Woodstock 40 Years Later

Woodstock Music & Art Fair

When: August 15 to August 18, 1969

Where: Bethel, New York (Max Yasgur's 600 acre farm)

Who: Thirty-two Rock, Folk, Blues Artists.

Founded by: Michael Lang, John P. Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Artie Kornfeld

Ticket Price: $18 in advance / $24 at the gate (for all 3 days)


On Friday, August 15, 1969, the historical concert event that was billed as “An Aquarian Exposition” quickly became one of the greatest moments is music history. The organizers thought they could attract between 50,000 and 100,000 people, which was an ambitious and optimistic estimate at the time. No one knew that more than 500,000 music lovers would turn Woodstock into a fairyland of sound, peace, love, drugs and human conformity.

However, there were a multitude of problems, which one could understand given the magnitude of the event. Hunger, bad sanitation, water shortages, inclement weather, traffic jams, first aid issues, bad drugs, why the list seems endless. However, even with these issues, it was a victory for the youth of America and the music world as well. There was no racial tension at a time when racial tension was at its peak. There was little resentment toward your fellow man; it was a place of social harmony and free love. It was a major coup for the counterculture, despite the obvious problems.

Countless books, documentaries, interviews, news articles have captured all the specifics that occurred on Max Yasgur’s farm. But more than the aforementioned qualities, errors in judgement and logistical nightmares, it was after all, one of the most successful events in music history. Let’s explore the time line and some of the little known facts behind this massive musical experience.

The Players:

DAY ONE - August 15, 1969
1. Richie Havens
2. Swami Satchidananda
3. Country Joe McDonald
4. John B. Sebastian
5. Sweetwater
6. Incredible String Band
7. Bert Sommer
8. Tim Hardin
9. Ravi Shankar
10. Melanie
11. Arlo Guthrie
12. Joan Baez

DAY TWO - August 16, 1969
1. Quill
2. Keef Hartley Band
3. Santana
4. Canned Heat
5. Grateful Dead
6. Mountain
7. Creedence Clearwater Revival
8. Sly & The Family Stone
9. Janis Joplin
10. The Who

DAY THREE - August 17, 1969
1. Jefferson Airplane
2. Joe Cocker
3. Country Joe & The Fish
4. Ten Years After
5. The Band

After midnight - Monday Morning) - August 18, 1969
6. Blood Sweat And Tears
7. Johnny Winter
8. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
9. Paul Butterfield Blues Band
10. Sha-Na-Na
11. Jimi Hendrix (Hendrix insisted on being the final performer and was scheduled to perform Sunday at midnight. He didn't take the stage until 9 A.M. on Monday morning and played for 2 hours to a dwindling audience)


Musical Acts That Declined Invitations:

The Beatles declined because John Lennon said he couldn't get them all together at the time.

Led Zeppelin was asked to perform, their manager Peter Grant stating: "We were asked to do Woodstock and Atlantic were very keen, and so was our US promoter, Frank Barsalona. I said no because at Woodstock we'd have just been another band on the bill." Instead the group went on with their hugely successful summer tour, playing that weekend south of the festival at the Asbury Park Convention Hall in New Jersey.

Jethro Tull declined to perform. Ian Anderson is reported to have later said he "didn't want to spend [his] weekend in a field of unwashed hippies." Another theory proposed that the band felt the event would be "too big a deal" and might kill their career before it started. Little did they know just how important this could have been for the band. Ironically, in the film Jethro Tull songs can be heard playing in the background between acts.

Bob Dylan was close, but pulled out when his son became ill. He also was very turned off by the number of hippies hanging around his house, which was near the originally planned site.

The Byrds were invited, but chose to defer, figuring that the event would not be any different from all the other music festivals that summer. Additionally, there were monetary concerns and they had trouble earlier that year at a performance at the first Atlanta International Pop Festival, held at the Atlanta International Raceway on July 4 and July 5, 1969, where a melee had broken out.

"We were flying to a gig and Roger [McGuinn] came up to us and said that a guy was putting on a festival in upstate New York,” recalled bassist John York. “But at that point they weren't paying all of the bands. He asked us if we wanted to do it and we said, 'No'. We had no idea what it was going to be. We were burned out and tired of the festival scene. [...] So all of us said, 'No, we want a rest' and missed the best festival of all.”

