Saturday, May 31, 2008

This Date In Music History- May 31

Birthdays:

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary ("Day Is Done") is 70.

Boys will be boys. In 1973, to celebrate John Bonham's 25th birthday, Robert Plant leads an audience at the Felt Forum in Los Angeles in a rendition of "Happy Birthday." Later that night Bonham celebrates with George Harrison, who ends up throwing his birthday cake at the drummer. Bonham tosses Harrison into the hotel pool.

Take this birthday and celebrate it. Johnny Paycheck was born in Greenfield, Ohio in 1938.


History:

Elsberry Hobbs of the Drifters ("Money Honey") died in 1996.

In 1956, Buddy Holly sees the John Wayne film, "The Searchers", and the line, "That'll be the day" in it inspires him to write a song with that title.

Elvis Presley appeared on Roy Orbison's Odessa, Texas TV show in 1956.

"The Monkees" TV show started filming in 1966.

In a “purple hazeJimi Hendrix signed up for a three year Army hitch in 1961.

The Salvation Army closes Strawberry Field in 2005, the Liverpool children's home which inspired the Beatles' song, "Strawberry Fields Forever."

In 1966, filming began for the movie, "To Sir With Love", featuring Lulu.

The Rolling Stones record "Honky Tonk Women" in 1969.

Johnnie Taylor dies in Dallas from a heart attack at age 62 in 2000. The singer known as the Philosopher of Soul replaced Sam Cooke in the Soul Stirrers and scored a hit with 1975's "Disco Lady."

At New York's International Rock Awards in 1989, Keith Richards was given the Living Legend Award. The Rolling Stones guitarist joins in the all-star jam with Eric Clapton and Tina Turner. Doctors were called in to make sure that Richards was, indeed alive.

In 1977, Emerson, Lake & Palmer kicked off an American tour accompanied by a 70-piece orchestra. It costs the band $200,000 a week to keep the circus on the road.

At the time (1976), the Guinness Book of World Records called it the loudest concert in history. The Who assaulted an audience at England's Charlton Athletic Grounds with 76,000 watts at 120 decibels. Any wonder Townshend constantly complains of hearing loss? (That record has since been surpassed)

In 1969, Rolling Stone Magazine reported that Frank Zappa had turned college lecturer. He articulates on subjects like "Pigs, Ponies and Rock & Roll" for $1,500 per engagement.

Although the Disco craze was running out of steam in 1980, a group from Minneapolis, Minnesota called Lipps, Inc., that featured Cynthia Johnson on vocals, reached the top of the US charts with a tune called "Funkytown". It was a UK #2 hit. The record would be certified platinum, but the group's only other Hot 100 entry would stall at number 64.

During their Montreal bed-in in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono record "Give Peace a Chance."

Guitarist Dick Dale performs "Let's Go Trippin'" at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, Calif. In 1958, and invents surf music while he's at it.

The first jazz record, "Dark Town Strutters' Ball," was released in 1917.

Survivor released the single "Eye of the Tiger" in 1982.

In 1995, Bob Dole singled out Time Warner for "the marketing of evil" in movies and music. Dole later admitted that he had not seen or heard much of what he had been criticizing. Would have made a great president.

Supertramp played Madison Square Garden in 1979. While on stage they are awarded a platinum album for “Breakfast In America.”

Chuck Berry opens Berry Park, near St. Louis in 1961.

The Theme From M*A*S*H* (Suicide Is Painless), was at the top of the UK singles chart in 1980, 10 years after it was first recorded.

17 weeks after entering the Billboard Pop chart, Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" made it all the way to number one in 1975.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Records Sales

Week Ending 05/24/2008


1) 78rpm - Tommy Johnson "Canned Heat Blues" / "Big Fat Mama Blues" Victor - $4,393.43

2) 45rpm - Marvin Gaye "Hanging On" unreleased acetate - $4,040.00

3) LP - Bach Suites For Violin Cello Annlies Schmidt Telefunken - $3,250.00

4) LP - Frank Frost & The Night Hawks "Hey Boss Man" Phillips - $3,150.00

5) 12" single - U2 "Stories For Boys" "Boy/Girl" / "Out Of Control" $3,051.51

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Vinyl Record $6 Clearance Sale

I am not affiliated with his person, but thought some of you may want to look at this special vinyl record sale. I did and found some gems!


http://stores.ebay.com/StarryNightRecords-ETC

This Date In Music History- May 29

Birthdays:

Melissa Etheridge was born in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1961.

Danny Elfman, the former member of Oingo Boingo who wrote The Simpsons theme, was born in Amarillo, Texas in 1955.

Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher is 41 today.

Joey Levine of the Ohio Express ("Yummy Yummy Yummy") turns 58.

Singer and keyboardist Gary Brooker of Procol Harum was born in Essex, England in 1945.


History:

'Crosby, Stills & Nash' was released in 1969. It is popular on both AM and FM radio, and it hangs on the album chart for 107 weeks. It also yields two hit singles: "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" (#21) and "Marrakesh Express" (#28).

Bing Crosby recorded "White Christmas" in 1942.

In 2005, Jazz singing great Oscar Brown Jr. died in Chicago. He wrote compositions like "The Snake," "Signifyin' Monkey" and the lyrics for Miles Davis' "All Blues."

The body of Philip "Taylor" Kramer was discovered in a valley in Malibu, Calif in 1999. The Iron Butterfly bass player had been missing since 1995.

In 1977, in the middle of a Baltimore concert, Elvis Presley wanders off stage and doesn't come back. It's the first time he's terminated a show in this manner.

Mike Oldfield released his ambient masterpiece Tubular Bells or "That Weird Music in The Exorcist” in 1973.

The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" goes to No. 1 in the U.S. in 1971, while Sticky Fingers tops the albums chart.

Columbia Records president Goddard Lieberson died of cancer on May 29, 1977 at the age of 66. Lieberson was responsible for the introduction of the LP record and for popularizing soundtracks and original cast albums.

Ray Charles, B.B. King, and Jimmy Reed played to over 9,000 people at Atlanta's Herndon Stadium in 1959, in one of the first outdoor rock festivals.

Bob Dylan's album "Bringing It All Back Home" hit #1 in the U.K. in 1965. It knocked his album "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" out of the #1 spot.

In 1997, Jeff Buckley drowned while swimming with a friend off Mud Island in Memphis.

In 1961, Ricky (later Rick) Nelson had his first Top 10 hit in two years with “Travelin’ Man.” “Hello Mary Lou” is on the flip-side. The single reaches #1.

The Beach Boys Help Me Rhonda” knocked The BeatlesTicket To Ride” from the top spot on the pop chart in 1965.

The “Combat Rock” album from The Clash was released in 1982.

Canada's 5 Man Electrical Band entered the US charts in 1971 with what would prove to be their biggest hit and signature tune, "Signs.”

Three dozen Grateful Dead fans were treated for hallucinations caused by LSD after they unwittingly ingested the drug while drinking spiked apple juice served at San Francisco's Winterland in 1971. Although members of the group were suspected of supplying the drug, they were not accused.

Paul McCartney released his version of the nursery rhyme, "Mary Had A Little Lamb" in 1972 as kind of tongue-in-cheek joke to get back at the BBC for banning his earlier single "Give Ireland Back To The Irish". It reached the US Top-30.

Quicksilver Messenger Service guitarist John Cipollina died at age 55 in 1989.

1963-Del Shannon's cover of the Beatles "From Me to You" becomes the first song written by Lennon and McCartney to appear on the American charts when it debuts on Billboard's Hot 100 today.

Little Anthony & the Imperials recorded "Tears On My Pillow" in 1958.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Top 5 Vinyl Record eBay Sales

Week Ending 05/17/2008


1) LP - The Beatles "White Album" Mono - $4,000

2) 45rpm - Mixed Feelings "Sha La La" / "Love Will Find A Way" United - $3,500.00

3) LP - The Beatles "White Album" Mono - $3,500.00

4) LP - Rising Storm "Calm Before" - $2,951.00

5) LP - Can "Monster Movie" - $3,850.00

Private Record Collection For Sale

Nationally Syndicated Radio Host Norm N. Nite, "Mr. Music," to Auction Private Memorabilia Collection


Norm N. Nite, legendary radio host and author of "Rock On" to auction personal collection of classic rock memorabilia in The Legends of Radio Auction hosted by Backstage Auctions.

Houston, TX (Billboard Publicity Wire) May 28, 2008 -- Backstage Auctions is thrilled to present "The Legends of Radio Auction" featuring over four decades of records, original radio interviews, concert footage, photos, signed ephemera, posters, handbills and press kits from the personal collection of veteran radio broadcasters Norm N. Nite and Todd T. Taylor.

Known to listeners as "Mr. Music" for his extensive knowledge of the history of popular music, Norm N. Nite has a long and distinguished career that reads like a "Who's Who" of radio. He started his broadcast career in 1961 as an on air personality with such stations as WHK-AM/Cleveland, WGAR-FM/Cleveland, WCBS-FM/New York and WNBC/New York and has been riding the rock and roll music "Nite" train ever since. But radio hasn't been his only gig. Nite made his first national television debut in 1968, appearing on such popular television shows as Mike Douglas, Tomorrow Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNBC - Talk Live, MSNBC, Dinah Shore and has even been a guest VJ on MTV. Broadcasting live from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2003, Nite's weekend rock and roll show can be heard on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Hundreds of interviews with legendary entertainment personalities, including almost every Rock and Roll great and Hall of Famer, have made Nites's published works essential for music lovers. He has penned four books, which are all part of the "Rock On" series. One of the many pieces highlighted in the auction is Norm's personal hand bound copy of "Rock On." "This is more than just a simple copy of his book; it was one of the first Holy Grail rock and roll books written by a US author. It contains over 125 autographs from various artists and entertainment industry icons," explains Jacques van Gool, founder of Backstage Auctions. "Its hard to even put a value on a book that collectively contains autographs from John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Sir George Martin, Keith Richards, Dick Clark, The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Bo Diddley, Roy Orbison…and that's just a few!"

