Pop Music History - Larry Hess

— ABOUT LARRY HESS —

Larry Hess has been sharing his talks on popular music history, “The Stories Behind the Songs,” with cruise ship passengers since 2021. After earning a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s in Music Performance, he taught music in public schools, leading student ensembles to acclaim at competitions. A professional percussionist, he performed with symphony orchestras and notable artists like the Moody Blues, the Fifth Dimension, Glen Campbell, and Doc Severinsen. In retirement, Larry pursued research in popular music and enjoys sharing his findings with audiences who love the same music. His engaging presentations have received enthusiastic praise around the world!

— PRESENTATION TOPICS —

SHARING YOUR MUSICAL MEMORIES

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— VIDEOS & INTERVIEWS —

WWII History - Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker
Christmas Music History - Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

— PHOTO GALLERY —

— REVIEWS —

Mexican riviera

December 20, 2025

Excellent

William K.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

William thank you for leaving a review. I’m glad you enjoyed the talks. Safe travels home!

Fantastic Knowledge of Music!

December 9, 2025

A huge shout out to Princess Cruises for bringing Larry Hess onboard as an enrichment lecturer. Larry’s knowledge about music is fascinating, entertaining and a joy to attend. Great job Princess Cruises

L B.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

I am so happy you have enjoyed these talks and that they have added to your cruise enjoyment. I hope you’ll be able to join me for the last three talks later in our cruise! Thank you!

Awesome

December 9, 2025

Love his talks. So fun and informative. Lots of music played to reminisce to.

Wish there was time for more talks.

Helen R.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Helen thank you for your support and kind comments. I wish we could just keep on sailing and sharing our love for music!

Larry Hess- Completely Entertaining

December 8, 2025

I’m on Royal Princess and Larry Hess is our Guest Speaker😊🙏👍🛳️💓💓💓He really makes us relive and enjoy our music … we feel young and happy, sing along and remember the days when we were growing up. Loving his showcase along with songs to sing with.

Wendi S.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Wendi, when I look out and see passengers singing along with that joy in their face, I know our shared music has worked its magic once again! So happy to hear you have enjoyed the talks so far, and I hope to see you at the remaining ones! Thank you!!!

Love Songs

December 8, 2025

We were privileged to meet you the day before our cruise at the airport. We thoroughly enjoyed having this available on our cruise on the Royal princess to the Mexican Riviera so glad that princess had you aboard and it was a welcome event that we were able to participate in Hope that they provide more like this love all of your information

Angela B.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Thank you so much! It was fun to visit with you two while we waited for our shuttles, and fun to share this cruise together. Thanks for coming to my talk and for this kind comment. I hope you’ll be able to join me for the rest of my talks, and I hope you’ll both have a safe and fun cruise!

Outstanding Showcase of Music History!

November 14, 2025

Wow, wow, wow! Mr. Hess’s wealth of music knowledge is second to none! What a great showcase of the 50s, 60s, 70s, the Wrecking Crew and the Love songs! Who knew? Larry knew! My husband and I were on the 18-day Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas cruise to Tokyo, Japan out of Long Beach, California from 9/23 to 10/11. It was my husband’s 65th Birthday bucket list! We were delayed by 2 days due to typhoon 🌀 Halong. I missed the first presentation of the Beatles, because it had the word “lecture” in it, lol! My loss indeed! I approached both him and his lovely wife, expressed my reasoning for not attending the first presentation and we three had a good laugh 😂! The Hess’ seemed like a wonderful duo. I believe she attended and supported each of his presentations. Beside every good man, is a good woman 🤩🤩! To top it off, I learned we are both from the West Texas area! I definitely went to the remaining showcases and thoroughly enjoyed each one of them! We got a bonus presentation due to the weather situation mentioned above. If you ever get a chance to see his presentations, please do not miss out! Thank you, Mr. Hess for sharing all your incredible knowledge! Until next time! Blessings to you and your loved ones!

Sheila C.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Sheila, this the most generous review! Thank you. That was a great cruise wasn’t it? Your comments brought back so many good memories of the trip for Su and myself. I am so happy you enjoyed the talks, and I hope we get to share a voyage again someday! We would love that!

Excellent presentations!

October 18, 2025

My husband and I are back home from our recent 18 day (!) cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas which sailed from Los Angeles, California to Tokyo, Japan (extended 2 days by Typhoon Halong). I stumbled upon one of Larry’s first lectures on the Beatles and found it very interesting since along with his lecture he included clips of interviews and music of the Beatles. I told my husband about this presentation and then we were hooked. We went to all of the rest of Larry’s presentations on 50’s, 60’s, 70’s music, the Wrecking Crew, and Love Songs. With Larry’s presentation style of sharing video clips and music along with anecdotal stories behind the music, we learned a lot about the music we grew up with. Thank you!

Jayne H.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Jayne & Kurt, it was so nice of you to leave this gracious review. That was a great cruise, wasn’t it? Su and I are still enjoying the memories while trying to readjust to our home time zone! Ha! What I really appreciated about your review was that, once you attended your first talk, you were interested enough to keep coming back to check out the others. That really pleased me. Thank you for that! Hope to see you again on our travels someday!

The Best Enrichment Series and Speaker

October 9, 2025

What a joy it has been to listen to Larry share his love of the Beatles, 50s, 60s, 70s and our bonus love songs! If I could give a ten star review, I would! Ted and I enjoyed getting to know you and Su throughout the cruise! Y’all are true blessings!

Lori L.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Lori I’m blushing! You and Ted became the best friends we didn’t know we’d meet onboard this cruise. Our time spent together is precious to me and Su. Your support of my talks is humbling. Thank you so much!

