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Rare Vinyl Stamper for Beatles’ ‘Twist & Shout’ Fetches Big Bucks At eBay Auction
by: Joe Robinson
A very rare pressing stamper — the metal disc used to press copies of vinyl records — for the A-side of the original Beatles 7″ vinyl release of ‘Twist & Shout’ has sold for $3,499 during an eBay auction. The stamper, which comes in its original shipping envelope bearing the name of the manufacturer, AFM Engineering, is dated Feb. 25, 1964 — less than one week before the single’s March 2, 1964, release.
our friends over at vintagevinylnews.com have this sad news:
Michael Davis of the MC5 Passes Away From Liver Failure
Michael Davis, a member of the legendary MC5, has passed away from liver failure at the age of 68. His death was reported by his wife, Angela Davis, who said he had been fighting the disease for almost a month at Enloe Medical Center in Chico, CA.
REAL GONE MUSIC MARCH 2012 REISSUES INCLUDE B.J. THOMAS’ THE COMPLETE SCEPTER SINGLES, DAVID AXELROD, RICK SPRINGFIELD, FRANKIE AVALON, WISHBONE ASH AND THE TUBES.
Also, Clint Eastwood’s Cowboy Favorites to be reissued on vinyl for first time.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Real Gone Music, the reissue label that has won many critical kudos in its initial months of operation, has announced its March 2012 releases. Featured are B.J. Thomas’ The Complete Scepter Singles, Frankie Avalon’s Muscle Beach Party: The United Artists Sessions, The Tubes’ Young & Rich/Now, Rick Springfield’s Beginnings..., David Axelrod’s Messiah, Wishbone Ash’s Live Dates II and Clint Eastwood’s Rawhide’s Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favorites. Street date for all is March 27, 2012.
From his 1966 recording of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” through his 1972 double-sided hit single “That’s What Friends Are For”/”Happier Than the Morning Sun,” B.J. Thomas enjoyed a string of hits rivaled by few artists of that time. And the fact that he did this on an indie label, Scepter, makes the achievement even more impressive. Various compilations of Thomas’ Scepter sides have come and gone. But Real Gone’s 44-track anthology is the first to offer A- and B-sides of every one of the artists’ Scepter singles, including his 19 hits. Many of the B-sides never appeared on albums. DJ/journalist Michael Ragogna wrote the notes, which feature quotes from Thomas.
Frankie Avalon’s late ’50s/early ’60s recordings practically define an era in pop music. But while there have been many reissues of his legendary Chancellor recordings, his later output has proven elusive. Frankie Avalon: Muscle Beach Party: The United Artists Sessions features 20 stereo tracks recorded in 1964 and ’65. The set’s centerpiece is Frankie’s album Muscle Beach Party and Other Movie Songs, which features music from his films (notably a version of “Runnin’ Wild,” his spotlight solo in the Muscle Beach Party movie). In addition are his rare UA singles plus tracks from the soundtrack of I’ll Take Sweden, a Bob Hope comedy in which he co-starred. The set features liners by Tom Pickles and photos.
One might think that the debut solo album, sporting two hits, from one of the ’80s’ biggest heartthrobs would have been reissued long ago, but Rick Springfield’s 1972 Capitol release Beginnings... was indeed the “beginnings” of a series of misadventures in the music business that were to plague the singer until he broke through with “Jessie’s Girl” and a role on the soap opera General Hospital. Springfield had scored a major hit in Australia with “Speak to the Sky” (the song appears here in its re-recorded U.S. hit version) when he moved to the States and made Beginnings, but there was a serious disconnect between the music and the marketing. The label seemed bent on selling him as a Tiger Beat teen heartthrob but Springfield’s songwriting betrayed an artist with loftier ambitions, switching from Big Star-esque power pop (“Mother Can You Carry Me”) to T-Rexish glam (“Hooky Jo”) to McCartney-esque balladry (“What Would the Children Think”). Springfield left Capitol following disappointing initial sales; this album deserved a wider audience then and still does now.
Having previously set a Catholic Mass to psychedelic guitar in 1967 with the Electric Prunes album Mass in F Minor, in 1971 legendary arranger/producer David Axelrod went for Baroque and set Georg Friedrich Handel’s signature work Messiah to contemporary instrumentation as well. But he didn’t do it alone — frequent collaborator Julian “Cannonball” Adderley conducted the orchestra. The result was a record far more restrained, even respectful, than Mass in F Minor, with psychedelic guitar, a funk rhythm section, flute and electric piano contributing tasty, swinging instrumental passages. This cult favorite is given its first reissue here of any kind, with new liner notes and photos. Another Real Gone (ahem) resurrection, just in time for Easter!
Clint Eastwood has demonstrated a deep love and aptitude for music as both an actor and a director (e.g. Play Misty for Me; Bird) during his entire career. On Rawhide’s Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favorites he is fresh from his success on the TV series Rawhide, crooning (and quite competently so) a collection of Country & Western favorites. Real Gone has added both sides of his 1962 single “Rowdy” b/w “Cowboy Wedding Song” to the CD release of this 1963 stereo album; the vinyl release (the album’s first-ever reissue in the vinyl format) features 180-gram vinyl pressing.
The fact that two albums by The Tubes, Young & Rich and Now (their second and third releases) have been out of print for years — and Now never even issued on CD in this country — is eloquent testimony to the fact that they are one of the most underrated bands of the ’70s (though not underrated by all — used CD copies of these albums sell for staggering figures online). Salacious Zappa-like satire? Check. Over-the-top theatricality à la Alice Cooper? Check. BOC-like hard rock? Check. Even avant-garde, Beefheart-ian atonality cropped up in unexpected places. The two-disc set features liner notes by Gene Sculatti drawn from a new interview with drummer Prairie Prince.
When a band has not one, not two, but three releases entitled Live Dates, it’s a pretty good bet that the band in question is pretty good in concert. And in the case of Wishbone Ash, that’s an understatement; various line-ups of the group have been rocking the globe with their patented brand of twin-guitar hard/progressive rock for 40 years now. Though Live Dates (1973) charted, and Live Dates III (2001) is well-thought-of by their fan base, it’s Live Dates II (released in 1980 and assembled from various 1976-1980 shows) that’s considered the real gem of the three; it ranks as probably the key document of the Wishbone Ash version 2.0 lineup of guitarists Andy Powell (he of the Flying V) and Laurie Wisefield, bassist Martin Turner and drummer Steve Upton. Real Gone’s reissue features the complete, limited-edition double-album of which only 25,000 copies were originally released, and only in the UK—80 minutes of guitar bliss on a single CD.
On February 19, 1878, Edison was issued the first patent (U.S. patent #200,521) for the phonograph. While other inventors had produced devices that could record sounds, Edison's phonograph was the first to be able to reproduce the recorded sound.
In 1955, Rock 'n' Roll was still in its infancy when 25 year old Joni James entered the US charts with "How Important Can It Be?". The tune would climb all the way to #2 and become the first of her seven Top 40 entries.
In 1955, Pat Boone released the single "Two Hearts," his first chart hit. It peaked at #16.
In 1956, Elvis Presley, billed as "Country Music's Mr. Rhythm," performed two matinees and an evening show at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa.
Also in 1956, the Platters recorded "(You've Got) The Magic Touch."