Equally impressive is the personal record collection of broadcast veteran, Todd T. Taylor, who currently serves as the President of the Radio and Television Broadcaster's Hall of Fame in Ohio. His massive vinyl collection, which spans from the late 1950s to the late 1970s, is mind blowing. Taylor's collection exceeds 5,000 records and 15,000 singles with a strong emphasis on vintage rock and roll, rhythm and blues, soul, pop and surf, whereas Nite's wax treasures are a haven for enthusiasts of doo-wop and vocal groups. The museum-worthy depth of both collections, combined with an overwhelming amount of rare (white label) promotional copies, has the makings of an unforgettable auction event. "Given the remarkable rarity of Taylor's collection it will be hard for any collector or fan to pass up this unique opportunity," explains van Gool.

"The Legends of Radio Auction" will begin Sunday, June 22nd at www.backstageauctions.com. The auction will run for one week, ending on Sunday, June 29th. A special preview of the full auction catalogue will be available to view online beginning Sunday June 15th.

Backstage Auctions is a leading online auction company specializing in classic rock memorabilia direct from the private collections of music industry professionals. Founded on the principles of combining their client's career achievements and popularity with the demand and interest of collectors and fans that desire truly authentic and unique collectibles, Backstage Auctions is the place where rock legends live on.

For more information on the auction and the items that will be featured please visit:
www.backstageauctions.com.

Contact:
Backstage Auctions, Inc.
713-862-1200
www.backstageauctions.com

###

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Metallica Launch Brand-New Interactive Website

missionmetallica.com Enables Fans to Experience the Band's Upcoming Album Before It's Done via Exclusive Content All Summer Long!

BURBANK, CA--(Marketwire - May 27, 2008) - In what promises to be an exciting and innovative interactive experience for fans of Metallica, the band has announced it will launch a brand-new website, Mission Metallica (www.missionmetallica.com), which offers users a unique, ground-breaking look-in on the making of Metallica's upcoming ninth studio album, which the band began recording last year with producer Rick Rubin.

Rather than wait until the album's fall release date, fans will be able to access a special-edition version of the album before it comes out by joining missionmetallica.com. Set to launch on May 27th, the website will feature a treasure trove of exclusive content, including the low-down from the band members themselves about their progress in the studio via fly-on-the-wall video footage, audio of riffs and excerpts of new songs, exclusive new and never-before-seen archival photos from the studio, plus the chance to win tickets and meet-and-greet passes to Metallica's live concert events this summer. All of this content is absolutely free.

And if that free content isn't enough, fans can also join Mission: Metallica Platinum, which gains users access, high-quality digital album downloads delivered at midnight on release date, the physical album CD, plus complete downloads of classic live shows, exceedingly more fly-on-the-wall studio footage, loads of additional photos, and ringtones of riffs from the new album. In addition, Platinum members will be able to enter exclusive contests with the chance to win airfare, hotel, concert tickets, and meet-and-greet passes to Metallica's headlining performances at this year's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Ozzfest, and the U.K.'s Reading Festival, as well as a special album listening party at the band's Northern California headquarters.

Access to missionmetallica.com will begin on May 27th. The album + web content packages will be made available in the following six configurations:


-- MISSION: METALLICA. Includes fly-on-the-wall footage, riffs and
excerpts, new and archival photos, unique live tracks, audio and video blog
postings, plus the chance to win concert tickets and backstage passes.
Cost: FREE.

-- HIGH-QUALITY DIGITAL ALBUM DOWNLOAD. Package includes a digital
version of the album at 320 KBIT/S, which is a better sound quality than
what is available through most digital retailers. Users can pre-order the
album download, delivered at midnight on street date. Cost: $11.99.

-- PHYSICAL CD + HIGH-QUALITY DIGITAL ALBUM DOWNLOAD. Package includes
the physical CD, plus shipping, as well as the high-quality, 320 KBIT/S
digital version of the album. Users can pre-order the album digital
download, delivered at midnight on street date. Cost: $19.99.

-- HIGH-QUALITY DIGITAL ALBUM DOWNLOAD + MISSION: METALLICA PLATINUM.
Package includes high-quality, 320 KBIT/S digital version of the album,
delivered at midnight on street date, plus Platinum Mission: Metallica
Experience. Cost: $24.99.

-- PHYSICAL CD, HIGH-QUALITY DIGITAL ALBUM DOWNLOAD + MISSION: METALLICA
PLATINUM. Packageincludesthe physical CD, plus shipping, high-quality,
320 KBIT/S digital version of the album, delivered at midnight on street
date, plus Platinum Mission: Metallica Experience. Cost: $32.99.

-- LIMITED EDITION: FIVE VINYL LP BOXED SET, PHYSICAL CD, HIGH-QUALITY
DIGITAL ALBUM DOWNLOAD, LITHOGRAPH + MISSION: METALLICA PLATINUM. Limited-
edition package includes a boxed set of five LP's, each pressed on 180gram, 45 rpm vinyl, with five individual sleeves, the physical CD, the high-quality, 320 KBIT/S digital version of the album delivered at midnight on street date, a Mission: Metallica lithograph, the Platinum Mission:
Metallica Experience, plus all shipping included. Cost: $124.99.


The album, whose title will be announced on missionmetallica.com, will be released by Warner Bros. Records this fall. It is Metallica's first studio album since 2003's multi-platinum "St. Anger," which hit No. 1 in 30 countries and has sold nearly six million copies worldwide. Formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and rhythm guitarist and vocalist James Hetfield, Metallica has become one of the most influential and commercially successful rock bands in history, having sold nearly 100 million albums worldwide and playing to millions of fans the world over. They have garnered numerous awards and accolades, including seven Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, and three MTV Video Music Awards. In addition, their 1991 album, "Metallica" has been awarded the prestigious "Diamond Award" from the Recording Industry Association of America, given to those albums with U.S. sales of 10 million or more.

www.metallica.com

Gotham Rocks- Enjoy The Show

ilike2rock.net is proud to be a sponsor in the upcoming rock extravaganza “Gotham Rocks,” a New York City-based showcase of some of the best local NYC bands as well as some of the most talented and ‘under-the-radar’ independent bands from the Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions.

Sullivan Hall will be rocking on May 31, 2008, and a full night of festivities is planned. But before we hear about the talented musicians that have been chosen to participate, let’s explore and learn more about the program- Gotham Rocks.

Gotham Rocks goals are simple. To help promote independent artists and their music. Here is their mission statement:

The goals of GOTHAM ROCKS are:

• To pair indie music companies, bookers, promoters, radio, labels etc with the absolute best in independent local and regional bands.

• To give NYC rock bands who are ready to make the transition from local to regional touring band the opportunity to meet and team up with bands from other parts of the country.

• To foster and coalesce the growth of the modern and hard rock scene in NYC – a town that is more known for its hipster and indie rock and hip hop and yet has a thriving (if unorganized) hard rock scene.

• To provide all of the bands with a quality forum for them to showcase their talents to both fans and industry simultaneously. Creating opportunities for both independent bands and the companies, venues, labels etc that work with them.

And there is more, as each one of the bands will not only have chance to shine and showcase their talents, but there are rewards and incentives to perform well. Some of the Music Industry’s biggest names are going to be in attendance with special awards to be handed out. Here is an updated list:

www.MusicSubmit.com , Michael Cocoran, Director of Marketing – Will be awarding at least one Gotham Rocks Showcase band with one of their existing internet marketing packages. The band(s) and package(s) will be determined by Michael.

Six Flags, Great Adventure- Live and Local. Patricia Stevens, Program Founder and Director—Will be awarding at least one Gotham Rocks Showcase band one or multiple bookings at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ and possibly other Six Flags theme parks throughout the country.

www.Rockyou.com, Ro Choy – Vice President of Business Development - Rockyou.com will feature at least one Gotham Rocks Showcase band on the music portion of rockyou.com and make the band’s music available to its 36,000,000 users.

Chris Athens, Senior Mastering Engineer at Sterling Sound (www.sterling-sound.com) - one of the world's premier mastering studios. Chris, whose credits include, Ozzy, Limp Bizkit, Beastie Boys, Flyleaf, P. Diddy, will be awarding one Gotham Rocks band a with a free mastering session.

Bill Klatt (www.billklatt.com) – multi-platinum Producer/Engineer (Rolling Stones, Santana, David Bowie, Sting, Queens of the Stone Age, Days Of The New). Bill has agreed to join Gotham Rocks minimally as a Judge.

Sean Lee, Executive Producer MTV News. Sean will be acting as a judge and providing some media coverage for the showcase.

Scott Kuchler, WMIR 100.9FM, A&R Unlimited (www.wmir1009.com) Scott will be featuring all Gotham Rocks artists on WMIR.

DAA Entertainment Ben Will be awarding NJ venue bookings.

Budweiser- Budweiser will be sponsoring drink specials and beer for the bands

Creative Entertainment Group - A representative of CEG will also be on hand to judge bands and potentially award bookings

ilike2rock.net ilike2rock.net founder, DJ Tom will be providing all Gotham Rocks Bands with free "Gold" artist accounts and featuring them on the website.

101.9 RXP The New York Rock Experience- Royce Silverman, Promotions Manager for New York City's newest rock station has arranged for RXP to promote the show on air in the weeks prior to the event as well as on their website. In the spirit of promoting local and independent rock music, RXP staff will also be on hand at the event itself.

The show starts at 7:00pm and the doors will open at 6:30. Here is a list of the bands scheduled to appear and their time slot:

7:00 Striving in Greater Hopes (S.i.G.H.)
7:45 FEFF
8:30 Diablo Royale
9:15 AnAka
10:15 The Speaks
11:00 Shadows Lie
12:00 Panacea
1:00 Receptor

(tickets available at Ticketweb.com)

In conclusion, not only is this a premiere event to showcase some up and coming musical acts, it could be career defining for some of them. Ilike2rock.net will be there and hopefully many of the station’s fans and members will be there as well. Rock On!

Information:

www.myspace.com/gothamrocks

GOTHAM ROCKS

May, 31 2008 at GOTHAM ROCKS SHOWCASE
214 Sullivan St., New York, New York 10012
Cost : $10 in advance, $12 at the door

This Date In Music History- May 27

Birthdays:

Neil Finn of Crowded House, one of those musicians beloved by critics, was born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand in 1958.

Goth vocalist Siouxsie Sioux was born in London in 1957.

Respected Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn was born in Pembroke, Ontario in 1945

Ramsey Lewis ("Wade In The Water") is 73

Cilla Black ("You're My World") is 65

History:

Buddy Holly released his only No. 1 hit, "That'll Be the Day” in 1957.

In 1969, only five months after his debut album, Neil Young released the seminal album 'Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,' the first of many with Crazy Horse.

In 1974, five year-old Lisa Marie Presley first met Michael Jackson in Lake Tahoe, where her father had been performing. Little did she know…

"Moon River" was named Record and Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1962.

Frank Sinatra made his TV debut on Bob Hope's "Star Spangled Review" show on NBC (Peggy Lee also performs) in 1950.

Today in 1972, the song "Oh Girl" by the Chi-Lites topped the charts and stayed there for a week.

2004- Usher had all three singles in the Top 3 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with "Burn" at No. 1. The last two acts to accomplish this feat were the Bee Gees and the Beatles.

At a U2 concert in Rome in 1987, the music was so loud that neighbors flood emergency services with calls claiming an earthquake has struck. U2's sound system set off earthquake alarms in two neighborhoods.

At a Coventry grammar school in England in 1964, 11 boys were suspended for cutting their hair like Mick Jagger.

Bob Dylan released his second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" in 1963.

The furor over Jerry Lee Lewis’ marriage to his 13-year old cousin Myra caused his U.K. tour to be canceled after only two shows in 1958.

British radio banned the Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen” in 1977. It goes to the top of the charts anyway.

The Eagles embarked on their Hell Freezes Over Tour in 1994. The title is a reference to a prior Don Henley quote regarding the prospects of an Eagles reunion. Apparently, Henley misspoke.

Columbia and RCA Victor, two of America's biggest record labels, announced that they will raise the list price of L.P.s by one dollar on June 1, 1967. It was the first increase since 1953.

Rock is dangerous work. During a performance taped for Italian TV in 1980, David Lee Roth vaulted off drummer Alex Van Halen’s drum riser and right into some low hanging lights. The Van Halen front man suffered a fractured nose and multiple contusions.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

This Date In Music History- May 25

Birthdays:

Jessi Colter, the only female country star of the "outlaw" movement inspired by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, was born in Phoenix in 1947.

Lyricist Hal David (wrote most of Dionne Warwick's hits with partner Burt Bacharach) turns 87.

Mitch Margo of the Tokens ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight") is 61.

Tom T. Hall ("I Love") is 72.

Kitty Kallen ("My Coloring Book") turns 86.

Jam genius and Style Council head Paul Weller was born in Woking, England in 1958.

Reggae singer, producer, and entrepreneur Sugar Minott was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1956.

Happy birthday to Scorpions lead singer Klaus Meine.

Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis is born in Alton, Ill in 1926. He began his career with Billy Eckstine's orchestra in a lineup that includes Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He went on to record more than two dozen albums and is considered the originator of more jazz styles than any other artist. He earns the first of six Grammys in 1960 and receives a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990.

A native of Ottawa, Glen Drover, Megadeth guitarist, entered the world in 1969.


History:

Desmond Dekker ("Israelites") died of a heart attack in 2006.

In 1978, Keith Moon performed for the last time with the Who at the Shepperton Film Studio in England for the movie, "The Kid's Are Alright.”

Deborah Gibson's "Foolish Beat" becomes her first No. 1 hit in 1988. At 17, she becomes the youngest artist ever to write, sing, and produce a No. 1 record.

Roy Brown died in San Fernando, Calif in 1981. His original 1947 rendition of "Good Rockin' Tonight" inspired countless cover versions, while his vocal holler influenced performers like Little Richard.

The Hollies recorded "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" in 1969, with a young Elton John providing piano.

Also in 1969- This was a night to remember in Columbia, Md., as Led Zeppelin and the Who appeared together at a concert at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. What a great bill!

Gary Usher, who led the studio group The Hondells into the US Top 10 in 1964 with "Little Honda", died of cancer on May 25th 1990. He was 51.

The late Norman Petty (produced Buddy Holly, Buddy Knox and the Fireballs, among others) was born in 1927.

In 1973, Carole King performed in New York's Central Park, attracting a then-record-breaking audience of 100,000.

"Bye Bye Love," the first of many songs by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant that will be made famous by the Everly Brothers, entered the Top Forty in 1957. A million seller, it holds at #2 for four weeks.

Billie Holiday gave her final performance in New York City in 1959.

In 1996, Bradley Nowell (Sublime) was found dead in his San Francisco motel room of a drug overdose at the age of 26. What a talent and what a waste.

The Isley Brothers released "Twist and Shout" in 1962.

In 2005, Country singer Carrie Underwood wins the fourth season of American Idol in a surprise victory over rocker Bo Bice.

Dave Davies (Kinks) was knocked unconscious when he careened into drummer Mick Avory's cymbal during a London concert in 1965.

Jim Morrison's widow, Pam, died of a drug overdose in 1974.

Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends goes to No. 1 on the American albums chart in 1969, knocking their own Graduate soundtrack out of the top spot.

Legendary blues harpist Sonny Boy Williamson died in Helena, Ark in 1965.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Records Sales

Week Ending 05/10/2008

1) LP - David Bowie Hunky Dory Sampler Alternate Takes - $6,500.00

2) LP - Bach Violin Concerto De Vito HMV ASD 429 - $4,257.00

3) 45rpm - The Cashmeres "Show Stopper" / "Don't Let The Door Hit Your Back" - $3, 350.99

4) LP - Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers" Mono DJ Copy - $3,250.00 -

5) 45rpm - Bob and Sheri "The Surfer Moon" / "Humpy Dumpty" Safari - $2,999.00

The Telescopes New Vinyl Album

The Telescopes will deliver their new album as a vinyl-only release for Textile Rds.

The new LP is named 'Infinite Suns' and will be released on June 24th, however the label are taking pre-orders at a lower price until June 10th.

Speaking of the LP, a press release says: "This LP is very much number one, the introduction to a series of releases (2 new albums and one live recording)."

"This new LP is a selection of analogue tape recordings taken between 2006 and 2007, using a multi directional mic to capture environmental response. Recording levels were set close to saturation, allowing for interaction with the tape machine itself."

The first side of the 12", finishes with a piece centered around a lock-groove from the run-out of the very first Telescopes album and is lock-grooved again so that it plays endlessly.

Tracklisting:

A1. Static Charge
A2. Thought Loops
A3. Northumberland

B1. Tidal Bandwidth
B2. Chrome Gulls

Source: http://angryape.com

Harold and Maude

DOOR PRIZES FROM VINYL FILMS RECORDS

Our friends at Cameron Crowe’s record label, Vinyl Films Records, recently released the first official version of the Harold & Maude soundtrack - and on limited edition vinyl, no less! They’re giving away one of these precious rarities (along with several other original collectibles they’ve gathered) to true fans of the film who can answer some expert trivia questions! Below is a list of all the generous door prizes they’ll be giving away…

A promo strip of film from the actual Harold and Maude trailer in a silkscreened envelope Promo one-sided 7″ single of two Harold and Maude Radio Spots promo Glow-in-the-Dark Harold and Maude turntable mat test pressing of the Harold and Maude soundtrack vinyl promo-only picture disc of the Harold and Maude soundtrack vinyl complete retail version of the Harold and Maude soundtrack vinyl original paperback version of Harold and Maude the novel original hardback version of Harold and Maude the novel Harold and Maude on VHS Harold and Maude on DVD set of seven 8″ x 10″ promotional stills from the 1979 theatrical re-release publicity kit from the original 1971 theatrical release with twenty-five 8″ x 10″ stills U.S. Poster (27″ x 41″) from the 1979 theatrical re- release U.S. Poster (27″ x 41″) from the 1979 theatrical re- release, 2 copies of the U.S. Poster (27″ x 41″) from the original 1971 theatrical release.

Source: http://www.tmrzoo.com/

Be Your Own Pet Sophomore Album Release

Be Your Own Pet


Three tracks that were removed from the North American version of Nashville, Tenn. punk band Be Your Own Pet's Get Awkward sophomore album because they were "too violent" will be released next month.

The three-song Get Damaged EP will be released digitally through XL Recordings on June 3 and will hit store shelves on June 24 as a limited-edition seven-inch vinyl record. XL issued Get Awkward's international version, which included "Betty," "Black Hole" and "Blow Yr Mind." Something prompted Universal to deem the tracks' lyrics too violent and they were removed from the album's North American version when it was released by Universal imprint Ecstatic Peace in March.

"I guess that's just what happens when you decide to have something to do with a major label," singer Jemina Pearl told Washington Square News in February before the album was released. "They're going to be scared of anything that's not completely cookie cutter.

"Like, maybe I would be a very violent person if I didn't have the chance to sing about what I want to sing about and express things I want and it's definitely helped me from being a destructive person in my life. And I think tons of people relate to that, so it's kind of frustrating that they want to censor me or whatever."

