As a special treat for the holidays, I am reprinting a very popular series I call Rock & Roll Trivia. Interesting tidbits about our music and our musicians, this will be posted every day until Christmas. Enjoy:
Lesley Gore was given the first chance to record "A Groovy Kind of Love", but her then-producer Shelby Singleton did not want her to record a song with the word "groovy" in it. The Mindbenders seized the opportunity and took the song to #2 on the Billboard charts.
Gladys Knight's "Pips" were named after her manager / cousin James "Pip" Patten. Later on, Gladys said it stood for "Perfection In Performance."
Several meanings for The Rolling Stones' hit "Brown Sugar" have been suggested over the years, including Mick Jagger's alleged affair with a black woman, African slaves being raped by their white masters and the perils of being addicted to Brown Heroin. It has even been rumored that Jagger wrote the song as "Black Pussy" before commercializing it to "Brown Sugar".
With less than ten minutes of studio time left, The Marcels recorded a doo-wop version of a song called "Blue Moon", written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The result was a US number one hit in April, 1961.
The yardstick for every aspiring young drummer in the sixties was an instrumental called "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris. The record has sold millions and has become a classic rock standard, yet was put together as a b-side filler in about 15 minutes and recorded in just two takes.
Elvis Presley's former home, Graceland is the second most-visited house in America after the White House.
The original title of KISS' 1976 hit "Beth" was "Beck", a nickname given to songwriter Stan Penridge's girlfriend Becky. Penridge was the guitar player in a band that Peter Criss was in before he joined KISS. Additional lyrics were added by Criss and producer Bob Ezrin and resulted in a #7 Billboard hit.
William Ashton, who used the stage name Billy J. Kramer and scored hits with "Bad To Me" and "Little Children" during the British Invasion, took the last part of his name at random from a telephone directory. At the suggestion of John Lennon, Billy added a middle initial to give his name more appeal and used "J" in memory of John's mother, Julia and for his newly born son, Julian.
When The Guess Who performed at the White House in 1970, First Lady Pat Nixon, undoubtedly breifed as to the scathing anti-US sentiment of the band's hit "American Woman", asked that the band delete the song from their show.
Franki Valli's 1975 number one hit "My Eyes Adored You" was originally titled "Blue Eyes In Georgia", but was altered by Valli when he recorded it.
After "Good Lovin'" became Billboard's number one song in April, 1966, organist Felix Cavaliere admitted, "We weren't too pleased with our performance. It was a shock to us when it went to the top of the charts."
On the Mamas and Papas 1966 album "If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears", the group's name was spelled with an apostrophe before the "s" - The Mama's and Papa's. Subsequent albums opted for grammatical correctness and the apostrophes were dropped.
According to songwriter Burt Bacharach, his first choice of artist to record "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" was Ray Stevens. Fortunately for BJ Thomas, Stevens didn't like the song and passed on the opportunity.
Chad Stuart and Jeremy Clyde were a popular English duo during the British Invasion and scored two US Top Ten hits in 1964 with "Yesterday's Gone" and "A Summer Song". After the pair had gone their seperate ways, Stuart served as the musical director for the US television show The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
The Beach Boys concert contract states that any sell-outs must be reported to all industry related newspapers and magazines.
The break up of Simon and Garfunkel came about when Art refused to record Paul's song "Cuba Si, Nixon No" for their 1969 "Bridge Over Troubled Water" LP.
"Bye Bye Love" was turned down by Elvis Presley and thirty other artists before The Everly Brothers recorded it. Their version rose to #2 in the US and stayed on the charts for 22 weeks.
The Flamingos 1959 smash, "I Only Have Eyes For You" was first performed by actor Dick Powell in the 1934 movie, Dames.
Gramophone was a U.S. brand name that referred to a specific brand of sound reproducing machine in the late 1800s. The name fell out of use around 1901, though it has survived in its nickname form, Grammy, as the title of the Grammy Awards. The Grammy trophy itself is a small rendering of a gramophone.
The inclusion of "Louie Louie" in the John Belushi movie National Lampoon's Animal House, is in fact, historically incorrect. The film is set in 1962, one year prior to the Kingsmen's release.
When Little Richard (Penniman) was a teenager, he ran away from home and joined a medicine show. By the time he was 15, he was adopted by Ann and Johnny Johnson, a white family from Macon, Georgia.
On the recording session for Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone", future Blood, Sweat and Tears founder Al Kooper played organ and The Electric Flag's Mike Bloomfield played guitar.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
This Date In Music History - December 9
Birthdays:
Sam Strain - O'Jays (1941)
John Traynor - Jay and the Americans (1943)
Neil Innes - Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (1944)
Walter 'Clyde' Orange - Commodores (1946)
Joan Armatrading (1950)
Jack Sonni - Dire Straits (1954)
Donny Osmond (1957)
Nick Seymour - Crowded House (1958)
Kat Bjelland - Babes In Toyland (1963)
Paul H. Landers - Rammstein (1964)
Brian Bell - Weezer (1968)
Jakob Dylan - Wallflowers (1969)
Geoff Barrow - Portishead (1971)
Frank Wright III, 'Tre Cool' - Green Day (1972)
Chris Wolstenholme - Muse (1978)
They Are Missed:
Sonny Til, the lead singer of the '50's Doo Wop group, The Orioles, died of a heart attack in 1981. He was 56.
Darren Robinson, founder member of The Fat Boys died of a heart attack in 1995, weighing 450lb (204kg) at the time of his death. Also known as Buffy, The Human Beat Box, and DJ Doctor Nice.
Born today in 1932, Junior Wells, blues singer, harmonica player. Worked with Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, toured with The Rolling Stones in 1970. He died on January 5, 1998.
Born on this day in 1943, Rick Danko, guitar, vocals, The Band. Died December 10, 1999.
Born today in 1970, Zak Foley, EMF. Died December 31, 2001 (age 31).
Stereolab singer Mary Hanson was killed in a cycling accident after colliding with a tipper truck in East London in 2002.
Mike Botts, drummer for the Soft Rock band Bread, passed away in Burbank, California in 2005, one day after his 61st birthday, having suffered from colon cancer.
In 2006, Fred Marsden, the drummer for the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers, died of cancer at the age of 66. The group disbanded in 1967. Gerry Marsden reformed the Pacemakers in 1973 but without Fred, who had given up the music business to be a telephone operator and later established The Pacemaker Driving School.
History:
In 1955, Johnny Cash played two shows at Arkansas High School, in Swifton, Elvis Presley opened the show.
The Beatles played at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot in 1961 to a crowd of just 18 people. The date had not been advertised, owing to the local newspaper's refusal to accept the promoter's cheque. After the show the Beatles became rowdy, getting themselves ordered out of town by the local police.
The Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" tops the Cashbox Magazine Best Sellers Chart for the first of a four week run in 1961.
The Four Seasons sang their current hit, "Big Girls Don't Cry" on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1962.
The first Supremes album, 'Meet The Supremes,' was released by Motown Records in 1963. The LP contained their first US Top 40 hit, "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes."
The Beatles album 'A Collection Of Beatles Oldies' was released in the UK in 1966.
The Doors appeared at the New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut in 1967. Before the show a policeman found singer Jim Morrison making out with an 18 year-old girl in a backstage shower and after an argument the policeman sprays mace in Morrison’s face. Once on stage Morrison tells the story of the backstage episode and starts taunting the police who drag him off the stage and arrest him. The crowd riots leaving the venue in disarray and many are arrested. Later over 100 protestors gathered at the police station in demonstration and more arrests were made.
The Supremes' and the Temptations' "TCB (Takin' Care of Business") special aired on NBC-TV in 1968.
Helen Reddy became Australia's first female artist to have a number one record on the US chart when "I Am Woman" reached the top of the Billboard hit parade in 1972. Surprisingly, the song didn't chart at all in the UK. Reddy would achieve two more US number one singles over the next couple of years with, "Delta Dawn" and "Angie Baby".
The Moody Blues hit number one on the US album charts in 1972 with 'Seventh Sojourn.' It will be their last album of new material for more than five years as the group's members split to record and to tour as solo artists.
Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" was released in 1972. It would become his fourth US Top Ten hit and first number one single.
In 1974, George Harrison released his first album on his Dark Horse label, approprietly titled 'Dark Horse.'
In 1978, John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd released their version of Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" under the name The Blues Brothers. Belushi and Ackroyd would reach #14 in the US, while the original had topped out at #2.
In 1980, Yoko Ono issued a statement to the press that read: "There is no funeral for John. John loved and prayed for the human race. Please do the same for him. Love, Yoko and Sean." She also pleaded with chanting and singing mourners outside The Dakota to re-convene in Central Park the following Sunday for ten minutes of silent prayer. Over 225,000 did.
In 1984, Michael Jackson announced that at the end of the current Jackson's tour, he will launch a solo career and no longer perform with his brothers.
According to a poll released in the US in 1988, the music of Neil Diamond was favored as the best background music for sex, Beethoven was the second choice and Luther Vandross was voted third. What, no Barry White? Beethoven?
Michael Jackson played the first of nine sold-out nights on his Bad World Tour at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan in 1988.
Billy Joel started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1989 with "We Didn't Start The Fire."
During their 'Use Your Illusion Tour' in 1991, Guns n' Roses played the first of three nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
Saying that he had "seen it all and done it all," bassist Bill Wyman quits the Rolling Stones in 1992, after over 30 years with the group.
In 1992, George Harrison was the recipient of the first Century Award, presented by Tom Petty at the third Billboard Music Awards in Universal City, California.
In 1993, country singer Travis Tritt’s video of the Eagles “Take It Easy” has appearances by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit. This fuels all sorts of Eagles’ reunion rumors. Still. It doesn’t happen until the following year.
Even though they had disbanded 25 years earlier, The Beatles had the number one album in the US in 1995 when 'Anthology' hit the top for the first of three weeks. It sells 855,000 copies in its first week of release. It would go on to sell over 4 million copies and included rare Beatle recordings in the form of demos, alternate takes, live versions and previously unreleased material.
Also in 1995 - "Free as a Bird," debuted on a six-hour ABC documentary on the Beatles. It was their first new song in 25 years.
The surviving members of The Grateful Dead officially disbanded the group in 1995, following Jerry Garcia's death in August.
In 2000, Sharon Corr of The Corrs called for the legalisation of cannabis, claiming that the drug has medicinal properties. Sharon said, 'Some people with certain conditions can get a brief reprieve from their symptoms through cannabis.' Amen to that....
U2 made their first-ever appearance on the long-running NBC program 'Saturday Night Live' in 2000. The band played "Beautiful Day" and "Elevation."
Usher went to #1 on the US singles chart in 2001 with "U Got It Bad."
In 2002, Paul McCartney sparked another Beatles feud with the release of his live album, 'Back in the US.' Against the wishes of John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, the nineteen Beatles songs included on the two-disc set are credited to "Paul McCartney and John Lennon" rather than the traditional "Lennon / McCartney.' Now that is just disrepectful to Lennon, why would he do that?
Also in 2002, Pat Boone returned to Billboard's Hot 100 after a 40 year absence. His new song, "Under God", was written in response to a lawsuit filed in San Francisco by an agnostic who claimed his daughter's constitutional rights were violated by having to say the words "under God" when her school recites the Pledge of Allegiance. The record briefly rose to number 25, ahead of songs by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Jay-Z. Boone's last Top 40 hit was "Speedy Gonzalez", which made it to number 6 in 1962.
In 2003, Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire after being injured in a quad bike accident at his UK home. The 55 year-old singer broke his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck. News of Osbourne's accident reached the House of Commons, where the government sent a goodwill message.
‘A Celebrity Thumbprints’ auction took place on ebayliveauctions.com in 2003. Beyonce, Kelly Osbourne, Coldplay, Blue and Westlife were among the stars whose thumbprints went under the hammer.
Owners of The Station in Rhode Island, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian and Great White tour manager Dan Biechele were each charged with involuntary manslaughter in 2003. 100 people were killed in a fire at the club the previous February after Biechele lit the pyrotechnics that sparked the blaze.
In 2005, a man charged with stealing more than $300,000 worth of Elvis Presley's jewelry from the Elvis-A-Rama museum appeared in a Las Vegas court. 30 year old Eliab Aguilar was arrested on November 3rd after police said he approached a retired Elvis impersonator and offered to sell him several items including Presley's 1953 class ring from Humes High School worth $32,000, a 41 carat ruby and diamond ring worth $77,000 and a gold-plated Smith & Wesson .38 special.