In 1958, singer/songwriter Carl Perkins left the Sun label to sign with Columbia Records as their first rockabilly artist. His Sun labelmate Johnny Cash made the same leap two years later.
In 1958, Larry Williams recorded his composition "Dizzy Miss Lizzie."
In 1958, the Miracles released their first single "Got A Job," an answer to the Silhouettes' #1 hit "Get A Job."
In 1962, Chuck Berry began serving a three-year sentence in the Indiana Federal Penitentiary after being convicted in a second trial of transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes. (The first trial, in which Berry was found guilty was overturned after the judge was found to have uttered racist remarks.) He was released 20 months later.
In 1964, a British company shipped a half-ton of Beatle wigs to the US. An American reporter asked John Lennon, "How do you feel about teenagers imitating you with Beatle wigs?" John replied "They're not imitating us because we don't wear Beatle wigs."
In 1964, Simon & Garfunkel completed work on their original acoustic version of "The Sounds Of Silence" for their first album "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M." The track was later overdubbed with drums, electric bass and electric guitar, all without the knowledge or participation of Simon & Garfunkel, and re-released as a single in September 1965. By early January 1966 it was #1 on the Billboard pop singles chart.
In 1965, at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, the Beatles recorded the John Lennon composition "You're Going To Lose That Girl."
In 1966, Lou Christie enjoys his only US number one record with "Lightnin' Strikes", a song that his record company, MGM, hated so much, they initially refused to release. Label head Lenny Shear actually threw the tape in the wastebasket and said it was "a piece of crap." After Christie's management team promoted the record themselves, it started to gain attention and three months later, Billboard magazine featured a picture of Shear presenting Christie with a Gold record. It became a #11 hit in the UK.
In 1969, in Memphis, Elvis Presley, with then-unknown pianist Ronnie Milsap, recorded Eddie Rabbitts' composition "Kentucky Rain."
In 1971, Paul McCartney's lawsuit to remove Allen Klein as manager of the Beatles' financial affairs began at London's Royal Courts of Justice.
In 1972, on CBS-TV's "All In The Family," Sammy Davis Jr. made a memorable guest appearance during which he gave the show's main character, white bigot Archie Bunker, a surprise kiss.
In 1972, as the debut single by his new band Wings, Paul McCartney released "Give Ireland Back to the Irish." It was barred from airplay in the UK since it was banned by the BBC, Radio Luxembourg and the Independent Television Authority. The record reached #1 on the singles charts in the Republic of Ireland and Spain, and despite the air-play ban still reached #16 in the UK. It peaked at #21 in the U.S.
Also in 1972, although he had written songs that were recorded by The Turtles, Rick Nelson, Blood Sweat and Tears, Lulu, The Monkees and Three Dog Night, Harry Nilsson had his only US number one hit with "Without You", a tune written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger.
In 1974, Smokey Robinson, Helen Reddy and Roger Miller are among the hosts at the very first American Music Awards. Created by TV veteran Dick Clark to compete with The Grammys, awards are presented based on record sales, airplay as well as votes. Among this years' winners are The Carpenters for Favorite Band, Jim Croce, Favorite Male Artist, and Tony Orlando And Dawn, Favorite Single for "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree".
In 1974, KISS made their TV debut on "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert" on ABC.
In 1976, Rich Stevens, former lead vocalist of Tower of Power was arrested and charged in what was believed to be the drug-related murders of three men the night before in San Jose, California. The following November, Stevens was found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
In 1977, "Blinded By The Light" reached the top of the Billboard singles chart for Manfred Mann's Earth Band, although it had earlier been a commercial failure for the song's writer, Bruce Springsteen.
In 1980, singer Bon Scott, lead vocalist of AC/DC, died when he choked on his vomit after an all-night drinking binge at the age of 33.
In 1981, five years after being found guilty of "subconscious plagiarism" of the Chiffons' "He's So Fine" in his song "My Sweet Lord," George Harrison was ordered to pay $587,000 to the plaintiff, ABKCO Music.
In 1982, Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in San Antonio, Texas for urinating on a statue in front of the Alamo. After he made bail, the Black Sabbath singer skipped town. Osbourne was subsequently banned from the city for ten years.
In 1998, country music singer/comedian (Hee Haw) Louis Marshall "Grandpa" Jones died after a stroke at age 84.
In 2004, the family of Johnny Cash blocked an attempt by advertisers to use his hit song "Ring of Fire" to promote a hemorrhoid-relief product, even though the idea had been approved by Merle Kilgore, who wrote the song with June Carter Cash. Johnny Cash's daughter Rosanne said the family "would never allow the song to be demeaned like that."
In 2009, bassist Kelly Groucutt, a former member of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), died following a heart attack at 63.
In 2010, in Miami, Gloria and Emilio Estefan gathered Latino musicians – including Carlos Santana, Jose Feliciano, David Archuleta, and Jon Secada – to record a Spanish-language version of "We Are The World" for Haiti earthquake relief.
birthdays today include (among others): Smokey Robinson (1940), Lou Christie (1943) & Toni Iommi - Black Sabbath (1948)
Los Angeles, CA Record Store High-Fidelity Announces Grand Opening in Los Feliz with Performance by Section Quartet & Special Guest Kevin Bronson of Buzz Bands
Los Angeles, CA, February 18, 2012 --(PR.com)-- L.A., CA Record Store High-Fidelity Announces Grand Opening in Los Feliz with Performance by Section Quartet & Special Guest Kevin Bronson of Buzz Bands LA – Saturday, February 18th
In an era when bricks-and-mortar record stores have been going the way of the dodo bird, it’s a bold endeavor to open up a vinyl record shop. But music lover and entrepreneur Michael Hobson’s strong belief that people crave a physical experience where they can consult with music experts and fellow music lovers led him to open High-Fidelity, a ground-breaking music store in Los Angeles’ trendy Los Feliz neighborhood.
High-Fidelity will hold its official grand opening on Saturday, February 18, 6:00-11:00 PM at 1956 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles 90027. The Section Quartet will perform their unique strings version of songs by Radiohead, Muse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more. Special Guest - Kevin Bronson of Buzz Bands LA will spin tunes throughout the night.
High-Fidelity is not only a place to find a rare selection of new and vintage vinyl, but also has a stage where bands can perform and serves as a community meeting point. “The name High-Fidelity is multiple entendre,” explains Hobson. “My background has been in making records that are the best they can possibly be. It’s also a small retail front for high-resolution technology, and a place of high-quality music and live performances. It doesn’t get much more High-Fidelity than that!”
Hobson, who runs the online vinyl record store TheMusic.com, envisions High-Fidelity as a community hub where people can hang out and listen to good music. “After Amoeba crushed everybody, we thought it was a good time out of necessity to open a retail store,” he says. “The online business was good but we need to have people browsing records. We looked into locations in Echo Park, Sliver Lake and Atwater Village. We finally found the perfect space on Hillhurst, in a neighborhood of people that have a sensibility about good things, of which vinyl is one.”
Hobson hired employees from Aron’s Records, the famed Hollywood record store that closed its doors in 2006, to run the shop. “They’re actually like Jack Black’s character in the movie ‘High Fidelity’ – they’re incredibly knowledgeable and they absolutely love music,” Hobson says.