Larry’s shows on Ovation

October 9, 2025

From Beatles , 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, James Bond, Jamaica, and Love Songs it has been a wonderful addition to a great cruise

Gary B.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Gary and Janis, it is very kind of you to share this review here. I had so much fun giving these talks on this cruise and I am delighted you enjoyed them. Thank you!

Just WOW!

October 9, 2025

I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed the series on board the Ovation of the Seas! I don’t know how I would have made it 12+ days across the Pacific without it. While I wasn’t yet born to experience first hand the Beatles, I was brought up on their music and many others from the era. This series was so cool to look back and enjoy the history. When our ship was extended, Larry was so gracious to step up to give yet another session. Which ended up being standing room only! If you ever get the chance to see his presentation, you will not be disappointed.

Stephany E.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Stephany, you are so gracious to leave this review! I am delighted you enjoyed the talks and attended so many. It was my pleasure to share the music with you!

A Life Saver! Divinely sent!

October 6, 2025

I took this 17 day cruise to mourn the loss of my Dad, my best friend and to find my new self! My Recovery/Discovery Journey! 12 days of only Sea, then Larry Hess was a music history guest speaker!! He began a Beatles series which my Dad was listening to as his soul left this Earth, on a 30 hour loop! I felt him there! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’m sooooo grateful! 🥲

Beverly D.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Beverly, thank you. You touched my heart and that of Su’s, sharing your personal story of your late father’s love of The Beatles’ music. How humbling! Music is one of life’s threads, drawing strangers together to become friends (and to heal hearts).

Memories that brought a tear to my eyes

October 2, 2025

We performed in a 5 piece singing group in the late 1950’s and your seminars brought back that history. As well as memories of my group mates who have passed and those who I have not seen for years. Sharing your knowledge of those days and up to the 90s was very emotional for me. Thank you so much.

Arnie & Judy Katz

Arnie K.

Response from Larry Hess, Cruise Ship Speaker

Arnie I’m so happy you enjoyed the talks and that the music brought back so many good memories for you. You are kind to share that! Thank you!

— LEAVE A REVIEW —

— CALENDAR —

2026
2026 – September

OLLI LUbbock

2026 – May

Silver Nova

2027
2027 – November

Sirena

2025
2025 – December

Royal Princess

2025 – December

OLLI Lubbock

2025 – September

RCL Ovation of the Seas

2025 – March

Beyond

2025 – January

OLLI Lubbock

2025 – January History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

Sherick Living Center – Lubbock

2024
2024 – October

Apex

 

2024 – September

Equinox

 

2024 – March

TTUHSC – Lubbock

2023
2023 – November

Wesley Court – Abilene

2023 – October History of Music Presentation - Larry HessCelebrity Summit
2023 – February History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

OLLI – TTU Lubbock

2023 – February History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

OLLI – TTU Fredericksburg

2023 – February History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

OLLI – TTU Highland Lakes

2022
2022 – December

Regal Princess

2022 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

OLLI – TTU Abilene

2022 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

OLLI – TTU Lubbock

2022 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

Sherick Living Center – Lubbock

2022 – October History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

Celebrity Silhouette

2022 – September

Radiance of the Seas

 

2022 – February

World Navigator

 

2021
2021 – December

Lubbock Women’s Club

2021 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessSherick Living Center Lubbock
2021 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

Lubbock Rotary Club

2021 – October History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

Celebrity Millennium

2021 – October History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI – Texas Tech University
2021 – September History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

Celebrity Equinox

2021 – August History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI – Texas Tech University via Zoom
2021 – July History of Music Presentation - Larry Hess

Celebrity Edge

2021 – April History of Music Presentation - Larry HessHorseshoe Bay Cultural Enrichment Society
2021 – April History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI – Texas Tech University via Zoom
2021 – March History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI – Texas Tech University via Zoom
2021 – February History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI – Texas Tech University via Zoom
2021 – January History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI – Texas Tech University via Zoom

2020
2020 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessCelebrity Summit (COVID cancel)
2020 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessRotary Club Lubbock (via WebEx)
2020 – June History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock (via Zoom)
2020 – May History of Music Presentation - Larry HessCelebrity Summit (COVID cancel)
2020 – May History of Music Presentation - Larry HessRoyal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas
(COVID cancel)
2020 – May History of Music Presentation - Larry HessCelebrity Millennium (COVID cancel)
2020 – March History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Highland Lakes
2019
2019 – December History of Music Presentation - Larry HessDynamic Learning Institute Kerville
2019 – December History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Highland Lakes
2019 – December History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Fredericksburg
2019 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Abilene
2019 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock
2019 – September History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Fredericksburg
2019 – June History of Music Presentation - Larry HessFirst United Methodist Church Lubbock
2019 – May History of Music Presentation - Larry HessFirst United Methodist Church Lubbock
2019 – May History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Abilene
2019 – April History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Abilene
2019 – April History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Fredericksburg
2018
2018 – December History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock
2018 – December History of Music Presentation - Larry HessRetired Teachers Assoc. Lubbock
2018 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Highland Lakes
2018 – October History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Abilene
2018 – September History of Music Presentation - Larry HessSherick Living Center Lubbock
2017
2017 – December History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock
2017 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Highland Lakes
2017 – September History of Music Presentation - Larry HessSherick Living Center Lubbock
2017 – August History of Music Presentation - Larry HessFirst United Methodist Church Lubbock
2017 – May New Neighbors Club Lubbock
2017 – February History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock
2017 – February History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Fredericksburg
2017 – February History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Highland Lakes
2016 / 2015 / 2014
2016 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock
2016 – September History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock
2016 – September History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Highland Lakes
2016 – September History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Fredericksburg
2016 – April History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock
2016 – March History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Fredericksburg

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2015 – October History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock

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2014 – November History of Music Presentation - Larry HessOLLI Lubbock

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or World Music Expert?

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