Also in 2005, Joss Stone, Lemar and Ms. Dynamite backed by the African Children's Choir and 1,200 school children set a new world record for the most children singing simultaneously. The ‘Big Sing’ was held at The Royal Albert Hall, London. The singers led a performance of "Lean On Me" which was broadcast to more than half a million people.
Jay-Z was at #1 on the US album chart in 2006 with his comeback album ‘Kingdom Come.’
An acetate LP of the Velvet Underground’s first recording sold for $155,401 on e-Bay in 2006. The record was purchased by a collector for 75 cents four years earlier. Acetates were generally used as demos since they were cheap and of inferior quality to commercial albums. How the acetate got into 'The Velvet Underground & Nico' sleeve remains a mystery. This demo was rejected by Columbia with the Underground releasing their influential debut on Verve in March of ’67.
The "Red Rocker Chopper," a custom-designed motorcycle boasting artwork inspired by Sammy Hagar, was raffled off online for charity in 2006. Proceeds go to the First Candle organization, which works to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and stillbirth. "It is an honor to help spread awareness about these tragedies in order to save as many babies' lives as possible," says Hagar. Great thinking Mr. Hagar!
In 2008, the US military released a list of songs they use to break down detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay (Cuba). "Enter Sandman" – Metallica, "Bodies" – Drowning Pool, "Born In The U.S.A." – Bruce Springsteen and a double shot, "Shoot To Thrill"/Hell’s Bell’s" – AC/DC, topped the list which also includes tracks by Nine Inch Nails. "It's difficult for me to imagine anything more profoundly insulting, demeaning and enraging than discovering music you've put your heart and soul into creating has been used for purposes of torture," writes frontman Trent Reznor in an online post. In addition, Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello backs the Reprieve organization's Zero dB initiative protesting the use of music to torture political prisoners. The campaign promotes periods of silence during concerts and festivals to show solidarity for the victims of this psychological torture method. Among those supporting the effort are RATM, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and AC/DC.
Sam Strain - O'Jays (1941)
John Traynor - Jay and the Americans (1943)
Neil Innes - Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (1944)
Walter 'Clyde' Orange - Commodores (1946)
Joan Armatrading (1950)
Jack Sonni - Dire Straits (1954)
Donny Osmond (1957)
Nick Seymour - Crowded House (1958)
Kat Bjelland - Babes In Toyland (1963)
Paul H. Landers - Rammstein (1964)
Brian Bell - Weezer (1968)
Jakob Dylan - Wallflowers (1969)
Geoff Barrow - Portishead (1971)
Frank Wright III, 'Tre Cool' - Green Day (1972)
Chris Wolstenholme - Muse (1978)
They Are Missed:
Sonny Til, the lead singer of the '50's Doo Wop group, The Orioles, died of a heart attack in 1981. He was 56.
Darren Robinson, founder member of The Fat Boys died of a heart attack in 1995, weighing 450lb (204kg) at the time of his death. Also known as Buffy, The Human Beat Box, and DJ Doctor Nice.
Born today in 1932, Junior Wells, blues singer, harmonica player. Worked with Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, toured with The Rolling Stones in 1970. He died on January 5, 1998.
Born on this day in 1943, Rick Danko, guitar, vocals, The Band. Died December 10, 1999.
Born today in 1970, Zak Foley, EMF. Died December 31, 2001 (age 31).
Stereolab singer Mary Hanson was killed in a cycling accident after colliding with a tipper truck in East London in 2002.
Mike Botts, drummer for the Soft Rock band Bread, passed away in Burbank, California in 2005, one day after his 61st birthday, having suffered from colon cancer.
In 2006, Fred Marsden, the drummer for the Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers, died of cancer at the age of 66. The group disbanded in 1967. Gerry Marsden reformed the Pacemakers in 1973 but without Fred, who had given up the music business to be a telephone operator and later established The Pacemaker Driving School.
History:
In 1955, Johnny Cash played two shows at Arkansas High School, in Swifton, Elvis Presley opened the show.
The Beatles played at the Palais Ballroom in Aldershot in 1961 to a crowd of just 18 people. The date had not been advertised, owing to the local newspaper's refusal to accept the promoter's cheque. After the show the Beatles became rowdy, getting themselves ordered out of town by the local police.
The Tokens' "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" tops the Cashbox Magazine Best Sellers Chart for the first of a four week run in 1961.
The Four Seasons sang their current hit, "Big Girls Don't Cry" on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1962.
The first Supremes album, 'Meet The Supremes,' was released by Motown Records in 1963. The LP contained their first US Top 40 hit, "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes."
The Beatles album 'A Collection Of Beatles Oldies' was released in the UK in 1966.
The Doors appeared at the New Haven Arena, New Haven, Connecticut in 1967. Before the show a policeman found singer Jim Morrison making out with an 18 year-old girl in a backstage shower and after an argument the policeman sprays mace in Morrison’s face. Once on stage Morrison tells the story of the backstage episode and starts taunting the police who drag him off the stage and arrest him. The crowd riots leaving the venue in disarray and many are arrested. Later over 100 protestors gathered at the police station in demonstration and more arrests were made.
The Supremes' and the Temptations' "TCB (Takin' Care of Business") special aired on NBC-TV in 1968.
Helen Reddy became Australia's first female artist to have a number one record on the US chart when "I Am Woman" reached the top of the Billboard hit parade in 1972. Surprisingly, the song didn't chart at all in the UK. Reddy would achieve two more US number one singles over the next couple of years with, "Delta Dawn" and "Angie Baby".
The Moody Blues hit number one on the US album charts in 1972 with 'Seventh Sojourn.' It will be their last album of new material for more than five years as the group's members split to record and to tour as solo artists.
Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" was released in 1972. It would become his fourth US Top Ten hit and first number one single.
In 1974, George Harrison released his first album on his Dark Horse label, approprietly titled 'Dark Horse.'
In 1978, John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd released their version of Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" under the name The Blues Brothers. Belushi and Ackroyd would reach #14 in the US, while the original had topped out at #2.
In 1980, Yoko Ono issued a statement to the press that read: "There is no funeral for John. John loved and prayed for the human race. Please do the same for him. Love, Yoko and Sean." She also pleaded with chanting and singing mourners outside The Dakota to re-convene in Central Park the following Sunday for ten minutes of silent prayer. Over 225,000 did.
In 1984, Michael Jackson announced that at the end of the current Jackson's tour, he will launch a solo career and no longer perform with his brothers.
According to a poll released in the US in 1988, the music of Neil Diamond was favored as the best background music for sex, Beethoven was the second choice and Luther Vandross was voted third. What, no Barry White? Beethoven?
Michael Jackson played the first of nine sold-out nights on his Bad World Tour at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan in 1988.
Billy Joel started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1989 with "We Didn't Start The Fire."
During their 'Use Your Illusion Tour' in 1991, Guns n' Roses played the first of three nights at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
Saying that he had "seen it all and done it all," bassist Bill Wyman quits the Rolling Stones in 1992, after over 30 years with the group.
In 1992, George Harrison was the recipient of the first Century Award, presented by Tom Petty at the third Billboard Music Awards in Universal City, California.
In 1993, country singer Travis Tritt’s video of the Eagles “Take It Easy” has appearances by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Don Felder, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit. This fuels all sorts of Eagles’ reunion rumors. Still. It doesn’t happen until the following year.
Even though they had disbanded 25 years earlier, The Beatles had the number one album in the US in 1995 when 'Anthology' hit the top for the first of three weeks. It sells 855,000 copies in its first week of release. It would go on to sell over 4 million copies and included rare Beatle recordings in the form of demos, alternate takes, live versions and previously unreleased material.
Also in 1995 - "Free as a Bird," debuted on a six-hour ABC documentary on the Beatles. It was their first new song in 25 years.
The surviving members of The Grateful Dead officially disbanded the group in 1995, following Jerry Garcia's death in August.
In 2000, Sharon Corr of The Corrs called for the legalisation of cannabis, claiming that the drug has medicinal properties. Sharon said, 'Some people with certain conditions can get a brief reprieve from their symptoms through cannabis.' Amen to that....
U2 made their first-ever appearance on the long-running NBC program 'Saturday Night Live' in 2000. The band played "Beautiful Day" and "Elevation."
Usher went to #1 on the US singles chart in 2001 with "U Got It Bad."
In 2002, Paul McCartney sparked another Beatles feud with the release of his live album, 'Back in the US.' Against the wishes of John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, the nineteen Beatles songs included on the two-disc set are credited to "Paul McCartney and John Lennon" rather than the traditional "Lennon / McCartney.' Now that is just disrepectful to Lennon, why would he do that?
Also in 2002, Pat Boone returned to Billboard's Hot 100 after a 40 year absence. His new song, "Under God", was written in response to a lawsuit filed in San Francisco by an agnostic who claimed his daughter's constitutional rights were violated by having to say the words "under God" when her school recites the Pledge of Allegiance. The record briefly rose to number 25, ahead of songs by the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Jay-Z. Boone's last Top 40 hit was "Speedy Gonzalez", which made it to number 6 in 1962.
In 2003, Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire after being injured in a quad bike accident at his UK home. The 55 year-old singer broke his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck. News of Osbourne's accident reached the House of Commons, where the government sent a goodwill message.
‘A Celebrity Thumbprints’ auction took place on ebayliveauctions.com in 2003. Beyonce, Kelly Osbourne, Coldplay, Blue and Westlife were among the stars whose thumbprints went under the hammer.
Owners of The Station in Rhode Island, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian and Great White tour manager Dan Biechele were each charged with involuntary manslaughter in 2003. 100 people were killed in a fire at the club the previous February after Biechele lit the pyrotechnics that sparked the blaze.
In 2005, a man charged with stealing more than $300,000 worth of Elvis Presley's jewelry from the Elvis-A-Rama museum appeared in a Las Vegas court. 30 year old Eliab Aguilar was arrested on November 3rd after police said he approached a retired Elvis impersonator and offered to sell him several items including Presley's 1953 class ring from Humes High School worth $32,000, a 41 carat ruby and diamond ring worth $77,000 and a gold-plated Smith & Wesson .38 special.
Also in 2005, Joss Stone, Lemar and Ms. Dynamite backed by the African Children's Choir and 1,200 school children set a new world record for the most children singing simultaneously. The ‘Big Sing’ was held at The Royal Albert Hall, London. The singers led a performance of "Lean On Me" which was broadcast to more than half a million people.
Jay-Z was at #1 on the US album chart in 2006 with his comeback album ‘Kingdom Come.’
An acetate LP of the Velvet Underground’s first recording sold for $155,401 on e-Bay in 2006. The record was purchased by a collector for 75 cents four years earlier. Acetates were generally used as demos since they were cheap and of inferior quality to commercial albums. How the acetate got into 'The Velvet Underground & Nico' sleeve remains a mystery. This demo was rejected by Columbia with the Underground releasing their influential debut on Verve in March of ’67.
The "Red Rocker Chopper," a custom-designed motorcycle boasting artwork inspired by Sammy Hagar, was raffled off online for charity in 2006. Proceeds go to the First Candle organization, which works to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and stillbirth. "It is an honor to help spread awareness about these tragedies in order to save as many babies' lives as possible," says Hagar. Great thinking Mr. Hagar!
In 2008, the US military released a list of songs they use to break down detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay (Cuba). "Enter Sandman" – Metallica, "Bodies" – Drowning Pool, "Born In The U.S.A." – Bruce Springsteen and a double shot, "Shoot To Thrill"/Hell’s Bell’s" – AC/DC, topped the list which also includes tracks by Nine Inch Nails. "It's difficult for me to imagine anything more profoundly insulting, demeaning and enraging than discovering music you've put your heart and soul into creating has been used for purposes of torture," writes frontman Trent Reznor in an online post. In addition, Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello backs the Reprieve organization's Zero dB initiative protesting the use of music to torture political prisoners. The campaign promotes periods of silence during concerts and festivals to show solidarity for the victims of this psychological torture method. Among those supporting the effort are RATM, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and AC/DC.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
R.I.P. Mr. Lennon
Writing from Tokyo, Japan, on website ImaginePeace.com, Yoko Ono has paid tribute to husband:
“This year would have been the 70th birthday year for John if only he was here,” she wrote. “But people are not questioning if he is here or not. They just love him and are keeping him alive with their love. I’ve received notes from all corners of the world to let me know that they were celebrating this year to thank John for having given us so much in his forty short years on earth.
