This Date In Music History-June 17

Birthdays:

Barry Manilow - (born Barry Alan Pincus in 1946) Has scored over 25 US Top 40 singles selling over 75 million records worldwide.

Chris Spedding - session guitarist (1944) Worked with Donovan, David Essex, Lulu, Dusty Springfield, Jack Bruce, Eno (Among others)

Kevin Thornton - Color Me Bad (1969)

Norman Kuhlke - The Swinging Blue Jeans (1942)

Greg Rolie - Santana (1947)

Paul Young - Mike and the Mechanics (1947)

Michael Monroe - Hanoi Rocks (1962)

Jello Biafra - Dead Kennedys (1958)

Philip Chevron – Pogues (1957)

Dickie Doo - Dickie Doo and The Don'ts (1939)


They Are Missed:

Kate Smith, whose voice graced the epic song "God Bless America," died in 1986 at age 79.

Bassist and Soul Asylum founding member Karl Mueller died from throat cancer complications in 2005.

Country legend Red Foley (June 17, 1910 – September 19, 1968)


History:

In 1980, Led Zeppelin launched a short three-week European tour that turned out to be their last.

Russian electronics genius Leon Theremin developed the first synthesizer in 1920.

In 1955, after a month of booking gigs in larger venues in Dallas and Houston, Colonel Tom Parker arranged a meeting with Elvis Presley's manager, Bob Neal, resulting in an agreement that saw the Colonel handle Presley's gigs and career strategy from now on.

Working at Abbey Road studios in London in 1965, the Beatles completed work on the new Paul McCartney song “Yesterday” with the overdubbing of an additional vocal track by McCartney and a string quartet. They also recorded “Act Naturally” for Ringo's vocal contribution on the “Help!” album and the song “Wait,” in four takes. “Wait” will not be included on “Help!” it was included on the following LP, “Rubber Soul.”

The Kinks and the Moody Blues made their US concert debuts at the Academy of Music in New York City in 1965.

The Hollies' "Carrie Ann" was released in 1967.

Steve Winwood released his first solo album, "Steve Winwood" in 1977.

The Elvis Presley/Ann-Margret film, "Viva Las Vegas" opened in 1964. I thought it was called "Viva Viagra," maybe I watch too much TV.

In 1972, the Rolling Stones album “Exile On Main Street” started a four-week run at the top of the US charts (also #1 in the UK).

Bruce Springsteen's “Born in the U.S.A.” was released in 1984. It became one of the biggest albums of the Eighties, remaining at #1 for seven weeks and selling more than 15 million copies. I t also launches seven Top Ten singles: "Dancing in the Dark" (#2), "Cover Me" (#7), "Born in the U.S.A." (#9), "I'm On Fire" (#6), "Glory Days" (#5), "I'm Goin' Down" (#9) and "My Hometown" (#6).

In 1978, Andy Gibb became the first solo artist in the history of the US charts to have his first three releases reach #1, when “Shadow Dancing” hit the top of the chart. Spending seven weeks at #1, it became the best selling single in the US in 1978.

Carole King went to #1 on the US album chart in 1971 with “Tapestry” for the first of 15 consecutive weeks. The album contained “It's Too Late,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” and “You've Got a Friend.”

Big Brother and the Holding Company performed a show-stopping set on the second day of the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967. Vocalist Janis Joplin became an overnight sensation.

In 1967, CBS Records released 5 Moby Grape singles concurrently. Although this concept worked for The Beatles, all it did this time was buy the group a lot of criticism and accusations of hype.

In 1973, Dolly Parton recorded hit “I Will Always Love You” in RCA's Studio "B" in Nashville. The song was written for her one-time partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner.