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DEAR JERRY:I enjoyed your recent write-up on “Skokiaan,” a former No. 1 hit you don't hear played anymore.
It leads me to ask if, say over the past 70 years, there were two or more consecutive No. 1 instrumentals?
While you're at it, what are the most consecutive chart-toppers by females, either solo or by a girl group?
—Rusty Montclair, De Pere, Wisc.
DEAR RUSTY: Not many instrumentals reached No. 1, period.
From 1941 to present, the annual average of No. 1 instrumentals is just .457. That's less than one every two years. Two in a row is only slightly more common than centennials.
Only once in the past 70 years did back-to-back instrumentals occupy the No. 1 position.
In February 1956, sandwiched between “The Great Pretender” (Platters) and “Heartbreak Hotel” (Elvis Presley), came “Lisbon Antigua” (Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra) and “The Poor People of Paris” (Les Baxter with His Chorus and Orchestra). Together they held serve for 10 weeks, particularly amazing during the emergence of the rock and roll explosion.
Not included here are different recordings of the same song, such as “The Third Man Theme,” by Anton Karas as well as Guy Lombardo.
You didn't ask, but what about instrumental LPs?
The consecutive record in this category is three, which began in January 1961: “Wonderland By Night” (Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra); “Exodus: The Original Sound Track from the Film” (Ernest Gold); and “Calcutta!” (Lawrence Welk).
Turning to No. 1 songs by the gals, consecutive runs of three occurred eight different times (1945; 1953; 1955; 1990; 1999; 2000; 2005; 2012), but only once did they extend it to four.
In fact, they barely missed having a run of seven.
It happened in 1990 for “Opposites Attract” (Paula Abdul); “Escapade” (Janet Jackson); “Black Velvet” (Alannah Myles); and “Love Will Lead You Back” (Taylor Dayne).
Succeeding Taylor Dayne's hit, and snapping the girls' streak, was Tommy Paige's “I'll Be Your Everything.”
After just one week, Paige gave way to these three: “Nothing Compares 2 U” (Sinead O'Connor); “Vogue” (Madonna”); and “Hold On” (Wilson Phillips).
Had Paige not oozed into the top spot for one week, this female flock would own a seemingly unbeatable streak of seven straight No. 1 singles.
The ladies have not been as strong in the consecutive No. 1 albums department, especially in the earlier years. They did equal the instrumentals tally of three straight, not just once but four times over a 20-year period:
1985-'86: “Heart” (self-titled); “The Broadway Album” (Barbra Streisand); and “Promise” (Sade)
1999: “Christina Aguilera” (self-titled); “Fly” (Dixie Chicks); and “Ruff Ryders' First Lady” (Eve)
2003: “After the Storm” (Monica); “Dangerously in Love” (Beyonce); and “Chapter II” (Ashanti)
2005: “Unplugged” (Alicia Keys); “I Am Me” (Ashlee Simpson); and “No. 1's” (Destiny's Child)
DEAR JERRY: “Thanks for the Memory” is one of the best songs I've ever heard. Bob Hope and Shirley Ross sing it in the film “Big Broadcast of 1938,” and it later became Bob Hope's closing theme song.
“Thanks for the Memory” was a huge hit for Mildred Bailey that year, and has since been recorded many times. Even Rod Stewart released it just a few years ago.
All the versions I've heard, except one by the Platters, include a line that sounds like one of their memories is about being on a “train new.” Is it possible this is a mistake and they meant a new train?
—Joy Bigman, Columbia, S.C.
DEAR JOY: As popular as rail travel was in 1938, this verse is not about trains, old or new.
What sounds very much like “on train new” is the French phrase “entre nous.”
When Shirley sings “strictly entre nous, darling how are you?” to Bob, she means “strictly between us, how are you?”
IZ ZAT SO? It seems that nearly every recording of “Thanks for the Memory” has somewhat different lyrics than the words heard in the film, often because not everything has the same meaning now as in 1938.