High-Fidelity first opened its doors in November, and has been stocking its shelves with everything from rare Nirvana imports to Led Zeppelin reissues, as well as classical and jazz records ever since. Hobson says that the response to the store has been incredibly positive. “Los Feliz is a community of good, supportive people,” he says. “Lots of people have thanked us for coming into the community. There’s really something magical here.”
Due to Tony Iommi’s health issues, Black Sabbath have cancelled almost all of their planned 2012 tour. The legendary guitarist is currently being treated for cancer and will not be well enough to tour with the metal greats.
“Sabbath have had to put some plans on hold due to Tony Iommi’s battle with lymphoma,” says a statement on the band’s Facebook. “At this time, Black Sabbath will perform only one show of this summer’s previously scheduled European tour. It will take place Sunday, June 10 at the U.K.’s Download Festival.”
The second album from cult Post Rockers Mothlite and the band's Kscope debut.
The brainchild of the prolific and eclectic Daniel O'Sullivan (Ulver, Sunn O))), Guapo, Grumbling Fur etc).
Mothlite moves in different musical directions from those taken by Daniel's other projects, recalling the ethereal 80's sounds of Talk Talk, Japan and Cocteau Twins, and fusing them with an innovative, forward-thinking approach to programming and sound design.
The vinyl edition of comes in a 5 colour gatefold sleeve with a matt laminate finish. All vinyl copies ordered from Kscope come with a code to download the album, and the first 500 orders will come with an exclusive, limited edition 7" single featuring the radio edit of Something In The Sky b/w a cover of Why by Carly Simon.
Recorded & co-produced by Tony Doogan (Super Furry Animals, Mogwai, Teenage Fanclub, Belle & Sebastian), Fog Electric is an album of contrasts from a band of contrasts.
Timeless Rock influences collide with the latest laptop technology, amidst a combination of dark foreboding tones and blissed-out serotonin-fuelled pastoral sweeps.
Available in limited edition digi-book and vinyl formats.
All vinyl copies ordered from Kscope will come with a code to download the album, and the first 500 orders will come with an exclusive, limited edition 7" single featuring the radio edit of Soft Coda b/w a cover of One Good Reason (by Bob Mould).
wow, this coming to my neck of the woods, maybe a 3 hour drive, sounds like a plan!
IRON MAIDEN, ALICE COOPER, DEF LEPPARD, POISON Confirmed For Wisconsin's ROCK FEST
IRON MAIDEN, ALICE COOPER, DEF LEPPARD, POISON and GODSMACK are among the confirmed bands for this year's Rock Fest, which will be held July 19-22 near Cadott, Wisconsin.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Thursday, July 19
BUCKCHERRY
ART OF DYING
DILANA
Friday, July 20
GODSMACK
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD
HALESTORM
10 YEARS
BIG DEEKS
LIFE TRAGIC
Saturday, July 21
IRON MAIDEN
ALICE COOPER
PAPA ROACH
ADELITAS WAY
DORYDRIVE
Fox News looks at remarkable career of Glen Campbell and his battle with Alzheimer's
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and in music history for february 18th:
In 1942, the Mills Brothers recorded "Paper Doll." It was released as the B-side of "I'll Be Around," but became a hit when a disc jockey flipped it over. Recorded in 15 minutes, "Paper Doll" became the biggest hit of the Brothers' four-decade-long recording career. It rose to #1 on the music charts and stayed there for 12 weeks, sold more than six million copies, and was the biggest-selling non-holiday record of the decade.
In 1956, Pat Boone's cover version of Little Richard's #17 hit, "Tutti Frutti", peaks at #12 on the US Pop chart. Boone himself later admitted that he didn't even want to record the song because "it didn’t make sense" to him.
In 1959, Ray Charles recorded “What’d I Say,” in New York City.The song had evolved in concert as a call-and-response between Charles and his female back-up singers. It became Charles’ biggest hit to date, reaching #1 on the R&B charts and #6 on the pop charts.
After his run of R&B hits, this song finally broke Charles into mainstream pop music and itself sparked a new sub-genre of R&B titled soul, finally putting together all the elements that Charles had been creating since he recorded "I Got a Woman" in 1954. The gospel influences combined with the sexual innuendo in the song made it not only widely popular but very controversial to both white and black audiences. It earned Ray Charles his first gold record and has been one of the most influential songs in R&B and rock and roll history. For the rest of his career, Charles closed every concert with the song. It was added to the National Recording Registry in 2002 andranked at number 10 in Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
In 1960, in Nashville, the Everly Brothers recorded "When Will I Be Loved."
In 1962, on weekend leave from training with the US Marines, the Everly Brothers sang their current single, "Crying In The Rain," on CBS-TV's "The Ed Sullivan Show."
In 1964, while vacationing in Miami during their first trip to the US, the Beatles were involved in a photo session with heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (who later changed his name to Muhammed Ali). Clay said, "You guys got to be making a lot of money. You ain't as dumb as you look." John Lennon replied, "No, but you are." That night at a local drive-in movie theater the group saw the new Elvis Presley film "Fun In Acapulco."
In 1965, at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London, the Beatles recorded John Lennon's "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away."
The song shows the influence of the American singer Bob Dylan. The song "is just basically John doing Dylan", Paul McCartney later said.
The song is in a folkish strophic form and uses a Dylanesque acoustic guitar figure in compound time, chiefly acoustic accompaniment, no backing voices and light percussion from brushed snare, tambourine and maraca.
"You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" was the first Beatles song to feature an outside musician (apart from "Love Me Do", the group's first EMI recording, in which producer George Martin had engaged a session drummer to substitute for the then-untried Ringo Starr). The basic rhythm track was recorded first, followed by George Harrison's guitar and some extra percussion. John Scott recorded a tenor flute in the spaces in Lennon's vocal track and an additional alto flute part, in harmony with the first, on the last available track of the four-track machine
In 1966, at Commemorative Auditorium in Sydney, the Rolling Stones began an 11-date tour of Australia and New Zealand with the Searchers as their opening act.
In 1968, David Gilmour joined Pink Floyd as the replacement for founding member Syd Barrett who had checked himself into a psychiatric hospital and then gone into seclusion.
In 1969, the Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
In 1970, Rare Earth released the single "Get Ready."
In 1973, four men climbed onto the stage during an Elvis Presley show in Las Vegas. Fearing an attack, Elvis and bassist Jerry Schiff used karate to immobilize them. No charges were filed. Elvis told the audience, "I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen. I'm sorry I didn't break his goddamned neck, is what I'm sorry about."
In 1973, Blood Sweat & Tears, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were featured on the premiere of the syndicated radio concert series "The King Biscuit Flower Hour."
In 1974, KISS release their self titled debut album, but it will barely crack the Hot 100. It would take three more attempts for the band to establish itself.
In 1974, Ringo Starr released the single "Oh My My."
In 1974, Yes played their first show at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
In 1978, winners at the Grammy Awards included Fleetwood Mac, Album of the Year for Rumours; the Eagles, Record of the Year for “Hotel California”; and The Bee Gees, Best Pop Vocal Performance for “How Deep is Your Love.”
In 1980, during an interview, Rolling Stone Bill Wyman said that he intended to leave the band in 1982 on the group’s 20th anniversary. Wyman quit the band in 1993.
In 1987, Bon Jovi were at #1 on the US singles chart with “Livin’ on a Prayer.” It made it to #4 in the UK.
In 1987, Prince released the single "Sign O' The Times." He performed everything on the track except for some backing vocals by then-girlfriend Susannah Melvoin.
