Haven't really heard of this, but it is a fresh new gimmick to add to the already fascinating allure of vinyl records- check this out from a post on Pitchfork.com
"We wouldn't ordinarily advocate scratching your vinyl, but in this case, we'll make an exception. Black Moth Super Rainbow, the convention-thwarting Pennsylvanian bunch responsible for last year's Recommended Dandelion Gum album, have gone and pressed said release into a turntable-ready LP.
Okay nothing so unconventional there, but wait! This isn't just any vinyl we're talking about here. This is, as you may have noticed in the headline, scratch'n'sniff vinyl!! Yes, the friction created by running something coarse (a fingernail, say) across the cover of this record will unleash odors as yet un-smelt by the noses of men! Women, too!
As if this olfactory offering weren't enough, the vinyl version of Dandelion Gum also includes a bonus track not found on the CD, "The Dark Forest Joggers". Both formats are available now via Graveface Records."
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
This Day In Music History- March 20
John Lennon marries Yoko in Gibraltar, Spain in 1969. The subsequent single, "The Ballad of John and Yoko," explains the couples trials and tribulations.
Jerry Reed ("Amos Moses") turns 71.
Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer ("Lucky Man") is 58.
Joe Rivers of Johnnie & Joe ("Over The Mountain, Across The Sea") is 71.
David Bowie marries his wife, Angela (subject of the Rolling Stones' song, "Angie" four years later) in 1970.
In 1968, Eric Clapton, Neil Young and Poco members Richie Furay and Jim Messina are all arrested in Los Angeles on drug charges (Eric is freed, the others fined).
Today in 1971, the song "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.
The song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts topped the charts and stayed there for 7 weeks in 1982.
In 2003, the South Carolina House of Representatives pass a resolution urging the Dixie Chicks to make a public apology for derogatory statements about President Bush, and back it up with a concert for the families of troops serving in the Iraq conflict. (For stating what is obviously right?)
The No.1 album in America in 2002 is the soundtrack to "O Brother Where Art Thou?," with performances by bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and vocalist-fiddler Alison Krauss.
Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland in 1964. The singer-songwriter's first single is the smash hit, "Fast Car."
In 1960, Elvis Presley begins his first recording session since exiting the U.S. Army on March 5. With longtime guitarist Scotty Moore, he records "Stuck on You" and "Fame and Fortune" at the RCA Studios in Nashville.
Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan of the Fabulous Thunderbirds was born in Austin in 1951.
In 1971, the Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” slipped off the Billboard album chart after a 138 week run.
Bobby Helms, who is best remembered for his Christmas classic, "Jingle Bell Rock", had his biggest single reach the US Country chart in 1957. The song was called "Fraulein" and it would eventually hit number 1, spending 52 weeks on the chart, longer than any other Country song of the 1950s. Later in the year, he had another number one record with "My Special Angel". Jingle Bell Rock was first released in November 1957, and would return to the US Top 40 on two other occasions.
In 1989, Dick Clark announced his retirement from American Bandstand.
In 1991, Eric Clapton's four year old son, Conor, fell to his death from the 53rd story of a New York City apartment window. The boy was in the custody of his mother, Italian actress, Lori Del Santo and the pair were visiting a friend's apartment. The housekeeper had just cleaned a room and opened the window to air it out. Eric was staying in a nearby hotel after taking his son to the circus the previous evening. The tragedy inspired his song "Tears in Heaven".
Jerry Reed ("Amos Moses") turns 71.
Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer ("Lucky Man") is 58.
Joe Rivers of Johnnie & Joe ("Over The Mountain, Across The Sea") is 71.
David Bowie marries his wife, Angela (subject of the Rolling Stones' song, "Angie" four years later) in 1970.
In 1968, Eric Clapton, Neil Young and Poco members Richie Furay and Jim Messina are all arrested in Los Angeles on drug charges (Eric is freed, the others fined).
Today in 1971, the song "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin topped the charts and stayed there for 2 weeks.
The song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts topped the charts and stayed there for 7 weeks in 1982.
In 2003, the South Carolina House of Representatives pass a resolution urging the Dixie Chicks to make a public apology for derogatory statements about President Bush, and back it up with a concert for the families of troops serving in the Iraq conflict. (For stating what is obviously right?)
The No.1 album in America in 2002 is the soundtrack to "O Brother Where Art Thou?," with performances by bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and vocalist-fiddler Alison Krauss.
Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland in 1964. The singer-songwriter's first single is the smash hit, "Fast Car."
In 1960, Elvis Presley begins his first recording session since exiting the U.S. Army on March 5. With longtime guitarist Scotty Moore, he records "Stuck on You" and "Fame and Fortune" at the RCA Studios in Nashville.
Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan of the Fabulous Thunderbirds was born in Austin in 1951.
In 1971, the Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” slipped off the Billboard album chart after a 138 week run.
