Wednesday, May 20, 2009

This Date In Music History-May 20

Birthdays:

Busta Rhymes (1972)

Patti Russo, American singer/songwriter/actress (1964) Best known as the female lead vocalist with Meat Loaf.

Brian Nash - Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1963)

Nick Heyward - Haircut 100 (1961)

Steve George - Mr Mister (1955)

Jimmy Henderson - Black Oak Arkansas (1954)

Warren Cann – Ultravox (1952)

Sue Cowsill – Cowsills (1960)

Jill Jackson - Paul and Paula (1942)

Joe Cocker was born in Sheffield, England in 1944.

Born on this day in 1946, Cherilyn Sarkasian, better known as Cher.

1958 Jane Weidlin - Go-Gos (1958)


They Are Missed:

Rudy Lewis of The Drifters died in 1964 (age 28) under mysterious circumstances the night before the group was set to record “Under the Boardwalk.” Former Drifters backup singer Johnny Moore was brought back to perform lead vocals for the recording session.

Born on this day in 1947 Steve Currie, T Rex (died on 28th April 28, 1981).

The late Teddy Randazzo ("The Way Of A Clown" and writer of seven of Little Anthony's hits) was born in 1930.


History:

In 1960, Johnny & the Moondogs changed their name to the Silver Beetles for their first tour of Scotland, backing pop singer Johnny Gentle. The Silver Beetles were made up of John Lennon, Paul Ramon, Carl Harrison, and Stuart de Stael. The last three are actually pseudonyms for Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Stuart Sutcliffe.

Legendary DJ Alan Freed was indicted for allegedly receiving payola from six record companies in 1960. He would later get a $300 fine.

In 1988, Priscilla Presley held a press conference to deny that Elvis was still alive. He did leave the building (earth) after all….

The #1 R&B single in America today in 1967 was Aretha Franklin's "Respect."
In 1998, Bob Dylan was among those attending a funeral mass for Frank Sinatra in Beverly Hills, California. In a statement, Dylan said, "Right from the beginning, he was there with the truth of things in his voice. His music had an influence on me, whether I knew it or not. He was one of the very few singers who sang without a mask. It's a sad day." Other mourners in attendance included: Tony Bennett, Faye Dunaway, Tony Curtis, Liza Minnelli, Kirk Douglas, Angie Dickinson, Sophia Loren, Bob Newhart, Mia Farrow and Jack Nicholson.

Tool were at #1 on the US album chart in 2006 with “10,000 Days” their second #1 album.

Paula Abdul started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1989 with “Forever Your Girl,” her second US #1 (a #24 hit in the UK).

Paul McCartney went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1978 with the cut “With A Little Luck,” his sixth solo US #1.

The Beatles, armed with a bunch of new songs after their visit to India, met at George Harrison's home in Esher, Surrey in 1968. They taped 23 new songs on George's 4-track recorder, many of which would end up on The Beatles' next two albums, (the White Album) and Abbey Road. The demos included: “Cry Baby Cry,” “Revolution,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Blackbird” and “Child of Nature” (a Lennon song that became “Jealous Guy”).

Bill Haley and the Comets' "Rock Around the Clock" was released in 1954. It was not successful until it was re-released in 1955 on the soundtrack to "Blackboard Jungle."

Jimi Hendrix signed his first American record contract with Reprise Records in 1967.

"Let It Be," the film by The Beatles, premiered worldwide in 1970.

George Harrison visited the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for the first time in 1967.

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