Monday, May 24, 2010

This Date In Music History - May 24

Birthdays:

Robert Zimmerman (Bob Dylan) (1941)



Derek Quinn - Freddie and the Dreamers (1942)

Patti LaBelle (1944)

Priscilla Presley (1945)

Dave Peacock - Chas & Dave (1945)

Steve Upton - Wishbone Ash (1946)

Albert Bouchard - Blue Oyster Cult (1947)

Rosanne Cash (1955)

Guy Fletcher - Dire Straits, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry (1960)

Vivian Trimble (Luscious Jackson) - (1963)

Heavy D (1967)

Rich Robinson - Black Crowes (1969)

Tommy Page (1969)

Alessandro Cortini - Nine Inch Nails (1976)


They Are Missed:

Elmore James US blues guitarist, singer, died of a heart attack in 1963 (age 45). Wrote "Shake Your Money Maker," covered by Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Known as "The King of the Slide Guitar." James influenced Jimi Hendrix, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Keith Richards.



Composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington, died of lung cancer and pneumonia in 1974 (age 75). Worked with Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday. Awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966. In 2009 the United States Mint launched a new coin featuring Duke Ellington on the reverse side of the coin.

Founder member of the Byrds, Gene Clark died of a heart attack in 1991 (age 49). Wrote The Byrds hits "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" and "Eight Miles High," member of McGuinn, Clark and Hillman and solo.


History:

The Beatles recorded the first of their very own BBC radio program, "Pop Go the Beatles" in 1963. The theme song for the program was a version of "Pop Goes the Weasel." The Beatles' guests for this first show were the Lorne Gibson Trio.

Captain Beefheart appeared at the Whisky a Go Go. West Hollywood, California in 1966. Supported by Buffalo Springfield and The Doors.

The Beatles with Billy Preston started a five week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1969 with "Get Back," the group's 17th US #1.

The Guess Who made their American TV debut on "American Bandstand" in 1969.

Surprisingly, the Hollywood Festival is not in L.A. The 1970 U.K. event featured Traffic, the Grateful Dead and Free. But the breakout performance comes from Black Sabbath.

Peter Green played his last gig with Fleetwood Mac when they appeared at the Bath Festival, Somerset, England in 1970.

Earth Wind and Fire went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1975 with "Shining Star," the group's first and only US #1.

 

In 1980, Genesis fans turning up at the Roxy Club box office in Los Angeles to buy tickets for a forthcoming gig were surprised to find the band members Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford selling the tickets themselves.

In Hamburg, Germany in 1980, a battle between The Clash and the audience resulted in Joe Strummer’s arrest. He had struck one audience member in the head with his guitar.

In 1982 - Jefferson Starship, the Grateful Dead, Boz Scaggs, and Country Joe McDonald played at San Francisco's Moscone Center to raise money for the Vietnam Veterans Project.

The Monkees "reunion" tour (minus Mike Nesmith) began at the Concord Hotel in the Catskills of New York in 1986.

In 1991, Guns n' Roses played the first show on their 192-date 'Use Your Illusion' world Tour at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, Wisconsin.

In 1992, police in Montgomery were called when an impostor posing as Steve Miller left a hotel owing a $600 unpaid bill, he did however leave a $73 tip on a $8 drinks bill.

Poison lead singer Bret Michaels crashed his Ferrari into a Burbank telephone pole in 1994. He suffered multiple injuries.

Hanson started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1997 with "MMMBop," the brothers first US #1, also a #1 in the UK.

The Spice Girls went to #1 on the US album chart in 1997 with 'Spice', making them only the third all girl group to do so after The Supremes and The Go-Go's and the first ever UK girl group to do so.

In 1999, Freddie Mercury was featured on a new set of millennium stamps issued by the Royal Mail . The Queen front man who died in 1991, was featured on the 19p stamp. The singer was a keen stamp collector, and his collection was bought by the Post Office in 1993. The stamp marked his contribution to the Live Aid charity concert in 1985.

In 2000, A New York Judge told Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde that if she wanted her March arrest for protesting the sale of leather goods in a Gap store dismissed, she'd better keep her nose clean for the next six months.

Also in 2000 - Chuck D testified to the U.S. Congress about the benefits of Napster and online music distribution.

Paul McCartney made his first ever live performance in Russia in 2003 when he appeared in-front of 20,000 fans in Red Square.

In 2005, Mötley Crüe files a lawsuit against NBC for allegedly banning the group from appearing on the network after singer Vince Neil slips in an expletive during the group’s New Year’s Eve performance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Crüe claims the action violates their free speech rights. They also feel the ban hurt CD sales. "This is a discrimination issue," says bassist Nikki Sixx.

"Return To The Dark Side Of The Moon" was released in 2006. The tribute to Pink Floyd’s "Dark Side Of The Moon" featured the Doors' Robbie Krieger, Styx's Tommy Shaw, Yes' Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe and Asia/ex-King Crimson singer-bassist John Wetton.

Bob Dylan's American Journey 1956-1966 officially opened at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland in 2006. The exhibit debuts on Dylan’s 65th birthday.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End opened in 2007. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards played the father of Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp's role). (It was) just something to do," says Richards. "I don't know if I can really pull it (off) or not." Richards sees similarities between being a pirate and life in a Rock group. "Both are ways to make a good dishonest living.”

In 2007, it's the first day of the U.K. edition of Rock N' Roll Fantasy camp. Instructors for the five-day session include Bad Company's Simon Kirke, Procol Harum's Gary Brooker and Cream's Jack Bruce. Ex-Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman and Bad Company guitarist Mick Ralphs are also onboard. Wyman vows to "jam on a Stones tune with every camper."

R.E.M.'s appearance on PBS’ Austin City Limits was broadcast in 2008.

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