In 1995, guitarist Bob Stinson from The Replacements died from a drug overdose, his body was found in his Uptown, Minneapolis apartment.
In 1995, record producer Denny Cordell, who produced the debut albums of the Moody Blues, the Move and Procol Harum, died of lymphoma at age 51. After his early success in England, Cordell moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and started Shelter Records with keyboardist Leon Russell, signing to the label J. J. Cale, Phoebe Snow, Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, among others.
In 2003, country music singer Johnny Paycheck died of emphysema at 64.
In 2006, at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, the Rolling Stones gave a free concert to a crowd of more than one million people.
In 2006, the surviving members of the Bee Gees, Robin and Barry Gibb, returned to the stage for the first time since their brother Maurice died in 2003. The pair reunited for a charity concert in Miami to raise money for the Diabetes Research Institute.
In 2009, his management team announced Michael Jackson's intention to auction off his American Music Award for "Thriller," his Gold and Platinum records, a Rolls Royce limousine, a customized Harley Davidson, a velvet cape given to him by his children for Father's Day in 1998, a pair of rhinestone-trimmed socks from 1981, a basketball signed by Michael Jordan, and his own original artwork.
In 2010, Gordon Lightfoot was headed to the dentist when he heard on the radio that he was dead. "It seems like a bit of a hoax or something," the 71-year-old singer said. "I was quite surprised to hear it myself."
birthdays today include (among others): Yoko Ono (1933), Dennis DeYoung - Styx (1947) and Robbie Bachman - Bachman Turner Overdrive (1953)
great story from california about a decades old vinyl haven and the people trying to keep it that way:
Norwalk Records still vibrant after 54 years of music
by Christian Brown, Staff Writer
NORWALK – Richard Snead was a freshman in high school when he went to work for Auction City Records.
"It was always busy, it was great," said Snead. "All there was was vinyl. We sold Top 40 stuff, whatever was on the radio. Frankie Avalon, Elvis, Jimmy Dean."
Snead worked at the music store from 1958 until 1965 when he was drafted into the army, but little did he know he would return one day and expand the humble music store into one of the premier music retailers in Los Angeles County.
Founded by Arthur and Lillian Walker in 1958, Auction City Records, now known as Norwalk Records, started on the southwest corner of Studebaker Road and Firestone Boulevard.
Once a skilled electrician in Los Angeles, Arthur Walker was inevitably influenced by the nearby record industry and desired to open his own music store.
Iron Maiden Announce 2012 Tour with Alice Cooper, Coheed and Cambria
Anne Erickson
They’re back! Iron Maiden are invading the U.S. with their latest blockbuster tour, billed the “Maiden England World Tour,” and the British metal vets are bringing Alice Cooper and Coheed and Cambria with
them.
The men of Maiden – vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bass player Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers – step foot in the U.S. in Charlotte, North Carolina, on June 21 and finish up their tour in Houston, Texas, on August 18. Alice Cooper performs with Iron Maiden from June 21 through July 21, and Coheed and Cambria picks up after July 21. Find a complete list of North American tour dates at the end of the story.
The “Maiden England World Tour” will resemble – in terms of production and content – the original 1988 concert video of the same moniker, shot during the “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son Tour.”
“We have great fun playing the History of Maiden Tours because it gives us an opportunity between new albums to go out and play songs from our earlier catalogue,” singer Bruce Dickinson said
The Beach Boys 50th anniversary tour brings back together Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks for the first time in more than two decades. The first leg of shows will hit over 40-plus cities with some already adding second shows due to fast sellouts.
04/24 – Tucson, AZ – Anselmo Valencia Ampitheater 04/26 – Grand Prairie, TX – Verizon Theatre 04/27 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz Fest 04/29 – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Ampitheater 05/02 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Ampitheater 05/04 – Hollywood, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 05/05 – Tampa, FL – David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts 05/08 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater 05/09 – New York, NY – Beacon Theater 05/11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Bendum Center for the Performing Arts 05/12 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena 05/13 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena 05/15 – White Plains, NY – Westchester County Center 05/17 - Bethlehem, PA – Sands Bethlehem Events Center 05/19 – Atlanta City, NJ – Borgata Hotel Casino 05/21 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre 05/27 – Las Vegas, NV – Red Rock Casino 06/01 – Berkley, CA – Greek Theatre 06/02 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl 06/08 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 06/10 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo Music Festival 06/13 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center 06/15 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion 06/16 – Camden, NJ – Susquehanna Bank Center 06/17 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts 06/19 – Toronto, ON – Molson Ampitheatre 06/20 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre 06/22 – Bangor, ME – Waterfront Park 06/23 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center 06/26 – Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion 06/29 – Darien Lakes, NY – DTE Energy Music Theatre 07/01 – Milwaukee, WI – Markus Ampitheater (Summerfest) 07/03 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live 07/10 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Ampitheatre 07/13 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery 07/14 – Eugene, OR – Cuthbert Ampitheater 07/15 – Stateline, NV – Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Ampitheater
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Boston Announces 2012 Tour Dates
Classic rocker's Boston are returning to the road this summer. Frontman Tom Scholz joked in his announcement to fans, this latest run of dates comes just in time for the end of the world!
“Just 10 months till the end … at least till the end of the Mayan calendar, anyway,” quipped Scholz. “I wonder, did they mean to prophesize the end of the world, or was the December 21st planetary alignment just a convenient place to stop chiseling stone tablets on a really long calendar project? Some people think it is the same thing, so why take a chance? If I was making a bucket list, it would definitely include going out one more time to play some Boston shows — before time runs out!”
TRIXTER: New Album Track Listing, Release Date Announced
Frontiers Records has announced the return of good-time rock 'n' rollers TRIXTER; the band's first new album in 20 years, "New Audio Machine", will be released in North America on April 24.
Featuring TRIXTER's original lineup, "New Audio Machine" was produced and engineered by Chuck Alzakian (ELTON JOHN, CHRISTINA AGUILERA, TESLA) and includes songwriting contributions by SKID ROW's Snake Sabo and Rachel Bolan and STYX's Glen Burtnik.
Get more information at our friends at Blabbermouth
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THE BODIES OBTAINED - NEW ALBUM –– WHO KNOWS WHO’S RIGHT –– OUT NOW
LISTEN & DOWNLOAD THE SINGLE
“Life After Life”
“A unique world that isn’t for everyone, though a star gate for any fan of Eno, Throbbing Gristle, morbid fantasies, and the hours long after the sun goes down. Lay down your psychic noise” - ParasitesandSycophants.com
“Like Vangelis Papathanassiou’s Blade Runner score and Tangerine Dream albums, TBO is a listening experience not unlike traveling through an alien landscape: strange and at times incredible” - Popwreckoning.com
The Bodies Obtained return with their fourth album, Who Knows Who’s Right, out now on NY independent label Finding You Attractive. Listen and download the new single “Life After Life”, a track that destroys what you thought was possible in the realm of experimental electronica. Like what you hear? Please download the free album by visiting The Bodies Obtained on SoundCloud or Bandcamp.
The elements of the first three long-players are all there: More songs constructed around plaintive tones, more not exactly “pop”, more head-scratching while shuffling your feet, more inner turmoil, more darkwave-tinted shadows and bizarre obscure places to run from, and more music for broken robots and love songs for masochists.