Bobby Helms, who is best remembered for his Christmas classic, "Jingle Bell Rock", had his biggest single reach the US Country chart in 1957. The song was called "Fraulein" and it would eventually hit number 1, spending 52 weeks on the chart, longer than any other Country song of the 1950s. Later in the year, he had another number one record with "My Special Angel". Jingle Bell Rock was first released in November 1957, and would return to the US Top 40 on two other occasions.
In 1989, Dick Clark announced his retirement from American Bandstand.
In 1991, Eric Clapton's four year old son, Conor, fell to his death from the 53rd story of a New York City apartment window. The boy was in the custody of his mother, Italian actress, Lori Del Santo and the pair were visiting a friend's apartment. The housekeeper had just cleaned a room and opened the window to air it out. Eric was staying in a nearby hotel after taking his son to the circus the previous evening. The tragedy inspired his song "Tears in Heaven".
Costello To Release New Album on Vinyl
To help celebrate the mass reissuing of Elvis Costello’s back catalog on remastered CDs, the “Allison” singer will release his first album in four years on vinyl–only vinyl. The disc, dubbed "Momofuku," will be available on April 22nd, complete with a special download code which will allow buyers to download the album onto their computers.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Vintage Posters To Brighten Up Any Room
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New CD Distribution Channel For Independent Artists Announced
By Robert Benson
The music industry is changing again, specifically the way that consumers get their music. With CD sales slumping, vinyl record sales on the rise and MP3 music downloads now dominating the music landscape, a small Internet radio station is also changing the way that its artist’s music is being distributed.
I spoke with DJ Tom of www.ilike2rock.net about the new distribution service that the radio station is offering.
“With digital sales being the main online sales source for music, most independent artists turn to CDbaby or iTunes to sell their music,” explained DJ Tom. “What we are doing is making a move to ‘cut out the middleman’ so to speak, which will allow the independent artists to put more money in their own pockets, where it belongs.”
DJ Tom detailed some of the specific ways that iTunes and CDbaby operate:
“These companies rely on their own affiliates to promote the artists that they have and really don’t do anything to promote the artists. As an ex-affiliate for iTunes, I used to sell digital downloads for a five percent commission, so for a ninety-nine cent song that equates to a nickel. The artist in turn gets sixty-nine cents, leaving a twenty-five cent profit for iTunes, who are just an online warehouse cataloging music in hopes that their affiliates are successful in promoting them.
“CDbaby is a bit similar in that they are also a music warehouse that relies on other distributors, affiliates and the artists themselves to generate the sale while taking $4 for each CD sold to drop it in the mail. I can see artists with a CDBaby Logo on their website or MySpace page to buy their CD. If an artist wants to make $7 per CD sold, then the cost to the consumer is $11 through CDbaby. Why not just sell the CD directly using PayPal, add in their processing costs and sell it for $7.50? An independent artist will probably generate more sales at the lower cost.”
So, CDbaby and iTunes do nothing to promote the independent artists who sign on with them?
DJ Tom explained, “When you go to iTunes you see what is what may be ‘hot’, like American Idol or movie sales or highlights. Sure, that may be what is popular and selling at the time, but what are they really doing to promote the music for the independent artists they are supposed to represent? CDbaby does nothing more than create an online catalog of music, charging the artist a $35 set up fee and taking four dollars per sale on top of that.”
How does www.ilike2rock.net promote their independent artists?
“We feature artists on our homepage, add their music to our station play list, include their music in free podcasts, artist interviews, CD and music reviews and live radio shows along with other promotions, all to get the artist’s music out there in front of the public, which helps generate interest in their music and the band,” explained DJ Tom.
But here is the most exciting element to the music distribution channel that ilike2rock.net is instituting.
“What we are offering our artists is a CD distribution method where we would receive one dollar per sale plus credit card processing fees. This will allow the artists to lower the price on their CD for the consumer to benefit and also put more money in their own pockets, where it belongs. We are also offering MP3 sales at competitive industry rates directly from our site instead of an affiliate link that sends the consumer elsewhere to buy the music, then possibly having the sale fall through as an advertisement for a "Commercial" artist appears causing the buyer to become distracted and forget why they went there in the first place.”
So the bottom line is very simple. iLike2rock.net is making a move to undercut most independent music distributer’s prices and pass the savings along to the consumers, all the while putting more money into the pockets of the artists who actually created the music. The music landscape is changing again, this time for the benefit of the music consumer and the bands and artists who create the music. What a novel concept!
The music industry is changing again, specifically the way that consumers get their music. With CD sales slumping, vinyl record sales on the rise and MP3 music downloads now dominating the music landscape, a small Internet radio station is also changing the way that its artist’s music is being distributed.
I spoke with DJ Tom of www.ilike2rock.net about the new distribution service that the radio station is offering.
“With digital sales being the main online sales source for music, most independent artists turn to CDbaby or iTunes to sell their music,” explained DJ Tom. “What we are doing is making a move to ‘cut out the middleman’ so to speak, which will allow the independent artists to put more money in their own pockets, where it belongs.”