Tommy James & the Shondells declined the invitation because of being misinformed about the size and scope of the event.

Lead singer Tommy James stated later: "We could have just kicked ourselves. We were in Hawaii, and my secretary called and said, 'Yeah, listen, there's this pig farmer in upstate New York that wants you to play in his field.' That's how it was put to me. So we passed, and we realized what we'd missed a couple of days later."

The Moody Blues were included in the original posters as performers, but backed out after taking a gig in Paris on the same weekend.

The band Mind Garage declined because they thought it wouldn't be a big deal and had a higher paying gig elsewhere. Oops.

The Randy California-led band Spirit also declined, they had other shows planned and did not want to back out of their commitments; not knowing how big that Woodstock would ultimately become.


Cancelled appearances:

The Doors were considered, but they canceled at the last minute, most likely due to frontman Jim Morrison's distaste for performing in large outdoor venues. However, band member John Densmore did attend.

The Jeff Beck Group was an England rock band formed in London in January 1966 by ex-Yardbiirds guitarist Jeff Beck. Their innovative approach to heavy-sounding blues was a major influence on popular music during the late 1960s and early 1970s....They were scheduled to perform at Woodstock, but failed to make an appearance because the band broke up the week before.

Iron Butterfly was a psychedelic rock and early heavy metal music band, well known for their 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” They were enroute, however were stuck at an airport, and their manager demanded helicopters and special arrangements just for them. At one point, helicopters were the only means of transportation that could get to the location. They were wired back and told, as impolitely as Western Union would allow, "to get lost," and they left without playing.

Singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell was scheduled to perform, but her agent recommended that she appear on The Dick Cavett Show. However, she wrote a song from what she had heard from then-boyfriend, Graham Nash, about the festival appropriately called “Woodstock,” that became a major hit for Matthews Southern Comfort and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. She was also discouraged by the audience response to her performance at the Atlantic City Pop Festival that was held earlier in August prior to Woodstock. The audience was so rude that she was not able to complete her set and she walked off the stage, sobbing.

Canadian band Lighthouse were originally was scheduled to play at Woodstock, but in the end they decided not to, fearing that it would be a bad scene. Later, several members of the group would say that they regretted the decision.

Musician Ethan Brown was scheduled, but was arrested for LSD possession just three days before the event.


More About Woodstock:

In 2009, complete performances from Woodstock by Santana, Janis Joplin, Sly & the Family Stone, Jefferson Airplane, and Johnny Winter were released separately and were also collected in a box-set entitled “The Woodstock Experience.”

It's also being reported that Woodstock promoter Michael Lang has had to drop plans for a 40th anniversary concert. When asked why he abandoned the pursuit for a third anniversary concert celebrating the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Lang simply lamented: “Money. No sponsors.”

However, Lang remains busy with Woodstock-related projects. On August 8th, he will join Academy Award-winning director Ang Lee and screenwriter/producer James Schamus in Woodstock, New York, for an advance screening of the comedy “Taking Woodstock,” which hits theaters Aug. 28. The film, directed by Lee, with screenplay by Schamus, is based on a book written by Elliot Tiber, who along with his parents ran a motel in Bethel during the Woodstock festival. Should be interesting…..

In 1997, the site of the concert and 1,400 acres surrounding it was purchased by Alan Gerry for the purpose of creating the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The Center opened on July 1, 2006 with a performance of the New York Philharmonic. On August 13, 2006, Crosby Stills Nash & Young performed to 16,000 fans at the new Center — 37 years after their historic performance at Woodstock.

The Museum at Bethel Woods opened in June 2008. The Museum contains film and interactive displays, text panels, and artifacts which explore the unique experience of the Woodstock festival, its significance as the culminating event of a decade of radical cultural transformation, and the legacy of the Sixties and Woodstock today.

VH1 on Friday, Aug. 14, will air, “Woodstock: Now & Then,” a documentary directed by Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple. Original Woodstock promoter Michael Lang is executive producer of the film. The History Channel will show “Woodstock: Now & Then” on Aug. 17.

