This Date In Music History-May 24

Birthdays:

Patti LaBelle (1944)

Rosanne Cash (1955)

Born in 1941, Robert Zimmerman, (Bob Dylan). Dylan has released over 40 albums since 1964 and was a major influence on The Beatles and The Rolling Stones during the 60's. Biggest hit was 1965’s #2 single “Like A Rolling Stone.”

Derek Quinn - Freddie and the Dreamers (1942)

Steve Upton - Wishbone Ash (1946)

Albert Bouchard - Blue Oyster Cult (1947)

Rapper Heavy D (1967)

Alessandro Cortini - Nine Inch Nails (1976)

Rich Robinson - Black Crowes (1969)


They Are Missed:

In 1963, Elmore James, legendary blues guitarist and singer died of a heart attack (age 45). Known as "The King of the Slide Guitar,” James influenced such artists as Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Keith Richards. More than 400 blues musicians attended his funeral.

Composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington, died of lung cancer and pneumonia in 1974 (age 75). Worked with Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday. Awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966.

Founder member of The Byrds Gene Clark died of a heart attack in 1991 (age 49). Wrote The Byrds hits “I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better,” and “Eight Miles High.”


History:

The Beatles recorded the first of their very own BBC radio program, "Pop Go the Beatles" in 1963. The theme song for the program was a version of "Pop Goes the Weasel.” The Beatles' guests for this first show were the Lorne Gibson Trio.

"Shining Star,” from Earth, Wind & Fire's “That's the Way of the World,” reached #1 on Billboard's singles chart in 1975. It earned the first of many Grammys for the group, winning Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group.

In 1991, Guns n' Roses played the first show on their 192-date “Use Your Illusion” world tour at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, Wisconsin.

The Spice Girls went to #1 on the US album chart in 1997 with “Spice,” making them only the third all girl group to do so after The Supremes and The Go-Go's and the first ever UK girl group to do so.

In 2003, Paul McCartney made his first ever live performance in Russia when he appeared in-front of 20,000 fans in Red Square. Yes, he performed “Back In The U.S.S.R” even though the U.S.S.R. no longer existed.

Patrons looking to buy tickets to Genesis' benefit show at L.A.'s Roxy in 1979 were surprised to find the band itself manning the box office. Proceeds from the show go to local hospitals.

In 1986, Peter Gabriel released "Sledgehammer" with an acclaimed and innovative claymation video. The single hits #4 in the UK and #2 in the US.

The Guess Who made their American TV debut on "American Bandstand" in 1969.

In 1982 - Jefferson Starship, the Grateful Dead, Boz Scaggs, and Country Joe McDonald played at San Francisco's Moscone Center to raise money for the Vietnam Veterans Project.

Hanson, three brothers who write and play their own music, hit #1 in 1997 for 4 weeks with "MMMBop".

“Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End” opened in 2007. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards plays the father of Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp's role). “(It was) just something to do," says Richards. "I don't know if I can really pull it (off) or not." Richards sees similarities between being a pirate and life in a rock group. "Both are ways to make a good dishonest living.”

David Bowie broadcasts the sessions for the song “What’s Really Happening” over the Internet in 1999. The song is co-written by Alex Grant, the winner of a songwriting contest.