Rod Stewart, for example, makes no mention in 2005 of “a pair of gay pajamas that he bought but never wore.”
With first-rate lyrics by Leo Robin, and the music of Ralph Rainger, “Thanks for the Memory” won the Oscar in 1939 for Best Music and Best Original Song.
Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com.
All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.
Copyright 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission
a full list of the special Record Store Day releases can be found on the Record Store Day site, however, here some more details about some of the releases:
UMe Releases New Set of Limited Edition Vinyl From ABBA, Pete Townshend, James Brown, Mynah Birds, and Soundtracks Pretty In Pink, The Breakfast Club and Empire Records for National "Record Store Day" on April 21, 2012
SANTA MONICA, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 4, 2012) - With the worldwide success of "Record Store Day" and lines of vinyl enthusiasts at local independent record stores wrapping around the block, waiting to snatch up all the latest titles, on April 21, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) pushes out its new batch of limited edition Back-To-Black vinyl releases as part of this year's "Record Store Day." Each release is individually numbered with a foil stamp and each title will be limited to 5000 copies, with the exception of ABBA with only 4000 being pressed. Included are titles by ABBA, Pete Townshend, James Brown, the Mynah Birds featuring Rick James and Neil Young, and the movie soundtracks for the generation-defining films The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink and Empire Records.
ABBA Maxi Single Vinyl 12" In honor of this year's "Record Store Day," a new limited edition 12-inch vinyl ABBA single will be released on Saturday, April 21. Side A will feature the extended dance remix of "Voulez-Vous," originally released as a promo-only single in the United States and France, while side B will feature "If It Wasn't For The Nights." This special release will be pressed on blue-glitter vinyl, packaged in a cardboard sleeve and limited to 4,000 numbered copies. It will be available for sale exclusively in participating stores.
Pete Townshend - Quadrophenia Demos 2 (10" EP):
On "Black Friday" UMe released the first of two limited edition 10" vinyl EPs featuring six demos from the Who's Quadrophenia: Director's Cut box set. On April 21, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release the second part of the "Record Store Day" exclusive, limited edition 10" vinyl EP's featuring demo versions of "I've Had Enough," "Drowned," "Is It Me," "Dr. Jimmy" and "Love Reign O'er Me." The Quadrophenia Demos 2 10" EP is the last of a two-part vinyl set which, combined, encompasses 11 of the demos from the Quadrophenia: The Director's Cut box set, and provides a unique insight into the creation of one of the most widely recognized albums of the Who's career. Quadrophenia is known for its classic depiction of mod culture, its renowned imagery and the magnificent music and powerful performances.
James Brown - Live At The Apollo 50th Anniversary 7":
Ranked as one of the greatest live albums of all time, James Brown's Live At The Apollo celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate this landmark release as part of a "Record Store Day" exclusive, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release a limited edition 7" vinyl single James Brown - Live At The Apollo 50th Anniversary featuring two previously unreleased tracks recorded at the Apollo in 1972: the upbeat and funky "There It Is" and "Pass The Peas," featuring Fred Wesley & the J.B.'s. These tracks will appear on the Live At The Apollo: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition, including the legendary LPs Live At The Apollo Vols. I, II & III, plus the previously unreleased Vol. IV -- coming out later this year.
Mynah Birds: Rick "James" Matthews, Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, John Taylor and Rickman Mason 7":
The Mynah Birds were a Canadian band that signed to Motown in 1966, featuring as its lead singer a young Ricky Matthews, later the "King of Punk Funk" Rick James, and the future legend Neil Young as its lead guitar player. The Mynahs had recorded their first single when Rick was put in the brig for being AWOL from the military, forcing Motown to put the tracks back on the shelf. Young and Mynah's bassist Bruce Palmer left for L.A. and formed Buffalo Springfield. Originally only available on The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 6, and now available for the first time ever on vinyl, the songs "It's My Time" and "Go On And Cry" will debut as a limited edition 7" single.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of A&M Records, the home to some of the most influential artists of the last 50 years including the Carpenters, the Police, Cat Stevens, Sting and Janet Jackson, plus contemporary artists such as Soundgarden, the Black Eyed Peas and Maroon 5. As part of its yearlong celebration, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will issue three classic generation-defining A&M Records soundtracks -- The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink and, for the first time, Empire Records -- on limited edition vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive.
