
Hirt's Top 40 charted hit "Sugar Lips" in 1964 would be later used as the theme song for the NBC daytime game show Eye Guess, hosted by Bill Cullen and originally airing from January 1966 to September 1969.
Hirt was chosen to record the frenetic theme for the 1960s TV show The Green Hornet, by famed arranger and composer Billy May. Thematically reminiscent of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, it showcased Hirt's technical prowess. The recording again gained public attention in 2003 when it was used in the film Kill Bill.
From the mid-1950s to early 1960s, Hirt and his band played nightly at Dan's Pier 600 at the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon Street. The club was owned by his business manager, Dan Levy, Sr.
Al Hirt club on the corner of Bourbon Street and St Louis in the French Quarter, 1977
In 1962 Hirt opened his own club on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, which he ran until 1983. He also became a minority owner in the NFL expansion New Orleans Saints in 1967.
In 1962, in an effort to showcase him in a different musical setting, Hirt was teamed with arranger and composer Billy May and producer Steve Sholes to record an album titled Horn A Plenty that was a departure from the Dixieland material that he was generally associated with. Covering an eclectic variety of popular, standard and show tunes, it featured a big-band supplemented by timpani, French horns and harp. He also appeared opposite Troy Donahue and Suzanne Phlesette in the 1962 motion picture, "Rome Adventure."
In 1965, he hosted the hour-long television variety series Fanfare, which aired on CBS as a summer replacement for Jackie Gleason and the American Scene Magazine.
Hirt starred along with the University of Arizona marching band at the first Super Bowl halftime show in 1967.
On February 8, 1970, while performing in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Hirt was injured while riding on a float. It is popularly believed that he was struck in the mouth by a thrown piece of concrete or brick. Factual documentation of the details of the incident is sparse, consisting primarily of claims made by Hirt after the incident. Whatever the actual cause of his injuries, Hirt underwent surgery and made a return to the club scene. This incident was parodied in a Saturday Night Live skit from their second season Mardi Gras special, the "Let's Hit Al Hirt in the Mouth with a Brick Contest".
In 1987, Hirt played a solo rendition of "Ave Maria" for Pope John Paul II's visit to New Orleans. He is referred to in the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam, in a broadcast made by Lieutenant Hauk (Bruno Kirby).
Hirt died of liver failure at the age of 76, after having spent the previous year in a wheelchair due to edema in his leg. He was survived by his wife, Beverly Essel Hirt, and six children from a previous marriage.
Gonna Fly Now
Al Hirt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna fly, fly, fly
Rocky's ready to make a move, yeah
Rocky's ready he just can't lose, yeah
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Body's achin' from the hurt it's takin'
muscles screamin' like a burnin' demon
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Tryin' hard now, it's so hard now
Tryin' hard now, Rocky power by the hour
Pumpin' iron God ya know he's tryin'
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Gonna fly now, flyin' high now
Gonna fly, fly, fly
Feelin' strong now, won't be long now
Gettin' strong now, fists like thunder gonna put you under
Pumpin' iron God ya know he's tryin'
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Gonna fly now, flyin' high now
The lyrics in Al Hirt's song "Gonna Fly Now" are heavily inspired by the 1976 movie Rocky. The song is played during the famous training montage scene in the movie, where Sylvester Stallone's character, Rocky Balboa, trains for the big fight. The lyrics reflect the intense physical and mental preparation that Rocky undergoes to become a champion.
The first verse describes Rocky's determination and readiness to make a move, with every nerve in his body working hard and muscles screaming for attention. The chorus encourages Rocky to fly high and keep pushing himself, with repeated chants of "gonna fly now." The second verse talks about how Rocky is getting stronger every day, and how his fists are like thunder ready to take down his opponent.
Overall, the lyrics emphasize the intense physical and mental toll that comes with training for a big fight, as well as the determination and perseverance that it takes to become a champion.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna fly now, flying high now
Rocky is feeling confident and energized, ready to soar to victory.
Gonna fly, fly, fly
Rocky is determined and focused on his goal, putting all his efforts into succeeding.
Rocky's ready to make a move, yeah
Rocky is prepared and motivated to take action, ready to face any challenge with determination.
Rocky's ready he just can't lose, yeah
Rocky is confident in his abilities and believes in himself, knowing that he will come out on top.
Every nerve a wire sweatin' blood, like fire
Rocky is pushing his limits and enduring immense physical and mental strain, but his drive and passion keep him going.
Body's achin' from the hurt it's takin'
Rocky is pushing his body to its limit, enduring discomfort and pain in order to achieve his ultimate goal.
Muscles screamin' like a burnin' demon
Rocky's muscles are aching and straining under the intense pressure, but he refuses to back down or give up.
Tryin' hard now, it's so hard now
Rocky is putting all his effort and determination into achieving his goal, knowing that the road ahead will be tough.
Tryin' hard now, Rocky power by the hour
Rocky's determination and drive only grow stronger with each passing hour, propelling him closer to victory.
Pumpin' iron God ya know he's tryin'
Rocky is pushing himself through grueling workouts and training sessions, doing everything in his power to prepare for battle.
Feelin' strong now, won't be long now
Rocky's hard work and dedication are paying off, and he can feel himself getting closer and closer to achieving his goal.
Gettin' strong now, fists like thunder gonna put you under
With his growing strength and power, Rocky knows that he has what it takes to defeat his opponent and emerge victorious.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AYN ROBBINS, CAROL CONNORS, BILL CONTI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind