Saturday, November 15, 2008

This Date In Music History-November 15

Birthdays:

Vocalist Petula Clark, who hit No. 1 with "Downtown" in 1965, turns 76. She also enjoyed 14 other top 40 hits. Clark became the first UK female singer to score a No.1 single in the US with this classic tune.

Anni-Frid Lyngstadt of ABBA ("Dancing Queen") is 63.

C.W. McCall ("Convoy") turns 80.

Pub rock performer Graham Parker was born in East London in 1950. His sole American hit was 1985's "Wake Up (Next to You)."

They Will Be Missed:

Born on this day in 1933, Clyde McPhatter, The Drifters, died on June 13, 1972.

The late Little Willie John ("Sleep") was born in 1937.

Born on this day in 1905, Mantovani, Orchestra leader, he died in March of 1980.

History:

The Jefferson Airplane recorded "Somebody To Love" in 1966.

The first album by Karen and Richard Carpenter, "Offering" was released by A&M Records in 1969. It would not be a big seller, but a single from the LP, a remake of The Beatles "Ticket to Ride", would gain national attention. Their next album, "Close to You" would establish them as major international stars.

"Love Me Tender" with Elvis Presley premiered at New York's Paramount Theatre in 1956. In case you had trouble finding the theater, a 50-foot cardboard effigy of the King was parked outside. Despite critical reaction, it takes in nearly $4 million in just two months.

In 1959, Johnny and The Moondogs (John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison), appeared in the final round of Britain's TV Star Search at The Hippodrome Theatre, Manchester, where they performed "Think It Over" and "It's So Easy.” Judging was done by the volume of applause each group received at the end of the night. Unfortunately, the Moondogs didn't have enough money to stay overnight and were forced to head back to Liverpool before they were called back to stage. Just a hunch but I bet that they would have won.

The Beatles complete their sessions for the legendary LP Rubber Soul in 1965.

The Rolling Stones made their debut on NBC-TV's "Hullabaloo" television show in 1965. The band performed "Get Off My Cloud."

In 1979, Kenny Rogers enjoyed his only solo, US Pop chart number one with "Lady". The Lionel Richie penned tune would also top the Country and Adult Contemporary charts and reach #12 in the UK.

Janis Joplin was arrested in Tampa, FL in 1969 on charges of using "vulgar and indecent language" at a concert. All the charges were eventually dropped.

In 1990, Frank Farian, producer of Milli Vanilli, publicly admitted that Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus never sang a note on the Milli Vanilli album and that they lip-synched when they performed live. Duh!

Jay-Z went to No.1 on the US album chart in 2007 with ‘American Gangster,’ his 10th No.1 album. This made the rapper tied with Elvis Presley for the most No.1 albums on the chart; only the Beatles have had more, with 19. Since 1998, all eight of Jay-Z's solo studio albums hade hit No. 1, in addition to his ‘Collision Course’ project with Linkin Park and his ‘Unfinished Business’ collaboration with R. Kelly.

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