Who Knows Who’s Right is timeless yet contemporary, melding the best parts of experimental rock, electronica, prog and Krautrock.
The Bodies Obtained are a duo based in Detroit, Michigan.
To stream, download, and post Who Knows Who’s Right visit:
Life After Life What Did She Say About Me Find Another Way Better Than Me So Many Ifs Ands & Buts From A To Z If Not Today Rolling Down Your Leg Don’t Feel You Feeling Me Not Sure I Trust Your Smile
WATCH THE NEW KALEIDOSCOPE VIDEO FOR “FILL US WITH FIRE” NOW!
TOMORROW’S WORLD BRAND NEW ALBUM OUT NOW
(CD, SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE CD & DOWNLOAD)
Pop pioneers Erasure release a new single, “Fill Us With Fire” on March 13th 2012, taken from the latest album, Tomorrow’s World, out now.
“Fill Us With Fire” is an euphoric declaration of love and comes backed with a new track “Shot To The Heart”, produced by Vince Clarke at The Cabin at the end of the album sessions and available here for the first time, plus remixes from Gareth Jones, JRMX (Katy Perry, The Saturdays) and Liam Keegan (Madonna, Rihanna). In addition, Timothy Wiles aka Überzone / Q who mixed VCMG’s Ssss, the forthcoming Vince Clarke and Martin L Gore album, has remixed “A Whole Lotta Love Gone Riot” and DJ Yiannis has remixed “Be With You”. Check out the full tracklisting below.
Erasure release a new Video for “Fill Us With Fire” today, the kaleidoscope Video was filmed during the band's 2011 tour in support of their Frankmusik produced Tomorrow's World album, which was released in October 2011.
Tomorrow’s World, produced by Frankmusik (Lady Gaga, Pet Shop Boys, Ellie Goulding), sees synthetic melodies and electronic beats as dominant as ever. It’s the sound of Erasure rebooted, rejuvenated and fully recharged. Timeless and universal, they never look back. Such is the essence of great pop: a glorious celebration of right here, right now.
Tomorrow’s World was written in New York, London, and at Vince Clarke’s cabin studio in Maine following a short break for Erasure, which saw Andy Bell recording and releasing his second solo album Non Stop, and Vince Clarke reuniting with former Yazoo partner Alison Moyet for a recent tour. Tomorrow’s World was recorded in Maine, London and Los Angeles, with Vince using his vintage collection of analog synths for the final touch. The end result is a collection of electronic songs that sound totally contemporary and classic at the same time. All songs are written by Bell and Clarke.
From Lady Gaga to Metronomy, the futurist, electronic sound Erasure championed is more relevant today than ever and once again re-charging the global music scene. The award-winning duo of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell unleashed on the nation a succession of both influential and chart-topping pop anthems. Songs like “A Little Respect”, “Sometimes”, “Victim Of Love”, “Ship Of Fools”, “Chains Of Love”, “The Circus”, and “Breathe,” ensured a formidable presence on the singles charts complemented by five consecutive No 1 albums including “The Innocents”, “Wild!”, “Chorus” and the beginning of the worldwide Abba revival “Abba-esque”.
Erasure also release a limited edition Abbey Road Live album of their 2011 Roundhouse performance. Hear a sampler over HERE including new single, “Fill Us With Fire” plus live favourites “Blue Savannah” and “Chorus”.
FILL US WITH FIRE TRACKLISTING Fill Us With Fire - Single Mix Shot To The Heart Fill Us With Fire - 'Fired Up' Mix by Gareth Jones Whole Lotta Love (Wayne G & Andy Allder Atlantis Anthem) Fill Us With Fire - JRMX Club Whole Lotta Love - Q Remix Fill Us With Fire (Liam Keegan Remix) Be With You - Yiannis Unruly Mix
THE LAKE EFFECT REINCARNATES THE MUSIC CAREERS OF CANADIAN PUNK ROCK LEGENDS WITH FRESH INDIE-FOLK-ROCK SOUND
DEBUT EP “EXPECT DELAYS” TO BE RELEASED ON MARCH 13
PREMIERE ETHEREAL TRIP-FOLK SINGLE “FALLEN FROM SKY” NOW AVAILABLE FOR FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD
OTTAWA, CANADA, FEBRUARY 16, 2012 – The Lake Effect is a music collective comprised of some of the most prominent artists established during the wildly mad yet glorious punk scene in Ottawa, NYC, Dublin and UK in the late 1970’s. Fast forward to 2012, and core members of The Lake Effect and respected industry veterans Phil Hogarth and Dave Bignell have rejuvenated their passion for music as well as reinvented their sound and image to create a fervent band that emotes sonic landscapes of loss and longing, redemption and love. The Lake Effect will be releasing their inaugural EP on March 13, followed by the release of their long awaited debut full-length album due for Summer 2012 release. The Lake Effect proves that musical prowess has no expiration date, as their forthcoming EP release presents a fresh collection of indie pop-rock tracks that lightly treads on psychedelic folk.
Bringing together some of the most celebrated veterans of the Canadian music scene, The Lake Effect sings transcendent tales that are pain stakenly candid and unfeigned. With songs that were built on decades of empathetic real-life experiences and revelations, The Lake Effect has revealed themselves as a sound comparable to The Acorn and Bob Pollard …yet their incredible story of dedication to their craft puts them in the realm with fellow artists Ray Lemontagne and Leonard Cohen, whom have also been there and back a few times.
The story of The Lake Effect is basically a story of commitment, and the roots of the band’s core members, Dave Bignell and Phil Hogarth, stretch way back into the glorious murky madness of the late 70’s punk scene in Ottawa, New York, Dublin and the UK.
Bignell’s first band, the infamous Red Squares, released one of Canada’s first DIY singles in late 77, were quickly named as a ‘pick to click’ by British DJ John Peel, and subsequently went on to share the stage with the likes of Ultravox, John Cale, and XTC. The Red Squares’ dedicated fans were legion, and rare copies of the band’s seminal Transmitter single are still trading for hundreds of dollars on record collector sites and eBay.
Around the same time the Red Squares were dissolving in 1980, The Lake Effect’s lead singer Phil Hogarth was recording his first EP with Bugs Harvey Oswald at U2’s Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland. Returning to Canada in ’82, Hogarth released a follow-up disc and spent a number of years playing high profile stages in NYC and elsewhere with like-minded bands the Fall, Bauhaus, 10,000 Maniacs, and the Ramones.
Since the 80’s, Bignell and Hogarth have dedicated themselves to many interesting art and music projects in Canada and internationally, but they have always remained committed to the same personal, political and poetical goals that inspired them in the first place. They may be older now, and much water has passed beneath the proverbial bridge, but that is clearly a good thing. Stripped of all pretension, they have finally come together, cracked the shell and found the glistening pearl within.
The Lake Effect’s songs are unique in their strength and beauty, and the band’s live performances are quickly earning them a host of enthusiastic new fans. Refreshingly relaxed, candid and chill, The Lake Effect rules the stage with an easy humor and professional grace that reflects their extensive experience as major players on Canada’s national scene. They’re smart, they’re soulful and they’re sexy, and that is what the best music is really all about. Dreams may fade and empires fall, but the beautiful songs of Lake Effect fly sky high above them all.
The Lake Effect’s highly anticipated premiere EP will be released on March 13, 2012.