Source: www.ChartAttack.com

Friday, May 23, 2008

New Vinyl Releases

New Vinyl Releases- May 20th:


Fairport Convention - Unhalfbricking

Fairport Convention - Liege & Leaf

Led Zeppelin - Mothership (4-Discs)

Led Zeppelin - The Song Remains the Same (4-Discs)

Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground

Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground and Nico

This Date In Music History- May 23

Birthdays:

"General" Norman Johnson, lead singer of the Chairmen of the Board ("Give Me Just A Little More Time") turns 65.

Oasis guitarist and songwriter Noel Gallagher was born in 1968.

Irish folk singer Luka Bloom was born in Newbridge, Ireland in 1955. He's actually called Barry Moore, but took his stage name from the Suzanne Vega song and a character in James Joyce's Ulysses.

The late Rosemary Clooney ("Come On-A My House") was born in 1928.

Misty Morgan ("Tennessee Bird Walk" with husband Jack Blanchard) is 63.

History:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kicked off their first major arena tour in Buffalo, New York in 1978. It ended seven months and 109 cities later in Cleveland on January 1, 1979.

Paul Revere & the Raiders signed with Columbia Records in 1963.

The Who film "The Kids Are Alright" premiered in New York City in 1979.

Elvis Presley's "Follow That Dream" movie opened nationally in 1962.

Today in 1960, the song "Cathy's Clown" by the Everly Brothers topped the charts and stayed there for 5 weeks. The duo had also accomplished this feat 1958 when "All I Have To Do Is Dream" also spent over a month at the top position.

1970- The Beatles' "Let It Be" LP reportedly sets a record for advance sales as 3.7 million advance orders are made for the farewell album. But the New Musical Express described the album as a "cardboard tombstone."

Also in 1970, the Grateful Dead performed outside the U.S. for the first time. Their gig at England's Hollywood Rock Festival went on for four hours. The Dead's set was preceded by a performance by Mungo Jerry, who played their big hit "In the Summertime.”

Ella Fitzgerald's cover of the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" hit #34 in the U.K. in 1964. She was the first artist to chart in the U.K. with a Beatles cover.

In 1971, Iron Butterfly disbanded one month after “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” fell off the Album Chart, following a 138 week run.

In 1964, The Beach Boys released "I Get Around," which will go on to become the group's first #1 hit, topping the US chart for 2 weeks.

In 1973, Clive Davis was fired as president of Columbia Records. He was allegedly using company funds for private use, including $53,700 worth of alterations to his apartment and $20,000 for his son's bar mitzvah.

Jefferson Airplane were barred from giving a free concert at Golden Gate Park in 1977, when San Francisco authorities passed a resolution banning electronic instruments. The group later wrote "We Built this City" about the ban.

Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" went platinum in 1979. The album's title track, a #2 hit, is the rallying call for baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates, who will go on to win the 1979 World Series in October.

In 1975, Peter Gabriel played his final show with Genesis before going solo. It’s in St. Etienne, France.

Though issued in the U.K. nearly five years earlier, AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” peaks at #3 on the U.S. album chart in 1981.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

This Date In Music History- May 21

Birthdays Today:

Chicago's William "Bill" Bradford Champlin (keyboards, guitar and vocals)-1947.

Hilton Valentine, guitarist for the Animals- 1943.

Marcie Blane ("Bobby's Girl") is 64.

Ronald Isley of the Isley Brothers ("Shout") is 67.

Leo Sayer ("When I Need You") is 60.


History:

Elton John became the first western act to tour the U.S.S.R. in 1979.

"Little" Stevie Wonder recorded "Fingertips" live at Chicago's Regal Theatre in 1962.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a ten-day "bed-in" in Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel in 1969.

The Drifters recorded "Under The Boardwalk" (Johnny Moore is forced to sing lead after Rudy Lewis' death the night before) in 1964.

"Sir Duke," Stevie Wonder’s tribute to Jazz great Duke Ellington, is the #1 song in the U.S. in 1977.

Notorious record exec Morris Levy died in 1990. He owned the Birdland club, copyrighted the phrase "rock & roll" after making friends with Alan Freed, and even sued John Lennon because he thought "Come Together" sounded too much like a Chuck Berry song.

In 1981, Bob Marley was given a state funeral in Jamaica and buried at Nine Miles in St. Ann’s Parish, beside the house in which he was born.

'Call Me,' the quintessential Al Green album, was released in 1973. It yielded three hits: “You Ought to Be With Me” (#1 R&B, #3 pop), “Call Me (Come Back Home)” (#2 R&B, #10 pop), “Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” (#2 R&B, #10 pop).

In 1966, the Byrd's "Eight Miles High" was banned by some radio stations because of the lyrics' alleged drug references.

In 1955, Chuck Berry recorded "Maybellene" – an up-tempo rewrite of the country-flavored "Ida Red" – with pianist Johnnie Johnson, bass player Willie Dixon and drummer Jasper Thomas. It is the first of Berry's many hits for Chess Records.

Brenda Lee signed with Decca Records in 1956.

In 1980, Joe Strummer (Clash) was arrested at a Hamburg, West Germany, show after smashing his guitar over the head of an audience member.

Marvin Gaye's "Dream of a Lifetime" was released in 1985. It was his last album.

16 year-old Paul Anka recorded "Diana" at the ABC-Paramount studios in New York in 1957. The song would reach #1 in the US the following September and became the first of his 33 US Top 40 hits.

The Mamas And The Papas ("California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday") went to #1 on the Billboard album chart in 1966 with the classic LP,"If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears.” Its 105-week tenure on the album chart surpasses that of any Beatles album save “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

Paul McCartney released "Ram" in 1971, which, unlike his first solo LP, is not a one-man show. His wife Linda is on vocals and he enlists session men David Spinozza, Hugh McCracken on guitar and bass along with drummer Denny Seiwell.

In 1980, a thief broke into Electric Lady Studios in New York City, the recording studio built by Jimi Hendrix and stole five Hendrix gold records. They are for the albums "Are You Experienced?", "Axis: Bold as Love", "Cry of Love", "Rainbow Bridge" and "Live at Monterey".

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Brian Wilson returns to Capitol Records/EMI, his original label home

New studio album, "That Lucky Old Sun," to be released on September 2 on CD, deluxe CD/DVD, limited edition vinyl and digitally

“You don’t have to climb the Capitol tower, or play the Hollywood Bowl, if there’s a roll in your heart, and a rock in your soul…” (lyrics from That Lucky Old Sun’s California Role)

Hollywood, California – May 19, 2008 - He is one of popular music’s most deeply revered figures, a legendary writer, producer, arranger and performer of some of the most cherished music in rock history. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to call Brian Wilson one of the most gifted and influential pop composers of the last 50 years. Today, Wilson announces his return to Capitol Records/EMI, his original label home. Wilson’s new studio recording, That Lucky Old Sun, will be released by Capitol/EMI on CD, CD/DVD, limited edition vinyl and digitally on September 2 (September 1 internationally).

Brian Wilson’s return to Capitol Records/EMI, where The Beach Boys caught their first hit wave with the 1962 classic, Surfin’ Safari/409, is a triumphant homecoming for one of the world’s most gifted and beloved musical talents.

“I’m thrilled to be back home with Capitol, and I’m looking forward to sharing That Lucky Old Sun with everyone,” says Brian Wilson. “This music is really special to me.”

"We are delighted to be working with Brian Wilson for his new album, That Lucky Old Sun,” says Guy Hands, Executive Chairman of EMI Music. “We all remember the feeling we got when we first heard The Beach Boys’ music. My particular favorite classic is Surfer Girl. It always reminds me of driving an open top car down the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Barbara to Malibu. Brian Wilson is an iconic talent with enormous musical influence all over the world and we are very proud to be representing him.”

A musical love letter from Southern California, That Lucky Old Sun shimmers with sun-dappled choruses and arrangements that swell and swirl as if carried by the Pacific tides. One of the songs, Midnight’s Another Day, has been described by MOJO magazine as “glorious.” The album is narrated in transitional interludes spoken by Wilson as That Lucky Old Sun, the storyteller. The narratives, cameos on life and the heartbeat of Los Angeles, propel the album’s musical story.

Last summer, Wilson found himself singing the 1949 classic song, That Lucky Old Sun, which became the inspiration for a unique approach to what would become his next studio release. He bought Louis Armstrong’s version of the track and was inspired to collaborate lyrically with his band mate Scott Bennett, and with Van Dyke Parks, his old ‘sidekick,’ to create vibrant spoken narratives. Wilson debuted That Lucky Old Sun at London’s Royal Festival Hall in September 2007 in a series of six sold-out and critically-acclaimed concert performances celebrating the theatre’s restoration.

Wilson describes That Lucky Old Sun as an “interwoven series of ‘rounds’ with interspersed spoken word,” and as an autobiographical travelogue of sorts. The new studio album is produced by Wilson and was created with his acclaimed band at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, where he first recorded in 1962.

The new release is the dawning of a new California morning for Brian Wilson, continuing the awe-inspiring concept album journey that he first began four decades ago. Wilson’s songwriting, arranging and producing talents came together in harmonious glory for The Beach Boys’ 1966 classic, Pet Sounds, and have continued to evolve during his solo career, highlighted by his 2004 critically acclaimed Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE. Lyrically and in Wilson’s incomparably lush, evocative arrangements, That Lucky Old Sun adds a new chapter to Wilson’s conceptual presentations, reaching ever higher with his vibrant and moving autobiographical storytelling and intricate harmonies.

Following numerous nominations, Wilson won a well-deserved Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance (2004) for Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow and he was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006. Last December, he was feted as a leading cultural icon by The Kennedy Center Honors alongside Diana Ross, Martin Scorsese, Steve Martin and Leon Fleisher.

