Saturday, August 8, 2009

Classic Rock Videos

Rolling Stones - Not fade away 1964

This Date In Music History-August 8

Birthdays:

Connie Stevens turns 71.

Keith Carradine is 60.

John David - Dr Hook (1942)

Airrion Love – Stylistics (1949)

Andy Fairweather-Low - Amen Corner (1950) As a session guitarist has worked with Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Elton John, Jackson Browne, Bill Wyman, Sheryl Crow and Ringo Starr.

Drummer Anton Fig (1952)

Ali Score - A Flock Of Seagulls (1956)

Dennis Drew - 10,000 Maniacs (1957)

Christopher Foreman – Madness (1958)

Rikki Rockett – Poison (1959)

The Edge (Dave Evans) - U2 (1961)

Scott Stapp – Creed (1973)

Tom Linton - Jimmy Eat World (1975)

Joshua Chasez - *NSYNC (1976)


They Are Missed:

The late Joe Tex was born in 1933. Tex died on August 12, 1982 (age 49).

Cannonball Adderley, the jazz bandleader who charted with "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," died from a stroke in 1975. He was 46.

Born on this day in 1927, Andy Warhol, pop artist and producer, the founder of the Pop Art movement. Produced and managed The Velvet Underground, designed the 1967 Velvet Underground and Nico, 'peeled banana' album cover and The Rolling Stones 'Sticky Fingers' album cover. Warhol died on February 22, 1987 after a gall bladder operation.


History:

Today in 1953, the song "Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You)" by Les Paul & Mary Ford topped the charts and stayed there for 11 weeks.

16-year old Brian Hyland went to #1 on the singles chart in 1960 with the silly cut “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.”



In 1960, Decca Records (UK) scrapped 25,000 copies of Ray Peterson's “Tell Laura I Lover Her” because they felt the song, which recounts the last thoughts of a teenager dying from a car accident, was "too tasteless and vulgar.” A cover version by Ricky Valance, went to #1 on the UK chart a month later.

The Oregon band the Kingsmen released "Louie Louie" in 1963. Many radio stations ban the song when they decide the indecipherable lyrics must be obscene.

The single by The Young World Singers called “Ringo For President” was released in the US in 1964.

Bob Dylan releases his album “Another Side of Bob Dylan” in 1964.

“England’s Newest Hit Makers – The Rolling Stones” peaked at #11 on the US album chart in 1964. The group’s U.S. debut contains a cover of Buddy Holly’s “Not A Fade Away.”

In 1964, Eric Burdon told Billboard the origin of the Animals namesake. He explained it was the group's followers which called them "The Animals" when they were known as the Alan Price Combo. Burdon explains, "[it] was probably an association with the kind of music that we play, earthy and gutty. It's sort of an animal sound, and on stage we can be pretty wild." Also it was on this date that the group's tune "House of the Rising Sun" was released.


On this day in 1966, the Beatles LP Revolver was released in the US, the bands seventh album featured: “Taxman,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “I'm Only Sleeping,” “Here, There and Everywhere,” “She Said She Said,” “And Your Bird Can Sing” and “Tomorrow Never Knows.” It spent 77 weeks on the Billboard chart, peaking at #1. (US release date: August 8, 1966 - UK release date: August 5, 1966)












In 1969, the photo session for the cover of The Beatles 'Abbey Road' album took place on the crossing outside Abbey Road studios. Photographer Iain McMillan, balanced on a step-ladder in the middle of the road took six shots of John, Ringo, Paul, and George walking across the zebra crossing while a policeman held up the traffic. The band then returned to the studio and recorded overdubs on “The End,” “I Want You (She's So Heavy)” and “Oh! Darling.”

CCR's classic cut "Looking Out My Back Door" was released in 1970.

Also in 1970, Janis Joplin bought a headstone for the grave of her greatest influence Bessie Smith at the Mont Lawn Cemetery in Philadelphia. Blues singer Smith died in 1937 after being refused admission to a whites only hospital.

Eric Clapton received a gold record in 1974 for "461 Ocean Boulevard." It's his comeback album and contains his #1 version of "I Shot the Sheriff." The album reached the top of the charts.

Epic Records released Boston's self-titled first album in 1976. The album became the fastest-selling debut ever.

In 1980, the Greater London Council ordered a halt to the plans of American heavy metal, punk-destructo band the Plasmatics to blow up a car onstage tonight. It was the group’s first performance in the U.K. Destructo band? …never heard that one before.

MTV broadcast its first stereo concert in 1981 with REO Speedwagon who performed in Denver, Colorado, having just released the album Hi Infidelity and the hit singles, “Keep On Loving You,” “Take It On the Run” and “Don’t Let Him Go.”

In 1987, U2 scored their second US #1 single from their 'Joshua Tree' album with “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.”



Madonna went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1992 with “This Used To Be My Playground.”

A riot broke out during a Guns N' Roses and Metallica gig at Montreal stadium in 1992when Metallica's show was cut short after singer James Hetfield was injured by pyrotechnics. Guns N' Roses took the stage but frontman Axl Rose claimed that his throat hurt, causing the band to leave the stage early. The cancellation led to a riot by the audience who overturned cars, smashed windows, looted local stores and set fires.

In 1996, Kiss appeared at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati, Ohio on their 192 date Alive World Tour. During this show a fan threw his fake leg on stage, which all the members signed and handed back to him.

In 2005, "Walking in Memphis" singer Marc Cohn was shot in the head during a tour bus-jacking in Denver, but miraculously survived.

KoRn's untitled album was #2 on the Billboard 200 in 2007. The disc sold 123,000 units in its first week of release. This was KoRn's seventh Top 10 album. The string began in '96 with their sophomore effort, "Life Is Peachy."

Long Lost 45 rpm Comes Full Circle

PASCO — It was 1958 when 21-year-old Kenny Baker loaded up his 1956 Chevy convertible and headed for Los Angeles to see if he could cut a record, maybe even get signed by a record company.

The 1955 Kennewick High grad had been writing songs and performing them around town since he was a kid and was ready to chase the big time.

On Thursday, the now 72-year-old Kennewick resident talked about that long-ago journey just before he went on the air as a special guest on Barry "The Bear" Long's Cool FM 97.5 Super Hits of the 60s and 70s radio show.

It was a journey that led to successfully making a record. But then, abruptly, Baker put it all behind him and slipped from the public eye -- until he got a big surprise Thursday.

Baker, who hadn't seen a vinyl 45 copy of his record for almost 50 years, recalls well the year he spent in L.A., the excitement of youth and the chance he got to cut a record that got national attention.

"A friend of mine was living in L.A. attending the Pasadena Playhouse back then, and she called and said I should come down there and see if I could make it in music," he said.

That began a short, but thrilling, ride in the music business.



Read the rest here:

www.thenewstribune.com/

Celebrate Vinyl Record Day

Help to preserve the music and the medium

written by Robert Benson

When Thomas Edison invented the phonograph on August 12, 1877, little did he know just how much influence his “Talking Machine” would have, not only in the music industry, but in pop culture as well. Records are a part of the music of the ages and it is up to us as individuals and retailers, not only to enjoy our favorite recordings, but to preserve them as well; thus Vinyl Record Day was born.

Vinyl Record Day (www.VinylRecordDay.org) is celebrated on August 12th (or the first Saturday following the 12th- this year it is next Saturday Aug 15) and was conceived and brought to the forefront by vinyl enthusiast and vinyl record historian Gary Freiberg. I spoke with Gary about the meaning of Vinyl Record Day and how we can help as individuals and what retailers can do to help preserve this timeless medium and international treasure.

“Vinyl Record Day is about celebrating vinyl records and the public should take notice of this special day. Invite friends and family over for a barbeque, maybe form a block party and play records, think records and talk about records and what they mean to each of us individually and culturally,” explained Gary.

Gary went into further detail, "Whatever the feel good aspects of Vinyl Record Day are, a retailer will ask how will this help my bottom line? Vinyl Record Day can get free publicity, it puts a good face on a business within their community and is a reason to have something special at the location: a parking lot sale, entertainment, store specials are great examples. I would hope the industry would become more involved with Vinyl Record Day so that, not only are the goals of Vinyl Record Day spread, but that people trying to make all or part of their living with vinyl could be part of an industry and not scattered individuals. We need to have a cohesive national impact as the milk industry did with their "Got Milk" campaign. I truly believe that Internet and traditional brick store owners could benefit financially, and in the case of brick store owners, in their communities by being part of Vinyl Record Day. Another important goal of Vinyl Record Day is to preserve the cultural influences, the recordings and the cover art. We also hope to increase awareness that economics prevents companies from transferring everything on to compact discs.”


A very dynamic and immensely important point Gary talked about is that only 5% of our musical history has been transferred to CD, so it is our responsibility to preserve this medium. Maybe your grandfather, sibling or cousin released a record and, although it may have not made the “top ten,” it is our music and some of these wonderful recordings cannot be found anywhere else. For instance, I own a vinyl copy of a Spiro Agnew speech and one of our most revered presidents John F. Kennedy has released several recordings, as have other influential and historical figures.

Additionally, Vinyl Record Day is a nonprofit organization that aims to educate the public and encourage all of us to preserve these international audio treasures. It is also a marketing opportunity for any vinyl record retailer.

“Vinyl Record Day is focused on educating the public, this timeless medium is in our hands, don’t leave the preservation of vinyl to fate. Vinyl records represent historical audio documents and just as we preserve historical literature, we are the custodians of this audio history. Vinyl Record Day is more than one day a year set aside for celebration, it is also for the industry itself,” acknowledged Gary."

We also discussed past celebrations, from the inaugural Vinyl Record Day in San Luis County, California and the international support and attention that Vinyl Record Day receives as well.

“Vinyl Record Day hopes to continue to educate the public on why and how to care for a record collection because these collections are not only a part of who we are individually, but to assure that future generations will not lose a vital link in recorded history,” related Gary.

“We recently got accepted and are under consideration by the USPS for a stamp series that may feature classic album cover art and the history of records. Now we are organizing public support for the stamp series. We encourage, no plead, for the public to do a snail mail letter letting the Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee know you support the stamp series,” said Gary.

As an avid vinyl record collector, I truly enjoyed my conversation with Gary, who is very passionate about the cause. Vinyl Record Day is a nonprofit organization that needs the help of all of us, consumers, collectors, musicians, retailers as well as the record companies. So, as you celebrate Vinyl Record Day this August, think about the history, preservation of the format and enjoyment you receive when listening to your favorite records.

For more information and how you can help as an individual, please visit the website, www.VinylRecordDay.org and let Gary know that you endorse all of his efforts.

(You may even donate your record collection to Vinyl Record Day and you can receive full value as a tax write-off. Vinyl Record Day needs money to promote, not only Vinyl Record Day, but can help retailers in their own business endeavors)

Happy Birthday Abbey Road




Today marks the 40th birthday of one of the most famous photographs of all time - Iain Macmillan's photo of The Beatles on Abbey Road album cover.

Taken on August 8, 1969 on the 'zebra crossing' outside the studio where The Beatles recorded their eleventh studio album, the image was then used on the album cover a month later and it swiftly became entrenched in rock and roll history.

Brian Southall, author of the history of Abbey Road Studios, reveals the cover was based on a Paul McCartney sketch.

“There's a sketch Paul McCartney did with four little stick men crossing the Zebra. It gave a pretty good idea of what they wanted," he said.

Southall continued that Macmillan had an easy time taking the shot: "He stood up a stepladder while a policeman held up the traffic, the band walked back and forth a few times and that was that."

What a simple concept, what a great album cover. Any other band and we wouldn't be having this discussion. Not only is it one of the greatest and most recognizable album covers of all time, it's easily the most parodied be it in music, television, movies, cartoons and more.

