This Week In Music History- April 26-May 2

Sunday April 26

Birthdays:

Duane Eddy - 1938

Maurice Williams - Zodiacs (1938)

Bobby Rydell - 1942

Gary Wright - 1943

Roger Taylor - Duran Duran (1960)

Chris Mars - Replacements (1961)

Joey Jordison - Slipknot (1975)

Jose Antonio Pasillas – Incubus (1976)

Tony Murray - Troggs (1945)

Giorgio Moroder was born in Ortisei, Italy in 1940. The "dugadugadugadugaduga" sound he pioneered on hits by Blondie and Donna Summer remains the backbone of dance music.

John "Buck" Wilkins (Ronny of Ronny & the Daytonas- "GTO") turns 63.

History:

In 1967, Janis Ian, 16, performed "Society's Child" on Leonard Bernstein's CBS special Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution. Although its subject matter of an interracial love affair sees the song banned at some radio stations, Ian's song was in such demand that it jumped into the top 20 shortly afterward.

The original Cast of 'Hair' started a 13-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1969.

"Get Back," credited to the Beatles with Billy Preston, went to #1 on the U.K. singles chart in 1969.

B.J. Thomas had the longest title of a number one song at the top of the "Billboard" popular music chart in 1975. The song was "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song."

Studio 54 opened in New York in 1977.

Electronica godfathers Orbital - brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll - announced they're splitting up in 2004. "Orbital has run its course," says Paul. "We're both pursuing different avenues with our music. And we've been sat, as brothers, in the same room for 15 years now - and studios are always confined spaces - I think it's time for a change."

Jazz bandleader Count Basie died in Hollywood, Florida in 1984 (age 79).

Joe Strummer disappeared for about a month in 1982, causing the Clash to cancel their U.K. tour. Strummer didn’t reappear until May 18, claiming he was suffering from exhaustion and suddenly doubted his punk purpose.

Bruce Springsteen released his 19th album, "Devils and Dust" in 2005. The acoustic flavored set featured songs Springsteen performed live including "The Hitter" and "Long Time Comin'."

TLC member Lisa Lopes was killed in a car accident in La Ceiba, Honduras in 2002 (age 30). Seven other people, including Lopes' brother and sister, who were in the Mitsubishi Montero sports utility vehicle when the crash happened, were taken to a hospital. Lopes who was driving the car when it crashed had spent the past month in Honduras working on various projects including a clothing line, a new solo project and a book.



Monday April 27

Birthdays:

Casey Kasem - Radio announcer, DJ, host ("American Top 40), character voice of Shaggy from Scooby Doo, actor ("Hawaii Five-O") (1932)

Cuba Gooding - 1944

Ann Peebles - 1947

Kate Pierson - B-52's (1948)

Herbie Murrell - The Stylistics (1949)

Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley - KISS, Frehley's Comet (1951)

Sheena Easton - 1959

Marco Pirroni - Siouxsie & the Banshees, Adam & the Ants (1959)

Rob Squires - Big Head Todd & the Monsters (1965)

Travis Meeks - Days of the New (1979)

Born on this day in 1984, Patrick Stump, lead singer, rhythm guitarist, Fall Out Boy.

History:

The late Pete Ham (Badfinger) was born in 1947.

Al Hirt died of liver disease in 1999.

Lloyd Price's "Personality" was released in 1959.

In 1982, Frank Zappa released "Valley Girl." The cut featured the rantings of his daughter Moon Unit Zappa. The song would go on to become his biggest pop hit, reaching #32.

In 1988, Poison released the album "Open Up and Say...Ahh!"

In 1975, during Pink Floyd's five-night stand at the Los Angeles Arena, 511 audience members were busted for smoking marijuana. Is that all?

In 2005, President George W. Bush signs into a law a ruling that anyone pirating music or films on the Internet could face up to three years in jail. Yeah, that will work.

Queensryche released the album "Operation: Mindcrime" in 1988.

John Lennon's "In His Own Write," a collection of funny poems and drawings, was published in the U.S. in 1964.

Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson" was released in 1968.

Opryland opened in Nashville, TN in 1973.

Little Peggy March started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1963 with “I Will Follow Him.”

In Fiji in 2006, Keith Richards was admitted to a hospital after he reportedly suffered a head injury when he fell out of a palm tree.



Tuesday April 28

Birthdays:

Ann-Margret - Singer, actress (1941)

Roland Gift - Fine Young Cannibals (1961)

John Walters - Dr. Hook (1945)

Kim Gordon - Sonic Youth (1953)

History:

The late 1938 Duane Eddy was born in Corning, NY in 1938.

B.W. Stevenson ("My Maria") died in 1988 following heart surgery.

Marshall Tucker Band bass player Tommy Caldwell died of injuries in a car accident in Spartanburg, SC in 1980.