Brian Wilson and his band will perform a number of his classic hits and compositions at select North American and UK concerts this summer.

Brian Wilson: That Lucky Old Sun
1. That Lucky Old Sun
2. Morning Beat
3. That Lucky Old Sun (narrative)
4. Good Kind Of Love
5. Forever My Surfer Girl
6. That Lucky Old Sun (narrative)
7. Live Let Live
8. Mexican Girl
9. That Lucky Old Sun (narrative)
10. California Role
11. That Lucky Old Sun (narrative)
12. Oxygen
13. Can’t Wait Too Long (vocal excerpt)
14. Midnight’s Another Day
15. Going Home
16. Southern California

Brian Wilson: Confirmed Concert Dates
June 28 London (UK) English Heritage Picnic Concerts
June 29 Ipswich (UK) Regent Theatre
July 1 London (UK) Royal Albert Hall
July 8 Niagara Falls, ON Niagara Fallsview Casino (Avalon Ballroom)
July 9 Ottawa, ON Ottawa Blues Fest
July 12 Highmount, NY Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
July 13 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Sept. 12/13/14 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl

* * *

Source: http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2008/press59.htm

Blondie album reissued with extras

Blondie breakthrough album reissued with extras

By Gary Graff

DETROIT (Billboard) - A super-sized reissue of Blondie's breakthrough album "Parallel Lines" to coincide with its 30th anniversary was not the band's idea, singer Debbie Harry says.

"It's really sort of traditional EMI behavior," she told Billboard.com with a laugh. "None of us really were counting the hours and the days or whatever."

The reissue will come out on June 24; Blondie will be on the road by then with a tour that begins June 5 in Baltimore.

The group -- which still includes founding members guitarist Chris Stein and drummer Clem Burke -- plans to play the album in its entirety.

"Parallel Lines," Blondie's third album, peaked at No. 6 during a 103-week run on the Billboard 200. The single "Heart of Glass," which Harry says she and guitarist Chris Stein wrote several years earlier, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, while "One Way or Another" made it to No. 24.

The album has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, but Harry was most pleased about its impact in the States.

"We'd had hits all over the world -- in Europe, in the U.K., in Australia," she says. "But having a hit at home after three years of being on the road was really, really important to us."

The reissue includes the 7-inch single version of "Heart of Glass," the French version of "Sunday Girl" and some remixes, as well as a DVD with promo videos and TV performances.

Reuters/Billboard

Green Day Issues Album As Foxboro Hot Tubs

By: Don Kaye

Green Day releases its new album on Tuesday (May 20th), except, of course, it's not under the name Green Day. Stop Drop and Roll arrives in stores as the debut disc from the Foxboro Hot Tubs, with the five-piece act consisting of the three core members of Green Day and two musician friends who have played on the punk trio's previous records. After months of rumors and the success of the unofficial single "Mother Mary," Green Day finally confirmed that they were the Hot Tubs last month, writing in an email to MTV, "We think that the only similarity (between the Hot Tubs and Green Day) is that we are the same band. That is basically the only similarity."

Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt plays in the Hot Tubs under his real name, Michael Pritchard, while drummer Tre Cool also uses his real name, Frank Edwin Wright III. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong is calling himself the Reverend Strychnine Twitch.

"The Pedestrian" is the latest single off Stop Drop and Roll. A vinyl version of the disc is scheduled for release on June 24th.

Green Day pulled this kind of stunt once before, releasing an album called Money Money 2020 in late 2003 under the name the Network.

There is no word on when Green Day will release the follow-up to its last official album, 2004's massively successful American Idiot.

The Foxboro Hot Tubs are currently on a brief tour that brings them to New Orleans on Tuesday night and finishes up on May 28th in Long Beach, California. The band is playing the entire new album live, along with some covers and a rare cut or two from Green Day and the Network.

Source: http://www.kbsradio.ca/news/music/87/721720

Monday, May 19, 2008

This Date In Music History- May 19

Pete Townshend of the Who ("Won't Get Fooled Again") turns 63.

Freddie Garrity of Freddie & the Dreamers("I'm Telling You Now") died in 2006.

Odia Coates (sang "You're Having My Baby" and other songs with Paul Anka) died of cancer in 1991.

The Everly Brothers formed their Calliope Records label (its first release is Don performing "Pomp And Circumstance" as "Adrian Kimberley") in 1961.

Peggy Lee recorded "Fever" in 1958.

Today in 1973, the song "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Stevie Wonder topped the charts and stayed there for a week.

Pete Seeger was born in 1919.

On this day in 1984, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon had been on the American charts for 10 years solid.

In 1965, in their efforts to determine the true significance of the lyrics to "Louie Louie," FBI agents visit the offices of Wand Records, which distributed the Kingsmen's hit record. They would eventually release a statement that said that it was impossible to exactly decipher the lyrics from "the unintelligible rendition as performed by The Kingsmen."

AC/DC
drummer Phil Rudd was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1954.

She's a slave to the rhythm. And she was born today in Kingston, Jamaica in 1952. She is Grace Jones.

Joey Ramone was born today in Forest Hills, N.Y. in 1952

In 1979, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr performed together for the first time since the breakup of the Beatles at the wedding reception for Harrison's friend Eric Clapton and Harrison's ex-wife Patti Boyd.

In an indication of the mania to come, three girls were arrested in 1963 after trying to use a ladder to gain entry to the Beatles' dressing room. The band was performing with Roy Orbison in Hanley, England. The trio were released after the Beatles gave them autographs.

Dusty Hill of ZZ Top was born in Dallas in 1949.

In 1958, Bobby Darin’s single, "Splish Splash," was released as the first eight-track master recording pressed to a plastic 45-RPM disc.

Also in 1958- Ritchie Valens recorded the self-penned "Come On, Let's Go" for Del-Fi Records in Los Angeles. The song would peak at #42 on the Billboard singles chart the following October.

In 1960, Deejay Alan Freed was indicted along with seven others for accepting $30,650 in payola from six record companies. Two years later, he was convicted and received a suspended sentence and a $300 fine.

Ron Wilson, The Surfaris' drummer who recorded one of Rock and Roll's most influential drum solo’s, "Wipe Out", died of a brain aneurysm on May 19th, 1989 at the age of 49.

The Grateful Dead debuted at San Francisco’s Avalon Ballroom in 1966.

Supertramp’s "Breakfast In America," with "Goodbye Stranger" and "Take The Long Way Home," was the #1 album in the U.S. in 1979.

The Beatles single “Get Back” went gold in 1969. It shows that despite the feuding, the group can still hit #1 on the pop charts.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

This Date In Music History- May 17

Bob Dylan and the Hawks (a.k.a. The Band) performed at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England in 1966. Dylan was booed by folk purists who object to his appearing with an electric band. This widely bootlegged concert, often misidentified as having been performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall, was officially released 22 years later as 'Live 1966.'

The Grateful Dead’s self-titled first album, a potpourri of blues, bluegrass and psychedelic rock, was released on Warner Bros. Records in 1967.

In 1970, Rock artists such as Pink Floyd, the Who, and Yes incorporate synthesizers into their work.

Elton John picked up a platinum disc for Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy in 1975. The album was the first to sell a million copies on its first day of release.

Kraftwerk formed in 1971.

The Traveling Wilburys – a low-key supergroup comprising Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison – came together to record their first album, which was released in October of 1988.

Lawrence Welk, legendary TV bandleader, died in Santa Monica, Calif., of pneumonia in 1992. He was 89.

In 1995, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Little Richard appeared together for the first time onstage, in Sheffield, England.

The Donna Summer/Village People movie, "Thank God It's Friday" debuts in Los Angeles in 1978. Sadly, I wasn’t there.

Jean Knight recorded "Mr. Big Stuff" and King Floyd cuts "Groove Me" at the same Jackson, Mississippi recording session in 1970.

Today in 1986, the song "Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston topped the charts and stayed there for 3 weeks.

Red Smiley, no relation to Sesame Street's Guy Smiley, was born in Asheville, N.C. in 1925. With Dan Reno, he formed the Tennessee Cut-Ups, a famed bluegrass combo.

Folk/bluesman Taj Mahal, who has played almost every kind of African-American style of music there is, was born today in New York in 1942.

Prog-rock drummer Bill Bruford was born in Sevenoaks, England in 1948. He was a founding member of Yes and later joined King Crimson.

Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor was born today in Mercer, PA in 1965.

In 1969, Chicago released their double debut album, Chicago Transit Authority. The real C.T.A. sued.

In 1980, drummer Peter Criss left KISS after Gene Simmons' then girlfriend Diana Ross tells him he is too talented to be in the band.

In 1996, Blues guitarist Johnny "Guitar" Watson died while touring Japan.

Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, The Weavers and Peter, Paul and Mary were the featured acts at the very first Monterey Folk Festival in Monterey, California in 1963.

Rock producer (Aerosmith, Van Halen, AC/DC), Bruce Fairbairn, died in his Vancouver home in 1999.

Songwriter Sharon Sheeley died on May 17th 2002, in a Los Angeles hospital from complications following a cerebral hemorrhage. She was 62. Sheeley wrote "Poor Little Fool" for Ricky Nelson as well as "Dum Dum", a hit for Brenda Lee. Sharon was the girlfriend of Eddie Cochran and was in the London car accident that took Eddie's life on April 17th, 1960.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

This Date In Music History- May 15

In 1970, The Mothers of Invention performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta. Frank Zappa cues the esteemed conductor with the command, "Hit it, Zuben!"

In 1983, "Let's Dance", featuring Stevie Ray Vaughn on guitar, is David Bowie's first #1 hit in both the US and UK.