On August 23, 2009 at Belleayre Mountain, which is just west of Woodstock, Lang will co-present Kidstock, with a “Tribute to Woodstock” by young musicians from Paul Green’s School of Rock, the inspiration for the Jack Black movie.

Written By Robert Benson www.collectingvinylrecords.com

Music News & Notes

Julian Lennon's Atlantic Years To Be Reissued

When a son of John Lennon announces his own musical career and shows up looking and sounding very much like his iconic dad, critics and listeners alike are bound to react with arms firmly folded. But Julian Lennon's gifts as a songwriter quickly broke down skepticism and sent the young artist soaring up the American album and singles charts. Three of his original Atlantic Records albums have long since fallen out of print, only to be reissued by Noble Rot, a subsidiary of Collectors' Choice Music in the Infinity Entertainment Group. The albums "The Secret Value of Daydreaming," "Mr. Jordan" and "Help Yourself" will hit retail on September 8, 2009, (the day before the remastered album catalog of his dad's group appears in stores). Author Gene Sculatti wrote the liner notes.

Lennon's first single, "Valotte," and "Too Late" from his 1984 Phil Ramone-produced "Valotte" album notched the No. 9 and 5 positions on the Billboard pop singles chart. The platinum-certified album received a Grammy nomination, and Sam Peckinpah directed the videos.

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Bowie 40th Anniversary Space Oddity


Forty years ago, David Bowie released his eponymous first album, or Man of Words/Man of Music as it was known in the States. Soon after, the LP adopted the name of its biggest hit, Space Oddity. Now, four decades later, the Thin White Duke will reissue his debut album as a double-disc collection due out this October. The first disc features the album as it was originally presented in 1969, plus a second disc full of demos, B sides and other unreleased recordings, Bowie’s official site announced this weekend.

davidbowie.com

This Date In Music History-August 10

Birthdays:

Jimmy Dean (1928) “Big Bad John”

American singer and entertainer Eddie Fisher (1929)

James Griffin – Bread (1943)

Ian Anderson - Jethro Tull (1947)

Ronnie Spector - The Ronettes (1947)

Patti Austin (1948)

Gene Johnson - Diamond Rio (1949)

Mark Price - All About Eve (1959) Also worked with The Cure and Right Said Fred.

Julia Fordham - singer, songwriter (1962)

Todd Nichols - Toad The Wet Sprocket (1967)

Michael Bivins - New Edition (1968)


They Are Missed:

Michael "Panic" Houser, guitarist for Widespread Panic, died of pancreatic cancer in 2002 (age 40).

Born on this day in 1940, Bobby Hatfield, singer, The Righteous Brothers , “You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin.” He died on November 5, 2003.



Born today in 1909, Leo Fender, inventor of The Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars. Died March 21, 1991.


History:

Recorded in ’58, while Elvis Presley was on furlough during his Army stint, “A Big Hunk O’ Love” is released over a year later (1959) and takes only five weeks to reach #1.

In 1959, four members of The Platters were arrested after a gig in Cincinnati after being found with four 19 year old women, (3 of them white), in various stages of undress. The scandal resulted in radio stations across the US removing Platters records from their playlists.

13 year-old Little Stevie Wonder started a three week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1963 with “Fingertips part II,” making him the youngest singer to top the charts.

Cream started a four-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1968 with “Wheels Of Fire.”

In 1968, the Who released their single "Magic Bus," which later went to #25.

The trial of Doors' singer Jim Morrison began in 1970. He faced numerous charges (lewd and obscene behavior) resulting from a '69 Miami concert. Morrison was found guilty but files an appeal which was still pending at the time of the singer's death less than a year later.

Following a concert in Sweden in 1972, Paul & Linda McCartney are busted for drug possession. They pay a fine and are on their way. (Paul is fined $1,000 and Linda $200)

In 1970, Elvis Presley began a 58-show stand at the Las Vegas Hilton International Hotel.

After doing two albums for Elektra/Asylum Records, Bob Dylan returned to his longtime label, Columbia Records in 1974.