“The most important gift we received from him was not words, but deeds. He believed in Truth, and had dared to speak up. We all knew that he upset certain powerful people with it. But that was John. He couldn’t have been in any other way. If he were here now, I think he would have shouted so we can all hear it. That truth was important. Because without knowing all the truth of what we did, we could not achieve world peace.
“On this day, the day he was assassinated for being a truth seeker and a communicator, what I remember is the night we both cracked up drinking tea.
“They say teenagers laugh with a drop of a hat. But nowadays I see many teenagers angry and sad at each other. John and I were hardly teenagers. But my memory of us is that we were a couple who laughed.”
Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne
FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 6, 2010
DEAR JERRY: Loved learning about all the versions of “Whole Lot of Shaking Goin' On” that preceded Jerry Lee Lewis' hit.
Will you do some similar research on another rock classic, “Shake, Rattle and Roll”?
Versions by Joe Turner; Bill Haley and the Comets; and Elvis are renowned, and all are played regularly on oldies stations.
But, according to a music forum I read, earlier versions also exist, perhaps by whoever wrote the song.
Is this true?
—Doug Bisbee, Milwaukee
DEAR DOUG: Yes, there is one from about 35 years before Joe Turner's hit topped the R&B charts in the summer 1954.
However, the “Shake, Rattle and Roll” issued in 1919 is an entirely different song than the one written by Charles Calhoun (née Jesse Stone) and waxed by Joe Turner (1954); Bill Haley (1954); and Elvis Presley (1956).
Many others followed: Buddy Holly (1956); Sam Cooke (1963); Swinging Blue Jeans (1964); Arthur Conley (1967); Sha Na Na (1973); Chuck Berry (1975); Billy Swan (1976), and Huey Lewis (1994), to cite a few familiar names.
Calhoun, who could also sing, did record a few songs in the mid-'50s, but not “Shake, Rattle and Roll.”
The 1919 “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” by Al “The Boy from Dixie” Bernard (Okeh 1235), tells the story of Ol' Jim, a gamblin' man.
Make that a compulsive gamblin' man, particularly when there's a game of street craps calling his name. Jim loves to shake, rattle, and then roll the dotted cubes, describing the thrill thusly: “When I shake, rattle and roll, it sounds like a melody.”
Bernard, like Al Jolson, was a hugely popular minstrel and vaudeville star who performed many different styles of music with a flair, at times in blackface.
Among his best-known tunes are “The St. Louis Blues”; “I Want to Hold You in My Arms”; the Jolson-esque “I Want My Mammy”; and my favorite, “Frankie and Johnny.”
He is the first of over 250 American artists to record this standard. Al's “Frankie and Johnny” is first-rate entertainment, even by today's standards. One listen and it is clear why Al Bernard was so well-liked.
DEAR JERRY: One of the best albums in a long time, by a former Beatle, is the Pete Best Band's “Haymans Green.”
Unfortunately, it didn't get much publicity in the U.S.
Does Pete Best have plans yet for another CD?
—Mike Manaige, White Bear Township, Minn.
DEAR MIKE: I agree, with one slight modification: “Haymans Green” is among the best albums EVER by any of the ex-Beatles! “Haymans Green,” one of the 11 songs as well as the CD title, is the name of the Best family property where Pete grew up.
As explained best by Best, in an Orlando Weekly interview: “It was my mother's pipe dream, it was the encapsulation of our dreams. Haymans Green is so important; a great big house with four stories, cellars, massive gardens. Even though our mum [Mona] has moved on to greener pastures, we're keeping her legacy alive.”
In one of those cellars at 8 Haymans Green, West Derby Village, Liverpool, is where Mona Best began the Casbah Coffee Club, the same Casbah Club, where the Beatles — John, Paul, George, Pete, and temporary guitarist, Charles “Chas” Newby — first encountered Beatlemania.
That historic event took place 50 years ago this month, and almost two years before the Beatles would have their name on a record, or a record on the UK charts.
“Haymans Green” is Pete's sixth album since 1965, but his first ever studio album of original compositions. All the new tunes are co-written by Pete, along with members of the band.
One member is Pete's younger brother, Vincent “Roag” Best, who plays drums alongside his dad. It is unusual to see a small combo with two separate drummers.
No new album is being mentioned yet, but after “Haymans Green,” how could they not rock on?
For those who have no idea what makes this critically-acclaimed CD so special, especially you fans of the Beatles mid-'60s sound, give a listen to “Gone.” It's on YouTube as well as all the usual music sites.
IZ ZAT SO? Pete Best comes full circle this month, with a December 17th Casbah Club 50th anniversary concert at his beloved Haymans Green.
One of Pete's humorous memories of that night involves this wording used on the original concert posters: “The Beatles Direct From Hamburg Germany.”
Yes, the lads just returned from Hamburg, but the crowd was expecting a German band.
Some in attendance even wanted a refund, claiming misrepresentation, which it was not.
But once they began to sing, the teenage crowd went wild.
Now they wanted an encore, not a refund.
DEAR JERRY: Loved learning about all the versions of “Whole Lot of Shaking Goin' On” that preceded Jerry Lee Lewis' hit.
Will you do some similar research on another rock classic, “Shake, Rattle and Roll”?
Versions by Joe Turner; Bill Haley and the Comets; and Elvis are renowned, and all are played regularly on oldies stations.
But, according to a music forum I read, earlier versions also exist, perhaps by whoever wrote the song.
Is this true?
—Doug Bisbee, Milwaukee
DEAR DOUG: Yes, there is one from about 35 years before Joe Turner's hit topped the R&B charts in the summer 1954.
However, the “Shake, Rattle and Roll” issued in 1919 is an entirely different song than the one written by Charles Calhoun (née Jesse Stone) and waxed by Joe Turner (1954); Bill Haley (1954); and Elvis Presley (1956).
Many others followed: Buddy Holly (1956); Sam Cooke (1963); Swinging Blue Jeans (1964); Arthur Conley (1967); Sha Na Na (1973); Chuck Berry (1975); Billy Swan (1976), and Huey Lewis (1994), to cite a few familiar names.
Calhoun, who could also sing, did record a few songs in the mid-'50s, but not “Shake, Rattle and Roll.”
The 1919 “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” by Al “The Boy from Dixie” Bernard (Okeh 1235), tells the story of Ol' Jim, a gamblin' man.
Make that a compulsive gamblin' man, particularly when there's a game of street craps calling his name. Jim loves to shake, rattle, and then roll the dotted cubes, describing the thrill thusly: “When I shake, rattle and roll, it sounds like a melody.”
Bernard, like Al Jolson, was a hugely popular minstrel and vaudeville star who performed many different styles of music with a flair, at times in blackface.
Among his best-known tunes are “The St. Louis Blues”; “I Want to Hold You in My Arms”; the Jolson-esque “I Want My Mammy”; and my favorite, “Frankie and Johnny.”
He is the first of over 250 American artists to record this standard. Al's “Frankie and Johnny” is first-rate entertainment, even by today's standards. One listen and it is clear why Al Bernard was so well-liked.
DEAR JERRY: One of the best albums in a long time, by a former Beatle, is the Pete Best Band's “Haymans Green.”
Unfortunately, it didn't get much publicity in the U.S.
Does Pete Best have plans yet for another CD?
—Mike Manaige, White Bear Township, Minn.
As explained best by Best, in an Orlando Weekly interview: “It was my mother's pipe dream, it was the encapsulation of our dreams. Haymans Green is so important; a great big house with four stories, cellars, massive gardens. Even though our mum [Mona] has moved on to greener pastures, we're keeping her legacy alive.”
In one of those cellars at 8 Haymans Green, West Derby Village, Liverpool, is where Mona Best began the Casbah Coffee Club, the same Casbah Club, where the Beatles — John, Paul, George, Pete, and temporary guitarist, Charles “Chas” Newby — first encountered Beatlemania.
That historic event took place 50 years ago this month, and almost two years before the Beatles would have their name on a record, or a record on the UK charts.
“Haymans Green” is Pete's sixth album since 1965, but his first ever studio album of original compositions. All the new tunes are co-written by Pete, along with members of the band.
One member is Pete's younger brother, Vincent “Roag” Best, who plays drums alongside his dad. It is unusual to see a small combo with two separate drummers.
No new album is being mentioned yet, but after “Haymans Green,” how could they not rock on?
For those who have no idea what makes this critically-acclaimed CD so special, especially you fans of the Beatles mid-'60s sound, give a listen to “Gone.” It's on YouTube as well as all the usual music sites.
IZ ZAT SO? Pete Best comes full circle this month, with a December 17th Casbah Club 50th anniversary concert at his beloved Haymans Green.
One of Pete's humorous memories of that night involves this wording used on the original concert posters: “The Beatles Direct From Hamburg Germany.”
Yes, the lads just returned from Hamburg, but the crowd was expecting a German band.
Some in attendance even wanted a refund, claiming misrepresentation, which it was not.
But once they began to sing, the teenage crowd went wild.
Now they wanted an encore, not a refund.
Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net Visit his Web site: http://www.jerryosborne.com/
All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.
Copyright 2010 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Permission
Rock & Roll Trivia
In 1959, Philadelpia's Overbrook Highschool boys basketball team won their league championship. Members of the team included future NBA stars, Walt Hazzard and Wally Jones, along with Len Borisoff, who would later change his name to Len Barry and become a member of The Dovells, who had a hit with "The Bristol Stomp" as well as having a solo hit with "1-2-3".
Chip Taylor is the stage name of American songwriter James Wesley Voight, brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle of actress Angelina Jolie. Besides writing The Troggs' hit "Wild Thing", he also penned "Angel of the Morning", by both Merrilee Rush and Juice Newton as well as "I Can Make It With You" by The Pozo Seco Singers and many other hit records.
When a poem called "Too Many Teardrops" was put to music, it was re-titled "69 Tears". Knowing that a song with such a name would never get any radio air play, it was re-named "96 Tears" and by October, 1966 became a number one hit for Question Mark and The Mysterians.
Vee Jay Records was the most successful Black owned and operated record company before Motown. The firm was founded in 1953 by Vivian Carter (the "Vee") and her husband, James Bracken (the "Jay").
Brian Jones, the original lead guitarist of The Rolling Stones, is said to have fathered six illegitimate children before his untimely death on July 3rd, 1969.
Although Ernie K-Doe had a US number one smash with "Mother-in-law" in 1961, he failed to match that song's success with any other release. His career came to a halt in the 70s and 80s and he often wandered the streets singing for spare change. In the mid-90s he turned his fortunes around and opened a successful night club.
The husband and wife song-writing team of Felice and Boudleaux Byant have said that they wrote the Everly Brothers' 1958 number one hit "All I Have To Do Is Dream" in about 15 minutes.
According to legend, to add the authentic sound of a motorcycle engine to The Shangri-Las' "Leader Of The Pack", one was driven through the lobby of the hotel and up to the floor of the recording studio. However, in an interview four decades later, Shangri-Las lead singer Mary Weiss scoffed at this story and said that the motorcycle sound was simply taken from an effects record.
Bruce Springsteen was once the opening act for Canadian singer, Anne Murray, of "Snowbird" fame.
The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian played harmonica on The Doors' recording of "Road House Blues". He is credited on the album as G. Puglese.
Although AM radio broadcasts were tested in 1906 and used for voice and music broadcasts up until WW1, it wasn't until 1916, when 8XK in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania began regularly scheduled broadcasts.
The first 'live' television satellite program to air worldwide was a two-hour show called Our World, in which The Beatles performed "All You Need is Love" on June 25, 1967.
The Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" was included in John Lennon's personal jukebox along with "Do You Believe In Magic?" Paul McCartney later said that "Daydream" was a major influence on his composition "Good Day Sunshine."
Sam and Dave were a Soul singing duo who scored a half dozen hits on the US pop and R&B charts in the mid 1960s, including "Hold On, I'm Comin'". The two didn't get along very well and seldom spoke to each other off stage. Sam Moore said he lost all respect for his partner Dave Prater after Prater shot his own wife during a 1968 domsestic dispute, an incident for which he was never prosecuted.