DJ Tom detailed some of the specific ways that iTunes and CDbaby operate:
“These companies rely on their own affiliates to promote the artists that they have and really don’t do anything to promote the artists. As an ex-affiliate for iTunes, I used to sell digital downloads for a five percent commission, so for a ninety-nine cent song that equates to a nickel. The artist in turn gets sixty-nine cents, leaving a twenty-five cent profit for iTunes, who are just an online warehouse cataloging music in hopes that their affiliates are successful in promoting them.
“CDbaby is a bit similar in that they are also a music warehouse that relies on other distributors, affiliates and the artists themselves to generate the sale while taking $4 for each CD sold to drop it in the mail. I can see artists with a CDBaby Logo on their website or MySpace page to buy their CD. If an artist wants to make $7 per CD sold, then the cost to the consumer is $11 through CDbaby. Why not just sell the CD directly using PayPal, add in their processing costs and sell it for $7.50? An independent artist will probably generate more sales at the lower cost.”
So, CDbaby and iTunes do nothing to promote the independent artists who sign on with them?
DJ Tom explained, “When you go to iTunes you see what is what may be ‘hot’, like American Idol or movie sales or highlights. Sure, that may be what is popular and selling at the time, but what are they really doing to promote the music for the independent artists they are supposed to represent? CDbaby does nothing more than create an online catalog of music, charging the artist a $35 set up fee and taking four dollars per sale on top of that.”
How does www.ilike2rock.net promote their independent artists?
“We feature artists on our homepage, add their music to our station play list, include their music in free podcasts, artist interviews, CD and music reviews and live radio shows along with other promotions, all to get the artist’s music out there in front of the public, which helps generate interest in their music and the band,” explained DJ Tom.
But here is the most exciting element to the music distribution channel that ilike2rock.net is instituting.
“What we are offering our artists is a CD distribution method where we would receive one dollar per sale plus credit card processing fees. This will allow the artists to lower the price on their CD for the consumer to benefit and also put more money in their own pockets, where it belongs. We are also offering MP3 sales at competitive industry rates directly from our site instead of an affiliate link that sends the consumer elsewhere to buy the music, then possibly having the sale fall through as an advertisement for a "Commercial" artist appears causing the buyer to become distracted and forget why they went there in the first place.”
So the bottom line is very simple. iLike2rock.net is making a move to undercut most independent music distributer’s prices and pass the savings along to the consumers, all the while putting more money into the pockets of the artists who actually created the music. The music landscape is changing again, this time for the benefit of the music consumer and the bands and artists who create the music. What a novel concept!
It's Official- Vinyl Is Back
In the United Kingdom, where the CD single is basically dead, there is such a resurgence in vinyl that retailers can’t keep up with capacity. In the U.S., figures as high as 22 per cent are being floated about the growth in vinyl record sales.
At a time when digital downloading is the thing, does this return to the “good old days” merely represent a small portion of audio geeks who pine for the tactile and genuine listening experience of playing a record on a turntable? Or is it, as Eric Levin, owner and president of Criminal Records/AIMS, thinks, the beginning of something big that will create a massive collectors’ market a few decades from now?
At a time when digital downloading is the thing, does this return to the “good old days” merely represent a small portion of audio geeks who pine for the tactile and genuine listening experience of playing a record on a turntable? Or is it, as Eric Levin, owner and president of Criminal Records/AIMS, thinks, the beginning of something big that will create a massive collectors’ market a few decades from now?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
U2 Re-Releases
U2tour.de has pried some information from the German branch of Universal, concerning release dates for various remastered albums.
The upcoming release dates are:
6th June: Boy, October
20th June: War, Under a blood red sky
Keep in mind that these are release dates for Germany, where CDs in general are released on Friday. U2tour.de speculate this could mean 9th/23rd june for the UK, and 10th/24th for the US.
All albums will be released in the following formats:
Single-cd-version, double-cd-deluxe-version, vinyl.
There will also be another DVD, ‘Live at Red Rocks” which is slated some time in July.
The upcoming release dates are:
6th June: Boy, October
20th June: War, Under a blood red sky
Keep in mind that these are release dates for Germany, where CDs in general are released on Friday. U2tour.de speculate this could mean 9th/23rd june for the UK, and 10th/24th for the US.
All albums will be released in the following formats:
Single-cd-version, double-cd-deluxe-version, vinyl.
There will also be another DVD, ‘Live at Red Rocks” which is slated some time in July.
Raconteurs- New Vinyl Release
The Raconteurs announced via their Myspace page that their new album "Consolers of the Lonely" will be released in just over a week on March 25th. From the band's myspace page:
"The album was mastered and completed in the first week of March. It was then taken immediately to a vinyl pressing plant. Then to a CD pressing plant. Then preparations to sell it digitally began. March 25th became the soonest date to have it available in EVERY FORMAT AT ONCE. The band have done no interviews or advertisements for this record before this announcement.
The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised. We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding it’s availability, reception or perception.