John Denver went to #1 on the US album chart in 1974 with “Back Home Again.”

Roberta Flack went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with “Feel Like Makin' Love,” the singers third US #1.

In 1976, Elton John played the first of ten nights sold out nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The $1.25 million generated from the shows broke the record set by The Rolling Stones in 1975.

Canadian singer, guitarist Bryan Adams scored his first US #1 album in 1985 with “Reckless.”

In 1985, Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran was air lifted to safety when his boat 'Drum' overturned while racing off the English coast. Le Bon was trapped under the hull with five other crew members for twenty minutes, until being rescued by the Royal Navy.

Also in 1985, after Paul McCartney advised him to invest in a music catalog, Michael Jackson buys ATV's for $47.5 million. The catalog contained 251 Beatles songs written by Lennon and McCartney.

"Like A Virgin," by Madonna, became the first 5 million seller by a solo female artist in 1985.

In 2004, Sammy Hagar’s career, his Montrose and solo efforts (but not Van Halen), was chronicled in “The Essential Red Collection.” Spanning 1973 – 1999, the Red Rocker’s set features twenty tracks, including two previously unreleased demos – “Call My Name” and “Thinking Of You,” recorded in 1975.

Classic Rock Videos

Rolling Stones Play with Fire

Bird And Animal Names In Rock And Roll History- part twenty-four

Let’s continue our article series about “bird” and “animal” band names and individuals in rock and roll history:

Formed in the 1980s, the Boston-based band Buffalo Tom has received critical acclaim for their thundering guitar hooks and innovative folk-tinged songs. Produced by J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr, some say that the band was just an extension of Mascis, who produced their first album in 1989.

However, Buffalo Tom was able to strip away these comparisons and was able to develop their own musical niche by blending their meat and potatoes rock and roll to go along with their insightful ballads.

In fact, on the band’s second album, 1990s “Birdbrain,” saw the trio guitarist Bill Janovitz, bassist Chris Colbourn, and drummer Tom Maginnis broaden their musical horizons with improved sonics and lyrical content and found themselves becoming popular on alternative radio play lists.

In 1992, Buffalo Tom’s breakthrough album “Let Me Come Over,” was filled with a gritty set of rock and roll adeptly mixed with melancholy ballads, including the splendid cut “Taillights Fade.” But, despite the increased airplay and critical praise, the album didn’t sell particularly well.

The follow-up album, 1993s “Big Red Letter Day” was a much more radio-ready, polished production, but the record received limited radio play and MTV requests. However, Buffalo Tom became one of the more popular alternative rock bands by the mid nineties in part because of the minor alternative hit single “Sodajerk,” which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1994 television series “My So-Called Life.”

After a year-long tour, the band regrouped and in the summer of 1995 released the LP “Sleep Eyed,” which musically brought the band back to their roots and the musical styling of the LP “Let me Come Over.” In 1998, the band released “Smitten” and two years later released a best of album called “Asides from Buffalo Tom.” After almost a decade of inactivity, Buffalo Tom returned in 2007 with an appearance at SXSW and a new full-length album on the New West label, “Three Easy Pieces.”

In 2009, Buffalo Tom have been writing and rehearsing about 15 new songs in one of the coldest, bleakest Boston winters in recent memory. Buffalo Tom also played their first show in quite some time at Boston's Paradise Rock Club, Friday June 26, 2009. Expect more to come from this seminal alternative rock and roll band.

Since 2002, the Aardvarks have been praised by bar owners, employees and fans alike for their ability to cater to any crowd by performing eclectic sets of musical genres and by adding their compelling repertoire of sound for a variety of events including weddings, local festivals and weekend shows.

In 2002, guitarist/vocalist Mike Rauscher and piano player Ron Walls decided to take a break from the grind of being musicians and playing with a number of other bands that included the Honeybuzzards, Seamrippers and the Armadillos. However, their break did not last long and within a few weeks they formed a duo called, A Pair of Armadillos and the pair performed throughout Lehigh Valley, in Eastern Pennsylvania. In 2003, the duo added Bassist Scott Erickson and drummer Jay Sanita. Just a year later, the band went through more personnel changes, this time adding bassist Jon Novak and vocalist Jay Morgan. Remaining true to their penchant for naming the band after an animal (fits right into our theme), the new bandmates decided to try a new breed of 'A" animal and the Aardvarks, as we know them today, were born.