"Expect Delays" Track Listing: 1) Fallen From The Sky 2) Mind 3) Camera 4) HotHouse
For more information & music streams from The Lake Effect, please visit:
Tomahawk Reissuing All Of Their Albums on Vinyl For Record Store Day Release
Tomahawk will be releasing all three of their albums on vinyl on April 21st, just in time for Record Store Day. The three albums will be part of a vinyl set titled “Eponymous to Anonymous,” and the set will also have a spot for the group’s upcoming fourth album.
Led by Duane Denison, Tomahawk is made up of Mike Patton, John Stanier, and Trevor Dunn. The alternative rock super-group has worked together on three albums, Tomahawk, Mit Gas, and Anonymous. The band was formed in 2000 when the musicians had all left previous bands, including Mr. Bungle, The Jesus Lizard, and Helmet.
The band is honoring Record Store Day, which was officially started in 2007 to celebrate the art of music.
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love this album cover art!
Revel In Flesh Cover Art For New Release
Revel In Flesh's new album 'Deathevokation' will be released on March 23rd via FDA Rekotz. Featuring members and former members of Immortal Rites (R.I.P), Dawn Of Dreams and Apophis, Germany's Revel In Flesh formed in 2011 to pay tribute to the impure way of classic 90s European style old school death metal. The album was mastered by Dan Swano.
Tracklist: Culpa Et Inferna Shadowbreeder- Until Hell Freezes Over Wings of Death Iron Coffin Bloodfeast Slavish Obedience Opus Putrescence Black Paled Elegy Crowned In Darkness Subconscious Error
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The Dandy Warhols' New Album Due in April
The band will issue their eighth studio album,‘This Machine‘ on April 24th. The LP was recorded in the band’s multi-functional studio The Odditorium during the course of 2011 with their long-term producer Jeremy Sherrer. Frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor has described the new albums as "stripped down, woody and extremely guitar centric." The record has been mixed by Tchad Blake. ‘This Machine’s artwork was designed by the Portland, Oregon painter Hickory Mertsching.
Tracklist: 1. Sad Vacation 2. The Autumn Carnival 3. Enjoy Yourself 4. Alternative Power To The People 5. Well They’re Gone 6. Rest Your Head 7. 16 Tons 8. I Am Free 9. SETI vs Wow! Signal 10. Don’t Shoot She Cried 11. Slide
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album cover art for the day:
CRYSTAL VIPER: New Album Track Listing, Cover Artwork Unveiled
Polish female-fronted traditional heavy metal act CRYSTAL VIPER will release its new album, "Crimen Excepa", in Europe on April 27 and in the U.S. on April 24 via AFM Records. The concept effort about holy inquisition, black magic and witches, where fiction is mixed with historical facts, was produced by Bart Gabriel (SACRED STEEL, JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR) and recorded with sound engineer Mariusz Pietka (MORTICIAN, LONEWOLF).
"Crimen Excepta" will feature two special guests: David Bower, vocalist of HELL will appear in the title track, while VADER mainman Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek will be heard in the cover version of the classic VADER song "Tyrani Piekiel", which will be available as the bonus track on the first, limited edition of the album.
Slash recently announced that his next album will be called ‘Apocalyptic Love.’ The top-hatted one has once again joined forces with producer Eric Valentine for the May 22 release.
“I’m a band guy,” Slash told Rolling Stone of his decision to record ‘Apocalyptic Love’ with a full band. “I still have my name on the marquee and everything, but I’m just not a dictator, I don’t want to rule anything. I like to hear what other people’s ideas are and so on and so forth.”
Slash is reported to appear with the original members of Guns N’ Roses for their April 14 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
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The 50 Sexiest Album Covers Ever!!
They certainly will raise a few eyebrows...
With the crazy success of Adele's album '21' (the most simple and non-sexual album cover out there) it got us thiking..does sex really sell?
We at Gigwise thought that we would search through the bowels of time to bring you the 50 dirtiest and sexiest album covers of all time (okay there are a couple of singles too).
Every trick in the book is used here - from blatant nudity to the simple power of suggestion.
In our list below, you'll find artwork from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Katy Perry and Red Hot Chili Peppers - it seems no artist is averse to posing provocatively, or at least putting some more of sexuality into their album covers.
On April 21st, Niji Entertainment Group will help celebrate Record Store Day by reissuing "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" as a numbered/limited edition picture disc, which features the album's classic cover art on the front of the disc, and a crowd shot (originally featured in the gatefold of the original album) on the back. The effort was remastered under the supervision of long time Dio engineer, Wyn Davis.
Dean Schachtel, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Niji Entertainment Group, says, "I feel very confident that this will be one of the more popular Record Store Day items, as only 2,500 deluxe picture discs were made, and each LP is individually numbered. And to top it all off, this is the very first picture disc from Rainbow."The last Dio-related picture disc to be released on Record Store Day ('Killing the Dragon') sold out its 2,500 pressing in less than a week. So act quick to secure your copy of this one-of-a-kind Rainbow/Dio release!
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Trophy Scars Vinyl Release
The pride and joy of New Jersey, Trophy Scars, are scheduled to reissue their pivotal album 'Alphabet. Alphabets.' on vinyl. According to an interview with theNJunderground.com, they will also celebrate the release by playing the album in its entirety at Maxwell's on March 10th & 11th.
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CYMBALS EP Coming In April
CYMBALS are set to release their new EP 'Sideways, Sometimes' via Tough Love on the April 23rd.
Following the elusive release of their album 'Unlearn' - which was released on limited hand-screen printed vinyl - there's been a lot of interest generated around the four-piece.
'Sideways, Sometimes' was mixed and produced by James Yuill, D/R/U/G/S and Rory Brattwell, and gets released in April.
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don't know anything about the band, but i like their name......
Weekly Chatter: Carolina Chocolate Drops make smooth transition to new lineup
By Alan Sculley/Special to the Caller-Times
CORPUS CHRISTI — The edition of the Carolina Chocolate Drops that is on tour behind its new CD "Leaving Eden" (out on Feb. 28) is notably different from the group fans had seen.
Fiddle player Justin Robinson left the Grammy-winning group (which also includes guitarist/multi-instrumentalist/singer Dom Fleming and singer/multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens) last year and was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins. In addition, touring beatboxer Adam Matta has been replaced by cellist Leyla McCalla.
our friends over at vintagevinylnews.com have this news:
Mike Bloomfield, Furry Lewis, Allen Toussaint Among Blues Hall of Fame Inductees
The Blues Hall of Fame has announced the performers, non-performing individuals, recordings and books to be inducted in 2012.
The class is led by such noted artists as Allen Toussaint, Furry Lewis, Lazy Lester and Mike Bloomfield while non-performers include Doc Pomus and DJ Pervis Spann. Recording are also being inducted by Magic Sam, Tampa Red, Pine Top Smith, Buddy Guy and the Robert Cray Band.
Inductees are chosen by the Blues Hall of Fame committee which includes scholars, record producers, radio programmers and historians and is chaired by Jim O'Neill, the founding editor of Living Blues magazine. The induction will be held on Wednesday, May 9 at the Memphis Marriott Downtown, the night before the 33rd annual Blues Music Awards.
and in an expanded edition of music history for february 17th:
Born on this day in 1905, Orville ‘Hoppy’ Jones, bassist, singer and cello player with the Ink Spots, who had a 1955 UK #10 single with "Melody Of Love." He died October 18, 1944.
