This Date In Music History-October 15

Birthdays:

Mickey Baker of Mickey & Sylvia ("Love Is Strange") turns 84.
Barry McGuire - "Eve Of Destruction" (1935)
Don Stevenson - Moby Grape (1942)
Richard Carpenter - The Carpenters (1946)
English balladeer Chris DeBurgh (1948)
Tito Jackson - Jackson Five (1953)
Dave Stead - Beautiful South (1966)
Ginuwine (1970)


They Are Missed:

Born on this day in 1938, Marv Johnson, who's recording of Berry Gordy's song "Come To Me" became Motown Records first ever-single release in May 1959. Johnson died on May 16, 1993.

The late Barry Sadler ("Ballad Of The Green Berets") was born in 1943.

Freddy Fender ("Before The Next Teardrop Falls") died of lung cancer in 2006.

Terry Gilkyson ("Marianne") died from complications of an aneurism in 1999.

The great songwriter Cole Porter died in 1964.

Founding member of the Moonglows vocalist Bobby Lester died in 1980 (age 50).


History:

In 1955, Buddy & Bob (Buddy Holly) opened for Elvis Presley at the “Big D Jamboree”, held at Lubbock’s Cotton Club, Texas. Nashville talent scout Eddie Crandall was in audience and arranged for Holly to audition and record demos for the Decca US label.

Little Richard recorded "Good Golly Miss Molly" in 1956.

Jackie Wilson recorded "Lonely Teardrops" in 1958.

In 1960, the Beatles (minus Pete Best) and two members of Rory Storm's Hurricanes (Ringo Starr and Lou Walters) recorded a version of George Gershwin's ‘Summertime’ in a Hamburg recording studio. The track which was cut onto a 78-rpm disc marked the first session that included John, Paul, George, and Ringo together.

Elvis Presley recorded "Good Luck Charm" in 1961.

Jimi Hendrix signed his first recording contract in 1965, he received $1 and a 1% Royalty on all of his recordings.

The Four Tops started a two week run at #1 in 1966 with "Reach Out And I'll Be There."

The Monkees cut "I'm A Believer" in 1966.

Led Zeppelin played their first gig under that name at Surrey University in England in 1968. The band was formerly known as the New Yardbirds before the Who's Keith Moon suggested the band would "go down like a lead zeppelin."

'Hot Rats,' a largely instrumental solo album by Frank Zappa, was released in 1969. It contains one of his signature compositions, "Peaches En Regalia."

In 1971, fifties teen idol Rick Nelson was booed when he performed new material at an oldies show at Madison Square Garden. As a result of the experience, he wrote "Garden Party" which makes it to #6 in October 1972.



In 1973, the Supreme Court decides by a 7-2 vote to refuse to review a 1971 Federal Communications directive that broadcasters, in effect, censor from the airwaves songs with drug-oriented lyrics. The two dissenting votes are cast by Justices William J. Brennan and William O. Douglas, who say, "The government cannot, consistant with the First Admendment, require a broadcaster to censor its music."

Ike & Tina Turner dissolved their 19 year-old business partnership in 1976. Their divorce was finalized several months later. Ike’s drug problems eventually landed him in prison. Tina has a successful solo career.

Paul Simon's "Slip Slidin' Away" was released in 1977.

Fleetwood Mac released their album, "Rumours" in 1977.

Today in 1977, the song "You Light Up My Life" by Debbie Boone topped the charts and stayed there for an amazing 10 weeks.

In 1988, Bon Jovi started a four-week run at #1 on the album chart with "New Jersey."

Also in 1988, UB40 went to #1 on the US singles chart with their version of the Neil Diamond song "Red Red Wine," also a #1 hit in the UK.

In 1994, R.E.M. entered the US album chart at #1 with "Monster," the bands 11th #1.

Mariah Carey started a four week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1995 with "Daydream," the singers sixth album release.

Radiohead went to #1 on the US album chart in 2000 with "Kid A," the group's fourth album which was also a UK #1.

In 2006, the legendary New York Punk Rock club CBGB (Ramones, etc.) has its final show after an incredible 33 year run. Patti Smith, who played her first show at CBGB in February ‘75, performs. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, bassist, Flea, and Television guitarist Richard Lloyd also appear. CBGB closes some 14 months after a dispute with its landlord, the Bowery Residents' Committee, left the club without a new lease.

The Beatles To Bowie: The '60s Exposed, an exhibition of never-before-seen images of The Beatles, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and the Kinks, opened at the National Portrait Gallery in London in 2009. The collection has150 photographs and runs for three months. The opening also commemorated the 40th anniversary of David Bowie's "Space Oddity."