Since 2004, The Aardvarks have assembled a song catalog of over 100 songs and are constantly expanding their repertoire both with covers of popular hits as well as originals. They are very popular with the locals of Lehigh Valley and perform regularly throughout the region.

Despite record setting attendances and an impressive music catalog, perhaps the most endearing quality of The Aardvarks is their youth and energy. No matter the age or size of the crowd, type of event or location, the band delivers quality performances consistently making them a local favorite and guaranteed good time for friends, family, employees, guests and fans alike. Although the band may not have any national hits, they make our list because of their fondness to name their groups after animals.

There are a couple of other bands named the Aardvarks. David Waggoner (aka David Wagner) of the 1960s psychedelic band Crow released several 45rpm singles prior to joining up with that band. Several of these singles are highly collectible and can fetch anywhere between $20 to $800, depending on the record label and the songs contained on the record. We will explore more bands with this moniker in future articles.


The soft-rock pop duo of Jim Seals and Dash Crofts were formed in 1969 after a stint with singer Dean Beard in 1958. Beard was later invited to join the group the Champs (of Latin-rock hit fame, the instrumental smash hit “Tequila”) along with Seals and Crofts and they stayed with that group until 1965. After both worked as session musicians and in unsuccessful bands, they decided to team up and after two largely ignored album releases, the duo hit the big time after signing with Warner Brothers Records in 1971.

It was their second album on Warner Brothers Records (Summer Breeze-1972) that propelled Seals and Crofts to mainstream pop-rock success. With timeless, breezy and accessible songs such as “Hummingbird,” “Diamond Girl,” the perfect mellow summer song “Summer Breeze” and the Top 40 Billboard hit “We May Never Pass This Way Again,” the duo attained worldwide acceptance. But their fame was fleeting, and ignoring the advice of Warner Brothers Records executives, they released the album “Unborn Child,” that contained the blatantly anti-abortion song called “Momma, Don’t” (which was written by Crofts’ sister) and the album was a critical and commercial flop.

Over a year later the duo released the LP “I’ll Play For You” and the following year cut the album called “Get Closer,” with the title song topping out on the charts at number six. This was Seals and Crofts’ last Top 40 album release. They sang music for a Robby Benson’s movie “One on One” which produced the single called “My Fair Share” (number 28 on the Top 40 Billboard charts in 1977).

The following year the album “Takin’ It Easy” resulted in the duo’s last Top 40 single called “You’re In Love” and their final studio effort “The Longest Road” did not even enter the charts (despite musicians Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke making guest appearances). The pair were subsequently dropped by Warner Brothers Records and have played together sparingly for many years except for a short reunion tour in 1991-1992, and appearances together at religious gatherings promoting their faith (Baha I).

Come back next week for more of this interesting article series about bird and animal band names in rock and roll history!


Buffalo Tom Tidbits:

The band's name is derived from the band Buffalo Springfield and the first name of the drummer, who is the shyest of the three. Combining the two is something of a joke among the members.

Buffalo Tom also wrote the theme song to the extremely short-lived 1999 sitcom The Mike O'Malley Show.

In 1999 the song "Taillights Fade" was used in the Breckin Meyer/Elizabeth Berkley independent film Taillights Fade.

They also recorded The Jam's "Going Underground" for the 2000 tribute album Fire and Skill: The Songs of the Jam.

They were the final musical guest on Jon Stewart's The Jon Stewart Show wherein he showered the band with moderate enthusiasm for their sound and their musical integrity.


Seals and Crofts Tidbits:

Seals' younger brother, Dan Seals was also well known as one half of the successful soft rock band in the same time period, England Dan and John Ford Coley, as well as a very successful country artist in the mid-1980s. Dan Seals died on March 25, 2009.

Jim Seals and Dash Crofts are both members of the Baha'i Faith. A number of their songs are inspired by Baha'i writings, and several contain references to tenets of the faith and actual passages of Baha'i scriptures. When they appeared in concert they often remained on stage after the performance to talk about the faith while local Baha'is passed out literature to anyone who was interested.

