Tuesday, March 18, 2008

This Day In Music History- March 18

The late Wilson Pickett ("Funky Broadway") was born in 1941.

John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas ("Monday Monday") died of heart failure in 2001.

The Doobie Brothers, Dionne Warwick and Petula Clark were among the entertainers at Liza Minelli's wedding reception in 2002.

Teddy Pendergrass of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes was paralyzed in a car accident in 1982.

Jerry Lee Lewis became the first artist to sing three songs on an episode of ABC-TV's "American Bandstand" (and he sings, not lip-synchs them) in 1958.

The Everly Brothers recorded "Cathy's Clown" in 1960.

Happy birthday to Charley Pride, who was born in Sledge, Mississippi in 1938. The "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" hit-maker is arguably the most successful African-American in country music.

Vanessa Williams was born in Tarrytown, NY in 1963. She's famous for a bit of everything, including being the last significant Miss America.

Alice in Chains' guitarist Jerry Cantrell was born in 1966.

All hail the Queen! Hip-hop MC turned actress Queen Latifah was born in Newark, NJ in 1970.

In 1972, Neil Young topped the charts with "Heart of Gold." It's his only solo single to go top 30. Backing vocals were provided by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.

The Clash released their first single, "White Riot" in 1977.

In 1994 four guns and 25 boxes of ammo were confiscated from Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) after his wife, Courtney Love, called police fearing he was going to commit suicide. He did commit suicide about 3 weeks later.

After three minor chart makers, an Oklahoma group called Five Americans released their biggest hit, "Western Union,” which would eventually crack Billboard's Top 10 in 1967.

Also in 1967, the Beatles enjoyed their thirteenth US number one single with "Penny Lane.”

In 1978, the Bee Gees continued an amazing hot streak of three consecutive number one hits with "Night Fever,” which topped the charts and stayed there for 8 weeks. (Who really liked Disco?)

In 2000, a film company paid over a million dollars for nine hours of film shot by Yoko Ono during the 70s that showed John Lennon smoking hash and talking about his political beliefs.

The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful, drawn from three albums and numerous singles, entered the album charts in 1967. It charted for a full year, peaking at #3.

In 1976, 'The Man Who Fell to Earth,' a science-fiction movie starring David Bowie in an award-winning performance, debuts takes place in London.

Doobie Brothers co-founder and drummer, John Hartman, was born in Falls Church, VA in1950.

Cinderella guitarist Jeff LeBar has a birthday. He was born in 1953.

In 1995, Madonna hosted the world's largest pajama part, "Madonna's Bedtime Story Pajama Party," live from New York City's Webster Hall. (I slept through it)

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