Born on this day in 1922, Tommy Edwards, singer who had the 1958 US & UK #1 single with "Its All In The Game"). The song was written by US Vice President Charles Dawes. Edwards died on October 22, 1968, aged 47. circa 1967
Born on this day in 1941, Gene Pitney, singer, who had the 1962 US #4 single "Only Love Can Break A Heart." Also had over 15 other US & UK Top 40 hits. Pitney was found dead aged 65 in his bed in a Cardiff hotel on 5th April 2006. The American singer was on a UK tour and had shown no signs of illness.
In 1955, at the recommendation of R&B artist Lloyd Price, Richard Penniman, who is currently leading an ensemble called Little Richard and The Upsetters, sends a demo tape to Specialty Records founder Art Rupe. After some initial reluctance, Rupe will sign Penniman to a contract that will pay the singer a half cent for every record sold.
In 1958, Ricky Nelson recorded "Believe What You Say" and "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It." They became the "A" and "B" sides of the fifth single to earn him a Gold Record.
In 1960, after achieving more than 15 million in sales with Cadence Records, The Everly Brothers sign a ten year, $1 million contract with Warner Brothers records, where they will enjoy eight more US Top 40 hits over the next seven years.
Also in 1960, Elvis Presley receives his first Gold record for the album 'Elvis.'
In 1962, Gene Chandler had the top tune on the Billboard Pop chart with "The Duke Of Earl", the first of his six US chart hits.
In 1964, Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass appear in their first major concert in Los Angeles. Over the next three years they will become one of the most successful instrumental acts in history, achieving twelve Billboard Top 40 hits.
In 1966, the Beach Boys begin recording sessions for Brian Wilson's masterpiece, "Good Vibrations," a song he had written with the group's Mike Love. Brian spent six months working on the tracks, recording in seventeen different sessions in four Los Angeles studios, using 13 additional musicians (besides the Beach Boys themselves), at a cost of more than $50,000. The recording engineer later said that the last take sounded exactly like the first one, made six months earlier. Although the record would top charts around the world and sell millions of copies, it would be the Beach Boys' last to reach the Billboard Top 10 for ten years.
Also in 1966, in Sheffield, Alabama, Percy Sledge recorded "When A Man Loves A Woman." Before the recording session, the song had no title or lyrics. The session proceeded, the instrumental track was laid down, with the expectation that Sledge would eventually reveal the lyric sheet for the vocal takes. But when it came time to record the vocals, Sledge improvised the lyrics with minimal pre-planning using the melody as a guide for rhythm and phrasing. The performance was so convincing that everyone working on the session assumed he had the lyrics written down.
In 1966, 25-year-old Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler receives two Gold records for the single "The Ballad of the Green Berets" and the album of the same name.
In 1966, Nancy Sinatra was at #1 on the UK singles chart with "These Boots Are Made For Walking," Frank's eldest daughters first #1 hit.
In 1967, the Beatles started recording a new John Lennon song "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite" at Abbey Road studios, London. John's lyrics for the song came almost entirely from an antique poster advertising a circus performance scheduled to take place in Rochdale, Lancashire, in February 1843. John had purchased the poster in Sevenoaks on January 31 while The Beatles were on location for the filming of the 'Strawberry Fields Forever' promotional film. The track was completed on March 31. It was one of three songs from the "Sgt. Pepper" album banned from airplay on the BBC, supposedly because the phrase "Henry the horse" combined two words that were individually known as slang for heroin. Lennon denied the connection.
In 1968, Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring singer Janis Joplin, played the Anderson Theatre in New York City, their first East Coast concert.
In 1969, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan had a recording session in Nashville, TN. "Girl from the North Country" was the only duet released from the session. The track appeared on Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline' album.
In 1970, Joni Mitchell announced her retirement from live performances. She returned to the stage within a year.
In 1971, James Taylor made his TV debut on The Johnny Cash Show. Other guests included Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt and Tony Joe White.
In 1972, Pink Floyd premiered some material that was scheduled to appear on the 'Dark Side of the Moon' album, including the song "Eclipse", at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Eventually, the playing of live versions of songs yet to be released would have to be stopped, as bootleg copies of their material started to appear before the studio releases.
Also in 1972, Los Angeles radio station KDAY played two new Rolling Stones tracks non-stop for a day after obtaining stolen tapes from a producer's home.
In 1973, War started a two-week run at #1 on the Billboard album chart with "The World Is A Ghetto".
In 1973, the rock ensemble Free, who reached #2 in the UK and #4 in the US in 1970 with "All Right Now", play their final show at Florida's Hollywood Sportatorium. Vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke will move on to form Bad Company.
In 1975, AC/DC released their debut album 'High Voltage.' The album featured a cover of 'Baby, Please Don't Go' a blues song first recorded by Big Joe Williams and 'She's Got Balls' which was written about singer Bon Scott's ex-wife Irene - the first AC/DC song for which he wrote lyrics. Prior to the release of the international version of High Voltage, AC/DC had already released their debut album under the same name High Voltage a year before in Australia only, which had a different track listing. The international release only included two tracks from the original release, with the rest of its songs being pulled from AC/DC's second album T.N.T..
In 1976, the Eagles released their legendary 'Greatest Hits' LP.Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) comprises nine best-selling singles released between 1972 and 1975, as well as "Desperado", which had never been previously released as an A-side. All single tracks but "Tequila Sunrise" charted in the top 40, with five in the top ten, and "One of These Nights" and "Best of My Love" both topping the singles chart. With such airplay success in the span of a little over four years, the band became a formidable presence on American commercial radio in the 1970s, and Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 album chart upon its release.
On February 24, 1976, the album achieved the distinction of being the first to receive the RIAA Platinum award, in recognition of one million shipments in the United States. On November 10, 1999, it became the all-time best-selling album in the United States when it was certified 26× Multi Platinum. It was certified at 29× Multi Platinum on 30 January 2006, and has sold over 42 million copies worldwide to date.
In 1976, Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatrical society gives its annual Women of the Year award to Bette Midler. Upon accepting, Bette says: "This award characterizes what the American male wants in a woman...brains, talent and gorgeous tits."
In 1979, the Clash opened its first U.S. tour in New York City, opening with a mainstay of their live act called "I'm So Bored With The USA".
In 1979, Blondie scored their first UK #1 album when 'Parallel Lines' started a four-week run at the top of the charts, featuring the singles "Heart Of Glass," "Hanging On The Telephone" and "Sunday Girl."
In 1982, jazz pianist/composer Thelonious Monk died after a stroke at 64.
In 1988, a 12-year old fan of Motley Crue set his legs on fire while trying to imitate a stunt in the band's "Live Wire" video. The boy suffered burns over ten percent of his body.
In 1989, R.E.M. Hoodoo Gurus and The Go-Betweens all appeared at the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, Australia.
In 1990, Aerosmith appeared on "Saturday Night Live". The performed the Wayne's World theme song while appearing in the skit as themselves.
In 1996, a Platinum American Express card once belonging to Bruce Springsteen was sold for $4,500 (£2,650) at a New York memorabilia sale. The singer had given the expired card to a waiter in a LA restaurant by mistake and let them keep it as a souvenir.
In 1998, Destiny Child's self-title debut album was released.
