Wednesday, April 16, 2008

This Date In Music History- April 17

Producer Don Kirschner (who gave us the Monkees and TV's "Rock Concert") turns 73.

Rock and Roll pioneer Eddie Cochran was just 21 years old when he was killed in Bath, England; after the car in which he was riding blew a tire, then hit a lamp post on April 17th 1960. Cochran enjoyed hits with "Summertime Blues,” "C'mon Everybody" and "Sittin' in the Balcony.” Gene Vincent, who recorded "Be Bop A Lula" in 1956, and Cochran's fiancĂ©e, Sharon Sheeley survived the crash.

In 1998, Linda Eastman, wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, died while vacationing with her family near Tucson, AZ. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. Paul was at her bedside when she passed away.

In 1964, Washington's FBI lab reported it couldn’t determine the lyrics to "Louie Louie.” They remain a mystery to me as well.

The first solo concert by the Band was held in San Francisco in 1969.

Them (with Van Morrison) made their first concert appearance, at Belfast's Maritime Hotel in 1964.

In 1970, Paul McCartney released his first post-Beatles solo album appropriately named, “McCartney.” The versatile musician played every instrument of the wondrous lo-fi recording.

2004- Kurt Cobain's right-handed 1960's Mosrite Gospel Mark IV guitar sold at an auction for $117,500. At the same sale, the piano on which Elton John wrote "Your Song" sold for $164,500. I made a few bids.

In 2003, a British fan who claimed he caught the flu off of Beatle Paul McCartney, attempted to auction off the germ on eBay. I did not bid on that one.

In 1983, Felix Pappalardi died after being shot by his wife in their New York apartment. The producer worked on records by Cream, Hot Tuna, Mountain, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was 41.

Liz Phair was born in 1967. Her extraordinary Exile in Guyville album is one of the most celebrated indie rock discs of the nineties.

Jan Hammer was born in Prague in 1948. The keyboardist performed with Santana and Jeff Beck, but we love him for his immortal "Miami Vice Theme."

Billy Fury was born in Liverpool, England in 1941. Molded by his manager as a British Elvis, Fury, with his suggestive stage presence and raw delivery, he was an immeasurable influence on groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

In 1965, RCA and Lear Jet Corporation announced the development of the combination 8 track tape player and car radio that will be available in new cars the next fall. All hail the 8-track!

All four former Beatles had solo singles on the UK chart in 1971: Paul McCartney: "Another Day,” Ringo Starr: "It Don't Come Easy,” John Lennon, "Power To The People" and George Harrison: "My Sweet Lord.”

In 1973, Pink Floyd received a gold album for "The Dark Side of the Moon," one of Rock's landmark albums. The LP would remain on the charts for more than ten years and become the longest charting Rock record of all time.

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