Lenny Welch ("Since I Fell For You") is 69.

Trini Lopez ("If I Had A Hammer") turns 71.

Mike Oldfield ("Tubular Bells") is 55.

June Carter Cash ("Jackson" with husband Johnny Cash) died of complications from heart surgery the previous week in 2003.

In 1957, Elvis Presley inhaled the cap from one of his teeth and is taken to a Los Angeles hospital to have it removed from his lung.

Paul McCartney first met Linda Eastman at a Georgie Fame concert in London in 1967 (they marry two years later).

The Rolling Stones signed with Decca Records in London (who had turned down the Beatles the year before), in 1963.

Today in 1976, the song "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers topped the charts and stayed there for a week.

In 1997, rockers everywhere wince as the Muzak company announced it will turn four Kiss songs into elevator-friendly instrumentals.

Fleetwood Mac debut their new lineup in El Paso, Texas in 1975. It's the first incarnation of the band that includes Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, and John and Christine McVie.

In 1970, a Pink Floyd concert at London's Crystal Palace is so loud it kills fish in a nearby lake.

Also in 1970- The Carpenters released their breakthrough album Close to You. The fish survive this.

Eddy Arnold, known as the Tennessee Plowboy, was born in Henderson, Texas in 1918. The guitarist had a staggering 28 No. 1 country singles.

Brian Eno, the great rock experimentalist who was part of Roxy Music and produced U2, was born in Woodbridge, England in 1948.

In 1965, The Byrds debut on the pop charts with their electric cover of Bob Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man.” The single’s success prompts Dylan to go electric.

After cracking the Billboard Top 40 in 1980 with "Angel Say No", the four man Rock group from San Francisco called Tommy Tutone reached #5 in 1982 with a song called "867-5309 / Jenny". Lead singer Tommy Heath said that he really does know a girl named Jenny whose parent's phone number was 867-5309. Many folks with that phone number had it changed to avoid prank calls.

44 year old Barbara Lee Jones of The Chiffons, ("He's So Fine") died of a heart attack on May 15th 1992.

In 1996, Independent Television in Britain broadcast the earliest known footage of the Beatles, shot in February 1961. That was three years before the group became world-famous. The film, which had no soundtrack, was found in a drawer in a house in Liverpool.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Vinyl Sales Up

Various numbers from the music industry:

Music is really long tail - in 2007, 450,344 of the 570,000 albums sold were purchased less than 100 times. 1,000 albums accounted for 50% of all album sales.

The music industry had its biggest sales week since they started keeping records, with 58 million units sold in the last week of 2007. The previous record was 47 million during the last week of 2006.

13% of all album sales come from American Idol and the Disney franchises.

CD sales are down 31% since 2004, but digital music sales are up 490%.

Surprisingly, Vinyl sales are coming back - they grew 15% in 2007 and are up 70% in the first 3 months of this year. Mostly in indie vinyl.

1 out of 4 albums are purchased in a non-traditional retail store (i.e. internet, or at a concert).

80,000 albums were released in 2007

844 million digital tracks sold in 2007, 1% of all digital tracks accounted for 80% of all track sales.

This Date In Music History- May 13

Richard Steven Valenzuela, better known as Ritchie Valens, was born in Los Angeles in 1941.

'Rastaman Vibration,' by Bob Marley and the Wailers – and featuring an American, Don Kinsey, on lead guitar – was released in 1976. It becomes Marley’s highest-charting album, reaching #8 in the U.S. and #15 in the U.K.

Young Steveland Morris was born today in Saginaw, Michigan. He is best known to the world as Stevie Wonder, unleashing a masterful series of hits that included "Superstition," "I Wish," and "Sir Duke."

The late Mary Wells was born in 1943. Her 1964 No. 1 hit, the Smokey Robinson-penned "My Guy,” helped launched Motown Records.

The late Nervous Norvus ("Transfusion"-- nee James Drake) was born in 1912.

Tommy Chong of Cheech & Chong pled guilty to selling drug paraphernalia over the Internet in 2003. Surprise!

In 1975, a radio station in Jacksonville, Florida knocked out the city's phone service giving away tickets to Elvis Presley's concert.

The Beatles' "Let It Be" film opened in New York City in 1970.

In 1979, Donny & Marie Osmond's "A Little Bit Of Country, A Little Bit Of Rock 'n' Roll" special on ABC-TV included guests Chuck Berry and Chubby Checker.

Elvis Presley's "Tickle Me" movie premiered in Hollywood (it opens nationally two weeks later) in 1965.

Today in 1967, the song "Somethin' Stupid" by Nancy Sinatra & Frank Sinatra topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.

In 1975, Bob Wills, the biggest star in the western swing firmament, died in a nursing home at age 70. He had been in a coma since suffering a stroke in 1973. With the Texas Playboys, he had scored six country No. 1's.

Danny Kirwan, guitarist and vocalist in early incarnations of Fleetwood Mac, was born in 1950.

In 1957, Elvis Presley began shooting one of his better movies, Jailhouse Rock.

The Rolling Stones released “Paint It Black” in 1966, with sitar by Brian Jones and brilliant drumming from Charlie Watts.

The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl” was released in 1977. The album is a compilation of two shows – one in 1964 and the other in 1965. There’s a lot of screaming but it shows what The Beatles could do live.

Appearing on sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s TV show in 1986, Ted Nugent demurely states, “Life is one big female safari.” Wango Tango!

In 1955, Elvis Presley's performance in Jacksonville, Florida is the first Presley show at which a riot ensues. After Elvis tells the audience, "Girls, I'll see you backstage,” he has some of his clothes ripped off, but escapes unharmed.

The Bee Gees entered the UK Pop chart for the first time in 1967 with "New York Mining Disaster 1941.”

After singing background vocals for Eric Clapton's "I Shot The Sheriff" in 1974, Yvonne Elliman had a US number one hit of her own with "If I Can't Have You” in 1978. The song reached #4 in the UK.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope everyone (especially Mothers!) enjoyed a Happy Mother's Day. I found an interesting article at http://www.knoxnews.com/ and thought I would share it:

Vinyl is still the mother of music

Written By Wayne Bledsoe


It occurs to me this Mother's Day that CDs were designed to be the trophy wives of music lovers. Think about it: Those old vinyl albums introduced us to hot tracks from Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Parliament /Funkadelic. They endured the indignity of disco and the misery of Air Supply and helped us give birth to our best times and most hairbrained schemes. But we got to know all vinyl albums' moves and as time went on, we took them for granted. Then someone came along and said "Hey, look at this shiny new disc! It's lighter, portable and (imagine Barry White's voice here) so sexxxxxy! Why that heavy old vinyl thing has grit in her grooves! This new model is smooth and light with a figure of 0110- 0101-1010! It'll impress your friends!"

We bought it. We divorced ourselves from vinyl for shiny new CDs . The heartless music bearers sucked up all our money and still wanted more. And, CDs didn't do the job that dowdy old vinyl did. Their sound lacked vinyl's warmth. When it got a little better we replaced those CDs with the better ones, but it was still an empty experience.

Now, CDs themselves are passe. Digital downloads offer immediate gratification. No fiddling around with CD trays and knob adjustments to get them in the mood. Oh baby. You make me feel so young!

Yet, nothing still sounds as good as good old vinyl. It's a real, physical preservation of sound. CDs are sagging, but vinyl album sales are up and the quality is better than it was in the 1970s (hey, looks like somebody's been to the gym!). Cool kids are tracking down turntables and searching out vintage albums. And, artists are making sure to press vinyl discs and often include a code where a listener can download a digital version as well. Two music artists I've spoken with in the past months predicted the death of the CD, but the resurgence of vinyl.

And, sales of turntables (many featuring USB connections so you can plug directly into your computer) are up, too. They're such popular items you can buy them at Target.

The USB turntables both allow you to listen to your vinyl albums through your computer (although it would really sound much better though a nice amp and speakers) and convert your albums to a digital format and take out some of the pops and scratches if you so desire. (But remember: "Never Mind the Bollocks" by the Sex Pistols sounds better with the grit!)

Among the companies offering the turntables are Ion (with several models around $100) and Numark, Stanton and Audio-Technia. The Crosley Memory Master CD Recorder ($449) allows you to record the vinyl directly to CD if you want, but it looks like a record player named "grandma."

Those teenagers and 20-somethings discovering the joys of vinyl are both sick of the poor quality sound of digital and want something tactile with their music experiences. They ask how could we have ever put these sweet vinyl albums out to pasture?

Some record companies are back and asking for forgiveness, but others are insisting that they made the right choice.

By the looks of things, they'll be old and broke and out of business in a few years.

Happy Mother's Day vinyl.

This Date In Music History- May 11

In 2003, rock musician Noel Redding, best known for his stint as the bassist of the "Jimi Hendrix Experience," was found dead at his home in Ireland of unknown causes. He is 57.

In 1995, Jimmie Vaughan, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray played a tribute concert to Stevie Ray Vaughan in his hometown of Austin, Texas. All five had played with Vaughan at his last show on August 26, 1990, before he was killed in a helicopter crash.

Bob Marley, the uncontested King of Reggae, died of a brain tumor on May 11, 1981 at the age of 36. Seven months earlier, he had collapsed on stage during a concert in the US. He was given a state funeral and buried near his birthplace in St. Ann's Parish, Jamaica.

Eric Burdon ("Spill The Wine" and leader of the Animals) turns 67. Burdon is one of the most recognizable voices from the British Invasion.

In 1974, Led Zeppelin met with Elvis Presley after the King's concert at the Los Angeles Forum (Robert Plant and Elvis launch into an impromptu rendition of "Love Me").

In 1959, Dave "Baby" Cortez reached the top spot on the Billboard chart with "The Happy Organ.” The song was originally recorded under the name "The Dog and the Cat,” with a vocal track that didn't work out. Cortez then added an organ solo and changed the title.