There have been over 30 different members of The Drifters and two entirely seperate sets of singers known by that name. The first group of Drifters had a couple of hits on the R&B chart in the mid-fifties, but after Clyde McPhatter left in 1956, the remaining members had a falling out with their manager and were all fired. A new version of the Drifters featured Ben E. King on "There Goes My Baby", "This Magic Moment" and "Save The Last Dance For Me" before he quit. Rudy Lewis replaced King as lead vocalist for "Some Kind Of Wonderful", "Up On The Roof" and "On Broadway", but he suffered a fatal heart attack in 1964. Johnny Moore, from the original set of Drifters then re-joined to sing "Under The Boardwalk", as well as a series of moderate British hits.
Even though the members of the three piece band called America are all from the US, they actually met and formed the group while they were living in the UK.
Diana Ross has recorded 18 US number one songs, but has never won a Grammy Award.
Chip Taylor is the stage name of American songwriter James Wesley Voight, brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle of actress Angelina Jolie. Besides writing The Troggs' hit "Wild Thing", he also penned "Angel of the Morning", by both Merrilee Rush and Juice Newton as well as "I Can Make It With You" by The Pozo Seco Singers and many other hit records.
When a poem called "Too Many Teardrops" was put to music, it was re-titled "69 Tears". Knowing that a song with such a name would never get any radio air play, it was re-named "96 Tears" and by October, 1966 became a number one hit for Question Mark and The Mysterians.
Vee Jay Records was the most successful Black owned and operated record company before Motown. The firm was founded in 1953 by Vivian Carter (the "Vee") and her husband, James Bracken (the "Jay").
Brian Jones, the original lead guitarist of The Rolling Stones, is said to have fathered six illegitimate children before his untimely death on July 3rd, 1969.
Although Ernie K-Doe had a US number one smash with "Mother-in-law" in 1961, he failed to match that song's success with any other release. His career came to a halt in the 70s and 80s and he often wandered the streets singing for spare change. In the mid-90s he turned his fortunes around and opened a successful night club.
The husband and wife song-writing team of Felice and Boudleaux Byant have said that they wrote the Everly Brothers' 1958 number one hit "All I Have To Do Is Dream" in about 15 minutes.
According to legend, to add the authentic sound of a motorcycle engine to The Shangri-Las' "Leader Of The Pack", one was driven through the lobby of the hotel and up to the floor of the recording studio. However, in an interview four decades later, Shangri-Las lead singer Mary Weiss scoffed at this story and said that the motorcycle sound was simply taken from an effects record.
Bruce Springsteen was once the opening act for Canadian singer, Anne Murray, of "Snowbird" fame.
The Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian played harmonica on The Doors' recording of "Road House Blues". He is credited on the album as G. Puglese.
Although AM radio broadcasts were tested in 1906 and used for voice and music broadcasts up until WW1, it wasn't until 1916, when 8XK in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania began regularly scheduled broadcasts.
The first 'live' television satellite program to air worldwide was a two-hour show called Our World, in which The Beatles performed "All You Need is Love" on June 25, 1967.
The Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream" was included in John Lennon's personal jukebox along with "Do You Believe In Magic?" Paul McCartney later said that "Daydream" was a major influence on his composition "Good Day Sunshine."
Sam and Dave were a Soul singing duo who scored a half dozen hits on the US pop and R&B charts in the mid 1960s, including "Hold On, I'm Comin'". The two didn't get along very well and seldom spoke to each other off stage. Sam Moore said he lost all respect for his partner Dave Prater after Prater shot his own wife during a 1968 domsestic dispute, an incident for which he was never prosecuted.
There have been over 30 different members of The Drifters and two entirely seperate sets of singers known by that name. The first group of Drifters had a couple of hits on the R&B chart in the mid-fifties, but after Clyde McPhatter left in 1956, the remaining members had a falling out with their manager and were all fired. A new version of the Drifters featured Ben E. King on "There Goes My Baby", "This Magic Moment" and "Save The Last Dance For Me" before he quit. Rudy Lewis replaced King as lead vocalist for "Some Kind Of Wonderful", "Up On The Roof" and "On Broadway", but he suffered a fatal heart attack in 1964. Johnny Moore, from the original set of Drifters then re-joined to sing "Under The Boardwalk", as well as a series of moderate British hits.
Even though the members of the three piece band called America are all from the US, they actually met and formed the group while they were living in the UK.
Diana Ross has recorded 18 US number one songs, but has never won a Grammy Award.
Music News & Notes
NEURAXIS: 'Asylon' Cover Artwork Unveiled
Montreal-based death metallers NEURAXIS are set to release their sixth album, 'Asylon' on February 15, 2011. The cover art was created by artist Dennis Sibeijn of Damnengine Artwork, who worked with the band on its previous CD, "The Thin Line Between", as well with JOB FOR A COWBOY, CHIMAIRA and more.
"Asylon" was recorded at Wildsound Studio with producer Chris Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, THE LAST FELONY, THE AGONIST). Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Savior And Destroyer", "Left To Devour", "V" and the title track.
---------------------
Pearl Jam Releasing Covers Album
Pearl Jam will be celebrating their twentieth anniversary with a new live album 'Live on Ten Legs.' Along with a selection of the band's live favorites, the album will feature covers of both Public Image Limited and Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. The set actually opens with Strummer's "Arms Aloft" which comes from 2003's Streetcore.
The set is taken from the band's Backspacer tour and the band performed many covers on the run including the Who's "Baba O'Riley," The Ramones "I Believe In Miracles" and "Blitzkrieg Bop," MC5's "Kick Out the Jams," Sleater-Kinney's "Modern Girl," The Stooges' "Search and Destroy," The Dead Boys' "Sonic Reducer," and even Devo's "Whip It."
------------------------
Soundgarden Working on Material For New Releases
Soundgarden is ready to roll out new material in a variety of ways, according to guitarist Kim Thayil. He said in a recent interview that the band is working over recordings to release a live album in the first half of next year, as well as raiding the vault for more back catalog songs in the form of rare Soundgarden b-sides and previously unreleased music.
"The band were in talks about attending to our catalogue and merchandise, which had been neglected over the past decade. We wanted an e-commerce profile and we'd never maintained the website we had, and wanted to start a new one. We wanted to take advantage of the way the market had changed — iTunes, Facebook and so on, and put out the records we always promised we'd put out," Thayil told Toronto radio station
------------------------
Anthrax Almost Finished With New Album
Thrash legends Anthrax are nearly finished recording their new album, tentatively titled 'Worship Music.' It will be the first Anthrax album with frontman Joey Belladonna since 1990. It’s the group’s ninth studio album overall.
“We’re almost ready to go,” guitarist Scott Ian told Artisan News Service. “Eight things are recorded and we’ve only got to go back and re-record two or three things. And Joey’s singing on all of it.”
------------------------
DEVILDRIVER: 'Beast' Artwork Unveiled
The cover artwork for 'Beast,' the fifth album from Santa Barbara, California metal veterans DEVILDRIVER has been released. Due on February 22, 2011 (Roadrunner Records), the effort was recorded at Sonic Ranch studios in Tornillo,
Texas with producer Mark Lewis (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, ALL THAT REMAINS) and is currently being mixed by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY) at his Backstage studio in Derbyshire, England. The band recorded 14 songs during the "Beast" sessions, with 11 or 12 tracks expected to make the final cut.
"Asylon" was recorded at Wildsound Studio with producer Chris Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, THE LAST FELONY, THE AGONIST). Songtitles set to appear on the effort include "Savior And Destroyer", "Left To Devour", "V" and the title track.
---------------------
Pearl Jam Releasing Covers Album
Pearl Jam will be celebrating their twentieth anniversary with a new live album 'Live on Ten Legs.' Along with a selection of the band's live favorites, the album will feature covers of both Public Image Limited and Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. The set actually opens with Strummer's "Arms Aloft" which comes from 2003's Streetcore.
The set is taken from the band's Backspacer tour and the band performed many covers on the run including the Who's "Baba O'Riley," The Ramones "I Believe In Miracles" and "Blitzkrieg Bop," MC5's "Kick Out the Jams," Sleater-Kinney's "Modern Girl," The Stooges' "Search and Destroy," The Dead Boys' "Sonic Reducer," and even Devo's "Whip It."
------------------------
Soundgarden Working on Material For New Releases
Soundgarden is ready to roll out new material in a variety of ways, according to guitarist Kim Thayil. He said in a recent interview that the band is working over recordings to release a live album in the first half of next year, as well as raiding the vault for more back catalog songs in the form of rare Soundgarden b-sides and previously unreleased music.
"The band were in talks about attending to our catalogue and merchandise, which had been neglected over the past decade. We wanted an e-commerce profile and we'd never maintained the website we had, and wanted to start a new one. We wanted to take advantage of the way the market had changed — iTunes, Facebook and so on, and put out the records we always promised we'd put out," Thayil told Toronto radio station
------------------------
Anthrax Almost Finished With New Album
“We’re almost ready to go,” guitarist Scott Ian told Artisan News Service. “Eight things are recorded and we’ve only got to go back and re-record two or three things. And Joey’s singing on all of it.”
------------------------
DEVILDRIVER: 'Beast' Artwork Unveiled
Texas with producer Mark Lewis (TRIVIUM, CHIMAIRA, ALL THAT REMAINS) and is currently being mixed by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY) at his Backstage studio in Derbyshire, England. The band recorded 14 songs during the "Beast" sessions, with 11 or 12 tracks expected to make the final cut.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
New Music Releases - December 7, 2010
Look for re-releases from Dead Can Dance, Eric Burdon & War, Giant Sand, Minus the Bear, ZZ Top, the Zombies and more.
As always CVR Blog picks are in red:
ABBA - Gold: Special Edition (CD/DVD)
Air Supply - The Earth Is
Anika - Anika
Average White Band - Feel No Fret
Banjo or Freakout - 105
Bill Withers - Making Music
Bill Withers' first Columbia album is making its debut on CD. The album yielded the singles "Making Music" and "Hello Like Before" and features a killer band that includes David Walker, Ray Parker Jr., Melvin "Wah Wah" Ragin, bassist James Jamerson, Ernie Watts and Ralph MacDonald.
Bill Withers - Naked and Warm
Black Eyed Peas - The Beginning (Vinyl)
Black Hole - Black Hole (Californian Punk 1977-1980)
Bob Dylan - The Original Mono Recordings (Amazon.com Exclusive Bonus Edition)
Bonnie Prince Billy & Trembling Bells - New Year's Eve's the Loneliest Night of the Year (Vinyl)Boston - Boston [Vinyl]
Brooklyn Dreams - Sleepless Nights
Celebration - Hello Paradise
Charlie Wilson - Just Charlie
Christian Kane - The House Rules
Clarence Carter - Testifyin
Clouds - Up Above Our Heads (Clouds 66-71)
Connie Stevens - Tradition: A Family At Christmas
Cowsills - On My Side
DNTL - After Parties 1 (Vinyl)
DNTL - After Parties 2 (Vinyl)
Daft Punk - Tron Legacy (soundtrack)
Dave Baby Cortez - Organ Shindig
Dead Can Dance - Dead Can Dance (4-LP reissue) (Vinyl)
Deadmau5 - 4x4=12
Deodato - Prelude
(Vinyl)Diane Birch and the Phenomenal Handclap Band - The Velveteen Age
Seven covers of songs by the Cure, Joy Division, Siouxsie & the Banshees and others are given a neo-soul treatment with Birch unleashing vocals more rooted in the 1970s -- a bit of Stevie Nicks here, some gospel there, and her inner-folkie in between.
Dino, Desi & Billy - Memories Are Made of This
Dino, Desi & Billy - Souvenir
Duffy - Endlessly
The singer returns with her second album, recorded in New York, London and Spain with Albert "It Never Rains in California" Hammond co-producing. The first single, "Well Well Well," features the Roots.