The Breakfast Club Soundtrack 12" LP (White Vinyl)
No other director captured adolescents coming to age quite like John Hughes. His 1985 hit film The Breakfast Club centers around five students with very different backgrounds, stuck in detention and discovering they are not so different. The movie has become an all-time classic, defined a generation and continues to be rediscovered and connect with new audiences. The music plays a vital part and sets the mood throughout the movie with songs such as Simple Minds' "Don't You Forget About Me" which topped the charts in 1985 making them superstars. Other tracks include Wang Chung's "Man Leads The Way" from the famous hallway scene, Academy Award®-winning composer Keith Forsey's "I'm the Dude" (Instrumental) and Karla DeVito's unforgettable and infectious "We Are Not Alone." The Breakfast Club Soundtrack is pressed in limited edition white vinyl as a "Record Store Day" exclusive and is a feature title in Universal Pictures 100th Anniversary festivities this year.
Pretty In Pink Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 25th Anniversary 12" LP (Pink Vinyl)
As important as the movie itself, the music used in a film proves just as powerful, important and can freeze a moment in time like a mental snapshot, giving each generation its own identity. Like the film, music helped define who you were and what path your entire social life at school was going to take. Twenty-five years after its theatrical release, Pretty In Pink continues to resonate with each new generation experiencing the same hurdles and challenges of being young. The music on Pretty In Pink Soundtrack - 25th Anniversary sets the different moods and tones for the film with songs such as OMD's top 5 hit "If You Leave," the Smith's "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want," Echo & the Bunnymen's anthem "Bring On The Dancing Horses" and the Psychedelic Furs' top 5 hit "Pretty In Pink." Fittingly, Pretty In Pink will be released on limited edition pink vinyl.
Empire Records Soundtrack (2-LP)
As the '80s came to an end, in ushered the '90s with many high school and young adults facing the similar issues of coming of age as generations before them. Once again, music takes center stage in the lives and drama of a motley group of teenagers and young adults working at a local independent record store as they cope with life's struggles. The Empire Records Soundtrack makes its debut on vinyl as a limited edition, 2-LP set pressed on orange vinyl and features Gin Blossoms' top 5 hit "Til I Hear It From You," the Cranberries' b-side "Liar," Edwyn Collins' retro-pop, fuzzed-out '90s hit "Girl Like You," "Whole Lotta Trouble" by alt-country pioneers Cracker and the Lemonheads' Evan Dando with his poignant version of Big Star's classic "Ballad of El Goodo."
For more information on Record Store Day, please visit: recordstoreday.com
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Beatles Top Vinyl Collectable Sales
The Beatles and other British groups are top of the pops when it comes to rare vinyl, it was revealed on Wednesday.
Eight of the top 10 most collectible acts in the world today are Brits, according to UK-based www.991.com, the world's biggest rare records site.
The Beatles beat the Rolling Stones, once chart rivals in the 1960s, to the top spot for sales last year.
Collectors spent more than twice as much on rare Beatles records than they did on releases by third-placed Madonna.
The top 10 was rounded out by Queen, U2, Pink Floyd, Kylie Minogue, Depeche Mode, The Who and David Bowie.
Julian Thomas of 991.com, who celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, said 2011 was a "boom year" for rare vinyl despite the economic recession.
He said, "As well as the vibrant vinyl collecting scene, we've also noticed an increase in interest from investors who want to put their money into something less volatile than stocks and shares.
"Mint copies of vinyl singles and albums by the likes of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones are fantastic investments and are much less likely to fall in value.
Pink Floyd To Release 'The Making of Wish You Were Here' DVD
Pink Floyd is set to release 'The Making of 'Wish You Were Here' on DVD and Blu-ray on June 26 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. The release tells the story of the recording of one of the group's most iconic LPs with the full consent and participation of the band members.
The upcoming release uses new interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason, as well as archival interviews with Richard Wright, to chronicle the recording and release of the landmark album. Additionally, cover art designer Storm Thorgerson, guest vocalist Roy Harper, front cover “burning man” Ronnie Rondell and others also share their stories. Original recording engineer Brian Humphries revisits the master tapes at Abbey Road Studios to illustrate aspects of the recording process.
The band members discuss the album’s themes of absence, the greed of the music business and former band member Syd Barrett, who is famously celebrated in 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond,' which both opens and closes the album. The program also covers the unexpected visit Barrett paid to Abbey Road during the recording, the difficulties of the early recording sessions and how the decision to split 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' into two sections was the catalyst for the album’s successful completion.
The DVD and Blu-ray releases feature bonus footage including additional interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour and Nick Mason. Waters and Gilmour also perform separate excerpts from the album.
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interesting thought, i hope that he can get it done!
Vinyl Records are Not Dead and Neither is Ska
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Bryan J Polk, host and producer of the "23min of Ska" a ska music podcast, is looking for people to help fund the Big Ska Gamble, a new ska music seven inch vinyl record subscription club. The Kickstarter website is being used to raise the funds. The way a Kickstarter campaign works is that people with ideas, such as Bryan, can try to pre-sell the goods, in this case 6 7\" vinyl records, in an effort to finance the project.
He is doing this by not only selling the subscriptions as they are, but also extra incentives, like test pressings of the records and co-hosting duties on a future podcast. The bands that are taking part in this and are releasing records are: the Action League a ska/punk from San Luis Obispo, CA, Do It With Malice a ska/metal/hardcore punk from Buffalo, NY, the Georgetown Orbits a ska, reggae and dub from Seattle, WA, Lockstep a reggae punk from Indianapolis, IN , the Shifters a rocksteady from Washington D.C. & Stop the Presses a ska/surf/punk from Miami, FL.
Each record will have 2 songs on each seven inch record. The records will start shipping two at a time bi-monthy starting in July of 2012 if funding is reached.
Bryan is looking for ska and vinyl fans far and wide to check out his website at www.BigSkaGamble.com to raise the funds to start a ska music seven inch record subscription club by way of Kickstarter. He has until the 5th of May to raise $5,000.
Bryan J. Polk has been running the ska podcast "23min of Ska" for the last 3 years and is a life long ska fan. After much debate he decided that the best way to get more ska music out into the world is to find a bunch of great bands and put it out himself.
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Greg Kihn Releases Greg Kihn Band; Best of Beserkley, 1974-1985 - New Disc Features 21 Remastered Hits from the Legendary 80’s Rocker
Legendary 80’s rocker, Greg Kihn, is proud to announce the release of his new album, Greg Kihn Band: Best of Berserkley, 1974-1985, as both hardcopy CD and digital download.
Berkeley, CA (PRWEB) April 03, 2012 - Legendary 80’s rocker, Greg Kihn, is proud to announce the release of his new album, Greg Kihn Band: Best of Berserkley, 1974-1985, as both hardcopy CD and digital download. Best of Berserkley, 1974-1985’s 21-tracks features 19 Greg Kihn remastered original hits drawn from Greg’s eight-of-nine full-length Beserkley Records studio albums, including The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘em Like That), Jeopardy, Happy Man and Reunited, along with two tribute tracks to Bruce Springsteen (long considered one of Greg’s biggest musical influences), Rendezvous and For You.
In the late 80’s, Beserkley Records sold the original Greg Kihn Band master recordings, along with the rest of the Beserkley Records catalog. After many years of legal wranglings, Greg finally obtained the rights to release his back catalog from this seminal era of his musical career. Existing diehard and new fans who have followed Greg Kihn from the beginning of his career as a folkie/pop-rock troubadour to one of the most recognizable and popular Gold-selling video Rock Stars during MTV’s 1980’s glory years will want to add this essential compilation to their classic rock music collection.