With this release, The Raconteurs are forgoing the usual months of lead time for press and radio set up, as well as forgoing the all important "first week sales." We wanted to explore the idea of releasing an album everywhere at once and THEN marketing and promoting it thereafter. The Raconteurs would rather this release not be defined by it’s first weeks sales, pre-release promotion, or by someone defining it FOR YOU before you get to hear it."
"The album was mastered and completed in the first week of March. It was then taken immediately to a vinyl pressing plant. Then to a CD pressing plant. Then preparations to sell it digitally began. March 25th became the soonest date to have it available in EVERY FORMAT AT ONCE. The band have done no interviews or advertisements for this record before this announcement.
The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised. We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding it’s availability, reception or perception.
With this release, The Raconteurs are forgoing the usual months of lead time for press and radio set up, as well as forgoing the all important "first week sales." We wanted to explore the idea of releasing an album everywhere at once and THEN marketing and promoting it thereafter. The Raconteurs would rather this release not be defined by it’s first weeks sales, pre-release promotion, or by someone defining it FOR YOU before you get to hear it."
This Day In Music History- March 18
The late Wilson Pickett ("Funky Broadway") was born in 1941.
John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas ("Monday Monday") died of heart failure in 2001.
The Doobie Brothers, Dionne Warwick and Petula Clark were among the entertainers at Liza Minelli's wedding reception in 2002.
Teddy Pendergrass of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes was paralyzed in a car accident in 1982.
Jerry Lee Lewis became the first artist to sing three songs on an episode of ABC-TV's "American Bandstand" (and he sings, not lip-synchs them) in 1958.
The Everly Brothers recorded "Cathy's Clown" in 1960.
Happy birthday to Charley Pride, who was born in Sledge, Mississippi in 1938. The "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" hit-maker is arguably the most successful African-American in country music.
Vanessa Williams was born in Tarrytown, NY in 1963. She's famous for a bit of everything, including being the last significant Miss America.
Alice in Chains' guitarist Jerry Cantrell was born in 1966.
All hail the Queen! Hip-hop MC turned actress Queen Latifah was born in Newark, NJ in 1970.
In 1972, Neil Young topped the charts with "Heart of Gold." It's his only solo single to go top 30. Backing vocals were provided by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.
The Clash released their first single, "White Riot" in 1977.
In 1994 four guns and 25 boxes of ammo were confiscated from Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) after his wife, Courtney Love, called police fearing he was going to commit suicide. He did commit suicide about 3 weeks later.
After three minor chart makers, an Oklahoma group called Five Americans released their biggest hit, "Western Union,” which would eventually crack Billboard's Top 10 in 1967.
Also in 1967, the Beatles enjoyed their thirteenth US number one single with "Penny Lane.”
In 1978, the Bee Gees continued an amazing hot streak of three consecutive number one hits with "Night Fever,” which topped the charts and stayed there for 8 weeks. (Who really liked Disco?)
In 2000, a film company paid over a million dollars for nine hours of film shot by Yoko Ono during the 70s that showed John Lennon smoking hash and talking about his political beliefs.
The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful, drawn from three albums and numerous singles, entered the album charts in 1967. It charted for a full year, peaking at #3.
In 1976, 'The Man Who Fell to Earth,' a science-fiction movie starring David Bowie in an award-winning performance, debuts takes place in London.
Doobie Brothers co-founder and drummer, John Hartman, was born in Falls Church, VA in1950.
Cinderella guitarist Jeff LeBar has a birthday. He was born in 1953.
In 1995, Madonna hosted the world's largest pajama part, "Madonna's Bedtime Story Pajama Party," live from New York City's Webster Hall. (I slept through it)
John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas ("Monday Monday") died of heart failure in 2001.
The Doobie Brothers, Dionne Warwick and Petula Clark were among the entertainers at Liza Minelli's wedding reception in 2002.
Teddy Pendergrass of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes was paralyzed in a car accident in 1982.
Jerry Lee Lewis became the first artist to sing three songs on an episode of ABC-TV's "American Bandstand" (and he sings, not lip-synchs them) in 1958.
The Everly Brothers recorded "Cathy's Clown" in 1960.
Happy birthday to Charley Pride, who was born in Sledge, Mississippi in 1938. The "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" hit-maker is arguably the most successful African-American in country music.
Vanessa Williams was born in Tarrytown, NY in 1963. She's famous for a bit of everything, including being the last significant Miss America.
Alice in Chains' guitarist Jerry Cantrell was born in 1966.
All hail the Queen! Hip-hop MC turned actress Queen Latifah was born in Newark, NJ in 1970.
In 1972, Neil Young topped the charts with "Heart of Gold." It's his only solo single to go top 30. Backing vocals were provided by James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.
The Clash released their first single, "White Riot" in 1977.
In 1994 four guns and 25 boxes of ammo were confiscated from Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) after his wife, Courtney Love, called police fearing he was going to commit suicide. He did commit suicide about 3 weeks later.
After three minor chart makers, an Oklahoma group called Five Americans released their biggest hit, "Western Union,” which would eventually crack Billboard's Top 10 in 1967.