Einsturzende Neubauten - Strategies Against Architecture IV
Eluvium - The Motion Makes Me Last EP
Engineers - In Praise of More
Eric Burdon & War - Best of
Eric Burdon & War - Black Man's Burdon
Eric Burdon & War - Eric Burdon Declares War
Eric Burdon & War - Love is All Around
Eric Johnson - Up Close
Fairport Convention - Dirty Linen: Live at the Marlowe Theatre
Feist - Look at What the Light Did Now
Floating Bridge - Floating Bridge
Frank Sinatra - Frank Sinatra Boxset
(36 CDs)Freebass - It's A Beautiful Life
Giant Sand - Ballad of a Thin Line Man: 25th Anniversary Edition (reissue)
Giant Sand - Storm: 25th Anniversary Edition (reissue)
Gospel Music - Duettes
Gregory and the Hawk - Leche (Vinyl)
Hamilton Camp - Here's to You
Heavy Winged - Sunspotted
Hinder - All American Nightmare (Deluxe Edition)
INXS - Original Sin
I The Breather - These Are My Sins
Iron Maiden - The Interview Sessions
James Levine - 40 Years at the Met" (32 CDS)
Janis Siegel - At Home
Jefferson Airplane - Live at The Fillmore Auditorium 10/15/66: Late Show: Signe's Farewell
Jefferson Airplane - Live at The Fillmore Auditorium 10/16/66: Early & Late Shows: Grace's Debut
Jefferson Airplane - Live at The Fillmore Auditorium 11/25/66 & 11/27/66: We Have Ignition 11/27/66: We Have Ignition (2 CDs)
Jefferson Airplane -Return to The Matrix 2/1/68 (2 CDs)
Jimi Hendrix - Blues
(2 LPs) John D. Loudermilk - Elloree 1
Jonathan Richman - O Moon, Queen of Night on Earth (Vinyl)
Juanes - P.A.R.C.
Kate Bush - Sensual World (reissue) (Vinyl)
Keith Christmas - Tomorrow Never Ends: Anthology 1974 - 1976
Latimore - It Ain't Where You Been
Liz Janes - Say Goodbye
Memoryhouse - Caregiver b/w Heirloom
Michael Bolton - Home for Christmas
Mick Jones - Mick Jones
Minus the Bear - Planet of Ice (Vinyl)
Misfits - X-posed
Morning Dew - Morning Dew
Morris Day - Daydreaming
Motels - Motels / Careful
Mount Kimbie - Crooks & Lovers (Vinyl)
Muddy Waters - They Called Me Muddy Waters / Live at Mister Kellys
Mumford & Sons with Laura Marling and the Dharohar Project
A four-song EP featuring Mumford & Sons, the blokes who just received a Grammy nomination for best new artist. These recordings were made during a tour of India in December 2009. Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling spent several days with Rajasthani folk musicians in a makeshift studio at an arts & culture school in Delhi.
Natasha Bedingfield - Strip Me
Nina Simone - Classic Hits
Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine: 2010 Remaster
(Vinyl)Ohio Knox - Ohio Knox
Out of Focus - Out of Focus
Peggy Lee - Black Coffee & Dream Street
Perfume Genius - Learning (slipcase edition with three bonus tracks)
Perry Como - The Complete Christmas Collection (2 CDs)
Pet Shop Boys - Together (Single)
Pet Shop Boys - Ultimate (CD/DVD)
Plain White T's - Wonders of the Younger
The Psychedelic Aliens were a rock band in Ghana in the late '60s and early '70s that combined elements of American soul, funk, garage rock and psych with African rhythms and melodies. "Psycho African Beat" brings together their four-song EP and two 7-inches with a 32-page booklet.
Randy Meisner - One More Song / Randy
Ric Ocasek - Fireball Zone
Ric Ocasek - Quick Change World
Robin Trower - The Playful Heart
Royal Trux - Thank You (reissue) (Vinyl)
Ryan Bingham - Junky Star (Vinyl)
Sammy Hagar - Loud & Clear
Silverstein - Transitions
Solomon Burke - The Best of (Vinyl)
Star & Micey - 12 Days of Memphis Christmas
Stay Ahead Of The Weather - We Better Get Goin' If We're Gonna
Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People EP
The EP is built around two different versions of Sufjan Stevens' long-form epic ballad "All Delighted People," an homage to the Apocalypse, existential ennui and Paul Simon's "Sounds of Silence." Other songs on the EP include the 17-minute guitar jam-for-single-mothers "Djohariah," and the gothic piano ballad "The Owl and the Tanager," a live-show mainstay.
Surfers - Sing Hit Movie Songs From the Exotic Islands
T.I. - No Mercy
The Coathangers & the Numerators - Chicken 30 b/w Strawberry Dreams
Two Cow Garage - Sweet Saint Me
Various Artists - ABC of the Blues (52 CDs)
Various Artists - Angola Soundtrack (Vinyl)
Various Artists - Flower Power: Music of the Love Generation (3 CDs)
Various Artists - Motown Collection (3 CDs)
Various Artists - O Brother Where Art Thou: Deluxe Edition (2 CDs)
Various Artists - Romancing the 70s (3 CDs)
Various Artists - Sound of Siam
Various Artists - The Ultimate Oldies but Goodies Collection (3 CDs)
War - All Day Music
War - Deliver the Word
War - Greatest Hits Live
War - Life (Is So Strange)
War - Live
War - Outlaw
War - Peace Sign
War - Platinum Jazz
War - Very Best of
War - Why Can't We Be Friends
War - World is a Ghetto
War - Youngblood
Wires Under Tension - Light Science
ZZ Top - Deguello (Vinyl)
ZZ Top - Rio Grande Mud (Vinyl)
Zombies - On the BBC (Vinyl)
Zombies - Time of the Season
(Vinyl)Zombies - Zombies '66 (Vinyl)
Find New Jazz Releases Here
Remember, if you are a record company and have new releases or know of any I missed (especially vinyl), please email me and I will add your music to the list. I also do reviews of new vinyl, email me for more information.
New Music Releases are put together from a variety of sources by blog owner Robert Benson
Have new music for the list? Email me at rbenson30@wi.rr.com
Rock & Roll Trivia
In the 1950s, Paul McCartney's father lead a combo called Jim Mac's Jazz Band, where he played piano and trumpet. When he was a boy, Paul said that someday he hoped to be as good as his dad.
Set to Ronald White's tune, Smokey Robinson was inspired by his wife Claudette to write the lyrics to one of music history's greatest love songs, "My Girl". Smokey's personal problems lead to their divorce in 1986.
From clay tablets and other forms of pictures, historians have determined that stringed musical instruments were developed in ancient Egypt and Rome over 3,300 years ago. The first six string guitar, called a vihuela, was developed in Spain in the 17th century.
In February 1949, after RCA Victor introduced the first 45 rpm phonograph, they put together a promo package of seven 45s that were sent to US disc jockeys and retailers. The records were color coded for classification of music. Popular - Black; Classical - Red; Popular Classical - Midnight blue; Children's - Yellow; Country and Western - Green; Rhythm And Blues - Cerise; International - Sky blue.
John Fogarty's comeback album, 1985's "Centerfield", included a couple of songs titled "Zantz Can't Dance" and "Mr. Greed", which were believed to be attacks on Fogerty's former boss at Fantasy Records, Saul Zaentz. Zaentz responded with a lawsuit, which forced Fogerty to issue a revised version of "Zaentz Can't Dance", changing the lead character's name to Vanz.
The Knack's lead vocalist, Doug Fieger, is the older brother of famed attorney Jeffrey Fieger, who defended doctor-assisted suicide advocate, Dr. Jack Kervorkian.
Three Dog Night's 1972, #1 hit "Black And White" was written in the mid-1950s about the 1954 US Supreme Court's landmark decision banning segregation in public schools. Some of the verses were changed in the Three Dog Night version. The original second verse went "Their robes were black, Their heads were white, The schoolhouse doors were closed so tight. Nine judges all set down their names, To end the years and years of shame".
Diane Renay, who was born Renne Diane Kushner, initially wanted to be billed as Renay Diane. She chose the "Renay" spelling to keep it from being mis-pronounced as "Ree-nee". Unfortunately, Atco Records misunderstood and printed early copies of her first recordings that said "Diane Renay". Rather than make an issue out of it, she decided to leave it that way. The record, "Navy Blue", went on to reach #6 in the US in 1964.
Joey Scarbury, who reached #2 on the Billboard chart with "Believe It Or Not" in 1981, was discovered by singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb's father, who wandered into a furniture store and heard the 14 year old's mom praising her son's singing ability. His initial recordings were not successful and it took another 12 years for Joey to have his big hit. Although he never cracked the Top 40 again, he did record the soundtracks for ER, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Fahrenheit 9/11.
By 1968, around eighty-five different manufacturers had sold over 2.4 million cassette players world wide and in that year alone, the cassette business was worth about $150 million. In August, 2008, ABBA's "Gold" compilation rose to #1 on the UK album chart for the fifth time since being released in 1992, making it the oldest ever UK #1 album to return to the top of the chart, 16 years after release.
"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield got its title when Stephen Stills first played the song for the group, saying "Here's a new song I wrote, for what it's worth." When he finished playing, he was asked what the title was. Stills said he didn't have one. Someone then replied, "Sure you do. You just said it."
David Rose, who had a Billboard #1 hit in 1962 with an instrumental called "The Stripper", also wrote the theme for the TV show Little House On The Prairie.
In January, 2005, on what would have been Elvis Presley's 70th birthday, "Jailhouse Rock" was re-released in the UK where it went straight to #1. At over 47 years after its original release, it became the oldest recording ever to top the UK charts.
The lightest Elvis ever weighed as a six foot tall adult was 170 lbs in 1960 following his discharge from the U.S. Army. The heaviest was at the time of his death, which was 260 lbs.
Helen Reddy's husband, Jeff Wald, was also her manager. He was also the manager for Sylvester Stallone, George Foreman, James Brolin, George Carlin, Elliot Gould, Deep Purple, Donna Summer, Flip Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Chicago and Crosby, Stills & Nash, to name only a few.
Set to Ronald White's tune, Smokey Robinson was inspired by his wife Claudette to write the lyrics to one of music history's greatest love songs, "My Girl". Smokey's personal problems lead to their divorce in 1986.
From clay tablets and other forms of pictures, historians have determined that stringed musical instruments were developed in ancient Egypt and Rome over 3,300 years ago. The first six string guitar, called a vihuela, was developed in Spain in the 17th century.
In February 1949, after RCA Victor introduced the first 45 rpm phonograph, they put together a promo package of seven 45s that were sent to US disc jockeys and retailers. The records were color coded for classification of music. Popular - Black; Classical - Red; Popular Classical - Midnight blue; Children's - Yellow; Country and Western - Green; Rhythm And Blues - Cerise; International - Sky blue.
John Fogarty's comeback album, 1985's "Centerfield", included a couple of songs titled "Zantz Can't Dance" and "Mr. Greed", which were believed to be attacks on Fogerty's former boss at Fantasy Records, Saul Zaentz. Zaentz responded with a lawsuit, which forced Fogerty to issue a revised version of "Zaentz Can't Dance", changing the lead character's name to Vanz.
The Knack's lead vocalist, Doug Fieger, is the older brother of famed attorney Jeffrey Fieger, who defended doctor-assisted suicide advocate, Dr. Jack Kervorkian.
Three Dog Night's 1972, #1 hit "Black And White" was written in the mid-1950s about the 1954 US Supreme Court's landmark decision banning segregation in public schools. Some of the verses were changed in the Three Dog Night version. The original second verse went "Their robes were black, Their heads were white, The schoolhouse doors were closed so tight. Nine judges all set down their names, To end the years and years of shame".
Diane Renay, who was born Renne Diane Kushner, initially wanted to be billed as Renay Diane. She chose the "Renay" spelling to keep it from being mis-pronounced as "Ree-nee". Unfortunately, Atco Records misunderstood and printed early copies of her first recordings that said "Diane Renay". Rather than make an issue out of it, she decided to leave it that way. The record, "Navy Blue", went on to reach #6 in the US in 1964.
Joey Scarbury, who reached #2 on the Billboard chart with "Believe It Or Not" in 1981, was discovered by singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb's father, who wandered into a furniture store and heard the 14 year old's mom praising her son's singing ability. His initial recordings were not successful and it took another 12 years for Joey to have his big hit. Although he never cracked the Top 40 again, he did record the soundtracks for ER, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Fahrenheit 9/11.
By 1968, around eighty-five different manufacturers had sold over 2.4 million cassette players world wide and in that year alone, the cassette business was worth about $150 million. In August, 2008, ABBA's "Gold" compilation rose to #1 on the UK album chart for the fifth time since being released in 1992, making it the oldest ever UK #1 album to return to the top of the chart, 16 years after release.
"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield got its title when Stephen Stills first played the song for the group, saying "Here's a new song I wrote, for what it's worth." When he finished playing, he was asked what the title was. Stills said he didn't have one. Someone then replied, "Sure you do. You just said it."
David Rose, who had a Billboard #1 hit in 1962 with an instrumental called "The Stripper", also wrote the theme for the TV show Little House On The Prairie.
In January, 2005, on what would have been Elvis Presley's 70th birthday, "Jailhouse Rock" was re-released in the UK where it went straight to #1. At over 47 years after its original release, it became the oldest recording ever to top the UK charts.
The lightest Elvis ever weighed as a six foot tall adult was 170 lbs in 1960 following his discharge from the U.S. Army. The heaviest was at the time of his death, which was 260 lbs.
Helen Reddy's husband, Jeff Wald, was also her manager. He was also the manager for Sylvester Stallone, George Foreman, James Brolin, George Carlin, Elliot Gould, Deep Purple, Donna Summer, Flip Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Chicago and Crosby, Stills & Nash, to name only a few.
New Vinyl Record Talk Tuesday December 7th
New Vinyl Record Talk Tuesday December 7th 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
Check out the show. We're playing a number of 60's Northern Soul we've turned up, like 45's from Denita James and King Davis House Rockers.
Plus the news and Top 5 vinyl sales on eBay, and a personal discussion on a topic too gross to mention here 'cause it might scare ya from listening.
Vinyl Record Talk
Plus the news and Top 5 vinyl sales on eBay, and a personal discussion on a topic too gross to mention here 'cause it might scare ya from listening.
Vinyl Record Talk
Metallica Vinyl Project Produced by Furnace Record Pressing Graces Billboard Magazine Cover
The latest issue of Billboard Magazine features Metallica founding members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield holding up the vinyl version of “Live at Grimey’s” made at Furnace Record Pressing.
Fairfax, VA (PRWEB) December 7, 2010
The latest issue of Billboard Magazine features Metallica founding members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield holding up the vinyl version of “Live at Grimey’s” made at Furnace Record Pressing.
The double 10” vinyl set issued on 11/26/10 as a Record Store Day exclusive for the inaugural event “Back to Black Friday” was recorded in the basement of Nashville’s Grimey’s New & Pre-loved music store. “Back to Black Friday” offers exclusive titles not available online in a successful attempt to draw music lovers into independent retail store.
Furnace MFG, Record Store Day’s official CD and vinyl manufacturing sponsor, is proud to have been selected to produce this important and exclusive Metallica release.
Says Eric Astor, CEO of Furnace MFG, “We have a strong relationship with Warner Music and with Record Store Day. Given this project’s short turn-around time it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for anyone else to complete it. We excel at this kind of high volume and time sensitive project.”
From start to finish, the Metallica project took Furnace less than 3 weeks to complete. Manufacturing the vinyl, component proofing and printing and assembly all went off without a hitch, enabling Record Store Day to launch “Back to Black Friday” with the Metallica retail exclusive centerpiece.
Michael Kurtz, co-founder of Record Store Day adds, “In order to support the retail channel, labels and artists need to be able to provide high quality product when scheduled. Inferior product results in returns and missed street dates, which results in disappointed customers and lost sales. Record Store Day selected Furnace MFG as the official CD and vinyl manufacturing partner because of their reputation for fast turnaround times and high quality product. They fully lived up to their reputation.”
Adds Astor, “as we look forward to the April, 2011 Record Store Day event, we are excited to work with participating artists and labels and we are confident we’ll be able to deliver for our clients our high quality product on time and on budget.”
About Furnace MFG: In business since 1996, Furnace MFG (http://www.furnacemfg.com/vinyl) is a recognized leader in CD and DVD duplication, replication, and vinyl record manufacturing and packaging.
# # #
Fairfax, VA (PRWEB) December 7, 2010
The latest issue of Billboard Magazine features Metallica founding members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield holding up the vinyl version of “Live at Grimey’s” made at Furnace Record Pressing.
The double 10” vinyl set issued on 11/26/10 as a Record Store Day exclusive for the inaugural event “Back to Black Friday” was recorded in the basement of Nashville’s Grimey’s New & Pre-loved music store. “Back to Black Friday” offers exclusive titles not available online in a successful attempt to draw music lovers into independent retail store.
Furnace MFG, Record Store Day’s official CD and vinyl manufacturing sponsor, is proud to have been selected to produce this important and exclusive Metallica release.
Says Eric Astor, CEO of Furnace MFG, “We have a strong relationship with Warner Music and with Record Store Day. Given this project’s short turn-around time it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for anyone else to complete it. We excel at this kind of high volume and time sensitive project.”
From start to finish, the Metallica project took Furnace less than 3 weeks to complete. Manufacturing the vinyl, component proofing and printing and assembly all went off without a hitch, enabling Record Store Day to launch “Back to Black Friday” with the Metallica retail exclusive centerpiece.
Michael Kurtz, co-founder of Record Store Day adds, “In order to support the retail channel, labels and artists need to be able to provide high quality product when scheduled. Inferior product results in returns and missed street dates, which results in disappointed customers and lost sales. Record Store Day selected Furnace MFG as the official CD and vinyl manufacturing partner because of their reputation for fast turnaround times and high quality product. They fully lived up to their reputation.”
Adds Astor, “as we look forward to the April, 2011 Record Store Day event, we are excited to work with participating artists and labels and we are confident we’ll be able to deliver for our clients our high quality product on time and on budget.”
About Furnace MFG: In business since 1996, Furnace MFG (http://www.furnacemfg.com/vinyl) is a recognized leader in CD and DVD duplication, replication, and vinyl record manufacturing and packaging.
# # #
This Date In Music History - December 7
Birthdays:
Tom Waits (1949)
Mike Nolan - Bucks Fizz (1954)
Tim Butler - Psychedelic Furs (1958)
Barbara Weathers - Atlantic Starr (1963)
Huw Chadbourne - Babybird (1963)
Brian Futter - Catherine Wheel (1965)
Nicole Appleton - All Saints (1974)
Aaron Carter (1987)
They Are Missed:
The late Louis Prima was born in 1911.
Inventor Dr Peter Carl Goldmark was killed in a car crash in 1977. Goldmark invented the long-playing microgroove record in 1945 that went on to revolutionize the way people listened to music.
The late Harry Chapin was born in 1942. Killed on July 16, 1981, when a tractor-trailer crashed into the car he was driving.
Richard Taylor of the R&B vocal group, The Manhattans, died at the age of 47 in 1987.
52 year old Dee Clark, most often remembered for his 1961 million-seller, "Raindrops", passed away following a heart attack in 1990. The singer, born Delectus Clark, could never match the success of "Raindrops" and as The British Invasion arrived, his career took a downward spiral. By the 1980s he was performing on the oldies circuit and spent some time living a welfare hotel in Toccoa, Georgia. Although he had suffering a stroke in 1987 that left him partially paralyzed and with a mild speech impediment, he continued to perform until his death.
Manic Street Preachers co-manager Phillip Hall died from cancer in 1993. Hall was a former Record Mirror journalist and had also worked in PR for Stiff Records. Represented many acts including The Stone Roses, The Pogues, James, The Waterboys, The Beautiful South and Radiohead.
In 2008, Dennis Yost, lead singer of the 1960s soft rock group, The Classics IV, died of respiratory failure at the age of 65. He had been in a nursing home since suffering a brain injury in a 2005 fall. The Classics IV's hits included "Spooky", "Stormy" and "Traces of Love."
History:
In 1954, Marty Robbins became the first major artist to cover an Elvis Presley tune when he recorded the Arthur Crudup composition "That's All Right" for Columbia Records. Robbins' effort will pay off in a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Country chart.
The Rolling Stones auditioned bass players at the World's End pub in Chelsea, London in 1962. One candidate was Bill Wyman. He got the job partly because he had tons of cool equipment the band could use.
The Beatles second album 'With The Beatles' started a 21-week run at #1 on the UK album chart in 1963. Also today, all four Beatles appeared on BBC TV's 'Juke Box Dury'. Some of the songs The Beatles judged were “Kiss Me Quick” by Elvis Presley, “The Hippy Hippy Shake,” by the Swinging Blue Jeans and “Where Have You Been All My Life” by Gene Vincent, among others. The group voted Bobby Vinton's "There! I Said It Again" a miss. Ironically, in two months' time they would knock the record out of the #1 spot in the U.S.
"Dominique" by The Singing Nun was the #1 record in North America in 1963, edging out The Kingsmen's "Louie, Louie." The song would eventually sell over 1.5 million copies and win a Grammy Award for the year's best gospel song. Her given name was Jeanine Deckers and she would leave the convent in 1967 before taking her final vows, partly to pursue a recording career, but never repeated her earlier success. In 1985, the center for autistic children in Belgium that she helped to found had closed due to lack of funds. In despair over this failure, the 51 year old Deckers and her friend Annie Pescher committed suicide.
Also in 1963, the Murmaids, an L.A. trio consisting of sisters Carol and Terry Fischer along with Sally Gordon, enter the Billboard chart with "Popsicles and Icicles," which will rise to #3.
Brian Wilson has a nervous breakdown while on a flight from Los Angeles to Houston in 1964. He decides to stop touring with the Beach Boys.
In 1967, Otis Redding went into the studio to record “(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay.” The song went on to be his biggest hit. Redding didn't see its release; he was killed three days later in a plane crash.
The Beatles Apple boutique opened its doors in 1967. The store closed seven months later when all the goods were given away free to passers by.
1968, The Beatles 'White Album' started a seven-week run at #1 on the UK chart in 1968. The double set was the first on the Apple label and featured "Back In The USSR," "Dear Prudence" and the Harrison song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
Eric Burdon disbanded the Animals for good in 1968. Eric Burdon announced that the Animals would split up after a December 22 concert at Newcastle City Hall. He moved to California to embark on a largely unsuccessful acting career, while bass guitarist Chas Chandler would go on to manage Jimi Hendrix.
In 1971, Paul McCartney's new band, Wings, release their first album, 'Wild Life' in the UK. The LP would not be issued in the US until 1980.
Unable to get Fleetwood Mac together for touring in 1973, the group’s manager creates a bogus version and sends them out on the road. Legal proceedings ensue but the tour is cancelled because nobody cares. The whole business is a low point for the group but they see their fortunes drastically improve in just two years.
1974 Barry Manilow's first hit, "Mandy" enters the US chart in 1974 on its way to number one. The song was originally written by Scott English and Richard Kerr as "Brandy," but was changed by Manilow when a group called Looking Glass had a hit with that title six months before. Manilow's version reached #11 in the UK.
Carl Douglas started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with “Kung Fu Fighting.” The song was recorded in 10 minutes, started out as a B- side and sold 10 million. His follow-up, "Dance the Kung Fu", would be a total flop. Possibly the worst song in pop music history (or at least a tie with Rick Dees “Disco Duck”). Any more nominations for the worst #1 song in music history?
Linda Ronstadt recorded "You're No Good" in 1974. The song became one of her signature hits, peaking at #1 the following year.
Bob Seger's fortunes were about to change when he released the LP 'Night Moves' in 1976. The record would turn out to be his breakthrough album and took him from being a local Detroit favorite, to an internationally known Rock star. 'Night Moves' reached #8 on the US album chart and sold over 5 million copies.
“We’ll do everything we can to restrain their public behavior,” says EMI Records’ chairman Sir John Read of the Sex Pistols. He makes the statement at the company’s annual general meeting in 1976.
In 1984, Michael Jackson testifies in a Chicago courtroom that he, not an Illinois man, wrote "The Girl Is Mine". The jury rules in favor of Jackson.
Mr Mister started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1985 with "Broken Wings."
In 1987, the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal by a Kentucky schoolteacher who had been fired for showing the film Pink Floyd - The Wall to a group of grade 9 to 11 students on the final day of school.
Originally billed as Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie’s final performance with Fleetwood Mac, it wasn’t. However, it is still an emotional show at L.A.’s Great Western Forum in 1990.
George Michael and Elton John were at #1 in the UK in 1991 with a live version of "Don't Let The Sun Go down On Me," (a hit for Elton in 1974). All proceeds from the hit went to aids charities.
Michael Jackson started a 7 week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1991 with "Black Or White," his 12th solo #1, also a #1 in the UK. "Black or White" becomes Michael Jackson's 12th US number one hit, tying him with The Supremes for the third most, behind The Beatles (20) and Elvis Presley (17).
Two weeks after Freddie Mercury's death 'Queen's Greatest Hits II' started a four week run at #1 on the UK album chart in 1991.
U2 went to #1 on the US album charts in 1991 with 'Achtung Baby.'