Beserkley Records is credited as being one of the first successful American Punk Rock Indie Record Labels, established in 1973 in Berkeley, California, releasing albums by Earth Quake, Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, The Rubinoos and the label’s biggest breakthrough artist, Greg Kihn. Beginning with his third album, Next of Kihn (1978), Greg continually ‘charted’ in America thanks to regular FM radio airplay. By 1981 Greg Kihn’s “The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" from Rockihnroll (1981), broke the Top 40 and his fifth and sixth albums, Kihntinued (1982) and Kihnspiracy (1983), all reached the Top 40 on the LP charts. Greg’s 1983 single "Jeopardy" became Beserkley Records’ biggest hit, peaking on the Billboard Charts at #2, (#1 on Billboard Dance and International Charts), achieving Gold sales status for Kihnspiracy (over 500,000 units sold), and mainstream recognition. This was due, in large part, to “Jeopardy becoming one of early-MTV’s most popular music videos. “Jeopardy” featured Greg and band in a scripted play-acted scenario, with elaborate special effects, that reinvented the music video into a micro story-telling genre, influencing other elaborate and grandiose productions, such as Michael Jackson’s Thriller, and countless others.
According to Greg, “It’s said ‘if you can remember the 60’s you weren’t there,’ and now that I reflect on being a Beserkley Records recording artist almost four decades after I first signed with the label, I realize that when I try to recall those years, much has been lost in the fog of age. I mean, after all, we did refer to the label as ‘Rather Ripped Records’ after closing time… But, I digress… These songs really represent and bring back all of the best memories of my achievements and peaks of my musical career during the carefree halcyon heydays as a Beserkley Records recording artist… when everything was safe, nothing was dangerous and we were all young and immortal. I can clearly hear, feel and experience that unbridled excitement and exuberance in each track, more so now that I’ve painstakingly remastered each and every song, and I am sure you, fair listener, will, as well.”
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cool album cover art:
Heptah Album Cover Artwork Revealed
Brazilian metallers Heptah have recently revealed the cover artwork for their debut album called 'Master Of Delusion.' The artwork was handled by Cleyton Souza.
Raphael Jorge (Drums/Vocals) had this to say about the cover artwork: "Cleyton Souza is a super-talented artist and a friend, we've had the pleasure of working with him before when he did the cover art for our both singles, MySpace layout and Website. Rhads Clemente (Guitar/Vocals) basically just gave him the title and some initial ideas and he created one of the most beautiful images ever seen. He totally nailed what the album is all about."
'Master of Delusion' is scheduoled to be released in the first half of 2012 via MS Metal Records.
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not fond of this cover art at all....
Fiona Apple Reveals Album Artwork
"The Idler Wheel is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do" is scheduled for release via Epic on June 19, according to a post on her Facebook page.
It contains several songs that she's performed on her recent tour, including "Every Single Night," "Valentine" and "Anything We Want" which we witnessed during Apple's breathtaking performance at SXSW.
Tracklist: 1 Every Single Night 2 Daredevil 3 Valentine 4 Jonathan 5 Left Alone 6 Werewolf 7 Periphery 8 Regret 9 Anything We Want 10 Hot Knife
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Rare Randy Rhoads Ozzy Osborne Album Release
Ozzy Osbourne is paying tribute to the late Randy Rhoads with a new live recording album, available only on vinyl. Ozzy plans to release 'Live,' a 180-gram audiophile vinyl two-LP set, which is a limited, numbered collector’s edition recorded live on the 1981 Blizzard of Ozz tour. “Believer,” a live seven-inch single, will also be issued and it is a limited and numbered collector’s edition on polka-dot vinyl featuring “Believer” (live) and “Goodbye to Romance.”
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album cover art of the day!
KREATOR: 'Phantom Antichrist' Formats Revealed
limited-edition artwork
German thrash metal veterans KREATOR will release their new album, 'Phantom Antichrist,' on June 1 in Europe and June 5 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. Furthermore, the songs of the sold out 7“ vinyl single "Phantom Antichrist“ will be available as digital download via iTunes, Amazon and various other download shops from April 20, 2012 on!
According to Nuclear Blast, the following formats of the upcoming KREATOR masterpiece are now available for pre-order!
- Jewel Case CD* - 2LP Yellow Vinyl* - 2LP Bi-Coloured Vinyl (Red/Black): limited to 500 copies, hand numbered*+ - 2LP Picture Vinyl** - CD/DVD Digi Limited Edition: 2 Digipacks in a slipcase.** - Limited Mailorder Edition: metallic box including CD/DVD Digi Ltd. Edition, T-Shirt, exclusive CD „Live In Wacken“, Poster, signing card, limited to 500 copies, hand numbered**+
* = Featuring Artwork by Wes Benscoter (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER) ** = Featuring Artwork by Jan Meininghaus + = only available at www.nuclearblast
Municipal Waste - The Fatal Feats (The Waste in Space) Pre-Order
Being releaseed on 4/10/12 on Yellow Vinyl!
Undisputed masters of the crossover genre, Richmond, Virginia's Municipal Waste return with their fifth full-length album in their endless quest to bring the fury, bring the laughs and bring the party to obscene new lows. Tasked with the noble aim of spreading the shred, 'The Fatal Feast' is the most complete album the band have recorded. More bang, more intensity and a rounder sound make this not only the perfect party record, but also a natural fit for their epically ridiculous live shows. This vinyl edition adds bonus track "Eviction Party"!
Storied musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John—Mac Rebennack—releases 'Locked Down,' a startling album that marks a significant departure from his recent efforts, on April 3, 2012. The new album, produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, is Dr. John's first for Nonesuch Records. The vinyl album, which also includes the complete album on CD, is due out on Record Store Day, April 21.
It’s an entirely new approach for the iconic Dr. John, featuring as it does his collaboration with Auerbach and a band of young musicians Auerbach hand-picked to make Locked Down at his studio Easy Eye Sound in Nashville. "It was way cool cutting this record with Dan and the crew he put together for it," says Rebennack. "It's reel HIP."
For his part, Auerbach says about the collaboration: "Mac inspired me every single day we were in the studio together: musically, spiritually, cosmically ... something special seemed to be happening and everyone involved could sense it. For my money, Mac's one of the greatest who ever was and who ever will be ... I'm so honored to have had this opportunity to work with him."
Auerbach, a long-time fan of the influential musician, dubbed “the Night Tripper” in the late 60s, visited Dr. John late in 2010 in his hometown New Orleans, announcing his ambition to produce "the best record you've made in a long time." Rebennack replied that he had done his research—his children had told him good things about The Black Keys—and the conversation led to an agreement to collaborate on the 2011 Bonnaroo Jam being curated by Auerbach.
That performance—called by New York Times critic Ben Ratliff in his best-of-the-year list “deep and oozy, close-to-the-vest, low-frequency funk”—confirmed that something unusual was taking place and led to September recording sessions in Nashville. Dr. John returned to Nashville at Thanksgiving to complete the vocals and Locked Down was mixed by Auerbach and completed in early 2012.
1. Justin Townes Earle - Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now
2. The Shins - Port Of Morrow
3. Jack White - Sixteen Saltines 7"
4. The Black Keys - El Camino
5. The Head & The Heart - The Head & The Heart
6. Alabama Shakes - Live At Third Man 7"
7. Bruce Springsteen - Wrecking Ball
8. Burial - Kindred
9. Delta Spirit - Delta Spirit
10. Poor Moon - Illusion
11. Dr. Dog - Be The Void
12. Lucero - Women & Work
13. Young Prisms - In Between
14. Big Surr - Baked + Bruised 7"
15. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
16. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
17. Adele - 21
18. Radiohead - King Of Limbs
19. Guided By Voices - Keep It In Motion 7"
20. Sandy Bull & The Rhythm Ace - Live 1976
21. The Decemberists - We All Raise Our Voices To The Air
22. Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour/Golden Mile
23. Retribution Gospel Choir - Revolution 7"
24. Mad Men - Zou Bisou Bisou 7"
25. Morphine - Cure For Pain
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and in music history for april 4th:
Born on this day in 1913, Muddy Waters, blues singer, guitarist (died April 30,1983).