Also in 1967, the Beatles enjoyed their thirteenth US number one single with "Penny Lane.”
In 1978, the Bee Gees continued an amazing hot streak of three consecutive number one hits with "Night Fever,” which topped the charts and stayed there for 8 weeks. (Who really liked Disco?)
In 2000, a film company paid over a million dollars for nine hours of film shot by Yoko Ono during the 70s that showed John Lennon smoking hash and talking about his political beliefs.
The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful, drawn from three albums and numerous singles, entered the album charts in 1967. It charted for a full year, peaking at #3.
In 1976, 'The Man Who Fell to Earth,' a science-fiction movie starring David Bowie in an award-winning performance, debuts takes place in London.
Doobie Brothers co-founder and drummer, John Hartman, was born in Falls Church, VA in1950.
Cinderella guitarist Jeff LeBar has a birthday. He was born in 1953.
In 1995, Madonna hosted the world's largest pajama part, "Madonna's Bedtime Story Pajama Party," live from New York City's Webster Hall. (I slept through it)
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales
Week Ending 02/23/2008
1) 45rpm - Bruce Springsteen "Spirit In The Night" / "For You" Columbia - $5,100.00
2) LP - Phafner "Overdrive" Dragon - $5,000.00
3) 45rpm - The Squires "The Sultan" / "Aurora" V - $4,161.00
4) 45rpm - U2 "All I Want Is You" Purple Vinyl - $4,058.00
5) LP - Beatles "Please, Please Me" Parlophone - $3,850.00
1) 45rpm - Bruce Springsteen "Spirit In The Night" / "For You" Columbia - $5,100.00
2) LP - Phafner "Overdrive" Dragon - $5,000.00
3) 45rpm - The Squires "The Sultan" / "Aurora" V - $4,161.00
4) 45rpm - U2 "All I Want Is You" Purple Vinyl - $4,058.00
5) LP - Beatles "Please, Please Me" Parlophone - $3,850.00
This Day In Music History- March 16
Rock ‘n’ Roll’s pioneer promoter (and the man who coined the term) Alan Freed got nailed for tax evasion in 1964, ending his illustrious career.
Nancy Wilson of Heart ("Barracuda") turns 54.
Tammi Terrell ("Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing" with Marvin Gaye) died of brain cancer in 1970.
Johnny Cymbal (he sang "Mr. Bass Man" and was known as Derek when he later recorded "Cinnamon") died of a heart attack in 1993.
In 1996, "One Sweet Day," by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, stayed at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for a 16th week, breaking all previous records.
Seven members of Reba McEntire's touring party died in 1991, when their private plane crashes in California. Reba was on another plane.
A son is born to Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli in 1991. They name him Wolfgang Van Halen. (thanks Mom & Dad!)
In 1975, the legendary T-Bone Walker died of pneumonia at age 64 in Los Angeles. His expressive guitar soloing brought the instrument to the fore of modern blues.
In 1972, John and Yoko are served with deportation papers after someone hears one of Yoko's solo recordings.
In 1971, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and its title track by Simon & Garfunkel win Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year.
The Beatles released “Let It Be” on this date in 1970.
In 1967, Pink Floyd began sessions at Abbey Road studios for their debut album, “Piper at the Gates of Dawn.”
In 1963, Peter, Paul & Mary released the toker's favorite "Puff the Magic Dragon." Yet another song that was not about drugs.
"The Ballad of Davy Crockett" by Bill Hayes, reached the number one spot on the US Pop music charts in 1955, where it would stay for five weeks. The song sold more than 7,000,000 records on more than 20 different labels worldwide and sparked a coonskin cap craze.
In 1902, Bluesman Guitar Slim was born in Charles City County, Virginia.
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” by Otis Redding, reached #1 for the first of four weeks in 1968. Recorded three days before Redding’s death in a plane crash, it is the biggest hit from the Stax Records label group, appearing on Volt.
In 1999, The Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) created the Diamond sales award for album sales in excess of 10 million copies. Groups who have already hit the mark are AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Boston, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Van Halen and ZZ Top. At the top of the list was The Eagles' Greatest Hits, with over 25 million copies (it would sell another million by the end of the year).
US radio and TV personality Arthur Godfrey died on March 16, 1983 in New York City at the age of 79. His show, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts was a fore runner of Star Search and American Idol on which "scouts" presented their discoveries to perform live before a national radio and television audience.
Nancy Wilson of Heart ("Barracuda") turns 54.
Tammi Terrell ("Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing" with Marvin Gaye) died of brain cancer in 1970.
Johnny Cymbal (he sang "Mr. Bass Man" and was known as Derek when he later recorded "Cinnamon") died of a heart attack in 1993.
In 1996, "One Sweet Day," by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, stayed at No. 1 on the Hot 100 for a 16th week, breaking all previous records.
Seven members of Reba McEntire's touring party died in 1991, when their private plane crashes in California. Reba was on another plane.
A son is born to Eddie Van Halen and Valerie Bertinelli in 1991. They name him Wolfgang Van Halen. (thanks Mom & Dad!)
