This Date In Music History-July 13

Birthdays:

Roger McGuinn – Byrds (1942)

Stephen Jo Bladd - J Geils Band (1942)

R&B vocalist Gerald Levert (1966)

Cheech Marin of Cheech & Chong turns 63.


They Are Missed:

In 2004, New York Doll`s bassist Arthur Kane passed away after checking himself in to a Los Angeles emergency room, complaining of fatigue. He was quickly diagnosed with leukemia, and died within two hours. He was 55. The influential American band formed in 1972 and made just two albums, the 1973 “New York Dolls” and 1974 “Too Much Too Soon.” "Kane`s bass playing and presence were the heart and soul of the New York Dolls and the secret ingredient of our sound,” said Dolls frontman David Johansen.

Philippe Wynne, a former lead singer of the Spinners, died of a heart attack in 1984 while on stage in Oakland, CA.


History:

In 1959, "I've Only Got Eyes for You," the Flamingos' biggest hit (#3 R&B, #11 pop), entered the charts. It is among the most sublime performances of the doo-wop era.

Today in 1959, the song "Lonely Boy" by Paul Anka topped the charts and stayed there for 4 weeks.

The Shirelles' "Dedicated To The One I Love" was released in 1959.

The Animals went to #1 on the UK singles chart in 1964 with “The House Of The Rising Sun.” Recorded in one take, this was the first UK #1 to have a playing time of more than four minutes.

Steppenwolf released the epic cut “Born To Be Wild” in 1968.



In 1969, over 100 US radio stations banned the Beatles new single “The Balled Of John and Yoko” due to the line ‘Christ, you know it ain't easy,’ calling it offensive.

In 1968, Black Sabbath played their first gig at a small backstreet Blues club in Birmingham, England.

Queen released their self-titled debut album in 1973.

George McCrae started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with “Rock Your Baby,” his only US #1 (also #1 in the UK). Regarded by some as the first Disco #1.

Eric Clapton released his hit version of "I Shot the Sheriff" in 1974.

In 1978, the BBC announced a ban on The Sex Pistols' latest single “No One Is Innocent,” which featured vocals by Ronnie Biggs, the British criminal notorious for his part in the Great Train Robbery of 1963. At the time of the recording, Biggs was living in Brazil, and was still wanted by the British authorities, but immune from extradition.

In 1985, the Live-Aid concerts took place in Philadelphia, PA, and London, England.

Duran Duran’s “View To A Kill,” from the James Bond movie of the same name, began a two-week stay at #1 on the U.S. singles chart in 1985.

Tears For Fears went to #1 on the US album chart in 1985 with “Songs From The Big Chair.”

In 1987, representatives of fifty of America's largest record retailers were guests at Michael Jackson's home in Encino, California to preview his new album, “Bad.” The LP would go on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide.

In 1994, Elton John and Billy Joel teamed up for a joint tour for the first time. The union of two piano-playing rock and roll superstars virtually guarantees sellouts.

In 1996, over 2,000 guitar players, including Chet Atkins and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, set a new world record for the largest jam session ever when they played “Heartbreak Hotel” for 75 minutes at Nashville's Riverfront Park. The previous record was set in Vancouver, Canada on May 7th, 1994, when Randy Bachman led 1,322 amateur guitarists in a performance that lasted 68 minutes.