Crofts has lived in Mexico, Australia and Nashville, playing country music and making an occasional hit single. Seals moved to Costa Rica and has lived on a coffee farm off & on since 1980, and Crofts now lives on a ranch in the Hill Country of central Texas.

In 2003, Seals and Crofts reunited and recorded a new album called “Traces” for the first time since 1998.

Help Preserve Polka Music

I have been in communication with the president John Ziobrowski of Polka America Corporation, based out of Ringle, Wisconsin. The organization seeks to help educate the public about the genre and to help preserve this format of music. Honestly, this is not a genre of music that I listen to, but I do recognize that there are millions who love Polka Music and I feel that it is very important to help to preserve the vinyl from years past. So I thought I would let you know about the organization. Stop by the website for more information. http://www.polkaamericacorporation.org/

Polka America Corporation Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2009

Contact: Info@PolkaAmericaCorporation.org

PAC ANNOUNCES NATIONAL ARCHIVE PROGRAM FOR POLKA MUSIC IN CONJUNCTION WITH COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Manhattan, NY - A new program for the digitization and archiving of polka music which has been instituted by Polka America Corporation, in conjunction with Columbia University and the Archive of Contemporary Music, is accepting donations of polka music collections. This program provides the only national large-scale public archive collection point for all styles of polka music, and will afford polka music its place in history as a viable and documented form of music.

Collections can be donated at any time and in any amount. Donations submitted will be digitized and archived for record keeping and historical purposes. Any original form is acceptable to include 78s, 33s, cassettes, etc. Digital recordings created by Columbia are exact replicas of the recording submitted. No enhancements are a part of the process. A copy of the digitized recording is returned to the owner once it has been processed by Columbia University. The University maintains ownership of the copy donated to them for the polka category. Substantial polka music libraries can be named in honor of the donor.

Donation maximums of $4500 per year can be written off on your taxes. Donations/record collections exceeding that amount will require a professional appraisal in order to receive larger tax write-offs. Columbia University does not determine the value of a collection.

The archive of polka music will be available on the Internet through Columbia’s websites. This will provide an instant access point of musical history in the polka genre for all to reference.

Further info, along with mailing information can be obtained by contacting Polka America Corporation at info@PolkaAmericaCorporation.org or by calling PAC at 715-446-3098.


Polka America Corporation, PO Box 413 Ringle, WI 54471

Music News & Notes

Them Crooked Vultures Play Live

The new "supergroup" Them Crooked Vultures (John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age) will be playing their first live show tomorrow (Sunday) at Chicago's Metro rock club.

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Daryl Hall and John Oates Set Delayed Again

The Daryl Hall and John Oates box set has been pushed back yet again to October 6. As of now, there still isn't a track list available, although we now know that it will be 4-CDs with 74 tracks, 16 of which are unreleased. There will also be a 60-page book.

The duo will be appearing on QVC to promote the set on September 21 at 6 PM EST.

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This Will Make Your Head Spin (A Sunday Morning Wake Up Call)

Shockhound.com has premiered the video from black metal band Sothis. The video for the title track to the band's current album, De Oppresso Liber, was filmed in the band's hometown of Los Angeles and features computer animation and performance footage of the six-piece band. Just having completed their first national US tour alongside labelmates Absu, the band continues to promote their full-length debut released last fall via Candlelight Records.

This Date In Music History- August 9

Birthdays:

Barbara Mason ("Yes, I'm Ready") is 62

Vic Prince - Pretty Things (1944)

John Parry, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (1946)

Marinus Gerritsen - Golden Earring (1946)

Bruce Thomas - Elvis Costello and The Attractions (1954)

Rapper Kurtis Blow (1959)

Aimee Mann (1960)

John Farriss – INXS (1961)

Whitney Houston (1963)

Baroque singer/songwriter J.C. Hopkins, whose work has been likened to Brian Wilson and Charles Ives, was born in 1967.

