Friday, July 3, 2009

This Date In Music History-July 3

Birthdays:

Kevin Hearn - Barenaked Ladies (1969)

Martyn Walsh - Inspiral Carpets (1968)

Taylor Dayne (1962)

Vince Clarke - Depeche Mode (1960)

Stephen Pearcy – Ratt (1956)

Mike Corby – Babys (1955)

Damon Harris – Temptations (1950)

Paul Barrere - Little Feat (1948)

Country singer Johnny Lee (1946)

Judith Durham – Seekers (1943)

Fontella Bass (1940)

Clarinetist Pete Fountain was born in 1930.


They Are Missed:

In 1969, Brian Jones drowned while under the influence of drugs and alcohol after taking a midnight swim in his pool (age 27). The coroner's report stated "Death by misadventure,” and noted his liver and heart were heavily enlarged by drug and alcohol abuse. Jones was one of the founding members of The Rolling Stones.

Born on this day in 1930, Tommy Tedesco, American session guitarist. Described by "Guitar Player" magazine as the most recorded guitarist in history recording with The Beach Boys, Everly Brothers, The Supremes, The Monkees, The Association, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Zappa, Sam Cooke, Cher, and Nancy and Frank Sinatra. Died on Nov 10, 1997.

Singer, songwriter and poet, Jim Morrison of The Doors was found dead in a bathtub in Paris, France in 1971, the cause of death was given as a heart attack. He co-wrote some of the group's biggest hits, including “Light My Fire,” “Love Me Two Times,” and “Love Her Madly.”

Blues singer, guitarist Mississippi Fred McDowell died of cancer in 1972 (age 68). He coached Bonnie Raitt on slide guitar technique.

Born today in 1929, David Lynch, The Platters (died of cancer on January 2, 1981).

Singer, songwriter Johnny Russell died in 2001 (age 61). Wrote “Act Naturally” covered by The Beatles and Buck Owens. Jim Reeves, Jerry Garcia, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt all covered his songs.

Born on this day in 1957, Laura Branigan, US singer, died of a brain aneurysm Aug 26, 2004.

Boots Randolph ("Yakety Sax") died in 2007.

Colin Cooper, lead singer of the Climax Blues Band, died of cancer in 2008.


History:

In 1952, The Flamingos formed in Chicago as a quintet comprising cousins Jake and Zeke Carey (who sing bass and tenor, respectively), Paul Wilson (baritone), Johnny Carter (tenor) and lead singer Earl Lewis (who was quickly replaced by Sollie McElroy).

In 1955, Bill Haley's "Rock Around The Clock" reached #1 on the Billboard charts and the rock era began in earnest.

A private party was held at the Speakeasy Club in London in 1967 for the Monkees. Guests included: John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Dusty Springfield, Eric Clapton, Lulu and all the members from Manfred Mann, The Who and Procol Harum.

In 1969, James Brown, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Sly and the Family Stone, Jeff Beck, Savoy Brown, Johnny Winter, Jethro Tull, Buddy Guy Blues Band, Mothers Of Invention and Ten Years After all appeared at the four day US Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island.

The three-day Atlanta Pop Festival took place in 1970, featuring The Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull, Johnny Winter, Mountain, Procol Harum and Rare Earth. The crowd of 200,000 heard Jimi Hendrix play his version of "The Star Spangled Banner." Two days later, Georgia Governor Lester Maddox said he would seek legislation banning rock festivals in the state.

Wrapping up a sixty-show tour at London’s Hammersmith Odeon Theater in 1973, David Bowie announced his retirement. Later he amends that saying the Ziggy Stardust persona has been retired, not Bowie. He’s back in action in less than a year.

Brian Wilson played his first live show with The Beach Boys in seven years when they appeared at the Anaheim Stadium, California in 1976.

The Human League started a three week run at #1 on the US singles charts in 1982 with “Don't You Want Me,” also a UK #1.

The Stray Cats “Built for Speed” and Men at Work's “Business as Usual” entered the album charts in 1982. The albums became two of the biggest selling albums of that year. The Stray Cats have 2 big hits, "Rock This Town" and "Stray Cat Strut" while Men at Work hit with "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under."

In 1995, Courtney Love's request to spread the ashes of late husband Kurt Cobain was rejected by Seattle's Lake View Cemetery, who say they've already got their hands full with people wanting to see Bruce and Brandon Lee's gravesites.

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