Pre-eminent delta blues singer Charley Patton dies in Indianola, Mississippi in 1934. His appetites for women, liquor, and trouble helped create the persona of the 20th-century bluesman.

Former member of T Rex, Steve Currie was killed in a car crash in 1981, while returning to his home near Vale de Parra, Algarve, Portugal. He was 33 years old. Joined T. Rex (recently renamed from Tyrannosaurus Rex) as bass guitarist in late 1970, also worked as a session player, played on 'Motorbikin' by Chris Spedding

Don Everly's daughter married Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses in 1990 (it lasts nine months).

Pink Floyd's album 'Dark Side Of The Moon' went to #1 on the US chart in 1973. The iconic LP went on to enjoy a record breaking 741 weeks on the chart, selling over 25 million copies world-wide.

In 1940, Glenn Miller recorded "Pennsylvania 6-5000," one of his signature swing numbers.

In 1987, passengers on a plane that was returning to Boston, from Miami, were treated to three rounds of drinks by Ozzy Osbourne and he sang "Crazy Train" over the PA system.

In 2004, George Michael, solo star ("Faith") and half of '80s duo Wham!, was named the most-played artist on British radio over the last two decades by the British Radio Academy.

In 1987, for the first time, a compact disc of an album was released before its vinyl version. The album was "The Art of Excellence" by Tony Bennett.

Sinead O'Connor started a six-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1990 with “I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.”

The Verve announced that the band members had mutually agreed to break up the band in 1999.

In 1999 - Marilyn Manson walked off stage during a concert in Des Moines, Iowa, when he realized that someone had put a large yellow "smiley face" on a stage prop (23 arrests were made in the aftermath).



Wednesday April 29

Birthdays:

Duane Allen - The Oak Ridge Boys (1943)

Tommy James – Shondells (1947)

Francis Rossi - Status Quo (1949)

Mark Kendall -Great White (1958)

Mike Hogan – Cranberries (1973)

Carnie Wilson - Wilson Phillips (1968)

Michael Timmins - Cowboy Junkies (1969)

Carl Gardner - The Coasters (1928)

History:

Songwriter and poet Rod McKuen was born in Oakland, California in 1933. His more than 900 songs include Terry Jacks' 1974 #1 "Seasons in the Sun."

The late Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born in 1899.

Donald Mills - Mills Brothers(1915)

Tammi Terrell - 1945

The late Lonnie Donegan was born in 1931.

Otis Rush - 1934

In 1993, Mick Ronson, genius guitarist and arranger for Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust phase, died of cancer in England. He also played on albums by Bob Dylan, Ian Hunter, Morrissey, and even John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane."

In 1971, Promoter Bill Graham announced he's closing the Fillmores in San Francisco and New York.

Working on tracks for the forthcoming Beatles Abbey Road album in 1969, Ringo Starr added his vocal to 'Octopus's Garden.'

In 1960, Dick Clark told the U.S. House of Representatives that he had never taken payola for the records he featured on his show "American Bandstand."

Aretha Franklin's "Respect" was released in 1967.

The Bee Gees released the album "Main Course" in 1975. The album featured "Jive Talkin'" and "Nights on Broadway."

Van Halen's "Dance The Night Away" single was released in 1979.

In 1980, Black Sabbath began their first tour with Ronnie James Dio as singer.



Thursday April 30

Birthdays:

Willie Nelson 1933

Ben Ayres- Cornershop (1968)

Chris Henderson- 3 Doors Down (1971)

Johnny Farina - Santo & Johnny (1941)

Bobby Vee -1943

Clark Vogeler – Toadies (1969)

J.R. Richards – Dishwalla (1972)

Richard Schoff – Sandpipers (1944)

History:

The late John (Johnny) Horton was born in 1925.

Blues legend Muddy Waters (McKinley Morganfield) died in his sleep at his home in Westmont, Illinois in 1983 (age 68). The Rolling Stones named themselves after Waters' 1950 song 'Rollin' Stone.' Best known songs include 'I Just Want To Make Love To You', 'I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man', 'Got My Mojo Working.'

Zola Taylor of the Platters (and who claimed to be married at one time to Frankie Lymon) died from complications of pneumonia in 2007.

Darrell Sweet (Nazareth) died of a heart attack in 1999 as the band arrived for a show in New Albany, Indiana.

Fats Domino recorded "Walkin' To New Orleans" in 1960.

Charlie Parker made his first commercial recording in 1941 at the Decca studios.
Elvis recorded "Jailhouse Rock" in 1957.

In 1988, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon drops out of the Billboard 200 chart for the first time in 725 weeks. It would be back.

In 1964, The Beatles received a $140,000 royalty check for the use of their name on Beatles Chewing Gum.

In 1976, the Who's drummer Keith Moon paid nine cab drivers to block-off both ends of a New York street so he could throw the contents of his hotel room out of the window.

Led Zeppelin played the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan in 1977. The audience of 77,229 sets a new record for attendance at a single-act concert.

The Beatles' "Help!", "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" were released on compact disc in 1987.



Friday May 1

Birthdays:

Judy Collins - 1939

Chris Kelly - Kris Kross (1978)

Rita Coolidge - 1945

Johnny Colt - The Black Crowes (1966)

Tim McGraw - 1967

D'Arcy Wreztky - Smashing Pumpkins (1968)

Ray Parker Jr. - 1954

Nick Feldman - Wang Chung (1955)

Steve Farris - Mr. Mister (1957)

Phil Smith - Haircut 100 (1959)

History:

Born on this day in 1930, blues artist, Little Walter. First harmonica player to amplify his harmonica giving it a distorted echoing sound (died on February 15th 1968).

The late Harry Belefonte was born in 1927.

The late Sonny James was born in 1929.

Kate Smith, one of the most popular singers of the '20s and '30s was born today in Greenville, Alabama in 1907.

R&B singer/songwriter Titus Turner was born in Atlanta in 1933. His compositions, such as "Leave My Kitten Alone," have been covered by artists including the Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Elvis Costello.

Johnny Paris of Johnny & the Hurricanes ("Red River Rock") died in 2006.

The Kingston Trio formed in 1957.

In 1968, Paul McCartney and John Lennon watched Bill Haley play Royal Albert Hall in London.

Neil Young releases Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere in 1969.

In 1966, the Beatles played their last show for a paying audience in Britain at the NME Poll Winners' Party.

Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu were married in 1967. They were together until 1973.

Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin combined for the first time in 1970 on Elton’s first American album "Elton John".

Paul Simon released his self-titled solo debut album in 1972.

In 1973, Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) released its first LP (self-titled) with former Guess Who guitarist Randy Bachman.

In 1956, Elvis Presley released his album Heartbreak Hotel and single "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" on the same day.

In one of their best-ever publicity stunts, the Rolling Stones announced their Tour of the Americas by playing "Brown Sugar" on the back of a flatbed truck driving down Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in 1975.



Saturday May 2

Birthdays:

John Lee Gardner - Mothers of Invention (1933)

Engelbert Humperdinck ("Release Me") is 73.

Hilton Valentine – Animals (1943)

John Verity - Argent (1944)

Goldy McJohn – Steppenwolf (1945)

Lesley Gore ("Maybe I Know") is 63

"Rudy" Randy Cain - The Delfonics (1945)

Larry Gatlin - Gatlin Brothers (1948)

Lou Gramm – Foreigner (1950)

Joe Callis -Human League (1951)

Bruce Robert Howard - Blow Monkeys (1961)

History:

Session drummer Benny Benjamin died in 1969. One of 'The Funk Brothers' played on many Tamla Motown hits including, The Four Tops, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. The film 'Standing In The Shadows Of Motown' released in 2003 features his work.

Les Harvey (Stone the Crows) was electrocuted on stage in Swansea, Wales in 1972. He died several hours later at the age of 25.

The legendary Bing Crosby was born in 1903.

In 1998, Japanese rock star Hideto Matsumoto was found hanged in the bathroom at his Tokyo apartment and died in hospital a short time later at the age of 33. His funeral, held on May 7th, was attended by over 70,000 people and required 100 police officers, 170 security guards, police boats and helicopters. 21 people were hospitalized for injuries caused by the massive crowd at his funeral.

The late Link Wray ("Rumble") was born in 1929

Barry White suffered a stroke in 2003 (he died two months later).

Ray Peterson recorded "Tell Laura I Love Her" in 1960.

In 1969, the Beatles recorded "Something" (written by George Harrison about Pattie Boyd).

In 1956 - For the first time in "Billboard" chart history - five singles were in both the pop and the R&B top 10. The singles were Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel," Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes," Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally," the Platters' "Magic Touch," and Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers' "Why Do Fools Fall in Love."

Production began on Elvis Presley's "G.I. Blues" in 1960. It was his first post-Army movie.

The Rolling Stones made their second appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in 1965.

In 1979, the Who performed their first concert after the death of Keith Moon. Kenney Jones, formerly of the Faces, was the new drummer.

The Who's movie "Quadrophenia" premiered in London in 1979.

In 1991, Nirvana booked into Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California for 16 days. On a budget of $65,000 and with Butch Vig producing the band started recording what would become the ‘Nevermind’ album.

Police are summoned to a Zales jewelry store in Simi Valley, California in 1989 after an employee notices a suspicious person with a fake moustache and false teeth loitering around. It turned out to be a disguised Michael Jackson, who signed autographs for everybody.