Here are some others who seem to have taken a liking to to this iconic cover.






Music News & Notes

The Few Against Many Announces New Album "Sot" Release

Sweden's The Few Against Many, featuring ex-Scar Symmetry singer Christian Älvestam, has issued the following update about the release of their new album:

"The official street release-date for 'Sot', has been set to September 15, 2009, via Pulverised Records. The album will be made available in a Super Jewel Box format and a limited digipack format edition.

"Sot will also receive an exclusive vinyl version edition release, also via Pulverised Records. It will be available in 2 different formats: gatefold-sleeve with black vinyl and as a classic picture-disc vinyl (both formats strictly limited to 250 copies).

THE FEW AGAINST MANY is:

Christian Älvestam - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Patrik Gardberg - Lead Guitar
Anders Edlund - Bass
Pär Johansson - Backing Vocals
Jani Stefanovic - Drums

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/thefewagainstmany.

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No Age to release 'Losing Feeling' 12" EP

No Age have announced a new 12-inch, 4 song EP. The record is titled Losing Feeling and is due out October 6, 2009.

All four songs were written in the band’s practice space. “Genie” was recorded there and three others were recorded at Infrasonic Sound. The record will be available on 12-inch vinyl and digitally but not on CD.

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New Spits LP

Seattle's storied garage punk act the The Spits have released a new full length via Recess Records and Thriftstore Records. The album is their fourth self-titled release, although it carries the unofficial title of Schools Out. Three songs from the record can be streamed online. You can find "Tonight," "Live in a Van," and "Police" over at MySpace.

The band is touring in suport of the full length. kicking off from their hometown on August 27th and wrapping up on the east coast on mid-September.

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Scorngrain Completes New Album, "Utopia.Paranoia.Perversions," and Announces New Lineup

Finnish industrial thrash metal band, Scorngrain, has issued the following update:

"After long period of recordings, our third album is finally ready. The work was done at several locations by ourselves during the spring. Drums, mixing and finishing touches were made at studio Guru in Joensuu. We all feel it's more personal in many ways than ever before.

The result is what were looking for; extreme metal with real industrial touch in it. More crunch in sound, catchy compositions and best production so far."

"Release date for the album isn't decided yet due to cancellation of our first live through Europe but we all hope that 'Utopia.Paranoia.Perversions!' will be released on late autumn."

"There's also some changes in line-up. Our long time friend and outstanding guitarist Seba Forma also known as A.I. is no longer a part of Scorngrain. We all wish him good luck with his thrash assault Axegressor! The new starring string slinger Mr. Lukinmaa will take his seat at high court of our industrial inferno. Sigle song will appear on our myspace and new web-hospice soon, stay tuned!"

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HOSS and Supersuckers release split vinyl Christmas record


Yeah, yeah, I know it's only August, but these two bands just cut a limited-edition, split 10" vinyl on July 30 to celebrate Christmas in July. The record features two songs each from the bands, "Call It Christmas Time" and "A Good Night For My Drinkin'" by the Supersuckers, and "Merry Christmas Dad" and "Santa Loves Black Sabbath" from HOSS.

"The Supersuckers already had a couple of Christmas songs in the can, and when we heard that, we knew we had to write a couple of Christmas songs of our own to match," explained Tommy Ray of HOSS. "Also, it's a 10-inch record, which makes it extra special. I have a 10 inch that Cheap Trick put out years ago, and I always thought it was the coolest just for how unique it is. This one is extra unique in that it is green-red-and-white-snowflake-colored vinyl! No two records are exactly alike. To be honest though, the 10-inch record wasn't the original plan, it just turned out that one of the songs I wrote was amazingly long, and wouldn't fit on a 7-inch!"

I love vinyl!

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BELPHEGOR - reveal cover artwork

Musical extremists BELPHEGOR have just revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming opus "This Black / Death gem will see the light of day October 9th courtesy of Nuclear Blast.