In 1975, the legendary T-Bone Walker died of pneumonia at age 64 in Los Angeles. His expressive guitar soloing brought the instrument to the fore of modern blues.
In 1972, John and Yoko are served with deportation papers after someone hears one of Yoko's solo recordings.
In 1971, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and its title track by Simon & Garfunkel win Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year.
The Beatles released “Let It Be” on this date in 1970.
In 1967, Pink Floyd began sessions at Abbey Road studios for their debut album, “Piper at the Gates of Dawn.”
In 1963, Peter, Paul & Mary released the toker's favorite "Puff the Magic Dragon." Yet another song that was not about drugs.
"The Ballad of Davy Crockett" by Bill Hayes, reached the number one spot on the US Pop music charts in 1955, where it would stay for five weeks. The song sold more than 7,000,000 records on more than 20 different labels worldwide and sparked a coonskin cap craze.
In 1902, Bluesman Guitar Slim was born in Charles City County, Virginia.
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” by Otis Redding, reached #1 for the first of four weeks in 1968. Recorded three days before Redding’s death in a plane crash, it is the biggest hit from the Stax Records label group, appearing on Volt.
In 1999, The Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) created the Diamond sales award for album sales in excess of 10 million copies. Groups who have already hit the mark are AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Boston, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Van Halen and ZZ Top. At the top of the list was The Eagles' Greatest Hits, with over 25 million copies (it would sell another million by the end of the year).
US radio and TV personality Arthur Godfrey died on March 16, 1983 in New York City at the age of 79. His show, Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts was a fore runner of Star Search and American Idol on which "scouts" presented their discoveries to perform live before a national radio and television audience.
Friday, March 14, 2008
This Day In Music History- March 14
Phil Phillips ("Sea Of Love") turns 77.
Producer Quincy Jones (produced records by Michael Jackson and Lesley Gore, as well as "We Are The World") is 75.
Rick Dees ("Disco Duck") is 58.
Songwriter Doc Pomus ("Save The Last Dance For Me", "Suspicion", "Hushabye" and many others) died of lung cancer in 1991.
In 1955, Elvis Presley was interviewed by Jimmy Dean on Jimmy's Washington, DC television show.
In 1965, Petula Clark made her American TV debut on the "Ed Sullivan Show" on CBS.
The movie, "Rock Around The Clock" (with Bill Haley, the Platters and Freddie Bell & the Bellboys) premiered in Washington, DC in 1956.
In 1958, the first official gold record was awarded- to Perry Como for "Catch A Falling Star.”
Jim Pons, bassist for the Turtles and the Mothers of Invention, was born in 1943.
1959-Elvis Presley made the Billboard album chart with "For LP Fans Only". It was the first LP ever issued without the artist's name to be found anywhere on the cover - front or back.
Thieves steal $325,000 worth of Elvis Presley`s jewelry and kitsch from the Elvis-A-Rama Museum in Las Vegas in 2004. Among the stolen inventory: a gold-plated handgun, a custom scarf, a bracelet and Presley`s Humes High School ring from 1953. However, the crooks leave Elvis` blue suede shoes.
1964- For the first time in British recording history, all Top Ten singles in the UK are by British acts. #1 - "Anyone Who Had A Heart" by Cilla Black, #2 - "Bits and Pieces" by The Dave Clark Five, #3 - "Little Children" by Billy J Kramer, #4 - "Diane" by The Bachelors, #5 - "Not Fade Away" by The Rolling Stones, #6 - "Just One Look" by The Hollies, #7 - "Needles and Pins" by The Searchers, #8 - "I Think Of You" by The Merseybeats, #9 - "Boys Cry" by Eden Kane, #10 - "Let Me Go Lover" by Kathy Kirby. Talk about a British invasion!
In 1972, Carole King's "Tapestry" LP was named Album Of The Year at the 14th Grammy Awards. The disc had been 1971's best selling record.
One of Chicago’s founding members and their sax player, Walter Parazaider, was born in the Cubs/White Sox hometown in 1945.
In 1987, Huey Lewis and The News scored their third number one record in the US with a Bruce Hornsby composition, "Jacob's Ladder", one of six singles released from the album "Fore".
Michael Jackson was voted artist of the decade at the annual Soul Train Awards in 1990.
Frankie Avalon hits #1 in the US with "Venus" in 1959. It stayed there for five weeks.
"Me and Bobby McGee," Janis Joplin's only Top Forty hit, reaches #1 in 1971.
Producer Quincy Jones (produced records by Michael Jackson and Lesley Gore, as well as "We Are The World") is 75.
Rick Dees ("Disco Duck") is 58.
Songwriter Doc Pomus ("Save The Last Dance For Me", "Suspicion", "Hushabye" and many others) died of lung cancer in 1991.
In 1955, Elvis Presley was interviewed by Jimmy Dean on Jimmy's Washington, DC television show.
In 1965, Petula Clark made her American TV debut on the "Ed Sullivan Show" on CBS.