In 1993, Guns N' Roses announced they would keep the tune written by Charles Manson "Look At Your Game, Girl" on their album, 'The Spaghetti Incident?' The decision to keep the song came when the band learned that the royalties would go to the son of one of Manson's victims.
Bush went to #1 on the US album chart in 1996 with 'Razorblade Suitcase.'
Toni Braxton started a 11 week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1996 with "Un- Break My Heart." Written by Dianne Warren it gave Braxton her second US solo #1 hit.
In 1999, the Recording Industry Association of America launched a lawsuit against the on-line, file sharing company Napster, seeking $100,000 in damages for each song copied. Yeah, that worked...
The Eagles held a press conference in 1999 to announce that their first 'Greatest Hits' package had become America's best-selling album. Glenn Frey stated, "I hated popularity contests when I was in high school, and I hate them now." No word on if he hated the money he made from being in the band….
Britney Spears was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with ‘In The Zone’ the singer's fourth US #1 album. The singer broke her own record from being the first female artist to have three albums enter the US chart at #1 to being the first female artist to have 4 albums enter at #1 consecutively.
Outkast went to #1 on the US singles chart in 2003 with "Hey Ya."
In 2005, the MBE medal that John Lennon returned to the Queen was found in a royal vault at St James' Palace. Lennon returned his medal in November, 1969 with a letter accompanying saying, "Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turky slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon." Historians were calling for the medal to be put on public display.
In 2006, a couple who witnessed the Damageplan show on 12/08/04 in Columbus, OH, where five people were shot and killed, including guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, file a lawsuit against the club's owners. The plaintiffs claim club security was inadequate and that they suffered severe and permanent emotional injuries from witnessing the shooting.
In 2006, former Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Floyd "Bud" Gaugh file a trademark-infringement lawsuit against Southern California tribute band Sublime Remembered for allegedly claiming to include original Sublime members. "I've got two of their fliers and both of them actually said 'featuring' former members of the band," says the attorney for Wilson and Gaugh, who also requested that the cover band remove any references to Sublime from its promotional campaigns.
Also in 2006, guitars autographed by Slash, Scott Weiland, Dave Navarro and the Edge are among the items up for bid in the online Grammy Charity Holiday Auction. VIP tickets to see Aerosmith in concert, signed memorabilia by Rod Stewart and Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood and a signed, life-size KISS banner, are also on the block. Proceeds go toward MusiCares and the Grammy Foundation.
Paul McCartney and U2 are among more than 4,000 artists who sign a full-page ad in the Financial Times in 2006 demanding "fair play for musicians" in the United Kingdom. Record companies and performers lobby the U.K. government for an extension of copyrights on sound recordings from 50 years to 95 years. 95 years is the copyright protection length offered in the United States. 2006
In 2007, Yoko Ono issues a statement encouraging world peace on the eve of the 27th anniversary of husband John Lennon's murder. "Let's not waste the lives of those we have lost," writes Ono. "Let's, together, make the world a place of love and joy."
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler deliverd an anti-drugs statement at the ninth annual Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson Bikers Bash in 2007. "I want to pass the message to kids that it is so easy to smoke a joint, quit school and get into trouble, but that leads to nowhere," says Tyler, whose acoustic set at the charity event includes a duet with Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil on "Chip Away The Stone."
Tom Waits (1949)
Mike Nolan - Bucks Fizz (1954)
Tim Butler - Psychedelic Furs (1958)
Barbara Weathers - Atlantic Starr (1963)
Huw Chadbourne - Babybird (1963)
Brian Futter - Catherine Wheel (1965)
Nicole Appleton - All Saints (1974)
Aaron Carter (1987)
They Are Missed:
The late Louis Prima was born in 1911.
Inventor Dr Peter Carl Goldmark was killed in a car crash in 1977. Goldmark invented the long-playing microgroove record in 1945 that went on to revolutionize the way people listened to music.
The late Harry Chapin was born in 1942. Killed on July 16, 1981, when a tractor-trailer crashed into the car he was driving.
Richard Taylor of the R&B vocal group, The Manhattans, died at the age of 47 in 1987.
52 year old Dee Clark, most often remembered for his 1961 million-seller, "Raindrops", passed away following a heart attack in 1990. The singer, born Delectus Clark, could never match the success of "Raindrops" and as The British Invasion arrived, his career took a downward spiral. By the 1980s he was performing on the oldies circuit and spent some time living a welfare hotel in Toccoa, Georgia. Although he had suffering a stroke in 1987 that left him partially paralyzed and with a mild speech impediment, he continued to perform until his death.
Manic Street Preachers co-manager Phillip Hall died from cancer in 1993. Hall was a former Record Mirror journalist and had also worked in PR for Stiff Records. Represented many acts including The Stone Roses, The Pogues, James, The Waterboys, The Beautiful South and Radiohead.
In 2008, Dennis Yost, lead singer of the 1960s soft rock group, The Classics IV, died of respiratory failure at the age of 65. He had been in a nursing home since suffering a brain injury in a 2005 fall. The Classics IV's hits included "Spooky", "Stormy" and "Traces of Love."
History:
In 1954, Marty Robbins became the first major artist to cover an Elvis Presley tune when he recorded the Arthur Crudup composition "That's All Right" for Columbia Records. Robbins' effort will pay off in a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Country chart.
The Rolling Stones auditioned bass players at the World's End pub in Chelsea, London in 1962. One candidate was Bill Wyman. He got the job partly because he had tons of cool equipment the band could use.
The Beatles second album 'With The Beatles' started a 21-week run at #1 on the UK album chart in 1963. Also today, all four Beatles appeared on BBC TV's 'Juke Box Dury'. Some of the songs The Beatles judged were “Kiss Me Quick” by Elvis Presley, “The Hippy Hippy Shake,” by the Swinging Blue Jeans and “Where Have You Been All My Life” by Gene Vincent, among others. The group voted Bobby Vinton's "There! I Said It Again" a miss. Ironically, in two months' time they would knock the record out of the #1 spot in the U.S.
"Dominique" by The Singing Nun was the #1 record in North America in 1963, edging out The Kingsmen's "Louie, Louie." The song would eventually sell over 1.5 million copies and win a Grammy Award for the year's best gospel song. Her given name was Jeanine Deckers and she would leave the convent in 1967 before taking her final vows, partly to pursue a recording career, but never repeated her earlier success. In 1985, the center for autistic children in Belgium that she helped to found had closed due to lack of funds. In despair over this failure, the 51 year old Deckers and her friend Annie Pescher committed suicide.
Also in 1963, the Murmaids, an L.A. trio consisting of sisters Carol and Terry Fischer along with Sally Gordon, enter the Billboard chart with "Popsicles and Icicles," which will rise to #3.
Brian Wilson has a nervous breakdown while on a flight from Los Angeles to Houston in 1964. He decides to stop touring with the Beach Boys.
In 1967, Otis Redding went into the studio to record “(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay.” The song went on to be his biggest hit. Redding didn't see its release; he was killed three days later in a plane crash.
The Beatles Apple boutique opened its doors in 1967. The store closed seven months later when all the goods were given away free to passers by.
1968, The Beatles 'White Album' started a seven-week run at #1 on the UK chart in 1968. The double set was the first on the Apple label and featured "Back In The USSR," "Dear Prudence" and the Harrison song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
Eric Burdon disbanded the Animals for good in 1968. Eric Burdon announced that the Animals would split up after a December 22 concert at Newcastle City Hall. He moved to California to embark on a largely unsuccessful acting career, while bass guitarist Chas Chandler would go on to manage Jimi Hendrix.
In 1971, Paul McCartney's new band, Wings, release their first album, 'Wild Life' in the UK. The LP would not be issued in the US until 1980.
Unable to get Fleetwood Mac together for touring in 1973, the group’s manager creates a bogus version and sends them out on the road. Legal proceedings ensue but the tour is cancelled because nobody cares. The whole business is a low point for the group but they see their fortunes drastically improve in just two years.
1974 Barry Manilow's first hit, "Mandy" enters the US chart in 1974 on its way to number one. The song was originally written by Scott English and Richard Kerr as "Brandy," but was changed by Manilow when a group called Looking Glass had a hit with that title six months before. Manilow's version reached #11 in the UK.
Carl Douglas started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1974 with “Kung Fu Fighting.” The song was recorded in 10 minutes, started out as a B- side and sold 10 million. His follow-up, "Dance the Kung Fu", would be a total flop. Possibly the worst song in pop music history (or at least a tie with Rick Dees “Disco Duck”). Any more nominations for the worst #1 song in music history?
Linda Ronstadt recorded "You're No Good" in 1974. The song became one of her signature hits, peaking at #1 the following year.
Bob Seger's fortunes were about to change when he released the LP 'Night Moves' in 1976. The record would turn out to be his breakthrough album and took him from being a local Detroit favorite, to an internationally known Rock star. 'Night Moves' reached #8 on the US album chart and sold over 5 million copies.
“We’ll do everything we can to restrain their public behavior,” says EMI Records’ chairman Sir John Read of the Sex Pistols. He makes the statement at the company’s annual general meeting in 1976.
In 1984, Michael Jackson testifies in a Chicago courtroom that he, not an Illinois man, wrote "The Girl Is Mine". The jury rules in favor of Jackson.
Mr Mister started a two week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1985 with "Broken Wings."
In 1987, the US Supreme Court rejected an appeal by a Kentucky schoolteacher who had been fired for showing the film Pink Floyd - The Wall to a group of grade 9 to 11 students on the final day of school.
Originally billed as Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie’s final performance with Fleetwood Mac, it wasn’t. However, it is still an emotional show at L.A.’s Great Western Forum in 1990.
George Michael and Elton John were at #1 in the UK in 1991 with a live version of "Don't Let The Sun Go down On Me," (a hit for Elton in 1974). All proceeds from the hit went to aids charities.
Michael Jackson started a 7 week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1991 with "Black Or White," his 12th solo #1, also a #1 in the UK. "Black or White" becomes Michael Jackson's 12th US number one hit, tying him with The Supremes for the third most, behind The Beatles (20) and Elvis Presley (17).
Two weeks after Freddie Mercury's death 'Queen's Greatest Hits II' started a four week run at #1 on the UK album chart in 1991.
U2 went to #1 on the US album charts in 1991 with 'Achtung Baby.'
In 1993, Guns N' Roses announced they would keep the tune written by Charles Manson "Look At Your Game, Girl" on their album, 'The Spaghetti Incident?' The decision to keep the song came when the band learned that the royalties would go to the son of one of Manson's victims.
Bush went to #1 on the US album chart in 1996 with 'Razorblade Suitcase.'
Toni Braxton started a 11 week run at #1 on the US singles chart in 1996 with "Un- Break My Heart." Written by Dianne Warren it gave Braxton her second US solo #1 hit.
In 1999, the Recording Industry Association of America launched a lawsuit against the on-line, file sharing company Napster, seeking $100,000 in damages for each song copied. Yeah, that worked...
The Eagles held a press conference in 1999 to announce that their first 'Greatest Hits' package had become America's best-selling album. Glenn Frey stated, "I hated popularity contests when I was in high school, and I hate them now." No word on if he hated the money he made from being in the band….
Britney Spears was at #1 on the US album chart in 2003 with ‘In The Zone’ the singer's fourth US #1 album. The singer broke her own record from being the first female artist to have three albums enter the US chart at #1 to being the first female artist to have 4 albums enter at #1 consecutively.
Outkast went to #1 on the US singles chart in 2003 with "Hey Ya."
In 2005, the MBE medal that John Lennon returned to the Queen was found in a royal vault at St James' Palace. Lennon returned his medal in November, 1969 with a letter accompanying saying, "Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain's involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam and against Cold Turky slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon." Historians were calling for the medal to be put on public display.
In 2006, a couple who witnessed the Damageplan show on 12/08/04 in Columbus, OH, where five people were shot and killed, including guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, file a lawsuit against the club's owners. The plaintiffs claim club security was inadequate and that they suffered severe and permanent emotional injuries from witnessing the shooting.
In 2006, former Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Floyd "Bud" Gaugh file a trademark-infringement lawsuit against Southern California tribute band Sublime Remembered for allegedly claiming to include original Sublime members. "I've got two of their fliers and both of them actually said 'featuring' former members of the band," says the attorney for Wilson and Gaugh, who also requested that the cover band remove any references to Sublime from its promotional campaigns.