In 1939, Glenn Miller & His Orchestra recorded his theme song, "Moonlight Serenade."
Born on this day in 1941, soul singer Major Lance (died of heart failure March 9, 1994).
Born on this day in 1948, Berry Oakley, bass, Allman Brothers Band. He was killed in a motorcycle accident November 11, 1972.
In 1956, after performing in San Diego, Elvis Presley received notice from the local authorities saying that if he ever returned to the city and performed in the same way, he would be arrested for disorderly conduct.
In 1959, Buddy Holly's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" hit #13. It was his first posthumous hit.
In 1960, RCA began releasing singles in both stereo and mono, starting with Elvis Presley's "Stuck on You."
CVR Blog 45RPM Spotlight: In 1960, Elvis Presely recorded his version of "Are You Lonesome Tonight?"
Colonel Parker (it was one of his wife's favorite songs) persuaded Elvis to record his own rendition of this song. Elvis' version was based on the Blue Barron Orchestra version from 1950 with spoken segment. It went on to be one of the biggest-selling singles of 1960, peaking at number one on the Billboard pop chart for six weeks and peaking at number three on the R&B charts. Elvis, occasionally during live performances, would randomly change lyrics to give them humorous connotations. One popular instance was recorded at the International Hotel in Vegas on August 26, 1969.
During the performance, instead of singing: "Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there", he sings "Do you gaze at your bald head and wish you had hair". Moments later, he saw a bald man in the audience (as legend has it), and burst into laughter which continued into the next lines. The audience was treated to additional laughter during the spoken verse singing: "You know someone said that the world's a stage, and each must play a part." Seeing the irony of his own lyrics, Elvis was again overtaken by laughter and barely recovered. The audience enjoyed the sincerity of the moment while Elvis regained his composure. Meanwhile the band and backup singers continued to keep the song going. It is speculated that much of Elvis' mirth derived from the solo backing singer whose falsetto remained resolute throughout. To this, Elvis comes back just in time for the line: "And I had no cause to doubt you" followed by more laughter. So overtaken, Elvis encourages the backup singer to "sing it, baby" drawing even more laughter which nearly brings the house down. In the end, the song is finished to a round of applause as Elvis says, "That's it, man, fourteen years right down the drain...boy, I'll tell ya. Fourteen years just shot there." The version is considered to be a popular underground classic, and was a UK Top 30 hit in 1982 after first being commercially released by RCA in the 1980 box set Elvis Aaron Presley.
According to Dr. Demento, who plays the version on his show, there is nothing on the label of the recording to indicate that it is anything other than an ordinary recording of the song--"People must have been surprised when they took it home and played it."
In 1964, the Trashmen of "Surfin' Bird" fame were court-ordered to pay royalties to Beechwood Music, holder of the copyright for "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow," made popular in a recording by the Rivingtons, from which the Trashmen hit borrowed heavily.
In 1964, the Beatles held the top five spots on the Billboard Singles chart with "Can't Buy Me Love," "Love Me Do," "Roll Over Beethoven," "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Please Please Me."
In 1965, John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote Help!In the 1970 Rolling Stone "Lennon Remembers" interviews, Lennon said it was one of his favorites among the Beatles songs he wrote, but he wished they had recorded it at a slower tempo. In these interviews, Lennon said he felt that "Help!" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" were his most honest, genuine Beatles songs and not just songs "written to order." According to Lennon's cousin and boyhood friend Stanley Parkes, however, "Help!" was written after Lennon "came in from the studio one night. 'God,' he said, 'they've changed the title of the film: it's going to be called 'Help!' now. So I've had to write a new song with the title called 'Help!'