The movie, "Rock Around The Clock" (with Bill Haley, the Platters and Freddie Bell & the Bellboys) premiered in Washington, DC in 1956.
In 1958, the first official gold record was awarded- to Perry Como for "Catch A Falling Star.”
Jim Pons, bassist for the Turtles and the Mothers of Invention, was born in 1943.
1959-Elvis Presley made the Billboard album chart with "For LP Fans Only". It was the first LP ever issued without the artist's name to be found anywhere on the cover - front or back.
Thieves steal $325,000 worth of Elvis Presley`s jewelry and kitsch from the Elvis-A-Rama Museum in Las Vegas in 2004. Among the stolen inventory: a gold-plated handgun, a custom scarf, a bracelet and Presley`s Humes High School ring from 1953. However, the crooks leave Elvis` blue suede shoes.
1964- For the first time in British recording history, all Top Ten singles in the UK are by British acts. #1 - "Anyone Who Had A Heart" by Cilla Black, #2 - "Bits and Pieces" by The Dave Clark Five, #3 - "Little Children" by Billy J Kramer, #4 - "Diane" by The Bachelors, #5 - "Not Fade Away" by The Rolling Stones, #6 - "Just One Look" by The Hollies, #7 - "Needles and Pins" by The Searchers, #8 - "I Think Of You" by The Merseybeats, #9 - "Boys Cry" by Eden Kane, #10 - "Let Me Go Lover" by Kathy Kirby. Talk about a British invasion!
In 1972, Carole King's "Tapestry" LP was named Album Of The Year at the 14th Grammy Awards. The disc had been 1971's best selling record.
One of Chicago’s founding members and their sax player, Walter Parazaider, was born in the Cubs/White Sox hometown in 1945.
In 1987, Huey Lewis and The News scored their third number one record in the US with a Bruce Hornsby composition, "Jacob's Ladder", one of six singles released from the album "Fore".
Michael Jackson was voted artist of the decade at the annual Soul Train Awards in 1990.
Frankie Avalon hits #1 in the US with "Venus" in 1959. It stayed there for five weeks.
"Me and Bobby McGee," Janis Joplin's only Top Forty hit, reaches #1 in 1971.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
New Releases On Vinyl
NIN- New Album Pulls In $1.6M In First Week
The online release of the new Nine Inch Nails album, "Ghosts I-IV," resulted in just under 800,000 transactions in its first week, totaling $1.6 million in revenue, the band revealed.
Orders include free and paid downloads, as well as online orders for physical products like various limited-edition vinyl releases, CDs, and a dual-CD box set. NIN will not release traditional sales figures to SoundScan.
==========================================
Grammatics to release a 10" vinyl single in April
On Monday, 7th April, Leeds four-piece Grammatics will release a new single on the Dance To The Radio record label. A double A-side release ('D.I.L.E.M.N.A' / 'Polar Swelling') the single is available both on limited-edition 10" vinyl and on Digital Download formats.
Two wildly different pieces of music, the tracks have one thing in common: they don't sound like they've been recorded by a new band still finding its feet; rather, they sound like the kind of ambitious, forward-thinking creations you'd expect from any of the bands that inspired Grammatics in the first place. Most importantly, they sound like they couldn't have been recorded by anybody else.
==========================================
Legendary U.S. thrashers HIRAX release seven-inch single.
After being on hiatus for a couple of years, Sweden's Stormbringer Records is back with another release lined up for 2008 — a seven-inch single from legendary U.S. thrashers HIRAX. This will contain the very first recording the band did, the classic 1984 demo recording. The seven-inch will be on colored vinyl, come with an insert with photos from original HIRAX guitarist Bob Savage's own collection and include liner notes written by Laurent "I Love Atheist" Ramadier from Snakepit magazine.
=========================================
Portishead To Release 'Third' Via USB Stick Format
Portishead have confirmed that they are releasing a very special USB stick version of their new album ‘Third.’
The limited-edition 1GB will feature the 11 album tracks as well as four films titled: 'Ade's House, Machine Gun', 'The Rip live @ Mr Wolfe's’, 'We Carry On' and ‘The Truly Spectacular Universal Conference Film.'
On top of the CD and USB stick there is a limited-edition double 12” vinyl version featuring special prints and etched vinyl. All three versions will be available on April 28.
The online release of the new Nine Inch Nails album, "Ghosts I-IV," resulted in just under 800,000 transactions in its first week, totaling $1.6 million in revenue, the band revealed.
Orders include free and paid downloads, as well as online orders for physical products like various limited-edition vinyl releases, CDs, and a dual-CD box set. NIN will not release traditional sales figures to SoundScan.
==========================================
Grammatics to release a 10" vinyl single in April
On Monday, 7th April, Leeds four-piece Grammatics will release a new single on the Dance To The Radio record label. A double A-side release ('D.I.L.E.M.N.A' / 'Polar Swelling') the single is available both on limited-edition 10" vinyl and on Digital Download formats.