In 2000, John Lennon's Steinway piano, on which he composed 'Imagine', went on display at the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, England. The piano was set to be auctioned on the Internet later in the year and was expected to fetch more than £1 million ($1.7 million).
In 2004, the Recording Industry Association of America filed 531 "John Doe" lawsuits against suspected users of peer-to-peer file-sharing services. Once a John Doe suit has been approved by a judge, the record-label plaintiffs can subpoena the information necessary to identify the defendant by name.
In 2004, winners at this years Brit awards included, Daniel Bedingfield who won Best British male, Dido won Best British Female, The Darkness won Best British group, Best Rock group and Best British album with 'Permission To Land', Busted won British Breakthrough act and Duran Duran won Outstanding Contribution to Music.
In 2005, a 1965 Fender Stratocaster guitar belonging to Jimi Hendrix sold for £100,000 at an auction in London. Other Hendrix items sold included a poem written two weeks after his appearance at the Monterey Festival which went for £10,000 and the first Jimi Hendrix Experience's single 'Hey Joe', signed by all the band sold for £2,000.
In 2006, singer/songwriter/guitarist ("Hair," "Indian Lake,"The Rain The Park & Other Things") Bill Cowsill, lead vocalist of the Cowsills, died at the age of 58 from complications of emphysema, Cushing's syndrome and osteoporosis.
In 2008, Little Richard got a standing ovation from a crowd of 2,400 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville without playing a single note. The 75 year old Rock 'n Roll pioneer was seated at the rear of the auditorium during a concert by The Temptations and The Four Tops when he was introduced by The Temp's Otis Williams.
birthdays today include (among others): Buck Trent (inventor electric banjo) (74), Rick Medlocke (Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd) (62), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) (40) and Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) (40)
A very rare pressing stamper — the metal disc used to press copies of vinyl records — for the A-side of the original Beatles 7″ vinyl release of ‘Twist & Shout’ has sold for $3,499 during an eBay auction. The stamper, which comes in its original shipping envelope bearing the name of the manufacturer, AFM Engineering, is dated Feb. 25, 1964 — less than one week before the single’s March 2, 1964, release.
Michael Davis, a member of the legendary MC5, has passed away from liver failure at the age of 68. His death was reported by his wife, Angela Davis, who said he had been fighting the disease for almost a month at Enloe Medical Center in Chico, CA.
From his 1966 recording of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” through his 1972 double-sided hit single “That’s What Friends Are For”/”Happier Than the Morning Sun,” B.J. Thomas enjoyed a string of hits rivaled by few artists of that time. And the fact that he did this on an indie label, Scepter, makes the achievement even more impressive. Various compilations of Thomas’ Scepter sides have come and gone. But Real Gone’s 44-track anthology is the first to offer A- and B-sides of every one of the artists’ Scepter singles, including his 19 hits. Many of the B-sides never appeared on albums. DJ/journalist Michael Ragogna wrote the notes, which feature quotes from Thomas.
Frankie Avalon’s late ’50s/early ’60s recordings practically define an era in pop music. But while there have been many reissues of his legendary Chancellor recordings, his later output has proven elusive. Frankie Avalon: Muscle Beach Party: The United Artists Sessions features 20 stereo tracks recorded in 1964 and ’65. The set’s centerpiece is Frankie’s album Muscle Beach Party and Other Movie Songs, which features music from his films (notably a version of “Runnin’ Wild,” his spotlight solo in the Muscle Beach Party movie). In addition are his rare UA singles plus tracks from the soundtrack of I’ll Take Sweden, a Bob Hope comedy in which he co-starred. The set features liners by Tom Pickles and photos.
One might think that the debut solo album, sporting two hits, from one of the ’80s’ biggest heartthrobs would have been reissued long ago, but Rick Springfield’s 1972 Capitol release Beginnings... was indeed the “beginnings” of a series of misadventures in the music business that were to plague the singer until he broke through with “Jessie’s Girl” and a role on the soap opera General Hospital. Springfield had scored a major hit in Australia with “Speak to the Sky” (the song appears here in its re-recorded U.S. hit version) when he moved to the States and made Beginnings, but there was a serious disconnect between the music and the marketing. The label seemed bent on selling him as a Tiger Beat teen heartthrob but Springfield’s songwriting betrayed an artist with loftier ambitions, switching from Big Star-esque power pop (“Mother Can You Carry Me”) to T-Rexish glam (“Hooky Jo”) to McCartney-esque balladry (“What Would the Children Think”). Springfield left Capitol following disappointing initial sales; this album deserved a wider audience then and still does now.
Having previously set a Catholic Mass to psychedelic guitar in 1967 with the Electric Prunes album Mass in F Minor, in 1971 legendary arranger/producer David Axelrod went for Baroque and set Georg Friedrich Handel’s signature work Messiah to contemporary instrumentation as well. But he didn’t do it alone — frequent collaborator Julian “Cannonball” Adderley conducted the orchestra. The result was a record far more restrained, even respectful, than Mass in F Minor, with psychedelic guitar, a funk rhythm section, flute and electric piano contributing tasty, swinging instrumental passages. This cult favorite is given its first reissue here of any kind, with new liner notes and photos. Another Real Gone (ahem) resurrection, just in time for Easter!
Clint Eastwood has demonstrated a deep love and aptitude for music as both an actor and a director (e.g. Play Misty for Me; Bird) during his entire career. On Rawhide’s Clint Eastwood Sings Cowboy Favorites he is fresh from his success on the TV series Rawhide, crooning (and quite competently so) a collection of Country & Western favorites. Real Gone has added both sides of his 1962 single “Rowdy” b/w “Cowboy Wedding Song” to the CD release of this 1963 stereo album; the vinyl release (the album’s first-ever reissue in the vinyl format) features 180-gram vinyl pressing.
The fact that two albums by The Tubes, Young & Rich and Now (their second and third releases) have been out of print for years — and Now never even issued on CD in this country — is eloquent testimony to the fact that they are one of the most underrated bands of the ’70s (though not underrated by all — used CD copies of these albums sell for staggering figures online). Salacious Zappa-like satire? Check. Over-the-top theatricality à la Alice Cooper? Check. BOC-like hard rock? Check. Even avant-garde, Beefheart-ian atonality cropped up in unexpected places. The two-disc set features liner notes by Gene Sculatti drawn from a new interview with drummer Prairie Prince.
When a band has not one, not two, but three releases entitled Live Dates, it’s a pretty good bet that the band in question is pretty good in concert. And in the case of Wishbone Ash, that’s an understatement; various line-ups of the group have been rocking the globe with their patented brand of twin-guitar hard/progressive rock for 40 years now. Though Live Dates (1973) charted, and Live Dates III (2001) is well-thought-of by their fan base, it’s Live Dates II (released in 1980 and assembled from various 1976-1980 shows) that’s considered the real gem of the three; it ranks as probably the key document of the Wishbone Ash version 2.0 lineup of guitarists Andy Powell (he of the Flying V) and Laurie Wisefield, bassist Martin Turner and drummer Steve Upton. Real Gone’s reissue features the complete, limited-edition double-album of which only 25,000 copies were originally released, and only in the UK—80 minutes of guitar bliss on a single CD.
In 1982, Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in San Antonio, Texas for urinating on a statue in front of the Alamo. After he made bail, the Black Sabbath singer skipped town. Osbourne was subsequently banned from the city for ten years.