In 1968, James Brown makes a nationally broadcast appeal for calm after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Also in 1968 - After hearing of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Ted Nugent, Joni Mitchell and Al Kooper met at the New Generation Club in New York for an all-night music session.
In 1968, Bobby Goldsboro received a Gold record for the single, "Honey", which had spent 13 weeks on the Billboard chart, including five weeks at number one. It remains heavily played on the radio to this day and has been covered many times, although Todd Leopold of CNN named it the "Worst Song of All Time" in April 2006.
In 1970, Janis Joplin and Big Brother & the Holding Company play a reunion show in San Francisco.
Also in 1970, Crosby Stills Nash & Young went to #1 on the US album chart with 'Deja Vu.' The first album which saw Neil Young joining Crosby, Stills and Nash featured three US Top 40 singles: "Teach Your Children," "Our House" and "Woodstock."
In 1973, a taped Elvis Presley concert, "Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii," which had been shown live to most of the world except North America on January 14, 1973, was telecast on NBC. The total audience for the show, the first commercial worldwide satellite broadcast, was more than a billion people and it is regarded as the most-watched broadcast by an individual entertainer in television history.
In 1974, 'Ladies & Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones' opens and is the first film with a quadraphonic soundtrack.
In 1981, the documentary "This is Elvis," based on the life of Elvis Presley, opened in US and Canadian movie theaters. It combined archival footage with reenactments, and narration by Elvis soundalike, singer Ral Donner.
In 1983, Danny Rapp of Danny and The Juniors, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His band achieved two classic 1950's hits, "At the Hop" (#1) and "Rock and Roll is Here to Stay" (#19). He was 41 years old.
In 1987, Grace Slick's lead vocals helped Starship reach Billboard's number one spot for the third time with "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." The song was co-written by Albert Hammond, who had scored a number 5 hit of his own in 1972 with "It Never Rains in Southern California."
In 1994, Kurt Cobain's mother called police to file a missing persons report on her son.
In 1996, a small portion of Grateful Dead leader Jerry Garcia's ashes was scattered in the Ganges River in India by Garcia's widow, Deborah, and Dead guitarist Bob Weir.
Released in 2000: 'Can't Take Me Home,' Pink's debut album.
In 2002, it was announced that the 19-year-old band Megadeth had broken up. The break up was due to an injury to Dave Mustaine's left arm and hand that had left him unable to play guitar.
In 2003, the Rolling Stones play their first show ever in India.
In 2007, Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards issued a statement that said he was joking when he told NME magazine that the strangest thing he ever snorted was his father's ashes. "It was an off-the-cuff remark, a joke and it is not true. File under April Fools' joke".
In 2007, a Swedish couple ran into trouble with authorities after trying to name their baby Metallica. Michael and Karolina Tomaro went to court with the country's National Tax Authority about naming their daughter after the rock band. The six-month-old has been baptised Metallica, but tax officials said the name was "inappropriate." Under Swedish law, both first names and surnames need to win the approval of authorities before they can be used.
In 2008, at London’s Court of Appeal, Procol Harum singer/pianist Gary Brooker won a royalty battle over the band’s worldwide hit, “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” brought by original organist Matthew Fisher. The decision overturned a 2006 ruling that Fisher was entitled to a 40% portion of royalties after he argued he had written the song’s organ melody. The court ruled there was an “excessive delay” in the claim being made – the claim was made nearly 40 years after the song was recorded.
In 2011, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr reached out to cancer survivor Alexx Kipp through the Make-A-Wish Foundation by meeting him at the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles, where they chatted and played drums together. Ringo later surprised Kipp by giving him his drum set.
birthdays today include (among others): Clive Davis (80), Dave Hill (Slade) (66), David "Pick" Withers (Dire Straits) (64), Steve Gatlin (Gatlin Brothers) (61), Pete Haycock (Climax Blues Band) (61) and Mike Starr (Alice in Chains) (46)
