Monday, October 19, 2009

This Date In Music History-October 19

Birthdays:

George McCrae (1944)
Jeannie C Riley (1945)
Patrick Simmons - Doobie Brothers (1945)
Keith Reid - Procol Harum (1946)
Wilbert Hart - Delfonics (1947)
Nino DeFranco - DeFranco Family (1956)
Karl Wallinger - Waterboys (1957)
Dan Woodgate - Madness (1960)
Texan soul singer Jennifer Holliday (1960)
Todd Park Mohr - Big Head Todd and the Monsters (1965)
Michel, Pras - The Fugees (1972)
Pete Loeffler - Chevelle (1976)


They Are Missed:

Moses Asch, founder of the Folkways record label, died in 1986 (age 80). The legendary label released records by Woody Guthrie, John Cage, and even the Fugs.

Blues great Son House (real name Eddie James House, Jr.) died in Detroit, MI in 1988.

Born today in 1944, Peter Tosh, guitar, vocals, The Wailers. Tosh was murdered by burglars at his home on September 11, 1987.

Alan Murphy, guitarist with Level 42, died of pneumonia related to aids in 1989. Murphy also worked with Kate Bush, Go West and Mike & the Mechanics.

African-American jazz trumpeter Don Cherry died of liver failure in 1995 (age 58). Developed the genre of world fusion music, incorporating influences of Middle Eastern, traditional African, and Indian music into his playing. Is the stepfather to singer’s musicians Neneh Cherry and Eagle-Eye Cherry.

Guitarist Glen Buxton died from pneumonia in 1997 (age 49). Member of the Alice Cooper Band, he co-wrote their hits "School's Out" and "Elected."


History:

A sixteen-year-old Ritchie Valens made his performing debut in 1957 with a nine-piece group called the Silhouettes.

Brenda Lee cuts the seasonal standard “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 1958. It failed to chart upon its initial release but does make the charts as a re-release in three subsequent Decembers: 1960 (#14), 1961 (#50) and 1962 (#59).

The Beatles recorded "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" in 1963.

The Yardbirds arrived in New York for their first US tour in 1966, with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page on lead guitars. Two days later, Beck left the tour and the band, and went on to form a new group with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.

Tamla-Motown released Smokey Robinson & the Miracles "I Second That Emotion" in 1967. The record climbs to #4 on the pop chart and #1 on the R&B, making it their biggest hit since "Shop Around" in 1960.

In 1967, the Beatles finished guitar and vocal parts for their next single "Hello Goodbye" at Abbey Road studio’s London.

In 1968, at the invitation of Small Faces singer/guitarist Steve Marriott, singer/guitarist Peter Frampton of the Herd joins the Small Faces during a performance in London. This sets the stage for Humble Pie, the group Marriott and Frampton leave their respective groups to form.

Led Zeppelin II was released in 1969.

David Bowie released "Pin Ups" in 1973, a collection of mid-Sixties song covers. Posing next to Bowie on the cover is model Twiggy.

Bachman Turner Overdrive went to #1 on the US album chart in 1974 with "Not Fragile."

Billy Preston went to #1 in 1974 with "Nothing From Nothing," the singers second and last #1.



Damn the Torpedoes, the long-awaited third album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, was released in 1979. A rock and roll milestone, it yields two hit singles – “Don’t Do Me Like That” (#10) and “Refugee” (#15) – and the classic-rock tracks “Here Comes My Girl” and “Even the Losers.”

Prince's second album "Prince" was released in 1979.

A-Ha went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1985 with "Take On Me," making them the first Norwegian group to score a US #1.

Pearl Jam released their second album Vs. in 1993, it topped the chart the following week.

Nirvana were at #1 on the US album chart in 1995 with "The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah."

Ludacris was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with "Chicken and Beer’ the rappers first US #1.

“Words & Music: John Mellenccamp’s Greatest Hits” was released in 2004. The set covers Mellencamp’s career from 1979 - 2004, with two new songs, "Walk Tall" and "Thank You" (both produced by Mellencamp and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds).

In 2004, Artemis Records issued a tribute to the late Warren Zevon, "Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon." The album features Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Don Henley and The Pixies. "Studebaker" is performed by Zevon`s son, Jordan and Jakob Dylan.

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