Arion Salazar - Third Eye Blind (1972)


They Are Missed:

Born today in 1939, Billy Henderson, singer with the Detroit Spinners (died from complications from diabetes on Feb 2, 2007 (age 67).

Bill Chase and three members of his band were killed in a plane crash in 1974. Chase had the 1971 US Top 30 hit “Get It On.”

Born on this day in 1955, Benjamin Orr of the Cars (Orr died of cancer on October 3, 2000).

Jerry Garcia guitarist and singer from The Grateful Dead died from a drugs-related heart attack at the Serenity Knolls rehabilitation clinic in San Francisco in 1995 (age 53). Garcia co-founded the New Riders of the Purple Sage and also released several solo albums. He was well known for his distinctive guitar playing and was ranked 13th in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarist's of All Time."



History:

In 1952, Kitty Wells became the first woman to top the country charts with "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels."

Mantovani and his Orchestra were at #1 on the UK singles chart in 1953 with “Song From The Moulin Rouge,” the first ever instrumental #1 on the UK chart.

Britain’s answer to Elvis, 17 year old Cliff Richard, signed a record deal with EMI records in 1958. Also on this day Cliff Richard started a four-week residency at Butlins Holiday Camp in Clacton-On-Sea, Essex as Cliff Richard and the Drifters.

The Coasters hit #1 in 1958 with the Atlantic single "Yakety Yak."
Johnny Horton cuts "North To Alaska" at his last recording session in 1960.

The first ever edition of 'Ready Steady Go! was shown on UK TV in 1963. Introduced by Keith Fordyce and 19 year-old Cathy McGowan. The first show featured The Searchers, Jet Harris, Pat Boone, Billy Fury and Brian Poole and The Tremeloes. The final show was in Dec 1966 after 175 episodes. Originally 30 minutes long, it expanded to 50 minutes the following year, and soon attracted the most popular artists, including The Beatles, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Rolling Stones, The Four Tops, The Kinks and many others.



The Rolling Stones appeared at the New Elizabeth Ballroom in Belle Vue, Manchester in 1964. Two policemen fainted and another was taken to hospital with broken ribs after trying to control over 3,000 screaming teenagers.

The Silkie recorded a cover of the Beatles' "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" in 1965. But they had a little help. Paul McCartney played guitar, George Harrison played tambourine and John Lennon produced the whole ensemble.

While performing at the Sunberry Jazz and Blues Festival in England in 1967, Jerry Lee Lewis got the crowd going in such a frenzy that festival officials halted his show and asked him to leave the stage.

In 1968, after the other Beatles had gone home for the evening (2.00 am), Paul McCartney stayed behind and recorded “Mother Nature's Son,” taping 25 takes at Abbey Road studios. The song was included on the White Album.

Actress Sharon Tate and four others were killed by followers of Charles Manson in the first of two nights of bizarre slayings in the Los Angeles area in 1969. Manson, who was later convicted of murder, claimed that the Beatles spoke to him through secret messages in the lyrics of five songs on their "White Album." Nutjob, thankfully he’s still in prison….

"Hot Fun in The Summertime," by Sly and the Family Stone, and "Easy to Be Hard" (from the Broadway production "Hair") were released in 1969.

The Bee Gees started a two week run at #1 on the singles chart in 1975 with “Jive Talkin,” the group's second #1 (#5 in the UK).

Bachman-Turner Overdrive disbanded in 1977. The group, who had gold singles "Takin' Care of Business" & "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet," called it quits just as their popularity is beginning to decrease. Nice coincidence.



Blues legend Muddy Waters performed at a White House picnic for President Jimmy Carter in 1978.

Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," which was the theme song for the hit movie "Rocky III," went gold in 1982.

Queen gave what would be their last ever live performance when they appeared at Knebworth Park in England in 1986. The last two songs the band played were “We Are The Champions” and “God Save The Queen.”

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.

This Date In Music History-August 7

Birthdays:

Country/pop singer B.J. Thomas ("Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head") was born in Houston in 1942.

Kerry Chater - Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (1945)

Carlo Novi - Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (1949)

Born on this day in 1950, Rodney Crowell, country guitarist, songwriter, worked with Emmylou Harris, acts that covered his songs include Bob Seger, Willie Nelson & Carlene Carter.