Two wildly different pieces of music, the tracks have one thing in common: they don't sound like they've been recorded by a new band still finding its feet; rather, they sound like the kind of ambitious, forward-thinking creations you'd expect from any of the bands that inspired Grammatics in the first place. Most importantly, they sound like they couldn't have been recorded by anybody else.
==========================================
Legendary U.S. thrashers HIRAX release seven-inch single.
After being on hiatus for a couple of years, Sweden's Stormbringer Records is back with another release lined up for 2008 — a seven-inch single from legendary U.S. thrashers HIRAX. This will contain the very first recording the band did, the classic 1984 demo recording. The seven-inch will be on colored vinyl, come with an insert with photos from original HIRAX guitarist Bob Savage's own collection and include liner notes written by Laurent "I Love Atheist" Ramadier from Snakepit magazine.
=========================================
Portishead To Release 'Third' Via USB Stick Format
Portishead have confirmed that they are releasing a very special USB stick version of their new album ‘Third.’
The limited-edition 1GB will feature the 11 album tracks as well as four films titled: 'Ade's House, Machine Gun', 'The Rip live @ Mr Wolfe's’, 'We Carry On' and ‘The Truly Spectacular Universal Conference Film.'
On top of the CD and USB stick there is a limited-edition double 12” vinyl version featuring special prints and etched vinyl. All three versions will be available on April 28.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Independent Rocker's Hit The Mark
As I continue my band reviews for the independent online radio station www.ilike2rock.net, I wanted to share a great band that really knows their stuff and plays music with a hard-rockin' style:
Vonzeles
By Robert Benson
With their new CD called “The Next One,” the hard-rocking quartet Vonzeles is making musical waves with their unique melding of precision power rock that is making the music industry stand up and take notice.
Their CD is full of raw intensity, indescribable power and is a rare collection of fresh rock melodies. This rocking band from Tolleson, Arizona hits the mark hard with cuts like the arena-ready rocker “New Existence,” the Candlebox-like, slow tempo sounds of the cut “Feel Good” and the acid-flavored funk and heavy bass lines of the song “Sex Machine.”
But Vonzeles brings down the house with cuts like “I Remember,” an affectionate ballad with Zeppelin-like acoustic guitar that explodes lyrically and musically (ala 3 Doors Down) into a song that people can relate to. The instrumental "This One," with more inspiring acoustics, appropriately serves as an introduction and compliment to "This Is Me," with rough-edged confessional lyrics and rapid-fire, high voltage guitar work adroitly reflecting the song's rage and bitterness.
“Useless Woman,” with its bold lyrics, is another heavy rocker with a fantastic lead guitar that meshes perfectly with the spitefully sung husky growl of Carl, the lead singer. Other cuts like “Cocked & Loaded,” full of fuzz guitar, heavy bass lines has the listener thinking Metallica is playing along with the band. The cuts “End Of Days,” “Half Of It” and “Next One” are all full of grungy guitar rock and all would be right at home on any heavy metal radio station play list.
All in all, “The Next One” is by far Vonzeles breakthrough CD, full of slashing riffs, explosive vocals and straight-up rock and roll. One can actually feel the music, something that every band or artist strives to achieve. Vonzeles has captured this element perfectly and does not let their listeners down.
Visit the band:
http://www.ilike2rock.net/Vonzeles
Vonzeles
By Robert Benson
With their new CD called “The Next One,” the hard-rocking quartet Vonzeles is making musical waves with their unique melding of precision power rock that is making the music industry stand up and take notice.
Their CD is full of raw intensity, indescribable power and is a rare collection of fresh rock melodies. This rocking band from Tolleson, Arizona hits the mark hard with cuts like the arena-ready rocker “New Existence,” the Candlebox-like, slow tempo sounds of the cut “Feel Good” and the acid-flavored funk and heavy bass lines of the song “Sex Machine.”
But Vonzeles brings down the house with cuts like “I Remember,” an affectionate ballad with Zeppelin-like acoustic guitar that explodes lyrically and musically (ala 3 Doors Down) into a song that people can relate to. The instrumental "This One," with more inspiring acoustics, appropriately serves as an introduction and compliment to "This Is Me," with rough-edged confessional lyrics and rapid-fire, high voltage guitar work adroitly reflecting the song's rage and bitterness.
“Useless Woman,” with its bold lyrics, is another heavy rocker with a fantastic lead guitar that meshes perfectly with the spitefully sung husky growl of Carl, the lead singer. Other cuts like “Cocked & Loaded,” full of fuzz guitar, heavy bass lines has the listener thinking Metallica is playing along with the band. The cuts “End Of Days,” “Half Of It” and “Next One” are all full of grungy guitar rock and all would be right at home on any heavy metal radio station play list.
All in all, “The Next One” is by far Vonzeles breakthrough CD, full of slashing riffs, explosive vocals and straight-up rock and roll. One can actually feel the music, something that every band or artist strives to achieve. Vonzeles has captured this element perfectly and does not let their listeners down.
Visit the band:
http://www.ilike2rock.net/Vonzeles
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