The Everly Brothers performed for the first time at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry in 1957.

Also in 1957, Buddy Holly & the Crickets auditioned for "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts" TV program, but were rejected.

In 1988, Irving Berlin was serenaded by a crowd singing his songs outside his apartment as he turned 100. New York's Carnegie Hall also paid the composer a gala tribute.

John Lennon appeared on the "Dick Cavett" TV show in 1972 and said that the FBI was tapping his phone as part of a plan to have him deported from the U.S. Imagine, twenty years later, when it’s discovered that was exactly what the government was doing. The Nixon Administration felt Lennon was a dangerous subversive that had to go.

The Byrds made their TV debut in 1965, singing "Mr. Tambourine Man" on NBC's "Hullabaloo.”

In 1968, the Monkees entered the albums chart with “The Birds, the Bees and the Monkees.” Although the album debuts at a disappointing # 80, the next week it would leap to #3.

The soundtrack for the movie "Woodstock" was released in 1970. The album would go gold within two weeks.

Bluegrass great Lester Flatt died in Nashville in 1979. With Earl Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys, the guitarist turned bluegrass music into a worldwide phenomenon.

The Beatles cut "Baby You're a Rich Man" at Olympia Studios in 1967. It marked the first time they've ever recorded outside of Abbey Road.

In 1964, the Rolling Stones were refused lunch at a hotel in Bristol, England, because they were not wearing jackets and ties. Bad boys!

In 1963, the Beatles' debut album, “Please Please Me,” topped the English albums chart. Eight of the 12 tracks were written by Lennon and McCartney, setting a new precedent in rock music for artists writing their own material.

New Record Label Launched

Forest Life Records Celebrates Inaugural Release

Forest Life Records, a young label from the midwest specializing in vinyl, has issued it's first release: a 7 inch vinyl of recent No Sleep Records signees La Dispute. This is the band's final independent release before their upcoming full length, "Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair," out on No Sleep Records November 11, 2008.

Also slated for summer release are a 12 inch vinyl from Valparaiso, Indiana indie band Native and a 7 inch vinyl from Grand Rapids, Michigan's Victor! Fix the Sun (Friction Records). The two bands will be touring the midwest and east coast in support of their respective records in July.

For more information about this exciting new record label, visit:

http://www.myspace.com/forestlife

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Vintage Vinyl Sale Set For Annual Spin

It's that time again when record collectors' hearts start to beat a little faster.

The annual Vintage Vinyl Record Sale, which features thousands of used records, tapes, CDs and used stereo equipment, is fast approaching. The sale takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 17 at Lincoln Square Village in Urbana, Illinois. However, an admission fee of $5 will be charged from 8 to 11 a.m., with free admission from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale closes for one hour then is open from 4 to 6 p.m. with everything at half price.

Like last year's sale, this year's Vintage Vinyl benefits WILL's Illinois Radio Reader, a service that provides news and information to blind and print-handicapped audiences in East Central Illinois.

According to Deane Geiken, director of Illinois Radio Reader, vinyl fans who know what they want will be able to get a jump on the crowds by paying the entrance fee.

"We started with all new stuff this year. None of this was left from last year's sale," he says in a news release.

This year's sale includes a collection of hundreds of 45 rpm records dating from the late '50s to early '70s from a local disc jockey; a collection of Decca 45s, including Louis Armstrong and Count Basie; and a number of Decca 78 rpm records in the blues and jazz genres, according to Matt Kessler, a record collector who is pricing special items for the sale.

Kessler says the sale includes the infamous Leonard Nimoy album, "Outer Space/Inner Mind," almost every Beatles album, most of the Rolling Stones' albums and lots of Jimi Hendrix albums.

"And there's a spoken-word album autographed by the punk singer Jello Biafra," he adds. "It was an amazing thing to find. He's one of the top three American punk singers."

In addition, John Frayne, who is sorting classical records for the sale and is a music reviewer for The News-Gazette, said the classical selection is excellent this year.

"There's a complete French LP pressing of the Patrice Chereau-directed, Pierre Boulez-conducted Wagner Ring set from Bayreuth," Frayne says. "Another gem is a seven-LP set of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau singing Hug Wolf Lieder. It's in mint condition on German Electrola pressings."

WILL is no longer accepting used records or other donated items for the sale.

"Save them for next year," Geiken says.


Source: The News-Gazette http://www.news-gazette.com/

The Doors release box set

THE DOORS will always be remembered as arguably the most iconic group of 1960's and 70's. To this day legions of fans have been inspired by the music that was the soundtrack for a generation. Their iconic frontman, Jim Morrison, their Blues-fused psychedelia, their poetry and lyrics continue to reverberate around the world four decades on.


RHINO RECORDS pays tribute to THE DOORS with the ultimate collectable. Say 'Hello I Love You' to THE DOORS VINYL BOX SET. Clad in faux lizard skin, Rhino's limited edition, seven-disc boxed set contains six 12' 180-gram HQ virgin vinyl reissues of the original stereo mixes of the legendary Jim Morrison-fronted studio albums. The vinyl box also includes a second version of their revolutionary 1967 debut LP pressed in mono. All albums come with their original sleeve and inner artwork.

The lacquers for this special project were cut at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, California under the direct supervision of original Doors producer/engineer Bruce Botnick and Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman. THE DOORS VINYL BOX was also produced in cooperation with surviving band members John Densmore, Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek. This is truly a once in a lifetime collectable for any true Doors fan!

Included in the box set are:

The Doors (1967, presented in both stereo and mono vinyl 12' discs)
Strange Days (1967)
Waiting For The Sun (1968)
The Soft Parade (1969)
Morrison Hotel (1970)
L.A. Woman (1971)

To celebrate the launch of RHINO RECORDS brand new website on the 8th of May, anyone who pre-registers on the website will receive a £5 voucher redeemable against their first order of £20 or over. In addition, the first five hundred orders on the website will receive a limited edition 7' inch single.

So join RHINO RECORDS and their celebration of forty years of the lizard king and the iconic band that defined a generation! Visit www.rhino.co.uk.

Source: Music-News.com - May 9 2008

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 05/03/2008

1) 45rpm - The Ravins "No One Can Take The Place of You" / "Your Love Is What I Want" Demo Ristic - $4,550.00

2) 45rpm - Bruce Spingsteen "Spriit In The Night" / "For You" Columbia - $3,000.00

3) 45rpm - Elvis "Don't" / "Wear Your Ring Around My Neck" Promo DJ RCA - $2,550.35

4) LP - Christmas -self/titled Paragon - $2,348.00

5) LP - Bach Cello Suites Mainardi Eurodisc ED1 - $2,313.00

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 04/26/2008

1) 45rpm - The Combinations "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" / "Goddess Of Love" Kimtone - $4,070.00

2) LP - Abba "Arrival" mother pressing plates - $3,525.00

3) LP - Bruce Springsteen "Born To Run" Acetate - $3,383.00

4) 45rpm - Professionals "That's Why I Love You" / "Did My Baby Call" Groove City - $3,150.00

5) 45rpm - Nirvana "Love Buzz" Sub Pop - $2,600

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 04/19/2008

1) LP - Bob Dylan "John Wesley Harding" Red Vinyl LP - $10,655.55

2) LP - The Bachs "Out of the Bachs" Private Press LP - $8,450.00

3) 12" - Madonna "Like A Virgin" alternative jacket hand crafted by Basquiat - $8,100.00

4) LP - The Savages "Black Scorpio" INDIA Psych - $3,200.00

5) 45rpm - Nirvana "Love Buzz" Sub Pop - $2,950.00

Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales

Week Ending 04/19/2008

1) LP - Bob Dylan "John Wesley Harding" Red Vinyl LP - $10,655.55

2) LP - The Bachs "Out of the Bachs" Private Press LP - $8,450.00

3) 12" - Madonna "Like A Virgin" alternative jacket hand crafted by Basquiat - $8,100.00

4) LP - The Savages "Black Scorpio" INDIA Psych - $3,200.00

5) 45rpm - Nirvana "Love Buzz" Sub Pop - $2,950.00

Friday, May 9, 2008

Milan Records To Release Its Classic Soundtracks

Milan Records To Release Its Classic Soundtracks On 180-Gram LPs
Release Date: May 7th, 2008

Each month Milan Records will release one of its classic soundtracks on double 180-gram LPs featuring beautiful packaging and sound.

Milan Records, having celebrated its 30 year anniversary as a premiere soundtrack label, is proud to announce the launch of its classic and historic soundtrack series on vinyl. The LPs will be packaged in double gatefold jackets and pressed on 180-gram vinyl for optimal sound quality.

The series began in April 2008 with the release of the soundtrack to Guillermo Del Torro’s highly lauded Pan’s Labyrinth. This score was composed by Javier Navarrete and was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Original Score.

In May, Milan Records will release the soundtrack to David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, composed by legendary composer, Angelo Badalamenti. It will be followed by the soundtrack to the Civil War epic, Gettysburg, composed by Randy Edelman.

There are many other projects in the pipeline for 2008 and 2009, such as the soundtracks to City of God, Tsotsi, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and many others….

Titles currently available on double 180-gram LP:


• Pan’s Labyrinth OST – composed by Javier Navarrete (released April 8, 2008)

• Mulholland Drive OST – composed by Angelo Badalamenti (released May 6, 2008)

• Gettysburg OST will be available on June 10, 2008.

• City of God OST will be available on August 26, 2008.


Source:

www.soundtrack.net

Submitted by Jean-Christophe Chamboredon (jc.chamboredon@milanrecords.com)

This Date In Music History- May 9

Birthday wishes to Lou Reed, who was born in 1945.