Born on this day in 1952, Andy Fraser - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Joined Free when he was aged 16.

Bruce Dickinson - Iron Maiden (1958)

Jacqui O'Sullivan – Bananarama (1960)

Ian DenchEMF (1964)

Raul Malo - The Mavericks (1965)

Kristin Hersh - Throwing Muses (1966)

Herb Reed of the Platters ("My Prayer") turns 78.


They Are Missed:

American soul singer Esther Phillips died from liver and kidney failure in Carson, California in 1984, at the age of 48.

Harmonica player Larry Adler died in 2001 (age 87). Known for his original collaborations with George Gershwin, Kate Bush, Sting and Vaughan Williams and his own virtuoso performances

Born on this day in 1925, Felice Bryant, songwriter with her husband Boudleaux. Wrote Everly Brothers hits, 'All I Have To Do Is Dream', 'Bye Bye Love', 'Wake Up Little Susie' and 'Raining In My Heart' a hit for Buddy Holly. (Died April 22, 2003)


History:

Today in 1954, the song "Sh-Boom" by the Crew-Cuts topped the charts and stayed there for 9 weeks.

Tonight on TV in 1955, Ed Sullivan played host to Bill Haley & the Comets, bringing rock 'n' roll to the masses with their "Rock Around the Clock."



The Quarry Men played at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1957, (without Paul McCartney who was away at Boy Scout summer camp). The Cavern was still a jazz club, but skiffle was tolerated, but when John Lennon dared to play ‘Hound Dog’ and ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, the club owner sent a note to the stage saying, "Cut out the bloody rock!"

The movie "Beach Party", with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, opened in 1963.

In 1964, Time magazine panned A Hard Day`s Night saying the public should "avoid this film at all costs." Later, critics call The Beatles' film the best Rock 'n' Roll movie of all-time.

Herman's Hermits went to #1 on the US singles chart in 1965 with “I'm Henry VIII I Am.” The single was only released in the US. Singer Peter Noone once interviewed Elvis Presley for UK music paper New Musical Express.



Christine McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970.

In 1971, At Los Angeles' Pauley Pavilion, Frank Zappa & the Mothers played the gig that became their album Just Another Band from L.A. It's their last album with ex-Turtles Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, who leave the band to become Flo & Eddie.

The Bee Gees started a four week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1971 with “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.” It was the group's tenth US hit and first #1.

Elton John and Kiki Dee were at #1 on the US singles chart in 1976 with 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart', giving Elton his sixth US #1. It was written by Elton John without Bernie Taupin under the pseudonym "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche."

In 1982, 'Mirage' became the third #1 album of the Buckingham-Nicks era of Fleetwood Mac. Their first studio album since 1979, it yielded three hit singles: "Hold Me" (#4), "Gypsy" (#12) and "Love in Store" (#22).

In 1987 a Los Angeles judge threw out a lawsuit against Ozzy Osbourne. The lawsuit had been filed by the parents of a teenager who had committed suicide while listening to Ozzy's song, "Suicide Solution."

Cypress Hill started a two-week run at #1 on the US album chart in 1993 with “Black Sunday.”

Garth Brooks played to the largest crowd ever in New York's Central Park in 1997. An estimated 1 million people attended the live concert with an additional 14.6 million viewing live on HBO.

In 2005, James Blunt was at #1 on the UK singles chart with ‘You're Beautiful’, Mariah Carey was at #1 on the US charts with ‘We Belong Together’ and Axel F had ‘Crazy Frog’ at #1 on the Australian singles charts.

It’s announced in 2008 that bassist Chris Ross and drummer Myles Heskitt have left Wolfmother after "longstanding frictions within the group." Frontman Andrew Stockdale plans recruit new musicians to continue on as Wolfmother. Ross and Heskitt say they will work together on another project.

Also in 2008, Elvis Presley's peacock jumpsuit, was sold at auction for $300,000, making it the most expensive piece of Elvis memorabilia ever sold at an auction. The white outfit with a plunging V-neck and high collar featured a blue-and-gold peacock design, hand-embroidered on the front and back and along the pant legs.
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