Also in 2006, guitars autographed by Slash, Scott Weiland, Dave Navarro and the Edge are among the items up for bid in the online Grammy Charity Holiday Auction. VIP tickets to see Aerosmith in concert, signed memorabilia by Rod Stewart and Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood and a signed, life-size KISS banner, are also on the block. Proceeds go toward MusiCares and the Grammy Foundation.
Paul McCartney and U2 are among more than 4,000 artists who sign a full-page ad in the Financial Times in 2006 demanding "fair play for musicians" in the United Kingdom. Record companies and performers lobby the U.K. government for an extension of copyrights on sound recordings from 50 years to 95 years. 95 years is the copyright protection length offered in the United States. 2006
In 2007, Yoko Ono issues a statement encouraging world peace on the eve of the 27th anniversary of husband John Lennon's murder. "Let's not waste the lives of those we have lost," writes Ono. "Let's, together, make the world a place of love and joy."
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler deliverd an anti-drugs statement at the ninth annual Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson Bikers Bash in 2007. "I want to pass the message to kids that it is so easy to smoke a joint, quit school and get into trouble, but that leads to nowhere," says Tyler, whose acoustic set at the charity event includes a duet with Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil on "Chip Away The Stone."
Monday, December 6, 2010
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 12/04/2010
Two "Please Please Me" LP's make the list this week, a stereo and a mono pressing, but a Bad Brains acetate gets the top spot.
1. 10" - Bad Brians "Pay To Cum" Acetate - $6,000.00
2. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $4,583.95
3. LP - Devy Erlih "Bach Sonatas and Partitas" Ades - $3,058.00
4. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $2,909.59
5. 45 - U2 "All I Want Is You" / "Unchained Melody" # K805 Australian Purple Vinyl - $2,650.89
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 11/27/2010
The most interesting record on this week's list is the #3 entry, a garage 45, which may be only the second known copy of The Plastic Menagerie's 45. According to the seller, the record was found in a candy store in a small Tennessee town. Here's a link to the ad: Plastic Menagerie 45.
1. 12" - Led Zeppelin “Road Box” Test Pressing - $5,845.89
2. LP - The Beatles "White Album" Parlophone Export Pressing - $4,872.64
3. 45 - The Plastic Menagerie "Hold Your Baby Close" / "Tryin' To Come Back" Scope - $4,350.00
4. 45 - Fred and the Turbins "Bernadine" / "Till There Was You" Cenco 111 - $3,827.00
5. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $3,615.37
More on this week's top 5 on Vinyl Record Talk, Tuesday 8:00PM Eastern / 5:00PM Pacific on Radio Dentata.
Vinyl Record Talk
Two "Please Please Me" LP's make the list this week, a stereo and a mono pressing, but a Bad Brains acetate gets the top spot.
1. 10" - Bad Brians "Pay To Cum" Acetate - $6,000.00
2. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $4,583.95
3. LP - Devy Erlih "Bach Sonatas and Partitas" Ades - $3,058.00
4. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $2,909.59
5. 45 - U2 "All I Want Is You" / "Unchained Melody" # K805 Australian Purple Vinyl - $2,650.89
Top 5 eBay Vinyl Record Sales - Week Ending 11/27/2010
The most interesting record on this week's list is the #3 entry, a garage 45, which may be only the second known copy of The Plastic Menagerie's 45. According to the seller, the record was found in a candy store in a small Tennessee town. Here's a link to the ad: Plastic Menagerie 45.
1. 12" - Led Zeppelin “Road Box” Test Pressing - $5,845.89
2. LP - The Beatles "White Album" Parlophone Export Pressing - $4,872.64
3. 45 - The Plastic Menagerie "Hold Your Baby Close" / "Tryin' To Come Back" Scope - $4,350.00
4. 45 - Fred and the Turbins "Bernadine" / "Till There Was You" Cenco 111 - $3,827.00
5. LP - The Beatles "Please Please Me" Parlophone UK Gold Black label 1st Stereo - $3,615.37
Vinyl Record Talk
Rock & Roll Trivia
As a special treat for the holidays, I am reprinting a very popular series I call Rock & Roll Trivia. Interesting tidbits about our music and our musicians, this will be posted every day until Christmas. Enjoy:
Elvis Presley's 1957 LP "Elvis' Christmas Album" is the top selling holiday release of all time, racking up over nine million in sales.
Bruce Hornsby's demo tapes were rejected by over 70 record companies. A year after RCA signed him in 1985, his tune "The Way It Is" topped the Billboard chart, followed by five more Top 40 hits, including "Mandolin Rain" (#4) and "The Valley Road" (# 5).
The Four Seasons' Frankie Valli was arrested by Columbus, Ohio Police in September 1965, after his manager forgot to pay his hotel bill. Oops....
Jay And The Americans first learned the song "Cara Mia" in 1962 because it contained the only four chords they knew. When they finally recorded it in 1965, the tune rose to #4 on the Billboard chart.
After seeing Marvin Gaye's large collection of pornography, writer David Ritz suggested that Gaye needed some "sexual healing". The two later collaborated on some lyrics which went into the hit song, but Ritz was not given any writing credit. After Gaye died, Ritz successfully sued.
The Allman Brothers' only Billboard Top 10 hit, "Ramblin' Man" was the last song recorded by bassist Berry Oakley before his death in 1972.
The soundtrack for the movie Saturday Night Fever was composed and performed primarily by The Bee Gees and has gone platinum fifteen times over. Despite this success, The Bee Gees' Robin Gibb says he has never seen the film all the way through.
When "Monster Mash" first started to get air-play in 1962, Bobby "Boris" Pickett was working part time as a cab driver. The song has since become an annual favorite, reaching the Billboard Top 10 in '62 and '73, earning three gold records and selling an estimated four million copies. Bobby has said that royalties from the record have "paid the rent for 43 years". Not bad for a song that took a half hour to write and another half hour to record and was intended to be a bit of fun to be shared only among family and friends.
The Who's album "Tommy" spent over two years on the US chart, but in their home country, the UK, it lasted only nine weeks.
After Elvis Presley began his meteoric rise to fame in 1956, his father Vernon said to him, "What happened El? The last thing I remember is I was working in a can factory and you were driving a truck."
Peter Cetera wrote "If You Leave Me Now" about a faltering relationship. Although the song proved to be Chicago's biggest selling record, it didn't help save the union, as the woman involved ended up leaving anyway.
CCR's John Fogerty had a notebook in which he jotted down words and names that he thought would make good song titles. At the top of his list was "Proud Mary", a phrase that brought images of a domestic washerwoman to John's mind. When he got around to putting it to music, the first few chords he used reminded him of a paddle-wheel going around. Instead of Proud Mary being a clean-up lady, she became a boat and the song is a staple at any wedding reception.
Lesley Gore's first album was called "I'll Cry If I Want To" which consisted of songs completely devoted to crying.
"Mack The Knife" was written for the 1928 German play The Threepenny Opera, in which "Mack" is Mackie Messer (Macheath), an amoral, anti-heroic criminal. Although it suffered an initially poor reception, the show went on to run 400 times in the next two years. It was translated into English in 1933 and since that time, at least seven productions have been mounted in New York, on and off Broadway.
It has often been rumored that Billy Joel played piano on The Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack", but this has been denied by one of the song's co-writers, Ellie Greenwich.
Elvis Presley's 1957 LP "Elvis' Christmas Album" is the top selling holiday release of all time, racking up over nine million in sales.
Bruce Hornsby's demo tapes were rejected by over 70 record companies. A year after RCA signed him in 1985, his tune "The Way It Is" topped the Billboard chart, followed by five more Top 40 hits, including "Mandolin Rain" (#4) and "The Valley Road" (# 5).
The Four Seasons' Frankie Valli was arrested by Columbus, Ohio Police in September 1965, after his manager forgot to pay his hotel bill. Oops....
Jay And The Americans first learned the song "Cara Mia" in 1962 because it contained the only four chords they knew. When they finally recorded it in 1965, the tune rose to #4 on the Billboard chart.
After seeing Marvin Gaye's large collection of pornography, writer David Ritz suggested that Gaye needed some "sexual healing". The two later collaborated on some lyrics which went into the hit song, but Ritz was not given any writing credit. After Gaye died, Ritz successfully sued.
The Allman Brothers' only Billboard Top 10 hit, "Ramblin' Man" was the last song recorded by bassist Berry Oakley before his death in 1972.
The soundtrack for the movie Saturday Night Fever was composed and performed primarily by The Bee Gees and has gone platinum fifteen times over. Despite this success, The Bee Gees' Robin Gibb says he has never seen the film all the way through.
When "Monster Mash" first started to get air-play in 1962, Bobby "Boris" Pickett was working part time as a cab driver. The song has since become an annual favorite, reaching the Billboard Top 10 in '62 and '73, earning three gold records and selling an estimated four million copies. Bobby has said that royalties from the record have "paid the rent for 43 years". Not bad for a song that took a half hour to write and another half hour to record and was intended to be a bit of fun to be shared only among family and friends.
The Who's album "Tommy" spent over two years on the US chart, but in their home country, the UK, it lasted only nine weeks.
After Elvis Presley began his meteoric rise to fame in 1956, his father Vernon said to him, "What happened El? The last thing I remember is I was working in a can factory and you were driving a truck."
Peter Cetera wrote "If You Leave Me Now" about a faltering relationship. Although the song proved to be Chicago's biggest selling record, it didn't help save the union, as the woman involved ended up leaving anyway.
CCR's John Fogerty had a notebook in which he jotted down words and names that he thought would make good song titles. At the top of his list was "Proud Mary", a phrase that brought images of a domestic washerwoman to John's mind. When he got around to putting it to music, the first few chords he used reminded him of a paddle-wheel going around. Instead of Proud Mary being a clean-up lady, she became a boat and the song is a staple at any wedding reception.
Lesley Gore's first album was called "I'll Cry If I Want To" which consisted of songs completely devoted to crying.
"Mack The Knife" was written for the 1928 German play The Threepenny Opera, in which "Mack" is Mackie Messer (Macheath), an amoral, anti-heroic criminal. Although it suffered an initially poor reception, the show went on to run 400 times in the next two years. It was translated into English in 1933 and since that time, at least seven productions have been mounted in New York, on and off Broadway.
It has often been rumored that Billy Joel played piano on The Shangri-Las' "Leader of the Pack", but this has been denied by one of the song's co-writers, Ellie Greenwich.
Picture Discs Make Perfect Collectible
Picture discs are manufactured to be a collectible and not meant to play as well as a conventional vinyl record. This is due to the manufacturing process as each side is coated with layers of PVC (poly vinyl chloride); sometimes up to five layers. As this process is being done, a continuous groove of music or even a band interview is pressed onto the playing surface.
Picture discs made their debut in the 20’s and 30’s with various methods and materials utilized for their production. Early picture discs were manufactured using a sheet of thin vinyl film which was placed over a thick paper print and then pressed with the grooves with varying degrees of success. Early pioneers of picture discs included RCA Victor, which released some special edition picture discs of their top performers, Musika Postkarte Company of Germany, Trusound of Great Britain and Sav-Way Industries of Detroit, Michigan, who sold their recordings under the Vogue Records moniker.
These Vogue picture discs were invented in the 40’s by Tom Saffady and were sold during the 1946-47 for fifty to seventy-five cents apiece. With seventy-four titles in all, they featured such artists as Lulu Belle, the Charlie Shavers Quartet and Patsy Montana and were ten inches in diameter and were made of an aluminum platter covered with vinyl. However, due to poor sales, the company filed for bankruptcy, leaving a legacy of highly collectible picture discs.
In the late 70’s major record companies like Capitol Records, Epic Records and Columbia Records started to manufacture picture discs in large numbers. Hot selling groups like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Blondie and the Steve Miller Band, among many others, flooded the market and still command top prices in today’s market, forty years after their release.
The 80’s saw the picture disc market booming and it was a very important element to any artists or bands release campaign. With the boon of digital music in the late 80’s and 90’s, and along with the demise and decline of the vinyl record, production dropped and the picture disc was utilized as more of a limited release item or for promotional purposes.
Picture discs are by far my favorite collectible. They 'hold' their value very well, are great to look at and are easy to resell (if you choose to do so). Certainly, a weakness in my collecting genes, I will continue to add to my collection of picture discs for years to come. I have also made an 'a-store' and have selected some of my personal favoites. Check it out here: Buy Picture Discs Here
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