Grand Ole Opry member and Country Music Hall of Famer Hank Snow turns 83.

Chuck Berry started his first U.K. tour in London in 1964, supported by the Animals, Carl Perkins and the Nashville Teens. (would have loved to be there!)

Billy Joel was born in Hicksville, Long Island, N.Y. in 1949. He receives a Grammy Legends Award in 1990. His three No. 1 hits are "We Didn't Start the Fire" in 1990, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" in 1980 and "Tell Her About It" in 1983.

Richie Furay of Buffalo Springfield and Poco was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1944.
Singer Tommy Roe was born in Atlanta in 1942. His No. 1 hits are "Dizzy" in 1969 and "Shelia" in 1962.

In 2001, James Myers, whose 2-minute, 8-second tune "Rock Around the Clock" is considered the granddaddy of all rock'n'roll songs, died of leukemia at age 81. Myers wrote the song with Max Freedman in 1953. Bill Haley & His Comets recorded it in 1954.

In 1939, Mahalia Jackson popularized one of Thomas Dorsey's greatest compositions, "There Will Be Peace In the Valley."

The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithfull and Donovan all watch Bob Dylan play Royal Albert Hall in London in 1965.

Brian Wilson held his first-ever solo concert, in St. Charles, Illinois in 1998.

In 1974, Rock critic John Landau wrote, "I saw rock 'n' roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen" (Landau later produces and manages Bruce).

Dave Prater of Sam & Dave was born in Ocilla, Georgia in 1937. The group's biggest hit is the 1967 No. 2 song "Soul Man." He died in a car accident on April 9, 1988.

"Hello Dolly," by Louis Armstrong, knocked the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" off the top of the American singles chart in 1964. But at No. 2 was "Do You Want to Know a Secret." And at No. 35 was the Beatles' "Thank You Girl."

Paul Heaton, the singer with the Housemartins and the Beautiful South was born in Birkenhead, England in 1962.

Also in 1962, Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan was born in Epping, England.

Guitarist Nokie Edwards of the Ventures was born in 1939. The surf rockers went to No. 2 in 1960 with "Walk Don't Run."

Sonny Curtis, who started his career playing with Buddy Holly and wrote songs for the Everly Brothers and Hank Williams Jr., was born in Meadow, Texas in 1937.

In 1962, Brian Epstein met with EMI producer George Martin. Martin signed the Beatles to record demos on June 4, 1962. It was their first recording contract.

Tom Petersson, bassist with Cheap Trick, was born in Rockford, Illinois in 1950.

In 1959, 16 year-old Wayne Newton made his Las Vegas debut at the Freemont Hotel. That first booking, scheduled to last two weeks, stretched into three years. Newton went on to become the king of the Vegas showrooms, earning close to $20-million a year.

1970- The Guess Who hit the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 with "American Woman". The song was born by accident when guitarist Randy Bachman was playing a heavy riff on stage after he had broken a string and the band had taken a break. The other members joined in on the jam, and Burton Cummings started singing the first thing that came into his head. A fan in the audience had it all on tape and presented it to the group after the show. It was quickly developed into a full song in the studio and ended up spending 3 weeks at the top of the US singles chart. It made #19 in the UK.

In 1988, several US department stores refuse to stock the newly released Prince album, "Lovesexy" because of its cover photo, which features a nude picture of him.

Irish singer Sinead O'Connor refused to perform on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live in 1990, after shock comedian Andrew Dice Clay was named as the host. Two years later, O'Connor did some shocking of her own when she ripped up a picture of the Pope on the same show. Great career move.

Blues singer/harmonica player Lester Butler, 39, died of a drug overdose in Los Angeles in 1998. Butler gained prominence as the front man for the Red Devils, who played a long residency at the King King in L.A. in the early '90s.

Also in 1998, Puff Daddy and Jimmy Page are musical guests on "Saturday Night Live." The two perform their collaboration "Come To Me," which borrows heavily from Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir."

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Andreas Templin plays Bach

This from andreas-templin.blogspot.com


Andreas Templin's new work "Andreas Templin plays Bach" will premiere May 10th at this year's KunstVlaai A.P.I. Amsterdam. The artwork is a vinyl-record with music of Johann Sebastian Bach and is entirely whisteled by Andreas Templin.

At KunstVlaai a selection of tracks will be available to hear, the cover will be introduced in form of a display and pre-orders for the album will be taken from now on.

The album will be available in an edition of ten plus the album together with display in an edition of five.

The record-cover was photographed by Felix Broede. The album was recorded at the studio of Eric von Robertson in Amsterdam. It is produced with the kind support of Ingken Wagner. The mixing and pre-mastering will be conducted at the studio of Zoy Winterstein. The vinyl-record will be available from beginning June, a record-release party is being planned in Berlin. I would like to thank especially all of the above mentioned persons for their kind support.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

The Wonder Years announce limited vinyl release

The Wonder Years announced their plans to release a new 7" titled "Won't Be Pathetic Forever." The record is set to come out June 10th on No Sleep Records. The band also put up a new song from the 7 inch, "You're Not Salinger. Get over It.", on myspace.

Message From The Band
"The first pressing of the record is limited to 500 copies on orange, brown and purple vinyl and includes hand silk-screened covers that vary in color depending on the color of the vinyl you get. Pre-orders are up now here. Here's what the band had to say about the release: The record begins with the words "head above water this year, boys," and I think thats really what it all boils down to. "Won't Be Pathetic Forever" is all about getting your shit together. It's about DIY touring with your best friends and coming home to an empty town and just moving on in life. We're really proud of these songs and of each other. I think we're just getting to where we need to be, and we'll see you all on tour this summer, June 21st to August 1st with a bunch of dope bands. "My friends and I, we're all fucked on the inside. We don't let it run our lives."

Source: http://www.absolutepunk.net

LAMB OF GOD vinyl album edition of ‘New American Gospel’ now available

Prosthetic Records is pleased to announce the release of the vinyl edition of LAMB OF GOD’s debut album, ‘New American Gospel,’ featuring all 10 songs remastered along with “Nippon,” a bonus track previously only available on Japanese pressings of the record, and three early demo tracks across a double LP gatefold with altered artwork and exclusive poster. The LP edition is limited to 1,000 copies worldwide and is now available here (http://www.indiemerchstore.com/prostheticrecords/?s=&c=88).

Since the 2000 release of ‘New American Gospel,’ LAMB OF GOD has gone on to release ‘As The Palaces Burn’ and the ‘Terror And Hubris’ before signing with Epic Records for the band’s next three albums, ‘Ashes Of The Wake,’ ‘Killadelphia,’ and ‘Sacrament,’ as well as the forthcoming DVD release ‘Walk With Me In Hell,’ as well as several appearances on Ozzfest and hugely successful headlining tours both Stateside and in Europe.

###

Bob Deutsch
Prosthetic Records / Publicity
11664 National Blvd. #413
Los Angeles, CA 90064
P (310) 391.5569
F (310) 391.5593
AIM: BobProsthetic
bob@prostheticrecords.com
www.prostheticrecords.com

This Date In Music History- May 7

In 1958, the Champs performed their No. 1 hit "Tequila" on American Bandstand.

"Don't Leave Me This Way" singer Thelma Houston was born in Leland, Mississippi in 1943.

Johnny Maestro of the Crests ("Sixteen Candles") and the Brooklyn Bridge ("The Worst That Could Happen") turns 69.

Keith ("98.6") is 59.

Jimmy Ruffin ("What Becomes Of The Broken-Hearted") turns 69.

Bill Danoff of the Starland Vocal Band ("Afternoon Delight") is 63.

In 2003, the Who’s Pete Townshend was cleared of possessing child pornography, but was placed on Britain's Sex Offenders Register for five years. The Who guitarist admitted viewing kiddie porn on the Internet while researching child abuse

"Rock Around The Clock" was released by Bill Haley & His Comets in 1955.

Also in 1955, Ray Charles reached the top of the US R&B chart for the first time with "I Got A Woman.”

A judge in Macon, Georgia dismissed a wrongful death suit against Ozzy Osbourne in 1991. A local couple failed to prove their son was inspired to attempt suicide by Ozzy's music.

In 1966, Simon and Garfunkel's "I Am a Rock" entered the Hot 100. In its eleven week chart run, it peaked at #3.

The Mamas and Papas hit #1 in the US with "Monday, Monday" in 1966, a song that the group would later admit that they didn't really like. The record made it to #3 in the UK.

In 1973, George Harrison released "Give Me Love," which became his second #1 single.

Ten weeks after entering the Billboard singles chart in 1977, The Eagles' masterpiece, "Hotel California" became the band's fourth US #1 hit. It made #8 in the UK. The Hotel California album saw the introduction into the band of guitarist and crazy man, Joe Walsh. He traded licks with Don Felder throughout “Hotel California’s” six and a half minutes.

In 1994, Randy Bachman led 1,322 guitarists who had gathered in Vancouver to play Bachman-Turner Overdrive's "Takin' Care of Business", for 68 minutes and 40 seconds. Now that’s what jammin’ is all about!

Eddie Rabbitt, the Country star who crossed over to the Pop chart with "I Love A Rainy Night" and "Drivin' My Life Away", died on May 7th, 1998 of lung cancer at the age of 56. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in East Orange, N.J., Rabbitt took a bus to Nashville in 1968 and came to prominence two years later when Elvis Presley recorded his "Kentucky Rain."

Rudy Maugeri, the baritone voice of the 1950s doo-wop group, the Crew Cuts, died of pancreatic cancer on May 7, 2004, at his home in Las Vegas. He was 73. Taking their name from a popular hair style of the day, the quartet formed in Toronto and went on to have several hits in the US, including the number one "Sh-Boom" in 1954 and the number three "Earth Angel" in 1955.